Chapter Five: Party Time

Mercedes was greeted with the sound of Rachel's melodic voice belting out a slightly drunk rendition of Rolling in the Deep. She walked into the basement/party room to see Rachel being dragged off stage by an embarrassed looking Jesse. "Babe, you're too drunk to be singing right now!" Rachel pouted, like a spoilt child. "Party pooper," she moaned.

Caleb stood awkwardly in a corner, whilst his dads chatted to some of their old friends. He caught Holly's eye from across the room. She smiled and her cheeks flushed pink. Kurt had just pulled Blaine onto stage for a duet. It was at the point that Blaine sang the first notes of 7 Years, when Caleb decided to ask Holly for a dance. Izzy and Josh were making out by the bar, so Holly was a little lonely. Caleb took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor. He put one hand on her waist and left one hand in her hand. Kurt caught Blaine's eye across the stage as he noticed his daughter's dance partner. Blaine winked as they reached the chorus of the song.

Caleb's bright blue eyes stared into Holly's. "You're so pretty," he said, with a little smile. She laughed and blushed. "I hope this isn't too forward," he looked down, and with a nervous laugh said, "I really like you, Holly. Do you want to go on a date with me? We could go to Breadstix or Lima Bean? I don't mind…." Holly stopped his rambling with a firm kiss on his lips. She pulled away and met his eyes. "Is that a yes?" She grinned and nodded. "Of course it is!"

Mercedes saw Sam before he saw her. His look of shock reflected hers almost exactly. Rue was dancing with a girl called Bella, which Mercedes was glad of. She didn't want to reunite with Sam and have to introduce him to his son right away; a son he didn't know about. Sam made his way across to where Mercedes stood. Puck and Quinn, who had been catching up with Mercedes, saw Sam approaching and made a swift exit. Their daughter and her boyfriend were getting a little too friendly for their liking! Plus, Mercedes and Sam needed to be alone for this.

"Is that who I think it is? Mercedes Jones?" Sam pulled Mercedes into a tight hug. "Sam! It's been a while." Mercedes had butterflies in her stomach. It had been just over 16 years. They'd left it too long. Last time they saw each other, it was a one-night hook-up. Afterwards, they'd had an argument and Mercedes accused Sam of taking advantage of her. They'd both been very drunk, at a sort of reunion for a few of the Glee kids. As it turned out, only Mercedes and Sam had turned up. Everyone else got busy at the last minute. Things got heated, one thing led to another and they ended up in a hotel room together. Mercedes had made it clear in the past that she was saving herself for marriage. She had been angry with Sam because he had forgotten this and let things go too far. They went their separate ways and never spoke again. After Mercedes found out she was pregnant, she took a break from her musical career. She never told Sam, or any of her old friends. Only her family knew.

"Listen, Mercedes. I know it's been a long time, but I wanted to say sorry for last time. I shouldn't have let it get so far. When you didn't return my calls, I knew I'd gone too far." He put his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.

"Sam, this is a party for the Glee kids. Let's not cause drama and make it about us."

"Meet me tomorrow and we can talk. I'll take you to Breadstix for old times' sake."

Mercedes nodded. "Fine. We have some serious things to discuss. I'll be there at 6."

"Am I pushing my luck if I ask for a duet?" Sam's eyes were full of hope as he stared at Mercedes. "Well, we have to show the kids what you're expecting from them at sectionals. I choose the song though." Sam agreed. "Naturally, it's ladies choice."

"I choose a Mercedes Jones classic; Hell to the No. Let's see what you can do with that one!" She winked at him and laughed, as she turned her back and walked to the stage. Sam rolled his eyes. She was not going to make this easy for him, but he would try his best.

Blaine gasped as he saw who was about to sing. He nudged Kurt, who was engrossed in a debate with Jesse, about which musical was better: Wicked or Funny Girl. When Kurt wouldn't listen to him, Blaine shook his husband by the shoulders. "Blaine! What the hell do you want?"

"Look!" Blaine gestured frantically to the stage where Mercedes had just picked up the microphone. Sam stood next to her, microphone already in hand.

"You think you can keep up, Evans?" Mercedes laughed. "We'll see!" Sam replied, with a cheeky wink.

Rachel was ready with the music. As she pressed play, the whole room gathered round the stage. Rue stood at the back of the crowd. He knew his mum didn't want him to meet Sam yet. It was best for him to keep out of the way.

Mercedes: Mama said get your ass out of bed

Sam: I said hell to the no

Mercedes shot Sam a look. Quinn gave out her famous cackle. This was getting interesting. Sam's rustic, country tones belted out the chorus to Mercedes's song. It was impressive to say the least.

Holly stood at the front, Caleb's arm around her waist. Her stomach did somersaults at the thought of their approaching date. She hadn't even had time to tell Rachel yet. She caught Rachel's eye from the side of the room. Holly's mum noticed Caleb's hand on Holly's hip and raised an eyebrow. Holly grinned. Rachel knew without even saying a word.

Izzy and Josh had taken a break from their extreme make out session, after some stern words from Quinn. Quinn didn't want her daughter to end up in the same situation she'd been in at that age. Puck and Quinn hadn't seen Beth since she was 4 years old. It was easier that way, less messy. Izzy didn't know about her sister and Puck and Quinn planned on keeping it like that. Izzy didn't even know about Quinn's pregnancy.

Josh had his hand firmly in Izzy's and they stood next to Holly and Caleb. The duet was incredible. The new Glee kids had a little experience with Mr Evans's singing from small performances he did for them in Glee, but nothing like this. There was so much chemistry, yet also rivalry between the two on stage. It worked perfectly.

It got to 1am and the party was getting a little crazy. Rachel and Blaine were extremely drunk. It appeared Blaine took after his mother when it came to drinking. They reminisced about the time they once kissed at a party in Rachel's basement. Rachel was part way through suggesting they re-created that moment, when Jesse swooped in and recommended he take Rachel to bed. Kurt agreed whole-heartedly to this and assisted Jesse in taking Rachel to the spare room.

Jane and Mason decided it was time for Zoe and Bella to go home. They had dance practice the next day and didn't want to be falling asleep for it. Bella exchanged numbers with Rue and they said their goodbyes. It seemed a romance was blossoming there. It appeared theirs wasn't the only one. Caleb and Holly had shared a few sneaky kisses when their parents weren't looking. It was more difficult for Holly to be sly about it because she had three parental figures watching; Blaine, Kurt and Rachel. Caleb's dads were more engrossed in each other than in what their son was doing. It was easier and less embarrassing for Caleb to ignore them too.

When it was time for Spencer, Alistair and Caleb to leave, Holly took Caleb to the living room so she could say goodbye. "I'll pick you up at 3 tomorrow and take you to The Lima Bean. Coffee's on me," Caleb smiled and brushed a strand of hair behind Holly's ear. He lifted her chin to face him and pressed his lips to hers.

"Woah! I should not have walked into this!" Kurt turned and quickly exited the living room. "Sorry honey!"

Holly turned red. "Oh my God! That's so embarrassing!"

Caleb laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow." He pecked her lips once more and went to find his dads.

Quinn, Puck and Izzy were next to leave. They took Josh with them as, much to Puck's disapproval, he was staying with Izzy that night. Quinn and Puck reassured Kurt and Blaine that they would see each other more often now that they knew they lived so close.

Only Mercedes, Sam and Rue were left. Rue hid in the car, while his mum said goodbye. They were staying in a hotel close by whilst Mercedes sorted things with Sam.

"Tonight was good, Mercedes. I've missed you."

"Leave the soppy stuff for tomorrow," she replied. "I'll see you at 6." With that, Mercedes turned, said goodbye to Kurt and Blaine and left.

"Well, that was interesting!" Blaine slurred. "Come on, you. It's time for bed." Kurt took Blaine's arm. "Oooh, time for bed eh?" Blaine made an attempt to wink, but it was more like a blink. "No, Blaine. It is time to sleep!"

Kurt turned to Sam. "You can take the other spare room if you like. I'd suggest you do as you seem a little intoxicated!" Sam nodded. "Thanks, Kurt."

It had been an interesting and fun night. Relationships were blooming and old friends had been united. It seemed like the next day would be even more interesting.