A/N: Hey guys! So like I promised, longer chapter. Every chapter after this will be 3,000+ words (I hope). I already have chapter 8 written I just have to transcribe it. I really hope you guys enjoy this one. There's some Maverick stuff in this one and I can't wait to see what you guys have to say about it. Let me know.

Happy Reading!

And as always, REVIEWS = LOVE!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own: Glee, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, any characters, places, words or phrases from the books, movie or television show, Audi or anything else you can find outside of fandom.

I left Gordon with his papers and went up to bed after making him a big ass sub for dinner.

When I got to my room, Sam was already there, stretched out on my bed; one arm behind his head, legs crossed at the ankles. My PJs were laid out for me again. I grabbed them and headed to the bathroom.

I climbed into bed once I returned and snuggled up next to his cold body.

"Are you ok, my love?" Sam asked gazing down at me.

I sighed but kept my eyes averted, "I have to figure out what to tell people." He was silent. "Why I won't be at Christmases and why I won't visit; why they'll never see me again."

"After a few decades, everyone you know will be dead," Sam pointed out. "Problem solved."

"Pleasant," I retorted, inching away.

"Reality," he said pulling me back.

"Why are you always doing that?" I questioned, making eye contact.

"What?"

"Being so atrabilious about what I want?"

Sam was silent. He closed his eyes.

"Why are you so against me becoming like you?" I asked in search of an honest answer.

"I've told you," he answered sharply.

"Be honest with me," I said as he opened his eyes to look into mine. "There's more."

"I know the consequences of this choice you're making," Sam began calmly. "I've lived through it," he chuckled. "and to let you suffer that…" he paused with a sigh. "You believe I have a soul and I don't; but to risk yours, just for the sake of never having to lose you; that's the most selfish thing I'll ever do." I gave him a small smile. "What?"

'I thought that you were afraid that I'd be too different," I told him, moving closer, my hand on his chest. "You know, like, I wouldn't be warm and I wouldn't smell the same."

He grinned at me before speaking, "You'll always be my Mercedes," he affirmed in a husky tone; his thumb caressing my cheek. He moved in closer and laid an ice cap melting kiss on me. We broke our kiss, he planted another on my forehead then I put my head on his chest. "my Mercedes, just less fragile," he chuckled.

"Shut up," I said with my own chuckle before drifting off to sleep.

The next day after school, Mav was waiting for me at home.

"Hey," I said meeting him on the porch steps.

"Hey, can you hang today?" he asked hopeful.

"I have to work today. It's Monday," I told him.

"Can you skip it?"

"Only if I want to be fired."

"Can I drive you?" he asked.

"Sure, I gotta run in and change my shirt. Be right back," I said unlocking the door and rushing up to my room. I slipped on my Daniels Music Emporium t-shirt and shoved another tee in my bag for after work. I came back down and out and locked the front door.

When we arrived at the store, it was dark and there were no cars out front or back. I got out and on the employee entrance door was a note that read,

Local jerks put stink bugs in the ventilation system.

Store closed until Friday.

Bret

I got back into the Escort.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Apparently, bug infestation and we're closed until Friday," I told him. "So I guess I can hang after all."

"Gross but cool," Mav said making a face. I laughed as we peeled out of the parking lot.

"Where are we going?" I asked looking out the window. "This is the way we went when we went bike riding."

"Yeah, that road where you wiped out," he began.

"Thanks for the reminder," I teased.

"If you follow it, it takes you where we're headed," he continued as if I hadn't interrupted.

"Cool," I nodded as we kept driving. We rode past the huge rock where I busted my head open a little ways and a large lake and mountains came into view. Mav stopped the car and we got out. "Damn, it's so pretty here."

"Yep," he said as we walked.

"So, Tina has planned a big graduation party," I said making conversation. "Which you're invited to." Maverick just kinda looked at me. "Yeah, I figured that," I said and we both laughed. I kept walking but stopped and turned when I realized he stopped. "What?"

He looked out over the lake and said, "I just wanted to do this differently. Smoother. But now I'm out of time," he said finally bringing his eyes to me.

"To do what?" I asked, even though I was 87% sure where he was going with this.

"You need to hear the truth, Mercy," he declared, taking a few steps toward me, "understand all your options. And you need to know…" he paused. We locked eyes, "that I'm in love with you and I want you to choose me, instead of him."

"I thought you understood," I said averting my eyes. "I don't feel that way for you anymore."

"I don't buy it," Maverick said, staring into my eyes.

"What don't you buy, Mav?" I questioned. "That's how I feel."

"You feel something else for me. You just won't admit it," he said with conviction. "So, I'm not giving up. I'm gonna fight for you," he paused, "until your heart stops beating."

"Well, then you're not gonna have to fight for long," I said. "My heartbeats are numbered."

"You're rushing into it because you're afraid you'll change your mind," Mav said as if he knew my motivations.

"No, I'm not," I declared. "I know what I want."

"You wouldn't have to change for me, Mercy or say goodbye to anybody," he said. "I can give you more than him. I mean, he probably can't even kiss you without hurting you," Mav ossified. "Feel that?" he asked putting my hand on his chest. "Flesh and blood," he said softly in my ear. "And warmth."

I nodded but remained silent trying to collect my thought so that I could try to explain things to Maverick as best I could without hurting him further.

Before I could open my mouth to say anything, Mav's hands were on either side of my face; his warm full lips on mine; kissing me passionately. Now, because I'm not a liar, I'm not going to pretend that for a second, I didn't close my eyes and feel the kiss but, no one likes to be ambushed. Especially not people in relationships because if he had told me he was going to kiss me, I would have nipped that notion in the bud. What Maverick and I had was special but he needs to understand that it's the past now. Gone but not forgotten. So, I tried shoved him off but to no avail; he just kept kissing me, so when he finally pulled back I saw his little smirk and I snapped. I drew back and then extended my fist and connected with his jaw.

"Shit! God!" I exclaimed when my knuckles connected with his mouth.

"Let me see," he said as I danced around holding my hand. "Are you ok?"

"No! You fucking broke my hand!" I shouted.

"Mercy, you broke your hand," Mav said causally. "Now let me look at it."

"Don't touch me! I want to go home!"

"Fine, ok," he said opening my door for me. He got behind the wheel and we headed back toward my house. "Are you ever going to talk again?"

"No," I answered, still clutching my hand. We were silent again.

"I don't get why you're mad," he said as we sailed over the road.

"Really?!" I shouted. "How about the fact that you acted like a childish DOG!" He just rolled his eyes. "I really do hate you right now, Maverick."

"What are you whining about?" Mav asked. "That had to be better than kissing those cold, dead fish lips."

"Not even close," I told him coldly.

"You're just saying that."

"But I'm not."

Mav seemed a little bothered by that but he recovered quickly, "You're just mad, Mercy. I'm not all that experience with this kind of thing, but I thought it was pretty awesome myself."

"Ugh," I groaned.

"You're gonna think about it tonight. When he thinks you're sleeping; you'll be thinking about that kiss and your options."

"If I think about you tonight it'll be in planning my ultimate revenge," I told him, cutting my eyes at him.

"C'mon Mercy. Think about it. How it could be with me," he implored as he slowed the car. "You wouldn't have to change anything for me. Gordy would be happier if you picked me. I can protect you just as well as he can. Maybe better. And I would make you so happy, Mercedes. There's so much I can give you that you know he can't. I would never hurt you." I just held up my hurt. "That wasn't my fault."

"Maverick, I can't be happy without him."

"You never even tried."

"That's not true," I shook my head.

"It is. When he left you spent all your energy holding on to him. You could be happy if you let go and be with me."

"That's what you're not hearing. I don't want to be happy with anyone but him," I insisted.

"You'll never be as sure of him as you are of me," Mav said. I cut my eyes at him again. "He left you once; he could do it again."

"He won't," I said through gritted teeth. The pain of the memory and the pain of my hand made me want to lash out. "You left me once, too," I reminded him.

"I never did," he implored tautly. "You know, they told me I couldn't tell you – that it wasn't safe for you if we were together. But I never, ever left! I used to run around your house – just like now. Making sure you were ok."

"Thanks," I muttered. While I was grateful to him for keeping an eye on me, I wasn't about to be the one with guilt in this equation. "Hurry up, Maverick. My hand hurts."

"Just think about it, Mercedes."

"No."

"You will and so will I," he grinned.

"Gross," I said making a face.

"Drop the act, Mercy. You kissed me back," Maverick gloated, thinking he'd won.

"No, I didn't," I lied wincing in pain. I accidentally balled my fist forgetting that at the start I let myself feel the kiss. I just hadn't realized that he had too.

"I think I can tell the difference," he said smugly.

"Admittedly, I gave in. For like a second, Maverick," I told him. "It means nothing."

"I disagree," he smirked. "Just admit it. You kissed me back."

"For like a second," I reiterated. "I spent the rest of the time trying to get you off of me," I explained nastily.

"Touchy. You seem a little over defensive to me," he said. I just rolled my eyes and kept my eyes on the road ahead. "I really am sorry about your hand," Mav said sounding kinda sincere. "Next time you want to hit me though, maybe go for a baseball bat or crowbar."

"I'll keep that in mind," I groaned as my dad's car came into view. As soon as the car was stopped, I hopped out. My hand needed ice bad. I hurried up the walk and Mav was suddenly matching my steps.

"What now?" he asked as we climbed the porch steps.

"Now you're going home," I told him, fumbling in my bag for my keys. "Then I'm going inside to get ice for my damn hand," I said showing him my swollen hand and digits as he moved my hand and dug out my keys. "Then I'm calling Sam," I told him with my hand held out for him to drop the keys into.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why what?"

"Why are you going to call him?"

"Because I need a doctor and not just the kind that works on teeth."

"I could've taken you to the ER," Mav stated.

"Pass," I said reaching for my keys which he lifted above my head out of reach. "I'd rather surpass an embarrassing and unnecessary trip to the ER when Will is very capable of fixing me up."

"That's stupid," he said.

"Then I'm stupid. Give me the damn keys, Maverick," I grumbled.

"Are you ever going to call me Mav again?" he asked.

"I don't know but just be happy that Maverick is what I'm calling you. I can think of about 50 other names to call you off the top of my head and every one of them will melt your so-called "steely resolve"," I told him, reaching for the keys that he once again pulled out of reach.

"Please," he said rolling his eyes.

"Fuck it," I said as I sat down on the porch steps. I put my bag between my feet and fished my phone out. Mav rolled his eyes again, unlocked the door and went inside. I could hear him greeting Gordon. I scrolled through my phone and found what I was looking for.

"Mercedes?" Sam's frantic voice said coming onto the line. "Where are you? I went by the store; it was closed."

"Yeah, bug infestation or something. Where are you?" I asked. "I need you to come and get me."

"I'm in the car," he said. "Where are you? What's wrong?"

"I'm at home. I just need Will to look at my hand," I told him not wanting to get into too much detail over the phone.

"What happened?" he questioned tightly.

"I punched Maverick," I told him.

"Why?"

"He kissed me."

"Did you kiss him back?" he asked, a hint of worry seeping into his voice.

"Yes; for a second but kissing is no fun when you don't want to kiss the other person," I told him.

"Why did you punch him?"

"I tried to push him off and he wouldn't back off and then when he did he has this shit-eating grin on his face and I snapped," I explained. "Can we talk about the withertos and whyfors later? I'm hurting here."

"Is the dog still there?"

"Yes."

"I'm right around the corner," he said before I heard the click.

"Are you done being stupid?" Mav asked coming back outside, shutting the door behind him.

"Just go home, Maverick," I said slinging my bag back over my shoulder and getting to my feet. I walked down the walk, Mav underfoot.

Suddenly, the Audi came speeding up. Sam got out and flashed to where we were standing.

"I'm not going to kill you now because, even now, it would upset Mercedes," Sam said in a deadly tone, his eyes locked on Maverick's. "And if you ever bring her back damaged again – and I don't' give a shit whose fault it is; I don't care if she trips or a meteor shower occurs and a spaceship knocks her in the head and then crash lands – if you bring her back to me in less than perfect condition than I left her in, you'll be running with three legs. Do we understand each other, mutt?"

"I'm shaking in my Jordan's," Mav said, putting his hands up defensibly and making his knees knock together.

"Sam!" I yelled when he grabbed Mav by the collar.

"If you ever touch her against her will again…" Sam yelled, ignoring me.

"Don't do this here!" I yelled at both of them.

"She's not sure what she wants!" Mav yelled, knocking Sam's hands away.

"Don't do this here!" I yelled again.

"Let me give you a clue," Sam said getting up in Mav's face. "Wait for her to say the words."

"Fine. And she will," Mav snarled.

"Maverick, just go, ok?" I said trying to push him backward.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Gordon called as he came down the walk. "Easy, guys, easy. Let's take it notch down," he said pushing each of them a couple steps backward. "What's going on?" he asked when everyone was silent.

"I kissed Mercy," Mav said calmly. I was surprised that Mav hadn't gone inside and jumped on the couch and announced to my dad that he had kissed me. Gordon looked surprised, then pleased, then angry. I guess I can be happy that he finally made it to angry "And she broke her hand," Mav continued. Gordon looked down at the hand I was holding, "punching my face," he finished. "Total misunderstanding."

"Right, well you need to head home," Gordon said. "You better be expecting a lecture from the Chief about unwanted sexual advances." Mav didn't move. He just looked at me with pleading eyes. I looked away. "Go home, Maverick," Gordon said, turning him toward his car. Once he pulled away, Gordon directed his attention to me. "We gotta get you to the ER."

"I'd rather not," I said.

"My father can check her out," Sam said, the anger inside him subsiding.

"Alright, let me know what he says," Gordon said walking with us to Sam's car. He opened my door for me. "I'm gonna go call Travis."

"Later Dad. Thanks," I said as he closed the door. Sam pulled away in silence. "You ok?"

"Yes. Are you?" he asked.

"I will be," I said with a brief smile. Sam sped home and carried me inside.

"Will!" he called. "Will!"

"What is it?" the doctor asked coming into view.

"Mercedes needs medical attention," Sam told him.

"Bring her to my office," Will said leading the way. "A few of us are in there anyway."

Sam carried me into the lavish office and sat me down at the table. Finn, Rachel, Santana and Brittany watched as Will went into doctor mode.

"It's just a mild sprain," Will informed me as he pulled an ace bandage out of his bag. "It should heal quickly," he said wrapping my hand.

"Trying to walk and chew gum at the same time again, Mercedes?" Finn teased as he hopped up on the table.

"I punched a werewolf in the face," I bragged.

"Badass," he beamed. "You're gonna be one tough little newborn."

"Tough enough to take you on," I said playfully.

Rachel threw down the newspaper she was reading, glared at me, then stalked out of the room. I looked to Finn for answers.

"Don't worry about it," he said reassuringly. I gave him a brief smile but I was worried about. I didn't want to join this family in just a few weeks' time with any bad blood between me and anybody else.

When I turned around in my chair, Mike was coming in.

"Got any leads?" Sam asked him.

"No sign of the intruder, but Scarlett continues to make appearances," Mike said picking up the newspaper off the coffee table.

"And those wolves are doing their part?" Finn questioned.

"Same as us," Mike said. "The army has a pattern. They'll go several days with no damage to the city and then suddenly missing persons' reports are issued and there is destruction and mayhem in the streets."

"What do you think is going on?" I asked, curious.

"The missing people are the new waves of newborns; feeding, getting stronger," Mike answered, handing me the paper.

"So what now?" Will asked.

"Now we wait for Tina to see something," Mike said. The three of them continued talking, Santana and Brittany joining in. I looked down at the headline of the front page.

TOLEDO TERRORIZED BY SLAYINGS

Ted Hamilton,

Associated Press

It's been less than a decade since the city of Toledo-Maumee was hunting ground for one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history. Jerry Hall, the Toledo-Maumee Killer, was convicted of the murders of 45 women.

And now a beleaguered Toledo must face the possibility that it could be harboring an even more horrifying monster at this very moment.

The police are not calling the recent rash of homicides and disappearances the work of a serial killer. Not yet, at least. They are reluctant to believe so much carnage could be the work of one individual. This killer – if, in fact, it is one person – would then be responsible for 39 linked homicides and disappearances within the last three months alone. In comparison, Hall's 45-count murder spree was scattered over a 21-year period. If these deaths can be linked to one man, this is the most violent rampage of serial murder in American history.

The police are leaning instead toward the theory that gang activity is involved. This theory is supported by the sheer number of victims, and by the fact that there seems to be no pattern in the choice of victims.

From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, the targets of serial killings are usually connected by similarities in age, gender, race or a combination of the three. The victims of this crime wave range in age from 15-year-old honor student Claire Edwards, to 67-year-old retired teacher William Tanner. The linked deaths include a nearly even 18 women and 21 men. The victims are racially diverse: Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.

The selection appears random. The motive seems to be killing for no other reason than to kill.

So why even consider the idea of a serial killer?

There are enough similarities in the modus operandi to rule out unrelated crimes. Every victim discovered has been burned to the extent that dental records were necessary for identification. The use of some kind of accelerant, like gasoline or alcohol, seems to be indicated in the conflagrations; however, no traces of any accelerant have yet been found. All the bodies have been carefully dumped with no attempt at concealment.

More gruesome yet, most of the remains show evidence of brutal violence – bones crushed and snapped by some kind of tremendous pressure – which medical examiners believe occurred before the time of death, though these conclusions are difficult to be sure of, considering the state of the evidence.

Another similarity that points to the possibility of a serial: every crime is perfectly clean of evidence, aside from the remains themselves. Not a fingerprint, not a tire tread mark nor a foreign hair is left behind. There have been no sightings of any suspect in the disappearances.

Then there are the disappearances themselves – hardly low profile by any means. None of the victims are what could be viewed as easy targets. None are runaways or the homeless, who vanish so easily and are seldom reported missing. Victims have vanished from their homes, from a fourth-story apartment, from a health club, from a wedding reception. Perhaps the most astounding: 30-year-old boxer Izzy Daniels entered a move theater with a date; a few minutes into the movie, the woman realizes that he was not in his seat. His body was found only three hours later when fire fighters were called to the scene of a burning trash Dumpster, twenty miles away.

Another pattern is present in the slayings: all of the victims disappeared at night.

And the most alarming pattern? Acceleration. Six of the homicides were committed in the first month. 11 in the second. Twenty-two have occurred in the last 10 days alone. And the police are no closer to finding the responsible party than they were after the first charred body was discovered.

The evidence is conflicting, the pieces horrifying. A vicious new gang or a wildly active serial killer? Or something else the police haven't yet conceived of?

Only one conclusion is indisputable: something hideous is stalking Toledo-Maumee.

I folded the paper back up and set it on the table. I stood to my feet and took off toward the bathroom. I couldn't keep the fear vomit down. My memory flashed to the news story the other day. The reporter stood in front of dismantled cars and…fires.

I couldn't breathe. I gripped the sink and looked at my tear filled eyes in the mirror. I let out a deep sob and then there was a knock on the door.

"Mercedes?" Kurt's voice called coming from the other side of the door. "It's me and Tina. Are you ok?" I rinsed my mouth out, opened the door and launched myself into his arms; tears streaming.

"What's wrong, Mercy?" Tina asked rubbing her back.

"I'm…" I began. I took a deep breath and started again, "I'm ok. Just, fear brought on by a realization got me. I'm ok; really," I told them as I released him.

"Realization about what?" Tina asked.

"I read in the paper today, these vampires – these newborns – in Toledo, they're burning the bodies of their victims," I told them. "The other day when Sam and I were watching the news with Will, Finn and Mike the reporter was standing there in front of these fires and car parts and I don't know. Knowing that that fire was possibly a person…it threw me, I guess."

"I know. I'm so sorry," Tina said grabbing my hand.

"For what?"

"I am sucking at this whole seeing the future thing."

"You can't help it," I said reassuringly, "Someone's blocking you."

"I'm more concerned about you right now," Kurt said. "Has his vomiting thing been going on for a while?"

"I don't have an eating disorder," I told him. "It's one of those things that happened. I'm seriously ok."

"Are you ok?" Sam asked coming into view.

"I'm fine," I told him.

"But Kurt…" he began.

"Kurt needs to stop thinking so loudly," I said cutting my eyes at him. "I don't have an eating disorder. I just…I was scared and I puked."

"Are you sure?" Sam asked.

"Yes," I said loudly backing away from the three of them. "We're having a human/vampire disconnect. Humans, sometimes when afraid, vomit. It is a natural human reaction. You can Google it," I said. "Now, if you'll excuse me," I said as I brushed past them and stepped out on the deck.