Hi everyone...again. Trying to post this before that tragic Glee hits there in the States again.
Just want to say thank you oh so much for your beautiful reviews we are so humbled.
Thanks to you beautiful readers and favorite-rs, and all of you wonderful people out there who are enjoying this calibration.
To Tara...my co-writer, ideas extraordinaire...you are beautiful..Mwah x
Disclaimer: Yep own no song or character depicted in this fic. But I love the songs.
Chapter 4: Strawberry Wine
"We can't do this S-Sam!" Mercedes breathed, trying desperately to collect herself after the kiss she had longed to have for so many years.
"W-Why can't we Mercy?" Sam whispered as he rested his forehead on hers and looked searchingly into his eyes.
"We just can't Sam, i-it's just not right," she grimaced.
Mercedes pulled away from Sam and moved to escape their little haven. Sam gently took her arm.
"Please Mercy don't leave me, please, we so need to talk please," he whispered gently, wrapping his fingers delicately around her tiny wrist. Sam was so afraid she would disappear from him. He didn't want her out of her sight.
Mercedes moved back, and looked into his eyes; she could see fear and absolute sadness emanate from them.
Mercedes put her hand on his cheek and smiled, "we will talk ok Sam, b-but I really need to get back to work."
"You promise Mercy, as soon as you have finished can we please? Sam begged.
Mercedes hesitated and noticeable flinched, "um yeah, sure, we will talk, but I can't promise you anything else."
Sam looked into her eyes and smiled, "that's all I want us to do."
Mercedes slinked out of their hiding place, ran her fingers through her hair and tidied her appearance, then turned to Finn who was manning the bar, afraid of what his reaction would be. Finn loved Mercedes, he loved her enough to know when she was happy, and he could see that she was. Finn smiled at her and winked. Mercedes returned his smile, absolutely relieved, then quickly took her position and began tending the bar also.
There were so many people that it was almost impossible to keep up with the demands, Mercedes turned downcast toward Finn, "I'm sorry for leaving you in the lurch back there Finney."
Finn smiled and kissed her on the forehead, "its ok Cedes, let's just kick butt aye and get through all these orders!"
By now Sam had already snuck out from under the bench and was sitting on the side happily watching Mercedes at work.
Oh my Lord she is as beautiful as the day we first met, he thought, as he watched her cater for the many patrons. Sam briefly thought about going back to Quinn. The old southern gentleman in him would never leave a lady in the lurch, but no way no how was he letting his Mercy out of his sights now that they had the possibility of being together again. Sam sat and watched plaintively as Mercedes and Finn zapped around the bar busily fulfilling their tasks.
"Cedes, there are too many customers," Finn yelled fighting against the thump of the music, "I think we may need to get Artie off the floor and help on the bar,"
Mercedes screamed in competition to the booming sound, "Ok…I will get one of the waitresses to get him!"
Sam hearing their dilemma cheered, "I'll help!"
Finn furrowed his brow, "do you know how too?"
Sam smiled, "well hell yeah, you don't think I just started singing on stage do yah? I worked in so many seedy nightclubs as a bartender slash singer that I can't count."
Mercedes smiled, "I didn't know that Sam!"
Sam drank his gin and tonic and smiled, "you wouldn't darlin, a lot can happen in ten years, but one thing never changed…my love for you," he smiled raising his eyebrows to her as he finished his drink.
Mercedes flinched at first, and then smiled as Finn threw him a shirt, "well get your ass into gear Sam cos you're on."
Sam smiled, pulled off his dress shirt revealing his taut abdomen, slipped the uniform shirt on and jumped behind the bar.
Everyone applauded at the impromptu show, except Mercedes, the only one he truly wanted approval from, who was too busy manning the bar to notice a thing.
Suddenly, even more patrons crowded the bar as the party goers got wind of Sam Evans show and the fact that he was now tending the bar.
Every bimbo and their mother saddled up to the bar trying to get Sam Evans to fill their orders.
"Y'all are killin me here," Sam chuckled, as order after order came his way.
Finn smiled, "have you ever thought of taking this up full time, yah know we could always use another bartender, especially when scandal is on," he smirked and looked at Mercedes.
Mercedes rolled her eyes, "hardy har har, Finney!" she ginned.
Sam smiled at their antics, and thought as he filled another order, I so love Mercy.
Mercedes glanced briefly at Sam, gosh! She grimaced to herself, why does he have to be so freaking hot!
As the night wore on Sam became conscious of the time. He had to catch the red eye, but he needed to talk to Mercedes.
As if Finn could read his mind he called to Mercedes "Look Cedes, it's starting to slow down a little why you don't have a break," he winked and then looked at Sam.
Mercedes shook her head, "No I am sure you need my help!" and frowned at Finn. Mercedes then mouthed, I don't want to, her hands flailing discreetly in the air behind Sam.
Finn rolled his eyes. He had known her for so long he knew that of all the people in the entire world she was the queen of avoidance. Every time the hard questions needed to be asked Mercedes Jones would disappear.
Finn smiled, "You need to take a break Cedes, and Sam, so do you."
Mercedes glared at Finn and then began to speak and Finn raised his hand.
"Cedes…no!" Finn demanded, placing his hands on his hips, "I insist!"
Mercedes huffed and begrudgingly exited the bar, Sam quickly walked beside her.
"M-Mercy," he smiled, hands noticeably trembling, "c-could we talk now?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. She didn't want to talk even though she promised. Yeah she had kissed him and all but she did not think she was ready to go through anything with Sam Evans, and she knew that their talk was going be serious. As Mercedes worked the bar, it gave her time to contemplate, and all the words that Sam had voiced to her the day of their breakup came flooding back, what is he playing at? She wondered, what is he up to? She pondered as they walked further into the crowd.
Sam took Mercedes hand, "please Mercy, please can we just talk!"
Kurt watched the two from afar. He knew Mercedes Jones very well and could tell she was warming up for her 'I'm getting the hell out of here stride'.
Kurt quickly made his way toward them.
"Oh it's so good to see you two together," Kurt smiled.
Mercedes rolled her eyes and folded her arms, Sam stood coyly beside her.
Kurt smiled again and said, "Sam can you excuse us for one minute please?"
Sam nodded apprehensively. He so knew Mercedes Jones and he knew she was going to bolt as soon as she got the chance. If I don't get to talk to her tonight, I may never, he worried. Sam stood and watched Mercedes and Kurt from afar. Never letting her out of his sights, he nervously stood wringing his hands and paced back and forth across the floor.
Meanwhile, in the secluded corner.
"I know what you are going to do Miss Jones and you had better not," Kurt warned pointing his index finger decidedly at her
"What do you mean?" Mercedes grimaced rolling her eyes.
"You are going to take off from Sam. I can read you like a book Mercedes Jones,"
"Look Kurt, the kiss was so wrong. We shouldn't have kissed. I just got all caught up in the moment," Mercedes huffed, anxiously folding her arms.
"Look Cedes, you have been dam well pining for Sam for ten years and now you are going to bolt? No way Mercedes Jones, it's time to front up!" He growled.
"This is me fronting up Kurt…I never think things through. Sam hurt me and I still pine for him, see how ridiculous that is. That's just like my law firm, I hate it! I never wanted to do it and wish I never did law but then I stayed there for four long years to get my degree and for what? My decisions suck big time and that kiss before was another poor decision. Sam doesn't really love me, I think I'm sort of a novelty to him," Mercedes shrugged her shoulders and leaned on the wall.
"Don't you talk like that Mercedes Jones; you know that's not true, Sam loves you!" Kurt growled rubbing his temples, as he was sure he could feel a migraine fast approaching.
"Look Kurt, he says he loves me but c'mon, it's been 10 years, besides I just can't forget what he did to me and the things he said," she huffed as tears filled her eyes. Mercedes leaned against the wall and looked toward the ceiling tears clouding her vision, "I just can't forget Kurt, how I can forget?!"
…..
Sam watched intently as Mercedes and Kurt spoke to each other. Suddenly Puck threw an arm around him.
"W-where have you been Shlam?" Puck slurred, "I've been looking for you all night…NOT!" He chuckled, gulping down another bottle of beer in one swig.
"Look Puck I'm kind of busy now!" Sam grimaced, his gaze fixed on Mercedes.
"B-busy, you don't look busy, but I've been busy," Puck smirked as he motioned to the bevy of young beauties he had attained. "Which one yah want Shlam bam thank you ma'am," he chortled.
Sam looked aghast, "None! I don't want any of them!" he screamed.
"C'mon Shlam bam thank you ma'am, have some fun!" he chuckled and grabbed one of the young ladies pushing her toward Sam. "Tricky pixie or whatever your name is this is Shlam Evans," he slurred, "Shlam this is her!" He giggled as his body swayed back and forth.
Trixie pixie or whatever her name was, grinned from ear to ear, "I am such a big fan of yours!" she squealed and gave Sam a big hug.
Sam quickly pushed her away and pulled Puck to the side.
"Hell Puck don't do this to me, I can't do this, no way no how!" Sam nervously scowled.
"What the hell are you talking about, we always do this." Puck chuckled chugging down another beer, "what the hells with you?"
Sam pulled him closer and whispered, "No way in hell do I want any more women near me except that one."
Sam pointed to Mercedes and Kurt still huddled up in the corner.
You could have sworn you could have heard the song Dream Weaver playing in the background as Puck noticeably gasped. "Hell Sam is that's diva?!" Pucks eyes almost popped out of their sockets as he quickly sobered up.
"Yeah Puck…" Sam smiled, "she's dam well here!" he cheered trying to contain his excitement, "I'm so nervous," Sam bit his bottom lip and threw his hands in his pocket, "I hope she's gonna talk to me but I'm so scared she is gonna bolt." He grimaced.
Puck stood still not hearing a word Sam said and gazed at Mercedes as she leaned against the wall, her eyes glistening as the light flickered against them, her tongue delicately licking her bottom li-
"Puck are you listening to what I'm saying?" Sam screamed whacking him on his arm.
Puck turned to Sam as he was pulled from his reverie.
"Nah…never heard a word you said…" He shrugged, "but hell Sam! Diva is even more gorgeous than ever! To hell with those girls I'm off to get me some Mercy please."
Sam gruffly grabbed his arm, "You did not just say that Puckerman?!"
Puck turned to Sam and smiled, "hell yes I did, you don't go out with her, and if she does have a boyfriend she's gonna dump his ass for the Puckerman after tonight."
Puck kept his goal in sight and continued his stride toward Mercedes.
"Dam it Puck what the hell?!" Sam screamed as Puck made it to his destination.
Sam stood to the side his hands fixed firmly in his pocket. He had to keep them in there because if he pulled them out it would be to kill his ex-best friend Noah Puckerman.
"Hey you," Puck saddled up to Mercedes, licked his lips with desire and lustfully eyed Mercedes as she leant against the wall.
"Puck? Oh my!" Mercedes screamed and wrapped her arms around him. As she hugged him Puck wrapped his arms around Mercedes waist turned and winked at Sam.
"I AM SO GONNA KILL HIM!" Sam cringed, clenching his fists harder and harder as his face began to turn red with rage.
"Right that's it!" Kurt waved his hands in the air.
"Mercedes Jones, Sam Evans you are both coming with me!" Kurt grabbed both their hands, pulled Mercedes out of Pucks grasp and pulled them along
"Sorry Puck but you ain't playing this game on my watch," Kurt growled and continued to pull Mercedes and Sam out the door.
Puck chuffed throwing his hands in the air and smirked, "what did I do?!" and then sauntered casually back to the waiting throng of beauties.
…..
"Ok! Mercedes Jones and Sam Evans you are gonna stay here until you sort this thing out!" Kurt screamed as he shoved the two in the guest room Mercedes resided in and threw his hands on his hips and turned to Mercedes glaring angrily at her. "I am hellava sick of your whinging whining love for Sam, Mercedes Jones, and Sam…" Kurt cast a decided look at Sam and screamed, "You better sort this dam thing out today, cos that crap you pulled 10 years ago has to be finished and I am sick of your whining songs for Mercedes Jones, yeah…and don't think I don't know they're about her Sam Evans! Mercedes might be deaf dumb and blind, but I ain't!"
And with that he abruptly slammed the door as he took his leave, but then opened it once again, "and I am locking you both in here until you sort things out, oh and Mercedes don't drag it on because Sam has to catch the red eye, understand?!" he grimaced then slammed the door even harder as he exited.
Sam and Mercedes made their way to the bed and sat upon quietly upon it, heads down cast. Sam looked shyly at Mercedes as Mercedes wrung her hands nervously. It seemed like an eternity had passed but it had only been minutes.
"Mercy…" he said placing his hand gently on hers, "Let's talk."
…..
10 years before.
"Hey darling!"
"Hey M-Mercy," Sam gulped nervously.
Mercedes threaded her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Penny for your thoughts Sammy, you've seemed distant today," Mercedes eased her fingers through his and smiled, "what's wrong Sammy?"
Mercedes waited for a response but only received silence.
"If you're worried about us going to Los Angeles together, don't Sammy, I cannot wait!" she squealed, "I am so proud of you getting that music scholarship, and with me getting the backup singing job for Beyoncé and completing my music degree it's gonna be fabulous. I can't wait Sammy!" she chuffed nuzzling her head against him.
Sam never moved but just gazed emptily to the ground, "Ah…Um…M-Mercy…I have to talk to you about something," he stumbled.
"Well it sounds kind of serious what's up darling?" Mercedes took her freehand and caressed his arm.
"Um..Mercy..I..Um…"
Sam didn't know what to say, he knew he had to, but he wasn't sure how. How could he break Mercedes heart, Sam would rather die than see her in pain, but the sounds of her father's plea filled his mind. Sam cringed as he recalled their conversation
"Hello Mr Jones," Sam smiled, "what brings you here?"
Sam opened the door and guided him toward the lounge.
"Would you like a drink Mr Jones? Sam smiled walking toward the kitchen.
"No thanks son," he grimaced, "I'm just here for a short time, I have to get back to work later, but I need to talk to you," Mr Jones looked downcast as he wrung his hat in his hands.
Sam apprehensively walked toward him, "what's wrong Mr Jones?"
"Um Sam, you are a good, decent young man, and I am glad Mercedes found someone as nice as you. You and Baby girl have been together for almost a year now, and I can see she really loves you and you love her," he began not looking once at Sam.
Sam didn't like the way this was going, every time someone started off with the positives be sure a negative is ready to pound on the door. Sam sat down on the couch in front of Mr Jones and eyed him cautiously.
"So…I'm just gonna say it, Sam Mercedes Momma and I do not want her going to Los Angeles to pursue pipe dreams. Singing isn't going to get her anywhere!" he growned.
"But she is a beautiful singer Mr Jones, she's magnificent her and I are gonna make it Mr Jones I swear we are!" Sam gasped frustratingly.
"Look Sam, I know what it's like to be disappointed Sam, to be turned down time after time, and I don't want that for my baby girl. I had hopes and dreams of hitting the big time too, but eventually you have to see the big picture Sam. We needed food on the table, shelter and clothing. The pipe dream never paid for that. I don't want that for Mercedes, her mother and I want to go to New York State, she was accepted for the law degree programme."
"What?" Sam gasped, "She never told me!"
"She won't Sam, she has it in her head that she is going with you no matter what, and nothing her mother and I say will change that, but you can Sam, I know you love her, I know you can change her mind."
"But she wants to sing!" Sam stood and began to pace around the room.
"She says she does but I thing she is just doing it because she wants to be near you," Mr Jones groaned.
"No, no, no! She really wants to sing!" Sam shook his head in frustration.
"Please Sam we are begging you, we don't want the life that we gave our daughter, we want her to have choices, we don't want her to struggle. Do you understand me?" Mr Jones pleaded.
"Yeah I think I do, but I don't know how I'm gonna convince her to go to NYU," Sam grimaced.
"Look Sam, you two have your whole lives in front of you, your young, you need to meet new people and see where your lives are going. If you end up back together then its meant to be-"
Sam shook his head and interrupted, "what are you asking me to do Mr Jones?"
"Mercedes will not go to NYU unless you…two part ways!" Mr Jones grumbled.
"You aren't asking me this? you can't be?" tears filled Sam's eyes, "No Mr Jones, you cannot ask me to break up with Mercy, no, no, no!" He cried.
"Look Sam! we have thought of every possible scenario and this is the only one that will work, you don't need to separate for long, it can just be a short time, till she gets her bearings," Mr Jones whispered.
Sam sat on the couch his hands covering his face as tears filled his green eyes.
"No Mr Jones please! No!" he shook his head.
"Look Sam, I am not gonna force you, but we know you will do the right thing," Mr Jones sadly replied.
Mr Jones patted Sam on the back then slowly but sadly walked out the door.
Sam sat on the bleachers recalling that horrible day. Sam cringed at the thought. I can't do it, he thought, I just can't!
Sam stood and turned to Mercedes, "Um I have to go Mercy… I will see you later. I'll call you ok?"
It had been a week since Mercedes father had seen Sam. Sam tried again to let Mercedes go. He tried the 'let's see other people speech,' but Mercedes was having none of that and asked him if he could look into her eyes and for him to tell her he doesn't love her, but Sam could not.
Mercedes knew something was up with Sam but she couldn't put her finger on it. Each time he suggested to her about having a break from one mundane reason to another she would say, "Sam you look into my eyes and you tell me you don't love me!" Sam could not. Then she would say, "We will not have this discuss this any further then…but you need to tell me what's wrong Sammy!" Sam could not so without a second thought that would be the end of that conversation.
One day whilst walking through the school halls realising there was no way he could this, Sam thought of an idea that would surely work. He couldn't break up with her. So Sam decided to make her break up with him.
Seeing Quinn in the hall he asked her if he could use her to be his scapegoat. He never told Quinn the details as to why he needed to devise his plan but she was easy to convince. Quinn still liked Sam so she was happy to help.
As Sam walked further down the hall he came across Mercedes at her locker.
Sam stood for a second as tears traced his eyes, he watched her frustratingly trying to juggle her books and lock her locker at her same time. Sam walked toward her and grabbed her books, "Let me help you with that," he smiled, kissing her delicately on her forehead.
This could be the last day I spend with her for a while until she goes to NYU; he grimaced as heartache enveloped him.
Mercedes smiled, thank you Sammy, and kissed him on the lips.
Sam slipped his hand in hers as a tear ran down the side of his cheek
Whats wrong Sammy, Mercedes stopped and tried to console him.
N-Nothing Mercy he lied, trying to avoid her gaze, I just have something in it.
Mercedes frowned knowing something was truly wrong but dismissed it as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closely to his side and whispered, "I love you Mercy and I always will."
I love you too Sammy she smiled and fell into his warm protective embrace as the sauntered toward their next class.
Sam spent as much time with Mercedes between classes that day. Caressing and sharing terms of endearment each moment he could. Mercedes loved it, but she knew it felt wrong, well not wrong it felt so…final.
Before they separated to return to their respective homes Sam stood beside Mercedes car and kissed and embraced her over and over again.
"Sammy I really have to go," she chortled hitting playfully on his chest, "but I will see you at breadstix later, I have a surprise for you," she smiled kissing him softly on his lips before she jumped into her car, threw him a kiss and drove off.
Sam stood watching as she drove off into the distance, "Forgive me Mercy, please forgive me," he whispered as tears fell down his cheeks.
…..
Mercedes' bounded happily into breadsticks, she was so excited. Mercedes had created something special for Sam who was missing the farm, Charlie and his grandparents so much, so along with his mother they created what she thought was the perfect gift. Her hand delicately grazed the pages of the photo album as she revelled in the prospect of how happy he would be. As she lifted her head in search of Sam, she saw in the distance that he was sitting next to Quinn, thinking nothing of it; she waved to Sam and smiled as she caught his eye.
Then suddenly without warning…They kissed! They kissed? They kissed! Mercedes gasped.
"This can't be true!" Mercedes gulped, stopping dead in her tracks, as tears quickly attacked and her heart suddenly broke, she swore she could actually heard it tear in two.
Mercedes ran up to Sam and Quinn understandable shaken, "w-what's happening Sam? What are you do-"
"Look Mercedes," Sam feigned, "I tried to tell you I wanted us to break but you wouldn't listen!"
Mercedes stood before him tears falling steadily down her cheeks as the patrons looked on, "I hear your voice Sammy but you need to look at me!" she wept.
Sam looked everywhere else but not at Mercedes, desperately trying to stop tears in his own eyes from falling.
"Look Mercedes…cut the eyes crap!" Sam cringed inside hating every word he said, "Quinn and I are together now so you have to sort it!"
"No, I don't believe you Sammy…please don't Sammy, you don't mean it," Mercedes desperately shook in total shock.
Sam willed himself to go on. He had to do this for her happiness, he believed. Still averting his eyes from hers he knew he had to play at on her insecurities. Sam decided to go full steam ahead and push every button to dissuade Mercedes love for him. It was killing him, but he felt he needed to help her have a dream life and knew that all he had to do was to not allow her to look into his eyes, because she would know he never meant a word. He knew she would know that he loved her with every breath he took,
So he began, "Don't call me Sammy I-I hate that name, it's a kids name! And by the way why would I want to be with YOU when I have Quinn, look at her!" But in his mind he was thinking look at her she is absolutely nothing compared to you.
Tears fell down Mercedes cheeks as she stood there totally numb to everything that surrounded her.
Sam cast his head to the ground, pain surging through his heart seeing the woman he loved crying in utter despair, "it's for good," he thought, "it's for good!"
Sam then put his arm around Quinn, his head still down cast and planted a chaste kiss on her lips, "I love Quinn," he smiled the smile not reaching his eyes.
Mercedes dropped her gift she held in her hands, tears streaming down her face, she then turned and walked out of breadsticks, deciding never to return again,
As Sam saw her leave, he quickly left his seat and ran to the window as he watched Mercedes go to her car, tears in his eyes he placed his hand on the door, and watched as he slid to the ground, tears falling slowly down his cheeks as he watched Mercedes frustratingly trying to open the door while she wept then drive off.
Sam could feel her pain and it broke him in pieces. Sam wept incessantly rocking to and fro trying to find some solace, it's for good, he wept, I love you Mercy it's for good, he cried.
Quinn stood beside him totally puzzled and then she realised and sat down beside Sam taking him in her arms, "oh Sam, I don't know why you did this! Why did you do this Sam?!" Quinn asked not expecting an answer. At that moment Quinn knew clearly how much Mercedes meant to Sam.
"It will be alright Sam, one day you two will work things out and it will be ok," Quinn whispered, softly patting his back.
Sam continued to cry, and then wiping tears from his eyes he picked up Mercedes album she had made for him. As he opened it there was a note on the front page.
To my dear Sammy
I made this scrapbook for you cos I think it's the only thing I can make that is half decent…lol.
I tried to make you a cake but you know how great I am in the kitchen..lol..lol. So here is a collection of photos of your grandparents, you and I and of course our lovely Charlie. (I never realised how many photos I had of us and your grandparents). I love you to the moon and back Sam Evans, I love you Sammy.
You're Mercy
Sam cried at reading the note and then traced his hands through the album. It was filled with smiling faces, silly faces, and crazy faces, faces they made when they were in Tennessee by the banks of the river and the happy smiling faces of Sam's grandparents at the farm house. The final photo was of him Mercedes and Charlie. It was the day in which Mercedes was to leave. The day in which they thought they would be parted forever. The sunset on the horizon, Sam sat upon the horse his arms wrapped around Mercedes as they took their final ride around the farm. Sam's mother had captured the beautiful scene. At the bottom of the photo was written in Italics.
Like strawberry wine 17
The hot July moon saw everything
The first taste of love
The green on the vine
Sam took the album and held it as tight as he could and wept on the floor of breadsticks. He wept continually for the only woman he knew he would always love.
….
Sam held Mercedes trembling hand.
"S-so what your s-saying S-Sam is that my p-papa asked you to d-do this?" She quivered, tears falling relentlessly.
Sam nodded
Mercedes held her face in her hands and sobbed, "M-my p-parents Sam?"
Sam hung his head and moved closer to Mercedes placing his arm attentively around her shoulder.
Mercedes shook her head, "I can't believe they d-did that Sam, I c-cant!" she sobbed.
"Sam do you know how hard it has been without you, do you understand how my heart broke that day and your telling me it wasn't real?"
"I didn't know what else to do, remember Mercy I tried to break up but you knew me, I'm sorry Mercy. I wish I never did it! I wish we stayed together and to hell with anything else!" He cried.
"Sam I wanted to sing…I wanted us to sing together, I didn't want to be a lawyer!" Mercedes sobbed.
"I knew you wanted to sing b-but I-" Sam stopped abruptly and lowered his head.
"Oh Sam, all these years? What was it for? Are you happy Sam, you know you're rich and successful and you know- you breaking up with me was the best thing you ever did cos look at you! And…look at me- your right you know, look at me! I'm a loser, I own a law firm but I hate it! I'm trying to sell it because I hate it…I hang out with Finn and Artie because they make me feel good- like you use to do…b-but look at you your happy and rich and doing what you always wanted to do, us breaking up was the best thing for you!" She sobbed incessantly into her hands.
"Sam shook his head tears falling down his cheeks, no Mercy no, no, no, no, no!" he cried, "every day since that day I felt like I was dying Mercy, I f-felt empty. The only way I made it as far as I have was because of you Mercy!" Sam breathed kneeling in front of her holding her hand.
"B-but I haven't been in your life for 10 years Sam," she sobbed
"Not physically but you have, there wasn't been a day where I never thought of you or when I never loved you Mercy. I loved you then, and I still love you. You are the reason I kept singing!" He wept looking into her eyes.
"Oh Sam, I don't know what…I don't know what to do?!"
"Love me Mercy, just love me!" Sam pleaded.
"Sam I never sto-..but I…um," Mercedes whispered and then silence as Sam's alarm on his phone sounded.
Sam looked sullenly into Mercedes eyes and apprehensively whispered, "Look Mercy we have to catch the redeye soon."
"Oh I'm sorry Sam she stood…" and ran to grab some tissues, "we can talk about this some other time…um next time you're in town," she whispered as she prepared to leave.
"No I want you to come with me," Sam cried.
"What where to?"
"Come to Tennessee please Mercy!" Sam begged.
"What?"
"Come with me please Mercy, please I don't want to leave now, I want us to talk this through please Mercy," he cried.
"Um…I…can't Sam ….i have all this…um…what about Quinn?" Mercedes was confused and flustered, she couldn't just up and leave could she wondered.
"What about Quinn?! She's got nothing to do with this!" Sam furrowed his brow in confusion.
Mercedes grimaced and whispered, "Um I don't think I can do this!"
Sam lowered his head tears in his eyes
A million thoughts went through Mercedes mind, Sam doesn't really love you, look at you, and look at Quinn, yeah he was with her tonight, they're probably still together and he's just playing, no Mercedes Jones no, say no!
"Ok then Sam," Mercedes breathed and quickly chastised herself for being so weak, "b-but I need to go and see Finn and Artie and tell them what I'm doing and I need to pack my clothes…Sam I have too much I need to do!" Mercedes started opening her draws and throwing her clothes haphazardly into her suit case, totally flustered.
Sam smiled, beaming from ear to ear, wiped away his tears and then stood as he pulled the clothes from her hand and laid her suitcase on the bed. Then he ran his hand over her cheeks and kissed away her tears and rested his forehead on hers his sea green eyes piercing her dark brown orbs.
"Mercy I love you, I love you Mercy," he whispered peppering kisses all over her face. "You go and tell Finn and Artie and I will pack your clothes ok? And Mercy can you please stop calling me that."
"What?"
"Sam!"
"But that's your name." she grimaced
"You only call me Sam if you're angry!" He pouted rubbing the back of his neck.
"What?"
"Why don't you call me Sammy?"
"I'm sure I have?!"
"No you just keep saying Sam!" he deadpanned folding her clothes carefully into her bag.
"I don't know it really doesn't matter does it Sam," she looked at him inquisitively.
"Can you please call me Sammy?" He looked at her begging.
"But you said it was a baby name," she huffed.
And there it was.
Sam quietly gasped, "Mercy I said a lot that day and it wasn't real, none of it was real, I love it when you call me Sammy, no one else is allowed to call me that except you."
Mercedes nodded her head looking at him sceptically, "ok um I will try," she smiled then ran her hand over her hair and over her clothes and began to walk to the door, slowly releasing Sam's hands
The reality was that Mercedes had conditioned herself never to use the name Sammy again, although now and again it would slip out unknowingly. After Sam had said what he had said that was more than enough to play on her insecurities. Mercedes felt comfortable with Sam and every minute she was with him she could feel herself being swept away with the immense love that surrounded them, but ever since his comments those many years ago, Mercedes decided, she would never match up to his expectations and she wasn't going to even try too.
"I'll see you soon Mercy, I'll have your things packed in no time," he smiled.
Mercedes placed her hand on the door, and then withdrew it, "Sam I just remembered Kurt locked us in."
"Try it Mercy, I have a feeling he didn't," he grinned.
Mercedes slowly turned the handle and opened the door, Mercedes giggled, "he's trouble that friend of mine."
"That friend of yours deserves the biggest hug from me and I am thinking of even making him my best man!" Sam chuffed
Mercedes smiled, "no way Sam, he's mine!"
They both smiled as Mercedes exited the room. Before she closed the door she smiled at Sam and then quickly made her way to find Finn and Artie.
…..
Sam and Mercedes sat quietly as their limousine as they drove down the old familiar Tennessee road which they had ridden a hundred times before. The cabins in the distance sat darkly in the night, the moons light faintly glided along their shingled tiles. Mercedes recalled the many days in which her and her family would trudge wearily toward their steps as they finished another day at the strawberry fields.
It seemed like they had travelled in the darkness for miles. They sat in absolute silence as they made their way toward Grandpa and Grandma Evans home.
Sam moved closer to Mercedes and took her hand, "Thank you for coming with me Mercy, I k-know it's a huge thing you've done trusting me like this, but thank you for being here."
"Oh S-Sam, it's nice to have the opportunity to see your grandparent again," she smiled and then returned to glancing blankly out the window as the song, just my imagination, the rendition by Gwyneth Paltrow and Babyface began to play on the radio.
Mercedes had barely spoken to Sam since they left. She didn't know what to say and Sam didn't want to push it. Mercedes was there and that is all that mattered. They had plenty of time now to talk things through. Mercedes closed her eyes and thought of the young teenager she used to be. She was so confident? What happened? She thought, when did it all change? All she could think of was, does he really love you Mercedes Jones or is it just your imagination?
….
10 years before
Mercedes drove home after Sam's declaration of his love for Quinn and fell despondently in a bed of tears, wishing the sun would never rise again and that she could live the rest of her life under the covers.
He doesn't love me, he loves her she sobbed
She sobbed and sobbed until she fell asleep and dreamt of days gone by with Sam.
"Sammy, why do I have to row and you don't."
"Because how can I row when I'm playing the guitar Mercy"
"I still don't think it's a good idea bringing your guitar on the boat, we could capsize and then that's the end of that guitar."
"No way we would fall in Mercy, my ninja skills would steady the boat before we even got to that point," Sam chuckled.
Mercedes giggled and raise an eyebrow, "Ninja skills Sammy? You can't even put two feet infront of the other to dance in time let alone think you're some kind of Ninja," she chuckled
Sam laughed, "um I think you have a point there Mercy!"
"You have a vivid imagination Sammy!"
"You betta believe it Mercy!" he chuckled, "Speaking imagination, lets sing that song the one that quenneth paltrow and baby face version, I love that version."
"Ok as soon as we get to shore, you're on." Mercedes smiled.
As soon as they arrived at the shore they ran under the old oak tree. Mercedes lay her head on Sam's lap. Sam kissed her gently on the forehead and smiled, "when we make our first album all the songs are gonna dedicated to you!"
"What Sam?"
"Hell yeah, I've already written a bunch of them, ready for us to sing!" he chortled.
Mercedes smiled looking into the sky, "you are so talented Sammy!"
Sam kissed her again on the lips and smiled, "You Mercy your one the best singers I have ever heard."
"Oh Sammy," she chuckled rolling her eyes, "you are so lovely to me and you have such a great imagination!"
"It's not a dream Mercy, your name will be in lights and I'll be your back up singer!" he grinned winking at her.
"Backup singer! You'll be singing right next to me ,"she chuffed.
Sam smiled and took his guitar kissing her once more, "Ok Mercy you start it darlin," he smiled as his fingers picked the first few chords on his guitar
Mercedes began, looking into Sam's eyes as she sung.
Each day through my window
I watch him as he passes by
I say to myself
I'm so lucky he's so fly
To have a boy like him
is truly a dream come true
Out of all the girlies in the world
he belongs to you
Chorus – Sam and Mercedes sang it together.
But it was just my imagination
Runnin away with me
tell you it was just my imagination
running away with me
Verse 2-Sam sang it to Mercedes looking at her lovingly and bent down and kissed her on her forehead.
Soon we'll be married
And raise a family (oh yea..)
Have a cozy little crib in the country
with two children maybe three
I tell you I...
can raise your lies down baby
It couldn't be a dream
cause too real it all seems
oooohhhh...
Chorus – They both joyfully sung the chorus and the following verse.
But it was just my imagination (once again yea)
Runnin away with me (running away with me)
tell you it was just my imagination
running away with me (away with me yea)
Everynight on my knees I pray
Dear lord hear my plea yea
Don't ever let another
take his love from me
Or I will surely die
Heavenly (heavenly) when your arms unfold me
I hear the tender upsity
But in reality
He doesn't even know me
But it was just my imagination (ohh, so fly look out my window)
Runnin away with me (It's running away with me baby)
Just my imagination (runnin away)
running away with me (my baby, my sugar, my sweetie, look at my baby)
Sam and Mercedes finished the song with a kiss, I love you Mercedes Jones, I love you Samuel Evans
They both smiled, Sam leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
Mercedes woke abruptly from her dream of yesteryear, memories of days gone by.
He's with Quinn now Mercedes gulped as tears traced her ebony cheeks, he loves her.
Mercedes stood to go to the bathroom and caught her reflection in the mirror
look at her, she thought, sams words replayed over and over.
She traced her hand over her body and looked dishearteningly at her reflection.
No wonder he doesn't love you, she whispered, look at you.
Mercedes lay down on her bed utterly shattered and sobbed more as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon and the moon.
Mercedes wept bitterly as she looked out the window toward the silvery moon, oh moon you don't care who you shine down upon, you have no preference or choice you just are. Oh that the world would be so.
Mercedes cried and cried until she fell to sleep not wanting to see the next day.
…..
Present day
Sam smiled as he listened to the song and remembered the many times he and Mercedes had sung that song on the banks of the river. He loved that song so much, especially the part about the family, he pictured him, Mercedes and their children living on a farm happily. Sam then turned and watched Mercedes as she gazed out the window, he became a little saddened to see a forlorn look etch across her face.
"Mercy I love you," Sam smiled lovingly caressing her hand.
Mercedes turned to meet his green orbs, "Why do you love me Sam? We haven't seen each other for 10 years, a lot has changed, I've changed."
"You haven't Mercy, I see your heart, you are beautiful not just on the inside but on the outside too." He whispered, gently touching her cheek.
Mercedes turned to Sam and smiled a smile that never reached her eyes and returned to her previous position, staring blankly out the window as the words of the song wafted through the air she thought, yes its true, it's just your imagination Mercedes Jones, he doesn't even know me, and she sighed.
Just then Sam saw it, she doesn't believe you Sam; she doesn't believe you love her.
Tears began to fill his eyes. I love you so much Mercy, and one day you will know it again, I promise you. So that night under the same Tennessee moon which they had sat so many times before, Sam declared that from that day on, no matter what. He would win Mercedes Jones heart back.
Sorry for any mistakes :( I was trying to beat Glee in the States! Thanks so much for reading and for reviewing...You are beautiful!