I'll start with the usual announcement. I own nothing. If I did, Glee would have to be on HBO.
Thank you to everyone for reading, favoriting, alerting, and reviewing I love to hear from you guys so please don't be shy! We'll start off with some smut today because you guys have earned it for sticking with me this long. You are all troopers and you will be awarded with imaginary medals of honor when our journey is complete. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying this so far. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see happen.
"Don't tell me you were sleeping, Cedes," Santana said, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "It's our last night on the train and you're really trying to rest. I don't approve."
"I just drifted off-"
Before Mercedes could finish, Santana pushed the door open the rest of the way to reveal an undisturbed Sam, still sleeping peacefully on the floor. "Mmmmhmmm," she said with a knowing smirk. "Well, you and Sam can have your little nap but I will be back in an hour and you two better have some clothes on."
"Why?"
"Blaine's doing an all-night bingo game and I was summoned to collect you two."
"Fine, we'll be there in an hour"
"You better be. I'd hate for Kurt to have to come down here and get your asses."
"That won't be necessary."
"Good, I'm sure Kurt would hate to be torn away from his Blainey." Santana smiled and took her leave. Mercedes closed the door behind her and went into the bathroom. She handled her business and came back out to see Sam lifting himself off the floor and onto his bed.
"Good, you're awake. We have to go play bingo. I'm going to go jump in the shower."
"Come here, boo." He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him, resting his head on her stomach and groping her ass.
"Sam," Mercedes warned, "we have to go. Apparently we're not allowed to sleep."
"Who said anything about sleeping?" He slowly undid the tie in her robe with his teeth and began rubbing his face against her soft flesh. She shuddered as he took one of her nipples into his mouth and began to suck on it greedily.
"You should stop," she moaned, letting her robe slip to the floor and pressing herself against him, allowing him to take her other tit in his hand and massage it purposefully.
"You don't want me to stop, Mercy," he mumbled kissing his way across her chest to take the other nipple into his mouth. "How long do we have before Tana comes back?"
"An hour," she ran her fingers through his hair, gripping his short blonde locks as he kissed and sucked her body, unashamed of the marks he left behind. He gripped her firmly by her hips and pulled her onto the bed on top of him.
"That's just enough time." He rubbed himself against her, letting his stiffening cock graze her slick opening. She reciprocated his rubs, moaning at the feel of him against her warmth.
"We better not take too long," she moaned as she ran her fingers along his chest pinching his nipples and causing him to grunt and buck against her.
"So you know," he said swiftly flipping the two of them over and hovering over Mercedes. "I'm going to take as long as I damn well please. If I'm not done with you by the time we get to LA then everyone will just have to fucking wait until we're finished. I'm never going to rush with my Mercy."
She bit her lip and pulled him down to her. Accepting his possession of her and ready to place her own. She brushed her lips roughly against his and darted her tongue into his awaiting mouth. They fought each other with lip and tongue and teeth before Mercedes pushed Sam away mid-kiss.
"Fuck me," she whispered huskily against his lips.
The harshness in her voice, still laden with sleep, caused his already hard dick to jump at her demand. He scrambled quickly to the nightstand and yanked the drawer open. He thrust his hand in and came out with condom.
Mercedes writhed on the bed, grinding her hips and rubbing her soaked center against Sam's thigh as she waited for him. "Hurry up, baby," she rasped, grinding faster against him.
He gave her a light pop on the thigh as a warning. "Woman, you better not come without me." She stopped her gyrations and dipped a finger into herself, naughtily. She brought it to her lips and tasted herself, savoring her own taste as Sam slid the condom on, never taking his eyes off of her. "You're so damn sexy. I'm going to fuck the shit out of you, Mercy."
"Promises, promises," She teased, opening herself to him as he positioned himself between her legs. He lined up his cock at her dripping opening and slid himself slowly inside. He hissed in pleasure and took generous handfuls of Mercedes' thighs, steadying himself as he pulled out and pushed abruptly back into her.
"So fucking tight, baby," he said hoarsely.
"So fucking huge, baby," she replied, moving her hips with his and encouraging him to go faster. He quickly realized her request, took a firm grip on the tangled sheets they sprawled on top of, and thrust himself unforgivingly inside of her. "Fuck," she screamed, gripping onto his ass and trying to keep up with the new pace.
"You like that? You want more?"
She nodded her head, biting her bottom lip sharply as Sam ran his hands down her thighs and placed them behind her knees. He pushed her legs up against her body and proceeded to fuck her incessantly at the new angle the shift in position allowed him.
"Sa-am-my," she yelled, her head thrown back against the bed. "I'm gonna come."
"You want to come, Mercy?" He breathed, wolfishly. He slowed his pace, pulling himself completely out and pushing back in before she could miss him. He pulled out again and teased her opening with his dick, rubbing her juices against her lips and skimming against her clit.
"Fuuuck, yes, Sammy. Yesssss."
"Say please, Merc."
She locked her eyes with his, ignoring the burning between her thighs and shook her head. "No," she uttered defiantly.
"No? You want to play it like that, bad girl?"
"Yup."
"Fine." He pulled out of her and stood up. He plopped down on top of the opposite bed and started to stroke his throbbing cock, hoping Mercedes wouldn't be too proud to make him finish on his own.
"Don't you dare," she said rising from the bed and moving over to him. She straddled him and moved herself against his manhood "I'm not playing anymore with you, Samuel. You said you'd fuck the shit out of me and I want you to do it." She positioned herself above his cock and dropped down onto him slowly. He grunted, gripping her and attempting to control her as she descended down onto his lap again. She pulled herself back up and slammed down more forcefully
"You like that?" She asked, repeating his earlier line of questioning. "You want more?"
He nodded as another rise and fall caused him to grip her body close to his.
"You wanna come?" She whispered into his ear. Gripping his shoulders for leverage, she raised herself and held her position, clenching the head of his cock with her tight walls and swiveling her hips slightly. "Say please," she murmured.
He rested his forehead against hers, their damp skin meeting as she waited for his answer. He sighed, losing all of his resolve when she gently kissed his lips. "Please," he said, his voice unsteady and almost silent. She obliged his request and dropped down onto his cock one last time. Both of their bodies shook as they came in unison. Mercedes bit down into Sam's shoulder and moved against him as they rode out their orgasms.
"I love you," Sam whispered between moans of her name and strings of garbled expletives. He wasn't sure if Mercedes heard his revealing slip as she fell against his chest. He remained silent and concentrated on stroking her back lovingly.
When their breathing returned to normal, Mercedes climbed off his lap, gave him a sweet kiss and made her way to the bathroom. Sam stayed frozen on the bed, mulling over what he would say when Mercedes came back. Sam shook off his haze and straightened up the room. By the time Mercedes came out of the shower, their beds were made and her robe and their clothes from the previous day were folded into neat piles.
"Mercy," Sam began, figuring out how he'd explain what he said.
"Don't worry about it, Sam," she said, flashing an understanding smile. "We can talk about it later." She kissed him again and ushered him into the bathroom.
When the two finished dressing, they rushed to the car where Blaine was enthusiastically calling out numbers to a small crowd that was mostly comprised of their friends and a few other passengers.
"How nice of you two to show up Mr. and Mrs.," Kurt said, marking off a number on his card and smiling at Sam and Mercedes as they sat to the side of him.
"We didn't want you hunting us down, honey." Mercedes said, stealing two of Kurt's cards for her and Sam. "So how long does this thing last?"
"Until he runs out of prizes; he has to give everything away so I suggest you get more cards."
"I got it," Sam proclaimed, getting up and moving to the area where the bingo cards were stacked. He bumped into someone entering the car and apologized quickly.
"Oh, are you apologizing for bumping into me or apologizing for leaving me outside of the door while you fucked Mercedes?" Matt questioned, a hint of anger in his voice.
"Maybe both," Sam said, shuffling around the cards in his hands.
"You could have just said the two of you were together. I would respect that."
"I'm sorry, man. I just needed her, right then. I kind of have a little trouble resisting her." He glanced over at Mercedes who was intently watching the exchange between the two men.
"I understand," Matt said, his voice softening.
"No hard feelings?" Sam reached out his hand in a friendly gesture. Matt accepted and patted his shoulder kindly.
"We're good. If I had a girl like her, I'd probably be ten times worse."
Sam returned with the cards and split them with Mercedes.
"Everything okay?" she inquired as Sam sat back down beside her.
"Perfect," he gave her a warm smile and a kiss on the cheek before turning his attention to his bingo cards.
The bingo games went on until the sun came up and shone through the windows of the train car. When the last prize was given to Mike for a blackout bingo win and the crowd had whittled down to Kurt, Sam, Mercedes, and Mike, Blaine dropped his mic and abruptly ended the game.
"Good night people!" He shouted. "I hope you enjoyed your ride! Now I'm off to go fuck my boyfriend! Tip your waitresses!" He threw his hands in the air and danced a quick jig before making his way over to Kurt.
An incredibly audible gasp escaped Kurt's mouth but he complied when Blaine held out a hand and pulled him out of his seat. He placed a wet kiss on Kurt's lips, grabbing his ass possessively in the process then led him out of the car, leaving their friends to giggle at their backs as they left.
The Los Angeles sun beat down harshly as the group made their way through the train station in search of Puck. They made it outside and to the parking lot where they spotted the olive-skinned man jumping up and down and running, full-speed toward his friends. Sam immediately dropped his bags and ran in Puck's direction. He jumped into Puck's arms and squealed as the shorter man swung him around.
"Oh tmy God, I forgot how sickening the bromance was," Santana quipped rolling her eyes but still smiling at the two men who were parting from one another. Sam placed a kiss on Puck's close-cropped head and rubbed it lovingly.
"You don't know how fucking good it is to see you guys!" Puck exclaimed as he pulled each of them into tight hugs and kisses.
"You know you're welcome in New York anytime," Kurt said as he fixed his now wrinkled shirt, "You don't have to be here all by yourself."
"I'm not totally by myself; there are plenty of ladies here in LA that have never ridden a sex shark."
"Still the same old, Noah" Mercedes said as her feet left the ground during Puck's embrace.
"Alright my wonderful friends, your chariot awaits. The Puckerman estate has already been prepared for your arrival and a weekend of debauchery, so let's go."
The group climbed into Puck's dark blue SUV and readied themselves for the weekend. Puck informed them that he wanted to get the shopping out of the way first and happily played chauffer as he drove his friends around to various shops. He showed them a few sights and treated everyone to lunch at an outdoor cafe. The sun was close to setting by the time they arranged all of their purchases into the car and made the short drive to Puck's home.
"Welcome to the house that pool cleaning built," Puck announced as they entered his modest home. They walked right into the living room decorated in cool grays and blues. They sat their bags down and wandered around the large area, admiring the decor and the breathtaking view of Los Angeles that sat beyond wall-sized windows.
"Wow Puck, this place was bare the last time we were here," Santana commented as she plopped down on the large slate-colored couch.
"Yeah, it took me a while but it finally feels like a home now," Puck remarked, pulling the last of the bags into the house and closing the front door. "Okay kids, we've got two bedrooms. Tana and Cedes, you two can take my bed and Kurt and Sam, you guys can take the guest room."
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement except Mercedes. "Where are you going to sleep?" She asked, sitting down on the sofa next to an already comfortable Santana.
Puck shrugged, "The couch, the floor, in the bed with you and San. Wherever I crash is fine with me. It's not like we'll be doing much sleeping anyway."
Mercedes shook her head in disagreement, "No, we can't take your bed from you. San and I can tough it out on the couch or the floor."
"We might have to because I'm not in any hurry to snuggle into your crusty sheets," Santana teased with a smirk.
"Hey, I resent that. I cleaned up everything nicely for you guys. I vacuumed, I washed windows, I dusted, and I'll have you know that there are clean towels and SHEETS awaiting you all."
Mercedes giggled as she watched Puck rattling off his list of cleaning accomplishments, "None the less, we can't put you out like that."
"I think I might need a bed, Cedes," Santana remarked. "Britts is a lot more flexible than I am and my back is kind of killing me." Puck raised an eyebrow at her questioningly, "I'll tell you about it later."
"Well you and Puck can share the bed, I'll take the couch," Mercedes suggested.
Kurt waived his hands in the air, dismissing the idea, "Nonsense, Mercy. I'll sleep on the couch. Puck and Sam can sleep in his bed and you and Tana can sleep in the guest room."
"I can't sleep with Sam." Puck said quickly. He was met with strange looks from his friends and felt the need to explain further, "Don't look at me like that. You all know good and got-damn well he's a cuddler." Everyone nodded at the fact and Puck continued, "Sorry bro, I love you but if there are going to be arms wrapped around me in the middle of the night I'd prefer they belong to a female."
"Not even if I let you be the big spoon?" Sam asked with a grin.
"Tempting as that sounds, I'm going to have to say 'no way in hell.' Look, why don't I just sleep with Mercy?"
Sam jumped at the suggestion, "NO! I mean, that still doesn't solve the problem of who is on the couch. I mean, I'll take it...but-"
"Relax, Trouty," Santana said, pulling Sam down next to her. "I can't sleep with Kurt anyway, he likes to sing himself to sleep and I can't be trusted not to reach over and strangle him in the middle of the night."
Kurt crossed his arms and tossed his head to the side dramatically, "Blaine seems to like my singing just fine."
"Well, he's welcome to as much of it as he likes but I'm going to have to pass on it. The last couple of days would have been torture if I didn't have Britt's room to escape to." Kurt huffed, pulling a pillow from the couch and slapping Santana playfully in the back of the head. She let out a dramatic 'Owww' and wrestled the pillow away from Kurt. "Why don't we just go back to the original arrangement? Puck said he's cool with the couch and knowing him, his ass probably won't be home anyway."
"You know me well, San. Seriously, I want you guys to take the beds. I'm on the couch and that's final."
"You sure?" Mercedes questioned.
"Positive, Momma. Now why don't you guys go make yourselves at home. I'm going to get dinner started."
"Since when did you start cooking?" Kurt asked incredulously.
"When I left New York. I realized eating out was really digging a hole in my pockets and since I couldn't raid you guys' fridges anymore, I had to learn to fend for myself."
"You are full of surprises, No-No," Mercedes said, getting up from her seat to wrap an arm around Puck. "What else do you have in store for us?"
"Oh, you'll see after dinner. But I promise, Jo-Jo, you're going to enjoy it." He pulled her in for a tight hug and kiss on the cheek before sending her and Santana off in the direction of his bedroom and Kurt and Sam in the direction of the guest bedroom.
Sam tossed his suitcase onto the bed and began unpacking across form Kurt. "So maybe you can tell me who the hell No-No and Jo-Jo are," Sam remarked mockingly.
"Aren't they just the cutest little nicknames?" Kurt gushed, pulling out a few items of clothing.
"Not really. When did that start?"
Kurt shrugged and thought for a moment before answering, "It was after we graduated. Before Noah left for LA they hung out a lot."
"Oh," Sam said, feeling himself become suddenly tensed.
"Nothing happened, Sam. You have no reason to be jealous."
"I'm not jealous," he said, knowing Kurt would easily see through the obvious lie.
They unpacked in silence for a couple of minutes before Kurt spoke again. "You know, all you had to do is say that you wanted to sleep with Mercy. I'm sure Noah, of all people, would have understood."
"Nah, "we" decided that we should sleep separate after I may or not have made a remark about hoping that Puck has locks on all of his doors."
Kurt laughed briefly before setting down the clothing he was holding and regarding Sam with a very serious expression. "Can I ask you something, Sam, man to man?"
Sam shifted uncomfortably at the change in mood and Kurt's serious stare. He attempted to remain nonchalant as he spoke, "Of course, you can ask me anything at all."
"This thing between you and Mercedes, is it just sex? Or is there something else going on? Because when we get back to New York, I don't want to have to choose between the two of you. Things aren't going to be awkward are they?" He folded his arms across his chest, not once breaking eye contact with Sam as he waited for an answer.
"I don't know what you mean," Sam said in an attempt to buy himself more time. He scratched the back of his neck and darted his eyes around the room, avoiding Kurt's gaze. He wasn't uncomfortable with the idea of discussing his relationship with Mercedes with Kurt but he knew that if he said the wrong thing, the relationship would be over before it even truly started.
"What happens, exactly, when we get home?" Kurt inquired.
"Is this between you and I? Or are you going to go straight to Mercedes and tell her whatever I say."
"I don't see why that matters but you know I don't keep anything from her and I hope you're not keeping anything from her either."
"I'm not. I just-" he paused still searching for the right words. He let out a huff and decided to just speak, unpolished as it may sound, it was better than giving Kurt any reason to distrust him. "All Mercedes and I have done is have sex. We talked once about what happens when we get home."
"And?"
"And we decided that we would cross that bridge when we get to it, that we would just have fun for now and see where we wanted to go when we get home."
"I see. And where do you think you might want to go with Mercedes?"
"Kurt-"
"Look, I know you and I are good friends, Sam, but I'm sure you do realize that Mercedes is pretty much blood to me. I'm not asking you to be specific, but I am asking what your intentions are for my best friend."
"I'm a good guy, Kurt. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."
"I know you're a good guy, Sam. You've literally given me the shirt off of your back before. I don't worry about that, I just worry about where you two are going. Please don't think that I've been oblivious to anything that has been going on between the two of you. I know both of you very well and you're easier to read than a picture book."
Sam laughed at Kurt's reference but couldn't help the uneasiness that settled over him.
"Look, I don't mean to be the intimidating best friend, Sam. I'm rooting for you, I truly am, and I don't mean to scare you or anything but I've already designed Mercedes' wedding dress and I hope you get to see it...and then rip it off on your honeymoon night. Let me warn you, there's going to be a corset involved."
"I actually think I'm okay with that idea."
"Not scared?"
"I wish I could say I was but I'm not. So I guess that's a little scary but the wedding and marrying Mercedes? That doesn't scare me at all. If we had to spend the entire trip locked in that little room together, I wouldn't have a single complaint. I just love being with her."
"So it sounds like you know what you want."
"I do but I don't know what to say to her, Kurt. She doesn't want to talk about us right now because all we've done is fuck but everything has been building up all these years and I don't want her to think I only want her because we fucked. That's so far from the truth."
"Just be honest, Sam. Be honest with yourself and be honest with Mercedes. You don't have to tell her everything right now but it won't hurt to make her feel like you want her for more than her body. The big conversation can wait until we get home but you can at least lay the groundwork. If it helps you at all you can practice anything you might want to say to her on me."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, just pretend I'm Mercy and let out anything you have to say. I'll give you feedback."
"Okay," Sam wiped the sweat from his hands on his jeans and walked around the bed to stand in front of Kurt. He grabbed Kurt's hands and held them gently in his. He was nervous about speaking the words he'd never shared with anyone else, but Kurt's warm smile reassured him. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath before speaking, "Mercy," he began.
"Sam?" Kurt said. "Wait, what does she call you? Does she have some cute nickname for you?"
"Well she called me Thor once when we were-" Kurt's eyes began to bulge and Sam quickly cut his statement short. "Uh, Sammy. She calls me Sammy."
"Okay," he cleared his throat and relaxed back into his position. "Yes, Sammy?"
Sam hesitated, "Shit, this is hard and it's not even her."
"Just say whatever is in your heart."
"Okay," he took a deep breath and continued, "I love you and I just want you to know that. I want to be with you and I hope-I pray that you want the same thing. I-"
"Is everything okay in here, guys?" Puck said poking his head into the door and regarding his friends with a curious look. Kurt quickly pulled his hands away from Sam and used them to cover his reddening face that was slowly erupting into a fit of laughter.
Sam stammered, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly as he decided what to say. He settled on, "How much of that did you hear, man?"
"Enough to know that you're in love with Kurt. Look man, I'm fine if you're switching teams but I think you have your work cut out for you considering the fact that Kurt hasn't stopped talking about this Blaine character since I picked you guys up. I think you guys would make a great couple though, so if you want me to take the guy out that can be arranged."
Sam planted a palm over his face and squeezed his eyes shut, "I'm not in love with Kurt and I'm not switching teams!"
"Seriously, Sam. You're like my brother. Admittedly I always thought you had it bad for Jo-Jo but I guess this explains why you never made a move."
"Dude, get in here!" Sam said pulling Puck into the room and slamming the door behind him.
Kurt settled his laughter and tried to explain the situation, "I'm flattered that you thought that, Noah, but Sam really isn't my type. Besides, it's not me he's in love with. We were just practicing."
"Oh, well whose the lucky...lady?"
Sam pursed his lips and rolled his eyes, "Mercy. It's Mercedes."
"I knew it," Noah proclaimed as a large smile grew across his face. "I'll have you know that she never returned any of my advances and I knew there had to be someone else if she didn't want a piece of this."
"Of course that's the only reason, Noah," Kurt said, patting his shoulder. "But anyway, Sam would appreciate if you kept this quiet because he hasn't told Mercy yet."
"Why not? Dude, you've had forever and a day to tell her. What are you waiting for?"
"The right time. I was going to tell her on the train but we uh, we ended up just-"
"Fucking," Kurt added curtly. "They began fucking on the train and they're not talking about a relationship until we get home."
"I wouldn't wait. Honestly, I enjoy the life of being a sex God but I'd give it all up for a girl like Jo-Jo. Don't wait too long before you tell her."
"Right, I was just trying to figure out what I want to say."
"I see. You can practice on me too if you need to, you know I've always got your back man."
"I know. Thanks bro."
"Anytime. So I needed a few more things for dinner and I was heading to the grocery store. You guys wanna tag along?"
"Yeah, I need to clear my head some."
"Alright, I'll let the girls know we're heading out."
"Puckie has actually done pretty damn well for himself," Santana announced as she moved through the glass patio doors and back into the kitchen where Mercedes was chopping vegetables. The guys had jetted to the grocery store and left the girls with the task of starting dinner. After they explored the rest of Puck's home, they finally settled in the kitchen where Mercedes took the lead in cooking. "Did you see that hot tub in the back? That thing is huge!"
"I know; this place is gorgeous. I can't believe he decorated all of this himself. He said his pool cleaning business is going great," Mercedes said sliding the cucumber slices into the awaiting salad bowl.
"You remember when we laughed at him for naming it Sharkman Pool Services," Santana giggled as she peeked into each of the light wood cabinets.
"Yeah, the name kind of grows on you though. I'm happy for No-No."
"Me too. We need to come visit more often. I can see myself being a part-time Cali girl," She found her way to a small wine fridge and took out a bottle of Moscato. "You think he would mind if I cracked open one of these bottles of wine?"
"When has Puck ever been mad about anything that had to do with alcohol?"
"True," Santana began to open drawers around the kitchen in search of a bottle opener. "So, Miss Mercy," she said opening another drawer, "when are you going to have a chat with Sammy?"
"A chat about?"
"Don't play dumb with me, honey, that is a game you will not win. You already know how good I am at pulling things out of you."
"Tana, what do you want me to say here?"
"The two of you have spent this entire trip being lovey dovey with one another. You can't tell me none of that has rubbed off on you. You told me you had a "crush" on Sam eons ago. Is it still just a "crush" or are you already planning your future as Mrs. Trout Mouth Evans?"
"Where is the wine opener?" Mercedes asked dropping her knife and helping Santana search through drawers.
"It's in the drawer next to the dish washer." An Asian woman said, entering the kitchen with a large brown paper bag. "Noah said you guys like to drink so I picked up some more stuff on my way over." She smiled brightly at the two girls as she began to unpack the various bottles of alcohol.
"And who might you be?" Santana inquired, discreetly reaching over to grab a knife from the counter. "Noah didn't say he was expecting anyone."
"I'm so sorry," she exclaimed, running a hand through her purple-streaked jet-black hair. "I'm Tina." She extended a hand to Mercedes and shook it eagerly and then to Santana who still gripped the knife in her opposite hand. "I'm a friend of Puck's. I should have announced myself when I came in but he talks so much about you guys I just felt like I already knew you. You're Mercedes, I can tell by the fact that you've been side-eyeing me since I began talking. And you must be Santana."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because you're clutching a knife in your hand, waiting for me to say something that will make you go all Lima Heights Adjacent on my ass."
Mercedes giggled and Santana couldn't help but smile as well though she had to ask, "What exactly has Noah been saying to you about us?"
"Everything. He loves you guys like crazy. I think the only thing keeping him in LA is the fact that there aren't so many pools to clean in New York."
"Okay, well why don't you tell us a little bit about you since you know so much about us," Mercedes suggested, holding her hand out for the knife in Santana's hand.
"Gladly, I have been waiting to meet you guys since forever. I'll start with the fact that I'm a part-time bartender and I have every intention of getting and keeping all of you buried in the most delicious drinks you've ever had all weekend."
"I think I like you already, Tina," Mercedes proclaimed as she resumed her vegetable chopping, happy to be off the subject of Sam for a little bit.
Santana eyed Mercedes, letting her know that she wasn't off the hook and they would pick up their conversation later. "How about we start with some shots?" Santana proposed, making her way to a cabinet where she spotted shot glasses during her earlier plundering.
"Fuck yeah! You guys are going to love me by the end of the night, I swear," Tina squealed as she gathered ingredients for the beverages she was eager to make.
When the guys returned form the store the girls had turned on music and were getting to know each other on the patio as they downed the fruit enthused cocktails Tina prepared. Puck introduced his friend to Sam and Kurt and she greeted both men with the same enthusiasm as she greeted Santana and Mercedes with.
"I really should have told you to come over after dinner," Puck stated, kissing Tina and sitting down on the arm of her chair. "I should have known that you would be here getting these two drunk instead of cooking."
"I'm sorry, P, but you know this is how I get to know people."
"I know, I know. So I guess dinner is up to us," he asked taking a sip of her drink.
"Yep," Santana stated. "You all can get your pretty little asses in that kitchen because I am starving."
"You guys should catch up, though. There are shots in the fridge with a pitcher of margaritas," Tina stated.
Puck placed another kiss on Tina's lips before heading into the kitchen, "Oh, baby, you know what I like."
Kurt followed Puck into the kitchen, complaining about how foolish it was of him to intend to prepare chicken for dinner and not have any. Sam hovered near the door for a moment, waiting for Mercedes to look in his direction. When she looked over at him, he smiled sheepishly then made his way over to her. He pulled out the small rectangular package he had been hiding behind his back and placed it in her palm. He gave her a sweet kiss on lips and walked to join Kurt and Puck in the kitchen.
"What's that?" Santana inquired, leaning forward in her seat.
"It's chocolate," Mercedes announced through the large smile, brightening her face, "white chocolate."
"Girl, you're going to have to tell me ALL about that," Tina declared, raising her half-empty glass in a toast.
I'm not sure how Tina ended up dating Puck in this story. You will have to ask the two of them if you want to know how it happened. I thought they would make an interesting pairing so we'll see what goes on there. I've got a few plans for the LA portion of the trip (and I've already made the possible mistake of starting on the last chapter/epilogue) but if any of you have any suggestions, feel free to share them here or on tumblr. Thanks for reading and I'll see you all next time! Don't forget to review if you have the time!