Author's Note: I am thinking of making this story interactive like The Beholder's Eyes so email me if you want to see the pictures that go with this story. Also, there is something else I would like to try as well; this story will have a little game element to it – something for you to kind of guess at-maybe, I want to see if anyone will notice and be able to tell me; what is happening in this story. Thank you again for joining me in my imagination. Please review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or its characters, which is just too heartbreaking because I think there would have been so much that I could have done with them-hence, fanfiction.

I Knew You Were Waiting for Me - Part II

Chapter 2

As Rick, Chris, and Esse leave the building and enter the parking lot Chris quickly pulls out his cell and makes a call. "I am on my way- I will have to blow off some lights; provide some drinks until I get there and lay on the sex appeal so that he won't notice that I am late for the meeting." Chris directed.

Sam glanced over at Rick squinted his eyes slightly, shrugged his shoulders, and shook his head from side to side in disbelief.

"I know, I know..." he continued " you threaten the sexual harassment stuff at least once a month but the bonus you get at the end of the year will be worth it to ya-later." Chris disconnected the call.

Rick snickered and then gave Chris a pound once he hung up the phone. "My dog" Rick smiled wide and Chris returned it. "But you bet not try any of that stuff out on me- on the real tho."

Chris stops walking and looks at the other two men. "I am parked over there." He pointed to the other side of the parking lot. "Do you need me tonight Rick? I can come by after my next two meetings are over." "Nah, I got this Chris." Rick spoke confidently then flapped his arms three times and through his arms out wide as if he were soaring through the sky. Christopher nodded once and smirked but then he looked over at Sam. "You're not going to be there are you?" He added. "I have no plans to be-no." Chris nodded his head up and down slowly as he fiddled with his key fob that he was now holding in his right hand because he had just pulled it from his pocket.

Chris and Sam had a very "thorny" relationship. Sam had not missed the intense disrespect that Chris had for him but he was also kind of amused by it. Where Chris may have wanted a problem Sam had prayed about it long ago and now he found every one of their interactions quite humorous; if he would admit it, Sam was allowing himself to become quite a troll, where Chris was concerned. Sam enjoyed thoroughly watching Chris try (hard) to hold his tongue about how much he disliked Sam for whatever reason, because he- kind of- knew that Rick wouldn't stand for it, and Rick was Chris's biggest commission right now.

Sam felt that it was probably kind of wrong of him to just watch the "Chris Jennings Stress and Anxiety Show" as he liked to think of it; but he couldn't help it-it was just so funny.

"Why, Chris? Do you think that I should?" Sam added as he feigned naiveté; which caught Chris off guard. "Are you crazy?!" Rick looked at Chris. "In the sense that our boy, like he said himself, he's got this-enjoy your night off." Chris backpedaled. Chris knew that Rick watched him closely especially when it came to Sam; which was bad enough but, what really worried him was that he didn't know, often, what Rick was thinking and Chris did not like the vulnerability that came along with that. "I've got to go." Chris practically sprinted away. Sam simply chuckled to himself and then said to Rick "See ya kid" and walked in the direction of his own car.

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Rick had been home for at least two hours and had been restless when he jumped into his car and went to Sam's place.

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Mercedes was finally coming back to the states, as she stood in the bathroom airport she raised her hand to her throat and rubbed it. She had tried everything to prevent this sore throat from coming on but at this point she was satisfied that at least the tour was over and she didn't have to worry about any breeching of contracts; now, she could rest for a while. Mercedes turned on the hot water and pulled out a small spray bottle opened it and filled it with the steaming water. She then pulled out a small bottle of Eucalyptus then she used the dropper top to take a few drops and added it to the hot water; after putting the Eucalyptus away, back in her purse, and replacing the spray top to the hot water, she began shaking up the spray bottle and she sprayed her throat with the mixture.

When she began putting that bottle away in her purse she heard a scream which came from the doorway; "Oh, My God! It's you! You're Mercedes Jones-I love you!" A woman shouted as she lifted up her cellphone while simultaneously asking if she could get a picture with her. This interaction, which only brought more attention to the woman's restroom as the door was still open, now allowed for more women to come running in screaming as well.

Mercedes smiled and tried to accommodate as many fans as she could as she finally pushed through the crowd, which quickly surrounded her, and out into the openness of the airport facility. "Thank you all, I love you guys too, but I have to catch my next flight." She said as politely as she could and tried to continue to walk toward her gate to board but the crowd just didn't seem to want to disperse. Flashes of light bombarded her from all sides as several pictures were being taken. The fact is that even more people joined the crowd once they found out what was going on and who she was. Mercedes started thinking it may have been a mistake not to travel with her touring entourage but honestly she was hoping that she could just feel like a normal person this time and get away from all of that madness.

She had no idea when she started using her God given talent how daunting fame really would be and after all this time it really was becoming very old; many times she had- had the thought of wanting this all to be over. She felt people jostling for positions near her and jumping in front of her for selfies. She also felt arms grabbing onto her shoulders to feign a type of closeness to her as the pictures were being taken. Mercedes usually tried to make time for her fans but she was not feeling well and she had to admit within herself that today she was really not in the mood for this kind of attention.

Mercedes kept trying to move forward in the direction of her gate but the entire crowd continued to move with her. She was trying not to be rude but she was also fearing a little for her safety the crowd just seemed to get bigger and bigger and she was finding it hard to make her way through, the shouting was getting louder and louder her head was throbbing and she was overwhelmed by the heat of all the bodies around her. Mercedes just stopped in her tracks feeling unable to continue she felt like a baby seal caught in a shark's feeding frenzy.

Within a moment Mercedes heard a man's voice starting to shout down several of the men and women's screams of adoration and she felt a man grab her hand and pull her away from the crowd. "That's all for now!" she heard the voice say. "Make sure you show your appreciation by buying her next album!" Mercedes was not normally fond of someone feeling like he could just take charge of her in this way and she really hadn't even gotten a good look at his face, all she could see was the back of his head and his beefy, broad shoulders. She could tell that he was wearing a tightly fitted grey T-shirt because of the way his sleeve was cutting in to his extremely muscular bicep as his arm was bent backwards and holding on to hers. He was taller than her and although he was pulling her forcefully there was still something quite gentle about it.

Mercedes could not tell why she felt so safe in this particular moment. "Ms. Jones appreciates your warmth and affection for her..." she heard him continue as they began walking even faster, the quicker pace made her hold on to her carry on a little tighter because it had been getting caught on the bodies of the people as she was being pulled from the center of the group. "But you guys really also need to respect her privacy at this time; this is not an event, she is just a woman trying to get to her destination." Mercedes saw the man as he lifted up his other arm and waved it in the air and after a few moments she heard other voices calling for the crowd to disperse. "He must have gotten the attention of airport security" she thought.

When the crowd had finally started to pull back Mercedes felt like she could breathe again the man finally turned to face her. He was quite handsome-the richness of his chocolaty skin tone made him seem like a creamy Hershey's kiss; his eyes were a piercing brown and his low haircut and perfectly sculpted eyebrows made him seem quite desirable upon first glance.

"Are you alright?" the stranger asked her and then waited for her response. "Yes, thank you I am much better now." She answered. "If you tell me which gate you are heading to then I will make sure that you get there without any unwanted attention, Ms. Jones." Mercedes started thinking that is voice was so deep that he would probably sing bass if he were in fact a singer. "Thank you for your help...uh, Mr. uh...I find myself at a disadvantage because you know my name and I don't know yours." Mercedes said as several people were still taking pictures of the two of them from a distance. "I am Trey." He said. "Trey...? Trey what?" she questioned. "No, I just go by Trey." He said with a smile, and a beautiful one it was too. Mercedes quickly thought.

"I am on my way to gate 13 my flight home to South Carolina will begin boarding within the next half hour." She said. "I would have thought an important star like you would be living in L.A or in New York." Trey looked slightly surprised. "I have apartments there when I am there on business but when I am on break after the tours and before heading back to the studio, I go home to recharge my battery so to speak." "That makes sense." He said as he quickly scanned the overhead signs to lead her in the direction of gate 13. "I thought that I had read something about you that said that you came from Ohio a place called, bean... beantown..." "It's Lima" she said interrupting his conversation. "That's right, I would have gotten it." He chuckled; "That is something I do to help me remember things- I use word association." "Oh, I see." Mercedes wondered briefly why would he bother associating words to remember where her hometown was, but they had already arrived at the gate and she riffled through her purse and pulled out her boarding pass to give it to the attendant.

"Well thank you again for your help it was very kind of you." Mercedes reached out her hand to shake his but one of his hands had been occupied because he had just pulled out his own boarding pass and also handed it to the same attendant.

XXXXX

Ricky knocks on the door repeatedly until Sam opens it. "What are you doing here? Didn't Pettway say for you to go home?" Sam said as he walked back deeper into his apartment and left Ricky to close the door and enter in behind him. "I have time they won't be at my place for another four hours." Ricky said.

Sam picked up his game controller and un-paused the video game that he was playing as he sat back down on his sofa and stared at the T.V. screen "Next round; two players." Rick said as he walked to Sam's fridge and pulled out a sports drink and began drinking it while he walked to the sofa and sat down beside him becoming engrossed in the game himself.

After the two men had been playing for an hour Rick heard an alarm go off on Sam's cellphone. Sam picked up his phone and stopped the alarm from going off then he immediately powered down the game. "Hey" Rick challenged "what are you doin'?" "I have been on long enough." Sam stated simply. "I was just getting into the zone a little longer and I would have beaten you-you know it." Rick said as he tossed the controller onto the sofa next to him. "Yeah, sure you're right; you have never beaten me in video game play." Sam chuckled and looked at his watch. "That's because you give yourself these weird time limit rules, what's up with that?" Ricky responded. "That's right, it's called discipline; besides, it is time for you to get going anyway." Sam reminded him.

"Esse, I need you to come with me, I didn't want to admit it to Chris but I am kind of nervous about this whole thing. I have wanted this all my life but what if I blow it? What do I have left? I don't want to let all of these people down... I don't want to let you down... and I don't want to let myself down but honestly I don't know if I can really trust myself not to." Rick lowered his head and started fiddling with his hands.

"Rick, I have known three people in my life that seemed destined for greatness even if the road they took to get there was very different. One took the road of entitlement, one took the road of God gifted talent, and the other took the road of determination...you took that last road and I don't believe that your determination will let you down now...you can do this." Sam said. "You don't need me as much as you think you do...but if it will make you feel better I'll go with you."

XXXXX

"I just want you to know that I am not going to get involved when they get here-this is your time enjoy it." Sam instructed as he sat his laptop on Rick's dining room table and pulled out his laptop. "I am going to be going over some of the new defensive plays." "We should still, at least, work out a signal when you think something is a good idea or not...I know." Rick got excited. "I am not flapping my arms up and down Rick-that's all you." "Ooooh; that would have been perfect too..." Rick's words trailed off a little dispirited.

Sam opened his laptop and a picture of Mercedes immediately appeared and one of her songs began to play. "Oh, here we go again-the obsession is real!" Rick said. "Shut up" Sam said calmly. "Seriously Esse, the girl can blow and all but not like she used to." Rick said as he walked over to the mirror and checked his own appearance. "What are you talking about she sounds great!" Sam rebuffed his allegation immediately. "I am not talking about her videos or cd's they can enhance those... I am talking about her live performances, she used to be a powerhouse but now she sounds like she's straining or something-to me." Rick said as his doorbell began to ring. "Showtime!" Rick said as he rubbed his two hands together feverishly, went to the door and opened it.

Sam heard what Rick said but with the guests about to enter he decided that they would finish this conversation at another time. Rick pulled open his door and shouted "This Raven is ravenous for some respect and recognition-let's get this party started...oooooh, hellooo" his voice quickly deepened as he recognized the two women from the office were standing at his door.

"What are you doing wrong that people don't respect you?" The hotness spoke as she forcefully, and unapologetically pushed him to one side with her left arm and began entering his apartment. "That is not something you want people to know about you-don't say that on camera; you will shoot yourself in the foot." Rick started tugging at his own hands nervously; which the second woman noticed instantly. "Well, aren't you a force of nature?" Rick spoke as his eyes scanned her body in her skin tight Kelly green pencil skirt, yellow blouse, and yellow stilettoes. She had an air about her that she commanded respect-immediately.

The second woman stood at the door, she was wearing a modest black business suit with a red shell underneath, and she asked "May I come in?" Rick then remembered there were two people at his door and baited for her to come in with his hand. When she also entered then Rick closed the door behind her, then she continued "My name is Crystal Waters and (while pointing to the woman in green and yellow) she is..." It was then that she was cut off mid- sentence by the other woman who introduced herself. "An-jella ... Moore." She went on to pause in-between the saying of her first and last name as a tactic to make sure that he would never forget it. Crystal felt a tad bit embarrassed and lowered her head a little, she was often made to feel invisible by An-jella but, she reprimanded herself inwardly, "she should be used to it by now" Crystal thought, so she just let it go.

As Sam watched the interaction between all of them (even though he swore to himself that he wouldn't get involved) he couldn't help but form an opinion while being in the immediate vicinity; and his opinion was this: "It seemed that Crystal was the only one really trying to help Rick to put his best foot forward; while the other two were too busy filling their time with all those sexual innuendos, and flirting with each other." Sam thought. He was suspicious that his allegations were true when it was getting late and He and Crystal, both, left but An-jella stayed behind. "Remember...you have to be ready for the reporters bright and early tomorrow for the live broadcasts," was the last thing that Crystal said before we began walking out of the door but, when I looked back over my shoulder I saw An-jella pouring Rick a glass of wine.

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Sam felt uneasy that night while he tossed and turned in his bed. He wasn't fooling himself he knew exactly what it was-it was sexual frustration, just hearing Rick and An-jella go on and on last night made him really desire being close to Mercedes like he used to be; there was no sex and he knew that she was saving herself until marriage; but nights like this made him wish that they were married already. He rolled over and sat up, grabbed his cell and he sent a text message to Mercedes. "I've been thinking about you, can't wait until we can really talk to each other, things are so different now and I wanted to share it all with you. I hope you are happy. I'll love you always, Sam." Sam returned his cellphone to his nightstand.

Sam lay on his bed and began to pray. "Lord, I wish I knew what was happening with her I am worried that it has been a little too long since we have gotten to really speak. Could you just let me know that she is alright? Thank you lord, in Jesus name, Amen." Sam exhaled with a deep sigh, rolled over onto his stomach, fluffed out his pillow with his hands, and with his now folded his arms under his pillow he tried again to get some sleep.

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Sam had told Chris that he wouldn't but he couldn't help himself; he went over to sports complex to watch the interviews. He noticed that at least Rick was wearing what he was supposed to be and he was sitting in the make-up chair so, at the second least, he was on time. Sam could see that Rick was fidgeting and squirming a great deal the cosmetologist had to keep redirecting him.

Crystal was running back and forth making sure that the lighting would be right and that they would be using the proper mic so that he sounded as good as he could be expected. Sam scanned the place for An-jella; "Surely," he thought "she must be doing her part to make sure that Rick had what he needed to do well;" but Sam never did see her.

When Rick was released from the chair he stood up still fidgeting with his hands which was something he always did when he was nervous. As Rick turned around he saw Sam standing in the hallway; then Rick through his head back, exhaled out of relief, and smiled as he came rushing toward him. "I am so glad that you are here Esse I really needed someone today." Sam looked suspiciously. "I am glad that I could be of some help but... where is An-jella?" Sam spoke in a confused manner. "After the way that the two of you were hitting it off last night, and not to mention that this is her job; I expected to see her here, someplace." "Whoa! That girl- she can be a hellcat in bed let me tell you!" Rick grinned. Sam did not respond to that comment because he was too busy waiting for an answer to his original question. So Rick began to speak again. "Only, uh... last night... uh made her too...too tired, and we both have a bit of a hangover, so... she decided to stay at my place and, uh...sl... sleep." "WHAT?!"

Sam shouted so loudly that he caught Crystal's attention and she could see from the distance that Rick was starting to pull at his own hands again. "So you are telling me that after last night she is not even going to come here to support you?" Sam's anger was truly starting to get the better of him. "Esse, calm down, I am sure she feels that she- supported- me enough last night; you know?" Rick tried to rationalize the situation although it could be heard in his voice that he wasn't convinced about it himself. "Do you feel that you needed the support more last night or right now when you are about to make your national television debut?!" Sam looked at Rick like he had been just completely played. Rick looked down almost ashamed of himself and started messing with his hands again.

Crystal walked over to the two men as they stood in the hallway "Okay, they are all ready for you now Rick." She said as she straightened his tie and then she reached up her hand and slid her hand down his ear and encircled it with her thumb until she held on lightly to his earlobe. Rick and Sam both did not know what to think of this interaction but it was oddly soothing to Rick. "I am expecting my Raven to soar, okay?" She said but her voice was so tender and soothing as she said it. Then she let go of his earlobe, and she didn't look as serious as he was used to seeing her either, she seemed compassionate and sympathetic. "Oh, and by the way here you go." Crystal said as she reached into her purse and pulled out a miniature, hand-held sized football made out of genuine leather and put it in his hand. Rick glanced at Sam but then he looked back at Crystal in complete wonder. "How do you know about this?" Rick asked. "I noticed that you fidget with your hands a great deal when you are nervous, that is not new, that is the kind of thing that stems from childhood. When I left your place last night I didn't go home; I went back to the office and looked up your personnel file. I called your mother last night and asked her what she used to do about it. She told me that she bought you a football like this when you were young and as long as you held onto it you were fine. So, I went out last night looking, until I could find one. Hold onto it during the interviews and if any of the reporters ask you about it-tell them your story; it is a great one, and it also explains your love of football, and why you are so comfortable holding the ball." She smiled.

"We are ready now Mr. Raven" a voice called to Rick. Rick suddenly looked at Sam again. Sam smiled with a lopsided grin raised his two arms up close to his body and pumped his arms in a flying motion three times and then pretended to soar, although he did it rather quickly and in a very close-to-the-vest type of way; not at all as animated as Rick usually does it, but it was enough. Rick smiled at Sam, took a deep breath, and while holding the little football in his hand he walked down the hall towards the reporter.

"Sam you can follow me to my office were we can watch the interview live and see how it's going." Crystal said. Sam and Crystal watched the first interview together; they were excited, engaged, and a little elated when the interview was over. It went off without a hitch; they both even cheered. "Sam, you stay here, I will be right back, they are about to go to commercial break and I am bringing in the next reporter." She opened her office door to walk out but then she quickly stuck her head back inside her office and smiled and whispered to Sam "He soared!" she smiled again and closed the door behind her.

Sam smiled as well until he saw what the next announced news story was before they went to a commercial break "Super singing sensation Mercedes Jones has a mysterious new man in her life..." Then they showed a picture of Mercedes in an airport holding a man's hand.

Author's note: Please forgive any mistakes and please review-it helps to know what people are thinking. Oh, one other note, this is a Samcedes story but I try to write stories that have more experiences for the characters to go through so that it is not so one dimensional; I hope, please bear with the other storylines as well there is a reason for everything. Please Review.