Thanks to ALL the kind people who reviewed/story alerted this fanfiction. It means a lot.
However, I might have lied a bit. This chapter started out as Sam/Mercedes but Shane crept in. I needed to show the fact that Shanecedes isn't going strong anymore. It just wasn't right without the few Shancedes scenes... However, like I said, they aren't happy. Sam is still important in the chapter. He's in or at least spoken/thought about in every scene. I do hope you'll enjoy this!
There's a little reference to the 'Mercedes Mafia' on tumblr. I hope you can find it! Much love xxx
Mercy On Me
The rain had started suddenly. There hadn't been any talk of a storm today,but the dark clouds had their own ideas. Mercedes and Sam had been petting an elephant when they felt the first few drops of water. Within seconds, it was pouring and they had to cut their Zoo Day short and run for the car. Mercedes didn't mind. They had been there since 10 a.m. and it was now 3 p.m. She was rather pleased with her day, but right now, all she wanted was to get in her car, safe from the rain. Somehow, she had lost Sam along the way.
"Sam?" she stopped and looked back at him. He stood, hands in his pockets, staring at her like it was the first time he'd seen her. Concerned, she jogged back to him and took his hand. "Come on," she said smiling. "We're all wet." but he tugged her towards him and pressed his lips against hers. It was hardly more than a peck, but to her it meant more. Sam let her go as abruptly as he had grabbed her, a blush creeping in his cheeks.
"Sorry," he said, digging his hands into his pockets. They were both completely soaked by now. His blond hair, darkened by the rain, hung in wet slicks against his forehead.
Mercedes frowned. Sorry? He had kissed her by accident? Of course he had. He was Sam Evans, he could have anyone. She wasn't unused to having feelings for people who couldn't possibly like her back, but it still hurt. "Wh- Why did you kiss me?" she asked, though she dreaded the answer.
Sam stared into her brown eyes and suddenly, everything he had wanted to say seemed stupid. He wanted to tell her that her smile made her eyes light up, and never failed to make him happy. He wanted to tell her that he loved her laugh, and the way she danced. He wanted to tell her that just being beside her made him feel like anything was possible, like he had a million options. But he couldn't. He couldn't because she deserved so much more than a dork that had no house or money. And he couldn't because he was afraid that he'd loose what little of her he already had.
"Spur of the moment. You've been such a good friend," he said lamely. Something flashed in her eyes, but was instantly replaced with a bright smile.
"Forgiven," Mercedes forced herself to be cheerful. There was no use for tears, not now. "It's still raining though. Let's go." And together, they jogged to her car, glad to get out of the pouring rain.
Mercedes muted the television and took a deep breath. I'm going to die, she thought. The storm had worsened during the evening. The sound of booming thunder was getting louder with every second that passed and every few minutes, she could see a flash of lightning. But it wasn't the storm that terrified her. It was the loud banging on her front door. She had been watching 'You've Got Mail' and crying over the perfection of Joe Fox when the banging started. Her parents were gone for supper with friends, and she was alone. The longer she ignored the banging, the louder it became with no sign of wanting to stop. This is the night I'm going to die, she thought bitterly. Plucking up all the courage she had left, Mercedes grabbed an umbrella from beside the front door and took a deep breath. She wasn't going to go down with out a fight. But when she opened the door, it wasn't the Scream guy or Mike Myers standing in front of her. It was Sam, drenched.
"What the hell, Sam!" She dropped the umbrella and tried to drag him inside, but he steeped back and began pacing her porch.
"I lied." he muttered, running a hand through his wet hair.
"Did you walk all the way here?" asked Mercedes, stepping onto the porch and glancing down the street for his parents' car. "Are you insane?"
"Yes!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I'm insane. You drive me insane. When you aren't there, I'm missing you. And when you're there, I can't breathe because I'm terrified that one mistake will mess everything up."
Mercedes simply stared as he paced the porch, frustrated.
"And you know what's worse?" he continued, his voice raising. "I kissed you but then I said it was just a friendly kiss, but it was more than that because I don't like you as a friend and I can't explain it." Numb, Mercedes leaned against the wall. What was happening? Surely, she had fallen asleep and was having a vivid dream. This couldn't be real. Taking her silence for rejection, Sam mumbled an apology and left her.
This had been everything she had dreamed of since prom, but somehow his half-insane half-desperate confession was better than anything she could have ever imagined. Mercedes snapped back to reality and ran after Sam, who was already halfway down the street.
"Sam, please." she tugged on his hand. But this time when he turned and crushed his lips down to hers, she had been braced for it. His mouth was hot and hard against hers. There was nothing kind and soft about the kiss. It was passionate and impatient. When he deepened the kiss, any brain cells that hadn't been fried drained out of her ears. It was perfect.
.
.
Dreams are as cruel as nightmares. For a split second everything is beautiful, then you wake up and reality sets in. Dreams hand you the world only to yank it away again, making everything seem harsher than it really is. At least when you have nightmares, you wake up to something better. But, Mercedes had a particular hatred for dreams that took her for a stroll down memory lane. She had woken up, her pillow drenched in tears, at a very early hour. Even if she could have been able to go back to sleep, she didn't want to. Not if it meant that her summer with Sam would come creeping back.
Waiting for her in the hallway, when she arrived at school, was Shane. She could tell he wasn't pleased by the way his eyes widened. When she walked up to him, he blinked a few times, before speaking. A tell-tale sign of his disapproval.
"Why you back for good? That glee club-" he started.
"Oh, hell to the no." said Mercedes, fuming. Today wasn't the day the start with this, even if Shane had the best intentions. "We've been over this. I missed them, and Quinn arranged to have the Troubletones perform one number per competition. We're sharing the spotlight now. I'm not just backup anymore. And I love them. I told you all of this before. Why are you-" her eyes narrowed. "This isn't about the Glee club. This is about Sam." she sighed and passed a hand through her dark hair.
"I've heard rumors about him. He's very insistent." said Shane.
"You've spoken to him?" asked Mercedes sharply, and was relieved when he shook his head. "Well, you have nothing to worry about. I told him I moved on."
Shane considered her a second, before sighing. There was no use arguing with her, even though he wasn't certain she was being truthful. This Sam character was trouble, he just knew it. But the more he pressed the subject, the more distant Mercedes became, so he smiled. "I was just worried." he kissed her cheek. "Have a good day, babe. See ya tonight, at breadstixx"
As she watched him leave, Mercedes smiled sadly. She had never been so confused.
"Mr. Schue, I think it's a great idea." said Kurt.
"Why? You like loosing against us?" asked Santana, smirking.
"We don't have the time." Mr. Schue shook his head. Glee club had started with a proposition from Finn and Rachel. Apparently, the two had gotten in an argument about last year's 'girls vs. boys' competition and the only way it could be settled was by a rematch. From what Mercedes understood, Finn had claimed that the boys only lost because they had a lot more on their mind than the song- they desperately wanted Coach Beiste's forgiveness- and that he was certain if that incident had not happened, they would have won. Rachel obviously disagreed and refused to sit next to him.
"We won that competition fairly. We were the better ones." said Quinn.
"Mr. Schue, I don't see why we can't do it." said Mercedes, shrugging. Group numbers were always fun, but competitions were the best.
"Hey, if it makes Finn shut up, I'm all for it." agreed Santana.
"You guys really want this?" asked Mr. Schue, looking at his students. They nodded. "We're Wednesday, that means you have until Friday-"
"That's more than enough time to prepare Mr. Schue. Right, Finn?" Rachel glared at her boyfriend.
"We'll be ready. Be prepared to have your minds blown, girls. We've got this." countered Finn.
Mr. Schue laughed. "Okay, guys. I appreciate the enthusiasm but now it's time for Santana and Mercedes to perform their songs."
Santana nodded and stood. "Mercedes, do you mind being my back-up?"
"No problem," said Mercedes, pleased. Santana grabbed her stool and brought it to the center of the room. The music started, a soft tune that Mercedes recognized.
If I begged and if I cried
Would it change the sky tonight?
Would it give me sunlight?
Should I wait for you to call?
Is there any hope at all?
Are you drifting by?
When I think about it
I know that I was never there or even cared
The more I think about it
The less that I was able to share with you
I try to reach you I can almost feel you
You're nearly here
And then you disappear
You disappear
Mercedes watched as Santana lost herself in the song.
[To Brittany]
And then I lie all by myself
I see your face I hear your voice
My heart stays faithful
And time has come and time has passed
If it's good it's got to last
It feels so right
This was for two people, Mercedes realized. Santana sung this song for her Abuela and Britt. She wondered vaguely if anyone understood what this was about. Santana wasn't saying Brittany was disappearing. She was saying that when her grand-mother wanted nothing to do with her, Brittany was the light, keeping her sane. There were only three people in the room that she was sure could understand the song and the way she applied it to her situation. The rest would have to wonder.
When I think about it
I know that I was never there or even cared
The more I think about it
The less that I was able to share with you
I try to reach you I can almost feel you
You're nearly here
And then you disappear
You disappear
You you disappear
I missed all the signs
One at a time
You were ready
What did I know
Starting our lives
Now my love I'm ready to shine
Everyone clapped when she ended the song and Brittany even went to hug her and whisper something in her ear. It wasn't long before Santana had taken the stool back to it's original spot and all attention was turned to Mercedes. For the first time, in a long time, she felt nervous. She avoid Sam's gaze, and instead locked eyes with Santana and Brittany who smiled encouragingly.
"Go Mercedes, Go Mercedes, Go!" cheered Brittany.
"Sing it, sista," said Artie, and Mercedes instantly felt better. She would rock this, she always did. Still avoiding Sam's gaze, she smiled at her audience and signaled the band to start.
Jesus, I must confess
That in all my loneliness
I've forsaken and I've sinned
Leaving fragments of a man so broken
I could tell you what I've done
Or should I tell you where I went wrong?
Well the more that I start to play
My deceitful, evil ways
Keep on growing stronger by the day
Mercedes saw Quinn smile proudly, giving her extra confidence. Her song, despite what Sam or anyone would assume, wasn't directed to Shane or the blonde. This was all her and how she viewed herself in the situation. That would be enough for now. That was all she was willing to share.
Oh lord have mercy on my soul
For I have walked a sinful road
So I'm gonna get down on my knees
Beg forgiveness to help set me free
Lord have mercy on me, please
Mother Mary full of grace
In my weakness, I've lost faith
I've been careless, and I have been warned
And the devil inside me is torn
God bless the men that I have scorned
So don't let me fool around no more
Send your angels down to guide me through that door
Well I've gone and confessed my regrets
And I pray I'm not held in contempt
I'm so lost, and I need you to help me repent
Artie cheered when she hit the high note, as did Puck who was bobbing his head to the beat of the song. Judging by everyone's reactions, she was singing it well. She saw Sam, sitting in the back, smiling proudly. It shouldn't have, but it pleased her to see the pride he had in her.
Oh lord have mercy on my soul
Oh I'm begging, I'm pleeding, I'm needing
I want you to know
So I'm down upon my knees
Oh lord, I need forgiveness
I need forgiveness from you
I need forgiveness from you
As soon as she ended the song, Santana and Brittany were on her, hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek between 'That's my girl' exclamations. Even Rachel was clapping enthusiastically, much to Mercedes' surprise.
"Mercedes, Santana... those where both amazing performances." said Mr. Schue, clapping. He seemed to want to say something else, but thought better of it. "Alright guys. Friday, boys vs. girls."
The students cheered and headed for the cafeteria for a much needed lunch break.
SMSMSMSMSMSMSMS
Mercedes stared down at her salad, carefully avoiding Quinn's gaze. The blond had been talking about the song choices they girls had made and seemed very intent on getting all her questions answered. Normally, Mercedes would have been pleased to know her friends cared at all, but she couldn't answer their questions because she barely understood anything herself.
"I'm just saying, the song you chose makes you seem like a player girl and you aren't." Quinn was saying. Tina murmured in agreement.
"You aren't sinning." she added.
"Can't we change the subject?" asked Santana exasperated. "We told the guys to let us eat alone so we could choose a song for the competition, but all you're doing is hassling us about our songs."
"Santana may have a point. We're loosing precious time." agreed Rachel.
"Fine," said Quinn, sighing. "Just tell me one thing. Is that really what you think of yourself?"
Mercedes exhaled deeply and looked into her soul sister's eyes, which were pleading. "Yes. But I'm not ready to explain."
Accepting this, Quinn settled back and smiled. "So, the song."
"I was thinking Broadway." said Rachel, excited.
"Huh, no." Santana grimaced. "If we want to win, we need to surprise them. Shock is an important aspect."
"I agree," Brittany looked up from her sandwich.
"But what kind of song?" asked Mercedes.
"We've pretty much sang every style," pointed out Quinn. "What's left for us to shock them with?"
"Sometimes it's not about the song, but what we do with it." Said Tina.
"100 per cent true." agreed Brittany.
"We should do something sexy, because we're hot." said Sugar.
"oh my God!" exclaimed Mercedes. "i have the best idea, but this is a little out of your comfort zone, Rachel." She proceeded to tell the girls exactly how they were going to win that competition.
SMSMSMSMSMSMS
Mercedes had successfully avoided having a direction conversation with Sam all day, which only meant that something big was coming. She could never avoid things for a long time, they always caught up to her. Like her dreams, forcing her to face what she wouldn't and couldn't last June. Shane had texted her after her planning session with the girls at lunch to tell her that he wouldn't be hanging around after practice and that their Breadstixx date was canceled, because he was tired. Honestly, she didn't mind, instead she was relieved. Santana, in good heart, had offered to be a replacement date and Mercedes, not wanting to be alone agreed. There was something comforting in having a friend like her. They kept each other in check and everybody needs that one friend that's just that- a friend, no underlying romantic feelings. Mercedes didn't count Quinn as a friend, that girl was her soul sister. The bond was different. Tina was also her friend, but it had been a long time since they had a real conversation. Rachel was her frenemy and Sugar... well who knew what Sugar was? That left Brittany, who was also a friend but it was different. She loved them all though.
It wasn't until they had ordered their meal that Santana narrowed her eyes and cursed. Entering the restaurant was Shane, with his friends, laughing. They didn't see Mercedes and the latina. Not yet.
"What the hell is he doing here?" muttered Santana. "I'm not leaving. I came here for breadstixx and imma leave with breadstixx."
"He's not supposed to be here." said Mercedes slowly, while watching him sit down at a table with some football players. "He said he was tired."
Santana narrowed her eyes. "He lied to you?" cursing in Spanish, she stood up. "Stay here, 'retha. I'm going to check it out." Before Mercedes could speak, Santana had already left in Shane's direction. Santana sat at the table directly behind the boys, facing Mercedes. She couldn't hear what the boys were saying, but with every second that past, Mercedes could see Santana get angrier. She gasped when her friend sprung up from her chair and charged at Shane.
Santana was madder than she had ever been. How dare he make fun of the Glee club? He thought her could tease them just because he's was a football player? All she saw was red, and she lunged. She kept hitting until she felt a pair of soft hands pull her back. It was Mercedes, shocked.
"What the hell are you doing?" asked Mercedes, as she struggled to keep her friend from hitting Shane again. The boys just stared, eyes wide.
"Grimace McMumbles had A LOT to say about the Glee club." Santana glared at Shane. "Didn't you? Speak up, Bubba Blubba!"
Shane glanced at his friends and then back at Mercedes. "Just a few jokes, Mercedes. No harm meant. She's over-reacting." Mercedes scowled. She wouldn't lie, Santana was not the most innocent girl. She often insulted people and cause trouble, but Mercedes knew her and she had seen the mild irritation turn into full blown anger. Whatever it was that had been said, it hadn't been innocent.
"Oh bullshit." Santana detached herself from Mercedes and crossed her arms. "You made fun of Kurt and Blaine. Not that you're one to talk. They might be gay, but Blaine's hot and Kurt's a cutie."
"You made fun of Kurt?" said Mercedes, her voice dangerously calm.
"His voice, babe." said Shane laughing nervously. "You got to admit-"
"You laughed when he-" Santana pointed one of his friends. "said Kurt has a high voice because his father cut off his balls, since he probably wanted a daughter and all." Shane shifted uncomfortably in his chair. But Santana wasn't going to stop. "He-" she pointed another guy. "Made fun of Quinn because of Beth and of Puck and Lauren."
Mercedes silenced Santana with a look and turned to Shane. "Did you partake in the insults?" she saw the denial in his face. "Don't lie to me." she snapped.
"I may have insulted one or two people." he muttered.
"Sam and Rachel." supplied Santana.
"And did you ever think of defending my friends? or did you laugh?" Voice still calm, Mercedes crossed her arms.
"It was a joke! Y'all are too uptight." said one of the football players.
Mercedes ignored him. "We'll talk about this later. Hey, next time you want to cancel a date, be honest about it or at least try to be sneakier." She rolled her eyes and grabbed Santana's hand. There would be a conversation with Shane, but not now.
"Hey, Santana." Mercedes froze when she heard the smug voice of one of the boys. "I know you got this offer before, but if you ever want to reconsider getting with a man to make you right, I'm here." There was nothing she could do stop her. Santana was on the boy, slapping him and clawing at his arms. Mercedes tried, unsuccessfully, to pull her away from the boy but in the end it took Shane and a friend to get her away. While they dragged her outside, Mercedes payed a waitress for their uneaten meal and mumbled apologies.
Outside, Shane and his friend were still holding Santana who was cursing loudly in Spanish. They only let her go when Mercedes joined them.
"This is my family." said Mercedes, as she pulled Santana close. "You could have defended them." Without waiting for a response, the girls made their way to their car.
SMSMSMSMSMSMS
There was no use crying tears of anger. Not that she could. Mercedes was past that stage. Shane had never lied to her before tonight. She wasn't sure what she hated more, the fact that he lied and ditched her, or the fact that he used the time they had meant to spend together to insult her friends. Mercedes was the first to admit that the Glee club wasn't perfect, but that was different. No one outside the glee club had ANY right to talk about them. No matter who they were dating. She'd known that he was still bitter and upset about what had happened at the beginning of the year between her and the New Directions, but she had never thought he would resort to insulting them behind her back. He should have defended her family instead of being the one against them.
After dragging out a raging Santana and bringing her to Brittany's house, Mercedes had followed instinct and called Sam. It was a mistake. She realized that now, but at the time, there was no one else she would have rather talked to, no one else who could calm her and make everything better. It wasn't until he arrived at the park, guitar in hand and sat next to her that she realized just what she had done. There were plenty of other people she could have called. Quinn would have come if she had asked. But the truth was, no one else had crossed her mind.
"'Cedes?"
Mercedes heard the cautious tone of his voice and sighed. "Sam."
"What happened? Santana called me, right after you did but she was yelling so I didn't understand much." he put a tentative hand on her shoulder and was surprised when she didn't shrug it off.
"Shane lied to me." said Mercedes slowly, as though in a trance. "and he talked about the Glee club like they were nothing."
Sam froze and dropped his hand. Of course this was about Shane. Who else would she be talking about? Friends, he thought, tonight I'll just be her friend. "He's on the football team, that's what they do. We aren't really special-"
"Yes, you are." interrupted Mercedes, fiercely. "It doesn't matter if we're nothing to the school. You guys are everything to me. If he loved me, he would have respected you."
"Mercedes..." Sam sighed, unsure of what to tell her. She seemed pretty set in her ideas.
"You know, we -he- had a plan. Marriage, babies..." Sam winced but Mercedes continued. "When I look at my future, no matter how rich I might become, the glee club is there. They'll be at my wedding, they'll be my children's aunts and uncles and our kids will play with each other. I won't give that up for anyone. You deserved his respect."
"But why?"
"Because I love you. All of you." Mercedes quickly corrected herself. "That should have been enough for him."
Sam sighed. There was nothing worse that hearing the person you loved talking about another person. It was evident that she was hurt, but he strongly suspected that they were still dating. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked bluntly.
Surprised at his question, Mercedes blinked. "You were the first person I thought of." she turned to face him, smiling sadly. "There was no one else I wanted to see. I called you before I even realized what happening."
Sam gripped her hand and squeezed. "if I had never left-"
"I wouldn't have even thought of dating anyone else." suddenly weary, Mercedes let out a breath. "Since I'm being honest... I loved you. I loved you so much. When you left, a part of me left with you. But I wouldn't have it any other way. The pain just means that it was real."
"I didn't want to leave." he whispered as he brought their clasped hands to his lips.
"I know and I didn't want to move on. But I had to." Mercedes' eyes burnt with tears that threatened to spill. "It's what kept me sane, Sam. Every day without you was torture. Do you know how many times I watched Avatar during the two weeks? Fifteen." she laughed, but it was short and bitter. "Fifteen times, I watched that movie. You had to leave. I don't blame you. But... it's over, Sam." Even as she said those words, Mercedes didn't believe them and she could tell that Sam didn't believe her either.
"Are you telling yourself that to avoid dealing with this?" Sam let go of her hand and frowned. "I hurt too, you know. I had to leave the girl I love. But I came back for her." Silence followed his words and for a good fifteen minutes, they sat, remembering their summer.
"Sing for me, Sam?" whispered Mercedes. It had been a habit of theirs. She loved the way he was focused when he played, and could watch him for hours. It soothed her and right now she needed to be soothed.
Obligingly, he picked up his guitar, which he had placed at his feet. He was so used to having done so in the past that it wasn't until he started playing that he realized the significance of her demand.
If I talk real slowly
If I try real hard
To make my point, dear
That you have my heart
Here I go
I'll tell you what you already know
Here I go
I'll tell you what you already know
If you love me with all of your heart
If you love me, I'll make you a star in my universe
You'll never have to go to work
You'll spend everyday shining your light my way
Mercedes shut eyes, but that did nothing to hold back the tears that streamed silently down her cheek. There he was, making her remember why she ever loved him in the first place. The tears were for the past and the might-have-beens. They were for the boy who made it impossible to be a hundred percent happy without him.
If I talk real slowly
If I hold your hand
If you look real closely
My love you might understand
Here I go
I'll tell you what you already know
Here I go
I'll tell you what you already know
If you love me with all that you are
If you love me, I'll make you a star in my universe
You'll never have to go to work
You'll spend everyday shining your light my way
"I was set on being someone else and not being a dork. Then I talked with you. Really talked. You made me want to be myself. You made me feel special, and I don't even think you meant to." said Sam, when he finished the song. "No girl have ever liked me. But you made me feel like I was... invincible. Like nothing could stop me. And I was proud to know that someone like you, could like me. But then you loved me, and in one word, one kiss... everything was perfect. I love you, Mercedes. And if I have to wait all year and the one after that, I will. Because when you find someone special, you don't let them get away." And with that, he left, guitar in hand.
Mercedes watched him leave sadly. " 'You may tire of reality but you never tire of dreams.' " she whispered, quoting L. M. Montgomery. God knows, that was the truth. Shane was reality, but Sam ruled her dreamland. At that dreamland was slowly spilling into reality.
Songs:
Disappear - Beyoncé
Mercy on Me – Christina Aguilera
For You- Angus and Julia Stone
Well, that's all for this chapter. I just want to make it clear that Shane only insulted Sam and Rachel. His friends insulted the rest of the Glee club, but he laughed along and THAT'S why Mercedes is upset.
I hope it was okay and that you weren't disappointed. ^^
Little spoiler for the next chapter: The girls' number is a mash-up of two songs and their costumes will be; Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Mad Hatter, Belle, Alice and a Zombie.
Reviews would be epic ^^