Sam felt dreadful. He'd been working every available hour he could, fully aware that he wouldn't be earning any money for his family while he was away at Nationals.

But the non-stop lifestyle had taken its toll and now he was sick. His manager had finally taken pity on him and sent him home early. It was a tough choice to miss out on the tips but in reality he really was struggling just to stay upright and was now prepared to sacrifice a bit of cash, just to be able to rest his aching head. His nose was stuffy, his muscles were sore and his throat felt like he'd been gargling with razor blades.

The walk back to the motel seemed to take forever and he was looking forward to having his mom take care of him. Normally he hated fuss but being ill was the one exception. He didn't think he'd ever grow out of being looked after. Especially as his mom did it so well.

Of the three sets of eyes that met his when he opened the door to the motel room, one was wholly unexpected.

He had no idea that she was coming today!

Stevie and Stacy were thrilled to see their brother earlier than expected and leapt up from watching Shrek to fling their arms around him. Mercedes smiled and stood up from where she'd been perched on the kids' bed. "I didn't expect to see you so soon. Your mum called an hour ago. She had a last second call to cover an extra shift and-". She took a hard look at his appearance and realized the reason for his early arrival.

Sam hugged the kids with as much strength as he could muster and shut the door behind him, dissolving into a fit of coughing. She was still looking at him with those soft eyes of hers. "Guys, leave your brother. He's not feeling too good." Her arms were open and Stevie and Stacy headed back over to her with anxious faces.

He hated her to see him like this and was feeling too sick to engage in much conversation. "I'm really sorry Mercedes but I just need to head to the shower and lie down."

She nodded clearly understanding and settled the kids back into the movie.

As he grabbed his pajamas he looked over at the three of them sitting close on the bed and smiled. Mercedes was so good with the kids. And the more they saw her the more they wanted her. Every morning they asked if she was coming today. They considered her their friend as much as his and she was favored by them even more than Quinn ever was. Quinn had been a little stiff, almost nervous with them and he had worried that it was because they made her think of the child that she'd had to give up herself, but Mercedes' easygoing nature had drawn them within the first few minutes of spending time with her. Plus with Quinn they only watched movies while Mercedes often planned ahead when she knew she was coming and organized more creative activities for them to do like role play, art projects and even making balloon animals.

But right now his brain was foggy. All he really wanted to do was to shower and lie down.

The hot water felt good on his aching muscles. The steam was clearing his sinuses and he felt a little less tense. If this had been his old life he would be at home, his mom would be preparing him chicken soup from scratch, making a huge dramatic fuss over him and he would indulge her by letting her tuck him in to bed. But the reality was that he was here in this motel room. Mercedes had said she'd go once he'd come out of the shower. But the movie was still near the beginning and he'd told her that the kids had been asking after her and they really wanted her to stay.

But it wasn't just Stacy and Stevie who want her to stay is it.

…

All three of them had startled at the sound of the door. They weren't expecting anyone for hours and Mercedes gripped them closely. When they saw Sam's face they were relieved. The kids hurled themselves at him like cannon balls but Mercedes quickly came to realize that he wasn't well. Hell the boy looked awful. He'd probably been sent home from work. Her heart went out to him. She knew that Sam had been working every available moment for the last couple of weeks and was it killing him. It was also killing her to see it killing him.

While he showered she made him some hot chocolate from the instant next to the kettle and remembered that she always kept a supply of Advil in her bag. As she made the drink she tried not to think about the fact that he was only meters away from her, totally naked, with hot water streaming over his toned body!

Oh boy... she'd been through this with her brain before and was adamant she wasn't going to go there with her mind. Especially not with children in the room!

The kids had got it into their heads that they were going to look after their brother. Despite her insistence that he needed his rest, they were determined that he was going to lie down in their bed. Realizing she'd been outvoted, she worked with them, propping up the pillows in preparation for their patient. The moment they finished setting up he stepped out of the bathroom in a pair of slightly faded set of navy pajamas that conflictingly made him look about twelve years old yet devastatingly sexy at the same time.

"Dr Evans and Dr Evans have prescribed bed rest and made space for you in their hospital." She shot him one of her dimpled smiles and tried hard not to look at the way the pajama top fitted so snugly against his chest and upper arms.

Sam smiled weakly. He clearly had no fight in him and headed straight over to the space that they'd created for him. The lopsided grin suddenly made a stronger appearance as he turned his attention to her. "And what does Dr Mercedes Jones prescribe?"

"Hot chocolate and Advil together with bed rest," she said softly.

She brought them over and waited for him to get settled. The kids couldn't make up their minds where they wanted to be and kept climbing over him.

"Guys!" Her voice was suddenly serious and authoritative, "I am about to hand Sam a hot drink. You have to decide where you want to be then stay still. Hot liquids can be dangerous! We've discussed this before!" She could see him grin at the sudden change in her tone. Maybe he liked it when she took control!

Within seconds they'd settled on either side of Sam and stayed very still. She handed him the drink and the pills which he swallowed straight down. She put her hand on his forehead then immediately regretted touching him as she felt a jolt of something when her skin touched his. Why did she keep torturing herself like this? "Er - can I get you anything? Maybe something to eat?"

Sam shook his head "Thanks but this is perfect."

Perfect. That's what he'd said prom night was in the text that she refused to delete from her phone.

But despite his reassurance she was still worried about him. "Nationals is in just under a week. Do you think you'll be well enough?"

Sam took another swallow of the hot drink, "Of course I will. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I won't let New Directions down. And I always get better fast!"

They resumed watching the movie in comfortable silence for around ten minutes before Stacy suddenly lifted her head from where it was nestled on her brother's chest. "Cedes why are you all the way over there? Why don't you come over here where it's nice and cozy?"

She'd settled on the other bed as they continued to watch the movie. If felt weird getting in between the three siblings. And the smell of Sam's soap was distracting her something fierce.

Mercedes laughed. "There's no space for me there honey."

Stacy's little face looked determined. "Yes there is! You come here next to Sammy and I can cuddle you instead." It was all so logical to the little girl who enjoyed having her head on Sam's chest, but knew that Mercedes' chest was far softer.

She flushed and looked over to Sam. He looked sleepy and didn't protest. In fact, as Stacy moved he patted the empty space that she'd created next to him. Mercedes took the now empty mug from his hands and put it on the bedside table before lowering herself onto the bed next to him, carefully staying above the covers and making sure not to touch him.

This clearly wasn't good enough for Stacy and the little girl didn't look impressed. "You have to move up Mercedes! Otherwise I'll fall off the end!" There was plenty of room on the end and Mercedes suspected that the child was intentionally being mischievous but nevertheless she scooched up until she was so close to Sam that she could feel his fever radiating from him. The child then resumed her position, this time with her head on Mercedes' chest.

Despite herself she felt very comfortable. Sam's soap smell was strong because he was so fresh out of the shower. It was such a simple smell but somehow it got her right in the pit of the stomach. Minutes later, Sam was asleep and snoring gently. Stevie kept giggling and holding his nose to make him stop until Mercedes sternly told him to quit. "Your brother needs his rest," she reasoned with the young boy. But lying down was making her eyes heavy too. She felt so warm and content lying next to the firmness of Sam. Despite her good intentions she allowed herself to indulge in a daydream where they were several years in the future. Sam was lying next to her as her husband and the child snuggled up to her was their own…

She woke to the sound of a car pulling in to the parking space directly outside the motel window. She recognized it as the sound of Mrs Evans being dropped home from work. Stevie had heard the same sound and had gone from where he was coloring on the floor towards the front door.

Sam had moved in his sleep. He'd somehow turned towards her and cuddled in closer. The last thing on earth she wanted to do was move from that position. She could even feel his breath against her cheek as he slept and if felt so comfortable and safe. But she sure as hell wasn't going to get caught playing happy families! Reluctantly she moved the sleeping Stacy over on to the pillow next to Sam and managed to climb off the bed without waking either of them. By the time the door opened she was putting on her shoes.

Mrs Evans looked exhausted but relieved to be home in time to put her children herself. She thanked Mercedes again for coming at short notice then stopped short, her eyes widening when she saw her son asleep in the bed.

"He came home sick," she explained, "and he's been pretty much asleep since he got in."

Mrs Evans ran straight over to him placing her hand on his forehead to feel for a fever and kissing him gently.

"He's ok." She kept her tone reassuring, "I had a couple of Advil in my bag so he's had those and a shower and a warm drink."

Mercedes kissed the kids goodbye and let herself out quietly.

Fifteen minutes later she tapped the motel room door quietly. She saw the blinds twitch briefly before the door opened.

Before Mrs Evans could say anything Mercedes handed her a bag.

"I just brought some lemons and honey for Sam. Plus some Beechams cold and cough medicines." She saw the older woman start to speak but didn't let her. "It's all stuff we already have at home. I thought they would be useful. If I'd known Sam was sick before I came I would have brought them with me."

The hug that followed said more than words. She thought she hadn't done much, but to the Mrs Evans, Mercedes was their angel.