Disclaimer. I don't own Glee nor any songs that will be featured. Please forgive any mistakes!

It was another long dress rehearsal. Shuester and Carl were getting into it again, and like always, it wasn't about the kids anymore. Everyone knew what was going on, despite what the seemingly clueless teacher did to make it subtle. It didn't take much to put the pieces together, Will was in love with Emma, and Carl was in the way. It was becoming the same old mundane thing and it was annoying as fuck. Mercedes thought that adults would probably have their shit together by now, but she guessed not.

"Okay kids, you guys can go home." Mr. Shue announced, and the kids shuffled off stage. Mercedes noticed how the teacher and Carl stared eachother down, and she swore she'd never get in the middle of something like that.

"Hey Mercy." Quinn said, coming up behind her.

"Hey." She said, making it back to the green room.

"That dress is really hot." She commented.

"Yeah, it sticks everywhere. Sometimes I really do hate leather." Mercedes misinterpreted Quinn's statement.

"No… like its muy caliente…" She said motioning over her shoulder to a practically drooling Sam. He was standing by an open locker in the green room with his shirt off, and basketball shorts. Mercedes wondered how he changed so quickly. Sam must've finally noticed they were both looking at him and he quickly looked away.

"Maybe you should go have some fun with him. I would." Quinn winked.

"Um, maybe I will." Mercedes said after a deep breath. Quinn squealed a little bit and let her girl do her thing.

"Hey Sam." Mercedes said quietly. Sam cursed himself and the fact that he was getting frustrated. He couldn't let Mercedes know that, he was still trying to forget what happened the first time in the bathroom. The memory brought a little twitch down there… dammit! He closed is eyes once, plastered a smile on his face, and turned back around to greet her.

"Mercedes!" Sam said a bit too cheerily, and chuckled a little, "Hey" He said a bit more toned down.

"How are you getting home?" She asked.

"I drove."

"Oh, great. Would you be able to give me a ride?" Oh, he wanted to give her a ride alright.

"Mm-hmm." Sam mustered to croak out.

"Well, did you have a curfew tonight?" Mercedes asked, and he shook his head.

"Its Friday night. We were supposed to have our date, after all." He answered. Sam was bummed Shuester decided to schedule a last minute dress rehearsal for tonight because it interfered with their date.

"Um, so hows about we still have it?" Sam looked a clock on the wall and it read 9:30.

"You don't have curfew?"

"Midnight, so we should probably go right after this?" Mercedes suggested. Sam heard what she said, but what he really wanted was her.

"Okay! Get changed woman!" Sam playfully ordered. She giggled and turned around heading to the woman's dressing room. Sam watched very carefully as she sashayed away. One thought crossed his mind, damn.

Wait, a whole night with Mercedes? It was hard enough to hide his hardness… Sam let out a mental chuckle… but seriously, how was he going to hide it the whole night? What if they made out? He tried to keep his thoughts clear. Luckily Quinn walked over with her crazy stage make up drawing Sam from his thoughts.

"Sam." She said nodding to him and walking to the table about 10 feet from where he was standing.

"Quinn."

"What are you thinking of?" The blonde girl asked slyly.

"Um, nothing!" Sam answered a bit too soon.

"Right." Quinn said, looking from him to her shoes that she was currently taking off.

"I can't believe you guys walk around in that for hours on end." He said pointing to the heels.

"I know. Me either." She shook her head. "But these aren't as bad as other shoes."

"There are worse?!" Sam asked and she chuckled.

"Uh, yeah. These are performance shoes, they're supposed to be supportive on the heels and-" Quinn stopped and looked at him, "Are we really talking about my heels right now?" She asked.

"I guess." Sam chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward.

"Hows about we talk about Mercedes, and that dopey ass grin you had on your face?" Sam pretended to seem nonchalant, but Quinn's face suggested she knew better.

"Okay, fine." He admitted as he leaned over the table. "I really, really like Mercedes. And we're going on a date right now. We had it planned earlier, but then Shue scheduled this last minute dress rehearsal. I didn't know what time we were getting out of here, so I cancelled my reservations at the restaurant I was going to take her to." Sam took in a deep breath. "Now I don't know where to take her! And I am freaking out." Quinn looked over her shoulder to the girls' dressing room where Mercedes disappeared then she drew her eyes back to Sam.

"I knew you two had a date tonight, and I also know her curfew is at 12… but hang on." Quinn ran to the direction Mercedes went. When she came back out, she had a huge smile on her face.

"Brittany and San are helping Mercedes with her dress, so we have some time!" She said pulling him out the side of the entrance of the auditorium.

"For what?" Sam said following her.

"I have just the thing for your date!"

An hour later, Sam and Mercedes made it to a lake, with her sprawled out on the blanket and him sitting up. Her face was clean of make up, her hair was in a low side ponytail, and she had regular clothes on. None of the things she usually wore. No animal print, or tight skirts… much to his disappointment. Still, in a jeans and cut t-shirt it just wasn't fair for someone to look so gorgeous without even trying.

"What?" Mercedes asked.

"Nothing." Sam answered, smiling slightly at the blanket Quinn let him borrow. They had chips and the iPod was softly playing in the background.

"I have to say, this is nice!" She said, looking back up to the sky. Mercedes shifted so she laying on her back and Sam adjusted himself so he laid on his side with his elbows propping himself up.

"Thanks." Sam smiled wider.

"Aren't you going to give some of the credit to Quinn?" Sam quickly looked at her, and she casually looked up at him.

"Um…"

"I know this blanket, she always keeps it in her car, and those iPod speakers? I got those for her when she lived with me." Sam blushed when she wink.

"Okay, so she gave the idea. I was freaking out a little. I didn't know where to take you so last minute." He admitted sheepishly.

"You know, it doesn't matter what we'd do. I know it'll be fun!" Mercedes mused, "Why don't you lay back, its pretty comfortable." He looked down at her, and successfully held down his flinch. That is exactly what he'd hope she wouldn't ask because he was still a little frustrated from earlier, and now that it was just the two of them, in the park on a blanket listening to soft music, there was nothing much to be cautious about.

Regardless of his frustrations, he laid flat on his back, too.

Hope's 'Bring me flowers' came on.

"Aw, I love this girl. Her voice is amazing."

Sam actually heard this song before. Stacy had a friend that was always over that made her fall in love with it, then sometime later, so did his mom. Mercedes started singing, her voice was soft, yet powerful.

I haven't got a clue, if you're the one.

But I like you.

And ohh I like how you make me feel.

Mercedes looked at Sam and he smiled, and opened his mouth to sing, and she let him have the next part.

I want to do this right

Don't wanna waste this night, but I'm drowning, drowning in your love.

Mercedes sang the chorus, with Sam harmonizing.

Bring me flowers, and talk for hours

And oh I like you,

and oh I like how you make me feel.

Mercedes and Sam started facing eachother.

Kiss my face,

Your warm embrace

and oh I like you

and oh I like how you make me feel

Mercedes took the next part, and prayed Sam wouldn't hear her insecurities in the next verse.

I'm a little scared to hold you close.

Cause I just might never ever let you go.

Caught up in your smile,

I'm happy as a child,

But I'm still drowning, drowning in your love.

Bring me flowers and talk for hours, and oh like you

and oh I like how you make me feel.

Kiss my face, your warm embrace

and oh I like you and oh I like how you make me feel. Sam looked at her as she sang, he heard her.

Sam took the next part

Your heart cares for nothing in return -They smiled at eachother and he hoped she could see that he sees her selflessness. She did.

And I'm just takin, takin you in. He winked at her, really taking her in. Her smile, hair, face, the lighting from the moon on her face.

Caught up in your smile. He sang as he caressed her cheek.

I'm happy as a child. And with his relief, she moved her cheek closer to his hand.

But I'm still drowning, drowning in your love.

I'll bring you flowers He changed the lyrics to fit what she was asking for. He'd promise these things to her. Was it too soon? He didn't care, he just wanted to give her the world, and especially in that moment.

We'll talk for hours,

Cuz oh I like you,

and ohh I like how you make me feel.

I'll kiss your face,

in my warm embrace,

cuz oh I like you,

and ohh I like how you make me feel.

The chorus kept replaying, but Sam wasn't singing it, he was too busy getting caught up in Mercedes seemingly dazed eyes as she looked back at his green orbs. He moved closer, she laid flat on her back with him shifting so he that was hovering over her, his arm supporting his weight. He smiled and so did he. It was a few seconds of light brushing of their lips before he went in for a mind blowing kiss. As the kiss got deeper and deeper, Sam climbed more on top of her. And before he knew it, Mercedes' leg was hitched up much like the first time they kissed, and he was resisting the urge to grind against her. The same wasn't said for her, she just went for it. He didn't mind, but they couldn't do that here. Her hand was tangled in his hair, and the other was going up his back. His hands were on her thigh, and the other on the outside of the side of her breast. He moved his head so he could speak, but she immediately assaulted his neck.

"Mercedes." He said, a little dazedly, trying to concentrate. It was extremely hard to, with her soft lips against the sensitive part of his neck.

"Hmm?" The vibration on his neck felt wonderful.

"We need to stop." Mercedes knew he was right, but she did the opposite in her actions. She hitched up her other leg.

"Mer… Mercedes" Sam said, it came out more like a groan. He was a teenage boy, and she clearly didn't want to stop. He ground his erection between her legs instinctively. The new angle felt amazing, and they both moaned. Mercedes started a rhythm that Sam easily matched. It was fucking hot as hell. Just as hot as that of the bathroom scene. Sam started kissing her neck, and biting and sucking, he was pretty sure there was going to be a mark, but he didn't care.

"S-Sam." She said after a while.

"Hmm?" Sam knew the vibration of his voice would feel good against her skin, payback. He thought.

"You're right, we can't do this here." She said, slowly unhitching her legs. Sam was disappointed, but she deserved more than that.

"You sure?" He half-joked as he slowly detached himself from her.

"Don't tempt me!" She cried as Sam offered a small chuckle. It was nice to know she's as frustrated as he is. And he was very frustrated, she felt wonderful. Sam sighed as he raised himself away from her heat. He immediately missed her.

Sam was now hovering over her. He gave her one more chaste kiss before sitting up. Glancing back at Mercedes, he could see she was still laying on the ground, looking fine, so fine. He wanted another round, but that wouldn't be a possibility because she deserved more, and next time he wouldn't be able to stop.

"Um, I'm sorry." Mercedes said after she caught her breath and her adrenaline was gone. She didn't know what it was with him that made her want to jump his bones! But she did, and it was frustrating as hell that he had this power over her! It wasn't the first time she lost control like that, and she pretty sure it wouldn't be the last.

"Wha-no! I am!" Sam faced her again, but was greeted with the sight of her face hiding in her hands "Hey, don't do that." Sam pulled her hands away as he leaned closer to her.

"I can't believe I… this is embarrassing how out of control I get." Sam thought Mercedes' vulnerability, and innocence added to her charm.

"Trust me, you're not the only one." He said looking down at his own level of control and she laughed.

"Thats good to know." She said, propping herself on her elbow, "Thanks for stopping me."

"I gave in!"

"Yeah, but you brought some sense back to me."

"For a while there, I didn't think I did."

"Yeah, well, I know, but I was taking what you were saying into account. I was just being selfish. Sorry."

"I'll accept your not-needed apology if you accept mine."

"Fine, we'll both accept each other's not-needed apology." Mercedes smiled. Sam saw it was getting late, and they needed to get her back home. He picked up the blanket and started folding it, while she collected the iPod and chips.


"Thanks for tonight." She said when they were outside of her door.

"Of course. I had fun!" He kissed her on the cheek and waited until she was in the house before he made his way back to his parked truck.

Mercedes peaked out of the window as soon as she went in the house. She saw him do the head bob on the way back to his truck and she smiled.

Sam reached his truck and realized he hadn't asked her to make them official, he'd ask her later. After another second of looking at her house with a huge smile on his face and an imaginary beat in his head, he jumped in his truck and headed home.


Monday came and Sam still didn't ask Mercedes to officially be his girlfriend. Aside from his nervousness, Sam had a lot of housework that needed to be done on Saturday. On Sunday he had church, then after that he had to catch up on homework, so the opportunity never came up again.

Sam looked around the choir room as he entered. Mercedes was sitting next to Artie and he offered a huge smile at her, which she returned. Sam took the open seat by Quinn in the back. He was whispering that everything went well on Friday night when their teacher spoke up.

"Kurt, I want to talk to you about this amazing idea I have for a solo for you at sectionals." Mr. Shue said as soon as he saw Kurt walk in.

"Mr. Shue, can I make an announcement first?" Kurt didn't look as happy as Mercedes thought he would, he was singing lead! At Sectionals! They've wanted this since the very first competition.

"Sure." He motioned to the class, a bit confused as to why Kurt wasn't more excited.

"First of all I'd like to thank you all for helping with Karofsky. Especially Finn, its great to know I have great friends here, as well as a true brother. Which is why its so hard for me to leave." Mercedes eyes widened, WHAT?!

"What do you mean, 'leave'?" Quinn asked.

"I'm transferring, to Dalton Academy… immediately." Everyone took in a collective breath. "My parents are using the money from their honeymoon to pay for my tuition."

"You can't leave." Tina said.

"What the hell, dude? How about you talk to me about this first?" Finn protested as he stood.

"I'm sorry Finn, theres nothing to talk about, Karofsky's coming back tomorrow, and theres nothing I can do about it."

"We can protect you!" Sam said, his bruise on his cheek still faintly showing.

"Yeah, we can make a perimeter around you like the secret service!" Puck agreed.

"The only thing that can protect me, is what they have at Dalton. Zero tolerance, no bullying policy. Its enforced."

"Um, does this mean you'll be competing against us at Sectionals." Mercedes looked over at Rachel. Santana already had a finger up in warning, some friend Rachel was. This was not happening. It was better for Kurt, but it still hurt like hell. Mercedes wanted to just hug him.

"Kurt…" Mercedes walked past Finn and to a watery eyed Kurt. She hated the weakness in her voice, but she really didn't want him to leave! Despite everything, she still loved him, and needed him! He was still one of her best friends. She felt her hurt increased as he backed away from her outstretched arms.

"I'm sorry… I have to go." And with that, he flurried out. Mercedes couldn't find it in her legs to move. She couldn't find the will to follow him and just talk to him. She felt numb, but despite all the emptiness, she still started to tear up. Mercedes felt a long pair of arms envelope her, and she just put her head in his chest.

"Its better for him, it sucks, but he's right." Finn said in her ear. She just nodded.

"Mercedes, maybe you should take a break." Mr. Shue said.

"I'll take her-" Finn started.

"No, I will." Sam said from behind, "Its okay, Finn. I got this." He said, grabbing her around the waist as Finn nodded.

Once they were in the hall, Mercedes stopped walking.

"I'm sad, Sam." She looked up at him, and all he saw was worry in his eyes.

"I know, lets get some fresh air." Sam suggested as he continued ushering her out to the football field.

Somewhere along the way he let go of her waist and grabbed her hand as they walked quietly outside. Once they made their way to the bleachers, he sat down and she followed suit. He didn't speak right away, he just let her stare at the grass across the field. If she wanted to talk, she would. For now he'd just wait. He was starting to make patterns on the back of her hand with his thumb when she finally took a deep breath.

"Better?" He asked, continuing his pattern on her hand.

"Yeah. You must think I'm such a baby." She gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Not at all. That is upsetting." Sam answered. He as lightly brushing his fingers against her cheek with his free hand.

"Thank you."

"Mm-hmm, want to tell me what else is upsetting you?" She looked at him with shock written all over her face. She'd been thinking of Santana lately, and now its all she could think about. This was the time to bask in her irrational guilt for kissing Sam, and it could be seen as Kurt leaving.

"How'd you know?"

"Being the quiet guy, you learn to observe." Sam shrugged, thinking back to those days at those "mixers" his school and the neighboring all-girl's school often had. He wasn't sure how to interact with girls, and one of his friends, Daylen, was actually quite the lady's man. He had a girlfriend, and still he'd charm the other girls. Sam would notice patterns, like how Daylen would rub a hand up his forearm when he was lying. So when Mercedes entered glee the day they were figuring out who was doing what for Rocky Horror, how her shoulders were slumped and her lips were pressed to the left side, he knew she had something on her mind. She did that before Mercedes admitted to Sam about Kurt being bullied, or when she thought of Kurt in general. She even did it often when she was in debate of what she was going to do. And she was doing it now, somehow he knew this time it wasn't just about Kurt.

"Well?" He prompted softly.

"Well… I don't know, I can't talk about it." She said just as softly.

"Is it bad?"

"No. I just, don't think its my story to tell." Mercedes admitted.

"I understand. Everything will work out. Things always do. Sometimes not the way we may anticipate it would, but I'm here for you." He lightly kissed her forehead, and she laid it on his chest.

"Ah, I'm only 17, things should be pretty easy." She chuckled.

"Maybe, but its because we're teenagers. I mean, everything feels like its complicated, because we don't know how to solve it yet. But as we get older, we'll learn more, and whatever is going on with you, it'll make you wiser." Sam advised, and she chuckled again. "Whats so funny?" He pulled back to look at her face.

"Nothing, just what are you? Obi-Wan?" She teased.

"I'd like to think Yoda." He winked.

"Mercy?" Sam turned to see Santana standing a few rows below them. When he looked back at his girl, she was doing that lip thing again. He figured whatever it was had to do with Santana.

"Hey Tana."

"You okay?" She said climbing closer to the couple.

"Yeah," She looked at Sam, "I am."

"Well, Quinn and I are going to her house." Santana motioned over her shoulder, "You coming?" Sam saw Mercedes do the lip thing again. He thought it was odd, because she never needed to think about doing stuff like that. And based on their interaction, they seemed fine, so what was the problem?

"Um, yeah. Can I meet you guys there?" Santana nodded, and with one parting glance to Sam, she left. It was then that Sam saw it, there was tension.

"See you Sam." Santana said.

After she was gone, Mercedes took a deep breath. One that made Sam raise his eyebrow. When she looked at him she had to do a double take.

"What?" She asked.

"What was that?"

"What was what, Sam?" She sounded slightly annoyed.

"You were thinking if you should go or not. And as subtle as it was, theres tension going on between the both of you." He observed again.

"What makes you say that?" She rose her own eyebrow in challenge.

"Um, the hesitation you had at the offer. The way she was looking at you," Mercedes flinched. "That! What was that?!"

"Sam, I'll talk to you later." She began getting up.

"Is there something going on?" He stood up, too, not wanting to drop the subject.

"Not at all." There was the lip quirk, she was lying.

"Mercedes…" Sam said slowly, "I'm pretty but I ain't dumb. Not when it comes to you." He reminded her.

"I'll tell you later? Yes, it is about Santana, but I'm not fully sure whats going on. When I find out-" He shook his head.

"No need. She's your best friend. Its okay not to tell me anything you don't want to, I just want you to be okay." He said pulling her flush against him.

"Okay…" She responded distractedly.

"Can I have a kiss before you leave?" Sam asked much like the first time in the bathroom.

She chuckled, "Must you ask every time?"

"Well, you're not yet my girlfriend," He ignored the huge 'thud' in his chest and continued "But why? Are you giving me open permission?" He challenged, and she just smirked.

"I can't with you." She shook her head slightly amused and he smirked.

"So may I kiss you?" He asked, caressing the side of her face.

"Yes, you may." She smirked.

Sam used the hand that was caressing the side of her face to guide her closer. Unlike the other times they kissed, this one was slow, tentative, and very short.

"I'll call you later." He said after a moment.

"Okay" He felt proud that he was the reason she had that dazed look in her eyes. He slowly released her and she walked where Santana just left. With one last glance at him, she was gone.

Sam sat back down and thought for a few minutes. Something was bothering her, obviously, and it had to do with Santana. It really wasn't rocket science to figure out that Santana is super over protective of Mercedes. That sometimes the way she looked at her showed she thought of Mercedes as 'something more.' But it wasn't Sam's place to say anything. Maybe thats what was bugging her. Knowing Cedes she probably didn't even realize Santana's crush on her till someone drew it out for her. No matter what though, the feelings Sam had for her wasn't going to change anytime soon.


"Should I tell her? Today?" Santana blurted. They were waiting for Mercedes to show up at Quinn's.

Santana came up with the short conclusion that Karofsky was the key to bringing back Kurt and (the secret to) winning prom queen. Okay, okay, so she's never really mentioned anything about her campaign yet. Since Quinn was going a little crazy with the whole thing, teaming with Finn, passing out tiny favors. Santana also needed a campaign partner, someone to be her king. Maybe thats what she needed to get her head out of this funk that she has been wallowing in ever since the day Sam hauled Mercedes off the field and into the mysterious bathroom. Santana wasn't dumb, she knew what sneaking around looked like, and something definitely went down between them.

"If you feel up to it. But I don't know if thats wise. Making her face another thing that could confuse her more. You know? Its just too much truth bombs in one day for our fragile little Cedes." Quinn said, organizing the last of her prom queen posters.

"Yeah you're probably right." Santana said shaking her head.

"Hey guys!" Santana stiffened at the sound of Mercedes' voice. What did she hear? How long was she standing there? Why couldn't she hear the front door opening and closing? She mentally face-palmed herself. No duh she had a key to her soul sister's house.

"Cede!" Quinn greeted.

"Hey." Santana turned to greet her best friend/love of her freakin life.

"What are ya'll doin?" She asked, and Santana lifted posters. Mercedes made an "Ahh" with her mouth.

"Campaigning. Quinn, you going crazy again? I told you, you don't need to make a million copies just so you can put one poster right next to the other. People do see the first one, you know." Mercedes said with a bit of sass and an eye roll. Despite the tension Santana was feeling she chuckled.

"I just need to remind everyone that Finn and I are pretty much a power couple now, and the people know who they want." Quinn said primly. Thats when Santana really chuckled.

"Are you kidding? You and Finn are NOT a couple, you two are the fakest things I saw since Rachel and Kurt's friendship." Everyone raised their eyebrows, but Santana being herself, ignored it. "And where'd the 'Power' come from? Remember the last time you guys held the bacon at the school? You guys screwed it up-or really you did-and from the same pig you got your 'bacon' from, was the same pig's blood that got thrown on you two." Santana said, while making her famous 'Are-you-serious?' face.

Mercedes quirked her lips. It was a weird analogy, but she understood what Santana was saying. The people that worshipped them, were the same people who are now throwing pig's blood at them.

"Ouch, Tana." Quinn said softly.

"Q, you don't even like him. Whats really going on?" Santana asked more gently.

"Nothing. I just want to be on top again." She admitted.

"And you think a crown is going to do that? You're the coolest girl at this school! You were head captain in just your sophomore year in high school, you know how much that says about your cool factor?" Mercedes winked and Quinn smiled.

Santana wanted to agree, but she didn't want to be a hypocrite. Is she not the one that wants the same crown with the same motivations as Quinn's? To make her life seem like it has some kind of order again, no matter how feeble it may seem.

"No offense, Santana." Mercedes smiled at the latina, and she felt her heart melt. This girl was so beyond perfect, and pretty. She could sing her a rejection letter, and Santana would still think it was the most beautiful thing ever.

"Whatever." Santana playfully sassed.

"But seriously, Quinn, you're awesome. Forget the craziness. Come back to us!" Mercedes beckoned. Quinn giggled, and hugged the shorter girl.

"You're right. But aside from all that, it has been my dream. I won't lose my head and get all crazy on you, but I'm still running." She said after a moment.

"So am I." Santana intervened, and Quinn looked at her with a flabbergasted expression. "Yeah, you heard me. So am I." She repeated, and Mercedes bust out laughing.

"What?" The tougher cheerleader said. "Don't think I can win?"

Mercedes looked between her two best friends.

"I'm not answering that."

"Smart girl." Quinn mocked in a threatening voice.

"So anyway, this Karofsky business." Santana said getting back to what they came for.

"Wait, wait wait…" Mercedes held up a hand. "You're really running for prom queen?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Prom is like a month away. Why are you waiting so late to campaign?" Quinn asked.

"Well, you are kind of crazy, I was too scared to say anything." Santana said, and for the second time, Mercedes bust a gut.

"You? Scared?"

"Have you met Quinn? She can be a scary bitch. There are two types of evil. Evil: me. And the second type: Her." She looked at Quinn, "And she isn't so noticeable. She kind of just sneaks up on you. She acts all sweet and innocent, but the moment shit don't go her way, you see the clouds rolling in." She said.

"You are just full of analogizes tonight, Tana." Mercedes said on a giggle, she simply shrugged. "Okay, now back to Karofsky…"

A few hours later the girls were still hanging out. A plan was sort of formed, they just decided to leave it to asking Karofsky once again to apologize. If that didn't work, then frankly, fuck their lives! They were in the middle of watching Easy A when Mercedes text tone went off. Santana glanced back at her and saw the increasing smile on her face. After she'd seen enough, she turned her attention back to the T.V. Twenty minutes later Mercedes was still texting. Santana's frustration rising in her, and her courage rising along with it.

"Who are you texting?" Santana half-snapped. Mercedes looked perplexed, and didn't miss the look between her and Quinn. It was really quick, but she still caught it.

"Sam…" She admitted after a minute.

"Oh." She answered. Of course she was. "What does he want?"

"Um, nothing. Just texting." Her lip quirked to the side, and Santana knew she was lying.

"Obviously, what about?" Why wasn't she telling her anything?

"Um… our date from Friday night." She said softly, and Santana's heart dropped. Date.

"What? When did he ask you out? And why didn't I know?" She refused to believe she'd withhold this information from her.

"Last week, and I don't know, guess it never came up. We cancelled it for dress rehearsal, but-" She said quietly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Once again, she didn't miss the look the soul sisters gave eachother.

"Must've slipped my mind." That lip quirk again, she was lying, and Santana was over it. She just shrugged and turned her attention back to Olive. Not like her attention was fully on the characters, it was all in the soul crushing news Santana just received. She'd never admit it, but Santana had a soft spot for Kurt, so him leaving did hurt, then there was Mercedes' reaction, and then there was now. Feeling the courage again, she blurted another statement.

"Maybe you shouldn't go with him." Mercedes looked at Santana like she was insane.

"What?!"

"You heard me. Do you guys even have anything in common?" She sneered.

"Actually, Santana, we do. Whats it to you?" Mercedes matched her tone. Santana saw Quinn's arms flailing in protest.

"Whats it to me? I'm your best friend!"

"Well, you haven't been acting like my best friend! You've been extra negative, mean, and its not okay anymore. No matter what you feel, or what you may think you feel, it doesn't justify the fact that you've been acting like a bitch." Mercedes said, standing from the couch.

"Whats that supposed to mean?" Santana was slightly scared at the road this was headed, but it was almost too late now. It was her own fault.

"You have something to say, Tana? Say it!" She challenged.

"No." She averted her gaze. Mercedes scoffed.

"I have been so patient with you and i've been trying to understand, but honestly, you've been distant." Mercedes admitted as Santana stood.

"Well, I'm sorry I've been intolerable lately." Santana sarcastically remarked.

"Thats not what I'm saying. I don't tolerate you… Santana, stop being ridiculous."

"Well, sorry I'm trying to spare my feelings." Too late to go back now. She thought.

Mercedes didn't say anything. She didn't say anything and she wouldn't look at her. She knew… Santana felt it in her gut that she knew.

"You know, don't you?" Santana squinted her eyes. She felt pretty pissed off that Mercedes would try to make her admit it out loud.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Mercedes retorted, and her lip quirk told her the complete opposite.

"Yes, you do. You're asking me to tell you how I really feel. Want to know? I'll tell you. I like you, Mercedes. Like, like you, like you. I think about you all the time, and every time you're out with big lips, I get sick." She felt her eyes welling. Months of this and it was finally coming out. She felt elated the truth was out, but at the same time she was scared. She saw in her peripheral Quinn slink back in her chair with her jaw slacked.

The longer Mercedes didn't say anything, the more apprehensive Santana felt. Her earlier bravado completely gone.

"Cede?"

"I heard you Santana. And I did know. I just didn't believe it. Honestly, I didn't think you liked me that much. I wanted to know if there was something else you were worried about. Like how you said things weren't all that great with your family last week? I was worried that maybe I was being a bad friend, I wasn't thinking you'd confirm something I barely believed." Mercedes said softly.

"You didn't want to get that truth out of me?" Santana scoffed. "How convenient that theres another loose end laying around for you to grab onto." She said. "And my family thing? I was lying! It was because I was jealous and angry and sad about how things seemed to be going with you and Sam."

"Tana…" Quinn got up and put an arm around her. Mercedes tried to move closer, but she just flinched back. The second person to flinch away from her today.

"I should go." Santana said after a moment.

"Don't leave." Mercedes begged, and Santana almost gave in. Almost. But she needed out of there. She was about to burst at the seams, out of embarrassment, out of hurt. She needed out of the choking atmosphere that seemed to get tighter and tighter.

"I'm sorry. But I have to." She said grabbing her bag and leaving.

"Mercedes, that wasn't cool." Quinn said after Santana left.

"I know."

"So why'd you push it? I know you're telling the truth about her family and being worried, but thats not the whole truth. Why would you do that?" Quinn asked quietly. Quinn's quiet tone made Merecedes' regret hit home like its never hit home before. But maybe she did know why she did it.

"The more I was thinking about it, the more I realized that I need Tana in my life, too." Mercedes admitted for the first time, she looked over at a gaping Quinn.

"What?"

"I wouldn't totally say that I like her like she likes me, but I noticed that theres something there with her, I just don't understand what." She said.

"No, way." Quinn managed to get out.

"I don't know what it is for sure, just, keep this between us? Please? Don't tell Santana, I don't want to lead her on if i'm mistaken. It wouldn't be fair." Quinn nodded her understanding.

"What about Sam?" She asked.

"I know he makes me feel good. And I really, really do like him."

"You're still gonna date him?"

"I really like him, Quinn, he's funny, understanding, different."

"Mercedes, I hope you know what you're doing." Quinn admitted.

"Me too, Q. Me too." She admitted herself.