Mercedes stirs a bit in the plush bed in her room; the sunlight streams in warming her cheek. Her eyes flutter awake slowly as her senses return. Memories of home along with this new opportunity come rushing back and she's trying her best not to feel overwhelmed but with the sudden changes in her life...it's difficult not to. It all feels weird to her, being treated like a guest; she's too used to life on the other side. She hasn't woken up this early in a long time; usually she just sleeps most of the day away but something about being in this place makes it so she wakes up. It's too comfortable, the pillows are too soft and the bed is so lush it's difficult to change positions. Among the many changes she isn't used to, she has her own room. As far back as she can remember Mercedes has always shared a space with someone and the absence of her mother and Sam is something she's trying not to get too caught up into...instead she focuses on the size. It's a little bit bigger than the cabin she shared with her mother back on the plantation. Its as pretty as everything else on the Hummel Estate; cream colored walls that are clean and bright with high ceilings that have seashell wave patterns that delicately spread across the length. The furniture is probably thought of as simple, but for her, she regards it overdone and impractical. A large chaise is placed in one of the corners near one of the window panels. The view is breathtaking as it overlooks the largest garden of the property. Even though Mercedes hasn't explored the entire area, she's absolutely positive that this will be her favorite part. The smell is what entices her senses finding a scent that reminds her of being home. As the minutes begin to pass, she finally sits up continuing to glance around her room. She looks to the closet door and wrinkles her nose a little at the expensive dresses that are stuffed within. Mr. Evans had insisted on buying her an entire wardrobe; he practically promised her every French boutique they visited. Mountains of fashions with silk flowing ribbons and lace that dip low in the front and tie tightly in the back. Bright exotic colors especially made for parties and social event...Mercedes could barely see herself even attending such a function let alone buying a dress for one. She shopped hesitantly, feeling that Mr. Evans was being too generous; picking out simple patterns to her liking. Dresses and petticoats that fit her body nicely without looking too overdone; she was never the type to be easily impressed with frilly or extremely feminine designs. But the shape some of these dresses gave her, finally understood why Sam loved squeezing her hour-glass shape.

Her heart aches a little thinking of him. Her Sam...she closes her eyes to see him...and in her mind she can see him laying out on the green grass in the outer fields. His honey-gold strands of hair blowing in the warm breeze, the rush of color to his face as he smiles to her...the way his full lips frame his face turning into a grin. The emerald glint in his eyes that light the entire color as he begins his hearty chuckle...

A knock at the door forces her to leave her mental picture.

"Mercedes?" Mr. Evans says. "You awake yet?"

Mercedes pauses a moment dreaming that she's actually talking to Sam. Sometimes, especially when they would younger; Sam would impersonate the townspeople. He could sound just like his father when he wanted too; the same kind authoritative manner.

"Yes sir Mr. Evans."

"It's no rush Merce, but we're all heading down for breakfast and I'd like for you to join us."

"Yes, Mr. Evans" Mercedes answers. "Uh...Mr. Evans? Which dinning area?"

It's a smart question considering that each wing of the mansion has it's own kitchen and dinning room with a different view of the property depending on the function.

"You know that's a good question"Mr. Evans says with a weak chuckle. "Hey Burt! Which room?!" He shouts down the hall.

"The west one!" Mr. Hummel shouts back.

"But that's on the other side of the house!" Mr. Evans yells.

"Go through the garden!"

"Not through the garden!" A young male says entering the hallway. "Finn's out there with Rachel, and I don't if anyone wants to go through that way."

Mercedes listens to the commotion happening outside her door and hides a laugh even though no one can see her.

"Mr. Evans?" Mercedes asks through the door.

"Yes?"

"Should I wear something special?"

"You don't have to; just keep it cool and simple. Any one of the day dresses should do nicely."

"Alright Mr. Evans, I'll meet you there in a bit."

"Like I said Merce, it's no rush" Mr. Evans says walking away from the door.

Mercedes shakes her head getting off of the bed to begin making it. She tucks the corners in heading over to the closet to find something to wear. She ends up picking out this light blue petticoat dress that's slightly off the shoulder but cascades down her body. It's not flashy, no lace or bows but it's entirely simple either; perfect for the day. She walks slowly to the mirror and allows the light to play on the dress as she sways checking her reflection. She likes what she sees taking her hair down from the two braids, turning it to a curly up-do twist.

Leaving the room, Mercedes walks down the few steps that lead to a hallway before going down a set of stairs that lead to the main entrance way of the East Wing. The elaborate tiled pattern of the floor is almost like a map to the garden that will directly lead to the West Wing. The many rocks crumple under her feet in the new shoes as she walks across it. The breezy sunny morning provide a quiet calmness until the sounds of a crying woman and a chuckling man disrupt it.

"Tell me again" the man says. "I'm not sure I heard you clearly-"

"Finn-"

"No, tell me again" the man laughs darkly. "The reason you won't accept my proposal is..."

The woman says nothing. Mercedes tries her best not to eavesdrop, she knows nothing good can come of it but she can't stop her curiosity from growing. A giant rose bush is covering her outline; she's hidden well among the many petals of the bush but she can clearly see two people who are disagreeing in front of her. The man has his back towards her, but she can tell from his outline that he's a little bigger average with a good width across his back. He's a little tall with dark hair and is wearing what looks like a velvet navy blue jacket and pristine white riding pants with high black riding boots. The woman on the other hand, could be considered as beautiful if it wasn't for the crying. Rare features; wide lips, a rather large nose and fairly big eyes with long loosely curled mid-waist hair. Her face is red and blotchy from the tears; Mercedes doesn't even know this woman but her heart automatically goes out to her.

"Say it" Finn taunts.

"I've apologized, many times! What else do you want me to say?" She cries.

"I want you to say that you're refusing me because you can't bear the thought of being married to a brainless fool, who had been tricked into falling in love with a person he couldn't have been more wrong about" he adds bitterly. "I want you to tell me that its because you only saw me as your simple-minded play thing; something that you enjoyed fucking on a regular basis-"

"That's not how it was Finn" she argues with a watery glare. "I loved you-"

"That's the part I hate the most!" He yells frustrated. "I believed you! I wanted too! I still want too...but the fact that you're still lying to me is appalling!"

"I did love you Finn" she cries a little harder.

"How can you even say that?" He says heartbroken.

"Because it's true...leaving you that note was the only way I could explain everything as painless as possible-"

"Painless for who?!" He yells even louder. "For yourself? Cause it sure as hell wasn't painless for me!"

Mercedes lets out a deep breath, one that she didn't even realize she had been holding. This is getting really intense; she's trying to find a way to ease herself out of this conversation but at this point she realizes she's stuck...and therefore must remain hidden until the drama has either ended or drifted to another part of the garden.

"With each word I read from that damned letter, I felt horrible. Like a piece was being cut from me, and the worst part was that you...the last person I ever expected to hurt me, held the knife in your hand" Finn explains. "Then you have a nerve to tell me that 'Our love is something that you'll always cherish,' but that you...ah yes! 'Don't believe that it's in fate's design for us to be together'...you always could turn a phrase."

"Don't mock me Finn" she threatens.

"Mock you?!" He laughs. "Isn't that what you've been doing to me all this time! You've been screwing this guys for months!"

"I should've told you!" She wails. "I didn't know how! I didn't mean to fall in love with him. Leaving was the best option for everyone...the only way I could get my piece of happiness while inflicting the least amount of pain!"

"Good God Rachel" Finn groans. "Just once, could you think about me! Someone other than yourself? Do realize how idiotic your plan was? Faking your own death in order to run a way with a baker from Marseilles nearly killed me!"

"It won't work Finn" she says strongly. Her breathing is deep but ragged but Mercedes watches her curious about what else she has to say. "I feel bad about what I did, but I had good reasons...and you can't guilt me into staying with you. I can't be with you because I fell in love with Jesse."

Even though Mercedes can't see it, Finn's eyes are starting to fill up with emotion.

"I love him and I'm sorry" she says giving him one final look before exiting the garden.

Mercedes stands just as frozen as Finn who still has his back to her. Finn finds it difficult to breathe as his heart tries to find a regular rhythm. After a few moments of silence, Mercedes is starting to get a little impatient with herself for even being caught in a situation like this. She tries easing out from behind the bush but she makes the mistake of stepping on a nearby twig that gives away her location.

Finn's head snaps around at the sound. "Who's there?"

Mercedes silently curses under her breath as Finn walks around the bush to find out who's hiding. The two look at each other for what seems like a long time, both giving the other complete eye contact.

"Were you standing there the entire time?" Finn asks trying his hardest not to get upset; but this past conversation is definitely not one he wants open his family, let alone a complete stranger.

Mercedes mouth opens but no words come out...she stands there looking like a stuttering fool.

In the worst French accent Mercedes has ever heard, Finn asks "Do you speak English?"

"I-I was just hiding in behind the roses" she stutters a little, replying smoothly in French. She watches him breathe a little easier. "I couldn't understand much-"

"It's fine" he replies cutting her off. "Go home."

Mercedes watches him leave to go back to the East Wing leaving her alone to face the West.

A/N: okay...writers block solved. this update could've been longer but i just wanted to give you something since you've been so patient! hopefully the next one won't take as long...thanks for all the feedback and the support it means so much...

*on a personal level i can't stand the character Rachel...i feel like everything get's handed to her on a silver platter and if she breaks a nail we're all supposed to loose our shit to fix it but Mercedes can get screwed over and no one gives a damn...like i said i have issues with this character, so i kinda let Finn bitch her out a bit...sorry if i offended any Finchel fans out there...but i think this was her only appearance within this story, and i hope your okay with it...

much love...pce!

NCC-0419 we just finished doing Once on this Island, and I hope all of your performances for West Side Story were a success :)

all of the Guests who leave me comments...Thank you, I'm glad you like it and sorry to disappoint but Sam and Mercedes aren't going to be reunited anytime soon, like they are but they aren't...like i'll give you fluff and there will be some time-speed up-things but...she just left, and shit has to go down in France before she can go back to the States...but we will be checking in on Sam/Puck/Quinn/possibly May really soon :)

the regular commentators (zeejack, krazykay23, ngawai, Braunaabc, masterajoy, HeartsAmberRiley...ect. so sorry if i missed you) i love reading your feedback...it's legit crack to me and thank you for reading my stuff...like legit sometimes your comments are so wonderfully sweet i legit spazz out from the feels...so thanks :)

alright...enjoy? i think that's about it lol pce!