I've been sick so I haven't updated anything but I'm feeling better now. I'll probably update again sometime this week to make up for it but for now, enjoy!

P.S. I hope you hate Ruby as much as I do.

NJPNJPNJP

Mike wiped his face before gulping down water from his water bottle. He was hot, tired & sore all over.

"Great rehearsal, Miguel." Ruby, his dancing partner, touched his back.

"Thanks. You too. You think we'll be good enough to get a great grade?"

"I think so. You're really good."

"So are you. I've only met one person who could do this routine in her sleep & you're close."

"Thank you?" Ruby smiled. "What are you doing now?"

"My girlfriend's going to meet me here & I talked her into this zero gravity thing. It took a lot but she's going with me."

"Zero gravity thing?"

"Yeah. It's where you put on this suit & you enter this chamber where you fly into the air. It's really cool."

"Why didn't you invite me? I would love to go." She joked.

"Next time." He promised.

The doors to the studio opened & Mercedes came in. She walked over & kissed him lightly. "Hi!"

"Hey! Let me just finish packing up & we can get going." Mike went to his bag & started putting his towel & water bottle up.

"Hi, I'm Mercedes." Mercedes held her hand out. "Mike's girlfriend."

Ruby smiled falsely & grasped her hand weakly. "Ruby."

"I don't mean to be rude but are you Hispanic or Spanish?"

"I'm Mexican." Ruby was surprised at the question.

"You just remind me of a friend & she's half Mexican." Mercedes explained.

"Oh." There was a wealth of meaning in that solitary word.

"This is for your final grade, right?" Mercedes fought to find something to talk about as Mike changed in the back.

"Sí. Miguel & I are dancing together for our final grade."

"Miguel?"

"I'm sorry. Miguel is Spanish for Michael. He speaks fluently so I thought it was only right."

Mercedes was fluent in Spanish herself & wasn't buying it at all. "I like it."

"Miguel talks about you all the time."

"He does?" Mercedes perked up.

"He does. He really likes you."

Mercedes pursed her lips. "One of these days, it just might be love."

"I doubt it." Ruby said under her breath.

Mercedes caught it. Viaca. "Mikey never mentions you."

Ruby's face cracked. "Really? Not at all?"

"I thought he was working with a man."

Ruby's brows drew together. "He never mentioned what you looked like."

"Probably didn't want to brag."

"That's it." Ruby rolled her eyes.

"Mikey's a saint like that."

"He is a very attractive saint."

"Not really what you look for in a holy entity but sure." Mercedes rolled her eyes.

"If I were you, I'd keep my claws in him as long as I could. He's the very best dancer there is."

"I know how well he dances. Too bad you'll never see his tango."

"Sure." Ruby sneered. "We'll see."

"Okay, let's go." Mike walked back in with fresh clothes & his bag under his arm.

"It was so lovely meeting you, Lexus." Ruby waved.

"It's Mercedes, Rudy." Mercedes smiled.

"How utterly forgettable."

"You should know."

Mike raised his eyebrows. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Both girls spoke.

He wasn't sure if he believed that but he let it go. "We have to go before the place fills up."

Mercedes took his hand. "Anything you want."

His brows stayed up as she stared down Ruby. "Uh huh?"

She dragged him out as Ruby called out, "Adios, Miguel!"

M&MC

Mercedes paced back & forth in front of her computer & groaned. "It was like she was every snooty witch I've ever met! I wanted to pull her hair out!"

Quinn's lips twitched. "I cannot believe someone got under St. Mercy's skin."

"Stop calling me that. I'm not a saint but I feel it took one to keep me from pouncing on her."

"I would have!" Santana's voice came from Mercedes's phone on her desk.

"Don't listen to her." Quinn rolled her eyes. "You're a lady & you don't have to fight for what you already have."

"Screw that! That chick is invading your turf!" Santana snorted. "Tell her to back the hell off! Chang's yours!"

"I feel so regressed when I think about it. I'm not a cavewoman. I don't like that ownership thing that people have. I'm a twenty first century woman getting a degree & living an evolved lifestyle. Why am I getting so… primal around this girl?" Mercedes slumped into her desk chair.

"She's sniffing around your territory." Santana snapped.

"As much as it pains me to agree with this hot mess, she's right. This Ruby girl wants Mikey & as his girlfriend, you have claim on him. You just have to assert yourself." Quinn said.

"I don't want to come off as ghetto." Mercedes mumbled. "She called me Lexus."

"Get ghetto!" Santana exploded. "Get in her face & tell her to bring it!"

"I'm not like that."

"You did it to me!"

"What?"

"Over Puckerman?"

"Oh yeah. But you got in my face first."

"You're going to wait for this chick to walk off into the sunset with Chang before you do something?"

"No!"

"Then drop the good girl & get hood on her ass! Where's your sister when you need her?!"

Mercedes smiled. "I actually mailed the letter yesterday."

"Mailed what letter?" Santana asked as Quinn cheered.

"I found out where my sister was & mailed her a letter. I typed it up on my stationary & everything so she'd know it was really from me."

"Did you repeat your address & telephone number?" Quinn asked.

"I gave her everything. I even let her know I'd be at home after school ends this week."

"Oh yeah. You're going to help those losers prepare for Nationals. Good luck." Santana had serious attitude in her voice.

"They're not losers, Tana. They're just-"

"Not us." Santana supplied. "We had some of the best voices & we all left. Even Dwarf & Fairy."

"Will you stop calling them that? They're letting you live there rent free."

"& after all the trouble she caused Rachel, I don't know why." Quinn put in.

"You helped." Santana sniped.

"But I'm not living with her, now am I?"

Santana grumbled under her voice.

"Anyway, Mercy. Just ignore this girl. This is Mikey's final grade & he needs her.

"I'll try. I'm a classy lady." Mercedes took deep breaths.

"Like G-Ma always says, breeding doesn't make a lady; character does."

"You're right. I don't know why I'm tripping. It's not like he's flirting back."

M&MC

Mercedes raised an eyebrow at Mike's easy grin. He doesn't smile at me like that.

She'd had plenty of spare time after letting the label go so she was able to make all of Mike's rehearsals for the week. She wished she hadn't…

"Remember when Talia took that spill? I thought she wouldn't be able to get up!" Ruby laughed.

"I felt so bad for her." Mike fought his smile.

"At least Terry picked her up."

"Didn't he cop a feel?"

"Totally! Didn't you see her blush? She def. liked it."

Mercedes glared darkly. That didn't have a thing to do with the story! That dirty rotten boyfriend stealing witch was openly flirting!

"Are you ready to go again?" Mike asked. After doing the routine, they'd take a few minutes for a break.

"Yes!" Ruby bounced up & assumed the first position.

Mike turned on the music & held her tightly before going into the first turn. He smoothly moved to the beat & made the complicated dance look simple.

The part Mercedes hated was coming up. The part where he drew Ruby close & the two gazed into each other's eyes. It made her sick & she could do nothing but gnash her teeth.

The dance ended five minutes later, much sexier than Mercedes wanted. Mike started doing some stretches. Ruby sat next to him. "Do you want to get in one more rehearsal before tomorrow?"

"We could. I'd have to move some things around. Hey, Mercy? Can we cancel our breakfast? I'll make it up to you if we get an A."

Mercedes slightly pouted. "Of course."

He grinned. "Thanks. You're the best." He turned back to Ruby. "We can rehearse at six."

Ruby smiled. "You won't forget me, will you? You're going to go home for summer break & forget all about me."

"I've got your number. I'll call you. I promise."

"Don't forget." Ruby teased.

"How could I forget someone like you?"

Mercedes was fed up with this. She got up & began walking out.

Mike was confused. "Where are you going?"

"Out. I need some air." She smiled tiredly.

"You look a little pinched. Just make sure to stay in a well-lit area & keep your cell with you."

Her smile turned genuine. He was always concerned for her safety although both knew she could take care of herself. "I will." She grabbed her phone & walked out.

She decided to call Quinn. The phone rang twice before she picked up. "Quinn? It's getting worse."

"What do you mean?" Quinn was lost.

"This Ruby situation. She just got him to promise to call her over the summer."

Quinn clicked her tongue. "She's def. trying my patience. Maybe you should talk to Mikey? Let him know what's going on?"

Mercedes took deep breaths. "I can do that. Maybe if I explain that Ruby wants him, he'll talk to her? Get her to back off?"

"Only one way to find out."

Mercedes leaned against the wall of the building. "So how are you & Puck?"

"We talk everyday but it's hard not to see him. I didn't think I'd be one of those girls but this long distance thing is hard."

"Just think; you'll have the whole summer." Mercedes looked on the bright side.

"Four more days. I can't believe you three roped me into coming back to help."

"Puck wants to help his brother & I want to help all of them. Mikey wants the guys to win as much as I do."

"I still don't know why Mr. Shue asks you to come back all the time. You have your own lives to live."

"We'll always be his kids."

"He didn't always act like it."

"The glee club was always there for you, Quinn."

"I wasn't talking about me."

Mercedes sighed. "We got this all out the way last summer."

"I know but I still feel bad for not helping you out during booty camp. It was an ambush pure & simple."

"Well I'm over it. I'm not mad at anyone anymore."

"St. Mercy."

"Ugh!" Mercedes groaned. "Why did Marcy have to come up with that?"

"Someone had to be the angel to her demon." Quinn cracked.

Mercedes laughed. "Let's be real. We were all demons."

"Not you, good girl."

"You forget that I ruined Coach's le car."

"It's like the only bad thing you've ever done!"

"Like you're so bad!"

"I got pregnant at fifteen to a bad boy, gave her up, got a tattoo of Ryan Seacrest on my lower back, took up smoking for two months & dyed my hair pink. Not to mention lit a piano on fire, tried to set up my daughter's mother for CPS, threatened to get said mother fired from her only source of income by telling about her sleeping with my baby daddy & almost ruining my high school career. I'm bad."

"You made some bad decisions. There's a difference. A lot of those decisions were because you were hurting."

"I still was badder than you'll ever be. I cheated on not one but two boyfriends."

"I did, too!"

"Technically Sam wasn't your boyfriend so everything you did with Puck was okay."

"We had an understanding. If I did that now, Mike will be going to jail."

"You could have him!"

"Stop that! I know you like him!"

Quinn giggled. "I'm serious! I miss Mikey!"

"It's his attention to detail, isn't it?"

Quinn outright laughed. "Yes! When he sets his mind on something, that's it!"

"He's a stubborn somebody, I know that!" Mercedes pursed her lips to keep from smiling.

"You love it!" Quinn teased.

"I don't know who told you that lie! That's something that can go!"

Quinn laughed. "He is willful, isn't he?"

"Disobedient rapscallion."

"We all made the dean's list. What other rule do we have?"

Mercedes smiled. "You know he's naughty. Don't even play."

"As I recall, you like that."

Mercedes burned, happy no one could see her. "Maybe?"

"No maybe. You like how bad he can get."

"He's just so good at it!"

"Seriously. Let's swap. We don't have to tell them."

Mercedes laughed. "I have to go. I have left that hussy in there with him for too long."

"Call me later."

"I will. Bye."

"Bye."

Mercedes hung up & went back inside to find Mike & Ruby dancing again. She was def. talking to him as soon as they got home.

M&MC

Mike stretched. "I should probably go. I got to get up early tomorrow while you get to sleep in."

"For an extra hour." Mercedes rolled her eyes playfully.

"I'll bring you something back." He promised. "Should I take Ruby to Monkey Bananas after rehearsals tomorrow?"

Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip. It was now or never. "Stay the night."

Maybe it was never…?

"You want to cuddle all night?" He laid back on the bed & dragged her into his arms.

"Sure." She snuggled close. She closed her eyes before biting the bullet. "Could you not call Ruby?"

He cocked his head in confusion. "I'm not about to call Ruby."

"Not now. This summer."

"Why?"

She hoped he wouldn't look her in her face. It was hard enough to say to the wall. "I just don't think she's a good friend."

"Is it because of her laugh?"

"Her-? No. It's just-" She sighed & sat up to look at him. "She likes you."

"I like her, too."

She glared at him. "Excuse me?!"

He realized he'd stepped in it as soon as he said so. "I mean I like her as a friend."

She glared for a few more seconds before rolling her neck. "Well she doesn't like you as a friend. She looks at you like Tana looks at food."

He laughed. "No way! She's just really friendly."

"Mikey."

"That's her personality, Mercy. I swear."

"Mikey, I'm telling you. I know women & I know women who want other women's men."

"I promise you, she does not want me." He took her hand. "& even if she did, she couldn't have me."

She sighed deeply. "Okay, Mikey. I'll trust you."

"Thank you." He kissed her hand. "You'll see. It's all in your head."

M&MC

"I'm really going to miss you, Miguel." Ruby purred as she stepped from the bathroom after getting changed back into street clothes.

Mike looked up from where he'd been leaning against the wall. "Miss me?"

"After you go back to Ohio & I go back to Texas? I haven't met a guy like you in a long time."

"You're eighteen. How long ago was that?" He joked.

She switched over to him. "A very long time."

"Are you looking for a boyfriend?"

"Yes. Yes, I am."

"If you don't mind long distance-"

"Yes?"

"I could set you up. Mercy & I know a lot of people."

She moved her head slowly as she walked around him. "I have my eye on someone already."

"You do?" He tried to keep up with her.

"Yeah. Someone who's cute, funny, talented."

Mike had his suspicions but kept silent about them. "Really?"

"Really. He's quite the catch."

That blew his suspicions out the water. He'd suspected she liked girls. "Do I know him?"

She stopped in front of him & wrapped her arms around his neck loosely. "Yes, you do."

He brought her hands down. "Is it me?"

"I forgot to mention smart." She smiled as she tried to raise her hands again.

He kept bringing them down. "I have a girlfriend."

"Her?" She scoffed. "Why would you want her when you could have me? & you could def. have me."

Mercy was right! Mike sure hated that. "I couldn't. I'm loyal & faithful. I hope you can respect that."

"Really?" She looked at him like he was crazy. "You're passing on all of this?"

"Completely." He made that clear.

She huffed. "Sure. Whatever."

"Thank you. I don't have time for breakfast-" Thank everything. "So I'll see you later today for our performance?"

"Sure." Ruby twisted her lips.

Mike waved before grabbing his bag & running out. He didn't waste any time getting on the bus & riding it to his dorm room. He was glad his roommate was out so he could have some privacy for what he was about to do.

He couldn't remember where his roommate had said he'd be but shrugged it off as he brought his cell phone out & dialed three separate numbers on the party line.

He knew it was early but somebody had to answer… right?

"Hello?" A groggy voice said.

"Mal?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're up!"

"Hello?" A new voice sounded tired, too.

"Finn! We need to talk."

"What's going on?" Mal asked.

"I'll tell you as soon as-"

"Man, why'd you call me at two in the morning?!" Puck yelled.

"Puck answers." Mike finished. "I got a problem."

"So what?! It couldn't wait until later on?!"

"No. See there's this girl in my class. She's my partner & we're dancing later today for our final grade."

"So?" Mal tried to speed it along.

"Last night, Mercy warned me that Ruby liked me but I didn't believe her until she tried to kiss me this morning!"

Three gasps rang out & he heard rustling so he knew they probably sat up in bed.

"No way!" Mal shouted.

"What'd you do?" Finn wanted to know.

"This is gonna be good." Puck joked.

"I told her I was taken & that I was faithful." Mike sighed as he speared his fingers through his hair. "Should I tell Mercy?"

There were two yes's & a no.

"Puck!" Finn snapped. "He needs to tell her!"

"For what?! So she can "take that girl to the carpet"?! Or worse, beat Mike?! You didn't do anything so keep your mouth shut!" Puck advised.

"Your friend is terrible." Mal said. "Tell her before she finds out."

"How can she find out? He's never going to see this broad again."

"Women always find out."

"True." Finn agreed. "& this is Mercedes we're talking about here. She's one of the most trusting, sweetest, most forgiving souls there is. She's sensitive & kind. Don't mess this up." He stopped. "Wait a minute."

Mike reached the same conclusion as he continued.

"When did you & Mercedes start dating? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's been a while but you can't tell anyone."

"What? Why not? Did Puck already know? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Our family & Puck's family knows but that's it. Santana, too I think."

"Why aren't you telling people?"

"We agreed to leave all the drama at the door."

"I guess I get that." Finn said slowly. "So nobody else knows?"

"Nobody."

"I'm usually never in on a secret. This feels cool."

"Loser." Puck snorted.

"Shut up!"

"Girly loser."

Mike rolled his eyes. This could go on all day. "Not to get between your flirting but I still need advice on this. Do I or do I not tell my suspicious girlfriend that the girl she thinks is into me is into me?"

"I say no." Puck said immediately. "No reason to hurt her."

"On second thought, I agree." Finn said. "She may never trust you again."

"Mal?" Mike asked.

"I say tell her. That I told you so is just a little saying." Mal said.

"Okay. Two to one. I won't tell her. I hope I can live with this."

"I'm telling you, it's the right thing to do." Puck told him.

Mike only hoped so.

M&MC

Mercedes opened her door. "You have a daisy? Why?"

Mike gave it to her. "I was just thinking about you."

"Aren't you late to class?"

"I already took the exam for that class so I was free."

She smelled the daisy before tucking it in her books. "Well I have to go to class. I got an exam there. Sorry I'm going to miss your performance."

"It's okay." Mike didn't really want Mercedes & Ruby in the same room at the moment anyway. "Let me walk you to class."

"You said you'd bring me something from MB's." She pulled him from his thoughts.

"We didn't go. Rehearsal ran over. You know how it goes." He fudged the truth. You know? Lied.

"That's too bad." Mercedes did her own share of lying. In truth, she felt like Monkey Banana's was their place.

Mike shrugged. "It is what it is."

"Are you done packing?"

He started. It'd been quiet for a minute & he'd gotten lost in his thoughts. "Oh… yeah. I just have two bags I'm taking on the plane."

"I could never live the past two weeks out of a bag. I don't know how you did it."

He smirked. "I'm not a girl."

Her mouth fell open. "I'm so offended right now!"

He laughed. "Girls need options for every day. I wore the same pair of jeans three days in a row."

She facepalmed. "Boys."

"Do you want to go out tonight for our last night in LA?"

"Sure. It could be our goodbye dinner."

"I was thinking Mexican." He shook his head quickly. "I meant Portuguese!"

She lifted a brow as they made it to her building. He opened the door for her & she took the instance to study his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I just slipped." He hoped she bought that.

"Okay. Well this is my classroom. I'll see you in a couple hours."

"See you." He kissed her deeply.

It took a few minutes to pry him off but she was able to do so, blushing as she saw her entire class staring at them. "Bye."

He nodded & let her go into her classroom. "Bye." He walked away with his hands in his pockets, feeling like he'd just gotten away with murder.

M&MC

Three turns…

Two turns…

One turn…

Dip…

Bring up & smile…

The dance was over & Mike couldn't be gladder. He stood in his class, sweating & not just from moving his body or the hot lights.

The class clapped as the teacher walked over. "Perfect lines. Nice solidarity. You copied the moves perfectly & performed them flawlessly. You pass." He went to the back of the class to call the next duo up.

Ruby jumped up & down before pressing a kiss to Mike's mouth.

Mike threw her away quickly. "What was that?!"

"Oh come on!" Ruby rolled her eyes. "You can't be serious!"

"What part of faithful was too much for you?!" He waved his arms.

"Why do you want her anyway?!"

"She has too many good qualities to list!" He spat. "Just lose my number. I don't think I'll be calling you any time."

"Miguel! Miguel!" She stomped her foot as he grabbed his bag to leave.

He barely spared her a glance. "My name is Mike."

M&MC

"I take it back. You def. have to tell her." Finn decided.

"I can't believe she still kissed you after you turned her down in the first place." Mal whispered.

"I can." Puck snorted. "Chicks be thirsty."

"I don't care what she is, I'm just glad she's out of my life." Mike huffed. "How am I supposed to tell her this?"

"Take her somewhere crowded." Finn suggested. "Mercedes doesn't make scenes."

"Good point. If you have to tell on yourself, always go for public." Puck agreed.

"Mercy really doesn't make scenes so you're lucky." Mal said. "Just remember to tell her that you threw that girl away from you. Beg if you have to."

"What am I begging for?" Mike asked.

"For forgiveness for not listening to her in the first place…"

"Right." Mike nodded. "Should I buy her something? An apology gift?"

"Can't go wrong with jewelry." Puck affirmed.

"No! Get her something special." Finn denied. "I got Rachel a star for Christmas & she loved it."

"Didn't you name it after you?"

"She loved the thought behind it!"

Mike's lips twitched. "I don't have time to be creative."

"Buy her a necklace. She likes those." Mal put in. "I gotta go. I've been in the bathroom too long."

"You actually went to the bathroom?" Puck mocked.

"I'm not a liar!"

"Okay!" Mike raised his voice. "I'll buy her a necklace."

M&MC

Mercedes looked across the table to Mike. "You've been jumpy all night & now you're giving me a gift? What's going on?"

Mike decided to be honest. "Before I tell you, you know I care about you? Right?"

"Are you breaking up with me?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No!" He waved his hands.

"Then what is going on?" She looked back down at the gift-box that held the necklace in the shape of a crown.

He sighed & bit the bullet. "You were right. About Ruby."

She blinked owlishly. "Really?! How'd you find out?"

"She made a move on me. But I told her I was faithful!"

"When was this?"

"Excuse me?" He blinked.

"When did she make her move?"

He swallowed. "This morning."

"That's why you brought me that flower." Her brows raised.

"No, I was thinking about you-"

"& how guilty you felt?" She cut in gently.

He sighed. "Maybe."

"How did she take it when you turned her down?"

"I have to tell you something else you're not going to like."

"What?" She asked suspiciously.

"I thought she got it. Until after we got our grade. Which was an A by the way."

"Mike…"

He grinned sheepishly & ran a hand through his hair. "She kissed me."

"What?!"

He flinched. "She kissed me. But I pushed her away immediately!"

"I'm going to kill her!"

"No! No! No! We'll never see her again. I'm not going to call her over the summer. I deleted her number." He stopped. "You're not mad at me?"

She focused on him. "Why would I be mad at you?"

He took a relaxed breath. "Because I didn't believe you."

"Will you listen to me in the future?"

"Def.!"

"Then you've learned your lesson. I told you, Mikey; I know women. I trusted you & look what happened."

"I know." Mike bowed his head.

"I am going to tell your mother though."

Mike slumped. "Please don't. She won't take it well."

"That's why I'm telling her. We can bash that shrew together."

He'd take it. "As long as you don't bash me…"

"Oh. We'll be talking about you, too." She smirked.

He gulped.