OK first of all thanks to everyone for reading and commenting etc. This is a really angsty story and I know not everyone is into the rollercoaster ride. So thank you so much for sticking with me. I need to address a few things in light of Sam being back...first of all...This is NOT a Fabrevans story...yes Fabevans are a part of this and have an emotional connection but it is not about their relationship per se. This is a story about all three characters SAM, MERCEDES, and QUINN...they all have issues to overcome, they all are struggling to find their way...the relationship stuff is secondary to that.

However. Sam and Mercedes are MARRIED. Mercedes just stuck by his side for nine months...Sam would have died for Mercedes in that car. Quinn and Sam are best friends and share a child but Sam told Mercedes that he would never speak to Quinn again if she took him back. Think about all those things as you read.

I know this story is AU, but the essence of the characters remain...think about what marriage means to canon Sam or canon Mercedes...remember that as you read. I won't spoil the ending...and this story is more about the journey than the ending...but I will say that by the end of this everyone reading should get why things shook out as they did.

Now hopefully you're still with me and are ready to buckle in for this ride because things get 'different' now that Sam has a POV.

MissE - Thanks so much for your detailed comments...I love how you see things.

Marigold - You crack me up.

And to all my other guest commenters sorry I can't respond directly but I appreciate you all. Keep a look out up here, because I will probably respond to you directly in my notes.

Chapter 2

Quinn sat in the small enclosed room, hands folded on the table in front of her, waiting. She imagined the room must have been a supply closet at some point in the past. The walls were covered in a thick coat of white paint, but she could still see the holes in the wall where shelves must have been hung. And of course, no windows, barely any of the rooms in the hospital had them. She had been spoiled back in Lima with her private room with its large window. The state hospital provided no such luxuries. White walls, no windows, glaring fluorescent lights, and roommates.

Iley was her name, or so she had been told. She hadn't actually met her roommate yet, just saw the evidence of her arrival, strewn all over the floor of the room. Quinn hadn't stayed for a meet and greet. She had gone to the recreation room, her first earned privilege; to read a book, watch TV, to get some light. The recreation room was one of the few areas in the hospital that had windows, large almost floor to ceiling windows that gave the room almost a cheerful glow in full sunlight.

She had found a seat away from the other patients. Quinn wasn't much in the mood for mingling. She just wanted to try to block out her thoughts. The television was playing, a commercial for floor cleaner. She hoped a movie or sitcom was what they had all been watching, something to let her escape from harshness that had become her life. No such luck. It was a replay of the previous night's LT, Lima Tonight, the entertainment news magazine.

Sinking a little in her seat, as all eyes turned toward her. The feature story, the transfer of the mother of the Evans heir to the state mental institution. Life was definitely mocking her. Years of wanting fame, only to get it this way, under these circumstances. Even the patients at the hospital knew her face now. How would she ever get past all of this? The media had placed a spotlight on her for months, not to mention on Sam. His miraculous recovery had made LT as well, although no in depth report was given. Quinn bet Dwight had placed a gag order on the media and threatened legal action against anyone that invaded Sam's privacy. Quinn on the other hand was fair game. She was sure Dwight even fed them information just to ensure she was always shown in the worst possible light.

When the aide came into the recreation room to escort her to an impromptu therapy session, it had felt like a rescue to Quinn. The other patients were slowly inching closer to her, looking ready to pounce. She had escaped for now, but she knew in time she would have to address the countless questions the other patients were going to have for her. She briefly entertained the idea of doing something dramatic to get placed in solitary confinement, or the suicide room as it was nicknamed by the other patients. Patients that attempted to kill themselves or others were placed in a room alone with no furniture and padded walls. Apparently the phrase padded cell wasn't just a term people used when they talked about mental institutions. They actually existed. Alone in a padded cell almost seemed like a better alternative than facing all the questions, or worse yet the judgment. If she were to believe the whispers, even mentally unstable people watched the news and took sides. She had been there a little over a week and already her life was fodder for the hospital gossips.

Quinn adjusted the sleeves on her white cotton sweatshirt. It was a pullover, zippers were not allowed. Another not so subtle reminder about the reality of her situation, Artie had been right. Every detail of her life was planned for her now. If only she had listened to him and not snuck out of the hospital. Maybe she would be free right now, and on the road to getting her daughter back. It was done, she couldn't dwell. The drugs the hospital had given her had clouded her judgment, although Quinn wasn't so sure she wouldn't have made the same choice even if she weren't drugged up. She needed to be with her child. She would do anything to be with her, including this. Enduring this place, becoming the model patient. Just maybe that would get her a reprieve, an early release, a chance to visit her at least. Anything would be better than being stuck here hours away from the most important person in her life.

Persons, if she were being honest with herself, Quinn was locked away from the most important persons in her life. Not being able to see Sam, to make sure he was truly okay with her own eyes, was starting to physically hurt. Almost as much as being away from Beth hurt. That strange link they forged when Sam woke up grasping her hand was stronger than ever. Being away from Sam, from Beth, it was starting to feel like someone had severed a limb from her body. She didn't understand it, couldn't explain it, but since that morning, Quinn had changed. She was no longer alone, and she could feel it. That feeling is what got her out of the bed every morning, kept her faking smiles, cooperating with staff, kept her from giving up. She had too much to live for, and it all was waiting outside the hospital doors, in Lima.

A female aide, with brown hair pulled tightly into a bun, dressed in too tight pale green scrubs entered the room, placing a black telephone in front of her on the table.

"What's this?" asked Quinn. "I thought my doctor was coming."

"Your doctor is on the phone. Apparently she is conducting her session remotely. But don't get any ideas, we may not be able to hear you in here, but we are watching." And with that, she promptly left the room, leaving Quinn to stare at the phone.

With shaky hands she picked up the receiver, not sure what to expect. Dr. Hill wasn't supposed to meet with her until later in the week, and she couldn't imagine the woman opting to consult over the phone. She seemed to like face to face interaction way too much. So Quinn suspected that Santana could be role playing again, masquerading as her doctor, to get her a message.

"Hello? Dr. Guerin?" she asked into the phone. She had almost used Santana's name but thought better of it just in case. The hospital said they weren't allowed to listen to patient sessions, just observe, but Quinn still didn't trust them. Privacy didn't exist for people like her.

"Quinn, it's me, Mercedes," the voice on the other end responded.

"Mercedes? What's wrong? Why are you calling me?" Quinn got chills at the sound of Mercedes' voice. It had to be something truly awful for Mercedes to make contact in this way. She almost wanted to hang up the phone immediately, to avoid the probable pain to come.

"Puck told me to use the doctor's name. I hope I don't get you into trouble," said Mercedes. She sounded a bit uneasy, almost nervous.

"Just tell me why you called," urged Quinn. "Is something the matter with Beth?" She wanted to mention Sam too, but she stopped herself, trying to respect the boundaries of her position. She didn't have the right to question Sam's wife so eagerly.

"Oh no, no. Beth is good. That's not why I'm calling."

"So you called just to check up on me?" Quinn asked a puzzled expression on her face. "I mean that's nice if you did…"

"It's Sam," stated Mercedes abruptly.

Quinn's stomach twisted. "What about Sam?" she asked not able to expand further on that question. She didn't want to say any of the scenarios that had suddenly popped into her mind.

"Well you know he is out of his coma."

"Yeah. I was there," said Quinn slowly.

"Right. I know. I mean, Santana told you about how he's doing?" Mercedes asked.

Quinn's tension level was rising. It seemed like Mercedes was deliberately being obtuse. Quinn wondered what she was trying to avoid.

"Yes she did," responded Quinn. "Did something change? Has he taken a turn for the worse?"

"Not exactly. He's still not talking, but he's getting better every day. It is amazing actually. I never thought," she hesitated. Quinn could hear her getting choked up on the other end of the line. "I just never thought it would be like this. He's really back."

"I'm so glad Mercedes," Quinn paused, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm so happy for you both. Must have been some reunion."

"Well he's not talking yet, and we are trying to ease him back into things. Not jar him, you know? So he hasn't been told anything," Mercedes paused. "About anything."

"About Beth you mean?"

"Right. It's too soon still."

"I can understand that. You still didn't tell me why you called." Quinn nervously chewed on her lower lip, awaiting Mercedes' response.

"I don't know how to put this. I can't even believe I'm about to say this. I mean just to be having this conversation with you of all people," she said, words stopping and starting as she tried to explain.

"Can you please just tell me Mercedes?" asked Quinn cutting her off mid ramble.

"Sam needs you."

There was silence. It was as if they both were holding their breaths after that statement, unsure where to go from there.

"What?" asked Quinn, confused. "I don't understand."

"He's been asking about you? Asking for you."

"I thought you said he couldn't talk."

"We have been communicating with a Speak & Spell." Mercedes giggled slightly after she said it, as if she were remembering a private joke.

"A what?"

Nothing was making sense, and Quinn was starting to wonder if she were having another allergic reaction to her medication. Why would Sam be asking his wife about her?

"It's a toy. Doesn't really matter. The point is Sam has been asking where you are and wanting to see you. I can't tell him anything about what has gone down these past nine months yet, but I needed to do something. He's getting upset."

"Upset?" Quinn asked trying to keep the alarm out of her voice, She clearly failed because she could hear Mercedes let out a disgusted sigh on the other end.

"I think he's worried about you."

The strangest feeling passed over Quinn's body. Her heart lifted and broke all at once. Sam was thinking about her, but he was in pain because of it. She didn't know how to take that information and the worst part of all was that there was nothing she could do about it anyway.

"Mercedes I'm so confused. What can I do for him? I am stuck all the way here. There's no way they're letting me out to go visit Sam." She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Once again she was letting down someone that needed her, first Beth and now her father.

"I need you to talk to him, reassure him you're okay."

"Over the phone?"

"I am going to put you on speaker and you can talk to him. If he responds I will read what he types. Can you do that?" asked Mercedes.

She could hear the almost desperation in Mercedes' voice. It must have taken a lot for her even to make this call. Sam must be really upset if Mercedes was willing to do this for him.

"I will do anything for him." She paused, cursing herself for her choice of words. "I mean I will help you guys any way I can."

"Just remember you can't mention Beth or anything that has happened."

"I understand," replied Quinn, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I'm going to put you on speaker now. Hold on."

Quinn heard Mercedes talking in the background. "Sam I've got a surprise for you. Someone wants to talk to you."

It felt strange, after all of these months she was actually going to talk to Sam again. Well she would be talking, he would be listening, but still it was a rush to imagine that he was awake on the other end, hearing her voice. There was so much she wanted to say to him.

"All set. You're on speaker now."

"Sam? Hi," she said timidly. Now that she was on the spot, her mind went blank.

"He's smiling and he typed in your name. He knows it's you Quinn."

"I am so glad to hear you're feeling better. You had us all so scared."

"He typed 'he's sorry'," said Mercedes.

"Don't be," replied Quinn softly.

He had absolutely nothing to be sorry for. If he knew all the things she had done, while he was in the coma, he would be appalled. Quinn shook those thoughts from her head, trying to remain focused on the present.

"Wait he's typing something else," said Mercedes. "He wants to know when you're coming to visit."

"Sam I would love to see you." Quinn smiled into the phone. "I can't wait to get that chance, but I'm sort of busy right now. Out of town."

"He typed in 'singing'."

"That's right. I'm singing, so I can't leave just yet. You know the show must go on, gotta face the music."

"I think he's trying to say he's proud of you. Is that right Sam? Yes, he's proud of your singing."

"Thank you Sam. You've always been my biggest supporter."

Quinn wiped the tears that were falling down her face. Sam was just back among the living and he was already being her cheerleader, trying to boost her confidence. She made a silent vow, to return the favor one day. She was going to become a positive presence in his life, be the friend he had always been to her.

"He typed, 'so talented'."

"You're making me blush. No more compliments."

"He typed," Mercedes hesitated for a moment, her voice cracking as she continued. "Beautiful."

Her cheeks warmed, as she imagined him saying those words directly to her, instead of through Mercedes. She could almost see him, smiling at her, his eyes sparkling.

"Always the charmer Sam Evans. Has he been laying it on like this with you too Mercedes?"

"Well…he's typing. He wrote, 'cute little nurse'." Quinn could hear the smile in Mercedes' voice as she spoke. "There's something really creepy about you flirting on a child's toy Sam. He's laughing now."

Quinn pressed her ear closer to the phone, hoping to hear some sound from Sam, some evidence he really was there listening.

"I'm glad you're in a good mood. How do you feel?"

Mercedes laughed. "He wrote 'hungry'. I guess your liquid diet is not holding you? He's shaking his head no."

Quinn let out a sob. She covered her mouth with her hand, hoping that her reaction could not be heard over the phone. She was glad Sam seemed to be in good spirits, but it was killing her to be so far apart from him. All of those months of praying for her friend to open his eyes and talk to her, only for him to finally do it when she was three hours away.

"I wish I could see you Sam. I want to see your face." Quinn knew she shouldn't have said it, Mercedes was probably scowling, but at the moment she couldn't bring herself to care. She needed him to know how much she missed him.

The line went quiet. Quinn almost thought Mercedes had hung up on her, but then she finally spoke. "He said he wants to see you too."

"I need to go now Sam," Quinn said, no longer able to contain her emotions. She had to hang up before she broke down in tears on the phone. "I hope to see you real soon. Okay?"

"He typed 'you promise'," said Mercedes softly.

"I do. I promise." She closed her eyes and sent a mental hug to Sam, hoping somehow he could feel it.

"I'm going to talk to Quinn before she hangs up okay? Quinn?"

"Yeah," responded Quinn her voice hoarse from crying. Once Mercedes had taken them off speaker, the tears just started flowing.

"Thanks again for doing that. You made him very happy," she said. Mercedes had been crying too, Quinn could hear her sniffling.

"Happy to be of some help. I hate that I'm stuck here useless."

"You're not useless. Sam is back because of you."

"I don't think that's true.." Quinn drew slow circles on the table with her finger.

"It is," Mercedes interrupted. "He came back for you," Mercedes added in a tear filled voice.

"Doesn't matter who he woke up with," said Quinn feeling a sudden need to reassure Mercedes. She was only guessing, but it seemed like maybe Mercedes was struggling with the fact that Sam had responded to her. "We just have to be glad he's back right?"

"Right. Well hopefully this will put him at ease. I think he was wondering why you weren't around."

"It seems a little strange though, him being so focused on me."

"I wouldn't say focused," said Mercedes. Quinn detected an edge of defensiveness creep into Mercedes' voice. "He's been getting lots of visitors and the doctors are here constantly."

"Oh I know. I didn't mean…I don't want you to think I meant anything by it. I just meant I don't get why he was asking about me specifically. He has you and his family around."

"Maybe he remembers you were there when he woke up."

The brown haired aide opened the door to the room, and stood in the doorway. That was Quinn's cue that therapy time was over.

"Could be. I better go now. The aide is giving me a funny look."

"Okay. Take care Quinn."

She glanced at the aide in the doorway. "And Dr. Guerin?"

"Yeah."

"You take care of them…Beth and Sam." Quinn took a breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. "Knowing they're safe is sort of what's keeping me going in here."

"I'll always take care of them. They are my family."

Quinn wanted to say they were her family too, but she thought better of it. "I know."

"Goodbye Quinn."

"Bye," Quinn said softly as she hung up.

The aide came over to the table, retrieving the phone, before indicating that Quinn should leave the room as well. Back to her regimented life, and her new roommate. She wasn't looking forward to any of it, yet Quinn couldn't contain her smile. Sam had been thinking about her. It probably was wrong for her to be feeling this way, especially about another woman's husband, but Quinn didn't care. It was the proof she had been hoping for, evidence that something wonderful had happened between them that morning he woke up. It wasn't all in her head. He had felt it too.

The line went dead, Quinn was gone, and all the air went out of the room with her. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She had managed to keep it together in front of him, allowing only a few tears to escape as she watched him react to the sound of Quinn's voice. It had been agony seeing his smile grow, the creases in his cheeks deepening, the longer Quinn remained on the phone. Sam hadn't been this happy since he had woken up. It wasn't like Mercedes could be upset that Sam was happy, only a grinch would deny a man that had been in a coma for months any source of joy. But why did that joy have to come in a tall, blonde haired, model thin package?

She was doing it again, allowing herself to get all worked up over Quinn. She was trying so hard to trust him, to hang on to all the things he said the night of the accident, about how he felt about her. It just was really hard to keep her insecurities at bay when he kept bringing up Quinn or when his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning at the sound of her voice. He was giving smiles to Quinn, albeit over the phone, that he had not once given to her since he came out of the coma. Mercedes was starting to worry that maybe Sam had given up on them, somewhere in his mind while he was in a coma. Maybe he thought they were still breaking up and that's why he was being so distant with her.

He had been giving her small little shy smiles and tentative touches all week. It was as if he were almost afraid of her. Yet other times he was joking with her and having fun. He really seemed to enjoy her steady stream of one way conversation, and he loved beating her at the memory game on the Speak & Spell. There was something odd about Sam that she couldn't quite figure out. The doctors so far hadn't found anything wrong with him, but it still was too soon to rule out any permanent brain damage. When Sam fell from the car, he hit the ground pretty hard, it was more than plausible that some of his brain cells could have been destroyed. The results of his scans wouldn't be in until later, so all Mercedes could do was wait, and hope Sam was okay. She hoped his strange behavior was just his attempts at readjusting to life, and not a sign of anything worse.

Ironically, she missed Sam more now than before, since he had been awake. She no longer spent nights in his room, uncomfortable with the scrutiny she received from his constant flow of visitors. It was like someone barging into her bedroom unannounced. So Mercedes had began to spend more time at home, with Beth and Beiste. Her days were still filled with Sam though, he was her number one patient, and she was right by his side whenever he didn't have visitors or examinations. He seemed to need her there, looking to her uncertainly whenever the doctors began their prodding, at times grabbing her hand when blood was drawn or when skin was pinched. Those were the times when Mercedes felt most at ease. She had been taking care of Sam for months, it was natural to her to be the one to hold his hand through his recovery. At least he wasn't pushing her away in that regard. He seemed to appreciate her as his nurse. It was just his other needs, the ones she couldn't seem to meet, that were killing Mercedes. His emotional attachment to Quinn, the sadness in his eyes when he asked about her, the loneliness she seemed to sense from him, even while she was in the room. Sam was searching for something. It was something that Mercedes was slowly realizing she wouldn't be able to give him.

She had called Puck under the pretense of thanking him for helping her get in contact with Quinn, but really she just needed him. Sam and Puck had always had this strained relationship teetering between love and hate, but when the chips were down they were always there for each other. They counted on each other. And Mercedes had grown to count on Puck too, he was like a brother to her. He had been by her side through everything, good and bad. So even though Puck didn't always approve of her choices when it came to Sam, he always understood. No one else knew the depths of her feelings for Sam like Puck did.

Puck must have been reading her mind, or perhaps he heard something in her voice, because not fifteen minutes later Puck had arrived at the hospital, with hugs and coffee. Mercedes had looked up in surprise when she saw him approach, he hadn't told her he was coming to the hospital. He just smiled sheepishly as he opened his arms to her, coffee cup in each hand, and let her squeeze his torso tightly.

"We could go out for coffee instead of torturing ourselves here with this sludge," said Noah 'Puck' Puckerman as he handed Mercedes a cup of coffee before taking a seat beside her.

"That's okay." Mercedes blew on the steaming hot coffee. "I'm immune to it, it almost tastes good to me now."

Puck scrunched his nose up in distaste as he took another sip. "That's some powerful imagination you have there, Cede. No way is this stuff even remotely good."

"You can go out and get something if you want," she shrugged. I just don't want to leave him." Mercedes looked over toward Sam's door. She had been sitting out in the waiting room for hours, the doctors had kicked her out to do more tests.

"And miss out on the chance to talk with you? Not a chance. It feels like ages since we've hung out." Puck rubbed her shoulder affectionately.

"Maybe that's because you've been spending all your time in bed with Santana."

Puck sighed. "Cede, let's not even go there. I'm not discussing Santana with you."

"Good. I don't want to hear about your tawdry little affair anyway."

"Santana's a good friend, and for the record we're not sleeping together." He took off his leather jacket and put it on the seat behind him. "Anymore," he added.

"Trouble in paradise so soon?" asked Mercedes sarcastically.

"It's complicated."

"It always is when you're doing a home-wrecker."

Mercedes hated being so judgmental. Normally she wouldn't even care what or who Puck did. But after being the victim of a cheating spouse, her outlook on life had changed. It didn't seem right for Santana and Puck to be carrying on when Santana had been the one that helped destroy Sam's first marriage when she got involved with Brittany. Technically Mercedes should be grateful to Santana, by cheating with Brittany she set Sam's divorce in motion and made him available for her to love. But even with that small benefit to Sam's ex wife's infidelity, Mercedes still couldn't completely get on board with Santana. She didn't like the woman, and furthermore she didn't trust her. She had heard somewhere along the way that when it comes to relationships "you lose them, how you get them" so if Santana had no problem getting involved with someone else's wife once, what's to say she wouldn't do it again. Puck deserved better than that. He was a better man than that.

Puck shot her a look. "Can we not do this in the middle of the hospital waiting room?"

"Fine. I just worry about you. You seem like you're drifting these days. I need you as my rock, I can't have you losing it over some wife stealing ho."

"I'm good. Really," he said patting her knee when she looked over at him skeptically. "The one you need to focus on is Sam. He's looking better everyday."

"He is doing better too. It feels like such a cliché, but it truly has been a miracle."

"I'm so happy that finally something went right for this family. We keep getting hit after hit. It was high time for some good news."

Mercedes nodded her head and smiled. "Thanks again Puck for helping me call Quinn."

"You're welcome. I guess since I dipped my toe into forgery and fraud I should just jump all the way in," he chuckled, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

"It's only illegal if you get caught anyway."

Puck shook his head and smiled. "I think my cousin Will would have something to say about that."

"Will hasn't been back to see Sam yet. You know since the day he woke up."

He scratched at the stubble on his chin. "Really? I wonder why."

Emma told me he's been busy and there was another stakeout or something."

"You say that like you don't believe it."

"I just think it is hard facing someone when you are filled with so much guilt. I think he's worried Sam is going to blame him for what happened."

"That's ridiculous. Sam's not like that," scoffed Puck. "Besides he hasn't done that to you has he?"

"He's only tried to bring up the accident once, but that could change once he gets his voice back."

"Any idea when that might happen?" Puck asked.

"He's been getting therapy to strengthen his vocal cords, so it could be at any time," she replied.

"You must be so anxious for that."

"I am. I really need to hear his voice again. I miss it. I actually missed everything about him, but I really miss hearing him talk. The way he says my name used to give me shivers." A slight smile formed on her face as she remembered. "It's crazy. I have known Sam for a few years, married the man, and he still gives me butterflies."

"Not crazy. Love. We should all be so lucky to find someone that makes us feel that way."

"I am pretty lucky, aren't I?" she asked, smiling.

"I should say so," he grinned. "Not many women can say they landed the crush they stalked and harassed for months."

"Hey!" she exclaimed. "I didn't stalk him. I was just persistent."

"Wearing him down, until he bent to your will?" Puck teased.

"More like helping him face the truth, that I was the only woman for him."

"I think he got that message loud and clear. Finally. He's all yours."

"Yep, mine," Mercedes responded softly.

"So why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Mercedes asked turning to look at him.

"Call Quinn? I couldn't believe it when you came to me about it."

"Sam needed to talk to her."

"Sam needed to talk to the woman he cheated on you with and you just let him?" Puck asked incredulously.

"You know it is more complicated than that Puck. They have a baby together."

"Sam doesn't know that."

"Well I do. He was asking about her so much, raising his blood pressure. I just wanted to make him feel better."

"So you were just taking care of him?" Puck asked drawing his words out slowly.

"Right, as his nurse and his spouse, it is my job to make sure his needs are met."

"Enough with the Stepford wife act. Did you want to claw her eyes out or what?"

"He smiled and was happy. So I was happy. Let's leave it at that." Mercedes stared into her coffee cup.

"What are you not telling me?" asked Puck looking down trying to meet Mercedes' eyes.

"Nothing," Mercedes said shaking her head, trying to rid herself of all the doubts. "Quinn just reassured him that she was okay and that she would see him soon."

"You look like you want to throw up. Tell me what else happened."

Mercedes paused, unsure whether she should tell Puck anything about the call. "It might just be in my head, I'm not sure. But it seemed like he was sort of flirting with her."

Puck's jaw dropped. "Flirting? With a Speak & Spell?"

"I know. Weird huh? I think I'm just being paranoid."

"I think I need to go in there and knock some sense into him," said Puck rising to his feet.

Mercedes frowned. "Great idea, beat up the guy with the head injury."

"Clearly he has a screw loose if he's flirting with another woman in front of you, Quinn no less."

Mercedes could hear the irritation in Puck's voice. He always got so protective of her when it came to Sam. Mercedes often wondered if that protective streak had more to do with their history with Quinn and less to do with her. It had felt at times that Mercedes was caught in the middle of a pissing contest between the two men. Each of them wanted to prove themselves the better man.

"He can't talk Puck. I'm sure I was getting it all wrong."

"You have some of the best instincts around. Don't ignore them."

"I am just focusing on his recovery. Let's just drop it," she said lifting her hair up, fanning the back of her neck to cool off. "We can deal with all the impending drama later."

"Looks like the doctors are leaving," said Puck turning his attention toward Sam's door. Three doctors in white lab coats exited Sam's room.

Mercedes stood up beside Puck, taking the coffee cup from his hand. "Duty calls. I better get back to my patient."

"Don't pretend like you're not excited to go be with him. It's written all over your face."

"That obvious?" asked Mercedes over her shoulder as she discarded their cups in the trashcan a few feet away.

"Extremely. Sam must be overjoyed that you are looking at him like that again. He had pretty much thrown in the towel before the accident."

"Well we talked things out while stuck in the car. He had swayed me then to take a second chance with him. I just never told him."

It had been one of her biggest regrets. She had let Sam think that there was no chance for them the night of the accident. She shouldn't have been so stubborn. She should've let him know that she wanted to be with him again. That was a big lesson learned for her out of all of this. Never let things go unsaid. Time is too precious, life too fleeting, to hold back how you feel.

"Now you can."

"I just need the green light from his doctors that I can talk to him about the major stuff."

"Like Beth?"

"Yes like that."

"He's in for a big surprise," said Puck with a slight smile. "I wonder how he'll take it all."

"I think about that often. Sometimes I think he'll be fine with it all, but other times, I'm not so sure. It's a lot to take in at once."

"With you by his side, he'll be able to handle anything," he said pulling her into his arms, resting his chin on her head.

"Are you sure that coffee wasn't spiked?" Mercedes asked stepping away from him. "I can't believe you are being so positive about me and Sam as a couple."

"Your love brought him back. How can I deny that?"

"Actually it was Quinn that brought him back. My months by his side didn't do a thing," she said sadly.

"Nonsense and you know it. Sam would be dead if it weren't for you. I don't care if at the moment he opened his eyes Quinn was there. It was you that fought for him, took care of him, did everything in your power to keep him with us. Don't let Quinn take that from you."

"I can't help it. What does that say about my connection to Sam if he wouldn't even respond to me?" she asked blinking back the tears in her eyes. "Deep down I must mean nothing to him."

"How do you even know that he didn't think it was you holding his hand? We don't know how much he was aware of at the time."

Mercedes shrugged. "He keeps asking about Quinn. That has to mean something."

"Let's go ask him. Right now," he said grabbing her hand and leading her toward the room.

"He's not ready for that conversation," said Mercedes pulling back from him, before coming to a full stop. "I'm not ready for that conversation. We just got him back, let's not stress him out yet."

"I won't stress him. I promise. I just need to ask him a few questions."

"You'd have to get rid of Sue. The last thing we need is for her to know that Sam has been asking about Quinn."

The absolute last thing they needed. Sue would make a scene, upset Sam, world war three would break out. The best way to keep Sam calm was to keep his mother calm.

"She's in there? I thought he was being examined."

"He was. Sue refused to leave. She's in full on mama bear mode at this point. You know how worried she was about Sam. Now it's like she doesn't want to let him out of her sight."

Puck rolled his eyes. "I can't deal with Sue right now. I guess all of this will have to wait."

"Probably for the best."

"You stay strong Cede," said Puck hugging her again. "No more worrying about Quinn. Sam came back to you. Time to enjoy your miracle."

"I'll see you Puck."

Mercedes hesitated outside of Sam's door after Puck left, feeling a bit apprehensive about going back in. She really wasn't sure if she was up to watching Sam continue to fixate on Quinn. She hoped the phone call would curtail his interest in Quinn, but something told Mercedes that it wouldn't be the case. The world had shifted somehow since Sam had woken up, and Mercedes could feel the turbulence ahead. Squashing down the rising dread in her stomach, she turned the knob on the door, and went inside. She couldn't run away from a miracle, no matter how much her instincts were telling her to.