Enjoy!

The Compromise

Part Four

Mercedes sighed, hitting ignore on her phone yet again because Sam was calling. It had been a few weeks since they'd seen or spoken to each other and she missed him but she needed to focus on Michaela.

"Mom, are you okay?"

Mercedes blinked a few times and nodded. "Yeah Mic I am good. Just uh, it was no one."

"You seem to be ignoring no one, a lot…you know that I don't have a problem with you and Mr. Evans dating." Michaela said sitting next to her mom.

"Oh baby, I know, but things are…complicated, and besides right now I am more concerned with taking care of you."

"Ma… I told you that I would help pay it off and there's footage of Jade starting everything so maybe they'll drop the charges against me."

Mercedes shook her head with a small laugh. "That footage. Girl I don't condone violence and I never will but you would think you two were MMA fighters or something. I still can't believe her so-called friends sat there and let all that happen."

"I can also volunteer with some of those vendors over the summer to get into their good graces." Michaela said, sitting down and laying her head on her mother's lap.

"First off, you save your money, this wasn't your fault. Second, I think that is a great idea. After you go to them and personally apologize." Mercedes said taking her glasses off and moving her laptop. "Have you spoken to Adam?"

Michaela sighed. "I already planned on doing that and no… I have no intention of speaking to him."

"Mic I know you really like Adam and I know he feels the same way, don't let Jade take you away from someone you really care about." Mercedes said, running her hands through her daughter's hair.

"Sounds like you should take your own advice." She said looking up at her mom with a small smile. "You should talk to him and maybe you should take him to the lake house."

"Nothing is happening between Mr. Evans and I. That situation is a lot different than yours. And taking him to the lake house…that's something you do in a relationship not to cause more drama." She said laying her head back as she closed her eyes. She did miss Sam, but this was what should happen. "Plus that guy Anthony asked me out and he's a good guy."

Michaela grabbed her mother's hand as she sat up. "We promised to never lie to each other and you are lying. I heard how happy you sounded on the phone and you've kinda have a glow… I know it has something to do with Mr. Evans and I will keep beating his daughter's butt if that means you two get to be happy together."

Mercedes looked down to Michaela. "Yes I have feelings for Mr. Evans, I really…I care about him and I thought when we ran into each other at the conference that maybe something could happen. But you see how crazy his daughter is, and you see how you two don't get along. What happens if we get serious and get married? Then you are stuck with your tormentor? And I am gonna have to whoop her ass? No this is for the best Mic. And it's okay."

Michaela thought over what her mother said and nodded. "You would marry him?" She asked with a small smile.

"Maybe, but that doesn't matter now does it?"

"Mom, I know I'm super grounded right now but can I go somewhere…. I promise to be back in an hour." Michaela asked, grabbing her phone and shooting a text.

Mercedes looked at her with a sigh. "Is it to make up with Adam?"

"Yes…" She said, crossing her fingers behind her back.

"Fine any longer than an hour and I am coming over there to get you myself." Mercedes said, grabbing her glasses and laptop back.

Michaela smiled and gave her mom a quick hug. "Thanks, I'll text you when I'm headed back." She replied, slipping her shoes on and heading outside to her car.

"Okay why exactly do you need me to send this text?" Adam asked Michaela, she had shown up over and demanded he text Jade.

"Because you owe me." She replied leaning against her car.

Adam took a step forward, sighing. "I've told you countless times that she kissed me and I pushed her off immediately, I'm not interested in her at all." He explained.

Michaela chewed on her bottom lip, nodding her head. "Mhm, can you send the text now?"

"Fine." He said, pulling out his phone and shooting Jade the message she asked him to send. "There it's sent… she said she'll be there in ten."

"Great, thanks bye."

Adam frowned and took her hand. "Mic, come on, will you stop being like this, please?"

"Being like what?"

"Angry, indifferent, mad at me. I shouldn't have went to her room, yes I get it, but I didn't do it to hurt you, as bad as she is she was my friend and I wanted to tell her I was in love in person."

Michaela scuffed. "Funny you were gonna tell her before telling the person you're 'in love' with, I don't have time for this… I'll see you around." She said opening her car door.

"No." He said pulling her back to him. "I wanted to make it special, that's why I wanted to talk to Jade so that she would squash the beef once and for all. But none of that matters, because your real issue isn't what happened, it's that you love me too. You are so scared you are letting this bull shit get in the way, well I am not."

He lifted her chin up so he could see her eyes. "I love you Michaela Jones, and you love me too." He said and before she could speak he leaned in kissing her softly at first as he pulled her into him, deepening the kiss.

Michaela let out a soft whimper before pulling away. "I have to go… I'll call you later." She said getting into her car and pulling off, refusing to make eye contact with Adam as she did.

Adam touched his lips as she drove off, smiling as he sent her a text.

A: Knew you loved me too. See you Mic

Sam ran his hands over his face shaking his head. "I already told you no. So I don't care if you are Captain, the Cheerleaders are going to have to find a new Captain.

Jade stomped her foot. "You're purposely ruining my life! Michaela's mom isn't making her quit any of her after school activities!"

Sam looked at her like she grew a second head. "Oh so now you like Ms. Jones? Because according to this video, she's a skank!" Sam fired back.

"She was taking you from me! Karl already took mom, and Michaela took Adam! I was just angry."

Sam started to say something before stopping and looking at his daughter in shock. "What? Jade… no one could ever take me away from you. I love you and would never put you in a position to be second to anyone." He said, pulling her into a hug.

Jade sniffed. "But you were with her at the convention after promising you wouldn't see her."

Sam sighed and pulled away slightly. "I was because I can not let you tell me who I can and can not date, you have to understand that she makes me really happy and the only reason we aren't together is because she's taking your feelings into consideration and doesn't want to hurt you." He explained.

Jade nodded. "I shouldn't have provoked Michaela, I just got so angry."

Sam smiled. "Well look at that, my little girl is admitting to something. You know you're gonna have to apologize to her and everyone else right?"

"I know…and I will. I feel really horrible about all this. I just wanted to win." She said, nodding.

"Sometimes, you need to focus on other things besides winning." He replied. "I promise to be upfront with you about who I'm dating if you promise to try to improve your attitude and reactions."

"I promise." Her phone vibrated and she sighed. "I will make my rounds tomorrow. And find a way to get the charges at least dropped a bit."

"Okay sweetheart, I need to file a few papers, are you okay?"

Jade nodded. "Can I run to the store to grab a few girl things?" She asked and Sam nodded.

"Yes but no venturing off." He said before walking to his office.

Jade stood grabbing her keys so she could meet Adam at the park, she knew if he wanted to meet her it was probably to tell her off and she deserved it. But a part of her still hoped he changed his mind and wanted to be with her.

Michaela checked the time as she watched Jade's car pull up. She took a breath stepping out of her own car and seeing the confusion on the blonde's face.

Jade stepped out and frowned. "What is this? I thought I was meeting Adam here."

Michaela shook her head. "Nope, he sent that message because I asked him to… it's time you and I talked."

Jade scoffed. "If you lured me here to rub it in my face that you and Adam are together, no thanks I'm good." She said turning away.

"Jade, that's not why I'm here. We need to talk about our parents." Michaela said, sitting on the swing and sighing. "My mom really likes your dad but she won't let herself dive in because of us."

Jade sighed sitting next to her. "Yeah my dad is all goofy over her in a way I have never seen him be. Not even with my mom."

Michaela chuckled. "I never got to know my dad but I feel like he would approve of yours… she sounded so happy and free when she called me from her hotel. I wanted you to come here so we could call a truce… for them."

Jade looked at her. "You know if we do this, they may very well not only make us step sisters but give us a sibling right?"

Michaela faked gagged. "Let's not think about our parents… doing it. We're gonna need to do something to make them come together… something drastic."

"More drastic than causing fifteen thousand dollars worth of damage?" Jade asked, giggling before she started to swing. "You know whatever we do is going to have us grounded for life right?"

Michaela nodded, starting to swing as well. "We have to figure ourselves out first. So I'm going to be straight with you… I like Adam a lot actually and I have always liked him… probably even love him at this point so before we do this I need to know where you stand on that."

Jade felt sick at the thought of Adam loving Michaela but it made sense because she had always been a little jealous of her, not that she would confess that. "Adam is off limits as nothing more than my friend, if he will have me as that. I won't interfere again."

Michaela looked at her before nodding. "And no more talking bad about my mom, she's the nicest person I know and doesn't deserve that. I've never said anything wrong about your dad so you should return the favor."

"I was actually going to apologize to her tomorrow, one of the many I have to apologize to. She didn't deserve it, I was just upset at my dad moving on."

"I can get that… it's just been me and my mom since my dad died and I'll admit her being this way about anyone other than him is kinda strange but I just want her to be happy."

"I want him to be happy. He deserves it, plus Lord knows he is gonna need someone to watch over him when I go off to college." She laughed.

Michaela laughed. "Yeah my moma is gonna need someone with her too… so does this mean for the sake of our parents we're cool?"

Jade looked at her and sighed. "I guess so…besides." She smirked. "I am gonna need your mom to sweet talk my dad into letting me at least back on the Cheerleading Squad." She laughed. "Shoot if there are perks we might as well enjoy them."

"Ha! You better be prepared to eat some crow first. Everyone assumes my mom is super cool but she gets a little testy sometimes." She joked.

"I will. I hope the crow doesn't taste too bad. I have a lot of it to swallow. Starting with you. I am sorry." Jade said, looking at her. "For the bullying, and hurting you with Adam. Neither one of you deserved that."

Michaela heard the sincerity in her voice and smiled. "I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have dropped that bomb about our parents like that…"

Jade nodded. "I guess that's it then? Now we gotta get out parents back together." She said trying to think of a way to make it happen.

Michaela smirked. "Well… I might already have something in mind but we're gonna need to be very convincing and we're gonna have to piss them off."

Jade looked at her with a twinkle in her eye. "Please continue."

"Assuming you lied to come here, like I did and I'm sure he's expecting you back soon right?" Michaela asked and Jade nodded. "Well… we should go back and meet up early tomorrow because it's going to take us leaving to really get their attention oh and pack a bag for your dad."

"Leaving for where? Girl you got this devilish look on you that makes me think we're telling them we're running away or something." Jade said, eyeing her.

Michaela laughed. "No nothing like that, more so on the lines of us parent trapping them… we'll drive out our lake house and tell them where we are but we won't really be there… just their things."

Jade smirked. "Okay, okay I'm liking this idea… should I piss my dad off beforehand?"

"Oh absolutely." She replied giggling. "If this works out they'll have to accept that no matter what they're digging each other."

Jade nodded. "I can be ready by nine."

"Okay meet me back here and we can ride over together, might as well start acting like sisters…" Michaela said standing, checking the time on her phone. "I have to get back home before she comes looking for me… see you tomorrow?"

Jade stood up as well and nodded. "Tomorrow it is."

Michaela woke up extra early so she could sneak into her mom's room to throw together an overnight bag for her. She had to grab and dash because her mom was a light sleeper and she couldn't risk her waking up and catching her in the act. She made sure to grab clothes she could be comfortable in but also cute.

"Mic… is that you?" Mercedes muttered and Michaela froze holding a pile of clothes in her hand.

"Ah… pads. Going back to sleep now." She said slowly back out of her room.

Mercedes turned over mumbling. "Okay baby."

Michaela quickly ran out of her mother's room and back to her own to quickly put the clothes she grabbed into a bag before texting Jade to see if she had already gotten her dad's clothes packed.

MT-Do you have your dad's clothes ready?

JE- Yeah, his closet isn't attached to his room so it was easy, I'm going to piss him off now.

MT- Well you have fun with that make sure you storm out right after. I'll be at the park waiting.

JE-Gotcha.

Jade put her phone's location on and put it in her back pocket before toss the bag she made for her dad down the stairs. As she walked to his room she made a point of making a ton of noise because she knew how much he hated being woken up.

Sam was having an amazing dream, he had just rubbed Mercedes down and was about to take her when a loud noise shook him.

"DAD!" Jade said, bursting into his room.

Sam sat up. "What?! What's wrong? Who is hurt? Where's my phone?"

"YOU RUINED MY DAMN LIFE! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE PLANNING TO SEE HER!" Jade shouted, trying not to giggle when he shot her a confused look.

"What the hell are you talking about? It's…Jade is so damn early and I was up all night on a project, go throw your ridiculous tantrum in your room." He said waving her off.

Jade scuffed. "SEE YOU ARE CHOOSING HER OVER ME! YOU DON'T LOVE ME! YOU'RE SUCH A LIAR! MOM SAID YOU WOULD DO THIS! I SWEAR WHEN I TURN EIGHTEEN, I'M NEVER COMING BACK!" She shouted back, knocking over one of his novelty figurines and storming out slowly because she knew he was gonna chase her, she quickly grabbed the bag and tossed it outside.

"JADE! WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Sam huffed getting out of bed and chasing after her. "I really wish that you would lose this whole woe is me attitude, I really thought we had turned a corner! Now will you stop acting like a child and tell me what is wrong!"

"A CHILD? A CHILD! I AM NOT ACTING LIKE A CHILD! YOU JUST WANT ME TO BE THIS PERFECT LITTLE GIRL, WELL GUESS WHAT DAD! I'M NOT PERFECT! I WILL NEVER BE AS GOOD A MICHAELA OR AS SWEET AS MERCEDES! GO MAKE A NEW FAMILY WITH THEM!" She spat back, trying hard to hold back her laugh. "I'M LEAVING!"

"Jade! Is that how you really feel? That I want you to be anyone other than you? Jade you are my damn heart don't you know that! No one could ever take your place. I don't want you to be perfect! Hell we all know I'm no where near perfect. Just come back in here and talk to me." Sam said catching up to her.

"No dad!" She said, tossing the bag into the backseat. "I don't want to hear that bullshit! I'm not coming back." She added before quickly getting into her car and hoping like hell she could get to the park fast enough because she knew he did not condone cursing.

"Oh you-" Sam watched her ride off and ran back in the house grabbing his phone. He already knew that she wasn't gonna answer so he reached out to grab his clothes as he turned on the tracker. Her streak of thinking she could do what she wanted and get away with it was coming to an end.

Jade nervously tapped her hand against her steering wheel as she pulled up to the park. She quickly got out, grabbed the bag and ran over to Michaela's waiting car.

"Go, go, go!" She said, tossing the bad behind her.

Michaela looked at her amused. "You gotta send him the text." She said pulling off and putting the address to the lake house.

Jade quickly pulled her phone out and shot her dad the text Michaela told her to send before tossing her phone into the back. "He is so pissed… I think I overdid it." She admitted shaking her head.

"And here I thought you had him wrapped around your finger." Michaela teased.

Jade let out a humorless laugh. "Yeah… he has his buttons and I pushed them all just now… this plan better work."

Michaela sighed. "My mom should be waking up any minute now and she's gonna find a note on her bathroom mirror… you think your dad has buttons? Just wait until that short woman comes looking for me… we're all dead."

Mercedes had a dream that Mic had come into her room and awoke wondering if it was real, she blinked a few times and stretched out. It was pretty quiet considering Michaela and she both got dressed to 90's and 2000 R&B. Some current things…not the rap cause most of it was trash. Mercedes laughed standing and turning her own music on, if Mic wasn't up she would be.

Walking to the bathroom she moved around as she gathered her things for the day, she danced along to the music, grabbing her tooth brush and singing into it as she added toothpaste. Brushing her teeth she finally looked at her double mirror and froze.

Talked to Adam like you said, worst mistake ever! Need to clear my head, I'll be back when I'm back.

-Mic

Mercedes spit out the toothbrush and ran to Michaela's room. "Mic? MIC! MICHAELA DENISE TINSLEY!" She screamed out running thought the house and back to her room grabbing her phone.

Michaela's phone went to voicemail and she screamed in frustration. "Michaela. Girl I know you are not leaving like this! Answer my call!"

Sam had just gotten dressed as his phone beeped and he grabbed it seeing a text from Jade. "What in the hell?"

He ran his hands through his hair and dialed Mercedes number praying that she would pick up.

Mercedes noticed Sam's name popped up and was tempted to ignore it but she really needed help figuring this out. "Sam I can't really talk right now but I-"

"Mercedes, Jade sent me a concerning message after blowing up on me about choosing you over her… is she there?"

"No, why would she be here?"

Sam sighed. "She texted that she was going to get revenge on you and Michaela… I've been tracking-"

"Revenge for what! No my daughter isn't here and neither is yours but I'm going to contact the-"

"Please wait, I know you're angry but I have a location… just let me get to her before she tries anything. I understand you want to call the police but just give me a chance I'm halfway there." Sam pleaded.

"Sam that's my daughter! She left with some crazy note about how she needed to clear her head and now she's not answering her phone!"

"I can send you the location and you can follow, I have no problems calling the police on my child but I think it's something else… she purposely pushed every button she knew I had."

Mercedes shook her head knowing she should just follow her gut but also knew that Michaela writing that note was suspicious especially since she was smiling when she came home last night.

"Send me the address." She said going to her car and waiting for him to text her the address.

"I sent it, I should be arriving in fifteen minutes. I'm so sorry about all of this…" He said after sharing Jade's location with Mercedes.

She looked at the address before realizing she knew where she was and got angry. "That's my lake house, I'm calling the police."

"Mercedes… wait. Her phone isn't moving. It hasn't moved in a while, I know my daughter, it would have moved at least ten times by now and her car isn't there. I know it's crazy but is there any way she would've known about that house?"

Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip, thinking it over. "The only people that know about it are me, Michaela and Tina. We haven't been since Shane died… it's regularly serviced."

"Does Adam know about it?"

Mercedes raked her brain trying to remember if they'd ever taken Adam before remembering what Michaela's note said. "Possibly… Tina has a key so…"

"Jade left with a bag… is it possible that this is what she meant? I could tell Michaela liked Adam…" Sam questioned hearing a beep letting him know he was close.

Mercedes sighed. "Michaela wrote a note saying she was upset for listening to my advice about Adam… that could be what it is and she would always go to Santana's to escape… I'll call her but if she's not there I'm assuming the worst and calling the police."

"Okay, I support that. I'm just now pulling up… is there a key?"

"No it's gonna take me another twenty minutes before I'm there."

Sam got out and looked for another car but didn't see one. "There's not another car here but mine unless there's a garage."

"If you drive around the back there's a three car garage and a back door… it may be unlocked but doubtful. I need to call Santana, I'll call you back."

"Okay, again I'm sorry about this."

"Yeah me too." She said hanging up and immediately dialing Santana.

"Chica, it's too early for phone calls!" Santana said when she answered.

"Is Mic there?" Mercedes asked, praying like hell that she was.

Santana sat up, hearing the worry in Mercedes' voice. "Not unless she snuck in, let me check." She replied getting out of bed and checking the guest room and when she didn't see her she checked the living room but there was no sight of her. "She's nowhere in sight, what's going on?"

Mercedes let out a worried breath. "She left a note saying she needed to clear her head and then Sam called saying his daughter texted him saying she was going to get revenge on me and her."

"Oh hell no! Where is she? I fight kids!"

"Sam tracked her phone to my lake house… I'm calling the police." She said fighting the urge to cry.

"Wait, her or her phone?"

"He said he was tracking her phone but mentioned that her car wasn't there… Why does that matter! My child isn't answering the phone and-"

"How close are you to the house?"

"Ten minutes… Sam's already there."

Santana nodded. "You'll get there faster than the police, also what teenager doesn't keep their phone on them at all times? Seems a little suspicious to me…"

Mercedes started to reply when Sam beeped in. "It's Sam I'll call you back, can you try calling Michaela? Maybe she'll answer for you."

"Yeah sure thing. Keep me posted." She said hanging up and sighing. "You know she's going to kick yours and my ass after this right?"

"I mean… yes but at least she'll be in love when she does it." Michaela replied before laying her head back on Britney's lap.

"I think it's romantic." Britney said, smiling at Santana.

"That's because you haven't seen Mercedes really pissed off. I'm going back to bed, call your mother!"

"I will… after she gets to the house."

"Mhm, well the next time you decide to do something like this, give me a heads up beforehand." Santana said, walking back to her room, shaking her head.

Mercedes pulled up to the house, seeing Sam's suv parked and quickly got out. She ran around the side of the house and saw him standing there peeping inside the glass door.

"Are they in there?" She asked, scaring Sam.

"Jesus… no, I haven't seen or heard anyone." He replied and she moved him aside to unlock the door.

As soon as she opened the door the alarm went off and she shook her head. "This doesn't make sense…" She said putting the code in and letting Sam inside. "Michaela!" She shouted.

"JADE!" Sam yelled but neither of them got an answer. He pulled his phone out and dialed his daughter. They both looked around when they heard her phone and began searching for it until they found it near two bags with a note attached.

Mercedes felt herself growing annoyed and snatched the note up. "Another note." She said reading it over and scuffing. "I'm assuming this is from Jade."

Sam took the note and chuckled. "I'm definitely killing her."

I'll admit I like the lady… just no new sibling for now.

-Jade

Well now that they're there what will they do?