A/N To my lovely beta LadiJ, you are the best! This is all my head cannon. It's been a while so I'm a little, ok, a lot rusty but thank you all for all the love and encouragement you guys have given me. I am so humbled by the love you have shown me. Thank you so much and know that I love and appreciate you all so very, very much. I just wanted to put this out so that you guys would know I'm still here and slowly coming back.

I own nothing that is Glee, thank God, cause I know if I did ya'll would hunt me down and beat the shit out of me!

Saving Us

Mercedes looked over at Sam as he studied, they had mid-terms this week. They were in their third year at UCLA and things were good. They lived off campus in a nice one bedroom apartment. She worked for an up and coming fashion designer and loved it. Sam worked at a design graphics firm and loved it as well.. They were working in the fields they were majoring in and with full scholarships, life was good.

"Babe you want to take a break? You haven't eaten." She massaged his shoulders feeling the tense muscles in his broad shoulders.

Sam leaned back into her touch, Man this feels so good, I didn't know I was this tense. Looking up into her eyes he smiled, 'Yeah I think I do need a break, that feels so good baby, what do you want to eat?"

"Anything, I'm not really not that hungry, but we both need to take a break. How about a walk and we can stop and eat if we see something we like?"

Standing up Sam pulled her into a hug, "Sounds good to me Cedes, let's go."

Sam grabbed his phone, wallet and keys, opening the door he guided her out and locked the door behind them. Taking a deep breath he smiled, he could feel the tension in his body ease. Cedes always seemed to know what he needed and when he needed it. Intertwining their hands he led her down the sidewalk.

As they walked and talked about the different things they needed to do for their classes neither noticed the two men following them.

"How about some Chinese or subs? I don't really want anything heavy, I've got a lot more work to do." Sam rubbed his thumb across her hand as he waited to see which she would choose.

"Subs sound good, maybe a salad. Like I said I'm not that hungry."

Just as they were passing the alley, Sam felt something hard poke his back. "Don't make a sound, turn right here or your pretty little girlfriend won't be so pretty anymore."

Sam froze, looking down at Mercedes he could see the fear on her face and the large man standing behind her. Gripping her hand he squeezed it letting her know he would get them out of this. Holding her hand tight he turned into the alley, his mind racing.

Mercedes heart stuttered when she head the man and looked to see the gun held against Sam's back. Returning Sam's calm look she followed him into the alley. Praying they would make it out of this, she didn't panic.

"Stop right here. Give us all your money and jewelry." The man with the gun gestured for his friend to take Mercedes purse and Sam's wallet.

As they both handed over the items Sam noticed the way the second man was looking at Mercedes, easing her behind him he kept his eye on the gun in the other man's hand.

"You're a pretty little thing. Can we have some fun with her?" The second guy asked as he took Mercedes purse. Running a finger up her arm, he leered at her.

"Keep your fucking hands off her." Sam growled.

Mercedes glared at the man as she pulled away from his touch. Tightening her grip on Sam's arm she looked up at him, seeing the anger in his eyes.

"We don't have time for that, just get the shit and let's go." the gunman told his friend.

"Look at the rack on her, I just want to play with her." the other man whined.

"I said leave her alone, you asshole." Sam stepped more in front of Mercedes to shield her.

"You don't tell me what to do pretty boy, we have the gun you just stand there, better yet sit down and just watch." with that he shoved Sam hard knocking him down.

Mercedes saw Sam go down, her stomach clenching when she heard his head hit the brick wall with a sickening thud. Knowing he was out she could see the blood in his hair as he slumped over.

Feeling a rush of adrenaline she acted on instinct. Picking up the piece of wood she saw on the ground, it was like everything was moving in slow motion. Swinging it at the man who had pushed Sam, she connected with his arm. Remembering everything Sam had told her about swinging a bat she put everything she had into the swing. She could hear the sound of his arm bone breaking.

The gunman was standing, stunned at the quick turn of events. The other man was screaming in pain and Mercedes was screaming for help as she swung at the gunman. As she hit his hand holding the gun it went off striking the wall behind her, he dropped the gun, his wrist broken. She swung at him again this time hitting him his shoulder. He stumbled back falling over his own feet. She hit him one more time knocking him out.

She turned back to the other one who had hurt her Sam. She swung again hitting him in the groin, he fell to the ground grabbing his crotch, tears coming from his eyes. She hit him again and again.

People began to run into the alley. One man taking in the situation, called the police putting his foot on the gun as another grabbed Mercedes from behind, stopping her before she killed the man.

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Once they made it to the hospital the police officer asked Mercedes what happened. She was shaking as she answered him, the only thing on her mind was Sam. He had just began to come around when the police and ambulance made it to the scene.

The police officer listened as she told him what happened. He asked her if she wanted him to call anyone. Mercedes shook her head no. Just then the doctor came out. She jumped up and ran to him asking how Sam was.

The doctor smiled at the very pretty young woman, Sam had asked for her and she was happy to tell her that he was fine and wanted to see her. Escorting her into Sam's room she explained to Mercedes that Sam had a concussion but other than that he was fine, just a few bruises. They would keep him overnight just to make sure he had no other problems and would be able to go home tomorrow.

Thanking the doctor Mercedes rushed to Sam's side, tears in her eyes. She could have lost him.

Sam smiled and held his arms out to her. He was so happy to see her. The police officer had talked to him and filled him in on what happened after he lost consciousness. Mercedes had been so brave and he thanked God that nothing bad happened to her.

"Baby, it's ok, I'm okay, and more importantly you're okay." he kissed her forehead and wiped her tears, "We're okay, sweetheart please stop crying, you saved both of us." Pulling her closer he just held her until her tears slowed, giving her a soft kiss he smiled at her.

"I was so scared Sam, I thought he killed you." Mercedes shuddered at the memory of seeing the man she loved more than life itself laying on the ground.

Sam gave a soft laugh, "It's going to take more than that for you to get rid of me. I told you, I'm not going anywhere. From what the officers told me you are a hero but then I already knew that. Nobody messes with my Diva."

"Damn straight, especially if they hurt my man." Mercedes smirked.

"I love you Cedes, thank you baby for saving me, for saving us."

"I love you too Sam. I will always save you and us just like I know you will always save me and us." She smiled softly, kissing him and thanking God for saving them both.

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A/N I hope you enjoyed the crazy stuff going on in my head, mega hugs and blessings to all! Again, thank you all for the love and support you have given me and my family.

Zee

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