DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE BUT THIS STORY I DO!

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Sam watched through the glass, his heart pounding in and out of his chest as he wring his hands. He stared at her lifeless body hooked up to so many machines and it was really sending him in a panic. This was his fault. If he would've been there sooner, he probably couldn't prevented the attack from happening.

Ruby had came back over to where he was, placing a hand on his shoulder. Ruby was the first Sam had called because he knew Henry was in a meeting with some sponsors and didn't have his phone on. She watched as he turned around to her, holding up the cup before handing it to him, "It's not the best, but it's something."

Sam took the cup from her, "Thank you."

Ruby rubbed his back as she took a deep breath, not able to face the girl behind the glass. She just couldn't do it without breaking into tears. Who would've did this to her? But a bigger question than that was why? "Why don't you go get some fresh air. I'll call you if something changes."

"I'm fine, I don't want to leave."

"Okay." Ruby said as she gave his arm a squeeze before going to sit down, crossing her legs as she pulled out her phone to call her husband once again.

Sam stayed there and watched Mercedes for next five minutes until he retired to the waiting room. He went and took a seat beside Ruby, the memories from earlier surfacing his mind. By the time the ambulance had arrived, some of the guys had made it, confusion, worry and anger running through them.

Santana hurried out of the elevator, looking around panically as she searched for Ruby. She had received a text not even twenty minutes ago about Mercedes, resulting in her dropping what she was doing and speeding to the hospital. She was worried, but most of all, she was pissed off. She passed the nurse's station and rounded the corner, going straight to who she was searching for when she found her, "Momma Ruby."

"Hey sweetie." Ruby stood up and went to hug the young woman, feeling her tighten her grip, "It's okay, baby."

"I just hate that this happened." She sniffled and pulled back, teary eyed as she stared at her, "Where's Daddy Hen?"

"He's on his way." She replied with a shaky voice as she looked at her, both of them knowing, "I'm praying that it's nothing like the last time."

Santana nodded as she leaned forward and hugged her again.

Sam had heard what happened at Mercedes' final match and it was bad. But, thing was, he only heard and not experienced, so by how they were reacting now, he knew that it was more to the story than what was released.

Santana wiped the tears from her eyes, looking over at Sam, "Thank you for being there for her."

Sam just nodded her way, still trying to calm down himself. He was going to make somebody pay for this if it was the last thing he do.

Ten hours earlier...

Sam had entered the dark gym, confused as to why it was empty when Mercedes told him to meet her. Maybe she was in the back he thought as he sat his stuff down by the ring, "Merce." He called out, not getting a response. He decided to the check the gym top from bottom, not finding her. He pulled out his phone and called her as he made it to the back, his eyebrows raising in confusion as he heard the sound of a cellphone ringing from outside. He ended the call and moved to unlock the door, attempting to push it open, but there was something blocking it. He slid through the little space, his heart immediately dropping when he saw her, "Mercedes." He got down on his knees as picked up her head slowly, feeling his hand immediately be soaked with blood, scanning her face as it was bloody as well, "Dammit." He got his phone to call 911, feeling the panic stir when her body went limp, "Don't you dare die on me, Mercedes. Don't you fucking do it."

Sam came out his thoughts when he saw the doctor come, he stood up, along with Henry, who had rushed in not too long ago, Ruby and Santana, the doctor obviously familiar with the family because they knew her name.

"How is she, Dr. Davison?"

"Right now her vitals are stable, but I can't say for sure when she's going to wake up. From the cat scan, there wasn't any significant damage but when she does wake up, she will have one hell of a headache." She watched the relief wash over them and she couldn't help but feel the same way because this family has been through so much, "She's going to pull through once again, I'm sure of it. She was very lucky that she was found in time or this could've been different results."

Sam let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, watching as she talked to Ruby and Henry some more before walking away. He saw the older man coming over to him, eyes red and sad.

"I want you to go home and get some rest. I'm thankful that you were there for her, Sam. I don't know what I would've done if you wasn't. It would've been too..."

Sam heard him break off and he shook his head, "I promise you, Henry, I'm going to find out who did this."

Henry nodded his head before patting his shoulder, watching as the man bid him a goodnight before he headed down the hall. He sighed as he went back and took a seat beside Ruby, thankful for her continued strength because he had absolutely none right now, "This is bringing me back to that night."

Ruby leaned over and kissed his cheek, holding onto his hand as she placed her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as the unwanted memories came back.

"She flatlined twice."

"I'm having a real hard time to stop this bleeding. I have no idea where the start is."

"Her blood pressure is dropping again, doc."

"Stay with us, Mercedes."

"We almost lost her, Ruby." Henry said quietly as he felt his eyes watering, "I try so hard to protect her, but I fail every time."

"Oh, honey." Ruby leaned up from his shoulder and grabbed ahold of his face, "Don't do that. Don't you dare blame yourself."

"I can't help it. I'm the root of this all. I should've never let her go that last round when she insisted and I don't why she was at the gym early but I should've had somebody there regardless." He cried out finally, the emotions finally taking over him, "I failed her."

Ruby tears finally fell as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. She didn't like this at all. She hated when he blamed himself then and she really hated it now. Henry was such a wonderful person, but an even better father. She didn't like that he was questioning it.

Sam stuck the key into the door, pushing it open once it unlocked and closing it back. He ran hands over the back of his neck before letting them rest there. He was tired. Mentally, physically and emotionally. He spent the time on his drive home racking his brain on the why and who, and it was just sending him for a loop. Hearing the doorbell ring, he turned around confusedly and made his way there. He opened the door, his eyes apologetic when he saw who it was and remembering what he was suppose to do, "I completely forgot."

Emily and Sabrina were here to spend some time with him since his fight got canceled. Sam was suppose to meet them for lunch when they arrived but after an hour of waiting and getting no calls back from him, Emily knew something had to come up. After checking in and getting settled in their hotel, because they refused to stay with Sam if that girl was there, her and Sabrina made their way over to his place.

Emily looked at her son and took him in, worry sketched across her face when she saw how in distress he was, "Honey, what's wrong?"

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a calming breath before speaking, "Mercedes was violently attacked this morning."

"WHAT?" Both Emily and Sabrina's expressed at the same time.

"I've been at the hospital all day." Sam sighed as he leaned against the wall, running his hands over his face, "She still hasn't woke up but the doctor says that she's stable and is expected to pull thought"

"Who would do such a horrible thing?" Emily frowned deeply as she shook her head. Mercedes has always been one of her favorites. She was such a sweet girl back then and she still was. She hated the rift that happened between her and her son, because the two may have been frenemies, in a way, they were good for each other. Emily never told Sam, but the two still kept in contact over the years. Mercedes would always check in and see how she and Sabrina were doing and making sure that they were okay. She had been there during a time where things were not so good, and she was thankful for her kindness and support.

"I have an idea."

Sam looked at his sister, seeing the knowing look, he shook his head, "No, she's been in Seattle for a week and she's pregnant. She's not even capable of doing something like this."

Sabrina scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest, "I wouldn't put anything passed her."

"You should go shower and get some rest." Emily interrupted as she took off her jacket, hopping the switched the conversation before things got heated, "I'll cook you something."

"I'm not really hungry. I was just going to shower and head back to the hospital."

"Sam, you can't do anything for her right now." Emily told him as she walked over to him, placing a hand on his cheek, "She has her parents and the best medical care in the city, she's in good hands. You, on the other hand, need to calm down and distress yourself before you be her next door neighbor."

Sam nodded his head understandably, speaking quietly, "Okay."

Emily watched as he turned and headed up the stairs, looking over at her daughter, who was looking back at her, "Sabrina."

"Mom, I'm sorry but you don't think it's a tad bit suspicious?" She said lowly as she moved closer to her, "You know she doesn't like Mercedes from how Sam told us how she acted and isn't a darn coincidence that she just so happens to be out of town when this happens?"

"Sweetie, all that is circumstantial and as much as I don't like her, do you really think she capable of doing this?"

"Maybe not herself, but being a mastermind behind it? Yes." Sabrina said seriously, "I'm going to find out the truth Mom, for Mercedes and Sam's sake."

Emily watched as she walked away too, prompting her to look up at the ceiling as she closed her eyes. She hoped that girl didn't have anything to do with this because there was going to be hell to pay on so many fronts if she did.

The next morning, Sam had found his way back to the hospital after having the most sleepless night ever. He had forced himself to eat the meal his mother made for him, thankful that she was in fact here. He missed her being so close, and in times like this, he was really grateful for her. When he got there, he found Henry sitting by Mercedes bedside, holding onto her hand. He didn't want to intrigue so he just waited in the waiting room.

Twenty minutes later, Henry came out of the room, taking a deep breath as he wiped his face. Sniffing, he started to make his way down the hallway, failing to see that Sam was there. He was on a mission. He was going to find the bastard that did this to his daughter and when he did, it was going to be nothing good.

Sam opened the door to the room, the sounds of the machines beeping as his eyes went over to the girl lying in the bed. She looked peaceful and maybe it had a lot to do with the pain medicines were flowing in her IV. He moved fully into the room, pulling the chair closer to the bed as he took a seat. It was so strange to look at her so still, it didn't feel right. He leaned forward and grabbed ahold of her hand, his other one moving up to move her hair from out of her face, whispering, "You're so stubborn, why are you doing this? Wake up." When she didn't move, he sighed as he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it before leaning his head forward on them, closing his eyes and doing something he hasn't done in a long time. Pray.

A/N. It's still so much that needs to be unpacked, but we're getting there! What do y'all think? I only shared a little of what happened with Mercedes final fight for a reason. We are going to dive into Sam's past some more & reveal what happened back then with his family. You think Sabrina is hitting on something? Hmm, so many questions, not enough answers. Stay safe!