DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ITS CHARACTERS BUT THIS STORY I DO!

Jenny Evans: Rachel York

ENJOY :)

Previously on Beyond The Gloves...

Sam watched as the woman appeared, her eyes going wide as she looked at him in shock, watching as she attempted to close to the door, but he grabbed ahold of it, "You're either going to move and let me in or I'm going to push my way in. Your choice."

When she tried to close the door again, he pushed his way in, slamming the door shirt behind him, watching as the woman took a step back, "I wasn't playing with you."

Jenny Evans was the name of this lowlife's wife. She was the woman that his father was cheating on his mom with before things got bad with them. They had a son that was two years older than Sabrina, hence was another catalyst of the change of the behavior from him and the destruction of their family when his mother found out. Not only that, but they had two more children after Sam graduated high school. Sam and Sabrina never met them and they had no desire to.

"He's not here."

Sam stared at her as he moved forward, watching as she continued to step back until she hit the back of the wall, "You know where he's hiding. You're not fooling me. That little worried wife check in you did at the bar was just you creating a distraction."

Jenny just stared at him, trying her best to keep her composure, "You need to leave or I'm going to call the police. You're trespassing on my property and harassing me."

"Call them. I don't give a damn. When you come for the ones I love, don't expect me to be fucking peaceful." He glared harshly at the woman, "Tell me where the fuck he is, Jenny."

Once she saw the seriousness on his face and tone of his voice, she knew that he could hurt her it he wanted to, which is why she started singing like a canary, "This all started when it was announced that you was back at Henry's. He wanted to get back at him he was adamant. I told him to let it go, but he just insisted that Henry wronged him." Her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head, "I didn't think it would get this far, you have to believe me, Sam." She cried, wiping her face as she struggled with her words before she admitted what he was looking for, "He has been doing a lot better but has fallen off the wagon again. Please think about your siblings, you don't want them to grow up without their father."

"Half and I don't really care. You better tell me where he is because he's going to pay for what he did." He looked at the woman, pulling out his phone, "Save yourself now or I'll call them here, and you'll be arrested for aiding and abetting."

Jenny just felt the tears falling as she shook her head. She loved her husband but she loved her kids more, and she'll be damned if she lose them, "He's in Fresno at your Uncle Roy's house."

"If I find out you're lying..."

"I'm not."

Sam turned around and heading out of the front door. He had every intention to drive down there and face this bastard but something was stopping him from doing so. He paused at his truck when he saw that he had a text from Mercedes.

My dad just told me. Sam, I know you. I grew up in your most crucial years. I was there. Please, please, please, for my sake, let the cops handle this. I care more about you than this whole situation. I don't want you to go down a road that's only going to be full of consequences. I know you're not going to pick up your phone, that's why I didn't call but please don't do this. Think about your mom and Sabrina if anything.

Sam stared at her words for what felt like forever. He wanted to respect her wishes but he didn't know if he could. What happened to her was the tipping point for his rage. Years of pent up anger and resentment that he had, he needed it to be released for good. But he understood her worry, and he knew that if he saw his father, there wouldn't be any doubt that he would beat him to death. He got into his truck and took a deep breath before starting his engine. He looked back at the house, seeing that Jenny was looking out the window, probably certain that she called to warn him. He pulled out the card from his cup holder, dialing the number that was on there. After a two rings, the voice on the other side spoke, his decision being made after much sense being talked into him.

"Detective Johnson."

"Get in touch with Fresno's Sheriff Department and let them know that Thomas Evans, the man who brutally attacked Mercedes Jones, is at a red brick house with a yellow Mustang in front of it on N Valeria Street."

Mercedes watched as Ruby came back with a cup in her hand, giving the older woman a smile as she took a seat beside her on the couch. She had finally been released from the hospital after staying one more night for observation. This had been a complete nightmare. She hated that not only she went through this, but her family did as well.

"How are you feeling?"

"Head still hurts a bit but overall, I'm fine, just super tired."

Ruby nodded as she rubbed her back gently, "I'm sorry that you went through this, baby. It just makes me so angry."

Mercedes looked at her, grabbing ahold of her hand, "I'm just glad you're here and always are."

Ruby knew what she meant by that and she leaned forward and kissed the side her head head before wrapping her arm around her shoulders, "As long as I'm on this earth, I'm never going to leave your side."

Mercedes smiled as she laid her head down on her shoulder. She'll never get tired of saying this but she was really blessed to have Ruby in her life.

The two women looked up once they heard the front door slam close, followed by a slew of curse words leaving from the patriarch's mouth. They heard him take a long, deep sigh before his footsteps sounded off towards them.

Henry came to a halt when he saw them, the frustration evident in his features. He was angry and he wanted to hit something, more like someone named Thomas Evans.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Henry ran his hands down his face in frustration, looking at them, "I just got a call from Emily. Thomas Evans, who is Sam's biological father, was the one who attacked Mercedes and Sam's girlfriend planned the hold thing out."

"Wow, umm." Mercedes was in complete shock. She rubbed the back of her neck as she looked at her father then Ruby the back at him, "I can't believe this."

"I spoke to the detective on my way here. They can't find him and that girl...the charges aren't going to stick because she has an alibi and is apparently retracting her confession that she told Sam."

"What the hell?" Ruby bursted out in anger as she shook her head. It was real rare that she ever cursed, but this whole situation was just making her upset each passing day, "She's disgusting. They both are."

This was a lot for Mercedes to take in. She couldn't believe that they hated her that much to do this to her, "Can we..." She started as she took a calming breath, trying her best to keep her emotions in tact, "I know I have to talk about this but can we just not for a minute. It's too much and I'm overwhelmed."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"No, don't be Dad." Mercedes told him as she shook her head, "I just need some time away from this place. I need a break."

"I was hoping you'd say that." Ruby responded as she looked at them both, "I took it upon myself to book us a trip last night. We all need a vacation and I believe it will do us some good to get out of Oakland for a minute and spend time as a family. So, for the rest of this month, we will be in the Bahamas."

"That's almost two weeks." Henry responded as he looked at him wife with wide eyes, "Honey, we can't afford..."

"My love, don't you worry about that." Ruby reassured him with a smile, "We're fine, I made sure of it. Now, we have a flight to catch in three hours, so unless you two want to debate some more, let's get to packing."

Henry wanted to defend his earlier statement some more but he knew she would eventually wear him down. He gave his daughter a look, "What do you say?"

"I'm about to get up so I can pack." Mercedes watched as they both gave her a smile before heading out of the room, arms linked. She pulled out her phone to send Sam a text. One thing about Sam was that he wasn't going to stop until there was a resolution and that's exactly what she was afraid of.

Over the winter break, Sam took his mom and Sabrina on a much needed getaway, Italy to be exact, where they stayed for a week then they came back to states and went to New York for a couple days before coming back home. Before his mom and sister headed back to Reno, they had helped him look for a new place to live. He wanted a fresh start to bring into the new year, so he found a condo close to the harbor. He let the women in his life pick out everything that he was going to need, from the kitchen to the bathroom and even his bedroom. Surprisingly, they made it feel homey, masculine and had that feel of a woman's touch at the same.

In more pressing matters, they had arrested his father that same night and charged him with aggravated assault. His court date was at the end of the month and he was making sure he was going to be there. As for Allyson, he was pissed when the chargers were dropped due to lack of evidence. The only thing that was granted was the restraining orders that he and Mercedes filed. Crazy part of all of this was that Thomas didn't flip on her. With James, he found out that he was truly trying to tell him the truth. He was approached by Allyson, knowing that the two men had differences in the past in hopes that he would like to get back at Sam. Of course, he told her no but his only mistake was not informing anyone about her approach because this could've all been avoided. Mercedes didn't have to be hurt and for that reason alone, Sam didn't regret beating his ass. Speaking of Mercedes, he haven't talked to her since the hospital. The two did share a couple of text messages over their break, but Sam was on the silent end. He wanted to give her some space to heal and to be honest, he had some guilt. Even though he didn't have a reason to be guilty, he couldn't help the fact that the two people who did harm to her was connected to him. He grabbed his bag and went to back to get changed for his workout.

"I just feel like you need to be at home."

Mercedes rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time as she got out of the car, grabbing her bag, "Bye Santana."

"Don't get snippy with me, it's the truth." She watched as she waved her off before opening the door to the front of the building, indicating that she could pull off.

Once she entered, Mercedes jumped slightly when she heard the hooting and clapping, a smile taking over her features when she saw the gym. In the front, there was this banner hanging that said Welcome Back Cedes! along with a table of her favorite snacks and even a cake, "Aw, this this is real cute you guys. Thank you. I'm glad to be home."

"You should be at your actual home with Santana getting some rest." Henry said from his spot on the step, watching as she made her way to him, "You told me on the trip that you'd take a couple weeks off to relax."

"I know and I'm going to keep my word. Just for today, Dad, please." She reassured him, pouting her lips as she gestured to the dessert, "They got me a cake."

Henry cut his eyes at her, "You eat the cake then you wait until I'm done, so I can take you back home."

Mercedes chuckled as she watched him walk away, her eyes then settling on a particular man as he appeared from the back, heading her way. She hadn't spoken to him in weeks, only through texts, she missed the man, "Hey there."

"Hey." Sam greeted as he came and stood in front of her, sitting his bag down on the table.

"How was Italy?"

"Not as peaceful as I'd like but mom and Sabrina had fun, that's all that matters."

Mercedes gave him a small smile as she grabbed a bottle of water from the table, "Nothing was your fault."

"I know but it doesn't make me feel any less pissed off." Sam watched as she gave him a look before reaching for his bag, only for him to take it back from her and stare at her seriously, "I got it. You're not moving a muscle."

"Geez, okay." She remarked before sitting down on the bench, crossing her leg over the other. She watched as he pulled some items from the bag, speaking only to where he could hear her, "Eventually we're going to have to talk about the other thing that happened too."

Sam glanced down at her, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips when he realized what she was talking about, "I don't regret it, if that's what you want to hear."

Mercedes giggled as she leaned back, biting her bottom lip, "It's just...at the time, I couldn't be entangled with someone who had a girlfriend and a kid on the way. I'm not that type of girl."

"I know but I'm single, so I don't see the problem."

Mercedes pursed her lips pointedly, "You weren't single at the time."

"Actually, I have been mentally and emotionally single for a long time, just took me awhile to remove that girl from my life."

"Sam."

"Let's start with the obvious." He said as he intentionally cut her off so she wouldn't get so lost in her thoughts, "Obviously you feel something too, so let's do something about it."

Mercedes laughed a bit as she shook her head, "That was a horrible way of asking somebody out on a date."

For the first time in awhile, he let a smile out, "Just never had someone who makes me want to do this, instead of feeling like I need to. I'm nervous, so forgive me."

Mercedes didn't know what to say but that smile on her face said everything. She came out of her amusement when she heard her father's voice booming down from the upstairs.

"Mercedes, at least go to the back and lay down."

"Dad."

"CEDES!"

All three adults heads turned into the direction of where the voice was coming from. Seeing the girl come in with a smile on her face, sitting her book bag in the corner before breaking into a sprint, her mother not too far behind her.

Sam looked at the child as she went straight to Mercedes and hugged her carefully. She favored her a lot and he knew instantly that she was her daughter.

"I begged Mommy to let me see you. I'm glad you're okay, I was worried."

"I'm fine baby love." Mercedes smiled at her as she pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Nothing can bring me down."

Poppy stared down at her as she placed her hands on the side of her face, the action not going unnoticed by anyone, "I want to kick whoever it was butt. No one touches my family and gets away with it."

"My God, this family and fighting." Chanel commented as she shook her head, the laughter coming from the adults but the seriousness radiating off the girl's face outweighed it.

"I'm serious. You're nicest person ever. Why would someone want to hurt you?"

"I-I don't know, baby. Everyone isn't sweet and kind hearted like you." She ran her hand through her hair, "But one thing's for sure, I'm never going to let anyone bring me down."

"Never." Poppy said back with a smile as she hugged her, "I love you so much."

"I love you too, my sweet baby."

Henry couldn't help but smile at the interaction. It was both so sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. This was his granddaughter, but she didn't know that and he respected his daughter's wishes, but it was times like this he wished that she knew.

Poppy pulled back and looked at her then back at Chanel, "Can I..."

"Yes." Henry beat her to it. Mercedes needed a distraction right about now if she insisted on not going home and Poppy was the perfect one, "If it's okay with Mom."

"Of course it is, Uncle Hen." Chanel gave him a soft smile before watching as Poppy came and hugged her before going to grab Mercedes' hand, leading her to the back. Her eyes refocused on her uncle and the man standing beside him, holding out her hand, "I'm sorry, I'm Chanel. Hen's niece, Mercedes' cousin."

"I remember." He shook her hand, not failing to see that question in her eyes, "Sam."

Chanel hummed out as she let go of his hand, clearing her throat as she turned to Henry, "Uncle Hen, is there anyway I can get some of your special gel for my back."

"You need to go to a chiropractor."

"I know but for now, please. It eases my pain."

Henry rolled his eyes, mumbling before he turned and made his way to his office.

Chanel looked at the man again before speaking, "Chi's my sister. She talks a lot and she so happened to mention to little hospital incident." Before he had a chance to open his mouth, she held her hand up, "I don't know what's going on between you two but that's my cousin and she's not the one to be played with. She's grown and she can handle herself, true but when you mess with her, you mess with all of us. Do I make myself clear?"

Sam just stared at the woman in front of him, not having a chance to respond because Henry had came back, holding out the tube to her, prompting him to head to the other side.

"Thanks Uncle Hen." She smiled, pinching his cheek when he rolled his eyes and swatted her hand away. She looked around before looking at him seriously, "Can I talk with you for a second?"

"Of course."

Chanel folded her hands together, clearing her throat, "I truly am thankful for Poppy. After our second miscarriage, I completely had gone to a dark place. Lost all hope. What Merce did for us was undoubtedly the most unselfish thing ever. I love her so much, I do and I respect her decision, but I think it's time Poppy knew the truth. I'm going against her wishes, I know but I have seen how much she has grown. Poppy deserves honesty. She deserves to know that Mercedes is her mother and she deserves to know that you are her grandfather." Chanel said as she wiped the tears falling from her eyes, "Erik and I have been so blessed, so undeniably blessed but it's time...it's passed time."

Henry looked at his niece and leaned over, hugging her tightly. Chanel had been through a lot and for her to even want to do this just shows how much strength she had and how truly grateful she was.

Mercedes turned her head when she heard the knock on the door, watching as it opened, she saw it was Sam. She put her finger to her lip before she slipped off the couch, placing the blanket over the sleeping child before she went to him with a smile, stepping out and closing the door behind her, "She crashed one movie in."

Sam chuckled as he stared down at her, "She truly is your twin then."

Mercedes giggled as she crossed her arms over her chest, "You done for the day?"

"I am. I just wanted to drop by and let you know that I was leaving for the night." He started as he studied her face. The bruises had started to fade and he was happy about that, "And to ask if you're available this Friday night."

"Hmm, I'll have to check my schedule." She teased, watching as he stared into her eyes, "But I think I can move some things around for you."

Sam let a smile take over his lips before he leaned down and kissed her cheek, "I'll see you then."

"That's not going to work and I'm definitely not letting you off easy." She said, watching as he gave her a confused look but that left when she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him even closer, leaning up and kissing him soundly on his mouth.

It definitely caught him off guard but he didn't hesitate to fall into sync with her. He wrapped his arms around and pulled her even closer, deepening it but she pulled away, granting something that he had never done ever with a girl and that was let out a whine in reluctance, "Don't."

Mercedes asked innocently as she stepped backwards, "Don't what?"

Sam stared at her breathlessly, feeling his body starting to react in way it haven't in a long time. This was not good because truth was, he wanted nothing more than to take her back to his place and break in his new bed. Holy shit. This woman was going to be the death of him.

Mercedes smirked as her eyes drifted downward before meeting his again, "Might want to handle that before you go back through the gym."

Sam watched as she added more insult to his injury and sent him a wink before closing door. He closed his eyes, trying to get himself together. She wasn't playing fair and if this was the what she was going to do, game on.

A/N. Happy New Year my loves! I wish you all nothing but peace, love, happiness and safety in this new year! Hope you guys enjoyed this update, I love reading your reviews, so please leave your thoughts & let me know what you think!