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

Bridgette Lee: Danielle Larracuente

ENJOY :)

"You made the right decision." Henry started as he looked at the man sitting before him, "The boy gave us ninety percent of his earnings before he left, what would it look like for me to kick him out now? And not just because of the money, because I didn't want to take it anyways, but for the simple fact that he didn't do anything wrong."

"I know but I felt like I was truly stabbing Mercedes in the back after the fact." Gill sighed as he rubbed his forehead with his fingers, "He wanted to come back, but under his terms."

"Which I understand completely. His reasoning was solid, and understandable. I respect his honesty." Henry mentioned as he reflected on the conversation he had with Sam last night, "Seeing that I'm close to calling it in, I really think this is best for him. As for Mercedes….well, she understands that this is business only."

Gill stared at him, letting out an uncomfortable chuckle as his eyes shifted towards the window when he saw her come in, "She's pissed, I could hear it through the phone and I can see it on her face now."

Henry took a deep breath and glanced out before he got up from his seat and headed towards the door, "Let's go handle this then."

Mercedes walked until she got closer to the stairs, watching as her father and Gill came down. This was the last place she wanted to be at the moment, "How long will this be? I only ask because I have to get back to my sick kid."

"Not long." Henry answered back as he looked at her, trying to get a read but her face was unreadable. He saw Sam coming up out of his peripheral view, along with a familiar woman with him, "Good to see you, Sam."

"You too, Hen." Sam greeted the older man, his eyes wavering around to Gill and Mercedes before the woman next to him open her mouth to speak.

"Hi, I'm Bridgette." She said as she held her hand out to Henry first, "We spoke last night."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you in person." He gave her a genuine smile as he shook her hand, letting go, "We're happy to have you apart of the team."

"Thank you, Henry." She gave the man a smile before looking at Gill and Mercedes then back to him, "I'm happy to be here. I have heard so many wonderful things about you, and this gym. I just want you to know that even though my main focus is Sam, I'm always here for others if you all aren't available, that is if you allow me."

Mercedes looked at the woman before glancing over at Gill, who tried to his best not to look her way. She couldn't believe that he, along with her father, would agree to do something like this. They didn't do outsiders, and the fact that they were letting this happen was beyond her.

"I want to be clear that it's nothing against you at all." Sam spoke, his eyes scanning everyone in front of him, briefly glancing over at Mercedes before settling on Henry, "Like I said the other day, I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be."

Bridgette nodded her head, "And I'm not here to take over anyone's job…"

"But that's exactly what you're doing." Mercedes commented as she looked at the woman and shrugged, "I don't have a problem with it though. I'm all for what the client wants, and if the client feels that this is best for him, so be it."

Gill eyes went wide as he adverted his attention elsewhere when Mercedes referred to Sam as just a client, mumbling, "Shit."

Henry saw the tension getting ready to boil over, so he decided to move remove one of the problems away, "Bridgette, if you'll come with me, I'll get your contract started."

"Sure." She said as she followed behind him when he gestured for her to go to his office.

Mercedes picked her bag back up and place it on her shoulder as she stared at Gill without another word.

Gill watched as she turned around and headed for the door, shaking his head as he turned to head to the back to busy himself with something.

Sam decided to follow behind her, but didn't let his presence be known until they both were outside, standing in front of the gym, "Mercedes."

Mercedes came to a stop when she heard him call for her, turning around slowly, she looked up at those haunting green eyes that were staring back down at her.

"It doesn't have to be this hostility again."

"There's no hostility." She responded as she shrugged, "I'm barely going to be in your sight, but even if I do, just make sure to stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours."

Sam stared at her for a moment before shaking his head as he walked away, putting his hand on the handle, "Whatever, Mercedes."

"Yeah, just do what you do best and walk away."

Sam felt his jaw clenched as his grip tighten on the door handle, deciding not to give her a response, he swung the door open and headed in. He was not about to let anyone make him feel like he was the problem when he wasn't. This was not only what was best for him, but for her too.

Mercedes adjusted the mask on her face before she closed down the container and sat it in the cabinet, closing the door before she grabbed her orange juice and headed out the kitchen and to the living room, taking a seat next to Poppy on the couch. It had been a long, exhausting day and all she wanted to do was sit down for a moment but she couldn't. Poppy had caught the flu this week and she still wasn't feeling good. The doctor had put her on a strict quarantine, so she hasn't been able to go to school or leave the house. Chanel had taken off of work to come be with her while Mercedes dealt with what she needed to. Even with everything going on, Poppy was her only priority and she was heavily on her mind all day. Crazy thing was, all of this mothering stuff came with ease. She had no idea if it was due to fact that Poppy was older and required less, or has her motherly instinct just always been there when she tried to deny it. Either way, she was in mommy mode and she was doing everything that she needed to make sure she was okay.

Poppy took a sip of the orange juice her mother brought, sniffling as she turned her head up to look at Mercedes, "Why are you sad?"

Mercedes looked down at her and shook her head, trying to figure out where that had came from, "I'm not sad."

"Yes you are." She stated matter of factly as she stared at her, "You're sad, it's in your eyes."

Mercedes smiled lightly, one that didn't reach either of their eyes, for they both knew the truth, "I'm just tired, that's all."

Poppy eyes didn't move from hers as she let out a sigh, moving closer and laying her head down on her chest, closing her eyes, "I love you."

"I love you too." She wrapped her arm around her, ignoring the tear that slid from her eyes. She was an emotional mess at the moment, but she wouldn't dare admit it out loud or to anyone.

A/N. Hey guys! A quick filler chapter because things are about to heat up!! Any predictions?