INT. MERCEDES' APARTMENT - NIGHT*
MERCEDES JONES, mid-20s, is standing in her spacious, modern apartment. The walls are adorned with posters from her world tour, and her living room is filled with luggage. Mercedes looks out the window, the city lights casting a soft glow on her face. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and her inner monologue begins.*
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(soft, introspective)
The tour just ended. Eight months, five continents, a hundred and fifty shows. Sold out arenas, screaming fans, flashing lights. It was everything I ever dreamed of, everything I worked for. But now, standing here alone in my apartment, I feel... empty.
She walks over to the grand piano in the corner and runs her fingers over the keys.*
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(fondly)
I remember the first time I sang in front of a crowd. It was at McKinley High, in the choir room with New Directions. We were just a bunch of misfits, but we had each other. We had heart. And no matter how many times we fought, or cried, or failed, we always came back together.
She sits down at the piano, playing a few soft notes.*
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(sighing)
Being on the road is exciting. It's exhilarating. Every night is a new adventure, a new city, a new crowd. But it's also lonely. The hotels start to blend together, the cities lose their charm, and the people... well, they're not really people. They're fans. Admirers. But they don't know me. Not like my friends do.
Mercedes stands up and walks over to a bookshelf, picking up a photo of the New Directions gang from high school. She smiles wistfully.*
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(smiling)
Rachel with her crazy ambition, Kurt with his unwavering courage, Finn with his big heart, Santana with her fiery spirit, Quinn with her quiet strength, Artie with his creativity, Tina with her loyalty, and Mike with his incredible dance moves. They were my family. They still are.
She sets the photo down and walks to the kitchen, where she starts making a cup of tea.*
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(musing)
I missed so much while I was away. Quinn had her baby, Rachel got married, Kurt and Blaine moved to New York, Santana and Brittany opened their dance studio, and Finn... Finn is gone. I wasn't there for any of it. And I miss them. I miss all of them.
Mercedes takes a sip of her tea, looking out the window again.*
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(tenderly)
And then there's Sam. Sweet, goofy Sam. He was always there for me, always believed in me. I think about him a lot. What it would be like to be with him, really be with him.
MERCEDES (V.O.)*
(hopeful)
But now I'm home. And I know they'll welcome me back with open arms. Because that's what family does. We support each other, no matter what. And while the spotlight is amazing, it's nothing compared to the warmth of being with the people who truly love you.
The scene fades out as Mercedes continues to gaze out the window, a small smile playing on her lips.*
INT. KURT AND BLAINE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT*
The scene continues with the lively, bustling apartment of KURT and BLAINE in New York City. The room is warmly lit, filled with laughter, conversation, and the unmistakable feeling of reunion. The decor is stylish and eclectic, a perfect blend of Kurt's sophisticated taste and Blaine's quirky charm.*
The living room is filled with familiar faces from New Directions, all older but unmistakably the same vibrant personalities. A large banner reads "Welcome Home, Mercedes!" and a table is covered with an array of delicious homemade food, clearly a labor of love from Kurt and Blaine.*
RACHEL BERRY, now a Broadway star, is animatedly chatting with QUINN FABRAY, who is cradling her baby in her arms. RACHEL's passion is as strong as ever, her hands gesticulating wildly as she talks about her latest role. QUINN, serene and glowing with motherhood, listens with a fond smile.*
ARTIE ABRAMS, his wheelchair adorned with colorful streamers, is showing off his latest film project on his tablet to TINA COHEN-CHANG and MIKE CHANG. MIKE occasionally interjects with excited commentary, while TINA nods enthusiastically, her arm linked with MIKE's.*
SANTANA LOPEZ and BRITTANY PIERCE are dancing playfully in the corner, their laughter infectious. SANTANA's sharp wit and BRITTANY's endearing quirks are a perfect complement, and they seem as inseparable as ever.*
SAM EVANS is by the kitchen, helping BLAINE ANDERSON with drinks. They share a light-hearted banter, SAM's easy-going nature balancing BLAINE's earnest enthusiasm. Both glance occasionally towards the door, anticipating MERCEDES' arrival.*
KURT HUMMEL, ever the gracious host, is making sure everyone feels comfortable, flitting from group to group, his smile wide and genuine. His eyes sparkle with happiness, reflecting his contentment at having his friends gathered together.*
KURT*
(calling out)
Everyone, I think she's almost here!
The room quiets down slightly, the anticipation building. The door opens and MERCEDES steps in, looking radiant and slightly overwhelmed by the warm reception. A chorus of greetings and cheers erupts.*
MERCEDES*
(teary-eyed, smiling)
Hey, everyone! I've missed you all so much!
KURT rushes over to hug her tightly, followed by BLAINE, then the rest of the group in a flurry of embraces and excited chatter.*
RACHEL*
(excitedly)
Mercedes, you look amazing! Tell us everything about the tour!
MERCEDES*
(laughing)
I will, I will! But first, let me just soak this all in. It's so good to be home.
She catches SAM's eye, and he gives her a warm, reassuring smile. She walks over to him, and they share a quiet moment amidst the chaos.*
SAM*
(softly)
Welcome back, Mercedes.
They embrace, and Mercedes is immediately struck by the comforting warmth of his arms around her. The scent of his cologne—fresh, with a hint of cedarwood—fills her senses. She closes her eyes for a moment, savoring the feeling of being close to him. His touch is gentle yet firm, making her feel secure and cherished. The embrace lasts just a moment longer than expected, and when they pull apart, there's a lingering connection in their gaze.*
MERCEDES*
(grateful)
Thanks, Sam. It's good to be back.
Sam gives her a soft, understanding smile, and she feels a flutter in her chest, a mix of excitement and something deeper. She reluctantly pulls away, knowing she has to greet everyone else, but the warmth of Sam's embrace stays with her.*
Mercedes makes her way over to KURT and BLAINE, who are standing by the food table, eager to catch up.*
BLAINE*
(beaming)
Mercedes! It's so good to see you!
MERCEDES*
(hugging Blaine)
Blaine, it's been too long!
Kurt steps in next, giving her a tight hug.*
KURT*
(teasing)
I hope you're ready for all the catching up we have to do. New York has missed you!
MERCEDES*
(grinning)
I'm ready! I can't wait to hear all about your latest adventures.
Next, Mercedes spots ARTIE showing off his project to TINA and MIKE. She heads over, her face lighting up at the sight of her old friends.*
ARTIE*
(excitedly)
Mercedes! Come here, you have to see this!
MERCEDES*
(laughing)
What have you been up to, Artie?
Artie proudly shows her the video he's been working on, and Mercedes watches intently, genuinely impressed.*
TINA*
(smiling)
It's amazing, right?
MERCEDES*
(nodding)
Absolutely. Artie, you've outdone yourself.
She shares hugs and laughs with TINA and MIKE, reminiscing about old times and marveling at how far they've all come. Her heart feels full as she moves through the room, reconnecting with everyone.*
Finally, she makes her way to SANTANA and BRITTANY, who are still dancing and giggling.*
SANTANA*
(grinning)
Look who decided to grace us with her presence!
MERCEDES*
(playfully)
You know I wouldn't miss this for the world.
She joins them in their dance, their laughter mingling with the music. Brittany twirls her around, and for a moment, all the stresses of the past months melt away. Mercedes feels at home, surrounded by the people who know and love her best.*
The camera pans out to capture the entire room filled with love, laughter, and the unmistakable bond of friendship that has stood the test of time. The scene fades as Mercedes, enveloped in the warmth of her friends and the joy of the reunion, realizes once more that home isn't just a place—it's the people who fill it with love.*
The night progresses, and the apartment is still alive with chatter, laughter, and the occasional burst of song. Everyone has settled into various conversations, catching up on life and sharing stories. MERCEDES, RACHEL, and BLAINE are seated on the couch, deep in conversation.*
RACHEL*
(excitedly)
So, Mercedes, you have to tell us, what's next? Any plans for Broadway? You know, I've always said you'd be perfect for it!
BLAINE*
(nodding enthusiastically)
Rachel's right. Your voice would be incredible on a Broadway stage. We could even do a duet!
MERCEDES laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement.*
MERCEDES*
(smiling)
You two never change. Broadway, huh?
RACHEL*
(suddenly)
Why don't we sing our favorite Broadway songs right now? It's been too long since we've all done this together!
BLAINE*
(grinning)
Yes! Let's do it! I've been dying to sing something from *Dear Evan Hansen*.
SANTANA, who is nearby, rolls her eyes dramatically.*
SANTANA*
(teasing)
Oh great, here we go with the impromptu Broadway concert. Can't we just have one night off?
The group laughs, and RACHEL and BLAINE exchange excited glances, already deciding on their duet. The familiar strains of a beloved Broadway tune start to fill the room as they begin singing together, their voices harmonizing beautifully. The room's atmosphere shifts into a cozy, intimate concert, everyone drawn into the nostalgic performance.*
MERCEDES claps along, but her attention is subtly drawn away. She glances over to the kitchen and notices SAM quietly picking up plates and putting them into the dishwasher. His presence is calming, a stark contrast to the bustling energy around her. He moves with an easy grace, his actions deliberate and unhurried. There's a quiet nobility in the way he helps out without seeking attention or praise.*
Her gaze lingers on him, taking in the small details—the way his shirt sleeves are rolled up, revealing strong, capable forearms; the focused expression on his face as he works; the way he hums softly to himself, lost in his own world. The scene feels almost domestic, comforting in its simplicity.*
As she watches him, memories flood back—of their time together in high school, the moments of support and understanding they shared. She remembers how he always made her laugh, how he believed in her even when she doubted herself. The warmth of his earlier hug lingers in her mind, along with the subtle scent of his cologne and the feeling of safety it brought.*
MERCEDES glances around the room, ensuring no one notices her brief moment of introspection. Everyone is engrossed in Rachel and Blaine's duet, their voices blending seamlessly as they sing a heartfelt ballad. Taking the opportunity, she quietly makes her way to the kitchen.*
SAM looks up as she approaches, a look of pleasant surprise crossing his face.*
SAM*
(smiling warmly)
Hey, Mercedes. You don't have to help with this. You're the guest of honor, remember?
MERCEDES*
(playfully)
And as the guest of honor, I say I want to help. Besides, it's the least I can do.
They work side by side, Mercedes handing dishes to Sam as he loads them into the dishwasher. There's a comfortable silence between them, punctuated by shared smiles and occasional laughter. Mercedes feels a sense of peace she hasn't felt in a long time, a feeling of being right where she belongs.*
MERCEDES*
(softly, looking at Sam)
I really missed this, you know. Being around everyone. Feels like we're still in school.
Sam looks at her, his expression gentle and understanding.*
SAM*
(quietly)
Sure does, doesn't it?.
They hold each other's gaze for a moment, the connection between them palpable. The sound of Rachel and Blaine's duet fades into the background, creating a private bubble for just the two of them.*
MERCEDES*
(brightly)
So, how long are you in town for?
SAM*
(leaning against the counter)
A couple of days. Blaine's been talking about taking me to a basketball game. It's been a while since I've done something like that.
MERCEDES*
(smiling)
That sounds like fun.
She looks at him and hesitates.
Would you want to catch up, someplace quieter? Just the two of us.
Sam's eyes light up at the suggestion, a soft smile playing on his lips.*
SAM*
(nodding)
That'd be great. Do you have any place in mind?
MERCEDES thinks for a moment, her mind drifting to their favorite coffee shop from high school, but then decides on something different.*
MERCEDES*
How about that little café near Central Park? It's cozy and has the best hot chocolate in the city.
SAM*
(grinning)
Sounds perfect. How about tomorrow afternoon? Around two?
MERCEDES*
(enthusiastically)
Sounds good.
They share a warm smile, the excitement of their upcoming meeting adding a layer of anticipation to the moment. The connection between them feels stronger than ever, promising new memories and deeper understanding. The music in the next room gets louder.*
"Hey, you too. Get back here." Blaine pesters in between singing.
"Great." Sam mutters.
Mercedes smiles. "Since when do you turn down an impromptu song?"
"If it's a broadway song that I don't know, then yeah."
Mercedes laughs. "Come on," she grabs his hand and leads him back to the living room.