DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ITS CHARACTERS!

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The woman grunted as she yawned, nodding her head along to the music that was flowing in her ears from her AirPods. She had to be up and at it super early this morning. They had booked up rather quickly when they dropped their end of the year discount list, so she had a long, busy day of clients. Still trying to wake herself up, she had drove straight from her parents house, who lived in Houston, Texas, after eating and spending some time with them to getting back on the road, heading home to shower and making it to her job at 7:00 A.M. She needed all the caffeine in the world to get her through this day.

Mercedes Jones was a thirty year old esthetician, who lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She worked at one of the best spa's located in the city. She really enjoyed the career that she had chosen for herself. A career that she knew without a doubt she would be going in at the tender age of ten. She loved pampering her family and making their skin healthy looking, giving them facials, popping the pimples that so many were disgusted by and creating these different masks by being attentive around her elders who talked and discussed the different benefits of herbs, oils and fruits. She loved it and she was grateful that she could wake up and not be dragging miserably to place that she didn't want to be at. This was her calling and she loved being able to make her clients feel their best.

Turning down her music when she heard the door open, she looked over her shoulder and saw the familiar face, "It's you being my first client for me." She told the man as they both snorted, watching as he sat the items on the counter before taking off his jacket.

"An extra hour of sleep is needed before this shift."

Sam Evans was one of her dearest and closest friends that she had met during school. Sam was one of the few males in their class, which he didn't mind one bit. He had ended up becoming one of the best masseuses in the area. His dad didn't approve of his job though. He constantly told him that he couldn't and wouldn't accept his son going into a "girly field" and questioned his sexuality many of times because of it. Not that he needed to prove himself to the misogynist patriarch, but he ended up marrying one of the love's of his life, Clara, who accepted him, along with everything that came with him.

"It's crazy how you get off an almost four hour drive and come here. I know I couldn't do it." The man said as he handed her the large cup of coffee out the holder and breakfast bag, "Hell, I barely make it now."

"Thank you." Mercedes chuckled as she took a sip of coffee before sitting it down, and placing the towels in the warmer.

"I'm so serious. Like, that's proof that you need to open up your own place. The commitment that you have is unbelievable. Have you not thought about it?"

"No."

Sam just smiled as he watched her place the ear piece back in, prompting him to head to the room, "Well, you should really think about it. I'd come work for you."

"You really want me bossing you around?"

"You already do that now." Sam shrugged, snorting when she rolled her eyes and grabbed his phone from his pocket, looking down at the text from his wife as he laid down on the bed, "Clara checking in and told me to tell you good morning."

"Tell her I said good morning." Mercedes responded as she stopped her alarm when the twenty minute reminder went off, closing the door and hitting the light before going over to grab everything she needed. She turned on the AC, essential oil lamps, diffusers, the room immediately filling with the peppermint scent, "Are y'all going to South Carolina for Christmas?"

"Nah, our families are coming here for the next couple of weeks." He said as he gave her a sad smile before replying and putting his phone away, "She doesn't want to travel due to everything."

"Understandable." Mercedes replied as she placed the wrap around his head, moving his hair back. She turned and grabbed a towel from the warmer, placing it on his face before she started to clean it off.

"You and Jacob still going out of town?"

"We broke up."

Sam's mouth dropped, eyes squinting as she removed the towel, "What? When?"

"Two days ago." Mercedes chuckled, catching Sam off guard, "It's not funny, but yeah."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Mercedes shrugged as she rubbed the cleanser into his face, prompting him to close his eyes back, "It wasn't worth mentioning."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. A clean slate is what I need. This time I will use to focus on myself, family and friends. So, enough about me, how are you doing?"

"Honestly? I really don't know." He responded as he let out a deep sigh, feeling the stress and tension start to ball up in his body, "I know I'm just going with the motions, not in denial but just…"

Mercedes gave a sad smile when he stopped, knowing that this was extremely hard, clearing her throat, "You know I'm here for y'all."

"I know and we appreciate and love you for it. Truly." He whispered, feeling another hot towel clean his face, prompting him to yawn, "Yeah, I think it's about that time."

Mercedes laughed as she shook her head. And he was right. Not even two minutes had passed and he was snoring. She shouldn't be surprised though. With a mixture of different emotions and uncertainty, she knew it was taking a huge toll on him. They didn't deserve what they were going through. Two of the sweetest, most caring people, facing the most devastating situation known to man. She hated it for them but she would be with them every step of the way, doing whatever they needed her to do.

After a busy week, and finally having a chance to get some much needed rest on both ends, Mercedes had spent the week with Sam and Clara, helping them get things in order for the arrival of their families and Christmas. During one of his depression spells, Sam had took it upon himself to paint him and Clara's bedroom upstairs, something of which was needed but didn't expect to be done at this particular time.

Sam titled his head to the side as he stared at the walls, looking over to his wife and friend, who both had grimaces on their faces, "Is it that bad?"

"It's…." Clara was trying to find the right words, her soft green eyes going towards his. She was finally able to muster up the strength to take a look in the upstairs bedroom. They had been staying in the guest room downstairs when they noticed that the stairs were giving her trouble. With them almost winning the battle, she was able to push through with the help of her husband and Mercedes, "….different."

"This ain't it." Mercedes chipped in, her face matching the woman next to her, "God Sam, this is really ugly."

"Hey!"

"Honesty."

Clara grabbed her phone and opened it up to the camera roll, lifting up to show him the swatches, the light and airy colors, a complete opposite of this dark mustard color, "This is what I sent you weeks ago that would work but if you like it…."

"You don't love it, don't lie to him, Clara." Mercedes stopped her from even finishing that line, causing the woman to chuckle. She looked over at her friend, "You need to go in another route."

Sam rolled his eyes, mumbling as he looked at the colors. He did remember her sending them but so much has happened in the last couple of weeks, he was just trying to get it done and over with. If he was being honest with himself, he wasn't really feeling even being in there after everything.

Mercedes watched as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to Clara's forehead, prompting her to smile before turning around.

"Let me go get another color." He mumbled as he grabbed his keys, causing both of them to laugh, "I'll bring dinner back."

Since the doors were already opened, Clara moved to sit on the patio couch on balcony outside the bedroom, sighing as she fresh air danced along her skin. She looked at Mercedes, smiling at her as she sat crossed legged on the couch, "I have to admit, that whole situation lifted my spirits."

Mercedes laughed as she sat next to her, "Well, I'm glad it did. I don't know what Sam was thinking."

"I know he wasn't, Mercedes. That's the thing. Everything's such a blur right now." She commented as she looked out at the lake before her eyes went back to the woman sitting next to her, "I'm sorry about you and Jacob."

"Sam has a big mouth, literally and figuratively."

Clara giggled as she placed her hands over her heart, "He really does but for once, I'm glad he said something. I still need to be able to check on my friend. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, I promise. It was a mutual decision. Really think we just outgrew each other." Mercedes leaned over and grabbed her hand, "And how are you feeling….honestly?"

"This is one of my good days. Mentally, physically and emotionally. I have spent time really thinking, praying and journaling." She started as she took a deep breath, "I'm starting to become at peace with everything."

Mercedes let a straggled breath, feeling her eyes getting a little sting to them, "I truly hate this."

"Mercedes."

"I know, I know but I can't help to feel this way." She said quietly as she stared at the woman , "I just wish it was something…"

"But it's not and it's okay." Clara gave her a sad smile as she held her hand, feeling her give her a squeeze, "I do have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything."

"Look after him." She said, referring to Sam, nodding her head, "He's been through a lot and I just want this transition to not take a toll on him."

"I promise I got him, Clara. He's not going to be alone."

Clara nodded as she took a deep breath, eyes turning serious as she looked at Mercedes, "I know this may sound crazy but please hear me out. It also may be selfish of me…hell, I know it is but I can only voice what I feel. If he does decide to move on romantically…I only want him to move on if it's with you." She said, her eyes filling with tears as she watched the woman eyes go wide, her next words leaving Mercedes in complete and utter shock, "You're the most genuine, sweetest person ever. One of the only girl friends of ours that I'd never had to worry about because I know it was just platonic friendship love. I don't know if there are any romantic feelings there but I'd hope you two would explore it. I know I'm his soulmate, but I do believe you can have more than one. I know I will be at peace if the two of you moved on together after my departure."

A/N. Oh boy, it's been a minute! Hope you enjoyed this little story to hold you over! What do you think?