A/N: 2024 update of the original 2011 story

Chapter 9: The Thinking Tree

Mercedes leaned against the kitchen window, staring out at the picturesque Christmas scene that looked like something out of a holiday postcard. Snow blanketed the neighborhood, and the warm glow of Christmas lights twinkled behind frosted windows. The chill from outside seeped through the glass, brushing against her temple and shoulder, but the warmth of the house and the mug of hot chocolate in her hands should have been enough to keep her cozy.

But it wasn't. Despite the idyllic scene before her, she felt a hollow emptiness inside, as though something crucial was missing. The familiar warmth of Christmas wasn't enough to banish the cold that had settled within her.

She closed her eyes, trying to recapture that elusive holiday spirit.

Suddenly, she felt two arms wrap around her from behind, a chin lightly resting on her shoulder. A small smile crept onto her face.

"Hey, Mercy..."

Mercedes' smile widened. "Yes, Quinn?" She turned slightly, her cheek brushing against Quinn's as she looked at her friend.

"The gingerbread cookies are in the oven, and your best friends are demanding your attention." Quinn chuckled softly.

"Mercedes!" Kurt's voice rang out, sharp with mock irritation. "Were you even listening to what I was saying?"

Mercedes turned toward the boy in the red and green fedora, giving him a sheepish smile. "Something about the mall?"

Kurt sighed dramatically, stirring his hot chocolate with a candy cane. "I was telling you about what happened at the mall."

"What happened?" Mercedes perched herself on a bar stool at the kitchen island, Quinn settling beside her.

"Well, I was setting the scene, but then I realized you weren't paying attention," Kurt huffed, rolling his eyes.

Quinn smiled, dipping a spoon into the bowl of green icing. "You do take a long time to get to the point, Kurt."

Kurt gave a half-shrug. "What can I say? Setting the scene is essential."

"So you went to the mall... and?" Mercedes prodded.

Kurt planted his hands on the countertop and leaned forward, giving them both a pointed look. "Guess who I saw?"

"Santa Claus," Mercedes quipped, earning a playful swat from Kurt.

"Blaine," he said, the name hanging in the air.

Mercedes and Quinn exchanged a look. "And?" Mercedes pressed.

Kurt's gaze dropped to the floor, his voice softening. "He came up to me. We talked for a bit... He's moving to New York for an internship... and he asked if we could meet for coffee to catch up."

The room fell silent as Mercedes and Quinn absorbed this information, their eyes on Kurt, who seemed lost in thought.

Kurt finally looked up, meeting their concerned gazes. "So... what do you think?"

Quinn tilted her head slightly. "What do you want us to say, Kurt?"

Kurt hesitated, his voice uncertain. "I don't know. I guess... tell me if this is a good idea?"

Mercedes shrugged. "Why wouldn't it be? Catching up with an old friend isn't a bad thing."

Kurt shifted uncomfortably. "I guess it's not."

Quinn raised an eyebrow, her voice gentle but firm. "Then why are you nervous about it?"

"I'm not," Kurt replied quickly, a little too quickly.

"Yes, you are," Quinn countered. "If it wasn't an issue, you wouldn't need our advice."

Kurt sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Maybe I'm just worried... What if the feelings come back?"

"And what's so bad about that?" Quinn asked, her gaze steady.

Kurt didn't answer immediately, lost in his thoughts. Mercedes watched him, her unease growing. This conversation was hitting a little too close to home. The sudden reappearance of an ex, the uncertainty, the fear of treading into familiar yet dangerous territory—it all echoed her own situation. She glanced down at the faint scar on her arm, running her thumb over it as memories surfaced, memories she had tried so hard to bury.

Quinn, noticing her discomfort, reached over and squeezed her hand. Mercedes looked up, meeting her friend's concerned eyes. In that silent exchange, Quinn offered her understanding and support. Mercedes had confided in her after the encounter with Jeffery, and while Quinn couldn't fully relate, she had been there for her, a rock in turbulent times.

But now, Sam knew too.

You're my biggest distraction.

Those words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the emotional distance she had put between them. In the weeks leading up to the holiday break, she had avoided Sam, keeping her interactions brief and superficial. He respected her boundaries, offering only a smile in passing, but she could see the unspoken questions in his eyes. Questions she wasn't ready to answer.

But that didn't stop her from missing him.

Not talking to Sam every day left a void she couldn't fill. She missed their easy conversations, the way he made her laugh, and the simple comfort of his presence. She longed for those moments, like the one they shared on her favorite bench, where silence spoke volumes.

But she knew she needed space. After what happened at the club, the boundaries between them had blurred, and she was scared. Scared of what she felt, scared of what he felt, and scared of what might happen if they crossed that line again.

She wasn't ready to let anyone in, not after Jeffery. The wounds he left had healed, but the scars remained, a constant reminder of the pain she wasn't willing to endure again. She needed to be strong, to stand on her own two feet, to heal completely before she could even think about opening her heart to someone else.

But how long would it take? What would it take?

Mercedes looked up, meeting Kurt's gaze. His blue eyes reflected the same uncertainty she felt, but there was also a silent offer of support, a promise that they would be there for each other, no matter what.

She reached across the table, taking Kurt's hand in hers. "I say go for it, Kurt. What's the harm in meeting Blaine for coffee? If nothing else, it'll give you closure. And if things go well... who knows?"

Quinn nodded in agreement, squeezing Mercedes' hand in silent solidarity. "We've got your back, Kurt."

Kurt smiled, a mixture of gratitude and relief in his eyes. "Thanks, guys. I needed to hear that."

A couple of hours later, after Kurt and Quinn had left, Mercedes found herself alone in the quiet house. Her parents were out doing last-minute Christmas shopping, leaving her with the stillness of a winter afternoon. Normally, she would retreat to her reading nook, a cozy spot by the upstairs window where she could lose herself in a book.

But something else caught her eye—a familiar manuscript tucked into her school bag.

Sam's manuscript.

She had promised him she would finish reading it, but with everything that had happened, she hadn't been able to bring herself to do it. But now, sitting alone in the house with nothing but time on her hands, she felt a pull to return to the story. It was more than just a promise; she genuinely enjoyed his writing. The first chapter had captivated her, and she was eager to see where the story would lead.

She settled into her nook, the glow of the winter light casting a warm hue over the pages as she began to read. A smile tugged at her lips as she was once again drawn into the world Sam had created. His writing was vivid, detailed, and filled with a depth that surprised her. She could almost hear his voice narrating the story, could imagine him sitting beside her, sharing his ideas with the same enthusiasm he had when he talked about his favorite superhero stories.

An hour passed, and Mercedes was so engrossed in the story that she barely noticed the time slipping by. She was on the edge of her seat, her blanket pulled up to her chin as she devoured the words, eager to know what happened next.

The sound of the doorbell startled her out of the fictional world. She sighed, reluctant to leave the warmth of her nook, but she quickly descended the stairs, assuming it was a neighbor or a family friend dropping off holiday gifts.

But when she opened the door, she wasn't prepared for who stood before her.

"Hey, Cedes."

The smile she had ready for her visitor faltered as she took in the sight of the familiar blonde standing on her doorstep. His crooked smile grew as hers faded.

"Sam," she breathed, her surprise evident. "What are you doing here?"

He chuckled, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his brown leather jacket. "Not who you were expecting, huh?"

"No, I..." Mercedes struggled to find her words. "Why are you in Lima?"

"Oh, that..." He looked down, a little sheepish. "My family is visiting my aunt in Kentucky, and I decided to take a detour to visit some... friends."

"Friends?" she repeated, feeling her heart skip a beat. "Did you see anyone else?"

Sam nodded, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Yeah, I saw Mike, and I stopped by Finn and Kurt's place for a bit."

Kurt. Mercedes realized she hadn't checked her phone in a while. Kurt probably texted her about Sam's visit, but that didn't matter now.

"So..." Mercedes struggled to keep the conversation going, unsure of what to say next.

"So... um," Sam bit his lip, a small smile playing on his lips. "I was wondering if I could distract you for a little while."

Distract you for a little while. The words echoed in her mind, stirring something deep within her.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Sam gave a half-shrug, his eyes holding hers. "It's pretty cold out, but I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me. You know, at the park. Like we used to."

Mercedes felt her heart race, her thoughts a jumbled mess. But she couldn't find a reason to say no. "I... guess so."

"Great," Sam said, his smile widening. "Come in and warm up for a bit while you grab your coat."

Once they set off for the park, the conversation flowed easily between them, a stark contrast to the awkwardness she had feared. They talked about their semesters, their plans for the next year, and their families. The ease of their conversation was both comforting and unsettling, reminding her of how natural it always felt to be with him.

As they walked, Mercedes realized there was something she needed to say. She playfully swatted Sam's arm. "That story... It's amazing, Sammy!"

Sam looked up, his face lighting up with surprise. "You really think so? You're still reading it?"

"Yeah, I was about to finish it before you rudely interrupted me twenty minutes ago," Mercedes teased, nudging him gently. She quickly reminded herself to be careful, not wanting to give him the wrong impression. "I'm serious, Sam. You need to try to get it published. I'm positive someone will pick it up."

"Positive?" Sam raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

"Yes, positive," Mercedes replied firmly. "It would be a waste if you didn't."

Sam scoffed, a wry smile on his face. "But people say it would be a waste if I didn't go to the NFL."

Mercedes stopped walking and turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "At the end of the day, whose happiness depends on this decision? Yours. Not theirs. Sure, people might be upset, but you need to ask yourself if you're going to look back and wonder, 'Did I do the right thing?'"

Sam let out a long breath, her words hanging in the cold air between them. His green eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. A small, quiet laugh escaped him.

"What's so funny?" Mercedes asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"Nothing," Sam said, his gaze softening. "It's just that... you're amazing, you know that?"

Mercedes felt her breath catch, the weight of his words settling over her like a blanket of snow, paralyzing her.

The silence between them grew heavy, the weight of unspoken feelings pressing down on both of them. Sam must have sensed it too, because he quickly looked away, his eyes landing on the snow-covered park around them.

"It's been a long time," he mused, his voice quieter now. "Last time I was here, it definitely wasn't covered in snow."

No, it wasn't. It was summer. That summer. Their summer.

Their eyes rested on the tallest tree in the park.

Sam had once joked that the tree was like the home tree from Avatar, that they were connected to it somehow. It was a silly observation that always made Mercedes roll her eyes, but it was also endearing in its own way.

"Stop swaying like that, you dork!" Mercedes had laughed, kicking Sam lightly as he pretended to communicate with the tree. "You're going to make everyone in the park think you're ready for the asylum!"

Sam had flopped onto the grass beside her, grinning up at her like a mischievous child. "Thanks for being a killjoy," he teased, crawling back onto the blanket they had laid out. "But for your information, sitting under this tree and closing your eyes isn't pointless. It's my thinking tree."

"Your thinking tree?" Mercedes had repeated, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "What do you think about?"

Sam had hesitated, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Stories," he had admitted quietly. "I think up stories."

Mercedes had been surprised by his confession, but instead of teasing him, she had smiled. "I used to do that too. When I was ten, I came up with this whole story about being part of a royal family from another galaxy. We were stuck on Earth with our memories wiped, but we started to remember who we were and planned to return to our kingdom in space."

Sam had looked at her with wide eyes, as if she had just revealed the secret to life itself. "Yeah! Stories like that!" he had said, his smile growing wider.

"What were yours xabout?" Mercedes had asked, lying back down on the blanket.

"I've got one," Sam had said, reaching into the bag of snacks they had brought and pulling out an animal cracker. He had placed it on Mercedes' stomach, pretending it was trotting along.

Mercedes laughed at his little makeshift play. "Samwise is a giraffe?"

"No! Samwise rides a giraffe!" Sam retorted in mock agitation. "It's way cooler than a horse. Anyway, he eventually finds all that he wants. All the citizens of the land know his name, he holds a place of honor in the royal court, he even had a beautiful maiden of that court. He thought that life was perfect... but suddenly everything was taken away from him..."

"How?" Mercedes looked at Sam, searching his features.

He looked back at her and smiled solemnly, "He never found out. Could have been some evil magic, could have been just life screwing him over.

"So..." The giraffe cracker trekked higher up her stomach. "Samwise, in a deep state of depression wandered aimlessly trying to search for some hope, any kind of light he could hold on to. He traveled mountains so tall." Sam smirked as the giraffe trotted up Mercedes' right breast causing her to giggle madly. "And valleys low..."

"Sam!" Mercedes held back a squeal and weakly slapped his arm as it basically went down her cleavage.

He ignored her protests and continued. "And over more mountains!" The cookie trotted over her left breast down the slope to her collarbone. "It was during these aimless travels that he found what he least expected... a mystical being of sorts. But he liked to call her his guardian angel." Sam's eyes lifted to meet her. "She helped him see his own worth without all of the fame and fortune. She was a true friend to him... and so he fell in love with her." He touched the little giraffe muzzle to Mercedes' lips.

Mercedes couldn't say a word. Her chest clenched so tightly that she was worried tears might start forming in her eyes. He fell in love with her.

Sam chuckled and threw the animal cracker into his mouth. "Okay, so that wasn't one of my best stories. They usually are more developed and don't sound like a five-year-old's fantasy-" He was cut off by a pair of soft full lips that flew onto his. Before he could think to respond, Mercedes pulled back slightly so that she could look at him straight in the eyes.

"You're amazing, you know that?" She whispered before slowly leaning back in for another kiss.

A chilly breeze brought Mercedes out of the summer memory. She turned to Sam. His hands stuffed in his pockets, his eyes looked unfocused as he gazed into the distance. But they had a mischievous glint to them. His lips, especially red from the cold, were formed in the ghost of his lopsided grin. These past few years did a lot for him, but the things about him that were burned into her memory remained unchanging. He was the same boy she loved that summer.

Deep in her thoughts, Mercedes didn't realize that he already turned and was looking back at her. "It's amazing how coming back to a place can bring back so many memories." He said quietly.

Maybe he was thinking the same thing. Mercedes couldn't help but smile at the thought. "Yeah, it is amazing."

A few weeks later, Mercedes was back at Richter, trying to get into the rhythm of her spring semester. The workload was already starting to pile up, but she looked forward to her Goldtones rehearsals. Throughout the break, she had kept in touch with Tiffany, brainstorming ideas for their upcoming performances. Now, she was eager to share them with the rest of the group.

"Are we going to start anytime soon?" Andrew called out, spinning around on the piano bench, his voice cutting through the chatter in the choir room.

Tiffany laughed. "Yes, we're starting now. Everyone, take your seats."

As everyone settled onto the stools arranged in a circle, Tiffany took charge. "Welcome back, everyone! Ready for the new semester?"

"Not really," Joey muttered, earning a few nods of agreement.

"Well, whether you're ready or not, the Goldtones are going to bring it even better than before. Mercedes and I came up with some amazing songs for our upcoming performances. Mercedes, do you have the list?"

Mercedes smiled, reaching down to grab her bag. "Yep, got it right here." But before she could pull out the list, the door to the choir room creaked open.

"Oh," Tiffany said, glancing toward the door. "Hey... Can I help you?"

Mercedes froze at the sound of the voice that answered.

"No, I was just wondering if you guys did open auditions." The voice was unmistakable, and when Mercedes whipped around, her heart skipped a beat.

There, standing in the doorway with a guitar strapped to his back, was Sam. His bright smile was impossible to miss.

Mercedes could only stare in shock as Sam's smile widened. "Mind if I join?"