Okay first let me say Hi! This is my first fan fic. I'm a Gleek (since season one) and wanted to try my hand at writing a FF just to see how it would go.

This FF takes place as if in season three Mercedes is still a junior with Tina and Artie and she graduates with the 2013 class.

I will be adding some songs into the story, so I suggest any readers to look up and listen to the songs Please feel free to comment critique and give a few pointers. And I promise as the story progresses the writing will get better LOL. Hope you like it and enjoy.

This chapter focuses on Mercedes and how she is dealing with her relationship with Shane. It also highlights some of the characters who have left and who have returned to McKinley.

Now the legal stuff: I do not own Glee or any of the Characters associated with the show. I also do not own any of the songs used in this or any story. Any song mentioned I will attempt to give full writing credits to at the end of each story.

Chapter 1: Welcome Back.

"My Oh-My Oh-My Oh, My Oh, BOOOOOOOO

My Oh-My Oh-My Oh, My Oh, BOOOOOOOO"

Mercedes sleepily rolled over to answer her ringing cell phone. "Hello" she muttered, still groggy from her nights rest. "Good morning sunshine" Shane chuckled "I see your up and at'em early" lightly teasing his girlfriend.

"Babe…. Its 6:30 in the morning" she moaned as she struggled to lift her still sleeping body into a seated position.

"I know, and I will be there in an hour to pick you up for our first day of school. So please be ready hun" Shane begged of his girlfriend. "You know I don't mind waiting for you but I would still like an early start for our first day of senior year."

Mercedes sighed remembering that it was the first day of school. "I'll be ready babe, I promise" she promised as she swung her pedicured toes out of bed.

"Okay, see you then…. Oh hey…. I love you" Shane whispered in her ear. A smile spread across her face as she replied "I love you too".

She hung up her phone and placed it back on the charger. Mercedes was not really all that excited about her first day of senior year honestly. It was going to be different to be back in McKinley without Kurt, Rachel and the other Glee members. They had become her support system, the family she actually got to choose, and now that they had graduated, what was school going to be like now? She stood up from her bed stretching, and thankful she had picked out her outfit the previous night. She grabbed her robe off of her bedroom door and headed for the bathroom. As she brushed her teeth, she thought of all of the antics from the previous years. Rachel with her obsession with Finn and Finn finally realizing he's just as crazy about her, Blaine transferring to be with Kurt, and now planning to move to New York with him. Mike finally learning to singing on key. Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury finally engaged to get married. And the best part of all, last year when they won the National Show Choir competition. It was the best memory all of them shared. They had worked so hard to gain popularity and respect in the show choir world, and finally doing so by taking home first place at nationals. It was the validation that had all craved.

After they returned home from the competition, a creeping doubt planted itself into Mercedes mind: Would she be able to help lead her team to another championship? Did she have the leadership qualities that Rachel and Finn had to keep them in the top spot the following year? As she spit out her tooth past she shook her head attempting to erase the lingering doubt. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes and repeated to herself "We can do it, we can do it, I can do this". When she opened her eye she stared at her reflection wishing that her mind could reassure her heart that she could.

Dressed and primped Mercedes was greeted by the smell of eggs and bacon, as she walked down stairs. Her mother was already serving her Father, and Grandmother, when she looked up and joked "Well look who has decided to join us".

Mercedes smiled and ribbed "Yes, the Diva has decided to share a meal with her adoring fans. You know to keep me real and grounded". She sat down to her plate, closed her eyes, said a quick prayer, and began to eat.

Her Father glanced over his morning news paper, at his lovely daughter and in an authoritative voice asked "Mercedes, did you look over the application I gave you?"

Looking down at her plate she answered in a sing songy voice "No yeeetttt".

He placed his paper down next to his breakfast and asked "So when do you plan on doing so?"

Without looking in his direction, she answered "When I'm ready".

Julius Jones sat up straight in his dinning room chair and glared at his daughter "Well you have to decide what you plan on doing with your future Mercedes. And schools like Ohio State fill quickly." Mercedes rolled her eyes, having heard this speech all summer.

"Julius please, let the child eat in peace" Mercedes' Grandmother begged.

"But mama, she has to get read for the real world. All that singing and dancing is cute and fun and all, but she has to ready herself for a real career. And she could get a great head start by going to Ohio State" Julius declared, speaking as if Mercedes wasn't in the room.

"I know that Julius" Joyce Jones replied "I'm just sick of hearing you badger this child, so I know she is too. Now eat your food and hush!"

Mercedes looked up from her plate and grinded at her Grandmother, thankful she had come to her rescue. Julius picked up his paper in a huff, determined not to say another word for the rest of breakfast. The door bell rang, Mercedes jumped up and bound to the door while saying "I'll get it!" She opened the door and there stood Shane with a smile on his face.

"Oh I take it your ready?" he teased.

"No, not quite, I just have to finish breakfast" she replied as she opened the door wider, allowing him to step inside. He lightly kissed her on the nose, their usual greeting, and walked towards the dinning room.

"Good morning everyone" Shane warmly greeted the Jones clan. "Good morning" everyone sang in response.

"Shane baby, do you want some breakfast?" Carolyn called from the kitchen.

"No thank you Mrs. Jones, I ate before I left home" Shane called back.

Julius stood to greet Shane with a hug, chuckling as he looked at his football jersey. "So you boys getting ready to bring us another state championship?" Julius inquired.

"Yes Sir!" Shane answered with a large smile "Beiste says I'm looking stronger and moving lighter than I ever, so teams better watch out"

Mercedes rose to take her plate into the kitchen and hug her mother good bye. "Bye mamma" she said as she embraced her mother.

"Bye baby" Carolyn Jones answered as she squeezed her daughter "and baby be patient with you father" she whispered in Mercedes ear "he just wants the best for you". Mercedes sighed "I know mamma…. I know" she said as she broke her embrace.

She walked back into the dinning room and kissed her Grandmother on the cheek "Bye Grandma" she said giving her a quick embrace "Bye baby" Joyce replied with a smile.

Mercedes made her way to Julius and sighed. "Bye Daddy" she said holding out her arms for a hug. Julius scooped up his baby girl in a warm bear hug and said "bye baby. And don't for get what we talked about". Mercedes loved how persistent her father was.

She grabbed her book bag and headed for the door remembering she forgot something "Shane, are you ready?" she called. Shane sauntered to the door smiling as Julius patted him on the back. "Isn't this new, your ready to go before I am" Shane said faking amazement. Mercedes playfully rolled her eyes as she opened the door "Wow you are SOOOOO funny"

"So have you started filling out your Ohio State application yet" Shane inquired as he stopped at a stop sign. Mercedes sighed, becoming aggravated at the line of questioning.

"No, not at all" she replied coldly.

"May I ask why not?" he countered.

"Because I haven't felt like doing so" Mercedes responded in an aggravated mumble.

"Look babe, you have to get that done. If you're late or the freshman class is full already, it will mess with the plan" Shane encouraged.

"I know, I know, the plan" she sighed.

"We have this all mapped out" Shane reminded Mercedes "We go off to Ohio State together, me on a Football scholarship, you majoring in Finance, we're engaged by Junior year, and married after graduation or my being drafted in the NFL, whichever comes first." Shane smiled as if he could see it all unfolding in front of his eyes.

"Then what?" Mercedes asked.

"What do you mean then what?" Shane answered "Then coco babies, remember?"

Mercedes sighed as she imagined this version of her life.

"Well what about my singing career or anything else that I may want with my life? "she quizzed her boyfriend.

"Oh, if you want to sing I'll start a record label for you, or you can be on one of those reality shows you watch. You know the Real Housewives of NFL ball players or whatever. You'll be good on one of those shows you being a Diva and all" He grinded. Mercedes didn't find that answer amusing at all, but she just sat back and stared out of the windshield as they continued to school.

As Shane parked and turned the car off Mercedes hopped out of the passenger side and began walking towards the school.

"Hey slowdown" Shane called to her as he rushed to get his book bag out of the back seat. He lightly jogged to catch up with his girlfriend.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" he asked concerned that he had up set her.

"So the plan revolves around YOU! What YOU want what YOU will do, where do I fit in it again?" Mercedes questioned finally releasing the anger that had built up insider of her.

Shane looked puzzled "I never said that 'Cedes and you know it. Look we're partners in the plan. We help each other, I have your back and you have mine. The plan is just a road map; we can make some tiny detours here and there, as long as we stick to the main route." Mercedes didn't quite understand his metaphor, but the sincerity in which he said it made her soften.

"Look babe I just don't want to end up one of those angry bitter rich house wives who would spend her days screaming at the gardener about the length of the hedges. I want my own career" Mercedes said in earnest.

"And you will babe. Hey remember when we announced our relationship? You said I was your future. Well your mine too and we'll figure it out together" Shane said softly while kissing Mercedes gently on her nose. She giggled and smiled at Shane and his ability to make her happy. They interlocked fingers and headed into McKinley.

Shane escorted Mercedes to her locker, kissed her on her nose and headed to his homeroom. As she opened her locker, she longingly glanced down the hall to Kurt's former locker. Some new blonde freshman was setting up her mirror and books there now. She wished Kurt was still instantaneously available to discuss fashion and music with.

"I know it sucks huh?" a voice cut through her thoughts, startling Mercedes.

"Tina" she sighed holding her chest "you scared me!" she giggled.

"Sorry" Tina giggled back.

"Yeah it does suck. I just miss Kurt and Rachel which is weird seeing how annoying she could be" Mercedes said in a surprised tone.

"Yeah" Tina agreed with a sigh.

"Oh I'm sorry honey, I totally forgot to ask how your doing? I know it's harder for you since Mike is gone too" Mercedes said apologetically.

"No, its okay. I mean about not asking me, not about Mike being here. That's hard" Tina said in a jumbled sigh.

"Well at least we still have each other" Mercedes said as she gave her friend a welcoming hug.

"Hey now can I get some of this love too!" Artie joked as he rolled up to the pair, interrupting their special bonding moment. Tina and Mercedes both chuckled and placed their arms around him in a three-way hug. Having them still there reassured Mercedes this year wasn't going to be so bad.

The first day flew by as it normally does. Teachers, in theri usual fashion, went over their expectations and desires for the class and what in general the students will be learning. Mercedes moved from class to class with ease, not really paying attention to the teachers, thinking about her discussion with Shane earlier that morning. She remembered agreeing to the plan, but she wasn't sure that's what she wanted anymore. Shane and her Father where both hell bent on her attending Ohio State that they never bothered to ask her if it's what she wanted. Hell, she was so hell bent on being with Shane, she never bothered to ask herself what she wanted out of life.

By the time Glee rolled around, she was a ball of nerves, and needed to express her concerns to Shane. Mr. Schue sauntered into the choir room with a large grin on his face as he called out "Welcome back national champs!" The room erupted with cheers.

"Well as you guys know we lost some of our principle singers last year to graduation, BUT we still have many of you still with us, and with the talent we have, I think we should be able to take the national title again. But to ensure that we do, I have enlisted the help of a few familiar faces, Guys come on in!"

Through the door Rachel, Kurt, and Finn bound into the choir room. Mercedes and Tina's faces lit up.

"These guys have agreed to assist me in preparing you guys for nationals" Mr. Schue beamed

"Just until we save up enough money to move to New York" Rachel interjected

"Then we're out of here like John Travolta's hair line" Kurt chimed in.

Mercedes was excited. It seems she hadn't lost her friends support after all. She bound to Rachel and Kurt and embraced them. She was for the first time genuinely excited about Glee club this year.

After school Mercedes was greeted by her large boyfriend, with a sweet embrace.

"So how was the first day back?" he inquired.

"It was good" she answered genuinly suprised. He softly kissed her on her nose.

"That's great. Are you coming to watch me practice on the field? You know I practice better when you're around."

She grind and shook her head yes "But first we have to talk about the plan. I was thinking-"

"Hey Shane! Come on man, Coach wants to see us early" one of Shane's team members called to him from down the hall way.

Shane glanced down at his girlfriend and asked "Can it wait until after practice?" with an urgent look on his face. Sensing his urgency Mercedes shook her head yes. Shane quickly kissed her on her nose and bound down the hall to his teammates. "After practice I promise" Shane yelled back to her, leaving her alone in the hall with her thoughts.

Mercedes sighed and opened her locker. As she placed some of her books in her bag her mind began to drift. What did she want from her life? Was the plan so bad? If she went with it she would know exactly where her life was going, and that was not necessarily a bad thing. And she would be with Shane, which would be great. So what was this feeling gnawing at her? What was it that prevented her from blindly following the man she loved?

She was so deep in thought she didn't even notice that she was no longer alone in the hallway. Nor did she notice that the tall figure had planted him self right behind her locker door. She continued her routine of placing her supplies into her bag, she sighed "Okay Lady Luck, where am I going?"

In a vaguely familiar voice in a Sean Connery impression she'd heard long ago, the shadowy figure final let his presents be known stating "You call it luck. I call it destiny." Mercedes froze. She slowly looked up from her bag as her heart began to race. She grabbed her locker door, swinging it closed, to reveal two big bright eyes smiling down on her. She slowly looked at this figure from the top of his short light brown hair, past his perfectly pouty lips that where stretched into a large smile, down to his wide shoulders. She was in total shock. It was like she was seeing a ghost, or some other type of apparition. The only thing Mercedes could muster herself to say through her total disbelief was one name: "Sam?"

Song: My Boo Usher and Alicia Keys

Quote from: The Man Who Would Be King