AN: Okay, I can hear some of you right now. How is she starting a new fic when she ain't updated her other ones in months? Don't shoot. The spark I had for writing was gone but with the recent spoilers and pics of my babies coming back I have found thy spark. My other stories will be updated sooner than you think. This one is a little different from my norm, not as dark as Mental Pictures but it does have some dark themes to it. Shoutout to my bestie, rp partner and Beta Caryn for helping. Tell me if you think I should continue or should I scrap it. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Chapter One: How It All Started.

He could see that she was hurting. The sadness she held in her eyes, the way she smiled but it did not quite reach her eyes. The lonely nights in their bed. He could hear her crying from down the hall where he sat, doing his job. He was paid to protect her and nothing more, despite what his heart was aching for him to do.

March 15, 2009

The rain was pouring down hard that afternoon and she was already five minutes late as she ran like crazy to catch her bus. She could not be late another day, He would fire her for sure. Her umbrella lost to the wind when she made it out of her house so for now she was using the newspaper she swiped from someone's yard to cover her head. She looked ahead and saw the last of the riders stepping onto the bus. Her second wind trying to kick in but just her luck she bumped into someone who was not looking where they were going causing them both to fall to the ground.

"Watch it!" He yelled at her without looking up at her face.

"You were the one walking with your head down." She retorted. The papers she was holding flew everywhere and the bus had pulled from the curb. "Wait! Please wait!" She yelled trying to stand but she couldn't. Her knee was sore and she was sure her elbow was bleeding.

"You could have walked around me?" The gentleman asked finally looking up at the woman he ran into. She was getting soak and the first thing he noticed was how deep of a brown her doe eyes were. They reminded him of his mother's and that made him smile. He stood and tried to grab the items that fell from her bag before they were gone with the wind.

"Excuse me?" She said offended and a bit frustrated.

"Sorry, let me help you." He extended his hand for her to take so she could stand as well.

"Thanks," she answered taking the hand he offered. She could almost see the change in demeanor immediately and she gave him a quick smile. "Mercedes," she offered her name as she checked her watch to see how much longer she had to get to work.

"Noah," he returned only to see her yank the items from his hand.

"I am sorry, I have to go, Sorry for knocking you down!" She yelled as she sprinted down the street.

Two weeks later...

"How many times do I have to tell you Noah, the men in this family have a responsibility? We don't diddle doddle with nonsense bullshit. We are Lopez's and we have an image and a name to uphold."

"He isn't a Lopez; he never was and does not have the balls to be one. I am a girl Papi and I have more cojones than half breed over here."

"Santana, hush." Emilio Lopez said to his only daughter.

"I'm just saying, he doesn't even speak our language." She retorted. "He is a half breed, and a mistake."

Noah took his fist and hit the table, she always got under his skin and he hated the fact they were even related by one parent.

"Santana don't get slapped," Emilio warned, "he is my son so he is family, You ever speak like that to him again and I swear you will regret it."

Santana folded her arms and sat back in her chair. She knew how far she could back talk and when it was time to shut the hell up.

"Noah, I am simply trying to get you to understand me, you are great when it comes to handling business that involves our product and collecting money, but the killing part is business as well. You need to learn that quickly or you will die." He patted his son on the back. "It is a dog eat dog world son, remember that."

Santana was about to comment but their waitress had come to the table.

"Hello, my name is Mercedes and I will be your waitress today." She scanned the patrons at the table and saw the guy she bumped into. "We meet again I see. Sorry again for knocking you down."

Puck looked up and smiled when he saw her. "It was my fault, so I need to apologize."

"Do I need to get you two a room to talk or can I get my drink order in?" Santana rudely interrupted.

"Sorry, what can i get you to drink this evening?" She asked.

"Rum and coke," Santana ordered.

"She will have a coke no rum." Her father corrected her, much to her dismay. "I'll have a beer. My son will have one as well."

"Coming right up." She took their orders for food and went back to the kitchen to put them in.

Since that day Noah came and ate lunch every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. He always sat in her section and left her a large tip. He was sweet and kinda flattering. She could tell he was a bit of a bad boy as well and she liked it. Sometimes he would come in by himself, other times with a small group of guys, or just him and his father. They had their first date two weeks later and their first kiss two days after that.

It took him two months to finally come clean about his real occupation. Before that night, she believed he and his family had a pool cleaning business along with a few auto repair shops. She was a bit skeptical and pissed that he lied. She was scared for her safety but she found herself staying with him. She got to see the true Noah now that his secret was out. Four months after meeting they finally had sex. Three months after that day Mercedes discovered she was pregnant. She was worried Puck would not be happy with it but he asked for her hand in marriage and she accepted.

They were married two months before the birth of their daughter Farrah Danielle Puckerman, who was named after both their deceased mothers. Emilio wasn't too happy with the fact that she didn't have the last name Lopez, but Mercedes insisted that she took her father's last name. Things seemed to be fine for the small family of three. Mercedes wanted them to get their own house, but instead they moved into the family mansion. That was the cause of their first fight. It wasn't that she disliked his family, but she knew there were things that happened in that house she did not want their child growing up around. Plus, Noah and Santana did not have the best of relationships and Mercedes could barely tolerate her as well.

Six months later Emilio was shot but he survived. Noah being the oldest son had no choice but to take his place on the counsel and run things from their end. That is when she started seeing less and less of her husband and instead of her being able to go about things alone, she was now stuck with a shadow by the name of Sam. Sam was Puck's very best friend. They met in high school and had each other's backs since then. When Noah was ushered into the family business he made sure Sam had a job as well. Sam refused to deal with any drugs so he was hired on to do 'clean up.'

Mercedes did not know much about Sam but she remembered him coming to the diner a few times when Puck was trying to court her. Sam was a decent guy from what she could tell, but she knew he was killer. A part of her liked that fact because she knew he would not hesitate to take someone's life for her and her child. Another part was a bit unnerved by that fact because it made him dangerous.

Mercedes quickly learned what her role was as the wife of a Lopez. She was taught the ropes by one of the other wives, Sugar, what it meant to be a part of the family. One thing she was sure about, the wives stuck by their men despite what idiotic decisions they may have made. More important than anything, the wives stuck by each other even more. Mercedes liked to think that they all bonded so well due to their shared dislike for Mama Lopez and Santana but none of them would dare admit to it.

Puck was not there for their Farrah's first birthday. He missed her first step as well as her first words. She was beginning to see a pattern when it came to him missing out on a lot of things that were supposed to be important. Ever since he had to take over for his father things seemed to get worse and worse. The kind loving man she met was slowing turning into a power crazed boy right before her eyes. She had her suspicions of infidelity but she dared not question him about it. It was something the wives taught her to get used to. None of the Lopez men seemed to be faithful especially Emilio. However, Mercedes was not concerned about Noah sleeping around with other woman, she was more concerned that she was losing her husband, and Farrah her father, to something far worse.

Present Day.

Mercedes rolled over in her bed, keeping her eyes shut. She stretched her arm out to wrap around her daughter but came up empty. She sat up, opening her eyes to look around the room.

"Farrah?" She called out for her daughter. Sometimes she liked to wake before Mercedes and pull some of her toys out, but she did not see her by her toy chest. "Honey, where are you?"

When she did not get an answer again she became a little worried. She knew Noah did not have her because he never got her this early. She tried not to panic as she slipped her slippers on and searched the room. She walked back and forth from the bathroom, closet, and room twice with no sign of her. Maybe Noah did come and take her? Maybe one of the other wives took her? She tried to remain calm but worry was setting in. She opened the door and walked down the hall towards the playroom. She took a deep breath when she saw Farrah sitting in Sam's lap on the floor as she passed by his room on her way. Both of them were watching Nickelodeon and eating out of a ziplock bag full of Lucky Charms. She smiled at the sight. Farrah loved her Uncle Shammy as she called him.

"You are just as much a kid as she is," she said walking into the room. They both turned at the sound of her voice. Both had matching smiles at the site of her as she took a seat next to them. "You had me scared."

"Sorry," Sam apologized. He gave her a small smile before handing Farrah her sippy cup. "She was trying to escape this morning so I figured I would let you rest and I could get her breakfast. You looked so tired."

"Look Ma! Uncle Shammy got me candy for breckfuss," Farrah said holding up one of the marshmallows from the cereal.

"I see. Is it good?" She asked her child who nodded as she took sips from her cup. "Thanks Sam, but you do know your job is to protect us not…" She was cut off by a look Sam gave her.

"Not play stand in Daddy," he finished her sentence. "I know this Cedes. You tell me this all the time and I keep telling you that I don't mind. I know my job is to protect you two. I just figured if I am going to be around you and Ladybug 24/7 I might as well make sure you two are happy as well." He added. "Besides, Ladybug and I got this, so stop worrying."

She shook her head at his words and stole some of the cereal the two were eating. "I guess you are right, I just don't want you to feel obligated or anything."

"I don't, trust me when I say that." He assured her with a friendly bump to her shoulder.

"So, tell me about this show you are watching?"

"It's called Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, and it is only the coolest show ever."

Emilio knocked on the door of his son's office. He went inside and shut the door behind him.

"We need to talk. Marcos Sanchez is trying to make a move on some territory that belongs to us, I need this handled and not sloppily like last time."

Noah looked up from his computer and into the eyes of his father, "I am working on it, I am planning to send Dave. He can get it handled."

"No, absolutely not." Emilio disagreed. "He is arrogant and messy, the definition of sloppy. You do it."

"Wait, what?" Noah asked looking at his father with disbelief in his eyes. "Why me, that is what we have flunkies for, to do our dirty work. I'll put Sam on it. At least he knows the meaning of discrete and he will get the job done."

"Did I ask you to put Sam on it? When are you going to become a man and get some blood on your hands? Sam does everything for you except for eat, take a piss, and fuck your wife. Pretty soon that list will shorten." He mumbled the last sentence to himself.

"I am a man. I can handle the dirty side of business if need be. Sam doesn't do everything. I'll do it. I'll kill him myself." Noah replied but it was more like he was psyching himself up than talking to his father.

"Good, let's hope you won't turn out to be a disappointment to this family."

Later that night Mercedes sat waiting at a table at Diablos Fine Mexican Dining. She had on her best dress and even made her face all up, It was date night, something she found herself actually looking forward to. She was early. She knew Noah would meet her there because he said he had some business to attend to. She ordered a bottle of wine and waited for him to show. She smiled thinking about the first time they came to eat here. He gave her the earrings she was wearing when he said I love you for the first time. The waiter came by and sat some salsa and chips down along with the ice bucket and wine she ordered. She poured herself a glass and took a few sips hoping he would show soon and praying that this would be a stress free night. The last thing she wanted was for them to fight. They had been doing a lot of that lately and she was tired of it.

Sam lit the cigarette he pulled from his pocket and took a puff.

"You're sure you are up to this?" He asked Noah who was sitting in the driver seat next to him.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? It's simple. When Marcos shows; I shoot him, I kill him, and then I go meet my wife for dinner." He replied. "Speaking of, did you remember to get her a gift for me?"

"No, it's not that simple, at least for you. You've never killed someone and I don't think you have it in you." Sam countered passing his cigarette to Noah. "Yes, but you need to start getting her gifts that come from you. She's not like the other wives who just see the blue box or some expensive name on the bag or box and all is forgotten or she doesn't care how it was purchased."

"We all have to start somewhere. Mine is here tonight. I know, but I feel like I don't know what to get her. You spend most of your time with her and see what she eyes when she goes shopping."

"Maybe you need to start going so you can see for yourself. I mean, it wouldn't hurt." He grabbed the cigarette back from Noah and took a drag. "We shall see."

"I'll go next time. Maybe I'll take her and Lil Bit on a trip or something." He sat up straight when he saw Marcos and another gentleman pull up and exit their car. He reached for the gun in the dash and cocked it. "Let's just get this over with."

"Alright." Sam replied grabbing his gun as well and following Noah as he left the car.

Dave Karofsky ran into Diablos with a purpose. He scanned the restaurant till he saw Mercedes drinking straight from the bottle of wine.

"Mercedes," he said her name out of breath.

"Save it Dave!" She held her hand up not wanting to hear the latest excuse. She took two hundred dollar bills from her purse and sat them on the table and grabbed the bottle of wine. "Just take me to get my daughter and then home."

She stood from the table grabbing her coat and headed to the door. Once outside Dave tried to speak to her again and she turned and faced him with angry eyes.

"WHAT DAVE! What can you possibly tell me that is going justify why he didn't show cause I have seen and heard it all!" She could feel herself wanting to cry but she fought like hell to hold the tears back."

"Mrs. P please listen…" Dave tried but she cut him off again.

"For what? Let me guess? His meeting ran late. Let's see, what's the other one? I know… a deal is taking longer than he expected. Something came up and he has to go take care of some business. My favorite, absolute favorite one is he's too high or drunk off his ass or passed out to even show. So let's just save the excuse and go!" She walked ahead to get to the SUV when Dave grabbed her arm.

"Sam was shot. Noah is at the hospital with him and that's why he isn't here."

Mercedes felt as if she had been punched in the stomach, her insides were turning and she couldn't breathe. "Take me to him."

AN: So what do you think? Should I keep going or leave it? Let me know in a review if you think I have something good. If you guys are feeling it I will continue. I am almost done with the next chapter of The Bracelet and that should be up by tomorrow. Also I have something else special coming. Till next time -tdminor86.