The sequel to Tailspin. If you haven't read that one, go back and start there.

Is everyone ready for the next part of this journey?

Chapter 1

She had been placed in a room by herself. Two twin sized beds against opposite walls, two dressers, and one bedside table between them. The walls were white, which at first Quinn thought was an improvement over the yellow at Lima University hospital, until she spent a few hours staring at them. White walls were just as bad, blank, sterile, nothingness. She found herself searching for cracks in the paint, just to have something of interest to focus on, anything to keep from retreating inside her head. Her mind was feeling like a scary place since she had arrived at the Midwest Psychiatric Hospital seven days earlier.

The fears about further losing her sanity, trapped in a place filled with unstable minds, were pushing at the back of her brain. Quinn worked feverishly to ignore them. She didn't want to succumb to the thoughts, the realization that she hadn't been sent there as punishment by Dwight, but she had to be sent there because she deserved to be locked away. She didn't want to admit that maybe she really was crazy.

Right behind those thoughts about her sanity was Beth. Her sweet face lurked in the fringes of her mind. The last time she held her was starting to slip away. She was starting to forget whether her blond hair had a hint of a curl or if she held her left fist or right fist up to her mouth as she slept. And her smile, so much like her father's, how long would it be before she forgot that as well? She was facing years in this place. She wouldn't even recognize her own daughter when she was released.

Then there was Sam. Quinn could still feel his hand gently squeezing hers in his hospital room. It was the most vivid thing in her mind, as clear as if it just happened a few moments before. Thoughts of him wouldn't stay put, they filled her head like a flickering lamp. He wouldn't give her peace. He wouldn't let her go. If she had believed in the supernatural, she almost could believe that Sam was trying to communicate with her somehow, all the way from his bed in Lima. The way he invaded her mind, an ever present resident, his face just as it had been when she last saw him, quiet and still. But this time his eyes were open and he was watching her, but saying nothing, just watching. And every now and then Quinn would feel a squeeze. It was all in her head of course, but it felt so real, as if Sam were holding her hand through all of this. That crazy notion was the sole reason Quinn hadn't lost it. For the first time in what seemed like so long, Quinn didn't feel completely alone.

"Santana, I can't believe you did this?" Quinn smiled at her friend in disbelief.

Santana was sitting across from her, at the visiting room table, in a blonde wig, tortoise shell glasses, and a gray suit. Santana had somehow managed to snag the ID and credentials of a Dr. Morgan Guerin. Quinn had been surprised to find out that Puck was the one that had helped her pull the whole ruse off. He was usually opposed to such obvious bouts of deception since he got sober.

"It was the only way I could get in to see you," Santana whispered looking around for eavesdroppers. They were pretty much alone in the place. The hospital tended to give doctors privacy to consult with their patients.

"Yeah they are so strict here. They told me I can't have visitors for maybe another week. They need to assess my character. Whatever that means."

There were so many rules. They actually were written up and taped on the wall of her room. She was starting to memorize them, she had stared at them so much. The right to have personal effects would have to be earned. Phone privileges one hour a day between seven and eight pm, calls limited to fifteen minutes per patient. All patients must wear white, pre-approved items only. No patient will be allowed to walk through the halls unattended. The list went on and on.

"It means they want to figure out what kind of prisoner you are. If you will go with the flow or cause trouble. You did get sent here for sneaking out of the hospital."

"But it's not like this is prison."

"It kind of is. This is the place they send the criminally insane." She adjusted her wig and straightened her frames on her face.

"You are making me feel so much better, Santana," said Quinn sarcastically.

"Stop using my name. I'm Dr. Guerin remember?"

"So Dr. Guerin," said Quinn lowering her voice. "Any news from the hospital?"

"Right duh. That's the reason I am here in the first place. You must be going out of your mind with worry." Santana took Quinn's hand in hers and squeezed it.

"I just need to know he's all right. Is he really out of the coma?"

It had been a week and she had received no news. Not even Artie had been allowed to see her the first seven days. It all happened in a blur. One minute Sam was grasping her hand, the next Beth was being lifted from her arms, and her hands were being pinned behind her back. Will had told her he had to get her out of the hospital ASAP. Too much attention was being put on Sam as he came back to consciousness. She had one last look at Beth, and then she was gone.

"Yep the doctors confirmed it. He has been staying alert longer and longer each day. Things are looking good for him," said Santana with a smile.

"Is he talking yet?" Quinn couldn't help but wonder what his first words would be. She wanted to know what it had been like for him all those months.

"No. Puck says it is going to take time. He has to do all sorts of therapy and rehab. They won't know for sure the extent of the damage until they finish testing and examining him."

"Damage?" asked Quinn in alarm. "Is there something wrong with him?"

"He's been in a coma a long time. His body went through a lot. There might be some permanent changes."

"Like what? Like brain damage?"

She hadn't even considered that Sam could still be in danger. She should have known better than to just think it would be smooth sailing. It never had been for them. Everything was always a struggle. Just once Quinn wished things could be like on TV, where the patient makes a miraculous recovery and is back on his feet in days. Sam beat the odds coming this far. Why couldn't he get a little bit more magic?

"Puck didn't say. All we can do right now is just hope for the best. It's possible that Sam might be perfectly fine."

"I hope so Santana. Beth really needs her father, while I am stuck in here."

"Well she always has little Miss Diva Sunshine to take care of her." Quinn wasn't sure what Santana had against Mercedes, but she never cut her any slack.

"I know. I just want her with her father."

"I get it. I am kind of shocked that Mercedes let you near Beth, and Sam too for that matter. That girl is like a rabid guard dog when it comes to that man. So protective. Half the times I got into see Sam, Puck had to intervene on my behalf, and even then, I swear she wanted to pat me down. As if I would do anything to hurt Sam. She is one crazy chick," said Santana as she leaned back in her chair.

"She was just scared for him. I can't really imagine what it must be like to be in her shoes. To have to watch someone you love just waste away month and month." She had been starting to feel more for Mercedes the past few days. They had found some common ground that day in Sam's room and Quinn was starting to see that Mercedes was suffering as much as she was.

"It was hard on all of us. We all love Sam in our own way. Isn't that right?" asked Santana raising one eyebrow at Quinn. It was as if she were trying to hint at something with her statement.

"Right," said Quinn slowly.

"Still good on you and Beth for sticking it to her. She must have just turned green when Sam responded to you by his bedside." Santana grinned.

"I think she was just happy he was coming around."

"For now. But in time it's really going to piss her off. You better watch your back Quinn. I think you just added one more strike to your hate column."

Quinn shook her head. "She's really not that bad. I think we've come to an understanding."

"Quinn listen to me, as your older and much wiser friend. Once two women have shared a man they can never be friends."

Quinn eyed Santana skeptically. "What about us? We both were with Puck."

"That's different," Santana shrugged. "We duked it out and made our peace."

"Maybe Mercedes and I have too."

"You haven't. There's still so much between you. There's Beth, the cheating on Puck who is like her brother, not to mention the fact you still want Sam," said Santana counting out each point on her fingers.

"Wait what?" asked Quinn sitting upright, shocked by Santana's assertion. "I do not want Sam."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you the same woman that told me not so long ago that you had wished you had taken a chance with Sam instead of turning to Mike?"

"Yeah but I was just daydreaming. Wondering how different things could have been, I wasn't being serious." She had been voicing regrets about her bad choices, not making statements about wanting Sam back. Santana had it all wrong.

"In my experience, people don't daydream about things they don't want. You could have daydreamed about not breaking up with Puck or about never cheating on him, but you didn't. You were fantasizing about being with Sam."

"It's just because of Beth." Quinn said dismissively. "It is bringing up old feelings."

"Could be. But seems to me those old feelings were there before Beth was even conceived. You and Sam turned to each other for a reason."

"We are close, so we lean on each other. Friends do that."

"How come Sam didn't turn to Rachel that night?" Quinn turned her nose up at the question. It seemed weird to even be thinking about Sam sleeping with Rachel.

"Well Sam just stopped by and things happened." It was coincidence, a drunken coincidence that had brought them together that night. He was suffering and most likely looking for Puck and she just happened to be home instead.

"What if Mike had been the one to stop by all upset at your door, do you think things would've happened?"

"How can I even answer that? I don't know."

"Let's try this. Close your eyes and think about Mike. No wait, think about Puck."

"Santana you do know you're not really a doctor right?" she asked raising her eyebrows at Santana.

"Oh just play along. Close your eyes and think about tall and hot Noah Puckerman."

"Okay." Quinn closed her eyes and let Puck enter her mind.

"What's the first thing that pops into your head?"

"Sweet." She saw Puck standing in front of her smiling, flowers in his hand. He was always so thoughtful.

"Okay good," said Santana eagerly, getting into her role. "Now think about Sam."

Quinn started to close her eyes, but then stopped, opening them abruptly. "This is stupid. It doesn't even mean anything."

"Just do it," said Santana.

Quinn sighed heavily, but closed her eyes and thought of Sam.

"What popped into your head?" asked Santana leaning forward over the table.

"Obviously I'm just happy that he is doing better and out of his coma. That is all this is," said Quinn dismissively.

"Spill it," Santana urged.

"I pictured him on his knees," Quinn stated.

"Wanky! Doing what? Was he putting that trouty mouth of his to work?" Santana's eyes lit up in anticipation.

"He was begging me to stay."

"Is this some sort of fantasy or…"

"No it is something that happened," interrupted Quinn. "The first time Sam and I ever slept together, after Puck and I broke up and I had moved back to Lima, Sam had asked me to be his escort for some D&E formal event. There was a band and dancing, we were in formalwear, sort of a big deal. At the end of the night, he walked me to my car, we had come separately because it wasn't a date, and we had a moment, and he kissed me. I remember trying to resist him because I was still getting over Puck, and I didn't want to rebound with Sam, but his lips, you know?"

Santana nodded. "Made for kissing."

"Yeah and also made for sweet talking. Sam was being very persuasive and by the end he had got down on his knees and asked me to stay with him for the night. So I did. That was the first time we ever made love."

She could see it all so clearly. Sam on his knees, in a black suit, her hands in his, smiling at her. She had been feeling like her whole world was ending. She failed with Puck, she had no job, no prospects and Sam had made it all good again. He had this way of lifting her spirits even during her darkest moments.

"Interesting," said Santana as she watched Quinn intently.

"What?" asked Quinn shifting uneasily in her seat under Santana's scrutiny.

"I just find it interesting that your mind went there."

"Well we were talking about all that time period just now and sex, and stuff." Quinn glanced away, trying to appear disinterested. "I don't think it is any surprise that I thought about it."

"Yeah but why that particular moment? You didn't flash to the actual sex or even a kiss. You went right for him asking you to be with him."

"So?"

"Me thinks your mind is trying to tell you something," said Santana with a small smile.

"What? That I want to be with Sam?" Quinn could feel herself turning red. What a ridiculous conclusion Santana had jumped to. There was no basis in reality for that statement. "That is so crazy and the last thing I need. I just got out of this thing with Puck. I am in a mental hospital. I don't have custody of my baby. Besides Sam is married."

"True. You do have a lot going on. But at some point you're going to have to allow yourself to face some facts." Santana took out her phone and toyed with it, obviously feeling like the matter was settled, the mystery solved.

"What facts? I don't want to be in a relationship with Sam Evans." She felt the need to convince Santana that even jokingly thinking in this way was too absurd to persist. She wanted to nip it in the bud.

"Well maybe not. But you definitely have feelings for him. And that, you are going to have to deal with or else things are going to get a whole lot worse for you. Trust me on that. Harboring denied feelings is like living with a festering wound, it just gets worse and worse until it has spread throughout your entire body."

"Honestly, I think this just has to do with that connection I felt with Sam when he started coming around last week." A smile spread on her face as she thought back to that day. "It was the most amazing experience to have him grab my hand like that. All of us together like a family. It felt almost like destiny or kismet. I don't know. It was just powerful."

"Sounds like a beautiful moment."

"It was. I have never felt anything like that before." Quinn's eyes filled with tears as she pictured the three of their hands all touching. She never realized that something so simple could mean that much to her. But it had. Seeing that visual symbol of all they were to each other, of their connection, may have been one of the most intense moments of her life.

"I wonder what Sam will have to say about it once he can talk again."

"You think he even remembers?" asked Quinn.

"If it was as powerful a moment as you say, how could he not? Something happened between you three that day. Something so huge that it brought him out of a coma. That is life altering stuff. I bet it is all he can think about right now."

If Sam did remember, if he felt it too, what would that mean for all of them? It seemed so unreal, but Quinn couldn't shake the feeling that everything in their lives had just shifted. The future suddenly felt a little more certain. Quinn was starting to feel like she might have a place in this world, something to hold on to, some hope for happiness. And it all came from holding his hand.

Three hours. After days of him just being awake for minutes a day, today, Sam was fully back. Mercedes had come in that morning expecting to find him once again resting, instead she entered to find Sam staring back at her. He had even eased himself into an upright position. It was simply amazing. She had been watching him closely for the first hour, waiting for him to fade away again as he had been doing all week, but he didn't. He just tracked her with his eyes as she moved around the room. By the second hour, he was following her movements with his head. So Mercedes started talking. At hour three she hadn't stopped and Sam was not only watching her as she moved but also reacting to her words, his facial expressions starting to reveal what he could not convey through speech.

Finally her Sam was back and Mercedes allowed herself to release the breath she had been holding since he first responded to Quinn a week ago. She knew about cases where patients came out of comas only to slip away again in a matter of hours. Mercedes didn't want to get her hopes up only to have them shattered so quickly. She wasn't sure her heart could take another blow. The months had taken their toll, and it was getting harder for Mercedes to ignore the fact that all the stress was starting to get to her. If Sam relapsed or left her again, she wasn't sure she would be able to withstand it. All of her reserves felt spent, her optimism had been running on fumes for months.

She pushed open the door with the side of her arm, a plastic shopping bag in her hand. He was sitting in his bed, semi upright, leaning against his pale blue sheets. The deep green of his pajamas highlighted his eyes, making them seem brighter green than usual. His hair was in dirty blond spikes all over his head. She'd have to fix that before he got his hands on a mirror. When he was on his back it didn't look so bad, but now sitting up, Mercedes could really see what a hatchet job she had done on his head. He needed a shave as well, a week's worth of growth covered his face. Ever since he arose from his coma their routine had been disrupted. His team of physicians were now ever present, poking and prodding, whispering about defying medical science and even miracles. Sam had definitely surprised them all, when he went from near death to his current state of consciousness. Leave it to Sam to do the unexpected. He never liked being predictable or conventional.

"I know I've been gone longer than ten minutes," she said as she plopped down into the chair beside his bed, placing the plastic shopping bag on the floor by her feet. "But you know it is so easy to get sidetracked in the hospital. People pulling me in all directions, mostly asking about you. You're the talk of the hospital. Did you know that?" she asked pointing at him.

Sam shook his head slowly, as he listened to her from his bed. He ran his large hands over the smooth blue and green quilt, reading it like Braille, periodically pausing to examine certain squares with his fingers.

"Well you are. We've been waiting for your big comeback for so long. People are just itching to get in here and see you."

His eyes widened in surprise. Mercedes guessed Sam didn't think that anyone would be interested in his recovery. Really he should be used to the attention. The media followed his activities fairly regularly, even before the accident. The news liked to report about attractive rich playboys. The Evans' were like the Hiltons of Lima.

"Don't worry I didn't tell anyone you were so alert today," she said reassuring him. "They all think you're still Mr. Sleepyhead. So you got a little bit of a reprieve. Feel free to thank me. I accept tips."

Sam gave her thumbs up, seeming pleased with her choice not to let the world know about his new level of alertness.

Mercedes flashed him a grin as she took her black hair out of the loose ponytail she had braided it into hours before. She momentarily worried about how unattractive she must look to him. Pink scrubs, messy hair, no makeup but she quickly let those worries pass, when she looked over and saw Sam smiling at her. Mercedes' stomach did a little flip when she saw a hint of a dimple emerge in his full cheeks. Sam was back, nothing else mattered.

"I can't get over you smiling like that. I was starting to think I would never see that crooked grin again." Sam looked down at his lap, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Sorry I keep staring. It's just so good to see you moving around. I want to like jump on you and squeeze you or something," she giggled excitedly.

Sam drew back a little, looking a bit worried that she might really pounce on him. He held up his hands slightly in defense.

"Don't look so scared. I'm not actually going to do it," she laughed. Sam relaxed into his former position.

"The doctors made it very clear not to expose you to any excess stimulation until they are done with their tests. I think they're trying to figure out if you're in any pain or have any injuries or something." She focused on him, a thought just occurring to her. "Are you in any pain? I guess I should've asked you that first off, but you were only staying up minutes at a time. This is the first chance I am really getting to talk to you. Well really it's just me talking, and you just looking at me like I'm crazy." She leaned forward in the chair, her hands moving dramatically as she talked. "Am I driving you nuts? I know I keep talking. I tend to ramble around quiet people. You know I feel this need to fill up the space with my voice or something. So I keep going on and on," she chuckled nervously.

Placing his palm on his cheek, Sam continued to watch her, a slight smile on his lips.

"What? You think I'm talking too much don't you?"

He cocked his head to the side, as if he were thinking about her question. Then he held up his hand, bringing his fingers to his thumb, forming the shape of a beak of a bird, opening and closing his fingers slowly to mimic Mercedes' talking.

Mercedes put her hands on her hips and frowned. "Is that supposed to be my mouth? How rude Mr. Evans. Here I am trying to keep you entertained, and you're making fun of me."

He grinned at her widely, making the talking motion with his hand again.

Mercedes tried to keep up her mock anger, but his smile was infectious. She found herself laughing at Sam's teasing. It felt good to laugh, especially with him. So many things she had taken for granted, things everyone takes for granted really. She never thought she would have to appreciate every smile, or every laugh, until they were all gone. Nothing was worse than seeing Sam devoid of all emotion for months.

"I guess I don't have to ask if you understand what I'm saying. You seem to get it just fine. Well enough to mock me even. But what a sucky nurse I am, I didn't ask you about pain. Ugh I forgot again. Ok, Sam, are you in any pain?"

He shook his head.

Mercedes couldn't help but wonder what Sam was thinking. He hadn't even tried to speak since he woke up. The doctors assured her this was normal, his vocal cords were weak from lack of use. The other possibility was that Sam could be suffering from some issues getting his brain to control his body. It required more tests according to his doctors. So she hadn't pushed Sam to try to speak. She figured he would if he could, but she did worry if this were an indication of a larger problem, perhaps brain damage. Mercedes pushed that thought from her head, refusing to focus on negatives when so much good had just happened.

"Next question do you understand the words I am saying to you?"

Sam shot her a look, arching his eyebrow at her question.

Mercedes groaned inwardly at her stupidity. "Of course you understand. Mercedes, stop acting like an idiot. See I'm not usually this spacey. I actually graduated first in my class, well will graduate. I technically haven't gotten my degree yet. Well I earned it, all finished, but I haven't gone to the actual graduation ceremony yet. Not that the ceremony actually means anything. It is just to make the parents proud right? My dad is insisting I walk at graduation, even though I have been done for months. I guess he doesn't want to miss out on the photo op."

Sam shifted in his bed, so he was leaning slightly on his side, facing her. He rested his chin on his hand and continued to watch Mercedes as she talked.

"I'm doing it again aren't? I wish you could just tell me to shut up or something. I guess you will be able to soon. The speech therapists will be working with you, now that you seem to be fully alert. But until then I guess you are my captive audience."

Shaking his head and rolling his eyes, Sam nestled down into his pillow, placing both his hands under his head.

"Don't look so disappointed. I have many interesting things to say. You won't be bored trust me. And bonus. You actually understand what I'm saying. You could have woken up like this one lady I read about in class. She came out of her coma and swore she had been living in the Philippines, she even only understood their language. Here's the crazy part, she had never been to the Philippines in her life. She was a claims adjuster from Iowa. She never even knew any other language besides English before she got sick. The brain is one wacky organ, let me tell you."

He shot her a skeptical look.

"You think I made that up?"

He gave his head one affirmative nod.

"I didn't. True story. Do you want to hear another story or would you rather I stop talking? I can you know, stop talking. It might take some duct tape, but it is possible."

He laughed soundlessly, his eyes transforming into slits as his large smile overtook his face.

"Sometimes sucking on a lollipop works too. Gives me something else to focus on. But I don't want to eat candy in front of you since you can't have any yet. That would just be rude. I always hated when parents did that to their kids. You know ate things their kids couldn't have right in front of them. Just so mean."

He stared over at her, just shaking his head at her words.

"I can go. Maybe leave you alone for a bit," she said rising from her seat. "I can put in a DVD. The doctors said no TV yet, but there are few approved DVDs here." She rustled through the pile of DVDs on the shelf under the wall mounted television. "One might be something about the Amazon River. I don't know why the hospital thinks nature shows are low stimulation. I mean I personally can't stand to watch lions chase down those poor gazelles and have them for lunch. I am always rooting for the gazelle to get away." Mercedes noticed that his eyes were closed. "Do you want to sleep?"

Sam quickly opened his eyes and shook his head, straightening up his posture to appear more alert.

"Ok I am going to go then. Should I put on the DVD?" she asked as she offered him the remote to the dvd player.

Sam pushed her hand away, shaking his head to indicate he didn't want it. He leaned forward slightly and pointed to the bag on the floor.

"What are you pointing to?" asked Mercedes looking around the area. "Oh I almost forgot. This is why I left in the first place." She picked up the plastic shopping bag and peered inside it. "I swear I would forget my head if it weren't attached. Actually that's not true I am pretty organized about stuff, just sometimes my mind starts racing and flitting about and I get all off track. So yeah I totally got caught up in the Philippines and forgot all about your surprise."

Sam eyed her curiously as she pulled out a bright red Speak & Spell with yellow buttons from the bag.

"Don't look at me like that. It was either this or the Ouija board Darcy from the fifth floor had in her locker."

Sam raised an eyebrow at her.

"No I didn't ask why she had a Ouija board at work, but then again she is assistant to one of the meanest doctors in oncology, so maybe she needed some reinforcements to deal with him. To each their own. You know what I'm saying?"

He put his hand on his forehead, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.

"So we just need to figure out how to use this thing." Mercedes flipped the toy over in her hands looking for a power button. "I think you can type some words on it and talk to me. I'm sure they have some high tech stuff to use somewhere in this place, but we are trying to keep a low profile today. I'm not ready to share you just yet. Once they find out you are so alert, the doctors will be all over you. I'm being selfish but I thought it would be nice to have one afternoon alone with my favorite patient."

Sam tilted his head and gave her a small smile.

"I can go get the doctors though if you want."

Sam shook his head taking the Speak & Spell from her hands. He turned it on, a boyish smile lighting up his face.

"I guess you know how to work it then. Had one as a kid?"

He nodded, still playing with it. The toy asked him to spell the word "chair" in its digitally synthesized voice.

"I never had one of these before," she explained sitting back down in the chair, watching him play.

"Maybe they weren't popular when I was a kid? Or more likely my mom didn't give a damn to buy me educational toys."

He looked up at her words, his eyes narrowing.

"Sorry. Childhood stuff, always gets to me. You know. So, should we try this out?"

"Yes," he typed, holding it up to show her.

"How did you get it not to talk that time?"

He pointed to the volume settings and showed her how he switched it to mute.

"Cool. So what should we talk about?" she asked inching forward in her chair. Finally she was going to be able to really communicate with him.

Sam paused for a moment in thought, and then he started typing. He tilted the Speak & Spell toward Mercedes so she could see that he had written the word "crash".

"The crash, you don't play around do you? I thought we would start with something easy like the day of the week. I really am not supposed to talk to you about the accident. The doctors don't want me jarring you. Can't we just be happy everyone survived and leave it at that?" she asked uneasily.

With an audible sigh and a slump of his shoulders, Sam reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"Can I try?"

He clutched the toy to his chest possessively, leaning out of her reach, a serious look on his face.

"Someone doesn't know how to share."

Sam stuck his tongue out at her and grinned.

Mercedes reached across the bed to grab the game, as Sam leaned further back trying to keep it away from her. He playfully held it up higher, almost over his head, as Mercedes reached for the Speak & Spell again. Mercedes frowned in mock anger as he continued to try to evade her. Finally he handed it over to her, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"Thank you," she said. Her heart soaring that Sam had been able to do so much. Maybe he would make a full recovery after all.

She typed in her name, just messing around with the buttons. He leaned over her and erased what she wrote, his fingers grazing hers as he typed in his own name.

"I guess I don't need to ask if you know who you are," she chuckled.

He smiled at her as he tapped rhythmically on the screen. It was as if he was trying out all his senses, getting reacquainted with his body and the world.

"You've really mastered that smiling thing. Are you happy?"

She wanted to reach out and touch him, almost to prove to herself all of this was truly happening. Mercedes tended to have extremely vivid dreams, maybe this was one of them. She needed to pinch herself to see if she were really awake, or better yet pinch him to see if he responded. But she held back, trying to follow the doctors' orders to take it easy on him.

"Confused," he typed, shrugging his shoulders.

"I know." Mercedes patted his shoulder quickly before pulling her hand back, the only contact she would allow herself. "Soon you will know everything okay?"

"Okay," he typed. They sat quietly for a moment just staring at the screen, until he leaned over again and typed, "Mother".

"Oh Sue. She was here already. Constantly in fact. You were always sleeping though. She is going to be so thrilled to see you finally awake. Your dad too. I will call them in a little while. So they can come back and see you. Sound good?"

"Good," he typed giving her a bright smile.

"Maybe we should play one of the games on here," suggested Mercedes.

Sam nodded enthusiastically taking the toy from Mercedes.

The door swung open and in walked Malika with a very unhappy Beth in her arms. Sam's eyebrows shot up as the woman entered.

Malika's slender 5'10" frame, deep brown skin, and dark hair made her a favorite of many of the male patients in the hospital. Even with a crying baby in her arms she looked stunning. Mercedes quickly hopped out of her chair and went over to them.

"What are you doing here?" Mercedes asked in hushed tones, hoping Sam didn't overhear. She glanced over her shoulder to see if Sam was listening. Thankfully, he was engrossed in the Speak & Spell.

"She got really fussy in the nursery after you left. I think when she saw you for the few minutes when you got the game, she was upset you didn't stay. No one can calm her down. So I brought her to you. Is that okay?" asked Malika.

Mercedes took Beth out of Malika's arms, rubbing her back. Beth instantly calmed down as she rested her head on Mercedes' shoulder.

"It's fine. We just got to do some creative thinking here with Sam, but luckily I am fast on my feet. Beiste will be here soon to pick her up anyway."

"So good to see Sam conscious," said Malika looking over at Sam on his bed. "I can sit with him if you want, while you tend to the baby or something. Not everyday I get to spend time with a patient as gorgeous as this one," she added with a quick wink.

"Ok wipe the drool. He's mine." Malika was cool people, one of her closest friends from nursing school, but she also had the reputation for being a shameless flirt.

"Easy girl," Malika laughed. "Just appreciating the man. I'm just happy he's back with us. I'm happy for you Cede."

Mercedes realized that she was happy. Sam on the mend, Beth in her arms, maybe things were on the upswing. It was nice to have her two favorite Evans in the same spot, this time both alert. She couldn't tell Sam about Beth yet, but they could at least meet each other unofficially.

"Thanks. We're going to be good here."

"Talk to you later," said Malika as she walked out the door.

Mercedes turned back toward Sam with Beth in her arms. She adjusted her clothes, straightening her navy knit jumper and tugging down the sleeves on her white shirt. She was about to meet her daddy, truly this time, she wanted her to look her best.

"Sorry about that," said Mercedes as she eased into the chair, placing Beth in her lap facing Sam. "This little princess here was demanding my attention."

As if on cue, Beth cooed and smiled at Sam, leaning forward to get to him on the bed.

Sam typed, "Cutebaby" on the screen.

"She is very cute, just like her daddy. This is Beth," said Mercedes standing Beth up on the edge of the bed, holding her steady underneath her arms.

Sam reached out and took Beth's hand. Beth gripped onto Sam's finger happily. Wrapping her arm around Beth's torso, Mercedes sat her down on the bed beside Sam.

"I think she likes you."

Sam smiled and nodded as he continued to play with the baby. While Sam was distracted with Beth, Mercedes pulled out her phone and quickly tapped an SOS text to Beiste with her free hand.

"Do you mind if we come sit next to you?" asked Mercedes, turning her attention back to the duo. "The doctors want me to watch it, but you said you weren't in pain."

Sam slowly moved over making room on the bed beside him.

"That's better. That way you two can get acquainted easier."

Mercedes had to turn away from them to hide the tears that were building in her eyes. It was an incredible feeling to see Sam and Beth interacting this way, finally. They seemed to be taking to each other so naturally. Beth was trying to inch closer and closer to Sam, Mercedes could feel her wiggling in her arms. Sam couldn't take his eyes off of Beth, giving her his full attention as he let the baby play with his hand. She watched Sam rub his hand gently over Beth's blond hair. Mercedes wanted to tell Sam that Beth was his. She wanted him to pick her up and hold her, to give her all the love that she was so sure Beth had been missing.

"Well playtime's over. I've got to get this little one home." Instead she had to separate them, her heart twisting as Sam's face fell as she lifted a suddenly whiney Beth from the bed. "Be right back Sam."

Mercedes stepped out into the waiting area, leaning her back against the door momentarily to compose herself. She spotted Beiste rushing toward her from the elevator.

"Mercedes, my word, I got your frantic text. I thought something was wrong," said Beiste when she reached her.

"Something was. I had Sam and Beth together and I couldn't tell him that Beth is his baby."

"It's not like Sam can talk to ask any questions."

"Sam is communicating. Not talking, but still he is curious. He wants to know about the accident."

"Give it time," said Beiste patting Mercedes on the arm. "Everything will be out and dealt with. For now we just have to keep Sam calm. We just got him back, we don't want to shock him."

"I just hate keeping things from him, especially something as big as this. I almost broke down in tears when I saw Sam playing with Beth. I have been wishing so hard for a moment like that."

Beiste gave Mercedes a sympathetic smile. "Our prayers have been answered. It's a good thing. Just be patient for the rest."

"See you soon baby," said Mercedes as she kissed Beth on the cheek and handed her to Beiste. She watched Beiste carry Beth to the elevator, before she turned to go back to Sam.

From the doorway, Mercedes watched as Sam slowly tried to roll up the sleeves on his pajamas. He licked his lips in concentration as he focused on getting his hands to cooperate. A small smile broke on his face when he finally was successful.

"Sorry about that," said Mercedes alerting Sam to her presence in the room."Beth's ride was here. Have you been playing without me?"

Sam shrugged, looking down at the Speak & Spell in his lap. His mood had seemed to change since just a few minutes before.

"What's wrong? You seem a little down now? Getting tired?" asked Mercedes with growing concern.

Sam shook his head. "Steviestacey", he typed, holding the toy up so Mercedes could read the screen.

"Seeing Beth made you think about Stevie and Stacey?" asked Mercedes as she stood next to the bed.

Sam nodded, turning to look at her quizzically.

"Sorry Sam. I know you must miss them."

He nodded sadly.

"I'm sure we can get Will to bring them by soon. I know they would love to see their Uncle Sam. And maybe I can bring Beth back again to visit. You two seemed to like each other."

"Likethat", typed Sam, perking up at the suggestion.

"Good." She sat back next to him on the bed. He shot her a curious look. "I know that we're breaking the rules. And if they come in here and catch us together on the bed, I'm just going to blame you."

His eyes widened in surprise, at her words.

"It's all your fault. You forced me to sit next you. I can't help it if my patient finds me irresistible," she teased.

He poked her in the arm with a finger as he laughed silently.

Mercedes leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes, just enjoying the feel of him next to her. It had been a week since she had been this close to him. The constant stream of doctors and Dwight and Sue had made it hard for Mercedes to get any alone time with Sam. She felt his elbow gently nudge her side. She looked down at the word he was showing her on the Speak & Spell.

"Kiss? You're really pushing your luck Mr. Evans," she smiled. "But I won't tell if you won't." She leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek. Sam leaned back from her a surprised smile on his face. "What? You didn't want a kiss there? Why don't you show me where you want a kiss?"

Sam shook his head and looked down at her hand, lightly touching her wedding rings.

"My rings?" Mercedes squirmed next to him. They would have a lot to talk about in terms of their relationship. She really didn't know where to begin. "I guess we should talk about that. Not now though. Soon."

Sam shook his head emphatically and erased the word from the screen. She watched as he wrote a new word on the Speak & Spell and handed it to Mercedes. She looked at him in shock, tears starting to puddle in her eyes as she let their meaning sink in. He had written "missquinn".

"Miss Quinn?" Mercedes read aloud, hoping that somehow he had meant something else.

Sam just nodded sadly, and looked away from her, his green eyes clouding with emotion.