Hey guys, so I know you will hate me having another story up and Breathe Again, Is it love and The Trip aren't finished but my muse has been off the hook with First, Last or Only and this one. So please bare with me. I have no rights or do I wish to own Glee. I am not interested at all. In it since its over and it sucks. I love you guys and thanks for all the love and reviews.

Mercedes Jones Looked at the letter in her left hand. She had always wanted to move to Emory University, but she knew her father wouldn't go for it. How could she prove to her father letting her go to Atlanta was a good idea.

"Ahem."

She glanced at her father Percy Jones as he cleared his throat. She knew that he was waiting for her to tell him why she wanted to talk to him. she didn't understand why she was so scared to talk to her father. They had a very close relationship and she knew no matter the situation he would always support her dreams regardless of his feelings. She looked at the letter again, and then looked back up at her father.

"I know you are wondering why I asked you to meet me in your study and it's simple. You know when you got sick I decided to put off college in order to help you and Chad around the store."

"I know that sweetie and I am so proud of you for doing that."

She bit her lower lip as she often did as she tried to find the words to speak her mind.

"And two years ago when you went into remission and I got back into school I promised to stay around here for my first two years taking all of my prerequisite classes so that when I found the perfect medical school and got accepted I would be prepared."

"Yes which I thought was a great idea. I am proud you decided to go back to school even though I told you, you didn't have to because there was always a place for you at the store."

"I know that and you know I love working at the store and working with my brothers but I well here."

She handed him the letter.

"Emory University?"

"It's a really good college. It is a Top 20 school on both the medical list and regular college list."

"It's in Atlanta. That's over fifteen hours away."

"Before you say no please hear me out."

"Ok then Lady Bug start talking."

"Now I know that you feel I would be far away and alone but Aunt Rita and Uncle Mike live in Charlotte and I wouldn't be alone in Atlanta because Jenna and Tonya got in as well."

"Mike humph I swear Rita married him just to bug me."

"Daddy!"

"What? I bet that man is how you got in."

"He helped but it was my essay and grades that did it."

"And how will you pay for this you want me to give you the money so you can leave me?"

"I will pay for with my savings if I have too all you have to do is say yes…I am 24 and I can go whether you like it or not but I want to be respectful to you and ask what you think. Under law I can make these choices myself."

"Have I been such a bad father that you want to go so far away from me?"

"You know that isn't it."

She moved closer to him.

"You know that you have been a great dad. You helped me become independent. Given me everything I could ever want."

"So I am such an amazing father why do you need to go to Atlanta?

"It's a lot of things like that fact I believe in the Lord and you guys don't. And Diane."

"She loves you."

"No she doesn't she has all but told me she's waiting for me to leave."

"That is not true."

"it's not?…let's see she told me now that the cat was out of the bag she didn't want me to call her mom. Well her exact words were now that you know that truth I don't think we should pretend anymore I am not your mother and you aren't my daughter…she told me that I wasn't worth claiming and to stay out of her way."

"Look I know ever since you found out she wasn't your mother you two haven't seen eye to eye. Well even before that you guys never got along. and you have resented me but I didn't mean to lie to you."

"I don't resent you I know that you made a tough choice and that it wasn't to hurt me."

"And I know it cost you a lot and I can't take that back but don't take it out on me."

"I am not trying to while I can't stand Diane that isn't really the main reason I want to go I just want to live my life see what's out there."

"There has got to be another way for you to spread your wings."

"You know since we were young Tonya, Jenna and I always talked about going to school together. It's just becoming a reality now."

"I don't know how I feel about this."

"Daddy bear please you know it's for the best. Sooner or later you were gonna have to let me go."

"Don't daddy bear me young lady I would rather it be later."

"Your little girl has grown. You told me how my mother liked to travel and she always dreamed of doing big things…that is what I want to do I want to live and love life please give me a chance I promise good grades and to come home every chance I get and everything please. I just don't want to waste anymore time then I have already."

She saw his finger tap his temple. That usually meant he was trying to pretend to think. He did a lot of that when she and her brothers worked at one of his record stores. He had a chain of them all over the world. She watched him stand up and as usual he towered over her. He was 6'1 260lbs and a dark Mocha color, he looked down at her short statue. She was 5'3 and a lighter version of him. Her two brothers got her father's height and his build. And she got his facial features and his Golden light brown eyes.

She remembered back to when she was in the 9th grade and met a girl who could have been her sister. Kierra was Mercedes' best friend within minutes they loved all the same things. Then one day Mercedes invited her over to study and Kierra took one look at Percy and then ran out the house. When Mercedes asked her dad about it he said it was nothing.

When Mercedes went to school the next day Kierra had a picture of Percy and a woman who looked a lot like Mercedes at a Prom. When she finally got home she made her father tell her everything and that is when she found out that Diane wasn't her biological mother. And Kierra was actually her Aunt. They were born within months of each other. Mercedes' mother was only 17 when she gave birth.

She and Percy had been forbidden to see each other because when they met he was 19 and she was 13. They met while he was in college. She was his roommate's cousin. He never had inappropriate feelings for her when she was younger but they bonded over music. Her parents couldn't see past his age and told her she needed friends her own age. They still remained friends but once he met Diane they didn't talk as much. Until after her brother Chad was born. Diane and Percy had split and Mercedes' mother who Mercedes was named after comforted him and they ended up pregnant. Her mother died giving birth and of course Diane had already taken Percy back. Mercedes was devastated to learn this but she hid her emotions until her biological grandmother forbid her and Kierra to see each other. When her father tapped her shoulder. Mercedes' thoughts were brought back to the present.

"I don't know if this is a good idea?"

"What do I have to do to prove to you this is a good thing?"

"I don't know…you will come home every chance you get?"

"Every single one."

"And you will maintain good grades and not go out partying all the time."

"Dad I won't go out partying and if I do it will be when I have no classes and time which from what Jenna had told me isn't very often. And since I am premed I am gonna be very busy."

"Your brothers are not going to like this."

"I know and I am going to tell them now and then I am going to tell Noah."

"Yeah that is one good thing about you going."

"I know you don't like him you have made that clear many times."

She walked over to him and hugged him.

"Thank you for giving me this chance daddy bear."

"I don't want you to blame me when you get older that I didn't support your dreams."

"I could never say that. Ever!"

"Go on tell them you're going."

She kissed his cheek and she ran out the room. Diane peeped through and looked at Percy.

"You guys were in this study for a while."

"Yeah this fall Mercedes will be attending Emory University with her cousins."

"Well that's good its time she left."

"Please don't start."

"I am just saying it will be good for her I mean she spent enough time with them when she was younger."

"I have to get back to the record store tell the kids be ready at 8 we are going out to eat tonight to celebrate Mercedes getting in."

"Yeah ok."

He walked out the room. Mercedes knocked on Chad's door. She knew Marcus was in there with him. Chad rented the Apartment above the garage and Marcus was always there.

"Come in."

"Hey so this is where the party is."

Marcus looked at her. He was the youngest. Chad was 26, Mercedes 24 and Marcus was 16.

"So what did he say?"

"He said that he wasn't sure it was a good place for me to be yadda yadda yadda fine you can go then he was telling me what I had to do."

"You can go that is great." Marcus said excitedly.

"Yeah I still think you should stay close to home though."

"No not again I know how you feel and I am sorry I know you are my big brother and you are just trying to protect me but its time I tried to do things on my own."

"I just worry about you that's all. I'm gonna miss you but I know you gotta do what you feel is right."

"Thank you for that. I know its not easy seeing me grow up."

"It's not, I know you put your life on hold to take care of dad while I finished school and so if letting you go helps you accomplish your dreams then fly butterfly fly."

Mercedes hugged her big brother. if ever her dad wasn't there for her Chad was right there to pick up the pieces. Over protective as big brothers come he taught her how to fight and protect herself at all cost. She loved her family and leaving was going to be the hardest thing she ever did.

"I can not believe you are going to be a doctor, we both think you are gonna make a great doctor. Have you decided what field you're gonna be in?"

"Well I don't really have to pick a field yet. Once I finish my last two years I will pick. But I'm leaning towards Pediatrics."

Chad smiled.

"I can see you being a Pediatrics doctor. All the little kids happy to see you I know whatever you do you are gonna be great."

"Coming from you Chad; that means a lot."

"Thanks." He pulled her into a hug and shoved her to the door.

"Now get out we are working on some ideas for the store and since you are no longer working for the store out out out!"

Mercedes laughed as she walked towards the door.

"I will be back later."

She walked out the room and down the stairs to the back of the house. As she stepped into the house and grabbed her keys she sighed. she was getting everything she wanted but leaving Noah was going to be hard. He was the love of her life even though her dad and brother didn't like him. as she was in deep thought Diane walked over to her.

"Your father told me about Emory congratulations." She said folding her arms.

"Thank you."

"Yeah I am glad you are getting to get away from here."

Mercedes rolled her eyes and frowned. Diane Jones knew when she first laid eyes on Mercedes that she would hate the little girl. she didn't want to but how could she love a little girl that reminded her of her husband's one true love. Diane loved Percy but always knew there was someone else on her husbands mind.

The worse part was seeing her grow, everyday Mercedes grew older she looked just like her mother and seeing her husband give that little girl everything she ever wanted just broke her heart.

Mercedes placed her keys in her pocket. She needed to get some air. "I am sure you are…can you tell my dad I walked to Noah's instead of driving."

"No problem."

Mercedes walked out the house and frowned she knew Diane hated her and at this point she didn't care why. As she walked towards Noah's house she thought about the last three and a half years. Her father didn't like him because most dad's wouldn't like a guy like him. Even though he was working fulltime as a manager at Foot Action and didn't want to continue his education, he was extremely cocky and arrogant. When he first met her father he acted as if the world was his and everyone should bow down to him. She knocked on the door and Noah peeped through it.

"Hey Mercedes what are you doing here?

"I got into Emory."

"What's that a club."

"No it's a college in Atlanta."

"Oh congratulations…can we celebrate later?" he asked looking behind him then back to her.

"What why." Mercedes asked as she noticed a woman walk up behind him.

"Puck what is taking you so long? Oh hey Mercedes right?"

Mercedes smiled. "Yeah you must be the cousin Noah told me was coming."

"Uh no I'm his girlfriend…well as of this morning his fiancee."

She held out her hand and Mercedes saw a diamond on it. She stood at the door contemplating her next move because she was certain she didn't hear them right.

"Your what now?"

"Mercedes this is Quinn my fiancee."

"Oh that is really interesting, I say that because just yesterday I was his girlfriend. Matter of fact I was his girlfriend up until the moment I heard you say you were his fiancee."

The blonde looked from Mercedes to Puck. "What wait when I saw you two together Puck you told me she was your cousins girl."

Mercedes faced Noah.

"Your cousin's girl? Really? That's not even original."

The girl looked from Mercedes to Noah.

"I thought you loved me you said that we were going to be married and you didn't ask me because I am pregnant you asked me because you really wanted to marry me."

"You're pregnant." Mercedes felt the heat of anger rise within her. She pulled off her sweatshirt shaking her hands out.

"You trifling low down dirty…I told you that if you ever played me I would hurt you."

Noah held out his hands. "Ladies calm down we can work this down."

Mercedes felt a laugh leave here lips. "Calm down? You want me to calm down. You got another girl pregnant, we were together gor three years…you said you loved me."

"Look we can work this out."

"Work it out…Oh hell to the no you're gonna have to work this foot out ya ass how bout that."

She moved towards him with the swiftness of a cheetah. As she leaned towards Noah he held his arms up in defense.

"Mercedes don't hit her."

Mercedes put her fists down and cocked her head to the side. "Why would I hit her she didn't hurt me you did…I don't blame her for believing your lies cause I did too…but you…you are gonna pay, you are gonna pay for hurting me like this." She felt tears fall from her eyes and slapped him.

"three years I put into this relationship."

She slapped him again as he backed up further into the house. "three years I put up with your arrogant attitude and your better than everyone vibe. But this oh this is it!"

She punched him in his face and as the girl stood at the door with a smile on her face. As Noah fell over the sofa someone swooped Mercedes up and pulled her back.

"Hey wonder woman calm down."

"Let me go."

She screamed as she tried to break free but the guy held her tight. Noah stood up as the girl moved closer to then. Noah looked over at Mercedes.

"Mercedes look we were together and it was great trust me it was…but I am gonna be there for my child it's just tough luck."

"Let me get free and ima show you tough luck you bastard…let me go."

She spun around and looked into a pair of green eyes. She stood back and for a second forgot she was upset. She quickly recovered as the guy tried to grab her again. She held up fist but Noah called him off.

"Sam its cool you don't have to grab her she can't hurt me."

"It looked like she was."

"I cannot believe this…if you think I am just gonna let you do this to me you have another think coming."

"What you gonna call your brothers on me."

"I don't need to do that I can beat you on my own."

"Look you're going to University of something or another anyways you don't need me but Quinn does…we can still be friends."

"Oh can we Noah? It's what I always wanted to be friends with a jerk who cheated on me."

"I'm sorry I really am. Please guys I'm just a fool ok. I will admit that. But Mercedes as much as I care for you I have been in love with Quinn for a long time and she's having my child. You can hate me all you want but I am sorry."

Mercedes shook her head then punched Noah in his face.

"You are nothing but a sorry excuse for a man. You're pathetic."

She walked away but stopped and faced Sam.

"And as for you."

She slapped him.

"Don't you ever put your hands on me again?"

She stormed off. Quinn went to follow her but Noah grabbed her.

"Look I chose you shouldn't you be happy."

"No you only chose me because I got pregnant I can't believe you were cheating on me."

She slapped him.

"You need to get your life together cause these childish games you playing are gonna back fire…oh wait it just did."

She walked away and ran over to Mercedes. Noah looked at Sam.

"She'll come back."

"You don't feel bad about what you did."

"I do but I wanna be a father."

"I meant to Mercedes."

"Well yeah I mean she is a great girl but I am gonna be here for Quinn."

"You were playing them."

"Oh that."

"Yeah that…see that is why I don't come visit you…I am always getting hit for your mistakes."

"Hey this only makes twice you the one always interfering with my problems."

"Cause these girls be rough out here…in Atlanta they respect us here they abuse ya'll."

"How do you think we Ohio boys get so built playing sports?"

"She was pretty strong too…what's her story? Future body builder?"

"Nah she has brothers …dude your face is red."

Sam grabs his face.

"Yeah it burns too…she was pissed."

"Hey that's life…let's get inside and get you some ice for your face."

"While we are at it we might as well get some for your arm and your eye cause they are turning purple."

Quinn walked beside Mercedes.

"I am so sorry about this."

Mercede nodded. "Yeah me too."

"You know any other girl would have blamed me why didn't you?"

"I know how guys are well how he is at least."

"If I would have known."

"I know…he is a decent guy sometimes but the things he does sometimes like now just…well we weren't working out anyways."

"Yeah."

Mercedes sighed. "So what are you gonna do about the baby."

"It sounds bad but I might go back I don't want to raise this child by myself."

"You need to do what's best for you and your baby…I believe he will be a good dad just a sucky boyfriend."

"Yeah well I gotta go feeling kinda sick you know…I hope you find better your too cool of a person to not have better than him."

"So are you."

"Yeah well when you're in love what looks good may not be but you don't care."

"Well good luck with everything I hope it all works out for you."

"You know I think it will."

Mercedes watched her as she crossed the street. She knew she had no reason to be mad at Quinn it wasn't her fault it was Noah's. She walked to her house and saw everyone's car was gone but hers. She walked into the house and saw a note on the wall. She read it out loud.

"Diane and I were going to take you out but I guess you were too busy to return to the house when she said you should be back. We decided to just go out ourselves the boys are at the movies and there is money in our spot so you can get something. Love dad."

She balled up the note and tossed it to the ground. She was used to Diane not telling her things. She thought back to her sixteenth birthday. Diane told Mercedes' dad that she would plan the party. She threw it at red lobster and invited friends of Marcus and Chad and "forgot" all of Mercedes' friends even though she swore it was by accident. Mercedes was pissed for one because she was allergic to sea food so she couldn't enjoy anything to eat…the cake was all chocolate which she couldn't stand and she had to be rushed to emergency because Diane had "accidentally" gave her mozzarella sticks that were mixed with crab.

She knew Diane couldn't wait to get rid of her so she would have to bite her tongue as usual just the make sure everything goes smoothly before she left. Mercedes grabbed her ginger snap cookies and went up to her room. She thought back to that afternoon and back to Sam, Noah's cousin. She shook her head. "Stop it girl, Noah is an ass…though he does have a fine cousin. He had green eyes and he had to be like 6'1 cause he was taller than Noah. He had Sandy blonde hair and lips almost as big as his face. I didn't mean to slap him I was just angry. Why the hell am I talking to myself? I need to get out of here and soon.

She sighed as she lay on her bed. She would just have to bide her time until she left in august. And though that was two months away she knew if she had to she could always leave earlier. She grabbed her 365 devotional book and her bible and began to read it. She didn't have a great living arrangement but she was happy knowing the Lord had provided away for her to be happy.