Author's Note: Found this one in my files recently. I must have started it as soon as I found out that Mercedes and Puck would both be going to LA. If I can't have Season 4 Samcedes, I'd better get my Puckcedes. 'Nuff said. Enjoy this preview chapter and review! I'll continue it as soon as I can.

You've been on my mind, I grow fonder every day

Lose myself in time just thinking of your face

"Move in with me."

Mercedes took out the last of her folders from her McKinley High locker and slowly closed the door to see who was behind it. "What are you talking about now, Noah?"

Puck straightened from leaning against the lockers with a carefree shrug. "You heard me, Mama. C'mon, we're both going to be in Los Angeles. It's a new city; we'll be starting our careers. We should be there for each other."

'We can be there for each other without living together." She glanced back at her locker and gave it a pat, suddenly filled with nostalgia. When her eyes lifted to meet Puck's once again, they were filled with a little bit of sadness. "Can't believe I'm actually going to miss McKinley. I remember when I couldn't wait to get out of this hellhole." One of Puck's eyebrows quirked upwards in amusement. Mercedes blinked. "What am I saying? I still can't wait. Let me get out of here." She started walking down the hall toward the west parking lot where Sam was waiting in his truck.

Picking up his bag from where it lay at his feet, Puck slung it over his shoulder and jogged to catch up with the short diva. "At least think about it."

Mercedes moved her folders to be nestled in the crook of one elbow and lifted her hand to pat him on the back. "You're only asking me because Finn's not going to live with you and you need a body to share the rent."

"That's not it."

"Oh, that's not it, huh?" She chuckled.

"No, that's not it." He gently tugged her to a stop, choosing to ignore the indignant expression that crossed her face before familiar indulgence took its place. "I don't want you to feel alone in that big city, and you don't have to feel alone. We'll both be there. Why shouldn't we live together? You know we'd be good. You're my girl."

Mercedes glanced down at his hand, still curled around her wrist, and let out a snort. "First off, I'm Sam's girl. Secondly, I would kill you if we lived in the same apartment, Noah. There's a reason why it never worked out between the two of us."

"It didn't work out between us because I started dumping dweebs into the dumpster again and you called me out. 'Cause you've always had my back, Mama. I respect you for that. I love you for that."

"Yeah, I've got your back. And having your back means that you can tell me all of your crazy plans and I can tell you when you've lost your mind." Mercedes grinned, punching his arm with her small fist. "I think that magic kiss Quinn gave you so you could pass your Geography exam went to your head."

"I want another chance with you. I want us to try…us again."

Mercedes froze and then took a halting step back, her grin fading bit by bit from her face. "You…What?" Puck didn't respond; his arms crossed against his chest. The grin completely gone, Mercedes stepped so close to him that she had to tilt her chin upwards to look him in the eye. "Don't do this."

"Mama, I'm just…"

"And don't call me that! You know how much Sam hates when you call me that!" She lowered her eyes to the floor for a moment while taking a deep breath. "You're used to saying stuff like that and girls falling over each other to give you what you want. But you've got the wrong one, Noah Puckerman, if you think that going back to what we had in that little week two years ago is worth giving up what I have now with Sam. You've got the wrong one!"

He started to respond but was interrupted by the sound of her phone loudly vibrating in her purse. She practically shoved her folders into his arms and opened up the side pocket to pull it out, unlocking the phone quickly to see who had sent a text. "It's Sam. I need to go."

Puck sighed. "Mercedes…"

She quickly held up a finger to stop him, retrieving her belongings without actually looking at his face. "He's your best friend, Noah…and I love him."

"Just…"

"I'll see you when I see you."

He winced as the heavy school doors closed with a loud thud behind her.

God only knows why it's taken me so long to let my doubts go

You're the only one that I want