Title: I Need You Now

Category: Glee

Pairing: Sam/Mercedes

Genre: Romance/Angst

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, any of its characters or any of the original songs that they wrote (Light Up The World and Loser Like Me). I also don't own Need You Now by Lady Antebellum, Price Tag by Jessie J and For the First Time by The Script. Finally, I don't own We Belong Together by Randy Newman, or anything else that has to do with Toy Story 3.

A/N: This is the final chapter of this story. I'm sorry it took so long to post but it's here now. I want to thank everyone that has reviewed, favourited and alerted. I hope you enjoy this final chapter!

Chapter 6 –

Doctors and nurses rushed into the room to check on Sam. Mercedes was unceremoniously pushed out the door but as she looked back, Sam's weak smile up at her was enough to know that they would be ok and they would talk later.

In the mean time, Mercedes called Sam's parents to tell them that he was awake. Sam's mother started crying right on the phone, out of happiness that her son had survived yet another life threatening occurrence (the first being his terrible run-in with the flu). Sam's father told Mercedes that they would be right over to the hospital, and thanked her for waiting with him and letting them know.

Mercedes paced the waiting room, impatiently. She just wanted to go and talk to Sam; all she wanted was to run back in there and fling her arms around him and have him tell her that he loved her back. Mercedes probably would have been angry at having to wait but it was impossible because Sam was awake and alive so nothing at all could dampen her mood.

It took the doctor's a little while, but soon Sam was moved to a regular room and Mercedes was allowed to go back in and see him. When she walked in, Sam's eyes lit up and he flashed a huge big-lipped smile at her.

"Hey Sammy," she said uncertainly. "How're you feeling?"

Sam took a second to clear the grogginess out of his throat before answering. "I feel fine 'Cedes. My head aches a little but I guess that's to be expected. I'm so happy you're here though. I wanted to tell you that I remember everything and I can't believe I was even able to forget to begin with. You're my best friend and I definitely haven't been acting like one for the last 8 years. I'm really sorry 'Cedes and I hope someday you'll forgive me." Sam looked up at her with pleading eyes and she couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes.

"Oh, Sammy, I know and I already have. You're parents told me everything yesterday. I missed you so much these last 8 years and all I want is for everything to go back to the way it was when we were 7, or even 12. I love you, Sammy, I've loved you for as long as I can remember." She held his hand with one of hers and looked lovingly into his eyes.

Sam's smile could not have been brighter. "Oh, 'Cedes, I love you too. So, so much." He reached up his hand to caress her face and she bent over to lean their foreheads together. She pressed a soft kiss to his lips and found him kissing back. This, she thought, is the definition of pure bliss.

Sometime during Sam and Mercedes' kiss Sam's parents arrived but they decided not to break up the two because they looked so happy and in love. At the moment, the song We Belong Together from Toy Story 3 started playing on the hospital's radio that had been playing quietly in the background in Sam's room. Mercedes tuned into the words and laughed at how correct they were. She reached over and hugged Sam being careful of his still many bandages.

"I love you so much, let's promise never to forget each other again," Mercedes said quietly.

"I promise you that I will never, ever forget you again. I love you 'Cedes."

About 30 seconds later, Sam's parents entered the room and, again, a bright smile lit up Sam's face.

"Sam, thank God you're ok." Sam's mother rushed to his side to engulf him in a careful hug. Mercedes was still standing at his side holding his hand and Sam wouldn't let go even as he hugged his mom back.

"I love you guys, and I'm sorry for putting you through that."

"Oh, Sam, it wasn't your fault. That drunk driver will be charged and we're just so glad that you're awake. We love you so much." Sam's father walked up to the side of his bed and put a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder.

The family and Mercedes stayed in the room for a while longer before a nurse came in and said she needed to change Sam's bandages. Mercedes gave Sam a parting look, full of emotion that was conveyed easily to Sam, and they both knew that everything was going to be ok.

A week later, after Sam had been released from the hospital, he and Mercedes met up with Kurt and Blaine at the Lima Bean. All that was left of physical evidence of Sam's accident was his need of crutches for his broken leg and some bruising on his neck, arms and back. He was back to being his happy self and he was able to hold Mercedes' hand and use the crutches at the same time.

"Sam!" Blaine's cry could be heard throughout the coffee shop. Blaine ran and threw his arm across Sam's shoulders. "We were so worried about you."

Sam laughed at Blaine's excitedness. Mercedes looked past Blaine to see Kurt holding his and Blaine's coffee and smirking at Blaine. Mercedes raced up to Kurt, and after safely dropping the coffees on a nearby table, she embraced him.

"It feels like I haven't talked to you in forever," she said. "I've been distracted with Sam and you have Blaine, it seems." Mercedes raised an eyebrow at Kurt and he blushed.

"We need to be sure to set up a shopping date really soon," Kurt replied, a light blush still evident on his pale face. The two friends looked up to see Sam and Blaine deep in discussion as well. "Come on," said Kurt. "Let's find a place to sit before these coffees get cold."

Blaine and Kurt sat across from Sam and Mercedes at a small table in the coffee shop, holding hands and staring lovingly into each other's eyes. Mercedes knew that something had gone on there and she made a mental note to get all the details from Kurt when they went shopping.

"So," Sam said. "I was thinking while I was in the hospital, and Blaine agreed when I asked him, but how would you guys' band like to be our opening band for our tour next summer." Kurt and Mercedes exchanged shocked expressions.

"It could be fun," Blaine added. "Getting to perform all over the country, great publicity for your band, and we'd get to see each other every day."

Kurt looked like he was about to scream, and Mercedes flung her arms around Sam's neck. "That would be SO amazing!" she cried kissing Sam on the cheek. "Are you guys serious?"

Sam laughed, happy that Mercedes was so excited. "Yes, I think it would be the perfect excuse to spend as much time as possible with you, and it would be good for your band too."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Kurt cried, kissing Blaine on the cheek too.

Mercedes hurriedly texted the rest of their band members to ask if they were interested and it only took a minute before her inbox was flooded with excited texts from everyone saying, "YES!"

"Well, I guess that settles it," Sam laughed as Mercedes showed him her phone. "New Directions and Pandora's Scar will be touring together next summer."

"Yay!" Mercedes, Kurt and Blaine all cried, flinging their arms around each other before they all burst out laughing.

One year later...

"And we are the New Directions!" Mercedes cried to the excited, screaming fans. The roar from the crowd inspired the band to play better than they had ever played before. It was fitting that they had made it back to their hometown after touring for a while and were giving their best performance of the summer to the people that had gotten them started.

As their set was about to finish, they jumped into one of the songs that they had written themselves, Loser Like Me. The whole crowd screamed their approval and started singing along. Mercedes had the biggest smile ever on her face and she looked off to the side to see Sam wink at her and give her a thumbs up. With that, she made sure to sing her heart out for the rest of the song, and it resulted in the entire crowd jumping to their feet for a massive standing ovation.

When Sam's band came onstage to take over, Sam gave Mercedes a hug. "That was amazing, 'Cedes!" he exclaimed. "You guys are getting better and better every time you play."

Mercedes smiled. "Thanks, Sammy!" She squeezed him again before leaving the stage, but standing close enough to give encouragement.

Sam's band went through their regular playlist and they also added some newer songs such as Price Tag by Jessie J and For the First Time by The Script. They also sang some songs that they had written including Light Up The World. The crowd loved them as usual, and the cheering and screaming coming from the audience could be heard throughout the park.

When the performance ended, Mercedes, Kurt and the rest of their band ran onto the stage for one final song, Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. Mercedes and Sam called it THEIR song because it had started and saved their relationship and it always had the ability to bring the audience to their feet. Mercedes and Sam sang it as a duet and no matter how many times they sang it it never lost its special meaning to them.

As soon as the song finished, Mercedes threw her arms around Sam in a tight embrace. "I love you, Sammy," she whispered in his ear.

"Love you too, 'Cedes," he replied tightening his arms. When he let her go, he continued to hold her hand as they waved at the audience.

On the other side of the stage, Blaine and Kurt were also holding hands and waving while the rest of the members of the two bands high-fived and jumped up and down excitedly.

"That was amazing!" Mercedes cried when they all exited the stage. "This has been the best summer ever!" She squeezed Sam's hand and he pulled her in for a kiss as the rest of the band members cheered in the background.

"You're right, 'Cedes. That was incredible. I love you so much. And I will, forever," Sam said in a matter of fact tone.

Mercedes giggled at Sam's expression. "Forever sounds good to me," she said swinging their arms as they walked back to the bus that had served as their home all summer. "I will love you forever."

The End

A/N: So there it is. I hope you liked it. I was listening to You've Got a Friend in Me and then We Belong Together from Toy Story while I was writing this and I was thinking that it was just so cute that it seemed to fit Sam and Mercedes' situation. Please review and let me know if you liked this final chapter. I have two ideas for new fanfics. One involves astronauts and fighting (sort of like the fighting during sectionals), and the other includes drunk driving and amnesia (in a different way than this one). I haven't decided whether to pair Kurt/Blaine or Sam/Mercedes for them (I might split it, one each) but please review and let me know which you would prefer to read about. I would like to thank EragonArya (again) for all her help throughout the writing of this story, and for getting me to attempt in the first place. I am going to be incredibly busy for the next 3 months so a new fanfic might not make it up for that time period. Thank you all for all your reviews that you have done so far, they make my day every time I see one. Thanks for all your support throughout this story. Happy writing and reading! :)