Guess who's back? That'd be me! Soo I had some free time at work plus yesterday I had this idea of this chapter so I started working on it... I think it turned out ok. Got a little sick Mercedes and Doctor Sam to the rescue. Not much kissy face this chapter but things WILL heat up I promise you :) Thanks so much for the reviews like I said they feeds me and I like to be fed lol. I'm on the fence about where to take the next chapter but I promise it'll be a good one and more than likely leave you with a bit of a hang nail... no wait Clifford... oh shoot CLIFF HANGER! That's it lol Anywho as always tell me what you think bonus points to those that pick out their fav lines from this chapter :) And I'd love to hear what you think I should take it maybe you'll hit it on the head or miss it by a mile? I really gotta stop watching cartoon late at night :P ENJOY!

Chapter 4

… 3 weeks later

The flu is the worst; you feel like someone has run over you with a steamroller and you couldn't so much as call out for help to stop it, you look like death has come to visit twice and you feel like you smell like the worst of the worst and Mercedes was living this hell. She started to feel sick a few days prior and only seemed to get worse as they days passed, Sam was with her when she finally gotten the full affect.

They were sitting on the couch and Mercedes just bolted to the bathroom and threw up everything she had just eaten. Sam figured maybe trying something new for dinner was a bad idea but when after ten minutes she was still throwing up or dry heaving he got worried.

Sam knocked on the door, "Merc you ok?" She groaned and he tried the doorknob but it was locked he sighed, "Unlock the door please." She was silent then started to make the noise like she was going to go for another round, he started to twist the knob but it wouldn't budge so he reached up on the top of the door and felt for the key, there was a skeleton key around here somewhere and he couldn't remember if it was this bathroom or the one upstairs. Finally he found it and unlocked the door.

Mercedes looked up through a daze of tears and cried, "Noo please don't look at me like this." She pouted and he walked over getting a towel and wetting it putting it on her neck and crouching down to sit with her while rubbing her back. The sensation of the cool towel helped but then she started to vomit again and Sam smiled as she gave up trying to hide it. He rubbed her back and held her hair out of her face as she finished up. She spit and he reached up and flushed the toilet for her. She groaned and hid her face embarrassed that her best friend/boyfriend type person saw her throwing up.

Sam smiled and pulled her into his arms and held her with her ear to his chest he stroked her hair, figuring she might want to throw up again and not sure how much time he'd have to get her to bed he just held her on the floor. Mercedes sniffled and he smiled, "You're still beautiful Merc so just relax and breathe." She nodded and he kissed the top of her head. It might have smelled like vomit but Sam was not going to let her suffer by herself.

Mercedes got into a coughing fit and then sneezing and finally after blowing her nose did she start coughing again. She heard the front door open and close and the sound of foot steps through out the house she groaned and through a hoarse voice called out, "Daddy?" The foot steps stopped and then started up the stairs. A few more coughs and the steps were outside her door, "Daddy why are you home?"

He didn't answer and she started to get worried and covered her face, "Go away I'll call the police!" The door opened but she kept her head under the covers and felt the bed dip where the stranger sat. She trembled and felt a tug at the blanket but held tight, try as she might she was too weak and he was too strong to let her win and the blanket was pulled back revealing Sam smiling softly at her. Mercedes let out breath she was holding and he leaned in placing a kiss on her forehead and pulling back worried. She sniffled some more, "You scared me. Why aren't you in school?"

He smiled and caressed her cheek, "I'm sorry babe I think you need to fix your clock schools' out for the day." He frowned, "I don't like that you still have a fever I'm gonna get you some orange juice and run you a cool bath." She shook her head and he scoffed, "Mercedes don't make me carry in there... we both know I wouldn't mind a cold shower with you." She turned her head and he laughed, "My sweet angel face just angry with me cause I'm worried." He pressed a kiss on the side of her head and got up to get some orange juice and more tissues. When he came back she was trying to get up and he rushed to her, "Whoa whoa let me help you."

She gave in and he scooped her up in his arms and smiled, "Where to my lady?" She pointed a shaky hand to the bathroom and he rushed her over and inside, "Need me to leave?" She nodded and he set her down by the toilet, which meant she just had to pee not throw up. He went outside the bathroom and put her orange juice by the bed then stood by the door and waited for her to tell him to come get her.

Mercedes did her business and sighed gathering up her energy to get her panties back on, it was embarrassing to think she was so weak she might have to have Sam come in and help her and they hadn't even had sex yet. She sighed and took a few breaths and stood up pulling as she went and got them on herself. She started to feel dizzy and nearly fell but caught herself and flushed, at the sound the bathroom door opened and Sam walked in and without a word gathered her in his arms and carried her to bed, she would have to learn to walk again at this rate. As Sam pulled the blankets over her, he reached for putting the glass in her face, Mercedes started to fight him but he just held it firm and she gave up taking a few sips.

He shook his head, "Drink more than that please." She sighed and took a bigger gulp and that satisfied him for a bit. He set it down and tucked her in feeling her forehead with his hand then leaning in and pressing his lips in the same spot. She let out a soft moan and tiled her head a bit at the sensation and he smiled, "Like that huh?" Mercedes rolled her eyes at his cocky behavior but it was true his kisses always made her feel better. She wanted to curl up but was too tired to try he smiled and planted another kiss on her cheek then one on her nose but she turned her head before he could catch her lips, "I'm not worried about getting sick Merc come on, I wants some kisses."

She shook her head, "I don't want to get you sick Sam please don't make me get you sick." He nodded at the tears forming in her eyes and shook his head she was a big child while she was sick so he had to treat her as such. He handed her a teddy bear and got up to take away her trash and give her a new tissue box. She watched him as he cleaned up after her and how he took good care of her. They'd said they'd try and he said he'd be better to her and for her but she didn't expect this. It was like a light was on inside of him and he was full out boyfriend Sam.

He'd call nightly instead of text when he got home, he'd bring over dinner or help make dinner. At school they held hands walking to class and he'd always leave little notes in her locker saying how beautiful she was when she didn't know he was watching. And since she got sick he would bring her assignments home so she could work on them best she could. If he felt she was pushing too hard he'd put them away and make her rest. He was almost perfect if he'd stop trying to get kisses from her while she was sick.

Sam came back in the room and took off his shoes and climbed in bed next to Mercedes but he stayed on top of the covers. Another thing she came to discover was the Sam was very affectionate as a boyfriend. If there was skin to be kissed he wanted it and if there was a way he could get her in bed he executed that idea. He put a tv in her room and flipped it on opting for some Maury and paternity test results. Mercedes sighed but was too tired to enjoy so she drifted off to sleep snuggling closer to Sam.

He watched the show and started to get tired, he made sure to take something to help keep him from getting sick but there was no way he wasn't going to cuddle on his woman. Especially if she was sick and needed him. Her father had come home a few times but Mercedes was either sleeping or otherwise too sick to talk so Sam told him he'd take care of her and he intended on doing just that. He scooted down and wrapped his arms around her shoulder pulling her to his chest and holding her tightly. Mercedes mumbled in her sleep but drifted deeper and Sam just held her.

He'd made it a point to put himself completely there and be as open with her as he could which also meant sharing his feelings. A few hours later Mercedes woke up to her phone buzzing she reached up and barely saw who was calling, "Hello?" Her voice was scratchy so she coughed out a bit and spoke again, "Hello?" She pulled the phone away and it had a girl's name on it she'd never seen before on her phone she tilted her head confused but then it hit her exactly who it was and how she accidentally answered Sam's phone. He stirred and woke up looking at her.

"Merc you ok?" She looked at him and bit her lip showing him his phone and the name lit up on it. He cut his eyes at the phone and heard her speak and as he looked at Mercedes he sighed and took the phone and stood up, the voice on the other side spoke again and Sam stood in front of Mercedes and pressed end placing his phone down on the nightstand, "You hungry?" She blinked a few times glancing at him and the phone and back at him. He smiled and sat on the bed, "I'm over her and that whatever she had to say I don't need to hear it. So my dear are you hungry?" She slowly nodded and he smiled, "Want me to pick something up for you?" She shook her head and started to move so he got up.

"I want to go with you... I'm getting cabin fever being locked up all day." He frowned but she pouted, "Please I'll wear a coat and hat and everything please Sammy can I go too?" He couldn't deny her when she was doing sickly adorable.

He sighed, "Fine but I get one kiss for my efforts I told your dad I'd take care of you and taking you out is probably not the best idea. I wants a kiss and I wants it now." She giggled and puckered up her lips if it meant she could get out of the house she was all for letting him catch her sickness. He chuckled and sighed, "Ok ok get up I'll get you a coat and find you a hat but so help me if you get worse I'll strap you to this bed myself." He helped her up and got her a some clothes to change into. He left the room and went downstairs to grab his wallet and keys and after five minutes he went to check on Mercedes.

Sam knocked lightly, "Merc you ready?" He opened the door to her still sitting on the bed and her shirt half off. He sighed and she pouted looking so helpless, "Would you like me to dress you?" She bit her lip and looked away, this would be the first time he'd see her with her clothes off on purpose and with her consent. He walked in and knelt in front of her, "It's either that or I put you back to bed and get dinner your choice."

She sighed and mumbled, Sam tilted his head wanting to hear her say it louder and she groaned, "Would you dress me... please?" He smiled and stood up taking her shirt from the bed and placing it near her leg. He grabbed the other side of her shirt still on and pulled it up Mercedes got her arm up and he took the shirt and tossed it across the room. She wanted to cover herself not liking that this was how he'd see her shirtless and she couldn't make a move or be sexy she was just sick and tired literally and just wanted to get some air. Sam was very straight forward, he didn't linger on anything as soon as her shirt was off he put her new one on knowing it'd make Mercedes feel better to be covered in front of him.

The pants were a bit of a challenge, did he get her to stand and steady her with his weight and do one leg at a time or does he lay her back and take her pants off and put the new ones on then stand her and fasten them? So many choices, he figured the less strenuous way was to lay her back and remove her pants and place the new ones on, so he gently pulled them down her legs as he caught sight of her panties his breath hitched and she looked up at him almost scared but he smiled softly and continued taking them off completely. He got her some track pants so all he had to do was slip them on, no buttons no mess. She held up her legs slightly and he put each foot through a leg and moved them up, accidentally or on purpose Mercedes couldn't be sure but his fingers grazed her skin and she felt a warm sensation overtake her.

Her head went back and a soft moan escaped her lips. Sam looked at her and wanted nothing more than to take her pants back off and bring out more of that sound but she was sick, she had the flu and only a jerk would take advantage of his lady in that state. He reached her hips and took her hands in his and with one move pulled her to her feet. Mercedes was in a lusty daze and didn't know what was happening till she felt his breath on her neck and his soft voice, "Hang on I'm almost done." She shut her eyes and nodded biting her lip. Was it the fever or was it Sam's touch that had her so hot and bothered? She didn't know but once she was dressed he scooped her up in his arms, "Your chariot awaits."

He carried her down the stairs and out the front door to the car. Setting her down for only a second he opened the door and picked her up putting her in, she giggled as he ran up to the front door and inside for her coat and a blanket then locked up and joined her in the car. Sam covered her so well you'd think she was fragile. Once he got in the car he took her hand and drove off deciding on some soup for her and he'd just get some pasta so breadstixs was their destination. Sam and Mercedes had a nice drive to get the food but once there it was a bit of a fight because she wanted to get out of the car and he wasn't having it.

"This is ridiculous I can walk Sam let me get out of the car!" Mercedes grumbled as she tried and yet failed to get the door open.

Sam hit the lock button, "No way I'll get the food you wait here when we get back I'll go with you for a walk around the block NEAR the house... that way I don't have to be superman in front of that many people... if you faint here people will be talking about it at school. I personally don't mind it, but do you?" She realized that could happen she did feel dizzy and there seemed to be a lot of cars in the parking lot for a Thursday night so she gave up and nodded her head letting him leave her to get the food. Sam got out of the car and blew a kiss at her which made her roll her eyes but on the inside she felt so lucky to have him.

Once back at the house he helped her in the house and she made her way to the kitchen wanting to sit down and eat not lay down and eat. Sam set the table and got to fixing her plate first he hummed while he spooned in her soup and felt it was just slightly warm and not hot enough, winking at her he threw it in the microwave and got her some bread and crackers, knowing she could never decide which to eat with so he let her pick this time as well.

DING!

Mercedes smiled as Sam got her food spinning around the kitchen and doing a little dance that had her bite back a giggle. He was very charming when he wanted to be that was for sure. Sam set her plate down and gave her some water and another glass with ginger ale in it. He grabbed his food and placed it on the plate and popped it in the microwave as well but took a seat next to her and sighed, "Ok time to eat... want me to feed you?"

She looked at him crazy and he laughed and she joined in realizing he was joking. As she picked up her spoon to eat the microwave went off again and he jumped up quickly and got his plate. After setting it down and scooting his chair closer to her and giving her a boyish grin as he dug into his food, a nice plated of Alfredo and chicken, Mercedes sighed missing food like that. Since she got sick it was mostly liquids or bland foods nothing yummy till her tummy could hold it down as Sam said.

Once he finished he wiped his mouth and licked his lips which had Mercedes staring, it wasn't lost on her how sexy he was and taking care of her when she needed it most was a definite turn on, "So I thought about what you asked me..."

Mercedes snapped out of haze and looked at him confused, "I asked you something?"

Sam's cheeks got a nice pinkish tent and only got darker as she stared at him and he finally spoke, "How you asked me to be your um... first you know time and all..." Mercedes blinked and bit her lip feeling embarrassed. She nodded her head and realized they hadn't talked about it after that night.

They kind of fell into trying to work as a couple and she was too shy to bring it up again so she figured wait for him to think on it and get back to her. He was a guy at the very least he was sure he'd have guaranteed sex with her all he had to do was say yes, but she was a girl asking about it more than once made her feel weird so she just waited. So he picks while she has the flu to speak about it... great this can't be good.

He smiled and took her hand and kissed the back of it, "First I want to know are you sure about what you want? If you changed your mind or want to wait just tell me. We shouldn't be shy about this I mean sex is a big deal but if we can't talk about it we shouldn't do it. You know?" He looked at her making sure she was understanding him as she nodded her head he smiled, "Ok great so my answer is that even though at this moment your nose is runny..." He took his hand and wiped the tiny bit of snot leaking out and wiped his hand on a napkin, "And your eyes are puffy from crying because you're so sick, I would still have unbelievable sex with you."

Mercedes sighed he really was kind of great in all kinds of ways, "Ok, one kind of ew that you just did that with my snot but thanks and two, yes I'm sure I want you to be my first. I know you care about me and you wouldn't run and tell all the guys how you nailed me so I'm not worried about it and who better than my best friend right?"

He frowned and looked down for a bit and sighed, "But I thought it was more than that between us..."

Mercedes frowned too, she was still doing it where she held him at a distance and he was trying to understand but at the same time it really sucked cause he was putting himself out there completely, "I'm sorry you're right we're more than best friends but our friendship is key in my decision even if... all of this between us was just friendly I'd still come to you because you're perfect in my eyes and I know you'd take care of me just like you have with me having the flu."

He smiled and nodded, "Alright finished your food woman then movie time and bed, since you haven't had to make a run for the bathroom in like eight hours I think the worst is behind us." She smiled and got back to eating. Once she finished he took her plate and did the dishes, Mercedes watched him and sighed when he finished he stood in front of her and dried his hands, "Alright my lady back to bed you go." She giggled as he scooped her up in his arms and carried up to her room. Sam set her down by the bed and she held on keeping him close, "What?"

She shook her head slightly and smiled then got up on her tippy toes and gave him a passionate but sweet kiss, no tongue needed but gave him the chills down his spine and she pulled away, "Definitely falling harder for you." She gave a bright smile and got in bed as he pulled the blankets over her and set up a movie. Sam couldn't wipe the smile off his face to save his life... she made him happy and he was doing everything he could to make her happy as well.

After a weekend of rest and Sam working Mercedes was all better and ready for school Monday. She hummed at her locker as she got her books in order and smiled nodding to passerby who said hello and welcome back. She grabbed her notebook and shut her locker only to come face to face with Sam's ex Kamberly, really what kind of name is that Mercedes always hated that name and the person was no better, "Are you lost?"

She glared at Mercedes, "No but something tells me you are... I heard you and Sam are a thing now?"

Mercedes shrugged, "So what if we are? Why do you care you broke up with him a year ago remember... he was boring and all..."

Kamberly rolled her eyes, "Please we needed a break but we're going to get back together Sam just has to talk to me and know it... so if I were you I'd take my little crush and find someone else." Mercedes sighed and hugged her notebook just as she was going to speak Sam walked up and leaned in giving her a sweet peck on the lips that caused both girls to gasp.

"Hey Merc let me walk you to class and I can fill you in on how Mike somehow managed to get jello in my locker this morning..." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and they walked off neither giving Kamberly a second look. She stood fuming at the pair and stomped her foot.

Tina walked by and stopped, "Oh something wrong? Get a little egg on your face there?" She giggled and walked off to meet Mike at his locker and headed to class with him.