The week between Sam's birthday and Prom flew by. My dress came in right on time (I had ordered it), and I had my shoes, jewelry, everything. I had it all stashed at Sam's place, since my dad had no idea I was going to Prom. He thought I was going to be working late that night. Less he knew, the better.

I never thought I would be excited about prom, but before now, I never counted on having anyone, even friends, to go with. Now I had Sam, and I was more excited than ever.

Dean was still in town that week. His reasoning was that Sam would need "adult supervision" that week. I rolled my eyes. I knew exactly where Dean's head was, and it wasn't on supervising Sam. Not in the conventional sense of the word.

Nevertheless, that Saturday morning arrived quickly, and I was excited. I told my dad a half truth, and said that I was going to Sam's before and after work. He voiced his disapproval, but I was out the door before I heard too much. The last thing I needed was for my dad to bring my good mood down.

My first stop of the day was to get my hair done. It took longer than I had liked, but I was happy with it. I went for an older style and had my hair tucked up into a bun. A few pieces of hair were left hanging down, slightly curled for effect. I had a blac jeweled hair clip stuck in to hold it in place, along with an ungodly amount of bobby pins and hairspray. When the stylist finished, I was more than pleased with the final result. I paid for the services, and made sure I tipped her well before heading out to my car and on towards Sam's.

I got there just before lunch, and Dean had already ordered us pizza, and had a 12 pack on hand. I laughed and rolled my eyes as he announced as much. I did help myself to some pizza though, but not too much. I had a corset to fit into for the evening.

We spent the afternoon hanging out, and taking it easy until I had to get ready. While Sam and Dean bonded over ESPN, I started doing my makeup, and then got dressed. I went all out the dress, having ordered it in specially. It was a simple black corset with small ruffles alng the top, with a black ballgown styled skirt, and a black overskirt. My shoes were black lace peeptoes with a unique curve to the shape of the heel. I even got black opera gloves, a black lace choker, and black chandelier earrings to match. Of course, I didn't think about the help it would take to get this damn corset on, and found myself in quite the predicament. I didn't want Sam seeing me before I was finished, but I needed help.

"Dean?" I said, sticking my head out the door.

"What's cookin' princess?" he answered, not missing a beat. Oh Dean...

"Mind coming in here for a second? I need some help."

"Sure Sammy can't help you?"

"I want him to be surprised!"

"Alright, fine," Dean answered, getting up, "You women..."

"Eh shut it. You wouldn't pursue us like you do if you didn't like it."

"You know what?" He said, "I'm not gonna answer that."

I laughed as Dean walked into the room. I was holding my corset up as best I could. Dean may not try anything, but I was ready for any smartass remarks he might make. When he saw my state, he was actually a bit surprised.

"You SURE you don't want Sammy in here?"

"No," I said, "I mean I'm not worried about you being in here."

"Alright well, I can keep a secret if you can," he said. I laughed a bit.

"Deal."

"So, what do you need me to do and how does it work?"

I explained to Dean how tying a corset worked, and he seemed to get it quickly enough. He kept worrying it was too tight, but I reassured him it was ok.

"So..." he said, after he got the hang of it.

"So?" I said.

"You and my brother..."

"Yeah, what about us?"

"You know he's crazy about you?"

"Is he really?" I asked.

"He won't shut up talking about you. Does that mean anything to you?"

"It does," I said, smiling to myself, "he means a lot to me."

"You're in love with him," Dean answered.

"I am."

"Well, he could make a lot worse choices in his life," Dean said, "as much as him having a relationship scares me, I'm glad he found you."

"Means a lot coming from you," I said, "glad you approve."

"Just take care of him. I don't want to regret telling you I like you."

"I will, I promise," I said.

"Good," he answered. He pulled a bit tighter suddenly, then it felt like he was tying it off at the end. "Alright, you look like you're ready to party. And if I can be honest, I'm a little jealous Sam's bringing you home tonight."

"And what makes you so sure it's gonna play out like that?"

"You mean it hasn't already?" Dean answered, a bit surprised. I shook my head.

"No...not yet."

"What are you 2 waiting on? Geesh, you're killing me Mercedes." I laughed a bit.

"Not everyone throws themselves out there to any and everyone," I said.

"I know, but you 2? Really? Man, Sam has got to step up his game."

"Only you, Dean."

"Damn right only me. Now you wait here. If you have to make an entrance, then let me help."

"Fair enough," I said. Dean went out first, and I overheard part of the conversation.

"...you're one lucky bastard," I heard Dean say. I smiled, taking the off-handed complient.

"Thanks, I guess," Sam said.

"She looks great. You'll be making everyone there jealous tonight."

"Really?" Sam said.

"Would I lie to you about your girlfriend, if I liked her?" I heard Sam laugh.

"No, you wouldn't," he answered.

"No, I wouldn't," he said, "Mercedes! Get out here and have your princess entering the ball moment!"

I smiled at his metaphor and walked out, trying to hold my skirts up. I definitely felt like a princess, but not any of the Disney-fied ones. The real Grimm ones. Like Snow White; the bitch version that made the Queen dance in red hot iron shoes. Twisted, and demented, not cutesy and pretty.

When I came out and looked at Sam, he just stared. I was worried he wouldn't like it, but after a moment, he smiled.

"Mercedes...you...wow...I never could've dreamed you looking like this."

"Really?" I answered. Sam smiled.

"You're the most beautiful I've ever seen you," he answered.

"Way to be a cheesy loser," Dean said.

"Hey! You're lucky I'm talking right now," Sam snapped.

"Sure thing lover boy."

I laughed, flattered by their antics. And even if what Sam said was a little trite, I still liked hearing it.

"Thank you," I said. "You look great too. Very handsome. I've always been a sucker for a guy in a suit."

"Hear that? You're getting lucky tonight," Dean chimed in again.

"Dean!" Sam said, getting annoyed. I still found it funny.

"Just calling it like I see it," Dean said, and then reached for something in his pocket, "but before I forget, here's a little something for you. Call it big brother's looking out for you."

Dean tossed a small box Sam's way, and Sam caught it. The look on his face, I had a pretty good idea of what it was.

"Seriously Dean? Condoms?"

"I told you, I'm looking out for you."

"Whatever man. Just stop it before you embarrass me anymore."

"Embarrassed?" he said, "Looking at Mercedes, she'd trying not to laugh too hard."

"He's right," I said, "You 2 crack me up."

"Well if you'll excuse me, I'm not going to keep these with me all night," Sam said, and went back to his bedroom.

"Geesh, kid needs to chill out. I'm just trying to help."

"Dean, it's Sam. Different sense of humor."

"I know, but what am I supposed to do? It's prom night. The whole point is to get laid."

"Ahem?"

"Oh right...yeah...brother's girlfriend. Gets a bit weird."

"Exactly."

"Sorry, I'm just kidding you 2."

"It's fine," I said, "I'm glad you're here, to be honest.'

"At least one of you is," he answered.

Sam came back out, and we went through the normal traditions: Boutonniere, corsage, Dean took pictures and jabbed at us the whole time for being too cute. He promised to get the photos developed while we were at the dance.

We had a great time at dinner together. I got a lot of compliments on my dress, which made my night, and Sam's ego inflated. It was already off to being a nice night. I was excited. I spent the first three years of high school dreading Prom. I always thought I'd be ignored all through school, and wouldn't have anyone to enjoy this with. I guess I was wrong. I found Sam, and I was looking forward to this last hurrah before we graduated.

After dinner, we got to where the dance was being held. I was really happy, and so was Sam. We got in, and people greeted us, we traded compliments, and started dancing. Well, I should say, to Sam's dismay, I made him dance before anyone else was out on the floor. He hated me for it, but I had a blast. He kept saying he couldn't dance, but it wasn't like I was the greatest dancer, either. I just had fun with it. I was glad I got to enjoy this, instead of sitting home, moping and bemoaning my existance, like I thought I would.

Halfway through the dance is when the DJ started bringing the songs down into slower songs. Sam was more comfortable with simply swaying to the songs, and holding me close. Not that I minded that. I felt safe with him that night. I mean, I always did, but I felt closer to him then than I had at any point before. It was a good feeling.

We were inseparable the rest of the night. We ran around the dance floor after each other, took pictures, and had fun talking to people that, well at least I had been too harsh and judgemental to, and found out they were actually really cool people. We made promises to hang out and talk over the summer, while we weren't too busy getting ready to head off to college. It was nice, ending on such a high note.

All the while, Sam was with me, and he made it hard to keep focused onn any given conversation. He couldn't keep his hands off of me, and was being more affectionate than I was used to from him (at least in public). I tried to hide how much I was enjoying it, but that was easier said than done. I wasn't used to him showing off in front of everyone, but I didn't complain either.

Towards the end of the night, they announced the prom court. We rolled our eyes, but joined the crowd, standing at the back.

"Do you even care about any of this?" he asked me, as he wrapped his arms around his waist. I shook my head.

"Not a damn bit. Seriously, I'd rather be dancing," I answered, "How about you?"

"Nope, not at all," he said. I looked back and smiled at him.

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"I was going to suggest we could get out of here. I think we'd have a little bit more fun at home."

I giggled and blushed. Sam was being awfully brave, and it was a bit out of character for him, but I liked it.

"And you were the one all embarrassed by Dean earlier," I said. Sam rolled his eyes.

"It's Dean, he does that to be a pain in my ass," he answered.

"But you're so cute when you're angry!" I joked back, and kissed his cheek. He kissed mine in return, then whispered in my ear.

"So, are you ready to get out of here?"

I looked up at him and smiled.

"Persistant you are," I replied, "but I might be persuaded to leave a little early." I turned to face him, and put my arms around his neck. I pressed up against him, being as suggestive as I could without pissing off the chaperones.

"I just hope you make it worth my while," I answered. He smiled.

"Don't I always?" He said.

"That you do," I answered, letting go of him, and then taking his hand. He led me out of the dance hall, and out to the limo we had waiting for us.

We made it back to the apartment safe and sound. Dean's Impala was still in the parking lot, with Dean even asleep in the back seat. He probably made up his mind a while ago Sam and I were going to be up to something tonight, and relegated himself to the car. A part of me had to laugh. Talk about brotherly love.

Sam helped me up the stairs to his apartment, since my skirt had about a million yards of tulle, and let me in. We headed back to his room, and I started wiggling in my corset.

"God, this makes me look amazing, but it's REALLY uncomfortable," I said.

"Need help getting out of it?" he asked. I smiled.

"Maybe."

Sam didn't hesitate in helping me loosen my corset. I closed my eyes and sighed as I felt him trace his fingers down my back and play with the lacings. With each tug, I felt it getting looser and mt heart started to beat faster. Sam leaned in from behind me, nuzzling my neck, and then kissing down my shoulder. He found the spot on my right shoulder that nearly paralyzed me every time he kissed it. He even bit gently, causing me to gasp as he did. I gripped my skirt, having nothing else near by, and he ran his hands around my waist, and up over my corset, reaching for the first latch. He gently unhooked it, and nipped at my ear as he did. I gasped a little louder, almost moaned, as he did, my body shivering more and more as he came closer to completely unhooking my corset. When he did, he gently pushed it off, and let it fall to the floor.

Just those few moments already had my head spinning. I whirled around, threw my arms around his neck and kissed him heatedly. He pulled me close, pressing his body to mine. His shirt was the only thin layer keeping us from feeling each other. Next thing I knew, our hands were flying, getting each other undressed (a ball gown skirt is a pain in the ass, just for the record). Before long, I was falling back on Sam's bed, looking up at him.

He towered over me, his lean but strong frame overpowering me. I'd been here before, but not like this. And not with Sam looking at me with a look that smoldered as his did at this moment. He needed me in a whole different way, and I was finally ready for that point in our relationship.

He reached over to the bedside table, pulling out a condom from the box Dean had teased him with earlier. I ran my hands down his body as he did, finding it hard to control myself long enough for him to think clearly. He groaned softly as he got one out, and ripped it open. He was already hard, I'm sure thanks to the night's mounting anticipation, and rolled it on with ease. I bit my lip as I watched him. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping it'd come to this, but I was also not going to push. It felt better just letting it happen on its own.

Sam leaned in again, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me. I reciprocated, holding him close, and wrapped one of my legs around his hip. Only a moment later I felt him thrust into me, and then start moving, finding his pace. I groaned out, and nipped his lip as I started to rock against him, the sensation of him filling me being almost too much to handle.

"Sam!" I cried out, gasping and moaning as I tried to keep up. I dug my nails into his skin, enjoying the groan that followed.

"Mercedes..." he said my name with a breathy voice, and nipped my ear, "It feels so good inside of you, feeling every bit of you."

"M-more!" I gasped, arching up so he could thrust harder, and did he ever. I screamed out as he thrust deeper and hit just the right place in just the right way.

Sam took the encouragement and kept thrusting hard as my body grew tighter and I clenched down around him. He rolled over, pulling me on top, giving me the chance to grind harder against him. I groaned out as I gripped his chest, and thrust against him. He kept a hold of my hips, and rocked himself against me, causing me to scream out even more.

"Sam...I...oh god...I...!" I screamed out again, louder than before, arched against him, and came hard. I felt my body gush all over him, my orgasm sending wave after wave of pleasure to me until I finished. I slumped forward as I finished, my head spinning. Sam gripped my hips, flipped me onto my back and thrust hard into me again.

"Don't think I'm letting you have all the fun," he said, holding my wrists over my head as he thrust hard and deep. I could tell by watchin him, he was getting close. His face was twisting with pleasure, and his groans were becoming short and shallow, just as they always did before he reached his moment of pleasure. With a few final, deep thrusts, he shoved deep inside of me and came. He groanded and grinded against me as he rode out his pleasure.

When he finished, he pulled out of me and collapsed on bed. He pulled the used condom off, and wrapped it up in the packet. I rolled over and curled up next to him, nuzzling his chest. He kissed the top of my head, and I smiled, the adrenaline and endorphins still pulsing through my veins.

"You're incredible," I said, looking up at him. He smiled back.

"With someone as beautiful as you, it wasn't hard to enjoy myself," he answered. I giggled a bit and kissed his cheek.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you too," he answered.

We spent sometime after laying in bed just talking and being affectionate, then made love again. We kept the pattern up for most of the night until we were completely spent. We eventually fell asleep in each others' arms. It had been a wonderful night, and ended on such a high note. But the next morning brought us all crashing back down, way too fast, and way too hard.

At a somewhat early hour, we heard a pounding on the door. We groaned rolled out of bed, being too lazy to grab more than bedsheets and blankets to cover ourselves up. Sam guessed Dean had locked himself out, after spending the night at some unsuspecting girl's house, but when we opened the door, Sam realized how dead wrong he was.

My dad stood in the doorway, fuming. Fear and embarrassment surged through my veins as I saw him standing there, his nostrils flared in anger, and his arms crossed over his chest.

"I always thought I raised you better than this," my dad said, angrily. "This is how you thank me for everything I've done for you? You go running off like a slut?"

"H-how...?" Was all I had in me to stammer out. My dad sighed in frustration.

"You really think I was going to let you run off with some boy, and not try and figure it out. What kind of idiot do you take me for? I've been following you 2 for months Mercedes, I just never thought I'd have to do anything about it."

"So what you just barge into my apartment, and act like you can tell us what to do?" Sam said, as visibly angry as my father was.

"Sam! Shut up!"

"That's exactly what I'm doing," my dad retorted, "if my daughter is in danger, then I will do what i'm suppoed to do as her father."

"The only time she's in danger is when she's home with you," Sam sneered.

"SAM! STOP!" I screamed at him. "Please...stop..."

Sam looked at me, but he didn't say anything else. He sighed, and we both looked at my dad.

"Now get inside and get some clothes on. I expect you home in half an hour. And you're never coming out to see this boy again. You hear me? If you do, you won't like the consequences."

I went wide eyed and looked at Sam. I'm pretty sure his expression mirrored my own. I nodded my head slowly.

"Yes dad," I replied.

"Good. Now get inside and get dressed and stop acting like a whore. I raised a lady, not a blow up doll."

I didn't reply, I just hung my head and walked back inside. I wished I could say that I gave my dad a piece of my mind and stood by the fact that I was a legal adult, legally able to make a stand and my own choice and that I told my dad to shove off. But, I didn't. I couldn't. Not with school looming over my head in August, and needing his goddamn signature on all the necessary papers. He had all the power in the situation, and we all knew it. I had to obey.

"Erika, you don't have to go," Sam said, "move in with me for the summer. You can stay here. Half your stuff is already here, and we're both 18 now. We can take care of ourselves."

"It's not that easy, Sam," I snapped, letting my sheet fall to the floor and walking back to the bedroom to start getting ready. "You got a full ride to your school of choice, I didn't. Your dad is never around, and when you 2 got into it, it wasn't like it was a big deal when he told you to never come back. You don't NEED your dad. I do. Just for a few more years, and then I can cut the puppet strings and be an actual adult. You got to cut those strings a long time ago. That's the difference between you and me. You got shoved out of the nest, even if you didn't want it, when your mother died. My mother died, and I got reeled back in. No matter how hard I try to leave, I CAN'T. I can't have a life, I barely have a job and a car, I have 4 more months til I leave thi damn town, and I have to make it work for me. It sucks, but I have to do it. And if it means I have to say good bye to you so I can survive this shithole, well...I'm sorry."

"Mercedes, this is your dad talking, not you."

"And just what the hell do you know about any of this?" I snapped back at him. "Your dad wanted you as far from him as possible to 'protect' you. Your brother went with. You've been on your own your whole life. I've never had that chance. I probably never will. Not til I have a college degree and a full time job to take care of myself. So this is just what I have to do."

"Mercedes...just...goddammit, stop! We can find a way to make it through this."

"Sam, you know I love the fact you're an idealist with a big heart, but this isn't 19th century British literature. I can't just go be a governess in some rich family's house, and you can sneak me out in the middle of the night and hope I don't get pregnant before you get the money to marry me and make me an honest woman. The world doesn't work like that."

"Don't talk like that," Sam said.

"I'll talk how I want," I said.

"So this is how it all ends?" Sam asked. "A huge fight just because your dad is an ass?"

"Maybe it is," I snapped back. "Maybe you just have to deal with the fact the fairytale is over, and boy was it fun while it lasted. But back to reality Sam. You're going to California, I'm going to Louisiana, and in the interim, there's an asshole parental figure. So let's just smile because it happened, and not cry because it's over."

I didn't really mean that, but I was angry. I was hurting. And people seem to be good at saying things they don't mean when in that situation. Sam stopped where he was, not sure what to say next as I got myself dressed and packed up all of the stuff I could, and tried to manage my prom dress.

"Whatever I forgot today, bring to class on Monday," I said. Sam didn't answer. He just nodded his head, and found a pair of pants to pull on.

He followed me to the front door, but didn't say anything. I opened it, looked back at him, still quiet, and then walked the familiar path to my car.

Monday was awkward. While everyone else was on their high from the preceeding weekend, Sam and I acted like perfect strangers. We did our classwork together when needed, but otherwise you would think we'd never met each other before, nevertheless fell in love can completely gave ourselves to each other. But, it was what it was.

"Here's the few things you forgot," Sam said, handing me a plastic grocery bag with an assortment of my random belongings in it. I grabbed the bag, and shoved it in my school bag.

"Thanks," I said.

"You're welcome," he answered. I smiled a bit, not sure what else to do in a situation like this. He sighed sadly.

"Guess I'll see you around then?" he said.

"See you around," I answered.

He went his way to his next class, and I took the long way to mine, just to avoid having to see him more than needed. I cut my lunch period, and came back in time for my last class. I didn't eat. I just drove off school property and sat in my car, crying, until the last possible minute.

That was the end of my senior year of high school. Sam went from being my best friend, and my first real love, to a perfect stranger. All because my father held all the cards and he knew it. I didn't stop loving Sam, but I couldn't be with him. It just wasn't written for us. As much as I wanted it to be, it couldn't be. I just had to accept it and move on. Maybe Louisiana would be better, and I would meet someone there who was just as amazing as Sam. Maybe...just maybe...