"You're kidding me right?"

Sam and Noah are standing in an open clearing somewhere on the outskirts of the Evan's Plantation. What they are looking at is the most pitiful excuse for a shed. It's small and worn down with a massive hole in the roof of the top. The wooden frame is old and looks like it's about to collapse at any moment.

"You can't rebuild this" Noah laughs shaking his head.

Sam squints his eyes trying to see the building, if you can even call it that; in a positive light...he can't. Who's he kidding? This shed is one second from blowing over from a soft southern breeze.

"It's not that bad" Sam says walking up to the door to open the shed. "It just needs some work."

As soon as he finishes his sentence, he pulls on the handle of the door and it comes flying off the hinges.

Noah laughs even harder. "Just go out and buy a new one!"

"I can't" sam says removing the door completely and propping it up against a wall of the shed. "I can't just solve every problem I have with money...some things I have to fix it myself."

Noah is impressed. This isn't at all the answer he was expecting to hear...I mean c'mon...it's Samuel Pretty-Boy Evans. He doesn't have to work hard for anything; he just orders it and it's brought to him on a silver platter. Why is he working so hard for this?

"Besides" Sam says stepping away from the shed to get a wider view. "If I go with you, I need to prove to Merce that I can take care of her."

"By rebuilding a shed?" Noah says skeptically.

Sam sighs. "By showing her that I can build a life for us; that I did this on my own, with my own two hands.

Noah's head tilts a little. "This is really for her?" His tone has completely changed.

Sam nods with another sigh seeing how much work needs to be put into this place before he can even think of showing Mercedes anything.

"Even if we don't go, at least we'll have a place to ourselves."

Noah has his arms folded debating whether or not to get involved with this project. He doesn't have too, Sam's already given him the money he's asked for. He could tell Quinn of his plan and make there escape that very night, leaving Sam to deal with his own problems. The strange thing is, is that in some weird way Noah feels obligated to help. Maybe it's because he thought he'd figure Sam out, only to be shocked to find that he wasn't this stuck-up rich brat...just another man in love. Maybe it was because Sam took the money from his own savings to invest into his business plan.

"Well," Noah says craning his neck. "You're going to need new wood; the frame's rotted through."

Sam turns to him looking confused. "How do you know?"

Noah steps closer before ripping a chunk out of the wall. "Because it's a grey-brown and it's chipping away like crazy."

Sam looks at it interested trying to remember the information. "Wait? Does this mean you're gonna help?"

Noah shrugs like it's no big deal. "It'll give me a chance to see if I want a pansy like you for a partner."

Sam smiles, finding a true goal for the first time in his life.

Everyday the two guys are out in that clearing working on that shed, trying to turn it into a suitable place. They've stripped away the framework and have laid out a bigger outline, slowly turning the former shed into a medium sized one room space. Sam spends all day out there; from sun up when the light is most useful until late into the evening when he can barely see. Noah usually joins him in the evenings when he's finished his work at the Fabray Plantation. Days are running into weeks as the two boys work, allowing a friendship to develop.

"Where'd you learn about this kind of stuff?" Sam asks hammering a nail into a wooden board.

"Like, building stuff?" Noah says wiping his brow.

"Yeah, how'd you become so good?"

Noah shrugs. "My dad was a carpenter back in Indiana. I used to help him a lot."

"That's where you're from?"

Noah nods placing another board on top of one already set in place. "Yeah...but then everything just went sour I suppose."

"What'd you mean?"

"My dad was heading out to California and find gold but I haven't heard from him for a while. And then my mom got real sick, and we needed money so I had to go find work-"

"Wait so who's with your mom now?" Sam asks concerned.

"My brother takes care of her, while I work and send money back to them."

Sam isn't sure how to respond; he can't really relate. Sam can't remember anything about his mom, he was really young when she died. And his dad has always been there for him; he can't imagine what it's like for Noah.

"About this ranch," Sam begins deciding to change the subject and he automatically sees Noah's mood shift when he mentions this ranch. "Where exactly is it?"

Noah smiles thinking of it. "That all depends on how far out we want to go. I've been looking at some properties in Texas, but I'm not really to fond of Texas-"

"Where else?"

"Anywhere I suppose" Noah answers excited. "Colorado, Oklahoma, Utah. We're gonna herd cattle, so we can possibly go anywhere."

Sam nods thinking of the freedom that lies ahead...Just as soon as he finishes this project.

Weeks Go By, A Different Evening...

Mercedes is in the dinning room serving Mr. Evans his dinner.

"Next course please Mercedes" Mr. Evans says gently noticing how she's a little down.

Mercedes gives him a quiet nod and clears away the dishes to give Mr. Evans the next course. When she goes to stand at her station she gazes at Sam's empty seat...he's missing dinner again. Mercedes twists her mouth a little disappointed; she hasn't seen Sam in weeks. Like she's seen him, but she hasn't really seen him. Only slight glimpses of him, and he doesn't notice her. He doesn't even smile or secretly wink at her anymore to let her know she's been seen; he just leaves. They've even stopped meeting at their usual spot in the outer fields. Mercedes spent two weeks worth of mornings, going to their spot everyday hoping to see him but he never came. When she get's back to the house, he's already gone or just leaving; and he doesn't even wave goodbye or anything. Mercedes is confused...she re-traces her actions to see if she's said or done something to upset him. She can't think of anything...that would require talking to a person and she hasn't seen him in almost a month.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Mr. Evans ask.

Mercedes snaps out of her thoughts giving Mr. Evans a slight smile. "Just thinking about Flora's recipe for that honey ham" Mercedes lies.

Mr. Evans chuckles. "The ham?"

"I was wondering if I cooked it like she does, would mine come out as good" she smiles.

"You'll never know until you try" Mr. Evans says returning to his plate of food.

"I'll keep that in mind sir."

A moment of silence goes by until Mr. Evans decides to change the conversation. "Do you know what could be keeping Sam?"

Mercedes shakes her head no listening to Mr. Evans continue.

"He's coming in late and leaving early, missin' meals and I can't figure out for the life of me what that boy's up too."

Just as soon as Mr. Evans finishes his sentence Sam walks in looking exhausted. He walks right pass Mercedes to his seat and sits down tiredly for the first time all day.

"My God dear boy!" Mr. Evans exclaims. "Where the heck have you been?"

"Just around" Sam answers as Mercedes puts the current course in front of him. "Thank you" he says to her; but it's not in the loving way that she's used too...it's just strictly polite.

"Now Sam," Mr. Evans begins. "You tell me right now what's goin' on."

Sam begins eating the food like he hasn't eaten in days. Mercedes and Mr. Evans look at him strangely before anxiously waiting to hear Sam's answer. Sam takes a goblet full of water and begins chugging it back forcefully.

"Nothin's going on" Sam says after he's finished the water. "I'm just making plans to take a trip."

Mr. Evans looks at him surprised. "A trip? Where?"

"Not quite sure yet" Sam says quick, shoving more food into his mouth. "But...I think it's...high time I took one."

"Alone?" Mr. Evans asks, and Mercedes ears unintentionally perk up.

"Yes" Sam says continuing to eat. "I think I'm old enough."

He finishes before Mr. Evans and surprises everyone by clearing away his own dishes, setting them in the basket near Mercedes so they can be washed. And just as quickly as he came in, he leaves to go to his room.

"What the devil is wrong with that boy?" Mr. Evans says completely confused.

"Beats me" Mercedes says surprised looking at the empty place setting.

After an extremely long day, Mercedes is undressing herself for bed. She lies on top of her bed, unable to fall asleep because she's thinking about Sam. That's when her mother stumbles into their cabin.

"Merce?" Delilah says unsure; but she can tell from Mercedes breaths that she's still awake. "Why are you still up?"

"No reason" Mercedes says. "Couldn't sleep."

"What's wrong?" Delilah says walking over to her. "You never can sleep when somethin's bothering you."

"I'm fine-"

But her sentence get's cut off by her mother's laugh. "Now I know something's wrong...whenever your fine it's the exact opposite."

Mercedes twists her mouth in annoyance.

"It's Sam, right?" Delilah guesses and Mercedes' silence provides enough of an answer. "He ignorin' you?"

Mercedes refuses to answer, but her silence is louder than anything.

Delilah strokes her daughter's cheek. "Honey, he's a man...sometimes these things happen. I tried to tell you-"

"What are you sayin mama?"

"I'm sayin' that after he's taken what he wants-"

"You mean me?" Mercedes says offended.

"It was bound to happen" Delilah sighs. "I tried to tell you not to get so-"

"Attached" Mercedes finishes not having any energy to argue with her mother.

Delilah strokes her daughter's hair. "When I tell you things, it's because I know how it is."

"You don't know how anything is" Mercedes thinks to herself.

"These feelings are here one minute than gone the next-"

"Your wrong" Mercedes says firmly, unable to keep quiet any longer. "He's not like that...he's taken nothing from me, he wants nothing from me...he doesn't see me as something to toss aside."

Delilah looks pitifully on her daughter for the first time in her life. She strokes her cheek and sighs. "Baby...he has tossed you aside."

Mercedes rolls to her side and covers herself up with a frustrated grunt. "You'll never understand, and you of all people should."

"You're the one that doesn't understand...he's using you and you're lettin' him!" Delilah says getting up from Mercedes' cot. "He's marrying that Fabray girl, they're making plans for a trip!"

Mercedes breath catches a little...she isn't quite sure how to take this. I mean it's not like she didn't know, it's just that...she thought she had more time. More time to be happy before the misery started. Sam would've told her about it, right? Given her an even break, something she could wrap her head around and get over? That's what he promised her...but then again, it would explain why he had become so distant in the past few weeks.

"I'm sorry Merce" Delilah says realizing how hurt Mercedes is becoming. "But this is how things are."

Mercedes beats her pillow a little harder, turning over and falling to sleep...her thoughts of Sam unable to keep her nightmares at bay.

More weeks go by...

"You rotten bastard, you finished the damn thing!" Noah laughs loud and hearty looking at the tiny house on the Evans' property.

Sam stands back appreciating the work he's accomplished. It took many long weeks in order to complete it but he could finally say it was done, finally perfect enough for Mercedes. The tiny shed was gone and in it's place stood a larger shed set up like a small house. The wood is tan yellow and freshly cut along with a single window on either side of the door. It's beautiful and sturdy and all that it's missing is a woman's touch.

"Go on in and check out the inside" Sam smiles urging Noah to look closer.

"It's not gonna fall on me is it?" Noah chuckles skeptically before walking inside the room. It's big enough to fit two people comfortably but no more; finally giving Sam a place to safely take Mercedes. This place was special to him; he hated hiding his attachment to her, with only God knowing about his undying need for her. Mercedes described perfect mornings orchestrated by God...but this was different. He built this place himself, he made it nice for them...God just gave him the materials to create such a wonderful place.

"How'd you do these?" Noah asks pointing out the delicate trim around the window sills.

"Just like you showed me" Sam answers with a shrug. "With a whole lot of patience and some tools."

"This came out really nice" Noah says approvingly. "Maybe you're not just a pretty boy after all."

Sam laughs finding a random vase and some wildflowers and setting it on the floor. "I think I'm gonna show her tonight."

"Really?"

Sam nods nervously. "I've been so busy with this shed, I haven't really had time to be with her."

"Well when she's sees it, it'll be worth it" Noah says trying to cheer him up. "Maybe I'll tell Quinn about the plan?"

Sam frowns at Noah. "You didn't tell her yet?"

"How could I? You were still working on this shed" Noah chuckles. "When I tell her, I want to be able to leave right then."

"Then I feel stupid" Sam says hitting himself. "I saw her in town and asked if she was all set to go."

This pauses the both of them for a minute, but they both shrug it off with a laugh.

"I'm sure she had no idea what you were talking about" Noah smiles. "But she will...after tonight, everything will be set."

Later that night...

"More stew Master Sam?" Mercedes says quietly from the corner.

Sam's head jerks at the term; he hasn't been called "Master" in a long time. He doesn't like it, something about that word just rubs him the wrong way.

"No thank you" he says a little surprised.

Mercedes nods refusing to give him any eye contact, she picks a random space on the wall to focus her attention. Sam is staring at her, from her body language he can tell that she's a little upset...and she's upset with him. He knows that much because she's refusing him the honor of staring into her warm brown eyes. She's not rewarding him with one of her smiles, the kind that are just for him, the ones that illuminate her face and set his heart on fire.

"Dinner was lovely, as usual" Mr. Evans smiles patting his stomach. "Thank you Mercedes."

Mercedes nods as Mr. Evans leaves the table. She prepares to clear away his spot but Sam hops up and begins clearing the table. Soon it's becoming a race as to see who can clear away the most dishes and when Sam finishes first, Mercedes gives him a glare in defeat.

"That's my job" Mercedes says putting a hand on her hip. "I need the practice for the new-"

"New what?"

"Never mind" she smiles fake. "Is that all Master-"

"Yeah, stop calling me that" Sam says a little annoyed. "I thought we moved past that."

Mercedes looks at him hard, feeling like she wants to bite his head off from how mad he's making her. He hasn't spoken to her in weeks, completely ignored her for his fiancé and because she's not happy and sing-song about it, he has the nerve to get upset when she's only reminding him the distinction between them.

"What's wrong Merce?"

"Nothing...I'm fine" Mercedes says frustrated. "And don't you go sayin' how I'm not fine when I say I'm fine! Cause I am!"

Sam tries his best to eat a laugh, but it's not working. "Come with me" he says trying to grab her hands but she pulls away.

"I've got work to do" she says bitterly.

"No you don't" Sam says in his command voice. "May!"

The rest of the servants begin calling for May as well until she shows up in the dinning room exhausted and out of breath. She's clearly been running from wherever she's been. Sam changes his posture in order to seem more intimidating.

"You...called...for...me...sir?" May pants like she's going to have a heart-attack.

"Yes. Tonight you will be taking care of this evenings housework. The dinner dishes, the kitchen, the parlor and the final check of the rooms upstairs."

"Yes sir" May says slow and disappointed.

"I want everything just as perfect as always and I will be making sure that it is personally" Sam adds seeing the fear come over the girl. Mercedes rolls her eyes watching from the side.

"Is Mercedes not going to help with-"

"That's not your concern" Sam says giving her a look walking out of the room. "Mercedes, come."

That does it! Mercedes is royally upset. "COME"? Like a dog? She's only following him to tell him how much of an ass he's being, and if the opportunity presented itself she was going to deck him clear into tomorrow. She didn't care what the consequences were...that's what she hated most about her non-existant social status. All she wanted was to feel like a respected person, not property, not an animal. And now the one person in the world who made her feel like they were on a level playing field was treating her like everyone else? She wasn't having it...she'd rather die or be sold off before she became another play thing to Sam like she was to Quinn. She'd tell him so tonight...she'd leave.

Mercedes is so upset she doesn't even realize where Sam is taking her. She's walking blindly to a part of the plantation she never even knew existed. The walk is quiet except for Mercedes quick and furious steps that tell Sam she's really, really angry with him. His long strides keep him ahead and out of her hitting distance, but he can tell that her small feet are trying desperately to keep up. They finally get to the place, and that's when Sam stops and turns around to see Mercedes still breathing heavily in a rage.

"I'm sorry for doing that" Sam says immediately knowing what's pushed her over the edge. "It was the only way to get you to go with me."

"Why?!" She shouts. "You've made everything clear!"

He frowns confused. "What's clear? I've told you nothing-"

"We're over aren't we?" Mercedes spits out. "We had a good time, now it's done!"

"Why would you say somethin' like that?" Sam says completely lost.

"It's true isn't it?!" Mercedes shrieks. "That's why you've been ignoring me for weeks."

Things begin clicking for Sam, and he starts laughing. His laughter is like pouring kerosine on the fires of her anger. She doesn't care she's walking right up to him, balling her fist to make contact with his face. He stops laughing just in time to catch her arm before it makes contact with his jaw. He twists her arm gently behind her back, bending his head down to kiss her. She struggles for a bit before giving into the wonderful feeling; she feels their strong connection even more after the time apart. She shakes her head and turns away as his kisses roam from her lips, to her cheeks, to her neck.

"Just let me go" Mercedes begs feeling her eyes beginning to water. "It's easier that way...I was getting used to it."

"How could you stand to be away from me?" Sam says wrapping his arms around her body. "Didn't you miss me at all?"

"Of course I did" she answers quick and honest. "But I thought that's what you wanted."

"This" he says squeezing her. "This is what I want. You are all I'll ever want."

"But Quinn-"

"Means nothing" Sam says cutting her off. "I didn't build this place for her."

"You don't build anything Sam" Mercedes says innocently.

"Wrong" Sam smiles a little. "I built-"

"Bought?"

"No built" Sam says laughing. "Why is that so hard to believe?"

"You barely know where to find a hammer, let alone how to use one" she teases.

He pulls back tucking a finger under her chin guiding her face to look at him. "Well, I do now" he smirks sending a sensation through her stomach. "Come, look inside."

"Inside?" Mercedes smiles skeptically. "Is it safe?"

"Just go look" Sam says opening the door to the tiny house.

It's small and sturdy, just big enough for the two of them to be comfortable. Sam left a lamp here and he strikes a match lighting it. The warm glow from the lamp gives the room a romantic haze and both Sam and Mercedes bathe in the small light.

"You really built this?" Mercedes asks starting to become impressed. She begins walking to the window checking out the detail of the trim. She's never seen anything like it. It's humble but strong, and that what she likes most about the tiny place. "Why?" She smiles.

"We needed someplace to go, someplace other than the outer fields" Sam says rocking on the edge of the truth. "Especially...if we decide to stay."

"Stay?" Mercedes says lightly still entranced by the room...but then the words start to catch up to her, and she catches the most important part. "We?"

Sam nods taking a step towards her. "I needed to know that if I could build a place where you could run too and feel safe."

Mercedes takes a step towards him. "You did this for me?"

Sam nods, as Mercedes comes even closer. Their lips meet and their lust starts to take over; both craving each others caresses. The rhythms their mouths are creating are more aggressive than what either of them is used to, but the desire for the other is finally being satiated. Both of their hands start to roam, and Sam is the first one to partially come to his senses...he knows where this road is heading.

"Are you sure?" Sam asks weak; the feeling of pleasure taunting him...he wants it, he wants it bad...but he refuses to take it from her, she has to be willing to give it.

Mercedes doesn't answer; she's really not sure what to say. So instead she starts by removing her head scarf, then her apron, before untying the strings that are guiding her shirt to close. She unloosens them before removing her shirt, before using her arms to cover her breasts. She beckons him closer with her eyes and Sam looks nervous; not because he's a virgin...but because he knows she is. She smiles a little stepping to him because he's clearly afraid to move; still covering herself, she cranes her neck up to kiss him. Her kisses melt away the statue that he's become and soon they pick up where they left off. Sam holds her lovingly allowing his mouth to really taste her flesh; she seems sweeter than before. He pulls away to find a blanket he's tossed to the side; he lays it on the ground and they both sit on it. Sam allows Mercedes to unbutton his shirt while he continues to kiss every inch of her his mouth will reach. After removing his trousers, Sam guides her to lie back and he skillfully rolls on top of her continuing to suck and lick on the different parts of her body. She feels his manhood, and becomes a little frightened; no matter how good this feels right now she's not sure what to expect after it happens.

"Sam?" She whimpers. "Be gentle."

Sam's thankful for the reminder as he slowly and tenderly lowers himself into her. The sensation feels incredible, but he can feel Mercedes tense up. He kisses her trying to relax her before pressing himself in deeper. She let's out a tiny grunt, and he looks at her to see if they should stop. She bites her lip, urging him to keep going. Sam's pace is extremely slow as he feels Mercedes become wet again. Her body seems to conform to the addition of his shape, allowing him to move slightly faster. His thrusts are becoming more powerful, and as Mercedes releases her climax she whines at the pleasure. Sam continues to thrust elongating Mercedes first orgasm until his climax. Their bodies intertwined feels wonderful, and as they consecrate their relationship...it is now more solidified than ever.

Meanwhile...

"Are you absolutely out of your mind!"

"Quinn-"

"You expect me to just up and go with you, to live some small life in a little house on the prarie?!"

"You could leave all of this behind. We could start fresh!" Noah argues with her trying to make her see his side.

"You're so simple" Quinn laughs darkly. "You're greatest ambition in life is to shovel cow shit. You can do that right here-"

"My greatest ambition in life is to own what's mine. To not have to grovel and beg for attention, to live a happy life with you."

Quinn looks taken aback. "That's not my dream"

"But it could be-"

"I can't leave here!" Quinn cries. "I'm marrying Sam."

"Sam's leaving with me! We're going out west-"

"What?"

"He doesn't love you...he paid me to take you away."

Quinn looks furious. "Why?!"

"He's in love, just like us!"

"With who?!" Quinn shrieks.

"It doesn't matter!"

"WHO?!"

"Some black girl on his plantation" Noah shrugs not seeing the danger behind it. "What's that got to do with us?"

Quinn can't hear anything, her mind is too busy racing. Some black girl on his plantation huh? Well, it just became her mission to find out who...and whoever she was, they were going to regret ever meeting a Sam Evans.

A/N: hey everyone! so idk what you guys think, but i thought the whole thing about Sam building something for Mercedes to prove to himself that he could take care of her was just adorbs lol so i hope you guys liked it too...

and as you may have guessed it...shit is about to hit the fan lol Quinn's on a mission to find out who this mystery girl is and when she does...God help us all

thanks for reading as always...and your comments, they are really helpful! also too, i like to be unpredictable so for those of you dreaming about SAMCEDES toiling away in the west..that's not gonna happen lol but i will give a hint, Mercedes is going to be taking a trip (THAT WAS A GIGANTIC SPOILER RIGHT THERE)

much love...pce!