(Disclaimer 1: this was not the original title of the chapter, but it fits too much not to use it - in case you didn't notice I try to name all the chapters after songs, and most are Taylor Swift's songs)

(Disclaimer 2: Trump is not the president in my story, obviously)

Chapter 13 - Only bought this dress so you could take it off

- Sam? Are you listening?

Sam was at a fitting room on a department store. Staring at herself in a dirty mirror. Hundreds of dresses chosen by Melanie, Rachael and Andrea hung around her.

She stepped outside the curtain, felling self-conscious.

- I don't think that's appropriate. - she said.

- Oh my God! You look fabulous! - Melanie squeak, turning her to a bigger mirror.

- It is too sparkly. - Sam pointed out, staring at her in a much more illuminated mirror. The sequins on the dress reflecting on the walls around them. - It's too much.

- What? Are you serious? - Mel asked.

- This look perfect on you, you should definitely take it. - Andrea said. - What do you think, Rach?

- I think that if you don't take it I will. Don't know where I would wear it, but I would be happy to just keep it hanging in my closet.

- This is too beautiful to hang in a closet. - Andrea responded.

- If you wouldn't wear it to the bureau ball thingy, I shouldn't either. Manning said to make a good impression, not the wrong impression. - Sam said.

- But you are the most important person of the party, you should be the center of attention. - Mel said disappointed.

- No, no, no. I would hate to be the center of attentions. And I don't want to meet the President in a completely backless dress. That's inappropriate.

- Don't be a prude, Sam. The dress is not inappropriate. It looks incredible in you. And it's the better option so far.

- But, the black one wasn't... - she started.

- Ah no way! We will NOT let you go to the ball in a gloomy boring black dress when you could go in this. - Andrea pointed out.

The dress was actually beautiful. Sam had to agree. It was made of a soft fabric covered completely by silver sequins. But it wasn't itchy or uncomfortable like Sam imagined. Just a little heavy. The front was in a deep V that tied with a spaghetti string around her neck, and the skirt had a narrow slit that could only be seen as she walked. The skirt was neither slim nor full, and started very low on her back. The lowest it could be before showing something.

- I don't know. - she said looking her back in the mirror.

- Come on, Sam. We will take it. - Mel said to the sales girl.

- Ok.

Sam sighed defeated and went back to the cubicle to take it off, but she turned before closing the curtains.

- Do you guys swear this is not too much? Don't go "mean girls" on me.

They all assure her that was not.

- What about this cleavage? Manning says I will probably have to dance with the president and I don't want my boobs out during "Unforgettable".

- That would be unforgettable. - Andy replayed.

- We can tape it to your boobs to make you more comfortable, darling. - Mel says. - Besides, if that doesn't caught Abraham's attention nothing else will.

- I don't know what you mean. - she said closing the curtains with energy.

- I know you guys aren't talking. - Mel whispered.

- How do you know that?

- I pay attention.

- Right. Too much attention in my opinion. - she paused while taking off the dress. - he's not going, by the way.

- Oh, he is. I heard Manning saying the president wants to meet all the special agents. So he will be there. Now, let's find you some killer pumps.

Later on, Melanie put Sam's hair in a up do with some curls falling down her naked back. Rachael did her make up, with sultry eyes and nude lips. And Andrea borrowed her shoes to wear since Melanie insisted she absolutely couldn't wear flats with the dress.

- Where is she? I'm going to kill her. The president had just arrived! I have to go receive him. Someone find her! - Manning was losing his mind.

- I'm pretty sure Manning is pushing fire out of his nose. - Hellboy said while adjusting his smoking.

He, Liz, Abe, Johann and other agents were standing in a line, waiting to shake hands with the president. After some minutes, Sam arrived out of breath standing next to Hellboy and limping.

- Glad you've arrived kid. Your boss is close to giving birth, judging for his nerves. -HB says.

- Andrea borrowed me these shoes that I have no idea how to walk on. - she said leaning against Hellboy to put the stilettos back on. - I had to take them off just to arrive here in time.

Hellboy, and Liz who was listening holding on his other arm, laughed together.

- I'm definitely not girly and glamorous. - she said standing straight.

- Don't worry, kid. The president is coming. We just have to smile and nod, and then we can go enjoy ourselves.

- Right, I'll enjoy myself with a lot of champagne. - HB laughed again. - Don't leave me alone with the president. I need someone to elbow me if I put my feet to my mouth.

- Right side, kid. - he said lifting his stone hand.

- Even better.

Before she could calm down completely the president and Manning were standing in front of her.

- Mister President, it's an honor to meet you. - she said, outstretching her hand to shake his.

- Miss Taylor. The honor is mine. Mr. Manning can only brag about you. - the men laughed.

- He is a flatterer. - she responded.

- He didn't tell me you would be such a vision, though.

- So are you, it seems.

The president laughed, eyes shinning, and wrinkles appearing.

- You are really something. I'd be honored if I could have the first dance. - he said.

- I don't dance Mister President. - Manning elbowed her hard. - But I could if you'd be kind enough to forgive me for stepping on your toes.

He just laughed and walked away with an angry face Manning, that immediately got them flutes of champagne.

- Damn it. Have I just agreed to dance with the president? - Sam asked rubbing her ribs.

- You did. - Liz answered.

- Fuck! I'm gonna step right through his feet with these damn stilettos. I'm gonna kill Melanie.

Samantha walked away angrily or at least tried while balancing on her shoes. She took a flute of champagne in a passing tray and threw it back.

- Damn, the kid looks good! - Hellboy says as she walks away.

A bit later, the band started playing and the president found her, taking her hand and leading her to the middle of the dance floor.

Abe observed them dancing from afar. Feeling a pang of jealousy. He felt nothing like partying or socializing tonight. His plan had been coming to meet the president, since Manning would have never left him alone if he didn't come, and leave right away to the library. But, what he wasn't counting on was her on that dress. Now he couldn't get himself to leave. He couldn't even take his eyes off of her. The lights of the improvised dance floor in the gym shined and reflect on her dress giving the impression she was wearing liquid silver. Liquid silver being held on only by a tiny bow at the back of her neck. Which was apparent with her hair up, only some curls falling out down her back. Her completely naked back where the president had his hand while they were dancing. Abe felt like he could kill someone when the president throw his head back laughing at something she had said.

After the dance finished, Sam thanked the President and walked away from the dance floor as fast as she was able. He had turned out to be a nice guy. More interested in her powers than in her, what she was relieved. She didn't want to give the impression he could flirt with her. She walked to her new girlfriends and took a flute of champagne Melanie was holding, drinking most of the liquid in a single gulp.

- How was the President? - she asked

- He was nice. - Sam said, putting her weight to her other feet. - these shoes are killing me.

- Yes, but at least you look fabulous. - Andrea said.

- Ok, I have no nerves to pretend I don't care. Is he looking?

- He can take his eyes off of you, S. - Rachel responded.

- All through your dance with the president.

An agent approached them:

- Hey, Miss Taylor. Would you like to d...?

- No. - she cut him. - drinking the rest of the champagne.

The agent walked away.

- Ok. - she took another flute from a passing waiter and gave a big gulp. - Why am I so nervous? I feel like a teenager in prom night. Damn it!

- Well, this is kinda prom night.

- No, this is a professional gathering. - she said back angry.

- Right. You should go talk to him. - Andrea said.

- What? No. I have nothing to say to him.

- Well, just walk to him. He's certainly seen the back, time to show him the front.

Mel didn't give her time to answer before she turned Sam around and push her in his direction. No turning back now.

Meanwhile, HB, Liz, Johann and Abe were sitting on a table the other side of the dance floor. Red had noticed Abe staring at Sam and the president dancing. He waited patiently until Johann left them to socialize with other agents and immediately blurted out:

- So, what's going on between you and Sam?

- Red! I told to keep out of it!

- Ah Liz, I'm tired to bit around the bush with those two. I want to know what's going on.

- I don't know what you mean. - Abe answered.

- Ah, come on. I'm not that stupid. You guys are in a silent war, cold treatment for weeks.

Abe didn't responded, just looked in loss of words. HB was preparing to insist when he noticed Sam approaching them.

- Hi... I... Liz, I need to talk to you. - she said panicking.

- I can't. I...

- NOW. Girl's time.

And she pulled Liz from the table. And walked away holding her arm.

- This is better be important. - she says.

- It is! Be very honest. Is the dress too much?

- What? No. You look amazing.

Sam sighed relieved.

- So what's going on between you and Abe?

- What!?

- This is what Abe is probably telling Red right now, and since you dragged me out of there, now you're telling me yourself.

- Nothing is happening. Why everyone keeps me asking that?

Liz rolled her eyes and began to walk back to the table.

- Okay! Okay. - Sam held her by the arm and turned her back. - We kissed.

- WHAT? - Liz eyebrows went to her hairline.

- Once. I mean twice. Okay. Thrice but the first time was only me freaking out.

- Oh my god! - Liz all but screamed.

- Please, be quiet. God, this is really like a prom. I need another champagne.

They took two glasses and sat down.

- So, we were embarrassed to talk about it. That was the first week we kinda of ignored each other. And then we kinda of talked. And he said we shouldn't be together because I'm not weird enough. Then I got really pissed...

- Wait! Did he said that?

- Well, not in those words, but pretty much.

- So, you think that you're still in love with the princess and being happy with Sam is like cheating on her?

- I'm surprise how you could simplify all that in a sentence, but, essentially yes.

- Damn Blue, you're such a moron!

- Glad, you think so.

- Listen to me. And I'm risking ruining my marriage by telling you this. But how long you've known that girl? Two days? One and a half?

Abe was about to respond, but HB silenced him.

- I know you felt for the princess. And you guys had a connection, or whatever, but how do you know you would even work? You barely knew her! Maybe if she was alive, you wouldn't even be together anymore. I know you think you love her, but that's probably 'cause she isn't here to dissapoint you! She is just a nice imagination. How could you know you guys would be forever if you didn't even have time to truly know each other?

Abe just kept silent.

- And now, you want to throw your life away on something you didn't even had? It's not like you were married to her. And even if you were. Even if she was the love of your live. Even if it would work out. She isn't here anymore. Is she? You have to move on! Or you will end up just sittting and watching as this great girl, who really likes you, and who you really like too, walks away from you.

- I know you like to listen to sappy songs and read sappy books. Sam is a nice girl. And she likes these things too! - HB continued.

- Literature and Vivaldi are not sappy.

- Whatever, what I'm saying is. You guys have so much in common. You're both telepaths which is super annoying, you both like to spend time reading, which I don't get at all. You probably have more in common with Sam now than you ever had with the princess. And she is right here! You know how long it took me to tell Liz I liked her? To know her enough to realize I love her? A lot! And when I look back I wish I didn't waste so much time. You didn't really get to know the princess, what is a shame really. And there's nothing you can do about it. But you know Sam, because you guys spend all the time you can together when you're not ignoring each other for not acknowledging your feelings. So, why don't you cut all the bullshit and be happy together?

- Are you finished?

- Yes.

- Wow, that was a lot.

- Yes. - HB took a long sip at his whisky.

- I've been lectured around a lot lately.

- That's cause you're full of bullshit.

- Yeah.

- Be patient with Abe. - Liz was saying - He may think he knows better cause he ages differently than us. But the truth is that he isn't very worldly. When he's overwhelmed by something he just shuts down. And I think he may be a little overwhelmed by you, or his feelings towards you.

Sam was quiet for a while.

- Do you think he's still in love with her? I saw her in his mind.

- It's complicated. I don't think he knows what love is. It was over so fast that I think he felt more in love with the idea of her than herself.

- I don't want to push into something I shouldn't.

- I think he's overwhelmed by feelings he never felt before, though in his mind he thought he had. So he's confused. Give him time. Hellboy is probably giving him a good piece of his mind right now. He'll come around.

- Yeah, I don't know. I'm confused as well. I don't want to have to convince him.

- Sam, I think you know exactly what's on your mind. And what you want. And what you don't want.

Liz and Hellboy had left half and hour ago. They had to put the twins to bed. Abe continued to sit in the exact same place, so did Sam. She was sitting a couple of tables to his right. She had her legs crossed under her dress, her elbow in her thigh and her head resting in her hand, while she stared pensive at the dance floor. Sometimes an agent would come and ask her to dance, but she would always say no.

Johann had return to talk to him, but he couldn't pay attention to the conversation. He also couldn't find the courage to ask her to dance.

He watched as Ben Daimio came to talk to her and she seemed genuinely happy to talk to him. He watched her eyes light up as "Take my breath away" started playing. Her posture changed and she sat back. She looked around excited, expecting someone to ask her to dance to her favorite song. He watched her get disappointed. He watched as Ethan came to ask her to dance. And how he insisted until she said yes. The song was almost finished though. But he had to watch her dance with Ethan to the song she should have danced with him. The song they slow-danced to in the library. So close together. The song of their first kiss.

He watched as she returned to the same chair. To the same position. To the same pensive mood.

Johann was not around anymore, he should have left at some point Abe didn't even notice. The ball was coming to an end, he noticed. Many people had already left and the band was playing slow songs. That could be the only chance he had left. He decided he would ask her to dance to the next song then. But when the song finally ended, while the couples of the dance floor clapped to the band, she stood up and walked away.

"You have to move on! Or will you just sit and watch as this great girl walks away from you?" - Hellboy says in his head.