Here you go guys! I hope you enjoy!

She handed it to him and sighed as Sam turned it over and nodded. "This had to be hand-delivered to your office Mercedes."

Mercedes stared at him, her hands shaking as she took in what he said; she swallowed, taking a deep breath. "So someone in my office is working for Mayfield."

"That would be my conclusion; this was not sent in the mail, which means that your office is not secure." Sam looked at her and noticed she was shaking. "Merce, it's okay."

She shook her head. "No, it's not. Sam, that line…no one could know that line…."

"What line?"

Mercedes closed her eyes. "'Losing your heart is the one thing you regret the most, and you will fight with all you have to get it back.' I wrote that…."

"Well, they did their research, so they would have found a bunch of things that you have said in court," Sam said, bending down in front of her.

"Sam, that's not what I mean." She shook her head. "That quote is one that only I know because I said it in a letter to you."

Sam took her hand in his and ran his thumb through it. "A letter to me?"

"I wrote a few, but that one was at the top, in a box, in the closet at home… Sam, this was them, they were really in my house. I wanted to believe that maybe…maybe…." She drifted off.

Sam wiped a tear from her eye. "Mercedes, I promise you, I will protect you; I won't let them hurt you. That is why we are getting away. Put distance between you and them just until we have them get us a secure place back home. This is all about throwing them off."

She nodded. "Okay."

Sam pulled her into him, and Mercedes wrapped her arms around his bare chest. He kissed her forehead. "I am gonna protect you, I promise."

She pulled away from him and blinked back tears as she looked at him. "I am sorry."

"Merce."

"No, I am sorry I was a jerk when my dad suggested this. But I don't think I could do this without you." She said softly.

Sam moved her hair out of her eyes. "I wouldn't have trusted anyone else to take care of you…did you really write me letters?"

"Sam, just because I left didn't mean I didn't love you or regret it." She said, leaning up into him.

Sam nodded, licking his lips as he leaned in, cupping her cheeks with his hands.

Mercedes closed her eyes as a knock came at the door. Pulling away from each other, Sam grabbed a shirt and walked over to the door, thanking Burt as he pushed in a tray.

Closing the door, Sam turned to her. "Well, it smells good."

She nodded, putting the files away, both annoyed but glad for the distraction.

Sam placed the food on the table, and Mercedes grabbed two glasses so they could open the bottle of apple cider the B&B provided.

Sam sat down, and Mercedes filled his glass. "It's been a long time since we shared a meal."

He nodded. "Last time was the night before I left for my TDY assignment."

"Believe it or not, I've missed it…I missed you."

Sam smiled. "I missed you too."

As they began to eat, Sam cleared his throat. "So with us being together like this, we should ask some questions, make sure we know about each other…so tell me how things have been?"

"Things have been okay; Harvard wasn't horrible, and you know I really love my job."

"You would have to be the top defense attorney; that guy Anthony seems interesting; did you two date?"

"Unfortunately…it was a weekend thing, and I regretted it as soon as it happened. Because the moment we got back to work, he tried to use it against me to get better cases. The man has an ego the size of Texas."

Sam laughed. "You are better than him anyways."

Mercedes smiled. "You always thought that."

As they began to eat, she sighed. "This is really good…I wonder if they make it or have a chef."

Sam nodded, swallowing. "Remember when we were snowed in, and we spent the entire weekend cooking and, well, you know."

Mercedes blushed. "I remember you couldn't keep your hands off of me."

Sam laughed. "Says the woman who literally hopped on my lap and said do me."

Mercedes scoffed, laughing. "I didn't say do me! I said I wanna take a ride."

"Same thing that got the same result. I did you."

Mercedes laughed. "Yes you did." She pushed her fork around, feeling Sam's eyes on her.

"Mercedes?"

She looked up at Sam and could see the sadness in his eyes. "Yeah?"

"I have a job to do, and I plan on doing it, but I need to know why? I loved you, and I thought you loved me, and you leaving it was out of character for you."

Mercedes pushed her food around the plate; she knew she needed to tell him but finding the words was what was hard. "Sam, I…"

"No, I don't want an excuse; it's clear to me that you were at least upset when you left. So can't you just come clean, please? Just tell me the truth, and I can take it."

Mercedes put her fork down and took a deep breath. She looked at him and offered him a small smile. "I thought I was pregnant."

Sam looked at her in surprise. "What?"

"I thought I was pregnant." She repeated.

"Wh-why would you leave if you thought that?"

She looked up at Sam. "Sam, I loved you more than I could ever tell you, but I was in law school, and you were a military man, just like my dad. But I wasn't my mom. I never wanted to be my mom. I thought I was pregnant, but when I found out I wasn't, I felt this relief. And then it hit me; I wasn't ready."

She looked down at her hands. "I was so in love with you, I wanted to be with you, but I was not ready for any of the things that came with being with you. And I felt horrible, and I knew you wanted more, and I knew if I got pregnant, then I would be stuck, and my dreams wouldn't come true."

Sam stared at her. "Why didn't you just tell me that!"

"I tried!" She closed her eyes, wiping the falling tears. "Sam, I tried to tell you, but every time I started to talk about the future, you would remind me that you could pick up and leave at any moment and hint that if we were married, you could take me with you. I was 21, and I had aced my LSAT and got into Harvard; I had to choose."

"And you chose Harvard over me."

She shook her head. "No, I chose me. It sounds selfish, but I chose to do what was right for me. I would have resented you and our life. I wrote you a letter, but I guess you never got it, or maybe I didn't leave it that whole night; hell, that whole month is a blur. I don't remember much other than crying."

"And getting tattoos? SE and a heart, surprising when you ripped mine out."

She stared at him, tears in her eyes. "You obviously didn't look at it clearly."

Sam raised an eyebrow, and Mercedes sighed, standing up and turning away from him. She pulled down her sleeve, exposing her shoulder, and Sam stood moving to get a closer look.

"I am not sure you remember…so I'll give you a hint." She closed her eyes and began to sing softly. "Spread your wings and prepare to fly, for you have become a butterfly, ohh fly abandonedly into the sun. If you should return to me, we truly were meant to be, so spread your wings and fly, butterfly." She sang softly.

Sam felt her shiver as he ran his fingers over the tattoo. "It isn't my initials and a heart; my initials are wings…butterfly wings."

Her pulse quickened as his fingers traced the letters. "We promised to always return, and I guess I got the tattoo because I wanted so badly to believe that you would."

Sam breathed, unsure of what he was feeling; he remembered that night like it was yesterday; they were lying in bed, promising each other forever. As if on instinct, his lips went to her shoulder, brushing a kiss over the tattoo.

Mercedes looked back at him, catching the look in his eyes before closing the distance and kissing him. Sam's hand caressed her cheek as he returned her kiss, turning her in his arms and kissing her properly. After a few moments, they pulled away from each other, lips still inches apart, staring into each other's eyes, both wondering if they should pull away or kiss each other again.

This time, Sam went in first, nipping at her lips, before taking her kisses from her. Mercedes's arms wrapped around his neck as the slow, passionate kiss became more desperate and needy.

Pulling her body flush against his, he pulled her to the bed, and they fell on it, in each other's arms, bodies close as they tugged at each other's clothes.

Sam pulled her shirt off, moving his hands up her body, causing a moan to leave her lips.

"I've missed you so much," Sam said against her lips.

"I've missed you too…." Mercedes hissed, removing his shirt and kissing a trail down his abs.

Sam pulled her up to him and flipped them over, staring down at her. "I want to make love to you, Mercedes." He said, nipping at her lips. "Tell me you still want me."

"I'll always want you, Sam…always." She pulled his lips to hers. "Make love to me." She purred, running her hands down to his jeans.

Sam kissed a trail down to her breast as his phone rang. Sam moved between her thighs, trying to ignore it, but it rang again, and he came out of his fog. "I gotta get that…."

Mercedes nodded as Sam climbed off of her and pulled her shirt back on.

"Hello."

"What took you so long to answer?" Puck said.

Sam looked over to Mercedes and sighed. "Nothing, man; what's up?"

"It looks like they have someone staking out your girls house and her parents. It was wise to get out of town. Though I would be careful, anyone could work for that crazy man."

"Thanks; I will let Jonah know."

"You better do more than let him know, that man is beyond sick, did you know he collects body parts of those he kills."

"Puck! I don't need to know all that! Is there anything else?" Sam said sounding annoyed.

"So uh…you hit that yet? Cause she was hot while ya'll dated, but that woman is a downright goddess now. I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of her."

"Because you have no self-control. Now, anything else so I can finish my job?"

"Here, Blaine wants to talk to you."

"Tell me he's joking," Blaine roared. "Tell me you are not over there letting that woman pull you back in."

"Stop being so damn dramatic, Blaine."

"Dramatic? Sam, that woman is a temptress; Tina and I both told you that she will use all the things that she knows you love against you to lure you into her bed. So tell her you have a girlfriend, do whatever you need to to make sure she stays far away from you."

"Yeah, okay."

"Is that Sam?" There was a scuffle heard, and then Tina started to speak. "Where are you?"

"You know I won't tell you that."

"Why? Because you know I would come up and crash whatever party you two have thought up. Look, Sam, I still think Puck should trade places with you."

"Yes. I accept. I am packing right now." Sam heard Puck say through the phone.

Tina sighed. "Sam, this is your life we are talking about; we both know you still have feelings, and that evil heartbreaking harpy doesn't know how to love. She would have to have a heart."

Sam ran his hands through his hair, turning away from Mercedes. "Guys, don't worry so much; I don't have feelings for her; this is a job."

"Yeah, famous last words."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Will you stop it with that? I gotta go." Sam hung up and turned to find the bed empty; he looked at the table as Mercedes began to clean it.

He moved to the table to help her clean it up. He looked up to her to see that she was uncharacteristically quiet, and he knew she heard the conversation. "You heard all that, didn't you?"

"No." She said, shaking her head.

Sam watched her, sighing as he closed his eyes. "We both know you did…why are you upset?"

Mercedes slammed her hands against the table and closed her eyes. "Because I wouldn't want to tempt you, I am a temptress, after all."

Sam moved to her and turned her to him, and she sighed. "I knew Blaine and Tina would be pissed but to say those things about me…Tina was my best friend."

Sam pulled her to him, moving her hair out of her eyes. "You didn't just leave me, Mercedes… its gonna take time for them to forgive you."

She stared up at him. "And what about you? Do you forgive me?"

Sam sighed, running his hand over her chin. "I am working on it. I understand why you felt the way you felt, but I don't understand why you didn't trust me enough to tell me in person."

She stared up at him. "Because of this…" she said, pointing between them. "Because I knew if I looked at you, touched you…I would have stayed."

Sam's hand moved down her chin and to her chest, covering her heart. "Does that mean I still have a place in your heart?"

"It means you never left my heart." She said softly. "But that still doesn't mean this is a good idea."

Sam shook his head. "You are probably right, this is not a good idea."

She nodded. "I shouldn't…"

"Shouldn't what?" Sam asked.

She stared at him, "I shouldn't do this, but I need too." She said, capturing his lips as she pulled him down to her, kissing him with all the passion she could muster.

Sam lifted her to sit on the table, moving between her thighs as Mercedes whimpered, placing her hands on his chest. "Sam, I want you…so bad."

Sam kissed her soundly, then pulled away staring at her. "I want you too, Mercedes…but I think until we can be sure this is the best thing for us, until I can be sure of things…we shouldn't have sex."

Mercedes nodded, nipping his lips. "Okay, I can understand that…can I still kiss you?"

Sam licked his lips. A part of him wanted to pull away, get as far away from her, but he wanted her, God he wanted her. "Well, we are pretending to date; it would be wrong not to make out…."

Mercedes smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Making out can be fun."

Sam smirked. "If you remember from when we first started dating, I can make you feel good without even going past second base."

Mercedes laughed as her hands ran through his short hair. "I am gonna need a reminder."

"My pleasure," Sam said, pulling her close.

Pulling into the small ranch house, Sam smiled feeling like he was home, and despite the reason they were there, he was really glad that they were together. This was a place he bought when he thought he was proposing to her. It was supposed to be their starter home for when he got out.

Looking over to Mercedes, he spent a few moments watching her as she slept, this was what should have happened those years ago, this was what he had craved, had always wanted. But it was a fantasy that he needed to get rid of. He reached over and woke her up gently.

"Merce, we are here."

"Hmmmm?"

"We gotta get inside."

Mercedes stretched sitting up. "Already?"

Sam nodded as someone walked out of the door. Mercedes gasped hopping out of the car yawning happily. "Poppa Evans!"

Sam smiled as he watched Mercedes hug his dad. "He checked the house for us, since they live nearby."

Dwight hugged her. "Well if it isn't the daughter in law who got away. How are you?"

Mercedes looked at Sam and he nodded. "My dad knows the truth. He is the brain's for the security firm."

"Oh, okay, well I have been better but I can't let it bother me."

Dwight kissed her forehead. "That's my girl. We've really missed you."

"I have missed you all too, I wish Momma Mary was here."

Dwight smiled. "You should go inside, I want to talk to my son."

Mercedes nodded walking inside and broke into a wide smile seeing Mary Evans putting a plate of chicken on the table.

"Momma Mary!" She squealed, running over to the older woman.

Mary held her close. "Oh Merce! Look at you beautiful. How is everything? I have been following your career since Harvard and oh we are just so proud of you."

Mercedes held her close. "I am sorry I didn't keep in touch."

Mary shook her head. "Sweetie, we got the birthday and holiday cards, we knew you were thinking about us."

"Always."

Dwight grabbed one of the suitcases and Sam leaned against the truck. "Everything looks good here?"

Dwight nodded. "Yes, we did hire a team to clean and I had a sweep of the place done this morning. No one including your siblings knows you are here."

Sam nodded, grabbing another bag. Dwight nudged him. "When you told me that you were going to be protecting her. I was surprised. Your mother on the other hand called it, said she knew it would happen…she also said that she thought you two would end up falling back for each other."

Sam ran his hand through his hair. "Dad, I can't go there."

"Why?"

Sam huffed. "She hurt me so bad when she left, and okay her explanation was understandable but we are just on two different paths right now."

Dwight turned to Sam. "Son, I know you have your guard up, but just don't let love pass you by again."

"I didn't let love pass me by the first time, love left. And I don't know if love will show itself again but I do know that I don't want to be left again dad."

"No one ever gets to where they want to be, running scared son."

Sam sighed as he carried the bags inside and watched his mom gush all over Mercedes. "Ahem, your oldest son is here too, you know."

"Sammy! Oh look at my handsome son." Mary moved to give Sam a kiss on the cheek and a hug. "So I made you guys dinner, I know with all that driving you might be tired. Your dad and I went shopping, but if you need anything else, let us know and we will grab it for you."

Mercedes ran her hands through her hair. "I am sorry you guys are all dragged into my mess."

Mary grabbed her hands. "Mercedes, this is a mess we would gladly be a part of. You are important to this family, and your job, its important as well. You are fighting for people who can't fight for themselves."

Mercedes closed her eyes. "He is a monster who deserves to be put away."

Mary hugged her. "And you are just the woman to do it. Now come on let me show you to your room. Give Sam and his dad a few more minutes to talk.