Thank you for your continued interest and support. I appreciate it. I do not own Glee or the characters, neither do I own Grayson's Vow.

MERCEDES

I came awake slowly, feeling as if I was emerging from somewhere deep and dark, the light far, far above.

I blinked my eyes, trying to understand where I was, and felt something warm and solid at my back.

At the same time, I felt a weight on my side and around my middle...

Turning groggily, I looked into the staggeringly beautiful face of a sleeping dragon...

Right away, I tried to piece together what had brought me here, but could only remember climbing into bed, practically unable to stand, and feeling first like a boulder had fallen on my body and then as if I was being boiled alive.

Even now, I felt groggy and my limbs felt heavy.

'I was sick with a fever,' I thought.

Then visions of Sam feeding me broth, putting cool cloths on my head and smoothing my hair back came to me in scattered memory.

He had cared for me while I was sick...

Tenderness flowed through me like a cool drink of water as I gazed at his peaceful male beauty.

My mind not fully awake, was uninhibited by neither fear, nor rationale, so I brought my hand up to his face and moved my thumb down his rough jaw, shadowed with stubble.

He hadn't shaved in a couple days. Had I been here in this room, for that long?

This is what it would be like to wake to him...

This is what it would be like if he was really mine...

Sam's eyes blinked open and he stared at me for several long moments, comprehension slowly coming into his sleepy expression.

"Hi," he murmured, bringing his hand to my forehead. He sighed as he brought his hand away. "Fever's gone," he said, his expression calm and placid.

"Yes. You took care of me," I whispered. "Thank you."

'He's kind.'

The thought came sudden and sure. But it was true...he was kind, somewhere deep down in that dragon heart of his.

However, we both stayed like that, the moment seemingly caught between sleep and wakefulness, both of us still tangled in the foggy web of dreams.

His eyes were so beautiful... And were just as easy to get lost in.

He brought his hand to my cheek and brushed his thumb over my cheekbone. And I sighed, leaning into his touch.

Suddenly, he blinked at me, his eyes opening fully as if something had just occurred to him. And as easy as that, the spell was broken.

He rolled over onto his back, looking almost guilty as he brought his hand to his hair and ran his fingers through it, gripping it at the top of his head.

"It was..." The doorbell interrupted him. He sat up. "Harrold and Alice are still gone. I'll get that."

Then he stood, his jeans and T-shirt wrinkled, his hair in disarray, the dark shadow of stubble making him look even more handsome somehow.

He was every inch a man. And I felt my breath hitch in my chest.

His darkened green eyes ran over my body, and again, he looked away almost guiltily.

I came up on one elbow...

"You didn't...take advantage of my feverish state, did you, dragon?"

I raised an eyebrow.

He clenched his jaw, his eyes growing impossibly darker and tersely said,

"No." Then he turned and headed for the door. "Take a hot shower. I brought your suitcase up."

I looked to where he had nodded his head before he exited the room and indeed, my suitcase and toiletry bag were sitting beneath the window.

I did as Sam said, taking a long, hot luxurious shower, savoring the feel of the heat raining down on my sore muscles, lathering and washing my skin with my shower gel again and again.

It felt heavenly.

When I finally emerged, clean and scrubbed, I felt fully awake and human again...

After drying my hair, treating it and dressing, I went downstairs to find Sam and get some food... I was ravenous.

Hearing voices from the living room, I walked in that direction, coming to a halt when I saw Melodie sitting on the couch, and Sam across from her.

They were both laughing about something, but stopped when I entered the room...

Melodie let out a small shriek and stood up, running to me and swooping me up into a giant hug.

"What are you doing here?" I asked breathlessly, taking her in, my heart squeezing in delight.

She was wearing jean shorts and a flowered tank top, her smooth, olive toned skin darkened even more from summer sunshine, her small, voluptuous body as perfect as ever.

She had her black, curly hair held back in a low ponytail.

"You haven't answered my calls in two days! I was worried. I came to make sure you weren't shackled in a wine cellar being tortured mercilessly."

She winked, but then smiled back at Sam as if it was a joke they'd already shared.

They seemed mighty chummy already. And I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

Sam stood...

"I'll let you two talk," he said, his gaze fixed on me as he approached us. And I couldn't help but notice, that despite having recently woken up, he still looked tired, as if he hadn't slept much. "I need a shower anyway. Nice to meet you, Melodie," he ended.

I looked away, biting my lip at the sudden picture of Sam Evans naked under a hot spray of water. Soap cascading...

"Mercedes?" Melodie called. "Do you want to sit?" She was obviously repeating the question I'd just missed.

"Oh, yes. See ya," I said to Sam who was already walking past us. "Um, thank you, again." His head turned slightly, but he didn't say a word.

"Get over here," Melodie said, pulling my hand. "What is going on? I haven't gotten a decent update from you since you two got married. And then you didn't answer even one of my calls or texts this weekend..."

"I was sick. Like, really sick." We plopped down on the couch and I brought a pillow into my lap, hugging it to me. "Sam took care of me."

I was still confused about that because i hadn't had the chance to ask him anything about it.

Why had he done it?

How had he found me?

And God, had it really been only a couple days since he'd kissed me and touched me with such tender passion, causing me to lie awake, tossing and turning with frustrated confusion?

That night, that frustrated confusion made me finally get out of bed and make a list of details for the party and emailed it to Alice.

Putting my mind to work on something besides him had helped and I'd eventually been able to sleep when I returned to bed.

Melodie raised an eyebrow...

"I'm glad you're better and we'll talk about that in a minute. But I have a bone to pick with you. You purposely left out that Sam is a Greek God."

I scoffed...

"Greek God? I have no idea what you're talking about. He's one of the ugliest men I've ever seen. I can barely look at him."

She grinned...

"Liar!" Her expression became pensive. "It does worry me, though. It's going to be easier to fall in love if you're already attracted to him. Since the plan is to walk away from him in a couple months, find a way not to let that happen, that's all I'm saying. And don't let him kiss you."

I sighed and leaned my head back on the couch...

"Well, actually..."

I updated her on everything that had taken place since my wedding day. She listened, her expression moving between anger, mild horror, surprise and finally, pensiveness.

"So, you let him kiss you. I'm too late...but I'm not surprised. The way his eyes tracked you today when you came into the room... Well, so now what are you going to do?"

His eyes tracked me?

He was probably trying to make sure I could walk given how sick I'd been.

I shook my head...

"Nothing. He just wants to turn me into a convenient wife and then watch as I walk away. That would never, well...you know me, Mel. I don't operate that way. It would be an utter disaster. Not for him... For me."

Melodie opened her mouth to respond when we heard Sam yelling from the kitchen...

I jumped up and she followed as I hurried to the other side of the house.

Sam was just exiting the kitchen... And Alice, who must've returned while I was upstairs showering, was on his heels...

"It was meant to be helpful," she called after him.

He turned around, the lines of his body tense, his eyes shooting fire at her.

"I almost molested her! When she was feverish and unconscious," he ground out.

"Oh dear!" Alice said. Then she looked up, placing one finger on her chin. "Was it meant to be halved or doubled?" She took her finger down. "Yes, that must've been the problem."

"What's going on here?" I asked, even as Melodie's head moved back and forth between Sam and Alice. Harrold quietly arrived and stood standing off to the side.

"She poisoned me," Sam growled, pointing a finger at Alice.

She laughed merrily...

"I didn't poison him. It's a simple herbal concoction my mother taught me, meant to increase male ardor."

She winked at me. And I felt my face drain of color...

Alice had given Sam some sort of herbal mixture to increase ardor before they'd left for the weekend?

Why?

And... Oh, God! Did he say he'd almost molested me while I was unconscious?

I swallowed heavily...

Harrold moved forward...

"It's hardly my place, sir, but..."

Sam glared, pressing his lips together for a moment.

"When has that ever stopped you, Harrold?"

"True," the older man agreed without remorse before going on. "Anyway, I've found personally that plenty of water throughout the day helps the uh...effects wear off sooner. However, I do recommend the proper dosage. It's quite...helpful."

Sam let out a pained sound, looking up at the ceiling.

"I'm in hell."

Alice stepped forward...

"Would you like me to prepare you...?"

"No! I'll never let you prepare me anything again. You're fired! I'm surrounded by crazy people!"

At that, he strode off towards the door, slamming it behind him so hard, a vase on the shelf next to us wobbled and almost fell.

I gasped, my eyes flying to Alice. But she grinned at me as if she hadn't just been sacked.

"He fired you?" I breathed.

She waved her hand in the air as if it was nothing.

"Oh, he's fired me twice a month or so since he was sixteen." She turned back towards the kitchen, calling after Melodie and me. "Come join me for a cup of coffee, girls."

Alice stood at the counter, a large butcher block in front of her as she rolled dough for some type of baked good.

I politely introduced her to Melodie, and she poured three cups of coffee as we both sat down.

"What were you thinking, Alice?" I asked her, trying my best to glare, knowing I could've been the victim of molestation while unconscious due to her actions.

Only... Did I believe that?

Did I believe that Sam was capable of such a thing, even if the reason was Alice's herbal meddling?

I furrowed my brow... I didn't think so, but men had blindsided me before.

From my experience, they were mostly untrustworthy. Lord knew my father's word had never held any weight, and my fiancé's even less.

As for Alice, her intentions, though misguided, had been pure. I was sure of it.

Alice's eyes twinkled...

"It seemed to me you two were avoiding each other. But then you went to dinner. And I was thinking maybe Sam needed a small push in the right direction. And then if you two were alone all weekend . . ." She frowned. "But, I may have gotten the dosage wrong. And of course, I should have considered his virility..."

I groaned and put my forehead in my hand for a moment before I looked back up at her smiling face. I hardly wanted to think about my husband's virility.

"I don't know that he exactly needed a push in that direction," I said to her.

She stopped what she was doing, setting her rolling pin aside...

"And you?" she asked, clearly hoping I would answer that I wanted the same.

"I..." I tilted my head. "I'm attracted to him, too. I..." I circled one finger around the rim of my coffee mug. "Well, there are moments when I even like him." I shook my head. "But I can't give him what he wants... for several reasons." I glanced at Melodie and bit my lip. She gave me a sympathetic look. "But the main reason is that he would probably have no problem sharing his body with me and then going on as if nothing had happened. But I wouldn't be able to."

I looked down... It had always been the way with me. Where my body went, my heart followed.

Fear slid slowly down my spine at the thought of how Sam Evans could so easily destroy me if I gave him the opportunity.

I'd learned that lesson once, and I didn't care to repeat it. This time, I would not give in to my stupid, reckless whims.

Especially not when it came to a highly virile dragon.

Alice patted my hand lying on the counter, leaving a small smudge of flour on my knuckle.

"That's how us women are built, my dear. When we give our bodies, we give our hearts. When men give their bodies, well..."

She looked up as if trying to come up with the right words.

"They give their bodies," both Melodie and I finished in unison. And then the three of us dissolved into laughter.

My heart soared with affection for both women. I had missed having girlfriends around.

I smiled at Alice...

"Yes. So that's off the table."

"Well, we'll see," she said, winking at me.

"No evil plotting," I said.

Secretly, though, my heart was warmed knowing this sweet woman wanted to see a true relationship between Sam and I.

Perhaps, for her, it was mostly because she didn't believe in the fake marriage we'd arranged, and making it real would allow her to be happy for Sam, rather than disappointed for him.

"Oh no," Alice said unconvincingly. "At least not so I get caught."

I laughed softly, and took a sip of my coffee. I was tempted to ask Alice about some of the things I'd learned about Sam the other night, especially regarding Oliva.

But one... I didn't feel exactly right talking about those things behind his back. And two... Melodie was here.

"Will he forgive you?" I asked.

"Oh, eventually. This right here," she said, nodding to the dough in her hand. "Is for his favorite blueberry scones. He likes them with jam and cream. He'll act angry for a couple days just to preserve his pride, but after a few of these, he really won't be." She smiled merrily, but then went serious. "Oh, that reminds me, Mercedes. I'll need to go to the south field to collect the apricots that are so ripe they're falling on the ground. Would you like to help me make a couple batches of apricot jam?"

"Oh, sure. I made strawberry preserves with my grandmother once," I said, thinking back fondly to that day.

"I like this place!" Melodie suddenly declared taking a sip of her coffee. "I think you belong here, Merce."

Her words alternately brought me happiness and dread.

And as we sat in the warm kitchen, fragrant with the smells of blueberries and coffee, eating oatmeal honey muffins, Alice prattling on about her weekend trip, it suddenly hit me...Sam had said that for all intents and purposes, he'd grown up with no parents at all. I still didn't understand the exact dynamics of that situation.

But he'd been wrong on one account. He'd had parents all along... Their names were Harrold and Alice. And they loved him as if he was their own.

I wondered if he even realized it.

We chatted for a while longer and then Melodie told me she had to get going. So I walked her outside. And as we stood at her car, she smiled kindly at me and said,

"This has been such a nice visit. I meant what I said," she looked around at the property. "It feels like you fit here." She studied my face for a second... "But take care of yourself. I couldn't bear to see you hurt again."

I gave her a brief smile.

"I will, I promise."

She nodded.

"I almost hate to tell you this, after seeing how well you're doing here..."

My heart sank...

"My dad's been calling you, hasn't he?" I asked, guessing immediately. She always got the same tight look on her face whenever my dad came to her mind.

She nodded.

"He's called several times, even hinting once that if I didn't get you to call him, he'd pull some strings at Anthony's job somehow... And I don't think he means to get him a promotion."

"That controlling bastard!" I seethed.

Anthony was a police dispatcher, and I supposed it wasn't out of the scope of impossible that my father had some pull at the San Francisco Police Department, but for my father to even consider that?

Was there no limit to the depths he would sink to control me?

Melodie placed her hand on me...

"Now listen. I didn't tell you that so you'd contact him on our account. Anthony is a little bit worried, but frankly, we'd rather collect unemployment than let your father influence our lives. I just thought you should be aware. Who knows what else he's up to? It might be best for you to go to him now, so he doesn't figure out where you are before you're ready, and come here."

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself. I agreed, though. But I would not let this become my friend's problem.

Nodding my head, I said,

"I will. Thanks, Mellie."

'Please let that marriage license come soon,' I thought. I just needed to cash that check first...

I hugged my friend goodbye tightly, promising to visit soon, and update her frequently. And then I watched her car drive out the gate.

Again, I wrapped my arms around myself and stood, staring blindly at the non-working fountain, wondering what it would look like when it was fixed and working...

Wondering how far it was down on Sam's list of priorities.

Sam...

He had spent the entire weekend in a state of utter torment thanks to Alice. And yet, he'd selflessly cared for me, soothing my fever and making sure I was never alone.

Apparently, I'd been wrong about The Dragon, in some ways at least. He wasn't the uncaring beast I'd originally thought.

I pondered momentarily how he'd been betrayed by his brother, father and stepmother... He was just a man...a man who held deep hurts and was trying his best to get by in a situation that, until me, had offered very little hope.

And I thought again about how I knew he'd been wronged not only by his own father, but by mine, too.

Would he understand why I hadn't mentioned that if he knew?

I thought about telling him now, only, our plan hadn't changed. We would still part ways soon enough. So what purpose would it serve?

My mind filled with worries even as I wandered back into the house and headed towards the office...the room where I'd first officially met Samuel Evans.

I sat down at the large desk and started rifling through the pile of new mail Alice must've retrieved from the mailbox when she returned this morning, along with the large pile of old, unopened mail, separating it all into three piles.

What looked like bills, junk and personal correspondence.

There were several unopened letters addressed to Sam in what looked like a feminine script.

I set those aside, but when I came to a postcard with the picture of a bicycle leaning against a tree and turned it over, I noticed the same handwriting and that it was dated very recently.

I hesitated only briefly, before letting my eyes drift away from the address to the message...

Sam,,

Remember when we were thirteen and I splashed mud all over you with my bike and felt so badly? You told me it was impossible to stay mad at me for long. I'm praying you still have it in your heart to forgive me. I'll never stop trying...

All my love, Olivia.

Olivia... All my love?

She still loves him?

She was trying to persuade him to forgive her?

For marrying his brother?

A strange ache had settled in my chest, making my skin feel prickly. I didn't like it. However, I started to put the most recent mail aside, deciding I was done with the task, when I came upon a business envelope addressed to me.

I sucked in a breath, tearing it open and let out a small shriek when I saw that it was our official marriage license. And just like that, the prickly feeling dissolved into hopeful excitement.

Tossing the other mail onto the desk, I walked quickly to the front door, calling out to Alice in the kitchen,

"I'm going into town. I'll be back soon."

I heard her sing-song, "Okay," just before the door swung shut behind me.

I had some money to collect. Quite a lot of money, in fact.

So, today is the five year anniversary of my mother's passing. I love you and miss you everyday mum. Sleep in peace.

Stay safe!