A/N: what's that? 2 chapters in two days? Hell to the yes! If only I can get write as fast for "dreaming for the present" as I could this. I don't know… my muse is working it like a runaway on a stripper pole. Without giving too much away I will say this: let the crazy, fucked up "it aint even right" triangle commence!

On to the chapter…

Sam never thought he'd like someone so much as he liked Mercedes. For the past month they've become fast friends, talking together on the phone, going to group together, having lunch together. It seemed like everything in his life was changing. His former "I's" became "we's" and every other thought was filled with "I wonder what Mercedes would do?" or "I wonder if Mercedes would come with me?" it was like god himself sent her to him. It was funny how they went from angry strangers to best friends in just a month. As Sam prepared dinner (which he made) for them at his apartment, he racked his brain about the faithful day or night actually where everything changed. The night she showed up at his doorstep with a basket full of treats and a smile.

"Hi, I know it's late but, can I come in?"
Mercedes asked sweetly.

Sam, still confused crossed his arms to hide his chest and asked "What are you doing here?"

"I came to apologize and if you let me in, I can do just that." she smiled at him again, trying to show him she meant no harm. Sam looked into her eyes and decided that maybe he could trust her, she didn't look dangerous, and she was holding cookies. He opened his door and she ducked under his arm and came inside.

Looking around the place Mercedes realized two things: one, this man definitely lived alone. The place screamed bachelor pad, he even had a foosball table in the corner of his living room. And the second was that he was definitely single. If the pictures of only him and his family didn't give it away, the posters of comic books characters and blue people from that movie Avatar sure did. Mercedes almost felt sorry for him. The place looked like it could belong to at least two people, but Sam looked like didn't care to share anything, with anyone.

She made her own way to the kitchen. And placed the basket on top of his table, which was cluttered with drawings, like sketches.

"Ok, you said you wanted to apologize, so how about you just get it over with and go, I have some things to take care of." Sam spat at her.

Mercedes just rolled her eyes and took a cookie out of the basket and handed it to him. "Here, have some, its double chocolate chip."

Sam looked at the cookie in her hand suspiciously. She smiled again and added, "Trust me they aren't poison. If I was going to kill somebody with food, it would be with arsenic, or if I could find it... Hemlock. Just try it, I baked them today."

Sam took the cookie from her and bit into it. He savored the taste in his mouth... Damn it was a minute he let his eyes close biting into more and more until it was completely gone.

"My guess is... You liked it?" Mercedes asked smiling.

Sam just shrugged; playing it off like it wasn't a big deal. He completely ignored her question, took another cookie and asked his own. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing..." Mercedes said. "Except for you to hear me out, please?"

Sam sat down at his table and nodded. Silently telling Mercedes she could continue.

"Well, first I wanted to say I'm sorry. I completely exploded on you that day at the cemetery. It was just... Everything was hurting, and when you said you knew what I was going through I lost it. I kept thinking 'no knows what I'm going through' I lost the love of my life, I buried the Casket and not the body. Her shitty family was getting to me and everything I was bottling up inside bubbled over to the surface. Unfortunately it was towards you, I never meant to hurt you Sam. I'm sorry I made you feel worse about your situation. I didn't come here for you to thank me for this apology or even for your forgiveness, I came because it was the right thing to do." once Mercedes finished her speech, and Sam didn't say anything she figured that was her cue to go. She got her purse and said, "I guess I should go now. Keep the basket."

She began to walk away when he said unexpectantly, "My sister died in front of me."

That stopped her tracks; she turned around and slowly walked back towards him. She sat down at the table next to him and didn't say a word.

"We were coming home, I had to pick her up from this dance, she was 16 and this boy tried to take advantage of her. After beating him up, we walked back to my parents' house. It was only a twenty or thirty minute walk, but as we were walking there was something in the shadows... I told Stacy to ignore it and we kept going. Then he popped out of nowhere, almost in the blink of an eye. He had these weird marking's on his face... Like symbol's. I told Stacy to run! But she didn't. He smiled at us, before a knife formed in his hand like magic. I charged him; I wasn't going to let anything happen to Stacy. He picked me up, with one hand and he smashed my body into a brick wall. I was dazed and I couldn't move because my leg was twisted from the fall. Stacy tried to run to me and that's when he stabbed her twice in her heart. I screamed for her, trying to move trying to get to the guy but, just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared into thin air."

Mercedes was so shocked and saddened by Sam's words that she began to cry. She couldn't believe that this man had been through something so tragic, and she said he couldn't relate. His story was far worse than hers. Through guilty tears she said, "Sam, I'm so sorry!"

Sam grabbed her hands, "Hey, no need to be sorry. You were going through your own stuff, and unlike me your wounds were fresh. I understand why you did it. And I actually owe you an apology. I mean I called you a bitter harpy and you baked me cookies. If that doesn't scream jackass I don't know what does."

She smiled at him sadly and asked, "How are you coping? With losing your sister so tragically? I mean if Quinn died that way I would've been blaming myself... Did they ever find out who did it?"

"I cope with therapy. Two years of it has shown me that it's not my fault. And no, they never found out who did it. He left no trace of himself. And the police didn't believe me when I gave them his description. Actually no one outside of the group believes me about how she died; it was strange, almost supernatural. One thing I know for sure is that he was gunning for Stacy. He wanted her dead. I still don't know why."

"Sam, I don't know what else to say except I'm sorry. For everything that had happened to you... I'm sorry. I know this sounds weird, but I just want to take your pain away. I feel like I owe you more than just an apology and some baked goods... Is there anything I can do for you? I want us to clear the air, and start over."

Sam couldn't help but smile at her kindness. She wasn't what he originally thought she was. In fact she was everything but a bitter harpy. Like him she was a grieving soul. Someone who needed to help in healing the metaphorical wounds that they each held inside their hearts.

"Maybe we could help each other"Sam thought to himself.

"I agree to a fresh start!" Sam said happily. "You know what I want from you?"

"What?" Mercedes asked.

"Tell me... YOUR story."

Mercedes didn't know when things seem to change for her. At first it was months and months of being depressed and missing Quinn with every fiber of her being, then after she had met Sam things seemed to go into a different direction. They went from stranger to friends in less than a month and sometimes Sam's presence in her life confused her. He wasn't malicious, and he didn't have a bad bone in his body, he wanted nothing from her except the only thing she could offer and that was her friendship. She helped him see that the world was actually worth living and he helped her see that the first step to healing was talking about it. Santana came with her to group only the first three times, then Mercedes started going with Sam. He offered to bring her and he would drive her home afterwards. She was actually starting to talk up in group, telling people about Quinn, about their love and her subsequent suspicious death. Talking helped, and like Dr. Moore said the group never judged her. Neither did Sam. He listened to just about everything she said with an open heart and mind. Mercedes was sure she never had a friend like him, someone so selfless, that was what confused her. When men saw her they would always try something, whether it was a cheesy pickup line or a rub to her ass if they were being particularly bold. Working as a bartender Mercedes saw the worse types float in and out. But… Sam didn't do any of that. He didn't hit on her; he didn't flirt with her, nothing. Mercedes was sure he was straight because he would often tell her about pretty girls he seen, but didn't have the courage to talk to. But with her, it was like she could be his sister. Mercedes didn't mind it, in fact she preferred it. But she did often wonder if he felt anything for her at all besides friendship. The answer was probably no… though. Why did that make her sad? She wasn't developing feelings for him was she? Sam? A MAN? No she definitely wasn't. Mercedes shook those thoughts away as she smoothed down her dress and knocked on Sam's door. He opened like he always did with a smile.

"Hey! I was wondering where you were, you are thirty minutes late!" Sam exclaimed

"Sorry, traffic." Mercedes handed him the wine she was holding and came inside. She took off her cardigan and hung it up on his coat rack. She went into the kitchen and saw the table all done up in a beautiful display with a vase in the middle with a single rose. She turned to Sam wondering what in the world he was up to.

"Sam, what is all of this?" Mercedes asked confused.

"Well, there's a reason I told you to come dressed up today. I wanted to celebrate."

"Ok, what are we celebrating?" she asked again.

"Your one month anniversary, since you started group therapy. You've come a long way since the girl who wouldn't show her face to the group. And I thought you deserved a celebratory dinner. Which I made… from scratch." He smiled to her and shrugged like it was no big deal.

"Sam…" Mercedes said looking at him. Seriously this guy was amazing. How was she so lucky to have a friend like him? What was the strange feeling she had coming over her? Was it admiration? Was it more than that? "Sam, I don't, I don't know what to say…"

"Don't say anything, just sit down and have dinner with me… please?"

After she nodded, they both sat down and began to eat and drink and laugh like they have been doing for the past month. Before they knew it was 10 o clock and they were both on his couch, watching a horror movie after Mercedes helped him with the dishes.

"SAM PLEASE TURN IT OFF!" Mercedes screamed

"Stop being so chicken woman and watch the program. It's just Chucky. What's so scary about an evil doll?" Sam laughed at her.

"EVERYTHING!" she cried out again. Sam was still laughing when he said, "If you're so scared why don't you just come over here with me… I'll protect from the fictional characters."

"Sarcasm aside, I will take you up on that offer. If you're not going to turn it off then you automatically become my hiding pillow." Mercedes came over to the other side of the couch and hid her face into Sam's shoulder. Sam would never admit this, but he loved whenever she was close to him. The feel of her body pressed against his, whether it was a hug or a chaste kiss on the cheek, Sam would get lost in her scent and her feel. He knew he could never have her though. The woman was a lesbian after all, but still he could dream. And dream he did, every night for the past month. Sometimes in the dream she would be his wife, and she would love him like no other woman could, sometimes he would dream he met her before her fiancé did, and that it was him who she loved all along. It killed him knowing he had all these feelings for her that she couldn't reciprocate. But Sam figured having her as a friend only wouldn't be that bad. At least it meant she was in his life someway.

He took his arm and wrapped it around her, the final sequence started and she was inching closer and closer to him, like she was scared for dear life. Once the movie was over and Chucky was vanquished, Sam thought she would let go, instead she ended up resting her head on his shoulder. They laid there like that in silence for a minute before Mercedes asked out of the blue, "Sam, what's your type?"

"WH-why?" Sam asked confused

"I dunno. I just never seen you talk about a girl in that way… you would tell me about beautiful girls but you'd never describe them in detail. So, what's your type?"

"I don't really have a type." Sam answered honestly.

"That's bull and you know it Sam. Every guy has a type… and you are sexy. So I know you don't settle for just anything, so... spill."

"Wait... you think I'm sexy? " Sam smiled internally with false hope. Why did she have to be a lesbian? She is my type… Sam thought.

"I don't know… I mean, yeah. Not that I was looking at you or anything."

"Right. Of course you weren't…" Sam got up to put the glass he was holding in the sink. Mercedes noticed his apprehension; she got up and followed him.

"Sam, is everything ok? Did I do something wrong?" Mercedes said from behind him.

"NO. You didn't." Sam answered. "It's just me… "

"You know you can tell me anything Sam… I won't judge you." Mercedes touched his shoulder softly, getting him to turn around.

"I can't tell you because I don't want to lose you cedes. You've been a great friend for this past month and I don't want to ruin it. Besides, there's not much you can do about it anyway."

"Sam you're talking in circles. What's wrong? Did I say something to offend you?"

"Mercedes, it would be best if you just left. I don't want to talk about this and I don't think you need to hear it. Please just go." Said tried to get her out of there before he came out and said to her that he had feelings for her. Leave it to him to fall for a lesbian. The first girl he truly liked in months beyond a casual interest was a woman who couldn't have. "figures." Sam said to himself.

"I'M NOT LEAVING SAM." Mercedes yelled. "Not until you spill. What's going on? Why are you afraid to lose me?"

Don't say it Sam, just walk away. Sam kept saying in his mind. So he did, he began to walk away and Mercedes pulled at his arm.

"SAM!' she said turning him towards her again. "Why are you walking away?"

'Let me go Mercedes." Sam said angrily.

"NO! Talk to me."

"Let me go." He said again.

"NO! STOP BEING A COWARD AND JUST SPIT IT OUT!"

Sam didn't know what possessed his next move. Or why he did it, maybe because she called him a coward, maybe it was because she was cute when she was angry and flustered. But without thinking Sam grabbed her face with his hands and laid the most passionate, sensual, erotic kiss on her lips he could think of.

And it wasn't his initiation of the kiss that surprised Sam; it was the fact that… she kissed him back.

Quinn waited for him. She had been waiting in his lair for a while, in the shadows she lurked. Finally he showed his face, and Quinn knew it was him by the way her blood rushed at his sight. They shared a blood bond, him and her. The creature made that very clear. He was undressing when she walked into his direction. Slowly she crept up behind him, fireball in hand ready to kill him and then descend back to the mortal world. Back to Mercedes. This was her final task and Quinn was determined not to fail. She raised the fireball, ready to throw at his back when she heard him say, "I've been expecting you Lamia."

Shocked, Quinn throws the fire ball in his direction. He misses it with an inch of his life and then he turns around. His features, like Quinn's were distinctively human. He smiled at her and Quinn formed another fireball in her hand, ready to kill him,

"Before you kill me, Lamia, I was hoping we could chat." Kraten said.

"There is nothing to say Kraten. Nothing but your death would please me now." Quinn replied.

"Please, humor me for one minute... the creature, he promised you immortal life didn't he? And the promise of seeing those you love again in exchange for your soul?"

"You cannot try to make me doubt my master. He already told me you were his protégé until you betrayed him of course."

"I do not need to make you doubt him because you already do Lamia. You feel what I did before I got out. He calls it betrayal... I called it freeing myself."

"Enough of this!" Quinn exclaimed. "Time for you to die."

Feeling the rush of death before him, Kraten tried to explain himself, "He made me kill an innocent girl. That's why I betrayed him. She was going to do great things in this world and I killed her at the ripe age of 16. All because she was the only one who would've been able to stop him. He wants humans to bow down to him… a demon wants to take over the entire world. That's his plan. And he will use you to get to that Lamia don't let him fool you! Don't-"

Kraten didn't get to finish his sentence because Quinn hit him with the fireball and soon he too descended to ashes. She didn't believe his lies. The creature taught her better than that. He promised her the world and more, and she wasn't going to let anything deterred her from seeing her Mercedes again. Quinn was about to go back to her master to tell him that the job has been completed, when he popped up behind her clapping.

"Good job my sweet Lamia… I knew you would not fail me."

Quinn quickly bowed at his feet and he picked her up telling her there was no need.

"Master, what is next?" Quinn asked him.

"Next is the mortal world sweet child." He said with a smile. "It is time for you… to go home."

a/n: how does that song go? "tralala my evil half demon girlfriend's back?" no? those aren't the lyrics? Oh well. Until next time- Melle