Lor Unil = 'Beautiful Dream' in Na'vi

Sam was sat in traffic for 45 minutes and he wasn't happy. It had been a long day at work, and only now had he just begun to pick up some speed on his journey home. He should have already been there 15 minutes ago and had sent a text to say he was on his way.

'Don't stress. Will see you when you get here x' was the reply. Even through the written word she always seemed to have that soothing tone.

But Sam WAS stressed. He'd wanted to get home on time. It was important for him to get in on time. He needed to have a shower and be relaxed and ready for the evening ahead. It was a special night and it needed to be perfect.

By the time he parked up and rushed through the front door he was 30 minutes late.

"Daddy!" He could hear the little footsteps coming towards him with excitement. He immediately dropped his briefcase and scooped the little girl in the Disney Princess pajamas up into his arms and squeezed her until she giggled. As she clasped her little arms around the back of his neck he inhaled the smell of his freshly bathed child. "Story! Want daddy read story!"

He laughed. "You have to let daddy through the door first!" He tried to put her down so that he could pick up his bags but she refused to let go, clinging on to him like a dead weight, her thick curly hair brushing against his face and tickling his nose.

Trying to pull her off only resulted in squirming and giggles and he quickly gave up trying, enjoying the embrace of his child, the feel of her little fingers in his hair and the way that she couldn't quite keep still, making her difficult to keep a hold on to. Where she got all her energy from he did not know but he always missed her like crazy throughout the day!

"What a sight for sore eyes!" He could hear the smile in her voice as it drifted down from the top of the staircase.

As he looked up all he could see was a vision. The dress was his favourite shade of purple, off the shoulder with silver piping on the neckline, hemline and under the breasts. He'd been expecting a long dress but this one was knee length. A simple empire line with plenty of fabric which emphasized her waist yet lightly skimmed over her swelling belly. She hadn't put any shoes on yet but he knew that when she did they would be a matching color. Her hair was in simple waves, cascading down over her shoulders and the smile was the same one with the slight dimples that never failed to make his stomach go weak.

Within seconds he'd reached the top of the stairs and was kissing those beautiful lips, starting gently before the inevitable deepening and trail to her jaw. "Happy anniversary honey!" She murmured the words against the side of his face as they embraced. The sound of her voice always made everything better. And now it was her turn to run her fingers through his hair. Between the two women in his life he wondered why he ever bothered to comb his hair at all!

He bent to kiss the baby bump swathed in purple fabric and she laughed, always claiming that it tickled. "I'm so sorry I'm late," he breathed, "but may I say Mrs Evans, that if it's physically possible, you've managed to look even more beautiful than usual tonight!"

She laughed at the complement. "Oh it's just something I found in the back of the closet and threw on! And thanks for the flowers by the way." He looked behind her to see the twelve long stemmed red roses in a vase in the bedroom.

"Story! Princess story!" The little girl clutching the Sam's leg had inherited the same insistent tone as her mother. He sighed and looked at his watch. Thirty minutes left to read the story and have a quick shower before the babysitter would arrive and they could head out for their anniversary dinner in their favourite restaurant. He smiled to himself as he thought of the surprise that he had waiting for her there.

As he tucked his child into the bed and flicked through the books on the night stand he noticed that the one he was looking for was missing. "Mercedes!" He called to the next room "Where's the Princess and the Frog?"

Sam opened his eyes. He was alone in the motel room. Somehow he must have been so deeply asleep that he hadn't heard any of his family's usual chaotic morning routine.

There was total silence in the room and he was glad of it because his head was still heavy. He was in the kid's bed not his own on the floor. Suddenly his memory flashed back to the night before. He remembered opening his eyes and seeing Mercedes was asleep next to him, looking serene and beautiful. And best of all it had felt like she had belonged there. To top it off she'd smelled of cocoa butter again, just like the day that they'd sat close and watched Avatar. It must have been a dream.

But then the actual dream flashed up and he was glad there was nobody in the hotel room to see him blush. He used to dream of dates with Quinn but he'd just dreamed he was married to Mercedes. With kids! What the hell did that mean?

Trying to shake himself back to full alertness, he noticed a note from his mom on the dresser:

Hope you feel a little better today Sammy.

I've already called school to tell them you're sick.

There's medicine, lemons and honey for you in the fridge.

Mercedes will pick the kids from after school club so you can stay in and just rest.

Sorry I can't stay home to look after you today but I'll spoil you when I get back.

Love you lots

Mom x x

P.S. There's soup in the tined food box and in the fridge there's mac'n'cheese with green beans for dinner when the kids get back

Sam got up, drank some medicine and made himself a hot honey and lemon.

The dream still lingered in his head and it disturbed him.

Yes he liked Mercedes but was it really that kind of like?

As he settled back to sleep, all he knew was that he was looking forward to seeing her again when she brought the kids back from school and he hoped that she would stay a while.

By the time he'd opened the door to Stacy, Stevie and Mercedes he was feeling a bit better. He'd had more medicine, more sleep, two tins of soup, a long hot shower and had changed from pajamas into his regular clothes.

She'd smiled shyly at him and explained that everyone in Glee had sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery. For some reason he felt decidedly less relaxed around Mercedes than usual and sensed that she wasn't her usual relaxed self either. They were already good friends so why the sudden nervousness around each other? He returned her shy smile. "Thanks for taking care of me last night." Sam cast his eyes downwards, desperately hoping that he hadn't said or done anything too embarrassing because he honestly didn't remember much between coming in through the door and waking up next to her!

"It was nothing Sam. I used to fuss over my brother when he was sick before he left home and it was nice to have the opportunity to do it again."

Sam leaned on the doorframe, still feeling a little weak. "Will you come in and stay awhile?" It amused him that as he leaned forward towards her, she appeared to lean back as if trying to maintain a safe distance between them. "I promise you won't catch any germs."

She also seemed to be avoiding his eyes and made some lame excuse about her parents wanting to make sure she had all her homework done before leaving for New York. But that excuse wasn't going to cut it with him and he somehow managed to convince her that they should do some of the homework together. After all, he'd missed class, the one that they shared, and needed the help.

Stacy cheered, grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room before she could come up with any further protestations.

While the kids watched cartoons they sat on his parent's bed and worked through math and English assignments. He was especially relieved to have help with English because he'd been struggling more than ever with that class in recent weeks. Tiredness seemed to be making his dyslexia worse. Or maybe he just wasn't trying so hard anymore. But there was a problem studying with Mercedes. Every time their fingers brushed reaching for a book or turning a page he flushed and she definitely avoided his eyes. And strangely enough for some reason their hands seemed to brush a lot! Worse still, the small brushes were producing not so small tingles.

When they finally finished he gave what he hoped was his most irresistible grin. He needed to break the tension which was strangely developing in the room. "Will you stay for dinner? We're having gourmet instant microwave mac'n'cheese yet again!"

"Sam I'm sorry but I really really should go." Mercedes looked sad but resolved. Without another word she gathered her things and went over to kiss the kids. Then she hugged him as had become their custom and again the dream flashed back into his head. He enjoyed these hugs more than he cared to admit. And even in the dream the feel of it had been so vivid.

Her smile was genuine and she looked into his eyes and absently brushed her fingers across his hair before seemingly coming to her senses and hastily looking away, shoving her hand in her pocket and clearing her throat. "I hope you feel better soon Sam... You already look better than last night."

He out on a 'brave' face and his trademark lopsided smile. "I told you I get better fast."

She grinned. "You just had man-flu. Nothing wrong with you at all!"

He laughed. "If only!"

She stepped back from him and seemed to take a deep breath like she was willing herself to do something. "I'll see myself out." And without turning her head again she was and the room felt incredibly empty.