"What did you say to him?"

It had been about five minutes since Sam had left and Mercedes had spent that time watching Kurt nervously flit around her apartment. He had moved the candles on her coffee table around three different times before moving his attention towards the pillows on her couches. Mercedes had known Kurt for years and she knew that he only cleaned when he felt guilty about something.

"Kurt Hummel, what did you say?"

"What makes you think I said something?"

"Because I didn't meet you five minutes ago. You're acting the way you always do when you have done something wrong so what is it?"

"Mmmmmm, bagels! How about you pop a few of the ones that are left into the toaster and we can start brunch."

"No. Either tell me what you said or you can leave."

Kurt looked up at her with a wounded expression but Mercedes refused to back down.

"I have the right to know what you said because I know it was about me!"

"Fine," Kurt snapped, "I'll tell you, but let's get something straight right now I'm not apologizing for what I said."

Mercedes was instantly worried, was it that bad? Kurt was never one to apologize but the fact that he felt the need to remind her of that made her think what he said was really bad.

"I need food." Kurt stomped past her and headed towards the kitchen where the reminder of the food he brought was. Mercedes watched as he toasted some bagels and slapped some cream cheese and jelly on them. Then he dumped the little individual containers of fresh fruit onto their plates. He snatched them both up and then stalked into the dining room and slammed the plates on the table.

"What are you mad about?" Mercedes demanded, "I'm the one that should be pissed."

Kurt looked up at her sharply but then he softened his gaze, "I'm not mad but I'm just preparing myself for the argument that is bound to happen."

"Just tell me what you said, I promise not to be mad."

Kurt gave her a dubious look but he jumped right in.

"Fine. ItoldSamtahthewasn'."

"WHAT?"

"I said, ItoldSamthathewasn'tgood-"

"Oh hell no, say it to where I can understand it Kurt!"

"I thought you said something about not getting mad?"

"KURT!"

"Ugh, fine! I told Sam he wasn't good enough for you and he was just going to break your heart eventually."

Mercedes stared at Kurt in stunned silence.

"You said what?"

"Do you really want me to repeat it?"

"No, you asshole! You shouldn't have said it in the first place! How could you?"

"How could I? How could you? Since when did you start getting involved with men you barely even know?"

The abrupt change of subject left Mercedes feeling confused. How did the discussion suddenly stop being about Kurt butting his nose in where it didn't belong?

"Excuse me? Who I spend my free time with is my business. Besides weren't you the one telling me to 'hop on that dick' just a few days ago."

"I didn't think you'd actually do it!" Kurt yelled, "When have you ever taken my advice when it comes to men?"

"I didn't take your advice this time it just...it just happened, okay?"

"And now what?"

"What do you mean?"

"What happens now? You've both crossed a line and you can't go back. He's not just your boss anymore, he's knows you intimately and vice versa. Are you really going to be able to walk back into that office Monday morning and act as if nothing happened?"

"I don't know!"

"Well, maybe you should have thought about that before you slept with your boss! " Kurt sighed, "Look, Mercedes I know what I'm saying sounds harsh but I'm just looking out for you. I don't want to see you get hurt and it just seems that this situation will ultimately lead to that."

Mercedes didn't say anything as she focused her attention with rolling a raspberry around on her plate.

"Mercedes?" Kurt asked softly, "say something."

"What did he say?" She asked timidly.

"What did who say?"

"Sam. What did he say when you told him that he was going to break my heart one day."

"He told me that he never would."

Mercedes glanced up at Kurt who was looking at her with sad eyes, "And you don't believe him?"

"I don't think he'll do it on purpose but I just don't see this ending well...I'm sorry."

"I thought you weren't going to apologize."

"I said I'm not going to apologize about what I said to Sam, and I won't. But I'll always apologize anytime I make you sad. I'm really sorry Mercedes."

She blinked back tears and said, "I know."

Two days later Mercedes replayed the conversation with Kurt in her head as she got settled into her office early Monday morning. Things with Sam had happened fast...too fast and she never really gave herself time to full think about all the repercussions. Kurt was right, odds were things were not going to end well, especially for her. After going back and forth about it all weekend she had decided that from now on she would keep all of her interaction with Sam professional. It was just better this way.

The closer it got to 8 a.m. the more tense Mercedes got. She knew Sam would be there in any minute and even with all of her pep talks and plans she still felt out of her element. She could talk a good game when he was away but the second he was anywhere in her vicinity she lost all of her bravado.

By the time 8 a.m. came and went Mercedes started to feel worried that they were going to have a repeat of Friday morning. As the time ticked closer to 9 a.m. Mercedes finally caved and picked up the phone to call down to Mrs. Halbright to see if she had heard anything. She had only dialed two numbers when she heard the unmistakable ding of the elevator letting her know that someone was on the way up. She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to ignore the light feeling in her chest.

She tried desperately to hang on to all of her earlier convictions but she was so nervous about what her first meeting with Sam would be like after what had happened between them. Would he be nice, or would he be mean? Would he give her a smile or would he hurl insults her way instead? Mercedes held her breath as the elevator doors swung opened as she waited to see what the verdict would be.

Nothing.

Sam walked right past her as if she didn't exist. As if the desk was empty and there wasn't an actual living, breathing human being sitting at it. He completely ignored her!

Mercedes sat in stunned silence because of all the scenarios she had dreamed up since Saturday, him straight up ignoring her was not one of them. She had half a mind to go bang on his office door but she'd be damned before she turned into that girl. If he wanted to ignore her then fine, two could play that game.

And they did for the rest of the week. Neither one of them uttered a single word to each other unless it was absolutely necessary. They only talked about work and the only work they talked about was the stuff that couldn't be hashed out over e-mail.

She missed him.

Mercedes knew it was stupid but she missed the way it used to be. Even when Sam was being the biggest asshole he could be he would still acknowledge her presence. He wouldn't treat her like some nameless, faceless employee or even worse just a piece of furniture that happened to be in his office. The old Sam saw her even if he didn't want to. New Sam looked right through her.

Mercedes couldn't deny that her feelings were hurt but this was probably for the best in the long run. If this was the guy that Sam was going to turn into eventually then she was happy he did it now instead of later. Her heart wasn't broken and now it wouldn't have to be. Sam Evans did her one hell of a favor.

Finally it was the end of the hellishly long work week and Mercedes was happy to be free from the office for a few days. As she was gathering her things she was shocked to hear the ding from the elevator. Usually when Sam was expecting someone either Mrs. Halbright would give her a heads up or she'd get an e-mail or text from Sam. So since she had received neither of those things she was curious to see who was coming up unannounced.

When the elevator finally arrived and Stevie stepped out Mercedes' questions were answered. Other than Sam, Stevie was the only other person pretty much allowed to do or go wherever he pleased.

Mercedes put a big smile on her face when she saw Stevie but it faltered slightly when Matt walked out of the elevator behind him.

"Well, hello Mercedes." Stevie said kindly, "how are you doing this afternoon?"

"Good, how are you?"

"I'm excellent, I'm ready to get out of this stuffy office and enjoy my weekend."

Mercedes gave him a small smile in response. She agreed completely but she didn't think it was a good look for her to tell the co-CEO that she couldn't wait to get of the office either.

"Have you and Matt met?"

"Um yes, we had lunch last week."

"Oh...well, that's interesting." Stevie said coyly.

Mercedes was tempted to respond back that it really wasn't but she held her tongue.

"Well since you two are old friends you won't mind it if I leave you two out her while I pop in and have a quick chat with my brother, will you?"

Mercedes wanted to say no, she really, really wanted to say no but instead plastered a fake smile on her face and told Stevie to go ahead. Once the door shut behind him Matt was instantly in her face.

"So, Mercedes how have you been? It's been a week since we last talked and you seemed a little upset then."

"I'm fine now, thank you." Mercedes looked down at her desk and desperately wished that she hadn't already put all of her stuff away so that she would have something to do besides talk to Matt.

"I had a great time on our lunch date and I was hoping we could do it again, but maybe for dinner this time?"

"Um...lunch was fun and everything but I don't think it's a good idea for us to have dinner together."

"Why not?"

"Why? Because..." Mercedes was stuck. She had a perfectly good excuse but she didn't know a nice way of telling somebody that you didn't want to spend time with them because they gave you the creeps 95% of the time.

"Well...I..." Mercedes stuttered and glanced at Sam's door, "I don't think Sam would approve!" She yelled unnecessarily loud at Matt.

He widened his eyes at her outburst but he regrouped and said, "Well, I've been invited to have dinner with Stevie and a friend of his so it wouldn't be a date."

No, it would be a double date, Mercedes thought as she side-eyed Matt.

"Look, I wouldn't have asked but I really don't want to be a third wheel. It's nothing more than that, I promise."

Mercedes didn't believe a word Matt was saying but before she could let him down again the door to Sam's door swung open and he came storming out with a bewildered Stevie on his heels.

"What the hell are doing here, Matt?"

"Well, hello to you too Sam. How have you been?" Matt asked sarcastically.

"Cut the bullshit, why are you here?"

"Sam!" Stevie was staring at his brother in disbelief, "dude, chill out, he's with me."

"Why?"

"We're heading to dinner, you remember the dinner right? The one I just invited you to but you said you'd rather die than come?"

Sam had the decency to look sheepish at his outburst and he muttered a quick apology that was almost impossible to hear.

"It's cool, man," Matt said somewhat graciously, "It's too bad that you can't join us for dinner, I just asked Mercedes and she agreed to join us."

Mercedes head snapped towards Matt at the same time that she could feel Sam turn his gaze on her.

"Actually no, I told you I couldn't come."

"No, you told me that Sam wouldn't approve but I don't think that he would have any problem with it. Would you Sam?"

Mercedes turned to see Sam's face turn bright red as he glared at Matt. Stevie continued to look back and forth between Matt and Sam with a confused look on his face before turning to Mercedes and saying, "If you're worried about thing being weird, don't be. You are more than welcome to join us, in fact I insist, my date would love to have another woman to talk to."

Mercedes could feel herself being backed into a corner but she didn't know how to get out of it graciously. This is what she deserved for making up some lie about Sam instead of just telling Matt straight up that she wasn't interested. She had no doubt that he wouldn't have dared to use her words against if she had just been honest. Instant karma was a bitch.

"Um...well...I..." Mercedes looked at Sam for help but he refused to meet her gaze which pissed her off. "Sure, I'll go."

That got Sam's attention and he gave her an accusatory glance as if to say, 'how could you' before looking at his brother and saying, "I've changed my mind, I'd love to go out to dinner with you guys."

Stevie seemed surprised, but he gave his brother a pat on the back. "That's great man, I'll call ahead and make a reservation at 7 for a table for 5."

"Actually, go ahead and make it a table for 6."

Mercedes' gut clenched at his words. The only reason they would need a table for 6 would be because he would be bringing someone else as his date. She prayed the hurt wasn't showing in her eyes as she focused her attention back on Stevie.

"Uh, well okay then...I didn't realize you were dating anyone."

Sam gave a curt smile but he didn't confirm or deny that he had been dating anyone much to Mercedes disappointment.

"Well, we all have our secrets, don't we Stevie."

Stevie's face darkened at Sam's comments but he bounced back quickly and shot a quick smile to Mercedes.

"Why don't you go on home and get ready, and I'll have a driver swing around and pick you up at 6:30. Is that okay?"

Mercedes opened her mouth to tell him it was but she was interrupted by Sam's voice.

"No, it's fine I can bring her."

"What about your date?" Stevie asked.

"She lives way across town, I'll just tell her to meet us there."

"Aren't you quite the gentleman," Stevie murmured sarcastically.

Sam didn't look the slightest bit bothered by Stevie's comment as he turned to Mercedes and said, "I'll come and get you, okay?"

Mercedes was slightly stunned that he was talking to her about something that wasn't work, so much so that she almost didn't answer him. She wanted to tell him no, she was going to tell him no but the slightly pleading look on his face stopped her.

"Okay." She said simply.

He shot her a small smile and then he turned his attention to Matt who was now giving them both a death glare.

"You don't mind do ya, Matt?"

"Actually…"

"That's great to hear! I knew you wouldn't mind" Sam cut Matt off and then turned his back to him.

Stevie watched the whole exchange with amusement before he announced that it was time for him and Matt to go so that they would be ready in time for dinner. They both said their goodbyes and got on the elevator and headed downstairs leaving Sam and Mercedes alone. The tension in the room had been uncomfortable before but now it was literally choking Mercedes. The somewhat easy pattern they had developed over the last few days was now broken and she didn't know how to act anymore.

"You don't have to pick me up, I have a car." She said softly.

"I said I would, didn't I?" He asked harshly.

The fragile hold on Mercedes temper snapped and a week's worth of anger came spewing out.

"And why did you do that, huh? Are you so worried about what might happen between me and Matt that you feel the need to cockblock at every turn?"

"Nothing is ever going to happen between you and Matt. Do you understand me?"

"Don't start that bullshit again, you don't own me Sam…I'm not yours."

Sam seemed to deflate a bit as if he were a balloon and she just poked him with a large needle.

"You're right and I'm sorry. You're not…you're not mine and I'm not yours."

Mercedes felt like crying at his words and she didn't know why. Her head was a jumbled mess but she knew she needed to snap out of it because she had to be on top of her game at tonight's dinner.

"You really don't have to take me, you know." She said softly.

"I know. I want to." He whispered back just as softly.

"Why?"

"Because…I just…I mis…I don't trust Matt."

"Oh," Mercedes swallowed back her disappointment. She could've sworn that he was going to say he missed her but he didn't.

"I can handle Matt."

Mercedes was sure of that, she was naïve before when it came to Matt but she had his number now. She agreed with Sam, he was not to be trusted.

"Don't underestimate him, okay? He's different than when were in college…very different. I just don't want you to be hurt."

"As long as you're not the one doing it," Mercedes muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Sam looked as if he didn't believe her but he didn't press.

"So, is 6:30 good for you?"

"No. Look, Sam I appreciate the offer but I really have to decline. I promise I won't go with Matt but I don't need you to take me either."

Sam furrowed his brows slightly at her comment but he didn't push her about it anymore.

"Fair enough. I'll see you there."

"See you." Mercedes gave him a forced smile before gathering up her things and leaving the office.

Two hours later Mercedes sat in her car outside the restaurant that Stevie had chosen and gave herself a pep talk. She swore to herself that she wouldn't be jealous of whatever skank Sam decided to bring and she would stab Matt with her fork if he tried something. She tried the deep breathing exercises that Kurt had taught her but all they did was make her feel light-headed so she started her pep talk all over again.

Finally at 6:58 she got out of the car and made her way to the restaurant. She smoothed down her sleek black bandage dress that Kurt had forced on her months ago and she thanked her lucky stars for her best friend. The dress was tight but it wasn't uncomfortable and it showed off every single one of her curves. The dress paired with her trusty Louboutins and her wavy 'sex' hair gave her confidence because even if she was freaking out on the inside she knew she looked damn good on the outside.

Once inside she told the maître'd that she would be joining the Evans party and he quickly lead her to the table. When she got there she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was just Matt, Stevie, and his date. As she got closer she watched Stevie choke on his drink and Matt's eyes bug of his head before they both jumped to their feet.

"Mercedes! I barely even recognized you. You look amazing." Stevie said excitedly, a little too excitedly if his date's glare was indication.

"He's right, you're breathtaking." Matt said as his eyes raked over her body.

Mercedes repressed her shudder at Matt's creepy gaze as she forced a polite smile and said, "Thank you, you both look very nice as well."

Mercedes waited as Matt pulled out her chair and once seated she turned her attention to Stevie's date.

"Hello, I'm Mercedes."

The busty blonde gave her look before muttering, "I'm Crystal."

Well, fuck you too, Mercedes thought to herself.

Stevie gave her an apologetic look before handing her a menu.

"Sam just texted me and said they are in the parking lot so I figured we could start looking at what we wanted to order."

Mercedes ignored the tiny pang in her chest at the word they and focused on the huge book-like menu in front of her. She had only made it to the second page when she heard Stevie's furious voice.

"I can't believe that asshole would bring her!"

Mercedes' eyes snapped up in surprise at the anger in Stevie's voice and she followed his gaze to see what had him so upset.

Her heart clenched in her chest as she heard Matt chuckle behind her and say, "This is going to be so good."

Sam was headed to their table and his gaze was focused on her but she didn't know it because her gaze was focused on his date.

Sam had brought Quinn Fabray to dinner.