"Are you all done sir?" Mercedes says politely to Sam who's clearly finished with his plate.

Sam glares at her hard. "No, I am not done...I'll let you know when I'm finished."

Mercedes nods taken aback before stepping as far away from the dinner table as possible. The small dining room (not to be confused with the lavish dining room: this one is used more regularly just for Sam and his dad) can be managed by one experienced staff member. Delilah used to be responsible for serving Mr. Evans and his son but as soon as Mercedes became old enough to handle it, she took over. Mr. Evans looks at his son curiously; he's never heard Sam speak to Mercedes in such a way and he knows it's not like him. Mercedes stands in a corner trying to get Sam's attention with her eyes, but he ignores her scraping his fork on the empty plate.

"So, did you and Miss Fabray get a chance to talk?"

Sam gives his father a scowl before answering. "About what?"

"About what" Mr. Evans chuckles towards Mercedes and she winces. "C'mon son don't be shy! Am I hearing wedding bells-"

"If you're getting a ringing in your ears, we better call Doc Johnson so he can take a look."

Mr. Evans laughs heartily as Sam continues to glower. "You two must have decided on something" he hedges trying to get some information.

Sam clangs his fork on his plate hard. "Can we please change the subject?"

"What the hell is wrong with you boy?" Mr. Evans shouts. "This is the worst mood I've ever seen you in!"

Sam doesn't answer but grumbles in his seat pushing your plate away. "I'm done now-"

"Now boy I've had just about enough of your tone-"

"It's alright Mr. Evans" Mercedes says clearing away both their plates.

Mr. Evans doesn't look pleased as Sam continues to grumble to himself. "Thank you Mercedes. Dinner was lovely."

"I'll be sure to tell Flora" Mercedes smiles to Mr. Evans.

"Yeah you do that" Sam says sarcastically.

Mercedes gives him a look. "I will. Goodnight Master Samuel."

Sam's mouth twists in annoyance and as soon as she's out of the room he speaks freely.

"Do you believe her!"

"Her? She's fine! You're the one with a twig in your pants" Mr. Evans says looking amazed at his son. "What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on!" Sam bellows getting up from the table, storming out of the room.

That entire night Sam lies awake thinking about Mercedes...and the more he thinks about it the more upset he becomes. It's either extremely late or extremely early, but everything is pitch black. Sam is teetering on a crazy idea...one that is most likely going to end in disaster, but he doesn't care. He knows it's ridiculous; he's fully aware of how childish he's being but that's not going to stop him. This is the only way to get her attention...to even out the score between him and Heck.

"You want me to what?" Mercedes yawns rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Sam went to her cabin on the plantation and ordered for her to come out and come with him back to the house. He led her upstairs to his room and had her sit down next to the bed as he laid down on it.

"Sing. People say you can, and I want you to sing to me."

Mercedes looks at him lifeless, completely exhausted from the day's work. "Master Samuel, this is no time for jokes."

"I'm entirely serious. I want you to sing to me-"

"Master Sam, I'm tired...it's too early to be singing, I don't even have a voice-"

"But you'll sing and find your voice for Heck but not for me?"

This wakes Mercedes up a little. How does he know about Heck?

"Just like I thought" Sam pouts. "If you don't have a song, you may go" he says dismissing her with a wave.

Now Mercedes is the one with the scowl, and that's exactly how she begins singing. The song isn't pleasant to hear, but raspy and ugly...not at all like the lullaby she cooed to Heck.

"If that's all Master Samuel" Mercedes says getting up from the seat. "Goodnight."

Mercedes leaves a stunned Sam laying across his bed. It isn't until she's almost down the staircase she hears Sam's laughter loud and clear. That makes her even more upset. The entire time it takes her to get back to her cabin she goes off in a rant entirely in French. Now she's the one lying awake thinking about Sam. He's never been this awful to her, and she can't for the life of her figure out why he's being so mean. And how did he find out about Heck? Why should he care anyway? He has no right too, they've done nothing wrong.

The next day the entire plantation is busy preparing for Mr. Evans dinner party. Mercedes is working hard in the kitchen right next to her mother trying to make sure everything is perfect for the event. Sam doesn't have a hope of seeing her today, they both are occupied with other things. The only interaction the two have had all day is the brief moment in the afternoon. Mercedes had only planned to leave Sam's freshly pressed suit in his closet, but when he came in fresh from his afternoon ride she was forced to speak.

"Good day Master Samuel" Mercedes says cold walking out of the room.

Sam continues to smile watching her walk down a long hallway before disappearing down the steps of the house. Sam begins to put on the suit that Mercedes brought to him when his dad knocks on the door.

"'Bout ready son?"

"Almost" Sam says pulling on his pants, tucking in his shirt.

"Good, cause the guests should be arriving soon."

Fully dressed a few minutes later, Sam and his father are standing by the door of the estate waiting to greet their guests. The weather has just hit dusk as the first carriages start pulling in front of the house. Among the first guests to arrive, the Fabrays are right at the front. Mr. Fabray is a rather short stoutly man with ginger red hair and full beard; his wife on the other hand is a raving beauty. Tall, slender, and blonde, with the coloring of a cherry blossom.

"Dwight!"

"Peter"

Mr. Evans and Mr. Fabray exchange a quick hug before Mr. Evans greets Mrs. Fabray.

"Margret"

"Dwight" she smiles effortlessly. "It's always good to see you."

Mr. Evans smiles before being interrupted by Mr. Fabray's welcome to Sam.

"Sam ma' boy!" Mr. Fabray catches Sam completely off guard in a tight bear hug. "How've you been? Haven't been by in a long time?"

"It's good to see you to sir-"

"Sir?" He answers with a hearty laugh. "Come now boy we're practically family!"

Sam gives a nervous laugh as Mr. Fabray lets him go. "Good evening Mrs. Fabray."

"Good evening" she smiles easily as well. "My, my Sam, don't you look handsome."

"Thank you ma'm."

"Don't forget about lil' ol' me" Quinn's says as she's coming up the steps of the house.

She's wearing this beautiful emerald green layered gown fit for a southern bell. It's trimmed in black and has an intricate lace detail; it's off the shoulder and exposes just the right amount of skin to remain tasteful, but make a man weak with desire. Her usually free golden hair is in a high updo that elongates her neck, extending her overall frame. When she reaches Sam she peers up to him using the full effect of her pea-green eyes. Sam swallows hard before offering his arm to escort her to the living room, she takes it gracefully and he tucks her in close.

"You haven't said one word to me yet Sam Evans" Quinn says as he guides her down the hallway.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little speechless" Sam admits ruffling his hair a bit.

"That's fine I suppose" Quinn nods smirking. "The night is still young."

While other guests arrive to the party, Mercedes are still preparing for the meal. The kitchen is bustling with workers carrying different food trays or fixing their special working outfits in order to serve the guests.

"May, you start taking this first course up and settin' it on the table."

"Yes ma'm" May answers tugging on Mercedes' arm for help.

The two girls carry the large soup pot to the dining room which is completely empty. They begin ladling out the soup into the bowls before going back to the kitchen to wait for orders to serve the next course.

"I thought this was a party?" May asks sitting on a nearby bench.

"It is" Mercedes answers sitting beside her.

"Then where's the music! The dancing! The laughter!" May says dramatically and unimpressed. "So far the only exciting thing is the meal?"

Mercedes and May laugh along with everybody else. The next course is being served and thirty maid-servants are paired up with their trays preparing to deliver the next dish. Is it by coincidence that Mercedes just happens to be paired with Sam? I think not; hours earlier he set up with the kitchen staff that she would be the one to serve him...anything to give her an excuse to be close to him. When Mercedes realizes who she must serve, she resists the urge to roll her eyes and replace her look of annoyance with a polite smile. She sets the dish in front of him, and she's so close that she can smell the intoxicating cologne he's chosen to wear. She concentrates heavily on not spilling the dish or it's nearby contents when it's time to take away the empty dish...the last thing she needs to do is make a mess embarrassing herself. She follows the rest of the staff out smoothly, breathing out all nerves.

Thank God for her the party moves quickly. Dinner goes smoothly with nothing but a series of compliments for Mr. Evans, who is having an excellent time...however for Sam the night couldn't go any slower. They are all sitting around in the parlor room huddled in their mixed conversations. Right now Sam's sitting in his father's arm chair, hoping that this night will soon be over. Quinn sits very close rambling about something. Every now and then Sam tunes in...

"So, Papa and I were thinking about something perhaps in the spring?"

"Hmm?" Sam says being pulled into a different train of thought by Quinn. "Excuse me what did you say?"

"A spring wedding?" Quinn clarifies. "It'll give you ample time to work up the nerve to propose and-"

"Quinn, that's not possible" Sam whispers to her. "I haven't asked you yet-"

Quinn groans frustrated before grabbing his hand making him follow her out of the room. "Excuse us" she smiles like a perfect hostess. "Now Sam, what's the point in us waitin'? You know I'm gonna get my way eventually."

Sam lets out a laugh...he's so mad he feels like he could pull out his hair. "Quinn...I'm not ready-"

"And I'm perfectly fine with a long engagement" Quinn smiles unchanging. "No matter how long it takes?"

Sam squints his eyes. "No matter how long."

Quinn smiles even bigger. "I'm a woman Sam, we're taught to wait."

"What about secrets?" Sam asks trying to push his luck.

Quinn's face drops a little. "I'm not to fond of secrets..."

Sam uses the full effect of his pouty lips and emerald eyes to create the most pitiful expression he can come up with.

"Oh...alright...fine!" Quinn breaks defeated. "It'll be our little secret!"

Sam kisses her forehead and she smiles even bigger at him before walking back into the parlor. He let's out an exhausted breath; he's finally gotten what he's always wanted...a break from Quinn Fabray. A tiny sniffle makes him turn around to see a red eyed Mercedes hiding in a corner. She gives him a weak and somewhat watery smile continuing to wipe her eyes.

"Congratulations" she smiles wider.

Sam starts to get this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Mercedes I-"

"Don't worry Master Samuel, I can keep a secret too."

Mercedes walks away from Sam and her hiding spot returning to the kitchen. The entire way back she's trying to stop her eyes from leaking but they won't stop. She rips a piece of her apron and dabs her eyes quickly, but the more she tries to stop crying the more her eyes seem to water. With each step back to the kitchen she's becoming more flustered and frustrated with herself...why? Because she saw this coming and she still wasn't prepared. Sam and Quinn were going to be together, and there was nothing anyone could do...especially her. But part of her still hoped that Sam wouldn't surrender so easily. How many times a day did Sam make fun of Quinn or talk about how persistent she was. He was always comparing her to a spider, trying to capture him in her web like a fly...and now they were having a secret engagement? Mercedes wasn't expecting anything...she was too smart for that...however she hopped that Sam wouldn't be caught by Quinn. He deserved someone nice and sweet...someone who would take care of him and look out for him...someone who would be a lot easier to serve. Unlike Quinn, who Mercedes was absolutely positive that she would make her life miserable...forever tormented by Quinn's taunts? Mercedes shakes her head no, deciding that she would rather leave the plantation if it meant an escape from being Quinn's plaything. Maybe she could work in the fields? Quinn hates everything having to do with real hard labor...but Mercedes doesn't know anything about crops...but she could learn. Maybe Heck could teach her?

"What are you in deep thought about?!" Flora says as Mercedes is leaning in the doorframe. "Doesn't matter" she laughs. "Dinner's over, so now we just have to wait for the cleanup."

Mercedes nods mechanically deciding to take a small nap until the party is over...crying always makes her a little sleepy.

Meanwhile, Sam is feeling like the worst human being on the planet. He's physically dancing with Mrs. Fabray, but his mind is racing in circles about Mercedes.

"Something wrong Sam?" Mrs. Fabray asks sincere.

Sam snaps out of his train of thought.

"Thinkin' about my Quinn?" She asks raising her eyebrows as Sam winces. "You know I reckon that's a good start to work up the nerve?"

Sam just nods continuing to waltz in the room.

"If you don't mind me askin' Sam-"

"Quinn's been sitting still for far too long" Sam says cutting her off so she can't pry.

"You are absolutely right" Mrs. Fabray smiles dumbly as Sam guides her to her seat.

Sam smiles to her giving her back to her husband before walking to Quinn. He extends her arm and she smiles taking it as he leads her to the dance floor.

"You know Sam-"

"Shut-up" Sam says quick and annoyed through a tight smile. "No talking."

Quinn gives him a look of confusion but allows him to hold her close and spin the two around. Sam legit wants to hear nothing...he's too busy thinking. Thinking of a way out of his more than likely doomed marriage...he's bought himself some time as long as Quinn keeps their secret, but mostly he's thinking of a way to explain to Mercedes. But what is there to explain? Sam is...is...stuck. Royally stuck and there's nothing he can do. And even though he knows this...he feels like he owes Mercedes something...he owes her the truth. He closes his eyes and internally groans at what the truth involves. How's his soul inflates with joy whenever she laughs because of something he's said or done. Or whenever they're together everything feels right, like nothing should change. How he's admired her secretly for years, or how he's dreamed of holding her close to him even for a few moments. Or how it angers him to think that someone else has been looking at her as something more than just a friend. Sam's possessive, not because he technically "owns" her but because emotionally he feels like she's his alone. He wants her desperately, however she wants him to be the one to give herself to him; he would never want to take her. And any special or extra attention she gives to someone else just emphasizes the fact that he's not supposed to have her, or want her. That his feelings about her are wrong, and that the right thing to do would be to keep silent and marry Quinn...

"The music's stopped" Quinn says quietly.

Sam stops moving causing the two of them to stop dancing. "Thank you Quinn."

Quinn gives him a knowing nod; knowing that every now and then sometimes a man needs time to think, to sort things out. By obeying his request to remain quiet, she just proved that she understands a man's needs and therefore is ready to be his wife. She curtsey's and walks back to her parents. The party is starting to die and the guests are returning home. Sam and Mr. Evans are by the door wishing their guests a good night.

"Thank you for a wonderful time" Quinn says bowing to Mr. Evans.

"The pleasure was mine Quinn" Mr. Evans replies with a smile.

"Goodnight Sam" Quinn says reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Very sincere and heartfelt Sam wishes her a "Goodnight."

The Fabray's are the last guests to leave and the house is empty except for the house-staff and the Evans.

"Another successful event" Mr. Evans sighs tiredly before clapping his hands together. "Now I don't know about you, but I'm gonna see if Flora has any leftovers of that beef stew we had tonight!"

"Okay" Sam smiles weakly seeing his dad head towards the kitchen.

Sam decides to go to the piano room to clear his head some more and work up his nerve while Mercedes is busy clearing the lavish dining room table. She takes a stack of dirty plates and plops them on the counter not caring if she breaks one or not.

"Careful child!" Flora snaps at her.

"Sorry Flora" Mercedes says apologetically but still upset as she's going back upstairs to get more dirty dishes. She accidentally bumps into Mr. Evans who's trying to enter into the busy kitchen. "I'm so sorry Mr. Evans, I didn't see you-"

Mr. Evans places his hands on both sides of her arms to steady her. "It's alright Mercedes, no harm done." Mr. Evans peers into Mercedes eyes seeing that they are still red from her crying. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing Mr. Evans" Mercedes says stepping away from him bumping into a wall. "If you'll excuse me, I must be gettin' back to work."

She bustles back into the dinning room to help clear the tables with the rest of the staff. Hours later the house and all its contents are back to normal. The rooms have been cleaned, the dinnerware washed and stacked and the furniture put back in it's proper place.

"Did you hear Mercy?" May squeals in delight. "Mr. Evans says because we did such a good job, we get tomorrow off!"

Mercedes smiles. "That's real nice."

"Nice?!" May says exaggerated. "Everybody's celebratin'...they're havin' a dance tonight in the cabins to celebrate! And we get to sleep in so you know it'll go on all night! Come on!"

May tugs on Mercedes arm but Mercedes doesn't budge. "I'm just gonna stay here and-"

"Oh Mercy you can't" May whines. "You never go to the dances, and they're always so much fun! Besides the entire house is going! Everybody's gonna be there-"

"Another time" Mercedes sighs cutting her off. She gives May a smile, who's pouting and pleading like no tomorrow. Mercedes rolls her eyes and laughs. "Stop it May! I'll go to the next one."

"But I want you to go to this one" May says honestly.

Seeing that it's no use May gives in and hugs Mercedes before leaving for the cabins.

"How long you plannin' on staying here?" Delilah asks preparing to leave for the cabins as well.

"Just until I put these back in the china cabinet...maybe turn down the lights in the house" Mercedes says taking a few plates in her hand.

Delilah looks at her daughter a long time seeing an underlying problem. She doesn't have to ask, she already knows...which is why she doesn't say anything except for "Don't stay here too late."

Mercedes nods watching her mother leave the kitchen through the backyard entrance. She turns with the plates and walks carefully to dining room so she doesn't drop anything. The entire house is quiet, especially with everyone being gone. The only noise is Sam playing the piano in the parlor. Mercedes silently curses herself...she knows the routine. This is Sam's way of calling to her; late some nights after her chores in the house Sam would wait up for Mercedes to finish. He would play whatever he felt like eventually working to her favorite work to listen too, until she came to him and they would talk; about anything. She would listen to him play beautiful melodies that seemed to just pour out of the piano, and sometimes he would teach her little tunes that she eventually learned to plunk out. Sam knew that she would have to come in their eventually; it was her job to shut off the lights. And even when it wasn't, Sam was childish enough to play her favorite melody in rounds until she met him. Once when they were teenagers, Mercedes had gotten upset with Sam for something small but vowed to never speak to him again. So Sam went to the piano and played her melody non-stop until the entire house begged her to reconcile...he was that immature.

"Even though I have to come, I'll take my time" Mercedes grumbles to herself determined to go as slow as possible.

She inspected each dish that had to be placed in the cabinet, so carefully she felt it starting to become ridiculous. Her rebellious side was starting to come through as she walked as she processed down the hallway back to the kitchen. She'd take a step and wait for however long she felt necessary and then take another and do the same thing. After a few more of these extremely slow paces, she thought she would've heard Sam become impatient through his playing...but the notes were just as smooth and calm as ever. When it was time to extinguish the lamps she took her time in that as well. She went to every other room in the large house before being forced to go to the parlor where the music flows continuously. She takes a deep breath before entering the room, and it doesn't surprise her when he stops playing.

"Are you done with the light Master Samuel?"

Her back is turned to him while she straightens up the pillows on the chairs.

"Master Samuel? Mercedes asks again. "The light?"

Sam refuses to answer until she makes eye contact. Mercedes knows this, so for the first time in her life she sets the extinguisher on the piano and prepares to leave the room.

"Stay" Sam commands using his full voice; Mercedes freezes in place. She hears him slide out from the piano bench and watches him close the sliding parlor doors ensuring her entrapment and their privacy. He puts both hands behind his back and stands in front of her; her eyes still don't meet his.

"Now Mercedes" Sam begins, and she twists her mouth at him referring to her name; he knows she doesn't like it. "I'm going to do something, that I've never done before."

She breathes in and out evenly waiting for him to continue.

"I want you to tell me the exactly how you are feeling right now."

Mercedes looks at him for the first time, judging his reaction and his request.

Sam can see that she doesn't believe him. "I mean it...I want you to tell me how you feel. No censoring, no consequences, you can yell and scream and throw a tantrum if you want too" Sam chuckles on the last part.

He knows he's releasing a tiger from a cage, Mercedes is known to have quite a little temper.

"No consequences?" She asks.

"Well, there are always consequences...but I promise no punishment" Sam says stepping away from her to sit down in a chair.

He crosses his legs knowing she's about to begin in any moment...

"Well Master Samuel, I think you are by far the biggest and the most nerve-wracking person in this entire world. The way you prance about this land like it's your God given birthright is absolutely disgusting! I hate the fact that everything has been brought to you on a polished silver platter! Like for once I wish you could polish it yourself to see how much work and effort goes into something you just toss to the side! Like dinner tonight night! Do you realize how much hard work goes into making that party so grand and wonderful? Not once do you ever say thank you! And for what!" Mercedes shrieks. "So you can spin that devil of a woman around in a circle, just talking about how high and mighty you all think you are!"

"I take it you mean Quinn?" Sam says trying his best not to laugh...although it's with great difficulty. He had no idea Mercedes was this opinionated.

"YES! QUINN!" Mercedes laughs darkly. "The most awful person in town! Just because her Pa happens to own the next largest plantation she sneers up her face to everything! You know? I honestly can't see how anyone is even attracted to that snake! The way she slithers about tryin' to trap you and you just let her! After the countless insults we've made about her! The number of times we've laughed behind her back." Mercedes says pacing back and forth mocking Sam's tone. "Oh Merce! C'mon Merce! You can't leave! You have to stay! She's got claws that can kill!"

Sam is laughing and he's finding it hard to stop.

"Ms. Santanna Lopez would make a far better wife than Ms. Quinn. At least if she orders me around it's with a kind tone, and it sounds quite pretty!"

"She only speaks spanish" Sam laughs again. "Don't you think I should marry someone who I can at least talk too?"

"All I know is I'd rather see you married to a rock than attached to her!" Mercedes yells taking advantage of the opportunity.

Sam comes down from his laughing high to see Mercedes glaring at him with both hands on her hips. He's giving her the intense stare again, but she refuses to back down from her scowl. Sam smiles bigger and get's up to walk to her.

"I had no idea you were this jealous" he smiles and Mercedes begins making faces like she's going to gag.

"Now ai'nt nobody said I was jealous" Mercedes says still glaring. "I was just sayin' that-"

"You were jealous" Sam finishes stepping even closer. Mercedes stands her ground refusing to admit anything.

"How can I be jealous of something that has nothing to do with me-"

"Come now Mercedes, I know the feeling well enough to recognize it."

"Well Ms. Fabray is gorgeous...plenty of men are sure to stare."

"I'm not talking about Quinn." Sam says trying to get closer but Mercedes moves away. "I mean you."