"Why do you think the mornings here are so perfect?"

Sam and Mercedes are lying in the deepest part of the outer fields. No crops are grown here, the area is too grassy. They're on the edge of the woods almost, safe on the plantation but far enough away to keep hidden. The morning is just starting, the sky is pink and lovely as the white cotton clouds stretch out across into thin wisps. The grass is soft from the dew and offers a nice cushion under their bodies.

Sam smiles. "They are really nice."

"Nice?" Mercedes says offended. "Every morning God gives you and me a perfect morning. He doesn't make it cold or too hot, and he sweeps the rocks away so when we lie down it's soft. He paints the clouds everyday, so we have something pretty to look at. And sometimes he writes a song for the birds to sing to us."

Sam smiles even bigger at her explanation.

Mercedes rolls her eyes. "Nice doesn't do the Lord justice! It's perfect," she says looking up to the sky. "And I thank you."

"He's doin' a great job" Sam begins as Mercedes looks at him wide eyed. "But how can he expect me to appreciate the morning, when I'm lyin' next to you!"

Mercedes' eyes narrow as she twists her mouth in disbelief. Sam starts laughing at her reaction.

"It's true Merce" he grins. "The way you talk about this morning? I could talk about you the same way."

"How?" Mercedes asks.

Sam looks at her confused. "What do you mean?"

Mercedes breathes out a smile looking at Sam. "I'm not beautiful."

Sam is starting to get upset. "Who told you that?"

"No one had to tell me" Mercedes laughs returning her gaze to the sky. "I'm too dark, and round. My hair is thick and my body is-"

"Perfect" Sam says in his command voice...like he's canceling out everything she has to say. "You are perfect."

Mercedes laughs even harder seeing how tense he is. "Perfect isn't beautiful."

"You're right, it's better" Sam still says seriously. "Mercedes is perfect...and I don't ever want to hear how you don't think you are ever again."

"Sam,"

"I mean it!" Sam says a little heated. He's not upset with her, he just can't understand how someone can be so blind! She's absolutely wonderful...and she can't even see it.

"But it's true" Mercedes answers quietly. "I'm not half as pretty as some of the other girls on the plantation-"

"You are more" Sam says a little warmer. "You talk of God painting the skies every morning, but he paints you too. He gave you this warm chocolate tone, and when I kiss you you're sweeter than any other I've ever tasted."

Mercedes looks at him trying not to cry, but she can't help it...no one's ever really told her that she was beautiful (aside from her mother). All her life Mercedes has had to hear about other beautiful women; women who look like Quinn or May. Thin body types, with fair or lighter skin and long hair that sways when they walk. Mercedes isn't large or fat, but she's not the smallest one either...she's more on the heavy-set. Perfect for hard work and a healthy life...not for being compared as beautiful.

"Your body is fine, good and strong. Which is exactly the type I like...the type I need. Twigs break to easily."

Mercedes frowns debating whether or not Sam is using a double meaning. The devilish smirk playing across his lips is enough confirmation and Mercedes scoffs as Sam laughs deeply.

"What makes you think you'll get to climb this tree?" Mercedes teases.

"Because I'm determined enough to wait...and for you I will" Sam says lovingly.

"Really?" Mercedes smiles.

"Of course" he laughs like she's asking a ridiculous question. "Not to mention, I'm not going to let anyone else get the chance."

Mercedes laughs and Sam bathes himself in the sound. "You are too much."

He smiles back at her tucking one of his arms behind his head. She snuggles to his side and rests her head on his chest. Sam's other arm wraps around her as he pulls her in closer. She listens to his deep breaths, counting off the moments they have left together. She knows they're numbered but right now she pushes those thoughts to the side. She's with him now, and for now that's enough.

"You're real quiet today" Sam notices and she shrugs. "You want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head.

"Yes you do" Sam says knowingly tickling her side. "Just tell me."

"I was thinking about Quinn" Mercedes admits trying to stop Sam from tickling her. That stops Sam cold. Quinn is the last person he wants to think about. He groans sitting up while Mercedes laughs even harder. "Don't be upset."

Sam scowls at Mercedes constant laughter before he breaks into a smile himself. "I can't help it! I'm thinking about you and your thinking about Quinn! Just once!"

"Just once what?" Mercedes laughs harder.

"Just once could you think about me, at the same time I'm thinking about you?!" Sam says tickling her stomach bringing her closer. "You always do this!" He tickles her even more.

"Stop! Please! Stop!" Mercedes shrieks as Sam's hands continue to roam.

"Not until you tell me why?" Sam says tickling her more.

"Someone has to think of her" Mercedes laughs. "She's your wife!"

Sam stops immediately. Mercedes still has this dream-face trying to breathe normally from all the tickling. Sam looks like he's about to hit something. Mercedes grabs his face forcing him to look at her.

"I'm sorry" Mercedes says unsure of how else to word it.

Sam's looking at her with this great intensity again. "I'm not married to her yet."

"But you will be" Mercedes sighs. "No matter how much I wish it was someone else-"

"I just need to figure something out" Sam says thinking out loud. "Then everything will-"

"No" Mercedes says confident. "The sooner you stop trying to fight it the easier it'll be."

"But Merce-"

"No Sam" she says convinced getting up from the grass. "I've got to get to the house...you comin'?"

She holds out her hand for his. He sighs taking it before they walk the long way back to the fields and then to the house.

A/N: short and sweet fluff...idk how long this fluff will last but i'll try and let SAMCEDES be happy for a little before it all hits the fan lol or should i let it all hit the fan in the next chapter? leave me a review to help me decide do you want more fluff or more action? let me know! thanks for reading...much love...pce!