(While in France, Mr. Evans is having another flashback about Delilah)

"How many times must I tell you Master Evans?"

Mr. Evans watches Delilah shift her weight to her other foot while placing her hand on her hip.

"No one can know what's been going on" she says flustering about the dining room clearing away the dishes. "Imagine what people would say?"

"What can they say?"

"I'm not sure, but it can't be good" she snaps. "Especially for me!"

Mr. Evans laughs lightly watching her become so worked up over nothing. "All we've done is talk" he lies with a smirk.

She scoffs loudly. "Talk...hah!"

"Its true" he chuckles. "If you've told no one, no one should no a thing."

"I don't have to tell anyone anything Master Evans. You're face speaks very, very loudly."

"My face?" He grins.

"Yes! Don't believe me, go look in the mirror" she says directing to a small corner wall in the room.

He gets up entirely curious as to what she's talking about. When he reaches there he's seeing no change except for the color in his eyes. The dull brown color has been completely erased and instead a warm, vibrant chocolate color replaces them. There's a hint of a sparkle that seems to twinkle, illuminating his entire face. He smiles at his reflection noticing how easily his muscles relax around the position. His smiles are more abundant and effortless. His laugh is clear and deep. He's laughing at himself even as we speak...

"You see!" Delilah whines.

"What?" He chortles. "I'm happy! What would you like me to do?"

"Be miserable" Delilah says before smiling at her request. She knows its strange to ask someone to be miserable, however know one can suspect what's been going on between them. Its easier for everyone if they just keep it to themselves.

"Be miserable?" He repeats. "Okay, if that's what you want." Immediately his face changes to a serious expression. "Is that better?"

The two stare at each other knowing very well that one of them is about to laugh. Delilah clears her throat and twists her mouth to keep from breaking first...but Mr. Evans wiggles his eyebrows and she ends up giving him a wide grin.

"That's not fair" she laughs as he comes closer catching her in an embrace.

"I can't help it" he says capturing her face in his hands. "You make me so happy whenever I'm with you, that when you're not it carries over until I'm with you again."

"I feel the same" she sighs.

"But..."

"I don't want people to know. And you makin' me an overseer to the house-slaves is like shoutin' it to the plantation."

"You'd gain more respect from-"

"I don't need what you're trying to give me" she says and he sighs deeply. "I don't want to run the house, I'm fine just workin' in it."

"You deserve more than fine" he grumbles. "You deserve the best-"

"Why? Did you think that by me being an overseer, it would somehow make it okay that we're together?" She snaps releasing her hold on him. "There are set differences between us...stop trying to change them."

(Nightfall at the Evans Plantation. Sam dreams of Mercedes...)

"You should've never sent me away" she says looking at him.

They are both lying on the floor of their cabin-shed talking to each other.

"In what world did you think that sending me away was a smart idea?" She surprises him by laughing.

Sam opens his mouth to answer...and then closes it finding nothing.

"Did you even think it through?" Mercedes asks.

"Honestly?" Sam winces. "Somewhat."

"Great, we're miles and miles apart for a half-thought out plan."

"I don't regret sending you away. It's too dangerous here...I'm only thinking maybe I should've gone too."

"I said that!" She says excitedly. "I asked you...no...begged you to be with me-"

"You act like its not hard for me either" Sam laughs stroking her face. "Some mornings I swear I can't even breathe. I miss you so much Merce."

"I know" she says kissing the inside of his palm.

"But you don't...you haunt me every single second of everyday" Sam says coldly looking deep into the eyes of his vision. "Its only when I sleep, I might have a hope of dreaming about you."

She nods.

"Why did you visit me tonight?" Sam asks. "Are you alright?"

She shakes her head no. "I'm dying Sam."

Sam frowns. "No...you're doing well in France. I just read your letter, you're planning a trip and everything-"

"I lied."

Sam swallows hard as a pained expression washes over his face.

"I feel cold" she says stiffly.

Sam watches as his nightmare slowly fades into nothing.

He wakes up with a start, clutching his face trying to shake the nightmare away. He breathes in deeply trying to calm his racing heart.

"It's just a dream...just a dream."

(Meanwhile in Italy...)

"I have no idea where they could be."

Mercedes, Kurt and Finn are in a courtyard somewhere among the hidden streets in Venice. They are waiting for two of Kurt's friends to meet them; Kurt is growing impatient, Finn remains indifferent while Mercedes is appreciating each new discovery. Every smell and sound is precious to her and she's so excited from it all she's practically spinning around in the streets.

"This is incredible" she grins choosing to sit on the side of a fountain. Her hand touches the water making constant ripples.

Finn smiles watching her play before seeing Kurt look at him. "What?"

"I'm not sure" Kurt says suspiciously eyeing his step-brother.

Finn chuckles rolling his eyes. "It's not what you think."

"Tell me Finn, what am I thinking?"

"I'm not sure, but whatever it is you are thinking-"

"Yeah?" Kurt challenges.

Finn takes in a deep breath unsure of how to word his feelings. He lets out a huge gust unable to say anything, but he gives Kurt a big smile at the end.

"Exactly what I thought" Kurt says giving him another look. "I knew you seemed too excited for this trip."

"What?" He says laughing. "We're just here in Venice during Carnival-"

"For God sake Finn, what did you expect to happen?" Kurt groans. "She's off limits."

"Says who?" Finn argues.

Kurt gives him a wild look. "Uh…let's see….how about our social standing for one."

Finn rolls his eyes stepping away from his brother.

"Our parents!" Kurt shrieks. "I'm pretty sure your mother's heart would stop if she knew that you'd taken fancy to a slave girl."

"Just like your father would go ballistic if he found out that the true reason we're here in Venice, is so you can meet up with your lover?" Finn reminds him.

Kurt looks like he's just swallowed a frog. "You promised me you'd never tell. You gave me your word-"

"And as your brother I have every intention of keeping it" Finn says reassuring his vow. "However just like you asked me not to tell anyone of your feelings, I'm going to have to ask the same of you."

Kurt looks almost helpless at his brother's request.

"Besides," Finn begins. "I'm not even sure what I'm feeling…she's so amazing."

Finn glances at Mercedes who is still splashing the water with her fingertips.

"And I know there are a million reasons as to why I'm not supposed to like her but…"

Mercedes looks up and sees the two boys looking at her. She gives them both a wide grin.

"She makes me forget every single one of them when we're together" he sighs watching her. "And the way she looks at me…I can tell she feels something for me too."

Kurt looks at his hopeless brother pitifully before deciding to give him a dose of reality.

"Finn…" he says taking in a deep breath. "She doesn't love you!"

Finn rolls his eyes. "Come on Kurt-"

"No! She! Does! Not! Love! You! You are delusional if you think she's moved on from her past life back home" Kurt explains. "Have you noticed her? Like really noticed her?"

"She just needs time."

"Its almost been a year. That poor girl is completely torn between her past and her present." Kurt says. "On the one hand she is somewhat happy here, but whoever she left in the U.S is definitely someone very important to her."

"I know-"

"No Finn, you don't! Mercedes still cries herself to sleep most nights. The girl is completely heartbroken and you trying to use this trip to woo her is just awful. Not to mention she's off limits!"

"Kurt-"

"You're both damaged. You both need time to heal. And-"

"Kurt!" Finn shouts. "I get it okay?"

"I am not going to let you ruin yourself" Kurt says determined folding his arms. "We're family in every way that matters and you liking her is just unacceptable."

"But you being in love with a man is?" Finn challenges and that earns him a cold glare from Kurt. Finn sighs. "I'm not even sure if I'm in love…but do you remember what you told me when I asked how you could be in love with Blaine?"

Kurt closes his eyes and reluctantly answers. "Love has no gender."

"Right" Finn nods. "So, why does it have to have a color?"

Kurt's eyes flash open to see Finn almost smirking at how he won this argument fairly easily. Finn clasps the shoulders of his brother and laughs.

"Ease up…we're supposed to be having fun" Finn grins letting him go to sit over by Mercedes.

Mercedes welcomes him with an easy smile looking at her reflection in the fountain.

"How upset would you be if you just happened to fall in?" Finn teases knocking into her playfully.

"That depends, is it my fault or yours Mr. Hudson" she asks eyeing him suspiciously before shrugging. "Either way, my day would be ruined."

"Then I won't do it" Finn promises changes his tone to sound like a hero.

Mercedes rolls her eyes shaking her head. "Thank you kindly Mr. Hudson" she says heavily sarcastic.

She cranes her neck upwards to scan the bright blue sky. Its so clear compared to the open fields in the Evans Plantation. Clouds were always abundant and cotton white when she used to lay out there with-

Mercedes shakes herself back to the present. Finn watches her face change which causes him to frown.

"Are you alright Miss Mercedes?"

"Yes, Mr. Hudson" she nods.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

She frowns. "Sure Mr. Hudson-"

"Great!" Finn smiles not saying anything else.

Mercedes eyes spread waiting for him to ask her his question. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"What was the favor you wanted Mr. Hudson?"

"For you to stop calling me Mr. Hudson" Finn smiles.

Mercedes looks at him weird. "Are you serious Mr. Hudson-"

"Finn…just Finn."

She frowns even more. "That was the favor?"

"Yeah, and its an immense relief to hear you call me Finn."

"But why Mr-"

He raises his eyebrows to correct her mistake before she even makes it.

"Finn…that's not a favor at all."

"It is…you calling me Mr. Hudson makes me feel like I'm about fifty years old."

Mercedes rolls her eyes.

"What?" He laughs.

"Was that you attempt at being funny?" Mercedes teases. "Finn" she accents before chuckling.

"It made you laugh" he smirks.

"Only because it was so bad" she smirks. "But why the sudden change in your name?"

"Because, I feel as if we're good enough friends we can stop being so conventional" Finn explains easily. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"I guess so?"

He shakes his head not accepting that answer. "Don't tell me what you guess. Tell me what you feel."

She frowns at him entirely lost before answering. "I…feel so? I suppose" she tries before laughing at the way her words are sounding. "What I mean is I guess you're right."

Finn shakes his head and laughs looking over to his brother who's brooding at him from across the courtyard.

"So…" Mercedes starts. "Who exactly are we waiting to meet?"

"Some friends of mine and Kurt. They should be here by now, I have no idea what's taking them so long."

"How many are coming?" Mercedes asks shifting in her spot.

"Not sure" Finn shrugs. "Could be one or two."

"Oi! Oi! Oi!"

Mercedes and Finn turn around to see two men and a woman walking towards them with large smiles on their faces. The woman is average height with golden blonde hair and a dopey innocent smile. She's practically running towards them in this bright orange sundress that Mercedes frowns at because its nothing at all like the fashions she's become accustomed too. Her dress sways with the breeze and it seems comfortable unlike the petticoat Mercedes finds herself constrained in.

"Finnick!" She shouts grinning ear to ear.

"Brittania!" He yells jogging to her catching her in a hug spinning her around.

She kisses both sides of his cheek. "Why so formal?" She laughs. "I know it's been a while but Brittania?" She asks scrunching up her nose.

"You started it with Finnick" he says nudging her. "Not even my mother calls me that-"

"Unless we were in trouble" Brittania finishes. "How is she?"

"Good, real good."

Mercedes shifts her gaze to something else as Finn and Brittania continue their conversation. The two other men have caught up to them and one of them is kissing Kurt passionately. Mercedes mouth drops as the two continue to make a scene. She's not sure what to do…she wants to look away, but she can't. She's never seen two men like this before. How can…what are? He's a…they are…

"It becomes easier, once you stop staring."

Mercedes shuts her eyes immediately while turning around to cover her face. The man lets out a clear laugh and Mercedes opens them to face the other gentleman talking to her. He's trying his hardest not to laugh, although humor is clearly in his eyes.

"Are you the young woman Kurt wrote us about?"

Mercedes bows low biting her lip unsure of how to answer.

"I believe he said the woman's name would be Mercedes?" the man repeats again.

"Yes, that is me."

"Oh good" he smiles politely. "Arthur, Arthur Abrams."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Abrams."

They stand around awkwardly unsure of how the conversation should continue. Finn finally walks over with Brittania and they stop in front of Mercedes and Arthur.

"Mercedes, these are good friends of Kurt and I" Finn smiles before gesturing to the woman. "This is the lovely Brittania."

She scoffs at the sight of Mercedes, as Mercedes bows again.

"My dear Finnick I thought you were joking" she cackles. "You really brought your slave girl here-"

"Excuse me ma'm but I am not his slave girl" Mercedes says interrupting her. "I have no ownership to anyone."

"Isn't she cute" Brittania sneers. "Big words. Ownership...I'm impressed. You must have taught her how to form that sentence."

"Actually, I am highly capable of conjugating numerous amounts of words into complex sentences without the help of anyone. A task I suspect, you are still learning due to your lack of demonstration."

Britannia's face changes into an icy glare as she looks over Mercedes. Both Finn and Arthur however are both biting hard on their bottom lips to keep from laughing at Britannia's expense. Arthur however slips up and accidentally allows a snort to escape. Britannia's head jerks towards his direction.

"Is there something funny?" She practically threatens.

"Now that you mention it, it's downright hilarious!" Arthur says grinning. "I believe I forgot to mention that it was my highest pleasure to make your acquaintance."

He smiles at her and she watches him carefully to see if he's mocking her. His kind smile clearly shows nothing but admiration, so she relaxes a bit. Kurt and the gentleman beside him walk over to the group.

"Mercedes, this is Blaine."

"Blaine Anderson" he says stepping forward to bow to Mercedes.

Mercedes looks at him surprised before returning the gesture.

"Kurt has told me so much about you" he smiles. "He tells me you are his muse."

"I don't think I would go so far as to say I'm his muse-"

"But you are! He's found a new inspiration in you and his designs seem more exquisite than ever. Especially the design for your costume!"

"Shush! I haven't even shown her yet!" Kurt says hitting him. "It was supposed to be a surprise!"

"It still is!" Finn says clapping his hands together in excitement. "Shall we go get dressed and meet back here?"

"Sounds like a plan" Arthur smiles in agreement. The smile get's bigger when he notices Britannia still in a mood.

Kurt links arms with Mercedes and escorts her into a small shop.

"This is Blaine's shop...he's a tailor."

Mercedes looks around the store seeing the different colored patterns and fabrics surround the shop. Unfinished designs drape the mannequins that stand in fixed positions. Costumes upon costumes hang on the walls with different colored masks to match.

"Over here" Kurt says gesturing to the back. "I made this one especially for you."

He guides her to the costume that's elegantly cloaked over a steel human figure. The bust is outlined in a strapless pale yellow corset that fastens in the front with hooks and a complicated ribbon. The heart shaped neckline swoops deep and out to enhance the cleavage before making it's way to a v-shaped frame. The bottom has Mercedes completely entranced, because it's unlike anything she's ever seen. It's two shades of yellow that seem to ruffle downwards in a continuous fountain of crinoline. Bright gold shimmers seem woven into the shape of the garment so that when she's shifts the dress is sure to sparkle.

"What do you think?" Kurt says wincing waiting for her reaction. "You can tell me if it's too much, it's just that I was inspired by the color and how it's going to contrast with your tone. I mean, I've never had a model with your features. Your body type, your coloring, your vibrancy!"

Mercedes breathes evenly.

"And I know this is way more flashy than what you're used too but-"

"Its beautiful" she interrupts stepping closer to the costume. Her hand plays with the bottom of it, allowing the fabric to run in between her fingers. She turns to smile at him. "Thank you."

Kurt beams at her satisfied.

"And don't forget the mask" Blaine says walking over to a counter to pull out a box. "I made this one just for you."

The mask is simple. A quick outline of the eyes that rest on the bridge of her nose with a skinny black ribbon to tie in the back. Its silvery and slightly shiny due to the jeweled accents he's placed on the sides.

"Seeing as how Kurt said you weren't one for over things over the top...I wanted to give you a mask you'd feel comfortable in."

She looks back at the entire outfit along with the mask and smiles at how she's going to look tonight. "Its perfect."

A/N: well, i'm not entirely happy with this...like it was weird for me. i wanted to post something, but it didn't flow out like usual. i might change it or scratch this part entirely...we'll see.

thanks for reading as always...more is coming i promise. thanks for you're patience =)

the fics that i'm subscribed to barely update anything and it's frustrating because they are really good, and that had me thinking, maybe it's karma for not updating mine in forever lol so i'm going to try and update more frequently.

just a question? is there like a samcedes prompt week or something? if so can someone tell me when it is so i can partake? maybe give an update every day for that week? or if not i can pick a week and do that anyway lol let me know!

much love...pce!