Chapter 32

Trapped on the upper floor in a blood stained dress, and a face streaked by running makeup, Mercedes retreated to the one place she knew was safe, the one place that felt most like home in this huge mausoleum, Beiste's wing. The suite of rooms in the far wing that Dwight had given Beiste for the times when she visited, more and more frequently of late, she pretty much lived there now.

On her knees letting out all that she wanted to say to his face but couldn't without breaking down and losing even more of her self respect. The anger, her wounded pride, those hateful thoughts about Quinn all flushed away along with her sampling of the buffet. It didn't make her feel better, but at least she was empty, the calmness of being void, overtaking her, until the next wave hit. If only she could truly hate him, detach herself completely, then she could break away from this perpetual nightmare and build a new life. But that was a pipe dream, she never could hate him, even during the times when she thought he had broken her completely, loving him was a part of her now, and there was no running from herself.

Not part of his family, he had some nerve. All the sacrifices, the loss, the pain, she could be living a drama-free existence in North Carolina, possibly as a doctor's wife instead of being driven to madness here with him. She knew every inch of him, had seen him at his worst, and never turned away. Through sickness, drunken one nighters, an unplanned baby, she had stuck by him through it all. Loving an Evans wasn't easy business, they were a hot headed, crazed, sometimes deadly bunch, but she dealt with them all for him. How many of his exes were willing to do that? Sam needed to take a good hard look around, before he started shuffling players and making replacements, and realize that not everyone was up to handle the job of being his wife. Egotistical bastard, thinking that he could just bring Quinn back and she would just be okay with it. Sure Sam, move your mistress right on in. Why not let her sleep in our bed and really make your dreams come true?

Wet from her shower, clean but far from renewed, Mercedes rifled through the bag she had stashed in the room earlier. Not many options for party attire, she'd left her alternate dresses at home, all she packed were necessities and sleepwear. Buried at the bottom of the bag she spotted her lingerie, Sam's favorite, stupidly packed for "just in case". As if she had a chance in hell of getting anywhere with Sam, that belief solidly confirmed now that Quinn was back in his life, and apparently back in his heart. Hot, angry tears burned in her eyes as Mercedes remembered all that Quinn had said during their argument, the things she claimed Sam had said to her, about a future and marriage. Had Sam really made promises to another woman so soon, without even attempting to work things out with her? If all that were true, Mercedes might as well throw in the towel now, lingerie would be pointless when he had his dream girl back in his life.

Putting on the lingerie, she wished herself back to the time before it all went wrong, their last night of happiness, before they fell apart. She had been wearing this very set and Sam couldn't keep his hands off her. Times had certainly changed. The gray McKinley High football t-shirt was her next layer, pulling it over her lingerie, oversized, but so comfortable, she wrapped herself in it and climbed into the bed. The party would be over soon, she could just wait it out up here. The will to lay a smack down on Quinn swiftly fleeting the longer she remained reclined.

"Sue what are you doing here?" asked Mercedes as she watched her mother-in-law enter the room.

"I came to see you, brought you something," she said holding up a bag.

"That's my dress. When did you have time to get that?" Her long black dress in clear plastic, one of the three Kurt had forced her to purchase. Of the three this was her least favorite, she couldn't do it justice, she had way too many curves for a dress so tight. She felt dumpy and unattractive in it, but Kurt insisted she looked good.

"I have my ways." Sue shrugged, placing the dress on the bed. "I figured you'd need it, since your green one is ruined."

"Actually I don't. I'm not going to the party." Her mind had been made up somewhere between throwing up and crying in the shower. There was no point in going where she wasn't wanted.

"Oh so the plan is to stay hidden up here in Beiste's room until the party's over?"

Beiste's room at the mansion was cozy, so different from the rest of the house. Bright yellows danced with pale earth tones, a long chaise along the wall, a dressing table always with a fresh vase of flowers, and a bed with an abundance of pillows. The room was as warm and inviting as the woman herself.

"Pretty much. I have TV, my phone…"

"Sam's ratty t-shirt," Sue interjected.

Mercedes looked down at herself in Sam's McKinley High Football shirt, holey and broken in, hanging long on her body, enclosing her completely like a hug. "I like to sleep in it."

"I know. Makes you feel closer to Sam."

"I just think it's comfortable. Any t-shirt will do really," she said trying to downplay the significance with Sue. Mercedes didn't want her to know the truth, that she purposely wore this shirt whenever she missed Sam. He was out of the coma but still so removed from her life, at times it felt like the shirt was all she had left of him.

"You don't fool me Mercedes. I know how much you love my son."

"And that just kills you doesn't it." This was it. The moment the gloves came off and Sue started hating her again.

"Right now yeah. I wish he had a wife that was a little less pathetic. You have a house full of people downstairs, that you invited, and you're hiding out like a scared puppy. That's not acceptable to me. My son deserves to be with someone stronger than that."

"Quinn's here to pick up my slack," she said her stomach turning, just thinking about Quinn.

"So that's it?" Sue asked taking a seat on the bed beside Mercedes. "You're just giving it all up to her?"

"She's what he wants." Mercedes buried her head in the pillows, fighting the urge to cry.

"I overheard what you said to Quinn outside the nursery. You told her you'd fight back. What was that? Just trumped up girly posturing?"

"Sam made it very clear who his family is and I'm not a part of it. You heard him."

"Yeah I did and I wanted to kick him for saying that to you." Sue pulled Mercedes upright. "What I don't understand is why you didn't kick him yourself."

"I don't want to talk about this anymore. Go back and enjoy the party." She covered her face with her hands. It was mortifying enough that he had said it in a room full of people the first time. She didn't want to relive it with her mother-in-law now.

"Not until you agree to come too."

"It's not happening Sue. You might as well go. I know you want to use me to stick it to Quinn, but you're going to have to find someone else to do your dirty work."

"I don't want to stick it to Quinn, in fact I'm not going to do a thing to her."

Sue hated Quinn for so many reasons, she had to be up to something. No way would she just sit back and let Quinn have free reign.

"Okay where's the real Sue?"

"I made a deal with God about this, so I'm staying out of it, my hands are tied, but if I weren't I would be shoving you down to that party."

Whoa Sue was serious. Mercedes guessed they all had promised God something in exchange for Sam's recovery. Now that God delivered, they all had to keep up their end of the deal, which was why Mercedes had decided to walk away. She only wanted Sam happy and if Quinn did that for him then she shouldn't try to block that. No matter how much it killed her inside.

"I wish Beiste were here." Mercedes sighed, needing a hug more than ever. She took a seat at Beiste's dressing table, surrounding herself with all of Beiste's belongings. She wished Dwight had chosen another weekend to whisk Beiste away.

"What would Beiste say if she were?" Sue asked coming up behind her.

"Probably nothing I wanted to hear," Mercedes laughed lightly. "She'd probably tell me to put my big girl undies on and go play hostess."

"Sounds like good advice to me." Sue picked up a brush and started running it through Mercedes' hair. "No matter what's going on in your personal lives, to the world you are a happily married couple that just came through a horrible ordeal. Everyone has been watching you two, and this party is your moment to shine, to show them that you survived."

"But we didn't survive," said Mercedes turning in her seat to face Sue. "It would be nothing but lies if I went down there and smiled pretty for the cameras."

"Okay then, lie, do what you must, but you can't disappoint all of Sam's family and friends because you're having a little fit of jealousy." Sue handed Mercedes a pair of earrings, emerald dangles, they were part of a set. Sam had cuff links to match.

"I'm more than jealous, I'm humiliated. He went and got his other woman, brought her back to town and didn't even bother to tell me. He spent the night with her then tried to play if off with me like it was nothing. I don't even want to think about it, I'm so freaking mad."

"Why are you mad? She is Beth's mother, you know how Sam gets about loyalty."

"I don't care if she is Beth's mother, I'm his wife. His first allegiance should have been to me."

That was the slap in the face, to have Sam make all these life altering decisions without even consulting her and then for him to come to her after the fact and try to sway her to be open to the idea. That didn't work for Mercedes, either he wanted her input or not.

"Well parents are very protective of their children. He was probably just looking out for Beth's well being, she needs her mother after all."

"How can you even say that after what Quinn did? Beth is better off now without her, she's fine, she's happy, and Sam knows that. Sam just wanted to forget the fact that he has a wife and do what he wanted."

"Maybe you should remind him. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't let some other woman take my place. I would let my husband, that other woman, and the whole world know that I was the one he married."

"I told Quinn all of that. She knows I'm Mrs. Evans and that's not about to change anytime soon if I have anything to say about it."

"Good for you honey. Did you tell Sam that too?"

"Well no, he pissed me off…"

"So you just stormed out and ran in here in tears?"

"It hurt."

At this point she should have expected that type of blow from Sam, he had been giving them left and right. Still she felt blindsided by this. His words made her feel useless and invisible, like nothing about her mattered to him.

Sue rubbed her shoulder. "That's because it's worth it. It only hurts when it matters."

"Sorry am I interrupting?" asked Sam popping his head inside the room.

"No not at all, come in sweetie. I was just leaving. You look like you're feeling better."

"I am. Thank you."

"Glad to hear it." Sue kissed her son on the cheek. "See you downstairs."

"You're not dressed," said Sam after his mother left. His eyes swept over her body, spending the most time on her bare legs.

Mercedes stood up, pulling down the t-shirt so it covered her knees. "My dress got a little blood stained and I sort of lost my date so…"

"That's my shirt." He interrupted, tugging at the sleeve.

"Is it?" she asked innocently turning away from him.

"Yeah had it since high school. One of my lucky ones."

"Hmm interesting," she said pretending to be engrossed in reading the label of a perfume bottle on the dresser. "I guess I shouldn't donate it to Goodwill then."

"What?" Mercedes wanted to laugh at the outrage in his voice. He was so sensitive about his silly old shirts. "You can't just throw it away."

"I said donate. Is there something I can do for you Sam?" she asked facing him, hands on her hips. "Some reason you're here?"

"First you need to give me my shirt back." He stepped closer, almost threatening and Mercedes had to bite back a laugh. Sam was just so cute when he got like this.

"I'm wearing it."

"Find something else. I want it now." His eyes darkened. Sam was getting serious.

She didn't want to risk a tantrum or another black out, so she stopped teasing him. If he wanted his shirt back, he could have it. It wasn't like he was going to wear it now anyway. What was the rush?

"You are such a jerk," she said yanking the shirt over her head and tossing it in his face, leaving herself exposed in nothing but teal blue bra and panties.

"Thank you," he mumbled as he pretended not to look at her body. Mercedes could see him trying to subtly get an eyeful.

"Now I have nothing to wear," she announced, standing in the middle of the room in nothing but her underwear.

Another thing that hadn't changed about Sam Evans, he still liked her in blue lingerie. Mercedes noted his struggle to hide his reaction. Her plan to seduce him might have worked after all, but with Quinn back she'd lost all motivation.

"How about this dress?" Sam asked pointing to the dress on the bed, his eyes never leaving her body.

"Can you turn around please? This is not a peep show."

"It's not like I haven't seen it before." Sam huffed as he slowly turned his back.

"That was when I wanted you to look, now the thought of you anywhere near me makes me ill," she said as she started to put on the dress. She couldn't think about him touching her without picturing him doing the same things to Quinn. It was a gruesome three-way in her mind.

"Nice try Little Nurse, but I'm not buying it, you've got a pretty pink tint all over, you only do that when you're excited."

"You don't know me well enough to make a statement like that."

"Maybe not, but I'm a quick study," he said turning around. "And you are not hard to read."

"Who said you could turn around?" Mercedes asked holding up the top of her dress with her arm.

"I decided we're past these games," he said spinning her around, one hand on her waist, he fumbled with her zipper. "It's time to go down to the party."

"Ok you and your little girlfriend have fun." Mercedes held her hair up so he could zip her dress all the way up.

"Last I checked I'm married, so I don't have a girlfriend, just you." Sam offered his arm as support while Mercedes stepped into her shoes.

"You don't have me. I'm through with you remember?" She leaned over to look in the mirror at the dressing table. Colored lip gloss and a little mascara was all the makeup she wore. She felt exposed with her face so natural.

"Right. So you've said, but I'm calling your bluff. You're not going anywhere, especially not tonight. All set? Let's go," he said pulling her out the door by her hand.

"I never agreed to this," she said almost jogging to keep up with his long strides, as he dragged her down the hall.

"Yeah you did, the minute you stripped off my shirt hoping for a reaction."

She could practically picture the stupid smirk on his face. He was so full of himself. "You son of a b-"

"Hey with the language." Sam stopped at the top of the stairs and wagged a finger at her. "You look too pretty to use words like that."

Mercedes could feel herself blushing and she hated it. One little compliment shouldn't have the power to make her come undone.

"I look fifteen, stuffed in my mom's dress," she said self-consciously. She never wanted to wear the dress in the first place. It was black, floor length, sleeveless with a plunging neckline and an extremely high slit that showed almost her entire leg.

"Eighteen. I feel like a big enough perv already, and the dress really looks good on you. I like it."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." He smiled, as he took her hand and led her down the stairs.

"You look nice too." He had changed into a black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, top button undone, and those green emerald cuff links that matched her earrings, sparkling at his wrists.

"Friggins forgot the tie." His hand went to his neck as if he were hoping it would magically appear. "I feel all naked without it."

"It looks good without the tie, casual elegance. We just need to fix your collar like this." She stared into his green eyes, drifting for a moment as she adjusted his shirt. "There that's better," she said as she pulled herself away.

They reached the doorway to the grand salon and he dropped her hand, tilting his head, watching her.

"What?" Mercedes asked.

"It's strange being with you like this, outside of the hospital, sort of feels like a first date."

"A date you didn't ask me on. You just dragged me down here."

"I already asked you before, at the hospital. And if I recall, you said yes, very enthusiastically."

"That doesn't count," she stated dismissively. "That was before you were a jackass."

Sam had been sweet, attentive, and so open with her at the hospital, if she had not already been there, she would've fallen in love with him all over again. Maybe some part of her did, getting to express feelings for him she had repressed for months, brought it all back to her, even stronger than before. It was like a fresh start for both of them.

"I guess I have a lot to make up for," he said hanging his head.

"Why are you doing this Sam? I know you'd rather be with Quinn," Mercedes said suddenly feeling an attack of nerves. What if he was setting her up for something? Why would he now be willing to spend time with her when he didn't seem to be interested before?

"You think I'd let my wife walk in unescorted? Someone might snatch her up before I got the chance to get to know her," Sam teased, his eyes sparkly, a smile on his face. Mercedes didn't know what to make of his mood.

"I'm leaving you remember?" She threw it out there, more as a test than a reminder. His response to that could reveal a lot.

"I've got the whole night to convince you to stay," he said casually.

"Doubtful I can be very stubborn," she said relaxing. This she could do. She loved the back and forth with him. It felt right, like a piece of their old selves emerging.

"And I can be very persuasive."

"Sounds like a challenge. I get off on those."

"Funny, so do I." Their eyes met and Mercedes could feel her heart speed up. She felt like she did when she first met him, nervous and excited at once, filled with anticipation about getting to know this man.

"Okay if I agree to do this thing with you, there are some rules," she said trying to be serious, when inside she was starting to feel a little giddy about interacting with him this way.

"Rules? Why am I not surprised? Do you need to get a pen to write it up or can you just tell me?" he asked with his trademark crooked smile.

"Cute, but I'm being serious. You are not my favorite person right now."

"Yes and I'm sorry for that I just…"

"Stop right there." Mercedes held up her hand to stop him midsentence. "Rule number 1 no mentions of events that landed you on the shit list. No apologies, no explanations, nothing. That subject is tabled for the time being. Agreed?"

"I can do that, but you do know Quinn is here at the party," he said giving her a cautioning look.

What did he think that she'd blow a gasket because Quinn was around? No way would she give that girl the satisfaction. Mercedes had wasted enough emotional energy on Quinn.

"I figured she wouldn't have the decency to leave, so I will deal with that, but rule 1 still stands."

"What's the second rule?" he asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"If you are going to be with me tonight, then I need you to be with me. No ditching me for a better offer, no torn attention, no disappearing acts."

"What kind of man do you take me for? I would never do that to my date." His eyes narrowed and he actually looked taken aback. Guess his amnesia had helped him conveniently forget that he had the tendency to be a jerk.

"Sam, you've treated me like an old shoe for weeks, why would you suddenly stop now? Everyone we know and the media are through those doors and I'm not going to let you humiliate me any further. You got me?"

Sam shook his head at her. "I'm totally insulted by rule 2."

"Do you agree or not?"

"Agree," he sighed. "Is there anything else?"

"No one knows about your memory loss except a few close family and friends. It is up to you whether or not you want it to stay that way."

He paused for a moment, thinking it over. "I don't want anyone to know."

"I figured you wouldn't. So we need to come up with some sort of a sign for when you don't understand what someone is talking about, and I can jump in and help you out."

"How about I put my arm around your waist whenever I need you?" he suggested pulling her closer.

Mercedes swatted him away, retreating back to a safe distance. The less bodily contact the better as far as she was concerned. "Let's think of one less repulsive."

"We can always do the tried and true hand squeeze."

"Fine that works. I think we're good here." She headed toward the door.

"Wait." Sam touched her arm to stop her. "I have a rule of my own to add."

"No you don't. I make the rules not you."

Sam squinted at her, a frown wrinkling his brow. "I thought this was a marriage not a dictatorship. Don't I get a say?"

"Did I get a say when you brought Quinn back to Lima?"

"Tsk tsk, you are breaking the rules."

"Fine." She crossed her arms. "What's your rule?"

"If I pull this off tonight and I'm the best damn date on the planet..."

"Ha, unlikely," she snorted.

"When I prove myself to be the best date," he continued. "I want a reward."

"What kind of reward?"

"A chance." Sam grabbed her by the arms, holding her there, forcing her attention. "I want a real chance to explore our marriage."

"We'll see," Mercedes said shaking herself free from his grasp.

Not that she truly took him seriously, this was probably another attempt to butter her up so she would make nice with Quinn, but she couldn't resist playing along to see where things would lead. If nothing else she could enjoy watching Quinn turn green while she flirted like crazy with Sam. That was her reward for all this. Payback.

"That will have to do. Oh and one more thing."

"You're pushing it Sam!"

"I just wanted to say." He leaned closer, licking his lips, before giving her a slow spreading smile. "That lingerie you're wearing, very nice."

"Okay Rule 4." She shoved him away by his chin. "No flirty sexy talk and no using the lips."

"Scared you can't handle it?" he asked grinning purposely wide to show off said lips even more.

"I'm just trying to keep my dinner down, I've been sick enough today already."

"What do you mean you've been sick?" Sam asked, his face falling. He placed his hand on her cheek and then her forehead, like he was checking her temperature.

"Nothing," Mercedes said pulling away. "Can we go now?"

"Yes, let's do this."

Mercedes nodded and took his hand, smiling when he laced his fingers through hers. The doors opened and the guests turned to watch their entrance. The band began to play "Birthday" by the Beatles, and Sam's face lit up as he took it all in. A band on a stage, colored lights, swags of fabric from the ceiling, his name in lights, it was Kurt's vision, over the top, but all in celebration of Sam.

Mercedes squeezed his hand to get his attention. He looked down at her smiling. "Happy Birthday," she mouthed, knowing he would never hear her over the band.

"Thank you," he said against her ear, not affording her the same courtesy of pantomiming his words.

Sam had to take it a step further and invade her space. He was bringing his A game tonight, Mercedes could tell, but she was ready for him. She had the advantage knowing him far better than he realized. She could anticipate all his moves and block accordingly.

Suddenly off her feet, suspended somewhere between the floor and his body, she found herself nose to nose with him. "Best date ever," he said. They were so close she could hear him clearly. "Prepare to be dazzled," he smiled as he captured her in a giant hug.

Cameras flashed all around them as Sam slowly slid her back down to the floor, causing her head to spin and throwing her balance off. She held on to him trying to keep upright, until the stars cleared from her eyes.

First point goes to Sam Evans, well played using the element of surprise. He wouldn't get away with that again though, she'd be ready for him. This was one game she wasn't going to lose.