October 31, 1860

Corey stepped in front of her mirror and gasped self-consciously. She had been working day and night for the past week on her costume for the Halloween party and wasn�t sure if it would come out the way she had envisioned it. When Dean had told her that he was going to be a Matador for the party, she immediately decided to make herself a traditional Flamenco Dancer�s dress. She poured over dozens of books until she finally found a picture of the dress she wanted. The very next day she ran over to the dressmaker�s shop and spent almost all of her saved money on the expensive fabric and lace, and had practically holed herself up in her room sewing 12 hours a day until it was completed.

And the result? A dress with a full circular skirt with a circular ruffle complete with an overskirt that overlapped itself onto the hip line in a graduated pleated detail. The sleeves were full with a gathered ruffle held with elastic around the wrists. It was made of solid red georgette fabric and the bodice was an embroidered black chiffon rose print with a deep 'V' neckline that exposed more cleavage then Corey was used to.

Corey giggled as she imagined the look on Meg�s face when she saw the dress. Meg was always telling her to dress up more, that she was too pretty to hide away in baggy clothes.

"Well, there�s certainly nowhere to hide in this dress!" Corey said as she laughed out loud.

She was about to check her make-up and hair for the tenth time when a knock at her door sent her heart into a frantic rhythm.

"Who is it?" Corey called out, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.

"It�s Dean."

Corey took one final glance in the mirror before taking a deep breath and opening the door. This is it, she thought. As Corey opened her door she was momentarily lost in the knee-weakening, heart-fluttering, pulse-racing seconds of pure desire. Dean was dressed in ________________________________. Corey had never seen him look more handsome and more debonair.

Apparently Dean was just as caught up in Corey�s appearance because it took him a few minutes before he actually blinked. "You look...amazing," he told her breathlessly.

Corey blushed and smiled up at him. "As do you. I am so honored to be going to this party as your date." She told him truthfully.

Dean�s eyes gleamed with pride as he held out his arm and escorted Corey out of her room, down the stairs and into the wagon that he had borrowed for the evening. The two of them sat in giddy silence for the short ride over to the Saunders place. When they arrived, Dean jumped down from the wagon and ran over to the other side to help Corey down. He smiled down at her and gently kissed her cheek.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

Corey nodded and smiled brightly. "More than ever."

As the two of them walked into the house, they were aware of the stunned looks and hushed silence as the other partygoers realized that they were there as a couple. Corey felt Dean�s hand begin to tremble slightly, and she tightened her grip on him reassuringly.

"Come on," she told him, "Let�s go find Meg and Luke."

They walked over to where Luke was standing, and he smiled warmly as he greeted the two of them. "Oh my, is this the same Corey that�s been working for me for the past six months?" He said, barely able to keep the surprise and awe from his voice and face.

"Now, now Luke," Corey chastised jokingly, "You�re a married man."

The group laughed and Dean wrapped his arms around Corey�s waist from behind. "And she�s definitely not available." He said playfully, causing Corey to blush with happiness.

Luke chuckled and held out his hand to Dean. "It�s nice to finally see you under more pleasant terms," he said, as he threw a quick look over to where Elena was standing, staring right at them.

"Ah, I see she decided to go through with her costume after all," Dean muttered. "Luke, I swear, Vanessa and I tried everything we could to keep her from going through with it."

"No problem Dean, I believe you." Luke smiled sincerely at the young man, then smiled at his wife�s best friend. "If you�ll excuse me, I think I�m going to try and find Meghan."

Corey knew that Luke was just giving her and Dean some privacy and smiled thankfully at him. "Okay, tell her I�m looking for her when you find her." After Luke was out of earshot, Corey turned around, still in Dean�s arms, so that she was facing him. She could feel the heat of his body through his clothes and it only fanned the flames of desire that were growing inside of her. She looked up at Dean and smiled, breathing in his scent, and enjoying the haze-like effect that his presence was having on her.

"So, are you having a good time so far?" Dean asked, his breath warm on her face.

Corey didn�t know whether it was the dress or the situation that made her do it, but she decided to test the waters. She leaned in closer and replied huskily, "Yes, but I know I�ll have a much better time later..."

Dean caught his breath then slowly lowered his head to hers. Corey wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. She could feel his lips getting closer to hers and prepared herself for the feel of them when suddenly she felt Dean�s body jerk and pull away from hers. She couldn�t figure out why and was about to open her eyes when she suddenly realized that there was yelling going on. She quickly opened her eyes and turned around to find Meghan standing there, hands on hips, her face a nasty shade of red.

"Get your hands off of her!" Meg ordered.

Dean backed up and looked quickly at Corey, who turned around to Meg and laughed nervously. "Meg, what are you doing?"

Meghan�s eyes flashed as she grabbed Corey�s arm. "We need to talk." When Corey resisted, Meg pulled her arm harder. "Now."

Corey turned to Dean and shrugged. "I�ll be back."

Meghan led Corey into her study where they could be alone then turned on her best friend. "How could you bring that man into my house?"

"Meghan, he's my date. I thought you'd be happy for me." Corey replied, hurt that her friend was so upset.

"I would've been happy if you had been more particular with your choice in companions. Corey he's no good for you, what about your reputation?"

Corey's eyebrow arched and she stared disbelievingly at her friend. "He's a very nice man Meghan. My reputation is well protected, and I don't appreciate you passing down judgment on someone you don't know."

This time it was Meg's turn to eye her friend in shock. "Me? What about you?"

"What did I do?"

"Ian."

Corey rolled her eyes. "He has a history Meghan, and I don't trust him because of it. You know, it's surprising that someone who is always so worried about propriety turns a blind eye to the facts."

"I believe in giving him a second chance to prove himself."

"Then give Dean a chance, too."

"No."

"No?"

Meg shook her head. "No. He works at the bordello and everyone who works there is no good."

"What a snotty thing to say." Corey stated. "I worked there. Does that make me no good?"

"Don't try to change my words around Corey." Meg replied as she began pacing. "I won't deny that you've changed since you came back from there."

"I've changed? Meghan, I never realized how hypocritical you were."

Meg was about to reply when the study door opened and Luke walked in. "What's going on?"

"I want that Dean Hamilton person out of my house." Meg said stubbornly.

"If he goes then I go with him." Corey stated.

Meg's mouth dropped open. "You'd choose him over me?"

"Meghan, don't you think you're being a bit hard on Corey? This is a party, and she has a right to come with whomever she wants to, and as her friend you should respect that."

"I should have expected you to defend her."

Luke frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Meg crossed her arms across her chest. "You think I don't see what's going on? I can see it just fine."

"What is she talking about?" He asked Corey.

She shrugged and turned back to her friend. "Meghan, I don't want to fight."

"No, I'm sure you don't. You'd both just like me to be the proper little wife and turn a blind eye to what's going on. I happen to like Ian, and lately it seems that he's the only one who seems to care about what I think and what I want. He doesn't go around telling me what he thinks is best for me. And I'm sorry Corey, but I don't want Mr. Hamilton in my house, and if you feel like you have to leave with him then I guess I can't stop you. And you should go on and do what you have to do." Without another word Meg with her head held high walked out of the room. As soon as she was clear of the study she picked up her skirt and ran out of the house.

Corey and Luke exchanged perplexed glances and shrugged.

"Luke, I just don�t understand what�s gotten into her." Corey said, the hurt evident in her voice.

Luke shook his head. "Me neither, but I do know that this isn�t the Meg we all know and love."

"Do you think it�s the pregnancy?" Corey asked concerned.

"No, this has to do with Ian, I�m sure." Luke answered.

Corey wrinkled her face. "I don�t like him one bit. He�s trouble Luke."

Luke nodded in agreement. "I know, but Meg doesn�t seem to see that."

"Same way she doesn�t see how wonderful Dean really is," Corey said sadly.

Luke walked over and put his arm around her and hugged her comfortingly. "Give her some time. I�m sure she�ll give him a chance."

Corey arched an eyebrow at Luke. "Same way you�ll give Ian a chance?"

Luke grinned sarcastically. "In that case, I think that hell is going to freeze over before Meg gives in."

Corey sighed miserably. That was what she was afraid of.