"You have to have a very strong connection to the person feeding off you. To be able to give

energy to someone-even if it's a small amount, is an extremely liberating feeling."

Or the one in which Enzo, Colin, and Carmella work at a diner to make ends meet as they chase their dreams.

"Eggs!"

"Eggs, coming at'cha!"

"Coffee at table three!

"On it! Coffee on three!"

"Short stack for the birthday boy!"

"Stack of cakes comin' right up!"

Carmella, Colin, and Enzo moved like flashes throughout the little Florida diner. The well-oiled machine of a trio was equipped to accommodate the busy Sunday overflow. Months of practice and now they had perfected the skill of quick customer service. Enzo greeted and seated the entering customers, Carmella took the orders, and Colin cooked in the kitchen. Then Enzo delivered the meal and the bill, Carmella cleared the tables, and Colin cleaned the dishes at the end of the night. They moved quick. They were efficient. They deserved every penny they earned.

This was not something lost on the owner either. Mr. Rhodes actively and openly expressed his appreciation for the group. They were his best working crew, much to the envy of other employees. Carmella couldn't count how many times Alexa coaxed her into a brawl over a bonus Mr. Rhodes gave. Enzo and Colin fought that much more. It was never easy being popular and talented, but that was a burden the three decided to shoulder. It wasn't as though this was their final destination anyhow. Their end game was much bigger.

3 G's Certified Cusine. Their own restaurant. The big one. Five years ago it was just a silly idea between three culinary school students. Then it became a goal between three paramours. As their relationship grew and evolved so did their dreams. Colin dove into finding a building they could own. Carmella took finance classes to make sure she could handle all the money they did and would make. Enzo was their promoter, negotiating and influencing other businesses to partner with their efforts. Even more than that, however, Enzo was their proverbial energizer bunny—a job that was more necessary with each passing day. Colin and Carmella were especially thankful for Enzo Amore.

"Woo," Carmella whooshed out the sound as she finally got off her feet for the day.

"Tired, babe?" Colin continued to scrub the dishes. Luckily he was on the last couple of plates and they could close up soon.

Carmella took her pencil from behind her ear, tossing it haphazardly. She didn't care where it landed as long as it was away from her person. "Don't even get me started. We had to have served 60 people today. That's gotta be a record or something."

The large chef chuckled to himself but nodded in agreement. "I think I almost got heatstroke standing over that stove."

The woman yawned and checked the time. It was nearly midnight. Their shift had been over hours ago. The cost of being determined; it fetched a mighty high price. Suddenly a thought hit her. "Where's motor mouth?"

"Went out when things slowed down a couple hours ago. I wouldn't worry about him though."

"Yeah," Carmella added. "He's like a cat, you know. Feed him enough times and he'll always come back."

"How you doin?" Carmella and Colin said in unison, a laugh following. They were hardy laughs that took the little energy the two had left. Then it became silent. And just in time for the tallest man to finish his chore.

As the two basked in the peaceful quiet Colin took of his apron and strolled to Carmella. He kneeled gently, taking her hand and brushing kisses over the knuckles. "We're almost out of here, Mella. Just a little more time. A little more time."

"I know." The woman reciprocated the affection, placing pecks all over Colin's face until she landed on his lips. As she pulled away, she stayed close, whispering. "But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't wore out."

A soft smile tugged at the chef's face. He could understand the sentiment. His body didn't seem to keep up with his spirit. "Me too," he whispered back, nudging her nose with his own. "Did I tell you Blake and Murphy tried to jump us again?"

Carmella sucked her teeth and shoved the thought away. "They're nobodies, Cass."

Colin smiled again, this time his dimples flashing. "You call everyone a nobody."

"They're all nobodies." She cupped Cass' face in her hands. "If they aint me." Kiss. "You." Kiss "Or Zo." Kiss. "Then they're nobody." A few more kisses were exchanged between the two until exhaustion overtook them. The late nights were really catching up.

Colin stole Carmella's seat and sat her in his lap, allowing her to lean against him and rest her eyes. He couldn't help but follow suit, shutting his lids. "We need to get home." Carmella groaned it right into the larger man's chest, sleep obviously descending upon her quick. "Enzo'll blow a gasket if we don't."

He reclined a bit and yawned. "We'll never make it," he said quietly. "Not tonight." Colin felt Carmella agree and snuggle deeper into him. Maybe they could just stay for the night and be out before sunrise. Mr. Rhodes would understand. But for now, they were tired.

"What are you two still here for?" Colin jolted at the voice and the hand that shook him from his sleep. How long had he been out anyway? Long enough for the dim lights of the kitchen to sting his eyes it seemed. "Most people don't stay at work after they're off, guys."

Carmella stirred as well feeling Colin jump. "Geez, do you always come in loud, Enzo?" Her eyes never opened as she forced herself to sit up slightly and yawn. "I was havin' a great dream."

"Forget havin' a dream," the shortest man smiled brightly. "How's about livin' one?"

Colin looked down at the folder Enzo began shoving at him and Carmella. Though it took his eyes a moment to register the letters, Colin sat up-right on retrieval. "Zo?" The chef pulled the file a bit closer and began skimming its contents. Excitement built up until Colin couldn't help but shout. "Zo, is this for real?!"

"Quiet, quiet. You're both givin' me a migraine." Carmella shushed them and plucked the folder. Her eyes scanned twice as fast and she flew twice as fast to her feet, stumbling around about on her sleepy legs. "Enzo! Is this…?" The grin that was plastered onto the last of the trio's face was all Carmella needed to see. She nearly tackled the man with joy. "O.M.G, Enzo!"

"But how did you…?" Colin stood as well, wrapping an arm around Enzo's shoulders and using the other to hold the folder. He had to read it again. Here it was. The loan they'd been denied a hundred times was right here, approved. And on top of that, there was a check for some ten thousand dollars. It was unbelievable.

Enzo appreciated the tenderness, burrowing his face into Colin's side and holding Carmella tight. Pride radiated from him as he spoke. "What can I say, I got the gift of gab. That banker couldn't tell me no on the place uptown that we liked. But here's the crazy part." He made sure his comrades were listening. "So when I'm on my way out, this guy stops me and says 'Hey, you Amore?' Of course, I don't answer him right away. Gotta see what this guy is about. So he tells me 'Mr. Rhodes told me about you and your friends. And I'm proud. So here, call it an investment.' Like, that's all he says and hands me the check."

Carmella brought her eyebrows together in stupefaction. "But who was the guy?"

"I don't know! I didn't ask any question. What if he decided to take it back?"

"You dummy," Colin interjected with a laugh of disbelief. He flipped the check over again and again. "This is from Hunter Helmsley!"

Enzo scratched his head. "Who?"

"The mayor?!" Carmella snatched the check and put it close to her face. "You ran into the mayor and didn't know it?"

"The mayor knows us?" Colin interrupted. "How does the mayor know us?"

"Who cares? That ain't the point." Enzo smoothly grabbed the check and strutted away from the other two. He held up the paper. "We have it. This plus the money we already have saved up is just what we needed. Aint you both excited about it?"

Carmella and Colin looked between one another, still stunned at the situation they found themselves in. It couldn't stop the chuckle from the tallest of the three. He closed the folder and looked around, eyes landing on the wall clock. "I still can't believe it. I mean Zo, it's one in the morning. You've been gone for at least six hours. If that's all you did—"

"Well," Enzo scratched his beard. "it wasn't. Being a business guy, the mayor or whatever wanted proof that this was a sound investment."

"Meaning?" A bit of concern came over Carmella's face until the shorter male raised his hands defensively.

"Now before you go thinking things, let me explain. It was a simple request." Enzo smiled. "I had to make dinner for him and his family. And Enzo Amore aint no slouch in the kitchen. So I cooked our signature Sawft Spaghetti and Meatballs. Which means technically he thought our cooking was worth 10 G's. How you doin?"

The bright grin on Enzo's face was intoxicating. Overall, infectious. And Colin wasted no time rushing in to scoop the short man in his arms. He spun around and grabbed Carmella as well, all of them embracing in elation. Huddled and nearly on the brink of tears, Colin squeezed both people tight. "I love you two." Carmella echoed the words in a whisper, her tears becoming unconstrained.

Enzo was always the most reserved with his emotions but he took the moment to repeat the words as well adding, "There aint nothin' I wouldn't do for ya'll. Anything to see you smile." He kissed them both on the forehead and moved towards the door. "So," he sniffled in attempts to cover the water works and build up his bravado once more. He smirked back at the two. "Make sure you leave your apron on that chair over there. Blake, Murphy, and Bliss aint got to worry about us no more."

"How you doin?" They all said together, merrily shouting their excitement into the night's sky. Thankful for their good fortune and thankful for another. Especially Enzo Amore.

I gave in guys. I couldn't NOT give in. Cass/Zo/Mella is just...they write themselves, guys. Hopefully this was a successful first attempt!

On another note, I've started writing the next chapter for Out of the Asylum! Woot! I expect to be finish in another week or so. Fingers crossed!