Double update cause I love ya'll so much! Enjoy the second half of the weekend.

Mercedes awoke in Sam's arms; she snuggled closer to him, feeling restful and peaceful for the first time in a long time. After that, she didn't sleep much, and when she did it because she passed out while working. She wanted to surprise him with breakfast, but she thought better of it. If he woke up and she wasn't in his arms, he might be scared she left.

Sam slept late. Nightmares indeed took it out of him. Finally, he woke up and felt someone in his arms. He tensed for a moment before realizing it was Mercedes and the day before was real. "Hi."

She knew he was awake the moment he tensed up, and she smiled when he relaxed. "Hi," she said back. "Are you okay?"

Sammy nodded and squeezed her close. "Are you?"

She snuggled closer to him. "For the first time in a long time, yes, I am. "

That made him smile like a fool. "Good "

Snuggling with you like this feels pretty perfect too." She moved closer. "Don't wanna get up, but we need to make breakfast."

Sam grinned and kissed her cheek. "We do."

"What do you want? I bought a bit of everything." She said, turning towards him.

Sam shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy."

She sighed against his chest. "This is your weekend. But if that's what you want, I can make some waffles or french toast."

Sam needed options. He worked so much better when told to choose between two. "Waffles sound wonderful."

"Hmmm, okay. And do you want bacon or sausage?" She asked, linking her hand with his.

He squeezed her hand. "Bacon?"

"Scrambled eggs with cheese?"

He nodded. "Yes, please."

Mercedes sighed contently, looking up to him. "Okay, well, how about you lay here, relax. I am going to take a shower and then start breakfast. So you relax and take your time and come down when you are ready."

Sam looked at her for a moment before squeezing her tight.

She smiled. "What's on your mind?"

"How... beautiful you look this morning."

Mercedes blushed, looking down at the sheet. "Are you sure you aren't still dreaming? I don't...I'm not. But thanks for saying that."

Sam pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I wouldn't lie to you about that."

She glanced back up to him, smiling softly. "After everything you have been through, how you manage to make me feel so beautiful, I will never understand."

Sam ran a finger down the side of her face. "Because I believe it with all my heart."

Mercedes shook her head with a smile. "You make it really hard to not kiss you."

Sam buried his head against her shoulder.

She smiled, holding him close. "So happy I found you again." She whispered.

"I'm happy you found me too," he whispered.

For a long moment, she held him; she snuggled close, taking him in, all of him. Not wanting to let him go. Not wanting to leave his side.

Sam held her, too, not wanting to let go any time soon.

"We aren't leaving this bed, are we?" She joked comfortably.

He laughed. "Only if you do first."

"You underestimate how much I love being cuddled with you." She laughed.

Sam chuckled. His voice was still extremely meek and submissive, nothing at all like the Sam Mercedes remembered from their childhood. "Really?"

"Yes." She said softly. "I usually spend my days working, my nights working. But, having you here, it's the first time this place has felt like home and not just a place to live." She closed her eyes. Her life was full of work, of duty, but she never felt like she was home.

Sam opened his eyes and looked at her. "I... I d-don't know what to say t that"

She shook her head. "You don't have to say anything." She glanced at the time. "I am going to shower and get dressed; come down when you are ready, okay?"

He nodded and squeezed her one more time.

She squeezed him back and got up, heading into the bathroom to take a quick shower. Then, she dressed in her grey jersey dress and made her way to the kitchen. As she began making breakfast, her phone rang. She hesitated before answering it.

"Hey, Q."

"Merce, where are you? You were supposed to be here working on the Parker case."

"I told Randy I was working from home; I finished the deposition anyways. There isn't much else to do."

"But you are always at work; what has you home?"

"Nothing, I just wanted a break."

"Oh? Because Mistress Rose let me know that Vixen rented a man this weekend. Who knew you were getting freaky with a boy toy."

"I thought those things were confidential."

"She thought I knew and let it slip."

It didn't take long for him to come downstairs to the smell of breakfast. He heard the phone call as he stood at the bottom of the steps.

Mercedes placed another waffle on the plate as Quinn continued. "So is it the same guy the one you have been basically going gaga over?"

"Q, just stop."

"Stop what? It's about time that you let your hair have a good time."

Mercedes let off a frustrated sighed. "It's not about sex! God Q, he's a person; they are all people! And what is happening there, it's wrong."

Quinn laughed over the line. "Oh my God, I knew it. You done caught feelings. It's barely been three weeks, and you over here catching feelings for a guy you never met before?"

Mercedes took a deep breath; she couldn't tell her the truth, so she just closed her eyes. "Q, I am making breakfast okay, work is done, I am not coming in, I will see you Monday."

"Wait! Your dad wanted me to ask you if you were coming over for Sunday dinner?"

"Ha, I don't know why he would ask you that! He knows I refused to step foot in his house, so please tell him to kindly shove off."

She heard Quinn snicker as she hung up and started the eggs.

Sam sat down on the steps, feeling bad for listening in. He couldn't hear who was on the other end, but he heard Mercedes' side of things. Then, slowly, he stood and walked into the kitchen. "Smells good.

She smiled, seeing Sam, her mood lifting immediately. "So breakfast is almost ready. What do you want to do today? Did you wanna watch movies? Play a game? Read something? We can go swimming if you want since it's pretty nice out today."

Sam could see her mood lift as he observed her. "That's a lot of options," he whispered.

She nodded as she smiled. "Well, let's start with this one. Do you wanna sit here at the counter or at the table?"

Sam licked his lips and tensed his shoulders in a shrug. "Um. Table."

She plated their food and nodded. "Table it is." Putting the plates on the table, she grabbed the orange juice and glasses. "Okay, so do you wanna stay inside or go out back?"

He followed her to the table. "Inside is good..." he murmured.

Sitting down, she nodded. "Okay, so cuddling on the couch and watching movies it is." She bit her bottom lip, her mind wondering if she should have agreed to dinner with her dad. But she needed his help, and maybe that was the way in.

Sam took a deep breath. "I mean, we can go outside and swim too. I don't mind."

"Sam, I want to do what you want to do. But, remember, you may be here because I am paying for it, but you don't have to please me."

Sam managed a nod. "Sorry, I just... I saw your face fall a bit and..."

She sighed. "That isn't you. My dad wants to do dinner this week, and I don't want to, but I think, I think I might have to do it."

Sam frowned. "Oh."

She took his hand and squeezed it. "You have to understand. I will do anything to save you, Sam, including going to him."

Sam took a deep breath. "You don't have to do that."

"But I do. And last night made it clearer to me than anything. I will go to the ends of the earth if it means I can get you out..."

Sam took a bite of the bacon before exhaling slowly. "As long as you don't end up there in my place."

She pushed the food around on her plate. "If that's the price, then I will pay it, and I mean that. Your family took me in, showed me, love. Saved me from never experiencing it. So the best gift I can give to you, to them, is to bring you all back together."

"No." He was firm with that. "I would never ever forgive myself if I let you do that."

She looked at him. His voice was different from the gentle, meek manner she had grown accustomed to. She shook off her tears. "Sam. I have too."

Sam was insistent. "No," he repeated. "Pleased-don't make me say that again."

She looked away from him, not wanting him to see her tears. She was tempted. Tempted to call his dad, have him take Sam back home, kicking and screaming if he had to. And take his place. Because it was becoming evident to Mercedes that Sam meant everything to her, which meant she would do anything to protect him.

Sam refused to let her do that. Instead, he reached over and touched her shoulder gently. "Please."

She finally looked at him and knew he was right; he had so many nightmares from that place, she didn't want to add another burden to him. "Okay." She said, closing her eyes as the tears fell. "I won't take your place." And her heart broke because she would have.

Sam stood up and immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "Thank you."

She let him hold her, and she held him back. "I am gonna do it. I am gonna talk to my dad. Tell him that I am taking my inheritance. I didn't want it, but now I do."

Sam squeezed her close. "You really don't have to do that..."

"I don't want his money Sam, so why not use it to set you free? Why not use it so you can start over?"

Sam closed his eyes for a few moments. "Thank you."

She shook her head. "I don't deserve your thanks, Sam. The sad thing is that there are still people there, and I can't do anything about it. But I will be damned if I don't try."

Sammy rubbed her back. "It's okay, Mercy... you can't save everyone."

She nodded. "I know, that's why I am gonna save you. And pray for those I can't."

Sam sighed quietly. "Yeah."

Mercedes pulled away and wiped her eyes. "Let's finish eating before it gets cold."

Sam wiped her eyes gently before sitting back down.

Even though breakfast was a little tense, all of that seemed to melt away as they cuddled on the couch. Currently, Sam was lying in her lap as she played with his hair while they watched a movie. He was due for another call soon with his parents, and she was both happy and sad for him. It had to hurt talking to them, but also it had to feel good too.

Sam didn't make it too far into the movie before his breathing evened out, and he fell into a light slumber. Being around Mercedes made him feel safe and at ease.

Feeling Sam doze off, Mercedes gently grabbed her phone; she wanted to make sure he got as much rest as he could. She knew she had to talk to her dad but first, she had to figure out what she needed to do for Sam. Dialing the number to Elite, she gave the password to reach either River or Rose, she wasn't sure who would answer, but she prayed Rose.

"Well, hello, Miss Vixen," River said as he picked up the phone. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She shivered in disgust; even his phone voice made her sick. She put on her best phone voice, trying to be excellent. "Master River, I wanted to check in with you, as well as see if we could schedule a meeting for this week."

"Of course. I hope you're enjoying your time with your toy. He's a good little pet."

She cringed but didn't let it show in her voice. "We are having an enjoyable time, thank you."

"Glad to hear it. Now, what are we meeting about?"

Mercedes took a breath; she had to word this right. "A purchase."

"Oh?" he asked, grinning. "What kind of purchase?"

"I am quite enjoying my time with Cap, and I would like to make it permanent."

"Cap? That's a cute name. But, unfortunately, that is not possible."

She frowned. "And why not? I was told when I signed up that all of them were for sale."

"I don't think you can afford his price tag."

She shook her head. "And that is what the meeting is for. But I will have you know I am sure I can,"

"I don't think you understand how much it's worth."

"I have seen him; I have had him." She said, hating the words coming out of her mouth. "I am sure he is worth a lot. And I am sure he will be worth every penny I plan on buying him with." She said with such confidence she almost believed that she was buying him for her pleasure.

Thankfully, Sam remained asleep through all of this.

"I still don't think you can comprehend the amount of money it will take."

"Then tell me the number." She said as if to challenge him.

"We will discuss this at our meeting."

"Will Tuesday work for you?" She asked.

"Yes." He still sounded horribly predatory over the phone.

"5pm?" She really wanted to say less because she was sure he imagined her naked at the moment.

Oh, he was. "Perfect."

"Then I will see you then. Will I also be able to schedule time with Cap after our meeting?"

"Of course. I'll pencil you in."

"Thank you. I will see you then." She hung up. "Creep."

Sam shifted a bit and mumbled something but remained asleep.

She looked down at him and ran her hands through his hair. "No matter what that creep does or says, I will find a way to free you. I promise." She kissed his forehead and closed her eyes. She really hoped she could keep that promise. And save Sam before it was too late.

But what if it was already too late? What if Sam was already too broken?