Joey froze for a moment but then inhaled and relaxed. "Y-you s-smell good." he thought out loud and wanted to slap himself.
Sam smiled when he felt Joey relax. "She always smells good," he mused happily.
They all lay there for a blissful few moments, and soon Joey was so overwhelmed with peace and feeling safe he started to cry, which was against the rules and meant punishment for being weak.
Mercedes turned to him, and Joey became fearful, but instead, she wiped his tears. "It's okay Joey, you are safe right now. I promise."
Sam squeezed him tight when he felt him cry. "She's right," he whispered. "For the night were safe."
Joey laid there, having this woman he didn't know, wipe his tears, tell him it was okay, and hold him in her arms while Sam held him too. It was overwhelming, and yet he didn't want to move. "I-I-I-I h-haven't felt s-safe in so long," he confessed.
Mercedes broke; she looked at Sam with teary eyes. "Sam, I gotta save him too." and she meant it.
Sam took a deep breath. He almost said Mercedes name but stopped short. "Vixen..."
She shook her head. "I have to Sam; I can't leave him to hear not now that I met him." She said. "He should feel safe all the time, not just once away. You all should."
Joey didn't know what was happening, but he stayed quiet, enjoying the warmth.
Sam exhaled and rubbed his hand up and down Joey's arm. He wanted to tell Mercedes that she couldn't save everyone, but he wasn't going to say that out loud.
Mercedes bit her lip looking at Sam, she knew River inviting Joey was a ploy somehow, but she was just so happy to be near him. She didn't know if Sam remembered telling her he loved her in his drugged-up state, but it was painfully clear that she was so very in love with him.
Joey sighed. "I feel calmer than I have since I got here." He said, not even realizing he wasn't stuttering. "Thank you both."
The room was peaceful and quiet until there was a knock on the door. Joey tensed up; they were coming to take them back because of this. He knew it was wrong.
Mercedes smiled. "It's just room service Joey, it's okay, I promise. "Getting up, Mercedes unlocked the door to grab the food. After setting everything up on the table, she smiled. "You boys hungry?"
Sam pulled Joey closer as he felt him tense. He kissed the top of his head. "It smells good, right? You wanna sit up?"
Joey exhaled and nodded. "O-ok." He sat up and sighed, watching Mercedes. "So she doesn't expect anything from us?" he whispered.
Sammy shook his head. "Just to relax and enjoy the small break from everything."
Joey eyed her again then looked at Sam. "Why?"
"Because she's a good person, she's an old friend."
"Didn't know people like her were real." He scooted off the bed. "Thank you, Mistress," he said, grabbing a fry.
"You are very welcome." She sat at the table and looked down at her food. "You can sit if you want."
Joey just couldn't get past the niceness, the kindness. He sat down slowly and took his burger.
Sam laughed gently as he walked over to the table and sat next to Mercedes. "Do you need any ketchup?"
Joey smiled. "I forgot all about ketchup...is there mustard too?"
Mercedes frowned. "What exactly do they feed you guys?"
Sam nodded and passed Joey the ketchup and mustard. "It varies from person to person..." Sam admitted. He knew they didn't feed Joey enough.
"Well, don't worry here, you can eat what you want and if you want more just let me know. "Mercedes said as she put a straw in Sam and Joey's drink. She grabbed her drink and silently observed the two.
Joey added the ketchup and mustard and took a bite, closing his eyes. "T-this is amazing."
Mercedes smiled and nodded. It seemed when Joey was scared and tortured, that stutter was full force, but now that he was calm, it wasn't there as much.
Sam smiled and added ketchup to his plate, and started eating. He kept an eye on Joey. "Eat slow, Joey, he whispered. "If you eat too fast, you'll get sick."
Joey nodded and ate slower. "Thanks." He said with his mouth full.
Mercedes had set up the tablet so they could watch a movie while they ate. She turned on something for them; she sat in silence watching. She was so deep in thought she didn't realize the film was over and the food was long gone.
Joey didn't want this time to end; this was the best day he could ever remember having. He looked at Sam. "Do you think we can go to the hot tub?"
Sam ate slowly as well. He got a bit invested in the movie. Every now and then, he'd glance at Joey or Mercedes, but he was always watching out for others.
"Hey Mer... Vixen?"
Mercedes heard her name and glanced at Sam. "What's up? What do you boys need?"
"Can we go in the hot tub?" he wasn't as apprehensive as he was in the past.
Mercedes smiled. "Of course. I will grab you guy's towels and everything."
She stood up and turned it on, going to grab the towels. "It's all ready for you two." She turned and went to cleaning things up. She didn't want to intrude or make things uncomfortable for Joey. Baby steps.
Sam turned to Joey, smiling at him. He never saw Joey smile before. "Ready?"
Joey nodded. And glanced back at Mercedes cleaning while he took his shirt off. "How long have you know her?" He asked softly, stepping into the hot water. It was like heaven on his body. He hadn't ever been allowed in one.
Sam got in after Joey. "Since we were little kids." He smiled. "We went to the same school for a while."
Joey nodded. "And she just found you?"
"The world works in weird ways."
"So she's just nice to me because of you?" Joey nodded; it sure did. Here he was supposed to be spying for his freedom, and now he didn't even want it if it meant Sam couldn't be free.
Sam shook his head. "She's nice to you because she's a nice person."
He swallowed and nodded, looking over to her. "She is really nice and beautiful. And she really cares about you...I can tell."
Sam couldn't help but smile at him and then glanced over at her. "She is. Would you be okay if she joins us?"
Joey glanced at Sam and could see that same look on his face that she had. "You care about her too?" At his question, he suddenly got nervous but for a different reason. He nodded. "Yes, she can join us." It was so weird not being ordered around but being asked.
Sam nodded. "She does mean so much to me," he whispered.
"it's okay if you're not comfortable."
Joey nodded. "No, it's not that I am comfortable; she can join us."
He hesitated for a moment. "Okay.". He looked over at Mercedes and waved her over.
Mercedes had just finished cleaning when she saw Sam. A soft smile graced her face as she looked at them. "You guys okay?"
Joey nodded with a grin.
Sam nodded with a smile. "Care to join us?"
Mercedes looked at Joey, who nodded again and made space between him and Sam. She nodded, slipping out of her dress and stepping in the water, donning her black and pink lace bra and boy shorts set.
Sam smiled and watched as Mercedes entered like some sort of beautiful goddess. "Do you want a massage?" he asked, looking at Joey.
Joey looked wide-eyed. "I get a massage?"
Mercedes smiled. "Yes, I give great ones at that. Ask Sam."
Joey beamed. "Does she?"
Sam nodded. "I was gonna give you one, but if Vix is offering..."
Joey looked from Sam to Vixen and smiled. If she was important to Sam, then he was going to be open. "I would like one from Vixen if she is offering."
Mercedes smiled. "Turn around." She turned in the water, her back towards Sam, and ran her hands over Joey's shoulders. She did the same thing to Sam because he was just as stressed and tense.
Joey let off a low groan, feeling his eyes close.
Sam remained close to them in case Joey panicked. When he heard the groan, he smiled.
Mercedes continued to work him over, leaning him forward as she worked for her hands down his back.
Joey moaned out; no one had ever done anything like this for him; no wonder Sam liked this girl so much. Another groan left his lips, and he looked back. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize." He reached out and took Joey's hand. "If it feels good, that's good."
Mercedes nodded. "Exactly, you are supposed to be feeling good. I want you to relax and just be. Do what feels right; if that means groaning, then do it."
He shivered with another moan and squeezed Sam's hand. "I haven't felt this good ever I don't -." He stopped and closed his eyes.
"You don't what?" Mercedes asked.
"I don't want you to stop." He said shyly.
That made Sam smile as he struggled not to hug Joey at that moment. Mercedes has such a positive impact on him at that moment.
Mercedes continued to massage him; taking a moment to look at Sam, she smiled at him. "You are an amazing friend Sam." She said softly.
Joey let his head fall back, "This is amazing." He said in a soft whisper. "No one has ever taken the time to do this for me."
Sam shook his head. "No. I'm just a good person," he murmured. He would do anything for Joey.
Mercedes continued her actions, and he groaned again, moving back to lay against her as he felt weak with pleasure. "So good."
She smiled and let him lay against her. "Can I hold you?"
Joey nodded. "yes." he said with a whisper.
Sam's heart melted as he watched them. This made him so happy.
Mercedes held him close and reached over to touch Sam. "You are amazing to me, and that means something."
Joey loved laying against Mercedes; she was so soft and so sweet.
Sam squeezed her hand. "It does mean something..." he murmured.
The moment was precious; it was perfect. Mercedes wanted both men to feel relaxed and comfortable. She let her hands run through his hair, calming him. He turned towards her and smiled, kissing her cheek. "You are an angel."
"She really is, isn't she?"
Mercedes blushed, taking a breath, surprised by all this. She bit her bottom lip staring at the two men in front of her; it was clear they shared a bond.
Joey smiled softly, staring at them. "You guys are beautiful together." He was so relaxed. He hadn't felt this way ever, and the truth of the matter is he didn't want this moment to end. "Sam, I..." He closed his eyes. "Sam, I really like being here with you guys."
Sam smiled sadly, his heartbreaking ever so slightly. Joey was like a little brother to him.
Joey felt so taken care of and so happy, but then he was stuck with the thought, the bad memory of what he had to do. How could he betray Sam and now Vixen? And how could he not tell them? He took a breath; he needed to think. "I need to go to the bathroom for a bit. Is that okay?"
Mercedes nodded. "Of course."
Joey nodded and left for the bathroom. She smiled at Sam. "He's actually talking to me and not just you; I say that's progress."
Sam watched Joey leave and turned to Mercedes. "Excellent progress. And he's not stuttering as much."
She nodded. "I noticed that. I wanted so much for him to get that freedom you have gotten, you know? I don't know there is something about him; it feels like I need to watch over him." She glanced at Sam for a moment and smiled. "Think I can get another hug from you? One where I am not surprised there are two of you?"
Sam nodded and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. "He has that persona that you need to protect him."
She sighed in his arms. "I hate that you both are here; I hate that I can't just take you and run." She said, dipping her face in his neck as she held him close.
Sam squeezed her in the hug. "I wish you could too."
She hugged him for a few moments and pulled away, looking at the door then at him. "Sam?...can I kiss you?"
Sam nodded. "You don't have to ask."
She smiled, leaning in and kissing him softly, letting her arms wrap around him and pulling him close.
Sam returned the kiss gently. He was so happy when kissing her.
She pressed herself against him; kissing him was like finally stepping out into fresh air. It was like coming home after being gone for a long while. Kissing him was perfect. She let her tongue brush against his, moaning softly, happily.
Sam let out a groan as well. The kiss broke naturally, and he smiled at her.
She placed her forehead against his, smiling widely. "I've waited all week to do that. And it was worth the wait."
He smiled. "It was," he whispered. "I missed you so much it hurts."
She wanted to cry, but she kept it together. "I missed you the same, every time I leave you, you take a part of me with you, and I never feel complete until you are back with me. I have the money, I can get you out, but they said it would take a few months."
Sam rested his head against her and took a deep breath. "Merc..." he whispered, his voice cracking.
She didn't like that deep breath or the way he said her name, she pulled back, looking at him. "Sam?"
Sam was trembling slightly. "We can't..." he started before turning away from her.
She shook her head; he wasn't saying what she thought he was saying. "We can't what?"
"Do this..." he croaked. "I'm... I'm not worth this."
"Don't do this, Sam. I just got you back, and I love you so much, and even if, even if you don't love me, you don't deserve to be here. Your family misses you and needs you, and even if you don't do this to be with me, I still want to get you out. You are worthy; you were always worth it."
Sam's shoulders began to tremble. "I love you too," he managed, his voice shaking. "You're all I think about. But it's not worth the consequences.*
Mercedes didn't understand. She lifted his face to hers. "Sam, talk to me, please. Why are you doing this? You don't belong here."
His body shook as he held in sobs. He still couldn't look at her. "I don't, but I am. I am, and I can't go."
She didn't know what to say. "Don't do this. Please, Sam, I can't..." She let the tears fall. "Please." was all she could say, begging the man she had loved since she was 9 years old to let her help him.
Sam felt himself shaking more. "Please don't cry. I wish I c-could let you"
"You can't do this to me; I don't understand, I don't get it." She said, running her hands through her hair.
He sat down in the hot tub and started crying softly. "I'm scared..." he whimpered.
She turned towards him, pulling him close. "Oh, baby, scared of what? I am going to protect you, I swear."
He broke down entirely in her arms, mumbling basically unintelligible stuff.
Joey had opened the bathroom door but stopped seeing Sam crying and talk about being scared. He was scared too.
Mercedes held him close. "Sam, please talk to me. Please."
Sam felt sick. His stomach flipped and flopped. "I don't wanna die..."
She froze. "Why- Sam, why would you die?"
"They're gonna... they're gonna kill m-m-me before they let me go."
"No, they won't." She shook her head. "No, I will not sit back and have them kill you." She was serious; she would kill them first.
Sam was shaking in her arms. Everything was crashing down around him.
Joey slid down against the wall; he did this. Sam had to leave; there was no other way to think about it.
Mercedes lifted his face to hers. "Sam, look at me. Look into my eyes and breathe. I am right here. You are safe."
Sam hadn't had a panic attack in so long; he couldn't focus on anything. His breathing went uneven.
She held him close. "I love you so much Sam, I had loved you for years even when we were apart. You are my heart, you have it, and I can't do this without you. I love you so much." She ran her hands through his hair, holding him as close as she could, doing everything she could to soothe him.
Sam sobbed against her, his mind turning against him. His chest burned, and he was convinced that he was dying right there. It took a long time for him to finally cool down.
"Sam, you have to breathe...just breathe." She soothed him, held him close, wanting nothing more than for him to realize she would hold him close, keep him safe until he wanted her to let him go. "I got you always and forever, Sam. I love you so much."
Sam eventually did manage to calm himself down as he nuzzled close.
She didn't say anything, she didn't want to upset him more, so she just held him close, kissing his forehead and rocking him in the water.
Sam exhaled slowly. "I love you too..."
She closed her eyes. "Do you really want me to stop?"
Sam shook his head. "I'm just scared."
"I love you, I love you so much, and I will do what I have to so that I can protect you. "She sad determined.
His trembling was slowing down. "Thank you,"
She lifted his face to hers and kissed him. "Trust in my Sam, trust in me and let me take care of you."
Joey couldn't take it anymore; seeing Sam cry, seeing his pain, it was all too much. "I-t-its m-my fault. M-m-m-m-ma-master R-river said that you were l-l-leaving."
Sam turned to look at Joey, a bit shocked. "What?"
Joey walked towards him. He closed his eyes and forced the words out so quickly he didn't stutter. "Master River offered me my freedom to make you stay! He doesn't want to kill you; he wants the money you bring in."
Sam stared at him. He couldn't believe that. actually, he could, but he was still shocked. "Joey..."
"H-he tied m-m-me up. M-made me an offer. I didn't k-know what to do." Joey said, tears falling.
Mercedes closed her eyes. River was such a bastard she wanted him to pay.
Sam slowly let go of Mercedes. "come here..."
Joey shook his head no. "I-I am horrible."
"Please, Joey."
Joey did as Sam asked and moved to him, looking at the ground.
Sam wrapped his arms around Joey in a hug, rocking him slowly.
Joey hugged him back. "I am so sorry I had to tell you; I couldn't keep it in." He cried.
"It's okay, sweetie," he whispered, rubbing his back.
Mercedes stood and moved over to them. "We are going to fix this...Sam, if we are already in here, and I wanted to bring someone here now, has that happened before?"
Sam looked confused. "I don't understand."
"I have a friend who is going to help me. I want to bring him here." She said softly.
"Now?" he asked, confused. "I don't know."
She swallowed hard, shaking her head. "I want to break you out of here. If Joey is right and you are right, they won't let you go, then they aren't playing fair. I want to have my friend come here. And he can rent out...God, I hate saying that, but he can rent out Joey, and I can do the same for you. Then I can put in a call to the FBI. I know it will only cause Temporary drama, but that would give us enough time for myself and for Brax to get you and Joey far away from here. And since your family is nowhere near where we can get them away too."
Sam stared at her. It was far too much for him to process as he stared blankly at her.
She realized what she was saying and took a breath. "I need you guys to take a seat. I will explain this to you." She grabbed her paper from her bag and moved to the bed.
Sam didn't move. "Don't. They might be listening.*
Joey froze nodded with Sam. "They might be."
Mercedes took a step towards Sam, taking his hand in hers. "Do you trust me?"
Sam nodded. "Always."
She smiled, leaning in and kissing him softly. "This weekend, we will talk. Okay?"
She turned to Joey. "I know that you don't know me, but if you trust me, I will get you this weekend too so we can talk...if you trust me.
"Sam?" Joey asked, looking at him.
Sam looked at Joey. "I trust her."
Joey nodded. "Okay."
Mercedes smiled. "Don't let them know that you told Sam." She whispered to him. "Just play it like...actually... I think I have a perfect idea. Tell them that you convinced me to take you this weekend. I am going to request you both, so it doesn't look bad." She whispered, turning to Sam. "This way, I will get both of you and have Brax meet me there. And we can talk more. This can work, guys."
Sam nodded weakly. "Okay..." he whispered.
Mercedes pulled Sam and Joey in her arms. "I promise to protect you both; it won't be easy, and the next few weeks might be hell, but please don't give up."
Sam wrapped his arms around Joey and Mercedes. "Thank you."
Joey relaxed in their arms.
Mercedes held back the tears. This had to work; it just had to.