Brax returned from the grocery store, his hands filled with bags for dinner. He set them down on the counter and looked into the living room, smiling at Joey. "Hey."

Joey stretched out. "Hi. I fell asleep." He said sheepishly.

Brax laughed. "You went into a food coma."

He nodded. "Mercedes called it the itis."

He smiled. "You feeling better?"

Joey nodded. "You need some help?"

Brax nodded. "If you're offering... I could help you learn to cook."

"I have never cooked before," he said with a smile. "But I can help."

"Come on then. You can help me out."

Joey stood and followed him into the kitchen. "So, what are we making?"

"Steak and potatoes. With some shrimp and scallops. a little surf and turf."

"I have never had any of that but potatoes...they give us plain mashed potatoes." He said, looking at the bags.

"You're in for a treat." He had so much butter and a bit of cheese for the potatoes.

Joey went to the bags and started to remove things. "I think I might be one of those people who love food. I just never knew it could be so good."

A sad laugh escaped him. "I'm excited to teach you all about food."

Joey stared at the items he placed down out of the bag. "What was it like for you growing up?"

Brax tensed a bit. "I was taken from my dad when I was six. Bounced around from foster home to foster home. I never had much."

Joey looked at him. "You never had a real home either?"

He shook his head. "Even with dad, it wasn't a real home. It was... not great."

Joey nodded sadly. "That's what I want when I get out. A home, a real home like this...this feels like home with you and Mercedes."

Brax felt his heartache. "You'll get that. I promise."

He stood still and looked over to Brax. "Can you...can you stay with me...when we get out?"

Brax froze at his words. He turned to look at him for a moment. "You want me to stay?"

Joey swallowed. "Is that wrong? I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked."

"Oh no! Not wrong at all. It's actually quite sweet."

Joey smiled. "I just really want to feel safe, and I know I won't if you aren't around. I can't explain it."

His heart warmed at Joey's words. "I kinda wanna hug you right now..."

Joey wasn't a bold one, never had an aggressive bone in his body, but he shifted to Brax and wrapped him up in a hug. "Wanna hug you too."

Brax easily wrapped his arms around Joey. and held him close. "Good."

Joey had only been hugged by Sam and Mercedes at this point, but Brax felt natural and right; he honestly didn't want to let go. He felt safe."

Mercedes smiled, pulling away from Sam, blushing. "God, your kissing is just...it blows my mind." She ran her hands through her hair and smiled. "Are you thirsty?" She looked towards the kitchen, and her eyes widened. Brax was hugging Joey, and it was one of the sweetest things she had ever seen.

Sam smiled and nodded. He never got enough water. Looking over at Brax and Joey, he grinned. "I'm glad they're okay."

Mercedes beamed and splashed Sam. "Now, where were we?"

"Getting a drink?" Sam asked.

Mercedes smirked. "That, or those lips... I'm not picky."

"Whatever you want, my love."

Brax couldn't help but feel like he could protect the young man holding him tight. But, he had to defend him at all costs.

Joey pulled away, staring at Brax. "Mercedes was right about you; you are a really great guy."

Brax looked down at Joey. "I try to be."

Joey turned to the food. "Okay, so now, where do we start."

Brax looked over at the food. "Do you want to peel the potatoes?"

Joey glanced at him. "How do I do that?"

"Oh shit," he replied, looking at him. The kid really didn't know how to do anything. "Well, we start by washing the potatoes."

He raised an eyebrow. "With Soap? Isn't that bad?"

"No, just with water. We wanna get all the dirt off of them."

Joey nodded. "Okay, yeah, that makes sense."

He offered him a few of the potatoes. "If you wanna wash them off, I'll work on peeling and cutting them.

Joey started to wash off the potatoes and smiled, looking over to Brax. "You are doing something really great, you know?"

He furrowed his brow. "I'm not sure what you mean?"

"Helping a complete stranger, strangers. Making this dinner. It's a great thing." He said softly.

"I'd do anything for Mercedes," he replied easily. "And you guys deserve all the love I can offer."

Joey looked at him. "I fit in with Mercedes?"

"What do you mean?"

"You love her, and here you are offering me, love," he said softly.

"You deserve it, Joey," he replied softly. "I know what it's like to not know what it feels like, and I want to show you what it feels like."

"I told Sam that I didn't want to go back; I don't want to go back," he said more to himself than anyone.

"We're going to get you out," he replied. "I'll get you out."

Joey finished washing the potatoes and nodded. "I want to believe that so bad."

"I will get you out," he replied, a bit more firmly.

"You sound almost as sure as Mercedes is."

"Because I am." He didn't have the confidence in the plan that Mercedes did, but he'd buy out Joey's loan if it meant freeing him.

Joey nodded, feeling more and more hopeful. "Okay, what's next.

Brax continued peeling the potatoes, working quickly and expertly. "Get a big pot and fill it with water."

"How much water?"

"Fill it about 3/4 of the way."

Joey looked at him, confused. "I Ummm, I don't know what that means. I never graduated from High School." He said shamefully.

"Hey, no need to feel ashamed of that." He rubbed at Joey's back. "I almost didn't graduate either." That wasn't the whole truth, but he was trying to comfort him. "So you know what half is?"

Joey glanced at Brax, not believing the man, but he nodded. "Yes."

"So it's half of half... plus a half?" He wasn't a good teacher. "So fill it up halfway, then fill it up another half of what's left."

Joey glanced at the pot. "Ummm, okay, I think I got that." He moved to fill it up, as Brax said.

Brax observed him as he pulled out some spices and mixed them together to rub for the steak.

"Where do you want the pot?" He asked.

"On the stove..." he smiled.

Joey moved it to the stove, smiling. "Look at me cooking."

"Look at you," he smiled proudly.

"Okay, what is next?" Joey said softly.

Brax moved over and turned the stove on. "We wait for it to boil."

"Man, cooking has so many steps." Joey glanced around. "How did you learn?"

"I took cooking classes in college. I had an ex that was amazing in the kitchen too. Taught me everything she knew."

Joey didn't know why hearing about his ex gave him a pang of sadness. "Well, I want to learn eventually."

"Well, I'll teach you everything I know," he smiled.

Joey beamed. "That sounds like something I would really like."

"I like that idea too."

Joey continued to help Brax cook until it was time for him to get dressed. "Mercedes said she has clothes for clients, and she got a suit that would fit me, but as soon as I put it on, I will be back."

Brax continued cooking. "Sounds good."

Joey smiled and moved towards the door. "Don't forget you need to get dressed soon too." He left and walked into the room where his and Sam's suits were.

Mercedes hadn't wanted to get out of the water, but she knew she would have to get ready. "So I am gonna need to get dressed soon. And you will too."

Sam pouted. "Do we have to?"

Mercedes smiled. We can stay a little longer, but it's gonna take a minute for me to get beautiful."

Sam stared at her. "You're already beautiful."

Mercedes blushed. "Sam, you flatter me. But I do need to go."

Sam nodded. "Okay."

Mercedes gave him a kiss and headed to her room; she needed to shower and get dressed for dinner. Taking her time and trying to decide if she should go with a different dress instead of the one she chose.

Sam got out of the pool and made his way to the room where Joey was. "You okay?" Sam asked.

Joey turned and smiled at Sam. "I am great. How about you? Seemed like you were having fun."

That smile made Sam's smile only grow. "I was. And your smile is amazing." He rubbed at the back of his neck. "I'm glad you're happy."

Joey sighed. "I have never felt so happy...and Sam, you haven't ever looked this happy. And I cooked!"

Sam was pleased. He slowly stripped out of his swimming trunks to get the suit on. "Happiness looks good on you."

Joey got dressed, sighing. "I know it's only for a little bit, but if this is all I get, I am happy I got it."

Sam slipped his pants on first. "You'll get more of this," he replied. "I'll make sure of it."

"Brax said the same thing. He would make sure I get out, I don't know why he cares so much, but I am really happy about it. I believe him." he said, pulling on his shirt.

He offered Joey a smile. "He seems like a good guy. I trust him to take care of you."

"I trust Mercedes to take care of you too." He said, buttoning up his shirt.

Sam tugged his shirt on as well. "We'll all take care of each other."

Joey stared at himself in the mirror; he frowned. He had never worn anything this nice, and holding the tie in his hand, he was sure he had no idea how to put that on.

Sam smiled at him. "You look so dapper, Joey." He put a hand on his shoulder before looking down at his tie. "Need some help there?"

Joey nodded. "I have never worn a tie before."

"They're a pain in the ass," he joked with a smile. "Lemme help."

Joey handed it over to him and sighed. "Okay, so I saw you making out with Mercedes in the pool...you really love her, don't you?"

Sam blushed as he looked down. "I really do," he whispered as he started positioning the tie around Joey's neck. "It's not too tight, right? So we don't have to wear it."

"Seems like she is just a really lovable person, and I can see it. I just..." Joey looked up. "This isn't because of everything she is doing, right? I ask because you are my best friend, Sam, my big brother, and I want to protect you too."

Sam smiled sadly down at him. "No... it's not. I hope not." He felt things so strongly all the time, and he worried this may have been one of those cases. "You don't have to protect me, kiddo."

"I don't have to, but I want to." He sighed. "I hope not too. Because you deserve to be this happy all the time."

Sam's hands trembled as he worked on his tie. "You deserve this too. So what's going on with you and Brax?"

Joey smiled. "I don't know what you mean."

"You like him?"

Joey looked down at the tie. "I don't know. He's a really great guy."

"That's important. It looks like you trust him."

"I do, but it looks like he might look at me the way to do, you know?" Joey didn't want to like him, but he couldn't help it.

"Like a little brother?"

Joey nodded." Yeah."

"Well, I got dibs on you," he teased, tightening the tie a bit but not making it too tight. "You're my little brother."

Joey smiled. "Yeah, well, I have to share you with your siblings, so I guess you might have to share with me.

That made Sam laugh. "Not too tight?" he asked, leaving his comment to hang for a moment.

Joey shook his head. "No, it's great."

He nodded and worked on his own tie in the quiet.

Joey looked at Sam. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing," he mused, fumbling with his tie. "Just thinking about my dad."

"What about him?" He asked softly.

"He taught me how to tie a tie. It was for my uncle's funeral when I was twelve." He stared out at nothing.

"And now you are doing this for me but for a happy occasion." He said, "I appreciate you, Sam; I hope you know that."

Sam nodded. "Happy... this is very happy..." He offered Joey a smile. "I just can't believe I remembered how to do it." He took a deep breath. "I do this for you because I care."

"It's like riding a bike, I suppose." He said. "Do I use the jacket or not?"

"Maybe wear it down there, but we'll probably take it off."

"Have you ever been to a dinner like this? What do I do?"

He nodded. "Once, when I was nine, I went to dinner at Mercedes' place. I didn't really fit in there at all."

He frowned. "She didn't make you feel welcomed?"

"No, it was her family. They were wealthy. My family was very poor. So it was like a totally different world."

Joey sighed. "Then maybe I won't fit in here...I have never done this. I have never done any of this."

Sam wrapped his arms around him again. "You fit in just fine."

"I hope so." He sniffed the air, "Because it smells so good in here."

Sam nodded in agreement. "It smells like steak.:

"And Shrimp and something else, and I have never had any of it."

"Just be careful. Don't eat too much. We don't need you getting sick again."

He nodded. "I learned my lesson from earlier."

Sam nodded and squeezed his shoulders. "You ready?"

"I am as ready as I will ever be."

Sam sighed. "Remember the code word? For when you want out?"

Joey nodded. "Blade."

He smiled. "That's right. I'll get you out of there if you need it."

Joey nodded, taking a breath. "I am ready."

"Good. Remember, I'm gonna be right next to you the whole time."

Joey turned the knob. "Let's go celebrate your girl...wait, is she yours?"

He smiled. "I'd like to think so."

Joey nodded. "Good. Now let's go."

He squeezed Joey's hand before letting go and heading into the dining room.

Brax pulled out all the stops. He was pouring the water when he stopped cold in his tracks. Joey looked so cute in that suit.

Joey smiled, looking around the room, and stopped when he saw Brax. "You outdid yourself. It looks great in here, and you look really handsome."

Brax smiled at him. "You do too," he exhaled.

Sam looked around. "Where's Cedes?"

Joey beamed, looking down at the ground. "Anything I can do to help?"

Brax shook his head. "You sit back and relax. My treat tonight."

Mercedes sighed, staring at her dress in the mirror; she wasn't sure she looked good in anything at the moment and was debating canceling the whole thing. Still, instead, she just smoothed down her blush, off-the-shoulder formfitting dress. Her gold open-toed shoes matched her hoop earrings. She let her hair fall over her shoulders in waves, and yet she still couldn't move. A part of her knew why, once she went out there, the night would officially be closing to an end; she still hadn't gotten a birthday greeting from her father, though she thought things were changing. She glanced at herself. "Everyone who matters is here right now; enjoy them."

Sam took notice of the exchange between them and wondered if there was anything between them. At the same time, he knew that while this was a nice break from the Elite's hell, he also knew that bonds could form from the stress of situations. Things seemed too good to be true.

Mercedes felt herself waiver and knew it was now or never. "Okay, Merce, time to go." She said to herself. Walking out of the room, she walked into the kitchen. "Hey, guys."

Sam turned to look at Mercedes, and his jaw almost dropped. "Holy..." he whispered. She was stunning.

Mercedes smiled. "Well, you three look like you belong on the cover of GQ Magazine."

Brax couldn't help but stare at Mercedes. He had seen her all dressed up before, but she was radiant that evening. He knocked the words out of him.

"Nah," Sam chuckled. "But you..."

Joey smiled, seeing Sam speechless.

Mercedes stared at the men and figured their silence says the most. "So I take it I should change?"

"No!" both Sam and Brax said in unison.

Sam looked down and blushed. "You're so beautiful."

Joey watched them and smiled. "Yeah, they are right." He said softly.

Mercedes blushed, placing her hair behind her ears. "You guys are sweet, and thank you. And it smells so amazing here."

"Thanks," Brax smiled. "I made filet and some shrimp and scallops."

Sam pulled a chair out for Mercedes.

Joey smiled. "And I helped!"

That made Brax laughed. "He did; I wouldn't have been able to do it without him."

Mercedes let Sam pull her chair out and took a seat with a smile. "You guys doing this for me; it means a lot."

"You deserve it," Sam whispered.

Joey took his seat next to Brax and smiled. "I don't believe that."

She squeezed Sam's hand and smiled. "I am gonna cry. Like real ugly tears."

Sam squeezed her hand in return. "Go for it. We won't judge."

Brax nodded. "It's true we won't."

Joey shook his head, "But if you do, then I will cry too."

Mercedes wiped away her tears and shook her head. "Don't want to ruin my chance at all this delicious food."

"It does smell pretty good," Sam chuckled, trying to change the subject.

Joey felt his stomach grumble, and he laughed. "Agreed. It smells good and looks even better."

Mercedes grabbed her glass and smiled. "Before we eat, can we make a toast?" She cleared her throat and stood up.

Brax remained standing, still needing to go get some of the food. First, however, he picked up his glass.

Sam did the same.

Joey followed suit, not wanting to be left out.

"So, as Brax knows, I usually spend this day at work in the office, but you guys have made this day so special, so important. I just want to thank you for sharing my birthday with me. To all three of you."

Sam raised his glass. "And to Mercedes for bringing the three of us together."

Joey smiled. "Yes to Mercedes for letting us find each other." He said, looking over to Brax.

Mercedes blushed and sat back down; she was pretty damn lucky.

Sammy smiled at Joey.

Brax did as well.

Mercedes smirked. "Do you need help bringing the food in Brax?"

Brax shook his head. "I got it," he smiled.

She nodded, looking at him. "Brax. Thank you for all of this. It's amazing."

"Relax, let me take care of you."

She nodded. "Okay...I will." She sat back down and looked at Sam and Joey. "Are you guys okay?"

Joey nodded. "I have never been so happy; I am not gonna wanna go back."

Brax left to head back to the kitchen.

Sam was about to speak when Joey did instead. The change in the other man was crazy.

Mercedes reached out and took Joey's hand. "You only have to go back for a few days. I promise as long as you guys don't let it slip about the raid, you will be good. Just remember this is a chance for others to get out too. My friend is going to ask if people want to go back or not, but with them holding people's family over their heads, many will return." She said sadly.

Joey looked at her. "What you are doing for us, for me. I can never thank you enough."

Sam took Joey's other hand, "You can come to live with my family too if you want."

Joey nodded. "What about Brax?"

Brax walked back in with the sides. "What about me?"

Joey smiled. "I wanted you to come with us too,"

Mercedes smiled. "Brax could use a family, for sure."

He smiled sadly. "we'll see, Joey."

Mercedes glanced at them when her phone rang. She really wished it was her dad, but one looked at the caller ID and knew it wasn't him. "Hey guys, I will be right back." She moved out of the den and answered her DEA friend.

Chad was on the other end. "Hey. Happy Birthday!"

Mercedes smiled. "Thanks, Chad, it's been a really great birthday! How is my favorite member of the DEA?"

He laughed. "I'm glad. It's going okay. Kinda crazy, really. How about you?"

"I'm anxious about Friday. I think Brax and I should be there; if it looks like I am getting hauled in too, maybe they won't know for sure it's me doing all this..." She knew she was going to pay for this, but she could ask.

"Well, keep you safe."

"I am still just really glad you are doing this for me."

Chad sighed. "It's not just for you. We've been trying to go after that place for years. But, unfortunately, they're all slimy."

Mercedes nodded even though he couldn't see her. "So we are still a go for Friday? Should Brax and I arrive early?"

"Yes. We're going to get this place shut down for good."

Mercedes sighed. "And the people being forced to work there?"

"We have to look into each one individually."

"And what about Sam and Joey?"

"It depends on the paperwork and their past. It's all up in the air.*

"That's not good enough; none of this would be possible without them; I need a guarantee that they are going to be okay."

"I can't, Mercedes. We have some info on Sam, but this Joey kid... he has a juvie record, and I can't guarantee anything."

Mercedes looked towards the kitchen. "I can't sit here and let something bad happen to Joey. He's 21. He's just a kid."

"Nothing bad should happen on our end...but like I said, I can't guarantee anything."

Mercedes sighed. "And if we get them out before the round-up?"

"That's on you, Mercedes. This might not be pretty."

"What do you mean?"

"The Elite won't go down without a fight. I'm sure of it.

"Well, neither will I." She sighed. "I am getting Sam and Joey free; I don't care what happens to me."

"Don't talk so stupid. You'll be fine."

"Look, I talked to my dad, he said if anything happened, they would know it was because of me, and they would come to pay me a visit. If that is the case, if something happens, you need to protect Brax, Joey, and Sam; promise me that, Chad, please..."

"We'll protect you too."

"I don't know if that's possible. But Like I said, I am not worried about me."

"Well, I am. and I'm sure they are too."

She sighed. "What time is the raid happening?"

"Eleven."

"Okay, we will be there around 9 to not make it seem so obvious. I really should be getting back, but I will let them know. We will be ready."

"Good."

"Talk to you later, Chad."

"Stay safe."

Mercedes hung up and took a breath returning to the table, her mind in deep thought about the upcoming days.

Joey felt his mouth water at the steak. "I am not sure how steak tastes, but if this tastes as good as it smells, I am in legit heaven."

Sam laughed at Joey. "You're gonna love it."

Brax looked at her, worried.

Mercedes stood. "I just realized I should grab the lemonade." She walked into the kitchen.

Brax followed her. "Everything okay?"

Mercedes looked at Brax as she gripped the counter. "I just got done talking to Chad and while the raid is going on as scheduled. But he can't guarantee that Joey and Sam will come out of this. And that just can't happen. We can't let them be caught up, so we have to get them out of there the moment the raid happens."

Brax looked at her. "We'll get them out."

Mercedes frowned. "I can't give them this hope and take it away, I can't."

Brax nodded. "I know, but we won't okay... we wont."

"They will be there at 11. So we have to have a plan. I know Sam can hold his own, but Joey..." she shook her head.

"He's so skinny, all skin and bones Merce...they all but starve him." Brax exhaled.

Mercedes nodding moving to hug him. "This will work, right?"

Brax hugged her. "It has to."

Mercedes nodded but didn't say a word; she just hugged him a little longer.

Brax held her as long as she needed him to.

Mercedes sniffed, pulling away from him. "Well, we better get in there before Joey puts all that food away."

Brax managed a laugh.