Joey used his fork to take a bite of the mashed potatoes. "Oh God, that's amazing. The potatoes we get are so plain.

Sam smiled and stayed with Joey, taking his own bite of potatoes. "So good."

Joey looked after them. "One more bite shouldn't be bad." He spooned another.

Sam laughed. "Slow down, kiddo. There's still the main entree!"

Joey smiled. "It's all just so good, though."

"I know. But don't eat yourself sick again." Sam smiled.

Joey nodded, taking a sip of his drink.

"Soda's pretty great too, isn't it?" Sam asked.

"What kind is this?" Joey asked, looking at the clear liquid.

"Sprite."

Joey smiled. "Sprite is really good."

"It is. It's one of my favorites," Sam mused.

"You know, I didn't know how much they took from us until coming here," Joey said, sighing.

"This isn't exactly what it's like out in the real world," Sam admitted. "Little things like Sprite and a good steak... but Mercedes and Brax... they live in a world totally different than my family's."

Joey looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well... they have a lot of money."

"They have money? So they are different?"

He nodded. "Yeah... in that sense."

Joey shook his head. "I don't understand how that makes them different, people at The Elite have money, and they are horrible."

"I mean like... my family doesn't have this kind of money... when you come to live with me... we'll probably have to share a room and... the food won't be as fancy.

Joey shrugged. "We share a room now. And besides, won't Mercedes and Brax be with us?"

"We don't know... I thought... my family... they don't live around here."

"So they free us, and we just move on away from them?"

Sam hesitated. "Joey... I..." He didn't know what to say.

Joel looked down at his hands... "So it is just love because she's saving us?"

Mercedes stood frozen behind the door. Did Sam only care because of what she did for him? Did he lie?

"No..." he replied immediately. "I love her so much it hurts, Joey. But... I haven't seen my family in... almost ten years."

"So it's either-or?" Joey sighed.

Mercedes leaned her head against the wall. "I gotta let him go..." She said, softy.

"I don't know," he whispered. He didn't know his family wasn't super far away (less than an hour's drive). But, on the other hand, there was a lot that he didn't know.

Brax felt his heartbreaking.

Joey frowned. "Well, I may not know much, but I know that you deserve to be with your family."

Mercedes stood, wiping her eyes. "Go ahead back out. I am going to fix my face, then we can eat." She said sadly.

Sam felt sad at that moment.

Brax nodded and walked back out. "Hey guys, save some room for dessert."

Joey smiled. "Okay, so where do I start?"

"You start with the meat. You cut it into a manageable piece. Then, add some of the sauce and maybe some potatoes." Brax did that with his own steak. "The perfect bite."

Joey loaded his plate up and smiled. "Okay, let's give this a try." He took a bite of the steak by itself, and his eyes widened. "This is so soft, so good, oh my God, this is the best thing I have ever tasted. "

Brax felt his heart melt at that. "Yeah?"

Sam looked over to the kitchen for a moment.

"Yes." He said with a mouthful of food.

"You're the cutest thing..." Brax smiled before he could stop himself.

Joey stopped and looked at him with a blush.

Mercedes glanced at herself in the mirror, this was not what she wanted, but she knew it was going to happen. Every time she had hope, it was shattered. She wiped her eyes, trying her best to stop the tears, but they wouldn't stop. She gripped the counter, counting to ten. She could do this, she could do this. Fixing her makeup, she glanced at herself; she still looked sad and lost.

But nonetheless, Mercedes walked out of the bathroom and grabbed the lemonade, then took her seat, grabbing her food like she didn't just lose it back there,

Brax only realized that he said that. "sorry, that was forward."

Sam looked to Mercedes as she walked back in, worried.

Joey swallowed. "No, it was nice."

Mercedes picked at her meal, listening to the conversation.

Brax smiled at him. "Yeah?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

Mercedes smiled softly at Brax. "This is amazing; you did a good job." She said softly.

Sam wanted to say something, but this wasn't the time or place.

Brax smiled. "Thanks, guys."

Joey took a shrimp and moaned at the taste. "Okay, I can't believe I have never tasted food like this before."

Brax was crushing hard on Joey. "Could you get used to this?"

Joey nodded as he swallowed. "Yes! I'm not crazy enough to say no!"

Mercedes took a breath, grabbing her glass; she avoided Sam; she couldn't help it. Why get closer when it wasn't going to last.

While Sam shifted in his seat, eating in silence.

Brax laughed and fought the urge to get up and hug him. "Good. You deserve it."

Joey smiled down to his plate. He really was digging on Brax.

Mercedes glanced between Brax and Joey; it was good seeing them both and seeing the sparks.

Brax was all smiles, unable to take his eyes off of Joey as he ate.

Sam felt the tension from Mercedes.

After Dinner, Joey smiled. "I saved room for dessert, so... what was it?"

"Smores," Brax grinned. "I have a portable Smores maker.."

"Smores? What are they?" Joey asked.

Mercedes looked at him. "You remembered?" She had told him how much she loved them as a kid.

Brax looked to Mercedes and nodded. "I ordered one offline just for today."

Sam looked at him. "They're graham crackers and marshmallows and chocolate."

Joey smiled. "Let's go. I need to taste that right now."

Mercedes stood. "We can set it up outside."

Sam stood as well.

"I can't wait," Brax smiled.

Mercedes lead them outside, pulling off her heels as she did.

Sam took off his suit jacket as they went outside.

Brax smiled and brought out the smores contraption.

Joey removed his suit jacket and tie.

Mercedes sat down on one of the patio chairs.

Sam sat down next to Mercedes and watched the two of them.

Brax worked to put everything together.

Joey moved to Brax. "Okay, so what do we do."

Mercedes sat back, closing her eyes. "We wait for this to warm up... then we roast the marshmallow over the flame and squish it between the graham crackers with chocolate...Best treat ever."

Joey smiled. "I can't wait."

Sam didn't know what was wrong with Mercedes and felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

Joey bit his bottom lip looking at Sam. He moved over to him. "Are you okay?" He whispered.

Sam nodded. "I'm good. Please just enjoy tonight."

"I'm 21 Sam, I'm young but not stupid. You should talk to her, matter of fact." He stood. "Brax, while that warns up, let's put the food away."

Sam sighed and felt even worse now.

Brax took the hint and followed Joey into the house.

Sam sat in silence.

Joey frowned, looking out at Sam and Mercedes sitting in silence. "Something happened in the kitchen, didn't it?"

Brax didn't say anything for a while. "I don't really know what's going on."

Joey nodded, looking at them. "I don't want Sam to lose Mercedes or his family. I don't want to lose you either ."

"I think they're both scared," Brax admitted. "And you're not gonna lose me. I'm not going anywhere."

Joey smiled, reaching out and touching his hand. "I hope not."

Brax looked down. "Joey.."

"Yeah?" Joey asked.

"Can I give you a hug?"

Joey nodded. "Yeah."

Brax easily wrapped his arms around Joey and held him tight. "This okay?"

"Yes." He said, hugging him back.

"Good. cause this is really okay for me." Brax smiled.

Sam finally spoke after a few minutes. "What's wrong?"

Mercedes didn't open her eyes. "Just a lot on my plate, you know?"

Sam nodded. "You went cold on me."

Mercedes finally sat up at looked at Sam. "I had hope, I really did, but it's hopeless."

Sam was confused. "I don't know what you mean."

Mercedes looked up at the sky. "You and your family. They mean everything to you."

Sam exhaled slowly. "They do. But it's always been that way."

"And it has to stay that way. I thought I hoped that I could just come with you. But you were right; we are from different worlds."

Sam blinked a few times. "I didn't mean it that way," he murmured. "I just... I can't be what you deserve."

She nodded bitterly. "Because that's your choice, right? So you get to tell me what I deserve?"

Her words stung. "I'm pathetic, Cedes. I can't even provide for you... and in more ways than just money."

"You aren't pathetic, but you are something! And not because you can't provide or whatever nonsense you are spewing, but because you will fight for Joey, and for Stevie, for your family. But not me, and not us." She stood up from the chair. "But you will have your family and Joey, so it works out, doesn't it." She walked past him, not wanting him to see her cry.

Sam immediately stood up and followed her. "You're putting words in my mouth! Fucking hell, Mercedes."

She turned to him. "Then what, Sam? I am willing to give all of this up for you. Why can't you let me?" She shook her head. "I don't know why I am fighting this anyways. I stay here. I don't get you, and I am a dead girl anyways, so it doesn't matter now, does it." She shut her mouth, not meaning to say that out loud.

Sam froze and stared at her. "What?"

"Nothing." She walked past him and back into the house towards her room.

Sam ran after her. "Cedes, Stop!

She was frustrated and angry and just tired. So tired of it all, and she knew what part she had to play in all this now. And she knew looking at Sam would ruin her resolve.

"Look at me?"

She turned towards him with a frown, not looking up to meet his eyes.

"What did I do wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong, Sam; you just made me realize the truth."

His brow furrowed. "I'm confused."

She sighed. "Sam, this isn't going to work, and I let myself pretend like it was, but the truth is we weren't meant to be together; I was only meant to save you and Joey."

Sam's heart broke, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Why do you say that?"

She turned away from him, going to her room and removing her jewelry. "Because, you said it yourself, Sam, you love me, but you haven't seen your family in forever, and you need them. So I am not gonna stay in the way. I am not gonna stop you from doing that."

"You could... come with me!"

She shook her head. "It's okay, Sam, you don't have to do that." She turned towards him. "Sam, I knew that you had an issue with my family and their money, but I had no idea you had an issue with me."

"What!? I have no issue with you! why would you think that?!"

"I heard you talking to Joey, and you are right; we are different."

He blinked a few times, at a loss for words. "We always were... that doesn't change anything."

"Sam, I am not just going to stop having money. I am not just gonna stop being that person!" She ran her hands through her hair and sat down on her bed,

Sam shook his head. "When did I ever say that was bad? or that I thought any differently than when we were kids?!"

Mercedes swallowed. "You just basically said you can't afford me."

"No, I didn't..." he whispered. "I didn't even insinuate that."

"Oh? Then what does you saying, you aren't enough; you can't give me what I need, mean?"

"I can't! I'm broken, Cedes." He could already feel a headache coming on. "You deserve someone better than me, someone, who can please and pleasure you like you deserve... not some broken toy that panics all time."

"Are you talking about money or sex?"

"Sex," he exhaled. His breath caught in his chest. Then, his heart began to race.

"Is that what all this is about? I think you resent my money all this time, and it's just sex?"

Sam nodded. "You deserve b-b-better... I'm sorry."

She stood and walked towards him. "Why?"

Panic overtook him, and he gripped onto a nearby dresser to stop the conditioning from falling to his knees. "It's all I'm good for, and I can't even do that properly."

She moved to him slowly; when he got like this is was best to use caution. "I'm going to move close and touch your face. Is that okay?"

Tears began to fall as he nodded.

She lifted his face to hers. "That's what they want you to think. But it's not true. You are smart and sweet, strong and caring. And I told you sex isn't a deal-breaker for me."

Sam didn't make eye contact. "I know, but I can't g-get that thought out of m-my head."

"And that is my job, to help you. "

"D-don't leave me then."

She glanced at him and nodded.

He was still shaking. "I'm sorry."

She pulled him closer. "Don't be sorry, Sam. I know a way we can be together, and I am going to make it happen. "

Sam leaned into her, his body still trembling.

She pulled him to the bed. "Can I ask something, but you have to be honest. "

Sam nodded slowly.

"Is it me? Do you not find me attractive?"

He furrowed his brow and didn't hesitate. "You're beautiful."

"I can be beautiful but not attractive to you."

He paused for a moment. "But you are. Why would you think that?"

She sighed. "You had sex with me when you didn't know who I was. But you haven't since you found out it was me."

"I was in a different headspace," he realized. "In there, you do as your asked."

She nodded... "I know, and now that you have the choice, you don't want it."

Her words hurt. "No. It's not that." He didn't know how to explain it.

She closed her eyes. "I'm not as beautiful as most women; I'm not enough."

Sam's voice shook. "You are, though. It isn't that. My brain... it's so messed up."

She closed her eyes, not sure what to say.

Sam sighed. "I love you. You're beautiful. My mind has... two states, I think. There's the programming and then me fighting it, and it's not a nice place to be."

She looked at him tearfully. "I don't know how to help you, and that's what kills me. I'm supposed to be helping you, but how can I?"

Sam shook his head. "You quiet the voices," he admitted. "You make me feel loved and safe..."

She closed her eyes. "I do?"

He nodded. "Yes. This isn't going to be easy, b-but you help."

"I don't want easy Sam, I want you. "

Sam leaned against her again. "You have me."

She nodded. "I won't pressure you, okay? No more kissing or touching. I won't be the reason you break."

"I like the kissing," he admitted.

She sighed, looking away from him. She liked the kissing too, but she needed more, and all or nothing seemed the safer deal.

He didn't call attention to it; he was a freak. He was broken.

She linked her hands in this. "You just have to talk to me. And not shut down or do what you were trained to do; you don't have to accept things you don't want."

"I'm trying," he whispered.

"I know." She pulled him close, holding him against her.

He wrapped his arms around her again. "You help," he repeated.

"Tell me, what else helps?" She said softly.

Sam didn't reply for a few moments. "Drugs?"

She shook her head. "No, no, we are not going to give you drugs."

Sam whimpered. "But I need them."

She turned him to her. "You don't, Sam; we can find other ways."

"They make me quiet."

She shook her head. "Sam, I need you to hear me; they don't make you quiet they make you complacent. They make you weak, and I am sorry about that."

Sam closed his eyes again. "I'm scared."

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

She moved and laid him down, then cuddled next to him. "Then we will be scared together." She ran her hands through his.

Sam offered her a faint smile. "Okay."

She sighed, holding him close. "Sam, I won't let them drug you up or use you anymore. I promise."

Sam nuzzled against her. "Thank you."

She kissed his forehead. "I just want you to be happy, Sam."

"I am happy... with you."

She turned his face towards hers and rested her forehead against his.

Sam managed a smile again. "You're the best."

She shook her head, "I'm not."

"You are to me."

She bit her bottom lip, moving his hair from his face, "Can I kiss you, Sam?"

Sam nodded. "I'd like that a lot."

She smiled, leaning in and kissing him softly, not wanting to push him further than he wanted to go.

Sam relaxed into the kiss, allowing her to control the pace but matching it.

Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him closer to her, nipping at his lip.

Sam let out a quiet gasp into the kiss.

Mercedes pulled him on top of her, tugging him down to her and kissing him again.

Sam easily moved as she wished, kissing her gently as he held himself up over her.

"Can I...can I touch you?" She asked against his lips.

Sam paused. "Where?" he has to keep reminding himself that this was just Mercedes.

"Just your chest...nothing more." She said softly.

Sam nodded. "I'd love that."

She bit her lip as her hand went up to his chest, smiling up to him before taking his lips back to hers and running her tongue against his bottom lip before she pushed it through.

Sam smiled and remained slightly passive. "Love you."

Mercedes pulled back and nodded. "I love you too, Sam."

Mercedes knew what she needed to do, what she had to do. But she also knew that Sam and Brax were not going to like it, that is why she wouldn't tell them. She had to protect him, protect all of them. Dialing Chad, she bit her bottom lip as she waited for him to answer.

tbc...