Stacey had given Mercedes 8 hours to call her back before she made her way to her condo. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with her brother, but she could appreciate what Mercedes did for him. She gave Sam a second chance, and that was more than anyone had done for him. Using the hidakey Mercedes told her about, she could see three men in the living room, she recognized Sam and his friend Joey, but the other one must have been Brax. She took a breath; why did she agree to this?

"Sammy?"

Sam was worried about Mercedes. She disappeared, and no one could get ahold of her. He paced, he cried, and he paced some more. No one could get him to calm down. Finally, he heard the door open and shot up, only to see his sister. "Stace?"

She went right to him; it had been so long since she held him in her arms she wanted to savor it. Wanted to keep him as close as she could. "I missed you so much." She said, not wanting to let him go.

Sam held her close. She had grown so much since the last time he saw her. "I missed you too."

She pulled away, wiping her eyes. At this moment, she was so grateful to Mercedes. And then the dread started. She gave a small smile. "I need to talk to you."

Sam didn't want to let go, so he pulled her in closer again. "I missed you," he repeated.

She let him hug her again, wrapping her arms back around him.

He felt the tears welling up in his eyes.

She wasn't sure she could do this; how could she hurt Sam like this? She knew it was the right thing to do, but how could she break her brother down even more?

Sam finally slowly let go of her. "Why... why are you here?"

She moved out of his arms and gave a soft smile. "Um, so Mercedes called me."

Sam moved and watched her carefully. "Okay... Is she okay?"

Stacey looked around. "I don't. I am not really sure. But, Sam, you should sit down."

Sam felt his stomach shrink. He slowly sat down, immediately reaching out to grab Joey's hand.

Joey took Sam's hand; nothing good was about to happen; he could feel it.

Stacey swallowed, reaching for the table, grabbing the note Mercedes said she left there. "I am supposed to read this, so just bare with me..." She looked around before reading the note. "Sam, and Brax, If Stacey is reading this, then things took a turn, and I wasn't able to return home. I am sorry, I wanted to tell you both about this, but I knew you would stop me. Chad tried to stop me, but I had to do this. Chad said that because Joey had a rap sheet from his days on the street, he would get arrested, and then they would let him go eventually. This means he would be locked up for a few days, if not more; I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let you guys go back into that place during the Raid and risk your lives. So I called River and offered up a trade. Me for you both. If I am not back, that means that he accepted my offer, and he wouldn't let me come home to say goodbye. I am sorry, but I had to protect Joey. I had to protect you both. The Raid is still happening, and after Friday, I should be free too.

Brax, I need you to look after Joey, keep him safe, protected this week. Sam, Stacey is here to help you with detox; you are already going through withdraws. I couldn't have them break you down more. Please forgive me. Please. "

Sam felt sicker with each sentence. He was pushing off nausea from the detox. He now felt sick for another reason.

Brax stood and walked away.

Stacey looked at him. "She added you to the lease on the house and the registration on the car Sam and added you to her bank account so you can get everything that you need... I am so sorry, Sam, but she just wanted to protect you; she wanted to save you."

Sam was in shock. His mind wouldn't process.

Joey let go of his hand as Stacey moved closer to Sam. He hesitated before going to look for Brax as Stacey took his hands in hers. "Sammy..."

Sam stared at her, his mind still refusing to process.

Sam looked at her, his hands shaking.

Stacey frowned. "She was just trying to protect you, Sam, and Joey. She loves you so much."

Stacey frowned. "Sam, say something, please."

Sam took a deep breath. "I d-don't know what t-t-t-t-t-to say.."

"It's okay to be angry."

Sam was a mess mentally. His mind felt like mush that he couldn't wade through. So many emotions rushed through him all at once.

Stacey took a few deep breaths. "Sam, please. Just talk to me..."

Sam looked at his sister, an apathetic and sad look in his eyes.

Stacey sighed, pulling Sam into her arms and holding him tight.

Sam collapsed into her arms and started crying.

Stacey wanted to cry herself. She wished she could fix this.

Sam wasn't sure if this could be fixed.

Stacey closed her eyes, "Should I call dad?"

Sam merely nodded.

Stacey quickly texted her dad and looked at Sam. Mercedes said he would get like this.

Sam was shutting down, and it was happening fast.

Dwight had been outside waiting for Stacey to let him know what was going on. As soon as he got the text, he walked inside and frowned, seeing Sam. He nodded for Stacey to move and took her place. Sam had been through hell at that place, and right now, he was probably feeling guilty that now Mercedes was going through that same hell. "Sam."

Sam barely even acknowledged his father. Instead, his body trembled with tiny sobs.

Dwight turned Sam's head to his. "Sam, son, I need to know you can hear me."

Sam looked at his father. "Dad?"

Dwight nodded. "Son, I need you to focus on me. Take deep breaths. In and out."

Sam took a deep breath as he was told.

Dwight nodded. "That's right. Just like that, son. Take a deep breath and just breathe."

Sam took another deep breath. Then another. Then another.

"Do you think you can talk to me, son?" his dad asked.

Sam nodded but struggled to find words. "Why?" he finally croaked.

Dwight knew the question, and after talking to Mercedes earlier, he knew the answer. "Because she was afraid if you went back there, you would die. Either by an overdose or worse."

Sam's hands continued to tremble as he rested his head against his father's shoulder. "I d-d-don't want her there."

"She didn't want you there either," Dwight said softly. "You know I tried to stop her, but she was so sure that this is what she wanted to do for you. Everything she did was for you."

Sam still felt physically ill. "I d-deserved all that... she's so good, dad..."

"You deserve what, Sam? Talk to me," he asked softly.

"I could handle it... I could do it."

Dwight nodded. "And she knows you are strong enough to handle it. But she also knew there was a chance that you and Joey both would have gone to jail, at least for a little while, and she couldn't let that happen."

"I'm strong," he repeated. "I could do it."

"And Joey? Is he strong, Sam?"

He didn't respond for a while. "He would have been ok-kay for a few days."

Dwight sighed. "I can't say what she did was right, Sam, but I am holding you in my arms for the first time in years. Too many years, Sam, and that is thanks to Mercedes. That is a debt I can not repay."

Sam slowly moved so he could hug his father correctly. "She shouldn't have..."

Dwight hugged Sam back. "I would have done it if I could. Your mom would have. I am sorry you are hurting Son, but please don't doubt she loves you."

Sam felt a wave of nausea hit him, and he pulled away from his father, turning away entirely as he struggled with it.

Dwight rubbed his back. "It's okay, son. It's going to be okay."

The next few days were going to be pure hell. He was terrified. Years of abuse... years of drugs... it took its toll.

Dwight sighed. "There is going to be a doctor coming tomorrow, discretely, of course, to check you and Joey out. Then she will help give you something for the withdraws. She thought of everything."

Sam trembled. "She did?"

"She did. Including making sure you and Joey are free and clear, and they can't come after us. Stevie is safe too now, Sam. Why didn't you tell me you were protecting your brother?"

"When was I supposed to say that?"

"We would have protected you, Sam." he sighed. "I can't repay you for everything you have done for your family."

Sam shook his head. "I took out the loan," he whispered. "I got caught up in everything." Stevie was barely 9 when they took Sam.

"You helped us take care of your sister; you protected our family. I am so proud of you." He said softly.

Sam inhaled deeply. He longed to hear those words; he longed to hear that the past ten years were appreciated. "Stace.."

"She owes you her life, Stevie owes you his life, and we all owe you for the life we have been able to have for the last ten years."

"Stace, okay?" he asked slowly.

"I am perfect, Sam, clean margins, all my tests have come back clean. I have been in remission for 6 years." Stacey said, walking into the room. "I owe you so much."

Sam looked over at her. His eyes were red from the tears. "I'd do anything for you two.."

Dwight nodded. "I know. We all know."

Stacey moved to Sam, hugging him tightly. "You saved my life."

Sam hugged Stacey tightly in return. He knew that she would have died if it wasn't for the money he got. "I worried about you all the time."

"We worried about you too." She said, wiping her eyes. "Please be okay, Sam. Please."

"I don't know if I'll b-be okay."

Stacey nodded. "Yeah, I figured as much."

"You got so... beautiful..." he murmured, his words a bit slurred.

Stacey smiled. "Wait till you see how tall Stevie is."

"Yeah?" he whispered.

Stacey nodded. She ran her hand over Sam's. "It's gonna be okay."

Hearing those words made Sam break down again.

Joey approached Brax slowly and frowned. "Are you okay?"

Brax had his hands balled into fists as he beat into the pillow of the guest room bed. He didn't even hear Joey until he spoke. He looked wrecked. "Go away, Joey," he pleaded, not wanting him to see him this way.

Joey moved closer. "N-no." Where the hell did this strength come from. "You were here for me, and I want to be here for you."

Brax shook his head. "I don't need you to see me like this..."

"Seeing you upset because she went into that hellhole? I know what is happening to you right now, I...I want to help."

Brax's hands remained balled up into fists as he struggled to reign in his anger. "I don't want to hurt you."

"No! Never..." he replied almost immediately. "I'd never do that."

"Then you won't hurt me." He said assuredly.

Brax's hands shook, and he struggled to process what the fuck Mercedes just did.

"I am sorry she did this, so sorry, but I am so grateful I don't need to go back." He said honestly.

Brax looked over at Joey. "She shouldn't have done this... there were other options..."

Joey ran his hands through his hair. "She didn't want me to go to jail...I was young and stupid...I got arrested because I was squatting. I'm sorry."

Brax continued to stare at him. "It's not your fault. Pleased-don't apologize."

Joey sniffed. "She didn't want me to go to jail..."

"It's not your fault," Brax repeated firmly.

"It feels like it." He whispered. "Sam's gonna hate me."

"Sam will never hate you," Brax insisted.

Joey wiped his eyes. "

Yes, he will. And I don't blame him."

Brax approached him slowly, relaxing his hands, so they were no longer in fists. "He could never..."

"Can't he? Master River is a monster; he is a sadist and cruel. What he is probably doing to her..." Joey shook his head. "He will never forgive me."

"Don't think about that," he replied. "Focus on me..."

Joey sighed, looking at Brax. "He's a monster."

"And Mercy is strong. But, I..." He was scared.

Joey frowned. "Master River likes new toys," Joey said in a trance-like voice. Remembering how horrible it was.

Brax took a few more steps towards Joey. "I... I..." He didn't know what to say, so he hugged Joey instead.

Joey hugged him back, scared that all this would cost him his best friend.

Brax rubbed his back. "I got you, and I think you need to talk to Sam. So go, I'll be okay. I promise."

Joey nodded, hugging Brax once more before he walked out the room, looking at Sam, and frowned; what could you say to your best friend in this situation.

Dwight frowned. "I think you should come home with us, Sam."

"Can Joey come with?" he didn't even see Joey at that moment.

Joey froze hearing Sam. "Y-you still want me to come?"

Sam looked up at him, his eyes still red with tears. "Of course.*

"Don't you hate me? This is all my fault." Joey moved closer. "I am sorry, Sam, I-I-I didn't know."

Sam moved out of his family's arms and took a deep breath. "Not your fault."

Joey frowned, looking down at his hands. "She didn't want me to go to jail...now she's...Master River..." he couldn't even finish those thoughts.

Sam somehow managed to stand. He walked over to Joey and held him close. Silent.

Joey hugged Sam back, mumbling how sorry he was again.

Dwight ran his hands through his hair, "You both can come. She said to take the clothes she bought for you and to buy more if you need them. The doctor can meet us at our house. I just have to make a call."

"It's okay," Sam whispered before turning to his dad. "Thank you."

Dwight was worried about what this new change would do to Sam, but he tried to stay hopeful.

Joey sighed. "We have to make sure Brax will be okay."

Sam didn't know any life other than that of servitude. He wasn't even sure if he knew how to be free.

Stacey sighed. "Mercedes was clear about what needed to be done. She said you two were our priorities and that Brax would know what to do."

Sam continued to hold Joey. He wasn't sure anything would be okay again; with Mercedes at River's Mercy, nothing would ever be the same.