A/N: Where did Sam go? Beats the hell out of me...in other news someone that was mentioned way early on in the story will be making a comeback. Who can it be? What will they be doing? Beats me. PawPaw is a hoot dude got wisdom to drop on the young folk!

Happy Reading Guys! (: [Made some tweaks at the end so we're sitting on 5,102 words]

Mercedes's POV

Here we go again I have to tell this story. I think I just need to get all of my family who are here now in a room and just share with them.

"I left him grandpa, he hit me….."

"Hit you. Where is his ass at?!" Grandpa was reaching was trying to get up but eventually he thought otherwise. "I'll hit him with my damn stick! Let me calm down before I make my blood pressure go up. Does your mother know?"

"Yes, I told her after breakfast this morning and I have yet to tell daddy and I might tell J3 and Uncle Julius…I don't know but yeah he hit me, TJ saw too after TJ saw me getting hit I had to leave."

"He better be lucky I'm a year off of being 90 because I want to hit myself. How long was this going on?"

"Too long. Too long"

"Mercedes I'm going to tell you something because I feel as though your mother drop some knowledge on you but let grandpa drop you some knowledge from a real man, a man, a real man would never hit any woman now I don't know why you stayed but if your reason was TJ that a wasn't a good reason at all. The good thing is that you left and you got this nice place here that you're living in."

"Grandpa this isn't my house. This is Sam house."

"This big ol' house is his?!" He pushed up the glasses on his face to take everything in. "Nice place. Very nice."

"Yes, this is where I came to once I left Tank."

"Good and hopefully he doesn't find out where you stay at. Now where is that TJ I got another story I want to tell him."

"I'll go get TJ grandpa. Want another drink?"

"Yeah, I'll take some lemonade."

"Okay and I'll send TJ out on to you."

I headed inside the house and TJ was looking through the photo album and daddy had gone to sleep again.

"Grandaddy left you hanging again munch."

"Yeah, he said PawPaw messed up his got damn nap."

"Thaddeus, do we need to go over the words you aren't supposed to be saying?"

"No, no need to. I already know them."

"I think we need to go over them again. Come over here and leave that photo album there."

"Ugh…mommy I know them already." He said getting up on the stool. I put the pitcher of lemonade back and TJ had both of his arm propped up supporting his head.

"Tell me."

"The a-word, the b-word, the bs-word, the f-word, the mf-word, the d-word, the gd-word, the s-word."

"You know them so why do you say them?"

"Other people say them and I want you to know every word they said."

"That's not a good reason TJ. You are already grounded you got 6 more days but you are walking a thin line to your next punishment. Don't say any of those words anymore."

"Cool."

"No, Thaddeus this isn't a "cool", response there are only 2 responses to this, one is yes ma'am the other is yes mommy now we're going to try this again. Don't say any of those words anymore understand me."

"Yes, mommy."

"Good. Come on outside PawPaw has another story to tell you."

I opened the door and TJ made a mad dash over to PawPaw. "You got another story for me PawPaw."

"Yup. I do."

"This story is about the bear who cried for his mommy." I turned to go back inside but this story I had to hear about so I sat down.

Sam's POV

Stevie saying he didn't want to tell really pissed me, off we almost lost him for trying to be Mr. Badass I couldn't go home so I went for a drive. Where I don't know to but I ended up at some park. I was walking over to the picnic tables.

"Sam!" I heard someone call out my name and I turned to look and it was JJ. "What are you doing here? I thought you were at the hospital visiting your brother."

"I was but I left. What are you doing here?"

"I saw this park and I thought why not visit. Not too many people around. Speaking of your brother is it serious?"

"Serious enough that might affect your sister and TJ. Has she told you?"

"Um…all I know is that she filed charges and they didn't stick."

"They didn't stick?! She didn't tell me."

"Woah…oops was I supposed to tell you that?"

"I don't know but she didn't tell me. Why didn't the charges stick?"

"He told me that they didn't Mirandize him."

"Shit." I covered my mouth and sat down on the picnic table. "How does that happen? That's the first things you do or it could be the last thing you do but why and my brother's in the hospital he just out of a coma this might be related to Tank. I don't know but something doesn't feel right. I mean I went to San Diego for 2 days and all hell breaks loose."

"What were the charges because I asked her and she didn't tell me."

"I don't know if I should tell you, if she didn't want to tell you."

"Look she's my sister. Tell me, she didn't tell you that they didn't Mirandize him. You can tell me."

I bit my lip. "Fine Tank abused her, hit her, talked bad about her, sexually assaulted her rape whatever you want to call it. He even abused TJ. She said it was going on for 6-8 months but it could have been going on longer than that." I turned to look at JJ and he was fuming!

"That bastard! OOOooh" He kicked the trashcan over. "Why didn't she tell me this?! I know where her house is at. I'd go over there right now and beat the shit out of him. How could he do that to my sister? My little sister." He was rocking from side to side still heated he then up and started walking around the picnic table. "Sam, I don't want to ask you this question but I'm going to for my sanity. Was my TJ conceived out of him forcing himself on her?" He stopped in front of me and I could see the rage in his eyes.

"More like she had something slipped into her drink but y-yes." I silently said.

"That's it I'm going to kill his ass!" JJ started running back to the parking lot and I caught up with him.

"HEY! HEY! Don't! Don't do it. I already have my brother in there I don't my baby to have to worry about you. He's not worth it."

"Yes, he is worth it! He hit my sister no telling what he did to TJ and I know you love them both. You have to feel like some hurt, pain inside of you. I see the way you look at my sister I know she's happy now but I won't be happy until I put my foot up his ass all my size 15 ½ of my foot and shoe this comes as a combo, this is combo number 3 up his ass. Are you coming with me?"

I know I should go with him but 'Cedes would be upset with either one I choose. "Yeah. I'll follow you."

"Good."

"What about your uncle and cousin?"

"They fine. I dropped them off at Enterprise so they could have their own ride. Let's go…" He ran to his car and I ran to mine and I followed him to where Tank was staying at, Mercedes house.

TJ's POV

PawPaw has some really interesting stories but the one about Mandingo, who is a Mandingo, what is a Mandingo is confusing me but the way he kept saying "yeah Mandingo", was hilarious.

"Yeah…Mandingo. TJ PawPaw has to use the bathroom can you help me up?"

"Sure." I got off is lap and pulled him up the best way I could. "You know where it's at?"

"No can you show me?"

"I will."

I took PawPaw hand and showed him the bathroom in the game room it's the closet one right when you come in from outside.

"Over there. I'll wait for you."

"Okay."

I looked up and there was mommy. "I'm not in here playing a game. PawPaw had to pee-pee so I showed him this bathroom. It's the closest one."

"Alright and after PawPaw comes out its naptime."

"Awww…naptime I don't like taking naps."

"Naps are good for you."

"But PawPaw said who needs a nap."

"That's PawPaw you need a nap and so do I." The toilet flushed and then I heard the running of water then the door opened.

"Hey 'Cedes baby. You got to go the bathroom too?"

"No grandpa there is five more bathrooms in the house for me to use but I'm here to take your great-grandson because it's time for his nap."

"Nap? Who needs a nap?"

"See I told you mommy."

"Grandpa…TJ you're taking a nap that's it. Grandpa you want me to help up to your room?"

"Nah…I'll think I'll stay in here and watch some boobtube."

"Boobtube? There's a boobtube mommy?"

"That's YouTube grandpa."

"Yeah that Tubbleyou..."

"Ookay. Tell pawpaw you'll see him after your nap."

"PawPaw I'll see you after my nap after my nap can you tell me another story."

"Sure…I'll tell you about the time my sister fried chicken and didn't use flour and I wouldn't let none of the sisters in the church have at it."

"Great! Alright grandpa."

Mommy and I headed upstairs and we went inside my room and got in bed still pleading to not take a nap.

"But I'm not sleepy."

"TJ, you may not be sleepy but you have to lie down you can't be up the whole day just jumping around an having your way, now I'm going to take me a nap too once I get up you can get up to."

"How long is that going to be?"

"About an hour."

She left my room. "An hour. Ugh." I flopped back onto my bed and Chew-Chew came into my room and jumped on my bed. "Chew-Chew did your mommy make you take naps?"

Arf.

"I'll take that as a no. Wanna play."

Stevie's POV

My parents had gone to the cafeteria to get them some lunch; Stacey stayed back because she wanted to and was going to be her own Columbo or Jessica.

"So, Stevie while mom and dad were here you were faking sleep. I saw your eyes open. Why did you fake sleep?"

"I fake sleep because I didn't want to do what I'm about to do with you now and that's have a conversation. I want to handle this myself."

"Handle what? Revenge?! Stevie you almost died! Do you care about us or is getting back at someone who spewed some venom from their mouth more important?"

I didn't even have time to think for my answer. "Both, you weren't there and I bet if you were you would have done the same."

"No, I wouldn't have. I would have been heated but I would have found another way about it. Stevie where did you go? Who were you with if anyone was with you? Did you go get a gun? Who were you on the phone with?"

"Look, I'll tell you and only you I went to this other side of town, no one was with me, yes, I went to go get a gun but I didn't touch it or hold it, some fool banged on the door I hear some shots, I run, I got hit, I fall a guy comes over to me I faked dead and then someone came and started helping me who was I on the phone with, I was on the phone with Puck and he too said the same shit as Sam. He told me Sam, has Mercedes and TJ to think about and me wanting to be a badass isn't good that I need to call the detectives back and let them handle it."

"I agree with Puck and he's a badass himself but you need to call them for TJ sake and whenever you call them and talk to them and not brush them off. Call Sam and tell him what you did. I somewhat lost you once I don't want to lose you again."

Sam's POV

We pulled up to Mercedes house and I parked behind JJ, he got of his car and came and knocked on my window so I let it down.

"That's the house right there. I'm going over there to knock on the door if another guy comes out I want you to back me up."

"Okay." I let my window back up and I kept an eye on him this was a nice neighborhood that 'Cedes lived in. He knocked on the door and some guy answered I don't know if that's Tank or not but it's a small dude the guy was getting animated and throwing his hands up in the air I let my window down to listen.

"Where the fuck is Tank bitch ass?"

"Tank ass isn't here he out…what the fuck you want to know?"

"I want his ass that's what I want." JJ kicked the guy and he fell back and got right back up and tackled JJ to the ground no other guy came out but I wasn't going to let JJ fuck dude up alone. I wanted in but I didn't want my face shown so I had a mask in the car and I put on my hoodie and went to JJ's aid I reached JJ and the dude was punching him but JJ was blocking his shots I tapped him on the shoulder laid a good one on his chin he flew back he stayed down for a while but he got right back up checked is chin and motioned for me to step towards him and pounded his chest.

"Come on! I want your ass."

"Fine!" I was going to go but JJ held me back. "No, I got this." He maneuvered the guy into a head lock and finished him off.

"Let's get out of here." We ran to our cars I was the first one to reach mine and waited and we pulled off. He called my phone.

"Thanks for coming to my aid bro."

"No, problem I wasn't going to let you handle him alone. You had me pumped."

"Let's get home." I looked down at my hand and winced. "I wonder what 'Cedes is going to say if and when she sees this.

TJ's POV

Came inside to use the bathroom and as I was on my way back outside I heard the front door turned to see Uncle JJ and daddy come in. Uncle JJ sprinted up the stairs daddy was going about to do the same but stopped when he saw me.

"Hi Daddy. Why you have your hoodie on?"

"Hi. I was at the gym. Where is mommy?" Daddy asked me as he looked around for her. He had both of his hands in his pocket.

"Um…mommy is outside with granny, granddaddy and pawpaw."

"Okay. I'm going upstairs to take a shower, you go on back outside and if mommy asks for me tell her I'm just getting in from the gym."

He ran up the steps and I went back outside just in time to because mommy was asking where daddy was. "Where is Sam? He's been gone for 4 hours?"

"Baby, maybe he went for a drive."

"No, daddy said he went to the gym."

"The gym?"

"Yes, daddy just got home he told me to tell you if you asked."

"I'm going to see where this man was, you TJ stay out here."

"Okay." Mommy went inside and I wanted to go to so I had to think of a reason to go in the house. I walked towards the door was almost in when granny yelled out to me.

"TJ, where are you going? I thought your mother told you to stay out here."

"I want my book."

"Okay go get your book and come right back out here."

"Yes, ma'am." Running up the stairs I bypass my room and slowly crack the door to listen in on them.

"Sam, where were you? You say that you were going to the hospital to sit with Stevie and that was almost 4 hours ago."

"I went out for a drive!"

"A four hour drive? You want me to believe that, open up this door. What happened to your hand?!"

"Nothing. Nothing. It's fine."

"No, it's not. Let me see."

"Ow…ahh."

"It's not fine. What happened?"

"After I left the hospital I did go for a drive I drove around for a while I went to some park where I ran into JJ and he and I started talking and somehow we get on Tank and I told him that Tank abused you and he got heated and was going to go over there alone and I couldn't let him go over there alone because if I did you'd would be upset with me and if I didn't go you'd still be mad at me. It wasn't a win/win situation. So we get there some short guy answer the door and he and JJ have some words and they start fighting and I wasn't going to let JJ fight alone so I got out and helped him and I got in a few punches it was the best feeling in the world."

"A fight?! Best feeling in the world! Sam Evans, did you forget that you're a married man with a wife and a son?"

"No, I didn't but I had to do that I was just imagining I was whipping Tank's ass."

"You did NOT have to do that all you had to do was after you left the hospital was drive around and come back here to me and our son."

"T.." Man! Every single time I ran to my room and got my book as I was walking down the stairs mommy opened the door

"I was just getting my book." I held it up.

Mercedes' POV

"Sam, that wasn't smart."

"So why didn't you tell me that they forgot to Mirandize him?!"

"I forgot! It slipped my mind. Why did you tell my brother? I was going to wait to tell him. Like when he got home so this wouldn't happen! Sam we've been through enough already with your brother I don't want to have to go through the same with you and my brother. I can't take that I've been through enough as it is."

"I'm sorry baby but like I told you. I couldn't let him go there alone. I just couldn't. So, what do you want me to do?" I raised my hands in frustration.

"I don't know."

"Are you mad at me?" She rolled her eyes and turned and walked away.

"Yes, I am. I'm going back outside, will you be joining us?"

"Maybe."

"Whatever."

Sam's POV

"I'm sorry baby." I said as she closed the door. Sam you should have just talked him out of it but I know I did the right thing. I got dressed after doing that I just sat down on the bed, "Mercedes is mad at me. I can't go to bed with her mad at me." Talking to myself for a few minutes I went down downstairs and JJ was in the kitchen helping himself to tonight's dinner.

"Hey. Did Mercedes see your hand?"

"Yeah, she did and she's mad at me" I peeked outside and she caught me looking at her and she quickly turned her head she pointed to TJ's book I guess to help with a word.

"I know she's mad at me too but we did the right thing."

"I don't even know anymore. It felt right then, it felt right on the way home but it felt-semi right a few minutes ago."

"She'll get over it. I'm heading upstairs to eat and take my ass to sleep. I'm out Sam...Sam. Sam."

"What? You said something?" I had my arms folded across my chest now giving JJ my attention.

"Yeah, I was waving my hands in front of your face but your attention is outside. Why don't you just go out there? It's going to be awkward at dinner table tonight with you and her not talking and being touchy feely. Just go out there."

"I want to...I'll go."

"Cool. Night Sam."

"Night JJ."

I waited a little while longer before I joined them I stayed in the same position just seeing the hurt and pain written all on her face she caught me looking at her again and rolled her eyes and began talking to her mother. "I'm going out there." I opened the door and I slowly closed it and began walking over to her I stand in front of her and she looks up at me and continues her conversation.

"Hi Sam."

"Hi Mama." I gave her a hug and a kiss.

"Hi Pops."

"Mr. Jones"

"Nice to see you Sammy nice house you have here."

"Thank you Mr. Jones."

"Nope, don't call Mr. Jones, call me PawPaw."

"Okay, PawPaw."

"Where you been at? You had my granddaughter down there worried about you."

"I took a drive after visiting my brother then went to the gym."

"Okay...next time call her."

"Yes, PawPaw."

"Now go on down there and have a seat because this talk is getting good I'm dropping some old school wisdom."

I walked down to where Mercedes was sitting at and I contemplated should I sit on the ground or have TJ move and he can sit on my lap. I decided on moving TJ and sit next to her and he could sit on my lap. She scooted away from me and left gap between us PawPaw started talking again and I was in tuning in and out until PawPaw called my name.

"Sammy!"

"Yes sir."

"I want you to hear this, listen to me. See you never go to bed mad or angry at your spouse. In all of my years of being married to your mother and your grandmother we talked it out because that's what couples do. I didn't want to wake up the next morning to have to deal with the same issue nor did I want to have an angry woman in my bed the saying is "Happy Wife, Happy Life." I turned my head to look at 'Cedes and she was looking at me our eyes connecting since our blow up, I placed my hand on her knee and she she placed her hand on top of mine interlocking them and the gap that was between us closed because we moved towards each other. "Sam always say I love you to 'Cedes before going to bed never know what could happen overnight besides you may have grinded her gears that day or that minute, but say it anyway. You hear this 'Cedes and Sam, this the good stuff that I'm dropping on y'all. Let the kids see you interact with one another let TJ see y'all fight, let TJ see y'all make decisions, let TJ see y'all make up and let TJ see y'all pray."

"Daddy they're not married."

"Oh…they not. Could of fooled me they look married. So, what's for dinner I'm starvin' like Marvin? Ribs?"

"I fried chicken, baked mac and cheese and we have collard greens and for desert sweet potato pie. TJ come on with granny so we can set the table."

"Dad I got you. Y'all coming in?"

"Y-Yeah in a minute."

"Where are Uncle Julius and J3?"

"JJ said he dropped them off to get their own rental so they probably just enjoying a drive."

"Okay. We'll see you guys at the table."

"What are the chances that your grandfather would be talking about that?"

She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know talk about perfect timing."

"Yeah, it was perfect timing. I'm sorry baby. I really am I should have talked your brother out of going over there I have a family now and I have to protect them. You forgive me?"

"Yes, I forgive you."

"Good." I made the kissy face and she leaned over and we locked lips our kiss was interrupted by her grandfather banging on the window.

"Y'all can lock lips at the altar I'm hungry! Let's eat!"

"Before we head inside I want to make a promise to you. The promise is I won't jeopardize my family safety we've been through too much already and I'm going to tell you I love you every night. Do you accept my promises Mrs. Evans?" I asked standing up extending my hand out to her.

She took my hand. "Yes, l do Mr. Evans my grandpa thinks we're married."

"If they only knew how true that is."

TJ's POV

Dinner was good. Mommy was right to not stuff my face at breakfast this morning because granny threw down for all 3 meals and dessert. Uncle JJ didn't join us for dinner he was sleep I guess all of the fighting wore him out and Uncle Julius and J3 ended up at a casino because mommy called to see where they were at. Granddaddy helped wash the dishes and granny made plates for grandma, grandpa and Aunt Stacey because she said they need real food and hospital food is not it.

"Come on TJ let's head on up tell granny, granddaddy, and pawpaw good night."

"Aww 'Cedes I thought we were going to put him to bed tonight."

"Not tonight mom. Sam and I are doing it tonight."

"Night Granny. Night Granddaddy. Night PawPaw."

"Night have sweet dreams."

"I'll try to."

"Night mom, dad, grandpa."

"Night, Pops, mama, and Pawpaw. We'll see you in the morning.

"Night, mommy. Night daddy."

"Night."

I didn't need a bath seeing as I had one last night I brushed my teeth and daddy and mommy help me put on my pajamas.

"Time for prayers."

"Dear Father in heaven ,look down from above; bless papa and mama, and those whom I love. May angels guard over my slumbers, and when the morning is breaking, Awake me. Amen. God Bless Aunt Brittany, Aunt Quinn, Aunt Rachel, Aunt Santana, Aunt Stacey, Uncle Kurt, Uncle Blaine, Uncle Artie, Uncle Puck, Uncle Stevie, Uncle JJ, Uncle Julius, cousin J3, cousin Ian, Cousin Gabby, Cousin Logan, Grandma not my other one, Grandpa, Granny, Grandaddy, PawPaw and Mommy and Daddy again although I prayed for them in the prayer. Amen."

"Amen."

"That's a lot of people! I asked God to bless"

"It is! Night baby sweet dreams."

"Yeah and don't let the monsters nor bedbugs bite. Night son."

Daddy turned off my light I rolled over and fell quickly to sleep and I fell into a dream.

I was at the park playing and someone who I couldn't see yelled my name I looked around and I continued playing this man yelled my name again but now I can see him and he started walking towards me, it's Tank.

"TJ! Bring your ass over here!"

"No. No. NO! No!"

"Come on get your ass in the car your mommy and daddy told me to come get you." He picked me up and started running with me.

"No! NOOOOOOO! Let me go! PUT ME DOWN! MOMMY! DADDY!

Mercedes POV

My head had just barely hit the pillow when I heard TJ talking in his sleep and from the talking to screaming out for Sam and me with the quickness I got out of bed and ran down the hall turned on TJ's light and gently shook him; he was sweating, crying and was breathing heavily.

"What's wrong baby?"

"M-Mommy."

"What's going on?" Sam asked.

"I think he had a nightmare. Breathe. Calm down. Calm down." He got on my lap and I was rocking him from side to side talking in his ear trying to calm him down. "It's not real baby. What you dreamed about won't happen. Whatever you dreamed about won't get you. Sssshhh…"

"What was the nightmare about?"

"Everything alright in here?"

"It's fine mom. TJ just had a nightmare."

"Oh, poor baby."

"Sam, can you go wet his wash rag and bring it to me."

"Yeah."

"You want to talk about it?" He shook his head no.

"Here you go baby."

"Thank you."

"It's okay TJ, Daddy will get whoever got you in your dream.

TJ's POV

No you won't daddy he's after me….

A/N: WHAT?! LAWD! NO! SMH! I'll be back in a few hours! ZzzzZZzzzZZzzZ