A/N: This A/N is inspired by myhiggins25 So, here it goes *it ain't been a long time, I didn't leave you, I was just typing to update you, update you, update, update, update, update you 2x* I be reading y'all comments and this what happens. Music! I love music! Let me stop! Stop, drop, shut'em down open up shop! Oh, no that's how Ruff Ryders roll. Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river.

In other news I posted a teaser for I MADE IT THROUGH! Might want to check it out.

This shall be a good read. Happy reading guys! (:

UPDATE: CHAPTER 36 IS IN THE WORKS! 3K+ POST so far MIGHT BE AROUND 4K+ OR EVEN 5K+ words I wanted it up sooner but I'm about to go eat just wanted you guys to know. 7:56 PM EST.

8:41 PM BACK AT IT!

Sam's POV

"Who are these people?" I changed to the other camera angle and zoomed in on their faces. "What is Sarah doing with Tank?!"

Stunned that's all I can say stunned. Here we are 'Cedes, TJ and I have been living comfortably minus a few bumps in the road and these two show up together.

There was a knock at my door I turn to look it was JJ. "Is everything good in here?"

JJ asked coming into my office and sitting on the couch rubbing his hands together. "No, not really but it can wait. What's up?"

"First off I just want to say thanks for putting us up I know we sort of just barged in on you guys unannounced after y'all already had guests before us, and then for yesterday."

"It's good. I don't mind at all I'm happy that you guys actually came I was actually going to fly you guys in to surprise Mercy but you beat me to it." I smiled. "My hand no biggie."

"Yeah, you can thank me but uh I'm here to talk to you about something that happened before J3 and I left to go out today. 2 people came here Tank and some chick."

"Oh, I know."

"You do?! How?!"

I waved him over to my computer. "I have surveillance cameras up I had them installed a few weeks back just in case this day would happen I just thought he'd find out my address in a different way but the girl that was with him told."

"You know the girl?"

"She's my ex. I was only with her for what a few days and 'Cedes showed up on my doorstep that night I told her she could step I was over her but it seems she's not over me because she's teamed up with Tank to do what I don't know." I closed the window.

"Yeah, I was going to beat his ass but I respect you bro and I didn't want to tear up your shit. I'm just a guest in my brother in law house."

"I would have approved the ass whooping because at the mall, you know Pops, PawPaw and Uncle Julius ditched, Mama."

"Yeah, I heard more than likely dad got tired of holding her purse."

"That's what TJ said" We laughed. "So, at the mall TJ and I were on our way back to get the truck so Mama and 'Cedes didn't have to walk as we're walking in the parking lot someone yells out, "TJ!" that stopped us in our tracks and out pops Tank. I could have choked him right there my damn self but I had TJ and I was keeping my cool, then he goes on and tells TJ to give his real daddy a hug. I'm like dude, why all of a sudden you want to be concerned about your son? When you had him you didn't care?"

"Jealous. You got his girl and his son. Did you mention anything about your race?"

"Yeah, he did. Saying it must be weird something on lines that TJ is black and I'm white. My son hasn't even question my skin complexion I can say that my son is colorblind, I'm daddy, my mother his grandma, my dad grandpa, my sister is Aunt Stacey, and my brother is Uncle Stevie. What does color have to do with family anyway?"

"Not one damn thing."

"True. Then Sarah that crazy chick, TJ and I were up in Cold Stone enjoying an early, early treat and she just pops up and gives me her number and runs her fingers over my lips, talking about your sister saying she doesn't satisfy my and all of that. I had to let her know that your sister satisfies me above and beyond."

"Okay…I don't want to hear about y'all freaking that's my little sister."

"I know but I'm just saying she does and she gets in TJ's face and calls 'Cedes a bitch. Your nephew said, "You a bitch! BITCH!", I could have laughed but I didn't."

"He said that."

I nodded my head. "Yes. I had to set him straight and tell him TJ you don't call your elders a bitch but he said, if she doesn't respect me why should I respect her."

"TJ has a point. That bitch part funny but yeah, why would she get in a child's face? TJ's only 5. I know you not supposed to hit a woman but I want to hit her."

"TJ asked me, "daddy why didn't you hit her?" I told him you not suppose to no matter how they act."

"So, what are we going to do about those 2? I can't have them just showing up because they can."

"Well, seeing as they know where we live I need to call somewhere and see if I can get a fence around my property, I want to keep my family safe and me traveling a lot in the coming weeks and for the next few months. I can't have my family just open like that."

"I agree I was even thinking about staying back if you don't mind."

"No, no. I don't mind seeing as my brother is down and can't help out I'm more than happy to have you stay. Why don't you just move out here?"

"Where am I going to live?"

"Where are you staying at now?"

"Here."

"Okay then."

"But what about 'Cedes? Don't y'all have to agree on these things?"

"What about my wife?"

"Will she be okay with it?"

"Trust me she'd more than happy with it you should have seen us the first time I had to go to San Diego it was the saddest thing. I didn't want to go yeah it was only 3 days but that was too long. I'll tell you more about that story later." I got up. "I promised the Mrs., that after I get done watching this I'd join her for a nap so that's where I'm headed. You can stay back and check out everything."

"Cool. What's the password?"

"McConaughey backwards and once you're down you can shut everything down."

I left my office and checked on TJ and he was knocked out with Chew-Chew beside him then I proceeded down the hall to my room. I open the door and 'Cedes was still woke.

"Baby, I thought that you'd be sleep." I said kicking off my shoes snuggling up beside her.

"I was waiting on you. I couldn't sleep. I was scared."

"Scared of what?" I asked her as she laid her head on my chest.

"Tank."

"Why would you be afraid of him? TJ was safe with me if he would have touched our son I would have beat the shit out of him and if he would have touched you I'd kill him. Why did you see him?"

"Yeah. Sam. Sam, something happened at the mall, while you and TJ were off doing your own thing."

"What?" I sat up and so did she.

"Tank…I was in the store and Tank saw me and he backed me up in a corner. He didn't touch me or anything but he kissed me he just asked, where was TJ and that he was going to get him and me and.."

"Why didn't you tell me?! You should have called?! I was right there in the mall I would have loved to wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze the life out of him! He kissed you?! Where?!"

"Just on the cheek. Sam calm down."

"NO I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! CHEEK MY ASS! THAT'S TOO CLOSE TO YOUR LIPS!"

"Is everything alright? I can hear you all the way down in the hall."

"Yeah JJ we're good." I waved off JJ and went to lock the door. I took a few deep breaths. "Baby, why would you wait to tell me this now?"

"Well, seeing as you were already heated with Tank confronting you and TJ in the parking lot I didn't want to add on to it. I thought it was the right thing to do."

"Babe that was so not the right thing to do I'm your husband and you are my wife, I'm suppose to protect you and TJ, anything could have happened to you while he had you backed into a corner my stress is your stress and your stress is mine, whatever load you carry I carry too."

"I'm sorry, honey. I was just afraid and scared."

"You should not be afraid nor scared you have me besides Tank thinks his ass is untouchable trust me his day is coming and I hope that I'm the one that's giving him everything he deserves or maybe he can become Bubba's bitch baby."

"I know I'm sorry too because I too had a run in with someone from my past. Remember Sarah?" I rubbed my face. "Well, while TJ and I were at Cold Stone enjoying a treat she came in there, sat on my lap, traced my lips with her finger, rubbed her fingers through my hair and said some off the wall shit about you, and then she got in TJ's face and called you bitch." Mercedes hands were on her hip and head cocked to the side. "TJ, didn't take to kindly to that so he called her a bitch back." 'Cedes gasps. "Yeah, then she says that you aren't satisfying me and other crap but I let it be known that you satisfy me above and beyond, when she left TJ turned and waved he said, "bye Ashy Felicia".

"Wow." She sat down. "Wow. He really called her a bitch?"

"That he did. No worries I talked to him and he knows what he did was wrong. There's something else I want to talk to you about but..." I yawned. "This bed is calling me and I want you in my arms. So, let's take this nap together and we'll start the next few hours on the good foot."

We got in bed and pulled Mercy close to me. "I love you."

"I love you too, Sam. Did she really call me a bitch?"

"Baby let's not focus on that figment of my imagination she's just jealous 'cause she ain't you."

Tank's POV

I was on my way home from the mall when the detective called my phone asking me if I could come down to HQ and answer a few questions. If this helps get my mother out I'm all out for helping.

"Tank, I'm Detective Johnson and I just want to ask you some questions about an incident that happened a few days ago."

"Okay but first is my mama alright?"

"Yeah, she's fine. She's in another room not too far from here. So, shall we start with what happened at Target?"

"Okay. My mother and I were in Target and I saw my son with some guy and we go over there we have some words and the security guards took us into some back room and then my girlfriend shows up because we're having it out over our son, she left me and she comes into the room, my son crying because he wants to come home with me."

"Stop. What does this have to deal with mother being assaulted?"

"It fits so these two white dudes are saying random shit to my mother and the security officer didn't do nothing about it and she saying some off the shit."

"Okay. I'm going to tell you what your mother said because what you're telling is way left. She said she was assaulted and you set up the shooting."

"She what?! No! No! She sat it up. I didn't have no parts of this."

"Are you sure because she's also putting blame of this kidnapping on you?"

"What?! That bitch! Look, that's her idea too."

"Really?"

"Listen I was in a relationship with Mercedes Jones and maybe I was a little too physical with her so she upped and left and took my son. I want my son back so my mother came up with the idea to take him."

"Okay…wait here."

Stevie's POV

My parents had gone home to get freshened up and pick up a few more pairs of clothes. Stacey stayed back with me and when they return she's going to Sam's house because she's not staying over tonight.

"Stacey earlier today when I was talking the detectives, Detective Sylvester mentioned Target."

"Target? What does Target have to do with you being shot?"

"A lot remember when Sam had the trip he had to go to San Diego well Puck and I stayed at his house you know for security reasons two days into his trip Puck and TJ go to Target, at Target they have a run in with Tank and his mother that's what sparked all of this and today Detective Sylvester said that this lady was verbally assaulted at Target and that's why I got shot."

"So, she shot you over an argument."

"I don't think she shot me I think she had someone shoot me because I identified the person today and his name is Vito and I believe Vito has ties with her or either Tank."

"Wow!"

"Yeah…crazy."

"Well, it's about to get even more crazier because I was out in the waiting room with TJ and he was drawing and he drew something pretty disturbing." She went to the drawing book and pulled out TJ's picture.

"What he draw?"

"This is a picture of …well you tell me what you think it is?"

"TJ, on a playground and he's running away from this guy." I slowly look up at her. "He's running away from Tank?"

She nodded her. "Yeah, he said he thought it up something tells me that he didn't think that up he must've overheard someone mention that for him to draw this."

"Or it could be from when we saw Tank a few days back."

"It could. I'm going to show this to Sam and Mercedes once I get home to see what they have to say about it.

"Yeah, talk with them please. I'm worried I hope he doesn't do it that or is thinking about that. Let's change the topic have you been getting my mail."

"No, I don't think no one has."

"Great at least I got my surveillance up and running when I installed Sam's I was like why not put one on my house."

"I didn't know you had one? Where is it located at?"

"I have a few angles one is my mailbox though just in case someone comes up to my house and takes my mail I can see who and that bitch is crystal clear. I was messing around with it. Camera's so good I probably can see the pores on your face."

"We're back!" Mom announced coming in to my room.

"Welcome back. Was Sam and them home?"

"No, we called them on our way there and he and Mercedes family were going out to eat. They invited us but we came back to spend time with you. Stacey where are you going?" Mom asked.

"To that restaurant look if Sam's paying I'm eating for free. I'll see you tomorrow Stevie, mom dad, don't stay up too late."

Sam's POV

That nap was everything! I looked over at the clock and it was 6 o'clock and someone was at our door because they kept knocking and trying to get in but we locked the door. I made my way to the door and took a hold of the lock before turning it.

"Who is it?"

"It's me."

I turned the lock and opened the door and TJ walked right on in. "Yes, TJ?"

"Granny wants to know what's the holdup she's starvin' like Marvin."

"TJ, granny didn't say that go on back downstairs and tell granny that daddy and I overslept and we're getting dressed right now and we'll be down in 15 minutes."

"Okay. Granny…" I closed the door and threw on something presentable and Mercedes on the other hand put on this lovely ass summer dress that was showing everything that I like.

"Damn you look and smell good."

"Thank you."

She was carrying her shoes in her hand. "You're very much welcomed. These are the shoes you're going to wear?"

"Yes, I am."

"May I put them on you?" I took them from her hand and she sat on the edge of the bed.

"You may." I put the shoes on her feet and I'm still down there. "Sam, I know what you're getting at and no we have family waiting on us to go out to dinner besides we only have 3 minutes."

"Fine I can do it one." I hugged her from behind kissing her neck.

"Oh, no you will not if you're doing that you're going to work me up to work me down."

"You even talk dirty fine besides I'll get to see it later when I'm taking that off you. Let's get downstairs so your mother won't send TJ up here or even worst she sends herself up here." We walked to the top of the steps and everyone was looking up at us.

"Um…what did we do to owe this attention?" Mercedes asked as we walked down the steps hand in hand.

"Y'all late. We starving."

"We're sorry we overslept. Have you all decided on what restaurant y'all want to eat at?"

"PawPaw wants to eat a Red Lobster, so Red Lobster is it."

"Everybody out to their cars let's go y'all starving and I'm hungry. Come on. No running TJ." I secured the house and unlocked the car, opened Mercedes door she got in, then TJ and I. I led out the caravan of cars because I knew where the restaurant was at.

"Babe your phone it's ringing and it's Stacey. I got it. Hey Stacey what restaurant oh my folks decided on Red Lobster we're just pulling up in the parking lot. See you soon."

"Stacey is joining us?"

"You know it."

"Figures she must know that I'm paying." I parked the car and let down my window and Mercedes family were getting out their vehicles.

"Y'all not getting out?" J3 asked.

"We are just waiting for Sam's sister so reserve a table for 10."

"Okay."

Stacey arrived 20 minutes later which was okay because he had to wait awhile for us to be seated.

"Aunt Stacey!"

"There goes my baby."

We exited our vehicles and headed inside because our table was ready, we ordered our drinks, a couple appetizers, and finally our main course, we laughed drank and enjoyed our time here some of the servers even joined in with our table. It was a blast. I footed the bill each of us left something for the tip. Once dinner was done my little family headed back home, Stacey too. 'Cedes family wanted to enjoy the night which I didn't mind. I was in my office again checking the cameras to make sure those two didn't return.

"Are you busy Sammy?"

"No, why?" I turned off my monitor.

"I want to show you what TJ drew today while y'all were back there with Stevie. Where is Mercedes?"

"She's in the bedroom. Is it bad?" I asked following her to the bedroom we walked in 'Cedes was watching a movie.

"Stacey you staying here tonight?"

"Yeah, I need my bed. I need to stretch out."

"Babe Stacey said she wanted show us what TJ drew in the waiting room."

"Are you talking about the picture of the family?"

"No, I have that picture too but he drew something else that you need to see and maybe talk to him about." She opened up the book that had a few of TJ drawings and this was way at the end she gave it to me. "This is a picture on the playground."

"I see, but who is that guy he's running from?"

"Tank." Mercedes said. I looked at 'Cedes then over to Stacey who was just nodding her head.

"It's Tank. I don't know what would make him draw that. I asked him and he said it was something he thought up."

"TJ had a bad dream last night actually 2 dreams and I told 'Cedes this morning that I bet money that TJ was dreaming about Tank and he was the monster. Did I not tell you that?"

She took the photo from me. "That you did."

"Just thought you guys needed to know. I'm going to go take a shower and get in bed."

"Thanks Stacey."

"No, problem."

"So, what should we do? Should we talk to him or let him draw the pictures to let his dream be known because this really disturbs me he shouldn't be thinking about this. He should be drawing this." I picked up his other drawing. "See that's you, me, him, his little brother, the white fence, the house, and McConaughey."

"How you know that was McConaughey and his little brother?"

"I'm a dad baby. I know these things. So, what should we do mommy?"

"I think we should talk to him because if we don't he's more than likely to have another dream tonight seeing as he had a run in with him today."

Talk about perfect timing TJ just ran into our room.

TJ's POV

I was bored in my room Aunt Stacey is asleep because I went and checked and the only people who are up I know are mommy and daddy so I ran into their room.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked them sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Nothing, daddy and I are just talking."

"About what?"

"TJ mommy and I want to talk to you about this picture you earlier today." Daddy turned over the picture because it was face down on the bed.

"Oh…I don't want to talk about that picture."

"Why not?" Daddy asked.

"It's scary, that was my dream last night."

"So this is what you were dreaming about? Both times?"

"Yes, mommy."

"Well you know those dreams aren't real."

"Felt real." I crawled over to mommy and sat between her and daddy. "Like today." I looked up mommy and daddy was looking at each other.

"TJ those dreams are just dreams. It's not going to happen."

"That's what you say. Tank said in my dream that, ""TJ! You crying out for your mommy and daddy! BLANK them! I'm going to kill them! I got you now and you won't ever see them again! BOO!" That's what he said in my dreams. Well in one of them.

"Babe this is serious."

"I know. TJ how about you go back to your room and wait for us."

I got off the bed and made my way to the door and stopped and turned to face them. "Am I sleeping in here with you because Tank only appears in my dream when I'm alone?"

"Yeah, you are so go get Mr. Mustache and Chew-Chew and after daddy and I talk we'll call you back in."

"Okay."

Mercedes POV

Finally hearing about TJ's dream I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I began crying the moment he closed the door.

""TJ! You crying out for your mommy and daddy! BLANK them! I'm going to kill them! I got you now and you won't ever see them again! BOO!" I repeated. "Sam…I…Just…"

"I know. I know. I really don't want to tell you this especially hearing about TJ's dream but I can't let this wait another day. When we returned back home you know I dropped off TJ in his room and I went to my office to watch the surveillance video and while I was watching I saw something it bothered me. Your brother came in to tell me something that bothered me. I rubbed my neck. "They know where we live."

"What?! What do you mean?! Who are they?!"

"Sarah and Tank." My mouth hit the floor.

A/N: Sam told her. What you think is going to happen next?

You'll know in the next update of Abused...When I update in a few hours going to catch theses Zzz's [5:33AM]