TITLE: Parental Issues

AUTHOR: Angelina

EMAIL: angelina2006@hotmail.com

SUMMARY: Sequel to Every Boy's Dream

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Touchstone Television

THANK-YOU'S: Big thanks to RedGirl and Childe of Darla for being 'idea-bouncers'. I really appreciate the help and nursing of my ego. So thanks again!

Part One

Brooke hovered, not quite asleep but not quite awake either. As she moved more towards consciousness she became gradually aware of a warmth pressing against her left side. It was not unpleasant so the need to investigate wasn't immediate. She allowed herself a moment to adjust before turning her head in the direction of the mysterious heat source. She had almost gotten one of her eyes to obey the `open' signals coming from her brain when she found her nose buried in a tangle of hair. This shocked her sufficiently for both eyes to open. She lifted her head slightly to help them focus. She was looking at the top of a head. The head, which belonged to a brunette, was firmly planted on her shoulder. The body attached to the head was tucked tightly against her own. The owner of the body was Sam McPherson.

Brooke smiled to herself as she remembered the previous day and night. Eventful didn't really cover what had happened during that short space of time. Life altering was perhaps a more appropriate description. The day had started with a dream and ended with a dream come true. Brooke giggled softly at the supreme corniness of that sentiment. It was lucky that Sam was the writer and not her. To cut a long story short she and Sam had discovered that they had feelings for each other. Then, after breaking up a minor skirmish between their friends, they had `come out' to said friends. The evening had ended with a date and the night was spent making love and falling asleep in each other's arms. All round, it wasn't a bad day in the life of Brooke and Sam.

After dropping a soft kiss on the top of Sam's head, Brooke settled back down beside her. Sam emitted a tiny sigh in her sleep and snuggled closer to Brooke. Brooke continued to ponder the previous day's events. Most couples take at least a few weeks to get through the things they had achieved in a single day. Brooke hoped this was a good sign.

She gently pushed Sam's hair back to reveal her face. Seeing Sam so peaceful and unguarded strangely made Brooke want to cry. The strength of the emotions she experienced every single time she looked at Sam was something she had never had to deal with before. The intensity scared her and almost overwhelmed her…but she never wanted to stop feeling the way she did. She wanted to reach out and touch Sam, to kiss her, to wake her up and make love to her all over again. But she also wanted Sam to remain perfect in slumber as she was at that moment. Love is strange. Whoever said that had a serious problem with understatement thought Brooke as she softly ran a finger over the smooth skin on Sam's cheek.

"Mmmmmnnyyahhh."

Sam half-yawned and half-moaned as she too began to wake up. She stretched an arm over Brooke's stomach and then flopped over so she was practically lying on top of Brooke on her stomach. It took a few moments for her to realise that the bed's surface wasn't what it should be and she lifted her head slowly in confusion. Brown eyes, still heavy with sleep, locked with hazel ones. Brooke watched the realisation dawn on Sam's features as the memories came back to her. A smile crept over Sam's full lips.

"Morning." Brooke said, OK so it wasn't original, but she was unused to waking up in a bed with someone else and didn't know quite how to go about morning conversations with one's new lover.

"Mmmm, morning." Sam said, sleepily rubbing her eye.

"This is…I mean…I like waking up like this."

"Well, I could certainly get used to it." Said Sam, settling her elbows just above Brooke's shoulders and resting her cheeks on her palms. She was still lying on top of Brooke and had no intention of moving.

"So…do I get a good-morning kiss?" Brooke asked, a slight tinge of pink appearing on her cheekbones, a sign that Sam's proximity was having an effect on her.

Sam didn't bother to reply verbally. Instead she adjusted her position slightly so that they were both lying on their sides, Sam's left leg hooked over both of Brooke's. She reached up and cupped Brooke's cheek, rubbing the skin tenderly with the pad of her thumb. Then she leaned in and brought their lips together, moving her hand up to the back of Brooke's head. The kiss was slow and gentle; Brooke brought her arms up around Sam, holding her in a loose embrace. Neither girl pushed the kiss and they continued at a leisurely pace, exploring, probing, caressing. Bodily contact was sought and granted freely; hands, legs, arms, torsos. After their lips finally parted they remained close, touching, watching each other.

All of a sudden Brooke sat up whispering "Ohmigod."

"What? What is it?" asked Sam, completely confused by the abrupt change of mood. She also sat up.

"Shhhhh." Brooke said, holding her hand up for silence.

Then Sam knew what was wrong. It was 6.30. On a school day. Which not only meant they had to get up. It also meant that her mother was wandering around in the hallway doing various householdy things and would soon be by to make sure that everyone was up. The two girls looked at each other in a panic.

Problem: Brooke in the wrong room. And also naked. Solution: Get Brooke back to the correct room. Dressed if possible. Mission: Impossible…?

A number of scenarios were envisioned and discarded as Jane did something in the linen closet, humming to herself all the while. The scheming was thrown up in the air as the footsteps in the hallway drew nearer. At the same instant, an awful realisation hit both of the bed's occupants – after Harrison had left they had been so relieved that they had failed to lock the door. They sat together, frozen with fear. Sam shook herself, she knew there was no escape from the room – but she also knew she wasn't quite ready to have `the talk' with her mother just yet. Adrenaline kicked in. Sam turned to Brooke and, none to gently, pushed her off the bed and onto the floor.

"Wha…owwwwmmmph!" Brooke exclaimed indignantly as Sam clapped a hand over her mouth and gestured to the space underneath the bed.

"Get under!" Sam hissed.

Brooke reluctantly rolled under Sam's bed just as Jane knocked on the door and entered without waiting for an invitation.

"Mom!" Sam whined while surreptitiously covering herself with the sheet. "Haven't you ever heard of boundaries?"

"Yep, and when you move out and get your own place you can have them then." Jane said, smiling.

Sam huffed and pouted, the epitome of the wronged teenager.

"So…did you want something in particular or is this just a random invasion of my privacy?"

"Gee, somebody's a little cranky this morning huh? I'm in here to get our dirty laundry as you never seem to put it in the basket and you may well run out of clean clothing very soon."

Jane was walking around, scooping up the various items of clothing that were strewn across the floor and piled up on the surfaces. Sam's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Brooke's clothes get bundled in along with her own. Mercifully, her mother was oblivious to this fact. Jane dumped the pile of clothes into the basket and stood up to survey the room to see if she'd missed anything. Something by the bed caught her eye and she creased up her brow in confusion.

Sam prayed as Jane approached the bed that no part of Brooke was protruding from her hiding place. She held her breath until Jane reached out and snagged the underwear that was dangling from the headboard.

"For God's sake Sam, how do you manage to make such a mess?" She glanced at the undergarment in her hand. "Maybe today would have been a better day for you to wear your Oscar panties. Hmm?" she asked teasingly, waving the offending item at Sam.

Sam could not think of a reply. She was far too disturbed by the fact that her mother was holding the panties that only a few hours previously, Brooke had removed from her person…with her teeth no less. It was just too distressing.

Meanwhile, Brooke was trying really, really hard not to sneeze. She'd barely managed to stop herself from screaming when Jane's toe had peeked under the valance sheet a few moments before. But the movement had caused dust particles to move and now Brooke really, really needed to sneeze.

"So, is this the last of it? How about under the bed? Although I'm almost afraid to look in case there's yet another new species of fungus growing on a food encrusted plate."

Sam was on her feet and standing in front of her mother in an instant, effectively forcing her to move away from the bed.

"Nope, that's it, you got everything. And I only did that plate thing once." She was ushering her mother towards the door as she spoke. "OK, so, I have to get ready for school now."

She noticed that her mother was looking at her strangely.

"What is it now?" she asked, exasperated.

"Uh, Sam…where are your pyjamas?"

Sam looked down at herself. She was completely naked. In the panic caused by her mothers' threat to look under the bed Sam had dropped the sheet covering her nudity. She could now feel a blush starting at her toes and spreading upwards. She quickly grabbed the sheet and covered herself back up.

"I…uh…I was…really hot last night?" she finished lamely.

In a rush she kicked the laundry basket out of the door and closed it before her mother could say anything else. Just as the door clicked shut, a very loud "Atishoo" erupted from beneath the bed. It was followed by a very dishevelled Brooke, staring daggers at Sam as she emerged.

"You should be ashamed of yourself. That bed is disgusting. There are dustballs under there the size of watermelons. I thought I was gonna choke to death!"

"Look, never mind that now," said Sam, throwing Brooke the sheet. "Cover yourself up with that and get ready to run along to your own room when we hear her go downstairs. Then we're home free."

Brooke stood and wrapped herself in the sheet, grumbling to herself all the while. She moved behind Sam who was naked once again and had pressed her ear to the door. Brooke leaned her chin on Sam's shoulder and kissed her neck lightly. Sam's hand came up to stroke Brooke's hair as she listened.

"She's heading towards the stairs." Sam whispered.

But Jane's footsteps stopped before reaching the stairs. A knocking was followed by the sound of a door opening. Sam and Brooke looked at each other, wondering what she was doing. But the question that drifted back down the hall cleared up any confusion they were feeling.

"Sam, do you know why Brooke's bed hasn't been slept in?"

Part Two

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. OK, this is short and I'm really unhappy with it...it didn't come together the way I wanted it...suggestions for changes are encouraged...I may well rewrite this completely but I thought I'd send it out now that I've typed it. A few people have been asking for the second part so I thought I'd better send something. So let me know what you think...even if it's bad.

Nicole sneaked a sideways glance at her passenger and barely managed to suppress a laugh. She turned her attention back to the road and tried to concentrate on driving.

"So, ya don't think it's too much do ya Nic?" asked Mary Cherry, checking her appearance in the mirror. Again Nicole struggled to contain her laughter.

"Ummmm, no, no I think it's perfect. I'm sure Brookie'll be thrilled by the effort you've put into the gesture."

Mary Cherry smiled, reassured.

"Ah thought so! As ah always say, us Glamazons need to show solidarity in tahms of crahsis lahk this!"

She ran a hand over her recently acquired buzz-cut wig and smoothed down her dungarees, DKNY, naturally. Nicole chewed on the inside of her cheek to prevent her laughter erupting out of her mouth. Mary Cherry turned her attention to the stereo. She played with the dial for a while before sighing in defeat.

"Well, it seems there's no lesbeeyan radio stations in this here area so it's lucky that ah brought a selection of dykeadelic CDs just in case."

She reached into the depths of her bag and produced a case logic. She flipped through it, Nicole caught glimpses of titles by the Indigo Girls, KD Lang and Melissa Etheridge.

"Do ya have any special preferences Nic?"

"Uh, no. I can't say I'm terribly up on gay songstresses at the moment Mary Cherry."

Mary Cherry shrugged and slipped in a CD. `Constant Craving' blasted out of the speakers and Mary Cherry sat back and smiled to herself. She was sure that Brooke would feel perfectly at home now.

"So Nic, are we pickin' up both halves of Kennedy's newest couple?"

"God I hope not. I mean, I know I told Brooke that I would be supportive of her but I know I couldn't stand Spam this early in the morning, I'll need a hell of a lot of caffeine first…we'll stop at Starbucks on the way to school." Nicole shuddered at the thought of pre-coffee Sam. "And anyway, we're picking Brookie up for practice, her live-in lover won't need to go in this early. But if, God forbid, she does come out to the car we'll just grin and bear it…for now. I plan to let Brooke know that although I want us to be friends, that doesn't include free-entry into the in-crowd for Spammy."

Mary Cherry nodded in agreement. She didn't want to say that she didn't actually see what was wrong with Brooke going out with Sam. Where Nicole was concerned it was always better to agree and then talk about her behind her back later…it saved aggravation and headaches. Plus, if Nicole was being less than supportive of Brooke's new union, it meant an increased chance that Mary Cherry could subtly work her way into Brooke's affections and become her new best friend for life. And that would mean elevated social status. Mary Cherry smiled happily at this thought as Nicole turned into the McQueen driveway.

Just before she could honk the horn, Nicole's eye was drawn to the shower of clothes gently cascading to the ground from an upstairs window. Looking up at said window, the occupants of the car were more than a little surprised to see Brooke, wearing what looked like a toga, clambering out onto the roof. They watched in wonder as she carefully made her way to a trellis which she started to climb down. She had almost made it to terra firma when she missed her footing and landed on her ass in a flowerbed. Shaking her strange costume to get rid of the dirt she quickly gathered up the scattered clothes from the garden and stood up. Upon spotting Nicole's car a huge smile of pure relief plastered itself across her face and she ran as fast as her bed-linen outfit would allow. She jumped into the back seat and lay down.

"Drive, just drive, I'll explain on the way."

Nicole obeyed, still in shock at the spectacle she had just witnessed. Mary Cherry was regarding Brooke with some disappointment.

"Dear Lord, ah seem to have made a fashion faux-pas. Ah had no idea that togas were the in-thing in lesbeeyan circles these days. Ah'm so behind the tahms!"

She shook her head at her lack of fashion knowledge and made a mental note to purchase some of the many gay magazines available so as not to make the same mistake again. Brooke meanwhile had been stunned into silence upon realising what Mary Cherry was wearing. She decided not to comment on it…she was sure it had been done with the best of intentions…she hoped. Nicole was having none of the silence.

"So B, are you gonna share with us what just happened?"

Brooke was changing into the clothes she had brought with her, they were Sam's and weren't quite what she normally wore but they'd have to do…they were an improvement over the bed sheet.

"Right, yeah…well, I was in bed…I mean, in Sam's room when Jane sort of came in and…well I had hid under the bed at that point…then she took my clothes and then saw I wasn't in my own room…so Sam's hopefully telling her that I left early to go to practise with you guys."

Brooke spoke quickly and rather breathlessly from the exertion of changing in a confined space like the backseat of a car.

"Mah mah Brookie, you're a fast worker! One day and you've already had relations of a sexual nature…you sly dog you!"

Brooke blushed deeply at Mary Cherry's tone. She saw Nicole's expression in the rearview mirror, it was a mixture of surprise and pride.

"I must say B, I'm impressed. I had thought Spam would be more of a cold fish than that. I mean, the girl's never even been on a date for chrissakes. But she lets you in her pants in under 24 hours? Brava!"

"It's not like that. It's not a sex thing."

"So you were naked in her bedroom all night and you didn't have sex?"

"I didn't say that…what I meant was that it wasn't just sexual…it was…I don't know…it was like we wanted to be as close as we could be…it was like a connection thing."

"Well, y'all couldn't get much closer than eating at the downstairs restaurant could ya?"

"Mary Cherry!" Brooke was disgusted at her relationship being reduced to a crude metaphor.

"Well it's true Brookie…ummmm, by any chance…does this mean that you've gotten it out of your system now? I mean you got laid, can we move on and get back to normal now?" Nicole asked hopefully.

"Nic," Brooke began warningly.

"I know, I know…it's more than that …just checking." Nicole sighed and pulled into the parking lot of the school. Yesterday had been the longest of her life…and today wasn't shaping up to be much better.

Part Three

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. OK, the story still isn't big on plot yet...but don't worry...there'll be some of that later, hopefully. For now you'll just have to put up with more pointlessness. But lemme know what you think of it. Anything in particular you think should happen? I'm open to ideas. Anyone? Anyone?

Sam scoured the halls of Kennedy High, on the lookout for Brooke. She finally spotted her at her locker with Nicole and Mary Cherry. As she approached them she chuckled at how strange it was to see Brooke wearing her clothes…the pants were ever so slightly too short and the top was much too garish on the normally pastelled teenager. Sam was glad that she'd brought some of Brooke's own clothes along with her. She stopped just behind Brooke and heard the tail-end of a conversation about some senior who'd apparently been `doing a congressman'. If Sam knew the girl it might have interested her, but she didn't so she decided to interrupt.

"Hey!" she said, placing her hand gently on the small of Brooke's back.

The way Brooke's eyes lit up as she turned to face her made Sam's heart beat faster. Nicole's expression was somewhat different as she tipped her head back and gulped down the remainder of her Starbucks cup.

"Hey you!" said Brooke, leaning back into Sam's touch. "So, you made it out of the house OK then? I'm assuming that means we got away with it?"

"Yeah, but only barely…my mom took some convincing that cheerleading practice had been moved to 4am…but then I reminded her that Nicole has about as much rhythm as my grandma at a rave and she agreed that the extra practice was needed."

Sam smiled sweetly at Nicole as the diminutive blonde's eyes narrowed threateningly.

"Well Spam, as much as I love hearing these little anecdotes about how the two of you are hiding your sexual shenanigans from your loveable, yet completely clueless parents, I have to go before I inflict some serious damage on your face thereby ruining my longstanding friendship with Brookie, good day."

And Nicole swept away leaving Sam grinning widely. Brooke shoved her shoulder reproachfully.

"Do you have to provoke her like that? I'm sure she was trying to be nice."

Brooke tried to reason with Sam. She didn't sound very convincing, even to her own ears.

"Brookie, ah have ta say that ah think Nicole coulda put just a little bit more effort into acceptin' your newfound alternative lahfstahl. Ah mean, threatenin' your…what do ya want me ta call you hun? Girlfriend? Partner? Better half? Lover? And, bah the way, an hear that yourself and Brookie `connected' last naght. Mah heartiest congratulations to the both of ya!"

Mary Cherry awaited Sam's response while silently congratulating herself for discreetly involving Sam in the conversation. She was sure that Brooke would be pleased that at least one of her friends was receptive to Sam. And maybe she'd realise that Mary Cherry would make a far better `best friend for life' than Nicole.

Sam, meanwhile was taken aback by Mary Cherry's enquiry and her mention of the previous night's happenings. Plus she'd finally registered exactly what she was wearing.

"Uh…I…well, you can call me whatever you want to, Mary Cherry…although I like the sound of `better half'."

"You would." Brooke interjected.

"Better half it is then."

Mary Cherry beamed, happy that she'd successfully bonded with Brooke's new love interest. Sam thought that she'd better attempt to return the gesture…a way of making up for aggravating Nicole earlier.

"Oh, and Mary Cherry…I…uh…like your outfit…it's really…ummm… interesting."

"What, this ol' thing? Ah jus' threw on the first thing ah found this mornin'. And don't worry, ah ordered mah toga from Calvin Klein on the way tah school. Anyway, ah'll see you at lunch Brookie…and ah hope ya know that you're most welcome to join us Samantha. And feel free ta bring Lil' Lily along…and Joe and Carmeen if ya must. Bye y'all."

Sam and Brooke watched Mary Cherry's departure in silence. After a moment, Sam shook her head and looked at Brooke.

"What was that all about? Toga? Do I even want to know?"

"Not really…it's all a bit strange but her heart's in the right place."

"At least she has a heart…unlike some of your other…what's the word I'm looking for…friends?"

"Hey, I know Nic wasn't exactly lovely earlier but neither were you…and it was really nice that she called last night to apologise. Just give her time, I'm sure you'll get along with each other in time."

Brooke smiled encouragingly, trying to ignore Sam's look of horror.

"Get along? Me and Satan? Nuh uh, not gonna happen." Sam said as she shook her head to emphasise her point. "Look, I'm sorry that I said that stuff earlier and I really will try to be civil to her for your sake but Nicole and I will. Never. Be. Friends. OK?"

Brooke sighed.

"OK, OK. And I appreciate you making an effort on my behalf. I know that it's like crossing into enemy territory for you."

"Oh I think I did that yesterday don't you? I'm dating the most popular girl in school. That's like one of the seven deadly sins in the circles I socialise in."

"So I'm dating a sinner, huh? What will that do for my goody-goody reputation?"

"Do you care?"

Brooke considered this for a minute. A smile slowly appeared on her lips as Sam began to worry about the answer.

"You know what? For the first time I actually don't care. I'm happy…nothing anybody could say to me would take that away…so they can all go to hell for all I care. The people we care about have accepted us…to varying degrees of course…and that's the important thing. Why should we bother with anyone else's opinion?"

Brooke looked at Sam indignantly, having worked herself up into quite a little rant. Sam was grinning at the spectacle. She glanced around at the occupants of the hallway before putting her hands on Brooke's waist dropping a tiny kiss on her lips. Brooke smiled before looking around to find that either no-one had seen them kissing, or no-one cared. Sam spoke quietly.

"Well well, I for one never thought I'd hear Brooke McQueen say she doesn't care about what people think or about her reputation. But I'm glad I did."

"See what you do to me? I'm having character development and personal growth and everything." Brooke said, jokingly.

"Hmm, well you better not have too much personal growth or those pants are gonna be at your knees." Sam said, pretending to look at the pants critically.

"I'd much rather have them around my ankles." Brooke whispered in Sam's ear before pulling away to get her books and close her locker.

Sam coughed, quite shocked at Brooke's unexpected response. And more than a little aroused by it. Brooke linked her arm through Sam's and started walking down the corridor, pulling Sam with her. She continued speaking as though the comment had not been made.

"And anyway, if you weren't so short we could share clothes more easily."

"I am not short!" Sam replied. "I'm just shorter than you are…we can't all have supermodel proportions you know. And anyway, I brought you some of your own clothes…in case people think I've corrupted you to the point where your fashion sense has been affected."

Sam patted her bag. Brooke did an about turn, dragging Sam in the direction of the Novak. She pushed open the door and wasn't surprised to find that there was no-one in. It was quite lucky that the female population of Kennedy High didn't have very active bladders…eyebrows would be raised if half of the things that went on in the Novak were to become public knowledge.

With this thought in mind Brooke dragged Sam into a stall and locked the door…one could never be too sure. Before she could register what was happening Sam found herself being pushed up against the closed door and kissed passionately. Not one to be left out of anything, Sam pulled Brooke against her and returned the kiss feverishly. When they finally broke off the embrace they were both panting and their lips were slightly swollen.

"I've wanted to do that ever since I saw you this morning." Brooke said, breathlessly.

"Well, feel free to do it anytime you want to." said Sam, running her tongue over her bottom lip where Brooke had bitten her.

"OK…so…I should probably get changed now."

Sam closed the lid of the toilet and sat down, indicating that she didn't intend to leave while Brooke was changing. Brooke shrugged and started unbuttoning Sam's pants…the ones she herself was wearing...much to Sam's enjoyment.

Sam and Brooke left the Novak hand in hand. Sam was still thinking about the very entertaining striptease she had just been treated to. Then another thought popped into her head.

"Umm, Brooke…how come Mary Cherry knew about us… `connecting' last night? You weren't bragging to your friends about my sexual prowess were you?"

"No!"

"Oh."

"Sam, how could I not tell them? Well, actually I didn't exactly tell them…but I was practically naked after just climbing out of your bedroom window. I mean, I know there are some doubts about Mary Cherry's IQ, but even she could work out what had happened."

"So, Nicole knows too?"

"Yeah…why?"

"No reason…I just don't know if I want her knowing intimate details about my sex-life."

"She doesn't know any details. I'd never do that Sam." Brooke replied, slightly hurt.

Sam pulled Brooke to a halt, taking hold of both her hands and squeezing.

"I know you wouldn't…and I'm sorry I even implied it. It's just, wherever Nicole's concerned I have this…thing. I guess it stems from jealousy."

"What?!" Brooke was genuinely surprised by the statement.

"Well, you and Nicole are so close…and I was always jealous of that…she seemed to have such a monopoly on you…and you seemed to hold whatever she said or thought in such high esteem…I was afraid that you would turn into her at one point…and I really didn't want that to happen."

Brooke swept some of Sam's hair back behind her ear and looked earnestly into her eyes.

"You have no reason to be jealous of Nicole…what we have is totally separate from everything else…it's just for me and you, Nicole has no part in it…and she'll never know anything that we don't want her to know…OK?"

Sam nodded, disproportionately happy at the thought of having a part of Brooke all to herself.

"Come on, we should get to class." she said, changing the subject before she blurted out something really mushy and pathetic.

"Yeah, we should. So are you joining us for lunch later?" Brooke asked.

"Umm…I think I'll pass thanks. I'd better make a show of sitting with the gang…don't want them to think I've turned into a popularity seeker or anything."

"Well, you heard Mary Cherry…they're welcome to come too."

"OK, I'll ask them…normally Harrison would have jumped at the chance…but I don't know anymore. Plus…I was sort of scared by the expression Mary Cherry was wearing when she suggested bringing Lily…I have no idea what it meant but I'm not sure I want to inflict it on Lily nonetheless…but I'll ask them."

"Cool. Kiss?"

"Kiss."

They kissed.

"Bye."

"Bye…better half."

"Bye…worse half."

"Shut up!"

And they parted for their respective classes, both anticipating a lunch hour that would be…interesting.

Part Four

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. OK, still not much plot...I really should try and think of one at some point. But I do have plans for future parts so stay tuned. As ever, let me know what you think.

As Sam drew closer to the `blonde' table, the lunch on the tray she was carrying seemed less and less appetising. Her stomach was churning at the thought of having to sit with Nicole, and also, inflicting this experience on her friends as well. Carmen had seemed enthusiastic when she'd made the suggestion…no doubt she thought Sam and Brooke's new relationship might be a stepping stone to cheerleading. Plus, despite her claims to the contrary, Carmen wanted to be Nicole…at a push she would even be Mary Cherry given the chance. So the lunch arrangement was like a documentary on the Discovery channel for Carmen: `Observing the Blondes in their natural habitat'. An educational experience.

Lily and Harrison were not quite so thrilled. Harrison had rolled his eyes and sighed for a while. Then, like the martyr he'd like to be, he agreed. Sam made a mental note not to let him sit anywhere which allowed him to see down Brooke's top. Lily had been perturbed by the fact that Mary Cherry had singled her out for an invitation. Why would a fur-wearing, fascist, cheerleader freak like Mary Cherry want to sit with a moralistic, opinionated crusading feminist like Lily? It had to be a cunning ploy of some sort, Lily was convinced of it. Sam was less convinced due to the serious doubts she harboured as to the likelihood of Mary Cherry having the required intelligence to be cunning. But Lily planned to be very careful in any case.

So, approaching the table Sam's trepidation grew. In a panic she noticed that Brooke had not yet arrived and neither had Mary Cherry. It was a sad day indeed for Sam when she realised she was disappointed about that. Nicole sat alone, touching up her excessive make up and pouting into her mirror. For a second Sam considered turning around and heading to her usual table, after all, she'd only told Brooke she'd suggest the merger of the groups. She could just say that Harrison found it too painful or that it was against Lily's principles…something was always against one of Lily's principles so that would be a convincing excuse. But, before she could come to a decision it had been made for her as Carmen pushed past her and sat down directly across from Nicole.

Nicole froze mid-pout as she realised who was sitting at her table. Calmly she put away her mirror and turned to face Carmen. She smiled. Not a nice smile, not a genuine smile, the kind of smile that can chill a person to the very marrow of their bones with the lack of warmth contained within. Carmen simply smiled back, smugly.

"Uh, hi, Carmen. Listen hun I think you're lost. You rejects usually sit over there. Now run along back to your correct place in society…far away from me. Bye bye cupcake."

Nicole waited for Carmen to move. Carmen didn't move. She just sat and stared back at Nicole with a smugness worthy of Nicole herself. Nicole was about to really let her have it when another tray was placed on the table next to Carmen's. When she looked up, Nicole found herself looking into Sam's face. Harrison then dumped himself into the chair next to Sam and Lily hovered about, wondering where she could sit that would be safe from Mary Cherry.

"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no. What the hell do you think you're doing? Are you trying to damage my rep? Because there's no way that you're sitti…."

"We've been invited." Sam interrupted her and sat down nervously.

"By who?" Nicole seethed, although she had an idea of the answer.

"Mary Cherry."

OK, so that hadn't been the answer she'd expected. Mary Cherry was obviously getting a bit big for her boots…even those `lesbeeyan' construction workers boots she was wearing today. Nicole resolved to bring her back down to size…very soon.

"Well, if you've been invited…just don't think that this is a regular thing OK? You may bask in the reflected light of popularity for today only. Is that clear Spam?"

"As crystal Satan. And don't worry, I couldn't stand more than an hour in your company listening to your `riveting' conversation either. We thought we'd better be polite and accept Mary Cherry's offer, that's all."

"Of course you did. Listen McSlut, don't think that just because you're fucking the head-cheerleader…oomph."

Nicole was stopped short when Sam grabbed the front of her top and pulled her across the table so they were face to face.

"Don't. Ever. Talk about Brooke and me like that again. Understood?"

Nicole desperately tried to think of a comeback, not as easy as it sounds when you're being held above a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. But there was no need for witticisms as a voice cut into the festivities.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Nicole and Sam turned to see Brooke and Mary Cherry. Brooke looked far from pleased at the sight in front of her. Sam released her hold on Nicole who sat down heavily and straightened her clothes out.

"Ummm…we were just…" Sam didn't know quite how to vocalise what had happened. And she knew Brooke abhorred violence.

"We were just playin' around. Weren't we Sammy?" Nicole raised her eyebrows, signalling to Sam to agree with her.

"Right, just playing, that's what we were doing." Sam shrugged her shoulders at Brooke.

Brooke was not convinced. She knew something had been said or done before she'd arrived. And the fact that Nicole had used the word `Sammy' worried her to no end. But she'd leave it for now. At east they were making a pretence of getting along. She took the seat beside Nicole, looking back and forward between her and Sam, trying without success to read their expressions.

"Why, Lil' Lily, what are ya doin' standin' all the way over there? Come on hun, sit bah me!"

Mary Cherry pulled out a chair excitedly. Lily stood, frozen in panic. But to her eternal gratitude Josh came by and sat down in her intended place. She hurriedly sat down in the chair next to Harrison. Her relief faded as Mary Cherry took the chair directly across from her and proceeded to grin widely at her.

Sam had become very interested in her food ever since Josh had sat down. She was surprised he had chosen to sit with them. Although, this was his table and she shouldn't really have expected him to eat elsewhere. But his presence merely added to the awkwardness that was palpable around the table. Sam sneaked a quick glance at Brooke to find her staring at her. She looked away coyly when Sam's eyes met her own. Then she looked back. They stared into each other's eyes for a number of minutes, oblivious to the rest of the table. Sam wondered idly why Brooke was making lascivious expressions at her. She continued to wonder until Carmen's voice piped up.

"Uh…Brooke, that's…that's my…ummm leg that you're…uh…doing stuff to."

Brooke's chair moved back a good six inches as she snapped her leg back with great force. Her face was scarlet and she had no idea where to look. Sam found it incredibly cute, although she was a little disappointed to have missed out on whatever it was Brooke had been doing to Carmen.

"The perils of having really long legs, huh Brooke?" Sam teased.

"God, Carmen, I'm so sorry…I thought it was…well obviously I thought your leg was…"

"It's no big deal Brooke, honestly, forget about it." Carmen said, also blushing.

"Yeah B, you've done ol' Carm here a favour. That little display'll keep her going for weeks in masturbation material…save her a heap of money on porn."

Nicole smiled at Carmen who looked disgusted and picked up her lunch tray and left the table. Sam was distracted by the conversation on the other side of her. Not the one Josh and Harrison were having about the best kind of balls to have…for golf. The discussion at the other end of the table was reaching shrill heights that only Lily could attain.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I jus' wuz sayin' that it looks like somethin' a cat done thrown up on yer plate there hun!"

"It doesn't matter what it looks like, what's important is that no animal was killed for my insignificant need to eat…which is more than could be said for your need to dress."

"FYI lil' Lily, there is no animal pieces in mah lunch either…so there."

"How could there be? One carrot stick?"

"You maght want to be cuttin' back yourself there, pixie. Ah hadn't meant ta say nuthin', but ah noticed durin' gym class that yer ass is getting' a bit on the J-Lo side."

"Wha…" Lily spun around to look before she caught herself. "I don't care, I'm not a slave to the media portrayal of women…if I have womanly curves then…"

"Well, ah didn't say `womanly curves' now hun, that'd mean ya'd have ta have boobs now wouldn't it?"

Lily stood up and stormed off.

"Damn!"

Mary Cherry snapped her fingers. Her attempts at bonding with Sam's friends hadn't worked out quite as she'd hoped. Nicole also stood up.

"Come on Mary Cherry, let's go…I've had my recommended daily intake of spaz for today."

And with that she stalked away with Mary Cherry clumping along behind her. The remaining occupants of the table looked at each other uneasily. All were very aware that three of them were in love with the other one. The other one found this incredibly awkward and before long had grabbed her preferred suitor by the hand and exited the cafeteria. The words `never, ever doing that again' could be heard repeatedly from the duo.

Josh and Harrison sat in silence for a minute or two.

"So…about those balls."

Part Five

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. I recently remembered the rather major plot thingie that I had in mind when I started this fic...but it's not in this chapter...in fact, there's not much in this chapter. But plot will be coming shortly.

~~~~~

Brooke had just finished her nightly grooming ritual and was climbing into bed when her ears picked up the none too quiet sound of feet barrelling down the hallway. Suddenly her door was thrown open and Sam fell in, shutting the door immediately. Brooke looked at her affectionately.

"Why were you running?"

"In case anyone saw me."

"Don't you think that the charge of the light brigade sound you made might have made it a tad more obvious than if you'd bumped into one of them in the hall?"

"…I …oh stop being so sensible all the time…I just missed you and wanted to see you that's all." Sam said, throwing herself onto the bed next to Brooke.

"I saw you ten minutes ago."

"Yeah, but I haven't kissed you in…oh, it must be hours."

Sam smiled as she leaned in to rectify this. Brooke wrapped her arms around Sam and pulled her close as they continued to kiss. After a number of minutes Brooke placed a hand flat on Sam's chest and pushed her away slightly.

"Sam, we can't do this," she said, breathlessly.

"I know, I'm not staying long."

"What?"

Brooke sat up, disappointed. She'd really just liked the sound of the sentence, it had a great `forbidden love' type vibe to it. She hadn't actually expected Sam to agree. Sam laughed at the crestfallen expression Brooke was wearing.

"Come on, after the morning we had do you really want to risk another night?"

"Well, I happen to think that last night was worth the risk." Brooke said, sulkily.

"It was…but we shouldn't get cocky. Two nights in a row is just asking for trouble. My mom gets suspicious really quickly so we have to be careful." Sam prodded Brooke in the side. "Hey Ms Moody, I know I'm irresistible but you just have to learn to control your nymphomaniac impulses."

This earned a smile. Brooke settled back down on the bed with Sam curled up against her.

"You know, we really should think about what's going to happen now."

"I told you, I'm not staying long, we can do a little on top of the covers stuff but then I have to get back to my own room."

"I wasn't talking about that…I was talking about the reason why we're sneaking about like this."

"Oh…you mean the parental issue."

"Yep."

"I had thought we could just not think about it."

"Come on Sam, it's a pretty major deal. My father and your mother are engaged to be married. Add to that the fact that we're both girls and we're not looking at a bed of roses are we?"

"Soooo…you think they won't be too happy about it then?"

"Ummm, does the word `duh' mean anything to you."

"I know, I know…I was just hoping that you might have some pros to go along with the long list of cons I have against telling them."

"'Fraid not."

"OK, well…what's the worst case scenario? What can they possibly do about it?"

"They could forbid us from seeing each other. They could move to opposite ends of the country from each other. They could…I don't know but I bet there's some horrible possibilities out there."

"Yeah, but…do you think that they'd really be willing to split themselves up in order to split us up?"

"I…I'm not sure…I'd like to think that we haven't been put through the past few months of hell just for them to split up at the first hurdle."

"Well then, if they're together, we're together…it's that simple."

"It's not that simple Sam."

"I know, but can't it just be that simple right now? Just for tonight?"

Brooke sighed.

"I suppose so."

"Good, now kiss me before I have to run the gauntlet back to my cold and lonely room."

In one fluid motion Brooke was straddling Sam's waist.

"What if I don't let you go back?"

"Don't tell me I'm going to have to kick your ass before you let me out of here?"

"Pfftt, like you could!" Brooke scoffed. "All those hours at cheerleading practise aren't spent toning up the vocal chords you know."

"I know, I could tell." Sam ran her hand up Brooke's well-muscled thigh. "You have great legs…although, Carmen could probably tell you that better than I could."

The memory of her earlier indiscretion caused Brooke to fall back onto the pillows with her hands covering her face.

"God, I was so embarrassed! I can't believe I did that!" Then she sat up as if something had just occurred to her. "I wonder why she took so long to say something…I mean…I had been…you know…for ages before she…I never thought of that at the time."

Sam grinned.

"I don't think your brain was getting much blood, it was all in your face!" she teased. "Didn't you think it was a bit strange that I wasn't reacting to what you were doing?"

"Yeah…a bit…but I thought you were just being stubborn and…well, that's why I…oh God!"

Brooke's hands were once again covering her face.

"That's why you what? Come on Brooke you can't stop there! That's why you what?" Sam asked, intrigued.

"That's why I…moved…a little higher…you know with my foot." Brooke mumbled, still hiding her face.

"Brooke McQueen you little harlot!" Sam squealed.

Now she was really disappointed to have missed out on the fun. It was probably for the best, she reasoned. A Meg Ryan impression from Sam wouldn't have helped alleviate the tension around the table at that point. Sam realised that Brooke really was upset at the incident and decided to spare her from prolonged teasing.

"Hey! It's not a big deal. Look, Carmen's hardly likely to bring this up again…we can pretend like it never happened."

"Really?"

"Really."

Sam gently pried Brooke's hands away from her face. Her embarrassment was fading but the slight tinge still present gave her such a radiant glow that Sam couldn't help but utter the words.

"You're so beautiful."

More of an exhalation than a sentence. But its effect on Brooke was evident. A dazzling smile broke across her face and she reached up to stroke Sam's cheek.

"You know something?"

"I know lots of things, were you thinking of something in particular?"

"Yes, smartass, I had something in mind." Brooke said, sticking her tongue out in Sam's general direction. "I was just thinking…and don't take this the wrong way…but people have told me I'm beautiful for, like, my whole life…but I've never really felt like I was. It always seemed like something people just said…not really meaning it. But when you say it…when you said it just now, the way you looked at me…well it made me feel beautiful."

Sam looked down at Brooke with concern etched on her features.

"You shouldn't need me…or anyone else for that matter…for you to feel beautiful. You are beautiful Brooke, it worries me that you don't think so…is this to do with…I mean is this part of the…you know, the thingie…the…"

"Eating disorder. It's OK Sam, you're allowed to say it." Brooke smiled at Sam reassuringly. "And I suppose it's all related in a way."

"Do you not like to talk about it?" Sam asked.

"It's not that…" Brooke twirled Sam's hair around her finger as she spoke. "It's a hard thing to explain to people who haven't really had any experience of it…it would be hard for you to understand what I'm talking about. I mean, I've spoken about it with people…you know, in the clinic and stuff…and lately it hasn't been much of an issue. I'm not going to say that I'm over it…I still have days that are pretty hard…but it's getting better."

"Well, I want you to know that although I may not totally understand what it's all about, I will be here for you…I can listen or hold your hand or just be here…I want to be there on the hard days."

Sam looked earnestly into Brooke's face. Brooke grinned and pulled Sam down on top of her, burying her face in her neck.

"Nnnkooo"

"What?"

Brooke pulled back a bit.

"I said thank you."

The simple statement of gratitude warmed Sam's heart and she held Brooke a little tighter. After a little while Brooke brought her head out of the crook of Sam's neck and looked at her in all seriousness.

"By the way you know you're gorgeous too right?"

"Oh yeah, I know that."

"Good. I assumed you would…just thought I'd mention it in case you were wondering."

Sam smiled at Brooke before groaning loudly.

"What was that all about?" Brooke asked.

"I really have to go now…they'll be going to bed soon."

"No."

"Yes."

"No, I won't let you go…just stay here a bit longer."

"But what if they…"

"We'll just say we were talking…they can't disapprove of us `bonding' after them screaming at us for weeks to do just that."

"I'd say this looks more like bondage than bonding Brooke." Sam said, looking down at the way Brooke's limbs were entwined with her own.

"The door's locked…they can't see through wood…we're safe…you can sneak back along later."

"OK then…you convinced me."

"Yeah, cuz that was such a mammoth task!"

"Look, do you want me to stay or not?"

"Sorry, yes, stay. I'll be good."

"That sounds promising."

"Or maybe I'll be bad."

"Even better."

Part Six

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. It's short. No B/S in this...well, lots of BS but no S/B. They'll be back soon, promise.

Somewhere, under the cover of darkness, two blondes circled each other warily. For a long time neither spoke. The tension grew with every passing moment. Finally, the blonde less equipped for mind games broke the silence.

"Alraght Nic, whatcha call me here for?" Mary Cherry asked, looking at her surroundings nervously.

"Do you even have to ask?"

"Uh, well, yeah!"

"OK, play dumb, have it your way."

Nicole was suddenly inches from Mary Cherry's nose. Her ice blue eyes lit up by the moon were even more terrifying than they were during daylight hours. Mary Cherry tried hard not to cringe under the arctic stare and wasn't very successful.

"Mary Cherry, do you think I'm stupid?"

"Of course not Nic! Why, ah happen to think y'all are one of the most smartest people ah know!"

"Good. Then explain something to me." Nicole started circling around Mary Cherry as she spoke. "How on God's green earth could you think that your efforts to usurp my position as Brookie's best friend would go unnoticed? Hmmm?"

"Well Nic…I wasn't tryin' to usurp you…I was just tryin' to take advantage of the fact that you were on the outs with Brookie and seize the haghly sought after post of second in command…that's all."

"It's the same thing, idiot."

"Oh."

"Now, while I usually admire backstabbing in its many forms, I have to say that I'm disappointed in you. Your tactics for becoming the second most popular girl in the school weren't terribly well thought out now were they?"

Nicole smiled a pitying, superior smile before continuing.

"But of course, `thinking' isn't your strong suit is it Mary Cherry? I mean, dressing like an uberdyke and inviting the scum of the school to sit at our table isn't quite what I would call movin' on up now is it?"

"Point taken." Mary Cherry sighed, resigned. "OK Nic, out with it, what's ta be mah punishment?"

"Punishment Mary Cherry?" Nicole was all innocence. "Is that the kind of person you think I am?"

Mary Cherry nodded.

"Oh no, no, no. Your misguided attempts at popularity only go to show how much you need me to show you how it's done."

Nicole now moved closer to Mary Cherry and spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice.

"You and me Mary Cherry, that's where the future lies, not Brooke."

"Me and you?" Mary Cherry was confused, but willing to go along with anything that would make her more popular.

"Yes, don't you see it?" Nicole asked as she stared up into the sky, envisioning a future for herself that outshone the very stars.

Mary Cherry scrunched up her face as she tried to see what Nicole was looking at. She shrugged having failed to see anything but a Boeing 737. But she was pretty sure she knew what Nicole meant. Taking a deep breath she steeled herself for what she was about to do.

Nicole brought her eyes down from the heavens and turned just in time to see Mary Cherry face careering towards her own, eyes closed, lips puckered. Before she had time to react her lips were being attacked by what felt like a vacuum cleaner. Nicole struggled in Mary Cherry's embrace twisting and turning, valiantly trying to get free. The southerner just thought that this was Nicole's famed kissing technique and held on even tighter. Eventually, after much exchange of saliva, Nicole managed to get two hands on Mary Cherry's shoulders and pushed her off. Her lips made a loud pop as the suction was released.

Mary Cherry whipped out a compact and checked her lipstick as Nicole wretched and spat off to the side. Positive that she'd gotten most of Mary Cherry's bodily fluids out of her mouth, Nicole stood up, wiping her sleeve across her face. She attempted to assume her usual haughty expression, despite her bedraggled appearance.

"Why did you do that?" Her voice was low and scarily calm.

"Me? It was you that suggested it! All this `Me and you Mary Cherry, that's the future.' Ah was just acceptin' mah fate and bein' proactive about it."

"I wasn't talking about us being a couple, retarded one. I was referring to the fact that now Brooke has lowered her standards and started a relationship with a social pariah, WE are the ones who will have the power base now."

"Oh…oh!" Mary Cherry's eyes went wide as she realised her mistake. "Oh mah Lord Nic! Ah'm so sorry! Ah didn't quite pick up your meanin' there the first tahm you said it."

"So I gathered." Nicole wiped her mouth again for good measure. "OK, so…moving on. As second in command I will naturally assume Brookie's throne as Queen of Kennedy and you will move into my vacant position. And we'll let dear Brooke be third because we do still love her. It's not her fault that Spam McSkank has her in some sort of lust haze. So, despite her unsavoury associations, we will allow her to remain an integral part of the in-crowd."

"Ok Nic, whatever y'all think is for the best." Mary Cherry was anxious to agree with Nicole to cover up her earlier faux pas. "So are we gonna have a revolution?"

"No, no need for any of that. We just sit back and watch as Brooke naturally slides down the social scale to be with her…girlfriend." Nicole shuddered as the words came out of her mouth. "Then you and I will have the power…and there'll be none of this touchy-feely, conscience having, goody goody type stuff. We'll rule the school with an iron rod."

Mary Cherry clapped her hands together gleefully. Her dreams were coming true, she was going to be powerful and popular. Nicole nodded once to signal the end of the meeting and turned on her heel to leave. She had only walked a few steps before pausing and turning back.

"Oh, and Mary Cherry?"

"Yes, Ms Queen of Kennedy High Ma'am?" Mary Cherry still wasn't beneath sucking up.

"We will never, ever, mention that little…thing that happened earlier tonight. Got it? Never." Nicole brought her arm across her mouth yet again at the memory. Then she turned and left, feeling the need to floss and brush extra hard that night.

Part Seven

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. OK, another filler chapter before 'the plot' kicks in. It might be a little while before I can post again though.

"Just kind of…pinch it there…harder." Brooke spoke with some authority.

"It hurts when you do it like that." Sam whined.

"Well stop being such a baby, do you want it to stop?"

Sam nodded pitifully.

"Then press harder…no, not there…here."

Brooke pushed Sam's hand to the side and took over the pressing. She shook her head and continued in a gentler tone as she applied pressure to the bridge of Sam's nose.

"You should have told me that you can't skate to save your life…I'd have thought of something else for us to do."

She wrapped her free arm around Sam's shoulders and pulled her close as she noticed the other girl shiver. Sam snuggled into Brooke and laid her head on her shoulder, being careful not to bleed onto her jacket. Brooke tentatively released Sam's nose and gently wiped the remaining blood from around it.

"Has it stopped?" Sam asked hopefully.

"Yeah, seems to have stopped…thank God, you must have lost a pint. Are you feeling OK? Woozy? Faint? Light-headed?"

"No…no I'm fine…you make a great Florence Nightingale."

Brooke dropped a tiny kiss on the end of Sam's swollen, red nose.

"So, again, why did you come here if you knew you couldn't skate?"

"I don't know…I guess I thought that I was better at it than I actually am…and you seemed so excited about it. I know you like skating and I wanted to share it with you…of course, my vision of sharing didn't really include a head on collision with the barrier." Sam said, touching her nose gingerly.

"No, this isn't quite what I had in mind when I suggested the date either."

Brooke smiled down at Sam.

"It was so strange when it happened…it was like, total slow motion or something…I was watching you heading for the wall and I couldn't do anything…I just stood there…of course, when you slammed into it and there was all the blood and everything…well that kind of spurred me into action."

"After you'd stopped laughing of course."

"Hey! Come on, I stopped laughing the minute I saw you were bleeding…but it was pretty funny…and you were so cute on skates…like Bambi, legs everywhere."

"I was exaggerating that…I just wanted you to come up and put your arms around me to steady me."

"Yeah right…if that was an act you should demand an Oscar." Brooke wasn't fooled. "But I'm sorry that I brought you here and injured you. It's just that we seem to have exhausted places to go where our parents won't see us."

"Well, if you hadn't been so loud during `Armageddon' we wouldn't be banned from the movie theatre." Sam reasoned.

"That wasn't my fault…you shouldn't have been doing that to me in a public place, you know how I get."

"I was so embarrassed…you realise that the usher guy is the year below us at school?"

"So? I'm sure we gave him a cheap thrill."

Sam shook her head. Sometimes Brooke surprised her with her total disregard for how she was perceived by others. In the few weeks since they'd started their relationship Brooke had surprised her on a number of occasions by displaying her feelings for the world to see. It was a pleasant surprise every single time. Well, perhaps not for the whole world…there was one place where feelings were kept firmly under wraps: home. And for that very reason, they attempted to spend as little time at home as possible. So finding suitable date places was becoming something of a problem.

Miniature Golf: Tried it…far too many inconsiderate people asking them to hurry up so they could try and putt their silly balls.

Cinema: Had been ideal – dark, semi-private …but Brooke had gotten a little too excited during the Ben/Liv love scene (nothing to do with the actors and a lot to do with Sam) and the management had objected to the orgasmic sound effects coming from the back row.

Restaurants: Only so much touching can be done in good taste at a restaurant.

Bowling: Brooke had not been able to feel even slightly sexy in the hideous shoes they forced her to wear.

Ice-Rink: Sam had ended up bruised and bloodied. Not the height of romance in anyone's book.

Sam shook herself out of her reverie and regarded Brooke with a small smile gracing her lips.

"What is it?" Brooke asked, slightly worried that there was something hanging out of her nose.

"I love being with you," said Sam. "Just being here…in the freezing cold, with a nose that feels like Muhammed Ali punched it…it's great, just because you're here with me."

Brooke smiled. As always, Sam's sporadic outbursts of sweetness caught her unawares and inevitably made her want to cry.

"Yeah?" she choked out through a constricted throat.

Sam nodded, still smiling. Brooke laughed softly.

"I was gonna Eskimo kiss you there but somehow I don't think that'd be terribly well received at the moment."

"Uh…no, not right now. I'll take a regular one instead."

Sam lifted her head from Brooke's shoulder expectantly. Brooke cupped her cheek and leaned in.

"Your wish is my command," she breathed just before their lips met in tender kiss.

They allowed themselves to become lost in the moment. When they parted Sam sat up slightly, leaving some space in between their bodies. Brooke took this as a sign she wanted to discuss something serious.

"If my wish was really your command I'd wish that we could tell our parents about this."

Sam sighed, the damn parent thing always had to intrude into her thoughts at the most inopportune times.

"I don't even think a Genie could fix this one." Brooke said, her shoulders slumping as she too was reminded of the bane of their existence.

"What the hell are we gonna do Brooke?" Sam asked, exasperated. "I can't take all this sneaking around and lying to my mother…I've always been honest with her before…it really hurts me to think I'm deceiving her every time she asks if I'm seeing someone special or when I tell her I'm meeting Carmen and Lily."

"I know Sammy, I know…I mean, I'm the one who always insisted on honesty from my father and now I'm the one hiding things from him…I just can't think of a way we could present this to them that they'd accept…I wish I could."

"Me neither."

Sam slumped back against Brooke, nestling into the warmth of her embrace as two arms wound themselves around her waist from behind. Brooke placed her chin on Sam's shoulder as they both contemplated the unthinkable. Suddenly, something occurred to Brooke.

"Hey, what did you tell your them you were doing today?" she asked.

"Uhhh, I told your dad that I was going with Carm to some exhibit of South American art."

"So…how are you gonna explain the nose thing?"

"Shit…I could…uh…I could say that Carmen was PMSing and punched me when I reached for a piece of her chocolate?"

"Good one!"

Brooke was impressed at the highly plausible scenario Sam had invented at a moment's notice.

"See? I'm turning into a natural liar! They're just rolling off my tongue now."

Sam pouted at this realisation. Brooke sighed.

"We really are gonna have to tell them aren't we?"

"Yep."

"When?"

"Soon?"

"Definitely…soon." Brooke said, trying not to imagine her father's reaction to the news. She needed a distraction. "But for now…how about I find some way to occupy your tongue so that the lies can't roll off it so easily?"

"I think that's the best idea I've heard all day."

Part Eight

Sam stumbled along the hallway to the bathroom, rubbing her sleepy eyes and trying not to bump into anything. To say she wasn't a morning person was a little bit of an understatement. Upon arrival at her destination she was surprised to find the bathroom door locked. She tried the handle a few times just to be sure. She creased up her brow in confusion, since embarking on their new relationship, she and Brooke had stopped locking the bathroom door, thus providing the opportunity for bonus snuggles and shared bathtimes. The parents very rarely ventured that far along the hall…although there had been a close call when Jane decided she needed a new razor blade and had almost caught Brooke doing something decidedly naughty to Sam in the shower. Since then, if both of them were in the bathroom, the door was locked.

So Sam was now puzzled by the blocked entryway. She knocked on the door and waited for a response.

"What is it?"

Brooke's voice sounded rather sharp, surprising Sam further. She hadn't heard that tone since they'd been at each other's throats. This period had come to be affectionately known as the courtship stage.

"Uh…it's me…why is the door locked?" Sam called softly, not wanting her mother to hear her demanding to be allowed into the bathroom with Brooke.

"I'll be out in a minute."

Again, Brooke's voice was abrupt and tinged with restrained anger. Sam started to worry, Brooke had been acting a little strangely the previous day. Actually, for a couple of days. She had been a little distant and Sam had found her staring off into space mournfully. When Sam had questioned her about it Brooke had shrugged it off with a forced smile and a hug. But now Sam was really worried. She knocked on the door again.

"Brooke? Come on, let me in…I'm kinda desperate to use the toilet here."

"Jesus! Can't you just wait a damn minute? God."

OK, there was nothing restrained about the anger contained in that statement. Sam was stunned and tried unsuccessfully to quell the hurt feeling that was swelling in her chest at being spoken to like that by Brooke. She knew that there had to be a reason behind the way Brooke was acting. Against her better judgement she knocked on the door once again and steeled herself against whatever attack it provoked.

"Brooke…is…is there something wrong? Did I do something? Come on, talk to me…please?"

Sam leaned her head against the door and nearly fell over when it was thrown open unexpectedly. Sam looked up to see a very tear-stained Brooke glaring at her. Brooke thrust a little cardboard box into Sam's hands before pushing past her and stalking down the hallway.

"THAT is what's wrong Sam." Brooke called over her shoulder before descending the stairs.

Sam stared after her for a moment in shock. Then she registered what had happened and looked down at the box in her hand. The realisation of what she was holding hit her like a freight train – it was a pregnancy test. Sam backed up so that she was leaning against the wall. She needed support before she opened the box to reveal the result. With shaking hands she reached in and pulled out the little white stick. Slowly, she turned the stick over to look into the little window. Then her heart stopped. There was a double pink line. Sam checked and double-checked the illustration on the box…but it always said the same thing – double pink line = pregnant.

Sam quickly shoved the stick into the box and hid it inside her pyjama top. She looked right and left, ensuring no-one had seen her. The information hadn't quite reached her brain yet so she was still able to think clearly for the moment. She knew two things. One, she had to speak to Brooke. And two, she couldn't leave that box around for her mother to find and have a cardiac arrest. The whole condom debacle had been enough embarrassment…this would finish all of them off.

Just as Sam was about to move away from the support of the wall she heard the front door slamming. Running to the window she saw Brooke leaving. Suddenly the enormity of the situation loomed into view. This was serious. This wasn't something that they could work through and make go away. There were certain things to be done, firstly to ascertain whether or not Brooke was actually pregnant. Those little popsicle stick thingies weren't always right. So a blood test was required as soon as possible. Then, once they were sure…then what? Sam couldn't even picture what would happen if Brooke was pregnant. They'd have to tell the parents, God, as if the big `we're gay' thing wasn't bad enough. Now it would have to be `we're gay and we're gonna have a baby!' Sam considered the use of the pronoun `we'. It wouldn't be her baby, but that didn't mean that she was just going to sit back and let Brooke go through this alone. It would be Brooke's decision of course…if she didn't want Sam to be involved, well, then she wouldn't be.

Another thought occurred to Sam as she stared out of the window; Josh. He was the father. It would be his child as much as it would be Brooke's. This thought aroused feelings in Sam that she was ashamed of. She felt jealous and she felt excluded. This was something Sam could never be a part of and she hated Josh for it. No, she didn't hate him. She knew rationally that it wasn't his fault. But it was still a painful reminder that he and Brooke had been intimate with each other and that hurt like hell.

Sam shook herself out of these thoughts. Thinking like that wasn't helping anyone, least of all Brooke who was, after all, the most important person in the whole mess. Sam decided then and there that she was going to be positive and not allow herself to wallow in her own self-pity. With this in mind she hurriedly got ready for school, being careful to hide the box in her bag, and ran out the door, calling goodbye to her very confused mother who had just watched Brooke storm out of the house without explanation.

Jane shrugged to herself. She wasn't sure what worried her more, the fact that Brooke had gone to school without Sam (something that had been unheard of in the past few weeks) or the fact that Sam was up and out of the door earlier than necessary. This was the latest in a line of strange behaviour in recent times. Jane thought back to when it had started – it had been the night they had watched the home movie of Brooke as a little girl. Since then Brooke and Sam hadn't fought once…except in a playful, teasing manner. They were much closer than they had been, always whispering and giggling. Jane had even seen them walking hand-in-hand. Despite having hoped and prayed for them to get along better with each other, this sudden change in behaviour unnerved Jane more than she would have liked. And what was worse, she didn't know why it bothered her. They were just being friendly…sisterly. So why did it not seem right?

Shrugging again Jane returned to her coffee and newspaper. But she was unable to shake the uneasy feeling in her stomach. She resolved to speak to Sam soon. Not necessarily about Brooke, just about things in general. They hadn't spent much mother/daughter time together lately…mostly because Sam never seemed to be home. But Jane was resolute. There would be a discussion. Soon.

At school Sam headed directly for the Novak. Mostly she hoped that Brooke would be in there, but also she was going to get rid of the offending box in the trash can. She opened the door to the plush, pink room and was disappointed to see that Brooke was not there. She entered cautiously.

"Brooke? Brooke are you in here?" Sam shouted.

When no response was offered Sam sighed. Then, glancing around quickly she dug around in her bag and pulled out the box. She shoved it deeply into the nearest trash can and covered it up with some paper towels. Then she turned and left, trying to figure out where Brooke would have gone.

As the door to the Novak closed, one of the stall doors opened. Two perfectly groomed blondes silently approached the trash can so recently used by Sam. Nicole nudged Mary Cherry and gestured to the bin with her head…there was no way she was rooting through someone else's garbage. Mary Cherry pouted and rolled up her sleeves. She still had a lot of brown-nosing to do after her failed attempt at knocking Nicole out of position. Closing her eyes she reached into the depths of the receptacle and pulled out the box they had seen Sam hiding. Shaking it to rid it of the various pieces of junk attached to it, Mary Cherry held her find aloft. Nicole's eyes went wide at the sight before her. Nudging Mary Cherry again she not so subtly hinted that she should empty the contents of the box onto the counter. Mary Cherry did as she was told. Both of them regarded the stick with shock. Then the wheels began to turn in Nicole's head. A deliciously evil smile slowly spread across her lips as she contemplated her next move.

"So, Spam is pregnant huh?"

"Mah, mah! What shall we do with this delaghtful little tidbit?"

The blondes looked at each other and laughed. Power was within their reach. And boy were they going to enjoy the ride along the way.

Part Nine

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. God it took me ages to get aruond to this. Hopefully the next part won't be as long coming - it's gonna be angsty and I'm in an angsty mood.

Brooke stared intently at what Ms Ross was writing on the board. Far from being absorbed in the lesson, Brooke was merely trying to avoid the eye-contact Sam was so desperately attempting to establish with her. Having successfully avoided Sam before class, Brooke was now deeply ashamed of her own behaviour. The truth was she'd have liked nothing better than to talk to Sam. To feel Sam's arms around her, hear Sam's voice telling her that everything would work out, that everything would be OK. But Sam didn't know that everything would be OK. And that scared Brooke. Almost as much as the thought of hearing Sam's reaction to her revelation of earlier that morning.

Brooke's stomach tightened each time she envisioned a scenario. What if Sam wanted nothing more to do with her? What if she couldn't handle the fact that she might be pregnant? What if she thought she was disgusting? And even if Sam was OK with everything, what about their parents? A Jerry Springer show title kept running through her head

"Gay Teenage Mothers Turn Tricks on the Streets to pay for Baby Formula."

No, her parents were much more understanding than that. And even if her father wasn't, Jane wouldn't let him throw them out. Maybe Brooke could stand being disowned, as long as she had Sam. And that was why she needed to talk to Sam. She had to stop this pitiful cowardice and speak to Sam as soon as possible. Brooke was resolved. After class, she'd go somewhere private with Sam and discuss this.

The bell signalled the end of the period and Brooke's heart stopped. She took a deep breath and turned around to face Sam. The smile that lit up Sam's face when Brooke finally looked at her was enough to jump-start Brooke's heart again. Brooke smiled back uncertainly and started to walk towards Sam when she felt herself being propelled backwards. She turned around to see that Mary Cherry and Nicole had taken hold of her by the arms and were practically dragging her out of the classroom.

"Wait…what are you…I need to talk…Sam!" Brooke called desperately as she watched Sam's stupefied face get further away.

"Broo…"

That was the last thing Brooke heard of Sam before she found herself in the school's boiler room. Mary Cherry and Nicole sat her down on a pipe and stood in front of her, examining her almost.

"Look Nic, whatever this is it can wait, I really need to talk to Sam right now."

Brooke stood up only to be pushed back into a seated position.

"No, it can't wait Brookie. This is very important and I think you'll want to know about it before you speak to Spam."

"She's raght Brookie. The news that we are about to impart to ya will chill ya to yer very bones and maght just make you think twice about what y'all have to say to Miss Sammy."

Brooke looked at her friends in complete confusion.

"This has to do with Sam? What could…look, never mind, just tell me whatever it is that you have to tell me coz I have to get going." Brooke looked at her surroundings. "And why the hell are we down here? What's wrong with the Novak?"

"We couldn't risk an interruption from anyone, especially your little Spammy."

Nicole kept her expression neutral. But underneath she was jubilant. Not only did she have the means to break up Brooke and Sam, but she wouldn't have to lose Brooke as a friend as a result. In fact, it would probably strengthen their relationship. Of course, she'd have to warn Brooke that friendship was as far as it went. She didn't want any of this lesbian crap being projected onto her. The memory of being kissed by Mary Cherry still invaded her dreams and had caused her to wake up screaming on many an occasion. It might be understandable that people would fall madly in lust with her. But she'd have to keep them warned – she was straight.

"Come on then Nic, spill."

Brooke was very interested now. What on earth could Nicole have to tell her about Sam? They spent practically every living moment in each other's company. Nicole couldn't possibly know anything she didn't.

Nicole started pacing. She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. Then she came to a halt and looked at Brooke, the slightest hint of a tear glistening in her eye. Best to lay it on thick in these situations.

"Brooke…I…well I just don't know if I can even tell you this…it breaks my heart to think of someone doing this to you."

Nicole paused and sniffed. Mary Cherry saw an opening and decided that Nicole wasn't getting to have all the fun. She balled her hand into a fist and put it to her mouth, eyes getting fuller by the minute.

"Nic's raght Brookie…it's just too, too horrible for ya. Ya change yer whole world for someone, ya go all dykey and everythin'…and this is how she repays ya. Well ah just can't stand it no more, someone as beeyootiful and popular as yerself deserves ta know the truth about the person she's gettin' jiggy with…and that truth is…owwwwww!"

Mary Cherry hopped away, holding the foot that Nicole's stiletto heel had just punctured. Nicole stepped up to the plate. There was no way she was letting Mary Cherry steal her thunder on this particular occasion. Brooke had suddenly become very worried. She looked to Nicole anxiously.

"What was she talking about? What did she mean `this is how she repays you'? What is it Nic?"

Nicole sighed.

"Now as you know B, I promised to support you in your decision to go gay. I accepted that it was your choice. But one thing I will not accept, ever, is someone treating you badly. And I'm afraid that Spam has been doing just that. I'm really sorry to have to tell you this Brookie, but Spam's pregnant."

Nicole whipped out the pregnancy test box and held it up for Brooke to see. Brooke thought that her head might explode. The sound of blood rushing in her ears couldn't be a good sign. Coupled with the nausea and the way her face was heating up, Brooke was pretty sure she was going to faint. Where on earth had Nicole found that box? And why did she think it was Sam's? And how the hell was she going to talk her way out of this one?

"I…uh…I…"

"I know Brooke, I felt exactly the same when I discovered that Spam had been putting it about. I mean, it was enough of a shock for me to find out that you had boldly gone where no man had gone before…or so we thought. But who knows? Spam might have been acting the little virgin her whole life…but this puts a whole new slant on things. Come on Brooke, you can't tolerate this…she's obviously been sleeping around. I think it's best that you know this now, before you got too attached and everything."

Brooke looked at Nicole in wonder. She was still unable to speak but found it truly amazing that Nicole could think that she wasn't `attached' to Sam. And the things she was accusing Sam of…they were preposterous to anyone who remotely knew the girl. But then, the pregnancy test was pretty damning evidence. Mary Cherry hobbled back over to Brooke and waved a hand in front of her face. She turned to Nicole.

"Nic, ah think she's got toxic shock syndrome or somethin'."

"You only get that from tampons, moron, you mean shock."

"Well, whatever, ah think she's in it."

Nicole had to agree. Brooke had been sitting open mouthed since she'd brought out the box. Maybe the visual aids were a bit too much for the poor girl to handle. Nicole sat down next to Brooke and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, B. It's OK, I know this isn't a nice thing to hear about your…girlfriend." Nicole still couldn't say that word without shuddering. "But I think you should just accept it and move on. Now there's a new exchange student from Sweden who I think would be perfect for you…I'll give him your number and he can call y…"

"Sam isn't pregnant." Brooke startled even herself with her statement.

Nicole looked at Mary Cherry and shook her head.

"Now come on, hun, it's tahm to get outta that great big Egyptian river and face the fact that yer lover is nuthin' but a no good dirty `ho!" Mary Cherry said firmly. "Now Nic's raght, you and Sven would make the cutest couple…all blonde and with the correct number of guys and gals."

"Sam isn't pregnant."

"Brooke, I know it's difficult to believe that any man in his right mind would want to play hide the salami with Spam but let's get back to reality here. Mary Cherry and I saw her trying to hide this box with our own eyes. And she made damn sure that you weren't around before she did it."

"It's mine, the box is mine, I gave it to Sam this morning."

Brooke's voice was a whisper but it shut Nicole up fast. Nicole's eyes went wide as she realised the implications of the statement.

"You…you're pregnant?"

"I…maybe…I don't know."

"So…you've been cheating on Spam?" A tiny glimmer of hope tinged Nicole's voice.

"No! It…it's Josh's…I mean, if there's anything there…it would be Josh's…from before."

"Oh. Oh." Nicole couldn't think of a single thing to say.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I really need to see Sam. And I would appreciate it if this went no further"

And with that Brooke stood up and left two very shocked blondes to process the information they'd just received. Nicole, still reeling from the news turned to discuss it with Mary Cherry. However, the only parts of the southerner that were visible were her feet which were up in the air. The rest of her was on the floor where she'd fainted. So Nicole sat alone and felt bad. She felt bad for Brooke. She genuinely cared about her welfare. And also her social standing. And this wouldn't be good for either one.

Part Ten

AUTHOR'S NOTES: All feedback welcome. I had planned on this part containing more than it currently does, but it would have been too long so I've just done a little joining chapter thingie for now.

"OK, Harrison, check the gym. Lily you do another sweep of the hallways. And Carmen, you're on bathroom duty…including the boys rooms."

Carmen's eyes lit up at this thought.

"So do we all know where we're looking?" Sam asked, anxious to get started.

Lily raised her hand.

"Yes?"

Sam looked at her watch impatiently. It had been half an hour since the psycho twins had kidnapped Brooke and she was becoming increasingly worried about her well-being.

"Uh…Sam, why exactly are we assembling a crack team to go after Brooke? Can't you just wait till she comes back from wherever she is?"

Sam glared at her. So did Carmen, she didn't want anything preventing her from getting into the boy's bathrooms. Harrison started speaking before Sam could answer.

"Yeah, I wasn't going to say anything Sam but this is a tad on the desperate side don't you think? Your girlfriend goes off with her friends for a while and you're calling out a search party. Maybe you should tone it down a little or people will start thinking you've got some creepy obsession."

Sam turned her glare to Harrison.

"Desperate? Obsessive? Um, hello? Coming from you that's rich. I'm not the one who used to stand under her window at night…pervert."

"Wh…she knew? I mean …uh…nothing. And I only did that one time…OK maybe twice, but I was just checking that she was OK and everything what with her dad being away a lot of the time so…"

Harrison thought he'd better quit while he was behind.

"Anyway, the reason we are going to find Brooke is that I need to discuss something very important with her and I was incredibly disturbed by the way she was carted off by those two. Then they just disappear off the face of the earth? Something's just not right so we have to find her now…if not sooner."

"Find who?"

The voice at Sam's ear almost caused her to have a heart attack. Brooke certainly could be stealthy when she wanted. Sam spun around and grabbed Brooke's upper arms, in case she had any plans to disappear again. Sam gave her a quick once-over to make sure no harm had come to her during her ordeal. Satisfied that Brooke was physically in one piece, Sam turned around and resisted the urge to say `at ease' to her assembled troops.

"OK, so scrap that plan, thanks for volunteering to help me though."

Sam flashed them a grateful smile and then turned to engulf Brooke in a huge hug. They stood holding each other for a few minutes until Sam started to feel uncomfortable. She slowly turned around to see Harrison, Carmen and Lily still standing there.

"Uh…you guys can leave now…you know, if you have something better to be doing."

The threesome realised they'd been staring and suddenly became a bustle of activity.

"Oh right yeah we were just…"

"Going. That's right, we're going now because we have…"

"To get to class, yup, don't want to be late for class now do we, c'mon Lil, Carm…"

And they left, still all talking at once. Carmen was muttering something about boy's rooms but Sam really couldn't care less. Brooke was her sole concern at the moment. And Sam had cause for concern. Brooke looked so small and helpless that Sam just wanted to snuggle up with her somewhere warm until all of this went away. Brooke's shoulders were slumped and her head was down, eyes on the floor. Sam leaned in and kissed the top of her head. The action caused Brooke to look up into Sam's eyes. The pain evident on Brooke's face cut deeply into Sam's heart and she reached out to pull her into a comforting embrace once more.

"I don't want to talk about this here." Brooke said quietly into Sam's shoulder.

"I know…we'll go home. My mom won't be there so we can talk privately."

Skipping class wasn't an issue here. They badly needed to talk and nowhere in school would do. Sam rubbed the back of Brooke's neck with her thumb, gently swaying their bodies back and forth until Brooke felt strong enough to look up again. "C'mon, let's go home." Brooke said finally, linking her fingers through Sam's as they headed to the door.

The car journey was quiet. Neither girl wanted to bring up the burning issue until they got home. But nor were they in the mood for mindless chatter. So they were halfway home before Sam broke the silence.

"So…where'd they take you this morning?" Her curiosity had gotten the better of her.

"Boiler room."

"The boiler room…damn, I've seen `Heathers', I should know they're a favoured haunt of psychos…why didn't I check there first?"

Sam had hoped this might raise a smile but there was nothing. She continued on a more serious note.

"So why'd they take you there?"

"To tell me that you were pregnant."

"What?" Sam stared at Brooke incredulously.

"Eyes, Sam, eyes on the road." Brooke said worriedly as the car started to veer towards the central reservation.

"Oh sorry, yeah." Sam swerved back into her own lane, ignoring the irate drivers of the other cars. "They told you I was pregnant? Where the hell did they get that idea? Pull it out of their asses?"

"They were actually basing it on the fact that they saw you putting a pregnancy test kit box in the trash."

"Oh…oh…that's actually kind of logical." Sam had to concede. "I thought there was no-one around…I'm sorry I took the box to school, but I didn't want my mother finding it and asking awkward questions and…"

"It's OK Sam." Brooke turned to look at Sam's profile while she drove. "I should be the one apologising. I should never have done what I did this morning. I can't believe I let you find out like that and then stormed away without even speaking to you."

A tear started its journey down Brooke's cheek. Sam glanced over and saw that Brooke was crying.

"Hey! Come on. You don't have to apologise." Sam reached out and squeezed Brooke's hand. "I can't imagine how you must have felt this morning. You're the important person here, not me."

"But you are important Sammy…you're so important to me and I treated you so badly."

Brooke stopped speaking as her tears overwhelmed her and she cried into her hands. Sam was grateful to see their house loom into view and she hurriedly parked the car in the drive. She jumped out and ran around to the passenger side. She opened the door and pulled Brooke into a standing position, gently holding her while she cried.

"Shhhhhhh…c'mon babe. Let's get inside and we can talk about this." Sam whispered.

Brooke sniffed and nodded, not lifting her head from Sam's shoulder. Sam somehow managed to manoeuvre them both to the door with Brooke clinging to her neck. Once inside, Sam sat down on the sofa and let Brooke curl up in her lap. Brooke's crying had eased. She snuggled into the familiar comfort of Sam's arms and played with a tendril of dark hair that was hanging down. Sam decided she'd better start the inevitable discussion.

"OK…so we have to talk about all of this."

Brooke nodded, still focused on the strand of hair that was now wound around her finger.

"So…where do you want to start?"

Introduction to Parental Issues Part 11

Well howdy y'all! How y'all doin' out there in Popularslash land? This is Mary Cherry here in case ya were wonderin'. Bein' the kind and considerate person that she is, Angelina here has graciously allowed me to do the introduction to the next part of her series `Parental Issues'. This is on account of how yours truly isn't even in this part! Ah said to her, Ah said `Hun, there ain't nobody gonna read this part if there's no Mary Cherry in it'. But seein' as how she's a stubborn ass, she point blank refused to put me in it. So here Ah am, reduced to introducin' a stoopid fanfiction thing. Oh the humiliation!

*Look, if you don't want to do it there's no problem...I only let you because you threatened me with physical violence if you weren't allowed to be included somwhere in the proceedings. Well, that and the fact that severe writer's block meant that this was the only thing I could write for a while*

You shut your dirty writer's mouth, Jackie Collins wannabe! We don't want these nahce people here thinkin' Ah'm some kinda psycho now do we? And, bah the way, we all know you're just copyin' Aeryn's conversation thing with Nicole. Patriotism isn't a nahce word is it Ange?

*Ummm, I suppose not. Well, they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...and maybe I'm jealous. Aeryn gets to talk to Nicole...look who I get stuck with...*

Who?

*Never mind. Look, we agreed that you'd introduce the fic, tell the nice readers what it's about, give the usual bullshit disclaimers and then be on your way. So get on with it.*

Alraght, alraght! Mah Lord, Fanfickers, do y'all see what ah have to put up with from her? And stop lookin' at me that way.

*Listen Cherry, I have my finger on the delete button and it's getting twitchier by the minute!*

OK! So, welcome to Parental Issues part eleven. Eleven? Mah word you lahk to drag things out dontcha? What has actually happened so far? Not a heck of a lot that's for sure.

*OK, OK, I forgot the point of the story for a little while, I've admitted this and apologised for the lack of plot in some of the parts. But I wouldn't complain if I were you. When in doubt, write a Mary Cherry and Nicole chapter...that's my motto.*

Oh, well, in that case, may you be in doubt forever! As ah was sayin', this is Parental Issues part 11. The author is some crabby little bitch called Angelina...not Jolie, in case you were wonderin'. She's just from some lil' backwater in Bonny Scotland...och aye the noo, bagpahpes, men in skirts, haggis an' all that other stuff.

*Are you dissing me?*

Listen, McAngie, Ah have to sit back and watch while you butcher mah beeyootiful Texan accent...an' Ah'll be damned if Ah'm not gunna return the compliment while Ah have the chance.

*Point taken, continue*

Yeah, OK, ...so far Brookie and Sam have gotten together in a lesbeeyan type way, almost been rumbled bah Sam's momma, attempted to forge an alliance between their groups of friends...that didn't work despite mah sterlin' efforts to get along with Lil' Lily. They've had naght-tahm shenanigans and gone on bad dates. And now...dun,dun dun...

*And you call me long winded, this is supposed to be a quick intro...stop building your part!*

Now ye've gone and ruined mah climatic moment!

*You were going to say something about the weather?*

Huh?

*Never mind*

So...dun, dun, dun....Brookie's pregnant...and it wasn't Sam that done it! It was the delectable and fine assed Josh Ford. That virile little stufmuffin. So that's the Brooke and Sam update. Along the way Ah mahself have appeared from tahm to tahm...not often enough in mah opinion but nevermahnd that now. As usual Ah havebeen subjected to embarrassment after embarrassment in the name of comic relief...Ah took it upon mahself to dress up in dungarees to make Brookie feel at home, mah attempts at bondin' with Lil' Lily were cruelly snubbed and then, Ah had to kiss Nicole...with tongues and everythin'...actually...that wasn't so bad.

*Nicole wasn't so thrilled...I've had a number of messages full of expletives and threats of vengeance*

Nic's just realised that Ah'm a much better kisser than she is and she's jealous...don't worry about it, that homicidal glare in her eyes is mostly just for show.

*Mostly...gulp. OK, finish this quickly, I have to be on my way.*

Raght. So Angie here don't own none of us and isn't makin' a penny out of usin' us for her own personal pleasure. Ah think we should be paid for what she puts us through but she claims ta have no money...oh mah Gawd! Ah am associatin' with a poor person! What will people think?

*Exactly, better hurry up then in case you're seen talking to me*

OK, anyone who wants this poor excuse for a story can have it, the bitch...Ah mean, author, really lahks people wrahtin' to her tellin' her she's great...not that it happens very often. She'll even take, whatcha call'ems...flames. In other words, any feedback is good. OK Angie...did Ah miss anythin'?

*What's gonna happen in this chapter Mary Cherry?*

Duh, Brookie and Sam talk...just lahk in all the other ones. There'll be tears and heartfelt emotions and all that other crappy stuff...and then Mary Cherry will happen to stop by the house and...

*Nope, sorry, that's all we have time for today...and Mary Cherry will not be stopping by, this is a Brooke and Sam only chapter I'm afraid*

Damnation, bye bye all you Popularslashers. Keep readin'...and request some fics where Ah get some action...any action...Ah'll even take Lil' Lily action if it's all Ah can get...Ah'm desperate...oh please...please.

*Ms Cherry has now worked herself up into quite a state and cannot continue speaking...what a pity. The fic will follow shortly.*

Part Eleven

Brooke looked up at Sam, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

"I don't want to start anywhere…I want this to end, I want to go back to normal…worrying about my next bio test or working out cheers for the big game…I don't want to have to think about the possibility that I'm going to be a high-school drop out with a kid at sixteen…Oh God I wish this wasn't happening."

Brooke put her face in her hands and shook her head.

"I'm so sorry Sam, you shouldn't have to deal with this, this isn't your problem."

"Hey!" Sam cupped Brooke's chin and made her look up. "If it's your problem, it's my problem, OK? We're in this together…unless…I mean…I know it's not…if you don't want me to…"

Brooke grabbed Sam's hand to get her attention.

"I want you to. I want you to be here with me. I want you to go through this with me. But that's just selfish. This is big Sam and it scares me…I need you to be here but I've no right to ask you…but Sammy I'm so scared right now."

Brooke's eyes had filled with tears and Sam gently pulled her down so that her head was resting against Sam's shoulder. Sam rocked Brooke, cradling her as she cried. She spoke to her in low, soothing tones.

"I'm scared too Brooke. I don't want you to have to go through this. But it's happening and we can't ignore it. And I don't want to hear anymore of this 'I've no right to ask you' crap. I'm with you and that's that. I'm not going anywhere. So we'll face this thing and whatever happens we'll do it together, right? Of course…there's someone else who has something to do with all of this."

"Josh?"

"Unless you've not told me something." Sam joked.

"I tell you everything. I don't think I can tell him…not until I know for sure…it'd just freak him out and it's bad enough that we have to go through it…"

"But Brooke…well, it's not my place to say really but…but as much as I hate to think about it, you didn't get into this by yourself, he…helped out, somewhat."

"Look, I go and say to him 'Hey Josh, I might be pregnant' he's gonna think that I want to get back with him."

"But you don't…right?"

"Of course I don't!"

"So what's the problem? I just don't see why you should go through all this worry and he should be spared? You shouldn't have to be alone."

"But I'm not alone…I have you." Brooke stated, as if this was all she needed in the world.

"I know, and you always will have me…but I just thi-"

Brooke silenced Sam by placing a finger over her lips. She tenderly traced their outline as she spoke.

"But nothing Sammy, the first thing I have to do is find out for sure what's going on…then I'll decide what's to happen next. I mean…it's probably nothing right? It's just a false alarm…right?"

"Uh…yeah." Sam said brightly, although her gut instincts were telling her otherwise. "But I don't think we should be too confident just yet…I mean…there is the possibility that you might be…you know."

"I know."

Brooke sighed and pulled Sam closer for comfort. Sam ran her fingers through Brooke's hair as they sat in contemplation.

"So, let's just say, I mean, hypothetically speaking...what if you are pregnant? What would you do...you know, there are choices and...stuff."

Brooke thought in silence for a moment before replying.

"Honestly? I have no idea. I mean, I'm all for a woman's right to choose...but when it's my choice...I just don't know if I could...have a...thing."

Brooke couldn't even bring herself to say the word. Sam unconsciously laid a hand on Brooke's abdomen. Almost immediately Brooke snatched it away.

"Don't." Brooke whispered.

"Don't what?" Sam was perplexed.

"Don't put your hand there...like...as if there's something inside."

"Oh God Brooke, I'm sorry, I didn't mean...I didn't even think, I was just..."

"It's OK, just...just don't."

Brooke laced her fingers through Sam's and held her hand far away from anywhere in the vicinity of her stomach.

"So...if you wouldn't have a...you know...does that mean you'd keep the baby?" Sam ventured after a while.

Brooke shrugged.

"People have all these expectations of me. I'm a straight-A student. I'm supposed to go to a great college. How am I supposed to do that if I miss half of my sophomore year? And if I had a kid, well I couldn't exactly attend school as normal could I? I'd have to be schooled at home and then I'd be restricted to the colleges I could apply to and they'd hardly be queueing up and fighting over a teenage single mom and how selfish do I sound here?"

"You're not selfish. It's perfectly reasonable to think of things like that. And by the way, you're not single either."

Brooke smiled.

"You know what I mean...unmarried teenage mom then. It's not like I don't want kids ever...just not now...not like this."

Sam cocked her head to the side in interest.

"You want kids someday?" she asked, curiously.

Brooke looked at Sam and realised this was something they'd never discussed. Not surprising considering the short time they'd been together...and the biology of the whole thing hardly made it normal conversation material.

"Uh, yeah, I suppose. I just always saw myself having kids...of course I used to see myself with the perfect guy, perfect home, two point five perfect children...so that vision's changed slightly from what it was."

"How so?" Sam asked.

She knew the answer. Or at least she hoped she knew the answer. But this whole pregnancy thing was making her a little insecure. She was kind of a third wheel in the process. Sure, Brooke wanted her to be involved. But how would Josh take to her part in his child's life. Sam internally reprimanded herself for thinking in those terms. Brooke wasn't definitely pregnant. So she should be thinking positive thoughts. But the realist in her kept coming back to the 99.9% accurate slogan on all those little pregnancy test boxes. It was pragmatic to be prepared.

"Well," Brooke replied. "Now the perfect guy has been replaced by the perfect girl...and before you ask, yes, that would be you." Brooke paused. "Do you think like that...I mean, here I am planning out my life without even consulting you when, I hope at least, you're gonna play a huge part in it. Does that bother you?"

"Does it bother me that you want to spend your life with me? Hmmm."

Sam rubbed her chin, deep in exaggerated thought.

"Well, you're pretty cute and you're great in bed so I guess I'm OK with the whole life partner thing."

Brooke slapped Sam's arm in response before being smothered as Sam wrapped her whole body around her.

"The answer is no, it doesn't bother me in the slightest because I can't even begin to envision my future if you're not in it. I have mushy girlie fantasies about our future too, you know. In them I'm usually a pulitzer prize winner and you're some hot-shot exec and we have a cool apartment where we entertain famous people and make love all the time."

Sam spoke directly into Brooke's ear, still holding her in a tight embrace.

"We make love in front of the famous people?" Brooke asked in mock horror.

"That depends what mood I'm in...sometimes the famous people join in."

"Lemme guess, Alexis Denisof right?"

"...umm...no."

"Ummm, yes!"

"OK, so I think he's cute, what can I say?"

Brooke shook her head and smiled at Sam indulgently.

"How can you make me forget how bad I'm feeling just by smiling at me?"

Sam flashed her a particularly radiant smile.

"A rare talent."

Brooke pulled Sam's lips down to her own and kissed her deeply. When they parted Brooke looked Sam in the eye.

"OK, so tomorrow after school I'll go to the clinic and get a blood test and we'll know for sure."

Brooke set her lips in a firm line. Sam could see how near her emotions were to the surface. She pushed some of Brooke's hair back behind her ear.

"We'll know for sure, babe." Sam repeated.

Brooke nodded, her hard exterior cracking slightly before she reined in the impulse to cry her eyes out on Sam's shoulder yet again. She mananged a weak smile and decided that a change of subject was in order if she was to avoid a total emotional breakdown.

"So...I'm great in bed huh?"

Part Twelve

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Well, been a while huh? This chapter has eluded me for so long that I decided to write something, anything, just to get it out of the way. So it's here. I'm not saying it's good, but I'm hoping it might make writing the next bits easier. Fingers crossed. I'm way behind with reading and feedbacking. I'll try my best to get caught up. You might wanna check out one of the archives for the first 11 parts if, like me, you've forgotten what happened in them. Here goes...

"Damn it!" Brooke cursed as she messed up her locker combination for the third time in a row. She slammed her palm against the door in frustration. Nothing seemed to be functioning properly: her nerves were shot, her mind couldn't focus and her co-ordination appeared to have abandoned her. As she tried for the fourth time to retrieve her books she felt a wave of nausea sweep over her. She leaned her forehead against the cool metal in front of her and waited for it to pass, breathing deeply. She hoped against hope that the sick feelings were a result of how nervous she was about her clinic visit that afternoon. The alternative was far too frightening to contemplate.

"Hey! Need some help?"

Brooke looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and found herself looking into concerned blue eyes.

"Hi Josh. No, no I'm fine…I'm just…I'm fine. I can't get into this stupid thing."

She hit the locker again to emphasise her point. She offered him a weak smile. He didn't look convinced.

"Really? Cuz you don't look fine to me."

"I said I'm fine. OK?"

She fixed him with a look that clearly indicated that the discussion about her current state was over.

"OK."

Josh stood by awkwardly, shuffling his feet as Brooke finally managed to get into her locker.

"Uh, Brooke, do you think that maybe you and me could, you know, talk about…stuff? I've really missed you Brooke and I feel like we've still got things to say to each other."

Brooke sighed; this was the last thing she needed at the moment.

"Uh, Josh…you're right, we probably do have stuff to talk about…but could we leave it for a while? I kinda have a lot on my mind right now."

Josh laughed humourlessly. Brooke looked at him sharply; the sound grating on her already frazzled nerves.

"Why are you laughing?" she demanded, feeling anger rise inexplicably in her chest.

Josh shook his head and shrugged his broad shoulders, looking at the ceiling. He was still smirking and Brooke found herself wanting to punch him. She hoped that it was PMS and no other kind of hormonal release.

"No Josh, obviously you were laughing for a reason. And it seemed to be prompted by me saying I had a lot on my mind. So I'd really appreciate it if you paid me the courtesy of pointing out the humour in that statement."

"Seems to me that lately the only thing you've had on your mind is Sam. Every time I see you you're with her. It's like you're surgically attached or something. So don't bother taking a half hour out of your `Sammy-Time' for me. Just forget it."

The resounding metallic clang as Brooke slammed her locker shut startled Josh as well as a number of passing students.

"You think you know what's on my mind Josh?" Brooke's voice was low and calm. "Tell you what, you try living my life for one day, OK? Try juggling four advanced placement classes, dealing with a completely new family situation, not to mention an brand new relationship that's not exactly the most convenient one in family terms and then add to that the fact that you might be pregnant. Still know how I'm feeling stud?"

Brooke's voice had been rising gradually throughout her speech and the last word was practically ultra-sonic.

"P…pre…did you say preg…"

"Pregnant Josh, look it up."

Brooke was severely pissed off by this point and compassion wasn't coming thick and fast. An audible gasp from behind Josh drew Brooke's attention. Realisation dawned, they were in a busy school corridor and someone, unsurprisingly, had overheard the screeched outburst. Luckily, or not as the case may be, the gasp had come from Carmen who was standing with Sam and Lily. Lily and Carmen wore matching stunned expressions. Sam put her face in her hands as Josh continued to splutter and stammer.

"Preg…wow…I…is…I mean…is it mine?"

Brooke turned a scathing look on Josh and her lip curled derisively before she replied.

"No Josh, it's Sam's."

"But Nic, Ah thought Brooke told us it wuz Josh's spawn…an' now she's here tellin' people it's Sam's…well Lordy Ah am confused."

"Like this is a new state of mind for you? Assuming you have a mind of course."

Brooke raised her eyes to the heavens at the sound of the two voices behind her.

"Great. The more the merrier." she muttered under her breath.

Sam could see that Brooke was about to move her bitch up to high gear and decided to step in.

"Uh, Brooke," she began quietly, taking hold of the irate girl's arm. "Come on, let's go somewhere less public huh?"

But Brooke was on a roll.

"No Sam, I think here's a perfect place to make the big announcement. Listen up everyone coz I'm only going to say this once. It's very likely that I'm pregnant. Yes, Josh, it's yours, thanks for insinuating that I sleep around by the way. I haven't had anything confirmed yet but I have carried out a home test which turned out to be positive. I am visiting the clinic this afternoon for a blood test. I'll be sure to post the results on the internet in case anyone misses them."

Quite a crowd had gathered around the group and Brooke was surfing on a wave of adrenalin.

"While we're at it let's get something else out in the open shall we?"

Sam's eyes widened as she realised what Brooke was about to say. She urgently tugged on Brooke's hand but was duly ignored as Brooke played up to her audience.

"You all might be interested to know that Sam and I are now a couple. Yes, we are lesbian lovers and she will be accompanying me to my appointment this afternoon and holding my hand and then tonight we'll most probably have sex at some point. Now is there any other important detail I can furnish you with? Hmmm?"

Brooke looked defiantly from shocked expression to shocked expression. She ended up staring into big brown eyes that carried an air of complete and utter helplessness. Brooke's brow creased up as an inkling of the ramifications of her town-crier impersonation started to sink in. She looked around, people were looking at her and whispering and pointing. She heard words here and there: `Tramp' `Whore' `Dyke' `Bottle Blonde'. She looked back at Sam.

"I'm so sorry." she whispered before turning and running away, attempting to smother her sobs with a hand.

"Brooke wait…stop…I…shit."

Sam sprinted off in the same direction Brooke had taken. This left the respective groups of friends to look at each other in stunned silence. Carmen leaned back against the lockers to prevent her knees from buckling. Josh crouched down and covered his face with his hands. Nicole surveyed the various reactions with a growing unease. As much as she'd have liked Brooke to relinquish her title as Kennedy's Queen, she didn't want to see her go down in flames like this.

"Let's go."

Nicole's barked order caused the stunned group to look up. She raised her eyebrows as no-one made a move. She tapped the toe of her expensive stiletto and they all got the message. They fell into step behind her as she led them to an empty classroom. Once inside she lowered her voice.

"OK, as much as it pains me to say it…I think we're all going to have to work together to help Brookie and Spam through this."

Josh put his hand up.

"Oh yeah…Josh too. So anyway, Brookie just committed social suicide out there, it's up to us to make sure that her status is taken to the ER and get its stomach pumped, stat."

"Ooooh oooooh…can Ah wear a nurses uniform an' wipe sweat from the perfect brow of the lusciously pulse-increasin' Doctor George Clooney?"

"It was a metaphor Mary Cherry."

"An' Ah wuz speakin' metaphoricallalaly." Mary Cherry huffed.

"Whatever, this means that anyone seen to be openly mocking Brooke's delicate situation must be dealt with in the appropriate fashion."

As Nicole spoke, Lily was having visions of her with marshmallows stuffed in her cheeks and wearing a black tuxedo. She hoped the `appropriate fashion' didn't mean killing anyone. But with Nicole you never can tell. Everyone was nodding so Lily joined in too. She would do whatever was necessary for Sam. Poor Sam. Poor Brooke. Lily really hoped everything would turn out for the best. And if not, there were plenty of pamphlets on teenage parenting that she could give to them.