The Stolen Soul

Title: The Stolen Soul

Author: Balticbard

Disclaimer; Popular belongs to someone else. No profits will be made from this story.

Warning: just in case. a/u, out of character depictions, lesbianism, incest, and other adult situations

Brooke McQueen gripped her abdomen firmly with her left hand, and with her other hand she covered her mouth, "Sammy! Hurry! Please!" Waves of nausea swept through the pretty, young woman, and she felt as if the world were spinning around her, "I feel awful, Sammy!"

Brooke was standing at the doorway of Carmen's house, where she was giving an engagement party for a coworker, and mutual friend of theirs. Brooke had come to the party with Sam, who urged her to come along, "I knew that I should never have come!" Brooke scolded herself, "I hate parties. I don't hold alcohol well. I always get sick at these places. But Sammy begged me to come with her." Brooke could never say no to her best, dearest friend, Sam MacPherson. Brooke loved Sam more than anything, or anyone in the entire world, and that included her very own parents. Brooke had come to the party, not to find a possible boyfriend, but only to be with Sam. Samantha haunted every one of Brooke's thoughts, dominated her heart, and was the center of her very life. It could be said that Brooke lived, and breathed only for Sam. It could be said that Sam owned Brooke in both body, and soul. "I love Sammy so much. I can't help myself. Sammy treats me like a queen. No one has ever treated me so tenderly, so lovingly; not even my very own mother." Brooke was at the moment at odds with her parents, who wanted her to return to California to live with them, and give up her present job as a secretary with a large shipping company named; "Grimes, and Sons," where she worked with Sam.

"I'm coming, princess," Sam replied, as she turned, gave her friend, Carmen, one last hug, and slipped her card with her telephone number to a handsome, smiling young man who stood nearby.

Brooke had to smile, despite the ill feelings that tormented her young body, "Sammy just can't resist a handsome man." Brooke contemplated her beautiful friend with adoring eyes, "Sammy is just so beautiful. No one ever notices me when she is around. I just can't keep my eyes off her."

"I notice you!"

Brooke was startled, as a husky voice whispered those unexpected words in her ear, and a pair of strong arms enfolded her slender frame. Brooke turned her head, as anger flooded her heart upon realizing just who was holding her, "Harrison, LET GO OF ME!"

"Is poor little Brookie sick already?" Harrison whispered back to the girl in his arms, "why? You only had two martinis. I didn't think you were so delicate with liquor. Want me to drive you home, Brooke?"

"No! Sammy is driving me home, Harrison," Brooke replied angrily, for she despised Harrison deeply.

"You are such a selfish little bitch, Brooke. You profess to love my sister, Sam so much, and yet you deprive her of the opportunity to find a man for her bed tonight!"

Harrison MacPherson was Sam's twin brother, and the bane of Brooke's existence.

"And you are such a damn bastard, Harrison," Brooke replied angrily, "now get your paws off of me this instant!"

Harrison laughed heartily, as he released Brooke, and stepped back away from her. Harrison was an extremely handsome man, bordering more on beautiful than handsome, but always in a manly way. Harrison was tanned, tall at 5' 10", muscular, with thick, wavy, raven hair, and cold, steely, blue eyes.

"You're probably drunk anyway, Harrison!" Brooke said complainingly.

"Oh," Harrison smiled cooly, as he surveyed the pretty, slender blond girl that stood haughtily before him, "now you know that isn't so, Brooke. I detest alcohol. The smell alone of drinking alone repulses me."

Harrison stopped speaking, and noticed that Brooke had not heard him at all, but was instead, gazing intently at a distant point. The handsome Harrison followed the path of the blond girl's gaze, and found that it fell upon the beguiling form of his own, twin sister, Samantha, "how interesting," Harrison said to himself, as he smiled, "so you like to look at my sister a lot, don't you, Brooke?"

Brooke was abruptly, rudely awakened from her blissful revelry of one, very beautiful brunette, by the unexpected, riddle-laden, words of her nemesis, whom her mind quickly moved to interpret with the worse kinds of insinuations, "what do you mean, Harrison? What are you trying to insinuate? That I'm gay?" Brooke's voice was forceful, almost vulgar in its rasping, loud, indignant manner.

"What I said, Brooke," Harrison replied calmly, "is that you're always staring at Samantha. I find that very interesting. I also find it interesting that you are always going out of your way to be with my sister."

"You aren't insinuating anymore," Brooke said angrily, as her face reddened, "now you're accusing me!"

"Lower your voice, Brooke," Harrison interjected, "if you must be rude, then do it elegantly.

"Just shut up, Harrison!" Brooke had exploded, the dam of her patience was no more.

Harrison smiled evilly, for he loved to drive Brooke to the point that she became enraged, "she is just so fascinating to watch, when she is angry." Harrison sighed, "You shouldn't be ashamed to admit that you're in love with my sister, Brooke. I can understand why. Samantha is the most beautiful creature that I have ever seen."

"I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH Sam!" Brooke screamed, finally pushed over the brim of propriety.

"I most certainly am," Harrison replied calmly.

Brooke let out an exasperated sigh, and then crossed her arms, "just go away, Harrison."

Brooke had asked something of Harrison MacPherson that he would never be able to do; "why should I?" Harrison whispered, as he leaned closer to the girl beside him, and continued to tempt her with his sinful words, "just look at her, Brooke. Isn't Samantha the most stunning creature that you have ever seen? I certainly think so, and I am very sure that you feel the same as I do."

Harrison, and Brooke observed Samantha in a sudden, fraternal silence.

Although Samantha, and Harrison were twins, they did not closely resemble each other. Harrison was taller than Samantha, and his hair was darker. Being male, Harrison took on the characteristics of his gender; he was rugged, virile, aggressive, brash, self-confident, adventurous. Samantha was the complete opposite of her brother, his antithesis; like day to night, or earth to water, or water to fire. Samantha was shorter by a few inches than Harrison, at about 5'8". Samantha was slender, very curvaceous, with long, shapely legs, slender arms, and a very tiny waist. Where Harrison was powerful, and muscular, Samantha was plush, voluptuous, and was delicate, even somewhat fragile looking. Where in personality, Harrison tended to be cruel, cold, evil, Samantha was tender, loving, and kind. Harrison was of a darker coloring; his skin was tanned, rough, and Samantha was fair skinned, with a soft, unblemished complexion. Harrison had long, raven hair that reached down to his shoulder blades, and that he kept tied back in a neat braid. Samantha had long, silky, thick, wavy, brown hair that bounced freely in animated waves about her classically beautiful face, and around her neck, and shoulders. Although Harrison, and Samantha both had the same, extremely beautiful face, with sculpted cheeks, and finely chiseled features; Harrison's face was constantly veiled with an evil shadow, and a cruel sneer, and Samantha's face was adorned with a charming, warm smile, and gentle expression always shone in her eyes. Harrison's eyes were of a steely, cold, blue color, and Samantha's eyes were a light, sky blue.

Harrison, and Samantha were absolute opposites in every way; like opposite forces; good and evil, dark and light. Harrison was amoral, cruel, dark, selfish. Samantha was honorable, noble, kind.

Brooke was trapped between those two worlds; between Harrison, and Samantha MacPherson.

Harrison leaned further into Brooke, and noticed that the girl had begun to tremble at his closeness. Harrison suddenly understood what Brooke hid in her heart; she was trapped between him, and her sister. Harrison now knew that Brooke was physically attracted to him, but was in love with Samantha's personality.

"Brooke, I understand now."

"What do you mean?" Brooke was suddenly very nervous of Harrison's proximity, and tried to move away.

"Don't," Harrison said softly, as he reached out, and took hold of the girl's wrist with his large, powerful hand, "don't move away from me."

"I can't stand the sight of you, Harrison," Brooke hissed angrily.

"You're in love with Samantha's soul, but you're physically attracted to me, Brooke," Harrison replied, "that is quite an interesting paradox."

"You make me sick, Harrison. You're suffering from some stupid fantasy. I can never feel anything for you but hatred, and loathing."

"Why not, Brooke. Why can't you love me the way you love Samantha? I know that if it was possible, you would make her your lover. But of course, you don't want to be involved in a social stigma. That is the only reason that you haven't acted upon your feelings for Samantha. But I am Samantha's male counterpart; her twin. I am her, both genetically, and biologically. I can give you all that she is, and more, for I am male. With me, you can have us both."

Brooke laughed bitterly, "how can you even ask that, Harrison? How can you even consider yourself an equal to Samantha. You are dark, cruel, and evil. You have the worst reputation in town. You have destroyed the lives of so many women. You are rumored to belong to a Satanic sect!"

"It isn't a rumor, Brooke," Harrison replied with a laugh, "I am a Satanist. My group is called "Endian's Claw," and we are very devout in our way."

"And you have the gall to admit it!" Brooke said with a scowl, and a furrowed brow.

"Why should I be ashamed of my beliefs, Brooke?" Now it was Harrison who felt himself moved to anger, "the dark offers so many delights that the light simply lacks." Harrison felt a sudden hope rise in his manly chest, as he leaned brazenly closer to the girl, and licked her small ear with his tongue, "and I could teach you so much, Brooke. I could give you so many delights, if you let me. I have powers that you can't imagine. If you would only let me into your heart."

"So that you can play with me, gorge yourself on my love, and then dump me like you did to your other lovers, Harrison? No. I'm not that stupid."

"But if I were like Samantha, would you love me, Brooke?"

Brooke laughed once more, more in awe than in bitterness, "are you mad, Harrison? You'll never be like Samantha. She is the kindest, sweetest soul that I have ever met!"

"But if it were possible, then you would love me, Brooke," Harrison said excitedly.

"If," Brooke whispered, "ifs are always impossible, just as night can never be day."

"But the night can be as beautiful as the day, Brooke. If only you weren't so blind, Brooke. You would understand."

"Just go away, Harrison. You don't make any sense at all."

"I'm coming back for you, Brooke. I promise that you will be mine. And I will be everything for you. Everything."

Harrison turned, and then simply walked away from Brooke, as Samantha turned, and walked towards her.

"Hey, princess," Samantha said softly, as she stood up slightly on her toes to kiss Brooke, who was slightly taller, on the cheek, "sorry that I kept you waiting. Are you still sick?"

"Yes, Sam. I am so sorry to make you leave to drive me home," Brooke trembled at the touch of Samantha's full, crimson lips brushing against her soft cheek, "I know you just met someone."

"No problem, sweetheart. The party is too boring anyway. I gave him my number. If he is interested, then he can call me. I would rather drive you home. We did come together, you know."

"I know," Brooke whispered, as she pulled the stunning brunette into her slender arms, and held her tightly for a moment, "I know."

"We should get going, princess," Samantha replied with a soft smile, "I think you need to get to the toilet soon!"

"Yeah," Brooke smiled, and for a moment, she was simply, blissfully happy, just being with her beloved friend.

Samantha took Brooke's soft hand in her own, smaller one, and led her best friend out of the door of the large house where a boisterous, engagement party had just erupted into an almost orgiastic activity.

Part Two

Samantha drove an old, beat up 1983 Mercedes, and Brooke loved to go cruising around the coast with her. Samantha was a rather eccentric girl with a dozen, odd little quirks, and Brooke loved every one of them, and had all of them memorized. For example, Brooke knew that Samantha loved to collect pictures of handsome, young, naked men from the internet, and that she had them hidden in a secret file in her computer. Samantha loved to read erotic, lesbian fiction, and she collected it from the internet, and hid them in another secret file on her hard drive. Samantha was an Edgar Allen Poe fanatic, and had several books of his short stories. Samantha loved heavy metal rock, and old, fifties swing music. Samantha loved to sleep in the nude. Samantha liked to watch wrestling, and hated romantic movies. Samantha went to boxing matches, and hockey games. Samantha loved fashions by Chanel, and loved wearing sexy, black, lace underwear. Samantha loved to get drunk on expensive champagne, and was addicted to vanilla ice cream. Samantha's favorite colors were dark blue, black, and bright red. Samantha's all-time favorite movie was the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," because she was extremely turned on by the lead character; a man in constant drag, and even harbored the fantasy of making love to a man wearing women's clothes. Samantha was a moderate conservative. Samantha believed deeply in God, but was privately religious. Samantha liked many of the Democratic Party's views in politics, but always voted Republican. Samantha was right handed, but drove with her left hand. At the age of ten, Samantha fell off her bicycle, and sprained her right ankle. At the age of sixteen, Samantha lost her virginity to her handsome cousin named Josh. Samantha loved spiked heels, and favored leather, and domination. Samantha loved children, and hoped to have at least three someday.

Brooke knew all of Samantha's secrets, and also the ones that she shared with the girl; that the two of them once went sunbathing at a nude beach, or that they smoked pot during their vacation to Aruba. But the biggest secret, the most precious of all to Brooke, was the memory of the night that she, and Samantha got drunk after a party, went upstairs to one of the rooms to lie down, and ended up lying in bed, making out like two lover for the rest of the night. That one, special secret was a memory that Brooke revisited often; the feel of Samantha's soft, moist, ruby lips against her own. That was the first time that either she, or Sam had ever kissed another woman, and the entire incident had occurred more as an experiment than an actual lesbian encounter. Both Brooke, and Sam had agreed not to mention the incident again, but the tall, pretty, lanky blond loved to recall it often, because inwardly she yearned for it to happen again.

The drive home for Brooke, and Samantha was somewhat silent at first, until Brooke snuggled up close to Samantha, and spoke softly into her friend's ear, "thanks for driving me home, Sammy."

"You're welcome, dearest," Samantha replied with a warm smile, then she laughed to see how Brooke cuddled up to her, "too bad you're a girl, Brooke. You'd make a great date."

"Does it matter, Sammy? Does my being a woman really matter? I mean....what if we really went out on a real date....just you, and me?"

"I don't know," a startled, confused Samantha replied nervously.

"Now you're angry with me," Brooke said almost tearfully, as she began to move away from her friend.

"Wait. Brooke. I'm sorry for reacting that way. Its just that your question took me by surprise."

"You're not repulsed by me, Sammy?"

"Not really, Brooke....unless you sneeze all over me," Samantha replied with a smirk.

"OH!" Brooke cried in mock anger, as she swatted Samantha's arm, then moved back to snuggle herself against the gorgeous brunette, "so you would really go out with me, Sammy?"

"It is so obvious that you're drunk, Brooke. You would never say that if you were totally sober!"

"I'm just lightheaded, Sammy. I am not drunk. I'm being serious."

"Alright, Brooke. I understand. Yes, I think that I would go out with you on a real date. Now, stop pulling my leg. We're at your house already."

"Oh," Brooke said sadly, because now she had to get out of the car, and go home, "thanks for the ride, Sammy."

"Anytime, sweetie," Sammy said softly, as she kissed her friend's cheek.

Brooke was led by her lovesick heart, as in that instant she simply leaned closer to Samantha, and kissed her fully on the lips, with passion, with love. Then, Brooke reluctantly let go of her friend, slid toward the car door on her side, and got out of the car, "goodnight, Sammy."

"Hhhhmmmm," Samantha replied, "goodnight, Brooke. Thanks for the....surprise."

"Anytime," Brooke replied with a confident smirk, as she turned, and walked to her house. Suddenly, Brooke stopped, turned around, and ran back to her friend's car, "Sammy?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night, Sammy? Then we can go to the movies, and maybe go for a stroll by the bay, and...."

"You really are serious about this, Brooke? It isn't a joke?"

"No, Sammy. I'm not joking. I'm....asking you to go out with me."

Brooke held her breath, waiting for Samantha to get angry, to drive away, to end their friendship. But Samantha simply lapsed into a sudden silence that lasted for several seconds, "Sammy?"

"Alright, Brooke."

"Is that a yes?" Brooke thought that her giddy heart would burst in that instant.

"Yes it is, you silly thing," Samantha replied smartly.

"Oh my God!" Brooke exclaimed vehemently, "oh wow!" the beautiful blond was now jumping up, and down like a small child with a new toy, "fantastic! Oh, what will I wear? Great! I have to fix my nails tonight! I have to find my new shoes, and match them up to my black miniskirt! What blouse should I wear with it?" Brooke was giddy with hope, with excitement.

"Just go to bed, Brooke," Samantha said, as she laughed heartily, "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Yes, baby. I promise, Brooke," Samantha replied lovingly, "now go to bed, you goof ball!"

"Goodnight, darling," Brooke said huskily, as she turned once more, and walked toward her house.

"Goodnight, Brooke," Samantha said, as she drove away slowly.

Brooke stood in front of her door, and watched as the woman of her dreams drove away, "OH MY GOD!" Brooke's conscience screamed for joy, making her inner voice reverberate within her mind, "Sammy is going on a date with ME! A date! With me! Sammy, and me!" Brooke's mind was whirling, and her heart was racing, so that the girl really didn't stop to examine if this meant that she was now a fully fledged lesbian, and how her actions would affect her life. Brooke didn't even stop to consider what everyone would think of her; her parents back in California, her friends from college, her, and Sammy's coworkers. In that instant, Brooke was gloriously, deliriously happy, and she just didn't give a damn what the rest of the world thought about her. Brooke had a date with Sammy, whom she loved, and needed; that was all that mattered.

Part Three

Brooke was on cloud nine as she prepared for bed, "Sammy is going to move in with me when we become lovers." Brooke brushed took a quick, cold shower to calm her suddenly fervent thoughts, "I don't want my Sammy to continue living with that awful brother of hers!"

Brooke owned her own house, but Samantha lived with her twin brother, Harrison, in an elegant apartment on the fifth floor of the Derby building, three blocks away from the corporate headquarters of Grimes, and Son, the famously successful shipping company where Brooke, and Samantha both worked. Grimes, and Son was housed in the giant skyscraper, Harley Heights, that stood in the middle of town.

"Sammy is mine! Sammy is mine!" a gushing Brooke chanted, as she tried to brush her teeth.

Finally, the beautiful blond finished all of her nightly, routine, private chores, and settled down to sleep in her bed. Almost immediately, Brooke fell into a deep slumber filled with thoughts, and images of her beloved Samantha.

Sometime during the long night, Brooke's blissful slumber, her delightful dreams of Samantha ended, and she fell into a strange, dark, morbid sleep. Brooke began to toss, then turn, as her psyche became immersed in an anguished state, as she began to have the strangest dream.

Brooke began to dream that she was in the living room of Samantha, and Harrison's apartment. Brooke noticed that the lights were off, and that it was night in the apartment, "but where is Sammy?" Almost as soon as the blond thought of her ravishing friend, she heard voices coming to her, but seeming distant, almost as if they came through a filter, "those voices? Its Sammy, and she sounds almost angry, and I can hear Harrison as well. They seem to be arguing! But why?" Brooke strained her ear to listen to the frenzied, angry voices that now filled her strange dream, intent on discovering the cause of their dispute.

"You will do as I say, Samantha! You have no choice!" Harrison's voice thundered, making Brooke's heart quiver with sudden fear.

"NO! I will not obey you, Harrison! I'm not a helpless child that you can bully as you once did. I'm strong now, and I can defend myself!" Samantha's angry voice replied.

"You will never be stronger than I am, Samantha! You are, and always will be the weaker sibling! You belong to me, so you must obey me completely!"

"I belong only to myself, Harrison! You are not my master anymore! I'm free. I'm not afraid of you anymore!"

"Oh, really, Samantha? So you have rebelled against me? Then, I will take from you by force, what you will not surrender willingly!" Harrison's voice had become threatening, like the first spark of a mighty thunderclap.

"Stay away from me, Harrison! Don't you dare come any closer!"

Brooke was crying now, as she heard her beloved friend's scream of terror. Brooke wanted desperately to run to Samantha's aid, but found her bare feet planted firmly to the carpeted floor, as if they had been set in the firmest cement, "oh, Sammy!" Brooke cried with all of her bleeding heart, "Sammy!" But Brooke's voice seemed to have died in her throat, for all that came out of her lips was silence, "my dear, Sammy!"

Suddenly, Brooke heard sounds that chilled her heart; sounds of struggling, of blows, of furniture being moved aside violently, of objects falling, some rolling on the floor, some breaking like brittle glass. Then, Brooke heard Samantha scream in terror, while Harrison laughed hysterically. Brooke had begun to cry, as her mouth opened, and her heart cried, and screamed. But nothing, no sound at all came from Brooke's lips, as her silent cries joined Samantha's horror-filled scream.

Brooke woke abruptly, and found herself sweating so profusely, that her bed sheets were almost completely drenched. Brooke felt her heart racing, and her eyes still filled with tears, that ran down her pale cheeks, "it was all just a dream, a nightmare!" A deep sense of relief flooded through the blond woman's body, "I was dreaming. That's all it was; just a dream. My Sammy is alright!"

Suddenly, the phone next to Brooke's bed rang, its shrill sound further frightening the already excited girl, "damn!" It was six in the morning, the sun had barely risen in the sky, and already someone had dared to call Brooke, to disturb her, "who the hell can it be at this time? It's just too early for this shit!" Brooke angrily picked up the receiver, "yeah?" Brooke asked in a rude manner.

"Brooke?"

"Harrison? What the hell are you doing, calling me at this hour? Go to hell!" Brooke yelled angrily at the voice on the other end of the receiver. Brooke was so enraged, that she was about to hang up the phone, and end the call.

"Brooke! Don't hang up on me, please!"

"Why shouldn't I, Harrison?"

"It's an emergency," Harrison shouted in desperation, "it's . . . Sammy!"

"What?" Suddenly, Brooke felt her heart gripped with cold fear, as the memory of her dream washed over her, "is Sammy all right?"

"No, Brooke. Samantha is not all right. She was in a car accident just a few minutes ago!"

"OH NO!" Brooke's painful cry came from the deepest part of her soul, "oh no!"

"Samantha was headed over to your house, Brooke. It was all so sudden. The ambulance took her to Rollins General Hospital. Do you know where that is?"

"Yes, Harrison. I know where Rollins is!"

"I'm on my way there right now, Brooke. Can you meet me there in fifteen minutes?"

"Make it ten minutes, Harrison. I'm getting out of bed, and getting ready right now!"

"Okay, Brooke. See you there!"

"Okay."

Part Four

Brooke jumped quickly out of her bed, and rushed to the bathroom, where she brushed her teeth, then took a quick, cold shower. Brooke threw on a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and slipped her feet into her most worn pair of sneakers. Then, Brooke dashed out the door of her house, got into her car, and drove to the hospital. Brooke tried to drive sensibly, but she couldn't, as her foot instinctively pushed down hard on the accelerator. Brooke's nerves were in shambles at the thought of Samantha being hurt, "oh please, God," the young woman prayed within herself, "please let my Sammy be all right. Don't let anything happen to her. I couldn't bear this life without Sammy!"

It was in Brooke's good fortune, that she managed to arrive at Rollins, without encountering a police officer who would have surely stopped her for excessive speeding. Brooke quickly found a parking space, parked her car, then got out, and raced into the hospital. Brooke had to ask where the emergency room was, and she raced down the halls of the hospital, dodging technicians, and Gurney. Finally, Brooke managed to arrive, a nervous, exhausted bundle at the waiting room that was next to the emergency room. There, Brooke saw Harrison sitting in a chair in a corner. For the very first time, Brooke was actually glad to see her best friend's brother; her nemesis, her obnoxious, sparring partner. But at that moment, in Brooke's eyes, Harrison seemed strangely changed; his usual bravado was gone, and he was sitting in his chair, shoulders slumped, and crying, "Harrison?"

Harrison's head shot up when he heard Brooke's voice calling him, "I'm so glad that you came, Brooke!" Harrison got out of his chair quickly, rushed to the girl, and hugged her tightly, "I'm all alone here. Its just awful, Brooke. I don't know how Samantha is!"

"Oh.....Harrison," Brooke was deeply moved by Harrison's sudden warmth toward her, by his unexpected vulnerability, "you're not alone now. I'm here. Sammy has both of us here now to pray for her."

"I'm so scared, Brooke!" Harrison exclaimed quickly, as he sat down in his chair once more,"what if she dies? What if Jess doesn't come home with me again?"

Once more, Brooke was taken aback by what seemed to be the immense change in Harrison. Gone from his handsome face, was Harrison's now infamous, trademark, cruel smirk. Gone from Harrison's cerulean eyes, was the cold, piercing gaze, to be replaced by what was in Brooke's opinion, a strangely out of place, kind, concerned gaze. Gone from Harrison, was his aggressive, brash, loud manner, to be replaced by a grieving, worried, diminished composure.

"Harrison," Brooke said gently, kindly, "please don't fret. We must have hope that Sammy will be all right!"

"Yes," Harrison said desperately, as he got up from his again, and began to pace to, and fro, "Brooke, I'm so worried. I feel so guilty."

"Why, Harrison? You told me that Brooke was in an accident."

"We argued before Jess left the apartment. Jess was angry with me when she took her car out on the road. Her head wasn't clear when she was driving. I put her in that state, Brooke. I'm to blame for all of this."

"I'm sure that you didn't mean to argue with her, Harrison. I know that you've done some very awful things in your life, but harming your own sister was not among them!"

Harrison stopped pacing about nervously, and turned toward Brooke. Harrison looked at Brooke, and suddenly smiled at her. For one brief moment, the girl felt her heart flutter, for within that small smile, she saw nothing but kindness, gentleness, and understanding. In that one instant, Brooke saw Samantha mirrored in Harrison's now, kind face.

"Thank you for the confidence, Brooke," Harrison said, somewhat playfully, as his mood lifted considerably, "I'm sure that it was in there somewhere."

"I'm sorry, Harrison," Brooke replied guiltily, "that was a cheap shot, and this isn't the time to bring those things up."

"But its so true, Brooke," Harrison said sadly, "you are so right. I have done so many awful things in my life. I have hurt so many people. But the worst thing that I have done, was to let my sister leave without telling her how much I love, and need her!"

Brooke tried to hold back her shock, her sudden, overwhelming urge to cry out in total amazement, for she just couldn't believe that Harrison McPherson was actually talking about things such as love, and caring, and was finally taking fault for all of his past actions. This was indeed a very strange situation, in Brooke's silent opinion, and she couldn't help the abrupt sensations of tenderness that she was feeling toward Harrison at that very moment, "I'm sure that Sammy knows how you feel about her, Harrison," Brooke said quietly, as she stood up, and took his hand.

"Thank you, Brooke," Harrison replied, as tears shown in his eyes, "you are such a great comfort to me right now!"

Harrison reached out once more, took Brooke into his strong arms, and held her tightly against his warm, powerful body. Brooke suddenly felt a bevy of emotions wash over her, and was not just disconcerted, but also ashamed. Brooke realized at that very moment that she was quickly feeling love, as in falling in love with Harrison. The emotions suddenly swelling up within her were developing rapidly, yet seemed somehow familiar, and not out of place. "I can't possibly be feeling like this," Brooke whispered to herself, as she was held in Harrison's arms, "I can't possibly be falling in love with this neanderthal, who only last night, was preaching the delights of Satanic ways to me. No. It must be my imagination. It can't be possible!"

Their embrace lasted much too long, and their bodies reacted to each other's warmth, so that Brooke, and Harrison had to part from each other. Brooke was distraught, filled with a deep sense of guilt, for only the night before, she had professed her love for Samantha to her own psyche, and now she was quickly, helplessly falling in love with Harrison. But it seemed as if it was a losing battle for Brooke, who was now subject to rising feelings that were long buried; powerful feelings of attraction for a powerfully charismatic, beautiful Harrison McPherson. Brooke pulled back a bit too quickly, and was now blushing profusely, as she tried to look away from the handsome man that stood much too close for comfort, "I'm sorry, Harrison. This isn't the time for this."

"Brooke," Harrison whispered huskily, as he brought up his large, slender hand, and cupped the young woman's chin, exerting delicate force, making her look up at him, as he gazed tenderly into her hazel eyes, "Brooke?"

"Oh....Harrison," Brooke replied, as tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.

Suddenly, Brooke, and Harrison's temporary revelry was shattered, as a doctor came out of the emergency room, and called out; "Harrison McPherson?"

"I'm here, doctor!" Harrison exclaimed anxiously, as he walked toward the doctor who had just come out of the emergency room. Harrison dragged Brooke along with him, as he quickly took the girl by the wrist, "how is my sister?"

The doctor was a young man in his twenties, dressed in his green scrubs which looked disheveled, to accompany the tired, weary look in his dark eyes, "Mr. McPherson, this is a most odd circumstance that I must inform you of."

"Tell me at once, doctor!" Harrison exclaimed loudly.

"Your sister, Samantha, is alive, Mr. McPherson."

"Thank God!" Harrison said loudly, with an audible gasp of relief.

Harrison's sudden exclamation startled Brooke, making her feel more in awe at the sudden change in the handsome man, whom she had known to be an avowed, Satan worshiper, "this sudden change in Harrison is so odd, and somehow disconcerting. There is something wrong about this entire affair, but I just can't seem to put my finger on it."

"But...." the doctor hesitated.

"What is it, doctor?" Harrison cried.

"Your sister was in a very serious accident, Mr. McPherson. I was shown pictures of her car by the fire rescuers who brought her in; her car was completely destroyed. That doesn't explain why there isn't a single injury on Samantha's body. Your sister is completely intact. The problem is that she has fallen into a coma, even though there is no evidence of head trauma from her accident. We have put Samantha life-sustaining machines."

"Oh no," Harrison whispered painfully, as a rush of tears came to his eyes, "oh no."

"We are monitoring her condition, Mr. McPherson. That is all that we can do.

Part Five

"Can we see Sammy?" Brooke asked shyly.

The young doctor nodded, "yes, you can both see Samantha. She has been transported upstairs to a private room on the fourth floor; number 411."

"Thank you, doctor," Harrison said, as he turned away, while putting an arm around Brooke's shoulders, and pulling her tightly against his side.

The doctor nodded in a silent reply, and turned, then re-entered the emergency room doors once more.

"That's it," Harrison said calmly, yet letting out a frustrated sigh, "I have her, yet I don't have her."

Brooke's mind was in a whirl, as Harrison kept her close to him; in the elevator, then as they walked down the long hall to Samantha's room. Already, Brooke found herself pleasantly accustomed to the feel of Harrison's long, powerful frame against her own lanky one, "I can't believe how fast this is going," the pretty blond thought to herself, "and I don't know if I should put a stop to such sudden familiarity. But it does feel good. It almost feels as if I'm with . . . Sammy, and not Harrison." The oddness of such a thought took Brooke by surprise, who had no time to resolve it, for the two of them had already arrived at the open door of Samantha's room.

The newly formed couple entered room 411, and both felt a stab of pain at the sight that met their eyes; Samantha lay dormant upon a hospital bed, her long, dark hair spread upon the pillow that comforted her head, like a dark mantle that mourned the stillness of her delicate, sleeping face. Monitors, and wires were attached to the girl everywhere.

"Oh no!" Brooke sobbed, as she stood beside Samantha's bed. With great care, Brooke reached out, and stroked the dormant girl's face with tenderness, "this isn't fair, Harrison. It just isn't fair."

"I should be on that bed instead of her, Brooke," Harrison replied quietly.

"Don't say that!" Brooke exclaimed angrily, as she turned around to face the young man, "don't ever say that. I would never want you hurt either!"

"Samantha is an angel, Brooke," Harrison said calmly, softly, "but I'm not. I've done horrible things. It would be justice for me to be in her place."

"No! Never!" Brooke exclaimed loudly, as she threw her arms around Harrison, and buried her face in the crook of his neck, "you've changed!"

"I've only just awakened from what seemed a dark dream, Brooke. But until this morning, I was a horrid thing, filled with darkness. Samantha is an innocent. This really isn't fair. Fate is truly blind, and cruel."

"Nothing is perfection," Brooke reasoned, "nothing is fair. There is no explanation as to why things happen. Perhaps, in some twisted, sordid way, Samantha served as a vessel to bring you to the light!"

"THEN I CURSE THE LIGHT!" Harrison yelled, filled with rage, as his eyes glowed, as his heart roared, and he seemed like his old self once more.

"Don't!" Brooke cried out, as she brought up her pale hand to place it over his thin lips, "don't."

Harrison took the girl's delicate, pale hand in both his own larger ones, and kissed it tenderly, "I'm sorry," he whispered. Then, Harrison drew the girl to him, and once more held her in the circle of his arms, "be patient with me, dearest. It will take time for me to change. But I promise you that I will try with all of my heart to do so."

"What did you just call me?" Brooke was stunned by Harrison's sudden endearment for her.

"I called you "dearest," Brooke. Is that all right?"

"If you do so, it means that there is more than just friendship between us, Mr. MacPherson!"

"I'm in love with you, Brooke," Harrison said with a sad smile, "this is the worst time to say it, yet ironically the best. I wanted to say this so many times, but I was filled with darkness, and didn't know how to reach you. Today, somehow, a small door has opened in my heart, and my soul has reached out to you. I must say it, for perhaps tomorrow you will be snatched away from me. But I do hope that you feel at least a small seed of pity for me. I hope that you will become more than just my friend, but also my beloved companion."

Brooke could only smile, as heart became warmed by the man's sudden gentleness, by his loving smile, and by his affectionate gaze, "yes, Harrison. I admit that it is much too sudden to feel this way, but I can't help myself either. I feel a love growing in my heart for you that I can't contain. Yes. I would very much like to be your friend, and your companion."

"Then we have that hope, Brooke," Harrison replied with a ravishing smile that lit his manly face, "together we are stronger. Together, we will bring Samantha back."

"Yes, Harrison," the girl said softly, "somehow, Sammy will come home to us."

From that moment on, the newly formed bond with Harrison, gave Brooke a sense of peace that filled her troubled heart, giving her the courage to face the ordeal ahead; to pray, to strive for Samantha's return to her arms, to her heart, and to side.

Part Six

Brooke was standing at the doorway of Tina's house, where she was giving an engagement party for a coworker, and mutual friend of theirs. Brooke had come to the party with Sammy, who urged her to come along, "I knew that I should never have come!" Brooke scolded herself, "I hate parties. I don't hold alcohol well. I always get sick at these places. But Sammy begged me to come with her." Brooke could never say no to her best, dearest friend, Sammy McPherson. Brooke loved Sammy more than anything, or anyone in the entire world, and that included her very own parents. Brooke had come to the party, not to find a possible boyfriend, but only to be with Sammy. Samantha haunted every one of Brooke's thoughts, dominated her heart, and was the center of her very life. It could be said that Brooke lived, and breathed only for Sammy. It could be said that Sammy owned Brooke in both body, and soul. "I love Sammy so much. I can't help myself. Sammy treats me like a queen. No one has ever treated me so tenderly, so lovingly; not even my very own mother." Brooke was at the moment at odds with her parents, who wanted her to return to North Carolina to live with them, and give up her present job as a secretary with a large shipping company named; "Grimes, and Sons," where she worked with Sammy.

"I'm coming, sweetheart," Sammy replied, as she turned, gave her friend, Tina, one last hug, and slipped her card with her telephone number to a handsome, smiling young man who stood nearby.

"I notice you!"

"Is poor little Brooke sick already?" Harrison whispered back to the girl in his arms, "why? You only had two martinis. I didn't think you were so delicate with liquor. Want me to drive you home, Brooke?"

"No! Sammy is driving me home, Harrison," Brooke replied angrily, for she despised Harrison deeply.

"You are such a selfish little bitch, Brooke. You profess to love my sister, Sammy so much, and yet you deprive her of the opportunity to find a man for her bed tonight!"

Harrison McPherson was Sammy's twin brother, and the bane of Brooke's existence.

"And you are such a damn bastard, Harrison," Brooke replied angrily, "now get your paws off of me this instant!"

"You're probably drunk anyway, Harrison!" Brooke said complainingly.

"Oh," Harrison smiled coolly, as he surveyed the pretty, slender blond girl that stood haughtily before him, "now you know that isn't so, Brooke. I detest alcohol. The smell alone of drinking alone repulses me."

Brooke was abruptly, rudely awakened from her blissful revelry of one, very beautiful brunette, by the unexpected, riddle laden, words of her nemesis, whom her mind quickly moved to interpret with the worse kinds of insinuations, "what do you mean, Harrison? What are you trying to insinuate? That I'm gay?" Brooke's voice was forceful, almost vulgar in its rasping, loud, indignant manner.

"You aren't insinuating anymore," Brooke said angrily, as her face reddened, "now you're accusing me!"

"Lower your voice, Brooke," Harrison interjected, "if you must be rude, then do it elegantly.

"Just shut up, Harrison!" Brooke had exploded, the dam of her patience was no more.

"I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH Sam!" Brooke screamed, finally pushed over the brim of propriety.

"I most certainly am," Harrison replied calmly.

Brooke let out an exasperated sigh, and then crossed her arms, "just go away, Harrison."

Brooke had asked something of Harrison McPherson that he would never be able to do; "why should I?" Harrison whispered, as he leaned closer to the girl beside him, and continued to tempt her with his sinful words, "just look at her, Brooke. Isn't Samantha the most stunning creature that you have ever seen? I certainly think so, and I am very sure that you feel the same as I do."

Harrison, and Brooke observed Samantha in a sudden, fraternal silence.

Although Samantha, and Harrison were twins, they did not closely resemble each other. Harrison was taller than Samantha, and his hair was darker. Being male, Harrison took on the characteristics of his gender; he was rugged, virile, aggressive, brash, self-confident, adventurous. Samantha was the complete opposite of her brother, his antithesis; like day to night, or earth to water, or water to fire. Samantha was shorter by a few inches than Harrison, at about 5'8". Samantha was slender, very curvaceous, with long, shapely legs, slender arms, and a very tiny waist. Where Harrison was powerful, and muscular, Samantha was plush, voluptuous, and was delicate, even somewhat fragile looking. Where in personality, Harrison tended to be cruel, cold, evil, Samantha was tender, loving, and kind. Harrison was of a darker coloring; his skin was tanned, rough, and Samantha was fair skinned, with a soft, unblemished complexion. Harrison had long, dark brown hair that reached down to his shoulder blades, and that he kept tied back in a neat braid. Samantha had long, silky, thick, wavy, chestnut colored hair that bounced freely in animated waves about her classically beautiful face, and around her neck, and shoulders. Although Harrison, and Samantha both had the same, extremely beautiful face, with sculpted cheeks, and finely chiseled features; Harrison's face was constantly veiled with an evil shadow, and a cruel sneer, and Samantha's face was adorned with a charming, warm smile, and gentle expression always shone in her eyes. Harrison's eyes were of a steely, cold, blue color, and Samantha's eyes were a light, sky blue.

Harrison, and Samantha were absolute opposites in every way; like opposite forces; good and evil, dark and light. Harrison was amoral, cruel, dark, selfish. Samantha was honorable, noble, kind.

Brooke was trapped between those two worlds; between Harrison, and Samantha McPherson.

"Brooke, I understand now."

"What do you mean?" Brooke was suddenly very nervous of Harrison's proximity, and tried to move away.

"Don't," Harrison said softly, as he reached out, and took hold of the girl's wrist with his large, powerful hand, "don't move away from me."

"I can't stand the sight of you, Harrison," Brooke hissed angrily.

"You're in love with Samantha's soul, but you're physically attracted to me, Brooke," Harrison replied, "that is quite an interesting paradox."

"You make me sick, Harrison. You're suffering from some stupid fantasy. I can never feel anything for you but hatred, and loathing."

"Why not, Brooke. Why can't you love me the way you love Samantha? I know that if it was possible, you would make her your lover. But of course, you don't want to be involved in a social stigma. That is the only reason that you haven't acted upon your feelings for Samantha. But I am Samantha's male counterpart; her twin. I am she, both genetically, and biologically. I can give you all that she is, and more, for I am male. With me, you can have us both."

Brooke laughed bitterly, "how can you even ask that, Harrison? How can you even consider yourself an equal to Samantha? You are dark, cruel, and evil. You have the worst reputation in town. You have destroyed the lives of so many women. You are rumored to belong to a Satanic sect!"

"It isn't a rumor, Brooke," Harrison replied with a laugh, "I am a Satanist. My group is called "Endian's Claw," and we are very devout in our way."

"And you have the gall to admit it!" Brooke said with a scowl, and a furrowed brow.

"So that you can play with me, gorge yourself on my love, and then dump me like you did to your other lovers, Harrison? No. I'm not that stupid."

"But if I were like Samantha, would you love me, Brooke?"

Brooke laughed once more, more in awe than in bitterness, "are you mad, Harrison? You'll never be like Samantha. She is the kindest, sweetest soul that I have ever met!"

"But if it were possible, then you would love me, Brooke," Harrison said excitedly.

"If," Brooke whispered, "ifs are always impossible, just as night can never be day."

"But the night can be as beautiful as the day, Brooke. If only you weren't so blind, Brooke. You would understand."

"Just go away, Harrison. You don't make any sense at all."

"I'm coming back for you, Brooke. I promise that you will be mine. And I will be everything for you. Everything."

Harrison turned, and then simply walked away from Brooke, as Samantha turned, and walked toward her.

"Hey, baby," Samantha said softly, as she stood up slightly on her toes to kiss Brooke, who was slightly taller, on the cheek, "sorry that I kept you waiting. Are you still sick?"

"Yes, Sam. I am so sorry to make you leave to drive me home," Brooke trembled at the touch of Samantha's full, crimson lips brushing against her soft cheek, "I know you just met someone."

"No problem, sweetheart. The party is too boring anyway. I gave him my number. If he is interested, then he can call me. I would rather drive you home. We did come together, you know."

"I know," Brooke whispered, as she pulled the stunning brunette into her slender arms, and held her tightly for a moment, "I know."

"We should get going, baby," Samantha replied with a soft smile, "I think you need to get to the toilet soon!"

"Yeah," Brooke smiled, and for a moment, she was simply, blissfully happy, just being with her beloved friend.

Samantha's all time favorite movie was the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," because she was extremely turned on by the lead character; a man in constant drag, and even harbored the fantasy of making love to a man wearing women's clothes. Samantha was a moderate conservative. Samantha believed deeply in God, but was privately religious. Samantha liked many of the Democratic Party's views in politics, but always voted Republican. Samantha was right handed, but drove with her left hand. At the age of ten, Samantha fell off her bicycle, and sprained her right ankle. At the age of sixteen, Samantha lost her virginity to her handsome cousin named Josh. Samantha loved spiked heels, and favored leather, and domination. Samantha loved children, and hoped to have at least three someday.

Brooke knew all of Samantha's secrets, and also the ones that she shared with the girl; that the two of them once went sunbathing at a nude beach, or that they smoked pot during their vacation to Aruba. But the biggest secret, the most precious of all to Brooke, was the memory of the night that she, and Samantha got drunk after a party, went upstairs to one of the rooms to lie down, and ended up lying in bed, making out like two lovers for the rest of the night. That one, special secret was a memory that Brooke revisited often; the feel of Samantha's soft, moist, ruby lips against her own. That was the first time that either she, or Sam had ever kissed another woman, and the entire incident had occurred more as an experiment than an actual lesbian encounter. Both Brooke, and Sam had agreed not to mention the incident again, but the tall, pretty, lanky blond loved to recall it often, because inwardly she yearned for it to happen again.

The drive home for Brooke, and Samantha was somewhat silent at first, until Brooke snuggled up close to Samantha, and spoke softly into her friend's ear, "thanks for driving me home, Sammy."

"You're welcome, dearest," Samantha replied with a warm smile, then she laughed to see how Brooke cuddled up to her, "too bad you're a girl, Li. You'd make a great date."

"Does it matter, Sammy? Does my being a woman really matter? I mean . . . what if we really went out on a real date . . . just you, and me?"

"I don't know," a startled, confused Samantha replied nervously.

"Now you're angry with me," Brooke said almost tearfully, as she began to move away from her friend.

"Wait. Brooke. I'm sorry for reacting that way. It's just that your question took me by surprise."

"You're not repulsed by me, Sammy?"

"Not really, Li . . . unless you sneeze all over me," Samantha replied with a smirk.

"OH!" Brooke cried in mock anger, as she swatted Samantha's arm, then moved back to snuggle herself against the gorgeous brunette, "so you would really go out with me, Sammy?"

"It is so obvious that you're drunk, Li. You would never say that if you were totally sober!"

"I'm just lightheaded, Sammy. I am not drunk. I'm being serious."

"All right, Li. I understand. Yes, I think that I would go out with you on a real date. Now, stop pulling my leg. We're at your house already."

"Oh," Brooke said sadly, because now she had to get out of the car, and go home, "thanks for the ride, Sammy."

"Anytime, sweetie," Sammy said softly, as she kissed her friend's cheek.

"Hhhhmmmm," Samantha replied, "goodnight, Li. Thanks for the . . . surprise."

"Anytime," Brooke replied with a confident smirk, as she turned, and walked to her house. Suddenly, Brooke stopped, turned around, and ran back to her friend's car, "Sammy?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night, Sammy? Then we can go to the movies, and maybe go for a stroll by the bay, and . . . "

"You really are serious about this, Li? It isn't a joke?"

"No, Sammy. I'm not joking. I'm . . . asking you to go out with me."

Brooke held her breath, waiting for Samantha to get angry, to drive away, to end their friendship. But Samantha simply lapsed into a sudden silence that lasted for several seconds, "Sammy?"

"All right, Li."

"Is that a yes?" Brooke thought that her giddy heart would burst in that instant.

"Yes it is, you silly thing," Samantha replied smartly.

"Just go to bed, Li," Samantha said, as she laughed heartily, "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Yes, baby. I promise, Li," Samantha replied lovingly, "now go to bed, you goof ball!"

"Goodnight, darling," Brooke said huskily, as she turned once more, and walked toward her house.

"Goodnight, Li," Samantha said, as she drove away slowly.

Brooke owned her own house, but Samantha lived with her twin brother, Harrison, in an elegant apartment on the fifth floor of the Derby building, three blocks away from the corporate headquarters of Grimes, and Son, the famously successful shipping company, where Brooke, and Samantha both worked. Grimes, and Son was housed in the giant skyscraper, Harley Heights, that stood in the middle of town.

"Sammy is mine! Sammy is mine!" a gushing Brooke chanted, as she tried to brush her teeth.

"You will do as I say, Samantha! You have no choice!" Harrison's voice thundered, making Brooke's heart quiver with sudden fear.

"NO! I will not obey you, Harrison! I'm not a helpless child that you can bully as you once did. I'm strong now, and I can defend myself!" Samantha's angry voice replied.

"You will never be stronger than I am, Samantha! You are, and always will be the weaker sibling! You belong to me, so you must obey me completely!"

"I belong only to myself, Harrison! You are not my master anymore! I'm free. I'm not afraid of you any more!"

"Stay away from me, Harrison! Don't you dare come any closer!"

"Brooke?"

"Brooke! Don't hang up on me, please!"

"Why shouldn't I, Harrison?"

"It's an emergency," Harrison shouted in desperation, "it's . . . Sammy!"

"What?" Suddenly, Brooke felt her heart gripped with cold fear, as the memory of her dream washed over her, "is Sammy all right?"

"No, Brooke. Samantha is not all right. She was in a car accident just a few minutes ago!"

"OH NO!" Brooke's painful cry came from the deepest part of her soul, "oh no!"

"Samantha was headed over to your house, Brooke. It was all so sudden. The ambulance took her to Rollins General Hospital. Do you know where that is?"

"Yes, Harrison. I know where Rollins is!"

"I'm on my way there right now, Brooke. Can you meet me there in fifteen minutes?"

"Make it ten minutes, Harrison. I'm getting out of bed, and getting ready right now!"

"Okay, Brooke. See you there!"

"Okay."

"Oh.....Harrison," Brooke was deeply moved by Harrison's sudden warmth toward her, by his unexpected vulnerability, "you're not alone now. I'm here. Sammy has both of us here now to pray for her."

"I'm so scared, Brooke!" Harrison exclaimed quickly, as he sat down in his chair once more,"what if she dies? What if Sam doesn't come home with me again?"

"Harrison," Brooke said gently, kindly, "please don't fret. We must have hope that Sammy will be all right!"

"Yes," Harrison said desperately, as he got up from his again, and began to pace to, and fro, "Brooke, I'm so worried. I feel so guilty."

"Why, Harrison? You told me that Brooke was in an accident."

"We argued before Sam left the apartment. Sam was angry with me when she took her car out on the road. Her head wasn't clear when she was driving. I put her in that state, Brooke. I'm to blame for all of this."

"I'm sure that you didn't mean to argue with her, Harrison. I know that you've done some very awful things in your life, but harming your own sister was not among them!"

"Thank you for the confidence, Brooke," Harrison said, somewhat playfully, as his mood lifted considerably, "I'm sure that it was in there somewhere."

"I'm sorry, Harrison," Brooke replied guiltily, "that was a cheap shot, and this isn't the time to bring those things up."

"Thank you, Brooke," Harrison replied, as tears shown in his eyes, "you are such a great comfort to me right now!"

"Oh....Harrison," Brooke replied, as tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.

Suddenly, Brooke, and Harrison's temporary revelry was shattered, as a doctor came out of the emergency room, and called out; "Harrison McPherson?"

"Tell me at once, doctor!" Harrison exclaimed loudly.

"Your sister, Samantha, is alive, Mr. McPherson."

"Thank God!" Harrison said loudly, with an audible gasp of relief.

"But...." the doctor hesitated.

"What is it, doctor?" Harrison cried.

"Oh no," Harrison whispered painfully, as a rush of tears came to his eyes, "oh no."

"We are monitoring her condition, Mr. McPherson. That is all that we can do."

"Can we see Sammy?" Brooke asked shyly.

The young doctor nodded, "yes, you can both see Samantha. She has been transported upstairs to a private room on the fourth floor; number 411."

"Thank you, doctor," Harrison said, as he turned away, while putting an arm around Brooke's shoulders, and pulling her tightly against his side.

The doctor nodded in silent reply, and turned, then re-entered the emergency room doors once more.

"That's it," Harrison said calmly, yet letting out a frustrated sigh, "I have her, yet I don't have her."

Brooke's mind was in a whirl, as Harrison kept her close to him; in the elevator, then as they walked down the long hall to Samantha's room. Already, Brooke found herself pleasantly accustomed to the feel of Harrison's long, powerful frame against her own lanky one, "I can't believe how fast this is going," the pretty blond thought to herself, "and I don't know if I should put a stop to such sudden familiarity. But it does feel good. It almost feels as if I'm with....Sammy, and not Harrison." The oddness of such a thought took Brooke by surprise, who had no time to resolve it, for the two of them had already arrived at the open door of Samantha's room.