The Dance of Life

Series: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Title: The Dance of Life

Author: Carla

Rating: R for language and maybe a little sex.

Paring: Nicole/Carmen Sam/OFC

Disclaimers: I do not own Popular nor any of its characters. The folks who do so know who they are. I do however own the characters of Marcelene "Marcy" Langdon and Victoria "Tory" Langdon.

Archiving: My stuff can be found at http://www.realmoftheshadow.com. Thank you Kim from saving my incoherent ramblings from oblivion. All others please ask.

A/N: Well I am on vacation in NYC and my mother doesn't have internet access so I have had no choice but to write. The resulting fic no doubt reflects my agitation at not being able to get online. At any rate this starts out over the Christmas / winter break but by the end the gang is back in school. Thanks to Harper M. for the whole `homicidal axe wielding lesbian murderer' thing and to Alan H. whose wonderful thought provoking feedback helped shape this in many ways.

Feedback: Welcomed, needed and heeded. The good the bad and the ugly to cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

** Carmen? **

"Yes"

** It's Sam"

"Hey Sam how are you doing? How's the vacation treating you so far?"

** Good …Great really. You? **

"Busy but fun. I've been working a lot"

**Good glad to hear it. Listen um I was…that is we were wondering if you wanted to get together this evening. Dinner and then some coffee and desert at this coffee house downtown, The Rose, maybe some dancing after that? **

"Sounds like fun. Except the dinner part I am afraid that budgetary issue will not allow. But I know where The Rose is and I could meet you there around say 8:30-9:00 PM, how's that work for you?"

Carmen could hear Sam's muffled voice asking someone if 8:30 was a good time and then Sam was back on the line.

**8:30 PM is great. Perfect then we'll see you there? **

"Sam?"

** Yeah **

"Is it alright if I ask Lily to join us? Or did you just want this to be a one on one intro type thing?"

** Huh? **

"Marcy is coming with you right?"

** Well yeah? **

"And you haven't told Lily right?"

** Yeah…I see your point **

"So then…"

** Ask her I don't care…it's not like I have anything to hide I'm not dating Satan for Christ's sake ** Carmen winced at Sam's nickname for her girlfriend.

"Who said anything about Nicole? It's just well I certainly haven't said anything to anyone about anybody."

** I don't care who knows frankly so yeah invite Lily by all means **

"Okay then. Either way I'll see you around 8:30ish at The Rose"

** 8:30 it is **

"Hey Brenda Starr…"

** What's that Flo? **

"So I get to meet Marcy finally huh?"

** Yep **

"How's that going?"

** Good…great even. I like her, a lot. **

"I'm glad to hear that…Listen Sam, I don't have to bring Lily"

** No bring her. It's fine really what the hell the more the merrier right? And like I said I really don't care who knows **

"Okay then its settled 8:30 at The Rose. See you then"

Carmen hung up the phone and called Lily.

"Hello Mrs. Esposito may I speak with Lily please?"

"Lily? Carmen."

** Hi what's up? **

"I need a date for tonight"

** Uh-huh…I thought you had that covered. Her name is Nicole she adores you… She gave you that ring on your finger. Does any of this ring a bell for you? **

"Ha-ha Lily. At any rate Nic's not available this evening and more importantly not appropriate for tonight's festivities."

** Spill **

"Sam called…wanted to know if I was interested in hanging out with her and her date for the evening. You know coffee, desert and then maybe dancing afterwards…I don't want to be a third wheel"

** Oh that should be fun you and me Sam and her date. Is it that girl who came to pick her up the other day, you know the one on the motorcycle? **

"Yeah. So listen I was thinking, since we're supposed to meet them at 8:30, why don't I make dinner here and then we can go together to The Rose"

** Sounds good. Should I bring anything **

"Yourself and some cash"

** Would it be alright if I stayed over tonight or is Nicole coming over later **

"I'm not sure what her plans are really. She has this charity thing tonight with Tim and then they're meeting up with Brooke to do God knows what. Bring whatever to sleep over; we'll have a slumber party."

** Great I'll see you in a bit then **

~~~~~

They arrived at the coffee house a few minutes before the agreed upon time and peered through the windows to see if Sam and Marcy had arrived yet.

"Is that her?" Lily pointed to a blonde woman sitting at a table with a brunette whose back was to the door.

"No I don't see them at all. It's kind of chilly why don't we wait inside?"

"Sure"

They went inside and sat down at a table Lily across from Carmen.

"Do you think maybe I should sit next to you this way Sam and what's her name again…"

"Marcy"

"Marcy. Sam and Marcy can sit next to each other."

"I dunno"

"Well what would you do?"

"Me? Me I would want to sit next to Nicole."

"That's what I thought…I mean why not right I like to sit next to Josh"

"Lily you like to sit on Josh"

"Oh and let me guess you never sit on Nicole right"

"No" Carmen rolled her eyes at Lily's raised eyebrow "Oh alright under certain circumstances maybe"

"TMI"

"You brought it up"

"That was not what I meant" Carmen stuck out her tongue in response.

"Do you plan on using that tongue?"

"If asked nicely maybe"

"I don't think so" Once again Carmen stuck her tongue out at the Latina activist.

"What's the matter Lily scared?"

"Of Nicole. She strikes me as the possessive and jealous type and I am not looking to do battle."

Carmen laughed as Lily got up and sat down again this time in the chair next to the cheerleader.

"So let me get this straight so to speak. You're saying that you're not adverse to…how shall I put it…a little road trip to the Sapphic side of town"

The waitress chose that moment to appear at their table. "Hi my name is Tina and I'll be your server tonight. What can I get for you ladies?"

"I'll have a hazelnut latte and…interested in sharing a piece of chocolate espresso cake Lily?"

"Not really how about the German Chocolate"

"Okay…a piece of German Chocolate cake and two forks please?"

"I'll have a mocha cappuccino"

"One hazelnut latte, one mocha cappuccino, a piece of German Chocolate cake and two forks. Anything else, water maybe?"

"Some water would be great thanks"

Lily leaned over to Carmen and nodded her head in the direction of the departing waitress. "Now Tina there is definitely the kind I could see myself making the road trip with"

"Does Josh know about this?"

"Are you kidding its Josh's fantasy. Actually Josh's fantasy is me and Brooke but since the chances of that happening are about the same as…I was going to say you and Nicole dating but that doesn't work…so we'll say he's got the same chance of his fantasy being fulfilled as Sam and Nicole ever dating. In other words NONE."

"You're kidding he told you that? You and Brooke together while he watches?"

"No a threesome `cause you know how guys are"

"True"

"Here you go ladies"

"Thank you"

Just then Lily noticed Sam standing in the doorway and waved her over. Sam waved back then grabbing the hand of the blonde next to her she began making her way towards Carmen and Lily's table.

"Carm?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't you think she looks like Brooke?"

"Who?"

"Marcy" Lily hissed in Carmen's ear.

The other girl's reply was cut short as Sam and Marcy arrived at the table and sat down.

"Lily Carmen"

"Sam"

"This is Marcy. Marcy this is Lily"

"Hi pleased to meet you"

"Pleased to meet you"

"And this is Carmen"

"Hi Marcy nice to finally meet you"

"You too. Sam's told me a lot about you both I'm glad you could join us"

"Well you know we have to check you out make sure your not some homicidal lesbian axe murderer"

"Lily!"

"You'll have to forgive Lily; she seems to have lost control of her mouth."

"It's alright, kind of sweet actually. It's nice that you guys are so protective of Sam. I only moved out here in August to go to UCLA so I don't really have friends in the area to look out for me."

"There's your sister, though"

"That's true." The blonde girl smiled at Sam and reached for her hand under the table. "I live with my sister Vicki. I hope you two don't mind but I asked Vic to meet up with us later."

"Like Sam said earlier this evening `the more the merrier'" Carmen winked at Sam seated across from her. "So where did you two end up going to dinner?" Sam blushed.

"We didn't…we um we got a late start getting out of the house. We figured we could get a bite here. They serve sandwiches right?"

"Yes, soups and salads too." Carmen waved her hand and caught the waitress' attention.

"You two ready to order"

"What are your soups for today?"

"Split Pea and Hearty Vegetable Minestrone. We have a soup and salad special for $7.95. That's a bowl of soup and a small salad with a slice of garlic bread."

"I'll have the Split Pea"

"You want the special?" Marcy shook her head.

"No just the bowl of soup please and a hot chocolate"

"I'll have the special with the Minestrone and a double espresso over ice, please."

"Oh and could I have a glass of ice water please?" Lily asked.

"Sure anyone else" the tables three remaining occupants all nodded. "Okay water all around. I'll be right back."

"So Marcy where are you from originally, where did you go to school before you transferred, what's your major, where do you live…"

"Lily breathe …Good now give the poor girl a chance to answer" turning her attention to Marcy Carmen once again apologized for Lily's mouth. "Like I said before poor impulse control, you'll have to forgive her"

"Will you guys lay off? Lily I didn't bring Marcy here so that you could give her the third degree; turn off the klieg lights and stop badgering my date."

"Sorry Sam"

"Hey they mean well. It's no big deal let's see now…I'm from Canton, Ohio. I went to Kenyon College, which is in Ohio, last year. UCLA was my first choice but I got waitlisted. I'm undeclared and I live near campus. Vicki and I are house sitting for my uncle Jack and his boyfriend while they are living in London for the next two years." The blonde held her hands up in the universal position for surrender "Did I forget anything?"

Next to her Sam muttered "Name, rank and serial number" and Marcy threw her head back in laughter at Sam's chagrined tone.

"Oh yeah. Name: Marcy Langdon. Rank: Sophomore Transfer. Serial Number… you okay there, Carmen?"

Carmen had begun to choke on her latte managing to spray a fine mist over the table as she spluttered and coughed and tried to answer Marcy all at the same time.

"I'm sorry what was your last name again?"

"Langdon"

"What's your sister's name?"

"Vicki" Carmen visibly relaxed. "But most people call her Tory nowadays"

"Lily come with me to the bathroom" Carmen stood up pushing her chair away from the table as she did so.

"But I don't have…"

"NOW Lily" Carmen managed to get out between gritted teeth.

"Carmen?"

"I'm fine Sam I just remembered something I needed to talk to Lily about. Privately. We won't be long"

Carmen locked the door to the bathroom behind her and turned to face Lily who was leaning against the sink.

"What is up with you? You pale like you've seen a ghost no like you are a ghost…"

"I know her sister"

"So?"

"I KNOW her sister"

"Are we talking `Hi haven't I seen you around before?' or are we talking `Hi haven't I SEEN you before?"

"The latter"

"I thought Nicole was your first girlfriend?"

"She is but Nic and I weren't" Carmen made bracketing signs with her fingers "officially a couple yet when I slept with Tory"

"So what's the problem?"

"I'm still not out to Sam"

"Why not?"

"Well when she came out to me a few months back it didn't seem like the appropriate time is all?"

"Appropriate time…what do you mean appropriate time? This is about Nicole isn't it?"

"No Nikki and I were just starting to get to know each other, but you know Sam there would have been a hundred and one questions and well she does hate Nicole" Carmen's voice tapered off.

"And now of course you can't say shit without her finding out about Nicole"

"Bingo"

"What is it with them?"

"If you ask me they're too much alike to tolerate each other for long periods of time or any time for that matter"

"Explain"

"You know they're both very guarded with their emotions, they both keep people at a distance Sam by being sort of cold and intellectual, the dispassionate journalist and all that. Nic is Satan, a haughty aloof bitch, the Queen Bitch but it's all about protecting herself from other people, not getting her feelings hurt you know. The only difference between them is that Sam's method doesn't alienate people as easily or as much as Nicole's."

Lily cocked her head to one side as she pondered Carmen's analysis. "You know I never really thought of it that way but it makes sense. Makes a lot of sense actually."

"I've had time to work on that theory. I've put a lot of thought into it, the whole dynamic between them you know? `Cause Lil I want to be open about my relationship with Nikki but at the same time I really am not ready to deal with Sam and her reaction."

"Yeah…Yeah I definitely see where you're coming from"

"Well what's the worse that happens here…Marcy's sister Vicki is the same woman you know as Tory and Sam either finds out or figures out for herself what the true connection between you really is. That's not so bad. Maybe she'll be pissy that you didn't come out to her but that'll pass. Now what's the best case scenario? It turns out not to be an issue either because Vicki and Tory are not the same person or because it just doesn't come up. I'm thinking the latter is the more likely to occur."

"I hope"

"Well let's get back out there we're bordering on the rude here"

Just then someone knocked on the door. "Are you going to be much longer?"

"Be right out"

Lily opened the door and was almost bowled over by a rather tall young woman with deep chestnut colored hair that fell to the middle of her back.

"Outta my way"

Carmen whispered in Lily's ear. "It's her. I'm fucked."

"Calm down let's just play it by ear."

"You go back I'm going to talk to her, `kay?"

"'kay"

The toilet flushed as Lily left flashing Carmen the thumbs up sign as she walked out of the ladies room. The woman exited the stall and washed her hands only noticing Carmen when she finally turned away from the sink.

"Sorry didn't mean to push you out of the way before"

"Oh that's okay. I mean you pushed my friend Lily not me."

"Carmen right?"

"You remember me then?"

"Hard to forget…I've uh I've never been …it was the first time I've ever been intimidated by someone that short who wasn't my mother. She growled for Pete's sake."

"Well she was…we wer…she"

"She's your girlfriend…"

"Well now she is but at the time she wasn't really…well she was but she wasn't. We weren't …things weren't really clear on that front at the time."

"But they are now"

"Yes"

"Cool. I'm glad that worked out for you then. Listen if I had known I wouldn't…"

"I made my choice. I knew what I was doing"

"So I haven't seen you here in the longest time"

"Yeah. Between work and school I don't have a lot of free time and what free time I do have"

"You spend with what was her name again?"

"Nicole. Yeah. But I'm here tonight with my friends Sam and Lily. You remember the short Latina you almost knocked over."

"How funny I'm meeting my sister and her girlfriend, Sam, here."

"I know that's my friend." Carmen cleared her throat. "Which brings me to why I waited for you instead of going back to the table with Lil. I would appreciate it if you would not mention the nature of our previous" sigh "encounter to anyone. Especially to Sam"

"Sure. I mean it's not like its really appropriate table talk. `Oh hey Sam did I ever mention to you that I scored that new toaster oven after I met your friend here' …NOT. So not… so don't sweat it I'm not looking to make it public knowledge that the last woman I slept with was jailbait."

They reached the table where Lily, Marcy and Sam sat. Marcy looked up at them a huge smile plastered across her face.

"Vic I thought I saw you making a run for the border"

"I should never have had the Super Big Gulp on the way over. It's a plot devised by the powers that be to insure the need for future use of Depends undergarments I tell you."

"That's what I love about you Tory you are seriously warped"

"Thank you Sam"

"Tory this is Lily and I see you've already met Carmen"

"Yes indeed I have. Lily a pleasure"

"Hi Tory nice to meet you"

"You know you two don't look like sisters at all."

"Well the `runt' here"

"Hey I'm of average height Beanpole"

"Like I was saying `the runt' here is adopted"

"That would explain it"

Hours passed as the group talked, laughed and told stories until Marcy looked at her watch and exclaimed "Crap if we're gonna go dancing we should start heading out"

"What time is it?"

"11:00"

"Let's go then"

"How'd you two get here?"

"Bus"

"You can ride with me then Marcy's got so much junk in the back of her car that it's been declared a national disaster area"

"It's true I've seen it" Sam intoned solemnly.

"Sam you're supposed to stick up for me not join in"

"I'm just confirming the facts like a good reporter"

"Uh-huh"

"Don't let her fool you Marcy. We've seen her room it looks like a bomb hit."

"Thanks for the inside scoop Lily"

"Ratfink"

"Just confirming the facts is all"

"Rat"

"Where to sister dear"

"Merge"

"See you there in a few"

"Okay"

~~~~~

The quintet was standing in line waiting for entry into Merge when Lily spotted Brooke and Nicole talking to the bouncer at the door.

"Hey Carm there's Brooke and Nicole"

"Where"

"Up front talking to the bouncer. Who are they with?"

"The blond his name is Tim. He's Nicole's `boyfriend' the other guy I don't know"

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing Sam it's just we were wondering who Brooke was with"

"Brooke's here?"

"Yeah there see?" Carmen pointed to the front of the line where Brooke, Nicole and their escorts were being allowed entry.

"Brooke!" Sam called out.

"Sam? What are you doing here?"

"I'm on a date, you?"

"We ran into Tim's cousin Cary at Wet and decided to come here" Brooke looked past Sam to the small group her stepsister was with. Spotting Marcy Brooke gave Sam a knowing look. "So the blonde girl from the last day of school huh?"

"Yeah"

"Cool"

"Listen could we…"

"Yeah sure" Brooke gestured for the rest of Sam's group to join them and they all entered the club at the same time.

Three hours later Brooke and Cary were playing tonsil hockey on a couch in a corner tucked reasonably away and out of sight; Lily and Tory were deep in conversation over drinks of some juice concoction that Tory had convinced Lily to try while Tim, Nicole and Carmen were dancing clear on the other side of the club away from the potentially prying eyes of friends and family. Sam and Marcy were nowhere to be found; they had snuck off sometime earlier to go back to Marcy's.

"Don't you think Marcy and Brooke look alike?"

Tory thought about that before answering "She didn't always look like that."

"What?"

"Marcy didn't always look like that. She had an accident about 5 years back and broke her nose, when she had the nose job to correct the damage she also had them do some other work mostly around the cheekbones and jaw line. Also she dies her hair; her natural hair color is usually described as mousy brown."

"Oh"

"It would seem my cousin; Cary and your friend are getting along quite well." Tim leaned down so he could hear Nicole's response.

"So it would seem"

"I take it Brooke's got a bit of a wild streak in her?"

"More than a bit even. Don't get me wrong she's not dangerous to self and others, well no more than your average 17 year old is really, it's just…she likes to stretch her boundaries, a lot"

"Just Cary's type. He likes that edge mainly because he himself lacks it I think."

The petite blonde reached up to touch her fingers to the locket that lay just below the hollow of her throat as she continued to dance. Her eyes locked with her lover's and Nicole let herself fall into their soft brown depths. She moved closer to the taller girl and they danced together almost touching in the press of the crowd around them. Reaching out Carmen placed her right hand on Nicole's hip and circled behind her shorter lover; then with both hands on Nic's waist she pulled the smaller girl to her. As they continued to move Carmen bent her head to speak directly into Nicole's ear.

"Are you coming home tonight?"

Nicole felt her body's response to Carmen's low throaty voice instantly. Her nipples hardened visibly and the adrenaline rush of arousal made her skin tingle until she shivered, the intensity of her desire overwhelming her almost making it impossible for her to speak.

"Yes"

"Good"

Now Carmen ran her hand lightly down Nicole's spine and, taking advantage of the crowd around them, over the cheerleader's firm round ass.

"Jesus you two get a room" Tim's voice boomed down at them.

"I'll go tell Lily that there's been a change of plans. Do you have your car or a limo?"

"Limo"

"Wonderful this way I won't have to wait to touch you"

"Whatever you want anything you want" Nicole's voice hitched.

"What I want is to see you naked and open for me on that black leather seat with my fingers buried inside of you. What I want is to see your face when you come on my hand. What I want is your breath in my ear, my name on your lips. What I want is for your orgasm to drown out even the sounds of the city, the traffic around us. What I want is to taste you." She kissed the tip of Nicole's ear. "The sooner the better"

"God yes I want that too. Go find Lily"

Carmen disappeared into the crowd as she made her way towards where she had last seen the petite activist.

"Ah there you are Lily"

"What's up?"

"Change of plans if that's okay with you?"

"I figured. Don't worry my stuff is in Tory's car and she said she'd give me a ride home. Right Tory?"

"You bet"

"Cool. Thanks Lily. I'll call you tomorrow sometime in the afternoon okay?"

"Sure talk to you then. Tell Nic I said bye."

"Tory nice to meet you again"

"You too Carmen"

"I'm sorry about Nic earlier." Nicole had been noticeably hostile to Tory, backing off only after Carmen had pointed out to her that not only was the older statuesque woman not giving Nicole any reason for her behavior but that Tory had spent most of the night focused on Lily.

"It's all right really. Maybe next time it won't be as awkward"

"I'm sure it won't be."

"Call me tomorrow"

"Will do Lily, thanks for being so understanding."

"Thanks schmanks go get her tiger"

~~~~~

*** KNOCK KNOCK **

"Hey Marcy have you seen my" Tory swung the door open without waiting to be told to come in "Tigger slippers I thoug…um I ah um er…sorry. I didn't know…"

"GET OUT"

"…you had company."

"Oh God" Sam whimpered.

Tory stood frozen in the doorway to her sister's bedroom her eyes glued to the sight before her. There on the king sized four poster bed knelt Marcy, her arms tied above her head to the corner post. Sam knelt behind Marcy the paler skin of her arms, wrapped around her lover, contrasting with Marcy's tanned skin. Her face was buried in the crook of the kneeling blonde's neck.

"Hey Tory do you have another towel I could use?"

Tory turned at the sound of Lily's voice at her elbow and the petite Latina took the opportunity to peek into the room.

"Sam?"

"Oh GOD"

"CLOSE THE FUCKING DOOR"

Tory closed the door dragging the nearly catatonic Lily with her as she did so.

"That better not be my harness you're using Marcy" Tory called out.

"Jesus Christ and I was so close too" Marcy hung her head frustration giving her voice a bitter edge.

"I could die" Sam, still slightly out of breath, panted into Marcy's ear.

"I could kill her." Marcy hissed as Sam lightly bit her shoulder and pressed the length of her body against the blonde. "Harder"

"Is it her harness?"

"No"

Sam began moving her hips again in small gentle thrusts and Marcy moaned. The blonde bent forward as far as she could, raising her ass so that Sam could fuck her more easily.

"Yesssss… oh God oh god oh god fuck me fuck me fuck me oh god don't stop oh god oh god fuck me fuck don't stop"

Sam's hips pistoned frantically slapping wetly against Marcy's sweat soaked ass as her fingers dug into the rich flesh of the bound girl's hips.

"Oh God Sam…Sammy…yessss"

"That's it baby come for me" Sam slid fingers through her lover's passion soaked curls to her clit. She flicked her thumb over the erect bundle of nerves and Marcy bucked. She did it again and her hand was flooded with Marcy's essence as the blonde came screaming out Sam's name.

In the living room Lily was towel drying her hair as Tory sat watching her and occasionally muttering to herself "it better not be my harness"

"Are they always this loud?"

"I wouldn't know really this is the first time Sam's spent the night I think or else I've been asleep. That's a strong possibility I sleep like the dead."

"Speaking of which"

"The Dead or sleep"

"Sleep"

"What about it?"

"Where can I crash?"

"Well you could have the sofa there, though I warn you that means that you get to listen to the Playboy Channel all night, or you could bunk with me. My room is upstairs and across the house."

"Another reason you may not have previously heard our little `bunnies' in there" Lily gestured to the door behind her.

"True. So?"

"I guess with you"

Tory stood up and Lily followed her up the stairs.

"I promise to behave."

"I'm not worried"

"I'm glad"

"Besides you're not my type really"

"There is that"

"Maybe you should be worried"

"Um…er"

"Relax I was just kidding"

"I knew that. The bathroom is down the hall first door on your right and this is my room." Tory opened a door and stepped aside so that her guest could enter.

"Thanks for letting me crash. I was supposed to stay with Carmen but…"

"No problem. I've enjoyed talking to you."

"Me too with you"

They slipped into bed and Tory turned off the bedside light plunging them into darkness.

"Tory?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?

"Shoot"

"How old are you?" Tory chuckled.

"I thought you were going to ask something serious. I'm 23 why?"

"Nothing"

"You?"

"I'll be 17 later this year"

"So you're 16"

Lily nodded and then realizing that the woman beside her probably couldn't see her she spoke "Yes"

They lay in silence for a few minutes each listening to the other breath.

"You know if this is uncomfortable for you…"

"No it isn't. I was just thinking that I always wanted an older sister to talk to you know"

"You sure because"

"I'm sure"

Tory settled back down on the bed.

"I could always use another younger sister"

"Really"

"Sure. You realize of course that this means I get to walk in on you and… Josh is it?" Lily laughed.

"You do that. Join us and that would be Josh fantasy number 351"

"I for one have never had incest fantasies"

"Ewww!!! I was talking two on one not sisters. Though he's got that one about twins…"

"Okay so maybe I have some incest fantasies"

"TMI"

"Trust me sisters share this type of stuff"

"Really? `cause I cannot picture Sam and Brooke having this little conversation."

"They're not close"

"Close to killing each other sure anything else is on a day by day basis. Course now that I've seen Marcy I'm inclined to think that maybe it was some sort of subconscious thing on Sam's part she usually started things with Brooke."

"Fights and stuff"

"Next time you have the chance ask Sam to tell you about the single most infamous food fight in Kennedy High history."

"That bad huh?"

"That bad"

"Well then there should be some sort of improvement between them now. After all I think it's fair to say that Sam is no longer grappling with subconscious sexual frustration."

"Or any sexual frustration for that matter"

"Yeah"

"Tor?"

"Lil?"

"Could we…that is would you mind spooning me? I like to sleep that way."

"Sure"

Lily lay on her side with her back to Tory who moved in behind her and slipped an arm around the slighter girl.

"This okay"

"Yeah. How tall are you?"

"5'11"

"No wonder it feels really different from Josh or anyone else"

"Go to sleep"

"Okay Mom"

"Mom or Sis pick one and stick to it"

"`Night Sis"

"`Night"

~~~~~

Dinner at the Palace was a subdued affair that evening with only Mike, Jan, Mac and Sam in attendance. Brooke was on a date with Cary. They had been dating for the past month and Brooke had finally introduced him to the family before they left for their dinner reservations.

"He seemed nice. Had you met him before honey" Jane asked Sam.

"Briefly"

"Mike what did you think of him?"

"I don't liked that it took him this long to come to the house"

"Oh you're just upset because he's the first young man she's brought home since Josh and you know that means she really likes him."

"How did they meet do you know Sam?"

"I'm not sure Mike. Through Nicole's boyfriend I think. He's his cousin or something like that. He's loaded I know that much." Mike grunted in response.

They ate in silence for a few more minutes and then Sam spoke up. "Um I wanted to talk to you guys about something."

"What is it Sam?"

"You're not pregnant are you?"

"Mike!"

"What it's not inconceivable" Mike said indignantly.

"No I'm not pregnant. In fact far from it."

"So then what is it honey?"

"I'm gay"

Jane choked on her water sending a spray in Mac's direction making the baby laugh and Mike just stared at Sam before placidly returning to cutting his meat.

"You're gay?"

"Yes Mike I'm `gay'…Mom?"

"Close your mouth Jane you look like a guppy"

"You're sure. I mean you've only dated that one boy, George. Did he do something to you to…"

"Jeez Mom get out of the fifties. George did not make me gay. I just am."

"Are you dating someone…a girl?"

"Yes, Mom and her name is Marcy. I wanted to bring her over to meet you. Maybe we could have her over for dinner sometime this week. You'll like her. She's really smart, she goes to UCLA…"

"How old is she?"

"19"

"Isn't she a little old for you Sam?"

"I'm 17 if she were a guy you wouldn't have a problem with it. You just let Brooke walk out the door with her boyfriend and he's older than that. He might even be old enough to drink legally." Sam's voice rose with each point she made.

"You're right. You're right."

"He's how old?"

"Mike honey stay on topic please"

"I don't know for sure Mike. Any way about Marcy can I ask her over for dinner?"

"Of course"

"Mike is that okay with you?"

"Hmmm?"

"Mike Sam asked if you were okay with her bringing her…what should I call her. Your `girlfriend' your `friend'" Jane gulped audibly "your `lover'?"

"Girlfriend is just fine"

"Yeah yeah bring who ever over. Now how old do you think he is again Sam?"

"You'll have to ask Brooke Mike. I really don't know for sure."

"Maybe I should just call her on her cell phone?"

"Mike she's on a date you can talk to her when she gets home. Now sit down and finish your dinner."

"I can't just `finish my dinner' my baby is out there with a pedophile"

"Now Mike"

"Okay not a pedophile but still she's…"

"She's 17 and that means she's of the age of consent"

"Can I be excused?"

"At least your daughter can't get pregnant and ruin her life"

"That's it" Sam stood "I can't believe you're having this conversation in front of me. I'm going upstairs."

"Could you take Mac with you? I think your father and I are going to be having a rather heated discussion"

"Sure" Sam scooped up the baby from her high chair. She could hear Mike and Jane beginning to argue in the kitchen. "God I hope for your sake they're not like this when you start dating Mac. Maybe I should have told them that Marcelene looks like Brooke. God knows what they're likely to say about that"

Mac gurgled.

"You're right. I should."

Mac cooed.

"Tomorrow"