TITLE: Road Conversation

AUTHOR: Jos Mous

Email: wotan_anubis@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything or anyone, so please don't sue me.

RATING: PG-13

PAIRING: Sam/Brooke

NOTE: This is a sort-of-sequel to "Just Call Me Sam". The same warning for that fic also applies to this one. If you are disgusted by the mere thought that "gender" isn't as black and white as most of us assume it is you really oughtn't to be reading this. I should also issue a warning to those people who like well-written fic.

The car of the McQueen/McPherson household drove over an empty road. Outside the car, the sun was setting. Inside the car, some inane music was coming from the radio. Brooke sat at the steering wheel, paying a large amount of attention to the road. Next to her was Sam, who was idly looking out of the window at nothing in particular.

"So how was it?" Sam asked.

It were the first words said ever since the two girls had left the meeting.

"Interesting," Brooke answered neutrally.

"Uh-huh," said Sam, still looking out the window. "I was freaked out too, the first time."

"I'm not freaked," Brooke said.

"Oh come on," Sam said. "I don't mind or anything if you are."

"I am not freaked."

"OK. Fine. If you say so."

"I say so."

"'K."

Brooke paid close attention to her surroundings as she took a left turn. Not that she had seen any other cars for a while, but it never hurt to be careful. It was also a handy way of ending the conversation.

After a while, though, Sam spoke up again.

"Saw you talking to Carla."

"That's right," said Brooke.

"What about?"

"He gave me fashion tips on how to look more like a girl."

"Don't take it personally. He means well."

"I mean, do I even look like a guy?"

"No, you just don't look girlish enough for a cross-dresser."

"I'm not a cross-dresser."

"He didn't know that. And you had to have some reason to be there."

"What, other than for showing you support?"

Sam gave Brooke a quick peck on the cheek. "And it was much appreciated too."

Brooke smiled a little. "Thanks."

"But still. you're not transgender, you're not. like me and you're not a third gender. Ergo, you must be a cross-dresser."

"Third gender?"

"Remember Jacki?"

"Right," said Brooke. "And I though Ms Glass was androgynous."

"Jacki's not androgynous. Androgynous people don't show enough distinction so that you can clearly state male or female. Jacki has lots of distinction. Of both genders."

"And that makes him."

"A third gender. I don't even know what she was born as. Not that he's sharing."

"Makes Carla normal in comparison," Brooke joked.

"Define normal," Sam said. There was a sharp edge to her voice.

"Sorry," Brooke said. "I didn't mean. sorry."

Sam shrugged. "It's OK. We're all freaks after all," she said with a chuckle.

"Oh, don't think like that."

"I don't. Other people do. You did."

"I got over it."

"And if you hadn't been with me?"

Brooke had to think about that for a while.

"I'd like to say I could've accepted all that, but."

"But you wouldn't have."

"No," Brooke sighed. "Probably not."

"Black and white really sucks," Sam remarked.

"Yeah," said Brooke.

"Maybe the world'd be a better place if more people were like Jacki."

"Maybe," said Brooke. "It would certainly be better place for."

"Me?"

"Well. yeah."

Sam let out a heartfelt sigh. "You're right. If only." She sighed again. "But the world is as it is and people like me have to hide."

"Yeah."

The car pulled up on the Palace's driveway and its engine was shut off. The car doors didn't immediately open, though.

Sam put her hand on Brooke's knee. "Hey. Thanks for coming to my support group with me."

Brooke shrugged. "No big deal."

"It is for me."

The blonde smiled. "Thanks. But I don't think I'll be going with you next week."

Sam sighed. "I expected as much."

"Jay'll be coming with you, though."

Sam frowned. "Who's Jay?"

Brooke grinned. "I'm not sure yet, really. Maybe we find out when we go shopping tomorrow."

"Are you serious?"

Brooke chuckled. "Not sure, really. But I've been thinking on our ride home and, well, I did say I wasn't freaked."

"Aren't you rushing this a bit?" Sam said.

"Nah," Brooke said. "I just think grey might look good on me."

Now it was Sam who chuckled. "Just promise me you won't go all butch on me."

"Of course not," Brooke said. "Butchness doesn't interest me in the least."

"Good," said Sam. "Now I want you to forget all about Jay. At least until tomorrow, if you get what I mean."

Brooke got it.

Not only that, she also made it from the driveway to the bedroom in record time. And Jay was indeed forgotten about until a totally exhausted Sam fell asleep.

Sometimes, an idea is there to stay.