Title: One Is One

Author: Majandra

Email: flavorlesschocolate@hotmail.com

Rating: G at the moment... don't know where it may be heading, though

Pairing: Brooke/Sam!

Summary: Another take on the post accident happenings

Feedback: Please!

One is one and all alone
And ever more shall be so.

The old children's rhyme kept running through her head. She didn't really mind, though. It made sense in a depressing sort of way. After all, she was one, and all alone. And that's the way things would stay.

Brooke McQueen was many things. She was blonde, beautiful. Slightly tanned. Popular, a cheerleader, loved by many. She had the perfect father, the perfect step mother to be, perfect almost step sister, perfect baby sister. One would imagine she had the perfect life.

Hardly.

It wasn't an old thought, but it was one that had been plaguing her since the Prom. Her life, she realized, was far from perfect because of the huge, massive gap in it. This had occurred to her as she sat by Sam McPherson's hospital bed.

<<<FLASHBACK

"Brooke, wait!"

She ran because she couldn't take it anymore. Harrison wasn't what she'd wanted, she knew that now. And so she ran. The headlights closing in on her cut through the night and she spun to face the expensive sportscar almost upon her. She was stunned, couldn't move. In that moment she knew without a doubt she was going to die. Then she was plowed into from the side and fell heavily onto the road. Out of the path of the mad car.

The world returned to normal speed as Brooke registered the loud thud of the car hitting someone that wasn't her. She scrambled to her feet and looked around, to see...

"Sam!" she screamed. "No!"

Harrison, who had followed them both out, was already calling 911. Brooke knelt by Sam's side and took hold of the fallen girl's hand.

"Hang in there, Sammy," Brooke sniffled. She could feel full blown sobs overtaking her as Sam's eyelids fluttered, first closed, then open again. Though she was clearly dazed her eyes seemed to focus squarely on Brooke.

"B-Brooke... you okay?" she gasped.

"I'm fine, thanks to you. God, why did you do that?"

"I had to... I couldn't lose you." Sam was about to say more but she was overcome by a fit of coughing. Blood was starting to trickle out of the corner of her mouth. Brooke leaned closer.

"Don't try to talk, Sam," she soothed. "Everything's gonna be fine."

"No, I have to tell you this." Sam's eyes unfocused again, but she made a supreme effort and locked her gaze with Brooke's again.

"Brooke, I love you," she said, clear as a bell. Then she passed out.

END FLASHBACK>>>

Brooke sat still and silent, watching Sam. It had been a week and she still hadn't woken up. Brooke wanted so badly for her to just open her eyes, talk to her, talk BACK to her, but as the days passed the doctors got more and more discouraged. Brooke never completely lost hope.

Jane and Mike had let Brooke stay with Sam, mainly because the blonde point blank refused to leave Sam's side. They brought her food and sometimes they sat with her but for the most part they respected her wishes and left the two girls alone.

"It's been a week since the prom, Sammy. People are starting to call the house and ask after you - well, not really anyone important. We're keeping all our friends updated.

"God, Sammy, I wish... I wish you would wake up and put me out of my misery. Tell me I wasn't dreaming, if you said what I think you said. It's getting lonely out here, Sam, can't you please come back to me?

"Harrison feels terrible - he's convinced it's all his fault. He thinks it's something he did or said to make us run out like that. I keep telling him he's wrong, it's not his fault. I know better. I know this is all on me. God, if I hadn't run, no one would have NEEDED to push me out of the way. Least of all you. Jeez, Sammy, why? All I want to know is why you would let yourself get almost killed, for me."

Brooke reluctantly got up to go to the bathroom. She pressed a kiss to the brunette's forehead and walked out, wishing on every star in the sky that Sam would be awake when she got back.

She wasn't.

Maybe ten days after this, Brooke was still by the bed. She was half in an uncomfortable hospital chair, half on the bed, fast asleep. Facing Sam as she slumbered, her hand firmly grasped Sam's.

Brooke's dreams were confusing, and mildly upsetting. She was in a long white corridor, and down one wall were a series of windows. On the other side of the glass was Sam.

"Come through to me, Sam," she tried to say but no sound came out, as is customary in dreams. Not discouraged, Brooke set about finding a way through to the brunette. However, every time she took a step towards the windows they moved one step back. She began to run, trying desperately to get to Sam, but it was no good. She sobbed in frustration, her breath catching painfully in her side, when suddenly a light shone in her eyes.

"Brooke? It's no good. Give it up," a voice taunted her.

"Never," Brooke cried. Tears ran down her face, and as she woke up she was still sobbing, calling out for Sam.

"Brooke?" a weak voice asked, slightly bewildered. Blue eyes took in their surroundings, then understood where the voice was coming from. "Brooke?"

"Sammy? Are you really awake?" Brooke gasped, not daring to believe her ears.

"No, I'm dead and you're talking to a corpse," Sam drawled quietly, but with a smirk on her face. Brooke burst into fresh tears at her words and she buried her face in Sam's shoulder.

"Don't even joke about it," she bawled. "I nearly lost you, and you came back to me. Don't EVER joke about it."

"Hey, easy there," Sam said, concerned. She struggled to sit up, but Brooke wouldn't let her. Conceding defeat, Sam lay still and stroked Brooke's hair. "It's not even like I was even out that long. What was it, an hour, two?"

Brooke sat up long enough to sob, "Try two and a half weeks!" then she buried her face again.

"What? Out for... you're joking, aren't you. All I did was push you out the way, then I bit the dust right behind you. How can I have been out for two and a half WEEKS?"

"You were hit," Brooke began, uncertainly. "The car, it missed me and hit you full on, don't you even remember? You've got a broken arm, a broken leg, assorted broken ribs and a massive blow to the head, hence out for two and a half weeks."

"You're serious," Sam breathed. "God, I'm sorry..."

"For what? Saving my life? Just... don't be sorry, oh, I don't know..." Brooke was starting to get a little agitated. If Sam didn't remember the big things from that night, would she remember the little things?

"Do you remember what you said to me, while we were waiting for the ambulance?" the blonde ventured.

"No, what?" Sam seemed genuinely interested in hearing what she'd said, but Brooke's stomach gave a lurch and she chose to drop the conversation rather than lose her lunch.

"Never mind. It wasn't important."

"No, what did I say? If it wasn't important, you wouldn't have mentioned it."

"Don't worry about it. We can talk about it when you're out of here. I'm going to get Mom and Daddy."

As Sam watched Brooke retreat, she regretted lying to her.

"Oh, Princess, I remember every second, every word. But this is my chance to forget it ever happened, make you forget it too. You're straight, I should never have said anything. Forgive me."

Sam came home two days later. Brooke wheeled her up the path, then looked in despair at the front steps. Mike surprised everyone by gently lifting Sam and carrying her up to her room.

He set her down on her new, queen sized bed and stepped back. Sam smiled at him. "Thanks... Dad," she ventured, trying out the name. She decided she could get used to calling him that. Mike beamed as he backed out.

Sam looked around. Same old, same old, except for one major thing. The kick ass entertainment system, formerly of the living room, was right in front of her bed. She briefly wondered why they had bothered, then decided to go with it and turned on the TV.

"Bored, bored, bored," she sighed after about an hour. Daytime TV sucks, as everyone knows. There was only so much "my cat is sleeping with my brother's cousin's step sister" she could deal with. Besides, every moment she watched such shows she was afraid Mary Cherry would make a guest appearance.

She sighed and switched off the TV. She would have killed for some complany. It wasn't like there was much wrong with her either, she decided. A couple broken limbs never killed anybody. Steeling her resolve, she pushed back the covers just as Brooke walked in.

"Nuh uh uh," she scolded. "Bed for Sammy until the doctors give the all clear." Sam pouted, but stayed put. Then she saw the gigantic bag - actually, bags - Brooke had brought with her.

"What's in the bags?" she asked, predictably. Brooke smiled.

"I figured you'd get heinously bored in the first ten minutes, so it got DVDs, videos, magazines, books, popcorn, candy... and me. I'm here to keep you company." Se lugged the bags over to the bed and sat down beside it, spreading the entertainment over the floor. Sam craned her neck but couldn't see.

"Come up here," she ordered. Brooke smirked.

"Not a chance. I'll sit with you, but you don't get to see everything I brought at once. Where's the surprise in that?" Sam smiled at the blonde.

"You know, I kinda love you right now," she blurted, not thinking. Brooke's heart jumped, then she heard Sam continue. "You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

Friend. Brooke's heart returned to its place. Best FRIEND. Oh well. Brooke selected a DVD and held it up for inspection. "Coyote Ugly okay?"

"Sure."

The blonde set up the DVD in it's player, then crawled onto the bed so she was sitting beside Sam. The covers were still pushed back.

"Do the blankets hurt your leg, Sammy?" a concerned Brooke asked. Sam's mind was on other things - mainly, Brooke's low cut tank top and the view she'd had when Brooke was innocently crawling towards her.

"What? No," she answered.

"Then get under them!" This was an order, but it was accompanied by a giggle. Then she said, "Mind if I join you? I'm kind of freezing."

"Yeah, just whatever." Ohmigod, Brooke's in bed with me! Stay cool! Sam's brain disconnected at this point. The movie began to play and both girls concentrated on it. Halfway through, Sam turned to Brooke and said, "You only got this to see the hot guy take his shirt off!"

"Did not!" Brooke countered. "I like the dancing." Her eyes flicked over to Sam's, to see if the brunette believed her. Apparently not.

"Whatever, Princess." This was accompanied by a barely stifled yawn. Around ten minutes later, Brooke felt Sam fall against her. Startled, the blonde looked to see what was wrong. Sam was fast asleep.

"Oh, Sammy," Brooke tutted gently as she lay the brunette down to sleep. "What are we going to do with you?" Sam seemed to half wake as Brooke guided her head to the pillow.

"Brookie?" she slurred, sleepily. "I can smell you."

"Gee, thanks," Brooke returned playfully. "What do I smell like?"

"You smell... like... you smell like... home," Sam sighed as she drifted off. Brooke was touched, and she moved to leave. But Sam's arms went around her waist and wouldn't let go. Apparently Sam's subconscious wanted Brooke to stay. She sighed and lay down beside Sam. She had no place urgent to be anyway.

Sam woke to the sound of someone breathing regularly beside her, and she opened her eyes to see an angel beside her.

"Did I die in my sleep?" she wondered, but then the angel shifted slightly, and she saw it was Brooke, napping peacefully beside her. As Sam began to wake up more fully, she noticed her arms were around Brooke, who was snuggled in close with her blonde hair cascading over Sam's chest. Judging by the DVD player, they'd been asleep for an hour at least. She didn't want to move.

"Sammy," asked a voice from the doorway. "You awake yet?"

Jane stood there, a smile on her face that clearly said, this is the most adorable thing I've seen in my life. Sam smiled back.

"I am, but the Princess here isn't," she whispered. Jane nodded.

"I was going to get the two of you some food, but I guess there's not much point, is there?" Sam didn't move, but shook her head.

"No, can you please bring something up? I don't think she'll be out much longer."

"Okay," Jane agreed, and disappeared. Sam looked down at Brooke and grinned. Bending her neck she placed a tiny kiss on the blonde's mouth.

Jane reappeared just as Brooke was stirring. Leaning over the girls, she placed the food on the table beside the bed. "Oh Sam," she whispered. "Mike got a polaroid. I couldn't stop him. He said it was the most beautiful thing he'd seen in a long time, his two daughters napping together. It came out well... I'll leave you to wake her up."

When Jane was gone, Sam gently shook the sleeping girl. "Princess? C'mon, Brooke, wake up." Brooke's arms tightened their hold on Sam and she snuggled closer even as her eyelids fluttered open. Bewildered, she looked around.

"Hey," Sam whispered. "Mom brought food."

"Hey yourself," Brooke replied. "You're adorable when you're asleep."

"So are you," Sam shot back. "Eat your tea."

Brooke went back to her own room after they had eaten. She showered and changed her clothes, thenshe headed over to Harrison's house to tell him he could come see Sam any time he wanted.

Sam got bored again quickly once left alone. She flicked listlessly through the channels, not finding anything she cared to watch, wishing Brooke would hurry up and come back. When she finally walked in, Sam's face lit up.

"Hey, I don't know if you're watching anything, but Snoops is on in a couple minutes and I was wondering if I could watch it in here."

"Sure, Sam replied, pushing the covers back for her. "Come on in."

They sat together and watched Snoops, which Sam had never seen, which meant Brooke had to explain stuff to her in the beginning. She was soon in the swing of things, however, and they both sat, engrossed.

Actually, Brooke had to admit there was only one reason she'd started watching this show. The main character, Glenn? She reminded Brooke so much of Sam.

When the show finished, Brooke got up to leave, but Sam stopped her.

"Sleep over, please? I get so bored alone." How could Brooke refuse?

"I have to go get my pajamas," she said. Sam smiled. She'd won.

"I can wait, Princess." Sam couldn't understand why Brooke was acting so distant, why she seemed so distant ever since they'd woken up from their impromptu nap. She didn't even know if Brooke realized what she was doing, but Sam became determined to cal the cheerleader on it as soon as she got back.

"Hey, Princess, I gotta ask you something. Why so quiet all of a sudden?" It was ten thirty and they were both getting ready to go to sleep. Brooke was on a mattress on the floor, to Sam's disappointment. To Brooke's, as well.

"What? Oh, I'm just thinking. During our little nap (both girls grinned sheepishly) I had this seriously whacked dream."

"What was it about?"

I dreamed you kissed me, a tiny kiss but a kiss nonetheless. And it was on my lips, Brooke wanted to say, but didn't. Instead, she just sighed. "Nothing important."

They were silent for a while, until Brooke's voice cut through the dark. "Why did you do it, Sammy? Why inflict such pain on yourself for me? Answer me that."

Sam could hear Brooke crying quietly but couldn't go to her due to her numerous broken limbs. "Come up here," she ordered gently. When Brooke's head appeared above the side of the bed, Sam motioned her closer. "Right up here. Bring your pillow."

Brooke climbed up into the bed and lay facing Sam. "Why?" she sniffled. Sam reached out and wiped the tears off of her face.

"Because you're my best freind, the person I care most about in this world after my mom, and because I couldn't imagine life without you." Brooke was about to start crying harder when Sam added, "Besides, who would I fight with over the good sink? Mac's not old enough yet." She wrapped the blonde in a warm hug. "Ready to go back to your mattress now?' she teased.

"I'd rather stay here," Brooke whispered. So she did.

Sam's casts came off about a month later. She wasn't sad to see them go - rather, insanely pleased with her newfound mobility. The only sad thing about being up and about was the TV being moved back downstairs.

Brooke was so relieved Sam was even alive she had forgotten about Sam's semi-conscious confession on that night. Sam never stopped thinking about it. She had been so sure she was going to die she hadn't been able to keep quiet any longer. Looking at Brooke now, beautiful, angelic Brooke, straight Brooke, she regretted saying anything.

Still, she couldn't help but stare in awe at the vision living with her. Every little thing she did was magic, she thought, giggling as the old song came to her. She loved to watch Brooke do the most mundane things, like eating breakfast in her pajamas, or watching TV in jeans and a tank top. And part of her never forgot the view she'd had down the blonde's top.

She thought she was being subtle about the whole tihng, really keeping her feelings to herself. And to an extent, this was true - Brooke had no idea. However...

Jane went about her life, but something nagged at her. Sam was acting strange, like she'd never acted before. Sometimes Jane would be sitting with the girls, and she would say something to Sam but Sam would take an age to answer, and be dazed as she did. It did not escape Jane that most times Sam was out of it, Brooke was directly in her daughter's line of sight.

Being a pro-active sort of parent she decided to do something about it - but what? Weeks were spent in deciding on the best course of action, and just before school was due to start again she settled on a plan of attack.

Sunday night before school. Sam and Brooke were sitting on the couch together watching some movie. Jane went and joined them and saw her chance as Sam got up to go to bed. By some unspoken agreement Brooke hung back and turned off the TV and gathered their popcorn bowls to take them to the kitchen. Jane got up.

"Brooke, can we talk?"

"Sure, Mom."

Jane paused. Phrasing this delicately would be all important. She decided to start in gently.

"How are things with you and Josh lately?" Brooke looked visibly startled at the question, then she smiled.

"There is no me and Josh anymore. We broke up, like, ages ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Oh, don't be! I broke up with him, not the other way around. It's better this way, I think. I feel... never mind."

"Can I ask why you broke up with him?"

Brooke considered this. "It was missing something," she said at last. "It didn't feel right."

Having got what she wanted from that angle, Jane abruptly changed tack. She had planned this out in her head, and knew exactly what she was going to say.

"Brooke, I have to ask you two very important questions, and I want you to answer them honestly. One, how long and how well do you know Sam, and two, what do you think of her as a person?"

Brooke walked over to the couch and sat down, again thinking. Jane sat in the armchair opposite and waited.

"I've known your daughter since kindergarten, Jane, but until a few months ago we've never been what you'd call close. Actually, if we're perfectly honest Sam and I used to be mortal enemies. Now she's without a doubt my best friend, better than Nicole or Mary Cherry, that's for damn sure!"

They both laughed, then Brooke answered the second question.

"As to what I think of her, as a person, I don't know exactly what to say. She's... smart, she's alert, she's funny. She's as loyal as hell, and I know you'd have to be crazy to get on her bad side. She... like I said, she's my best friend."

"I've known her since before she was born. Seventeen plus years, and I've probably spent a lot more time around her than you have given your shared history. I can read my daughter like a book, Brooke, and what I've been seeing lately is totally out of character for her. It's... it's crazy. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was... in love."

Brooke's heart did its oh, so familiar jump when she heard this, but she contained herself. "Do you have any idea who he could be?" she asked, nearly choking on the word `he'.

Jane frowned slightly. "It could be Harrison, but I doubt it. I've got another possibility, though, only I'm not willing to share. What I'm asking you to do is keep an eye on her. She's never, and I mean never, acted like this before, and I think there's a distinct chance she may be in over her head."

Brooke just looked at her. "Sammy's a big girl, I think she can handle it."

Jane stared. Brooke turned to go to bed but Jane spoke again. "Sam borders on neurotic when it comes to her name. She always has. When she was about fourteen, fifteen, she said the only reason I got away with calling her Sammy is because she loves me. In fact, I know three people who can call her that and not get their heads bitten off. There was her father, who started it. Me, to remind her of him. And now... there's you."

Jane left Brooke alone at the foot of the stairs. In a daze the blonde walked up them and to Sam's room, where she'd been sleeping ever since Sam came home. They joked that each was the other's living security blanket, but it was true. More often than not Brooke ended up beside Sam, or else Sam would travel down to Brooke's mattress. Most nights they didn't even try to start off separated.

Brooke got changed in the bathroom then lay on her mattress. Sleepy brown eyes regarded her. "Where were you, Princess?" Sam enquired.

"Talking to your mom," the blonde answered distractedly. Then she decided to test Jane's theory. "Sammy?" she asked. She sat up so she could rest her chin on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah?" No screaming, no head bitten off. Just like all the other times. Maybe there was something in what Jane had said.

"Can I sleep up there?"

"You even have to ask after all this time?" Sam teased as she made room. Brooke shook her head. "So what were you and Mom talking about?" Brooke grinned evilly.

"Bit o' this, bit o' that. Bit o' Josh, but yeah, no, mostly about you."

"Me?" Gone was the sleepy voice, now Sam was wide awake and interested. "What about me?"

"Yep. Seems Mom can read you like a book, but you've skipped a chapter ahead of her. Judging by your recent behaviour, the likes of which she's never seen before, she thinks, and I quote, `If I didn't know better, I'd say she was... in love.'" Brooke punctuated the end quote with a laugh that was supposed to be a teasing snicker but ended up more nervous giggle. Sam made the same sound.

"In love? With who, Harrison?" Sam jeered, but she was shitting herself. How much does Brooke know? she wondered, frantically.

"Yeah, she already rejected him but she says she suspects someone else. I'd tell you so we could both have a good laugh, but she didn't share."

"Aw, where's the fun in that?"

"No idea."

They talked a little longer then drifted off. It WAS a school night, after all.

The next morning was a blur of breakfast, packing school bags with lunches and deciding what to wear. Brooke went for jeans and a baby blue baby tee (say that ten times fast) with the words `Who... me?' written on the chest. Sam wore jeans as well but with a long sleeved tight fitting white top with the American flag.

Brooke drove. They sat in silence most of the way, then Sam couldn't take it anymore. "I have a confession to make," she admitted sheepishly. Brooke kept her eyes on the road but grinned.

"Oh really? Tell Brookie everything," she invited.

"It's about last night."

"So you admit it was you and not Mac who stunk out the living room?"

"What? No! It's about that conversation you had with Mom." Brooke gripped the steering wheel tighter, but stayed calm.

"Go on."

"So, it turns out she... CAN read me like a book. And I think I'm going to tell you something I haven't told anyone before."

"Okay." Gone was the teasing tone. Brooke could sense this was serious, and important. She slowed up and pulled over about two blocks from school so she could give Sam her undivided attention. "Spill."

"Turns out... there is someone. As in, I AM in love, she was right." Sam's face turned red as she admitted this.

"Tell me more. Who is he?" Brooke unwittingly fell right into the trap. Sam undid her seat belt and twisted in her seat, looking right at the blonde.

"The reason I haven't told anyone is because... because he's not a he. He's a she." Brooke's eyes momentarily grew large, then returned to normal.

"No to belittle you or anything, but so? That doesn't change anything. You're still the same person you were last night, this morning. Did you think that would bother me?"

"Maybe not that part. But the next part probably will," Sam muttered, wishing she'd had tequila on her cornflakes instead of milk.

"Sam, I'd like to think that after the summer we had you can tell me anything. Unless it's that you've been harboring secret feelings for Mary Cherry, that is. Coz I don't wanna know if you have." Both girls grinned weakly, then Sam opened her door.

"Let's walk, we'll be late." Brooke let silence fall between them a moment then asked again.

"Who is she? Do I know her?" Sam laughed.

"Oh, boy, do you know her." Brooke frowned slightly, thinking.

"Give me a hint, if you won't tell me."

Sam thought a moment then replied. "She's someone I've known a while. A long while. She's blonde and beautiful, and she hides a lot of herself from most people." Brooke wrinkled her nose prettily.

"Shoot damn, Sam, that could be any number of people."

"I'll give you a bigger hint then. Two, even. First hint: starts with Y, ends in U and has an O in the middle. Second hint: she slept in my bed last night."

Before Brooke had a chance to process this Sam had disappeared into the crowd.

The day passed quickly for Sam. Too quickly. After her confession that morning she was less than anxious to ride home in the same car as Brooke, who she was sure hated her now. It was nice to see Carmen, Lily and Harrison again (she stifled a giggle as she hugged Harrison Hello, thinking of what Brooke had said) but all she wanted to do was go home and lock herself in her room.

The day couldn't have gone any slower if it had tried to Brooke. All she wanted was to see Sam and try to talk this out, but try as she might she was never able to get Sam alone during that long torturous day. Nicole, Mary Cherry and Poppy Fresh were as vacuous as usual, Sugar Daddy was wrapped up with Exquisite and Josh seemed to be avoiding her. Not that she cared. Suddenly she felt like she'd give anything for Sam's biting wit, or even just presence.

Brooke was sure they'd have a chance to talk in the car on the way home, but when she reached the car she found a note taped to the passenger seat.

"Brooke

Sorry about this morning - may it never be mentioned again. Rain must be on the way coz my leg and arm kill - nurse sent me home early. Mom picked me up. Am moving your mattress back to your room to save you the trouble. See you at home.

Happy first day back
Samantha McPherson"

The note crumpled inside Brooke's fist as a single tear ran down her right cheek. How could Sam think that of her? She kept to the speed limit but only just as she hurried home. Sure enough, her bed was remade neatly and both entrances to Sam's room were locked. There was another note on her pillow, though. It said simply, but obviously hopefully,

"Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me..."

Brooke smiled, ran to the garage and grabbed the heavy duty broom then raced to the point on the ground floor which was right under Sam's room. Grinning, she lifted the broom and banged three times, then went to put the broom away.

When she returned to the `place of banging' there was no one there. Discouraged, she trudged back upstairs to her room again. Imagine her surprise and happiness to find Sam sitting on her bed!

"Looks like you actually want to talk about this," she remarked wryly. "Well, there's nothing much to say except I should have kept my big mouth shut. I apologize for ruining your otherwise probably perfect day. You done?"

"Are YOU done?" god, will you listen to yourself? No, better, shut the hell up and listen to ME. This morning you told me you're in love with me, that is, if I read your `hints' right. Then you disappeared without giving me a chance to reply. Well it's my turn now, Sammy. I have been waiting for you to say that again ever since the accident. And do you even know how close I came to saying it to you first? No! Well, I'm saying it not. You love me? Fine. As long as you know I LOVE YOU BACK!"

Sam looked stunned. She began edging backwards off the bed, obviously trying to retreat through their bathroom. Brooke cut her off by climbing onto the bed and pinning the brunette against the wall, forcing them to lock eyes.

"No," Sam whimpered.

"Yes," Brooke replied, her voice steady. Sam wrenched away and ran to her room.

"No," Brooke could hear her crying as she slammed both doors behind her. Tears of her own streaked down both cheeks as she realized Sam didn't believe her. After all this time and Sam didn't believe her when she said she loved her? Brooke realized she was in over her head. She sat on her bed to think.

There was only one person in the world (who wasn't Sam) that knew Sam better than Brooke did. Jane. Brooke knew she had to go talk to Jane again. And this time it wasn't gonna be so easy.

Sam stayed locked in her room through the evening meal. Jane took food up, but made no attempt to get the brunette to join them. Seeing as Mike was away on business, Brooke took the opportunity.

"You know how you asked me to keep an eye on Sammy?" she asked said, half mumbled. Jane nodded. "Well you were right."

"Right about what?" Jane queried, not quite understanding what the blonde was trying to tell her.

"She's in love. And... the person knows, and they love her back (trust me, I know this person well) but Sam doesn't believe that the person loves her."

"Oh my God," Jane whispered, a slow smile lighting up her face. "Who is he? Come on, Brooke, tell me please?"

"I wouldn't do that to Sam," Brooke hedged. "But I want to do something nice for her. Tell me how this person can get her to believe them."

Jane knew something was up by the way Brooke was squirming in her chair, but she chose to let it go. Instead she thought a moment, honestly considering the question.

"Only someone who really knows Sam would be able to gain her trust in a situation like this," she began carefully. "There's certain things you should NEVER do if you're trying to get her to talk to you. Are you familiar with the term `Little Bo Peep syndrome'?"

"Leave her alone and she'll come home?" Brooke recited, not quite understanding.

"Exactly. Sam is NOT like that, never has been. You have to be persistent, keep showing her you WANT to talk to her. And another thing - she's always had a thing for messages in songs. She thinks that anything you could ever want to say can be founding the words of a song."

"Okay, thanks Mom," Brooke said as she carried her plate to the sink. "I'm sure that'll be a big help."

She walked back up to her room, thinking hard. Sitting down next to her CD collection she flicked through it, looking for the perfect song. She found it and taped a tiny note to it, then padded down the hall to Sam's room.

"Sammy?" she ventured, knocking lightly.

"Go `way," came the miserable sniffle. Brooke sighed and pushed the CD under the door.

"Just listen to it, Sam," she pleaded, then went away.

Sam looked warily at the CD being pushed under her door. She'd been crying on and off all afternoon and was exhausted but curiosity got the better of her. Picking it up, she read the note.

"Track 9 - listen to the words. Then play track 6 - it's the chorus."

Sam stuck the CD - "Best of the Corrs" in her Discman and skipped to track 9 - Irresistible.

You're irresistible
You're mine

Don't want you for a weekend
Don't want you for a day
Don't need a love divided
Don't wanna feel this way

See I want you to need me (that way I need you)
Just like I need you (the way I see you)
And I want you to see me
Like no one before

You're irresistible
Natural, physical
It's indefinable
Magical, illogical
So make-you-mineable
You're mine

So can't you see I'm tortured
Oh, can't you hear my pain
If you just let me show you
I'll be your summer rain

Then you'll feel that you want me (the way I feel it)
Just like I want you (the way I want you)
And you'll know nothing's better
It's like nothing before

You're irresistible
You're natural, physical
It's indefinable
Magical, illogical
So make-you-mineable
You're mine

Now you feel what I'm feeling (don't you feel what I'm feeling)
Don't you know that it's more (it can take you places)
And it can take you places like never before

You're irresistible
You're natural, physical
It's indefinable
Magical, illogical
So make-you-mineable
You're mine

You're irresistible
You're natural, physical
It's indefinable
Magical, illogical
So make-you-mineable
You're mine

A little bewildered, she quickly skipped to track 6 and listened intently, hoping against hope it confirmed what the first song had said.

What can I do to make you love me?
What can I do to make you care?
What can I say to make you feel this?
What can I do to get you there?

Tears again flowed down Sam's face as she began to believe Brooke. She sat on her bed and played Brooke's songs over and over again, and believed a little more each time.

Of course, Sam had to leave her room to go to school. And of course, her mother wouldn't agree to drive her because, oh, look, Brooke's driving to exactly the same place. Sam sat in the back seat, still not entirely sure she should say anything to the blonde.

Brooke had had just about enough of the silent treatment. Although she pulled out of the drive and headed the usual way to school, she soon made a turn into an unfamiliar street. Sam looked up, puzzled, and said the first thing since her "go `way" the previous night. "Where we going?" she asked in a small, unsure voice that broke Brooke's heart.

"Someplace we can talk," she replied. Eventually they pulled up outside a gigantic almost mansion, and Brooke stopped the engine. "Nicole's house," she offered by way of an explanation. "She once told me I could use her summerhouse for anything like this, anytime I needed."

She got out of the car and gestured for Sam to do the same, which she did, albeit warily. Brooke led the way to a small summerhouse around the back of the house. Sam was so awed by the rich surroundings she forgot to be silent.

Reaching the summerhouse they sat down on a bench. Sam looked at Brooke expectantly. "Well?" she asked. "What was so important we had to ditch school?" Brooke took a deep breath.

"Sam, did you listen to those songs I marked?" she asked at last.

"Yeah. Nice, by the way. Catchy."

"I think anything that you could ever want to say can be found in a song, and those songs were what I wanted to say to you before you ran away. I meant what I said, Sam. I love you. And yesterday you said you loved me, so I figured..."

"You figured what?"

Brooke sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't even know anymore."

They sat in awkward silence for a couple of minutes before Sam spoke up, suddenly and unexpectedly.

<<<<<"Sam, did you listen to those songs I marked?" she asked at last.

"Yeah. Nice, by the way. Catchy."

"I think anything that you could ever want to say can be found in a song, and those songs were what I wanted to say to you before you ran away. I meant what I said, Sam. I love you. And yesterday you said you loved me, so I figured..."

"You figured what?"

Brooke sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't even know anymore."

They sat in awkward silence for a couple of minutes before Sam spoke up, suddenly and unexpectedly. >>>>>

"I love to watch you eating breakfast. You always lean against the counter, holding the bowl up by your mouth, spooning cornflakes in, and you always eat breakfast in your pajamas, which are always just a nightshirt, so when you're leaning all I can see is your beautiful legs." Brooke quickly caught where Sam was heading, and as soon as the brunette paused for breath she jumped in with a story of her own.

"I love to watch you when you've just woken up. You always stumble into the bathroom, bleary eyed and oh, so adorable and you push your gorgeous hair off your face and whenever I see you do that it makes me want to hold you and never let go." Sam smiled at Brooke, a real, surprised and flattered smile, then remembered it was her turn again.

"You smell like apples and strawberries and bananas, all my favorite things. I love to go in the bathroom straight after you've showered cos it always smells like you."

"I feel like I could drown in your eyes. Your hair cries out to be played with, it's so thick and such a gorgeous color - some'd call it chocolate. I call it Sam. I could sit and stare at your face all day coz you're so beautiful..."

"Your eyes are blue and oh my god, Brooke, I give up! I cracked first! Can you please just kiss me already?"

Although startled, Brooke soon recovered and she leaned to press her lips to Sam's. It was meant to be a featherlight touch and then she planned to pull away so they could talk some more but somehow it didn't happen that way. As soon as she made contact with Sam's lips her eyes flew open with surprise at the warmth she felt spreading through her entire body. She increased the contact, finding herself yearning for more...

Sam thought Brooke would pull away any moment and was savoring the kiss while she could. To her surprise and pleasure she felt Brooke lick her bottom lip and, as Sam's lips parted, Brooke's tongue entered and gently stroked Sam's tongue.

Brooke felt her hand move of its own accord and wrap around Sam's neck, burying itself in her thick dark hair, pulling her closer. Both girls dropped any pretence of being ready to pull away as their bodies strained to make contact. Brooke moaned with pleasure into Sam's mouth, and it was this sound that made them realize they were sitting, entwined, on a bench outside Nicole Julian's summer house.

Brooke leaned forward so that their foreheads met gently. Looking deep into Sam's eyes, she smiled and breathed, "Do you believe me now when I say I love you more than life itself?" Sam's grin almost split her face in two.

"I feel the same way. Um, hate to bring this up, but shouldn't we go to school?"

One more extremely passionate and far too short kiss and they were off. This time, however, they entered the school side by side, identical smiles on their faces. Checking no one was watching, Brooke leaned into Sam's ear and muttered, "Meet me, Novac, lunch. Love you." She quickly nipped Sam's earlobe before walking quickly off
leaving Sam standing in the middle of the hallway with one hand on her ear and a dazed grin on her face, as Carmen, Lily and Harrison hurried up.

"Sam, you in there?" Lily asked, waving her hand in front of Sam's eyes. Slowly she seemed to come to herself but the grin never left her. "Why so happy?"

"Stuff's been sorted at mi casa," Sam replied, still a little dazed. Carmen and Harrison didn't seem to catch the look but Lily understood right away. She kindly bustled Sam away to a quiet corner.

"Who is it, Sam?" she murmured. The journalist looked up sharply, but didn't reply.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied. Lily smiled sweetly.

"You LIE. If you could see your face right now, you wouldn't even TRY to lie to me. Now who, Sam? Sam went pale and shook her head emphatically.

"I don't wanna talk about it, it'll jinx it," she stammered. Lily put a reassuring hand on her arm.

"When you are ready, I'm here for you chiquita. Don't ever forget that."

Lunch seemed an age away and the only bright point in Brooke's morning was Bio, where (god bless the alphabet) she was "forced" to sit nest to Sam. Making sure once again that no one was looking, her hand went under the table to clasp Sam's. The brunette jumped then smiled and relaxed. About halfway through the class Brooke reclaimed her hand only to let it wander over Sam's thigh. She could see Sam's face turning red and suddenly broke all contact, deciding to wait for lunch. Sam couldn't breathe, and couldn't decide whether to curse Brooke or jump her bones right there in the classroom!

At last the promised time arrived and Sam and Brooke detached themselves from their friends and headed for the Novac. They checked it was empty then locked the door. Sam hung back, leaning against the sinks, looking a little uncertain. After all, what if Brooke had changed her mind?

"Hey, about this morning," she began, looking nervously at the blonde, "I totally understand if you don't want a repeat. I mean, why would you? You-"

But her words were cut off as Brooke leaped towards her, pressing her up against the sinks and kissing her frantically. Showing superior, Glamazon strength, Brooke lifted Sam onto the bench and stepped between her legs, still kissing her. Sam smiled, causing Brooke to deepen the kiss even further, which in turn made Sam smile more. Finally they broke for air.

"Whoa," Sam breathed, never breaking eye contact with Brooke.

"Whoa is the understatement," Brooke returned. "I need to do that again..."

They kissed again. This time, Brooke started off slowly, deepening the kiss steadily until her hands were wandering everywhere and Sam was squirming with pleasure. "Sammy... I think there's rain on the way," Brooke panted against Sam's lips. Sam broke away, confused.

"Say what?"

"There's rain on the way. Your arm and your leg hurt, again, only this time I'm here to take you home." Sam caught on and smiled, then put on her best "oh, I'm in agony" face. They ran to the office, where Brooke babbled their story. Owing to the fact that the faculty had been informed of the events of Prom night, sympathy was on their side and they were released almost at once. Brooke didn't even try to keep to the speed limits driving home.

Meanwhile, while the girls were at school, Jane had been doing some thinking. Sam's sudden depression didn't make any sense with the rest of what had been happening. One would think, if some guy was bothering her, she would talk to Brooke about it, but her daughter had seemed to cut Brooke out completely the previous night. Then it clicked in her mind.

"Mike? Let's take Mac to meet our parents," she said, already planning it in her mind.

"What? Why?"

"She hasn't met them, and now's as good a time as any."

"But what about the girls?"

"I'll leave them a note, they'll manage."

And so it was settled. While Mike packed things for himself, his wife and the baby, Jane wrote two notes. One was for Sam, and another, quite different one, was for Brooke. "You clever mommy you," she said to herself as she sealed the notes. The three of them were gone well before lunch.

Arriving home, Sam and Brooke let themselves in to find an empty house with just two notes on the kitchen table. Sam opened hers and read it out loud.

"Sammy-

We've taken Mac to meet her grandparents - both sets. We'll be back on Sunday. Be good, don't kill Brooke, and eat proper meals.

Love you, Mom."

Brooke scanned hers, and found it was very different.

"Brooke-

If Sam loves who I suspect she loves, and the person loves her back as you say, then I'll just bet you'll thank me for getting Mike and Mac out of the house. Fixed it so you've got from Tuesday (today, duh) till Sunday MORNING to do something about this, so make the most of it.

Love, Mom.

PS Don't ever hurt my baby."

"What does your note say?" asked Sam, interrupting Brooke's mental worshipping of Jane.

"Um, same as yours," she hedged, crumpling the note in her fist. "So, house to ourselves for nearly a week." Sam grinned.

"Whatever shall we do with our time?" she asked, the picture of innocence. Brooke slinked towards her, pulling her into a smoldering kiss.

They kissed in the kitchen for a few minutes, before deciding to take it into the living room. Once there, Brooke kissed Sam again, harder, pushing Sam's coat off her shoulders and to the floor in one fluid movement. Sam giggled. Brooke looked up, frowning.

"What?"

"Well, Miss McQueen, the way you helped me off with my jacket felt distinctly like you were undressing me," she said, innocence personified.

"Well spotted," Brooke growled, pulling her closer again and unbuttoning Sam's shirt. Soon the two were facing each other again clad in jeans and bras only. Brooke made as if to leap but Sam hung back a little. Brooke pulled her to the couch. She gently brushed her thimbs over Sam's nipples causing the brunette to gasp, lie back and close her eyes. Which was about exactly what Brooke wanted her to do. Quickly she reached behind herself and unclasped her bra and it was on the floor by the time Sam had reopened her eyes, which grew wide as she took in the latest sight. She sat up.

"What's wrong?" Brooke asked.

"Um, this is just a tad too fast for me," Sam confessed, blushing. Brooke looked instantly contrite.

"God, Sammy, I'm sorry," she said softly, drawing the brunette into a hug, not realizing Sam's head was resting on her breasts. She gently rocked Sam back and forth, reassuring her. "We're not going to do anything you're not ready for."

This continued for a few minutes until Brooke felt a hot wet mouth close over her nipple. "Oh, god, Sammy, that feels so good." Sam let go and started on the other side. When both Brooke's nipples were thoroughly sucked on, Sam pulled her head back and blew softly. Brooke moaned, pushing Sam into a lying position.

"I thought you said we were going too fast," Brooke panted, not fully recovered from Sam's ministrations. Sam laughed.

"What can I say, I lied," she shrugged. Brooke kissed her, their tongues dueling for dominance but eventually, surprisingly, Sam emerged triumphant, pushing Brooke onto her back, removing her bra as she went. Brooke gasped. "What?" Sam asked, fearfully.

"You... you're perfect," Brooke whispered. Sam shrugged. Brooke reached out and weighed the pale globes in her hands, noticing how perfectly rounded and full they were, how the dusky pink nipples grazed into her palms. Sam was having trouble breathing.

"Just a... question," she managed, closing her eyes and letting the feelings wash over her, "does this mean we're a couple now?" Brooke pretended to think.

"I think it means two things. I think it means a) we're a couple now and b) we're about to have sex in the living room. Does any of that bother you?"

"Not in the slightest." Sam reached for the button on Brooke's jeans, unsnapped them and started to pull the jeans down Brooke's lovely legs. The blonde complied, helping Sam get her pants off. They sat before each other, contemplating what they were about to do.

"You know, I don't think I want to make love to you on a couch," Brooke said, thoughtfully.

"Oh," Sam replied, downcast. She picked up her pants and began to put them back on when Brooke stopped her.

"I don't want to make love to you on a couch. But I do want to have sex with you in my bed - that is, if you're still interested."

"Race you," came the immediate response.

Once in Brooke's room the mood turned serious again. Boldly Sam drew Brooke into a kiss while pinching the blonde's nipples. Brooke ran her hands over Sam's back, resting on the brunette's ass. As Sam played with her breasts Brooke gently slipped her hand under the waistband of Sam's panties. Sam froze.

"Too fast?" Brooke asked, removing her hand.

"Not fast enough," Sam declared, removing her underwear. She stood there in all her naked glory, letting the other girl drink in the sight before leading her to the bed. "And now you." She finished undressing Brooke.

In keeping with the bold theme Sam kissed her way from Brooke's jaw down past her breasts to her stomach where she stopped and refused to go any further, with an evil grin on her face. Most people would have assumed Sam wasn't ready to go on, but not Brooke. Not when she could feel Sam's fingers starting at her ankles and working their way up her leg.

Sam smiled and kissed Brooke's navel as she walked her fingers up past Brooke's knee. Brooke was actually squirming now, begging Sam to stop teasing. Just as the brunette's fingers reached her inner thigh they switched legs and began working their way down again. Brooke gave a little squeal of frustration. "Jesus, Sam... please, baby... I'm going nuts..."

Finally Sam decided Brooke ahd been tortured enough. Lifting her head, she took one of Brooke's nipples in her mouth and bit down. As Brooke cried out in pleasure Sam slipped a finger inside the blonde.

The response was instantaneous. Brooke emitted a strangled scream and started chanting Sam's name over and over again. "Saaammm... oh God, oh God SAMMY!"

Likeing the feedback she was getting, Sam added another finger, then a third. Not able to resist, she decided to give Brooke all she had and bent down to let her tongue join her fingers.

Brooke arched halfway off the bed, moaning over and over again, her earlier coherent cries replaced by unintelligible gibberish. At the first touch of Sam's tongue on her clit she shrieked again, trying to hold it back but it was no good. Sam bit down and Brooke was lost...

Sam felt Brooke's body go stiff then felt Brooke's wall clamping around her fingers. Brooke came in one gushing flow that Sam drank down, loving every drop. At the back of her sex hazed mind she dimly remembered the food of the gods being ambrosia, and she scoffed. Forget ambrosia! She had Brooke, and Brooke was all Sam ever wanted.

When Brooke came back down to earth it was to find Sam watching her with a face like the cat who ate the canary or something. Moving quickly she grabbed Sam into a fierce kiss, loving the taste of herself on Sam's lips. Sam laughed.

"That was without a doubt the most incredible, the most amazing, most intense thing I've ever felt in my life and you're laughing? Can I ask why?"

Sam pondered. "I've just never been this happy in my life," she confided.

"If you think you're happy now," Brooke promised, as she flipped the brunette on to her back and kissed her, "wait for a while and tell me how you feel when I'm giving you the best sex you'll ever have."

"My, don't we have a high opinion of ourselves," Sam teased, her dark eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Kissing Sam deeply, Brooke ran her fingers over the curves of Sam's body, just lightly enough to drive her crazy. But Brooke had other things on her mind as she crawled sexily down the bed until her head was between Sam's thighs. Without further ado Brooke placed a hot, open mouthed kiss on Sam's lower lips and pushed her tongue deep inside the brunette.

"Br... Br... oohhh, god," Sam panted, little high pitched gasps escaping her throat. She couldn't quite believe Brooke was fucking her with her tongue, but indeed, that was what was happening. Sam arched her hips up to meet Brooke's tongue which flicked against Sam's clit before plunging deep inside her again.

Brooke was thanking every one of her lucky stars she had the chance to do this. She wanted Sam to remember this moment for the rest of her life. Bringing her thumb and forefinger up to pinch Sam's clit, Brooke smiled at the brunette who panted her name repeatedly. "Brooke... god, don't stop... oh, shit... baby..."

Sam was close, and they both knew it. How, however, was Brooke going to send her tumbling over the edge? She removed her tongue making Sam cry with frustration. Moving up to lie beside her, Brooke kissed her but made no other contact until Sam had moved away from the edge. That was when Brooke made her move. Without warning she moved back down and replaced her tongue, the fingers of one hand rolling a nipple between thumb and forefinger while the other hand pinched Sam's clit. She screamed Brooke's name as she came.

"Never took you for a screamer, McPherson," Brooke teased when Sam opened her eyes again.

"Maybe I'm only a screamer for you. God, where did you learn to do that? That was incredible!" Brooke looked sheepish.

"You don't want to know where I learned it. The main point is, I used it on you and you came."

"Explosively. Spill it, Princess."

"Oh, jeez... alright. Nicole taught me."

"Nicole ate you out?" Sam asked incredulously.

"We got drunk together one time and went down on each other. Afterwards she said I was great but not as great as I could be if I used her technique, yadda yadda yadda. So whenever we got lonely we'd have a fuck session... you're not gonna believe this but I always thought of you while we were... you know. And now I have the real thing I can finally drop the inferior stand in. You are so much better at it than she is, Sammy. You had me coming in half the time it took her."

Sam's eyes lit up. She'd been a little upset about not being Brooke's first, but cheered up at heating she had been Brooke's best. "Really?" she asked, hopefully.

"Oh, yeah. Sammy, even if you don't believe that, trust me when I say that even when Nicole did eventually get me there, it was nothing like as intense as that." Sam smiled and snuggled in closer to Brooke.

"I love you, Princess."

"Love you too, baby."

Wednesday dawned and found the two girls asleep in each others arms. Sam woke first and couldn't help the big goofy grin that engulfed her face when she remembered the events of the previous day. After they had recovered from round one they dove straight into round two, round three, and so on well into the night. They'd fallen asleep around eleven pm. Now Sam looked across at Brooke, the grin growing larger. In sleep Brooke was even more breathtaking, and lying naked in Sam's arms? Words couldn't describe. Just then Brooke woke up and blinked sleepily. She grinned back at Sam then wrinkled her nose.

"We need a shower," she observed.

"I concur," Sam said ruefully. "God, how long were we at it yesterday?"

"Long enough, apparently." Brooke slipped out of bed and stood naked in front of Sam, who eyed the blonde longingly. Brooke sighed and held out her hand. "Come on then," she invited.

"Come on where?" Sam asked, confused.

"Shower. I know you want me," Brooke gave her an evil grin and went on, "and I've always wanted to have sex in the shower."

Both girls thanked their lucky stars again that they had the house to themselves because it appeared that Sam was indeed a screamer. Clean, they wandered downstairs for breakfast, not bothering to get dressed. Brooke fixed herself a bowl of cornflakes and leaned against the counter, naked. Sam smiled and kissed her.

"Gotta say, loving the new look. Why just ogle your legs when you've so thoughtfully put the rest of your gorgeous body on display?" Brooke laughed and ate her breakfast.

"Aren't you going to eat something?" Brooke asked, her face a study in innocence.

"I, uh, ate in the shower," Sam grinned. Brooke cracked up and smacked her lightly.

"I asked for that, didn't I?"

The drive to school was uneventful, however when they arrived they found the halls deserted. They took the opportunity for a proper goodbye kiss. Sam was feeling playful so she only allowed the contact for a split second before pulling back and darting her tongue out to lick Brooke's lip. Brooke groaned in frustration and tried to pull Sam back to her but Sam just grinned and danced out of reach. "Later, Princess."

Sam had an incredible singing voice. It was rich, full, beautifully in tune and she had a very large range. She could fill a room or gently send a baby to sleep. However Sam thought her voice was average at best, so never sang where others could hear her.

Lily, Carmen and Harrison collectively had heard her sing only a couple of times. Brooke never had, although she wished she could hear Sam after she heard Sam's friends talking about how good she was.

Truth was, Sam only ever sang when she was insanely happy. This hadn't happened much since her father died, but today she couldn't help herself.

During lunch Harrison kept hearing an incredible sound coming from he wasn't sure where. Every time he heard it he pricked up his ears, trying to figure out what was making it. It sounded like the Corrs were singing a capella somewhere, but when Sam got up to dump her trash, the sound stopped. Harrison's eyes grew wide.

"Lil, Carm," he whispered, checking Sam couldn't hear him, "Sam's singing!"

Though skeptical, the girls listened when Sam sat down again and found it was true - Sam was indeed singing

In Bio Brooke tried to play footsie but Sam wasn't having a bar of it. She just smiled and moved away. Brooke nearly screamed with frustration but managed to restrain herself.

When they got home Sam was still humming away to herself but Brooke carefully said nothing. She didn't want the humming to stop, much as she wanted Sam to sing properly.

After tea they sat to watch a movie. Sam sat by the arm of the couch and gestured that Brooke should lie with her head in Sam's lap, which she did. Immediately, before even bothering to switch the TV on, Sam started running her fingers through Brooke's hair, straightening it and playing with it. Brooke sighed in contentment - people playing with her hair was the thing she loved most. Then she lay very still, because the impossible was happening. Sam started singing to Brooke.

"Say it's true
There's nothing like me and you
I'm not alone
Tell me you feel it too
And I would runaway
I would runaway, yeah
I would runaway
I would runaway with you

Cos I
Have fallen in love
With you
No, never
I'm never gonna stop falling in love
With you

Close the door
Lay down upon the floor
And by candlelight
Make love to me through the night
Cos I have runaway
I have runaway, yeah
I have runaway
I have runaway with you

Cos I
Have fallen in love
With you
No, never
I'm never gonna stop falling in love
With you

And I would runaway
I would runaway, yeah
I would runaway
I would runaway with you

Cos I
Have fallen in love
With you
No, never
I'm never gonna stop falling in love
With you..."

As Sam finished singing she bent and placed a kiss on Brooke's temple. "I love you." Brooke sat up, tears shining in her eyes.

"I love you too. You've got the most beautiful voice I've ever heard, and yet you never sing. Why is that?"

"Only for you," Sam replied simply. "Only for you."

Sam made Brooke get up and moved so the blonde was sitting in between Sam's legs, and Sam was propped against the arm of the couch. Brooke bent her head back and shifted down slightly until her head was resting on Sam's shoulders. Sam's arms went around Brooke's waist.

As they watched the movie they became more and more absorbed. At least, Brooke bit. It was an old Sandra Bullock thriller, the Net, and while Brooke was intrigued, Sam had seen in. With one eye on the screen, she began to push the hem of Brooke's top up and caress the silky skin she found there.

Despite this, it wasn't until the movie ended that Brooke noticed anything. By this time Sam's gentle fondling had progressed into full on groping, she was so desperate for a response. Breathing a little unevenly, Brooke craned her neck for a kiss. Sam urged her to sit up, to remove her shirt. Brooke laughed.

"Your room this time?" she asked, still laughing. Sam was deadly serious.

"It's my turn," she informed Brooke. "My turn to make my Princess beg, scream my name. You have to... you have to..."

"Lies back and enjoy the ride? Let you have your wicked way with me?" But Brooke was only half teasing. Her eyes shone with anticipation.

"Yep," she heard Sam say as they went upstairs.

Sam kissed Brooke, her tongue delving deep inside Brooke's mouth. As she lay the blonde down on her bed, propping her head on a couple pillows, Sam could already feel Brooke's need building. Tough, she thought, evilly.

Rising, she crossed to the other side of the room. Putting on some slow, sensual music she began slowly to strip. Starting by removing her blouse, undoing it button by button, she swayed slowly in time to the music. Brooke began to salivate.

Sam moved on to her jeans. They were skintight, Brooke had discovered to her delight that day, and hugged Sam's every curve mercilessly. During the course of the school day Brooke had decided these jeans were her favorite item of Sam's clothing, but as she watched them glide down Sam's legs to pool at her feet, Brooke scoffed. Who needs ya, she dismissed the jeans. The jeans, wisely, said nothing.

Next Sam came a step or three closer to the bed. Dressed only in bra in panties, she proceeded with her little strip tease. Both bra and panties fell to the floor as Sam slinked over to the bed, and crawled on top of Brooke.

By now Brooke was a gibbering mess of need. She reached out, wanting so badly to touch Sam, but Sam wouldn't let her. A small frustrated sound came from the blonde's throat as she lay back down, admitting defeat. Sam's face was triumphant as she unbuttoned Brooke's jeans. She peeled them them off and undressed Brooke the rest of the way, feasting her eyes and running her fingers over smooth skin she exposed.

"Sammm..." Brooke moaned, her voice dripping with need. Sam only smiled and continued running her fingers over Brooke's naked body.

"Okay," Sam began. "Here are the rules for tonight's... festivities. Number one: don't move. If you move, I draw it out longer. Number two, you like it, you tell me, coz the more feedback I get, the more likely I'm gonna let you have your fun. And number three:..." she trailed off.

"Number three?" Brooke prompted. To tell the truth, even though the events ahead promised to be sweet torture, she had a feeling she was going to enjoy them.

"Number three: don't touch." With that, Sam began the torture.

Kissing Brooke firmly she tucked the blonde hair behind Brooke's ear and began to kiss and nibble the earlobe, pausing every so often to suck on it. Remembering rule number two Brooke began to immediately to encourage Sam with murmurs of "yeah, baby, don't stop." Sam's fingers were not idle. They brushed ever so slightly over Brooke's shoulders, tickling just enough to make her groan in pleasure and torment. Sam's fingers inched lower as she switched ears, kissing Brooke's lips as she passed them. Brooke forgot herself and arched up into Sam's touch. Sam snatched her fingers back.

"Uh uh uh," she taunted. "I told you not to move."

Brooke was almost in tears. "Please, Sammy, I need you to touch me!"

Sam pondered a moment then shook her head. "Patience is a virtue, Princess." She sat back to survey her work. The aim had been to turn her on, and she had done so, painfully, if Brooke's nipples were anything to go by. Then there was the tell tale wet patch between Brooke's legs, pooling and expanding as she watched. Brooke was squirming. Sam bent to suck on a rock hard nipple and, making Brooke cry out, loudly. Sam smiled and decided to let her have just one, since she was so close. She reached down, planning to squeeze Brooke's clit, but at the first featherlight touch Brooke screamed and exploded. Sam swallowed Brooke's scream in a soul searing kiss, elated she had succeeded so easily.

Brooke came back down to earth with a smile. "That was amazing," she breathed. Sam smiled again.

"What makes you think I'm finished with you yet?"

"Oh, Sammy, no, wait. I can't, not yet." Her words were drowned out by her own cries of delight at finding Sam had ignored her and was already nipping and sucking at Brooke's lower lips, her face buried between Brooke's thighs. Sam knew what Brooke liked, and set about providing the quickest orgasm Brooke could handle, proving to both of them Brooke really could go again.

Brooke came quickly, and hard. She gasped Sam's name, needing to feel Sam beside her. For the first time that night Sam complied, crawling up the bed and wrapping the blonde in her arms. Brooke was still trying to get her breathing back to normal when Sam decided Brooke still had one more left in her.

She started off slowly, kissing a path down Brooke's jaw, down her neck and started licking and sucking at the pulse point there, feeling the blood racing and loving the feeling that she had done that. Brooke moaned. Tired, she was. But she still didn't have it in her to ask Sam to stop. Sam bit down, knowing Brooke would have a mark and not caring, then moved down lower, down past Brooke's breasts pausing only to nip at a nipple, then to Brooke's tanned toned tummy. Sam wrote her name with her tongue. "Mine," she murmured as she flicked her tongue into Brooke's bellybutton.

Brooke's entire body humming. She wasn't sure if she could handle another orgasm but she was going to find out! Sure enough, as Sam slipped two fingers inside her, she felt herself slipping. All Sam had to do was add another finger and Brooke was gone.

She came back sobbing, reaching blindly for Sam again. Sam held her while she caught her breath enough to ask her question. "What was that for?"

Sam actually looked sheepish. "Um," she hedged. But one look at Brooke's flushed and beautiful face and she knew she couldn't lie. "Because of Nicole," she admitted. "She was your first, and I know you said I was your best but I just wanted to make sure."

Brooke kissed her soundly. "Silly rabbit," she murmured sleepily. "I don't love Nicole. I love you. And even if I didn't before, after you'd blown my mind like that I certainly would now. Baby, you could fuck for America in the next Olympics, cept I won't let you coz you're only allowed to fuck me."

Sam smiled for the umpteenth time time that night and was about to reply when she realised Brooke had snuggled up tight and fallen asleep. Sam pulled the covers over them and fell asleep herself.

~~~~~~

Thursday saw the rain Sam had predicted. It hosed down, washing the windows and soaking both girls as they ran for the car.

"Um, I wasn't informed that today's classes were a wet t-shirt competition," Brooke teased, looking at Sam's transparent top.

"That's right, yuk it up, Princess. All this means it that you're not the only one who gets to see my... uh, assets."

Brooke looked suitably horrified, and reached into the back seat to grab another top she conveniently had sitting there. "Wear this," she told Sam, in a voice that brooked no argument (no pun intended). Sam did so, and they drove to Kennedy High.

Sam still couldn't control her smiling, or her singing. She actually gave Harrison, Lily and Carmen a free demonstration of her skills, and sang out loud as she passed them. They looked at each other in bewilderment, but Lily thought she knew what was going on. Wasn't she the one who had confronted Sam the first day?

Bio, Sam's new favorite class, was boring for once. Brooke was occupied by Nicole, who obviously thought she was being neglected. Brooke looked like she'd rather be doing just about anything rather than talking to Nicole, and Sam knew why. Nicole had sort of a sixth sense about these things, and if she talked to Brooke for long enough, she'd sniff it out. And the last thing Sam and Brooke wanted, as much in love as they were, was for their new found love to be plastered all over the school. They were just not ready.

Sam watched Brooke talking to Satan, as she called Nicole, and she was surprised at the new wave of love that washed over her. Brooke was just, so diplomatic, so kind, so perfect. Writing carefully, so as not to be seen by either Satan or the Claw, she dashed off a quick note to Brooke.

"Brooke

Just a quick note to say I love you. Meet me in the Novak after Bio?

Love Sam"

She reached under the table carefully and stroked Brooke's thigh, causing the blonde to jump slightly. Nicole asked her what was wrong, and Brooke replied something like, "someone walking over my grave, I guess!" But she looked at her thigh, and saw Sam's hand caressing it, and then saw the note.

Brooke turned to Nicole and brushed her off as politely as she could. She gave excuses like the Claw watching them, wanting to get on with writing out the notes, etc. Nicole turned back to her table in a huff, but Brooke no longer cared. She took out a piece of paper and wrote her own note.

"Sammy

Of course I'll meet you in the Novak... if you'll do that again. I love you too. The parentals come back Sunday afternoon... anything planned for tonight? Three more nights until we have to face the music. I'm, uh, not exactly looking forward to it.

Love
your Princess"

Sam looked at it, snickered to herself and scribbled on the back of it, chucking it back.

"B-

Way to kill my buzz. And what was it you wanted me to do again?"

-S"

Brooke gave Sam a meaningful look and placed her hand on Sam's upper thigh, squeezing gently. Sam drew in her breath sharply.

"Oh, that," she whispered.

It was a miracle and a half that they weren't caught as thigh squeezing wasn't the only thing going on under their table that Bio lesson. They barely made it to the Novak. Checking it was empty, they fell upon each other like it had been months rather than hours.

"God, I don't think I'll ever get enough of you," Brooke gasped. Sam shook her head.

"Me neither," she panted. "But I think we should talk about this."

Brooke gave her a look that plainly said, shut the fuck up and kiss me again. But Sam insisted, there was something on her mind.

"What are we going to tell the parentals?"

Brooke sat down on the bench with a thud. "I don't know what to say to my dad," she answered truthfully. "But your mom... well, she was the one who orchestrated this whole thing, Sammy. She was the one who told me about your fetish for lyrics, and she got everyone out of the house so we could... um... explore our feelings. She figured it out before you did."

"What?! My mother? So how long has she known?"

"I'm not sure. I went to her the other day to ask her for advice, but I was subtle, I promise! I didn't even mention me, I said I knew the person you loved well. This was the day you told me. And she told me what I should do, but she thought she was talking about someone else. And then... well, my note was VERY different to yours. She got Mac and Dad out of the house on purpose, Sam. Don't you think that deserves a medal or something, for being an understanding parent?"

Sam wasn't really listening. "I have the coolest mother on the planet," she said, awestruck. "The coolest mother on the planet."

Brooke brought her back to reality. "So she's probably telling Dad as we speak, or if not, she will soon. So really we don't have to worry."

"I have the best mother in the world."

"Can you please kiss me now?" Brooke sounded a bit impatient. Sam came back to her senses.

"God, Princess, I'm sorry. Let me help you there."

They kissed until the bell rang for lunch, at which time they left the Novak, to find Lily standing outside the door.

"I know something's up, Sam," she began as she accosted her outside the bathroom, "and I want you to tell me what's going on. You've been acting really weird, smiling, singing, for God's sake. You never sing, unless you've got a damn good reason. So tell me why."

Sam looked at her. "I can't, Lily," she pleaded. "It doesn't just involve me, so I can't just go blurting it to anyone without asking first. It's not just my secret to tell. I have someone else to protect here."

Lily's face fell. "I thought you trusted me," she said, downcast. Sam put out a hand and brought the Latina's face up so their eyes met.

"I trust you better than anyone of our group," she told Lily. "It's just not my call."

Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Let me stop here to explain that "meanwhile, back at the ranch" is a figure of speech. It in no way refers to an actual ranch, it is merely a simple way of changing the scene so we are talking about Sam and Brooke's parents rather than Sam and Brooke themselves. Jane and Mike were, in fact, not on a ranch, but we will use this handy phrase anyway.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Jane couldn't stop thinking about the girls. She was alright with the situation, she knew that much, because she had pretty much pushed them together. The thing she was worried about was telling Mike. She hadn't really talked to him about these sorts of things, and she wasn't sure where he stood on the whole homosexuality thing. She was more than certain he wouldn't want to believe that Brooke, his beautiful blonde, all American daughter was a lesbian. But he was going to have to face it sooner or later. The question was, how to tell him delicately.

In fact that very night, Mike sort of broached the topic himself, unwittingly. He chuckled to himself over dinner.

"What's so funny, Mike?" Jane asked him. He smiled at her.

"I was just thinking about the girls, and how glad I am that they're both girls. Think about it, if one of us had had a son instead of a daughter, we wouldn't be able to leave them alone together for fear of them having sex, right?"

Jane choked on a lettuce leaf. Mike leaned over and patted her on the back. "Take it easy, honey. They're both girls, aren't they? There's no way that would happen."

The time was now, but Jane couldn't bring herself to destroy Mike's happy little bubble. She prayed for another chance later as she smiled weakly and kept eating.

The wolves were starting to beat down the door, Sam thought. First Lily, and if she knew something, Carmen and Harrison probably did too. Then there was Brooke's group of "friends", Nicole, Mary Cherry, Josh... the list was endless, and it wasn't a pleasant prospect, having all these people know about their relationship. Sam pondered what this meant for the rest of the day, and didn't really come up with any answers. All she knew was, she loved Brooke, and nothing would change that.

Their nights were starting to become something of a contest, a sort of `see who can make the other scream the loudest.' The winner so far was Brooke, as her efforts on the Friday night caused Sam to pass out, but Sam was trying hard, and Brooke wasn't complaining at all. The best thing about a contest like this was that there couldn't really BE any losers, because the both of them were winning, repeatedly, every night. Occupied in this manner, the nights flew by and they were soon faced by Sunday morning.

They woke in each other's arms, as was becoming the norm. Brooke looked over and smiled at Sam nervously.

"Parentals are back today," she said softly. Sam grimaced.

"Ugh, I don't want to think about it. I'm going to hate not being able to fall asleep in your arms, wake up beside you... most of all, I'm going to hate not being able to have sex with you..."

"If your mom told my dad, then perhaps they won't mind us having sex once in a while."

"Can you honestly see them saying, `Sure, Sam, Brooke, you can fuck all you like'? It wouldn't happen, Brooke, and I'm going to miss you."

"There are plenty of places we can do this," Brooke tried.

"Yep. In the Novak between classes. I'm worried, Brooke. I'm scared that maybe once we stop being able to make love so often, we'll drift apart."

Brooke reached over and hugged Sam so tight she squeaked. "Sammy, I'm going to love you forever even if they make us join a convent," she declared. "I love your body, God yes, but I also love your mind. It's what attracted me to you in the first place. Everything else was just an incredible bonus. We can never drift apart, not as long as we feel this way. Do you still love me?"

"God, more than life itself," Sam whispered. "One more for the road?"

Brooke caught on immediately, and rolled on top of Sam. "I believe it's my turn."

But even so, Brooke made sure they were up by eleven, showered, dressed, and all the sheets were changed and all the rooms aired out. Sam was a big help, trailing from room to room behind Brooke making comments about how badly she wanted to have sex again. Brooke did her best to ignore the distractions, but when the work was finished and they went downstairs for lunch, she couldn't take it anymore.

"You know, we should take advantage of this probably last moment we have together, and have what we really want for lunch: each other," Sam suggested, smiling slyly. Brooke snapped. She pushed Sam against the counter, forcing the brunette to sit on top of it and kissed her so passionately Sam was left with a dazed look when they finally broke apart.

"This is hard for me too," she said calmly. "But unless you really want out parents to walk in on us like that, and they WILL be home any minute, I suggest we have a nice salad, or maybe some macaroni and cheese."

Sam reluctantly agreed, and it was just as they were sitting down to their hastily prepared pasta that the door opened and the parentals walked in, carrying Mac.

The girls jumped up and ran to hug their parents, and made a fuss over Mac, who giggled and held out her arms to Sam. Sam took her from Jane and started dancing with the baby, to music only she could hear. Brooke waltzed past and took the baby, and Sam chased her. They took turns holding Mac and running from the other, waggling their fingers at the baby in the universal sign for "I'm going to tickle you!" Mac's shrieks of laughter could be heard throughout the house. In short, Sam and Brooke were being as normal as they could possibly be, to keep up appearances with Mike and Jane.

The two girls and the baby ended up in Sam's room, out of breath and laughing. Brooke was holding Mac but the baby held out her arms again to Sam.

"That's the second time she's done that," Brooke commented. "I guess you're the favorite sister."

Sam smiled, a little sheepish but still proud. "Yep, and I'm your favorite sister too, aren't I?"

"No, Mac's my favorite sister. You're my favorite lover."

"Good answer." Sam gently threw Mac in the air, then dropped her softly onto the bed. Mac grinned. "You're such a beautiful baby," Sam crooned as she flopped down beside the baby. Brooke followed suit.

"You know, there are even funner ways we can get this out of breath and sweaty," Brooke commented wryly, as she removed Mac's shoes and started tickling her toes. Sam laughed.

"And you said I was bad!" she returned, lifting the baby up and sniffing her behind. "I thought so. Somebody needs a new diaper!"

"Bags not," Brooke said quickly, making the upside down thumb on the forehead sign. Sam sighed.

"Well, it's like this, Princess. The next time the parentals go out, there could be time for... you know. But if I'm all worn out from changing Mac's diapers..."

Brooke grinned. "I'll help, how's that?"

"Perfect."

But Brooke's method of helping was just as helpful as Sam's had been earlier. She stood behind Sam, arms around her, whispering dirty things in her ear. Sam giggled and shrugged her shoulder in an attempt to get Brooke to stop. Stop she did, but she removed her hands from around Sam's waist and started running them over Sam's butt. She shivered, and then they heard the parentals charging up the stairs.

"Welcome to our world," Brooke muttered as she stepped away.

After Mac had been put to bed and everything was unpacked, the four of them sat down for a chat. Although they talked for a solid hour, the topic of Sam and Brooke never came up. Once or twice one of the girls mentioned something a bit suspicious, by accident, but the looks Jane shot them got them to shut up pretty quickly. Everyone slept in their own bed that night.

~~~~~~

As Brooke walked to Bio on Monday morning, she noticed a poster that hadn't been there on Friday. "Singing competition?" she read to herself. "But Sam would be a sure thing, she's fabulous. I should tell her..."

Sam, as it turned out, was less than impressed. "I can only sing for you," she insisted. If I had to get up in front of a whole bunch of people I'd choke, and you know it. Why would you even think of something like this?"

Brooke looked hurt. "I thought it was something we could do together," she explained. "There's, like, sections for duets and groups. I thought we could maybe sing a duet."

"I've never heard you sing, Brooke. Can you?"

"Judge for yourself." With that, Brooke walked away and into the lab.

As Bio went on, Sam heard much the same noise Harrison had heard a few days ago. It was beautiful, haunting, and unplaceable. It wasn't until the end of class she twigged it had been Brooke humming to herself. She raced out of the classroom behind her. "Novak, now," she demanded.

"What? What do you want now?" Brooke asked wearily as they stood in the Novak. Sam stood in front of her.

"Sing," she ordered. Brooke heaved a sigh, and shifted her books to her hip. Then she straightened up and opened her mouth... but nothing came out.

"What should I sing?" she asked, a little uncertain.

"Sing... sing your favorite song. Something close to your heart."

So Brooke ended up singing Irresistible, the song she had played for Sam way back when, to try to convince Sam of her love. Sam stood, open-mouthed, listening in silence. When Brooke was finished, she still stood there, speechless. Brooke smiled sheepishly. Sam's mouth opened and shut like a goldfish, and Brooke laughed. "I'll take that as a `yes, let's enter as a duet,' she teased.

"You're so good," Sam breathed, awestruck. Brooke shrugged.

"So are you," she insisted. "Looks like we found a perfect singing duo as well as a perfect loving duo. C'mon, let's sign up."

Sam still had misgivings about the whole thing, but she allowed Brooke to write their names up under the duets section. They spent a lot of time practising, which was an ideal excuse for them to be shut up in one or the other's room for long periods of time. Strangely enough, the competition consumed all of their energy, so even though they had the time and the privacy to make love, they didn't very often. Singing, at least until the competition was over, had become more important.

~~~~~~

The big day dawned. Neither ate any breakfast, so nervous were they. All their friends would be there to watch them, as they had been informed of Brooke and Sam's entry a good week ago. They drove to the school in silence. At the very last possible minute, Sam turned to Brooke, a look of sheer terror in her eyes.

"I can't do this, Princess," she stammered. "There's just too many people out there, and I'm gonna choke. I know it."

Brooke wrapped the shivering brunette in her arms. "It's gonna be okay," she soothed. "Just pretend I'm the only one here, you're only singing to me. You're gonna be fine."

Sam shuddered, but when they walked out onto the stage, she seemed calm. Brooke sang the first verse.

"If life is a river
And your heart is a boat
And just like a water baby, baby, born to float
And if life is a wild wind
That blows way on high
And your heart is Amelia, dying to fly
Heaven knows no frontiers
And I've seen heaven in your eyes..."

It was Sam's turn now, the moment of truth. Would she come through? Brooke suddenly began to doubt the wisdom of forcing her to enter this contest. But right there on cue, Sam's beautiful voice rang out through the auditorium.

"And if life is a bar room
In which we must wait
Round the man with his fingers on the ivory gates
Where we sing until dawn
Of our fears and our fates
And we stack all the dead men in self addressed crates..."

Brooke heaved a silent sigh of relief and joined Sam for the chorus.

"In your eyes, fate
As the singing of a lark
That somehow this black night
Feels warmer for the spark
Warmer for the spark
To hold us to the day
When fear will lose its grip
And heaven has its ways..."

"Heaven knows," Brooke sang solo.

"No frontiers," Sam continued. Together both of them sang the next line, looking in each other's eyes.

"And I've seen heaven in your eyes."

Brooke looked out over the audience as she waited through the small instrumental break. She could see some people wiping their eyes, as crazy as that sounded. We must be really moving them, she thought to herself. But then it was her cue, and all she had time to do was sneak a quick look at Sam to make sure she wasn't seizing up. She looked fine, and much less like a deer caught in the headlights.

"And if life is a rough band
Of brambles and nails
And your spirit's a slave
To man's whips and man's chains..." She trailed off. Sam's last solo.
Would she come through again?"

"Where you thirst and you hunger
For justice and right
And your heart is a pure flame
Of man's constant night..."

Both girls launched themselves into the chorus again, this time harmonizing, their voices blending perfectly. Sam took the high road, and Brooke the low, and the effect was magic. Pure magic.

"In your eyes, fate
As the singing of a lark
That somehow this black night
Feels warmer for the spark
Warmer for the spark
To hold us to the day
When fear will lose its grip
And heaven has its ways
And heaven has its ways
When all will harmonize
And you'll know what's in our hearts
The dream we'll realize..." Brooke prepared to divide up the end as they had last time.

"Heaven knows..."

"No frontiers..."

And together: "And I've seen heaven in your eyes."

"Heaven knows..."

"No frontiers..." Sam held this last note longer than they had practised, but it fit perfectly, and Brooke felt tears in her own eyes. She looked at Sam, who was looking at her, and winked gently. Sam smiled. They both sang the last line.

"And I've seen heaven in your Eyes..."

As the music ended behind them, Brooke and Sam were still looking deep into each other's eyes, and they didn't even hear the wild applause that broke out. Silently, they left the stage, and went to a small room away from the action.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," Brooke whispered to Sam. "You know I love you, don't you?"

"I bet not half as much as I love you," Sam sniffled. "God, I was so scared, but then you started singing, and it all went away. All I could hear was you, and it was exactly like you said, I was singing for you, you were the only one there. Did I sound okay?"

"Sammy, you sounded perfect! We should probably go back, see who won."

They snuck back, hand in hand. Making their way along the row their friends were sitting in, they sat next to each other, not letting their hands drop. Lily turned to them in awe.

"You guys, that was beautiful," she whispered. All their other friends said the same thing. Brooke enquired as to who their competition was. Mary Cherry spoke up.

"Well, y'all, there WAS April Tuna, but with her rendition of Beauty and the Beast... I don't think y'all want to call her competition. Then there was the Claw and... Well, after conversing with mah lord and savior Jesus Chrahst, Ah have decided Ah don't even want to think about it. That leaves you. Oh, and whoever it is that's goin' on now, y'all."

All eyes turned to the stage as the mystery contestant walked on to it. 44444