The Phantom Realization

By The Psycho

Email: the_psycho@earthlink.net

Genre: Popular

Base Episode: 1x01 - The Phantom Menace

Rating: R

Spoiler: Could contain spoilers of any ep up to and including the base episode.

Pairing: B/S (Brooke & Sam!  There is NO OTHER!!! :D ) First time.

Subject: Sam makes a frightening discovery and can't seem to get Brooke off her mind. Will she go for it?

Disclaimers: Not for profit. No infringement intended. Just taking the characters out for a spin.

A/N: I am writing this as a series, although not like you would think. Each story will be a stand-alone story. Each will be centered around B/S. Each will be a "first-time" fic. I will be writing one story for each episode of the series. I'm writing these because I severely miss B/S stories. Maybe this will generate some more B/S loving!  I know I am not an author, but if I am willing to place myself in the spotlight and risk public humiliation, maybe others will feel emboldened to do the same?

A/N: I'll be trying to follow the episodes as closely as possible but I may be taking some "creative license" with the eps. for the purpose of furthering my B/S passion. The stories will make more sense if you watch the episode before reading.


"Sam! Are you going to get up any time today?!?!"

Sam awoke with a start, "I'm up mom!" Sitting up in bed, she looked into the mirror above her dresser at the foot of the bed. Seeing her hair a complete fright and sleepiness in her eyes made her look like something out of a horror movie. "Getting up this early on a Sunday should be outlawed." Sam crawled out of bed and stood in front of her mirror. *Hardly Seventeen Magazine covergirl material huh?* Sam decided to take a closer look at herself. Before she lost her nerve, she quickly stripped until she wasn't wearing a single stitch of clothing. She stepped closer to the mirror to get a good look at herself. She didn't think she was bad looking. She wasn't overweight, her breasts were filling in nicely, but hardly Seventeen Magazine material in her opinion. *Once they invent real-life air-brushing, I'll be set!*

In her opinion, she wasn't covergirl material. She started to think who she knew that would be. The first image that popped into her head was Brooke McQueen. *Now there's a covergirl.*

Sam had gone to the mall yesterday and spotted Brooke in one of the shops. She hadn't seen her all summer and had to admit, she was looking good. Sam had always been fascinated with Brooke McQueen, although the blonde never knew the brunette existed. In Sam's opinion, Brooke was the physical representation of all her troubles in high-school. Brooke was worshipped by boys, envied by girls, beautiful, rich. The embodiment of the "Popular" stereotype.

Brooke was also a source of never-ending confusion on Sam's part. The fact that Brooke supported her "Popular" stereotype made Sam want to hate her. But Sam found it very hard to hate her and she couldn't figure out why. Sam pictured Brooke. The flawless skin, the shoulder-length blonde hair, the beautiful blue eyes.  Seeing herself naked in the mirror, her mind pictured Brooke's head on her own body. The image transformed until Sam was seeing an image of Brooke naked. Sam gasped. Immediately Sam felt a stirring deep in her belly. Sam could feel her nipples begin to harden.

Brooke walked forward until she was standing directly in front of Sam. Sam was speechless and simply looked deeply into Brooke's eyes. Brooke's gaze unlocked from Sam's and traveled down her body, a smile curling her lips. Reaching forward, Brooke placed a hand gently on Sam's midriff and caressed the soft skin.

Sam's eyes closed as she leaned her head back. She felt Brooke lean in and felt her hot breath on her ear. "Sam." Brooke whispered, her hand slowly making its way south, ". I want you." Sam gasped loudly as she felt fingers reach their destination.

"Sam! Are you dressed yet? Breakfast is ready!"

"Be right there mom!" Startled from her daydream, Sam removed her fingers and stared at herself wide-eyed. *What the hell was that? I'm not gay! Am I?* The image in her mind of a naked Brooke leaning into her, caressing her, still had her trembling. She'd never had a guy turn her on that much. The realization that the might be gay suddenly scared her. Composing herself, she quickly got dressed and went down for breakfast.

* * *

That evening she met up with Harrison. Sitting across from him in their booth, she noticed Harrison's gaze lock on something behind her. Turning to see what ha so enraptured her companion, Sam turned to see Brooke standing by the counter. For a moment, the image from that morning's fantasy ran rampant through her mind.  She remembered Brooke's touch, her hot breath. *God that girl's a fox!* Turning to Harrison, "Am I foxier than Brooke McQueen?" The minute the words left her mouth she wished Harrison didn't pick up on the fact that she had just called Brooke a 'fox'. Thankfully he chose not to reply.

While it hurt that Harrison thought Brooke was more beautiful than she was, she really couldn't argue with him about it.  *Harrison's right. Brooke IS a fox!*

* * *

The next morning Sam was having a particularly vivid dream involving a certain fantasy girl when her mother woke her for school. She got up noticing she was still wearing her clothes from the previous night. *Geez, I'm so worked up over Brooke I can't even remember to change my clothes! First she invades my daydreams, then she horns in on my friends, now she's invading my night dreams! I might as well get her name tattooed on my ass! It'd probably hurt. I could show it to Brooke. Maybe Brooke'd kiss it and make it better. STOP! I have to stop thinking about her like that!  I wonder if mom'd let me get a tattoo?* Sam's thoughts trailed off as she noticed her mother panicking.

After trying to convince her that going on the cruise was a good idea. she decided to breach the subject of the tattoo. just to test her reaction.

"Mom, You trust me right? I mean. you think I have good judgment right?"

"Well, you're smarter than I am, you've been telling me that since you were in fourth grade."

"Great." Gathering her resolve, "Can I get a tattoo?" Sam was suddenly afraid her mother would ask her what she wanted a tattoo of, instead she just laughed.

"Uh. Hmmm. NOPE." Sam started to protest when her mother interrupted. "I'm not a total square alright? Last year when you wanted the magenta stripe in your bangs, we got the stripe."

"Yea. Yea. And I hated the stripe because it turned on me!" Sam had only gotten the stripe last year because she noticed Brooke was wearing one. *Wow. I was even infatuated with her back then!* When she had gotten to school, Brooke's stripe was gone and she felt like a fool. *I can't tell mom that, I'd better make something up.* "I thought it was so daring and cool. I showed up last year, and everyone had colored hair. Even the special Ed kids." *Good cover Sam*.

"No tattoos Sam. No bikers named 'Satan' showing up here asking for dates, no Sam, no."

*No, no bikers. Well, maybe if they were named 'Brooke'.*

* * *

Sam was walking through school absentmindedly listening to her friend Lily. Brooke had Sam frustrated all day and it was starting to bother the brunette. She was about to ask Lily what she thought about Brooke when she heard the voice that had been in her head for the past two days.

". It's like opera you know?"

Sam looked to her left trying to find the source of the voice. She didn't notice until it was too late the voice was coming from her right. ".the perfect duet." WHAM.

Sam turned her head, about to apologize to whomever she bumped into, when her eyes locked onto Brooke's. Brooke's face was mere inches from hers. Thinking quickly, she stumbled back as she continued to stare at the blonde. *My god, she's even more beautiful up close! We certainly would make the perfect duet!* She watched the blonde's gaze lower to her chest for a second then rise with a shy look. Sam was still staring at the girl when Lily started to pull her down the hall. What amazed Sam was the fact that Brooke had continued to stare right back at her. *Wow! Maybe she's interested!* She was lost in her thoughts when she noticed Lily was talking to her. ". their karma is to become alcoholic housewives."

Her friend's statement suddenly gave her an image of her and Brooke married and living together. It was a cute image and it made her giggle.

After meeting up with Carmen, the three of them ran into Harrison who started going on about a party Brooke was having. Suddenly the discussion turned to Brooke, she had to ask "... When did Brooke McQueen become the center around which all of us revolve?" Her friends suddenly gave her a look that said 'not us. YOU'.

* * *

School seemed to be passing entirely too slowly for Sam. To make matters worse, everywhere she looked, Brooke seemed to be there. It was starting to bother her that the blonde seemed to invade her every waking moment lately. Lunch period, the day was half over. and it didn't seem to be getting any better. Sitting at her table with her friends, she happened to look slightly to her left and who did she see? Of course. it was Brooke. She watched the blonde silently for a few minutes when Josh leaned over and kissed Brooke. Suddenly Sam was even more upset. *They're making out right in the middle of lunch! She shouldn't be kissing him!* Sam thought about it for a minute, *There's nothing wrong with kissing. Then why am I upset she's kissing that dumb jock? Who should she be kissing?* Before she could even think about it, an image of Brooke kissing someone popped into her head. Sam's eyes got wide. The person Brooke was kissing? It was her! *Do I want to kiss Brooke?* The thought of kissing Brooke definitely excited her. *I do! I want to be the one kissing her! She needs to stop kissing that jock and kiss me!* Sam was making herself more and more upset. She found herself ranting.

"My god! Look at them! They're like some bad Mariah Carey power ballad come to life." *The problem with Brooke isn't Brooke, it's her friends. Her friends keep her reigned in, conforming her to their own image. They're like a cult* ". Brooke McQueen and her posse, they're a cult. Once you join you're gone."

Sam kept staring at Brooke. She noticed the blonde look right back at her. Brooke turned to her friends and whispered something but turned and stared back at her. *Her friends are corrupting her.* "I actually feel bad for her. She's trapped in her own personal persona prison but she can't show that." *I need to bring her out, get her away from her friends.*

Sitting in Bio, Sam was listening to Mr./Ms. Glass rant. ". alphabetical lab partners." *Great* thought the brunette. *Who'll I get stuck with this year?* ". Samantha McPherson - Brooke McQueen." Sam's jaw dropped to the floor. *Oh no. I can't handle sitting next to Brooke all year! Oh my god. here she comes!* Brooke sat down next to her and looked right at her. Sam gave her a small smile and turned away. *Maybe this is a good thing. I can turn her back to the good side!* All through Bio Sam tried to get on Brooke's good side. She was pleasant, funny, and tried laughing at all Brooke's jokes. even the absurd ones.

* * *

Well, it was time to work. Sam and Harrison decided to hit the mall and get some responses for her public opinion poll for the newspaper.  At least that's how it was intended.  The first thing they talked about? You got it. Brooke. Sam was listening to Harrison go on and on about Brooke and Sam could really identify.  Harrison didn't know it, but Sam had been watching Brooke since they were kids. Sam didn't even know it at the time but in retrospect, she was obsessing over Brooke for years.

They were walking along the upper level, looking for their first victim, when Sam stopped them at one shop. "Hold up a sec Harrison.  I want to check in here for something first.  I'll be right back."

Sam entered the women's designer clothes store. She figured if she got a nice dress, maybe she could catch Brooke's eye. Browsing through the stuff in the outer part of the store, she happened to glance towards the back and saw Brooke parade out wearing a shimmering gold negligee. Hyperventilating, she had the sense to duck behind a rack of clothes, peeking through at the blonde. It was almost too much for her to take. When Brooke ducked back into the changing room, she made a hasty retreat. Harrison saw Sam run out of the store, step to the side and lean against the wall holding her chest, panting. "Sam? You didn't find anything nice?"

"Oh Harrison. I found something absolutely delicious!"

"You didn't get it?"

"Not yet, but soon.  Oh yea. soon." Sam got a dreamy look in her eyes and Harrison was wondering if she was even talking about clothes. "Come on Harrison. we've got work to do."

After a dozen or so interviews, they were about to pack it in and call it a day when Sam looked up. She had to do a double-take. It was Brooke. *This is perfect. A chance to get her on film!* "One more interview. huh?" Harrison looked up and saw what Sam was staring at. Before he could answer, Sam got up. "Come on."

Beginning the interview, ". one thing you believe helps form your identity or persona." *Say 'I'm a lesbian'. say it Brooke. 'I like brunettes'. You can do it. come on. Say it!* ". I'm a cheerleader."

The interview quickly turned into a discussion.

". so, somedays you want a different label?" *Like 'lesbian'?*

"Don't you?"

*Oh yea.* Sam was speechless. *God you're beautiful. Just tell her. Come on, tell her you love her!* Sam almost started to get it out when Brooke broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Um. I have to go.  Um. am I done?"

Walking away with Harrison, she was mentally berating herself for chickening out. She felt like such a coward. She thought to herself, *Carmen had the  courage to go for what she wanted. Why can't I?*

Making the decision before she would chicken out again. "Um Harrison? You can pack up right? I have to go . do something."

"Okay.  sure Sam."

Giving Harrison a big smile. "Thanks Harry. I owe you one." And turned to run after Brooke.

She caught up with Brooke in the parking lot about to get into her car. "Brooke!"

"What now?  More interviews?  Where's Harrison? Don't you want to get me on camera again?" Brooke sounded upset.

"No, I just wanted to apologize. I didn't want to make you upset. You seemed bothered by something. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't me. by. bothering you again." Sam frowned. confusing herself.

Brooke softened at this. Sam was sweet. "No, it's ok. I'm sorry too. It's just been a bad day. First day of school you know."

"Yea. Well, since I'm not bothering you. I just wanted to ask. Um. if you. had plans for tonight?" Sam looked at her feet shyly.

Brooke's eyes got wide. "You. You're asking me out?  On a. date?"

Sam glanced back up at Brooke, "I. Um. " Sam was very nervous.

"Sam. I'm flattered. but." Brooke started when Sam interrupted.

She knew once the 'but' came out she was going to lose but she tried to make her case. "I know you never thought much about me but I saw you watching me at lunch today and you're so beautiful and I can't stop thinking about you and." Sam realized she was babbling. She had to do something. So she did something she never thought she would. She quickly stepped up and kissed Brooke. It was quick but passionate. The instant her lips touched the blonde's she heard the blonde whimper. She even responded for a second before pushing Sam away gently.

"I'm sorry. really I am, but I'm with Josh."

"And if you weren't?"

Brooke gave Sam a shy smile, turned, and got into her car.


Part 2 - Brooke's POV

To say that Brooke was confused would be a major understatement.  As she drove home, she couldn't stop thinking about Sam. She had never thought about girls in that way before. But now, that thought had slammed into her like a runaway locomotive. *actually more like a pair of incredibly soft and warm lips. Stop it! I can't keep thinking like this! I'm not gay. I'm not.* But the feeling of Sam's lips and her taste kept running through her mind. *It was just so intense! I mean. It's only natural to respond to a passionate kiss like that isn't it? It doesn't mean I'm gay does it?* Brooke suddenly pictured the brunette, next to her in the car. They were parked up at make-out point.

"Brooke?" The blonde turned to look shyly at the other girl. "You're so beautiful. I love you; I want to be with you."

"Sam, I can't."

"Shhh." Sam leaned close and placed a single finger over the blonde's lips. "No more words. I know you want me. I've seen you staring at me. Let me show you how much I want you."

Brooke sighed but didn't move. Sam gave her a sultry and sexy smile. She moved her hand to the blonde's cheek and drew them together. Sam's eyes closed and her lips parted as they drew closer. Brooke's eyes closed and she parted her lips, her lips quivering in anticipation of the kiss. They drew closer. closer. closer. HONK!!!!

Brooke was startled back into reality. "AHHH!!!", Brooke screamed as she swerved back into her own lane, avoiding the on-coming car. Pulling over to the side of the road, she grabbed her chest panting. Whether it was due to the near-miss she just had or the passionate daydream she didn't know. "Oh my God!  I have GOT to do something about this before I kill myself!" *Sam could help you there.* Brooke's mind suddenly supplied her with a picture of her and Sam kissing. "No! I'm. not gay." *Yes you are. Admit it, you enjoyed the kiss. You just had an incredibly passionate daydream about making out with a girl! You even got yourself wet.* Brooke looked down at herself. "Oh man." *Face it. You enjoyed it!* "Maybe I did, but I'm not gay and I'll prove it!" Brooke suddenly realized what she was doing. "That girl's got me so mixed up I'm talking to myself." Continuing her drive home, she swore to herself she would prove once and for all that she wasn't gay.

* * *

Brooke made it the most romantic setting she could think of. Silk sheets, candlelight. She sat on the bed as Josh stood before her. He was cut, ripped even. She placed a hand on his stomach and caressed him. *He's so beautiful, so hard and taut.* Brooke reached for the string of his sweat pants and pulled. *He's gorgeous. Nothing like Sam.*

Unwillingly, a picture of Sam appeared before her. Josh's hard cut lines were replaced by the warm, soft curves of the brunette. Brooke gasped. Sam reached forward and caressed Brooke's cheek, giving her a smile. The blonde smiled back at her. She leaned in and gave the other girl a light kiss on her stomach. Pulling back, she moved her hands up to the other girl's chest. Her breath was coming in short gasps. Just as she reached the girl's breasts she felt. nothing there.

Brooke quickly pulled her hands away and backed up. "Oh my god!" Brooke couldn't deny how turned on she got by the image of Sam naked before her. Now seeing Josh before her. He was beautiful, but he was nothing like Sam. *I can't do this.* Being with Josh now simply seemed wrong. She wanted Sam. She wanted Sam to be the one before her. She wanted to hold her, make love to her.

"Brooke? What's wrong?"

"I can't do this Josh. It's not working."

"Maybe we can try again? It'll be better next time."

"No it won't Josh.  I don't mean the sex isn't working.  I mean US."

"Is it me? I could work out more."

"No Josh, it's not that. You're beautiful. You're just not her." Brooke saw the last word fly out of her mouth and jumped forward to try and grab it before it got to Josh, but it slipped from her grasp. *oops. shit!*

"Her? I'm not who? Are you gay? Who is it? Nicole?"

"Nicole? Ewww! It's. noone. I just don't. love you.  It's not fair to string you along when it won't go anywhere."

"Goodbye Brooke." Josh said softly as he left.

"Shit."

* * *

She needed time to think so she decided to go for a walk. *What does this mean? Does it mean I'm gay? Am I homosexual? Thinking about making love to Sam definitely gets me going! If I'm homosexual then thinking about sex with other girls should excite me too right?* Brooke started to picture being with various girls, Nicole, Poppy, even the Latin girl Lily Sam hung out with. No matter which girl she pictured herself with, they didn't turn her on. Neither did picturing herself with other guys. *What does this mean? Does it mean Sam has spoiled me for everyone else?* Brooke thought about it for a few minutes before coming to a realization. *That's not it! Oh my God! I understand now!  I'm not heterosexual. I'm not homosexual. I'm.* Brooke's face broke out in a wide grin. Giggling to herself, she didn't notice she had made it into town.

"Brooke?"

Suddenly the voice she had been daydreaming about lately drifted to her ears. She spun around and saw Sam. "Sam!" Brooke smiled at the other girl.

"I was in the coffee shop when I saw you walk by. You looked bothered by something, are you ok?"

Brooke was touched that Sam was concerned. "I'm fine Sammy." Sam's eyebrow shot up at the new use of her name. Brooke's smile faded as she prepared herself to get serious. "Sam, I need to tell you something."

Sam, fearing Brooke was about to shoot her down, interrupted the other girl. "Brooke, I'm so sorry I kissed you earlier. I understand, you're straight, you're with Josh. It was rude and insensitive of me to push myself on you like that." Tears started falling down her face. "I'm so sorry. I'll never bother you again." Sam turned around, preparing to escape the embarrassment.

"We broke up."

"Wha?" Sam whirled around.

Brooke advanced on the other girl. "We broke up." She repeated. "After you kissed me, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I was with Josh tonight." Brooke hung her head in shame. "I realized, I'm not homosexual."

Sam's face broke out in fresh tears and she started to back away. "Brooke, please."

"I'm not heterosexual either."

Suddenly Sam was confused. "Huh?"

Brooke walked up stood close to Sam. She reached up her hand and gently wiped away the tears on the brunette's face. Sam leaned into the caress. "I'm not heterosexual and I'm not homosexual." Brooke placed her hands on either side of Sam's face and leaned in, whispering "I'm Sammy-sexual."

Once their lips made contact, Sam's arms found themselves around the other girl, pulling her closer. Both girls moaned at the delicious contact. Their lips moving against each other, begging for more.  Brooke's hands moved up and down the other girl's back.

Coming up for air, they simply stared at each other, their hard breathing a clear symptom of their desire. Sam's hands moved down to Brooke's ass. Giving them a good squeeze, she looked into the blonde's eyes which quickly glazed-over before closing. Rubbing them gently, Sam leaned in and licked the side of Brooke's neck and pulled back again.

Sam looked into Brooke's eyes which had opened again and saw nothing there but raw lust. They pulled each other even closer and their lips met again, this time born of passion and hunger.

"Sam, are you alr. Wow. get a room you two!"

They broke apart abruptly. Sam turned and saw her friend Lily staring at them with a wide grin on her face. Turning to look at Brooke, she cocked her head in the direction Brooke had come from and raised an eyebrow. Understanding the silent question, Brooke smiled in assent. Both girls turned to Lily and smiled before grasping hands and taking off running down the street.

"What the hell was that?"

Turning to her friend, "Harrison, you are so clueless. I was wondering how long they'd last." Taking her friend's arm, "Come on Harrison, our coffee's getting cold."

END


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