DISCLAIMER: Don't own, wish I did.

Chapter One

It all started with one word: ENOUGH. This word was issued from Freddie's lips as he stared at Sam. She faltered, her voice fading away as her eyes searched his face. For all the insults and name-calling, Sam knew exactly how her words affected him. Freddie would roll his eyes, shrug his shoulders, and best of all, hide a smile when she used one of her more creative insults. This time was different – she had insulted herself and he was livid. He couldn't understand why she had such a low opinion of herself.

They were in the iCarly studio, lounging on the bean bags. Rehearsal had ended early when Carly received a call from her new boyfriend, Jake. Both Sam and Freddie rolled their eyes when she claimed she'd be right back. They knew from prior experience that she could be gone for a really long time. It had been love at first sight for the two of them.

Carly and Sam had been sitting at their usual table at the Groovy Smoothie when Jake walked in. Tall, blond, athletic….both girls froze as they watched him head toward the counter. "Whoa," Sam whispered, not taking her gaze off of Jake. "I know," Carly whispered in reply. Smoothie in hand, Jake turned from the counter and glanced in their direction. His gaze lit on Carly and he made a beeline to her side. They had been inseparable ever since.

That was two months ago and Carly and Jake were still going strong. She spent hours on her cell phone, calling and texting, or sitting with him at the Groovy Smoothie. Carly was well and truly smitten, and although Sam didn't begrudge her friend true love, she couldn't help but feel envious of Carly's new relationship. She'd deny it with her last breath, but Sam wanted a guy who looked at her like Jake looked at Carly. Unfortunately, this didn't look like a possibility. Carly was a beautiful, lady-like, sweet girly-girl and Sam was…..not.

It was that last though, voiced aloud, that caused Freddie to jump to his feet and shout ENOUGH! As he moved towards her, Sam also jumped up and shouted back, "What is your problem, Freddie?" Freddie continued to advance until he stood toe-to-toe with sam, an extremely dangerous place to be.

"You are!" he bellowed, his eyes boring into hers."Why do you put yourself down like that?"

Sam was taken aback at the force of Freddie's anger, but she straightened up and yelled back. "What are you talking about? All I did was state the facts. Carly is pretty, sweet, knows how to act like a lady and is extremely girly. That's why guys like her more than me!"

Sam was surprised as Freddie seemed to grow bigger and stronger before her eyes. His hands shot out and grabbed her upper arms. She was shocked to feel the strength in his hands – when did that happen? Where did the wimpy Freddie go? She fought her instinct to close her eyes and revel in his strength and instead tried to focus on what he was saying.

"You just don't get it, do you?" Freddie ranted, shaking her slightly. "You're strong, tough, funny…"

"Exactly!" Sam shouted, twisting free from his grasp. "You just described a guy! Who would want to date another guy?" She blinked furiously, not wanting him to see her cry.

"Will you let me finish?" Freddie responded in a quieter tone. He moved in front of her, then reached up and touched her face gently. "You are also beautiful, with gorgeous eyes, and a killer smile." His voice faded away as he searched her face.

"I…I…do?" Sam stuttered. "You really think so?"

"All of the guys think so," Freddie replied.

"Yeah, right," Sam retorted. "That's why I have guys lined up three deep outside my door, begging me to go out with them." She turned her back on him and crossed her arms over her chest. Freddie followed, standing directly behind her. Sam could feel the warmth of his body through her thin shirt and she shivered involuntarily.

"Sam," Freddie began, hesitantly. "There's a reason why the guys at school don't ask you out." He paused, taking a deep breath and bracing himself for her inevitable attack. "And that reason would be….me."