A/N: Hello, friends! I apologize in advance for any spelling or grammar problems you encounter. My laptop doesn't have spell or grammar check. This is my very first Seddie story, so please rate and review! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not owning iCarly.

Sam's POV

Walking into my home, I heard the faint noise of an over-played Disney movie coming from the back room. Great, I thought. The demons are back. Don't get me wrong; I loved the children like they were my real siblings. The oldest of the seven was only eleven, though, so they still had a lot of growing up to do. Although I enjoyed having them around most of the time, there were still days when I wished I were an only child. That was one of those moments.

"Sam!" I heard, walking through the door of the play room. I looked up to find my favorite child and instantly let her fall into my arms. "Liam won't leave my hair alone!"

"Ah, just ignore him, Darcy." I replied with a smirk. "He's just jealous because you have pretty hair and he doesn't." And it was true. Darcy was obviously the most beautiful of the kids-myself included. Her hair was a blonde color with natural beach waves that matched her fair skin. She had gorgeous blue eyes that could make any stranger stop to stare at her. Her perfect pink lips would turn up ever-so-slightly when she was happy, which was almost always. Even though she was only nine, she had an appearance that would put even Kate Upton to shame. I sometimes compared myself to my kind-of-sister and wondered why people usually mistook us for real sisters. I wouldn't call myself ugly, by any means, but I was no Darcy.

When I moved from Seattle to New York City nearly six years ago, I made a promise to myself. That promise was to take better care of myself and be the daughter my mother would kill for to have back. So, there I was, twenty-three years old and still living in a foster home with seven needy children.

Of course I went to college and got a job, but I still didn't see a need to move out of my adopted parents one-story apartment. I had no boyfriend, which didn't bother me in the least bit. I tried to focus more on my job as a restauraunt owner when I wasn't helping out with my brothers and sisters. I had no time for a relationship. Besides, who needs love?

"Sam, sweetie, I'm glad you're home! I need help with the wash." I heard the muffled voice coming through the laundry room and automatically knew who it was.

"Sure, Nancy. Let me change clothes really quick." Nancy was my foster mom until she adopted me after just six months of taking me from my real mother. I was grateful she did, of course, but I sometimes wondered why her and her husband, Mitch, took me in. I was a lousy seventeen-year-old at the time, obviously scarred by my mother's carelessness. I had to go through months of therapy-physical and mental-after arriving in the big apple. I was on several medications-including an anti-depressent-yet, they never let go of me.

"Hey, Nance," I said while folding a ripped-up towel. "Why did you take me from my mom?"

"We've been over this a million times, hun, and you were there when it happened. One night your mom-"

"No!" I replied hastily. "I mean, that's not what I meant. I know what my mom did."

"Then what are you talking about, Sam?" She immediately put down the shirt she'd been trying to get a grass stain out of, obviously knowing the conversation had turned serious.

"I was wondering, um, why did you choose to take me in? Out of all the kids who needed help in the world, why did you go clear to Seattle to get me? And then adopt me after just a few months of knowing me?"

"The answer is so simple that I don't know if you'll believe it. You had potential, sweetheart." Potential? Potential? What kind of potential did I poccess while sitting in a puddle of my own blood in the middle of my living room floor? I was practically mad when Nancy and Mitch loaded me into the backseat of their minivan. I couldn't even hold a normal conversation with them for a month after the incident! What kind of potential did I ever show?

"You're right. I don't believe you," I replied with a sigh. "Well, probably because I don't understand you, but I also don't believe you!" Nancy stood and put my hand in both of hers.

"Sam, honey, I knew you could be the person you are today the very first time I saw you. Even covered in tears and ripped clothing I saw the potential in you. You just didn't have the right materials for that. Living in the situation you were in wasn't going to get you anywhere. I knew if I took you home with me and gave you a fresh start you'd grow up to be an amazing person. And look at you now!" She smiled the sweet smile that gave me the courage to trust her in the first place. "Now you're a talented, caring, and amazingly beautiful person who owns a crazy successful restauraunt in Manhattan, just as I suspected."

"Hmm, I guess I never saw it that way."

"Nope, and you still don't believe me."

"Nah, not really," I replied with a laugh, and Nancy fortunately started laughing back. I was finished with the conversation as soon as I had started it. Out of nowhere, a long, white envelope appeared on top of the pile of towels I was not yet finished folding.

"It came in the mail today." Mitch was suddenly by my side with a handful of junk mail that I could probably care less about. I quickly opened the letter, not bothering to look at who had sent it. It read:

Dear Samantha Puckett,

You have been cordially invited to the Business Leaders of America's fourteenth annual learning session, where you will be taught better ways to own a business with the use of today's modern technology. The event will be held at the Jewel hotel in Orlando, Florida, the week of August 17th, 2012. For further information, please call us at the number listed below. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Business Leaders of America

"What is it, hun?" said Nancy.

"Uh, an invite to some meeting in Florida that's supposed to help me with my business skills," I replied.

"You gonna go?"

"I guess. It sounds pretty legit, and I'm sure I'd learn a lot. I better get ready, though. I'll have to leave in two days if I want to get there on time."

"Okay, sweetheart. There are some suitcases in the back of my closet."

With that, I was off to prepare for my trip. I had always wanted to go to Florida, whether it was for a meeting or not. I had no idea what one simple week away from home could lead to, but that small decision I made on a whim was big enough to change my life forever.

Freddie's POV

"Hey, Carly, you're phone is finished," I said walking through the door of my best friend's apartment. All of a sudden, I heard a loud noise coming out through the walls. I instantly fell to the ground, shocked at what I had just witnessed. "What the chiz was that?" I yelled, obviously shaken. Carly laughed and approached the spot where I was sprawled out on the floor.

"Spencer decided it's time to try his alarm system again. I told him not to, considering it didn't work years ago, but he did anyway. You know Spencer."

"Yes, I do know Spencer. Sometimes more than I'd like to," I replied while grabbing Carly's hand. She helped me up, and I gave her her new and improved Pear phone. "Like it?"

"Oh, my gosh, it's so shiny!"

"Yep! It took me a few minutes to clean it up considering every liquid substance in existance has been spilled on it." Carly rolled her eyes. "So, that will be about another twenty bucks for the polish."

"Huh?" Carly's face suddenly fell, and I had to hold back laughter.

"Just kidding, Carls. You know you don't have to pay for anything. One of the many perks of having a technological genius as a best friend, remember?"

"Yes, I remember," she smiled coyly. "But I want you to always remember that if you do eventually make me pay, I can walk right into your office and flirt my way into a free fix-up."

"I suppose that's true, but you've already dated most of the guys I work with. I don't think it'd be that easy."

"Oh, trust me. I have ways of getting the people I want." She winked before plopping down on the old couch that I used to sleep on as a teenager when my mom was driving me up the wall. A lot of good memories were made in this apartment, but I always forced them into the back of my mind when I started remembering them. It hurt too much to think about the good times, so I kept myself in the present at all costs.

"You know, Carly, sometimes I think you're only friends with me because I work for the Pear Store."

"Oh, please," she scoffed. "You know that isn't true! We were friends long before you got that job!" It was very true. I knew that wasn't the reason she was friends with me, but I always thought about it when she came to me over a broken phone or laptop, which was usually at least once a month.

"I know, but that was when we didn't have lives! We're adults now. Don't you want to hang out with, um, I don't know, girls?" I heard the sarcasm in my voice, but I'm not sure if she did. Her head fell as she absentmindedly wrapped a strand of her hair around her finger. "Hey, Carls, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude."

"I know, Freddie. Don't worry about it. It's my own fault. It's just been really hard for me to make friends ever since Sa-"

"Don't say it," I interrupted. "Let's just watch some TV, huh?" I flipped through the channels, but I wasn't paying attention. Instead, I was pushing the memories to the back of my mind yet again. I couldn't explain why I had such feelings about Sa-...her. I hated myself for not trying to stop those strangers from taking her. I knew I wouldn't be able to fight them, of course, but I still could have tried. To be honest, I never really got over her. Sure, we broke up, but that didn't mean I stopped loving her. I missed her every day, but I couldn't tell anyone about it out of fear that the memories would come back.

"So, um," Carly began. She was never one for awkward silences, so I wasn't surprised when she began speaking again. "How are things with Kyndal?"

"Great!" I replied. My mood instantly enhanced after hearing the name of my outstanding girlfriend. "Better than ever, actually. That's, uh, kinda one of the main reasons I came over here. I need to talk to you about something."

"Go on."

"Okay, um, I guess I'll just cut to the chase."

"That would be a good idea." I could tell Carly was getting impatient by the way she was sitting on the edge of her seat.

"Alright, so, I think I'm gonna ask Kyn to marry me." I read many different-and weird-expressions on my best friend's face. Finally, her face shown one of excitement.

"Oh, my God, Freddie! That's so awesome! Wow! Oh, wow, I can't believe it! This is so exciting! Oh, Freddie, can I please help plan the wedding? Please? I'd be so good at it! Wow, this is unbelievable!"

"Woah, there, Carls. I haven't even asked her yet. I don't even have a ring. It was only just a thought."

"Well, then, what are you waiting for? Go buy a ring!"

"Do you think she would say yes?" I asked nervously. I had no doubt that Kendyl loved me enough to marry me. The problem was, she was a model, and I didn't know if she was quite ready to settle down and start a family. Her job was important to her, and I hated to get in the way.

"Of course, she'll say yes! Why wouldn't she?"

"I don't know." I said through gritted teeth. "I'll have to get a ring, then."

"Oh, can I help you pick it out? You know I have great taste!" Carly did have great taste, but I think my girlfriend would have disagreed. She always saw Carly as an annoyance with ugly clothes and stringy hair. I didn't pay much attention.

"Well, you could," I answered. "But I think I'm going to buy it at a fancy jewelry store in Orlando."

"Oh, that's good, I guess. Wait, you're going clear to Orlando just to buy an engagement ring?"

"No, I have to go, anyway."

"For what?" There goes Carly. Always getting into everyone's business.

"The Pear company is sending me there for some meeting. Apparently, we are going to be teaching business leaders how to use modern technology to expand their skills."

"Oh. How long will you be gone?"

"About a week. Which means I have to start packing as soon as possible. Hey, do you still have those suitcases in the hall closet?"

"Ugh, I can't believe I'll have to wait a whole week for you to ask Kyndal!" Typical Carly, always hearing half of the conversation.

"Sorry about that, but what about the suitcases?"

"What suitcases?" I rolled my eyes.

"The ones in the hall closet."

"Oh, you can totally use those, if you want!"

"Thanks! I'll go get them and be on my way."

With that, I was off to prepare for my trip. I had always wanted to go to Florida, whether it was for a meeting or not. I had no idea what one simple week away from home could lead to, but that small decision I made on a whim was big enough to change my life forever.

A/N: Will Sam and Freddie run into each other at this meeting? Keep reading to find out!