"You didn't have to do that, Sam."

The California sunset isn't as cliché and colorful as they make it out in the movies. Here, sitting on the couch of Cat's house, looking out the window with a phone stuck to her face, Sam can only comment on it being regular if not a bit brighter than Seattle.

She just called Spencer up and told him about her new living arrangements.

It's strange, in a way. Sam hadn't even told her mom but here she was telling the brother of her best friend. She felt like she owed it to him. Not just for the motorcycle, but for being the only adult that…well, cared. Childish as he was, Spencer had always been there, a steadfast figure in her hectic life.

So, Sam called him up.

"You know you have a place here," he was saying, "No questions asked."

That's true. It would have been so easy to just move in with Spencer. But the memories were a bit to much for her to stomach right now. She needed some space.

"I know…" Sam consented, "Just wanted to travel, I guess."

It's an obvious lie and Spencer is cool enough to let it go. It's just one of his many charms.

"Well…if you ever need anything - "

"I won't."

"But if you do…call?"

Now this is cliché. The classic call me if you need me final words. Never mind the fact that it's actually making her tear up.

She really wants to end the phone call now.

"Yeah, sure thing."

"Sam - "

"I have net here, Spence, we can skype."

"Promise?"

"Mama wouldn't lie to you."

"She'd better not."

Maybe Sam's being a bit selfish over here. Carly might be her best friend, but she's also Spencer's little sister and it was hard to imagine how difficult this must be for him. Alone in an apartment flat with no one else but Fredward for company and memory sharing…

Space. I just need some space.

Sam keeps telling herself that, but by now it feels so much like running away from her problems that she hardly believes it.

New scenery. New faces. It's what she needs to recharge the batteries. The wounds.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?" she hadn't even notice she was still on the phone.

"Take care of yourself out there."

Spencer isn't as dumb as people give him credit for. He probably knew she'd bounce the minute Carly wasn't around to keep her on the right track. Maybe that's why he gave her the motorcycle. It was better than hitchhiking. And safer.

"I will, Spencer."

"Bye, Sam."

"Bye."

She hung up first simply because she knew Spencer wouldn't until the phone line went dead. Just to listen to her breath. Make sure she was still alive.

Sam sighed. Looked around the place Cat Valentine called home.

If things go right, maybe it'll turn out okay for all of them.