Hi guys! Sorry I haven't updated "A married couple" a yet. I've been off on a short vacation. But I'm back now, and polishing the next two chapters. I expect it to be uploaded later today or perhaps tomorrow. Because I got this crazy idea that I decided to make into a several chaptered fic. I've had the idea stuck in my mind for some time now, but last night I couldn't get it out of my head and I basically wrote all the chapters to it in my head. I kept picking up my ipad to write down notes so that I wouldn't forget it.
So here I give you the first chapter of "Had Our Paths Crossed Before". As you can read, it's an AU in which Sam and Diane's first meeting takes place at college where Sam makes acquaintance with a book loving Diane Chambers. In the later chapters they develop a strong friendship to one and another and both seem to learn a lot by seeing each other.
Well, I won't spoil more. It's better that you read it yourself!

PS: I'm not totally into how college in America works. So please bear with me if I got something wrong.
I've made it look like there's about 1-2 years age difference between the two of them. We never got to know how much the difference actually was, but IRL it's about a year. So I'm saying it's about the same here to make it fit together.

It all happened so quickly. One moment he had agreed with himself that high school had been the terminus for him after spending 1 year at home looking for something he could actually do for a living, and then suddenly some P.E teacher from Boston College calls and tells his parents that he would like to see Sam attend his college so that he could pitch for their team.
His parents had been thrilled. Apparently he had talent when it came to baseball and pitching. But when it came to studies, frankly, he sucked. He seriously had to improve on that point to make it through college. Nevertheless the BC baseball coach had seen potential in Sam when he was playing in High School, and after he got to know that he hadn't attended any other colleges he discussed the matter with some colleagues.
His parents kept pushing him to say yes to the offer, but Sam was a little hesitating. He had no idea if college was something he'd like, but on the other hand this was a huge opportunity for him to shine. This could be a break-through.
So he accepted the offer, and here he was 6 months after on his way to English classes.
God lord, it was boring, but he managed to write down a few notes throughout the lesson that he probably couldn't use anyway. Most of the time went by with doing everything else but participating.
He exited the class with a sigh. He was never gonna make it through without some serious help.
The only thing that cheered him up was that he had baseball practice later.
He met with some of his baseball buddies in the cafeteria to have a good talk about the Sox and another favorite subject of Sam's…babes. Sam was not only acknowledged for his fast balls but also his way of being smooth with the ladies. He scored one ever so often for some late night fun.

"So, Sam, who's your next target?" Jenson asked with a smirk.

They all checked out the ladies in the cafeteria and looked back on Sam.

"I'm thinking of someone who might appear 'out of my league'. For a little challenge, you know. The last ones have been a little too easy for my taste."

"Going big, huh?" Tyson asked.

"Yeah, you could say it like that," Sam smiled.

"Have you taken a look at Jenny Wilson? Rumors had it that she should be a wild cat. Miaw!" Lenny said.

"Tsh, if that's the case, she can't beat Nataly Jackson," Tyson said.

"Jackson? Are you kidding me? I've seen dogs with a higher IQ, than that girl!" Jenson said.

"Well, if brains are what Sam is looking for as 'a challenge' then Diane Chambers must be the one," Lenny said.

"No doubt there! The girl got her face stuck in old, dusty books all the time! No wonder why she's a loner," Tyson said.

"Diane Chambers," Sam mumbled and looked around.

"She the one over there?" he asked and pointed towards a blond, slender girl sitting alone at a ten man table with a stack of books, reading.

"That's the one! Just your kind of girl," Jenson winked.

"She looks familiar," Sam murmured.

"Yeah, she's the number 1 looser, nerd and loner when it comes to the girls here. Surely you must have heard of her," Lenny chuckled.

"No, it's not that. She and I have English classes together."

"Oh, so you've checked her out in your lessons? How clever of you Sam. Why don't you go over and hand her your heart? Surely she'll find that more interesting than your brain."

"Very smooth," Sam mumbled annoyed.

"I'm kidding, Malone!"

"I know, I know- it's just. I've never-"

"Never what?"

"How come she has no friends? I mean she looks fine in my eyes."

"If you were a girl, would you like to spend your time with someone who couldn't care less about you? Books are her only friends. The only thing she cares about," Jenson said.

"And we couldn't care less about," Lenny added.

"I've never seen another living creature near her on purpose."

"Then how do you all know how she is?" Sam asked dry.

"Calm down, Sam. We don't need to know. It's a fact."

"Really? So what you're saying is-"

"Well, I'm sorry to interrupt you guys, but we better go. Great times with Yackowich are waiting ahead," Tyson said ironically.

"See ya at practice, Sam!"

"Yeah."

They turned and left him standing as one of the only left in the cafeteria. Most of the ones that were still there were heading out. Except for her. She was so busy with her book that she didn't notice that classes were about to begin. Finally she took a look at her arm watch and realized that she was about to miss her class. Panicking, she unluckily came to push most of her study books off the table.
She hurried to the floor to pick them up. Before she knew someone was helping her.
Sam had as the only one came to help her.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"You're welcome," he said as he picked up the last book.

"Oh shout! I'm never gonna make it! I knew I shouldn't have brought so many books," she said worried as she took another look at her watch.

"If I help you carry then maybe you can still make it."

She looked stunned at the tall, dark-haired stranger.

"Don't you have classes of your own?" she asked.

"Well, I'm known for being late, so," he smirked.

"Besides…I'm heading in the same direction as you."

"How do you know that?"

"We're both on the way out of here, right?"

A weak smile appeared on her lips but it was soon replaced with a usual stiff look.

"Well, I sincerely thank you for your kindness, Mr?.."

"Malone. Sam Malone."

"Diane Chambers."

"Nice to meet you, Diane," Sam said shook her free hand.

"Now let's get going," he said and picked up the last couple of books from the table.

As they were powerwalking through the empty halls Sam sometimes took time to take a look at this girl who was known for being a loner. Only once, he was caught.

"Why are looking at me like that?" she asked and turned her head but kept a fast pace.

"Well, it's just…I think we have English classes together," he said.
He pulled it off this time.

"Oh," she said.

"You're the one who always has her nose in a book."

"I'm not sure that's a compliment-"

"No, no! I didn't mean anything by it. I just- well I just noticed you, I guess."

"Well, I'm sorry I can't repay that."

"It's alright, I guess. We're kinda like a lot of people tied up in one room. You can't notice everyone."

"I suppose that is true."

"Yeah…"

"So, Mr. Malone-"

"Please call me Sam. Mr. sounds sooo… formal."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"No, not necessarily, but in this- I mean- you-"

"But you prefer Sam. I got it."

"What were you saying?"

"I suppose I was about to ask what your majoring in?"

"Baseball."

"You can't major in sports."

"No, but it's the reason why I'm here. To be honest, I'm not sure what I'm majoring in. Some just made a schedule for me that I have to follow. I'm hoping to get drafted to the majors."

"That's a baseball league?"

"It's the biggest baseball league."

"Oh. What do you do if you don't get drafted?"

"I haven't thought about that. I get a degree in something, I guess."

She nodded and focused on her fast moving feet.

"How about you?"

"Pardon me?" she responded, caught in her own thoughts.

"What's your major?"

"English literature."

"Boy, that must be some boring stuff you'll have to read every day? No offence but-"

"Actually, I find it interesting. No offence."

"I guess you do. Why else would you choose it as a major?"

"Exactly."

"Isn't that your classroom? 309?"

"Yes, it is! And if we hurry, I can walk through the door before it closes."

She didn't run. Her high heels held her back. But she walked as fast as humanly possible.

They reached door before it was closed.

"Well, I guess you won't need my help anymore," Sam said as he carefully put the books he had carried on top of hers.

"I guess not. Thank you very much for helping. It was a lovely gesture. And frankly, I don't think I could have made it without your help," she said and smiled at him.

"Well, I'm glad that I could help. But enough talk. You better get into your class and I better find mine," he said.

"Yes. Thank you once again."

"You're welcome. Maybe I'll see you in English?" he said and started to walk backwards.

"That's possible."

"Well, bye for now."

"Goodbye," she smiled and entered the class.

Sam smiled back and turned to walk straight. There was a huge dressing-down ahead of him, but he couldn't really care. The butterflies turning in his stomach had his full attention right now.