(Disclaimer, I would like to give the credit to the real author Beth Mott since i didn't know who wrote this story before I couldn't give credit where credit was due. Thank You!)

I have something to tell you.

Josie's words still hung in the air as she looked up from turning off her camera and into Sam's emotion filled eyes.

"I have something to tell you too." He told her, his voice husky with feeling. Josie blushed and looked down at her feet for a moment before looking up and smiling at him. "Can we go somewhere and talk?" He asked softly.

She nodded her head, then shyly asked. "Can we finish this dance first?"

Giving her a warm smile he replied. "I'd like that." She smiled back and he slid his arm further around her waist to pull her a little closer to him. Josie responded by lacing her fingers through his and giving his hand a gentle squeeze. They spent the rest of the song staring deeply into each other's eyes, their hearts racing with excitement.

When the song ended both Sam and Josie felt a wave of mixed emotion wash over them. They were disappointed that the song was finished, yet at the same time they were excited about the conversation that they were about to have.

"Shall we go outside and talk?" He asked as he led her off the dance floor, their fingers still intertwined. Josie nodded shyly and he gave her hand another quick squeeze before releasing it. Then taking her by the elbow he let her lead the way through the crowd to the door.

They'd almost managed to escape unnoticed until they reached the 'in-crowd' table. Gibby, Kirstin and Kristen all looked up as Josie passed. "Josie, where are you going?" Gibby asked curiously, giving the other girl a friendly smile. "Why don't you join us?"

"Thanks, Gibby." Josie acknowledged, giving the three Barbie girls a polite smile. "But I think I'm going to go get some air. It's kind of stuffy in here."

"Hey, we'll go with you!" Kirstin volunteered, looking at the other girls for agreement.

Josie tried to suppress her grin as she felt Sam's grip on her elbow tighten in alarm at Kirstin's suggestion. She could also tell he was holding his breath as he awaited her reply. "That's okay, Kirstin. I appreciate the offer, but Mr. Coulson and I have something to discuss about my college application anyway."

"But it's Prom." Kristen complained, giving both of them a pleading look. "Can't that wait until tomorrow?"

Josie felt her patience waning with these three, but keeping her lid on her temper she said. "Don't worry, the night's still young. I'll be back shortly. Besides, I'm curious to hear what Mr. Coulson has to say." She felt a tingle of excitement shoot through her as Sam squeezed her elbow again.

"Okay, but don't be too long." Gibby pouted slightly. "Guy will be looking for you soon."

Now it was Sam's turn to feel Josie tense at the mention of her date. "Don't worry, I'll be back before he even misses me." She commented after glancing over to where he was dancing with Sera. Looking back at the trio she smiled and said "Excuse us" before heading for the door.

"Poor Josie." Gibby sighed, watching her friend disappear through the door. "Imagine being forced to discuss college on Prom night." The other two added their agreement before turning their attention back to the party around them.

"Josie!"

As soon as Josie stepped outside the door of the country club she heard someone call her name. Turning towards the sound of the voice she saw George rushing towards her. "What is it, George?"

"We lost the feed!" He quickly told her. "Gus is going nuts!" He stopped suddenly when Sam appeared through the doors and stood beside Josie.

"Tell Gus that I must be experiencing some technical difficulties with the feed..." She told George seriously.

"But Josie…" The Black man tried to interject but she cut him off.

"Tell him that I must be experiencing some technical difficulties with the feed and that you'll try to get my attention as soon as possible so you can fix it."

"But Josie…"

"Tell him George." She told him firmly. "But don't tell him more than that." When he looked unconvinced she softened her tone and added, her eyes begging him to understand. "Please?"

George noticed that Josie had wrapped her hand protectively around Sam's arm and that Sam had placed his other hand over hers. He fought back the smile that wanted to break over his face as he realized what was going on. Secretly thrilled that Josie was finally taking matters into her own hands he only nodded and released an exaggerated sigh of resignation. "Okay, I'll tell him. But I want your 'technical difficulties' cleared up in ten minutes and you back on the air. After all, its Gus who signs the paychecks, not you."

"Thanks, George." Josie gave him a grateful smile.

Reaching over he squeezed her arm and grinned. "You go girl."

As George walked away, Sam turned to Josie and asked in confusion. "What was that all about?"

Josie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was no turning back now. "Mind if we sit? I promise I'll tell you everything."

"Sure." He nodded and led her to a stone bench so they could sit down. Once they were settled he looked at her expectantly. "So, who's George and Gus and what's all this about 'technical difficulties'?"

Josie closed her eyes again for a moment, trying to collect her racing thoughts. When she opened them again she found him looking at her with concern in his beautiful eyes. Swallowing slightly she began. "Before I tell you what's going on, will you promise me something?"

"Anything." He assured her, reaching over to take her hand in his. "Name it."

"Promise me that no matter what your initial reaction is to what I have to say, you'll give me a chance to explain." Her eyes looked into his pleadingly. "Promise me."

His heart sped up when she saw the intensity of emotion in her eyes. "I promise."

Josie put her free hand over the one that held her other hand and took a deep breath. "I'm not a high school student. I'm an undercover reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times."

"A reporter?" Sam repeated in surprise.

Josie nodded and quickly related her history. "I graduated from high school eight years ago, then I attended Northwestern for three years majoring in English Literature and Journalism. I've been working as a copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times for the last five years, but my greatest goal has always been to be a reporter. I kept pitching story ideas to Gus, he's my editor, hoping to get a chance to prove I could do it. But anytime he liked one of my ideas he always gave it to another reporter. I was beginning to feel that my dream wouldn't come true. Then one day Mr. Rigfort, our publisher, decided that he wanted to do an undercover story on high school kids today and he gave the assignment to me, I guess because I looked young enough to be a high school student. Well, I was excited and terrified all at once. My first high school experience was a nightmare and I was sure that this one would be the same." Seeing the questioning look in Sam's eyes she quickly said. "But that's another story. I promise I'll tell you about it sometime, but not now. Not here." When Sam nodded in agreement she continued her story. "My first few weeks at South Glen South were not much better than my years in high school." She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "Though your class always made my day." He smiled back at her and put his free hand over the one she had placed over his. "After three weeks undercover and no story Gus felt could be used, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He had George set me up with a hidden camera and microphone." She freed one hand and pointed to the wings pin on her dress.

"You've been filming me?" His eyebrows raised in alarm.

Josie nodded her head sadly. "You and everyone else too." Clasping his hand again with her free one she exclaimed adamantly. "I didn't want to and I felt so awful about doing it, but I had no choice. Rigfort had made it very clear that if I botched up this assignment both my job and Gus' were on the line."

"So why are you telling me all this now?" He asked curiously. "Aren't you risking your job by telling me the truth?"

"I had to tell you." She told him, her tone full of emotion. "I wasn't going to let Gus hurt you."

"Why would Gus want to hurt me?" Sam asked in surprise. "I don't even know him."

Josie dropped her eyes down to their hands, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "He thinks that you're attracted to me so he wants to jump on this stupid idea of 'Student/Teacher Relationships – How Close is Too Close?' I told him I wasn't going to do it, but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He's already pitched it to Rigfort who loves the idea. But I won't do it!" She looked back to his face and added firmly. "I'm not going to hurt you like that and I won't let Gus hurt you either. I'll hand in my resignation first!"

Sam was surprised by the intensity of Josie's tone. Examining her face for a moment he finally asked, his tone husky with emotion. "You would quit your job and give up your dream of being a reporter to protect me from your boss?"

"In a heartbeat." Josie whispered truthfully as she squeezed his hands tightly in hers.

Sam flashed her a warm smile. "You are definitely amazing, Josie Geller." When she had first told him that she wasn't a seventeen-year-old high school student but an undercover reporter his first reaction was to be hurt at her deception. But as she revealed the events that led up to her current situation his feelings of hurt soon turned to those of compassion, understanding and then love. He realized that she hadn't wanted to deceive him, it was just the dictates of her job that had been responsible for the charade. And the fact that she was willing to risk her job and her dream to protect him from Gus, his unknown adversary, made him forgive her all the more. Looking deeply into her expectant eyes he commented gently. "I guess there's really only one question left for me to ask." He paused for a moment as she watched him carefully. "How old are you?"

Josie giggled slightly as a wave of relief spread over her. "I'm twenty-five." She informed him.

Sam closed his eyes tightly for a moment as joy and relief spread over him. "Thank you." He whispered softly to himself. When he opened his eyes he found Josie looking at him curiously. Smiling shyly at her he explained his reaction to her answer. "I've been wishing for weeks that you weren't my seventeen year old student but that you were older and more experienced with life." He couldn't help the excited grin that broke over his face as he continued. "Josie, I have been aching for weeks to tell you how much I love you."

"You l-love me?" She stammered in surprised. When he nodded her next words came out choked with sobs as tears sprang into her eyes. "I hoped you would, but I never thought it was possible. I didn't think there was any chance someone as wonderful as you could care for someone like me."

"Someone like you?" He repeated in surprise, finding it incredible that she didn't seem to realize her own wonderful qualities. "Josie, you are the most amazing, intelligent, incredible woman I have ever met. You're smart, you're funny and you are so beautiful that I feel breathless just looking at you."

"Really?" She questioned, still finding it hard to believe that he was really saying these wonderful things about her.

"Really." He assured her. "I'm absolutely crazy about you."

"I love you too." She told him sincerely. "I've loved you from the first day I met you."

Now it was Sam's turn to be surprised. "Really?"

She reached up and touched his cheek tenderly. "Really."

He smiled at her for a moment before leaning forward and gently pressing his lips to hers. Josie responded to his kiss by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back. They were so engrossed in their kiss that they didn't even notice that they were no longer alone.

Rob quickly scanned the courtyard looking for his sister and Mr. Coulson. He'd heard Gibby tell Guy that the two of them had gone outside to get some air and discuss Josie's college application. Knowing that Josie wasn't going to college Rob had a feeling that the conversation probably involved more than just Dartmouth. Quickly he had offered to go find Josie for Guy, leaving the Prom King to dance with Tracie. When his eyes fell upon the kissing pair on the stone bench he was glad that he'd been the one to find them and not Guy.

"Rob!" The young man turned to find George rushing towards him, an anxious look on his face.

"What is it, George?" He asked, concern filling him at the other man's serious look.

"I need you to help me get Josie back on the air." George told him urgently. "Gus said that if her 'technical difficulties' were not cleared up in the next five minutes he is going to come down here himself and fix everything."

"I'll talk to her." Rob promised, then in a somewhat pleading tone he asked. "Please don't tell Gus what's really going on. I don't want him ruining things for Josie. I've never seen her so happy."

George gave him a reassuring smile knowing of Rob's fierce loyalty for his sister. "Don't worry, Slugger. Her secret's safe with me. I happen to be a romantic at heart."

"Thanks, George." Rob gave him a big smile. "We both appreciate it."

"You just get your sister back on tape." Was the other man's parting words.

As the other man moved off Rob turned his attention back to his sister and Mr. Coulson. They were still heavily engrossed in their kiss. Hating to be the one to interrupt them, but knowing that Josie's job was at stake if he didn't, he cleared his throat, trying to alert the couple of his presence. After the third try he finally got Sam's attention. The look on his face when he saw Rob standing beside them was absolutely priceless. It was a look that Rob would tease him about for years to come.

"This is not what it looks like." The English teacher quickly tried to assure Rob, greatly worried about what the other man must be thinking about what he'd just witnessed. "I can explain."

Rob contemplated for a brief second about giving Sam a hard time about kissing his sister, but he decided the wiser course was to reassure the distressed man. After all, it was highly likely he was going to be his brother-in-law one of these days. "It's okay, Mr. C." Rob quickly assured him. "I expected something like this when I came looking for the two of you. That's why I told Guy I'd come find you instead of letting him do it." Looking from Sam's surprised expression to Josie's glowing one he ventured. "I take it he knows the truth." When Josie nodded in confirmation her brother quickly relayed George's message. "We've got to get you back on the air before Gus has a heart attack. George says he's threatening to come down here."

"What are we going to do?" Josie asked him with wide worried eyes.

"We are going to get you back on the air." Rob told her seriously. "And we're going to do it in such a way that Gus isn't going to suspect that you were aware of the problem with the transmission."

"How are we going to do that?" She asked, her eyes filling with more worry. She didn't regret cutting the transmission and telling Sam everything about what's been going on, but she didn't know how she'd ever get away with pretending the 'difficulties' with the feed were real.

Rob thought for a moment, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. Looking at her with dancing eyes he said. "I've got a plan."

"Should I be worried?" She asked, her own lips tugging in knowing expectation.

"Not at all." He assured her innocently. "This is what we'll do. The three of us will go back inside. Mr. Coulson will loose himself in the crowd while you and I hit the dance floor. We'll pretend we're in the middle of a conversation, perhaps 'rehashing' the last few minutes, when your camera will suddenly start to work again. Hopefully our 'recap' will satisfy Gus as to what happened over the last few minutes."

"But when I shut if off, I had just told Mr. Coulson…" She looked at Sam and blushed slightly "…Sam…" He flashed her a warm smile and reached over to squeeze her hand as she continued. "…that I wanted to tell him something."

"Okay, that's no problem." Rob assured her. "We'll say something about Guy cutting in on you just as you were about to tell him about…what were you discussing when you said that you wanted to tell him something?"

"I had just asked Josie if she had given anymore thought to Dartmouth." Sam supplied.

"Perfect." Rob grinned. "Guy interrupted you before you could tell Mr. C. about your college plans." He winked mischievously at her. "Though we know that wasn't what you wanted to tell him."

Josie blushed again at his teasing. "I don't know Rob. I'm so sick of all this lying and deception, pretending to be something I'm not."

"Jos, listen to me." He crouched down beside her and took her free hand in both of his, his eyes searching hers intently. "You are a great writer and you will make one hell of a reporter. All you need is to master this assignment. Don't you want to prove to Gus and Rigfort and all those losers from high school that you can do this, that you can get your story and be a success?"

"Of course I do!" She told him, her eyes tearing up.

"Well then, let's do it!" He gave her shoulder a light punch. "Don't worry, I'm right behind you. I'll help you through this."

"We both will." Sam echoed, squeezing her hand tightly in his.

Josie looked from Rob to Sam, tears dotting her cheeks. "I am so lucky to have you both." She squeezed their hands tightly.

"And I'm lucky to have you." Sam told her earnestly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him for a quick hug. "I love you."

"I love you too." She returned, planting a light kiss on his cheek.

"Come on, Jos, we have to get this show on the road." Rob urged uncomfortably. He hated breaking up his sister and her new love.

When the three of them rose to their feet, Josie turned to her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Rob. You're the greatest."

"Hey, better be careful, Jos, you're going to make Mr. C. jealous." Rob teased as he hugged her tightly back.

Josie smiled and slowly released her brother. Turning to look at Sam she said. "I suppose I should introduce you two properly."

"No, wait, let me guess." Sam stopped her before she could continue. "He's a twenty-five year old undercover reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times."

"Actually I'm only twenty-three." Rob corrected. "And I don't even read the Sun-Times let alone work for them." Holding out his hand to Sam he introduced. "My name is Rob Geller."

"Geller?" Sam raised his eyebrows in confusion and looked at the pair before him. He felt his heart constrict slightly at the news.

Realizing what Sam must be thinking Josie quickly clarified. "My brother."

"Your brother?" Sam's relieved smiled nearly split his face. "He's your brother?"

"For the last twenty-three years." Rob told him proudly as he flung an arm around Josie's shoulders.

"That's what our parents say anyway." Josie teased, shooting her brother a sly look. "Personally I think he was switched at birth."

"Oh Josephine you cut me to the heart." Rob placed a hand over his heart and staggered slightly like he'd been stabbed.

"You nut!" Josie laughed as she slapped his arm playfully.

"Hey, don't hit me!" Rob exclaimed in mock-annoyance. Then with a wicked glint in his eye he threatened. "Or else I'll tell Mr. C. about your high school nickname."

"Rob, don't you dare!" She exclaimed in alarm.

"Well than quit beating up on me and get yourself back on the air before Gus comes down here and skins both our hides." Rob said as he started to usher her towards the country club.

"I thought you weren't scared of Gus." Josie commented, giving him an amused look.

"I'm not – as long as he's on one side of the city and I'm on the other." Rob shuddered slightly and added. "In person that man's scarier than Attila the Hun." Both Sam and Josie laughed at the look on Rob's face as he ushered Josie inside.

"Okay, I want you to start laughing like I'm in the middle of telling you a funny story."

"I can't do that, Rob." Josie exclaimed in despair. "I'm not an actress."

"Come on, Jos." Rob encouraged seriously. "Don't make me get dirty." He emphasized his point by gently poking her in the side. Josie jumped slightly and giggled.

"Don't Rob!" She pushed his hand away from her side.

"Why shouldn't I?" He asked, poking her in the side again. Josie laughed harder, expectation making her giddy as his finger continued to hover at her side. When her laughter became almost hysterical Rob quickly cued. "Turn on the camera and follow my lead." Continue to laugh Josie reached up and turned on the camera. "…and that's not all," Rob started saying as the camera came to life. "After that he…" He leaned forward as if to whisper something in her ear and poked her in the side to make her laugh. Josie let out a boisterous laugh, then reached out and clamped a hand over her mouth. She glanced around to see if anyone had paid attention to her outburst, but all the rest of the crowd seemed to be engrossed in their own partner. The only person she made eye contact with was Sam, who was standing by the dessert table holding a plate with a piece of chocolate cake. It was the piece that she had set down earlier when he'd asked her to dance. She flashed him a bright smile before turning her attention back to what Rob has said.

"He didn't do that!" she exclaimed, managing to sound genuinely shocked.

"Scouts honor!" He said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Josie rolled her eyes and then changed the subject. "Oh, Rob, this had been such a wonderful night. I can't believe I'm here. It's everything I dreamed my prom would be like."

"I'd say you're the belle of the ball, Josie." Rob commented proudly. "You're the Prom Queen, you're one of the most popular girls here and your dance card has been full all evening. You even have guys fighting over dancing with you." He chuckled slightly. "You should have seen the look on your face when Guy cut in on you and Mr. Coulson. You looked completely surprised. Mr. C. on the other hand looked a little disappointed. What were you two talking about anyway?"

Josie's eyes widened momentarily in panic. The moment had come. She knew she had to sound convincing or else Gus would suspect that something was up. She felt Rob squeeze her hand encouragingly and forced herself to speak. She was surprised at how calm her tone sounded. It completely belied her racing heart. "We were talking about college. He asked me if I had given anymore thought to Dartmouth. I told you that he had gotten me an interview with the admissions guy there." Rob nodded in confirmation. "Well, I was going to tell him that I had decided to try Northwestern so that I could stay close to home and my family. But Guy kind of interrupted us and I didn't get a chance to tell him."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll get a chance to tell him." Rob told her confidently. "I'm sure you'll get a chance to tell him everything." Josie's eyes widened and she shook her head at him warningly. But he was undeterred. "I think you two would be good for each other. You both have a lot in common, and I wouldn't mind having him as a brother-in-law."

"Rob…" She warned her eyes flashing nervously.

"Don't worry, sis, I'm not about to blow your cover, and I'm not suggesting you do it either. Gus would likely kill me if I did." Looking right into Josie's camera he grinned and prompted. "Wouldn't you, Gus?" He grinned wider as he pictured Gus replying 'You'd better believe it, Geller'. Turning his attention back to his sister he continued. "I guess I'm just hoping that you'll find happiness one day, and Mr. Coulson seems to make you happy."

"Thanks, Rob." Josie gave him a big smile, her tone a little choked from emotion. "I appreciate that."

"You're my big sister, Jos and I care about you." He admitted honestly. "All I've ever wanted was to see you happy. And if Sam Coulson makes you happy then you should go for it. I only hope he'll understand all this when it's all over."

"Me too." She agreed a little sadly. Taking a deep breath she added, for the benefit of the camera, especially Gus. "He's just so wonderful, Rob! I don't want to loose him if there's any chance that he cares for me too."

"I think he does care for you Josie." Rob replied seriously. "I think he cares for you very much."

"I hope so." She said, then sadly added. "Not that it'll matter in the long run. The story Gus wants me to do has basically ruined any chance I have with him. There's no way he'll forgive me if I create a scandal about him. I just wish I could come up with another story. One that won't hurt and humiliate the man of my dreams. The only man who's ever made me feel special, complete."

"Don't worry, Jos." Her brother comforted kindly. "You'll get through this. We'll think of something."

"You'll help me?" She asked, her tone full of hope.

"Of course I will." He assured her with a bright smile. "We are brother and sister after all. We stick together no matter what."

"Thanks, Rob." As the song ended she put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "You're the greatest brother in the world."

"I know." He teased as he hugged her back, causing her to slap him playfully in the back of the head.

A voice behind them interrupted their embrace. "Hey, Rob! What are you doing with my Queen?" The Geller siblings parted and turned towards Guy and Tracie. Guy slipped his arm around Josie's waist and commented teasingly to Rob. "Get your own girl, this one is already spoken for."

Josie blushed hotly and glanced over to where Sam was still standing by the dessert table watching them. She couldn't help but smile when he caught the jealous look in his eye as he watched her with Guy. The arm around her waist gave her a light squeeze drawing her attention back to her younger companion.

"Want to dance, Beautiful?" Guy asked her warmly. Josie gave him a shy smile and nodded in approval. "Rufus!" He smiled back. He took her hand and turned towards the dance floor. But before taking a step he turned back to Rob and said. "By the way, there's a few of us going down to the lake after Prom to party. You and Tracie are welcome to come if you like. Josie and I are going and most of the group."

Josie looked at Rob, her eyes wide with alarm. There was no way she was going 'partying' at the lake with a bunch of underage teenagers. All that could possibly lead to was trouble with a capital 'T'. But, like always, Rob was on top of things. "That sounds great, Guy, but I'm afraid Josie and I can't make it." At both Guy and Tracie's questioning looks he added. "Our parents are having a small little get-together after the Prom. Nothing elaborate, basically just us and our parents."

"Aw, Rob." Tracie pouted slightly. "Couldn't you guys do that another time? It's Prom night!"

"Wish we could, Trace." Rob lied gallantly. Secretly he couldn't wait to get away from her. "But we promised our folks we'd be home as soon as Prom was over." Noting the disappointed looks on both Guy and Tracie's faces he grinned slightly and suggested. "Why don't you two go to the party together? That way Josie and I can make our plans with our parents and you two still get to go to the party. How does that sound?"

Guy looked at Tracie for a moment than shrugged. "Fine, I guess. At least that way we won't be the only ones without a date. Sound okay to you, Tracie?"

"Sounds fine to me." She agreed eagerly. Then looking at Rob she asked. "How will you get home?"

"Don't worry about us." Rob assured her. "My car's in the parking lot." When he received surprised looks from all three of his companions he explained. "I thought you might have plans after Prom, so I thought I'd bring my car so Josie and I could get home afterwards. I'm not without my resources."

Josie rolled her eyes as Guy started tugging on her hand. "Come, on Beautiful. Let's hit the dance floor." As they moved off Brett approached Tracie and Rob.

"Hey, Robster! Mind if I steal Tracie for a dance of two?"

"Be my guest." Rob replied eagerly as he handed her over to Brett. He watched them go, more than relieved to be devoid of her for a few minutes. He liked Tracie and all, but he knew she liked him far too much for comfort, especially since she was only sixteen and he was twenty-three.

"So, how'd it go?" A voice suddenly asked, causing Rob to jump slightly in surprise.

"Fine." Rob replied, giving Sam an amused smile. "I think we were convincing enough that Gus shouldn't be too suspicious. I just hope Guy doesn't say anything to give us away."

"I'm sure Josie will keep a handle on the conversation." Sam assured him. "She knows what's at stake."

"Yeah, but she's not as good at the deception stuff as I am." Rob said, grinning wickedly at his companion. "She's got too good a conscience."

"Well, I must admit I'm glad to hear it." The older man commented seriously. "I had enough deception and manipulation with my last girlfriend."

"Josie said you two were together for five years." Rob casually remarked. "She must have had come good qualities for you to stay with her for so long."

Sam flushed a little bit and admitted. "I think all her good qualities existed only in my memory." Seeing the expectant look on Rob's face he explained. "When we first met we were in college, life was lighter, easier. Once we graduated and she landed that high power job in New York things changed. She changed. All of a sudden appearances meant a lot to her. She wanted the perfect job, the perfect apartment, the perfect boyfriend…which I wasn't."

"What do you mean?" Rob asked, eyeing him carefully.

"She couldn't understand my love of teaching or my fascination with the written word. She hated my job, my hobbies – almost everything about my life that I hold dear." Sam explained.

"Everything that Josie loves about you." Rob told him honestly.

"Really?" Sam gave him a hopeful look.

Rob nodded in confirmation and watched as a bright smile spread across his face. After a moment he said. "I put in a good word for you." When the other man gave him a puzzled look he explained. "Back on the dance floor when Josie and I were talking, I told her and Gus via camera, that I hoped once all was said and done you would find it in your heart of forgive her for deceiving you." Looking at the other man seriously for a moment he added. "Because I have never seen her as happy as she's been since she met you."

"Really?" Sam looked at him hopefully.

"Really." Rob nodded. Then looking at Sam for another moment he added. "I know I haven't known you very long. In fact I think tonight's the first time we've really talked, but that doesn't mean I haven't been keeping my eyes and ears open." Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise as the younger man continued. "I can tell from what I've learned about you that you're a pretty decent guy. Your students like you, your co-workers like you and your friends really like you."

"You've been talking to my friends?" Sam exclaimed in profound surprise. He hadn't realized that he'd been so thoroughly checked out by the other man.

Rob nodded. "Coach Romano mentioned one day that you and he were good friends, so I asked him a few questions about you, nothing really personal, mostly just general stuff." He grinned at him and added. "Seems that you're quite well liked by most everyone you know." His eyes twinkled slightly as he added. "Your ex-girlfriend on the other hand…"

Sam flushed again in embarrassment and acknowledged. "There never was much love lost between Lara and my friends. I guess because they saw all along what I just started seeing recently. Actually, I guess in a lot of ways I owe Josie for that. She's the one that opened my eyes and made me realize that it is possible to have a relationship where two people share the same interests. That daily fighting isn't part of a normal relationship."

Rob regarded him carefully for a moment. "I love my sister, Mr. C. She means a lot to me. I don't want to see her get hurt."

Sam met Rob's serious look confidently. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt her, Rob. You have my word on that. She's a very special girl and I have nothing but the highest respect for her. I care about her very much."

Rob smiled reassuringly at him. "I can see that you do. But just promise me one thing."

"Anything." Sam quickly vowed.

"Take things slow and easy with Josie." Her brother urged. "She's only fallen for one guy before you and he hurt her very badly." At Sam's concerned look he continued. "It was many years ago, she was a Senior in High School, but its caused Josie to have serious doubts about herself where guys are concerned. She's afraid of being hurt again."

"What did this guy do to her?" Sam asked anxiously, his eyes suddenly widening in fear. "He didn't hurt her, did he?"

Rob, understanding what he meant, quickly shook his head. "He didn't hurt her physically, just emotionally. But don't worry, his pain was a lot more physical when I got through with him." When Sam's eyebrows shot up questioningly he added. "Let's just say he spent the rest of the summer drinking his meals through a straw."

The other man chuckled in amusement and clasped the younger man on the shoulder. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Hey, you keep making Josie happy and you and me will get along just fine. " Rob assured him.

Sam watched Josie and Guy as they moved slowly around the dance floor. "Rob, I promise to spend the rest of my life making Josie happy."

"That's just fine with me, Mr. C." Rob grinned widely. "I think you'd make a pretty cool brother-in-law."

Sam smiled at him and returned. "I think you would too, Rob."

They watched the dancing couple for a few more moments than Rob asked suddenly. "You doing anything tomorrow?"

Sam glanced at his new friend and asked. "What did you have in mind?"

"Nothing major." The dark-haired man told him. "I was just wondering if you'd like to join Josie and me and our parents for a barbecue tomorrow afternoon. Dad loves showing off his barbecuing skills for new guests and Mom has been dying to meet you for weeks now. She keeps trying to come up with some new excuse to go down to the school and meet you. So far I've managed to stop her, but I think her curiosity is getting the better of her. I many not be able to hold her off much longer."

Sam laughed in amusement as his hart started beating a little faster. Josie must have been talking about him to her mother for the other woman to be so adamant about wanting to meet him. "Well, I guess I should put her out of her misery than, shouldn't I? I'd love to come for a barbecue."

"Great!" Rob exclaimed eagerly. "Josie will be pleased. And I must say I'm looking forward to getting to know you a bit better myself."

"I thought that you already knew everything there was to know about me." Sam teased lightly. He knew he should be a little miffed at Rob's prodding into his personal life, but he wasn't. In fact he was rather impressed that the young man cared enough about his sister's welfare that he would do some checking on a perspective love interest.

"Not everything." Rob defended. "Just a few things. Enough to know that you'd be great for my sister. You two have a lot in common."

Sam grinned happily at that and mused. "Maybe Josie and I can come to the barbecue together."

"You'll have to arrange that with Josie." The other man told him. "I don't know what her plans are for tomorrow."

"That maybe a little tricky." Sam commented a little sadly. "What with her camera and everything."

"You leave that to me, Mr. C." Rob's dark eyes sparkled as his mind formulated a plan. "Meanwhile why don't you grab my sister for a dance."

"Do you think that would be all right?" Josie's admirer asked hopefully.

"Sure, why not." Rob shrugged non-chelantly. Then with mischievous eyes he added. "Especially since Guy so rudely cut in on you two just as Josie was about to tell you something important about Dartmouth."

Sam chuckled slightly and nodded in understanding. "Yes, that was rude of him wasn't it?" The two men laughed and parted company, Rob going to work the room and Sam to find Josie. Once again he found her at the dessert table, attempting for the second time to eat a piece of chocolate cake. "Hello again." He greeted as he came up beside her.

Josie smiled at him and self-consciously wiped at her face. "Hi."

"Enjoying your evening so far?" He asked, trying hard to keep his tone light and steady. Now that he knew the truth about her, that she wasn't his seventeen year old student, but a twenty-five year old woman who was just as crazy about him as he was about her, he was finding it even harder to act calm and natural around her. All he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and kiss her senseless.

"It's been wonderful." She told him sincerely. "The decorations, the costumes, the music – they're all wonderful." Her eyes told him that wasn't all that she found wonderful about the evening.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself." He told her warmly. Then after a brief pause he added. "I was just wondering if you'd mind finishing the dance we started earlier." When she looked at him puzzled he smiled and cued. "You know, before Guy cut in and interrupted us."

She gave him a look of surprise, a slow smile creeping up her face. He'd obviously been talking to Rob. "That would be nice." She told him sincerely, her eyes revealing the deep feelings she had for him since she couldn't voice those feelings aloud.

Reading what her eyes were trying to tell him he gave her a warm smile and took her hand to lead her to the dance floor. This time as they danced he dared to hold her a little tighter and lace their fingers together. Josie flashed him a tender smile as he squeezed her hand tightly. "So what were you going to tell me about Dartmouth?"

Josie's eyes widened slightly in alarm, but she quickly regained her composure when he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Taking a deep breath to steady her voice she replied. "What I wanted to tell you was that I really appreciate your kind offer, but I was thinking maybe I'll just apply to Northwestern. That way I'll be able to stay with my family."

"But you are going to go to college?" He pressed, trying his best to keep the conversation on a teacher-student level. "I think you owe it to yourself. I really think you could make it as a writer."

Josie gave him such a love filled look that it took all of Sam's self-control to keep from pulling her into his arms and kissing her. "Nobody has ever encouraged me in my writing like you have. You have been a real inspiration to me and I don't know how to thank you."

He gave his trademark smile and said lightly. "I'll think of something." Josie blushed slightly at his comment, imagining all the things she'd be quite willing to do to thank him. "How about you dedicate your first book to me and we'll call it even."

Josie grinned slightly, knowing that comment was strictly for the camera's sake. "It's a deal." She told him, then she mouthed very carefully so he'd understand. "I love you."

Sam's smile nearly split his face as he replied, trying hard to keep his tone in check. "Wonderful!"

"Oh, Rob this night has been everything I dreamed my Prom would be!" Josie exclaimed to her brother as they drove down one of Chicago's busy streets later that night. "Everything was so wonderful – the costumes, the decorations, the food. And I was crowned Prom Queen! Me, Josie Grossie – Prom Queen!"

"Hey, I keep telling you, you're not Josie Grossie anymore." Rob said seriously. "You are a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent woman who happens to look very sexy in that dress."

"Really?" Josie blushed at the compliment.

"Really." He nodded in confirmation. "You've changed so much in the last couple months. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Rob." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I never could have done it without you."

"My pleasure." He gave her a bright smile. "I just wished I had done this eight years ago when we were still in high school. Maybe Billy Prince would have invited you for real."

Josie's happiness dimmed slightly as she remembered her first Prom. "Maybe." She murmured sadly.

"Hey, you wanna go and get some coffee before we go home?" He asked as he pulled the car to a stop at a traffic light. "I know this nice little place down the street."

"That sounds nice." Josie replied then giggled when she looked down at his bare legs. "You know, Rob, I know most restaurants only have signs that read 'Shirts Must Be Worn', but I think that's probably because they figure that pants are a given."

"Are you kidding? Any waitress would die to see these sexy legs." He retorted, pretending to be insulted at her comment. When Josie rolled her eyes he added. "Don't worry, I have a pair of pants in the back."

"Let's just hope we don't get pulled over between here and the coffee shop." She remarked as she shook her head slightly. "You'll have quite a time explaining why you're pants are in the back seat to a police officer."

"I'll just tell him that you're my Prom date and you couldn't keep your hands off me…OW!" He yelped when she hit him in the arm. "Take it easy will you! I'm driving here and I'd like to get us back home in one piece."

Josie just laughed and turned her attention to the traffic outside as the light turned green and Rob drove through the intersection. "I never did ask you how your car…" She looked back at him and corrected. "…My car got to the school."

"I drove it over earlier." Rob explained. "I caught wind that Guy and some of the other cool kids were going to continue partying after the Prom and I figured they'd want us to come too." He looked at her and said. "Well to us that could only spell trouble with a capital 'T', so I brought the car over earlier this afternoon so we could make a get-away if we had to."

"I'm glad you did." She admitted. "I could only imagine what could have happened if the party had gotten out of hand and we were found with a bunch of underage kids, who would no doubt have been drunk. Not a good idea."

"I agree." He echoed. "I don't intend to spend the next five years of my life in jail for 'influencing' a minor."

"Me neither." She agreed. "I don't think that would do much for my career, such as it is."

"Don't worry, Jos." He reached over and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will work out. Mr. C.'s a cool guy, I'm sure he'll understand everything once this is all over."

Josie looked at Rob and sighed. "How can he after I ruin his career? I can't do it, Rob. I can't! But I don't know what I'm going to do about it. Gus won't yield. He smells blood and he's ready to go in for the kill."

"And you're the bait." Rob commented sympathetically.

"Yeah, I'm the bait." She sighed. "He's using me to incriminate a man that I am hopelessly in love with and would give anything to have love me, but at the same time if he does love me than I have to ruin his life. Sounds fair don't it. Either way one or both of us gets our heart broken."

Rob reached over and brought his sister closer to him, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders. She laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled comfortably against him. "Don't worry, Jos." He assured her lovingly. "We'll think of something." He kissed the side of her head and turned his attention back to the road. After a couple of minutes he spoke again. "Hey, Josie, can you do me a favor?"

"What kind of favor?" She asked, but didn't lift her head from his shoulder.

"Can you maybe loose the camera?" He requested seriously. "I mean Prom's over, its after midnight meaning its now Saturday and frankly I'm tired of Gus and all your co-workers watching my every move."

"I guess you're right." She agreed as she sat back up in her seat. "I am basically 'off-duty' for the weekend." Undoing the wings pin she held it up so Gus and everyone else got a close up of Rob. "Say goodnight, Rob."

"'Goodnight, Rob'." He said into the camera, flashing everyone at the Chicago Sun-Times a cheesy grin.

Josie laughed and then turned the camera towards herself. In a cheery tone she said. "Nigh everyone. Thanks for watching." The she clicked the camera off and slipped it into her bag.

"Here we are." Rob announced as he pulled the car to a halt in front of a quaint little coffee shop.

Josie looked up and noticed the 'NO PARKING' sign posted beside them. "Rob, you can't park here. It's a 'No Parking' zone."

"I wasn't planning on parking here." He told her mysteriously. When she gave him a puzzled look he added. "I plan on parking in the driveway at home."

"But I thought we were going for coffee." She commented, her brow furrowing deeper in puzzlement.

"'We' are." He said with a sly smile. "But 'we' is not you and me, it's you and him." Josie looked out her window when Rob pointed to something behind her. There, standing on the sidewalk with a lone rose in his hand, was Sam.

Josie smiled warmly as he opened the car door and held out a hand to help her out. "Good evening, Miss Geller." He greeted with a charming smile.

"Good evening, Mr. Coulson." She returned as she allowed him to pull her to her feet. "Fancy meeting you here."

"For you." He handed her the rose he held.

Josie accepted it and buried her nose in its fragrant petals. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

"Shall we?" He gestured towards the coffee shop.

"I'd love to." She nodded. Then turning back to Rob she leaned through the window and said. "Thanks for the ride, Rob. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Have a good time, Jos, Mr. C." He called back.

Sam looked at Rob through the open window and said. "See you tomorrow, Rob. And thanks for everything."

Seeing the intense feeling in Sam's eyes when he looked at his sister Rob smiled warmly and acknowledged. "My pleasure. You two kids have a good time." Then putting the car in gear he squealed the tires of Josie's Buick and headed off into the night.

"My poor car!" Josie cringed as her brother and her car turned the next corner.

"Your car?" Sam smiled in confusion. "I thought that yellow car was yours."

"Actually that yellow boat belongs to Rob." She gestured down the street adding. "That was my car that my brother just went screaming into the night with. I traded cars with him when I first began this assignment because I thought his car looked more like something a teenager would drive than mine."

Sam laughed. "Well, you got a point there." Then reaching out he took her hand and gently pulled her towards the coffee shop. "Come on, let's get some coffee and you can tell me all about Josie Geller, undercover reporter." With a bright smile she nodded her head in agreement.

"…And then Rob starts tumbling head over heels down the side of the mountain! I thought for sure he'd killed himself." She shuddered slightly at the memory. "I still can't believe I let him talk me into skiing Dead Man's Curve. I was sure we'd never get back down again alive. But we did, and I lived to bury Rob face first in a snow bank for scaring me like he did."

Sam smiled and remarked. "You two sound very close."

"We are." She nodded. "He has helped me out a lot the last few years. I don't know what I would have done without him – or my parents. They've all been great. But Rob's been the best. He's one of the best friends I've ever had. I couldn't ask for a nicer, more supportive brother."

"Or a more protective one." Sam smirked in amusement.

"What do you mean?" Josie looked at him expectantly.

Sam continued to chuckle as he explained his amusement. "Rob informed me tonight that he's been 'checking' me out."

"What do you me he's been 'checking' you out?" Josie asked suspiciously.

"I mean that Rob's invented his own 'Are You Eligible To Date Josie' test." Sam told her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"What did he do?" She asked warily.

"Nothing bad." Sam quickly assured her. He just gave Scott Romano the third degree about me, that's all."

"Scott Romano? You mean Coach Romano?" Josie gave him a surprised look. When Sam nodded she asked. "Why?"

"Rob found out that Scott and I are good friends, so he decided to see what kind of a guy I am." Sam explained, his eyes still twinkling with amusement. "Guess he wanted to find out just what my friends thought about me. Get an idea of what kind of guy was interested in his big sister."

Josie rolled her eyes and groaned fiercely. "I'm sorry about that. He had no right to be so nosy."

"Sure he did." He assured her seriously. "He loves you and he wanted to make sure that you weren't going to get hurt. You are his big sister after all. And I don't mind, really. I have nothing to hide. My life is an open book, especially to you."

She flushed slightly but gave him a bright smile. "I want you to know everything about me too."

"Good." He reached over and squeezed her hand lovingly. "Because I want to know everything there is to know about you." He paused for a moment before prompting. "Like what was so dreadful about your first High School experience that made you dread coming to South Glen South." Josie paled slightly and dropped her eyes to her plate. Reaching over, Sam put a finger under her chin and lifted it so she would look at him. "Hey, its okay. You don't have to be afraid. And you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I shouldn't have been so nosy. I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. Really." She assured him, giving his hand a warm squeeze. "I want you to know about it. It's just not a time of my life I'm particularly proud or fond of. In fact, I don't usually talk about my high school experience, especially my Senior year."

"What happened?" He pressed, squeezing her hand encouragingly.

She gave him a brief smile before replying. "All through High School, all through school really, I was a real nerd. I had braces, long stringy hair, a face full of pimples – the complete nerdy look. And I also had brains, and I wasn't afraid to use them. I spent most of my spare time doing extra homework I requested from the teacher."

Sam smiled teasingly. "So that's why you did so much extra work for me. I thought it was because you liked me."

"I did! I do!" She flushed as she amended. "I only wrote extra work for you. I guess it was my way of reaching out to you, of letting you know little things about myself that I couldn't tell you out loud."

"And I treasured each and everything that you wrote." He gave her a loving smile as he admitted. "I use to keep yours till the last so I could devote my complete and undivided attention to what it said. I'd commit every detail to memory. In fact I treasured your writings so much that I made a copy of each and every one of them and placed them in a special folder in my briefcase that was only for your work. I guess it was my way of keeping a part of you with me at all times. Sometimes at night when I couldn't stop thinking about you, I'd pull them out and read them over and over again. I think I could probably recite each and every one of them."

"Oh, Sam." She gave him such a loving look that Sam felt his heart start to race wildly. "That has to be the sweetest thing that anyone has ever done for me." Tears sprang into her eyes and she closed them, trying desperately to hold the tears back.

"Hey, what is it?" He asked as he reached over and gently brushed a stray tear form her cheek.

Opening her eyes she looked at him and admitted. "I never thought I'd ever find anybody who'd love me so much that something as simple as my writing would mean that much to them."

"Josie, everything about you means a lot to me." He told her seriously. "I have memorized every detail that I could about you. I remember every word you've ever said, every look you've ever given me, every outfit you've ever worn since the first day I set eyes on you in my classroom." A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth and his eyes started to twinkle as he teased. "I especially liked that white shirt with the white boa around the neck."

Josie groaned and hid her face in her hands. "I still have to kill Anita for picking out that outfit. I didn't realize what a sick, twisted sense of humor she had."

"Who's Anita?" Sam asked curiously.

"She's my best friend." Josie told him. "We work together at the Sun-Times. She's in Classifieds." Then with a slight giggle she added. "You probably know her better as 'Pam Kitterman'."

"Pam Kitterman?" He exclaimed in surprise. "You mean Pam Kitterman from the Sex-Ed lecture?"

"That's her." Josie smiled awaiting his reaction.

He gave her an amused smirk. "I wondered why you two seemed to know each other." He shook his head. "I hope none of the other teachers hear about this."

"You won't get in trouble will you?" Josie asked in alarm. "Anita didn't mean any harm. She was basically just in the wrong place at the right time."

"And since I was so desperate for someone – anyone – to come and take that lecture I readily assumed that Anita was Pam." He chuckled at himself and at how petrified he'd been that day. There was no way he'd have been able to give that lecture if Anita hadn't shown up and rescued him. He briefly wondered what happened to the real Pam Kitterman. "Remind me to thank her sometime."

Josie couldn't help but smile at the humor in the situation, but her eyes still held concern. "You won't get in trouble will you?"

He smiled ruefully and shook his head. "No parents complained so I won't get in trouble. It's more like I'll never live it down. Scott and Adam Christiansen will laugh me into next week if they find out."

"Well, I guess it'll just have to be our little secret then won't it." She gave him a bright smile.

Sam gave her a warm smile in return and then brought the conversation back to their original topic. "So what happened your Senior year of high school?"

Josie's smile dimmed slightly as she continued her story. "During my Senior year I developed a crush on one of the 'popular' boys in my class." She blushed slightly. "I guess I kind of made a fool of myself over him. One time in English class the teacher asked me to read my work assignment in front of the class. We had been assigned to write a poem. The poem that I wrote had been about him." She blushed deeper as she admitted. "I thought for sure that it would make him like me. My biggest wish in high school was that I was the most popular girl in school and that he would ask me to the Prom."

"What happened?" Sam pressed gently, watching the different emotions playing across her beautiful face.

"He asked me." She replied, her tone very controlled. Sam encouraged her with his eyes to continue. There was a slight catch in her voice as she related. "So I got myself a beautiful dress, at least I thought it was beautiful at the time. I did my hair and make up and I got all ready for the Prom. But things didn't go exactly as I'd hoped." She looked into Sam's concerned face and continued. "As I stepped outside the house, the limo came down the street and my dream date appeared out the sunroof…and so did a beautiful cheerleader." Sam's brow furrowed and his grip on her hand tightened as she said. "The next thing I knew he was pelting me with eggs and taunting me to write a poem about it. Then he called me a geek."

"Oh, Josie." Sam felt his heart almost break as he imagined the depth of her pain and humiliation that night.

"I spent most of the evening in the bushes beside the house because I didn't want Rob or my parents to know what had happened." Tears fell down her cheeks as she looked into Sam's concerned eyes. They were so filled with sympathy and love that Josie's words started coming out in sobs. Sam moved around the table and slid into the booth beside her, wrapping his arms around her. Finding solace in his embrace, Josie managed to continue her story. "After a couple of hours Rob spotted me from his bedroom window and come out and got me. Heartbroken, I told him the whole story. The next day Rob found him and confronted him for what he did to me. I guess Rob messed him up pretty good."

"Yeah, Rob told me that the guy was pretty much drinking his meals through a straw for the rest of the summer." Sam grinned in spiteful glee. "Serves him right too!"

Josie looked at him with wide eyes. "Rob already told you this story?"

Sam quickly shook his head and assured her. "All he told me was that you'd been hurt by some guy that you really liked and that Rob had beaten him up because of it." He grinned slightly as he said. "I think it was Rob's subtle way of warning me that if I ever did anything to hurt you he'd make sure I answered for it."

Josie couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Rob beating up on mild mannered Sam Coulson. "He does try to protect me."

"And so he should." Sam gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "He's a lucky guy to have you as his sister. Just like I would be a lucky guy to have you as a girlfriend."

Josie's eyes widened as she repeated in surprise. "Girlfriend?"

Sam chuckled slightly at her expression and asked teasingly. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, no, of course not." Josie quickly assured him. "I just never thought I'd ever hear you say that to me. I've dreamed it many times, but I never felt that I was ever good enough to be your girlfriend."

Sam smiled tenderly at her and reached up to push a loose piece of hair off her forehead. "Josie Geller, I don't just want you to be my girlfriend. One of these days, in the not too distant future I hope, I want you to be my wife. I want to be able to have you in my life forever. To wake up beside you every morning and to fall asleep with you in my arms every night."

"Oh, Sam." She leaned into him and buried her face into his chest as tears continued to fall down her cheeks.

Hugging her tightly to him he pressed kisses into her hair before venturing to ask. "Does that sound like a future that would interest you?" Pulling back to look at his face she blinked a couple of times, trying to clear the tears from her eyes before shyly nodding her head in response. Sam's face broke into a wide grin as he admonished. "Remember that answer. I'll come in handy one day."

Josie giggled slightly as more tears began to flow. Throwing her arms around his neck she hugged him tightly. Sam couldn't help but echo her feelings when he heard her whisper softly. "If this is a dream, please, please don't ever let me wake up."

"Well, here we are." Josie said as she indicated for Sam to pull into the space behind Bambi. "Welcome to my humble neighborhood.

Sam looked up at the quaint looking building and smiled. It was just the type of place that he'd pictured her living in. "I like it." He told her honestly. "It suits you."

Josie smiled brightly at him and blushed. "Want to see the inside?" She invited innocently.

Sam smiled at her warmly but declined. "I should probably be getting home." Glancing at the clock on his dashboard he chuckled slightly and said. "It's already after two-thirty."

Josie looked at the clock, her eyes widening in alarm as she read 2:37. "Oh, my! I'm sorry for keeping you out so late! I didn't realize the time!"

Sam laughed slightly and reached out to grab her hand. After bringing it to his lips and kissing it he said. "Don't apologize. There isn't anyplace one earth I'd rather be right now than with my beautiful girlfriend."

"Girlfriend." Josie closed her eyes dreamily as she repeated the delightful word under her breath. She still couldn't believe that she was Sam Coulson's girlfriend. All her dreams of the past two months were suddenly coming true. She'd even gotten her first kiss, a kiss so tender and so full of love that it more than fulfilled all her expectations and fantasies. When Sam kissed her, there was nothing in the world but the two of them. Opening her eyes she looked at him warmly for a moment. "There's something I think I should tell you."

Sam felt his pulse start to race nervously at her words. "Please don't tell me you've changed your mind and you just want to be friends."

Seeing the worry in his face she couldn't help but smile slightly at his obvious concern. To think that she had that much influence on his happiness was enough to take her breath away. Reaching a tentative hand up to touch his face she quickly assured him. "Of course I want to be your girlfriend. I love you very much." She watched his expression relax as she continued. "What I wanted to tell you was that…" She paused for a moment as a warm flush stained her cheeks. "You know that first kiss we shared? The one on the stone bench outside Prom?" Sam nodded eagerly. He didn't think he'd ever forget that kiss. It had been a kiss he'd been dreaming of and wishing for for weeks. "Well, that wasn't just our first kiss…that was my first kiss, too." She looked up to see shock filling his eyes. She squirmed slightly in her seat, not sure what to make of his expression.

Finally Sam found his voice. "I'm the first guy you've ever kissed?"

Completely embarrassed Josie dropped her eyes to her lap and in a cracking voice hastened to explain. "I've always believed that there is someone that you're 'meant to be' with. And I didn't want to go kissing a whole bunch of guys to try to find my one special guy, someone that I would want to spend the rest of my life with. He would be someone that I could share anything with, who would love me for who I am, not for who they wanted me to be. Someone who would never, ever do anything to hurt me. I figured if I ever met him, I'd know it and then, and only then, would I finally get my kiss. And he would be the one I'd kiss for the rest of my life."

When Josie finished her monologue, Sam reached over and lifted her chin to make her look at him. Giving her the most loving, tender look that she had ever received in her life he said. "Do you have any idea how much that means to me?" When Josie's eyes searched his face for a moment he continued. "It is like a special gift that you have reserved for only me." He paused for a minute before whispering huskily. "Thank you."

With tears in her eyes she whispered back. "You're welcome."

Leaning in he placed a soft kiss on her lips and then pulled her in for a warm hug. "I love you, Josie Geller. I'll love you forever."

"I love you too, Sam." She whispered back.

They pulled back after a few moments and Sam asked. "So, do you want me to pick you up tomorrow afternoon or should I just meet you at your parents?"

"I think I'll just meet you there, if you don't mind." She replied seriously. Jabbing a finger at the car in front of them she explained. "I want to return that monstrosity to Rob and get my car back before he totals it or something."

"I noticed he redecorated it." Sam commented. "At least I'm assuming you didn't have that lovely detailing done yourself."

Josie rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. "Certainly not. But that's what I get for telling him he could do whatever he liked with it if he'd loan me his car. But he's promised me that he'll have it fixed up by tomorrow night." Giving Sam a skeptical look she added. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"You're brother sounds a lot like mine." Sam commented with a laugh. "A little irresponsible, but with a heart of gold."

Josie looked at him curiously. "How many brothers and sisters do you have?"

"I have one of each." He replied. "An older sister named Abigail and a younger brother named Russell. Abby's about three years older than me and Russ is about three years younger."

"And how old are you?" She inquired.

Sam smiled. "I'll be twenty-seven in August."

Josie returned his smile with one of her own. "So we're fourteen months apart. I'll be twenty-six in October."

"Sure beats nine years." He told her seriously as he reached over and touched her face gently. "I can't tell you what a relief it is to know that you're really my age and not seventeen. Even though I was quite ready and willing to pursue a relationship with you if you were interested, I still couldn't help but view the age difference as a problem."

"Because I was your student?" She asked curiously.

"Not just that, though that was one of my major hang ups." He admitted. He ran his fingers over the side of her head, rubbing some of the loose wisps of hair between his fingers gently. "But I was more concerned that because you were so young, that whatever feelings you might have for me now might change in a few months or years. I wasn't sure if you were old enough to know your heart yet and that I might just be setting myself up for heartache because I knew I wanted more than just a few months or years. I wanted a lifetime."

"Oh, Sam." Tears returned to Josie's emotion-filled eyes. "I am so sorry for having deceived you. I never meant to cause you so much pain. When I first started here I didn't think my presence would have much effect on anyone. I certainly didn't affect too many people's lives when I was in high school the first time, except maybe to give them somebody to torture."

"Didn't you have any friends in school?" He asked with concern. He couldn't imagine her going through high school completely friendless. She must have caught the attention of someone.

"I did have one good friend, Sheila Davis." Josie replied. "She and I had been close friends since grade school. But after high school we both kind of lost touch. I went to Northwestern, she went to NYU and we've never seen each other again. I feel kind of bad about it, but I guess these things happen. It's hard to keep track of people once school's over."

"It's hard." Sam agreed. "But not impossible."

"Don't tell me you still know your best friend from high school?" She looked at him with surprise.

"Yup." He nodded. "In fact I've had the same best friend since grade one. His name is Jonathan Harper and he and his wife, Joanne and I have known each other for over twenty-years."

"That's great." Josie told him sincerely, secretly wishing she could boast the same thing about Sheila. There were times that she deeply regretted not staying in touch with her old friend. But she had no idea where to go about looking for her now. "How about you, Russ and Abby? Are you guys close too?"

Sam nodded. "We're very close, just like you and Rob. They're two of my closest friends. In fact Abby is my confidant. There isn't anything that I don't tell her."

"Have you told her about me?" Josie asked curiously.

"Anything except about you." He told her honestly than hastened to explain. "But that's only because…"

"Because you thought you were falling for one of your seventeen year old students and you didn't want to admit it to yourself let alone anyone else." Josie finished for him.

"That's very perceptive of you, Miss Geller." He gave her an amused smile.

"I am supposed to be a reporter." She commented lightly. Then with a sigh she added. "Though I'm obviously not a very good one."

"Hey, don't sell yourself short." He scolded her seriously. "You are a wonderful writer and you will make a wonderful reporter. Like I told you yesterday, all you have to do is find your story."

"Thanks, Sam." She gave him a grateful smile. "I can't begin to tell you how much your vote of confidence means to me. Nobody, except for my family, has ever believed in me the way that you do."

"I love you." He told her sincerely.

"I love you, too." She returned and allowed him to pull her in for another tender kiss. When they parted she regretfully said. "I guess I should go inside. It's almost three o'clock now." They both glanced at the dashboard clock which now read '2:57'. "I had a wonderful time. Thank you for a terrific evening."

"Thank you for making it a terrific evening." He smiled lovingly at her. "And thank you for telling me the truth about yourself. This evening turned out even better than I had hoped."

"Me too." She echoed.

"So I'll see you at your parents' tomorrow afternoon. What time?"

Josie shrugged. "I'm going over around three, so any time after that would be fine. You have the address?"

He patted the breast pocket of his tuxedo where the piece of paper she'd given him with the address rested. "Got it right here close to my heart." Josie smiled at him. "I'll see you tomorrow."

As she opened the door he quickly grabbed her arm and said lightly. "Don't I get a good night kiss?"

Josie looked at him and grinned slightly. "I guess I could give you one before I go." Leaning over she met him halfway for one of the sweetest, most loving kisses they'd shared yet.

"Goodnight, sweetheart." He whispered as they separated.

Josie blushed with pleasure at the endearment. "Goodnight, Sam." As she watched Sam's black Volkswagen drive off down the street she whispered pleadingly to herself. "Please don't let this be a dream."