A/N: So, I don't know why, but the past couple of weeks I've had a wave of inspiration come over me! I don't know, but just a couple of weeks ago, I had a severe case of writers block. So, here's something else from my sea of inspiration! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly. True story.

Summary: He was brave, I had always known that, but I had to admit, I was going to miss that nub. (Sam's POV; one year after "iOpen A Restaurant)

*Dedication: TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED FOR OUR COUNTRY! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SACRIFICES!

Chapter 1: iTell You

"That's our show! See ya next time!" my ever–so–perky co-host/best friend said into our tech nub's camera.

"Later y'all!" I said with a weird facial expression.

"And...we're clear!" Fredufus said.

We had all decided to go to the Groovy Smoothie after the show.

"Great show tonight," Freddie said, before sipping at his large Blueberry-Banana Blitz smoothie.

"Thanks," Carly said. "Oh, and before I forget, Freddie, can you help me film a video for a science project? I mean, I would film it myself, but I stink at filming and you have a camera," she asked/explained.

"Sorry, Carly, can't." He surprised me there. With his new "little crush" on her, I thought he'd be dying to spend time with her. Well, I guess it's not new, it has been a year after all.

"Why?" I asked. I knew Freddie; why wouldn't he want to spend time with Carly?

"Um...well, since we're going to graduate soon, I guess I should tell you now. I won't be in Seattle for much longer." I was puzzled; did he apply for a college out of state?

"I thought you applied for an in-state school?" Carly said as a question. She had the strangest look on her face.

"I was going to, but..." He shrugged. "I changed my mind." Carly and I waited for an elaboration that didn't come.

"What are you going to do then? Go to college out of state?" I asked. He could probably get into any school he wanted. Maybe he got a scholarship. This was Freddie we were talking about. Need I have said more?

"I'm not going to college right now." The next thing he heard was the simultaneous "WHAT?" that came from our mouths.

"You've been dreaming about college forever! Why aren't you going?" Carly asked, obviously surprised by his decision.

"I am going to go, just not right now," he stated nonchalantly. No big deal, right? Sarcasm intended.

"Then what are you gonna do?" I asked.

"Well, I'd rather not talk about it right now. If you don't mind." With that, I was frustrated. I looked at Carly, then back at Freddie.

"How much do you weigh?" I asked him.

"I don't know," he responded a little defensively, taken aback by the odd and random question.

"More than two hundred pounds?" I queried, trying to get a more specific answer.

"No, why?" I looked at Carly again. "I can take him."

I yanked Freddie out of his chair, picked him up, and threw him over my shoulder.

"SAM, WHAT'RE YOU DOING? PUT ME DOWN!" he yelled. I realized we had an audience.

"Go back to your smoothies. Nothin' to see here," Carly said calmly. She was just as curious as me.

We walked out and I put Freddie down when we were close to the Bushwell Plaza.

"What's wrong with you?" he snapped.

"What do you mean you're not going to college! I know you, what's going on?" I demanded, getting to the point and ignoring his question.

"Okay, let's get inside and I'll tell you." He quickly added, "And I'll walk this time if you don't mind, Sam."

We walked into the lobby. Lewbert had fallen asleep with a cheeseburger hanging from his mouth. "Attractive," I said, with my often-used sarcasm.

We took the elevator and ended up on the eighth floor. We all walked into apartment 8C. I sat on the couch and Carly sat next to me. Freddie took up a chair. We waited for the explanation.

"I wanted to tell you, but I-I didn't know how. I realized I wanted to do something, and I want to do it soon." He took a deep breath. "I'm going to serve in the U.S. military."

Both of our mouths dropped. I felt like the air had been taken out of me. What? He was leaving.

"I'll be gone for three years, then I'll be back. I'll take my college courses when I return. That's why I can't help you, Carly. I have to get ready to go." He waited for us to say something, anything.

"I'm proud of you, Freddie," Carly said. She stood up, as did he, and they hugged. "Just promise me you'll be safe. You're like my other brother, you know that. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Thanks, Carly," he said, a little relieved.

"What do you think, Sam?" Carly looked toward her couch.

Little did she know, I had already left the apartment.

She sighed. "Go talk to her, Freddie."

"Why is she so upset?" he wondered aloud. Carly gave him an Are-you-really-that-stupid? look.

Carly whispered, "You gotta learn to read in between the banter, Freddie."

With that, she exited to the kitchen.

Freddie was left to drown in his thoughts.


Freddie had gone looking for me, but I knew how to avoid him. I'd been hiding on the fire escape. His fire escape. I sat in the same chair he sat in on the night of our first kiss.

He was really leaving. He was brave, I had always known that, but I had to admit, I was going to miss that nub. And three years is a long time.

Suddenly, I heard a knock at the window. I saw it was Freddie, and I jumped out of the chair.

"Hey, Sam, what are you doin' here?" Freddie asked curiously.

"Nothing! I dropped my contact!" I said, beginning to look desperately for my nonexistent lens. Freddie kneeled down beside me.

"I think this is the first bad lie you've ever told. You don't even wear contacts," he said and I immediate stopped looking. "Now, tell me the truth, why are you here?"

"I like lookin' at the sky from up here. Don't judge me!" I quickly explained. "Gotta go, bye!"

I started toward that window. "Two bad lies in a row," he pointed out, stopping me dead in my tracks. "What's wrong?"

"Noth-" I started, fake smiling.

"Don't you lie, Puckett." He got me.

"I'm fine," I lied so easily through my teeth. I turned to walk away again.

"If it's any consolation, I'm gonna miss you too." I stopped again and turned around to face him.

"Really?" I questioned.

"More than anyone." My feelings got the best of me; I hugged him and he returned my hug.

"The only one who gets to mess with you is me," I muttered into his shoulder. "Don't you dare come back any different. Be safe, for me."

He was rubbing my back. "You can bet on it, Sam. I'll write to you."

"You promise?"

"Yes, I promise you, Sammy." I let a tear fall. "I'll be back, I'll come back."

"You'd better." He kissed my cheek gently.

"Bye, Benson, I'll see ya tomorrow." He waved and I left, letting all the tears fall from my eyes.

After I was gone, he said, "I promise I'll come back to you, Sammy."

A/N: The theme song for this story is "See You Again" By Carrie Underwood. Wonderful and beautiful song and it fits the theme nicely. Thanks for reading and please review.