DISCLAIMER: Don't own Glee.

Days passed by, and their friendship seemed to grow stronger. Evolving, in a way. Into what? Both Sam and Rachel don't know yet. He secretly wanted it to be more, and she was still plain confused.

It was a few days ago when she was still hung up on Finn, and it only took one night to have something going on with Sam. With Finn, it was easy. He was her first love, so she understood why she can't get over that fast no matter what he does. But Sam was just confusing. He was her friend and she admits that she's found him cute and adorable even before, but that was it. When they became good friends, all non-platonic thoughts were out before they even started. She treats him like family. Now that she started to think about it, she realizes he's kind of an ideal guy. He's got good looks, good shape, kind heart, sweet, funny and sincere. She remembered how he took care of her whenever she feels lonely. He listens to her. That was the one thing that made Rachel's feelings for Sam grew deeper.

What's this, anyway? She asks herself. She thinks that maybe this was just a phase. Sam Evans. No wonder Quinn fell for him so easily even after the baby gate. That's it. A phase. She insisted to herself.

If Rachel was so determined to convince herself that this was her phase, Sam, on the other hand was sure. He was starting to fall for her. Those first few months when he started at McKinley High, never did Sam see this side of Rachel, and now he knows it's because she rarely shows it to anyone. She shows it only to those who mattered to her. After they formed their friendship, he began to see the real Rachel Berry. The sweet, caring, kind-hearted and... Quiet, Rachel Berry. He only sees this side of her whenever she was with Kurt, Mercedes, him, and Finn. It only has its moments, though. But now that he thinks about it, she's been like this with him ever since after Coach Sylvester's sister's funeral. He figured because that was the time when they grew closer. She and him went to the funeral and sticked together. Sam knew at that time that Rachel's a little vulnerable because of Jesse St. James, so he was there for her. He supported her on the sidelines when she performed "My Man", and they talked about their personal issues afterwards. That was when he knew that what they had was an understanding. He began to buy her a slushee after glee practice, because she looked a little down, and they went home together. It was the start of a good tradition.

And now, she had a whole different aura whenever they're together as compared to when they're with other people. He feels proud as he falls more for her. Yes, everything's sudden but he didn't question it. He likes to like her. She's the ideal girl that he sees himself with, and not in a high-school way but in the long run. The only thing that dampens his spirits is his guilt. Finn may be a douche and stile Quinn from him, but he still chose Rachel in the end. Sam doesn't doubt Finn's love for Rachel, and he was still a good colleague. The selfish part of him whispers how proud he is to himself for taking one back at Finn by liking Rachel, but at the end of the day, he knows whether or not Finn and Rachel have something together, he still would have fallen for her.

It was unusually raining. Lima may not be as hot as California, but it's still odd to rain during summer. Rachel and Sam's friendship went back to normal, if not closer, but also not quite. He's falling for her, but holds back. Though not as far back as for Rachel not to see that yes, Sam likes her and she's well... not quite sure what to do (feel) yet.

Sam, Stevie and Stacy are in Rachel's house watching Disney Classics all since afternoon. Both of the kids enjoy staying at Rachel's because they couldn't believe that she owns the entire collection. Seeing as her fathers were still away, Sam decided to cheer her up (because she adores the kids' company as much as they adore her), and bought her that vegan burger she once mentioned.

Needless to say, it was a good afternoon. They watched three movies and now, it's 8:30 PM and the rain hasn't stopped. They're watching Tarzan on the living room. The two kids were lying on the floor while Sam and Rachel sat (a little too close) together on the couch. She had her arm wrapped around his own, his hand was resting on her knee and both their foreheads were touching sideways.

They were in the middle of the movie when Sam suddenly laughed. The kids were too concentrated on the film to notice, but Rachel wasn't.

"What's so funny?" she asked, looking up at him.

He pursed his lips, trying and failing to hold back a grin.

"Tell me!" She insisted.

He let out a laugh again. "It's just that," he said, "You remind me of Jane."

"Really? Why?"

"Well, she talks like you." She hit his arm. "What? You gotta admit that part is true." She 'hmmped' in response, crossing her arms playfully. He smiled fondly at her and touched her chin softly to face him. "She also has a wild side," he rubbed her jaw as she stared at him. "A kind heart, and she's very passionate at what she wants."

They were staring at each other and as much as Sam wants to kiss her right then and there, the kids be damned (It's those inviting lips that easily do the trick) but he knows Rachel isn't ready for it. So he saves her the trouble and started to tickle her sides. Suddenly, they were all hands, feet and laughter. Sam was definitely strong so she can't escape his fingers, but she tries to tickle him back. Her laugh is so contagious that he started laughing as well, like he's the one who's been tickled.

"Can you please put your noise somewhere else? We're trying to watch here." Stevie said to them, Stacy nodding from behind.

The two teens looked sheepish, at the same time befuddled. Were they just got scolded by a kid? They looked at one another's tousled faces and laughed even more.

At the end of the movie, the rain became a thunderstorm. Rachel insisted they stay there, but Sam immediately declined. So, she called Mrs. Evans, telling her that it would be safer if they stayed for the night, and no, they are not imposing. So after eleven minutes and twenty-six seconds of argument, it is finally decided that the three Evans are to stay at the Berry household.

The moved from the living room to Rachel's bedroom, just in case the kids fall asleep, and started to watch Hercules. Sam and Rachel set up a comforter on the floor so they could sit there. Before they started the movie, however, Stevie suddenly requested for Rachel to rap Eminem's 'Without Me'.

She gasped, wide-eyed, and turned to look at a guilty-faced Sam.

"You told them!"

"They heard us talking on the phone." He defended.

"B-b-but," She stammered, opening and closing her mouth a couple of times, "Nobody knew about that! Not even my Dads!"

"I'm sorry." He silently chuckled at her expression. She must have been thinking what would happen if the while school knew. He looked at her face again and thought that maybe she's thinking as far up as the Broadway stage by now.

"Rachel," Sam said, reminding her that she's still there and whatever world she was in is not real. "No one will know. They're good kids; they know how to keep a secret."

That seemed to relax her because when Stevie persuaded her again, she gave in.

Sam was kind of awestruck. Rachel got Eminem's high pitched voice perfectly. And boy, can she rap! She got all the words right, never stammering and even breathing in the right places. It took almost all of his willpower not to hug her and twirl her around because of her cuteness.

Even Stacy and Stevie were bouncing off their feet. Of course Rachel censored the bad words but it's not so much of a difference. When she finished the song, the kids applauded, praising her on hoe great she is, and Sam gave in to his urge and twirled her around. Her laughter sent shivers down his spine and another urge was there yet again; the urge to kiss her.

The two kids were chanting 'more' but Rachel refused and told them it was time to watch, so they did and they eventually fell asleep, with Stacy lying on her stomach, Stevie with his foot dangling at the edge of the bed while drooling, and Sam with his arms wrapped around Rachel on the comforter.

Sam was the first one to wake up the next day. They forgot to close the curtains and the rain had gone, so the sun shined brightly. He had always been uncomfortable with the glare of the sun on his face as a wake-up call. But as he opened his eyes, he realized he didn't regret waking up early one single bit.

There she was, sleeping peacefully as if she's lying on a king sized bed. She got a little drool on the side of her mouth and her hand was touching his chest. She's completely wrapped around him and their faces are at least three inches away from each other.

It was the first thing in the morning, and he forgot how to breathe. He didn't bother looking around, or wondering if the kids are awake, because all he can see is her. When he finally remembered to breathe, all he could smell is her. He couldn't help it. He removed his arm from her back and touched her cheek softly. He traced the contours of her jaw, and slowly wiped the drool off the side of her mouth. His hand lingered on the side of her lips. He knows he's looking at her (and her lips) longingly, but who can blame him? He's so completely falling for her, he can almost touch it. And this, this is like a pack of Ranch Doritos on an all-out diet. Scratch that, this is like Rachel Berry lying next to him with a thumb away from a lip lock. Same circumstances, yes, because he couldn't find another scenario that can describe this.

And he wants to kiss her so badly and tell her how he feels. She's not ready, and he isn't that selfish. So he settles with their foreheads touching and he breathes her in, savouring the moment. Wishing this isn't the last time this is going to happen.

Rachel wakes up ten minutes later with a pillow on her face. Stacy and Stevie were playing pillow fight and as much as Sam tries to stop them, he couldn't stop all five consecutive pillows in her direction. So, she gets up and threw back a pillow that started the Great Pillow War. After a series of shouts, hits, and laughter, she made them breakfast and they prepared to leave before ten o'clock. Stacy kissed her cheek and thanked her. Stevie requested for another rap (in which she profusely declined), and Sam hugged her tight. They hug was longer than she expected (and tighter than normal) but she's not complaining. After all, she loved every second of it. He whispered a 'thank you' and kissed her cheek. The three Evans walked back home on a Sunday morning, leaving Rachel Berry dazed in the front porch with a hand on her cheek.

...

"Sammy?" Stacy asked. They were back on their motel room and Sam was reading his text messages (from Rachel, mostly).

"Hmm?" he replied, not really listening.

"You should look at the pictures on your phone, Stevie took some a while ago." She said, going back to the bed.

Sam frowned and fumbled on to his phone. What could Stevie possibly-

All sentences stopped in his brain. It's a picture of him and Rachel sleeping on the floor, wrapped around one another. He browsed, and disbelievingly saw another photo but this time, he was awake and caressing her cheek. The last photo was them with their foreheads touching together. All photos were upside down.

"STEVIE!" he cried, blushing like a ripe tomato. He lunged at his little brother who in turn, jumped and ran around the room. Sam chased him.

"You know you liked it!" Stevie said, grinning.

They kept running around but Stevie's right; those photos remained safe and hidden with him.

AN

Sorry for the long wait! I have no excuse, I've just been busy. Thank you for the reviews and please continue to read and review! Also, thank you for the favourites and story alerts!

I'm very sorry for the grammatical errors and misspelled words. I've replaced the first 2 chapters into a (slightly) better version, grammatically speaking.

The next chapter is done, and only 2-3 more chapters after that to go! I did another Samchel story while continuing this one, but I won't be posting it anytime soon (I think). Please continue to support the stories! Thank you!