Dinner was a quit affair. It was not the best tasting meal, having the taste and constancy of cardboard, to anyone but Marisa. Sam wondered why Marisa cooked the way she did. Just because you try and cook with ingredients with no preservatives and organic did not mean it had to be barley edible. She idly wondered if she could maybe get an organic cook book for her. That idea was discarded because she would not spend money on Freddie's mom. Well maybe she could get him to buy it. Sam wanted to complain but after todays events she just choked down her portion of the meal. Everyone was thinking the same way as Sam about the meal but kept there mouths closed and just ate it. They all just wanted some form of normalcy and quiet company after todays events.
After dinner was finished as the dishes where being cleared Spencer spoke up. "Ms. Bension thanks for dinner." He looks to Sam then Freddie. "Guys I want to thank you for what you did at the hospital. Who knows what they would have done or what could have happened if Carly stayed there. So thank you guy from the bottom of my heart." Spencer got up and went around the table to hug them both. "Spencer Carly is our best friend we have each other's backs. We would never let anything happen to her." Freddie said. "Yeah Spencer Carly is my sister in all but blood anyone wants to mess with her they have to go through me." Sam accentuated her statement by punching her fist into her hand.
With the dishes cleared Freddie went to the kitchen and started to wash them. Sam and Spencer went to talk to Carly. Marisa put whatever left overs in the fridge and then helped dry and put away the dishes. They were quiet as they worked. The only noise being the clanking of dish wear and water sloshing. Freddie was having an inner debate. Should he tell his mom about Sam and him or not. Making his decision he looked up at his mom. "Me and Sam have started dating." Freddie stated as he was working on the last few dishes in the sink. Marisa fumbled with a cup she was drying. Freddie prepared himself for his mom to go ballistic.
He watched as his mother set down the cup to grip the edge of the counter, her head dropping to her chest to take a deep breath. "When did this start?" She asked. Freddie could see the look in his mothers eyes. He could not always tell his mother things going on in his life without her going over board trying to keep him safe. But with everything that has happened in the last 48 hours. "At the lock in we were trying to encourage her to talk to Brad because we though she liked him. Carly tried talking to her and when that did not work I tried to talk to her as well. We were in the court yard talking when she... kissed me. We had our sort of first date here today. I made some food and we just talked."
Freddie finished up the washing the last dish. His mother kept silent as she went back to drying and putting away the dishes again. Freddie stood next to his mom and help her put the last of the plates away. With that completed Marisa "I almost wish you where dating Carly again rather then Samantha." Marisa sighed. Freddie's eyebrows rose way up at that statement. His mom did not Carly any more then she liked Sam. "Freddie Samantha is not right for you. She, she, she... I don't know Freddie she has been so mean and violent to you. I don't trust her." Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
"Mom Sam and I have had a weird relationship as friends over the years but it just became our thing you know. She has never been malicious it's always been an inconvenience in a way it was almost like our way of flirting. And I want to see where this can lead mom." Freddie looked at his mom. She had a blank look on her face. "Fine Freddie but if she hurts you..." His mother trailed off. "I'll be fine I can take care of myself mom." Freddie hugged his mom.
Sam and Spencer entered Freddie's room. Carly was sitting up in bed watching some Tv. When she heard them enter she turned to them and muted the show she was watching. Her pale blue eyes something that they both were no used to seeing still. "Hey little sister how are you feeling?" Spencer asked as he sat to the side of her while Sam sat near her feet. "Hey guys. I am feeling a lot better." Carly said. "Thats great Carly. Man your new eye color is going to be something to get used to. It's not bad just different. Do you want to stay here or do you want to be in your own bed tonight. You don't need to worry about school tomorrow. Unless you want to go." Spencer said.
"I know I am still getting used to it myself. But I think I can manage to get over to our place. Can Sam spend the night?" Carly asked. "Carly Sam and even Freddie are always welcome over no mater what. You all know that. But after today... and they saved you..." Spencer got quiet. "Don't let it eat at you Spencer. I'm ok now." Carly hugged her brother. As she hugged him she felt something under his shirt. "Spender what is that under your shirt?" Carly looked up at him and made to pull open his button up. Spencer started to answer but his phone went off. He shot off the bed and checked his caller ID. "It's dad I'll be right back."
Spencer left the room and shut the door. Sam and Carly looked at each other. "So got any idea what is going on Sam?" Sam looked up at the ceiling and blew out a breath. "I only know what I saw. It seems that what ever is going on it's not Rabies, it could be a new strain but I don't know. But we saw a video of people just attacking others. Freddie and Spencer know more because they were reading articles and stuff. It is all just so chizzed up. I just hope my mom is ok and Melanie stays safe." Sam explained.
"I see. I'm sure they will both be fine. Maybe we should call Gibby tomorrow to see how he is doing." Sam nodded and Carly was silent for several moments. There was a knock on the door. "Come in." Carly said. Freddie walked in "Hey ladies." Freddie came in he went around the other side of his bed and sat near Carly's feet."So how are you feeling?" Freddie asked. "I'm fine but think I am ready for this day to just end." She motioned to both her friends with a come here gesture. She pulled them both into a hug. "Thank you so much for saving me." Carly started to tear up.
"Whoa Carly it's ok. We would do it all over again and we know you would try and save ether of us if it where to happen." Freddie consoled Carly. "Yeah like I told Spencer after dinner. Your my sister in all but blood and no one messes with family." Sam added. "Thanks guys. I love you both." It fell into silence for a few moments Sam looked to Freddie and Carly noticed. "Now did you guys figure out what is going between you two?" Leave it to Carly to want to gossip now. Sam and Freddie looked away from each other. Freddie coughed "Yeah we did... We agreed to... try dating and... Well see how things go."'
Carly was looking at Freddie as he spoke. She then looked to Sam who was studding the sheets of the bed. "Thats awesome guys. I am happy for you both. I think you two make a cute couple." Carly hugged both of them again. It then lapsed back into a comfortable silence. "Hey Freddie you mind if I steal Sam for a sleep over tonight." Carly turned off the Tv, pulled off the blankets, and made to stand up. She wobbled but she straitened quickly. "Hey Carly slow down there."
Freddie and Sam each took a side and helped Carly to her feet again and helped to her out to the living room. Spencer was finishing up his phone call. He turned to them as the group entered. They all sat on the couch. Marisa was still busy in the kitchen. "So Spencer whats going on with dad? did he get his emergency leave?" Carly asked her brother.
"Dad is due for a transfer to Italy. He is supposed to get shore leave before. He is trying to move it up. He is calling in a few favors to get it done. He also used a little of his military influence and he is also finding that somethings going on here are not adding up. He is really worried. And he says he loves you and misses you as well."
"Oh I would love to go to Italy someday. I hope he does get to come here. I really miss him but he doesn't need to speed up his leave I'm fine now."
"I miss him too Carly but dad is not liking what he found out going on around us. Anyway are you coming coming home now?"
"Yeah my own bed sounds good right about now." Carly Turns to Sam. "How does that sound Sam?
"I can use some sleep."
"I think we all can use a good night sleep." Freddie added.
"I think that is a good idea." Marisa said as she came into the living room.
"Well then lets get you to your bed."
Spencer picked Carly up bridal style and walked to the door. Marisa opened the door and everyone but Marisa went into the hall. Freddie opened his neighbors door. "Sam hold up a second." Freddie asked. Spencer and Carly went in. Sam stopped and waited. "Whats up Freddie?" Sam asked.
"I just wanted to talk to you for a moment and say good night."
"Oh what did you want to talk about?"
"In that video we saw what made you say that guy was a Zombie?"
"That? I guess it just reminded me of some of those horror movies I've seen. I mean that one guy only started going crazy when he was bit. So it just came out like that."
"Yeah it does remind me of those movies too. It's an apt description so it works."
"Well is this real life so what ever is really going on we just need stay away from those people. And if they get to close we crack them with the good old butter sock."
"Right." Freddie agreed. They stood there for a moment a little awkward till Freddie took the initiative and hugged Sam. Freddie felt the days tension melt from his body as he hugged her. Sam felt the tension leave her as well. They pulled back to look at each other, they kissed and it started to get a little heated till Freddie's mom made her presence known with a cough. Sam panicked, pushed Freddie away, and jumped back. Freddie feel to his back side. "Sam!" Freddie looked up to Sam who looked pale that his mother caught them kissing.
"I'm sorry Freddie... Um... Ms. Bension... Um.. It's... not what it looks like" Sam trailed off.
"I know about you and Freddie dating Sam. I'm not mad I just don't think you should be kissing where people can walk by. Are you ok Freddie?"
"It's ok mom Sam I'm fine."
"Ms Bension, Freddie I... Ummm... You know what good night. See you all tomorrow."
Sam walked stiffly into the apartment. She was mortified but when the door was shut behind her she shook it off. She looked up to see Spencer sitting on the couch just staring at the Tv not really watching it. She could hear the shower running so Carly must be cleaning up. Sam walked over to him and sat next to him. Girly Cow was on. They sat in silence letting the show be white noise to them. "So what does your dad think about what is going on here?" Spencer just kept staring into the abyss that was the Tv. Sam looked up at Spencer. "So me and Freddie are dating now." Nothing again from Spencer. Sam thought for a second. "Gibby is dancing around naked behind you with a jar of pickles."
There was not even a flicker that Spencer was paying attention. Sam got up and looked into Spencer face. She waved her hands in front of his face and snapped her fingers. "Hey Spencer are you ok?" Spencer jolted finally when Sam clapped her hands. He looked at her and took a deep breath. "Sorry Sam whats up?" Spencer finally came back to reality. "I asked are you ok?" She was looking at him with concern. Spencer was clearly upset. "Yeah... Yeah I'm fine just thinking about every thing that happened today. We could have lost Carly. Who knows what those people where going to do to her." Spencer had a tremble in his voice.
"Everything is ok now and we would never let anything happen to Carly." Sam said with steel in her voice. "Look lets just get some sleep and forget this day happened." The sound of the water running signaling Carly was done with her shower. "Night Spenc." Sam Chirped. "Night Sam." Spencer replied. He got up as Sam disappeared down the hall. He went turned off the tv and went to his room to get ready for bed. The girls did as well. Carly was already under the sheet of her bed.
"So Sam tell me what you talk about with Freddie?"
"Oh you know this and that."
"Come on Sam you can tell me. I thing you two are going to be a great couple."
"It was nothing major just embarrassing Carly."
Carly looked at Sam with a pleading look.
"Ok fine we just said good night and we had a good night kiss. Happy?"
"Awwwww! So cute. You shouldn't be embarrassed. I'm so happy for you Sam, Freddie is a great friend and he will be an even greater boyfriend. Plus you can't deny that he has grown to be really cute. He is a decent kisser too."
Sam let out a nervous chuckle and finished getting ready for bed and climbed into Carly's bed next to her.
"It was nice till his mom caught us."
"Ouch. I did not hear her freak out."
"Yeah I was just as surprised as well. She said she knew about us so Freddie must have told her we were together. I'm a little nervous we are going to screw up all our friendships..."
"You won't we can all be mature about this even if you guys break up. Which I'm not saying will happen."
It was quiet and Sam was thinking about what Carly said about Freddie being cute and a good kisser.
"Carly do you have any feelings for Freddie still?"
Carly who was starting to nod off new blue eyes opened and she sat up.
"What? No! No, no, no, no. Just no. We went down that road and it would not work. I never told you but me and Freddie before we broke up we talked a really long time about what it would mean if we tried to keep dating. You were right it was just survivors gratitude. I love Freddie but only as a brotherly sisterly way not romantic at all."
"Now who is keeping secrets. We don't need to know about every conversation we have though. Thanks for telling me. Anyway lets get some sleep. Tomorrow we can see what is going on with Gibby and with the world out side."
"Good night Sam."
"Night Carly."
Carly rolled to her side and Sam rolled to be face down on her pillow. They drifted off to sleep. In his room Spencer was also getting ready for bed. He put his gun under his bed and changed into some pajamas. He was so scared about what happened today. It was his job to protect Carly while dad was away and he felt as if he failed to do that. He was not going to fail again. Carly was his little sister and shared his blood. It was lucky that her friends that he loved as siblings saved the day. Across the hall Freddie was also getting ready for bed. He pulled his blankets back and got in bed. He laid on his back thinking about all that had happened this day. He too drifted off to sleep.