A/N: Last chapter, everyone. :O I actually started this, in my mind, as a one shot. It grew. XD Anyway, thanks so much for all the support and reviews - and to AnneMary for helping me correct some issues with the last chapter. I'm excited about this chapter but, before I say that I own nothing and we get on with the story, I want you to mull over this while you're reading. Would you like a sequel, do you want it to finish here or don't you mind? Or would you like an Epilogue? Enjoy!
The two could sense Jacob looming over them, even from where they sat, without having to turn and look. Daniel glanced down - Sam's blue eyes were wide with fear and sorrow. He brushed the back of her hand in soothing circles, moving slowly and reluctantly away to face her father. Guilt rose within him at the man's piercing glare. They'd slept in the same bed, confessed dear secrets, nearly kissed...
What if she was only going along with it because she felt she had to? he thought, horror-struck. I never wanted to pressure her. Never... Her dad won't accept us now.
"Sam," aforementioned man extended a hand to her, inching his way guardedly forward. "I was worried. Come home..."
The blonde shook her head - instead, she took up a stand at Daniel's side. They peered at each other as Daniel searched for something within her eyes to dissolve or justify his guilt. However, they offered no reply; they were seeking regret. And hoping they didn't find it.
"No, I want to stay here with Daniel," she insisted and folded her arms across her chest. Jacob felt the wall separating him and his child grow all of sudden - it leered at him. He didn't have the strength to respond to it.
"Sam, don't try me today. Let's get back to the village, I bet you haven't had a proper meal in hours. Silly thing..." he scolded her lightly. Flinching, he watched her scowl and sidle closer to the boy beside her.
"No, Dad, don't try me. I thought you listened to your kid. I want to stay with Daniel," was her reply. She gestured in Daniel's direction as the teenager found the floor incredibly interesting. Sam frowned. Not for a moment had she stopped to think whether Daniel would be alienated by her argument with her father. Her hand nudged absent-mindedly against his, returning what little comfort she could.
"You haven't even known each other for a week. And now you're running off into the sunset?" Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose, even more perplexed by the insight into the workings of his daughter's mind. "Don't be silly. Come he-"
He lunged for her arm, catching it a little too roughly around the wrist, and tugged her towards him. Upon instinct, Sam yelped and grabbed for the nearest point of safety - Daniel's arm. But one minute it was there and the next it was gone. Little did she know, he'd already sprung into action. Reaching over, his hand clamped down, only centimetres away from Jacob's, over smooth skin.
"Let go of her!" the older man hissed, attempting to ignore the fury gathering in Sam's lids. Daniel swallowed. Sweat trickled into his palms - at least he wouldn't have to worry about a mother-in-law...
"No, you," he threw back as he managed to set his features in stone for a short amount of time. At that, Jacob halted. One pair of hands that rested on Sam's grew slack and returned to their owner's side. The other slid down until it could encompass her own.
"I could've escaped him, you know," she whispered into Daniel's ear. He grinned at her.
"I know. Just let me have my moment before you go and chew his ear off," he chuckled. Sam giggled and nodded, sobering up at she turned back to her father. Jacob looked crestfallen. The world seemed intent upon tearing his little girl away from him. Although something wasn't quite right... His eyes flitted to their entwined hands, their grinning faces.
"What do you two have? Do you love each other, or something?" he delved - Daniel's heart skipped a panicked beat. Sam's clenched her free fist. "Is that it? Are you in love?"
"Yes," Sam exploded. She took a step forward, nodding, and glanced back at Daniel with bold adoration painted upon her face. "Yes, I love him. And I hope he loves me."
My God, Jacob gasped. He'd heard stories - myths - of girls who grew up, found their 'first love' and wanted to spend the rest of their life with them. Alone. Each one ended in pain for the girl. He didn't want that to happen to his child. But she grows up so fast. How on Earth am I supposed to keep up with her?
He gazed sadly at the growing woman before him. Despite his worries, she seemed to hold none - their exchange, only moments before, proved the way their personalities seem to meld and flow as one.
"Do you?" his gaze flickered over to the considerably older teenager (a concern that could wait).
"I do," Daniel replied, allowing the words to spill from his mouth without a second thought or moment of hesitation. "I don't know how it happened but I love her."
"I know you don't think he's worth it, Dad. I know you're scared like every other dad but Daniel won't hurt me," Sam uttered. "But I might hurt someone if I keep being treated like an object of desire, or a little trinket. I know you mean well - I just don't want to feel like a ping pong ball. And that's what I'll feel like if I stay. So I was running away with Daniel."
"Why? What did I do?" Jacob asked, evidently wounded.
"Not you," Daniel shook his head. "My parents. I've had some...trouble with them. Sam wanted to help me, I'm sorry. I won't split you two up - I'll go on alone."
"No!" Sam exclaimed, staring at him as though he were mad.
"Sam's right. Don't make any harsh decisions; I might not be comfortable with this but I know when I smell something fishy. What kind of trouble, hmm?" the other Carter reinforced her outburst with a statement of his own. Daniel bit his lip. Would the man be as accepting as his offspring, or would he share the view that Daniel was miscreant?
"They get angry a lot. Violent, if I'm unlucky. Sometimes it's a bit much. But that's all, I can handle it," Daniel bumbled. For the second time in one night, he had divulged his story to someone he should barely know. He felt like that little boy, once again, who was waiting to be judged. Just like when he was small, he was hoping that his cherished toy wouldn't be snatched out of his little fingers.
"Son, that's not right," Jacob's brow creased and his respect for the boy grew in leaps and bounds. "Have you talked to the police? I can help you, make sure you're safe. If you and Sam come back home."
"Dad, they'll move him. To another family. That's why he doesn't want to go," Sam revealed, leaning protectively closer to the teen in question.
"You'll be moved? Do you mean into a care home? I've heard they can be difficult to adjust to the first time around," Jacob mused, attempting to make amends for his prior coarse attitude.
"Not the first time. I'm adopted, you see, so I've been in a care home before. For a little bit," Daniel sighed, memories crowding around him. A small hand reached up and rubbed his shoulder - Sam offered him a bright smile.
"How long have you been with these people, then?" and Jacob's paternal curiosity snapped him into autopilot.
"A few years. Since I was a little. I can still remember things before, though," Daniel told them, Sam giving him an accusing look. "And, Sam, don't look at me like that. I'm not hiding anything. You know what's wrong and you know why I can't stop it."
"Actually, that might not be true," Jacob interrupted, smile alight with new realisation.
"What?" Sam's features simultaneously chose to wear an identical expression, albeit riddled with apprehensiveness. "You mean, he might be able to...stay?"
"You'll still have to move to a new family. That's inevitable. But what if that family lived nearby?" he came to an abrupt halt to analyse the two children, but hurriedly continued when he saw their confused expressions. "There's a couple living just a few houses away from mine and Sam's. They're not too old, not too young, plenty of money... And they've been looking to adopt for years. If we tell Social Services about the situation, and pull on their heart strings, we might be able to organise a deal."
"A deal? I can stay?" Daniel's face lit up.
"Just pull the sympathy straw a bit, okay? We'll try our best," Jacob smiled. From her position at her friend's side, Sam winked at her dad and mouthed a silent 'thank you'. When Daniel turned and embraced her in pure glee, only she saw the 'you're welcome' that her father shot back. "Alright, I'll go and get the car all started up. Cold weather doesn't like the engine. Join me when you're ready."
With that, they were alone. The two grasped each other's hands tightly and the world narrowed down to two teenagers in the bedroom of a rotting farmhouse.
"You will visit when you move, won't you? Even when school starts?" Sam quizzed him, leaning closer.
"I'll be next to you forever," he grinned, brushing his nose against hers once again. This time, he needn't find guilt in enjoying the gesture. "How's that?"
"Corny. You know we won't be able to live that long," she giggled. Their bodies lingered close now that they had privacy. Not that either was ashamed to be seen together.
"Maybe not but that's what 'til death do us part' is for, right?" as that escaped his mouth, followed by a fleeting kiss to the forehead, Sam burst out laughing. It was a while before the fit subsided and she regained the ability to speak.
"Come on, Dad's waiting," she tugged him out onto the landing before he could protest - but that didn't mean that he would protest. When they stepped out into the cold, a shiver ran through both of them. Sam dashed for the car, flinging open the back door and shimmying inside. "Hurry up! It's freezing!"
"Calm down," Daniel shook his head. He took a seat and closed the door after himself. Jacob peeked into the back.
"Ready, kids?" he asked, before he was met with two vigorously nodding heads. When he turned back around he started up the engine, signalled by the slight hum running through the vehicle. The blonde seated behind him let out a yawn, stretching herself out.
"You're tired?" Daniel asked her, almost amused. Sam elbowed him.
"Yes, I am. Problem?" she placed both hands on her hips, despite the difficulty her current position gave her.
"No, no," he held his arms up in surrender, suddenly struck by an idea. "I was just wondering if you wanted to...use my shoulder as a pillow."
"A pillow, hmm? Is it comfy?" she poked his shoulder, answering the question herself when Daniel jumped and pushed the offending finger away. "Okay, I won't poke you. Can I still sleep on it?"
"Sure," he rolled his eyes playfully but shifted to accommodate her nonetheless. The drowsy blonde settled on his shoulder, her eyes drifting closed. Arm wrapped around her snoozing form, Daniel contemplated the events of the past few days. He didn't care how difficult moving to a whole new family would be - he had Sam. Somehow, he thought he'd always consider her as family. Always. So, when he placed a kiss on top of her fair locks, he knew that it was only the beginning of a wonderful adventure.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I'm off to check exactly how long it's been since I started the story. Please leave a review - remember, I won't be able to reply to guests anymore unless the story has a sequel or you comment on another story of mine saying you were the one who wanted [insert question] to be answered. :) As for my little question, you can leave replies as a review, PM or whatever other method you have to contact me. I hope to see you again soon!
P.S. If you're looking for a (very) quick fix of SD, I'm likely to be updating 'A Science Of Our Own' with a shippy snippet. Try saying that fast. ;)