Hang on Coffee Noodles! The new chapter is here! Take a deep breath and don't turn purple! Hi, Autumn (high pitched voice) Thank You! Krissy, save me some iced tea? Oh, and Drown-in-Sequins, sincerest thanks Chica, you're totally cool!
I had so much fun replying to all your reviews this time! (come on, everybody! Worldwide Group Hug!) Your unanimous favorite part actually surprised me (the picture). But all of the reviews were fantastic!
Moving on: Lets see...Oh, the game of 20 questions...I know it's actually different, but let's pretend this is my version born for this moment...Mmm Kay? Oh, and Diamond Canopy (Title) is from the Incubus song Anti-Gravity Love Song. "Simply Choose your destination from the Diamond Canopy and we'll be there." Always loved that visual.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I am going to attempt to do the disclaimer in Spanish: iCarly no está mina. Usted puede agradecer Dan y Nickelodeon por ellos. Quizás disfrutarían de una torta cocida al horno fresca o de un masaje del pie. Puedo escribir solamente sobre ellos. En lugar, acabo de querer su revisión. Gracias
Now, on with the show!
Now that she was no longer hiding, Mr. Shay named Sam an honorary "Grizzly" (as if he had a choice), and she became part of the routine. They washed up and started making dinner. Spencer and Freddie took on the salad and side dishes. Mr. Shay taught Sam how to fillet and barbecue the fish. Trusting Sam with fire and a knife? Now Freddie really wasn't sure if Mr. Shay was brave or just insane. The whole dinner was one of the happiest times Sam could remember...even without her best friend being there. She kind of missed Carly at the moment.
She sat listening to Mr. Shay's navy stories in wrapt attention. She was impressed at how he stole Buddy's girl, his car, and his dog, and still managed to become his best friend. They all laughed when the barbecue caught fire just as Spencer walked by. Mr. Shay taught Sam how to dance the Jitterbug, and Freddie was happy because as long as Sam was sitting next to him, he wouldn't have to wonder where his food went. Actually, she made him blush when she complimented him on his roasted baby potatoes and veggies. Nobody had ever gotten her to eat Brussels sprouts before, and she had 2 helpings. The fish, she had to admit, was amazing. They gave a toast to Hazel, Sergio and Gil, who "would have been proud to be part of such a great party."
Spencer and Mr. Shay decided that as a reward for all their hard work, Sam and Freddie could skip the clean up duty. Taking full advantage of their reprieve, they decided to go for a walk and ended up back at the boat. They climbed aboard and pulled the cushions off of the benches so they could lie on deck and watch the stars. Sam bent down to grab the life preservers to use for pillows, and let out a loud groan.
"Man, I am so stiff," she said arching her back.
"It's no wonder," Freddie laughed. You've stuffed yourself into a suitcase, then the storage box, you fell backwards over the side of the boat, and fought with a fish. I'm surprised your body's not on strike!"
Sam tossed the life preservers with the rest of the cushions. "I've put it through worse, that no reason for it to…" She felt a warm squeeze on her shoulder. "…Oh, Holy Mother of Pearl, what was that?"
Freddie stood back quickly. He suddenly felt in mortal danger. "I… massaged your shoulder," he said timidly. "Sorry, I …"
"Do it again!" She cut him off.
Freddie smiled and relaxed a bit. "Here, sit down."
When she sat down in front of him, he gathered her hair and tossed it over her shoulder. He placed both hands on her shoulders and squeezed them with his fingers as his thumbs ran up her spine and to her neck. Her tension left in waves as goose bumps set her skin on fire.
"Ohhh…" she moaned. "I take back every mean thing I ever said about you."
Freddie chuckled softly, "That good, huh?"
"Oh, Man! You have no idea." He hit another sensitive spot that made her jump. "Oh, yeah! That's it. Just keep those magic finger's moving, baby!" she moaned.
Freddie chuckled at the sounds she was making and began working out a knot below her shoulder blade.
"Ow." She felt the moment of pain before the kknot released and pleasure kicked in. "Mmmm. I'd have paid a million dollars for this right here."
Freddie laughed again. "Oh, you would, would you?"
"Don't get too excited, fella. I would've had to borrow it from you first."
"Of course you would," he nodded. "So…why don't we make this interesting. How about 20 questions? I ask you."
"You ask me?" She was definitely curious.
"Yes. And you have to tell the truth!" He added quickly before squeezing her neck.
"Gaahhh…" Her mind went numb as she felt the tension in her neck go right out through the top of her head. "You'll be lucky if I can keep from drooling all over myself let alone answer any questions."
"Well if you don't want to, I could just stop." He lifted his hands and held them just above her shoulders.
"NO!" She shouted. He smiled, put his hands back on her shoulders and continued kneading. "What if you ask something I don't want to answer?"
He frowned just a little, "then the game's over and I'll stop."
"Ten questions," she bargained quickly. "And don't forget I can beat you senseless you if you cross the line."
He smiled again, "Duly noted."
She took a deep breath and braced herself. "Alright, shoot. First question."
Freddie dug his elbow into her ribs trying to work out another tough knot. "Huh, my first question is…why would you subject yourself to this torture just to stay away from home?"
"Cause, it's boring!" She answered like he was stupid.
Freddie dropped his hands to his knees, unsatisfied with her answer.
"Hey," she whined. "Ok, Ok! Ugh." She continued hesitantly, "You know my mom is sort of…crazy." She let out a big calming sigh. "Being around her mood swings and episodes is kind of scary sometimes." She opened her mouth a few times to say more, but stopped. She continued hesitantly. "With my mom, you never know what she's going to do. I'm afraid one of these days she'll do something stupid to hurt herself...or me. I don't want to walk in someday and see that she..." She shook her head to release the image. "Anyway, it's just easier to avoid her, and I thought you were supposed to keep going as long as I answered your dumb questions, Fredworm!"
Freddie had gotten so wrapped up in what Sam was saying that he didn't realize he had stopped massaging. "Oh, Sorry." He continued.
"You wanna know the worst part," she asked as she was rocked back and forth under the pressure of Freddie's fingers. "Sometimes I get really mad at her for being that way, and angry that I got stuck with her for a mother. Not that I'm any better of a daughter, I guess." She let out a small sigh. "I bet you think I'm horrible, don't you?"
"No," he frowned. "I mean, I feel that way about my mom sometimes, so I can only imagine what it's like for you."
"UGH, I'm done with that question!" She shook her body like she was getting rid of a bug. "Look, Benson, I haven't even told Carly this, so if you say anything about that to anyone…"
"I won't." he promised. "I know that was hard for you, and you can trust me. I won't say anything."
"Next Question." She said ending the subject.
"So…ahem," he cleared his throat nervously. "Was that really you I saw in my bed this morning? I mean…I wasn't dreaming, was I." He asked the latter as a statement more than a question.
"Erm," she stalled. "Well, I fell asleep in the SUV last night, but it got really cold. I knew your window wasn't locked, so I snuck in." She smiled to herself, "I only intended to be there long enough to warm up, but then you put..." For some strange reason, she suddenly decided she wanted to keep that memory to herself. 'But, I fell asleep."
Freddie was a little relieved that he hadn't imagined the whole thing. "You suddenly disappeared. Where did you go?"
Sam chuckled, "The alarm woke me up, and I felt you turn over to shut it off, so I slid to the floor and rolled under the bed. I tried to leave, but I got stuck there until you guys started eating breakfast."
The pace of Freddie's fingers slowed as he began to realize something. "That means you were in there when I was changing." He was all of a sudden horrified. "Sam, what did you see?"
"Um, Nothing…" she said slowly. Freddie was slightly relieved until he heard, "except…"
"Except what, Sam?" He commanded.
"Your…butt? I saw you butt!" She winced knowing he would fly off the handle.
"WHAT!"
"I didn't wanna look," she quickly explained. "I was looking the other direction, but then you threw your gross underwear right next to my face, so I turned my head and you were just…There!"
Freddie covered his face, absolutely mortified. He was just glad she wasn't facing him to see his humiliation.
"You were pulling up your swim trunks, and it was only for a second," she was trying to calm him. "I really didn't see that much, except…your butt is really white!"
"Oh My God!" he groaned. "I think I'm going to be sick!"
"I know! That's what I said!" She joked, but it obviously wasn't helping the situation.
"You're going to torture me forever with this," he said like a man facing his death.
She turned to look at him. "Believe me, I don't want anyone knowing I saw that! Besides, it's not like I haven't just given you a bunch of dirt to hold over me for the rest of my life!"
Freddie glared at her silently. She did make a point. "Freddie, I won't tell anyone." She reassured. "I swear!" He breathed a sigh of relief. "Feel better now?"
"I guess," he mumbled.
"Good!" She firmly pat his knee then turned her back to him again. "Now let's get back to where we left off, Princess."
He pushed her hair aside and started massaging her shoulders again. "Oh, by the way Fredward…" she gave a sly smile. "Nice Dimples!"
"SAM!" He pushed her over onto her side and balled up his fists in his lap; his face was completely angry.
Sam rolled on the deck laughing at his expression. "Ok, sorry dude. I had to say it, but I swear that's it."
She sat back up and pulled her hair over her shoulder again. "Ok, on to the next question." Freddie didn't move. "I said I'm sorry!" Freddie still didn't move. She picked up Freddie's hands and put them on her shoulders, but they went limp and slid back down to his lap. She turned to look at him. His face was still very angry. "Come on Fredward!" she begged. "I'll buy you a cookie."
Freddie, embarassed and disgusted, shook his head at her and stood up to walk away. Sam caught him by the wrist before he could leave. "Alright," she conceded. "I'll tell you my most embarrassing story." Freddie didn't say anything, but he did turn to look at her.
"When I was six," she winced like the memory was still painful, "my mom decided to enter me into the Little Miss Seattle Sweetheart Pageant at the mall. You know, big hair, make-up…all of it." Sam turned up her nose, disgusted. "My mom had to bribe me with a giant ice cream cone to put on the stupid frilly pink dress." Freddie's angry face was starting to crack. "I ate the ice cream just before I went on for the talent portion. I did a bunch of cartwheels, flips, standing on my head, and that kind of junk…Actually, I was pretty awesome!" She looked at him proudly. "But…" her face fell again. "...Right after that, they were crowning the winner, and the ice cream…decided to make an encore appearance."
Freddie couldn't hold his anger any longer, his laughter got stronger as Sam continued with the story. "I puked all over the reigning Little Miss Seattle Sweetheart. When the emcee tried to grab me and pull me away from her, I bit him. I had ice cream puke all over me. I pulled off my dress and threw it at the bratty girl next to me. That girl's mom started yelling at one of the judges. By then, everyone was screaming and now there were a few people trying to grab me. I jumped off the stage and ran through the mall in my underpants. It took my mom, two judges and three security guards a half an hour to catch me…I obviously didn't win."
Freddie was laughing so hard that he was bent over wiping his eyes. "Ok," she said over his laughter. "You satisfied? Can we get back to business then, dimples?"
"Sure thing Miss Seattle Sweetheart." He sat down behind her and started massaging her shoulders again, letting his laughter die down.
"Yeah, by the way, those names don't leave this boat," she warned. "You're lucky you're so good at this, Benson, or you'd have been dead a long time ago," She said getting used to the massage again. "Mmmm. What's the next question? And why are you making them so hard, anyway?"
"When else can I make you tell the truth," he smirked.
"Well, just don't make me beat you, Dorkwad!"
"Dorkwad, huh?" he thought. "Ok Puckett, there's my next question. Why do you hate me so much?"
"Who said I hate you?" she said. "It's like the Plain White T's said: 'Hate is a strong word, but I really don't like you'."
Freddie let out a chuckle, "Yeah, but why?"
"Is that another question?"
"Nope, same question. You didn't answer the other one."
"Well…" Sam thought a minute. "You used to be super annoying. Like every time I saw you, I wanted to punch you. And, I really hate when you drool all over Carly. It just makes everyone uncomfortable." Freddie frowned as she continued. "I used to torture you to make you go away…and it was fun." She thought a minute. "But now…I've gotten used to you, I guess. You're not quite so bad to be around," she shrugged. "Torturing you is still fun, but for a different reason. Now I like to see what you can come back at me with…and how far I can push. I have to admit, Benson. You're a lot stronger than you look." She smiled to herself. "Besides, you, me, and Carly have been through a lot…You and me have been through a lot…Well, you know."
Freddie softly smiled to himself, "Yeah, I know. So…have you kissed anyone since we…" He didn't finish the sentence, but he didn't have to.
"No," she said gently. "It just hasn't come up. You?"
"Not yet," He gave a worried smile. "I don't know that I'll be any less nervous the next time."
"I don't think we're supposed to be." She shrugged.
"I wonder…" Freddie stalled anxiously. "We never talked about when we…I mean, well did you…was I…"
"Spit it out, boy!"
Freddie took a deep breath to get his nerve. "Was I any good? At the kissing thing…I mean, did you like it? From me?"
Sam was silent for a minute, which really made Freddie nervous. "Well…I have no basis for comparison, but…it was firm, and not too slobbery, and your lips were…" Sam smiled as her thoughts trailed off, briefly. "Um, yeah…it was kind of …enjoyable…you know, for a first kiss."
Freddie raised his eyebrows, impressed with himself. "Well…would you do it again? With me, I mean?"
Sam glanced back over her shoulder. "Is that a question or a request?"
Freddie thought for a second. "Both, maybe."
Sam lowered her head. "I think you should stop now."
Freddie's fingers froze, taking in what she said. He dropped his hands in his lap, disappointment overtaking his face.
She moved over to the cushion next to him. She hugged her legs, but kept stealing glances at his hurt face. "Do you want to go back?"
He gave her a half smile; the disappointment was still under the surface. "What, and miss out on all this?" He pointed up to the night sky above.
Sam looked up. "I know," she said softly. "There are so many stars out here."
Freddie quickly took up his know-it-all persona. "Actually, it's no more than in Seattle, they're just more visible out here without the city lights."
"NOOOOO!" she said sarcastically.
Falling back into their normal routine, he made a face at her. "Well at least you can see the constellations here." He pointed to a group of stars. "See there's Cassiopeia, and Andromeda…"
"No," she interrupted. "That's Perseus." She pointed to another set of stars. "That's Cassiopeia, and there's Andromeda." Freddie looked at her incredulously as she continued. "Then there's Taurus, Canis Minor, and my boy Urion."
"Don't you mean O rion?"
"Only if you're talking about his new name." She said in a superior tone.
Freddie was suddenly in the mood to argue. "You are so full of it. You have no idea what you're talking about."
"I do." She defended. "It's all in the legend, and Scorpio, Lupus, Canis Major, and Canis Minor are all part of the same legend. That's why they're all grouped together."
"They are?" Freddie says skeptically.
Sam laid back on the cushion and told Freddie the legend of Orion. Freddie was staring back and forth between the beautiful stars above him, and the excitement on Sam's face as she told the story. She was obviously amused with the story and the way she was telling it was making him laugh.
"You don't study anything, ever. How do you know all this?" he asked, sort of impressed with her knowledge.
"Well, first of all it's a cool story, but a long time ago we had a neighbor that was once the captain of a ship. He used to tell me all sorts of stories and legends." She chuckled at the memory. "He had this long beard and he lost an eye in some accident, so he wore an eye patch. I used to think he was a pirate. He was so awesome. I mean, who wouldn't want to live next door to a pirate, right?" Sam let out a big yawn as she was starting to feel the weight of the day catch up to her.
Freddie chuckled still watching the sky, "Sam, you know some of the weirdest people I've ever heard of. Actually, you're related to some of the weirdest people I've ever heard of."
After several minutes of silent stargazing, something small and bright flashed across the sky. "Whoa," he said excited. "A shooting star! Did you make a wi…" He looked down to see that she was asleep. He admired how peaceful she looked. He pulled aside a stray hair that was blowing across her face, and saw movement just out of the corner of his eye. He looked up to see Spencer coming toward the boat.
"Hey guys," Spencer said, hopping aboard. "I thought I'd bring some blankets and check on you two, I saw you arguing earlier…like that's anything new." Freddie pressed his finger to his lips and pointed to Sam. "Oh, asleep already, huh?" Spencer lowered his voice.
"Yeah," Freddie said taking the blankets. "I don't think she's slept much since we left Seattle."
"Granddad and I were just trying to figure out sleeping arrangements." Spencer spread a blanket over Sam then sat on the bench. "Where did she sleep last night?"
"She said she spent the night in the SUV," Freddie fibbed a little, "but it got really cold."
Spencer frowned, "Oh ugh, that couldn't have been comfortable."
Freddie and Spencer watched as Sam snuggled into her blanket. "Hey Spencer, I have an idea, if you don't mind.'
"Ok, Shoot"
Freddie looked up at the sky. "It's a beautiful night, and Sam's already asleep," he nodded at her. "Do you care if we stay out here?"
"Won't you be cold?" Spencer asked concerned.
"Well, these blankets are actually pretty warm," Freddie reasoned. "If it gets too bad we can always go back inside the cabin. I'll let her take my bed, and I'll sleep in the chair in the front room."
"I don't know," Spencer said, still skeptical. "You two alone, together? It's not quite...proper, is it?"
"And exactly what about Sam is proper, Spencer" Freddie rolled his eyes. "Besides, we tolerate each other at best most of the time." Freddie frowned slightly at Sam. "I don't think you have to worry about anything…improper."
"Except for maybe having to explain to your mom how you drowned in your sleep," Spencer smiled.
"Yeah, well that's always a possibility," Freddie laughed. "But knowing Sam, that could happen indoors, too"
Spencer looked down at Sam sleeping and sat thinking for a moment.
"We could come in if you want us to," Freddie conceded. "But you have to wake her up."
"Hmm, No…" Spencer said hastily. "I think I may want children someday. I'm going to need all my parts intact," he winced. "Maybe you're right. You guys can stay out here." Spencer slapped his knees as he got up from the bench. "Well, you have blankets, and there's a flashlight up near the wheel if you need it. Anything else?"
Freddie smiled, "Nah, just leave the door unlocked in case."
"Will do!" Spencer reached down and gave the top of Sam's head an affectionate little squeeze, the way he used to do to Carly when she was little. He hopped back over to the dock. After a quick "Night Freddie," he jogged back up to the cabin.
Freddie watched Spencer go then snuggled down into his blankets. He took one more glance at Sam then muttered to himself, "You don't have to worry, Spencer. Apparently I'm not good enough for her anyway."
"I never said that."
Freddie turned sharply to Sam. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was," she yawned. "I woke up when Spencer put the blanket on me."
"Oh…Well, how come you didn't say anything?"
"Because I thought he'd make us go in." She looked up at the sky. "You're right. It's nice out here under the stars."
Freddie looked up too. They could feel the uncomfortable silence building between them again.
"Freddie," she turned to look at him. "I wasn't trying to hurt you when I told you to stop. Just...know that, Ok?"
Freddie didn't say anything, so Sam looked back at the stars feeling the thickness of the silence.
When he finally spoke, his voice sounded cold, and he still wouldn't look at her. "Why did you then?"
"It's not that I don't want to, it's that… I can't. I'd have too much to lose." She said so softly he almost didn't hear her.
Freddie turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"
Sam reached up to squeeze her eyes. "Ugh, I hate all this mushy stuff!" She looked at him and spoke slowly, trying to choose her words carefully. "Boyfriends leave, and relationships tend to suck. I mean, look at Jonah trying to cheat, or Valerie using you, or my dad leaving, or…" She stopped not wanting to bring up his lack of a father. "Whatever…boyfriends are temporary."
She found she couldn't look at him when she talked about her feelings. "I don't have very many people in my life that I can count on…not even my mom, most of the time." She let out a deep breath. "But somewhere along the way, no matter how annoying you got, you…"
"I what, Sam?"
She finally looked at him. "You became one of those people that I count on."
Freddie reached over and held on to her hand lightly.
"I can't afford to put you in a place that I might lose you. I need you around too much." She looked away and quickly wiped her eyes.
"Wow, that's…really unexpected, Sam. I guess I understand. Just so you know…" He squeezed her hand tighter. "I don't plan on going anywhere." He looked away and his tone became a bit lighter. "But…"
"But what?" She looked at him curiously.
Freddie smiled cheekily, "But I only asked if you'd kiss me again, not if you'd be my girlfriend." Freddie laughed, "Because it's clear that I am way too much of a guy for you to..."
"JERK!" Sam sat up and pushed him. They both started laughing and Sam tried to cover his mouth while he continued to tease her and wrestle her hands away. "No, you just need to keep your mouth shut because you know that I'm better than anyone you'll…"
They continued with their playful argument until they collapsed next to each other laughing. When their laughter finally calmed down, Freddie looked over at her.
"You know I think what you did to get here was stupid, Puckett...But I'm glad you came."
"Me too, Benson." She leaned her head against his shoulders and they both fell asleep gazing up at their own starry storybook.
I completely wish I were Sam in this chapter...for selfish reasons of course. I could use a Freddie with nice strong hands about now. Sorry, not so much of a shiny happy chapter on this one. Hope you liked it anyway, although I may need to go and hide... Oh alright! Go ahead, let me have it!
2 more chapters, folks. Whatever will happen? Oh yeah, and let me know if you figured out the disclaimer.
