Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to iCarly. So much for my New Year's Resolution already

Chapter 10

"…we apologize for this Miss Puckett. You should get the forms in the mail by the end of the week."

"All right, thanks," Sam replied annoyingly as she ended her phone call with Public Aid. Sam was really wanting to get to see an obstetrician soon. She would be ten weeks pregnant this coming Friday. She wanted to get in and see of everything was alright with her and the baby. She was closing in on that point in the pregnancy where she could hear the baby's heartbeat.

It was Tuesday morning, and Sam was trying to get a few things done before she took off for work. She got her cell phone bill taken care of this morning, and all she needed to do was mail it off. She was hoping that Ashley would drop her by the post office today so she could do so. She also needed to ask Ashley if she could get a few of Brian's friends together, so they could help her start moving soon. Sam was also going to ask Dana when she saw her this afternoon if her guy friends could help as well. Sam was packing stuff up every day, and she would soon be ready to start having her stuff moved by either the weekend or early next week.

Sam was planning on spending her day off tomorrow cleaning her new place up. Ashley and Brittany were going to come by in the morning to help, and Dana was going to come by in the afternoon after her shift to lend a hand.

Sam wasn't scheduled to be in on this day until 1:00. She had plenty of time to get some packing done. She was hoping to have it pretty much completed before she left for work. By the time the noon hour rolled around, Sam had indeed had everything she wanted to get completed for today done.

She grabbed her phone and got a hold of Ashley, "Hey, are you able to give me a ride to work today?"

"Sorry Sam," Ashley replied from the other line, "Brian and I are in Aberdeen visiting his dad today. I forgot to let you know that yesterday."

"Oh, that's cool Ash," Sam said disappointed, "I'll just call a cab or something. But hey, can you find out when Brian and his friends might have a day that they could help me move my stuff?"

"Sure, I'll ask him," she replied, "Well, have a fun day at work. I'll call you tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I'll talk to you then," Sam said as she concluded her call. She dialed for a cab to come take her to work; then she got a hold of Mrs. Moore to let her know that she might be a little late because she had to wait for a ride.

One of the things that Sam hated about waiting for a cab was the fact that she never knew for sure when they'd show up. She grabbed her purse and her phone bill; and went out to the curb at 12:15 to wait for the cab. She sat there for nearly twenty-five minutes before her ride showed up. Sam's driver ran her to the post office; then ran her to work. She got to work just in time.

Now that Mrs. Moore was approaching the middle of the month, she thinned out her schedule in the middle of the week. Sam would be closing by herself this evening with Tammy. Brittany was the only early waitress this morning that opened. Dana had come in at 10:30 to help with the lunch rush. She will stay until about 7:00 this evening to help with the dinner rush as well. The restaurant was usually busy the first week of the month because a lot of people got paid monthly and they came in during this week to eat. Plus, Mrs. Moore ran specials on the first week of the month as well. This week was completely different. The place was pretty quiet for most of the day.

"Hey girl," Brittany said to Sam as Sam grabbed an order pad and began to walk out to see who she could serve, "what do you know?"

"I know that I can move out of my place at any time now," Sam answered as she stood for a moment, "what about you?"

"Oh," Brittany grinned, "I'm just living the life." Brittany walked away from Sam and went to take an order.

"Know what you're saying," Sam replied as she went to wait on her first customer of the day.

It was another one of them slow boring days for Sam. Brittany ended her shift at 2:00, and she left right after she punched out for the day. Dana was somewhat bored as well. She tried to keep busy by doing some odds and ends cleaning, but even she kind of gave up after a while.

At 4:00 that afternoon, the place was empty. Sam decided to take a quick sandwich and soda break. She needed something in her stomach, and she knew if she didn't take a break now, she would probably have to wait until around 6:30 or 7:00 to go.

Dana walked over and took a seat with Sam. Dana had brought a soda with her as well, "So," she said, "have you given any thought about going to church with me this Sunday?"

"I have actually," Sam replied, "but I think I'll go with you next Sunday though. I think I'm going to make this weekend 'moving weekend'."

"Sure, okay," Dana replied smiling, "did you need any help moving your stuff in?"

"I think I have Brian and some of his buddies helping me at my old place," Sam replied, "but I wouldn't mind having your friends help me by getting the stuff moved inside my new place if they don't mind helping."

"Of course," Dana grinned, "just let me know what day and when, and me and the guys will gladly help. I hope that Mrs. Moore gets next week's schedule up soon so that I know what to plan for next week."

"Yeah, me too," Sam agreed, "She spoke with me yesterday about doing some altering of my schedule for next week. I'm not too thrilled about it, but I guess we'll wait and see what happens."

A young couple walked into the store and took a seat on Dana's side of the restaurant. Dana began to get up, "Looks like I've got…"

"…Go ahead and finish your soda Dana," Sam interrupted her young friend, "I'll take their order for you." Sam walked over to the table to greet the couple and took their order. As soon as Sam walked away from the couple to give the cook the order, she saw another family walk into the door and grab a table.

"Looks like dinner rush is beginning a little early tonight," Dana said to Sam as she got up and walked over to take the family's order.

"Looks like it," Sam replied.

XxXxXxXxXx

Freddie awoke early in the morning. He knew that he had some places to go today.

After stopping at a gas station to fill his tank, Freddie decided to drive over to Taureen Livingston's mother's house to see if he could find the whereabouts of her daughter.

Charlene Livingston lived in a very nice neighborhood near the Capitol Hill district. Freddie had reached her place in about fifteen minutes. He pulled in alongside of the curb and got out of his car. He walked up to her door, and rang her doorbell.

I hope she still live here, Freddie thought as he waited patiently for someone to answer the door. He was about to ring again when the door opened and a young man in his early twenties answered the door. "Yes?" He asked plainly.

Freddie cleared his throat, "Does a Charlene Livingston still live at this residence?" He asked the young man.

"Yes," the guy said rather curtly, "may I ask who wants to know?"

"My name is Freddie Benson," Freddie replied politely, "I used to go to school with her daughter."

The young man narrowed his gaze, "Which daughter, Rochelle, or Taureen?"

"I went to school with Taureen," Freddie replied continuing to be patient.

The guy looked at Freddie a moment; then walked back inside, "Hey mom," he called before disappearing into the house.

Freddie stood still waiting patiently. I wonder why the weird look when asked which daughter, he thought.

After about two minutes, Charlene appeared at the door. "What did you say your name was sir?"

"Freddie Benson, ma'am," he replied, "I went to school with Taureen and graduated with her. She was friends with Carly Shay and Sam Puckett…"

"…And you were the producer of those girls' web show iCarly. Am I right?" Charlene asked.

"Yes," Freddie smiled.

"Well Freddie," she grinned, "Come in please." She motioned for Freddie to follow her into her living room.

"Have a seat," she motioned for Freddie to sit down on the couch while she took a seat in her sitting chair. "Now Freddie," she said sweetly, "what brings you by to see me?"

"Well, Mrs. Livingston," Freddie answered, "I was hoping that I could find out where your daughter lives so that I could ask her if she knows where Sam Puckett might be living these days."

"Ah, Sam," Charlene grinned when she heard the name, "such a misunderstood individual if I ever knew one. I remember having her here with us when Taureen had to stay here for a while some years back."

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" Freddie inquired with interest.

"Oh, she had to get away from that on again, off again loser boyfriend of hers, Gilbert." Charlene replied disgustedly.

Gibby, Freddie thought, I can't believe she's still with him. "Yeah," Freddie said, "I don't know what happened to that boy in high school. He really changed his character a lot while he was in high school."

"I don't know what my daughter sees in that drunk," Charlene growled, "but he'll wind up staring in a jail cell if I find out he ever hurts my Taureen. He's better matched to be with my other daughter Rochelle."

Freddie wasn't about to ask what that statement meant, but he obviously was under the impression that Mrs. Livingston's two daughters were as different as day and night. "I had received a message from my friend Carly saying that Sam was still living with Taureen, at least a couple of years ago. Do you know if that is still true?"

"No Freddie, I'm afraid that Sam no longer lives with Taureen," Charlene answered.

"Oh," Freddie said defeated, "I don't suppose you or Taureen know where she might have gone, do you?"

"I don't," Charlene answered, "but I bet Taureen might. If you should go visit her, I bet she could help you out."

"That would be great Mrs. Livingston, thank you," Freddie said relieved, "May I ask for her address?"

"You certainly may," Charlene replied as she rose from her chair and walked into the other room to get a piece of paper and a pen. She returned a few seconds later, "You are such a polite young man Freddie. I wish my Taureen would get involved with a guy like you instead of that bum she's with." She wrote the address down and handed it to Freddie.

Freddie took the piece of paper, "Thank you Mrs. Livingston," he said blushing from embarrassment, "I appreciate you doing this for me." He began to walk out of the room and towards the front door. Mrs. Livingston followed.

"Good luck in your search for Samantha," Charlene said as she let Freddie out of her house, "I think she's a lucky girl."

"I believe we're both lucky," Freddie grinned as he walked towards his car, "good-bye ma'am." He got into his car and pulled away.

Freddie knew that he would have to make a stop at the DMV before he could continue his quest to find Sam. He drove back to his neighborhood to go to the same DMV that he went to when he got his license several years ago. He pulled into the parking lot and went inside.

Like any other typical day at a DMV, Freddie had to grab a number and wait. And boy, did he wait. Nearly two and a half hours after he pulled into the lot, Freddie pulled back out of the lot and got back on the road. He decided to start driving to Taureen's place.

It was nearly two o'clock that afternoon when he pulled onto the I-90 freeway and began driving east. He crossed Lake Washington, and made his way to the Bellevue Way exit. He began driving northward towards the suberb of Bellevue. He stopped off at a Darby's for a couple of roast beef sandwiches; then he continued towards the city. He made a few turns off the main road until he reached the address that Mrs. Livingston gave him.

Freddie pulled alongside the curb and parked. He got out of the car and walked up the porch to the small house. He knocked on the door, and waited patiently for someone to answer it.

After a few seconds, a face all too familiar to Freddie was standing there at the doorway. "Hello Gibby," Freddie said.

Gibby scratched his greasy spiked hair as he stood gazing at the familiar face that was in front of him. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" He asked.

Freddie sighed, "Yeah, it's me, Freddie Benson."

"Well, holy…" Gibby said with his mouth open in disbelief, "how the heck are you doing?"

"I'm doing okay for myself," Freddie said politely, "how about you?"

"Life is good Freddie," Gibby replied, "life is good. Can I get you a beer or something?"

I see he hasn't changed from high school, Freddie thought. "I think I'll pass."

"More for me then," Gibby smirked, "what brings you all the way out here?"

"I was hoping to speak with Taureen," Freddie said not wasting any time in getting to the point. He really didn't want to talk with Gibby at the moment. He could tell that he'd been drinking.

"Sorry my friend, but she works 2nd shift," Gibby replied eyeing Freddie a little suspiciously, "you're not here to take my girl away or anything, are you?"

If her mom had anything to say about it, he thought to himself. "Of course not," Freddie answered, "I'll come by tomorrow and see you guys when you're both home."

"What's your hurry?" Gibby said not looking very happy, "you can't talk to me?"

Be cool Freddie, he thought, "Nah Gibby," Freddie replied, "I just moved back into town and I need to get some things taken care of is all."

Gibby still gave Freddie a cold look. He nodded at Freddie. Freddie walked back to his car and drove away. Gibby stood at the door and watched him the whole time.

He must be paranoid about something, Freddie thought as he made his way back to the freeway so that he could drive home. Freddie was disappointed having to delay his talk to Taureen for one day, but he knew that she might be the key to him finding Sam again.

XxXxXxXxXx

For a Tuesday evening, Paula's Place was busy. Sam, Dana, and Tammy were very busy during the dinner rush. Sam couldn't figure out why they had gotten the business that they had, but Tammy didn't care, more business meant more money and profit for the restaurant.

Dana wound up staying until 7:30 helping Sam until the place finally began to quiet down. Dana stayed after her shift and decided to eat at the restaurant. Sam took her order, and then she began to start sweeping the floors.

As she went to get Dana's food, Sam noticed that Dana was on the phone. Dana was getting excited about something, because she shrieked with excitement over something. Sam smiled as she brought the food to her friend, "Hey, what are you so excited about?" She asked.

"My guy friend Matt," she replied beaming, "just got tickets to see Good Charlotte on Saturday. I can't believe I get to see them."

"I can't believe they're still together," Sam commented.

"I know," Dana replied, "I have to go tell Mrs. Moore not to schedule me for that night." She got up and ran back to the office area.

I wish I had the money to do things like that again, Sam thought as she went back to her sweeping.

Dana came back a few moments later and finished her meal. She bid farewell to Sam; then she left. Sam continued to do everything she could to get as much done before the restaurant closed so that she wouldn't have to stay real late tonight. Sam was already stressed out from the busy evening, and she wasn't helping herself out by hurrying tonight.

Sam and the two cooks managed to walk out with Mrs. Moore at a little after 10:30 that evening. Mrs. Moore had Sam get in with her, and she took Sam back to her place this evening.

"Sam," Mrs. Moore said to her when she dropped her off, "Make sure you look at your schedule for next week when you can because I did have to make some changes."

"Yes ma'am," Sam replied as she got out of Mrs. Moore's car, "Thanks for the ride."

Mrs. Moore smiled, "Anytime. Have a good day off tomorrow." She pulled away.

Sam got a little pale as she watched her leave. I wonder what changes she made for next week, she thought.

Author's Note: I know this story is starting to get pretty slow, but I can't have Freddie just run into Sam this soon. I'm trying to make things as interesting as I can. The meeting between the two of them will be here pretty quick, thanks to all who've hung in there so far.