Chapter Twenty One

Spencer came down the stairs whistling, feeling completely rejuvenated. It was amazing what love could do for a person. Carly stared at him as though he had three heads; somehow he'd forgotten about Carly. "Umm, Spencer, you were supposed to be doing something about Sam. You look entirely too relaxed for someone who just went a few rounds with a Puckett. What happened?"

He couldn't help it; he grinned. "The situation has been resolved."

"That's it? Mark plies her with wine and whisks her off for a day at the country club IN LIEU OF SCHOOL, let me remind you; she comes in here barely dressed with NO good explanation, and you're telling me that everything is hunky dory? "

"I am. So what did you want for dinner?"

Carly was dangerously close to going off. "Spencer Shay, if you don't tell me what's going on around here, I'm going to –"

"Going to what?" Sam asked casually as she strolled in and wrapped her arms around Spencer.

Carly's eyes almost popped out of her head. "So THAT's what Freddie looked like," Sam commented with amusement.

"Sam," she sputtered. "What are you DOING?"

"I think you've already asked me that once today Carls."

"And I'm going to keep on asking until SOMEBODY gives me an answer that actually makes sense!"

"What's not to make sense? He's Spencer; I'm Sam, and this" she gestured between the two of them in an intentional parody, "is the Spencer and Sam show."

"NO! Spencer, this is your idea of resolving the situation? You just displace Mark and take over where he left off?"

"Not exactly. He was trying to displace me first," he replied calmly.

Carly sank down onto the couch. "I'm going crazy aren't I. The stress finally got to me. What do you mean; he tried to displace you first? Spencer, you told me you weren't involved with Sam!"

"I wasn't."

"But now you are? So you're saying that it's somehow better for YOU to have Sam than for Mark to have Sam."

"From my perspective, it's infinitely better for me to have Sam," he agreed.

"Mine too," Sam contributed helpfully.

"And YOU," Carly turned to Sam. "How could you do this?"

"Carly, you're going to have to be a little more specific."

"THIS! Last night I was worried that you were sleeping with Mark, and now you're –"she stopped, taking in Sam's freshly showered appearance. And Spencer had been whistling on the stairs.

"You didn't!" she whispered in their general direction, aghast.

Because it amused her, Sam chose that moment to kiss Spencer.

"Oh my God," Carly moaned. "You did."

Sam laughed. "No, I did try." She shot him a look. "I haven't given it my best effort yet though."

"I don't even want to know!"

Spencer jumped in. "Carly, you're going to have to let that one go. That's between Sam and me, and needs to stay there." He gave Sam a warning glance.

"Sam, I feel like I don't even know you. Why Spencer?"

"That's an easy one. Because I love him. Why wouldn't I?"

Carly looked to Spencer, her eyes pleading with him to say this was a mistake, a joke, anything but what they claimed it was.

No help there. "She does," he agreed, "and before you ask, I do. End of story. Can we move on?"

"Sam, if you love Spencer, then what on earth were you doing with Mark?"

"It's a long story. And it was a mistake. Fortunately, Spencer saved me from myself before any permanent damage was done. For this, I love him even more," she gushed.

"I'll pass on dinner," Carly whispered faintly. "I think I'm going to bed."

"You know Spence, I don't think Carly is very happy with us," Sam commented.

"I'd say that's a pretty accurate assessment. Give her some time. And don't rub her face in it; she'll come around."

"I hope so," Sam opined, "but all that really matters is that you did."

"You're not home free yet Half-pint. I was serious about the waiting part." He glanced over at the calendar as he spoke.

"Honestly Spencer, I thought we were done with the whole calendar thing," she complained. "What is there left for you to look at?"

"I was just thinking that I haven't told you that you're accompanying me to Socko's wedding at the end of June," he replied smoothly.

She perked up. "Really? We can attend an actual public event? Together?"

"Yes Sammi Sam – together."

"Winning!" she trilled.

He gazed at her fondly. She still had a ways to go, but he would make sure she got there in one piece.

"I think I'll go get the laundry," she said. "I kind of like watching the clothes go around in circles – it's relaxing."

He shook his head. "Go for it. I'll start dinner."

Sam hummed as she tossed clothes into the washer. This had turned out to be an almost perfect day. If she could just get Carly's blessing, the world would be her oyster. Hopefully Spencer was right, and the idea of them together would grow on her. When her phone rang, she answered without looking. "Talk to me!"

"Baby girl! You're sounding on top of the world. I guess you decided today was a good day after all. How about I come and pick you up for dinner?"

Damn! In her euphoria over finally landing Spencer, she'd forgotten that Mark had promised to call. She cooled her tone and replied flatly, "I'm sorry Mark; I did have a good day today, but I've thought about your offer and decided I can't take you up on it."

He was bewildered; she'd been a little hesitant when he dropped her off, but something had definitely changed. "Sam, I'm sorry. Did I come on too strong? I really thought you were right there with me."

"It was a mistake Mark; I shouldn't have gone with you today. I shouldn't have gone with you last night. I shouldn't have called you to pull that stunt in the first place."

This was starting to leave a bad taste in his mouth; he had a very good idea who was responsible for Samantha's change of heart.

"Just wait a minute Sam. I don't believe that any of those things were mistakes. I think you came with me because you wanted to. I think you enjoyed the time you spent with me. I think you could enjoy it even more if you decided to put your heart into this relationship."

"But my heart ISN'T in this relationship Mark. And I don't think that's the part of me you really want anyway. I understand that I symbolized something for you, but I think if you look more closely you'll find that's all I am. Some kind of prize, or trophy, whatever. "

"That's harsh Sam. I don't need a trophy. I can get a trophy anywhere, anytime. I want YOU because of who YOU are. Look, can I just come pick you up so we can talk about this? "

"Mark, I assure you there is nothing you can say or do that will change my mind."

"He decided to play didn't he."

"He was always playing Mark. He just had different rules."

He sighed. He couldn't believe he'd coaxed her along to this point only to have Spencer steal her away. Talk about epic fail. "Sam, I don't know what to say. "

"Just say good night Mark. And tell Audrey thanks. She doesn't know it, but she really did me a favor today."

Definitely a bad taste. "Good night Sam."

"Goodbye Mark." She snapped the phone shut and resumed her post, watching the clothes spin round and round. Maybe not as relaxing as hair brushing or hot tubs, but MUCH less likely to get her in trouble.