Sam rolled over lazily expecting Bill to wrap his arms around her any moment. She tentatively reached out for him and finally opened her eyes to see that she was alone. A slip of paper tucked under a glass of water on the nightstand caught her attention. She carefully lifted the glass and quickly chugged the water, letting her sleep blurry eyes adjust. The note read: You were so tired that I couldn't even wake you for your good morning kiss. I'll just have to give you two went I get home. Hope you have a good day my love, your love, Bill. There was a nicely drawn heart at the bottom of the note. Sam rolled her eyes at his words. Blech. She quickly ran to the living room window and peaked out the thick black out curtains. Not a soul, as usual. Wandering into the kitchen she found another note on the fridge.

I made you breakfast anyway just in case you woke up before I got home for lunch. Xoxo

Sam opened the fridge to find a couple of boiled eggs, and a few pieces of fried ham. She made a face as she wasn't allowed to used the microwave and had to eat it cold. Less than ideal. She quickly scarfed the food down and went about searching every inch high and low for some sort of key or weapon, coming up empty handed again. Was she really doomed to this fate? Was it really that bad? She furrowed her brows and reminded herself of the horrors that she had endured for months at that monster's hands. Starting the search over again, making sure to carefully inspect every nook and cranny. Dust clung to her as she reached in the farthest and darkest crevasses behind the large appliances. A few sneezing fits later she was still empty handed, covered in filth, and already noon.

She heard a car door shut, thinking it was just Bill back for lunch, a feeling told her to check anyway. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she saw Peggy carrying groceries in. Sam quickly started banging as hard as she could on the front door and began screaming as loud as she could "PEGGY! HELP! CALL THE POLICE! PEGGY, PEGGY!" Sam ran back to the window, and saw Peggy looking in her direction with a look of confusion. She began to walk across the street cautiously, curious about what all the commotion was about.

Bill narrowed his eyes as he watched Peggy approach his home, he carefully parked, getting out abruptly. The two locked eyes, hackles raised. "What're you doing here Peggy." He spat acidly, glaring daggers at the woman.

"I thought I heard screaming and wanted to check it out." She said hotly arms crossed arrogantly over her chest. Sam watched the exchange with despair. She saw Bill glance over at the window and hoped he didn't notice her peaking out through the tiniest of a sliver of curtain.

He began to sweat profusely as she wasn't leaving. "Get out of my driveway woman!" He snarled angrily, nostrils flared.

"Or what? You'll hit me?" Peggy snapped a challenge.

"I just might!" Bill roared as he took a step towards her. Peggy's bravado disappeared as she backed away. He watched her slink back to her own driveway with clenched fists, wondering what kind of fuss Sam made to attract that annoying woman's attention. He slammed opened the front door, causing Sam's heart to leap into her throat.

"What. Did. You. Do?" He demanded through clenched teeth, his shaking fists balled at his sides as he stomped up to her.

"I had another nightmare!" Sam wailed as she ran into his arms, hoping he'd buy her lie, tears welled up in her eyes as yet another opportunity was lost. He instantly calmed down and chastised himself for thinking she was trying to get Peggy's help escaping. Sam cursed Peggy up and down mentally. She hoped the woman had enough sense to call the police.

"Sammy." Bill cooed softly in her ear, as he rubbed her back soothingly. She slumped against his chest her body racked with sobs. How could he be so gentle and kind after just threatening to punch Peggy's daylights out? He would probably have beaten the crap out of her if she hadn't lied about the nightmare. Fear took over Sam as she leaned against her captor paralyzed. He carefully lifted the emotional woman and carried her to the kitchen where he sat he bottom on the table. She watched as he unlocked one of the cabinets to fish out a box of tea.

"What's so threatening about tea that it needs to be locked away?" Sam giggled hoarsely at the absurdity of it. Bill snorted and lovingly patted her cheek, leaving her question unanswered. She watched as he poured her a cup of tea in an actual mug. She felt warmth blossom in her chest. No, it wasn't an act of kindness to let her drink from a real cup, Sam had to remind herself. He took her hand into his own, watching her take a sip of the tea. She closed her eyes and visibly relaxed. The warm drink was comforting, like the soothing circles Bill was softly drawing on the back of her hand with his thumb. This wasn't right, she admonished herself. He's the devil! He's a monster! She set her drink down, wrestling with the decision to throw the hot liquid in his face and beat him over the head with said mug or just enjoy the warm gesture.

She finished her tea several minutes later, the two sitting in comfortable silence. "Do you have to go back to work?" She asked quietly, staring at their entwined fingers.

"No." He replied simply.

"You have been getting off around this time more lately." She stated as she brushed a few strands of hair away from her eyes.

"Hair only grows back so fast." He said quietly.

She frowned as it felt like a small watermelon was having a dance party inside of her, another reminder of what a monster he is. Why is it getting harder to understand that? A loving partner wouldn't have strapped a bomb on her chest to make her say I do, wouldn't purposely get her pregnant against her will, lock her inside all day with no hope of ever leaving. If he was handsome some idiot would consider this romance in some twisted form, Sam mused bitterly.

"What have you been up to, my sweet?" Bill asked, noting the dirt and dust discoloring her milky skin.

"Nothing really." She said with a shrug, to which he raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Peggy sat down at the kitchen table, processing what just happened. She honestly didn't buy that that young girl willingly married that pig. She noted that said woman never left the house, or even went outside. Sam was raising hell trying to get her attention, but stopped when she saw Bill pulling in, which raised a few red flags. She quickly dialed Hank's work number and drummed her fingernails against the table anxiously waiting for her husband to pick up.

"Strickland Propane, how may I help you?" He said excitedly ready to make a new customer of help a current one.

"Hank, it's Peggy. I think something is up with Bill and Sam's relationship! When I was getting groceries out of my car I heard the cries of a desperate woman. It sounded like she was beating the door down. Bill pulled up and threatened to hit me when I questioned him. I also noticed that when he arrived that Sam stopped raising a fuss." She said all in one breath.

"He threatened you?! That bastard!" Hank spat as he gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"I think Sam might be in trouble. Remember the bruises on her face and arms? What if there are more bruises Hank?" Peggy said with dramatic worry.

"She's definitely been beaten by him, but I think I got the message across to him." Hank tried to reassure his wife.

"Then why was she screaming and beating on the door Hank? I think she was trying to get my attention, I couldn't make out what she was saying though." Peggy demanded as she looked out of her sliding glass door.

"It could be a number of things Peggy." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, making excuses for his friend.

"Hank, up until about a month ago there would be screaming, and loud crashes coming from over there!" Peggy persisted.

"Remember when Lenore and Bill would have fights that would keep the whole got dang neighborhood up? I don't think it's worse than that." Hank said in frustration.

"Sam isn't like Lenore." Peggy said irately.

"How do you know? We've only met her twice briefly." Hank raised his voice.

"The inside of his house Hank!" Peggy spat, her fist landing on the table.

"He probably just went overboard with the baby proofing." Hanks said, not wanting to believe something was wrong more than just the beating.

Peggy rolled her eyes, "If you say so Hank."

"I'm sure everything is okay and they are just...adjusting." Hank said lamely. Peggy just huffed. "I have to get back to work," he lowered his voice, "I love you."

"I love you too, Hank." Peggy said with barely veiled irritation. She hung up and stared at Bill's house for a few moments. Something about it just seemed so wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on what that could be.

Sam leaned back into Bill's sweaty chest breathlessly. He carefully wrapped his arms around her swollen waist and sighed in contentment. He whispered sweet nothings into her ear, his lips brushing softly against it. She wiped her damp bangs out of her face tiredly. That was certainly not what she was expecting, shame washed over her as she thought that she certainly enjoyed way too much for someone in her position. Disgust and guilt clouded out what was left of the after glow.

She gently pried his arms off and went to the bathroom and immediately got into the shower. Sam hated how good he had made her feel, how she wanted it. The water was almost unbearably warm as she scrubbed her skin raw. Was she finally breaking? She remembered him saying something about eventually loving him around the first few days of holding her captive. No! She could never love a beast like him. She stepped out of the shower and noticed there wasn't a towel. Sam growled quietly as she had no idea where he kept them.

Bill heard the water shut off in the bathroom and remembered that he washed the towels. He quickly retrieved one before his wife got too cold. The bathroom door opened suddenly causing Bill to fumble a little. He smiled sheepishly and wrapped the cloth around Sam, planting a kiss on her forehead in the process.

"Thank you." She whispered while staring down at her feet. Bill smiled warmly and pulled her into an intimate embrace. Conflicting thoughts and emotions swirled around in her miserable head. What is she to do or even feel? She sniffled quietly.