A/N: This chapter is for Thanksgiving guys! Thank you for taking your time reading and reviewing this fan fiction. I appreciate them very much Have a very Happy Thanksgiving and as always, Happy R&R d^_^b

Disclaimer: See chapter 1!

Chapter 26 - Shock

Knockknockknock!

Seven's attention, which was once directed to the scenes visible from their hotel room's window that might lead her to Sam, was now directed to the continuous ear splitting heavy knocking on their door.

She froze - who could it be? If it was Four, Bernie, or Six, she would have seen them coming...and besides, they could use telekinesis to unlock the door - except Bernie - but knew that if it was the dog, then she'd have heard a bark. Knowing that it couldn't be either of them, she walked over to the table where her Loric dagger rested and picked it up. Cautiously, she went towards the door. The minute she opened it however, she was not prepared as two hands suddenly wrapped themselves around her. Shocked and realizing who the person was she dropped her dagger.

Having reached the hotel room where Six might be hiding, Sam knocked thunderously on its door with his beating heart matching its pace perfectly. Please, open it, he prayed. Six, please be alive, he hoped.

His prayer was answered and the door slowly opened. He didn't even look at the one behind it and immediately pulled the person towards him and gave a fierce hug, thinking it was Six.

"I'm so glad your -" he paused. This wasn't Six! It was...he dropped his hands and looked...it was Seven. A blush instantly crept up his cheeks. "Sorry Maria," he apologized rather shyly.

It took some moment for her to adjust to sight in front of her. Her heart raced crazily, hammering madly in her chest which scared her greatly. All she could think about? was how he had embraced her and well, how his arms had felt when they were wrapped around her. If the boy in front of her was red, then she was so much worse. Her face was in so much contrast with her hair and silence hung between them for awhile.

Six, unbeknownst to Sam, was actually by his side the whole time. She had matched his pace perfectly when he was bolting up the stairs. She wanted to tell him that she was safe, that she was alive and that he had never killed her, but she was just so angry for him leaving her, for not following her directions and not go into the cave, that all she could think about was made him feel what she had felt.

She knew how silly it was, but he had made her think that he was gone, dead, as well and so she was just returning the favor. She was so furious at him and yet could not help but feel a pang of jealousy when she saw him wrap his arms around Seven. That should be me, she thought, and this was proven even more when Sam spoke: "I'm so glad you're -" alive, she finished his sentence.

She continued to watch as his embarrassment showed with a slight blush and thought that he wouldn't have had to if the person was actually her. Moreover, she watched Seven's reaction as well, which again would not have happened, if she was the one in her place.

As silence filled the room, she was about to speak when Adelaide came over. "Maria, who's at -" her reaction was the same as her entrusted: Adelaide was shocked. "Sam!" she exclaimed, stating the obvious.

She fell silent again and watched as Sam was about to greet Adelaide but it was at that moment that Four had finally caught up as well, panting heavily. "We're using the elevator next time!" he remarked exhaustedly.

She smirked at this. Sam was barely in his state and he was running g much faster than he was! Still invisible, she swiftly went inside and into her room, waiting for Sam to check her supposed dead state.

Seven felt a swift motion pass her and followed it. Coincidently, she saw the door to Six's door open but no one was there. Six! she thought. She looked at Sam and bit her lip. How much did she see? Does she know? No. She faltered yes, but, she, losing her mask for a bit, could not have possibly given her away can it?

She looked away from Sam and to Adelaide with her face reflecting clearly what she felt, wanting comfort, but Adelaide's attention was on Sam and so she looked down instead.

"Maria, is, is Six there?" Sam's voice made her jerk her head up to him and her heart beat painfully at the longing in his voice. She couldn't speak, but to answer him, she nodded instead.

She tried to have a neutral face in front of him and slowly, she prepared her heart to the obvious question that the person she fell in love with would ask next: "Where is she?" asked Sam.

She looked at Four, and she knew that he definitely saw through her, as he diverted his eyes away from her and to the floor. She cleared her throat and looked at Sam again. She plastered a smile on her face and said, "She's in her room!"

Right away, she saw Sam's face expressed different emotions - it lit up, and other than happiness, he also showed what looked like...relief? She inhaled deeply and let it out. Sam gave her a confuse look. "Are you ok?" he asked.

Did she hear a hint of worry in his voice? She shook her head. She better clear her head of these thoughts. Seven, this has gotta stop, now!

Sam eyed Seven as she fought with herself. "Seven?" he asked again which made her look at him. His eyes widen at the sight of her eyes. Her eyes, they told him so much! He walked closer to her and she quickly spoke while pointing to a room.

"That's Six's room over there. I'm sure she's waiting for you. Better not let her wait for too long."

He suddenly stopped and nodded at her. He smiled, "Thanks Seven." She shot her a surprised look. This made him smile again. He didn't call her Maria this time because that wasn't her real name anyway. Her name...or number...was Seven and so he would always call her Seven from now on, not knowing the significance that this decision of his had made. And so, Sam swiftly made his way to Six's room…