Here is the next chapter! Quite a bit longer than they have been lately. So enjoy!J

"Brat?" Jake questioned, looking down at her. "Sorry Jake." Sam mumbled, walking past him before he could see the tears in her eyes. But Jake grabbed her wrist gently, not letting her get away, "What's going on Sam?" Jake asked, " What did they say?" "Their sending me to San Francisco!" Sam cried, " I know I deserve it but I just can't believe I really have to leave!" "I had a feeling Wyatt would decide that after this, I was just hoping he wouldn't." Jake said regretfully. "Why did you hope that?" Sam asked, and then realized how wrong that sounded, " I mean, I know what you said about missing me and all, but won't you be happy that I'll be safe and you won't have to protect you anymore?" "Sam, I've been thinking a lot lately, and I think I've changed my ways some," Jake began seriously," I still want to protect you, but not at the expense of your happiness. A good friend wouldn't do that." "You are a good friend Jake." Sam said sincerely, " A great friend." "Thanks….Brat." Jake said with a teasing smile.

"Thanks for everything Jake." Sam said, leaning forward to give him a hug. Sam smiled as she thought, things sure had to be messed up for Jake to be doing so much hugging….and talking.

Sam felt a little better knowing that at least Jake was on her side, and even though she would be far away and she would miss everyone terribly, and at least if she had to, before she left she would hand cuff Jake if it came to that, and make him promise to call her.

Sam stepped back from Jake as the screen door slammed. "Sam," Wyatt said, walking towards them. "Dad." Sam replied, a little coldly. "You need to go inside and start packing." He said giving her and Jake a quizzical look. Sam had been so upset before that she hadn't even asked when she had to leave. Sam opened her mouth to ask but her Dad gave her a look that said, just go and ask later. So without another word, Sam headed towards the house, glancing back just once to see her Dad talking to Jake.

Sam walked in to her room to see Aunt Sue already laying clothes out on the bed next to her suitcase. "There you are dear." Aunt Sue said, looking at her as she walked over to her desk to get some of her stuff to pack. "Samantha, Sweetie," Aunt Sue said, " Please understand that I'm not trying to hurt you, I love you. And I just want to protect you." "I know." Sam said quietly , " It's just that it is hurting me." "I'm so sorry sweetie," Aunt Sue said, walking over to give Sam a hug, " But maybe it's for the best." Sam wasn't so sure, but she realized that even though she was angry at her Aunt Sue, she still loved her.

"Well, let's get this packing done!" Aunt Sue said cheerfully. "Okay," Sam said, trying to smile. Now that she knew there was no way of getting out of leaving, she might as well make it as easy as possible. Sam turned to her desk and began going through the drawers to decide what she was going to take with her. A bunch of miscellaneous junk….throw away, her journal….definitely a keeper so she could read it and remember the way things were. Then Sam found something that brought a pang o pain to her chest…the bracelet she had braided from the hairs of the Phantom's mane. She had to take it with her, so the Phantom would always be with her. Then Sam realized something…she had to say goodbye to the Phantom. Sam stood staring at the bracelet for a full minute, thinking of how she could see the Phantom before she left, when Aunt Sue's voice broke into her thoughts, " Got that stuff sorted out dear?" "Uh, yeah." Sam replied, sticking the bracelet in the front page of her journal. Then she turned back to packing.

One hour and a fully packed suitcase later, Sam walked downstairs in a slightly better mood. Although she was still devastated about leaving, at least she had let go of her resentment towards Aunt Sue, and she had thought of a good idea of how she could see the Phantom, that was IF Jake could help her.

But there was one more thing she had to do first. It was something she didn't want to do, but she knew she had to, and that was talk to her Dad.

Sam walked into the living room and saw the back of her Dad's head, signifying that he was sitting on the recliner. "Hey Dad," Sam said, sitting down on the couch. " Hey Sweetheart." Dad said, turning off the TV to look at her. "Sam-" "Dad-" Sam and her Dad both started. "You go first." Sam said quickly. "I'm sorry I have to do this." Dad began," But I think it will teach you something, and I just want what's best for you." "I know." Sam said," And I'll try to make the best of it." "That's my girl." Wyatt said, hugging her," I love you darling." "I love you too Daddy." Sam replied.

It was after 4 o'clock and Sam had to talk to Jake before he left for home. Sam ran out the door and down the porch steps just in time to see Jake mount Witch and he was about to head out until Sam yelled., " Jake wait! I have to talk to you!" Witch half bucked and Jake turned to look at her. "What's up?" Jake asked, looking reluctant to get off Witch. "I just need to talk to you," Sam replied, "So get off." Jake just stared at her for a few seconds as if he was trying to make a decision. "Listen, I'm not trying to be rude Sam, but I really need to get home for supper." Jake said reasonably, "So why can't you just tell me now?" Sam walked a few feet closer to Witch and looked up at Jake's face that was looking down at her from under his Stetson. "Because," Sam said through clenched teeth," I need to talk to you where no one an hear." Jake looked confused for a moment, then he seemed to have an idea. "Well, my Mom's been telling me to invite you over forever," Jake began, " so why don't you just go ask your Dad and then we can talk in PRIVATE on the way over." "Okay….smartey pants." Sam teased as she turned to run inside.

Jake just laughed and watched her go.

Wyatt was reluctant to let Sam ride over at first, but after much convincing her allowed her to go. So, Sam raced outside, speed tacked Ace, and was riding across River Bend Bridge 15 minutes later.

"So what was so important that you wanted to talk to me about?" Jake asked, after a few minutes. "I need to see the Phantom before I leave." Sam stated matter of factly. "What are you saying?" Jake asked, obviously not understanding what she was trying to say. "I just need you to take me to see him," Sam said, "to say goodbye." Jake looked at her reluctantly. "I won't do anything crazy." She promised. Jake didn't seem to believe her. "I promise!" Sam emphasized ,leaning over to punch Jake playfully in the arm.

"Okay, I believe you!" Jake said, laughing. "Wanna gallop?" Jake asked suddenly. Sam just stared at him, not believing that Jake would ever let her go above a jog. "I mean, I know Wyatt would kill me," Jake said, shifting in his saddle, " But I know this might be the last time you get to ride before you leave."

Sam looked down at her saddle horn. She hadn't even thought about it being her last ride, and Jake's words had struck her painfully. "I'm sorry." Jake said, seeing her distress. "It's okay." Sam said, brushing her tears to lookup at Jake. "Let's gallop!" "You ready?" Jake asked. "You bet I am!" Sam said daringly. Then both Sam and Jake urged their horses forward. Ace jumped beneath Sam and leaped into a smooth gallop. Sam drank in the beautiful feeling of flying, and the feeling of her fingers entangled in Ace's mane.

Sam looked over at Witch. Her black coat glinted in the sunlight, and her muscles moved fluidly. Sam looked up at Jake's face and grinned. She was so glad he had suggested this. Even though she was sad that it might be her last ride for a long time, at least she could keep the memory until next time. Sam slowed Ace to a jog and then a walk next to Witch as they approached the entrance to Three Ponies Ranch. "Ready to face the music?" Jake asked. "What do you mean?" Sam asked. "Well, you know my family can be pretty crazy sometimes." Jake said. "Yeah, including you." Sam teased. Jake just rolled his eyes and laughed. Sam heard a door slam as she hopped of Ace and tied him to the hitching post. As she and Jake turned to head towards the house, Sam saw Jake's brother Quinn coming towards them. "Hey Sam!" Quinn greeted her," I was just about to go looking for Jake Suppers been waiting." Quinn looked at Jake with a bossy like accusatory look. "It was my fault!" Sam spoke up, " Jake invited me over and I took too long to get ready." Jake shot her a grateful look. "I'm sure Mom will forgive him when she sees that he brought you." Quinn reassured with a smile, "Mom's been wanting to have you over forever."

Sam and Jake followed Quinn into the house. "Jake Ely!" Maxine Ely's voice shouted from the kitchen, "I told you to be home early! I have half a mind to-" Mrs. Ely stopped mid sentence when she saw Sam . "Sam!" She exclaimed joyfully," I'm so glad Jake finally brought you over!" Maxine seemed to completely forget about Jake's lateness as she led them into the dining room. "You all just sit down." Maxine said, pulling up a chair for Sam next to Jake.

As Sam dug into her mashed potatoes and gravy, she looked around the table at all of the Elys. Brian was seated on her left side, Seth was seated directly across from her, Adam was on his left, and Quinn was on his right. That was 5 Elys including Jake. And then there was Luke Ely, Jake's Dad, seated a the head of the table, and Maxine was at the other end. That was 7 Elys total. Things were starting to get a little noisy, but Sam didn't mind. "So we heard about your little accident last night." Adam said. Sam couldn't believe it had just been the night before. After everything that had happened that day, it seemed like it had been forever since then, but it had only been the night before when she and Jen had been playing truth or dare around the bonfire and everything had been okay.

"So what happened?" Quinn asked. "Are you in trouble?" Brian interrupted. Sam didn't now what to say. She really didn't want to announce her bad news to the entire Ely family. She knew it would surprise them, since only Jake knew the severity of what had happened. " I guess you could say that." Sam said slowly, hoping they didn't ask more. But they did. "So how long you grounded?' Seth asked. Sam looked at Jake for help and he shot his brother a look. But Adam hadn't noticed the tension," Yeah, it must not be too bad or Wyatt wouldn't have let you ride over here," Adam said good naturedly. Sam looked down and Jake cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, obviously uncomfortable. Now Jake's brothers seemed to realize something was wrong. They were all quiet for the first time. But even though weren't asking anymore, Sam figured she might as well just say it." My Dad's sending me back to the city with Aunt Sue." Sam said quietly, and she hoped they heard her because she didn't want to have to repeat it. Luckily they did. Sam looked up at their stricken faces. Quinn was the first to say something, "Sorry Sam." He said sincerely. Brian, Adam and Seth all nodded in agreement. They all looked sad and Sam realized there were a lot of people she would miss.

Sam felt Jake shift in his seat next to her. She looked at his face and could tell he was uncomfortable. Just then, Maxine and Luke walked in from the kitchen, where they had mysteriously disappeared to.

"Who wants pie?" Maxine asked as she sat down and set an apple pie on the table. Then she looked at everyone's faces and she seemed to realize something was going on. "What's wrong?" She asked," I've never seen any one so eager for pie!" No one said anything.

Sam was surprised as Jake spoke up, " Sam's Dad is sending her back to San Francisco." Jake said. Sam sent him a grateful look, knowing that he said so she wouldn't have to. "But why?" Maxine gasped. "Because of what happened last night." Jake answered for her. Maxine just nodded. "We're all going to miss you Sam." Luke Ely said. "Thanks." Sam replied, trying to smile.

Sam wanted to keep all the memories of her friends in her heart, so they would always be with her, even in San Francisco.

Thanks for the reviews you all! Every time you review after a chapter it really encourages me to write!J