The Red Light
Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly
A/N: Okay I probably should stop for a bit and let some of my readers (Lantern) catch up XD
Chapter 46 (First Step to Restoring Honor)
Tuesday, after her first day of work ended, Sam and Valerie were relaxing on the living room couch. They were concerned for Carly, gravely concerned. Her grandfather's body had been found and Spencer was in a rage. The police were looking for this Emilio Gonzalez person and believed he may have Carly. Dexter had been successfully booked by Mr. Puckett for having created the website and allowed any videos of any minor to be published onto it. Even with that now a part of the past, it didn't seem to make things better. Spencer was already lighting the fire to fight and try to destroy the gang that cost the lives of his mother, his granddad, and now possibly his sister. Now would begin Seattle's war with El Niño's, they were under the radar of every single officer in the state and knew if they were smart, they'd have to lay low. When a lawyer started a fire, there was no way in hell that it would be over until that man got what he wanted. No matter how long it took, Spencer was certain to make sure Washington said "Goodbye, El Niño's."
Sam moved her head back and exhaled softly. She wanted to know where Carly was and if she was safe. Chances were Douglas made damn sure she would be safe from the gang. Now with a statewide war against El Niño's, there was probably no chance that they could get her. The other issue was the Niño's were beginning to piss off other Seattle gangs, including the four biggest gangs stationed in Washington. That was the NSS 14, with over thirty thousand members, the Little Valley Lokotes, with around twelve thousand members, the Florencia and the Vatos Locos, both with eight thousand members. To them, a gang like ElNiño's, with just under one thousand members, though seven hundred and fifty seemed to be more of an accurate number, they were nothing. Carlos Rodriquez, if he took over, would likely lead his gang into a devastating, terrible end. Rafael Madison wasn't even in charge anymore, it seemed. It was a sad fact too, since Rafael was not too big on the violence part. His claim was always to stay out of violence with other gangs until their numbers were high enough, but Carlos didn't care.
Valerie paused her cable box on the news and looked over to Sam with a silent gaze. It was not hard to see where Seattle was going. If some of the biggest gangs in Washington were about to start a war, things were going to become a big mess.
"This is bad. It just isn't safe." Sam agreed and tried to think of a way to put it out of her mind. She hoped maybe the law enforcement would step up before things got too out of hand. Valerie flipped off the television and stood up. "What women did the gang take that belonged to other gangs?"
"I don't know, but Carly and Douglas had about sixteen women, if you include me. I've contacted eight of them and they're all safe at their homes. The other seven are missing, El Niño's probably took them. I know at least three or four of those girls were involved in those gangs that evidently have their eye on the Niño's, the others I'm not sure about." Valerie had given Sam permission to try and contact the other girls in this case, she knew it wouldn't trigger anything and she trusted her.
A firm knock came to the door and Valerie walked over to answer it. Sam looked up to see a woman dressed in military uniform. Her eyes widened and a smile grew upon her face. This woman was a recruiter, and chances were she was here to see her! She stood up as Valerie let the lady in. The woman walked up to Sam and shook her hand. "Hi, I'm Sgt. Evans, are you Samantha Puckett?"
"Yes ma'am." Sgt. Evans smiled and sat down with Sam, she'd been waiting to meet up with her sometime this week, but she had been busy earlier on.
"Great. General Beckett informed me that I was to talk to you about the Air Force. He wants you in, and I hope you are aware that when a General wants someone in the military, they're going to be joining the military. So, I'm going to talk to you today, we're going to send you for a physical and then if you're accepted, then we will send you into basic training. That is about eight and a half weeks."
"I do have a question." Sgt. Evans nodded and cupped her hands in her lap as Valerie went into the kitchen to get the lady some coffee. "Will I be sent into Iran after training?"
"Most likely. A lot of current recruits are going over there right now. The military is in need of soldiers, so the process will likely go quickly for you. I just need you to fill out a few items and we'll get started, okay?" Sam nodded and bravely stood with the woman, smiling with pride. "By joining the Air Force, you will do this country, your family, your friends, and everyone around you a great honor and service." Sgt. Evans saluted Sam and she saluted back. Derek had trained her how to give a proper salute. The recruiter seemed impressed by her knowledge. "Please, let's go find a table to sit at."
"Right back here, ma'am." Sam walked with Sgt. Evans into the kitchen and towards the table, nearly squealing with joy. This was a dream come true! Within a few hours, she would have an appointment with a military doctor and he would give her a physical. Now, she just had to sell it. As they sat down, Valerie handed the woman a cup of coffee.
"Thank you very much." Valerie nodded and sat next to her friend. Sgt. Evans sipped her drink and closed her eyes. "Now, the things of your past, General Beckett has stated will be waived, forgiven and forgotten. However, I do have to ask on his behalf, are you currently involved in a pornography career?"
"No ma'am, it is shameful."
"Okay." Sgt. Evans started writing down her notes and kept her eyes on the paper. "And do you have any desire to return to that lifestyle?"
"No ma'am."
"Will you enter the Air Force with the mind of a soldier, holding only the highest honor and respect for your fellow man and uphold the rights and truths of our constitution?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay." After those questions were over, Sam and the recruiter talked for a good couple of hours. She asked everything necessary, such as whether Sam was on medication of any kind, if she had any ailments of any kind, or if there was anything that might hold her back. She seemed to be a normal, healthy eighteen year old girl and would be good to go for the physical. Sgt. Evans told her she probably didn't have anything to worry about and would likely be going into basic training within the next few weeks if she passed the physical, which was highly likely. Chances were, she'd be in Iran fighting alongside her fellow soldiers within a year's time, if not sooner. The group stood at the door and Sgt. Evans shook Sam's hand, smiling with gleam in her eye. "Your chances are good, Miss Puckett. If I were you, I'd start telling your family now. I'm sure they would appreciate the head's up."
"I'll do that." She waited until the woman left, then once she was out, she let out a loud shout for joy. Valerie grinned brightly and Sam hugged her with all her strength. "I'm building up my strength well, don't you think?"
"You'll be just fine. Do you want to go see your mom and dad?" She really wanted to wait until it was confirmed, but was it not basically confirmed as it was?
"Yeah but I want to call Derek up first." Valerie nodded as Sam pulled her cell phone out and called up Derek. "Guess what, Derek! The recruiter came by!"
"Awesome! Was it Sgt. Evans? She's really nice."
"Yeah, that's the one. She was really informative, I liked her." She wondered why Derek and Josh hadn't been overseas yet, but Derek had informed her before that they were just visiting. They would have to return to Iran pretty soon. She hoped to fight alongside them. If they were still at war when Jonah finished college in two to three years and became a First Lieutenant, she hoped maybe she'd see him overseas too. They could all work together to help end this war, granted the war wasn't that bad right now. It might end in a few years' time, however the severity of it was great. "So maybe in a few months, I might be fighting with you and Joshua."
"Maybe so." It didn't hurt that she'd spent at least an hour with him every day now, they were starting to become really close. "Are you going to tell your family?"
"Yeah, I just wonder how they're going to take it. Will you be with me?"
"Sure, when are you going to tell them?"
"Well, I was thinking like in half an hour I might go down there. I know Melanie said Aunt Janet was going to be over tonight. So, she'll get the good news too!"
"You'll be the first one in your family in the military, won't you?"
"Uh huh! Nobody else has actually been involved, so I get to be the one that leads my family into that honor. I'm so excited!"
"I'll be right over." Sam was elated. She sighed contently and pressed her phone to her chest as she fell onto the couch. Valerie chuckled and sat next to her, petting her hair.
"Valerie, what about the bakery? I know I just started there…"
"Chances are you'll have some time there. Don't worry, Sherry won't have a problem. The military is a great thing to go into, she even told me she'd rather you go into the military than work there." Sam slowly nodded her head and closed her eyes. This was more than just an exciting time for her, this was going to be her life now, her future. It had to be her primary focus.
"I'm scared. Can I just say that?"
"Yeah, it's okay to be a little scared of the unknown. You'll be just fine, we're all with you on this. We're all proud of you, rooting for you, even Jonah is." Sam laughed and rolled onto her side, placing her hands in between Valerie's leg and her head.
"I don't honestly know what I'd do without you guys, Valerie. If you didn't let me stay with you…"
"Shh. Don't think about that." Sam nodded and breathed softly. It seemed porn may become a thing of the past, truly, truly.
In half an hour, Derek, Sam, Valerie, and Jonah arrived at Sam's family home. She knew that no matter what, she was going to uphold their rule and not go inside that house. She didn't feel she'd earned their respect yet. Her legs shook tremendously and her heart pounded heavily. For some reason, Derek was in full uniform, evidently he was doing some sort of military training thing with his dad and brother when she called. She leaned against the car and groaned as her eyes flicked to the stars in the sky. Derek stepped out and placed his elbow on her shoulder. "What's the matter? Nervous?"
"Yeah, I don't even know how this is going to go."
"Treat it like my dad did when he was young." Sam raised her eyebrow as Jonah and Valerie surrounded the two. "Same way Jonah did with his dad, but my grandpa was harder."
"I don't understand, what happened?"
"Grandpa was one of those hippie types back in the day, he hated war, and he hated the military. Dad finally finished college, finished talking to the Air Force recruiter, walked up to Grandpa and told him flat out that he was joining the military regardless."
"Oh wow, what happened?" Sam listened intently as Derek went on to explain his father's story, it was well known in his family.
Twenty two year old Travis Beckett sat outside of his father's house, sipping on a cup of water and some Tylenol pills. He had a headache and was sure, despite the painful throbbing that was already present, that this time was it. It was now or never. He set the cup on his dashboard and left his car, then gazed at the warm glow of the porch light. He mocked the moths fluttering about and moved towards the house and knocked hard on his father's door.
It was already wartime, and he was about to enter as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force. There was nothing that could possibly derail him from his future, he was determined that this would be the answer to his life. He had a young girlfriend in college who was supporting him all the way, and that was all that mattered to him now.
His father, a stern figure who believed in a much needed revival of peace and harmony without war, opened up the door and stared at his son. Travis seemed so much different, tense and poised as if he were one of those soldier men. "Travis, what brings you here tonight?"
"Dad. I know you hate the military, I know you hate the thought of me, or any of your children actually thinking of it, but you know what?" The man's stern face narrowed as he stared at his son with concern and upset. He really hoped the words about to come out of his child's mouth would not be what he was thinking. "I have a lot of respect for you, a lot of respect for my family, and I believe that if not for the military we have, we would not even be a family. If not for that military, we would be sipping tea and eating scones every single day of our life. Father, our country is a free country because of the men who died for this land, and Father, I fully intend to be one of those men to fight for this land and keep it free!" Travis moved his hand up in a salute as his father opened the door fully and stepped outside. Standing erect, his father was a tall and imposing figure with a beard and short hair that covered the tips of his ears. He folded his arms over and tilted his head, keeping his lips flat and his face calm.
"What are you saying, Travis?"
"I'm joining the Air Force. I have already spoken with a recruiter, filled out the applications and done everything I can to put my foot into the door. When the time comes to protect this family, Father, I will be the one to stand up and defend my family with honor and with glory. If you don't appreciate that, then I'm sorry, but nothing can stop me from doing this."
"So you've already made your mind up…" The man gave a slight hum and turned back into the house, gently closing the door. Travis lowered his arm and stood there, waiting. He knew his dad well enough to know that he was currently dealing with the problem at hand. He needed to take it in and rather than stand there awkwardly staring at his son, he chose to retreat into the house. After a minute or two, he returned with a small smile. "If I can't stop you, then I can't. I know I don't understand this whole sense of duty you feel, but that's just because I can't understand why someone would want to go overseas and possibly die."
"It's not the aspect of dying, Dad. It's the feeling of laying down your life for your family, for your friends, for your countrymen. It's the feeling of being on the front lines and knowing that we don't have to be enslaved, we don't have to be ruled by a dictator, and we don't have to be a poor country thanks to our own efforts. We fight to keep this land free, same as the founding fathers and so many others had done in the past, and if it means giving our last breath, then so be it. Fighting, living or dying to keep you, mom, and our family alive and able to have the freedom of speech to say whether or not you like something, that is what service is all about."
Travis looked at his father and he saw this big man start to shed a tear at his son's speech. If that was what his son felt, if that was what was important, then maybe it was a damn good reason. He placed his mighty hand upon his son's shoulder and Travis did not tremble. He stood firm, his jaw stiff and his attention alert. "Then if that is what the sense of duty is…then I will be proud of anything you do. If it's in your heart to join, I will not argue it. Do what you feel is right."
Sam wiped a tear from her eye and smiled, she knew she wouldn't have that much difficulty because her family were not anti-military, they loved the military. Jonah pat Sam's shoulder and started walking towards the front door, everyone else followed as he glanced back at Sam. "I didn't have so much trouble telling my dad. I knew what to say and he's not against it. He knows I'm waiting to finish college so I can be an officer rather than an enlisted at first. He said he's scared of what it might be like for me over there, but as long as I'm fighting to keep our country alive and performing my duty, that's what matters. Just be yourself, be natural, and say what's in your heart and on your mind. You'll be fine."
"Okay…well if it actually runs smoothly, I'll kiss Derek." Jonah laughed and Derek's cheeks grew red. He wasn't sure if she was joking or not. Sure they'd been out a couple times, dated since the military banquet, but they hadn't kissed yet. Valerie nudged Sam teasingly and winked at her.
"Oh you will, will you? Finally feeling comfortable about relationships?" Sam looked at her friend, then back to Derek. Her heart started filling up with a strange sensation and she looked away to the door. She did feel comfortable with him, and she had been wanting to kiss him. This would be a momentous occasion and maybe, it would be a good time to kiss him. She wanted to know if she'd be comfortable with it at least.
"He's a good man, Val." That needed not be on her mind right now. She bit her lip and lifted her finger up to the doorbell. She hovered over for a second until Derek stepped up behind her and placed his hand on hers, pushing her finger onto the bell. He smirked lightly as Sam's cheeks grew bright red. "Gee, thanks for that one."
"No problem." She turned her head back and looked into his eyes, her heart slammed against her chest and she quickly turned back to the door. Her entire body was starting to heat up with him standing there. They could hear footsteps approaching the door and Derek took a slight step back while Jonah and Carly stood behind her and off to the sides as well. "Here you go."
Sam's heartbeat was the only sound she could hear as the door opened. Her father stepped in the doorway with Pam. Behind them, Sam was shocked to see all of her aunts. Each of them stood from whatever seats or positions they were in and started to leave the house with the family. Last to file out were Melanie and Freddie
The Aunts leaned up against the house on the left side of the yard while David, Pam, and Melanie moved in front of them, they didn't want to feel awkward by standing in the doorway. Along with them came all of Sam's cousins, Annie, Garth, Tanya, and Jacob. Freddie rested his arm around Melanie's shoulder and gave Sam a nod for good luck.
"Dear god, this is almost uncomfortable." Sam's palms became clammy and her nerves were beginning to start up like wildfire. Had her mother basically told them all to come? What the hell was this? She had to relax, she had to do this. Now or never. Valerie stepped behind her and placed her hands on Sam's shoulders, nudging her forward. Jonah rubbed the side of his nose and chuckled as Derek walked alongside of Sam and gave her a smile of reassurance. David looked to his daughter with stern, somber eyes while Pam kept her head held high. It had been so long since Sam had seen them, at least it felt like forever.
"You told us over the phone that you didn't want to go inside…So we all came out here. You have something you wanted to tell us all? We won't interrupt till you're done, okay? Family honor." Pam smiled and lifted her right hand, perhaps trying to lighten the mood. Once acknowledged by her mother, Sam's nerves started to settle. She knew she should relax, because nobody really was going to say anything until after she was done.
"No I didn't, because…well honor is something that is really important in all of this." She closed her eyes and waited for her heart to speak. She was determined to wear her words on her sleeves, to hold nothing back at all. Her eyes opened and she met everyone's eyes. The ever judging, prodding eyes of Aunt Erika, the mournful and sorrowful eyes of Aunt Isabel, to the avoidant yet concerned eyes of Aunt Nancy, then the calm and peaceful eyes of Aunt Umika, to the ever patient and wise eyes of Aunt Janet. Then her mother, her sweet mother, whom she possibly hurt the most. She had to face everyone, and it was difficult for her to do. Derek took her hand in his and leaned over, whispering to her.
"You can do this. We're right here." Sam nodded with determination and confidence, then took a mighty step forward. No turning back now.
"I was told that I shamed my family, dishonored you all, and lost your respect. I was told that until I've earned that respect and trust back, I could not enter that house." David moved his head back and held his daughter's gaze. "I am honoring those wishes until I truly have earned that respect back. Now, I've hurt a lot of people, everyone in my family. Aunt Umika…"
Umika curiously nodded her head as Sam looked her straight in the eyes. "Through study of your heritage, I've learned that family is a highly respectable network and should never be tarnished. Once shamed, dishonored, it is difficult to gain that back." Umika slowly nodded as her sisters looked over to her. "I'm going to treat my family in the same manner that the Japanese families should treat one another. I've dishonored my family, Aunt Umika."
"Don't tell me, sweetie…" Aunt Umika motioned to Sam's father with her head and Sam gave a knowing nod. Sam turned to her father and locked his eyes.
"I've brought great shame and dishonor to our family, I know the things I have done were wrong and they tarnished not only my relationship with my family, but everyone's relationship with each other. I want to earn that respect back, I want to build it up in whatever I can do."
"How is that?"
"Give me a moment…" Sam wiped her eye and addressed each of her aunts one by one. "Aunt Erica, I know that you've been the hardest on me and you have every right to be." Erica moved her head downward, then back up to Sam's eyes. She pulled her lips firmly down as everyone looked back at her. "I'm sorry." She moved her eyes to Jacob, who stood next to his mother with a wry smile. The image of his cousin in a sexual position no longer bothered him, but it had troubled him for a while after that. "Jacob, I'm sorry that you saw what you saw, I should not have put myself in that position in the first place. I apologize to you and to Aunt Erica."
Moving on, she saw Isabel and breathed in deeply. "Aunt Isabel, words can't express how much guilt I've experienced because of what my actions led to. I can't possibly imagine how you feel, even right now, regarding Uncle Carmine and Greg." Isabel closed her eyes and moved her head to the side, holding her hand up to her chest as her chest burned. "I've caused you so much trouble, so much stress, and I apologize. I know words won't be enough, they won't get them out of prison, and they'll be in there for a long time…"
"Y-Your uncle…needed to serve time anyway for something he did a long time ago…"
"It does not matter. I was wrong." She met the eyes of her other three aunts, she wasn't sure if she hurt them, but then, she knew she caused them plenty of stress. "Aunt Janet, Aunt Umika, and Aunt Nancy…My actions caused you three to get wrapped up in a family dispute that never, in a million years should ever have happened." The three aunts frowned at her and breathed in softly. "You had to maintain peace and fix disorder that my actions caused. I apologize if my actions have harmed or shamed you in any way whatsoever."
Her eyes drifted to Melanie and she traced the outline of Melanie's now brown hair. She pressed her lips together and cleared her throat. She held her hands together at her waist while her friends all smiled at her with pride. "Okay. Melanie, and Freddie as well. I'm sorry that my actions almost caused you two so many great things, such as your college. You had every right to be angry with me, and you had every right to never speak to me again. I know my actions caused a lot of emotional and mental anguish for you, and I wish so much that I could take it all back. Melanie, you were the sister that was always there for me, and I took that for granted. I am deeply, deeply sorry for everything."
Now came her parents, the ones who loved her and when they could have, they didn't disown her completely. "Mom, Dad…" Her parents remained erect. Pam was trying to hide her tears, but she couldn't keep them from rolling down. She was so proud of her precious daughter right now, so proud to see her growing up into a woman. If it was true that she was going into the military, then she just knew Sam would become a great woman. "My actions have hurt you the most, I think. My actions may have caused Dad to be ridiculed, my actions cost you, mom, severe anguish and possible fear of losing both your daughters…"
She didn't want to say that Sgt. Evans really helped her in what to say to her family. Everybody that she got advice from basically said that whatever she said now had to be of grave importance, that it could weigh heavily on her future with them. "It's good to take responsibility for my actions now before they cause me serious and devastating harm in the future. I promise you that my actions are over, but I will continue to fight to win your respect back. I will bring honor to my family."
"Again, how will you do that, Samantha?" She looked to her father and kept her back straight. Here it comes, the most important part of this night.
"Dad. Mom. Melanie. Aunts Janet through Aunt Erica, and all my cousins…I have spoken to a recruiter, I will have my physical within a week, but Sgt. Evans says it's surefire…I am joining the Air Force." A collective gasp came from her relatives and she could see their eyes begin to slowly light up with pride.
"The military, Samantha? Nobody in our family's ever been in the military."
"I know. That's why I'm going to be the first to lead my family into that honor. I'm going to train and become that respectable woman that I can be, I want to restore the honor that I have caused my family to lose. Instead of bringing shame upon you all, I want to bring you all glory while also fighting to protect you. I will be in the front lines to keep you, my friends, and my country safe. If it costs me my last breath, so be it, but this is a choice and an honor that they can't take away from me. I just want you to know, I love you. All of you. I will fight for you any day of the week, because you are my family. This nation is my family, and I will serve to keep it safe."
Umika smiled and folded her arms over, gazing with a full heart at her niece. "The military is highly respectable and a high honor, you really are doing your family name a great honor just by enlisting."
One by one, all of Sam's aunts, even Erica herself, smiled at her. If they hadn't seen it before, they could easily see it in her tonight, that respectable young woman that Sam could become. Erica tapped her chin and smirked subtly. "I'm afraid I've misjudged you, Samantha. Good luck in the military, I am proud of who you are becoming."
David glanced back and lifted his hand up, closing his eyes slowly. He wanted to speak. Umika understood and got her sisters to quiet down. In Japanese tradition, it was the father who had the most to say. She didn't know why Sam wanted to go about it this way, perhaps it was to show respect and honor to even her.
David stepped forward and placed his hands on Sam's shoulders, looking into her eyes with a gaze filled with pride. Pam stood behind him, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief while Melanie smiled through the silent tears of joy that were rolling down her cheeks. "Samantha. While you have disgraced your family, it is as Umika might say, a great honor and bringing of grace to your family by showing your determination and perseverance in joining the military. In the end, you are my daughter. You always have and you always will be, no matter what mistakes you make in life. I, your mother, your sisters, and your aunts…even Erica, though she might not show it often, we all love you very much. Yes, we were hurt by your actions, we all suffered on some end, but I know that like a Puckett, you can rise above all of that."
"Thank you, Daddy…"
"Sam, what I saw a couple weeks ago. What I saw was something that my daughter turned into, I couldn't place my finger on it. God, I didn't know what had happened that you would treat your own family in the manner of disregard that you had done, but now…now I can see my daughter clearly." Sam slowly smiled as her heart started to rise up inside of her. "I will be waiting for you to fully come out and be that beautiful, respectable woman that I know you can be. I want you to know that I agree with and honor your decision to join the military, I think it can really help you to become that woman and to put your past behind you. I am…we all are very, very proud of you for taking this step. And as Umika would say, by glorifying your family in this way, you are taking your first step to honoring us. Never, ever, forget who you are and never forget that we love you."
"Yes Daddy…" David quickly hugged his daughter and the two shed their tears. It felt great to be this far, she knew she still had work to do, but this was still a great feat.
After a few more minutes of talking, it was time for Sam to get back to Valerie's house. She sat in the backseat with Derek, resting her head upon his shoulder as she thought hard on the events that had taken place. It went better than she thought it would have.
Valerie put her arm on the back of her chair and looked at the two with a bright smile. Her mind clicked as she remembered what Sam had said before. "So Sammy…"
"I know, I know…" Sam chuckled and Derek started to turn a shade of red. They all remembered the wager Sam said. He looked into her eyes with a slight smile and she returned that smile with one of her own. "Thank you…for being there for me all this time, Derek. Thank you." She closed her eyes and slowly leaned forward, kissing his lips. He closed his eyes and kissed her back. Valerie sighed contently and Jonah's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror for a split second, and even he smiled at the display. Sam pulled apart, her eyes filled with love and joy. She was surprised, the kiss was so relaxing and peaceful, so meaningful. "My god…"
"What? Did I do something wrong?" He sat straight and Sam chuckled lightly, shaking her head.
"No, that was…" He leaned comfortably back in the seat as she rested her head upon his chest. "Perfect…"
What a nice chapter this was, Sam's on her way. I believe it's the next chapter, could be the chapter after, where we see Douglas enter into Iran.
