Ch 9

Sam came around just about every other week, to check in on Carmen. While Zack and Ivy had their suspicions, oddly Shadown San welcomed the new face. "Back again?" "Yes, I know at this point it may be counter productive but you never know, trauma can take years to get over. I just want to make sure she's at least functioning like her old self." Shadowsan frowned, "even if she were, I doubt she would tell us." Sam nodded.

A week later

Carmen was absent mindedly watching the birds outside when she heard a motor start. Pivoting, she found the source,Sam had apparently taken it upon himself to tame the grass of their HQ. she waved and jogged over. "Hey be careful it looks like a jungle out there." She joked . He smirked, "I'll keep that in mind."

"Hey Carm." "Ivy , how's it going?" "Oh ya know, going I guess." The redhead looked out at the surrounding area. "Woah Sam is actually doing a pretty good job!" "Finally accepting him?" "Not yet, but he's….growing ….on" "Ivy? You ok?" Carmen followed her friend's line of sight to see what had her so tongue tied. Woah. Now both girls had had their fair share or puberty talks and knew the basics , but Carmen had to admit seeing a guy shirtless, in this heat, well there was only so much a slideshow could offer. Not to mention Sam was pretty easy on the eyes to begin with.

Carmen and the gang had just returned from a successful mission. "Wooooo! Yea man, stopping VILE one day at a time!" Zack high fives his sister. "You know it bro." Carmen went to the fridge to get some water. She owned it and stopped: she didn't remember buying that much beer, or any beer for that matter. "Uh, guys who bought all the beer?"

"That was me, sorry." Sam entered the kitchen. "Figured we could all just relax for a weekend and take a load off." "What about VILE, they coul-" Sam cut her off. "Look I applaud your work ethic Carmen , but you're working yourself dry here, you gotta take a break." "VILE doesn't so I'm not." "I agree with Nr. Pierce." The room turned to Shadowsan. "Wait mr. Stone face secret ninja is agreeing with Sam?" Questioned Zack. "Yes, while I'm not very fond of alcohol, Sam's point remains, You should relax Carmen , VILE isn't going anywhere." "We could play cards, or just shoot the shit, you guys probably have some really good stories." Sam offered. "Plus you might end up hearing about my early FBI days." He added. "I'm not sure…" "I brought Boston lager?" Sam offered. "I'm in!" Zack yelled , walking over Sam handed him a beer. He produced a bottle opener and opened it for him. "Come on sis, besides it's free!" Ivy smirked, "Alright, fine!"

Sam opened up a Dos Equis and handed it to Carmen. Hesitantly she accepted it. "What do ya say? It's Friday night , we don't have work , at least I don't tomorrow." He chuckled. " you really wanna pass this up?" He gestured to her other friends. "Hey Sam didn't you bring a boom box in here earlier?" "I did my good sir." Carmen smirked and swiped her beer. "Ok , but only if you sing." Sam clinked her beer with his own . "Deal"

A few hours later….

"Taaakke… m-me..aawaay." Sam was in the middle of a horrible karaoke version of Take on Me. Zack was currently rolling on the ground with laugher, while Ivy was curled up fetal position laughing so hard she was crying. Carmen was trying in vain to keep a straight face, but she was slipping. "I'lll… bbee gone.. Aa wwoooo" Sam stumbled and fell on his ass as his voice cracked. Carmen promptly lost it. Trying to cover her mouth her laughter wasn't as high pitched as Sam thought. Getting up he tumbled over and sat next to her.

"S-see, told you th-this would be fuuuunn." he joked nudging her arm. She giggled, "You were totally right, i needed this, FUCK VILLLLEE!" the room went silent. Then everyone laughed. "You said a bad word Carmel ." Sam slurred. "It's CAR- MEN." Carmen tried to explain drunkenly. This made Sam and Ivy laugh harder. "I'm gonna get another beer." She stood up only to ploop back down spilling beer on her shirt in the process. "Ooopps, looks like you need a new shirt." Sam teased. "I do." humphed Carmen. Trying again she managed to right herself before heading upstairs to get a new one.

"Need a new shirt...hmm... " Carmen hummed as she opened the laundry room. Spying her dark blue shirt she scooped it up and changed.

"H-hey Carmsss back." all eyes looked to the stairs where the aforementioned super thief was descending. Almost stumbling headfirst she caught herself. Sam stumbled over and offered her a hand. "You loook like you nnn-eeded help." when she actually lost her balance Sam caught her, unfortunately Carmen landed in a way with her slung over Sam's shoulder. "Welll… lookie what i got." he descended the remaining stairs. "Heyy, hey, free whacks." he joked. "Don't y-you dare Sam! If-if you touch my ass i'll...i'll..never talk to you again." Sam tried to put Carmen down on the couch, but ended up falling himself. "Oops touched yer boob sorry." Carmen feigned exasperation, "M-my good sir how dare you ...defile me in th-that way!"

"Heeeyy boss, uuuh whaats on yer shirt, PEI?" Ivy was inches away from Carmen's chest squinting. Carmen looked down and now noticed the shirt. It was not her trusty blue shirt but an FBI shirt complete with the logo and letters. "Heeey, that's mmmy shirt, you tryin ta steal it?" Sam slurred jokingly. "Nooo, i thought it was my shirt." Carmen drunkenly replied.

2 hours later..

"I'm off to bed guys." Ivy slurred, "Come on bro." dragging Zack upstairs. Carmen went to follow them, "Should probably do the same." Unfortunately, she was not so steady on her feet and ended up next to Sam on the couch. "Hmmm, well guess i'm slllee-pping here." she curled up next to Sam. "H-hey i didn't sign up to be your pillow." he joked. As if to further her point, she wrapped her arms around his waist and nuzzled into the crook of his neck. "Fiiinne." he conceded, resting his head on top of hers as he drifted off to sleep.