"Carly, I'm not understanding; Isn't this something that you thought you wanted? Why the change of heart. Your friends want you to go, I think it would be a great opportunity, so what's holding you back, Lovebug?"

Colonel Shay stood adjacent to Carly in the living room, Carly sobbing on the couch with Sam's arms consoling her shaking body and Spencer sat puzzled yet intrigued on the stool near the counter. It was a sudden snap of the fingers and Carly's emotions had overtaken her so quickly she had emotional whiplash.

She rarely ever snapped and when she did she owned it and would apologize. She was kind most of the time, but she was only human, and would experience emotion, and they couldn't expect her to keep it cool all the time, but when she had mood swings that rapid, they knew something was up. It was anxiety masked as another emotion, and they could tell that.

His face rested gently, painted with nothing but concern over the turn of events. He wouldn't force her to go, but he wanted to know why so he could help her through it, because this was not like her, and he had an inkling it had nothing to do with just missing her friends and brother.

She was overwhelmed from feeling everything all at once, including the guilt of hiding what she had been dying to tell them. The real reason that she had suddenly decided she wasn't going to follow her dad to Italy.

"Carls, don't you think-" Sam began, but Carly shook her head.

"Carly, is there something you're not telling us, Kiddo?" Spencer prompted, hoping that she'd feel safe enough to open up.

Carly leaned away from Sam and nestled herself into the arm of the couch, crossing her arms stubbornly over her body like a child. She was still shaking, and tears still streamed down her face, but she was stern and would not budge.

"Spencer," She managed to sob out eventually, holding an alarm in her voice.

"We can do this privately kiddo." He offered,

"Whatever it is you can tell me, and then I can help you tell the rest of us when you're ready. But until then, you don't have to go to Italy whether you have a reason or not, and dad will understand."

Spencer turned to his bewildered father, an unusually quiet and serious looking Sam, and a nervous Freddie watching his girlfriend of nine months from afar, slowly inching his chair towards the back door every time Colonel Shay gave him a glare. They had been discussing the workings of a long distance relationship for when they went to college and he had been sensing that Carly was ready to end it for a while now.

She had seemed like her head was elsewhere and completely uninterested in a relationship with him, or anyone for that matter. She spent more time with Sam than him and they had been excluding him lately, and he wasn't sure what the deal had been. Carly claimed that she had been helping Sam figure out what was going to be happening for her after she graduated, but they still had seven months to think about it. But to Carly it had been much deeper than that for her reasoning to end it.

Carly took a deep breath and Sam took note of her rigid body, extending her arm to grab Carly's hands and watching her closed off body language remain shut down as she mumbled something under her breath.

"What was that kid?"

"Carls, are you sure?" Sam protested and Spencer raised an eyebrow, clueing into the fact that Sam knew something he didn't. They didn't know.

"I'm not taking a gap year." She repeated firmly and everyone relaxed.

"That's okay kiddo, you can study abroad or figure out what you want. Not everyone goes to college or has to after high school."

Spencer felt relief flood over his body and a little let down, but nonetheless happy that was the news. He had aspired to be a lawyer and it ended up not being the right path for him so it was natural for Carly to explore her options, and if she wanted to study in Italy the rest of her school year she could, but if not that's fine too, he'd support her no matter what. But one piece was missing; What about not wanting to go to college had to do with her not wanting to go to Italy suddenly? Was it fear of backlash from their father. Wouldn't that make it easier for her to leave and explore the world for a bit?

"Your brother dropped out of college after like, two days." Colonel Shay added.

"Hey- it was three. Don't be disrespectful." Spencer retorted playfully, before seating himself between Carly and Sam on the couch.

"But Kid, what does this have to do with Italy?" He finally backtracked. "You can still take a gap year in Italy. Explore the country. Be with Dad. I'll miss you but this is a huge opportunity. But obviously we're not gonna force you if it makes you uncomfortable."

"Guys, I don't know why we need this whole intervention." Carly snaps, growing agitated and holding defiance in her voice.

She was not going to crack that easily, but it would eat her alive. Sam's eyes darted back from Carly to Spencer to finally tracing the pattern on the carpet with them nervously.

"Carly?" Spencer remains calm and pretends to be unphased.

"I don't wanna talk about this; I'm not going. I'm not uprooting my life my senior year. I love dad and I love you guys, but it doesn't feel right to make this big of a change suddenly. I don't want to take a leap! I want structure and reassurance but right now it feels like I'm jumping without a 'chute and I'm not comfortable with that."

"Carly, I don't want to make you do anything you're not comfortable with." The Colonel raised his hands in defeat, wanting only but the best for his daughter.

"But I'd still like to escort you to the father/daughter dance in a few short months."

Carly leaned into her brother, sobbing profusely as she felt guilt for letting her dad down flood over her, but Spencer reassured her it was okay. Sam had now gone to the fridge and grabbed a can of frosting for her, handing her the chocolate treat along with a spoon. Carly declined, only stabbing the spoon into it and resting it on the table. Spencer surveyed the room, nodding to his dad as if they could converse telepathically.

Everyone took the cue that the conversation was over, and Colonel Shay wagged his finger in a 'come over here' motion towards Freddie and Sam, notioning for them to leave the apartment and offered to take them for smoothies. Carly was close with her friends, but Colonel Shay knew that Carly and Spencer had an unbreakable bond that could get Carly to open up even in her most reserved of moods.

"Your secret is safe with me, or uh- rather us." Spencer opened and Carly cocked her head at him, slightly confused.

"Us?" She reiterated, picking at her nail polish.

"C'mon, Sam looked pretty sus to me. You're telling me that she doesn't know something we don't? You guys tell each other most everything. So what aren't you telling me, Carly?"

Carly wanted to flee, she wanted to skip town and start over and she knew Sam had the wigs and passports for doing so. However the problem would only follow, because it was quite literally a part of her now. But instead she froze and her mind flashed back to two nights before, when she was supposed to be preparing for her father's birthday party. They had planned to do it on iCarly the following day because they hadn't expected for him to show up at two a.m the next day.

After they had wrapped up decorating, Freddie had gone home to finish a puzzle with his mother and Sam had planned on staying the night. She sat on Carly's bed, waiting for her to finish up her shower while clipping her toenails. Carly would be disgusted that she was doing it on the bed, but right now that hadn't been her main focus.

Her mind was elsewhere, and even Sam could sense something was up. So as soon as Carly came out of the bathroom, tightening her purple bathrobe and adjusting the towel to sit firm on her head, Sam began to berate her, noting her green tinted skin. She looked as if she had been vomiting and seemed shaky, her breathing deep as if she was trying to stop it from happening again.

"Carls, are you good? You were in there for a long time." Sam began to interrogate her.

"I'm fine." She replied shortly before realizing that answer did not satisfy Sam. "I just needed to feel extra dolled up for when we filmed my dad's iCarly special."

"It's not like he's gonna smell you're clean over the video Carly." Sam smirked in amusement.

"I was just trying to wash the tick bath shampoo off of me." She defended.

"You don't take tick baths."

Sam inquisitively studied Carly's expressions as she defiantly crossed her arms over her body. She was waiting for her to give in and tell her what was wrong. Carly was never usually this stubborn and usually found relief in talking about what was on her mind. Secrets made her uncomfortable, they learned that when Sam had changed their grades in the school's computer their eight grade year.

"Maybe I just started." Carly eventually challenged.

"Yeah, started Shark week, it seemed." Sam snickered facetiously until she noted that Carly wasn't playing.

Sam stood up, walking across the room to her as soon as she noticed that Carly began shaking harder in frustration, on the verge of tears.

"Carly," Sam grabbed her arms, swinging them gently back and forth in comfort.

Carly whimpered, unable to contain herself at the touch of Sam's hands on her and broke down, allowing Sam to embrace her and sobbed into her shoulder.

"It's okay, shut up. You're okay, Carls."

Sam finally broke the hug when it appeared that Carly was done sobbing and quickly went downstairs. When she returned she held a red velvet cupcake, knowing that food was Carly's love language. Ever since they were little, Carly always would have a snack, never turning one down no matter the situation.

When she had fallen on the playground at school in second grade, the nurse asked what Carly needed, and when offered an ice pack, Carly only shook her head, asking for a snack instead. It was something her brother always offered to her because it's what he knew made her happy, it's really the only thing he knew to do at the time because their mom had just died and their mom had a thing for making snacks for people, so when Carly was in his care, they had to learn to live as their own little family, and he had to learn how to take care of his baby sister. He was dang good at it from the start.

Carly's insane love for cupcakes came from that, and Sam knew they were compatible in a lifelong friendship the second her friend had chosen a snack over something practical like an ice pack. Carly probably still would to this day, except she would be reasonable and take both.

"C'mon kid, this isn't like you. You're pretty even tempered. What's bugging you, and does it have to do with Freddicuini." Sam hinted.

Carly hadn't been this upset since she and Freddie fought a few days before about Carly avoiding him lately. It was what seemed to be an on again/ off again relationship and Carly had mentioned ending the relationship. She loved him but she knew it wasn't going to work. She valued their friendship too much and she was afraid this would change that, even though he promised it wouldn't drive a wedge between any of them. Even if they weren't dating they'd always be together.

"How do you seem to know everything?" Carly sniffled.

They sat down on Carly's bed, Carly leaning against her headboard, and Sam sitting cross legged at the end of the bed, with a pillow on her lap, resting her chin in her hand.

"Do you think he would cheat on you at any point?"

"No. Does that even sound like Freddie to you?"

"I mean I guess there's always the small, miniscule chance there would be another girl desperate enough for him to cheat with." Sam laughed.

"Doesn't that make me desperate for dating him?" Carly stated bluntly.

"You said it, I didn't." Sam raises her hands in surrender.

"Shut up Sam," She replied humorously, "You took him for a spin too."

"So maybe we shouldn't be talking about Freddie when he's our friend and ex." Sam deterred the subject away from the little roast session they were having on Freddie.

"I just don't wanna hurt him or keep prolonging a break up. If I wait too long I fear there won't be a chance that we can maintain being just friends and we'll end up being resentful towards each other because of me leading him on to believe we were meant to go somewhere. But now I kind of feel that I'm stuck with him, like he's gonna be a part of my life no matter what."

"Why would you say that? What makes you feel like he's gonna hate you? He's always had a little crush on you and I think you're always gonna care for each other even if it's not romantically. It's not your fault if he can't establish the difference after you've explained your boundaries and feelings."

"I just am. We've got too much history and like, we've lost focus on why we want to be together and now I feel like it's a 'have' to be together." Carly droned, beginning to bearer a hopeless undertone to her voice.

"But when you say 'stuck' or 'have to', it makes me believe there's something more. Like you're feeling trapped and that's unhealthy. But what besides not being able to break up with him would keep you bound to this relationship, Carls?"

Carly picked nervously at her lips, tracing her eyes along the pattern on her comforter to keep herself preoccupied with avoiding the question and her mind busy. She didn't have the right words, she'd just have to blurt it out abruptly. It was Sam, and she knew she'd fish the words out of her mouth sooner than later. So she took a deep breath, ready to explain when Sam instead took over, taking the load off but also springing shock on her.

"Carls, are you pregnant?"

Sam concluded rather sheepishly, which surprised Carly considering how blunt Sam usually was. Carly began to blush and Sam took it as a nonverbal 'yes', seeing how nervous Carly had become.

"How'd you gather that conclusion?" Carly challenged, dodging the question.

"You haven't touched your red velvet cupcake and when you're feeling down food is usually the first thing you head for."

"I'm just not hungry." She insisted flatly.

"Or...you're nauseous because you're pregnant and can't eat. Look at you, your skin is green and you just showered and still look like you went dumpster diving."

"Gee, thanks Sam." Carly groaned, throwing herself backwards onto her pillows and rolling over.

"Or, maybe it's the fact that you seem like you don't really wanna be with Freddie anymore, but instead sound like you're being bound to him in a forever commitment. And you guys aren't married so what other way to feel trapped like a baby?"

Sam drew her conclusion, it was obvious to her that something was making her feel stuck and it wasn't just because she was too nice to break up with him. It was a real problem, and even though if they kept the baby, she wouldn't have to be in a relationship, they could be coparents, but even Carly knew that could be a difficult lifelong commitment. She could tell Carly was thinking, and she was deep in thought, not only about how Sam always seemed to figure her out, but also knew what to say.

"Well have you taken a test yet?" Sam finally added when the silence grew uncomfortable.

"This morning."

"It was positive? Are you sure?" Sam presses.

"I'm pretty sure peeing on a stick isn't rock science, Sam. Even Gibby couldn't mess that up." Carly snapped anxiously.

"Oh, he'd find a way, he's Gibby."

Sam retorted and Carly giggled in agreement, easing the tension she had been holding and breaking up the uneasiness and seriousness of the situation a bit. Carly playfully nudged her and Sam scooted over, leaning against the headboard alongside her, until the giggles stopped.

"Stop, this is serious. What am I gonna tell Spencer or my dad? And what am I going to do about Freddie."

"If you had a choice between the baby or Freddie-" Sam teased again and Carly rolled her eyes.

"I don't really know what to say; However, I do know you're going to have to tell him, Carls. And your brother too. They deserve to know."

Her conversation the night before with Sam replayed in her mind multiple times, and Carly's head felt like it was going to explode as if she was underwater and all the pressure was becoming too much. She found it became simultaneously more difficult to tell him because she didn't want to disappoint him but at the same time she felt comfortable with him. Now she was brought from the flashback back into the moment that was here sooner than she anticipated, and she wished she had taken time to be accustomed to it herself first, but he also had to know.

"Sooner than later, Carl's. He's your brother, he'll want to help you, even if he's a little mad at first."

He was her brother, he'd always be there, even if he was a little shocked at first. Spencer always knew what to do, even if it was a bit of an unconventional approach sometimes. But nonetheless he always made her feel safe.

"So what is it kid? Did you and Sam do something and now you're like, FBIs most wanted?" Spencer teased.

"If I was FBIs most wanted, I'd wanna flee the country." Carly cracked a small smile.

"Oh right. So why the change of heart?" He sincerely wanted to know.

Carly chipped away at the nail polish on her fingers absentmindedly, but was fully aware she was avoiding an inevitable conversation. She began to feel sick and shaky, like sobs were going to erupt from her at any given moment all over again. She knew it was going to happen and she bit her lip, bracing herself for a somewhat embarrassing conversation.

"What is it, kid? You can tell me anything, and I won't judge you, you know that."

She tries to speak but her mouth goes dry, trying to gather the right words to say but she goes back to the basics, the one sentence she had been practicing for hours now.

"Spencer, I'm pregnant." She blurts, now bracing herself for a Spencer freak out.

The band aid was now off, and the silence stung a little as she prepared for what Spencer had to say. He sat there, his mouth hung open and he wasn't sure how to react. This is something he wasn't prepared for. Boyfriends, heartbreaks, even enemies, Spencer seemed to have the answer, but for this, nothing. Nada, squat. She flashed back to when she had been caught kissing Griffin, and thought that she was about to be grounded again, 'for 'til college'.

Instead, Spencer surveyed her, considering carefully how what he said next would either positively or negatively affect how this would go. He wanted communication with his sister and for her to be honest with him, but was also in complete shock his baby sister was sitting here, all grown, religious him she was pregnant. He carefully mapped his reaction and knew an outburst would not be necessary.

So he did the only thing he knew to do, and grabbed her, embracing her rigid body to offer comfort and silent reassurance that even though he didn't have the answer right away, they'd figure it out, and he was going nowhere.

"I'm gonna help you, it's going to be okay." He eventually reassured her and Carly sniffled loudly.

"You can't possibly promise me that." She whimpered.

"I'm going to do whatever I can to make you feel safe and cared for during all this. Whatever you need kiddo, I'll support you."

Spencer knew it would be no good to tell her he was disappointed. She was already ashamed of herself and there was no need to remind her. She didn't need to be told she was stupid for making a mistake, she already knew it was a difficult situation and it would only discourage her more. She needed support and guidance, and he could help her with that.

"Dad is going to kill me." She eventually whimpered.

"It's going to be difficult, but I'm not going anywhere. You are amazing and this doesn't define you."

"I've screwed up the rest of my life. How am I supposed to go to high school and take care of a baby? What about iCarly? I've let Sam and Freddie down too. I can't keep this baby, but I could never get an abortion."

Spencer stays silent, carefully mapping out the next steps in his head. How to comfort Carly but not condone her actions. It wasn't like she did it on purpose but she would grow through what she's going through. It was a learning curve, and he wanted her to know there was options, and he'd be behind her no matter what she chose.

"Carls, I don't think you need to hear from me or Sam or even Freddie right now what a tricky situation this is, but what you do need is a plan for how we're gonna handle it. Whether you keep the baby or choose adoption is up to you, but I'll be behind you every step of the way. I'm not going to condone this choice to have unprotected sex, but I'm not going to sit here and lecture you and make you feel bad about it either because shaming you isn't going to fix things you already know are tough. We can run from our past or learn from it."

Carly smiles at the last part, feeling relief flood over her as she felt in a nonjudgmental zone. Her brother was like a father figure and still didn't have complete authority, but even if he did, he wasn't going to hold this against her. He knew she was a smart girl and unexpected things would happen, but it wasn't going to change how much he loved her or how he was one hundred percent going to help her along the way.

"You got that last quote from 'The Lion King.', didn't you?" She laughs incredulously, and he shrugs.

A moment of contemplative silence passed before anyone spoke again, basking in the lighthearted moment providing relief from the heavy emotions that they had been sorting through. Finally Carly sighed loudly, cueing her brother to please say something that would help break up the awkwardness.

"What's next, Spence?" She finally breaks the ice, when she felt like her brother didn't know what else to say.

"What's important is you right now, not iCarly, so we're gonna get you taken care of and make a doctor appointment."

"When did you become the level headed one?" Carly leaned into him.

"About fifteen minutes ago." He replies and Carly laughs gently before growing serious.

"What about dad?"

"He'll be mad, at first." Spencer informed her and Carly groaned, "However, he'll want to help you as much as he can, and maybe moving to Italy-"

"Spence." Carly warned, and she had felt like a nerve had been struck.

"I'm sorry, I got a bit ahead of myself." He apologizes, realizing it had been a bit soon to loop around to that.

"But we're all gonna help you; Dad, myself, Freddie- it is Freddie's isn't it? Or is it like Lewbert's or something?"

"Lewbert's?" She wrinkles her face in disgust. "How'd you draw that conclusion?"

"Isn't the saying, 'Are you sure it's not the doorman's baby?" He drawled.

Even in the moment that was meant to be serious, she couldn't help but to bust out laughing, adding to his confusion. Maybe Spencer was the right person for this, goofiness and all.

"Milkman, Spencer. The 'milkmans' baby." She gently corrected, "And yes, Freddie is literally the only man in contention."

"If you think about it, you're lucky for that."

"What do you mean?"

"There's no man that's gonna wanna care for you and this baby more than Freddie will. His mother may be a nutcase, but he's a good kid Carls. He cares for you, and for Sam, even though she's been ruthless, and very seldom has he lost his patience with her."

"What if he wants to keep the baby?"

"Ultimately it's up to you, but I still think that's a conversation for you guys to have. I have no place in telling you guys what to do, you have to figure that out for yourselves. I offer guidance and advice, but I can't show you which direction will get you to where you need to be. At the end of the day, it's what's best for you guys. You're a family now, whether you think so or not."

Carly knew he was right; They now had a bond that came with the sacrifice of allowing yourself to be so vulnerable and entrusting someone else with your body. It was like a glue to the soul and as much as Carly hated Spencer's preachy-ness, he was right.

"So, did you already tell Sam?" He finally prompted, already knowing the answer.

"I didn't have to. She figured it out on her own."

"When did you find out?" He asked inquisitively.

"Yesterday morning."

"You really can't keep a secret, can you?" He teased, referring to the time she got an "A" because Sam changed her grade and made her promise she wouldn't tell.

Carly was still feeling super uneasy and a little bit queasy. She chalked it up to the fact that she had been anxious but also maybe it could be the morning sickness. She had been throwing up every morning for three days straight and feeling overall exhausted during the day, where she was taking naps during classes. How would her classmates eventually react and fans on iCarly? They would cross that bridge when they got to it.

"What's on your mind, Kiddo?" Spencer noted her playing nervously with her fingers.

"Everything." She whispered shortly.

"Does this by chance have to do anything with you choosing a gap year and not just because you're not ready for school?" Spencer inferred.

"When did you get so smart, Inspector Gadget?" Carly retorted sarcastically and Spencer shoved her playfully.

Carly knew from that moment, no matter the uncertainty, that she and everything else would be okay.

"I love you, Spencer."

"I love you too, kiddo."