A/N: Thanks to Jen and Ashley for reviewing! I just realized something. In the first chapter, I said that Amy and Sam shared a ranch. They don't, its a two story. Also, I know I mentioned Ryan being in the last chapter...she will be soon. Its not really a big factor in the story, it just would have bugged me if I didn't say anything :)
**********
Sitting at a stoplight, Shane grew restless. 'There has got to be something good on the radio.' He started flipping through the stations until he found something he could listen to. Letting the music calm him, Shane's thoughts drifted to the events of the last two days. 'So unreal, how fast it all happened,' he thought. 'But now with David gone-' his thoughts were interrupted by a honking horn behind him. He looked up to see a green light, and continued through town until he reached his house.
Running inside he leafed through his mail, checked his messages, and just generally looked over the house. When everything seemed alright, he went upstairs and grabbed his already packed bags. Coming back downstairs he looked around again and flipped on the small lamp next to the front door before walking back out to the car. Tossing his luggage in the back, Shane smiled. It was going to be an interesting week.
**********
Walking back inside of Sam and Amy's, Shane wasn't surprised to see that Amy had already went to bed. Shane turned off the lights she had left on, and headed up to the bathroom. After changing, Shane walked into Sam's room and heard her gentle breathing. He climbed into the bed behind her very gently, trying not to wake her. Though she was asleep, she turned towards him. Shane just smiled and put his arm around her waist.
Sam stirred and softly said his name. "Shane?"
He looked down at her. "Go back to sleep Sammie." She mumbled an ok and curled up to him. Within minutes they were both fast asleep.
**********
"And we are looking at a high today of 62 degrees. Back to Kennedy over at the sports desk..." Shane groaned at the alarm. 'It cannot be 4:30 already.' He looked around to find that Sam had already gotten up. Walking down the hall he could hear the shower on and could see a light coming from downstairs. Shane knocked on the door. "Sam, you in there?"
"Yeah, did you need something?"
"Nope, just checking. Are you going to be done soon?" He could hear her shutting off the water.
"Actually, I'm done now. Give me a few minutes and I'll be out."
"Ok." When she opened the door he looked her over and smiled. "Feeling better this morning."
Sam grinned. "Yes, much better. I slept very well considering. Didn't Amy say something about getting breakfast ready."
Shane nodded. "I saw a light on down there."
"Cool. You have about 10 minutes to shower, though. You know Matt. If you are not in the car by 5:01, its beat down time."
"Beat down time? Sam, are you sure you're ok?"
She laughed. "Yes, I'm fine, just in a silly mood. Aren't you glad you get to sit next to me on a four hour flight?"
"Thrilled."
Sam smacked him with the wet towel from her hair. "Go take your shower."
**********
"Sam?" Amy yelled in the direction of the stairs.
"I'm right behind ya Amers."
Amy turned and pushed a pile of plates at Sam. "Ugh."
Sam laughed. "Good Morning, Amy. Not thrilled to be up this early, huh." Amy just grunted again. "Guess thats my answer." Sam peered over Amy's shoulder to look at the stove. "Ooh, pancakes. Are they about done?"
Amy nodded. "Yeah, they should be. Can you get out the butter and syrup and whatever else we need for them?"
"Sure." Sam walked over to the fridge and pulled everything out. "Is Matt eating here?"
"Depends if he shows up early. Mr. Punctuality wants to leave right at 5."
"How annoying."
Sam jumped when she heard Matt's voice behind her after she said that. "Yes, I am annoying."
"Did you sneak in the front door?"
"Yep." He leaned down to give her a quick hug, then walked over and kissed Amy. "Mmmm, pancakes." Matt grabbed an extra plate from the cupboard before sitting down across from Sam. "Feeling better?"
Sam sighed. "Yes, Matt, I feel fine. If I didn't you would know."
Shane came walking into the kitchen still rubbing at his hair with a towel. "Hey Matt." Matt, with his mouth full, could only nod. Shane looked at the table. "Pancakes? Alright Amers!"
Amy laughed. "Guess I'm the cool one in the group this morning...and every morning."
Matt got up to put his plate in the sink. "Sure you are sweetie. Everyone humor Amy." Shane and Sam just nodded with wide eyes, before cracking up laughing.
Sam looked down at her watch. "4:55. Not too shabby. I'm going to go change real quick, then I'll be ready."
Amy stood up. "I just want to find a sweatshirt. It was kinda chilly when I let Cody out. Your dad did say he would come and check on Cody today and tomorrow until Beth got back, right?"
"Yep," Sam replied. When they came back downstairs a few minutes later they were both in their 'traveling clothes', consisting of sweatpants, sneakers, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.
Shane smiled at them. "Going for comfort, ladies?"
Sam picked up her briefcase and laptop bag. "But of course." She looked around. "Are we ready?" They all nodded. "If this is how every trip starts out, count me in."
**********
They arrived at the airport about an hour later. After going through security, they were finally able to board. Sighing, Sam dropped into her seat. "I am so tired."
Shane sat down next to her. "Your early morning energy rush is gone, eh?" She just nodded.
"I was going to go over some more paperwork, but I'd rather take a nap. If you're awake in a couple of hours, wake me up, ok?"
"Ok."
**********
Two hours later it was Shane's turn to push Sam's head off his shoulder. "Sam?"
"Mmmnnpphhh."
He laughed. "Sweetie, you have to get up. Paperwork, remember?"
"Ugh. No, its only your contract, so its not important. Five more minutes."
"Now."
"You suck."
Shane gave her a huge cheesy grin. "But ya love me anyways."
Sam smirked. "And only God knows why."
**********
While Matt and the girls waited by the baggage claim, Shane went to pick up the rental car. When he came back he asked, "Who's driving?" They just looked at each other.
Sam spoke up first. "Unless you got a huge ass thing, then I'll drive if someone else navigates."
Shane held up the keys. "Toyota 4-Runner?"
She snatched the keys from him. "Works for me." The group made their way to the car and loaded their baggage. Amy sat up front with Sam, directions in hand.
"The hotel is only supposed to be about 20 minutes from here. Its also another 20 minutes to the arena."
Following Amy's directions, they pulled into the Holiday Inn a short time later. After dragging all of their luggage into the lobby, they looked around. What time are Jeff and Beth supposed to be here?", Matt asked.
Shane answered. "I think he said about 5:00 our time, so 2:00 mountain time. Does anyone actually know what time it is?"
Sam looked at her watch. "My watch says its 2:00 our time, so it would be..."
"11:00 here?" Amy piped up?
Matt shook his head. "No, it would be 12:00...right?"
"Guys..."
"Wait a second, Shane, we're trying to figure this out."
"I know, Sam, I'm trying to tell you-"
"Shane! Wait a second!"
"OK, Sam, I won't tell you that the clock behind your head says that it is 11:00, and that for some reason Jeff and Beth are standing over there waving like idiots."
She grinned sheepishly. "Sorry Shane." Her jaw dropped. "Wait a sec...Jeff's here?" Shane pointed to the opposite side of the near- empty lobby, and Sam walked over. Jeff grabbed her up in a huge hug.
"Hey there Sweets!"
"Hiya Jeffers!" Sam laughed, returning the hug. She turned out of his arms and reached for Beth. "Hey girl!"
"Hey Sam." Beth smiled.
"What are you guys doing here so early?"
"We took an earlier flight to avoid the storms they had forecasted. They were supposed to be pretty nasty."
Sam nodded. "Guess that works." By this time, Matt, Amy, and Shane had made their way over and were all talking to Jeff. "Since it is 11, as Shane so nicely pointed out to me, that means we have about 5 hours before we have to be at the arena." She turned to Beth and Amy. "You girls up for swimming and lunch?" They both nodded. Sam looked over at the guys. "I guess you can come to."
Jeff chuckled. "Gee, thanks Sam."
"No problem."
**********
Walking up to their room, Sam turned to Shane. "You have to promise me something Shane."
"What's that?"
"I know that we both delight in playing tricks on each other, but none tonight, ok?"
He nodded. "I promise Sam. But I do still owe you for the water and my car."
"I know, and I expect payback. But at least wait till tomorrow."
"OK...I guess..."
Sam giggled. "Good." She stuck the key card in the door and opened it. She looked around surprised. "You got a king size single?"
He looked kinda confused. "I didn't think it was a big deal Sam."
She shook her head. "No, its not, I was just surprised. No prob." She set her luggage down and started rifling through for her swimsuit. "I'm gonna go change."
When Shane heard the bathroom door close he started changing into his suit. When the door opened, he turned back around. "You're swimming in a t-shirt, Sam?"
She looked down at her cover up. "Uh, no Shane, but I'm not walking through the hotel in a bikini." She grabbed her towel. "Can we go?"
"Sure." When they walked into the hall they saw Jeff and Beth coming out of their room down the hall. When they got to the pool they saw that Matt and Amy were already there.
Amy surfaced from the water and looked around. "About time you guys showed up!"
Beth gave her a look. "Its only been like 15 minutes Amy." Amy just stuck out her tongue. Beth unwrapped her towel from around her waist and jumped in, with Jeff following.
Shane put his towel on the bench. "You coming?"
Sam nodded. "Yep." Amy saw that Sam was getting ready to take off her shirt. Knowing the new suit Sam had bought when they went shopping, Amy was curious to see Shane's reaction. She didn't have to wait long.
When Sam turned around after setting her shirt and towel down, Shane's jaw dropped. 'DAMN!', he thought. 'When did that happen?' In Shane's eyes, little Samantha Hardy had just grown up.
**********
A/N: Ok, I know that wasn't much for an ending, but the main plot is just starting :)
**********
Sitting at a stoplight, Shane grew restless. 'There has got to be something good on the radio.' He started flipping through the stations until he found something he could listen to. Letting the music calm him, Shane's thoughts drifted to the events of the last two days. 'So unreal, how fast it all happened,' he thought. 'But now with David gone-' his thoughts were interrupted by a honking horn behind him. He looked up to see a green light, and continued through town until he reached his house.
Running inside he leafed through his mail, checked his messages, and just generally looked over the house. When everything seemed alright, he went upstairs and grabbed his already packed bags. Coming back downstairs he looked around again and flipped on the small lamp next to the front door before walking back out to the car. Tossing his luggage in the back, Shane smiled. It was going to be an interesting week.
**********
Walking back inside of Sam and Amy's, Shane wasn't surprised to see that Amy had already went to bed. Shane turned off the lights she had left on, and headed up to the bathroom. After changing, Shane walked into Sam's room and heard her gentle breathing. He climbed into the bed behind her very gently, trying not to wake her. Though she was asleep, she turned towards him. Shane just smiled and put his arm around her waist.
Sam stirred and softly said his name. "Shane?"
He looked down at her. "Go back to sleep Sammie." She mumbled an ok and curled up to him. Within minutes they were both fast asleep.
**********
"And we are looking at a high today of 62 degrees. Back to Kennedy over at the sports desk..." Shane groaned at the alarm. 'It cannot be 4:30 already.' He looked around to find that Sam had already gotten up. Walking down the hall he could hear the shower on and could see a light coming from downstairs. Shane knocked on the door. "Sam, you in there?"
"Yeah, did you need something?"
"Nope, just checking. Are you going to be done soon?" He could hear her shutting off the water.
"Actually, I'm done now. Give me a few minutes and I'll be out."
"Ok." When she opened the door he looked her over and smiled. "Feeling better this morning."
Sam grinned. "Yes, much better. I slept very well considering. Didn't Amy say something about getting breakfast ready."
Shane nodded. "I saw a light on down there."
"Cool. You have about 10 minutes to shower, though. You know Matt. If you are not in the car by 5:01, its beat down time."
"Beat down time? Sam, are you sure you're ok?"
She laughed. "Yes, I'm fine, just in a silly mood. Aren't you glad you get to sit next to me on a four hour flight?"
"Thrilled."
Sam smacked him with the wet towel from her hair. "Go take your shower."
**********
"Sam?" Amy yelled in the direction of the stairs.
"I'm right behind ya Amers."
Amy turned and pushed a pile of plates at Sam. "Ugh."
Sam laughed. "Good Morning, Amy. Not thrilled to be up this early, huh." Amy just grunted again. "Guess thats my answer." Sam peered over Amy's shoulder to look at the stove. "Ooh, pancakes. Are they about done?"
Amy nodded. "Yeah, they should be. Can you get out the butter and syrup and whatever else we need for them?"
"Sure." Sam walked over to the fridge and pulled everything out. "Is Matt eating here?"
"Depends if he shows up early. Mr. Punctuality wants to leave right at 5."
"How annoying."
Sam jumped when she heard Matt's voice behind her after she said that. "Yes, I am annoying."
"Did you sneak in the front door?"
"Yep." He leaned down to give her a quick hug, then walked over and kissed Amy. "Mmmm, pancakes." Matt grabbed an extra plate from the cupboard before sitting down across from Sam. "Feeling better?"
Sam sighed. "Yes, Matt, I feel fine. If I didn't you would know."
Shane came walking into the kitchen still rubbing at his hair with a towel. "Hey Matt." Matt, with his mouth full, could only nod. Shane looked at the table. "Pancakes? Alright Amers!"
Amy laughed. "Guess I'm the cool one in the group this morning...and every morning."
Matt got up to put his plate in the sink. "Sure you are sweetie. Everyone humor Amy." Shane and Sam just nodded with wide eyes, before cracking up laughing.
Sam looked down at her watch. "4:55. Not too shabby. I'm going to go change real quick, then I'll be ready."
Amy stood up. "I just want to find a sweatshirt. It was kinda chilly when I let Cody out. Your dad did say he would come and check on Cody today and tomorrow until Beth got back, right?"
"Yep," Sam replied. When they came back downstairs a few minutes later they were both in their 'traveling clothes', consisting of sweatpants, sneakers, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.
Shane smiled at them. "Going for comfort, ladies?"
Sam picked up her briefcase and laptop bag. "But of course." She looked around. "Are we ready?" They all nodded. "If this is how every trip starts out, count me in."
**********
They arrived at the airport about an hour later. After going through security, they were finally able to board. Sighing, Sam dropped into her seat. "I am so tired."
Shane sat down next to her. "Your early morning energy rush is gone, eh?" She just nodded.
"I was going to go over some more paperwork, but I'd rather take a nap. If you're awake in a couple of hours, wake me up, ok?"
"Ok."
**********
Two hours later it was Shane's turn to push Sam's head off his shoulder. "Sam?"
"Mmmnnpphhh."
He laughed. "Sweetie, you have to get up. Paperwork, remember?"
"Ugh. No, its only your contract, so its not important. Five more minutes."
"Now."
"You suck."
Shane gave her a huge cheesy grin. "But ya love me anyways."
Sam smirked. "And only God knows why."
**********
While Matt and the girls waited by the baggage claim, Shane went to pick up the rental car. When he came back he asked, "Who's driving?" They just looked at each other.
Sam spoke up first. "Unless you got a huge ass thing, then I'll drive if someone else navigates."
Shane held up the keys. "Toyota 4-Runner?"
She snatched the keys from him. "Works for me." The group made their way to the car and loaded their baggage. Amy sat up front with Sam, directions in hand.
"The hotel is only supposed to be about 20 minutes from here. Its also another 20 minutes to the arena."
Following Amy's directions, they pulled into the Holiday Inn a short time later. After dragging all of their luggage into the lobby, they looked around. What time are Jeff and Beth supposed to be here?", Matt asked.
Shane answered. "I think he said about 5:00 our time, so 2:00 mountain time. Does anyone actually know what time it is?"
Sam looked at her watch. "My watch says its 2:00 our time, so it would be..."
"11:00 here?" Amy piped up?
Matt shook his head. "No, it would be 12:00...right?"
"Guys..."
"Wait a second, Shane, we're trying to figure this out."
"I know, Sam, I'm trying to tell you-"
"Shane! Wait a second!"
"OK, Sam, I won't tell you that the clock behind your head says that it is 11:00, and that for some reason Jeff and Beth are standing over there waving like idiots."
She grinned sheepishly. "Sorry Shane." Her jaw dropped. "Wait a sec...Jeff's here?" Shane pointed to the opposite side of the near- empty lobby, and Sam walked over. Jeff grabbed her up in a huge hug.
"Hey there Sweets!"
"Hiya Jeffers!" Sam laughed, returning the hug. She turned out of his arms and reached for Beth. "Hey girl!"
"Hey Sam." Beth smiled.
"What are you guys doing here so early?"
"We took an earlier flight to avoid the storms they had forecasted. They were supposed to be pretty nasty."
Sam nodded. "Guess that works." By this time, Matt, Amy, and Shane had made their way over and were all talking to Jeff. "Since it is 11, as Shane so nicely pointed out to me, that means we have about 5 hours before we have to be at the arena." She turned to Beth and Amy. "You girls up for swimming and lunch?" They both nodded. Sam looked over at the guys. "I guess you can come to."
Jeff chuckled. "Gee, thanks Sam."
"No problem."
**********
Walking up to their room, Sam turned to Shane. "You have to promise me something Shane."
"What's that?"
"I know that we both delight in playing tricks on each other, but none tonight, ok?"
He nodded. "I promise Sam. But I do still owe you for the water and my car."
"I know, and I expect payback. But at least wait till tomorrow."
"OK...I guess..."
Sam giggled. "Good." She stuck the key card in the door and opened it. She looked around surprised. "You got a king size single?"
He looked kinda confused. "I didn't think it was a big deal Sam."
She shook her head. "No, its not, I was just surprised. No prob." She set her luggage down and started rifling through for her swimsuit. "I'm gonna go change."
When Shane heard the bathroom door close he started changing into his suit. When the door opened, he turned back around. "You're swimming in a t-shirt, Sam?"
She looked down at her cover up. "Uh, no Shane, but I'm not walking through the hotel in a bikini." She grabbed her towel. "Can we go?"
"Sure." When they walked into the hall they saw Jeff and Beth coming out of their room down the hall. When they got to the pool they saw that Matt and Amy were already there.
Amy surfaced from the water and looked around. "About time you guys showed up!"
Beth gave her a look. "Its only been like 15 minutes Amy." Amy just stuck out her tongue. Beth unwrapped her towel from around her waist and jumped in, with Jeff following.
Shane put his towel on the bench. "You coming?"
Sam nodded. "Yep." Amy saw that Sam was getting ready to take off her shirt. Knowing the new suit Sam had bought when they went shopping, Amy was curious to see Shane's reaction. She didn't have to wait long.
When Sam turned around after setting her shirt and towel down, Shane's jaw dropped. 'DAMN!', he thought. 'When did that happen?' In Shane's eyes, little Samantha Hardy had just grown up.
**********
A/N: Ok, I know that wasn't much for an ending, but the main plot is just starting :)