A/N: Should've been up yesterday, but I got tired so I finished it today. It also took longer than I thought it was going to be.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Discoveries

Brooke walked onto the roof after her run in with her daughter. She couldn't believe that she had hit her daughter. Deep down she knew she could've handled it better, but her anger, sadness and disappointment had made their way into the slap.

The roof had a history with the gang of Tree Hill. When the original Karen's Café was underneath, the roof had been turned into a miniature golf course by best friends, Haley James and Lucas Scott. When it had become Clothes over Bro's, the roof had become an escape from the outside world. If you were having a bad day you could just through water balloons on unexpected patrons of Tree Hill. It was also the place where Sam and Brooke could talk about anything. They would lie on sleeping bags; look at the stars and talk. It had been Brooke's favorite part of a hectic day.

Brooke took a seat at the picnic table she had set up when Sam had started high school. It didn't take long for Sam to find her.

Sam took a seat next to her mother and just waited.

"You might not want to talk and that's okay, but really all I can say is I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I never came home. I'm sorry that I didn't marry Kelsey. I'm sorry I left the way I did and I'm sorry I missed so much. I just need to know one thing," Sam pleads softly as small tears trickle down her face.

Brooke turns to her daughter and her heart breaks for her daughter. She never liked it when Sam cried.

"I just need to know that you still love me."

Brooke does the only thing she can think of to do. She wraps her arms around her daughter and let's Sam cry into her shoulder.

"I'll never stop loving you Samantha. You are my daughter. I couldn't not love you. It never works like that. Am I upset? Yes. Did I wish you would've come home sooner? Yes. But never once have I not stopped loving you. Just don't do anything like this ever again."

"I won't," Sam says with a sniffle as she pulls away from her mother. "I really am sorry."

"I know, but with what's going on right now I wish you would have waited a little bit before coming home."

"He's not going to stop me from living my life. Leon Sheets stole something from me and I'm going to prove over and over again that he did ruin me. I'll let the police and FBI handle this. I'm just going to live my life and enjoy my friend's wedding."

"Kelsey's on the case."

Sam nods her head and looks away.

"In a certain capacity, but she can't be fully invested in the case. She's too close to it. But I know she'll do anything to catch this guy just to relieve my mind."

Brooke could hear the love in Sam's words and she just hoped that soon she will be able to make her magic work and get Sam and Kelsey back together.

"What makes you say that?"

"That's just who she is."

-DG-

Leon Sheets knew everyone was looking for him, but he didn't care. As he traveled from city to city he saw hundreds of pretty girls, but there was only one of them that he wanted. There was only one that he needed. The one that had gotten away and had put him in prison. He needed to find Samantha Baker and finish what he started.

"Hey man, watch where you are going?"

Leon looks up from the ground as he walked on the sidewalk.

"Sorry," Leon apologizes as he stares the man in the eyes. "But you ran into me."

The tall thin man stared at Leon with a curious look.

"No problem."

Leon walks away and the tall thin man takes out his cell phone. He had been watching the news for the past few days and head recognized Leon right away, but didn't want to give it away. He knew the number to call by heart.

"Yeah, my name is Stan Holland and I have information on the man you are looking for."

-DG-

"Where are you staying?" Brooke asks as she and Sam head downstairs.

They had come to an understanding on the roof. Mistakes had been made and it would be a long time for them to be forgiven, but they could move on from it.

"At the moment nowhere. I spent last night at the river court talking to Casey."

"Come stay at the house then. There's no need to spend money at a hotel when you have a home you can go to."

Sam freezes on the stairs.

"Mom, I don't think I can do that."

Brooke shakes her head.

"That is your problem and you are just going to have to deal with that. Now you are staying at the house and that's final. You have one little boy to make it up to."

"I have to do a lot more than that."

Brooke walks to the counter and Sam follows her.

"Looks pretty slow for lunch," Brooke mentions.

Haley turns around with a small smile.

"It is and I want you to go home and just enjoy the day with your daughter."

Brooke hugs Haley and Sam smiles at the interaction. She was glad that her mom had her aunt Haley.

"Go Brooke Baker!" Haley orders with a laugh.

Brooke holds her hands up in surrender.

"I can take a hint. Let's go Sam."

-DG-

Brooke enters her home with Sam in tow. Nathan had come to pick up Lydia about an hour ago and so it was just Julian and Aidan at home. They were in the middle of a card game when Brooke and Sam had entered.

"How are my boys?" Brooke asks with a smile as she sets down her purse.

Aidan and Julian smile at Brooke and Julian smiles at his daughter as well. Aidan sets his cards down on the coffee table and stares at Sam.

He remembered when he was younger that he Sam and Kelsey had stuck like glue to each other. He remembered the promise that Sam made and subsequently broken. He really wasn't happy to see her now.

"I'm going to see Kelsey," Aidan announces as he brushes past Sam without giving her a look.

"Aidan, wait."

All Sam got from Aidan was a slammed door. Sam walked further into the house and took a spot on the couch.

"How am I going to make it up to him? How am I going to make it up to everybody?"

"It takes time sweetheart. It just takes time."

"Sometimes I don't think I deserve the time."

-DG-

Kelsey came out of her bathroom in a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt. She was surprised to see Aidan on her bed.

"Aidan Baker, what are you doing?"

Aidan looks up at the photo album he was looking at.

"Sam's home and I am mad at her."

Kelsey sighs in understanding. She had mixed feelings about Sam being home. A part of her was happy and finally complete and the other half was weary and always wondering if Sam will leave again.

Kelsey sits down next to Aidan and closes the photo album. Aidan snuggles into Kelsey's side.

"I can understand what you are feeling. Your mom and dad can understand as well, but Aidan you have to give Sam a chance. People make mistakes, Sam made one and you've made some even your parents have. You just have to give your sister a chance because she loves you and you love her."

"Do you love her Kelsey?"

Kelsey looked at the small boy in her arms and kissed his forehead.

"I always have and I always will. I just don't know what to do about it."

-DG-

Sam had taken residence on the couch. It was early still, but Sam was pretty tired. She had had an emotional day. Brooke and Julian had also retired to bed early after receiving a call from Kelsey informing them that Aidan was going to stay with her for the night.

Sam was currently on the phone with Kylie as she walked around the living room and noticing the changes.

"I miss you, too."

"Was the first day back hard?"

"It was alright. I talked with Kelsey and that was emotional as expected and then more emotional things happened. It's really a lot to get into at the moment."

"Did you tell her about us?"

There was a slight pause before Sam answered, but Kylie picked up on it anyway.

"No I didn't. It's too soon Kylie. I couldn't hurt her like that again."

"You are going to have to eventually Sam. I love you too much to let you go."

"I love you too," Sam says into the phone as she takes a book off of the bookshelf. "Kylie, I'm going to have to call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Alright baby, I love you."

"I love you, too, bye."

Sam hangs up the phone as she stares at the cover of the book in her hand.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Sam sits down on the couch in disbelief not knowing that her father had listened in on her entire phone conversation.