Voluntarily

Sam would never, under any circumstance, voluntarily say 'I love you' to Freddie. Even after they had been dating a year, she had yet to say those three little words out loud.

Freddie, on the other hand, told Sam he loved her at least once a day. She would then smirk and simply reply; "yeah, you aren't so bad yourself, nub," and then proceed to punch him in the arm.

But today, Freddie was determined to change that.

"Hey," he greeted his blonde girlfriend as he walked across the hall to Carly's apartment.

"Hey," she said.

"So Sam," he said, sitting down next to her. "Guess what I bought online? Two tickets to see the MMA fight that's coming to Seattle next weekend."

"Seriously? I thought it was sold out?"

"It is. I had to buy them from this guy on aBay for almost a hundred bucks."

"Awesome! It's supposed to be the best fight of the year! Joe Hanley and Dan Respeto are going to-"

"Hold on," Freddie interrupted her. "We go under one condition."

Sam narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"You have to say you love me."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Nope. We've been dating for over a year now, and you've never said it."

"Maybe because I'm not as big a nub as you," she spat back.

"Come on, Sam, just say it. Then we can go to the fight next weekend."

"I'm not saying it."

"Then we won't go to the fight."

"Give me the tickets, Benson."

"After you say it, Puckett."

Sam frowned, and crossed her arms. "Fine. I love you. Are you happy now?"

"Yes," he said, feeling very satisfied.

"Now where are the tickets?"

"I left them by my computer. I'll be right back." He got up, gave Sam a quick kiss and headed back across the hall.

Once the door closed, Sam smiled. "Yeah, I love you, nub. I always have."