AN-This oneshot takes place after the seddie arc and iPear Store, and Sam and Freddie aren't dating in it.

...

Inevitable

"Freddie, just stay still so I can finish rubbing the ointment on your-"

"Mom!" Freddie said firmly. "Enough!"

"Fine," Marissa scoffed. "Make sure you take your fruit sauce from the fridge so you have something tasty and nutritious to snack on at school!"

"Yeah, okay," Freddie said, making a mental note to head straight to the vending machine when he got to Ridgeway. "See you later, mom."

Grabbing his bag, he headed across the hall to the Shay's apartment.

"Hola chica," Freddie said brightly, spotting Carly and Sam sitting at counter. "And Sam."

Sam stuck her tongue out at him but then turned back to Carly and continued whispering something to Carly.

"What are you guys talking about?" Freddie asked, grabbing a waffle from the pile of them on the kitchen island.

"Nothing," Carly said quickly, giving Sam a look.

"Yeah, mind your own business," Sam snapped.

"So," Freddie said, rolling his eyes at Sam's last comment. "Are we gonna finish filming that bit for iCarly after school? You know, since I now have nothing to do anymore since a certain maniac got me fired from my job at the Pear store."

"You got yourself fired," Sam said. "Not my fault you have zero people skills."

"Guys, come on, be...civil," Carly said. She turned to Freddie. "Yeah, after school sounds fine. I already got the trampoline set up and-" She stopped as Sam nudged her in the ribs, giving her a look.

"Wait, it's today?" Carly whispered, frowning.

"Yes," Sam nodded.

"What's today?" Freddie asked.

"Nothing," both girls said at once.

"But you-"

"Oh calm down," Sam said, getting to her feet. "Anyway, I'm gonna head to school. See you later, Carls."

"School doesn't start for another hour though," Freddie pointed out, looking at his watch. But Sam had already disappeared out the door.

"Um, she has detention," Carly said. "And well, it looks like we can't film that iCarly bit today after school. Why don't we just to it tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I guess that's fine," Freddie said. "But what's Sam-"

"Do you want syrup for that waffle?" Carly cut him off. "You can't have a waffle without syrup!"

...

"I really appreciate Spencer driving us to school all the time," Carly said as her and Freddie walked into the high school. "But I wish he'd put on pants for it. Those kids in the front of the school keep laughing at his dinosaur boxers."

"Yeah, well, Spencer doesn't seem to notice," Freddie shrugged.

"I know," Carly said as she turned a corner, walking just a little bit in front of Freddie. "But I still-No! Wait!"

She suddenly turned around just as Freddie was about to turn the corner behind her, pushing him back.

"What was that for?" Freddie cried.

"I, um, you have a spider on your face?" Carly said lamely.

"Carly..."

"Look," Carly sighed. "You-You just might not want to go over there right now."

"Why not?" Freddie frowned. "My English class is over there."

"Well...I think you should wait a minute before you do," Carly said.

"Carly, what's going on?" Freddie asked, crossing his arms.

"Okay, I-We didn't want you to find out about this so soon," Carly sighed. "But...well, if you go over there, you'll see something you probably won't like."

"Like what?" Freddie asked, pulling his arm out of Carly's grasp and walking around the corner. "What's so bad about-"

He stopped in this tracks. He saw what Carly must've been talking about.

He spotted Sam near her locker, her arms thrown around the neck of Cory Hampton, a member of the Ridgeway soccer team, kissing him.

"He asked her out yesterday," Carly said softly, coming to Freddie's side. "When she was at the soccer fields with Wendy, hitting golf balls at the girls again."

"So-So they're going out?" Freddie asked, not able to tear his eyes away from the scene in front of him.

"Yeah," Carly nodded. "They're going on their first date after school today."

"Oh," Freddie said, trying to keep his voice level as his stomach clenched. "So, um, that's why Sam can't do iCarly today then, right?"

"Er, yeah," Carly. "Look, Freddie, Sam didn't really want you finding out right now."

"Why? Why would I care who she dates," Freddie said, pulling on a smile that seemed a bit too big and plastic.

"Well, because you two did date for like, a month and a half," Carly said. "I told Sam that once she figures out if she thinks she's going to stay with Cory for awhile, then obviously she'd have to tell you, but like I just said, they're only going out on their first date today."

"Well that's...nice," Freddie said. "But honestly, Carly, Sam can date whoever she wants. I don't care."

"Really?" Carly said, putting her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow.

"Really!" Freddie said. "But, um, I-I didn't know her and Cory even talked."

"They met in juvie a couple of years ago," Sam said. "You know, after she put that chile dog down the Spanish ambassador's pants? He was in there for trashing some guy's car after a soccer match."

"Hmm, he seems wonderful then," Freddie said.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Carly asked, patting his back.

"Of course I'm okay!" Freddie said. "I mean if that guy wants to have Sam, the loud, crazy, immature, meat-gobbling delinquent of Seattle, as his girlfriend, then fine. Good luck to him!"

"Freddie," Carly frowned. "Why are you being so-"

"I'm gonna go to class, see you after school, Carls," Freddie said, walking right past the kissing couple.

...

"Hey, hey, how's it going, teens?" Spencer said as Carly and Freddie walked into the apartment after school.

"We're just gonna study for our history test tomorrow," Carly said. "Um, why are you covered in gold paint? Please tell me it's from a sculpture."

"Not exactly," Spencer said. "See, I was at the junkyard, and there were these three hobos and-"

"I don't want to know!" Carly chuckled.

"Hey, where's Sam?" Spencer asked.

"She's, um," Carly started, looking over at Freddie.

"She's on a date," Freddie said, sitting down on the couch.

"Wow, really?" Spencer frowned. "Um, are you okay?"

"Yes!" Freddie exclaimed. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Well, this looks like it's going to turn into some teenage drama," Spencer said. "I'm gonna go shower off, but I want the deats later!"

"I mean just because Sam and I used to go out," Freddie said as Spencer retreated to his room. "Doesn't mean I'm gonna freak out because she's dating some new guy! I mean, if you should be feeling sorry for anyone, it's Cory."

"Alright, Benson," Carly snapped.

Freddie jumped, clearly taken back by her tone.

"I've been listening to you go on and on about how much you don't care about Sam anymore all the way home, and you know what I've concluded?"

"What?" Freddie asked.

"That you obviously still do!"

"Carly, that's ridiculous!" Freddie scoffed. "I don't-"

"Yes, you do," Carly said firmly. "That's why you haven't stopped talking about her and Cory all day!"

"Well that's just because-"

"And," Carly continued. "You want to know something?"

"Er, what?"

"Sam didn't even want to go out with Cory at first," she said, crossing her arms, glaring at Freddie. "I'm the one who had to talk her into it!"

"Wait, why?" Freddie asked. "Why'd you do that?"

"Because, I thought you deserved it," she said. "Sam came here yesterday and told me that Cory asked her out, and she was about to text him and tell him that she wasn't interested, but I told her that was crazy, that Cory was cute and that she hadn't gone out with a guy since you, so she should go for it!"

Freddie suddenly felt very angry at Carly. "Why do I deserve this? Not that I care that Sam's going out with-"

"Oh drop the act, Freddie," Carly snapped. "And you want to know why you deserve it?"

"Yes, why? Please enlighten me as to why-"

"Because you've been a complete jerk to Sam for the past three months!"

Freddie gasped, and Carly even looked startled by what she said.

"I have not," Freddie defended.

"Yeah, you have," Carly said boldly. "I mean, it seems like lately all you do is insult her!"

"Excuse me, but may I remind you that she's been insulting me for five years straight!" Freddie pointed out.

"Yes, but it's...different," Carly said.

"How?" Freddie frowned.

"Look, I know Sam's spent practically the whole time you've known each other calling you 'loser' or 'nub' and manipulating your name," Carly said. "And causing you physical and emotional pain, and-"

"-Where exactly are you going with this?" Freddie asked. "I thought you were supposed to be defending Sam."

"Okay, okay," Carly said. "But the point is, sure, Sam's sort of...aggressive, but that's who she is! She's mean to Gibby, and to T-Bo and a ton of other people too! That's who she is, but once you hang out with her, you learn to love her anyway! But, you, you, Freddie, are one of the nicest guys out there! You're nice to everyone! That's why it's been bothering her so much when you're mean to only her! I mean, you come in here the other day and say 'hello good people...and Sam'! You gave everyone but her a pear! And now all you've been doing since school is saying what a terrible girlfriend she was!"

Freddie looked at the ground. "It's-It's been bothering her?" he mumbled.

"Yes," Carly nodded. "She doesn't really say anything, obviously, but I'm her best friend and I can tell. And unlike you, in the seven months since you've broken up, she's never said that you were a bad boyfriend."

"I-I didn't mean that she was a bad girlfriend," Freddie muttered.

"Yeah, I know you didn't mean that," Carly said softly.

"But," Freddie said, looking up again. "She got me fired from the Pear store! You have to admit, that was rotten of her!"

"Um, did you hear yourself while you were working there?" Carly asked. "You insulted the customers, and quite frankly, you weren't too much of a salesman. Sam didn't do anything to you but take a job there."

"I-You-" Freddie stammered, looking for an argument.

"Freddie," Carly asked seriously. "Why have you been acting so different to Sam lately? I mean, the first few months after you broke up, you guys were fine, but lately...is-is it because, maybe, you-you're starting to regret the break-up?"

"No," Freddie said, though the look on his face told another story.

"But don't you think that could be why you've been insulting Sam the whole way home?" Carly asked knowingly. "Because you were so upset that she was with Cory?"

"I don't know...no!"

"Look," Carly said understandingly. "Honestly, I don't think Sam likes Cory too much. Who knows, after their date today, Sam might call it quits with him. And then, if you stop acting like a total jerk to her, maybe she'll be up for giving you another shot."

Freddie pondered this. At the mere suggestion of getting another chance with Sam, his insides seemed to roar with happiness. But then again, this was Sam Puckett. Would she even give him another shot.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Carls," Freddie said, turning to leave the apartment. He had some serious thinking to do.

...

The next morning at school, Freddie had just shut his locker after putting some books in it. As he turned around, he saw Cory, leaning on the set of lockers across from him. Freddie felt his fists clench.

After a long night of thinking the whole situation over, trying to deny the true reason why Sam being with Cory bothered him so much, he realized that he really should've seen this coming. True, while Cory was the first boy that Sam had dated since him, he should've known that the fact that some guy would take the opportunity and ask her out was inevitable. He knew that many guys thought she was hot, though most of them were admittedly too afraid to ask her out.

"What'cha looking at Benson?" Cory called across the hall suddenly, snapping him out of his thoughts. He didn't realize he had been staring at Cory so long.

"Oh, er, nothing," Freddie said quickly, trying to keep his voice level.

"Yeah, right, nothing," Cory laughed, looking at a few of his soccer friends who were standing with him. "More like he's upset I took his girlfriend."

His friends laughed and Freddie felt his his blood boil and before he could stop himself, he said, "Yeah, well, I've heard she's not too happy being with you!"

That certainly wiped the smirk off of Cory's face.

"What did you just say to me?" Cory said, stepping over to Freddie.

"I-um," Freddie stammered. He forgot just how big Cory was. He was easily a foot taller than him and even though Freddie had bulked up over the years, Cory's muscles made his own arms look like nothing less than toothpicks. Still though, he somehow found the courage to say, "You heard me."

He heard Cory's friends and a few onlookers gasp.

"Oh, so you think you're a tough guy now?" Cory said, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Well how about we settle this the old fashion way?"

Fight Cory Hampton? That was crazy! Freddie knew he wouldn't last two minutes with the guy, plus, if any teacher caught him fighting, his permanent record would be scathed, and he could kiss any Ivy League college goodbye.

But then, just as he was preparing to make a run for it, he saw Sam's face in the crowd.

"Yeah, okay," Freddie said, trying to sound tougher than he felt and preparing himself for the beating he knew was about to come. "Let's fight."

...

"Was it really that bad?" Carly asked Sam as the girls walked into the school.

"Absolute worst date in history," Sam said. "I'm dumping him today. Hey, you think he'll cry? I love it when guys cry; it's so funny!"

"I wonder what's going on over there," Carly said, looking over at a crowd of people near Freddie's locker.

"Maybe it's a fight!" Sam said hopefully. "Come on, let's go!"

Sam dragged Carly over to the crowd and craned her neck to see what was going on.

"Oh my God!" Carly said when she spotted Freddie and Cory. "Are they fighting?"

"It looks like they're gonna," Sam said, cringing for the first time at the thought of a fight. "Why? What would Frednub have done to get Cory so mad?"

"Sam! Isn't it obvious!" Carly said excitedly. "It's over you!"

"What? Freddie doesn't even know I'm dating Cory," Sam pointed out. "Unless you..."

"I'm sorry, I tried to keep him from finding out, but he saw you guys yesterday," Carly said quickly. "But do you realize what this means? If Freddie's willing to risk getting his face smashed in by Cory, he must still have feelings for you!"

"Well that's too bad for him," Sam mumbled, still watching the two guys intently. "Because I don't have any for him."

Carly shook her head and sighed. She just had to pick the two most stubborn people in existence to be her best friends, didn't she?

The crowd began to cheer as Cory dropped his bag and pulled off his jacket, flexing his large muscles.

"They're really going to fight, aren't they?" Sam asked. "Freddie's going to get every bone in his body broken!"

"Why do you care?" Carly smirked. "I thought you didn't have feelings for him?"

But Sam had left her side and was making her way through the crowd to the two boys. Just as Cory was about to throw a punch at Freddie, Sam grabbed his arm.

"What are you doing?" she yelled at him.

"Stay out of this, babe," Cory snapped. "This is between me and him."

"Hey guess what, don't call me babe," Sam said. "We're done. Now get out of here."

"What?" Cory exclaimed. "You can't do that!"

"I just did," Sam retorted. "Now run along with your little soccer pals before I break your neck!"

"You wouldn't break-"

Sam cut him off by grabbing his arm and flipping him in a way only Sam Puckett could manage.

"You were saying?" Sam said, crossing her arms, satisfied, as she looked down at him moaning in pain on the floor.

Cory got to his feet and, his face red from embarrassment, and hurried off.

"Alright, nothing to see here," Sam said to the crowd. "Unless anybody else wants to get flipped?"

At once the crowd dispersed and Sam turned to Freddie, who had his back pressed against the lockers.

"Um, I, um, thanks," he stuttered.

"How stupid can you get?" Sam said, thumping him in the back of his head. "What made you think for two seconds that you could stand a chance against that guy? If you want your face punched into your skull, just ask, and I'll save you the trouble!"

"I-I couldn't help it," Freddie said.

"Why?" Sam scoffed. "Let me guess. You wanted to show off for Carly didn't you?"

"No," Freddie said. "You."

And before Sam could respond, Freddie had put his hands on her waist and pressed his lips to hers.

"Me?" Sam asked when they pulled away.

Freddie nodded. "I'm sorry, Sam. I know I've been acting like a complete jerk to you these past few months. I-I guess it was just getting hard to see you everyday and realize that we weren't together anymore."

Sam rose an eyebrow. "So your solution was to get creamed by Cory?"

"Um, pretty much," Freddie nodded.

Sam shrugged. "Okay. That'll work." And with that she pulled Freddie's lips back against hers.