Author's Note: Three years later… Some resolution. I've never forgotten about the fact that I left this story unfinished. When I wrote the last chapter, I wrote myself into a corner that I didn't know how to write myself out of. I'd brought the characters to a place that I didn't know how to resolve. Finally, I'm sitting down to write this. To any of you who have waited this out… Wow. Thank you. If no one has, and this is seen by new eyes, thank you for reading! Either way. Thanks!

Chapter Twelve: iTake A Chance

Later That Night/Early Next Morning

When Sam called him, she didn't know what time it was. She could see the light blue tinging the sky outside as a new day began. She hadn't been able to sleep.

When she'd gotten home the previous night, she'd fallen onto her bed and tried very hard to convince herself that she was doing the right thing. That it was actually noble to reject Freddie, to protect them both.

The truth was, though, she was just afraid.

Sam did want to be with Freddie. She just didn't want to lose him again.

But she had never let fear control her before. Why was she doing it now?

She'd wrestled with this question for hours, before coming to the tired, eye-opening answer:

She didn't have to figure this out alone.

So she dialed his number.

The phone rang a few times, and Sam's heart sank slightly when she realized he might not answer.

Of course not, she thought, chastising herself. It's the middle of the night.

But just as she thought about hanging up, Freddie's groggy voice answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Fredward." She was surprised to hear that her voice didn't sound tired in the least.

"Sam?" The groggy sound in his voice cleared, and made way for the confusion.

"Look, uh, I know it's not a great time. Just thought we should talk."

There was a brief silence, and Sam held her breath.

"Yeah. Okay. What's up?" He asked.

Sam sighed in relief.

"Look. Earlier tonight—or, I guess it's almost morning—last night, you sounded like you…"

"Like I wanted to ask you out?" Freddie asked bluntly.

"Sort of."

"Don't worry about it, Sam. Seriously. It's fine." His tone was so good and sincere it caused a pang to shoot through Sam's chest.

"It's just that… we're just now friends again…" She said, trying to figure out how to say what she felt. She stumbled through her words, feeling like she was grasping for clarity and finding none.

"And you're not sure how you feel. I get it."

"No!" Sam said quickly, before she could stop herself. "I know how I feel."

There was another silence. "And that is…?"

"Same as you, I guess."

His tone quickly turned eager, "So then what's the problem?"

"If we date, we might break up. If we break up, we might stop being friends again. If we stop being friends again…"

"That's a lot of 'ifs', Sam." Freddie said, his tone sincere. He paused and then added, "We might not break up at all."

"What if we did, though?"

"Then I promise you, that I'm your friend. No matter what." He paused, seeming to wait for her to speak, but when she didn't he said, "Whatever decision you make here Sam, I'm behind you. I support you. No matter what."

"No matter what?"

"Definitely."

There was a pause. "So, if I decide to dye my hair purple, move in with the lions at the zoo, and live out the rest of my existence sleeping in a cage, you support that?"

There was a burst of laughter from the other side of the phone, then a pause.

"Crap. I laughed too loud. Moms up. Talk to you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, okay."

"And Sam?"

"Yeah, Fredston?"

"You'll fit in a lot better with the lions if you don't dye your hair purple. Just a thought. But, you know, you be you."

Three hours later, Sam stood outside Freddie's apartment door, leaning against the wall. She didn't want to knock. He'd be coming out soon, because they were all supposed to meet at Carly's.

When the door finally opened, she stood up straight.

"Hey."

His eyes widened in surprise, "Hey Sam, long time no—talk." He grinned. "Glad you changed your mind about the purple." He said, eyeing her hair.

"Haven't ruled out the lions yet." She said, shrugging and smiling.

He chuckled. "Should we go in?" He said, motioning to Carly's door.

"Wait." She said, stepping toward him. Quickly, she leaned over and kissed him. It was brief, but it was enough.

"Let's give it a go." She said, taking a deep breath.

His eyes lit up, and he extended a hand to her.

Taking it, she grinned.

Together they walked into Carly's apartment, feeling like everything they had been through had come together for this moment.

And it was totally worth it.

The End.

Author's Note: Thanks so much, friends. God bless.