A/N: Only two chapters to go until the big "Finale"

Chapter 9

"Freddie, go wash your hands," Mrs. Benson called loudly. "Dinner is almost ready."

Freddie continued playing his computer game. It was the only thing that kept his thoughts from the two questions burning in his mind right now. 1- What the hell did he say to Carly that made her so mad? And 2 – Where could Carly and Sam possibly be going at 9pm on a Friday night? He ruled out Groovy Smoothie, the mall and the movies because Sam would have told him if they were going there. He doubted they were going to a bar because Sam had been thrown out of every one within walking distance. So what other options did they have? A party? Probably one that he hadn't been invited to. Being a nerd really sucked sometimes.

"Freddie!" his mom called again.

He grumbled as he got up from the laptop and went into the bathroom. Turning the faucet he waited a few moments for the water to warm up while staring at the assortment of antibacterial soaps, disinfecting sprays and containers of bleach-based cleaners. He knew his mom would die if he told her sometimes he'd didn't wash his hands right before eating when he was at school. But because he was home he would oblige, just like he always did. Maybe someday when he had his own apartment…

The delicious scent of dinner entered his nostrils and his mouth watered accordingly. He was floored when his mom told him he was having steak for dinner. She even skipped the lecture on the dangers of red meat and saturated fat which was equally astonishing.

On the table were two place settings. His mom's which had a small piece of grilled chicken and a pile of steamed vegetables and his which contained a generous sized filet and a baked potato loaded with sour cream, shredded cheese and bacon.

"No vegetables?" he asked.

"I thought you could skip them tonight," his mom replied.

Freddie gasped as he realized hell had just frozen over. He sat down in the chair, unfolded the cloth napkin and rested it on his lap.

"So," his mother smiled wide, "would you like a beer with your dinner?"

Freddie sighed. He knew it would be way too suspicious if he said 'no thank you'. So much for "I'm never drinking again." Besides it was just one beer, right?

Just over an hour later he'd killed the six pack of beer his mom had bought for him. She bought the 'good' stuff too; dark, rich and incredibly tasty. He didn't feel guilty, especially since she'd taken down an entire bottle of Pinot de Grigio with her dinner.

"Get your coat," his mom said as she loaded the last plate into the dishwasher.

"What for?" Freddie raised his eyebrow.

"We're going out," she replied.

-o-

(LYRICS courtesy of Steppenwolf)

"Like a true nature's child

We were born, born to be wild…"

Freddie hid behind his mug of beer. If he had known "going out" meant meeting up with his mom's fellow nurses at the Karaoke Bar he would have suddenly contracted Malaria or some other rare tropical disease. There simply wasn't enough beer in the world to make this experience anything less than painful.

"Born to be wiiiiiilllllllddd!"

He slunk further down in his seat as his mom wailed that last line. What he wouldn't give to have Sam or Carly here right now, but neither of them were returning his texts. He even tried Spencer who simply replied: Sux 2 B U.

"Another pitcher?" the waitress asked as she scooped the empty one from the table.

"Please," Freddie replied as he finished the last drops from his mug.

By 10 pm when he joined his mom onstage, he completely lost track of how much beer he'd consumed.

"If's my twennny fibst birfday," he held the microphone less than a centimeter from his mouth which didn't help the drunken slur. "An I wanf to dediscate thif song to my mom, 'cause I luf her."

"Ohhh Freddie!" his mom fanned her eyes as she began to cry.

He gave her a big hug as everyone in the bar let out a collective "awwwww."

Now on the playlist, there weren't a whole lot of songs that Freddie knew the words to and his in present condition the lyrics on the monitor were quite blurry. Perhaps Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman wasn't themost appropriatesong to sing to your mom, but Freddie stopped caring a few beers back.

All he knew was that he got a standing ovation for the first time in his life.

After that the night flew by. Freddie had hazy memories of walking home with his mom. He was fairly certain that Spencer had to help them get the key in their apartment door.

Freddie collapsed into bed, still in his clothes. His mom tucked him in, kissing his forehead and wishing him Happy Birthday. She was in the middle of telling him she put a bucket next to his bed 'just in case' when he passed out.

At 1:42 pm Saturday afternoon Freddie woke up to a glass of water and two aspirin on the nightstand next to him along with a note that said "I had a great time last night." For a split second Freddie forgot he was home and briefly thought he may have had another one night stand. But then he recognized the handwriting and sighed. Having sex two nights in a row was something he could only dream about. Maybe eventually when he had a girlfriend…

He got out of bed, tripped over the bucket (which, thankfully, was empty) and slammed his thigh into the corner of the dresser. After using a few expletives, he sat back on his bed rubbing his leg. Yep, that was going to leave a mark. He smiled. It was his first non-Puckett related injury in quite some time.

Wandering out into the living room he saw clean laundry folded and piled high on the coffee table. His mom was sitting on the couch, eyes red and puffy like she'd been crying.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Freddie asked as he rubbed his eyes groggily.

"Freddie, sit down," she patted the cushion next to her. "We need to talk."

Freddie's eyes scanned the laundry pile and he saw his sheets. Oh fuck he thought to himself. She KNOWS.

"I know that being away at school has provided you with the opportunity to experience many different things." his mom began, "So, is there anything you want to tell me?"

Freddie swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like he was in high school again. There was no way his mom was naïve enough to think that he was still a virgin. He was twenty one! Why didn't he just do his own laundry yesterday instead of playing on his laptop?

"About what?" he replied feigning innocence. Let her say it first.

He watched as his mom reached behind her back and brought forward a black piece of fabric. She placed it on her lap, smoothing it flat. Freddie's heart thudded in his chest when he realized it was Carly's underwear. They must have gotten tangled in the sheets or something.

"I can explain…" he stammered.

"Oh this is all my fault," his mom started crying again. "I knew that there was a strong possibility this would happen. I just thought…" she trailed off sinking her face in her hands.

"Mom, it's ok…" Freddie reached over and put his arm around her. "I'm not a kid anymore, remember?"

"Oh Freddie, I'm so sorry!" his mom blubbered as she embraced him.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Freddie said in confusion. "It was going to happen eventually."

That just made his mom cry harder. "You are my son, Fredward Benson," she said sitting up and wiping away her tears, "and I will love you no matter what."

"Uh, I love you too, mom."

"I think maybe you should do your own laundry from now on," Mrs. Benson continued. "And I'll return those boxers I bought you for your birthday." She wiped her eyes and smiled weakly. "I'll get a gift card instead, so you can pick out what you like."

"Mom, the boxers were fine," Freddie looked at her uncertainly.

Then she handed him back the underwear, "These are very pretty. Did your…," she paused, taking a deep breath, "your… partner get them for you?"

"My partner," Freddie gasped in shock. "I'm NOT gay!" he yelled loudly. "God, why does everyone think that? I like girls. Believe me, I like girls A LOT. And these belong to…" he shouted as he waved the panties in front of him, "…a girl." Freddie caught himself right before he blurted out Carly's name.

"Freddie sweetheart, you don't have to lie to me," Mrs. Benson rested her hands on her son's shoulders. "I am going to keep an open mind about this."

"I'm NOT gay," Freddie declared once more. "Why don't you believe me?"

"I want to believe you," Mrs. Benson replied, "but I also want you to know it's ok to have feelings for other men." She took a deep breath then rose from the couch taking a stack of laundry with her.

Freddie sunk his head down trying to reign in the anger. This whole gay thing was getting out of control. Sam teasing him was one thing, but knowing that his own mother doubted his sexually really bothered him. Maybe he should just date crazy Mandy then people would think he was just desperate (which was the truth).

He balled the black material in his fist. "Going across the hall," he called to his mom. He paused at the door, realizing he had on the same clothes from yesterday and hadn't brushed his teeth. Well, it wasn't like Spencer and Carly hadn't seen him in worse shape. He slammed the door behind him, a juvenile yet effective way to let his mom know he was mad.

Freddie knocked loudly on the Shay's door and Spencer answered covered in wood chips, some sort of thick paste and multi-colored rubber bands. Freddie shook his head slightly, you never knew what to expect with Spencer.

"Well, goooood morning sunshine," Spencer grinned as he flung the door open and stepped to the side. "How are you feeling?" he asked a little too loudly.

"Sober," Freddie answered as he stepped into the familiar living room. Carly was sitting on the floor surrounded by her class notes. She was busily typing on her laptop, glancing over at him briefly before returning to her task.

"There's only one remedy for that. Breakfast beer?" Spencer offered making his way to the kitchen.

"It's almost 2 in the afternoon, Spence," Carly corrected him.

Ignoring her, Spencer took two bottles of beer out of the fridge and held them up against the counter, slamming down with his hand to pop the caps.

Freddie made his way to the kitchen, noticing that Carly hadn't said so much as 'hello'. He set the underwear on the table and took a sip of the beer.

"What's this?" Spencer asked taking a long swing from his own beer and picking up the undergarment. "Oooohhhh," he raised his eyebrows as he examined it. "Very nice. Souvenier from last night?" the elder Shay nudged him with his elbow.

"Actually those are Carly's," Freddie replied.

There was a choking sound as Spencer dropped them and his beer to the floor, freeing both hands to cover his mouth. He hastily leaned over the kitchen sink, hacking and spraying himself in the face with water.

"You alright?" Freddie asked as he tried to see over Spencer.

"Blind…" Spencer mumbled as he rubbed dish soap in his eyes.

Freddie looked behind him as Carly came into the kitchen, no doubt to see what was wrong with Spencer.

"Freddie!" she cried angrily as she swooped down to remove her underwear from the kitchen floor.

"Don't be mad at me. YOU left them in my bed."

"Ahhhhh!" Spencer screamed as he covered his ears.

"Stop it, Spencer!" Carly shut off the water and yanked him by the back of his shirt. He straightened up quickly, the water beads leaving his face and hair to wet his little sister.

"YOU!" he pointed to her, "And …" he pointed to Freddie with the other hand, his arms making an 'X" over each other. There was a gasping sound as he clutched his chest, falling to the floor.

"Get up," Carly kicked his leg.

Spencer's body convulsed briefly then went limp again.

"I can't believe this," Carly shoved her underwear in the pocket of her jeans. She took the sprayer out of the sink and turned the water on again. Then she turned to face Freddie and pressed down on the handle.

"Hey!," Freddie exclaimed as the cold water hit him in the chest. He ran and ducked behind the far counter, peering over the top as Carly pointed the stream downward at her brother.

"Uncle!" Spencer cried out as he sat up, woodchips and a rainbow array of rubber bands outlining where he had been lying.

Carly replaced everything in the sink then offered Spencer her hand pulling him to his feet. He reached for a dishtowel and began wiping off his face.

Freddie stood up as Carly made her way over to him. "We need to talk, NOW!" she caught a fistful of his shirt and tugged it so hard Freddie thought it would rip. They went back through the door and out into the hallway.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" she screamed at him.

"Carly, stop yelling," Freddie glanced at the door to his apartment. He had no idea what Carly was going to say, but he was pretty sure he didn't want his mom to hear it.

"Why are you doing this to me?" she clenched her fists. "I thought we were friends."

"Carly we are friends. We're best friends."

"Then stop acting like an asshole!" With that she turned around and went back into her apartment, slamming the door behind her.

Freddie leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest wondering what the hell he did wrong. Was it that big of a deal for Spencer to know they slept together? It's not like he promised to keep it a secret. Or did he? Shit. He couldn't remember.

He reached in his pocket and his phone was still there. He pulled it out and typed a message to Sam:

HELP ME