It's 3 am and I have work in like, 5 hours. You guys are lucky I luv you all. Chapter 2: lots of crying and screaming and still pretty depressing. Sorry. As usual, I don't actually own these characters or the show and I love people who review/add/subscribe. Chap 3 coming soon. Peace and love!

I'm not entirely sure how I convinced Carly to go back to her apartment with me to be with Spencer. She cried for a long time with me in my kitchen so maybe she just cried out enough of it to be able to go. We walked there slowly and Carly was unsteady and clumsy the whole way. I held her hand firmly and she held back with just as much force. She held on to keep steady, but also for reassurance. We didn't speak. I had no idea what to say and I'm sure Carly was completely caught up in her thoughts.

When we got to the building, Carly stopped on the sidewalk and suddenly hugged me.

"Do I have to go in there?"

"Yeh. But don't worry, it'll be okay. Spencer loves you and you two need each other right now." She sniffed and clutched my shirt for a moment as she took a deep breath. I stroked her hair as she exhaled and we walked inside. Lewbert looked up and started to make some irritated noise, but stopped and motioned to Carly to come over. When Carly hesitated, he shouted "C'mere!" in his normal whiny way. She listened and walked over clutching my hand all the way. Lewbert came out from behind his desk and hugged Carly.

"Sorry." He said quickly before he backed away and walked back to his desk.

"Thanks, Lewbert." She was sincere and smiled at him. He nodded and we went up the stairs.

"That was nice of him." I said, mostly to myself. "Never would expect that." Carly hummed softly in response. At her door, she paused again. I squeezed her hand.

"Ready?"

"No."

"We gotta go in, Carls."

"I know, just open it." I opened the door slowly and led Carly in slowly by the arm. Spencer was in a fetal position on the sofa mumbling to Freddie who was kneeling on the floor and patting Spencer's back.

"Spencer?" Carly called softly. Spencer jolted upright and put his arms out. Carly didn't move at first so I tried to subtly pull her forward. She moved and fell into Spencer's arms. They started to cry onto each other's shoulders, so I tapped Freddienand motioned for him to follow me into the kitchen. We sat at the table and he put his head in his hands.

"What are we supposed to do? I mean, what do you say?" Freddie looked almost as drained as Carly and Spencer.

"I think we're doing okay. I mean, at least now they're together."

"Do you think we should leave?"

"I dunno. I'll go see."

"Thanks." I walked over to the siblings and took a breath and tried not to sound insensitive.

"Carly, Spencer? Do you want me and Freddie to leave?"

"No!" She replied immediately in a panic. She jumped away from Spencer and flailed towards me until I held onto her. Freddie replaced Carly in Spencer's arms when he started freaking out. I sat on the floor and brought Carly with me. I spoke just barely above a whisper. I was afraid I was gonna scare her.

"It's okay, Carly. I'll stay as long as you want."

"Yes, yes you will." I smiled, but felt guilty for smiling so I stopped. I waited for her to calm down a little again. I was cautious with what I said next.

"Carly, I'll stay right over there with Freddie, but I'm gonna give you back to Spencer, okay?" I felt her flinch, but she nodded and I got up slowly and gave her hands to Spencer. I waved my hand for Freddie to follow me again. We sat on the floor just far enough away from them that they couldn't hear us. I rubbed my head which was starting to hurt.

"Fredward, I think we better set up a tent." He nodded.

"I feel so awkward. It's not like we can make this any better. We're just sitting here invading their privacy."

"Its not like this is some internet chat, Freddie. I think they just don't wanna be alone. Its scary, right?"

"I guess. But I still feel weird."

"Yeah well, I think they kinda need us right now."

"Need?"

"Yeah. Like, they need someone else who isn't related, you know? So that they have something to bring them back to like, reality. Doesn't hurt to have someone to remind you that things are gonna get better, right?"

"Yeah. Well, I'm gonna call the school to let them know that we aren't coming in for a few days. Or, at least that Carly isn't." I choked back a snickering chuckle.

"What?" Freddie looked completely confused and even a little mad.

"I'm sorry, but its just so like you to think about that first."

"Well, school's very important to Carly!" Freddie was getting loud. I shushed him.

"I know, I know. Thanks, Freddie." He nodded and walked upstairs.

"Where's Freddie goin'?" Spencer squeaked.

"He's just gotta make a call." I said kind of nervously. "Don't worry, he'll be right back." Spencer sniffled and laid on the sofa. Carly sat at the other end hugging her knees. I sat on the arm of the sofa next to her and brushed some hair out of her face. She looked up a little and, even though I hate to say it, she looked like a mess. She had moist splotches all over her face from where she had smushed her own tears around Spencer's shirt. She was starting to get dark circles under her red and puffy eyes and her whole face was bright red. I looked over at Spencer and saw that he had dosed off, so I took Carly's arm and helped her get up.

With my arm protectively over her shoulder and my other arm supporting her, I walked with her to the kitchen and sat her on a stool. I got a towel, put a little water on it and started to dab her face carefully.

"How you doin' kid?" I held up her face up under the chin and she looked right at me with glassy eyes.

"It's a little better." I smiled slightly at her. I patted her cheeks dry and put the towel on the table.

"Good." I hugged her. In an instant, I felt her move and suddenly she was kissing me. My eyes went wide and I had to back away quick. I held her half an arms length away and took a quick deep breath.

"Carly, you can't keep doing that."

"Why?" Her voice sounded eerie and strange and it rang in my head for a bit.

"Because now is not the time for that stuff."

"But it makes me feel good." I winced as I tried to think of a way not to offend her.

"I know, but for now, lets stick to hugs. Just for a while." Carly 'hmph'ed and I smiled and shook my head. I hugged her anyway.

"Sam?" I heard from my shoulder.

"Yeah?" I backed up to look at her.

"I don't know what to do." I had to think fast. She looked like she was gonna start crying again and my heart skipped a few beats when it jumped into my throat.

"I...I don't think that you're supposed to know what to do."

"That's not helpful!" She screeched. I jumped and when I realized what she said, I let go of her and found myself rubbing the back of my neck and pacing.

"I know, I know! I just... you don't deserve this. I mean, you're such a terrific girl and you always do good things and you're just... really great. You shouldn't have to be here. You should only have good stuff." I stopped, facing away from her. "I'm sorry, I suck at making this any better." It wasn't quiet for too long, but it was weird when it was.

"Sam?" I looked over my shoulder and she was crying but she was also...smiling? I turned around and I bet I looked confused.

"I'm really glad you're here right now, Sam." She held out her arms and I felt her start to sob again as we settled into each other. I had to be doing something right.