Disclaimer: Beware of Spoilers for Season 4. In addition, these characters do not belong to me, nor does the whole Sam/Jim storyline as it stands now. All that belongs to me is the dialogue of what I think —might— happen. Also, some plot points in this story belong to me seeing how this was started on Friday after 'Pieces of You' (even though it was posted on the 9th) and even though I have no idea how the whole Jim/Sam plot is going to work out, this story is my idea. Plus, this is my first piece of Ghost Whisperer Fan Fiction so please be kind.

Melinda's world is changed. She learns that not all that was lost is gone forever. And while Sam is dealing with the pieces of his old life they both have to come to grips with what they know and what they believe if they have any hope of moving forward.

Chapter Five: Caught in a Lie

Sam awoke with a start. Jim? He thought as his mind cleared. She called me Jim. Why did she call me Jim? My name is Sam. It's Sam. Not Jim. I'm not her husband—however even as the thought crossed his mind Sam was reminded of the conversation in Melinda's kitchen where he was sure that she was trying to tell him that he was her husband reincarnated in a grown body. But that was impossible—or so Sam thought.

Let's just say for the sake of argument that Melinda was trying to say that, he thought to himself as he sat up in his bed. If she really believed in something that nutty then it's not too far a stretch for her to believe that I'm Jim. And if I'm Jim that explains why she's been trying so hard to keep me around, and it would explain why she never gets mad when I do something that Jim would have done…that last thought gave Sam something to pause over. How is it that I'm doing things that Jim did? Cooking her breakfast, calling her by her pet name and the various other things that just can't be coincidence...I've never believed in coincidences before, why the hell am I starting now.

"Sam?" came Melinda's voice as she rapped on his door. "You in there?"

"Yeah," Sam called back.

"It's just after eight and I know that you have to be on the site for nine and I was wondering if you wanted to share a cup of coffee with me on the porch. It's such a nice day, and there won't be many of them left."

"Yeah," Sam called back. "Sure thing, just give me ten?"

"Alright."

---

"Delia?"

"Melinda?" Delia asked her voice lighting up. "How are you?"

Melinda smiled to herself. "I'm totally beside myseld Delia. I mean I don't know how I didn't figure it out sooner."

"You've had a lot to deal with," Delia pointed out. "But congratulations! You're going to have a baby!"

Melinda giggled, the joyous reality of the situation sinking in. "I know. It's wonderful."

"All you need is Jim to remember and you'll be good as gold,"

Melinda sighed. "I don't think it's going to be that easy," she confided in a quiet voice. "His girlfriend showed up here."

"Yeah," Delia stated guiltily. "I know. I'm sorry about that. I gave her your address before I realized what she was after…was it horrible?"

"Huge shouting match on my lawn. I'll explain later."

"Coles notes then?" Delia asked.

"Sam's staying with me, for the time being. He doesn't remember her and when he asked where she's been the last month she had no answer. I think that they broke up—Sam and Rebecca—but who knows. Jim—Sam said that he was willing to get to know her again but—"

"—you can't let that happen."

"I might not have a choice," Melinda stated.

"You always have a choice," Delia assured. "Jim had a choice. He chose to come back to you. You can't let his temporary amnesia—"

"It could be permanent."

"Positive thinking Melinda," Delia stated infusing so much hope into Melinda. "Positive thinking, he took a risk for you. You can't back out on him now, not while you're carrying his child."

"Right," Melinda agreed. "Listen I'm having coffee with Sam this morning, I'll be in later."

"Bye Melinda,"

"Bye Delia and thanks."

Delia smiled to herself. "Anytime."

---

Fifteen minutes later Melinda and Sam were enjoying a comfortable silence while drinking their coffee. Melinda was lost in thought about Rebecca and Sam was thinking back to Melinda and the conversation that they had on the steps the day after he had found the ring.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Melinda smiled, though Sam could tell that it was forced. "You can always ask me a question," she stated. "What is it?"

"What you think I should do about the ring?"

Just as Sam thought, Melinda stiffened but he could barely notice. "I think that…" she paused and looked at him. "Why do you care what I think?"

Sam shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know I just do."

"It bothers you," Melinda stated sympathetically trying to put off stating her opinion. "Not knowing who the ring is for."

Sam nodded. "I might have someone out there worrying about me."

"And if you find that person?" asked Melinda. "What then?"

Sam sighed. "I don't know."

Melinda turned away and tried to get her emotions under control.

"I could call the people in the address book on my phone,"

Melinda turned back and nodded as supportively as she could manage. "It's a start."

"But the question is should I?"

Melinda shrugged. "I'm not you Sam and I—I can't even fathom what you're going through, not knowing who you are, having no memory of your past life…" she paused glad that that little slip had gotten through. "…so you should do whatever you think is right."

Sam nodded. "Then I guess I'll call."

---

"Hey Sam?" Melinda asked nervously, breaking Sam from his train of thought.

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to do?" she asked and watching the confusion on his face she continued. "About Rebecca I mean I….I gather that the ring was for her."

"Is for her," Sam corrected noticing how Melinda tried to conceal a wince. "If I ever get my memory back…" he sighed and held his coffee mug in his hand. "The one thing I can't understand is where has she been all this time? I mean I bought the ring over a month ago now; did we have a falling out in between then and the accident? Is that what caused the accident? Was I so broken up over us breaking up that I caused the accident?"

Melinda shook her head thinking back to that moment when the sprit of the true Sam stepped into the light with no hesitation, no regret. "I don't think so."

Sam looked at Melinda sharply. "What makes you say that?"

"Um…" Melinda bit her lip, unsure on what to say. "…I uh, I just have a feeling."

Sam shook his head. "You know, sometimes I can't figure you out. You ask all these questions that seem to lead to people being dead and you have these feelings…you said that you're not psychic."

"No," Melinda confirmed. "I'm not psychic."

"So what is it then?" Sam asked pointedly. "Explain it to me."

Melinda shook her head. "You don't want to know," she assured. "Believe me."

Sam narrowed his eyes and decided to take a chance. "You promised me that you'd tell me someday," he paused and saw the look of surprise in her eyes. "So tell."

Melinda paused. "You really want to know?"

Sam nodded his head. "I do."

Melinda took a deep breath. "I don't quite know how to explain it…"

"Just, just start at the beginning."

Melinda sighed. "Alright. When I was seven, I attended a funeral with my grandmother and well I saw the man who had died,"

"You usually do at funerals."

Melinda shook her head. "I know. But not only did I see him in the casket, I also saw him out of the casket…" she paused to gage Sam's reaction but he made no sign that he didn't believe her so she continued. "…I saw his—"

"—ghost?" Sam supplemented keeping both his face and voice neutral.

"Earthbound spirits is what my Grandmother calls them," Melinda explained.

"You see ghosts?" Sam asked.

Melinda nodded again. "Yes," she paused, terrified to see the look in Sam's eyes. "That's…that's not a problem is it Sam? I mean I know that it sounds crazy but—"

"No."

Melinda's hopes shot up. "No? You don't think that it sounds crazy?"

"No actually," Sam stated, choosing his words very carefully. "Seeing ghosts isn't crazy."

"But—?" Melinda asked watching as the calm façade start to crack.

"But what is crazy is the fact that you think that I'm your dead husband."

Melinda's eyes widened. "I never—I don't—"

"Oh yes you do," Sam stated angrily. "You tried to tell me, right when this all started."

Melinda's shoulders slumped forward in defeat and she looked up at Sam who was standing. She looked at him for a couple moments and then stood up facing him. "I did."

Sam stepped back shaking his head. "You're crazy,"

"Sam—" Melinda pleaded. "I'm not—"

"No," Sam stated as he backed up, heading to his car. "You are."

"Please," Melinda pleaded tears streaming down her face. "Think about it,"

Sam shook his head and got into his car; Melinda ran to the door and held it open.

"Think of the coincidences," she pleaded. "Breakfast, calling me Mel…"

"Coincidences," Sam muttered as managed to slam the door shut, but the window was down and Melinda could still talk to him.

"And what about the gunshot you heard?" she asked holding onto the wheel so that he couldn't back up. "That's how Jim died. That's how you died."

"I'm not dead,"

"No," Melinda agreed. "You're not. But your soul—Sam's soul is. I saw him. He went into the light not regretting anything. He just went. You—Jim—my Jim risked everything, absolutely everything to be with me again."

Sam started the car and Melinda started getting hysterical. "What are you doing?"

"Getting away from here," Sam stated cruelly. "Getting away from you…"

And with that he put the car in reverse, stepped on the gas and left Melinda standing in her driveway, crying her heart out and calling for him.

"Jim!" she pleaded as she raced to the sidewalk. "Jim!"

But it was no use; the car was around the corner and was gone.

—End of Chapter Five—

Author's Note: Well another chapter done. And perhaps the most evil cliff hanger yet don't you guys think? I know this seems really dark now, but I'll have you know that I'm a hopeless romantic and this story WILL have a happyish ending. :D Thank you for the revies.

MellJimPiperLeoFan87 I hope that this chapter is the best one yet 'cause it was my favourite so far to wirte.

Mee--I'm glad that you thought that the last chapter was a great chapter, I gotta wonder what you think of this one...

iwant2believe13 I'm very glad that you think that you're reading an actual episode. That's something that I try to do and it's a comment that I got alot when writing fanfiction for Stargate--but with a new fandom to work with I wasn't sure whether or not I was getting it right I mean just because I was and am hearing the character in my head doesn't mean that it's translating to the page--I'm glad that it is, and that you've noticed. Thanks for that comment.

finleybaby if you thought that the last cliff hanger was bad, what do you think about this one?

To my other readers--please take the time to review. Even if it's as simple as saying 'great' I really apreciate it. :D

Till tomorrow everyone.