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 Six: Coming Home

One day passed.

Melinda did not hear from Sam.

Two days passed and still no word from Sam.

Three days passed.

Four, then five, then six.

One week passed and before Melinda knew it, an entire month passed, and no word came. Rebecca didn't come to harass her again and neither his sister nor his parents had heard from him. It was like he had vanished off the face of the earth. Melinda felt all alone. Despite the fact that she still had Eli and Delia she missed Sam—Jim—dearly. But more than that she had been trying to get in contact with Rick in the Himilaya's but all her letters returned unopened leaving Melinda even more depressed.

"I don't know what to do," she confessed to Delia one night as they were preparing to close up the store, a month and a half after Sam's disappearance and two months after Jim's death. "I feel like everyone I love is leaving me."

Delia shook her head and gave Melinda a much needed a hug. "I will never leave you Melinda," she promised. "You will always have me and Ned."

"—and me," came a familiar voice from the doorway. Melinda turned and her face instantly lit up. "The door was open and well…" he trailed off and shook his head. "Melinda I am so sorry. I should have been here."

Tears in her eyes, Melinda shook her head and walked to the man who had entered the store. "It's alright Rick," she stated fondly as he gave her a hug. "You're back now."

"I can't believe that Jim's really gone…" he stated as Melinda pulled back. There was that familiar look in her eyes that he recognized from all those times when she had come across something ghost related. "…he has crossed over hasn't he? I mean," Rick paused and looked around. "He's not hanging around is he, 'cause that's hardly fair."

Melinda shook her head. "No."

"No what?" Rick asked. "No he didn't cross over or no he's not hanging around?"

"No," Melinda restated. "No he didn't cross over and no he's not hanging around now,"

Rick looked at Melinda curiously. "Then what happened?"

---

"You've got to be kidding me," Rick stated as he, Delia and Melinda left the store. While they had been closing up Melinda had explained to her dear friend how Jim had been shot, died and had risked everything to jump into the body of Sam. Melinda then went on to explain how 'Sam' had such a connection to her but had no memory and how he had lived in her garage for nearly a month before pressing the truth of her secret out of her and leaving. "You haven't heard from him in a month and a half?"

Melinda shook her head. "No I haven't and it's driving me insane. I mean what if he's hurt or worse. I lost him once Rick, I don't want to lose him again."

"And no one's seen him?"

Melinda shook her head again. "No one and I can't find a number for this Rebecca Johnston anywhere. I figure that if Jim—Sam—were to go anywhere it would be with her."

"But there's more to the story," Rick stated, sensing that there was something that Melinda wasn't telling him. "Something that you're not telling me…" he paused and looked Melinda over. Other than looking like she gained a few pounds there didn't seem to be anything different about her.

Melinda sighed under Rick's scrutiny. "I'm pregnant," she stated bluntly as she placed her hand on her stomach. "Nearly three months now."

Rick's eyes widened. "You're—whoah—pregnant," he paused again and then his face broke out into a grin. "Congratulations Melinda! A bouncing baby boy on the way—or girl—it could be a girl. I wonder if she'll—he'll have the same ability as you."

Melinda sighed and got into her car. "I hope not," she stated honestly. "My ability has caused me nothing but trouble…" Melinda paused and looked at Rick who was looking at her. "…what?"

"Get out of the car," Rick ordered in a friendly voice. "I'll drive you home."

---

"How can you say that you want your child to be normal?" Rick asked as they drove through the streets of Grandview. "I mean normalcy is so over rated Melinda."

Melinda sighed. "You would think so because you have a choice. You can choose to look at the world in a paranormal light or not. Most people can. I've never had that choice and while yes, helping earth bound spirits is something I enjoy, I don't think I was ever prepared to fight this war against the darkness. It's already cost me so much. Andrea, my father, Jim…"

"Oh Melinda," Rick sighed as he pulled in front of her house. "I am so sorry for not being here."

Melinda gave Rick a small smile.

"I bet you could have used a friend."

"Yeah," Melinda agreed with a nod. "But I had Delia and Ned and Eli and all of Jim's friends. I feel most sorry for his mother though," she paused and placed her hand upon her stomach. "This baby is her last connection to Jim. He was the last of her boys you know. Her husband, Jim's father and brother died so long ago…and she doesn't even have the comfort of knowing that Jim's spirit is still out there…." Melinda trailed off as she saw that the garage light was on. "…or here,"

"Melinda?" Rick asked as she got out of the car and began making her way towards the garage when a blonde woman came out.

"Rebecca?" Melinda asked as she came forward. "Why are you here? Where's Sam? Has he—"

"I'm here because Sam wanted his stuff," Rebecca answered her voice cold and unfeeling. "And I thought that it would be a bad idea if he came near a nut like you…" she paused and watched the horror on Melinda's face. "…oh yes. That's right. He told me about your little delusion. How you think that you can see ghosts and talk to them, get them to cross over into the light. He also told me the ridiculous notion of how you think that he's really your dead husband."

"He is," Melinda stated quietly. "I know what I saw."

"I know that you need help Miss Gordon. You need some serious help," Rebecca stated as she walked past Melinda and placed the box in her truck. "Oh, and I know that somewhere in your mind you've been planning on a way to get Sam to come back here, but I'll have you know that my fiancée is far too busy to even consider you now."

"F—fiancée?" Melinda whispered her heart beat accelerating and her entire being starting to become nauseated. "Sam—he gave you the ring—he proposed to you?"

Rebecca flashed a bright vindictive smile at Melinda and showed her the blue engagement ring on her hand. "You bet bitch," and with that Rebecca got into her truck just in time to see Melinda fall to the ground gripping her stomach. "Oh that's real smart Miss Gordon," Rebecca called out as she started her car while Rick was coming to Melinda's side. "Trying to play the sympathy card…"and with that Rebecca left her car speeding around the corner.

"Come on Melinda," Rick urged as he tried to get his friend up on her feet. "We need to get you to the hospital…"

-End of Chapter Six-

Author's Note: And you guys thought the last cliff hanger was bad. So many things happened in this chapter. Rick came back (yay). Rebecca showed her ugly head again and (gasp) is what she says true? Did Sam/Jim propose to her? Is he ever coming back? What's his side of the story? And Melinda--what's wrong with her? You guys are going to have to wait until tomorrow to find out. :D

Thank you as always for your wonderful reviews. Please lemme know what you think about this chapter too!