Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 4

Reggie stayed in her room all night and the next, sobbing. She had refused to go to school despite her father's best efforts. When Otto returned home from school, he went into Reggie's room to try and cheer her up.

"Come on, Reg. You've been in here all day and I know you're not sick. You never get sick."

"Go away." She mumbled. Her face was currently buried in her pillow.

"Let's catch some waves. That always cheers you up."

"Just go away Otto. I don't feel like doing anything."

"Why are you so pissed off anyway? If anything, I should be the one in a bad mood. Stupid Greg and his "seniors only" victory party. How was it anyway? I heard he had enough booze to get the entire country of Ireland wasted."

"It was fine. You didn't miss anything special." She brought her head up to look at him. "I thought you hated football parties anyway. Why did you wanna go?"

"Uh, hello? Free booze and no carding." Reggie laughed. "Come, on. Get your board. Twist is waiting outside for us."

"I just don't feel like it Otto. But thanks." Reggie said sincerely. Otto nodded and walked out of her room without trying to force her anymore. Reggie actually did want to go surfing. The feel of the cool ocean water on her skin and the freedom she felt whenever she caught a good wave was incomparable to anything else. But she knew if she went to the crowded beach, she was bound to run into people who had been at the party the previous night and had seen her at her worst. But then she remembered- there was one spot in Ocean Shores where she could go surfing without having to worry about people from school- her father's secret spot. Anytime she had ever been there it had been deserted or had a few surf bums lying around, but no one she knew.

She waited five minutes before making a move to leave her room. She wanted to be sure that Otto had left. She grabbed her surfboard from the garage, strapped it on top of her car and drove off.

Sam spit out a mouthful of saltwater and climbed back onto his board- Tito's old longboard. He had never sold it, but he didn't use of it much as he did when he was a kid. Being a three sport Varsity athlete left him with little time to go surfing, but he always made it a point to make a trip to the secret spot as least once a month. Everyone who knew him had thought that he had given up surfing, except his mother, who said nothing when she saw him put his longboard in the back of his car. Although Paula was proud of her son's accomplishments in sports, but she knew that Sam was always under pressure from his teammates and coaches. She saw surfing as his way to break free of that stress, if only for a couple hours each month.

Sam had already been in the water for two hours, but he knew he had another hour in him at least. Instead of paddling back to land like his aching body was telling him to, he caught sight of an incoming wave and started towards it. He didn't even notice the figure on the beach, staring at him.

Reggie watched the figure for a good five minutes before she finally convinced herself that it was indeed Sam Dullard. She felt a wave of emotions consume her being- anger, deceit, shock and awe. Sam had managed to improve into a much better surfer than she had remembered. Part of her wanted to join him in the water and relive old memories from their childhood, but the other part of her wanted to leave before he noticed her. Knowing that avoiding him was impossible, she gathered up every bit of her nerve and entered the water.

Sam was about to paddle out for another wave when a familiar voice caught his attention.

"I thought you didn't surf anymore." Sam whipped around to face Reggie. The ends of her hair were slightly damp and sticking to her tan shoulders, Sam let his eyes wander down to the top of her bikini before he remembered that they were in a fight.

"Well, I never said I gave up surfing now didn't I?"

"What?"

"Think about it. I never said that I gave it up, I just always said that I was too busy with football."

"Don't you have practice right now?"

"I'm taking a mental health day." He smiled. Reggie almost smiled too, before catching herself. "I know you're pissed at me and I understand. What you saw last night…" Sam paused trying to find the right words. "It shouldn't have happened."

"What do you mean it shouldn't have happened? I shouldn't have gone down stairs to catch you with your tongue down that girl's mouth? Sorry, I didn't know you were busy at the time." Reggie said venomously.

"No, that's not what I- I mean, what I'm trying to say is…I shouldn't have kissed her in the first place, or I shouldn't have let her kiss me."

"Why is that? What did she have oral herpes or something?" Reggie pressed on.

"You know that's not what I mean." Sam said giving her a knowing yet serious look. Reggie choked back a sob.

"Than what do you mean Sam?"

"I shouldn't have kissed her because of you."

"What do I have to do with your little soccer slut?"

"Well, after that night we kissed-"

"Oh so what? Are we in a relationship now, Sam? One kiss and we go from estranged childhood friends to boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"What? No-" Sam said outraged. Reggie cut him off.

"It's not like you were cheating on me. There's nothing going on between us to cheat on!" She snapped. Sam narrowed his eyes and said-

"Than why did you swear your head off and throw cranberry juice on me?" Reggie was caught off guard.

"I don't- I don't know Sam. I was really drunk and I don't even know what I said to you. All I remember is yelling a lot and throwing that cup at you."

"Do you remember what you felt?" he asked

"What?

"What did you feel inside you when you saw me with 'soccer slut'? What emotions made you freak out at me. And don't say it was nothing, because people who feel nothing don't shout their heads off and throw shit."

"I- I felt…angry."

"Obviously." Sam smirked.

"Oh wipe that look off your face Sam. You're such a pig!" Reggie was about to turn away and paddle back to shore but a shrill voice in her head told her not to. Turn away now and he wins. Reggie glanced at Sam, he was no longer smirking but his face was unreadable…blank. Turn away now and you'll never live it down. He might not talk to you ever again but there's no escaping his presence. This isn't just a matter of betrayal and friendship, this is a matter of pride. Reggie decided to take the advice from the voice inside her head. She took a breath to calm her nerves and said-

"I felt…betrayed, and stupid. Like, I know we aren't in a committed relationship and your free to hook up with anyone you want as am I, but I just…I remembered that night. I remember how we talked and hung out for the first time in years. It's like the friend I lost to the football team had come back. And seeing you with that…girl just made me feel like it had all been taken away from me. That I had lost my best friend…again."

Sam swallowed nervously and blushed. Reggie smiled; she hadn't seen him blush since they were kids.

"You didn't lose me to football. We lost each other to high school. Football might've been a factor, but altogether it was the cliques and the atmosphere and puberty that tore us apart."

"How did puberty tear us apart?" Reggie laughed. Sam chuckled as well.

"Let's face it- friendship between mixed genders is complicated. As kids it's pure and shit, but once we make the transitions from boys and girls to men and women, friendships just change. No platonic friendship between a man and a woman can exist without some sort of lingering sexual tension." Reggie laughed at his explanation.

"I guess you're right about that. Puberty does take a toll on friendships."

"Yeah, there's just something about wet dreams and menstruation that changes the way males and females interact." Sam said jokingly.

"Not to mention tits."

"Well that's a given." He chuckled while resisting the urge to glance down at her chest. It did not go unnoticed by Reggie.

"You are totally trying to keep your eyes above my neckline right now aren't you?" she smirked. Sam coughed uncomfortably.

"Well it's your fault for bringing it up. Not mention that revealing top you're wearing, has your dad seen this outfit? I'm sure he wouldn't have let you out of the house if he did!" Sam joked.

"Oh please, this top is downright conservative compared to some of the stuff you see at the public beach."

"Yes, the string bikini is a wonderful invention isn't it?" he joked.

"Maybe for sunbathing and attracting a date, but they're downright useless when surfing. Tide knocks it right off."

"Personal experience?" Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Fuck off." Reggie grinned.

"Well, I could talk about this subject all day but moving on-"

"Don't you mean subjects? I have two of them Sam."

"Moving on." Sam urged " I gotta ask you something. Now prepare yourself, because I'm taking the conversation in a serious direction again…What did you feel when we were…together in the pool?"

"What did you feel?" Reggie shot back.

"Horny." He said simply.

"Yeah, I noticed that. And emotionally?"

"I felt like...something just clicked. It was like I had been repressing something for a long time and at that moment- it emerged. And the only words I can use to describe it are terrifyingly glorious." Sam confessed. His eyes reused to meet hers. Reggie was taken aback by his words.

"I hope you don't talk like that in front of your football buddies."

"I don't. I've hung around them long enough to know that talking about your feelings only leads to getting all your body hair shaved off while someone takes pictures."

"Has that ever really happened?"

"Do you really want to know, or are you just trying to change the subject?"

"Both."

"I know it happened once to a guy who graduated before we started high school, but I've never seen it happen."

"Hmm"

"So, what did you feel?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Sam asked, outraged. "You either liked it or you didn't"

"It's not that cut and dry Sam."

"Doesn't seem that difficult to me. By the way you responded, I'd say you liked it."

"Don't start with this shit again." Reggie glowered

"What shit?"

"Your whole male chauvinistic ego trip. Just because I kissed you back didn't mean I liked it…I was drunk. You could've been anyone."

"Is that right?" Sam asked, eyeing her curiously.

"Yeah." Reggie countered. They stayed silent for a few moments, watching each other, analyzing emotions. A gentle wave rolled underneath them causing their boards to bob slightly, they never broke eye contact.

"Why don't we do it again now. We're both sober." Sam broke the silence.

"What?!"

"Did I stutter?"

"No… I was just taken back by such forwardness."

"We could either do this now and see if we have any real feelings for each other, or we could carry out the rest of the year trying to awkwardly covered up happened."

"Sam, you're acting crazy."

"Hey, I'm the one who poured my heart out to you. I didn't make up some bullshit excuse about being too drunk to know what I was doing. You're not that kind of girl Reg, you wouldn't do that with any random guy, I know that… I know you."

"You don't know shit about me. You've spent too much time with your football cronies to even know me anymore. We went from best friends to faces in the hall in a matter of months, Sam" Reggie said harshly. She felt her face burn with anger. Sam just smirked.

"You're afraid aren't you?" Reggie was shocked.

"What did you just say?"

"The fearless rocket girl is not afraid to play with the big boys or surf the big waves, but is too much of a chicken-shit to face her own feelings and emotions." Sam teased menacingly.

"Stop it!"

"Stop trying to block me out! You've always been like that, ever since we were kids! You can never admit your faults, you could never admit to being wrong, or to being scared! You built a wall to protect yourself, to make you seem like some super human girl, impervious to showing any sign of weakness! Well, I got news for you Reg- you're human just like the rest-" Sam was cut off by the force of Reggie's lips on his. He responded eagerly, gripping both her arms and pulling her closer to his floating board. Reggie placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. Compared to their last kiss, it was faster, harder and desperate. They seemed to forget their need for oxygen, as well as the fact that they were sitting on separate surfboards in the middle of high tide. They didn't even notice the large wave rolling in behind them until it knocked them both into the water, separating their mouths.

They eagerly swam to the surface and both gasped after the sufficient lack of air. Sam spit out a mouth full of salt water and turned towards Reggie. She was breathing heavily and had a scared look on her face, but she quickly transformed it into a piercing glare. Sam didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Reggie turned away and pulled herself up onto her board. She ran her fingers through her soaking hair and tried to regain her breath. She looked back towards Sam who was still treading in the ocean.

"I guess I was right after all." She didn't wait for any response from Sam and she started to paddle back to shore, half-expecting him to follow her or at least yell out something insulting. But she heard nothing but the dull roar of the ocean. When she reached land, she walked up to wear she left her towel and beach bag. Hesitantly, she turned back towards the ocean. Sam was still there, now sitting on his board, watching her. She turned away quickly and jogged back to her car.

She cried the entire ride home.

By the time Sam returned to his own house, it was dark out. He spent the past two and half hours storming around the beach- kicking at the sand and swearing, trying to regain his composure before he had to face anyone else. On the kitchen counter, he found a note from his mother. She had to leave town on a surprise business trip but would be back the next evening. She left money for take-out, but food was the last thing on Sam's mind. After a quick shower and change of clothes, he was out the door again, take-out money stuffed in his wallet along with his fake I.D.

He glanced over at the Rocket household. The windows were dark and Reggie's car wasn't there. Probably talking shit about me to her friends. Calling me an insensitive asshole. Fuck her. Sam revved up his car and drove in the direction of the liquor store. If he ignored the speed limit, he could make it there before they locked up. Much to his annoyance, and partial thrill, Greg had texted him during his conversation with Reggie. He had invited the team over to his place to drink beer and watch game videos of their upcoming opponent. Although Greg had reassured everyone that there was plenty of beer, Sam found it necessary to pick up a bottle of something stronger. He was just in one of those moods.

Fifteen minutes later, Sam found himself sitting in the front seat of his idle car in the dark parking lot behind the liquor store. The expression on his face was half way between crying and absolute detachment. A half-empty bottle of whiskey was clenched in fist. He normally didn't drink whiskey, but then again he normally didn't get into huge fights with people he cared about. But he always thought of whiskey as something to drink when you're upset and find the company of others to be an unbearable option. Just like champagne was for celebration, rum was the summer, and tequila was for risky behavior that could lead to euphoria or pain, if not both (as he had learned from his night with Reggie).

Sam felt himself being pulled out of a momentary lapse of consciousness and stared down at the bottle. Had the clerk ripped him with a half bottle? He didn't recall drinking anything, but there was an unmistakable taste of liquor on his tongue and a burning sensation in his throat. Physical evidence claimed that he drank, but he couldn't for the life of him remember. With a simple shrug to no one, Sam brought the bottle to his lips, tipped his head back and the held the position for a few seconds. He was left coughing and sputtering, a light headed sensation overtaking him. He must've looked like a bitch. But he couldn't be bothered with vanity right now, he was already late and the rest of the team was waiting on him.

He popped a few mints into his mouth and turned the key in the ignition. He ignored the taste in his mouth, the bottle next to him, and the numerous commercials about dead drunk teenagers he had seen on T.V. He licked his lips and braced one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear shift, putting the car into drive, and rolling out.

When her cell phone rang, Reggie considered ignoring it few a seconds, without even checking to see who was calling. But if it was Sam, she could always not pick up. The flashing digital letters on the screen lit up with the name "Greg". She answered but was only answered with muffled breathing and indistinct background noises.

"Hello?" she repeated.

"Reg!"

"Greg? What's going on?"

"Reggie, I know you guys have been fighting, but I really thought you should know-"

"Know what? Is it about Sam? I couldn't really care less about that dick right now."

"Reg-"

"I don't care what he's been telling you but-"

"He's in the hospital." Reggie stopped mid-breath. A sense of guilt, anger, and panic filled her.

"He's what?"

"It was a car accident, they think he might've been drunk."

"Is he okay?"

"He's in surgery right now. The doctors wouldn't tell us anything, and his mom is out of town."

"I'll be right there." Reggie said firmly. All negative thoughts about Sam had vanished in an instant of alarm. She grabbed her keys and made her way out the door.

As the sun rose on the town of Ocean Shores, Reggie pulled into her driveway, turned off the engine and sat in the car in complete silence. Her trip to the hospital had been uneventful but nerve wracking nonetheless. The doctors were able to reach Paula on her cell and inform her of Sam's condition while he was still in surgery. But they had chosen to leave Reggie and Sam teammates wait all night.

The hours Reggie had spent sitting in the waiting room were now all just a blur up until one of the surgeons finally walked into the room. Sam was transported to the ICU after surgery, listed in critical condition. Luckily Sam had worn his seatbelt, preventing him from becoming a smear of blood and flesh on the pavement. But he had sustained internal injuries as well as fair amount of head trauma. They didn't expect that he would come to for hours and suggested that everyone go home. Sam's mother was on her way back to Ocean Shores and there was nothing that they as minors could do to help. Legally, they were forbidden to see him.

"Fucking waste of time." Reggie murmured to herself as she got out of the car and headed inside to change before school. Technically, school had already started, but Reggie had no qualms about missing first period, she was a senior anyway. What was most traumatizing to Reggie, was that she still didn't know how she felt about Sam. He had mislead her, swept her off her feet, humiliated her, and scared the shit out of her all within the past 48 hours. She wasn't sure if she should greet him with a kiss or unplug his life support when or if he finally came to.

The day passed in an excruciating slowness peppered with the concerned looks of her classmates. A news report about Sam's incident had aired that morning, referring to Sam as "a seventeen year old Ocean Shores senior and football player" without releasing his name. But they showed footage of Sam's totaled car and everyone was able to make the connection.

During the final period of the day, Reggie's cellphone started vibrating in her jean pocket as sat in Spanish class. She had kept in on her just in case someone decided to update her on Sam's condition. She excused herself to go to the bathroom and answered the phone as soon as she stepped into the empty hallway.

"Hello?"

"Reggie? Hi, it's Paula Dullard."

"Mrs. Dullard, has he woken up yet?"

"Yes!" her voice answered gleefully. "He just woke up and I wanted to let you know. Sam's been asking for you."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes." Reggie said excitedly, she hung up and sprinted off to the side exit. She forgot about the quiz she still had to take in Spanish as well as her notebook which was just sitting at her empty desk. Those things were futile, insignificant. Sam had woken up! He was up and talking, and he was asking for her instead of sustaining brain damage or worse, death.

Thirteen minutes later, Reggie was sprinting down the sterile halls of the hospital searching for Sam's room. She slid to a halt in front of the right door and burst in without bothering to knock.

Sam and Paula turned to see the door bang open with a very anxious Reggie leap into the room.

"Sam!" Reggie called out. He was wearing a bandage around his head.

"Reg, you're here!"

"Of course I'm here." She said while walking over to his bed and taking his hand in hers. Paula looked at both of them with raised brows.

"I think I'm gonna get some coffee, and give you two some time...together." she said while rising from her chair. Reggie swore she saw a knowing smile on her face as she walked out the door.

"I was so worried, all you alright?"

"Sort of." Sam said. "I cracked my head open and shattered my wrist," he said while holding up his bandaged arm. "Luckily, they were able to fix all the internal injuries in surgery."

"How's the pain?" Reggie asked with concern. He was hooked up to several IVs at the moment.

"Nothing I can't handle." Sam smirked. Reggie laughed. Despite having a near death experience, Sam could still manage to make her laugh.

"Look, Reg, I'm really sorry about the other day. I kind of put you on the spot."

"Well, I was one the one who had to go and kiss you."

"Yeah, but I suggested it." Sam answered. They shared a small smile. Reggie was still holding on to Sam's hand. "I can I tell you something?" Sam asked.

"Of course."

"I know you didn't really….feel anything yesterday during the kiss. Seeing as how, you stormed off and everything. Well more like swam off, but," Sam took a deep breath and paused his stumbling vocation. "I just want you to know, that …I did fell something yesterday. I felt it, just like I did that night in the pool."

Reggie could only stare at him shock. Sam took this silence as something bad.

"But it doesn't have to lead anything of course. I- I just wanted you to know that. You aren't just some girl to me, Reggie. You are so much more than that. I know you can't return those feelings, but I just didn't want them to be left in the dark. I didn't want to be a pussy." Sam cursed himself for that last statement. Now she would really think he was a pussy. He moved his hand from underneath hers and looked down at his lap in shame and nervousness.

After what felt like hours, but was only seconds, Reggie whispered- "Sam?"

"Yeah." He lifted his head to meet her eyes.

"You can be such an idiot sometimes." Before he could respond, Reggie's lips were on his. She was kissing him, again and it was wonderful! He returned with as much enthusiasm as he could, given his physical condition. Reggie rested her hands on his shoulders lightly, making sure not to put pressure on any of his injuries. Sam reached up with his uninjured arm and wove his fingers into her lavender locks. They stayed like this for quite sometime, before parting for oxygen.

"Sam, " Reggie said. Sam mouth started moving, but no words came out. Reggie stared in confusion as a booming voice penetrated through the walls of the room it said calmly, but sternly-

"Reggie, Reggie! Wake up!" Reggie lifted her head and sucked in a breath of shock. She was no longer in Sam's hospital room, but rather in her Spanish class.

"Thank you so kindly for re-joining the world of the living!" her teacher, Mr. Darcy said sarcastically.

"Sorry, Mr. Darcy." Reggie muttered. Mr. Darcy returned to the lesson, while Trish and Sherrie gave Reggie weird looks. She really hoped she hadn't said anything. She felt so disappointed, she peaked a look at her phone to see that Mrs. Dullard never did call her. All of it, had been a dream.

Several minutes later, the last bell rang and Reggie headed out the door in flash to retriever her things and rush to the hospital. Maybe the dream was a sign, a sign that Sam was up or would be soon. A sign that he cared about her like she did him.

"Yo, Reggie! Wait up girl!" Trish's voice shouted. Reggie turned in annoyance. "What was that all about?"

"What? I fell asleep, I was up all night." Reggie said quickly. "I didn't talk in my sleep did I?"

"Hah! I wish!!" Sherry interjected. Reggie let out a sigh of relief. "You had the best face when Mr. Darcy woke you up. It looked like you were about to tear his head off, haha! Must've been a good dream."

"You could say that." Reggie replied.

"Wanna go hang out, get some coffee, talk trash?" Trish asked.

"No, I'm gonna go to the hospital and check on Sam."

"Have you heard anything about him today?" Sherry asked with concern.

"No, but I figure I should go back and see if anything's change. At least offer to help out Mrs. Dullard and bring her some clean clothes or something."

"That's nice, well let us know how Sam is!" Trish added. Reggie nodded and took off towards her car.

Reggie walked into the hospital waiting room and made a beeline for the front desk. She was distracted however, by the sight of Paula Dullard walking through the door that led to the patient's rooms.

"Mrs. Dullard!" she yelled, rushing over to the older woman. She stopped suddenly when she realized that Paula had not turned to face her, she stood still in the middle of the room, clutching onto her cell phone and a tissue. Her face was stone.

"Mrs. Dullard?" Reggie repeated, totally unprepared for happened next. Paula's expressionless face had broken into a look of despair, tears appeared out of nowhere and started running down her cheeks. Reggie could only stand in shock and whisper- "No."

"Oh Reggie, Reggie I'm so sorry. Sam didn't make it."

Her world stood still, those words repeating themselves in her ears- Sam didn't make it, Sam didn't make, Sam didn't make it.

"No!" Reggie choked out, sobs started wracking through her body. She fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands.

"It was a brain aneurysm that formed as a result of the head trauma." Paula sobbed. "The doctor's were so worried about internal injuries that they didn't even bother to perform a cat scan or something on his head!" she said venomously. Reggie could only digest these words. She looked up at Paula, who was still standing stiff as a board with tears rolling down her face.

"Why him? Why did it have to be Sam?" she asked no one. "Why did it have to be my son?"

Reggie didn't know how to answer her. She knew that lots of parents asked themselves the same question everyday. Sam's death wasn't something that was out of the ordinary in America. Tons of kids met their end behind the wheel with a stomach full of booze. But Sam wasn't one of these kids. Sam was better than that, Sam was different. These types of things might've been business as usually in metropolitan areas, but they just didn't happen in Ocean Shores. Well they weren't supposed to anyway.

There's was no way she could artfully and sympathetically say all those things to Mrs. Dullard. Reggie didn't think she was willing to listen to anyone right now. The older woman needed her space, and so did Reggie.

Without a word, she walked outside and made her way to her car. There was no way she could drive all the way home without breaking down again. Instead, she got up on the hood of her car, and laid back against the warm glass and metal, heated by the rays of the sun. She craned her head up to the sky and studied the clouds, willing herself not to lapse into tears.

THE END

Authors Note : Well I've ignored this story for nearly a year now. But I never let my work go unfinished. Unfortunately, I ran out of ideas for this fanfic and just wanted to put an end to it. Hope you enjoyed the psych-you-out dream sequence. I just love sad endings.

So, seeing as how very few people read Rocket Power fanfiction anymore (the lack of reviews was a hint) , this will most likely be my last fic dedicated to one of the most beloved cartoons of my childhood. But if you're into Harry Potter fanfiction (as well as dark story lines, Dexter, and American Psycho) than you should check out my fic "The Otherside". Shameless plug, yeah I know. Later much, folks.