Yes, I know it's been ten days. I'm really sorry- I've been swarmed with track practice and biology projects. Sadly, this is the last chapter. I'm writing an epilogue, though, so that should be up soon! Enjoy!

"Excuse me?" I growl. "What the hell, Carly?"

Sam stares at her lap, blinking furiously. She's obviously upset about this- and berating herself for crying. It's natural, and I hate that she feels this way. Carly had no right to say that bullcrap, and honestly- if I wasn't injured, she'd freakin' get it.

"The truth," Carly snaps.

"Alright, what the hell has gotten into you?!" Sam cries. "Why are you acting like such a bitch?! Freddie's my boyfriend; we've been dating for seven months! You've never shown any interest in Freddie before- and I doubt you're in love with him now! You've always wanted us together- why the hell are you trying to tear us apart?!"

"You can't dictate whether or not I love Freddie," Carly says steely. "He saved my life, and I love him for it."

I watch, as Sam scoffs. I'm gonna let her handle this- she seems more than capable. "You only love him because he saved you. Shallow, much? I love Freddie unconditionally. I don't even think you're in love with him- you're in love with what he did."

Carly looks quite flustered, but she doesn't hesitate to defend herself. "It may be so, but love takes time. I'll surely fall in love with him soon."

Sam rolls her eyes. "You can't. For the last freakin' time, he's my boyfriend. He's in love with me, so do us a huge favor and get your prissy little ass as far away from here as possible. You don't want me angrier than I already am."

"Spencer?"

I hobble into 8C, catching Carly's older brother at the stove. He turns around as soon as I enter, turning something off and walking toward me.

"Freddo! What's up?" He asks, motioning for me to join him on the couch. I smile gratefully at that- crutches are uncomfortable and I kinda hate them.

"It's about Carly," I sigh. "Is something going on with her? She's being an absolute bitch to Sam and me…"

Spencer cocks his head. "I was hoping you knew why. She hasn't said two words to me the past few days. You say she's being a bitch…how, exactly?"

Another sigh escapes me. "She flat-out told Sam that her mother is too much of a slut- having sex with a new guy every night- to make money, to pay their bills."

Spencer's eyes widen. "You're kidding, right? That's not Carly."

"I wish I was kidding, I really do. But Sam's hurt, and I don't know what to do. She wants me, Spence. I'm dating Sam, and Carly will do anything to break us up."

Spencer sighs. "I somehow figured this would eventually happen. With one guy and two girls, it's pretty inevitable."

I lean back against the couch, closing my eyes. "Why do things have to be so goddamn difficult?"

Spencer chuckles. "It doesn't get easier, Freddo. I'll talk to Carly, but I can't promise anything. She's relentless when she wants to be."

I nod slightly. "Thanks. I don't wanna feel like a little kid tattle-tailing to you, but this has got to stop. She won't listen to me or Sam. I just don't know what's going to happen to us. Sam's hurt- more hurt than she's letting on."

Spencer shakes his head. "You've known Sam for over five years, Freddie. You should know by now that she doesn't out her emotions out in the open. She's reserved, and she'll hold all the pain and anger inside until she snaps. You can't let her do that."

"What can I do?" I grumble. "It's not like she'll listen to me."

"You'd be surprised," Spencer says. "There are still some things about her that you don't know, and one of them is- her dependency on you. She was a mess in that waiting room, Freddie. I'm glad you didn't see it. Would've killed you. She needs you, no matter how hard she tries to push you away. Believe me, I consider her a little sister. I know how she deals with these types of things."

"Sam?"

Freddie hobbles into the iCarly studio, his gaze worried and questioning. "I've been looking for you for almost half an hour…"

"I've been here," I mutter. "Thinking. Cutting." I hold up a large piece of paper with many, many slits in it- and show him my big scissors.

Freddie shakes his head, chuckling. "Aren't the scissors Jade's thing?" He motions for me to stand up, and I do, grabbing his crutches, and helping him down onto the beanbag next to mine. He sits with his leg stretched out, gazing at me.

I cock my head. "Jade?"

"Y'know, from Hollywood Arts. She was there at that party we crashed when we found out Steven was cheating on Carly."

I smile. "Oh yeah. Just like her. She's not that bad, actually."

"You would say that," he murmurs.

"I would," I reply.

"Listen, I wanted to talk to you," Freddie says gently, his chocolate gaze locking with mine.

"Lemme guess," I say bitterly. "Don't be pissed about what Carly said, she didn't mean it, all that shit."

Freddie shakes his head. "No." He reaches for my hand and sighs. "I know that this relationship has been through hell. We've had to do so much to be together, and honestly, if you're willing to fight for me, I just wanna say that I'll always fight. No matter what Carly says/does, I am not leaving you. Whatever bullcrap that comes out of her mouth isn't true. You are the only girl for me, and I love you for you."

"But I'm not your normal type of girl…"

Freddie smiles. "And who said that was a bad thing? Normal's boring. I don't wanna date some prissy daffodil, Sam. I want to date you. I want a girl that speaks her mind and defends herself. You have so many things to offer, baby- I love you. Carly's the typical girly-girl, and honestly? That's old. You're unique. I love you for it."

"You're pretty amazing, Freddie," I whisper, leaning forward to kiss him gently.

He smiles. "Back atcha. Now, how about I go buy you some ham?"

"A full ham?!"

Freddie grins. "All for you, baby. C'mon, help me up, and let's go getcha that ham."

So, this is technically the last chapter. I am writing an epilogue, which I hope to post tomorrow. Thank you all so much for the reviews and kind words, they mean a lot! I'd love some more on this chapter!

-Neha