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As previously stated, lest you should think I am one of the o-so-brilliant scribes at GH, let me make it perfectly clear… I am not now nor have I ever been a writer on GH; I don't own any of the characters (but I do have fun playing the fanfic puppet master of their lives) except my OC's (to come); I only hope to entertain and flex my writing skills.

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Sam was waiting outside of room 208 for 10 minutes and she was getting ticked off. It wasn't like she was the one who needed the extra help in Latin to graduate. As a matter of fact since her first lousy report card freshman year she was a straight 'A' student who at this rate would probably graduate early with honors. Who the heck did Lucky Spencer think he was? But even as she thought it she pictured his smile and instantly forgave him.

Emily breezed by and dropped her stuff at Sam's feet. "Okay, I'll do it. Nikolas will take some convincing, but as long as Lucky's going it should be a go. Where is Lucky?"

"Great question, I've been here for 15 minutes now. If he wasn't my ride to Kelly's I'd bail just to prove a point." Emily looked up at her friend and knew she was totally full of it.

Just then the bell rang and both girls turned to the laughter trailing down the hall. It was Lucky with a bunch of cheerleaders including Elizabeth Webber. Why did she have to look so great in that stupid outfit? Sam and Em both went out for cheerleading, but neither was peppy enough. So, Emily stuck with her volunteer work at the hospital and the debate team and in the Spring Sam played softball. When he looked up and noticed he had an audience something in him went a little ego crazy and played up to the girls and Elizabeth was eating it up.

"Wish I could stay for the floor show, but if I don't get to the practice room I'll never make second chair, later Sam."

Sam grabbed her bag off the floor, straightened her shoulders and did her best stroll over to the crowd. Touching Liz's arm, which was hanging on Lucky's like a sweater, she said, "I really hate to break up this important meeting of the minds, but we need to hit the books. I need you to get me to Kelly's in time for my meeting."

Elizabeth wasted no time going on the attack. "So sad all that money and what daddy won't get you a car? Or is it that he won't let you drive just like he won't let you date?"

Sam couldn't believe her ears. Either her business was common knowledge around school or Emily had shared that with her. "You don't know what you're talking about, as usual Elizabeth. Some girls just don't throw themselves at everything in a pair of pants. You plan on majoring in mattress testing next year at PCU?"

She had detangled herself from Lucky and her squad was behind her like a wall of blue bricks. Lucky was impressed at how Sam held her own, so much so that he stood there with a stupid look on his face amazed at how fast this seemed to escalate. He knew Liz wasn't a fan of Sam's, especially since Sam came to PCHS, but she usually wasn't spiteful.

"I know exactly what I'm talking about and when it comes to throwing themselves at a guy you could write a pamphlet. I may not have had the fancy dinner party or the diamond bracelet, but at least I didn't have to beg for my birthday kiss. Sad really," she turned to her friends and added "it's tough being a kid these days though." Everyone burst out laughing and Sam did an about face and stoically walked out the side entrance of the school and into the parking lot, so much for her knight in shinning armor.

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She had stormed across the parking lot and was halfway down the block before the cold finally registered. Damn, it was freezing and she was not dressed for it at all. All she had on was her sweater, a very loose knit, and shoes that were more cute than functional. New York could be more than breezy in mid-March. Most of her stuff was still in her locker and now she had to hoof it to Kelly's, which wasn't far normally, to make it in time for her committee meeting. Brushing tears she wished weren't there she barely remembered why that stupid committee was so important to her this morning. Sam was convinced she'd be a pop-sicle by the time she got to Kelly's. She hoped Grandpa Mike had plenty of hot peppermint cocoa ready. She had to clear pier 29 though without any of her dad's men seeing her. There really was no way around it without going so far out the way she'd end up with hypothermia. Keeping her head down and hauling tail she actually got to Kelly's in record time. The place was empty except for an older couple in the corner and the only sound came from the television kept on the counter.

Sam walked to the counter and called out, "Grandpa Mike are you back there?"

Mike Corbin was Sonny's father and the current manager of Kelly's. Even though his relationship was mega strained with Sonny it didn't affect his relationship with his grandkids. They adored him and he loved them unconditionally no matter how they came into his life, by blood or by marriage.

Calling from the kitchen he inquired, "Is that you Sammie?"

"Yes, can I change the channel?"

He walked out drying his hands on a dish towel then reached across the counter for a hug and kiss from his oldest grandchild. "What are you doing here kiddo? Did school let out early or something?"

"I joined the dance committee at school and we're meeting here later. I didn't have a class last period so came early to hang out with you first. Can I have a plate of fries and a jumbo peppermint cocoa with whip cream?" Sam was rubbing her hands together still attempting to get the blood circulating. Mike was staring at her for a couple of reasons. One, her order would send his son into a tirade about poor food choices and two, if he wasn't mistaken it looked like she had been crying. But he went to drop the fries and didn't pry.

"Did you walk here by yourself?" He asked when he came back out to find his granddaughter engrossed in some cooking show. Sonny had definitely rubbed off on her.

"Sure. It's not that far, besides my ride couldn't make it."

"One of Sonny's guards didn't show up?"

Oh, great she was about to get someone fired or worse without even trying. "No, no, no one was supposed to pick me up. I was coming with a friend and they couldn't make it. I wasn't going to call for a ride for a few blocks. I'll call someone to pick me up after my meeting."

Mike only looked like he believed a tiny portion of her story. "Alright, let me go check on those fries."

Sam got back into her program and when Mike brought her order out to her she started inhaling French-fries like they were about to be taken away. She didn't even notice Emily come through the door until she was right behind her.

"Where the heck did you go after-school? I went by room 208 and you weren't there and when I saw Lucky he wanted to know where you were too. What's up?" She asked as she snagged a fry off the plate.

Not wanting to give Grandpa Mike an earful she grabbed her stuff and moved to a corner table. First she asked about the rest of the group, but Em said they were en route, and then she rehashed all the gory details of her hallway encounter with Elizabeth and Lucky's lack of defense.

"I can't believe he'd tell her all that stuff about you? She was probably guessing most of it or just plain lying and she got lucky."

"In more ways than one. It was awful Em and her whole snatch squad was there to witness it. Maybe I should see if my dad will still pay for boarding school."

"You girls need anything else? How about a refill on the cocoa with two straws and spoons, I wouldn't want to ruin anyone's dinner." They all had a good laugh at that as the rest of the committee poured through the door letting in cold air with each opening.

The meeting went pretty well and as folks were packing up to leave Sam realized her cell phone was still in her locker. Having it in class was a major call for detention if you got caught and she had been down that road twice, because even on vibrate checking a text was too tempting so she had started leaving it in her locker and only checked between periods.

"Dang it, I left my phone in my locker. I need to call my dad so he can send someone to pick me up."

"I'd say get a lift with me, but I'm off to the hospital, sorry." As she headed out the door Sam went to the counter phone and never saw Lucky pass Emily and take her spot at their recently vacated table. Her dad was in a meeting, so left a message with Louie who worked the counter and he told her to hang tight that as soon as the meeting broke up he'd let Sonny know she called and Max would be on his way. When she turned around she saw Lucky at her table and her blood started to boil beneath the surface. This dude had major ones she thought.

Never losing her cool, on the outside, she strolled over and started packing her bag without addressing him at all.

"So, you have nothing to say to me? You don't even want to yell at me and tell me what a jerk I am." He stood up and impeded her path.

"You said it so I don't have to I guess. Oh, and you still owe me for the session today. Don't come whining to me when you see your grade on the quiz."

"Okay, so you're really pissed at me. Liz was out of line, but storming off wasn't the solution it'll just give her more ammo for the next time."

"What do you get off on this or something? Big man has to have two girls fighting over him. Apparently I don't have to worry about giving her ammo since you seem to give her plenty. How could you make me look so desperate and stupid?"

Mike had been cleaning the same spot on the counter for the last couple of minutes and when Sam noticed she dragged Lucky out the door to finish this conversation outside.

"Where's your car?"

"I'm parked in the alley. Why?"

"Notice me minus a coat." Sam marched around back and Lucky followed like a puppy about to get his nosed rubbed in it.

When they got to his car Sam leaned on the hood and barked at him. "Why'd you come here Lucky?"

"I… I… just wanted… needed to talk to you about what happened." His nerves came through his voice and he leaned next to her on the hood. She didn't respond so he continued.

"I figured it was safer to come here than to go to your house. I'm guessing your dad has given a shoot on sight order where I'm concerned, or any guy for that matter."

Sam maintained her stoic façade, but giggled a little inside. Lucky had no idea, but Milo (who was assigned to her most of the time) would be the last guard to carry out that order. Now, if it was Jason or trigger happy Logan he might have something to worry about.

What she said was, "Odds are I'd give that order first after today."

"That's why I had to find you. I thought you might still be furious. Sam I swear I never meant to make it worse, but you were holding your own and I thought saying anything would only make the fight worse. I mentioned the kiss to Nikolas and Elizabeth overheard us on docks heading for the launch. She also swore she wouldn't repeat anything she heard. It wasn't about taking sides. "

"The crowd surrounding us won't remember it that way. Everyone's going to think I made out with you and let you cop a feel. Which I didn't!" Her voice did that octave rising thing when she got riled up.

"You did kiss me." Lucky nudged her in an attempt to make her laugh.

"You know what I mean and how that hateful witch made it sound. I was humiliated and I… I just needed to get out of there." Sam dropped her head in a defeated and deflated posture. She was disgraced, Lucky felt guilty and Elizabeth was somewhere gloating. She couldn't imagine a worse case scenario. But as Lucky slid his hand down to meet hers and grasped it gently but firm she knew no other place she'd rather be now. They could both feel that warm tingly sensation like an electric current racing through a wall to power a toaster.

Lucky moved in front of Sam never letting their fingers unwind. He slipped his left hand behind her neck and leaned in to kiss her. Sam didn't know what to do. She had kissed him before but this was different. She let his tongue probe her mouth and relaxed with each moment that passed. The moment seemed to go on forever and she unwound her fingers and wrapped both hands behind his back. It was sweet and hot and once she got into it not nearly long enough before he pulled back.

Looking in her eyes he proclaimed, "That was amazing. You didn't seem as in to it before."

"Maybe I was holding back, but so were you… the question is why? What's different now?" Sam had her hands on his chest and was staring into Lucky's eyes trying to read his heart.

"I guess it was time to let you know just how I feel about you." He smiled and his eyes danced.

"I'm glad I was here to listen." Sam took the lead this time and moved in for the kiss. She had forgotten about her coat and being cold as a matter of fact she was feeling so thoroughly warm she forgot about everything and time stood still at least in her mind.

That all changed with the sound of Sonny's voice coming across the parking lot. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't drop you where you stand?"