I stood up from the front step and turned around. Immediately, I crashed into someone.

"Sam!" Leslie exclaimed as she almost bowled me over. "Why are you outside? I thought we agreed no leaving the house alone."

"I was feeling really overwhelmed," I admitted. "I didn't know what to do."

"Aw, come here." Leslie pulled me into a hug. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I feel … chaotic on the inside," I said finally, unable to think of another word that would explain my mixed-up feelings. Talking to Danny had helped calm me down a little, but now that my cell phone was back in my pocket and we had said goodbye, my anxieties were starting to come back to me.

"Do you want to go? Because we can go. Coming to Mexico was crazy and coming to this party in Mexico where we only know one person was absolutely insane. You've been through a lot lately and I don't want to try to force you into things."

"I'd like to go," I agreed. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Sam. I'm here for you. Do you want to come in with me to find Valerie?"

"I really don't want to go back in there," I balked. "It makes me feel claustrophobic."

"That's okay, but you have to stay right there. I don't want you to get lost."

I sank back down on the step and Leslie walked back into the house. I took a deep breath, in and out, trying to dispel the memories that were threatening to crush me. I closed my eyes, and Elliot's face appeared in front of me. I shook my head to clear his image from my mind. He was gone now; I would never have to see him again. I was free. I was able to do things like fly to different countries; change my outfit and my hair. I wasn't under anyone's control; I wasn't being manipulated by anyone.

I was free.

I controlled myself.

I just had to keep telling myself that.

"Sam," Leslie called. "I found Val. We're ready to go if you are."

"Absolutely." I jumped to my feet and trailed behind them to the car.

Leslie and Valerie got in front, and I slid into the backseat. I sat in the middle so that I would have enough space on both sides to stretch out my arms.

"Leslie said you weren't feeling well," Valerie said. "Upset stomach?"

"Um, something like that." I didn't want to hide the truth from Valerie, but I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want to have to tell the story to someone else, start to finish, because she didn't know any of the details. Obviously, news of me could leak from place to place – could travel further than I could run, but Valerie hadn't heard those details. I didn't want to relive what had happened to me by telling her about it.

Valerie sighed. "Well, I hope you feel better tomorrow, since it's your last full day here."

"Me too," I agreed. "But, we should all do something."

"We could go shopping," Val suggested. "It's supposed to be outrageously hot tomorrow for this time of year and there'll be air conditioning."

"There's nothing wrong with some shopping!" Leslie agreed. "I need to find something super cute to wear to the bachelorette party tomorrow night anyway … But only if Sam's feeling up to it."

"Can I get back to you about that in the morning?" I asked.

"Absolutely." Leslie told me without hesitation.

Valerie pulled up to the entrance of the resort. "I really hope I get to see you again before you go, Sam."

"We will, even if it's just sitting in my hotel room and stuffing our faces," I told her.

She laughed. "That sounds better than shopping."

I reached forward and squeezed her shoulder. "See you, Val."

"Bye. Talk to you tomorrow."

I got out of the car and walked with Leslie into the hotel.

"You know," I mused as we climbed into the elevator, "I don't think I mentioned this, but your dress is absolutely blinding."

"It's cute!" Leslie defended her short, highlighter pink dress immediately. "I love it."

"I love the sun, but I'm not going to want to stare at it … or wear it." We left the elevator and headed down the hall.

"You're just a night person," Leslie stuck out her tongue at me. "Nothing wrong with that, just like there's nothing wrong with being a day person and liking bright things."

"Or blinding," I muttered under my breath.

"Goodnight Sam," Leslie giggled. "Get a goodnight's sleep. And if you need me, come over immediately."

"I will. Thanks."

I slipped inside my room. I stood there in the darkness, drinking it all in, and then I went onto the balcony outside my room. It was still warm outside, and I sunk onto the floor. I crossed my legs under me and then I slid myself as close to the rails as I could get, so that my skin was pressing tightly against the thin wooden slats.

I sat there for a moment, absorbing in the moonlight and listening to the far off sounds of the ocean. I leaned my head back and looked at the stars. I was in a beautiful place, with beautiful people just around the corner, who cared about me. I was enjoying Mexico, and I couldn't say that I regretted coming, but I wanted to be home. I missed Amity.

Me: I lied; I want to talk again now. Are you still awake?

Danny: Lying is a bad habit

Me: forgive me? :-)

Danny: Just this once

I smiled at my phone.

(-.-)

"I'm going to miss you," Val smiled at me. "It's nice to know I was right when I said it – we would have been really great friends."

"We are really great friends," I corrected her.

We were standing in the airport. My bags had been checked, and I was about to go through security in just a moment. Valerie had driven me to the airport; Leslie was too hung over from the bachelorette party to even say goodbye to me. She would be in Mexico for another week, and then she would be going back to New Orleans. I wouldn't see her again for a while, so I was mildly annoyed that she wouldn't even get out of bed to see me. But having a few more minutes with Valerie was great, because while I knew that Leslie was easily accessible to me, Valerie wasn't and I knew that I was going to miss her.

"Yeah, I guess we are."

My boarding call sounded, and I looked at Valerie.

"We'll see each other again soon."

"We better!"

As I hugged her, Valerie added, "Although you'll have to come to me."

"Mexico suddenly became my favourite vacation spot," I joked.

"Bye, Sam."

"Bye, Valerie."

I went to stand in line. I turned around to watch her leave the airport. While I didn't want to leave Valerie, Leslie and Gavin behind … and while I had enjoyed Mexico more than I had ever imagined, my feelings from last night remained. I wanted to go home.

(-.-)

Mother: We probably seem like the worst parents in the world right now but Mrs. O'Greedy passed away, and we absolutely had to go to the funeral :-( We'll be back tomorrow afternoon, so you won't be without us for long, but I hate that I'm not there to welcome you back! We left your car in lot E. Text me as soon as you are home safe and sound. I love you lots, and lots, Sammy-wammy

I shook my head at the text, and immediately sent: Send my regards to Mrs. O'Greedy's family. I just landed. I love you too, and tell that to Daddy.

I fished my keys out of my carry-on bag, and headed to find lot E of the airport's parking lot. I took a moment to mourn Mrs. O'Greedy. While I had not been close with Mrs. O'Greedy, my father and my grandmother had been extremely close with her. She had been Grandma Manson's best friend throughout the entirety of her life, even after Grandma moved to Louisiana from Mississippi while Mrs. O'Greedy stayed in behind.

I found my car and I climbed in.

Mother: Glad to hear you're safe. I'll call you later, okay?

Me: Okay.

I sat in my car, unsure of what to do now. I didn't want to go home to an empty house. On a whim, I thought of somewhere I really wanted to be. Without thinking about it, off I went. I drove through the familiar street of Amity Park, finally stopping in front of the garish FentonWorks. I got out of my car, still not thinking too heavily about my decision, and knocked on the door.

"Sam!" Maddie gushed. "It's so wonderful to see you."

"You too," I said as she ushered me inside.

"And I love the hair. It's so cute and hip!"

"Thanks," I giggled. Maddie was so cute.

"Danny and Jazz are both upstairs," she told me. "I think they're both in his room. Head on up!"

"Thanks," I told her again, and began to climb the stairs to the second floor.

I approached Danny's door and knocked. I heard the low murmur of conversation, and then I heard Jazz's voice.

"Who is it?"

"It's Sam."

"Come in!" Danny beckoned.

I slowly opened the door, to the sounds of cursing.

"Oh, fuck, Jazz, ow, holy shit."

"Little brother, I am going to wash your mouth out with soap."

I surveyed the scene in front of me. Jazz was sitting on the bed, a first aid kit open in front of her. Danny was lying on his side, arm over his head so that she could have access to a wound on his side, although it was stretching toward his back. I saw his blood dripping down the front of his stomach, across several scars, and all I could think of was the night Vlad had beaten him.

"What happened?" I gasped.

"Fright Knight doesn't like the thermos," Danny rolled his eyes. "He put up a fight."

"Danny's an idiot," Jazz explained to me, rolling her own eyes. "He thinks he's in good enough condition to fight ghosts."

"I won, didn't I?"

Jazz heaved a sigh, and then she slapped her hand against his ribs. "All right. You're all patched up, and I have a date."

"Kiss Tucker hello for me."

"If your bromance ruins my relationship, I'll never speak to you again."

Danny looked offended. "If your relationship ruins my bromance, I'll never speak to you again."

"Good luck, Sam," Jazz wished me. "Also, your hair is so cute."

"Thanks," I said, as she left the room.

Danny heaved himself off the bed and crossed to his dresser. "And what do I owe this fine pleasure?"

I shrugged, watching his back muscles move as he pulled on a t-shirt. "I don't know. Do you want me to leave?"

"No," Danny immediately protested, spinning around to face me. "Absolutely not! Take off your coat, stay awhile."

Awkwardly, I shrugged out of my jacket and draped it across his desk chair. Danny sat down on the far side of his bed, and I took a spot on the outside of the edge. I kicked my legs up on the bed.

"I do like the hair." Danny reached out to touch one of my newly short, purple tendrils. He hesitated about an inch from my head, and I could see his arm begin to pull away.

"You can touch it," I encouraged. "I keep running my hands through it."

He smoothed his hand along my head. "I really like it."

"Thanks," I smiled. "So, what now?"

"Umm," Danny mused. "Movie?"

"I'm down for that," I agreed. "What do you have?"

Danny floated from the bed over to his movie collection. "I have a lot of dumb action movies."

"What about senseless comedies?"

"Let's see. Hangover; 21 Jump Street; Hot Tub Time Machine; Wedding Crashers; Ted. There's Hit And Run, which is funny and kind of action-y. I love it."

"Sounds good," I agreed.

I settled back against one of his pillows as Danny put the DVD in. I felt utterly secure that I had made the right decision in coming to FentonWorks.

I don't own anything recognizable. Thanks to my betas: Forever Sky.

~TLL~