Peyton turned to Brooke , "Brooke, I am so sorry! Let's go get Sam."
Brooke was holding back her tears as she nodded and squeaked out, "No it's okay. She needs her time."

Peyton felt responsible for the tears that Brooke was trying so hard to hold back. It was her daughter that made Sam lie, her daughter that got drunk, her daughter that needed protection. But Sam took the fall for all of it, not hesitating for a second.

She turned to Lucas whose face was contorted with anger. He put his cup in the sink, "I have to go Peyton. The boys have practice." He kissed her and then gave Brooke a hug whispering, "I'm sorry" as he let her go. Peyton knew he was leaving so quickly because he didn't know how to deal with this new side of Sawyer. And truthfully neither did she.

"Sweetie." She said sympathetically towards her best friend.
"I'm okay P." Brooke responded in a choked up voice.

Peyton pulled her in for a hug. "Brooke Davis come here." Brooke gladly accepted the hug. "This isn't your fault. Everything you did and said was valid at the time. You didn't know that it was actually Sawyer who royally screwed up."

Brooke just nodded letting her best friend's warmth and words alleviate her.
Peyton pulled her back and looked her in the eyes, "B. Davis" Brooke looked at Peyton, "We'll get through this. That's what we do."
Brooke's smile crept up, "I know. Love ya P."

They finished their coffee and Brooke made her way out. She had to work, but she also wanted to call Sam, "Peyton I have to go, but thanks for asking Sawyer for the truth. It means a lot. And tell her I'm not mad."

Peyton frowned, "Well I'm furious. You deserved the truth. We all did. I can't believe her. I'm beyond disappointed."

Brooke took her friend's hand, "Peyt. she's a teenager now. But hey, we'll get through it. It's what we do."

Peyton smiled knowing those were the same words she had just used. "Love you babe. I'll see you later?"
"Yeah. I'll call."

Brooke got into her car, took a deep breath, and called Sam.
Sam was in her room contemplating on whether or not she really wanted to stay with Rebecca for another three days. Sam really wanted to get to know Rebecca more. She felt as if they could really develop a mother/daughter relationship, she just had to accept Mark. As she was thinking her phone vibrated,
"Damn, what the hell man?!" she said when she saw it was Brooke. As if the phone call was a response to her thoughts.

"Hello?"
"Sam." Brooke said.
Hearing Brooke's voice reminded Sam that she was still guilty in her parents eyes (or at least she thought). This made her decide that she would just deal with Mark and Rebecca. She would NOT be the one to blink first.
"Brooke! I already told you! Three days, remember? And you said yes, come on!"
"Sammy." Brooke said trying to stop the tirade.
Sam continued, "Why are you calling anyways? To yell at me some more? To act as cold as hell. Is three days so much to ask for!?"
"Sweetie-"
"No! Three days without the rebellious Sam. How could yo-"
"YOU LIED." Brooke finally said.
Sam stopped her verbal assault. Her voice became docile and hesitant,
"Wha-what do you mean I lied. I didn't, I didn't lie."
"Yes you did Samantha. You really didn't want to go to this party."
Sam didn't know how Brooke knew this or if she was just messing with her, "Yes I did! I already told you everything!"
Brooke couldn't understand why Sam so vehemently wanted to keep the lie going, "Sammy, Sawyer told us the truth."
Sam's shoulder's fell, she was discovered "oh."
Brooke's voice warmed, "Sweetie, why did you think it was okay to throw yourself under the bus like that?"
Sam didn't want to talk about it, "It doesn't matter."
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Well we have to talk about it. Sam I said some things and-"
Sam stopped her, "Whatever Brooke. Look, I, I have to go, my mom's calling me. Bye." With that she ended the call.
Brooke stared at her phone and put it aside 'Her mom?' she thought. She went to work with her mind reeling with houghts.

… … … … …
Peyton stared at her daughter's door for a long while. Wishing that her stare could communicate all the emotion she was feeling. She got up and took a deep breath before she opened the door. 'Man up, she's not a baby Peyton.' she thought to herself.
Sawyer was laying on her bed listening to music. Peyton crossed her arms and towered over Sawyer's petite frame. Sawyer looked up and yanked her headphones out as she sat up.
"Give me that." Peyton said stretching out her hand.
Sawyer frowned and handed her ipod over.
"Phone and laptop too."
"But mom I nee-"
"NOW." Peyton said in a resounding voice.
Sawyer got up and handed everything over. Peyton pointed to the spot on the bed that was right in front of her, "Sit down. Don't you dare move." She left to put the things away and came back to find her daughter looking down at the floor.
"Sawyer look at me."
She looked up. She felt so little in comparison to her mom.
"Mom I said I was sorry." she said meekly
Peyton shook her head,
"You have no idea how disappointed I am in you, not to mention angry. You lied and worst of all, it was just to save your ass!"
"Mom I know! I was stupid." she said dejectedly
"Stupid? Yes it was! How could you Sawyer? You let Sam take the fall?! Your father and I did NOT raise you like that. I KNOW you're above that."
Sawyer felt tears roll down her cheeks, "Mommy I'm really sorry!"
Peyton steeled herself, she wouldn't let Sawyer's emotions affect her, "Well it's too late for that now, isn't it Sawyer?...You're grounded. At school you're spending your days with dad or Haley."
Sawyer's mind rushed to cheer, "What? Mom! I have cheerleading practice after school!"
Peyton narrowed her eyes, "Do you really expect me to let you be a cheerleader after that stupid party?"
"NO! Don't be so mean! Please, I won't go to anymore parties. Don't make me give up cheer! I'll do anything else!"
"You're obviously still too young for responsibility Sawyer. And until you learn, I'm sorry, but you can't be a cheerleader."
Sawyer stood up, "That's not fair! I messed up once, give me a break!"
Peyton scoffed, "No you did more than just mess up! You brought Sam down for your own benefit! Do you know where she is now Sawyer?!"
Sawyer stopped.
"She's with that Rebecca woman, and Brooke is worried sick over all of this! I can't believe you! You've been acting like such a spoiled brat!
Sawyer felt overwhelmed by her mother's disappointment, "Stop it! Why are you being so mean?"
Peyton took a deep breath, before she said anything she'd regret, "Sawyer. I can't with you right now. You need to really think about this, because I don't think you understand the severity of your actions. You need to stop being so selfish. I want you to stay in here, until I or your father say otherwise."
Peyton stared at her daughter, then turned to leave.
Sawyer was confused, "Mom!" she yelled as her mom was leaving.
"No Sawyer." Peyton said.

… … … ...

It was late at night. Rebecca's house was quiet. She and Mark had gone out, they offered her to come, but Sam wasn't in the mood. Instead, she called Jack to come over.

She waited anxiously for him to come. Finally she heard a knock at the door.
"Jack!" her face changed from excitement to fear. It wasn't Jack, it was a man with a gun in his hand.
"Who the hell are you?" the man with the hood gruffly asked Sam.
Sam answered him tentatively, "I'm, I'm Sam. Rebecca's daughter."
The man pushed through Sam, "Get out of my way."
Sam watched as the man sat down on the couch and leisurely turned on the tv, "Who the hell are you?" she asked trying to act tough.
The stranger stood up and pushed Sam to the wall, "Bitch, talk to me like that one more time." He shook the gun in his pocket.
Sam started shaking. The man laughed and let her go. She straightened herself up and stayed by the wall watching him. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, "Where the hell is Mark?"
Sam swallowed, "He, he went out with Rebecca."
"Damn it!" The guy looked angry, "He's gonna pay for all the shit he's pulled. Come sit over here, right by me sweet little thing."
Sam didn't move. She had seen this situation play out in her past with her mother and her mother's friends. "I don't want to." She said quietly.
He took out his gun and placed it on the table, "You want the easy way or the hard way?"
She walked over and sat on the couch, he forcefully pulled her right next to him, so that both their sides were touching. Sam smelled liquor and cigarettes. She wanted to throw up.
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "You know you're real pretty for a girl who's mom is a slut. Hope you aint' no slut."
Sam wanted to beat the man. Rebecca might not be perfect, but she wasn't what he was describing. Her mind went to Jack. Where was he?
He started to caress her and Sam felt the urge to cry and run, but he had her in his clutches, "Please leave me alone!" she asked in a desperate hushed tone.
His breath was rancid, "You're mine sweet stuff."
His breathing became shallow and Sam started to fight him, but he slapped her and pushed her down. Just as he got on top of her he began madly taking off his shirt. Sam was fighting him with all she could. Just then, Jack ran in.

"GET OFF HER!" He screamed and pushed the man off. Sam took the chance to grab the gun before he did and ran to the phone to call the police. She was shaking uncontrollably, but managed to call 911. She texted Brooke quickly,
"Please come" was all she could manage to write.

He got up and headed towards Jack, but he was drunk and stumbled. Jack ran to Sam,
"Come on let's go!" As they were heading to the door, the man slammed the front door shut and took out a knife, both kids backed up.
Jack grabbed the gun and pointed it to him, "Back up!" he yelled terrified.
"Jack stop!" Sam yelled.
The man got closer and closer, "Go ahead, shoot little fucker. I ain't scared."
"I'll do it!" Jack yelled shaking.
"JACK!" Sam was freely crying now.

"EVERYONE PUT YOUR HANDS UP!" The police yelled. Jack and Sam put their hands up and the gun fell. The man took advantage, "Fuck you!" and ran to the gun,
"HEY, Hands UP!" The police screamed once more. The man didn't listen and the police officer shot him twice. He fell face down on the floor at their feet.
Sam yelled and grabbed onto Jack who hugged her tightly. Another police officer went over to Jack and Sam and escorted them outside. They sat on the sidewalk as they were being questioned. Both were nervous, trying their best not to go hysterical.

Julian's car pulled up and Brooke bolted out.
"Where's my daughter?! Sam! Where the hell is she?"
"Mam, You have to calm down, she's being questioned right over there." The police officer said pointing to Sam's direction."
"Let me go talk to her!"
The police officer grabbed her, "You have to wait. This is a crime scene."
"Wha-what happened?! Let me go! Now!"
Julian grabbed Brooke, "Babe, babe, come on. Let's wait."
Sam saw Brooke on the other side, "Can we go now please?" she asked.
"Just a couple more questions sweetie."
She nodded, but as the injured man came out on a stretcher, she couldn't deal with it. Jack closed his eyes, but Sam ran.
"NO!" she yelled. She ran towards Brooke, who embraced her wholeheartedly.
"Mom!" she cried hiding herself in Brooke's embrace.
Brooke held onto her, "Sammy! Are you okay? I'm here baby."
Sam cried and was so emotional that Brooke had to sit down on the sidewalk with her.
Seeing the desperation in Sam's eyes made Julian crazy.
"Someone better tell me what the fuck happened!" He screamed at the huddle of police.

One of them pulled him aside and explained everything. Including the attempted rape. Julian's eyes blazed with anger. He went towards Sam and Brooke and picked Sam up. Holding tightly onto her and kissing her, as if she would crumble at any moment. Sam said nothing but held tightly onto his neck.

The police came to them along with Jack. They told them everything. Jack was trying so hard not to cry as he replayed the man being shot in front of him. Brooke pulled him in and embraced him.
Just then, Julian saw Rebecca pull up and he saw Mark come out. He gave Sam one last kiss and handed her to Brooke, who sat back down with her. Jack sat next to them, waiting for his parents.
Mark's voice resounded, "What the HELL is goin' on? Rebecca get out of the damn car!"
Julian went over and grabbed him by the shirt, "You fucking dirtbag. This is all your fault!"
He punched Mark in the face, the police ran and restrained Julian, "Calm down sir!" they said. Mark got up with blood running from his nose. The police arrested him and took him away from the scene.

Rebecca saw Brooke and Sam and she ran over to them.
"Sam, Oh my Gosh, are you okay?!"
At the sound of Rebecca's voice Sam cringed and curled in closer to Brooke. She rubbed Sam's back and hissed at Rebecca, "Get the hell away from Sam! I swear, I don't give a damn I'll sue your ass if I have too. But you're not touching my daughter!"
Jack chimed in as well, "Just leave Rebecca! No one fuckin' wants you here!"

Rebecca wouldn't stop, "She's my daughter! I gave birth to her!"
Sam remembered Rebecca saying that line many times when people accused her of not being a good mother. But this time Sam wouldn't try to believe her. Rebecca knew what was going on. The tension in her house was growing with Mark and his drug world, but she just said everything would be okay. Sam was done.

She got out of Brooke's embrace and stood up, "You're not a mother!"
Rebecca and Brooke were both surprised, "Sammy." Rebecca said.
"It's SAM. And you're not my mother! She is!" Sam said pointing to Brooke, "You left me Rebecca! You, you left me alone when I was 5! Why, why'd you do that?!" Sam said in a choked up voice, her voice was shrill and vulnerable, "I NEEDED you! And I needed you again today, and you weren't there!"
Rebecca touched Sam's cheek, but Sam backed away, "NO! You don't get a redo. Where the hell were you!" Sam said crying, "Where were you when I was 4 and your boyfriend was beating me! Where were you all those days when I waited for you in our room for two whole days!"
Rebecca was crying too, but Sam didn't stop, "Where were you today!? When that guy tried to rape me!" Brooke stood up and tried to grab Sam, but she pulled away, " I hate you! You care more about stupid Mark than me! You always did! I'm nothing, I'm nothing, aren't I?!" Sam was hysterical.
In a calmer voice Brooke adressed Rebecca, "I think you should go."
Rebecca paused and blinked twice, "Fine. Bye Sam." She turned around and walked away towards Mark.

Sam stared at her walk away. Even though she said all those things, it still hurt to know that she could just leave so easily.
Brooke put her arm around Sam's waist.
"Is it always that easy? To just walk away from your daughter." Sam said in a daze staring at the direction where Rebecca walked.
Brooke coaxed Sam gently, "Sam look at me honey."
Sam turned to look at her, "You're worth more than anything in the world. And no, It's not that easy. A mother doesn't just walk away. I promise you."
Sam's lips quivered, "Why doesn't she love me?" she finally asked.
Brooke embraced her knowing all too well that this was a wound that doesn't heal easily, "Because she's too blind to see that you're the most amazing daughter a mother could ever ask for."

Sam felt foolish for being so resistant to Brooke for the past week, "I love you mom. I'm sorry." she said quietly.

"No Sam. I'm sorry. For not believing you. For everything." She squeezed her one last time and slowly they let go of each other.

Julian came up to them and signaled to Brooke that they could leave. Jack was still waiting for his parents.
"Jack we'll take you home bud." Julian told him.
Jack stood up and Julian gave him a big hug, "Thanks for protecting her Jack."
Jack smiled.

Sam turned to him and grabbed his hand, "I love you Jack." she said.
"I love you too Sam." He kissed her. Both of them still shaken from the events that had transpired. They walked with a frown on their face. Jack thinking of the body that was shot right in front of them. Sam thinking of the rancid breath and rough hands that were so violently grabbing onto her.

Brooke and Julian knew that the days to come would be horrible for Sam. She endured hell today. 'Oh Sammy. I'm so sorry' Brooke thought.

Please Review guys! It's why I write! So what do you think? :D Be honest!