Brooke took a deep breath. Sam didn't want to talk. She was about to head out but Sam stopped her.

"Brooke wait."

She stopped, "You want to talk?"

Sam took a deep breath, "No. I just…I don't wanna be alone. Can you stay with me for a little bit?"

Brooke sat back down, "Of course you knucklehead. I'm here for you." She said quietly

Sam smiled, "Thanks. TV?"

"Depends, what are we watching?"

Sam laughed but stopped because it hurt, "Ow!" She squeaked.

"Sam!" Brooke scolded, "Be careful! You're as sore as it is"

Sam laid down, "I know. Geez. And we're watching Jackass."

Brooke rolled her eyes, "I don't get it. It's a bunch of idiots doing stupid things."

"Exactly!" she said.

A few minutes later Sawyer ran in. "Sam!" she yelled.

Sam turned around and sat up when she saw Sawyer. "Soy!" She called back.

Sawyer's eyes welled up, "Can I hug you?" she asked.

"Just be careful."

They embraced whole-heartedly.

Brooke saw Peyton by the door and went over to her.

"Let's give them time?" Peyton asked.

"Julian's in the cafeteria. Let's go? I need some coffee anyways." Brooke responded.

Peyton chuckled, "Sounds perfect. Let's go."

Peyton put her arm around Brooke and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I told you she's a fighter."

Sawyer sat by Sam. She was beyond excited that Sam was awake.

Sam stared at her and laughed, "Soy don't cry. I'm good as long as I don't think about it."

"Fine. But I want you to tell me anything Sam. I'm here for you." Sawyer said seriously.

"Can you just stay with me then? I don't wanna be alone and Brooke and Julian have been my only option so far. I mean they're great but.."

Sawyer laughed, "Duh dude! Scoot over."

Sam moved over and they both laid together.

"So how's Justin?" Sam said poking Sawyer in the side.

She pushed her hand away, "Fine…" She sat up and her smile widened, "And when I say fine I mean fine as in AMAZING. He's so awesome Sam!"

Sam looked down, "Well you know you have to tell me-" She stopped and rapidly her tone turned serious, "Soy what's in your pocket?"

"What do you mean?" Sawyer fidgeted slightly.
"I mean that bottle that's falling out of your pocket."

Sawyer stuffed the pill bottle back in, "Oh, it's nothing."

Sam furrowed her eyebrows, "You liar!"

"What?!" Sawyer became defensive.

"Are you still downing pills? Soy, you know that's dangerous. How many have you taken today?" She said with a growing anger.

Sawyer shrugged, "Just a couple. Not that many. Sam I'm fine. They just help me get through the day."

"You don't need pills to get through the day, don't you get it?!"

Sawyer grabbed Sam's hand, "Please don't tell anyone! I'm fine! It hasn't made me any different, look!"

Sam looked at her in disgust, "Yeah, but all of a sudden you need them to get through the day? What kind of hell have you been through that you need to numb your pain?" Her voice was becoming louder.

Sawyer was confused, "What do you mean hell?"

Sam just shook her head, "People take pills because their life sucks. Then there's the people who take pills because they're bored and they wanna have fun. And you know I always think those types of people are selfish."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sawyer said with attitude.

"You heard me. Don't you get it? Your life is good Soy, better than most. Why do you have to screw it UP! You were fine without pills and just 'cause you wanted to be stupid with Justin, now you're getting addicted to those stupid things!"

Sawyer stood up without saying a word, went to the trash bin and poured the pills out. It pained her to see them fall.

"I'm not addicted." She said as the last one fell in.

Sam just frowned and turned her attention to the TV, "You better not be."

Unbeknownst to Sam, Sawyer had accumulated a stash of pills. One bottle lost was not a problem.

She went back on the bed with Sam and gave her a hug, "I'm not addicted, don't worry."

Sam gave in and smiled, "Fine."

"So how's Jack?' Sawyer asked forgetting that Peyton warned her against asking anything about him.

Sam tensed and her eyes welled with tears, "I, I don't know where he is."

Sawyer remembered her mom's warning. 'Shit' she thought.

"Sam I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else." Sawyer offered.

Sam attempted to compose herself, "No, it's okay. I don't know what to do. He, he's gone. And it's my fault.' Her voice was cracking.

Sawyer sat up, "Sam the police will find him."

Sam went into a sort of daze, "If I would've stopped X! If I would've gotten there sooner. Jack's gone and it's my fault Soy. It all my fault!" She was freely crying now.

"Sam calm down." She was unsure of what to do.

Sam's words were muffled by her tears, "No! Soy why didn't he just kill me? Maybe he would've let Jack go! I hate him! I hate him! I hate myself! This whole thing is my fault. X just wanted revenge on Brooke because of me!"

Sawyer grabbed Sam's hand but Sam pulled away, "Sam don't say that!"

Sam's mind went back to the scene. The daydream was vivid.

"NO STOP!" She yelled.

Sawyer was too scared to shake her. She sat Sam up and leaned her on her shoulder, "It's okay Sam. It's okay."

"Jack's gone Soy. He's gone." She half said and half sobbed.

Peyton and Brooke walked in as Sawyer was attempting to console Sam.

"Sawyer what happened?!" Brooke asked as both of them went towards the bed.

"She keeps blaming herself and asking for Jack. She hasn't stopped Aunt Brooke!" Sawyer said relieved that they got there. Sawyer slowly got up and let Brooke take her place on Sam's bed.

"Sweetie come here." Brooke cooed as she sat in Sawyer's place.

Sam was crying, "Jack's gone mom. He's gone and its all my fault."

"Shhh. Shhhh. Don't say that sweetheart. None of this is your fault. I promise you with my whole life that none of this is your fault." She said in a low whisper.

"Jack's gone…He's gone mommy." She squeaked out.

Brooke rubbed her back,

"We'll find him. He's strong, just like you." She kissed her on the top of her head.

Sawyer watched Sam crumble in Brooke's arms. Suddenly she wished she hadn't thrown out those pills. She grabbed onto her mom's hand. She wasn't used to seeing Sam so vulnerable, so broken.

Peyton felt her daughter grab onto her hand. She turned around and saw the overwhelmed look in her daughter's eyes.

"Come on kiddo, let's give Sam and Brooke a moment."

Sawyer nodded.

"Mom is Sam gonna be okay?" She asked genuinely concerned.

"Give her some time honey. I know it's weird to see her like this."

"She wants me to stay with her." She said quietly.

Peyton turned to look at Sawyer, "Sweetie you have school tomorrow. And I don't think you can handle Sam. I think she really needs Brooke."

Sawyer felt distrusted, "I can take care of her! Aunt Brooke can rest!"
"No Sawyer. I'm sorry. We'll come again tomorrow." Peyton said.

To show her frustration Sawyer quickened her pace and walked ahead of her mother.

Peyton thought it funny how easily Sawyer could go from needy to angry. She stifled her laugh and went ahead. Sawyer was already by the car.

"Open it." She said frustrated.

Peyton gave her a warning glare, "Sawyer. That attitude. I suggest you give it a rest."

Sawyer sighed, "Sorry." She mumbled.

… … …

When Sawyer and Peyton came in Lucas was at the dining room table. A bottle of pills in front of him. Sawyer froze when she got to the kitchen.

"What's wrong Sawyer?" Peyton asked, then she saw Lucas's face. He looked furious. "Luke what's wrong, and why do you have a bottle of pills?" She asked.

Lucas stood up and snatched the pills, "What the hell are you doing with these Sawyer?!"

Sawyer said nothing, "Ummm. They're umm-"
Lucas shook them, "They're half empty! And I know for a fact they're not your mom's or mine. Have you been taking them?!"

Peyton's heart skipped a beat, "SAWYER SCOTT!"

Sawyer's mind found a weak defense, "What were you doing in my room!?"

Lucas felt indignant, "First of all, I'm your father I don't need a reason! And I left my screw driver there after I fixed your window. The pills were on the floor. "

Peyton's voice was grave, "Sawyer come over here."

Sawyer took a step closer.

"MORE." Peyton said.

She got closer to her parents. Peyton looked right into her eyes. Her voice was austere, "Did you or did you not take some of those pills?"

Sawyer looked down, "Sawyer LOOK at me when I'm talking to you. Answer the question."

Her voice was quiet, "I, I only took two." She lied. "They gave them to me at school, once they found out about Sam and how nervous I was. It's supposed to relax me they said! I didn't know they were bad momma. I promise!" Her words were so convincing she almost believed them.

Peyton sighed deeply and looked at Lucas, who was equally mad and sympathetic at their daughter's naiveté. Lucas bent down and hugged Sawyer. Relieved that she wasn't the pill-popper he pictured in his mind.

"Who gave them to you?" Peyton asked still skeptical.

"I, I forgot their name."

"Soooyyy." Peyton said with growing annoyance.

"Let's just drop it. As long as she doesn't do it again. Right? You heard her, she had no idea." Lucas whispered in Peyton's ear.

The big, scared eyes that Sawyer had swayed his anger. Peyton took a deep breath, "Sawyer. You have to understand that you can't just take whatever people give you! You can get addicted to these. Do you understand that?!" Peyton said looking at her daughter.

She looked down at her shoes, "Yes m'am."

"Good. Now come here."

Sawyer went up to her mom, who grabbed both her hands, "I don't ever want to hear about you doing this again young lady."

Sawyer's eyes teared up, "Yes m'am."

She kissed Sawyer on the cheek, "Go to your room and work on your homework."

She trudged to her room.

"Leave the door open." Peyton called back.

"What? Why?!" She whined.

"JUST….leave it open Sawyer. Don't ask why. Just do it." She said.

They heard her mumble something under her breath as she noisily sat down on her desk.

"I thought you were watching her at school." Peyton said to Lucas.

Lucas hugged Peyton and gave her a kiss, "I can't be with her at ALL times sweetie. I'll look into it. I promise. "

… … …

Sawyer opened her drawer and moved her fingers through her stash. She felt filled with anxiety after that confrontation. She quickly took two pills hoping to feel better. She looked at the English homework in front of her, 'Fuck it.' She thought.

She laid on her bed, curled in, and closed her eyes. She wished she was with Sam right now. She wished Sam could make her feel better. But Sam herself was broken. Who was going to fix Sawyer now?

Peyton came in later on. She sat by Sawyer and combed through her hair with her fingers. She brought her blanket up and gave her a kiss.

'Sleep tight.' She said turning off the light and closing the door.

Sawyer's discovery is soon… ;D Thanks for the reviews! Write me your suggestions, thoughts, and ideas. I really appreciate them. They're so great to read and motivating as well!