Brooke waited for one of the petrified teenagers to answer, but their faces said more than their words could. They were caught, and caught red handed. Realizing that she wasn't getting anywhere she pointed her finger to Michael, "You."

"Y-yes?" He stammered,

"Come with me." She grabbed his hand and sat him at the couch. Without saying another word to him, she went back into the room, both Sawyer and Sam were staring at each other, but did not dare move from the spot that they were in, "Alright, last chance to explain to me what happened, before I go out there, and tell your mother what I think happened." She directed herself at Sawyer who just wanted to crumble into nothing.

Brooke's voice was quick and pointed, "Sawyer Brooke Scott you're not making this any better."

Sam swallowed and stammered through a crummy excuse, hoping to divert the attention away from the scared Sawyer, "Brooke, uhh, um, they were just, talking. See he was leaving on vacation and needed to see her."

Brooke looked offended, "Young lady, how stupid do you think I am?!"

"Mom I didn't say that!" Sam's voice was slowly losing its resolve.

"Then why are you both lying to me? ! Hmm?"

Sawyer could only think of one thing to say, "Aunt Brooke please, please don't tell my parents. It won't happen again, I swear."

Brooke sighed, feeling equally sorry, but angry at her niece, "That's not how it works Soy.

She then looked at Sam with a furious look on her face, "Both of you, come on let's go."

They stared at her, frustrated she snapped her fingers, "Now!" And took a swipe at both of their behinds. Grudgingly they made their way into the living room. She pointed to the sofa, "Sit on either corner. " And they did just that. Sawyer taking one , and Sam the other. Michael sat in the middle, and gave Sawyer a saddened glance, wishing he could've prevented this.

"I can't BE. LIEVE. you two!" Brooke said as she made her way outside to deliver the news.

The living room was quiet, but Sam broke the silence, " So we tell them the truth?"

Sawyer looked at her like she was crazy, her parents would absolutely KILL her. "Are you crazy!" She said, but they all stopped when they heard the door open. All three of them immediately sunk into the sofa.

Sam watched as Jack sat down next to her, and as the parents descended upon them like vultures.

It was four teenagers looking small on a couch against four parents arms folded and faces cross. Peyton couldn't help but think that Michael's intentions were less than noble. Brooke and Julian gave Sam a furious look. Sam's mind raced to the inevitable fact that there sneaking around was about to be discovered. She felt the urge to suck her thumb, but pushed the childish thought away.

Peyton looked at Sawyer and Michael, "Sawyer do you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"

She looked down, "Do I have to?" She said meekly.

"Sawyer!" Lucas Barked.

Michael cleared his throat when he saw Sawyer jump at her dad's voice, "Mr. Scott?"

Their eyes glared at him. He looked at his friends and swallowed to appease his dry throat, "I, uh, I came over because I needed to talk to someone and I didn't know where else to go." His voice cracked a bit, but he cleared his throat and steeled up.

Lucas rolled his eyes, but Peyton could see his sincerity, "So you didn't have cramps young lady? And you were hiding Michael when we came in."

"Mom, I-"
"You lied to us." She said cutting her off.

Julian was lost, "I'm sorry, but why couldn't you just bring him outside?" He asked Sawyer.

"Because I was hysterical, and, umm... well, yeah." Michael answered half heartedly.

The story wasn't adding up to the parents. They didn't see why they had to make such an elaborate cover up.

Brooke looked at Sam and could see her playing with her hands, "Samantha? What's really going on?"

Sam looked away and shrugged.

Brooke felt a twinge of disappointment and spoke in a low voice, "You expect us to build up trust like this?"

Sam felt her eyes water, but didn't dare look up. Jack knew that Brooke's statement hurt Sam so he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Brooke noticed, but said nothing, realizing how her comment affected Sam.

Knowing that these kids weren't going to break Lucas bent down to Sawyer's level and looked her right in the eyes. She felt her blood rise.

"Sawyer." He said in a low rumble.

"Yes?" She said in a shaky voice.

"You either tell us what's going on, or you're not seeing this boy anymore."

When Sawyer heard these words she burst into tears, because she really wasn't going to see him again. "What difference does it make?!" In a flash, she pushed Lucas out of the way and ran to her room and slammed the door.

Jack and Sam stared at each other in disbelief.

"What was that about? SAWYER! Get back here!" Lucas yelled.

Both parents were on their way into her room when Michael stopped them, "WAIT." He stood up and grabbed Lucas's arm, "Please sir, let me explain."

Sam and Jack felt their heart drop.

He had all the adults full attention. Both his heart and mind were racing, "My mom's being deported back to Mexico. She was detained a couple weeks back for being illegal, and now she's being deported." All the faces in the room fell. "I was saying bye to Sawyer." His voice broke and tears were silently making their way down his face.

No one knew what to say, so Julian spoke up, "Son, you're leaving with her?"

Michael nodded his head, and wiped the tears with the back of his hand, "I don't want to, but I have to. I have no place to stay."

They now understood Sawyer's outburst. All the parents sat down. By this time Haley and Nathan had trickled in from outside, and heard Michael's confession. The room was quiet, except for Michael's sniffling. Sam looked at her mom, "Umm..Brooke?"

Brooke looked towards her daughter. "Can I go get Sawyer? I can get her to come out."

"Ask your Aunt, Sam." She said. Sam looked to Peyton, and she gave her a nod.

They waited for Sam and Sawyer to come out, and when they did they sat next to each other.

Peyton looked at Michael once more, "Michael where have you been staying then?"

Michael looked up, "W-what?"

"You said you have no place to stay. Where did you stay the days that your mom was in jail?"

All three of them bowed their heads. Brooke caught on quickly. She took a deep breath, ready for the truth to come out.

"I've, I've-"
"He's been staying with us." Sam finally said. She wanted more than anything to keep her parent's trust, and figured the truth was her best way.

Julian's eyes widened, "WHAT?!"

Sawyer looked at her mom and dad, "He's been switching between our house and Sam's house." She saw the fury in Lucas's eyes, "BUT NOTHING'S HAPPENED, I SWEAR!"

Brooke put hands though her hair, "Oh my God." She said overwhelmed.

"Mom they wanted to put him into foster care! And, and we didn't want that to happen to him!" Sam's voice cracked.

Brooke looked at her and threw her hands down.

"Mom REALLY!" She pleased.

"I pressured them!" Michael yelled, "I-I asked them if I could stay with them because I didn't wanna go into the system. Please Mr. Scott, Mr. Baker, don't get mad at them. They lied for me, nothing happened I just slept and left their room."

"Do you expect us to just be okay with this?!" Peyton boomed.

There was a silence, but in a burst of emotion and courage Sawyer stood up, "HE HAD NOWHERE TO GO." Her tears betrayed her, "I-I didn't want what happened to Sam and Jack to happen to him!" She was becoming hysterical. The adults in the room looked at her in shock, "And I don't want him to go to Mexico, and I don't understand why his mom has to go back either! It's not fair!"

Haley stood up and went over to Sawyer, "Sweetie, come on." She whispered. "Sam, Jack you guys come too." She grabbed Sawyer's hand and they all went outside.

Michael was now alone with the two sets of parents, but he didn't care, the truth was already out. He stood up, "Look, I'm sorry I caused all this, but if you just allow me to say bye to Sawyer one last time, I'll leave. Please, please, don't be mad at Sawyer or Sam. They really were looking out for me, and I didn't want them telling anyone."

"Sit down Michael." Lucas said with authority.

He did as he was told.

Brooke looked at the young boy before her dressed in ragged jeans, converse, and a black collared shirt, "Does your mom have a lawyer?" She asked in a much more concerned tone.

He shook his head in shame, "We, well, we can't afford one. The one guy that was doing it pro-bono supposedly left."

Lucas pressed the bridge of his nose, "How much time does she have?"

"Just two, two weeks."

An uncomfortable quiet grew in the room. Before Peyton and Lucas was a boy whom their daughter cared deeply for and who quickly became close to her, but was on the verge of leaving for a horrible and unjust reason. Before Brooke and Julian was a boy who looked very much like Sam, and who was on the verge of falling into a potentially horrible cycle of care.

Just then they heard a commotion outside. Sam, Sawyer, and Jack were yelling at someone and Haley was yelling at them.

"BACK OFF JERKS!" Jack screamed.

Nathan got a hold of him, "Calm down son!" He said.

"Boy get out of the way." Said the police officer in a calm voice.

"You don't have a warrant, get off this property!" Sam yelled.

"NO!" Sawyer cried, "LEAVE!".

Haley grabbed both girls. "Officers, I'm so sorry." She pleaded with the annoyed police officers trying to come into the house.

"What is going on here?!" Lucas and Peyton both said simultaneously.

"M'am. Sir." the police officer finally said, "It's my understanding that there is a boy named Michael here. And by the looks of it, it's that boy right there." He was pointing at the doorway.

Michael was hiding behind the door. "His mother said he'd be here. I'm sorry, but we have to take him to foster care, or else he could go to juvie for hiding out like this, his mom don't want that."

"Mom, dad! Don't let them take him!" Sawyer yelled. Haley hugged Sawyer, "Shhh, shhh. Sweetie. It's okay."

In a flash Brooke stopped the police officer that was grabbing Michael, "Wait Stop!"

They looked at her, "We're taking him in!" Her response surprised even her, but she cleared her throat and composed herself, "What's everyone looking at?"

Julian looked at her confused, "What?" She jabbed him in the side, "I mean, yes?"

Peyton looked at her best friend, "B. you don't-"

She stopped everyone from trying to say otherwise, "I said it already didn't I?!" She looked at Michael, "Michael you're coming with us."

Everyone was appalled at Brooke's statement, "We'll foster him. We're certified foster parents, check the system."

"Ahem, m'am, I don't know," The officer replied.
Brooke raised her voice, "I said CHECK, we are in the system. There's no reason to not leave him with us. Send us the papers, we'll fill it out."

Sam looked at her mother incredulously, she never thought that Brooke would ever foster another kid, especially with one on the way. She knew for sure that the Brooke she met when she first walked into Clothes over Bros would never have done this. Had she changed that much?

Lucas then spoke up, "We'd also like to pay for his mother's lawyer."

The officers didn't know how to react, "oh."..."Well, uh, why don't you come to the station with me, and one of the potential foster parents too, so we can straighten everything out.

Julian squeezed Brooke's hand, "I'll go, but you and I are talking later."

She rolled her eyes, "Fine."

The officer called Michael, "Come on son, don't worry you'll be back."

He hesitantly followed, and gave Sawyer a small smile as he got into the car.

With Julian and Lucas both gone, Haley noticed the uneasiness among everyone. The tension between the mother and daughter pairs were obvious.

"Alright guys, let's go inside. I think we have a lot to take in." Nathan went in with Jack. Haley with Sawyer, and Sam waited for her mom and Peyton to walk past her and went in after.

"Guys, do you know how wrong it was to hide Michael?" Peyton said in a tired voice.

The teens had nothing to say, luckily they bought time when they heard a small childish voice, "Momma can I come in now?"

It was Jaimie. Haley's face dropped, "Oh my goodness sweetie, I'm so sorry. Of course you can. Come here baby."

Jamie went over and sat on Haley's lap, he took in the scene in front of him. Sawyer, Sam, and Jack looked sullen. Brooke's face was intent, and so was Peyton's, "Are Sam and Soy in trouble?" He whispered not so discreetly. Haley just gave him a hug and a kiss, "Shh. Shh. baby." Then turned towards Nathan, "Let's go?" She mouthed. Nathan stood up and gave both his nieces a kiss, "Good luck babies." He said.

"So guys, I think it's time for us to go now. Call us if you need anything." He said towards Peyton and Brooke, and gave them both a hug.

"Brooke I'm sorry your celebration for the baby had to end so..abruptly." He added.

"It's okay Nathan." She said giving him a small smile.

Haley gave her nieces a warm look and went towards the door, whispering "I love you guys" to her friends. As they were going out Jamie got out of his mom's grasp and ran towards Brooke and Peyton. They both bent to his level, "What's up little buddy?" Brooke asked, then looking up at Sam and Sawyer.

"Don't be so mean to them. They're kinda like me."

"what do you mean?" Peyton responded.

"Sometimes we just do stuff, but we don't mean to hurt anyone on purpose. I mean you still love'em right?"

They both gave him a kiss, but definitely felt humbled by his innocent reprimand. "Get to goin baby. Your mom's waiting for you." Brooke whispered.

They watched them leave, and then took a seat and turned their attention towards the quiet kids on the sofa.

Sam was ready to take anything head on, hoping to God she wouldn't lose it and make things worse.

"Why did you guys think it was okay to hide a boy in your room for a whole week?" Peyton started.

Sam pursed her lips and looked up, her mother looked at her and gave her a worried glance, but she didn't know what to say, how to make things better...

"We didn't hide him mom" Sawyer said in their defense, "We just gave him a place to stay for the night."

Brooke looked towards Jack, "Jack, you're a boy, why couldn't he stay with you?"

"Umm, 'cause I share a room with my little sister, and-"
"You know what it doesn't matter" Brooke said conclusively, "Why couldn't you tell us?" Brooke looked at Sam, "Samantha?" She said calmly. She looked up at her, "Yes?"
"Why couldn't you tell me or Aunt Peyton. We would've been able to help. You guys wouldn't've been in this mess. You wouldn't be sitting here getting scolded."

Sam suddenly felt five, getting reprimanded like a child.

She shrugged, "I, guess, we didn't think you guys would've done anything."

Peyton sighed and ran her hand through her hair, "Well I guess you guys really don't know us that well then."

"Why is it so hard for you to just tell me when you're in trouble. Why do I have to find out about it like this?" Brooke's question came as a surprise to Sam.

"Oh, come on Mom! That's not fair! What the hell did you want me to tell you?!" She said indignant, "Hey mom can you foster my friend Michael? He has no place to stay?" She said mockingly.

"Sam, calm down." Peyton said.

"Like that would've worked!" She kept on going.

"Samantha! I did it didn't I?!" Brooke responded.

Jack stopped her before another fight ensued, "THE POINT IS" He said loudly, "We thought we could do it by ourselves, but I guess we were wrong."

"And we're really really sorry. " Sawyer jumped in, "And we're gonna accept any punishment. Mom, I know I snuck around and I lied, but I felt like I was out of options."

Peyton wanted to intervene, but let Sawyer continue. She wanted to see if she was truly repentant.

"I guess I did it because I cared about him. Even though it was one of the dumber things that I've done, and I know that maybe we should've been smarter and more responsible or something, and I'm really, really sorry."

Peyton called Sawyer over, "Come here Soybean." Suddenly glad that she didn't intervene. Sawyer was growing up, and she saw that in her confession.

Sawyer reluctantly stood up and went towards her mom. Peyton grabbed both her hands, "Phone and computer for two weeks. And it's up to dad, if he's gonna ground you for lying."

"Yes m'am."

"And for now you'll be sleeping in my room. You lost yours until further notice."
Sawyer's eyes bulged, "W-what?!"

"You want an earlier bedtime too?" She asked her daughter with warning in her voice.

"Take it or it gets worse."

Sawyer took a deep breath, "Fine."

Brooke watched as Peyton sent her to collect the things she needed from her room, and then instructed her to wait there.

Peyton sat back down.

"Aunt Peyton, I made Sawyer lie. When Uncle Lucas was knocking, she started to freak out, and I didn't want us to get caught, because I knew she would have spilled the beans, so I made up the lie about the cramps. It's not her fault. She shouldn't be punished further for that."

Jack chimed in, "Yeah she didn't want to, but Sam and me were egging her on, and basically gave her no other option."

Peyton smiled at how protective they were of her daughter, "Sweeties, it's okay. She could've told the truth. She didn't have to go along with it, but I appreciate you telling me that."

Brooke felt a pang of guilt, "Sam?"

She waited until Sam acknowledged her, "I would've taken him in."

"What?" She asked.

"If you would've told me his situation, I would've done it in a heartbeat. You don't know this but someone took me in at a young age too. So please, please, don't sell me so short like that."

Sam played with her bangs, trying to seem nonchalant.

"Yeah, well, I didn't know that."

"Well now you do. He's going to be staying with us, and all of this drama would've been avoided if you'd told me in the fist place." Brooke answered frustrated.

There was a silence, but there was a burning question in Sam's head, "Look, I know I'm in trouble, and I completely take ownership for it all Brooke. I really am sorry, and I hope you know that...but, but you don't trust me?"

Brooke bit her lip and looked at her daughter, "I think you need to trust me first, and once you do that, THIS" She said pointing at Sam, and then at herself "...can heal."

"Mom, I'm sorry." She said in a whine.

Brooke stood up and had Jack move over, she sat down next to Sam "Sweetie, I'm here for you the moment that you feel like you need help, not just for the aftermath."

"I just didn't think you'd want another kid in your house, you know? Because you're finally having your own, and I heard that you can't put so much stress on a mother when she's pregnant, and-"

Brooke put her hand on Sam's cheek, "Oh Sammy, you don't need to take care of me. That's not your job."

Sam looked at her, "Can I, can I hug you?"

Brooke laughed, "Why'd you ask?"

"Because I don't know if you're mad."

Brooke remembered that as one of Sam's past traumas, never knowing when to hug, Her foster parents would often lash out when given affection from Sam, that's why she only hugged them when the other was happy. And this was also why Brooke made sure to give Sam a hug, and a kiss whenever she got the chance.

As angry as she was, Sam's well being came first, "Come here Sammy." She said pulling her in, "You can always hug me, even if I'm mad."

Kind of long, but I hoped you liked it! More to come, please review!

P.S this series is winding down...I think i'll finish at 40 chapters, which might require some short time jumps.