The drive back home to the Davis household was quiet. Michael held Sawyer in his arms in the backseat, meanwhile Sam sat in the passenger seat, trying to avoid Brooke's questioning looks. "How was the party Sawyer?" Brooke said looking towards the rearview. Michael spoke for her, "It was okay.
"Thanks for that Michael, but I asked Soy." She said turning to them when the car was at a red light. Sawyer spoke up, "It was fine Aunt Brooke." Sam still said nothing. She just looked out the window, even though by now it was dark. Brooke sensed something was up, but knew she wouldn't get anything out of them now. She just nodded and then looked over at her daughter, who looked very pensive.
When the car came into the driveway all three of them unbuckled their seatbelts quickly. Brooke turned over, "Hey Sammy can you hold on a sec?"
"Brooke, really, right now? Can't we talk about my "absence" later?" Sam said thinking her mom wanted to talk about why she had been avoiding them the whole week. Brooke turned to Michael and Sawyer who hadn't gotten off yet, "Sam'll be out in a bit. You guys go ahead. And Michael, Sawyer's not allowed in your room."
He nodded, "Got it!"
Sam huffed and glared at Brooke, "You have really bad timing Brooke." She said when Michael shut the door. Brooke raised her eyebrow, "Hmmm, why don't you tell me about that? Why is my timing so bad?"
Sam looked at her confused, "Wait what are we talking about now?"
"Did you have something urgent to get to at this very moment?" Brooke responded Sam didn't want to tell her about Sawyer just yet, "You know Brooke, you shouldn't worry about these things. Your stomach's pretty big now, so you know, you don't wanna stress the kid out."
Brooke rolled her eyes. She just wanted to get to the bottom of it, and Sam was just deflecting. "As much as I appreciate your sudden interest in my and my baby's health, that's not my concern Sam. Now,what's wrong with Sawyer? Why does she look so shooken up?"
Sam swallowed the lump in her throat, "There's nothing wrong."
Brooke didn't give in, "You wanna try that again Samantha? Don't lie because that's yet another thing to add on to your long list of grievances."
Sam rolled her eyes, "I don't have any grievances."
"Hah. Try again!" Brooke said. This made Sam smile a little. Her face then turned a little more serious, "Mom I can't tell you."
"Samantha, you realize that whether you tell me or not, I'm still gonna let Peyton know that I think something's up?" "Mom, why!?" Sam whined annoyed.
"BECAUSE, Sam. Peyton is Sawyer's mother, and second of all I love Sawyer and I'm just trying to protect her." Sam looked at her mother, "I-I can't." She said.
Brooke wasn't relenting, "Sam, don't think about yourself. Think about what's best for Sawyer." Sam could see the concern in her eyes. She realized, much to her chagrin, that her mom meant no harm, and could probably help them out. She looked at her with pleading eyes, "Brooke...can you talk to her? I don't want to tell you, because it's not my place. But if you talked to her…?"
Brooke didn't have to hear anymore, "Of course sweetie." In a burst of emotion Sam leaned in and hugged Brooke tightly, "Thanks mom." Brooke, was pleasantly surprised, she smoothed the back of her hair, "I'm always there for the both of you." Sam let go, "Just let me talk to her first." She got off and headed inside. Brooke took a deep breath. She hoped that it was simple teenage drama and nothing else.
…. …. ….
Sam headed into her room and saw Sawyer and Michael laying down, "You know if Julian or Brooke caught you like that, you'd be dead." Michael shrugged, "Oh well, I guess."
Sam went over to Sawyer who refused to open her eyes. She took a page from Brooke and softened up, "Hey Soy? Come on let's get you out of those clothes and into something comfortable."
Sawyer covered her face, "I'm so embarassed. I can't believe I was so stupid." Michael's jaw tightened, "Don't even worry about that idiot."
"I have to!" She said more distressed, "My mom endorsed his dad!"
"Michael, can you leave?" Sam said turning to him. She wanted to be left alone with Sawyer.
"But-"
"NOW." Sam said. Michael got up, annoyed that he had to leave.
Sam pushed him out, "Don't worry Mr. Guardian angel, she's with me."
He scoffed, "Alright, fine. I'm gone." She closed the door on him and then went back to Sawyer.
"Soy, sweetie, do you wanna shower or something?"
Sawyer nodded at Sam, feeling a shower would probably calm her down.
"You want me to wait outside the door?" Sam asked her.
"Can you keep me company?" She asked Sam.
"Duh Soy. I'm your permanent company." Sawyer cracked a smile.
While Sawyer was in the tub, Sam sat on the floor just flipping through her phone. She tried to make small talk, but could tell that Sawyer's mind was still on the events.
"Hey Soy?" "Yeah?" Sawyer said. "He's the biggest idiot ever. Karma's gonna get him, don't worry." Sawyer slid back in the water, not saying anything else. She felt embarrassed, angry, and shaken up, but grateful to know that Sam was right behind the shower curtain.
…. …. ….
Sawyer sat on the couch waiting for Sam.
She came and brought some chips, "Let's watch a movie? It'll get your mind off it?" Sam offered.
Sawyer looked at her, "You're not gonna change? You're still all dressed up."
Sam looked down, "Oh, right. Well I'm gonna shower and change. Go ahead and start without me." Unbeknownst to Sawyer, Sam wanted to give Brooke the chance to talk to her, and so waited to get Sawyer out in the living room, before getting ready for bed.
"Hey Michael." Sam called to him before she went into the bathroom. He opened his bedroom door, "What's up? Can I go with Sawyer now?"
Sam rolled her eyes, "No. Look, I want her to talk to Brooke. She's in the living room, can you not go out there?"
Michael looked at her confused, "What? Why? She's not gonna talk to Brooke about this. She needs us!" He said in a fierce whisper.
Sam looked at him angrily, "Can you shut up and listen to me! Think about it Michael. You think we're equipped to help her? You and me, we're fucked up, she needs someone at least somewhat stable to help her!"
He scoffed, "Psshhh. You may be, but I'm not." Sam gave him a push, "You're being selfish!" "Me?! Selfish?" He said surprised.
"Yeah! You feel territorial right now 'cause you're all hopped up on testosterone, like some mini man, but Sawyer doesn't need you or me, she needs someone like Brooke because like it or not Brooke's awesome when it comes to this stuff."
She then pointed a finger at his chest, "Don't think I won't throw a punch at you if you try and go out there Michael. Chill out. You're too mad to help her out right now."
He glared at her, but she didn't budge, "Fine. Whatever." He finally gave in, "Get out of my room then." "Gladly." She said smiling, happy that she got her way.
But before she left he stopped her, "Wait Sam, hold up." She turned back around, "Yeah?" He looked at her and spoke more sincerely, "How are you? Are you okay?"
She shrugged, "Mad. I'm mad." She responded. In reality Sawyer's altercation were bringing up her own memories. Memories of her attacker at Rebecca's house, of the man in her mother's life that got too comfortable with her. She shuddered internally. They were at the forefront of her mind, and now that things with Sawyer were calming down, Sam knew they would keep her up all night.
Michael went over to her knowing that beyond anger, there was a scared Sam. He gave her a strong hug. "What was that for?" She asked as he let go. "I love you like a sister, and I just want you to know that just like we protected Sawyer today, I'd do the same for you, and I wish that I could've been there protecting you in the past as well."
Sam felt a lump form in her throat. She looked at the floor and then back at him, "Thanks Michael." She said softly.
… …. ….. ….. ….
Brooke was passing to get to her room when she saw Sawyer sitting in the couch by herself. She took a deep breath and walked towards the couch with her hands in her pockets, "Hey soybean. Where's the rest of the clan?"
Sawyer looked to her aunt. Brooke instantly saw sadness in her eyes. Sawyer could lie all she wanted, but could never hide the emotions in her eyes. "Umm Sam's showering and Michael's in his room I think."
Brooke went over and sat down. "Whatchya watchin?" Sawyer shrugged, "Apparently Spongebob." Brooke laughed, "Yeah, Sam and Jack love that idiotic show for some reason. You know you can change it if you want." Sawyer stared down at the remotd in her hands, "I don't really care, actually." She said with a slight sigh.
Brooke stared at her for a moment, "Something on your mind sweetheart?" She said kindly. Sawyer took a deep breath. She couldn't possibly tell her Aunt, "Uhmm, just tired, I guess." Brooke nodded, and turned back to the tv, "Well if you don't mind I think I'm gonna change it. I'm more of a Bravo fan myself." She grabbed the remote and changed it, she watched Sawyer from the corner of her eye.
She saw her stare at her phone, and then tears form in her eyes. She scooted closer, knowing she had just seen something, "Baby, what's wrong?" She said with deep concern. Sawyer just shook her head as the tears began to fall. Brooke took the phone from her hands and read the message one of her friends sent. Her friend whose brother knew Chase learned of the bet, and let Sawyer know as a warning, but she had done it too late.
Brooke felt anger pulsate in her veins. Suddenly she began to piece things together, "Sawyer did he-?" Sawyer spoke through her tears, "N-no. I- didn't let him, But he wouldn't, he wouldn't" "He wouldn't what Sawyer?" Sawyer embarrassed, but feeling completely transparent in front of her aunt spoke up, "He tricked me, got me into a room, and I- I was stupid and followed him."
Brooke didn't know Chase, but knew that she was prepared to hunt him down, "Did he try and force you?" She said quietly. "He just kept saying 'Come on let's do it." and it wasn't until I screamed at him and pushed him off that he- he apologized." Sawyer renewed her tears and Brooke pulled her in, "Come here sweet pea. Come here." She spoke softly.
She let her sob in her arms, as she lulled her, "Shhhh. Shhh. I know, I know. Go ahead Sawyer, let it out." She rubbed her back, "You weren't stupid. You just thought the best of him, and thinking the best of people can be a double edged sword." Brooke's youthfulness, but maternal instincts made Sawyer feel safe and comfortable, "Aunt Brooke I wish I never met him!" "Oh sweetie, I know. All girls have that one guy they wish they'd never met. I'm just sorry your guy had to be the biggest jackass."
Brooke felt Sawyer's heat radiate, she was really worked up. Brooke held her tighter, "He won't get away with it Sawyer."
Sawyer felt weary of those words knowing that she'd have to talk to her parents soon, but she pushed the thought to the back of her head and let her aunt's embrace envelope her with sleep. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
After a while Brooke turned around and saw Sam watching from her bedroom. Brooke gave her a wink, letting her know that she had it under control, "Call your dad" she mouthed to Sam.
Julian came through and Brooke gave him a smile, "Can you take her to the guest room? I need to talk to Sam." "What happened?" He said concerned. "I'll explain later. Can you take her?" She asked him. "Sure thing boss." He said jokingly. Gently he picked Sawyer up and walked over to the guest room.
Brooke composed her thoughts and let her anger cool. She wanted nothing more but to hurt the boy who hurt her niece, but she knew that it was out of the question. Instead she walked over to Sam's room. She found her in bed on her laptop. She leaned on the door frame, "Hey you." She said softly.
Sam lifted her head up, "Hey Brooke. Looking bigger every day." She joked as she stared at Brooke's 6 month old stomach, easing the uneasiness in the house. Brooke held her stomach and smiled. She looked back at her daughter, "I'm proud of you." She responded. Sam looked at her perplexed, "I thought you were furious with me a couple hours ago."
Brooke took a step in and closed the door. She went over and sat down next to Sam on the bed. Sam crossed her legs and moved the laptop off her lap, anticipating a talk coming on, before Brooke could say something else, she asked another question, "Is Sawyer okay?"
"Mhm." Brooke nodded, "She's asleep now. We're going to have to talk to Peyton." Sam frowned, "I wanna kill him." She said.
"You and me both."
There was a silence, "Sam, I know how hard it was for you to tell me that Sawyer needed help. But you trusted me and that makes me so proud."
Sam gave her a half smile. She swallowed, "Well...I've been through similar-" Her voice caught, in danger of breaking into tears as she thought of the man that almost raped her, "umm, similar situations, and you helped make it all better." She rose her gaze to match Brooke's, "You're good at that...making it all better."
Brooke smiled deeply at Sam and moved her hair out of her face, "I'm glad I helped." She whispered, "and that's all I want Sammy, to make sure you're okay."
Sam blinked, "I haven't been making it easy. I know you and dad are probably crazy mad at me right now for avoiding you guys."
"No Sam. We're just worried." Sam sighed, "Yeah, I'm sorry. I was just, well, I don't know really. I guess embarrassed, annoyed, angry...with myself." She looked at her mom, "It was wrong and I'm sorry. And I'm sorry I can't give you a straight answer about why I did it. I'm sure that drives you crazy."
Brooke bit her lip and thought for a moment, "You know Sam, you've driven me crazy since the day I met you."
Sam frowned and rolled her eyes, "Great. Just what I need to hear."
Brooke smiled, "But a good crazy. I just, I love you so much that I worry sweetie. And you can't just hide and avoid me or your father thinking that you're shielding us from your problems, because as horrible as this sounds, we'll always see right through it, and keeping it in, well that just makes it worse."
Sam was surprised, but relieved that Brooke was so spot on, "Damn." was all she said.
Brooke rose her eyebrow, "Does that mean you agree with what I just said?"
"Pretty much." Sam said.
Brooke's vision was caught by Sam's blanket, she picked it up and stared at it. Her memory went to the first day Sam moved in.
FLASHBACK
"So Samantha, this'll be your room. I know it's nothing fancy, but I hope you like it." Brooke said taking a step in and then turning to the raggedly dressed pre-teen in front of her.
Sam was appalled that Brooke thought the room wasn't much. It was the nicest room she had ever stepped foot in and for the first time she'd have a room all to herself. But her gratitude didn't come across as such.
"Thanks dude." She said as she slung her backpack off her shoulders and threw it on the floor along with her duffle bag. Brooke couldn't help but stare at Sam with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Sam asked abruptly.
"No nothing. So, uhh, have you eaten? Julian'll be home soon so-"
"So you want me to stay out of your hair, when he's here. I get it, I'll be in here." She said.
Brooke looked at her surprised, "Not what I was gonna say, no. I was going to say that we could eat together, or if you're hungry now I can give you something to eat."
Sam shrugged her shoulders, "Nah, not hungry." She put her hands in her pockets. Brooke didn't know what to do next, she felt so uncomfortable. This was the girl that stole from her, and suddenly she was her foster child.
"Do you need help unpacking?"
"Nope."
Brooke smacked her lips, having nothing else to say to the tired child in front of her, "Well okay then. I know you're tired, but I'll be in my office if you need anything."
She looked at Brooke, "Yeah, not likely, but thanks." Sam said as she walked through the room looking at the desk and then the bed. Brooke feeling overwhelmed put her hands in her pocket, took a deep breath and walked out.
When Julian came home he went over and kissed Brooke, "You seemed stressed. Where's Sam?" He asked her.
"In her room. She's been pretty quiet." Julian massaged her shoulders, "I'm gonna go say hi. Do you think she'll like me?" He asked nervous.
She chuckled, "She's twelve Julian. Just be nice."
He went over and knocked on the door, "Samantha?" He called. She opened the door, "What?" She asked annoyed.
"I just wanted to say hello. I know we've only met once or twice before. I, uhm, I mean, is everything good. You're comfortable?" He said awkwardly.
"Yeah, whatever. Are you done now? You don't have to pretend to like me. You kinda look like a jackass anyway."
Brooke heard what she said and stood up walking towards them, "Excuse me?! Not here, no, no, hold on." She said.
Sam rolled her eyes, but felt her heart jump a bit. 'Shit.' She thought.
"Young lady" Brooke started, feeling completely out of place.
"What, old lady?" Sam said pushing her buttons.
Julian's mouth almost dropped. But he said nothing.
Brooke folded her arms, "You might've acted like a street urchin out there" She said pointing to the door, "but in this house you will respect Julian and me. Are we clear Samantha?" Her voice was hard.
Sam looked at her blankly.
"ARE. WE. CLEAR?"
Sam shook her head, "Yes."
"Good." Brooke said.
"Now what?" Sam said plainly.
"Just, just, go to bed." Brooke said flustered then walked off unsure how to end after scolding your child. She made a mental note to pick up a few books on parenting.
Julian stood there still in front of Sam. "Night." She said then closed the door on him.
Julian cleared his throat, "Oookay then. Goodnight I guess." He said to the door.
He went over to Brooke who was filling a glass of water, "So she definitely doesn't like me."
Brooke put the glass down, "I can't...I cannot believe she said that to you!"
Julian looked at her, "She probably doesn't trust men babe. Think about it, she's been in the system her whole life."
Brooke looked towards the bedroom door, realizing his point. "Just twelve years old and already not trusting the world around her." She said thinking out loud.
Julian grabbed the glass of water and drank some himself, "Pretty different from Soy huh?" He commented.
Brooke's gaze fell saddened by Sam's lost innocence, "...yeah, very different."
... ... ...
It was now around 1 am, and Julian had gone to bed hours ago, but Brooke stayed up working on designs. She kept thinking about Sam, and how she probably had to grow up much faster than most twelve year olds. Her heart went out to the child that was asleep in the other room.
As she was heading to bed, she felt the need to check on Sam. Slowly, she opened the door, so not to wake her. When she did, the sight before her melted her heart. She stood there and smiled. Sam was huddled into a ball. She wasn't under the covers but she held onto a blanket patterned with little animals and her thumb was inside her mouth. Brooke suddenly saw what she needed to see. She saw Sam, the child. Sam, the twelve year old, not Sam the thief, or Sam the hellion. She saw a glimpse of the vulnerability that Sam tried so hard to hide. She saw the innocence that she thought Sam had lost, and suddenly there was hope. She took a step back and then closed the door once more.
END OF FLASHBACK
Brooke smiled a bit then looked at Sam, "You'll always have me Sam. Your dad and me, you're stuck with us." She said.
Sam looked at her mom, "Brooke-" She hesitated, unsure of how to tell Brooke what had been bothering her lately.
"Go ahead Sam." She coaxed.
Sam drew her legs in closer, "If I tell you, I don't want you to think it's your fault. 'Cause it's not."
Brooke was getting more anxious by the second, "Sweetie don't worry. Just tell me. Remember? You can tell me anything."
Sam swallowed, "I, umm, I sometimes look at all the girls at school, and well, think that you'd probably enjoy their company more than mine."
Brooke wanted to interrupt her, and tell her how wrong that statement was, but she knew she had to let her finish.
"I'm not a fashionista, or a cheerleader, or popular. I know you and Julian love me, and would do anything for me. But I feel guilty that I had to bring my problems into your life. You guys shouldn't be worrying about whether or not I'm depressed, or cutting, or if I'll wet the bed because of a nightmare, or if I'll regress because of a memory. " Her tears began to brim, Sam looked down and wiped them away.
Brooke was in slight shock, but felt relieved that Sam told her. She put the blanket down on her lap and cupped Sam's face, "You are the apple of your father's and my eye. Every day I get to spend with you is a great day Sammy. Sure we have our ups and downs but I wouldn't change it for absolutely anything. Everyone comes with their set of problems and we don't see helping you as a chore. Do you understand Sam? If I had to do this all over again and I could see into the future and know of every single sad, frustrating, or enraging day, I would still say yes. 110 times, yes."
Sam wasn't looking straight at her. "Look me in the eyes Samantha." Brooke said. Sam reluctantly did so, and Brooke spoke once more, "All over again. If it meant getting to hold you and see you smile. If it meant feeling you come into my room in the middle of the night and fall asleep next to me after we get into a fight."
"ugh, Brooke." Sam said embarrassed.
Brooke smiled, knowing she was getting her point across, "And if it meant getting to see you grow into you own, and become the beautiful girl you are. I'd do it all over again." Sam blinked, letting a couple stray tears fall. Brooke wiped the tears with her thumb and then let her hands fall back down.
Slowly, Sam grabbed her blanket from her mom. She was exhausted emotionally and laid her head on Brooke's lap as she held onto the blanket and huddled in. "Can you stay with me?" She asked quietly.
Surprised at Sam's neediness, Brooke looked down at her, "I'm not leaving sweetheart." Sam closed her eyes, "That baby's lucky."
Brooke touched her stomach, "You're right, because they're going to have a great big sister."
Sam smiled, "I love you." She said in a small voice. "I love you too my little knucklehead." Brooke said. Sam stayed quiet. She was at peace and so let herself indulge in the moment."
I hope you liked it! Please Review! Up next is a moment between Sawyer/Peyton/Lucas and Julian/Michael!