Sam was running down a beach. Turquoise water lapped at his feet, washing away his footprints. He was running toward a figure that stood a ways away, staring out at the sea. Wind swept her hair back, and it laced out behind her, a river of molten chocolate.

"Miranda!" Sam yelled, waving his hand frantically above his head. The figure turned to smile at him.

"You're late again!" She called teasingly as he trotted up to her.

"Sorry, I was saving the world." Sam grinned at her, and she grinned back, straight white teeth reflecting the bright sunlight. The truth was that he had been saving the world. Using the power of the cosmos channeled through his helmet he had received from aliens, but no one believed that. He didn't mind.

The two spent the afternoon playing on the beach, splashing water and frolicking around. When the sun was beginning to set the two flopped down next to each other, watching the water turn golden as the sun dropped behind it.

"Sam..." Miranda said quietly.

"What is it?" He turned to look at her, and noticed how beautiful she was. It made him draw in his breath sharply. Her eyes were turquoise like the sea and reflected the golden light that flowed all around them. Her chocolate hair gathered at the small of her back, seeming to contain a myriad of rainbows.

"Things can't be the same now."

"What? Why not?"

"Sam. I- I killed somebody."

"You- you did?" Sam's voice was barely a whisper. Miranda nodded. "W- Who?" Miranda stood, turning away.

"Your mom."

"What? But why? What happened?" Sam leaped up.

"Nothing. It would be wise for you to forget about me, Sam. I'm just a criminal now."

"That's a lie! You'll always be Miranda, the girl- the girl-" Sam stopped, his voice lowering from a shout. "The girl I love." He hadn't realized it until that moment, but it was true. He loved her.

"No. You're wrong. I am no longer that girl. Now, I'm someone else. I just haven't figured out who yet."

"Why? Why does it have to be this way?"

"That's just the way it is!" Miranda clutched the amulet Sam had given her. It was a beautiful purple and blue shell he had found on the beach and had gotten strung on a chain. It had been far to big, and Sam had been devastated. Miranda had told him it was fine, now she could wear it forever.

"Goodbye Sam." She walked away, leaving behind only memories, footsteps, and tear stains on the sand, nothing else. The waves quickly washed the later two away. Sam let his head drop, his own tears mixing with the salty water.

Sam woke with a jolt, sticky tear streaks carving shining paths down his cheeks. He dragged himself out of bed, trudging to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face, then stuck his whole head under the faucet. Pulling back, he looked at himself in the mirror. That memory hadn't drifted to the surface for awhile now. Shaking his head, spraying water everywhere, he went back to bed. He knew Danny would be pissed to find water everywhere in the morning, but he just ignored that. Colapsing on his bed, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.