Thanks for the reviews. Here is the next chapter. This is the second to the last chapter before the main plot starts kicking in. So just sit back and enjoy the filler.

Disclaimer: no owe.

An: if there are any grammatical errors just avoid them for now. I'll fix them later.

iCross Dress

Ch3. Mentioning the Catch

Sam didn't like to think. It made her weak and nauseous; so she latched herself onto the Shay's couch. Her legs were hooked over the back panel, and her hair made a yellow puddle on the floor. All her blood went rushing to her head. It made her feel calm, and she lost all focus. She didn't know how to deal with the fact that Freddie had gone out of his way to save her butt. It didn't make any sense. But then again, maybe it did. The web show was just as much his life as it was anyone else's. He had a huge role too. I need my paddleball. She reminded herself then pulled the toy out from under one the cushions. With one pulse, she began to strike the ball recklessly until loud smacks echoed throughout the whole entire apartment. She grunted. He didn't do it for her. He did it for the web show.

"Sam what are you doing?" Carly spoke on the stairs. "iCarly starts in like ten minutes." She made a quirky grin, and stared at Sam's legs that were dangling over the back of the furniture.

"I'll be there, but right now I need to not think."

The dark haired girl cocked an eyebrow and began to walk slowly down the rest of the stairs. "You need to not think?" She rubbed the back of her neck. "That's an awkward sentence."

"It's the only way I can play this game." She said, referring to the paddleball in her hand.

Carly sighed then walked over and took a seat on the couch. She watched Sam and waited to see if her streak would break, but the blonde seemed to have complete control over the stupid toy.

"Who do you think invented the paddleball?" Carly asked, genuinely curious.

"Beats me. It was probably some lonely nub who had too much time on his hands." Sam answered. Her eyes blinked every five seconds.

Carly smacked her lips and looked forward at the television. "What's on your mind, kid?" She leaned back and rested her feet on the table.

"Blood." She answered.

Carly scratched her arm nervously.

"I meant literally, Shay. You know, I'm upside down; therefore my blood is rushing to my brain…my mind….whatever!" She sighed annoyingly.

"You know, ever since that meeting with the school board, you've been acting pretty weird."

Sam rolled her eyes. "What are you blabbing about?"

Carly shrugged. "I don't know. I just figured you'd be more relieved that your punishment was reduced down to one week at some lame camp." She paused and waited for a response. When Sam didn't say anything she egged her on with: "Yah, nine months to one week. That's a pretty big difference. Yep, pretty big."

"I am relieved." The blonde mumbled, and she began to spank the ball even harder.

Carly wasn't convinced. "Right. Well, since you claim to be ok would you get up now? We have to go start the show."

Sam did a backwards summersault off the couch and left the paddleball on the floor. She stretched her arms behind her head and stared at her best friend.

Carly didn't move.

"What are you waiting for? let's go." Sam scowled and ran towards the stairs.

...

"I'm glad you finally decided to show up." Freddie glared at Sam as she walked into the studio.

"I've been here the whole time you buttsucking lametard." The girl retorted and made Freddie flinch by pulling back her fist. "nub." she smirked.

He scoffed.

"It's true Freddie." Carly nodded. "She's been lying upside down on my couch, while playing paddle ball, this whole entire time."

"Why?" He asked, completely confused.

"Is it really any of your business?" The blonde snapped and took her place in front of the camera.

Freddie didn't respond. "Just get into your places."

"I'm already in my place!"

Carly shook her head and pulled two clown noses out of her pocket. "Why can't you two just get along?" She handed one of the noses to Sam and strapped her own around her face.

Freddie lifted up his camera and began the count down. He caught eyes with Sam and they glared at each other before he turned on his camera.

...

"I must say that tonight's web cast may have been one of our best." Carly grinned as she sipped her smoothie. She sat back in her chair and looked at her two best friends, feeling completely content with the world.

Sam nodded her head. "I completely agree." She looked at Freddie condescendingly. "What do you think Fredonanny?" She glanced at Carly who blushed and turned her head.

"Sam don't start." He warned. He was genuinely pissed.

"Oh, is wittle Fweddie sad because he ate a cupcake full of dead beetles." Her smirk became malicious

During the web cast, Sam made a bet with Freddie, telling him that if he could successfully come up with three jokes (that were actually funny) and make her and Carly laugh then he could have the cupcake she bought from the famous bakery down the street. Freddie, naively, took up the offer. It wasn't like he had anything to loose. But he should have known, when both Sam and Carly laughed at all his jokes, that something fishy was going on. The two girls never laughed at his jokes. Never.

"Really, I just…" He opened his mouth, but shook his head and took a large drink of his smoothie.

"What is it Freddie?" Carly asked. She was concerned now.

"It's nothing." He said angrily.

Sam rolled her eyes. "If he wants to cop an attitude, let him. He's a baby anyway."

Freddie's foot dug into the floor. "Yet you're the one who constantly needs to be taken care of." He gritted.

Sam bit her lip. "That's a load of chiz and you know it."

"You keep telling yourself that Puckett." Freddie grabbed his drink and stood out of his seat. "I'm gonna head home." He said and walked out of the restaurant before Carly or Sam had a chance to speak another word.

"What the heck is his deal?" Sam frowned and crossed her arms over her stomach.

Carly sighed. "I guess he just expected you to be more….."

"Be more what?" The blonde asked confused. She was trying to hold back her anger, but she just hated feeling clueless.

"More appreciative. Gees Sam, if it wasn't for him I highly doubt Ms. Briggs would have dropped those charges." Carly pursed her lips. "I think he deserved more of a thank you rather than a cupcake full of dead beetles."

Sam's mouth dropped open. "Oh, give me a break. It wasn't like he did it all for me anyway."

"Then who did he do it for Sam?" Carly rationalized. "Think about it."

"But I hate thinking, and I don't have my paddle ball with me." The girl whined.

Carly sighed. "Whatever. This really doesn't concern me, but I expect you to thank Freddie properly before you leave tomorrow."

Sam dropped a handful of fries into her smoothie. "Maybe." She shook her drink around then pulled one of the fries out and ate it.

...

"Whelp, I guess this is goodbye." Sam awkwardly spoke. She, Freddie, Carly, and the woman with the gobble on her neck stood in the hallway outside of Carly's apartment.

Carly wrapped her into a small hug. "It's only a week silly. Don't be so upset." She replied jokingly.

"Shut it Carls." The blonde smiled and inhaled her friend's scent. She pulled back, and Carly gave her a look that she tried to avoid. She turned slowly and looked at Freddie. The boy stared back at her without a hint of emotion on his features.

"Uhh…ummm…..Freddie."

"Samantha, We must hurry. The bus leaves in less than thirty minutes, and I still have to drive you to the school." The lady spoke. Sam dug her nails into her palms.

"Just give me a second here. Ok rooster!" She snapped, and the board member turned red.

"Well, I never." She scoffed.

Sam, Freddie, and Carly all rolled their eyes. 'well, I never?' what a typical, old womanly response.

"What is it Sam?" Freddie said, immersing everyone back into the awkward atmosphere.

Sam looked at Carly who looked at her expectantly.

The blonde breathed heavily and looked at Freddie once again. "Thank you." She struggled. "If it wasn't for you I- I'd be…."

"Screwed." The boy completed her sentence.

"Yah." Sam nodded and held her hand out for the boy to grab. "So thanks."

Freddie looked at it and smiled. "No problem Puckett." He said and shook her hand accordingly. There was a brief moment of silence as the two teenagers looked at each other. They were unsure whether or not they should hug, but before any action could be made-

"Well this is all just lovely," the lady sneered sarcastically, "but really, we must get going. A good day to you Mr. Benson and to you Ms. Shay. Pray that you don't see me again."

Carly was struck by that, but the lady pivoted and stalked away before she could muster up a response.

"Uh bye." Sam said quietly and let go of Freddie's hand. She made her way down the stairwell and the boy slowly stuck his hand inside his pocket.

Carly waited until both Sam and the board member were gone before she spoke to Freddie. "What did she mean by, and I quote: 'Pray that you don't see me again.'" She mocked in a snooty, old lady's voice.

Freddie scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Heh, about that." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I think there's something that you should know."

Carly's eyes widened. "What are you talking about Benson? What should I know?"

The boy rocked back and forth on his toes nervously. "There's a catch to Sam's reduced punishment."

Carly closed her eyes. "Of course there is." She replied angrily. "There's always a catch!"

Some may feel that this chapter has a few holes in it or that it's missing a few elements, and I'll start by saying that I agree with you. There's a lot of detail that's missing in this chapter, but I'm saving a lot of things for later chapters; so the story has a better build up to it. Anyway review if you want faster updates.

Peace Love and NooooooDLesss