iPlan Date Night

Carly's eyes fluttered in the harsh light of morning. She was exhausted, yet she wouldn't have it any other way. She yawned, inhaling the familiar aroma that, daily, threatened to stop her heart – a rugged scent that smelled oddly of cocoa butter and burnt bacon. Sam's smell.

Carly breathed deeply, allowing Sam Puckett to fill her up, a warm mass radiating from her chest down to her toes. She had tossed and turned all night – conflicted over having to lie to Sam, though, under the circumstances, she felt justified.

Sam fidgeted in her sleep, kicking at the covers until her bare leg was visible.

Carly bit her lip.

Sam stirred, yawning loudly.

"SO not ladylike…" Carly thought. She loved Sam just the same.

"Carls?" Sam croaked, her voice hoarse with sleep.

Carly touched her naked back. She could feel Sam instantly relax.

"Morning, Sam," Carly said, barely above a whisper. "You okay?" Carly knew Sam had been having a nightmare – The Nightmare, most likely.

"Melanie… Soup Monster…" Sam jabbered, incoherent.

It took all of Carly's resolve not to laugh. Sam was being nonsensical, Carly knew, but if Sam was uncomfortable, it was her job to make Sam's nightmares go away.

"Sam," she cooed, "Melanie is not the Soup Monster… Melanie doesn't even like that kind of soup." Carly giggled, realizing how silly she sounded, but she didn't care.

"Now," she paused, "Time to get up, Sleepyhead!"

Carly abruptly yanked the bed covers away, exposing both of their partially nude bodies to the cool morning air.

"Dammit, Shay!" Sam cursed, but it was all for naught. She was all bark and no bite.

"You know you love me…" Carly chirped, playfully. Sam let out a weak mock growl in protest. Why she'd ever agreed to this escaped her. Carly slithered out of bed, scrambled to her feet, and headed for the bathroom, purposely avoiding Sam.

"Cupcake?" Sam sounded crestfallen.

"Just a minute… Gotta go!" Carly burst into a sprint, the door slamming behind her.

Sam sat on Carly's bed, visibly shaken. She knew that she had screwed things up yesterday. She should never have shown her jealousy, her petty insecurities. What could Carly think? She obviously wanted to get rid of Sam… either that, or she simply had to pee.

"So goddamn stupid, Puckett…" Sam cursed herself. She knew she had promised Spencer she'd help him with his exhibit at the new Atlantis gallery tonight across town in exchange for community service hours going towards her last stretch in juvie. It was a win-win. Helping Spencer was helping Carly and Community Service was helping Sam. It was all good. She nudged the heavy shopping bag with her bare foot.

"Damn dress code…" she grumbled. "Carls! You alive in there?" she joked.

The toilet flushed in response.

Carly finally reappeared, now clad in a dark blue bathrobe. She crossed the room and wrapped Sam into an embrace.

"Good Morning!" she said cheerfully. A grin broke across Sam's face. She had never been happier to be wrong.

"Morning, Cupcake," Sam said, relieved. "Do I really have to wear this get-up today?"

Carly felt like she was negotiating with a five year old, yet she loved it.

"Yes, Sam, you have to. They have a dress code, and this is such a big deal for Spencer…"

"Then how come you're not going?" Sam asked. She regretted it immediately.

For the first time in her life, Carly Shay delivered a convincing lie on the fly.

"I've got college applications to write, and Spencer said it'd probably be pretty boring anyhow, nothing but rich people and fancy food".

The word 'food' sold it. Carly leaned forward and kissed Sam – more forcefully than usual – as if to atone for past sins.

"I love you, Sam. I'm so sorry about yesterday."

"Carls, stop…" Sam replied, breathlessly. "I overreacted, that's all."

Carly Shay couldn't help but smile. Sam Puckett was putty in her hands.

Sam broke their embrace, picked up the bag, and headed for the bathroom, clad only in a black sports bra and slightly oversized boxers. Carly couldn't help herself. She playfully slapped Sam on the backside as she passed.

This was going to be fun.

HOURS LATER…

It had all fallen into place seamlessly. Carly Shay was proud of herself. Nevermind the fact that she'd had a little help.

The buzzer went off. She moved off the couch and hit the intercom.

"Yeah…"

"Coming up!"

The voice was soft and familiar.

"You're early…" Carly thought.

Moments later, the elevator yawned and Melanie Puckett stepped into Carly's living room, arms loaded down with plastic shopping bags.

"Knock, knock! I come bearing gifts!" Melanie said, dramatically. Carly laughed.

"You're a lifesaver, Mel, really. Thanks a million."

"Of course, now run along, Cinderella, let your Fairy Godmother handle this…"

Carly chuckled.

"Actually, head up to my room. I'll be up in a minute. I have to fix things down here first."

Melanie shot Carly a smile and bounded up the stairs, headed for the second floor.

When she was sure Melanie had passed out of earshot, Carly chuckled to herself and flicked the light switch, casting the first floor into darkness. As she prepared to head upstairs, her phone chirped.

NEW MESSAGE

FROM: Sam

Sent: 7:58 PM, PST

Leaving soon. Spencer has to stay, but told me to cab it home. Half hour, tops. XOXO – Mama

"Crap! Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go!"

Carly broke into a sprint, taking the stairs, even in the dark, two at a time. Reaching the second floor, she burst through her bedroom door, rushed past Melanie, and through the open bathroom door, talking at Melanie, rather than to her, the whole way.

"Sam…cab…half hour…gotta hurry…go… Thanks." The words came out in a heated rush.

Melanie chuckled.

"Go get pretty. I can see myself out."

Carly swung the bathroom door shut and set to work. It was time to become the belle of the ball.

She stripped down completely, abandoning the sweats she had worn since Sam had left this morning. She was thankful she had stashed her clothes for tonight in the back of her closet, where she knew Sam would never look.

After tending to the basics and touching up her hair and makeup, it was time for the main event – a red cocktail dress she'd been saving for the right occasion. She slipped it on, zipped it up, completed the look with the new chunky heels she'd found yesterday.

"Just about perfect." she thought, appraising herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she turned the knob, preparing to wait for Sam to come looking for her.

She barely recognized her bedroom. Melanie had outdone herself tending to the small details.

Carly had made sure she had the major details taken care of early: small table, chairs, dishes, and music. The rest was improvisation. Melanie had set the table and expertly arranged the B.F. Wang's takeout that Carly had requested – Sweet and Sour Chicken for Carly, Beef Kung Pao for Sam – on two plates with silverware and drinks. Carly double checked her PearPod. It was set. All that was left to do now was wait.

The elevator yawned and deposited a very overdressed Sam Puckett into a dark living room.

"Carls? Carls! Carly!" she called. No answer. She began to get concerned. She mounted the stairs and called out again.

"Carls!"

Reaching the landing, Sam could see the door to Carly's room was wide open. She stood in the doorway in utter amazement when she heard Carly's voice.

"Hey, Stranger…" It was a tone Carly has never taken with her before – but it was exciting.

Sam, business formal in black slacks, white men's shirt, and black necktie – the fare for today's art opening – was stunned by the sight of her Cupcake, red cocktail dress and all, just waiting for her near her bed.

Then the music started.

"…But the change didn't come overnight…"

"…I've been searching for you all my life…"

"…all the habits that I couldn't handle…"

"…I've swept them under the rug…"

"…In exchange for the sweetest addiction…"

"…You…"

"…My Elusive Drug…"

"Sam, this is all for you. Dance with me?"

Sam didn't need to be asked twice. She swept Carly into her arms, holding her as close as she'd wanted to for years. As much as she wanted to speak, with everything she wanted to say at this exact moment, words failed her.

"I hope you're not mad at me. We've always said 'No Secrets'."

The look on Sam's face clearly put that matter to rest. There would be no need for apologies tonight.

The song ended, and the room began to spin.

"Sam smells SO good… What IS that smell?...I think she's wearing men's cologne…" The voice in Carly's head was going a mile a minute.

"Carls, this was totally unnecessary… but thank you. A thousand times, thank you."

Carly was lost in the ocean of Sam's eyes and was unaware of anything until she began to feel cold. It was only then that she realized that her dress had hit the floor.

"I love you, Cupcake…"

"Sam…" Carly paused.

"Relax, Carls…. and trust me."