Spencer's phone chirped while he was washing the dishes. "Hey Sam, could you get that? My hands are wet," he called over his shoulder.

"Sure Spence." She glanced at the display and hesitated. Carly. Would pre-Spencer Sam have answered his phone? She shrugged. Pre-Spencer Sam had always done what she wanted, so why shouldn't she continue to do so?

"Hi Carls, what's shakin'?"

"Oh hi Sam. Freddie and I stopped for smoothies. Did you guys want anything?"

Without consulting him, she answered promptly "Sure, Spencer wants Tingleberry Blitz and I'll have Renegade Razz, thanks! "

"Sam," Spencer interjected, "We just ate. I really don't need a smoothie. And tell Carly that her dinner's on the stove, so she doesn't need one either."

"But I might want it later!" she protested.

He raised an eyebrow. "But I still don't need one."

"No, I mean I want mine now. I might want YOURS later."

"Of course. Carry on then." He smiled and returned to the dishes.

Carly sighed on the other end of the phone. "Is that yes?"

"Spencer says dinner is on the stove, so you don't need a smoothie. " Reluctantly she added, "He really doesn't want one. But I'll still take the Razz. Thanks Carls."

"Ok Sam, and tell Spencer that April said hello," Carly added.

"RIIIIGHT," she replied, drawing the word out. "I'll be sure to do that. See you in a few."

She frowned as she disconnected the call. "You know Spencer, there's one thing we forgot to discuss. What exactly are you planning to do about April?"

When he turned around, he was wearing his "thinking" face. Uh oh. "Ok, spit it out. I can see something's percolating there."

"Actually, I'm thinking that I will draw April. Or it may turn out to be a painting; I'll have to see-"

"WHAT? You can't be serious! I TOLD you I'll sit for you if you need a model. You're drawing me already. You don't need to draw her; please don't do it." The insecurity was apparent in her voice.

He instinctively moved closer to calm her down. "Sam, listen to me. I have an idea, and I think you'll agree with me when you hear it. Trust me when I say that she could never take your place, and I have no intention of putting her in any picture that should be yours. There IS a picture that should be hers, but I'll let you decide. If you think I'm wrong, then I won't do it. Ok?"

A small nod. "Ok, tell me about April's picture."

Sam listened quietly while Spencer explained his idea. She mentally walked around it a few times, gave it a couple of kicks, and grudgingly pronounced it good. She sighed. "You're right. It should be April's picture, and it's the right thing to do. But I'm coming with you on Sunday," she added with a growl. Not that she didn't trust Spencer, but April was an entirely different story.

He started to reply "I wouldn't have it any other way," but the words faded out of his head when her arms wrapped around his neck. "I love you Spence." And she kissed him. When she emerged for air she whispered, "That's for being right. And for giving us a chance." He tried to shake off the memory of the studio - the memory of surrender and being surrounded by Sam as she continued "you told me about April's picture. Now tell me about mine…"

He had to shake his head and promise "later…" nodding towards the scrape of a key in the lock.

He felt the small huff of disappointment – or was it frustration ? against his neck before she slipped away from him and flopped upside down on the couch. When Carly walked in, Sam's legs were hooked over the back of the cushions and her hair spilled onto the floor.

"Sam, what on earth are you doing?" Carly asked.

"Digesting stroganoff," she answered calmly.

"Upside down?"

"Right side up was getting boring."

"Okaaay… I brought you the smoothie, but I'm pretty sure you can't drink it like that."

"Oh, you'd be surprised what I can do upside down Carly," but she obligingly sat up and accepted the proffered drink.

As she'd no doubt intended, Spencer used the distraction to disappear up the stairs. The girl was good – always one step ahead. Whether she was good enough remained to be seen. He reflected that it was going to be much more challenging to keep this relationship under wraps than he had initially expected. He himself had been noticeably out of sorts even before Sam. With her imprint on him, he felt like he must glow in the dark. He could control what came out of his mouth, but now that he was tuned to her frequency, the non-verbals between them spoke for themselves. And Sam – he shook his head. One part of her wanted to monopolize him, to soak up all his attention like the desert flower in a rainstorm. That part of her didn't want to share, and that part was currently in control. But he was sure there was another part. And that part wanted to stand on the rooftop and scream to all of Seattle that he belonged to her. It was the part that caused her to whoop like a maniac years ago at Chili My Bowl, when an unknown customer left her an exceedingly large tip… Over time that part had grown up with her, but it was still there whispering in her ear. And that part would not be able to resist dropping hints along the way. Heading for the shower, he decided that he'd better be prepared. They might buy some time simply because this was unexpected. People would look at them and see what they expected to see. They would see Spencer, and they would see Sam. They would see one and one. But at some point, possibly sooner than later, they were going to see Spencer & Sam. They would not see one and one. They would see two.