Against All Odds

Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly

A/N:

Chapter 38 (Final Goodbyes)

Come early Monday morning, about eight o'clock, everything was packed and ready to go. Sam, Freddie, Gibby, Pam, Marissa, Socko, Juanita and James were all there to see them off. Spencer had the perfect route mapped out. They would likely have to make some stops along the way to eat, take care of Blake's needs, and possibly switch drivers if need be. He was pretty sure he could drive the distances required, though. Of course, Sasha was pretty damn sure he'd be changing drivers.

He found various motels, and calculated they should be arriving in Florida on Friday. Of course, that depended on the days that they felt they could do more driving. On the first day, they were driving to Butte, Montana, where they would settle in for the night. It was a nine-hour drive, so leaving now, they'd get there at five in the afternoon. This was a perfect chance for dinner, to rest up, and to leave the next morning. They'd leave Tuesday morning around seven and drive through Wyoming, and stop in Rapid City, South Dakota. Another nine hour drive, and it was home of Mt. Rushmore. They could visit that, have dinner, stop at a motel for the night, rest up, and leave the next morning. From there, they would drive another ten hours on Wednesday, and make a stop in St. Joseph Missouri, arriving there at possibly six in the evening. Thursday morning, about seven, they'd drive nearly nine hours to Memphis, Tennessee. They could visit the home of Elvis Presley, as it now hosted tours in honor of the great artist. Then finally, Friday morning, leaving about seven once again, after nearly ten hours, they would reach Tallahassee, Florida.

Behind the brown sedan was Ulysses, waiting in the medium U-Haul truck. There really wasn't much besides clothes, pictures, and a few other valuables, like Blake's crib, that couldn't fit in the trunk of their sedan. Everything else had been sold and Lenny would be introducing new tenants to the house in a few hours. Spencer glanced around and saw Carly talking with her friends while Sasha spoke with Juanita and Regina. Michael and James were helping Ulysses with the U-Haul.

Ulysses was a short man, slightly overweight, wore glasses, and had brown hair combed back. He was a friendly man and more than willing to help with the move. Spencer felt the cool wind breeze though his hair and he slowly looked up into the sky. This was it. Almost too much like a dream to be true, but here they were.

He felt someone pat his shoulder and looked over, Socko had a soft expression on his face and his lips were turned up into a small smile. "So this is it man, once you're out, there's no stopping till you get to where you're going." They had so many years together, and every one of those years was important to him.

"I won't soon forget any of those good memories. You were a good friend, always will be. Even three thousand miles away." Socko laughed and brushed his thumb past his nose. He would have driven, but the U-Haul truck could only hold so many people. Ulysses would be driving, Regina would be in the passenger seat, and Michael would be in the back seats of the truck.

"I don't think I could forget any of those good times, man. If I ever catch you slacking off, I don't have a problem with coming down there and kicking your ass. Keep that in mind." Spencer laughed in return. There was no doubt in his mind that Socko would do that, but he didn't think he'd slack off. Not anymore. They looked to Sasha, she was full of life and joy this morning. In her arms was Blake, sleeping against her chest. Socko leaned his arm against Spencer's shoulder and sighed. "Man you have a beautiful family. Beautiful wife, great son, and I bet you'll have another good kid…you're doing right, Spencer. Once you're on that road, don't you dare look back. Think of them, all right? Think of where you're going and what it means…"

"Right…"

"Man, I know what your father did really hurt you." Spencer turned his eyes down and breathed in slowly. "I know there's a lot of negative memories back there, and I know you might start to dwell. You might even want to turn back here for whatever reason, but when I say keep driving, I mean it. You've got the whole world ahead of you now. Wish I could join you guys, but it would only be detrimental really. I'll be flying in for the wedding of course, just don't forget to send me a shout out when that date is set."

"I will. Thanks Socko, for everything." His tone was quiet and his heart was trembling in his chest. His eyes grew heavy while watching Ulysses and the others move away from the U-Haul, clearly ready to go. He moved his eyes to Carly, she and her friends had tears in their eyes. She hugged their necks and gave Gibby a quick peck on the cheek, much to his surprise. Spencer wasn't at all shocked, he knew Carly had been developing a bit of a crush, or admiration for Gibby, after all, he was the one who did the best to keep her sane during this tough time. Gibby's cheeks went red and he bowed his head for a moment.

Marissa and Pam made their way to him after having talked to Sasha, they were smiling, and both were crying those joyous tears. "I see a lot of good things for you," Pam said while hugging him. "You'll all be missed, but it really is for the best."

"Once I get a new computer, I'm sure I'll find you guys on Facebook." The women laughed as he hugged them back. Marissa crossed her arms over and stared at him, smiling and shaking her head after a few seconds.

"I know I was a little crazy at times, but I wanted you to know before you left, I thought you were a good neighbor and an excellent friend to have." His brows meshed together and his heart lifted up. Those nervous butterflies started to fill his stomach, he never imagined Marissa really cared that much. It was good to know she thought of him as a friend. "I'm glad Freddie knew you, and I'm sorry I pulled him from iCarly when I did. Seattle's going to be eerily quiet without you guys, you know that?"

Quiet? He smiled and closed his eyes, a stray tear fell along the side of his face. The air around him grew still and silent, the only sounds being made were the chirping of the birds and the blades of grass being waved about. "Ms. Benson, Ms. Puckett, it really was great knowing you guys…and I will miss all of you. It's a shame T-Bo couldn't be here to see us off."

"I suppose he had to work, did you already say your goodbyes?"

"Yes, yesterday we all went over to the Groovy Smoothie. He gave us a free meal." He never thought he'd see T-Bo shed a tear, much less, anyone else around here. "Carly's said goodbye to those at Ridgeway and has been talking to some advisors from Richard's High School." She would be talking to them all throughout the week as well, learning everything she could about the school and working through the transfer. Pam gave a brisk nod.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that. I believe Sasha said she's going to go to school as well?"

"Yes, definitely. I'll be getting a job at an art museum as a security guard. I might go back to school after a while, work on my degree some more. I'm not sure, to be honest." It had been some time since he worked on any sculpting, and he wouldn't be doing that when he got to Florida. Work and family would take primary, art was and would only be what it was, a hobby. He could always take some sculpting classes at TCC if he wanted, or could afford it. Either way, the change he was making was as big as this road trip would be. He would admit, he was scared.

"You'll do all right, I'm sure of it."

"Hopefully." He turned his attention to his family, they were all ready to go. Sasha hugged Juanita and moved to strap Blake into the child seat in the back. Carly stood on the other side of the car with her friends. He felt Socko pat him on the back and looked over as Michael and Regina waved from the side of the U-Haul truck. He didn't need an invitation. "I guess it's time to get moving. Everyone's said their goodbyes I guess…" He made his way to the front door of the sedan, Ulysses looked up and immediately headed around to the driver's side of the car.

Their friends all stood on the lawn, watching everyone pile into the cars, not a dry eye could be found. He entered the car and started it up, turning on the air and looking out of the window with a wistful breath. James walked up to his window and leaned in, hanging his arms over the open area. "Hey Spencer, you take care, all right?" Spencer met his eyes and smiled at him. "It's been great getting to know you guys, I'm glad you're getting a fresh start."

"It's about damned time…" His heart rose a bit as he looked to his right. Sasha wiped her eyes and turned her gaze out to the people on the front lawn. In the backseat, Blake continued to sleep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Carly groomed his hair and made sure once more that the seatbelts were tight around him. Spencer tore his proud eyes away from them and returned to James. "This is the happiest I've seen them in the last few months, this is what I live for."

"That's the way it should be." James pat his shoulder and slowly exhaled. "Drive safe and when you get to Florida, and each motel, be sure to call us all, let us know when you get there. Keep in touch, Spencer. "

"I will." Ulysses clicked the horn behind him and James quickly turned his head. He chuckled and stood straight.

"I guess this is goodbye. We'll miss you around here."

"I know, same, but it's for the best…" He looked back to his family, all of them were watching anxiously. His lips formed a crooked smile and his hand moved the automatic shift into drive. "Everyone buckled in? Say goodbye to everyone?" Sasha and Carly nodded. James moved back to the others on the lawn. "Then let's get moving…we have a long journey ahead of us." They looked out to their friends and started driving, everyone was waving them off as they disappeared from view. Once he reached Rainier Avenue, he took a right and started driving towards Highway 90.

It was a long, quiet drive. Even Blake still remained silent, soothed by the car's humming from the road. Carly was watching from the back windshield, smiling at the U-Haul behind them. Ulysses was driving, Regina was in the passenger seat and Michael's head could be seen in between them. Sasha opened up a book in her lap and started reading, possibly wanting to distract herself from all of Seattle's woes.

Once Spencer turned onto the major highway and started speeding up, he soon crossing over the large body of water and headed towards what was Mercer Island. "All right everyone…" They looked to him as he flicked his eyes to the rearview mirror. He heaved a wistful sigh as the buildings of Seattle became grey in the distance. "Wave goodbye…once we pass Mercer Island, we'll be out of Seattle for good. Nine hours, thirty minutes to Butte."

Of course it wouldn't be a straight drive, they would stop for breakfast and lunch, as well as making a few occasional stops to take care of Blake. The motel may be nine hours and thirty minutes away, but the actual drive could be close to eleven hours. The speed limit on highways was only seventy, so he made sure to stay that limit and didn't let any other cars distract him.

Goodbye Seattle, hello future. He returned his gaze to the road, his heart pounded anxiously in his chest. Sasha returned to her book and Carly leaned close to the window, gazing out as they crossed over the bridge into Mercer island. Seattle was gone from view, nothing more than a memory. They knew it wasn't all bad, just the last few months were, that was all. Hopefully they'd enjoy passing through the mountains, once they hit South Dakota, they wouldn't be seeing anymore mountains for a while.

There they go, I feel like singing that song "On the road again..." Haha, no seriously go listen: ht tp:/www . youtube . com/watch?v=5v9-InvDwMw just take out the spaces. Let me know what you thought of this emotional chapter, assuming it was a tearful and emotional goodbye.