The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

A/N: This story details what it would be like if Sam and Freddie were secretly together during the series. Read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

A/N: READ THIS NOTE: This chapter involves the Duke part of the Chick episode. I'm going in order of my DVD, and apparently the chick episode is listed as the third episode in the show, rather than the sixteenth. Fortunately, it's not as important to worry about.

Chapter 9 (Stressful Situations)

"Why did you do that, Freddie?" Sam asked as she sat on the couch. She wasn't happy that Freddie made his friends go after that man, but she was pleased to know the man was behind bars now. "You could have killed your own friends, what if something happened to them!" Freddie sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"I did it because I was angry. I knew they would be okay, because I strictly forbade them to do what they did without going to the police first. I did it because I wanted there to be justice for you and justice for Lewbert." Sam frowned and slowly stood up, she knew Freddie was concerned, but sometimes it just wasn't necessary. "I wasn't going to let that man roam the streets freely, not when he didn't deserve to." Sam sighed and slowly walked over to Freddie, her eyes meeting with his stern and slanted ones. She lifted her hand and cupped his cheek.

"I know you care about me, but you need to care about other people as well. You put your friends in danger because of me…" Sam knew that Freddie and his friends would put themselves in danger for her without any hesitation, but she never required it. She never wanted them to be put in that kind of situation. "I mean you sure can be a dork at times and you can be smart, but that's just dumb. To risk your life for someone like me, as flattered as I am, I still think it's stupid. I don't want to lose you, nor do I want you to lose your friends."

"I don't mean to worry you." He didn't want to worry anyone, to be honest. Even Saturday, when Ryan had been arrested, Emily didn't seem thrilled. She had told him that he probably didn't need to get his friends to do that rather than just telling the police from the start. Of course, she did understand that he actually wasn't thinking completely straight at the time. Sam knew that as well, since she could distinctly remember his anger rising more and more when Lewbert was telling the story.

"Freddie, you should ask me before making such rash decisions. You know that." Freddie moved the corner of his mouth back a bit and Sam gave him a slight smile. "You know I'm not mad at you, but I would have preferred you to ask me before getting your friends to do that for you. Besides, what if they figured out that we're dating? Jonah and Valerie already suspected it." Freddie gave a slight chuckle at that, both Sam and Freddie loved how hard Jonah and Valerie tried to figure out their secret. "You know, I kind of wish we could tell them about it."

"Yeah, I agree. Yet, you and I both know it would be too risky. Well, at least there's a chance that it could be risky." They weren't sure if Jonah or Valerie would ever be a problem for them, especially since they were such good friends. Well, at least Valerie and Sam were good friends, she never really talked much to Jonah. "Jake and Jonah both want me to introduce you to them." Freddie smirked and Sam slightly tilted her head. "But they both suspect that you'd maim me if I even tried to suggest such an impossible task."

"Oh, be very careful with me then, they could be right!" Freddie laughed and Sam put on her most dangerous smirk. It was the very smirk that Freddie loved seeing on her, it looked so dangerous and so cute at the same time. "Well, I think there's only one reason in this world that I would have to maim you." Freddie raised his eyebrow and Sam held her smirk. "I can't really think of it…well, if you were to do something really bad to hurt me, I might have to maim you."

"Yeah, but I'd destroy myself before I would ever hurt you." Sam smiled softly and Freddie glanced over at the clock, he sighed and glanced back to Sam. "We better hurry and get to school. You're walking Carly to school today, I think…you'd better get moving."

"Okay, I'll do it, but I think you should try to flirt with her again for the morning, like you usually do. Then, walk away feeling dejected when she does actually reject you."

"This, I can do. As long as you're not going to be hurt by it. I noticed you've been getting a little irritable with Carly lately, why is that?"

"What do you mean?" Sam raised her eyebrow and Freddie gave a small sigh.

"Remember Lewbert's wart and when we were trying to compete for the whole idea of getting more viewers. Whenever she said something to you, you would just shrug her off or something. Like when you said Lewbert was arguing with a pomegranate and she corrected you, you scoffed. Not only that, but didn't you tell me you were flicking used food on her floor?"

"Heh…well…" Freddie raised his eyebrow and gave Sam a small chuckle.

"Sam, maybe you're being bothered by this more than you're letting on."

"Nonsense, I'm just fine with your fake love for Carly." Sam kissed Freddie's cheek and smiled. "You know, when are we going to be able to capture that first kiss, anyway? Every time we come close to sharing our first actual kiss, something stops us." They never did consider skin kisses as a first kiss, so technically, they never had their first kiss.

"It'll come when the moment is right."

"Yeah...I'll see you in a bit!" Freddie smiled and watched as Sam left the apartment. He sighed and folded his arms over his chest.

"Maybe I should be more subtle, but still pushy with Carly. That way, I don't appear to be coming off too strong for Sam. I really hate having to hurt her like that." Freddie glanced out the peephole and watched as Sam knocked on Carly's door, she turned around and grinned, knowing he was watching. The grin surprised him, so he fell back and nearly tripped on something, causing an item to crash on the ground. "Even still, she can make me clumsy…" Freddie looked out the peephole and saw her laughing, it was a pity that he couldn't hear her precious laugh.

He started to open the door so he could hear her laugh, he wanted to give her another hug and kiss her. Sadly, Carly opened her door and he had to close his. "Hey Carly, how's it going?"

"I'm good, and you?"Carly replied. Sam nodded and smiled, but then started to fidget.

"Hey, um…what do you think of arranged marriage, by the way?" Carly raised her eyebrow and scoffed.

"Arranged marriage is dumb, of course. Anyone that practices it is probably on the stupid side as well." Sam paled as Carly glanced toward the side. "Anyone dating someone who practices it is stupid also, because they're putting themselves in a bad position. It's just not right, and it is entirely unacceptable. Just be glad you don't practice it or anything, I'd probably have a little trouble with it…" Sam's mouth opened and she took a slight step back. "My Granddad says that arranged marriage is like slavery!"

"I-I see, well yeah, I don't practice t." Sam let out a small sigh and swallowed silently, there went any hope that she could tell Carly about her dating Freddie. Freddie had heard what Carly said from behind the door, he swallowed hard and felt like he was about to sweat. If anything, they would have to continue keeping it secret from Carly, or else they were in trouble. He sighed and opened the door, stepping outside and smiling. He made sure not to look at who he wanted to smile at, since it would incite Carly's suspicions.

"Good morning, Carly." Freddie looked to Sam and frowned. "Hello…uh…" Sam raised her eyebrows and Carly gave a sigh. "Person."

"What are you wearing?" Sam asked as she narrowed her eyes and stared at his clothes. "Those clothes on you look hideous! Not only that, but you look even dumber today that you were yesterday!" Freddie winced inwardly, he knew she didn't mean it, but she definitely was believable. "So, have you come out to daze at Carly yet again?" Freddie scoffed and crossed his arms over.

"That is none of your business, I'll gaze at her if I want to." Even though he really wanted to gaze at Sam.

"Gaze too much, and I'll light you on fire." Freddie did know that she was most likely serious, so he chose not to test her on that.

"Do I have to bring out the spray bottle again, children?" Carly asked while narrowing her eyes. Sam and Freddie both winced and looked at each other with wide eyes, they actually hadn't ever anticipated her to ever bring out one of those things. Freddie actually hated how he acted during the competition. He figured that was the reason for Sam acting less than pleased with Carly. He remembered when Sam and Carly came back from their failure, Freddie actually kept saying 'no offense' to Carly. Sam gave him the dejected look and he felt really bad.

Even after that, when he asked Sam about it, she said that it had bothered her a tiny bit, but he was not to worry about that. She wanted him to continue being pushy and hopefully Carly would lose her crush over him. She always told him to not spare her emotions when it came to Carly, but she knew full well that it was impossible for him to do. Freddie wanted to go ahead and leave at that moment, but he had yet to think of something to say to Carly.

"Um, Carly…" Sam watched and wanted to go ahead and leave now. She knew that Freddie was feeling bad, and she was still feeling really bad about it. She could tell Freddie was having trouble thinking of something to say, and she just wanted to take him in her arms and kiss him, telling him that he didn't need to worry about it anymore. She knew Carly, though. The instant she did that, Carly would get upset. Not only that, but Carly would tell Spencer and Spencer would tell Mr. Shay, then Freddie and Sam would be torn apart. Sam had told Freddie about her nightmare, and he had promised her nothing like that was going to happen.

"Stuff it, dork," Sam said as she placed her hand on Freddie's chest and pushed him to the side. She smirked and grabbed his collar then pressed him up against the wall, glaring into his eyes with a look that he loved. Though to Carly, it looked like Sam was about to do something cruel. "Get over it! Carly will never love you! Stop being so damn pushy about it!" Sam lowered her voice to a whisper that only Freddie could hear, Carly didn't even pay attention. "I love you. I would so kiss you right now, but Carly's right there. I can't believe she's against…"

"I understand," Freddie whispered back. "Maybe you can ask her again in time, she might change her mind after a couple months…God, you look cute right now." She agreed with that, chances were likely Carly might change her mind, and if she did, that would be a good thing.

"Thanks." Sam smirked and felt Carly grab her backpack. "Aw Carly, what are you doing!"

"Come on, Sam," Carly said while sighing. "We have to get to school." Sam limped her body and let Carly drag her down the hall. Freddie watched as Sam smirked at him, he placed his hand on his chest and gave a small sigh.

"See you at school!" He meant it for Sam, but it could also be interpreted as for Carly. The look that he gave Sam told her all she needed to know.

-NEW SCENE-

Sam and Carly walked to their lockers after class, they had to do some science project and had to be paired up together. Sam actually wanted to be paired with Freddie, but she was fine with the fact that she had been put with Carly. "At least the teacher paired us up together." Carly gave a fake smile and looked toward Sam.

"Uh huh," Carly replied. Sam blinked and frowned with surprise at the obvious fake tone in Carly's voice.

"Don't tell me you're upset that he put us together."

"Well it's just that every time we get put together, I end up doing all the work." Okay, so Sam usually got caught up with Freddie distracting her. Last time, she was fixing to get started with Carly and Freddie called her over. She had to think of a distraction and go meet Freddie. It would be then that Freddie would start talking about how he did some research on the topic she was looking at and how he could help her out, then something would happen and they'd nearly start kissing, and then Carly would come and wonder what was taking Sam so long.

"How perfect, Carly always seems to interrupt us." Sam sighed and shrugged her shoulders, smiling at Carly. "Well don't worry about that."

"So you'll help me this time?"

"Of course not." Carly rolled her eyes and Sam snickered inwardly. Okay, so that was cruel, but she would seriously help Carly this time. Carly knew Sam was joking, despite it being a cruel joke.

"Hey," Freddie said as he walked around the corner. Sam and Carly both turned around and saw that he looked saddened. Sam felt for him, knowing full well that he wasn't thrilled having a large school wrestler as his partner. Sam was about to open her mouth to say something, but Carly greeted him first.

"Damn it, I wanted to greet him first…" Sam smirked and grabbed a hold of Freddie's cheek, he had to stop himself from nearly beaming with joy at the touch. "Aw, look who's all grumpy because he didn't get paired up with Carly for the science project."

"Untrue." Freddie took Sam's hand and pulled it off, Sam had to keep herself from sighing in delight when he touched her hand. Keeping a secret relationship did these things to you.

"True."

"So." Sam looked at Carly and sighed, Carly had a big smile on her face and was looking at Freddie. She wanted to yell and shout, she wanted to cry even, but most of all, she wanted to tell Carly to stop crushing on her boyfriend and future husband. Though in a way, the jealousy was thrilling for both Sam and Freddie. Since it made them wild and mad to be with one another. Whenever they got home and away from Carly, they would instantly begin flirting with one another to make up for a lost day.

"I'm sorry you feel bad," Carly stated. Sam groaned inwardly and Freddie's eyes darted over at Sam for a split second before darting to Carly. This was causing so much pain for Sam, and he knew it. He wanted to end the pain. What he wanted to do was scoop Sam into his arms and tell her everything would be okay, he wanted to tell her they didn't need to pretend to Carly anymore, and they could just ignore her silly crush. A crush un-fueled usually dissipates. Freddie's heart was breaking whenever he told Carly the things he said, and his heart broke every time he saw Sam look as though she was about to cry. A kiss, that's what he wanted to give her, that's what he could use to make her feel better.

"Yeah, well, I'm grumpier with who I did get paired up. You try getting paired up with a psycho-" It was then that Freddie felt two hands on his arm, Sam paled when she saw Freddie's partner, Duke begin shouting in Freddie's ear.

"Hey!" Duke exclaimed. "What's up!" Freddie groaned as Duke began to massage Freddie's head. Sam was about to step in when she felt a hand go into her backpack, she looked over and saw Carly take out a slice of beef jerky.

"Hey Duke!" Carly said as she held up the jerky. Sam suppressed a moan as Carly began to negotiate with the large person. "Here's some jerky, I'll give it to you if you let my friend go."

"I was going to do that," Sam thought while looking toward Duke and Freddie.

"How did I end up in a hostage negotiation!" Freddie cried out. "Get me out of this!" Duke quickly grabbed the jerky and started munching on it. Freddie stood up straight and rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks."

"Well it was my jerky," Sam said while looking from Freddie to Duke. "He owes me three bucks." Freddie chuckled lightly and Carly raised her eyebrow at the happy eater.

"I've never seen jerky make a boy so happy before," Carly said. Duke finished eating and then looked at Freddie with a happy grin.

"Hey!" Duke shouted. Freddie jumped slightly and Sam arched her eyebrow. "What's our project going to be about?" Freddie thought for a minute and started to list an idea, Sam actually liked his idea pretty well. "You know what I think it should be about? Knee pads! Like why do knee pads smell so bad!" Sam's eyes widened as Duke pulled his kneepad out and pressed it to Freddie's face. Freddie started yelling and Sam quickly jumped into action.

"Let my boyfriend go!" Sam wrapped her arms around Duke's waist and started pulling at him, managing to pull him away from Freddie. Freddie took a breath and glared at the person.

"Why did you shove your kneepad in my face!" Freddie exclaimed.

"Because it reeks!"

"Great explanation." Duke laughed and started walking off, Freddie sighed and slowly shook his head. "You owe Sam three bucks for the jerky!" Sam blinked and glanced over at Freddie with raised eyebrows.

"No he doesn't." Carly and Freddie both raised their eyebrows and watched as Sam took out a wallet. "I took his wallet."

"Impressive." Freddie smirked and caught Sam's gaze. "You bet we're having a talk about this after school." Carly walked off a bit and stopped to chat with someone nearby, Freddie took that opportunity to say something to Sam. "Remind me to start heading back to the gym."

"Hah, you gaining muscles…you've already got some…"

"I can always use more." Freddie glanced back at Carly and shifted his yes to survey the surrounding, checking to see if there was anyone nearby. "So, do you want to grab a bite to eat after school? We can go to Cotton Patch, Hunan, Jalapeno Tree, or Johnny Carino's."Sam's eyebrows rose with impression.

"Ooh, you've got two lavish places on the list. Let's see, you've got American, Chinese, Mexican, and Italian dining options. Cotton Patch and Hunan are cheaper, and I really could use one of their baked potatoes, they have the best potatoes ever!"

"Cotton Patch Café it is." Sam smiled and glanced over to see Carly stop talking to the person she was talking about and starting to turn around.

"Hey, Carly's coming back!"

"Damn. Uh…You're ugly!"

"Yeah, we'll you're not so hot looking yourself!" Freddie and Sam smirked with their eyes as they heard Carly groan when she stepped next to them.

"Why do you two always fight?!" Carly asked. Sam and Freddie both shrugged and turned their backs to each other.

"I have my reasons," Freddie stated while crossing his arms.

"I don't like him," Sam said in a blunt voice. It was true, she didn't like him, she loved him with all her heart. If Carly knew it, then she would be devastated and probably hate her. Carly rolled her eyes and groaned as she walked off, annoyed with her two friends. They stared at her with frowns, wondering what would happen if they did ever tell her their secret. She was against arranged marriage and anyone that ever practiced it, that was hard to deal with.

More reason for them to keep their secret. By the way, the restaurants I mentioned are real restaurants. Cotton Patch is my favorite! I hope you liked the chapter, stick around for more

By the way, this one is important also. The only way I could make it so people would see more of a reason to keep the secret was for Carly to be like her father and grandfather, she's influenced by them and doesn't like arranged marriage. Also! I never intend to have Carly look "bad" or anything in any of my stories, yet every time, I seem to get someone saying something like: "oh my god, you've made Carly look so bad!" Personally, I find that OFFENSIVE! If I have to hear one more "Carly's looks so bad in this." I'm going to go insane. If she looks bad, I'm sorry, that is not my intention. I hope you can overlook that and enjoy the story.