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.

Chapter 63 (Shopping Encounters)

Over the course of the next few days, Spencer and Freddie had begun their fencing lessons. It was a fun time for the two guys to hang out. Sasha had suggested Spencer invite Freddie along, but initially, it was Freddie who pretty much got that ball rolling. Emily didn't mind Freddie fencing, her husband had been a master fencer. There was also something about his ancestors, but Emily didn't really know much about that other than what her husband had once told her.

She could see Carly starting to become uneasy with it, so if push came to shove, she'd use her husband's story as her own. Though it would make for a nice game of role play with Freddie, she hadn't ever role played with the kids but one time. Carly was stressed out by the fact that her cousins were coming over to visit, she didn't really like her cousins all that much. It was weird, they were really related to Linda, so Emily had no clue why they were always visiting Carly and Spencer.

Currently Emily was at the grocery store, it was definitely a big place. She needed to pick up some food, and then find some items for Sam. Wal-Mart was a place that had everything. As she rounded the corner, her shopping cart ran into someone else's shopping cart. An orange fell from the cart and Emily quickly reached down to pick it up. At the same time, a man's hand reached down and made contact with hers. The two pulled apart and looked at each other. "Sor-" Emily's mouth fell and she found herself looking into Robert Shay's eyes. Robert picked up the orange and handed it to her.

"Um, I apologize for that," Robert said while she took the orange from him. "I wasn't paying a lot of attention." Emily frowned and set the fruit back into the bag. For safety purposes, she moved the bag to the lower area of the cart. Robert rubbed the back of his head as he and Emily both stood in silence, neither of them dared to speak the words that would slice the silent air like a knife. Of course, someone had to say something, or else this moment would only grow to be even more awkward than it already was. "So, you're doing your shopping today?" Emily smirked and closed her eyes.

"I have a shopping cart with food in it, if that's the first thing you're going to say to me, then I feel so sorry for you."

"Sorry." He looked downward and frowned, all his thoughts and feelings were running rampant through his body. Of course, even after all these years, he still wanted her to be with him. "Listen Emily, I'm sorry that I was such an asshole…" Emily opened her eyes and shrugged.

"Whatever…You're the one who sided with Tyrone that day. I can't say it was wrong of you to do that, after all he is your father."

"Must you mention Tyrone like he's all that important to me anymore? Sure, he's my father, but I could care less! He took away…" Robert stopped speaking and Emily raised her eyebrow. He wanted to continue that statement, but felt it was the wrong thing to bring up. He wanted to say that Tyrone took the most important thing in his life from him. "So, I…I guess our sons are taking fencing lessons with one another."

"Yeah, there's some quality time. Those two act more like brothers than anything I've ever seen." Why wouldn't they? Despite not knowing themselves, they were half brothers. Emily noticed that Robert's shopping cart was pretty much empty, so he hadn't been there long. "You just started your shopping for today? What are you doing here, anyway?" He didn't have to be overseas anymore, so he was shopping in order to by some food for his new home.

"I'm not stationed overseas anymore, so I bought a house nearby. I'm going to let Carly stay with Spencer, though." Emily raised a concerned eyebrow and hummed slightly. She was wondering if it was really wise, with the lies Tyrone was feeding Carly.

"Why?"

"She's happier with Spencer, I don't want to make her leave her brother. While they would see each other more often, Spencer wouldn't live with me." Emily nodded in agreement, it would be hard for Carly to just move out with Spencer. She looked toward her cart and sighed, she needed to get her shopping done.

"Well, if we're going to talk, we better do it while walking. Here, since you probably don't have much, we can share this cart." Robert nodded and the two began moving through the store. "So, if you're moving here, then I guess we may be seeing more of you." Robert frowned and shrugged his shoulders, that wasn't up to him. He didn't want to be a burden to Emily, that was for sure.

"Who knows, maybe you will." He took a can from the shelf and set it in the cart. Emily then grabbed a loaf of bread and set it on her designated side. "You know, my ex called me up recently…" Emily chuckled nervously and glanced to the side, she wondered what that woman might have told him. Robert smirked and crossed his arms. "I have to say, I admire your bluntness. Punching my ex in the face like that…You're still as rough as ever." Emily blushed lightly and closed her eyes.

"Ah, I think she deserved it. Besides, that woman thinks that she can just abandon her children like that! What kind of mother is she? If it were me, I'd be watching over Spencer and Carly and giving them everything a mother would!" Robert looked at her with a small smile and she instantly winced, realizing what she had just said. "Don't think that means I would mother them, they aren't my kids or anything…well Carly's not…"

"No, no, of course…" The two rounded the corner and moved into another aisle. "I was just thinking, you seem so passionate of your job as a parent. I think that's a great quality to have."

"Well of course, I love my sons, and I'm sure you love your children as well. I just wish Tyrone didn't make it so Spencer can't at least know who his mother is." Robert nodded in agreement and frowned at the thought that Tyrone was trying to butt in. Tyrone wasn't the parent, and maybe that was part of the reason that he wanted his father away so badly. Emily wasn't one to show her emotions either, so she tried her best not to cry over the fact that Spencer never knew her in the proper way, that she not once got to hold him in her arms. She did cry over it, but she always said she wouldn't do it in front of Robert or anyone else. "Spencer and Carly, they do need a mother…where would you find one for them?" She smirked and Robert placed another item in the cart.

"Ah, I have someone in mind, but she doesn't seem to care a thing about me." Emily knew he was talking about her, but maybe she could play along and give him some advice. She looked at Robert and tapped the shopping cart with her finger.

"Maybe she sees what I see, a man who probably can't escape the control of his father. Though, it doesn't seem like you want to leave your father's control."

"I do! More than anything, I want to get away from his hold! He's trying to feed my daughter all these lies about you and so many other things, it's wrong of him to do! She's my daughter, not his!" Emily smiled softly as Robert went on about how much he despised the way his father treated his family. It was comforting for her, since it showed that he really did want to escape the control of his father. Maybe he really was developing a backbone after all. Robert blinked and silenced himself, he turned his head to Emily and chuckled. "Sorry about that, sometimes I just…"

"It's no problem, I just don't think I've ever seen you that fired up over your father." Well, it made sense to her that he would be. After all, what parent wanted someone else trying to parent and influence his or her children? "You know, it's odd…how come Spencer can't know? What is the harm in it?" Robert frowned and looked down shamefully, it had been his father once again. His father was in charge of all that.

"As you know, my father didn't think you deserved to have a 'Shay child' as he said." Emily looked toward the filled shopping cart and frowned. Robert wanted to embrace her, but didn't think she would want him to do that. "I'm sorry that Tyrone took him from you, I'm so sorry. If I wasn't such a coward, I would have stood up to him back then and long before then! I wouldn't have let him ruin so many lives." Emily slowly shook her head and spoke in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry." Robert raised his eyebrow and Emily glanced up. "I'm sorry that your father was a controlling and manipulative bastard. I realize that it wasn't your fault that Tyrone did all that he had done. If I were in your shoes, I would have been scared of him as well." She knew well that Tyrone had been abusive back then, and she had been too stubborn to admit that it was a legit reason for Robert to have been so afraid of his father to not dare go against Tyrone's word.

"Emily…"

"I've just been too stubborn. However, don't think this means I automatically trust you!" Robert chuckled and slowly shook his head, he knew what Emily was really thinking. He decided perhaps it was time to shift the subject over to something else, it was preferred that the topic would be something not about Tyrone.

"So, are you still looking for a mate for Freddie or have you chosen one already? I know that your family's culture usually chooses one by the time they're thirteen, and Freddie turned fourteen months ago…" Emily nodded as the two turned out of the aisles and moved toward the checkout lines. "You know, if it were me, I think that one girl…Samantha would make a great wife for Freddie." Emily raised her eyebrow and smiled, he had her pegged.

"Oh, so what makes you say that?" Robert's face was serious as he decided to explain his thoughts. It just occurred to him that Sam would make a great match for Freddie since she could keep him on his toes. "Those two fight constantly."

"I don't think so, it just doesn't seem like it to me. However, I think she could keep him on his toes, as he can for her. I also can sense that she could calm him down. Those two make a nice pair. They seem to have that chemistry, and honestly, they even compliment each other with their personalities." Emily smiled and started placing the items on the checkout counter, she separated her items from Robert's, so the cashier wouldn't become confused.

"Not bad, but I've already chosen a bride for him. I believe I've selected a great woman to be his wife." Robert nodded at that, he believed she would definitely have made a great selection. He knew with her personality, great care would have gone into selecting the bride. Once the cashier bagged all the items, Emily and Robert paid for their items and grabbed the bags. "They just have to keep it secret, for fear of being ripped apart…"

"Yeah…" He clenched his fists and growled slightly, Tyrone again. It was always Tyrone. The bastard didn't seem to care about anything other than his own selfish pride. "I bet Freddie and the girl you've chosen…they'd be in love, wouldn't they?"

"They are in love, just like…" She stopped speaking and Robert glanced over. She couldn't continue that statement, but it had been true. She and Robert had been in love when her parents selected him, and Tyrone split them apart. Robert could see it in her eyes, he knew what she was thinking.

"Emily, look at me." Emily looked into Robert's eyes and his face became stern and serious. "Tyrone will not do to Freddie and his bride that he did to us. I don't know what he's up to all the time, but I guarantee that somehow, someday, things are going to change. Somehow I'll find a way that he won't be a threat to your son and soon to be daughter in law." She smiled and slowly walked out of the store with him.

"Thanks…I guess you really don't know what he's up to. Sadly, I've arranged a deal with him once, I can't arrest him like I should. He's behind the attacks against me, and I couldn't bear it if Freddie had to deal with those issues." Robert raised his eyebrow and gave Emily a concerned look. He didn't know what she was talking about, but he hoped that she wasn't in any immediate danger. If she was in danger, could he do anything about it? Tyrone had a hard head and probably wouldn't listen to a word he said, so chances were he wouldn't be able to do a thing to help her become safe. However, that didn't mean he couldn't try.

"What exactly is Tyrone doing to you?" The two made it to Robert's car, Emily figured she'd help him get his groceries in first. They set his items in the back of the car and Emily gave a soft sigh.

"It's nothing that I can't handle, really. I mean, Tyrone has all the gangs out here doing your basic property damage and stuff, trying to scare me into leaving the country. It's not going to work, I'm a Seattle police officer, I've been through worse." Robert paled and stared at Emily with shock, he couldn't believe that his father would do such vile crimes against her. Sending out the gangs of Seattle to scare her, it was just wrong. She wasn't safe. "Now Robert, I don't want you worrying about this, okay? I'm fine."

"Emily, you're in danger…It's my father doing these things too…" He hated this, the frustration and anger was just building up inside him. How could his father be so cruel? It didn't make any sense. "I think…" A loud noise was heard from nearby, it caught his attention and caused him to look away. "What was that?" Emily looked in the direction of the noise and her jaw fell, her car had just exploded.

"MY CAR!" Just then, several people leaped out of hiding and surrounded the two. Robert growled and stepped in front of Emily, he had to keep her safe. So he made sure to keep her in between the car and his back. "Robert!"

"Just be silent, I'm not letting anyone hurt you." He knew he probably wouldn't be able to fight off all the thugs that surrounded them, but hell, he could try. There were probably five or six people there, and each of them appeared to be carrying some sort of weapon. "Emily, get in the car," He whispered back.

"Hope nothing important was in your car, lady," One thug said with a smirk. Emily growled and quickly pushed her things into Robert's car. Fortunately there hadn't been anything important in her car, she kept all her insurance papers and whatnot inside her purse. "Aw, where are you going lady?" She quickly entered the car and locked her door. Robert swiftly circled the hood of his car and entered the driver's side.

"I'm getting you out of here!" He locked the doors and started up the car. The thugs charged and started beating on the doors, but Robert wasn't one to care about that. He'd been through worse things overseas. He glanced over at Emily and thought he saw a hint of fear flash through her eyes. It was odd, she was normally so brave, but there she reminded him of that same girl she was so long ago when they encountered those bullies. Emily seemed so vulnerable to him in that moment.

"Okay Rob, just do your thing and let's get the hell out of here," Emily said with narrow eyes. Robert nodded and pressed down on the gas pedal, possibly running over a thug's foot in the process. Emily glanced back and saw the thugs shaking their fists in the air and shouting. She didn't care, she was just glad to get out of there. Robert turned out of the parking lot and started driving down the street.

"And you tell me not to worry about something like that?!" She crossed her arms and took a few breaths, she was trying to calm herself down.

"I know, but Tyrone's been given immunity…I can't get him for any of these things." Robert looked at Emily with disbelief and anger, but not anger at her, anger toward his father.

"What the hell is important enough to you that you'd allow him to get these gangs chasing after you like this?" She sighed and closed her eyes, it had been a deal that Tyrone wouldn't take Carly away from her friends and family. Tyrone had considered taking Carly away and transferring her to another country.

"I wouldn't charge him for anything if he…didn't take Carly away from her friends and her family." Robert frowned and glanced out the windshield. Emily was concerned about Tyrone taking his daughter away, that was more than she needed to be concerned about. Was it just concern for Carly's friends, was it concern that Freddie was friends with Carly as well as Sam, was it concern that Carly was Spencer's brother, was it all of these things combined or was it something more? He glanced to Emily and saw her looking out the window, possibly deep in thought. He smiled lightly and slowly shook his head.

"I don't know if I can get Tyrone to call the gangs off, but I'm sure Spencer and I can think of something. I won't ask you to stop worrying about Carly, but I do think that she'll be fine." Emily looked over at Robert and for a moment he stared back in shock, she had a tear running down her face.

"I won't let him win, Robert. I can't…I know Freddie won't be in danger, but I can't say the same for his wife's family if Tyrone ever found out. I don't know what Tyrone would do to her, I don't know what he'd do to my son. All I know is he can't be trusted."

"Emily…" He knew she was afraid, but she wouldn't admit it. She wouldn't leave, that was for sure, and he didn't want her to. Of course, who knew how serious Tyrone would be? He probably wouldn't get too dangerous, but no one really knew just how far he'd go to get what he wants. Robert took a deep sigh and parked next to the Bushwell apartments. "Would you like me to go inside and help you with the groceries?"

"No, I'm fine, but thank you." Robert exited the car and moved around to the other side to help Emily remove the bags from her car. She exited the vehicle and pulled her grocery bags out, smiling as she looked to Robert. "I'll be fine, I'm strong."

"I know, but that's also what I'm afraid of." His fear was her being so strong willed and stubborn that Tyrone might become worse and seriously hurt her because of it. She could handle herself, but at the same time, he wanted to be there for her. "I'll still walk you to your apartment if you want."

"No thank you, that'll be fine." Robert nodded and looked into Emily's eyes for a moment. They gazed at each other in silence, not sure what to say next. It was almost as though Emily wanted to kiss him, but she felt that she shouldn't. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Well, it was good talking to you today. I, uh…I have to hurry and get my things to the room." Robert nodded and Emily turned toward around and walked off, she knew well that he was watching her leave. He watched her until she entered the building.

Emily turned around and looked out the doors as Robert entered the car. She had the faintest smile at her lips as she watched him start up his car and drive away. She sighed slowly and looked over at Lewbert, he was reading a newspaper and ignoring anything around the lobby. He glanced up at her and waved slightly. She shrugged and made her way to the elevators, the doors opened and Spencer stepped out.

"Hello Mrs. Benson," Spencer said with a slight smile. "You're back from the store already? Can I help you with your bags?" Emily closed her eyes and chuckled slightly, Robert called Spencer up. She opened her eyes and handed Spencer half of the bags, she wouldn't mind her son helping her out.

"Yeah, why not…I had an interesting day, I'm tired." Spencer nodded with understanding. His father didn't tell him anything that happened, other than the fact that Emily would most likely be tired out.

"Then I'm glad to help you out." Emily smiled and nodded in response. With that, the two made their way to her apartment, not saying much at all. She just needed some rest and time to sort out all the events that had just happened.

Well this was definitely a fun chapter for me to write, when I wrote it, lol. I hope you all enjoyed this! Next chapter will be up soon, I believe it's a little chat between Carly and Freddie. Yes, they need some interaction in this story. That chapter will get a little intense. Stick around.