The Greatest Secret

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly

A/N:

Chapter 162 (A Secret Unraveled)

Sam opened the door as Shane got to it, the others in the room hung back around the couch to try and act natural. At first, Sam thought maybe she should have tried getting Melanie to stand here and imitate her, but it was a bit late for that. "Shane, what are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and I felt like apologizing." She raised her eyebrow suspiciously as he handed her the roses. Immediately she wanted to dump them in a vat of acid. There was no way in hell she trusted him, something was up and she wanted to know what. "May I come in?"

"Yeah, sure, I suppose…" He thanked her with a smile and causally entered the house. As she started to close the door, she thought better of it. Again, she made a decision that probably should have been thought out a bit more. She set the roses down on the small square table next to the door and turned around, crossing her arms over and leaning against the door. "What do you want to apologize for? We're the ones that messed up." She moved her eyes to Carly and frowned as she eyed her friend's hurt expression. It was hard remembering the fight they'd had. Horribly enough, the fact that it was all unnecessary and fake as hell, they never needed to go through it. "Besides Shane, I wasn't the one who was really into you back then. Carly was." Griffin raised his eyebrow and smirked at Carly while she rolled her eyes and looked away. "In all honesty, and I am going to be honest, I don't really want you in my home right now. You almost got me in a lot of trouble last time you showed your face."

"Yeah, and I'm terribly sorry for that." He touched his chest and Carly glanced over curiously. Freddie growled quietly and Griffin eyed him. Sam watched Griffin bend over next to Freddie and point the way of the bathroom, in which Freddie promptly headed in that direction. It was an amazing feat, but a good one nonetheless. "Anyway, I went around and couldn't find where you were located, then a friend of mine informed me you were living with your aunt and uncle. I'm impressed, this is a beautiful house."

"Thanks…"

"Perfectly fitting for a beautiful woman such as yourself." Sam winced and Carly started to turn towards her. "I'm sure if you had a boyfriend, he would be pretty lucky to have you." Sam started to say something, but stopped when Griffin walked over to him.

"Excuse me, Shane? I think that's your name?" Shane looked back at Griffin and shrugged. "I think you need to go. Seriously…" Carly smiled and Sam closed her eyes. The feeling she was getting from this guy being here was killing her. It didn't help that she was remembering nearly being abducted and so she had to force herself to ask Shane out.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any harm." Shane looked to Sam and breathed in. "Am I bothering you?" Sam shrugged her shoulders and watched him look towards the television. "Hey, isn't that your friend, Val?"

"Yeah that's her. She's in New York now, working on an apprenticeship." Shane walked to the living room and Griffin groaned momentarily. Sam sighed and held her hand up at him, frustrated with the fact that Shane was even here at all. She wondered if she should call Uncle Morris, but he was asleep and probably didn't want to be disturbed. "She's married now and sometimes goes by Williams, sometimes goes by Brown. She's still getting used to the name change."

"Oh, she's married? She ever have a kid?"

"Yeah, that's why she's married. That, and, she's in love with the guy that she married."

"Good, happy for her. So, other news, I thought you were living with Ms. Benson?"

"Yeah, she's still my legal guardian, I'm just staying with Uncle Morris and Aunt Maggie for a while. I've not really had the chance to be with them, so here I am." She smiled nervously and shrugged her shoulders. Where was Freddie? It was admirable for him to leave without getting too steamed, but she really wanted him in here. Then again, it was probably better if he wasn't. After all, what would happen if Shane tried something? "So, besides your 'apology', Shane, why are you here?"

"Who is this?" Melanie looked up as she was being acknowledged and waved at Shane. He was pointing at her and staring back at Sam. "I didn't know you had a twin." She chuckled and folded her arms over.

"Yeah, funny thing about that…Until a month ago, neither of us knew either."

"Amazing, simply amazing." Shane looked to the hallway and saw Freddie's shadow walking down, he was coming back. Putting a smirk on his face, he turned to Sam. Griffin was still watching from the door and Carly was starting to become a bit worried. "You know, you're still as lovely as I remember." Sam gagged inwardly and lifted her eyes up. Please, dear god, someone throw him out. "You're doing well these days, I'm glad to see that. You know, you amazed me then and you still amaze me."

Sam saw Freddie step out of the hall and was giving him a helpless look. His hair and face were wet from splashing water onto himself, but he still looked angry and was giving Shane the death glare. "Shane, I'm going to tell you again, I really think you should leave." Her heart was beginning to pound as she turned her gaze to Carly. She really didn't want something to happen and Carly figure out what was going on. As much as she wanted to tell her, she just didn't want to risk anything. Shane took a step closer to her and kept his eyes locked onto hers. She lowered her arms and clenched her hands up, growling at him in a warning tone. "Shane…"

"I'm sorry." He whispered to her and his hands seemed to twitch. At that, he knew something was up. "I was told to do this, Carly and the others here are an inconvenience, I only wanted Freddie here." She raised an eyebrow and scoffed.

"What? What are you talking about?" Her eyes flickered over to Freddie, who was slowly and steadily walking towards Shane, clenching his fists hard. Melanie was standing and about ready to pull Sam away before Shane did anything stupid. Carly was simply watching with wide eyes. "Shane, what you're about to do, I don't know…if you do anything, if anyone put you up to anything, make sure it isn't something you're going to regret." He slowly smiled and wagged his eyebrows.

"Oh Iknow I'm going to regret it one way or the other, but it'll be worth it just to see it stir up some drama. As for Tyrone, screw the guy, I'm not reporting to him after I do this." Her eyes widened and her heart slammed against her chest as that name hit her hard.

"What? Tyrone put you-" In an instant, Shane grabbed her and planted a kiss on her lips. Carly gasped and her hands flew to her mouth. Melanie's face went as white as a sheet and Griffin started to rush in, but Freddie beat him to it, causing him to freeze up. Sam let out a muffled scream and tried to push Shane off of her, all to no avail.

"You fucking bastard, get off my fiancé!" Sam's heart dropped as Freddie's voice echoed throughout the house. She felt Shane's body go limp around her as he tried to absorb what he'd just heard. It seemed he was just as shocked as everyone else to hear that Sam was, in fact, Freddie's bride to be. Shane lifted his lips partially and uttered one statement.

"Fuck. Tyrone's suspicions were right." The next moment happened all too fast, he released Sam and she fell to the floor. When she looked up, Freddie had grabbed Shane and slammed him against the wall, punching him rapidly in the abdomen. Her eyes flew over to Melanie, who was running outside to try and get Maggie, who was working out in the garden somewhere. She looked over to Carly and saw her frozen completely, possibly trying to comprehend what she'd just heard. Griffin ran over to her side and started to help her up. Her thoughts were solely on Freddie, who was on the verge of seriously hurting Shane.

In a single instant, everything came crashing down. Her worst fears realized. What was Carly going to say? Would she hate her for keeping this information? Would she break off her friendships? Was she going to be able to show her face any longer? No, there were more important things in the immediate moment. She watched as Shane swung Freddie around and punched him hard. "Freddie! No!" She gasped and started to rush in, but stopped. Even though she would be able to take Shane down, she knew better than to get in the middle of a fight. It was like trying to separate two pit bulls going at it.

A tear dripped down her face as she clutched her shirt tightly. Freddie threw Shane onto the ground and leapt on top of him, punching him hard in the face. Shane only laughed at the pain. Griffin started to rush in, but he couldn't manage to pull Freddie off.

Sam looked over at Carly, tears were starting to go down her cheeks as well as she started to put two and two together. That was it, Sam had enough of this. She clenched her fists and tilted her head back. "Uncle Morris! Help! Help, someone's in the house! Freddie's trying to fight him off!" It wasn't long before Morris came running out of his bedroom, through the kitchen, and into the living room, toting a small handgun for protection. Sam met his eyes and pointed to Shane. "That man came in and kissed me." Freddie and Shane stopped their struggle and looked over as Morris came running at them.

Just as he grabbed them, Maggie and Melanie came running inside. Morris and Griffin tore the two apart, with Griffin pulling Freddie back and holding him while Morris pinned Shane against the wall. "Why the fuck are you in my house and why the hell did you kiss my niece? Answer honestly, or I'm going to put a bullet in your leg."

Shane scoffed and Sam ran over to Freddie's side. She carefully touched Freddie's black eye and started to sob as he winced in pain. She wasn't sure how she felt, be it angry or hurt, or just flat out afraid. Griffin let go of Freddie and Sam quickly hugged him. "Freddie, why did you do that? Why?"

"I…I don't know what came over me." He moved his eyes to the side and closed them as the guilt ran through his body. Sam wasn't too angry at him, but knew he'd probably beat himself up over this, so she would have to talk to him about it later. "I'm sorry Sam, I screwed everything up…I should have gone about it differently, it's just…I can't stand another guy touching you like that."

"I know, just…don't ever do that again." She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes as she angrily turned to Shane. "Why the hell did you do it?" Shane shrugged his shoulders and continued to stare into Morris's ferocious eyes.

"Tyrone wanted me to confirm something for him." Sam watched Carly slowly look at Shane. He chuckled and slowly shook his head. "The old codger wanted to see what would happen if I kissed you while Freddie was around. I was going to try flat out seduction, but that wasn't going to work."

"No it wasn't," Morris growled out. Shane swallowed hard as Morris tapped him with the gun. "And if you decide you're going to tell Tyrone what just happened, you will find yourself having a very difficult time walking again. You have a lot of balls to come into my house, feel up my niece in front of her boyfriend. You know what that says I have a right to do? I can have my wife call up the cops right now if I want. Tell them how you broke into my house and tried to feel up my niece."

"Oh come on…"

"Then get out of my house, keep your trap shut, and I don't want to see your face around here again. Got that?"

"Y-Yeah…" Morris smiled slyly and pat Shane on the back, then shoved him out the door. After he was gone, Sam sighed with relief and turned her eyes to Carly, who was finally starting to come to.

"Carly?"

"I can't believe…" Carly stared at Sam and the air around them became still and deathly silent. The others started to feel a chill as Carly struggled to comprehend everything. "All this time? You…and Freddie?"

"Carly…don't…"

"No, I, why would you two keep that from me! I mean, I get that you didn't trust Tyrone, but you think I would have told my granddad that you were Freddie's bride? I didn't want him to try and deport you! I mean, I'm not that vain, am I? Do I come across that way?" Sam winced and her stomach flipped inside as she bowed her head and started rubbing her arm. She felt the bile running up her throat and closed her eyes as Carly closed her eyes and walked into the hallway.

"…Carly…" She lifted her head and looked to Freddie, he understood her fears. A loud scream was heard and everyone flinched. Griffin and Freddie exchanged glances and tried to calm themselves.

"I'll go talk to her," Freddie suggested quietly. "I think she's just dealing with shock, don't worry about anything. I think she'll be understanding once she calms down."

"I hope so…"

"Just…try to calm yourself down too." He gave her a quick peck on the lips and started to walk to the bedroom that Carly was in. Griffin followed. Carly was on the bed, screaming into the pillow and sobbing. He walked over to her and rubbed her back. "Carly, I know you're going through a lot and I know this is a lot to handle. I'm sorry we kept it from you, and please believe me when I tell you, Sam in noway ever wanted it to be a secret." Carly slowly rolled over and sniffed as Griffin moved over next to her and slowly took her hand.

"Griffin? Why…you can't…" Freddie flicked his eyes over to Griffin, then back to Carly.

"Carly, we already know." Her eyes widened and he slowly crossed his arms. "Well at least mom and dad don't, but Sam, Jonah and I already are aware you two are dating." She turned her eyes down and sobbed with guilt.

"Why the hell am I getting upset with Sam, I'm doing the same thing!"

"Carly, try not to beat yourself up over this…Sam's going through enough and really needs a friend." She looked at him with sorrow and concern. He felt for her and understood the confusion, the pain, the fear. "Something I probably would have told you a couple years if you found out then. Now, I do care about you and you're a great friend, so I can only say half of my original thought. Carly, Sam is your friend, she cares about you and really wants to be your friend. She's always been so terrified of losing your friendship because of this."

"Why?" She wiped her eyes with her arm and slowly sat up. "I would never break off our friendship because of a guy…"

"I know that, I'm sure she knows it, you know it, but…you have to understand everything that's happened because of our relationship. She's almost been taken away several times because of your grandpa, my mom's nearly died and has been attacked because of our culture, and even Sam's struggled to understand how a man can take a child away from its mother on the day of its birth. Right now, she's probably afraid of Tyrone tearing us apart. With you still under his thumb-"

"No. Nuh-uh…" Carly shook her head rapidly and moved the pillow to her chest, clutching it tightly. "I'm not doing it, I'm not telling him anything! Not that I know he put Shane up to that, not that I know what he's done." Freddie smiled slightly and put his hand to her shoulder. "Sam's my best friend, we're like sisters. I understand why she didn't tell me, and I can't hate her because she didn't tell me about you. If I did that, then I'd give her a right to hate me for not telling her about Griffin!" Griffin chuckled and lightly kissed Carly's forehead.

"Heh, they have more reason to be in a secret relationship than we do." Carly slowly nodded and looked up to Freddie.

"I'm sorry for flipping out, it's just…it was a shock. I love Sam, she's my best friend and I don't want to lose her. I'm not going to end up breaking off her friendship because of this. I want her to be my best friend and I want us to be able to talk about anything…I'll always stand behind her! You too, because you're my brother!"

He was proud to hear that coming from her, but he never doubted her sincerity. "Then maybe you need to tell that to Sam. Maybe you should let her know she's got nothing to worry about and that Tyrone, nor Shane, is going to ruin one of the best friendships she's ever had. Besides, now that you know about us, then maybe…maybe you guys can be even better friends with each other."

"Yeah, maybe…" Freddie and Griffin helped her up and slowly led her out into the living room. Sam was on the couch, holding her sides and staring worriedly at the coffee table. Maggie and Melanie were at her sides, rubbing her back and comforting her. Morris was standing at the window, looking outside, watching to see if Shane would stay away like he was told. "S-Sam?"

Sam slowly looked up and quickly stood, her eyes were wide as saucers. Freddie watched Carly hurry over to her and hug her. He smiled as both girls cried for a second, apologizing for everything and promising to never keep anything from each other. He chuckled and folded his arms over. It took long enough, but at least Carly and Sam would be on good terms.

Well, the shit indeed hit the fan, ouch. So Carly now knows. Shane got real beat up, and at what cost, ouch! Also, never disturb the sleeping, protective uncle. If you rouse him from sleep and you're messing with his niece, god forbid he find you XD