So I'm amazed at how easily this story is progressing for me, it's just writing itself pretty much. Thanks for following me with it, I intend to just get better as I keep writing.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing, painful as it is to admit.

Chapter 3: Slow progress is still progress

At the rehab center a week later

"Here you go Freddie, this is for all you've done the last two weeks"

Freddie turned around and saw the man he'd been working for, doing small chores around the center, holding out a small envelope. "You interested in helping out some more?"

He nodded and took the envelope with a smile "Sure, it keeps my mind off of the cravings and it's good to be doing something productive again."

The man smiled happily and nodded "Alright then, I'll call you if something comes up."

Freddie nodded again and pulled out the money, counting it quickly and calculating numbers in his head before pulling out his cell and dialing a number.

"Hello?" a tired voice answered after the second ring.

"Spencer? It's Freddie. I need you to do me a favor."

He heard a crash on the other end and rolled his eyes with a playful grin, same ol Spencer "Sure Freddie, what's up?"

"I need you to come to the rehab center, I need you to give something to Sam for me."

There was a brief pause "Be there in 5 minutes" and the line went dead.

True to his word, five minutes later Spencer walked into the center and walked to the front desk "I'm looking for Freddie Benson."

The nurse smiled at him and pointed outside "He told me he'd be waiting outside."

Spencer nodded his thanks and walked to the side door, stepping outside with his eyes quickly scanning the area for Freddie.

He found him near a tree and headed over, dropping down beside him "S'up man?"

Freddie jumped a bit and looked at him "Hey, thanks for coming."

Spencer grinned "I was actually gonna be heading to the store to get things for my new doughnut statue, so it was nothin to stop over here." he paused and looked at Freddie carefully "How are you holding up?"

Freddie hesitated slightly, not sure if he should tell him the truth, but he had always been there for Freddie, so he shrugged "It's hard. There's not an hour that goes by that I don't want a drink, but I'm really trying hard not to give in. Nobody knowing about this means nobody comes to visit to take my mind off of it. Not like anyone would anyway.." he trailed off looking into the sky and Spencer knew he was thinking about Sam and Carly.

He pat Freddie on the back "I'll stop by every day or two ok?"

Freddie nodded and handed him the envelope "Give this to Sam for me ok? There's a note in here explaining what it is."

Taking the envelope and putting in into his sweater Spencer stood up and helped Freddie up as well "Will do, I'll stop by for a longer visit tomorrow alright?"

"Make it after 2, I have a meeting with my counselor tomorrow." Spencer nodded and walked outside, breathing deeply and looking back "Your a brave man Freddie" he said under his breath.

At Sam's house

Spencer walked up to the door to Sam's apartment and knocked on the door, listening with a quiet laugh as Ayden raced her to the door, swinging it open widely "Uncle Spencer!"

Spencer dropped to the ground and picked him up, walking into the house as Ayden rambled on to him about his day.

Sam walked over to meet him with a smile "What brings you here? Not trying to steal my ham for artsy purposes are you?" she glared at him and he shook his head quickly.

"I have something for you, from Freddie."

She looked at him with an arched brow "You saw Freddie?"

Spencer nodded slowly "Didn't I just say that? Anyway...here." he handed her the envelope and proceeded to tackle Ayden onto the couch to tickle him.

She watched them for a minute before looking down at the envelope curiously, using a finger to open it and pulling out the money with wide eyes. A note fell into her hand and she opened it slowly.

Sam,

Here's some of the money I owe you for Ayden. I realized I haven't paid any of the child support in the year we've been split up so I wanted to try and fix that. I know this is only like two months worth, but I promise you'll get the other 10 as soon as I can. I'm really sorry you've had to wait this long. Tell Ayden I love him and I'll call him in the next few days.

Hope everything is going good with you.

Freddie

Sam took a few breaths and then put the envelope down. Spencer looked up and expected her to scrunch the letter up in a ball and throw it out, but she just folded it up and slid it into her pocket carefully before turning to Ayden "Hey Buddy, you wanna go out to the store later? Get some groceries that we both want and maybe get you a toy? Sound good?"

Ayden jumped up and nodded quickly "Yeah!"

Sam walked over to Spencer and looked down "Is he...I mean..y'know.."

Spencer knew what she was trying to say so he smiled "He's ok."

Sam nodded and then smirked "Good, because Ayden misses him and he needs his father around, even if he is a dork."

Spencer laughed and gave Ayden one more hug "Of course, I have to go, one more stop to make before I head home. If you see Carly before me...which you more then likely will, tell her to call me."

She walked over to the door with him and nodded "Will do...thanks Spencer." she closed the door and leaned against it for a minute, wondering what Freddie was up too that would make him not able to see Ayden.

Back at the rehab center

Freddie had just finished eating and was heading back to his room, nodding with a smile to some people on his way by when his phone went off.

He looked down and frowned in confusion seeing that he had a text message from Sam. He walked to his room and flopped onto the bed before grabbing his phone again and opening the message, smiling at what it said.

Thank you.

He figured that it was best left like that and put his phone down beside the bed and grabbing his laptop, playing around with some new software he had gotten. Now that he wasn't drinking all the time he was slowly getting back into the things he'd loved before, it was all baby steps into getting back on track with his life.

SOO...I told you it would be Seddie. But not yet...very not yet. Your gonna have to wait for it muahaha. BUT I did add in a few hints that she still cares about him and I'll do that occasionally so keep your eyes open. As always reviews make me happy.