Monday

Sam

Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance.

These are the 5 stages of grief. All of which I was experiencing in the time period 100 times smaller than usual.

5 Minutes Earlier

"Sam." Maude greeted me somewhat formally - I guess it was Monday morning and she was always a bit grouchy, but I expected her to be more friendly after Saturday's shoot. Dammit, I knew I should've texted her instead of being patient...

Or instead of watching season 3 of the office. Again.

"What's up Maude?" Giving her my biggest cheesy grin, I sat down and took a big swig from my jug of water.

"I'm leaving Sourcefed."

Water sprayed out of my mouth and onto my computer screen.

Maude

His face painted an expression of complete shock and in his eyes, I saw a look of complete incredulity. After wiping off his laptop with a tissue, he turned to me.

He opened his mouth to speak and all that came out was stutters and half words. I had never felt so bad in my entire life - he looked like a beaten up puppy.

He finally came to his senses.

"Are you fucking with me?"

"I am serious. An opportunity came up that I couldn't turn down."

"Bullshit." His tone took a hard line.

"I promise." I said much softer.

"You're just gonna leave the channel? When we are so close to one million subscribers?" His voice rose, with bitterness and anger.

"I'm sorry. It's life changing, I couldn't turn it down; no matter the time in my life." I felt like a mother explaining to a kid why their parents are getting divorced.

"Can't you stay on part time?"

"Not under my new contract. I can be back for D&D if I'm lucky that our schedules don't clash." I bit my lip to hide emotion.

"Okay." His blank stare told me everything from okay. He got up from his chair and began packing his things up.

"Where are you going?" I asked him, confused.

"I gotta go..." He could already see the question forming in my speech. "Anywhere but here." He answered my unasked query.

He knocked on Jeremy's door and peered his head in.

"I'm taking a sick day. I'm not feeling well...and for the next couple days too."

Sam

Jeremy just gave me a look of sympathy and a curt nod. He simply wrote my name on the calendar and gave me a thumbs up. I got out of the office as quickly as possible, got into my car, and put my head flat on the steering wheel.

I wept. And I was not ashamed to admit it. My favourite person in the whole world, who I got to see every day, was being ripped from me by a rival company. A dark cloud formed in my mind; ever since she had done her on-screen kiss she had been off - was this why? Had she fallen in love with some Dickdouche down at Dickdouche HQ? My forehead slipped and I was jolted out of my trance by the sound of the horn bellowing in my ears. I looked up, and saw Maude staring at me from the opposite side of the parking lot.

Maude

He popped his head up and through the windscreen spotted me. Gone was Sam; his look hardened and he shot me daggers. If looks could kill, I would have died one hundred times. If I hadn't died from heartbreak already.

He aggressively started the engine and huffed his chest, put his foot flat down on the accelerator and burnt out the car, before bolting out of the parking lot and onto the highway. I would have followed him, but he was already long gone. I couldn't tell his destination, and I think he was too upset to speak with me.

Sam

I made it to the apartment in record time. I packed a bag with the essentials, got back in my car and began driving.

I pumped the radio to full, and I hoped I would be distracted.

"She's dead to me."

"Dead."

"She's dead to me."

No matter how many times I tried to repeat it, it wouldn't become reality.

I had taken Will's advice today. His voice rang (unfortunately) clear in my mind.

"I only visit home when I'm sad. People love me there. I go to my old church, I see old friends, and it makes me feel good. Plus the drive is great. You get to totally clear your mind by focusing for hours on end on road. It's awesome."

I had to disagree. The only thing in my head was Maude right now. Tears welled my vision and I had to pull over before my vision became too blurry. I drifted into the hard shoulder and flicked on my hazard lights. I got out of the car and took off my glasses, staring into the unending desert. It was unfair. Maude had been here less than a year and a half, and Douchedick Enterprises was stealing her away.

I would kill for a vodka orange right now. I knew it was irresponsible to drink drive (Her words echoed in my ears: "There's a time and a place for everything, Sam, but not now.") Home was still about 4 hours away. I hadn't told mom I was on my way, but I'd sleep on the couch even if my room was busy. I knew my brother was home this time of year though, and Christ he was a party animal. Maybe it was time to drink away my sorrows once again. Steeling myself once more, I got back in my car and carried on carrying on.

Maude

I weeped in the bathroom stall. I had worn waterproof mascara today to prepare for this eventuality, but my face was ruined already. Streaks were lain where salty tears took their wrath, and my lips were patchy from my awful crying face. My eyes were crimson, pink and puffy. I had been crying straight through my lunch break, and hadn't managed to actually do much work today.

"Hey Maude?" It was Bree's voice. Everyone knew I'd been leaving since last Friday, but I hadn't wanted to tell Sam.

"Yes Bree?" I choked out.

"Is your vagina trying to eat your pants again?" I chuckled once before bursting out in another sob.

"We can take hallucinogens? I have a bag of edibles in the office fridge?"

"I'm good Bree." I unlocked the door. "Let me clean myself up and I'll be straight back to work." I looked to the mirror and realised I was still crying silent tears, that rolled down my face onto the floor.

"Maybe you should take the day off," She put her arm on my shoulder, "We can get two nerd hosts anyway, we've got auditions and interns in for the vacancy."

She eventually persuaded me I couldn't work in the wreck I currently was.

I headed to Jeremy's office to let him know and it seemed like he was already tuned in. As I turned to leave, he asked me if I could go speak to someone in tech about the missing iPad.

I located the tech team, and they said they already knew that Sam had taken it. When I asked how they knew, they told me he'd borrowed it to write a bit and was supposed to bring in back today. They had already placed a gps signal on it and found it travelling across the 102 Highway. Sam had kept it with him, or it had been stolen.

"How're you doing that?" I asked with the idea formulating in my brain.

"Just using my phone and a tracking signal on the device. You just need the Sourcefed Find My iPad login."

I had gotten the information I needed in seconds. I plugged my phone into my car so it wouldn't die, and set a way point for Sam's location.

Sam

Despite using cruise control I was already getting tired of the road. The concrete tended to numb the brain.

Was it bad that feeling nothing was better than thinking of her?

I started remembering more and more streets, and landmarks and signals until I realised I was only about 10 minutes from home. It was just past two in the afternoon. I definitely needed to go out tonight.

I pulled up to the drive, grabbed my stuff out of the trunk and knocked on the door.

I hadn't seen my mother in almost three months now, and seeing her face light up at my surprise visit made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

"Sam!"

"Hey mom." She grabbed my cheeks and squeezed them, before embracing me and pulling me inside.

"Hey Ben! Come downstairs, your brother is home!" She called up the stairs. "Your father's in work but he'll be home later tonight. What's the surprise visit for?" I heard a rumbling noise and quick steps coming down the house.

"I'll tell you later...privately." I assured her.

"Lamby Bashor." He referred to me with my preteen nickname as he fist pounded me.

"Ben! We are partying tonight." I announced.

"You know I'm not 21 yet."

"Like it's stopped you before."

He grinned from ear to ear.

"There's a flat party tonight a few blocks up. I'll get us in."

Family aside, I went up to my old room and took a deep breath of familiarity. Nerd memorabilia littered the walls and everything was just how I always left it. A mess.

I climbed onto my bed to take a cat nap to prepare myself for tonight.

I want pasta.

Maude

I had been driving for about an hour and a half when Sam's signal became stationary. According to my SatNav I would be arriving at 7. If I was assuming correctly, Sam would be at home, which meant maybe having an awkward talk with his parents. It didn't bother me, but knowing him he'd sit there cringing his way through life.

I really, really, really, did not want to have to take this new job. It was about one and a half times my wage, but the final swaying point came from Sourcefed itself.

'No 2 full time employees may date each other under any circumstances.'

I had already been offered a pretty wicked job anyway, so it would've been unfair for me to even think about asking Sam to leave.

Not that I wanted to date Sam, that is.

Sam

I had just finished getting ready. I had traded in my earlier work outfit for a pair of black jeans and a tee, exited my room and met up with my brother.

"The party is within walking distance, neither of us have to drive." He told me as I slipped on my shoes. I gave him a brief nod and went into the kitchen to speak to my mom. I had talked to her about Maude before, but I'd never really revealed how I felt about her. I gushed for about 15 minutes explaining everything from the start, until I neared the end of the story. "And then today, she told me she was leaving Sourcefed." Mom gave me a sympathetic look and rubbed my back, and told me everything was going to be fine, and to try and just enjoy tonight. I sighed and told her I know, even if I didn't know. Ben said it was time for us to leave- he carried a paper bag hiding some type of alcohol in his right hand.

"Try to be somewhat responsible tonight boys." Mom called after us as she shut the door and we headed towards this flat party.

Ben turned to me.

"Is this about the cougar at work?"

"Shut up Ben."

"Whatever. Alcohol is the best medicine."

"You're right, but you're also underage. If this party gets busted, run home. I'm legal and I'll deal with any repercussions."

"Hey, I'm responsible!" I laughed in response. "That reminds me," He said stopping as he dug into his pockets, "I thought you were too sad to consider even bringing one." He put a 2-pack of condoms in my hand.

Me and my brother had always been open with each other about sex, but I really wasn't feeling it tonight. He could tell from my look that I was despondent.

"Just in case, like you always told me." I gave him a half smile in thanks and we continued walking.

"Who's there that I will know?" I asked him.

"My friends from high school, you know some of them. You should go up and speak to some girls, tell 'em you're famous." He encouraged me, but I was not falling it for it.

Maude

I was still driving, slowly through what was Sam's childhood. The place seemed nice enough, but nothing could compare to Australia. The sea, the kangaroos and the smell of underage drinking made it home. I wasn't far away from my final destination now, and the tension and anxiety began to build in my head.

What could I even say to him? I was already probably intruding in his family time, and god this was a bad idea. I should've waited for him to come back, he may have forgiven me in the end.

It was too late now. I had not driven the good part of a day in order to back out now. I saw Sam's car parked in a driveway, parked my own and walked up to the door. I rang the bell, and I could hear footsteps coming from inside to open the door.

A lady in her late forties answered the door. She wasn't very small, but compared to me she looked tiny. However I was certainly doing no intimidating, with my knees shaking and my stuttering.

"D-does S-Sam live here?"

She looked at me closely, with a calculating look.

"This is the Bashor residence. You must be Maude. Come on in." She said extending the door wide and signalling.

I stepped inside of a warm house.

"I'm sorry to tell you Sam isn't currently in, he's gone to a party with his brother."

I had met Ben. Him and Sam looked alike, but Ben didn't seem to have the same childish charm or aura about him. Plus he was way too young. Not like there was 7 years between Sam and I.

"Do you know what address they're headed to?"

"I do, but don't you want to unpack your things first?"

I told her I'd book a hotel but she insisted it was too late at this time and told me to take the room furthest left, I couldn't thank her for her hospitality enough as I realised exactly what room she put me in.

Goddammit. I was in Sam's room. I guess he was sleeping on the couch. Or with me, I devilishly thought while I placed my bags on his queen size bed. I freshened up quickly in the bathroom before scurrying downstairs. It was about 8 o'clock, which meant the doors to the party were most likely wide open.

Sam's mother gave me directions, and off I went.

Sam

The party was in full swing, and didn't I know it. I may have had one too many and one too fast, and at this moment in time I was dancing. Badly. And I was up against the host. She was too dull to actually leave home for college, but she had an extremely good body, which was shown off by plenty of magazines showing photo shoots strewn all over the place.

I had lost Ben in the swarm of people who flooded in as the gathering got underway, and my vision was so blurry I could barely see anything. I was swaying back and forth. I put my hand on the girls' waist and spun her around.

"Hey!" I shouted over the music. "Have you seen my brother?"

"Yeah," She had a sly look on her face and something didn't seem at all right. "He was in the bedroom last I checked."

She pulled me by my arm in the direction I assumed was the Ben. Lots of people were shooting me looks I couldn't understand, and I was almost certain I saw Ben giving me a thumbs up. But he disappeared as soon as he came and I couldn't care at this point.

All too quickly she shoved me roughly into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

The room was definitely empty.

Maude

I waited outside the building until another group of people were buzzed in and followed them through all the way until a flat that was going off with lights and music was located.

I walked in and half navigated the party with a red solo cup in hand, while brushing off one or two guys who were trying to hit on me.

I spotted Ben in the kitchen chatting to a dark haired girl. He looked pretty much the same as from Comic Con a few months ago. I pushed my way through the the crowd and approached him. I poked him in the shoulder to get him to notice me.

"Maude?" He asked with a confused expression.

"Have you seen Sam?" I asked loudly.

"Last I saw he was going to the bedroom with some gal." He shrugged me off and continued flirting.

At the same time I heard the shutting of a door and followed the sound.

Sam

"W-where's my brother?"

"Who cares?" She answered back trying to rip off my t-shirt.

"I'd appreciate if you didn't do that," I laid my hands on her hips and pushed back, "Because I don't really like you."

She grabbed one of my hands and placed it up her dress, firmly on her ass. She leaped towards my face ravenously, trying to kiss it off.

In my drunk state it took me about 4 or 5 seconds to react and 10 more to push her off.

"I didn't like that." I answered uncomfortably. "I'm leaving." I left through an opened door and called for my brother, as he begrudgingly came over and helped me walk home.

Maude

I had finally located the bedroom door, and with a slight oomph I forced it open.

And my heart shattered into a million tiny pieces.

Stood there was Sam, with his hand firmly on another girls arse, kissing her.

All with his signature Sam expression. I lingered for a few moments before gathering myself and rushing out. I needed to forget everything I had just seen. I walked back to Sam's twice as quickly as I had came, and rushed upstairs with tears in my eyes forming. I met Sam's mothers face, and she seemed to give me a look of understanding.

I threw off my clothes, leaving only my underwear, seeing as Sam probably wasn't sleeping here tonight, and cried to myself in a room that reminded me too much of Sam.

It smelt of Sam, looked like Sam and goddammit I was jelly in this room.

To my surprise, I heard the downstairs door opening about 10 minutes later, with the voices of two drunk lads.

I heard footsteps and Sam opened the door to his room.

"Maude?" He asked in surprise, slightly slurring.

"Yeah." All I could do was grin sheepishly.

He didn't say much other than taking off his jeans and throwing his t-shirt onto the bedside table. I raised the blanket to try and cover myself but Sam had already climbed in with me, taking off his socks and adjusting the strap on his Flash boxers.

I lay there pretty much helpless as he snuggled up to me and for once, I was the little spoon. It felt strangely good. Different, but good.

Sam

Dream Maude always turned up at the right time. Whenever I needed comforting, she was there. Granted, the naughty things that usually happen would have to be on halt for tonight (too much alcohol) it was good to just be around her.

Maude

He reeked of alcohol but somehow all I could smell was his intoxicating scent, a mixture of Sammy Bashor and his body and hair products.

"Aren't you surprised to see me?" I asked him, still taken aback with his forwardness.

"Why would I be? You always turn up when I need you." I blushed as I buried my head into his neck.

"Why do you need me tonight?"

"I hate girls who taste like cigarettes. I hate it more when I didn't want in the first place. I came here looking to forget you, and all I can think about is how I want to be with you, and love you, and kiss you, and how you always smell nice and never be a two dollar whore in a designer g-string."

So I had picked the wrong moment? Sam wasn't cheating on me? Despite it not actually being cheating, I still felt cheated...

I felt something hardening against me and bit my lip, and pushed my hips back to grind against him.

"I wish you leaving was just a dream. Just like this. I could get to see you tomorrow morning and everything is fine."

He thought he was dreaming. Oh god. Dammit Sam. That explains why he was so calm and collected. It also means that he's dreamt of me before...

"Why don't you want me to leave?"

"Because I looove you."

I was stunned for the most part. My heart had been aching for months just to hear those words and even if they were invalidated by a drunk man dreaming, they meant the world to me. I couldn't help the few tears that ran down my face in joy.

"Goodnight Sam. I love you too." I answered, feeling like I was becoming smaller and smaller.

"If only you did," He sighed with discontent, "Goodnight Maude." He squeezed me tighter, and I had possibly the best sleep I'd ever had.

Sam

I woke up the next day feeling bright and bushy tailed.

.

..

...

I'm a liar. I stumbled to the bathroom and was sick. After taking a couple of pills to nurse a headache I slipped into a bathrobe and sat on my bed, checking my phone for any embarrassing content.

The bed even smelt like Maude. It was strange that that happened, usually I hardly ever remembered the faintest look of Dream Maude, but I could remember last nights exchange word for word.

I realised the bed reeked much more heavily of BO and Rum, and groaned as I threw off my bathrobe and ran to the shower.

Maude

I had woken up around 10 to letter from Sam's mum :

'Maude;

I have kicked everyone out of the house today. Me and my husband are in work and I have forced Ben to stay at a friends until noon.

I trust you two did nothing naughty last night. Shame. There is a box of condoms in his bedside table when you need them.

I also know you will wake up before him so here are some essential steps for hungover You Sam:

1. When you hear the shower turn on, get out the ingredients (Pancake mix, bacon and orange juice).

2. Follow instructions on packet(s) until you have breakfast.

3. Plate up and wait for Sam. He should only be a few minutes.

More likely you'll both return back to where you came from before we come home. We'll understand. It was great meeting you.

Sam's Mom.'

Sam

My shower had gone well and I currently smelt like "Green Apples" according to the bottles labelled in my room. I slipped on a pair of clean boxers, grabbed the bathrobe and half trotted downstairs.

I could already smell the perfect breakfast awaiting me.

Which was strange, because it was a Tuesday, and no one should have been home bar Ben, who was also strangely absent.

"What the fuck," I whispered to myself as I sat down at the breakfast bar and saw Maude saunter over to me with dishes. We began to eat in silence, with occasionally a strange look.

I finished chewing and opened my mouth.

"You don't like bacon."

"It's growing on me." She answered.

There was a moment of silence.

"How do you know where I live?"

"Followed the work iPad you left in your car." She was grinning sheepishly.

There was a short pause.

"I'm still leaving Sourcefed." Every time she said it, I felt like I was shot.

"For some Dickdouche?" I asked under my breath.

"I'm leaving for better pay, and I'm leaving for you, Dickdouche Bashor."

I only had confusion painted over my face.

"No two...full time employees...can-date-each-other-at-the-DeFranco-network."

I was hungover.

I was eating.

I was Sam Bashor.

All these factors combined meant that I should be thinking very slowly. Yet the gears in my brain ticked impossibly quickly.

"Let's get back to Sourcefed, shall we?" She smiled remorsefully.Aut

Damn it. We had the entire day. Alone. And we have to drive all the way back to the studios.

But at least all was good between Sam Bashor and Maude Garrett.

After all, that's all I've wanted.

Authors Note; Next chapter will be smutty. I usually dislike writing these, but since Maude is practically gagging to read about her getting rammed by Sam Bashor (it's painfully obvious Maude) I will try my best to upload something worth reading. thanks for reading, leave a review to tell me how I did.