Sam stared at the clock in front of her. Once 2:30 hit she'd be out and running to meet Tamara and Jack. It had already been three weeks since her punishment had been lifted and she was basking in her freedom once again, of course mindful of the rules, at least for now.
Unfortunately, the only thing still lingering was the painful nightmares that came at night. And each time she'd hurriedly pat the bed, breathing easier when it was dry. Jack had stayed with her now at least once a week. It was a great feeling to have him next to her, but one thing Sam knew for a fact was that having Brooke next to her that one early morning was the safest she'd felt in years.
…. ….. …..
"Hey stop here!" Sam yelled to Marcus. He was not in the mood to stop, "Why?" He asked annoyed.
Tamara gave him a slight glare, "Sam wants to stop, so stop."
He pushed the brakes hard causing Jack's icee to fling onto his lap, "Shit Marcus. I just washed these jeans."
He laughed, "Shut up Jack. Can y'all get out?" He said towards Tamara and Sam who were in the back of his truck, "I'll wait for you guys down the street at the mall." He grunted.
Sam rolled her eyes, "Come on T, before Mr. Cranky gets any worse." Tamra followed Sam out the door. Sam, having grown accustomed to Brooke's office walked in easily to the office building, but Tamara felt so out of place.
"Sam why couldn't you have just called her?" She asked wrapping her arm around Sam's as they walked.
"'Cause she wouldn't have agreed. She needs to see me. Come on, it's no big deal."
The two teens went into the elevator and sam pressed the sixth floor, "Wow." Tamra said thinking out loud.
"What?" Sam asked her. Tamara put her hand in her pocket and leaned on the wall, "Your life." She simply said, "It's...wow."
Sam felt a little self conscious. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have brought Tamara to Brooke's office. She hoped this wasn't proving Tamara's theory right. But the soft ping of the elevator opened up and Sam now had no choice. Tamara walked into the floor, not bothering to wait for Sam who trailed behind her.
Brooke's employees looked at the the oddly menacing girl, but then saw Sam walk in and they all figured it was one of her friends.
"Brooke should keep a better eye on her." Someone whispered to their neighbor, "After all, you are the company you keep." No one could deny that Sam was Brooke's daughter. The similarities were one too many, but they were surprised at how different Sam was to Brooke, and yet they still managed to get along, sometimes.
Sam hadn't heard the statement, but Tamara certainly did. She turned around quickly and went towards where Sam was.
"Millie, I need to speak to parental unit numero uno. Is she in her office?" She asked Millie who was busy typing something up at her desk. Millie slightly pushed her glasses down. Tamara chuckled at Sam's statement.
"Brooke's in the conference room right now."
Sam gave a quick knock to her desk, "Cool beans. I'll go in there."
Millie stood up, "Oho hold on little one." She grabbed Sam's arm, "As in she's in a meeting."
Sam saw Tamara roll her eyes. "With who?" She asked Millie snaking her arm away
"Some investors."
"I thought she stepped down, so she didn't have to do all this stuff!" Sam said exasperated.
"They wanted to meet her or else they wouldn't deal, so Brooke got them to come to here so she wouldn't have to go to New York." Millie said crossing her arms.
Sam felt bad, "Oh...right."..."Well I'll just go sit in her office."
Millie, content with her small success sat back down, but sitting down was not in Sam's plan.
"Are we seriously gonna wait for your mom to get out?" Tamara asked angrily.
Sam gave her a sly smirk, "Nope" When she made sure that Millie was no longer paying attention she walked up to the conference room door, then put a finger on her lips signaling Tamara to stay as quiet as possible. She then pointed to the wall next to the door, so Tamara stood there. Sam slowly opened the door. Millie looked up and her heart filled with dread, "Damn it!" She whispered none too softly. But she couldn't pull Sam away and cause a scene.
Brooke sat at the head of the table. She wasn't paying attention to the door, so did not notice the slight creek of an opening. No one did. Sam listened for a moment, but only heard someone rattling off numbers and jargon way out of her vocabulary.
Sam figured her mom needed saving anyway. So she put on a devilish grin, "Pppssssstttt." She first whispered through. Brooke didn't hear her, but the man closest to the door did. Sam quickly pulled away. Trying hard not to laugh. Tamara looked at her with wide eyes, "Brooke's gonna kill you!" She mouthed. Millie took her chance now that the Sam's head wasn't peeking in. Sam saw her coming and grabbed the door handle. Every time Millie got closer Sam turned the handle. Millie was helpless. All the people in the office watched. Some of them laughing others rolling their eyes at Sam.
Once more Sam opened the door, "PPPPSSSSSTTTTT Brroookkkeee!" This time everyone looked over, including Brooke. When Sam saw Brooke's face turn from confusion to disbelief she gulped, but there was no going back now. "H-hey Brooke. You know what, how 'bout I just, uh, wait outside."
She closed the door quickly.
All the men looked at Brooke confused. "Ms. Davis?" They asked her. Brooke stood up, smoothing her skirt. Was Sam crazy? She had to be. "Give me just one, one second." She walked out still smiling but once out sight, her smile turned into a scowl.
She walked out and not only saw Sam but Tamara, both anxiously waiting for the elevator to open up. She dashed over, "No you don't." She said grabbing Sam by her upper arm and leading her towards her office.
"Ow, Brooke." She whined.
Brooke ignored it, "Hush Sam!"
"You come with me too." She said looking over to Tamara who was staying behind. Sam turned beet red as she saw everyone's smug faces in the office, especially Millie's.
Once inside the office Brooke let go of Sam's arm, "Samantha what on earth are you doing?"
Sam looked over at Tamara who was leaning on the wall, waiting for this to all end. "Eyes on me Sam." Brooke ordered, her hand on her hips. Sam sighed, "I needed to talk to you, alright?"
"So you disrupt my meeting?!" She said pointing towards the door. Clearly Brooke didn't think it was as funny as Sam did.
"Alright, geez. I'm sorry." She said her eyes averting Brooke's angry gaze.
Brooke suddenly saw herself in Sam, and remembered how Victoria once yelled at her for interrupting a meeting. Although Victoria had said much nastier things to her.
Brooke took a deep breath calming herself and held the bridge of her nose. She spoke more sincerely, "Sam why couldn't you have just called my phone if you needed to talk to me? Or better yet, just wait for me to finish?!"
Sam pulled at her sleeves and held them in her hands. She did so when she was nervous, or in trouble. "Because you would've said no if I called you and, and Marcus and Jack are waiting for us, so I couldn't wait for you to finish your dumb meeting."
Brooke sighed then looked over to Tamara, who looked bored to tears with it all, "Tamara?"
She put her hands up in feigned innocence, "Hey I'm just here with Sam. Don't blame me for anything."
"Come on T, let's just go." Sam said heading out. Brooke followed them outside, now in the center of her office.
"Samantha Walker your little butt is not leaving this office." Brooke proclaimed to the amusement of her employees. Brooke looked over to the conference room knowing they were all waiting for her. But she had to take care of Sam now. She was her priority. Sam trudged over. Damn, how did this suddenly turn into spectacle?
"Brooke, what?" She said annoyed. Brooke rose her eyebrow giving Sam a warning, "Samantha you came here for a reason, and now you're just gonna leave without telling me? Don't waste this wonderful spectacle you created." She said with a smirk.
Sam rolled her eyes and huffed, "I just, I wanted to know if I could spend the night with Tamara."
Brooke was not expecting that request, "Sam, Tamara's at Clydesville. Why would you want to go back there?" Brooke's heart told her to say no.'
Sam fidgeted, "I miss all the girls there….and" She spoke more softly, "I miss Tamara. Sleeping next to her and stuff." Brooke could understand that much. She heard the sadness in Sam's voice. She gave Sam a weary smile, "What about Barry and your blanket?"
Sam's eyes widened. She felt her ears redden, "Brooke!" She whined in a whisper. How had the woman known that's what she called her teddy bear? It must've been in one of her sleep induced stupors that she spilled the beans.
"What?" Brooke asked. She really didn't see the problem. Millie almost chuckled. Brooke was going soft on them, and everyone knew it. I guess that's what motherhood does to a person.
"Can you be any louder?!" Sam hissed. Brooke chuckled ,"Oh calm down. No one heard me. But seriously Sam-"
Sam got closer, "I have them in my bookbag. I knew I was gonna ask you, so I brought them just in case."
Brooke sighed. She could see that Sam really wanted this. No matter her how crazy her ways of showing it were. "Fine, go ahead. But call me if you need anything."
Sam's scowl turned into a one hundred watt smile, "Thanks Brooke!"
Brooke grabbed her arm before she ran off, "Hold up, hold up."
"Brooke, now what?" Sam was anxious to get out of there, and just hang out with her friends,"Tamara's waiting, and so are your super important conference people."
A smile crossed Brooke's face, "Well I can't do this to my super important conference people." She brought her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head, "So I'm stuck doing it to you." She said giving Sam a playful nudge.
Sam rolled her eyes, "Bummer."
"You may go, you heathen." Brooke said letting her go.
Sam laughed, "Heathen? Nah, maybe a barbarian, but never a heathen."
She walked out grabbing onto Tamara's hand.
Millie was shocked. That's all? No yelling? This was not the Brooke she knew. But she had to admit it was kind of cute.
Brooke watched her daughter leave, and waited for the elevator to close. She looked to everyone looking at her, "Alright show's over guys." She clapped her hands, "Let's go, come on. There's work to do."
Nick looked over to Brooke, "Last time I walked in on a meeting you ripped my head off." He said plainly.
Brooke wasn't about to argue with him, "Nick, are you just turned fourteen, a very short 5 feet, and are you currently carrying a teddy bear and blanket in your briefcase?"
Nick's face reddened, "Well...no."
Brooke gave him a terse nod, "Exactly. If you don't meet the above description, then I will yell at you if you interrupt me." She grabbed the handle to the conference room, but turned to say one last thing, "And that goes for all of you. Oh and it'd also help if you were my daughter...which you are not."
Rightfully put in his place Nick sat back down, noticeably frazzled. Maybe she wasn't going soft after all. Maybe Sam was just the exception.
…. ….. …..
"Marcus don't be such a jerk. I'm just taking Tamara for a night." Sam said at the clearly annoyed 19 year old.
He ignored her and turned to Tamara. They were outside at the park, doing absolutely nothing, but just being there, relaxing with one another. "Tamara you're coming with me. Come on." He roughly grabbed Tamara's arm, effectively lifting her up from the floor.
Sam and Jack quickly sat up as they watched Marcus drag Tamara away from them.
"Shit, not again."
Marcus had let the three be, but now he wanted his girl. He had left, presumably to drink, and was too inhibited to care for his actions.
Sam stood up, heading over towards the two.
"Sam what're you doing?" Jack asked her, clearly thinking she was crazy.
Sam ignored his plea.
"Marcus, stop!" Tamara yelled at him pushing him off, "You're drunk off your ass! Go home."
He looked at her his eyes blazing with resentment, "You little bitch!" He grabbed her arm roughly. "Ow Marcus!"
He slapped her hard. Twice.
Sam now took off running, "Hey! Marcus STOP!"
He let go of Tamara and gunned his way to Sam.
Jack went to Tamara's side, trying to help her nurse her now reddened cheek.
"It's your fault!" Marcus grunted at Sam.
Sam was angry, furious for having seen him do that to her best friend, "You don't touch her! Don't touch her you dumbass!"
Marcus roughly grabbed Sam by her shirt, "It's your fault, you little privileged bitch." He let her go, pushing her against the tree.
Jack let go of Tamara and pushed Marcus from behind, catching him off guard, "What the hell Marcus?!"
Marcus, coming somewhat to his senses stopped. He got face to face with a shaking Jack and pushed him, "Back off idiot." He then went towards the crying Tamara. He looked straight at her, so as to intimidate her. It worked, Tamara looked down at the floor. "I'm leaving. Don't bother coming over. Spend your time with your precious little Sam and her fucking puppy dog Jack."
Tamara said nothing only wincing when he saw her bring his hand up again. He laughed at her fear, "Bye." He said, in a cruel twist giving her a kiss on the cheek he slapped.
Jack kneeled next to Sam, "Sammy you're all scraped up!"
Sam looked, one of her knees was pretty banged up, and so was her elbow. She was also covered in mud. The new shirt that Brooke surprised her with ruined, her shorts a mess as well. She saw Tamara walking towards them. Sam felt like bursting into tears because she was angry and her body ached, but bottled it up and allowed Jack to help her up. "T! You can't let him do that to you!"
"He was drunk Sam, just drop it." She said trying to brush it off.
Jack chimed in, "Uhh Tamara, he's done this before and you know it."
Sam's eyes widened, "Why didn't you tell me?!" She was so upset. Her best friend was hurting and she didn't even know it. "Tamara you can't keep going out with this guy! Why didn't you tell me he was doing this to you."
Tamara became furious, "He doesn't do it all the time Sam! So just stop! And what's it matter to you?! Huh!? Did you forget that shit doesn't work out perfectly in our world?! You just have to deal with it!"
Sam spoke more calmly, "Tamara." She gently touched her arm, "You don't have to let him abuse you."
Tamara jerked back, "That's right, Sam. I forgot. You're not a part of our world anymore. You obviously don't understand! God, Sam! You pushed him away, now he left!"
Sam clenched her fists, "I'm the one covered in scrapes and mud! Look at my shirt!"
Tamara gave her a slight push, "He left because of you! Because I wanted to be with you!"
Sam felt tears precariously sting her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. Jack stared Tamara down, "Shut up T. Sam was trying to stick up for you."
She gave Sam a vicious look, "I don't need you to stick up for me Sam."
"Tamara I don't know what you want. I'm not apologizing. He hurt you." Sam said still maintaining her calm.
Tamara couldn't control it. She let it out, "God, I saw you Sam! I saw you with Brooke today. It's like you guys have known each other for years! Fuck you and your little family! Stop pretending to care about me!" She stormed off, leaving two stunned teenagers.
Sam sat down in the grass, and Jack did the same. He put an arm around her, "She didn't mean that Sam. I promise."
"I-I didn't meant to." She said.
"What're you talkin' about Sam?" He said softly, "I didn't mean to get so close to Brooke and Lucas. It just, it just happened! What am I supposed to do?"
Jack felt his blood pulsate. Why did Tamara have to be so mean sometimes? "Well Sam they're your parents. You're supposed to be close to them."
"Do you think I'm leaving her behind?" She asked him. He stopped consoling her for a moment. He knew the answer. Sam was learning to be a part of a different world, and he couldn't be happier for her good fortune. "I think you're getting the chance that you've been asking for. And I think that it's the most amazing thing that could happen to someone like us. Fuck Tamara, she's just being an asshole. She'll come around."
Sam took out her phone, and called for Lucas to pick her up, she obviously wasn't going to Clydesville for the night. Jack waited with her until he came.
…. ….. ….. … …..
With Sam gone for the night, Brooke and Julian took advantage of the solitude. He laid with her on the couch, kissing her neck making his way to her lips. "You know when we have kids, what I'm doing here, will have to be reserved for the bedroom." He said in between kisses.
Brooke chuckled, "We have a kid, Julian." He stopped and looked at her, "Sam's your kid." He didn't mean it as an offense, "I'm talking about when we have kids. You and I."
Brooke sat up, causing Julian to move over. He rolled his eyes, knowing a talk was coming.
"Julian I don't think I want more children right now. I just got Sam. She's so young and has a lot of insecurities to work out."
Julian nodded, "I know, but when we get married she'll be fine."
Brooke looked at him dumbfounded, "That's in a year. She'll only be fifteen. She won't just magically fix herself. She needs all the attention she can get."
Julian looked at her with a bit of hurt in his eyes, "You don't want kids with me?"
Brooke touched his arm, but he moved. He turned defensive, "This doesn't have to do with Lucas, does it?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She asked incredulously.
Julian just shook his head. He was really gonna throw it out there. He hadn't planned on it, but Brooke's confession was just too much, "You're late nights with him, while I'm gone?! What's that about Brooke?" He spit, "It's like you love him and not me!"
Brooke's face flushed and she went quiet. That's all Julian needed to hear. His own eyes now watered, and his voice faltered, "You, Brooke, I, Brooke please tell me that you don't-
She just turned away a tear falling down her cheek. Julian got up, not wanting Brooke to see him break down, "I have, I have a plane to catch."
Just then Lucas walked in, unaware that Julian was there. He just went to drop some of Sam's stuff. But when Julian saw him, there was no holding back.
"Julian?" Lucas asked obviously seeing his displeasure, "What's wrong?"
Julian brought back his arm and with a swift movement lunged at Lucas punching him in the jaw.
"Julian!" Brooke yelled getting up from the couch, "Stop!"
Lucas dropped Sam's bag and mimicked his punch, hitting Julian. Brooke stormed towards them, "Get out! Both of you! Out of my house!"
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Lucas said towards Julian. He then turned to Brooke, "I'm not taking this shit from your fiancé."
He opened up Brooke's door and slammed it hard.
Julian turned towards Brooke. His eyes narrowed, "We're done Brooke."
Brooke felt her heart fall, "Julian, please, I'm sorry, it's just-"
He put a finger to her lips, "We're done. As much as it hurts me. We're done. I'm not leaving Sam. I love her. But you and me, we're not-" He let the tears roll down his cheek, "We're not going to work."
He gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked out of her house.
Brooke sat on her couch, her head spinning. What had just happened? She called the most unexpected person, but she needed her.
"Hello?" Said the soft voice.
"P.? P, I need you." She said sounding hurt.
It wasn't fifteen minutes later that Peyton was sitting next to Brooke, holding her, and letting her cry. "Sshhhh. Shhh." She couldn't believe that they had broken up. But it shouldn't have come as a surprise, especially after she and Julian talked.
Brooke let go of Peyton. She needed to be honest with her best friend, "Peyton, I, I kissed Lucas."
Peyton looked at her stunned. "What?" was all she could ask.
"I'm sorry Peyton. It just happened." Peyton tried her best not to seem angry but it didn't work. She stayed quiet.
"Please say something." Brooke pleaded.
Peyton took a deep breath, "I love you Brooke, but I think," She looked at Brooke's remorseful face, "I think I need my space. You and Lucas, well, you guys need to figure yourselves out, and stop dragging the rest of us down because of you're confused feelings for one another."
"Peyton I'm sorry."
Peyton stood up and grabbed her bag, "You always are Brooke." She turned to leave, but then looked at her distraught friend on the couch, "I broke up with Luke. When I found out he spent the night here. I should've have known this would happen once you moved down. Bye Brooke."
Brooke only helplessly watched her best friend leave. Broken, she walked into Sam's room and laid down on her bed. Feeling terribly alone she hugged Sam's pillow tightly. It was her turn to take in Sam's scent. Sam's was a faint scent of light bodywash and watermelon shampoo.
Brooke almost laughed when she realized Sam had done the same thing with her as they laid in bed together all those weeks ago. Each one was comforted by the other.
… …. ….. ….
Lucas stopped the car directly in front of a lonely Sam. Jack had left a few minutes before. He watched her daughter open the door. He was absolutely shocked. He could see how upset she was, as well as the mud and scrapes.
Sam sat down and buckled in without saying a word. What could she tell him? My best friend hates me. I'm all dirty and I'm bleeding? He could obviously see that. She looked away from him and stayed tight lipped, too upset to say anything.
"Champ, what happened?" He said quietly.
"I don't want to talk about it." She mumbled. She couldn't. If she talked, she would cry, and she was tired of crying.
"Peanut," There it was. The nickname that both he and Brooke shared for her, although sparingly used. She cringed at the name, reminding her that no parent would do the same for Tamra. "Did you fall?" He asked.
She said absolutely nothing. Lucas watched Sam for several moments, but decided to stay quiet. And so they drove to Brooke's in silence.
When they got to Brooke's home, where only hours ago he had stormed out of, he climbed out. Sam walked in with him right behind. She was purposeful, just trying to get to her room and fling herself onto the bed. But she had to limp because every time she bent her knees the broken skin would chafe.
Brooke was in the kitchen when she saw Sam pass her by. "Oh my God, Sam." She said putting her things down. Lucas grabbed her arm. She was surprised to see him there. He shook his head, "She refused to talk to me. Hasn't said one word."
"Did she fall? What happened?!" She said trying to get to her, but Luke didn't let her.
"I don't know Brooke. But she's really, really upset."
"I, she was supposed to spend the night with Tamara. Where did you pick her up?"
He sat down on a chair, now that Brooke wasn't trying to gun it up the stairs, "The park. She was sitting on the curb, just waiting. No one was there except for her."
Brooke looked towards the stairs. Then back at Luke who was giving her a longing stare. Of course that stare had much more meaning behind it. They locked eyes for a moment silently communicating their feelings. He knew she was hurt, and she knew the same went for him. They both lost something, but quite possibly had gained one another.
"I'm not going to pry." She said as she made her way upstairs. Lucas just sighed heavily.
Brooke stood at Sam's bathroom door. She heard the shower running, but was unsure of what to do. Her daughter was covered in mud, limping, with scrapes on her knees and elbows. She knocked twice, "Sam?" She said hesitantly.
"Go away." She heard her say.
'Come in, please.' Was what Sam's heart was yearning for her to say instead, but Sam couldn't betray Tamara again. She had to close her parents off, whether she liked it or not. Sam sat against the tub on the floor, letting the water slowly wash the mud off.
Brooke closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Sammy? Can you at least promise me you'll clean up those cuts? I don't want them to get infected."
Sam looked down forgetting about that. Suddenly Marcus pushing her and her falling down hard came back to her as a fresh memory. She pushed back the tears, "I-I don't know where anything is to clean them up." It was true. She hadn't a need for them before. Sam didn't hear anything after that. Once finished she went into her room to change. She saw Brooke's shirt, but refused to put it on. She folded it up and put it on the bed. Instead she put on shorts and one of her own t shirts. She opened up her bag and took out Barry. She hugged the bear tightly as she sat on the edge of her bed, letting her legs dangle.
She heard her door creak open, but didn't bother looking up. She saw Brooke come into her line of vision, she was carrying alcohol, cotton balls, and a box of band aids.
'Don't ask. Don't ask. Please, don't ask.' Was all that Sam was thinking. She really didn't want to explain anything. She didn't want to tell Brooke that they couldn't be close. It hurt too much to even think about it.
Brooke noticed that Sam wasn't wearing her shirt, which she thought she would've done. She walked towards Sam and bent down so she could be in front of Sam's legs. Before doing anything she lifted her head to meet Sam's eyes, then back down. Sam watched her. Brooke was so gentle. She winced at the alcohol touching the bare cuts. Brooke then put Neosporin and secured a band aid onto it.
She saw two heavy tears fall from Sam's cheek. She sat down next to her, "Let me see your elbow Sammy." She said gently, "I need to clean it up too."
Sam let her do what she needed to do.
Once she finished Brooke stayed there, noticing that Sam turned her back towards her. "Sweetheart." She cooed.
The compassion in Brooke's voice made Sam want nothing more than to jump into her arms, but she had to stay strong.
"You can have your shirt back. I don't want it." Sam blurted out. Brooke looked at the shirt on the bed, "You don't want to wear it anymore?" Brooke asked putting a hand on Sam's back.
Sam moved, "No. Just take it, I don't want it. Can you leave now?" She answered coldly.
Brooke got up feeling confused. What happened? She picked up the shirt in her hands.
"Lucas and I are going to be downstairs if you need anything." Brooke responded to Sam's coldness.
Sam shrugged, "I don't need anything. I don't need your help or Lucas's. I don't want it and I don't see why you keep offering it like I care."
Brooke couldn't help but feel momentarily angry, but it left as soon as it came. Something was wrong. Something happened.
Sam didn't try turning around. She didn't want to see Brooke's reaction. She only heard the door close quietly behind her. 'Come back!' Her heart screamed. Sam finally turned around, the shirt gone.
Brooke stood outside the door, dumbfounded, and tired. Why did Sam keep pushing her away? It hurt her, but if things didn't get any better she needed to give Sam some tough love.
Sam sat there alone and in her solitude she fell into silent tears. She needed to do this. She kept telling herself, for Tamara. If her coldness drove them away then she'd have to deal with it. She needed to talk to Tamara tomorrow. She needed to tell her that she meant more to her than any stupid shirt, or new house. Sam needed to tell her that she meant more to her than her parents. The thought made her shudder. Couldn't she love both equally? "No."
Hope you liked it! Jack will interact with Lucas and Brooke soon! Was Tamara a jerk, or her actions justified? How should we resolve this? Is there something you'd like to see in the future? Let me know! Please review, guys :)! Thank you for being so kind and taking the time to write to me. I appreciate it. Continue to do so, and I hope that I won't disappoint.