Disclaimer: cqofegypt does not own Holes… if she did, Sam and Kate would live happily ever after on the onion grove …

Note: My endnotes are a little script of Gus and shawn from Psych. I recently got into that so I thought I'd add a little in there… dedicated to the fabulous Dul'e Hill!

A/N 2- Hey to whoever is reading this… this next chapter covers the roof and the window scenes in Holes. It also introduces my OC, Henry, and mentions my other OC Mr. McGregor… If I were in charge of casting Holes, and this story line was used, I would want Henry to be played by Morgan Freeman. Just thought I'd point that out. Enjoy!

The Next Morning

Sam's POV

Grabbing the tools I needed to fix the roof, I headed slowly up the ladder up to the damaged areas that needed patching. From the spot I am at, I can see my onion cart clearly… no one will be able to steal the wares without me knowing it. As I hammered the nails into the new shillings, I couldn't help but grin to myself as to what happened yesterday. I was actually able to touch her without anyone being there!

I decide in my head that if she ever needed anything else, all she had to do was say the word. It didn't matter what the other townsfolk thought… if anything, they should be grateful their children would be learning in a safe environment. There had been a loose shingle that I hadn't noticed above Katherine's head. She turned to look up and we smiled at each other. I covered the hole and began hammering. Phew… this is gonna take a while…

Katherine's POV

He arrived long before I did, wanting to be sure where the ladder was, he smiled at me as I approached the school. "Good morning Sam… you ready?" Sam nodded, and looked at me with a gaze in his eyes as if he could listen to my voice and never get tired. As I taught the students their lessons,

I felt giddy and excited. Sam was here! He was on the roof, patching where necessary, but he was here! He had uncovered a hole near my desk that I had conveniently forgotten to mention.

As if sensing my motives, Sam turned his head and smiled at me, shaking his head before covering up the hole. Ugh! I wish school were over! I feel like a little girl again waiting to open a present on Christmas Day! I wonder what his reaction would be if I told him about the windows…

Sam's POV

I'm exhausted, but the deed is done. As I wipe my hands on the rag I'd brought along standing near the barrel that held my tools, I grin to myself. The sun has been boiling all day… almost nothing would be better at this exact moment than to jump in the lake…. Almost.

I still had a smile on my face as Katherine approached me. "Well Miss Katherine… I guarantee that roof for the next five years" Secretly I didn't want to be finished. I never wanted to be finished being around Katherine. As she set down my prize of golden spice peaches, I had the urge to tell her what a God send she truly was.

Apart from my Heavenly Father, she was the light of my life. I wanted to do more for her… and not just about the school. I told my brain to shut up, and then looked at her, my eyes squinting in the evening sun. "If there's anything else…" I said.

She looked perfectly serious as she said the next few words, though I could sense her tone was… a little out of the ordinary. "The windows won't open…" I looked at her, then looked at the schoolhouse windows… they did seem a little stuck… "and the children and I would enjoy a breeze now and then" I smiled at her. "I can fix that"

Katherine's POV

As I looked at him, he was smiling at me in a way I'd never seen from anyone before… not even from Trout. There was such… adoration in his eyes… could he be…? No, surely not… I think I'd better get home; this heat is getting to my head… I stood perfectly still, trying to pretend nothing was wrong as I answered back: "The windows won't open…" I thought it would be a good idea to let loose a little, so I flirted just a little: "and the children and I would enjoy a breeze now and then…"

Sam looked at me with an almost smirk, as if he could tell I was flirting *just a little*. I could see him looking at the schoolhouse windows. He smiled at me again "I can fix that" Oh wow! Did he just say those magical words? I think I'm going to faint! Shouldn't be surprising either, with the windows shut like they have been, the heat making the air unbearable…

Shawn: Well… looks like somebody's got a way with the ladies…*wiggles eyebrows*

Gus: I've about had it with you! What the heck are you talking about? I've never met her in my life!

Shawn: pretending to yawn: are you sure?

Gus: a vein popping out of his head: Of COURSE I'm sure!

Shawn: Doesn't look that way to me…

Gus: What? What are you talking about? (woody moment!)

Shawn: Look at the way you're dressed… then tell me you've never met her.

Gus looks at his outfit… *outfit Sam is wearing when he gives Kate his feather*

Gus: Screaming: What the Heck did you do?

Shawn: So you wanna tell me now that good ol' Gus charm hasn't wiggled its way into the story?

Gus: Of course not!

Kate comes over, looking confused: Sam! I thought you were with Mary Lou….

Gus stares blankly at her

Sam: Katie?

Gus and Sam look at each other… Sam looks confused, Gus seeths at Shawn

Gus: Shawn… Give. Me. My. CLOTHES!

Shawn: Oh, boy…

(A/N: I know there's a lot of author's notes, but I was a little stuck… sorry)

Sam's POV

It was a week before I was able to scrape enough money together to buy the sand paper I needed to fix the windows. Fortunately I have extra wood by the cabin, so I took that along just in case. Mary Lou and I were making our way back to the schoolhouse from the market, the cart full of extra supplies I would need, thanks to Henry, an ex-slave who runs Mr. McGregor's store when the gentleman is on business.

When I told Henry what I was doing, he gave me a cautious yet mischievous look. "You young'uns be careful, hear? Now's not for me to tell ya… but don'tchoo be getting yourself into no trouble…'specially over no white girl" Henry gave me a serious look. I tried to shrug him off, but I couldn't… I knew he was right.

Henry had shut up right quick… good thing too, cause good ol' money britches himself walked in the store with his squinty li'l eyes and buck-tooth grin. I felt sick to my stomach. I told myself that if Katie ever came close to sayin' yes to this fool… I'd whisk her away in those next five seconds.

Fish britches looked at me with an ugly snarl on his face. "Whatchoo doin' in my store, boy?" I kept calm. Henry tried not to laugh at my eye's twitch, but I kept serenely calm. "Just gettin' some extra apple butter… sir" Henry had the good sense not to snicker, but winked at me instead. I knew that once both Mr. Walker and I left, Henry would have himself a nice long howl.

"Come for your week supply of oil, Mr. Walker?" Henry and I shared a look. I knew that look well. Despite the fact he could get himself in trouble or even killed, Henry had a nasty habit of callin' the rich white folk like Mr. Walker 'massa' if he got riled up, and he felt their britches weren't enough to cover their big, fat egos. If Henry said it now, we'd both be hanging by the neck by nightfall… especially if he said it as a joke, making us both laugh... me especially.

As if Walker could tell I was thinking of Katherine at that moment, he answered: "Yes, Henry I have… do me a favor and give me a few cans of sardines… I'm going on a picnic with Katherine Barlow by the end of the week and I want to be prepared" He smirked to himself as if what he was planning was the most amusing thing in the world.

Henry looked at me before going to get Walker's order. I nodded and Henry shrugged and walked away. As Miss Priscilla Green walked into the store with her father, and Henry came back with the order, I noticed Walker giving Miss Green a wink, who blushed, smiled and looked away. Henry and I looked at each other. Now I mean no offense to the young lady, but she, with her pretty brown locks and Southern Belle demeanor would never measure up to the angel that was Katherine Barlow.

To think that Trout Walker saw himself as able to have any lady wrapped around his little finger, was appalling. The only charming thing about him was the gold tooth cap in his mouth that covered a rotten cigar infested sliver of nastiness. Henry chuckled as if he could read my mind. I growled good and low down in my throat, especially since I didn't like his earlier use of the word…prepared.

After the Greens left, and Walker started chewin' on a toothpick, I began to wonder... just what was he planning to do? If he had the likes of Priscilla after him, why go after Katherine? Then it hit me. Miss Green, though she was slightly ditzy, was too eager. She wanted Trout Walker, and he knew it. That's not how any man desired affection, as if being chased. Trout wanted Katie because she was a challenge. She was a prize to be won. Once he won her heart, he'd be considered the 'hero' among his comrades.

I made a promise to myself that if he touched one hair on Katherine Margaret Barlow's head in injury, I'd kill him. He could shoot me and dump me in the lake if he wanted, but if Trout ever hurt Katherine in any way...I'd be on him like white on rice, whip at the ready.

I paid for the sand paper, seein' as how Henry hadn't gotten the apple butter and headed on to the school, chewing on one of the peach biscuits I'd made for breakfast. Whatever sour mood I'd come away from the store with, it quickly disappeared with the appearance of Katherine at the door, seemingly looking for me to start on the windows.

Today was a Thursday, and it being the afternoon, most of Katherine's students were doing work on their own. Katherine was reading to a red headed young girl named Hattie Parker, who was quite interested in the writings of Edgar Allen Poe, one of the great poets of our time.

The poem Hattie asked Katherine to read was one I knew well...Annabel Lee. It had been Momma's favorite. Daddy hadn't liked it... especially the last part. After Momma died, he'd been ready to throw her poetry book in the furnace, but I saved and kept it, honoring my beloved mother's memory. I memorized everything she wrote in her little poem book, especially Annabel Lee.

As Katherine read to Hattie, I couldn't help but smile as I listened and sanded the new wood I had put in the frames for new windows. Perhaps when I was finished, Katherine and I would be able to have a chat about our favorite literature. For now though, I stayed content, listening to her read.

"It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me."

I looked through the window and smiled as she read. I had already found my Annabel Lee... the problem was telling her so. Maybe if I remembered some of the poem... how did the next stanza go?

"I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;"

Then it clicked. I remembered the last part of the stanza! Perhaps if I said it aloud, she would understand...

"But we loved with a love that was more than love-
I and my Annabel Lee;"

I looked at Katherine as I said this, pausing my work just a moment to give her my full attention. She had been surprised when I said it aloud; let alone saying it by memory. "Sam!" she gasped, trying to keep from grinning from ear to ear. The look she gave me! It was full of the adoration and love I felt for her. Yes! She's mine! My brain yelled. Cut it out!My conscience screamed.

Then, as if she remembered Hattie was still sitting there, she smiled. "You know... that door won't hang straight." I looked from the vicinity of the doorway, back into her eyes. After this last favor, our correspondence would be over... I would no longer be allowed to see her, except on public market days. Sighing inwardly, I tried to convince myself that as much as it hurt to let go, while still being so close, it was for the best. I nodded a second later. "I can fix that".

Shawn: aww... poor kids... you know, they remind me of Romeo and Juliet

Sam and Kate: who are they?

Gus: Um... nevermind him... he just means that your love for each other is very unique

Kate: blush: oh

Sam: trying not to strangle Gus: Thank you... I think

Shawn: oh, look what I found!

Gus sees the magazine... How to tell fictional characters that they're fictional... a rather appropriate title

Shawn: so, Kate... about that bandage on your hand... mmmmmph!

Gus has put a hand over Shawn's mouth.

Gus: lets just continue with the story, shall we?