A/N: This fic contains potentially triggering subject matter including but not limited to: suicidal references, gun violence, sexual trauma, homelessness, drug abuse, depression, homophobia, and cancer. It may contain inaccuracies. No copyright infringement intended. Thanks for reading!

BOOK THREE - PART ONE - CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

"Did you hear that?"

"Huh?" Cat pulled back from the kiss, breathing heavily. She and Sam were standing in the shower together. The air was humid, and the mirror was fogged up.

"Nothing. Kiss me," Sam told her, and Cat did. But then she heard the sound again. "Is that your phone?"

"Ignore it," Cat murmured. But then the ringing came again, and again. Slightly concerned, Cat took a step back and peeked around the shower curtain. She could see the glowing screen of her phone from here—she had eight missed calls. Immediately, she knew something was wrong. "Um, can you give me a minute?" She stepped out of the shower and grabbed her towel.

"Is everything okay?" Sam asked in concern.

Cat picked up her phone and then went a little pale.

"Who is it?" Sam questioned impatiently. Whoever they were, they were being a pretty effective cockblock right now.

"Sorry, I need to take this. I'll be right back." Cat quickly exited the bathroom.

Curious, Sam grabbed her own towel, got out of the shower, and listened to her on the other side of the cracked-open door.

Cat had redialed the number and was on the phone now. "Dad? What's going on?"

As soon as she heard her speaking, Sam's stomach dropped. In all the years that she'd known her, Cat had never fully explained the situation with her parents.

"Oh, I'm okay. I'm sure you've seen the news," Cat sighed. She paused, then continued, "I know. I'm sorry. Is that why you're calling?"

Sam kept eavesdropping from behind the door.

"He what?" Cat sounded horrified. "Well, is he okay, or—?!" She paused. "Oh, my God!"

Cat was crying now, and it took a lot of self-restraint for Sam not to go out there and comfort her.

"Yes, yes, of course I can come. I'll be there by tonight," Cat said. "I'll text you when my flight gets in. Oh, and one more thing—would it be okay if I brought my girlfriend with me?... Okay. We'll be discreet; I promise. See you tonight, Dad." Cat hung up the phone, and for a minute, just stood there. Finally, she re-entered the bathroom with tears streaming down her face and forced a little smile. "Sorry. Hi."

Sam scoffed. "What the hell's going on?" She wiped her tears away with her thumbs and then wrapped her arms around her.

Cat hesitated. "Um… how would you feel about taking a trip to Idaho?"

"Idaho?"

"Yes. It's a state," Cat informed her seriously, and Sam couldn't help but smile.

"I know. Is that where the rest of your family lives?"

"Yes," Cat answered. When Sam looked at her expectantly for more information, she took a deep breath. "It's my brother. He got struck by lightning and now he's non-conscious in the hospital. They… they don't think he's gonna make it." Her voice broke.

"Oh, shit." Sam wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't realized that being struck by lightning was something that could actually happen.

"Will you come with me? Please, Sam?" Cat had tears in her eyes. She grabbed her arm and held on tight. "I'm so scared I'm not gonna get there in time and he's gonna be gone."

"Of course I'll go with you. How 'bout you go call your pilot friend right away?" Sam suggested.

"'Kay 'kay. But… one thing. Um… it's just…"

"Spit it out, Cat."

"My parents are even more homophobic than Nona. While we're there, we have to pretend that we're just friends," Cat explained.

Sam didn't like the idea of that. "Anyone who's seen the news is gonna know."

"I know. It doesn't matter. They just want to pretend it's not happening," Cat told her. "My dad said I could bring you, but we need to be really discreet. If they see anything, it's gonna start a huge fight."

"Ugh." Sam rolled her eyes. She really wasn't looking forward to meeting these people. "Fine. Whatever. Go call."

Cat picked her phone back up and scrolled through her contacts. Two hours later, they were sandwiched between a crowd of other people piling into the large airplane. Cat's pilot friend was out of town.

"Coach," Cat grumbled as they made their way to their seats, "It had to be coach."

Sam had a vague memory of their almost-trip to the Bahamas a lifetime ago. Cat had been extremely excited to fly first class for the first time. She must've done so a hundred times by now. In spite of everything, Sam got lost in the memory and gave a little chuckle.

"What?" Cat snapped.

"Hot rags."

"Huh?"

Sam laughed. "Still have a thing for hot rags? 'Cause I could definitely work with that."

Cat rolled her eyes with slight amusement, remembering. "Stop it." It was no time for playing around. She was worried sick about her brother, and it felt wrong to think about things like that right now. But Sam continued joking, so she elbowed her, pretending to be more annoyed than she was.

"Gah!" Sam dropped her bag and clutched at her chest. "Fuck!"

Cat's stomach dropped. "Oh my God, did I get your chest? I'm so sorry; I wasn't thinking! Should we get help? Hold on, I'll go get someone—"

Sam caught Cat by the shoulders. "I don't need help," she forced out between clenched teeth, "But can you please watch what you're elbowing next time?" She took a deep breath.

"Once we sit down, you can take one of your pain pills," Cat told her. Somehow, they'd ended up seated at the very back of the plane, in the last row. Sam let Cat have the window seat and took the aisle seat for herself. Thankfully, there were only two seats on each side per row. Cat dug a bottle of medication out of her bag. "Here." She handed Sam one. "Can you swallow it dry?"

Sam didn't answer. She popped the pill into her mouth and forced it to the back of her throat. Then she sat silently, clutching her chest and staring at the floor.

Cat felt bad—she knew it probably hurt worse than she was showing. "Sam, you really don't have to come with me if you don't want to. There's still time to get off the plane."

"How long did you say the flight is?"

"Like four hours."

Sam visibly winced at that.

Cat looked upset, but she stood up and grabbed her hand. "Come on. Let's get you out before they close the doors."