The next three weeks passed with both couples in a state of happy bliss. Lily and Nicole continued to grow closer, still getting to know one another as their relationship deepened and Sam and Brooke enjoyed their time together. Their relationship had taken the turn towards intimate a week earlier and neither regretted the change. Mike and Jane had gone on a trip and it just sort of naturally progressed one night while they were alone. They hardly spent a night apart although it was going to be more difficult when their parents returned in a few days.

Sam was presently trying to get her breathing back under control as she returned to her body. Brooke was grinning down at her.

"Hey," Brooke purred. Sam stretched her body against Brooke’s.

"Hey yourself," Sam whispered back. Brooke gave her a long and deep kiss. They snuggled closer together. "I love you," Sam said.

"I love you too," Brooke responded. They started to drift off, both spent from their activities. A frantic knock at the door woke Sam an hour later. She looked down at Brooke who was still asleep and carefully removed herself from the bed. She wrapped her robe around herself and padded down the stairs. The knocking grew louder.

"Sam, who is it?" Brooke asked groggily from the top of the stairs. Sam looked back at her.

"I dunno, hon, go back to bed," she said as she looked out the window. Brooke stayed at the top of the stairs. (Who would be at the door at three in the morning?) she wondered.

"Nicole?" Sam gasped as she opened the door. On the doorstep was Nicole, distraught and crying. "Jesus, what’s wrong?" Brooke came flying down the stairs as Nicole collapsed in Sam’s arms sobbing. She shut the door as Sam led Nicole to the couch.

"Nicole, what’s wrong? Is Lily OK?" Sam asked worriedly. Nicole sniffed and nodded.

"She’s fine. I’m so sorry, I had no where else to go," Nicole cried. Brooke turned on the light and both she and Sam gasped. There was a livid bruise on Nic’s face.

"God, Nic, what happened?" Brooke asked. Nicole looked at her sadly.