Sam shifted uncomfortably on the bed. Her shoulder was killing her and she was out of medication. Not that it mattered. The physical pain she was in paled in comparison to the emotional pain she felt. Her own mother had all but disowned her upon hearing the truth that she was gay and in love with Brooke. And now here she was, staying in a hotel suite because Mike had kicked them out of the Palace and onto the street. She looked at Brooke’s sleeping form and envied her. (At least one of us can sleep) she thought with a sigh. Between the lingering pain from her injuries from the car accident and the constant replaying of her mother and Mike’s reactions to her and Brooke, Sam hadn’t slept much in three days.

It was strange that the accident was what prompted Brooke to want to tell their parents but Sam didn’t want to argue with her. Her relationship with her mother had always been an open and honest one. That’s why keeping the secret for as long as she did was as hard and painful as it was. She’d felt like a liar, a fraud for too long. She thought her mother, while shocked at first, would be OK with it. Jane had never given any indication of being homophobic. Sam was more worried about Mike’s reaction. But her mother had reacted just as badly as Mike and did nothing to stop Mike from throwing her and Brooke out of the house. And that upset Sam.

She sighed again and tried to find a comfortable position but it eluded her.

"Can’t sleep, Sammy?" Brooke’s gentle voice floated to her ears as the blonde rolled over.

"I didn’t mean to wake you," Sam apologized. Brooke wrapped her arms around Sam as best she could and cuddled closer.

"S’OK," Brooke mumbled burying her face in Sam’s shoulder. "It’ll work out. You’ll see." Sam couldn’t help but smile at Brooke’s optimism even if she didn’t share in it. She had a sneaking suspicion things were going to get worse before they got better. She kissed the top of Brooke’s head.

"I hope so, Love. For all our sakes."

**

Sam sat flipping through the channels as Brooke took a shower. (What the Heck?) Sam thought as she went back a few channels. Her eyebrows shot to the top of her forehead. (Gee, Nic spared no expense. The Spice Channel) she thought wryly. She tilted her head and wondered if THAT was even possible. Blushing, she cleared her throat and changed the channel. (Disney, yeah that’s better. Hurry up with that shower Brooke!)