The next morning came and found Sam shifting nervously from foot to foot. She hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning all night lost in nightmares about Mike finding them. She wasn’t really afraid of any physical violence that he might do. He wasn’t that type of guy. But she was worried about the emotional and mental harm he could do to Brooke. As strong and supportive as the blonde was, Brooke was still somewhat emotionally fragile where her father was concerned and Sam didn’t want to see Mike hurt her anymore.

Second only to that was her fear of being separated from Brooke. Sure once they were 18 they could do what they wanted but the time until then would be horrible. Not to mention the whole concept struck her as unfair and over-the-top. Was the man iving in another century to honestly believe that `out of sight’ really equalled `out of mind’? Because it didn’t matter to Sam how much space or time was between them, she was never going to stop loving Brooke.

She was still shuffling anxiously as Terri dialed the familiar number to Jane’s work. They’d decided to call her there rather the Palace to lessen the chances of having to deal with Mike. Lily and Nicole sat nearbly in the living room watching TV while Brooke stood beside Sam and offered a comforting smile.

"Jane McPherson," a weary voice answered after the second ring.

"Jane? It’s Terri Williams, Brooke’s aunt. I was calling to see if you’d heard anything from the girls yet." There was a heavy sorrow-filled sigh from the other end of the phone.

"Oh, hello Terri. No, I haven’t heard from them. I really wish they’d call. I’m so worried," Jane confessed in a voice thick with unshed tears.

"Well, I’m sure they’re fine. And they’re probably worried about Mike tracing them, Jane," Terri pointed out as Sam and Brooke listened silently from the cordless extention.

"I know. He’s being such an unreasonable ass," Jane complained. "And I let him get away with it because I was wrapped up in my own shock."

"I’m sure they understand. But if you did hear from them, would you ask them to come home?" Terri asked.