Brooke bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet as she knocked on the door of the motel room. She and Tyler had picked up Catherine ten minutes earlier and she’d been delighted with the idea of a double date with Sam and Brooke. She thought it was a great way for everyone to get what they wanted. Now the trick was to drag Sam out of the house on such short notice.

Brooke held her breath as Jane opened the door and gasped in surprise.

"Brooke, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you!" she exclaimed hugging the blonde tightly. "What are you doing here?"

"Can Sammy come out and play?" she asked cheekily. Jane laughed and then sighed.

"Come in, Brooke," she said. "She needs you." Brooke followed Jane in, a frown marring her delicate features. Worry radiated from every pore.

"What’s wrong, Mom? Is she OK?" she asked.

"I’ve never seen her this bad, Brooke. And I don’t know how to help her anymore. She won’t talk or open up to me. She barely speaks or sleeps and I’m scared."

Brooke found Sam lying on her back on the bed, Mac sound asleep on her chest. It would have been a precious picture if not for the faded bruises on Sam’s face and the cold, dull, unblinking stare. It sent chills of fear down Brooke’s spine.

"Sammy?" she called out tentatively. Sam seemed to blink and return to herself at the sound of Brooke’s voice. She turned to face Brooke and gave her a genuine and wide smile.

"Brooke, baby," she said softly as not to wake Mac. She watched Brooke intently at the door. Brooke loved those eyes. They normally said so much but right now, they were missing something. Something important and Brooke couldn’t quite place what it was.

"Miss you," Brooke whispered back.

"You too," Sam answered.

"Oh thank God," Jane breathed as she left the two girls and baby alone. It was the most life she’d seen from Sam in quite a while and she was relieved to see it. Brooke sat down on the bed next to Sam and stroked the baby’s hair.

"Whatcha doin’?" Brooke asked with a smirk. Sam smiled again.