"I almost lost her in that stupid accident and I am never letting go of her again. So, either find a way to accept this, turn a blind eye, or whatever. Those are your choices, Mom, Dad. Take them or leave them."

"You’ve got a lot of nerve," Mike snarled. Brooke glared at him.

"You’re right, I do. For the first time in my life I’m standing up for what I want and not for what someone else wants for me. I’m thinking for myself and that’s what bothers you. You can’t control me and it’s driving you crazy." She helped Sam to her feet.

"Come on, Sam, I think we’re through here," she said as they headed to the door. Sam turned to her mother who was crying.

"I’m sorry it has to be like this, Mom. I really am. Maybe the therapy thing could work if you really wanted it to but if all you wanted it for was to ambush us so you could send me away you should be ashamed," she said sadly. Jane hung her head.

"I didn’t intend it that way, Sam," she cried. "I really want to work this out."

"Than maybe, once we all calm down, we can give it another try. But if you pull another `We’re sending you away’ schtick, I’ll never forgive you," Sam pointed out. "Because it’ll never work. I’ll find my way back to Brooke if I have to walk on my hands and knees to get to her."

"I understand," Jane said. "I’m sorry."

"I know you are. Come on, Brooke, let’s go back to our room."

**

Brooke sat watching TV with Sam sprawled across her chest asleep. She’d finally fallen into a fitful sleep about an hour before and Brooke was glad the brunette was finally sleeping. She knew Sam wasn’t getting much sleep but the afternoon’s exchange with their parents had taken a lot out of both of them. They’d called Lily and Nic after they’d gotten back and the other girls were shocked at how bad things had gotten. They’d offered their support as much as they could but both of their mothers were still on the rampage with Nic’s mom coming around again for round two with her daughter.

Brooke gently stroked Sam’s hair as she watched the movie on the TV and wondered how things were going to get better. There had to be a way to rectify the situation, to make their parents calm down. They just had to find it. Of course, the nagging fear that Mike and Jane were never going to be OK with the whole thing was what was eating at her. She shut off the TV and settled down with Sam. She kissed Sam’s forehead and closed her eyes, hoping that sleep would come to her soon.

"Maybe tomorrow things will be better, Sammy," she whispered hopefully to the sleeping girl in her arms. At least she could hope. Right now, hope and Sam were all she had.