"I miss you too, Sammy," she told the crying brunette. "So much so it hurts." She brought her lips to Sam’s and poured all her love, longing, and need into the embrace. Sam relaxed into her and slowly stopped crying.

"How did you find me?" Sam asked through her sniffles as Brooke sat them both down on the bench.

"Aunt Terri knew where you were. Dad won’t let me have my car because he knows I’ll take off again," Brooke explained with a ruefull laugh. "And since he’s working late, Terri picked me up at school. She’s really worried about you and she knew that you needed to see me. I can’t stay long, but I’m here," Sam burrowed herself into Brooke’s side.

"I love you," Sam said softly. "In case I didn’t say it enough." Brooke hugged her again.

"I love you too, Sammy," she responded. She pulled away slightly to get a better look at her love. Sam was bruised and pale, her normally luminous brown eyes were dull and rimmed in red. She was obviously not coping well.

"How are you doing, baby?" Brooke asked gently. Sam sighed.

"’M OK," she mumbled.

"Liar," Brooke teased lightly. "Talk to me, Sammy. Your letters tell me otherwise." Sam shifted slightly before settling down in Brooke’s lap.

"I’m lost. I don’t know what to do," Sam admitted. "I’m trying but I can’t find a way to put things back the way they were. I don’t know how to fix this awful mess."

"Sammy," Brooke started softly. "It isn’t your responsibility to fix all this. It isn’t your fault and you need to realize that."

"But…" Sam began to protest. Brooke shook her head.

"No Sam," Brooke broke in. "It’s not your fault. The only thing you did was love me. You didn’t make me love you back. You didn’t make Lily and Nic fall for each other. And you didn’t make my Dad an abusive, homophobic asshole." She paused as the image of Mike beating Sam flashed through her mind and she shuddered.

"I am SO sorry he hurt you," she apologized near tears.

"Not your fault, Brooke," Sam assured her as she stroked some blonde hair away from Brooke’s eyes.