Author me, Rachel
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it...though Sam would be nice... I do own this plot though! Hooray! Something is mine!
A/N: I don't know the NYC area, so most of my setting will be fictional, and/or really inaccuarte! lmao! Also, the story takes place with Ella still alive, Mary still alive, etc...basically, ideal conditions. hehe!

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Gaia Moore shot up from her bed. Her alarm clock must have been set to 'haywire'- it was going crazy at 7:30 in the morning. She grumbled...she must have forgotten to turn off the alarm. Gaia rolled over in her bed and dropped her arm to the floor, searching for a shoe. She found one and chucked it at the clock; it connected and sent the alarm clock crashing to the floor with a loud thwack. Gaia sighed contentedly and fell back onto her crinkled pillowcase. Ah, silence.

Suddenly, the click of Ella Niven's stiletto heels was bouncing off the walls of Gaia's brain. She had awakened the beast. Without bothering to knock, Ella burst through the door, a flash of leather and red hair. Her green eyes screamed silently at Gaia.

"What the hell is going on up here, Gaia?" she shrieked, tapping her red, manicured toes impatiently.

"Ella," Gaia murmured groggily, "you are definitely not the first thing I want to see when I wake up in the morning."

"Oh, get over yourself and get up, Gaia," Ella said, "George wants us all to do something as a 'family' today."

Gaia snorted. "A family?"

Ella raised a neatly tweezed eyebrow. "Gaia, I don't want this anymore than you, but just do it for George. You've been such a frigid teenager to the both of us lately. You owe us."

"I owe you? Ella, you don't even know what you're saying. Get out."

"Gaia-"

"Go away, Ella!"

"Gaia!"
Gaia reached down for her other shoe and threw it purposefully at Ella. Ella expertly reached out and plucked the shoe out of thin air. She smiled smugly and let the show drop to the floor with a dull thud. "Fine. Don't come. Go wander the streets, I don't care. But don't come crying to me and George when you get hurt."

Gaia was about to retort, but Ella made it out the door with the last word. Gaia sighed and reluctantly got up. She pulled on a wrinkled pair of pants and a sweater. She threw her hair into a haphazard ponytail and grabbed her coat off the floor. She opened her window and threw her legs over the edge, out into the icy New York City dawn.

Gaia found her legs carrying her to the subway. As she boarded the germy car, she found herself alone. All the up and coming business folk didn't work on Saturdays. All the better. Gaia sat down and rested her head against the vibrating window. It was too damn early.

She picked a random exit and found she had ridden all the way to Brooklyn lost in her thoughts. Her shoes beated down the sidewalk, and she cast a gloomy glare at every person that got in her way. She really didn't need a forty-something gym bunny so hopped up on testosterone his muscles buldged through his coat, to yell obscenities at her. Gaia roamed for hours, trying to be alone with her thoughts. A sidewalk full of Chinese women trying to sell her shady-looking oranges was not the place for that. She spotted a random pizza place a block ahead, and made a beeline straight for it.

Gaia threw open the door and was greeted with the heavenly scent of cheese and garlic. She lingered just inside the door, simply enjoying the aroma, until someone entered behind her and sent the door smacking into her head. Gaia spun around and was about to reflexively crouch into a fighting stance, but stopped. Instead, she felt like she needed to sit down, because her knees were going weak.

The stout frame of Sam Moon was standing before her.

"Oh, God! Gaia!" Sam yelled, causing the few people in the place to turn and look at them curiously. Unamused, they turned back to their meals, shaking their heads and muttering inaudibly about "the youth these days".

"Are you okay?" Sam asked, exasperated. He instinctively stepped forward and inspected her head. His touch was so gentle, Gaia didn't have the heart to make him stop. Finding everything was okay, Sam sighed with relief and let his hands drop to his sides. Gaia turned, telling Sam to follow her. She made her way to the back of the restaurant, and flopped down into a small booth.

"What are you doing here, Sam?" she asked. Sam took the place across from her, nervously folding and unfolding his hands.

"I...uh, I saw you walking down the sidewalk, and well...you looked troubled so I wanted to make sure you were okay," he nearly whispered, avoiding her curious gaze.

"Sam. Brooklyn is nowhere near your dorm."

"I-"

"Sam, why are you really here?" Gaia asked, folding her arms across her chest. Sam continued to avoid Gaia's face and stared at the chipped Formica table.

"Okay," he surrendered, "okay." He glanced bravely up at her, and found nothing but curiousity in her sky blue eyes. He sighed.

"I'm going to California."
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Okay, don't want to type too much before I get opinions. What do you guys think?

Rachel

so far so good. You have to write the rest of it.

well???? come on, where is the rest!!!!!

Sam!!!!! :wub:

Ohhhh I really like it! Keep writing!

btw-- rachel... have you read all of the books? j/w ^_^

yup I have read all the books. Why?

Oh, and just to inform everyone...I just wrote that little blurb above, it wasn't like I had the whole story. I'm more of a write-as-I-go person. So, I'll try to get more up soon, but I have a fic over at AA that I've been neglecting. Once I'm out of summer school, I'll be able to devote more time! (only 4 more days!)

Rachel

hey all,
well...my internet server has been down for the last two days, so I haven't been able to get on at all. Quite depressing. But, alas, I will get something up soon...hopefully... :unsure:

Rach

it's very good. love it.

carry on then don't keep us hanging :notworthy:

hey all! I'm back from Los Angeles, sorry it's been so long since I've updated....soon, soon! I swear!

Rach

okay. here we go, finally.

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"You're...you're going to California?" Gaia asked, awestruck. She didn't know what to say, where to look. Her eyes darted like ping pong balls back and forth between Sam's face, his coat, and the Parmesan shaker in the corner. She felt her throat go dry. "Why?"

Sam looked up at her. He cringed at her eyes, they were growing darker every second. "My grandma is sick...she needs someone to look after her. My mom offered to pay for a nurse, but my grandma said she wanted someone from the family, or to just let her die. My mom and dad can't afford to leave their job, so I told them I'd transfer out of NYU."

"You're leaving...forever?" Gaia simpered, her forehead crinkling.

"I have to, Gaia. I can't just let my grandmother die."

"I know, Sam. It's just..." Gaia trailed, letting her folded arms fall limply to her lap.

"Just what?" Sam probed.

Gaia sighed. "I'm going to miss playing chess with you." Damnit. She never could convey the right emotions, or words, to Sam.

"Oh," he replied simply.

"Can't your uncles or aunts take care of your grandma?" Gaia blurted suddenly. She felt horrible for wishing Sam's grandma would give it a rest. Literally.

"It's either me, or no one," he replied, "I don't want this, but I guess it's family instinct. If that makes any sense."

More than you know, Gaia thought silently.

"Where are you going to go to school?" Gaia asked.

"I'm not sure. I haven't really had a chance to think about it. Everything hasn't really soaked in yet. My grandma lives in San Diego, so maybe I'll go to the UC there or something."

"I thought you loved NYU."

"I do," Sam sighed, "but I have to do this." He paused. "I'm really sorry for springing this on you, Gaia."

"You have no reason to be sorry, Sam. It's not your fault. Not that it's your grandma's fault or anything..."

Sam yearned to change the subject. "Are you hungry?" he asked, attempting to lighten the conversation.

"Starving," Gaia humored him.

"Let's order something then. What're you in the mood for?"

I'm in the mood for you to stay! Gaia thought.

"How 'bout a pizza?" she said.


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okay, what do you think? sorry it took me so long to get something up.

Rachel

I love you have to put the rest up!!!! ^_^

But I don't have the rest...it's all in the deep recesses of my head! haha!

Well you have to find so way to dig it out. Its really good.

okay, I'll try! :) Digging, digging...

lol :lol:

still digging? :unsure: :lol:

lol

hello all, been awhile hasn't it? well, i'm back! more fic, i suppose?

Okay, more of the story (finally) :lol:

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Gaia munched on as much pizza that would fit in her mouth, so she wouldn't have to talk about the matter at hand. Sam was leaving, and there was nothing she could do to stop him... his grandmother was dying, for chrissake. Gaia felt so gutless for wishing Sam's grandma was dead so she could keep him for herself. I'm a horrible person she thought.

Sam hadn't even touched the pizza, and here Gaia had already eaten half of it. He sat, staring down at the grease on his slice that was catching the light from the ceiling. He cringed, thinking of the massive heart attack Gaia was going to have. Time to say something, maybe if I can get her talking, she'll stop eating...

"Gaia?"

"Mrmph?"

"Gaia, maybe you should slow down. I know you have a high threshold for grease, but even this is a bit much for you..."

Gaia swallowed, "Tasty."

Sam smiled back at her, she always knew how to defy him. "I'm really going to miss you," he mumbled into his soda.

"What?" Gaia asked before pushing more pizza into her mouth.

"I'm really going to miss you."

Gaia coughed, swallowed. "Oh," Tell him 'I'm really going to miss you, too.' "yeah."

The forty-something waitress sauntered over. She was picking her teeth with a toothpick. "Ya'll want anythin' else?"

Sam glanced at Gaia, who shook her head. "No, we're okay, thanks," Sam said, pulling out his wallet and passing her the money for the bill and tip.

"Thanks doll," drawled the waitress, walking slowly away.

"Well Gaia... I've got to get going. I have a lot of packing to do."

"I could help you!" Gaia blurted, uncharactaristically.

"Help me what?" Sam asked, bewildered.

"Uh, pack...your stuff. If you want..."

Sam smiled widely and rose. "All right. Come over to my dorm whenever. I'll be there."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Uhm..."

"I'll see you then, Gaia."

"Okay."

And with that, Sam turned and walked from the diner. Gaia was left at the table, with the rest of the pizza. Gaia asked "Glenda" for a box for the pizza, and left. She walked around the city, barely thinking. She was so happy that she was going to see Sam again, that she passed off the box of pizza to a few homeless guys.

Her feet carried her to Sam's dorm two hours later. The guard at the desk seemed to be absent. Gaia spotted an empty 7-eleven 64 ounce Big Gulp on the counter. He must be in the bathroom. Gaia slipped into the stairwell and climbed up to Sam's floor.

She entered the large space where the guys usually hung out. There was no one there, and it was extremely hot in the room. They all must have been at classes, or out somewhere. It was eerie. Gaia approached the thermostat, while she took off her coat and threw it on a chair. It was 90 degrees! Gaia blinked, thinking she was hallucinating. The read out still said '90'. Gaia shrugged and rolled up her sleeves. She headed for Sam's room, with that damn doorknob. The door was already slightly ajar, so Gaia pushed it open all the way.

Gaia's mouth gaped open, despite herself. Sam was there, shirt off, packing things. He was a bit sweaty. Gaia's pulse tripled. Gaia wistfully noticed Sam's well-defined chest was glistening with perspiration. Sam turned, putting soomething in another box, and spotted Gaia.

"Uh, hey," he said, embarrassed.

"Hi," Gaia managed.

"Sorry it's so hot in here, the thermostat's broken."

"Oh."

"I'd open a window but they seal them shut....afraid of people comitting suicide, you know?"

"Yeah."

"All the guys went out...they thought it was too damn hot. And I tend to agree."

"Me too."

"Gaia...you okay?"

"Oh. Yeah," Gaia shook her head violently. "What can I help with?"

Gaia and Sam set to work, sweating and seeming to not make any progress. They didn't speak, except for the occasional "where do you want me to put this" from Gaia. Gaia kept piling things into endless boxes, Sam helping and stacking them.

"Sam," Gaia sighed, exhausted, "you have a lot of stuff."

"I never realized. I guess it's really accumulated."

"Accumulated? How long have you lived here? Ten years?" Gaia laughed.

"Sorry. Thanks so much for helping, Gaia. It probably would have taken me ten years to pack all this crap without you," Sam said earnestly.

"Sure. Ten years? I say at least fifteen."

Sam plopped down on the floor next to Gaia. "God, it's a furnace in here."

"I know. I'm sweating like a fat man in Phoenix," Gaia replied, mopping back her damp hair. "I really need a shower."

"You're welcome to use ours," Sam said, "the guys won't be coming back until that thermostat's fixed."

"Uh...okay," Gaia smiled thankfully, "but uh..."

"What?"

"Do you think I could....uh, borrow some of your clothes? Mine are kind of... wet."

Sam smiled thoughtfully. "Take your pick," he said, motioning to the boxes before them.

"Is there anything you haven't packed yet? I don't want to open any of those."

Sam glanced around, and smiled. "I think all I have are my unmentionables."

Gaia laughed. "Your unmentionables?"

"My boxers, old shirts..."

Gaia shrugged, but with a pang remembered the last time she had worn those..."That's fine," she replied quickly. Sam pushed himself up and tracked down a pair of boxers and an old tank top for her. He handed them to her, along with shampoo and a bar of soap, and wished her a happy showering experience. As Gaia traipsed off, Sam sat down on his bed, and laid back against one of his pillows. He smiled thinking that Gaia Moore was in his shower, and was going to be wearing his clothes.

The shower stopped some minutes later, and Gaia emerged from the bathroom squeaky clean. Her hair hung wetly around her face, and the clothes Sam had given her were soft and welcoming. She felt 100% better. She entered Sam's room and found him asleep on his bed. Gaia watched him for a minute, almost in awe of his dreaming face. Then she went over to the bed, and sat down on it. She brushed Sam's arm, and he stirred. He startled Gaia, and she fell off the bed. Sam shot up, and helped her up.

"Gaia, you okay?" he asked, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she smiled, reddenning from embarrassment. Sam brushed Gaia's wet hair out of her eyes and smiled with relief. Gaia looked up at him, taking in his scent.

"Sam, I'm really going to miss you, too."

He smiled. "A little late, but worth the wait." They smiled at each other, and suddenly he leaned in to kiss her. She didn't object, and they shared in a long-awaited kiss. Gaia gripped Sam, not wanting to let him go. He showered her face and neck with kisses, as if he'd wanted to do it for so long.

Gaia couldn't and didn't want to stop him, they proceeded to Sam's still made bed, and rumpled the covers. They shared the night, smiling at each other, both figuring they'd been stupid not to realize the other's true feelings. After, Gaia fell into a peaceful sleep on Sam's chest. She hadn't even realized the 90 degrees.

Gaia awoke the next morning, all smiles. For once she was happy to be waking up. But then she realized that Sam wasn't next to her, and she sat up. All the boxes were gone, and the room was empty, except for the sheets and pillow she lay on, and the boxers and tank top. Gaia felt tears forming in her eyes, even though she didn't know anything for sure yet.

Then she saw the note from Sam on the bed next to her, in absence of his pillow.

Gaia,
You don't know how sorry I am to be leaving you this morning. My flight was early , and the movers came to get the boxes pretty early. I wish, now more than ever, that I didn't have to go. I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for a long time. I'll miss you. Oh, and please take the sheets and the clothes. I know your other clothes are probably dry by now, but keep mine anyway, as a reminder.
I love you, Gaia.
Sam

Gaia blinked away the tears that had formed in her eyes. Sam loved her, but Sam was gone. She didn't know whether to jump for joy, or cry her eyes out. So she took the latter, and climbed into Sam's clothes. The tears continued to stream down her face, as she folded the sheets with the utmost caution. She held them close, and brought in Sam's scent. Tears dripped onto the soft cotton, and Gaia grabbed the pillow. She left her own clothes, she didn't care about them. She pulled on her coat, suddenly freezing cold, though the thermostat still read 90. Gaia tenderly placed Sam's note in her pocket. She clutched his bedding, and turned back toward his room. With one last glance, she left, the tears still falling.

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whew! okey doke, there it is. Comments, please! :)
Rachel

rachel that was great!

eeee i miss sam so much :( and the pizza- wow she's a pig :lol:

and his boxers/shirt... oh i remember the times ::sighs:: this was great!

keeep digging ^_^

thanks, nance! Yes, the simpler times of the boxers and shirt.... wait...what do you mean you miss him?!?! I haven't read 28 on yet!!! What are you saying?!!? :stertcher:


ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eeee read chase! read 28! chase is 28! reeeeeeeead!

I'm scared now... :(

That was great! You should write more!