Disclaimers: The prerequisite disclaimers.

Intellectual Property: The characters are wholly my own. Any similarities drawn between them and any persons, plants, or animals, living and dead, are figments of your imagination. However, some places and products mentioned in the story do exist. No infringement is intended. (Hey, look on the bright side! Free publicity! Yeah!)

Ratings/Language/Violence: R-rated. Generally, the language and violence is mild, as is the sex. However, at risk of spoiling some surprises, the story deals with sensitive issues like overbearing parents, youth violence, rape, and murder.

Sex: Love is expressed between two consenting ladies. If that bothers you, then for the love of God (or a higher being or beings, if any), get help.

Age: If this material is illegal where you live and/or if you are underage then find something else to do.

NOTES: Mickey is NOT the main character. Be patient and you'll meet the two leading heroines in no time at all. Also, this story takes place over about the span of a decade. If you want to see sign language, go to this web site. http://www.bconnex.net/~randys/

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or comments, please let the bard know at sarkel_bard@yahoo.com You are guaranteed a reply if you so wish. Constructive criticism is accepted J

I'd also like to thank everyone who helped. Thanks to Steph, Critic, Ink, and everyone else who has contributed.

Part 3

Paul laughed, falling off the couch. "What a baby! Cute, though." Sam joined in Paul's laughter then closed her eyes, suddenly tired. A few moments later, she jerked awake with a start, Allison's note crumpled in her hand. Her friend was on the floor, passed out. He'd had too much to drink.

Allison furiously stomped in the direction of her future home. It would be a long trip but she wasn't going to let that jerk get away with mistreating her. The blonde tightened her light coat around her chest, thankful that today had been reasonably warm. She headed apprehensively towards the lights in the distance, skirting the black shadows that threatened to engulf her. At least Mickey had gone home.

Sam sat still for a minute, orienting herself, then reread the note. She was thinking more clearly now even though her head was throbbing. "Shit," she murmured, rubbing her temples with her slender fingers. "That was mean." She left a note for the unconscious green-haired youth then hopped into Dino.

On her way home, Sam drove carefully, hoping to spot Allison. If the party pooper had called her dad's for a ride home, Sam was in big trouble. Her father thought she had reformed, but the truth was that she and her friends were still up to their old tricks. She'd cut down, yes, but at the same time, she'd become smarter and more discreet. She knew how not to get caught. She had slipped tonight by involving Allison in her shady activities-would it be a fatal mistake?

Allison sighed as she passed yet another street lamp. She was going to call for a ride at the next gas station. She felt like she was no closer to Barry's house, even though she'd walked about two miles. The blackness seemed to go on forever, into the endless universe. Even the stars remained hidden, their twinkling lights reserved for another night.

"Ruff!" Allison jumped as a snarling Doberman challenged her invasion of its territory.

The blonde's hands trembled and she wrapped her arms around herself. Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse. "H…hello," she said, her voice quivering. "Good… uh…" After a quick peek, she finished her sentence. "Good girl. Good doggy. Nice doggy." She reached tentatively to pet the animal.

"Grr!" The dog reared on its haunches.

Allison's eyes widened. "Nice to meet ya," she cried, then broke into a full run, her hair trailing like a banner.

"Ruff!" The dog ran gleefully beside her, its eyes sparkling, its pink tongue hanging out precariously. She just wanted to play. Allison's heartbeat slowed as she realized her pursuer wasn't Cujo. Her spirits lifted even more when the welcoming neon beacon of a 24-hour restaurant beckoned her.

Sam was halfway home when she finally spotted Allison walking into a restaurant parking lot. Thank the Gods! She pulled Dino into a parking space, and switched off the motor and the headlights.

She ran to the upset blonde and waved with a smile. "Hi."

Allison glowered at her and spoke. "What are you doing? Go back to your boyfriend. Don't worry, I won't tell your dad about today's 'activities.' After all, I am just a baby."

Sam blew out a breath. "Don't be mad," she signed. "Please?"

Allison rebuked the gesture and marched into a pay phone booth. The taller girl kept up easily with Allison's furious pace and captured her hand before she could deposit change into the slot.

Sam begged her younger companion with her eyes. "I didn't mean it."

Allison stood straight, her hands on her hips, and signed clumsily. "Apologize."

Sam sighed. She pointed at herself then at the blonde and gestured like she was eating. "Dinner, my treat?" She appealed to her jury and potential executioner.

Allison looked into the worried and stricken face. The offer sounded suspiciously like an apology…a la Samantha Cannizarro. The shorter girl couldn't resist those baby blues and finally giggled.

"Ok. Someplace really nice." Allison leaned over and hugged Sam quickly.

"What a softy," Sam thought after the embrace ended. Personally, she wouldn't have forgiven Mickey, herself, or even Paul as quickly as Allison had but the blonde's sweet nature was somehow appealing. She could count on one hand the number of non-cynical people she knew.

They returned in silence to Dino and neared the Cannizarro residence a few minutes later. Sam parked a few houses down the street. She'd forgotten to bring a change of clothes and toiletries like she normally did. "We need to sneak in and change then come back. We smell like booze," she wrote. "We're going to go up the trellis, onto the roof, and in through the window. Be quiet."

Allison nodded in agreement. Sam had a point so now wasn't the best time to explain her fear of heights. But… "Why don't you go? I'll wait here and you can bring me some clothes back."

"Nice try. But you need to brush your teeth and wash up and some other stuff," Sam countered.

Corny bounced up to them as Sam locked Dino's doors. She rubbed the dog, who was pounding his tail enthusiastically and whuffing.

They walked the few minutes to Sam's house in silence, Corny threatening to give their presence away. The lights in the house were blazing. Sam grabbed Allison, steering her to the trellis, just off the garage door.

She pointed upwards, her movement saying, "Climb." The blonde stared at Sam with mortification. The trellis seemed to reach into the black emptiness.

"No way!" Allison shook her head rapidly. "I can't," she gulped.

"Yes, you can. Like a ladder," Sam mouthed and pantomimed climbing a ladder.

"I'm afraid of heights."

Jesus Christ. Sam smiled reassuringly and resisted the urge to wring Allison's neck. "You won't fall. I'll be right behind you," she mouthed and gestured.

"Well, all right." The nervous girl turned to face the trellis. "Here goes." Her heart was pounding and she was sweating nervously. She sighed, grabbed a handhold tentatively, and began the slow climb.

Sam ascended, frustrated at her companion's turtle-like pace. She would've been up and in her room by now. Allison paused in mid-climb, imagining herself falling and cracking her skull open. She was terrified of the looming ground beneath her.

"Ohh. I can't!" Allison cried out then suddenly felt Sam's firm hand on her ass, pushing her up onto the roof. That one touch alone made climbing up the trellis more than worthwhile. The dark-haired girl wouldn't let her fall.

Once they'd crawled onto the roof, Sam shushed Allison as they tiptoed across. Before she knew it, she was in Sam's bedroom, safe and sound. The taller girl kept Allison close to her, within arm's grasp as she changed her clothes in the pitch-black darkness. Who knew what the blonde would do?

Then Allison foresaw a potential problem. "Uhh… Sam. Wouldn't they notice we're wearing different clothes?" Silly her, Sam was deaf. Duh!

Allison reached out to turn on the lights but Sam stopped her in mid flick, staying her hand. She kept Allison's hand in hers and gently guided the younger girl to her bathroom. She reached for a flashlight on the bathroom shelf and turned it on. Immediately, realization dawned in the younger girl's eyes and she felt foolish. What if Barry, Susan, or Allen had seen that the lights were on in Sam's room?

As Sam turned on the sink to a low trickle and splashed water on her face, Allison wrote a note. "Wouldn't they notice we're wearing different clothes?"

"Nah." Sam shook her head. "Jeans are jeans and a T-shirt's a T-shirt."

Allison frowned as she shone the flashlight over Sam's writing. "My mom would remember what I wore," she replied.

Sam ran her hand through her smooth hair in exasperation. She opened the bathroom cabinet, extracted a bottle of cologne, then sprayed some on Allison.

"Mmm. That's nice. So that's why you always smell so good," Allison whispered to herself then took the bottle in her own hand and studied the label. "Sam! This is men's perfume. Momma would kill me." Allison beseeched but Sam didn't respond, having not heard the objection. She sniffed Allison, satisfied, then brushed her teeth, handing her a toothbrush in an unopened package.

After they had gotten changed and cleaned, Sam opened the window. "Out ya go." She motioned for Allison to step out the window but she shook her head.

"Uhh… I don't know. I…" But Sam abruptly and unceremoniously shoved the smaller girl out of the window onto the roof, secretly enjoying the feel of Allison's strong body in hers.

They made their way down the trellis, Sam descending first. Once they were on the ground, Allison jumped up and down, pumping her fists. "I did it! I did it! I wasn't even one bit scared!" Corny joined in the little celebration by running around in circles, twisting his legs into a knot.

Sam poked a finger in Allison's chest and made the shushing gesture. She waved her hand and snuck Allison around the house to Dino, ready for the grand entrance at the front door. The blonde was already thinking about what restaurant Sam could take her to.

"Where?" Sam asked Allison as she backed out of Susan's apartment complex. The passenger smiled as she understood Sam's sign for where. She had spent the past night studying the five W's: where, what, who, when, why, and a few other rudimentary signs. Allison had not been afraid to go with the dark-haired girl and risk incurring her mother's wrath. The dinner had Barry's glowing seal of approval and as long he approved, her mother would do nothing extreme.

Barry and Susan had thought it mighty sweet of their daughters to go out to dinner, especially coupled with their time together last night. Actually, Susan had pretended to be happy but inside she was fuming. Beauregard's daughter was corrupting her Allison but there was nothing she could do until she had proof that Samantha was evil.

Allison began signing slowly as soon as Sam stopped at the gate leading out of the complex. "Gosh. I don't know. There are so many choices. Not fast food. That's for sure. I love Ole's but it's way on the other side of town. But, they have those great chips and the flan is terrific! There's another Mexican restaurant a few miles away…" Allison was interrupted as the driver returned her attention to the road and headed towards the restaurant. At the first stoplight, the younger girl motioned for Sam's attention.

"How about the new Chinese place out by the mall? I heard-"

The passenger quieted for a moment as the frustrated girl swore. She had gotten on the road for Ole's but now had to change for the Chinese place. At every light, Allison continued, unaware of the havoc she was causing: "But I did hear the food isn't worth the money. What do you say we go to Mozzie's?" She shrieked and clasped her hands together in delight as something came to her. "They added a new dish a few weeks back."

Sam sighed as she made the turn for Mozzie's. At the next light, Allison started in again. "Gosh, all that talk reminds me of Wednesday's. Yeah, I think that's what I would like." Allison pondered. "Hey, why aren't you going in the right direction for Wednesday's?"

Sam growled, rubbing her forehead. She took a left at the next light. Wednesday's was close by but Allison talked again at the next opportunity.

"I just remembered this great Greek place-the Acropolis. It's at the Coyner Mall and the waiters wear togas and…" The blonde's brows furrowed as Sam parked at a restaurant. "Why are we here? I never said anything about a steakhouse."

Sam turned to Allison with clenched teeth. "This was the only restaurant in town you hadn't mentioned." Sam gestured and mouthed carefully to Allison.

The blonde laughed. "I guess I do have a tendency to change my mind, don't I?"

"Not at all," sarcastically answered Sam as she and Allison walked into the restaurant.

Allison took in the décor. A beautiful Christmas tree stood in the corner, done up the whole nine yards, and Hanukah and Christmas cards hung all over the place. Soft Christmas music played in the lobby as the maitre d showed them to their table.

Once they were seated, the younger girl began to discuss each item on the menu, speaking clearly for Sam's benefit. She just couldn't make up her mind. Finally, Allison was ready to order. "I'd like number five…" she frowned. "No. Actually, that one looks good… do you mind coming back in a while?" she asked the waiter.

"Sure," he said and retreated to the kitchen.

Sam's brow furrowed in puzzlement. Why hadn't the waiter asked for her order? "Did you order?" she asked her companion. "I can order for myself!"

"Oh no. I couldn't decide yet so…"

Sam interrupted. "I am hungry!" she hissed. Allison understood the meaning behind that sign.

She pouted. "I wouldn't ordinarily mind number six but today I just-"

The waiter returned. Sam firmly pointed to the menu at number six and gestured for two, indicating that it was for both her and Allison.

"Number six for both of you?" At Sam's nod he continued. "Excellent choice," smiled the waiter.

"Sam!" Allison chided. "Excuse me-" she peered at the waiter's nametag. "David, I'd like the steak combo. Hey, that's a great pin." She leaned over to touch David's pin, which read Peace and Love, not War. A hologram of a famous peacenik shone brightly in three-dimensional space on a brilliant blue background. "That is awesome! I had one just like it but lost it. I can't find a replacement anywhere."

Sam inwardly growled as the damn blonde flirted with the waiter. She was hungry and the girl was holding up their order! Sam was getting beyond annoyed as David grinned and leaned into Allison's touch slightly. "Got it at the Shoppe down at the mall. You want it? I can always buy another one."

"No thanks, but that's so nice of you!" Allison enthused as she sat back down.

Sam stiffened, chewing her lip. Allison knew full well Sam was hungry and here she was jabbering with some airhead waiter. She didn't understand a single thing but they sure were flirting.

The waiter smiled, revealing his pearly whites. "Or someday we could go to the mall together. I could buy you one."

Allison blushed. "That's really sweet of you David. Here, let me give you my e-mail address." Sam saw her dinner companion writing down something and rolled her eyes. A phone number? An e-mail address? Ugh. What if David was a perv? That girl had no common sense with the Internet. Nowadays you could type in the last name and state or phone number for a person and get a full address...along with every other tidbit of information and dirt.

Allison and David wrapped up their little tete a tete momentarily then Allison turned to Sam, her eyes shining. The blonde reached for the pen and notepad on the table and they wrote back and forth. "He is just so nice!"

Sam nodded disapprovingly. "Do you normally give your personal information to boys you've just met? And thanks for your consideration. Food could've been here 15 minutes ago."

"Stop being so serious!" Allison chuckled, covering Sam's hand with her own hand.

Sam looked down pointedly at their hands, but the blonde didn't get the hint. Sighing, she withdrew her hand slowly and hid it under the table.

"He seems nice. I just love making new friends. Besides, the food's not going anywhere." Allison brightened. "Hey! Do you want my e-mail address?" Allison missed the contact with Sam's hands and to remind herself yet again that Barry's daughter was her complete opposite, personality wise.

The perky blonde jotted a few words on a napkin and handed it to the black-haired girl, beaming. "That's me. Hey, what's yours?"

Sam reached for the paper but Allison interrupted. "No, let me guess! I bet you have, like, a totally cool name like…" she pondered for a second. "Dark Angel or Ice Blue. Or Cyber Chick. Yeah! I'm right, aren't I?"

Sam nearly choked on her drink. "Cyber Chick? What in the hell kind of name is that? Do I look like a Cyber Chick to you?"

Allison looked down. "I'm sorry, Sam. But how about the other two names? Yeah?" She brightened and looked at David as he returned.

He had brought a plate of cheese sticks. "On me," he winked.

As he left, Allison beamed at Sam. "Happy now? You get some food."

Sam nodded her head and exhaled dismissively. "Yeah, yeah." They sat for a moment in silence. Sam had her fingers crossed but she knew it wouldn't last.

"Out with it!" Allison exclaimed as the dark-haired girl munched on a cheese stick. "Come on, tell me your e-mail. We're practically sisters!" She grabbed Sam's hand again in delight even though it contained a half-eaten cheese stick.

"If I tell you my e-mail address, will you let go of my hand?"

"Oh! I forgot all about your silly 'no touching' rule!" Allison said, bemused. "You have a deal."

"It's samantha.cannizarro@jma.com," she lied. Allison wouldn't figure out it was supposed to be .edu not .com at the end. She wouldn't have to worry about five page daily e-mails from Allison, plus stupid forwards of flowery poems and feel-good stories along with dumb jokes.

"Great! Now we can keep in touch when you go back." The waiter brought two steaming dishes of food to their table. Sam smiled with excitement she didn't feel. Great. Allison wants to keep in touch. Thank the Gods I lied about the e-mail address.

"Enjoy, ladies," he said with a grin. Allison returned the favor and thanked him.

"So," she said, her food untouched. "Tell me all about that military school you go to. I bet you have to exercise a lot and study a lot. Is that why you do drugs and steal when you're at home? Because you can't do that at JMA? I had a friend who went to military school. His whole family's in the army. How can a deaf person go to military school?" She awaited Sam's answers expectantly.

"Mmm." Sam stuffed a mouthful of baked potato in her mouth, the fork occupying her hands, to avoid the questions temporarily.

Allison took advantage of the interlude to start on her dinner. She cut her steak into several large pieces and took big bites, moaning with delight at the savory taste of her dinner.

"Mamma Mia!" Sam mouthed, a look of surprise on her face. In only three bites, Allison had managed to demolish half her plate. She never would have thought…

Allison saw Sam's jaw scraping the floor and explained. "Mom never lets me eat anything fun. I had to promise her I would get a salad tonight, or if I was really hungry, broiled chicken." She shrugged as if it was no big deal. "So tell me about Jackson."

"It's rare for a deaf person to go to military school but it does happen. I have an interpreter for all classes and a note taker for a couple. I go to school six hours a day. I march and exercise four hours a day. I sleep, study, and eat the rest of the time."

"Now, Sam!" Allison playfully nudged Sam's foot under the table. "That's not true! Tell me some stories like you and Paul talked about yesterday. Do you have a boyfriend? Are you and Paul together? I bet you're really popular. Do you do extracurriculars? You look like an athlete to me. I'm in drama and French clubs and I wanted to try out for the basketball team but mom said it was too masculine for me, imagine! I do cheerleading. I had to cut down a bit cuz I had to get a job." Allison flapped her hand at Sam. "So?"

"Something like that." Sam took a bite of steak, looking for another subject.

"Oh!" Allison nodded knowingly and took back the notepad. "Have you thought about going in the military or CIA after graduation? You'd be perfect for covert ops! Hmm, your father said something about computer science and law school, didn't he?"

A genuine smile crossed Sam's face as she read the note. "Nah. I want to go do art. I love art."

"Wow. That is way cool!" Allison noticed the smile and congratulated herself for breaking a chink in Sam's armor. She'd managed to make a tiny crack in that wall surrounding the mystique of Samantha Cannizarro. "Tell me more. Do you want to like, paint pictures?" The blonde nodded her head, pleased about the accomplishment.

Sam made a wry face. "There's a lot more to art than that, Allison." Her aura had taken on a peaceful quality. "I can do everything, pretty much-paint, draw, computer graphics, watercolors, landscapes, animations, photography, charcoal, mosaics, but my favorite is sculpting."

"So you work with clay?"

Sam grinned. "Not quite. Sculpting's a very broad discipline also. There's working with clay, of course. There's also welding in which you use welding equipment to weld together metal components. But my thing is chiseling. What I do is take a slab of stone or marble and just go at it. It's fun. Releases all that energy." She took a sip from her drink, realizing she'd said too much.

"You're very talented, Sam. I'd love to see your work. I couldn't draw worth a cent myself!" The blonde laughed as she polished off her meal. "Your father is very proud of you. He loves you a great deal." A wistful expression crept onto Allison's face. "You're lucky to have a parent that cares about you so much."

Sam raised an eyebrow. She was going to stay away from the personal stuff. "How do you know I'm talented?"

"Call it gut instinct. You can show me your work and I'll let you read some of my stories. Hey, do you want dessert? You're not even finished eating. Do you want that?" Allison eyed Sam's meat and reached over to pick up a bite of steak. "Yummy! Mmm!" she exclaimed, closing her eyes.

Sam puckered her lips resignedly. "Help yourself."

Allison ordered chocolate cake and ice cream for herself, while Sam settled for coffee. During dessert, the blonde took Sam's hand and felt her palm; it was smooth and warm. Sam didn't take one word Allison said seriously. Allison predicted she would be happy, successful, live long, but have a major tragedy in her love life. That description would fit any average Joe or Jane.

David returned to check up on his customers and Sam pointed to her cup for a refill of her coffee. "Ready for the bill, ladies?"

He brought the check and Sam glanced at it quickly. She'd never had any intention of paying it and the obvious didn't register to the dark-haired girl yet. She got a thrill every time she broke the law. Military school had taught her to be more discreet but it had not reformed her. "Allison, go outside and warm up Dino for me. I'll settle the bill." Sam tossed the keys to the hapless innocent.

They stood up. "Dinner was great, Sam. I can wait with you." Sam shook her head in the negative.

"You sure? Ok. I'll see you in a few minutes. Be sure to give David a good tip." Allison left the restaurant, waving at the brown-haired waiter. He gestured back with a gleaming grin before disappearing into the kitchen.

Sam saw her chance and casually, but quickly, made her way out of the establishment. This trick was becoming routine and the thrill was greatly diminished. She'd have to find something else to do. Whistling, she jumped into Dino, put him into drive, and sped out of the parking lot.

Allison was silent until the first red light then she reached over and hugged Sam tightly, quickly. "Thank you Sam. I had a great time tonight. I hope you did too. Let's forget all about yesterday night. I know you're a good person."

Jeez! What part of don't touch me don't you get? She almost-almost-felt guilty about not paying the bill after Allison's comment.

As they neared Allison's apartment complex, the chatterbox started in again, dashing Sam's hopes of a quick good-bye. "I hope David e-mails me."

Sam slammed the steering wheel with mighty force and pronounced the one word in the English language that wasn't difficult for her: "FUCK!" Pretty much any deaf person could pronounce it without any training or instruction. The word came naturally.

"What's wrong?" Allison cried, concerned. "Are you ok?"

Sam shook her head. She'd made two mistakes in two days, both thanks to Susan's daughter.

Allison stroked Sam's arm then squeezed it gently. "Is everything ok? I hate to see you upset. Did you leave your wallet back in the restaurant?"

Sam laughed scornfully and reached for the notepad. "You're deluded, Allison. I'm not a good person… just skipped out on the bill. But stupid me, I didn't realize until now that they have a way to catch up to us. Me, I mean."

"Oh." Allison was quiet as she processed the new information. "Why, Sam? I thought your father gave you plenty of money." Unconsciously, she placed her hand on Sam's wrist.

"Yeah. I do it for kicks." Sam sighed and turned to face Allison, writing on the paper. "Don't hang out with me. I'll corrupt you. You want to know why I'm not a normal kid, why I don't go to high school like everyone else? I got kicked out of school twice. Stuff to do with bombs and rioting. I was partly responsible for putting people in the hospital and for thousands of dollars worth of damage to school property. I didn't do the riot part but no one would believe me. Shit happens." She removed her wrist from Allison's hold but soon her hand was back in the friendly grasp anyway.

"Oh." Allison was quiet once again then she continued writing. "I believe you didn't do it, Sam. We'll go back and pay the bill. No harm done. I'll even go in for you and take care of it."

Sam shook her head as she disentangled her hand from Allison's. "It's over and done with. If David e-mails, tell him the truth if you like." She gestured to the building where the Albrechts were living. "Bye." She waved for Allison to get out.

"Let's go back." Allison signed. "Waiters work hard… my mom's tips pay for the bills."

"Cut the bullshit. I don't care!" Sam snapped. "You can turn me in when David e-mails. Bye." The dark-haired girl hurled the notepad at Allison and stared out of the window waiting for the kid to get the hell out of her Dino.

Allison nodded. "Fine, Sam. Be that way. But I would like to think that we're friends. I'll see you Christmas Eve. I really did have a good time tonight. I'd like to see your art someday." Allison threw the notepad back at her ill-tempered companion and stepped out of Dino, slamming the door.

On Christmas Eve, the Cannizarro house was decked out with gaily holiday decorations. A majestic pine tree covered with tinsel and colorful ornaments stood in the corner of the music room, facing the street. A few cards from Barry's clients and friends lay on the hall table. Barry had strategically positioned luxuriant mistletoe in each doorway so that he could kiss Susan every few steps.

Usually, Sam and her father just opened a gift each on Christmas Eve then went to Aunt Julia's house on Christmas morning. But this year, much to Barry's delight, his gem had insisted on a separate celebration on both Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day for the 'new family.'

Susan was hell-bent on making a perfect dinner for her Beauregard and giving him the impression she was into family togetherness. Yeah, right. Sam was not looking forward to seeing the bitch and her spawn. Her father was waltzing around the house hanging up mistletoe and humming like an idiot lovesick teenager.

The Albrecht trio arrived promptly at five o'clock, overnight bags in hand. Allison was nervous about seeing Sam after their fight the other day. Surely it was a bad sign that she wasn't downstairs to greet them.

After Barry had spent some time with his amour and her children, he thundered up to Sam's room to drag his willful daughter downstairs. He knew full well that she had seen the doorbell light in her room. Sam had been moody and sullen all day-she wasn't adjusting to his new relationship quite as well as he'd hoped.

"Sam. Why aren't you downstairs helping me entertain our guests?"

"Don't wanna." Sam shrugged as she changed the channel.

Barry grabbed the remote out of the teenager's hand and looked at her menacingly.

"Sam, this is not the time to cop an attitude. What's your problem? You were fine with it the other day."

"I don't feel good. I'm not going downstairs to watch you suck face with that trollop."

Barry growled and seized his daughter's arm, forcing her off the bed. "Samantha! Do not call Susan a trollop. You're just going to have to get used to your new family members. Susan is your stepmother for all intents and purposes; I expect you to treat her with respect. I will never forget your mother or your brother, but enough is enough! You are going downstairs whether or not you like it. Now change into something nice. If you are not downstairs in five minutes, believe me, you're in trouble!" His face red and contorted, Barry flung Sam's arm free.

Sam rubbed her tender arm and glared at her father. There would probably be a big bruise tomorrow. Barry shot his daughter one last warning look, spun around and marched downstairs, now in a bad mood. However, the moment he set sight on Susan puttering in the kitchen, he forgot all about the spat with Sam and went to kiss his gem.

"Susie poo. The doorbell announcer in Sam's room wasn't working and she didn't know you'd arrived. She'll be down in a moment," lied Barry. Being a lawyer was useful sometimes. Susan nodded cheerfully and retrieved another pan from the cabinet. She was prepared to make her Beauregard the best dinner imaginable. Norene had been a good cook and Susan was determined that her Beauie Barry-poo forget that any other cook had ever existed.

Susan, for once, was preparing an actual meal with turkey, ham, rice, sautéed vegetables, chocolate truffle pie, potatoes, and biscuits made from scratch. She normally wouldn't approve of such foods for Allison Alexandra or even that uncouth girl, but she wanted to make an impression on Beauregard and she knew that any man would appreciate a good cook. Her hunk of a man would be so grateful and dazzled that she could prepare a full course meal all by herself.

Sam arrived downstairs, wearing a blue silk shirt and black jeans. A half-smile, all she could muster, tenuously perched on her face. Allison looked up from the loveseat when she heard Sam enter the living room. The blonde smiled and folded the Christmas lights listing in the newspaper as she took in the sight of Sam. Her shirt accentuated her striking blue eyes while setting off her healthy skin tone and firm breasts.

Allison patted the spot next to her on the loveseat, hoping the newcomer would join her. David's e-mail earlier that day had confirmed what she already knew; Sam had paid the bill after their quarrel. Barry was hogging the couch, making lovey-dovey looks at Susan every time she looked through the doors at him. An engrossed Allen was coloring in his books on the armchair.

Sam flopped down on the loveseat as far away from the annoying blonde as possible, avoiding eye contact. She was still miffed at Allison for psychoanalyzing her and acting like a know-it-all, telling her what to do.

Allison frowned as she studied Sam's disinterested profile. She was still upset. The younger girl shifted over and put her arm around her seatmate.

What the hell is she doing? Can't she get a hint? Sam was stuck; she couldn't remove Allison's arm or slide away herself without drawing too much attention and her father was already very close to strangling her. Sam sighed dispiritedly and continued to stare at the fireplace and the television.

Allen noticed Sam on the loveseat and jumped out of the chair. "Merry Christmas!" Allen signed gleefully, climbing onto the loveseat and plastering a wet kiss on Sam's cheek.

Sam gave the kid a quick hug but pushed him away gently. "Merry Christmas." Allen was a sweet kid, one of the most well behaved Sam had met, but he needed to dry up his kisses.

Allison observed the scene fondly. It wasn't often that her brother took to strangers but he seemed to care for Sam. The younger girl met Sam's eyes and signed. "I taught him that. Merry Christmas to you." Sam, after a quick peek at her entirely distracted father, didn't acknowledge the message. Allison indulgently sat the tot in her lap as she stuck a piece of paper adorned with bubbly cursive in the blue eyed girl's hand.

Sam returned to the interesting spot on the wall, completely ignoring Allison's entreaties for attention, leaving the note unread. Puzzled, Allen took the note and waved it in Sam's face. She accepted the note, unable to resist the cute kid, but barely glanced at the paper. The taller girl remained immovable, her face not betraying any emotion, as she weighed the artistic merit of the living room walls.

Allison sighed, exasperated, and turned her attentions to Allen. If only Sam would read the note. The girl was so irritating. Too bad she couldn't just yell some common sense into her.

Susan shoved the turkey into the oven and looked up from her cooking. Samantha was downstairs. Her straight hair hung loosely around her shoulders and she wasn't wearing jewelry. Once Susan became Mrs. Beauregard Bartholomew Cannizarro, one of her primary goals was to fix Samantha up. The older woman wiped her hands on a dishrag and greeted Beauregard's daughter.

"Samantha!" Susan shrilled. "I didn't realize you had come downstairs. Oh, Beauregard!" Susan clasped her arms around Sam's neck and beamed at her. "Merry Christmas darling!" she voiced in broken sign.

"Yes." Sam gingerly hugged Susan back. Her father's fiancée smelled funky, probably from all that makeup. "Merry Christmas."

Susan drew back and rubbed her hand over her stomach and sniffed the air. "I'm cooking a yummy dinner!"

Sam nodded, smiling best as she could. The food smelled pretty good actually. She gave the portly woman a thumbs up sign.

"Susie-poo can whip up a storm!" Barry bragged to his daughter. "Let's open presents now while the food cooks. After dinner we're going to see the light displays around town." Allen squealed excitedly and tugged at his sister's shirt. Barry and Susan had promised to take him around town on a tour of the Christmas lights, one of his favorite pastimes.

Barry passed out one gift to each person, handing Sam an extra Christmas card from his parents. She opened it and the usual $20 bill fell out. The message was simple: "Samantha, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Always, Senator and Mrs. Cannizarro."

Sam rolled her eyes. They were so thoughtful and considerate. "What did they ship you this year, dad?" she asked.

Barry answered in his rusty sign. "They sent me a nice shirt. They'll be coming for the wedding, also." He voiced for Susan. "My parents will be coming. Isn't that great?"

Susan beamed. "I can't wait to meet the wonderful people who created my Beauregard!"

Allison peeked at Sam's Christmas card. At least her grandparents were in contact with their son and granddaughter. The blonde had never even met both sets of her grandparents; her mother had disgraced her genteel southern family by running off with Phillip Albrecht, an orphaned young man from the wrong side of the tracks. All Allison knew was that her Aunt Jackie, unbeknownst to the senior Hollingsworths, kept in touch and lived mere miles away from the black sheep. She even doubted that her grandparents knew about their older daughter's children and her recent engagement.

Sam's stomach lurched as she fingered the gift from Susan. The tag read: "To Darling Samantha, from Susan." Hurray. Probably lame-o clothes since the box was shallow and oblong.

"Go first, Samantha!" Susan exclaimed, clapping her hands together. The sweater she'd purchased for Samantha would accentuate her femininity and make her look ten times better.

Sam opened the cheerfully wrapped gift and drew out an ugly, bright pink knit sweater that was easily two sizes too small. Before she could barf, Sam remembered her father's admonishments last week and earlier that evening.

"Thank you Susan. It's a lovely sweater; the color is, uh, unique." Sam smiled at Susan as her father interpreted proudly. The phrase that comes to my mind is…atomic pink. Just my color.

Susan beamed; she'd outdone herself. As Allison opened a gift from her mother, Sam closed her eyes momentarily, wishing the holidays were a nightmare that would end if she pinched herself.

Allison opened her gift and screamed with delight at the basket of goodies from the local body shop. She hugged her mother until Susan was blue in the face and grinned ear to ear, exclaiming, "Cool and awesome huh? I've always wanted the cucumber melon set."

Sam smiled at Allison as the younger girl proudly showed Sam her present. Whoop-dee-doo! Yippee!

Allen got a new baseball from Barry but Sam could tell from Allen's disposition that he was not an athletic kid. She could almost swear she saw an expression of befuddlement on Allen's face as he tried to decipher what the funny white ball was. Yeah, Barry was out of luck. The newly engaged couple opened their gift from Allison. She had gotten them a joint present that was a Christmas tree ornament, reading: "Barry and Susan, First Christmas, 2000."

With the gift exchange over, the soon-to-be family made its way into the dining room. In a matter of minutes, the table was resplendent with food. Sam sat at the head of the table as was her custom, while Barry sat at the other end. Susan harrumphed at Sam's presumptuousness but proceeded to dish out dinner, giving her future stepdaughter a minute amount.

Sam stared at her plate. Susan had bestowed a leaf and a carrot upon her. Well, perhaps it was an exaggeration but no normal human being could survive on this little food!

She looked up and saw Allen's and Allison's plates. They too had little food but that Susan and Barry had a lot of it. Sam growled then reminded herself there were always seconds, thirds, and fourths. Barry beamed and mmm'ed as he sampled Susan's savory cooking. He had indeed found himself a gem.

Allison remembered Sam's scolding from last week about being left out of the conversation and was sure to interpret or write down everything she could for the deaf girl. Between cutting up Allen's food and helping him with dinner, Allison managed to jot down practically the whole conversation. Perhaps it would help her get back in the dark haired girl's better graces. Allison noted with pride that her tactic was working, as Sam was actually reading the transcripts.

As Sam helped herself to seconds and thirds and fourths, she noticed that Allison did not get additional servings. Susan probably kept the blonde on a strictly regimented diet as to enhance her "marriageabilty." She chuckled silently. Poor girl, cursed with Susan for a mother. But then Sam's blue eyes widened in horror as she realized that in mere months, she, Sam, would be cursed with Susan for a stepmother.

And what was the deal with Allen? Susan was the boy's mother, but Allison was the one who cut up his food for him, made sure he drank his milk, and behaved. Allison, not Susan, had been the one to teach Allen some sign language. Sam had known from the first time she'd met Susan that the older woman was just a self-centered, social-climbing bitch. She hoped that at least Susan did truly care for her father and from her observations she did appear to be crazy about Barry.

As the pile of notes from the blonde grew, Sam wasn't sure what to do. Allison's prattle was grating on her nerves but on the other hand, no one ever had tried so hard to include her in a conversation. Her future stepsister was making a genuine effort. The older girl had sworn not to speak to Allison all evening but she had to put a stop to the matter before Allison wrote her wrist off and killed ten more trees.

As dinner crept along, Sam's resolve gradually weakened in the face of the blonde's kindness and consideration-but Allison wasn't going to get off easily. She simply steeled herself, nodded, and inserted an interested noise or expression at the appropriate places during the note-taking repertoire. She needed to appear responsive so that her father wouldn't blow his top again.

When Allison handed her a page concerning a debate between Barry and Susan about whether or not they should plant roses or tulips in their garden, Sam had had enough. She wrote down a message, hoping it would convey her point. She hadn't meant for Allison to include and interpret everything for her.

"What I meant by leaving me out is that you ignored me completely that night playing cards. You just gotta make conversation or ask me if I really want to know what's going on. You don't have to tell me every word, most certainly not boring crap like tulips or roses or that kind of b.s. Ok? If anyone interprets, it should be my father... because he's my father."

Allison looked crestfallen so Sam added a line. "But thank you. I appreciate it."

"Why doesn't he interpret?" Allison questioned.

Sam shrugged. "He thinks he does. He thinks that telling me 'We're talking about the garden' or 'We're talking about Aunt Julia' is interpreting, no matter how many times I remind him and ask for more details. I've gotten used to it, but that doesn't mean I like it."

Susan interrupted the conversation and cleared her throat as Barry signed for her. "Ahem. Allison. Samantha. We're going shopping next Thursday to get your bridesmaids' outfits, shoes, and such. That'll be such a special day since you go back to JMA on Sunday. I'll pick Allison up from work and Samantha, you can meet us at the dress shop on Kennedy and Sixth streets."

Susan wasn't really giving anyone a choice in the matter so Sam grunted her consent, reminding herself to contract the flu Wednesday night.

After dinner, Barry and Susan retired to the den for privacy. Allen clambered into the living room to play with his blocks, leaving Allison and Sam to wash the dishes. Sam hated doing the dishes and tended to just toss them in the dishwasher, hell if the dishes broke. Her dad bought replacement sets every year. As Sam flung the dishes in the dishwasher, Allison cringed, knowing that it was inevitable a dish or two would break.

She stilled Sam's arm with her hand. "Why don't I do the dishes while you clear off the table?" The dark-haired girl nodded in thanks and headed into the dining room. She saw Allison loading the dishes with care into the dishwasher and smiled ruefully. Guess the Albrechts are good for a few things.

Before they knew it, the kitchen and dining room were clean and both girls were standing in the kitchen, doing nothing. Allison felt a bit uncomfortable, as this was not her home yet. Sam sensed the blonde's discomfort and decided to let her suffer. She headed into the living room to watch a movie. Her dad was a member of a club and got new videos every month.

Allison, following Sam, stepped into the living room and saw Shakespeare in Love. Before Sam had a chance to select a video, the lively girl bounced next to her. "Ooh. I've been waiting to see Shakespeare in Love! I heard it's a fabulous film!"

Sam rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Chick flick."

Allison saw the expression on Sam's face and spoke up. "We can watch something else! How about…"

Sam interrupted Allison. "We are," she signed adamantly. With those two words, Sam popped in Naked Gun 33 1/3 and sat down on the loveseat. Allison was still standing next to the television, reeling from Sam's quick movements. Sam gestured impatiently for Allison to sit down.

Allison, not wanting to annoy Sam, promptly sat down on the couch and stayed quiet for a while. The blue-eyed girl was eternally grateful that the chatterbox could behave herself, a miracle in its own right.

A few minutes into the movie, Barry and Susan strolled into the living room, their arms linked. "Allen, Allison, we've decided to stay in tonight and see the Christmas lights some other time," Barry said.

Sam was enjoying the film when she was rudely interrupted by a crying and obviously upset three-year-old. She paused the movie and turned to Allen, exasperated. She wished she could understand what the kid was screaming.

"Mooooommmmmmmmm!" whined Allen. "I wanna see the lights! You promised. We haven't missed this in my whole life!"

Allison snickered at the comment. Allen was only three years old, almost four. He didn't have a 'whole life' to speak of. Allen continued to throw his temper tantrum. "This isn't fair!" The boy stomped his feet up and down on the floor, his fists pumping wildly.

Susan sighed. "We'll see them some other time, Allen. They'll be up for a few days yet."

Allen kicked the couch. "But the elf display gonna close tomorrow!" Allison grabbed the distraught tyke, restraining him. Her little brother needed to learn to control his temper, but she was on his side.

She glared at her mother and Barry, informing them full well that she wasn't happy about the situation either. "The Kaftan house is closing the lights after tonight also. You promised Allen. If I had a license, I'd take him myself."

Barry took a look at the duo and barely shrugged. He would've just ignored it but Susan was wavering. Barry sighed, his mind racing to think of a solution. His gem was in the mood …

Allen and Allison were scowling intensely at their mother and Barry. The Christmas lights truly were a sight to behold and a family tradition, even when the Albrechts lived in Arkansas. The Kaftan residence had 275,000 lights and the Kaftans took the lights down every Christmas Eve. The lights were the favorite part of the season for them. Allison rubbed Allen's back. Her mother had broken yet another promise and Barry was going along. She hated to see her baby brother upset. Sam sat on the loveseat, enjoying the spectacle, whatever it was about.

Her father groaned and waved for Sam's attention. What difference would it make if she drove or rode as a passenger? He voiced and signed his message. "Susan's got a stomach ache so please take Allen and Allison to see the lights."

"No." Sam replied simply.

Barry's eyes bugged out. "You were going anyway. Now you just have to drive. What do you mean, no?"

Sam pondered for a moment and shot back with a visual reply. "The word no is used to express negation, dissent, denial, or refusal." She sat back smugly.

Allison turned her head to see Barry's face twist into wrath. She really needed to work on her sign; Sam must have said some choice words.

Barry mentally counted to ten. "Look Sam, it wouldn't kill you to take the kids out and show them a good time, show them the lights. It'd mean a lot to me. I did promise them I'd take them and I'm not backing out on that promise."

Allen looked at Sam hopefully.

Sam gasped. Her father was such a hypocrite. "Gee Dad. You're still breaking your promise; you aren't taking them are you?"

Barry beseeched with his eyes but Sam was adamant as she stood up and signed angrily, unintelligible sounds spurting from her mouth now and then. "I am not anyone's chauffeur!"

Allen couldn't understand Sam so he asked Allison. "Are we gonna see the lights?" When his sister shook her head no-she was confident from Sam's posture that her answer was correct-he burst into tears. The older girl saw the movement out of the corner of her eye.

If there was one thing Sam couldn't stand, it was watching little kids cry. She strode to her father, her eyes cold and hard as steel. "Have fun fucking."

She smiled and turned to Allen and Allison and dangled Dino's keys, hoping they wouldn't demand a full circuit all over town. Allen understood instantly and wrapped his arms around his helper's leg. "Yeah! You're the best. I love you Sammy, not my dumb momma or Barry." With that he ran off into the other room to get his coat.

Barry and Susan were visibly stung but in Allison's view, they deserved it big time. She had an inkling that her mother's stomachache was an ache of an entirely different kind.

"Come on." Sam jerked her head towards Dino. She wanted this done and over with quickly and as painlessly as possible. The trio squeezed into the Bronco, Allen chattering and bouncing happily on his sister's lap.

Sam sped down the block, hoping this wouldn't be a repeat of dinner with Allison, when she had changed her mind a million times. "Where?"

Both of the blond-haired cuties shrugged, clueless. Sam's irritated reaction spoke of frustration and annoyance.

The sister grinned sheepishly while the brother pointed happily to some dim lights in the distance. Sam was not about to backtrack and pulled onto the shoulder of the road. She jerked her thumb towards her house. "Get out."

Allison stared at her with incredulity and Sam grinned. "Just go and get the damn paper with the list!" She gestured and again jerked her thumb towards the house.

Allen ooh-ed. "Did Sammy say a bad word?"

"Can't you drive back there? It's way on top of the hill and it's a half mile walk!" whined Allison. "Long walk!" she emphasized.

"A bit of exercise wouldn't hurt ya." Sam grinned at the blonde's flustered reaction. Allison was the type to worry about other people's comments. Her expression was priceless as she slammed the door and marched the block back to the Cannizarro house.

A few minutes later, Allison returned with the paper and slid into the car. "Here ya go Sam." While Sam looked at the map, the hearing girl reached over and turned on the music. The deaf girl looked up when she detected movement and Allison mouthing words.

"Are you talking to yourself or what?" Sam motioned.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Oh! I was just singing along with the song." Allison shrugged. "It's beautiful music. Too bad you can't hear it. I could describe it for you."

Sam growled at the comment. "Too bad? Who said I cared?" She made sure Allison understood her sentiment then slammed on the gas and sped up, throwing her passengers against the seat as she careened around a turn.

Allison gulped. She had just pissed Sam off, again, just as it seemed as if she was getting back in the older girl's good graces. Didn't she feel bad about being deaf? She was also wondering about the "a bit of exercise wouldn't hurt ya" comment. Did her companion think she was fat or unattractive? The younger girl glanced over at the driver nervously as if she didn't have any confidence in Sam's driving skill. Sam caught the look and for the fun of it, sped up and wavered on the road, scaring her passengers witless.

Before they knew it, they were at the Kaftan residence, and luck of luck, everyone else was out tonight too. Dino inched forward at a pace slow and safe enough to communicate without an accident.

"Why were you driving like that?" Allison asked as Allen craned his neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of the majestic lights.

"Just having fun. Isn't that what you're used to anyway? You're my role model."

Allison laughed. "I think I'll be getting my license back soon. I hope!" She paused, wondering how to ask Sam. She asked her question haltingly. "Do you think I'm…fat?" Allison cringed as she sputtered the words out and finger spelled nervously. The comment regarding the exercise part had really bothered her. That was all she heard from her mother.

Sam inwardly groaned. There were three dangerous questions to avoid at all times from a woman: a) does this make me look fat? b) do you see any wrinkles or lines? and c) do you like my mother?

Sam rolled her eyes as Dino moved five feet. "No. Don't be so serious." Allison sighed with relief; she wanted Sam to think highly of her.

"Well…do…um… do you, uh, think I'm p..pretty?" Allison swallowed nervously.

Sam's chest tightened. Add number four to the list of dangerous questions. She flashed back to the first time she had met Allison and how striking her eyes had been and still were. In fact, they were beautiful. Allison was more attractive than the dark-haired girl wanted to acknowledge. How should she answer? The subject made her nervous.

Sam tapped Allen on the shoulder and diverted the question to him. The tyke thought for a moment then shook his head emphatically for Sam's benefit. "Ugh. Allison's a girl. Girls have cooties. Yuck." Allen finger spelled and pointed to Allison, making a face. Sam laughed, amazed at Allen's proficiency at signing. She should sign with him more often.

Sam grinned at Allison and held her hands up, basically saying, "There's your answer." Allison nodded, wondering why Sam hadn't addressed the question herself. Did Sam think she was really hideous?

Allen tugged at Allison's jacket. "Do you think Sam's pretty?" he chirped, gesturing with his words. The older girl raised an eyebrow and looked at Allison for an answer.

Allison chuckled. She wouldn't reward Sam with the honest verdict of You're drop dead gorgeous, Samantha-especially after Sam's latest maneuver. "Allen, what do you think?"

The boy glanced at Sam, a quandary spreading across his face. "Is Sam a boy or a girl?"

Sam picked up easily enough. "No. I'm an alien." She used her hands to form antennae, mimicking an alien.

"Cool!" Allen crowed. "Sam's pretty then. If she was a girl she would be yucky." He made gagging noises and exaggerations.

Allison grinned. "Well there's your answer. Congrats on your cootie free status."

Sam leaned into Allison and picked at her coat. Allison's heartbeat quickened as the attractive girl inspected her shoulders attentively. She plucked an imaginary cootie from the green-eyed girl's scarf and furrowed her brow in puzzlement. Upon closer investigation, Sam's eyebrows shot up.

Allen's face paled as he leaped off his sister's lap. "No cooties!" Sam threw the invisible cootie at Allen and laughed as the small boy scampered down on the floor.

Allison giggled at Sam's antics. She was getting along beautifully with Allen. The boy didn't laugh enough; that was what happened with Susan as a mother. But better than…

Dino was almost in front of the Kaftan house and Allen was practically bursting at the seams. Sam got out a pen and piece of paper, in better spirits. "Don't worry, you'll lose your cooties soon. Didn't anyone tell the kid I'm a girl? That's not something you confuse easily."

Allison paused, wondering how she should explain. She didn't want to admit exactly what her mother had said about Sam being a boy-thing. Her brother must have overheard Susan refer to Sam as a boy amongst other names, thus confusing matters.

The green-eyed girl replied, "I guess it's because you don't really wear dresses… Don't worry. I'm pretty sure you're a girl. Aren't you?"

Sam gave Allison an expression of mock annoyance and winked at her. "Gee. I was the last time I checked."

Unnerved by the intensity of Sam's gaze, Allison hurriedly changed the subject. "Oh Allen. What are you, boy, girl, or alien?"

"I'm a monster. Grrr..arr..arr." Allen made growling noises and raised his hands and gave his sister a Frankenstein look.

Allison grinned and looked out of the window as Sam pulled up in front of the Kaftan residence. "I ain't waiting all night." She cut the motor and leaned back to catch a few seconds of shut-eye. Allen leaped out of Dino and immediately bee-lined to the flying reindeer section.

Allison patted Sam's arm and was rewarded with her indecent blue eyes. "Why don't you take a look? It's beautiful!" She waved her arm, sweeping across the spectacle before them.

The driver shook her head. "No thanks. Big deal." She promptly re-shut her eyes and leaned back for a catnap.

Allison sighed and joined her brother, occasionally looking back at Dino. How could anyone not appreciate the beauty that went into the Christmas season? The holiday spirit, the excitement floating in the air? The cute dancing teddy bears and singing Santas? The merry music… well, that one was understandable.

Sam rested for a few minutes then glanced at her watch. Those two kids were taking forever to look at the house. She turned on the motor and resolved that if they weren't in the car in the next minute she was leaving. Dino was probably infested with cooties by now, she reckoned with a grin.

She turned the music up and drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. After a couple of minutes passed, Sam grinned evilly and pulled away from the curb. As she headed out, she noted a shocked Allison in the rearview mirror.

Abandoning them was fun but before she could even go five blocks, guilt set in. Swearing, she turned around and went back to Allison and Allen. If things kept up, she'd soon be delivering Meals on Wheels and volunteering her time as a complete softy.

The blonde girl stared at Sam with shock as she and Allen climbed into Dino. "Were you really going to leave us?" she squeaked.

Sam gave Allison a self-amused grin that melted her annoyance. She was so cute when she grinned and yet so infuriating!

"Relax. I thought I'd give your chubby behind a workout by having you chase me." Sam expanded her hands to indicate Allison's posterior girth. Actually, Allison possessed a charming bum. The teaser grinned even more broadly as her younger companion gasped in shock. Chubby behind?

Allison's expression turned into a small smile as she recalled Sam's admonishment to not be so serious. "Well, as I recall, your ass was-"

"You used the a word! Bad!" Allen interrupted knowingly as Sam contained her laughter. Allison smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, Allen, you're right. I shouldn't use that word." She patted her brother's hand then directed her words and signs back to Sam. "I was saying earlier… your butt was comfortable and well padded enough for me to sit on! So…" Allison paused to look at the paper in her hands. "Why don't we go to Broadway and 75th? They have 60,000 lights." She pointed out the location to Sam, who groaned. Broadway was on the other side of town, but she obliged.

The second stop was a repeat of the first, as Sam remained in Dino. Allison, Allen, and a hundred other gawkers gaggled over reindeer on the roof. She raised a solitary eyebrow as she observed the hordes of people hanging around the house. She just didn't get it. What was the big deal? She actually had been an avid enjoyer of Christmas lights as a kid but had felt like she was invading privacy so she had vowed to stop.

Her charges rejoined her. Allison turned to the dark-haired girl. "Don't you think those lights are lovely? The people really put a lot of effort into doing this. Wouldn't you just love to decorate your house like that someday?" Sam winced as she caught a dreamy gaze on Allison's face.

"Never been one for attention. Feel like I'm invading their privacy."

Allison nodded thoughtfully at the response. "I understand what you mean. But the people who do it obviously want attention."

Sam raised an eyebrow at the rebuttal, feeling boxed in and frustrated. In about a week, she'd revealed to a near stranger things that even Paul didn't know.

"Where next?" she asked. They spent the next hour and half hunting down different displays as Sam's annoyance increased. At the last stop, Allison finally managed to convince the gloomy Gus to come out for at least a few minutes.

"Come on Sam. Please. Just one minute. You'll enjoy it. Those people want you to look. You're supposed to look. For me? Please." Allison begged. Sam sighed heavily. Why not? This was the last house then it was over, at least for one more year.

She got out of Dino and marched to the Christmas tree display, studied it squarely, then returned to Dino, only to find Allison blocking the door, Allen at her side. Her hands were on her hips and a determined smile decorated her ruddy face.

"I looked. Happy now?" Sam snapped.

Allison puckered her lips and shook her head cheerfully. Clasping Sam's gloved hand in hers, Allen holding on to her other hand, she led the two to the front of the house.

"Look. There's a miniature North Pole and Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer." The perky blonde pointed to the roof then to the yard. The blue-eyed girl only gave the house cursory glances then nodded a few times.

Allison looked up at Sam and finger spelled. "Can't you have fun? Is it against the law to have fun?"

Sam didn't appreciate the comment and jerked away, but Allen stopped her.

"Why don't you like the lights? Aren't they pretty?" Allen said, reaching up and taking Sam's large hand into his own smaller hand. She sighed. She had not understood what Allen had said but his disappointed expression alone was enough.

Allison smiled in amusement as her adorable brother skipped over to a large plastic candy cane, the older girl in tow. Their interaction showed that Sam had at least a couple weak spots.

As Sam and Allen were about to wrap up their scrutiny, the boy heard a shriek. He jerked his head in the direction of the sound instantly and laughed when he saw his sister hugging a couple of male friends. "Hey! Cool to see ya here!"

Sam surveyed the scene critically. Allison could be such a…girl at times. Exhibit A: she was flapping around and swatting her friends on the shoulder. Sam sighed, hoping that Allison wouldn't drag her into the hormone fest. She reached for Allen's hand but he wasn't there. In the next instant, she saw the boy sneak up and dump snow down the back of Allison's pants. He couldn't reach any higher.

Allison spun around and glared at the boy then at the laughing Sam. "Not funny!" she signed. She scooped up a handful of snow and packed it into a nice sized ball.

The force of the wet snow hit Sam like a bulldozer, startling her. Allison was quick! The dark-haired girl's face took on a truculent expression and a feral grin spread as she waggled her eyebrows. She loved a good fight.

Sam grabbed a handful of the white precipitation and stalked Allison around the yard, dodging around people. The blonde knew she was in trouble and giggling, she ran for the farthest reaches, hoping that her tracker would tire, but it wasn't going to happen. Sam caught up easily and grabbed the smaller girl. She laughed gleefully as she stuffed snow and then more snow down the blonde's shirt. Allison screamed as the cold wetness made contact with her bare skin.

She tackled Sam and sent both of them crashing into the few inches of snow. While she still had leverage, lying on top of Sam, she crammed snow down the blue-eyed girl's clothes.

Sam gasped as the slivery snow pierced and stung her skin. She waited a few seconds for Allison to let her guard down. The blonde laughed, thinking she'd finally one-upped her adversary. But it was not to be.

Sam lunged for her playmate, wrapping her strong arms around the shorter girl. Maintaining the embrace, she spun her captor below her and went to work. Allen joined the melee, rolling around in the white powder, flinging snow randomly.

In a short time, the trio lay still on the ground, exhausted. They were wet and cold from head to toe, miserable and numb.

Sam noted the smug smile on Allison's face as an opportunity to get one last dig at her future stepsister presented itself. She scooped Allen in her arms and made a run for Dino. He could withstand the wetness.

Sam and Allen hopped in and locked the doors just as Allison arrived to the passenger door. The shivering blonde pounded on the window while the occupants warmed up in front of Dino's heater.

Allen stuck out his tongue and made faces at his sister through the window. "Nyah nyah." Sam started laughing and joined in Allen's taunting. The victim groaned and pleaded with her tormentors. She hadn't won the snow fight after all. She stuck out her lower lip and pouted. "Please?" she signed.

Sam and Allen looked at each other and giggled. The boy crawled up to the window, his face nearly pressing against the glass. "Tell me story tonight." Allison nodded her consent and her brother unlocked the door. As soon Allison got in she turned to her comrades.

"Brats! Both of you!" She swatted both of them on the shoulder and sighed exaggeratedly as she leaned into the heater.

"Boyfriends?" Sam asked.

Allison blushed. "Just friends from school." She surveyed the outdoors for them but the guys were nowhere to be seen. "I hope they aren't upset."

She turned back to Sam and wrote on a paper. "I don't have a boyfriend. I'm still looking for that someone special. Someone that will change my life, my soulmate and true love. People make fun of that but I think it's really possible. Mom just likes to think I have a new love interest every week. What I told Mickey of course, wasn't the truth. You and Paul serious?"

Sam shook her head. Dangerous territory.

Allison was dying to know what Sam's type was. She must have a lot of boyfriends. She was gorgeous! "I bet a lot of boys like you. You're lucky to go to a school where the male/female ratio is 100 to one. All of those muscular, athletic guys. So, what's your type?"

Sam had to smile. "You could go to Jackson and get a boyfriend. You wouldn't have a problem. My type is quiet and untalkative." She winked at Allison.

"I can foresee many stimulating and exciting conversations between you and your boyfriends. If I was a boy we'd never get along." Allison smiled broadly.

Sam grimaced. "Even with you as a girl, we don't get along. You talk way too much."

"You're too quiet. If I never talked then what would we do? Sit there and stare at each other?" Allison challenged with her eyes.

"There are plenty of pleasant activities that don't require conversation." Sam baited intentionally. She wanted to see how far the prim Allison would go.

She was game. "Talking can make things more enjoyable…foreplay for one." She raised an eyebrow and twinkled at Sam.

The dark-haired young woman swallowed lightly as she pondered a comeback. "You know from personal experience?"

The fair-skinned Allison blushed. "Come on. Not in front of Allen."

Sam grinned. She and Allison had been half-writing, half signing and no way did Allen know what was going on. "I didn't know you were propositioning me…" She licked her lip and winked at Allison.

Allison gulped as Sam pulled away from the curb, heading home. "Don't flatter yourself," she shot back before giving into her shivering.

CONTINUED IN PART FOUR.

As always, e-mails are welcome at sarkel_bard@yahoo.com