Josie’s words still hung in the air as she looked up from turning off her camera and into Sam’s emotion filled eyes.

"I have something to tell you too." He told her, his voice husky with feeling. Josie blushed and looked down at her feet for a moment before looking up and smiling at him. "Can we go somewhere and talk?" He asked softly.

She nodded her head, then shyly asked. "Can we finish this dance first?"

Giving her a warm smile he replied. "I’d like that." She smiled back and he slid his arm further around her waist to pull her a little closer to him. Josie responded by lacing her fingers through his and giving his hand a gentle squeeze. They spent the rest of the song staring deeply into each other’s eyes, their hearts racing with excitement.

When the song ended both Sam and Josie felt a wave of mixed emotion wash over them. They were disappointed that the song was finished, yet at the same time they were excited about the conversation that they were about to have.

"Shall we go outside and talk?" He asked as he led her off the dance floor, their fingers still intertwined. Josie nodded shyly and he gave her hand another quick squeeze before releasing it. Then taking her by the elbow he let her lead the way through the crowd to the door.

They’d almost managed to escape unnoticed until they reached the ‘in-crowd’ table. Gibby, Kirstin and Kristen all looked up as Josie passed. "Josie, where are you going?" Gibby asked curiously, giving the other girl a friendly smile. "Why don’t you join us?"

"Thanks, Gibby." Josie acknowledged, giving the three Barbie girls a polite smile. "But I think I’m going to go get some air. It’s kind of stuffy in here."

"Hey, we’ll go with you!" Kirstin volunteered, looking at the other girls for agreement.

Josie tried to suppress her grin as she felt Sam’s grip on her elbow tighten in alarm at Kirstin’s suggestion. She could also tell he was holding his breath as he awaited her reply. "That’s okay, Kirstin. I appreciate the offer, but Mr. Coulson and I have something to discuss about my college application anyway."

"But it’s Prom." Kristen complained, giving both of them a pleading look. "Can’t that wait until tomorrow?"

Josie felt her patience waning with these three, but keeping her lid on her temper she said. "Don’t worry, the night’s still young. I’ll be back shortly. Besides, I’m curious to hear what Mr. Coulson has to say." She felt a tingle of excitement shoot through her as Sam squeezed her elbow again.

"Okay, but don’t be too long." Gibby pouted slightly. "Guy will be looking for you soon."

Now it was Sam’s turn to feel Josie tense at the mention of her date. "Don’t worry, I’ll be back before he even misses me." She commented after glancing over to where he was dancing with Sera. Looking back at the trio she smiled and said "Excuse us" before heading for the door.

"Poor Josie." Gibby sighed, watching her friend disappear through the door. "Imagine being forced to discuss college on Prom night." The other two added their agreement before turning their attention back to the party around them.

*****************

"Josie!"

As soon as Josie stepped outside the door of the country club she heard someone call her name. Turning towards the sound of the voice she saw George rushing towards her. "What is it, George?"

"We lost the feed!" He quickly told her. "Gus is going nuts!" He stopped suddenly when Sam appeared through the doors and stood beside Josie.

"Tell Gus that I must be experiencing some technical difficulties with the feed..." She told George seriously.

"But Josie…" The Black man tried to interject but she cut him off.

"Tell him that I must be experiencing some technical difficulties with the feed and that you’ll try to get my attention as soon as possible so you can fix it."

"But Josie…"

"Tell him George." She told him firmly. "But don’t tell him more than that." When he looked unconvinced she softened her tone and added, her eyes begging him to understand. "Please?"

George noticed that Josie had wrapped her hand protectively around Sam’s arm and that Sam had placed his other hand over hers. He fought back the smile that wanted to break over his face as he realized what was going on. Secretly thrilled that Josie was finally taking matters into her own hands he only nodded and released an exaggerated sigh of resignation. "Okay, I’ll tell him. But I want your ‘technical difficulties’ cleared up in ten minutes and you back on the air. After all, its Gus who signs the paychecks, not you."

"Thanks, George." Josie gave him a grateful smile.

Reaching over he squeezed her arm and grinned. "You go girl."

As George walked away, Sam turned to Josie and asked in confusion. "What was that all about?"

Josie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was no turning back now. "Mind if we sit? I promise I’ll tell you everything."

"Sure." He nodded and led her to a stone bench so they could sit down. Once they were settled he looked at her expectantly. "So, who’s George and Gus and what’s all this about ‘technical difficulties’?"

Josie closed her eyes again for a moment, trying to collect her racing thoughts. When she opened them again she found him looking at her with concern in his beautiful eyes. Swallowing slightly she began. "Before I tell you what’s going on, will you promise me something?"

"Anything." He assured her, reaching over to take her hand in his. "Name it."

"Promise me that no matter what your initial reaction is to what I have to say, you’ll give me a chance to explain." Her eyes looked into his pleadingly. "Promise me."

His heart sped up when she saw the intensity of emotion in her eyes. "I promise."

Josie put her free hand over the one that held her other hand and took a deep breath. "I’m not a high school student. I’m an undercover reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times."

"A reporter?" Sam repeated in surprise.

Josie nodded and quickly related her history. "I graduated from high school eight years ago, then I attended Northwestern for three years majoring in English Literature and Journalism. I’ve been working as a copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times for the last five years, but my greatest goal has always been to be a reporter. I kept pitching story ideas to Gus, he’s my editor, hoping to get a chance to prove I could do it. But anytime he liked one of my ideas he always gave it to another reporter. I was beginning to feel that my dream wouldn’t come true. Then one day Mr. Rigfort, our publisher, decided that he wanted to do an undercover story on high school kids today and he gave the assignment to me, I guess because I looked young enough to be a high school student. Well, I was excited and terrified all at once. My first high school experience was a nightmare and I was sure that this one would be the same." Seeing the questioning look in Sam’s eyes she quickly said. "But that’s another story. I promise I’ll tell you about it sometime, but not now. Not here." When Sam nodded in agreement she continued her story. "My first few weeks at South Glen South were not much better than my years in high school." She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "Though your class always made my day." He smiled back at her and put his free hand over the one she had placed over his. "After three weeks undercover and no story Gus felt could be used, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He had George set me up with a hidden camera and microphone." She freed one hand and pointed to the wings pin on her dress.

"You’ve been filming me?" His eyebrows raised in alarm.

Josie nodded her head sadly. "You and everyone else too." Clasping his hand again with her free one she exclaimed adamantly. "I didn’t want to and I felt so awful about doing it, but I had no choice. Rigfort had made it very clear that if I botched up this assignment both my job and Gus’ were on the line."

"So why are you telling me all this now?" He asked curiously. "Aren’t you risking your job by telling me the truth?"

"I had to tell you." She told him, her tone full of emotion. "I wasn’t going to let Gus hurt you."

"Why would Gus want to hurt me?" Sam asked in surprise. "I don’t even know him."

Josie dropped her eyes down to their hands, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "He thinks that you’re attracted to me so he wants to jump on this stupid idea of ‘Student/Teacher Relationships – How Close is Too Close?’ I told him I wasn’t going to do it, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’s already pitched it to Rigfort who loves the idea. But I won’t do it!" She looked back to his face and added firmly. "I’m not going to hurt you like that and I won’t let Gus hurt you either. I’ll hand in my resignation first!"

Sam was surprised by the intensity of Josie’s tone. Examining her face for a moment he finally asked, his tone husky with emotion. "You would quit your job and give up your dream of being a reporter to protect me from your boss?"

"In a heartbeat." Josie whispered truthfully as she squeezed his hands tightly in hers.

Sam flashed her a warm smile. "You are definitely amazing, Josie Geller." When she had first told him that she wasn’t a seventeen-year-old high school student but an undercover reporter his first reaction was to be hurt at her deception. But as she revealed the events that led up to her current situation his feelings of hurt soon turned to those of compassion, understanding and then love. He realized that she hadn’t wanted to deceive him, it was just the dictates of her job that had been responsible for the charade. And the fact that she was willing to risk her job and her dream to protect him from Gus, his unknown adversary, made him forgive her all the more. Looking deeply into her expectant eyes he commented gently. "I guess there’s really only one question left for me to ask." He paused for a moment as she watched him carefully. "How old are you?"

Josie giggled slightly as a wave of relief spread over her. "I’m twenty-five." She informed him.

Sam closed his eyes tightly for a moment as joy and relief spread over him. "Thank you." He whispered softly to himself. When he opened his eyes he found Josie looking at him curiously. Smiling shyly at her he explained his reaction to her answer. "I’ve been wishing for weeks that you weren’t my seventeen year old student but that you were older and more experienced with life." He couldn’t help the excited grin that broke over his face as he continued. "Josie, I have been aching for weeks to tell you how much I love you."

"You l-love me?" She stammered in surprised. When he nodded her next words came out choked with sobs as tears sprang into her eyes. "I hoped you would, but I never thought it was possible. I didn’t think there was any chance someone as wonderful as you could care for someone like me."

"Someone like you?" He repeated in surprise, finding it incredible that she didn’t seem to realize her own wonderful qualities. "Josie, you are the most amazing, intelligent, incredible woman I have ever met. You’re smart, you’re funny and you are so beautiful that I feel breathless just looking at you."

"Really?" She questioned, still finding it hard to believe that he was really saying these wonderful things about her.

"Really." He assured her. "I’m absolutely crazy about you."

"I love you too." She told him sincerely. "I’ve loved you from the first day I met you."

Now it was Sam’s turn to be surprised. "Really?"

She reached up and touched his cheek tenderly. "Really."

He smiled at her for a moment before leaning forward and gently pressing his lips to hers. Josie responded to his kiss by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back. They were so engrossed in their kiss that they didn’t even notice that they were no longer alone.

************

Rob quickly scanned the courtyard looking for his sister and Mr. Coulson. He’d heard Gibby tell Guy that the two of them had gone outside to get some air and discuss Josie’s college application. Knowing that Josie wasn’t going to college Rob had a feeling that the conversation probably involved more than just Dartmouth. Quickly he had offered to go find Josie for Guy, leaving the Prom King to dance with Tracie. When his eyes fell upon the kissing pair on the stone bench he was glad that he’d been the one to find them and not Guy.

"Rob!" The young man turned to find George rushing towards him, an anxious look on his face.

"What is it, George?" He asked, concern filling him at the other man’s serious look.

"I need you to help me get Josie back on the air." George told him urgently. "Gus said that if her ‘technical difficulties’ were not cleared up in the next five minutes he is going to come down here himself and fix everything."

"I’ll talk to her." Rob promised, then in a somewhat pleading tone he asked. "Please don’t tell Gus what’s really going on. I don’t want him ruining things for Josie. I’ve never seen her so happy."

George gave him a reassuring smile knowing of Rob’s fierce loyalty for his sister. "Don’t worry, Slugger. Her secret’s safe with me. I happen to be a romantic at heart."

"Thanks, George." Rob gave him a big smile. "We both appreciate it."

"You just get your sister back on tape." Was the other man’s parting words.

As the other man moved off Rob turned his attention back to his sister and Mr. Coulson. They were still heavily engrossed in their kiss. Hating to be the one to interrupt them, but knowing that Josie’s job was at stake if he didn’t, he cleared his throat, trying to alert the couple of his presence. After the third try he finally got Sam’s attention. The look on his face when he saw Rob standing beside them was absolutely priceless. It was a look that Rob would tease him about for years to come.

"This is not what it looks like." The English teacher quickly tried to assure Rob, greatly worried about what the other man must be thinking about what he’d just witnessed. "I can explain."

Rob contemplated for a brief second about giving Sam a hard time about kissing his sister, but he decided the wiser course was to reassure the distressed man. After all, it was highly likely he was going to be his brother-in-law one of these days. "It’s okay, Mr. C." Rob quickly assured him. "I expected something like this when I came looking for the two of you. That’s why I told Guy I’d come find you instead of letting him do it." Looking from Sam’s surprised expression to Josie’s glowing one he ventured. "I take it he knows the truth." When Josie nodded in confirmation her brother quickly relayed George’s message. "We’ve got to get you back on the air before Gus has a heart attack. George says he’s threatening to come down here."

"What are we going to do?" Josie asked him with wide worried eyes.

"We are going to get you back on the air." Rob told her seriously. "And we’re going to do it in such a way that Gus isn’t going to suspect that you were aware of the problem with the transmission."

"How are we going to do that?" She asked, her eyes filling with more worry. She didn’t regret cutting the transmission and telling Sam everything about what’s been going on, but she didn’t know how she’d ever get away with pretending the ‘difficulties’ with the feed were real.

Rob thought for a moment, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. Looking at her with dancing eyes he said. "I’ve got a plan."

"Should I be worried?" She asked, her own lips tugging in knowing expectation.

"Not at all." He assured her innocently. "This is what we’ll do. The three of us will go back inside. Mr. Coulson will loose himself in the crowd while you and I hit the dance floor. We’ll pretend we’re in the middle of a conversation, perhaps ‘rehashing’ the last few minutes, when your camera will suddenly start to work again. Hopefully our ‘recap’ will satisfy Gus as to what happened over the last few minutes."

"But when I shut if off, I had just told Mr. Coulson…" She looked at Sam and blushed slightly "…Sam…" He flashed her a warm smile and reached over to squeeze her hand as she continued. "…that I wanted to tell him something."

"Okay, that’s no problem." Rob assured her. "We’ll say something about Guy cutting in on you just as you were about to tell him about…what were you discussing when you said that you wanted to tell him something?"

"I had just asked Josie if she had given anymore thought to Dartmouth." Sam supplied.

"Perfect." Rob grinned. "Guy interrupted you before you could tell Mr. C. about your college plans." He winked mischievously at her. "Though we know that wasn’t what you wanted to tell him."

Josie blushed again at his teasing. "I don’t know Rob. I’m so sick of all this lying and deception, pretending to be something I’m not."

"Jos, listen to me." He crouched down beside her and took her free hand in both of his, his eyes searching hers intently. "You are a great writer and you will make one hell of a reporter. All you need is to master this assignment. Don’t you want to prove to Gus and Rigfort and all those losers from high school that you can do this, that you can get your story and be a success?"

"Of course I do!" She told him, her eyes tearing up.

"Well then, let’s do it!" He gave her shoulder a light punch. "Don’t worry, I’m right behind you. I’ll help you through this."

"We both will." Sam echoed, squeezing her hand tightly in his.

Josie looked from Rob to Sam, tears dotting her cheeks. "I am so lucky to have you both." She squeezed their hands tightly.

"And I’m lucky to have you." Sam told her earnestly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him for a quick hug. "I love you."

"I love you too." She returned, planting a light kiss on his cheek.

"Come on, Jos, we have to get this show on the road." Rob urged uncomfortably. He hated breaking up his sister and her new love.

When the three of them rose to their feet, Josie turned to her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Rob. You’re the greatest."

"Hey, better be careful, Jos, you’re going to make Mr. C. jealous." Rob teased as he hugged her tightly back.

Josie smiled and slowly released her brother. Turning to look at Sam she said. "I suppose I should introduce you two properly."

"No, wait, let me guess." Sam stopped her before she could continue. "He’s a twenty-five year old undercover reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times."

"Actually I’m only twenty-three." Rob corrected. "And I don’t even read the Sun-Times let alone work for them." Holding out his hand to Sam he introduced. "My name is Rob Geller."

"Geller?" Sam raised his eyebrows in confusion and looked at the pair before him. He felt his heart constrict slightly at the news.

Realizing what Sam must be thinking Josie quickly clarified. "My brother."

"Your brother?" Sam’s relieved smiled nearly split his face. "He’s your brother?"

"For the last twenty-three years." Rob told him proudly as he flung an arm around Josie’s shoulders.

"That’s what our parents say anyway." Josie teased, shooting her brother a sly look. "Personally I think he was switched at birth."

"Oh Josephine you cut me to the heart." Rob placed a hand over his heart and staggered slightly like he’d been stabbed.

"You nut!" Josie laughed as she slapped his arm playfully.

"Hey, don’t hit me!" Rob exclaimed in mock-annoyance. Then with a wicked glint in his eye he threatened. "Or else I’ll tell Mr. C. about your high school nickname."

"Rob, don’t you dare!" She exclaimed in alarm.

"Well than quit beating up on me and get yourself back on the air before Gus comes down here and skins both our hides." Rob said as he started to usher her towards the country club.

"I thought you weren’t scared of Gus." Josie commented, giving him an amused look.

"I’m not – as long as he’s on one side of the city and I’m on the other." Rob shuddered slightly and added. "In person that man’s scarier than Attila the Hun." Both Sam and Josie laughed at the look on Rob’s face as he ushered Josie inside.

************

"Okay, I want you to start laughing like I’m in the middle of telling you a funny story."

"I can’t do that, Rob." Josie exclaimed in despair. "I’m not an actress."

"Come on, Jos." Rob encouraged seriously. "Don’t make me get dirty." He emphasized his point by gently poking her in the side. Josie jumped slightly and giggled.

"Don’t Rob!" She pushed his hand away from her side.

"Why shouldn’t I?" He asked, poking her in the side again. Josie laughed harder, expectation making her giddy as his finger continued to hover at her side. When her laughter became almost hysterical Rob quickly cued. "Turn on the camera and follow my lead." Continue to laugh Josie reached up and turned on the camera. "…and that’s not all," Rob started saying as the camera came to life. "After that he…" He leaned forward as if to whisper something in her ear and poked her in the side to make her laugh. Josie let out a boisterous laugh, then reached out and clamped a hand over her mouth. She glanced around to see if anyone had paid attention to her outburst, but all the rest of the crowd seemed to be engrossed in their own partner. The only person she made eye contact with was Sam, who was standing by the dessert table holding a plate with a piece of chocolate cake. It was the piece that she had set down earlier when he’d asked her to dance. She flashed him a bright smile before turning her attention back to what Rob has said.

"He didn’t do that!" she exclaimed, managing to sound genuinely shocked.

"Scouts honor!" He said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Josie rolled her eyes and then changed the subject. "Oh, Rob, this had been such a wonderful night. I can’t believe I’m here. It’s everything I dreamed my prom would be like."

"I’d say you’re the belle of the ball, Josie." Rob commented proudly. "You’re the Prom Queen, you’re one of the most popular girls here and your dance card has been full all evening. You even have guys fighting over dancing with you." He chuckled slightly. "You should have seen the look on your face when Guy cut in on you and Mr. Coulson. You looked completely surprised. Mr. C. on the other hand looked a little disappointed. What were you two talking about anyway?"

Josie’s eyes widened momentarily in panic. The moment had come. She knew she had to sound convincing or else Gus would suspect that something was up. She felt Rob squeeze her hand encouragingly and forced herself to speak. She was surprised at how calm her tone sounded. It completely belied her racing heart. "We were talking about college. He asked me if I had given anymore thought to Dartmouth. I told you that he had gotten me an interview with the admissions guy there." Rob nodded in confirmation. "Well, I was going to tell him that I had decided to try Northwestern so that I could stay close to home and my family. But Guy kind of interrupted us and I didn’t get a chance to tell him."

"Oh, I’m sure you’ll get a chance to tell him." Rob told her confidently. "I’m sure you’ll get a chance to tell him everything." Josie’s eyes widened and she shook her head at him warningly. But he was undeterred. "I think you two would be good for each other. You both have a lot in common, and I wouldn’t mind having him as a brother-in-law."

"Rob…" She warned her eyes flashing nervously.

"Don’t worry, sis, I’m not about to blow your cover, and I’m not suggesting you do it either. Gus would likely kill me if I did." Looking right into Josie’s camera he grinned and prompted. "Wouldn’t you, Gus?" He grinned wider as he pictured Gus replying ‘You’d better believe it, Geller’. Turning his attention back to his sister he continued. "I guess I’m just hoping that you’ll find happiness one day, and Mr. Coulson seems to make you happy."

"Thanks, Rob." Josie gave him a big smile, her tone a little choked from emotion. "I appreciate that."

"You’re my big sister, Jos and I care about you." He admitted honestly. "All I’ve ever wanted was to see you happy. And if Sam Coulson makes you happy then you should go for it. I only hope he’ll understand all this when it’s all over."

"Me too." She agreed a little sadly. Taking a deep breath she added, for the benefit of the camera, especially Gus. "He’s just so wonderful, Rob! I don’t want to loose him if there’s any chance that he cares for me too."

"I think he does care for you Josie." Rob replied seriously. "I think he cares for you very much."

"I hope so." She said, then sadly added. "Not that it’ll matter in the long run. The story Gus wants me to do has basically ruined any chance I have with him. There’s no way he’ll forgive me if I create a scandal about him. I just wish I could come up with another story. One that won’t hurt and humiliate the man of my dreams. The only man who’s ever made me feel special, complete."

"Don’t worry, Jos." Her brother comforted kindly. "You’ll get through this. We’ll think of something."

"You’ll help me?" She asked, her tone full of hope.

"Of course I will." He assured her with a bright smile. "We are brother and sister after all. We stick together no matter what."

"Thanks, Rob." As the song ended she put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "You’re the greatest brother in the world."

"I know." He teased as he hugged her back, causing her to slap him playfully in the back of the head.

A voice behind them interrupted their embrace. "Hey, Rob! What are you doing with my Queen?" The Geller siblings parted and turned towards Guy and Tracie. Guy slipped his arm around Josie’s waist and commented teasingly to Rob. "Get your own girl, this one is already spoken for."

Josie blushed hotly and glanced over to where Sam was still standing by the dessert table watching them. She couldn’t help but smile when he caught the jealous look in his eye as he watched her with Guy. The arm around her waist gave her a light squeeze drawing her attention back to her younger companion.

"Want to dance, Beautiful?" Guy asked her warmly. Josie gave him a shy smile and nodded in approval. "Rufus!" He smiled back. He took her hand and turned towards the dance floor. But before taking a step he turned back to Rob and said. "By the way, there’s a few of us going down to the lake after Prom to party. You and Tracie are welcome to come if you like. Josie and I are going and most of the group."

Josie looked at Rob, her eyes wide with alarm. There was no way she was going ‘partying’ at the lake with a bunch of underage teenagers. All that could possibly lead to was trouble with a capital ‘T’. But, like always, Rob was on top of things. "That sounds great, Guy, but I’m afraid Josie and I can’t make it." At both Guy and Tracie’s questioning looks he added. "Our parents are having a small little get-together after the Prom. Nothing elaborate, basically just us and our parents."

"Aw, Rob." Tracie pouted slightly. "Couldn’t you guys do that another time? It’s Prom night!"

"Wish we could, Trace." Rob lied gallantly. Secretly he couldn’t wait to get away from her. "But we promised our folks we’d be home as soon as Prom was over." Noting the disappointed looks on both Guy and Tracie’s faces he grinned slightly and suggested. "Why don’t you two go to the party together? That way Josie and I can make our plans with our parents and you two still get to go to the party. How does that sound?"

Guy looked at Tracie for a moment than shrugged. "Fine, I guess. At least that way we won’t be the only ones without a date. Sound okay to you, Tracie?"

"Sounds fine to me." She agreed eagerly. Then looking at Rob she asked. "How will you get home?"

"Don’t worry about us." Rob assured her. "My car’s in the parking lot." When he received surprised looks from all three of his companions he explained. "I thought you might have plans after Prom, so I thought I’d bring my car so Josie and I could get home afterwards. I’m not without my resources."

Josie rolled her eyes as Guy started tugging on her hand. "Come, on Beautiful. Let’s hit the dance floor." As they moved off Brett approached Tracie and Rob.

"Hey, Robster! Mind if I steal Tracie for a dance of two?"

"Be my guest." Rob replied eagerly as he handed her over to Brett. He watched them go, more than relieved to be devoid of her for a few minutes. He liked Tracie and all, but he knew she liked him far too much for comfort, especially since she was only sixteen and he was twenty-three.

"So, how’d it go?" A voice suddenly asked, causing Rob to jump slightly in surprise.

"Fine." Rob replied, giving Sam an amused smile. "I think we were convincing enough that Gus shouldn’t be too suspicious. I just hope Guy doesn’t say anything to give us away."

"I’m sure Josie will keep a handle on the conversation." Sam assured him. "She knows what’s at stake."

"Yeah, but she’s not as good at the deception stuff as I am." Rob said, grinning wickedly at his companion. "She’s got too good a conscience."

"Well, I must admit I’m glad to hear it." The older man commented seriously. "I had enough deception and manipulation with my last girlfriend."

"Josie said you two were together for five years." Rob casually remarked. "She must have had come good qualities for you to stay with her for so long."

Sam flushed a little bit and admitted. "I think all her good qualities existed only in my memory." Seeing the expectant look on Rob’s face he explained. "When we first met we were in college, life was lighter, easier. Once we graduated and she landed that high power job in New York things changed. She changed. All of a sudden appearances meant a lot to her. She wanted the perfect job, the perfect apartment, the perfect boyfriend…which I wasn’t."

"What do you mean?" Rob asked, eyeing him carefully.

"She couldn’t understand my love of teaching or my fascination with the written word. She hated my job, my hobbies – almost everything about my life that I hold dear." Sam explained.

"Everything that Josie loves about you." Rob told him honestly.

"Really?" Sam gave him a hopeful look.

Rob nodded in confirmation and watched as a bright smile spread across his face. After a moment he said. "I put in a good word for you." When the other man gave him a puzzled look he explained. "Back on the dance floor when Josie and I were talking, I told her and Gus via camera, that I hoped once all was said and done you would find it in your heart of forgive her for deceiving you." Looking at the other man seriously for a moment he added. "Because I have never seen her as happy as she’s been since she met you."

"Really?" Sam looked at him hopefully.

"Really." Rob nodded. Then looking at Sam for another moment he added. "I know I haven’t known you very long. In fact I think tonight’s the first time we’ve really talked, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been keeping my eyes and ears open." Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise as the younger man continued. "I can tell from what I’ve learned about you that you’re a pretty decent guy. Your students like you, your co-workers like you and your friends really like you."

"You’ve been talking to my friends?" Sam exclaimed in profound surprise. He hadn’t realized that he’d been so thoroughly checked out by the other man.

Rob nodded. "Coach Romano mentioned one day that you and he were good friends, so I asked him a few questions about you, nothing really personal, mostly just general stuff." He grinned at him and added. "Seems that you’re quite well liked by most everyone you know." His eyes twinkled slightly as he added. "Your ex-girlfriend on the other hand…"

Sam flushed again in embarrassment and acknowledged. "There never was much love lost between Lara and my friends. I guess because they saw all along what I just started seeing recently. Actually, I guess in a lot of ways I owe Josie for that. She’s the one that opened my eyes and made me realize that it is possible to have a relationship where two people share the same interests. That daily fighting isn’t part of a normal relationship."

Rob regarded him carefully for a moment. "I love my sister, Mr. C. She means a lot to me. I don’t want to see her get hurt."

Sam met Rob’s serious look confidently. "I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, Rob. You have my word on that. She’s a very special girl and I have nothing but the highest respect for her. I care about her very much."

Rob smiled reassuringly at him. "I can see that you do. But just promise me one thing."

"Anything." Sam quickly vowed.

"Take things slow and easy with Josie." Her brother urged. "She’s only fallen for one guy before you and he hurt her very badly." At Sam’s concerned look he continued. "It was many years ago, she was a Senior in High School, but its caused Josie to have serious doubts about herself where guys are concerned. She’s afraid of being hurt again."

"What did this guy do to her?" Sam asked anxiously, his eyes suddenly widening in fear. "He didn’t hurt her, did he?"

Rob, understanding what he meant, quickly shook his head. "He didn’t hurt her physically, just emotionally. But don’t worry, his pain was a lot more physical when I got through with him." When Sam’s eyebrows shot up questioningly he added. "Let’s just say he spent the rest of the summer drinking his meals through a straw."

The other man chuckled in amusement and clasped the younger man on the shoulder. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Hey, you keep making Josie happy and you and me will get along just fine. " Rob assured him.

Sam watched Josie and Guy as they moved slowly around the dance floor. "Rob, I promise to spend the rest of my life making Josie happy."

"That’s just fine with me, Mr. C." Rob grinned widely. "I think you’d make a pretty cool brother-in-law."

Sam smiled at him and returned. "I think you would too, Rob."

They watched the dancing couple for a few more moments than Rob asked suddenly. "You doing anything tomorrow?"

Sam glanced at his new friend and asked. "What did you have in mind?"

"Nothing major." The dark-haired man told him. "I was just wondering if you’d like to join Josie and me and our parents for a barbecue tomorrow afternoon. Dad loves showing off his barbecuing skills for new guests and Mom has been dying to meet you for weeks now. She keeps trying to come up with some new excuse to go down to the school and meet you. So far I’ve managed to stop her, but I think her curiosity is getting the better of her. I many not be able to hold her off much longer."

Sam laughed in amusement as his hart started beating a little faster. Josie must have been talking about him to her mother for the other woman to be so adamant about wanting to meet him. "Well, I guess I should put her out of her misery than, shouldn’t I? I’d love to come for a barbecue."

"Great!" Rob exclaimed eagerly. "Josie will be pleased. And I must say I’m looking forward to getting to know you a bit better myself."

"I thought that you already knew everything there was to know about me." Sam teased lightly. He knew he should be a little miffed at Rob’s prodding into his personal life, but he wasn’t. In fact he was rather impressed that the young man cared enough about his sister’s welfare that he would do some checking on a perspective love interest.

"Not everything." Rob defended. "Just a few things. Enough to know that you’d be great for my sister. You two have a lot in common."

Sam grinned happily at that and mused. "Maybe Josie and I can come to the barbecue together."

"You’ll have to arrange that with Josie." The other man told him. "I don’t know what her plans are for tomorrow."

"That maybe a little tricky." Sam commented a little sadly. "What with her camera and everything."

"You leave that to me, Mr. C." Rob’s dark eyes sparkled as his mind formulated a plan. "Meanwhile why don’t you grab my sister for a dance."

"Do you think that would be all right?" Josie’s admirer asked hopefully.

"Sure, why not." Rob shrugged non-chelantly. Then with mischievous eyes he added. "Especially since Guy so rudely cut in on you two just as Josie was about to tell you something important about Dartmouth."

Sam chuckled slightly and nodded in understanding. "Yes, that was rude of him wasn’t it?" The two men laughed and parted company, Rob going to work the room and Sam to find Josie. Once again he found her at the dessert table, attempting for the second time to eat a piece of chocolate cake. "Hello again." He greeted as he came up beside her.

Josie smiled at him and self-consciously wiped at her face. "Hi."

"Enjoying your evening so far?" He asked, trying hard to keep his tone light and steady. Now that he knew the truth about her, that she wasn’t his seventeen year old student, but a twenty-five year old woman who was just as crazy about him as he was about her, he was finding it even harder to act calm and natural around her. All he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and kiss her senseless.

"It’s been wonderful." She told him sincerely. "The decorations, the costumes, the music – they’re all wonderful." Her eyes told him that wasn’t all that she found wonderful about the evening.

"I’m glad that you’re enjoying yourself." He told her warmly. Then after a brief pause he added. "I was just wondering if you’d mind finishing the dance we started earlier." When she looked at him puzzled he smiled and cued. "You know, before Guy cut in and interrupted us."

She gave him a look of surprise, a slow smile creeping up her face. He’d obviously been talking to Rob. "That would be nice." She told him sincerely, her eyes revealing the deep feelings she had for him since she couldn’t voice those feelings aloud.

Reading what her eyes were trying to tell him he gave her a warm smile and took her hand to lead her to the dance floor. This time as they danced he dared to hold her a little tighter and lace their fingers together. Josie flashed him a tender smile as he squeezed her hand tightly. "So what were you going to tell me about Dartmouth?"

Josie’s eyes widened slightly in alarm, but she quickly regained her composure when he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Taking a deep breath to steady her voice she replied. "What I wanted to tell you was that I really appreciate your kind offer, but I was thinking maybe I’ll just apply to Northwestern. That way I’ll be able to stay with my family."

"But you are going to go to college?" He pressed, trying his best to keep the conversation on a teacher-student level. "I think you owe it to yourself. I really think you could make it as a writer."

Josie gave him such a love filled look that it took all of Sam’s self-control to keep from pulling her into his arms and kissing her. "Nobody has ever encouraged me in my writing like you have. You have been a real inspiration to me and I don’t know how to thank you."

He gave his trademark smile and said lightly. "I’ll think of something." Josie blushed slightly at his comment, imagining all the things she’d be quite willing to do to thank him. "How about you dedicate your first book to me and we’ll call it even."

Josie grinned slightly, knowing that comment was strictly for the camera’s sake. "It’s a deal." She told him, then she mouthed very carefully so he’d understand. "I love you."

Sam’s smile nearly split his face as he replied, trying hard to keep his tone in check. "Wonderful!"

************

Part two – "Coffee Time Romance"