That's My Pearpod

Freddie called Gibby as soon as he reached home. "Hey Gibby!"

"Fred!"

"Sam and I are coming with you guys tomorrow and I need a favor."

"Why? I thought I was going to get some alone time with Carly." He sounded hurt.

Freddie rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You'll get your alone time with Carly, but I need some alone time with Sam."

"I see. What do you need?" Gibby's voiced perked up.

"Ask your mom to borrow the SUV for tomorrow so that-"

"But Carly is already driving tomorrow."

"Yeah, but if she drives, Sam will call shotgun and ride in front with her, and you'll be stuck in the backseat with me instead of Carly."

"So what makes you think that Carly will sit in front with me?"

"Firstly, Sam would rather lick a frog than get stuck in a confined space next to you. No offence."

"None taken."

"Plus, Carly gets car-sick easily, so she needs to sit up front."

There was a pause as Gibby mulled over what had to be done. "Sounds like a plan. I'll ask my mom, then call Carly," Gibby replied, sounding very excited.

"Cool. Thanks Gib." Freddie hung up then went to bed, getting ready for what he hopes would be an eventful day tomorrow.

The next day…

A traumatized Gibby pulled out of the Bushwell car park with the iCarly trio on tow. Why traumatized? Well upon hearing the news that she would be stuck next to Frednerd for the next hour in the back seat, Sam tried to hijack Gibby's SUV. As Carly climbed into the front and Freddie in the back, Sam opened the driver's door and demanded that she drive. Gibby, not wanting anything to happen to his mom's vehicle and not wanting to give up his chance to be next to Carly, 'grew a pair' and refused. Sam threw a flying fit. The enraged blonde yanked open the door and attempted to pull their usually shirtless friend out. Freddie and Carly scrambled out of their seats and went to Gibby's aid. Sam eventually calmed down when Freddie bribed her by offering a two week supply of Fat-cakes and beef jerky. Gibby was grateful that he was still buckled in when he was faced with Sam and she couldn't get him out. Seatbelts DO save lives.

As they drove through Seattle, Carly glanced across at Gibby who was looking out for Sam nervously in the mirror. She placed a hand on his lap then patted gently. Gibby looked at her and she smiled at him. He drew comfort from that and concentrated on the road ahead.

The back seat was a different story. Freddie let Sam sit behind Gibby so that she and Carly would be able face each other when they talked. Sam rested her head on the door frame and stretched along the seat, until her legs fell off about halfway. It so 'happened' that Freddie decided to do the same thing. This resulted in their knees bumping into each other in the middle and a scowl from the demon.

"Stay on your side of the seat dork."

"Make me Puckett."

She sat up and punched him on the thigh. He yelped in pain. "AHH! SAM!"

Carly turned to face the bickering duo and glared. "I swear if you two don't behave right now, I get Gibby to stop this car and kick the both of you out!"

"Yes mom," Freddie replied with sarcasm. Sam snickered. Carly narrowed her eyes as she continued staring at them before turning back around.

Freddie sat up and pulled his leg away from Sam. She stretched out even more and placed her feet on his lap. He looked at her feet then at her. He pinched his nose and gave a disgusted look as if her feet were smelly. He immediately stopped when she kicked him in the ribs. She continued resting her feet on him until he started tickling her. She pulled them back and sat up straight. He chuckled, she stuck her tongue out at him.

'This is not so bad so far,' Freddie thought.

He looked at her as she pulled out a Pearpod from her pocket. His Pearpod!

"Hey! That's mine!" he shouted.

"No it's not," she stated before showing him the back of the device where she used permanent marker to scratch of 'Freddie Benson' and wrote 'Property of Princess Puckett'. She smirked before putting the headphones on.

"Sam, give it back!" He lunged at her.

"No!" She dodged his initial attack but he returned.

They wrestled for a couple of minutes before they shouted in unison, "CARLY!"

"WHAT?" Carly screamed, turning around and giving them the death glare.

Freddie and Sam cowered at the sound of her voice and the fury in her eyes. If it was one thing they both feared, it was an angry Carly.

Freddie feebly raised his finger and pointed to Sam. "She has my Pearpod," he whimpered.

Sam looked at him and frowned. "No one likes a tattle-tail."

"Sam, give him back his Pearpod," Carly ordered.

"But-"

"NOW!"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Fine," she muttered before handing the music player over.

Freddie smiled triumphantly and returned to his end of the seat. Sam stared out the window expressionless. Freddie looked at her and his heart sunk. He switched on the device and scrolled through his songs. He shook his head upon realizing that his playlist's were mixed up. Trust Sam to give everything her personal touch. He suddenly got an idea and compiled a new playlist before looking over at Sam. She had her head tilted against the window.

"You'll strain your neck like that," he told her.

"What's it too you?" she replied scornfully.

"Come on," he said while patting his lap. "Nice comfy pillow."

She looked him in the eye then at his lap. "No thanks," she said before facing the window again.

"I'll let you listen to my Pearpod," he offered.

She looked at him again and bit her lower lip while considering the offer. "Fine," she stated. She pointed at him, "No funny business."

"Do I ever?"

She raised her eyebrows as if asking him, "Oh really."

He shook his head and indicated for her to lie down. Freddie gave her one side of the earphones and took the other for himself. She gave him a questioning look. "We'll share," he explained. Sam reached for the Pearpod but he pulled away. "And I'LL control the songs."

"Fine but no crap."

They settled into a groove with Sam lying comfortably on his lap while gently tapping her feet against the window with the rhythm. Her eyes were closed. Freddie looked down at his playlist. 'Now comes the point of no return,' he thought.

"I picked these just for you," he told her. She kept her eyes closed and nodded.

Next song up was Running Away by AM. Freddie looked at her as her eyes flew open and stared at him. He stared right back at her before giving her a wink. She started to sit up, but her immediately put his hand on her forehead and forced her back down.

"Just close you eyes listen," he ordered.

She opened her mouth to speak but he put a finger on her lips to keep her quiet. She loves this song, but why did Freddie have to play it? Did he know what's the significance of this song? Why did he wink at her? And why in the hell did she get speechless the moment his fingers touched her lips?

Freddie enjoyed looking at the confused expression on her face. 'It's only going to get better', he thought.

The following songs were The Only Exception by Paramore then Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me. Freddie smiled as her confusion deepened. She twiddled her thumbs and stared at her toes as she tried to sort out her inner conflict.

Next up was Beautiful Eyes by The Naked Brothers Band. She had never heard this song before, but held her breath when she heard the lyrics.

Blond hair, shiny blue eyes
Face made of gold
Hypnotized by your beautiful eyes that draw me in
So please take my hand, I be honored to dance with you, maybe have a chance with you
Beautiful one, beautiful girl
Hypnotized by your beautiful eyes

Sam kept her eyes closed and thought to herself, 'Is the dork trying to song-flirt with me? This must be some sort of prank. I'll make him pay later. I don't want to do anything now, his leg is sooo comfy. Get hold of yourself Puckett, no time to go soft. You need to get back at Benson. Yep, get back at him and his bulging biceps, and poofy hair and of course those delicious lips you've been longing for forever... Shut up! Get a grip! AHHH! I'm so confu-'

Her train of thought was lost when Freddie started stroking her hair. Her eyes sprung open but she dared not look at him. If she did, her tough outer shell would be broken. She refused to be dominated by a nerd like Fredward Benson.

The song finished, and before the other could start, Freddie spoke to her. "Like it so far?"

She could not look at him much less answer.

"I want you to pay special attention to the next song." He leaned his head back and continued stroking her hair. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon started.

I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship
Has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

She rose from his lap. He didn't stop her this time. They looked at each other, hoping the other would say something first. She opened her mouth, but nothing came.

"We're here!" announced Gibby. He and Carly turned to check their backseat passengers who were still staring at each other. They sat in front with very confused expressions.

Sam was the first to catch herself, "Um… uh…" She threw a punch and Freddie cried in pain. "Come buy me my meat!" she ordered. She flew out the vehicle and ran to the entrance of the Cook-Off with Freddie lagging far behind her.

A/N: I know, it's kinda long, but i hope you guys like it...