Breaking Point
by RocknVaughn

A/N: Since I am hopelessly stuck on Snowbound at the moment (but still not giving up on it...), I decided to start on another story idea I had to get the creative juices flowing. Hope you like it!

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Josie watched in awe as the crowded hallway parted to allow her and Rob to pass by. Outwardly, she smiled, nodded and said hello to the many students who acknowledged her, but inside she could hardly believe it.

Her, Josie Grossie, the most picked-on, shunned kid in high school the first time around, was now one of the most popular in her second go-round. It was amazing; it was surreal. She had to fight the urge to pinch herself; afraid it was all a dream. She couldn't believe that her job had given her this unique opportunity to change what had so affected her past.

The only down side to her current assignment was her hopeless attraction to her English teacher Sam Coulson. His unwavering support and belief in her and her writing ability meant more to Josie than she could say. He'd been kind to her when no one else was and had continued to be a guiding hand in her life ever since. He was so incredibly sweet and wonderful, and had been from the very first day she'd met him.

The problem was that he was also so incredibly taken…not to mention that, even if he wasn't, to him she was only seventeen and his student. Not that it matters. Someone as wonderful as Sam would never notice someone like me anyway…Josie reasoned before bringing her thoughts back to the present.

They passed by Jason, Brett, and Tommy, who all greeted them.

"Hey Jos; hey Robster," Jason said, waving his hand as he walked by.

"Looking good, guys," Brett chimed in, giving Josie in her clingy white and blue wrap dress an appreciative once-over and a smile.

Tommy slapped Rob on the shoulder and smiled at Josie. "Hey Jos. Rob, rufus kegger, man!"

Rob chuckled as he and Josie turned the corner, heading for the doors that led to the school courtyard. Josie had to put a hand over her mouth to stifle a delighted giggle. "Rob, this is so unbelievable. I mean…"

She and Rob reached out to push the double doors in front of them and step out into the warm late spring sunshine.

"..I spent my whole life wanting to fit in, and now….I finally feel like I do."

Rob put his hand across Josie's shoulders and gave his big sister an affectionate squeeze. "You do fit in, Josie…you do."

Off to their right, Rob noticed Tracie rushing over to meet them. Giving Josie's arm a parting squeeze, he nodded toward Tracie, indicating to Josie where he was going, and walked off in that direction.

But Josie wasn't alone for long. Moments later, Gibby and Kirsten ran up to her.

Gibby asked, "Hey Josie…who did Archie date: Betty or Veronica?"

"Both," she informed them, biting back a smile.

Gibby turned to Kirsten, hands on her hips petulantly. "See? Told you…"

Kirsten shook her head ruefully as they walked off. Obviously another prom idea shot down…Josie thought to herself, amused. They're both going to be wearing trash bags to prom at this rate…

From just behind her, a soft, warm voice whispered conspiratorially, "I always liked Betty better…"

Josie closed her eyes for a split second, savoring the way the sensitive skin at the back of her neck tingled from the feel of Sam's breath against it as he spoke. Despite herself, she felt her heart skip a beat and then begin to race as she recognized the earthy scent of his aftershave.

Not aware of the pretty flush that colored her cheeks, she turned, flashing Sam a delighted smile. "Really?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Sam fell into step with Josie as they ambled toward the area where the prom props were being staged. "Oh yeah…" he continued with mock-seriousness, "Betty was so fun and spunky. Sure, Veronica had the great legs…but she was too moody. Very high maintenance."

Josie laughed softly, and Sam joined in. They meandered onward, with no specific path or destination in mind, not needing to speak as they kept each other company. Suddenly, Sam placed a staying hand on Josie's elbow. Stopping, Josie turned and looked at Sam in confusion, but he just smiled and put up one finger, indicating for her to wait. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he jogged off in the direction they had just come.

A moment later, Sam reappeared, cradling something between his hands. Josie's brow furrowed in amused confusion as she watched Sam jog back toward her, stopping just in front of her. A bit out of breath, but smiling widely, Sam opened his cupped hands, revealing a beautiful pale peach rosebud in bloom. Sam grasped the flower at the stem and held it out to her.

"For you," he said simply.

Josie sucked in a breath; her mouth formed a perfect O as she fought the crazy urge to cry. "Really?" she asked in wonder.

Sam's green eyes twinkled as he directed his crooked grin at her and nodded.

Josie reached out to grasp the stem reverently, sucking in an involuntary breath as her fingers grazed Sam's. Immediately, their eyes connected and lingered as Josie slowly lifted the rose to her nose. Breathing in the sweet fragrance, she sighed, her gaze with Sam never wavering, "It's beautiful…"

Again, Josie felt that thing…that inexorable pull of connection, an electricity that seemed to spark whenever Sam was near that she felt powerless to fight against. She found herself wishing for perhaps the millionth time that her feelings for him weren't unrequited.

Finally, she was able to break the spell and cast her gaze downward toward the rose. This simple act had to have been one of the nicest, most romantic things anyone had ever done for her. "Thank you," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Sam's smile widened as he answered, "You're very welcome, Josie." Putting a soft hand to her elbow again to direct her, they continued their wandering path.

A moment later, Sera came from around a backdrop and made a beeline for the pair. "Josie," she asked once she was in front of them, "were Tweedledum and Tweedledee a couple?"

Josie glanced sidelong at Sam as he did the same. She noticed his lips twitch just slightly, as if they were sharing a private joke. It was such a minute reaction that most likely no one else would have noticed, yet Josie found herself having to bite the side of her cheek to keep from giggling in response. "Well…in the strictest sense, no." Josie watched as Sera's face fell and was quick to add, "But for prom…sure."

Sera beamed, bouncing up and down in her excitement. "Thanks, Josie!" she enthused, giving Josie a spontaneous hug before racing off to find her prom date Brett.

As Sam watched Sera walk away, he complimented Josie, "You're really doing a great job here, Josie. Your "can do" attitude is very refreshing."

Josie blushed and bent her head, hoping her hair would hide her cheeks. She studied the rose in her hand before peeking at Sam from beneath her lashes. "Thanks."

Silence stretched on between them and soon Josie found herself babbling nervously. "They weren't related to Humpty Dumpty, were they?" she asked.

Sam's brows furrowed in confusion as he tried to follow Josie's train of thought.

"Tweedledum and Tweedledee…" Josie clarified.

Immediately, Sam's smile returned. He tapped the side of his face as if in thought before replying good-naturedly, "Maybe distant cousins. They did have that egg shape in common."

A shadow of melancholy flitted across Josie's face as the two of them stepped up onto a small wooden bridge that would be spanning a fake moat at the prom. When they reached the middle of it, Josie stopped and turned so that she was leaning her forearms on the railing. "Well, at least Tweedledum and Tweedledee had each other. Humpty Dumpty was all alone," she said sadly.

Sam stopped also and stood next to Josie, mimicking her stance at the railing. He looked as if he was trying to gather his thoughts. Wistfulness crept into his tone as he answered, "Yeah…that's sad, isn't it? He had to sit on that wall all by himself. He deserved to have somebody."

"I think that's what we all need," Josie responded. "Someone to sit up on the wall with us…"

"Yeah," Sam agreed. "to watch the world go by…"

"…and put us back together when we fall," Josie finished.

Their eyes met and held for a long moment before Sam looked back out over the sea of prom decorations. Then he playfully nudged Josie with his elbow to get her attention. When she turned her head toward him, his crooked grin returned. "Our penguin, right?"

Josie nodded and stared at her arms resting on the railing, biting back a huge grin. He remembered! She couldn't believe he still remembered that conversation of hers he'd overheard from weeks ago.

Leaning closer to her, Sam murmured in Josie's ear, "You're not the only one who remembers what people say…"

And now, despite herself, Josie smiled in delight, her eyes sparkling.

Sam noticed the change immediately. "Aha!" he said, ducking his head so he could make eye contact with Josie. "There it is! I knew that smile was in there somewhere."

Josie turned toward him so that her hip was now resting against the railing. Sam turned toward her as well. Neither one of them seemed to notice that they were standing closer together than a teacher and student normally would.

Josie studied Sam's face; his eyes. He seemed to be doing the same to her. Finally, with her voice quietly earnest, she asked him, "Do you think you'll find her?"

Sam stared at her for so long without answering that Josie feared he didn't know what she meant. "Your penguin, I mean," she clarified awkwardly; suddenly mortified that she'd even asked. After all, he had a girlfriend; he probably thought she was his penguin. Otherwise, why would he have stayed with her for so long?

Sam's expression grew soft as he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, "Yeah…actually, I do."

Sam's eyes met Josie's and time seemed to stop. She had no idea how long they had stood there, but she felt entranced. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but she also knew she didn't have the willpower to look away. Of their own volition, Josie's eyes skimmed lower, studying the sensual curve of Sam's lips; imagining how they would feel pressed against hers… No longer able to fight the fantasy she was ensnared in, her eyes slid closed.

Even though she could not see it, she swore she could sense Sam's approach. Ever so slowly, she felt his body weight shift, felt him lean toward her, felt his staccato breaths as they splayed across her cheeks. Closer…closer…

"Oh, my God!"

Sam's voice was so quiet that Josie could easily have missed what he'd said had he not been so close to her. But it was his alarmed tone that brought Josie back to Earth fast and hard. As her eyes flickered open, she found that Sam had moved back a step to put more space between them and was no longer looking at her. Josie felt so off-balance by the sudden change in gear that she had to grasp the handrail with both hands to keep from falling over.

God, I am so stupid! Josie raged internally as her cheeks burned bright red in mortification. What the heck is the matter with me? She realized that whatever reciprocation she'd felt moments ago must have been only in her mind.

But before she could even open her mouth to form an apology, Sam turned to her as if nothing had happened and exclaimed with suppressed excitement, "Oh, I almost forgot!" He placed his hand lightly at the small of Josie's back and motioned to two white iron benches just beyond them. "Here, come on and sit down for a moment."

It seemed clear to Josie that either Sam hadn't noticed her momentary loss of control, or else he was too much of a gentleman to mention it. Either way, she was very relieved to not have to try to explain herself. She sat at the edge of one bench as Sam sat at the corner of the other. As he turned to her, he seemed to notice how close together they were (their knees were almost touching) and he moved away slightly, apparently so she wouldn't feel crowded.

"What did you want to tell me?" Josie asked, wincing internally at how breathless she still sounded.

Sam beamed. "I got you a meeting with the Admissions guy from Dartmouth!"

Josie's mouth fell open in alarm. "What? But…" she stammered, "I wasn't even going to college…"

In response, Sam gushed, "No, I know, but I pulled some strings, got him to look at your writing, and he agreed to meet with you." Excitement glowed in his eyes and smile.

As touched as she was that Sam would go out of his way to do such a thing, right now the only emotion she felt was sheer terror. "Oh…yikes!"

Sam apparently mistook Josie's panic as nerves. In an obvious attempt to calm her down, he teased, "Yeah…I told him, 'If I'm wrong about this girl, you can take away my teaching certificate!'"

Stunned, Josie leaned forward, closer to Sam. "Wow…" she breathed in amazement, "You believe in me that much?" She could hardly believe that he would go through all that trouble just for her.

Now it was Sam's turn to move closer to Josie. "Of course I do, Josie," he responded sincerely. "You owe it to yourself…to your writing…to go to college. You're an amazing writer. You just have to find your story."

Their eyes met and lingered. Sam smiled encouragingly, yet Josie felt that thread of panic flutter back through her. Sam made it sound so easy, yet he had no idea how true his statement was. She still needed to "find her story"…and after 2 months at South Glen South, she was starting to believe it would never happen.

Josie looked down miserably, watching her fingers as they twisted the rose he had given her around and around. "I don't know how to find it," she admitted hoarsely.

Sam slid down the bench closer to Josie, so close that their knees now touched. He reached out and put a curled knuckle under Josie's chin, tilting her head up to meet his eyes again. "Of course you do," he encouraged.

Josie shook her head in denial.

"Yes, you do," Sam insisted, giving a lock of Josie's golden hair a playful tug. "You do it all the time in my class."

"That's different," Josie protested. "You give us the topics. How will I write when it's just me? When I have to come up with my own ideas?"

"That's simple," Sam replied encouragingly. "To write well, you have to write what you know. Always start with you, with what's inside of you. If you use that as a starting point, Josie, you can't go wrong."

"I know I have only been teaching for three years, but I've seen enough to know you have a special gift. All you need is a little confidence. If you can just learn to believe in yourself, you'll find that your talent could take you anywhere you want to go."

Josie's eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "You really think so?"

"Uh-huh. You can do it; I know you can," Sam replied. He smiled at her, and this time Josie returned it.

The moment was broken by a voice behind them. "There you are, Josie!" exclaimed Gibby. "I've been looking all over for you."

Self-consciously, Josie shot to her feet and turned toward the girl. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing…I just need your help with something," Gibby said, momentarily glancing at Mr. Coulson before returning her gaze to her friend. "Can you come?"

Josie looked awkwardly between Sam and Gibby. "I, uh…" She looked back at Sam questioningly.

"That's fine, Josie," he answered for her with a reassuring smile. "We can discuss this more another time."

Shooting him a grateful smile, she said, "Okay, lead the way."

As she and Gibby crossed back over the bridge, Josie turned and peeked over her shoulder at Sam, shrugging one shoulder and giving him a quick wave. He waved back and then blended into the milling crowd of students.

Turning back to Gibby with an internal sigh, she asked, "So, what did you need my help with?"

Gibby linked her arm with Josie's and confided, "Oh, nothing. I just noticed that Mr. Coulson seemed to be monopolizing your time and I wanted to give you a chance to escape. I know how long-winded teachers can be sometimes…"

"Yeah," Josie agreed wistfully, already wishing she were still sitting and talking with Sam.

"Hey, let's go touch up our makeup, and then maybe I can round up Kristen and Kirsten and we can head to the mall," Gibby suggested.

"Yeah…sure," Josie agreed, although not very enthusiastically.

Luckily, Gibby didn't notice. She simply waited by Josie's locker as she retrieved her purse and then followed Josie into the girls' bathroom. At the mirror, Gibby opened her purse on the counter, pulled out her mascara, and began primping.

Josie stood next to her and set down her bag. But before she could pull out her lip-gloss, she heard a beep. Josie knew what that was; her cell phone was telling her she'd missed a call. On a sigh, Josie dug in her purse to extract the phone, and then blanched when she saw who it was.

"What's up?" Gibby asked, now applying a new coat of lipstick.

"Oh…it's my…Mom," Josie fibbed. "I'm gonna need to call her back and find out what she wanted."

"Okay, sure," Gibby agreed, zipping up her purse and slinging it over her shoulder. "I'll just wait outside for you."

"Thanks."

Once Gibby had left the bathroom, Josie quickly peeked underneath all the stalls to make sure she was alone, and then dialed the familiar number.

"Geller!" Gus bellowed into the phone without preamble. "I want to see you in my office right away. Make your excuses and get your butt in here!"

"Uh…" Josie stammered, "ah…okay. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Gus hung up before she could say goodbye. Dropping the phone into her purse, Josie found that her hands were shaking. Now what had she done?

Sticking her head out the bathroom door, she tapped Gibby on the shoulder. "Looks like the shopping trip is off," Josie said, trying to look as upset about that news as possible. "My mom needs me to come right home today."

"That's so totally not rufus …and on a Friday night, too!"

"Yeah, it really stinks," Josie agreed.

Gibby stood there for a moment, and then shrugged. "Well, maybe we could go tomorrow instead? After all, we still have to get our costumes."

I already have my costume, Josie thought, but said aloud, "Sure, sounds like fun. Call you around 11?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Gibby agreed. "After all, I so totally sleep in on Saturday. See ya later, Josie!" she said as she walked away.

"See ya," Josie answered, stepping back inside the bathroom and shutting the door.

She looked in the mirror and announced quietly, "Okay everyone, show's over for now; I need to use the facilities…" Then she reached up and turned off the switch for the hidden camera.

Leaning over the sink, Josie turned on the cold-water tap and splashed her face. Patting her face dry with a paper towel, she turned and went into a stall, putting the toilet lid down and sitting on top of it, locking the door behind her.

She leaned over and buried her hands in her hair, trying to make sense of everything that had happened in the last two months, especially what had happened with Sam in the past hour.

Mr. Coulson, she thought furiously, he's Mr. Coulson to you, not Sam. That's what gets you into so much trouble.

Josie admitted to herself that--no matter how hard she tried--she just had a difficult time thinking of him as anything other than Sam. The fact that they had become friends of sorts over the last two months didn't help matters. When she was with him, it seemed that remaining in the guise of a seventeen-year-old student was a struggle.

It doesn't help that you've fallen in love with him either, she scolded herself crossly. It became exponentially harder with each passing day to contain the things she felt for Sam, even knowing that he was her teacher, that he thought she was underage, that he had a girlfriend. Nothing seemed to sway her foolish heart where he was concerned.

Sam Coulson had certainly turned a "simple" assignment into an incredibly complicated one. When she was in his presence, she seemed to forget what it was she was supposed to be doing; she lost track of everything but him.

And now things were getting worse. While she appreciated Sam's support and belief in her writing ability more than she could possibly put into words, he had unwittingly put her into a nearly impossible situation. How could she possibly fly out to New Hampshire and continue this ridiculous charade for yet another innocent person? But yet, how could she let Sam down when he'd gone so far out on a limb for her just to get her this chance?

Josie rubbed her fingers against her temples and blinked back tears of frustration. While she hated lying to everyone the way she'd been doing the last 2 months, she loathed lying to Sam. Sam's friendship felt like a precious gift that she was defiling every time she opened her mouth.

Seeing that she only had two more weeks until her assignment ended, Josie knew that relatively soon the truth about her would come out. Everyone would know that she had been lying all along, and the thought that people would think badly of her was tough to deal with. Yet, as hard as that thought was, what was really tearing up her insides was thinking about Sam's reaction to the news.

She truly felt that she and Sam had made a connection, had forged an unlikely closeness even in these bizarre circumstances. She thought that, out of everyone, he would feel the most betrayed by her revelation: not necessarily because she had pretended to be a student, but that, after all they had been through, she still hadn't trusted him enough to share the truth with him.

Add to the mix that Sam had gone to a lot of trouble to help her get into college. Her revelation would likely make him look foolish, if not to other teachers at South Glen for championing her cause, then certainly to the man from the Dartmouth Admissions office to whom he'd pleaded her case.

That certainly didn't bode well for the status of their friendship, nor the state of Josie's conscience.

Gus had warned her this could happen; that she needed to remain cool and detached while undercover so she could keep an impartial point of view. But he'd never told her how difficult that would be to accomplish. It was just in Josie's nature to care about people; she couldn't help it. And Sam Coulson was such an amazing guy…how could she not care about him?

Without knowing how she had gotten there, Josie realized she'd reached her breaking point. How she handled this moment would determine the course of her life for months or years to come. Did she keep her secret and her job at the cost of her conscience and heart, or was she to break her silence and jeopardize the career she'd worked for years to obtain?

Reaching deep within herself for strength, Josie came to a decision. She rummaged in her purse and pulled out a pen and a small pad of paper that read "From the desk of Josie Geller" at the top. Once it was balanced upon her knee, she began to write.