A/N: I don't own iCarly. I now present the final chapter of Beach Weather. Sorry that it's taken so long to publish, but I've been trying to make sure it's as good as it can be for you guys. It's fluffy, and full of Seddie goodness, although I'm super sad it's done : ( Freddie's POV

Chapter 16

Leaving

I still can't believe that I'm laying here at the beach holding hands with Sam Puckett. It feels like something out of a dream; a dream that I probably would have considered a nightmare 24 hours ago. Now it feels right somehow, almost natural. Something happened today between Sam and I that I can't explain. Something changed between us, and even though I can't for the life of me figure out what it was, I'm really glad it did. Before today I would have told you that you were certifiably insane if you tried to convince me I'd be having feelings other than friendship towards Sam. The only other girl I've felt like this about was Carly, but even that was different. Maybe it's because Sam isn't rejecting me, which is the most surprising thing of all, but something about this just feels more real.

The fireworks that lit up the sky began to slow, before surging into the grand finale. When the colors disappeared, leaving behind only a thick layer of gray smoke along the beach, people started to scurry around us, desperate to beat everyone else to their cars. The four of us knew better. It was much easier to get out if you waited a while and let the traffic thin. I couldn't say I minded though. I wasn't nearly ready to let go of Sam's small, warm hand.

I wasn't really sure what would happen when we left the beach. Maybe things would stay like they had been today, maybe they would go right back to how they were yesterday. We've been frienemies for as long as we've known each other, but what happens now? So much had happened today, and if it had been any other girl, I wouldn't have been nervous. I would've been pretty confident that she did in fact feel something towards me. This is Sam we're talking about though. She has an obsession with meat, and the world's fattest priest. Her favorite thing to do is find new ways to make fun of me or cause me bodily harm. We've fought as long as we've known each other, and now here we are, holding hands at the beach. I feel like I'm stuck in the Twilight Zone. I have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow, or even tonight for that matter, but I think I like it. I think it's one of the things that draws me to Sam. She's just so...unpredictable, and maybe that's what I need in my life. She's independent, she doesn't care what other people think, and she's tougher than any guy I know. That part of her scares the crap out of me, always has. But being with her now makes me see the other side of her, the vulnerable side that she denies vehemently, and I can't help but love that part of her. It makes her seem more human.

The smoke begins to clear, and the four of us are still where we were during the fireworks. I turn my head a little and sneak a peek at Sam. She's turned towards Carly, but I can still make out her profile in the dim blue light of the moon. I'm starting to wonder if she even realizes we're still holding hands. I'm not really sure where the sudden burst of courage came from, but I started to draw small circles on Sam's thumb with mine. And then I got an elbow in the ribs.

I squeezed my eyes shut, sucking in a deep breath, and when I finally caught my breath, I opened my eyes and saw blue. Sam was staring down at me, laughing quietly, and even though it was dark, I could see her eyes sparkling.

"Seriously?" I was starting to breathe normally, and she was still laughing. She turned her body so we were facing each other. She brought her hand up and rubbed the spot that she had previously elbowed, and I was surprised by the gentle nature of it. It was definitely not something Sam would normally do.

"Sorry, Fredward. It tickled a little. It was just a reflex." She smiled, a real smile, and I couldn't help myself. I smiled back, momentarily forgetting my pain, and her hand went from my side to my head, ruffling my hair. She gave my hand a little squeeze, and turned back to Carly. I couldn't hear what they were talking about but I wasn't all that interested in knowing. My mind was going a mile a minute, reliving my day at the beach with the girl who lived to make my life hell. I'm not really sure how long I was laying there thinking about Sam before Spencer's voice brought me back to reality.

"Let's go, kiddos! I've got sand in my shorts, and the sooner we get home, the sooner I can take care of my issue." I didn't have to look at my two best friends to know that they were rolling their eyes. Sometimes it was hard to take Spencer seriously, and most times I found myself forgetting that he was older than us.

Sam slipped her hand out of mine, and I felt that awful sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach return. Maybe this was stupid, maybe I was rushing into something. Sure, she had held my hand, but was that really a big thing, or was I overreacting? I sat up, wrapping my arms around my knees, and stared out at the ocean, hoping for some sign to point me in the right direction. For once, the universe didn't let me down. After a few seconds, I felt a tug on my arm, and looked down to see Sam holding my arm, looking at me with a weird look on her face.

"You okay, nub?" It was the weird combination of concern and her usual attitude that made me nervous. I made the lethal mistake of making eye contact with her, and whatever I was planning on saying got stuck in my throat. This really was weirder than I had originally thought.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking, I guess." She nodded, and I realized that she probably had a lot on her mind too.

"Today's been pretty weird, hasn't it?" Staring down at her, and her thin arm wrapped around my arm, all I could do was nod. I reached up cautiously, and put my hand on hers. I took a deep breath before I spoke.

"Definitely weird. A good weird though..." My voice drifted off, and I wasn't quite sure how to finish the thought, but Sam seemed to understand, and nodded in agreement. She smirked a little bit, and her normally bright eyes sparkled, sending an odd shiver down my spine.

"What?"

"I don't know, Freddork. I was just thinking about how weird this chiz is, you know? Who would've thought that I would voluntarily hold hands with a nerd?" I rolled my eyes at her, and she rolled hers right back at me.

"Well, Princess Puckett, it's not like this isn't weird for me too. This is the first time since, well since the fire escape..." Her eyes narrowed as I brought up the memory. "It's the first time you've really touched me without inflicting bodily harm." That made her laugh, and she looked out at the water. She bit down on her lower lip, and even from the side I could see the thoughtful look on her face.

"You do have a point there Freducation." Carly's voice behind us broke whatever moment we were having, and Sam dropped her arm so we could turn around and look at her.

"You guys kinda need to get off the blanket before we can go home..." She laughed, and I could feel my cheeks getting hot, thankful that it was dark out. I picked myself up and held my hand out to help Sam up, even though I knew she'd have a rude comment for me, about how she could handle herself. She rolled her eyes at me, but there was no comment, and she grabbed my hand. I dragged her up, and decided to be reckless. I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her, wanting to feel those sparks again. My plan worked, and soon I was buzzing from head to toe. Sam's arms wound around my waist, and I was almost expecting a wedgie, her usual attack, but her hands remained clasped together, unmoving. I looked up, and Carly was smiling at me. She definitely knew something. Maybe she was just happy I wasn't obsessing over her, I'm not sure. Either way, nothing was going to top how good I felt at that moment.

Carly folded the blanket and shoved it into her bag, and Sam and I finally pulled apart from each other. The buzzing had subsided, but I was feeling a little punch drunk from being that close to her for that long. Spencer was no where to be found, and we all assumed that he had probably raced back to the car to cut down on the time he had sand in his shorts. We started making our way back to the boardwalk, the remnants of the fireworks spread across the cool sand. Sam was walking next to me, Carly in front of us, and I looked over at Sam. She had a small smile on her face, one that I don't think I was supposed to see. It was part of her vulnerable side, and I wasn't about to have her catch me and revert to abrasive Sam.

We finally made it back to the boardwalk, and I grabbed Sam's arm. She stopped walking and looked up at me, a questioning look in her eyes.

"Want a ride?" Her nose scrunched up, and she had her thinking face on. After a few seconds, she shook her head. "Nah, I'm good Freddifer."

I shrugged and we started walking, bumping into each other. I took advantage of our closeness and grabbed her hands, lacing our fingers together, and looked at her, making sure it was okay. I may have been feeling reckless a few minutes ago, but I didn't have a death wish. Sam looked up at me and smiled, and I knew it was safe. We walked all the way back to the car and found Spencer jumping around.

"Hey guys! Just trying to get some sand out! Everyone ready? Okay, lets go!" He didn't wait for any answers before jumping into the front seat. Carly got into the passenger seat, leaving Sam and I in the back again. I opened the door, and she got in first, squeezing my hand once before letting go. I walked around to the other side and got in, surprised to find Sam in the middle seat, next to me.

"Hey." She was staring up at me, smiling, and once again, I couldn't help but smile back at her. "Hey, yourself Princess Puckett."

Spencer turned the key in the ignition and the car came to life. As we left the parking lot, and drove away from the beach, Sam slid over closer to me, wrapping her arm around my stomach and putting her head in the crook of my neck. I knew I was smiling like an idiot, but as I put my arm around her and pulled her even closer, I could feel her own smile grow. Maybe it was just the beach that brought Sam and I closer, maybe it was something bigger. Things could change when we get back home, and something like this could never happen again. The only thing I know for sure is that right now, at this very moment, there's no where else I'd rather be.

This was so cheesy and OOC,and I apologize for that. On the other hand, It's done! I'm sad it's over, and happy at the same time. Thank you so, so much to everyone who's reviewed. You make me smile : ) On a side note, writing this has inspired an idea. I'm writing a future fic sequel to Beach Weather, should be up within a week or so.