Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Seriously? They went home together?

Jen eyed the vanishing tail lights of the car, her gaze slowly returning to Sammy, before pinching his arm. "Sammy, am I seeing things?"

Sammy winced, flashing a pained smile. "Jen, next time, can you pinch yourself?"

Why was it always him getting hurt?

Jen stood her ground. "You're younger, you'll bounce back faster. It's just a pinch."

Sammy could only sigh inwardly. If only gratitude was his to give.

Stoddard chuckled, not adding to the conversation, simply turning on his heel and strolling back home.

Liz's expression was beyond sour, not waiting for Sammy before she hopped into her car and left.

Sammy cast his gaze downwards, hiding the flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

It was okay; he was used to this by now.

comforted himself, believing that persistence would eventually pay off, and one

...

Owen and Roseanne were oblivious to the reactions of everyone

they walked up the stairs one after

long, overlapping shadows of them both on the walls, giving Roseanne the illusion of having known Owen for ages. "Thanks

it echoed slightly in

seemed in a good mood, though she couldn't see his face, she could hear

smiled, replying, "Both. I'm grateful for the meal, the ride, and

at the dinner table:

Owen stopped and turned to watch her as she caught her breath, taking the

still a pearl. It just needs to

spoke deliberately,

control over the present. It might be late, but

to my lab."

with a smile as

gently shook his hand, "Thank you. I think it's