natus ex igne

Samantha Miller, 34, Social Worker @ City of Rockland, ME. ''I respect somebody who has a brain and wants to use it more than a pretty face and status.''

[samanthmillcr]

luckyspcncer‌:

Getting close to Sam, or even just talking to her, in any way that wasn’t petty drama, didn’t seem ideal for Lucky. Messing with her felt like second nature right now, and seeing as though she openly admitted to not liking him, it was within his best interest to just walk away after he had agreed to keep her secret. But did he? Of course not. Lucky hardly did what was good for him and instead, he stuck around, surprisingly getting into the deep shit as he’d refer it as, with Samantha fucking Miller. “I went through my ma’s old shit. Backtracked her steps. Mine was different though, I guess. I wasn’t aware I had siblings until I showed up on their doorstep. What do you know about him? Or her? Do you know a name or anything? Or an idea of where they live?” Why he cared was beyond him, and yet here he was, finding interest in what was going on with her life. “Maybe I can help? I also know a few people down at the station. Probably not in the same way as you do, however.” He laughed, making a little ode to his prison days. 

It felt like the moment she asked him where he got his clues from, Sam regretted it even though there was a big part of her that desperately needed any and all help. It just felt like she was betraying Kenzie by even speaking to him in a civil manner and although logically-- she wasn’t, not really, there was a guilty conscience that was eating at her. Frowning once at the thought, she shook her head. ‘’It doesn’t matter,’’ Sam backpedalled as fast she embarked on that conversation in the first place. The smirk after that offer rubbed her the wrong way, but what else could she truly expect from him? She needed to remember Lucky was in the hole for a damn good reason. It was easy for that to slip her mind sometimes. ‘’I guess I’ll figure it out myself. Thanks,’’ Athough there was nothing she was thankful for, she could just hope he kept her secret. 

[samanthmillcr]

charlottekxnsington‌:

“But is it?” Kenzie asked, her eyes widening just a bit to emphasize her point. “Don’t get me wrong, Andrew messed up fiercely, but is it really goodbye for you, or is he still an option?” Because it sounded like maybe Sam didn’t want to hurt his feelings by showing up with another man, and while it was his mother’s event, Kenzie thought Sam should be free to bring whomever she wanted. “It sounds to me like maybe you want to be focusing on building your relationship with Rafe, instead. Have you ever thought of just, I don’t know, asking him? And if he says he doesn’t want to go, then you need to respect that. Everyone moves at different paces, but that doesn’t mean he can’t catch up to you if you just find a way to be okay not being in control.” From the way she spoke of the guy, Kenzie could tell he was something special, and if he made her best friend smile, that was good enough for her.

Kenzie always asked some hard-hitting questions, Sam thought, and she hated having to delve that deep into her own emotions sometimes. But in this case, she did ask for it so she didn’t feel like it was very fair to try and sweep it under the rug. ‘’Well-- I don’t think Andrew’s ever gonna be an option ever again,’’ She admitted. ‘’But that doesn’t mean that I’m not confused how I feel about him-- it felt like I’ve been in love with him ever since college and just because he royally messed up, doesn’t mean that the feelings were gone in an instant,’’ She explained. ‘’You don’t just love someone and then not love them like you’re switching the light on and off,’’ She added for good measure. ‘’Over time, I guess-- things did fade and it was fine for the most part, I just hate the fact that now I have to see him every single day as opposed to not having to hear a word from him for a decade. But i’m sure it’ll pass...’’ She mused as she took a sip of the wine. ‘’But you’re right-- I do wanna focus on Rafe. But me, not being in control?’’ Sam scoffed, almost on the verge of laughing. She was living and breathing control--when she was out of it, she felt like a trainwreck. ‘’I’m gonna ask him and see where it goes,’’ She nodded. ‘’How about you though? Any guy catchin’ your attention? Why don’t I know anything anymore?’’

[samanthmillcr]

luckyspcncer‌:

As much as he wanted to be the bad guy here, it was kind of hard given the way Sam was looking at him. He really didn’t have much room to judge either. Especially considering not too long ago, he was in a similar position when finding his own family too. So on some level, he could relate. Which to him, was completely wild. Never in a million years did he think he’d relate in the slightest with Samantha Miller of all people. Even if there was a time where they were all somewhat close and dare he say it, but friends. So after a moment of mulling it over, Lucky took in a long, deep breath and nodded softly at her. He could’ve kept fighting her on it, but what was the point? It’s not like he truly cared enough to tell anyone anyway. “Alright,” he assured, his eyes lowering down to the ground beneath their feet for a short moment. “For what it’s worth, I get it. Went through the same thing when I was trying to find Theo and Del. Not that I was expecting to find them but I get it.” 

Sam knew that he had some family trouble, even way before he’d met Andrew and herself, but she never bothered to ask more, not even when Lucky himself mentioned it. At first, it was because she didn’t think it was her place-- she was Andrew’s girlfriend, she didn’t need to know that kind of stuff between best friends. Then, gradually, as their relationship deteriorated because Sam started to form a negative opinion on him, it was simply because she didn’t want to know. And yet right now, it seemed like her curiosity was piqued because she could finally-- strangely-- relate to Lucky Spencer for the first time in her entire life. ‘’Yeah?’’ She was just selfishly happy that he accepted that she asked him not to say anything. Sam did not have much confidence or trust that Lucky would keep his word, of course, but then again-- it made her feel somewhat relieved that he at least agreed to it. ‘’So how’d you find ‘em? My private investigator was a bust,’’ She pointed to the phone she was still holding, a sour smile leaving her features. ‘’And I was thinkin’ of pullin’ a personal contact down at the station but... I’m not sure where to start.’’

[samanthmillcr]

charlottekxnsington‌:

Since Sam came back to Port Charles, Kenzie had practically demanded she spend her Friday nights with her. Not like either of the women really had much better to do - well, aside from Sam, who had somehow already managed to find a new guy despite being back for a short period of time. Of course, she was excited for her friend - Kenzie couldn’t think of anyone who deserved to find love more than Sam did. But at the mention of needing her professional opinion, Kenzie’s hand immediately reached for the glass of wine. “Oh boy,” she joked, gulping down a sip to prepare her for whatever Sam was about to ask her. When she finally did explain the situation, Kenzie made a face, as if the options weren’t all that inviting. “Do you not want him to think that because it’ll go straight to his head and he’ll read into things, or do you genuinely not want him to feel bad?” Kenzie asked, needing to understand Sam’s position a bit more. “Because the thing is, if you really want Rafe to be your date for this thing, then an ex-boyfriend shouldn’t stop that. I mean, it really wouldn’t be fair to you, nor would it be fair to Rafe, if you’re only sort of half dating. You know what I mean?”

Faced with a multitude of options, Sam blinked over to Kenzie, not even realizing, at least originally, that there was more to it than even she herself had thought. ‘’Uh, well--’’ She wasn’t even sure what to say because she hadn’t actually considered all those options. There was definitely a reason for why Kenzie was so good at her job, and why it was her job in the first place. Not to mention... it wasn’t like Sam had a lot of experience, if she was being honest. Her one real relationship was with Andrew, that ended infamously, and now she was a thirty-something year old who feared commitment even though that was precisely the thing she wanted in her life. How ironic, or pathetic -- or both, was that? ‘’I think it’s all of the above?’’ She then offered with insecurity radiating off of her voice. ‘’I don’t want him to feel bad, but also not read into things. We’ve had this really... weird energy, vibe, call it whatever you want, ever since I’d gotten back and we’re either arguing or there’s that silent thing, an elephant in the room, that the reality is-- we had something really big that he messed up, and it is what it is,’’ Taking another long gulp, Sam mused over it for a moment. ‘’But I do want Rafe to come with. I’m not even sure how or why, but it’s the first time in a while that I’m really excited about someone... it’s just that I’m not sure where it’s going and I don’t wanna pressure him. You know how I get sometimes...’’ Most of the time. Sam was an intense person, and that was something that never changed about her.

[samanthmillcr]

‘‘I need your opinion on something,’‘ Sam leaned in over Kenzie’s counter to grab a bottle of wine. This was the third Friday night in a row that they’d done it-- call it intentional, but they’d missed each other, and FaceTime could only be enough so many times. ‘‘Your... professional opinion,’‘ Sam quickly added, popping open the bottle with the distinct ‘pop’ and pouring the dark red liquid into the glasses. ‘’You know I’ve been seeing Rafe, right?’’ She did mention it to the blonde before, but somehow hadn’t had a chance to update her on anything. ‘’I have this fundraising dinner with the school coming up, and I want to ask him to come with me. But... Andrew’s gonna be there... and I know it’s ridiculous to even be thinking along those lines given how much time had passed, but I don’t want him to think I’m just making him jealous if I show up with another guy. Andrew’s just like that.’’ @charlottekxnsington​

[samanthmillcr]

rafekaplan‌:

“It’s true.” He protested, though he enjoyed what her focus brought; the nice touch on his jawline. Rafe nodded and slid his arms tighter around her, pulling her closer. “I can take you there later today if you want. A lot of them hang out there during the day.” Letting out a soft laugh, he leaned forward and kissed her chin. “Like that?” His lips trailed down her neck slowly. “I can introduce you to all of them.”

‘‘Wanna tell me how come you’ve got such peculiar friends?’‘ She then asked, not afraid to push the subject a little. She never asked before-- or rather, in the past two months they’d been seeing each other. Between the mall changing rooms, adrenaline-bottled escapades and everything else in between, Sam didn’t think she would have to. Rafe was a bit younger, and he didn’t necessarily instill the safe grounds that she normally looked for in men, but then again-- Sam hadn’t had anyone for longer than a few nights since college. And Rafe was the first one that stuck around so perhaps her tastes had changed somewhere along the way. He made her happy, and that was all that mattered to her in the given moment at least. ‘’Mmm, just like that,’’ She couldn’t even help the smile that ended up melting right onto his lips. She felt like a school girl all over again, it was ridiculous. 

[samanthmillcr]

henslcycooper‌:

It had been awhile, not that Hensley had been counting. People coming in and out of her life was something the blonde had gotten used to very early on in life. Nothing was forever, no matter who tried to lie and pretend that it was. And as much as Hensley enjoyed being stubborn and holding grudges, it was difficult for her to do that to Sam. After all, the two had at one point been good friends, enough that Hensley had been more than a little annoyed when it became obvious the brunette was attempting to separate herself from everything in Port Charles, including Hensley. Maybe it bothered her because of how many times her own mother had dragged her around from place to place, each new place trying to fill a void that the old place no longer did. It meant learning to keep yourself detached from everyone and everything because you never knew when the other shoe was going to drop. Even all these years later, Hensley still struggled with letting people in and while, yes, she may have had her own feelings about Sam’s behavior, it was clear by the way she was acting that this wasn’t some sort of casual drop-in.

Part of Hensley wanted to be petty and tell Sam to come back another time, but instead, the blonde silently nodded her head and indicated for Samantha to follow behind her. There was an empty interrogation room a few doors down, which Hensley opened and stepped inside, allowing Sam to cross the threshold before closing the door behind her. “This is about as good as it’s going to get,” Hensley commented, walking over and sitting down in one of the vacant chairs, crossing one leg over the other and looking up at Samantha. “So, what’s up? Must be pretty serious if you have no one else to ask but me.”

Walking into that empty interrogation room felt distinctly chilling, as she hadn’t been in one before. Glancing around, Sam’s lips pressed into a tiny, tight-lipped smile but she still walked around the table and sat in the chair-- it wasn’t offered to her but then again, she didn’t exactly expect Hensley to be courteous when Sam had been flaky and honestly, probably rude, too, from time to time. 

‘‘So I guess this must be how suspects tend to feel, huh?’‘ She attempted a small joke, but then that attempt fizzled out as soon as it was out in the air between the blonde and the brunette. Her comment was well-deserved, but usually Sam was the one to give them out. One landing on her? It didn’t feel good. ‘’I-- well... I really don’t know who else to ask. And the matter is kind of delicate... so...’’ Trailing off, she gathered up the courage. ‘’I don’t have any resources and you do. I tried hiring a private investigator, but that didn’t work out. Anyway... there’s this thing I found out a few months earlier... kind of the real reason why I’m back. I went over some old documents in my father’s cabinet,’’ Given that he was a retiring lawyer, he had lots of them. ‘’And I found evidence of adoption. I don’t have a lot, and I still have to go though all of them-- not something I dared to do yet,’’ She shook her head to herself, a little bit frantic. ‘’I think... I’m pretty sure, actually, that I have a brother, or a half-brother, who was put up for adoption.’’

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Is your dad? I mean, okay, too?” Should he have asked about that, too? He didn’t know, actually. It felt like the right thing to do given the situation. It was ten years of their lives that he didn’t know how to simply ignore some facts, nor people that were part of her life and his in a way. “True, but at least that gives you the chance to enjoy like the rest of us,” he shrugged. Sam liked to be in control. She liked to do all the hard work, that was something Andrew knew all about, and clearly, was something she still carried with her. They had a few too many arguments in the past over him trying to make her just stop and let others do their job, that he knew exactly how she got whenever she wasn’t in control. He was about to tease her about that, feeling like their conversation was taking a much lighter tone from how it started when she asked a simple question that probably didn’t carry too much meaning to it, but made his stomach drop and his face harden. She moved on. He wasn’t expecting any sort of reconciliation when it came to them, or even, a second chance from her, but the notion that she had someone new didn’t cross his mind until now, and that feeling didn’t go too well to him. “It is like any other event. Probably.”

‘‘Oh, yes... he’s perfectly fine,’‘ Sam responded in the same manner. What she didn’t tell him was that she pulled away from her Dad for the first time her mother died, due to learning about his infidelity and the fact that she had a half-brother he never mentioned, not once throughout their whole life. Where she put him on a pedestal, he fell as hard as he could, and she couldn’t even express that to him, let alone someone else. The only people who knew were Kenzie, because Sam had never had a secret that the blonde didn’t know of, and Hensley, because she was working on the case as a favor. Andrew was simply not within her close circle anymore. ‘’I really should, shouldn’t I?’’ She smiled to herself mostly, this time a little more genuine. ‘’Okay, sounds good, thank you. So um, see you there?’’

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

“My mom? Yeah, she is fine. All of them are, actually. She, hmmm, she will be happy to see you,” during the time he and Sam were together, he knew how the presence of his mother was sometimes complicated, with Sam going with the impression that the older woman didn’t like her and vice versa, it took a little for a somewhat relationship to be build during the two, but Andrew was honest when mentioning that his mother would be pleased to see Sam. His mother knew how much Sam meant to him and ended up caring for the girl as well, even after all this time, Andrew knew his mother would be truly happy to see Sam around. “Don’t worry about it. I am sure you can knock those events like no one else can, you were pretty good at them back in…college,” he offered her a small smile, scratching the back of his neck nervously not knowing if mentioning the past was a good idea when it came to them. “I mean, I’ll be there, not that it makes it any better, but… you won’t be alone.”

‘‘Oh, that’s good, I’m happy to hear that,’‘ She nodded. There was forced politeness oozing off of her voice, but she didn’t know how to act. Were there any rules she was supposed to be well versed in? If there were, no one told her about them. ‘’Right, but now it’s not me who’s throwing them, that’s the difference,’’ She pointed out. Although Andrew was right-- she was always so incredibly great with organization, when she was not the one in control, holding everything together... that’s where she didn’t do so well. A control freak, some would say, and she 99% was, so most of the time. It almost annoyed her that he knew her so well to that day. Even more so, that she wasn’t able to change some of the root characteristics so he wouldn’t know her anymore. But before he could get any ideas that they’d be around each other during the said event, she jumped into something she didn’t think through. ‘’Are we allowed to bring plus ones?’’ It was such a stupid, stupid question, because if they were-- which was a given for almost all events, then she had to somehow convince Rafe to go with her. She wasn’t sure how to do that, if she was being perfectly honest. He didn’t seem like the type and getting him in a suit... that seemed like a lot.

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

Seconds that felt like an eternity. That was how Andrew felt until he made the movement to step out of her office. This whole conversation didn’t turn out the way he expected it to, in reality, he didn’t even know how that was going to go, but he was glad they didn’t get into another hurtful argument. Sam was still the woman he promised give the world to, that he wanted to spend the rest of his days with, she was still the woman he loved no matter what, but things weren’t great between then, he doubted they would ever be again, this was all too messed up and complicated for him to deal with right now, but at least this was a start. A start to what, only time would tell. He was about to close the door behind him when her voice stopped him on his tracks, making him turn to look back at her. “Hmmm, yeah? I always try to go to those things and my mom is actually helping organize this one, so if I don’t show I’ll be giving a bad example or something like that.” He gave her a crocked grin after he mimicked his mother’s voice, knowing no other explanation was needed since Sam knew how his mother was over certain subjects when it came to his behavior. “Why do you ask?” Knowing Sam as well as he did, he could almost guess she was anxious about the whole thing, but he wasn’t going to make assumptions without knowing things for certain. Not anymore.

Where the sense of all normalcy with Andrew was dead and gone, it was almost strange not clashing with him one way or another, over this or that. She wanted to-- and that was perhaps entirely Samantha’s fault. She wanted to pick a fight every time she saw him in the proximity because she didn’t have a different outlet. For a decade, she’d kept it inside and now it felt like his very presence was a trigger. So when he smiled at her-- she felt like she was twenty years old again, almost meeting him for the first time. But she knew it was just her emotions getting the best and the worst of her and so she had to choke it down. ‘’Right-- is your, is she okay? You Mom, I mean,’’ She figured, the least she could do was ask. She hadn’t for so many years even though Andrew’s mother liked her and the feeling was mutual. She broke up with every notion of Andrew when he broke up with her, that included his family ties. ‘’Oh just because...’’ She shrugged, trailing off, figuring out how to put it into words. ‘’It’ll be my first one here. Not my first rodeo, if you know what I mean, but... just a first.’’

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

To that, Andrew could only give Sam a small smile. He really didn’t want to know when to stop, especially when he wasn’t supposed to be picking fights. In all honesty, he didn’t do any of that on purpose, or just with the intention of pissing her off – although in the past that was definitely one of his favorite things to do – there were some issues he was trying to work on, and learning when to shut up was one of them. “To be honest I was willing to go and dance with you, but jokes on me, I don’t know how things work anymore.” Andrew always admired Sam for sticking to her own beliefs and never needing anyone to pick up her fights or protect her over things, that trait clearly hadn’t changed over the years, in fact, she was still standing her own ground and must have been why she got as far as she did in her career. Knowing there was nowhere else to go in this discussion, it was pointless for him to carry on being in her presence. Ten years had passed between them, and the things he tried so desperately to bury inside regarding to her and their past, were clearly trying to make an appearance the more time he spent in her presence and he being the one to call it off didn’t change how he still felt for her. Which, was the last thing he needed in his life right now. “Yeah. We done here.”

‘‘Good,’‘ She muttered as she took a sip of the water. It felt like she was counting off the seconds it took him to leave, barely registering what he was even saying. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, it was her own unprofessionalism that she took such pride in everywhere else, that screamed at her from the inside. This was a man who hurt her so deeply, but still a man she was willing to marry one day, way back when. Two steps and he was already a foot out the door when she caught herself saying more. ‘’Wait, Andrew,’’ She said, her finger nervously tapping against the plastic in her hands. Scratching her temple with the other, she sighed. ‘’Will you be attending that fundraiser they’re asking us to go to, for that other public school repars? Have you ever been to one of those things?’’ She’d been, but not in this setting, of course. The smaller it was, the more anxious Sam felt. She wasn’t sure what to expect from the collective. 

[paceyjoeys]

ONE TREE HILL; (2003 ━ 2012)

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

“But that is what you did. All I did was voice it out in a different way.” Andrew knew he was probably pushing by now and this was how they were getting too close to get on ar argument, but he wasn’t going to let that get to it. “But we are not getting there,” he said, clenching his jaw as Sam pointed out that his reasons were mostly personal, and she was right, in parts she was right, but Andrew wouldn’t admit that out loud, especially not now when his business weren’t her concern anymore. “I am not saying you should let him off easy. That is the opposite of what I am saying!” The truth was, no matter what Andrew said, it was clear he wasn’t being able to make her understand where he wanted to get, nor was they being able to get on an sort of agreement over this. She had her way of working and seeing things, and he had his. But then, she surprised him in taking some sort of compromise, and even if it wasn’t what he initially would’ve wanted, he took that as her way of trying. “Okay.” He sighed, looking at her from where he stood, knowing that this conversation had ended. “But just to make something clear, I never thought he wouldn’t be safe in here.” With you. Somethings didn’t need to be said, even though he wanted to voice out how he still thought about her, this was clearly not his place anymore.

Breathe, breathe, breathe. She had to keep telling herself. Shaking her head, Sam almost scoffed to herself. ‘’You really don’t know when to stop, do you?’’ All these years, and he still didn’t know the limits. Truth was, where she once admired his passion for the things he did, now she was only able to see a man who couldn’t grasp any control over his own emotions. That was as problematic as it could get, in her eyes. ‘’I know, Andrew, but that’s not how these things work. You can’t walk into my office and expect me to dance to your music. That’s never going to happen. Not with you, not with anyone else.’’ She always made her own decisions, independently, away from anyone else’s wants or needs. Perhaps that was why she could always stand her ground in the way she did, and in all things she did. ‘’Are we done here?’’ She then asked, walking over to the water machine and pouring herself a cup, as if to have something to do. Once the discussion ran out of things to say because she would only be repeating herself, of course, it became painfully obvious that being alone in a room with Andrew was still recalling some memories, and she didn’t want to remember.

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

The fact that he didn’t pull up a fight right away probably shocked Sam more than it shocked him. He honestly wasn’t trying to cause a scene like it was before, in fact, he was trying to do different this time, like how it should’ve been when they bumped into one another days ago. “I know that. And I know that will happen too, but—” He was ready to carry on his point when she literally just made little of him in that situation, forcing him to shut his mouth before he said something he would later regret. One of the main reasons as to why he wanted so desperately to help Jason, or any of his kids, was that he once was on their shoes and knew how close to none the help of social workers and psychologists could be. He knew how well that went for him that he desperately wanted to make it different this time, and Sam should know that, since she knew him better than anyone else and knew how hard it was for him to get where he was. But apparently some things were easily forgotten and all the shit they discussed and shared was one of them. “I think you are wrong over all of that, but you clearly don’t want to listen to what I think so….who am I to say something since I don’t have a degree in all of that, right? I am just the teacher.”

‘‘Don’t do that,’‘ Sam was quick to react. It was a rabbit hole she knew very well. ‘‘Don’t try to play it off like I was pointing out how you were just a teacher,’‘ She frowned looking at him. ‘’You and I both know that was nowhere near what I was trying to say,’’ She needed to count to ten in her head, because otherwise she was just going to start an argument she wouldn’t know how to finish. ‘’You understand this isn’t personal, right? You shouldn’t be going around this place, making cases for every single kid that reminded you of--’’ You, she wanted to say, but that woud’ve been a reach. She wasn’t a psychologist but it was difficult when she knew his history. So, she stopped and cleared her throat instead. ‘’I’ve listened to what you had to say and I don’t believe you have any basis in it,’’ She then simply stated. ‘’Every kid in this school needs to be treated equally, whether or not they’re on good terms with certain teachers. And no special privileges should be granted. Do you have any idea how problematic it can be for a kid to fall through the cracks just because we let him off easy?’’ She wasn’t sure he understood the long-term consequences. ‘’Okay-- how ‘bout this. I can promise you that the conversation is not gonna end up hurting him in any way. This is the right place to start with correction, and if we don’t grasp on that chance... it’d be much difficult later on. But, I can give you my word he’s going to be alright here.’’ The fact that she even had to promise something like that was again, a little offensive, but she was willing to swallow that down for now.

[samanthmillcr]

rafekaplan‌:

“Sorry, it’s habit.” Rafe tried to wipe the smirk off his face, but it was difficult to keep a neutral expression around her. He sat in front of her, breathing easily while she pawed at the fabric of his shirt. Maybe he wanted her to take it off, but he was content just sitting there. “You want to see the auto shop? It’s nothin’ fancy.” His head leaned back, eyes still on her. “There’s not too much to know, babe. What you see is what you get.” His hands slipped up her back, smirk reappearing on his lips. “I can show you the auto shop.”

‘‘Mhmm, a habit--’‘ She hummed and nodded along the lines of his smile, hands on each side of his jawline, trailing the stubble as she mused over it. Call it an instinct, but she didn’t feel like that was all there was to it. ‘’I’d love to see the auto shop,’’ Sam was quick to agree. But she had more questions than that. ‘’And how ‘bout those friends of yours we bumped into the other day?  The ones that greeted you? Who are they? You distracted me that one time...’’ She trailed off at the recent memory and the impromptu makeout session that ensued as soon as she started asking questions. ‘’Not this time around, though,’’ Sam chuckled.

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

Andrew knew he had said the wrong thing all over again the minute she told him to close that door. Truth be told, he didn’t know how Sam worked anymore. Ten years were a long time and people could change, she clearly changed over those years in more ways than he would like to admit, so he knew he was in a trick situation here when their work ethics and ways were put in display. Doing as she was told, he closed the door behind him, standing a few feet from her table not daring too move until told so. He wasn’t in the mood to get more on her bad side. “I am sorry if the way I put things out sounded like I was making little on the way you do things, I am not trying to diminish the work you do, on the contrary I am sure it is great or else they wouldn’t have offered you the position,” he started off, thinking that this was a safe way to carry on the conversation as he tried to think carefully what the rest of his words were going to be. “I respect you and the job you do and I am not here trying to pick a fight with you,” surprisingly or not, he was trying to be an adult here and honestly, was actually trying to treat Sam like any other of his colleagues, the fact that they held more baggage on their lives shouldn’t be too much of an issue. “Can’t we find a way to work together in this? Because I know this kids… I don’t want to feel like I failed on him or something. I know there’s more than can be done. Can’t we just find a middle ground or something in here?”

Sam took in a breath as she listened-- she was already half-prepared for another argument. The fact that it didn’t come to that-- yet, almost struck her as strange. ‘’You know the kids,’’ She repeated. ‘’But I know my job, and eventually-- I’m hoping to also know the kids, too.’’ A statement rang true in the office and in the air around them. ‘’I am not sure what do you think would happen here, Andrew. I’m not about to scold and threaten anyone. I’m a social worker, not their executioner. Besides, a psychologist will be present, too, which I think this kid really needs. Are you any of those things? I don’t think so. You meddling in this can cause more harm than good--’’ She attempted to explain. ‘’Because the kid might feel protected by someone else and might refuse to cooperate in the way we need him to. Do you undestand that?’’ She wondered, curiously. ‘’We work together, but we don’t work together in this,’’ She differentiated quickly. ‘’You know there are certain things you can’t help them with, right? Your job ends in that classroom, Andrew. You’re not their parent and it’s awfully problematic if you try to be one.’’

[samanthmillcr]

andrew--murdock‌:

Andrew wasn’t expecting Sam to welcome him with open arms, or to give him some sort of slack or the whole situation a different take. She was new in school, while he’s been around for longer than he would’ve wanted and this wasn’t the first time he spoke up on behalf of his students and he honestly wasn’t planning on changing any of that now that she was around. So, when she gave him the attitude, Andrew knew he was in for a fight he honestly didn’t want to be on in the first place. “Because he is one of mine and I take responsibility for what they do or don’t.” He spoke by his spot at her door, not daring to take a seat unless she told him to. “I know you are new to school and to this case and everything else in between, but I know this kid, he isn’t normally like that. I know the last thing we should do is encourage those behaviors, but he might be going through some shit that got him lashing out on others that had nothing going on.” He kept on voicing out over Jason’s behavior. “There’s something more inside of that kid, don’t punish him instead of holding your hand out first.”

I know you are new to school and to this case-- it struck a nerve immediately as he’d said it. It felt like he was emphasizing the fact on purpose, in typical Andrew fashion, and that made her stomach do a backflip. She squinted her eyes in his direction. ‘’Come in and close the door,’’ She then said, hoping that he didn’t have anything better to do. ‘’Listen, Andrew,--’’ She started off, staning up from the chair so they could be leveled in that sense. She wasn’t going to invite him to sit, because she was not expecting him to stay for long. She just wanted the courtesy of privacy. ‘’I know you have personal attachments to kids in this school. But this is not the way this is gonna go. You aren’t gonna waltz into my office and make a case for any of them, or tell me how to do my job,’’ Voice firm as always, but she wasn’t unpleasant in that sense, just stating facts. ‘’You don’t see me in your classroom, so I will expect nothing less from you but the level of respect any single one of your colleagues deserve. I think that’s pretty fair.’’