"Come on, Sam, try and show a little energy," Jane cajoled as Sam lagged behind. Sam rolled her eyes as she lifted another box and carried it into their new home. It was a nice house, more than large enough for Sam, Jane, and Mac. It had a spacious backyard for Mac to play in and came with a large swingset for her as well. The house itself was two floors, had cathedral ceilings and had a light airy feel to it. As an added bonus, it was only two miles from the Palace, a fact that Jane found very important not only for Sam but for Mac as well.

As much as Jane resented and nearly hated Mike for everything he’d done thus far, he was still Mac’s father. And until Mac was old enough to decide for herself what she wanted, Jane wasn’t going to deprive her daughter of her own father. Unless, of course, his violent streak appeared again. Then, all bets were off.

"It really is a beautiful home, Jane," Terri said as she helped bring a few things in. Jane smiled. She’d spent the past few weeks looking for just the right place. It became especially important after Brooke had come by and explained her theory of how getting Sam out of the motel and into a more stable environment might help her. The more Jane thought about it, the more she realized that Brooke was right. Sam and Mac both needed a home, not a rented motel room. Now, three weeks later and thanks to her friends in the real estate industry, they had one.

"Thanks," Jane said, turning to Sam who was standing nearby looking bored. "You like it, don’t you, Sam?" Sam scowled.

"Whatever," she sighed. "It’s not like it matters what I want anyway. Besides, any place is better than that damn motel."

Jane frowned. In recent weeks, Sam’s attitude had turned from sullen and withdrawn to angry and snappish. Jane wasn’t sure if it was a positive change or not. Brooke was still ‘seeing’ Tyler as a cover to see Sam as Tyler used it to see Catherine. It was an amicable agreement between the four that seemed to be working. It also seemed to be drawing Sam out more, which Jane was thankful for. But aside from that, Sam was growing increasingly hostile and Jane couldn’t figure out why.