The party in Gisette's room was getting louder and wilder. Crowds of people wandered from the living room to the bedroom and the balconies.

Sarah was standing on the balcony off from the living room. Sam had gotten caught up in the after show excitement and wanted to come back and party, forgetting the promise he had made to Sarah earlier that day.

She stared up at the stars, but they were nowhere near as nice as the ones by the lake. When she looked at the people crowded around her, she didn't see anyone she knew.

She turned to face the living room, choosing to watch the people inside.

She saw Sam now, doing a line of coke with a group of people; all of them circled around the coffee table. Gisette was sitting in the middle of the group, between Sam and Barry.

She watched as the group all laughed at something that was said. She sucked in a breath when she saw Gisette reach around to rub her hand across Sam's back and he curved into it, then caught it up in his own when she had slipped it into his waistband.

She saw them both put their heads together and say something before they were interupted by the coke mirror being passed to them.

Sam held it for Gisette, pushing her hair behind her ear for her when she lowered the straw to the line. She watched as Gisette swiped at the remaining powder and ran it over her bottom lip.

Sam's eyes were glued to the fingertip, following its slow trail across her lip. Sarah saw the wicked smile on his face as he took the straw and snorted his line.

She felt the pain in her chest when he swiped his own powder, and she held her breath to see what he would do. But he had laughed and put his finger in his mouth, then passed the mirror on to the next person.

The intimacy that had lasted between them was only a minute or two, but Sarah wasn't fooled. It shook her to the core, and she knew that she had to say something to Sam about it. She stepped in his direction, then saw Trish out of the corner of her eye.

Trish was sitting on the bed, talking on the phone while covering her other ear. Sarah watched in concern as Trish wiped tears from her eyes. She hung up the phone and crossed the room to Georgie, pulling him aside.

She saw Georgie hug Trish as she cried on his shoulder. Sarah walked back in the room and up to Sam, who had been watching the couple. The two of them approached Georgie and Trish.

"What's happened?" Sarah asked in alarm.

Gisette came rushing over, a concerned look on her face.

Trish pulled away from Georgie and faced the three of them. "My grandmother just passed away. I have to go home for the funeral."

"Oh Trish!" Sarah hugged her friend. "I'm so sorry."

Gisette took Trish's arm and offered to take her back to the room and help her pack her belongings. But Georgie said he would go with her; he needed to phone around and find her a flight home.

News of what was going on got around the room quick and everyone was quieter for awhile. But the noise level started to rise again and Sarah was relieved when Sam suggested they go back to their rooms.

"Isn't Georgie going to go back with her?" Sarah asked anxiously as soon as they walked into the elevator. "She shouldn't go by herself."

"He can't, sweetheart. We have gigs we have already committed to." Sam tried to explain it to Sarah, then looked at the troubled look in her eyes. "Do you want to go with her?"

Sarah wasn't sure if she could leave Sam with Gisette. "What do you think? Should I?"

Sam wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I want you to stay with me, but Trish might need you now."

Sarah nodded, "I'll go tell her."

Trish was packing her bags when Sarah entered the room and Georgie was on the phone with the airlines.

Sarah offered to go with Trish, but the other girl shook her head.

"No, you have to stay here." Trish said adamantly. Then her voice softened. "I appreciate the offer."

Georgie hung up the phone and announced that he was able to get Trish on a red eye to JFK, then her family would pick her up and take her back to Brooklyn, where her grandmother lived.

The two girls had said goodbye, with Trish whispering in her ear "Keep an open mind, Sarah. I think Sam is just keeping it as friends."

Sarah was walking back to her room when Tex caught up with her, catching her arm and turning her around to face him.

"Sarah, I'm sorry about earlier today." His hand stroked her arm.

Sarah stepped towards the wall to pass him, but he held her, and she turned a puzzled look on him. "I don't know why you're doing this, Tex. You know I'm with Sam."

"Sam doesn't deserve you. He and Gisette have been playing footsie behind your back."

Sarah was glad to know that someone else had noticed and it wasn't just her being jealous.

Then it hit her that it also meant that there really was something going on between them. She looked at Tex in surprise.

Tex put his hands under her elbows, backing her up to the wall. He leaned in to look at her closely. "He doesn't appreciate you, honey. Look, I'm not trying to start trouble, but I just want to let you know that I think it's wrong and I think you should know what's going on. I know this tour has been hard on you. It's hard on everyone, but you get to know someone fairly well when you're with them this much. And I've seen the changes in you. I see the sad look on your face lately when you think no one is watching. I don't know why Sam doesn't notice."

"I'm doing fine, Tex, really."

Tex pulled back and nodded his head, "Ok, just know that I'll be here if you need me." He winked and walked away.

MONDAY - JUNE 14, 1976

Sarah gratefully stepped off the bus when it stopped outside their hotel. The ride had only been 3 hours long, but it seemed longer without Trish.

The bus trips had now become a part of her life. She was falling into the routine of getting up and climbing on the bus for a drive to the next city.

Their next stop was Denver, over a 10 hour drive from where they were. They were leaving in the morning and spending the day on the bus, with a night free from any shows.

After that, for the next two nights, they would board the bus after the show and drive all night, again, to the next city.

Sarah wasn't looking forward to their night time rides. The late nights had taken their toll on her, she was feeling exhausted and looking forward to lying down once they had their room.

***

Sam was leaning on the side of the pool, smoking a cigarette and watching the others play volleyball. Sarah had fallen asleep after their lovemaking, but he had left the room to meet up with the rest of the group here at the indoor pool.

His eyes followed Gisette as she walked over to him and slipped over the side into the water. Her body slid against his provocatively as she faced him.

Sam turned towards her and felt the water stir between them. He tapped his cigarette against the ashtray, and cocked an eyebrow at her.

"We're getting better at this friend thing, don't you think?"

Gisette laughed softly. "Yes, I think so."

She looked over at the group as she sneaked her foot up his leg, tickling behind his knee with her toes. Her eyes grew rounder and she smiled as Sam leaned against the side of the pool, trapping her bent leg.

"You have me trapped, Sam." She took his cigarette from his hands and took a long hit off it, blowing the smoke in his face and putting it in the ashtray.

Her hand took his and put it in the water, resting it lightly on her raised thigh. "Now what will you do?"

Sam's fingers moved against the wet skin and he heard the soft sigh come from Gisette. Her eyes were half closed and she bit her lip as she moved her leg to shift his hand.

"Pas une bon idee." Sam squeezed her inner thigh and brought his hand, shakily, out of the water.

"Oui, il est." Gisette pouted out her bottom lip and lowered her leg.

Tex swam up to them then and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, asking if they wanted to play volleyball.

Sam eyed them, as he saw Gisette's arm curl around Tex. She looked at him with a smug smile, as if daring him to say something.

Sam put out his half smoked cigarette and without saying a word, he dove into the water and swam to the others who were splashing in the deep end.

Sarah woke up in the darkened room, Sam had pulled the curtains closed and she had no idea of the time. The clock on the nightstand wasn't working.

She got up and put her ear against the connecting door, between their room and Georgie's, but heard nothing, so she decided to check the pool to see if they were still there.

She was shocked when the elevator door opened and she saw Tex and Gisette standing there. The pair looked up in surprise, then laughed and said hello to Sarah as they stepped around her.

She turned and watched them go down the hall, together and Tex turned and winked at her before he turned the corner.

She was still in shock when she entered the pool area and walked to the deep end, looking for Sam.

His head bobbed out of the water and he came up beside her, shaking his head and laughing as she jumped and giggled when the spray hit her. He gave her a big grin. "Hey, sweetheart."

She looked at him. "Did I just see Gisette and Tex together?"

Sam looked around the pool, "I saw Gisette leave awhile ago. I guess Tex's gone now, too."

He raised his eyebrows and gave her a leering grin."We know what they're doing." He grabbed her ankle and gave it a tug. "Are you coming in?"

"No! I don't have my suit on!" Sarah gasped as she felt her body hit the water.

Sam caught her waist and pulled her up. "You shoulda put your suit on!" He wrapped her legs around his hips. "Now you have to get those wet clothes off." He whispered, slyly.

After the show that night, Sarah sat on the floor with Sam. They were tucked back in a corner, and talking softly. She had been able to avoid Gisette most of the evening.

She had heard conversations between Sam and Gisette, always in French. She couldn't understand them, and she didn't want to keep asking Sam what they were about, it made her sound like a jealous girlfriend.

Gisette and Tex were a puzzle. She thought they were together, now they weren't even aware the other was in the room.

The room was overcrowded and the door was open, people were spilling into the hall, leaning on the walls and sitting on the floor. The noise level was high and the smell of pot was everywhere.

"Won't someone complain about us?" Sarah asked Sam as she looked around.

"No, we take up the whole floor." Sam took the mirror that Georgie handed down from the bed and held it as Sarah picked up the straw.

She needed no instructions now, as she snorted the lines, running her fingertip over the left over powder and rubbing it in her mouth.

Sam did the same, but offered his fingertip, coated with the powder, to Sarah, smiling as she licked his fingertip.

He passed the mirror to the next person, then turned back to Sarah. "We have a fan club now."

"Really? That is so cool!" Sarah was impressed. The band was getting more attention and it was exciting to see.

"Yeah," He pointed to several girls in the room, most of them were with Tex, Leon and Barry. "They follow us around." He chuckled, "The guys love it."

Sarah's eyes roved the room then zeroed in on a certain red head, sitting near the chair in another corner. She didn't think Sam had seen her, yet. But Sarah had, and she knew that she would definitely not leave Sam's side tonight.

Sam lit a joint and passed it to Sarah, pulling her over to him as he did. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "I'm with you tonight. Tonight and every night."

He had just noticed Cherry too, and wanted to reassure Sarah. He picked up her necklace, running his fingers over the filigree, and smiled at her.

Sarah's eyes didn't leave the red head, she watched as the girl got up and approached Leon, and the two left the room.

Sarah looked over and saw Georgie and Gisette, sitting on the bed, sharing a joint. It looked safe enough, she thought, that she and Sam could leave.

TUESDAY - JUNE 15, 1976

Sarah listened to the ringing on the other end of the phone line. Today was the day her friends were going to the James Taylor concert and she wanted to talk to them about it. She remembered when they all used to go on these road trips and knew they would be excited.

"Midgie!" Sarah yelled excitedly when her friend answered the phone. "How are you doing?"

"Sarah, hey girl, we're great!" Sarah could hear loud voices in the background.

"What's going on?" Sarah asked.

"Not much, we're here having breakfast." Midgie giggled at something someone said in the background. "We're leaving soon. We decided to leave early and just spend the day at the campground there, partying until the concert."

"Oh, okay. I won't keep you long. I just wanted to say hello and tell all of you to have a good time tonight." Sarah could tell they had already started the party.

Midgie lowered her voice, "Pete and Becky are really getting along. She stays at his place nearly all the time, now."

"That's cool, I'm glad to hear that." She could hear them now calling Midgie's name.

Sarah said hurriedly. "I have to go now, just tell everyone hello for me."

Sam came out of the bathroom, pulling on his tee shirt. He saw Sarah sitting on the bed, looking down at the phone in her lap, a far away expression on her face.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" He sat beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Nothing," Sarah sighed. "I just talked to Midgie and they are all getting ready to go to the concert at Blossom. I was just a little homesick, I guess."

"Sarah," Sam laughed, softly. "We were just there a week ago!"

Sarah looked up at him. "Yeah, I know, but I was supposed to go with them. I guess I just miss them."

Sam took the phone and set it on the night stand. "Maybe I could help you out with that." He said, sexily.

Sam stood up from the bed, pulling on his jeans, then leaned down and smacked Sarah's bare ass, leaving a light impression of his hand, causing her to yelp.

"C'mon, sweetheart, we've got things to do before we leave."

Sarah got up, rubbing her butt. "That wasn't nice, Sam Carter! I'll get you back!"

She headed for the bathroom, then turned around. "You shaved!"

She walked back to Sam and ran her hand over his smooth cheek. Then she looked closer and inspected his face.

The scruff above his top lip was still there, curving around the sides of his mouth. "Are you growing a mustache?"

Sam smiled wickedly, "Yeah, you like it?"

Sarah placed her finger in his dimple, pressing into it lightly. "I think so."

Sam was knocking on the connecting door to Georgie's room, when Sarah came out of the bathroom, dressed and ready to start the day.

They had a long day on the bus today, driving to Denver. The only good thing to look forward to, for her, was that Trish would be back tomorrow. Georgie was picking her up in the morning.

Sam's knocking was getting louder and more insistent. Sarah came up beside him. "Maybe he's not in his room?"

"He's there, I can hear him talking." Sam sounded disgusted.

The door swung open then, and Sarah got a full frontal view of Georgie, standing there naked.

"What the fuck do you want?" Georgie roared, ignoring the fact that he was displaying all to Sarah.

Sarah saw Cherry come up behind him, also naked, one hand covering her small breasts and the other pressed against the bright red hair between her thighs.

When the red head saw who was at the door, she dropped her hands and casually said hi to Sam and walked back into the room.

"Oh my god!" Sarah pushed past the two brothers and went into Georgie's room as Cherry calmly put on her skirt, smirking at Sarah.

"Get out!" Sarah picked up the girl's tee shirt and threw it at her, then pushed the groupie out the door and into the hallway.

Sam and Georgie were still standing by the connecting door. Sam looked over at Sarah and suggested. "Maybe you should go to our room, sweetheart. I think I need to have a talk with my brother."

Sam closed the door behind Sarah and lowered himself in the chair, then took out a joint and lit it up, passing it to Georgie.

"That was a dumb fucking thing to do."Sam said, quietly as he watched Georgie smoke the joint.

"Yeah, I know." Georgie got up and poured two glasses of Jack from the bottle on the dresser, handing one to Sam. "Do you think Sarah will tell Trish?"

"Probably." He hooked a leg over the arm of the chair. Georgie still had the joint so Sam lit one for himself.

He looked over at his brother."I can't believe you fucked Cherry."

Georgie let out a snort. "Man, what a lay! I had to cover her mouth, she is one noisy chick."

"Yeah, I remember." Sam took a long gulp from his drink.

"Hey, that's right. I forgot that you've had her, too " Georgie laughed. "First time we've fucked the same girl."

"And the last time. Do you realize what a great person Trish is? Are you trying to fuck it up? You and Trish have a great thing going here. I don't see how she puts up with you." Sam said calmly. "You know, you should really sit down and think about this. One day Trish might not come back."

"Trish and I love each other." Georgie said, quietly. "And do you really think you can say that to me? Do you think I haven't noticed what's going on with you and Gisette? Are you fucking her behind Sarah's back?"

Sam narrowed his eyes at Georgie, taking a couple hits before he said anything.

"Don't worry about anything that's going on between me and Gisette. You're the one that just fucked a groupie. Trish has left you before for this."

"But she always comes back." Georgie added, shaking his head. He smoked the joint and stared at the floor, thinking.

Sam took the last swig from his drink and stood up, heading for the door.

He smacked Georgie lightly on the arm as he walked by him. "I'm not promising anything, but I'll talk to Sarah."

"Thanks, man." Georgie called after him.