44 Blueberry Hill, Thursday Afternoon

[beenthroughthat]

Stupid earworm. Stupid, stupid vague sense of music in his head that kept getting stronger lately, and wouldn't leave him alone. It only compounded matters that the distraction was making it impossible for Sam to get any work on the nursery done -- he'd gotten so caught up in the tuneless humming that he'd whacked his thumb badly, and he

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[sleepswthdemons]

Phoebe had been aware of Anders's agitation -- how could she not be? She was curled up on the couch -- with a light blanket over her because Cole was afraid she would catch cold -- and had been watching him for awhile.

This time when he walked by, she lifted her head up from the book she was pretending to read.

"Anders?"

[beenthroughthat]

"Businessmen, they . . . they drink my -- babe?" Sam turned abruptly and blinked hard several times as his eyes focused on her. "When did you get there?"

[sleepswthdemons]

Her eyes filled with concern. "I've been here for most of the afternoon. You guys made me come down here and sit because you didn't like catching me climbing up the bookcase in the attic while you guys were working on the nursery the other day."

[beenthroughthat]

Sam blinked again, and came over to drop down onto the couch beside Phoebe, although his leg was bouncing up and down in an erratic nervous tic.

"When did it get to be afternoon?"

[holdingontolove]

After being abducted to do the news broadcast, Cole shimmered home to find Sam and find out what was wrong.

[beenthroughthat]

Sam was out on the front porch with the remains of a pack of cigarettes -- and a guilty expression when he looked up and saw Cole there.

"I know, I know, I said I'd quit . . ."

[holdingontolove]

"Don't you dare near Phoebe," Cole said, settling beside Sam.

[beenthroughthat]

"I'm not that insane," Sam said, an extra touch of defensiveness in the statement.