Uncharted: A Thief's Legacy

Chapter XVII - The Only Way

Sam's head shot up as light streamed into the dark room. He turned towards the light source to see Cassie poking through the half-opened door.

"Can I come in?" she asked in a small voice.

"Sure, but I'm being awfully boring right now," he said. She slipped in, laptop in hand, and closed the door behind her.

"You should turn on a light," she said, making her way to the other side of him and sitting down. She pressed her shoulder up against his. Sam pulled his arm out from between them, wrapped it around her, and lightly kissed the top of her head.

"It's easier to think in the dark," he said. "What can I do for you?"

"Just lonely," she said, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Hm. I can understand that."

"You shouldn't lock yourself up in here, then."

"You don't think so?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No," Cassie said. "You live here, and I still hardly see you. Mom and I can't do this alone, you know. We need you. Even she's figuring that out." Sam laughed ruefully.

"That's funny. I don't want to be in the way."

"You're all we have left of him." Sam looked down at Cassie, but instead of making eye contact with him, she stared off somewhere else in the room.

"What?"

"Having you around is almost like having him." Sam's chest tightened.

"I don't want to replace your dad."

"I know. But you help more than you think you do." She snuggled closer to him.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"You have got to stop apologizing." Now she tilted her head to look at him. "I was there. It wasn't your fault." Sam drew in a long breath.

"You're too generous," he sighed.

"No, you're too hard on yourself. It's not your fault. Dad loved you so much and no one could have stopped him from doing what he did, and Sam, they all knew we were there anyways." Sam had to concede.

"And hey," Cassie added with a sniffle, "Dad got to see Sully again."

Sam felt a lump rising in his throat and his eyes burned. He squeezed Cassie against him tighter.