Conditions are Set

It was brainstorming time in the iCarly studio and they were making little progress. The trio sat on the beanbags, deep in conversation. Carly's ideas were discussed at length, Freddie's were shot down as soon at they left his mouth while Sam's were nonexistent.

"What about we-"

"No. that's lame," said Sam, cutting off Freddie yet again.

Freddie frowned at the blonde's comment. "Can you at least wait for me to finish before you comment?" he growled.

Sam rolled her eyes. "Fine. What's your lame idea?" she asked before popping another grape into her mouth.

"What about if we have a talent competition by the other seniors in school?"

Sam pelted him with a grape that hit him square on the forehead. "As I said before… LAME."

Freddie scowled and wiped the bit of juice that was left on his forehead by the grape. "Well I don't see you making any suggestions," he argued.

Sam gave him an exacerbated look, shrugged and finally offered an idea, "What about we have a competition seeing who can stuff the most hotdogs in their mouth?"

Carly looked up from her notes, "You know, that is not a bad idea."

Freddie turned to look at Carly, "The problem Carls is that we have to have two sets of dogs. One for the challenge and another for Sam to snack on before the show."

"Shut up Fredwierd!" shouted Sam as she threw another grape at him. He caught it with his mouth. Sam nodded looking quite impressed at Freddie's feat.

Spencer opened the door to the studio, "Carly!" He looked annoyed.

"Sup, Spence?" his sister asked.

"Living room now!" He commanded before leaving.

The friends looked at each other puzzled at Spencer's behavior. They had never seen him so irritated. All three got up and left the studio.

Spencer paced back and forth in the living room. He turned to the sound of someone running down the stairs and gestured for the younger Shay to sit on the sofa. As she sat more footsteps were heard from the stairs. Her two best friends arrived to see what the matter was.

Spencer turned to face them with a stern look on her face. "You two upstairs. This is a private matter."

The pair stood shocked not budging. They had definitely never seen this side of Spencer.

"I said upstairs…NOW!"

Freddie open his mouth to say something but was cut short by Sam pulling him back up to the studio. They never made to the studio as they sat at the top of the stairs listening to the sibling's conversation.

"Carly. I just got off the phone with dad." Spencer's tone had eased, but still stern.

Carly's eyes lit up. She always looked forward to hearing from her father. "You were on the phone with daddy?" she said excitedly, then she frowned, "Why didn't you call me?"

"We were talking about you." Sam and Freddie looked at each other confused. They continued to listen.

Carly gulped. "Oh… what about?" She too looked puzzled.

Spencer pulled out an envelope from his pocket and held it up. "This." He gave it to her. "Your grades."

Carly was shocked. She hadn't realized that her grade slip had arrived in the mail. She browsed over the piece of paper. It did not look to good.

"You're failing French AND you're slipping up in history, science and math!"

Carly sat speechless, not knowing how to respond to her brother. She just stared at her grades.

"This is your final year before college. Dad is concerned and frankly, so am I. You need to improve on this." He continued looking at her sternly.

Carly dropped her head and broke her silence. "Sorry Spence. I'll try harder and I'll improve. You'll see…"

Spencer's expression softened even more. "I know you will kiddo. To ensure that you do, dad and I decided to set some conditions. Firstly, you should not date anyone for a while and-"

"WHAT!" She jumped up and glared at her brother.

"No dating!" he repeated.

Carly stood in shock. She started breathing faster and panicking. "But… but… that is social suicide! I can't just not go out on a date! I'll be the laughing stock of the entire school. I'll work harder and improve, I promise. But I have to go out. I have a date with Christopher tomorrow. I can't just cancel!"

Spencer folded his arms and looked at her. "I'm sorry kiddo, but dad has spoken."

At the top of the stairway Sam looked over at Freddie and chuckled. "I guess you have no chance in going out with Carly anytime soon dork. Sucks to be you."

Freddie's eyes narrowed and glared at her in response.

"But Spencer," Carly continued, "Can't you ease up on me just a little. It'll be our secret." She pouted while giving her brother the puppy dog eyes.

"Damn it Carls. You know I can't resist when you give me that look." Spencer paused and thought for a while.

Carly smiled. She knew she had her brother wrapped around her little finger now.

The edges of Spencer's mouth curled slightly as an idea came to him. "Fine little sis, you can only go on a date if Sam goes on a date but get those grades up. AND THAT'S FINAL!" Spencer walked off to his room leaving a stunned Carly in the living room.

Sam sat with her mouth hung open on hearing the conditions set by the older Shay. Freddie chuckled at his nemesis. "You know Carly is gonna try to get you to double date with her every week from now on. She may even set you up with Germy!" He started to laugh louder.

"I know," Sam grumbled.

"Sucks to be you."

Sam wrapped her arms around her legs and growled, "Get lost Benson."

Freddie decided to continue taunting her. "Aww. Just think of it. May be you and Germy will fall in love and have many little Germs."

"Shut up Benson!"

Just then Carly appeared on the stairs looking all depressed. Freddie stopped laughing immediately while Sam still scowled.

"You guys heard everything?" A tear rolling down her cheek.

"Yeah," they said together.

"I can't believe Spencer can be so mean," she sobbed.

"Well he is just looking out for you Carls," replied Freddie. "It's not the end of the world."

"Speak for yourself. I'll be the laughing stock of the entire school," She rebutted. "There goes Carly Shay. She's eighteen and can't go on a date," she mocked sarcastically.

"You'll live," chipped in Sam.

Carly looked at her co-host and smiled . "You know Sam we can always double date."

"No."

Freddie chuckled.

"Come on! You're my best friend! Pleeese," begged Carly.

"No! I don't want to get stuck with a dork like Germy!" Freddie was now rolling with laughter.

"I'll set you up with anyone you want," bargained Carly.

"No Carls. The last time you set me up I ended up in juvie."

"Well you didn't have to break Roger's arm," Carly tried to reason.

"He kept trying to grab my ass. No one grabs momma's ass!" Sam yelled.

Carly dropped her head. "Please." She started to pout. "For me."

"Don't you dare put that puppy eye look on me! I'm outta here!" She got up and ran for the front door.

"Sam!"

The blonde did not turn to respond. She was gone.

A/N: Let me know what you think so far.