The Rains of Redemption

by laurensnana

EJ and Tony are playing a game of chess involving the world and the legacy of Stefano. Good and Evil can be two sides of a coin. Can this fence be straddled, and who is really the most vulnerable.

1. Chapter 1

The Rains of Redemption

Prologue:

A game of power and intrigue exist between EJ Wells and Tony DiMera that plays out on a chess board only the two of them know about. Evil and Good become two sides of a coin, and is it possible to straddle this fence? Weaknesses are to be exploited, and the question is, which of these two is the most vulnerable?

Chapter I

Lexie ran to catch the elevator, but in her haste, the file slipped from her hand and the papers scattered on the floor about her. She cursed herself for not taking the time to staple the papers, but she had been late getting Theo to Celeste, and the printer had given her problems as well. The time had gotten away from her, and now she had only six minutes to get up to Doctor Merriams office for her interview.

EJ Wells stepped out of the elevator and saw her dilemma. People were walking around her, none offering help, as she frantically tried to gather up all the papers in the file. Without her noticing, he began to pick up the ones he could reach, and when finally she looked up, she saw him organizing the ones he had into number file order.

"Thank you EJ, I probably would have been crawling around for another ten minutes!" Lexie was stuffing everything back into the folder while talking.

He looked at the heading, and saw it was her current resume then offered " Are you the candidate that Doctor Merriam is waiting for? I just met with him and he said someone was coming in. This is wonderful! I am sure you would be perfect for the opening!"

"EJ, it is just an interview, and there are others who probably have more clinical research experience, but I know I can do this if he will give me a chance!" Lexie had not tried to influence any decisions by dropping EJ's name, but now decided maybe it would not hurt to have him on her side.

"Lexie, don't worry, I will put in a good word for you, now just go on up and impress him with what you know, and what you can do for our Mythic medical research facilities.! Please, stop by the office when you are finished, I would love to know what was said!" With that, EJ gave her a quick peck on the cheek and was off for his own round of meetings. As he walked, he pulled his cell phone out and dialed Doctor Merriam.

"She is on her way up, make it look real, but don't over do it. She should start next week, and nothing menial, she should have an office, a title, and some real responsibility. Don't let me down" EJ was used to his instructions being followed promptly, and without question.

His next call was to someone who didn't always follow his instructions without question, but she had other attributes that made him give her a little slack on that. "Darling, I would like to invite a dinner guest tonight, how does that sound?"

"Fine with me EJ, who is coming?" Sami was a little distracted at her desk, trying to do a rewrite of a rewrite on the screen play for "The Greek".. and at the same time throw the tennis ball for Inky who was keeping the twins entertained with running back and forth to retrieve it. She had tried getting the twins to throw it, but each of them had been too delighted to have Inky jumping up and down to think that the poor dog just wanted them to throw the darn ball!

"I am inviting Lexie and her son, I think the kids will enjoy seeing him, and Lexie is going to be working at Mythic Labs, so this will be a way to say welcome to her..and she is part of my family" EJ slipped all that in and waited for the reaction.

"Justin, give Inky back the ball, right now! No..don't put it in your mouth..it has doggie germs! Lexie!... EJ, are you out of your mind?.. She doesn't speak to me when I pass her on the street..and you want me to have dinner with her?...Jessica, don't pull Inkys tail, that is not nice!"

"Samantha, listen to me..I think under the present circumstance you can afford to be a little magnamimous..think of how much we have, and don't forget, you are in a way responsible for a lot of Lexies troubles." Lexie had lost her position at the hospital, and Abe Carver had once more decided that marriage to Lexie was a more difficult undertaking than he was willing to work at. She had been supporting herself doing private duty nurse work since the hospital had fired her, and the state had revoked her license.

"EJ, pack my bags for the guilt trip..ok, sure, whatever you want. Just find out what Theo likes to eat..as for Lexie, well maybe this is a good time for me to learn to prepare Japanese Fugu fish".

"Samantha, you always make me laugh..but please just let Albert cook ok, and as for fugu, he is qualified to prepare it if you like!" Well, thought EJ, this was not as hard as I thought it would be. I am really learning how to handle Samantha!

"EJ, my love, don't pat yourself on the back, I can see through the phone you know!"

Not wishing to press his luck, EJ made a kiss sound, "I love you, see you around six. Kiss the babies for me!.

Lexie was giddy as she walked into the reception area of Mythic Communications. Chelsea looked up from her desk, in her most professional demeanor buzzed EJ. "Doctor Carver is here, you said to let you know when she arrived."

EJ thanked her, and said to bring Lexie in. Lexie had a hard time believing this young lady was the same one who had done filing for her at the hospital. She was tastefully dressed in a short waisted suit dress, in a muted color of cream and grey. The dress had a hemline that was young but not flamboyantly short. It seems working for Mythic had been a maturing experience for Chelsea.

"Wow EJ! That sure is a different Chelsea!" Lexie was impresses and said so.

"Yes, she has really been an asset here. We are looking to give her an intership under Chandler pretty soon. She has an interest in journalism, and is taking courses..she is going to do well here! Now enough about her..Doctor Merriam just called, and he is very impressed with you..it will just be a matter of if he can make you an offer that you will find acceptable" EJ knew the offer would be extremely lucrative, and soon Lexie would be in his fold.

"EJ, thank you, this is just what I have needed..what can I do to thank you?"

"I am glad you asked..please, you and Theo be our guests for dinner at the house this evening..I have already asked Sami, and she is going to a great deal of trouble to make sure Theo's favorites are to be served..Celeste says he favors meatloaf and gravy.."

"EJ, I mean you and I are family, and I am grateful..but Sami and I….." Lexie was trying to think of any graceful way out of this.

"Lexie, think about it, you are responsible for a lot of Samis problems too…remember the night after the non wedding when Sami and I came to your house? I said then, the three of us have a lot in common..I still believe that Lexie. I would like to be closer to my family members, we are now all we have left..please..come..the twins would love to meet Theo!" EJ was using his most persuasive tones, and he had come closer to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. Finally she shrugged, it had been lonely since Abe moved out again, and company sounded nice. The twins were adorable, and she would like to get to know them, and Theo would be thrilled to play with little kids. Maybe she could get through and evening with Sami!.

Chapter II

Sami was giving Tippin the cooks instruction when the phone once again interrupted her. This time it was Marlena. Sami bowed her head, asking for strength to get through this conversation, because she knew what it was Marlena wanted to talk about.

"Sami, it has been a year since Roman's death, and the family is holding a memorial for him, please say you and the children will be there". Sami had know about the service being planned from Eric and Belle. No one had called her to ask her help. That had hurt, but she understood why. Once again, her marriage had put her on the outside looking in with the Brady family.

"Mom, of course I will come, but you have not mentioned EJ..I assume he is welcome too?" Sami knew the answer, but waited to hear Marlena voice it.

"I just don't think it would be comfortable having him there..Sami..you know how some of the family feels about him".

"Then I won't be there, I will pray for Dad, but I don't blame my husband for what happened to him, he made his own choices about Kate, and he made his own choices about terrorizing my family that day." Sami felt no guilt about using Kate to push her father into a bad decision, Roman had been dead to her before he pulled the trigger. EJ was a DiMera, she had accepted that fact. He was not like all of the DiMeras, in some ways he was actually more ruthless than Stefano, but she knew no one ever felt his wrath unless it was deserved.

"Sami..alright..EJ will be included. Don't worry, I will make sure things are smoothed out." Marlena and John still were not pleased with Sami marrying into the DiMera clan, but she was still their daughter.

"Thanks, Mom. What can I bring?" and from there on the discussion was on the practical aspects of planning the service.

Abe Carver sat nursing his beer at the bar of the Cheating Heart. He was off duty, which was a laugh. Another bad decision regarding EJ Wells, and twenty five years of career was washed down the drain. Having been given the choice of being busted to patrolman again, or faced with unemployment, he now had the pleasure of reporting to Commander Tek Kramer each day. That, along with the loss of a friend he had known for that same twenty five years, and this had been one hell of a depressing year. Now he had the feeling that EJ Wells and Sami were laughing at the whole town of Salem, and maybe they had the right.

The door jingled its bell announcing another patron for the after shift drinks that made up a large part of the Cheating Hearts business. Bo Brady walked in, saw Abe, and sat next to him. He was off the force completely now, having resigned in protest when Roman had been asked to turn in his badge. Hope had left him, taking their small daughter to Europe with her, and Bo spent a lot of nights in the Cheating Heart trying to drink his memories away. Days, he spent chartering the Fancy Face for fishermen out on the bay. He gestured to the barkeep to bring him the same as Abe, and bought another one for his former partner.

They sat a moment before either one said anything. Then they began to talk about what was on their minds.

"My God Abe, can you believe that Roman has been gone one year, and still EJ Wells is walking around free. The family is having a memorial service, but you and I can't do a damn thing about what EJ has caused in this town since he got here!" Bo was bitter, he had helped Roman do the search, but had never dreamed the security cameras in the Wells household would have put them all in such a bad light. Two small babies crying in terror, while their father lay comatose had been eaten up by the press. Sami had pressed the lawsuit against the city, but agreed to give it up as long as her father gave up his badge, and Abe and Bo had been demoted. That was Sami, she had never given her family any loyalty! To Bo she was no longer part of the family, and anytime he saw her on the street he cut her dead.

It was starting to get busy in the bar, as more workers near the docks came in. The door jingled again and Chandler Loring and Harris McMurty walked in together. They headed for a table, when Harris saw Bo staring at him with anger in his eyes. Chandler reached across to take Harris' hand.

"Look, let's just take off, this really isn't the only place to have a beer you know." Then Chandler saw Bo leave his stool to walk towards them.

"EJ let you off his leash today Harris?' Bo kept his eye on Harris, while setting his beer down on their table.

"If you want that beer, I suggest you take it back to the bar and sit and drink it there, we did not invite your company Bo." Harris had a calm steady voice, but it carried authority, and an undercurrent of warning. Bo did not heed the warning.

"Make me, you DiMera Goon!" and Bo had grabbed onto Harris shirt lapel, and was pulling him to his feet. Harris, however, using minimal force, and a couple of advanced martial arts moves removed Bo's hands, and saw to it that Bo fell away from Chandler so there was no chance of her being injured. Bo landed at Abes feet, and he was quick to help him up. Harris was immediately in front of him, and had Bo in a choke hold designed to make a person listen carefully.

"Calling me names is not a good idea. Causing me trouble when I am out for a quiet drink with my Lady is an even worse idea..I am about to leave, I am going to the Pub to see my Grandfather..I suggest you stay out of there for the night..are we clear?" Harris leaned in close to Bo's face to say what he had to say. Bo was a hot head, Harris understood that about him, and did not wish to push the point any further. He removed his hands from Bos'neck and waited a moment to see if his step uncle was inclined to try anything else.

"We aren't finished..I'm not finished with you or EJ Wells..understand?"

"Bo, I consider you family of a sort, EJ is also part of my family. But if you know what is good for you, in the words of good old Rodney Young, can't we all just get along?"

Chapter III

The warm sun filtered through the shutters, waking Lucas up even earlier than usual. He could smell the breakfast Nabila was cooking for him, and he stretched his arms out to move the mosquito netting aside. She was bending to the task of putting the breads in the stone oven. He smiled in contentment. It was amazing to him the level of happiness he had, even living in a two room house, made basically of mud bricks, but kept scrupulously clean by Nabila. He rose and walked over to her, as she stood, he put his arms around her and felt her now rounding belly. The child they had worried about having, would be born HIV negative, this was another miracle in their lives.

Nabila was Maliwian on her mothers side, and French on her fathers, and could have chosen to live a life of ease in France where she had been educated. She knew however, her homeland was desperate for doctors to help in the Aids epidemic, so she had returned. Working both in the hospitals to cure and educate, she also undertook to work in the research clinic funded by Mythic World Medical Research to do the studies necessary to find a cure, or at least a way to hold this terrible scourge at bay.

Nabila had fallen in love when she returned, with a wonderful fellow doctor. The wonderful fellow doctor was HIV positive, but had failed to ever test himself, and by the time his symptoms had manifested enough to make Nabila cautious, she was herself infected. It was commonplace in a country that placed male pride above the protecting of women and children as well as the coming generation. Now estimates of as many as ten to fifteen percent of the Malawian population was infected, which was leaving so many children either orphaned or with parents who had no way to word to feed and care for them.

Lucas had been sent here by EJ Wells, under a death threat, but with a mandate to do good in the world. Resentful at first, he had finally reached the conclusion that life was not all about him, his wants, his needs. Seeing people who knew their survival for one more day meant getting just one more bag of flour or rice put his own lifes quests in a different perspective. Nabila's quiet dignity had helped him realize he did have a purpose. He remembered the first time he had given in to his anger about his disease to her..and she had taken his hand and led him to the hospital infirmary that had the dying ones in it.

"Look at this..you have been sent here to keep people alive..and that will keep you alive as it is keeping me alive..you will find you cannot allow yourself to think about your own death when you concentrate on stopping this from happening." Nabila had taken the hand of an emaciated woman who was in the last rasping breaths of her life. After that, Lucas had done his job, which was finding donors for food through out the world, and seeing it was distributed equitably in several Aids centers funded by Mythic worldwide. His salary was nominal, but now, money was no longer the center of his world, and the simple breakfast of porridge and fritter cakes being set before him was better than the finest filet served at Chez Rouge.

Nabila frowned though as she set the envelope before him. She recognized the handwriting as being the "Kate" mother woman, and Lucas was never happy after hearing from her.

"Lucas" Kate wrote " I am flying into Lilongwe, and I will need you to meet me at the airport. I want to stay a couple of days and talk to you about some issues. Nabila, is of course welcome to come with you, if you think she would feel comfortable staying at the Hilton. I will arrange for suitable clothing for her to wear if need be".

Lucas looked at Nabila, who looked so beautiful in whatever she wore, and thought to himself, "Mom, you never quit do you?" Kate did not approve of the relationship, but Lucas did not care. After a moment he wondered why Kate had bothered to send this message snail mail, instead of calling or e-mailing. The postmark was Zurich, so he knew that Austin was probably getting all the mothering he could stand, now it was going to be his turn!

Lexie and Theo arrived at the Wells Mansion, and Tippin led them in to the room which served as a family room and playroom for the twins.

Justin and Jessica both looked at the newcomer who was really out of their league! A real big kid! Oh neat! Both of them shyly walked up to him, and Jessica held out her prize possession, the brown velvet bunny that had been with her for all her life. It was a little worse for wear, with one eye barely hanging on, and the other a small hole where stuffing showed through, but loved nonetheless.

Justin though, really knew the way to a big kids heart and offered up an action figure of the now resurrected Ninja Turtles. Theo, being a diplomatic little man, took the turtle, and grabbed Jessica's hand to walk into the playroom with her, thereby showing approval of Justins offering, while appeasing the feminity of little Jessica.

Sami and Lexie, their meeting was a little more awkward and forced. EJ stepped forward to offer Lexie a glass of white wine, and Sami worked on her second glass, trying to force herself to relax and pretend this was just another dinner guest at the home where they had entertained so many others.

"Lexie, I love your dress, you look great". Sami tried to go first, hoping things would get better.

"Thank you". Lexie was still stiff, but did manage to look Sami in the face. Besides all the other things in their past, there was still the fact of that damn book which talked about the incompetent, and sometimes ethically challenged female doctor, which obviously had been written about her. Everyone in the hospital had laughed about it, and she had often come upon them when they had suddenly gone quiet at her approach.

EJ left the room, ostensibly to make a phone call, but really to see if the two women could find some common ground. They did, with the children. Sami knelt down to Theo, asking him if he would like to meet Inky. She called the cocker over, and he came, wagging his tail, delighted to meet a kid who looked like he could throw a tennis ball the right way! Sami gave Theo the ball, and pointed in the direction Inky was allowed to chase it in. Lexie was so glad to see her son smiling, he had been taking the separation from Abe hard, and she had been working such long hours, it was tough on him.

As he was giving Inky a good workout, the twins toddled over to greet Lexie. With a combination of sign and the words they knew, they greeted her as "Pretty Lady!" Sami translated, and Lexie was enchanted.

"Well you have always looked beautiful Lexie, you do have a terrific sense of style. I should introduce you to Trey sometime, he would love a chance to show off his designs to you, he loves the perfect body types! Me, well lets just say he has his work cut out!"

"Sami, you do look great, and you look so happy. EJ must be good for you" Lexie was now smiling as though she meant it.

"He is my world. Him and the kids. And of course my writing. I don't think I could live without those three things..Lexie, I hope you find satisfaction in your new job..it helps with everything else if you are happy in your work. Your son is beautiful, and now I think life will get a lot better for you. I see in your eyes, you didn't like my book. I do not apologize for my work, it was seen through my experiences, not yours.

EJ wants me to try and get along with you. I don't have any reasons not to. What we did to each other in the past, is in the past. I won't forget what you did, you don't have to forget what I did. Lexie, EJ wants to be close to his family too, I am not going to stand in the way of that. How you feel is up to you, but I thought you should know I am through caring about things that happened that I cannot change. I hope we can get along in the future, and so does EJ" after saying her piece, Sami waited on Lexie to do the same.

Shrugging her shoulders, Lexie thought "Why not?" She held out her hand to Sami and said aloud "I think we can manage to work through it, Sami, and right nw I need all the help and friends I can get..so.." her hand was extended and Sami took it, then pulled Lexie closer to give her a light hug.

EJ walked in, smiling at the scene. Once again, Sami had made his task easier!

Chapter IV

Caroline was the first to see Harris and Chandler come into the pub, and she went to give them both a warm hug. Harris stiffened at first, then gave in to the embrace, willing himself to loosen up. Chandler looked at his discomfiture for the brief second it lasted, and squeezed his hand to encourage him. Then the booming voice of Sean was heard as he came out from behind the bar.

"Harris, you got here just in time! We have our Irish band coming in, and I want you should get up there and sing a few ditties with them.." Sean had discovered Harris was possessed of a fine singing voice, and loved it when Harris stopped by and shared it with them. The whole pub shouted encouragement since they loved it when Harris came by and lent his voice to join the bands.

The second song requested was from Sean who would sit and dream of his long ago youth as Harris and his rich baritone filled the pub with the strains of "Rose of Allendale". Sean was once again young and back on the gun running ship, holding Eleni as the ship crested the waves nearing the Irish shore. It brought tears to his eye, but a joy to his heart as he looked upon Harris. Without Roman, he was glad Harris was in his life now. He just wished Bo would learn to accept the same fact, but as the door opened and he saw Bo walk in, he knew if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride!

Harris saw Bo, and kept singing. Bo then made his way over to Chandlers table, where she sat, enjoying the singing and music. Harris stopped the band, and left the stage. He got to the table the same moment as Bo, and put his arms around Chandlers shoulder, lifting her from the table, and placing her behind him.

"Just wanted to buy the little lady a drink, thas all, no need to get offended, this is my Pops pub, I wouldn't start trouble here..jus wanted to let you know this is my Pops place, and you don't tell me to come in or stay out or nuttin..got that clear goon?" Bo was drunk, and Harris was backing Chandler away, and towards the door. This night had gone quite badly, and when they got outside, he apologized.

"Chandler, I don't know what to say..I am sorry things ended up this way, I just wanted a night with you..and look what happens.." he was interrupted in his apology by her reaching her arms around his neck to kiss him.

"I just want to be with you, and I don't care where..in fact, my apartment sounds pretty good to me..music, a glass of beer or wine..what do you say?"

Sean and Caroline had then exploded on Bo. "You are disgracing our good name..that boy is my grandson, while you are a Kirak…." Sean stopped as he realized what he had been about to say.

"Yeah, and he's also a DiMera..remember that?" Bo was angrier now, why didn't anyone see what he was trying to get across. They had invited the wolf into their midst. Roman was dead because of their plotting.

Caroline tried to quiet Bo, but he was now yelling in his loudest voice "They killed my brother, as sure as they put the gun to his head! And don't be too sure that they didn't! Do you really believe Roman would kill himself? They set him up, and you don't even see it! Bastards! They are all nothing but bastards! " Bo was crying now, as he remembered the scene of finding Roman next to his suicide note. He had not believed it then, and he did not believe it now, and someday he would prove that Roman had not done that to himself, if it was the last thing he did.

Harris was kissing Chandler the moment her door shut behind them. "Hey, how about a glass of wine first?' Chandler was surprised that Harris was even willing to wait for her to get wine, but when she turned around he was on his knees in front of her, the ring box opened, out in front of him.

"Chandler, I really wanted to do this in a more romantic way..but I have to say it now, or I fear I will lose my nerve..you know I love you, but you know what my life is about I know. That is me though, and take it or leave it, that is just how it is. So, if you think you can take living with me, knowing some things I just can't talk to you about, or share with you..will you marry me..Chandler Loring, will you be my wife?"

Her smile went from one side of her mouth in that lopsided way he always was so captivated by, and she reached out to give him her hand. "Yes, I will marry you, but now I want one thing from you..and she whispered her request into his ear".

He smiled, and took her into his arms before the apartment was filled with his voice singing once again, one of her favorites that had been interrupted by Bo…"Oer the lonely prison wall, you can hear the young girls call..Michael they have taken you away…you have stole the barrons corn, so the young un migh be born, and the prison ship lies waiting in the bay.." the words to The Fields of Altherny had always been a favorite for her, and they danced to his voice before making love and falling asleep in each others arms.

Chapter V

The ivory carved chess pieces in the velvet lined box had a special significance for Tony, they had been a gift from Anna all those years ago. As he took each intricately carved piece and set it on the board, he relived that night so long ago when she had presented him with this gift.

"Teach me to play" she had told him, "I know I can beat you!" Tony had taught her the basics of the game, knowing she could never best him, as he had been playing the game since childhood. After a few quick lessons, she had challenged him to a match. When he had looked up after setting the board, she had been sitting there, smiling catlike, and totally nude. Added to that unsettling scenario, she had been lying about her knowledge of the game. Normally he would have had a chance but he was so distracted he never noticed she had set him up for a scholars check mate, and as her queen moved to take his pawn, she had announced "mate!" It was a classic four move rout, and he had been played by her that day in more ways than one.

That was a memory he cherished, but the game he now played with EJ had too much seriousness to allow for those type distractions ever again. His inattention to Stefano those last years had cost him much, and regaining what he had lost was harder than he had anticipated. EJ seemed to know how to counter every move he made. Recruiting Lucas had ended in disaster, and now it appeared even his dear sister Lexie was going to be a pawn in defense of EJ's growing empire. The game continued to get more interesting.

EJ held out three ties for Sami to approve. She looked at them, before heading to his closet, and pulling a different one out. "Wear this,", she said, giving no reason why.

He accepted her choice, and realized this was going to be a difficult day for her. The funeral last year for Roman had been one thing, the family all had been too grief stricken to try and attribute his death to anything more than a man giving in to the realization that he had lost everything that defined him as a man. EJ had not kept Sami in the dark about what had gone on. Roman had been careless, and Tony DiMera had exploited that weakness. EJ had allowed Roman and the Salem Police Department to blunder with an ill conceived and timed search warrant. The resulting publicity, and the publishing of the photos with Kate had sealed Roman's fate within the department. . EJ had wondered about Roman actually pulling the trigger, but Tony had denied having anything to do with it, simply saying it was their joint good fortune.

"The memorial service is going to last about forty five minutes Mom said, then everyone is to go to the pub for a lunch." Sami pulled her dress over her head, then turned to EJ for help with the zipper. It was a simple dark grey dress, cut in the lines that Trey favored for her. It was accompanied by a short waisted jacket, trimmed at the collar and cuff in black velvet, and set off by jet black buttons.

"Hmm..that should be fun". EJ had never been totally comfortable with the Brady family. Now, after a year, all the conspiracy theories had gotten legs, and his and Samis presence at these family gatherings had become very scarce. He could take Sean and Caroline, but being around Bo was an exercise in self restraint. John was almost pleasant, but EJ always knew he was being scrutinized when he tried to converse with him. Marlena was a nervous twit in EJ's estimation, and he could never fathom how such an uninteresting person had produced a daughter such as Samantha! With Max, he could talk racing, the same with Stephanie, so when he could he made sure to be next to them if he had to attend anything. The last big event had been Roman's funeral. Sami was no longer dependent upon the goodwill of her family. She had found the strength to love them, without falling all over herself trying to win their love in return.

Abe Carver's speech had been short, but recounted many of the awards and citations Roman had been given during his years on the force. Marlena gave an emotional recount of her years with Roman, then Eric had taken the podium. His speech went to the heart of what the family felt about Roman, and his own personal relationship with his father. When he had finished, Sami was weeping against EJ's shoulder in a way she had been unable to at his funeral.

"My Dad was a man of few words. He said what he had to say directly, and to the point. My last conversation with him was on a very personal matter. I went to tell him that I was a gay man, and I wanted him to know this about me. I had thought he would condemn me and I had dreaded that day for years. When I had finished, he then told me he had known about it, and had loved me then, but loved me more now that I had trusted him enough to tell him myself.

I think my Dad understood why trust is not an easy thing to have or to keep. It is a fragile thing, easily broken, and hard to repair. He expressed regret for time we had been unable to share with him, and regret for not fighting harder to keep us all together as a family. With all his imperfections, I found that afternoon a man who was easy to love. Now I am the one with regrets, I regret not spending more time with him when I could. I regret that I did not tell him I loved him when I had the chance. I regret not knowing him as well as I should have.

My sister and I have had our parents out of our lives for a large portion of our growing up years. That was not their fault, and no one could have asked for a better parent than you, John.. But you never get over the thought of what might have been. Time is something you can't buy back, but if I had the coin that could purchase it, I would spend every penny for a moment of what was lost. If I could bring back Dad, that is what I would say to him, one moment more with you is all I would ask for!".

At the conclusion, EJ had pulled Sami even closer to him, feeling assaulted by the Brady's once again with some of the implications in Erics' speech. He felt as if all the room was directing their hatred and distrust of the DiMera family against him, sins commited when he had been but a child himself.

Chapter VI

Harris walked over to EJ and Sami in the Pub, after getting a beer at the bar. Chandler had been unable to attend, she was on her way to an interview in New York with the Prime Minister of Malawia, and it was part of a major documentary on the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Mythic was producing it, and EJ had been excited for Mythic Communications to be doing such important work. If all went well with the interview, Mythic was planning on filming actual footage in Africa.

EJ held out his hand, then asked "Well, are congratulations in order..or did she use the common sense I thought she had and send you packing?' EJ was kidding, he was very pleased that Harris had found a great woman like Chandler.

"Oh, Harris! Did you finally ask her?" Sami wanted details.

Harris, being a quiet man, was not inclined to fill her in. He just accepted their congratulations, then went to share his news with Sean and Caroline. It was odd to EJ that even though Harris worked for him, Sean and Caroline accepted him wholeheartedly, and Harris gravitated to them, always coming down to offer to help with anything that Sean needed, and since Harris had grown up in Ireland, they had a lot of shared memories of a land that had nurtured the older man.

The celebration of Romans' life was in full swing, with singing, beer flowing, and raucous conversation when Bo walked in. He did not look happy, even less so when he saw Harris with his mother and his pop. For Sami and EJ to be here was insulting to Romans memory, and once he had a couple of beers down his belt he was planning on making sure they knew it too!

John looked over to Bo, and read his intentions in a flash. He knew there were things happening in Salem that were suspect, and EJ figured high in those suspicions. On the other hand, things were happening that were good for the town. The apartment building that EJ had first lived in had been torn down when he bought it, but a new affordable housing center for seniors had been built and subsidized by the Wells Foundation. Maggies restaurant had been the target of sabotage, but the resulting E Coli outbreak had brought a treatment for the disease to the forefront of medical research. Salem University hospital had been given a large grant to fund its own program..it seemed for every bad action there was an equal or more equal good action.

"Hey there partner, how's it going" John pulled up a stool next to Bo, and bought the first pint for Bo.

"Oh..just peachy..John, I'm sitting here, after sitting through a memorial service for my only brother, who we both know was murdered by some DiMera son of a bitch, probably the one sitting over there kissing on my dead brother's daughter. Damn that Sami!, She stabbed her own family in the back for a DiMera! She has never been any good..never will..and I mean that in the nicest possible way, John. Sorry, I know you more or less raised her, but it is how I feel now!." Bo bitterness had cost him much, including the love of his wife who had left him, after being accused once too often of not caring about what the DiMeras' had done to the Bradys.

"Bo, Sami and EJ had nothing to do with Romans death, that much I do know. Roman pushed too far in that search , and he got caught up with Kate in over his head. EJ may be a manipulator, but he is too smart to be a murderer. Get that idea outa your head before it gets you in trouble." John was serious and hoped Bo was listening.

EJ had been keeping an eye on the exchange between John and Bo. While he had a grudging respect for John, he had always regarded Bo as a hothead, who, while a dedicated officer, was unable to keep his emotions in check. For the plan EJ now had in mind, this was a good thing. He would need someone who was emotionally invested enough to do a complete follow through, and he believed Bo would be that person. All it would take was finding the right person to drop the clues for Bo to pick up, and EJ believed he knew just the gal for the job.

The doors to the pub swung open again, and Billie Reed walked in. EJ looked at his watch, amazed at how well the timing was. Almost as if he had arranged it himself, thought EJ, but he knew it had been Tony's doing. It was so wonderful when your opponent did the work for you! EJ smiled again at Sami, and she looked at him with a question in her eyes. After two years with him, her instincts when he was up to something good, or no good were keen. She did trust him though, he had stood by her enough to have earned it, and she never went against him, that was their pact. He had her back, and she had his. They were a force, and a family that had a core belief in each other before all others. It was a blending of two bloods, DiMera and Brady, each with strengths and weaknesses, but the result was a relationship that understood the other completely. EJ knew that Sami had a need to be close to her family in some ways, mainly to know they were well. Gone was that desperation for complete acceptance that had kept her from becoming the woman she was now. Strong, independent, but with a capability to love so strongly and fiercely that she daily amazed him with it, EJ had come to appreciate her family ties.

EJ on the other hand, seemed to truly need no one other than Sami and the children. He had come from a family where ties were not so strong, and had complete loyalty to only one cause, carrying out the legacy of Stefano DiMera. This was a two edged sword, though, most of the plans Stefano had set in motion had both a good or evil outcome. Which outcome was going to win out was always in question. Sami knew EJ was fighting always for one side, but to win took the nerve to accept the good with the bad. She often thought of him as a black knight on a white steed..he lived both in the shadow world, and the world of sunlight. That was EJ, this was the man she loved. She would not change him, and she would not ask him to change. He was who he was, just as she was who she was.

Billie walked straight to Bo, saw the beer in his hand. "I have a flight to catch out of here, back to Italy tomorrow morning...Bo..I have some news..I need to talk to you..now!" The whole exchange had been lost on no one in the pub. With Hope gone, no one thought it would be long before Billie found her way back to Salem. The excuse of Romans memorial had come in handy was the thought in the mind of all.

"Good to see you too Billie." Bo was a little drunker than he meant to be, but the sight of Billie was getting to him anyway.."What you got in mind to talk about this time?"

"Not here, Bo, outside, in my car!"

"Sounds like an invitation I can't refuse!" Bo almost leered, but Billie knew what she had to say would sober him up in an instant!

Once the door to the car shut, Bo had lunged for Billie to try and kiss her, but she had used her arms in an upswing motion to break up his move.

"Listen to me Bo, this is important! I think Zach is alive!"

Chapter VII

EJ reached down to kiss and tuck Jessica into her crib. She looked up at him as if he was the only person in the world. Her blue eyes twinkled at him just before they closed, with her dark lashes casting shadows on her rose tinged cheeks. His heart melted as it always did with her. Justin was his little prince, but Jessica was his Little Trouble, who would always make a face at him if he slipped and called her that aloud. Sami walked up behind him to give Jessica a kiss as she slept. The twins both had been so tired, they had been asleep as EJ had carried them up to bed. Nanny had put their p.j's on them as they slept, but they woke just enough for Sami and EJ to wish them goodnight.

They had both been at the center of all the attention at the pub, both Abby and Chelsea had taken over them, playing with them and making sure they made the rounds to have everyone fuss over them.

At last, as Sami and EJ lay in bed, his arms holding her in his shelter, she had to ask. "Why is Billie back, and why do I think you may have had something to do with it EJ?"

"You are good, Sami, I have to concede you do not miss much do you?" EJ bowed his head to kiss the top of hers.."I think this may be something you will like, but remember, we have to have secrecy on it..no running out to tell Belle..this may not even be true..we shall see!"

Sami turned into his arms to face him, her hands stroking his cheek. "Well, now you have me all interested..and you know what happens when I get interested?"

"I tell you everything or you get uninterested?"her kiss stopped his voice.

"You know me so well darling..now start talking if you want to hold my interest"

"I will talk as long as I can manage to" he breathed hoarsely, but she enjoyed making it hard for him.

"Keep talking or…." Sami's threat was so evil…what a bad girl she was, he thought!

"Ok, I think Tony sent Billie…God Samantha, don't. please.stop! ..don't stop!"

"And" ??"damn, she was relentless!

"Lexie may have helped them…before…Zach….I can't talk anymore Samantha..I can't breathe..I love you!..I love you!" EJ could no longer keep his mind on the plan, there was only one thing he could think of now, it was the passion the two of them shared, a passion that only grew by the day.

EJ had been valiantly trying to finish what he had been saying, but exhaustion took over, and Sami soon heard the even pattern of his breathing which told her he was asleep. She decided she could not wait til morning to know so she slipped on her robe and went downstairs to his war room as she was inclined to call it. She now knew the codes, and went straight to the files encrypted for Billie Reed. Sami figured that would have the information, as EJ and Harris were meticulous on keeping all updates logged as quickly as they had them. As she typed, a picture file came up showing Billie at various stages of her life. She was now working and living in Florence Italy, having gone back as a merchandising and marketing rep for Countess Wilhamena Cosmetics. There were a few pieces of correspondence that had been scanned in, and Sami shrugged as she figured how EJ had come by those. The boy had his ways was all she knew. The correspondence had been in Italian, and Sami could not decipher more than a few words, which were basic Italian at best, but she knew EJ would have been able to.

Then Sami saw the name that EJ had tried to gasp before he had to make love to her..someone had written the name Zach in the margin of one the the letters scanned in. Did Billie know something about Zach's death.? Did EJ? But EJ had come to Salem months after Chelsea had run the child down.

"Samantha!" EJ's voice made her jump, and he came over to her to settle her down. "I hate it when you leave me, I feel it immediately, you should have stayed in bed, it's cold down here!" EJ pulled her robe tighter around her, and tied the belt loop for her.

"What is this about EJ? Why is Billie here again, and what do you know about Zach?" it was time for him to answer.

"I have reason to believe Zach may be alive, I am not certain, but it may not be Zach that is buried in St. Lukes, Samantha..but there is only one way to find out, and I do not think Bo would ever agree to it if the suggestion came from you or I. Tony sent these things to Billie, I just had them intercepted early and copied to me before she got a chance to see them. Don't ask how Samantha, but Billie will be the catalyst that Bo needs to do his own investigating..this may not be true..but you know Lexie was involved in calling many of the deaths in this town of people who turned up very much alive..and you know it was Tony's doing. " Ej let Sami think all this over.

"And Lexie is going to go to work for you?..Aren't you worried she will spy for Tony at the same time?"

"Actually, I am counting on it!" if all went according to the plan, Lexie would help bring Zach home to his family, and Mythic would score another triumph!

A continent away, Doctor Nabila Solange unlocked the door to the passage that led to the interior lab. She was the only one allowed access to this area, except for the private nurses who remained on duty twenty four hours a day. Stefano DiMera had visited the facility several months before his death, brining with him a special patient from America. Doctor Solange approached the small figure on the bed, feeling such pity in her heart for this forlorn and lost one. He was allowed to be awake now up to three hours a day, and she wondered if that was any kindness to him after all. His bewilderment at his surroundings was the same each day, as he asked for his mother..his father, or his big brother Shawn. The nurses all spoke only French, so his words and questions to them were not understood, but Nabila understood his every word.

"Hey tiny man" and Zach looked at her remembering how his father had always called him by that nickname.

"Hi, who are you?" the question was the same every day when he was allowed the conscious time.

"I am your doctor, you had an accident, but you are fine now, everything is fine little man" she was soothing, and his anxiety lessened, as it did every day when she talked to him. .

"Where is my Mommy..where is Daddy? I want them..now please.." Zach had always been a very polite and sweet child, Nabila could see he had been much loved in his upbringing.

"Soon, tiny man, soon. You shall see them soon..I promise you". Nabila ran her hand over his hair, then checked the plate that covered part of his skull. In a few days time, it would be time to start the grafts of skin that would cover these plates, and this would be what would give Zach a normal appearance and life once he was returned to his family. She remembered what Stefano had said.

"Sometimes we must be cruel to be kind, Nabila, we could have left this child there, in Salem, and he could have survived..he would have been unable to live like other children. the Brady's would have loved him anyway..but now he has a chance for a real life, not having to depend on someone to dress and feed him the rest of his life..I can restore him Nabila..you can help and by helping him, you can learn things to help others..do this Nabila, you know you must!"

She knew it was an evil thing to keep the boys parents thinking he was dead..it must have caused them so much pain. Why Stefano always did things this way never made sense to her. Now he was dead, and she was following Tony Dimeras instructions about the boys care, but she was not sure she liked the path that Tony was leading her down. He kept her under orders to keep Zach under, and since he was fully alert when they brought him up, there was no need for that, and she wondered if it might not be dangerous to the patient. She was not an expert with the Phoenix, she only did what Tony's instructions said to do, it was all she knew.

Chapter VIII

Chandler looked at her watch, yes, the plane would land in Salem International Airport right on time, and her excitement grew with each passing minute. Harris was meeting her there, and taking her to EJ and Samis home for dinner. She would brief EJ on the interview with Prime Minister Ntoobe and his subsequent invitation for her to visit the country when she began the documentary. The interview had been a great success, and the Prime Minister had been something surprising to find in a lot of third world countries, a man not interested in lining his own pockets, but in finding a way for his country to rise above the scourge of a disease that had killed a good portion of the parliament he presided over!

Harris saw her before she had made it out of the luggage recovery area, and he rushed to help her with her baggage. His kiss took her off her feet, and in a rare display of exuberance, he swung her around giving people passing by a show to smile at.

"Miss me?" she teased.

"Only when I took a breath" he laughed. He was so glad to see her. Too bad business now had to come first. EJ was anxious to get a first person report from Chandler.

"Wow Chandler, who would have thought Harris had that good of taste in rings?" Sami was impressed with the carat and a half ring that now resided on the finger of Chandler, and Chandler was proudly showing it off.

EJ smiled, remembering that he had Harris come up to his office and brought in a jeweler to show off a whole case of rings. Harris had been sweating bullets at the thought of proposing, and EJ had Chelsea come in and let Harris practice on her. He really wished he had it on film now as he recalled that day.

Chelsea had really gotten into the role, and Harris had been hilarious.

"Chan..Chandler..I..I.."

"You are really pathetic, just spit it out, I promise you. I will say yes" Chelsea had been so encouraging!

Finally, after at least ten rehearsals, Harris perfected the speech.."Chandler, I love you, and I want you to be my wife, will you marry me?"

"By God, I think he's got it..bloody good job man..well done!" Chelsea took the words right out of EJ's mouth, and caused EJ and Harris to explode in laughter.

EJ kissed Chandler on the cheek, and handed her and Harris a glass of champagne. Sami led the toast " Chandler, you are getting a great man, and Harris you are getting a great woman. I have never known two people more right for each other. or who deserved happiness more! This is just wonderful..what else could make this night more perfect?"

"If Chandler says the interview was a success, and we have the Prime Ministers blessing to start filming next month.."EJ winked.

"Oh EJ, I have all the notes on my laptop, so if you give me a second, I can copy it, and you can have a disc. I think we can arrange to fly over in three weeks, and filming will take about that long..so uh..Samantha, I was thinking maybe you could take over "This day in Salem" for those three shows..how about it? You would be great, I know it!"

Sami looked at EJ, if she had just heard right, he was going to be going away for three weeks..Africa…the idea was not something she felt good about. She remembered what had happened to him the last time they had been separated.

Knowing what she was thinking, EJ tried to ease her mind. "Samantha, I didn't say anything before because we did not know if the Prime Minister would agree to this, AIDs is a sensitive issue in these countries, they do not like the idea of Western countries looking down on them..I promise, we will be alright, don't worry about a thing. I am even getting a new detail for you here so Harris can be with us.

After that, dinner was a stiff affair, Sami being formally polite with EJ, and Chandler and Harris trying to avoid noticing the tension. As quickly as could be excused within the bounds of good taste, they had beat a hasty retreat from the suddenly chilly atmosphere. Harris had witnessed a few of Sami's tantrums and had no wish to be around for this one!

Sami preceded EJ into their bedroom, then opened her dresser drawer. Pulling out a pair of flannel jammie pants, she then took out a flannel shirt, long sleeved and buttoned it up to her chin. If she thought that would cool EJ's ardor, he soon proved her wrong as he pulled her into his embrace, ignoring the fact that she had gone stiff, with her lower lip protruding as much as Jessicas did when she got into full pout mode. "EJ, we have to talk, this is important!"

"I can talk while I do this," he was kissing her neck, but she was not giving in. EJ began to think he might be in trouble now, since neck kissing usually melted Sami.

"You cannot go to Africa, send someone else, we need you here..what if something happens to you? What would we do?" Her eyes were flashing, and EJ was mesmerized.

"I need you too darling, nothing will happen, I would never leave you..I will be back, I promise..I promise you..nothing could keep me away from you, or anybody!"

"EJ, you almost overplayed your hand last time, what if Tony decides to get at you again, or me? You know the kids and I would be here alone! I can't count on my family, that's for sure! Look, why don't we just go with you?" Sami looked like she had discovered the answer to all their problems.

"No..out of the question..Sami, this is Africa, and while I would love to take you and the kids there someday, right now they are just too young..it can be too hot, and if they were to take ill, what might happen? I will have a full security detail here for you, I would never take a chance on you or the children ever! Besides, Chandler has asked you to take the reins of her show..and I know you are going to be great!" EJ pulled her to him, and began the task of unbuttoning the pajama top. With each button, the top slid lower off her shoulders, and he kissed the flesh as it was bared. "Please Sami, don't argue with me over this one, I will only be gone three weeks, it will pass by before you know it!" His eyes looked into hers, drowning her in his stare, until finally he overpowered her with the sensation of both his touch, and his words of love that once again overcame her feeling of dread.

Tony DiMera had received the phone call confirming that Billie and Bo had boarded a plane bound for London. Well this was a development, was Bo going to try and convince Hope of what Billie had told him? He smiled as he thought of all the dead ends he had waiting for them was and amazed that EJ had the nerve to use Billie and Bo as his knights..what was his cousin up to? How would Hope react? "Oh EJ," Tony sneered " This may have been your undoing!"

Chapter IX

Lexie was learning the lab procedures followed by Mythic. It felt good to once again be involved in a project that was important. Mythic was again in the forefront, developing medicines designed to stop the development of AIDs in pediatric patients who had no choice but to be fed their mothers breast milk. The test projects in Africa, in the Maliwian clinics had been encouraging, enough so that Mythic was proceeding with the distribution in other countries that were being effected by this scourge of their civilizations.

The phone rang at her desk, and she moved from the microscope to pick it up. It only took a moment of the voice repeating the phrase "guarding the castle is the job of all" for Lexie to repeat trancelike "I understand, for I have been chosen to guard, and I will".

Lexie took her files and began feeding her readings into the database. Once every few lines of chemical code, she would change a small item, leaving out a dash, or putting an extra one in. These were the readings that calculated dosages for thousands of patients around the world. For each of the patients in this study, these small changes would come to wreak havoc in the outcomes for the babies whose lives were dependent upon this new treatment. To Tony, that was only a part of the game. Let EJ try and counter this!

The lights of Heathrow shone up through the fog, and Billie reached over to wake Bo up to prepare for the landing. He had been hard to convince, but finally the letters had given him a reason to believe. Somewhere, Zach was alive. Now they would have to convince Hope, and get her to trust them. The thought of Hope trusting Billie with him was almost enough to make him laugh aloud. He fingered the lock of hair that Billie had brought to him as proof. "What good is this, how many kids have hair this color…it doesn't mean anything Billie, and you know it!"

"Bo, look at how long it is, remember when Zach died, he had just gotten his hair cut, I remember Hope saying that..this hair is a good six inches long..it means he had to have been alive long enough for it to grow this long..let's take it to the lab and get it tested, we should be able to get an answer before the plane has to take off..if it doesn't pan out, nothing lost..but Bo..what if this did come from Zach..and what if these letters are true?" Billie was looking to help Bo, but she also would want to exonerate Chelsea if Zach were alive.

The lab had confirmed the hair strand had a 98.9 certainty of belonging to Zach Brady. With that news, Bo allowed himself to have a small shred of hope. He guarded himself against believing with his heart, not wanting to endure that kind of pain twice in one lifetime, but if Zach was alive out there somewhere, he was determined to give his son a chance to come home. He also swore if he found out any DiMera was responsible for this, he would not rest until he had killed every last one of them. It did not occur to him that his niece was now married to a man of DiMera blood, and that she had bore him two children. For him, the only possible outcome for a Brady and DiMera fued, was for one side to be the absolute winner, and he intended for that to be the Bradys!.

EJ had the same lab reports that Billie and Bo had procured. His contact within the police department was still reliable, and trustworthy. He moved the first knight into position which countered the opposing bishop, but still left both of his knights vulnerable from the castle. "Tony, you crazy bastard, you really do not care who lives or dies in this game, and that may be what is really your weakest link. I have traced down all but three of the phoenix machines that Stefano took for his own. I know Zach is probably on one of those, I just need to find out where, and when I do, your castle is lost!"

Chandler Loring finished the last of her drink, then returned her tray to the upright position. Harris was sleeping lightly next to her, and EJ was sitting across from them fiddling once more with his chess board. They were about to land at Lilongwe airport, and the Prime Minister had invited them to a reception to be held at the local Hilton Inn which happened to be where they would be staying before traveling in to the interior of the country for more intensive filming. Harris went to pick up the rental cars, while EJ and Chandler met up with the film crew to get the equipment and luggage organized.

It was a laborious check in process at the hotel, so many papers required, but at last they all were showered and changed, and headed down for the ballroom where the reception was being held. EJ waited for Chandler and Harris, and gave an appreciative whistle at the two of them. "Well, you both clean up rather well.." and for a moment he felt sorry that Sami was not with him. He was already missing her, and looked at his watch to see what time it was, and if there was time to call her, but when he saw the time, he knew she would be in the middle of taping for "This Day in Salem". She had Trey on as her guest, and it was to be a fashion segment. He was hoping to get the satellite feed so he could see how it went when he went back to his room.

He was standing next to the bar when he became aware of that heavy perfume he knew so well. "Well EJ, what a coincidence meeting up with you…buy a girl a martini?" Kate had slid onto the stool next to him, and smiled at his surprise.

"Kate, darling" EJ had bent to kiss her cheek in greeting, "I had heard you might be coming to Malawia, visiting your son and the new daughter in law prospect?"

He pointed to her now empty glass, and the bartender began to pour the makings into the shaker. EJ looked to Harris, who of course had already taken in the scene. Not one of them had been surprised to see the other. That proved to EJ he was on the right track. Tony had sent Kate, he was sure of it. They supposed there would be no suspicion if Kate was simply here to check on Lucas.

"How did you wangle an invite to this shindig Kate, it was supposed to be a private reception for investors looking to put money into the Malawian economy..since when were you looking to take a chance on a third world economic house of cards? I thought you only took the safe bets".

"Well EJ, Austin and I met the Prime Minister when he was at a banking conference in Zurich..I found him to be absolutely charming, and when I told him Lucas was working here and I would be visiting soon he told me to call him the minute I landed so we could get together..so, we got together!" Kate smiled her languid smile that said it all.

"I see, and speaking of Lucas, where is the dear boy?"

"He just walked in, look over there with the Nubian princess," the disdain in Kates voice was evident.

"I never thought you had such a streak of prejudice, Kate, unless it was directed against Samantha. That woman is beautiful, Lucas is a lucky man".

"They are totally unsuited, I don't think Lucas will be happy when he figures that out!"

"From what I hear, she is Sorbonne educated, the daughter of a French Diplomat, and Malawian Royalty, so just what is your pedigree to back up your highly acclaimed status of you and Lucas?"

"Point taken, EJ, and you have one thing right, I can be glad at least it is not Sami. You are the one taking that ride" Kate sipped the martini, then sucked the olive.

Lucas saw his mother with EJ, frowned, but led Nabila over to the bar where they were sitting.

EJ stood up as Lucas introduced his lady. Nabila recognized the undercurrent between them, but both EJ and Lucas kept polite discourse.

"Lucas, I do want to thank you for the excellent work you have done on this project. I cannot think of anyone more suited to the work".

Hating EJ for what he had done to him had once consumed Lucas. Then each day the work he had been forced to do to stay alive became the work he did because it made him feel alive. It would be a stretch to say that Lucas was now grateful to EJ, but his life was too busy to concentrate on hating EJ.

"Thank you EJ, and how is Sami?" Lucas did have a genuine concern. Will would always remain as a bond between them.

"Good, Lucas, Sami is good, the kids are wonderful..and she sends you her best regards" the niceties between them over, EJ turned to Kate "Lovely seeing you here, and since we will be filming here for the next week, I am sure we will run into each other again..now I must be getting off to bed, nasty case of jet lag.'

Kate watched him walk away, thinking,"You always think you are three moves ahead of everyone else don't you? This time you may be surprised!"

Chapter X

The studio lights signaling Samis entrance were blinking. She had been so nervous that Trey had stepped in, pushing the other makeup lady away, "Let me do her, sweetie, she takes criticism better from me! Drink this, it will calm you!" and he had thrust a hot cup of tea at her.

"How can tea calm me Trey? It's as bad as coffee to me, look at me, God, I'm sweating as if I just ran a mile!"

Trey swabbed her off with a towel, then gave her a light misting with his special concoction that he kept as a secret weapon for occasions such as this. "Sami! Please, do not be so vulgar, how many times have I told you..

"Horses sweat, men perspire, and ladies glow!" Sami and Trey repeated his little mantra in unison.." he then kissed her cheek and pushed her out from behind the curtains. The audience gave Samantha Brady Wells a rousing welcome, tickets for her show had been a hot ticket item since it was announced she would be taking over for Chandler Loring for the next three shows.

"Wow, thank you all..this is so sweet. Imagine this, the town of Salem giving this kind of welcome to its very own prodigal daughter! As you all know Chandler is in Maliwia with a film crew, and my husband shooting some footage for the documentary Mythic Productions is going to produce on the horrible times children are enduring in many countries in Africa. As a surprise, I have put a call through to Lilongwe, to talk to my husband to ask him how it is going.

Now I warn you, he will be asleep at this hour, but this should be fun..let's wake him up ok?"

The phone rang in EJ's room, and he fumbled to reach it, but smiling when he heard her voice.

"Darling..how sweet of you to call..miss me, my love?" EJ was half asleep, and picturing his wife as he drifted back into dream land.

"EJ, Of course I miss you, can you wake up just a bit sweetie", Sami had not expected to hear him snore lightly, and the audience members were giggling lightly.

"Ummm, yes my love…Sami..what are you wearing?" EJ knew another way to wake up, "is it something with those white garter belts, you know how I love those"..

Sami's mouth had opened in a wide O, and her face had turned crimson, but the audience had broke out in hysterical laughter, and the producer was motioning for a cut to commercial when EJ's voice came through loud and clear.

"Just kidding darling! Hahaha..Chelsea let me know what was going on! Gotcha! Now what can I tell you?"

For the next few minutes Sami and EJ, along with the studio audience had discussed what was going on in Africa with Aids education, and how Mythic Labs was doing some trial studies with a new treatment that could prevent aids from being transferred from mother to child either during the birth process or while nursing. So far, the study was proving successful, and the new drugs would be manufactured in Canada within the year.

Trey had then come out, and Sami always found herself at ease when around him. The rest of the show was all about fashion, and Trey could certainly hold his own in any discussion about that. When EJ and Chandler had viewed the feed, they were both pleased that the show did well, and the ratings stayed high. There was going to be absolutely nothing to worry about while they were gone in that respect.

The rows of townhouses in the Nottinghill neighborhood were lined up as neat and tidy as Billie had remembered. She was checking the addresses til she found the one called "Copper Rule number 17" , then Bo and her had walked up the four steps to the red painted door to hit the knocker. Jack had come to the door, still in his bathrobe, and looking angry at being disturbed this early.

"Billie! Bo! My gosh, what are you doing here?..Jen, come see who is here..come in..please, let me take your wet things from you!" Jack was gushing a mile a minute as he tended to do. Bo and Billie decided to wait a few minutes before letting them know the reason for the visit.

Soon, Jen had brought them all tea, and the four sat down to talk, for by now, they all knew there was an important subject not being talked about. Hope.

Billie began "We know you are surprised to see us here..together, and it is not what you think at all!"

"How do you know we are thinking anything?" Jack asked "I mean, London is a great city, who wouldn't want to come here..I imagine you just found yourself on the plane at the same time..well..maybe you just met at the airport..and of course you would head over to our place..ok..maybe we were thinking something!"

Jennifer smiled, and passed the cream to Billie. "Does Hope know you were coming? She was just here yesterday, but she left for a photo shoot in Cornwall yesterday, she should be in Penzance by now. Her and Julianna.". The little girls name made Bo swallow hard. He had hoped that the daughter they shared would have brought them together, but Hope saw her as a reason to leave. Hope had not wanted her to be tainted by the bitterness that her father now wallowed in.

"Well, by your silence, I guess she does not know. You should have called Bo. She would have arranged for Julianna to spend some time with you"

Billie leaned forward, "Jack, Jen..can you help us? We think we may know something about Zach, Stefano may have taken him while he was still alive..look at these!"

The DNA reports were laid out, and all the mysterious letter Billie had received in Florence. Billie had translations for all of them, and the last one was what had convinced Bo that Billie was on to something. It referred to "The child once stolen, now returned, asleep like in death, but warm as in life can be found within the mythic land of queens and kings like a treasure." The rest of the letter held nothing of significance, but this was the one that had had the lock of reddish brown hair wrapped around it.

Jennifer looked shocked, and Jack was smiling his old "solve a mystery smile".."Bo! Zach may be alive! "

Chapter XI

Lucas looked over the dining room, then spotted his mother sitting with Prime Minister Ntoobe near the patio area. He could not help noticing that they looked very friendly, with Kates hand being stroked by Makum, as she had introduced him to Lucas and Nabila.

"Lucas, sweetie, please sit and have some coffee with us, and where is the lovely bride to be?" Kate was looking at Lucas as if she was enjoying some deep secret, which instantly made him wary.

"Kate, I hate leaving you, but duty calls, and I have to meet with some boring cabinet ministers in a half hour. It has been such a pleasure.." the kiss on the hand was followed by a look that spoke volumes to everyone in the room, and to Lucas.

Harris had been standing across from this, and he saw everything too. Both he and EJ knew there was no coincidence in Kate being here the same time they were. But why? Kate was up to something obviously, but Tony had not given them any indication that Kate was working with him again, in fact it had been rumored that Tony had been seen visiting with Anna in Rome. Harris sat to sip his coffee, keeping a watchful eye on Lucas and his mother.

"Mother, so what is really the purpose of this visit, looks like I am not the only one who wants to know either", Lucas poured another cup of coffee and he inclined his head towards Harris.

"What would you say if I told you that Tony has perfected the way for EJ's downfall, but I am going to save the day for him, but only in exchange for him giving me full control of Mythic Communications..then I can give both you and Philip good jobs, and you can get away from this God for saken third world hell hole!"

"Oh yeah, and go back to Salem? Where I have all those happy memories? Mom, just leave me alone ok..I am happy, I love my work, and I am at peace for the first time in years."

"You would have had all the peace you needed if you had just kept your hands of Sami!"

"Ok, mom enough of the lecture. I have not thought about Sami in a year, now you bring her up, what's up with that?"

Kate decide she would not tell Lucas anymore, Tony's plans for Sami did not bother her at all, and she wished him God speed in carrying them out. What she wanted from Lucas was to distract his new lady love long enough for Kate to investigate what was in that secret lab on the Mythic Clinic grounds. Tony had never really appreciated what Kate was like when she set her mind to find out something. Listening at doors, reading papers upside down, and taking advantage of the weakness Jules had for female flesh had given her the ammunition she needed to stop Tony's plan with EJ. Now if she could compound this victory by finding out what Tony was hiding in this lab, her place at the head of Mythic would be assured.

"Lucas, Ok Stay here if you wish but I would like to help you andNabila. I want to have a new house built for you, with a baby coming you cannot just reside in two rooms..a proper house with bedrooms, indoor plumbing, and a real kitchen. In fact, the contractor will be here to meet with you and Nabila in just a few minutes. Call up for her now sweetie, and the two of you can talk with him..why there he is now!" Kate waved at the gentleman who had entered the dining room.

Lucas knew he should just refuse, but the thought of a proper house for Nabila, one he might never be able to afford on his meager salary was too hard to turn down. His mother could afford it, and this was a gift worth giving up his pride for. He called up, and within minutes Nabilia appeared. Kate excused herself, saying she had to make some phone calls.

The 100 euros represented more money than the hotel maid had seen in a year, so she let Kate into the room with only a hushed.."you must hurry, the head housekeeper will be around any second". Kate quickly found what she sought, the key ring that usually resided on the loop of the lab coat belt of Nabila. A wax press for each key, and soon Kate was out and on her way to her contact for keymaking. The maid had watched, not understanding why Kate had not just stolen the keys. That is what most would do.

Only one person had seen her enter the room, and watched her leave it, then the maids fortune had increased two fold again. Harris got the information, and went to give EJ the report.

Jack was pulling out all the maps of England he could find, then he went for the books about Kings and Queens. "The clue is 'the child once stolen' Zach was stolen by Lexie, but with Stefanos help..the child is 'now returned'..so that tells us Stefano has had Zach returned to Lexie..no,,Lexie is still in Salem, and there is no way Zach could be in Salem..think.Jack!.think..think.." Jack scratched his chin while the other three looked on, trying to keep up with his thoughts, but not having any success.

"Ok, I think this may work..he can be found in the mythic land of kings and queens..this is England, we have kings and queens..mythic- myths..where is a mythic land..Camelot! They must mean Camelot!"

"Jack, uh..honey..that really is a myth. There is no Camelot!" Jen was shaking her head at Jacks theory.

"Tintagel! Tintagel! That is where it is rumored that the King the legends of Arthur are based on, I bet we should look at that for a start!"

"How do we get there?" Bo was convinced Jack was on to something. The clue fit. "Jack, do you have any dry erase board and some markers?"

Chapter XII

Tony listened to the report of the four detectives heading to the ruins of Tintagel with absolute delight. It looked like the clues he left had been read as wrongly as he had figured they would be. EJ, however, was a different story. Tony knew there was no reason he should have accompanied his reporter on this story, and if EJ had read enough of Stefanos ledgers accounts, he would have been suspicious that Zach may have been brought to Maliwia.

"You are a clever boy", Tony mused, "But, EJ, you have left the queen all alone in the castle, and who knows what queens can be persuaded to do with the right leverage?"

"Hello, America, Hello Salem! Chandler Loring here, direct from the interior of the Maliwian countryside. The villages here lack the most basic human necessities, and you can see the woman are now left to work the fields, as most of the men are either dying of aids, or have been conscripted into one of the militias that run most of this country.

It is hard for us to imagine a life lived this way, but the women in these fields also have to worry constantly about the threat of being raped and murdered by the militias who come through here almost at will." Chandler gave the cut sign to the crew. This was to be spliced in with an interview with a victim who was daring to speak out against the crimes going on. Chandler wanted to show the world what its indifference had led to.

Harris and EJ drove up just then in the Range Rover, and Chandler ran over to greet her fiancé with a kiss. "Why are you so far inland, we told you no further than Lake Mawilia, this is almost fifteen miles in..Chandler, it is not safe" EJ was stern in his warning, and Harris did not look any happier about her misjudgement.

"I know, I know, I should have been more aware, we just kept driving and seeing different sights that were just so compelling..I had to have the footage EJ, it is going to be terrif---"Chandlers words were cut off as the whiz of the bullets rang about her head, and Harris dove to bring her down to the ground under him.

All around them, the people of the village were running into the jungle overbrush to hide from what they knew was coming. Chandler screamed as she saw her cameraman hit, drop to his knees, and roll down the slight incline. When she saw him stop, she knew instinctively he was dead. Harris had pulled his revolver out of his inside holster, and EJ had done the same. EJ then hoisted himself into the Range Rover, trying desperately to start it, while Harris tried to pin down the direct source of the gunfire. It was soon apparent they were outmanned and out gunned, and EJ held up a white handkerchief. The carnage around them was testimony to how lucky they had been.

At least five villagers, two of them children lay motionless on the ground. The cameraman, and one of the crew lay dead, and the third crewman was writhing on the ground with a wound in his leg spewing crimson on the muddy ground. When the militia began to move into the village, one of them put another bullet into the poor man, ending his pain. Chandler was cowering behind Harris, and EJ also had moved in front of her.

"Which of you is Mr. EJ Wells?" the tallest of the twenty or so camouflage dressed soldiers asked in a flawless but French accented English.

EJ stepped forward, "I am, and you are?"

Laughing, the soldier only answered "I am Mondu, the owner of this area that you have invaded..and now, I own you, courtesy of Count Anthony DiMera! Welcome to my land! You will be my guests for awhile!" and he had given his men a nod of his head. EJ, Harris and Chandler were tied, hands behind their backs, and put back into the Range Rover. The jeep that Chandler had been driving with the rest of the crew was taken over by another five men, and the rest ran along side the vehicles as they rode back into the jungle. Harris immediately began to work on his knots, part of his training had included knowing how to escape from any situation. EJ saw what was happening, and began to try and distract their captors.

"I say, did any of you happen to pick up the camera equipment..I mean you would not want any pictures taken of you accidentally while you kidnapped us..might make it way too easy on the authorities to find yo—" One of the soldiers shut EJ up by hitting him in the head with a rifle butt, and EJ collapsed against Chandler. She screamed when his blood began to stain her shirt. When she screamed, Harris had finally loosened his bonds, then lunged for the driver. To Chandlers amazement Harris did succeed in pushing him out of the door. As he took over the driver seat, he realized his mistake. The other soldier in the front seat, Mondu, had simply taken Chandler into a choke hold and held his knife against her throat, letting the knife have just enough pressure to leave a small crimson scratch on her skin. Harris had put his hands off the steering wheel then to show his surrender.

"Look, mate, it's ok, I just couldn't take his driving, you know what I mean?"

Mondu guffawed with a heartiness and a cruelty that was not lost on either Chandler or Harris, "I agree..in fact I have thought that for a long time..please stop the car, and back up."

Harris obeyed, but was stunned when Mondu leaned over him, while still holding Chandler in his death grip and shot the man who still lay on the ground. If Harris was stunned, Chandler was now trembling in her shock. Mondu then put his knife down, and stroked her cheek softly but menacingly. "I shall have to thank the Count in my prayers for such enticing guests he brought me!"

Tony took the call that told him his plan had gone very well. Bribing the cameraman to keep driving Chandler in deeper in country had been another stroke of genius. It was always so efficient when the same bribe money could be used twice. Mondu had just had to pull the cash out of the dead mans pocket. It would even be justified using the same Mythic camera equipment to film his captives and send the film back to Samantha. The castle would soon be losing its queen for good.

"Mr. DiMera", Jules stood respectively in front, waiting for acknowledgment.

"Yes Jules, what is it?" Tony was just the slightest bit impatient. He was waiting for the report from his contacts in England, and was in no mood to be bothered with inconsequential bits of fluff regarding Kate Roberts. That had been Jules assignment, one he had failed pretty badly at in Zurich. Kate had beguiled him, Tony smiled at that thought. Jules, though a bunch of sinew and muscle, tended to think with a different part of his anatomy occasionally.

"Kate has managed to get the keys to the interior lab, and she may be on her way there. If we don't hurry we will be too late to stop her!

Chapter XIII

Kates driver had gotten her into the compound without incident. Her story about being Lucas Roberts mother here to visit him was not questioned as she had been there before. "I am sorry Madam, but Mr. Roberts and Doctor Solange have gone to Lilownge, we do not expect them back until tomorrow."

Kate feigned surprise, "Oh, well you know what? I will just go ahead and stay in their house until they get back! I was going to surprise them, and now I still can!" She held up the key to the guard, "Lucas gave me a key last time I was here, so don't worry, I will make myself at home!"

Inside the home of Lucas and Nabila, Kate shuddered at the conditions Lucas was reduced to. This would all change soon, Kate did not know what was within the interior lab, but she knew it was important enough to Tony that he was investing large sums of money to maintain it. Tony was tightfisted enough for her to believe it must be something that would be very valuable to EJ too. In spite of herself, Kate was tired, the Prime Minister had been a very energetic man, Kate smiled at the memory as she lay down on the small settee to sleep for awhile.

The moon was high in the African night when she awoke. She took out her compound map and pinpointed where she would have to go. Of the seven keys on the ring, she knew one was the one that would unlock a new future for her and the rest of her family. Keeping to the shadows, she made her way to the first clinic marked on the map. Fumbling, she found the key for it on the third try, so she then kept that one aside to avoid any confusion. There were only two doors left to uncover this secret. The hallway was about thirty feet long, and Kate could hear low voices coming from one of the two rooms. Neither one of the rooms had windows, so Kate opted to open the one that seemed to be silent. The first key worked, which was a relief. Stepping inside, her eyes were adjusting to the slightly better light, when she was grabbed and the hand went over her mouth before she was silenced in her muted screams by the duct tape.

"Ahhh, our Mrs. Roberts..right on time ma'am. You shall join the other guests of Lord Mondu!" The chemical soaked rag placed over her mouth and nose soon had the effect of making Kate collapse in the arms of the militia officer sent for this mission.

Sami swept into the nursery to help get the twins ready for their outing. It was a playdate with Claire today, and both of them were running around naked refusing to stand still long enough to be dressed. Poor Nanny looked at her wits end with the two of them today, and looked at Sami in relief. "Oh thank my stars! Reinforcements! I only wish Mr. EJ were here to help round them up too!" Justin had been snared by Sami, and Jessica seeing him settled was a little more willing to come.

"Ha! Ha! Justin, I beat you!"

"So what, I am getting dressed first, so I will get the front seat! So haha back!" Justin was a cunning little guy, and always looking for an angle to play!

"They do jabber on, don't they? I will be glad when I can understand everything they are saying!" Sami was so in love with these two, everything about them was fascinating! Now Jessica was actually helping Nanny pull on her little dress, impatiently putting her chubby little arms through the sleeves as though Nanny was going too slowly.

Tippin came in and looked at Sami "Mum, the security detail has requested you come downstairs, there is a package they need you to sign for..they want to know if you were expecting anything?"

Sami shook her head no, she did not think so, but EJ may have ordered something and forgot about it in the rush to make the Africa trip. When she saw the smallmanila envelope package, she took it from Matt, the head of the detail EJ had assigned to the house. "Well, it isn't ticking" she laughed, but saw that Matt was not amused. He had been instructed that no packages were to be accepted if they were not on the list of ones that had been accounted for before he left. Mr. Wells did not even allow the delivery trucks for food on the grounds until the detail had inspected them. Now Mrs. Wells was going to open a letter sized package, not on the list, and with no return address. He changed his mind and took it away from her.

"Matt, it is a video tape, I can feel it through the envelope. Open it, it's harmless!"

She was right, and he gave it back to her. "Oh, look it's from Africa..look at the postage imprint! I bet it is from…." Sami's voice died as she read the note that accompanied it.

My Dear Samantha:

If you are reading this, and you have seen the Phoenix Crest on my letterhead, you know who is writing to you. Please do not say anything to anyone if you value the lives of the people you are holding now in your hand. Just say you want to view this privately, I am sure they will understand."

Ever Your Servant,

Tony D.

"What's wrong Mrs. Wells?" Matt instinctively knew something was bothering her. Then she smiled, hoping to reassure him. She had to buy a bit of time, as she knew EJ had given the details instructions that were to be followed no matter what she said.

"Chandler just sent me over a preview of the taping done, now can you all just make sure the twins get to the playdate on time! Nanny has them ready, so go up and help her ok?, I need to get over to the studio, so I will need a driver..come on now, we are already fifteen minutes late..go! go! go!" Sami was barking orders, trying to make Matt forget that he should have taken the video from her to preview in case it was a prankster!

Once inside her office at Mythic, Sami had the privacy she needed to put the tape in. She had locked the door, and turned the Venetian blinds down before she put it in the VCR. When the tape had found the beginning of the video, she had blanched and covered her mouth with her hands.

The narrator was Tony DiMera, the silken tones of his voice, husky and rich as ever, with the menace of the monster he was hidden beneath them.

"Yes, I know Samantha, they do look a little worse for wear, but I promise you, no lasting harm has been done to any of them..yet"

Chandler Loring was the first in the cameras view, her face dirtied and a long blue bruise extending from her cheek upwards to her brow attested to some rough handling.

"Do you know, Samantha, the price that these militia men extract from female enemies? Rape here is a tactic, not a reward, and they practice it diligently. The other bad thing to know is that of the militia men in this rag tag army, about half are HIV positive! Poor Chandler, what has she gotten herself into?"

All Sami could think now was where were EJ and Harris, please God don't let them be…then the camera had panned over EJ, who was holding his head in obvious pain, but he was alive and breathing. Harris and Chandler had been tending to a wound on his head.

"Of course, it that fate should befall the lovely Chandler, poor Harris and EJ would be forced to listen to it, then they should feel honor bound to save her..but then, they would be shot, or macheted to death"

The camera then had shown a contingent of men in hastily put together camouflage uniforms, some green, some khaki, as if they had foraged for the clothing. What they did all have uniformly was automatic rifles, and Sami knew where the money had come from for that.

"Samantha, do I even have to tell you what I want in exchange for these three..you are a smart girl..you tell me!"

"The ledgers" Sami whispered, "Oh God, Stefanos ledgers!"

Tony's voice continued, "Yes, that is correct! And Samantha, if you want these three returned safe, and unharmed, you will deliver the ledgers. I will give you three days, and these are your instructions. You are being watched, so no trying to warn what passes for a police department in Salem. This is your husbands life we are talking about, your childrens father. If you want them to have a father in their life from now on, you are going to have to follow my instructions to the letter. I hope we have an understanding!"

Chapter XIV

"Take your damn hands off me, I can walk!" Kate pulled herself away from the soldier who had gripped her forearms to lead her into the room. She had awoken to find herself being hauled roughly upright, with a terrific headache from the drug.

Mondu let out a whistle of appreciation as he looked her up and down. "The Count did not exaggerate your fineness Mrs. Roberts..in fact, he did not do you justice at all..welcome to my humble abode, may I get you a drink, and he pointed to the fully stocked bar in the corner, manned by a bartender dressed in tuxedo finery."

Kate looked about the room, not finding anything remotely humble about it. It was richly furnished, and the walls were adorned with hunting trophies that bespoke a rich mans hobbies. As Kate sized up the situation, she felt her fear evaporating, she figured she could handle this person, he was just a man after all.

"You have me at a disadvantage,..Mister…" and she waited for Mondu to give her his name.

"My name is Liberty Mondu, but I answer to Mondu, now how about that drink?"

"Vodka martini please, two olives." Kate took the drink, than asked, "Do you have some where I could freshen up?" and she was pointed to a doorway. She looked at herself in the mirror, and was grateful they had let her keep her purse with her. A few strokes with the brush, and fresh lipstick, then she felt her confidence flow back into her body. She stepped out then smiled at her host.

"Much better, thank you". Kate thanked him with a smile and a smoldering look in her eyes.

"You intrigue me Mrs. Roberts, most captives I bring here are not so..umm..conversant I suppose. Tell me, are you hungry, I was about to have dinner served, and I would love you to join me". He offered her an arm which she took gratefully.

"Liberty, may I call you that, it seems so much more..intimate" She breathed the words at him. "And yes I am famished.."She felt his bicep and pressed into it with her hand.."Oh my, do you work out?" and his guffaws of laughter told her she was on the right track. Katie, girl, she thought, Tony was right, skills like yours are priceless!

Bo and Billie had arrived at the ruins of Tintagel twenty minutes before Jack and Jen. Having Jack Junior to care for had slowed them up a bit. They had paid the five pounds each required to be allowed to climb up the rickety stairs to the top, and decided to go ahead. "I really don't think Jen will let Jack come up here with the baby! This is really steep!" Billie was trying not to look down, and not to be forced to go faster than she already was by the hordes of student tourists climbing up with them. Bo was about 10 steps ahead of her, and he finally looked back to see where she was, lending her a hand to make it to the last set of stairs. Once at the top, the ruins of an ancient castle stood crumbling on the flat of the cliff top, with a view of a flat and calm sea of the deepest blue contrasting with the white foam of the waves crashing against rocks hundreds of feet below.

"Wow, Bo, this is where King Arthur had his court of the round table! What a piece of history!"

"huff…huff..huff.." Jack had caught up with them, but his breath had not yet caught up with him. Jen wisely decided to wait down on the bottom with Jack Junior. When Billie saw Jack, and the red of his face her first thought was that he had relapsed and was again ill. But finally the color of his face turned a shade of pink more recognizable, and Jack was able to talk without stopping to gulp for air.

"No, it is not history, it is a myth..like the clue says, and would you lookie there.."Jack was headed for the rows of colorful flags that had been planted along sections of the ruins. One stood out, even though it chilled their souls. The black flag, with the white phoenix bird in the center was drawing all of them to it like a magnet. When they made their way to where it was planted, the three of them looked about to see that no one was looking, then lifted the flag from its canister holder. The tiny rolled up note was the reward they sought.

"You are ordered to give Samantha every possible assistance. This will give you the result you seek!"

All three of them looked at each other in bewilderment? What would Sami need help with?

The instructions Sami had been given were impossible..no matter if she wanted to or not, there is no way her security detail was going to disobey EJ's direct orders. Samantha knew EJ would have their hides nailed to a wall literally if he came back to find she had left on her own, it would not be permitted. Add to that Tony wanted to have the original ledgers fly out on the same plane she was to charter, and she may as well have been asked to fly over on her very own gossamer wings.

If she could not do it, then Tony was going to make sure that Chandler suffered first, and he promised Sami he would provide live feed as it happened. Harris and EJ would then be "allowed" to come to her rescue, where they would be slaughtered in front of her. Sami knew Tony was going to do it if she did not find a way to do his bidding. She was just about to call in Matt to confess her dilemma when Chelsea rang in to her office "Sami, my Dad is on the phone for you..he says it is life and death!"

Kate ate a hearty dinner with Mondu, then had retired for the night with him. Then the phone had rang in his private apartmen in the early morning hours, and her lovely night came to an abrupt end! She found herself unceremoniously hauled out of the bed, given nothing but a robe to wear, and she had been tossed down into the same cold basement room occupied by the other three captives.

"I apologize profusely, my Kate, but my three wives are enroute, and each one is more jealous than the other..to protect you, I must hide you..please understand my beauty! It is for your own good! If the first one found you here she would insist I boil you in hot water! And the second…she would find the fire wood..and the third..oh God! She would probably eat you..it is good we hide you!"

The room was dark, and it had taken awhile for all of them to recognize the newcomer. EJ was the first to speak, "Kate, dear, how disappointing. I thought of all of us, you would arrange better treatment! Come over here, and join the huddle, it is the only way we can all keep warm in this freezer! Especially dressed as you are..lovely piece of lingerie, did Mondu pick that out for you?"

Chapter XV

"Uncle Bo, what is this about? Chelsea said it was life and death..and uh..I really have a lot on my plate here, so what can I do for you?" Sami figured her hot head of an uncle probably had some other wild theory about EJ and the DiMera's, while she really did have a life and death issue to deal with.

"Sami..do you know anything about Zach? If you do, you better tell me, or I swear!"Bo tried to make a threat in his voice, but Sami recognized it as desperation.

"Bo, EJ said he thought Zach may have been taken by Stefano before his death, but he does not know where he is I swear..now what made you call me?"

"You need help with something don't you? What is it Sami, tell me, and we may both get what we want!"

"Bo, I can't talk on the phone, where are you?" When he told her he was in Cornwall, she was even more worried.

"Is Hope with you? Is she alright?" Sami worried that Tony would also make a move on her and Julianna..

"I have not talked to Hope yet, I didn't want to get her mad with me brining wild goos chase stories like with Chelsea about Zach..she has enough that she is angry about, besides, Billie is here too."

"I can't talk anymore on the phone, I want you to get to Hope, make sure she is safe. Bo, Tony has done something..I can't tell you now, but yes, I do need your help! I will call you in exactly four hours, please let me go now" Sami could see Matt heading towards her office through her window. He looked like he knew something, and he was going to be angry that she had not given him a heads up.

Nabila was glad that the boy was gone, she had been assured that he was being taken back to his family, and that was good. She felt her belly move and rumble as the child inside her moved almost in joyous anticipation of the new life it would soon have. As she cut open the strings to the new packets of medicine she and the other pregnant mothers in the clinic study would take to prevent the passing of their HIV status to the newborns. The Mythic Lab Research Foundation stamped on the side meant hope for her baby and others. So far, all tests had been positive, and Nabila thanked God for this miracle that meant she could have a child with Lucas. A child free of a life of taking medications, medications that may have long term side effects as yet unknown.

She put the meds in the paper cups to dispense in the morning. Looking at the cleaned out interior lab, she smiled, thinking of the child and how happy he would be to see his Mother and Father, and how happy they would be to see him well. It would only take a couple of weeks for the skin grafts to heal properly, then just a matter of his beautiful reddish hair growing back in. It was a wonderful thing Mr. DiMera was doing!

Lucas cut across the lawn on the compound to meet up with Nabila, and get his medicines for the week. He looked at his watch, and wondered again why Kate had not called him again. The hotel said she had checked out, but they had no idea when or if she had left Maliwia. Lucas decided he would email Austin later and see if he knew when she was expected back in Zurich. It was not like Kate to stop and see what the house plans that Nabila and he had decided on, and to try and change their minds to another design!

It was all Tony could do to keep from skipping across the courtyard, as he had compiled all the reports of his activities. As far as he was concerned, this game was over. The contaminated medical shipments from Mythic would soon come to light..Lexie had done superbly, and someday, he would even let her know what a great help she had been! Bo and Billie would soon try and meet up with Hope, but alas, Hope was not going to be found, nor the darling Julianna. They too were part of a grander plan.

Sami was falling into line easily, she really did have a soft heart..much more than she had ever been given credit for within the Brady family. He expected with her Uncle Bo's help, the ledgers would be in his hands well within his time frame.

"Funny EJ, it seems only you and I recognized what qualities Sami actually had, and how useful they could be! It is lucky for me that you two fell in love though, as that is something that makes my plan so much better!"

The basement had only gotten colder as the morning light had finally broken. For a country that was tropical, the nights could still be quite cold this time of year. Kate was shivering in the thin satin paisley robe, with the ostrich fur trim. As she slept the silly feathers kept tickling her until she finally blew them away in extreme agitation. Waking, she looked to find EJ staring at her, "Enjoying the view?" But that was not why he was looking, he was thinking how her special talents might be utilized to free all of them. Kate did not view her body as any sacred chalice, it was an asset, a resource. What do you do with resources? You use them. That is what they are for, and EJ knew that was Kates philosophy. Harris saw the calculating look EJ was giving her, and he sighed in relief that Chandler was not going to have to play the sacrificial lamb. While she could have done it, it was not something he could have sat quietly by and watched.

The wives of Mondu were going through the house like locusts. They came unexpectedly to see what they could catch this rat at! Anytime he came to the hunting lodge, he would find women! They were in the house somewhere, and they would find them!

"Sagreda! Come see! Your favorite robe is missing..the one with feathers! Mondu! Do not bother with your foolish lies! Grenda…smell the perfume in here, stupid whore must waste a whole bottle at a time!"

Mondu stood in a corner, praying for deliverance. How foolish he had been to marry all three of these sisters! He tried to speak, using his softest, and most persuasive voice to the youngest and fiercest of his wives. "Nooki, please my sweet..there has been no female here except the wife of my officer Bolo, may God rest his soul.. I may have lent the robe to her..please, let me go to his quarters and see if that is where it is.." He then made a hasty retreat to the basement to retrieve the robe while they searched the rest of the house. They had never been willing to go into the basement, knowing that it had uses that the spirit world would not approve of. Too many ghosts there, so they left it be. Mondu made his way down and demanded of Kate, " I must have the robe back, now!"

"Are you crazy? I am not wearing anything under this! I refuse!"

Mondu looked to one of the guards, and grunted an order. The man quickly began shedding his pants, belt, and shirt. As he did so, the gun he had been holding in his hand was laid down, and Harris inched a step closer to it. EJ also saw the opening, and in an instant, had ripped the robe from Kate, which drew the attention of both Mondu and the other guard! That split second was all it took, Harris had the gun, and the drop on the guard and Mondu who could not decide whether it was better to run, or keep looking at the naked lady. The other guard opted to run, since Mondu would kill him anyway once this was all over. Mondu smiled, then put his hands up. Better here, than upstairs with the three wives!

EJ did have to admire the cool that Kate displayed, as she nonchalantly walked over to the discarded clothing of the guard. Once dressed, she turned to Mondu and stated "Are you really the best that Tony can come up with? So what do you think is going to happen to you once Tony finds out he can't do the live feed to Sami anymore?"

All three, EJ, Harris, and Chandler looked at Kate. "What live feed are you talking about, Kate, and you better tell us quick unless you want to be left here when we leave!"

Chapter XVI

Sami looked at her security head and laughed at his silly notion "Matt, what are you talking about, I told you, it was just some feed from the documentary that Chandler sent me, really just a bunch of funny out takes!"

"Mrs Wells, I have to see them, those were my instructions from Mr. Wells, and you know what he is like when his instructions are not followed." He was polite but firm and insisting on doing his duty.

Sami knew what she had to do, and she hoped he would forgive her, but this was life and death. "Matt, Eric has the tape down in the newsroom, no one has gotten any feed so they wanted to take a look..here you sit down, I'll have Chelsea bring you some coffee..and I will just be a minute." Sami was taking him, by the hand and seating him on the leather chair EJ had always favored in his office. Then her hand stole around the vase that rested on the bookcase behind the desk. Hoping this would work, she slammed it onto his head, and the look of surprise in his eyes as he slumped to the floor made her regret it instantly. She rummaged through EJ's desk, and found the duct tape she knew he kept around for emergency repairs, and quickly taped his mouth, hands, and feet.

"Eric, get up here now, I need your help! Don't let Chelsea know anything.."

Eric looked at Matt, "My God, what did you hit him with? You could have killed him!"

"Shut up, just help me get him in the closet. I don't have much time left!" There was exactly 36 hours before Tony said he would carry out his threat.

"Eric, take his phone, this is the code..now try to sound really low voiced, serious, no smiling at all..can you do that?"

"Why..Sami you have to tell me" Eric stood, arms crossed over his chest, refusing to budge until she cleared things up.

"Tony has EJ, he has Harris, and Chandler..they are going to all die if you don't shut up and just help me..Eric, please, just believe in me!"

As he always did when it came to Sami, Eric chose to believe in her. He placed the call that would screw up all the security detail arrangements put in place so carefully by Matt.

"Home Base..listen, you must pick up Trouble and Prince J. at playdate at 00400. I have to send that detail to meet someone at the airport. I have Schemer with me, and will proceed to home base within the hour. Over."Eric looked at Sami, "So how did I do?"

Bo had made the arrangements. He had convinced John black to let Sami use the Basic Black Jet, but he knew no way was John going to allow Sami to have his jet without him coming along. Bo just failed to tell Sami who the pilot would be, and he knew he would need all the help he could get when he confronted Sami about what EJ had done this time, since Bo was convinced that EJ was behind all of this. When and if Zach was safe with his family again, EJ was going to pay for everything, with his life!

Eric raced Sami home, driving like a madman with a purpose then helped her load the ledgers into his car. She figured she had at most an hours lead time before her security men realized what she had done, or Matt came to and raised a ruckus! . Thank God Tippin and Lorene had been given the night off, and they had retired to their quarters, none the wiser as Sami and Eric had taken the ledgers from their cases, then made haste to get to the airport. Two heavy cases carried the volumes that Tony had said he wanted. Sami wondered if EJ would be able to forgive what she was doing, in fact if the world would be able to forgive her for this, as some of the plans in the ledgers could set off conflagrations to rival anything now occurring in the world.

It may be selfish, but I cannot let my husband die. I would rather die than see that, that was the mantra that Sami repeated to herself, as she urged Eric to hurry.

The Basic Black Jet was on the tarmac, and the jet engines were roaring to life when Sami and Eric made it on board, breathless, with a sense of dread and relief. "I'm coming with you Sami" Eric tried to look dominant so she would listen to reason.

"Eric, please..I can't put you in danger, and if Tony knows I have you with me, he may not keep his end of the bargain, besides, I need you to look after the babies..please Eric, if anything happens to me or EJ, I want you to raise them..they love you so", Sami was pleading with her words and her eyes for him to do this for her.

"Mom would take care of them Sami, and I have to take care of you now!"

"NO! not Mom, please, Eric, I love her, but she barely knows them..they barely know her, she is just the nice lady who brings them a present once in awhile..she has no bond with them other than that. Eric..you have to promise me..you have to!"tears were trailing down Sami's eyes as she begged him!

Just then a crew member came back and asked Eric to come forward, as the captain wanted to get some instructions. Sami looked at him with anger flashing, why wasn't she being asked for this, she was the one in charge here! Eric just patted her arm, as though to say 'cool it', and went up to the cockpit.

John was sitting there, coolly checking the instruments, flicking switches, and going over the flight plan paperwork. He looked at Eric, and placed his finger to his lips to indicate he needed compliance and silence.

"Don't worry, I'll look out for her..but I do need you to do what she asked..the twins will need someone they know for a few days..and the fewer people in danger, the better..ok..just go back and agree..I swear, I will take care of her!" John was one person that Eric respected, and reluctantly he said he would do what he asked. John smiled, then told Eric to go back and wish his sister luck and God speed!

Sami watched the lights of Salem disappear, and the black of the night sky envelope the plane. A crew member brought her some tea, and within three sips of it, she was drifting off to a sleep that was sound, but not restful. John had arranged for the tea to have a little something in it to keep her down for awhile. It would not do for her to get curious about who was flying her into Gatwick.

Kate had realized her mouth had gotten her into some hot water here, and so figuring truth was once again the better part of valor, she had given them Tony's plan of action.

"EJ, nothing would have happened, Sami is going to do what he says, you know it, now don't be silly, of course you are going to take me with you!" Kate was shaking out her hair, running fingers through it to comb it to make herself more presentable.

EJ saw the cell phone still attached to Mondu's belt, and grabbed it. He punched in a few numbers, followed by a code and waited a moment for connection.

"Bishop Five Seven eight" was the reply from the security detail assigned to his house.

"Is Schemer with you now?"

"Negative, Schemer is with Matt.

"Verify", but EJ had a sinking feeling. A few moments later he got his answer.

"Uh, we may have a problem Sir, Matt does not pick up." The agent was professional, but his voice had a slight shake in it now as he knew what was coming.

"What kind of incompetent fools are you!? How could you let her do this? Ten security men cannot keep one hundred ten pound woman under control! Find her! Find Matt! This is inexcusable!" EJ was yelling in his fury, and Harris was trying to tell him to lower his voice so they had a chance of making an escape. Chandler was holding a gun on Mondu and the guard, while he was tying them up, but it was too late! The door opened and three angry looking women came down the stairs.

"Mondu! My darling, what are they doing to you?" Sagreda was the first in, followed by Grenda and Nooki

"Look..she is the one who defiled our marriage bed, I smell the whores perfume on her even now!" and Nooki was heading for Kate with the club she carried. Chandler saw her opening, and tripped her as she had lunged towards Kate, who by then was hiding behind EJ, clutching his arms for protection. Nooki had gotten to her feet quickly, and turned on Chandler, but EJ had stepped in and backhanded her across the room where she fell into a crumpled heap. Grenda was next to feel a fist slamming her against a wall. Then EJ had released the grip Kate had on him.

Harris, also not being one who felt it was never proper to hit a woman, decked Sagreda, who was a formidable looking female over six feet tall. She crumpled to the feet of Mondu who whistled appreciatively at the carnage, "I have always wanted to do that to them!"

Chapter XVII

Jennifer walked over to Bo, and from the look in her eyes, he knew it was not good news. "Bo, Hope..the agency says she never made it to the shoot! Not her, not Julianna or the Nanny. No one has heard a word!" Scared beyond belief was how Jen felt for her cousin. Knowing Tony or EJ may have been responsible for her disappearance sent chills down her spine. She too was of the mindset that Sami had betrayed her whole family unit by involving herself with DiMeras.

Billie took Bo by the hand, "Look, she can take care of herself, and if Tony has some purpose in mind for her, he is not going to harm her..at least not yet. Whatever he wants from Sami is the key..as long as he gets that, I know Hope will be ok".

"We better make sure that Sami gives him exactly what he wants then, if she knows what is good for her!" Bo was clenching and unclenching his fist, angrier than ever at his niece for whatever her scheming may have caused for the family now.

'Hey peanut..you better start waking up now, we are almost ready for landing!" John was tickling Samis face with a lock of her hair, trying to rouse her. She yawned and for a moment imagined herself a little girl again and smiled back at him. Then she was fully alert, and mad as hell!

"What have you done John..my God! You can't! Tony will.."She stopped herself, before she told him anything.

"I already know what is in the cases, Sami, you can't give those over to Tony. It is bad enough EJ has control of them. What do you think you are doing here? The world is bad enough without opening up these pandoras boxes of hell!"

"John..please,.don't do this, you don't know what is going on".

"Oh, I think I can probably guess. You are trading those ledgers for EJ somehow, aren't you. You really think he is worth it? A DiMera who is running Stefanos organization now? The same organization that held your mother and father captive? What is with you Samantha?"

"It is not the same organization John, EJ is not Stefano. You could never understand what is going on..and if I don't do this, and Tony kills EJ, then you will never know what EJ has actually prevented from happening. Tony will fufill the plans in that ledger as written. .EJ,… well for want of a better word, he modifies them.!" Sami was trying not to say too much, but to let John know there was no alternative to what she must do.

John gave the order for the plane to pull up to the private jetway, then he brought the others on board. Bo stormed on, and took Sami by the shoulders, and shook her violently demanding the answer "What has your bastard of a husband done to my wife!" John pulled him off, and put Sami behind him.

"You touch her again, you will have to pick yourself up off the tarmac, Bo, I will bodily throw you off this plane!" Bo looked as if he wanted to continue his tirade, but the co pilot came back and whispered in Johns ear.

"You guys sit tight, Sami, you come up front please" his tone brooked no interference from Bo, or question from Sami and she followed obediently.

Two runways down, another charter jet was landing, piloted by Harris, in a timing miracle.

When he had come to, Matt had kicked the door of the closet off its hinges, making Chelsea look up from her novel.

When she saw his bloodied head, Chelsea had screamed for security, then headed to the bathroom for some wet towels. Once the blood had been cleaned, she was surprised at how handsome he really was. "Please, get me a phone..now!" he had brushed her hands away, but tried to make his voice soft. He had appreciated her gentleness on the painful head that was throbbing. When his full detail had checked in he knew disaster in the fullest form had been struck by the Schemer. She lived up to her code name it seemed. Matt, however had found a way to redeem himself. It had taken a minute for EJ to quit yelling and listen.

"Mr. Wells, I was able to get a lead on all the flight plans filed out of Salem, and it looks like the only non commercial jet out of here has been the Basic Black Jet, to Gatwick Airport..and I have a lead on a jet for hire that can land at Lilongwe..I think I can get it there for you in two hours..you should be able to get to Gatwick about the same time the Basic Black Jet does. She has to be on it, but there is another plane with plans for an earlier landing time. From all indications, this may be the plane that Tony is on..you better hurry sir!"

Desperation made EJ rush Harris and Chandler to the airport where the plane was just landing and preparing to fuel up. The flight crew had been doing the pre flight checks when EJ and Harris had rushed in. "Never mind this, we will fly it as is..get off, we will send someone back for you! " EJ knew they had to get to Samantha before she foolishly agreed to any terms set up by Tony. Whatever they were, Tony was not one to keep his agreements. Mondu was finding that out at this very moment EJ figured. A militia man could not survive long with out weapons, and EJ and Harris had made sure that his entire weapons cache had been exploded before they left with the only vehicle that was not burned out by them. As they had left him, Mondu was stripping off the remnants of his uniform, deciding he would retire back to the life of a farmer in his village once again. His three wives had been yelling at Mondu as they looked back in the rear view mirrors while they sped away. Once Tony knew of his failure, there would be no more money, and he probably would be losing his life, hiding would be the best way to live a long and unhappy life with the wives that were now following him away from the burning lodge.

Chapter XVIII

Tony looked out the window at the activity in the bustling airport. He rang back to Jules to bring his special "cargo" up front to his cabin. It was almost over, the queen was about to be swapped for the other queen, and his dream was almost to be realized.

Jules had Hopes arm in a bruising grip, and to keep hold of Julianna, she had to let herself be led without struggle. The child had been asleep, and still rested her dark head against Hopes shoulder.

Hope felt the plane moving, and prayed they would not be taking off again, she recognized Gatwick, and thought that if they would at least remain in England there was a chance of Tony being found out.

John saw the plane that was maneuvering way too close to his, and cursed as he contacted the tower for an explanation. Then he saw what the other plane wanted them to see as he picked up his binoculars. In the cockpit of the other plane, Tony DiMera sat, pointing at him and laughing silently. Behind him, his goon Jules had Hope in a choke hold, with a gun at her head. John opened radio contact through the tower.

"John..my brother..so good to see you in England once again!..nasty weather though, so typical.."

"Shut up, and just give us your terms!" John was hoping Bo had not seen this, but the pounding on the cockpit door told him that it was too late.

"I love it when people get to the point, it is so refreshing in this day and age of spin, and obfuscation, John, you are a breath of fresh air!"

"Damnit Tony! What is it you want?" John knew part of it, but what was the rest?

"A simple trade, John, a simple trade. You just send Bo and Sami over with the ledgers, and Hope and the child will go free. Once the ledgers are in my possession, and I have checked their authenticity, Bo will be free..Then I want you, your passengers, and crew to leave your plane, once you are off the tarmac and inside the terminal, Sami will be sent out. Those are my conditions.".

Bo had made it into the cockpit and heard the exchange. "John, we have to agree..you 'know he will kill Hope if we don't."

"Sorry, Partner, I can't let you take those ledgers and Sami. You know Tony will do something underhanded.". But John was not going to be given the choice, as he looked up just as Sami was bringing down the butt of the revolver she had concealed in her purse upon his head. He slumped back against his headrest. The co pilot stepped in to see what the problem was, but Bo gave him the same treatment.

"Sorry John, Bo, we have to hurry!" and Sami was pushing Bo to bring the suitcases. She tried lifting one, but the weight pulled her down. It was impossible to lift on her own, and Bo could only take one himself. Jack came forward to help Sami.

"Are you crazy Jack?" Jen was not about to let him go. Then Billie offered her assistance, her and Sami each taking one side as it took both of them to carry the weight.

The other plane had lowered a stairway, and Jules stood at the top, with his hand inside his coat, indicating he still held a gun. He gestured for them to make their way up the stairs, and when they were inside the plane, pushed them into the front cabin.

"Bo!" Hope had flew into Bo's waiting arms, as he had reached for the once again sleeping Julianna. Jules then pulled Hope away.

Tony stood up to greet his guests, with Jules and another henchman keeping watchful eyes on the suitcases, and the three who held them.

"Billie, you must leave now, no argument..Bo..you convince her." Tony did not raise his voice much above a whisper. Billie looked at Bo helplessly, and he nodded his head for her to follow Tony's order. She turned and was escorted to the stairway. Tony looked at Jules, who then came back for Hope and Julianna.

Bo looked at the two of them, and nodded that they must go too. Hope looked at him, and mouthed "Brady, I love you". Billie saw it, and smiled at Bo. Then helped Hope get Julianna down the stairs.

Tony was busily undoing the case latches, and bringing out the leather bound ledgers and diaries of Stefano DiMera. The stamp on the bindings was the Golden Phoenix, and when Tony opened them up, the familiar handwriting in the language he had been raised with showed on the now somewhat yellowed pages. Sami looked as he opened each one, and began to cry as she realized what this could all mean. Bo was less than interested, but when he saw Tony close one book and smile with malice, he had to ask a question.

"You got what you wanted, now let us go."

"No, the agreement was that I let you go, I keep Samantha until I see John and the others leave their plane, so Bo, you are free to go."

Bo looked at his niece, he had never had a lot of use for her, but he could not leave her now.

" Uncle Bo, do what he says..this is important." Sami had another goal now, seeing that EJ and the others were not harmed. She had to keep her hotheaded uncle under control now, and she knew that would not be easy.

Tony also knew what he was up against, and he had one more ace in the hole. In the instant that Bo had lunged for him, and gotten him into the choke hold he was glad he had held it for last.

"Uncle Bo..please..you have to let him go..we made a deal.."Sami was pleading, pleading for lives that Bo knew nothing of..and not realizing there was still another life involved.

Jules pushed the intercom.."Bring it up".

"Daddy..Daddy! Daddy, where is Mommy?" The voice was Zach, and as Bo looked in shock the little boy was brought in, holding the hand of one of Tonys crew!

"If you want your son to live, and you want to walk off this plane with him, let Mr. DiMera go, or I swear, I will toss him headfirst onto the tarmac!"

Bo released his hold, and Tony shook free, then backhanded Bo with his freed arm. Zach screamed as his fathers blood flew. Sami ran to hold him, and shield him from seeing more. Then she had taken hold of his hand and took him over to Bo.

"Take him, Bo, take him now. He needs medical attention..and he needs his mother." The bandages on the back of Zachs head were fresh. Sami was urging Bo on with her eyes, and the hand of his son. Bo bit his lip, the guilt of the choice he was being forced to make overwhelming him..but Sami said "Do it, Bo..believe me, I would..I promise you, I don't blame you, take him off here, you have to make sure he is safe..please, don't worry..this is for the best..for all of us."