AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay so I wrote this as a possible resolution scenario for the asinine baby switch story line which I feel like we've been wading through for years now. Seeing as we are now in the hands of the people who killed "Passions" who hardly ever gave pay offs or resolved anything I think at the time of me posting this we've still got a looonnngg way to go yet and I think most people are at the point of not caring now. It's a shame that people don't learn from their mistakes and realise this kind of stuff is what got their show cancelled not once but twice. Clearly they haven't because they are slowly turning Days into a Passion redux, frustrating their fans until their will be no one left to care when the show is cancelled.

Okay, enough of a rant from me about how the last months of the show are being handled. LOL You're just here to read an EJami fic and that is what this is. As I said this is a resolution of the baby switch story line that I penned when both Nicole and Sami were still 'pregnant'. For me this is hallmark Sami Brady and I could totally see her doing the things she does in this story. EJ finally regrows his brain and Nicole gets what many of us think she deserves – particularly in my version of events. ;) They are being too wishy washy with Nicole IMO on the show – she's a saint, baby thief, just wants to be loved, money grabbing, needs security, in love, blackmailer and honestly it's all a bit too much. I know they are wanting to redeem the character after all of this is over but they want to make her everything at once and it's just not working for me. There is a layered character and then there is one that has so many personalities that she shouldn't probably be allowed to use a fork unsupervised. LOL

Anyway, as I said, Rafe and Sami are still in witness protection and Nicole is in desperate need of a baby to present to EJ. I based this on spoilers we got at the time about Nicole running into Sami in a church and just ran with it. I'm hoping you'll find it a bit more entertaining than yet another Nicole fantasy of killing Sami. There is nothing romantic going on with Rafe and Sami, just that bantering friendship that they used to have before we had to endure the snorefest that is watching Sami and Rafe fall in love in five minutes on the show. Three years EJami fans have been waiting for a confession of love from Sami for EJ and yet a couple of months with Rafe and she's spewing them out all over the place. Of course in the soap world that means the relationship is doomed for sure, you can't come together that quickly and last, simple as that.

Now there are some little clues as you go along as to what is really happening as things unfold so see how you go picking them up and you get a cookie if you can guess what is happening along the way. LOL For more of my stories check out the M section because most of my fics have naughty bits (tastefully done mind you ;) ) so I've got some more in that area if you are interested. As I've said before in my preambles (of which I'm a fan as you can no doubt see) the place to go for a full complement of my work is "Forbidden Love" which is an EJami fan board. My stories are there under the same pen name and a lot of them I've included pictures with because I love being able to have a picture go with my words.

Okay, that's it for now, this story is 11 chapters long and I will upload it as I get time or if anyone is desperate for the next chapter lol. Have fun with it...

RECKONINGS

Chapter ONE

Nicole walked into the church, grimacing as she adjusted the straps of her fake pregnancy tummy.

"Stupid thing," she grumbled under her breath, "I don't know how a real pregnancy could be any worse than this!"

Her own words caused a pang of grief to tear through her as Nicole relived the loss of her child that had precipitated the need for the padding in the first place. She determinedly pushed those feelings down though. Right now she needed to keep her head in the game otherwise she was going to lose everything that she'd worked so hard for when she was so close to getting it all. She was going to lose EJ if she wasn't careful and knew that she couldn't allow that. Nicole knew that her grip on EJ was tenuous at best despite his best efforts to reassure her. Sometimes Nicole felt like they were both trying so hard to be together and be happy that she thought she'd start screaming from the effort of it all.

Nicole knew it was only because of their baby that EJ had such an effort with her in the first place. He wanted the family and all the things that went with it and because Sami wouldn't give that to him he'd turned to her. Nicole knew what it was to be second best but she figured second best with a man like EJ DiMera was better than being first with the likes of many of the losers she'd hooked up with. He was rich, charming and doted on her, all the things Nicole had dreamed about having with a man. But she also knew that her fledgling new life as the next Mrs EJ DiMera was no more than a house of cards if she didn't manage to produce a baby in the next month.

She wanted to believe that she could tell EJ about her miscarriage and him simply embrace her and tell her that it didn't matter but Nicole simply didn't believe that would be what would happen. She was terrified that she'd see this look of utter relief on his face just before he showed her the door and Nicole didn't know if she could take such a thing. Probably the first thing he'd do is go and seek out Sami Brady, witness protection or not and Nicole's face twisted in jealousy at the thought. God how she hated that woman.

She had all the things Nicole had longed for and just picked them up and put them down whenever her fickle mood took her like the spoilt brat she was. Nicole couldn't have been happier with Sami tucked away neatly in witness protection. Well, unless the assassin had managed to get the job right in the first place and actually killed the little bleached piranha of course. Nicole smiled at the thought of standing at Sami's grave, attending her funeral, mentally picking out the perfect dress for such a joyous occasion. It should probably something with not very much material and in red, mused Nicole, something that would make it difficult for EJ to concentrate during the eulogies.

Nicole actually chuckled out loud at that, the sound echoing in the empty church and she put a hand to her mouth and looked around guiltily. She'd come here to pray to God and ask him for some kind of divine intervention with providing her with a baby because Dr Bates kept coming up as a bust and an expensive one at that. Nicole knew she was playing a dangerous game getting involved with the likes of Dr Bates but at least she was used to dealing with that kind of scum. He was greedy and vicious but Nicole needed him right then and it galled her but unless a baby just dropped from the heavens into her lap pretty darn quickly she was stuck with doing business with the slime ball for a little longer.

Nicole started to walk into the church, intent on taking a seat and making her petitions to God. She was unsure what she could offer the big guy in return. A promise that this would be the last dastardly deception she'd ever attempt perhaps? Nicole pursed her lips, knowing that even she didn't believe that she'd be able to promise something like that with a straight faced. She was a liar and a manipulator through and through, her tough up bringing had ensured that and even though Nicole might like to dream of rising above those less than noble qualities about herself she was above all things a realist and knew that it was pretty unlikely to ever happen. But God was a god of love right? Surely he'd cut her some slack when he saw how much she loved EJ and the lengths she was willing to go to keep him. Nicole just knew that she could make EJ happy if she was given a chance and after what that vapid little witch Sami had put him through EJ more than deserved a little happiness.

Nicole started then as she made her way down the aisle of the church, a hand flying to her mouth to cover her shocked gasp as she saw that she wasn't actually alone after all. Right up the front and over to one side was a woman, sitting by herself and Nicole knew beyond a shadow of a doubt whose blonde hair she was looking at. She'd know that bleach, unnatural colour anywhere. It haunted her dreams with that blonde pariah sweeping in and stealing EJ from her arms. It was as though Nicole had somehow managed to conjure the woman out of her subconscious with all her thoughts of her.

Sami Brady – in the flesh.

Nicole had deliberately chosen a church on the outskirts of Salem to visit because she didn't want to bump into anyone she knew and now there was Sami sitting there larger than life and twice as ugly. Nicole shook her head at her rotten luck as she ducked behind one of the pillars in the church and sneaked a look out, intent on seeing if Sami had noticed her which she hadn't fortunately. What the hell was this? Wasn't she in witness protection? What, did they let her go out on day trips or something? How crazy was that Nicole wondered in frustration. She just couldn't believe that she and Sami had somehow managed to cross paths. It had been so wonderful these past weeks with no Sami constantly distracting EJ from what was really important – her and their child.

Nicole's hand went unconsciously to her fake stomach feeling like she wanted to blame Sami for her current state. It wouldn't have been fair but seeing as Nicole blamed Sami for causing her to be unlikely to have children in the first place after the scarring from the gunshot wound it wasn't much of a stretch for Nicole to blame the miscarriage on her arch rival as well. Nicole scowled at the back of Sami's head, her eyes throwing daggers. She'd almost been able to convince herself the other woman no longer existed and oh how Nicole wished it were true.

A dark haired man suddenly appeared from a side entrance by the altar and approached Sami. Nicole arched an eyebrow. If she'd known that priests could look like that she might have made more of an effort to catch a few services thought Nicole with a smirk. The man looked to be Latino and was well built and even though he wasn't wearing a priests outfit Nicole wondered what else he could be.

"You ready to go?"

He addressed Sami and Nicole frowned.

"I suppose so," sighed Sami.

"I've got to get you back somewhere more secure," the dark haired man said, looking around quickly, "This isn't safe Sami."

"Keep your hair on Rafe," replied Sami with exasperation, "You worry too much."

"I'm paid to worry," responded Rafe dryly.

"Yeah well don't bother on my account GI man," Sami informed him.

So he was her body guard – well that made sense Nicole supposed. Trust Sami to get a hot one, that would totally be her luck thought Nicole in annoyance. She watched from her position up the back of the church as Rafe offered Sami his hand and she took it, letting him help her to her feet. Nicole couldn't help the dismayed gasp as Sami straightened up and her extremely pregnant stomach was revealed to her. She clapped both hands over her mouth and almost doubled over from the pain at seeing Sami in that state. She was pregnant and even though Nicole had a fleeting thought it might be this Rafe person's or even Lucas' she knew in her heart that it was EJ's. Nicole felt like she was going to be physically sick but that sickness was quickly replaced with a rage.

Once again Sami had stolen what Nicole had wanted so desperately and this time it was a child. Sami was pregnant with the child Nicole should have been having and a bitter anger welled up in Nicole the likes of which she'd never felt before. Why should Sami get a child when Nicole was being denied ever being a mother? She already had three children, one of them with EJ and the unfairness of it all was causing the bile to rise to the back of her throat. Furious tears stung Nicole's eyes as she watched Sami put a hand to her back and stretch, grimacing at the uncomfortableness of the end stages of her pregnancy and Nicole just wanted to start screaming at how once again Sami had made her come off second best. As soon as EJ found out that Sami was carrying his child Nicole knew he'd forget her like yesterdays news and throw himself at Sami's feet and beg her forgiveness and that realisation was a bitter pill for Nicole to swallow.

"Ah!"

Sami suddenly flinched and grabbed her stomach.

"What is it?" asked Rafe in concern, "Are you alright?"

"I think so I just aahhHHHH!" Sami's reassurance was cut off by another louder cry on her behalf, "Oh God!"

She doubled over then, both hands clutching her stomach, suddenly breathing hard.

"Is it a cramp?" asked Rafe worriedly, putting a comforting hand on her back, "Do you need to sit down?"

"No I oooohhHHHHHaaaHH!" Sami cried out loudly, ending in a choked groan at the end.

"You need to sit down," said Rafe urgently, trying to guide her towards the pew she'd just stood up from.

Nicole rolled her eyes, Sami Brady, ever the drama queen. Talk about milking it for all it was worth. It was text book Sami to have some poor sap fawning all over her as she played up the helpless victim and it made Nicole sick.

"I don't need to sit down," said Sami with a shake of her head as she straightened up with a grimace, "I need a hospital."

"It's probably just a cramp," Rafe tried to reassure her.

"It's not a cramp," Sami corrected him through clenched teeth; "It was a contraction."

"You've still got three weeks to go," said Rafe with a shake of his head, "I think it was a cramp."

"Oh really?" said Sami mockingly, "I've given birth to three children smart guy – exactly how many babies have you pushed out of your body?!"

"I'm just saying that we shouldn't panic at the first little twinge," argued Rafe, "Hospitals aren't very secure places and it will be hard for me to protect you properly in one. I'll need time to organise it so you'll be safe. It's probably just a little indigestion anyway."

Sami's face screwed up again before she could answer that and she made a pained gasping sound, turning around and grasping the back of the pew in both hands and leaning on it heavily.

"OOOOOAAAAAAHHHHH!" she groaned out loudly, her knuckles going white as she griped the pew as hard as she could, her head dropping down between her outstretched arms as she worked through the pain.

Rafe pulled a concerned face and tentatively rubbed her back. When Sami could finally speak again she turned her head and looked up at Rafe, looking decidedly unimpressed with him.

"First of all," she panted out, her face a little red now, "That was not a little twinge and second of all... oh!"

Sami looked down between her legs and Rafe had a suddenly startled look on his face.

"And second of all," continued on Sami calmly, "That was my waters breaking so I think it's safe to say this isn't indigestion!"

"You need to go to a hospital," said Rafe, looking a little stricken now as he realised that this wasn't going to be a false alarm no matter how much he might want it to be.

"Ya think?" asked Sami sarcastically, glaring up at him.

Nicole had been watching this entire drama unfold in front of her and her mind had almost instantly clicked into gear. The initial shock of Sami's pregnancy had faded a little bit and with her now suddenly going into labour right in front of her Nicole realised that she'd been presented with a once in a life time opportunity. She'd come to the church to beg God for a baby and hey presto, a baby was about to present itself. It made perfect sense to Nicole and the fact that it was Sami's baby made it all the more perfect for her. Nicole would be able to hand this child to EJ and without a word of a lie be able to say that it was his child. It was beyond perfect really, it was fate and Nicole knew she had to act quickly before this opportunity got away from her.

"Can you make it to the car?" asked Rafe worriedly.

"I guess I'll have to," grimaced Sami, slowly straightening up, "It's not like you'll be able to drive it up the aisle."

"There is a county hospital about fifteen miles from here," said Rafe, taking her arm, "I'll have you there in no time."

"Better make it sooner than later," said Sami weakly as she felt another contraction coming, "I have very short labours."

"How short?" asked Rafe with some trepidation.

"Very short," said Sami flatly, "And they are getting shorter with each baby so less chatting and more getting me to the hospital okay? The last thing I want to do is have this baby out in the wilderness with only you there to help."

"You and me both honey," said Rafe in whole hearted agreement as he guided her out the side door he'd entered the church through.

Nicole waited until they were both gone and then quickly made a grab for her phone. God had given her the miracle she'd been asking for and there was no way in hell that Nicole as going to let it slip through her fingers. She dialled the number and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello Dr Baker," she said, when the other man answered, "This is Nicole Walker here. I need you and it's an emergency... don't ask questions just do as I say and I'll make it worth your while."