EJ dropped a single cube of ice into his bourbon before turning. The room was darkened and it was merely by chance he saw the lethal silhouette in the mirror. He was startled to be sure considering the face looking at him.

"I'm having an astonishing case of déjà vu here," he muttered dryly, before taking a sip of his drink, "William my good man, put down the gun before history repeats itself with what I fear will be a far more fatal outcome."

William didn't blink, his gaze didn't falter. He was decidedly more prepared this time with non-descript attire, a hat covering his golden locks and a pair of leather gloves adorning his hands.

"What did you do to my mom?" He spat and EJ could see the rage in his eyes.

"William…" he began.

"You have one chance and then I'm going to finish what I should have the first time," he stepped closer, the menace clear in his eyes.

Two weeks earlier

With a sigh Sami stepped under the hot water, hoping it would eradicate the fatigue that seemed set on keeping her from ever moving again. The lack of energy had been present all week and it certainly didn't help that Kate was running her ragged about the new line of lipstick or that Madison wanted something more substantial than what she was supplying.

She wondered briefly how she had gotten herself in the situation of effecting corporate espionage. It hadn't been her smartest plan to date, but she had really wanted to stick it to Kate for all the years of hell she had put her through. What she didn't expect was to actually enjoy working for the woman. As much as they traded barbs she knew Kate had a keen eye both for cosmetics and for business and they complimented each other, both their brains working on a problem in the same way. She knew she needed to get herself out of this situation, but for the first time she was making money on something she loved and was loath to jeopardize that especially at Countess W. She also knew that Madison wouldn't blink to bring her down if she tried to change colors and Kate Dimera was not the forgiving type. All she needed to do was ask Chloe about her mystery disease to know Kate would probably see her dead.

All in all it had been a stressful week and that didn't even include the fact that it had been a week from the time of the ultrasound, one week since she had found out she was having twins again.

Twins ... with EJ.

Sami had been having a miniature freak out every time she thought about it, conflicting emotions running rampant through her. She loved her kids, no matter what would always love her kids, but just once she would like to be pregnant without the drama, without the secrets or schemes. Everyone else seemed to be able to celebrate openly and fully enjoy bringing a life into the world while she was forced to keep secret her bundles of joy.

She would readily admit she was at fault most times. When she was pregnant with Will, her plot to get Austin away from Carrie made it necessary to keep her pregnancy a secret until the 'perfect' moment. EJ could take the blame for the mess her life was in with Allie and Johnny, and the fault lay with Stefano's hit-man and that bitch Nicole for the loss of her time with Syd. This time, however, there was no one to fault and while she really wanted to blame EJ, she just … couldn't. She had been an enthusiastic participant in their love mak … sex, their grief sex.

Right there with him, she had been the one ripping his clothes off, her nails digging into his back as she tried to find purchase as she thrust into her, over and over … She could still remember how he felt, the way his body flowed with hers. She was loathed to admit it, but he was the only lover, she ever had that just had to breathe in her direction to get her wet.

Sami could feel the familiar tingling between her legs as she thought about him. The way his hands, so large and strong could trail like a feather over her sensitive neck or hold her down as she flew apart with his mouth devouring that soft place between her legs. Slipping her hands down the front of her body, she closed her eyes, imagining they were his, his fingers squeezing the rigid tips, his fingers trailing a heated path down to her centre.

"Samantha," she was hearing his voice now, in that breathy way he always seemed to call it when they were in bed.

"Samantha?"

She shrieked a little, barely holding back a moan as her fingers jerked. EJ was actually there.

"I just wanted to let you know I was here."

"Y-yeah," she answered breathily. "I'll be out in a minute."

He retreated then, and Sami fought to control her breathing and her wayward body. Turning off the pipe she grabbed her robe and walked out. Scooting quickly over to the dresser, she started pulling out under things when he entered her room again.

"Shit!" She screamed as she clumsily knocked over the lamp at the bedside knowing she was making a fool of herself, but unable to stop her body's reaction to his presence.

She watched as EJ took her in, his eyes moving over her, lingering longer than was appropriate on her curves in the silk robe, his tongue flicking out in heated invitation. Desire and arousal flowed hot between them. She took an unconscious step forward drawn to him.

The crunch of the shade underneath her foot brought them both back. Like a bucket of ice water, it broke whatever spell was drawing them together. She pulled her robe tighter around her as EJ backed away, his chest heaving with each breath.

Once he was out of the room, she let herself fall onto the bed, dropping her head, wondering why they always had to do this to each other. It was like a magnetic pull, one she fully intended to fight.

Her eyes caught then the picture of Rafe at the bedside, and it filled her with guilt.

She had something special with Rafe. He was honest and staid and true, like her dad. Her family even loved him straight off the bat, which was truly a first and Sami Brady couldn't afford another failed relationship. She would tell him the truth and beg, grovel and plead for his forgiveness because he was the man for her, of that she was sure. Whatever happened with EJ would forever remain a momentary lapse. One that she could never, would never revisit again.

Sami steeled herself as she entered the living room, taking in the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. It would be so easy to push EJ out of her mind if he wasn't being so freaking perfect.

This week she was supposed to do some site assessments for the photo shoot for their next line. After telling EJ what she was doing, he convinced her to sleep in and that he would take care of it. Somehow around nine, a large envelope had been delivered with detailed descriptions, pictures, cost of each site she was supposed to visit for her perusal. She didn't know how he did it, but she was glad to have the day off.

That wasn't the whole of it either. Every day he called to see how she was doing, wanting to know everything from if she had taken her vitamins, to any craving she was having, if she got sick or tired, or if she needed a break from the kids. He didn't stop there, though that would have been more than enough. The kitchen was always stocked because he kept sending groceries, and sure to be hidden in there was whatever craving she happened to mention.

He was there in the morning to drop the twins off to carpool so she didn't have to. He was there most nights to help her put them to bed. One time she had even come to a spotless house and immediately knew it was him. He had sent Mary over to tidy up. Sami of course blew up, because not only did he break into her apartment, but she was fully capable of cleaning her own place. He promised to back off then, but she was still sure that sometimes the house looked just a little neater.

It was difficult having him around so much because when he did these things, she remembered the guy who'd taught her to tango, the one who comforted her when she cried, the one who would willingly defy Stefano Dimera's orders because he loved her and it scared her. That man was always able to get under her defenses, that man would always remind her how good it could be between them. That man was one she could spend a lifetime with, that man was the one she would lov… care about for the rest of her life.

Sami settled at the table, grabbing some of everything as EJ fixed himself a plate. There was grilled chicken and rotini pasta, cherry tomato and basil salad, orange juice and the chocolate cherry cookies from Java she had been craving since yesterday.

Ever since she had let it slip she had skipped breakfast and lunch one day, he tried to share a meal with her, smiling approving as she ate.

She looked up after tasting her first bite to see him staring.

"Stop it," she commanded, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Stop what darling?" EJ replied, as his lips quirked in amusement.

"Staring," she immediately answered.

"Why wouldn't I stare? You're beautiful."

She blushed, turning away, hoping he didn't see before answering, "Does Nicole know you're so free with your compliments?"

He didn't answer right away so she turned back to him.

"Well have two children together. I think she knows I think you're beautiful."

Sami took another bite, ignoring the shiver of awareness that raced up her spine as he continued to stare.

"What about names?" he started.

"What about names?"

"Have you given any thought to what we're going to name the twins?"

"We don't even know what sex they are yet EJ."

"I was thinking we could name them for my parents," he spoke quietly.

"What?" she blew up. "We are not naming any child of mine after Stefano Dimera."

"Samantha please! I meant my mum Susan and my step-father Edmund."

"Oh," Sami deflated. "That's actually, pretty beautiful."

He smiled, "Have you thought of any?"

"I was thinking Faith, to remember Grace, and Evan for my mom's maiden name," she shrugged finally.

"So between us we have two names for a boy and two names for a girl." He grinned at her and she could see how much it meant to him getting this opportunity, to contribute to their children's names.

So she smiled her approval and turned back to her meal, wondering what she would do if Rafe asked where she got the names.