Disclaimer: days of our lives is not mine, the actors are not mine, although I can think of one tall dark handsome one with an accent that I would love to have be mine but that's beside the point.

Chapter 12


Panicked Sami climbed on the bed and put her hand on his neck to feel for a pulse. There was one. She breathed a sigh of relief. She sat on the chair she had pulled up by the bed. She didn't know what to do now. Should she call Lucas and her parents? Lucas wouldn't appreciate that it was EJ who had once again saved her. What if Andre somehow could put a trace on EJ's phone – she shouldn't use it. She needed a few moments to think so she turned on the TV.

To Recap: Detective Roman Brady was stabbed." Sami gasped. "Word is that he is in the hospital and that he will be fine and make a full recovery. For more of this breaking story, our reporter Leanna Boyd is speaking to Lucas Roberts, Roman Brady's son in law. "I think EJ Dimera did this and also kidnapped my wife!"

"Apparently an APB has been issued for former race car driver and co-owner of Mythic Communications, EJ Wells Dimera who himself was shot only a few days ago but who is also missing."

Sami sat in shocked silence. She put down EJ's cell phone. "Why in the world would Lucas say EJ did it when it so obviously was Andre."

Lucas wasn't always rational and his hatred of EJ might have prompted this outburst. She was glad her dad was going to be all right but now EJ was a wanted man. If she called them the call could be traced back to the island and she just couldn't bring herself to risk his life with Andre still on the loose.

"And another bulletin. An early fall storm is blowing off the ocean with heavy ran and wind expected. Residents are warned to stay inside."

"Oh great." Sami groaned. She glanced out the window of the cottage. She noted it was set high on a sandy hillside by the beach so there was no risk of flooding. It was built quite sturdy. The storm wasn't anywhere in site yet. Maybe it would miss the island.

She looked back at EJ and noticed how flushed he suddenly appeared to be. She put her hand to his head and realized he was fevered yet at the same time he was shivering. She knew that wasn't a good sign. He needed his medication. She couldn't very well call the hospital and get them to send some over.

"Samantha?"

"EJ, are you all right? You're burning up."

"Need my medication," he coughed. "Wallet."

Puzzled she went and grabbed his wallet.

"Nurse," he mumbled. She looked and found a card with the name Mrs. Loomis registered nurse and home care worker. She realized she had met her in the hallway. She was the one who had asked her to look in on EJ.

"Maybe she can phone the local pharmacist…" Cough. "…to make some up for me."

He shivered violently. He had never felt this awful before. He wished Samantha wasn't there to see him this sick.

She looked at him alarmed. "You're in a lot of pain aren't you? Ej, maybe you need to go back to the hospital?"

"No, it's nothing I can't handle but the medication would help," he said through gritted teeth.

"I'm going to call from the main house, I'll be right back."

EJ drifted in and out of consciousness. Everytime he came to he realized Samantha still hadn't returned. He suddenly heard a loud wind outside and what sounded like rain pelting against the windows.

Fear entered his heart. Samantha shouldn't be running around in that. EJ got up and grasped the headrest as the room spun. Taking a few deep breaths he made his way over to the door and outside. The cold rain pelting against him made the chills sweep through him even more. He staggered towards the main house with eyes half closed praying he wouldn't pass out.

Suddenly his arms were grabbed. "EJ, what are you doing? You should never have gotten out of bed!" Samantha yelled at him.

"Samantha, I was worried about you. You were gone so long."

She didn't answer but guided him back to the cottage supporting him all the way. In her other hand she held a bag containing the medication and some clothes.

"You've got to get out of these wet clothes."

He wanted to make a witty remark but found that he was just too dizzy and tired to even try. The next few minutes passed in an embarrassed blur as somehow his clothes came off with Samantha's help. He found himself standing in a warm shower for a minute then dried off with soft towels. He was given black flannel pajama bottoms to put on. Afterwards Samantha changed his bandages and helped him into a flannel nightshirt. She then tucked him back into bed. He passed out again and awoke to Samantha slapping his face lightly. "Come on, EJ, you need to take your medication." He swallowed the pills she handed him and drank the water.

As he lay racked by chills he couldn't help commenting, "Flannel doesn't really suit me."

He had attempted to get a laugh out of her but she didn't respond just regarded him with worried eyes.

EJ gritted his teeth against the wave of pain. He felt awful and found himself growing colder. Fear set in.

"Samantha."

"Shhh, don't talk. You need your strength."

"Please Samantha, listen. I have to say this. I never meant to hurt you.I'm so sorry for everything. Please. Please forgive me. " Cough. "I don't want to die knowing you hate me for what I did. Please…"

Fear shot through Sami's heart. "You aren't going to die!" she stated in a choked voice.

He looked at her, his dark eyes big and pleading in his pale face. "Please…" Another violent chill hit him.

She pulled back the covers and got into the bed putting her arms around him as best she could with her big belly in the way.

"What are you doing?" he asked weakly.

"Trying to warm you up."

He shivered again. "I'm so cold." His teeth chattered.

His words brought terror to her soul. What he dying? She had asked if there was a doctor nearby while waiting at the pharmacy that Mrs. Loomis had put the order through to but the only doctor on the island was on vacation for the next two weeks. The only chance would be to head for the mainland, which was much too dangerous in the storm.

She looked at him again. She knew he wasn't faking it. He looked frightened.

He held her wearily. "Samantha…" His voice cracked.

"NO! You're not going to die!" She propped herself up on an elbow looking into his eyes. "Listen to me, I forgave you long ago, the day you changed you mind about letting Andre and his goons steal my babies for their stem cells. You saved the babies and me that day. I want you to focus on getting well now."

He looked shocked. "You really have forgiven me? You're not lying?"

She sighed. "I hung onto my hatred for a long time but yes and I'm not lying. Now shut up and start healing."

"We were meant to be. It's destiny," he whispered as he sighed and closed his eyes.

She wanted to retort that her destiny was with Lucas but with the wind howling outside, the rain pelting against the window and fire casting warmth and golden shadows across the room Sami wondered if for a moment she was living Colleen's experience. EJ in sleep put his forehead down on hers. Tears filled her eyes and closed her throat. Why did she have to feel the way she did about this man? Why couldn't she feel this intense over Lucas, her husband - the father of her children.

EJ moaned in his sleep and she wished the painkillers would kick in so he could really rest. She eventually fell asleep. When she next woke she was startled to find his hand on her stomach. She turned her head up to find EJ staring at her. "They're kicking, they woke me." His voice was filled with awe but was still very hoarse.

She saw the pain in his eyes as he looked away.

EJ tore his gaze from Samantha in order to collect himself. Tears pricked his eyes and he quickly blinked them away. Those babies should have been his. Samantha should have been his. She suddenly cupped the side of his face and then turned him to face her. "I'm sorry, EJ. I realize that it hurts you that they aren't yours."

He closed his eyes for a moment but opened them in shock when Samantha's lips closed over his.

He hungrily kissed her back until she quickly pulled back. "That shouldn't have happened!"

"What was that, Samantha? Pity again or are you trying to deny that you just acted on your true feelings for me?"

"Give it a rest. I just didn't think," she grumbled, horrified by what she had just done.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She ignored him and turned on the TV.

"Samantha Roberts is still missing. The hunt is on for EJ Wells Dimera for kidnapping her and stabbing her police officer father, Roman Brady."

EJ sat up, wincing. "What? This is ludicrous!"

"I'm afraid so."

"But I was still in my bed when you went missing. Lucas and Tony know that!"

"Maybe they didn't believe them." She quickly covered not wanting him to know that it was Lucas who gave the false information.

"They didn't say if he was all right," he threw her a worried look.

"He's fine. They said earlier that he would make a full recovery." She loved the look of concern in his eyes. She knew he didn't care about Roman but she knew he cared how she felt.

"In a strange twist of irony, Dimera's father, Stefano was murdered today by Steven Johnson who is now in police custody."

Horrified Sami looked at EJ. He was wide-eyed in disbelief and shook his head fervently in denial. "NO!" he shouted. Then in a softer more desperate voice, "no…no."