Chapter Six
"Just hold on Samantha," Brandon pleaded with the woman he loved as he carried her through the thick, dense forest trying his best not to get wrapped up in one of the trees as the snow pounded down upon them. He held her tighter wanting to keep her warm as he moved along seeing nothing but trees in sight. Wondering if he'd made a mistake in leaving his car, Brandon scanned his surroundings hoping above hope that something would be there for them, that somehow a miracle would help them.
"Brandon," Sami's voice trembled as he held her closer still.
"You're going to be okay," he promised hoping it wasn't a lie as he moved on.
"Brandon, please don't leave me," she begged of him as she shivered in his arms.
"I'm not going anywhere Samantha," he promised her, "we're going to find a place to keep you warm and to make sure you're safe and protected from this."
"I feel safe and protected in your arms," she confessed with a sigh, "I've never felt as protected as I do when you hold me like this."
"Samantha, just keep with me," he urged as she lay her head against his powerful chest.
"Brandon, please don't walk away from me again," she spoke out in tiny, broken sobs as he carried her along, "when I thought I'd lost you, I was so afraid....I had....I had to run away.....because....because I couldn't bear the thought of not being with you, of not loving you..."
"Samantha, you don't have to worry about that," he whispered seeing the tears staining her rosy cheeks as he cradled her in his arms, "I'm not going to leave you again."
"I love you Brandon," she cried out harder as the winds picked up, "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Samantha," he confessed watching her eyelids flutter to a close again as he thought of how much was riding on him finding way to help her. Looking up ahead, he noticed something in the distance. It was a long shot, but with so much depending on his seeking out help, he had to try. Deciding he couldn't give up, he marched on forward hoping that his hunch was right. He had to help Samantha and keep her safe from this storm before it overtook the both of them.
****
Lexie hung up the phone letting out a huff as she wondered what was keeping Brandon from returning her calls. This was the fifth phone call and still no answer. Pacing around the living room in the Dimera mansion, she crossed her arms in front of her chest realizing that this simply would not do.
"Alexandria," Tony called out to his sister seeing her in obvious thought, "there you are. Aliana had mentioned you were going up to bed."
"I couldn't sleep," she confessed, "I was trying to get a hold of Brandon and he's not returning my calls. I tried the hospital, but they told me he was taking some time off and I tried his apartment, but nothing..."
"Perhaps he'd gone out for the evening," Tony suggested, "I'm sure when he returns he'll call you."
"This just isn't like him," Lexie frowned, "when he found out we were having the baby, he swore he'd make himself available to me at all times day or night."
"Is something wrong with the baby," Tony questioned with concern, "because you know I'm here for you."
"I appreciate that," she reached for his hand, "I really do and to answer your question, no nothing is wrong with my child, but I was just thinking about Brandon. I was feeling kind of lonely and I thought perhaps he could come over and spend some time with me."
"Well, I know I'm no replacement for Mr. Walker, but I'd gladly spend some time with my sister," he smiled at her, "that is if she wouldn't mind."
"Tony, I'd never mind being around you," she hugged him gently, "I just can't help but worry about Brandon. The other day I ran into him and he was upset about that Sami..."
"Ah, so we get to the heart of the problem," Tony stepped back, "Samantha Brady is what's on your mind, isn't it?"
"I don't like her being around Brandon. She's no good for him and he shouldn't waste his time with her," Lexie frowned.
"Brandon is a grown man and if Samantha has her sights set on him, she can be very persuasive," Tony confessed with a half smile thinking about the ever delightful Samantha Brady.
"Pushy is more like it," Lexie huffed, "Brandon is the father of my child and we're about to have a family together. The last thing I want is that woman hanging around him."
"Alexandria," Tony questioned with a slight frown, "are you saying that you want something more from Brandon? I thought you'd said that you two were friends first and this child was just the result of one night."
"It was," Lexie nodded, "but things have changed. My child needs a father and I want to be able to give my son or daughter that."
"And you feel Brandon Walker is what you want?" Tony questioned again sensing a change in his sister.
"If it means keeping him away from Samantha Brady's meat hooks, then yes," she nodded determined, "then I'll do whatever it takes to keep Brandon far away from her."
****
Sami let out a pained cry as she felt a warmth spread over her forehead. Slowly her eyes opened and fixed on her surroundings as she noticed a crackling fireplace in the corner of the room with a dark shadow beside it. She could hear the storm picking up outside of the cabin she found herself in, but other than that the rest of the world was a blur. Trying to sit up slowly, she felt an ache rush through her and she groaned.
"You should really try to rest," Brandon looked up from where he'd been seated over by the fireplace trying to keep the fire going. Noticing she was now awake, he moved over to her side reaching out to touch her, "you had quite a bump there."
"Wh-what happened?" Sami questioned groggily laying back down on the sofa as Brandon touched her cheek.
"It looks like the storm got the best of you," Brandon confessed, "but luckily for the both of us, I found you in time before things took a turn for the worse."
"Brandon, where are we?" she questioned weakly.
"That I don't know," Brandon confessed after a moment, "I got you out of your car and then mine wouldn't start. I went for help, but we're kind of in the middle of no where. I was beginning to think we'd freeze to death out there in the cold, but then I caught a glimpse of this cabin. There isn't much around here, but it looks like it might be a summer home of sorts. I checked for a phone, but apparently it's not working at the moment. I'm not sure if it's because of the storm or just because this place doesn't look like it's been touched in a few years."
"Brandon," she started again as she felt his fingers gently pressing in over her cheek.
"Shh...." Brandon urged lowering himself down to kiss her forehead gently, "just rest Samantha. It's one hell of a storm out there and I think we're going to be here a while. I got the fireplace going, but I don't know how long it'll be before it dies on us. I don't know how long this storm will last or when we can get back home which means you need your rest Samantha. I've taken care of your wounds and you're going to be just fine."
"Brandon, just hold me," she pleaded with him as she reached for his hand taking it in hers, "I'm scared."
"You don't need to be afraid Samantha," he promised sliding in beside her on the sofa as he looked over to the fireplace watching the flames die down a bit. He wrapped his arms around her holding her into the warmth of his chest as the storm raged on out of control outside the cabin walls. Keeping her safe in the confines of his arms, he felt her snuggled into him as he kissed the top of her head hoping that somehow this little disaster wouldn't turn into something worse for them with the snow storm on the rise.
****
"Open up you little witch," Nicole pounded on the door to Sami's apartment, "I know you're in there and I'm not leaving until you open this door and talk to me," she insisted pounding again as there was nothing, but silence on the other side of the door, "open up!"
Lucas stepped out of his apartment tugging at the ties on his robe as he entered the hallway glaring at his 'wife' standing in the center of the hall looking completely frazzled. Shaking his head he watched her pound away at Sami's front door as he leaned up against the wall finding himself mildly amused at how ridiculous she looked. He waited a moment or two before clearing his throat and explaining simply.
"You know I told your brother once already that Sami wasn't around, but you Walkers just don't know when to quit, do you?" he questioned smugly.
"Put a sock in it Lucas," Nicole glared at him, "I don't need to listen to you."
"Fine, then don't," he shrugged as he turned back towards his open door, "just try to keep it down. I don't need you ruining a perfectly good evening for me."
"You having a good evening," Nicole let out a sarcastic laugh, "oh right. Gee, what could you possible have going on in there?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Lucas shot a cryptic look in her direction.
"Actually Lucas," Nicole stepped forward glaring at him, "I don't really give a damn what you have going on and do you want to know why?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"It's because you're a pathetic little worm, who wouldn't know fun if it bit him in the butt," Nicole spat out at him, "fun to you is drowning your sorrows in the bottle, which by the way was the best way to knock you out so that I didn't have to deal with you and having to pretend I liked you during our marriage. Your alcoholism was a great way for me to escape the agony of being your wife."
"Funny, but the way I see it being drunk was the only way I could tolerate having you around," Lucas smiled icily at her, "and as soon as this divorce is final, I can't wait to bask in the glory of knowing I won't ever have to put up with you again."
"I was the best damn thing that ever happened to you, Lucas," Nicole shot back at him as he turned away from her, "A pathetic loser like you wouldn't be able to raise interest in a beautiful woman now that mommy isn't able to finance her interest in you."
"You know Nicole, as much as I'd like to just get rid of you in this moment, maybe there are a few things you should understand about me," Lucas turned his features darkening as he stood taller letting her taunts slide down his spine, "I realize you think you're one up on me, but the fact to the matter is that your happiness lies in my hands."
"Oh that's a good one," she let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Think about it Nicole," Lucas glared at her, "as much as it makes me cringe, you're still my wife and in being my wife, that means that you can't marry Victor."
"A minor setback," she shrugged, "it means nothing."
"No Nicole, that's where you're wrong," Lucas smiled wickedly, "as long as you're my wife, that means you won't be able to bilk Victor out of his fortune and the more you decide you feel the need to lay into me, the less compelled I feel to speed up our divorce."
"Is that a threat?" she challenged.
"On the contrary," Lucas shook his head, "it's just a promise. Nicole, as much as you think you're in control right now, I do respect Victor and I wouldn't want him to waste away with someone like you. The man may be blinded by your charm...well, then again I can't see why, but still, to have him wed to you is like hell on Earth and the longer that you two can't be together, the more opportunity he has to see your true colors and maybe just maybe he'll come to his senses about you."
"Oh you would like that, wouldn't you?" Nicole shook her head, "you know Lucas you truly are a pathetic little worm and when Victor finds out about this conversation we're having...."
"Nicole, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Lucas stepped up to her, "as much as you enjoy overestimating me, this wouldn't be the time to pull a power play. I know as well as you do that I could easily destroy you with a blink of an eye. You're no innocent and if Victor saw you for what you were...."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Nicole questioned a bit shakily as she thought to the things Sami had built up against her in the past, "what do you think you have?"
"Enough to show Victor that you're not nearly as loyal as he thinks you are," Lucas offered with a hint of a smile, "and Nicole I've gotta say, you really should learn to be more careful with what you do. I mean hell, if Sami is able to get information on you, then heaven only knows who else has information that could ruin your dreams of happily ever after with Victor's bank account."
"You're bluffing," Nicole answered seriously.
"Am I?" he challenged. "Are you that sure?"
"Sami wouldn't have told you anything," she decided, "not that she had anything on me to begin with."
"Oh I'd beg to differ on that one," Lucas smiled again, "I'm not the only one to notice the tension between you and Sami."
"She hates you, Lucas. While she might not like me, she wouldn't share anything with you," Nicole insisted firmly.
"See now that's where you haven't been keeping up on your gossip," Lucas let out a tiny laugh, "Sami and I don't have any problems with one another. In fact, we've worked out an agreement to see to it that we get along for Will's sake and it's going rather nicely."
"Right," Nicole let out a dry laugh, "like I'd ever believe that one."
"Ask your brother," Lucas challenged, "he'll tell you how it is."
"Speaking of Brandon," Nicole frowned, "I haven't been able to get a hold of him and I came here looking for Sami because I'm sure she's behind him going missing."
"Last I saw him, he was hoping to find Sami," Lucas shrugged, "but she's not here nor do I know where she went."
"Now that surprises me, since you think you're just a wealth of information tonight," Nicole snapped back at him, "then again given you don't have a life of your own, it doesn't surprise me that you're wrapped up in what's going on with Sami."
"Actually," Lucas began as the door to his apartment opened wider and Greta stepped out wearing his bathrobe.
"Lucas," she smiled at him lightly, "I was wondering what happened to you," her eyes cast over at Nicole, "what are you doing here?"
"Greta," Nicole frowned slightly, "I didn't realize you'd come back to Salem."
"I've been here a while," Greta explained simply turning her attention back to Lucas, "is Nicole bothering you, honey?"
"Honey," Nicole repeated watching as Lucas wrapped his arms around Greta kissing her lightly, "oh god, I don't believe this. This is some kind of joke, right?"
"Nicole, as much fun as this has been," Lucas hugged Greta closer to him, "we really don't have time for this."
"You mean you and she...." Nicole blinked back at the two of them, "oh please."
"Have a problem, Nicole?" Greta questioned with a sugary sweet smile.
"It's just that you and Lucas," she shook her head, "this has to be a joke."
"No one's laughing," Greta pointed out, "now if you'll excuse us, Lucas and I were about to return to the movie we were trying so desperately to pay attention to before you showed up."
"Oh please," Nicole rolled her eyes, "like you two have something going on. Lucas and the virgin Princess. Right, like you two almost could make that one believable."
"Believe what you want to believe, but we're finished here tonight, Nicole," Lucas headed towards the door taking Greta with him, "oh and if you could, try to keep it down my son is trying to sleep," he finished closing the door behind them as Nicole shook her head in disbelief.
"No way," Nicole shook her head, "there's just no way. This is just too wrong for words," she decided realizing that finding Brandon would have to take a back seat to clearing her thoughts after her exchange with Lucas.
****
Sami let out a soft sigh, opening her eyes as she felt a warmth surrounding her. She noticed her muscles were a bit stiff as it all came back to her and with a half smile, she allowed her gaze to drift up over the welcoming body beside her. Seeing Brandon's eyes closed as he held her, she couldn't help but feel a completeness in this moment being in his arms. She reached out to touch her forehead feeling a small bandage on her head as she thought back to waking up earlier to find Brandon taking care of her. She'd been so terrified when her car spun out of control and she feared for the worst, but alas she realized as she lay on the sofa with Brandon that her knight had come to rescue her. Somehow he'd known where to find her even after she'd pushed him away and he was with her saving her from herself once again. Unable to resist the urge, Sami tipped up to kiss him gently rousing him from his slumber with the gently kiss as his eyes opened once they parted.
"Hey beautiful," Brandon smiled at her as his fingers pressed gently over her spine tracing her curves lightly, "feeling better?"
"I feel like I've died and gone to heaven now that I'm here in your arms," Sami confessed the magic of the moment spreading over her as the very thought of being this close to Brandon sent a warmth rushing over her from her head to her toes.
"Heaven sounds about right," Brandon couldn't help but offer a tiny laugh at her statement, "but I'm very grateful that we didn't have to die to get there."
"Brandon, I still can't believe you found me," she paused listening to the winds outside the cabin, "it's still storming, isn't it?"
He nodded, "You picked the wrong time to go off and have me chase you, you know."
"I just needed to get away," She confessed with a sigh sinking back into his chest, "after our last exchange I was looking for a way to get out of my own skin for a while."
"By going back to the place we made love for the first time," he half questioned as she raised her head once more.
"But how? How did you know?"
"I went to your apartment," he confessed, "I couldn't leave things like we did before. I wanted to talk to you, to find a way to show you just how much you mean to me, but then Lucas told me you'd left, that you'd taken off and I was afraid I wouldn't reach you in time," he finished bringing his thick fingers through her soft, blonde tresses.
"But how did you know I was going to our place?" she questioned lightly lazily drawing circles over his chest.
"I had a feeling you might want to find a place where things seemed right, where the world couldn't intrude in on us," Brandon admitted, "I was taking a chance, but I'm glad I followed my heart as it lead me to you."
"Brandon, all I wanted was for us to be together," she confessed painfully, "I just wanted us to be free to love one another without Lexie or anyone else getting in the way."
"I know," he nodded seeing the pain behind her eyes as he touched her cheek gently, "and Samantha, they can't get in the way of us ever again."
"Brandon, how can you say that? Lexie is having your baby," she reminded him feeling the pain of the situation come back to haunt her.
"I realize that," he sighed, "but that doesn't change anything."
"Brandon, it changes everything," she insisted seeing the determination behind his brown eyes, "it changes it all."
"No, Samantha it doesn't change how I feel about you," Brandon confessed drawing her up towards him for a kiss, "it doesn't change the fact that I dream about you every moment we're apart," he whispered his kisses tapering off over her cheek moving in over the soft skin of her neck, "or that when I'm with you, it's the one time in my life when I feel truly alive, as though I belong in this world, like everything is right."
"I feel that way with you," she confessed letting out a soft moan as he nibbled on her ear gently, "but Brandon, things are so complicated."
"When aren't they complicated for us," he questioned seriously.
She let out an ironic laugh, "That is the question of the hour isn't it?"
"Samantha, I can't promise you that everything from here on out will be easy for us, but if we can manage to stay together, to pull together through the storm that's waiting for us outside this cabin, maybe just maybe we can come out on top of things winners."
"Brandon, I just...." she began as he silenced her with another tender kiss.
"Samantha, just feel with your heart," Brandon urged of her, "tell me what your heart says, what your heart wants..."
"My heart," she confessed as his eyes fixed in on hers once more, "what my heart needs...."
"Yes?" he questioned hopeful.
"What I desire more than anything in this world," she felt the tears pooling in her eyes, "is you Brandon. I want you more than anything."
"Then I'm yours, Samantha," he promised her wrapping her up in his arms, "I'm all yours."
"Oh Brandon," she murmured his name kissing him hungrily as her hands traced over the contours of his muscled chest remembering oh too well how wonderful they felt together. Slowly she began to pluck away at the buttons on his shirt as their eyes connected once more.
"Samantha," he half questioned as she opened his shirt, a smile lighting up her features as she lowered her lips to the golden, warmth of his skin, taking her time to savor the feel of him beneath her.
"I love you, Brandon," she whispered against his chest as her lips sealed a soft kiss over the strong, solid pounding of his heart, "I need you."
"Samantha, you were just hurt in the accident," he reminded her drawing her mouth back to his in a heated exchange as she tugged on his shirt trying to remove it from his body.
"Heal me with your love," she pleaded needing him in this moment as his caresses weaved a beautiful spell over her, "please Brandon."
"You know I could never deny you anything," he confessed meeting her eyes once again as he swept her up in his arms slowly moving in over her discarding his shirt as her hands reached out to touch him.
"Don't deny me, Brandon," she urged leaning up to kiss him deeply, her body longing for his touch, craving him in all the ways she'd wanted him in the past knowing that she could experience their love lost in his arms. She cried out against his kiss as his hands slipped in beneath her sweater easing it up over her body. They parted momentarily as she worked to discard the shirt and a silence followed as she lay back on the sofa and Brandon's gaze traveled over hers leisurely leaving no inch of her unexplored as his mouth captured hers in another promise of things to come between them.
"I love you Samantha," Brandon whispered as the barriers between them faded away and they were left with their love surrounding them in this moment between them as the world surrounding them raged out of control.
"I'll always love you, Brandon," Sami promised knowing in her heart that despite what the future held for them, being in his arms, making love to him was the only place she wanted to be as Brandon Walker was truly where her heart was. She loved him and now as he made love to her, she knew that walking away wouldn't be as easy as she'd imagined it to be. Now as he took her to new heights in this cabin wrapped up in the warmth his love provided her, she wondered how she ever could've walked away to begin with. How could she have lead a life without him? Of course not that he'd found her, she smiled inwardly losing herself to his love as she realized that she'd never truly have to know from this moment on.
"Just hold on Samantha," Brandon pleaded with the woman he loved as he carried her through the thick, dense forest trying his best not to get wrapped up in one of the trees as the snow pounded down upon them. He held her tighter wanting to keep her warm as he moved along seeing nothing but trees in sight. Wondering if he'd made a mistake in leaving his car, Brandon scanned his surroundings hoping above hope that something would be there for them, that somehow a miracle would help them.
"Brandon," Sami's voice trembled as he held her closer still.
"You're going to be okay," he promised hoping it wasn't a lie as he moved on.
"Brandon, please don't leave me," she begged of him as she shivered in his arms.
"I'm not going anywhere Samantha," he promised her, "we're going to find a place to keep you warm and to make sure you're safe and protected from this."
"I feel safe and protected in your arms," she confessed with a sigh, "I've never felt as protected as I do when you hold me like this."
"Samantha, just keep with me," he urged as she lay her head against his powerful chest.
"Brandon, please don't walk away from me again," she spoke out in tiny, broken sobs as he carried her along, "when I thought I'd lost you, I was so afraid....I had....I had to run away.....because....because I couldn't bear the thought of not being with you, of not loving you..."
"Samantha, you don't have to worry about that," he whispered seeing the tears staining her rosy cheeks as he cradled her in his arms, "I'm not going to leave you again."
"I love you Brandon," she cried out harder as the winds picked up, "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Samantha," he confessed watching her eyelids flutter to a close again as he thought of how much was riding on him finding way to help her. Looking up ahead, he noticed something in the distance. It was a long shot, but with so much depending on his seeking out help, he had to try. Deciding he couldn't give up, he marched on forward hoping that his hunch was right. He had to help Samantha and keep her safe from this storm before it overtook the both of them.
****
Lexie hung up the phone letting out a huff as she wondered what was keeping Brandon from returning her calls. This was the fifth phone call and still no answer. Pacing around the living room in the Dimera mansion, she crossed her arms in front of her chest realizing that this simply would not do.
"Alexandria," Tony called out to his sister seeing her in obvious thought, "there you are. Aliana had mentioned you were going up to bed."
"I couldn't sleep," she confessed, "I was trying to get a hold of Brandon and he's not returning my calls. I tried the hospital, but they told me he was taking some time off and I tried his apartment, but nothing..."
"Perhaps he'd gone out for the evening," Tony suggested, "I'm sure when he returns he'll call you."
"This just isn't like him," Lexie frowned, "when he found out we were having the baby, he swore he'd make himself available to me at all times day or night."
"Is something wrong with the baby," Tony questioned with concern, "because you know I'm here for you."
"I appreciate that," she reached for his hand, "I really do and to answer your question, no nothing is wrong with my child, but I was just thinking about Brandon. I was feeling kind of lonely and I thought perhaps he could come over and spend some time with me."
"Well, I know I'm no replacement for Mr. Walker, but I'd gladly spend some time with my sister," he smiled at her, "that is if she wouldn't mind."
"Tony, I'd never mind being around you," she hugged him gently, "I just can't help but worry about Brandon. The other day I ran into him and he was upset about that Sami..."
"Ah, so we get to the heart of the problem," Tony stepped back, "Samantha Brady is what's on your mind, isn't it?"
"I don't like her being around Brandon. She's no good for him and he shouldn't waste his time with her," Lexie frowned.
"Brandon is a grown man and if Samantha has her sights set on him, she can be very persuasive," Tony confessed with a half smile thinking about the ever delightful Samantha Brady.
"Pushy is more like it," Lexie huffed, "Brandon is the father of my child and we're about to have a family together. The last thing I want is that woman hanging around him."
"Alexandria," Tony questioned with a slight frown, "are you saying that you want something more from Brandon? I thought you'd said that you two were friends first and this child was just the result of one night."
"It was," Lexie nodded, "but things have changed. My child needs a father and I want to be able to give my son or daughter that."
"And you feel Brandon Walker is what you want?" Tony questioned again sensing a change in his sister.
"If it means keeping him away from Samantha Brady's meat hooks, then yes," she nodded determined, "then I'll do whatever it takes to keep Brandon far away from her."
****
Sami let out a pained cry as she felt a warmth spread over her forehead. Slowly her eyes opened and fixed on her surroundings as she noticed a crackling fireplace in the corner of the room with a dark shadow beside it. She could hear the storm picking up outside of the cabin she found herself in, but other than that the rest of the world was a blur. Trying to sit up slowly, she felt an ache rush through her and she groaned.
"You should really try to rest," Brandon looked up from where he'd been seated over by the fireplace trying to keep the fire going. Noticing she was now awake, he moved over to her side reaching out to touch her, "you had quite a bump there."
"Wh-what happened?" Sami questioned groggily laying back down on the sofa as Brandon touched her cheek.
"It looks like the storm got the best of you," Brandon confessed, "but luckily for the both of us, I found you in time before things took a turn for the worse."
"Brandon, where are we?" she questioned weakly.
"That I don't know," Brandon confessed after a moment, "I got you out of your car and then mine wouldn't start. I went for help, but we're kind of in the middle of no where. I was beginning to think we'd freeze to death out there in the cold, but then I caught a glimpse of this cabin. There isn't much around here, but it looks like it might be a summer home of sorts. I checked for a phone, but apparently it's not working at the moment. I'm not sure if it's because of the storm or just because this place doesn't look like it's been touched in a few years."
"Brandon," she started again as she felt his fingers gently pressing in over her cheek.
"Shh...." Brandon urged lowering himself down to kiss her forehead gently, "just rest Samantha. It's one hell of a storm out there and I think we're going to be here a while. I got the fireplace going, but I don't know how long it'll be before it dies on us. I don't know how long this storm will last or when we can get back home which means you need your rest Samantha. I've taken care of your wounds and you're going to be just fine."
"Brandon, just hold me," she pleaded with him as she reached for his hand taking it in hers, "I'm scared."
"You don't need to be afraid Samantha," he promised sliding in beside her on the sofa as he looked over to the fireplace watching the flames die down a bit. He wrapped his arms around her holding her into the warmth of his chest as the storm raged on out of control outside the cabin walls. Keeping her safe in the confines of his arms, he felt her snuggled into him as he kissed the top of her head hoping that somehow this little disaster wouldn't turn into something worse for them with the snow storm on the rise.
****
"Open up you little witch," Nicole pounded on the door to Sami's apartment, "I know you're in there and I'm not leaving until you open this door and talk to me," she insisted pounding again as there was nothing, but silence on the other side of the door, "open up!"
Lucas stepped out of his apartment tugging at the ties on his robe as he entered the hallway glaring at his 'wife' standing in the center of the hall looking completely frazzled. Shaking his head he watched her pound away at Sami's front door as he leaned up against the wall finding himself mildly amused at how ridiculous she looked. He waited a moment or two before clearing his throat and explaining simply.
"You know I told your brother once already that Sami wasn't around, but you Walkers just don't know when to quit, do you?" he questioned smugly.
"Put a sock in it Lucas," Nicole glared at him, "I don't need to listen to you."
"Fine, then don't," he shrugged as he turned back towards his open door, "just try to keep it down. I don't need you ruining a perfectly good evening for me."
"You having a good evening," Nicole let out a sarcastic laugh, "oh right. Gee, what could you possible have going on in there?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Lucas shot a cryptic look in her direction.
"Actually Lucas," Nicole stepped forward glaring at him, "I don't really give a damn what you have going on and do you want to know why?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"It's because you're a pathetic little worm, who wouldn't know fun if it bit him in the butt," Nicole spat out at him, "fun to you is drowning your sorrows in the bottle, which by the way was the best way to knock you out so that I didn't have to deal with you and having to pretend I liked you during our marriage. Your alcoholism was a great way for me to escape the agony of being your wife."
"Funny, but the way I see it being drunk was the only way I could tolerate having you around," Lucas smiled icily at her, "and as soon as this divorce is final, I can't wait to bask in the glory of knowing I won't ever have to put up with you again."
"I was the best damn thing that ever happened to you, Lucas," Nicole shot back at him as he turned away from her, "A pathetic loser like you wouldn't be able to raise interest in a beautiful woman now that mommy isn't able to finance her interest in you."
"You know Nicole, as much as I'd like to just get rid of you in this moment, maybe there are a few things you should understand about me," Lucas turned his features darkening as he stood taller letting her taunts slide down his spine, "I realize you think you're one up on me, but the fact to the matter is that your happiness lies in my hands."
"Oh that's a good one," she let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Think about it Nicole," Lucas glared at her, "as much as it makes me cringe, you're still my wife and in being my wife, that means that you can't marry Victor."
"A minor setback," she shrugged, "it means nothing."
"No Nicole, that's where you're wrong," Lucas smiled wickedly, "as long as you're my wife, that means you won't be able to bilk Victor out of his fortune and the more you decide you feel the need to lay into me, the less compelled I feel to speed up our divorce."
"Is that a threat?" she challenged.
"On the contrary," Lucas shook his head, "it's just a promise. Nicole, as much as you think you're in control right now, I do respect Victor and I wouldn't want him to waste away with someone like you. The man may be blinded by your charm...well, then again I can't see why, but still, to have him wed to you is like hell on Earth and the longer that you two can't be together, the more opportunity he has to see your true colors and maybe just maybe he'll come to his senses about you."
"Oh you would like that, wouldn't you?" Nicole shook her head, "you know Lucas you truly are a pathetic little worm and when Victor finds out about this conversation we're having...."
"Nicole, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Lucas stepped up to her, "as much as you enjoy overestimating me, this wouldn't be the time to pull a power play. I know as well as you do that I could easily destroy you with a blink of an eye. You're no innocent and if Victor saw you for what you were...."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Nicole questioned a bit shakily as she thought to the things Sami had built up against her in the past, "what do you think you have?"
"Enough to show Victor that you're not nearly as loyal as he thinks you are," Lucas offered with a hint of a smile, "and Nicole I've gotta say, you really should learn to be more careful with what you do. I mean hell, if Sami is able to get information on you, then heaven only knows who else has information that could ruin your dreams of happily ever after with Victor's bank account."
"You're bluffing," Nicole answered seriously.
"Am I?" he challenged. "Are you that sure?"
"Sami wouldn't have told you anything," she decided, "not that she had anything on me to begin with."
"Oh I'd beg to differ on that one," Lucas smiled again, "I'm not the only one to notice the tension between you and Sami."
"She hates you, Lucas. While she might not like me, she wouldn't share anything with you," Nicole insisted firmly.
"See now that's where you haven't been keeping up on your gossip," Lucas let out a tiny laugh, "Sami and I don't have any problems with one another. In fact, we've worked out an agreement to see to it that we get along for Will's sake and it's going rather nicely."
"Right," Nicole let out a dry laugh, "like I'd ever believe that one."
"Ask your brother," Lucas challenged, "he'll tell you how it is."
"Speaking of Brandon," Nicole frowned, "I haven't been able to get a hold of him and I came here looking for Sami because I'm sure she's behind him going missing."
"Last I saw him, he was hoping to find Sami," Lucas shrugged, "but she's not here nor do I know where she went."
"Now that surprises me, since you think you're just a wealth of information tonight," Nicole snapped back at him, "then again given you don't have a life of your own, it doesn't surprise me that you're wrapped up in what's going on with Sami."
"Actually," Lucas began as the door to his apartment opened wider and Greta stepped out wearing his bathrobe.
"Lucas," she smiled at him lightly, "I was wondering what happened to you," her eyes cast over at Nicole, "what are you doing here?"
"Greta," Nicole frowned slightly, "I didn't realize you'd come back to Salem."
"I've been here a while," Greta explained simply turning her attention back to Lucas, "is Nicole bothering you, honey?"
"Honey," Nicole repeated watching as Lucas wrapped his arms around Greta kissing her lightly, "oh god, I don't believe this. This is some kind of joke, right?"
"Nicole, as much fun as this has been," Lucas hugged Greta closer to him, "we really don't have time for this."
"You mean you and she...." Nicole blinked back at the two of them, "oh please."
"Have a problem, Nicole?" Greta questioned with a sugary sweet smile.
"It's just that you and Lucas," she shook her head, "this has to be a joke."
"No one's laughing," Greta pointed out, "now if you'll excuse us, Lucas and I were about to return to the movie we were trying so desperately to pay attention to before you showed up."
"Oh please," Nicole rolled her eyes, "like you two have something going on. Lucas and the virgin Princess. Right, like you two almost could make that one believable."
"Believe what you want to believe, but we're finished here tonight, Nicole," Lucas headed towards the door taking Greta with him, "oh and if you could, try to keep it down my son is trying to sleep," he finished closing the door behind them as Nicole shook her head in disbelief.
"No way," Nicole shook her head, "there's just no way. This is just too wrong for words," she decided realizing that finding Brandon would have to take a back seat to clearing her thoughts after her exchange with Lucas.
****
Sami let out a soft sigh, opening her eyes as she felt a warmth surrounding her. She noticed her muscles were a bit stiff as it all came back to her and with a half smile, she allowed her gaze to drift up over the welcoming body beside her. Seeing Brandon's eyes closed as he held her, she couldn't help but feel a completeness in this moment being in his arms. She reached out to touch her forehead feeling a small bandage on her head as she thought back to waking up earlier to find Brandon taking care of her. She'd been so terrified when her car spun out of control and she feared for the worst, but alas she realized as she lay on the sofa with Brandon that her knight had come to rescue her. Somehow he'd known where to find her even after she'd pushed him away and he was with her saving her from herself once again. Unable to resist the urge, Sami tipped up to kiss him gently rousing him from his slumber with the gently kiss as his eyes opened once they parted.
"Hey beautiful," Brandon smiled at her as his fingers pressed gently over her spine tracing her curves lightly, "feeling better?"
"I feel like I've died and gone to heaven now that I'm here in your arms," Sami confessed the magic of the moment spreading over her as the very thought of being this close to Brandon sent a warmth rushing over her from her head to her toes.
"Heaven sounds about right," Brandon couldn't help but offer a tiny laugh at her statement, "but I'm very grateful that we didn't have to die to get there."
"Brandon, I still can't believe you found me," she paused listening to the winds outside the cabin, "it's still storming, isn't it?"
He nodded, "You picked the wrong time to go off and have me chase you, you know."
"I just needed to get away," She confessed with a sigh sinking back into his chest, "after our last exchange I was looking for a way to get out of my own skin for a while."
"By going back to the place we made love for the first time," he half questioned as she raised her head once more.
"But how? How did you know?"
"I went to your apartment," he confessed, "I couldn't leave things like we did before. I wanted to talk to you, to find a way to show you just how much you mean to me, but then Lucas told me you'd left, that you'd taken off and I was afraid I wouldn't reach you in time," he finished bringing his thick fingers through her soft, blonde tresses.
"But how did you know I was going to our place?" she questioned lightly lazily drawing circles over his chest.
"I had a feeling you might want to find a place where things seemed right, where the world couldn't intrude in on us," Brandon admitted, "I was taking a chance, but I'm glad I followed my heart as it lead me to you."
"Brandon, all I wanted was for us to be together," she confessed painfully, "I just wanted us to be free to love one another without Lexie or anyone else getting in the way."
"I know," he nodded seeing the pain behind her eyes as he touched her cheek gently, "and Samantha, they can't get in the way of us ever again."
"Brandon, how can you say that? Lexie is having your baby," she reminded him feeling the pain of the situation come back to haunt her.
"I realize that," he sighed, "but that doesn't change anything."
"Brandon, it changes everything," she insisted seeing the determination behind his brown eyes, "it changes it all."
"No, Samantha it doesn't change how I feel about you," Brandon confessed drawing her up towards him for a kiss, "it doesn't change the fact that I dream about you every moment we're apart," he whispered his kisses tapering off over her cheek moving in over the soft skin of her neck, "or that when I'm with you, it's the one time in my life when I feel truly alive, as though I belong in this world, like everything is right."
"I feel that way with you," she confessed letting out a soft moan as he nibbled on her ear gently, "but Brandon, things are so complicated."
"When aren't they complicated for us," he questioned seriously.
She let out an ironic laugh, "That is the question of the hour isn't it?"
"Samantha, I can't promise you that everything from here on out will be easy for us, but if we can manage to stay together, to pull together through the storm that's waiting for us outside this cabin, maybe just maybe we can come out on top of things winners."
"Brandon, I just...." she began as he silenced her with another tender kiss.
"Samantha, just feel with your heart," Brandon urged of her, "tell me what your heart says, what your heart wants..."
"My heart," she confessed as his eyes fixed in on hers once more, "what my heart needs...."
"Yes?" he questioned hopeful.
"What I desire more than anything in this world," she felt the tears pooling in her eyes, "is you Brandon. I want you more than anything."
"Then I'm yours, Samantha," he promised her wrapping her up in his arms, "I'm all yours."
"Oh Brandon," she murmured his name kissing him hungrily as her hands traced over the contours of his muscled chest remembering oh too well how wonderful they felt together. Slowly she began to pluck away at the buttons on his shirt as their eyes connected once more.
"Samantha," he half questioned as she opened his shirt, a smile lighting up her features as she lowered her lips to the golden, warmth of his skin, taking her time to savor the feel of him beneath her.
"I love you, Brandon," she whispered against his chest as her lips sealed a soft kiss over the strong, solid pounding of his heart, "I need you."
"Samantha, you were just hurt in the accident," he reminded her drawing her mouth back to his in a heated exchange as she tugged on his shirt trying to remove it from his body.
"Heal me with your love," she pleaded needing him in this moment as his caresses weaved a beautiful spell over her, "please Brandon."
"You know I could never deny you anything," he confessed meeting her eyes once again as he swept her up in his arms slowly moving in over her discarding his shirt as her hands reached out to touch him.
"Don't deny me, Brandon," she urged leaning up to kiss him deeply, her body longing for his touch, craving him in all the ways she'd wanted him in the past knowing that she could experience their love lost in his arms. She cried out against his kiss as his hands slipped in beneath her sweater easing it up over her body. They parted momentarily as she worked to discard the shirt and a silence followed as she lay back on the sofa and Brandon's gaze traveled over hers leisurely leaving no inch of her unexplored as his mouth captured hers in another promise of things to come between them.
"I love you Samantha," Brandon whispered as the barriers between them faded away and they were left with their love surrounding them in this moment between them as the world surrounding them raged out of control.
"I'll always love you, Brandon," Sami promised knowing in her heart that despite what the future held for them, being in his arms, making love to him was the only place she wanted to be as Brandon Walker was truly where her heart was. She loved him and now as he made love to her, she knew that walking away wouldn't be as easy as she'd imagined it to be. Now as he took her to new heights in this cabin wrapped up in the warmth his love provided her, she wondered how she ever could've walked away to begin with. How could she have lead a life without him? Of course not that he'd found her, she smiled inwardly losing herself to his love as she realized that she'd never truly have to know from this moment on.