Something To Remember – Part III
CHAPTER 30
Sami's eyes flew open in her bed, at the sound coming from the living room. Will was away on a long weekend camping trip with his scout troupe and she was alone in the apartment. After leaving the club tonight, she'd complained of a headache and had insisted to Tony that she just needed a good night's sleep. He'd looked as though he might protest at first but then he'd agreed and he'd let her go home with Bart as an escort. She heard the sound again and now she knew it wasn't her imagination. She got out of bed silently and grabbed the wooden bat from beneath her bed. She tiptoed to the door and opened it slowly. Her heart was pounding and she wished she had her gun. But John had taken it away from her, insisting that she still wasn't experienced enough to use it. She crept out into the still darkness and looked around everywhere for signs of the intruder. She saw that the window to the fire escape was open and then she heard the sound again. It was Will's wind chimes. She lowered the bat and laughed at herself. That was twice they'd freaked her out now. She was glad that Lucas wasn't there to ridicule her again, as he'd done the first time he'd had to rescue her from them. She turned and started to walk back to her bedroom when suddenly she was grabbed from behind and a hand clamped over her mouth. "Don't scream." A voice whispered in her ear.
Sami froze for a moment and then her reflexes kicked in and using a skill that Ops, had taught her, she elbowed her assailant in the ribs and flipped him onto the floor. She raised the bat and was about to bring it down on the attackers head when she heard a familiar grunt coming from him. "Lucas?" She asked reaching over and flipping on the light. "Ooohhh." Lucas moaned. "Where the hell did you learn that?" "Oh my God." She gasped dropping the bat and kneeling down beside him. She brushed the hair out of his eyes and looked at him in concern "Lucas are you ok?" "Yeah, yeah, sure." Lucas said, sitting up and smiling at her concern for him. "Oh good." She said and shoved him back down hard. "Now what the hell do you think you're doing? You scared the hell out of me! She began hitting him. Don't you ever do that again!" "Ow, Sami!" He whispered to her fiercely grabbing her hands to stop her assault. "Will you cut it out and keep your voice down! Bart is right outside!" Sami stopped cold and looked at Lucas in fear. "What?" She whispered. Lucas put his finger up to his lips in a motion for her to be quiet. He stood up and helped her to her feet and they silently made their way over to the door to her apartment. He looked out the peephole and then motioned for her to do the same. Sure enough, there, sitting in the hallway across from her door was Tony's henchman. She stepped back and looked at Lucas, shaking her head in dismay. He took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
"Ok, I think we can talk safely in here." Lucas said turning around to look at Sami. Her face was ashen and she looked frightened and confused. "Sami." He said walking over to her and lifting his hand to her face. She backed away as though he might burn her. "You have to get out of here." She said. "Sami." He said again. "No Lucas, you have to get out." She said, beginning to panic. "You have to leave right now. Before someone finds you." "Calm down" he said. "No one is going to see me. Bart is out in the hallway, which is why I came in through the fire escape." He smiled at his own cleverness, but Sami was not amused. "This isn't funny." She said hitting in the chest. "If Tony finds out that you were here.." Lucas cut her off. "Tony is not going to find out anything, alright! So just relax. He took her hand and sat them both down on the bed. He stared at her and she blushed. "Stop looking at me like that." She said looking down. He put his hand under her chin, raising her face so that their eyes met. "Why?" he asked. "Lucas you know why." She said. "It's over ok. Truth be told it never should have begun in the first place. You're totally wrong for me and I'm totally wrong for you. The other day was fun but that's all it was. I'm with Tony and I'm staying with him. That's all there is to it." She stood up and turned away from him. "Oh well, why didn't you say so before." Lucas said sarcastically getting up and turning her to face him. "Lucas" She began to say, but he stopped her by saying heatedly, "What do you think, Sami? Do you think that I'm stupid? Do you think that just because you sing me a song that it's over between us, and yeah," he said seeing her look of surprise. "I got that. But you know what, I don't care. I love you and you love me and that is all that matters. Not your protests, or your attempts to keep me safe. Not your songs and sure as hell not Tony Dimera. He emphasized his statement by grabbing her and kissing her passionately. She didn't even try to resist him as they fell back onto the bed together.
Chapter 31 is rated NC-17 and is not intended for those under the age of 17
CHAPTER 31
Sami moaned and pulled Lucas down on top of her. He kissed her deeply, his hands moving slowly up her thighs, pushing her nightgown to her waist. His lips moved away from her mouth and across her cheek to her throat. She slid her hands down his back and pulled his shirt up over his head. She pushed him off of her and straddled him on the bed, lifting her nightgown up over her head and flinging it into a corner. He stared at her and his hands came up slowly over her ribcage until they were cupping her breasts. He kneaded them slowly and pinched her nipple until they were two hard proud peaks. Her own hands roved over his chest as she slid down a bit and lowered her lips to kiss his throat. She continued her assault lower, letting her tongue glide slowly down his body. She licked his nipple and bit it lightly and he groaned out loud and thrust his hands into her hair. She laughed softly, enjoying his reaction and bit him again. His hands pushed down on her head gently, but she would not be rushed. She was determined to go slowly this time and rediscover every inch of him. She kissed his ribcage slowly, using her tongue to tease his skin as her hands reached for his belt buckle and slowly undid it. She sat up abruptly, tossing her hair back and stared down at him. Her hands massaged his torso and he stared up at her with pleading eyes. She smiled at him and her hands slid back down to his undo his jeans. She slid them off of him slowly and stared at the bulge in his briefs hungrily. He tried to get up but she pushed him back down onto the bed. She lowered her mouth to his and kissed him passionately, grinding against him until he moaned into her mouth. She broke the kiss and slid her body down his, slowly and torturously. His hips moved upward as her breasts pressed against his manhood. Then she was on her knees at the foot of the bed pulling him toward her. She used her teeth to pull down his underwear and he gasped as her hair touched his exposed skin. He was dying and she knew it. "Please." He begged, and she reveled in the power she had over him. She grasped the shaft and slid her hand up and down, following it with her tongue until finally she took him fully in her mouth. He nearly shouted, the pleasure she gave him was so intense. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and he sat up and turned her onto her back. She tried to protest but he silenced her with a kiss as he entered her slowly. He moved inside of her with a fierce intensity that made her wild and she arched her back nearly bucking him off of her as she climaxed. Finally he released himself inside of her and collapsed on top of her.
CHAPTER 32
Sami snuggled closer to Lucas with a sigh, enjoying the warmth that emanated from his body. Her hands lightly caressed his chest as his own hands ran up and down her back. She smiled to herself and thought that she had been a fool to try and fight this for so long. Besides, she thought, her mission was almost over and no harm would come to Lucas in a matter of a couple of days. But even as she thought it a chill slowly crept up her spine in premonition. She sat up abruptly and Lucas looked at her with worry. "What's wrong?" he asked her, sitting up and taking her hands in his. They were ice cold suddenly and he rubbed them to warm them. "Sami?" he asked again. "What is it?" She looked at him with all the love she felt for him shining in her eyes and said. "I know that I was wrong to push you away, and I need you to know that I love you very much." "I know that baby!" He said. "And I love you." "How much do you love me Lucas?" He started at her words, but she continued on before he could answer her. "Enough to do anything for me? Even if you didn't understand why?" Lucas stared at her in confusion and she looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Because I need you to do something for me Lucas," She said "and you're not gonna understand and you're not gonna like it. But I'm really gonna need for you to just do it!" "Sami I don't understand." He said "Do what?" "I need for you to take Will and leave Salem for a while."
"What" he nearly shouted "Shhh." She hushed him. "Bart is still out there." "What do you mean you want me and Will to leave Salem?" He whispered to her fiercely "Just for a little while." She said "You can take him up to Donna and Ritchie's. They've got that farm in Indiana and Will would love to see them. You two could drive there this morning. I'll tell Tony that you're sick and you and Will can just disappear before anyone knows. And by the time you get back, all this will be over. We'll be safe." He stared at her as though she'd lost her mind. But slowly comprehension dawned on him and he grabbed her by her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "What's going to happen to Tony, Sami? What are you involved in?" He asked. She looked at him and in that moment she wanted so badly to tell him that the words were on the tip of her tongue. She longed to unburden herself of the secret that had kept them apart for so long, but she knew that doing that could kill them both, as well as their son. So instead she shook her head and kissed him fervently. "I can't tell you, Lucas." She said when the kiss ended. All I can do tell you is to do what I'm asking you to do. To keep our son safe and to trust me. Do this for me, for our family, please." He looked at her, scared out of his mind for her, but knowing that he trusted her completely. "Alright." He said to her. "We'll go, but only if you come with us." "I can't." She said. "I need to finish this." "No you don't." He said. "Look, let whoever it is that got you involved in whatever this is to finish it and come with us!" She stroked his face and said, "It's not that simple. If I leave now it puts everything and everyone I love in jeopardy and I can't risk that, not even for you." "How can you just expect me to leave you?" "You'll do it because you love me." She said "And because you love our son." He closed his eyes and when he opened them they misted with tears "Ok." He whispered. Then he took her in his arms and made love to her again, as though it might be the last time.
CHAPTER 33
Sami walked into the club the next evening. She was nervously checking her cell phone every half hour for a message from Lucas. He had called out sick that morning and they had said their goodbyes. He hadn't asked any more questions after their talk, for which Sami was grateful. They had arranged some special text messages to use to communicate if necessary. Right now she was waiting for the one that would let her know that Lucas and Will had gotten to Indiana safely. She decided to head back to Tony's office and see what he was up to before she got ready to go on. The door was closed and she knocked. "Come in" she heard Tony say and she opened the door and stepped inside. "Hi." She said smiling at him and glancing at the two men with him, that she'd never seen before. "That'll be all." He said to the two men in dismissal before turning and smiling at her. They exited the office leaving her and Tony alone. "Well hello there." He said to her motioning for her to come to him. "Are you feeling better today?" he asked as he pulled her onto his lap. "Much." she said wrapping her arms around his neck and cuddling up to him. "Good." He said. I was afraid you might have gotten what Lucas has?" "Lucas?" she asked feigning surprise. "What's wrong with him?" "Well apparently he's got some sort of bug." Tony said. "He called out sick today. He said he might be out for a few days. I'm surprised you didn't know." "Why should I know?" She said a bit testily. "Will's staying with my grandparents all weekend and it's not like I have any other contact with Lucas nowadays. Your orders remember?" "And you resent that." Tony said matter of factly. Sami sighed heavily and looked at him. "I'm not going to lie and say that I agree with your jealous mandate, but I'm not going to go against your wishes either." She said. He stroked her face and looked at her sadly. I know you think it's ridiculous of me to be jealous of Lucas. But the man is clearly infatuated with you." He said to her. "I don't want to lose you Sami, I can't. You're everything to me. I need you. He kissed her deeply winding one hand up into her hair as the other slid up to cup her breast. "I love you." he whispered as he nibbled her ear and worked his way to her neck. She closed her eyes and moaned softly. She was ashamed to admit it, but Tony could still work magic on her, in a physical sense anyway. Her cell phone rang then and she jerked her head away from him quickly looking down at it. He leaned back and looked at her. "Are you expecting a call?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft. "Not really" She said. "But it might be Will" She opened the phone and tried to keep her expression even, aware that he was watching her. Her heart nearly leapt out her chest with relief when she saw the text message "143". She smiled and sighed in relief. "What is it?" Tony asked. She closed her phone quickly and busied herself with putting it away so that she wouldn't have to look at him. "It was just Will saying goodnight." She said wrapping her arms around his neck once more and kissing him softly. "Now" she whispered huskily "Where were we?"
Author's note: "The text messaging code 143 stands for I Love You. Each word is represented by the number of letters in it."
CHAPTER 34
Later that evening, Sami crept from Tony's bedroom glancing back once to make sure she hadn't disturbed him. She closed the door and silently made her way down to his office. She was more determined than ever to find the evidence that the ISA needed to make the charges against Tony stick. And somehow she thought that tonight had to be the night that she would get what she needed. Time was running out, the mole had agreed to testify against Tony and tomorrow he would be arrested for murder. She slipped into the darkened office and made her way over to his desk. She picked the lock again and began to rummage through his files. She spotted a file marked medical and something made her pick it up. She leafed through it and realized it was the medical histories of Stephano, Tony and Andre. It was quite thorough and even detailed the procedure that Andre had undergone to change his appearance to that of Tony years before. She began reading through the papers on the procedure and suddenly the same chill of premonition, that she had felt with Lucas the night before, returned in full force to her spine as she read the doctor's notes. She heard a noise and froze. She waited a moment for the door to open but nothing happened. She decided not to take any more chances and quickly put the file back together and into the desk. A piece of paper fluttered down to the floor and she picked it up and looked at it. She gasped softly as she realized that it was the hit list she'd been searching for. She shoved it into her pocket and left the office as quietly as she had slipped in. Once in the hall she debated whether to call Ops right away with the information that she had discovered or to wait until morning. She decided on the former and pulled the small compact out of the pocket of her robe. "Ops?" she whispered into it. She got nothing but silence and she decided to try again. Ops. It's Sami, are you there?" Static was her only reply. "Damn it Ops." She whispered to herself. "Where the hell are you?" She heard a noise behind her and turned around quickly, just as a hand shoved a cloth against her mouth and pulled her close. She tried to struggle but found herself quickly weakened. The last thing she remembered was the compact dropping out of her hand and onto the floor, as the darkness enveloped her.
The gate to the cell swung open and the man chained to the wall lifted his head. He wondered idly if the guard had come to play with him again, as he clutched at his sore ribcage. He looked up in shock to see the guard walking in with someone slung over his shoulder, a blonde someone. "I brought you some company laddie!" The burly guard said dumping the woman on the floor. Now play nice with her, but not too nice. The master will be wantin this one back, just as soon as he's decided what to do with her. Chuckling the guard walked back out of the cell, the gate locking with a click as he walked back down the hall whistling. The man turned the woman over and brushed the hair out of her face. He gasped in shock as he looked down at the face of Samantha Brady. It was the last thing that Tony Dimera had been expecting.
CHAPTER 35
Tony cradled Sami's head in his lap and stroked her hair, wondering how in the world she had come to be there. He looked down at her in concern and wished that he could get her to wake up. He checked her pulse again and it beat steadily. He was worried because he hadn't been able to find any bumps on her head, so he assumed that they'd used chloroform to knock her out. But it had been hours since she'd been dumped in the cell and she had yet to wake up. She stirred suddenly and moaned. He sighed in relief. "Sami." He said to her, lightly stroking her cheek. Sami's eyes fluttered open and she looked up into Tony's face. She tried to shake off the cobwebs of the drug but everything felt fuzzy. She turned her head and looked around at her surroundings. She was in a stone cell, with hay covering the floor. It looked like something out one of her historical romances "Sami?" She heard Tony say again and suddenly she became more alert and jumped away from him in fear. "Sami it's ok." He said quickly. "It's me. It's Tony." "She looked at him and saw the manacles on his wrists and suddenly she remembered what she had found in the office. "Tony?" She asked uneasily. "Is it really you?" She asked him. "Yes love, it's really me." He said to her. "Oh Tony!" she cried flinging herself into his arms. "Oohh." He groaned and she quickly let go of him. "Oh my God!" She cried seeing him grimace in pain and clutch his ribcage. "What did they do to you?" "Oh you know." He said with a pained laugh. "Nothing like a little torture to get a man to cooperate." "Let me see." She said lifting his shirt aside and gasping at the bruises that covered his torso. "It looks worse than it is." He said with a smile, that was more like a grimace. "Sure it does." She said disbelievingly. "My God Tony, how long have you been down here?" "Oh let's see, what month is it now?" He asked smiling "It's July, Tony." She answered. "What year?" He asked. "Sami gasped. "You're joking right? " Seeing her look of panic he got serious "Right. I have been trying to keep track of the time. Not much else to do around here. I'd say if it's July, I've been here for ohh, about 10 months now." Sami gasped at the implications of that statement. "Oh my God. So it was you who came back to Salem then?" She asked. "Yes it was me. Right up until September anyway." He said "Now, perhaps you'll fill me in on what's going on and how in the world you got mixed up in all this."
The next few hours Sami got Tony up to date on everything that had happened since his imprisonment. She told him about Colin's murder and the twins and about John being his brother. When she was done, Tony sat back dumbstruck at everything that had happened. "Tony are you ok?" She asked worriedly. "Tony?" "What?" He answered somewhat dazed. "Oh, yes, I'm ok Samantha, just taking everything in. I still can't believe it. You….in the ISA! My God hell hath truly frozen over. He said beginning to laugh. "It's not that funny!" Sami said indignantly. "I'm sorry sweetheart." He said trying to sober, but still unable to contain a smile. "You're right, it's not that funny." She looked at him and burst out laughing herself. "Ok, ok. It's a little funny." She acquiesced. And the two of them burst into laughter together. When their laughing subsided, Samantha looked around her. "Not much of a palace is it." She said. "Ahh, nothing but the best for a Dimera." Tony said. "We're gonna get out of here Tony." She said reassuringly. He looked at her doubtfully. "There's a big party today at the Kiriakis mansion for Philip." She said "Everyone is expecting me and when I don't show up on "your" arm, they'll all be wondering why. John will find us. Don't worry."
Ahh, my long lost brother. I'm afraid he won't be coming to your rescue this time." Said a voice coming from the shadows. "I'm sorry to spoil your little reunion. But I've come to claim my bride." Tony and Sami's heads both turned towards the unlit hallway and they looked up as Andre Dimera walked out of the shadows, opened the gate and strolled into their cell.
CHAPTER 36
"Well, well, well isn't this cozy." Andre said, as Tony put his arm protectively around Sami's shoulder. "I trust that Sami has caught you up to speed on everything cousin." Andre said. Sami looked at Andre in shock. "Ahhh, my love. I'm so sorry for the deception, but now that we both know the truth about each other, well, things can proceed without further dishonesty. After all we can't very well start our lives together with all these lies between us, now can we. Sami shuddered and moved closer to Tony. "You bastard." Tony said. "You'll leave her alone, dammit. She's got nothing to do with this!" "Oh, but that is where you're wrong dear cousin." Andre said menacingly. "My blushing bride to be here, has everything to do with this. After all what is a Dimera, without a Dimera heir? One that I'm sure Sami here will be only too eager to provide me with, once I've disposed of certain obstacles in our way. "You're insane." Sami cried. "I'd never marry you, let alone let you touch me again." "Really?" Andre said pulling a gun from his pocket. "Not even to spare your son's life?" "Will is more than safe from you." Sami said. "I've seen to that!" Hmm, yes I know that you did. However I'm not so sure that Indiana was the safest place for you to send him or Lucas." Sami gasped. "How did you know?" "Oh, my dear," Andre said "you didn't really think that I wouldn't be keeping close tabs on Lucas did you? Knowing of his feelings for you. No, no, I told you once before….I protect what's mine and you are mine. Now get up and come here."
Sami slowly shook her head no at Andre and he sighed and pointed the gun at Tony. "Oh well, I suppose a bullet to my dear cousins stomach wouldn't cause him to die too quickly. In fact I'd say his death would be quite drawn out and painful." He said looking at her and cocking the pistol. Sure you won't reconsider dear?" Sami swallowed hard and made to get up but Tony tried to stop her. "Sami don't. He's bluffing." He said. Sami shook off his hand and said. "I won't take take that chance. He's hurt enough people already." She got up and walked towards him. Andre kept the gun trained on Tony as he pulled Sami up against him. He kissed her long and deep and she had to repress the urge to be ill. When he was done he looked at her in disappointment. "You know my dear you really are going to have to learn to be a little more accommodating, if you want your loved ones to stay alive." He said annoyed. "The next time I kiss you I expect you to participate as eagerly as you've been doing these past months we've spent together. And that goes for all of our extra curricular activities" Sami grimaced and smiled up at Andre tightly. "I'm not so sure that's an act I'm up to anymore." "Hmm, well" he said. I suppose it might take some time for you to get used to the idea. But once we're married and your pregnant, I'm sure that it will all fall into place for us. And if not," He said nuzzling the point of the gun between her breast. I suppose I could always find another." Sami shivered as Andre smiled down at her evilly. "Leave her alone you son of a bitch!" Tony said rearing up starting towards them in anger. But the chains around his wrists stopped him. Andre laughed and pushed Sami away from him, causing her to land on the floor with a thud. "Ohh, come on then cousin," Andre taunted leveling the gun at Tony. "Give me an excuse to do away with your miserable hide! "NO!" Sami shouted.
"That's enough!" A voice said from the shadows. Tony's head whipped towards the sound of the all too familiar voice, unable to believe it was true. But then the person stepped out of the shadows and into the light and he knew that he wasn't seeing things. He heard Sami gasp in shock and Andre chuckle in delight and he found himself face to face with his supposedly dead wife, Kristen Dimera.
CHAPTER 37
Tony and Sami stared in shock as Kristen opened the gate and stepped inside. "Surprise!" she said to them. "Kristen." Tony said "It can't be." "Oh but it is lover." She said. "Alive and well. What's the matter with you two? You don't look very happy to see me." She turned to Andre. "You know, you'd think they'd be happier to see me. Especially since their lives are in my hands." "Kristen what are you talking about?" Tony said and then it sank in and his look changed to one of horror as realization dawned on him. "That's right baby!" Kristen said with a nasty smile. "It's payback time. And now, I'm the one in control!" "You bitch!" Sami yelled jumping up off the floor and lunging for Kristen. Andre grabbed her and held her back as she struggled. "Well, well. Little Samantha Brady all grown up and a spy in the ISA of all things." She said, laughing at Sami. "Funny, but I never would have thought of you as having the brains, let alone the moral fiber required to be an agent. Guess some of John must have rubbed off on you after all. Although sleeping with Andre here, well that is more like something your dear mother might do, manipulative bitch that she is!" "Oh yeah!" Sami said still struggling "Tell Andre to let me go and I'll show you a few other things my mother taught me. Like how to kick your ass!" "That's enough!" Tony shouted. "Kristen, tell him to let her go." Kristen sighed and looked at Tony. "Hmph. Always the gallant, aren't you darling?" She said. "Except of course when it came to you own wife. No, when it came to me it was always more a matter of beating John, than it was of defending my honor. And you failed at that too, just like everything else. How I ever thought that I could turn you into a real man is beyond me." "Kristen." Tony said. "Look, I don't know what's happened to you, but you need help, alright. Let me help you, please. Just let Sami and me go and I'll see to it that you get the help you need." "Help? Ha, ha, ha! Kristen laughed "You're standing there chained to the wall and you think I'm the one who needs help? Are you sure that you're illness hasn't come back, because you're starting to sound delusional again!" "Listen to me." Tony said "I don't where you've been or what's happened to you. But it's obviously been horrible. So horrible in fact that you felt that you needed to turn to Andre for help instead of me. But he won't help you Kristen. He doesn't care about you, not like I do. He's manipulated you into helping him out with his plan. But when he's done using you, he'll betray you just like he's done everyone else." Kristen laughed again and walked over to Tony taking his face in her hands. "Oh Tony." She said. " Now what makes you think that this is Andre's plan?"
CHAPTER 38
Tony stared up at Kristen in disbelief. How could this be all her doing, he thought! She kissed him hard and pulled away with a mad laugh. "You see my love, things have changed since you "died"." She said "Instead of spending the last few years of my life living happily in Salem with John, I spent them locked away in a harem. She smiled at his look of shock. Sami stilled in Andre's arms to listen "A gift from my dear sister!" Kristen continued. "That's right! I spent the last few years a prisoner, a concubine of a sadistic sheik. But it wasn't without it's rewards. I learned a lot there. And then one day in you walked, or at least I thought it was you. It turned out to actually be your twin cousin Andre. You see he looked for me and he found me! And then he set me free. He made a deal with the sheik and bought me from him. It's thanks to him that I'm even still alive. He told me all about Stephano's plan and how he'd outsmarted him. You see Andre found out that he wasn't dying after all. That it was all a lie to save you, his precious heir! His ungrateful bastard of a son." Tony looked towards Andre, who's eyes locked with his, full of hate. "Kristen…" Tony started to say but she continued to rant on angrily. You and Stephano, both of you were such ungrateful bastards. Neither of you cared about me, neither of you even bothered to try and find me! You used me both of you, and then you tossed me aside like garbage! But I'm not so easily gotten rid of, and now it's time for you to pay. It's time for all of Salem to pay. In fact it's already begun. It began over a year ago, with Stephano." "You killed Stephano." Sami said. Kristen laughed and walked over to where Andre still held Sami. "Well, well!" She said cupping Sami's chin in her palm, "You're not as dumb as you look honey! Maybe Andre's a lucky man to have you after all." "How could you do that?" Sami said to her "How could you kill your father?" "My father!" Kristen screamed at her, letting go of her chin with such force that Sami's head snapped back. "My father was killed by Stephano Dimera. That bastard deserved to die, just like his son's going to!" She calmed down almost instantly and turned to smile at Tony. "But not yet!" She said cheerfully. "No, first the rest of Salem's elite is going to perish. And then, then it will be you two!"
CHAPTER 39
"No!" Andre shouted at Kristen "We had a deal. The girl is mine! "And so she will be, Andre dear!" Kristen said turning back to Sami. She grabbed a fistful of Sami's hair and yanked her head back. Sami's scalp stung and angry tears sprung into her eyes "So long as she behaves herself and doesn't cause any trouble." "She won't." Andre growled. "See to it that she doesn't." Kristen said roughly letting go of Sami's hair. "What are you going to do?" Tony said. Kristen turned to him with a laugh. "Ha, ha! Well let's just say that Philip Kiriakis' birthday tonight is gonna be a real blast!" She smiled at his look of comprehension "That's right. There's a bomb rigged to explode at the Kiriakis mansion tonight at the stroke of midnight! By that time the party will be in full swing and all of Salem's elite will be in place, including our dear friend Marlena." "Mom." Sami whispered brokenly. "Ohh but not just mom, Sami sweetie." Kristen said smiling at her. "Your father and well most of your family should be there tonight. I mean we wouldn't want to miss anyone would we? And Tony, not to worry, I haven't forgotten about Lexie either. I'm sure that she and Abe will be there as well. Can't leave any stones unturned! Can't leave any more stray Dimera's lying around. After all, Andre, or rather Tony, needs to be the only one left to inherit."
"And what about John?" Sami said. "You're willing to kill him too? That's real love, Kristen!" "Ha, ha." Kristen laughed. "No, no, no. You see at about 5 to midnight, Tony will conveniently pull his brother outside to speak to him on an urgent matter. He'll make sure that they are well clear of the blast when the bomb goes off! And then a few month's down the road, when the mourning period has passed, I'll reappear in Salem, with my sad tale of servitude to the evil sheik. And knowing John like I do, he'll be there for me, and we'll comfort each other in our time of grief." "You've got it all worked out don't you?" Tony said to her. Kristen cocked her head to the side and studied him for a moment before answering. "Tony, I see the wheels in your head spinning. But you can stop thinking so hard, because there's no way you can stop this. I've thought of everything. Besides, you're locked up in here. Once the party is over, Andre will come back here and Sami will be removed and taken to another location. So long as she's a good girl she'll be allowed to live, a nice long life far away from Salem, with Andre here as her devoted spouse. He'll send back word to whatever is left of her family, that Sami was too distraught at the tragic loss of her parents and siblings to stay in Salem. He'll say that she's become unstable and that she begged him to take her away from here. And that he did what he felt was best for her fragile emotional condition. Lucas will get custody of Will and everyone will be happy! Well, everyone except you Tony. You'll be dead!"
CHAPTER 40
"Well" Kristen said looking at her watch. "I think it's time for us to go up and get ready for the party. Don't worry, I'll be sure and stop by here before we leave. Come on Andre, let's go. We have lots left to do." I'll be up in a few minutes. Andre said "I need a word alone with my bride." Kristen looked for a moment as though she might object. But then she smiled and said, "All right, but don't take too long." And she sauntered out of the cell. Andre moved the gun to Sami's ribs and pulled her out of the cell and down the hallway. She struggled a bit and whispered to her "Behave yourself Sami, I just want to talk." A burly guard stepped out of the shadows and locked the gate to Tony's cell. He paced the long corridor, as Andre dragged Sami into a smaller cell off to the side. Andre shoved Sami roughly up against the wall and pinned her there. The gun was still in her ribs and she made no further protests, merely shut her eyes and waited for Andre's assault to begin. After a few minutes the expected violation didn't come and she opened her eyes to find him merely staring at her tenderly. She looked back at him, hopeful that perhaps she could reach him, and appeal to him to set her and his cousin free. But the look in his eyes changed quickly from one of tenderness to one of passion and he kissed her hungrily. She made no move to struggle. She stood there instead enduring his kiss, but not participating as she once might have. But when his hand began fumbling with her blouse and roughly grabbed her breast, her temper flared and she shoved him away. "Stop it." She cried, looking at him, her eyes brimming with angry tears. He stood there the gun at his side and stared at her in what almost seemed like confusion.
"Listen to me." He said. He drew her to him and held her tightly, whispering into her hair. "I know that you feel betrayed right now, but that will pass as soon as you and I are away together. I still love you Sami and I know that you love me. I'll protect you from that bitch Kristen, but you have to behave yourself and not do anything stupid. This will all be over soon and then we'll be together forever. I have the perfect little island all picked out for us. We'll live like royalty, just you and me and I'll make you happy. I swear it!" He kissed her again, hungrily taking her mouth beneath his. When he broke the kiss she said to him. "What about my son? Do you really expect me to just leave him?" "If you want him with us, then I'll arrange it." He said to her. "And Lucas, what about him?" She asked. "He'd never just give Will up." "Well, there's ways around that." Andre said with quiet menace. Sami shuddered. "So you'd kill him." She whispered brokenly. Andre tilted her head back to look into her eyes. "It's up to you my love." He said to her. "You can have Will with us and Lucas dead, or you can have him stay with his father. But it has to be one way or the other. Because as you said, Lucas will never let Will go. And I won't let that bastard come between us any longer. You don't have to decide right now, there's plenty of time. But if you do decide that you want Will with us, I swear to you that I'll be a good father to him. I'll be the best father to all our children." He kissed her forehead and said, "Think about it." Sami closed her eyes against the tears threatening to spill and nodded her head. He took her arm and opened the gate. "Time to go back." He said leading her out of the cell and back to the one that held Tony. He stroked her cheek and smiled at her before closing the gate and locking her inside. He turned to Tony, throwing an evil look his way before turning around and disappearing down the darkened corridor, leaving the guard to watch them. Sami walked over to Tony and sank down next to him. Then her shoulders began to shake and the tears she'd been holding back burst forth. Tony merely put his arms around her and held her as she cried.
CHAPTER 41
John paced the penthouse nervously waiting for the phone to ring. Shane had yet to get back to him with the answers he sought, and he hadn't heard from Sami since she'd left his office a few days earlier. He wanted to tell himself that it was nothing and she was fine, but he had a sick feeling in his gut that something was very wrong. Marlena walked down the stair looking absolutely beautiful in a mint green dress. She noticed his apprehension and wondered at it. "What's wrong John?" She asked, "You've been pacing around here all day like an angry cat. What's going on?" He looked at her and longed to tell her the truth, but he knew he couldn't. When Dimera and Sami showed up tonight at Philips party, it was crucial that everyone still think that Sami had forsaken her family to be with him. "It's nothing Doc, I'm just thinking about the family." He said. "You're thinking about Sami and Tony aren't you?" She said. He looked at her in shock for a moment, wondering if she knew anything. But then he realized it was just a general question and that she still had no idea of Sami's mission. "Yeah, I am." He said. "Have you heard from her at all?" "No." Marlena answered him. "You know we're not on speaking terms and she refuses to see me." "I know." John said. "I just thought maybe, after the other night at the club there might have been some contact." Marlena sighed and sat down on the couch. "No," she said. "She disappeared so suddenly after her last song, that I didn't even get a chance to tell her how much I liked it." John smiled to himself, he'd liked it too. He had no idea how talented his stepdaughter was until the other night. "She is really good Doc." He said. "Yes she is." Marlena said frowning. "She's finally found something that she likes to do. I just wish she'd do it somewhere else and for somebody else!" "I know Doc." John said sitting down and putting his arms around his wife. "But Sami's a lot smarter than we give her credit for. And maybe, just maybe someday soon, she'll wake up and get the hell away from Dimera." Marlena leaned into John and sighed. "God I hope so."
The doorbell rang and Marlena got up to answer it. She opened the door to find Ops standing on the other side. "Oh hello, Ops." She said "Won't you come in?" "Thanks Dr. Evans." Ops said and walked up to John. "Ops." John said, noticing his partners sense of urgency. "What's up?" "We need to talk." Ops said and glanced at Marlena. "Alone." "I'll just go upstairs and put the finishing touches on my makeup. She said with a smile." Excuse me." "Thanks Doc." John said smiling back at her. When Marlena had ascended the stairs, John turned back to Ops. "So what's so urgent that you had to come here?" John asked. Especially, after I've told you repeatedly to meet me at my office and only at my office." "Yeah I know." Ops said "But this is important. It's about Sami." John looked at him in alarm. "What is it, has something happened to her?" John asked him. "I'm not sure." Ops said. I got a communication from her last night, but I must have been out of range because it didn't get through. I expected that she'd call me back or at least try to make contact again but she hasn't. I think something's wrong." "Yeah." John said. "I got the same feeling. I haven't heard anything from Sami since she was in my office the other day." "You think she's in trouble?" Ops asked. "I'm not sure and I don't want to jump the gun, not when we're so close to nailing Dimera!" John said. "Sami's smart and she's proven she can handle herself, so I say we keep everything status quo, at least until tonight. Sami's supposed to show up with Tony to Phil's birthday party, so we'll play it cool until then." "And if she doesn't arrive with Tony?" Ops asked. "Then we go looking for her." John said, raising an eyebrow. "And for Dimera's sake, we'd better find her."
CHAPTER 42
Sami tried again to loosen the heavy metal bolt that secured Tony's chain to the wall. It was hard enough to try to find some chink in the stone, harder still to do it without being noticed. The guard wandered away every few minutes and Sami would go back to work, but it seemed to be no use, and she was beginning to lose heart. "Sami!" Tony whispered her name urgently as he heard footsteps coming towards them from out of the darkness. Sami slid away from the wall and back to Tony's side quickly. The gate swung open and Andre and Kristen stepped inside smiling, Andre in a tux and Kristen dressed in a sleek black catsuit. "Well, how do we look?" Kristen asked smiling at them. "Like road kill." Sami sneered, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest. "Which is what you're gonna be when my family finds out what you've done!" Kristen's smile was replaced with a look of fury and she advanced on Sami, slapping her hard enough to send her flying. Tony caught her before she hit the ground and Andre grabbed Kristen's arm angrily and swung her around. "How dare you!" he roared at her. "You're never to touch her again, is that understood?" Sami sat there her hand holding her stinging cheek as she and Tony watched the exchange between their enemies. Kristen looked fearful for a moment and then she smiled radiantly at Andre. "I'm sorry. I lost my temper, but I was provoked." She said coolly. Andre eyed her for a moment and flung her arm away. He walked over to where Sami and Tony sat and gently pulled her up. His hand went to her cheek as he checked for damage there. "I'm sorry she hurt you, but I did warn you!" he said to her. "Now you see what will happen if you don't behave, don't you?" Sami refused to look at him or say anything. Tony sat there watching them and trying not to restrain his temper. He knew that Sami could handle herself and his interference might only bring her more pain. "Don't you!" Andre said more loudly, grabbing her face and forcing her to look at up at him. Tony jumped up unwilling to let Andre manhandle Sami, but the gun which the guard suddenly pointed at him stopped him. Sami sensed the rage suddenly flowing in the room and tamping down on her temper, nodded her head to indicate her compliance. Andre let go of her chin and she hung her head in a mock display of submissiveness to him. He smiled at his cousin and Kristen happily. "You see, it doesn't take her long to learn her place at all!" He lifted Sami's chin once more and kissed her softly on the mouth. Then he left her to stand beside Kristen.
"Well Kristen I believe it's time for me to bid our guests goodnight and for you to bid them goodbye." Andre said. "Kristen will be leaving after the party is over and all of her enemies have been dispatched. Of course she'll reappear in a few months to reunite with poor grieving John." "Don't do this Kristen." Tony said, making one last appeal to the woman he had once loved. "I'm begging you to look inside yourself and find the good woman I know is still there." Kristen smiled and walked over to him. She took his face in her hands and kissed him softly. "That woman is dead, Tony. She said to him when she ended the kiss. "You and your father killed her, just as surely as you'll be killed by the time this night is over." She stepped away from him and turned a frosty look on Sami. "We'll meet again Sami" "Oh you can bet it on it!" Sami replied with an equally cold look. Kristen and Andre stepped out of the cell and the guard locked the gate. Andre turned and blew Sami a kiss. "Goodnight my love! Sleep well!" He said and then turned to follow Kristen down the hall. Tony came up beside Sami and put his arm around her shoulder. He expected her to sag against him, but instead she stood there, hard as stone. He was surprised and impressed at the strength that emanated from her. "Are you ok?" He asked her quietly, noticing that her eyes were now fixated on their guard. "Fine." She said coldly. "In fact, I just came up with our plan b!"
CHAPTER 43
John walked into the Kiriakis' mansion with Marlena on his arm. They made a stunning couple in their finery and heads turned as they entered the room. Victor and Nicole came forward to greet them. "Welcome John, Marlena" Victor said shaking John's hand and kissing Marlena's "It's so nice to see both of you." "Wouldn't miss it, Vic." John said. "Nicole you look lovely." "Thank you" Nicole said "And thank you both for coming." "Everything looks wonderful Nicole! Marlena said to her. "Well you know," Nicole said "Nothing but the best for Victor's son. Will you excuse me please?" Nicole said nodding to them both and stepping away to greet more arriving guests. "Duty calls." Victor said. "Excuse me and please, enjoy yourselves." Victor stepped away to join his wife and John scanned the room for signs of Sami and Tony. He didn't see them and scowled worriedly. "What's wrong?" Marlena asked noticing the change in his expression. "Not a thing Doc." John said evenly. "Then who are you looking for?" Marlena asked. He smiled at her "Just looking to see who's here." "Mmm hmm." She replied, with obvious disbelief. "Now what is that supposed to mean." He asked her. "It means that you've been nervous all day and became even more so when Ops dropped by tonight." She replied. John looked at her and sighed. Then he spotted Phillip and said to her. "Look honey, there's nothing wrong, I'm fine. Now there's Phillip, let's go wish him a happy birthday alright!" Marlena shot him a dubious look but followed him over to Phillip anyway. Lexie and Abe had approached Phillip as well and they all greeted each other jovially. "Well, Phillip, the bit 20, how's it feel?" John asked him. "Not too different actually." Phillip said. "Oh well that'll change when you hit 21 I guess." Abe said to him laughing. They all laughed along with him and then Lexie mentioned that Roman had just arrived. "Let's go say hi." Abe said and Lexie and Marlena proceeded to follow him. Marlena turned when she saw John hanging back. "Are you coming dear?" she asked him. "I'll be there in a minute." "Alright." She said and proceeded towards her ex-husband.
John turned to Phillip. "Any problems so far tonight P.K." John asked him. Phillip cringed at the hated nickname that his superior had forced on him. "Nothing yet sir." He answered. "Are you expecting trouble?" "I'm not sure. Just let me know as soon as Tony and my stepdaughter arrive." John said to him. Phillip caught the meaningful look that John gave him and a light bulb in his head clicked on. "Wait a minute!" He whispered to John. "Sami's not involved in this is she?" John raised his eyebrow at Phillip and said. "No more questions kid, just do as I tell you." And saying this, John walked away to join his wife. Phillip now knew for certain that Sami was involved in this in some way and let out a low whistle. His mother approached him and heard it. "Is something wrong dear?" Kate asked him seeing the distressed look on his face. "Huh." He said to her. "Um no Mom, nothing. Excuse me I need to go find Belle and Shawn." Kate was taken aback at his behavior but said nothing, merely stared after him. She jumped a bit as Roman came up and put his arms around her. "Whoa, you ok there?" He asked her "No, something very strange is going on at this party." She said, turning to Roman. "You noticed it too?" Roman said. She looked up at him in question. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but John's acting kinda distracted too." Roman said to her "Well so long as nothing ruins the party. I want this to be a perfect night for Phillip." She said. "It's just too bad that Lucas and Will couldn't be here. Have you heard anything from them Roman?" "No, not a word and quite frankly I'm a bit worried. It's not like Lucas to just take off with Will like that and Sami not utter a word of protest." "Well, it's not as though you and your daughter are on speaking terms at the moment." Kate said. Roman sighed in frustration. "No it's not." He said harshly " and it's not gonna change as long as she's sleeping in the scumbag's bed." "Well, well!" Kate muttered to him, glancing towards the door. "Speaking of the devil, looks like he's just arrived, and without your daughter." Roman turned and looked towards the doorway as Tony stood at the entranceway to the living room. And sure enough, just like Kate said, Sami was nowhere in sight.
CHAPTER 44
Kate wasn't the only one who noticed Tony's singular arrival. John stared as his half-brother made his way into the room. Marlena noticed as well and turned to John. "Where's Sami?" She asked worriedly "I don't know." John said. "I'll be right back." "John." Marlena said in a warning voice, grabbing at his arm. John looked at her and smiled. "I'm just gonna talk to him." He said "I'll see what I can find out about Sami." Marlena smiled her thanks at him and watched as he made his way over to his brother. "Well good evening brother." John said amiably. Andre turned and smiled at John. "Well good evening to you John. Nice party isn't it." He said. "Yeah, it's great." John said. "So, where's Sami?" "Ah well the poor dear, she came down with a very bad headache at the last minute and decided to stay home. "Oh, well I'm surprised you came alone." John said "It seems that whenever I see Sami lately you're not far behind." "Yes well, she insisted that I come. She said that it wouldn't do for both of us to be absent." Tony said. "Victor is a business associate after all. And of course, Phillip is a good friend of Sami's sister. Speaking of which I believe I'll go and congratulate the birthday boy. If you'll excuse me." "Have fun." John said watching Tony as he made his way over to Phillip. John cast a furtive glance and a nod at Phillip and then made his way out of the room quickly. He walked out to the garden, held his watch up and placed a small ear bud into his ear. "Ops?" He said into the watch "Yeah" Ops said back into the earpiece." "Sami's not here." John said urgently. "You think something happened to her?" Ops asked him. "Dimera said she came down with a headache, which you and I know is not true." John replied "Alright, where do you want me to check first." Ops asked him. "Check her apartment first just to be sure. John said. If she's not there get over to the mansion and get inside. I don't care if you have to beat down every guard there, just find her. I got a real bad feeling about this." "I'm on it John." Ops said "Don't worry we'll find her! Over and out." "Yeah." John said to himself. "I just pray to God that we're not too late." He scowled and marched back into the house. Phillip slid out from behind the tree where'd he'd been hiding and listening to John. He took a moment and looked up at the house and then he quickly made his way to the garage. He jumped into his car and sped off into the night.
Sami nudged Tony and whispered to him. "Time to do it." He looked at her and shook his head. "Sami, I don't think this is a good idea." He said in protest. "You got a better plan?" She asked him sarcastically. "Cause if so I'd love to hear it." Tony shook his head no. "Alright then, you know what to do." She said standing up. She made sure that the guard was watching her as she made an exaggerated show of dusting off her ass, making sure that it was turned towards him. She lifted her head and smiled at him as she saw him watching her. She walked over to the bars and beckoned him over. "Got any more of those?" She asked motioning to his cigarette. He smiled at her and produced a pack of cigarettes. He took one out and handed it too her. "Got a light?" She asked and smiled at him teasingly as he lit her cigarette. She took a puff and let out a slow exhale. "Mmm," She moaned, closing her eyes and smiling. "That's good." "I'll bet." The guard said slinging his gun over his shoulder and leaning against the cage. "So." She said eyeing him seductively. "How long till your bosses get back?" "What's it matter to you honey?" The guard asked her. "Well," she said reaching out and taking his hand in hers. "I was just thinking. You know, once Andre gets back that's it for me. I'm gonna have to spend the rest of my life with him. I'll never be with another man again. It's kind of a depressing thought." She pouted at him. "Yeah, I bet it is." The guard said laughingly to her. "So what's that got to do with me?" "Well, since these are probably my last few hours of freedom, so to speak. She said, bringing one of his fingers to her lips and sucking on gently before continuing. "I thought maybe you and I could make the most of them. Whaddaya say, you game?
CHAPTER 45
The guard eyed Sami keenly as she ran his hand across her body, through the bars, then dropped it and stepped farther back into the cell. "So big boy." She whispered huskily, running a hand seductively down her body. "Are you up to showing me one last good time?" The guard grinned at her lasciviously. "Whadda bout him." He said nodding to Tony, who was sitting there with his head down, seemingly uninterested in their byplay. "He's not invited." Sami said with a laugh. The guard laughed as well and took a puff off of his cigarette. He unlocked the gate swung his rifle over his shoulder as he approached her. Sami gave him her most seductive grin as she dropped her the cigarette he'd given her and ground it into the dirt. She walked a bit towards him slowly and he met her halfway. "Mmm," she said running her hands up his arms and looking him over admiringly, at the same time trying to position him so that his back was to Tony. "You are a big fellow aren't you?" The guard smiled at her and pulled her closer, locking her against him with one meaty arm hooked around her waist. "You better believe it honey!" He said to her and then brutally brought his lips down on hers. She smelled his fetid breath and it took all of her willpower not to retch. She pulled back her head and he glared at her angrily. "Hey," he said "What's the big idea, I thought you wanted to party with me." "Oh but I do." She said with a smile as she saw Tony slowly rise out of the corner of her eye. "I really do." The guard smiled a sickening smile, which quickly changed to a look of surprise as Tony swung one of the chains holding his wrists around the goon's neck and tightened it quickly. The burly man brought his hands up to try and dislodge the chain but he seemed to stand no chance against the survival instinct that was now driving Tony. Then suddenly the guard threw his weight back knocking Tony down and forcing him to drop the chain. The big goon struggled for air and then turned on Tony with a roar. But Sami was quicker and she managed to grab the gun off of the mammoth's shoulder. He turned towards her and made a grab at her as the shotgun went off, sending a bullet through his neck. Tony rolled out of the way just in time as the guard flew back into the hay. He stared up at Sami in disbelief as she stood there shaking, the shotgun poised as though expecting the goon to rise up and try again to attack them again. "Sami." Tony said her name softly, seeing the blank look of terror on her face. When she didn't answer he moved towards her slowly, so as not to startle her. "Sami?" he said again putting his hands on the rifle and trying to dislodge it from her frozen hands. "You can let go of the rifle sweetheart." He said softly. "He's dead. He won't hurt us anymore." She blinked and looked at him as the horror of what she had done hit her. He dropped the rifle to the floor and took her in his arms to soothe her as the shock melted away and she began sobbing almost uncontrollably. But within a minute she managed to gain control of herself and raised her head. "Tony!" she shouted suddenly pushing him aside as the hay behind him, where the guard lay, burst into flames.
Phillip was right behind Ops as he arrived outside the Dimera Mansion. "Phillip man, what the hell are you doin here?" Ops shouted angrily. "I though you could use some backup!" Phillip said to him. "Goddamn rookies and their heroics." Ops said furiously. "You packin?" Phillip produced the gun from inside his waistline. "Alright c'mon." Ops said making his way up the lawn to the house. "You know, that's a good way to get your nuts shot off, hotshot." "Yeah, yeah, so what's the plan?" Phillip asked. "Well I thought we would just…" Ops next words were drowned out as a window blew out of the mansion and the building went up in flames.