Returning Home

Chapter Three

By Crow Skywalker

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Disclaimer – Don't own Days of Our Lives, nor do I claim to. Just using its characters for my own amusement.

Author's Notes – This is all I have written so far, but don't worry…I'm still writing, and the next update will most likely be soon…very soon :P

Other Notes – This fic is AU, Sami has never met Lucas because she was sent away to boarding school at such a early age. There is no Will, nobody hates Sami and wishes her dead…like I said, AU :P Will end up Sami/Lucas in the end.

Summary – Samantha Brady was sent away to boarding school at an early age. Now, feeling abandoned by her family, she struggles to make a living for herself. That is, until an important phone call calls her back home to a place she hardly remembers.

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Sami was silent the whole drive, watching as unfamiliar places passed by as they drove. Eric, however, continued to point out things and talk.

"Remember that park over there?" He asked, and she turned her head to look at him, and found him pointing out his window. She looked out to see the park, which was surrounded by tall trees and shrubs and was currently looking a little abandoned. She shook her head, continuing to stare out the window as they passed by.

"Well I remember. You were six at the time, used to think you were little miss tough stuff," He smiled at the memory, "Said you could climb to the top of the monkey bars. Of course I never thought you would do it, but you sure proved me wrong."

A sudden memory dawned on Sami, and she began to smile. It was coming back to her now. "Yeah, I showed you…I climbed up there, lost my balance and fell," She laughed, "Broke my arm. I remember you crying with me…thought I was dying."

Eric laughed as well, "I remember mom came over wondering what all the fuss was about, and she was shocked to find out you had just fallen and broken your arm. I remember her yelling at you the whole way to the hospital."

Samantha Brady! I turn around one minute and here you go showing off!

Sami winced at that memory, her laughter dying away. Eric didn't seem to notice, however, and continued.

"She yelled at me too for letting you do it." He grinned, stopping for a red light. "But I remember you telling me it was worth it…because you came outta there with a new white cast on your arm, and got everyone to sign it."

Sami sat back in her seat, staring out the front window. She remembered it all now, the proud feeling she had had when she had a cast for all her friends to sign. Of course Eric had been the first to sign it, being her twin and all, but almost everyone had signed it, and she had missed it when they had cut it off when her arm had healed.

"Yeah. So how much longer until we reach your place?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Not much longer now." He answered, turning down a street. "The building's just down the street here."

"You live in a building?" She asked curiously.

"An apartment, really." He replied with a shrug, "It's pretty big though. Not one of those cheap apartments."

"Oh." Eric hadn't told her much about his new life besides his job, and she was expecting more from someone who had so much money.

"Yeah. There's only one bedroom, so I'll take the couch while you stay."

"Oh no, Eric…I couldn't possibly…" She started to protest, but he cut her off.

"Don't worry about it," He gave her a smile, "The couch is comfy enough for me. Besides, I want you to be comfortable while you stay. I won't take no for an answer, got it?" He pulled into a parking lot then, and all objections from her were cut short. "We're here!"

It didn't take them long to get out of the car and get her things. They were soon lugging her things up the stairs to the building and into the elevator. Eric placed them down briefly as he entered the floor number and the doors shut behind him.

"So, if there's only one bedroom…where does this girl of yours stay?" Sami asked, looking at the ceiling as the elevator began to move. There was a cough, and she looked to Eric as he fumbled for words. Then it clicked.

"Ew! Eric! Don't tell me you're SLEEPING with her!" She wrinkled her nose in disgust. He had only met her months before, and they were already sleeping together??

The elevator stopped before he could answer, and he grabbed her things and exited the elevator before she could say anything else. She sighed, grabbing what she had carried in as well and following after him.

"Eric!" She yelled again, catching up to him. She just couldn't believe it…Eric sleeping with some whore he found in a bar? Sure, she had never met the girl, and the girl supposedly had a decent job and everything, but for some reason Sami despised her. It was just a feeling she had; that she would immediately hate the other woman. Besides, what kind of decent woman hung out at a bar alone? "Eric –"

"Here we are," He opened a door as Sami caught up to him and entered, "Home sweet home!"

Sami followed behind him, all earlier words forgotten as she inspected the place that she would be staying at. It was a large apartment, a large living room not far away from the door and a kitchen at the other side of the room. There was a hallway leading to what she guessed was her brother's bedroom and the bathroom. It was a lot bigger than she had expected, and a lot more expensive looking.

"Wow!" She stared in awe, looking at the expensive looking black leather couch and entertainment system, "This is all yours..? You live here?"

"Yep." She answered with a grin, dropping her things as he watched her move through the room, "Nice, isn't it?"

"Very." She nodded.

"Eric? Is that you?"

Sami froze at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, and turned as a blonde her age came out of Eric's bedroom and gave him a quick hug.

"I thought I heard voices," She said, smiling at Eric and then turning her attention to Sami, her smile fading somewhat. "You must be Samantha," She held out her hand, "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

Sami stared at her hand a minute before finally taking it. "It's nice to meet you too – uhm." She paused, realizing she didn't even know the other woman's name.

"Nicole Walker, soon to be Nicole Brady." The other blonde offered, and Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Nice to meet you Nicole." Sami forced a smile.

"So, Eric," The girl turned her back to Sami, totally ignoring her, "I was thinking, the bridesmaid dresses…"

Sami frowned, staring at Nicole's back as she continued to babble on about the wedding. She had been right – she didn't like this woman one bit. There was just something about her…something wasn't right. And Sami decided it was her job to find out just what that was.

To Be Continued…