We all knew this had to come eventually, meaning there is a small amount of Brandon in this chapter and more in the next. The good news is he gets beat up. I figure he has to go out with a bang. For the sake of my fic the Carvers moved their celebration to the next night. Can I tell you how happy I am that MC has taped his last episode, not that I want him to be unemployed, I just want Brandon gone. In my story the annulment went through.

Sami walked through the doors to Basic Black three hours later than she was supposed to. Was it her fault that she had a gorgeous fiancé that she just couldn't keep her hands off of? It didn't matter anyway since she was there to quit. Lucas was parking his car, but they were meeting at his mother's office to stop the wedding-Basic Black connection, then she was going to quit. Hopefully she could just get to the elevator without any interruptions.

"Sami," she cringed and turned around face Belle. Apparently, she had forgotten her anger because her face was set in that I-Need-Sympathy-Comfort-Me pout she always wore on an outing to complain to her big sister, "I just don't understand why Shawn is being so mean to me. He and Jan were talking about some 'love cage', but when I asked them about it they told me to back off because I wouldn't understand."

Sami fought to hide her smile that was quickly growing, laughing at Belle's expense, "It sounds like they were talking about sex, Belle. Face it, you wouldn't understand; you're hardly an expert at that sort of thing. If Shawn and Jan want to throw a little kink into it, then it's really none of your business."

"But Shawn loves me, of course it's my business," Belle really didn't understand why Sami was being so mean. They both knew she didn't mean it when she refused to come to the wedding, didn't they? "Sami, why are you still mad at me? You can't keep this up much longer; it'll make me look bad if my sister doesn't come to my wedding. You can't do that to me."

"I meant every word I said. I'm not coming, Jen's not coming, and now Doug and Julie aren't coming either. I haven't asked yet, but Maggie and Alice don't seem too enthusiastic about going themselves."

"B-but, but Shawn's family has to come. I need them to see how wonderful I am so that they can tell Shawn what a mistake he made," she didn't stop herself from stomping her foot this time, "This isn't fair!" her whine came out as a shriek.

Seeing as her wonderful fiancé had come in to save her, Sami left Belle to her temper tantrum. They headed up to Kate's office, stopping to make-out in the elevator on the way up, of course. They reached the door in time to overhear Kate cackling on the phone.

"I'll make sure Belle and Philip have the wedding of the year. Sami on the other hand will..." she trailed off for a second as she turned in her chair to see the woman in question with an expectant look.

"Will?" Sami prompted glibly, curious to see how she would save face this time.

"…will have the biggest wedding of 2005." Kate finished, quite pleased with her lie.

Lucas just shook his head, for once not believing his mother at all. At least now he could pay for his own wedding, successfully cutting out the middleman a.k.a the meddling mother.

"Mom, we have some news. You need to stop all the planning and advertising for our wedding…"

Gleefully Kate cut in, unsuccessfully trying to hid her mirth, "Did you break up? Don't worry baby, I know this hurts now, but you'll get over it in a few weeks. Then you can find a woman worthier of you, and Sami can just go off with Brandon to who cares where."

"Sorry, Kate, I don't plan on going off with Brandon anywhere and no one said the wedding was cancelled."

"You couldn't possibly afford a wedding on your own. You two need Basic Black's money because Sami is a selfish shrew, who refuses to have a small wedding."

"Actually, mom, I got a job, a big job. We can pay for our own wedding now, we don't need you anymore."

"Sweetie, that's wonderful," she stalled for time desperately. If Lucas and Sami didn't involve her in the wedding then all her plans were for nothing, "Where is this job?"

"I'm going to be running Titan," it took Kate nearly a full minute to completely absorb this new information.

Sami stepped up and looped her arm around Lucas's waist, his went around her shoulders automatically, "It may be difficult to have your son running the rival company of BB, but I am just so proud him. This will be great for Will; we can buy a big house. Not too big though, it may feel a little empty if it's too big."

"There's always ways to fill it up, baby." Lucas reminded her, nuzzling the top of her head affectionately.

"Do you mean what I think you mean?"

"I know we haven't really talked about it, but…" before he could continue Sami cut him off with a kiss.

"I'd love to, General."

As Lucas broke into an excited grin, Kate finally caught on to what they were talking about and barely kept herself from screaming. There was absolutely no way her son could have another child with that tramp; she wouldn't allow it.

"No, Lucas you can't!" Damn! She hadn't been able to stop herself, and judging by the look on his face she was going to have to backtrack fast, "You can't run Titan. Do you know how it will look to have my son working for the competition?"

"I have to provide for my family, mom, I'd hoped you would understand that."

Oh, no, he was mad, "But honey, don't you remember how Victor treated me! To run his company would be like… like…"

"It would be like I have the job I came to Salem for. Victor is dead; he has nothing to do with this. I'm not going to let you ruin it. Come on, Sami, let's go."

"Oh, by the way, I quit," Sami turned to wave goodbye to Kate, then giving in to childish impulse she stuck her tongue out. Lucas saw her actions and playfully swatted at her behind. Laughing she led her man out the door.

……………………………….

Sami stood uncomfortably in the lobby of the Penthouse Grille, Lucas was talking to the maitre'd to get their table. She had thought it had been a good idea at the time, but that was before she saw Brandon. Why did he always show up wherever she went anyway? It was like he was turning into some creepy stalker, and one stalker in a lifetime was more than enough. Lucas came back to guide her to their table, which unfortunately was very close to the Carver table. She sat with their back to them.

"Relax a little, Sami, this is a celebration. My mom isn't paying for our wedding, you never have to work again, and you are spending the rest of you life with the most amazing man God ever put on this planet. Buck up."

Lucas tried to lighten the mood, but he figured that must be difficult when your ex-husband is constantly showing up wherever you happen to be

"I'm sorry, Lucas, I just feel like he's following me."

"I know. He can't seem to stop staring at us."

"Let's just forget about Brandon, God knows I'd love to. Now, about this house…"

"I was thinking we could start looking," he looked down shyly for a second, "I mean if you want to. I know there are a lot of memories in the apartments but, I just thought…" she rested a finger on his lips to stop his nervous rambling.

"I think it's a great idea. Especially the part about filling up a big house…" this time she trailed off looking down shyly, "If you meant that."

"There is nothing I want more, "he grasped her hand from across the table and she granted him one of her brightest smiles. They ordered their food and enjoyed each other's company.

After the meal was finished they moved to the dance floor, both purposely trying to drive the other crazy with desire.

"This was a great celebration, I know I started off slow, but I had a really good time."

"I kind of preferred last night's celebration."

She laughed huskily, "Last night was good, we're always good together."

"I think we need a repeat performance, to keep the celebration alive."

"Celebrating seems to be our forte. Your job has been good to us already."

"There's plenty more to come. Just think how many games of the boss and the secretary we can play."

"We should go home, so you can show me how a good boss behaves."

"I don't think a good boss coerces the secretaries into sexual situations on the job"

"There won't be a need for any coercion, but maybe you should show me how a bad boss behaves," she laid a seductive kiss on his lips in a preview of what was coming, "Go take care of the check and meet me at the car."

She swayed to the elevator only to see a very unwelcome face, "Nicole."

"What? No stay away from Brady, but wait, your fiancé is getting my company. I guess you're not too heartbroken."

"I couldn't care less, I'm just glad you're leaving," Sami paused for a second, as a thought hit her she broke into a smile, "In fact I think you should leave before the 15th. It'll be perfect."

"What?" Nicole eyed her dubiously.

"How would you like to do me a little favor?"

"And why would I do that?"

"Because, if you get Brady out of town before Belle's wedding she'll be desolate. That will make Philip a gloomy-Gus, which will just break Kate's heart. How can you pass up an opportunity to hurt Kate?"

"I do enjoy Kate's misery." Nicole tilted her head, as if actually contemplating her desicion.

"Then it's a deal?"

"Why not? It'll be fun," Nicole smiled a little before getting off.

The next floor down Sami went to the car to wait. For what felt like hours she stood there, getting more and more disturbed by the moment. One of the lights had gone out so she was submerged into semi-darkness. There was no one else around, but she just barely caught the sound of footsteps echoing in the distance.

"Lucas? Is that you?"

"Guess again, Samantha."