Chapter 1: Leaving on a Jet Plane

Sami stared out of the window of the Basic Black jet and sighed. She had been given another reprieve from having to tell Austin the truth. She had been so close to telling him everything this time but then Kate had stepped in.

"Austin, I need to tell you something" Sami said starting her confession. This time she was finally going to tell him the whole truth.

"Can this wait? I'm taking Carrie to the specialist." Austin said over his shoulder as he opened the door to leave.

"Austin, wait!" Sami cried out trying not to feel petty about Austin rushing to Carrie's side for the millionth time. "I really need to talk to you, it's important."

The open door reveled Carrie and Lucas in the hallway on their way out.

"Sami, I promise we'll have a nice chat after Carrie's appointment." Austin said patiently as if speaking to a child and not his fiancée.

"Oh, Austin, it's ok, you don't need to come." Carrie said avoiding Austin's eyes which was a sure sign that she was lying.

"Yeah bro, there isn't much you can do we'll let you know the results when we come back." Lucas assured Austin tilted his head questioningly at Sami. She was up to something. "You ok Sami? If you keep walking over the same spot like that you're going fall right through to the floor."

Sami glanced up from her pacing and looked at Lucas, he always could read her like a book. She only paced when she was about to detonate some kind of bomb which usually effected everyone around her.

"No!" Sami said a little too quickly. "I'm fine; just take care of my big sis!" She rushed over to Carrie and gave her a big hug in her usual exuberant manner.

"Everything is going to be fine, big sis, I just know it." Still hugging her, Sami whispered confidently into Carrie's ear. She stepped back and put a big reassuring smile on her face causing Carrie to tentatively smile back. There was a slight glaze of tears in both their eyes which made Lucas and Austin clear their throat uncomfortably.

"Thanks little sis!" Carrie replied slightly choked up.

It had been a long time since they had been this close. Sami had forgotten how much she had missed having a big sister who didn't hate her. Once the truth came out, she would lose her sister all over again.

"As much as I don't want to break up this 'Hallmark commercial' moment, we really should go or we're going to be late." Lucas said giving Sami a grateful look. "As for you bro, you stay and spend some quality time with Sami, believe me, if you leave her alone too long she'll find some way to get into trouble." He teased grinning.

"Lucas!" Sami protested hitting Lucas on the shoulder.

Austin looked torn and looked to Carrie waiting for her verdict. He didn't notice the slight irritation that flashed in Lucas' eyes. Sami noticed and gave a silent shrug of her shoulder to Lucas. They both knew that Carrie and Austin still weren't quite over each other.

"Stay with Sami Austin, Lucas is right; there is nothing that you can do if you came." Carrie turned to Sami and joked "Now you be good and stay out of trouble, I'll only be gone for an hour."

Sami shooed them toward the elevator. "Begone both of you! See you in an hour." She said then turned to Austin as her smile faltered. She didn't say anything until they were back in the apartment with the door closed. She nervously led him to the couch and sat him down and sat next to him only to jump up again and start pacing in front of him.

"What is it Sami?" Austin asked concerned as if just realizing that she really did need to tell him something.

"There is something I need to tell you but it's hard to find the words." Sami said still pacing.

Austin smiled indulgently, "Take as much time as you need."

"I know that I don't deserve you…" Sami stated bluntly.

Austin interrupted, "Don't say that Sami…"

"Please don't say anything until I've finished what I need to say." Sami pleaded.

Austin gave her a nod acquiescing to her request.

"I've loved you since the first time I saw you." Sami said in a rush. "And I've done some pretty nasty things to try to get you to love me back. I used to think that nothing mattered as long as we were together. That if you could love me then it meant I was worth loving."

Sami was so busy pacing that she missed the guilty expression on his face. "Lucas said something this morning that made me really think. All this time I've been doing destructive things because I'm so insecure about myself and about us. It needs to stop. EJ said that if you love someone you can forgive them anything. And you must love me because let's face it, you've forgiven me over and over."

She stopped her pacing and tried to look him in the eyes. The moment of truth was finally here. "I need to finally trust in us, in our relationship so I need to confess something." She paused slightly afraid.

"When Carrie, came back, I knew that I didn't have a chance with you. I panicked, I knew you loved each other and I…" Sami wasn't able to finish as the door burst open and Kate strode in as if she owned the place dragging EJ behind her.

"Not now Kate!" Sami yelled out frustrated.

"Sami, this is business and it can't wait. I need you and EJ to go to New York right away!"

Sami was jerked back into the present as a warm hand covered hers and gave it a squeeze. She laid her head on his broad shoulder and sighed. "I was so close EJ."

EJ brushed the top of her head with his lips and then laid his cheek against it. "I take it that Austin still doesn't know." He said in his British accent.

"I was telling him what I did when Kate burst in. She ruins everything!" Sami said angrily sitting up as her eyes flashing dangerously looking like she wanted to punch something.

EJ held up both hands in surrender and smiled innocently, "Whoaaa there, anything you say Sami, I'm on your side remember?"

The anger fled as she gave EJ a grateful smile. "EJ, I don't know what I would do without you." She confessed her eyes softening in grateful adoration.

"I suspect that you would have gone on as you had before." EJ claimed modestly.

"I'm serious EJ, you've become very important to me, you're one of the few friends I have. In fact, I would say you're my best friend." Sami said in earnest.

"Thank you Samantha, I feel honored that you feel that way. Does that offer of friendship come with any perks?" EJ teased.

"I know it's been me, me, me, since we've met but I can be an awesome friend. I'm a mess most of the time but one thing I am is loyal, I'll do anything for my family and friends. You need anything, I'll be there." Sami said taking him seriously.

"You're one of a kind Samantha!" EJ said giving her a blinding smile. "Not many people would have welcomed an absolute stranger into their lives like you have. Don't sell yourself short, you have a lot more to offer then loyalty." He said the last bit softly sending a slight thrill over Sami.

Sami cleared her throat. "Well, one thing I'm not is stupid, who wouldn't snatch up a charming and hot Englishman who makes you feel like a million dollars … you know I think I knew that we'd be best friends the moment I saw you… naked." She said laughing her blue eyes twinkling in merriment.

"Right..." EJ said chuckling, "That was a memorable beginning… wait….did you just say that I was hot?"

"Definitely H-O-T! If I wasn't engaged to Austin, I would have jumped your bones myself." Sami flirted outrageously.

"Jumped my bones, really?" EJ repeated amused quirking one eyebrow. He was mesmerized by her teasing blue eyes. There was a moment of tense silence.

"EJ, I really don't think you realize how good looking you really are." Sami said amazed. "I mean most guys that look like you are so arrogant, like Lucas who can't even compare to you but he runs around thinking that he's Gods gift to women. But you, I think you're the closest thing to a perfect man there is and its unbelievable that you're single."

"I'm far from being perfect Samantha." EJ said quietly as a sadness flashed through his eyes.

"Well to me you are." Sami said stubbornly. "I love the way you say my name too, Samantha." She said in her version of an English accent. "It makes me feel special." She admitted.

"You are special." EJ said as he reached out and brushed a lock of her hair that had fallen forward into her eyes.

Sami laughed, "See what I mean, absolutely charming! Is everyone in your family as charming as you?"

"Charming, sometimes but not the adjective I'd use to describe my family." EJ said sardonically.

"And what adjective would you use to describe your family?" asked Sami, her curiosity peaked.

"Ruthless!" EJ said coldly.

"Ruthless?" Sami repeated surprised. "Well that gene certainly skipped you."

"I believe that you should go after what you want but not at the expense of others." EJ said quietly. "My family destroys anything and anyone in their way to get want they want." He took in Sami's pained expression.

"Like me." She said subdued looking away from him.

"No, not like you!" EJ vehemently disagreed, turning her face toward him with his fingers so that she couldn't look away. "You do things out of love but my family… it's all about greed and power. If they can't control something they destroy it. They can't understand…" He stopped abruptly.

"Tell me about them." Sami encouraged.

"I've put them behind me." EJ said flatly as he released her chin. He seemed to withdrawal within himself.

"Please EJ!" Sami pleaded sweetly and he couldn't deny her.

"I'm the youngest of four; I have one older brother and two older sisters. I have a few half siblings I've never met. I used to be close to my twin brother but we've had a falling out." EJ said as if reading off a grocery list.

"I'm a twin too!" Sami said excitedly. "Eric, my twin, I love to death but he's been really busy and doesn't have too much time for me anymore. I still write to him and talk to him once a week. What happened between you and your brother? Sami asked curiously.

"It's not that interesting, why don't you tell me about your twin." EJ deflected.

"Oh, no you don't EJ, I've bared my soul to you and it's your turn." Sami said getting more curious by the minute.

"Let's just say that he can't stop being who is and the last bit involved my ex ..." EJ said evasively.

"The ex the one you let get away because of your careers?" Sami asked tenaciously. She reached out and gently held his in a gesture of comfort.

"Yes, it's the same woman. I'm surprised you even remember." EJ said taken back at her memory.

"You haven't been that forthcoming about yourself so there isn't much I have to remember." Sami replied smiling. "So both of you fell in love with the same woman?" She prompted.

"Yes and no. Jane wanted to work for my family's company Well's Inc and I didn't." EJ gave a short shrug as if he didn't care but Sami knew he did. She nodded to him to continue.

"My brother, Derrick was promoted to Executive VP and they ended up working together. He could help her climb the corporate ladder as you Yanks say." EJ said flatly but Sami knew he was hurting.

"I'm so sorry EJ. Jane is a fool for choosing your brother over you. You deserve a woman who would fight tooth and nail to be with you." Sami said sympathetically feeling disgusted and angry at Jane for hurting EJ. "I hate Jane!" Sami said passionately.

EJ smiled at Sami's expression. "You haven't even met her."

"I despise her for hurting one the sweetest most wonderful man in the world!" Sami exclaimed. "And I hate your brother too!"

"Don't hate either of them, I don't. Jane only became involved with my brother after we had both decided that our careers went in different directions. Jane is a great woman and very good for my brother." EJ said defended Jane. "I made it clear to Derrick, my brother that it was over between Jane and me; otherwise, he never would have gotten involved with her."

"It must be painful seeing them together…" Sami mused. "Wondering if she loves him more then she loved you… and doubting that she ever felt the same way about you as you did about her if she gave you up so easily. Is that why you moved to Salem?"

"One of the reasons." EJ answered.

"Do you still love her EJ?" Sami asked searching his face for an answer.

EJ grabbed her hand and gave it a light kiss. "I think I'll always love her." He said letting her hand go.

"Then we're going get her back." Sami said determinedly as her eyes lit up at the prospect of being able to help out EJ.

"It's not that simple." EJ argued. "She's with my brother now."

"EJ, if you love her you need to fight for her. Perhaps she's just been waiting for you to do just that?" Sami encouraged.

"Samantha…" EJ began, alarmed by her excitement and determination.

"EJ, one thing you need to know about women is that we want a man who will fight for us. It makes us feel wanted." Sami leaned over EJ and opened the briefcase that was on the other side him. She missed the flare of desire in his eyes because she was busy pulling out a pen and pad of paper.

"Samantha, what are you doing?" EJ said gently pushing her back into her seat but not before she had grabbed a picture sticking out of his day planner.

"EJ!" Sami said delightedly almost jumping up and down in her seat. "How did you get this?" She asked. The picture was of EJ bending her backwards as she laughed up at him. If she didn't know any better, they looked like lovers.

"A photographer took the picture during the tango competition on the pier a couple of weeks ago." EJ explained and took back the picture and returned it to his briefcase.

"Can you make me a copy?" Sami requested.

"Certainly!" EJ promised smiling relieved that Sami didn't find it odd that he was carrying around the picture in his day planner.

"You know EJ, you should be careful about who sees that picture because they'll get the wrong idea about us." Sami warned. "Well back to business." She started scribbling on the pad of paper she had snagged.

"Ok, when I sit down and think about things I make a pro and con list." Sami explained.

"Really?" EJ's sardonic expression with a quirk of his eyebrow made her hit his stomach with the note pad. "Omph!"

"Ok so I don't sit down and think through things that often, but when I do, it works." Sami acquiesced. "So on the pro list…. She loves you…. You love her…