Chapter 2 The Educating of EJ
"This is unacceptable!" EJ said into the phone. "You're telling me that there are absolutely no rooms available in this hotel or in any others in this city? Yes tell your manager that it's bloody inconvenient!" He slammed down the phone.
"Let me guess, there was a mix up in the reservation and this one bedroom suite with only one bed is available in the entire city?" Sami said as she stood up and began pacing.
"Why aren't you surprised?" EJ asked.
"This is all Kate's doing." Sami spat angrily.
"Kate? I'm sure she had no idea that there would be 3 huge weddings and several conferences that would tie up all the available rooms in the city." EJ stated.
"EJ, you haven't been around long enough to know what Kate's capable of. She's setting me up again! She is the one that sent use here to NY. She is the one that booked the reservations for a one bedroom suite where the couch in the living room is mysteriously missing. Not to mention sending us up here at a time where all other hotels are completely booked." Sami said getting angrier by the minute.
"Come on Samantha, what would that accomplish other then making us a little uncomfortable for a couple of days?" EJ reasoned.
"I'm not paranoid EJ! She's trying to push us together because she thinks I'm going to fall in love with you and forget about Austin." Sami said frustrated.
"Even if she did do this on purpose, it doesn't change the fact that you're in love with Austin and that isn't going to change no matter how often she pushes us together." EJ paused. "Unless you're afraid that Kate is right and you are in danger of falling for me?"
"Sometimes, perception is just as damaging as the truth." Sami said tearing up; ignoring his last question.
"Samantha." EJ said gathering her up in his arms to comfort her. "Austin loves you and he isn't going to toss you like rubbish just because we slept in the same hotel room."
"You don't understand EJ, it's happened before." Sami explained relaxing into his arms.
"That's what broke you and Austin up before?" EJ asked.
"No, it's what broke up me and Lucas." Sami began. "The night before Lucas and my wedding, Kate drugged me and Brandon, an ex, and put us in bed together. She made it so that Lucas would find us the next morning. I tried to explain to Lucas that nothing happened but he wouldn't believe me. I tried for weeks but he shut me out completely and so did Will. It was the worst time of my life."
EJ held her tighter finally realizing why Samantha had been so paranoid around Kate. "I'm so sorry Samantha!"
Sami began to cry as she remembered that terrible time. "That first week I was so alone and sad that I wanted to throw myself off a bridge."
EJ began to stroke her head in comfort and made comforting noises.
Sami snuggled closer. "Not that I would ever do it, but I just felt like it. Then I got really mad at everything and everyone. I was mad at Kate for setting me up and I was mad at Lucas for not believing me. And I was mad at everyone who was happy because it made me realize I'd been so close to having the life of my dreams and no matter how hard I had tried it was never going to happen for me."
"It's understandable that you wanted revenge and lashed out." EJ said soothingly.
Sami pushed away from him and sat down on the bed. "Then I did something unforgivable." She put wrapped her arms around her knees looking vulnerable and childlike.
"Nothing is unforgivable." EJ said as he sat down next to her and rubbed her back.
"I was such a fool EJ and so blind." Sami said sadly.
"What did you do?" EJ asked.
"I can't tell you, if I do you'll hate me like everyone else does and with good reason." Sami said avoiding his eyes.
"Samantha, we're friends and nothing you tell me is going to change that. You told me you broke up Carrie and Austin and I didn't judge you then and I won't judge you now." EJ promised.
"EJ, when I look into your eyes I don't see disappointment or hate. You like me and I haven't been liked in a long time. I can't chance it, you're too important to me." Sami explained.
EJ stood up and walked away. "But you don't trust me." He stated hurt.
"It's not about trust EJ. I trust you more then anyone I know." She tried to explain. "It's just that I don't expect you to not hate me for something I hate myself for."
"If you truly meant what you said about us being best friends, we need to know both the good and bad about each other. I give you my word that I won't hate you for something you did in the past. We've all done things that we're not proud of but it's in the past. You can't let it define who you are now." He knelt at her feet and took both her hands. "Trust me Samantha, I won't let you down."
Sami jumped up and began to pace. "I … I… can't EJ, please just let it go!" Sami pleaded.
"Ok Sami if that's what you want." EJ acquiesced coldly. He walked to the other side of the room and picked up his wallet.
"Where are you going? Sami asked fearfully. He'd never called her Sami before.
"I'm going to find us other accommodations." EJ stated, his voice was clipped and devoid of any warmth.
EJ's quick withdrawal into indifference was chilling and set Sami into a panic. She couldn't lose his friendship.
"EJ, stop, please don't go!" Sami pleaded rushing to head him off at the door.
"You made your position clear. It bloody well hurts to not be trusted but I…" He was interrupted by Sami.
"I'll tell you, I'll tell you… just don't leave." Sami said defeated.
"I'm a man of my word, I won't hate you." EJ promised ushering her to a chair. "Now tell me what happened."
"Well after Lucas left me…."
An Hour Later
"And that what happened." Sami said looking lost as she avoided looking into his face, terrified of the disgust she would see there. EJ turned her around to face him.
"Samantha, look at me." He demanded. When she wouldn't look him in the eyes, he forced her chin up.
Samantha had her eyes tightly closed.
"Samantha" EJ said gently. "Open your eyes..." When she disobeyed, he kissed her lightly on the lips.
Surprised, Samantha opened her eyes lifting her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the warmth and softness of his lips. The sad tenderness in his eyes made her sob in relief.
"You were vulnerable and in pain, and the bastard DiMera took advantage of you." EJ stated gently cupping her face as her tears ran through his fingers.
"But EJ, I made it so easy for him. There's this dark side of me that just takes over when I'm angry or scared. I think there's something wrong with me. I'm selfish and evil." Sami admitted.
"You're not evil." EJ said amused.
"I mean it EJ, everyone else in my family is so good. They always think about other people first and everyone loves them." Sami said sadly. "I must have gotten all their evil genes."
"Listen, what you've told me about your family, they aren't a bunch of saints. It seems to me that you've never had anyone stand up for you. It only takes one person to think you're a good person for others to believe it. It's easier to do good and be good when you know that you're safe and have someone watching your back." EJ said sagely. "It doesn't seem like you've ever had someone like that in your life. You are so busy trying to protect yourself that you haven't had a chance to show people the real you."
"Oh, I never thought of it like that." Sami said softly feeling light and warm.
EJ knelt at her feet. "Samantha Brady, will you allow me to be your protector and keep you from harm from now until forever?" He asked grandly.
Sami smiled and got into the spirit of things and curtsied. "I Samantha Brady would be honor to have you as my gallant protector from now until always."
EJ rose until he was towering over her once again and opened his arms. Sami threw herself into them, pressing her face against his chest. "You're mine now EJ, and I promised to protect you as well and no one will ever hurt you, not while I'm around." She vowed protectively.
