The Pawns

"Bo, come on. We have to go!" Hope was still persuading Beauregard to go in though they were just out side the door waiting for their turn to walk in. He rebelled:

"No, Hope. Let's go home. This can't be good. It's a feast orchestrated by a DiMera."

"And that's why we must go. Look, Victor is there and so is Philip. We must find out what's going on so we can fight the DiMera's if needs be."

"Mark my words, EJ Wells is behind this. How did that piece of scum ever wriggled his way out of the charges we had against him I'll never know", Bo was still sulking.

"Maybe because you need something airtight and you failed to get it. Maybe you need me to show you how it's done. Stay here if you want, I'm going in." With those words Hope glided through the doorway and handed her coat to the servant grabbing a class of bubbly soon after. Bo gathered himself and followed his wife. He wasn't about to admit that she was better police officer than he was.

"John, this isn't a good idea", Marlena said for the twentieth time as they stepped out of the car. John locked the doors and replied patiently:

"Maybe not, but you saw what was in that letter. Samantha Gene will need us."

"But you were in the hospital only few weeks ago", Marlena tried again.

"And I was lucky enough to wake up in time to help those who need me and Marlena, Samantha will need us tonight."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that."

"Marlena, she's finally come around and forgiven me I'm not about to abandon her now. I know I shouldn't say this, but in many ways I was the only true father she had."

"Oh John."

"Come on Doc, let's go inside."

Sami stopped to hide in the shadows as John and Marlena walked past her. She had heard his words and was now trying to blot her tears without destroying her make up.

"Samantha? Is something wrong?" She recognized his voice and felt a slight shiver going up her spine.

"EJ. Everything is wrong. Did you plan this?"

"Plan what? My father called me just an hour ago. Why are you here?" Sami had trouble believing anything the man towering her said.

"Did you and your father plan this party to humiliate me? Did Stefano plan this to show the whole town what I've had to go trough after you raped me?" EJ shrank back and nodded.

"I'll find out what's going on. You need not to go in, go back to your fiancé and son and put back on the ring he gave you. I'm sure it's a mistake. Have a good night Samantha." He tilted his head, took a step back and gave Sami a wide berth as he went in to meet his father. EJ was too tired to fight Samantha and her harsh words. After what he had learnt earlier that nigh everything he had already gone trough seemed to be for nothing.

Sami saw EJ straighten his back and preparing to meet the people inside. Only then did she realize he wasn't dressed for a fancy celebration. It was so unlike for him to do knowingly at least. Unless it was part of his plan too. Sami glanced her finger which was missing a ring. How had EJ noticed it was missing if he hadn't planned it all? And if he had planned it why was he telling her to go back home to Lucas? Sami had to go in to find out it all. She turned to ran up the stairs and to meet her mother and John before the first toast was made.