The Confrontation

"You need to explain yourself. Now!" Tony demanded as Benji was closing the door behind them. Stefano stood waiting for EJ to give his reasons. He knew EJ hadn't opened his envelope yet and couldn't possibly knew the reasons behind this party. It would have been too much of a coincidence.

"Who told you?" Stefano asked instead and got his answer in a cold glare.

"It really doesn't matter who told me. I know and I refuse to be part of this silly vendetta any longer", EJ just said sounding tired beyond his reach.

"That's not a decision for you to make!" Tony shouted.

"Please don't shout, I can't hear you raising your voice but the guests might", Benji signed.

"You stay out of this", EJ just spit the words out of his mouth and his eyes were filled with hate. He knew what he was doing. EJ needed to let Stefano know everything without bursting Tony's little bubble. After all the lies told for so many years were there as much for Tony's protection as for EJs.

"So your brother", Stefano started but was taken back as EJ cut him off immediately.

"It doesn't matter. What is important is that you keep your word and that others understand it as well as others. Either I am in control completely and absolutely or I'm not in the organisation. There's no middle ground here. Not any more. I need to know that my orders are honoured and fulfilled without exceptions. I want this feud with the Brady's to end but not at Samanthas expense. Do I make myself clear?" Stefano could see something had been broken inside his beloved son and it hurt him to know that there wasn't anything he could do or say to take back those lies told so many years ago regardless of their necessity.

Benji stood silent waiting for Stefanos answer. This wasn't at all how he had planned things to go and he hated improvisation. Carefully laid plans were more to his taste and even those could sometimes bring forth unforeseen problems. Like the one walking in to the room that moment.

"Alexandra darling", Stefano greeted his daughter who met everyone of her brothers eyes.

"Father", she just said with a hint of chill in her tone, "What are you boys planning?"

"I'm leaving Lexie", EJ replied and nodded, "Goodbye sister. I'm sorry we didn't have more time to get to know each other better." Lexie refused to answer. As far as she knew EJ could have been behind her kidnapping. She didn't understand why he would do that to her.

"Are you leaving Sami too?"

"Yes. I'm leaving Salem and everyone in it behind me", was his answer to her question.

"I don't know should I congratulate you or offer my condolences."

"Neither. Just goodbye Lexie", EJ said and reached out his hand. Lexie grabbed and shook it after a moments hesitation.

"Goodbye EJ."

"Goodbye Tony, goodbye father", EJ said and took a step to the door.

"Wait son. You can't leave like this. We still need to talk", Stefano tried to reach him. He needed time to make up his mind and to convince EJ that the vendetta against the Brady's couldn't end without a sacrifice from Sami. EJ met Benji's eyes and spoke to his father:

"If you need to talk. Talk with Benji. He has time, words and patience with you. Those are things I no longer have for you." EJ walked past Benji and handed him the keys to the DiMera kingdom when doing so. He was in such a hurry to get away that he walked right pass Samantha without realizing she had heard most of the conversation if not all.