Favours Returned

Tony watched the guest leave and frowned. He was trying to decide his next move and the phone was looking awfully enticing. He grabbed it and dialled the number before he could stop himself. His message was short:

"I need to see you, now." Tony hung up before he could hear any objections or questions. This was one of those things that needed to be handled in person.

"Tony just made the call. Are you sure this is the way to proceed?" Rolf asked as he was closing his medical bag.

"This is the only way", Stefano replied, "If we interfere at all everything is lost."

"But what if he's too late?" Rolf asked.

"He won't be. Not this time."

EJ made a new record driving from his office to the DiMera mansion. He didn't understand what could Tony want from him but he was hoping this phone call had something to do with that painting Tony had stolen from him. EJ needed time alone with that painting to find clues hidden in it. There was still so much he didn't know or understand and that painting was the key to unlocking the rest of the secrets.

"I'm here. What did you want to see me about Tony?" EJ asked as he walked in.

"Have a glass of wine brother. I'm sure you will need it", Tony said and placed himself on the couch. He was trying to choose the right words.

"No thank you. I've already had too much tonight. Is this about the Veiled Beauty?"

"No this is not about the painting. Sit down brother", Tony just said. He would have enjoyed the situation more if his news had been different.

"What then?" EJ was getting impatient.

"Celeste came by to see father. I happened to over hear what they discussed. It seems that our sister is behind the kidnapping of our nephews."

"Lexie took James and Joseph? Why?"

"She wants to avenge what Benji did to her. Unfortunately her plan has caused a domino effect. Sophia and Benji have plans of their own. Benji has been preparing for their disappearance, thank you for pointing me to that direction by the way, and Sophia has something more personal in mind", Tony continued with his narrative.

"Why are you telling me this?" EJ was sceptical.

"Just returning a favour. I just thought you'd like to know that Sophia is planning on revenging blood with blood. She's going to take a baby Brady from her parents because of their unfortunate connection with the incompetent Salem Police Department."

"Sophia is going to kidnap Ciara? When?" Tony turned to look the time and when he turned back EJ had disappeared.

"You are making a mess my brother. I just hope you know what you are getting in to", Tony said and sipped his wine.

"Pick up Bo! Pick up!" EJ hadn't ever been this desperate to hear Bo Bradys voice. EJ cussed as the respectable detective refused to answer and turned to race against time and fate to reach Bo Bradys home. He left the car running and jumped to the door and knocked. He tried to open the door but it was locked.

"What are you doing here?" Hope asked displeased holding her daughter, "I was just about to put Ciara to sleep and now you've waken her."

"But she's here safe and with you", EJ said and gave a sigh of relief.

"Yes of course she is but I don't understand what you are doing here?" Hope replied.

"I do apologize coming here like this and disturbing your peace. I just heard about some dreadful threats made against you and this little princess", EJ said and smiled, "Now that I see I was mistaken, I'll leave to it and bother you no more."

"What threats?" Hope was curious to hear what would upset this usually composed man.

"It was nothing. Something silly about Sophia being out of her mind and wanting others to suffer like she's suffered. Again, I'm sorry to-"

"Benji's Sophia? She was here few minutes ago. And you are right she wasn't acting like herself", Hope revealed and saw the terror return to EJs face.

"Did she say where she was going?"

"No she didn't. She was just talking something about a change to start over."

"Samantha", EJ whispered, "Please lock this door and call your husband now! I need to find Samantha." Hope saw the tall British guy disappear as quickly as he had appeared. She did close and lock the door before dialling Bo's number:

"Bo, it's me, Hope. You need to know something."

After weeks of trying to avoid Samantha in vain, it should have been easier to find her, EJ thought to himself. He had bumped into Samantha nearly everyday for the past two months and now that he was trying to find her, she had disappeared. Even Will was clueless to her whereabouts but he was willing to help and let EJ know if Samantha should return to the apartment. Calling to the Penthouse Grill and getting Maggie to tell him if Samantha was still in the restaurant or not took longer than actually driving there to see for himself but it too was a dead end. Samantha had left soon after EJ not saying where she was heading. EJ searched the park and rushed over to the pier where he and Samantha had tangoed little over a year earlier. He didn't have the time to stop and let the warm memories to rush over him when he sighted a woman, a very pregnant woman bending in pain and reaching for a pole for support.

"Samantha?!" EJ shouted and saw her looking up to him. She tried to say something but fell backwards to the water screaming in pain and terror. EJ started off running to reach her and jumped after her without stopping. Stopping her from drowning was easy enough for EJ but getting Samantha back up to the pier was more difficult. Once he had fought her up and laid her to the pier he reached for his cell phone only then realizing what he had done. Cussing in desperation EJ held the unconscious Samantha in his arms praying:

"Please, don't let it be too late. Don't let me be too late."