The Missing Years

"EJ?" Steve turned and met the younger man's gaze with his own.

"I need your help", EJ said being bit shy.

"I gathered that from the phone call", was Steve's short answer, "What are you standing there for? Anyone can hear us if you wont come closer."

"I wasn't sure what you were thinking about", EJ said and took a step closer. He was just in time to stop Steve's kick and to return a blow of his own before Steve could recover.

"Glad to see you haven't forgot everything I taught you", Steve just said and reached out his hand to EJ who helped him up. EJ sneered:

"I wasn't sure you would remember."

"Of course I remember. You made sure of that", Steve said, "Thank you." EJ nodded:

"Well your could have fooled me and you did. I'm sorry about what I had to make you do."

"Don't worry about it. I was there and I know why you had to do it", Steve assured EJ, "It was your family, it always was your family. You saved my life too many times for me to believe anything else."

"Only after you had save mine", was EJs reply.

"Of course. You were my responsibility and so was your training", Steve winked, "And you still need to tell me what this is about." EJ let the smile on his face die as he said:

"It's time we put the training you gave me to a test."

It was time for another family party at the Brady pub. Bo and Hope had their baby daughter with them. Belle and Shawn D. were there too though Belle was glancing at her phone all the time. Claire was with Philip and Victor and Belle was waiting to hear from them. John and Marlena were there too as were Caroline and Shawn. Only Roman was missing. Hope was waiting for Julie and Doug to join them. This was too intrigueing story to hide it from them. They planned to read the letters aloud starting from those Colleen had sent to her friend Bridget and to Santo.

"Benji? What are you doing here? EJ's not here if you are looking for him?" Sami said and moved just enough to keep Benji out of apartment. He started signing but she shook her head:

"I don't understand." He searched for a piece of paper and a pen to write down a question. Sami took the paper and read the question before answering:

"Sophia? I haven't seen Sophia since Stefanos party. Why are you asking? EJ asked the same thing earlier." Benji wrote something down again.

"No, she didn't hurt me. I had a cramp while walking and EJ came just in time to save me and the babies. Sophia didn't have anything to do with it. If that's what you were afraid of, it was for nothing", Sami said handing back the papers to Benji who still had a one question.

"Why was I there? Why was I at the pier that night?" suddenly Sami smiled again, "It's a long story but I was trying to remember better times. Everything looked bleak and cold that night and I needed to remember something warm and lively. I wanted to remember the night I won the tango contest with EJ. Nothing more. Don't worry Benji. What ever is on Sophia's mind, it will lose its meaning the moment she sees those beautiful boys of yours." Sami squeezed Benji's hand for goodbye and was ready to close the door when he stopped her and motioned towards the package.

"Someone just delivered it. It's for the twins. What's wrong Benji?" The pen was flying again. Sami was solemn as she saw the words written down:

"I'll make sure EJ hears about this. I promise. Goodbye Benji." Sami finally saw Benji leave. She closed the door, set her eyes on the package and wondered when things would get easier for her and her family.

"Is that all we have to do?" Steve asked and sipped his beer. He and EJ had moved to a bar where they were just another passers-by.

"Is that all? Yes that's all we have to do and preferably without getting caught in the process", EJ replied with a frown on his face.

"Are you sure you want to do this in secret? It would help your case with the Bradys if they were to know about this?" Steve asked and redressed his patch.

"I'm sure. At this point this getting out to the public might know more troubles for me than I can handle."

"You can handle it", Steve discarded his words, "Do you think the plan we used in Helsinki might work?"

"It might, but I was thinking about Moscow", EJ suggested.

"Which time?" Steve smirked as EJ spewed his drink.

"That was not funny."

"I think it was", Steve replied and helped EJ to dry the table, "If I wont remind you of those things, who will?" EJ was trying to keep a straight face:

"No one, that's the way I prefer it."

"I'm sure you would", Steve replied and took one more sip of his beer, "I'll scout the place and let you know when it's time to strike. Does Sami know or should I just reach you another way?"

"She doesn't know. Not yet", EJ sighed, "I've told her most of what I went through as a kid but not everything. This is one of those things I'd like to keep from her."

"I can understand why but you know that the truth comes out eventually, don't you?", Steve asked. EJ met his gaze and asked his own question:

"Are you going to tell Kayla?"

"Eventually, yes. We just have more urgent problems with Stephanie righ now."

"Are you talking about her boyfriend?" EJ knew he had hit a nerve when Steve refused to answer, "I'll see what I can find out about him for you but now I have to go."

"I heard you Sami gave birth to twins. Congratulations", Steve raised his class as EJ stood up.

"Thank you. Dante and Sarah were sleeping when I left", EJ said smiling again.

"What ever you do, make sure they wont suffer for it", Steve said and waited EJ to realize the extent of his words.

"I'll do that. Bye."

"Bye."