"Mom?" Sami heard Will call out to her as soon as she entered the house.

The ride from the hospital had been deadly silent. Marco had only let his surprise show for a moment when she told him she needed a ride back to the house. She supposed it seemed strange after her rush to get over there, her terror about EJ's safety at the forefront of her mind, then to leave so quickly, but she had seen all she needed to see. EJ had just lost his child and he needed to grieve and though it was a loss she felt keenly for him, it wasn't one she could feel with him and that made the difference. As much as she hated it, he needed Nicole, for she had lost her baby too.

In the past, she would have run, as fast and as far as her feet could carry her, her insecurities, the long-held belief that she would never be good enough, never be enough for anyone and that she would have to lie, cheat, steal or blackmail to get anyone's love would have reared its head. Samantha Brady would believe that was it, that it was over.

Not now.

Now, she was secure enough in EJ's love and she knew that they would build a life, a future together. She just needed to do the unselfish thing, just this once, because he and Nicole needed each other more. They had a lifetime of love to give to each other.

So, her focus would be on Stefano, the man who had caused all that pain. He had been terrorizing her family for generations and it was time he was stopped and if she was the only one ready and willing to do that, then so be it, for there was no way Stefano was getting another shot at her family. If EJ had been seriously hurt or worse, she would have lost the love of her life and any chance at happiness, for a world without EJ wasn't a world Samantha Brady wanted to exist in. It was why she had called Barney. The man wasn't as enthused as she expected, but she knew he would have her back, same as always.

Looking at her son, she tried to muster a smile and said, "Hey, honey."

"What's going on?" He crossed his arms in front of him, the stubborn set of his face, letting her know he wasn't buying it for a second.

"Where are the twins?" Sami tried to deflect him.

"In their room with Mary."

"Their room?"

"Yeah, we picked while you were gone, and the big guy brought over a lot of their stuff as well as some sleeping bags. Are we staying here tonight?"

"As long as you don't mind snuggling down on the floor?"

"I don't mind, but are you sure you'll be okay." He asked concerned, intimating her growing belly.

"I'll be fine."

Sami was about to turn away when he said, "You ready to tell me what happened tonight?"

She sighed, knowing it couldn't have been that easy, "There was an explosion at the mansion. John and EJ are fine, just a few cuts and bruises."

"What?" his eyes widened in alarm, "You saw them?"

"Yes, at the hospital and they are both doing alright."

Will let out a breath of relief, "I'm surprised you're not there."

"Nicole was also in the house and she…" Sami took a breath, "She wasn't as lucky. She lost her baby, Will."

Seeing the flash of guilt cross his face, she grabbed his hands, "It's not your fault. If anyone is at fault, it's Stefano."

"Stefano?"

"We… They think Stefano set off the bomb."

"Mom! Is that why we're staying here?"

"No. This is our home now, and EJ will be here soon," She reassured him.

"Why didn't you stay with him? He might…"

"I thought he and Nicole needed some time alone to grieve."

William was quiet for a long moment, "You're being very mature about this."

"Gee, thanks." She rolled her eyes at him.

"No, I mean it. You really do love EJ, don't you?"

"You had any doubts?"

"If I did, they are gone, "he said, smiling in her direction.

Sami drew him in for a hug, feeling very emotional all of a sudden, but before long, her phone rang. She stepped back from Will, pulling it from her bag to answer.

"Hello."

"Little Blondie, where the hell are you?"

"John? I'm at the house with the kids."

"Which house because I'm at your loft with Blondie, and you're not here."

"I said house, John."

"Oh, Anam Cara."

"What?"

"Anam Cara. It's the only house Elvis owns in Salem. It was a bit of a fixer upper and he bought it a while ago."

"How did you know about it?"

"I had the kid investigated when I took over as head of the family. He's very good at hiding things, but I was persistent and had an endless about of resources." She could just imagine his shrug. "We'll meet you there."

"John, aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?"

"I checked out against medical advice," her step-dad answered." Why the hell am I going to stay in a hospital when I have a doctor at home? What do you say Blondie, want to play operation?"

"John!" Sami screamed and could hear her mother's complimentary shout on the other end.

Will was smirking and Sami just knew he was imagining what John was saying. Waving her finger at him, she returned to the conversation.

"Anyway, I need to talk to you, so we'll be right over. Oh little Blondie, did you notice anyone missing tonight?"

"Missing?"

Mary was with the kids. John, EJ and Nicole and Harold were at the hospital or rather were supposed to be. The guards were present or at least accounted for and then….

"That psychotic, little Austrian!" She screamed.

Where the hell was Rolf?

"Exactly," John said menacing. "When I get my hands on the little possum, he'll wish I was still using him for target practice."

The woman EJ craved was not the one in the room with him.

When he had found out Nicole had lost the baby, his first instinct, first thought had been to find Samantha, to feel her warmth, the steady beat of her heart against his ear. He wanted to wrap himself in her love, the only thing that could push all the sorrow in that moment, but he couldn't. Seeing her face as she entered the cubicle with them, he had wanted her comfort, so much so he had unconsciously called to her and Nicole had lost it, wracking sobs, enraged ramblings that 'Sami always got it all'.

EJ had chalked it up to her projecting her sorrow onto Samantha because she was still pregnant with his child and he had soothed her, all the while wishing he could run into Samantha's arms. Dr. Baker had opted to sedate her, finally allowing her to rest. EJ thought about leaving, about going to find Samantha, but he knew that he had to stay because it was all his fault.

He was the one who had slept with Nicole when he didn't love her, getting her pregnant. He was the one who hadn't been strong enough to take down his father, so that his child paid the consequence, but no more. As soon as he could, he would get out of the hospital and Stefano Dimera would feel the wrath of his own creation.

For a while, sorrow had overshadowed rage, but no more. He needed that rage to go against the man he no longer regarded as 'Father'. A man who had tried to kill his own brother and son and succeeded in murdering his grandchild.

EJ stood, grabbing the crutches at the end of his bed, and pulled back to curtain to see Bruno stationed outside.

"Bruno, where's Marco?"

"He left, Mr. Dimera."

"He left?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is he with Samantha and the children?"

Bruno looked uncomfortable then, "No, sir, Adriano and Philippe are with Mrs. Dimera and the kids."

"Where the hell is Marco?"

"He just said that he was completing the assignment you set him."

"That I set him? What the… Where is Sylvio?"

"With your Uncle. He left a few minutes ago."

"My Uncle left. Why didn't he say anything to me?"

"He didn't want to disturb you, sir."

EJ let out an exasperated breath, wondering what was going on. "Give me your phone."

Before he could dial John's number, an alarm went off and EJ realized as Nurses and doctors rushed past him, that it was coming from the room he had just left, the room Nicole was still in.

EJ moved as fast as he could back to the room, watching his doctors and nurses rushed in front of him, his own sister leading the charge. The shrill scream of the alarm was ominous, but it wasn't until he actually laid eyes on Nicole that he nearly lost his lunch. It was a gruesome sight, as she threw up uncontrollably, blood filled vomit landing on the ground as she had thrown her head over the side of the bed. EJ was too shocked to cover his nose from the smell as she soiled the bed. He didn't know what could have happened in the intervening minutes.

She looked up for a moment, her eyes, bloodshot as they met his over Alexandra's head.

"I'm sorry."

EJ didn't know what she was sorry, the loss of their child had not been her fault. If anyone was to blame, it was his father. EJ tried to step toward her, but Alexandra became wise to his presence.

"EJ, out!" She ordered.

"No, I…"

"Get him out of here!"

EJ didn't know whom of the myriad people in the room it was directed to, but the nurse that tried to escort him out was a stern looking woman, and EJ had the fleeting thought that she would easily take him down and yet still he resisted.

"Mr. Dimera, you need to let us work."

"Dimercaprol!" His sister shouted, the alarm on her face evident.

The same nurse turned back to Alexandra in shock as she said, "Dr. Carver that's for…"

"I know what it's for Maxine, and I hope to God I'm wrong. Get me Dr. Jonas."

Nurse Maxine moved past him and EJ realized he had been forgotten for the moment, whatever it was Alexandra asked for had taken En precedent.

When Nurse Maxine returned, the bottle she carried was dusty and looked like something you would throw out not put in someone's body, but Alexandra drew it up and injected into Nicole thigh. The woman herself was eerily silent.

EJ watched helplessly as her eyes rolled back in her head and her body jerked violently. He must have made some noise for this time he was pushed out. EJ looked down as a piece of paper crunched underfoot. Picking it up, he gasped as he read the words.

No one makes a fool of the Dimera name.

"So you think Rolf was working for Stefano the whole time?" Sami asked John.

They were all settled on the cushions that her step-father had brought. The sitting room now had an 'Arabian Nights' feel to it with multiple colored pillows and luxurious rugs. It definitely beat the sleeping bags she and Will had planned to sleep on. It was a great temporary solution, but she would definitely see about getting furniture in the morning.

"Why else would the little possum not be at the house when it exploded?"

"John it's actually weasel." Sami corrected.

"Weasel out of what?" He cocked his head, peering at her in confusion.

"No, it's not little possum, it's little weasel." Sami explained, grimacing at the content of that particular sentence.

"They're from the same family." John shot back, looking at her as though she was the crazy one.

"But not from the same order, " Will chimed in, "Weasel is from order Carnivora, whereas possum is from Diprotodontia."

He seemed to think about it for a moment, then nodded his head in agreement.

Marlena and Sami looked at Will quizzically, but with a healthy dose of amazement in their gazes.

Will for his part, shrugged his shoulder and said, "All that useless Biology had to become useful sometime."

They were all quiet for a moment before John spoke, "When I find Rolf, I'm going to shoot him."

"John, you can't shoot Rolf!" Marlena chided, still obviously on that moral high ground 'schtick'. "We will turn him over to the authorities."

"Okay, I won't shoot."

"Did that have an oddly chilling effect on anyone else?" Will asked, looking at John with an unusually horrified look. Sami nodded because she agreed. John had said it menacing and with such relish, but seeing the look on her mother's face she changed the subject.

"So Stefano…"

"I've got people out looking for him." John spoke and Sami replied without thinking, "So do I."

When everyone turned to face her, she realized what she had admitted to

"People?" Marlena's frown was disapproving and Sami fought the urge to roll her eyes because honestly did her mother really think the Salem P.D. was going to bring down Stefano.

"Friends."

Jumping in with a grin on his face, John said, "I pretty sure she doesn't mean the kind you share Sunday brunch."

"John!"

"I'm not judging, I'm actually impressed little blondie. Good thing you and Elvis are already getting married because you make one hell of a Dimera."

"Sami?" Marlena's head swirled so fast, Sami was surprised her mother didn't get whiplash.

As Sami prepared to answer or you know find a tight spot to hide, her phone rang and she muttered, "Saved by the cell."

Looking down at the caller ID she smiled as she saw EJ's name. She stood, walking away from the room as she answered.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Are you okay?"

"I am now that I've heard your voice. I want you to know Samantha that I wanted to see you…"

"EJ," she cut him off, "you don't have to explain. You suffered a loss I can't even imagine."

"You know?"

"Yeah, and I'm sorry. " She sighed as she stepped out into the garden. Sami saw one of the guards milling about, keeping his distance. It felt right to go into the garden, felt like he was there beside her somehow. "I know Nicole and I never saw eye to eye, but I wouldn't wish that on her and I certainly wouldn't wish it on you."

"I know."

"What… what can I do?"

"You're doing it," Sami heard his voice break and felt answering tears fill her eyes. "You're here and you love me. That's all I need."

Saying nothing, she listened to him breathe, and she could almost feel his warm breath against her skin.

"I wish I was holding you."

"Then we are alike because I wish you were here in my arms. I wish I could hold you and our child and tell you both how much I love you."

"We love you too EJ."

"Listen Samantha, my father… I don't know what he is doing. Just make sure you stay with Sylvio and Adriano. Stefano isn't content with how today…"

He stopped abruptly and Sami heard voices in the background.

"EJ, what?"

"I'm sorry, darling Alexandra is calling. I will tell you everything later. I love you."

"And I love you," She replied automatically. With that he was gone.