Chapter Four: I've Got a Golden Ticket
"C'mon, EJ, answer the door!" Sami thinks to herself, as she anxiously shifts her weight from side to side. Finally, finally, he appears, towel-clad and ready for a bath. For a moment Sami forgets what she even came here for. Then she remembers the opportunity that was handed to her on a silver platter earlier today. "I went by your office but they said you'd taken the day off," she tells him when she finally remembers how to speak again. "I take it you've got something important on your mind then, love?" he asks as he watches her remove her clothing and get in the tub. She leans forward as he drops his towel and gets in behind her. "I certainly do. But first I have to ask you a serious question. Do you trust me, really trust me?" "With my life," he answers her, whispering through her hair. "Good. Now, be a dear and wash my back while I get you up to speed."
Will comes home from school and gives his mom a hug. "Is it, you know, for real this time?" he asks her. She doesn't need an explanation, Sami knows what he means. "Will, I can honestly tell you that if this wedding doesn't go off, it won't be because of me, I promise you that." Satisfied with that half-truth, Will sits down to do his homework while Sami attempts to prepare a meal. Eventually she gives up, and calls Lucas to ask him to pick up a pizza on his way home from work. EJ hears Lucas in the hallway, fumbling with his keys while trying to unlock a door and hold a pizza at the same time. He comes out and offers his assistance. "I don't need your help, EJ," Lucas spits at him. "And since you're out here, you may as well know that Sami and I are tying the knot, so your presence is no longer necessary and your help no longer needed." He puffs his chest out at EJ and feebly attempts give him 'the eye'. "Oh, come now Lucas," EJ laughs, "you mean Sami and I can't be friends anymore? Rather tight leash, don't you think?" "She doesn't need you as a friend, EJ; she doesn't need any friends at all. She's got ME!" he practically screams, thrusting himself forward and dropping the pizza at the same time. EJ smirks, then shrugs. "What a consolation that must be for her," he states calmly, turning to walk back to his own apartment. Sami pops out at just that moment. "What's all the shouting?" she asks Lucas, "and why is our supper on the floor of the hallway?" "Ah, Samantha dear, I hear congratulations are in order," he says, taking her hand. When he goes to kiss it, she pulls it away. "You know, EJ, your niceties could be taken the wrong way," she gestures her head towards Lucas, "and I am now engaged." "Well, darling, can we not at least be friends?" he asks, eyebrows raised. One corner of her mouth upturns in a half smile. "Can a man and a woman ever be just friends?" she asks in turn, reminding them both of his comment the morning of her wedding to Austin. "Touché, my dear," he replies, and leaves them to scrape the pizza off the hallway carpet.
EJ leans against his apartment door, laughing. "Samantha was right," he thought, "Lucas will be easy." He remembered their bathtub romp, full of splashing and scheming, while she outlined the new plan that had been born of Jack's little discovery. "This will work," he told her, "and Salem will behold a masterpiece of a scale never before seen in this town." "Lucas won't just be humiliated, he'll be destroyed. And hopefully, so will Kate. Something has me curious, though," she said, looking up at him with a look of wonder in her crystal blue eyes, "you've never once questioned whether or not I was sure I could do it." He looked down at her and smiled. "You wouldn't risk it if you weren't absolutely certain. I've no need or desire to question you." She shook her head and laughed a little to herself. "Well, if that ain't love, honey, then I don't know what is!"