Because the lakehouse wouldn't be ready for another week or two Alexis, Kristina, and Sam moved into Windermere. Sam didn't mind because it gave her more chances to explore, but she couldn't help but notice how different living in the old castle was to living in a normal place. It was so much more formal and kind of strange having servants. She liked being around Nikolas more too. The two took turns doing things the other liked and were quickly becoming close. The one thing Sam didn't like at all was the fact that being at Windermere didn't keep the nightmares away. She dreamed about the explosion just about every night since she and Kristina had been discharged from the hospital.

They were always different, but always had the same factors. Sometimes she saw it just as it happened, with Zander bleeding on the couch, her mother's hands covered in his blood, the heat and sound from the explosion. Sometimes it was her mother with the gapping wound, sometimes it was Kristina; sometimes it was Jax's hands covered in blood, and sometimes it was her own. It was the same for the explosion, sometimes she and Kristina were hurt badly, and sometimes someone died. The sun was just peeking above the horizon when Sam startled awake from her latest version of her troublesome dreams. She took in several hurried breaths as she looked around the dark and foreboding room. She started to relax a little as she slowly realized where she was and that she was awake and safe.

Deciding that she didn't want to go back to sleep Sam slid out of the massive bed that was almost to high for her to get into on her own. She threw on a pair of sweat pants, a pair of sneakers, and grabbed her jacket before padding out of her room and down the long dark hall. The house was cold this early in the morning because no one but the servants were up, and they were most likely in the kitchen and sitting room where the family would have breakfast. Sam thought about going into her mother's room and crawling into bed with her but decided that she'd let her mother sleep. So she went downstairs and out into one of the gardens thinking that she'd watch the sun come up over the water. From the garden she could see torchlight and wondered who was down at the cove.

Sam stood out of sight as she watched her uncle carefully. She wasn't sure what he was doing but whatever it was, it had put a very peaceful look on his face. It wasn't a look she was familiar with because her uncle always looked rather serious. She was so engrossed in watching him that when he spoke she jumped with a little yelp.

"What are you doing up so early Samantha?" Stefan asked without opening his eyes or stopping his movements.

"I, um, I," She swallowed against a suddenly dry throat. When he finally stopped and looked at her with that peaceful expression and warm gray-green eyes she spit out. "I had a bad dream."

Stefan nodded. He walked over to a stone bench and sat down while motioning her to join him. "About what happened at the penthouse?" It wasn't a question really. He and Alexis were both aware of the child's restless nights.

Sam nodded. "Yeah." She came over and sat beside her uncle. "And about what happened to Zander."

"Sometimes things happen to us that our minds can't completely process while we are awake." Stefan explained. "So it uses the time when we are asleep and less mentally active to sort it all out. That's what yours is trying to do with the dreams, Samantha. You saw and experienced things that a child shouldn't have to see or experience."

"Well," She sighed. "I wish it would hurry up and sort it all out because I'm tried of the dreams. I'd like to get back to my gummy bear wars."

Stefan raised an eyebrow for a moment, he thought of asking about these gummy bear wars, but he stayed focused on the matter at hand. Stefan thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you have any questions about what happened? Perhaps you can't put it all to rest because there is something left unclear."

Sam looked up at her uncle as she thought about it. She did have a question or two but she didn't feel right about asking her mother. Alexis had been angry about what happened, and then the guilt had settled in. Sam didn't want to push any buttons and upset her mom. "Why did that Sorel man shoot Zander?"

"Because Zander once worked for him." Stefan answered honestly. He knew his sister wouldn't like that he had, but he felt that the girl needed to know certain truths to help her put this behind her. "Zander stopped working for him, but in that particular field of work leaving is not seen favorably. Sorel felt betrayed by Zander and as punishment for leaving he shot Zander."

It took a little longer to process what her uncle said than it would have if she'd asked her mother, because her uncle had a very different style of saying things, but in the end she got it. "So it was kind of like Zander was in his gang and he wanted out. The only way out of a gang is to get jumped out or to die."

"Sorel's business is far more then just a youth's street gang." Stefan replied. "But yes, in a manner of speaking the principals are correct."

Sam connected some dots and her big brown eyes went a little wide. "You mean Sorel was in the mob? Does that mean Sonny's in the mob too?"

Stefan raised an eyebrow in question as to how she knew of the mob.

"Cody was a conman, remember." Sam answered the unspoken question. "He had to know who was in charge of wherever we were. A lot of those guys don't like it when conmen try working their turf." Sam sighed then and looked down at her hands. "I know a lot of stuff that a kid my age shouldn't."

Stefan picked the girl up and placed her on his lap. "Yes, you do." He told her honestly. "But what matters now is how you will use that knowledge and those skills in the future. They give you a uniqueness that others won't have."

Sam smiled a little at that. "You make it sound like it isn't a bad thing."

"Because it isn't." Stefan reassured. "It's a part of what makes you Samantha and there isn't anything bad about you."

That made Sam's smile brighten. There were times in her new life that she truly regretted her old one because she was scared that someday her mother would be ashamed of her for it. To hear her uncle say she wasn't bad for doing bad things put her at ease. Her smile faulted a little when Sam thought of something else to ask. "Uncle Stefan, if Sonny's in the mob, why was Mom working for him?"

That Stefan had to think about for a moment. Like Jax, he was not happy with Alexis' choice to represent Sonny Corinthos. "You're mother is a very good attorney because she believes in the system she represents. There are those out there who will use and abuse that system for their own personal gain and that is something that makes your mother angry. She worked for Mr. Corinthos because there are a lot of those people out there who try to bend things their way in order to bring him to their version of justice. She in no way condoned his activities, but rather argued for his rights as they stood legally."

Again it took Sam a moment to decipher her uncle's words and then she said, "She doesn't like what he does, but she really doesn't like what people think they can do to him just because of who he is and what he does."

Stefan smiled at his niece. "Exactly."

"She isn't working for him anymore." Sam informed her uncle. "I heard her yelling at him over the phone. She told him her decision was final and to stop calling her." She paused for a moment and then clarified. "I wasn't listening or anything she was really upset and really loud."

"There is finally something in Alexis' life that she believes in more then her precious legal system." Stefan told his niece as he titled her head up.

"What?" Sam asked.

"You." Stefan replied. "You my dear have brought a new spark to a very old family."

Sam smiled at that and then hugged her uncle's neck. "I like you too, Uncle." When she released him she asked, "What was that you were doing before?"

"It's called Tai Chi Chuan." He explained, his heart soaring because of the hug. "It's a form of martial arts."

"Really?" Sam looked a little surprised. "It seemed kind of peaceful looking to be all kung fu and stuff."

Stefan couldn't help but laugh. "Kung fu is something totally different. Tai Chi, though it's movements can be used in self-defensive, is more about the mind and spirit then the ability to fight. It helps me to keep myself centered, my mind clear and focused, and my body in tuned with my mind."

Sam thought about it for a moment and then asked, "Since we have to wait until spring for sailing lessons, can you teach me that while we wait?"

"I'd be honored too, Samantha." Stefan replied with a warm smile and sparkling eyes.

Alexis was starting to freak out. When she'd gotten up she'd gone to check on Sam and Kristina. Her sister was still sound asleep but her daughter was nowhere to be found. She was close to hyperventilating when Sam finally walked into the room. "Samantha!" Alexis scolded. "Where were you young lady? Where you outside? Samantha! It's still dark and it's cold out there!"

"Mom, chill. I was with Uncle Stefan." Sam replied as she looked at her mother oddly. She hadn't expected to be gone so long, and it hadn't occurred to her that finding her gone would upset her mother. "I had another bad dream and didn't want to wake you so I was going to watch the sun come up from the garden. I saw him and went and talked to him. I'm sorry I scared you."

Alexis' anger melted away as she pulled her little girl into her arms. "Next time Samantha, wake me, or the very lest leave me a note or something."

"Sorry." Sam repeated. "I'm hungry, is breakfast ready?"

"Yes." Alexis replied with a roll of her eyes as she let her girl go. "It's all set up. Go eat and then get ready for the day. You and Nikolas have a new lesson this morning. I'll be down shortly. I need to get your aunt up." She sent her off with a swat to her bottom.

An hour after breakfast was finished Alexis walked Sam and Nikolas to the small ballroom. Nikolas knew what was about to happen but Sam was clueless. It took several minutes for her mother to gain her attention long enough to explain. She'd been in awe of the room it's self and had wandered off several times to explore it. When Alexis was finally able to rope her in she explained that she and Nikolas would be taking dancing lessons. When Sam asked why, Nikolas answered with, "Because it's expected of us." That answer hadn't sat well with Sam, but she didn't get a chance to ask again. Their instructor showed up and put on the first bit of music. They would first learn how to waltz.

"Samantha!" Nikolas said in frustration. "Stop stepping on my toes!"

Sam huffed. "Well if you didn't have such big feet!"

"I don't have big feet!" Nikolas argued back.

From the doorway Alexis had watched the whole time. She smiled when she felt her brother join her and together they watched their children bicker and stumble their way through their first lesson. When their instructor said it was time for a break both children made a beeline for their parents.

"Mom!" Sam protested. "This is stupid! Why do we have to learn to dance like this?" She then pointed a threatening finger, in a very Davis like manner, at her cousin. "If you say because it's expected of us I'll pop you."

"But it is expected of you Samantha." Stefan spoke up.

Sam glared and pouted at her uncle. She couldn't pop him. "Why?"

"Because our family attends many functions in which this style of dancing is involved." He explained. "We are royal, remember, and for many, many generations our children have learned not only the more classical styles of dance, but also some folk dances as well." He then gave her a warm smile. "And believe it or not little one, it's fun."

Sam gave her uncle a skeptical look about it being fun. Then something he said touched the very small girly part of her that seemed to be growing more and more with each passing day since she'd found out she was a real live princess. "You mean we'll get to go to balls and stuff?"

Stefan nodded with a warm, knowing smile.

"What kind of balls?" Sam asked. "Why do real people have balls?"

"Well, for example, when you're a beautiful and brilliant grown woman and you agree to marry the man you love." Though there would never be a man good enough for his niece. "You're mother and I will throw you a very special ball called a bacchanalia."

Sam looked as if somehow that word hurt to say. "A backawhat?"

Stefan chuckled. "A bacchanalia. It's a masked ball to celebrate the engagement of one's child to their beloved."

"Oh." Sam said as a bright smiled played at her lip. A ball just for her? That sounded really cool. "So Nikolas will get one when he asks a girl to marry him?" Her uncle nodded. "And when my Mom and Jax get engaged, they'll have one?"

"Hold it little miss princess." Alexis jumped in before Stefan could reply. "There isn't going to be any Mom and Jax and getting married." Again, she thought to herself. "We're perfectly happy with the way things are."

Sam frowned at that. Stefan noticed the looks on the faces of mother and daughter and decided to change the subject. "Perhaps you'll both be able to grasp the concepts if you see them done correctly for yourselves." He stepped back and turned to his sister. He bowed to her and held out his hand as he asked, "Dearest sister would you do me the honor of a dance?"

Alexis' smiled brightly as she accepted Stefan's hand. She was more then happy to get off the Jax and marriage train. Besides, she couldn't remember the last time she'd danced with her brother. "I would be delighted dear brother."

Both children rolled their eyes but as the music began to play and Stefan and Alexis began to waltz around the room, they soon became transfixed. Sam was beaming as she watched her mother. There was a brightness in Alexis' eyes, and her smile, that simply made the girl light up herself. There was also a look of enjoyment on her uncle's face that she wished, like the peaceful look of this morning, she could see more often. When their parents' waltz was finished their instructor asked if perhaps Stefan would practice with Sam and Alexis with Nikolas. They agreed and the rest of the lesson went on much more smoothly.

When their lesson was over and lunch eaten Sam and Nikolas were allowed to spend the rest of the afternoon as they pleased, so they headed outside to play. Sam wanted to pretend to be Xena and Hercules but Nikolas refused because the T.V. partial of Hercules was a joke. Nikolas wanted to go riding, but Sam still wasn't sure how she felt about horses. After a short argument they agreed to be pirates and then Power Rangers.

That night after her bath and while she waited on her mom to come tuck her in Sam was sitting up in bed reading a comic book when there was a knock on her door. When her mother didn't come right in she looked puzzled. "Come in?"

Stefan came into the room with a warm smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Sam returned the smile. "No, I was just reading until Mom comes in."

"I've brought you something." Stefan said as he produced a medallion from his pocket. He held it out for her to examine. It was a Greek figure surrounded by poppy flowers. "Morpheus is the Greek God of Dreams." He explained. "It is said that he is the son of Nyx Goddess of Night and Hypnos God of Sleep. He was the oldest brother of triplet sons and much stronger than his brothers Icelus and Phantasos. He was the master of the land of dreams and controlled the dreams of not only humans but the gods as well." He took the medallion when Sam was finished looking at it and put it around her neck. "Morpheus can not stop all of your nightmares but he can protect you while you dream. Even if the dream is bad he will be there to control it and keep you safe until Electryone Goddess of Morning comes to awaken you."

Sam was touched by her uncle's caring and enthrall by his story. When he was finished she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. "Thank you Uncle."

"You're very welcome little princess." Stefan replied. When she let him go he leaned down and placed a kiss on her head before standing. "Goodnight Samantha. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight Uncle." Sam replied. "I love you."

Stefan paused a moment, caught of guard by the child's open declaration, then turned to her and replied, "I love you as well Samantha."

Alexis had tears in her eyes and a smile on her lips as her brother passed her in the doorway. She stopped him long enough to place a kiss on his cheek before going in to tuck her little girl in for the night.

The next morning after Tai Chi and breakfast Stefan gathered up his niece and nephew and heading into town. He knew both children were found of films so he rented a small movie theater, and it's staff, for the day. He was going to introduce them, and swear them to secrecy, to his guilt pleasure; Bruce Lee movies.