Mike and Carrie Saga - Parts VII and VIII

Stefano looked at Sami, carefully contemplating his words. He had to use just the right emphasis to compel her over to his side.

"I want you to help me get John out of Marlena's life."

"Why? What do you get out of it?" Sami knew that Stefano had a strange fixation on Marlena. She wondered if he wanted her to help kidnap Marlena again. Sami considered the possibility.

"Just like you want to be happy with Austin, I want my children to be happy." Stefano paced with his han on his chin. "Sami, Kristen loves John and deep down you know John loves her too."

"So, this is all for Kristen's sake?" Sami looked skeptical.

"Does the reason matter, my little Sami? It's what Kristen wants. It's what I want. Don't you want your family back? Don't you want Roman to be happy?"

Sami would do anything for her father, and she did want her parents back together. The price was a high one but Sami was willing to pay it. "Ok, Stefano. What do you want me to do?"

Marlena and John walked along in the garden. The night air was cooler than usual. It was a thankful relief from the heat and humidity they had been getting.

"What do you think happened to Carrie and Mike?" Marlena walked with her arms around John's waist.

"I don't know. Maybe Mike took her home."

"You can't blame her for not wanting to be around. In Sami's mind, she and Austin are happily married. It huts Carrie a lot more than she is letting on."

"That's a fact. I'm glad Mike can be there for her."

"John? Kristen sent them down to the cellar where the secret room is. You don't think...?" The possibility of Carrie and Mike being trapped flashed across her mind's eye.

"Nah. Mike wouldn't let her go in there. He was with me when we found you and Kristen unconscious on the floor. He's a responsible guy, Doc. Carrie's probably at home making tea and chicken soup for him right now. He looked exhausted. We should call him later and see how he's doing."

"That's a good idea."

"Speaking of Brady children, where is Eric anyway? Shouldn't he have been here by now?"

Marlena covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, John. All the confusion with Roman... I forgot about Eric!" Marlena looked at her watch. "The plane landed at least an hour ago. I forgot to tell you his earlier flight was canceled."

Marlena and John headed towards their car. John had only opened the door when someone came out of the bushes. John instinctively took a defensive position but released his stance once he realized who it was.

"Mom?"

Marlena turned to see her son Eric standing in the driveway. "Eric? Oh, Eric. You're home."

Austin sat on a bench in the garden near the back of the house. He was staring intently at the annulement papers. He remembered when Mickey told him about the possibility of getting the annulement early. He was so excited then. He thought he would be the happiest man in the world once the papers arrived. Now all he felt was pain and lots of it. Carrie was falling for Mike. Even Sami had noticed the difference in her. How many times had he seen Carrie and Mike together. Too many to be a considence. Austin knew Carrie to be an honest woman. Why wouldn't she just come out and tell him it was over? Why was she punishing him?

Sami walked out of the French doors and sat on the bench beside Austin.

"What are those?" Sami pointed to the envelope in his hand. She knew they were the annulement papers. Lucas had called her earlier and told her they had arrived.

"Oh, nothing. Just stuff from work. They're not important." Austin didn't have the heart to tell Sami right now. Her dad was too sick and her emotions were too fragile. He stuffed the document in his back pocket for safe keeping.

Stefano pushed the mute button so he could hear the sound on the monitor. He could see Carrie was still pounding on the door, but Mike was lying motionless on the bed.

"Mike, Mike. You pushed yourself too hard and now look at you." Stefano considered letting them out, but decided against it. Kristen entered the room and saw Stefano watching the monitor. She came closer to see what he found so fasinating.

"What's wrong with him?" Stefano didn't like the accusing tone in Kristen's voice.

"Kristen, not everything that happens in this house is my doing. The good doctor pushed himself too hard, and now he's paying the price."

"You're not going to leave them in there, are you?" Stefano sat back and smiled. Kristen knew that if someone found them, she'd be the first one they'd blame. Stefano shook his head when Kristen headed down to release them.

The cellar was damp and musty. She hated that smell. She'd had to breathe the air down here for weeks. Musty disgusting air. She was just going to set them free and get out of the basement before she became sick.

Kristen knew she'd have to pretend to be looking for Mike and Carrie or they'd wonder why she was down there.

"Mike? Carrie? Are you down here?" Kristen called out.

Carrie was tired of pounding on the door. No one could hear her. She'd done the best she could to patch up Mike's wound using torn strips from the bed sheets. It had taken awhile but the bleeding had stopped. Now all she was worried about was how pale he was. He hadn't eaten a thing all day. Carrie hurried to the bathroom for a damp cloth. She squeezed water into his mouth hoping it would help him not to dehydrate then sat on the bed. He looked so peaceful. She continued to stare at his face and wondered why such a great guy was all alone. He was everything a woman could want in a man and more. Why couldn't Austin be more like Mike? Mike was the best friend she could ever ask for. Mike had made so many sacrifices to support her.

Finally Carrie realized that something had definately changed. Something she couldn't ignore any longer. She was beginning to have feelings for Mike. And not friendly feelings. Romantic feelings.

Carrie felt Mike's forehead. His temperature seemed normal but his hands were cold. She pulled a blanket closer around him and layed beside him. She only hoped the blanket and her body heat would keep him warm. She propped her head up with her arm and wiped Mike's face with the damp cloth. Mike moved closer to her as she stroked his forehead. That little movement gave Carrie hope that he would make it through the night. Now that she was lying down, she realized how tired she herself was. And before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

Kristen opened the door and saw Carrie and Mike lying on the bed together. Stefano came up behind her and gently closed it before she could enter.

"If Mike is to live, it will have to be Sami's decision."

The next morning one of Stefano's men delivered him a large envelope. Out of it he pulled 2 color photographs. They were enlargements from the video he'd taken in the secret room. The first was of Marlena. Oh, Marlena, he thought, one day you'll be mine. The next photo was quite an interesting shot. Stefano thought Sami would agree. That's why he had one of his men deliver her a copy.

As soon as she awoke, Sami couldn't wait to fill Lucas in on the details of last night. She waited until Austin was in the shower. When she felt it was safe, she phoned Lucas.

"You are not going to believe what I did." Sami could not keep the smile off her face. "I locked Carrie and Mike in Kristen's secret room."

"You did what? Sami, have you completely lost your mind?" Sami knew if he was this upset about that then he would really blow up when he knew she was helping Stefano. Just then someone knocked at the door. It was a delivery man.

"Hold on, Lucas. Someone's at the door." Sami propped the receiver between her ear and shoulder. She signed the man's clipboard, and he walked away before she could tip him. The delivery man had handed her a large manila envelope. Sami opened it. It was a picture of Mike and Carrie in the secret room. In the foreground Carrie was pounding on the door. But it was Mike who held her attention. She could see blood covering the entire side of his shirt. He looked unconscious. "Oh, no! Lucas. This can't be happening. It wasn't suppose to be like this."

"Sami, what are you talking about?" Lucas was trying hard to get her attention but her mind was elsewhere.

Sami continued to talk even though Lucas had spoken to her. "No one was suppose to get hurt. I was suppose to get Austin and you were suppose to get Carrie..."

"Sami? Sami snap out of it!"

"We have to get them out. We have to get them out, Lucas." Sami suddenly thought about Austin. "No, no, you have to get them out. Austin would be suspicious if I left."

"Sami, I'm going to say it one more time. What are you talking about?" Lucas was really losing his patience. Sami had never acted like this before. She was usually such a strong person. But when she finally calmed down, she explained what she had done. "The man was in the hospital the other day with a bullet wound. This only makes it worse. Do you realize he could die?"

"Lucas, I didn't know this would happen. I just wanted them to get a little closer."

"Sami, we have to do something and we have to do it now! My brother's life could depend on it!"

Before Carrie even opened her eyes, she felt like she was wrapped in a warm cocoon. It felt so good to have someone hold her again. She could feel his arms around her. Slowly her eyes opened. Carrie's head was in the curve of Mike's arm; his other arm was lying naturally across her stomach. Her face was toward his. Only a breath away. All Carrie could think of was how great this felt. Mike opened his eyes and she marveled at the smile that came across his face. They gazed at each other for what could have been hours or maybe it was only minutes.

"Good morning." Mike's dry throat caused him to whisper.

"I'm so glad you're awake. I thought I might lose you last night." She also spoke in a whisper not wanting to break the spell they were both under. Mike brushed the hair from her eyes. How could she look so beautiful in the morning? And how did Austin get so lucky?

"Don't worry Carrie. You'll never lose me." Mike shifted to a more comfortable position and before they knew it their lips were only inches apart. Mike couldn't move. He had never felt like this. Not with his wife Margo. Not even with Robin. It was almost like his life was a long journey and this was the moment he found his way home.

Carrie watched Mike partially close his eyes, lashes nearly touching his cheek. His breathing had become shallow. Just as hers had. She reached up and cupped Mike's face with her hand. Mike's reaction to that small gesture gave her no more doubts. He had feelings for her too.

Sami had convinced Lucas to let Mike and Carrie out of the secret room. It was just like her to throw all the dirty work onto him. How had he ever let her talk him into going along with it? Getting into Kristen's house would be hard enough. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a nurse leaving as he arrived. His luck was holding out. So far fate was on his side.

Kate paced back and forth. Nothing was working out. Billie had disappeared. Austin had all but give up on Carrie. And now to top it off Mike Horton was being a nuisance in her plan to get Austin and Carrie back together. If he hadn't stuck his nose where it didn't belong, none of this would be happening. Carrie and Austin would be together right now. She only wished she could tell Austin the truth about Sami. And Franco? What was she going to do with him? She needed a way to get Mike out of Carrie's life. With Sami and Lucas scheming against her, it was taking longer than she thought.

The distance between Carrie and Mike closed. Three soft, gentle kisses. It was only a whisper of what was to come. Mike deepened the kiss and Carrie responded. He never dreamed this moment would actually come true. Suddenly the pain returned full force. His body wasn't ready for the stress these emotions were causing. Whatever strength he had gained during the night, quickly slipped away. Carrie didn't know what was happening. Mike was losing consciousness again.

"Mike. Mike, wake up." Carrie frantically got out of bed. What do I do Mike, she thought. You're the doctor. "Oh, God, please help us." She knew that a quick prayer in a time of emergency was better than no prayer at all.

A sound caught her attention. A sound from outside the room! Carrie ran to the door pounding as hard as she could. She thought she might be hearing things, but it sounded like Lucas.

"Lucas! You've got to get us out of here!"

Lucas could barely hear Carrie's frantic screams. The minutes seemed to take hours as he looked for the door handle. In frustration, he pulled every wine bottle out of the case until the door finally clicked open, and Carrie stumbled out.

"Call an ambulance!" Carrie was out of breath from screaming. Lucas didn't ask questions but ran out of the cellar and up the stairs. She only hoped it wasn't too late.