Sami and Austin - Part VIII

Carrie waited for Kate in the library. Henderson had told her she was with Victor. She hoped that Victor hadn't had a relapse. She was relieved to see that Kate was in a good mood as she came in.

"Good morning Carrie. I heard the wonderful news about Marlena. I'm so happy for you!", she said as she hugged Carrie.

"It is wonderful. I still don't know what happened yet but Marlena is going to meet us here in a little while."

"Well, I am just dying to know why Kristin would want to kidnap Marlena. But she has been acting strangely. I still can't believe she voted for Vivian to stay on the board at Titan."

"Marlena said Vivian must have known something about Kristin. Something she could use to blackmail her. Oh, I'm sorry Kate. I didn't mean to bring that up."

"It's alright. I've been a fool. I was so worried about losing the love of my family that I let Sami take control. I'm not going to do that anymore. I'm going to tell everyone at the dinner party."

"I'm so glad Kate. You should have done it a long time ago. What changed your mind?"

"It occurred to me that Sami might retaliate being exposed even if she thinks I had nothing to do with it. She might tell all just to get back at Victor. She thinks that it will destroy his love for me."

"Sami has no idea what true love is all about. She only knows obsession and revenge. But you're right. She probably would tell everyone."

"I'm going to do it while Victor is talking to her. That way I can be sure that they hear it from me and not her."

"Kate, I want to tell Marlena what's going on."

"Are you sure we should? Marlena might not agree with our plan."

"She probably won't like it but I think she'll see that it's the only way to teach Sami that she can't get away with this. This is the worst thing that Sami has ever done. I think Marlena should know."

"Alright. I hope you're right about this."

Marlena went to see Sami first. She couldn't wait to see her baby girl. Things were going to be so much better between them now that Sami had remembered the affair. She had taken it much better this time. She knocked on Austin's door. As she waited she wondered if Sami had remembered any more of her past.

Sami opened the door. "Mom!", she cried as Marlena bent down and hugged her.

"Oh my baby girl! I'm so glad to see you. How are you? Have you had any more memories?"

"I'm fine. And I have remembered a little more. Have you seen Carrie yet?", Sami was feeling insecure, especially after last night. She wanted to know who Marlena had chosen to see first.

"No, I haven't seen Carrie yet. I'm meeting her later though."

It made Sami feel better to know that. She went to get Will so he could see his grandma.

"Oh my! What a big boy you've become!", Marlena couldn't believe how much he had grown.

"Mom, I'm so glad you're safe. We were so worried about you."

"Me too honey. I missed you all so much. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"I love you mom", Sami really meant it. She really wanted to be close to her mom again. She understood why the affair with John had happened. She felt the same way about John as Sami felt about Austin.

"Sami, I want to tell you something but I'm not sure how you're going to take it."

"I know I've been horrible in the past mom but all that's over now", Sami hoped Marlena wasn't going to tell her the truth. That Austin was pretending to be happily married.

"John and I are together. We love each other. I wanted you to hear this from me."

"Then it's true about Kristin. Carrie told me that she had kept you and John apart."

"Yes, it's true. Kristin has become as evil as Stefano. But, are you sure you're ok? I know how you feel about me and John."

"That's how I felt in the past, not how I feel now. I know you must love John a lot to have gone through all of this. I feel the same way about Austin. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost him."

"You'd survive and maybe even find someone new to love. Your daddy and I had that kind of love once. When he divorced me I thought my life was over. But now I know that I was meant to be with John. I hope you can understand that."

"I can mom. I understand completely. But I know that Austin and I will be together forever."

Marlena decided it was time that Sami knew the truth. She was strong enough physically and her mental state had improved. Now wasn't the time though. She would talk to Carrie and Austin first. Right now she just wanted to spend some time with her daughter. "I don't have to meet Carrie for a while yet so we have time for some catching up. Why don't you tell me about what you've remembered?"

"I wish you had been here when I remembered this. But Carrie was here. She helped me through it", Sami told Marlena what she had "remembered" about the rape.

"Oh sweetie! I should have been here for you. If only I hadn't been so foolish as to confront Kristin before I talked to John."

"I know you would have been here if you could mom. Now it's your turn. What happened with Kristin? Why did she do this to you?"

Marlena prepared herself to tell Sami the whole story. She had the feeling she was going to go through this several times today. She was very pleased at how Sami was handling these difficult memories. The events that had scarred her and changed her so much seemed to make her stronger now. She didn't have any of her former bitterness.

Carrie was surprised to see Austin show up at Kate's. She figured he would be home with Sami. "Hello Austin."

"Hi Carrie. It's good to see you. Hey mom. Your secretary told me you were working at home today."

"I was going to call you Austin. I didn't think you would bring the reports this early."

"Marlena called this morning. She wanted some time alone with Sami so I decided to bring the reports."

"How is Sami today? More importantly, how are you? I know last night was difficult."

Carrie was confused. "What happened last night?"

"Didn't you tell her Austin?", Kate had thought he would have talked to Carrie about this.

"I haven't had the chance to", Austin couldn't keep his eyes off Carrie. "Sami wanted to make love last night. Her doctor told her that she was well enough and that it wouldn't hurt her."

"Oh no. It's a good thing you saw Mike before you went home yesterday."

"Yes, it was. Sami didn't take it too well though. She was really hurt but she would have been hurt more if I had just rejected her."

Kate and Carrie exchanged looks. They knew what was going through Sami's mind. Kate went to Austin. "Honey, you did the right thing. If you sleep with Sami it will make the annullment more difficult to get."

"There's more to it than that mom. I don't love Sami. I don't have those kind of feelings for her."

Carrie was so relieved to hear Austin say that. She had wondered if Sami was winning him over with her "I've changed" ploy. She couldn't wait until he knew everything.

"I've got to get back to Sami. Marlena said she wouldn't be there long. I'll talk to you later", Austin had to get out of there. All he wanted to do was take Carrie and make love to her. Just being in the same room with her was torture.

"Carrie, he loves you so much. I just wish he could see through Sami."

"I know how much he loves me Kate. He can't see Sami for what she is because of his guilt. She knows it too. We have to stop her. She's just going to keep using his guilt to make him stay with her. She's so convinced that he will fall in love with her."

"Don't worry. By the end of this week Austin will see Sami for exactly what she is and he won't feel guilty anymore."

Lucas arrived after Marlena left. Sami filled him in on what had happened to her.

"You're kidding! Kristin kidnapped Marlena?", Lucas couldn't believe it. Kristin had always seemed so kind and good.

"People aren't always what they seem, Lucas."

"Well, you certainly aren't. How are things going with Austin? Any progress in making him think you've changed?"

"Yes and no. I was able to convince him and Carrie that I am changing. Each memory only proves that to them more. But I have another problem. I'm hoping you can help me with this one."

"If I can I will. Anything to keep Austin away from Carrie."

Sami told Lucas what had happened last night. "I know he's lying about having low testosterone levels but I can't do anything about it. If I confront him then he'll know my memory has returned."

"That's a tough one. I didn't think Austin had it in him. I guess he was one step ahead of you there."

"Lucas, I need your help here. I don't need to be reminded of how far he went to avoid making love to me", Sami lashed out at Lucas because she was hurting.

"Sami, I'm so sorry. I hadn't thought of it like that. I was thinking about the pretend marriage."

"Lucas, he won't even sleep in the same bed with me. He's still sleeping on the couch and getting into bed just before the alarm goes off. I've got to do something about this. If I let things go on like this he'll never fall in love with me."

"Sami, Austin has to realize he can't pretend forever. Besides, you said it yourself, once he's realized how much you've "changed" then he'll fall in love with you."

"Lucas it's very hard to be confident about that when I hear him say things like "I'm his punishment" and he goes to all that trouble just to avoid making love. He planned it Lucas. He has no intention of ever being with me. He made it clear that the situation was hopeless."

"That's because it's still a pretend marriage to him. Sami you're going to have to win his love without sex. Once he's started to fall in love with you he'll want to sleep with you."

"I know you're right Lucas. Austin and I belong together. I just need a way to convince him."

"Sami, you have to concentrate on the other things in this marriage. Show him what a good wife and mother you are. Get him to take you places, spend time together outside of this apartment. Show him how good his life will be with you."

"Lucas, I knew you could help me figure this out. I went about this all wrong! I know what I have to do."

"Good. I just wanted to check in. I have to get to the office now. I'm going to be busy this week getting my report ready for mom", Lucas turned back as he reached the door. "You know Sami, life is good. My career is taking off and Carrie is almost mine. Can it get any better than this?"

Sami smiled. "I know what you mean Lucas. But it will get even better when we both have what we want."

Carrie was thrilled to finally see Marlena. They had a wonderful brunch with Kate marred only by Marlena's story about what had happened to her.

"Marlena that is unbelievable!", Kate was stunned. "Kristin faked her pregnancy?"

Carrie had been speechless through the entire story. "I can't believe it either. It must have been horrible for you. Locked in that room being forced to watch her with John."

"Yes, it was. She has become a true DiMera. I think the worst was when Susan trapped her in there with me though. I wanted to kill her."

Carrie sighed. "I know the feeling."

Marlena looked at Kate and Carrie. Something was up. "What's going on? I saw Sami this morning. You know I think she's strong enough to handle the truth now. I don't think it would cause her to have a relapse."

"Well, you're right about that. She'd definitely not going to have a relapse", Carrie took a deep breath to control her anger.

Kate decided to take over. "Why don't we go to the library. We have a lot to tell you Marlena."

Marlena wasn't sure what was going on but she didn't like the feel of it. "I think that's a good idea Kate. I've been in the dark long enough."

Kate went to her desk and pulled out a folder. She gave it to Marlena. "Sami is faking the amnesia", she decided it was best to just say it outright.

"What? She can't be! She wouldn't... would she?"

"I'm sorry Marlena. I know she's your daughter and you love her. She's going to need that love. I hate to be the one to tell you this but Sami has put me in this position. She told me her memory had returned. She's been blackmailing me to keep it from Austin."

"Blackmail", Marlena was in tears. Her own daughter was behaving exactly like Kristin. She listened as Kate told her about her secret and how Sami had discovered it and used the information to keep Kate from helping Carrie and Austin. She read the file that Victor had received from his PI a few years ago. "Kate, I know from experience that secrets have a way of coming out. You shouldn't have hid this."

"I know that now Marlena. I'm going to tell everyone the truth", Kate pulled out another folder and gave it to Marlena. "It get's worse Marlena. I hired a PI. Carrie planted bugs in Sami's apartment and on her phone. These are the reports I received from the PI and the transcribed phone conversations Sami had with Lucas."

Marlena didn't know what to think. She had hoped that Kate was exaggerating the situation but the more she read the more she knew that it was true. "Kate, I'm so sorry."

"I know how you feel Marlena. My own son is helping her. Lucas and Sami are obsessed with breaking up Carrie and Austin so they can have them for themselves. I should be receiving another report tonight. Every time Sami is alone in that apartment she reveals more about their plan."

Carrie spoke up. "Marlena, I know how you feel about Sami. You feel responsible for what she has become. But, you aren't responsible for this. It's not your fault."

"I know that Carrie. Sami is no longer angry with me over the affair. I can't blame myself for this. I can say that maybe if I had been there for her when she was growing up she wouldn't have become so manipulative but that's not my fault either. It's Stefano's."

"Carrie and I have come up with a plan to teach Sami a lesson."

Marlena looked at Kate. "What kind of plan?"

"I'm having a dinner party this weekend", she showed Marlena the guest list and explained what she wanted to do. "Sami will have the chance to tell the truth on her own but if she doesn't then I will."

"I hate to say this but I think you're right. Sami has to be shown that she is wrong."

"I know she's right Marlena. If we try to talk to Sami she'll just find a way to get out of it. She has to be exposed. She's going to need you after this."

"Marlena, I'm also including Lucas in this. He's my son and I love him but I can't let him go on like this."

"Ok. I had planned on you and Austin and myself telling Sami the truth but that's unnecessary now. I would say after reading this that it would be a very bad idea. I think the best course is to find out everything we can about her plan and tell Austin at the dinner party. I learned the hard way about confronting the villain first."

Carrie hugged Marlena. "I'm so sorry you had to find this out today of all days. You should be enjoying yourself with John."

"I'm glad I know the truth. John and I will be here this weekend and we will give Sami all the support she needs. I hope that she will finally realize that she can't control people's lives like this."

"I sent out the invitations this morning. They will all be delivered personally. In fact, Sami and Austin have probably already received theirs."

Carrie was worried. "Kate, aren't you worried that Sami will be suspicious? I mean, this is exactly the way you exposed her the first time."

"I thought about that but I'm hoping that Sami won't think I would pull the same stunt twice. Plus she thinks she has me under control. Marlena, I will need you as well this weekend. I'm going to tell Austin the truth before Sami can."

"Kate, I will always be there for you. I have to go meet John now. I'll see you later Carrie."

Carrie hugged Marlena. "I'm so glad you're here. I know you can help me get through this week."

As Marlena left Kate sat down. "I have to admit I was worried that she wouldn't agree with us."

"I wasn't sure if she would either but I knew we were doing the right thing. I've got to go myself. I'm meeting Mike for a late lunch. He's going to be furious at Lucas."

"Nobody likes to have their lives played with. Do you think Mike will help?"

"Yes. He wants Austin and I to get back together. It's important for Sami and Lucas to think their plan is working. Mike and I have to put on a good show for them."

Kate was exhausted. She couldn't wait until this was over. She took the files on her and Sami and locked them in her personal safe. Lucas would be home today. She couldn't risk him finding them. She couldn't have timed it better. She heard Lucas in the foyer.

"Mom? I'm home!"

"Lucas, I missed you. How did the trip go?"

"Excellent. Thank you so much for giving me this account."

"I'm glad to see you so happy. I knew you were the right person for this account. Oh, by the way, don't make any plans this weekend. Victor wants to have a dinner party."

"Victor wants to have a dinner party? He must be feeling a lot better."

"I feel very good", Victor said as he wheeled himself into the room.

"Victor, are you finished with your session already?", Kate was so happy to see how well he was doing.

Lucas couldn't believe his eyes. "This is wonderful! Victor, I'm so glad you're better."

"Me too."

"Well, now I know the reason for the party. This is great! I am having such a great day. I'm sorry to rush off but I just came by to drop off my things. I've got to get to the office and start working on my report. I should have it ready for you in a couple of days."

"Good. I'll schedule a meeting for your presentation", Kate was happy for Lucas but she knew he would need this work to help him get over Carrie. She turned to Victor after he had left.

"He's going to be heartbroken."

"I know."

"Marlena came by today", she told Victor what had happened to Marlena and that Marlena was going to help them.

"Poor Mar..len..a", he shook his head. "So much to bear."

"I know. I hated to tell her about Sami but she agreed that we were doing the right thing. Now, all the invitations have been sent. We just have to finalize the dinner plans."

Carrie met Mike at Salem Place. He was happy to see her. Lately it seemed she was all he could think about. "Carrie, I'm glad you called me for lunch. This really brightens my day."

"I wish I could agree with you Mike. But after you've heard why I want to meet you...", Carrie wasn't sure what to say. "Well, lets just say the day won't seem so bright. I need your help." She told him about Sami and Kate's plan. When she was done he just sat back.

"Wow. I had no idea Sami could be so evil. I knew she had caused problems for you and Austin before, but this..."

"I know. But it gets worse", she told him about Lucas' plan for them to get together so Austin would let her go.

"Oh man, I knew he was up to something. My dear little brother. I can't believe he would do this."

"I can. He thinks that once I'm over Austin I'll just fall into his arms. I can't seem to make him understand that I don't feel that way about him."

"So, you want me to help you convince Sami and Lucas that their plan is working and we're falling for each other, right?"

"I knew you'd understand. You are such a good friend."

"Thanks", Mike couldn't understand why he wasn't happier for Carrie. Her ordeal was almost over and she could finally be with Austin. This was what he wanted for her...wasn't it? "Ok, what do we need to do?"

"Well, this is a start. We need to see a lot of each other this week. Jogging, lunch dates, dinner dates, whatever. We have to make sure that Lucas and Sami are secure in their plan. I don't want them to get suspicious before the dinner."

"Sure, no problem. I take it I'm invited to this dinner too?"

"Of course. You will be my date. The only problem is that I hate doing this to Austin. I wish I could just tell him everything."

"Why don't you?"

"He feels too guilty about the accident. We have to show him that Sami is taking advantage of that guilt. There's no other way to convince him that she hasn't changed."

"I thought Kate had tapes of her conversation with Lucas?"

"It's not enough. Kate's getting more evidence every day. Plus we don't want Sami to find a way out of this. It would be too easy for her to use Austin's guilt and make him feel sorry for her."

"I understand. I just hope that Austin does."

"Me too. He's going to be so hurt."