Sami and Austin - Parts XI and XII

Sami pasted a bright smile on her face as Henderson showed them in but her mind was racing. She had double checked Austin's blood type and it did not match Will's and neither did hers. That only left the possibility that Lucas was really Will's father. She had to find out Lucas' blood type to be sure. She had to figure out a way to find it out without Lucas realizing what she was up to. She wasn't sure what he would do if he knew the truth about Will. She saw that Kate was watching her and some of her confidence returned. At least she had Kate under control. She might even be able to use that to her advantage and discover Lucas' blood type.

Carrie felt the anger well up as soon as she saw Sami. She hoped she could keep up this charade until Sami was exposed. Austin was going to be so hurt by all this. She felt someone squeeze her hand and turned to see Mike. "Hi. I want to thank you again for helping me with this. You are such a good friend."

"You don't have to thank me", Mike cringed inside when Carrie called him a good friend. He didn't feel like a very good friend right now. His feelings for Carrie were growing more intense. Pretending to be dating her had only made things worse. He was glad this would all be over tonight. He didn't think he could take much more without making a fookl of himself. "So, when is the big moment?"

"After dinner. I'm not exactly sure when but Kate will signal me when to start the tape."

"I'd hate to be in Sami's shoes tonight. I'm glad Marlena is here for her."

"Me too. She and John look so happy. I hope Austin and I will be that happy."

Mike forced himself to smile, "I'm sure you will be."

Lucas poured himself a drink. Carrie and Mike looked too cozy together. He had to make her understand that she belonged with him. He had underestimated Mike. He could tell by the look on his face that he had fallen for Carrie. He walked over to Sami. "Do you need some help taking Will up to the nursery?"

"That's so sweet of you Lucas. Thanks." Sami waited till they were upstairs before she said anything else. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just trying to figure out how to get Carrie away from Mike. I asked Carrie out to lunch today but she turned me down. This could be a problem."

Sami didn't care about Mike and Carrie. She was more concerned about Lucas blood type. "I'm sure everything will be fine Lucas."

"I hope you're right. How are things going with you and Austin?"

"Great. I've already started planning our wedding. Oh, before I forget, I need to ask you something", Sami hoped he wouldn't get suspicious.

"What is it?"

"I'm putting together a medical file for Austin, Will, and me. That way if we ever need any treatment or there's an emergency like the car accident we have our records handy. I also want to get the blood types of all our family in case any of us ever needs blood." She hoped he would buy this.

Lucas knew he was missing something but he wasn't sure what it was. "I have a blood donor card somewhere", Lucas dug around in his wallet and found the card. "I got this when you were hurt. I wasn't a match though."

Sami looked at the card and closed her eyes. It was a perfect match to Will's blood type. She had to do something about this.

"Sami, are you all right?" Lucas knew something was wrong. What was he missing?

"Just a twinge in my back. I must have overdid it with the therapy today."

"Are you sure that's all?"

"Yes. I'm fine. Let's get Will in the nursery. I don't want Austin to be around Carrie too long."

"Alright." Lucas was starting to believe that he couldn't trust Sami. Now that she had Austin he didn't think she would help him get Carrie. Well, she would help him if she wanted him to keep her secrets to himself.

Downstairs Kate was calling everyone's attention. "Now that everyone is here I'll have the cook serve dinner. We have a wonderful evening planned", she announced as she smiled brightly at Sami.

Sami smiled back at Kate. She wasn't worried about Kate, she was worried about changing Will's medical records at the hospital.

Carrie took a deep breath as they went to the dining room. "It won't be much longer now."

John took Marlena's hand, "You alright Doc?"

"I'll be fine. Sami's the one I'm worried about."

"She'll be fine. We'll help her get through this."

Kate smiled as everyone went into the dining room. It was almost over and Sami was going to lose. She gave Victor a kiss. "Thank you for all your support. I couldn't have done this without you."

"Yes, you could. But I'm glad I was here for you."

During dinner most of the conversation centered around Marlena and her ordeal with Kristin. Everyone was stunned at how much like Stefano she had become. Marlena hoped that Sami would learn something from what had happened with Kristin but it didn't seem like she was paying much attention. My sweet baby girl, she thought, why are you doing all these terrible things? And what are you up to now? Carrie's voice brought her out of her reverie.

"I think that anyone who would do what Kristin did is no better than Stefano", Carrie didn't dare look at Sami. She would know that Carrie was talking about her. "And to say that she did it for love? Its just... twisted. I'm sorry John, but that's how I feel."

"I know how you feel pumpkin. I feel the same way. I just can't believe she fooled me for so long. Why couldn't I see what she had become?"

"It's all over now John", Marlena wanted to take all his pain away. "Don't blame yourself. She fooled a liot of people."

Dinner seemed to take forever. Sami didn't think it would ever end. She felt as though everyone was staring at her and thinking she was no better than Kristin. Well, she wasn't like Kristin. She would never have faked a pregnancy, imprison Carrie, or try to kill Carrie. No, she was justified in her actions. Austin was the love of her life. She had the right to fight for his love. She just needed to do a little damage control with the blood types.

Carrie felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders when the dinner was finally over. Soon, she thought, soon we will expose Sami and I can be with Austin. She looked at Austin and smiled at him. It wouldn't be much longer.

Lucas knew he was drinking too much. He was starting to feel a little lightheaded. It was time to quit. He couldn't afford to get drunk. He needed his mind clear. Sami was up to something but he couldn't figure out what it was. He had the feeling that once Sami didn't need him any more then he would be on his own. Sami's got a surprise in store if she thinks she can get rid of me that easily, he thought. He didn't like the way his mom was looking at Sami either. Something was up with this dinner party. He had a bad feeling about this. He decided to keep a closer eye on things.

Sami excused herself to go check on Will. She needed some time to figure out how to handle this new development. She took the elevator Kate had installed for Victior upstairs. At least Kate's house is wheelchair accessible, she thought. She couldn't wait to get out of that chair. Then she would renew her vows with Austin.

Victor followed Sami upstairs and waited for her to come out of the nursery. "How's Will?"

"Victor, you startled me", Sami wondered what he was doing up here.

"I'm sorry but I wanted to talk to you in private. Can you come in here for a minute?"

"Sure", Sami had a funny feeling as she followed Victor into the room. She wasn't sure she liked this. "Can you make this quick? I want to get back to the party."

"And to Austin of course", Victor took his time. He wanted to be sure Sami understood what she was up against.

"Yes, Austin too. What's this about Victor?"

Victor laughed. "This is about the little game you've been playing with Kate."

Sami's apprehension grew. Had Kate actually told Victor? "What game? I don't know what you're talking about."

"You can cut the act Sami. I know you're faking the amnesia and I know that you've been blackmailing Kate."

Sami was stunned. Kate had told him. "Victor, I..."

"Save it Sami", Victor cut her off. "It's over. I know everything. I've known for quite a while but I was unable to do anything about it. Did you really think I would forget you gloating over my bed? Or did you just think I couldn't hear you?"

"What do you want?" There was no use trying to convince him. He knew too much.

Victor gave Sami a file. "You really are an amateur. It never occured to you that I might already know Kate's secret. I had an investigation done after Laura's revelation about Curtis. I've known that secret for a long time."

Sami felt as though she had been punched in the stomach. The information she had on Kate was worthless now. If Victor was willing to stand by her then she wouldn't care if Sami told anyone her secret. "Ok, you win. I'll stop blackmailing Kate."

"You're going to do more than that", Victor handed Sami another file and smiled as he saw the color drain from her face.

"Where did you get this?", Sami struggled to keep her composure. It was all here. Everything she and Lucas had planned. Entire conversations that she had had in private with Lucas.

"You underestimated me Sami. I knew what you were doing to Kate and it was obvious that you were at it again because Kate became so upset. I had your apartment bugged. I have the tapes that go along with that transcription but I don't think you need to hear them. Your game is over Sami. You've lost."

Sami felt her whole world crumble. "What do you want, Victor?", she spat the words out. She thought she had hated Kate but Victor was worse than Kate had ever been.

"I'm giving you the opportunity to confess your crimes", Victor was enjoying this little scene. After what Sami had done to Kate she should consider herself lucky. "I could have just shown that file to everyone downstairs or played the tapes for them but I thought you deserved the chance to come clean on your own. I want you to go downstairs and tell everyone that your memory has returned and give Austin the annullment."

"I can't do that", Sami was crying now. "I love Austin. He belongs with me and his son!"

"Sami, I'm giving you a choice. If you tell them that your memory has returned and give Austin the annullment then I will keep this information to myself. Nobody will ever know that you've been faking the amnesia."

"And if I don't?", Sami prayed that this was all a nightmare but she knew it was really happening. Victor had her over a barrel and he knew it.

"If you don't then I will tell them all that you've been faking the amnesia and show them the file. The choice is yours."

Sami started to agree to Victor's deal but she thought of something. "You're bluffing", she looked him square in the eye.

Victor had to laugh. "Am I? What makes you think that?"

"Because you don't want Kate's secret to come out any more than she does. That's why you never said anything to her. You had her investigated so you could make sure that nothing else would come out that could embarrass you. No deal, Victor. If I go down then Kate goes down with me." Sami was sure she was right but she didn't like the fact that Victor was still smiling.

"You poor, deluded, child. I'm not bluffing. I couldn't care less about this secret. It's nothing to me. I'll give you 30 minutes to think about my offer. If you haven't come clean by then I will be forced to tell everyone the truth. And if you try to leave before the time is up then I'll do it anyway. Like I said, the choice is yours." Victor was still laughing as he left the room.

Sami struggled to regain her composure. She was furious with Victor. He's bluffing, she thought. He has to be bluffing. I won't give in. Austin is mine and I am not going to let him go.

Carrie and Kate met Victor by the elevator downstairs. He was still laughing as he wheeled himself off. Kate thought that was a good sign. "Well?", she asked anxiously.

"I told her she had 30 minutes to make up her mind. If she hasn't revealed that she has recovered her memory and agreed to the annullment by then, play the tape."

Carrie let out the breath she had been holding. She hugged Victor. "Thank you so much for doing this."

"I rather enjoyed it. She thinks I'm bluffing but she's not so sure anymore."

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. It would be over in 30 minutes. She tried not to gloat as Sami came off the elevator. She and Carrie excused themselves and returned to the den where everyone had gathered for coffee.

Victor smiled at Sami as he wheeled himself towards the den. "30 minutes", was all he said.

Sami was fuming. "You're bluffing", she said to his back. She wasn't sure if he had heard her but she was not going to give in. She and Austin were meant to be together. "Austin is mine", she said out loud.

Caroline wondered what was going on. Everyone seemed so tense. Shawn brought her coffee and sat next to her. "I can't put my finger on it but I know something is wrong here."

"What do you mean?"

"We should all be rejoicing over Marlena being rescued from Kristin. And Victor is finally getting better. I thought everyone would be happy tonight but I feel so much tension in this room."

"You know, you're right. Nobody seems very happy tonight", Shawn looked around the room. Austin looked down in the dumps but that wasn't unusual for him these days. But Carrie and Kate looked... "What do you think's going on here?"

"I don't know. Even Marlena looks upset. This dinner was given for a reason. Look at Carrie. She looks angry."

"I was just noticing that. And Sami... Well, she's been so happy for the past few weeks. Do you think she's getting her memory back?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. After some of the things she's done..."

Sami noticed her grandparents staring at her and pasted a smile on her face. She couldn't let anyone know anything was wrong. Inside her carefully crafted world was collapsing. As if she didn't have enough to worry about with Will's blood type, Victor had to threaten her. He had to be bluffing, she thought to herself. He knew she would reveal Kate's secret if he exposed her. He didn't want that. He was bluffing. She couldn't help watching the clock though. Twenty-five minutes left. She smiled at Victor, he wasn't going to do anything. She was a little nervous when he smiled back. A little voice in the back of her mind said, What if he's not bluffing? She started when Austin came up to her.

"Sami, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just a little twinge in my back. I'm fine", she wondered why Mike was with Austin. He should be with Carrie.

"Ok, Mike needs to talk to us about Will."

Sami felt her insides knot up. "What about Will? He's ok isn't he?"

"Well, it could be nothing but I want you and Austin to bring Will in as soon as you can to have some more tests done."

"More tests? Why?", Sami couldn't believe this. She had to find a way out of this.

"The other night we ran some blood tests on Will. There are some slight elevations that I think should be checked out."

Austin took a deep breath. "Mike, why didn't you say anything about this the other night?"

"Well, that's ironic. We overlooked it that night because we weren't looking for it. For some reason one of the lab techs ran the tests a second time and caught the elevations."

Sami knew why the tests had been run again. Jamie. Why did she have to stick her nose in this? "You said it's probably nothing. What does it mean?"

"I'm not sure. It might not mean anything. Will had just been through a traumatic experience so that could be the reason but it could mean he's sick. There is always a slight possibility of illness with these types of elevations. I just think he should be tested so there isn't any doubt."

Austin swallowed the lump in his throat. "I think Mike's right Sami. I want to be sure that there isn't anything wrong with my son."

"I do too Austin but I don't want to put him through all those tests if it isn't necessary. Are you absolutely sure about this Mike?" Sami couldn't think. This was just too much. Victor had an ax to hold over her head, she was worried enough about Will's blood type, and now this. How was she going to handle this?

"Sami, I can't force you to have the tests done. I can only recomend that you do. If Will is sick it would be better to catch it early. And with his history of septisemia..."

"Mike, you're right. We'll bring Will in tomorrow", Austin hoped nothing was wrong but he had to be sure.

Sami realized there was nothing she could do about this. Austin would never agree to postponing the tests. She had to find a way to make sure the blood type wasn't revealed.

Carrie and Kate were watching Sami. They didn't want her to pull anything before her time was up. Carrie noticed how tense Sami became when Mike went over to talk with her and Austin. "Kate, what do you think Sami's up to now?"

"I don't know. She obviously doesn't like what Mike is saying though. Why don't you see if you can find out."

Carrie managed to get Austin away from Sami with an excuse about business. "What's going on Austin? What did Mike say?"

"Will needs to have some more tests done", Austin explained what Mike had told him and Sami. "I just hope he's ok."

"Me too Austin. I know how much you love your son. Just let me know if there's anything I can do."

"Thanks Carrie, but I think you should get back to your date. I'm glad you decided to move on", Austin didn't feel glad at all but he still believed it was the right thing.

"I still believe we have a chance Austin. I'm not giving up on us", Carrie went back over to Kate and told her about Will.

"That's odd. Sami didn't look like she was worried about her son."

"I know. I don't think she wants to have those tests done."

Kate was puzzled. "I wonder why? Surely she's worried about his health? What if he is sick?"

"I honestly don't know why she wouldn't want to have those tests done. Sami's always been so protective over Will. She gets upset when he has a fever. I just don't understand it."

Kate couldn't figure it out either. She saw Marlena coming. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm more worried about Sami. I hope she tells the truth. Has she given any indication?"

"Not yet. I think she believes Victor was bluffing."

"I used to blame myself for Sami's actions. She changed so much after she found out about the affair. But I don't know why she became so evil. I can't blame myself for what she's done anymore."

"It isn't your fault that Sami is the way she is, anymore than it's my fault that Lucas is involved. Oh, what am I saying. He's more than involved. He's just like Sami, maybe worse."

Sami watched her mother with Kate. Did she know? Had Kate told her? No, Kate wouldn't take the chance. Sami tried to keep her confidence up as the clock ticked away. Fifteen minutes left. She glanced at Victor. He was still smiling and tapped his watch.

Lucas was finding it hard not to keep drinking. Carrie and Mike were getting too close. He had to find a way to make Carrie realize she belonged with him, not Mike. He was surprised to see Austin coming his way. "What do you want?"

"I thought you were over Carrie? What are you up to?"

"I'm not up to anything. I meant it when I said I just wanted Carrie to be happy. I just wish she could be happy with me."

"I know what you mean Lucas."

Lucas saw the love in Austin's eyes. Had he made a mistake? No, he told himself, Carrie's too good for Austin. He had drank too much and couldn't think clearly. That's why he was having doubts.

Austin was starting to trust Lucas again. He still had his doubts about his motives but maybe Lucas had finally accepted that Carrie could never love him. "You know, I really am glad we're getting closer. It would be nice to have a brother instead of an enemy."

"Yeah, that would be nice. I'm tired of fighting all the time", Lucas surprised himself. He really meant that. He went to talk to Sami.

Sami wasn't in the mood to deal with Lucas right now. She was getting worried. Victor hadn't faltered a bit as the time ticked away. She brushed Lucas off and went to Austin. She had to find a way to hold on to him.

Lucas knew he couldn't trust Sami anymore. She didn't care about what happened with him and Carrie. As long as she had Austin. He would show her. He followed her. "Sami, I need to talk to you now."

Austin didn't notice as Sami went with Lucas. He was watching Carrie and Mike. He didn't even notice when Kate came up to him. "Oh, hi mom."

"Austin, I need to talk to you. Alone."

"Sure, is something wrong?"

"I hope not. Just come with me."

Sami was furious with Lucas. She had too much to deal with. "What do you want?"

"I don't like your attitude Sami. I just wanted to make sure you remember that we're partners in this."

"Of course I remember that. I get Austin and you get Carrie. That's always been our goal."

"I'm just making sure that you will keep helping me."

"Why wouldn't I keep helping you?"

"Because you already have Austin. Does it really matter to you who Carrie ends up with?"

"Lucas, I said I would help you, and I will."

"I know you will. Because if you don't then I will tell Austin and Carrie everything we have done. Everything."

"If you do that then you'll never have Carrie."

"Maybe not. But if you refuse to help me I won't have her either. And if I can't have Carrie, then you can't have Austin."

Sami returned to the library but she didn't see Austin anywhere. She went to look for him but Victor stopped her. "Not trying to sneak out are you?"

His smile infuriated Sami even more. "Of course not", she smiled back. "I have nothing to worry about because if I go down, so does Kate. I know you're bluffing Victor."

Victor continued to smile. "Ten more minutes and we'll see who's bluffing." He left Sami and went back to the party.

Carrie saw Victor coming back in. "Do you think she'll tell the truth?"

"To be honest, I hope she doesn't. I think Austin should know exactly what she's done."

"I do too."

"Kate is telling Austin what she did now. I hope he understands."

"At least that removes the blackmail threat. Once Austin finds out about Sami, he'll understand."

Austin came back to the party with a dull look on his face. He couldn't believe what Kate had just told him. He wondered if Lucas knew but saw that Kate had called him away from the party too.

Carrie watched the time tick away. Soon, she thought, Austin and I can be together. She saw Marlena and went to her. "It's almost over."

"I know. I hope Sami will take me up on my offer."

"I do too. I hope you can help her."

"I think I can. She just needs to learn what true love really is."

Sami was getting nervous. Five more minutes. She stole a glance at Victor but he was still smiling. He doesn't want me to say anything, she realized. He's enjoying this too much. He isn't bluffing. He wants to expose everything I've done. She wanted to leave but she knew it was over no matter what she did. All she had now was Will to hold Austin and he might not even be Austin's son. She felt the tears welling up but fought them back. She prayed she had been right and Victor was bluffing. She saw Lucas leave Kate's office and went over to him. He deserved to know what was going to happen. "Lucas, we need to talk."

"Sami, you should have told me."

"Told you what?"

"I just had a long chat with my mom about what you've been blackmailing her with."

"She told you?", Sami realized that Kate had also talked to Austin. Did she tell him too? She looked for Austin and found him. From the look on his face she had.

"You're right. She told Austin too."

"Oh no", Sami couldn't fight the tears anymore. She was glad nobody could see her and Lucas. "He wasn't bluffing."

"Who wasn't bluffing? What are you talking about? You realize that mom could tell Austin everything now, don't you? You don't have anything to stop her."

"I'm not worried about Kate", Sami told Lucas what Victor had said. "It will all be over in a few minutes. I was going to warn you."

"Sami, why don't you just take his deal? You still have Will. You can get Austin back."

"It's too late. He gave me 30 minutes. Look at him Lucas. At this point he's going to tell no matter what I do. He's looking forward to it."

Lucas looked at Victor and realized Sami was right. It was over. Carrie would never be his. He would be lucky to keep her as a friend.

Kate came back to the party and went to Victor. "Is it time yet?"

Victor took Kate's hand. This had taken a toll on her. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. It was difficult but it was the right thing to do. I should have done it a long time ago. I only hope that Austin can find it in his heart to forgive me. Lucas is more upset that I didn't tell him sooner."

"I'm sure Austin will come around. He loves you."

"I hope you're right."

Carrie had moved over to the stereo as the time got closer. She looked at Kate anxiously, waiting for the signal. She felt a huge weight lift from her when Kate gave it.

Lucas and Sami returned to the party. "Sami, isn't there anything we can do?"

"I don't know Lucas. I can only hope he was bluffing", Sami was praying that she was right. When she heard Lucas' voice again. She knew she was wrong because Lucas hadn't said anything.

"Don't wait too long Sami. Now that you've decided to let him know your memory is back you've got to be careful. One false move and he'll be talking to Mickey about getting that annullment."

"Austin can never know my full memory is back. I've been very careful not to "remember" anything about him and Carrie. As long as I don't have any memory of our marriage being a sham I'm safe. It won't be much longer. I know Austin will fall in love with me soon."

Austin looked at Sami. She could see the hate in his eyes. Everyone was staring at her. They all hated her. Why couldn't they understand how much she loved Austin? She turned to Lucas but he was in shock. No one could help her now.

Carrie was relieved. As she played the tapes all of Sami's schemes were revealed by her own words. She could see the hurt in Austin's face and went to him. "I told you I would never give up on us."

Austin grabbed Carrie and hugged her. "I can't believe she fooled me again. I really thought she had changed."

"I know. She fooled me too. If it hadn't been for Kate, I would have never known."

Austin looked at his mother. She had tears in her eyes. He knew how difficult it had been for her to tell him the secret she had guarded so carefully. He looked back at Carrie. "You know, don't you? She told you."

"Yes. Sami knows too. She's been blackmailing Kate since Thanksgiving. When her memory returned she started blackmailing Kate again. That's why I helped Kate set this up. It was to only way to expose Sami."

"You're right. I don't think I would have believed Sami's memory had returned if I hadn't heard her say it myself. I wouldn't have believed she could still be so evil. I thought she would change after the accident."

"I hoped she would change too."

All around them was the sound of Sami's voice planning her schemes with Lucas. Austin couldn't take it anymore. "I've heard enough. Turn it off. Where's Mickey?"

Mickey came up to Austin. "Now I know why Kate invited Maggie and me to this party."

Austin's heart was light as he looked at Carrie. "Mickey, I want you to push my annullment through as fast as you can. Carrie and I can't wait to get married."

Mickey smiled. "I'll start on it first thing in the morning. It shouldn't take too long since all the paperwork is in order."

Carrie hugged Austin. "Thank you Mickey."

Austin couldn't stop looking at Carrie. "I am so sorry for everything I've put you through. It's all over now. You are the only one I want to be with."

"Oh Austin. I love you so much. I was so worried you would be angry with me."

"Never. I love you. Without you I would still be trapped in that loveless marriage with Sami." Austin leaned down and started to kiss Carrie.

Sami couldn't believe what was happening. This was too fast. It was all happening too fast. Austin was her husband!

Carrie raised herself to meet Austin's kiss. Just as their lips met they heard a bloodcurdling scream.