AT MAISON BLANCHE:

Lexie walked over to Stefano sleeping in his hospital bed and grabbed his hand.

To her surprise, Stefano clutched her hand back and opened his eyes.

“I heard you just then, Alexandra,” Stefano said. “And I just want you to know that I appreciate all the sacrifices you have made for the family.”

“Oh, Father,” Lexie said uncomfortably. “You should get your rest and not worry about Sami.”

“But I need to tell you something, Alexandra,” Stefano insisted. “Something very important.”

“Well, what is it?” Lexie asked curiously.

“I need you to know I’ve decided about my inheritance,” Stefano said.

“Oh you shouldn’t be worrying about that,” Lexie said. “You’re not going to die yet. We’re going to have you back to normal in no time.”

“Maybe so, Alexandra,” Stefano said. “But this experience has been quite humbling for me. And it’s taught me a lot about my children.”

“How so?” Lexie asked.

“It’s taught me that you are the only child that I can count on,” Stefano said to Lexie’s surprise.

“But Father… what do you mean?” Lexie asked. “I haven’t always been the most dutiful DiMera.”

“No, Alexandra, you haven’t,” Stefano said. “That’s why your loyalty to me now, when I’m most vulnerable, means so much to me. You are willing to protect this family’s secrets for my welfare. And that means I can trust you, and only you, to carry on the DiMera legacy.”

AT MYTHIC COMMUNICATIONS:

“Mom, I need to speak to you…” Lucas said before stopping when he looked up to see his mother and Tony DiMera about to have sex. “Oh God, can’t you guys keep in your pants until after work?”

Lucas turned away as Kate and Tony both strived to smooth out their rumpled suits.

“Can’t you learn to knock before entering someone else’s office, Lucas?” Tony said huffily.

“I’ll be right back, Tony,” Kate said while she walked with Lucas out to the hallway with equal embarrassment and exasperation at her son’s interruption.

“So just what was so damn important you came barging in there, Lucas?” Kate asked angrily.

“Keep your voice down. I don’t want him to hear you,” Lucas said.

“Who?” Kate asked.

“Tony,” Lucas said.

Kate laughed. Yet Tony did hear them because his ear was pressed against the door.

“Lucas, you are acting ridiculous.” Kate said. “Is this a drinking thing?”

“No, Mom. It’s not a drinking thing.” Lucas said defensively. “It’s about Sami.”

“Sami?” Kate said rolling her eyes. “Well, then it is a drinking thing except I’m going to be the one in the drunken stupor.”

“Could you just save your wise cracks for five seconds so I can explain?” Lucas asked. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m going to be gone for a couple days so I can search for her and I wanted to know if you could cover for me.”

“Cover for you? So you can go on some wild bimbo chase?” Kate said. “Lucas, I know you still have a lot of feelings for that heartless wench and I’m sure the alcohol stirs those feelings up, but I don’t know what you think you’re going to accomplish pretending that she’s out there just waiting for you to rescue her.”

“I’m not pretending,” Lucas insisted. “She could really need me to rescue her.”

“Rescue you from whom?” Kate asked dismissively.

“Stefano DiMera.” Lucas said flatly.

“Stefano?” Kate scoffed. “Where did you get that idea.”

“It’s not important,” Lucas said.

“Actually it is important, Lucas,” Kate said. “I know your work attendance hasn’t been so great lately but in case you haven’t noticed, we’re in business with the DiMeras.”

“Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed,” Lucas sighed. “Look, the truth is, if you must know, I’m going back to New Orleans. I think Sami’s there or at least I think I can find some kind of clue of where she is by going back to that old mansion we were at on her honeymoon the night she disappeared.”

Tony heard this news and beads of sweat began to form around his neck. All his plans would be ruined if Lucas returned to Maison Blanche. Tony would have to go to New Orleans and stop Lucas from exposing the truth. Unless Kate was able to help him once again and convince Lucas that going to New Orleans was a bad idea.

“But Lucas, you know as well as I do that there’s nothing there,” Kate said throwing her hands in the air in frustration. “We looked over every nook and cranny of that place and there was nothing. Not one shred of evidence that anything Sami said in her letter about wanting to be with E.J. wasn’t true. But… I guess the sooner you realize that the sooner you can move on with your life.”

“Damn,” Tony whispered to himself. He walked over to the phone to put in a call to get the Mythic jet ready for a flight to New Orleans.

“You’re right, Mom,” Lucas said. “I do need this to move on with my life. One way or another. Thanks for understanding.”

Kate watched as Lucas got in the elevator to head toward New Orleans and kicked the air in frustration about the hold that Sami still held over Lucas’s heart. Seeking to forget her frustrations she walked back into Tony’s office hoping they could pick up where they left off, but when she walked back into his office she saw Tony with her back to her and heard him on the phone lining up a flight to New Orleans on the Mythic jet. Tony slammed down the phone unaware that Kate was listening.

“Just what business in New Orleans does Mythic have, Tony?” Kate asked to Tony’s surprise.