Lucas' Last Stand (Read 2,810 times)

[Kpatch]

Dedicated to all the Lucas fans who felt cheated of a proper exit for a favorite character.


Chapter 1


KROGER SUPERMARKET

[Readers: Please click the link to listen to the song that’s playing over the store’s public broadcasting system while reading this chapter:
]

Lucas is pushing his grocery cart through the store when his Blackberry rings.
Lucas: Damn, I wish I didn’t sign up for Facebook. I keep getting these annoying notifications every two minutes. Let’s see what this one is about. He looks at the display. Sami? Why is she trying to get in touch with me through Facebook? Why doesn’t she just call me like a normal person? Probably because she’s not a normal person.
The message: “Lucas, I need you. Hurry.”
His brow furrows and he lets out a sigh.
Lucas: Don’t you have four or five other beck-and-call boys? What do you “need” me for? Ha. Who am I kidding? She calls me because I’m the fool who drops everything for her and comes running. Oh hell.
He dials Sami’s number.
Lucas: What do you want, Sami?
Sami [on her cell phone]: What do you mean what do I want?
Lucas: You called me.
Sami: No, you called me.
Lucas: OK, then tweeted or fanned or friended. Whatever it’s called.
Sami: Lucas, have you been drinking?
Lucas: Sami, I’m not in the mood for this. If you need something, come out with it. Otherwise, I’ve got things to do.
Sami: Then go. Do your things.
Lucas hangs up.
Lucas: Damn, that woman is so irritating.


LUCAS’ HOUSE

Later, Lucas is home. He put his groceries away, changed into a black tee shirt and blue jeans, and has just made himself a plate of nachos. He’s at his computer getting comfortable when he logs into his Facebook account and sees a new message from Sami on his wall.

Message from Sami: Lucas, why haven’t you answered me???
Lucas types a response: I did! What’s wrong with you???
Lucas: Damn!
He logs off the computer, grabs his jacket, and heads out.


To be continued weekdays, starting tomorrow ...

______________________________________
Copyright © 2010 kpatch. All rights reserved.

[Kpatch]

THE PENTHOUSE

Lucas knocks, Sami opens the door, and Lucas barrels in. Rafe and Will are sitting on the sofa. Rafe is eating a slice of pizza and Will has his feet up on the coffee table and is texting on his cell phone.

Lucas: What are you doing, Sami?
Sami:: We’re having pizza. Want some?
Will [barely looking up]: Hey Dad.
Lucas: Will, get your feet off the table. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?
Rafe: Hey Lucas.
Lucas: Hi Ralph. Look Sami, why are you ... He looks over at Rafe and Will, then pulls Sami aside and whispers. Why are you posting strange messages on my Facebook wall?
Sami [speaking at normal volume]: I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lucas. I don’t have time for Facebook. I use Twitter.
Lucas: Well, that’s weird. Someone must be impersonating you.
Sami: You mean someone stole my identity?
Rafe: Did you say identity theft?
Sami: Lucas thinks someone stole my identity.
Lucas: That’s not what I said.
Rafe: I’m on it. He whips out his cell phone and makes a call. This is Rafe with the FBI. I need to run a check on a possible stolen identity.
Sami [punching some keys on her cell phone's keypad]: What’s the URL for Free Credit Report Dot Com?
Lucas rolls his eyes.
Will: Facebook is so yesterday.
Lucas: What do you mean? You have a Facebook account. I’ve seen it.
Will: No duh. I stopped using it when my parents started posting messages on my wall. So embarrassing.
Lucas: You know what? Forget it. Seriously. Just forget it. I’m outta here.
Sami: Lucas, don’t forget, you have Allie this weekend.
Lucas: Do I ever forget?


LUCAS’ HOUSE

Back at Lucas’ place, he gets on the computer to check Facebook once again and there’s a new message on the wall from Sami. This one makes his heart race.
Sami's message: Listen General, don’t make me pull rank on you. I’m waiting!
Lucas [talking to himself]: Sami is the only one who ever called me “General,” and she hasn’t called me by that name in years. This is getting very weird.

To be continued...

[Kpatch]

SALEM PD

Roman: Lucas, what da hell are you doing here?
Lucas: Can we talk in private?
Roman: Sure, we can use Bo’s office.
They go into Bo’s office and sit down. Lucas leans forward.
Lucas: I’m not sure how to say this.
Roman: Hold on a sec while I activate the cone of silence.
Lucas: I think Sami Brady is an imposter.
Roman: Not that again. You’ve been claiming Sami isn’t herself for the past two or three years.
Lucas: I know I’ve said this before, Roman, but this time it’s true. I’m sure of it.
Roman looks up in the air and shakes his head in exasperation.
Roman: You gonna tell me that Stefano has her?
Lucas: No one knows better than you what that man is capable of. He held you captive for years.
Roman: Okay, let’s say I believe you. What makes you think Sami isn’t Sami this time?
Lucas: I got a message on my Facebook wall and it was from Sami. So I called her and asked what she wanted and she says she didn’t post anything on my wall, that she prefers to use Twitter.
Roman: Okay, now you lost me. Facebook? Twitter? Are you gay?
Lucas: No!
Roman: Drunk?
Lucas: Damn it, Roman, I’m serious. Look at this. He uploads his Facebook account on his Blackberry. Damn, this thing loads slow.
Roman: Here. Use this computer.
Lucas accesses his account using Bo’s computer.
Lucas: Check this out.
Roman reads the messages that Lucas points to.
Roman: I’m not sure I know what I’m looking for.
Lucas: Here. This. This part where she calls me “General.” That’s something between me and Sami and no one else knows she calls me that.
Roman: So based on this one comment, you think my daughter ... the woman living in the Penthouse ... isn’t Sami.
Lucas: It’s not just that one comment ... there are dozens of clues, but that’s the one that tells me I’m right about this.
Roman: Ahhh. You’re dreaming. I know my daughter and ...
Lucas: No offense, Roman, but I know her better than you do. You were out of her life for quite a while.
Roman: Let’s be straight with each other, Lucas. You’ve said before that Sami isn’t herself, but I always figured that it was bad berries over the fact that you lost her to another guy. And then another guy after that.
Lucas: You know what? This isn’t bad berries or hard feelings or anything like that.
Roman: Okay, okay. Then answer me this. Just who da hell is da woman in da Penthouse?
Lucas: I have no idea. But I do know that the real Sami needs my help and I need to find her.
Roman: In order to launch an investigation, I’d need some hard evidence that the woman in the Penthouse isn’t Sami. Not just some post on Fakebook.
Lucas: Facebook.
Roman: Hmmm. I think I just figured out how to get dat proof!


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

SALEM PD, the next day

Lucas: What did you find out?
Roman: I visited Sami at the Penthouse.
Lucas: Uh huh.
Roman: And I borrowed the glass Sami was drinking out of ...
Lucas: Good! What did you find out?
Roman: I made sure she didn’t see me take the glass. I don’t want her to suspect anything. You know how sensitive Sami gets.
Lucas: Okay. So what did you find out?
Roman: I brought the glass down to the police lab.
Lucas: And what did you find out? Did you check her fingerprints?
Roman: And I had the lab analyze the DNA on the glass against my own DNA.
Lucas: Then what did you find out?
Roman: We found out it’s Sami.
Lucas: What’s Sami?
Roman: The woman in the Penthouse. It’s Sami.
Lucas: What? Are you sure?
Roman: I stayed while they ran the test. I didn’t want any doubts. And there aren’t any. The woman living in the Penthouse is definitely my daughter. No doubt about it.
Lucas: Damn. I was so sure ...
Roman: Sorry Lucas. There’s nothing more to do.
Roman leaves.
Lucas: Sorry Roman. I’m not buying it. It looks like I’ll have to do this by myself.


LUCAS’ HOME, that afternoon

Lucas gets home, logs onto Facebook and posts a message on his wall saying “Sami, where are you???”
While waiting for a response, Lucas takes out a notebook and writes like mad, detailing when he thinks Sami stopped being the Sami he knew and loved, the events that occurred, the actions that took place. He has about 10 pages of notes, when a new message pops up on his Facebook wall.
Sami’s message: I’m here. What’s up?
Lucas [muttering]: Jeez. Clear communication is an art form. I need to be more specific.
Lucas’s message: What is your exact location?
Sami’s reply: Damned if I know! My guess ... one of Stefano’s islands.

Lucas dials a number on his cell phone.
Lucas: Hey, it’s me. I need you to do something for me... No, not over the phone... No, not at your place either. Meet me at the park entrance in a half hour.


To be continued...

[Kpatch]

LUCAS’ HOME

Lucas dials a number on his cell phone.
Lucas: Hey, it’s me. I need you to do something for me... No, not over the phone... No, not at your place either. Meet me at the park entrance in a half hour.


SALEM CITY PARK, one hour later

Lucas: You’re late.
Kate: I had to do my hair and nails. I came as fast as I could. What’s wrong?
Lucas: Remember when you asked what you could do to get me to un-disown you?
Kate: Yes...
Lucas: You said you’d do anything. Did you mean it?
Kate: Yes, of course, sweetie.
Lucas: Then I have something I need you to do.
Kate: Just tell me and I’ll do it.
Lucas: You told me there’s a room in the Dimera Mansion that’s strictly off limits.
Kate: ...Anything but that.
Lucas: I haven’t even asked the question.
Kate: Well I presume you want me to get something for you from that room, right?
Lucas: No.
Kate: That’s a relief.
Lucas: I want you to get me the key ... or keys ... to all the locked drawers and cabinets and vaults in that room.
Kate: I can’t do that.
Lucas: Then, you know what? You and me, we’re finished.
Kate: No no. What I mean is ... there are no keys. It’s all keypads and codes.
Lucas: Then get me the codes. And get me some free time to get in there and do research.
Kate: Lucas, sweetie, do you realize what you’re asking? Stefano will kill me. And you. He’ll kill us both.
Lucas: That's a sweetheart of a guy you married.
Kate: Baby, it’s too dangerous to try ...
Lucas: Mom, I wouldn't ask if it weren't a matter of life and death.
Kate: Whose life?
Lucas: Mine.
Kate: I ... Lucas, sweetie, I want to help, but...
Lucas: If you don’t, we’re done. And I mean it this time.
Kate: This is big.
Lucas: I know, but if anyone can pull it off, you can.
Kate: Maybe you could sweeten the deal.
Lucas: Excuse me???
Kate: Perhaps you could persuade your brother to un-disown me too.
Lucas: You always did like Philip best.
Kate: Well, will you?
Lucas: I can’t make any promises, but I’ll call him and ask.
Kate: Good.
Lucas: Then we have a deal?
Kate: Deal.
Lucas: I’ll need to get into Stefano’s file room by tomorrow night.
Kate: So soon???
Lucas: Thanks Mom.
He leaves.
Kate: The things a mother does for her children.


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

JAVA CAFE, the next day

Kate: Here are the codes.
She hands Lucas a piece of paper.
Lucas: Is this all of them? Are you sure they’re right?
Kate: Positive.
Lucas: How did you get them?
Kate: You don’t want to know. But it’s amazing what Rolf will say and do when you give him a little Schnapps.
Lucas: This is great Mom, thanks!
Kate: Stefano and I are going to the opera tonight. I convinced Stefano to give the staff the night off. The house will be completely empty after 7:00.
Lucas: What about the main security system?
Kate: That code is on the list too, along with the code to the front door. I’m going to accidentally disable the video cameras before we leave tonight.
Lucas: That’s perfect.
Kate: I’ve taken care of everything I can think of. The rest is up to you. Be careful, baby.
Lucas: I will.


DIMERA MANSION, 7:30 that night

Lucas has gotten into the mansion using the security code his mother gave him. He is wearing gloves to ensure he leaves no fingerprints behind. He makes his way upstairs to the secret file room and he enters the code on the keypad outside the door. The door opens and Lucas goes inside. The room is spare. No file cabinets. No locked drawers. Just a computer, a desk, and a chair. He turns the computer on and enters the logon code, then another code to log into the history file. He looks at the file folders on the hard drive. There’s a folder that says “Hostages.” Lucas double clicks the folder and sees a series of subfolders. There’s one for Roman Brady. One for Marlena Evans. Another one called “The Pawn” for John Black. One for Hope Brady. One for Anthony Dimera. One for Steve Johnson, and so on. Finally, he sees the one for Samantha Brady, which confirms that his suspicions were correct. He double clicks the folder and it opens. At that very moment, he hears a noise downstairs.


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

DIMERA MANSION

Lucas hears voices downstairs and opens the door a crack.

Kate: I can’t believe you left the tickets home.
Stefano: What can I tell you, tessora, I’m not perfect. And you don’t need to shout, Katherine. I’m not hard of hearing.
Kate: I just don’t want to miss the overture.
Stefano: Now where did I leave those tickets. Ah, upstairs!
Kate: No!!!
Stefano: Pardon me?
Kate: I’ll get them, my darling. I don’t want you overexerting yourself. You wait down here.
Stefano: They should be in the top drawer of my armoire.

Kate hurries upstairs, looks toward the file room and motions for Lucas to close the door, which he does. She finds the tickets and heads back downstairs.

Kate [loudly]: I found them. Let’s go.
Stefano: Still shouting? Maybe you are the one who is hard of hearing, eh?
Kate: Very funny.

They leave. Lucas hears the front door close and sits back down in the chair in front of the computer. He proceeds to review the files that say “Samantha Brady.” He clicks the top file and an audio recording plays.

Rolf: Calm down, Stefano.
Stefano: Calm? How can I be calm when I sent my idiot son to do a job -- a tiny mindless task -- and he fails.
Rolf: Zeez things can be tricky, Stefano.
Stefano: Elvis was supposed to impregnate Samantha Brady. How hard can that be?
Rolf: I have some other bad news, but you must remain calm or I will not tell you.
Stefano [yelling]: I’m calm. I’m calm.
Rolf: It’s about zee DNA tests. I only had time to switch zee results for one of zee twins.
Stefano [flipping out]: What??? You incompetent idiot! They are twins, you nincompoop. Who in their right mind would believe that the twins have different fathers?
Rolf: It happens. It’s extremely rare, but it is biologically feasible.
Stefano: Ayayay. At least tell me you switched it so it looks like the boy belongs to Elvis.
Rolf: Zat is correct. Everyone will believe that the male child is his. What shall we do now, Stefano?
The recording ends.

Lucas: Johnny is mine? He’s my son? Zis is incredible! I mean, this is incredible.
Lucas sits there for a moment, paralyzed by a plethora of emotions. He is at once delighted and outraged. Tears fill his eyes. He shakes himself.
Lucas: Focus, Lucas, focus. You haven’t got all night. You need to concentrate on finding Sami. I know you’re out there somewhere, Sami, and I will find you. I swear to God I will.
He clicks on the next file.


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

DIMERA MANSION

Lucas clicks on the next audio file.

Rolf: What did she say?
Stefano: The little idiot said no!
Rolf: What???
Stefano: I told her she had to stay with EJ to give him a reason to live. But she said EJ’s only sickness is that he’s a pathological liar and she didn’t care if he lived or died.
Rolf: Even after you threatened to kill all zee Bradys?
Stefano: That heartless little witch said that it couldn’t be any worse than what we’ve done to her family for the last 25 years. She said the Bradys aren’t afraid and they will fight back.
Rolf: I can’t believe it.
Stefano: Neither could I. She obviously thinks I am bluffing.
Rolf: We can’t let her get away with zis.
Stefano: Of course we cannot. At first, I merely wanted to do something nice for Elvis, but no more Mr. Nice Guy. This time, it's personal. I hate Samantha Brady. I would rather not have to interact with her at all. But my son loves her for some unfathomable reason.
Rolf: Love iz blind, as they say.
Stefano: It must be deaf and dumb as well. Have you heard the way she yells?
Lucas lets out a brief laugh when he hears that comment.
Rolf: Zat is EJ’s cross to bear. He married her.
Stefano: Maybe...
Rolf: What do you mean “maybe”?
Stefano: They never signed the marriage license after EJ was shot. We have nothing to hold over her except threats!
Rolf: What are we going to do?
Stefano: I have a plan.
Rolf: I knew you would, Stefano. What is it?
Stefano: We get rid of Samantha Brady.
Rolf: But that will displease EJ.
Stefano: Elvis doesn’t need to know.
Rolf: Begging your pardon, Stefano, but EJ is bound to notice eventually. He may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but ...
Stefano: Think you idiot, think! You will go into the laboratory and create a clone of Samantha.
Rolf: I don’t know, Stefano.
Stefano: What do you mean you don’t know? You’ve done it before, you can do it again. Andre was a perfect duplicate for Anthony.
Rolf: Yes, I am very proud of the work I did on Andre. It was the greatest achievement of my career. But I’m not as young as I used to be, Stefano, and creating a doppelganger is harder than it looks.
Stefano: Then, if you can’t do it, perhaps I will have to find a substitute for you.
Rolf: Ah. Perhaps I answered too hastily, Stefano. After all, I mustn’t rest on my laurels. I will be happy to take on zis new challenge.
Stefano: I thought you’d see things my way.
Rolf: But I need a ... a canvas ... to work with. Just as Andre was a perfect canvas for Anthony, I need someone who has similar enough traits to Sami Brady that the transformation will be seamless. Who can we use to create Sami 2.0?
Stefano: Must I do all the thinking here? The person we will use is already within our possession. And no one has missed her yet.
Rolf: Ah yes, Stefano. You are indeed brilliant.
Stefano: That is why they pay me the big bucks.
The recording ends.

Lucas: I knew it! They created a double for Sami. But who’s the Pod Sami? Come on, Boris and Natasha, talk to me.
He clicks the next audio file, dated December 27, 2007.


To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

DIMERA MANSION

Lucas: I knew it! They created a double for Sami. But who’s the fake Sami? Come on, Boris and Natasha, talk to me.
He clicks the next audio file, dated December 27, 2007.

Rolf: Zee zubstitution is complete, Stefano. Sami has been taken to our secret location and Sami 2.0 has been put in her place.
Stefano: Fine fine.
Rolf: You don’t seem very pleased.
Stefano: Ah well. She looks very much like the original Samantha.
Rolf: Yez, of course. Although she is not a clone per se, zee substitution is flawless. I defy anyone to tell zee difference.
Stefano: Bah. The new Samantha is just as stubborn as the original.
Rolf: Zat was intentional, Stefano. I didn’t want to make her entirely submissive. People would suspect that something is afoot if her personality changed too draztically.
Stefano [sighing heavily]: I suppose you are right.
Rolf: She will put up a struggle, but in the end, she will always submit to the Dimeras’ wishes.
Stefano: I have one more concern.
Rolf: Only one?
Stefano: That idiot Lucas Roberts ... or Lucas Horton ... whatever the hell name he is going by.
Rolf: What is zee problem?
Stefano: If anyone might suspect that Samantha is not Samantha, it is him.
Rolf: Ah yes, zat iz true. He knows Sami better than anybody. Shall we replace him too?
Stefano: No, he’s not worth the effort. But we need to create a diversion.
Rolf: A diversion?
Stefano: Get him interested in another woman to keep him from thinking about Samantha.
Rolf: Excellent plan! But who?
Stefano [stroking his beard]: Hmmm. Let me think. Nicole Walker!
Rolf: Been zere done zat.
Stefano: What about that other bimbo ... what’s her name? The opera singer.
Rolf: Chloe Lane! Excellent choice, Stefano. I will prepare a cocktail that will cause them to be attracted to one another.

Lucas mutters: Bull! Since when does a woman need a drug to be attracted to me? ... Still, that would explain a lot.

Stefano: Excellent. Speaking of putting up a struggle, how is the original Samantha?
Rolf: She is unharmed, but she will be in a vegetative state for several weeks before she awakens from zee drug-induced stupor.
Stefano: And she will be completely cut off from communications? Completely?
Rolf: As you ordered. Except for zee guards, she iz alone in our gated compound on zee island. Provisions will be airlifted by helicopter and drop-shipped to her once per week.
Stefano: Bravo, my good man. You can expect a bonus in your Christmas stocking next year.
Rolf: Not until next year?

The audio file ends. That was the last of them.

Lucas: That’s it??? Damn! That can’t be it. I still don’t know where she is. And who the hell is Sami 2.0?


To be continued...

[Kpatch]

DIMERA MANSION

Lucas: That’s it??? Damn! That can’t be it. I still don’t know where she is. And who the hell is Sami 2.0?

He looks at the files again, opens each one and sees nothing he hasn’t seen before. Then he starts the process again, this time more methodically. He opens the files for John Black, Marlena Evans, Hope Brady, Anthony Dimera, Steven Johnson, and Roman Brady. Inside Roman’s file, he notices a subdirectory that says “Pod Project.” He double clicks the folder and a message pops up: “This file is password protected. Please enter your password.” He looks for it on the paperwork Kate gave him, but there are no more codes or passwords.

Lucas: No. Damn it! I can’t have come this far and not find out where Sami is. Think, Lucas, think.

Lucas thinks about common passwords. He tries FLOR, Rolf spelled backwards.

A dialog box appears. “Your password entry is invalid. Please try again.”

He tries ONAFETS, Stefano spelled backwards.

A dialog box appears. “Your password entry is invalid. You are permitted one more attempt before being locked out completely.”

Lucas: Damn it to hell!

Then a popup appears, saying: “Forgot your password? Please enter your email address and we’ll send it to you.”

Lucas quickly creates a Yahoo email account that can’t be traced back to him. He enters the new email address into the computer and receives the password, LEIBCHEN. He enters the password. Voila. The file opens!


To be continued...

[Kpatch]

DIMERA MANSION

Lucas enters the password, LEIBCHEN. Voila. The file opens! He clicks on the audio file.

Rolf: Zis is Dr. Rolf reporting my progress on zee Pod Project. I have completed zee transformation and Stefano was correct. Our zubject was an excellent candidate to become Sami Brady, especially since she has zee same DNA as Sami Brady. And because I created her in my lab originally, zee procedure went extremely smoothly. Cassie Brady is now Sami Brady. She has all of Sami’s memories and none of Cassie’s.

Lucas: Cassie? No wonder Roman’s DNA matched hers! She is his daughter. And that means Cassie is Sydney’s mother ... which makes Sydney my niece. But I still need to find out where they’re keeping my Sami.

Lucas sees a small icon embedded in the Pod Project file and double clicks it. To his delight, a PDF of a map opens up. The map shows the longitude and latitude of an island called Melaswen, and includes an inset of a compound.
Lucas: This is it! This is it! This is where they’re keeping Sami.

Lucas feels his heart racing as he drags and drops the PDF for the map into his new email program and sends himself a copy. He makes sure the email went through. He quickly checks all the files one more time to be certain he has the information he needs, then he powers down the computer, puts everything back the way he found it, listens at the door, then bolts.


LUCAS’ HOUSE, later that night

Lucas [on the phone]: Marlena, it’s Lucas.
Marlena: Lucas, what a surprise. Is everything alright with Sami and the kids?
Lucas: I need you to do me a big favor, but you can’t ask any questions.
Marlena: I’m not sure I can do that.
Lucas: I know it’s hard, but I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important. The twins’ safety depends on it.
Marlena: What is it you need me to do?
Lucas: I need you to call EJ. But you can’t tell Sami about this....

After speaking with Marlena, Lucas logs onto his Facebook account and posts a new message on his wall.
Lucas’ message: Hang on, honey. I’m coming.


To be continued...

[Kpatch]

BRADY PUB

Lucas is walking toward the entrance of the Pub carrying Allie and holding a manila envelope. He sees EJ driving away after dropping Johnny off with Caroline.After Lucas spoke to Marlena, she got Sami and EJ to agree to allow Johnny and Allie to visit. Marlena will fly to Salem today, pick up the twins at the Pub and fly them back to Switzerland. Lucas didn’t give her any details, only that the children’s safety depended on it. Lucas thinks about the fact that Stefano pulled a fast one over on his own son.

Lucas: EJ thinks he’s got it made, but his entire life is one big lie. Sami isn’t even the mother of his children. And you know what, Allie?
Allie: What?
Lucas: He’s getting exactly what he deserves. You know, every time I see that man, I want to ... He looks at Allie and stops himself from finishing his sentence. If I did what I really wanted to do to EJ, I’d just wind up in jail again and that would be a very bad thing because it would keep me from seeing my sweet little girl.
Allie: Me!
Lucas: That’s right. And we wouldn’t want that, now would we?
Allie: No way.
Lucas [laughing]: That’s right, honey. No way. Besides which, the food in prison stinks.

Lucas enters the Pub and sees Caroline sitting at a table with Johnny. Johnny is coloring on a paper placemat Caroline gave him. She gets up to greet Lucas and Allie. He puts Allie down and she runs to Johnny, hugs him, then picks up a crayon.

Lucas: Thanks for agreeing to look after the twins, Caroline. Marlena should be here in a few hours.
Caroline: They always have such a good time visiting with Marlena and John.
Lucas: Could you do me another favor? He looks at the manila envelope and hesitates for a moment, then takes a deep breath. Could you give this to Roman?
He hands her the envelope.
Lucas: It’s really important.
Caroline: Of course. I’ll see that he gets it.

Lucas crouches next to the table where the kids are coloring and gets choked up as he speaks to them.
Lucas: I’m going on a little trip, kids, so you be good for your Great Grandma Caroline and Grandma Marlena, okay?
Allie: Okay Daddy.
He gives Allie a big hug and then goes over to Johnny.
Lucas: Hey little man, you think you could give me a hug just like your sister did?
Johnny: Okay.
Lucas closes his eyes and hugs his son tightly while fighting back tears. Kate, Maggie and Philip arrive. Lucas gets up and strokes Johnny’s hair.
Lucas: Be good, kiddo.

He joins Kate, Philip and Maggie near the front door of the Pub. None of them know exactly where Lucas is going or why, only that his mission is risky, and they won’t see him again for a very long time, if ever.
Lucas: Thanks for coming Maggie.
Maggie: I couldn’t let you leave without saying a proper goodbye. They hug.
Lucas: I’ll miss you, Maggie ... more than you know. He looks over at Philip.
Philip: The jet’s gassed up and waiting for you.
Lucas: Thanks man.
Philip: You’ll be in good hands too. Joe is Titan’s best pilot. In January, he got Dad home safely in a snowstorm with only one engine. More importantly, he’s retired military, so he’s ready for anything. Whatever you need.
Lucas: I’ll keep that in mind. Take care of yourself, man.
Philip: You too.
The brothers embrace. Then Lucas turns his attention to Kate.
Lucas: Mom, thanks for your help ... and for not asking any questions.
Kate: It’s probably best that I don’t know anything.
Lucas: I love you, Mom. Be careful.They hug.
Kate: I love you too, baby.

Lucas walks toward the door, turns and looks at Kate, Philip, Maggie, Caroline, and his children. He nods at them all and bids farewell to Salem.


To be continued...

[Kpatch]

TITAN JET

The airplane has just reached cruising altitude. Lucas flips through a magazine, but he can’t concentrate. He’s as antsy as hell. He studies the map of the compound, as he has done time and again since obtaining it. Then he pulls out his Blackberry and starts scrolling through some photographs and thinking about his life with Sami.

Lucas: I know you’re out there, Sami. I can feel you getting near.

Readers: Please click the link to see what Lucas is remembering:



To be continued.

[Kpatch]

BRADY PUB

Caroline: Lucas asked me to give this to you, Roman. He said it’s really important.
Roman opens the envelope. There is a piece of paper inside with a series of typewritten numbers.
Roman: What are these? Codes?
He looks in the envelope again and takes out a handwritten note from Lucas that reads: “I think you’ll find this very interesting. It’s something you’ve been waiting most of your life for – the keys to the kingdom – but you can never tell anyone where you got it. The rest is up to you, Dad. Good luck and take care.”
Roman: Dad??? What duh ...?


MELASWEN ISLAND

Lucas and Joe the pilot are standing in front of the gated compound, facing the northern side of an expansive single-story house that looks like a vacation resort. Its southern side faces the ocean. The compound is encircled by a 20-foot high wrought iron fence.
Joe: Don’t!
Lucas: Don’t what?
Joe: Don’t touch it. The fence is electrified.
Lucas: That’s just great. Now what?
Joe: You don’t happen to have the code that opens this gate, do you?
Lucas [sighs]: No. What’s that thing? What are you doing?
Joe: It’s a device that safecrackers use. We used it in the Marines to ... well I can’t tell you what we used it for. It’s classified. If I told you, I’d have to kill you.
Lucas: Something tells me you’re not joking.
Joe: I’m an ex-Marine. I never joke.
Joe zeroes in on the signal and the device lights up.
Joe: Got it. The code is 11081965.
Lucas: I should have figured that out.
Joe: Why?
Lucas: November 8th 1965. That’s the day that Days of Our Lives debuted.

Lucas enters the code on the keypad. The gate opens.
Joe: Reconnaissance says the guards are gone, so it’s all yours. I’ll wait here for you. Take your time.
Lucas feels his heart pounding as he walks through the gate and enters the compound. He goes into the house which has an open floorplan, travertine tile floors, vaulted ceilings, stainless steel appliances, central heat, air, and radio, new window treatments, three bedrooms, an Italian marble fireplace, and upgrades galore. It’s listed at $6.5 million or best offer.

Lucas walks through the house from the front to the back where the sliding terrace door is wide open. As he walks onto the terrace, he sees Sami sitting on the terrace steps, gazing at the sea with her chin resting on her hands and her elbows leaning on her knees. Lucas stops about 15 feet away from her.
Lucas: Hi honey, I’m home.
Before she turns to face him, Sami softly says “Lucas.”



To be continued ...

[Kpatch]

MELASWEN ISLAND

As Lucas walks onto the terrace, he sees Sami sitting on the terrace steps, gazing at the sea with her chin resting on her hands and her elbows leaning on her knees. Lucas stops about 15 feet away from her.
Lucas: Hi honey, I’m home.

Before she turns to face him, she softly says “Lucas.” She turns and looks at him, stands up, and puts her hands on her hips.
Sami: What the hell took you so long?
Lucas: Sorry I’m late. Rush hour traffic was a bear.
She runs into his open arms and he holds her as tightly as humanly possible for several minutes. He takes a step back, looks into her eyes and smiles a wry smile.
Sami [pushing him away]: What’s so funny, Coma Boy?
Lucas: Just checking to make sure you’re really my Sami.
Sami: Who else would I be?
Lucas: Well, you never know ....
Sami: What does that mean?
Lucas: Long story.
Sami: My family, are they ...?
Lucas: Everyone’s fine.
Sami: Truly? I thought they killed everyone.
Lucas: What???
Sami: Because I didn’t cooperate with the Dimeras. She starts to talk really fast and breathlessly. Every week, I got a message saying that someone else died. Like they told me Grandma Caroline had a heart attack, Grampa Shawn died in a plane crash, my father was killed on the job, and my mother died in a skiing accident, Uncle Bo died of cancer, Will died of a drug overdose....
Lucas: Sami Sami, take a breath.
She starts crying and Lucas puts his arms around her.
Lucas: Sami, they lied to you. Except ... Grampa Shawn did die, but the Dimeras didn’t kill him. Everyone else ... they’re all alive and well.
Sami buries her face into Lucas’ chest and begins sobbing uncontrollably.
Lucas: I can’t believe they made you think everyone was dead all this time.
Sami: They’re gonna pay, Lucas. I swear, if it’s the last thing I do ...
He strokes her face to wipe her tears away.
Lucas: That’s right. They are going to pay. Stefano, EJ, Rolf. I gave the police the hard evidence they need.
Sami: Since when did you turn into a superhero? It’s very becoming.
Lucas: What did they tell you about me? Did they tell you I died?
Sami: Worse than that. They told me you married Chloe. But I knew that one was a lie.


To be continued ...