EJ yelled for the paramedics as they immediately rushed to Samantha's side stabilizing her for transport to the hospital. He was glad for once that Salem was such a small town for the fire department, police and an ambulance had arrived at the scene all at the same time.

"Sir, we'll be transporting Ms. Brady. You'll have to ride behind us." He almost retracted that sentiment when the paramedics knew he wasn't kin to his beloved. It was only, Philip's calming grip to his shoulder that kept him from starting World War III. Not that he was in fighting shape, with the adrenaline wearing off, he could feel a shiver race down his spine and his hands, which had been steady holding his shirt against Samantha's wound were trembling.

"Andre?" He whispered, turning to Philip.

"Dead," The man assured as they moved quickly toward the vehicle. I put a bullet through his head. He's not getting up from that."

"Good. And the body?"

"Ciro was minutes behind us and he's already moved it for disposal." He finished quickly as they saw two officers approaching.

"Mr. Dimera, Mr. Kiriakis, we need to take your statement."

EJ was just about ready to blow, but Philip stepped forward first.

"I'm sorry officers, but you're going to have to meet us at the hospital." His tone left no room for argument.

Climbing into the car they pulled away, speeding toward the hospital.

EJ bolted through the emergency doors, eyes wildly looking around for some glimpse of Samantha.

In the distance, he saw his sister, her face thunderous as she marched toward him, "EJ, I can't believe…"

"Samantha?" He cut her off. She could lay into him later.

"She... The bullet hit her spleen. She lost a lot of blood and needed emergency surgery."

He felt as though all the breath had been knocked from his chest, "Is she going to be alright? Please Alexandra, I have to know…" He begged, his hands reaching out to grip his sister's for reassurance.

"EJ! My God! You're freezing!" She exclaimed, hands pulling him to a gurney as she motioned to the nurse, voice urgent with worry. "He's relapsing. Get me…"

At that point, his vision darkened around the edges and just before he blacked out, EJ had a fleeting thought that he really needed to stop doing this.

"Samantha?" Her name slipped from his lips as he gained consciousness.

"I get the feeling her name is going to be the first thing out of your mouth from this point forward." It was Alexandra, a sardonic smile on her lips. "She's holding her own. She came through the surgery okay and she's in recovery."

"Can I see her?" He smiled.

"Once she's out of recovery and get some rest, of course you can. I will see what I can do about getting you a double room so you can be near her."

"Thank you, Alexandra."

She leaned in, placing a kiss to his forehead, she said, "My friends call me Lexi, but my brother… my brother can call me Alexandra."

He chuckled and with a quick squeeze let her go.

"Oh EJ," She turned back as she was about to exit, "the police are here to talk to you, should I let them in or do you want me to stall for a few more hours."

He shrugged more than willing to get that over with, "Let them in."

However, when Commander Roman and his brother, Detective Bo Brady entered EJ let out a a put upon sigh in the face of their glares.

"Gentleman, what can I help you with today?"

"You know, young lady, I think I deserve a reward after putting up with your father and your uncle. What say you open those beautiful eyes."

"A reward, huh?" She croaked, trying to swallow against the dryness of her throat.

"Water?"

Sami nodded her head in agreement as he stood. After taking a few sips, she waved him away.

"What is this about a reward?"

"I was thinking since I had to sit through an interrogation with your father, which had far more inappropriately thrown accusations than actual police work, the least you could do was to wake up and keep me company."

Sami noticed that he too was in a hospital gown, and abruptly sat up, " EJ, why are you back in the hospital?"

"Don't try to get up!" He urged pushing on her shoulders to get her to lie back. "I had a... relapse. Some kind of afterdrop or something. I'm fine now. I promise."

She looked at him skeptically, so he admitted, "Fine might be an exaggeration, but I'm a sight better than you darling. Don't try to move until the doctor comes."

"Only in you promise to get back in your bed," She countered, staring him down until he relented and lay on the bed next to her own.

"So, my father?" She asked, once he was settled.

"Right, your father was blowing smoke as he wanted to charge me with a double homicide and interestingly enough desecration of a grave."

"Double homicide?" She asked, before realizing, "Marco?

"I'm sorry." He confirmed, reaching out to link his fingers with hers.

Sami nodded. It was something her subconscious had known, for she had heard the second shot in the tomb. It didn't make it any easier as tears welled up in her eyes, "He doesn't have any other family. We... we need to do a memorial service for him."

"We will. I promise," EJ assured her, "but right now I want you to focus on getting better."

"Did that bastard get away?"

"No. Andre is dead, never to rise again." He spoke determinedly, the malice in his voice unmistakable. "I spoke to Philip minutes ago and even if someone had a map of that particular puzzle, there would be no way to put all the pieces back together. "

"Good, that psycho deserved it."

"And more."

"And what about Stefano?"

"He is where you left him and is going nowhere. We will deal with him when we are both fit enough for the task."

"Are you alright?" Sami asked, picking up on the tension in his voice.

"I have no desire to talk about, Stefano. What I do wish to talk about is how much I love you and will always love you. I almost lost my reason today and I have no desire to spend another day without you by my side. So I am putting you on notice, Samantha Brady, when we are both released from the hospital, you will marry."

"Will I?" She teased, "I think, Mr. Dimera, it's customary to ask."

"Those chaps need to get their act together since I already know what your answer will be."

"Do you?"

"Yes, because you trust me."

"I do. I love you EJ Dimera and I love all that you have been and will be to me and I can't wait to be your wife."

"You know, if you hadn't ordered me to bed, I would be kissing you."

"I might be persuaded to let you break that order."

Even before he had finished the words, he was out of the bed, and with that kiss they started their future together.