2000
Sami and Nicole joined forces against Lucas. Sami's bitter enemy, Kate, and Lucas continued to work together to ruin Sami, this time by creating a Will look-a-like doll. But in Italy, Lucas was furious when the plan went too far and Sami almost died. Thankfully, Brandon Walker saved Sami from certain death as she dangled from the side of a cliff.

2001
The custody tug-of-war continued and Lucas was forced to give over custody of Will and was later in a devastating fire and fell into a coma. Sami's dream came true and she and Austin fell in love and were engaged.

2002
Sami took Will to see a comatose Lucas and against all odds Lucas woke up. Sami threatened to kill her once lover. Lucas apologized to Sami about the past and asked for forgiveness. Once Lucas was back on his feet in Salem, Austin overheard Sami admit that Lucas didn't hit Will, and Lucas recorded the conversation. Austin left Sami before their wedding and Sami blamed Lucas. To complicate Sami's life, Lucas moved in next door. Victor found the taped confession that Lucas had, and he made Sami let Lucas see Will for the summer. Lucas took Will to Africa.

2003
Brandon asked Sami to move in with him. Lucas warned Sami that Brandon had best not try to take his place in Will's life. Lucas got Tony to assist him in bringing Sami down. He then saved Sami's life when she was held at gunpoint. During an argument with Tony, Sami fell through glass doors, injuring her so badly she was left unable to speak. Sami nearly died, and this left Lucas an emotional mess. Both Sami and Lucas began to wonder what could have been. Tragedy struck when Salem was hit with murder after murder, including many relatives of both Sami and Lucas. Sami was in pieces, and Lucas surprisingly was there to help hold her together.

2004
Despite their past, and her mission to ruin his mother, things heated up between Sami and Lucas, though neither one were ready to admit it to each other. Sami's mother, Marlena, was killed and accused of being the serial killer, and this tore Sami apart. She was hell-bent on seeking revenge, and only Lucas was able to get through to her. After a decade of manipulations, hurtful actions and love, Sami and Lucas were finally engaged. But will they live happily ever after? Only time will tell now that Sami's ex-flame Brandon has made his way back to Salem and Kate is still determined to split up the couple.