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A Time Line of Events in Chronological Order

Sami gets blackmail on Kate. Part of it is proof that she hired Franco to come between Bo and Hope, so Bo would be free to be with Billie.

In the last week of December 1997, Franco overhears Sami crying to her father about her fears that no man will ever love her. He realizes he can play on these fears if he needs to.

Franco begins giving Sami advice on how to catch a married (to Carrie) Austin's eye.

They share a New Years dance at Mike and Carrie's charity event which took place at the Penthouse Grill.

After the New Years Party, Sami is attacked by a man in a mask . . . but Franco comes to her "rescue."

Franco later meets the attacker and pays him, saying "Job well done."

Franco continues to show up and be there for Sami at times she is most vulnerable.

Surprisingly, when Kate offers to pay Franco to romance Sami, he turns her down.

Sami decides to use Franco to make Austin jealous.

They share their first kiss at Chez Vous on a fake date. He says it's to help make Austin, who happens to be there on a date with Carrie, jealous.

Sami asks Roman how she's supposed to know if someone is interested in her. He is glad that she's moving on. She says she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to love anyone but Austin.

Franco asks Sami if she and Will would like to go to the circus. Lucas objects.

Franco continues to romance her, sending flowers and saying nice things to her.

Sami feels jealous when she sees him flirting with a model during a shoot.

Franco tells Sami he will help her change her image. They go shopping for more business-appropriate attire.

When Franco tells Sami to give up whatever she has planned concerning Austin, she tells him she gets enough criticism at home and doesn't need to hear it from him too. He apologizes.

Anytime Sami starts to complain, Franco tells her to focus on her new image.

Franco asks Sami to trust him. She replies that she has a hard time trusting people.

Sami tells Hope that she likes Franco but that she realizes he is still in love with Hope.

Sami tells Eric that she thinks Franco is the man that can help her move on with her life.

Franco and Sami go out on their first date.

Roman warns Franco not to hurt Sami.

Franco suggests to Sami that she get Austin back into boxing because it's something Carrie is against. They pay an old boxing buddy of Austin's to talk with him about fighting again.

Franco models with Nicole while Eric takes test shots for Sami's New Faces campaign.

Sami continues to grow closer with Franco -- or so she thinks. She starts to feel that she may love him.

Sami and Franco make love.

Roman finds Sami and Franco in bed.

A bitter Lucas locks Sami and Franco up in a broom closet at Titan. They escape through the vents. When Lucas finds out, he has the air conditioning turned on full blast.

Sami sets up Franco at the Blue Note and spies on him.

She comes to the conclusion he's a rat.

Sami handcuffs Franco on a window washers cart and locks him outside the offices at Titan with lipstick words written on his chest (i. e. dog).

Franco is able to make Sami believe she is mistaken. They end of together on the cart outside the window.

Sami sings "Happy Birthday" to him dressed as Marilyn Monroe. After her performance, she takes a bullet that was meant for him.

Sami doesn't know about Franco's deportation hearing.

She falls harder and harder for Franco's charm and believes he really does love her.

Franco asks Sami to marry him:

"Sami, it's time to put all our mistakes behind us. Even though we have suffered pain and humiliation, we have learned to trust and love each other. That's what we need to build a long lasting relationship and that's what I want from you. Sami, will you marry me? I have never loved anyone the way I love you. I want to have a future with you. Just please say that you will marry me and be my wife. "

Sami and Franco announce their engagement.

A drunken Lucas is pulled over after another argument with Sami about Franco.

Sami and Franco plan their wedding.

Before the wedding, Kate corners Franco and threatens to expose him. He lifts the poker to kill her. A drunk Lucas who came in to get a toy for Will whom he's kidnaped, sees this, grabs Sami's gun, and shoots Franco. (To read more about this event, visit The Salem Intruder.)

Sami walks in and faints. Kate sets her up to take the fall.

Sami goes on trial and is convicted of murder. She is sentenced to death.