"Salem Lives"

In Bo’s hospital room, Caroline walks over to Bo as he stands at the window looking out. She wants to know the answer to one simple question:

Caroline: Bo, how much do you remember after the explosion of Victor's limo? Do you remember anything about the violent episodes youd had with Hope in the warehouse and here at the hospital?

Bo: Ma, I’m just fine, ok? I remember exactly what I told you. And now, it seems like you’re brow beating me because you don’t trust what I’m telling you.

Caroline: Bo, you listen to me. I just heard your brother admit to me and the family that you and him have been involved in some secret mission against the mafia underworld in Salem. So, please forgive me for bugging you about something that is obviously effecting you seriously enough to land you in the hospital......

And forgive me for loving you too.

Kimberly sits outside his room, listening to their conversation. Not only is she not buying his story to their mother, she wonders if he is getting closer to the truth.

Back inside, Bo responds to his mother.....

Bo: (Turning to face her) Ma, I appreciate everything you’re trying to do. I’m also sorry that Roman and I had to deceive you. That was not our intention. We were only trying to protect the family.

Caroline: (Placing her hand on his cheek) Is that what you’re doing now, son? Trying to protect me?

Bo: (Pausing, taking her hand and kissing her palm) You don’t need protecting. You proved you’re a strong lady, over and over again. (Looking down and then back at her) Let me handle this for right now, ok?

Caroline: But, Bo.........

Bo: And (Taking her hand) If I stumble on anything that is important, I promise to tell you before anyone. Deal?

Caroline: (Pausing, then sighing deeply) Ok. I’ll trust you to do the right thing and let me help you when you need me. And......you better keep that promise.

Bo: Oh, I will. I’ve seen you when you’re mad.

Bo kisses Caroline on the cheek and then goes back over to his bed. Kimberly closes the door before she is seen and wheels off uncomfortably, hoping that her and Roman can keep this under wraps before Bo does remember.......and does something foolish.

-Down in the cafeteria, Doug walks over to Hope, who is sitting on a couch looking out a window in the same direction Bo was looking into. He sits down next to his “princess” and she greets him by saying......

Hope: Hi, Daddy. How are you?

Doug: Oh, I’m fine, princess. You look very happy right now. Care to share?

Hope: Oh, I’m sorry. Must be grinning from ear to ear.

Doug: (Laughing) Yes, you definitely are.

Hope: Well, Bo gets out of here today. I’m just so happy that he seems to be getting better. Well.......except for these damn spells and so called nightmares we believe are behind the outbursts he is having.

Doug: Look, darling. All you can do is be there for him. He loves you more than anything and you know that. With everything you two have been through.......

Hope: And it’s been a lot.....

Doug: Yes, it has. He will need you when he feels like opening up.

Hope takes Doug’s hand and admits to him, in a deep, humble voice.....

Hope: You know, we were just getting past his mistakes that contributed to Zack’s death and now this. He kept from me and lied about his part in that tragedy now how do I know he hasn’t been lying about his condition after the explosion?

Doug: Everything you’ve said is true, my dear. But......that’s where trust comes in, you know? Julie and I are going through our own thing right now involving her defending Victor and it has made us say things we shouldn’t have. You have to let him know that as scary as it is for you to do after everything......that you trust him enough to do the right thing.

Hope: Oh, Daddy. I know you’re right. But, I hate all of this secret keeping between us.

Doug: Secret keeping? What secret are you keeping from him?

Hope stops before she answers, trying to think of something fast. She covers by saying.....

Hope: Oh, it’s just that........I don’t trust him as much as I say I do. I just found out what he and Roman have been doing and that just brings up bad memories from the past, that’s all.

Doug: (Looking into her eyes) My dear, that comes with the territory. When trust is shaken, it takes just that much longer to get it back. I know.

Hope: That’s good to know. I just hope......

Hope then has another flashback of remembering that Chelsea is her daughter and not Billie’s or Bo’s....

Hope: That I can tell him the truth one day soon. This is killing me. But, like you said, Daddy. It will get better.....in time.

Doug: Trust that it does, princess.

Doug takes his little girl in his arms and holds her lovingly, while Hope wonders to herself when the right time will come to let out this secret.

-Back in Alice’s living room, Alice talks over the recent events with Julie. She asks her about all the shootings and bombings and asks if things have finally calmed down. Julie tells her that she doesn’t think so. Victor may be dead but Stefano is still out there somewhere and Ernesto could rear his head at any moment. She sadly says, walking over to the fireplace, that things may not be quite finished with all of them.

Alice then says, speaking of being finished.......is her feelings for Victor finally finished for good now that he’s gone? Julie responds, saying that her brief dalliance with him was just one of those things. She just saw where he was coming from by trying to protect his family and friends. The same way Maggie does. Alice reminds her that he ordered for Roman to be shot, among other things. She asks if that is what Julie is talking about?

Julie says no. She doesn’t mean things like that. She loves Roman and the Brady's dearly. Sitting back down on the couch, she looks at her grandmother, telling her that Doug should also understand about not always doing things on the up and up, seeing as he was a con man. She just says she understands how Maggie feels about him and what he did, that’s all. Julie looks down into her lap as Alice sighs deeply, telling her to be careful with her feelings and reminding her of the really decent and good man she’s been married to for the last 30 years. Julie knows she’s very lucky and will take her words to heart as she takes her grandmother’s hand and pats it lovingly.

-At The Pub, Lucas sees Maggie walk in and invites her to sit down. When she does, he sympathetically ask her how she’s doing since Victor’s death. She says she is trying her best but she blames herself for his death just like she still feels she’s to blame for Mickey’s tragic death. When asking Maggie if she feels like drinking again, she answers, saying that she feels exactly now like she did then. Lucas, figuring that is she called him to meet with her, takes her hand across the table, telling her that he will always be there for his favorite aunt. After all, he says, Hortons stick together.

Maggie smiles at him, thanking him for sticking by her. She tells him that she feels a lot more comfortable coming to him than going to the others because she just thinks Doug, Alice and the rest of the family wouldn’t understand. She adds that she is so happy he was released from the hospital. It's good to have him around. Lucas thanks her for that and tells her that she helped him when he was tempted to fall off the wagon and now, it’s time to return the favor. She thanks her nephew once again and tells him that she will try her best to do right, even though she knows...............

That Victor is still alive, a fact she continues to keep private.

-Steve is in his hospital room, waiting for Kayla to return with news on his condition. While he lays in his bed, he hears a nurse in the hallway drop a bedpan and the noise triggers another violent memory.....

.....Of being strapped down once again on a gurney, laying inside a dark room. Steve is struggling against the straps, begging and screaming at the top of his lungs for his captors to......

Steve: LET ME GO!!!! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!! LEAVE ME ALONE YOU BASTARDS!!!!!

Someone leans over him and tells him that they are going to inject him with a special medication, one in order for him to relax. Steve fought and fought as other men held him down and then, as the syringe is put into his arm.......

Steve jumps up out of the hospital bed, not knowing that Kayla is there, telling him everything will be alright. She reminds him of the Christmas that the two of them walked with Benji on the pier and called himself “Patchy Claus”. Steve’s memory flashes to that and it seems that what Kayla did is working because these memories are cancelling out the horrible memories. Once Steve comes out of it, he’s breathing hard and looks over at Kayla, thanking her for saving him once again. She tells him that she didn’t do anything special. But he disagrees.

Her love.....

Their love......is what saw him through once again. It allows him to fight off and overcome whatever was done to him while he was gone all those years. She says that her love for him is timeless and that he can always count on her. He tells her how hard it is for him to feel so damn.......vulnerable. She says she knows. That’s why it took so long for them to get together. He says how sorry he is for that. She tells him to stop that. She had some of the best years of her life with him, even through all of the turmoil and tragedies.

Which brings up an idea she has. He asks if it will involve shock treatments and she smiles, saying he has nothing to worry about on that end. She tells him that she was talking to a colleague of hers who suggested that since he seems to feel so comfortable with her, even when he’s under the grip of these spells, that they should go on a trip. When Steve looks at her like she lost her mind, she laughs and tells him to hear her out.

They will go to many of their old haunts. Special places to both of them that could very well help him jog his memory. He looks at her with a lot more confidence but with some worry, asking her if she can handle him if he flips out again and goes all Charlie Manson on her. She is sure she can. The goal is that, if he can trigger his good memories, it may go along way into releasing him from the grip of what has him and he may not only get his memory back, he could put these episodes behind him.

Steve sits up on the side of his bed, telling her he likes the idea. He takes her hand and says that he is willing to try anything to get back his life.......especially if it is with someone as beautiful and loving as her. Kayla blushes, saying that is the first romantic thing he’s said to her since he returned. Steve just laughs, saying that he’s a regular Clark Gable. She laughs slightly, telling him she will go and make all the arrangements. She kisses him on his cheek and, as she walks out, he looks at her kindly, thankful that he has such a wonderful person who wants to help a guy like him out. He lays back down and stares up at the ceiling.

-Sami sees Eric walking in the park getting some exercise and races up to catch him. When she reaches him, she asks:

Sami: Aye, big brother. How are you doing?

Eric: Oh, just fine. This walking is great. It maybe a little cold but I don’t mind it. Allows me to clear my head.

Sami: Well, that’s good. As long as you are taking care of yourself and not doing that stupid crap you did last time.

Eric: No.......MOM (Laughing),.........I’m watching what I do.

Sami: Speaking of Mom........

Sami goes and sits on the nearest park bench and, after Eric takes in the way she brung up their mother, he follows her and sits as well. She asks Eric.......

Sami: Eric, have you seen or noticed anything.......well, wrong......with Mom?

Eric: What do you mean, sis?

Sami: Well, she’s been snapping at Belle and me, getting real snort. And, she’s so damn secretive. She gets all defensive if any of us ask her anything about where she was when she had been gone all that time we thought she was dead. On top of the fact......Daddy has even said that she has been acting really weird with him. I was just asking if you saw the same things we have.

Eric: Well, no. Remember, sis, I was in a hospital room recovering for most of the end of the year into the New Year. I’ve missed all of her recent behavior since she’s returned. What do you think we should do?

Sami: Keep an eye on her, that’s what. I guess she feels that we are all trying to gang up on her but.....I don’t care. She’s my mom and I love her too much to watch her harm herself......or someone else.

Eric: You know.....it’s really good to see you like this, sis. I’ve always loved you, even when you did that silly, hateful crap. But now......you are really turning into a splendid person.....

And one I’m now proud to call sister.

Sami smiles and then looks away as a tear falls down her face. She tries to wipe it without Eric noticing but he does. He smiles as well, knowing he touched her by his kind words but makes a joke out of it by saying.........

Eric: Now, if you start that crying, your face might freeze.

Sami: (Chuckling) Oh really. Well.....what better way for it to freeze......than for your favorite brother to tell you how proud he is of you?

Eric: (Sitting closer to her) Sis, you keep being the person you are now.....and you’ll never have to worry about my love. Deal?

Sami: (Pausing) Now that’s a deal. (Wiping her cheek) And Mom?

Eric: We’ll just have to keep an eye on her....and then tell Dad about what we have found out. But, we keep this between me, you & Belle. No need calling Jonathan and telling him or the rest of the family until we know something concrete, ok?

Sami: You got it.

They both then get up and walk in the sunny, cool air towards the water fountain, both silently hoping that their mother will be ok.

-In a cheap motel room on the outskirts of town, Marlena wakes up with a screaming hangover. She blocks the sunlight coming through the window with her arm and jerks her head away. But, that is the moment when she notices just how bad her head is hurting her. She lays it back down when she notices that she is not alone.

She has a visitor........and that person is..........

Marlena: James. What in the funky ass hell are you doing here?!

James: Well, after almost getting my tail kicked saving you from being the main course at a group thing, I brought you here after you eventually passed out. By the way.....what the hell were you thinking taking your damn clothes off and doing a striptease on top of a bar stool?!

Marlena: Look, partner. (Getting out of bed) I know what I need to do and when I need to do it....and don’t need any god damn lip from you about what I do in my off hours, got that?

James: No, it doesn’t work that way, lady. We are a team, remember?

Marlena gets a cup of coffee that James bought and takes a sip of it. She can barely stand, with her head feeling like the Super Bowl is being played inside of it at that very moment. She then slowly sits back down and says to him.......

Marlena: Look. All you need to do is stay out of my way. I’m enough of a professional to not mess this up, ok? And I don’t need a damn partner treating me like he’s my father, alright? Nothing gives you that right. Now.....if you don’t mind, I’m going to wash up.

Marlena slowly walks around the bed and to the doorway of the bathroom but then stops. She turns to James and sexily asks...........

Marlena: Want to join me?

James: No, thanks. Just go get yourself cleaned up so we can get out of here.

Marlena: (Looking him up and down) Suit yourself. (Pausing) Your loss, I guess.......partner.

When she comes back out, Marlena seems more refreshed. She is already dressed again and prepares to leave. When James gets up out of his chair asking her where she’s going, she tells him that she has unfinished business to attend to, if that is alright with him. He grabs her by her arm, telling her that the next time she wants to be a porn star, he might not be there to save her ass. She responds, saying who does he want to save her fine ass for........him? She laughs as she snatches her arm away from him.

Then, suddenly, she stops laughing, taking a step forward, and getting in his face. She reminds him that she takes her orders from the big deals and that he would do kindly to remember that before he has more to worry about than that. When James asks if she is threatening him, she responds, saying.....

Marlena: What in the [!@#$%^&*] do you think?!

She then picks up her purse, looks back at him, smiles, and then saunters out, leaving James to look at the ceiling, asking.......

James: How much worse can this thing get?

The screen freeze frames and then slowly fades to black on his worried expression.

On the Next Salem Lives...

Alan to Carrie: Have you made a decision about the baby?

Will to Kate: Why don't you just leave my parents alone?

Austin to Nicole: Are you jealous of Eric?

Philip to Lucas: Sorry bro, your fired.

Sami to Belle: I am worried...our mother needs help and fast.

Marlena (On her cell phone): Don't you there scream at me, you got that?

James to Renee, James Jr, Jonathan, and Angel: You all have to stay out of this or there is no telling what trouble you will bring.

-It's a new day in Salem and Greta is walking around Salem Place, carrying quite a few shopping bags. She puts them down and sits on a bench, looking at her wirst watch to check the time. Frankie then comes up behind her and apologizes for running late. He had some cases to finish some legwork on. Greta tells him it's ok.

Frankie says he was so happy when she called and told him that the idea he had for her panned out. Greta says she is too and now she feels like she doing something that will influence people and somehow make a difference. She hopes to improve society in some way and to change things for the better. Frankie asks her when she starts. She says tomarrow and says she is excited to surprise someone. Frankie says he can't wait to hear about it.

Greta asks him to stop over tomarrow so he can be there for it. It's bound to be fun. He says he thinks he can spare an hour or so. She is pleased. She then buys them both some coffee and says she is going to propose a toast...to the future. Frankie says he will drink to that and hopes for better things for himself, personally, as well. Of course, he adds, he also wishes things go well for her. Greta says she wishes good things for him too. They both sip their coffee and smile each other.

-Nicole and Eric walk out of the adoption agency. She is clearly upset and he is comforting her. He tells her it will alright. They will just have to wait. Their dreams can still come true. She tells Eric that they both agreed after what he went through that life is too short. The agency put them on a waiting list that was so long it could take years for them to adopt a child. Not to mention the fact that they have to do background checks on both of them. They will learn she was a porn star and will probably reject them.

Eric tells her she doesn't know that. Nicole says she does know that because nothing in her life ever works out perfectly.

Nicole (crying): I thought when we got married that everything would be fine from now on. I thought we would finally get to live the life you and me used to talk about. Finally! I had the happy life I used to read about in fairy tales when I was little. My life has been hell from my father putting me through porn and drugs to my losing you and my marriages from hell to Lucas and Victor. Oh, and then there was Brady, which I botched up. Austin...Austin was something but him and I never went anywhere. All roads came back to you and I truly thought we were meant to be and to live this happy life. I've paid my dues...I've changed and now I can't even have a child of my own. Of course, partly that's Sami''s fault and ...

Eric: Nicole...

Nicole: I know. I said I wouldn't blame her but...what are we going to do Eric? This was our last chance. I can't wait months, years, or whatever to adopt a child. I mean, you nearly died already. I could die. Something could happen.

Eric: Let's not talk like that, ok.

Nicole: It could happen, though. I don't want to take any chances. I want us to enjoy every moment we have and to live and...

Eric: We will. Look, I will talk to my mom or dad. They know some people. Maybe they can pull some strings. The Horton's!! They could help too. It's going to be fine.

Nicole: You think so? I mean, really. You think there is a chance that we won't have to wait?

Eric: Let's just wait and see. We need to look at everything and see what action we can take.

Eric's phone then rings. He answers. It's Kate, who tells him she needs him to pick up the new equipment for the photography department and then come to her office to discuss some matters. Eric tells Kate it's a bad time but Kate insists she needs him to get the equipment right now and to meet with her. They don't have time to waste as she wants to end this transition period and get Roberts and Associates up and running.

Eric reluctantly agrees and says he is on his way. He hangs up and hesistates to say anything to Nicole. She asks who that was. He finally says it was Kate and informs Nicole of what she asked of him. Nicole tells him he can go but she seems rather upset. He tells her that he isn't going to leave her like this. She tells him that all her years of hardships have made her one tough girl. She will be fine. He asks if she is sure. She nods and says she will take a cab or just walk. It's not far to get to their suite. He kisses her and assures her again it will all be ok before leaving.

After he leaves. Nicole is very upset about what happened with the adoption agency and now with Eric leaving.

Nicole: I really thought life would get better. Nothing can ever be perfect for me. I gace Highstyle. I gave up my dream job to be with Eric on his deathbed. I finally marry him and think we will be happy and then we can't even have our own child. No child, no job...I can't beleive he is working and not me. He is only a photographer. I was a damn CEO and I can't find one single position. Wait a sec...I know she hates me and I hate her but they say she is trying to turnover a new leaf. Maybe...it's worth a shot I guess. I hate resorting to this but if I can't have a child right now I would be damned if I am going to sit home in domesticity while my husband leaves everyday to work his two-bit job as a photographer.

Nicole walks off, determined to finally have something go right for her.

-Jack and Billie are in the cafeteria, waiting for Chelsea and Abby to return from physical therapy. Billie says she wishes that the girls would let them go down with them but Jack thinks it's for the best that they don't. It's too distracting and it may be upsetting for themselves as well.

Billie tells Jack that all systems are go for her Private Investigation Agency. She has found this great office space downtown and she has went through all the proper channels. She is pretty much ready to go and could be in business by the middle of next month. Jack is pleased for her.

Jack updates Billie on "The Spectator" situation and tells her they have a new owner, who will also serve as editor in cheif. Billie asks if he knows who it is. Jack says he has no clue but is supposed to meet the person tomarrow. All he knows is he will miss Vern and Harold but he knows they are off leading happy lives. He also adds that they have this new intern named James McClure, Jr. Billie says she knows of that family and remembers that Caroline knows them well. They go to St. Luke's and struggle financially. She also remembers that the father of the children was in jail for quite some time. She heard he is out though.

Jack says he knows all that and feels horrible. He adds that James Jr is so nice and a hard worker. He is a quick study and has journalism in his blood. He is very inquisitive too and has a nose for news. Billie laughs and asks Jack sarcastically if he is just like him. Jack laughs sarcastically back. They are then told by a nurse that their daughters are finished and they can go see them.

Billie tells Jack as they get up that she feels like she is finally moving forward with her life. Jacks says he feels the same and it's all thanks to her. She gave him the push he needed to go back to work and get back to living again after Jennifer died. He doesn't know where he would be without her. Billie says she feels the same. The last few months with their daughters and all has been tough but she is grateful she had him to help her through it. They then walk off arm in arm to see their daughters.

-Down in the physical therapy room, Abby and Chelsea continue to struggle. They begin to get frustrated with their lack of progress and start to lose hope. The doctor tells them both repeatedly to keep the faith.

Meanwhile, Max is on his way down to watch Abby and Chelsea from afar. He is tempted to see how they are doing but doesn't want to distract them so he watches from a good distance. Cassie comes down in the elevator and sees him. She taps his shoulder and they greet each other. He asks how she is since he hasn't had a chance to talk to her in a bit. She says she is just great and asks how he is. He tells her he would be better if both Abby and Chelsea were better.

Max tells Cassie he still blames himself for Abby and Chelsea going down the wrong path. It led to their accident and all this. Cassie comforts him, saying he can't blame himself. She promises it will all work out for the best and that she is sure that things will get better for him and everyone. He asks her how she is so sure. She smiles and flashes back to learning she is pregnant with his child. The flashbacks ends and she tells Max she just knows it will and has faith.

Max goes to get a soda. The doctor is through with both Abby and Chelsea and goes to call upstairs to get someone to help him bring the girls back to their rooms. Cassie sneaks in as the girls are talking. Both Abby and Chelsea are upset and ask Cassie why she has returned. Cassie says she just wanted to wish them both well and to not put so much pressure on themselves. People will take pity on them cripple and they both might have a better chance of landing a man and keeping him being handicapped.

Both girls are angry. Chelsea calls her a slut. Cassie warns her to watch how she talk to her or she will really have a reason to hate her. Abby tells Chelsea that Cassie is just jealous because she has no one and Chelsea and herself have people who love and care for them. They are both getting their lives together and Cassie is all alone, no longer a member of the Brady and Robert's families. She is all alone. Csssie gets defensive and tells them both she will have it all and all they will have is broken hearts and immobile limbs.

Cassie walks off. The doctor returns with a nurse and Max. Max asks how Abby and Chelsea did. The doctor says that it's going to take time but he is still hopeful. Abby and Chelsea aren't as positive. Max tells both girls to keep the faith and keep praying. It's not hopeless yet. Meanwhile, Cassie listens and watches nearby. She tells herself that soon she will drop the bombshell and Abby and Max will be no more. She looks at Chelsea and remembers that she knows all her little secrets. She smiles and says she thinks she knows how she can use those secrets to her advantage.

-Kate is in the Basic Black office space, which is being renovated and has a new sign designating the space as "Roberts & Associates." Joelle tells Kate that Austin called in and says he will be in latter today. Kate thanks her.

Nicole walk in and tells Kate she needs to talk to her. She tells her she never thought she would resort to this but she needs a job and can't just rely on Eric. She hopes that what she hears is true and that Kate is turning over a new leaf and will be willing to put their differences aside to be professional. She urges Kate to remember her qualifications and accomplishments and says that she has the skills to be an asset to any company. It would be to Kate's benefit to hire her. Kate laughs uncontrollably and says:

Kate: Did you really think you could come in here after everything that has went on between us and ask me for a job? Please...don't make me laugh too hard. I had a heavy lunch.

Nicole: I'm not kidding. Look I don't have a resume on me but my qualifications speak from themself.

Kate: Oh, they certainly do.

Nicole: Kate, I know you hate me. I don't like you either. I just know that you have been saying you are trying to change and I just thought why not start fresh? You know, maybe we can just be business associates. We don't have to like each other. Just get along enough to work to...

Kate: Oh please, stop!! I never thought I would see the day where I would see you begging. I mean...what, did you think I would feel bad for you and hand you a job? Remember when I lost everything and Victor kicked me out on the streets? You took pleasure and kicking me when I was down. You and Victor took pleasure in watching me suffer. You took my position, both in the company and in Victor's life, right out from under me. Now the shoe is on the other foot, only nowhere near as bad as my situation was. You have a husband, who I employ, and are part of the Brady family. People say you've changed. Go immerse yourself in all that. Don't come to me begging for a position after you spit on me when I was the one struggling.

Nicole: You haven't changed one bit. Turn over a new leaf, my ass. Your still the same cold-hearted [!@#$%^&*] you always have been.

Kate: Yeah...well, that is your opinion. I don't have time for this. I have a company to get up and running so if you would kindly get out...or, I can just have security kick you out.

Nicole: Fine. I'm going. Oh, and remember...karma's a [!@#$%^&*]. Maybe I am getting paid back right now for how I treated you when you needed help but, sooner or later, the cycle will come back around to you. It will pay you back for what you just did to me. I would be very careful, Kate.

Kate turns and looks at her, coldly, as she leaves. Nicole then bumps into Eric on her way out. He asks what she is doing there. She tries to avoid the issue but he asks repeatedly so she fills him in and he apologizes for what happened with Kate. He wonders if maybe he should just quit. She tells him no, they need an incole. They can live off the money they saved from her job at Highstyle and his various photography jobs.

He asks her if she is upset that he is working and she isn't, especially given she gave her Highstyle to be by his side. She tell him she is fine. He kisses her and assures her again that everything will be fine. While they embrace, Nicole is clearly frustrated and upset and holds it in by simply agreeing with Eric's words of encouragement.

-Katherine and Cal are eating breakfast in their cabin. Everything is silent until Katherine asks him if everything is ok. Cal says he is fine. Katherine says she has noticed he seems very happy the last few days and doesn't even seem to care that they have made no progress at all since his first memory flash on New Year's night. He says that remembering his past will happen if it's meant to. It's not too concerning for him anymore.

Katherine is stunned and asks why he feels that way. He was so determined before to recover his life and remember the past. Cal says he still wonders what effect the memories will have on him. He knows that he was a bad person but he doesn't remember it. He doesn't want all the people he grew to love and care about as Roman Brady to hate him. Plus, he says he doesn't care about the past anymore. Only the future and...her.

Katherine reminds him of the promise they made to keep things strictly to a doctor/patient relationship. Cal smiles and says he remembers and he will hold to that promise. Katherine warns him he better not be lying. He says he isn't but, secretly, has his fingers crossed under the table.

Katherine encourages him not to give up on remembering his past. She will be there with him every step of the way to make sure whatever effects the memories have on him are under control. The people he grew to love and care for would never hate him. What he did as Cal is in the past. Even if and when he remembers, what he went through being Roman may have changed him even though he wasn't living as Cal Winters. She tells him to just have faith in himself and those he cares about and everything will be fine. Cal says he is happy she is his doctor and that she is in his life. He doesn't know where he would be without her. He was lost until she showed up. Katherine tells him she is just doing her job.

Meanwhile, outside, someone watches cal and Katherine from the bushes and shrubbery outside. The camera pans up to reveal....

The MCF!!!

The MCF watches the both of them from outside, Inside, Cal can't help feeling like he is being watched but chalks it up to his imagination. Katherine jokes that it must be a mountain bear or something and he has a fetish for Cal. Cal laughs and tells her to be quiet and help him clear the table. They laughter between the two of them can be heard outside by the MCF. The camera pans down to reveal the figure holding an envelope saying...

TOP SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL FILE: WINTERS, CAL

The MCF holds this in his hand as the screen fades to black.

On the next Salem Lives...

Caroline to Bo (as Kim listens outside): Are you sure you don't remember anything?

Hope to Doug: How much more am I going to have to deal with, daddy?

Kayla to Steve: I think I have an idea that may help.

Alice to Julie: Do you feel closer to Victor then you are saying?

Maggie to Lucas: I just can't stop thinking about it. I want it...I want a drink.

Sami to Eric: Our mom needs our help. We need to find her and get her some help...before it's too late.

Marlena to James: Don't worry. Nothing will stand in my way from doing what I have to do.

At the Horton house. Doug is sitting with Alice while Julie comforts Maggie upstairs. Doug tells Alice they have no idea why Maggie was outside and what caused her to breakdown like that. She seemed much clamer earlier. Alice thinks Maggie just went outside for some air and was thinking about Victor's "death." Doug thinks that may have been it.

Alice asks if things are back on track with him and Julie. Doug smiles and says they just agreed to disagree and decided not to bring the subject of Victor up. Alice asks Doug point blank if he is jealous of Victor because Julie and him had a brief fling while he was away from Salem. Doug says the way he feels about Victor has nothing to do with that. He thinks that Julie was wrong to encourage Maggie's friendship with Victor. It helped push them closer and she fell for him. Now she is falling apart from loss all over again and could turn back to the bottle, just like after Mickey died.

Alice says that Maggie is strong and this time she isn't pushing her family away so they will help her get through this. Doug isn't so sure. Alice tells him to have faith. She reminds Doug of his past and how Bill first met him in prison. Doug turns away in shame, saying those were different times. Alice says it doesn't matter. He was once a con artist. Victor may do worst but Doug did some bad things too. Everyone has a dark side. It all depends on how much a person let's that dark side consume them.

Doug thinks that Victor is a bad influence and is glad he is gone. He just can't understand why Julie and Maggie could look past the war he started and all his crimes. Alice says it's all about seeing the good in people. There is good in everyone. She reminds Doug that Victor was a changed man for years. He was still underhanded but was nowhere near what he is now. He could always revert back to the changed man he was after Isabella died. Doug doesn't think so and says it's a non-issue now. He is gone and never coming back.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Julie is embracing Maggie. She asks her again why she was outside and what caused her to breakdown again. She was much calmer when they arrived at the house from the hospital. Maggie remembers saying goodbye to Victor and is about to tell Julie what has happened but stops herself, telling herself she can't blow Victor's cover even if Julie is much more supportive of Victor then others. She can't risk it. She tells Julie she was outside getting some air and was thinking about Victor.

Julie tells her it's going to be ok. She gets up to get her some water. There is a magazine by Maggie's bed and it's turned to a page with a liquor ad on it. Maggie notices it and begins to stare at the ad. Her eyes are fixated on it when Julie returns with some water. Julie shakes her head and tells Maggie she doesn't need what is in that ad. She is a strong woman. A Horton. Mickey and Victor would not want her to fall off the wagon again.

Maggie turns towards Julie and says she is right. It's just hard. The temptation is so great right now. Julie asks if she has been attending AA meetings. Maggie says she has but not lately. With all the happenings at the ball and all, she hasn't had time. Julie thinks she should call Lucas but Maggie says they shouldn't wake him. He is being released tomarrow from the hospital and there is no need. She is fine. Julie tells her not to shut her family and friends out this time and to remember they are all there for her. She says she knows. They embrace as Maggie secretly looks at the liquor ad in the magazine, clearly interested in what she is seeing.

-Kayla asks Steve what he remembers. He says he remembered what she just told him-the time she tended to him when he was hurt and she saw what was under his patch for the first time. She is overjoyed. Steve calms her, saying it's nothing to be excited about. Kayla says it's a start and it's the first time he had an actual memory flash, except for the painful memories that have caused him to have outbursts.

Jack enters to check on Steve and Kayla fills him in on what is going on. Jack smiles and says that's great. He is happy to hear Steve remembered something. Steve just wishes he could stop the outbursts from happening but the memories are so strong. The only time he seems to get a handle on them is with Kayla around. As soon as he sees her, he is able to fight the effects off. Jack smiles and says it must be because he is looking at the love of his life, even though he doesn't remember her. It's the kind of stength he used to get when he looked at Jennifer. She inspired him and there were times where he drew all his strength from her and their love and he did some things he never thought he could.

Steve says he knows what Jack means. These episodes tear him apart but somehow Kayla gives him the strength to control them and beat them. Kayla asks him what he is saying. He says he needs her and that she is the key to him beating this thing. Kayla think the sedatives help too as they calm him but Steve mentions how he was able to handle the effects of the memories much better when she was with him like at the ball and the past few times at the hospital. Even though he only has one memory of her, the connection is still there. Somehow he has always felt it since they came face to face in Sydney and now it's what is helping him control whatever the hell these memories do to him.

Jack smiles and tells Kayla that it looks like she will just have to be by Steve's side alot from now. Kayla says she will do what she must to help him. She promises Steve that she will be by his side and help him get through this. Jack says the same. Steve looks at Kayla and admits that he feels this strange sensation when he is around her. Like he can do anything. Kayla smiles and says that she feels like her husband is slowly coming back to her. He seems like he is beginning to remember. Steve just wishes the painful memories didn't come with it so they didn't have to deal with this. Kayla promises they will deal with it and it will all work out. They will have a happy life and future. She promises him.

-Dr. Glancy is examining Bo and tells Caroline and Hope that he seems fine. His blood pressure and heart rate are normal now. They will keep him overnight for observation, though. He leaves. Billie arrives, saying she heard the good news from a nurse outside. Caroline tells Bo that she is happy he is ok. She only wishes that he and his brother did not lie to all of them. Bo realizes that the truth is out and apologizes. He was only doing what he had to do. Roman and Shane needed him. Billie is confused and asks what is going on.

Hope and Caroline fill her in on the ISA operation and how everything was a setup. Billie smacks Bo with her purse and says she understands why he did it but still is mad because of what he put them all through. Bo apologizes again. A nurse then comes in to check something and asks if Hope, Billie, and Caroline would step outside. They agree and go for a walk.

While walking, Hope explains to them how Bo said he remembers nothing about his outburst at the warehouse. His last memory is of the explosion that killed Victor. He doesn't remember what caused him to react so violently at the warehouse or the hospital. She is very concerned, as are Caroline and Billie. Billie wonders if he could be lying to them but Hope wonders why he would. Meanwhile, Kimberly is overhearing all this and decides to wheel herself to Bo's room to check for herself.

Kimberly arrives in Bo's room just as the nurse is leaving. Bo is happy to see her and tells her not to lecture him. He knows she is pissed about the ISA operation. Kim says they can talk about that later. She begins to ask him questions about what happened after the explosion that killed Victor. Bo claims he doesn't remember. Kim asks if he was thinking about something upsetting. She fills him in on the violent outburst he had with Hope at the warehouse and at the hospital. She wonders why he had them.

Bo says he remembers none of that happening and asks Kimberly why she seems so worried about it. She is almost in a panic of sorts. She says she is just worried about him and that they are all concerned he has no recollection of anything after the explosion. Bo says he hit his head during the explosion while falling down to shield himself and Hope. That may have something to do with it. Kim agrees it might. Hope, Caroline, and Billie return. Caroline hugs him, saying she is happy he is alright and says she is hopeful that things will get better now for all of them. Kim looks on and can't shake the feeling Bo is hiding something. She wonders why he would. At the same time, Bo tells himself that he has to lie. He needs to deal with whatever these memories are on his own until he knows what they mean and what they have to do with.

-Back at the Cheatin Heart, James reaches out for Marlena. He grabs her arm and says they need to go. The man that threatened James earlier tells him to back off and leave the lady alone. Marlena smiles and turns back toward the men. She begins dancing wildly with them again. James is fed up and is worried about Marlena and him being seen. He then sees two men begin to fight over her. The fight turns violent as fists fly. The whole bar breaks out into a brawl. James gets in the middle and manages to pul Marlena out. She gets a kick out of all the fighting over her and doesn't want to leave.

James slings her over his shoulder and carries her off, kicking and screaming. They exit the bar. Outside, she demands he put her down. He does and she claims to be dizzy and sick. James says she probably partied and drank too much. Marlena shakes her head, saying she was fine until he carried her out of the bar. She tries to walk past him into the bar but he stops her. She demands he let her pass. He refuses. Marlena tries to fight her way past him but then stops. She holds her mouth and turns around. James asks if she is ok. She then bends over and vomits.

James pats her on the back, saying it's ok and encouraging her to let it out. Marlena irrationally blames this on him for making her dizzy while carrying her. James blames it on her drinking and partying. Once she stops, she says she needs to get cleaned up so she can go back in the bar. James won't let her through. She tries to fight him again and then falls back, holding her head. James asks if she is ok. She starts to say she is fine but passes out halfway through the sentence and lands in James's arms.

-Belle is leaving her father's hospital room when a nurse walks up to her, saying her husband wants to see her. Belle is afraid to see him after what happened the last time. She flashes back to the last visit she had with him. The nurse says that she is under strict orders to make sure Belle sees her husband immediately. Belle reluctantly agrees, realizing that Philip either threatened the nurse or bought her off.

She arrives in his room and hesistates before going on. The nurse tells her she must go in or else. Belle asks her what she means by "or else." The nurse is silent and then tells her that her husband would not be happy and that can't be good. Belle takes a deep breath and slowly enters the room. It's all dark. The nurse leaves and closes the door behind her. Belle calls out Philip's name. There is no response. She is stunned to see no one in the bed. She then looks into the corner and sees someone sitting in the chair. It's Philip!!

Philip: Wow...nice to see you, my beloved wife.

Belle: Surely you didn't expect me to come back here after the last time.

Philip: My father is dead, Belle.

Belle: I know. I heard.

Philip: Oh, really. Tell me, Izzy. How do you think it feels to find out that your father was killed from a nurse? A NURSE!!!

Belle: Well, I...

Philip: Bad, Belle. Really bad. Especially bad when you know that everyone else is in the know but you. You all were in the ER waiting for word on Bo but no one had the common courtesy to come to me and tell me that my father is dead!!!

Belle: Alot was going on and...

Philip: NO!!! No more excuses. There is always an excuse with you...with everyone. I don't accept excuses anymore!!

Belle: Philip, I'm sorry about your father.

Philip: No. No your not. You hated him. You hated what he did to your family...to your father. save me the pity and save me the lies!!! I am not the stupid, naive Philip I once was. I am a new man, especially now. All of Salem will know that soon. They will feel my presence full force.

Belle: What are you talking about?

Philip: My father is dead, Belle. I am his heir. Titan and the whole Kiriakis empire is mine. The power is mine. It's funny because I had asked my father when we first got back to give me more responsibility. More of a role in his dealings. Now, I control them. I control everything.

Philip looks at a trembling Belle.

Philip: What? Nothing to say.

Belle: Uh...

Philip: Fear...your scared of me. You should be. All of Salem should be. I have it all. The name, the power....it's mine.

Belle: You don't seem to broken-hearted about your father. You seem almost happy.

Philip: Oh, I loved my father. I did and still do but one thing he taught me is you take advantage of what you are given and I plan to do that. His death makes me one of the richest, most powerful men in the world.

Belle: I don't have time to sit here and watch you glorify yourself. I am outta...

Philip gets up and grabs Belle, holding her close to him. He turns her around and holds her close to his face, saying:

Philip: Your not going nowhere. Don't you understand? You do what I tell you to do, Mrs. Kiriakis. You better not cross me or you will face the wrath of the new head of the Kiriakis empire...me...

...PHILIP KIRIAKIS!!!

Belle then pushes him off her, sending him falling to the floor. Belle races out in tears. Philip picks himself up, laughing. He then walks outside his room and watches her run down the hall. He continues to laugh and smiles an evil grin as the screen fades out.

On the next Salem Lives...

Frankie to Greta: What are we celebrating?

Greta to Frankie: The future.

Billie to Jack: I feel like I am finally moving forward.

Jack to Billie: So do I. Thanks to you.

Nicole to Eric: What are we going to do? The life we wanted...we are never going to have that.

Cal to Katherine: I don't even care about the past. I only care about the future...and you.

Cassie to Abby and Chelsea: I will have it all and all you two will have is broken hearts and immobile limbs.

-In th backyard of the Horton House, Maggie comes to and is convinced she was dreaming. There is no way she saw Victor. She then sits up and finds herself staring right into the eyes of Victor, who is sitting right next to her. She is about to scream but he covers her mouth and hushes her.

She apologizes. They stand up and share a warm embrace. She asks how this is possible. Victor explains that he knew the SPD and crew were on to him. He knows it was this MCF that tipped them off and tipped Hope off to where they were in the warehouse district as well. His people reported seeing the MCF lurking about and they tried to track the person to make sure they didn't interfere but they lost him near the pier. They just assumed the MCF was out of the area but the person must have come back and tipped the SPD and Hope off to Bo and his whereabouts.

Anyways, Victor explains how he and Nico used the other limo knowing full well that Bo knew he was in the other. He hated putting Bo in that situation but he had to set Bo up to be outside. He knew he would see Hope somehow as Nico told him she was near and, this way, Bo would tell Hope that the limo that exploded was Victor's. Everyone would think he was dead as Bo is working for him and they would take his word for it.

Victor also explains that the people inside the limo who exploded were mercenaries and agreed to die for the cause. The limo was rigged to explode once it was shot at. It was all a setup. Maggie is pleased he is ok and embraces him again. She vows to help him get out of the mess he is in, saying there is no need for him to run. Victor looks down and then tells Maggie they need to talk. He doesn't have much time and he says they must say goodbye.

-Hope is by Bo's side at the hospital. She begs him to come back to them and wake up. She tells him she knows about the ISA operation and she apologizes for actually belieiving he did what it appeared he did. It all seemed real but it was no excuse. They have alot trust issues to work out but she knows they can do it together.

Caroline arrives and asks how Bo is doing. Hope says there is no change. They continue to speculate as to what is going on with him. Hope thinks they can rule out brainwashing as he was undercover working for Victor. Caroline then wonders what could be causing her son's outbursts and condition. Hope shakes her head, saying she has no clue.

-James is down walking by the pier, worried about what he is involved in and what effect it may have on his family. He is frustrated as he wishes there was a way out but the consequences may be too dire if he was to back out now. He decides to go to the Cheatin Heart to have a drink and take the edge off.

Meanwhile, at the Cheatin Heart, Marlena continues to dance on the bar. She then throws herself right into the arms of a man, who is holding his arms out to catch her. She smiles at him as well as the many other men who have surrounded her and are fixated on her. Marlena, soaking up all the attention, tells all the men there is enough of her to go around.

James then walks in and is stunned when he sees Marlena in the arms of one man and surrounded by a bunch of others. James notices some of the men getting quite rowdy. The bartender is worried about a brawl breaking out and warns some of the men to calm down. James realizes that Marlena may be in trouble and that he needs to get her out of the bar now before a brawl breaks out over her.

-Kimberly and Roman continue to discuss the situation with Bo in Roman's hospital room.

Roman: I can't believe this. After all these years, he may be remembering.

Kim: What are we going to do? You know what could happen if he is indeed remembering. Not to mention what the rest of the family will think! There are enough secrets and lies to deal with. Our family has been through so much in the last year, Roman, and I'm not sure it can withstand this if the truth comes out.

Roman: Kim...calm yourself. We will figure out a way to deal with this.

Kim: How! We can't stop him from remembering. Oh my...imagine what ma will think. She has been through so much...Roman, how will she forgive us? How will anyone? We kept this hidden for years.

Roman: We did what we thought was best for Bo and the family. Things would not have turned out how they did if we didn't. I would do it all over again.

Kim: I guess I would too but I stil regret not involving the rest of the family. At least, then, we only had to deal with Bo finding out and we all could've came together as a family to support him and help him through this.

Roman: Kim, look, it's going to be fine. We will think of something. If Bo does remember and the truth comes out, we will just have to handle it and hope for the best. I think our options are limited as to what we can do to stop it from happening now.

Kim: Then God help Bo and are family because I am so afraid that this will destroy what is left of our family.

-Steve is in his room, tossing and turning. We then see he is having yet another memory flash, only this time it's choppy and the flashes are running through his mind fast. We see Steve in a dark room once again, trying to force himself out of the restraints he is in on a gurney. He is screaming to be let go but some men in the white coats surrounding him are holding him down while two other white-coated men are preparing a syringe.

Steve: NO!!! LET ME OUT OF THIS!! ARGHHH!!

Steve's eyes then grow wife with fear and nervous curiosity as he sees the two men coming at him with a syringe.

Steve: WHAT'S THAT?!! WHAT'S IN THAT?

The men stand by him and prepare to inject him as the restaints and the rest of the white-coated men are holding Steve down to the gurney.

Steve: GOD...NO!! WHY? WHY ARE YOU...NO!!! YOU CAN'T...YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH...

Steve is injected.

Steve: AAAAAHHHH...ARGHHHH!!!!

Kayla races into Steve's room. She tries to wake him up as he continues to toss and turn.

-Back at the Cheatin Heart, James approaches the large crowd of men surrounding Marlena. He excuses himself and makes hi way through. He pulls Marlena out of the crowd as all the men moan and groan. Marlena turns around and realizes that James is who pulled her out of the crowd of men.

Marlena: Jimmy boy!! What are you doing here?

James: Oh...(waving his hand to keep the smell of her breath away) your drunk.

Marlena: Maybe...(laughing) so, why did you have to take me away from my boys? (raises her shot glass as the crowd of men raises their glasses in response to her doing so)

James: Come on, we need to get you out of here before you tease anymore men and cause trouble.

Marlena: Oh, but I love trouble.

James: I can see that.

Marlena: Jimmy boy, you need to lighten up. Just trying to loosen up and have fun. You and I are under so much pressure. A night of good times won't hurt anyone.

James: It will if the wrong people see you. Now, come on. Let's go!

Marlena: Aww...you want me all for yourself. It's not nice to share...right boys?

A man then walks up, pulling Marlena away from James:

Man: Hey, if the lady wants to stick around and party who are you to tell her she can't?

James: Look, I don't want no trouble. I just want to leave with my friend, ok?

Man: Miss, do you want to leave with this guy?

Marlena: Hmm...well, he is cute in a way but...no. I don't want to leave right now. I'm just getting warmed up, baby!!

James: Marlena...(reaches for her arm)

Man: (grabs James by the shirt) The lady said she doesn't want to leave. Now, leave her alone or deal with me.

James look at Marlena then at the man, wondering how to get Marlena and himself out of this situation.

-Kayla begs Steve to wake up but he won't wake as he is still caught up in his memories. Kayla is about to call for help when Steve grabs her arm and pulls her close to him. Kayla tries to calm him by caressing his forehead and hair and telling him she is there for him. She assures him she will never leave him and they will get through this, just like they have gotten through so much in the past. He just needs to trust her.

She then tells him of the time that she tended to him while injured and she saw what was under his patch for the first time. He was reluctant but he trusted her then and that was the beginning of building the trust they had for each other. She tells Steve to listen to her and to wake up. She begs him to have faith in her and to trust her to help him get through this.

Steve's tossing and turning stops, along with his screaming and moaning. We then see Steve have a brief flashback of the memory Kayla was just describing where she tended to him and took off his patch to treat him. Steve's eyes flutter open as he quitly murmurs "I remember." Kayla looks on, stunned and overjoyed when she hears him say that.

-Roman continues to assure KIm they will get through this and hope for the best. It's really all they can do. Kim says she needs to get going and again lectures Roman about the ISA operation and what he put them all through. He apologizes again but says it was necessary if they are going to keep Salem safe. They still have much work to do, though. Kim nods and says she will have to talk to Shane too about his role in Roman and Bo's operation.

Roman urges her not to tear Shane apart. They all had good intentions. She shrugs and says she agrees in a way but, the way it went down, wasn't good for any of them. Roman says he's sorry and says he will work to make it up to everyone. As Kim leaves, Roman tells her again that everything will be alright. Kim says she hopes and prays he's right.

-Hope and Caroline are by Bo's side when his eyes slowly open. They are both overjoyed. Hope asks Bo how he is feeling as Caroline goes to get the doctor. He says he has a killer headache but is fine. She asks if he remembers what happened at the warehouse and what caused him to lash out and have the violent outbursts he did. Bo flashes back to what happened and to having the memory flashes and visions he has been having.

Hope is waiting for an answer. Bo tells Hope he remembers nothing, not wanting to get Hope involved at the moment since he has no idea what these visions or memories are about nor does he know whether they are visions or memories. The last thing he remembers is Victor's limo exploding. Hope is stunned and asks if he is sure. Bo nods and says he is, trying to be as convincing as possible so she doesn't know he is holding something back.

-In the Horton House, Alice is up late watching the 11:00 news. Julie comes down with Doug. Alice asks what they are doing up as she beleived they were turning in early. Julie says she went to check on Maggie and she is not in the bedroom. She's gone!!

Meanwhile, outside in the Horton backyard, Maggie and Victor continue their discussion.

Maggie: Goodbye. No!! Your not still running.

Victor: I am afraid I am. I must. I can't stop now. I must finish what I started or things will just get worse. I can't accomplish what I hope to if I am in jail. I need to lie low and bide my time until things are settled.

Maggie: Victor...I can help you. I' m a Horton. Mickey knew some good lawyers. I can look them up. Julie and I will support you and that will carry some clout in Salem because of our family. We can work it out. You can stay!!

Victor: Maggie, I can't. I have the perfect opportunity here to make a break for it. Everyone but you beleives I am dead. I have to move now . Once I get out of here, I just make myself scarce and plan my next move.

Maggie: Victor...

Victor: Before I go, though, I want to tell you something. Something I wanted to at the warehouse. That is why I revealed myself to you. I couldn't leave and not...not tell you how I feel about you. I don't know when...or if...

Maggie: (crying) Don't say that!!! Please!!! We will see each other again. We have to!!

Victor: Well, just in case...Anyways, I've never had alot of friends in my life. A person like me can't. I had my family but there were always complications and we didn't always see eye to eye. The bottom line is I have never...(turns away and then faces her again) I have never had someone like you in my life. You see and understand who I am. I love Caroline and always will but...the man she loves is not me. She loves the man I was when I sat back and watched criminal masterminds like Stefano Dimera and his family run amok and destroy lives, including the lives of some of my loved ones. She doesn't love the whole me. She wants me to be that man but I can't anymore. After the island, I can't be that man. I will not let my loved ones suffer anymore. I will not sit back and watch Stefano, Ernesto, and whoever else that tries to screw with those I care about continue to terrorize Salem. I can't...

Maggie: I know. You know I understand. I felt the same way after what happened on the island. Mickey dying...Jennifer...so much loss and pain. All of us have suffered so much but that island was the worst. I know what you mean about wanting to do something. You don't want to feel helpless anymore. I wanted so much to find Stefano and everyone else that created that island mess and kill them with my bare hands.

Victor: See...that is why you are so special. Caroline doesn't see that. Most people don't. You may not like what I am doing and how I am handling it but you don't make me conform to some mode or model that you have set for me. You know who I am and you don't judge.

Maggie: I care about you for you. All of us have different sides. You have a dark side and demons just like all of us. You also have a good side...a caring side. The side of you that shows how much you love your family and want to protect them. The side of you who helped get me through the worst time in my life. Victor, I don't know where I would be without you in my life these past few months and I am afraid of what I will become if you aren't here. The last time you cut me off I nearly fell apart completely.

Victor: (grabbing a crying Maggie) You listen here!! Your strong. Your a Horton woman. Julie, Alice, you...you can take on anything. You were shook up after Mickey's death and fell off the wagon. Like you said, we all have demons. You battled them and you always had the strength in you. I just reminded you of it but you have your family and friends...you will be fine. They are all here for you and you probably don't even need them. You are strong enough to make it on your own.

Maggie: You have too much faith in me.

Victor: No I don't. I just know you. Very well. I saw how strong and brave you were in Sydney, at the ball...you can do and beat anything.

Maggie: You can't leave. What am I going to do without you!!

Victor: It's for the best. I care far too much about you. I can't risk anything happening to you. You were shot in Sydney, you could've been hurt at the ball...

Maggie: But I wasn't!!

Victor: You could've and I can't risk it. Please, understand...I have to go. I have to go before I'm seen

Maggie: Victor...I can't say goodbye.

Victor: Before I go...I need to tell you one more thing. Thank you for your loyalty and for your support. Most importantly, thank you for being you.

Maggie (crying): No...thank you. For always being there and for being my rock in my time of need. Oh God!!! How am I going to...

Victor: It's ok. It will all be ok.

Maggie: I never thought I would feel...after Mickey died...I always thought he was the only love I would have in my life but then you came along like an angel. I still think you and I were thrown together so we could find each other and be there for each other through these past 6 months. Victor...you don't know how much you mean to me. I...I love you. I love you, Victor Kiriakis.

Victor: Maggie...I never thought I could feel this way about someone. Caroline was always...no. She is the past now. I should really get going...but...not before I do this.

Victor grabs Maggie and kisses her and then says:

Victor: I love you, Maggie Horton. Please...remember that always.

Maggie: I will. You will always be in my heart and in my thoughts.

Victor: Well then, the time has come. Be safe and you have a happy and full life. You deserve it and are entitled.

Maggie: (shaking and crying) This isn't goodbye. You will be back or...we'll see each other. Things will work out. They have to.

Victor slowly begins to walk away and let go of Maggie's hand. He turns and looks at her one more time. He smiles and then walks away. Maggie is about go run after him but stops herself, realizing her attempts would be futile. Doug and Julie then appear outside and ask Maggie what she is doing outside. She looks at them both and then breaks down. Julie embraces her as Maggie cries uncontrollably in her arms, ignoring Julie's as she continues to ask her what is going on and why she is outside in the cold.

Meanwhile, Victor gets in delivery van. Nico tells him that everything is set for their departure once they arrive at the airfield. Victor is ignoring him. Nico tries several times to get his attention and asks if he is ok.

Victor: I'll be fine, Nico. I just hope...she will be too.

The screen then fades out on a split screen of Victor and Maggie crying on Julie's shoulder.

On the next Salem Lives...

Julie to Maggie: Do you want to tell us what was going on out there?

Hope to Caroline and Billie: He says he doesn't remember why he lost it in the warehouse. What the hell is going on?

Bo to Kim: What is with all these questions? Why do you seem so worried?

Kayla to Steve: What are you saying?

Steve to Kayla: I need you. You are the key to me beating this thing.

James to Marlena: If we don't get out of here now, we both may wake up in body bags. You want that?

Philip to Belle: You better not cross me or you will face the wrath of the new head of the Kiriakis empire...me.

On Thursday March 1, Salem Lives will unveil it's biggest event to date: SALEM LIVES: VENDETTA. This interactive fan event will pull readers into Salem's biggest mystery yet. A category titled "VENDETTA" has been created on the right side of the blog. Entries will begin to be posted in that category in the weeks leading to VENDETTA to keep readers and fans well-informed of what is to come. There will also be a short post made on the main page of the Salem Lives blog to inform readers of there being a new entry in the VENDETTA area of the blog so they can go check it out.

As far as the story purposes behind VENDETTA, check out the VENDETTA page of the blog for info on that when it comes available. I can tell you that the story has been happening for quite sometime as the Mysterious Cloaked Figure (MCF) has been lurking around Salem since early Fall. Only now we are building to the real story, which is finding out this person's plan and what the residents of Salem will be up against. In the weeks to come, fans will be seeing the buildup to all this. Jack, Billie, Frankie, and Greta are at the heart of the action as the four of them team up to piece together this mystery as the police and ISA are having a hard time figuring out what this cloaked figure is all about. The readers will be taken on a journey with these four characters and the police and they will help investigate the mystery on their own.

How will the fans be a part of this? Well, it's up to them. Readers will be given the opportunity to get involved in the story in a way never done before. Readers will be given the chance to play the VENDETTA GAME. When the official VENDETTA event begins on March 1, a post will be made recapping all the MCF's appearances thus far and citing the actual episode dates so readers can go back and look at them for clues. At that time, readers can then PM me (Phoenix) or comment in the blog whether or not they want to participate in the official VENDETTA GAME. The deadline to inform me of the your participation will be March 11. The game will being Tuesday March 20.

The game has similarities to Passions' online VENDETTA event from last year. Every Tuesday and Thursday a short scene will be posted. The scene will have to do with the MCF or Jack, Billie, Greta, Frankie, or the Salem Police or ISA investigating the MCF. It will be like cutting a small piece off a full episode and posting it separate from a full episode. These short scenes are very much like the clips from the Passions online events and will show the characters working through the mystery and this will help readers gain clues and hints to the MCF mystery. Some of these scenes may also contain the MCF committing certain acts. The first scene in conjunction with the game will be posted Tuesday March 20, the first day of the game. However, when the VENDETTA event officially gets underway on March 1, there will be a special short scene posted to officially begin VENDETTA.

The idea is to look back at the appearances, read the short scenes, and keep up with reading the normal episodes to collect clues. The reason doing all that is important is where the main part of the game comes in. Those readers who choose to participate in the game will have to answer 3-5 trivia questions every week. The questions will be based on the Salem Lives episodes from the week that just ended and will be posted every Saturday night in the SL INSIDER. The answers will be due every Tuesday as that is the day the first short scene of the week is posted. The game players will be judged on correct answers and how fast they PM me the answers. The game player with the most correct answers and who submitted in the quickest time will be given a level one clue by PM. The 2nd and 3rd place trivia winners for the week will be given Level 2 and 3 clues. There are 3 levels of clues in the game.

Level 1= Major clue (as in short clip scene, MCF letter written to a character, etc).

Level 2= Big clue (as in picture of a character, past episode clip, etc)

Level 3= Minor Clue (as in a riddle, something vague)

The goal is to get to first place every week as it gives you the best clue or, at least get in the top 3 each week to get a clue. Clues will be PMed to the top 3 trivia winners every Tuesday. The game will work by this system until June 3. On that date, the game will take a one week break and will return for the second half of the game on June 12. The game will reach a new level as some game players with low total trivia scores will be eliminated and the 5 finalists decided. Trivia scores will be posted in the SL Insider every Saturday. The second part of the game will focus on the buildup to the grand finale of the MCF mystery. More info on that as this point in the game grows near.

Now why would anyone want to be a part of this? Well, on June 3, the top 5 trivia players in terms of score will be written into the blog as minor characters during a big event. The portrayers of the characters will be decided by Roman and I but the 5 finalists will be asked for input. The higher your score, the bigger your character's involvement in the event. You will be given the chance to name your character as well. Then, when the game reaches it's end in summer, the overall winner will be revealed in the final Trivia Challenge which will ask the game finalists to reveal their guess for who the MCF is. The overall winner in terms of score will then be able to decide who the character created in their honor will interact with, some of what the character does, and will see their character play a part in a story that will be featured in the aftermath of the VENDETTA event. The winner will also be given a big surprise that will be revealed at the end of the game.

Game rules and details will be posted in the VENDETTA area of the blog in the weeks to come. REMEMBER, THE VENDETTA EVENT BEGINS MARCH 1 AND THE GAME BEGINS MARCH 20. YOU MUST LET ME KNOW VIA PM OR COMMENTING IN THIS BLOG IF YOU WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE VENDETTA GAME AND TRIVIA CHALLENGE BY MARCH 11. DO NOT START LETTING ME KNOW UNTIL BEGINNING ON MARCH 1.

Also, be on the lookout for more VENDETTA info and story info pertaining to VENDETTA in the VENDETTA blog category. Again, I will post on the main page of the Salem Lives blog and in the SONBC discussion thread whenever new info is on the VENDETTA area so you all can go into the blog and into the category to read it. If you have any questions, please comment in the blog or PM me and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I know some may sound complicated here but I think this is fun and a great way to get readers involved in the action. Oh, and a note to readers of Salem Lives who end up not playing the game, YOU CAN STILL BE INVOLVED BY READING THE VENDETTA INFO AND SHORT SCENES IN THE VENDETTA AREA OF THE BLOG. REMEMBER, THE SHORT SCENES ARE BASICALLY SCENES TO FILL IN THE BLANKS LEFT DURING THE NORMAL DAILY EPISODES AND TO HELP THE MYSTERY ALONG FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST GAME PLAYERS. JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT SO THOSE THAT DON'T PLAY DON'T GET LEFT OUT.

So, be there when VENDETTA officially begins March 1 and look out for more info on this as we approach the launch date.

WEEK OF 1/22/07 EDITION

INSIDER SPOTLIGHT: DEIDRE HALL (MARLENA) DISHES ON BEING BACK ON SALEM LIVES, HER EXIT LAST SUMMER, AND ON JUST WHAT MAY BE UP WITH SALEM'S BELOVED "DOC."

Interviewer: Hello, Deidre. How are you?

Deidre Hall: Hi there. I'm great. It's great to be back to work.

I: I can imagine. This is a nice way to go into the first question. How did your exit last summer come about and did you always know you would return?

DH: Well, when the new writing regime started in May of last year, new EP/HW Tim Lowery called me in about a week after he took the job. He told me that they had plans to kill Marlena off for an extended period of time. They felt the character needed to be rested and they asked how I felt. Strangely, I agreed. I felt the Marlena I had been playing since the SSK story in 2003 was not the Marlena the fans want. She was being destroyed little by little. Once I was told that they wanted to rest the character to give the fans time to digest and then bring her back at some point, I was on board because I think it was the best way to create interest and investment in the character again. I always knew I was coming back. They told me I would be back for the Christmas show so I knew it would be a tear-jerker. The return was amazing and so well-written. This regime has been great for all of us and they know the characters so well. They are dedicated to telling great stories but not at the expense of the characters.

I: EP/HW Tim Lowery told us when you left that he knew you would be back but wasn't sure if the character of Marlena would be back. Did he ever relay that to you?

DH: I saw that and that could be a number of things. We both agree that the character needs attention and to be repaired. However, he has this great story to tell and it's all top-secret. Is this person we are seeing Marlena? Is she ill? Those are the questions fans are asking and they should be. That comment could've been setting up the story we have now or just saying that the character would change and become, in a way, the old "new" Marlena. We want to bring back the essence of the character, that is if this is Marlena and she is in her right mind.

I: Tell us about your final scenes. How on earth could Marlena survive that fall into the volcano in July?

DH: I have no clue. It will be explained along with where Marlena was. Everything will be answered. It's hilarious because those final weeks were surreal. I had played the posession and Salem Stalker/SSK story but the way I had to play Marlena the final 2 and a half months was so different. She was completely out of her mind and evil. It was fun because supernatural or strange reasons were the not the cause of her behavior. It was everything she had been through and it was manipulation and mind control somewhat. There was no brain chip. It was realistic. I loved when they had be blowing up the plane on Morgan Island with so many beloved character on it. That scene reminded me of the posession story when I had to play Marlena throwing her hands in the air after setting St. Luke's in fire. They gave me so much great material to play. I was strangling my daughter, had some great one liners...the scenes I had with Stefano were great. The scenes between me and Drake (Hogestyn, John/Roman), as well as Martha (Madison, Belle) and Ali (Sweeney, Sami) on the volcano before Marlena's "demise" was some of the best writing I ever have had. Those scenes were so emotional . The struggle and angst...John fighting for Marlena to come back to him. The real Marlena. Marlena children being there...wow. At the time, I said what an exit. It couldn't be better.

I: What did you think of turning John into Roman again?

DH: I was fine with it. That was one of the reasons why they wanted me off for a bit, not that I minded the vacation time (laughs). They wanted to focus on Roman reclaiming his life on his own before bringing Marlena back into the fold. Marlena's "death" pushed alot of story forward so that is why they did it, primarily. I think it's great and they covered every angle. They reall paid attention to detail from changing Brady's name, to the effect it had on Belle and Shawn, and to the Roman/Sami dynamic. The whole change was handled with care and thought. That is all you can ask for.

I: Back to your story, can you give us any hints to what is up with Marlena? Yesterday's episode was wild for her!!

DH: Yes and the bar scenes were so much fun. I felt like I did when I played Hattle in 2004. It was fun and it's been fun since returning. When I first came back to tape my first show back, I thought everything was fine. Marlena was back and she seemed normal but, two episodes later, they are throwing weird hints out there. She is forgetting things, aggressive in the bedroom, snapping at her children, trying to kill Roman...I just said wow. The bar scenes really put it over the top. It was like 'Marlena gone wild" (laughs) I am playing it like she could do anything at any moment. I was happy they had her be remorseful after nearly smothering Roman. I was hoping they would show that side of her as she had been mean and snippy for a bit. I have no idea what is really going on as it's top secret but it's fun taking chances playing her right now. I can't wait to find out what it is.

I: Could it be something to do with her deceased sister, Samantha? It seems like her moods change...almost like she becomes a different person at times.

DH: Yes and that is why they told me to play her as being all over the place. We want the fans to guess at it and to think it's one thing and then throw them a curve and make them think differently. Before falling into the volcano, we know that she had emotional issues stemming from her past and that those issues were used to manipulate her. I think it could have alot to do with that. I mean, she was nuts before falling into the volcano so she could be nuts now (laughs). Or, it may not be Marlena at all? (laughs)

I: How is it working with Roscoe Born (James)?

DH: Lovely. What a great actor and loving man. I knew of his work and he is even more impressive seeing him work everyday. He has such great work ethic. They really kept his involvement with my character under wraps and the connection is still not really known. It's fun and I can promise that Marlena and James will interact much more.

I: We have to say goodbye now but, before we do, we want to thank you for joining us and we can end this with any hints you can give us to your story. Have any spoilers?

DH: Thanks for having me again. It was lovely. Well, my story is top secret. All I can say is that sweeps will be amazing and everything after that will be as well. It's really looking to be a great year for us so stick with us and enjoy!!

COMINGS AND GOINGS

COMINGS

Christie Clark and Paul Kersey (Carrie Brady and Alan Harris): Both actors will return this week after making limited appearances in the past two months. Sources say to expect them to be heavily involved in story, especially during February sweeps.

Joseph Mascolo and Renee Jones (Stefano Dimera and Lexie Carver): Mascolo, who last appeared on January 4 and Jones, who last appeared in December, will return to the canvas full time next month.

Tanya Boyd (Celeste Perrault): The recurring actress is back taping once again so expect her to be turning up again very soon.

GOINGS

John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis): Aniston will be off the canvas for a brief hiatus. Sources say he will return by mid-February.

Previews and Peeks into Week of 1/22/07

-Steve comes to a surprising conclusion.

-Victor confesses his feelings to Maggie.

-Maggie falls apart.

-Kimberly seeks out Roman's help.

-James gets dragged into Marlena's 'Wild ride."

-Bo wakes up.

-Eric and Nicole get bad news.

-Billie takes a big step.

-Greta and Frankie celebrate.

-Cassie taunts Abby and Chelsea, who begin to lose hope.

-Kayla and Steve prepare to go on a journey.

-James issues warnings to his family

-Bo and Hope are keeping secrets from each other.

-Carrie makes a decision about her baby.

Next Week: Sami tells Will about her rape. Carrie goes into labor. Shane is ready to tell the truth. Cassie drops two bombshells. Jack has a new boss. Maggie returns to old habits. A shocking truth about Marlena and James is revealed. Sami and Lucas commit to each other. -Bo begins to piece together his memories.

-Arriving back at the Horton home are Alice, Doug, and Julie. They walk in with Doug holding up a still-distraught Maggie. Once they make it to the staircase, Maggie somberly tells the group that she would like to be alone. After a moment of silence, Julie asks her if she needs any help up the stairs but Maggie silently shakes her head no. She then slowly walks upstairs, using whatever strength she has left to climb up each step one by one.

After the group finishes watching Maggie make it upstairs and disappearing into a bedroom, all three then go into the living room. Doug walks over to the big window after placing his coat on the couch and looks out quietly. Julie looks at him with a sad expression and starts over to him but then stops, remembering what he said to her earlier. She then quietly walks around the couch and sits down next to Alice.

Alice looks at both of them disgusted and remarks:

Alice: You know, do you two know how silly you look being mad at each other?

Doug slowly turns around to look at Alice and then looks down at Julie. Julie is being stubborn but, feeling Doug’s eyes on her, turns her head slowly and looks at him briefly before jerking her head back and staring straight ahead.

Alice sighs deeply and then continues:

Alice: A shame, really. It’s amazing. You both act like this is the first time you have fought or have ever said something unkind to each other.

They both then burst out yelling, trying to get a word in edgewise before Alice shuts it down:

Alice: Be quiet, both of you! This is my house and my husband’s house and you will not speak to each other in that manner again, understood?

Julie looks like a scolded child and looks at her grandmother out of the corner of her eyes before answering:

Julie: Yes, Grandma. Understood.

Alice: Doug?

Doug: Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry for raising my voice.

Alice: Now, that’s much better. Well, since you have now remembered to have respect for your elders, can you remember to still have respect for one another?

They both look at each other once again as Julie then turns away and looks down into her lap. Doug looks down at the floor and both can’t bring themselves to admit how ashamed they are for the things they said to one another. Alice speaks up once again, telling the both of them:

Alice: Are you two going to throw all those years of marriage down the drain because of one disagreement? If you are, then do me a favor. Take me upstairs so I don’t have to witness it or go someplace else to do it. But if it does happen, that would tell me that your marriage was never that strong to begin with.

Julie raises her head slowly and then looks at Doug once again. Doug looks right into Julie’s eyes and then takes one step forward and stops. Julie stands up, smiles at Doug ever so slightly, and takes one step towards him. Alice looks on smiling as they both then walk towards each other and Julie starts crying as they both reach out and pull one another into a very loving embrace.

Julie pulls back and then looks at Doug lovingly while Doug, the gentleman that he is, takes a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and softly dries her eyes, smiling at her the whole time. Doug then puts his handkerchief away, kisses Julie gently on her lips, and softly says:

Doug: You know, here’s a thought. Why don’t we......(Looking at The ceiling, then back at Julie)agree to disagree about Victor. What do ya say ?

Julie: I say.......(Looking lovingly into his eyes) that’s another fine idea you have there. And, let me add to it.

Doug: Ok. Shoot.

Julie: Let’s never.....ever.....say anything like we said earlier today again. And.........(Resting her head on his chest) let’s never go this long being mad at each other. Ok?

Doug: (Lifting up her face by her chin) You bet, pretty lady. I love you so very much.

Julie: I love you too, honey. Never forget that.

The couple then hold each other and slowly rock back and forth as Alice looks on, commenting:

Alice: Well......another marriage saved. I guess I’ve still got it.

The camera then slowly pans up through the ceiling.....and into the bedroom where Maggie is. She is sitting near the window, looking out into the night skyline. The camera then goes to a still overhead shot as we see Maggie walk around her bedroom, lay on her bed, cry deeply near the window, all the while blaming herself for first Mickey’s death, then Victor’s. She blames herself for showing up at the warehouse unannounced, and says:

Maggie: This is all my damn fault. (Wiping away her tears) He told me not to get involved. But, did I listen? No. Mickey always said I was too damn hardheaded and stubborn. Wonder if he was right? Now.....another man that I cared about is gone and it’s all because of me. (Crying once again) Why do I keep hurting the men in my life? (Looking out the window into the night once again) Oh, Mickey. I wish you were here to be by my side. I miss you so much. (Crying heavier) Why did you have to leave me? I’m so alone, Mickey. So damn alone.

Maggie then rests her head into her arms and cries uncontrollably for a few moments. Then, slowly, she lifts her head up and starts cleaning herself up. She realizes that, even though she wants a drink desperately right now, that it would not be the wisest move on her part and would be the wrong way to handle this stage of her life. She walks over to her closet and looks into it, picking out some clothes. She puts on something warm and then slowly creeps down the stairs. While she hears Doug, Julie & Alice talking, she walks quietly down the hallway, through the kitchen, and out the backdoor for some air on this cold winter night.

-On the other side of Salem, at the Cheating Heart, a very sexy lady, clad in a black see-through halter top with a matching black bra and skin tight black leather pants comes stalking slowly into the bar. She causes quite the stir as male customers hoop, cheer and whistle at this gorgeous street woman. She walks over to the bartender and sternly says:

Marlena: Hit me and keep ‘em coming.

She smiles at the bartender, who fills her order, all the while looking down her at her ample cleavage. Marlena gets another shot as men start walking over to her. She turns slowly around to see the audience she has and remarks:

Marlena: Boys, boys. Careful now. There is more than enough of me to go around.

The boys cheer out loud, especially when she places her hand on her stomach and slowly reaches down between her legs, gently caressing her crotch before she returns her hand to her mid-section. She coyly bites her finger and smiles broadly as the men cheer once again. She then walks past the men, touching their cheeks as she goes over to the pool tables, and asks:

Marlena: Who wants to get their ass kicked in some stick action?

Every guy in the bar raises his hand, begging to be that man. Marlena chooses a lucky guy. He stands 6'1" and seems to be quite happy that she has picked him over everyone else. She takes the pool cube and breaks and everyone is standing by, watching the action.

-Meanwhile, back at University Hospital, Shane has met with Roman and told him that he has called everyone over to meet him. Roman thanks Shane and then tells him that he prays everyone will understand what he and Bo had to do to bring peace to Salem. Shane hopes for the same thing. He also tells Roman to be prepared for the anger that will eventually come from his family. Roman agrees, saying that he didn’t mean to hurt anyone.

As Nicole, Eric, Sami, Belle, Caroline, Max, Frankie, Hope, Abe, Kayla, & Kimberly slowly arrive in Roman’s room, they all see that he is in fine health. When everyone breaks out in tearful applause, Roman yells to everyone that this is not what it seems. As everyone looks at each other and then at him for an explanation, he takes a deep breath and looks at Shane before he begins:

Roman: I first want to say how sorry I am for putting you through all of this. It was not my intension. All I wanted is what I’ve always wanted....for my family to be safe. And.....what I felt we had to do was part of that, you see. I also didn’t want Bo to get arrested for something he didn’t do.

Sami: Daddy, I don’t understand. You were shot......and all of us thought you weren’t going to make it.

Roman: I know, baby. That’s......what......we wanted you to think. That’s what we wanted all of you to think.

Belle: We? Whose this “we” you keep referring to?

Roman: (Looking nervous) Myself, Shane........and Bo.

Caroline: Bo? What does Bo have to do with this?

Roman looks at Shane, who shakes his head in approval. He continues:

Roman: Well, Ma, everyone.......I don’t even know how to say this.......this has been.....and I.S.A. operation.

Sami: What? What are you saying?!

Roman: That Bo.....went undercover into Victor’s family to get the goods on him. To finally bring that man to justice. By doing this, we also hoped to draw out Stefano and Ernesto while using the resources Victor has access to in hopes of bringing them down as well.

Frankie: So......what you’re saying, is that.....this whole damn thing.......

Roman: Right, Frankie. Bo turning his back on the family.......my shooting......everything.........was an inside job, thought up by the three of us.

The family looks at Roman and some of them grow very angry. Caroline starts in on him, saying:

Caroline: Do you know what you put me through?! What you two put this family through?! What in the hell is wrong with you two?!?! If I had a belt right now..........

Kayla: Now, Ma. Don’t be mad at them. I knew as well.

Caroline: What is wrong with you damn kids?! Have you all lost you minds?!

Frankie: I think so, Ma. You know, you three need your heads examined for what you did to all of us.

Hope: I can’t believe this. Congratulations, fellas. You sure played me for a fool.

Belle: Shame on all three of you for what you’ve done.

The family is stunned.

Hope: You knew, Kayla?! Do you know what I’ve been going through with your brother and all the while you knew this was some damn mission?! (Walking up to her) You know, I ought to......

Max: Now....let’s calm down, everyone.

Belle: Calm down?! My father and uncles have been lying to all of us for months. Daddy, how.....how could you be so cruel?

Roman: Baby, I’m sorry. Really, I am. If it makes it any easier....this isn’t the first time I’ve been in an operation like this, ok?

Sami: No, Daddy. It’s not ok. (Crying in anger) As much as I love you, this was wrong. You have rightfully been preaching to me for years about telling the truth and the first chance you get, you keep all of us in the dark? Mom would have your head for this....even if she is acting strange right now.

Caroline: By the way......where is she?

Belle: Who knows. (Looking at Sami) Who knows what she’s up to these days?

Eric: Well, Dad...........spill it. Let us know what’s been happening.

Abe: Yes, Roman. Please tell me a decent explanation before I strip you of your badge.

Roman: Ok. Here it goes.

Roman then proceeds to tell everyone about how he went to Bo and Shane and set up everything from Bo infiltrating Victor’s crime family to Roman’s shooting. He tells them that there were scwibs under his clothing that he activated when he was “shot” on New Year’s Eve. He tells them that they got Kayla to work with them by saying that he was under an infection risk and that’s why he couldn’t be seen. He wants Victor and Stefano to finally see the inside of a jailcell for everything they’ve done from the island tragedies to this mafia war. He tells them that Bo wanted to be in on it and that they both decided not to tell anyone because, if the family knew, everyone could be in danger. Caroline asks why they chose to go after Victor way back in the Fall when the mafia war hadn't started and Victor really hadn't done anything yet.

Roman explains that Bo, Shane, and him were sick of Salem being overrun by criminal masterminds. They all understood that action needed to be taken, especially after what happened on the Island. Victor had a role in why the island tragedies happened due to his Ernesto connection and he had manipulated Belle, Shawn, Claire, and Philip's lives even though Philip ended up being Claire's father. Bo was reluctant at first as Victor had turned his life around in the last few years but he was still underhanded and shady. He is a part of the very threat they want to wipe out of Salem. That is why they formulated this plan.

He also tells them about the Mysterious Cloaked Figure and what this person has been responsible for, including the bombing of Samantha’s apartment. They also are working on finding out what exactly the MCF did at the New Year's Ball. They see this figure as a major threat right now, maybe moreso then Stefano and Victor. He then hopes and prays that:

Roman: You will find in your hearts one day to forgive me.

Roman looks at his family, who now stands before him silently. Sami is the first one to speak, walking up to him and saying:

Sami: You know, the old me would have slapped the taste out of your mouth and told you to go to hell for what you and Uncle Bo did........

Roman: And now? Look. I want you to understand something. Stefano, Victor & Ernesto have had free reign over Salem and it's people for far too long. It is time that it ends. On top of the fact........if Victor finds out what’s been going on, Bo may be a dead man.

Sami stares at Roman, then takes one step forward......before hugging her father. She then says to him:

Sami: Well, it doesn’t mean I’m not absolutely pissed off at you right now.....but, your heart was in the right place.

Hope: Well, Sami may be a lot more forgiving than I am but Roman.....you disgust me. Your brother is lying in a hospital bed and it may be because of this garbage you’ve gotten him involved in. If he doesn’t make it.......I will hold you personally responsible. You got that?!

Hope then storms out as the family watches her leave. Caroline just stares at Roman and Shane, shakes her head, and leaves as well. Nicole takes Eric by her arm and walks out, as Roman notices his family not saying a word to him. As the rest of the family leaves, he turns to Shane and says:

Roman: Well, that went well. Now, the majority of my family hates me.

Shane: No they don’t. They’re just mad right now. Give it time, my friend.

-In the backyard of the Horton House, Maggie walks over and sits on a swing. As she swings slowly back and forth, looking down at her hands and then up to the sky, she feels a presence near her. Maggie gets very frightened and looks around at who it may be. She slowly stands and gets ready to make a break for the backdoor but is grabbed from behind by two powerful hands. One hand goes over her mouth and the other holds her in place.

Maggie fights and tries to scream out to alert someone inside that she is being attacked. She then bites the finger of the person holding her, stumbles forward, and reaches down to the ground, picking up a huge tree limb. When she turns to face her attacker.............

She is shocked to see who it is. She raises her hand up to her mouth to stop the gasp she was going to let out and slowly falls into unconsciousness. When she starts to fall to the ground......

Victor catches her before she can hit it. He picks her up and then takes her over to the swing, placing her gently on it. He strokes her hair lightly, and quietly says:

Victor: I just wanted to see your beautiful face.

He leans in and kisses her and then looks out into the cold night air.

-Later, Kimberly walks back into Roman's room and asks to speak with Roman alone. Shane excuses himself and when they are alone, Kimberly tells Roman:

Kimberly: I am really pissed off at you, big brother, but that will have to wait. I have a problem and you are the only one I can turn to.

Roman: Sure, Kim. What’s going on?

Kimberly: It’s Bo. Something is wrong with him. I think it may be...I think he may be remembering.

Roman: You mean...

Kimberly: Yeah. I am thinking that is what's causing the current state he is in. I don’t know what to do. We have to get to the bottom of this......we have to find a way to deal with this...

Before it costs him his life.

Roman looks at Kimberly in shock and she stares at him with worry.

-Back at the Cheatin Heart a while later, after she has beaten most of the men in the bar, she says she’s grown bored with that game and feels like dancing. She then tells the bartender to:

Marlena: Crank it up, Jack. Time for me to shake this fine ass of mine.

The men take turns dancing very sexy with Marlena, who is bumping and grinding her heart out on the dance floor. She goes from guy to guy, shaking her breasts in their faces and grinding her backside on almost every single crotch in the bar. She then says:

Marlena: Aye, boys, I need some help getting on top of this bar. Any takers?

Two men run up and she almost starts a fight between the men who want to help her. She eventually gets up there and then, with the sound of a hard charging country song in the jukebox, she starts taking off her clothing......one garment at a time. She then looks out into the crowd and says:

Marlena: The party’s just getting started, boys. The main event is coming up shortly.

The crowd hoops and hollers once again as, in the back, some of the bar patrons are seen taking off their shirts. Marlena spots them......and smiles widely. The scene slowly fades out on her laughing and smiling as she continues her strip show for the fellows as the screen slowly fades to black on her face while the music and guys screaming and howling can still be heard in the background.

On the next Salem Lives...

Maggie to Victor: Your back!! But how?

Victor to Maggie: I can't talk long. I've come to say goodbye.

Hope to Bo: Please, wake up. We need answers...we need to know what is wrong.

Kimberly to Roman: Our worst fears are coming true.

Roman to Kimberly: We don't know that yet and, if they are, we will deal with it. I promise you.

Steve to Kayla: You...you made it stop. You made the pain stop.

James to Marlena: What the hell is wrong with you?

Marlena to James: Just trying to have some fun...you want in, tiger?

***REMEMBER TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SPECIAL FEBRUARY SWEEPS TEASER AT THE END OF THURSDAY'S EPISODE IF YOU HAVEN'T YET!!!***

-At University Hospital, Greta bumps into Eric in the hallway. She is thrilled to see he is finally being released. She says she was just about to come and see him as she was just coming from checking on Bo. Eric asks how his uncle is doing. Greta tells him that he had another violent outburst but they managed to calm him. They still don't know what is causing it but it is having a bad effect on his heart rate and blood pressure.

Eric hates that his family and friends have been through so much. Greta comforts him with the fact that he is doing well and his loved ones have that to be grateful for. Greta asks where Nicole is. She figured she would be right by his side. Eric says that she had a meeting to go to but isn't sure if he should discuss what it's about since it's personal for her. Greta understands.

She tells Eric she is happy he is feeling better and to call if he needs anything. She would like to get a cup of coffee or something with him. He says he will call her and they embrace before she leaves. Eric then is told he has a phone call at the nurses station and he goes to take it

Later, as Eric gets off the phone, Nicole appears behind him. Eric sees that she looks upset about something and asks if she is ok. Nicole changes the subject and asks if he is ok. Eric tells her that he was given instructions to just take it easy and call if he has any severe headaches but, other then that, he is good to go to leave the hospital. He is more worried about her, though.

Nicole says she is fine and doesn't think she can talk about it right now. Eric tells her he just got a phone call and it's good news. Nicole seems bothered by that and finally comes out saying she has bad news. Eric says his news can wait and tells Nicole to tell him what happened.

Nicole turns away, as she fight backs tears. She tells Eric that she was told that she is not a candidate for in-vitro. Eric tells her that it's ok. They can always look into adoption. Nicole says she wanted to carry his child and wanted it to be a part of both of them. She blames Sami for this as she would've still been able to have children if not for her. Eric reminds Nicole of her promise not to go there. Nicole apologizes as Eric assures her he is just as happy adopting as many children as she wishes. They can start right away on looking into it. She smiles and asks if he is sure. He nods and says it's fine.

She asks what his news is. He doesn't know if it's a good time, given how hard of a day she has had. She insists he tell her. Eric explains that Kate was who he was talking to at the nurses station. Since his father is no longer John Black, he gave the rights to Basic Black to Kate and she has combined it with what was Austin Reed & Co to form Roberts & Associates. She was looking to hire a new photography team and she asked him to come aboard, remembering how good he was at Titan. He says he accepted the job and starts in a few days.

Nicole turns away, seemingly upset by the news. Eric asks if she is ok. Nicole puts up a front and says she is. Eric notes how she has hard a time searching for employment while he was still in the hospital. He just hopes it doesn't bother her since she gave up Highstyle for him. He still feels awful about that. Nicole assures him it's fine and that she will find something, eventually. It will all work out. Eric smiles and says things are coming together for them finally. He just hopes things get better for their loved ones too. They embrace but, unbeknowst to Eric, Nicole still seems secretly upset by Eric's news.

-Greta bumps into Frankie in another part of the hospital. He tells her that Bo is more relaxed now and that the doctors managed to sedate him after his latest outburst. They have no idea what is causing it. He wonders if Victor did mess with his head somehow. Greta says she hopes not and then turns away, while seeming a bit distracted. Frankie makes a comment that Greta seems lost in her own world a bit.

Greta apologizes. She has been thinking alot lately about the future. Eric is getting better and beginning his life with Nicole and so many of the people she cares about are going through hell right now. She really wishes she could do something more to help. Frankie says she is helping by just being there for them. She smiles but then adds that she spent so much time since coming back to Salem on helping Eric with his illness that she had no life of her own. She barely does anything as Princess except for write a few things here and there and fly to Paris for an event once in awhile.

Greta says she just isn't doing anything fulfilling. She wants to help people and be more active. She has so much money and she already volunteers and gives alot to charity. Frankie makes the suggestion of her forming her own business or something along those lines. Greta says she thought about that but knows nothing of business. She wants to be involved in something where she can influence people and give people who feel they have no voice a chance to be heard. She wants to help people and have an impact.

Frankie's eyes widen as he seems to be remembering something. He says he has an idea. A friend of his told him about something earlier. Frankie smiles and tells Greta he thinks she will be very interested in what his friend told him. Greta is curious and asks what it is. Frankie assures her she will love it and this may be the opportunity she is looking for.

-Kayla is on her way to Steve's room to check on him when she passes Shane. He says he is on his way up to check in with Roman. He asks how Bo is. Kayla says they calmed him but they still have no idea what is going on in his head. She hopes they get answers when he wakes up. Everyone keeps suggesting brainwashing but, she tells Shane they know that's not the case as Bo has been a part of the this secret operation with Roman, Shane, Abe, and the ISA. Shane tells her they will find out what is going on and will find a way to help Bo.

Shane leaves as Kayla enters Steve's room. Steve is lying in a deep sleep. Kayla sits down at his bedside and says she is here for him and isn't going anywhere. She assures him they will get through this.

Meanwhile, Steve begins to have another memory flash of being rushed through a dark tunnel with men in white around him. He is on a gurney. Eventually, the gurney is rolled into a small room where one of the men pulls out a syringe and the rest hold him down as he begins to stuggle to get off the table. His arms and legs are in restraints as he tries to pull free:

Steve: Let me go!!! STOP!!! NO!! I WON'T LET YO...WON'T LET YOU!!

The scene then shifts back to real time as Steve begins to lose it. He wails his arms at Kayla, sending her to the floor and begins to shake and move all over the place. Kayla calls for help and two male nurses come in and restrain him. Kayla gets a nurse to sedate him as she cresses his forehead, saying it will all be ok. She is here for him, just like he always was there for her in the past. Kayla notes how similar this is to Bo's condition and wonders if Steve is struggling with bad memories from his past or from his time when they thought he was "dead."

Steve opens his eyes a bit and looks at Kayla. His eyes are one of a person in deep pain and struggling to keep themself together:

Steve: Kayla...what is wrong with me?

Kayla: I don't know...but we'll help you. I''ll help you. I promise.

Steve: I don't want...you to get hurt.

Kayla: I won't. Nothing could keep me away from you. No matter what the risk. I love you. I'm not going anywhere. I promise.

-Shane enters Roman's ICU room. Roman asks how Bo is. Shane says not good, something is really troubling him. Shane tells Roman that Caroline and others think it could be Victor brainwashing him but, that can't be the case. They know it can't be as Bo was in league with them on the ISA operation. Roman agrees and is worried about his brother.

Shane tells Roman that it may be time for his family to learn the truth. They are going through hell and, the minute Bo is well enough, Abe will be pressured to arrest him. The mayor really wants to end the mafia violence in Salem and Bo was believed to be a part of it by the public. They need Bo on the outside to help them, not in jail. Roman agrees but worries that Victor could still be alive and Stefano and Ernesto are still out there.

Shane reminds Roman of the new threat-the MCF. That person is even more dangerous as they have no clue who they are and what they want. Roman agrees and says it is time to tell his loved ones everything. They will just need to find a way to make things work. They can't keep the people he loves in the dark any longer. Plus, he is really worried about his wife and her actions of late. He tells Shane to start gathering his loved ones and to tell them to come to his room. He is going to tell them everything tonight.

-Sami and Belle are in the hospital cafeteria. They sit down to take a break and get a bite to eat after checking on their uncles Bo and Steve and getting an update on Roman. They have also been searching for Marlena. Belle reminds Sami that it's become clear now that their mother is sick. They need to find her soon so they can help her before it's too late.

Sami says she still can't beleive what happened in their father's room. Belle says it was like she completely forgot the times she snapped at them and what happened at the New Year's Ball and everything after that. Sami wonders if she has something just like their late Aunt Samantha. Sami says she remembers thinking that before their mother fell into the volcano and was presumed dead. She was acting really crazy at that time and now it seems like she is trying to keep it a secret.

Belle disagrees and says she thinks their mother has no clue what is going on. The way she acted in that room was strange. Belle says that she and Aunt Kayla believed mom was trying to kill dad, just like when she aimed the gun at him at the ball before she knocked him out. Belle tells Sami that when she entered, mom just seemed different. It was not the same person who snapped at them. She was vulnerable and was showing remorse. She was acting like their real mother and couldn't beleive it hearing what she had done of late. Belle reiterates that they need to find her or whatever is wrong with her may get worse.

-On the pier, Marlena is walking all alone in the fog. She is an emotional wreck and is still stunned that she would snap at her daughters like she has been. She also can't beleive she would aim a gun at her husband and, the way it seemed, she was trying to kill her husband with that pillow before she regained her senses. She cries out to the skies above, asking what is wrong with her.

She can't understand why she would do these things and can't even remember doing any of them but trying to smother Roman with a pillow. She only remembers that because she had the pillow in her hand. The last thing she clearly remembers is Roman bringing her home to the Penthouse on Christmas Eve. Everything after that is a blur.

While Marlena is trying to piece together what is happening to her, someone is watching her. It's the MCF. Marlena gets up from a bench and begins to walk when she turns in the direction of the MCF. She jumps back in shock and starts to run away when the MCF grabs her. The figure holds her tightly, so much that Marlena is saying that the person is hurting her.

Marlena: What do you want? Please...just let me go.

The MCF then takes her by the arm and pull her away in the dark shadows of the night as the screen fades out.

On the Next Salem Lives...

Roman: It's time to tell you all the truth.

Maggie: First, Mickey and now Victor. Why? Why is this happening?!!

Marlena to a bartender: Hit me...and keep em coming.

*** ROMAN AND MYSELF JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR LOYAL READERS AND EVERYONE AT SON AS WE CELEBRATE 10,000 VIEWS. WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO READ AND SUPPORT US. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!! AS A GIFT TO ALL OF YOU, INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL PROMO THIS WEEK, I DECIDED TO DO A LITTLE TEASER FOR FEBRUARY FOR YOU ALL AND ATTACH IT TO THIS EPISODE. YOU WILL FIND IT RIGHT BELOW THIS MESSAGE. IT DOESN'T GIVE AWAY MUCH BUT I HOPE YOU STILL ENJOY IT!!!***

Announcer: THIS FEBRUARY...

Clip of Alan and Carrie at the cabin.

Alan: Push!!! Come on!!

Carrie: Ahh!!!

A MONTH WHERE EVERY DAY....IS CAN'T MISS!!

Clip of Shane, Austin, Sami, Lucas and Roman.

Roman: Damnit, Shane. Where is my daughter?!!

Sami to Austin and Lucas: If Carrie is with Alan, there is no telling what he may do to her or that child.

A MONTH WHERE SECRETS WILL BE REVEALED!!!

Will: I can't beleive this!!

Bo to Roman and Kimberly: I know the truth. I remember!!!

A MONTH FOR ROMANCE!!

Max to Abby: I'm not going anywhere.

Jack to Billie: You and me together equals the perfect team.

Kayla to Steve: I feel like I am falling for you all over again. (both lean in and kiss)

A MONTH THAT PROMISES HUGE TWISTS...

James: Oh my God...what have I gotten myself into?

Marlena: No one can can or will stand in my way.

INCLUDING TWO SHOCKING TWISTS THAT WILL LEAVE YOU STUNNED!!

Abe to Shane: I have never seen anything like this.

Will: How could this have happened?

THIS MONTH...EVERYTHING CHANGES!!!

Clip of the MCF holding a knife and admiring it.

THIS FEBRUARY...THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO GET INTO...

-At University Hospital, Julie tries her best to comfort Maggie as she grieves over Victor’s tragic death. Maggie keeps saying how first Mickey and now Victor’s blood are on her hands:

Maggie: He kept telling me that if I had just stayed out of everything, it would have been ok. Damn, how hardheaded do I have to be before I get the hint, you know?

Julie: Maggie, this is not your fault. As much as I liked him, Victor is to blame for his own fate. No one told him to do any of the stuff he did so, I guess, in the end.....he had to pay the piper. We all do at some time, my dear.

Maggie: I know that better than most. But, why him....and why now? He’s the first man I’ve cared about since Mickey’s death and it once again turns out like this?

Julie: Victor did what he did to protect his family and friends. Remember that part as well......

Doug overhears their conversation and leaves Alice seated in the waiting area, telling her he will be right back. Alice warns him not to do anything rash. Doug looks at her and then walks a few steps closer to Julie and Maggie.

Julie: And, if given the same choices, I bet he would not change one thing. What was most important to him...was family. And you. Don’t forget that, Maggie.

Maggie: That is one thing I’ll try to hold on to. Thanks Julie, for helping me through this.

Julie: My pleasure. Anytime you need someone to talk to....just call on me, ok?

Maggie: (Wiping her tears) You got it.

Maggie and Julie hug as she goes to the ladies room to clean herself up. After she leaves, Doug walks into the living room and blasts Julie:

Doug: Why is it necessary for you to always defend that man? Do you know what you did by pushing a relationship between her and Victor?

Julie: Oh, I pushed them together? You sure didn’t seem to have a problem with it when he and I had split apart. Now, you don’t want him with me.....or Maggie.

Doug: No, that’s not it. All I’m saying is that, with your words constantly in her ear, Maggie felt it was alright to turn her friendship into a relationship with him. Now look where she’s at. She is once again blaming herself for someone’s death. Hopefully, she won’t go back to the bottle after this one.

Julie is blown away by what Doug is implying.

Julie: You think I am the one who would drive her back to the bottle?! She’s a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions. As for Victor, he’s made some very bad mistakes but, at heart, he was a good, decent man.

Doug: Really, Julie? Ask Roman about how good he is. Oh, wait. You can’t! And why?! Because he’s in a coma!

Julie: Doug, I don’t care what you say. He was good to her during a difficult time in her life and he was good to me when you and I were apart. That’s what I saw in him then and that’s what I’ll always see.

Doug: Well, Julie, if that’s how you view him.....fine. I am through with trying to convince you how badly you screwed this whole thing up. You know, maybe you should have stayed with him instead of coming back to me!!

Julie: You know....maybe I should have. At least he never came off as some pompous jackass who never listens to anyone but himself.

Doug: Really? Well.......it beats acting like a mafia don’s whore!

With that last statement, Doug turns around and walks off, leaving Julie behind to grow more and more angrier.....and sadder at the same time as Alice looks at what just transpired, shaking her head in frustration.

At the McClure household, the family has just finished dinner and James and Renee silently do the dishes as the children clear the table. Jonathan picks up on the tension:

Jonathan: Ok. What is going on between you two? It felt like the sun was in here with all this heat between you.

Both James & Renee look at each other silently, not wanting to talk about their problems in front of the children.

Renee: Well....you see that your kids are very astute, don’t you? Even they see what’s going on between us.

James: Well then, why don’t you tell them what it is, then.

Renee: Because I’m not the one working for Victor Kiriakis!!

All three kids look at James in shock.

James: Oh, thanks. Thanks a lot. Now, my kids think I’m some nothing once again.

James, Jr.: Well, not really, Dad. Mom, I see what you are saying and where you’re coming from. But, do we know what Dad is doing for Victor?

Jonathan: J.J., I don’t think it matters what he’s doing for him. Have you read the papers? Our father is working for a man who started a mafia war with Stefano DiMera, of all people.

James, Jr.: Oh, I see your point now. Guilt by association, right?

At this moment, Angel steps in:

Angel: Look. Why don’t you two knock it off! Daddy is trying his best to make a better way for all of us and if he has to get involved with a man like that....I don’t like it but, what’s so bad about it?

Jonathan: Look, sis. Just stay out of this, ok?

Angel: (Walking over to Jonathan) Umm, question. Are you my father....(Pointing at James Sr.) Or is he? I forget every time you talk down to me.

Jonathan grows silent as James Sr. and Jr. smile slightly.

James Sr.: She does know how to hold her own, doesn’t she? Must take after her mother.

Renee looks at James Sr. and smiles ever so slightly, before she once again remembers how mad she is it him.

Renee: Don’t try to change the subject with the same sweet talk you used to make me marry you.

James Sr.: Well.....I thought it would work. Guess I was wrong.

James Jr.: You weren’t wrong, Dad. She still loves you like she always has. (Walking over to him and whispering in his ear) She’s just a little pissed at you right now, that’s all.

James Sr.: You think so?

Even Jonathan laughs at that. Renee is not amused, though, as she tells him:

Renee: Look. I’m just scared for you, ok? You’ve had a tough time after you got out of prison so I just don’t want this to come back and bite you in the end, ok?

James Sr.: (Talking her in his arms) I know and appreciate it so much. But, who do you think is going to hire an ex-con who was locked up for so long, hmmm? No one. I had to take what I could. And....I did it for all of you, the only great things that have ever happened to me. Please remember that.

James kisses his wife on her cheek and then walks outside to smoke a cigarette. As he sits on a ledge, he looks back inside at his family and promises to himself:

James Sr: I have got to end this thing before the family find out. If something happens to them because of this....it will be the death of me.

James turns around and looks up to the sky, hoping that he can end his involvement with Victor and his associate before someone is placed in danger....or worse.

-At Salem University Hospital’s Physical Therapy room, both Abby & Chelsea are having a tough first session rebuilding their limbs and lives after their separate tragedies. Chelsea can barely raise her arm, needing words of encouragement and guidance with the five pound weight she is using. Tears scream from her eyes as she struggles through her pain, trying to get back every ounce of mobility in one day.

Abby is on the other side of the room, wearing special shoes and braces on both legs, trying to walk upright for the first time since her accident. What neither girl sees is Jack and Billie looking on quietly through a small one way mirror. Billie breaks down crying, watching the young lady she thinks is her daughter struggle through her therapy session, while Jack fights tears as he watches Abby almost fall over when she loses her balance. He smiles a short time later as he watches her stand herself back up and continue on.

Both Jack & Billie silently leave, not being able to handle watching their children in so much pain. One person sees them leave and takes that opportunity to also walk up and watch their progress. But......she is not teary-eyed one bit. In fact, this person is quite happy to see them have such a hard time. The camera pans up from the person’s stomach to reveal the identity of the individual.........

One Cassie DiMera.

Cassie then walks around to the other door and, when she sees the doctor leave, barges in the room. Chelsea looks up startled upon seeing her and catches her breath before she says anything to her. Cassie, instead, opens up her mouth first, saying that there are men who like cripples. Chelsea responds, telling her:

Chelsea: Well, well, well. Coming from the family slut, that is quite the compliment. You know, if you hurry, you’ll be able to catch the crewmen in town from the Navy before they get re-deployed. I hear you give great group rates.

Cassie: (Leaning in to her) You know, that smart mouth of yours is probably why you and Miss Prissy are in the boat you’re in now.

Abby: Oh, I see. You’re now giving lectures on bad behavior. By the way, where is your grandfather? Running from the law once again?

Cassie: Oh, I see you have grown a pair. Too bad you can’t use them though. You have to be able to walk first.

Chelsea: And this......coming from a little girl who can only get a man when her grandfather kidnaps them, brainwashes them and gives them a new face. Clever.

Both Abby & Chelsea laugh as Cassie tries to say some thing else. When she calls Chelsea a river slut, all three girls start yelling at the top of their lungs, causing the doctor to rush back in and calm everyone down. Cassie then tells both girls that she will get what she wants........and soon. She then turns to Abby, telling her that she’ll find a man soon. One that likes someone with no working legs.

-Meanwhile, Hope, Kayla, Max, Frankie, Billie, Jack, and Caroline all worry if Bo can keep himself safe long enough to not get killed. Frankie tells everyone that Abe and Shane went back to the cop shop to get in touch with contacts and to keep the pressure on. Billie tells Caroline that she may be right and hopes Bo wasn’t brainwashed by Victor. Jack hopes so too, saying that it happens way too much in Salem. He walks off, leaving everyone else to wonder if Bo will come through this alive or if the effects of these memories will kill him.

-Sitting in the cafeteria, Jack and Billie talk about their daughters. She thanks Jack for calming her down after they saw them earlier that day and Jack says no problem. It’s nice for him to feel needed by a woman again. Billie smiles as they look at each other silently. Jack then continues the conversation, saying that this is the first time in a while that they’ve had some sort of peace, for what it’s worth.

Billie agrees, saying she’s really sick of thinking about the tragedies, much less talking about them. So, she then asks him, what about the future? Jack slightly turns his head, saying that since Jo moved to Florida with Vern to retire and Harold found a new job with a big magazine in NYC, the paper is in danger. He can’t afford to buy it and they have no editor or funding, so if no one steps forward, it just may shut down. He hopes whoever does buy it, they will consider him for Editor-In-Chief.

Billie says that sounds great and is sure it will work out in that fashion. When Jack turns to her and asks about her future plans, she says she’s gotten to the point where she doesn’t have much trust in the system but knows a lot about the law, so to speak. After they both chuckle at what she meant, she says that she wants to start back.....as a private investigator. Jack calls her Angie Dickerson as Police Woman, to which Billie responds not like that. She just wants to do the job without all the damn hassles.

They both stand up and look at each other, as Jack leans in and gives her a hug. He then says that it does look promising for her. She says they will be able to work cases together. They smile at each other and, as they walk off, Billie hopes that their dreams will start a new chapter for them in Salem, to which Jack hopes for the very same thing. They walk off down the hallway, heading towards the elevators.

-Back in Bo’s hospital room, Caroline and Hope stand on either side of Bo’s bed, wondering why he suddenly lost it earlier that day in the warehouse and why he’s done some of the things he’s done for his father. Hope wonders if Bo has something deep inside of him, pushing him to act out like this. Caroline says she doesn’t have one clue but, with Victor gone, it may be their best chance to find out. Both ladies sit down and spend the time looking at a sleeping Bo, hoping for answers when he wakes up out of his slumber.

Kimberly, in the meanwhile, is worried about everything. Worried about everyone thinking that Bo has this suppressed memory that is bothering him, worried about it coming out, and worried about Bo himself. She walks up to Kayla, asking if she could see Roman and talk to him. Kayla responds by telling her about the infection risk that’s on him and it wouldn’t be safe. She then goes back over to be near her little brother.

Kimberly knows that what she has to tell Roman may upset him but she desperately needs his help. She hopes Bo doesn’t start mumbling in his sleep and tell everyone what is terrifying him by accident. Unfortunately for him and Kimberly, he has another memory flash of the person who is scaring him, telling him once again in a deep voice that it will be ok and that everything will be fine, even though Bo is telling the person to stay away from him. Bo reacts to this as Hope, Caroline, Kayla & Kimberly all stand by, looking at him react to this latest flash of memory.

Kimberly then backs off as Bo starts getting more and more upset and then he starts mumbling what he is telling the person as a little boy. Frankie, Max, Jack, and Billie come racing into Bo’s room to join the others as he starts shaking violently in his bed. Kimberly puts her hands to her face, terrified at what Bo is remembering, and hoping it doesn’t come out in front of everyone.

-Back in the therapy room, the doctor tells Chelsea that she’s staying to do some experimental procedures and then turns to Abby, telling her that she will be going back to her room. When Cassie opens up her mouth, the doctor tells her he’s had about enough of her and tells her to leave before he calls security. When Cassie leaves, Chelsea thanks the doctor and then.....suddenly breaks down as the doctor goes to help Abby get back to her room.

Chelsea wonders if this is punishment due to her past sins. She then flashes back to her rape and the fact that both men ended up dead. She says, out loud, that she is glad she killed them and that no one, least of all her family and grandfather, got blamed for it. Unfortunately, what she doesn’t know is that someone is standing outside the open door, and that someone.....

Once again, is Cassie, who stands there smiling, thinking to herself, that she knows that, not only is Hope her mother, but that she killed two people and told no one. She then wonders to herself, how can use this to her advantage. She then slowly walks off, knowing that she has the upper hand...

as the screen fades out.

On the Next Salem Lives...

Nicole to Eric: You may have good news but I have very bad news.

Greta to Frankie: I think it's time that I change my life.

Belle to Sami: Our mother is sick, Sami. I know it and we need to find her before it's too late.

Marlena: What is wrong with me? Did I really do what Belle says I did?

Shane to Roman: I think it's time.

Roman to Shane: Yeah, time to tell everyone the truth.

Kayla to Steve: It's ok, Steve. I'm right here. I'm not leaving you.

-At the hospital, Abby is being prepped to be taken down to physical therapy. The nurse tells her that Chelsea will also be down there at the same time so they can get through it together. This makes Abby feel better. Jack, Doug, and Julie all assure her that she will do fine. Alice, who is sitting on a chair, tells Abby to be strong and reminds her that she is a Horton woman and Horton women are fighters. Julie reiterates that claim .

Alice also tells Abby that her great grandfather Tom and her mother are watching over her. Abby's eyes tear up as she nods and says she knows. Max vows to stand by her and even go down with her but Abby shakes her head. She is determined to do it on her own and he would only distract her. Plus, it may be uncomfortable with Chelsea down there.

Max says he is confident she can do it and will be waiting for her to get back to her room. Abby asks him what happens if she doesn't do well and never walks again. Max reminds her of his vow to always be by her side and says he doesn't plan on breaking that-walking or no walking.

Meanwhile, in Chelsea's room, Kate and Billie try to give her a pep talk prior to her therapy. They both tell her she will do great. Chelsea asks what will happen if her arm doesn't get better. Billie says they will deal with it and assures her she can still lead a happy and full life. Both Billie and Kate hug a crying Chelsea and remind her that Abby will be going through the same thing with her, maybe worst as she can't walk, and that both girls will be side by side going through this together.

Chelsea nods and says she wants to turn her life around and change but, if her arm doesn't get better, it will be very hard for her to deal with. It's hard to change your life when everything in your life always seems to go wrong. Billie and Kate tell her to just wait and see how things go. They wheel her into Abby's room.

-Meanwhile, in another part of the hospital, Cassie is in a exam room waiting for her test results. All sorts of thoughts race through her mind. She wonders if it's cancer or something else along those lines. Dr. Glancy then enters, telling her he has her results and to relax.

Cassie begs him to just tell her what is wrong, if anything. He tells her that she is in perfect health, which is good news considering what the tests found. Cassie is confused and asks what they found. Dr. Glancy says that the tests showed that she is pregnant and is three months along. He congratulates her. Cassie is stunned and remains silent as Dr. Glancy explains to her that she needs to make appointments with the OB-GYN and what else she needs to do given her condition.

Dr. Glancy asks if she is ok. Cassie explains that she never thought she would have a baby, let alone this soon. The way she grew up and the way her life is now, it just seems surreal. Dr. Glancy asks if Cassie plans to go through the pregnancy. Cassie turns and then has a flashbacks of making love to Max back in October. Cassie smiles and turns to Dr. Glancy, saying she will definitely go through with the pregnancy. She is a little stunned but it may be the best thing that has ever happened to her.

-In the ER, Bo is raced into a cubicle. Kayla and Belle come running in, saying they got Shane's call. Abe and Caroline fill them in on what's happened. Kayla goes into Bo's cubicle to find out what is going on. Hope is distraught, wondering what is going on with him. Shane comes over to tell everyone that Frankie is bringing Kimberly over.

Kayla returns from the cubicle, saying that Bo's blood pressure and heart rate is sky high. Something is clearly upsetting him. Hope fills everyone in again on what happened after they left the explosion scene. Kayla notes that it's similar to what Steve is going through, almost like he is caught in his painful memories. Hope remembers that Bo kept saying after the explosion something about "what do they mean" and "I thought they were gone." Kayla thinks that may be referring to some sort of memories.

Hope wonders what the memories could be. Bo has no secret unknown past. Shane mentions his being in the merchant marines so maybe something happened there and he was so traumatized he blocked it out. Hope doesn't think so but admits anything is possible. Caroline mentions Zack's death but Hope says that it was like Bo was trying to fight someone off so it wouldn't make sense.

Caroline wonders if Victor may have brainwashed Bo. That would explain his actions, especially towards Roman. Hope's eyes light up, thinking that could be something. Kayla reminds them that brainwashing is Stefano's specialty. Caroline says that Victor has the means and may have taken a page from the Dimera handbook to take them out. Maggie overhears and verbally attacks Caroline for accusing Victor of brainwashing his own son.

Belle and Abe hold her back. Caroline looks at her and just turns back to Hope and Kayla. Belle tries to comfort Maggie but she is inconsolable over Victor's death. She asks Abe if anything has been reported from the crash site. Abe shakes his head.

-In the east wing of the hospital, Austin enters Lucas's room. He asks Lucas why he called to see him. Lucas says they need to talk about Carrie. Lucas tells him to sit down, which Austin does. Lucas explains to Austin that he always idolized Carrie as his dream girl. That and the fact that he always felt inferior to Austin and bagging Austin's girl would make him feel good is partly why he wanted Carrie. He admits he cared about her and always will but he diluted himself into thinking it was love.

He tells Austin that what he had with Carrie wasn't love but lust. It was something he wanted for selfish reasons. He wanted to compete with his brother, the brother that he was jealous of. Carrie was like a trophy and, after Sami hurt him and Austin hurt her, they found comfort in each other so being together made them feel good. It was nothing more then that and it was nothing compared to how he feels for Sami. He was stupid to ever think he could love anyone else when he knew the truth all along in his heart.

Austin says he always felt like he belonged with Carrie and Lucas belonged with Sami. Lucas says he knows and only wishes he learned sooner. Austin tells Lucas he has nothing to worry about. Sami and him aren't really involved since they all learned what she did to Carrie through Lexie. he has forgiven her, like everyone has, but they never picked up their relationship. Lucas says good and then laughs, as he says it's good to know he won't have to fight him for Sami like he did Carrie.

Luxas tells Austin that he still plans to be a father to his and Carrie's baby and also gives Austin his blessing to be with Carrie if and when she returns or they find her. Austin thanks Lucas and they shake hands. Sami then knocks and both men ask if she heard their exchange. Sami nods, saying she is glad things are being ironed out. She asks if she can speak to Austin for a minute. Lucas is fine with it, saying he wants some quiet time anyway. Sami laughs as she walks out with Austin.

-A nurse comes up to Abby's room, saying they are ready for her. Billie and Kate wheel Chelsea in with another nurse. Chelsea says it seems they are ready for her too. Abby looks at Chelsea and tells her that it seems they are doing yet another thing together. Chelsea laughs and says that everyone always tells them they are inseparable and going through physical therapy together will only prove that. They both laugh.

Jack and Max give Abby a kiss and assure he she will be fine. Alice, Doug, and Julie wish her well. Alice holds her hand as she is wheeled away in a wheelchair. Billie and Kate wish Abby well too. Max takes a moment to wish Chelsea well. She thanks him and is wheeled away with Abby. Max tells Jack he hopes it goes well. He doesn't think Abby can deal with never walking again.

Meanwhile, Cassie is watching Max talking to Jack from nearby. She has been looking for weeks for something to help her get Max away from Abby and now she has it. She is carrying his child and she vows to make sure this baby tears Abby and Max apart.

Belle comes into Abby's room. She tells Alice, Doug, Julie, Jack, Billie, Max, and Kate about what is going on with Bo. They all bolt for the ER as Doug tells Julie he will bring Alice slowly behind them.

-Outside Lucas's room, Austin asks Sami what she wants to discuss. Sami says she overheard everything in there and Lucas giving him his blessing to be with Carrie. Sami explains that there is something she has known for some time but never told him she knew. She thinks it's time she told him.

Sami admits to Austin she knows he slept with Carrie and could be the baby's father. She admits she has known since September when they were out near Green Mountain looking for Carrie. Austin asks why she didn't say something. Sami says there was so much going on and it wasn't her place. She didn't want anyone to get hurt. She tells Austin that things are finally getting settled and that now may be the time for Lucas to learn the truth.

Even with Carrie gone, everything else is out in the open. Sami tells Austin that it's well past time for Lucas to know. If they all want to move on, it's time the truth come out. Austin agrees and says they can't wait for Carrie to come home. In fact, it may be better having this settled now so, if and when she returns, she won't have to deal with it as much. Sami agrees and tells Austin that he should be the one to tell Lucas and that he should do it when Lucas is released to go home.

Austin agrees but asks why him. Sami says it will be better coming from him. She knows he will be mad that she kept this from him and that he and Carrie did too. She just hopes he can forgive all of them so they can move on. Austin smiles and is in awe of how much Sami has changed. He comments on how the old Sami would've used this somehow to get what she wants or switched paternity tests or something.

Sami smiles and vows those days are done. She just wants to move on and hopes Lucas will forgive all of them for hiding this secret so they can get on with their lives. She just wants to be a family with Lucas and Will. Austin says he just wants to resolve all this and for Carrie to return so they can be happy. Sami hopes that happens for him and that all four of them find happiness...this time forever.

-Abe has a call at the nurses station and goes to take it. Frankie wheels Kimberly in and Hope and Caroline fill both of them in on what is happening. Abe returns to all of them and says one of his officers at the explosion site found a very small burnt piece of Victor's passport near the remains. They know it's his because they say the letters "Kir" where the last name would normally be. They can't make out the rest.

Abe says it seems Victor is really dead. Maggie breaks down and runs off just as Belle, Julie, Billie, Jack, Kate, and Max walk into the ER. Julie says she will go after her and asks Belle to tell Doug and Alice where she is. Shane and Abe fill Billie and the others in on what is happening.

Julie stops Maggie right before she walks out of the hospital exit. Maggie breaks down in Julie arms, still in disbelief that Victor is gone. She then has a flashback to something Caroline said to her:

Maggie: You will pay for saying all that!! You...your the reason he is dead. Your had us at gunpoint. He could've gotten away if it weren't for you. He's dead because of you!!! I'm going to make you pay!!!

Abe and Shane hold Maggie back.

Caroline: The same could be said for you. You were here before me. If you never showed up, he may have still escaped.

Maggie: No...I...

Caroline: Look...Maggie. Victor brought this all on himself ok. He made his bed now he has to lie in it.

As the flashbacks ends, Maggie begins to crumble in Julie's arms, saying:

Maggie: I did this. Oh my God...I'm the reason Victor is dead. I stalled him, Julie. Caroline did too but he may have been gone before she got there if I never showed.

Julie: You don't...

Maggie: Oh my God!!! I did it...I killed Victor. He's dead because of me.

Julie comforts a devestated Maggie as the scene then fades back to....

Caroline as she turns to Hope and says at least they don't have to worry about Victor anymore. Hope nods. Kayla then asks what if Victor did brainwash Bo or do something to him to cause what happened. Even with Victor gone, they will all have to deal with the aftermath. Hope and Caroline both look at each other, terrified.

Meanwhile, Kimberly wheels herself over near Bo's cubicle. She asks a nurse if she can go in and see her brother. The nurse says it's fine as she was about to tell everyone that Bo can have visitors anyway. Kim thanks her and wheels over to Bo. She hears him mumbling:

Bo: No...please...stay away. I don't like you...don't like you. NO!!

Kim's face looks worried. She then turns around and is very upset, saying:

Kimberly: Oh my God...this can't be. I can't let this happen. Bo can't know. He can't.

She then turns back to Bo as the screen fades out on a split-screen of Kimberly and Bo.

On the next Salem Lives...

James to Renee: What the hell is your problem?

Renee to James: You!! Your lying to me. I can tell and I want the truth!!

Chelsea to Abby: I'm not sure we can do this.

Abby to Chelsea: We have to...if we want to have normal lives.

Cassie to Abby and Chelsea: Oh, look at you two. Don't worry...I'm sure there are guys that will feel sorry for two cripples like you.

Maggie to Julie: I lost Mickey and now I lost Victor. Their blood is on my hands, Julie, and I deserve to be punished.

Kimberly: I need to see Roman...he will know what to do about Bo.

-In an older neighborhood on the lower east side of Salem, James walks up to a small, run down home. He stoicly stares at it before entering by using a key. He walks in quietly and we see that the home is dimly lit with aging walls. James walks down the small hallway and into the kitchen, where middle-aged woman is standing over an oven. James asks the woman if he heard her come in and she doesn't respond.

James: Oh come on, Renee. The silent treatment again? You know what...if I knew you were going to be like this all the time, I would've did something to put my ass back in prison again!!

Renee: Oh, yes!!! Because you being in jail for over ten years wasn't enough!!! I'm sorry if you don't like how things are but I'm tired. I'm just really tired!!!

James: I know and I know life is tough. Look...I am doing my best. I promised you and the kids that I would work hard this time to provide a better life.

Renee: I hope by work hard you mean actually work and not steal and pillage like you did before?

James: Of course. I told you I have a new job. Remember? I'm working for Victor Kiriakis.

Renee: Yes, I know. But Victor is very shady. Caroline Brady told me alot about him at church. She would know, afterall, since she had an affair with him. I just worry about what you are doing for him. He has this mafia war going on with Stefano Dimera and I don't need you being involved in that.

James: Renee, I can assure you that what I am doing is not putting me or our family in any danger. Everything I am doing is legit and there is nothing shady about it.

Renee: Then why don't you tell me what you do? I have been asking you for a few days now and your answer always is the same. You claim you are a runner and that you run errands and handy man's work. Can't you be more specific?

James: Not really. What I do depends on what Mr. Kiriakis requests of me. One day it can be going to drop a message off for him and the next it could be fix the chandelier. It can be almost anything. Can't you just trust me?

Renee: That's awfully hard to do when the last time I did that you lied to my face for months and ended up locked away for more then a decade.

James: I'm sorry Ren...

At that moment, two young men and a beautiful young woman walk in through the back door in the kitchen. The oldest, James Jr, is joking around with the middle child of the family Jonathan. The young woman, Angelica who is called "Angel," runs past them and hugs her father. She is clearly the apple of her daddy's eye.

James: Hello, my darling Angel. How was school?

Angel: Oh, awesome daddy. I met this cute guy who...

James Jr: Better not tell dad about guys. You don't want to start trouble.

Jonathan: Why? There was already trouble before we walked in.

James Jr: What do you mean?

Jonathan: You can tell mom and dad were fighting. Mom has that same look she has on her face when she is mad and dad has that look on his face when mom is yelling at him and he doesn't want any of us to know.

Renee: Look, guys it's ok. Your father and I had a minor disagreement. It's fine. Jon, how was school?

Jonathan: Good. Typical school, mom. I can't wait to graduate in June.

Angel: Yeah, well at least you graduate this year. I still have a year to go.

James Jr: Hey, guys. College life is not what it's cracked up to be. Beleive me, I know. I went through it. It's alot of work and then they send you out into the real world. What's coming up for you both isn't easy, believe me.

Jonathan: Yeah but it has to be better then high school. At least you get some breaks during the day and longer summer vacation.

James Jr (laughing): Yeah but there is a con for every pro, bro.

Angel: Hey, Jon, I need you to sit down and do that interview with me for the Salem High Herald. Since you were the all-time school record holder as a running back and are our star small forward on the basketball team, it may take awhile to write it up so we should start tonight.

Jonathan: Well, I have to call Tim first and then we can do it.

Angel: Ok. I have to call Ms. Lindsey and find out what day we are having the extra cheerleading practice this week so that's fine.

Angel and Jonathan walk out of the room.

Renee: Dinner will be ready soon so don't get too busy!!

James Jr: Are you sure everything is cool here?

James: Fine, son. Nothing to worry about. How was work today?

James Jr: Well, being an intern at The Spectator is hard but I am getting used to it. There is some changes happening at the top. The editor is leaving or something so things are a mess but it should settle soon.

Renee: I am so proud of you. I know the internship doesn't pay a whole lot right now but you will work your way up.

James Jr: Yeah and I like what I am doing.

James: That's all that matters, son.

James Jr: Thanks dad. You know, you inspire me. I mean, here you are rebuilding your life after you have been through so much. You are turning your life around and I just want to say that I am proud of you. Heck, Angel and Jon are too and I am sure mom is as well. It was hard when you weren't here for us but visiting you in jail I knew you were great. You just made some mistakes and paid for them and you are really working hard to better yourself.

James (clearly upset): Yeah. Thanks...uh, I am doing this for you and your brother and sister too. and your mom. I love you all...everything I ever did was for all of you. (Renee coldly turns and stares at James)

James Jr: I know, dad. That is why I hope I can be half the man you are. Well, gotta shower. Be back down soon.

James Jr leaves. Renee comes over and gets right in James' face.

Renee: Half the man you are? I am warning you, James. You better not screw up again or it just may tear this whole family apart.

James: I won't. Like I said, everything I do is for our family. I have learned from the past. Don't worry.

Renee: God, I hope you are being honest and sincere...for all of our sakes.

Renee goes back to cooking as James turns away in shame, knowing full well what he is involved in and that he is once again lying to his family.

-At the hospital, Marlena continues her attack on Roman. Roman tries to life the pillow up using his head but can't. He is desperate for air.

Marlena (whispering): Stop fighting, honey. You can't fight it when it's your time to die...

Roman is clearly gasping for air and Marlena continues to forcefully hold the pillow over Roman's face. Meanwhile, outside, Belle and Kayla are nearby. Both are worried about the situation in the warehouse district as they have yet to hear anything yet from Abe and Shane.

Back in Roman's room, Marlena begins to quietly snicker as she feels that Roman is slowly giving up. Just then, she looks over at Roman's nightstand and sees something in an open drawer. She is clearly unsettled by it and stops moving. She leans closer to the drawer and her face turns from one of anger and evil to one of upset and heartbreak. The drawer contains Roman's open wallet and the wallet is showing a picture of Roman and Marlena with Sami and Eric when they were first born.

Marlena begins to cry and then holds her head in confusion. Meanwhile, Kayla looks at Roman's room and sees Marlena in there. She runs in, with Belle behind her. They find Marlena in there. Kayla tells Belle to get her out of the room, reminding her of the infection risk. Kayla rushes to Roman, who is unconscious. He, eventually, comes to and asks what happened. Kayla says she isn't sure but his vitals show signs of someone who was nearly smothered. Roman remembers being attacked and having someone try to smother him with a pillow.

Kayla says that Marlena was in here and was very upset but she would never do that. Kayla remembers being with Hope, Caroline, and Maggie earlier and seeing Marlena go off on Sami and Belle. Roman says that Marlena has been acting strangely lately and reminds Kayla that Belle knocked her out at the ball because she seemed to be aiming a gun at him. Kayla asks Roman if he thinks that Marlena has mental issues similar to what she had before falling into the volcano. Roman isn't sure but thinks they need to talk to her.

Kayla reminds him that he can't because it would blow his cover. Roman asks Kayla to talk to her and see if something is going on. Kayla says she will try and see what she can find out.

-Belle comforts Marlena and asks what she was doing. No one can go in dad's room due to the infection risk. Marlena is visibly upset and is a wreck, saying she is so confused. Belle asks her what she is confused about.

Marlena: Why am I here? What's going on?

Belle: Mom...are you ok? Do you want me to...

Marlena: Wh...why? Your father...what was I doing? Oh my Gosh!!! Oh my..

Belle: Mom! What is going on? Something is not right.

Marlena: No...I would never...

Belle: Ok...that's it. You have been acting weird since coming back. Your snapping at Sami and I all the time, you looked like you were aiming a gun at dad at the ball and I had to knock you out, you showed no concern at all for dad or anyone else after the shootout, you disappear alot, and you seem like you are keeping secrets from us. What is going on?!

Marlena: Huh? I...uh, I did all that? No...I don't remember...(holding her head and chest) oh...gosh...I have to get out of here...have to...leave.

Marlena gets up and runs off hyperventilating and in tears as Belle starts to go after her and loses her in a hallway. Kayla catches up and Belle tells her that something is really wrong with her mom. Kayla explains what Roman told her and says that they need to find her mother and find out what is going on ASAP.

-Outside of warehouse 9, Bo seems frazzled by the explosion. Hope sees he is bleeding and tells him he is hurt. Bo then has a blurred memory of being in an alley just like he is now as a little boy. He is crying for help and for Roman, Kimberly, or mom and pop to come and help him. Bo shakes off the dream and then asks out loud why he keeps having flashes like that. Hope asks what he is talking about. Bo then says that he had thought they had stopped as he hasn't had one in awhile. Hope is puzzled and Bo continues to not answer her about what he is talking about.

Bo sees all the police, ISA, and SWAT team officials around. He regains his composure and tells Hope they need to go. He grabs her and they run off.

-Abe and Shane continue to investigate the explosion. Maggie is hysterical and falls to her knees. Shane comes over to comfort her. Caroline looks at the explosion site and says:

Caroline: I hope that cold-hearted bastard burns in hell.

Maggie (crying): How could you say that? You loved him!!! You had a son with him!! You had an affair with him two years ago!! Don't you feel anything right now?!

Shane: Maggie, calm down. Let's sit...

Caroline: If the man that died was the same man I cared about for years, yes. Yes, I would feel devestated over losing him. The man that died here today was not the Victor I loved. It was the Victor who forced my son to shoot his own brother. It was the Victor who was destroying my family and was part of a mafia war that was endangering all of us. The Victor I cared about died a long time ago. I'm sorry for your pain, Maggie. Even though I can't understand it, you really grew to care about him over the past few months and I'm sorry for your loss.

Maggie: I can't beleive you!!! What is wrong with you?!!

Caroline: Nothing. In fact, I feel really good. Salem is safer and so are the people I love. You may be upset but this is really a good thing. I know you won't see it as that but...

Maggie: You [!@#$%^&*]!!!

Maggie hauls back and slaps Caroline. Shane and Abe hold her back.

Maggie: You will pay for saying all that!! You...your the reason he is dead. Your had us at gunpoint. He could've gotten away if it weren't for you. He's dead because of you!!! I'm going to make you pay!!!

Abe and Shane hold Maggie back.

Caroline: The same could be said for you. You were here before me. If you never showed up, he may have still escaped.

Maggie: No...I...

Caroline: Look...Maggie. Victor brought this all on himself ok. He made his bed now he has to lie in it.

Maggie then breaks down in Abe and Shane's arms as Caroline walks away.

Maggie: Victor!! Abe, are you sure he was in there?

Abe: A few of my men say they saw him get in the limo that exploded. The other limo is long gone but once we start examining the remains we should get more answers.

Maggie: So...he still could be alive?

Shane: Maggie...darling, we aren't sure but we have some officers saying he got in the limo. No one jumped out of it so, if he was in it, Victor is gone.

Maggie: But, he may not have been in...

Abe: Maggie...it looks like he was. Don't get your hopes up, ok?

Abe walks away as Maggie breaks down in Shane's arms, saying that Victor can't be gone and that she refuses to beleive it. Meanwhile, Caroline looks at the explosion remains and says:

Caroline: I hope you are burning in hell for the way you betrayed me and for all the horrors you brought upon my family. We are much better off without you. Too bad too much damage has already been done. Our lives...my family may never be the same or whole again because of you. Stefano has caused us alot of pain but he has never destroyed who we are. You destroyed Bo. You destroyed our son and, for that, I hope you find no peace in the afterlife. I hope you suffer just as much as you have made my family and I suffer.

Abe, Shane, and Maggie hear all this as Maggie continues to cry in Shane's arms.

-Bo and Hope enter another warehouse. Hope tells Bo that they can't run. She asks him why they can't just go down to the station and have him admit what is going on. Bo says he wants to talk to her and no one else. Not right now. Hope is fine with it but demands Bo tell her everything that is going on. This is his last chance or they are through for good.

She reminds him that she thought they understood each other. She had admitted she was wrong for pushing him away. She dropped the charges against Chelsea and they both were well on their way to healing after months of agonizing over Zack's death and the circumstances surrounding it. After he nearly died in Sydney, she thought he was turning around and realizing that being involved with Victor was wrong. They had a wonderful Christmas together with JT returning. They were on the way to being happy again. She asks him what happened and why he has become what he is.

Hope: How could you try to kill your own brother? That boggles my mind, Bo.

Bo: Hope...there is alot I have to tell you.

Just then, Bo has another memory flash. This time he is in a dark room as a little boy and has a frightened look on his face. The memory is blurred and the very deep voice of a man can be heard:

Man: It's ok, Bo. I promise you, it's ok.

Bo: I don't like you. Go away! Please...go away.

The scene returns to the present and Bo begins to cry himself. He clutches his head and seems to be getting caught up in the memory. He began to cry out for help. Hope tries to calm him but he screams out for help. Abe, Shane, Maggie, and Caroline hear the screams nearby. The four of then take off, along with some of the officers that Abe commands to go with them.

Hope tries to reach Bo but can't. He begins to wail his arms, knocking Hope to the floor, and screaming:

Bo: Don't!!! No!!!

Bo then falls against a wall and slowly drops to the ground, unconscious. Hope races to him as Maggie, Shane, Abe, and Caroline walk in and race over to her. Hopef fills tells them all in on what happened and says also that Bo hit his head when they fell to the ground during the explosion. Abe asks one of the officers that followed to get some EMT's fast as Hope and Caroline cradle Bo in their arms, wondering what is going on with him.

The screen then fades out on Bo's unconscious face.

On the next Salem Lives...

Max (with Jack) to Abby: You going to be fine.

Chelsea (with Billie and Kate): He's right, Abby. We are both going to be.

Cassie to Dr. Glancy: I want the truth. What is wrong with me?

Maggie to Julie: Caroline is right...I killed Victor.

Hope (with Caroline) to Kayla: What is wrong with him? What's wrong with Bo?

Kimberly: Oh my God...this can't be. I can't let this happen. Bo can't know. He can't.

WEEK OF 1/15/07 EDITION

INSIDER SPOTLIGHT: PEGGY MCCAY (CAROLINE)

Interviewer: Nice you see you, Peggy. You are looking very happy!!

Peggy McCay: Oh, I am. I am always happy but I am over the moon.

I: It must be nice finally being on the front burner and being utilized so much.

PM: Oh, you have no idea. I can't complain though. I was always used more then some of the others my age. In early 2006, the last HW (James E. Reilly) was actually using me more then I had been in years. The funny part was he was the very same writer that "killed" me off. He did bring me back though but John (Aniston, Victor) and I were in a castle after getting off the island and then we were on another island. We were used sparingly but the early parts of 2006 were pretty good for me. As soon as new HW Tim Lowery took the reigns, things really became different. His partner, Patrick L. Ewing, then came on board to help and both have written some wonderful stuff for me and many of the vets to play. Suzanne (Rogers, Maggie), John, and I never thought we would see the frontburner again but here we are!!!

I: It's so great to see so much of you. Now, let's backtrack a bit. How did you feel when you were told they were killing off Shawn Brady Sr (Frank Parker)?

PM: Awful. I love Frank and we had such a great working relationship. He understood though. It;s the business and the writers felt this opened many story doors for Caroline and the Brady's. It's the same thing that happened with Suzanne when they brought John Clarke (Mickey) back for a bit to kill him off. The writers felt they had to make sacrifices to better the stories and show and I think it did in the long run. We hated losing actors like Frank and John but it's propelled so much story. If you ever leave a show, you always hope the exit is memorable and both men had memorable exits. The writers treated them well.

I: You are involved in one of the biggest stories on Salem Lives. The war between Victor and Stefano has resulted in much tragedy and suffering for all of Salem. How do you feel about the story and your involvement?

PM: It's fantastic. Is it violent and does it seem like there is shootouts and explosions all the time? Yes, but that's the story. I can't believe other writers haven't thought about putting Salem's two best villains against each other. It's so epic and it brings in almost the whole canvas. It has family and friends taking sides and there is just so much drama and strife. I love it and I love how you don't know why characters like Bo are doing what they are doing. I like the mystery components of it. As for my character's involvement, it was slow developing at first but it's really getting fun now. They have me pulling a gun on Victor and I am flying off the handle alot. The writers wanted Caroline to show off that temper of her's and to take a more hands on approach in protecting her family. I love it and the drama and action is so much fun.

I: Yeah. You pulling the gun on Victor in the last episode was shocking since the Caroline we are so used to seeing is the caring, supportive, comforting grandmother-like figure who runs the family pub. It just goes to show you that women over 65 can still be involved in high drama and big stories.

PM: Oh yes!! It's what soaps need to realize. You do need the young generation but you can't lose the vets. Just because Caroline and Alice are grandmothers doesn't mean we can't still be involved. I love the fact that the writers we have now have the vets featured prominently. They know who the characters are that the fans want to see and the newer, younger ones are thrown in the mix here and there so fans can get use to then without having them forced down their throats. I think it's a great way of going about providing quality drama now and building for the future.

I: Agreed. How do you feel about the Caroline/Victor/Maggie triangle? The last episode made it appear like Victor and Caroline are through. Of course, if he really is dead, they are through anyway. What do you think?

PM: It's a weird triangle. After Shawn Sr died, I really thought they would be building to a reunion with Victor and Caroline. I remember telling John that and John mentioned that they had him and Suzanne working together alot on the island story and he hinted to me that they may mean something. We never thought we would be thrown into a triangle and I think it's great. It just goes to show you that even us folks can be involved in love triangles late in life (laughs). I really like how the writers slowly built Victor and Maggie by having them save each other and comfort each other. It's so great how they show the different dynamics. Caroline wants Victor to be the good man he had become after Isabella's death. That was the man she fell in love with. Maggie, on the other hand, cares for Victor as a whole. It's doesn't matter what he is and what he is doing. Their bond is strong and she doesn't judge him or criticize like I do. I have noticed that the jealousy I had for them is gone and the scenes you all saw last week started taking me in the direction of maybe there is closure coming for Victor and Caroline. The scene in the last episode when I held Victor at gunpoint and claimed that our love was dead and had been dying for awhile tells me that maybe the relationship is on it's last legs. We'll see. I don't want to give anything away but there is some stuff coming that can give the fans more answers as to where Victor and Caroline are headed. Whether Victor survived somehow or not, I can't tell you. All I know is, whether Victor is alive or not, things are getting interesting.

I: Interesting indeed. Can you tell us anymore about what happens with Caroline?

PM: Well, the tension between Maggie and her will be very high after the ending of Friday's episode. What happened to Victor and how it all went down will really affect Caroline and Maggie. Caroline will also get some big news and there is some big stuff coming up in the months ahead with the Brady family. I'm telling you things are getting really good here (laughs).

I: Wow!! Sounds like your character is going to be all over the place (laughs).

PM: Yes and I love it!!

I: Thanks Peggy for the time and I hope things continue to go well.

PM: Thank you. We'll talk again.

COMING AND GOINGS

COMING

Sharon Wyatt (Renee McCluer): Wyatt debuts in the role of James (Roscoe Born) wife on January 15.

Zachary Knighton (Jonathan McCluer): Knighton has been cast as the youngest son of Renee and James. He debuts on January 15. Knighton has been in various TV and film projects.

Michael Trucco (James McCluer Jr): Trucco has been cast as the oldest offspring of the McCluer family. He debuts on Janaury 15. Trucco is best known for appearing on Battlestar Gallactica from 2005-2006.

Hayden Panettiere (Angelica "Angel" McClure): One of the stars of the the new NBC hit "Heroes" will be pulling double duty as she has won the role of the only McClure daughter and the youngest child of three. "We found a way to make it work," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "She will be doing both and there won't any issues. We love having her and Michael and Zachary aboard to round out the McCluer family." She will debut on January 15.

Previews and Peeks into Wk of 1/15/07

-James's home life has him on edge.

-Marlena's behavior takes another stunning turn.

-Maggie and Caroline come to blows.

-Hope demands the truth from Bo.

-Sami tells Austin she knows about him and Carrie.

-Lucas surprises Austin.

-Cassie gets shocking news.

-Abby and Chelsea begin therapy.

-Kimberly is keeping a secret.

-Steve loses it.

-Eric and Nicole's dreams hit a snag.

-Greta prepares to make a life changing decision.

-Billie makes a career choice.

-The Horton's comfort Maggie.

-Chelsea's secret is out.

-Marlena goes wild.

-Roman tells all.

RED LETTER DAYS!!

Monday January 15: Caroline and Maggie come to blows!!!

Tuesday January 16: Cassie gets big news!!

Friday January 19: Roman is forced to tell all to save Bo. Meanwhile, Marlena goes on a wild streak!!

Next Week: Kayla and Steve prepare to go on a journey. Maggie gets a shock. Bo begins to piece together his memories. Kimberly seeks out Roman's help. James issues a warning to his family. A shocking truth about Marlena and James is revealed. Eric and Nicole get bad news. Carrie makes a decision about her baby.

***REMINDER: THIS IS REALLY THE FRIDAY EPISODE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED BUT WAS A DAY LATE DUE TO THE PREEMPTION. ENJOY!!!***

-Cassie is pacing around the Dimera mansion, nervously awaiting the results of her medical tests. She wishes her grandfather, Stefano, and Lexie were there to lend their support and help her through this. She asks one of the servants to bring her some water to help ger relax. She wonders what it could be that has been making her so ill of late. The servant brings her the water and she slowly sips it.

She looks into the fireplace, deep in thought, and jumps when a hand touched her right shoulder. She is shocked to see Stefano standing behind her, grinning from ear to ear. She embraces him and then asks him where he has been. He explains to her how he has been lying low since the New Year's Eve debacle and how he must now leave Salem. He needs to keep a low profile for awhile and must return to Lexie and make sure she is being properly cared for. Now is the perfect time to leave with the SPD & co. seemingly being focused on Victor and Bo.

Cassie wishes he wouldn't leave. She needs him. He asks her what the problem is and she explains how she hasn't been feeling well and that she even collapsed. Stefano is concerned and hopes it wasn't because of his asking her to aid in his revenge plans against the Brady's. She says it isn't but she is very worried. Stefano asks about how things are going with her getting closer to Max. Cassie flashes back to sleeping with Max back in October and tells Stefano that everything is going well. She hasn't seen Max in awhile though.

Stefano urges her to take a little break from helping with his plans to relax. He doesn't want her health to be at risk and insists that he will be watching her from afar and will stay in touch. If she needs anything, he urges her to feel free to ask. He makes her promise to tell him if she needs any specialized medical assistance when he does contact her to check in. He will be sure to get her whatever she needs. Cassie thanks him and wishes he didn't have to go but he says he must go ASAP. They embrace and say how much they love each other as he leaves via a secret passageway in the foyer.

-Marlena is outside University Hospital and seems rather troubled. She is then tapped on the shoulder by James, which startles her:

Marlena: What the hell is wrong with you?! I thought I told you we couldn't meet out in the open anymore?

James: You did but I saw you out here when you should be in there doing what you were told to do.

Marlena: I am out here thinking of a way to do what I have to do you idiot!!! It's not that easy, you know? There is security around and...

James: Ok!! Ok...I know. I'm sorry. I just hate being involved in all this and it's sort of nerve wrecking.

Marlena: Yeah...well, I hate people telling me what to do. That is why I hate this. I have no choice though.

James: (looking down) Yeah...I know where you are coming from.

Marlena: Well, enough talking. I have to get in there. Next time, Jimmy boy, remember that we don't discuss matters in public, got it?

James: Yeah, sorry. I probably should be getting back to the Kiriakis mansion anyway. Victor wouldn't let me be a part of his escape plan yet since I am a new employee and he doesn't quite trust me enough yet but he wants me to take care of some things at his home.

Marlena: Well, go then. You don't need him getting suspicious or firing you. You need to be on the inside of his organization.

James: Yeah, I know. Well, then...see ya.

Marlena: Yeah, whatever.

James then leaves as Marlena enters the hospital. Marlena makes her way up to the ICU and stares into a room:

Marlena: It's time to get this done and over with so that I can move on to bigger and better things.

Marlena goes up to a security guard outside the room. The guard recognizes her as Dr. Evans and Marlena convinces him to go and take the break he has yet to have today. She is a doctor and works at the hospital so it's no problem if she takes over for him, especially since it's her...

....husband's room!!!

The guard thanks Marlena and leaves. Marlena looks back at the nurses station and sees it's clear. She opens the door and coldly stares at a sleeping Roman. She stands over him and blankly stares at him, contemplating her next move.

-Abe and Shane slowly make their way deeper into the warehouse district, avoiding the detection of Victor's men. Abe and Shane then split up to lead separate units as they close in on warehouse 9. Abe tells Shane and all units to move in on his orders.

-Victor is stil embracing a crying Maggie, who continues to beg him to end this nightmare.

Maggie: Look, I understand. You know I do. I never judged what you were doing. I wanted revenge too for what happened to Mickey. I know that alot of what you are doing is extreme and wrong but I understand the motivation. The intentions you have are good. I don't know why you targeted Roman and the fact that so many innocent people were hurt or killed...Victor, I can't condemn you. I know you are only doing this to protect those you love and care about. You were sick and tired of standing by and watching the Dimera's and others ruin lives. We all are and I see where you are coming from.

Victor: Well, I am happy you do Maggie but I really don't have time for this.

Maggie: Victor, my point is, I will help you. We can figure something out. You don't have to run. You have so much money and power that you can utilize and I'm a Horton so my supporting you should really mean alot. I'm sure Julie would too.

Victor: Maggie, look, I need to go. I need to lie low for awhile. You have to understand that.

Maggie: No!! Ok...you know what? If you really have to go, then...I'll go with you.

Victor: Maggie...I don't think...

Nico walks in and whispers in Victor's ear that the car has arrived and they are about to switch. They must go now as it seems someone has tipped the SPD off to their whereabouts. Nico looks at Maggie and then tells Victor that he knows what he has to do. Victor nods and his face turns grim. Meanwhile, outside the warehouse, Caroline prepares to enter with gun in hand.

Back inside, Victor turns to Maggie and says:

Victor: Maggie, dear. You can't go with me. I can endanger you life anymore. You nearly died in Sydney and you could've been killed on New Year's Eve. I care about you far too much to see you get hurt getting in the way by trying to help. I appreciate everything you have done. Your loyalty is touching and I have cherished your friendship but it must end here. I don't want anything to happen to you.

Maggie: I appreciate everything you have done for me too. You were there for me on the island and, if it weren't for you, I would've never made it through Mickey's death and my falling off the wagon. I need you, Victor. You have been there for me. You have saved me...please, let me help you. Let me go with you.

Victor: Maggie, you can't. I don't want you to live this sort of life. Can't you understand that this is for the best? Your family and friends need you.

Maggie (crying): This is not for the best, Victor. Please...

Victor: Magg... (Maggie jumps back into his arms)

Maggie: No!!! You either stay or I go with you. I won't let you go. I love you, Victor!!!

Caroline then bursts out from behind some crates, aiming her gun right at Victor:

Caroline: The hell you do!!! How can you love a vengeful, cold-blooded monster like Victor Kiriakis.

-Outside the warehouse, Bo is stunned to see Hope. Hope, nearly in tears, asks Bo what he is doing. Bo is about to answer when Hope sarcastically says he is no doubt doing more henchmen work for Victor.

Hope: Is this what you have resorted to? God, Brady. What the hell is wrong with you?

Bo: Hope, this is not the time or place...

Hope: You know, I know I pushed you away after the Island and when you wanted so badly just to talk to me. I know that was a mistake but I thought we got past that. I thought you udnerstood how hard it was to just put Zack's death and your involvement in the past.

Bo: I did, Hope. I know how hard that was and you did good. You even dropped the charges against Chelsea.

Hope: Yeah...look. I know you are frustrated with the system and the law. I know you share that belief with Victor and you think that doing things this way will get you justice and...Brady, you know that all that is happening here is doing nothing but causing more pain. Look at all the innocent people hurt and killed. You almost died in Sydney. How many of your own loved ones nearly died there or on New Year's Eve? You shot your brother, Roman!! Do you realize what is happening here! (crying) I thought you finally understood!! You and I...before Christmas and when JT returned, I thought we had an understanding. I thought we finally found ourselves again but, then...Bo...please!! I want the truth, damnit!! Tell me the truth!!

Bo: Hope...not now. Please!! This is the wrong time and place. Yes, we do need to talk. (takes Hope's hands) There is alot we need to talk about but not now.

Bo sees an SPD officer off in the distance, surveying the area.

Bo: Hope, something is about to go down. You can't be here. You need to go...

Hope: Oh, the hell I will!!

Hope pulls out a gun and points it at Bo.

Hope: You are coming with me and we're going to talk. I am done letting you call the shots. It's time you and me finally lay all the cards out on the table.

Bo: Hope, I...

Hope: You wanted to play hardball, Brady. Well, I'm game. Let's do it.

-Back in the warehouse, Caroline holds Victor and Maggie at gunpoint.

Maggie: I do love Victor, Caroline.

Victor: Caroline, don't be stupid. Put the gun down.

Caroline: Oh yeah, Victor. I will put the gun down. Once I am finished here. Well, it seems alot has changed. After all you have done to my family...so much for that great love you had for me.

Victor: I do...

Caroline: NO!! YOU DON'T!!! Look what you've done!!! It started with my husband. He saw that tape of us in the castle on the island. Our love killed him!!

Victor: Is that why you pushed me away? You thought our love killed him?

Caroline: It did. Deep down, he always knew. Why do you think he always got upset when you were with me alone? He knew it, Victor. I could never be with you after that. I couldn't face my children if I was with you. How would they ever accept their mother being with the man whose love cost them their father?

Victor: That's not the way...

Caroline: I don't care how you see it. I see the truth now, Victor. I am so glad I never went back to you. This is the real you. Hell, if you never made that promise to Isabella you may have never changed. By the way, what happened to that promise? Did you totally disregard it?

Victor: No...but I have to do what I have to do to protect...

Caroline: Your family. That is always your justification.

Victor: It's the truth. Isabella would understand.

Caroline: Oh yes. Protecting your family and loved ones. You nearly killed some of the very people you profess to love in Sydney. Your son, Bo, was shot multilple times!!! Your beloved, Maggie, was shot!! Oh, and then there is New Year's Eve, where many innocents were hurt and killed including your own son Philip!!! What a great job you are doing protecting those you love!! Don't you see, you are only making things worse!!

Victor: Sometimes bad things happen. Sacrifices have to be made and...

Caroline: No!! Don't you justify what you are doing!!

Victor: Caroline, calm down!!

Caroline: I will...when I know you can't destroy anymore lives. When I know you can't destroy my family anymore then you have. Roman is fighting for his life and it was your little mind games that resulted in my son, Bo shooting his own brother. Any love or affection I had for you is gone. It's dead. It began to die with Shawn and, with every action you have taken since then, it's died a little more. I hate you...I HATE YOU!!!

Victor: Caroline, please...

Caroline: Oh, don't worry, you have a new lover now. She will help you get over me just like she has been for months. She blindly accepts what you are in your current state. You two will be wonderful together and can live a full and...

Victor: Caroline...I don't have time for this. I have to go.

Caroline: Your going nowhere. Your reign of destruction ends here!!

Maggie looks at Victor and sees Nico at the back door, motioning for Victor to hurry up. Maggie looks at Caroline with the gun and lunges for her. Both women fall to the ground and a shot is fired.

-Back at the Dimera mansion, Cassie then is told by a servant she has a call from the hospital. She answers and is told her tests results are in. Cassie hangs up and stares off into the distance, taking a deep breath and wondering what is in store for her.

-At the Kiriakis mansion, James arrives outside when he gets a phone call. He answers his cell and seems upset by the call:

James: Damnit...give me a break!! I am doing my best!! What else do you want me to do? I am trying to make up for the past and trying to provide...you know what? Calm the hell down!!

James then hangs up and nearly throws his phone in disgust, clearly bothered by the call.

-At the hospital, Marlena stands over Roman's sleeping body. She then looks around the room and her eyes light up when she notices a pillow. She picks it up and fluffs it. She then flashes an evil grin and says:

Marlena (whispering): Perfect. Well, my beloved hubby, the time has come. Do you know how hard it is...being a secret assassin? Having to wait around and take orders from people that you hate all so you can accomplish your goals? It's not easy but it will all be worth it in the end. Now, without further adieu...

Marlena takes the pillow and covers Roman's face with it. Marlena then holds it down as Roman tries to fight her and get the pillow off for air. Marlena's eyes glaze over and she seems like she is in a trance as she forcefully holds the pillow over Roman, who is desperately trying to free his face for air!!!

-In the warehouse district, Abe is told that an officer hears yelling in the area of warehouse 9 and that two cars are parked outside of it. Abe thinks it's time to move in and orders Shane and all units to being their pursuit!!

Outside the warehouse, Bo can here Abe and Shane's units coming. He tells Hope, who is still pointing the gun at him, that he will tell her everything but not here. They need to get out of the area. Hope agrees.

Inside the warehouse, Maggie and Caroline get up and are both unharmed. They both see Victor take off through the back door with Nico. Maggie takes off after them, as does an angry Caroline. Bo sees Victor and Nico come out of the warehouse just as a SWAT team comes around the corner of another building. Bo sees that the situation is about the explode and grabs hold of Hope, telling her they need to get out of the way. Maggie and Caroline come out for the warehouse and hear a car door shut. Both limos begin to start up and drive away, just as the rest of Abe and Shane units appear. They all give chase as the cars begin to move.

Abe sees that Caroline and Maggie are out of the line of fire and that no one else is in the way. He then orders all units to fire!!!

All units open fire on both black limos that are beginning to speed off in haste. Bo pushes Hope to the ground to protect her from the bullets. Caroline and Maggie stay off to the side and shield themselves. Maggie then sees one of the limos open fire from the back end and screams:

Maggie: No!!!

A wave of bullets hits the fiery back end of the limo and it then EXPLODES!!!

Maggie lets out a blood curdling scream as a stoic Caroline watches. Bo and Hope slowly raise themselves from the ground. Hope then looks at Bo, who says:

Bo: Victor...it was Victor's limo.

The screen then fades out on an overheard shot of the explosion.

On the next Salem Lives...

James: I'm doing what I have to do. Why isn't that enough?

Marlena to Roman: You can't fight it when it's YOUR TIME TO DIE!!!

Caroline to Maggie: Get over it!! We are all better off without him.

Maggie to Caroline: This is all your fault and I will make you pay!!

Hope to Bo: Victor is gone. I want the truth. Last chance, Bo, or you and me are through for good.

-At the cop shop, Abe and Shane have gotten word back from all their contacts and officers that Bo, Victor or Stefano have been seen since the massacre at the Party. The dragnet continues but both lawmen know that:

Abe: If we don’t get lucky and soon, all three of these men may skip town.

Shane: And.....the country.

Abe: Don’t say that, Shane. I don’t even want to think that. How did I let this city come to this?

Shane: Don’t blame yourself, my friend. (Patting him on the back) This is the work of men who feel they are above the law. Don’t worry. We’ll get all of them, soon. And then.....

Abe: And then....there will hell to pay. No one, no one, turns my city into a battleground. I intend to teach these men a lesson they will never forget. And then, I intend to see that they are locked up behind bars.....

For the rest of their miserable lives.

Abe then turns and storms out of his office, slamming the door behind him. Shane knows that this is headed for one gigantic collision and he silently hopes that Bo and Roman can come through and end this, before many innocent lives end up destroyed.

-Back at the hospital, Belle and a very depressed Hope sit and wonder where Caroline has stormed off to. Hope also asks the same question once again.....what has happened to her husband. Belle comforts her, saying that Bo is still the same man she fell in love with and married all those years ago. Hope would like to believe that but finds it harder and harder to deal with.

Belle tells her that their love will show him the way through but Hope is not so sure. He tried to kill his own brother and turned his back on his family. That is not her man. That is not Bo Brady......or, maybe she should call him Kiriakis once again. As Belle hugs Hope, trying her best to comfort her, Caroline walks back into the hallway.

When they ask her where she went after that tirade, she apologizes for her behavior and also says she went for a walk. Hope tells her she would've acted the very same way if that was Shawn laying on that table and a much older J.T. had shot him. Just then, Maggie shows up at the hospital inquiring about Roman’s condition. Belle tells her:

Belle: No one can see him. There is an infection risk order for him.

Caroline then turns to her and asks:

Caroline: So, has your thinking changed about Victor yet or are you still putting what he’s done to the side because of what you may or may not feel about him?

For the third time, Maggie is completely silent. This response quickly angers Caroline once again, making her exclaim:

Caroline: You know.....that silent crap has really gotten on my last nerve! Maybe if I slapped the taste out of your mouth that would have the desired effect!

Caroline starts towards Maggie, which causes her to back up and throw her arms up in a defensive motion. Kayla runs from down the hall, asking what the hell is going on here as she sees her mother trying to get at Maggie. Kayla then joins in with Belle and Hope as they restrain Caroline and try their best to get her to calm down.

-Back at the warehouse near Pier 9, Victor is still waiting for Bo’s answer to his question. Bo takes a few more moments, as he walks around Victor and goes to a one-way window, looking out into the distance. When he turns to face him, Bo says:

Bo: Well, Victor, I don’t really see where I have a choice, now do I?

Victor: Bo.....we all have choices but, remember, you made yours after I told you what something like this would incur. You knew the risks.....and the sacrifices.

Bo: Yes, I did indeed. It’s just....

Victor: What, Bo?

Bo: To leave the ones you grew up with....the ones who raised you. To not see them again.....that is the hardest part of all of this. Taking on the DiMeras is child’s play compared to taking off on the people you love.

Victor: (Looking off into the distance) Yes, Bo. I know exactly what you mean. (Putting his hand on Bo’s shoulder) Believe me, son, I know.

While Bo and Victor have a secure bonding moment, the Mysterious Cloaked Figure looks on sinisterly, taking out a phone and a special device. The device is a voice changer and he snaps it into place as he dials a number. He holds the phone up to his/her ear, all the while monitoring the activities of the Kiriakises and their associates inside.

Nico has went outside under disguise, waiting for Victor’s friend to arrive, so they could make the car switch. He doesn’t even notice the person observing him at that very moment.

-Abe has returned to the cop shop after calming down. Shane asks him if he’s alright and he responds yes. He just needed to blow off steam. Shane says that everyone needs to do that from time to time. Abe is grateful that he understands. Just then, Abe’s phone rings and he goes to answer it. When he does, he keeps saying hello, hello, but the person on the other end says nothing. What Abe doesn’t know, is that the person on the other end is......

The MCF, who then suddenly starts talking in a distorted voice, telling Abe that he/she knows the location of Victor, his son Bo and his men. He tells them that they can be located at the Pier 9 Warehouse near the river. When Abe asks who the person is.......the call abruptly ends. He then looks at the phone and then hangs it up hard, while turning to Shane and telling him that someone with a voice changer just told him where Bo and Victor can be found. Shane says that it’s time to bring them in before they take of for good. Abe agrees and both men grab extra officers as they race off to find these two fugitives.....

And bring them to justice.

-At Salem University Hospital, Hope and Kayla are still trying to calm Caroline down when anurse comes to Hope and tells her she has a phone call. Caroline stops suddenly, and all the women hope that it isn’t more bad news concerning Bo, Victor or Stefano. When she answers, no one is there, but then the distorted voice of the MCF speaks, telling her the exact same information that was delivered to Abe and Shane a short time ago. Caroline, Kayla and Maggie slowly walk over to Hope after overhearing her loudly ask if the person is sure Bo and Victor are at the warehouse.

The MCF hangs up her and Hope says out loud that she knows where Bo and Victor are. As she gets ready to run out of there, Kayla stops her by grabbing her arm and warns her:

Kayla: Hope, don’t do this. It’s way too dangerous. Plus, you have not had any sleep in the last 48 hours. You are exhausted.

Hope: Kayla, I know that I could still reach him and maybe get him to turn himself in before he gets himself killed going on the run. He’s too old for that, no matter what he says.

Caroline: Hope.....are you sure about this?

Hope: Yes, I am. I’m a trained cop and used to also work for the I.S.A. This is a golden opportunity for me to not only bring Bo home....but stop Victor as well.

Kayla: Well, Hope, if your mind is made up, I guess I can’t stop you. You are...as stubborn as my brother. Maybe that’s why he loves you so much.

Hope: Thank you for that. It still feels good to hear that, even if it isn’t from him. I’ll fill you all in when I can.

Hope kisses Kayla on her cheek and runs off. Kayla then turns towards the phone, deciding that:

Kayla: I better call Shane on this one.

She gets Shane on the phone and tells him that Hope got a call from some stranger telling her where Bo and Victor are. Shane pulls the phone away from his ear long enough to tell Abe that Hope also knows where Bo and Victor are through what seems to be the same mysterious benefactor. He gets back on the phone with Kayla, telling her thanks for the call and that he will get in touch when he hears something. They both say their good-byes and hang up.

Kayla and Belle, who was standing next to her, then turn to tell Caroline what Shane had said. But when they do, they see that both Caroline and Maggie are gone. Belle looks over to the nurses’ sation and notices one standing at the counter. When she walks over and asks if she has seen either Maggie or Caroline, she responds that both women matching their descriptions flew out of there, with the brown-haired woman running past her and the redhead getting on an elevator. Belle goes back to Kayla and tells her that those women must be Caroline and Maggie. She also summarizes that they must have left like that to catch up with Hope.

Kayla calls Shane back and tells him that Caroline went running past a nurse in the hallway out of the hospital and that Maggie took an elevator. She knows that Abe has officers there and wants to know if he can give them the order to stop them before they get hurt. Shane tells her to hold on and informs Abe of what has just happened at the hospital. Abe tells him that he’ll get his men on it, which Shane relays to Kayla before they hang up again.

Both men are beyond furious at these women. Abe exclaims:

Abe: What the hell are they thinking?! Since when did Maggie or Caroline turn into Cagney & Lacey?!

Shane: You’re asking me?! They were probably following Hope, who should also know better no matter what training she has.

Abe: Yeah, well, they have a great head start. The hospital is closer to the pier than we are. (Slamming his hand on the dashboard) This is probably the dumbest thing they ever did. I should have all of them arrested!!

Shane: (Calling Kayla a third time) Kayla.....stay right there at that hospital! Don’t move! Got me?

Kayla: You got it, Shane.

Shane: Good. Bye.

As they hang up, Kayla turns to Belle and worries what will happen when they get to the pier.....and who will get caught in the crossfire.

-Returning to the warehouse, Victor tells Bo to go outside and make sure everything is in place when the cars get there. When Bo asks him about being recognized, Victor hands him a bag with a disguise in it and then he tells him that his men have the front and back of the warehouse district covered. He then pats him on the back, telling Bo he has nothing to worry about.

When Bo asks why he has to go out there and check, Victor tells him because one, he said so. Two, he’s a former cop and will see if they have been infiltrated. And three, he wants to make sure that no one is doing their own thing and has let the S.P.D or the I.S.A. get inside the perimeter. Bo just nods his head and then races out the back door down the alleyway, to make sure everything is on point for the transfer.

When he rounds the corner, he is suddenly brought to a dead stop. He is shocked to see that the person who is now standing directly in front of him........

Is his wife, Hope. They lock eyes with one another and she tries her best not to cry in front of the man she still loves as Bo stares at her with an unexpressive gaze.

-Meanwhile, back inside the warehouse, Victor paces back and forth nervously. He hopes everything goes off as planned. While he paces, he hears a door close. He curses himself for being so deep in thought that he didn’t hear someone sneak in. He then hears a light tapping noise....

Almost sounding like a pair of high heels shoes. He pulls his gun and aims determinedly at the sound of the footsteps. He then sees a shadow of a female figure coming towards him. The woman then steps behind some crates. When Victor slowly goes to investigate, the figure jumps out from behind the crates....

And the woman reveals herself to be..........Maggie. Victor sighs deeply then angrily puts his gun away as Maggie runs crying into his arms, begging him not to continue this vendetta and not to leave her. He returns the hug but now wonders what he’s going to do with her.....

And how he’s going to get himself out of this.

-At the very same time, Abe and Shane have parked outside the warehouse district and are about to sneak their way in. They both pull their guns as Abe tells Shane that he hopes it ends today. He also hopes that Caroline, Hope and Maggie don’t get hurt.....or killed. He also wants to get Bo and Victor into custody so they can put all their resources behind stopping Stefano. Shane says that if he had a penny for every single time he’s heard that.....he would be a rich man. Abe smiles and both men walk off towards the district.

-On the outside of the warehouse, Caroline is lurking about. She keeps running into henchmen who are not noticing her. She then reaches into her purse and slowly pulls out a gun. She then has a memory of going back to the Pub after she went ballistic and getting it from under the counter. She then has another flashback to Roman and Bo getting her the weapon to protect herself in case anyone broke into the Pub.

She then vows that she will do everything in her power to protect her family from Victor. He will not ruin it anymore than he already has. She finishes loading her gun and smiles, saying that if she has her way, this will be Victor’s last day on this Earth.

The screen then splits into four vertical boxes with Hope and Bo facing off, Maggie and Victor hugging, Abe and Shane jogging across the street towards the warehouse district, and Caroline outside Victor’s warehouse with her gun......cocked and loaded.

The Mysterious Cloaked Figure observes all of the activity from a safe vantage point and then, slowly......and methodically.........

Lets out a very low and sinister laugh, which echoes as the screen slowly fades to black.

Next Time, On A Special Salem Lives...............

Abe to Shane: Tell the men to move in NOW!!!

Hope to Bo: I want the truth. I want you to tell me everything.

Maggie to Victor: Don't do this, please!!

Victor to Maggie: Maggie, I...

Maggie to Victor: You can't leave. You can't leave me!! I love you!!

Caroline to Maggie: The hell you do!!!

James (on his cell phone): I'm doing what I can. Lay off of me, damnit!!

Marlena (looking into a room): Your time is up. It's time to take care of this once and for all.

***DO NOT FORGET THAT SALEM LIVES WILL POST A SPECIAL SATURDAY EPISODE TO MAKE UP FOR THE PREEMPTION ON TUESDAY. SATURDAY'S EPISODE WILL BE, IN REALITY, THE ORIGINAL FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2007 EPISODE THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN POSTED TODAY. HOWEVER, IT WILL CARRY THE SATURDAY JANUARY 13, 2007 DATE. THIS WILL BE A PRETTY BIG, DRAMATIC EPISODE SO YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!!***

-Maggie is still at Alice's house. Alice notices how confused and down Maggie looks and asks Maggie if she is right about her having very strong feelings for Victor. As Maggie sits down next to her, she sighs deeply and looks at Alice, conflicted about telling her what she is getting involved in.

Maggie finally, after some time, tells Alice that she is falling for Victor and it’s really starting to put a strain on her friendships with Caroline and others, not to mention feeling so damn guilty about Mickey as well. Alice looks at her and then places her hand on Maggie’s telling her hat the best thing she could do.....is follow her heart.

Maggie asks her if she minds her being involved with Victor in the first place and Alice responds that for one, it’s really none of her business, and two, Mickey would not want her to be lonely for the rest of her life. Their time together is over and it’s been about time for her to get on with the business of living life the best way she knows how, Alice tells her.

Doug and Julie then loudly saunter in, having just returned from visiting Lucas. They greet one another, with Julie mentioning that Alice is right. Julie mentions how she overheard their conversation and hopes Maggie will be careful but happy having Victor in her life.

Doug tells her that it really is none of her business and that they both should stay out of anything concerning Victor. Julie wonders if there is any jealousy still there between the two as she did once have a fling with Victor. Doug walks over and embraces her, telling her that all that is between them.....is undying love. He then leans in and kisses her gently on her lips, which she returns. They then look at each other and smile and Julie suggests that they go upstairs. She takes his hand and goes upstairs with him.

Julie later returns downstairs with Doug and she hugs Maggie, warning her to be careful. Being involved with a dangerous man like him is something you don’t take lightly but she hopes she finds happiness with him or whoever she decides to be with. Maggie thanks her and they hug once again, as Doug and Alice look on....

Worried about Maggie’s future with Victor.

-Back at the hospital, Belle runs into Caroline and Hope and asks how things are going. Both women tell her that Roman is doing well, but:

Hope: There is a possibility of infection, so no one can see him.

Caroline: Which is a shame. I just want to tell him how much I love him.

Belle: Oh, Grandma, I think he knows. If he doesn’t know anything else.......he knows that.

Hope: She’s right, Caroline. He’s out of the woods for now, so please, try your best to calm down. I know it’s hard, believe me, but.......Roman is a very strong man, who comes from good stock. He’ll be fine.

Belle reaches her hand out to touch Caroline but both women see the bruise on her arm. When they both get quiet and look at her, she pulls her arm back, embarrassed. Belle turns away and, with her back to both ladies, tries to explain:

Belle: I know what you both are thinking but it’s really nothing. (Turning back around slowly) Philip was having trouble getting out of his bed and when I helped him, he just held on too tight. That’s all there is to this, ok?

Neither lady buys her story but they say nothing. Hope pinches Caroline slightly, as a sign to her that something is wrong. Caroline slowly turns and looks at Hope, silently agreeing with her that Belle may be in trouble. She feels powerless to help, though:

Caroline: I just don’t know what to do anymore. I feel lost. My oldest son in intensive care, my youngest son being sought by the police and the I.S.A. for his attempted murder. And I blame one man for this.........Victor. (Growing more angry) All that man has done is destroy lives. He isn’t even the same man I grew up with. And cared for. Well........(Staring straight ahead) his time will come. Oh, yes. I’ll see to that.......myself.

Hope: Caroline......what do you plan to do?

Belle: Grandma......you’re starting to scare me. Look. Why don’t you come over here and sit down. It’s been a very long night and it’s daylight now.

Hope: You know, that’s a great idea. You look exhausted.

As both Hope and Belle try to walk her over to one of the couches, Caroline snatches herself away from them violently and announces:

Caroline: Leave me alone! I’m sick of everyone treating me like some damn invalid! I told you what will happen......and damnit, I meant every word I just said! Now......

GET OUT OF MY DAMN WAY!!!

Caroline stomps off, leaving both Belle and Hope wondering where she’s going.......and hoping that she doesn’t get herself in deep trouble.

-In his hospital room, Roman hears his mother storm off. He wonders:

Roman: Damn. What have I gotten myself into with this thing?

He now feels very guilty, having executed a undercover operation, never considering the pain he would be putting his family and friends through. He gets out of his bed and walks over to the window, looking out into the morning sunlight, trying to get a handle on this entire situation.

A moment later, Kayla walks into his room. Roman jumps back into his bed, throws the covers over him and lays still, hoping that no one just heard him. Kayla looks around the partition blocking Roman’s bed and says to him, in a joking manner:

Kayla: Now, that brings back memories. It sounds just like when you used to sneak back into the house after meeting some girl when you weren’t supposed to.

Roman: That is still our little secret. Ma would kill me now if she knew what I did when her and Pop were out for the day.

Kayla: Yeah, it’s our secret. And Kimberly’s. And Bo’s.

Roman: (Shocked) You told them?

Kayla: Of course I did. Me and Kimberly always laughed about it. Bo loved you for it. He was going through puberty, so those stories helped him out.........so to speak.

Roman: Oh, man.

Both brother and sister laugh quietly at these wonderful memories from their youth, before bringing everything back to the very serious present.

Kayla: Everything is going very well. All the I.S.A. doctors and nurses are doing what they have to do. The family only knows that you are in stable condition and that, because of the risk of infection, no one but hospital personnel........I.S.A. personnel.......can see you. It finally gives you some breathing room.

Roman: Thanks, sis. I surely appreciate it. You know....no one in the family can find out. Lives are already in danger.

Kayla: Yeah, well, it’s too late to worry about that now. All you and Bo need to remember.....is that your family will understand what you both had to do to protect the family and the people of Salem.

Roman: Kayla, that is one prediction that I pray comes true. That is.....if we all survive this thing.

Kayla: Well, just as long as we don’t end up on some damn island, ok?

Roman: That’s a bet, sis.

Kayla bends down and kisses her big brother on the forehead, smiles, and then leaves his room quietly. He hears her talking to someone outside and then notices that all their voices trail off. He then sits up in is bed and sighs deep and long. His back is sore and his neck is stiff from all the time he’s spent laying in his bed still. He then gets a message from a secret device that Shane slipped him on his way to the hospital the night before.

This message is from another state. A very important man is on the other end. His counterpart, so to speak. His name........

Roman: Hey, Cruz. Glad that you called.

Cruz Castillo: No problem, Roman. Glad that I could help. Both of these men are very famous, even out here in Santa Barbara.

Roman: I can imagine. Any word on that information I asked you about?

Cruz: Yeah, there sure is. You were right. That businessman from Dallas that Victor is in contact with does have a very serious beef with Stefano and, apparently, this Mysterious Cloaked Figure you told me about. I couldn’t get much of anything on that person but it seems that this businessman’s family and him think that the MCF is responsible, on DiMera’s orders, for the death of their father. They may be involved in this up to their necks.

Roman: Damn. That’s what I was afraid of. It’s also the last thing we need here in Salem.

Cruz: I know. It also seems that a secret assassin has been sent also to eliminate someone. Even with C.I.A. and F.B.I. help, we can’t target who it is. I know we started in training class together so I have some advice. Roman, it seems to me that you have one option.

Roman: And what is that, my friend?

Cruz: You better figure out how to stop DiMera, Kiriakis, this secret assassin and this MCF cold......

Before there is nothing or no one left in Salem.

Roman thanks Cruz for his help and deactivates his device. He now knows that Victor is getting outside business help from someone powerful and knows that the stakes for him and Bo have just been raised once again. He sends Shane a message to get to the Commander of the I.S.A. Division in Washington, telling him to get him some secret protection for his family.

He also tries to get a message to Bo, telling him of this latest information. He hopes Bo can retrieve it and get back to him......

Before it’s too late.

-As Roman tries to coordinate with Bo, Victor is with Nico, hiding out at Salem Pier No. 9. He turns to Nico, asking him where his son is. Nico replies that he doesn’t have one clue where Bo is. Just then, someone sneaks into the side door. Victor hides, while Nico goes and checks it out. When Nico turns his back, he is surprised to notice a gun sticking in his back. And the man holding it?

Victor: Bo. Nice entrance. You can start telling me where you’ve been by putting that gun away.

Bo: Sure, Victor. No problem. Sorry about that, Nico.

Nico: No harm done, Bo. Tells me I have to keep on my toes.

Bo puts the gun away, then fills Victor in on what’s happening on the outside:

Bo: The entire city is under a dragnet. They are not only looking for us but DiMera and that MCF as well. I don’t think Al Capone could get out of Salem if he wanted to.

Victor: Capone never had these kind of problems. Well, son, what do you think should be our next move?

Bo: Victor, my feeling is we should get to somewhere right outside of the city limits, lay low, and plot our next move.

Victor: Excellent advice, Bo. I would take it but I just don’t know.

Bo: Victor, look.....

Victor: Bo, one day, maybe, you will be running this entire family. But not today! This is still my empire and what I say.......goes. Clear?

Bo: Then, if that was the case, why in the hell did you ask me my opinion?

Victor: To see where your head is at. (Walking over to him) Don’t take this personally, son. I put every single trusted member of this organization through the very same tests. You have passed with flying colors. Trust me on that.

Bo: Well, thank you, Victor. But I still say we should keep close to Salem, to keep our eyes and ears on the action.

Victor: No, no. We’ll leave. I already have things taken care of. A trusted man who still does contract work for me......from time to time......has given us the use of a limousine. He and a friend of his, who will be in another car, will drive it here soon. We’ll make the car switch then.

Bo: Nice.

Victor: (Smiling) Then we’ll go to the airport and, with the help of some other allies on our payroll, we’ll take a third friend’s private jet out of Salem. No one will know that we are gone.....and no one will be the wiser.

Bo: Victor......my compliments. You thought of everything.

Victor: Thank you, my son. I trust that you are coming with us, yes?

Bo hesitates but only for one reason. The device that he’s carrying is sending a homing signal message to Roman, Shane and other I.S.A. operatives. He turns once again to face Victor:

Bo: Of course. All I want to know is.....what about Philip? You.....just going to leave him here?

Victor: He’s being attended to and watched as we speak. No harm will come to him. He is my son, as you are. I wouldn’t let anything happen to him.

Bo: That’s nice to hear. And Lucas? Austin?

Victor: I will be in contact with them as soon as we have made our escape. Everything is under control, Bo. I just need to know......will you still stand by my side.....until the end?

Bo: Victor, after everything I’ve done to prove my loyalty, what more do you want? I set out to kill my brother, on your orders, turn my back on my family......I just don’t know what else there is to say.

Victor: Bo, my point is this. If you stay.....you may be captured by Stefano’s people or the SPD and ISA. If that happens, I can’t guarantee that I could return to save you. You may have to.....pay the price for that decision. That’s all I’m saying.

Bo turns and stands off from Victor for a moment. Victor gives him a moment, then walks up to him, suddenly remembering:

Victor: Did you take care of your brother like I ordered?

Bo: Roman is near death. Kayla even said that he doesn’t have long to live. Before I could finish him off, though, I was almost caught and had to leave. You understand.

Victor: Yes, yes I understand. It will do.....for now. But......you still have not answered my question.

Bo: And that is?

Victor: Are you staying and risking almost certain death........

Or will you stand by your father’s side?

The screen freeze-frames on Bo’s face and as he contemplates this important decision, the screen slowly fades to black.

Next Time, On Salem Lives........

Abe to Shane: We have a tip...on Victor and Bo.

Hope: Who is this? How do you know where my husband is? (Clip of MCF hanging up their cell phone)

Kayla to Belle: I'm worried, Belle. I'm worried about what may go down in that warehouse district.

Victor to Bo: We have to do what we must...to accomplish what we need to. No matter how far we need to go.

Caroline: This all ends...today. (finished loading a gun)

***ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to personal reasons, Salem Lives was forced to be preempted on Tuesday January 9, 2006. In response to these unforseen events, yesterday's episode will be posted today and the rest of the week will run one day behind. However, in an effort to catch up, we will post a special Saturday episode on Saturday night, which will be Friday's episode in reality. The SL Insider will be posted Sunday instead of Saturday and the promo for next week will be posted sometime after that. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and, hopefully, things will start getting back to normal soon. You will find yesterday's episode, really now today's. posted right before this note. Thanks to our readers, fellow writers, and all of SON for their understanding in this matter.***

-Cal wakes up as it is a new day, still reeling from his memory breakthrough the other night, and is hopeful this is the beginning of him getting his life back. He pulls himself out of bed and finds himself covered in sweat. Cal opts to take a shower to clean himself up.

Meanwhile, unbeknowst to Cal, Katherine has just finished the shower and is about to open the shower doors. Cal is right outside the bathroom and listens in to see if Katherine is in there. After not hearing anything, Cal decides to enter. He opens the unlocked door and enters, just as Katherine climbs out of the shower. Cal has his back turned as Katherine is getting out and undresses himself. Katherine finally looks up and is so stunned to see Cal she drops her towel. Cal turns to see a naked Katherine and smiles.

Cal: Well, Dr. Harcourt. This is a side of you I have never seen before. I like it...I like it alot.

Katherine (studying Cal's body as much as he is studying her's): Uh...um...stop it!!

Katherine quickly picks up her towel and covers up, finally realizing how embarassing the situation is. Cal smiles and says she has nothing to be ashamed of. Katherine asks Cal to cover up. She is his doctor only and she thought he understood that. She is pleased that they are getting along now but what is between them can't go beyond patient/doctor or friendship.

Cal smiles and says he understands but also knows that you can't stop what is meant to be. Katherine is silent and changes the subject to Cal and how he is feeling. Cal says he is fine and is very hopeful now for the future. He thinks the breakthrough he had will lead to him recovering his total memory and finally reclaiming his life. Katherine urges him not to get his hopes up and says she was concerned about him after he woke up from sleeping after having the memory flash and then immediately laid back down and seem to pass out. Cal insists he is fine. Katherine asks about what he remembered. Cal fills her in and Katherine worries about the memories being too powerful and too much for him. That may be why he passed out immediately after the memory flash.

Cal urges Katherine not to worry and that he is sure everything will work out now. She exits the bathroom so he can shower. He asks her to join him but she only smiles and leaves. After leaving, Katherine seems concerned and hopes Cal can handle whatever effect the memories have on him mentally and physically.

-At the Horton House, the doorbell rings. Doug answers and embraces Maggie, who says she has come to see Alice. Doug informs Maggie that Julie and himself are about to visit Lucas at the hospital. Maggie says she already has seen him and says he is doing well. Julie appears and asks Doug if he is ready to go. Julie embraces Maggie and asks how she is doing. She says she is fine. Julie can see that she is worried about Victor and reminds Maggie how resourceful and strong Victor is. He will find a way out of this and will be back before she knows it.

Doug is angered by the fact that Julie is encouraging Maggie's involvement wiht Victor. Julie tells Doug that Victor is a good man deep down but he will do anything to protect his family. It is that determination that has driven him to start this war. Julie acknowledges Victor has made mistakes but he has good intentions. Doug is stunned she would say that as so many innocent people have been caught in the crossfire because of his actions. Julie suggests they drop this and go to the hospital. They both embrace Maggie and leave.

Maggie enters the living room and sees Alice sitting in her chair. Maggie comes over and kisses her. Alice admits she heard the whole discussion that was going on in the other room. She can tell Maggie is conflicted about Victor and everything that has happened. Maggie laughs and says that it seems nothing ever gets by her. Alice laughs and says she knows her family and she can tell when something is wrong.

Maggie knows Victor is going about everything the wrong way but she understands what he is trying to do. He wants to protect his family and loved ones and wants revenge. She wants the same thing for Mickey's death. Alice asks if that is partly why Maggie is justifying what Victor is doing in her mind. Maggie thinks that could be it. She sees everyone, including Caroline, turning against Victor because of what he has done to Bo and everyone else but she can't. He has helped her get through so much and she cares about him. Alice asks just how much does she care for him.

Maggie says they are close friends. Alice reminds Maggie that she has followed Victor into some dangerous situations, including Sydney and the shootout on New Year's. Alice says she has seen the way Maggie looks at Victor and she believes this could be something that goes well beyond friendship. Maggie denies that notion but Alice notes that Maggie may not realize just how strong her feelings for Victor have become. Maggie looks at Alice, wondering if she may be right.

-At the hospital, Kate is with Lucas. She tells him about Chelsea knowing about her condition and about Austin thinking he saw Carrie. Lucas doesn't buy that as Carrie would make herself known to them all. She is too caring a person to lurk around and then run away when someone she cares about saw her. Kate agrees and thinks Austin thought he saw her in the heat of the moment or something.

Sami arrives with Will and asks how Lucas is feeling. Lucas embraces Will and says he is fine and will be ok in no time. He does have something he wants to tell them all. Lucas admits that his being shot made him realize what he was doing to all of them. He wants to protect them but he also doesn't want them worried sick or to suffer thinking about him involved in shootouts and dangerous operations that he really has no business being in. He has decided that he will no longer be a part of Victor's operation. He will find some other way to settle the Carrie situation and get her back here.

Austin is just about to walk in when he overhears. He bursts in, furious with Lucas. He reminds Lucas that he is the reason they both got involved in Victor's organization and, if he thinks it will be that easy to just up and quit, he has another thing coming. Lucas says he wants things to go back to normal. He wants to be with his son and family. He just now realizes his place is with Sami and he doesn't want to lose all that. Kate rolls her eyes as Sami and Will both smile.

Doug and Julie both arrive and embrace Lucas, happy he is ok. Lucas fills them both in on what is going on. Austin asks about Carrie. Lucas says they will just have to find another way. He wants her and his child back but not at the risk of his life and the risk of destroying his family's lives and futures. Austin understands but warns it may not be easy to break away from Victor, especially with Lucas still working at Titan. Lucas understands but says he can soften Victor by offering to aid him in any way via his job at Titan. He can do some legwork or take care of the company or something while Victor focuses on other things. Austin thinks that may work.

Kate asks Austin if that means he will be ending his involvement with Victor too. Austin says if Lucas is, he may as well do so too. Kate embraces him, very pleased. Sami does the same and only wishes Uncle Bo would've quit too before it was too late.

-Kimberly and Kayla are talking outside Steve's room. Kimberly still can't understand what is going on with Bo. Kayla admits that she can't either. Kayla notes how hard things are for the family right now with Bo on the run, Roman shot, Chelsea being hospitalized, and what is happening to Steve. Just when things were finally better after what happened with Eric, all this happens. Kimberly comforts her and asks how Steve is doing. Kayla says that all his tests came back fine. He has nothing wrong with his brain or anything else. She is so worried about him and doesn't know what to do.

Kim says she is doing everything she can and asks if she called Stephanie. Kayla says she won't call her until she knows what they are dealing with and then asks Kim what if what they are doing isn't enough. He has been ill for a few days so clearly something is wrong but the tests so nothing. He can't get any help until they find out what is going on and they may not find out anything until it is too late. Kim embraces her and says they will get through this and that it will all work out.

-Meanwhile, in Steve's room, Shane is visiting with Steve. Steve knows Kayla is worried about him and admits he is worried too. He doesn't know why he is feeling ill and why he had those headaches and that violent episode he had at the ball. He just had that memory flash of men all around him and he was trying to fight them off but couldn't. Shane wonders if either Lawrence or Stefano did something to him while he was in captivity. Steve thinks that is what he is remembering.

Steve regrets coming back to Salem from Sydney with Kayla but he had to. She had gotten shot and he couldn't just leace her. He had called both Kayla and Jack by the nicknames he had for them so he thought, like Kayla said, that he was making progress. Having Stephanie back really helped and he felt comfortable, so comfortable that he felt "right" holding Kayla in his arms. Shane says that is good. Steve admits he is afraid of what he might do to Kayla if he has another memory flash and goes crazy like he did again. He asks Shane not to tell Kayla or anyone else what they have discussed, especially the details about the memory flash.

Shane says that Kayla was right there in the ballroom when he got hysterical so she may already know what is going on. Even if she doesn't, she has a right to know as his wife and as a doctor. She could have Kim, who is a therapist, help too. Steve says no and begs Shane to stay silent, at least for now. Shane reluctantly agrees but makes Steve promise to tell Kayla if he gets worse. Steve agrees. Shane privately wonders if he can keep Steve's secret on top of Carrie's. He worries about how the Brady's will react about his deception.

-Belle is outside Philip's hospital room, clearly afraid and hesistant to enter. The nurse asks if she is ok as she notices Belle shaking. Belle says she is fine. The nurse says that her husband has been wondering where she was as she has yet to come see him since he was admitted yesterday. Belle says she was just worried about her mother and father and there was just so much going on. The nurse understands and is sure Philip will too. Belle quietly says "don't be so sure." The nurse asks what she said but Belle says it was nothing.

The nurse adds that Philip will need Belle with his father on the run. Belle smiles and just nods. The nurse leaves as Belle realizes she has to face Philip sooner or later. She is about to enter his room but then becomes hesitant. As she shakes, tears fall from her eyes and she opts to turn back and leave. As she is about to walk away, Philip yells out for her to come in. He says is awake and that he is fine. Belle peers in from behind the door and asks if Philip is mad. He says he isn't and says he knows about what is going on with her family. He understands but he needs her and wants to see her.

Belle slowly walks over to Philip and smiles. He smiles back and asks how she is. Belle says she is trying to be strong but her mother is acting weird and they all think she is still not right. Her father is in ICU and her Uncle Steve is ill. Philip assures her it will be fine. Belle says he must be relieved about Lucas and Austin being ok. Philip nods and says it would've been nice if his wife was with him and there for him during all this. He needs her now with his father on the run. Belle apologizes and says she knows but her family needs her too.

A nurse then comes in and says that her grandma Caroline is looking for her. Belle thanks the nurse and says she is on her way. Belle tells Philip she must go but assures him she will be back soon. Just as Belle is about to walk away, Philip grabs her arm hard. Belle tells Philip he is hurting her but he becomes enraged and says:

Philip: You go where I say you go. You do what I say you do...you...[!@#$%^&*]. Is that understood?

Belle throws Philip's hand off of her and tells him to go to tell. She then walks out. Philip throws a vase at the wall. The nurse races in and asks if he is fine. He says he is and it was just an accident. His wife moved the vase and his leg must have knocked it off the tray table. The nurse goes to get something to clean it up as Philip says:

Philip: You will pay for this, Belle. I warned you to obey my rules...MY ORDERS!! Your beloved family and friends have been far too suspicious of our situation and I don't like that and...now...you leave me...after not coming to see me since I've been here. You will pay for your disobediance my precious Belle. Mark my words YOU WILL PAY...

The screen then fades out on Philip's sinister grin.

On the Next Salem Lives...

Alice to Maggie: Folllow your heart, dear.

Maggie to Alice: Even if that leads me to Victor?

Caroline to Belle and Hope: I am mad as hell and have had enough!!!

Kayla to Roman: So, how long do we keep up this charade?

Roman to Kayla: Long enough to accomplish what we need to.

Victor to Bo: We both need to get out of here now.

Bo to Victor: I'm not so sure.

-As the excitement and danger of New Year’s Night continues, Cassie is wheeled into the emergency room after suffering a fainting spell. Dr. Rich Glancy, the new attending physician, examines Cassie to see what the problem is. When she comes to, she is informed that she was found passed out by a nurse upstairs and was brought down to the emergency room. Cassie tells the doctor that all she remembers is feeling lightheaded but nothing after that.

Dr. Glancy tells her that they know who she is by the identification they got from her purse and asks if there is anyone she wishes to be contacted. She hesitantly says no, not right now. She wonders if the cause was having too much to drink that evening. The doctor tells her they are running a battery of tests to find the cause and will let her know ASAP.

Later that night, the doctor returns. He says that they can’t find anything wrong and chalks it up to stress. He then tells her to take it easy. She informs him about the nausea she suffered from earlier and he gives her a prescription, telling her to get it filled right away. He also tells her that they will contact her with the rest of the test results as soon as they become available. She is free to go. After the doctor and nurses leave, Cassie wonders out loud where her grandfather and aunt are and then wishes they were there by her side.

She quietly gets dressed, and slowly walks out of the ER, hoping that the test results come back negative on all counts.

-On the upper patient floor, Max and Abby continue to talk about their plans for the future as Jack and Billie walk by. Jack looks through the window of his daughter’s room and sees her happily talking to Max. He turns to tell Billie:

Jack: I’m sure glad she had someone to share New Year's with. (Looking back at Abby) Sometimes, I really feel like I’ve failed her as a father.

Billie: Don’t say that, Jack. You have done the very best you can with Jennifer being gone and all. The tragedy that Abby & Chelsea went through was because of poor decision making, not anything you or I have done.

Jack: That’s easy to say. (Sighing deeply) I just know that Jennifer is looking down on me and just shaking her head. Not only for Abby but for Steve and all the drama at the Ball earlier. Lucas shot, Roman fighting for his life........

Billie: And you blame yourself for that? Look at me. Victor, Stefano and Bo are to blame for this whole mess. As well as this new threat we all may now be facing. All you, I, and everyone else tried to do was to stop this madness before someone got killed.

Jack: And that still happened. Eleven people dead, twenty three others wounded, and Lucas and Austin among those. That is on top of my daughter being paralyzed and yours losing the use of her arm.....I mean, what did we do to deserve all this?

Billie: I ask myself that same question often. I overheard Abby earlier talking about why she can’t feel anything in her legs. She knows we and her doctors are keeping something from her, as does Chelsea.

Jack: Abby probably also feels I’m hiding something from her as well, doesn’t she?

Billie: (Pausing) Well, Jack........I, uh...........

Jack: That’s what I thought. (Pausing briefly) Well, I think it’s about time that we stop hiding things from them and tell them what they are facing. What do you think?

Billie: I think.......that you’re right. They need to know what the future holds.

Jack: Ok, then. You take your daughter..........and I’ll take mine.

Billie: Deal. Good luck.

Jack: You too.

Jack and Billie separate to go tell their children the grim news that they both have been keeping from them and hope that they have enough inner strength to make it through.....with their love and support.

-As Billie rounds the corner to go to Chelsea’s room, she finds Kate walking towards her. She tells her that now is the time.....to tell her daughter what she is facing. Kate agrees and follows her into Chelsea’s room, where she is in a deep sleep. Upon waking her, Chelsea exclaims:

Chelsea: What the hell?! I was sound asleep!

Billie: I’m so sorry about that, honey, but I think that now is the time to tell you how badly injured you are.

Chelsea: At two o’clock in the morning?

Kate: Yes at two o’clock in the morning. So.....why don’t you just....please, be quiet, while your mother speaks to you.

Chelsea wipes away the sleep from her eyes and then looks at Billie, waiting for her to say something. Billie does, telling her:

Billie: Chelsea......what everyone has been keeping from you......is that.......I don’t know how to say this......

Chelsea: Will you tell me or let me go back to dreaming about Brad Pitt?! Please?!

Billie: Ok.....ok. The doctors and all the experts that have been brought in....feel that.....you may not have the full use of your arm.

Chelsea is shocked.

Chelsea: But.....they mean for the time being, right? Please tell me that it’s just until I learn to use it again. Please.

Billie: I’m so, so sorry, dear. But they feel that you will never have the use of it. Period.

Chelsea starts crying.

Chelsea: So this is what you all have been hiding from me?! Oh My God!! How could you keep this from me?! Huh?! How could you be so damn cruel?!?!

Billie: (Trying to comfort her) Chelsea, baby, you have to understand, I was only trying to protect you.

Kate: (Crying) She was, dear. We both only meant the very best for you.

Chelsea: Oh.....this coming from a grandmother who can never keep her damn nose out of everyone’s lives! And NOW you want to stay out of something?! (Looking at both Billie & Kate) You both make me sick!

Billie: Oh, Chelsea. Don’t say that. (Crying) Please. I’ve tried to be the best mother I can be.

Chelsea: Oh, please!! Stop acting like my mother because your not!!

Billie: What?

Chelsea: (Calming down) Uh...nevermind. It's just...you haven't been much of a mother to me lately with everything going on. You just...you should have told me......sooner.

Kate: We both know that. Don’t blame her. She had your best interest at heart. Now, you know that. So, for once, stop giving her a hard time and just realize how much your mother loves you.

Chelsea wipes away her tears and says:

Chelsea: I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I hope you understand.....

Billie: Oh yes, baby. I do understand. Please forgive me.

Chelsea: I do. For now. But.....you must promise me to start being......the mother you haven’t been.

Billie: Oh, I will. If you still vow to keep your promise about turning your life around.

Kate: I think that’s only fair, don’t you?

Chelsea: Yeah. Yes, that’s fair.

Chelsea then says that she will try with all of her heart to get back the use of her arm. Both Kate and Billie look at each other with worry, thinking that a miracle would have to occur for that to happen.

-While Billie, Chelsea & Kate sort out their problems, Jack walks into Abby’s room and takes off his tuxedo jacket. He smiles at Max and then shakes his hand, thanking him for the New Year’s Eve present he gave his daughter. Max says no problem but then asks Jack why does he look so serious. Jack responds:

Jack: Well, Maxwell, Abby and I have to have a very serious talk. About her condition...and some other things.

Max stands and begins to excuse himself from the room to give the two more privacy. Jack wouldn’t hear of it.

Jack: No, no please. Sit down. This involves you too.

Max returns to his seat and then softly takes Abby’s hand.

Jack: I know you’ve been through a lot since your mother’s death.

Abby: Yeah. And you could have died as well tonight. Max filled me in. Are you alright?

Jack: (Taking her hand) Oh, I’m just fine, Abigail. But, we’ll get into that later. This is much more important.

Abby: Ok, Daddy. Go.....go ahead. (Her voice trembling) What......do you want to tell me?

Jack: Well.....sweetheart, the doctors are of the opinion (Looking away from her)......that you may.......(Looking at her) that you may never walk again.

Abby: Oh..........nooooo!!! No, Daddy!! (Crying) I have to walk. Please tell me that they’re wrong. (Grabbing his hand) Please!!! They have to be wrong.

Jack: They have done test after test and they just don’t see any way that you will recover fully from this tragic accident. (Starting to cry) I’m so sorry, baby.

Abby cries heavily, taking this horrible news in. She then slowly turns and looks at Max, asking him, through her tears:

Abby: Did you know? Did you know the truth?

Max: (Looking at Jack, then back at Abby) Yes. Yes, I did know.

Abby: So you were protecting me too, huh? Protecting the cripple, huh?

Max: (Kissing her hand softly) Let me say something to you. I don’t care if you can walk or not. That never meant anything to me.

Abby: Really?

Max: Yes, really. You are all that matters to me. I just found happiness with you. Now why would I ruin all that by walking away? Huh?

Abby: You mean......you will still want me? Even like this?

Max: I never stopped wanting you. Your my angel, Abby. You have been......and always will be, ok?

Abby: Well.......I guess that will have to do.

Abby starts crying once again, as Jack looks on. He also sees Max take her in his arms and hug her, comforting her through this life changing news. Jack sits and watches, proud of this young man who has stepped up to the plate for his little girl.

What none of them sees outside Abby’s room........is Cassie. She looks into the room at Abby and Max, with burning hatred in her eyes. She turns away from the window, vowing to herself that:

Cassie: If it’s the last thing I do, they won’t be a couple by the end of this year. That is......if I can find out what’s wrong with me first

She then turns and storms off, pulling out her cell phone in another attempt to call the one person who can help her get revenge......

Her grandfather, Stefano.

-Meanwhile, back upstairs in the I.C.U. waiting room, Hope, Caroline and Maggie wait to receive word on Roman’s condition. Kayla comes out of Lucas’s room and joins the ladies in going to get some coffee. Once at the upstairs lounge, Kalya tells everyone that:

Kayla: Roman can’t have any visitors but he is still in critical but stable condition.

Caroline: Well, that’s some decent news for a change.

Hope: Yes, it is. Considering who may have done this to him.

Maggie: You mean Bo......or Victor?

Hope: Unfortunately, both.

Caroline: That’s true, sad to say. I know Shawn is looking down on Bo and just shaking his head. I can’t understand it myself. I don’t know what Bo’s problem is......or Victor’s, for that matter.

Kayla: Well, when will it be time for Bo and Victor to take responsibility for their actions?

Maggie sits quietly and listens....

Hope: Kayla, what does that mean? Victor said the same thing to us. Are you also blaming us for what has happened to Bo?

Kayla: No, I’m not. Please don’t take it that way. What I’m saying is.....Bo has been my brother longer than he’s been your husband and he’s always been so damn headstrong and stubborn. You have to hit him upside his head with the side of a mountain for him to get the hint......and, by the way, he is a grown man. He knows what he’s doing.

Caroline: (Looking at Maggie) Maggie, you seem to be very silent once again. I guess you feel Victor is doing what he has to do, right?

Maggie looks at Caroline but doesn’t respond.

Caroline: Look. I know that man better than anyone here. At one time, we were very close. But no more. I hold him just as responsible as Bo and Stefano for everything that has happened in the last six months and, especially, for the past evening. (Walking up to Maggie) And, if you want to take his side in this thing.......you are a lot more stupid than I ever gave you credit for!

Hope and Kayla try to calm down Caroline, reminding her, as Maggie does, that this is not the time or the place to keep rehashing this same old argument. Besides, Hope says, she’s really tired of talking about it. Kayla agrees and tells the ladies that she is going to check on Steve and check on the status of his test results.

As she leaves, Maggie tells Caroline that whatever is going on between her and Victor is personal. She wishes that Caroline would just give her a break.....for now. Maggie walks off, leaving Hope and Caroline to hope for Roman’s recovery.......and Bo’s safety.

-Once again, Sami & Belle catch up to Marlena in I.C.U. They both ask if she has seen their father yet, to which she responds:

Marlena: No. They aren’t allowing any visitors.

Belle: Oh, really.

Marlena: Yes, little girl. Really.

Sami: Well, you sure don’t seem too broken up about your husband being in intensive care.

Marlena: Did I ask you for your opinion, Samantha Jean? The last time I checked, weren’t you busy ruining other people’s lives?

Belle: Hey, hey, hey. Enough of that. We haven’t done one damn thing to you to deserve this kind of treatment.

Sami: Exactly. I took it at the party and I also took it once again a while ago. But.......mother or not, I’m starting to get sick of all the hatred you seem to have towards us.

Marlena once again gives them a stare filled with blinding hatred. Belle turns to Sami, whispering in her ear that:

Belle: That was the same look she had on the island.......before she disappeared into that volcano.

Sami: I know.

They both look at their mother and slowly walk away from her to confer on what they should do next.

Sami: Maybe I should ask her what is going on with her.

Belle: And have her snap at us again? That has gotten quite old, Sami. I don’t want her to snap and then one of us say something that we’ll either regret or will push her farther away from us.

Sami: I know, sis. But it’s a chance we have to take. With Dad out of it right now, we can’t turn to him. Uncle Steve is in the hospital and Uncle Bo is on the run. That leaves us, don’t you think?

Belle: I guess so. Sami.....be careful.

Sami: Ain't I always?

Both sisters smile at one another and then Sami walks back over to her mother, followed closely by Belle. She asks Marlena what happened to her after the shootout at the party. Marlena responds that after Belle went Barry Bonds on the back of her head, she was helped or, rather forced, outside by police officers and paramedics, who helped bandage her head. After things calmed down, she made her way to the hospital, where she now stands getting bothered by her nosy daughters.

Sami and Belle look at each other and Sami winks at Belle when Marlena’s back is slightly turned, telling Belle that she doesn’t buy her story. Belle slightly nods her head, agreeing with Sami’s assessment of the situation. Sami turns back to Marlena and announces that:

Sami: That’s a load of BS, mom. Neither of us buy that for one damn minute.

Belle: I get the feeling you may have to do better than that, Mom. Much better.

Marlena once again gets up in the girls’ faces, loudly telling them:

Marlena: How many damn times must I keep repeating myself?! This is the third time I’ve had to say this, so for once, clean the wax out of your ears and listen!

STAY OUT........ OF MY...... DAMN....... BUSINESS!! OK?!

Marlena once again storms off and heads to the outer hallway. But, this time, Hope, Maggie, Caroline & Maggie overhear her commotion as they return from the I.C.U. nurses’ station. When they ask what’s wrong with her, Sami fills them all in and Belle backs her up. Hope says that she acted like that before her “death” on the island and for her sake, and theirs.........

They better keep an eye on her, before it’s too late.

-As the shocking scene continues in Roman’s room, Bo is trying his best to finish what he started. His arm continues in a berserker stabbing motion and he has a psychotic look on his face.

After a moment, though........he suddenly stops. He steps back, looking at his handy work. He smiles evilly at what he’s done. He has finally succeeded in completing his mission.

That is........until he hears a voice. A voice, that is telling him to.........

Roman: Please don’t start laughing. You’ll get me started.

Bo: Oh, I’m sorry, bro. I just thought you would find it funny to get stabbed to death by your own brother.

Roman: Really? (Inspecting the scalpel) With a rubber scalpel?

Bo: Yeah. I had it since I was a kid.

Roman: I know. That’s when you wanted to be a doctor........for all of five minutes.

Bo: Well, Ma and Pop didn’t mind, did they?

Roman: No, they were used to humoring you.

Bo: Oh, that’s cold.

Both brothers laugh once again. Roman then asks:

Roman: How did it go? Are we a hit?

Bo: Oh, yeah. Kayla and the paramedics are all doing what they must. No one suspects a thing. No one knows that it is an I.S.A mission.

Roman: Good, good. You know.......if Victor, Stefano, or our families find out about this......there will be hell to pay.

Bo: I know but the good thing is that Hope thinks I’m so far gone there may not be any hope at all. That works in my favor.

Roman: But being on the run doesn’t.

Bo: Not the first time, bro. I’m old hat at this, remember?

Roman: Yes. As am I, little brother.

Roman then tells Bo that it may be time for him to get out of there. Bo agrees, telling Roman to take care of himself. Before he leaves, he makes one request of Roman:

Bo: Roman, do me a favor. Uh, I’m 51 years old. Don’t you think it’s about time you stop calling me “Little Brother”?

The brothers share one more laugh before Bo sneaks out of Roman’s room, unaware that someone has not only seen him enter and leave but now looks in on a very healthy Roman.....

And that someone.....is a seething Marlena. She says nothing, as she stalks off angrily.

Marlena then heads to her destination....the roof of the hospital. She gets a phone call, telling the caller:

Marlena: You read my mind. I’m on the roof. I know. It must be Grand Central Station up here. What did you just say?! (Pausing) Are you out of your damn mind?!Shut your damn mouth this instant! Let me tell you one damn thing. I call the shots, got that?! (Looking shocked) Do you realize what you’re asking me to do?! Ok, ok. Fine! I don’t know how....but I’ll get it done. Somehow, some way.

Marlena hangs up the phone. She then throws it to the ground in frustration and says:

Marlena: How on earth am I going to pull this off with those two nosy daughters of mine already on my back. They are probably convincing others of their suspicions too. No matter, I have to do what I have to do...(looking at her phone, which she just picked up off the ground) for my annoying pest of an ally and...for me.

She looks off into the night sky, as the screen slowly fades to black.

Next Time, On Salem Lives.............

Maggie to Alice: What do I do? Do I turn my back on Victor?

Kayla to Kimberly: What am I going to do? I mean, nothing seems wrong so...how do I help him?

Steve to Shane: I can't tell Kayla. She can't know. It's too risky and I expect you to stay quiet. Will you?

Cal to Katherine: Wow...never expected to see this. This is a whole other side of you, doctor.

Lucas to Sami and Kate (with Austin, Doug and Julie in the background): There is something you both should know...about my future.

Philip to Belle (while violently grabbing her arm): You do what I tell you to, you little [!@#$%^&*]!!

Announcer: 2007 IS HERE...

AND SALEM LIVES IS BETTER THEN EVER!!!

FIRST...

A MYSTERY DEEPENS...

Sami to Belle: We need to find out what is wrong with mom.

Marlena (on the phone): I'm calling the shots. Do you understand?

AND YOU WON'T BELEIVE THE NEXT TWIST!!!

Clip of Marlena walking in the hospital and staring in at something while saying:

Marlena: The time has come to finally end this and move on to the next step.

THEN...

TWO MEN ON THE RUN!!!

Split screen clip of Victor and Bo holding guns, one in a warehouse and one outside a building.

TWO MYSTERIOUS PHONE CALLS...

Shane to Abe (who hangs up the phone): Who was that?

Abe to Shane: I don't know but we have our break.

Clip of Hope answering her cell with Caroline by her side and Maggie in the background.

Hope: Who is this? What?!! Oh my God...I have to get to Bo.

A DRAMATIC RACE....

Clip of a furious Caroline with a gun.

Caroline: This ends here.

Maggie: I have to find Victor.

Abe and Shane drawing guns.

Abe (into his headset): Begin to move in NOW!!!

LEADS TO TWO DRAMATIC STANDOFFS...

Maggie to Victor: Please!!! Don't do this!!!

Clip of Bo running and then seeing Hope, who is just running around the corner of a building.

Bo: Hope, I...

Hope: I want the truth, damnit. What is going on ??!!!

THAT END...

Abe: Alright, men!! MOVE IN NOW!!!!

WITH A FRIDAY EPISODE YOU CAN'T MISS!!!

Maggie: NO!!!!!

Screen goes black.

NEW YEAR, NEW TWISTS.

SPECIAL 2007 PREVIEW EDITION FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 8, 2007

Two weeks ago, EP/HW Tim Lowery recapped 2006 and gave us a few hints of his goals and ambitions for Salem Lives in 2007. Now, here is a more detailed and exclusive look at all the major happenings that will hit in 2007:

"An unbelievable year is on the way," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "It won't be as dark as the past few months have been and romance, adventure, and mystery will be very prominent. However, it does not mean lives won't be in danger so some Salemites better look out!!!"

Mysterious Cloaked Figure: This will be a huge story in 2007. This figure will make more and more appearances and the fans will be wise to take note of who he/she watches and targets. As we close in on Spring, we will do an interactive fan event that will draw the fans further into this mystery. It will be alot of fun and will build to a major umbrella event in the summer involving many characters. This is our big umbrella tale. The fans will begin to see everything tie into it. My co-head and I are just in the planning stages of this. It will something that fans will have the opportunity to figure out for themselves. Think of Passions online events/mysteries and that is where we are going. It's a way of drawing fans in to the happenings and they can follow some of our characters as they try to piece together one of the biggest mysteries in Salem history. More information will follow in the weeks ahead but, for now, keep an eye out and even look back at past episodes for MCF appearances. Beleive me, it will really come in handy later on.

Roman/Marlena: The Marlena story is HUGE. It plays into a tremendous umbrella story that we are building. Marlena's return was joyous to start but it could end being a nightmare for all her loved ones and for all of Salem. She is going to do some things that fans would never see Marlena do. Of course, the natural question many will ask is whether or not this is Marlena. There are many theories and that is the fun of it. As for Roman, he will have trouble living to see another day. Alot is going on with the Brady family and Roman is central, whether he lives or dies.

Victor/Stefano: Both men will lie low for awhile while also planning their next move. The war is not over by any means but both men have to regroup. The police are swarming and they need thing to quiet down before any further action can be taken. Stefano will return to Lexie and will also aid his granddaughter Cassie from afar. Both Stefano and Victor will be determined to figure out the identity of the MCF and the person's agenda. They see this person using their operations to their own gain and they aren't happy. The MCF is a threat to Salem and could very well be a threat to them so, in a way, Stefano and Victor end up inadvertently siding with some of their enemies in Salem to get to the bottom of this.

Bo/Hope: A desperate Hope tries to end Bo's alliance with Victor for the sake of their family but Bo can't help but be drawn to Victor's cause. It's about protecting his family and doing things by the book hasn't worked so far so this is the only option in his mind. Something huge happens with Bo in the first two weeks of the year. Fans won't beleive it. Bo and Hope will be keeping secrets from each other. The trust issues are still very much there even though it's been a year since Zack's death. Expect the blurry childhood memories Bo has been having to come into play big time in the New Year. There is something to those memories that could forever change Bo's life and future. The matter of Chelsea's true parentage is pivotal, as well.

Sami/Lucas/Carrie/Austin/Alan/Will/Kate: Carrie will have her baby in early February. She comes up with a plan that is something very uncharacteristic of Carrie and Alan plays a key role in it. The question of whether Alan has changed comes into play big time. There will be a huge twist after Carrie's labor. Someone else interferes and the fans will be left scratching their heads. It will drag two surprising characters into this plot. Meanwhile, the father of Carrie's baby will be revealed but will Austin and Lucas learn the truth? Will plays a key role in all this. We are not doing a Will/Alan romance. Will will learn who Alan is and will learn about his mother's rape years ago, which leads to a huge twist that really ups the ante and ties this story to another one in the canvas. The conflict between Austin, Carrie, and Lucas will be resolved to an extent but there will be some unfinished business there. Sami's redemption will be key as well while Lucas will be involved in something huge in the Spring. Plus, Kate is always lurking and she will continue to try to turn over a new leaf but, you know what they say, a leopard never changes it's spots.

Nicole/Eric: They are looking forward to the future. They will remain with us on recurring and will be nowhere near as prominent as they were in Fall but they are around. Nicole will have a hard time with the fact that Eric will be working and she won't. That's a bitter pill to swallow given she lost her job staying in Salem to be by his side. They will try to have children but it will be very trying on them as things won't go very well. Something happens in February that will thrust both of these characters into something bigger then they realize.

Jack/Billie: With Laura gone, these two will focus on their daughters' recovery. They will grow closer and we have a fun story planned for them. Jack will get a new boss at The Spectator that is a very familiar face and will be a treat to fans. Billie will also go back to law enforcement and we will have Jack and her working on mysteries together. It's similar to Jack and Jennifer but the dynamic is a little different. It's a slow building romance. They get involved big time in the MCF mystery.

Abby/Max/Cassie/Chelsea: Abby and Chelsea will struggle to recover. Abby and Max grow closer as Cassie becomes more and more Dimera-like by the day. Cassie will learn a stunning secret and will force Chelsea into her schemes. Cassie will also get shocking news and a huge turn of events will send all four of these characters in different directions.

Steve/Kayla: They will work on getting his memory back. Kimberly, Jack, and Shane will help here as well. Despite being helped along by loved ones, this will be primarily between the two of them. They are falling in love all over again and there will be mystery and adventure all around them. Part of the mystery will be a condition that begins to affect Steve. It seems like something of a health concern but it's something more and the cause and circumstances of it put them in the center of something that they surely don't want to be in.

Frankie/Greta: We are experimenting here. These two form a nice friendship and we'll see what develops. Greta will make a very important life decision that will be very pleasing and entertaining to fans. Frankie will also become more involved as he finds himself drawn into the MCF mystery.

Cal/Katherine: Cal makes progress in more ways then one when he ends up falling for his doctor. The passion between Cal and Katherine slowly builds as they work together to help him remember his life. This plot is slow-moving but it will begin to be featured more and more as it becomes clear someone has information that may very well help Cal get his real life back. However, that person is not exactly the person whose hands you would want critical information in.

Shane/Kimberly: He will have to deal with the aftermath of his covering up Carrie's whereabouts. The Brady's won't be happy. Things will also get interesting between him and Kimberly. Meanwhile, Kimberly has a huge secret that she is sharing the burden of keeping with someone else. it's something that will have HUGE repercussions for the Brady's.

Belle/Philip: Their return was joyous for their family but something else is going on here. Belle and Philip are trying to make their marriage work for the sake of their daughter but not all is right. Something happened in San Francisco while Philip was recovering, Meanwhile, Philip will have a hard time dealing with life after plastic surgery and all he has been through. He will become very involved with his father and the war on Stefano. He is a loose cannon and Belle seems to be falling apart on the inside dealing with him, her family, and all the goings on in Salem. Her life couldn't get anymore...or could it?

Caroline/Victor/Maggie: Maggie and Victor are reaching a new level in their relationship. Maggie is someone that doesn't judge him and is just there while Caroline picks on him and criticizes left and right. There is something there with him and Maggie and it will be explored. Victor and Caroline will find a kind of closure to their relationship as they realize they may not have known each other as much as they thought they did. Expect Victor and Maggie to hit a rough patch when Victor realizes things are getting too dangerous for Maggie to be around so he takes action to make sure she stays out of his life and business. Maggie will have a hard time dealing with not having Victor around and her inner demons again come into play. It seems safe to say Maggie's alcoholism is not quite gone yet...

Celeste/Abe/Lexie: Celeste will be a presence in many stories as usual but we will expand her a bit so she is more than just the town psychic. She will be there for Abe and the two of them will team up to find Lexie and bring down Stefano. Lexie will in and out for a bit. She is not a happy camper and being in that explosion in September and being shot in November has made her very bitter. She is definitely in touch with her Dimera self but it may be more then even Stefano can handle.

BIG CASTING NEWS: JAMES AND WYATT IN!!! MAJOR CASTING CALL!!! BIG STATUS CHANGES!!

The cast additions at Salem Lives continue as two former Passions stars, one a beloved daytime vet, have been tapped to join the cast this month. Dalton James (ex-Hank, Passions) joins the cast on January 8 as Dr. Rich Glancy. The role is recurring. "We needed a doctor on the canvas instead of just random doctors here and there," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "I loved Dalton's work on Passions and was stunned when he exited the show in 2000. I think he will fit right on and, who knows, they could turn into something more then recurring."

The bigger news, however, is that long-time GH star Sharon Wyatt is joining the cast in the role of Renee McClure. Renee is the wife of James McClure, played by Roscoe Born who just recently joined the cast. Wyatt is best known for her role as Tiffany on GH and most recently completed a short lived run on Passions as Rachel Barrett, the long presumed dead sister of Katherine Crane (Leigh Taylor Young). "I have always loved Sharon," praises Lowery. "She is an amazing actress who I first fell in love with on GH. I was excited to see her go to Passions and was disappointed when her talent was wasted and she was cut. We love having her here and I can't wait to see her in this role." Wyatt's first apperance is not known at this point but sources hint that it will be in mid-January.

Meanwhile, three casting calls have gone out for the rest of the McClure family. Salem Lives is looking for three young actors, preferably with experience, to play the roles of the McClure children. The first role is James Jr, who is 17 and is strong and independent like his father. The second role is Jonathan, who is 15 and, like James Jr, has a real sense of honor about him but also has a bit of a wild streak in him. He can be very unpredictable at times. The third role is Angelica, who is 13 and also likes to be called "Angel." She is a straight A student and a member of the junior high cheerleading team. She is the whole works. Sources say that Salem Lives wants the roles cast by this Friday January 12.

In other news, Salem Lives has seen it's fair share of status changes over the holidays. Jensen Ackles and Arianne Zuker (Eric and Nicole Brady), who returned in May 2006 and signed on for a short-term run, are now staying on as recurring characters. "They were supposed to be gone," explains Lowery. "We pushed the story up and everything because both had other plans but we managed to work something out and kept it quiet because of the story with Eric near-death. They won't be featured prominently but they will be around and involved so we will still have them, which I am happy about after the story they just went through did not go as well as planned. I hope to do better by them."

In other status changing news, Alexis Thorpe (Cassie) has now been placed on contract. "That really is no surprise," laughs Lowery. "She was working like a contract actress as we used her quite a bit. I never planned on using her but, back in the summer, I just kept finding more and more for her to do and here we are. She has big story coming up and she is a Dimera in every sense now. I feel she should be here for the long haul so she is contract now." There are also rumors that Billy Warlock (Frankie) and Tanya Boyd (Celeste) will be placed on contract. "I can't comment on that," admits Lowery. "Billy was on contract before but we took him off on September because we knew we weren't using him that much for a bit. He does have alot coming up but I'm not sure what will happen. Alot depends on how people take to him and Greta (see above). As for Celeste, she will remain on recurring. We were about to put her on contract back in September but the story we had planned got dropped with so much other things going on. I think it will happen at some point but not now."

WHO'S IN?/WHO'S OUT?

IN

Dalton James (Dr. Rich Glancy): James, who is best known for his role of Hank Bennett on Passions from 1999-2000, joins the cast as a doctor at University Hospital who first interacts with Cassie (Alexis Thorpe). He first airs on January 8. The role is recurring.

Sharon Wyatt (Renee McClure): The role of James' (Roscoe Born) wife has been cast. Wyatt is best known for her role as Tiffany on GH from 1988-1995 and most recently portrayed the short-lived role of Rachel Barrett on Passions. Wyatt's debut date is unknown but sources hint that it's sometime in mid-January.

STATUS CHANGES

Jensen Ackles and Arianne Zuker (Eric and Nicole Brady): The actors, who returned short-term in May 2006, will remain on as recurring characters.

Alexis Thorpe (Cassie Dimera): Thorpe, who returned in July 2006 and has been recurring ever since, is now on contract.

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF JANUARY 8, 2007

-How far will Bo go?

-Caroline pushes Maggie to cut herself off from Victor.

-Marlena snaps at Sami and Belle again.

-Abby and Chelsea learn the truth.

-Cassie has health concerns.

-The Marlena mystery takes some more stunning turns.

-Philip threatens Belle.

-Kimberly comforts a worried Kayla as Steve tries to hide his pain.

-Lucas's words please Sami and Kate but anger Austin.

-Alice gives Maggie heartfelt advice.

-Cal and Katherine see another side of each other.

-James is bothered by a call from family.

-Victor and Bo's plans are twarted.

-The MCF strikes again.

-Caroline reaches the breaking point.

-Hope is on Bo's trail while Maggie is on Victor's.

-Stefano makes one last stop before leaving Salem.

-The police close in on Victor and Bo.

-Marlena takes action.

RED LETTER DAYS!!!

Monday January 8, 2007: Will Bo go through with his shocking act? This episode is MUST SEE!!

Thursday January 11, 2007: Hope and Maggie are hot on Bo and Victor's trial as the police begin to close in.

Friday January 12, 2007: Caroline pulls a gun on Victor. Later, all hell breaks loose as the police open fire. Who gets hit?

Next Week: Sami tells Austin she knows about him and Carrie. Lucas surprises Austin. Cassie gets shocking news. Chelsea's secret is out. Abby and Chelsea begin therapy. Kimberly is keeping a secret. Steve loses it. Marlena goes wild.

-At the mountain retreat, Cal Winters has just ended another hypnosis session. He is quite frustrated, having had no breakthrough since he lost his identity as Roman Brady. His doctor, Katherine, assures him that:

Katherine: Since we now have come to some type of understanding, the sessions have gone much more smoothly. Don’t worry, Cal. Something is bound to happen soon.

Cal: (Getting off the couch) Stop making these promises. On top of the fact that I don’t have one clue as to who I really am, I don’t even know who was responsible for doing this to me.

Katherine: I know and I realize that can also be very frustrating. You speak of this man.........Stefano?

Cal: Yes. He’s the scum who has been terrorizing the people of Salem for years. But......I also must consider that maybe, just maybe, he’s not responsible for this.

Katherine: Let’s do this. (Walking over to him) Why don’t we give it a rest for tonight and get a good night sleep. We’ll tackle this tomorrow, ok?

She places her soft touch on his shoulder. Cal turns to look at her:

Cal: Yes. Let’s do just that. And, possibly, move on to more.......sensual things.

He starts to kiss her but she backs away at the last moment, saying:

Katherine: I said sleep, not sex. Besides, you don’t have any memory. How would you know how you did it in the past?

Cal: You don’t need past memories for that, my dear.

Katherine: You know, just because we reached an understanding does not mean you and me are...

Cal: Something more then doctor and patient? I was thinking it could be part of my therapy.

Katherine: Cal...look. You and I went from hating each other to reaching common ground and now your hitting on me. We can't have that if we are going to succeed in...

Cal: I'm sorry. You had to know part of the reason why I was hard on you when we first met was because I was attracted to you. I mean you are beautiful and...(Katherine puts her hand up to his mouth)

Katherine: Stop there. Let's just drop all this, ok?

Cal: Ok.

They both laugh. He kisses her on her cheek and goes off to bed. As she watches him leave, she stares lovingly at him. She will not admit the feelings that have now begun to surface inside her for this man because what he’s going through is much more important than their possible future together.

Cal relaxes in his bed, listening for Katherine’s bedroom door to close. Once he hears it, he drifts off to sleep. As he falls deeper and deeper into sleep, he is suddenly confronted by visions of times past. Violent, quick flashing images of gunfire, screams, and terror. He can’t focus on any one memory but he then hears a voice telling him that.......

Voice: “It will be alright, son. Please, come home. We need you. Please, come home........”

Cal suddenly jumps screaming loudly into the night, causing Katherine to rush in. When she asks what happened, he can’t even speak. He’s sweating heavily and he grabs hold of her, shaking. She responds by hugging him and telling him it will be alright. He comes out of it long enough to tell her some startling news. When she asks what it is, he finally admits that.....

He’s had a breakthrough. Katherine is happy for him and asks about it but he falls backwards onto his bed as she looks off into the distance startled and shocked by this sudden turn of events. She sits by him and watches him as he slowly drifts back off to sleep.

-Back in Salem, at the hospital, Nicole and Eric wonder about what the future may bring. When he asks her about High Style and Los Angeles, she grows silent. He keeps asking her why she has gotten quiet every single time he’s asked that question. She turns and slowly walks back over to his bed, sitting down, and taking his hand. She tells him the truth, finally, that the reason why she never talks about it is that........

She was fired from High Style for staying in Salem to be there for him. Eric gets a little upset, saying that he thought the lies had stopped after the whopper he told about his condition. She feels bad about lying to him but says it was for the right reasons this time. He understands that but wants this to be the last time. She promises that it will be but also wants him to get off his high horse as well.

When he asks what that means, she says that she will not accept him giving her orders about her behavior when she sees him lying in a hospital bed because of his lies. She also reminds him that Roman almost died twice and that Sami had to pull a gun on Shane just to find Roman after his helicopter crashed while he was on his way back with medicine......to save his life. Eric sheepishly sits in his bed, quietly saying that he has removed himself from off of his high horse. They both laugh and then she brings up how she hopes their children don’t act as high and mighty as their father.

Eric smiles at that statement saying that it would be really nice to have kids, especially if she is their mother. Nicole reminds him she can't have kids naturally and also says that with all of her bad experiences when she was younger, she was always scared to have kids but now that she is with him, that fear has disappeared. He says then it’s settled. As soon as he’s out of there, they will look into their options in starting a family as there are sure to be plenty. This causes Nicole to smile, right before she leans in and gives him a soft kiss, which he returns passionately.

-Down the hall from Eric’s room, Abby has just risen from a comfortable sleep. She looks around to see that Max, who is asleep next to her, has decorated the entire room with New Year’s party favors. She smiles like a schoolgirl, as Max wakes up and looks at her asking if she is ok. She says she is feeling just fine now, especially since he went to all that trouble. He says it was no trouble at all. Anything for his princess.

Max then gets a serious look on his face. When Abby asks what’s wrong, he hesitates. He can’t even look at her and stands up to walk to the window. Abby then demands to know what is bothering him and then he takes a deep breath before turning around and saying to her that there was a massive shootout at the Titan/Horton Foundation Ball that night and that many people were killed and wounded.

Abby is in a state of shock, asking if her father is alright. Max tells her he’s fine but her Uncle Steve is getting an MRI done right now in emergency and that Lucas, Austin and Roman were all shot. She can’t believe it, asking who is behind all of this. Max says that the gossip on the floor is that Stefano and Victor decided to turn the party into the OK Corral. She starts to get more upset when Max tells her to calm down. Before she can speak, he puts his finger on her lips, telling her that Abe and Shane have the whole city drag netted and are looking for both of them right now. He promises them that they won’t get far.

She trusts his word and finally calms down. Max then walks over to the end table and pulls out sparkling cider and two glasses, knowing Abby can't take a risk and have champaigne while on meds. He pops the cork on the bottle and Abby smiles once again. He then looks at her, while filling both glasses full, and gives her one. He once again tells her that she is the most important lady in his life and he intends to spend all of 2007 and beyond proving just that. They touch glasses, drink, and then lean in for a wonderful kiss. Max then takes out a remote control and presses play, so both of them can watch the ball dropping in New York City since she fell asleep and missed it at midnight.

Abby says that she doesn’t know what she did to deserve a man like him but she won’t question a thing. Max smiles and they both count down to the New Year. When the screen lights up “2007!!” they both give each other a long kiss, promising to begin anew with their feelings for one another.

-Cassie DiMera is at the DiMera Mansion, having just returned home from shopping hours earlier. She is worn out and all of her items are all around her. She is feeling a bit woozy. She orders the servants to take her brand new belongings up to her room as she gets a drink from the bar. One of the servants informs her of what happened at the Ball and about her grandfather's involvement. Wondering where he has been all this time and why he hasn't come by the mansion yet, she gets a drink from his bar and sips it slowly. She then decides that staying in the mansion is not an option and decides to go to the hospital to find Max.

Thirty minutes later, she is walking on the same floor Abby is on and starts looking inside room windows. She becomes angry when she looks inside Abby’s window and sees both Abby and Max engaged in a rather passionate kiss. She begins to go into her room to confront him but decides not to, vowing that he will be hers one day by any means necessary. She starts to stomp away but suddenly feels faint. She gets lightheaded and stumbles against the nearest wall, wondering what is going on.

Her eyes then roll into the back of her head as she collapses on the floor suddenly. She lays there until a nurse notices her on the floor and calls for emergency help.

-Marlena is very upset, wondering what James’s problem is sneaking up on her like that. He answers her, saying:

James: This was the only way I could catch up with you without being seen.

Marlena: You must be nuts finding me after what just happened up in the Tower. Do you know what could happen to us if Victor, Stefano Roman, or anyone for that matter find out what we’ve involved in?! (Calming down) So, how did everything go on your end?

James: Well enough. Even though many have been injured and killed, it went off decently.

Marlena: Maybe for you but it was a disaster for me. That’s why I have to get to the damn hospital to see what’s going on.

James: You can’t go there! (Grabbing her arm) If someone sees you after what you did.....

Marlena: (Yanking her arm away) Don’t EVER grab me.......like that......again. (Pausing, then looking around) I don’t have a damn choice now, do I? If my daughter wouldn’t have knocked me out......this whole thing would be over with by now.

James: Yeah. Yeah, I know. And.......I’m sorry for grabbing you like that. It’s just been one hell of an evening, ok?

Marlena: I know, I know. (Looking around once again) Look. You need to get out of here before Victor gets suspicious, ok?

James: Oh, no doubt. He doesn’t suspect a thing but if my cover is blown, there will be hell to pay.

Marlena: I know. I’ve seen him when he has been betrayed. It’s a good thing he doesn’t know that you and I are working towards the same outcome.

James: And that is exactly how it will stay until this operation is over. Now......it’s time for me to split. You take care, Marlena.

Marlena: You too and be careful. We’ll talk later.

Both James and Marlena go their separate ways, hoping that they lsee their plan reach it’s inevitable outcome.

-Back at the hospital, Bo is seen coming out of a orderly dressing room. He has stolen one of the uniforms and has disguised himself as one, walking past nurses and doctors. He stops cold in his tracks and ducks behind a thin wall when he sees Maggie, Caroline & Hope near a nurse’s station, sadly discussing:

Hope: Why would Bo do this?! I just can’t believe that he would shoot his own brother. What could Victor have told him to make him hate Roman enough to do that?

Caroline: Hope, I have no idea. It seems like ever since Shawn died and we came back from that damn island, he’s changed. I.......I just didn’t think he had that in him.

Maggie: Well........all I can say is that I hope he comes to his senses and turns himself in before the police or the I.S.A. get a hold of him.

Hope: I know. (Walking towards to hallway, near Bo) We have been through so much together. Adventures, romance, action, good times and bad. But........no matter what, even when I turned my back on him after Zack’s death, which I shouldn’t have done, mind you, I always thought that I knew him so well. And now this. Gunning Roman down......shooting him in the back. That’s not the same man who swept me off my feet when he stole me from Larry Welch.

Caroline: (Walking over to her, hugging her) Hope, I know this sounds like I’m still protecting my son but, please......... have faith in him.

Bo is listening sadly, but intently at everything being said......

Caroline: As a mother’s instinct, something tells me that it could all be alright. Just give it time, dear.

Maggie: That is easier said than done, Caroline. Bo seems to have changed.......and for the worse.

Hope: Which also means that maybe you should stay away from Victor as well. He was a decent man for so many years and now he’s turned right back into the same man who tried to blow Bo and I up on his yacht in Miami all those years ago.

Caroline: I agree with Hope. It’s easy to talk about my son when you are hanging around Victor so much. Take off your own rose-colored glasses and look around at what has happened and then make the right decision, Maggie.

Maggie is silent at this point as she listens to what both women had to say. The group is then suddenly startled by Kayla, who has come out of the OR with news:

Kayla: Roman made it through surgery and is in stable condition. We’re taking him upstairs to ICU right now and I’ll let you know how he’s doing as soon as possible, ok?

Kayla hugs her mother as all four women breath a sigh of relief. Roman is then wheeled out past them and they are shocked at all of the tubes and bandages that are on him. As he is wheeled in to the hallway, Bo secretly follows the group to the elevators but then detours to the stairs, sneaking past everyone. Once the stair doorway is closed, Bo pauses for a moment, saying to himself:

Bo: Now it’s time.........to end this once and for all.

In the cafeteria, Sami and Belle are getting something to drink when Belle looks at Sami and says, happily:

Belle: I am so proud of you, Sami. Or maybe I should call you Samantha. You’ve earned the full name. This is the person I always knew you could be.

Sami: Thank you, Belle. (Pausing) You know, you can call me anything you want, just as long as it is not [!@#$%^&*] or nutcase or........whatever everyone used to call me.

Belle: (Sipping her soda) Sami, all I can do is be happy for you. I think you have seen what happens when you give life and love a chance, huh?

Sami: Yeah, I know, but.......this was not and is not an overnight thing.

Both girls walk down the hallway.

Sami: I just came to the realization that I was sick of being lonely all the time. (Looking at Belle) Do you know that no one would call me on my birthday? Or on holidays? Family picnics or dinners were off-limits to me. But.........I can’t blame anyone else but me. I did that. I pushed everyone away. And I had you, my beautiful little sister........

Belle smiles at that statement.......

Sami: And I still remember always saying how Dad and Mom cared more for you than they ever did for me. Huh. How can you care for someone who constantly tells their loved ones to go to hell, huh?

Belle: Well, that’s how we learn, Sami. All we could do is tell you how much you hurt us when you acted like that. But, truthfully......you were really hurting yourself more than anyone. You can’t live your life messing with people lives and then getting mad at them when they rightfully tell you about yourself.

Sami: I know that now. I guess that’s why Lucas and I are so much closer now.

Belle: All Lucas ever wanted was a real, grown woman and that is what he’s getting now with you. He’s also quite the man now, jumping over tables and people just to save you. (Pausing, looking away) I wish Philip were still like that.

Sami: Which begs the question........what is going on between you two?

Belle: (Speaking angrily) You know, Sami, why don’t you mind your own business for once in your life.

Sami: (With a shocked look) Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. I was only asking a question, for God Sakes.

Belle: (Pausing) Look, I’m..........I’m sorry, ok? I didn’t mean that, alright?

Belle starts to cry and Sami walks over to her and gently places her arm around her.

Sami: Let me tell you something, Belle. And you listen to every word, ok?

Belle: (Wiping away her tears) Ok.

Sami: You are.......my sweet little sister. I have not been there for you in the past like I should but I’m here now and.......I love you so much. So, when you feel like talking about whatever is going on in your life, you let me know and I’ll be there for you.........I promise, ok?

Belle: Ok. Thank you so much.

Belle hugs Sami.

Sami: (Smiling) No problem, sis.

They look at each other and Sami wipes away the rest of her tears. They are then told by a nurse that their father is out of surgery and in the ICU and they rush upstairs to see how he has made it through this dreadful night.

-As both girls stand waiting for the next elevator, they both spot Marlena walking up to the nurses station. She asks about Roman’s condition and the nurse, knowing who she is, informs her that he is out of surgery and is in stable condition in the ICU. She thanks the nurse and then turns around, not happy about that news. Both Sami & Belle run up to her and greet her, saying:

Sami: It’s sure good to see you. Are you alright?

Marlena: Yes, yes. I’m fine. It’s great to see you two made it out of there in one piece.

Belle: I know. I just can’t believe what happened up there. It seemed like the entire town of Salem was packing heat and itching for a fight.

Marlena: I know. I just heard about your father.

Sami: Yeah. We were on our way up there to see how he’s doing. Mom, I have a question and I hope you don’t get upset.

Marlena: No, sweety. I would never get upset with you two.

Both girls look at each other strangely.

Sami: Mom, if you know about Dad’s condition............why are you still standing here? Why aren’t you flying upstairs to see him right now?

Marlena gets a very serious and angry look on her face.

Marlena: Now, you listen up, missy. I don’t owe EITHER of you an explanation as to what I do, got it?!

Belle: See, this is what I’m talking about. You’re getting upset now just like you did at the Ball. Then, I saw you aiming a gun at Dad. That’s why I hit you over the head. You’re not behaving like you should and I think you need some psychiatric help.

Sami: I have to agree with Belle, Mom. You haven’t been yourself since you got back. Please........get the help that you need. I'm begging you.

Marlena pauses briefly and then angrily answers her two daughters:

Marlena: (Pointing her finger) Look, watch......and listen up. I’m not the damn problem here. My problem is having given birth to two nosy-ass brats who for some damn reason can’t keep their noses out of my life! (Gritting her teeth) Now........you two get out of my face and STAY out of my business......

Before you really piss me off!

Marlena then storms off with Sami and Belle staring at her back, wondering what in God’s green Earth has gotten into their mother. They then go back over to the elevators and silently board one on their way up to ICU.

-Roman’s doctor checks his vital signs and Kayla looks on, stroking her brother’s hair and telling him that it will be alright. Roman lays there silently, having not regained consciousness since the shooting. The medical staff then starts to exit his room one by one, making sure that he is still in stable condition. Kayla bends over and gives her brother a kiss on his cheek, telling him that she loves him. She then sheds a tear, saying that he is the best big brother in the whole world.

She slowly walks around his bed and looks at him one more time before dimming the light over his bed and walking out.

The camera slowly comes back over to Roman, as we see him sleeping comfortably. The camera then pans up to his heart monitor, which we see is beating at a slow but normal rate.

Then.........slowly........... a man steps into the shot. That man is dressed as an orderly but is not one.

That man..........is Bo. And he stands above Roman.......with a mean, hateful look on his face. His eyes burn with hell’s hatred into his brother, as we then see flashbacks of all the fights and arguments that Bo and Roman have had over the years. We also see Marlena lambasting Bo for leaving Roman on Stefano’s beach to die.

He is beyond angry at this point. So angry, in fact, that he slowly pulls out a scalpel from his pocket.

He stares at his brother with cold hatred as he raises the scalpel slowly over his head.

And then......his eyes grow wide..........in a psychotic rage...............as he BRINGS THE SCALPEL DOWN...............

And the screen suddenly goes black.

The Salem Lives Logo once again appears and the credits roll.

Next Time, On The Shocking Continuation Of Salem Lives.............

Jack to Billie: It's time our daughters knew the truth.

Abby to Max: I may never walk again. Do you still want me?

Chelsea to Billie: What am I going to do?

Billie to Chelsea: Chelsea, it will be...

Chelsea to Billie: Stop acting like my mother because your not.

Cassie: What could be wrong with me?

Sami to Belle: We need to find out what is going on with mom. She needs out help before it's too late.

Marlena (on the phone): Shut up!! You don't call the shots. I do!! Do you understand?

-On the pier, Alan is still taken aback by Will revealing he was gay. Will explains that he was confused for awhile but realized it over the summer. He really liked this senior at Salem High and that is why he wanted to be on the basketball team so bad. It was his best chance to get to know him better. This guy was what made him realize he was what he is and that is why he was disappointed he didn't make it. Having his Uncle Austin living with his mom and walking around shirtless did not help matters either. He felt very unconfortable.

Alan nods and sees why it would be. He begs Alan not to reveal what he has told him. No one can find out. He is afraid how others will react, especially his parents who have all these dreams and expectations for him. He just doesn't want to deal with what might happen if his secret comes out. Alan vows to keep the secret and reminds Will that he is his friend. Will thanks "Ace" and they do their secret handshake that they do.

Carrie is racing to find Alan and nearly runs right past Will and Alan. Will nearly spots her but doesn't see her. Will turns on his cell phone and realizes he has a ton of messages. He listens to them and realizes his father has been shot. He tells Alan he has to get to the hospital. Alan spots Carrie watching them out of the corner of his eye and tells Will it's fine. They will catch up soon. Will thanks him again and leaves.

Carrie comes out of the shadows after Will leaves and asks what was going on with Will and Alan. Alan explains that it's just him trying to mend fences for what he did to Sami and her family. Carrie is proud of Alan for his efforts and fills him in on what happened at the ball. Alan is happy she is ok but reminds Carrie he warned her she needs to stay out of Salem before she gets caught, like she nearly did tonight. Carrie asks Alan to take her back to the cabin and says she will stay there this time until the situation with her baby is resolved. Alan promises Carrie it will all be ok as they go off to return to the cabin.

-At the hospital, Sami is awaiting word on Lucas. Kate and Austin are with her. kate asks Austin again if he is sure he is ok after being shot on the arm. Austin says he is fine. Kate thinks he may have hit his head. Austin knows Kate said that because she thinks he is crazy to have saw Carrie but he knows he saw her. He just can't figure out why she would run away or be wearing a mask. Kate still thinks Austin was mistaken but Austin is sure he didn't.

Austin goes to comfort Sami. Sami says Lucas has to be ok. She warned the both of them what would happen by joining Victor in this war and now they are living their worst nightmare. She can't lose Lucas just when they were finding each other again. Austin says he knows they have been getting closer. Sami asks if that bothers him. Austin says it's fine...Sami and Lucas are meant for each other just like he is meant for Carrie. Sami agrees and wishes they all hadn't been so stubborn and stupid. It shouldn't have taken this long to figure out.

Kate overhears and says Austin may be meant for Carrie but Sami is not meant for Lucas or any of her sons. In fact, she partly blames the so called "love" Sami and Lucas have for Lucas being shot. Sami rolls her eyes and says she thought Kate and her hand a breakthrough after Lucas was shot but, apparently, not. Kate says she did that for Lucas's sake. She didn't want to upset him. Plus, she really was trying to make an effort to change but she can't stand Sami sitting there spewing how Lucas and her are destined to be.

Sami thinks Kate is lying and says she felt Kate was sincere in the ballroom. She thinks Kate was shocked by how much she had changed the past few months and was finally realizing that she is capable of being the person her family and friends wanted her to be. Someone they can be proud of. She reminds Kate of her vow months ago to turn over a new leaf. Kate knows she promised that but says she was just overcome with emotion with everything tonight. She will never like or get along with Sami no matter how much she may change or act like she has changed.

Kate walks off. Austin tells Sami he thinks she is right and that his mother realizes she has no reason to hate Sami anymore with all she has done to turn herself around. He thinks she realizes that she can't stop what is meant to be and Lucas and her are probably meant to be. Sami agrees but says she is only worried about Lucas now and not what Kate is thinking and doing. A doctor comes out of ER just as Kate returns and says that Lucas will be fine. The bullet missed the spine and there is no permanant damage. He will be sore and numb for a bit but that's it. Sami and Austin embrace in celebration, followed by Kate and Austin.

-Roman is raced into the ER with Kayla and Caroline by his side. Belle and Hope show up too and pray Roman makes it. Frankie and Greta race in, saying they heard the news. Kayla asks how Steve is and both Frankie and Greta say there is no word yet on Steve or Lucas. They are still running tests on Steve. Kayla goes into the ER with Roman and promises to return with news ASAP. Belle, Hope, and Caroline comfort each other, as Frankie and Greta hope everything turns out well.

-Abe, Shane, and Maggie discuss the MCF escaping. They wonder who this person was as it seemed they were acting on their own and that they weren't one of Victor or Stefano's men. Shane says it seems this person had their own agenda and infiltrated Stefano and Victor's plans to accomplish something. Maggie wonders who it could be. Abe says it's someone to definitely be worried about that's for sure.

-Billie and Jack can't beleive what is going on with Bo and hate to bring Hope the news he got away. Billie says it seems Bo is a fugitive. Jack says they have to tell Hope. Billie can't beleive this and says this is not how none of them wanted to start 2007. Jack warns Billie he thinks what has happened tonight is the tip of the iceberg.

-Stefano is in a black van in an alley. The van is loaded with camaera that monitor the Salem Towers ballroom and other locations around Salem. He is with some of his associates and they discuss what happened at ball. Stefano laughs that with all of the SPD and Victor's planning, they still couldn't take him down. He is disappointed he didn't take out Kiriakis or more of his enemies but he loves seeing all the strife between Victor. Bo, Roman, Caroline, and the rest of the Brady's and Kiriakis's. Stefano says it's like all the good families in Salem are tearing themselves apart. He loves it.

He also celebrates seeing Roman Brady gunned down by his own brother. His associate tells him that there was some masked, cloaked figure lurking about and that the figure was also aiming at Roman at the same time as Bo. Stefano finds that interesting and also beleives the mysterious person took other shots at others during the intial shootout since the cloaked person did infiltrate their operation at the ball by posing as one of his disguised associates.

Stefano says that this mysterious cloaked person does concern him. The fact that they found one of their men tied up outside and this cloaked person took their place makes him wonder what this person is up to. He doesn't like someone using his plans for their own gain and can't risk this person interfereing and messing up future plans of his.

Stefano: Someone used our operation tonight to complete their own mission. I want to know who this cloaked person is and what they are up to now, got that?

The associate agrees to get their men on the case. Stefano is sure this person is also the person who blew up Samantha Brady's apartment, something the SPD is pinning on him for obvious reasons. He wonders who this cloaked person is and what their agenda is in Salem as it seems the person is targeting the Brady's, something he has in common with the mysterious figure. Stefano looks back at the camera footage and wonders how big of a threat the MCF is to Salem.

-Jack and Billie arrive at the hospital and break the news to Hope that Bo got away. Hope can't understand what is going on with him. Caroline can't believe what is happening with her boys and can't beleive she ever cared about Victor after all that he has done to her sons. Caroline looks at Belle and says she is lucky that it seems Phillip is nowhere near like his father. Belle seems upset by Caroline's words but hides it.

Abe and Shane arrive with Maggie and they fill everyone in on the MCF. Hope says the don't need another dangerous threat to deal with in Salem. Caroline wonders who this person is and why they have showed up in Salem. Abe says they plan to find out. They also plan to find both Victor and Stefano, both of which are MIA and seem to have gone into hiding after the evening's events. Caroline says she hopes both of them burn in hell, as does Hope.

-Belle goes to check on Philip and learns he is doing well and will be just fine. She opts not to go and see him when a nurse asks if she wants to visit her husband. She then bumps into Sami, who fills her in on Lucas. Belle informs her about Roman and Sami is devestated. Belle also says that their mother is still missing since she knocked her out after seeing her aim her gun at their father. They both wonder what is going on with her but, in the meantime, race off to check on Roman.

Belle and Sami join Caroline, Abe, Shane. Hope, Jack, Billie, Frankie, and Greta in the ER. Kate and Austin soon do as well. Sami informs them all that Lucas is fine and Belle informs everyone that Philip is fine too. Both girls are worried about their mother. Abe says he has his people searching for her. He also has people looking for Bo, Victor, Stefano, and the MCF. Just then, Kayla comes out and says that Roman is going up to OR and she is going up with him. Jack says he will go watch over Steve and tells Kayla to do what she has to. Kayla thanks him as Caroline, Hope, Belle, Maggie, Greta, and Sami go to the chapel to pray for Roman.

-Outside the hospital, Marlena appears from behind a dumpster and wishes she could find a way to get into the hospital and learn what she has to without being spotted. She hopes that the plan can be salvaged after everything that has gone wrong tonight. She goes in search of a less public entrance to the hospital and is grabbed from behind by someone. She is shocked and asks what he is doing there. They can't be seen together. The camera then slowly pans up from the person's hands to reveal.......James McClure.

-Meanwhile, Bo is in his car out in the country. He seems very upset and can't beleive what has transpired tonight. He then gets a call. It's Victor, who tells Bo that he is lying low for awhile after what has happened. However, he tells Bo his task has not been completed. Roman is still alive and in OR right now. Bo says he has already done what Victor asked but Victor insists that isn't good enough.

Victor: You must make sure Roman is dead. You know what will happen if you don't carry out my orders, Bo. Your my son but your either with us, or against us. I don't have to go over this with you again. Just finish him off and I will be in touch soon. I am watching, my son. Don't disappoint me.

Victor then hangs up. Bo realizes what he must do and that he has no choice. He starts the car and says it's time to make a visit to the hospital.

The camera then fades out on Bo's face and the screen goes black.

On the Next Salem Lives...

Nicole to Eric: It's time you knew the truth.

Cal to Katherine: OH my God...I remember!

Abby to Max: I want this night to last forever.

Cassie (holding herself up on a wall): What is wrong with me?

Marlena to James: Get out of here now!! No one can know we're involved.

Bo to an unconscious Roman: I'm sorry, bro. This is the way it has to be.

Announcer: LAST WEEK...

SALEM RANG IN THE NEW YEAR....

IN PANIC!!!

Images of the ballroom going dark, Celeste screaming, and the lights going out.

NOW...COMES THE AFTERMATH....

Hope: What is happening to my husband?

Marlena: No one can find out what is really going on.

Victor: Roman Brady must pay!!!

THIS WEEK...THE TWISTS JUST KEEP ON COMING!!

Jack to Billie: I can't beleive what has happened tonight.

MYSTERIES DEEPEN...

Marlena: They're on to me!!

Steve: What is wrong with me?

Stefano: Who the hell is this cloaked person?

Abe to Shane: It seems we have another threat to deal with in addition to Stefano and Victor.

LIVES ARE IN THE BALANCE...

Sami: Don't die on me, Lucas!!

Belle: Come on, daddy. Fight!!

DON'T MISS THE BIG TWISTS AND...

FRIDAY...

AN ENDING THAT WILL STUN YOU......

AND THIS IS ONLY 2007'S FIRST WEEK!!!

MISS A DAY, MISS ALOT.

***DON'T FORGET TO READ WEDNESDAY'S EPISODE RIGHT UNDER THIS PROMO!!!***

-The aftermath of the deadly shootout is not fully known at this point. Screams can be heard in the darkness but nothing can be seen because someone cut the power to the main ballroom just as Victor, Stefano and Roman gave the orders to open fire.

Abe and Shane have finally succeeded, with electricians help, in restoring power to the ballroom. Once the power comes on, everyone starts screaming once again. Loved ones are calling out the names of friends and family, hoping to God that they survived the bloodiest gunfight in Salem history. The light bulbs explode over and over again and short circuit, causing guests to scream out into the night.

Shane walks over to Abe, who is with electricians, and asks:

Shane: How’s the power coming?

Abe: Hopefully, it will be on soon. How’s the aftermath?

Shane: How do you think? Dead bodies everywhere. Innocent people died for no good reason. I never did like Victor but I thought he had better sense than to start a full scale gunfight at a New Year’s Eve party.

Abe: Well, Governor, I wouldn’t put this one on him. He found out Stefano was going to be here tonight and wanted to get the jump on him. Also, one of his associates did warn me to get people out of here before it kicked off.

Shane: Ok, ok. I’ll get off his back. (After a short pause) For now. I’m going to go help with the wounded.

Abe: Good deal, Shane. I’ll see what I can do as well. We need to get these people........

Just then, the power comes back on. Abe sees Celeste standing across from him and walks over to her, asking:

Abe: Are you ok?

Celeste: Yes, I’m fine, Abraham. I knew this was going to occur. I just wish I could have done something to stop it.

Abe: Nothing you could have done. I know you know how to use a gun.....

Celeste smiles.

Abe: But, to take a life is the hardest thing you will ever do, even if it’s for the right reasons.

Celeste: I realize that. I guess you’re right. Who is responsible for this latest tragedy?

Abe: Who do you think could do all of this and not leave a trace of his whereabouts?

Celeste: The great Stefano DiMera. He has returned.

Abe: Yes, he has.

Celeste: Well, since that is the case, I’m headed home. Theo is his grandson and no telling what he might do to take advantage of this situation.

Abe: You’re right. Here, take this weapon and one of the officers and you call me when you get home, ok?

Celeste: Very well. (Kissing him on the cheek) You be safe, Abraham.

Abe: (Surprised) Uh......likewise.

Celeste races for the elevator but stops and turns to look around at the carnage. What Abe doesn’t know is that she has also cast her gaze upon him and watches him at work as she enters the elevator and the doors close.

-Shane sees Celeste leave and starts walking towards Abe but spots Kayla picking Steve up off of the floor. He goes over to give assistance because Steve is in a bad way, asking:

Steve: Ok What the hell just happened? Gunfire everywhere and my head is killing me.

Kayla: Well, you have a graze wound on your right temple. Can you remember anything?

Steve: No, Kayla, I can’t remember anything. Just a lot of screaming and gunfire. And.........

Kayla: What? What else?

Steve: (Smiling) That nice nightgown you used to wear around the house.

Kayla: Yeah, you’re going to be just fine. Wait, you remember something I used to wear? Oh my...

Steve: Don't get too excited, Kayla. It's one little thing...

Kayla: Yeah...but it could be the start of something. Just like you calling me "Sweetness" and Jack "Jackson." Oh, good. Finally a gurney. Lay down Steve.

Steve does as ordered and lays down. But, once he does, he has a vivid memory flash of laying on a gurney and being rushed, strapped down, through a darkened hallway. He also remembers being injected with something.

He feels the pounding pain return and he makes an off-hand comment about his head hurting again. Kayla looks down at him and gets very scared for Steve because she doesn’t know, or realize, what’s happening to her husband.

Steve then looks up at the paramedics and, still in his vision, mistakes them for his captors and starts fighting the EMTs. Kayla tries to calm him down but he doesn’t until he is shot up with a sedative. He quickly falls asleep and Kayla looks down at him terrified about what could have happened to him while he was presumed dead. She strokes his hair and then gives him a soft kiss on his forehead. She instructs the EMTs to take him to the hospital ASAP. Shane asks if she’s coming but she says not right now. Too many people are injured. But, she’ll be along when she can. The paramedics take off with Steve and she watches them enter the emergency elevator as the doors close behind them.

-Austin has a gunshot wound to his right arm. Abe and Shane go over and give him a hand sitting on a chair. They check his injury and Shane says that it went straight through. Austin says that’s good. Then, he gets excited, wondering where Carrie went. Shane gets very worried, hoping that Austin didn’t see her, and insists that it must be his imagination. Abe agrees, saying that she is still out of town.

But Austin insists that he knows what he saw. Shane says that Austin has been through one hell of an ordeal and that he saw what he wanted to see. After a brief pause, Austin tells Shane and Abe that they may be right. But, now more than ever, he’s determined to help Victor end this thing with Stefano once and for all so Carrie can feel safe enough to come home.

At that moment, an EMT walks up and takes Austin off to get attended to. Shane secretly breaths a sigh of relief while Abe wonders what Austin was thinking of. They both turn around to see Kate standing by as Austin is getting bandaged up. They overhear him tell her that he saw Carrie and Kate doesn’t believe him either. He swears he did and vows to find her at any cost. The scene then fades, until we see.......

Carrie, who is hoping that Austin didn’t see her. She takes off her party mask and hopes that her and her baby will be safe. She now feels she has to find Alan and races off to look for him.

-Frankie and Greta run up to Kayla and ask what she needs them to do. She thanks them and says they can help with anyone. Just keep them comfortable until EMTs can get to them. They obey and spread out and Jack sees this. He walks up to Kayla and says, in a worried voice:

Jack: Where are they taking Steve? Is he alright?

Kayla: (In a soft voice) He’s just fine, Jack. Nothing to worry about.

Jack: Don’t tell me that. I just saw him fighting with the EMTs while they placed him on the gurney. What’s going on with him?

Kayla: (Pulling him to the side) I don’t have a clue. It’s like he went into a trance or something. That would only mean that......

Jack: Someone has been messing with his head while he was gone. (Looking at the elevator doors) Well, he’s my brother and I’m going to be there for him.

Jack starts towards the doors, but Kayla stops him.

Kayla: You can’t go to hospital now. You have to cover this story for the Spectator.

Frankie walks over to Jack and Kayla.

Frankie: Look, I overheard your conversation. I’ll tell you what. I’ll go to the hospital and check on everyone and let you all know what’s happening. Deal?

Jack: (After a pause) Ok. Deal.

They shake hands on it and Frankie grabs Greta. They both head out. All Jack can hope is that his brother will be ok.

-Belle picks herself up with the help of the wall she was laying next to and holds on to it as she looks around the ballroom. Philip walks over to her and asks if she is alright. She looks up at him and sees that he has a blood on his jacket. She instinctively looks for an injury. She sees that he has been shot in his side and wonders if he is fine. He says he’s just dandy, thank you. Caroline sees this exchange go on and watches Philip walk off. She wonders what is going on with them as Belle walks over to her and Maggie, who has joined her.

While Belle finds Caroline and Maggie, Hope runs into Billie. Belle, Caroline & Maggie start helping Kayla and the EMTs help victims while Jack joins Hope & Billie in searching for Bo, who has vanished. Billie wonders out loud:

Billie: I hope he didn’t shoot and kill anyone. He just may be a fugitive right now, you know.

Hope: I knowbut I sure pray that isn’t the case. I do understand a little bit of why he joined up with Victor but I just wish he wouldn’t have. I don’t think he counted out all the angles and tragedies that could occur.

Jack: Of course he didn’t. If he had, he would have told Victor to go to hell.

Billie: I don’t think so. In many ways, Bo admires Victor. He looks up to him.

Jack: For what reason does he have to look up to him?! Please, tell me your philosophy on your husband, Hope.

Hope: (After a pause) Jack, to Bo, Victor is the man he has wanted to be at times in his life. If Victor sees that someone has wronged him or his family or loved ones, he doesn’t bother with the law. Those are trivial matters to a man like Victor. He just hunts the person down.......and no one ever sees them again. It’s his way. The old school ways and that’s what Bo admires, even if it isn’t a part of his everyday consciousness.

Jack: (Looking at Hope on shock) Damn. Maybe you should have been a psychiatrist, Hope. You would be richer than Oprah working in this town.

Hope: I’ll keep that in mind. Meantime, we need to find Bo before he does something else really, really foolish.

Billie: Now I’m with you on that.

Jack: Fine. Let’s go.

The three of them leave the ballroom to search for Bo, not knowing that he is still nearby.

Meanwhile, Sami slowly wakes up and then looks around the ballroom, trying to get her bearings. She happens to look over to her left side........only to see Lucas lying on top of her unconscious. She speaks his name as she works her way gently but firmly out from underneath him and slowly turns him over. She starts cradling his head while she keeps asking him:

Sami: Lucas? Lucas, can you hear me? Oh God please, please don’t let him be dead. (Crying) He can’t be dead. (Wiping away her tears defiantly) Lucas! Lucas Roberts, you wake up! Don’t you die on me here in the middle of this room!

Lucas: (Softly speaking) Yes ma’am.

Sami bursts out crying tears of joy. She rests her head on his chest, thanking God for saving his life. She then says sternly:

Sami: What were you thinking?! You could have gotten yourself killed.

Lucas: At that moment, that didn’t matter. Not one bit.

Sami: What?! How can you say that? Your life doesn’t matter anything to you now?

Lucas: Nothing in the world matters.........without you.

Sami grows instantly silent, smiling through her tears at the loving words this man is speaking to her. He is injured, having suffered a gunshot wound to the back. He coughs while trying to stay conscious. Sami listens intently:

Lucas: If you would have died tonight, my life would have been over. So, like I said, it wouldn’t have mattered what happened to me. As long as you lived, my life would have meant something.

Sami: Lucas......I don’t know what to say. No man has ever said that to me.

Lucas: Then you need to start realizing.......... how very special you are.

Sami: I will. I mean.......I do.

Lucas: Hopefully, I can get you to say that once more.

Sami: What?

Lucas: I do.

Sami smiles as Kate and Austin look on.

Sami: Those are the two words I’ve been waiting to say to you. Now........you just be quiet, ok? The paramedics are going to load you onto a gurney and we’re going to the hospital, alright?

Lucas: Ok. Sami........

Sami: Yes, Lucas?

Lucas: (Looking into her eyes) I love you, pretty lady.

Sami: (Starting to cry once again) Oh, Lucas. I love you too. Please believe that. I love you too.

She leans in and gently kisses him. The paramedic reminds them that he has to get to the hospital. They pull away slowly, staring at each other as the EMTs walk Lucas to the elevators. Kate and Austin tell Kayla and Shane that if they are needed, they’ll be at the hospital. As Lucas is loaded in the elevator, the door closes. As it goes down, Kate looks at Sami staring at Lucas lovingly while holding his hand and gently stroking his hair. She then steps over and stands next to Sami and, after looking down at Lucas and back at Sami, puts her hand over Sami’s hand and hugs her gently.

Sami and Kate rest their heads on one another, as they softly cry, hoping that this man that they both love makes it through this night in one piece. All Austin can say is:

Austin: Man. What a night.

-Maggie catches up with Victor, who has sent several of his men to secretly watch over some of the guests that were injured. When he turns around from talking to Nico, she steps closely to him and looks into his eyes. He tells her:

Victor: I’m so very glad that you are unharmed.

Maggie: I’m glad I’m unharmed too.

They both laugh.

Victor: You know what I mean.

Maggie: No. What do you mean?

Victor: Weeellll............I’m glad that you are safe and sound.

Maggie: (Sighing) Is that all you’re going to say to me?

Victor: Maggie, there is a lot going on and a lot that needs to be answered for. I don’t have time for this, ok?

Maggie: Fair enough. But later......

Victor: Yes. Later.

She hugs Victor unexpectedly and it takes him by surprise but he hugs her warmly. As she pulls away, she runs his shoulders, smiles at him, and then walks off. As he looks at her walk away, Nico hands him his cellphone and tells him that he has an important call.

Victor: Yes? Ah, good evening. No, he slipped through our fingers on this night. Don’t worry. It’s not over yet. I’m going to make him pay for everything he’s done to both our families. You have my word. Ok. I sure will. Thank you so very much for calling. Give my best to your wife and brothers. Bye.

He hands the phone back to Nico and determinately says:

Victor: I want you to plan a meeting for tomorrow at our secret compound. The same men as before. You know what to tell them.

Nico: Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it after this mess has been cleaned up.

Victor: Good. And find my son. I want to know if he executed my orders.

Nico: Right, sir.

Nico walks off and Victor heads to the ballroom to help attend to the wounded. He is stopped by Belle and Philip, who tells him that he was injured but is fine. Victor wants to know how and Philip says:

Philip: Dad, I saw Roman Brady aim right at you.

Belle: That’s a damn lie! My father would not shoot you, Victor.

Philip: Don’t argue with me, woman.

Belle: Who do you think you’re talking to?!

Victor stops the bickering.

Victor: Stop it, both of you. What has happened between me and Roman is our business and not yours. Is that final?

Philip: Look Dad. All I’m saying........is that.......

Philip falls unconscious into Victor’s arms. Victor screams for an EMT to get over there and help. Once there, they check Philip over and see that he’s been shot. They also see that the wound is more severe than first thought. They immediately load him up on a gurney and wheel him off to the hospital. Belle follows along but not before hearing Victor say that Roman Brady will pay for what has happened to his son, if it’s the last thing he ever does. He storms off as Belle watches from the elevator. Belle also wonders to herself:

Belle: Where is Mom? I knocked her out right before the shooting started, and she’s nowhere to be found.

Her face fades back into the ballroom where Hope, Billie & Jack spot Bo hiding in the balcony.

-By the time the three make it up to the balcony, Bo has disappeared once again. Hope grows frustrated and angry and lashes out, saying that she isn’t always going to be around to bail his ass out of whatever stupid trouble he got himself mixed up in. She walks past Billie and Jack, who decide to follow her so she doesn’t get hurt as well.

On the bottom floor, Caroline has stepped backwards while helping a party guest and says excuse me, not knowing that she has just bumped into Roman, who is grimacing in pain. She gasps in horror and then grabs him, telling him to sit down. He does and she checks his wound, which has grazed his right arm. Kayla, Abe & Shane have walked over, asking him if he’s ok. He says he’s fine. Nothing but a flesh wound. She takes off his vest to check him for injuries.

Roman wonders aloud:

Roman: How did I get shot?

Abe: Roman.......it was a shootout. What did you think they used, slingshots?

Roman: No. I’m just.......well, I’m just glad everyone is alright.

Shane: Well, not everyone. Many people have been shot and have been or are in the process of going to the hospital.

Roman: Belle? Samantha? Are they ok?

Shane: Yes, Roman. Both of them are just fine. The question is.......who shot you?

Roman: Well, Bo had aimed his gun at me but, after the lights went out, someone landed on me and knocked me down. I then spent time crawling on the floor looking for my gun. Who was that, by the way?

Abe: That may have been Lucas. He saw that Sami had been targeted and tried to save her. He did, but took a bullet in the back.

Roman: What? That young man sure has love for my daughter, doesn’t he? I just hope he has the good sense to marry her......if he survives.

Hope, Billie & Jack walk over to listen to the conversation. Billie interjects, saying:

Billie: I saw Bo take aim but I thought he was aiming at someone else. Why would he try to kill his own brother?

Roman: It must be Victor. The old man has complete influence over Bo now and he won’t stop until all of his enemies, real and perceived, are dead. I guess that includes me.

Abe: Well, until this is over, I’m putting officers on Sami, Belle & Marlena. (Looking at Roman) How did you get two of the most powerful and dangerous men in the world ticked off at you enough to want you dead?

Roman: Just lucky, I guess. That, and my charm.

Caroline: You stop joking.

Roman: Yes, ma’am.

Hope: Well, you all can stay here and decide whose to blame for what. I’ve got to find Bo before Stefano or the police do.

Jack: I’m with you. I’ve got all of the information for a great story but this is family right now. Let’s move.

The three of them leave in haste. As they do, Victor walks up on an injured Roman and demands to know:

Victor: How in the hell could you take a shot at my son?!

Roman: (Standing up) Looky here, old man. I didn’t and wouldn’t shoot Philip or Bo. Why don’t you tell your boys to stop playing in the big leagues.

Victor: How dare you? People are lying dead all over this ballroom!

Roman: Tell me about, Vic! It wasn’t my damn idea to have a gun battle on New Year’s Eve. That was up to you and Stefano.

The Mysterious Cloaked Figure hides behind a wall, listening intently.

Victor: Yes. Maybe it was. And I’ll take responsibility for that. But you, as a police Commander, should know better.

Roman: I should know better?!

Victor: Yes, you. What did you think would happen with three separate factions firing live ammunition at one another?

Roman: Oh, so you’re blaming me for this?!

Victor: You’re damn right I am!!!

Roman: This coming from the man who gave my brother the order to kill me?!

Belle steps in and tells both of them to cool it. She also can’t believe Victor would think that her father would try to kill Philip. Victor says after their talk in the park, he puts nothing past Roman. Roman points at Victor, telling him that one day, they’ll have to end this bad blood between them, once and for all. Victor agrees, saying that this is gone on far enough. He walks off in anger but not before telling Belle that instead of sticking her nose in where it doesn’t belong, she should be at the hospital with his son. Roman sits back down to be attended to by Kayla, as Belle ponders Victor’s words.

-Victor walks across the lobby as Nico hands him a walkie-talkie. He contacts Bo, who has escaped outside by now and tells him that Roman aimed his gun at Philip. Bo can’t believe that but Victor tells him it’s true. He also says that he’s sick of Roman always ruining his plans.

He demands that Bo kill him as soon as possible.

Bo says that he already shot him and Victor informs him that it was a flesh wound. He says that Bo will lose the love of his family and friends but that is a small price to pay for their cause, which is to make Salem safe. Bo wants to know if he intends on taking over Salem once Roman is dead and Victor doesn’t answer.

Victor tells him that his brother will be sacrificed. And, it shouldn’t be hard for him. After all, he knew this man longer as John Black than Roman Brady, so it should not be a problem. Bo says that it isn’t. Victor says good. Very good. He wants the shot this time to be fatal and asks him if he understands. Bo says yes, he does. He’s reluctant but understands. Victor doesn’t care. If Roman Brady is alive in one week, Bo is out of the family........and the next target of Victor’s wrath. Bo bids Victor good-bye and grows silent, wondering what in the hell he has gotten himself into this time.

-Marlena stands off in the cloak room. She is making a phone call to a secret contact, filling them in on the night’s happenings:

Marlena: No, I’m fine. My head is killing me. My daughter hit me for some reason. Well, I don’t know about that. Everything is in chaos right now. Dead bodies and blood everywhere. Quiet. Someone’s coming.

Maggie walks by momentarily and almost spots Marlena but doesn’t. After a few tense moments, she walks on. Marlena continues:

Marlena: No, she left. Thank God. The whole thing is crazy. Look, you need to let me know when this operation will be finished. My children and husband are really starting to wonder about my behavior and I can’t put them off forever. I’m getting out of here right now. Yes. Yes, I’ll be in contact. Ok. Good-bye.

Marlena hangs up and silently puts on a mask and makes her way to the emergency doors. She escapes through them, not looking forward to the long walk down these stairs but glad that she wasn’t noticed. She then takes off her high heels and starts the long trek downward, hoping that next time is the charm.

-Roman stands to his feet. He is ordered by Kayla to go to the hospital. He doesn’t want to but Abe and Shane also insist. He still tries to put up a fight but Abe tells him that he will have his badge if he disobeys his direct order. Roman stands there for a moment then reluctantly agrees to go. Caroline, Hope, Billie & Jack walk with him to the elevators.

At the last moment, Kayla gets word that they still need her there to assist so she tells the family she’s staying behind. Jack, Billie and Maggie agree to stay with her. Maggie tells Roman good luck and starts to walk off. She then stops and tells Jack and Billie that she needs to find Victor. They say ok and Maggie starts up again. She spots Victor in a corner of the ballroom and begins to walk over to him.

In slow motion, Maggie sees Victor with a huge grin on his face. She stops dead in her tracks and looks around the room, just in time to see Bo once again aim a gun at Roman. She also sees the MCF aim at him as well. She screams:

Maggie: NOOOOOOO!!!!!!

And two shots ring out.

Everyone hits the floor once again and after a few very anxious moments, they start standing back up. Bedlam has erupted once again and Abe orders police to fan out. Maggie grabs Abe’s arm, telling him she saw the MCF, in a mask, fire a gun. Caroline stands and turns her head towards Roman. She then gasps in horror.

Roman’s eyes roll into the back of his head and he falls to his knees, then forward, as he hits the floor face first. He’s been shot twice, in the back. He lays on the floor unconscious as Kayla and other EMTs rush to his side.

Jack and Billie see Bo push a backdoor open and escape through it and take off in pursuit. Hope almost faints at the sight she just witnessed and starts to fall sideways but is caught by Abe as he helps her to the floor. She cries in his arms, not believing that the man she loves just shot his own brother.

The MCF smiles at the carnage and walks ever so confidently out another emergency exit to a secret elevator. Once in the lobby, the MCF takes off the mask and throws it in the trash can and walks out of the building. As the MCF leaves, he/she sees more police officers and I.S.A. agents enter the hotel and walks across the street into the garage, gets into a car, and laughs sinisterly. The MCF drives off into the cold, dark night.

Back in the ballroom hallway, Roman’s family and friends surround the EMTs, who frantically work on him. Kayla orders a gurney to be brought over. Caroline looks over towards Victor, long enough to see him get on another elevator. As he turns to look at her, his expression changes, from one of worry..........

To an evil grin.

The doors close as Caroline’s blood boils in anger but she turns her attention back towards her son, who is losing blood by the minute. They put him in an elevator and an overhead shot is now on Roman, as the camera pulls back slowly. Hope comforts Caroline and Kayla and two EMTs work to save her brother’s life. The screen slowly fades to black.

Then, suddenly, four separate boxes appear, with Caroline crying on Hope’s shoulder as Kayla performs CPR on an unconscious Roman, a very pleased Victor smiling along with Nico and one of his associates, Maggie, Abe & Shane watching the MCF take off in a car and then chasing after he/she, and Jack & Billie chasing after Bo, who is seen in his car.......

With a slight smile on his face. The screen suddenly goes black, as the Salem Lives logo appears.

Next Time, On The Dramatic Continuation Of Salem Lives........

Maggie to Abe and Shane: Who the hell was that person wearing the mask and cloak?

Abe to Maggie and Shane: Someone we shoulf be very worried about.

Stefano to his associate: Someone used our operation to complete their own mission. I want to know who this cloaked person is and what they are up to now, got that?

Billie (with Jack) to Hope: Bo got away.

Hope to Jack and Billie: What the hell has happened to my husband?

Marlena: No one can know what is really going on. (Turns around) Oh my God...you!!

WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2007 EDITION

***THIS IS A VERY SHORT EDITION OF THE INSIDER. THE SPOILERS WILL BE VERY LIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE READERS DON'T LEARN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT AHEAD OF TIME. LOOK FOR THIS WEEK'S PROMO TO BE POSTED AFTER WEDNESDAY'S EPISODE TO AVOID SPOILERS. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO POST AN EPISODE TODAY BUT OPTED TO PREEMPT TODAY'S EPISODE. WE HAD TWO EPISODES THAT COULD'VE BEEN COMBINED SO WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT AND GO WITH 3 THIS WEEK. HERE IS SOME SHORT PREVIEWS AND A SNEAK PEEK INTO NEXT WEEK. NEXT WEEK'S SL INSIDER WILL FEATURE AN INTERVIEW WITH ME ON WHAT IS COMING IN 2007 and SOME MORE IN DEPTH 2007 PREVIEWS WILL BE POSTED TOO ALONG WITH THE PROMO FOR NEXT WEEK. ***

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH ROSCOE BORN (JAMES MCCLURE)

I=Interviewer

RB=Roscoe Born

I: Thanks for joining us. How exciting for you to be on Salem Lives!!

RB: Yes! I was shocked when they called me. The writers and producers wanted to meet with me and we discussed the role. I must confess I didn't think the role was anything special. It seemed cut and dry and vert short-term but there are many layers to James and so much to do with him story-wise.

I: The daytime world has been waiting for you to land something since you run on Y&R ended. Is James anything like Tom Fisher?

RB: No. There may look like there are similarities at first but there isn't. Once the story develops, the fans will see that. James is very complex then he seems and that is why I took on this role. It's challenging but I am looking forward to the road ahead.

I: Is James like anyone else you played?

RB: Hmm...I probably shouldn't say. I don't want to give away too much and I might if I an answer in detail here. I will just say he has some qualities from many of the roles I played. Fans will just have to see for themselves.

I: What can you tell us about James?

RB: Well, he is an ex-con. We don't know how he got released or what he did intially but that is explained shortly. He has a wife and two kids, who he struggles to support. He takes a job with Victor (John Aniston) but he seems very shifty, as fans already know from my first episode on Dec. 26. There is alot to him that will slowly be revealed but those are the basics.

I: Who do you interact with besides, obviously, Victor (John Aniston)?

RB: Again, don't want to give out too much. I interact with everyone in Victor's organization so that gives you some hints. Here is another that I will give you but I won't elaborate on it. I interact early on with a popular Salem female and I think that will be a shock to fans.

I: Hmm...interesting. It seems they are bringing the McClure family on to interact with James.

RB: Yeah. They are casting the wife and two kids, who will play a role in helping the fans understand the character of James. They are pivotal in the story that is going on. They will be around very soon.

I: Can't wait! Can you tell us how long James will be around? Could your stay be extended?

RB: All depends. I know how far into the year the story goes, as of right now, and I know the plan that is set for James barring any changes. I will just take it one day at a time and enjoy. I love it so far and I love what I am doing here so we'll see.

I: Thanks for joining us. We wish you continued success and look forward to seeing the story play out.

RB: Thanks. I am sure you and the fans won't be disappointed.

Previews and Peeks into Wk of 1/3/07

-Chaos erupts in the ballroom.

-The mystery surrounding Marlena deepens.

-Max has a romantic surprise for Abby

-Cal has a memory flash.

-Eric and Nicole make a big decision.

-Cassie collapses.

Next Week: Cassie's illness worsens. Abby and Chelsea learn the truth about their conditions. Cal and Katherine see another side of each other.

***BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE CHICAGO SONG "IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW" WHEN YOU SEEN THE LINK THAT IS TITLED AS SUCH. IT REALLY ENHANCES THE SCENES THAT IS PLAYS THROUGH. JUST MAKE SURE YOU STOP PLAYING IT DURING THE WILL/ALAN SCENE AS IT DOESN'T FIT WELL THERE OR WITH THE SCENES AFTER THAT.***

- At the ball, Steve and Kayla spot Jack and Billie walking through the elevator doors. They have just arrived at the party after seeing Chelsea and Abby at the hospital. Jack and Steve nod their heads at each other and Billie gets ready to walk over to speak to her mother, when she overhears the conversation going on around the corner.

Billie taps Jack on his arm and tells him to come with her for a moment. Jack excuses himself from several guests and follows Billie, who leads him around the corner. When they reach their destination, Billie informs Jack that Victor and Stefano have a showdown planned for tonight at the party. The SPD has everything monitored. Jack is shocked, wondering why would they risk doing that in such a public place with Salem’s whose who there. She doesn’t know but is glad she came prepared.

When Jack asks her what that means, she opens her small purse to reveal a handgun stuffed down at the bottom. Jack is stunned, asking her why she picked tonight to do her Foxy Brown impersonation. She tells him to stop making jokes, this is serious, to which he replies no s**t. When Jack asks what do they do next, Billie advises him to start letting people know quietly what is happening. He says great idea. Time for him to become.........Austin Devereaux, Salem Man Of Mystery. He saunters off, while Billie watches and chuckles.

-Belle sees Jack walk across the ballroom but when she starts to go over to speak with him, Sami stops her cold as Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now" plays. She asks her:

Sami: What is Mom’s problem? I just tried to tell her what is going down tonight with Dad and she said that he’s a big boy and that he can take care of himself.

Belle: What?

Sami: Yeah. Then she said that she has more on her mind than watching a bunch of grown men play cowboys and indians.

Belle: She hasn’t been the same since she’s gotten back home. Dad said she was acting all funny last night. He doesn’t know what to do but he has had this blood feud on his mind so much, he’s caught between a rock and a hard place.

Sami: Well, we better just keep an eye on her so she doesn’t flip out or do something rash.

At that moment, Marlena walks up from behind them and surprises them both. They turn around quickly to hear her say to them:

Marlena: So........you two think I’m nuts, huh?

Sami: Mom.....no, we didn’t mean it that way.......

Belle: Yeah. We were just saying..........

Marlena: Well, let me tell you two something. You try being married to a man whose had two different faces and six different past lives and see how sane you would be, ok.

Marlena looks at them with a steely gaze and walks up on both of them, saying:

Marlena: Now you two little brats leave me the hell alone before I get really nasty. Got that?!

Marlena storms off, leaving both girls frightened and bewildered.

-Austin and Lucas walk up to Sami and Belle, having witnessed the scene with Marlena. Lucas wants to know if she is alright to which Sami says yes, she’s fine. It’s just all that she’s been through has gotten her on edge. Belle concurs, saying that it’s nothing to worry about. She’ll be fine. Austin says he hopes so. Sami looks at both men and wonders why they are so worried about their mother when they plan on having a shootout later on this evening.

Austin says that everything will be fine but that he is not backing away from this. Lucas agrees, saying that he told Sami where he stood yesterday. Nothing’s changed and Lucas wishes Sami would just accept that and stop with the constant badgering. He walks off and Sami follows him, grabbing him by the arm and turning him around. She is very angry and lashes out at him, saying:

Sami: How dare you? How dare you get upset with me for worrying about you?

Lucas: We have been over this time and time again, Sami. I’m not repeating myself, ok?

Sami: So that’s it, huh? You now feel you owe me nothing, huh?

Lucas turns away, long enough to see Hope looking at both of them. Sami grabs him by the arm and snatches him back around, until he is once again facing her. She looks at him, staring into his eyes, and says softly:

Sami: Do you even realize what you mean to me? Huh? You are......my life. My soul. The greatest thing you gave me was our son. He has you for a father and I want him to continue growing up admiring you and loving you, not visiting your grave.

Lucas: Do you think I want that? (Looking at Hope) With all the screw-ups and foul things I’ve done, this is the one thing I can do to protect my family and prove to you that I can take care of you and protect you. (Turning back towards Sami) I have to be man enough to face this thing, so that we all can be safe. Hope told you what is going to happen here and I can’t just walk away.

Sami: Yes you can. You’re man enough to let the police and my dad handle it. Be man enough to come home with me right now. Please.

Lucas: No, Sami. I can’t do that.

Sami: (Crying) Why not?! Why can’t you just walk away Lucas?!

Lucas: BECAUSE I LOVE YOU TOO DAMN MUCH TO WATCH YOU DIE!!!

Sami looks at Lucas with a shocked look on her face.

Lucas: There is no way Stefano DiMera or anyone from that wretched family is going to harm you, ok? You are the most precious thing in this whole world to me. You were when you were engaged to Austin and when you were with Franco and when you had our son. And.......I just can’t see the point of waking up every morning.........in a empty bed.........knowing that the most wonderful, kind, beautiful lady that I have ever known is gone because I wasn’t man enough to save her. So please......love me enough to leave here right now and not come back. Please Sami. I’m begging you.

Lucas leans in and kisses Sami gently and then hugs her tightly. She returns this embrace, as he whispers in her ear:

Lucas: If something happens to me..........I just want to say one thing.

Sami: (Looking at Lucas, crying) What is that?

Lucas: Thank you.............for everything.

He walks off with Austin, leaving Sami to be comforted by Hope and Belle.

-At the pier, Alan walks up behind Will, who is out late on this evening. He surprises him to which Will says that isn’t very funny but he starts laughing. Alan notices that through the laughter, Will is upset. When he asks why, Will responds, saying that he’s sick and tired of living a lie. Alan is shocked, asking what the hell does that mean. Will says that his parents keep pushing him to get married, have a family, and live the American dream.

But all he wants is to be himself. He wanted to join the basketball team for the sport of it and to belong. With a mother who has spent his entire life ruining people’s lives and a father who basically let her, he just wants peace in his world. Then, every time he turned around, his Uncle Austin was parading around in nothing but a towel. How was he supposed to deal with that? Alan listens on intently. He just wants to be left alone, to be who he is. Alan asks him what is he talking about. Will turns to him and tells him something that he never knew for sure but always suspected. Will says to Alan that no one can ever know...........

That he’s gay.

Alan looks at Will, shocked. Will stares out into the open night.

-Back at the party, Steve and Kayla mingle about but Kayla notices that Steve has not been looking well all day. When she asks what’s wrong, he tells her that he keeps getting these headaches from out of nowhere. She walks him to a corner of the ballroom and takes out her stethoscope and checks him out:

Kayla: Well, your eyes look fine. Where is it hurting you, Steve? All over?

Steve: Yeah, Sweetness. It hurts all over. I bet you have the healing prescription, don’t you baby?

Kayla: Stop joking around, Steve. There might be a serious problem.

Steve: I’m fine, Sweetness. Don’t worry........about..........

Just then, Steve suddenly slumps forward and almost faints. Kayla catches him and Bo races over to help her. They both pick him up and walk him to one of the back rooms so that he can rest.

-It is now 11:30 pm and Celeste sees Hope, Billie, Samantha, Belle, Kayla, Maggie & Jack all huddled together. Stefano spots her walking towards the group and tells one of his top men:

Stefano: Get everyone in place. We don’t have much time, yes?

MCF: Understood, sir.

While the Mysterious Cloaked Figure walks off to get all of Stefano’s men in place, Celeste walks up to the group, telling them that she senses something tragic is about to happen and that they don’t have much time to get everyone out. Kayla turns around briefly, long enough to see Steve walking over to them. She ask if he’s fine, to which he replies, yes. Jack wonders where Celeste is getting this from and she says has she been wrong yet? They all grow silent.

Victor sees the MCF rush off and tells his associate:

Victor: It’s time. Get everyone in place and tell them to be ready. I’m going to wipe Stefano DiMera out even if I have to destroy Salem to do it!

Victor’s associate walks defiantly across the room and takes out his gun. Jack sees this and he, along with Steve, try to run the man down but he escapes into an elevator going to the upper floor, where Bo is at present. Jack and Steve rush back to the group and tell them to get as many people out of here as possible.

11:39pm.

Victor has disappeared. He is standing behind a thin wall, loading up his gun. Maggie has searched for him and found him, begging him to call this whole thing off. He demands that she leaves now or he won’t be responsible for her fate. She looks at him, shockingly, and runs off.

11:45pm.

Sami finds Roman, who has just loaded his weapon, and pleads with him:

Sami: Daddy, please don’t do this. There are too many people who love you.

Roman: I know that, sweety. That’s why I’m doing this. DiMera’s stranglehold on our families and this city must end....tonight. And if it costs me my life.........

Sami: No! Don’t you say that to me! (Wiping tears from her eyes) I just found you again. WE just found you again. Don’t you stand there and tell me that your life means nothing to you because it means everything to me!

Roman: (Quietly speaking) I know that. (Putting his hand on her cheek) You’re my angel. You know that. And.....you have your mother’s strength. So, you promise me this. If I should not live to see tomorrow .........

Sami:(Crying heavily) No. Don’t say that.............

Roman: Then you look out for your mother and sisters and brothers, ok sweety?

Sami: (Pausing) O.......Ok. I’ll do it.

Sami jumps into her father’s arms and Roman hugs her, warmly. It is a hug that is very deep and special, for they know.......

That this may be the last time they see each other.

Sami looks at Roman and they both smile at each other. She then wipes her face and runs off. Roman watches his little girl leave him for what may be the very last time. He then turns his attention back to the men in the ballroom and readies his weapon.

-Doug and Julie see what is now happening and both go and get Kimberly and Alice and head towards the elevators. Once the door opens they get on and Kimberly looks back to see Shane loading his weapon. Their eyes lock for a brief, singular, moment and all of the memories come rushing back. The door then starts to slowly close as both Kimberly and Shane wave good-bye to each other.

11:59pm.

Then, suddenly, men start emerging from everywhere. Stefano’s men. Victor’s men. The partygoers that are left are almost surrounded. Victor orders his men into position and Stefano does the same. Roman, Abe & Shane pull their weapons and aim.

10...............

In slow motion, all of the following events take place..............

Austin sees Kate standing by herself and tries to run over to her. At the last moment, a lady takes off her mask and Austin is shocked to see that it’s.............Carrie!

9.................

Hope, Maggie, and Belle try to drag Sami towards an elevator. But, she bumps into Marlena, who has just walked back into the ballroom, brandishing a gun!

8..................

Philip sees Belle and turns, suddenly, pulling out a gun and aiming it at one of Stefano’s henchmen. She watches on horrified.

7..................

Victor, Nico and Bo pull out their weapons and take aim, as Hope loses her grip on Sami as she breaks free before the elevator door closes.

6.......................

The MCF sees Sami running towards Lucas and takes aim at her! Lucas pulls his gun and run towards Sami.

5.......................

Steve spots one of Victor’s henchmen and knocks him out from behind. He then grabs his gun and runs next to Bo and then suddenly has another seizing pain in his head and stumbles into the line of fire, just as Billie pulls her gun out of her purse and takes aim at the MCF........

4.........................

Roman sees Marlena with a gun and he also sees her take aim............at him!

3.........................

Bo jumps down from the upper floor of the ballroom and sees Marlena aim at Roman. Just then, Belle hits Marlena on the back of her head and she collapses. Roman looks at Bo, who is now aiming the gun at the masked figure, not knowing it’s Stefano.

2.......................

At the very last moment, Victor shouts in Bo’s direction “NOW!!!” and Bo turns and re-aims his gun............at his brother Roman! At the same time, Lucas steps on a chair and leaps towards Sami.............

1........................

The clock strikes Midnight and, at the same time, Stefano yanks off his mask. Stefano, Victor, and Roman give the orders to..........

Stefano: OPEN...........

Victor: FIRE...........

Roman: NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a three-way frozen split screen on all three men’s faces, as gunshots ring out into the New Year night. The screen suddenly goes black, as Celeste lets out a blood-curdling scream!!

TUNE IN NEXT YEAR BEGINNING TUESDAY............FOR THE SHOCKING CONTINUATION OF SALEM LIVES!!!