Episode #271 – Monday, December 25, 2006:

- The Horton House continues to burn to the ground...with Alice inside sleeping!

- The assailant escapes back to the church. He/She ditches the mask and dark clothes and throws them behind the bushes in front of the church. He/She enters St. Luke's.

OPENING!

- Jan sees Jeremy, and she is outraged at the site of him. She flashes back to his exposing her in front of Shawn and Belle. Jan vows that she will get revenge on Jeremy for setting her up. But a part of her can't help but remember their steamy kiss!

- As the sea of Salemites exits the church, it becomes unclear as to who the assailant was. Will and Georgia notice that the falling snow off yonder is red as it falls to the ground. As Will and Georgia notify their fathers, Lucas and Bo, respectively, everyone begins to take notice at the phenomenon.

- Cassie deliberately hides from Max and Abby, whom she knows are back together. Cassie fears that Max will tell her the truth about their reunion.

- John is shocked to see Kristen at Midnight Mass. Marlena and John demand to know what Kristen is doing there, and if it is a ploy to get closer to John. Kristen tells John to stop flattering himself and tells him that she is over him! FOR GOOD! Kristen explains that when she first came to Salem that she was a good person and very involved with St. Luke's. She warns John and Marlena that she is planning to be the active Socialite she once was!

- In the back of the church, Cassie is terrified when she sees the man she slept with in May after Max broke it off with her....the man who is really the father of her baby! Cassie hides!

- Shawn and Belle are blissful. They are the talk of the town as everyone is so happy that they are back together once again.

- Steve realizes that he must tell Kayla the truth.

- Vivian fears that Kate and Victor are growing too close for comfort for her and Alamain International.

- Austin realizes the connection between Carrie and Mike is still there when they share a hug.

- All of Salem is gathered outside of St. Luke's wishing each other a Merry Christmas and taking notice of the miraculous phenomenon in front of them.

- Doug and Julie point out that something smells like smoke. Everyone breathes in and begins to realize that something close by must be on fire.

- Maggie sees smoke forming above the trees off in the distance. She points and screams as everyone realizes a fire is what is behind "the miracle."

- Marlena points out that the fire looks like it could be in the neighborhood that her and Roman's house used to be...the same neighborhood as Alice's house! Melissa points out that since Alice wasn't feeling well, she skipped mass so she could rest!

- All of the Salemites privy to the conversation begin to run towards the smoke.

- Abby and Max exit the church and wonder where everyone is running off too, but they are too happy to care about anything but their reunion. Abby tells Max that he must tell Cassie the truth - that they are going to be a couple despite Cassie's pregnancy.

- Meanwhile, the Brady's, the Horton's, and the rest of Salem continue to run through yards and take shortcuts to get to Alice's neighborhood. Laura, Maggie, Melissa, Doug, Mike, Julie, and Jack all deduce that the smoke is definitely coming from Alice's house or a neighbor's house!

- Cassie comes face to face with the father of her unborn baby!

- The Brady's, Horton's, Reed's, and Robert's emerge from the trees and come face to face with the Horton House. Their faces are lit up orange and red as they reflect the burning house. Julie falls to her knees in the snow, screaming. Melissa, Greta, Marlena, and Kate all gasp and cover the mouths in horror. Bo and John look on and then look to each other, knowing neither has seen a fire so outrageous and out of control. Julie screams for Alice. FREEZE FRAME.