PhoenixRising05

-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.

Well., New Year's Day early morning. Keep in mind, we only did 3 episodes last week because normally an average day lasts about 4-5 episodes with the way we write. Tomarrow's episode is set around mid-morning New Year's day. We had midnight hit on the 12/29/06 show.

-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.

AWESOME!!! I am experimenting with Frankie and Greta in my blog. Not sure if I will do it but I see there is great potential there. I give you all the credit for seeing it first

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: INSIDER SPOTLIGHT: 2007 Previews "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.

AWESOME!! But...not my Celeste

LOL not everyone. There are alot of people though. Glad you all liked it. Wait until you see what happens when we return next week. Lots of drama in store. Plus, shorter episodes

***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!!!

-High atop the new Titan Salem Towers, Doug and Julie have just walked in with Alice. Julie turns to Doug and tells him that you could cut the tension in this huge ballroom with a machete’. Doug concurs, saying that with what he’s heard, he hopes no one is hurt on this New Year’s Eve. -Victor and Roman have a very heated exchange, having to do with their children’s marriage: Victor: Claire is Philip’s daughter, Roman! And if he wants to raise her in his manner, who the hell are you to stop him?! Roman: I’m Belle’s father, Vic! Neither of my daughters are going to be shoved into something they don’t want. I didn’t raise Carrie, Samantha or Belle that way and I’m not going to start now. Victor: Oh, I see. Apparently, the only thing Samantha learned is how to be an evil little [!@#$%^&*] who will destroy anyone to get what she wants. Roman grabs Victor by his collar. Roman: Look here, old man. You watch what you say about Sami. She’s my child and she knows about the mistakes she’s made. (Letting go of his collar and shoving him) And the last thing I’m going to let you do is talk about her like a dog. As far as Belle is concerned.........she lives her own life. With her daughter. If she wants to bring Claire and live with Marlena and me, that’s just fine. (Walking up on Victor) And if that brat son of yours does one thing to hurt her......you wont EVER find his body, got that.........Vic? Victor: Before this night is over, you may have to answer for your transgressions. I hope you are prepared.......Commander. Victor walks off and leaves Roman to think about what he just said. Roman gets ready to follow him but spots both Abe and Shane, who has brought Kimberly with him. He pulls both men to the side to have a private conversation, leaving Kimberly with Kayla. -Meanwhile, Victor is stopped in the ballroom by Philip. He tells Victor that he wants in on his war with Stefano and the DiMera family and won’t take no for an answer. Victor turns and gives hm a very stern look, telling him that instead of doing a Michael Corleone impersonation, he should be worried about his wife and daughter. He tells him to concentrate on that before he steps up and plays with men. Philip says that Victor needs him right now and that is one of the reasons he came home. Victor tells him that something very dangerous is going to happen later and that he doesn’t want him involved. Plus, he says, Philip never wanted to be involved with his dealings in the past anyway. What has changed? Philip tells him that he is sick of sitting on the sidelines and letting people dictate his life. That changes right now and if Victor doesn’t want to let him in.....he’ll do what he has to do. All by himself. Victor warns him to not get into the middle of what’s going on and grabs Philip by the arm. Philip yanks his arm away and storms off. Victor watches him as he walks away. -Two men have now entered the party. One is wearing a Yin/Yang authentic mask and the other is wearing a very expensive Chinese mask from the 17th Century. Both men walk around speaking to the guest when the second man spots Roman and cryptically remarks: MCF: This should be one hell of a New Year’s Eve for you, sir. (Turning back around) It could also be your last. He excuses himself from the first man and then makes his way to a secret corner of the ballroom. The first man talks with some of his bodyguards who have accompanied him to this gala event. While he instructs one of the men to secure the perimeter, he tells one of his other guards to make sure no one sees him until the time is right. He then turns around, with his back to the crowd, and removes his mask to make a very important phone call. The call.........to his daughter, Alexandra. The man? Stefano DiMera, himself. Stefano: How are you doing, my dear? Good, good. Now, you make sure you listen to all of the doctors, ok? No. No, don’t worry about me. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you here for what is going to happen. Look, I know what I’m doing. I'm sick of these people. These commoners have been ruining my work for years. Now.....they pay. They all pay. If I have it my way...... No one will leave here tonight....alive. And if I have to, I’ll bury this town, and everyone in it. -Caroline watches Stefano stalk off, not knowing who it is that is so excited. She turns to see Hope walking up on Victor, and hears her start to berate him: Hope: Victor, I don’t know what you have gotten my husband involved in this time, especially after that madhouse in Sydney, but I swear to God Almighty Himself, if one hair on his head is hurt, I’ll........ Caroline interrupts the conversation: Caroline: Hope, what is going on here? Why are you acting like this in front of everyone? Hope: Because, Caroline, I just heard from Bo that he and Victor have some sort of plan for Stefano and it’s supposed to go down tonight. They both look at Victor. Caroline: Is this true, Victor? My son is wrapped up in some mafia vengeance thing with you? Victor: Caroline, you don’t understand and I have neither the time or patience to explain it to you. And, I wish you two would realize that Bo is a grown man! I’m sick of telling you that. He has to make his own decisions in his life and this is one of them. Hope: Victor, all I want is for my husband to be safe, so we can get back together and live as a family. Victor: Well Hope, maybe you should have thought of that before you ran him out of your home. All he wanted was your support and you gave him anger and resentment. Both women are silent. Victor: And now, you want him to run back to you like a scared little boy who doesn’t know what he’s doing. Well, that's BS. Let him go back to being a man for God Sakes. And I’ll see that no harm comes to him. Now, if you’ll excuse me.......... Victor walks away to confer with Nico, his most trusted assistant, while Caroline turns to Hope and says: Caroline: He better keep his word. Because if anything happens to my baby boy......... Hope: Don’t worry. Let’s find Abe, Shane and Roman and fill them in, ok? Both woman walk quickly to find the three men to warn them of the impending doom that may fall on this night. -Maggie stops Victor and tells him she just overheard the argument he had with Caroline & Hope. She asks him if it true that he is going after Stefano tonight and Victor’s response is silence. She stares at him and then puts both hands on his arms, warning him to be careful. He steps closer to her and hugs her, saying that it has been a true joy to know her. He tells her he will be careful but also tells her to have a good life and do the best she can........if anything should happen to him. He then turns and is led away by Nico, as Maggie looks on terrified. -Victor, Nico and a third man walk past Stefano and his associate, not realizing who it is. But, Nico finally does, and grabs Victor by his elbow and whispers in his ear. All three men then turn around and watch Stefano, whose still disguised, walk towards the corner opposite them in the main ballroom. Victor stares at Stefano and tells Nico: Victor: Start getting our men together, and let them know that the devil has ascended from hell......and is here right now. (He turns to Nico) Make sure they are in place when I give the signal. We’ll only have one chance at this so lets make it clean, understood? Nico: Yes, sir. Understood perfectly. Victor turns to his associate and says: Victor: Let’s get out of sight, my friend. We need to find Bo. We have plans to make. Associate: Of course, Mr. Kiriakis. This way. Both men leave out of an unknown door and into a secret elevator that Victor had installed when the Tower was built, since he funded the Salem Towers project. He and his men know the hour is drawing near. -Bo sees Victor and runs up to the door but it closes and locks just as he makes it there. In his frustration, when he turns, he doesn’t see Hope standing close to him. She reaches out to him but he walks right past her. She runs and catches up with him, turns him around, and sternly says: Hope: Bo, what are you doing?! Do you know how dangerous this is?! Bo: Dammit, Hope! You act like this is the first time I’ve ever faced something like this. Think for a moment, would you? The Three Prisms, Roman’s disappearance on the island, Stockholm, Lawrence Alamain, and just recently Sydney. I think I can take care of myself. Hope: I’m not saying that you can’t, Bo. All I’m saying is please, for me and your family, walk away from this. Being with Victor is going to get you killed and I don’t have the strength to say good-bye to you and bury you in your grave! Bo: DAMMIT WOMAN! LEAVE ME ALONE! Everyone in the ballroom grows silent. Bo and Hope look around, embarrassed. Bo then turns back to Hope, puts his hand on her cheek, and looks at her lovingly. He then steps forward, staring into her soft eyes, and kisses her gently on her lips. She responds and hugs him tightly. They slowly pull away from each other and they stare at each other as Bo slowly turns and walks away. She watches him walk up to Austin and Lucas but does not follow. She only hopes, silently, that her man will live to see tomorrow. -Bo ask Austin and Lucas if they are ready to go, to which both reply yes. They say lets do this. Kate, Belle & Sami have tried in vain to stop Austin and Lucas from joining up with Bo and getting involved in this plan of Victor’s. Now, all they can do is watch as all three men walk off with serious determination, looking to join up with Victor, whose associate has been sent to find all three men. Marlena walks up to the ladies and asks: Marlana: What’s going on tonight? This seems like half a party, half a showdown. What’s with all the tension? Sami: I have no clue, Mom. But Victor has gotten Uncle Bo, Austin & Lucas mixed up in something. I just hope they don’t get themselves hurt or worse. Marlena: They won’t. Just do them a favor. Stop treating them like children. I heard Victor tell that to Caroline and Hope and I happen to agree. Kate sighs and walks off after that comment but Belle looks at Marlena, then at Sami, and then says: Belle: Uh, Mom, we don’t want them to get harmed or do harm based on Victor’s word. I really hope you can see that. They don’t belong in this at all. Sami: Belle’s right, Mom. That’s why Dad, Abe & Shane are trying to find out what’s going on and put a stop to it. Marlena: (Looking At Both Girls) You know, listening to you two whine about this, reminds me of when you two were babies. Damn, let them make their own decisions for God Sakes. Marlena shakes her head and walks off, leaving both women shocked at her demeanor during that exchange. They leave to find Roman and fill him in on what’s happening with their mother. -Frankie joins Greta on the balcony outside. He covers her up with a coat, to which she thanks him and smiles. When he asks why she’s out there, she replies that she is just wondering about something. When he asks what, she says that she can’t understand why all these people seem to find love and not her. Nicole and Eric have gotten together and gotten married and, once again, she is left with no one. Frankie sees her point and asks how does she think he feels having not gotten together with Jennifer before she died. He really digs Jack and thought that once he got his act together he made a fine husband but, for once, he just wants to be number one in a lady’s life. He asks her does she see what he’s saying and she says absolutely. They both then agree to wait for that special someone to come along and no longer be second choice to anyone. Then, they shake on it, but take a little time letting go of each other’s hand. They stare at each other for a moment before excusing themselves and returning to the party. -Roman sees Frankie re-enter the door and walk over to Kimberly, Kayla and Steve. As he talks to them, Roman turns his attention back to Abe & Shane, who have finished finalizing plans to get everyone out and stop Victor and Stefano from turning this New Year’s Eve into a bloodbath. He sees Victor talking to Caroline and walks over to them both. When he gets there, he asks: Roman: What are you doing, Vic? My mother is off-limits to you. I thought you knew that. Caroline stands in between them. Victor: You know, Roman, that Dirty Harry crap went out back in the 70s, along with that eyebrow thing you constantly do. You may think it makes you intense. I think it makes you look like an ass. Roman: Is that so? Victor: Yeesss, that’s so. Now why don’t you run along and see what the other children are doing while the grown folks talk. Ok? Roman: Old man (Pointing his finger in Victor’s chest) if you don’t leave my family alone, the only thing getting run up in this tower is my boot in your ass. Victor: I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Roman: Really? Well let’s see............ Just then, Nico and Victor’s associate are on either side of Roman. The ask, politely, if he could remove his finger off of Mr. Kiriakis before it gets really ugly really fast. Roman slowly puts his hand down and looks at Victor, warning him: Roman: Be good, old man. And remember what I said. Victor: Commander.......you have a splendid evening. Roman walks back to Abe and Shane and witnesses Bo, Lucas & Austin join Victor’s group. He turns to Abe & Shane and tells them, in no uncertain terms, that: Roman: Fellas, I hate to say this, but we may have to shoot to kill if Stefano shows up and things get deadly. Abe: I agree. We better start getting people out of here and getting our plain clothes men into place. I’ve also ordered S.W.A.T. to be activated in case shots are fired. Roman, you will get your orders from me. When I give the signal...... Shane: We aim and fire. Gentlemen, this must end tonight. If not....... Roman: Then none of us may live to see tomorrow. -Celeste has entered the ballroom and looks around to see who has come. She is greeted by most of the party faithful and walks around cheerfully smiling and waiving at friends of hers. When she walks into the main ballroom, she stops dead in her tracks and stares horrifically. She sees blood everywhere she looks and paramedics and doctors attending to wounded friends and family. She sees people that she loves crying hysterically and then she looks up to the podium and sees blood on the curtains. And then, just like that, a flash occurs............and everything is back to normal. She says horrifically: Celeste: Oh, Dear God!! Blood and death!! Please!!! For God Sakes, let this tragedy not happen on this night. Too many innocent people are going to die. (To herself) I’ve got to warn Abraham. (Looking around) Maybe he can stop this. The screen once again goes into four separate boxes with Roman, Abe & Shane taking out the guns silently and arming them, Caroline, Hope, Sami & Belle watching the men, Victor, Bo, Lucas, Austin and Victor’s associate toasting a group of men across the ballroom, and Stefano and the Mysterious Cloaked Figure toasting them back. The screen then slowly fades to black. Tune In Tomorrow......For The Final Shocking Episode Of 2006!!! It's CAN'T MISS!!! ***(No Previews today since tomarrow is such a big episode)***

-Victor is on his way to the park to meet with Bo when he runs into Philip, who is on his way to meet Belle there. He tells his father he has meaning to talk to him but with everything going on it's been hard. Victor apologizes for not properly welcoming him home. He tells Philip he looks more handsome now then he did prior to all his surgeries. Philip says he doesn't want to discuss that. It's been hard enough to deal with, much less talk about. Victor understands Philip is having a hard time dealing with everything that happened to him. He apologizes for his betrayal of him with Claire's paternity. Philip urges Victor not to worry about it. Claire turned out to be his anyway. He tells Victor he wants to be more involved in the family business. He knows his father is in this war to destroy all his enemies, including Stefano Dimera, and he wants in on those dealings. Victor doesn't like the idea and tells Philip he is not ready. He has already been through a great deal and it's too much for him right now. Plus, he wants to groom Philip and ease him into taking over control of his empire and dealings at some point. The things going on right now are just too dangerous and too complicated. Philip is angry and thinks Victor doesn't think he can handle it. Victor denies that and urges Philip to worry about his wife and daughter and he will get his chance to be more involved in the new future. Philip reluctantly agrees and pirvately vows to be more involved somehow and prove himself to his father. -Belle and Roman are walking through the park. Roman says it's nice to have her back in Salem. Belle says she is happy she returned in time for her mother to show up and for Eric's wedding and recovery. She says it's nice they are all together as a family and are united. She says that Sami and Roman getting closer was a true miracle, just like mom returning. Roman agrees and asks Belle how she is doing. Belle says she is fine. Roman inquires about San Francisco and what happened there between Philip and her. Belle explains that Philip and her came to na understanding to leave the last behind and try to make things work in their marriage for Claire's sake. Roman says that's nice but asks if Belle really wants that. Belle says she doesn't want Shawn anymore. She knows she can't have him. Roman knows that but insists that he knows Belle isn't happy. Belle denies that claim. Roman reveals he talked with Sami and Caroline and knows she has been pretty secretive, as has Philip, about San Francisco and what is going on with Philip and her. He tells Belle not to be afraid and reminds her that she doesn't have to force herself to stay with him. She has a choice and it doesn't have to be Philip. They can still be good parents to her. She doesn't have to stay with him. Victor overhears and says the hell she doesn't. -Stephanie is finished packing her suitcase in Kayla's suite. She tells Steve and Kayla it's hard to say goodbye. It wwas so hard saying goodbye to Grandma Caroline and Grandma Jo and the rest of the family. Kayla says she will miss her and they embrace. She tells Kayla to call if dad gets his memory back or if they need her for anything. Kayla promises she will. Stephanie looks at Steve and hugs him. He gives her a kiss and Stephanie reminds him he will always be her father no matter what and thanks him for a wonderful Christmas. Steve thanks her too and says she will always be his little girl, memory or no memory. Kayla tears up and both her and Steve wish her well in LA. Kayla orders her to take good care of the apartment in LA. Stephanie promises too. Kayla asks if she is sure she doesn't need a ride. Stephanie says she's sure. She waves and blows kisses as she leaves. Kayla wishes she would stay but knows she has classes to finish in LA and that she has friends out there. Kayla notices Steve holding his head and asks if he is ok. He says he is and that it's just a migraine. Kayla wonders if it has something to do with his memory and notices Steve is quite pale. He says he is fine and just needs some aspirin. He goes to get some as a worried Kayla looks on. -Carrie and Alan are on the docks watching Austin. Alan reminds her that she should be out of Salem by now and back at the cabin. Carrie says she isn't sure she should do this. She wanted so much to reveal herself to Austin on Christmas and she still wants to. She wants to be with her family and it's killing her being around them and not telling them she is here. She is just afraid because she knows her baby will tear Austin and Lucas apart and Sami could end up getting hurt too, depending on who the father is. Carrie says she knows Sami and Lucas got closet on Christmas and she doesn't want to ruin that. Deep down she always knew he loved her and belonged with her, just like she should be with Austin. She doesn't want to destroy their families. Austin turns around and nearly sees Carrie. Carrie realizes she can't stay and reveal herself, as much as she wants to. She can't risk hurting so many people. Alan says he will take her back to the cabin and they both leave. Austin turns and thinks he sees Carrie but thinks it was his imagination. -Sami is making sandwiches when there is a knock on the door. She answers it. It's Lucas. She slams the door in his face. He opens it again and says he knows he deserved that. She asks how he could walk out on her. Yeah, they stopped making love on Christmas Eve because they realized it was too soon and they had a nice Christmas day but, the next day, he went MIA and now comes strolling in. Sami demands answers and wants to know if they have a future together or not. Lucas says he does love her and he knows now being with Carrie was a mistake. Sami says she knows being with Austin was a mistake and that she loves him too. Lucas says he knows but it's not the right time. Carrie is out there having his baby and he wants to get her back to Salem to resolve everything. She needs to know he loves Sami and wants to be with her and the only way to bring her back is to make Salem safer. Carrie left because she felt unsafe raising her baby there and that is why he and Austin allied with Victor, to end the Dimera reign and make it ok for Carrie to come home and raise the baby there. Sami almost blurts out that she knows Austin slept with Carrie too and the baby could be his but stops herself. She reminds Lucas and he and Austin could get killed doing this. Lucas knows that but it's worth the risk if it protects those they love and care about, including her and Will. If it brings Carrie back, it will be worth it. Once she returns, they can resolve things and he can still be a father to the baby and be with Sami. Sami says they can't be together if he gets killed. Lucas says he won't but Sami adds that neither him or Austin knows that. The war is ridiculous and she says that her Aunt Hope is right. Bo, Austin, and him are going to get killed following Victor and working with him. She begs Lucas to back out now, along with Austin, and they can be together now. They can find Carrie together and enjoy each other now. Lucas says they have looked all over for Carrie, who is supposed to be with her mother Anna. They can't find her. Once Stefano and the Dimera's are destroyed, she will return home upon hearing the news. Sami is skeptical and hates this. Lucas says they can't be together right now. It's bad enough her and Will are in danger from Alan right now but, if she and him are together now, she may become a target of Stefano or the Dimera's. Sami says she is a Brady and is always a Dimera target. She asks him what makes him think Carrie will come home even with Stefano and the Dimera's gone. Alan is still there and he poses a threat. Lucas reminds Sami that Carrie was with Alan and he didn't hurt, that he knows of anyway. He says he has stuff to do and needs to go. He tells Sami they will be together someday but it can't be now. He's sorry that he gave her hope it could be now but he can't risk losing her and just can't do this until things are resolved. Sami begs him to reconsider and for him and Austin to end their involvement with Victor. He says he and Austin have to do what they have to do. He leaves as Sami breaks down, crying. She vows not to lose him after they just found each other again. She vows to find a way to get him and Austin away from Victor and his mafia war before it's too late. -Roman tells Victor he has no say. It's between Belle and Philip. Victor then asks why Roman is interfering. Roman says he isn't. He was just giving his daughter advice and what she chooses to do is up to her. Victor warns Roman not to interfere in his or his family's business. Roman, while smirking, says his daughter is his business and so is Bo. He will not stand by and let Victor control Belle and continue to put Bo and many other innocent lives in danger. He warns Victor that his games must end and that the war between him and Stefano will be over soon, whether he likes it or not. Roman and Victor coldly stare at each other as Roman leaves. Victor then looks at Belle, who seems somewhat frightened. Philip arrives and kisses Belle. He asks if she is ready to go get Claire from the Pub. She says she is and they leave as Victor vows to make sure Belle stays put exactly where she is...with Philip. Meanwhile, Philip asks if she said anything to her father about San Francisco. She shakes her head and says she didn't. He is pleased and warns her to keep it that way or else face the consequences of messing with a Kiriakis. A scared Belle needs and then begins to shake as Philip places his arm around her and they leave the park. -Roman returns to the penthouse and calls out to Marlena that he is home. She then sneaks up behind him, wearing a bright red negligee. She says she has been waiting for him and asks if he is ready for a wild night of passion and red hot sex. Marlena then begins forcefully kissing him and they end up on the couch. Roman pushes her off him and asks what is going on with her. She is never so aggressive and forceful. Marlena calls him "tiger" and asks what is wrong. He wanted her the last few nights. She asks if he doesn't find her satisfying anymore. Roman says he does find her satisfying. He loves her but she is acting really strange. Marlena says she offended by that. Roman apologizes and decides to drop the issue. It's been a long day and he has alot on his mind. He begins to kiss her neck but she pushes him away and says she is no longer in the mood. She goes upstairs as a confused Roman looks on, telling himself that something is not right with her. -Bo arrives to meet with Victor and apologizes for being late. Traffic is sort of backed up. Victor says it's no problem. Bo asks Victor if anything has changed since he called him earlier. Victor says nothing has. His contacts says there is a Dimera plot set for New Year's at the ball and Stefano should be in attendance to witness it. This is there chance to take out Stefano and begin the destruction of the Dimera empire. Bo says ok and asks what the plan is. Victor says he will tell Bo what it is in a minute but says he has to ask him something first. He tells Bo he appreciates everything he has done. After all, he nearly died. However, he knows that the last few weeks he has wavered in his involvement in their cause due to everything going on. Victor says he knows the SPD is going to do something on New Year's to try to mess things up but he is not so much worried about them as he is one man in particular, someone who went from a person he respected to a person who has become a major thorn in his side and pretty much an enemy. Bo asks who it is and Victor says: Victor: The time has come for you to prove your loyalty to me and to our cause. The cause we have been fighting for. The cause you nearly died for. It's time for you to show how far you are willing to go...if you are willing to go to levels that may force you to sacrifice the love and respect of those you care about for the greater good. Bo: Victor, where is this going? Victor: On New Year's Eve, if this person I am talking about interferes yet again and gets in the way of what we are trying to do, I need to know you will handle it. He is a threat and has become a major complication. I need to know that when push comes to shove, you will side with me and what we are fighting for. I need to know that you are willing to do what it takes and that you will take action on my instruction, if things should get to a point where such action is needed. Bo: What are you trying to say? Victor: Your brother, Roman. If he gets in the way, he will have to be taken out on my instruction. I will not let his interference continue nor will I allow him to ruin this chance we have to end the Dimera reign of terror. So...can you do that Bo? If necessary, can you take it your own brother Roman for our cause? Bo is stunned and the screen then fades out on his shocked face. On the Next Salem Lives... Victor to Philip: Do me a favor Philip. Stay out of things you have no business dealing with. Got it? Belle (with Sami) to Marlena: What is wrong with you, mom? Nico to Victor: He's here. Stefano is here. Abe to Roman and Shane: We will have to shoot to kill if those men in open fire. Celeste: Oh dear God!!! Blood!! It's all over the ballroom!!! Midnight will bring bloodshed and suffering to Salem.

Good job King but don't let Alice die

-It's a new day in Salem. Laura and Bill arrive at the hospital to say goodbye to Jack and Abby before they leave for Africa. Bill thanks Laura for going with him to help out. She says she needs to. She did some horrible things during her few months in Salem and she needs to make up for them. They enter the room and Abby gives them both a big hug, saying she wishes they didn't go. Bill says they have to and kisses her goodbye. Laura does the same and promises to return for another visit. She apologizes to Abby for everything again and wishes her luck and happiness. Abby says it's ok and thanks her. Jack then comes in with JJ and Bill embraces both of them and says goodbye. Laura asks Jack if they are really ok. Jack says it's forgotten, for the family's sake. It's what Jennifer would want. He hugs her and says come back soon. Laura smiles and gives JJ a big kiss and says goodbye. Jack and JJ then sit with Abby. -Meanwhile, at the Horton house, Maggie is saying goodbye to Melissa and Sarah. She thanks them for coming. She would've never made it through her relapse without them. They add that they will miss her. Alice, Doug, Julie, and Maggie thank them for sticking around for the holidays. Don arrives and Maggie embraces him, thanking him too. She tells him to come back soon. He says he will. Laura and Bill arrive to say goodbye. Alice kisses Bill and Laura, as does Julie and Maggie. Doug tells them both not to be strangers. They all say they will come to visit but they must go now before they miss their flights. It's a busy travel day and Bill says he needs to stop off and see Lucas and Will too before he goes. Don says he would like to see Marlena before leaving as well so he should get a move on. Alice, Doug, Julie, and Maggie wave and say goodbye as Laura, Bill, Melissa, Sarah, and Don leave. -Kimberly is at the Pub with Shane when Andrew and Jeannie come down, saying it's time for them to catch their flight. Caroline comes out and wishes they wouldn't leave. Andrew says that they need to. They need to take care of his dad's place in London while mom is staying in Salem and him and Jeannie have classes. Caroline hugs them both and reminds them to come and visit. Kim and Shane kiss and hug them, telling them to keep the house in one piece and to call every chance they get. Shane says he trusts them both and knows they will be fine. Caroline, Kim, and Shane say goodbye as Andrew and Jeannie leave. Caroline says she is happy Kim decided to stay around. Kim says she has been away too long and with everything their family has been through she just wants to be with them for awhile. Besides, it's better then sitting in Shane's living room in London doing nothing. Shane reminds Kim he allowed her to stay in his house as a guest. Kim says he only felt sorry for her because she is in a wheelchair. Shane tries to explain himself but Kim starts laughing and says she was joking. She thanks him for taking her in with the kids when she needed a place to live. Shane then gets a call and races to the police station. Caroline and Kim hope there isn't trouble. -Greta arrives at the hospital to check on Eric and drop off a get well balloon. She sees Nicole lying near him as he is laying up, sleeping. She knocks lightly and Eric and Nicole awaken. Nicole asks Greta if she is jealous. Greta laughs and says she isn't. She will always care for Eric but he's her husband and he loves her. Eric says he will always care for her and thanks her for everything. He knows he put her through alot and he should've listened to her advice. Maybe all the trouble of the last few weeks wouldn't have happened. Greta says it's all over and she was happy to help. Nicole thanks her too. Greta says that one good thing was that the whole situation made Nicole and her bury the hatchet. Nicole smiles and says it had to happen eventually. She has nothing she wants. Greta sarcastically laughs and reminds Nicole she is a princess. Eric tells both women to stop. A nurse comes in to check on Eric while Greta and Nicole talk alone. Greta asks about Nicole's job in LA. Nicole says she checked her messages finally and she lost it. Greta asks if Eric knows. Nicole shakes her head and says she isn't going to tell him until he gets out of the hospital and until she finds work. Greta advises Nicole not to keep secrets but Nicole says it's for the best. Eric will feel guilty and it will hurt his recovery. She asks that Greta not tell him. She says she won't. Nicole goes back to sit by Eric's side as Greta shakes her head, wondering why people keep secrets all the time. She then remembers she is keeping the secret of Victor being her father. After seeing the good side of Victor, Greta wonders if she should tell him he is her father. -Victor is working the phones, talking to contacts about Stefano's whereabouts when Nico bursts in. He says he has word that Stefano is returning to Salem on New Year's Eve. One of their secret contacts has learned he has plans for the Horton Foundation Ball that Titan is helping to sponsor and fund. Victor says he should've known Stefano would lie low and reappear at a time when all of his enemies are in one place. Victor tells Nico they will have to act fast. Another man enters. Nico calls him James. Victor asks who the man is. Nico says his name is James McClure (Roscoe Born), a new employee of theirs. Nico says he is willing to do dangerous work, work some of their employees won't do or aren't skilled enough to. Victor is intrigued and shakes James's hands, welcoming him aboard. James says he is pleased to be working for a man with the reputation and power that Victor has. Victor says he doesn't care for flattery and says it's time to get down to business. Victor asks Nico to have James come with him to acquire blueprints of the new Salem Tower, the location of the ball, so they know what they will be dealing with when they have to go up against Stefano. Nico agrees and James follows him out but not before turning and giving a cold look at Victor behind his back. Victor vows to end the Dimera reign on New Year's Eve. -Abe is with Roman when they get word from Agent Specter in London that Stefano is returning to Salem on New Year's Eve. Roman says that this means he plans to do something at the ball. They must be prepared. Abe agrees and calls Shane. Shane arrives and they fill him in. Roman gets a phone call and goes to take it. He returns and tells Abe and Shane that he learned from a contact of his that Victor is plotting to stop Stefano on New Year's Eve too. The war between Victor and Stefano is going to explode. Abe says that so many innocent lives will be at stake. Shane adds that they can't cancell the ball. This is a chance to lure Stefano out of hiding. Roman says it's also a chance to end the war, something he vows to do. Too many people he loves have been put in danger by Dimera but also by this war. Victor is at fault for the war and he needs to stop him and Stefano. The ball will go on as planned and they will keep an eye out. If they think things are getting too risky, they start evaculating and use the SWAT team to help. Abe agrees and so does Shane. They can't cancell the ball and give up a chance to flush out Stefano. Abe hopes Lexie will return too. Shane goes to organize the man power for the ball. Roman says they will need to have all the officers, snipers and SWAT members in party attire. Bullet proof helmets and vets will only be put on when the men are in their positions and getting prepared for orders to fire. Roman vows that New Year's will be the end of Stefano and the Dimera reign, as well as the end to the Dimera/Kiriakis war. He will not allow Victor to put anymore of his loved ones in danger or in the line of fire. It all ends on New Year's Eve, if he has anything to say about it. -Hope wakes up and is shocked Bo is no longer in bed with her. She goes downstairs and finds him dressed and looking over some files of Stefano. She asks what he is doing. He stays silent. She deduces he is still doing work for Victor to help go after Stefano. She thought he was through with that. They finally foudn each other again and with JT back she thought he would end this and go back to the SPD, Bo says the SPD has too many rules. He is doing this for his family and friends. With JT back, that is more of a reason. He needs to protect them and putting an end to Stefano and the Dimera reign will make things safe for all of Salem. Hope asks but at what costs. He already got shot. She reminds him of Sydney and also of everything that happened on Christmas and during the holidays. She thought he understood but he clearly didn't. She tells him if he continues to work with Victor on going after Stefano in this manner, she isn't sure they have a future. Bo is frustrated and says he is doing this for her and their loved ones. She yells to him to do it with the police then, not as a part of a mafia war. Bo says everything that happened during the holidays and on Christmas was lie. They are still worlds apart. Hope agrees and says that maybe it was just the holidays and JT being back because they still have major problems. Bo then gets a call from Victor, asking him to meet him at the mansion. Bo tells Hope he has to go. Hope guesses it was Victor and can't beleive after all that has happened and after all they discussed he is actually going to take off like that. Bo says he is doing it for her and everyone he loves. He puts his coat on and walks out as Hope follows him out the door and yells: Hope: You won't be happy until you get yourself killed, won't you? Damnit, Brady!!! Bo drives off. Hope: I have to stop this. I have to get him out of this damn war before he gets himself killed...no matter what I have to do. The screen then fades out on a determined Hope. On the Next Salem Lives... Stephanie to Steve and Kayla: I hate to have to say goodbye. Sami to Lucas: Where do we go from here? Carrie to Alan: Maybe this is wrong. Maybe I shouldn't leave. Maybe it's time I reveal myself and admit the truth. Philip to Victor: I want in on your dealings. Roman to Belle: You don't have to stay with Philip, sweetheart. Victor: The hell she don't!! Roman to Marlena: What is going on with you? Victor to Bo: It's time you prove your loyalty to me and our cause.

Wk of 12/26/06 Edition IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SALEM LIVES WRITERS TIM LOWERY (PHOENIX) AND PATRICK L. EWING (ROMAN) REFLECT ON 2006 AND LOOK TO 2007. LOOK FOR ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH EP/HW TIM LOWERY NEXT WEEK IN THE INSIDER AS HE WILL GIVE AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT 2007. I-Interviewer TL-Tim Lowery (Phoenix) IN THE SPOTLIGHT PART 1: EP/HW TIM LOWERY (PHOENIX) I: Great to have you with us again. TL: Great to be here.I:It was a great Christmas week. Salem Lives definitely delivered.TL: Yeah. I think we did. The fans seemed to like it. We would've liked better ratings but they will come. I: Reflect a bit on last week, if you will. TL: Well, it seems the fans loved the return of JT. Marlena's return was definitely a biggie and it was the emotional center of the week. I think we did well with those two returns. I think the returns of Kimberly and her kids and Stephanie were a treat. My co-HW wrote amazing stuff for Sami and Roman last week. The Hope/Chelsea reveal and Max/Abby scenes were fabulous. It seems the fans loved our emotional supercouple-themed Friday episode too. I think the stunning end with Lumi and the Bope stuff really had them cheering. I: Yeah. It was great to see the couples coming together but we will discuss their futures next week. Now, reflect on 2006. How far do you think the show (blog) has come since your regime began? TL: Well, when I took over from JER in May, I saw potential. I studied what was there and went about using it and trying to rectify the damage done to the show and it's history. Captive Island 2 did that. I know fans hated going through that again but it allowed us to focus on some characters we needed too and it moved everyone on the canvas to one place. It's laid the groundwork for so much of what we have now and it also helped clean up the canvas a bit. We calmed things down in Fall and that is when we started to build out stories. I think November and December we hit our stride and we will be alot more consistent in 2007. I: What was your favorite thing to write? Any favorite/least favorite stories? Best moments? TL: I love writing anything but my favorite thing, personally, to write was the day before and day after Thanksgiving episodes. I think those were very well-rounded and had everything you could want in a soap. Before that, it would've been writing Jennifer's death and Marlena's "death." I love all the stories. As for least favorite, I am going to shock people and say that I wish the Greta/Eric/Nicole stuff was better. I wish I could've improved on that since it was my idea. It was meant to be much better but it got so draggy towards the end. I thought it was dragging in the beginning so I moved the story up and gave it major focus but I think many people weren't interested enough. I wanted it to be a nice miracle and it was but people just wanted the story done. That is one thing I wish I could change. My favorite moment was more of a few moments. The Sami and Roman stuff my Co-HW wrote last week was amazing and those scenes were my favorite moments of the year. They were so emotional and really evolved both characters. I: What do you wish to improve on Salem Lives and what do you wish to improve on as a writer? What do you do well and not so well? TL: My co-HW and I both feel the same. The episodes need to be shorter consistently. We will always have long shows from time to time and we are using more dialogue now because the flow is better. Most of the time we need to keep it short. Pace we need to work on a bit and keeping things lighter, even during the dark stories, is a must. I think there was a time in the last two months were things got too dark and we will work on that. I think a writer can always improve. No one is perfect. I think both my co-HW and I are good at writing the relationships and grasping the characters. We both know the history well and our planning ahead is a strength but so is our ability to write great stuff on the fly. I: What are your goals for 2007? TL: Well, we will discuss them more next week, but I think we want to be a show (blog) that helps you escape from reality. Our vision focuses on the relationships, family, romance, etc. It's traditiona soap. It doesn't mean we won't do unbeilievable things from time to time. We will always stay grounded and will make sure things make sense. Character motivations are always important and staying true to characters is a must. We will also balance things out a bit with the characters. We will try to get everyone involved and umbrella stories will be in use big time, much like our fans know to expect from us based on 2006. We aren't afraid to take risks and we will big time in 2007. We aren't afraid of backlash or criticism. I am a firm believer you need to take big risks to get big rewards and we will do that. 2007 will be a HUGE year and my co-HW and I got big stuff in store so it should make 2006 look like child's play. I: Anything else to add? TL: I just want to thank everyone at SON for their support, especially my fellow blog writers. I also want to thank readers of the blog and I want to continue to encourage commenting and feedback. I try to give it to other blogs when I can and it's a definitely helpful in story planning. Most of all, I want to thank my partner and co-EP/HW (Roman). Our visions mesh together so well and he has been nothing but supportive and a true friend. He is an exceptional writer and he has a true passion for writing and for Days. I think our love for the show is what makes Salem Lives what it is. I don't know where I would be without him. It is so great to have a talented partner you can trust and depend on. Our collaboration was the highlight of my year and it was the best decision I ever made partnering with him. There are no egos or disrespect. The partnership is equal and respectful in every way and it has become more then a partnership, it's become a strong friendship. To my partner and everyone here at SON and the readers-HAPPY HOLIDAYS and we hope you stick with us and enjoy Salem Lives in 2007. IN THE SPOTLIGHT PART 2: CO-EP/HW Patrick L. Ewing (ROMAN) I-Interviewer PE-Patrick L. Ewing (Roman) I: What are your thoughts on where Salem Lives is now at the end of 2006 based on where it was when your regime started in mid-late 2006? PE: I've always thought Salem Lives was a great show (DOOL blog). But now, with the collaboration that has been in place since the middle part of the year, the blog has really improved on what was already there. Two minds working on a common goal are better than one and helps keep everything fresh and exciting. I: What were your favorite stories? PE: I like the Kiriakis/DiMera mafia war that is going on and really enjoyed the Captive Island 2 story arc because things are still coming about from that storyline even today. So, that tells you how well it was written. But, I also liked Sami's transformation, which is still very much on-going. It has been past time that she grew up into womanhood. Hopefully, she will keep her edge but use her powers for good, not for evil. (Laughs) I: What were your least favorite stories? What do you think could've been done better, if anything? PE: I can't really say that I have a least favorite storyline. There have been stories that have dragged a bit but those are getting wrapped up very soon and we're on our way to an exciting and action-packed 2007. The one thing that my partner and I really try to do is listen to the fans who read the blog. Get their reactions to what is occuring on the pages of SL. That's where we would make changes or do something different but always stay true to what our vision is and stay true to the spirit and essence of DOOL. I: What was your favorite thing to write for Salem Lives? PE: You know, if I had been asked this question earlier, I would have stuck with the episode in Sydney where the all-out battle occured between Stefano's men and Victor's men, with Salemites caught in the crossfire. But now, I really have to say that I get the greatest joy out of the Sami/Roman scenes in which she finally asked for forgiveness from her father for all the terrible things she did. They were very emotional scenes to write and touched me a great deal when I did write them. I will always be proud of that piece of work. And, of course, any chance to write for Roman, Victor, Bo or Stefano is a treat. I love writing for all the characters but those four are personal favorites and a real treat to write for. I: What was your least favorite thing, if anything? PE: No least favorite thing. When you are accepted by a person to become your writing partner, you take the opportunity to appreciate every single time you get the chance to write. That's what I take from it. The joy of writing. It's so much fun and really quite humbling for people to read what ideas you have or a turn of a phrase you wrote. Now, after that, how could I find anything not worth writing? I: How do you think you have improved as a writer and how do you think you have helped improve Salem Lives since joining the regime as Co-EP/HW? PE: My improvement has come from the fact that I feel every writer must not have an ego when it comes to constructive criticism. Some will be rude and say that your writing sucks but, for the most part, people are very kind and tell you in a positive manner what they would like to see and what they think should be changed. And you must admit when your writing stinks too. If you think that every single thing you write for your blog is always on point - you're way too damn arrogant to admit when it falls short. Stay humble. That's the key. I: What about Salem Lives do you wish to improve on in 2007 and what do you think could be done better, if anything? PE: The one thing that we have to improve on is what we have been constantly working on - the length of our episodes. Every now and then, we will write an episode that is rather long on the tooth but we only do that because there is alot going on. Now, we are adding more dialogue into the episodes that we write so even if it may seem long, dialogue flows much faster than writing paragraphs. We'll still do that but when something big or emotional is going to occur, that's when the character's P.O.V. will be implemented. I: What are your goals for Salem Lives in 2007? What are you most excited about? PE: I'm very excited about some of the huge things we have planned and some of the truly exciting storylines that have been in the works for the last 6 months. This material will blow readers away. When I say classic DOOL, that's exactly what I mean. Romance, humor, action, adventure but, most of all, family, friendships and relationships. That's what's in store. We are also working on some great things that are under wraps but will change SL in many ways. It's truly a very exciting time coming up I: Any other thoughts on how far Salem Lives has come since the new regime started in May and since you joined this past summer? Also, any more thoughts on 2007 and beyond? PE: SL has come a long way since the collaboration started. It is very hard work trying to do a blog based on a soap opera by yourself so I give 1 million percent credit to anyone who does that. I'm just so very glad that we could start doing this wonderful thing together and there are no egos involved. It wouldn't have lasted one day if our egos would have went haywire. I: Anything else you wish to add? PE: There is only one thing I would like to add and that is a Thank You to all of the people who take the time out of their "Days", as it were, to read Salem Lives. You don't know what it means to me to read the comments of fellow blog writers and fans who like what we do. I also want to thank my partner for changing 2006 for the better and giving me the opportunity to let our creative juices flow. It has truly been an honor and privilege to work with Phoenix on this blog. And get ready everyone. 2007 will leave this year in the dust. If you thought 2006 was something, you haven't seen anything yet. Have a safe and joyful New Year, and may all that you wish for come true. Take care. ROSCOE BORN JOINS SALEM LIVES!!! As previously reported, Roscoe Born is joining Salem Lives. He will first air on December 26 but, until this point, the character's name was yet to be announced. Well, now the identity of Born's character has been revealed. Born will be playing James McCluer, the patriarch of the McCluer family. "James is a shady character that the fans will slowly learn about," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "They will know he is an ex-con with a rap sheet. He takes a job working under Victor (John Aniston) but seems to have a hidden agenda." In addition to James, fans should be on the lookout for the rest of the McCluer family to be introduced. "We will see the wife and two children very soon," says Lowery. "We are casting them now and they will be pivotal in the fans learning about James. There is alot to focus on with the McCluer's. It's all part of a larger story." Fans should also look forward to seeing Born's character shake things up with a very popular Salem female. "The fans will be stunned," enthuses Lowery. "I don't think the fans truly know where all this is going so I'm excited for us and for them. It's great having Roscoe with us and I am excited for this story." Again, Born debuts December 26. Expect to see the rest of the McCluer family in early-mid January. COMINGS AND GOINGS COMING Roscoe Born (James McCluer): Born's character finally has a name. He will debut on December 26. Joseph Mascolo (Stefano Dimera): Stefano finally resurfaces this week in Salem. As for Renee Jones (Lexie), look for her to resurface from her hiatus in early 2007. GOINGS Jaime Lyn Bauer (Laura Horton) and Kale Browne (Bill Horton): As previously reported, Laura and Bill leave for Africa on December 26 as the short-term run for both characters comes to an end. Lisa Trusel (Melissa Horton), Alli Browne (Sarah Horton), and Jed Allen (Don Craig): The three actors, who returned in October, will end their runs on December 26. Shayna Rose (Stephanie Johnson): Rose ends her short stint on December 27 when Stephanie returns to LA. Tom Welling and Michelle Williams (Andrew and Jeannie Donovon): Both actors end their short stints on December 26 when Andrew and Jeannie say goodbye to Kimberly (Patsy Pease) and Shane (Charles Shaughnessy) and return to London. PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 12/26/06 -Laura, Bill, Melissa, Sarah, and Don say goodbye to friends and family. -Stephanie, Andrew, and Jeannie leave Salem while Kimberly remaind. -Word of Stefano's impending return rocks Salem. -There is more to James McCluer then meets the eye. -Abe, Roman, and Shane work to stop tragedy. -Victor makes a stunning request of Bo. -Philip wants in on his father's business. -Marlena's behavior has friends and family concerned. -The reunions are short-lived for Bo and Hope and Sami and Lucas. -Steve isn't well. -Caroline issues a warning to Victor. -Celeste has a horrible prediction. -Will reveals his secret to Alan. -Sami, Kate, Jack, Billie, Hope, Steve, Kayla, Caroline, and Maggie try to save their loved ones. -Marlena disappears. -Several Salemites are in harm's way at the Titan/Horton Foundation New Year's eve ball as Victor, Stefano, and the Salem PD's plans collide leading to a shocking end to 2006. RED LETTER DAYS!!! Wednesday December 27: Victor makes a stunning request of Bo!! Friday December 29: 2006 comes to a stunning end as all hell breaks loose at the Titan/Horton Foundation New Year's Eve Ball!! Next Week: Chaos erupts in the ballroom. Cassie collapses. Max has a romantic surprise for Abby. Cal has a memory flash. Eric and Nicole make a big decision. The mystery surrounding Marlena deepens.

Announcer: THIS WEEK ON SALEM LIVES... TWO MEN AT WAR... Clip of Victor and Stefano. TWO DEADLY PLOTS... Stefano: Tonight...midnight. The Dimera's get their revenge. Victor to Nico: Stefano and his men won't even get a chance to act. We will stop them dead in their tracks. A STUNNING REQUEST... Victor to Bo: It's time for you to prove your loyalty to me and our cause. A DEADLY PREDICTION... Celeste (crying and screaming): Blood!!! The floor of the ballroom is covered with blood!!! Hope (with Caroline): What are you talking about? Celeste: Midnight will bring danger and bloodshed...we must stop it!!! IT'S A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK... Abe to Shane: Midnight is zero hour. Roman: Men, this war ends tonight!! 5 Sami (with Kate) to Austin and Lucas: Please...don't do this. Come with me, Please!! 4 Jack (watching Stefano's men): My God...they are taking aim!! 3 Kayla: Steve!! Where are you? Steve slowly walking across the ballroom. Steve: They are going to shoot...gotta stop... Steve clutches his head and falls back against a railing. 2 Caroline to Victor: If my son gets hurt, there will be hell to pay. Hope (with Billie) to Bo: Don't do this. Stop this now!!! Come with us before you or someone else gets killed!! 1 Stefano: Men... Victor: Take aim... Abe: And fire on my orders... Crowd then yells HAPPY NEW YEAR followed by a big bang. The screen then goes black and the crowd then screams. WHO Clip of Hope, Sami, Kate, Steve, Kayla, Belle, Philip, Marlena, Caroline, Jack, Billie, Maggie, Celeste, Frankie, and Greta. GOES Clip of Abe, Shane, and Roman. DOWN?!!! Clip of Stefano, Victor, Lucas, Austin, and Bo. DON'T MISS 2006'S SHOCKING END!!! A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER!!!