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EPISODE 170 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco EJ stands in the DiMera living room, sipping on cognac, as he looks out through the terrace doors. The sound of the front door opening and closing doesn't deter him, as he keeps his focus out on the lovely day. From the foyer, a familiar voice calls out to him, as they step inside. It's Liam. LIAM: You called? EJ continues to stare out the window, his only acknowledgement of Liam's arrival is a sly smile that appears on his face as Liam stands in the doorway of the living room, awaiting a response. --- Bo stands around the corner from the living room at the DiMera compound in Italy, listening in as Stefano and Rolf sit before a roaring fire in the fireplace, cackling away at their latest scheme. DR. ROLF: So what is our progress on the Salem front? STEFANO: Ohhh, Rolf. The greatest news. Our friend Nicholas has succeeded in taking the Kiriakis holdings. DR. ROLF: Excellent news! So when do we make the exchange public? Stefano leans in, taking a puff of his cigar before responding. STEFANO: First of all, Anjelica must be elected first as state governor. Once this goal is accomplished, we can unleash our new recruit, and retrieve John Black. Once we have him, we can get the final piece to the puzzle for the alternative fuels project, and we will revolutionize the energy sector. DR. ROLF: But Stefano, that is Nicholas Fallon's project. Wouldn't he have the information we need? Stefano gets up from his seat, walking slowly over to the bar, where he pours himself a drink as he speaks. Bo stands off to the side, in disbelief as to what he's hearing. STEFANO: There is an additive that was considered after our dear friend, Mr. Fallon sold the project to Titan. The government tested it, but shelved it when funding ran out. They never released the information, but the ISA knows what it is. John Black has this information, Rolf. It is the key to maximizing the efficacy of the fuel source. Stefano turns as a hand reaches across to cover Bo's mouth and pulls his back, disappearing from Stefano's view almost in time. STEFANO: And it will be ours! Stefano looks at Rolf, but notices a movement around the corner, and looks over. Seeing nothing, he studies further. Rolf turns around to see what Stefano's looking at, but no one is there. --- The elevator doors open to the parking garage under University Hospital. Sheryl steps out, dressed as Nurse Crystal Clarke, who lies in the back of Crystal's SUV, after Sheryl knocked her out. Sheryl hastily walks over to the truck, unlocking the doors remotely, before stepping inside. Once inside, Sheryl turns the car on, and hurriedly drives out of the parking garage, exiting University Hospital. Driving down the road on her way out of the city, Sheryl is blissfully unaware of Crystal's presence behind her, assuming Crystal is still tied up and unconscious. However, we notice the shine of the tire iron slowly become visible behind Sheryl's head. At a red light, Sheryl adjusts her mirror, to see Crystal, now untied, wielding a tire iron aimed at Sheryl's head, and ready to swing. Sheryl's eyes lock with Crystal's, as Sheryl's widen in terror at her potential demise at the hands of the woman she captured. --- --- EJ stares out the window at the DiMera mansion, holding an empty rocks glass in his hand, smiling as Liam steps into the living room. EJ: You finally decided to show up. LIAM: It's not like you gave me much choice, you know. EJ: It was extremely important. LIAM: So I gathered. So what's this all about? EJ finally turns around, spotting an annoyed Liam standing near the piano. EJ: Well, I requested something from you not long ago, and I've yet to recieve it. LIAM: Yes, and you're not going to. EJ places his empty rocks glass on the desk near the french doors. He turns back to face Liam, now visibly irritated. EJ: And why's that? LIAM: Well, I was at Club TBD last night with Jennifer, and...I spotted your little friend Gabi there with Nick Fallon. She was not looking too well, and neither was he. And I realized what was happening. Liam saunters slowly over to the couch, sitting himself down as he continues to explain himself to EJ. LIAM: You're giving Gabi those drugs to give to Nick. EJ: And just what's wrong with that? LIAM: What are you up to, EJ? EJ: Well, I don't see how that's any of your busine-- Liam's temper escalates as he cuts EJ off. LIAM: Oh, the Hell it isn't. EJ is stunned into silence by Liam's reaction. He watches as Liam gets up from his seat and walks toward EJ in a somewhat menacing way. LIAM: You have been working against your family interests for weeks now and I wanna know why. EJ: The family's interests aren't neccessarily my interests. Liam chuckles as he steps in closer to EJ, keeping a tension between them that belies Liam's cool expression. LIAM: Your interests are making sure that Sami never finds out about Abigail, or her baby. I know that. Anjelica knows that. You know that. Liam leans intimately close to EJ, and almost hisses out his next words in a whisper to EJ. LIAM: Stefano knows that. Liam pokes EJ in the chest as he utters EJ's father's name. EJ barely budges, and his expression remains stoic, as Liam smiles almost maniacally. LIAM: So, I...am not going to let you ruin this. So you either keep in line with the plan, or those pictures our friend Percy took of you and Abby get made public. And you know how much I love that little girl. I'd never want to hurt her. Liam steps back over to EJ, walking in close to him to taunt him one more time. LIAM: So...choose wisely, EJ. Liam walks out of the room, leaving EJ behind, a simmering rage inside him. --- Dr. Rolf gets off the phone, as Stefano pours himself a drink. Rolf looks up at Stefano, concern in his eyes. DR. ROLF: I've got security checking the house to double check if anyone got in. STEFANO: Excellent. We cannot be too careful. DR. ROLF: Speaking of which, Stefano...I don't mean to...shall we say, stick my nose where it doesn't belong but...you're drinking an awful lot. It's not good for your diabetes... Stefano takes a big gulp of his drink, sounding refreshed as he sets his drink down on the coffee table before sitting down in an armchair. STEFANO: I normally would not, but we have plenty to celebrate. So today, I will make an exception. Rolf bites his tongue, pressing on with the matters at hand. DR. ROLF: Alright...if you say so. STEFANO: Believe me, Rolf. We have all of Salem right where we want them. And there isn't a single thing that could happen now to stop us. --- Down at the bottom of the staircase to the cellar of the DiMera compound, Steve leans in and speaks softly into Bo's ear. STEVE: It's just me. Bo fights Steve off, turning around angrily. BO: The Hell, Steve. Steve is quick to get Bo to simmer down. Putting his finger to his lips before Bo can continue. STEVE: You were thiiiis close to getting found out, my man. BO: Maybe, but I found out a whole lot about what Old Man DiMera's up to. STEVE: Oh yeah? I found something too, but you first. Bo steps in closer to Steve to fill him in, checking around carefully to ensure no one overhears. BO: This whole thing back home with Titan? Nick Fallon taking it over in some big coup? STEVE: Yeah, I heard about that, Kayla told me. BO: Well, I'd been wondering how he got his hands on all that money to buy them out. Turns out, DiMera, and Anjelica Deveraux are behind it. Steve's face twists, stunned to hear Anjelica's name pop up. STEVE: Anjelica? How the Hell does she fit into it? BO: I dunno, man. This is just getting more and more complicated the more we dig up. Steve comes up behind Bo and smiles. STEVE: Speaking of digging things up. Bo turns to face Steve, looking confused, as Steve motions toward the door at the end of the hall they've just walked down. Bo and Steve step toward it, opening the door, to reveal the rows of dimly lit prison cells. Bo steps inside, in awe, Steve following closely behind him. STEVE: Check it out, partner! Bo looks around in awe, as the dimly lit room lights up as Steve lights a gas lantern sitting on a nearby table. BO: What the...what is this place? STEVE: DiMera's dungeon, from the looks of it. Mostly empty, too. Except for one thing. Steve points to the largest cell. BO: Stefano's new Pawn Bo strains to see, as he takes the lantern and walks slowly over to the cell, seeing a man crouched in the corner. Bo looks over at Steve, unsure who the man is. BO: We got a key in here? STEVE: Nah, man, I couldn't find one. BO: Dammit. Bo walks over, as close as he can to the man in the corner, trying not to startle him. Reaching through the bars of the cell, he touches the man. The man flinches wildly at first, before both he and Bo realize who the other is. Bo looks on, completely stunned, as Steve looks on, thrilled. BO: Oh my God... --- Sheryl is frozen, staring through her rear-view mirror at Crystal, who threatens her with a tire iron from the back seat of her SUV, a maniacal look in her eyes. CRYSTAL: Don't....move. Or I'ma kill ya. Sheryl doesn't flinch, not even moving her hand from the rear view mirror, as she studies Crystal's slow movement from behind her. CRYSTAL: Now, I'm gonna count to three, and you're gonna drive this truck to the next parking lot, and put your hands up, and you're gonna keep em up. And you're gonna explain to me just what the Hell's goin' on here. SHERYL: Crystal, I do-- As Sheryl tries to object, the light turns green, and Crystal's shrill command cuts Sheryl off. CRYSTAL: DRIVE! Crystal's Southern drawl tightens into an imperative, terse command. Sheryl immediately complies, slowly stepping on the gas to head through the intersection. CRYSTAL: Right here...turn now, or you're gonna get it. Sheryl ignores Crystal's order, suddenly accelerating, and knocking Crystal back in her seat. Crystal struggles to get back upright, as Sheryl drives to try to thwart Crystal's attempts on her life. CRYSTAL: Stop this truck, right now, dammit! Sheryl pulls over on a quiet side road. Braking hard, Crystal stumbles forward, dropping the tire iron beneath the back seat. CRYSTAL: Dammit! Now outside the city, there are no witnesses around to spot them. Sheryl puts the SUV in park, and takes the keys out quickly, while Crystal lurches forward to hunt for the tire iron, her only hope to save herself. Sheryl leaps from her seat, out the front door of her SUV, before running to the backseat herself, opening the door and prying Crystal from the floor of the SUV before Crystal can find the tire iron, or escape. CRYSTAL: No, don't... SHERYL: Get back here, you-- The two women struggle in the backseat, as Sheryl finds the tire iron before Crystal can. In terror, Crystal throws open the back passenger side door of the SUV, in hopes of escaping, but Sheryl runs around the opposite side and, as Crystal exits the vehicle and tries to make a run for it, Sheryl swings the tire iron at Crystal. SHERYL: Oh no you don't. Sheryl's swing strikes Crystal hard in the head, as Crystal falls to the ground outside the truck, mortally wounded. Sheryl slowly steps toward Crystal's lifeless body, and looks down upon it, coldly. SHERYL: Well....looks like it's time for Plan B. ---

EPISODE 169 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Hope stands in the Horton Square with John, her arms folded as she waits for John to answer her. HOPE: John, whatever it is you're keeping from Marlena, I can tell it's connected to Bo and his mission. So you might as well tell me. JOHN: Come on, Hope! You know I can't do that. HOPE: Why not, John? This is obviously important enough that you're here, making Marlena crazy with your vague insinuations, and now you're telling me the same things. Why? John leans in close to Hope to try to explain the situation to her without others hearing. JOHN: Look, all I can say is that Bo is really close to being done this mission. HOPE: How close? A few days? A few weeks? Months? I need more than that, John. JOHN: I can't give you anything more than that. I'm sorry. Hope sighs, frustrated by John's vagueness. --- Off the shore of the island where Stefano's compound is, a small boat sails by the lone dock. On it are two men. One anchors the boat to the dock, while the other looks through binoculars to see further inland at Stefano's compound. Steve Johnson climbs up onto the dock, and holds his hand out to help his shipmate, who pulls his binoculars down from his face, revealing himself to be Bo Brady. STEVE: Come on, partner. Let's get inside the compound and take DiMera down. BO: I'm right with ya, my man. Bo takes Steve's hand, helping him off the boat and onto the dock. They stare up at the island, where Stefano's massive compound sits, amazed by its scale. --- Valerie sits at a booth at Club TBD, checking over the menu, as Marlena walks in. Spotting her friend at the entrance, Valerie waves Marlena over. Marlena obliges, a weak smile on her face, which Valerie catches. As Marlena sits down, Valerie looks inquistively at her. VALERIE: You okay? MARLENA: (sigh) Not quite. Neither of the kids want to take a DNA sample to prove if this is the real Roman or not, and to top it all off, I just had a run-in with John. VALERIE: Oh dear. How'd that go? MARLENA: He had the nerve to tell Hope not to give up on Bo, just as she's about to finally get out there and start dating again. Meanwhile, he still insists on divorcing me and he won't say why. Valerie reaches across the table, taking Marlena's hand in hers. VALERIE: I'm sorry to hear about John. MARLENA: It's okay. Nothing much I can do about that. VALERIE: You're right. But what I can do is give you some advice on how we can convince Sami and Eric to give the DNA samples you need. Marlena looks up suddenly, intrigued. --- --- Hope walks over toward a seat in the Brady Pub with John, having walked back over from visiting the Horton clan at a nearby booth where they're having a goodbye lunch for JJ. Hope sits down, looking wistfully over at the group eating happily. HOPE: I can't believe JJ's already heading to college. Where does the time go? JOHN: You're tellin' me. Feels like just yesterday I was sending Belle and Brady off to their first day of kindergarten, and now look at 'em! Hope and John laugh, then Hope sighs, a touch saddened. John knows instantly the cause of the sadness, and squeezes her hand. JOHN: You're not gonna be alone for much longer, Hope. Ciara's gonna have both her parents see her off to school again real soon. HOPE: How can you be so sure, John? Especially when you won't tell me anything? JOHN: You have to trust me on this. This mission is too dangerous for you to be getting involved, especially this late in the game. But when it's all done, I promise you, it'll be well worth it. Hope looks on, unsure whether she believes John or not. Across the room, Jennifer, JJ, Abby, Laura, and Liam are eating lunch together at the largest booth. LIAM: I know we were planning to drive you down there, JJ, but...are you sure you wanna go it alone? JJ: Oh yeah. I don't see why not. You guys have enough to handle here. JENN: Okay, well, just make sure you're safe on that highway. And call us every night. We'll miss you, and we'll worry. JJ rolls his eyes slightly, slightly embarrassed by his mom's doting. JJ: Yes, Mom. Abby looks over at JJ from eating her lunch, speaking earnestly to her brother as the others continue to eat. ABBY: JJ, I know I've been totally out of it the last while, but...I really am gonna miss you. JJ: I'm gonna miss you too, Abs. But I'm gonna make sure I check in every few days, okay? LAURA: You'd better. I'm gonna have so many questions for you. JENNIFER: Me too. You need to behave. I don't want another incident like in England, okay? JJ laughs at his past bad behaviour. JJ: I promise, Mom. Besides, Rory and Bev are gonna be...thousands of miles away. You won't have to worry. JENNIFER: I'd better not. Jennifer wags her french fry at JJ, and laughs before taking a bite. As she does, Liam gets a call, and immediately gets up from the table, barely even checking to see who it is. LIAM: Mm! I gotta take this. Jenn looks up, concerned, as Liam has already been relatively quiet at the table, and is now quick to exit the pub to answer his call. Outside the pub, Liam answers the call. LIAM: (into phone) Yeah. ... EJ stands in the DiMera living room, alone. He speaks matter-of-factly. EJ (into phone)Where are you? ... Liam rolls his eyes at EJ's presistence. His tone of voice noticeably curt over the line. LIAM: (into phone) I'm at the pub with Jenn's family. JJ's leaving town. I'll be over after we're done. ... EJ, holding a drink in his hand, slams the drink down on the bar, sounding displeased. EJ: (into phone) No, you will not. I rang you hours ago, and I've got a lot to do today. I told you it was an emergency, so get over here now! EJ hangs up the phone, sighing in frustration, trying to hold his simmering rage in. ... LIam realizes EJ's hung up, and bites his lip, trying to hold in his own anger, as he steps back inside. Inside, the rest of the family is still chattering away, laughing as they eat together. Liam returns, and Jennifer notices his troubled demeanour. JENNIFER: Liam? What's wrong. LIAM: I ahh...I got a call about a client at a clinic across town. I have to head out for a bit, I'm sorry, guys. JENNIFER: It's fine. Are you alright? LIAM: I'm fine, just...just disappointed, that's all. Look. I'll be back in time for JJ to get going, okay? JENNIFER: Sure! Liam leans over and kisses Jenn quickly, before taking off. As Liam heads off, Laura and JJ give each other a knowing look, both suspecting something big is going on. --- Marlena sits across from Valerie at Club TBD, a curious look on her face. MARLENA: Okay, I'm listening. VALERIE: Well, from what tests we have done on Roman, it's suggesting he's suffering from an early onset Alzheimer's, which is genetic. Now, one way we can be sure of that is to test Eric and Sami's DNA against Roman's to determine whether or not they have the same markers as him for predisposition to the early onset Alzheimer's. Marlena responds, clueing into what Valerie's suggesting. MARLENA: ...And while you're at it, check the markers to see if there's any genetic match whatsoever. VALERIE: Exactly. Plus, this can help us determine whether or not the origin of his memory loss even is Alzheimer's at all! It could be some other kind of damage. MARLENA: And if Stefano's involved, you never know. VALERIE: Right. Look, it can't hurt. But if you need any help convincing them to do the test, you let me know right away, okay? Marlena smiles half-heartedly, nodding in agreement to Valerie's advice, though still wearing a trouble expression. MARLENA: I will. Thank you. --- Steve and Bo both walk quietly through a dark hall within the DiMera compound, having made their way past the guards. STEVE: You're damn lucky the guard was on his break or we wouldn't have made it in. BO: Tell me about it. Problem is now, we gotta figure out where Stefano is, and find the patients. STEVE: Well, I'm gonna take this hallway here, since I think this is the access to the cellar, and you see if you can track down old man DiMera. BO: Got it. Steve bolts off down one hallway, while Bo walks down the other, leading to the large living area. Bo overhears the voice of Stefano and Dr. Rolf, and leans back against the wall, tucking himself quickly around the corner out of sight, as he listens in. STEFANO: The Patient is making fantastic progress. Rolf, you have done it again. DR. ROLF: All at your service, Stefano. Stefano pours a drink from his bar, and offers one to Rolf as he takes one for himself. STEFANO: Ahh, here. Salut! The two men raise their glasses, as Bo looks on from the darkened corner of the room, studying them closely as they toast and down their drinks, laughing heartily at their work. --- Downstairs, Steve makes his way into the darkened cellar. Fumbling in pitch darkness, he struggles to find a lighter to light his way down, trying to whisper in frustration so as not to tip off anyone. STEVE: Damn it, why'd I quit smoking, man! HA, there! Steve finds a lighter in the pocket of his leather jacket, and finds a gas-powered lamp at the bottom of the stairs on a table. Lighting it, he holds up the lamp, looking to see what he can find. After a moment, his eyes spot something through the bars of the cell before him. STEVE: My God. It's really you. Steve smiles as he spots the Patient in his cell. ---

EPISODE 168 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Brady sits on the sofa at Anita's cabin, reading the newspaper, as Anita finishes up the dishes in the kitchen area. Brady calls out to Anita about a news item he's reading. BRADY: Hey Anita, you read this? Anita shuts the kitchen tap off, and grabs a rag, drying her hands as she heads toward Brady. ANITA: Read what? Brady gets up from the sofa, closing the newspaper and showing her the headline: FALLON HOLDS MAJORITY STAKE IN TITAN, PROMISES DRASTIC CHANGES Anita sighs as she reads the headline, realizing the gravity of the situation. Brady drops the paper onto the coffee table and walks over to the fireplace mantle, leaning against it, frustrated. ANITA: Oh no. Brady, I'm sorry. Brady shakes his head, sighing before stopping Anita from continuing her apology. BRADY: No, it's my fault, I shouldn't have encouraged you to sell those shares off, and once again... Brady slams his fist against the mantle, causing one of the framed family photos on the mantle to fall off, cracking the frame, as the pictures inside fall out. BRADY: Damnit! I just make everything worse. Brady looks down, as he bends to pick up the photos from the floor, and spots a familiar face. A photo of the late Arianna Hernandez. --- Marlena and Hope sit at a table at Horton Town Square at the café, Marlena looking inquistively at a distracted Hope. MARLENA: So are you going to go on this date with Aiden? HOPE: Honestly, I'm not sure. MARLENA: Bo's been gone a long time, Hope. I know he loves you desperately, but I think it's incredibly unfair of you to wait for him forever. A voice snaps both women out of their conversation, causing them to look over. It's John. JOHN: Thankfully, he won't be gone forever. Marlena looks at John, somewhat displeased to see him, while Hope looks on, confused. --- Valerie steps out of her office at University Hospital, with "Crystal Clarke" following closely behind (really Sheryl Connors in disguise). "Crystal" listens eagerly as Valerie finishes their conversation. VALERIE: So, that's about it. I know you've had a lot of experience with this in... SHERYL: Birmingham. VALERIE: Right. I think you'll a perfect fit here, Crystal. I knew it from the moment I spoke with you at the interview. "Crystal" smiles broadly, appearing appreciative of the compliment. SHERYL: Well, I just gotta thank you, Dr. Grant. You've been amazing. Ah...if you don't mind, I know it's my first day and all, but I have an appointment I gotta keep. Getting everything settled moving into town and all, I need to finish unpacking. Valerie nods in reaction, smiling approvingly, as the two women walk down the hallway toward the nurses' station. As Valerie responds to "Crystal", the door to the elevator behind the nurses' station opens, and Daniel steps off, overhearing Valerie's words. VALERIE: Oh, absolutely! Today is mostly just orientation and paperwork. You're fine to head out. SHERYL: Oh, thank you, Dr. Grant. It's great to finally meet you. VALERIE: Pleasure's all mine, Crystal. Good luck getting yourself settled in. SHERYL: Thanks! Daniel looks on as Sheryl walks off, making a beeline for the locker room. Daniel steps over to Valerie, who is standing at the nurses' station. DANIEL: Ahh...Dr. Grant. VALERIE: Yes, Dr. Jonas, what can I do for you? Valerie turns toward Daniel with a smile. DANIEL: Ahh...the nurse you were just speaking to...Crystal...Clarke was it? VALERIE: Yes, she just started today. DANIEL: Right. Ahh...has she...been assigned any patients as of yet? Valerie looks at Daniel, confused. She looks over toward where "Crystal" had walked off, then back at Daniel. VALERIE: Uh...no, she...she just did her orientation just before meeting with me. She won't be taking on any proper nursing duties until Monday. Why? Daniel looks down the hallway toward where "Crystal" had walked as well, before shaking his head and turning back toward Valerie. DANIEL: Nah, nothing. Just...curious about the new staff member, that's all. Valerie looks back at Daniel, unsure whether to believe him or not. ... Downstairs, in the University Hospital parking garage, inside the back of Sheryl's SUV, a still-unconscious Crystal Clarke lies, tied up with her mouth taped shut, her hands and feet bound. After a chilling moment of deafening silence, Crystal begins to wake up, her eyes twitching as they slowly open. She looks around her, and tries in vain to move. She attempts to scream, but the duct tape prevents her from making much sound, as she panics, writhing about in the back of the SUV, unable to free herself, and with no one anywhere nearby able to help. --- --- Brady leans over, picking up the picture that fell to the ground. Turning around suddenly, he looks up at Anita, who's quickly walked over with a dustpan, before realizing what Brady has in his hand. BRADY: You know, I know you're their grandmother, but...I guess I just can't help but be surprised to see her picture. ANITA: You miss her a lot, don't you? Brady nods, unable to take his eyes off the photo. BRADY: Every day. Brady sits down on the sofa, as Anita sweeps the broken glass off the floor. Setting it aside, sits down beside Brady. ANITA: You know, she didn't talk much to us later in her life. I think she was still upset...knowing what had happened with her father. How he left them. Anita shakes her head, visibly upset by Eduardo. ANITA: That never left her. And then to find out she wasn't even related to me. BRADY: What? ANITA: Oh, no. We...never spoke about it, but...(sigh) Eduardo got another woman pregnant, she couldn't keep the baby but wouldn't abort. I...quite stupidly suggested that he and Adriana raise the baby as theirs, and try to work out their problems. BRADY: And did they? ANITA: Oh, for awhile. I didn't want the affair to destroy them. It...I lost my husband because of a stupid mistake I made. And...it nearly cost me everything. Including my life. I didn't want that for them. Brady listens intently, as Anita looks on, thinking back on her daughter's marriage. ANITA: It ended up all for nothing. They had Dario, then Gabi, and...then...Eduardo up and left one day, never came back. And we struggled. Oh, did we struggle. But I made sure those kids were fed. Clothed. I did everything I could for them. Adriana didn't want the handout, but...I knew she would struggle to do it all on her own. Anita sighs, taking Arianna's picture from Brady, and looking wistfully at it. ANITA: Then about...fifteen years ago? Arianna's last year of high school, she found out. Her and Adriana got into it. You know how mothers and daughters do. But Adriana let it slip. BRADY: That Arianna wasn't really hers. Anita nods, before biting her lip, trying to keep the tears at bay. ANITA: (sigh) Ari was a mess. She withdrew. Oh, she was already involved with the wrong crowd, but it got ten times worse after that. BRADY: I'm sorry, Anita. ANITA: Oh, Brady, don't feel responsible. You were a bright spot for her before she died. The few times I did talk to her, she said some wonderful things about you. When I realized who you were after I found you by the river...I knew it was fate that brought you to me. Arianna's spirit, giving you a second chance. Anita puts a hand on Brady's and squeezes it tightly. She looks with a weak smile on her face, but love in her eyes. ANITA: Don't waste your second chance, Brady. Brady looks at Anita, feeling touched by her words, though still unsure of his future. --- Back in the locker room at the hospital, Sheryl walks quickly over to her locker. Opening it up, she checks Crystal's phone once again. Ringing up Crystal's voice mail, she listens to the message Kim left. KIM: (via phone message) Ah hi Crystal! It's Kimberly Brady. I'm just calling to check in, I know you're probably busy at the hospital getting started up with work, but I just wanted to see when would be a good time to meet up so I can give you the key to the apartment. Sheryl's eyes widen with delighted surprise at her good fortune, as the message continues. KIM: (via phone message) I know you're new in town, you probably don't know your way around very well, but just meet me at the Brady Pub near the pier. I'll take you up to the apartment from there and we can get you settled in. Ummm, just give me a call when you get this. Thanks, Crystal! The sound of rustling as Kim presses the 'end call' button on her phone prompts Sheryl to hang up the phone herself. Sheryl beams with delight, realizing her plan will take further shape now. SHERYL: (sigh) Sheryl Connors, or should I say, Crystal Clarke, you are, without a doubt, the luckiest woman on the planet. Grabbing the rest of her things, Sheryl then closes the door to her locker, and locks it. She walks out with a glowing confidence, heading for the car park. ... Downstairs in the parking garage, the real Crystal continues to struggle to free herself from Sheryl's bondage in the back of her SUV. As Crystal attempts to kick at the back door of the vehicle, hoping to break the taillight of the truck and possibly free herself, Crystal pulls a muscle, and lets out a muffled scream of frustration and pain. Crumbling in a heap on the floor of the SUV, Crystal cries, equal parts angry and scared. --- Abby looks at Nick, standing with his hands on Gabi's shoulders, as they stand at the Brady Pub. Abby is stunned by Nick's news that he and Gabi will be moving in together. ABBY: Moving in together? GABI: Yeahhh, it's a big change. ABBY: I'll say! How are Sonny and Will taking the news? Gabi looks aside awkwardly before answering. GABI: I....haven't told them yet. ABBY: Gabi! GABI: I know! I Know! There hasn't been any time. I...I'm gonna talk to them this afternoon. Abby stands with her arms folded, uncomfortable with the news, she tries to feign being happy for them, but fails. ABBY: Well...I just...I want you to be happy, both of you, but... NICK: But... Abby looks at Nick, flashing back to his episode at Salem University not long ago. *** FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 104 Nick stands in the main hall of Salem U, taking deep breaths as Abigail and Jerome stand back, stunned by Nick’s behaviour, and obvious pain. Nick holds his head in his hand, his head pounding, his vision blurred. He stumbles, trying to collect himself, as Abby steps back towards Nick, trying to see if he’s alright. ABBY: Nick…are you SURE you’re alr— Nick turns abruptly back around, as Abby lurches backwards, scared by her cousin’s unpredictable behaviour. NICK: I’m fine, just…just LEAVE ME ALONE! Jerome jumps in as Nick raises his hand to Abby in a fury. Jerome grabs Nick by his jacket and slams him against the wall, holding him there for a moment, staring him down. *** Abby snaps out of her momentary trance, trying to cover her fear of Nick's outbursts. ABBY: I just want everyone to be...sure this is the right thing to do. We're all under a lot of pressure lately, and...you know...I'm just looking out for my friends. Nick nods in agreement, studying Abby's face closely. Abby feels intimidated by Nick's stare, and looks away immediately back to Gabi, and smiles half-heartedly. GABI: I appreciate that, Abigail. I really do. But ummm...trust me. I know I'm making the right choice. ABBY: I'm glad to hear. If you need anything-- GABI: I'll definitely call. Abby smiles half-heartedly, as Jennifer, JJ, Liam, and Laura all arrive at the pub. Gabi and Nick look up at the doorway, as Abby spins around to see her family walking in. She turns back to face Nick and Gabi, pointing back at the group as they filter into the pub. ABBY: My family's here. JJ's....taking off for college today, so we're gonna have lunch together before he takes off. I should...join them. NICK: Yeah. It's nice to see you, Abby. Abby feigns a smile, as she tries to look at Nick without setting off any alarm bells. ABBY: Yeah, you too. Good luck, Gabi. Nick. Gabi looks on at Abby as she steps away. Nick squeezes Gabi's shoulders as he stands behind her. Gabi looks uncomfortable, but plays along with Nick, putting her hand on his gently. --- John stands before Marlena and Hope at their table at the café in Horton Square. Marlena looks at him, annoyed by his presence, while Hope immediately notices the awkwardness, but is curious as to what John meant. MARLENA: John, what are you still doing in town? JOHN: I came back, Doc. I had some business I had to take care of. Hope looks at John, with a glimmer of hope in her eye. HOPE: ISA business? John sighs, wishing he could say one way or another. JOHN: Hope, you know I can't tell you that. Hope sighs, slumping in her chair, as John tries to reassure her. JOHN: Hope, I'm serious, okay? They're making good progress with their mission. I understand if you're ready to give up, but please don't. You're making a mistake. Marlena gets up from her seat, now enraged by John's insistance. MARLENA: OH? So Hope's supposed to put her entire life on hold for God-knows-how-long for Bo, but you're ready to divorce me on the drop of a dime? John looks away, sighing in exasperation. JOHN: Doc, it's differen-- MARLENA: Oh, the Hell it is. Marlena moves to make sure John looks her in the eye when she speaks. MARLENA: You expect Hope is supposed to have unwavering loyalty, even when there are plenty of other men in Salem who would be only too lucky to have her. John looks down, knowing the talking-to he's about to receive. MARLENA: And yet, when I try to defend my children...YOUR children, from being entangled by a sociopath, a RAPIST? Suddenly I'm a villain. Suddenly I'm not worthy to live in the same house as you. JOHN: Doc, come on, it's not like that-- MARLENA: You know it is. You are angry with me because I wouldn't sit by and let you handle Kristen your way. But you should have involved me from the get-go. Instead you play the martyr, and look what you have to show for it. Brady is dead, Kristen has ruined Eric's life. John looks back up at Marlena, trying to hold his emotions in, and Marlena continues to chastise him. MARLENA: But you and your pride. You just couldn't admit you were wrong. And now we're all paying the price for it. JOHN: Doc. I'm sorry. Alright. I'm sorry. I wish I could take it all back, but there are reasons I can't go into why we needed to divorce that go beyond anything that happened with Kristen. MARLENA: Like what? John hesitates, and Marlena immediately notices and reacts angrily. MARLENA: Damn it all, John, tell me. JOHN: I can't. Hope cuts in, getting up from her seat and putting her hand on Marlena's shoulder. HOPE: Marlena...look...I know you and John are going through a hard time, but...I really do have a strong feeling that whatever he isn't telling you...maybe it's important that we just sit tight and wait. JOHN: Hope's right, Doc. MARLENA: Well, I'm not going to wait around for you to decide whether you're going to make it make sense for me or not. Marlena turns sharply to face Hope. MARLENA: And neither should you. You've waited long enough for Bo. As much as I love him, it's time you lived your life. Enjoy yourself with Aiden, alright? Hope nods, as Marlena turns back to face John. MARLENA: Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone I need to meet in a few minutes. Marlena marches off, leaving a saddened John and a curious Hope behind. HOPE: And just what is all that about, John? What are you keeping from her? John sighs, knowing it's best he not tell Hope anything either. --- On the island off the coast of Italy, Stefano walks into the catacombs underneath his compound, with Dr. Rolf in tow. They make their way down to the cage where The Patient sits, tied up. A black rubber mask covers The Patient's face, with only his eyes, nose and mouth exposed. Stefano looks over from outside the cage, gleefully. STEFANO: Ahhh I see this is going exactly to plan. DR. ROLF: So far so good, Stefano. I think he is nearly ready. Dr. Rolf inserts the key to the cage into the lock, opening the door, as the two men step in. The Patient looks on, quietly surveying their movements. When the two men are standing before The Patient, whose arms and legs are bound to a metal-framed chair, Stefano smiles, speaking directly to The Patient. STEFANO: Alright, my friend. I know you've been waiting awhile, wondering where we've been. Stefano begins to pace in front of Rolf and The Patient, almost sermonizing as he explains himself. STEFANO: But we had many things to take care of before checking in on you. We had to remove your friend from the adjacent cell. His time had come, you see. And soon, yours will as well. Stefano pulls out his wallet from his suit jacket pocket. He pilfers through it before pulling out a single photo. STEFANO: But...first, the test. Rolf? Dr. Rolf looks back at Stefano, pulling a syringe out, ready to react to the Patient's response, as Stefano slowly turns the photo around. The photo of John Black appears, causing a vicious reaction from The Patient. Snarling, spittling, and trying to fight through his bonds, Stefano can't help but smile with glee as The Patient fights to attack the image before him. Dr. Rolf injects the syringe into the patient, as Stefano laughs heartily. The Patient's rage begins to simmer, as he lapses quickly into unconsciousness. ---

EPISODE 167 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Hope stands outside the café at Horton Town Square, looking in disbelief at a downright humble Aiden. HOPE: You want to take me out for dinner? I'm sorry, are you feeling okay? AIDEN: Hope, come on, I'm trying here. HOPE: No no, I mean...cut me some slack here. We haven't had a single conversation since we've met where we haven't argued. I mean...I would think you wouldn't want to share the same zip code with me, never mind a meal. Aiden shrugs, slightly amused by Hope's reticence. AIDEN: I mean...I know it's hard for guys to admit when they're wrong, but... HOPE: Don't I know it. AIDEN: But I do want to make it up to you. Seriously. Hope cocks her eyebrow as she takes a sip of her coffee. She looks to one side before shrugging casually. HOPE: Okay. Dinner it is. TBD tonight. Aiden smiles at Hope's decision. AIDEN: You're on. I'll pick you up at 7? HOPE: (laughs) Not the way you drive. I'll meet you there for 7:30. AIDEN: Deal. I'll see you then. Aiden walks away, leaving Hope standing by the café, bemused by Aiden's change of attitude. --- Sheryl closes the door to Jordan's office, standing before a stunned Jordan in her getup to emulate Nurse Crystal Clarke. Jordan is speechless, as Sheryl smiles, almost laughing as she speaks. SHERYL: Surprised to see me? JORDAN: Wh...what are you doing here? SHERYL: I came to get you. I'm going to save you from ruining your life, and ours. Jordan looks at Sheryl, worried of what's to come, but baffled by what Sheryl intends to do. --- Tyler sits on a stool next to Victor's hospital bed, reeling from the news that Nick's working for Stefano. TYLER: Victor, are you absolutely sure Nick told you he was funded by Stefano. You didn't mishear him. VICTOR: 100%. Tyler shakes his head, resigned but not totally surprised by the news. TYLER: You know, it makes almost too much sense. VICTOR: I agree. That's why we have to take action, immediately. TYLER: What kind of action? VICTOR: Simple. We'll send Stefano a message, and clean up the filth that's rotting this town from the inside. Tyler sighs, knowing what Victor's implying. TYLER: Victor, we can't be working underhandedly. VICTOR: Too late. The gloves are already off. Get rid of Nick Fallon. By any means neccessary. Victor looks steely-eyed at a concerned Tyler, who is far less convinced of Victor's plan than Victor is. --- --- Gabi and Nick sit at a table at the Brady Pub, next to Gabi's packed bags. They sip their coffee as they finish their brunch. Gabi looks pleasant, but nervously at Nick, as Nick discusses his decorating plans for the Kiriakis mansion. As he does this, Abigail steps into the pub and Gabi and Abby's eyes immediately meet. NICK: So I wanna give Ari the biggest stuffed toy collection for her room, and we'll give the stuffed toys their own crib just like Ari's... Gabi interjects, trying to tell him that Ari won't be staying with them. GABI: Nick...don't get carried away. NICK: Why not? GABI: Well, Ari's... Nick notices Gabi's eyes turn away from his, causing him to turn his head around toward the door. He calls out excitedly to Abigail. NICK: Abby! Hey! Abigail looks surprised to see Nick and Gabi together, but smiles upon seeing them, and heads toward their table. ABBY: Hey, guys! How are you? GABI: I'm good. You wanna join us? ABBY: Oh, I'm just...I'm waiting for my family to get here. JJ's leaving for college today, and... NICK: Oh! Wow! Wish him the best from me. Abby smiles awkwardly at Nick. She nods as she responds, folding her arms in slight discomfort after Nick's prior volatile interaction with Abby at Salem U. ABBY: Oh definitely, I will. Thanks, Nick. Ah...you... you guys going somewhere? Abby points at Gabi's bags, and Gabi laughs at Abby's question. GABI: Ah, not...not really... Nick interrupts Gabi, telling Abigail the news excitedly. NICK: Gabi's agreed to move in with me. Abigail looks a bit shocked, but tries to stifle her reaction, smiling in a subdued way. ABBY: Ah...ah wow. That's...a surprise. I guess I should be congratulating you too? GABI: Thanks, Abby. Nick notices Abby's less-than-enthused reaction, and comments on it. NICK: You seem a bit...concerned, Abby. What's wrong? ABBY: Well, no, I just...I guess I'm just surprised. You seemed really happy at Will and Sonny's, and Ari had her whole family there, and...it's just so sudden. GABI: Yeah, I know. ABBY: Plus, I mean...there's not much room up in Nick's little room upstairs-- Nick cuts Abby off, smiling widely as he shares his other news with her. NICK: Oh! That's not gonna be a problem. We're moving into the Kiriakis mansion. See, I own it now. Abby's face drops in response to Nick's news. --- Jordan stands facing Sheryl in her office. Sheryl, dressed up to emulate Nurse Crystal Clarke, stands blocking Jordan's office door, and smirks at Jordan with arms folded. Jordan stands nervously, stuttering out her words. JORDAN: Wh...Sheryl, what are you doing here? SHERYL: I came to get you out of this hospital, and out of Salem before it's too late. Jordan glowers at Sheryl, now folding her arms herself in defiance. JORDAN: I'm not going anywhere, Sheryl. Besides, what you doing dressed like that, you look ridiculous. SHERYL: Thank you. I'm the new nurse here, Crystal Clarke. Jordan rolls her eyes at Sheryl's get-up. Responding snarkily. JORDAN: Original. How'd you manage to pull this one off, hm? You dropped out of nursing school in your first year. SHERYL: It all comes back to you. Like riding a bike. Besides, I won't have to do this very long, it's just for the day to get you to come along with us. JORDAN: Not happening. I'm staying right here. Jordan turns to put a file away in her filing cabinet behind her desk, as Sheryl continues, walking toward Jordan while menacing her gleefully. SHERYL: Oh you're not, hm? Gonna stay here with you cop boyfriend? Jordan slams the door to her cabinet shut before turning around and raising her voice to Sheryl. JORDAN: Actually, I am, Sheryl. Or...Crystal or whoever you are. Sheryl looks on with a raised eyebrow, unconvinced. SHERYL: Yeah. I'm sure. I'm sure he'll also be just thrilled when I tell him who you really are and that you've been lying to him about your identity this entire time! Jordan smiles smugly, knowing Sheryl can't touch her with this information. JORDAN: Nice try. But he already knows. SHERYL: Oh, does he? JORDAN: Yes. SHERYL: Hm. JORDAN: I told him not 20 minutes ago. He was here. He promised that no matter what, he was gonna stand by me. Sheryl steps in closer to Jordan, calling her bluff. SHERYL: Well, see now, THAT tells me that you've been pickin' cherries, my dear Kaylie. Except you didn't tell him your name was Kaylie Matthews, because THAT would mean he could find your name on an FBI casefile. Sheryl begins to chuckle, as Jordan becomes more and more tense. JORDAN: I told him everything I could, Sheryl. And I'm not afraid of you anymore. SHERYL: Oh, really. What, are you gonna play informant now? Thow me and Jerome under the bus so you can have your little happily-ever-after? I don't think so. JORDAN: I think it's time you left. Jordan makes a beeline for the door of her office, as Sheryl turns around, watching Jordan huff and puff her way to the door. SHERYL: You're right. I have a lot I need to do. Let me know when you're ready to come with me, Jordan. JORDAN: I won't be, because I'm not leaving. You are. SHERYL: Don't be so sure about that. Sheryl walks slowly over to the door, slowing her walk to whisper her threatening words to Jordan on her way out. SHERYL: I'll be back later. As Sheryl saunters out of Jordan's office, Jordan slams the door behind her. She leans back against the door, relieved that Sheryl's gone, but livid that she's still not rid of her. --- Hope stands outside the café at Horton Town Square, texting Rafe to let her know she's on her way to the police station, when Marlena walks up behind her and startles her. MARLENA: Boo! Hope jumps slightly, turning to see Marlena behind her, and breaks out laughing. HOPE: Oh my God, Marlena, you startled me. MARLENA: (laughs) I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Did you have a moment? HOPE: I do, just...not long, I have to head back to the station. MARLENA: Oh, that's fine. I'm meeting Valerie here anyway, in a few minutes. I just thought I'd see how you were doing. Hope looks to one side and shrugs as she responds. HOPE: Wellll...confused. MARLENA: About what? Hope sighs, looking a bit flustered. HOPE: Aiden Jennings. MARLENA: What about him? HOPE: Well...he just asked me out on a date. Marlena looks at Hope, somewhat intrigued. Hope looks back, still baffled and a bit unnerved. --- Tyler sighs as he stands beside Victor's bed. TYLER: Victor, I am not playing your hitman. VICTOR: On the contrary. That's exactly what you'll do, and it's the only way you're gonna get out of this mess. TYLER: Oh, really now? And how do you figure that? VICTOR: When I say Nick Fallon told me everything, I mean he told me everything. That includes him blackmailing the Titan board into making him CEO. Which means he knows about our previous connections and the fact you've been running my, shall we say, undocumented business dealings. Tyler looks aside, sighing once more as he realizes Victor's correct. TYLER: Okay, you got me. VICTOR: And I also expect that that's how he got you to play mentor to his scrawny behind while he figures out what the Hell he's doing in a three-piece suit as opposed to a lab coat. TYLER: That's exactly it. But I figured if I coached him, all the while working with you, possibly with Kate, and Justin, that we'd be able to steady the ship and lull Nick into a sense of security so we could oust him. VICTOR: Not a chance. I'm not in any position to gamble with what little this company has left. We need Nick out of the picture, Stefano to relinquish control of our assets, and all without the public finding out all our dirty laundry. The only way that can happen is if Nick disappears, and you along with him. Tyler looks at Victor, a certain disappointment and sadness in his eyes. TYLER: I know this sounds somewhat...melodramatic of me, but...where will I go? VICTOR: I'll see to it that you'll be financially stable, and no one will find you. TYLER: So I'll be living out in the woods with Anita? VICTOR: Nonsense. That'll put a target on both your backs. Anita's finally out of danger, and you wanna put her back in? You'd have to be mad to do that. TYLER: I was out there today. She needs help, Victor. She won't admit it, but she does. Victor looks at Tyler, confused. VICTOR: What do you mean? Tyler sighs again, looking down as he takes a moment before speaking. TYLER: Anita sold off her stock in Titan. That's how Nick and Stefano were able to get the 4% they needed to have majority ownership. VICTOR: Damn it! TYLER: I know. I was furious with her at first, but...the house is in a real state. The dividends weren't paying out like they used to and she's burning through her savings fast. I...honestly don't think she had another option. Victor shakes his head in disappointment. VICTOR: I'll make sure Anita's covered. Just make sure you get the job done, and get out of Salem. When you do, you tell me immediately. And do not come back under any circumstances. Tyler looks back at a steely-eyed Victor, who stares him down unflinchingly. ---

EPISODE 166 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson Tyler steps off the elevator at University Hospital, making a beeline for Victor's room. As Tyler opens the door, he's followed in by Daniel, who tries to stop Tyler from advancing. DANIEL: Ahh...Mr. Houston... TYLER: Yes? DANIEL: I'm sorry, I'm...just about to do a quick check-up on Victor, and... Victor, hearing Tyler and Daniel's voices, opens his eyes, and interjects. VICTOR: It's alright, Daniel. Can you give us five minutes? Daniel sighs, knowing Victor won't budge. DANIEL: Victor, I gotta finish my rounds before noon. I have a lunch date with Billie. VICTOR: Tell her to postpone. This is important. Daniel takes a moment, before giving in. DANIEL: Yeah. Okay. But just five. I'll be at the nurses' station. Tyler turns, nodding in appreciation to Daniel, as Daniel reaches for the door on his way out. TYLER: Thank you. As Daniel shuts the door, Tyler turns his attentions back to Victor, speaking dryly to his longtime business associate. TYLER: You called? VICTOR: Yes. I was just paid a visit from our good friend Nick Fallon. How long were you all gonna keep me in the dark about what he's up to, anyway? Tyler sighs, frustrated and disappointed that Nick's broken the news to Victor of his takeover of Titan. --- Sheryl emerges from the service elevator at University Hospital, checking around to ensure no one has spied her with the wheelchair, before placing it back by the locker room door, as before. Sneaking back into the locker room, she walks over to her locker, realizing that Crystal's phone is inside, ringing. She checks to see who's calling. It's Kim. Ignoring the call, Sheryl puts the phone back in the locker, and locks it up. SHERYL: Okay, Crystal. Time to deal with your next problem. Jordan Ridgeway. Sheryl walks off in search of Jordan. --- Kim puts her phone down from her ear, as she stands behind the bar at the Brady Pub, somewhat confused by "Crystal" hanging up on her, as Nick walks into the pub, a bright smile on his face. Kim turns to greet him. KIM: Nick! NICK: Hey Kim! Ah...have you seen Gabi anywhere? Kim shakes her head, as she scans the restaurant to be sure she hasn't missed Gabi somehow. KIM: Ahh no. Can't say that I have. You're supposed to meet her here to get the rest of your things? Nick leans casually against the bar, smirking with his usual self-satisfaction. NICK: Mmmm...you could say that. Just then, Gabi steps in, causing Nick to turn his head around excitedly. NICK: There's the woman I've been waiting to see! Gabi walks in, suitcase in tow. Nick looks down, and realizes what this means. He looks back up at Gabi, with a growing smile on his face. NICK: You....is this what I think it is? Gabi smiles ,nervously, breathing in deep before answering. She flashes back to what EJ told her when they met earlier: *** FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 156 Gabi stands with EJ on the pier, her face lined with worry, as she speaks to EJ softly, trying not to be heard lest someone overhear. GABI: Alright. So how am I going to go about finding these pictures? EJ looks at Gabi, deadly serious. EJ: He'll have them. You're going to have to put yourself in very close proximity to him to get them. Make certain you bring your weapon to keep yourself protected, but don't let him think for a second that you're nervous around him. GABI: Even if that means I have to go to bed with him? EJ: Absolutely, if you have to. GABI: EJ, I...I can't do that. The thought of sleeping with that man again makes my skin crawl. EJ: I realize. But your family's lives are at stake here. You need to be prepared to do whatever it takes to take Nick down. *** Gabi smiles at Nick, feigning a warm look as she tells him her decision. GABI: Yeah. I'll do it, Nick. I'll move in with you. --- --- Hope walks out of the café in Horton Town Square, a coffee cup in hand to go, as she see Aiden approach the café at the same time. Catching each other's eyes, Hope moves to go around Aiden without greeting, but Aiden calls out to her, stopping her in her tracks. AIDEN: Hope. Hope responds coldly, not even turning to face Aiden. HOPE: What do you want, Aiden? AIDEN: I wanted to...apologize for how I behaved the last time we...heh, ran into each other. Hope turns around, speaking politely, but not warmly. HOPE: Aiden, there's nothing to say. Just....forget about it. You live your life, and try to stay out of mine. AIDEN: Well, wait. Look, I...I kinda wanted to make it up to you. If you don't mind, that is. Hope furrows her brow, unsure what Aiden means. HOPE: Don't mind what? AIDEN: Well...I was hoping to maybe...heh, maybe I could buy you dinner or something? Maybe meet up at Club TBD tonight? Hope looks on, stunned by Aiden's turn in attitude. --- Nick beams with delight as he hugs a tense Gabi, who looks on as Nick embraces her, positively stunned by what she's doing. Nick laughs obliviously with excitement as he pulls Gabi out of their hug. NICK: Oh wow! This is...this is the best news I've had today. Seriously. GABI: Well, you...you've had a lot of good news lately, I...I'm just the icing on the cake, I'm sure. NICK: That you are. Nick puts a hand on Gabi's arm, as Gabi looks on, trying not to let his discomfort with Nick's touch show. She looks over at Kim, who takes the cue and speaks up. KIM: Ah, Gabi! Did you...did you want a coffee or something? Gabi looks over at Kim, as she steps over toward a table for two. GABI: Ah...double vodka, straight. Nick looks curiously at Gabi as they sit down. NICK: You ah...you drinking so early? GABI: Nick, I need all the courage I can to live under Victor Kiriakis' roof. Especially if I'm going to be living there as your guest. NICK: That's just it, Gabi. It's not Victor's....it's my house. I own it. GABI: Doesn't make it any less awkward. I mean, I'm moving out of Sonny and Will's and...I mean, I haven't even told them I'm leaving, and... Nick grabs Gabi's hands and holds them across the table. He looks seriously into her eyes. NICK: No. No, it doesn't need to be. Gabi, I'm serious. The Kiriakises are guests in our home. If anyone gives you trouble, you leave them to me. Okay? Gabi nods slowly, feeling very uncomfortable with the situation. Nick lowers his voice as he leans in closer. NICK: And as for Will & Sonny? We'll figure it out, we'll...we'll make a schedule for Ari, whatever you need. But you need to remember, you're entitled to live your own life. Now, I know Will won't mind as much, he usually doesn't...but If Sonny has that much of a problem with you living with me, I will make sure he stays out of our way, okay? Gabi interjects, cutting the end off of Nick's last statement. GABI: No, Nick, you don't have to-- NICK: No, I...I think this is important. Let me handle Will and Sonny. You just need to make yourself comfortable, and we'll choose some great furniture for Ari's new bedroom, and... GABI: Nick, no, I can't-- NICK: I...insist. I'll ask Maggie to help you out. It'll be no problem. I just want this place to feel like home for you, okay? Gabi looks down, nodding as she feigns a smile. GABI: Anywhere I go with you feels like home. Gabi looks up at Nick, hoping to see for sure if her lie was convincing to Nick. --- Tyler steps towards Victor's hospital bed, trying to explain himself to an impatient Victor. TYLER: Victor, we wanted to make sure you were alright before we bombarded you with business. VICTOR: Oh, save it. It's not like I'm at death's door. Tyler looks at Victor, vaguely amused by his resolve. TYLER: Maggie just wanted to be sure you made a speedy recovery. Any undue stress would've risked a relapse. VICTOR: I'd rather know now and get ahead of it than be blindsided by that arrogant weasel. He came in here giggling and bragging like he'd lost his virginity on prom night. TYLER: Well, there's an unpleasant thought. Victor relaxes slightly as he responds to Tyler's wry comment. VICTOR: It was equally unpleasant to hear. But it wasn't the worst of it. Tyler looks at Victor with a hint of confusion. TYLER: What do you mean? VICTOR: I mean that little worm's not working alone. TYLER: Well, we suspected that for awhile. I mean, no one gets their hands on enough money to singlehandedly buy out a major corporation like that without major financial backing. VICTOR: Mmm, that's no lie. You'll be as surprised as I was to hear the source of that financial backing. Tyler rests against the edge of Victor's bed, now extremely curious to know who Victor's talking about. TYLER: And just who is that? VICTOR: Stefano DiMera. Tyler shakes his head, confirming his suspicions about Nick's sudden victory. --- Jordan sits at her office chair at University Hospital, as she hears a knock at the door. Looking up, she calls out to the person. JORDAN: Come in. Checking her watch, Jordan assumes it's another patient. But it's Maxine, with some paperwork for her. JORDAN: Maxine! Hi! MAXINE: So...how'd it go with Rafe? Jordan gets up from behind her desk, taking the paperwork from Maxine's outstretched hand. JORDAN: Very well...I think we're gonna be okay. Maxine beams at the news. MAXINE: I'm so glad to hear it. Jordan quickly steps over to the other side of her desk and gives Maxine a warm hug. JORDAN: Ooo thank you so much, Maxine. You don't know how much your advice helped. Pulling away from their hug, Maxine gives Jordan a stern look, wagging her finger as she speaks. MAXINE: Listen, Jordan. If you ever need anything at all, any advice, I will be here. Even if it's just to listen. Sometimes that's all you need. JORDAN: I'll remember that. Thank you. MAXINE: Anytime, honey. Maxine steps out the door, closing it behind her, and Jordan turns her back to the door to check out the documents Maxine left behind. A moment later, there's another knock on the door. Jordan calls out again without turning to look. JORDAN: Maxine (laughs) what did you forget? The door opens, revealing Sheryl disguised as Crystal Clarke. Putting on her best fake southern accent, Sheryl steps just inside Jordan's office. SHERYL: Oh, nothin' big. Just came to get you. Jordan looks up from her papers, confused by the voice she hears. She turns suddenly, as Sheryl looks back at her, grinning widely. Jordan's face drops, terrified by Sheryl's arrival. ---

EPISODE 165 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Kate stands in her penthouse condo, finishing pouring a smoothie in her kitchenette, as she hears the front door unlock. She turns to see who it is, and smiles upon seeing Billie's face. KATE: Ah! You finally made it. Billie walks in, clutching her jacket, trying to hide the fatigue in her eyes. Kate turns around and smiles wider, trying to hide her laughter at her daughter's disheveled appearance. KATE: Long night, I see. BILLIE: Shut up, Mom. Kate sours her expression momentarily, scolding her daughter for her response. KATE: Hey, now! Watch it! I could just as soon use that room I've given you as a home office. BILLIE: Sorry. What's that you're drinking? Billie plants her purse down on the kitchen island, as Kate takes a sip of her green smoothie. She winces as she tastes it. Setting it down, she passes it over to Billie. KATE: Green smoothie. My nurtitionist said it'll help my immune system and help keep my weight in check, but I think the only reason I won't gain weight is from being too nauseated to eat anything the rest of the day. Try it. Billie looks down. She gives an unimpressed look back to Kate and turns away. BILLIE: I'll pass. KATE: Ungrateful child. Billie laughs, as Kate picks the smoothie back up, and tries another sip of it. Billie sets herself down on the sofa in the living room area. KATE: So how was last night? Billie looks back over at Kate, a wide smile on her face. BILLIE: Absolutely beautiful. We were gonna have a moonlight picnic, but it was raining so, Daniel set his place up to be just like the park, and the place was lit up with all these lights...oh, I'm telling you, Mom. It was amazing. KATE: That's good to hear. I just hope he isn't using you like he used me and Chelsea. Billie sighs, immediately exasperated by Kate's overbearing nature. BILLIE: Mom... KATE: I'm sorry, but he's screwed over me, your brother, and your daughter, and I'll be damned if he makes a fool out of three entire generations of this family. BILLIE: And just how is he gonna do that, Mom? He loves me. Kate scoffs at Billie. She steps over toward her, sitting next to her on the sofa. KATE: Honey, I know this man. He's with you on the rebound from Jennifer. As much as he's going to deny it, he's still in love with her. And I know you know that. Billie grimaces, furrowing her brow as she looks back disapprovingly at her mother. --- Anita stands facing Tyler in her cabin. She sets her cup of tea down on the dining table, as she nods to Tyler, feigning a solemn expression. ANITA: Well, it's disappointing to hear, but...I don't see why you should put Victor through any more pain. If Brady's gone, then....he's gone. TYLER: I'm sorry, Anita. Anita shrugs. She paces past Tyler, leaning out the window by the doorway. ANITA: (sigh) Not much you can do. I understand. TYLER: You seem...somewhat resigned about all this. Anita turns back to face Tyler, snapping at him for his line of questioning. ANITA: Well, what am I supposed to say, Tyler? What do you want me to feel? Happy? I know there's nothing we can do. Just like there's nothing I can do about my situation. Tyler walks towards Anita, appearing sympathetic. TYLER: I know. I'm sorry. I...I wish there was another way, but...it's been too long. To change things now would just...it would cause more problems than it would solve. You know this. I know this. Tyler puts a hand on Anita's shoulder, as she sighs, shaking her head. ANITA: I guess so. (sigh) But I do wish I could be closer to Salem...my loved ones. TYLER: We both know that's not possible. ANITA: The threat is gone, Tyler. It has been for years. I know it's going to be complicated, but... Tyler grabs Anita by the shoulders, trying to shake a bit of sense into her. TYLER: But nothing, Anita. You are going to stay living as Anita Hernandez, and you are going to stay away from Salem. And that's final. Anita looks at Tyler, wide-eyed, infuriated by his forceful manner. --- Nick stands inside Victor's hospital room at Univeristy Hospital. As Nick watches Victor's comatose body, he continues to speak to Victor. NICK: You know, I didn't set out to do any of this, yeah? All I was trying to do was get enough evidence against you to stop EnerNext from taking over Percy's land. Nick sits back down on the stool facing Victor's bed. He rests his arms on the edge of the bed. NICK: You know Percy, right? My right hand at the lab. Says "Greetings" when he walks into a room? Yeah, him. Well...he saved my life a little while ago when your friends Kate and Sami tried to drown me in the river. (laughs) I know, right? Unbelievable. Two known killers trying to kill again. Nick giggles as he rests his arm on the side of Victor's bed. He sighs, pausing a moment before continuing. NICK: How did I get so lucky? I should be honoured. They were willing to throw their lives away for little ol' me. Nick's expressions changes, as he remains laser-focused on Victor's eyes, he becomes more stern. NICK: Well, this time...they weren't so lucky. Percy found me, and this....this is my thank you to him. Watching you suffer. And believe me, it feels good. Nick sneers the last part of his sentence, never once moving or looking away from Victor's face. --- --- Billie closes the door to the fridge in Kate's kitchenette, frustrated with her mother's intrusiveness. Kate, meanwhile, sits on the sofa in the adjacent living room, looking Billie's way. KATE: You know, I'm only telling you this for your own good, right? BILLIE: (sigh) Mom. Remember why I left Salem the last time? KATE: Because I was interfering in your life, and being deceptive. Billie holds her arms out, as though denoting Kate's 'a-ha' moment. BILLIE: She gets it! She finally gets it! KATE: Yes, well, a leopard can't change its spots, and I guess, maybe I'm protective of you and Austin because I lost so many years with you. BILLIE: Yes, but you don't get it. The more you try to control everyone's lives, the more years you go without us in your life. You have to let us live ours, make our own mistakes. Kate gets up from the couch as Billie speaks and reaches over to take Billie's hand across the kitchen island. KATE: I just don't want you repeating the same ones I made. Daniel can be a very charismatic man, and I'm sure he really is enjoying his time with you, but you're going to have to realize that he does this whenever he loses somebody he loves. Billie bites her tongue, looking away as Kate squeezes Billie's hand gently. KATE: And he loves Jennifer. Very much. Billie pulls away from Kate, and looks at Kate defiantly. BILLIE: Well, maybe he loves me just as much. Did you ever think of that? Or is it just impossible for you to believe that I could be the woman to help him get over Jennifer Horton? KATE: Maybe you're right. But I'd rather spare you from finding out you're wrong. Billie looks at a concerned Kate, trying to maintain her stern expression, but a hint of uncertainty is in Billie's eyes. --- Anita shakes Tyler off her suddenly, her enraged look never leaving Tyler's eyes as she raises a finger in stern scolding. ANITA: Don't you EVER lay a hand on me like that again, Tyler Houston. Tyler backs away slightly, looking sheepishly. TYLER: I'm sorry, I-- ANITA: You have absolutely no grounds to keep me here. Not anymore. I am not beholden to Victor Kiriakis, and certainly not to you. TYLER: Anita, now, hold-- ANITA: I will not hold on. Anita looks increasingly emotional, as she stands a good two feet away from Tyler, scolding him like a child. ANITA: You and Victor have spent the last 30 years controlling where I go, what I do. You threatened to pull my stake in Titan when my grandchildren moved to Salem, and I had to beg you to leave them alone. What good has that done me? What good has any of this done me? TYLER: We were keeping you safe. That's all we wanted to do. ANITA: That's great. Well, I'm safe. I'm alone, I'm facing destitution. But I'm safe. I bet you don't even know what you're protecting me from anymore. Tyler looks sternly at Anita. TYLER: If you come back to Salem, there will be too many questions that need to be answered. Anita steps toward Tyler, she looks him dead in the eyes, with the same sternness he showed her. She speaks softly, but firmly. ANITA: You go back to Victor, and you tell him to bring 'em on. I'm ready for every single question they can throw at me. Tyler shakes his head, frustrated by Anita's determination. Anita, meanwhile, walks over to the door. She opens it wide, showing Tyler the way out. ANITA: Now get out. Tyler walks toward the door, stopping momentarily before he leaves. TYLER: I will come back. And you'd better still be here when I do. Tyler walks off, as Anita slams the door behind him. Brady walks back into the living room moments later, confused. BRADY: Anita? Was someone at the door? Anita brushes off her frustration, and puts on her best smile for Brady. ANITA: Nah, just someone lost on the road, needed directions. BRADY: Oh, okay. Brady accepts the answer as they make their way back to the dining table. Outside, Tyler lingers outside in the bushes near the front door of Anita's cabin, struggling to see who is inside with Anita through the dirty window. --- Nick steps away from Victor, holding his head, wincing slightly in pain as he reaches for his meds in his bag. He pulls them out as he continues. NICK: You know, It's really funny, Vic. Nick opens his bag up, and pulls out a metal water bottle. He pops two pills in his mouth and washes them down with the water from his bottle before continuing. NICK: You almost had me there. Nick turns back to face Victor, smirking again. NICK: But I got the drop on ya. And the best part of all this is...well, I got everything I wanted. Nick slowly walks over to Victor's bedside again, and plants himself back on the stool next to the bed. NICK: ...And then some. See, the part you don't know, and that you're neeeeever gonna figure out, is who's helping me out. I mean, obviously I got the oil sands project stopped, but...with a little persuasion from two of your favourite people, I was able to pull off the coup of the century! Nick laughs, holding his water bottle up, as if to give a toast. NICK: Wanna guess who I'm talking about? Nick waits a moment, mockingly waiting to hear an answer from an unresponsive Victor. NICK: That's right. Anjelica Deveraux....and Stefano DiMera. Nick laughs heartily at the "genius" of his own plan. NICK: Crazy, huh? Yeah, see, our future governor's in cahoots with Stefano DiMera. Betcha didn't know that lil' tidbit. Oh, I had some other help along the way. See, Jordan and Sheryl, they're really these internationally known eco-warriors, and they were gonna plant this virus in the Titan mainframe. You remember that, right, Vic? Nick waits a beat before continuing. NICK: But, see...I stopped them, and the board were SO grateful to me for saving their asses, that...with a little bit of extra incentive, they gave me to top slot. Go figure, eh? (laughs) I swear, you would be so proud of what I've managed to pull off. I'm just playing by your rulebook, you know? Nick's smile fades, he looks a little more intensely at Victor, shaking his head before he carries on. NICK: But, you know what? The best part of all of this...is knowing that I can finally be the man that Gabi needs. I fought my way up to the top of the food chain. I got mine, I am a success thanks to MY hard work. Nick becomes more intense, more cutting with his words, as he leans in close to Victor. NICK: All the people, all the people in this town who get away with everything because of their power, and their money... Nick suddenly pounds his fist against his chest, hissing his words out at Victor. NICK: I own them now. I will ruin them. And tonight, on Nicole's special, I'm going to make sure that everyone knows....they're on notice. Nick smirks, as he gets up from his stool. NICK: Godspeed, Victor. Hope you live to see what Titan can be now that it's part of DiMera Enterprises. Nick grabs his bag, and steps out of Victor's hospital room. Moments after the door shuts, Victor's eyes open, intense with fury. He musters the strength to reach for the telephone on the table by the bed. He immediately calls Tyler. ... Tyler is surprised by the sudden vibration of his cell phone in his pocket. He turns back, away from Anita's door, and answers quietly. TYLER: (into phone) Hello? ... VICTOR: (into phone) Tyler, it's me. Get your ass into my hospital room, RIGHT NOW! Victor slams down the receiver, before laying back in his bed, shaking with fury at what he's just experienced. ... Tyler looks down at his phone, checking to see that the call's ended. He looks baffled by Victor's harsh tone, but looks back one last time to see inside Anita's cabin, before giving up. TYLER: I know someone's in there, Anita. But who the hell could it be? Tyler shakes his head before turning back away and walking to his car. ---

EPISODE 164 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Sami storms down the hallway at University Hospital, making a beeline for Marlena's office. Visibly enraged by the news Kim has just passed onto her, she knocks loudly on her mother's office door. Inside, Marlena looks up from her desk, concerned by the urgency of the knocking sound. MARLENA: Come in! Sami throws the door open, taking everything within her not to shout at Marlena. SAMI: How could you, Mom? Marlena takes her reading glasses off, and sighs, already knowing the answer to the question she's about to ask. MARLENA: How could I what? Sami slams the door behind her, looking intensely at her mother. SAMI: How could you ask us to get DNA tests to prove dad isn't really who he says he is? Marlena sighs, looking frustrated. --- Brady sits down at the dining room table at Anita's cabin, as Anita lays down an omelette on a plate before him. Brady looks up at Anita and beams with delight. ANITA: Western omelette, and your coffee coming right up. BRADY: Oh yeah! Anita, I gotta ask... Anita stands at the kitchenette counter, pouring Brady's coffee as she answers him. ANITA: Yes, Brady, dear? BRADY: How is it that you can make this just as good as my dad used to when I was kid? Anita turns with his cup of coffee and sets it down before him. She shrugs casually. ANITA: Maybe we're both gifted chefs? Who knows? Anita and Brady share a laugh as Anita sits down with her own plate of eggs and toast. BRADY: Well, I thank you. ANITA: You're welcome, Brady. Anita smiles, as she picks up her fork. She suddenly remembers something she needs to tell Brady. ANITA: By the way, I've been meaning to ask you if you were able to get that part for the backup generator or not. Brady finishes a bite of his food before responding. BRADY: Mm! I did. But I haven't put it in yet, it's in the shed. Brady gets up from his seat, and sets down his napkin by his plate, while Anita tries to stop him from going. BRADY: I'll bring it in now while I'm thinking about it-- ANITA: Oh Brady, no. You don't have to now, finish your breakfast. BRADY: No! No, it's okay. It'll only a take a minute. I'll be right back, I promise. Brady begins to take off, out the front door, as Anita calls out to him. ANITA: Okay, but don't let your food get cold. BRADY: I won't! As the back door closes to the cabin, Anita shakes her head in amusement. As she's about to sit back down at the table, she hears a loud knock at the front door. Surprised, Anita turns around, and walks over. The knocking continues, an almost frantic tone to it. This prompts Anita to call out to whomever is there. ANITA: One second! Upon opening the door, Anita is stunned to see a very familiar face before her. ANITA: Tyler?! Tyler looks at Anita, a frustrated look in his eyes. TYLER: How could you do it, Anita? ANITA: Do what? TYLER: Sell your shares. Do you know what you've just done? Anita looks on, puzzled by both Tyler's visit, and his tone, as he invites himself inside. --- Victor lays silently in his bed, resting in his hospital room at University Hospital. The darkened room lay silent save for the gentle hum of his respirator and the gentle rhythmic beep of the heart monitor. A moment later, the door to Victor's room opens, and Nick steps inside. Closing the door softly, he steps over to Victor's bedside. Slowly, a smile grows on his face, as he tries to hold in the laugh that's building inside him, as he sees the powerful man he appears to have defeated lying motionless before him. NICK: Hello, Victor. Good seeing you like this. --- --- Anita slams the door to her cabin behind her as Tyler walks in, with an indignant expression on his face. ANITA: I beg your pardon? Tyler turns to face Anita, his voice raised as he responds to her. TYLER: You sold your shares in Titan. 4% of the company stock, and now we've been bought out. ANITA: What do you mean? TYLER: I mean that that was the amount we needed to hold onto Titan, and you just sold it. Now we have a novice running the show, bankrolled by God-knows-who, because if there's one thing I do NOT believe, it's that a lab technician can afford to buy 51% of a company's stock. Even a company in dire financial straits like ours. Anita stands, arms folded. Her expression one of defiance, as she paces the living room area. ANITA: And there it is. The reason I sold the shares in the first place. You know, Victor told me that if I took those shares, I would never want for anything in my life ever again. I would have my home, I would have enough to live on, comfortably. I would have enough to retire on. That was our deal, Tyler. I stay out here in this cabin in the middle of nowhere, build a new life, and he would take care of the rest. TYLER: He's done his best, and so have I. ANITA: And you failed. You, and Victor failed me. And you failed Brady. You failed Isabella. You're damn lucky I was able to get Gabi, Rafe, and Dario out the door and into good careers before you failed them too with your incompetence, though I guess the jury's still out on Dario, since you have him on your payroll. Tyler sighs, realizing the precarious position Anita's in, as he looks around the room. It's run down, in bad need of repairs. Water damage apparent on the upper walls. As he does, the kettle begins to whistle on the stovetop. Anita walks over to take it off the element. TYLER: Speaking of which, you'll be pleased to know Dario's job is secure, for now. Anita responds with an acidic sarcasm, as she pours herself some tea. ANITA: OH! Well, that's a relief. You haven't failed another member of my family. YET. Would you like a medal? TYLER: Anita... Tyler turns to rebutt but is struck by two placesettings at Anita's dining table. Realizing she's probably not in the house alone, Tyler's expression changes. He looks quickly around the room and spots nobody. Anita barely notices, as she's putting a lump of sugar in her tea before turning around. ANITA: No, I'm not done, Tyler. You have an awful lot of nerve coming into this house and chastizing me for protecting myself from being out on the street, penniless. TYLER: We wouldn't have let that happen, and you know it. Anita turns around, placing her tea on the table, and looking up at Tyler, speaking gently, but firmly. ANITA: I don't know anything. But I certainly was not going to trust you with controlling interest in Titanic Industries. Tyler shakes his head, sighing again, as he holds his hands up, hoping to stop the argument. TYLER: Look, I get it. I wish you had consulted with me or Victor before you had sold the shares, but...I get it. ANITA: I wasn't about to do that. The payout was more than enough to ensure I could reinvest the money in a company that wasn't about to bottom out. Simple as that. Now, if that's the only reason you came out here-- TYLER: It's not. Anita looks at Tyler, confused by his answer. ANITA: Alright. Tell me, then. What did you want to tell me? Tyler sighs heavily before answering Anita, almost ashamed to say what he's about to say. TYLER: Victor's in the hospital from a heart attack. ANITA: I heard. TYLER: Well...what you probably haven't heard is that he ah...he was sinking a lot of company resources into finding Brady, even though we all know Brady's dead. Anita remains tight-lipped, knowing better, but not saying anything. After a moment, she nods slowly. TYLER: Justin...and I, we made the call to...call off the search. Anita feigns showing sadness at the news. Her muted reaction to the news is curious to Tyler. --- Liam stands midway down the Horton house stairs, as JJ and Laura look up at him from the foyer, surprised by his appearing there. LIAM: JJ! You ah...you all packed up? JJ: Yeah, just...couple more boxes. Ahh...Grandma, did you wanna help me out? LAURA: Sure. Liam walks down the rest of the way, sensing something is off. Meanwhile, Laura bends down to pick up a box of JJ's things, and turns to head out the door. LIAM: Oh, don't trouble yourself, Laura. I'll take it. LAURA: Oh, you don't have to. Liam stops Laura, putting his hands on the box Laura is attempting to carry out. LIAM: Look, I must've interrupted something very important, so...I'll just help in any way I can and let you both finish. JJ looks uncomfortably at Laura, who smiles awkwardly at Liam, before letting go of the box. LAURA: Alright. Thank you, Liam. LIAM: Anytime. As Liam walks out the door with the box, Laura looks on, turning back to face JJ the second the door shuts behind Liam, her voice speaking with a newfound urgency. LAURA: I don't trust that man. JJ: Neither do I. But there isn't a lot we can do right now. Laura sighs, frustrated by the situation. LAURA: Look, I know it's going to be hard trying to research this from afar, but...honestly, JJ, maybe it's safer for you this way. JJ: I hope so. At this point, Jennifer descends from upstairs, all smiles. JENNIFER: Hey, guys! Have you seen Liam at all? JJ turns to face his mother, feigning a smile, himself to put his mother's mind at ease. JJ: He just stepped out to help me finish packing. Jennifer beams, thrilled by Liam's supposed cooperation. JENNIFER: Great. Ahh...so Abigail left early, she had to finish some kind of assignment for Nicole, but she says she'll meet us at the pub and we'll all grab lunch there before you head off, okay? JJ: Sounds good, Mom. Jennifer looks at her son, beaming with pride. She gently carresses his cheek. JENNIFER: You know how proud I am of you right now, JJ? LAURA: We all are. JJ blushes a bit, laughing awkwardly at his family's fawning over him. JJ: You guys are too much. (laughs) JJ pulls himself together, looking a bit misty-eyed as he smiles at his mom and grandma. JJ: Thank you. Thanks for supporting me. I really appreciate it. JENNIFER: Anytime, JJ. JJ: I'm gonna miss you guys. Laura, and Jennifer get emotional as JJ pulls them both in for a group hug. As they do, Liam returns from the car, and witnesses the tender moment. He flashes back to his mysterious phone conversation earlier, while he was in Jenn's bedroom. *** FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 163 Liam paces the room, looking intensely at the chest of drawers, where a photo of Jenn, JJ, Abby, and Jack rests. Liam glares at it, menacingly. LIAM: (into phone) Trust me. They'll never know what's really going on. Promise. *** Liam sighs as he observes the family bonding moment, holding in his unsteady emotions. --- In the Salem University Hospital parking garage, Sheryl suddenly gets up from being crouched over Crystal Clarke's lifeless body in the wheelchair. Having heard the voice of Dr. Daniel Jonas behind her, she turns around suddenly, putting on her best southern accent for him. SHERYL: Ah...no. Nah, I'm good. But thank you! DANIEL: Well, I know it's not easy helping someone into their car. She....she not waking up? Sheryl shuffles nervously, trying to hide Crystal's face from Daniel, though she's covered by a blanket. SHERYL: Oh she's pretty sleepy. We ah....she's a very quiet old lady. Just gettin' over the flu, ya know? She's being discharged, but her daughter just had to go validate the parking ticket, so I agreed to help get her mama up and at 'em so they could get home. Daniel looks on, a curious look on his face, as Sheryl smiles at him. DANIEL: Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. You, ah, you're now around here? Sheryl smiles warmly, extending a hand to Daniel. SHERYL: Why, yes, I am! I'm Nurse Crystal Clarke. Daniel smiles in turn, slowly extending his own hand to "Crystal's". DANIEL: Ah, Crystal. Yeah. Valerie mentioned she was looking to hire a few new nurses. Welcome aboard. SHERYL: Well, thank you, Dr. Jonas! It's a pleasure to meet you. Daniel once again tries to get a look at the patient in the wheelchair, but Sheryl once again distracts his attention. DANIEL: You sure you don't want a hand there? I don't have to be upstairs for another few minutes-- SHERYL: Oh, oh no, I appreciate the offer, but...I gotta take care of this one myself, ya know? DANIEL: You sure? SHERYL: Oh I am. Thank you, though! Daniel starts to walk away, though unsure if he's making the right decision. As he walks toward the elevator, Sheryl crouches down by Crystal, pretending to gently wake her up. All the while, her eyes are on Daniel. After the doors to the elevator finally close, with Daniel inside, Sheryl sighs in relief. SHERYL: Thank God he's gone. Now to deal with you. Grumbling to herself as she moves the front seat back, then hoists Crystal into the backseat of the small SUV. As Sheryl struggles, she dumps Crystal onto the backseat. SHERYL: Alright. Do I take care of this orientation meeting now, or do I make sure you don't escape? Sheryl thinks a moment before opening the glove box, and pulling out some yellow rope, and duct tape. SHERYL: Always gotta be prepared. Glad girl scouts was useful for something. Sheryl pushes the front passenger seat gets herself back into the truck, where she ties Crystal's arms behind her back, as well as her feet together. She covers her mouth with the duct tape, then covers Crystal once again with the blanket. Once Sheryl's finally done, she pushes the front passenger's seat back into place, and shuts the door to her SUV. Locking the vehicle manually before she does. SHERYL: Well, that's one problem down. Time to take care of the rest of this agenda. Sheryl walks away back toward the elevator, leaving a comatose, bound and gagged Crystal Clarke in her SUV. --- Sami stands in the doorway of Marlena's office, visibly upset with her mother. SAMI: How could you do this to Daddy? Marlena stands up from her desk, trying to keep Sami calm, to no avail. MARLENA: Sami, I have my reasons for this. SAMI: There is no good reason to be doing this right now, Mom. Dad is dying, his memory is slipping away day by day. MARLENA: And that is exactly why we need to do it now. Sami looks at Marlena, incredulous, as Marlena steps away from her desk. SAMI: What are you talking about, Mom? We don't even know what's causing his symptoms. MARLENA: No, but I have a pretty good idea. But without Roman's medical records, we have nothing. SAMI: I know, Kim told me. Marlena folds her arms, frustrated by the news, though unsurprised. MARLENA: Well, that figures. Look, I don't know what your Aunt Kim told you, but she misconstrued my intentions-- SAMI: Oh, of course she did. Because nothing you do is ever wrong. Right? MARLENA: Sami... SAMI: No. Mom, enough. Look, we all know you don't care what happens to Daddy, otherwise you wouldn't have left him for John all those years ago in the first place. Marlena snaps at her daughter's petulance. MARLENA: Samantha Gene Brady, that's enough! Sami stops interjecting immediately, holding her sniveling rage in while Marlena continues. MARLENA: your father means the world to me. He is staying in my home. I have to watch him...deteriorate little by little every single day, right before my very eyes. Marlena begins to tear up, as she becomes more emotional telling Sami her reasons. MARLENA: So maybe this feels for you like I'm giving up on your father. But for me, this feels like the only way I can keep your father with us. And I'm not going to let go of that hope, that...that dream that maybe we can keep him with us. Not until I know for sure that there is no hope. Sami takes a moment, holding her own emotions in, as she responds, softly, but wavering with emotion. SAMI: Well, I'm sorry, Mom. But forgive me if I don't go along with your dream this time. Excuse me. Sami turns and heads out the door, leaving a sorrowful Marlena behind in her office. Marlena bites her lip, trying to suppress the tears building inside her. --- Nick stands over Victor, lying motionless in his hospital bed, smirking gleefully at his rival's frail appearance. NICK: You know, never in a million years would I think I would be looking down at you like this. But...here we are. Nick laughs to himself, holding his arms out, almost in triumph. NICK: I get to run the company you started with all your mob money. I get all your toys. Your cars, your office...your desk. Nick saunters over to Victor's bedside, and pulls a stool over to sit on. As he sits down, he finishes, gloating ever-so-close to Victor's face. NICK: Your house. Nick begins to crack up, starting softly and building into an echoing horror that fills the room. NICK: I am going to have everything I ever wanted Victor. And you and your pathetic family aren't gonna be able to stop me. ---

EPISODE 163 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Jennifer and Liam step into Jennifer's bedroom, Jennifer smiling as she walks toward her chest of drawers, looking for a towel. LIAM: Well, I think that went pretty well. JENNIFER: I do too. Jenn turns around after grabbing a fresh towel, and looks lovingly at Liam. JENNIFER: I want to say, I am so proud of you. Jenn wraps her arms around Liam, pulling her body in close to his. JENNIFER: For being so honest with me, with my mom and JJ. I know you have a lot of anger at how things went with your ex-, but...this is a huge step. I really am proud of you. LIAM: Thank you. JENNIFER: No problem. Jenn leans in and gives Liam a quick kiss on the lips, before turning away and heading for the ensuite bathroom. JENNIFER: Now, if we're gonna see JJ off, I need to shower. LIAM: Alright, I'll be here. Jenn smiles as she shuts the bathroom door, leaving Liam alone. His expression changes almost instantly as he pulls his cell phone out, quickly making a phone call. LIAM: (into phone) Yeah, it's me.... Liam walks over toward the door to the bedroom and shuts it, ensuring no one overhears him. LIAM: (into phone) Oh, just wanted to give you a heads up. I had to put out a fire with Jenn and the family...no! I didn't name names, I just...twisted some truths around. Liam paces the room, looking intensely at the chest of drawers, where a photo of Jenn, JJ, Abby, and Jack rests. Liam glares at it, menacingly. LIAM: (into phone) Trust me. They'll never know what's really going on. Promise. --- Sami walks down the pathway to the Brady Pub, on her cell phone to Lucas. SAMI: (into phone) Hey Lucas. We need to get together soon...yeah, I need to go over some plans for Will and Sonny's wedding...oh yeah, it's no rush...okay, talk soon. Bye. Stopping outside the pub's front door, as she ends her call. Stepping inside, she's immediately greeted warmly by Kim. SAMI: Hey, Aunt Kim! How are you? Kim beams from behind the bar, thrilled to see her neice. She nods slowly, as she motions to Sami to come over to the bar. KIM: I'm alright. Come sit down. SAMI: Sure! Sami obliges, sitting down across from Kim at the bar. Sami senses something slightly off with Kim, but chooses not to address it right away. KIM: So how's things? How's the wedding planning coming along? Kim deflects, smiling broadly as she asks Sami about WIll & Sonny's upcoming nuptials. SAMI: Oh my God, Kim, it's going so well. I know Will has a lot on his plate right now with work, so I've been taking some initiative myself. KIM: Ooh! Show me, show me, show me! Sami pulls out her tablet from her bag to show Kim pictures of the matching tuxedoes Sami's proposing to Will & Sonny. SAMI: So...I wanted to do something slightly different with the tuxes, but still keeping it traditional. Sami turns the tablet toward Kim, whose eyes light up at the pictures. KIM: Oh wow, that's amazing. You know, I can't wait for the big day. SAMI: Neither can I. I dunno if Will and Sonny can, though. They seem pretty...stressed out. KIM: It'll pass. I'm sure of it. Sami nods with a hopeful smile. SAMI: I know it will. So, how's things with you? Kim rests her elbow on the bar, looking less than enthused. KIM: (sigh) Alright, I guess. Sami furrows her brow, knowing for sure Kim's not telling the whole truth. SAMI: Why don't I believe that? KIM: Ahh, it's just a few things have come up, that's all. SAMI: Like? KIM: Like...(sigh) I've had to find a sublet for Theresa's apartment. Sami sighs, realizing the situation she finds herself in with Theresa in a coma. SAMI: Oh wow. I'm sorry, Kim. KIM: It's okay. I know this woman's going to be dependable while Theresa's in the hospital, so that sets my mind at ease. Sami looks intrigued. SAMI: Oh? How do you know? KIM: Well, she's a new hire at University Hospital. Valerie Grant hand picked her herself, and...from the conversations I've had with her, and her background check and all, I think she'll work out fine. SAMI: Oh that's fantastic. She's a doctor or something? Kim smiles confidently, feeling an increasingly unusual sense of relief. KIM: Nurse, actually. Her name is Crystal Clarke. --- Sheryl emerges from inside the locker room, checking both ways to make sure the coast is clear. She looks down the hall, noticing at a nearby patient room sits an empty wheelchair, with a neatly folded blanket on the seat. Thinking quickly, Sheryl darts over and swipes the wheelchair, and wheels it hastily inside the locker room. Inside, Nurse Crystal Clarke's lifeless body lays on the ground, a towel draped over her wet body just near the showers. Sheryl reaches down and covers Crystal's head with the towel, then struggles to lift her upper body upright, wrapping the blanket around her to hide her naked body. After struggling with this, Sheryl manages to steady the wheelchair enough to drag Crystal into the wheelchair. Strapping her in the best she can. Sheryl quickly runs over and moves the contents of Crystal's locker to her own, before shutting Crystal's locker, and locking her own. Outside the room, Maxine emerges from the patient's room where Sheryl stole the wheelchair, and looks confused by the disappearing wheelchair. MAXINE: What the...? Looking around, baffled, Maxine turns herself around, before tutting in frustration. MAXINE: These new hires, I tell you. As Maxine walks off back to the nurses' station, Sheryl pokes her head back out the door, ensuring the coast is clear. She momentarily backs into the room when she notices Maxine passing, but once Maxine is around the corner, Sheryl opens the door wide, and pushes Crystal's comatose body out the door on the wheelchair, rushing as fast as she can while still walking for the service elevator. --- --- Laura and JJ stand in the foyer of the Horton house, resting for a moment after loading some more boxes into JJ's SUV. They pant in exhaustion from their labour. LAURA: Something tells me you're taking the entire house with you. JJ laughs through his breaths. JJ: Hah, well, I don't think I'm....gonna have enough room in dorm for that. LAURA: You know I'm so proud of you, JJ. JJ: Thanks, Grandma. Laura sighs, as JJ questions her. JJ: So...once I'm gone, what's gonna be your next move? LAURA: Well, I'm gonna get out of the line of fire as soon as I can. JJ: What do you mean? Laura looks upstairs to be sure Liam nor Jennifer hears her. LAURA: Well...I've been looking at getting a place of my own. I mean...the house is lovely and all, but...I have a feeling that if I'm not around, that might lull Liam into a false sense of security. Maybe...just maybe we can investigate him better from a slight distance. JJ takes a drink from a water bottle he left on the side table. His brow furrowed, uncertain about Laura's plan. JJ: You sure that's a good idea? I mean...Abs is still living here and all. LAURA: Well, hopefully not for long. Now that she's working at WXIR, she's been saving some money. She may be moving into her own place soon, too. At least, that's what I'll be encouraging her to do. JJ: Alright. But what about Mom? Are you sure Liam isn't gonna hurt her? LAURA: Trust me, JJ. The last thing he will want to do is hurt your mother. If he feels threatened, then I worry, but I don't think that's the case. She'll be safe here. JJ nods slowly, as Liam emerges from the top of the stairs. Both JJ and Laura immediately look up at him with surprised expressions, which catch Liam off-guard. --- Justin slams his coffee cup down on the bar table in the Kiriakis living room, fed up with Alex once again siding with his mother. JUSTIN: Anjelica, do you pay our son to do this? Or is he just hardwired to see things your way. Alex snaps back at his father from behind the sofa, walking around to confront his father. ALEX: You know, I resent that. Dad, you know full well if my mother is doing something I don't approve of, I'm gonna call her out on it. But the same goes for you. And right now, I think Nick Fallon is too dangerous for us to be riling him up. MAGGIE: Alex has a point, Justin. Justin looks away, shaking his head, but listening to his son's point of view. ALEX: He holds all the cards. He has our company, he has our property, he has everything. If we want it back, we have to play smart, not with brute force. Not by lashing out. Not by throwing tantrums around the living room. Now, I don't like him being here any more than you do, but I can't stop him. Justin looks up at his son, as Noelle walks in through the front door, the lattes she went out to get in hand. She listens in on the conversation her husband is having with his father very closely, never stepping into the room so as not to be seen. JUSTIN: Who says I can't? ALEX: The law, Dad. You know, that thing you practice? Justin rolls his eyes at his son's barb, as Alex continues. ALEX: Besides, Anjelica is right. As much as you don't want to admit it. If you want to get the drop on Nick Fallon, you have to let him live here, get comfortable here, let him get sloppy, let him make mistakes. THAT is how we're gonna win our company back. And you know I'm right. Justin sighs, nodding in agreement with Alex, as Noelle stands just outside the cracked-open double doors to the living room, beaming with delight at her husband's convincing argument that unwittingly helps her plans. --- Sami sips on a cup of coffee while sitting on the barstool at the Brady Pub. Kim finishes settling up with a nearby customer, before turning back to Sami. KIM: So, how are the kids doing at school? SAMI: Oh, they're good. They miss home, of course, but...I needed to give them space with everything going on here. With all this drama with Kristen, and Nick, EJ and I and our problems...and Dad doing so badly. KIM: Trust me, I get it. Sami sighs, a bit saddened by the family's situation. SAMI: You know, I'm really worried about him. KIM: So am I. (sigh) I just wish your mom felt the same kind of urgency. Sami looks at Kim, baffled. SAMI: What's that supposed to mean? Kim leans in closer, trying to speak in hushed tones to Sami. KIM: Your mom met up with Eric here last night. SAMI: Last night? It's Eric's wedding night, what's he doing alone at the pub? Kim shrugs, before continuing. KIM: I have no idea. Presumably, Nicole was busy? I...honestly, I couldn't tell you. SAMI: Okay...? KIM: Anyway, when I came in, she was asking Eric to do a DNA test with Roman. SAMI: What? Why? KIM: That's what I wanted to know. Apparently, Marlena thinks there's a chance that the man that Kristen brought back to Salem in 1997 wasn't actually your father. They have no medical records before then. So of course, Marlena thinks there's some kind of DiMera conspiracy at play, and now instead of getting Roman the help he needs and figuring out what's causing his decline, she's spending all her time trying to figure out whether this really is your father or not. Sami looks on, increasingly frustrated. She chokes out a response. SAMI: And every day that goes by, he loses more and more of his memories. KIM: That's what I said. But she and Valerie are convinced. This is the only way. Eric didn't want give a sample either, and I told Marlena... Before Kim can even finish, Sami interrupts, getting up from her stool, and reaches into her bag for her cash. SAMI: Sorry, Aunt Kim. I gotta take care of something. Sami lays down a $20 bill on the bar and runs out of the bar, Kim calling out after her. KIM: Sami? Wait, Sami! Not once looking back, Sami leaves the pub as if she hadn't even heard Kim. Kim stands behind the bar, more worried than ever. --- Sheryl waits impatiently inside the service elevator, as it descends to the parking garage below University Hospital. SHERYL: Come oooon, come on come on come on come on... As the elevator dings, indicating it's arrival on the underground level, and the doors open. Sheryl, wheelchair in tow, jettisons out of the elevator, and into the parking garage, checking carefully to ensure she's alone. Arriving at her vehicle, Sheryl struggles to open the door to the SUV, and keep the wheelchair containing Crystal's lifeless body. As Sheryl locks the wheels, she attempts to lift Crystal out of the wheelchair when a familiar voice calls out to her. DANIEL: You need a hand there? Sheryl drops Crystal back into the wheelchair, as she stands back up. Her mouth agape, as she hears Daniel's footsteps, as he stops, standing behind her.

EPISODE 162 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Nick sits in the Horton Town Square, sipping on a coffee while he flips through his phone. Moments later, Nicole makes her way into the square. NICOLE: Nick! I've been looking for you. Nick looks up, nonplussed. He responds cooly. NICK: Oh, so now you're looking for me? But when I try to reach you, you're too busy. So... Nicole rolls her eyes, sighing as she sits down at the table opposite Nick. NICOLE: Look, I'm sorry about yesterday, but...it was a very important day for me, and I couldn't meet up with you. I'm sorry if that's a problem. NICK: Nicole, cut the crap. I know you were getting married to Eric yesterday. Nicole looks back at Nick, sternly, but with begrudging respect. NICOLE: (sigh) Right. And I know it was wrong to ignore your calls. NICK: I had a lot of very important things we had to discuss. NICOLE: I know, I KNOW. Nicole calms down, knowing Nick has power over her. Keeping her temper in check, she continues. NICOLE: Look, I...I just wanted to thank you. Nick looks up at Nicole, slightly confused. NICK: Thank me? For what? Nicole sighs, trying to hold her emotions in. NICOLE: I know you could've sold me out with Eric yesterday. I get that. But you didn't. You gave him the Chyka files, and you never said a word about how I kept them from him. And I really...I really appreciate it. Nick's face changes, starting to smile as he realizes what has happened. --- Sheryl steps into the supply closet by the locker room at University Hosptial. She hastily pilfers through the cleaning supplies, desperately searching for something. After a moment, she turns from the shelf, hands on hips. Her frustration clear on her face, as she shakes her head. SHERYL: The hell am I gonna do? Sheryl looks back over at the shelf, and slowly realizes what to do. Stepping slowly over to the shelf, she pulls out a bottle of rubbing alcohol. She looks at it momentarily, before reaching down for the jug of bleach. Sheryl opens the bleach and notices it's half-empty. She smiles knowingly. SHERYL: Perfect. Sheryl, without hesitation, covers her mouth with her hand, and pours the bottle of rubbing alcohol into the bleach container, making chloroform. She quickly seals the bottle up to avoid contact with the fumes. Standing up, Sheryl looks for a cloth. Digging around through the shelves, the finds a package full of clean cloths. She steals one, and places it in the nearby mop sink. Sheryl then quickly turns back to the shelf and looks for some kind of safety mask, and rubber gloves. The gloves are easy to find, but the mask, not so much. Desperately rummaging through the shelf, she's unable to find one. She stands back, cursing her misfortune. SHERYL: Dammit! What kind of hospital doesn't even have face masks in every room?! After a moment, Sheryl rummages through the cloths and pulls another one out. Sheryl pulls on the rubber gloves, then grabs the cloth. Hastily covering her mouth and nose to avoid being knocked out herself, she picks up the container of chloroform mix, and brings it over to the mop sink. She drops to her knees, and opens the bleach bottle again. Holding the cloth back up to her mouth and nose, she then tips the bottle gently over, and soaks the cloth in the chloroform mixture. --- Jordan paces her office at the hospital, as Rafe stands up from his seat at her desk, stunned by the news she's just told him. RAFE: What do you mean, you're not Jordan Ridgeway? So Kate was right? Jordan lashes out, stopping Rafe from continuing as she shouts her response. JORDAN: YES! Yes, Kate was right! Kate...(sigh) Kate wins again. I'm not Jordan Ridgeway. Rafe stands, stunned. He stammers out an answer. RAFE: Well, then...I...what the...well, who are you then? JORDAN: Rafe, I-- Rafe explodes, demanding an answer from his fiancée. RAFE: Dammit, J...just tell me who you are. I think I have a right to know who I'm engaged to. Rafe's tone drops after nearly calling her Jordan, as she begins to tell Rafe her story. JORDAN: (sigh) Fine. You want my whole life story? Here it is. My name is Tammy Sue Weston. I'm from the Ozarks, my father is an abusive sociopath who made my life and my brother's life such a living hell that we had to run away from home the first chance we got, and I have been lying about pretty much everything I have told every person I have met since then about myself. Rafe stands back, staring back at Jordan in stunned heartbreak, before Jordan steps toward Rafe. She puts her hand up to his chest. She looks deeply into his eyes. JORDAN: But I haven't lied about how I feel about you. And if you want to know anything more about me...about what I've done in the past? The good? The bad? All of it. I will tell you, Rafe. I'll tell you all of it. Rafe takes Jordan's hand in his, he holds it, and looks down at her hand, wearing his engagement ring. He studies it intensely, as he thinks over the bombshell Jordan just dropped. --- --- Justin stands in the Kiriakis living room, pouring another cup of coffee from the caraffe on the bar, while Anjelica sits behind him in an armchair, calmly sipping her coffee. Alex stands behind the sofa, fixing his tie, while Maggie sits on the sofa. Alex and Maggie share Justin's uneasy expression. JUSTIN: I would love to know how this family manages to get itself into such fine messes. Anjelica smiles and responds with her usual dry sarcasm. ANJELICA: You're all just especially fortunate that way. JUSTIN: No one asked for your input, Anjelica. Anjelica looks around the room as she replies, looking ever-so-smug as she reaches for her own coffee cup. ANJELICA: Oh come on, Justin! This could be extremely advantageous for you. I mean, Nick isn't throwing us all out on the street. Quite frankly, I see this as an opportunity. Justin turns around, a confused, and frankly irritated look on his face. JUSTIN: An opportunity for what? My blood pressure to go up? We've already got one family member in the hospital from a heart attack, you wanna try for two? Maybe that way, we WILL have room if Gabi Hernandez decides to stay at the Kiriakis Inn! ALEX: You know, Justin...Anjelica may be right. Maybe there's something to be said for keeping your enemies closer. Anjelica turns to look at an unimpressed Justin, who glowers at his son for once again siding with his mother. --- Nick leans forward to engage with Nicole, as Nicole pats her eyes dry, hoping to keep her mascara from running. NICK: I'm glad the wedding went alright. NICOLE: Well, kinda. Sami and Marlena found out, and...I know that was likely your doing too, so...don't think I don't know that was a warning. NICK: I was angry. NICOLE: I know. Nicole nods sheepishly, but then looks up, a steely look in her eyes, indicating she means business. NICOLE: But if you intend to keep this working relationship going, you need to cool that temper. I am not working against you, Nick. NICK: I wanted to be sure. NICOLE: Well, be sure about this. I've been given my own TV special at WXIR. Nick raises an eyebrow, though is still slightly distracted by his phone. NICK: Oh? What about? Nicole looks on, a sly expression on her face, knowing the subject matter will intrigue Nick. NICOLE: The EnerNext project. Nick looks up immediately, as Nicole anticipated. NICOLE: Sami gave me the green light. It airs tonight, and...I know it's last minute, but...I want you to be a guest. Our featured guest, in fact. Nick smiles broadly at the invitation. He leans in with interest. NICK: I am IN. Nick and Nicole reach across the table to firmly shake hands. Nick keeping his smug grin, and Nicole with a cheeky smile. --- Rafe holds Jordan's hand tightly. He nods before looking up at his fiancée. RAFE: Tammy Sue Weston, hm? JORDAN: Yeah. Even if I wasn't hiding, I think I would've probably changed my name by now. Rafe looks down at Jordan's hand again, amused. He responds softly, before looking lovingly in Jordan's eyes. RAFE: You know...I'm still upset about you lying to me. Jordan cuts Rafe off, intent on getting through to him. JORDAN: Rafe, if I could have told you, I would have. But I just...I need to be safe from my family. They're dangerous people. Rafe holds up his finger to Jordan's lips, silencing her gently. He looks into her eyes as he leans in closer to her. RAFE: Look, it's gonna take some time, but...I promise, no matter what your name is, I love you. All I want is for you to feel safe confiding in me. Okay? JORDAN: I know. I will. But I need you to realize that I'm not perfect. There's a lot you don't know about me still, and...yeah, it is gonna take time. But I know that you're worth telling it to. Rafe pulls Jordan into a kiss, then a tight embrace. Jordan closes her eyes tightly as she holds onto Rafe, as if afraid to let go. JORDAN: I love you, Rafe. RAFE: Me too. Me too. --- Sheryl steps quietly back into the locker room, holding the chloroform-soaked cloth in one hand. She can hear Crystal humming to herself inside, but doesn't see her. Sheryl steps softly into the room, and notices Crystal's locker is open, but Crystal isn't there. Looking behind her to make sure Crystal isn't lurking, Sheryl grabs Crystal's keys and cell phone from her locker, and quickly unlocks her own locker, hiding them inside, as well as Crystal's purse. As Sheryl does this, the sound of the shower turning on comes from the next room. Sheryl turns her head suddenly, the sound making her jump. Realizing what is is, Sheryl relaxes, and finishes closing her locker. At this point, Sheryl steps almost silently into the next room. There, Crystal showers, humming a song to herself as she shampoos her hair, blissfully unaware of the sinister woman approaching her from behind. Sheryl takes a step closer. Crystal moves her head under the shower head. Sheryl steps closer again. Crystal closes her eyes as she lathers her hair in shampoo. Crystal's humming drowns out any noise from Sheryl's movements toward Crystal. As Crystal rinses the shampoo from her hair, Sheryl pounces, grabbing Crystal and covering her mouth and nose with one hand with the chloroformed cloth. After a few moments of struggle, Crystal succumbs to the fumes, and loses consciousness. Sheryl beams, almost busting out laughing at her latest victory. ---

EPISODE 161 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco In the Horton living room, Laura paces the room, while Liam, Jenn and JJ look on. Laura has an intense look on her face, trying to sort out the details of Liam's story. After a moment, she stops and turns to face Liam. LAURA: You know, Liam, I realize you've had a lot of struggles the last few years. And I do appreciate you being so honest with us about your past. LIAM: Thank you, Laura. Laura takes a moment before continuing, looking over at a concerned JJ. LAURA: Liam, I don't mean to be ungrateful. I just....I'm very protective of my daughter, and my grandchildren. I wasn't there for them for a lot of years, through no fault of my own, and...I want to protect them at all costs. LIAM: Believe me, I understand. Laura looks down, trying to word her thoughts carefully. LAURA: I'm glad. Because I hope that this means you won't hold any feelings of animosity toward me for this. Laura looks up at Liam, then at Jennifer. She smiles. LAURA: I know that things can become very volatile in families, and you need to separate yourself from them for a time. But just know that, no matter what, we are always here when you need our help. Laura reaches out and takes Liam's hand in hers. She smiles broadly. Liam looks back with the same broad smile. LIAM: I really appreciate that, Laura. You don't understand just how much. LAURA: I'm sure I do. Welcome to the family, Liam. Laura and Liam hug, as a thrilled Jennifer looks on. JJ hangs back, confused and somewhat horrified at his grandmother's sudden change of heart. --- Nick steps into the Kiriakis living room. He carries a pair of crossbody bags on his shoulders, and a pair of large suitcases are wheeled in behind him. To the shock of the Kiriakis family, Nick sets his luggage down and smiles broadly. NICK: Morning, everyone. Feels great to be home. Justin, sitting on the sofa in his dressing gown, sets down his coffee on the coffee table, giving Nick a confused glare. JUSTIN: Nick...this isn't funny. Especially this early in the morning. What's going on? NICK: Just coming to meet and greet with my housemates. At this moment, Maggie steps into the room, a tray of croissants in her hand. MAGGIE: Morning, everyone! Chef made some croissants, so I figured I'd help out and bring them in. Maggie goes to offer everyone some, but notices Nick before her, and looks at him, puzzled. MAGGIE: Nick! What are you doing here? Nick looks up at Maggie and smiles broadly, almost enjoying seeing the pained look of the Kiriakis clan as he tells Maggie his news. NICK: Isn't it obvious, Aunt Maggie? I'm moving in! Maggie, and the others, look back at Nick, with a sickened confusion. --- Sheryl stands in the stairwell at University Hospital, on her phone with Jerome. She speaks in whispers, but is clearly panicking. SHERYL: (into phone) We have a major problem on our hands. ... Jerome walks into the living room at the Grant house, cell phone in ear. He checks behind and around him to make sure Valerie is not in earshot. JEROME: (into phone) You couldn't have picked a worse time, you know? ... SHERYL: (into phone) I don't think that's what matters right now. You need to listen. Crystal got the memo. She's here. NOW. ... Jerome's jaw drops, floored by the news. He stammers as he tries to answer. --- --- Justin tosses his tablet to his side on the couch, as he gets up from the sofa, exapserated. JUSTIN: Are you serious right now? It's not bad enough you've taken over our company, now you want our house? NICK: Ahh Justin, don't worry. It's not like I'm kicking any of you out. In fact, I think this place is big enough for all of us. Nick turns to a waiting Henderson, who reluctantly takes Nick's suitcases from him, as Nick turns to give him instruction. NICK: Oh, ah, there may be one more person staying in my room with me, Henderson. But if she isn't, can you make the adjacent room up for her for me? HENDERSON: Ah... Henderson looks over at Maggie, who nods in agreement, before responding gracefully. HENDERSON: Absolutely, Mr. Fallon. NICK: Thanks, Henderson. As Henderson leaves with Nick's bags, Maggie asks the pertinent question. MAGGIE: Ahh...one other person? Nick smiles proudly as he responds. NICK: Yeah, Gabi may move in with me. She's gonna let me for sure today. Justin snaps at the news of yet another person in the house. JUSTIN: Oh, come on! What are we running, a boarding house here? Alex interjects, trying to keep his father's temper in check. ALEX: Dad! Nick...much as I hate to say it...he has a right to be here. ANJELICA: Alex is right. JUSTIN: Oh, how do you know, Anjelica? Anjelica stands by her son, giving Justin an emotionless, dry response. ANJELICA: I do my research. Apparently, this is a concept that escapes you. Justin sighs, as Nick corroborates Anjelica and Alex. NICK: They're right. Since I own a majority stake in Titan now, and this property is not Victor's personal property but Titan corporate property...well... Nick shrugs, feigning helplessness, as Justin shakes his head. JUSTIN: How the Hell did we manage this. Nick smirks, as he turns to leave the room, heading for his bedroom. On his way out, he makes a snarky retort. NICK: Guess you shouldn't have tried to shirk your taxes by making the house corporate property, Justin! See ya! As Nick disappears around the corner, Justin, Maggie, Alex and Anjelica stand around, with only Anjelica looking remotely pleased. Even Maggie looks uncomfortable with the situation they find themselves in. --- As Laura and Liam separate from their embrace, Jenn smiles broadly, excited by the apparent thawing of Liam and Laura's relationship. JENNIFER:Ohh this is great. Isn't it, JJ? JJ responds cooly, shaken by Laura's sudden change of heart toward the man he fears. JJ: Yeah. Awesome. Laura turns back toward JJ and smiles, winking just out of the line of sight of either Jenn or Liam. LAURA: Look, you should all be going. I need to take care of some things before JJ leaves. Laura turns to face Jenn and Liam. LAURA: You don't mind if JJ and I have a word alone before he leaves, do you? LIAM: Not at all. LAURA: Great. Jennifer and Liam step out of the room, leaving JJ behind, almost exploding to find out what Laura just did. JJ: Grandma, what the Hell was that? Laura turns to JJ, speaking softly so as not to be heard, but emphatically. She takes JJ's hands in hers and smiles wryly. LAURA: That was a factfinding mission, JJ. And I struck gold. JJ looks on, puzzled. Laura looks over as Liam and Jennifer close the front door to the house. LAURA: At least, I think so. And in any event, it's enough information for us to work with while you're at Berkley. JJ: Grandma, I don't get this. LAURA: It's simple, JJ. Things are going to be a lot easier around here if I make my fears about Liam appear to be addressed, and resolved. Now, Liam thinks I'm out of his hair. I get all kinds of information that you, myself, and Daniel can research, and we get to figure out exactly what's going on and who Liam is involved with before it's too late. JJ sighs, looking over at the doorway, his fear of Liam palpable. JJ: Grandma, I hope to God you're right about this. --- Jordan sits at her desk at University Hospital. She looks at her fiancé, Rafe, in horror, as he sits across from her at her desk. JORDAN: I don't...I don't understand...wh... RAFE: You heard me, didn't you? JORDAN: Yyyes, but I don't know how to respond to that kind of question, Rafe. What do you mean, who are you really marrying? I...you're marrying Jordan Ridgeway. Rafe looks steely-eyed at Jordan, entering into interrogation mode. RAFE: Kate seems to think otherwise. JORDAN: Kate thinks a lot of things, Rafe. And a whole lot of them are lies. Jordan gets up from her desk, leaning against it as she stares into Rafe's eyes. JORDAN: I have only known this woman for a matter of months, and I know this. Why can't you figure this out? RAFE: Because I know Kate. And I know that she would lie in a heartbeat if it would suit her, but I also know when she's telling the truth. Jordan sighs, looking away from Rafe. She shakes her head as she responds to Rafe. JORDAN: And you think this is one of those times. RAFE: Well? Is it? JORDAN: I'm not even going to dignify that with-- Rafe interrupts Jordan, exploding with anger as he shouts her down. RAFE: Is it?! After a moment of silence, Rafe gets up from his seat, and leans in toward Jordan, almost hissing his words. RAFE: J...Jordan, if you don't tell me the truth right now, I swear to God, I will walk out that door, and I will NEVER look back. Jordan sighs again. She slowly sits herself back down behind her desk. She throws her arms out, as though admitting defeat. JORDAN: Fine! Yes. I am not Jordan Ridgeway. Are you happy now? Rafe looks on, disappointment clearly in his eyes, as Jordan looks away, sensing his feeling. --- Jerome paces the living room of his family home, on his cell phone with Sheryl, as they both panic about the news of Crystal's arrival in Salem. JEROME: (into phone) W...ah...we...I intercepted that e-mail within minutes, how the hell... ... Sheryl stands in the stairwell at the hospital, shaking her head as she answers Jerome's question before he finishes. SHERYL: (into phone) I couldn't tell you. All I know is, she's here now, in the locker room, and is just SO happy to meet me. And now I gotta figure out what to do about it. ... JEROME: (into phone) Okay (sigh) look, just...sit tight, don't raise alarms. Just get to Jordan's office as fast as you can, and try to get her out of town. ... Sheryl shakes her head, annoyed by this turn of events. She responds to Jerome sarcastically. SHERYL: (into phone) Sure. Simple as that. (sigh) I'll figure something out. You keep your nose clean. I'll report back in a bit. Sheryl hangs up the phone, before turning back toward the door to the 7th floor. She opens the door back to the hallway outside the locker room, when she spies the cleaner leaving the supply room, pushing her cart out the door. As she does, she's on her walkie talkie, responding to a call from another floor. VOICE: (via walkie talkie) Sandra, there's a spill in the lounge on the 4th floor. SANDRA: (into walkie talkie) Yeah, I'm on it, thanks. Just on the 7th floor... As Sandra walks away with the cart, she's distracted by the conversation into the walkie talkie and doesn't notice Sheryl behind her. She pushes the cart away, forcing the door open, as the quiet hallway remains nearly empty. Mere milliseconds before the door shuts behind her, Sheryl sticks her foot out, stopping the door from fully closing. The cleaner doesn't notice, and Sheryl looks around at the empty hallway, and gives a knowing smirk, before stepping inside. ---

EPISODE 160 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Justin sits in the Kiriakis living room, wearing his robe. He sits on the sofa, sipping a coffee while he flips through the morning edition of the Salem Spectator on his tablet. Alex walks into the room, fully dressed for the day, surprising Justin. ALEX: Morning. JUSTIN: Well, you're off to an early start. Alex pours himself a cup of coffee from the caraffe on the bar by the entrance to the living room. ALEX: Yeah, have to go into the office for a bit to sort out some things. Gotta figure out my action plan with WXIR breathing down our necks about the EnerNext project. JUSTIN: Yeah. I don't regret selling the station, but...we could have used the PR right about now. ALEX: Believe me, I know. The only thing we can hope for now is for Nick to self-sabotage, and hopefully, we get the company back. Anjelica steps into the room at this moment, perky as the morning sun. ANJELICA: Good morning, all! Anjelica kisses Alex on the cheek, to which Alex winces in slight embarrassment. ALEX: Morning. JUSTIN: Ahhh Anjelica! Bright like the sun, and just as irritating to look directly at. Anjelica turns to Justin, smiling broadly. ANJELICA: I'll chalk that remark up to that being your first cup of coffee for the day. JUSTIN: It's definitely my second. Your resemblance is just uncanny. Justin sips his second coffee, as Anjelica chooses to ignore his barbs and carries on. ANJELICA: Well, I am just thrilled to wake up to such handsome men first thing. However, I do have a lot of campaigning to do. I hope you all have time to see me on TV tonight. I'll be making an appearance on WXIR. Justin nearly spits out his coffee at Anjelica's response. JUSTIN: I'm sorry? ANJELICA: Yes! Nicole Walker wants to have me on for an interview regarding my plans for the energy sector, and I'm planning to lend my full support to the EnerNext project. I mean, unless that's a problem for you? Anjelica looks back and forth at her son, then at Justin, gauging their reaction. --- Jordan sits at her desk at University Hospital, struggling to concentrate after her intense conversation with Maxine about Jordan's relationship with Rafe. She leans back in her chair, sighing as she takes a break from her attempts to work, as a knock on the door is heard. JORDAN: Come in! Rafe opens the door to Jordan's office, a serious look on his face that Jordan spots immediately. JORDAN: Rafe! Rafe closes the door behind him, remaining standing close to the door. RAFE: We need to talk. Jordan's face holds a look of dread, as she waits to hear what Rafe wants to discuss. --- Maxine guides Sheryl, disguised as Nurse Crystal Clarke, over to the hospital locker room, motioning to the door of the room, as patients and staff hurry by. MAXINE: And here you go, here's the locker room. Your locker is 39D, and I hope you brought a lock. SHERYL: I did indeeed! MAXINE: Gooood. Now, get yourself changed, Dr. Grant will be meeting with you in... Maxine checks her watch. MAXINE: About half an hour. Her office is on the 8th floor. SHERYL: Thank you, Maxine! MAXINE: You're welcome, Honey! And I hope to be seeing more of you around here! Maxine walks off, as Sheryl keeps her keen (fake) smile on. As Maxine disappears from view, Sheryl darts into the locker room. She drops the fake southern accent almost immediately. SHERYL: That was a challenge. Sheryl sighs as she studies the lockers. She stumbles upon her locker, which is right next to another staff member. Sheryl draws herself up and gets back into character, as she plays friendly newbie, cutting through to her locker. SHERYL: Hiya! The woman turns around, her freshly-dyed blonde hair cut in a bob. She smiles warmly at Sheryl. WOMAN: Well hi there! The woman's thick southern accent sounds strikingly similar to Sheryl's, though the woman doesn't look up, as she tries to quickly change. SHERYL: Sorry, I know you're probably pretty busy. WOMAN: I am, it's mah first day here. As Sheryl opens her locker and puts her bag in, she smiles as she connects with her fellow new hire. SHERYL: Well, what a coincidence! Me too! What's your name, sweetheart?? The woman turns suddenly, her bright smile meets Sheryl's as she extends a hand in a greeting shake. WOMAN: I'm Crystal Clarke! What's your name?? Sheryl's face drops in horror as she realizes who is standing before her. --- --- Justin gets up from the sofa, unsure he heard Anjelica correctly. JUSTIN: Anjelica...did you miss the part where we no longer control Titan? ANJELICA: Well, that's neither here nor there, you still have an interest in maintaining the company's bottom line, no? Last time I checked, you were still the company's attorney. I would think you'd be thrilled by my support. JUSTIN: I'm not gonna lie, I am. Begrudgingly, but...as I told Alex...we need all the support we can get. Anjelica gives a wry smile, as she turns to pour herself a cup of coffee from the caraffe. ANJELICA: I just figured one good turn deserves another, and since you've all been so gracious about letting me stay here, I figured, well, at the very least I can...lend some support to your ends. ALEX: Trust me, Anjelica. That does a lot more than you know. Nicole Walker's planning to do a real butcher job on us with this report. ANJELICA: Well, not to worry, my son. Anjelica steps over to Alex, putting her hand lovingly (and patronizingly) on his cheek. ANJELICA: I eat women like Nicole Walker for breakfast. Turning back toward Justin, she sits herself down in the armchair next to the sofa. ANJELICA: Speaking of Titan...have you heard from your new CEO yet? ALEX: Thankfully, no. As Alex finishes his thought, Henderson steps into the room, looking somewhat weary. Justin spots this immediately as Henderson enters. HENDERSON: Ah...pardon me, Mr. Kiriakis, but...have things become so dire that we've begun letting rooms in the house? Justin looks on, baffled by Henderson's remark. JUSTIN: Well, last I checked, only the Martin House had rooms on BedAndBreakfast.com, why? HENDERSON: Ah...well... Before Henderson can finish his thought, Nick steps into the room, his luggage in tow. A broad smile on his face as he whips his sunglasses off, jubilantly. NICK: Ahhh! Home, sweet home. Nick surveys the room, as the others look at him, totally confused. --- Laura, JJ and Jennifer stand around the Horton living room, as Liam begins to explain himself to them. He uncomfortably stutters and paces the room, as the others listen. LIAM: So, like I told Jenn, I...basically had been in Chicago for awhile after my divorce from my wife. We um...we had some major issues. Things ended pretty badly between us. I still struggle with my anger at times. JJ: What did she do that was so awful? Liam sighs, as he sits down in an armchair in the room. He sighs for a moment before answering, solemnly. LIAM: It's....it's very complicated but...she wasn't interested in love. She wanted...power. And lots of it. Things I couldn't give her. In the end, she left me for my...father. JJ's eyes widen at the revelation. Laura looks on, still skeptical. Jenn reads the room, uneasy with the story coming out to her family. JJ: Wow! That's...that's heavy. LAURA: Jennifer, did you know about this? JENNIFER: Not really. And I'm not exactly comfortable with this having to come out to my entire family. Liam looks up at Jenn, a saddened look in his eye. LIAM: And I'm sorry about that. I just...I didn't want to waste the time we had together...dwelling on the past. Jenn nods, disappointed but understanding. JENNIFER: I understand. I do wish you'd tell me first, but...I understand. Laura, nonplussed by the revelation, interjects. LAURA: So how does the $50,000 come into it. And why are you so willing to give it away? LIAM: That...that was a combination of some good investments, and my divorce settlement, in a way. My father's a successful businessman, he offered me a lot of money if I went away quietly. Told me I'd never make her as happy as he could. (sigh) I knew he was right. Liam sits in the chair, solemn. He looks straight ahead, barely blinking as he stares with laser focus. LIAM: So I decided I was going to put the money to good use. Help someone I cared about that truly needed it. I want to build a life with Jennifer, Laura. I want to be a part of this family. And part of that is helping to make her children's dreams come true. I want that for them. Laura looks on, unsure whether she believes Liam or not. JJ's eyes dart back and forth between Liam, and Laura. LIAM: Will you let me do that for them? Laura stares unflinchingly at Liam, silently deciding what to make of what he's just told her. --- Jordan adjusts herself in her office chair, a look of dread on her face as Rafe walks toward her. JORDAN: Ah...sure. Sit down. Rafe takes a seat on the opposite side of Jordan's desk. He wears a grave look as well. Jordan hesitates before asking Rafe a question, almost as though she doesn't really want to know the answer. JORDAN: So...what did you want to talk about? RAFE: Well...I need you to explain some things to me. JORDAN: Like what? RAFE: See...I ran into Kate at the Town Square just now. Jordan sighs, frustrated by Kate's constant meddling. JORDAN: Kate. I knew it. What did she want this time? RAFE: Well, she told me something, and she said you'd have an answer for me. Jordan blurts out a sarcastic laugh. JORDAN: Oh, I'm sure. What did I do this time? Rafe looks cooly at Jordan, himself almost afraid of the answer he'll receive. RAFE: It's not what you did, Jordan. It's about who you are. Jordan looks back at Rafe, suddenly stone silent. RAFE: She told me Jordan Ridgeway isn't your real name. So who exactly did I just get engaged to? The colour drains for Jordan's face, as she thinks fast, reaching for an answer. --- Sheryl stand across from Crystal in the locker room at University Hospital. She smiles at Crystal, as she shakes her hand. SHERYL: Pleasure to meet you. Crystal beams, having met her first co-worker at the hospital. CRYSTAL: And your name is...? Sheryl jumps momentarily, sharing her name in a moment of desperation. SHERYL: Ah Sheryl. Sheryl...Matthews. CRYSTAL: Well, it's great to meet you, darlin'! SHERYL: Same here. Sheryl turns, looking into her locker with a sudden look of dread on her face. She glares into the void of her locker, hoping to maybe disappear into it as she stands next to the woman she intends to impersonate. Crystal, meanwhile, carries on jovially, without a care in the world, as she dons her scrubs. CRYSTAL: Gosh, you know, it's funny. Mah hair was exactly that colour not a week ago. SHERYL: Oh is that right? CRYSTAL: Yep! I dyed it blonde since I was movin'. Got a new job, moved to a new town. New life. Just what the doctor ordered. SHERYL: I understand that. CRYSTAL: You sound like a fella Southerner, where you from, Honey? Sheryl suddenly closes the door to her locker, her expression unchanging, as she turns to Crystal suddenly. SHERYL: Birmingham! I'm sorry, Crystal. I gotta meet with Dr. Grant in a moment. I'm sure I'll be seein' ya! CRYSTAL: Oh, it's fine, I'm sure you will! I gotta shower before my shift anyway. I haven't had a chance to yet, I just got into town this morning. So I best be goin' myself. Nice to meet ya! SHERYL: Likewise. Sheryl walks off, coldly, trying to avoid giving away her discomfort, as she quickly darts off around the corner. Quickly taking her cell phone in hand, Sheryl calls Jerome, her face shifting immediately into one of rage and panic, as she shouts into the phone, but in a hushed tone. SHERYL: (into phone) We have a MAJOR problem on our hands. ---