May

Friday May 1

Sami's place - Part 1: Lucas comes over after Sami left him 3 messages, sent him a text and told Will she wanted to talk to him. He figured out that she didn't tell EJ about Grace because if she had the explosion would have been heard all over Salem. Sami tells him not to tell anyone else - it's still a secret. Lucas asks if this has something to do with Philip. It does. Sami believes that what happened to Tony was an accident - she knows that Philip is not a murderer. She couldn't believe how EJ handled the news when Lexie told them about Philip being shot. He was calm and collected. He was obviously behind it and he didn't care that he was part of killing a man. Lucas - And this is the father of two of your children. Sami wants him to promise to never tell EJ. He responds that someone else knows. She flips out - he told Chloe!!! Lucas is referring to the FBI guy, can he be trusted? Sami - Yeah. Lucas thinks that sounded lukewarm - he thought they were an item. Sami doesn't know what they are. Things were wonderful between them for about two hours. When it comes to Grace they can totally trust him. He just has thing about EJ. When she told Rafe she was thinking of telling EJ about Grace he flipped out - he almost left town. He was right and I was wrong. Lucas asks if he's still in town. She went to talk to him and got him to stay - they had a wonderful time for about a second and then EJ happened. Lucas asks her 'how did it end?' She doesn't know - she thinks she scared him away.

Sami thinks that Rafe thinks her life is complicated and that she can be emotional from time to time. She admits that she can be difficult at times and that she changes her mind but that doesn't mean she has the feelings EJ says she has. Lucas tells her to rewind - he needs to get some things straight. Sami tells him it started at the wedding. She went there to tell EJ that he was Grace's father. Then she found out that Stefano and EJ had Philip shot so she changed her mind and didn't tell him anything. Now EJ is wondering why she interrupted the wedding so he and his huge ego decided that she didn't want him marrying Nicole because she still had feelings for him. Lucas - so now EJ thinks that you love him? Right and he announces it to everyone he comes across. Rafe heard it but even though she told him in no uncertain terms that she's not in love with EJ ... Lucas asks her if she's being honest when she says she doesn't have feelings for EJ. Sami denies that she is love with EJ. Lucas thinks she is protesting too much. Before she found out about Philip she felt compelled to tell EJ that they had another kid together. Sami says yeah but I didn't and he should understand that better than anyone after what she did to him and Will. He's married to Chloe now - that doesn't stop her from seeing him, Will and Allie and she likes what she sees. Lucas asks if she thinks Rafe could understand about her and EJ. Sami declares that the person doesn't understand this is EJ - she could have killed him. Lucas says if he had been a better shot she wouldn't being dealing with this. Sami tells him not to talk like that. She is sure she doesn't have feelings for EJ - he is the father of two of her children and that's the limit to how she cares about him. Lucas tells her she better be sure about that - make sure that history doesn't repeat itself.

Sami tells Lucas that EJ arranged to have someone killed - she could never love someone like that. Lucas wonders if maybe love isn't the right word. Maybe in her mind (he points to his head) she knows that he's not right man for her and she shouldn't have feelings for him ... Sami warns him that if he points at his heart next she's going to freak out. He wasn't going to point at his heart - it's a different place than that ... Sami sputters and starts throwing stuffed animals at him. Lucas tells her it's the truth - throughout time smart humans have made mistakes - they don't pick the smartest people for them. A perfect example is like when he fell for her. He says he'll shut up now. She tells him what he'll do is get out now. He says come on you trust me. This is one of the biggest secrets you've had and I've honoured that - you trust me. She smiles and thanks him. Lucas tells her that he sees her with Will and Allie and he loves what he sees. He cares about her - he doesn't want to see her get hurt. She won't. She's not going to tell EJ about Grace - she doesn't want anything to do with him ever. Lucas points out that she doesn't have a choice. Allie and Johnny are brother and sister so she is going to see EJ, she is going to be a part of his life and you'll still be tempted by him. Sami asks him why he would say something like that. Because the guy just tried to kill his brother. He's not going to let him hurt anyone else he cares about. Lucas doesn't get it - every time something happens she tells him she's over the guy yada, yada, yada - you know what happened the last time you told me that - you were pregnant with his baby again. He doesn't like the fact that his daughter is part of that family but he has no choice. So why don't you get your feelings straight, be honest with me and tell me the truth because you can't afford to make any more mistakes. My brother was almost killed. My mom is a basket case. Every single time I take Allie to see Johnnie I got armed goons watching them so they won't be the next victims. I'm not here to talk about your stupid love life, I'm here to tell you to grow up. Grow up now, grow up fast, please.


Waterfront - Part 1: Apparently Rafe and Arianna talked all night - catching up. Rafe takes it that last night made up for everything. Arianna says no - to make up for everything would require him buying her breakfast. She hugs him - she's so happy he's back in her life.


Hospital: Daniel tells Kate he doesn't have time for this and walks away. Kate mutters that he thinks it's over - she recalls the kiss she seen between him and Chloe - we'll see. Chelsea tells Kate that she spoke with the doctor and she's stable - it's going to be a really long recuperation. Kate declares that she will be there for as long as Billie needs her - she's going to London tonight. Chelsea says what about Philip? She tells her she can't go as long as Philip is still in the hospital. Kate says Billie is her daughter - she doesn't have a choice. Chelsea says she does - she'll go. They argue about who is going to go and who is going to stay and the reasons each have for going and staying. Daniel asks if anything is wrong. Kate tells him her daughter, Chelsea's mother was in a serious accident. He asks what the prognosis is. Chelsea tells him she's stable but it's going to be a really long recuperation. Kate is going to call Jack and Jennifer to check on her until she can get there and when she comes back she is going to persuade Chelsea to do exactly what she needs to do. Chelsea tells Daniel she was going to call her mom earlier in the week but she kept putting it off. She wanted to tell her mom about Max. He comments - you're really happy, aren't you. He's glad. Daniel asks what the problem is with Kate. Chelsea tells him that she wants to go to London and Kate thinks she should go - Chelsea isn't backing down. When Daniel finds out what hospital Billie is he says he has a friend there - he'll call and ask him how her mom is doing. If she goes he'll really miss her - they hug.

Kate returns - Jen and Jack are gone to Africa to visit Bill. Chelsea asks Daniel to call his friend and tell him that she'll be there tomorrow. Kate says Chelsea no - Daniel will let them work it out. Kate has to pack and make some business calls - she gets a call - yes, I'm her mother - Oh my God, yes, I understand. Chelsea is on the phone to the hospital in London - tell her I'll be there as soon as I can. She adds that she's been training in OT so she thinks she could be of some assistance to the nurses. Kate tells her she was great on the phone, strong and capable. She thinks if Chelsea wants to go to London she should - she'll go with her. Chelsea thinks that Philip needs her - when he fully recovers she can reconsider. Kate agrees that Philip has been through quite an ordeal. Chelsea will call her every day with an update. She is going to tell her supervisor that she's going. Daniel returns and tells Kate he thinks they should talk. Kate agrees. In the OT department Lexie, Abe and Theo run into Chelsea. She's glad their there because she didn't want to do this over the phone. She tells them about her mom's accident and that she's going to London to be with her. She'll make a full recovery but she needs a lot of surgeries. She says goodbye to Theo, she'll miss him a lot - they hug. Lexie thanks her for everything. She thanks Abe and Lexie for letting her be a part of their family.

Daniel wants to talk to Kate about Chelsea - he thinks it's important that she be the one to go to London. Kate tells him Chelsea is going and she's staying here. Daniel says good. Before Kate can tell him what she wanted to talk to him about he gets paged. She tells him to go - she'll wait for just the right moment. Chelsea and Kate say their goodbyes - she tells Kate that she doesn't exactly fit the stereotype but she's the best grandmother ever. Chelsea leaves the hospital. Kate mutters - it's a good thing you're going. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. Daniel tells Kate they can talk now. Kate needs some help with a problem - she needs some advice. She now knows for sure that Chloe was having an affair when she was engaged to Lucas and she's shattered. Daniel thought she had decided that was an ugly rumour. Not anymore. She knows for sure that Chloe was whoring around on her son. Daniel still can't believe it. Kate - Really? You can't believe it when you are the man she was whoring around with?


Java Cafe - Part 1: Chloe joins Will - no school today because of teacher's conferences. She asks about school. He doesn't like that everyone is in clumps - he's a baseplayer player so he's stuck in the jock clump which means he can't talk about a book he read. Chloe tells him she hated the cliques when she was in high school too. Will - Oh come on you were prom queen. She says that she was never really popular - she had some friends - being prom queen was a fluke. Will asks if she knew his Dad back then. She says no, he was ... Will jumps in - really in love with my mom. Chloe - I guess it doesn't matter what we start talking about, it always gets around to your mom. Will is sorry. Chloe is sorry that she and his dad got together when he was gone. Yes they had Allie but she had nothing to do with breaking them apart. Will knows - his mom did. Watching her in action now like hey, I adopted a new baby, do you like my new bodyguard ... he stopped asking himself how his dad could have loved her and started wondering how he put up with her for so long. Chloe tells him his mom has been through a lot. Will says he was wrong - his dad is better off with her. Chloe is glad that he thinks that. Will - He can count on you. That means a lot.

Rafe and Arianna sit at a table - she comments that he hasn't changed. All that talking last night was about her and every question about him got deflected. Rafe shrugs - his life is boring. Yeah that's why they make television shows about Witness Protection because it's so boring. Rafe tries to change the subject. Arianna asks him what it is that he doesn't want her to know - is it the job. He gave it up. He's not with the agency anymore - he wanted to mix things up. Arianna says - bull, you were canned. You would never voluntarily leave the agency in a million years. Rafe says he and the agency didn't see eye to eye on the way he handled his last assignment. Arianna guesses that his last assignment was young, female, beautiful - you fell for her, didn't you? She chuckles - some things never change. He hates it when she acts like she knows him better than he knows himself. She tells him that people that know him for 5 minutes know him better than he knows himself. Rafe thought they were here for the breakfast, not the therapy. Arianna asks if she was worth it - she knows how much he loved that job - was she worth losing it? He doesn't know. Arianna - it's over, already? Rafe - I don't know. Arianna thinks she found him just in the nick of time.


Waterfront - Part 2: Father Matt encounters Chloe and comments that married life must agree with her - this is the second time he's caught her smiling. She wants to know if it's a sin to tell a kid you want to know all about baseball when it's your idea of torture. He chuckles - is she talking about her husband's son? He thinks it isn't a lie - it's a brilliant idea. So all the things you were worried about before your wedding ... Chloe tells him it's been clear sailing and she thinks it's going to stay that way. She thinks she is making progress with Will and she's crazy about Allie. The priest asks about her husband. Chloe says there are things going on with his family - his half brother was shot. She's glad they were married before any of that happened - it just made them closer. The priest deduces she hasn't told her husband about the affair. She thanks God she didn't - Lucas has been through enough. He doesn't need to be hurt anymore. Chloe tells him about Lucas's accident - she knows that he was dead. When he was okay it was a miracle and part of that miracle was him not remembering what his Aunt Maggie told him about her and Daniel. Maggie realised that God had given her a do over and who was she to interfere with his plans. She also realised that Lucas knowing what she had done would only hurt him. So now at last she finally has some peace of mind.


Sami's place - Part 2: Sami gets what he is talking about - she'll be careful. He doesn't mean to be rude about this whole thing but it's not like he can take Allie out of this whole thing - he can't just leave town and forget about all this madness so just be careful. Be honest with me. She will - she is. Lucas doesn't like Rafe challenging EJ and taking him on for the kids sake. He has to keep things calm. Sami doesn't know what is going with Rafe. He suggests she find out. She appreciates him being here for her. He says yeah - we have to stick together. She tells him he's a really good friend to her - her secret is safe with him. Will asks - just what does that mean? She's always doing crazy stuff and now she's dragging Dad into it. Lucas tells Will to not talk to his mother like that - especially in front of him. Will wants to know why he sticks up for her. Lucas tells him it's none of his business. He can't wait until Will is 17 or 18 or whatever the age is when he doesn't know everything. Sami tells Will his dad has a lot on his plate right now - cut him some slack? Will - and you're helping him how? What's the big secret he has to keep? Lucas - Didn't you hear what I said? Sami says Will is like her - he won't quit until he knows. She tells Will she was telling his Dad that there might be more to her relationship with Rafe than friendship. Lucas - You were going to talk to him, Sami. She wishes she knew where he was. Will tells her that he saw him at Java Cafe - and yes he'll babysit but she needs to start paying. Lucas got it - Sami thanks Lucas and leaves. Lucas gives Will some money - he has to go and meet Chloe. Will just saw her at the pier. He asked her to one of his baseball games even though he's pretty sure she doesn't like the game - he thinks she's trying to worm her way into his good graces - she's good at it. He likes her. Lucas likes the sound of that. Will asks him if he tells Chloe about the secrets he has with Mom. Lucas answers that he thinks Chloe has some secrets of her own.


Chelsea's apt: She leaves Max a message. She just got off the phone with the doctor and it turns out that things are a lot worse than they thought. She doesn't want to do this over the phone - she needs to see him as soon as possible.


Java Cafe - Part 2: Rafe tells Arianna to have some faith in him - he's had some great offers since he left the agency - like Central Office, Homeland Security. She knows they don't have an office here - he turned it down, didn't he? You meet this awful woman and turn your life upside down for her? Rafe tells her she can't call her awful because she hasn't met her. She's seen her handiwork - she took Rafe and changed him from 'employed in Washington' to 'loser in Salem'. Rafe calls her out for calling Sami awful when she hasn't met her - she's jealous. Sami comes in and sees them and hears Rafe say - I'm going to tell you what you want to hear. I love you and nobody's ever going to take your place in my heart - how's that? Are we cool now?


Waterfront - Part 3: Chloe tells Father Matt that Nicole's wedding was really beautiful ... until it wasn't. It made her think it would have been really nice if he could have married her and Lucas. He tells her they still can be married in a church if they want to. She says maybe when Philip gets better - it would be something nice for Lucas's family, his mother. Even though Nicole's wedding was nice she was happy to already be married. Not that she's letting herself off the hook but being married feels like a new beginning, like it wipes the past away. She knows that there are some secrets that should be kept even from your husband - Lucas hears her say this.


Preview: Stephanie to Philip - I love you but I can't live like this. Philip gets out of his hospital bed and goes after her - Stephanie, wait. Chloe to Lucas - I'm happy just the way we are. Lucas - Are you really? Kate to Daniel - She lied. She betrayed my son. Sami to Rafe - Were you ever going to mention that you're in love with someone else?

***********************************

Monday May 4

Hospital - Part 1: Stephanie has a nightmare about Philip flat-lining; she can't wake him up. Philip wakes Stephanie up - she asks him to promise that he'll never leave her. He promises. Philip tells her to believe him - when he gets out of there everything will be fine. She has nothing to worry about. Stephanie asks him what he's going to do. Philip tells her he promised he wouldn't leave her and he won't but he thinks it's best that she doesn't know what he's going to do next. Stephanie - it isn't over, is it? It's just beginning. Philip tells her they're trying to make sure this comes to an end permanently. She tells him it doesn't end. There's always one more retaliation - that's why she wanted to go to Greece. He can't run away - he caused all this. Stephanie says I can't ... she stops. Philip wants to know what she's thinking. She asks him why the hell it matters. He's always going to do what he wants to do - he's never going to change. He knows she wanted them to go away to get away from this mess - it's appealing ... Stephanie says we would stay alive - we wouldn't have to keep looking over our shoulders. He tells her that's not totally true - running away will not end this war. It would just move it to a new location. She's sorry - she loves him but she can't live like this. She walks out. Philip tells her to wait and gets out of bed.

Daniel asks Kate what she's going to do now. She makes him squirm - wouldn't you like to know. Daniel says so you know that it's over. He surmises that she's been watching them. Kate gets snooty - she's enjoying him implying that she did something wrong when he and that ... Daniel jumps in that person who risked her life to save yours. Kate knows exactly what Chloe did for her and she knows exactly what she did to her son. Daniel says she did nothing to your son except keep him from finding out the truth because your son obviously as he has so often proven the man can't handle the truth. Kate scoffs - she can't believe he's acting as if Chloe did nothing wrong. Daniel can't believe that she of all people is taking the moral high road - she's not exactly virginal. She's the kind of person that only cares about herself and a few blood relatives but Chloe is trying her hardest to do what is best. Kate - She lied. She cheated. She betrayed my son. Daniel says she gave in to temptation but she hates herself for it. If she wants to hate someone take it out on him - if she goes after Chloe he'll make her regret it. Kate - Oh Daniel is still in love with Chloe. Daniel tells Kate that Stephanie is with Philip - she can go home. Kate thinks he's uncomfortable now that she knows what he's really like. He's uncomfortable with the fact that she might hurt Chloe. Kate says - the way she hurt Lucas? Daniel points out that she didn't - it seems like Lucas is extremely happy. It looks like Kate put herself in the position where the only thing she can do is make things worse not just for him and Chloe but Lucas also. He makes it clear he doesn't give a damn about Lucas but he's all he's got to contain Kate. He makes it clear that if she thinks that she can punish Chloe while her son floats around on a pink trust fund cloud, forget it. She hurts, he hurts, trust me on that.


Waterfront - Part 1: Chloe thinks Father Matt doesn't agree with her theory that some secrets should be kept. He doesn't think it's quite that simple. Lucas chimes in - it seems pretty straightforward to him - is she right or wrong? Lucas thinks they are talking about Nicole and EJ. Father Matt tells Lucas that he would be happy to officiate if they decided to get married in the church. Lucas thinks that it's a great idea. He can see that Chloe is not that enthused. She tells him they should talk about it first. Father Matt leaves for a parish council meeting. Chloe tells Lucas that they're as married as they can get - she's happy just the way they are. Lucas - are you really? She insists that she is happy. He's just a little worried because last time he had no idea she was unhappy and she broke off the engagement. Chloe says that was her fault too. She didn't tell him but now she doesn't keep anything from him. She tells him all the things she's happy doing with him including this - she kisses him.


Java Cafe - Part 1: Arianna hugs Rafe as Sami watches. Arianna leaves and Sami saunters over to Rafe's table. He says hi - she says, 'feeling a little awkward, are we?' Rafe - Uh, I guess. Sami - You're wondering how long I've been here. Rafe - Huh? Sami sits down and asks - you know what my problem is? Rafe - No one ever knows what you're talking about? Sami is not amused. Rafe knows she's upset ... Sami jumps in - Her problem is that she trusts people. Not a lot, not even a few people, like 5 and he was one of those 5. I trusted you across the board kind of. So when you told me you were leaving my place to think about things after interrogating me about my feelings for EJ who at this point looks like a pretty good deal. At least with him you know what you're getting yourself in for - with you I was like blindsided. Rafe tells her she's spinning out here but Sami continues ranting. You told me you were staying in Salem because of me. Rafe tells her he was. Sami goes on - when he said he had to leave to think about things she actually believed him until she walked in here and saw him with her. She calls him 'Agent Casanova'. Rafe tries to get in a word edgewise but he doesn't succeed. Sami tells him she's really pretty, she heard him tell her he loves her and she's like all over you - it doesn't seem like he's doing a lot of thinking. Rafe tells her she doesn't understand. Sami rants - You're like every other guy on the freakin' planet - I mean I don't understand how I could have fallen ... Rafe reaches out to her - Sami, you don't understand. Sami - Don't try to touch me. I stayed up all night thinking about you, thinking about everything I'd done but I guess you weren't sleeping much either, were you? No you were definitely having a good time. Were you ever going to tell me about her? Were you ever going to mention that you're in love with someone else? Rafe smirks and shrugs. The look Sami gives him is priceless!

Sami continues - So all that time at the airport when I was begging for forgiveness, pouring my heart out, you were just laughing your head off. Rafe - No. Sami hopes he didn't meet her after he left her place last night. He tells her he's known Arianna forever. Sami - Forever? Isn't that sweet. You weren't ever going to tell me about her. Did you tell her about me? He did last night. She has some reservations about you by the way. Yeah, she thinks I have this issue with protecting women - it doesn't make for long term stable relationships. Sami - She said that? Rafe - She also blames you for me losing my job? Sami - She blames me? She doesn't even know me - how dare she ... Rafe - Try not to overreact. When it comes to me and women my sister she's a little protective. Sami - She's giving you advice. How da... she's your sister? Rafe - I'm hoping you two could have a good relationship but I'm not really holding my breath on that one. Sami thinks he's enjoying this - he could have stopped her before she humiliated herself. Rafe - No, actually I couldn't. She thinks he could have told her when she sat down. He reminds her that he tried to tell her - she wasn't going to listen to a word he was saying until she told him off. Sami says it's his fault anyway - they were in the safe house for months and he never told her that he had a sister. Rafe explains that they had a falling out a while back - it made him sad to talk about her. Sami tells him it didn't look like there were any problems in their relationship. Rafe tells her they were up all night talking - it was actually kind of nice. Sami is glad because sometimes he looks alone and now he has a sister - someone to talk to. He agrees that it's pretty cool. Sami thinks that one of the things he could talk to her about is how come he's such a jerk. You chose to listen to EJ of all people - someone you claim to hate. Rafe doesn't give a damn what EJ says. Sami wants to know what the problem is. Rafe - There's this one thing that he needs to know. Honestly, are you really through with EJ?

He tells her it's a simple question. She says the answer isn't. She has kids with the guy. Maybe it's hard for him to understand because he doesn't have kids of his own. He tells her this isn't about the kids and she knows that. Just tell me - while you were at EJ's wedding were you hoping or wishing that you could take Nicole's place. Sami - Yes. Rafe gets up - It was nice knowing you. Sami tells him to grow up for a second - you asked me this question and you're not even going to stick around to hear the answer. Please do me the courtesy of hearing me out. He sits down. She tells him she's not able to give her kids a lot but she has always, always wanted to give them the perfect fantasy, the Stepford life with two parents who love each other, live together, raise them together - the whole thing and she hasn't been able to do that. With Grace she can't help put want that for her. Luckily reality slapped her upside the head before it was too late. I see EJ for who he is really is and it was in time to not do something really stupid. At the same time it made her realise something else. She doesn't want her past to ruin her future. I don't want to screw this up. I have this great guy and I'm really into him. He's smart and he's strong. Sometimes he's kind of funny and I every time I see him my heart skips a beat. He makes me feel safe. Rafe - I thought we were talking EJ. Sami knows that he wants her to tell him she hates EJ like he does but she'll never be able to do that. Rafe comments that after everything the guy has done she still sticks up for him. She knows what he's done. She knows what his family has done but she also knows that EJ tries really hard to be a good father. Rafe - Schedules the assassinations early so he's home in time to tuck the kids into bed. Sami won't hate him. Rafe is sorry if it's hard for him to understand. Sami says she has kids with him. That doesn't make her stupid. She gets what he is capable of and what his family is capable of. They've hurt us but my son is part of that family. Johnny has to live there half the time. There's nothing she can do about that except stay at home and have nightmares. And I can try and see the best in his father for him. She realises from his point of view that makes her completely dysfunctional so the best thing for him would be to get up and leave right now.

The bottom line is she will never be through with EJ. That's his get out of jail free card. So you're free to go. Give your sister my regards. Email me when you get a new job. Rafe tells her he's not going any place. He'd have to be crazy to leave anyone as wonderful as her. She asks him to say that again. Rafe smiles - you heard me. They banter over breakfast. She'd never thought she'd be serious about a guy that eats croissants but she guesses she can be talked into making an exception in his case. Rafe teases - Because I'm so good looking? Sami chuckles - That too. I was figuring that here I am with 4 kids, loads of issues and maybe a certain high-strung attitude problem. She guesses the croissant thing sort of balances it out. Rafe guesses this must be the real deal. Sami - Well it's definitely not a rebound thing. Rafe knows that now too. Sami says good, finally. One more thing - it's serious. This is about Grace - if I really screw this up, you wouldn't ... Rafe - Grace is my god-daughter. I'm going to be in her life no matter what. Once he's finished his breakfast he tells Sami he's on to his next mission - make her forget about EJ. She thinks his chances of succeeding are extremely high. He sure as hell hopes so. They kiss.


Chelsea's apt - Part 1: Max arrives - Chelsea tells him her mom is in the same condition. He sees her suitcase - so you're going. Chelsea has something else to tell him. Her mom has to undergo an extensive series of operations to recover. She's leaving and she doesn't know for how long. Max isn't upset. Chelsea was scared because she didn't think he'd understand - leaving him is the worst thing. Max says he'll go with her. She says he can't come to London - he has med school and Melanie. Max disagrees. He figures out that she doesn't want him to go. She wants him to come more than anything but she's trying to think of 'us'. When she's in London she's going to be wrapped up in taking of her mother. If he's there he'll have nothing around him that's familiar to him. They've already broken up twice here where everything is normal. If he were to come to London to be with her and it still didn't work out she wouldn't be able to live with that. Can he understand that? No - not at all. She doesn't want them to spend their last time together fighting. He asks her why it has to be the last time. Because she thinks it's for the best. Max - Okay. It's case closed then I guess. He starts to leave to get some of her things out of his car. She tells him she has to go to the hospital to get her last paycheque - can he wait here until she gets back. He has to go to work. Chelsea - So this is it then? Max tells her it's her call.


Hospital - Part 2: Kate asks Philip what Stephanie did to him - why is he so upset? Philip tells her she didn't do anything. Kate is going to go and talk to her. Philip - don't you dare. Daniel tells Philip to take it easy. He tells him to make sure his mom stays away from Stephanie. Kate isn't going to stay anything to Stephanie ... Daniel heads her off at the pass - they're going to let Philip rest now. He steers her out of the room. Philip is on the phone with Billie - when he's done he hands the phone back to Chelsea. He can tell Billie is really happy she's coming - he could hear it in her voice. She knows it's the right thing to do even if ... Philip
figures out that Max didn't take the news very well. She needs to talk to Stephanie - does he know where she went and when she'll be back. He doesn't know where she went and as for when she's coming back - never.


Chelsea's apt - Part 2: Stephanie comes in and sees Chelsea's suitcases. Max tells her she's going to London today to take care of her mom - she'll be gone for months. Stephanie gets upset - what the hell is next Max? Stephanie apologises for being selfish. She's going to London to take care of her mother - that's a good thing. She's sorry for what Chelsea is going through. Max asks her what happened at the hospital. Stephanie says it's just someone is trying to kill my boyfriend and he won't go to Greece with me kind of thing. She is scared, first her mom and now Philip - she just wants to run away. Max tells her she could go on her own.

Chelsea returns - Max tries to pretend that what happened before really never happened. She thought he was upset that she was going to London. He tells her only a jerk would be upset at her for going to take care of her mother. She thought he was upset that she wanted to go alone. He says only a jerk would be mad about that too. He apologises - he wasn't a good boyfriend or a good plain friend to her. She tells him she'll miss him so much. He'll be waiting for her when she gets back. She doesn't know if it's fair of her to ask him to wait. He tells her it's not her call - he's going to wait. They kiss.


Brady Pub: Chloe gives her order to Arianna. Lucas tells Chloe he wanted to tell her something. Hearing them talk about secrets got him thinking - he doesn't want any secrets between them and they have them. He's been keeping some things from her. Chloe - Sami? He didn't say that. She says it's always Sami. Lucas says he was talking to Will who told him to stay out of her craziness. Chloe thinks Will is wise beyond his years. As Arianna is serving their iced tea Chloe says can we please talk about something other than Sami. She'd rather talk about us - actually she'd rather not talk at all - she kisses him.


Hospital - Part 3: Stephanie comes back into Philip's room. He tells her that he just told Chelsea she was never coming back. Stephanie tells him that he's not as smart as he thinks he is. Philip says you're not that bright yourself. Leaving, now that was smart; coming back, not so much. She doesn't like living like this but after she thought about it it's better than living without him. She loves him. He says that is the best thing that ever happened to him. They kiss. A nurse comes in and tells Stephanie she needs to wait outside. The patient needs his meds and some rest. Stephanie tells Philip to call her if he needs her. The nurse says he won't - he'll be sleeping. Stephanie leaves. Philip asks the nurse what that is when he sees her injecting something into his IV. She tells him it's a stronger antiobiotic to ward off infection. Philip says wait a minute - Dr. Jonas said ... he tries to ring the call button but she pulls it away from him. He passes out. The nurse says good night sweet prince. She puts a pillow over his face and starts smothering him.

Kate tells Daniel he played a dangerous game today. In his rush to protect Chloe he didn't listen to her. She was going to tell him that as long as it's over between the two of them she would give them both a pass. But that was before he attacked her and denigrated her son. He asks if the pass is rescinded. No because first of all she owes him for her son's lives and second after almost losing Philip to a vendetta she is losing her taste for vengeance. They've dodged a bullet this time - don't let there be a next time. He tells her that Chloe is doing everything to keep your son happy and you are alive because of her - she's way better than the both of us.


Waterfront - Part 2: Chloe is leaving Daniel a message - she's sorry that they're playing phone tag. Kate asks her if she was talking to Daniel - his phone is turned off - he's in surgery. Chloe says it isn't important. Kate says she was just talking to him - they had a real interesting conversation. She told him how much she owed him for everything he's done for her family but you - you, I don't owe a damn thing.


Preview: Kate yelling at Chloe - You know your best quality? Your best quality is lying convincingly. Hope to Chelsea - Come here. Chelsea - Saying goodbye to you is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. EJ literally screaming into his phone - YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I'M ANGRY. Nicole to Dr. Baker - I suggest you change your mind; that is if you want to live.

**************************************

Tuesday May 5

Hospital - Part 1: Hope arrives and Melanie starts complaining - she doesn't have all day to stand around and wait for the new nurse to be finished with Philip - she was supposed to take in this new pillow for him. When Hope finds out that the nurse just started today she asks Melanie how she got clearance to be in Philip's room. Melanie doesn't know. Hope draws her gun and runs inside Philip's room - the policeman at the door follows her in. Hope catches the nurse smothering Philip. Melanie tells Hope that Philip isn't breathing while Hope is trying to interrogate the suspect. The nurse wants a lawyer. Melanie yells - Hope, he's not breathing. Hope rushes out yelling for help as Melanie gives Philip mouth to mouth. Philip opens his eyes and teases Melanie - any excuse to kiss me. Dr. Baker comes in barking out orders and then notices that Philip is conscious. Hope asks Philip how he's feeling. Like someone tried to do him in - what has she found out? Hope tells him all they know so far is the woman stole an ID from a nurse this morning - they don't know her true identity. Philip - who cares? Hope asks him if he isn't interested in knowing who tried to kill him. He answers - I know who it was, the DiMera's.


Waterfront: Kate tells Chloe she had an interesting talk with Daniel - I told him that I owed him for everything he's done for my family but you I don't owe a damn thing. Chloe doesn't understand - is she angry with her. Kate talks about the big gamble Chloe took to donate her bone marrow - she literally risked her life. She remembering thinking that this is the most generous, selfless woman she's ever met and then she showed herself to be the selfish bitch she's always been. You have no feelings for anyone except yourself. You have no morals. You have no values. (Excuse me - this is coming from KATE???) Chloe doesn't understand - what did she do - she's never seen Kate like this. Kate is just getting started. Chloe wants to know what she did wrong. Kate asks if she is going to insist that she really
doesn't know - think really, really hard about your life then you tell me. Chloe doesn't have a clue. Kate continues her rant - you never thought for one minute that I'd find out. Chloe asks if this is about the scheduling problems because she has to be honest ... Kate explodes screaming - You couldn't be honest to save your live. You know your best quality? Your best quality is lying convincingly. Chloe gets angry - either she tells her what she's talking about or she's out of here. Kate - I'm talking about your affair with Daniel. Chloe didn't think she knew. Kate snarls - because you never think, do you? You were in Daniel's apartment when that explosion happened - I saw you kissing Daniel in the park, in public. Not only are you selfish, you're stupid and careless - for all you know all of Salem could know you're cheating on Lucas. And then you run off and marry Lucas as if you loved him all along. Chloe - I did. Kate is sure she did - when she was in Daniel's bed was she moaning Lucas's name? Chloe - Please you can't tell him about Daniel. She won't. Chloe thanks her. Kate is doing this for Lucas, not her. It would hurt him and he might fall off the wagon again. Kate - He won't know because I love him, you on the other hand ... She can't believe that something of Chloe is still flowing through her veins. Chloe knows that she'll have to prove herself ... Kate - No she doesn't have to prove a thing to her because she doesn't want to see any more of her than she has to. You are no longer host of the TV show - consider yourself fired. Lucas shows up at just this moment - what the hell is going on?

He tells Kate that he can't fire Chloe - they have guests booked - they're going to tape at Chez Rouge - what the hell happened? Kate asks Chloe if she wants to tell him or should she be the one. Chloe tells Lucas she never wanted to take on that job in the first place. Kate ran a few on camera tests and found out she wasn't very good at it. Lucas didn't see any tests. Kate - I erased them. She was as stiff as a board, constantly posing - every word that came out of her mouth sounded insincere. Lucas thinks Kate is being harsh but Chloe tells him his mom is right - she would have been a disaster. Lucas thinks she would have been great - he reminds Kate that she wanted Chloe to be the host. Kate changed her mind - Chloe made it clear she had other priorities. Chloe says now she'll have the time she needs to make sure her husband is happy, to be a good step-mother to Allie and she'll be able to focus on her singing career. Kate - And yes, you're singing career will always be your top priority, won't it because you always put yourself first. Lucas tells Kate that she's never been negative about Chloe's career before - he wants to know what happened. What the hell changed? Kate says aside from Chloe's obvious lack of talent she realised she wasn't very interested in the job - she was showing up late, never prepared, never focused ... Lucas says that is bull - she worked her tail off. Kate disagrees - she's the one that worked her tail off, Chloe just phoned it in. Chloe repeats that she didn't want the job in the first place. Kate needs someone committed and she wasn't. Kate says see - we agree. She has to go and find a replacement ASAP - she starts leaving. Chloe stops Lucas from going after her. She tells Lucas that his mom was right to fire her. Lucas isn't buying it - something's not right and his mom was so nasty about it - where did that come from? Chloe thinks Kate was just uncomfortable with the whole situation especially when he showed up. She just was choosing the wrong words. No one likes to be fired but she's so glad it happened - she gets her life back with him and Allie - that's what she wanted. Lucas likes her attitude - it sounds good. He tells her he has a few business calls to make - he'll meet her at the Pub. She leaves and he calls Kate and leaves her a message. He wants the real reason she fired Chloe.


DiMera mansion - Part 1: EJ is on the phone telling the person to check internet gambling sites - he wants to know if Dr. Baker has lost more money recently - he has a feeling the information will be useful. Nicole wants to know why he's investigating Dr. Baker. EJ tells her it's business - forget what your heard. Nicole argues but EJ keeps telling her it's business. She grabs a report - OMG. She had no idea that Dr. Baker was in debt - why would EJ want this information. He tells her to put the report down and forget what she's seen. She tells him she's not a computer where he can just hit Delete and erase all the files. This is clearly not business - it's personal - she asks him again to tell her why he's investigating Dr. Baker. He isn't, father is. He's just following up on the report. Nicole wonders why Stefano would give a damn about Dr. Baker. EJ is sure he had his reasons. Nicole thinks it's silly and pointless. He's not even Sydney's doctor anymore - she fired him. EJ wants to know why she fired him - was it something to do with his gambling problem or something else he doesn't know about? She just found out he was a gambler - she fired him because she knew EJ didn't like him. Now that he's out of their lives, why bother doing a big investigation into a nobody. Why not forget all about him. EJ asks her if she is suggesting that he cancel the investigation. Nicole acts nonchalant - if he wants to keep paying people to investigate the guy that's not her problem. EJ points out that Stefano was going to investigate the clinic but that idea died. Nicole says that would have been a waste of money seeing as Dr. Baker closed the clinic. Since he's not Sydney's doctor and the clinic is closed he's not really important so why keep investigating? EJ will cancel the investigation for now. Nicole - Okay, sure, whatever. EJ tells her that Stefano may reopen it when he returns. Nicole asks when that will be. EJ hasn't heard from him in a while. Sydney starts crying - Nicole goes to get her. EJ shuts the doors to the living room - Why are you so determined to stop this investigation into Baker. Before she leaves with Sami's baby Nicole calls Dr. Baker and tells him to meet her at the Java Cafe - she doesn't care if he's on duty - take a break.


Chelsea & Stephanie's apt: Stephanie comes home and finds Chelsea crying. She tells Stephanie that she's been so busy getting ready to leave and then it just hit her that her mother could have died. She would never had the chance to see her again. Stephanie tells Chelsea that her mom is going to be fine - she'll feel better as soon as she sees her mom. Chelsea will but she'll also feel a lot worse - the leaving thing is really getting to her. She'll be gone for a really long time and a lot could happen. They talk about how much they'll miss each other. Stephanie gets a call from Melanie - they tried to kill Philip again. She tells Chelsea and heads out the door - Chelsea follows.


Hospital - Part 2: Hope knows that he believes it was the DiMera's - that both he and his father have a very strong opinion about that but she to go with the facts and proof. Right now they don't have a whole lot of that. Philip tells her it's not a problem. She cautions that she doesn't want to be the one that has to arrest him because he goes for revenge. He tells her to relax - he's cool. She tells him there's a new protocol for people coming into his room. There's 12 people on the list and she personally knows all of them - they're still going to have to show photo ID. He feels safer already. She leaves. Philip pulls out the IV as Melanie comes in - he tells her he's walking out of there. She tells him he's not strong enough. He starts arguing with her but collapses - she catches him just as Stephanie walks in. Melanie tells Stephanie there's nothing weird going on - she was just trying to get him back in bed because he's too weak to be walking. Philip claims that whatever that nurse gave him made him dizzy. Melanie tells Stephanie that the nurse that tried to smother him, drugged him first - she didn't tell her that part on the phone, did she? Philip - you called Stephanie? Philip tells Stephanie he didn't want her to know about this - it's not important. Stephanie - You don't think it would be important to me if you died? She was the one that got him to the hospital after he was shot - he doesn't have to protect her from any more bad news. Melanie goes to get a nurse to put the IV back in Philip's arm. Philip tells Stephanie he feels helpless lying here. That nurse just walked in here and put something in his IV and he was out - not a damn thing he could do about it. That's why he wants to walk away - he feels like a sitting duck. Stephanie says it shouldn't have happened - it's her fault. She should have been there to protect him. Philip tells her the fact that the DiMera's put a hit on him again is not her fault. She says she could have stopped it. He reminds her that there was a cop right outside his door that didn't see it coming - no more guilt. Stephanie can't believe they just have to sit around and wait for the next shoe to drop. He tells her it won't. She says it will unless ... she tells him to stay in bed - she'll see him in a while - she leaves. Melanie comes in and checks on Philip. He's okay. Right now he only has one goal - to get the hell out of here and do what needs to be done.

Chelsea greets Hope - gives her an update on her mom. She heard that Hope saved Philip's life - everyone is talking about it. Do they know who the killer nurse is? Hope says no - all she keeps saying is she got paid, got her instructions and did her job. But her father got a great lead off the envelope the cash was in - he's on his way to Chicago to follow up on it. Chelsea says no - what if I don't get a chance to say goodbye. Hope says he'll be back soon. Chelsea says it may be too late. She wasn't going to leave until the weekend but she couldn't get a cheap flight - she's flying out tonight. Hope says they'll call Bo and tell him that she has to leave sooner than she thought - it's going to be okay. Chelsea is glad she got a chance to say goodbye to her and thank her - for everything you've done for me even after everything I've done to you. She's done so many things to hurt her and she's always forgiven her. Hope says that's because I love you and she knew that she was going through a difficult time herself. Chelsea - I would never be the person I am today if hadn't been for you and all your help. Hope is so proud of her - proud of the person she's grown to be. They hug. Chelsea says saying goodbye to her is the hardest thing she's ever had to do. Hope is very sorry about her mom's accident - she knows she'll be thrilled when Chelsea walks in that door but she's really going to be missed around here so much. She's grown into such a beautiful, caring person - you inherited your father's goodness. She's going to miss her so much - you are my daughter. They hug again.


DiMera mansion - Part 2: EJ is on the phone - What do you mean in Philip's hospital room? What do I mean? He has a complete meltdown and screams both lungs out of his chest - You're damn right I'm angry. No, you wait until I find you Masi. You're going to deal with me. He then pounds his phone into the desk. EJ answers the door. Stephanie yells - It stops now. Do you hear me? It stops now! EJ - You seem very upset ... why don't you tell me ... Stephanie walks inside and tells him not to play games - they both know what she's talking about. She knows that he and his father blame Philip for Tony's death but he fell - stop sending people to kill Philip. Everyone knows that he sent that man to the hotel to shoot Philip just like you send that woman there today to kill him. EJ - There was another attempt on Philip? Stephanie - don't play stupid - you paid her to do it. EJ denies that he did. She tells him that revenge doesn't make anything better - it just causes more revenge. Leave Philip alone - just stop. EJ tells her to stop and get out before he calls security - she leaves. EJ calls Stefano and leaves a message - You need to start returning some of my calls. They tried to deliver the package again and they failed.


Java Cafe: Nicole acts really surprised to see Dr. Baker - she tells him to sit down and act natural. She points out that she has to go out with an armed guard because of that feud between her husband's family and the Kiriakis's. He has to think they met by accident or he'll report back to her husband. He still wants to know why he's here because if it's still about that idiotic notion of him leaving town she knows where she can put it. Nicole suggests that he change his mind if he wants to live. Stefano knows that he's a gambler - she saw the printout of all his debt. Dr Baker - I'm being investigated by Stefano DiMera? Did he find out ... Nicole jumps in - that you were a baby broker. Not yet - maybe he never will. She tells him Stefano is away and she convinced EJ to kill this investigation at least until Stefano gets back. He has a chance to make a clean graceful exit. Dr. Baker can't leave town - he needs this job. She tells him when Stefano comes back he'll start up the investigation again. He'll find out he was a baby broker and when Stefano hangs the hammer over his head he'll get him to say or do anything. Dr. Baker - Well I guess then I'll do or say anything. Nicole - And tell him about Sami's baby and ruin everything I worked so hard for. Dr. Baker chuckles - here he thought she was concerned about him - she's worried about herself. Of course she's worried about herself but if he stops and thinks about it ... He gets it, he's in danger too. She thinks he should at least move to another town like LA or New York and lose himself in another hospital. He asks her what century she lives in - with the internet no one can disappear these days - they'll find him if they want to. Nicole - Well at least you won't run into Sami. All she has do is see you. Dr. Baker - And what? She'll say you're the guy from the clinic - stay quiet about the baby. Nicole thinks that eventually Sami will put 2 and 2 together and what if EJ casually mentions that you delivered my baby. Dr. Baker - You mean her baby. Nicole tells him to shut up. Dr Baker says it's really great talking to her - between shut up and leave town he doesn't know what to say. She pleads with him not to chance it with Stefano. He's not leaving town. If she wants to keep a lid on things - keep EJ from learning the truth. If he finds out about me, he finds about you. Have a nice day.


Preview: Bo to Chelsea - You're my daughter, a part of my heart. I love you. Chelsea - I love you. Brady to Philip and Victor - Killing more people is not the answer here. Victor - Shut up and stay out of it. Nicole (holding Sami's baby) to Sami - I don't want you within a mile of my daughter, do you understand me? Arianna to Rafe - You can not be with that woman. Are you out of your mind?

************************************

Wednesday May 6

Hospital - Part 1: Victor lets the police guard know that he thinks they are a bunch of clowns and asks for security to be doubled. He goes inside to see Philip - does he need anything. He wants answers. Victor tells him the nurse was an assasin but they haven't been able to trace it back to the DiMera's yet. Philip calls the DiMera's gutless bastards - why don't they come after him themselves. Victor gives Philip his word that they won't get away with it - he won't let them. Philip doesn't want any negotiations - no deals - he wants them to pay. Brady comes in - is he interrupting anything. Victor says no - they were just in the middle of a spirited conversation. Brady - About which DiMera you're going to kill first? Victor thought he was in meeting. It was short - he expects a favourable response by the end of the day. Brady asks Philip when he's getting out of here. Philip answers a couple of days barring any unforeseen catastrophes. Brady sarcastically - God knows what will happen. This is when it escalates - this is when the violence and brutality reaches new heights. It isn't enough that one man is dead - why don't be kill a few more - go on a killing spree. He just wants to know when this ends. Victor gets upset with his spewing of sanctimonious crap. Brady is just trying to get him to see that this isn't the way to go. Victor's heard it all before - turn the other cheek - love your enemies (etc). Brady has another one for him - before you embark on a journey of revenge dig two graves. Victor asks if he's still on drugs. Philip protests. Brady is going to leave but Philip stops him - Dad is worried about me so he's lashing out at you. Victor barks - don't apologise for me. He lashed out because he's tired of Brady's lectures. Philip - Can we not do this now please. Victor apologises to Brady for being hard on him. You come with strong opinions I respect that. Brady - What's the plan? Philip says even if there was a plan he doesn't think he needs to know about it. Brady disagrees. The DiMera's didn't just attack him - they attacked the family which includes him. He does have a right to know. Victor - either you're a part of this or you're not. Brady's in it - his loyalties are to the family - he offered to help. Victor - Help? How? By coming in here and telling us what to do, by judging us, by scorning us? Brady insists that revenge is not the answer. Victor tells him when he finds out what the answer is come and tell him - in the meantime shut up and stay out of it.

Brady isn't going to stay out of this. He tells Victor if he goes after the Dimera's he's going to bring everyone down - that includes him and he's not going to be intimidated into letting that happen. Victor tells him this is not the amateur hour. He knows what to do and he knows how to do it and he's not going to stand here and be chastised by a recovering drug addict. Philip protests. Brady feels for Philip for having this guy as a father. Victor - Why don't you just get out of here? Brady says he is a recovering addict and he's got 12 steps that he adhere's to every day and one of them is to do a moral inventory daily - when I'm wrong I promptly admit it. He asks Victor if he's ever done that - look at his own life, examine your own life, try to better yourself and make amends to the people you've hurt instead of causing
more hurt and more pain. Kindness, nobler than revenge - have you heard of that one? Victor - Now he's quoting Shakespeare. Brady tells Philip his father is stuck in his ways but he still has a chance to make this better - he can rise above all this - he hopes to hell he does. Brady leaves. Victor gets off the phone and tells Philip everything is going as planned.


Java Cafe - Part 1: Nicole frets about Dr. Baker telling her that if EJ finds out about him, he finds about her. She sees that Dr. Baker left his keys behind. Sami and Rafe come in talking about Will - he's too cool to be seen spending the day with his mom. Rafe says at least he's spending time with Grace. Sami is so happy - she doesn't want to jinx it. Rafe - Finally. She says don't act like it's my fault - She calls him Agent Ruiner - he almost ruined everything. Does he know how many hours she invested into talking him into staying here. He thinks she likes to talk. They kiss. She thanks him for agreeing to spend the day with her and her kids. There's no place he'd rather be. Sami asks him if he knows how many speeding tickets she got trying to get to the airport on time. Rafe is confident that she would have tracked him down - yes, even in New York. She concedes that she might have but let's not put it to the test. He repeats that there is nowhere else he'd rather be right now than right here. They kiss. Nicole comes along and makes a smart remark about Sami and the cable guy. She calls them liars and schemers - they like to stick together. Nicole keeps nattering away thinking she's clever. Sami and Rafe think otherwise. Nicole tells Rafe they haven't been properly introduced - she does know that he is the FBI agent Sami spent to spy on them. Sami doesn't get it - why is she in such a foul mood - didn't you just get married - aren't you supposed to be happy or did EJ file for divorce already? Nicole lies - they're blissfully happy. Rafe suggests to Sami that they wait for the twins outside. Sami isn't going to let Nicole stop them from having coffee - she'll get a table, he can get the drinks. She kisses him and Rafe turns to order coffee but of course Nicole decides she isn't through with him yet.

Sami goes over to Sydney and notices the goon - she tells him she's a friend of Nicole's. He says she can talk to Sydney as long as she doesn't make her cry. Sydney starts fussing so Sami picks her up. Rafe tells Nicole to get a life. Nicole says you're the one that broke into my home and spied on me and my family - did you find what you were looking for. Yeah, he sure did. He tells her she's acting like a total bitch - not a good PR move when you want someone to answer questions for you. Nicole tries to pull off a southern belle accent and ask sweetly - why did Sami Brady ask him to break into her home. He tells her he wasn't spying for Sami - he did it on his own. He isn't going to say anymore. Nicole notices that Sami is holding Sydney and she has a hissy fit. Sami tells her to calm down - she was fussy. Nicole takes Sami's baby from her and tells her she doesn't want her within a mile of her daughter. She then chews out the goon. She tells Sami to stay away from her daughter and stay out of my life. She then sees Dr. Baker outside the cafe and she panics. She pretends she can't find her keys so everyone looks around. When she sees that Dr. Baker got the hint and left she says she probably left them at home and leaves with Sami's baby and the goon. Rafe brings Sami a coffee - they talk about EJ and Nicole's marriage. Sami wonders how her life got so tangled with Nicole's. Even if EJ knew ... even with the way things are it's insane - she's around the corner, she's always there in my face. Rafe now understands why Sami doesn't want her kids around Nicole.


Airport: Max asssures Chelsea that Bo will be there. She's going to call him again just as Bo arrives - they hug. Chelsea gives Bo an update on her mom. Bo says her mom is a fighter - she'll be up and at 'em before they know it. Chelsea knows but for now she needs her. Bo tells her she is doing the right thing. Chelsea knows but it's hard to think about leaving him, Hope, Ciara, Max and Theo. Bo says she'll be back and she'll stay in touch. He tells her this is her home - she's made a very good life here. Her mom knows that and she'll want her to get back to it. Bo tells Chelsea he is proud of her. That's all she's ever wanted - they hug. Bo tells her that Ciara wants to visit - they'll let her settle in before they do that. He feels like he just found her. Chelsea says they've come a long way - a few years ago he probably would have been happy to send her off. She was a huge pain in the butt when she first moved in with him and Hope. Bo admits it was difficult but that time made them closer and stronger. She tells him he's the best - he was there for her and loved her no matter what even when she gave him every reason not to. He says you're my daughter, a part of me, a part of my heart - you always will be - love you. They hug.

Max brings Chelsea some tissues and magazines and water. She mentions that her dad said they would come and visit this summer - it probably would be better if she came home for a few days - cheaper airfare. Max tells her to concentrate on doing what she has to do. He was thinking that there is a chance her mom might be get better quickly. She tells him if he thinks she may only be gone for a few weeks that's not going to happen. Her mom is immobile - she can't get dressed or feed herself. She's going to be there for a while - they both need to accept that. He can't - he doesn't want her to go. She thought he understood that she had to go. He knows - it was a stupid thing to say. He knows she has to go and take care of her mom. He thought he could handle it but how can he say goodbye to her. Chelsea promises to call as soon as the plane lands. The final boarding call is announced. Max tells her to take care of herself. He kisses her. He'll be waiting her her when she gets back. They hug and kiss one last time and then she leaves.


Waterfront: Bo meets Brady - his message sounded serious. Brady - It's about Philip and my Grandfather - there's something you need to know. He had a conversation with them at the hospital - he got the idea they were set on taking matters into their own hands. Bo isn't surprised - does he have anything more concrete. Brady - They're freezing me out. Bo - Consider yourself lucky. Brady says the violence is escalating - there's been two attempts on Philip's life in two days - God knows what will happen next. Bo tells him he'll take care of this.

Nicole and company meet up with Dr. Baker on the pier. The highlights of these scenes are: (they're fairly repetitive) a)Nicole wants Dr. Baker to leave town. b)He's not going. c)She claims he doesn't get it - he doesn't see what the problem is. d)Nicole is worried about Sami seeing him and putting things together. e)Dr. Baker is scornful of Nicole's idea that Sami will figure things out - they are the only two that know about the baby switch. f)Nicole says put other people know bits and pieces and if they get together and start talking - they'll know a lot. She's also worried about EJ and Stefano's investigation into him. g)Dr. Baker reminds her that if they find out about him - they find out about her - it's up to her to make sure the investigation doesn't go on. He also has to keep telling her to stop looking so guilty. At some point she has to put this behind her and start living her life like she's got nothing to hide. He leaves. Nicole picks up Sami's baby - Dr. Baker is wrong. The truth will come out and when it does I am not going to let anyone take you away from me, not now, not ever. And if Dr. Baker won't help me tie up loose ends then I will take care of this myself.


Hospital - Part 2: Bo comes into Philip's room to see how his brother is doing. Victor asks how the investigation is going. They've got the second would-be assasin in custody - if she has any evidence pointing to the DiMera's they'll find it. Philip - yeah - that will give them just enough time to cover their tracks completely. Bo tells him they will find who is responsible and put them behind bars for the rest of their lives. Philip will believe that when he sees it. Victor asks Bo if he's joined the ranks of those coming in here to lecture them. Bo is there to talk some sense into them. Victor - Brady's words exactly. Have the two of you been conferring? Bo - If you give a damn about your son and yourself you'll stop the insanity now. Victor asks if he's insinuating that they would circumvent the law. Bo - Whatever you have planned - drop it. The police will take care of it from here on out. Philip - I'm a marked man. If you don't act decisively I'll be a dead one. Victor asks Bo if it were Hope, Ciara or Chelsea in danger would you be telling us to let the police handle it, to be sensible and law abiding. Bo - I can't protect you. You got that? You go out on your own I can't protect you. Victor asks Bo if he thinks he's scaring him. Did he ask for his protection? Victor takes a call - he'll take it outside. Bo tells Philip that he has to listen to reason. Philip - It's hard to reason from underneath a pillow. The DiMera's want him dead - that's why he's trying to protect himself. Bo makes it clear that when it comes to police matters he's the commissioner - not his brother. Victor is on the phone with someone about the markets when Brady returns. Brady tells him he closed the deal - the guy agreed to all their terms. Victor - Well done. And my son the police commissioner, how did your chat with him go?


Java Cafe - Part 2: Rafe is doing magic tricks for Johnny and Allie when Arianna joins them. Rafe tells her they're going to the county fair. He's going to introduce her to Sami but she says she knows who she is - she's the famous Sami Brady right? Sami didn't realise she was famous. Arianna says at the Brady Pub she is - she runs into a lot of her relatives there - she gets the lowdown. Don't worry most of what they say is good. She just means that she heard Sami was a firecracker - tough but an amazing mom which she can see for herself - they're adorable. Rafe says they're great kids and then there's Will and wait until you meet Grace. Arianna wants to talk to Rafe for a second. She pulls him aside - What are you doing? You can not be with that woman. Are you out of your mind? Sami asks if everything is fine. Rafe says yes. Arianna tells him they'll talk later. Sami asks if he's ready to go - she tells Arianna it was nice meeting her. As they're getting the twins stuff together Rafe asks Sami out on a date. She'd love that - where did he have in mind. Rafe - Oh, just the most romantic place that I know. It's a secret. She can't wait. Arianna watches them leave.


Preview: Will to Mia - She said you went to rehab for drugs. I want the truth. Is that the really why you left Salem West? Rafe to Sami - You're the only person I've ever brought up here or would ever want to. Victor to Philip - Phase one of our plan is complete. Everything is as it should be. Dr. Baker to EJ (Nicole eavesdrops) - I had nothing to do with your father's disappearance but I think I know someone who might.

******************************

Thursday May 7

Hospital: Victor and his two hired thugs march right into Philip's room. Victor asks if Philip is ready to go home. Philip wants to know about their plan. Victor tells him that Phase 1 has been completed.


Sami's place: Mia is there to help Will babysit. Sami comes out of her bedroom and asks them what they think. Mia tells her she looks beautiful. Sami is worried that it may be too dressy. Mia says depends where you're going. Sami is going out on a date with this guy she's been seeing. Will tells Sami that they'll be at the Java Cafe if she needs them. Sami thanks them both for looking after Grace. After they leave Sami panics - this dress is not right, I should change, no time to change - this is not your first date although it's been like years - you'll be fine - it's like falling off a bicycle. Rafe knocks - she lets him in. He says 'WOW'. You look incredible. Sami - You said we were going someplace romantic? They are - at least it's romantic to him. Sami says he's dressed like they're going bowling. He admits he should have told her she didn't need to dress up. She'll change. He tells her not to - he's sure if they're careful everything will be okay. He pulls out a tiny yellow flower - a hint. He tells her to bring a sweater - she has one. Rafe adds 'and bug spray' - that was a joke. They leave.


DiMera mansion - Part 1: EJ phones Dr. Baker - he tells the doctor that his shift is ending in 3 minutes - he should be able to be here in an half hour. When Dr. Baker asks how he knows when his shift ends EJ tells him he makes it his business to know things that are of interest to him and he is interesting to him. Nicole wants to know why he invited Dr. Baker to the house. He asks her what the big deal is. He didn't tell her. EJ didn't realise he had to clear everything with her. Nicole accuses him of lying to her. He said he was going to call off the investigation until his father came home. EJ doesn't know when that will be - his father is missing. He can't reach him - his cell phone is turned off. At first he thought he was flying under the radar because he left the country illegally but this family has countless ways of communicating with each other. It seems implausible that he wouldn't contact him especially given the current problem. Nicole blames the Kiriakis's. EJ insists nothing has happened to his father. She asks him if he thinks Dr. Baker is responsible for his father's disappearance. He does. The man is a low-life - the kind of person that could be easily turned by the Kiraikis family. Nicole - So you're going to pump him for information? EJ - I'm going to grill that man so hard let me tell you. When he leaves here there is nothing, nothing I won't know about him. Nicole looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

When Dr. Baker shows up EJ suggests Nicole go upstairs and check on Sydney. She wants to be a good host. EJ tells her that Dr. Baker won't need anything. Nicole watches as they go into the living room - she eavesdrops. Dr. Baker wants to know what this is about. EJ - It's about you not being who you say you are. He calls Baker a fraud. His father did some research on him. Dr. Baker doesn't understand. EJ always knew there was something off about him - this country doctor so dedicated to his patients that he made house calls. You came to my house to see Nicole - why did you do that? Baker doesn't know where he's going with this. EJ will him - his father did his homework on him. He learned everything about all your gambling debt, your IOU's, all the bookies you burned and now he's missing. He falls off the radar just as you pop on to it. Dr. Baker says he had nothing to do with his father's disappearance but he thinks he knows someone who might. Nicole comes rushing back in - baby's asleep. EJ tells her this is a private conversation. Dr. Baker says all he was going to say that these people in the paper, the Kiriakis's, seem the obvious place to look. EJ asks Baker how well he knows the Kiriakis's. Only what he's read. EJ tells him what he's learned about dealing with situations like this is that it's essential to cover both the obvious and the opaque and that leads back to him. EJ's cell rings - it's Victor Kiriakis. I'm at the pier behind the third warehouse. Meet me here now! He'll be right there. He tells Baker not to leave and tells Nicole he'll be right back. As soon as he's gone Nicole pounces on Baker - for everyone's sake including his own just leave town now.


Java Cafe: Will wonders if Mia will be able to study with Grace smiling up at her. They talk about Grace - Will says she's a good baby. He loves Grace a lot and he owes Mia a lot when it comes to Grace. When his mom first brought her home he didn't really get it up Mia said some stuff and the way she's been around her made him appreciate Grace. Tad and a girl come in. When the girl sees Mia she says that's definitely the girl I was in school with. Tad says she doesn't talk about that part of her life. The girl says why would she want to. Mia tells Will that she's thankful too - she's not friendly by nature but he makes her feel like she fits in at Salem High. Tad introduces his friend to Kensie from Salem West. Kensie asks Mia - don't you remember me - we went to school together. She looks at Grace - I see you've been busy. Mia says of course I remember you - she introduces her to Will and baby Grace. Tad - I take it she's somebody's ... Will - Sister? Mine. Kensie mentions that she and Mia had a couple of classes together - English and Drama. Mia didn't take Drama. Kensie says but you sure caused it - just kidding. Mia excuses herself. Kensie starts gossiping about Mia. She mentions that Mia was Prom Queen and all that but that was before she dropped out of school and never came back. Will asks why. Kensie says ask Mia but she won't tell you the real reason which was that she was doing drugs. That's what they all figure so she's sure it's true. She must have been in rehab. Will says you don't know this for a fact. She shrugs - what else could it be. Will says she doesn't seem like a ... Kensie - Wild girl? She wasn't but some of the kids she hung out with were. Everyone there said she got hooked on coke or maybe meth or I guess it could have been bulima - I don't know but it was definitely something. Will tells her that's enough - unbelievable - you come in here talking about my friend like that - saying she went to rehab for drugs but you don't even know. Kensie is about 95% sure. Will thinks she is 95% bitch. Kensie - Woah. Someone is in love. She tells Will to face it - no one drops out of their past life or disappears without contacting someone unless there's a reason. Will - Maybe she couldn't handle being around you all day. Kensie snaps - it's not her fault that his girlfriend is a druggie. Tad thinks this is a good time for him and Kensie to leave. Mia comes back right after they leave. Will natters away about Shakespeare until Mia stops him - what's going on. He hasn't looked at since Tad and Kensie took off. Will thinks they should get Grace home. She tells him he's doing it again - it's like he's ignoring her. She thinks they said something about her while she was gone - she wants to know what it was. Will tells her that Kensie said you dropped out mid-term - that you went to rehab for drugs. That doesn't sound like her so he wants the truth - is that why she left Salem West. Mia recalls giving birth - she answers yeah, I was in rehab. Will - For drugs, what kind? She answers anything, everything - it doesn't matter. She gets it - he doesn't want her around his little sister. Will - I didn't say that. Mia - You don't have to say anything. She leaves.


Kiriakis mansion: Stephanie welcomes Philip home - they kiss. She asks where Victor is - he comes in and says he made some calls - he wanted to give them some time together. He asks her to excuse them - he needs to talk to Philip alone. Stephanie argues - Philip just got him home from the hospital and she's been waiting all day for him. Victor isn't going to negotiate with her - they have business to discuss. Stephanie - so I'm just supposed to be a good little girl and disappear while you two have a manly talk about what - killing people? That's not going to happen - you've got the wrong girl. Victor asks if she's been hitting the vodka - she's never been this insolent to him before. He thinks she's behaving like a spoiled brat speaking this way to him in his own home. Philip says that's enough - the both of you. Philip tells Stephanie they'll have their time alone - she says fine - two minutes and walks out. Victor asks Philip - Who the hell does she think she is? Philip tells him that she's the woman who found him lying in a pool of blood, she almost took a bullet - she's going through some things and he thinks it's going to take her a while to get over it. He asks Victor to cut her some slack. Victor agrees. He tells Philip phase 1 of their plan is complete. Everything is as it should be. Philip - Then it's time or me to strike. Victor says soon - they have to make sure Phase 2 is completely prepared. Philip thought they didn't have time to lose. Victor tells him to spend time with Stephanie - he leaves. Stephanie comes back in. Philip tells her his Dad went out. She asks how they're talk was. Philip says she would know - she was listening in - it's not like she hasn't done it before. Stephanie gets upset with him - she listened at Titan months ago - she wouldn't do that to him now. She wants him to take it back. He tells her he was wrong - he completely trusts her. They kiss. She starts unbuttoning his shirt but freezes when she sees the bandage - she recalls holding the towel over his wound as he bleeds.

She tells Philip that she's sorry she got into it with his dad. He tells her it's okay - he thinks his dad respected her for standing up to him. Stephanie doesn't like being treated like that - like she's too fragile to know what's going on or too dumb to understand. She thinks that Philip feels that way too - how would he like it if she kept things from him. He doesn't think she tells him everything. She doesn't. Now he's beginning to think she's keeping something from him - is she? Yup. He wants to know what. She'll tell him because unlike him she doesn't like keeping secrets - she's kind of proud of this one. She says him getting shot and almost dying freaked her out so she took action. She went to see EJ - gave him hell. Philip - you went to his home and gave him hell? She'd do it again; pompous creep - he tried to kill you. Philip tells her she shouldn't have done that - she can't ever do it again. She only did what he's done but her reason was better. He raises his voice to her and she tells him not to yell at her. Philip tells her he loves her but it's not only not safe, it's incredibly reckless - given possible future events ... She asks him what he's planning. Philip tells her that this is about what she did. All she did was stand up for him. He tells her that was a mistake. He can't let this happen to her - he won't let her be a casualty. She asks him where he's been - she's been in the middle of this and a potential casualty since the day she fell in love with him. Whatever is going on now they're in this together. She's not leaving him, not now, not ever. Philip thinks she is romanticizing this - stand by your man and this will all have a happy ending. It doesn't work like that. She asks him how does it work. When he doesn't answer she says you don't know. You can't predict anything but one thing you can predict is that she's not going to stand on the sidelines while this is going on. She's a part of this now. He doesn't want her to get hurt. She tells him that what she doesn't deserve is him keeping her in the dark. Now that he knows that she's not backing down and that she put her life on the line for him she thinks she's entitled to know everything. By the way he and his father are acting she knows something is going on - there's a plan in the works. Please just tell me what it is.


Wooded wonderland: Rafe has his hand over Sami's eyes as they come into a clearing. Sami says if she knew they were going to be hiking she would have worn different ... she stops when Rafe removes his hand. She notices the shrub with the yellow flowers and a blanket spread out with candles around it. Rafe hopes she is hungry - he has crackers, cheese, wine - lots of it. She comments that he set this all up. He told her he came up this afternoon. Sami has lived there her entire life and she's never been here. Rafe tells her it's close to his old neighbourhood - she probably didn't make it to the south side of town very often. Sami scoffs - are you kidding ... she then admits that he's right. Rafe says the first time he came up here he was 8 or 9 and he was blown away. It was so warm, there was the flowers, billions of stars and you can hear the sound of the river. He used to come up here when he was older with friends - play some catch. Sami says that's it - how many girls did you bring up here? Rafe starts on a list of made up names - Sami guesses he isn't really going to answer that question 'cause you wouldn't want to make me jealous'. Rafe - Yeah, I would but I can't because you're it. You're the only person I've ever brought up here or would ever want to. They kiss. They're lying on the blanket now drinking wine - he's pointing out Orion to her. She finally sees it. They sit up - she asks him if he's always been into astronomy. He has. She wants to hear his favourite story. He tells her a really cute, funny story that's a Native American legend. The belt of Orion is made up of the footprints of the God of the Flea People. Lots of laughing and smiling while he's telling the story. Sami asks him why he didn't get into Astronomy. He wanted to be an astronaut until he learned NASA have 5,000 applications for 20 spaces to fill - he wanted something with better odds for success. She's selfishly glad he didn't because they never would have met. Rafe - Unless you believe in fate. Sami - Do you? Rafe - I do. I think we're supposed to be here right now. They're about to kiss when Sami hears a loud splashing sound - she asks Rafe what that noise was. He tells her it was a fish jumping. She asks if they can see them. He says yes. He'll pour them more wine and meet her down there. As he's pouring he calls out to be careful - the bank is slippery. Too late - Sami screams as she ends up in the river. Rafe yells for her to hang on - he's coming.

Rafe and Sami return - they're both soaking wet - Rafe lays her down and asks her if she's okay. She starts coughing - she's freezing. He wraps a blanket around her and they start removing her dress. They're both undressed now wrapped in a couple of blankets. Rafe - Some first date, huh. Sami chuckles - it's definitely eventful. Rafe tells her he should have warned her about the riverbank. She says she shouldn't have walked down in the dark by herself. Rafe - So as far as first dates go this was pretty disasterous, huh. Sami turns to face him - Are you kidding me? Definitely not a disaster. They kiss. Rafe breaks the kiss - Wait. He wants her to know that he wasn't trying to ... Sami knows. He's smart but not smart enough to know she was going to fall into the river and get freezing and need him to rescue her. I know this isn't what you planned but it just feels right to me. They kiss.


DiMera mansion - Part 2: Dr. Baker doesn't think the situation is that dire. He points out that he didn't give her up. Nicole says if he had done that they'd both be dead. He thinks working for the DiMera's could be useful - it would help him pay off his debts. Nicole - or he could end up buried under a turnpike. These people play for keeps. When they want information they get which means they will find out about the baby switch. They will find out everything and when they do they won't be knocking on your door with a briefcase full of money, they'll be handing you a shovel to dig your own grave. The writing is on the wall. Stefano DiMera taking an
interest in him is a very bad thing. She can tell that she finally got through to him. Dr. Baker says he doesn't have enough money to pay everything off. She does - she married into it. She tells him to follow her and she'll show him the answer to all his problems. Dr. Baker follows her up the stairs and stops her - exactly how much is she giving him. $15,000 cash. He tells her he needs $50,000 or he takes his chances on EJ. She doesn't have that much money on hand and EJ would be suspicious if she got it for him. He says fine, the deals off. He turns and starts going down the stairs. She grabs him - Don't you walk away from me ... Dr. Baker falls down the stairs. Nicole stand on the stairs - OMG.


Pier: EJ arrives with his two goons and joins Victor with his two thugs. EJ - So, why did you want to see me? Victor - Because we have him. EJ - Who? Victor - Guess. EJ - Father.


Preview: EJ to Victor - Where is he? Yelling now - Where is he? Victor - The phoenix is not going to rise from the ashes. Not this time. Nicole to Mary - Call an ambulance. Mary - What happened? Nicole - He fell. I don't think he's breathing. Sami and Rafe shielding themselves from a bright light as someone says - Restricted area. You're under arrest. Philip to Stephanie - If that son of a bitch ever laid a finger on you I'd ... Stephanie - You'd kill him? Is that what you were going to say?

********************************************

Friday May 8

Wooded wonderland: Their passionate kisses are interrupted when a bright light is shone on them and they're told this is a restricted area and they are under arrest. Sami and Rafe are getting dressed. Rafe mutters - Under arrest? What do you suppose the penalty is for indecent exposure - he mentions hard time. Sami tells him not to joke. He wraps a blanket around her. Sami says who knew we were on sacred ground. Rafe tells this wasn't protected park land back in the day. This is a story Sami isn't telling her kids but maybe her grandkids. Rafe - I can just hear it now. Sami is going to tell them that this was the most perfect first date she ever went on. It wasn't just romantic, it was an unpredictable, heart-stopping adventure. Rafe - That's how you like it, isn't it - unpredictable, heart-stopping? She laughs - you like it too otherwise you wouldn't be with me. They kiss. Rafe waves and thanks the officer. Rafe asks Sami if she's okay. She is - she knows her hair is a mess and her make-up is a wreck ... He tells her she looks beautiful but he's sure she's completely uncomfortable - why don't they cut the date short. Sami - No way. The best is yet to come.


Kiriakis mansion: Philip agrees to her request to her about their plan - is she ready to sell her soul? That was a joke she didn't find funny. They're just taking care of the family - taking care of her because as she said she's in this too. She still wants to know what the plan is. He tells her there are two things she needs to know. One is that he does have a conscience. Tony's death still haunts him - he feels guilty and responsible even though it was an accident but damned if the DiMera's see it that way. They're the ones that started this war. The second thing - what he and his father are doing is for the greater good. He tells her to think about what the DiMera's did to her family - wouldn't the world be a better place without them? Stephanie tells him he doesn't get to decide who lives or dies. He surmises she is afraid. Of course she is when he talks like that. He thought she trusted him. She does, it's EJ, Stefano and Victor she doesn't trust and the hatred. She reminds him he was almost killed. Next time he'll be prepared. Stephanie isn't going to let him be hurt again. She'll do whatever she has to do to keep him safe even if that means she goes back to EJ. He tells her not to go near EJ ever again. If that son of a bitch ever lays a finger on you I swear to God ... Stephanie finishes for him - you'd kill him? Is that what you were going to say? When he doesn't reply she asks him why he isn't answering her. He doesn't think she wants to know the answer. She agrees. Philip asks her to stay with him - he doesn't want her going back to her apartment. Stephanie - You mean tonight? Philip - I mean ever. She asks if this is because he thinks she isn't safe. Philip - Because I love you. He wants to go bed with her, wake up with her. He wants to do nothing with her and everything with her. Will she move in with him?

She says it's a big step - moving in together. Philip - You've thought about it, haven't you? Not lately. She had too many other things to think about like keeping him alive. She hasn't had the time or the energy to think about whether or not they're going to take it to the next level. Philip tells her he needs her with him - he needs her so much. They kiss. She says yes I'll move in with you. Philip guesses that Welcome Home sign is for the both of them - she can stay as long as she wants. She asks him if he's talked to his father about this. He tells her not to worry about that. He'll understand how important this is for the both of them. Since her family is out of town and her room-mate just went to London - we're your family now. He knows how she feels about the Kiriakis name ... Stephanie tells him it's his name and she loves him. She's proud to be a part of his family. They kiss. Philip suggests they celebrate his recovery and her new digs with some champagne. She goes to get glasses. Philip makes a call - Is it done? Good. Stephanie hears this. That phone call was about the DiMera's, wasn't it? Philip takes her hand - he's going to show her what that phone call was about - follow him. The gardener is putting flowers on a table out on the terrace. Philip thanks Owen. Stephanie asks Philip what he's doing - she was supposed to be surprising him with a special night. Philip says in all honesty - he had help. She says this is what your phone call was about - you were talking to Owen. They kiss. Philip toasts Stephanie - for making him realise what's important in life. He's never wanted to be with anyone so much as he wants to be with her. He likes who he is when he's with her. She gets teary. He tells her to not cry - at least not yet. He doesn't want any regrets and right now the only regret he has is that he hasn't always been there for her. He knows she hasn't approved of some of the things he's said and done in the best few months but she stood by him - she's still here. Stephanie - I told you I'm not going anywhere. I want to be with you. Philip says if that is true that this is the beginning of a new life for him. He gets up and goes to her. Stephanie Johnson you are beautiful. You're thoughtful, you're kind, you're witty, you're wise ... did I mention you're beautiful? Did I mention you're perfect? He takes out a ring and gets down on one knee. Stephanie Johnson would you do me the honour of being my wife? She laughs and cries, yes. He puts the ring on her finger.


Pier: When Victor confirms they have Stefano EJ accuses him of bluffing. Victor - Are you willing to bet your father's life on that foolish assumption. Victor holds out his hand - You want proof. A gift from your father. EJ takes Stefano's phoenix ring from him. Victor - Stefano would never part with such a prescious possession. EJ yells - Where is he? Victor tells him the phoenix isn't going to rise from the ashes this time - not without the help of a mere mortal, his son. EJ asks Victor what he wants from him. Victor - This all ends tonight, right here, right now. Stay the hell away from my son. EJ whines - my brother is dead and if you harm my father ... Victor will take him to his father right now. EJ - So you can murder us both? Victor tells him to get rid of his guards He'll be safe - he has his word. EJ laughs at him. Victor just looks at him - It's up to you EJ if you want to see papa DiMera or not. EJ asks - I release my guards and you take me to father, then what? Victor - Well that's up to you EJ. Ordinarily he doesn't negotiate with terrorists but in this case a little diplomacy might benefit everyone. EJ - This is your idea of diplomacy? Victor reminds him that Tony was the first to turn on his own family so EJ owes him no loyalty whatsoever - now your father on the other hand - that's a different matter. EJ dismisses his guards. Victor's thugs grab EJ. Why the muscle - you gave me your word. Victor intends to honour it but he doesn't expect EJ too so he has to be blindfolded to be taken to Stefano. When you're all finished you'll come right back here. He takes EJ's cell phone - he won't be needing this. EJ claims he has to call his wife. Victor scoffs - Nicole? He doubts that she even noticed he was gone. And if something were to happen to you she'd be seeing dancing dollar signs. EJ struggles but the thugs drag him off.


DiMera mansion: Nicole checks Dr. Baker's wrist for a pulse - OMG, did I kill you? She then convinces herself it was an accident. She hopes he doesn't have any evidence that she switched Mia and Sami's babies. She starts checking his pockets - he grabs her hand. She chastises him for not leaving town - he falls unconscious. Sami's baby starts crying so Nicole calmly leaves him lying there and starts to head up the stairs. Mary comes in and sees Dr. Baker lying on the floor - dear God. Nicole lies as usual - he just fell down the stairs. She doesn't think he's breathing. Mary asks if she knows CPR - she says yes. Mary will do the chest compressions and Nicole can do the breathing. Nicole holds her hand in front of Dr. Baker's mouth and pretends to be giving him mouth to mouth. Nicole tells a cop it happened so fast. One minute he was on the steps and the next he was on the floor - he must have tripped. The cop asks if anyone can corroborate her story. Mary
lies and says she seen it all - it happened just the way Mrs. DiMera said it did. The cop asks why the doctor was there. Nicole lies - he came to visit her daughter - he delivered her a few months ago. She prays to God that he makes it. She asks the paramedics how Dr. Baker is. One of them says the CPR may have broken a rib but it saved his life. Nicole is not happy.


Java Cafe - Part 1: Maggie comes in as Will is trying to get Grace to stop crying - he gives her a bottle. Maggie thinks it's nice that he's babysitting. He tells her he was supposed to have help but his friend totally bailed on him. She was upset. Some kids from school were saying things about her ... he stops - it was probably better that she left. Maggie asks if his friend is in trouble. Will says no and then I don't know. What those kids said made him see her in a different light - he was hoping she would say it was a lie but she didn't. Maggie is sorry - this girl is obviously an important friend. He says not really. He hasn't known her that long - he'll get over it. Maggie offers to stay and help with Grace but Will is going to take her home. They leave and Maggie gets a work related call. When she's done her call Mia asks her to excuse her. Maggie notices that Mia picks up her sweater from a chair that was opposite the one Will had been sitting in. She hands Mia a tissue and says feel free to tell me to mind my own business but are you okay? Mia says she is okay. Maggie introduces herself and tells Mia she has a pretty name. She makes idle chit chat and offers Mia hot chocolate - her treat. Mia couldn't - besides she wouldn't be very good company. She's not herself. She hasn't been for a while but tonight was really ... Maggie says it might be good to talk about it. Mia tells her she saw some kids from her old school and they were saying stuff about her - really bad stuff and she kind of let this friend of hers believe that it was true. Maggie - Even though it wasn't? Why would you do that? Mia knows it sounds crazy but no matter how bad that gossip was it's so much better than what really happened. No one can ever know the truth. Maggie brings over the hot chocolate and talks about Melissa and Sarah. They moved away years ago. She misses them - she and her husband are going to visit them over the summer. She has a young lady that lives with her - she's like another daughter so I'm never lonely. She asks Mia if she is close with her parents. Not really. Maggie assumes they live close by. Mia says they have nothing to do with why I'm here, if that's what you're asking. There's only one reason she is still in Salem.


Sami's place - Part 1: Sami and Rafe are kissing passionately as they let themselves inside. Sami gets rid of Rafe's jacket - he's bending her over the desk when Will walks into the living room with a crying Grace. He asks Sami what happened to her. She fell in the river - long story. She asks if everything is okay - she heard Grace crying. Sami asks him why he didn't call her. He didn't want to bother her. Sami is holding Grace - Rafe makes her laugh. Sami thinks she is getting a fever again. Will says she didn't feel warm to him. Sami says maybe her fever just came back. Sami takes Grace's temperature - it's 101. She'll have to call the pediatrician - he said it was just teething but ... Will - Maybe that's what it is now. Sami doesn't know - this didn't happen with any of her other kids. Will - Grace is adopted so ... Sami knows and she's worried because she didn't have a lot of medical care when she was born - that's what they told her. She's going to call the doctor. Sami asks Will if he minds staying with Grace while she runs to the pharmacy. Will offers to go to the pharmacy - can he have her car. Sami thanks him and hands over, money, her licence, the keys - she appreciates this. After Will leaves Sami goes to Rafe who is watching over Grace. First he got her to laugh and then fall asleep - how did he do that? Rafe smiles - She's putty in my hands. She asks again how he made her laugh. Rafe - Magic. Sami wants to know what his secret is. He tells her that when his sister was little, she always had this one tickle spot - he starts tickling Sami. She laughs and tries to get away from him - they end up kissing.


Hospital: Nicole asks the doctor aside from the broken ribs there's no other serious injury? The doctor is concerned about how long it's taking him to regain consciousness. Nicole asks hopefully if that means there can be some impairment like memory loss. The doctor says it is possible that he may not remember much of anything. Nicole calls EJ's cell wondering why he's not answering. She leaves him a message. There's been an accident - Dr. Baker is in the hospital. Nicole tells Mary that she'll be home soon - she has one more thing to take care of. The doctor comes out of Dr. Baker's room - he's stable - she can go in and see him. Dr. Baker is moaning in pain. He asks Nicole where he is. She tells him he had an accident. He replies - Accident? You tried to kill me bitch.


Java Cafe - Part 2: Will greets Maggie. He's just killing time until Grace's prescription is ready. Maggie - oh dear, she's not sick, is she? Will says she has a fever - that's probably why she was crying earlier. Maggie tells him to tell his mom to call her if she needs any help - she knows she has her hands full. Will - Yeah, it's like baby central at our place. Pretty crazy but kind of fun. Maggie leaves. Will calls Mia and leaves her a message. He wants to apologise for what happened earlier today - he wishes she hadn't run out like that because he wanted to talk. He tells her to call him. Mia sneaks out of the cafe when Will's back is turned.


Sami's place - Part 2: Sami and Rafe are on the couch kissing passionately - Grace makes a sound so they check on her. Back to the couch and back to Grace. Will is going to put the key in the lock when he hears his mom laughing. He unlocks the door and holds the prescription bag over his eyes - he's just passing through. Sami thanks him. Will notices they're playing Scrabble. Rafe asks him if he'd like to play with them. Will has a lot of Spanish homework - he tells them to have fun as he heads to his room. Sami has a word that's appropriate enough - 'date'. Rafe has one too appropriately enough 'first'. Sami tells him she's sorry about this date, about falling in the river and Grace getting sick and everything. He asks her why she's apologising. Because he went through so much effort to put together such a special night and now here we are playing scrabble. He tells her that first of all he loves playing Scrabble and secondly, you and I are going to have a lot more perfect nights. They kiss.


Warehouse: EJ is shoved into a warehouse (he has a black hood over his head). The thugs leave him there. EJ asks - where's my father? Where am I? EJ finds a light switch and turns it on. He sees a body covered by a white sheet.


Preview: Lucas to Kate - Tell me. What went down between you and Chloe? Daniel to Chloe - Does your marriage make you happy? Nicole to Dr. Baker - You go to the cops and you're going to wish you didn't wake up right now. EJ to Victor - What is it exactly that you want? Victor - Everything ... smiling - everything.

**********************************

Monday May 11

Hospital - Part 1: Daniel surmises that Chloe is there to talk to him about Kate. Chloe admits that Kate confronted her - she guesses she had it coming. She said she wouldn't tell Lucas - can they believe her? Daniel responds that they're in the unenviable position of having to trust Kate's word. Daniel tells her that they have to remember that no one knows better than Kate that Lucas is fragile. Maybe if mommy didn't protect him and cut his meat for him he might have actually grown up. Chloe tells him to stop it. Daniel argues - life happens. People can be engaged and fall in love with someone else. Love doesn't come in a pretty little package. He doesn't think the reason they're not together is because she doesn't want him it's because she's afraid Lucas is going to self-destruct if he knows and Kate did it. She raised this ... this ... he stops and apologises. Chloe insists that Lucas didn't do anything wrong, she did. She tells Daniel he can't talk to her like that. She loves Lucas and wants to be married to him. He isn't trying to upset her. Chloe reminds him how important this is to her - she made a promise to God - she thinks that makes Daniel mad. Daniel - you have no idea. You made a sacrifice to save Lucas's life - marriage isn't supposed to be a sacrifice. That's not what she meant. Daniel - But that's how it turned out. Tell me does your marriage make you happy - not Lucas, you - does it? Chloe isn't going to answer because he'd just say she was lying. Her life is not his concern anymore. She just wants to talk about Kate. Daniel doesn't think Kate can afford to tell Lucas but that doesn't mean she is going to let this go. Chloe doesn't care what she does as long as she doesn't tell Lucas. Dan asks if she is going all martyr on him. Kate is going to come after you - she will not play fair. She can sniff out insecurity like a bloodhound and she will prey on your guilt - she will undermine you ever chance she gets and don't you tell me you deserve this. Chloe breaks down .. It's just that ... Daniel tells her to stop. If what they had was a sin she has atoned. It is not Kate's position to judge her. God didn't appoint her to be her judge and executioner. He wants her to fight Kate like she fights him. Don't let Kate do to her what she's done to ... he stops. Chloe - Who? Daniel says he's not supposed to talk about Lucas. He tells her that Kate is not without sin. If she gives you any static tell her that you'll tell Lucas yourself.

Nicole insists that his fall was an accident - he must have tripped. Dr. Baker made the idiotic mistake of turning his back on her - you never turn your back on a cobra - she hit him with all she had. Nicole makes a joke about cobra's not having arms. He doesn't joke with someone that tried to kill him and still wants him dead. He grabs for the call button but she takes it away from him. Baker tells her that she when she walked in he was alive - if he's dead when she leaves they'll figure it out. Nicole isn't going to kill him - she could have left him at the bottom of stairs. She tells him that he's just as responsible for what happened as she is. He calls her crazy - she pushed him down the stairs and he ended up in the hospital - that's her fault. Nicole gives him a life lesson. You threaten to destroy a person's life. You threaten to take away everything that meant everything to that person - maybe you should avoid staircases. Maybe that person might have an unpremeditated, involuntary ... Baker takes that as an admission of guilt. She says no I wanted to kill you since the second you showed up on my door after Sydney was born. And since you made me want to kill you she'd say it's up to him to not give her the opportunity. (Gosh - this creature is a real piece of work, isn't she!) Baker tells her the conversation is over. Nicole says no they still need to talk. If he's talking it's going to be to the police. Nicole says he can't go to the police because then she'll tell them what he did and it's bye-bye medical licence and hello Bubba in the orange jumpsuit. Baker will make a deal with the DA - he'll give them her and they'll flip her to get the DiMera's. She asks him how he thinks EJ and Stefano will respond when they find out he played them. He didn't - he just helped her. Nicole says that is too fine of a distinction for them. If he goes to the cops he's going to wish he didn't wake up right now. She tells him he can't go to the cops not just for her sake but his. He thinks she is right. She's going to talk to his doctor about getting him transferred to a lovely place to recuperate - somewhere warm, secluded ... Baker - Where no one will be too alarmed if some tourist shows up dead? Nicole - Right ... no. Baker knows that she's never going to stop trying to kill him until he gets some insurance. He's going to tell EJ everything then she'll have no more motivation to kill him. She'll have motivation alright - pure unadulterated hate. She would love to kill him but that's not going to happen. He's not going to tell EJ, she won't kill him - they'll work this out.


Kiriakis mansion: Lucas comes inside and mentions to Kate that Henderson has all her luggage in the car - where is she going. She's going to London. Chelsea called - Billie has a secondary infection. She mentions that Chelsea is really upset - she's hopping she's over-reacting due to jet-lag or exhaustation. Kate admits that she is scared - but she's relieved to know she's leaving things in his capable hands. Lucas wants to know if she was going to tell him she was leaving. He's sceptical when she says of course because she's been avoiding him for two days. Kate denies that - she's been busy. Lucas insists she was avoiding him and he wants to know why. He says she's been avoiding him ever since he found her and Chloe on the pier - he tells Kate she really attacked Chloe. You got so mad you fired her - he wants to know why. Kate shrugs it off - Chloe never wanted that job so frankly she was relieved. Lucas wants her to be honest with him - what went down between her and Chloe. Kate reminds Lucas that she was never fond of Chloe because of what she did to Philip - she never wanted him to get involved with her. Lucas - she gave you her bone marrow but she can't have your son? Kate tells him he's forcing her to say these things. Just because a narcissistic back-stabbing little bitch does something nice does that change anything? It changed her perception of Chloe for a little while - she was blinded by science because of that bone marrow thing - Chloe is still the same person she's always been. Lucas - Forget that she's my wife, forget that I love her??? That just tells Kate that once again he has made a terrible mistake. Lucas can't believe this - Chloe saved her life. Kate thinks that was a shrewd move on Chloe's part to worm her way into their family. Lucas points out that Chloe would have been a part of this family regardless of what Kate thought. Kate almost forgot that Philip was very fond of her. Lucas tells her this has nothing to do with Philip or the past - it's about what just happened. She's not answering his question. She's been avoiding him ever since she had that argument on the pier with Chloe. He wants to know what happened. Did she say something to make you mad. Kate admits that something did happen but it wasn't between her and Chloe it was between Chloe and him. Lucas tells her she doesn't know what she's talking about. She doesn't know what it's like between him and Chloe. He wants her to butt out of all of their lives. He doesn't even want to talk to Kate right now. Kate doesn't want it to be like this. Lucas says if she doesn't want it like this she has to start treating Chloe with love and respect or don't expect any from him. He leaves.


Warehouse: EJ lifts back the sheet - Father. He checks for a pulse. Victor enters - He's alive, the question is for how long. EJ calls him an S.O.B. Victor lectures EJ - this is not the time to let emotions cloud our judgement, we have important decisions to make. EJ makes a move on Victor but Victor's bodyguard grabs him by the throat and throws him up against the wall. Victor - So, now it seems we're ready to begin negotiations. EJ wants to know what he did to his father. Victor didn't do anything. Stefano has diabetes, he's just letting nature take it's course. EJ says he needs insulin. Victor tells him that now he's doing his job for him. That was his opening salvo in the negotiation. His father needs insulin or he could lose a limb, go blind or die. The good news is that I have insulin. All we have to do is negotiate a price. Victor baits EJ and EJ reacts in a predictable manner by threatening Victor's life. Victor was right - he did sense hostility. He's going to extend a gesture of good will. If his father becomes sick he'll call in a nurse. He brings a nurse in - does she remember her orders. She does. She pulls out a syringe. EJ makes a move but is stopped - what's in that syringe. Victor - Are you concerned Elvis? I sense fear in you. Why would you be afraid of a nurse? He tells the nurse to go ahead. EJ again is forcibly stopped by the bodyguard. Victor tells EJ that Stefano got his insulin - he got what he needed to live. Stefano groans. The nurse tells Victor that she told him before that it's not a sufficient dosage. Victor tells her to go and make herself a cup of tea and relax. He tells EJ that he thinks it's important to keep the staff happy. Was he paying attention? His father got his insulin; not as much as he needed but he did reach out - he did take the first step. EJ - What exactly is it that you want. Victor - Everything, Elvis, everything.

EJ asks him what he means. Victor wants to make it clear what the Kiriakis overview is. Ultimately what they'd like to do is end the war between their two families. Since they're dealing with the DiMera's and they know their history and their mindset the only they can make sure that peace is maintained is to make sure they are completely disarmed. He pulls out a contract. Once EJ signs this his father will get his insulin and DiMera Enterprises will all belong to me. EJ scoffs - he's not going to sign that. Victor shrugs - Then you're signing your father's death warrant. EJ makes a move on Victor and is brought to his knees by the bodyguard. Victor thought they had already talked about controlling their emotions. To show that he's negotiating in good faith there is a cheque for 5 million dollars attached to the document. They wouldn't want people to think he's stealing your company after all - that wouldn't be right. EJ laughs - you think a cheque is going to make it legal? It's extortion - the agreement can't be held to be legally binding ... Victor - Yeah, yeah, yeah - we all know you went to law school but you know what paid assassination is not legal either and that didn't seem to bother you at all. These are the terms. You have 72 hours to get the DiMera affairs in order for me during which time your father will continue to receive his insulin - enough to keep him alive. After 72 hours if you don't deliver, your father dies. Your choice. EJ tells Victor that this isn't the way to end the feud. He'll never accept this. My father will retalliate. Victor - With what? As far as I know he only uses mercenaries - he won't be able to afford them. EJ - He'll come back Victor. He always does. Victor - Not this time. He's a sick old man, Elvis and it's the end of an era. Victor hates to tell EJ this but he's not near the adversary his father was. EJ - Is. Victor - You need to think that he's still powerful because you realise that you're not even in his league. EJ gets cocky - someday he'll remind him of what he said. Victor smiles - Be aware that if you try to hide any assets I will know. I want every bit of stock, every bit of land and if you try to double-cross me your father dies. That concludes our negotiations - always a pleasure Elvis. He nods his head and the bodyguard knocks EJ unconscious. Victor throws the contract on EJ's chest and walks out.


Brady Pub: Hope is on her cell when she and Bo enter the Pub. She tells Bo that they're placing that nurse that went after Philip in a cell with an informant. Bo says that was way to close - he doesn't want to have to tell Victor Philip was killed especially on his watch. Hope wonders what Victor is going to do now that he knows that Stefano tried again. Max brings them coffee. He asks if they have talked to Chelsea lately. Bo hasn't since she landed at Heathrow. Neither has Max - he's beginning to worry. Bo tells him to join the club. Bo asks Max to explain what a secondary infection is. Max tells him it screws up the immune system, makes her more susceptible to infections and makes her recuperation longer. Bo is going to head back to the station but Hope tells him to sit down. They're going to eat, wait for
Ciara and then he's going home to get some sleep. Bo is too tired to argue. Max says he should have gone with Chelsea - she shouldn't be going through this alone. Bo mentions that in the past when they didn't hear from Chelsea it meant that there was bad news. Hope teases Bo about his Irish optimism - Chelsea doesn't call so it has to be bad news. It can't be that she just arrived and she's exhausted. She tells him he needs to wind down. Max's cell rings - it's Chelsea. After he talks to her he hands over the phone to Bo. Bo is glad that Billie is going much better. Ciara is with them - she had a good time at the park. Bo asks if Tommy Bear went with her - it looks and smells like he did. Hope tells him not to try and take the bear from her - she'll wash it when she's sleeping. As they are leaving Bo has a vision of being in the woods calling out Ciara's name and coming across Tommy bear lying on the ground.


Hospital - Part 2: Lucas asks Chloe how her checkup went. She's fine - how about him. He just had it out with his mom. The good news is that she's going to London so they'll have some peace and quiet for once. He tried to get her to tell them what had gone on between the two of them but she wouldn't say anything. Chloe tells him to let it go. Lucas says it's too late for that. He really let her have it - she can't keep treating you like that. Chloe tells him not to push his mom - she's been under a lot of strain lately. Lucas doesn't think that is an excuse. She wasn't honest about what happened so he wants Chloe to tell him. Chloe looks at Daniel - Lucas sees her looking at Daniel. Chloe tells him she's pretty tired - can they please talk about something else. If his mom is worried about Philip and Billie and wants to take it out on her she's fine - besides she's going away. Lucas says - case closed. He's going to talk to Daniel. Chloe - No. He asks her what her problem is - he was only to tell Dan that his mom is going to London. Chloe is sorry - it's just that Daniel has a patient that's not doing very well and he's in a bad mood - they should just leave him alone. It's not a good time to talk to him - lets go home. They leave.

Nicole knows they've had issues but they've worked through them. Baker doesn't want to work with anyone that tried to kill him. She yells at him - it was an accident, you idiot. Daniel comes in and chastises her for yelling at a patient - Nicole makes up a lame excuse that she was trying to tell him he was too weak to make a phone call. Daniel disagrees and orders her out of the room. Dr. Baker tells Daniel that Nicole is a very excitable woman. He asks Daniel for the phone. Outside the room Nicole curses at EJ for not answering his phone. Nicole comes back into his room so Baker threatens to call security. She tells him she'll stay right here (at the end of his bed). She knows he couldn't reach EJ - his phone is on voicemail. She suggests he figure out what he's going to do. She tells him about Philip being tracked down to a hotel room and being shot at close range and then even under armed guard a nurse tried to suffocate him while he was in the hospital. She talks
about how Philip and Tony got into a fight but it was nothing major - Tony's death was an accident. Even though she told EJ and Stefano she saw it all and it was as an accident it didn't matter. So now Philip is running - he knows that running is just prolonging the inevitable because he knows that eventually they will find him and kill him. That's his life now - waiting to be eliminated. So he can go ahead and tell EJ what he knows but that will be his life and they both know she's telling the truth. It's finally sinking in and you know I didn't try to kill you and you won't tell EJ about Sydney. Baker says as long as you promise to stay as far away from him as possible. Nicole - You won't contact EJ under any cirmcumstances - deal. They shake on it. She leaves.


DiMera mansion: Nicole comes in and sees the blood on the rug and recalls the 'accidental' fall. Maybe you should have died Baker because alive you're one big liability.


Hospital - Part 3: Dr. Baker is writing a letter. If you're reading this it means that I'm dead. You should know that Nicole Walker DiMera was responsible for the following reasons ...


Pier: EJ comes to - This isn't over Father. I promise you this isn't over.


Preview: Victor to Philip - It means that very soon Stefano and all the DiMera's will be neutralized, powerless. Stephanie to Caroline - Philip isn't like Victor. I swear he isn't. Nicole to EJ - Victor's made a huge mistake and you will find a way to stop him, I know you will. Rafe to Sami - Leave? I'm not going anywhere Sami.

**************************************

Tuesday May 12

Sami's place - Part 1: Rafe brings coffee and food over - Sami wants him to speak softly as Grace is sleeping. Her fever broke during the night - she needs her sleep. Sami is tired but she's glad Grace is feeling better. Rafe mentions Grace's doctor's appointment this morning. Sami is surprised - guys don't remember doctor's appointments. Rafe thinks that is a both a generalization and sexist - it's like saying guys only want one thing - he admits that one is pretty much true. Sami teases him and then kisses him. Sami looks at the door - she's freaking out thinking someone is going to interrupt them. He chuckles. She's glad he can laugh about it. He asks - what else am I supposed to do. She answers - leave. He's not going anywhere. Sami says most guys wouldn't be thrilled to be ... whatever it is they're
doing with the woman that lives in the shoe - all these kids and ex's all over the place. She'd call it dating but dating is fun and two people do it alone together. From his point of view it must seem like babysitting which is a not so remarkable benefit. Rafe tells her he likes the benefits. Sami grins - maybe when Grace is napping they can nap too - just until it's time to take the twins to Gymboree and then maybe he can have supper with her and her sullen teenage son. He tells her to stop - he likes it and watching her juggle it all - he likes helping. She promises that in the not too distant future they will be able to spend several hours alone. Rafe - That will be a
great day. Until that day comes why don't you just sit down and have your coffee and food - Grace starts crying. Sami goes to get her.


DiMera mansion: Nicole comes down the stairs with Sami's baby muttering how she is going to get Dr. Baker out of her life permanently. Victor calls EJ - he's checking in to see how Elvis slept. EJ stays silent and pouts. Victor calls and tells him that his father is about the same - did you know some people think the story of Snow White was about a diabetic coma. EJ continues sulking so Victor tells hims he'll let him get back to work. He asks when he is going to have DiMera Enterprises ready for him. When is he going to sign on the dotted line or he'll put it another way - when is his father going to be allowed to wake up. He hangs up on EJ and says to Stephano - Elvis is not much of a morning person, is he? Nicole comes in and sees EJ's beat up mug. He tells her he was in negotiations with the Kiriakis's family. Hilarious - Nicole talks like she can actually do something about it. EJ tells her they kidnapped his father and are holding him for ranson. Victor wants everything. Nicole tells EJ they can't do anything - if they kill his father they'd be facing murder charges. (HUH - but it was alright for EJ to have Philip killed - there would be no charges for that???) EJ says they won't hurt him - they're depriving him of insulin. All they have to do is dump him and he'll die of natural causes. He shows her the contract that Victor had drawn up. She states that they're okay then - that contract is a legal document and he's the best lawyer ever - he'll find a way to stop him. She has every faith in him. He wonders where his materialistic Nicole is - he told her they were going to lose everything and she didn't blink. She doesn't think they'll lose anything - he'll figure something out. She then lies and tells him the money doesn't make her happy - it's him and Sydney that do. Gullible EJ buys her lies hook, line and sinker. EJ is doing research on the internet - there's a loophole in this contract but it's not obvious. Nicole is confident he'll find it. EJ can't help but think what the hell am I doing. Give Victor what he wants and take her and Sydney to a deserted island, anywhere and just be a family. He doesn't want to be a target anymore but he can't do that. He won't let Victor take him to his knees. Nicole tells him that his father is his Achille's heel - his one real vulnerability; Victor has one too. He thinks his one shot at immortality is in his children and grandchildren. EJ asks her if she thinks that the reason Victor and his father keep fighting is because they're so similar. Delusional Nicole just thanks God that EJ isn't like either one of them (what a joke!). She leaves Sami's baby with him and goes out. She mutters 'Okay Dr. Baker I'm going to give you one more chance. In the living room EJ looks at Stefano's picture - what would you tell me to do? In the warehouse, Stefano stirs - Elvis, you must listen to me.

EJ stares at the contract and recalls a conversation with Stefano. They talk about chess (among other things). EJ recalls his father asking him what he told him after the first time he beat him. EJ - Always stay 3 moves ahead of your opponent. EJ mutters - you weren't one step ahead of Victor. EJ tries to recall what else his father told him. What was the second thing I said to you after you are three moves ahead of your opponent. EJ recalls the answer - Don't let them know that you are. EJ paces and talks to himself - the DiMera's always have one more strategy - one more move. You wouldn't leave the country knowing you're not coming back without ... he recalls Stefano telling him that no matter what is going on or where he is he would never abandon him. I will always be looking over you - remember that. EJ looks at the portrait and then goes and takes it off the wall. He's going to go in the safe and then changes him mind and rips off the backing on the picture. He finds an envelope. Inside the envelope there is a passport and a list of names and numbers and some other documents. He calls one of the numbers and Owen answers. He's calling on behalf of Stefano DiMera. Owen - Yes sir, what can I do for you? (Philip and Stephanie are laughing in the background - he watches them kiss).


Hospital - Part 1: Dr. Baker hands over an envelope to a friend - To Be Opened In The Event Of My Death. Baker admits that he may have brought some of this one himself but if he gets killed that bitch is not getting away with it. The guy surmises that isn't about his gambling debts - who the hell has he gotten mixed up with? Dr. Baker - The most determined person I've ever met in my life. She makes Stalin seem easy going. She will not let anything or anyone stand in her way and
just guess where I am?


Kiriakis mansion: Stephanie comes out on the terrace and says Good Morning. She lets Philip know she was talking to the guy with the headset and the concealed weapon not him. Philip asks if she slept alright. She tossed and turned - this really cute guy asked her to marry him - he has a lot of baggage but cute wins over baggage every time. She kisses him. Philip tells her that she makes him really, really happy. Stephanie never imagined that the first person she'd tell about her engagement would be her fiancés bodyguard. Philip teases her that they can name their first son after him. Stephanie smiles - his name is Marion - they can name their first daughter after him. They kiss and banter back and forth. Philip thinks they should try and make their engagement as much as possible like she imagined - she should call her folks and her grandmother. Stephanie goes inside - as she's going in she asks if as a special favour to her does he think her grandmother won't have to be patted down. Victor comes out on the terrace as she's going in - Victor comments on their chipper mood. Philip tells him they're engaged to be married - you approve I hope. Victor says she is reasonably intelligent, a bit combative but he imagines that will wear out in time. Philip says she's a great person. Victor - as long as you love her. He does, very much. Victor says it's a good morning all the way around. Philip asks what that means. Victor tells him that very soon Stefano and all the DiMera's will be neutralized, powerless and then you and your wife can live happily ever after. Caroline joins them on the terrace - it's like going through airport security. Henderson asks her if she'd like some coffee or tea. No but she'd like to know what the hell is going on. Stephanie tells her that Philip asked her to marry him and she said yes. Caroline - You didn't. Stephanie thought she would be happy for her. Caroline - Then you didn't think very hard. She wants them to go inside and talk. Philip tells Victor he's a little ticked. All Stephanie wanted to do was tell someone in her family that she was engaged. Is it too much for them to act happy. Victor tells him that no Brady is going to pretend anything to make him feel more comfortable especially Caroline. Philip was thinking about Stephanie - not himself. Victor - You honestly think that's what you were thinking? Inside Stephanie doesn't understand what Caroline is so mad about. She's not mad. She's thrilled - can't wait to plan this wedding - she'll get her a veil and a bullet-proof vest. Stephanie argues that she's perfectly safe. Caroline - As long as you stay within these prison walls. Did you talk this over with her parents? Of course she did. When Caroline asks if they were happy and did they think this was a good idea she answers no. Caroline asks why rush to marry him, she doesn't have to, does she? No and she's marrying him because she loves him. Caroline tells her she's handing over her life,
her youth to a Kiriakis. Stephanie - That's what this is about. It's not that I'm getting married, it's that I'm getting married to a Kiriakis.

Caroline says of course she's upset about that. Philip was shot while she was in the room - don't think it's an isolated incident. The security and armed guards are not weekend guests - this is going to be her life from now on. It's not just the danger, it's the mindset; drive, ambition, ruthlessness - he's not going to change. Caroline does understand because she fell in love with a Kiriakis too - deep down inside you think you can change him, that you're love is going to make him turn his back on his life. Stephanie doesn't want to change him, he's not like Victor. Caroline thinks she is lying to herself. Stephanie is sorry that she thinks that way. Caroline chuckles - I can close my eyes and hear your mother saying 'I'm sorry you feel that way, Ma. I really am.' She says congratulations. Stephanie - You don't mean it. Caroline - I'm going to think it because I just want you to be happy. Stephanie says that Philip isn't like Victor, she swears it. On the terrace Philip asks Victor what that means. Victor doesn't think that asking Stephanie to marry him in the middle of a war doesn't scream thinking of her. Fortunately the war is almost at an end - he's sure EJ is at home wrapping up all the DiMera assets and tying them up in a nice ribbon for us. Stephanie comes out just as Philip is telling Victor that he's right, the sooner the DiMera's are eliminated, the better. Caroline comes out on the terrace. Victor wants to reassure her of Stephanie's safety. Philip can tell something is wrong - he thinks Caroline upset Stephanie - Stephanie doesn't want to talk about it now. Henderson brings out of a tray of champagnes flutes filled. Just as Victor is going to propose a toast the gardener starts up some equipment and Stephanie splashes her champagne all over herself. Victor wants Henderson to find out who that was. Owen apologises - he didn't realise anyone was out there. Victor starts in on Owen but Stephanie tells him to stop - it's okay. They don't need any more fighting around here. Owen apologises to her. She says it's her - she's a mess. Philip says you'll have to forgive her - she's engaged to be married to me so she's a little jumpy. Owen congratulates them. Victor tells Henderson to give Owen a glass and take one for himself - this is a very special moment - the moment when Stephanie comes in to our family. He raises his glass - To Stephanie, the newest member of the Kiriakis family.

Caroline comments about how startled Stephanie got when she heard that noise - she's still getting over what happened to her and Philip. Does she really think this is the right time to make such a decision. Stephanie tells her not to push it. Victor asks Caroline to help him pick out some more champagne - they're out. After they go inside Philip asks Stephanie about her grandmother upsetting her. Stephanie says no, she just says what she thinks - she likes that about her. Philip says but she's not exactly unbiased when it comes to my family. Stephanie knows but she can't accept what her grandmother says about him - she has to decide for herself. Inside
Victor tells Caroline he thought it would be good if they had a private conversation. There's something very important he wants to say and he thought if he put it in a toast she wouldn't believe it was sincere. He will treat Stephanie like a member of his family. That's kind of what worries her - members of his family tend to be on very short leashes. Victor says in the past perhaps but both Philip and Brady chose to come back to the family. Caroline comments that Stephanie is so young - she's worried about her marrying someone that comes from a family that lives like it's still in feudal Greece. Philip is older - he's made choices that she hasn't even had to face. Victor knows Philip - he loves your granddaughter - he's not going to do anything but what she wants to do. He's not going to try and control her. Caroline says her opinion doesn't mean anything to Stephanie - she's a true Brady - she's going to do what she wants no matter what anybody else says. There's something that is very important to her - Stephanie believes that Tony DiMera's death was an accident. Victor exclaims - It was. Caroline - This war that is going on ... you look me in the eye and you tell me this is Stefano's doing. I need to know that this security and all the armed guards around here are just because you're defending yourself against
the DiMera's and that you're not going to retaliate and stoop to Stefano's level. Victor - I swear. The camera cuts to an unconscious Stefano. Outside Stephanie tells Philip she overheard him talking to his father about the DiMera's. She had just finished telling her grandmother that he wasn't like his father and she came out here and heard him say the DiMera's need to be eliminated. Philip says a better word is the one his father uses - neutralize. His father is trying to work out a truce. He's trying to get through to EJ and assure peace. It won't always be like this. Caroline comes out and tells Philip and Stephanie that she hopes they will be very happy together. She hugs Stephanie - Victor walks her to her car. Philip's new mission is to make her grandmother like him. Stephanie smiles - she likes him, she doesn't trust him. Philip asks her if she trusts him. She does. He mentions what his father said about him being selfish proposing in the middle of this and she mentions her grandmother thinks it will always be like this. He repeats that it won't - he won't let her live like that. So now he has two missions, to get her to like him and to prove her wrong about their their family. They kiss.


Hospital - Part 2: Lexie is telling Sami and Rafe that Grace doesn't have a temperature now so it must have been a low grade viral infection. If her fever returns bring her to the hospital. Lexie excuses herself for a moment. Nicole arrives and she sees Sami with Rafe and Grace and then she sees Dr. Baker coming out of his room - Oh this is not good. This is so not good. Sami sees Dr. Baker and recalls him delivering grace. Nicole - It's too late - it's all over now. Sami tells Rafe she has to get out of here - tell Lexie to send the reports. Lexie asks Rafe - What's that all about? He has no idea - he see's Dr. Baker - or maybe I do. Lexie tells Richard (Dr. Baker) - she has good news. She's going to release him after she checks him over one last time. Nicole talks to herself - Sami was as upset seeing him
as you were - so maybe I have more time after all.


b>Sami's place - Part 2: Sami comes in talking non-stop about Baker being at the hospital. He's the only person that knows that she gave birth to Grace and if he tells anyone they'll know she didn't adopt Grace. Lexie is EJ's sister - she could tell him. Rafe tells her to calm down - everything will be fine. He'll take care of it.


Hospital - Part 3: Lexie tells Dr. Baker that he needs someone to drive him home. He'll call a cab. After she leaves Nicole comes in with a wheelchair. She'll give him a ride home.


Preview: EJ to Owen - My father's life is in danger. Unless you do exactly what I'm telling you to do, he's going to die. Philip on the phone to the nurse at the warehouse - I want an update. Nurse - He's alive, barely. Dr. Baker to Nicole - What do you want me to do? Nicole - Get the hell out of Salem and never come back. Rafe to Sami - Dr. Baker will not be a problem.

****************************************

Thursday May 14

Warehouse - Part 1: Victor comes inside and checks on an unconscious Stefano. Stefano moans. Victor tells him that his son hasn't called yet. Maybe he doesn't care about you as much as you thought he did. With his beloved father out of the way he ends up with all the power to say nothing about all the money. Stefano tries to grab him but Victor tells him not to be silly - he's as weak as a kitten that's why they didn't bother to tie him. And you're getting weaker.


DiMera mansion - Part 1: EJ broods. EJ calls Owen - What's going on? Are they going on ahead yes as planned, yes or no? When Owen tells him that
roses won't do well without the right amount of water he figures out that he can't talk because there's people around. He just wants a yes or no answer. Owen, no, no, no. Sir, you might want to consider changing your order. EJ wants to know what he's talking about. Owen answers - the flower you ordered may not be available. EJ demands an explanation but is told that Owen will call him back. Nicole asks EJ what is wrong. EJ - nothing, business - what's the good news she had to tell him. She tells him that Dr. Baker left town and he's not coming back. He wants to know why that is good news. She answers that he already knew that he wasn't going to be any use to you - she sees the portrait on the floor - who did that. EJ did - he ripped it open for the information that was hidden inside it - he hopes it's not too late. Nicole wants to know what kind of information. EJ - Resources - valuable resources in the fight against the Kiriakis's - resources they don't know
about. Nicole thinks that is terrific. EJ - There has been a dramatic shift in the balance of power. Nicole says that EJ will sign over everything to Victor, get Stefano back and then go after them later - she knew he'd never abandon his father. It's in his DNA, that's who he is - she loves his 'sense of family above all - family at all costs'. EJ tells her she's a DiMera now just like Sydney with loyalty, devotion. Nicole senses he is still worried; if he does sign over everything to Victor ... EJ interrupts - Victor is getting nothing. It's going to be a cold day in hell before that man touches any of my father's estate. Nicole asks how he is going to get his father back. EJ has a plan. Nicole realises that EJ doesn't want her to know what the whole plan is but how did he know to look behind the portrait. He didn't know - he just remembered something his father told him - to think like a DiMera and he did. EJ thanks her for saying she had the utmost faith in him. If it wasn't for her words he wouldn't have remembered what his father told and he wouldn't have found the information. Nicole smirks - Now he'll come out a winner amd they'll get Stefano home again. She notices he is wearing his father's ring - why is he wearing it? Arrogant EJ smirks - Because I am his heir. I'm going to do everything I can to protect him and my family.


Kiriakis mansion - Part 1: Owen is practically having a fit as he watches Philip pick up the glass of lemonade. His intent is to knock the lemonade out of Philip's hand while checking on the flowers but he knocks the table and flowers over without a drop of lemonade being spilled. He apologises profusely. Stephanie helps Owen clean up reminding Philip that he gave Henderson the night off when he suggests that he call him to help. Owen gets a call on his cell - it's EJ. After his call Philip asks if that was a gardening emergency - does that happen a lot? Owen - Oh Mr. Kiriakis you'd be surprised. When you least expect it things can go very, very wrong. Philip doesn't know why he's so thirsty. Stephanie thinks it may be because of the pain medication - he should get some rest. Philip insists he's fine - they're celebrating but then he almost passes out - Owen watches. He places another call to EJ - he can talk now. When EJ asks if their plan is on schedule Owen tells him no - there was a slight problem with putting the drug into the drink ... EJ tells him to stop - he needs to have complete deniability - no details - if the job isn't finished get it finished and call me when it's done. Owen mutters - You already tried to kill Philip twice. Maybe if I take him... no, no, no that's not the plan. Why did I
agree to do this? Why didn't I just say no? What the hell am I supposed to do now? Stephanie helps Philip to sit down. He thinks he just needs coffee - she thinks he needs to rest. He's going to argue but he passes out. Stephanie is screaming for help - Philip wakes up and tells her he's fine. She's going to call 911 but he insists he's fine. She thinks he needs a doctor - he thinks he just needs to chill out. They admire Stephanie's ring. Stephanie suggests calling Daniel and asking him to come out here but Philip insists again that all he needs is some rest.


Brady Pub: Max is outside working on the Specials sign when Melanie joins him. She's on a break from the hospital. She talks about working at the Pub and Max working there. She tells him it sounds like he really knows what he's doing here. This causes Max to talk about the pub being a family business started by Pop Shawn - he thinks of him every day. Melanie talks about the wonderful life Pop Shawn gave Max unlike their scum-sucker father. She gets jealous sometimes. Max wishes she had been with him when he was growing up - so does she. Max wishes he knew her back then. She was a holy terror unlike Bo and Hope's little girl. She thinks Ciara is so cute. Max says she's an angel which is a good thing because Bo and Hope have their hands full with the war between the Kiriakis's and the DiMera's. He thinks it's a good thing she isn't mixed up with either of those families any more. No response from Melanie so he asks - you're not mixed up with them any more, are you? Melanie tells Max about giving Philip the breath of life. Max isn't talking about her work at the hospital he's talking about the fuels project - she's not trying to make another deal with that ... Melanie says that both families know she has nothing to sell them. He doesn't want her seeing either EJ or Philip - he means it - she needs to stay clear. Melanie thinks he should tell that to his ex-girlfriend. He says she is not his business - she's with Philip now. Melanie thinks he's still worried about Stephanie. Max - Anyone that is standing too close to Philip right now isn't in a good place.

Inside Bo and Hope talk about Stefano and Victor and the fact that it's been pretty quiet for the last week - bad sign, huh? Bo says Tony died, out of revenge the DiMera's tried to kill Philip twice. Victor's going to ramp things up, he knows it. Hope - isn't there any way to stop him? Bo says not unless he knows what's going down. All he knows is that something is going to happen - someone is going to get hurt or killed and soon. Victor joins them - I've been summoned. Bo to Hope - This is who you called? Bo asks how Philip is. Victor says he's at home - he's doing nicely. Bo raises his glass - to his health, long life safe from harm. Victor says they both think alike. Bo says yeah but I'm working within the limits of the law and you seem to think we're living in the dark ages. Victor is always amused when Bo
starts lecturing him about the law - as he recalls Bo was never a stickler for it himself. He's a renegade through and through - he inherited that from him. Hope tries to defuse the tension but Bo goes on. He tells Victor that his job is to keep him from doing something that will put people's lives at risk and that's what he's going to do. Victor - believe it or not what he's doing is going to save lives. Bo wants to know what he's doing but Victor won't tell him what his plan is. Bo - then you leave me no choice - you're coming to the station with me. Hope pulls Bo aside to talk some sense into him - he has nothing to charge him with. He'll come up with something -
keep him overnight. As long as keeps him off the streets, keep him from putting a hit on somebody ... Hope - And what about the next day and the day after that? What if he's already given the order? He's the only that is going to lose here. Bo will take his chances. Hope asks him how Ciara is going to feel when she comes down the stairs and sees her Grandfather in handcuffs. What is he going to say to his daughter. He asks if she has any better ideas. She tells him to give her chance. He steps out to take a call. Hope tells Victor that Bo is under a lot of pressure - you're making his life a living hell. He can't sleep - he can't do his job the way he should. Victor tells her to assure his son that he's perfectly capable of taking care of his own affairs. Hope says that won't cut it - please let Bo do his job - you have to drop this. Do it for Bo's sake. Let him handle things. Victor - Bo couldn't ask for a better wife. You're a god-send. I love you like a daughter. Trust me, everything is going to work out.

Max brings Ciara to the table where Hope and Victor are sitting. Max tells Hope they couldn't find Tommy bear. Hope asks her if she remembers where she was playing the last time she had the bear. Max says she was all over the place. Victor makes a few comments and talks to Ciara and then tells her he has to go. Ciara says Goodbye Grandpa Victor. Bo comes inside and joins them and finds out that Ciara doesn't know where Tommy bear is. Bo has the vision again - he might know where Tommy bear is. Max brings Ciara some ice cream. Hope tells Max that they're in luck - Bo thinks he knows where Tommy bear is. Bo has a pretty good idea - did she have Tommy bear when she was playing in the park. Hope doesn't think Ciara was outside today except maybe during recess. Max is going to check upstairs again. When he goes Hope talks to Bo about having another vision. He did but how does he know if it's going to come true or not or what the heck they mean. He thanks her for trying to mend fences with Victor. He kisses her and Ciara. Max returns with Tommy bear - he was in the crib tucked under some blankets. Bo is glad they didn't beat the bushes looking for a bear that wasn't there. Hope guesses this is one of those visions that isn't going to come true.


Hospital: Melanie is back at the hospital signing out. A nurse comments on her leaving early as ususal. Melanie declares she came in early so it balances out. The nurse tells her a patient left some flowers behind - take them to the children's ward. Melanie throws the card in the garbage and leaves.


Kiriakis mansion - Part 2: Melanie thanks Philip for letting her come in - the guards are kind of scary - one had his hands on her so long she thought he was going to ask her on a date. She gives him the flowers that she was supposed to take to the children's ward. She didn't know Stephanie was going to be there - it looks like Philip has his own private duty nurse. Philip says she's more than a nurse, she's my fiancée - he shows her Stephanie's hand. Melanie is saying WOW - Philip thinks she is supposed to say 'congratulations Stephanie.' Melanie says congratulations - did this happen a little fast? Philip says life is short, we love each other - why wait? Philip is going to go inside and get more coffee. Stephanie will get it - Melanie offers to come with her - she's a little hungry - she's thinking they're be something to snack on out there. They go inside - Philip staggers around and lies down on a lounger. Stephanie tells Melanie that she's sure the staff left food out. Melanie - that's great, 'the staff'. Stephanie thought they were starting to be friends. Melanie - don't friends tell each other the truth. She comments on Stephanie's nice outfit and surmises that Philip bought it for her - it's not really her. She says she is not being jealous - she had a thing for Philip but that was a million years ago - it's totally over. And if you're happy with that giant ring on your finger, that's great. However Philip was wrong. You say congratulations to the guy because he's the one that won the prize but you say best wishes to the girl because she has no idea what she's gotten herself into. Philip is a Kiriakis and you're a good girl, that's never going to change. Stephanie tells her that she and Philip are going to be very happy together. Melanie - Oh, you think you're going to change him. Steph, that's just never going to happen.

Owen comes to pick up some of his tools - he notices that Philip is kind of shaky. Philip says he needs some rest. Owen offers to help him in. One of the guards tells Owen he'll take it from here. Philip wants to say goodnight to Stephanie. Melanie tells Stephanie she saw those plane tickets she had ripped up at the hospital - looks like she was going someplace far away. Stephanie tells her it's none of her business. Melanie is telling her as a friend that she's setting herself up a pretty big fall. Don't get her wrong - she'd love to live here, sit by the pool, order the staff around but that's not really Stephanie. And guards everywhere? Do you really want to live your
life worrying about if you're going to die any second. Stephanie isn't afraid for her life. Melanie says even if she does feel like that how is she going to feel in a month from now ... a year ... does she really think she can live a good life like that, have a good marriage? Stephanie thinks it's time for Melanie to go. Philip agrees - he takes the plate of food from Melanie and tells her to not come back. He instructs Carlo to show her out. Stephanie really thinks Melanie means well - she just doesn't know what's in bounds and out of bounds. She asks if he's sure he's alright - his eyes are crazy looking. Owen listens. Stephanie and Philip are back on the terrace -
Stephanie thought he wanted to go to bed. What he wanted was a real celebration but instead he's dizzy from the pain pills. Henderson comes out - he found Stephanie's bracelet. Stephanie says it's not hers, it's Melanie's. Philip takes it and throws it in an ashtray - that's where it belongs. Philip tells Stephanie that he's going upstairs to sleep - he tells her not to come up - he'll be asleep in 30 seconds. He goes inside. Owen startles Stephanie - she thought he had gone home. He just has a few loose ends he hasn't tied up yet.


Warehouse - Part 2: Victor is going to cover Stefano but he grabs Victor's hand - I'm not dead yet. Victor - Good, I'm not done with you yet. His illustrious son is running out of time - maybe he should be reminded of how much he has to lose. Stefano calls EJ - Elvis, Victor tells me that you have not responded to his ultimatum. EJ tells him not to worry - he's in complete control - he'll get him home safely. Stefano knows he will, he's a DiMera after all. I trust you with my life. EJ gives him his word that he will survive this - Father, can you hear me. Victor tells EJ that his father's supply of insulin is running very low, so is your time. EJ reminds him they haven't reached the deadline yet. Victor - It's awful close maybe to close for comfort for your father. He asks if EJ has everything in order. EJ says it will take every single minute he gave him to make it happen. Victor tells him to use his time wisely - he'll be in touch. He hangs up. Victor tells Stefano he'll say goodnight - who knows this could be his last night on earth unless his son pulls off a miracle. Stefano - I believe in my son and in miracles.

DiMera mansion - Part 2: Nicole finds his mob family talk sexy. She wants him to know she's behind him every step of the way. They have sex on the couch. They're going into round 2 when EJ's cell rings - it's Stefano. EJ returns with coffee just as Nicole finishes reading a story to Sami's baby. He comments that the baby likes happy endings just like Nicole does. Nicole does because she believes in them. EJ - Even if you have to do stuff you wouldn't want your children to know about? Nicole - Even if. We do what we have to. EJ is glad they have an understanding.


Preview: Mia to Will (Maggie is there) - You two know each other? Will - Yeah, she's my Aunt Maggie. Melanie to Brady - Stephanie doesn't accept what Philip does and she never will. Philip to Stephanie - Maybe you shouldn't marry me. Stephanie - Maybe I shouldn't. EJ to Sami - Samantha, don't make this into something bigger ... Sami - EJ, what the hell is going on here?

*************************************

Friday May 15

Sami's place - Part 1: Sami tells Grace that Rafe is going to make sure that Dr. Baker doesn't tell anyone that he delivered her - EJ will never find out. Sami calls EJ to find out when he's bringing Johnny over.


DiMera mansion - Part 1: The butler brings Johnny down to EJ to say goodnight. The butler wonders if Mr. DiMera won't be upset when he comes home and sees what has been done to his portrait. EJ tells him Mr. DiMera will be just fine. EJ gets a call from Sami. He was just about to call her - he decided not to bring Johnny over this evening. He's sorry, he should have called her earlier ... Sami argues - the plan was for him to come over. EJ tells her that plans change. Sami tells him he doesn't get to make the rules. He apologises again - something has just come up. When she asks what he tells her he's not at liberty to discuss that. He needs Johnny to stay with for the next few days - it's for the best. He asks her not to fuss when she protests. He understands that this is difficult and he promises that he will explain but right now he's waiting for an important call and he needs to put Johnny to bed. Sami tells him not to hang up on her ... Grace starts fussing ... when EJ hears that Grace has a fever - that's all the more reason for Johnny to stay here. He'll talk to her later - he hangs up on her.


Kiriakis mansion - Part 1: Stephanie didn't think Owen could garden in the night. Owen - You'd be surprised what a man can do when he has to. Philip comes out and asks Owen what the hell he thinks he is doing. He tells him to get his stuff and get out of here - he can't work 24/7 - get a life (he's chuckling). Philip and Stephanie go inside. Owen frets - Damn it! That drug should have kicked in hours ago. How can he still be awake? Stephanie asks Philip if he's okay. Yes, no - he couldn't sleep. She doesn't think he should drink more coffee - if he can't sleep he doesn't need any more caffeine. He can't sleep because of how she feels - he thought she was happy to be marrying him. She is. He doesn't believe her. Outside Owen gets a call from EJ - Why is it taking so long? When is it going to happen. Owen tells him it's happening now. Stephanie assures Philip she wants to marry her. Philip is belligerent and obnoxious - he tells her not to put words in his mouth. He heard what she said to Melanie. He knows how she really feels. Stephanie says whatever Melanie said ... Philip tells her to shut up. This isn't about Melanie - it's about her. Stephanie tells him that he's scaring her. Philip scoffs - that's part of it like you're having a hard time dealing with this. She asks him why he's picking a fight with her. She said she wanted to marry him, he put a ring on her finger, he was so happy but then when I'm not around you say maybe it won't work ... Stephanie cries - she didn't say those things, Melanie did. Philip yells - he didn't see her calling her out on it. Why didn't you have my back? Owen listens. Stephanie thinks he should rest but Philip continues his tirade - tell him everything is going to be okay - tell me you can live like this. Stephanie - You know I can't. He pours himself another coffee. Stephanie tells him they'll talk about this tomorrow - he needs to rest. He wants her to stop putting this on him - he screams - he wants an answer. Stephanie tells him to listen to himself. He wants an answer to a hypothetical question - how am I going to feel about our marriage 10 to 20 years from now. That's exactly what he wants to know. She tells him to go upstairs and get some rest - she's going to go out and sit on the terrace. Philip wants an answer - yes or no. Stephanie cries - I love you, I want to marry you, why isn't that enough? Do you want me to lie and pretend that everything you do is perfect? That I'm happy about everything that is going on now? Why would I do that when you know it's not true? Philip - Well then maybe you shouldn't marry me. Stephanie - You're right. Maybe I shouldn't. She goes out to the terrace. Philip is going to follow her but he passes out on the couch. As Stephanie sits on a lounger Owen comes up behind her and puts a handerchief over her mouth and nose - she tries to scream.


Mickey & Maggie's house - Part 1: Melanie comes in to the kitchen as Maggie is getting some baking ready for the 12 Step meeting that she is hosting tonight. Normally she would have it in the basement at St Luke's but they're renovating. She tells Melanie that it's an open meeting - she's welcome to stay. Melanie is going to the library to study. Maggie goes to check things in the living room. Brady walks in and greets Melanie. She tells him they can't hang out here because Maggie is doing her 12 step thing. Brady tells her he's here for the meeting. Brady tells Melanie that by the time he was clean and sober he had blown years of his life, ruined
his marriage and nearly killed himself about a dozen times. Every day he reminds himself that he's an addict - the meetings keep him centered. He doesn't go every day, maybe twice a week, more if he's feeling stress or pressure. Melanie - like what's going with Philip? She tells Brady Philip will be okay. When Brady doesn't say anything she concludes that he doesn't think Philip will be okay - finally someone that thinks the same way she does - Philip and Stephanie getting engaged - that's enough to drive me to be an addict. Melanie clues in that Brady didn't know about the engagement. She thinks it's pretty much the worst idea in the world. She asks if he's worried about Philip because of the whole DiMera thing. Brady tells her to let it go - let Philip go. Melanie - Oh you think I'm jealous of the whole Stephanie thing. He does. She denies it but then amends it to sure I am a little bit. But it's not about her and how she feels. It's not because she has feelings for Philip that she thinks this is the worst idea in the world. Brady comments that Philip obviously loves Stephanie. Melanie says and Stephanie loves him to death but she's not going to be happy and it's only a matter of time until Philip's not happy. Stephanie doesn't accept what Philip does, or who he is or how he acts and she never will. As they are talking and Melanie is trying to convince Brady that she's not a bad girl, deep down she means well, she notices her bracelet is missing. Brady asks if it's expensive. Melanie - It was for the dumb guy that bought it for me who was also sweet ... Maggie comes into the kitchen - Melanie leaves.


Java Cafe: Will approaches Mia and asks if she got his messages. She did. He asks her why she didn't call back - aren't they friends anymore. She says they are friends, it's just ... she stops there. Will tells her that when he came back to Salem he wasn't sure he was going to stay but then she came - they could talk and stuff - he stayed because of her. Mia apologises - she thought he was mad at her. He says so you got messed up last year that's not who you are now. Mia - So if I'm around your baby sister you're not ... Will - Are you kidding? Grace lights up when she sees you so why wouldn't I want you hanging around her whenever you want. He asks if they're cool. Yeah. Mia thanks him for not judging her. He doesn't. He asks her what she was hooked on. Drugs, booze and stuff. Will tells her his dad is an alcoholic. He's been sober for years but one day he took a drink and he almost died. He says it's a battle everyday but you don't seem to be battling anything. She tells him that's because she goes to a meeting every night. Will asks if he can go with her tonight. She tells him he doesn't have to go with her. He wants to unless she doesn't want him there. She says no - he can come with her - it's really nice of him to want to be there with her. Will has to drop some stuff off at home and then they can go.


Sami's place - Part 2: Sami is happy to see Will and Mia - she has to go and deal with an errand and it would be great if he could watch Grace for just a while. He says they have someplace they have to be. Mia says it's okay - they don't have to go, his mom needs help. Will argues that it's kind of important - this is an everyday thing for you, I can't let you skip it. Sami tells them not to worry about it. Will goes to his bedroom to drop off his stop. Sami and Mia talk about Grace. Mia thinks she is the sweetest baby in the world - she's just so special. Sami feels the same way - it's nice to hear Mia say that. Mia gets the door for Sami. Mia gets on the internet to find the location of an AA meeting. Will asks if she's checking her email or something. She says yeah - nothing. They leave.


DiMera mansion - Part 2: EJ answers the persistent knocking on his front door. Sami asks him what's with all the hired muscle. He wants to know why she's there. It's her night with Johnny - she came to pick him up. She wants her son - does she have to call the sheriff? EJ says that won't be necessary - this whole situation will sort itself out in a few days. Sami tells him they're going to sort it out now. He says it's important for her to understand ... She interrupts - it's important for her to be with her children so please get Johnny now. EJ - No. Sami - Aren't you just turning into the spitting image of your father. EJ is flattered. Sami reminds him the courts gave them joint custody - tonight is her night - she wants her son. He argues that Grace has a fever - it's best that Johnny stay here for a few days. Sami tells him that he doesn't get to decide what's best on her night. He goes towards Grace - what is it that's wrong with her. Sami tells him not to touch her. He asks if she is contagious. No she's just teething. EJ thinks he can look at a teething child. She doesn't want him any where near her. He asks her what is wrong. She doesn't want him in her daughter's life, he's already ruining Johnny's. EJ declares that is a nonsense. He's a very good father - and you know how he knows that, she told him. One of the reasons he wants Johnny to stay here for the next days is to make sure he is safe. Sami doesn't know what he thinks of her parenting or that his sister is going to give him a disease but he's wrong. EJ doesn't want his life to be in danger. Sami wants to know what he's talking about. If he thinks their son's life is in danger then she's not going anywhere. They are talking about this. She goes in to the living room and sees the damaged portrait - what the hell is going on here. EJ lies nothing. Father and he had a little bit of an argument - things got heated. Sami doesn't buy that - where's Stefano? No answer so she goes on. He's not here? He's gone and now you're worried about Johnny's safety. Something is going on and I'm entitled to know what it is so tell me what's happening.


Mickey & Maggie's house - Part 2: Maggie tells Brady that she is so proud of him - it's never easy. Brady tells her that when he was in rehab and having a long day or night he'd think about her - Maggie made it, so can you. Maggie thanks him. The front doorbell rings - Brady goes to answer it. There's a knock on the back door - it's Mia. Maggie tells her this is a strange time - she knows she said they could talk. Mia tells her she got this address off the internet - she didn't know it was her house. She's here for the meeting and she's got this friend coming but he's not ... Maggie says it's okay. It's an open meeting. Mia tells Maggie that she was so good to her at the Java Cafe but could she please not tell him about that when he comes in. Maggie won't. Mia hugs her. Brady comes back in to the kitchen and
sees Mia. He goes back into the living room. Will knocks on the door and stands next to Mia. Maggie looks at the two of them so Mia says you did say it was okay if my friend came ... Maggie says there is no problem. How are you doing Will. He's fine. Mia - Wait, you two know each other? Will - Yeah. She's my Aunt Maggie. Mia - OMG. Maggie says it's okay. If she wants to talk to her later that's fine. These meetings are about support and working out your problems. We're all here anonymously - what ever is said stays within these walls - she tells Will that goes for him too. The front doorbell rings - she asks if they want a minute alone. Actually Mia would like a moment to herself. Will goes into the living room with Maggie. Mia - My God. Could this get any worse? Brady comes into the kitchen and asks Mia what she's doing there. Mia recognises him as Nicole's friend. Brady would normally never ask anyone why they were at a meeting like this but tonight is different. Nicole thinks she has a perfectly healthy baby. She needs to know what you were using and abusing during pregnancy. Mia would never do anything like that - she would never hurt her baby. Brady points out that she's at a 12 step meeting which means she was abusing either drugs or alcohol or both. Mia isn't going to talk to him - she's going to leave. He can't let her. He wants to know what kind of addiction she's fighting and how it affected the baby. Mia wants out of there. Brady thinks she is a good kid but if Nicole's baby needs to be checked out by doctors because of something she was doing while she was pregnant... Mia already told him she'd never do something like that. She would never hurt her baby. Brady raises his voice - tell me what you were using. Mia - I wasn't using anything. I've never done drugs in my life. Alcohol - she doesn't drink - it all tastes bitter to her - she honestly hates it. I'm here because I told this friend of mine I went to rehab. He asks her why she'd do that. Mia - Because I didn't want him to know the truth. Just as Brady is asking 'you didn't want him to know the truth about what?' Will comes in.


Brady Pub: Melanie is on the phone with Max. Is he sure he didn't take the bracelet home with him because it's not here. He didn't. Melanie - Oh no Philip's house.


Kiriakis mansion - Part 2: Stephanie finally stops struggling and passes out. Henderson wakes up Philip and asks if he should call a doctor. Philip says he's fine. Henderson will be in his room if he needs him. Philip gets a call from Melanie. She thinks her bracelet fell off at his house. He slurs - it's outside on the terrace. She asks him to go out and check for her please. Philip is very belligerent and his words are slurred. He put her bracelet in an ashtray - that's where she belongs. You know the next time Stephanie comes to talk to you ... you're a lying bitch. Melanie asks him if he's okay - he sounds a little weird. Philip - She loves me. Melanie - And she loves you, the ring is beautiful, congratulations, best wishes and all that - can I come and get my bracelet. Philip tells her to go to hell and hangs up on her. He tries to get up but falls to the floor. Outside Stephanie is now in a big cart and Owen is covering her with branch clippings. Just as he's going to move the cart Melanie and a guard show up. He greets Melanie and then starts babbling about how a gardener's work is never done especially in the spring. Melanie and the guard head to the terrace as Owen wheels the cart away. Philip struggles to get up - Stephanie. Where did she go? I'm so sorry. Melanie is getting the guard to put the bracelet on - the one who makes it fall off gets to put it on. She thinks he owes her an apology. He finally gets it on and tells her 'let's go.' As he's escorting her office the terrace Melanie finds one of Stephanie's earrings. She looks into the bushes.


Morgue: Owen has Stephanie on a slab in the morgue (he doesn't appear to notice that she only has one earring on) - he crosses her hands over each other and pushes the tray into the drawer and shuts it.


Preview: Mia to Will - I lied to Brady and to you. Will - About what? Arianna to Rafe - She's just going to break your heart Rafe. EJ to the portrait - I'm going to get you free from those Kiriakis's father. You just hold on a little longer. Daniel (on his cell next to an unconscious Philip) - I need an ambulance at 13201 Glen Oaks Drive. No, a man has passed out. (He tries to rouse him) - Philip.

******************************

Monday May 18

DiMera mansion - Part 1: When Sami demands to know why there are so many guards outside EJ tells her it's none of her business. Sami explodes - it most definitely is because it affects her son. She wants to know what is going on. If Johnny is in some kind of danger just tell her. EJ replies - does she really think he'd allow Johnny to stay here if he thought he was in danger. She asks about the guards but EJ's answer is as long as Johnny stays here, he's perfectly safe. His cell phone rings - he has to take this. Sami grabs the phone - he's not answering the phone. This is my son's life we're talking about. I have a right to know what's going on. Grace cries and Sami gets distracted for a second - EJ grabs the phone from Sami but she grabs it right back and it falls to the floor and shatters. Sami tells him to never ignore her like that again. EJ glares at her as he picks up the pieces of the phone. Look at what you did! Sami is sorry - she didn't mean for the phone to break. He orders her out of the house. She's not leaving without Johnny. He argues that she is the one that is out of control. Sami asks him what the big deal is - it's just a stupid cell phone. EJ is furious when he can't put the phone together. Sami points out that there are phones all over the house that he can use. He mutters that's not exactly possible. Sami realises that the broken phone is untraceable - what is going on? What are he and Stefano up to? Answer me. EJ yells that the only thing she needs to know is that she and her little orphan will be safer as soon as they get out of this house. Sami tells him to get her son. EJ argues that they are surrounded by security - nobody is going to touch Johnny here. Sami goes to attend to Grace - she tells her she's sorry they were shouting. She's going to give her a bottle but realises she didn't bring one. EJ thinks that is good reason to go home. Sami tells him that she is coming back for her son in the morning. She adds that she doesn't ever want to hear him talking about Grace like that again. She is not an orphan, she's my daughter. My perfect, beautiful little girl and I'm lucky to have her in her life. EJ - She's your daughter. I don't have any connection to her and given your antipathy towards me I don't see why I should give a damn about either one of you so please - out NOW. Sami - With pleasure.


Brady Pub - Part 1: When Rafe gets off the phone after ordering a dozen red roses Arianna calls him a suck-up. Red roses? What's next? A diamond bracelet, a ring ... God forbid. Rafe is out of here. Arianna keeps right on - it's all for Sami, isn't it? Rafe wants to know when she decided she hated Sami. Was it before the first time she met her or after? Arianna states that first impressions can be very reliable - hers was 'bitch on wheels'. Rafe has heard enough. He starts walking away but stops when Arianna tells him that Sami is going to break his heart, it's just a matter of time. Rafe tells her not to say one more word to him about Sami - got it. She starts arguing - Rafe repeats louder - got it? She tells him he doesn't have to yell. Rafe states that she is insulting the woman that he's involved with - is he supposed to be okay with that? She's just protecting him. She doesn't get what he sees in her. Rafe - 'Here's the thing. You don't need to get it. You don't need to think about it. You don't need to understand it. All you need to do is just stay out of it." She won't say another disparaging word about her. She tells him to stay and have something to eat. They sit at a table - she asks him if Sami is rich. Rafe can't believe she asked that. To Arianna that means Sami isn't rich - she must be a rock star in the bedroom. Rafe gets up - Are you kidding me right now? She meant that as a good thing - if the sex is great she's happy for him. It's an important part of life, right. That is going on right? Rafe - Okay why would I ever, I mean, EVER talk to you about that? Arianna agrees that he wouldn't - unless he hasn't slept with her yet. Rafe repeats - Do you ever think I would talk about this to you? Arianna guesses that he's waiting because he wants it to be perfect - he wants the angels to descend from heaven. Rafe reminds her that she promised not to say another word about Sami. She shrugs - it's kind of the topic. She's the woman in your life - you're always thinking about her. He asks her how she knows if he's always thinking about her. Because she's his sister and she reads him like a book. She knows that he's as obsessed as only he can get with Sami Brady. She just wishes she understood why.

Rafe will tell her what he sees in Sami Brady. When he was guarding Sami she was in constant fear for her life. She was away from her kids and even though her heart was breaking she toughed it out. And speaking of her kids she's about as good of a mother as you could ask for. She makes him laugh which is pretty damn important in his book. Arianna points out that he didn't mention the fact that she's beautiful and he's madly attracted to her. Rafe - Icing on the cake. Arianna - Bottom line, you're a goner for this girl. Yeah he is. He adds that the moment Arianna laid eyes on Sami she determined that she was wrong for him. Why? What the hell do you have against her? She thinks she is trouble. Rafe - You met her one time. Arianna - Twice and I've heard stories. He wants to know what she heard. She doesn't recall specifics but she gets the feeling that Sami is needy, and clingy and super high maintenance. Rafe tells her Sami is none of those things. Arianna - you want to go rushing in on your white horse and rescue her - you love to play the hero. Rafe tells her that Sami doesn't need his help - she does not need rescuing. Arianna asks - how can she not need help, she's a single mom with 4 kids. Rafe tells her the conversation is over. Arianna stops him - she just wants him to be happy and if Sami does that for him than she's happy. She just hopes he knows what he's getting himself into. He does. He leaves.


Mickey & Maggie's house: Will listens as Brady asks Mia 'You didn't want him to know the truth about what?' Will greets Brady. Mia - Wait, you two know each other? Brady tells her that Will's mom is his step-sister. Will asks them how they know each other. They're both silent. Will apologises - he shouldn't be butting in - this is confidential - he'll let them talk. He goes back into the living room. Brady asks Mia how she knows Will. They met a while ago and they go to school together. Brady surmises correctly that Will doesn't know about her baby. Mia - Of course not, that's why I'm at that this stupid meeting - sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Brady concludes that Will is the friend she lied to about rehab. Mia - About rehab, about my baby, about everything. Brady can understand her not wanting to tell him about the baby but why would she tell him she was in rehab. Mia mentions the girl from her old school repeating the rumours that were being
spread about her when she dropped out to Will at the Java Cafe. She said it was true so she wouldn't have to tell him about the baby. She also thought he'd want nothing to do with her. Brady says Will is a good kid, he's not like that. Brady is sure that he'd be understanding if she told him about the baby. She asks if he's saying it's cool if she tells Will that Nicole has her baby because that's what she wants to do. She doesn't want to lie to him anymore. Brady can't tell her what to do. On one hand it's important to be honest, on the other hand she made a promise to Nicole. He would keep his promise. He knows that it will be hard to keep the truth from Will but if he should slip up and EJ DiMera finds out - it's going to be a nightmare for everyone especially Sydney. Her pregnancy and Nicole's adoption need to be kept secret. Those are the terms of the deal. He knows this is hard for her. Will comes back in - the meeting is about to start. Brady has a work thing he forgot about - can he tell Maggie that he'll be at the next one. Brady leaves. Will asks Mia if Brady said something that upset her. No, it's not his fault - it's hers. She lied to him and to Brady about her addiction. Will asks if that means she's not an addict. No that part is true - she lied about going to meetings every night. This is her first one since rehab. She lied because she thought he would judge her. She wanted him to think she was doing everything she could to stay clean so he'd let her keep babysitting Grace and hang out with him. Will wants her to get help. Mia swears that she doesn't do drugs anymore - she hasn't since she got out of rehab. Will believes her. She asks if they're still friends. Yeah - she's not alone. They go into the meeting.


Kiriakis mansion: Philip staggers, falls to the floor, calls for Stephanie, murmurs I'm sorry and then passes out. Daniel comes in and calls for Philip and Victor. He finds Philip unconscious on the floor. He tries to wake him as he calls for an ambulance. Philip wakes up and tells Daniel he's fine. Daniel disagrees - he passed out - does he know what happened. Philip - bad reaction to the pills? He refuses to go to the hospital when he hears Daniel talking about the ambulance. Dan cancels the ambulance. Philip says his head is killing him. Daniel asks if he's been drinking. No, he's just tired. Daniel isn't leaving until he gives him a thorough examination. Philip agrees as long as Daniel promises to not say a word about this to Stephanie. Daniel asks him how much of the medication he took. Philip doesn't know - he doesn't remember much of anything after he took the pills - is that normal? Daniel tells him it could be a side-effect unless someone tried to drug him. Philip says there's no way anyone got in the house - not with all the guards. Daniel will write him a prescription for something else - he's going to take the pills to the lab to be analyzed. He still wants Philip to go to the hospital but Philip refuses - he feels more alert already. Besides he'd rather stay here and spend time with his fiancée - he asked Stephanie to marry him and she said yes. Daniel thinks Stephanie is a great girl but is he sure this is the time to get engaged - the DiMera's tried to kill him twice. Philip says that made him realise life is short - why wait. He will not let Stefano or EJ dictate his future. Things are finally under control now. He's safe, Stephanie's safe, he thinks the family could use some good news. Daniel hopes the two of them will be very happy together. Philip recalls how he was yelling at Stephanie demanding an answer - he also recalls her response. Philip tells Daniel he's going to find his fiancée. He goes out to the terrace and is surprised to see Daniel still there. He wants to talk to Victor. He asks how Philip is. He's tired. Daniel asks where Stephanie is. Philip doesn't know. Daniel gets paged - tell Stephanie I said congratulations - he leaves. Philip would if he could find her. He recalls more of their argument ending with the part where he told her that maybe she shouldn't marry him. He mutters - No.


Morgue: Owen pulls out the tray. He tells himself he didn't have a choice. He did what he had to do. Now it's time to call Mr. DiMera. Owen is frantic wondering why Mr. DiMera won't answer his phone. Owen continues to try and reach EJ - Where the hell are you DiMera? Owen panics - he got caught and now I'm going to get caught too. No, no, no. Owen wonders what the hell he was thinking. He knew in his gut this was wrong. He recalls the conversation he had with EJ - you want me to kidnap Stephanie Johnson? EJ didn't say kidnap, he said remove her from the premises. Owen doesn't know about this. EJ tells him all that he needs to know is that when he agreed to their terms he became indentured to the DiMera's. Owen argues that Stephanie has always been nice to him. EJ threatens him - if his father finds out one of his own people betrayed him that person will be pushing up daisies. Owen points out that Stephanie isn't a Kiriakis. EJ says she's Philip's fiancée and when he finds out she's missing he's going to move heaven and earth to get hold of her. That will put him exactly where we want him. Owen asks -
what if she recognises him - he'll spend the rest of his life in jail. EJ assures him that the DiMera's take care of their own. He'll get a new identity and he can pick the place he wants to move too. When EJ asks him if he knows what he's going to do with Ms Johnson Owen answers that he thinks he knows a place. A man walks into the morgue - Owen, what are you doing here? The guy bends down to pick something off the floor so Owen quickly pushes the tray with Melanie in and shuts the door. Owen calls the guy Dad - he thought he was in the Ozarks. He had a mortician's convention in Brookesville - he had to push his trip back - he'll be leaving at the crack of dawn. He wants to know what Owen is doing there. Owen says he's considering a career change. He wants to be mortician - he didn't want to tell him until he was ready. Dad - Follow in your old man's footsteps? Owen - Yeah. I already feel so at home here. They hug - Owen's dad tells him to keep out of trouble and leaves. Owen mutters - if you only knew. He pulls out the tray and tries EJ again - no response - what do I do now. Owen talks to an unconscious Stephanie. They're safe. Even if Mr. DiMera got caught he has no idea where they are. He notices that one of Stephanie's earrings is missing. He panics and starts looking for it. He has another flashback of talking to EJ. When he asks EJ why he's kidnapping her EJ tells him the less he knows the less his chance of getting caught. Owen wonders - What if I left a trail for Mr. DiMera's enemies to follow me? They could be coming after me here now. Owen's cell rings (EJ paces franticly - answer the phone).


DiMera mansion - Part 2: EJ goes through the papers in the envelope looking for Owen's number - he finds it. He talks to Daddy's portrait - I'm going to get you free of those Kiriakis's. Just hold on a little bit longer. EJ feverishly searches desk drawers for another untraceable cell phone. EJ pulls the safety deposit box out of the safe and finds a phone - he thanks Daddy.


Sami's place - Part 1: Sami answers the doorbell. Rafe is standing there with a dozen red roses - something for their date being interrupted last night. She tells him he didn't have to do that - the date was perfect. She tells him the flowers are beautiful and then she kisses him. He comes inside and asks her what happened to her voice. She was in a shouting match with EJ. She went to pick up Johnny and he wouldn't let him go. He said Johnny would be safer with him. It seemed like he was up to something. He was nervous and distracted - that's why she wants Johnny out of that mad house. Rafe - Why don't you do something about it? He picks up the phone - call the cops. She can't - she doesn't want Johnny to see them fighting over him like that. Rafe tells her she has to get him out of there. She can't - if he would have seen the guards he had everywhere - she's really scared something big is going to happen. Rafe thinks that's all the more reason to get the police involved. She can't mess this up for her Dad. He made it clear that he has to do this right - he has to have a search warrant and everything. She doesn't even know what to tell him to look for - she just knows that EJ scared the hell out of her. Rafe is going to have a little chat with EJ. Sami stops him. Rafe said he was going to protect her and that's what he's going to do. She tells him that he does protect her - it's not about that. This is the DiMera's. Rafe - So what? Every time EJ treats you like a jerk I'm supposed to be okay with it??? No. I'm putting EJ DiMera on notice. He hurts you, he answers to me. He's not going to stand around while that jerk makes her life miserable. Sami says he isn't. She's used to it - she can handle it. Rafe says you're just saying that so I don't do anything. Damn it, the guy practically kidnaps your kid, he thinks he can do whatever the hell he wants and that's not okay with me. The guy thinks he's above the law. Don't you understand I'm doing this for you. You don't have to do it alone. I'm here to ... Sami kisses him passionately.


Brady Pub - Part 2: Brady is outside the pub leaving a message for Nicole - there's something she needs to know. Arianna is rifling through her purse looking for keys. Brady wants to know who the hell she is and why was she listening in on his call? Arianna tells him she works here. She was the one that brought him the ice pack the night he got beaten up. He doesn't remember that. Arianna tells him her shift is overing so she was walking to her car. If he doesn't want to be overheard maybe he shouldn't yak on that thing in a public place. She tries to leave but he stops her - he wants to know what she heard him say. She wants to get by. He asked her nicely - why doesn't she answer the question. She insists she was just walking out to her car. He doesn't budge. She'll answer his question if he'll answer one of hers - is he always this rude or is it just something he saves for special occasions. He didn't mean to be rude - he's had a rough week. Now he wants
an answer to his question. She heard nothing - as if she'd listen in on a stupid phone conversation of a guy she doesn't even know. Brady says let's start this over - he holds out his hand - I'm Brady. She scoffs - now he wants to be friends, no thanks, she'll pass. He says - until next time. She wants to know what that means. He'll see her the next time he comes to the Pub - he's sort of a regular. He holds out his hand again - I'm Brady Black - it's okay, he's had all his shots. She laughs and shakes his hand - she's Arianna. She says Brady as in Brady pub??? He's not named after the pub, it's family-owned. She thinks she'll have to look for another job after he talks to Caroline about her. Brady tells her that Caroline makes up her mind about people on her own. He wouldn't say anything bad - he has a soft, soft,
spot for feisty types. She assures him he hasn't seen feisty yet.


Preview: Victor (on his cell) to EJ - Do you have all the documents signed or is your father going to die tonight? Brady to Philip - Did something happen to Stephanie? Philip - Nothing could have happened to Stephanie at the house with all those guards there. Owen to a crying Stephanie - Nobody can ever know that you're here. If they find out we're both dead. Rafe to Sami - What do I have to do to convince you that I'm not going anywhere.

**************************************

Tuesday May 19

Sami's place: After the kiss Rafe admits that he doesn't remember what they were talking about. Sami reminds him that they were arguing - should they pick it up now or later. He suggests never - they kiss again. They lay on the couch but Sami says ow - and pulls out a plastic dinosaur with pointy scales, laughing - that hurt. They kiss again but Sami stops - what if Grace wakes up and starts to cry. Rafe - we'll put her back to sleep. More kissing. Sami frets - what if she doesn't go back to sleep and they end up playing Scrabble again? Rafe tells her if she doesn't want to do this, it's okay. She really does but he means a lot to her; she's scared
she is going to screw this up. Scared that he'll come to his senses - ask himself 'what am I doing with this chick, she has 4 kids, looks like she has 4 kids, she has all this baggage ... what am I thinking?' Rafe doesn't think that at all because first of all she doesn't look like she has 4 kids and secondly he loves that she has 4 kids. He loves everything about her. Sami - You're too good to be true. Rafe - No, I'm not, not at all. It's not like she needs to be rescued from some avalanche or something. Sami has been through a lot in her life; she knows she is resilient but she usually ends up alone. She's not good at relationships. She's afraid she's going to push him away - she always pushes away people that she really cares about. She doesn't want that to happen - she can't believe that he's still here now. There's no place else he'd rather be. Sami - Can you really look me in the eye and tell me there isn't a million other places you'd rather be. Rafe looks in her the eye - there's no where else he'd rather be. It's good, it's great, I'm happy - are you happy? Sami - you have no idea. They kiss again. Rafe doesn't think she seems very happy. She wishes things were simpler. Rafe likes things the way they are. He likes that her life is complicated and it would mean more to him than anything if she'd let him be a part of it. They're just going to kiss when Grace starts crying. Sami goes to give her a bottle and then put her back to sleep. Rafe will be right here waiting.

Sami comes back into the living room talking about Grace - she notices that Rafe isn't there. Sami sits on the couch and recalls the moment at the airport when Rafe told her they don't work together - he wants to be a bigger part of her life than she wants him to be. Rafe caresses her face with a rose. He lifts her in his arms and carries her to the bedroom and lays her on the bed as they kiss. Sami looks around the room - at all the burning candles - it's beautiful. He did all this this while she was putting Grace to sleep? Rafe - It's all about the preparation. Sami thought he had ... she stops. Rafe - You thought I left? What do I have to do to convince you I'm not going anywhere. More kisses follow. They're now under the covers and drinking champagne. They make love. Sami is cuddled in Rafe's arms - she asks why he's smiling. He's remembering when they first met at the safe house - she was sort of hostile. Sami says he was hardly a ball of charm. Rafe chuckles - she sure knew how to work it - always trotting out the tears no matter what crazy stuff she had just pulled. She'd start crying and he just couldn't stay mad at her. Sami gets teary - she doesn't deserve this. Rafe - what do I have to do to convince ou that you're all I ever wanted. Sami starts crying. These tears are not manipulative - I'm so happy.
I have never felt this way before. They start making love again.


Kiriakis mansion: Philip calls for Carlo. When did he last see Stephanie. Several hours ago on the terrace. Philip thought they were paying them to protect them - to know everything. He's disgusted with them. Search the house - find Stephanie. Philip places a call to Stephanie imploring her to answer. Carlo checked the entire house - no sign of her. Philip tells him to go to her room and see if her things are still there. Philip calls her cell again. He leaves a message - he's sorry about their fight. He doesn't remember half of what he said - those pain meds made him kind of crazy. Please call and let him know that she's okay. He really is sorry. Carlo comes back downstairs - as far as he can tell all her things are still in her room. Philip - What about her engagement ring? Carlo didn't see it.


Morgue: Owen checks his call display - it's not Mr. DiMera's number - who else would be calling? Owen answers when Philip calls - does he know where Stephanie is. Owen freezes - Stephanie stirs. Owen hasn't seen her - why is he asking. Philip tells him he hasn't been feeling well tonight - he just lost track of her. Owen thinks that maybe she went out for air. That's what Philip was thinking and because he knows Owen wanders the perimeter of the grounds he wonders if he saw her. Owen hasn't seen her. Stephanie groans. Owen quickly pushes the tray in and closes the door. He tells Philip that it's like Fort Knox over there - he wouldn't worry. Philip agrees he may be over-reacting but she's not answering her phone - that's not like her. Owen says that he did hear them arguing tonight - is there any way she might have just taken off? Owen gets another call but doesn't answer it. As Owen is talking to EJ Stephanie starts waking up. She cries - where am I? She pulls out her cell phone and starts dialing. Owen understands his instructions from EJ but doesn't EJ want to know where she is. Of course not - he needs to have plausible deniability. Owen opens the door and pulls the tray out and grabs her cell phone. He's sorry - he had no choice. He hopes she understands why he can't let her make that call. If anyone found out where they were they'd both end up dead. Stephanie asks where she is. Owen is sorry about the accomodations - it's the best he could do on such short notice. She asks what he did to her - she can barely move. My god you kidnapped me, why am I so weak. He tells her that's the after-effect of the chloroform - it will wear off soon. She realises that he brought her to a morgue. He tells her to look at the bright side - at least she's not dead in a morgue. She asks him why he's doing this to her. He had no choice. She wants him to let her go. He promises her if she follows his instructions and does what he says everything will be fine. He tells her that even after everything she's been through she looks beautiful - he fixes her hair and then uses her cell phone to take a picture of her. He tells her the first picture isn't good - can she please at least try not to look so down in the dumps. She tells him he doesn't have to do this. He insists he had no choice. He tells her not to be afraid - he would never, ever hurt her - she's like those peach blossoms - too beautiful to cut. He asks to try and smile - she can't - he takes another picture as she cries. Owen thanks her for letting him use her phone - his was about to die and he forgot the charger. He should have been more prepared - he's not used to this kind of stuff. He texts EJ to call him at this number from now on - his back is turned to Stephanie. Stephanie notices the instruments on a tray and picks up a pair of scissors. Owen stops Stephanie from stabbing him - he didn't think she was the violent type. She isn't usually - she tells him to let go
of her. He says don't you know I'm your friend. Stephanie - Are you crazy? Owen says that's it - he slides her back inside and slams the door shut. Stephanie cries and starts hitting the steel - screaming - let me out.


DiMera mansion: EJ screams into the phone - pick up the phone. He sends Owen a text instead - call back immediately. Nicole walks into the living room as EJ listens to Johnny crying hysterically over the baby monitor. He blows up - His crying and incessant screaming - he misses his mother - he understands that but she's not here so for the love of god can he please shut up. (Woah - no father's day presents for that guy!) Nicole shuts the monitor off and plays the dutiful mob wife. She comforts her killer husband and flatters him making him believe he's all that and more. She notices the broken phone - Sami? EJ mumbles - if he screws this up he'll never forgive himself or her. EJ mutters - answer the phone. Nicole - this operative doesn't recognise your number? EJ declares he's not the sharpest tool in the box. This is a disaster - Owen finally answers. Owen tells EJ that this isn't the same line he's been calling from. EJ tells him it doesn't matter - does he have her? Owen - how do I know this is you? EJ gives him the box number he was assigned - does he have her, yes or no? He does, now what does he want him to do with her? Yes, he can do that. Nicole comes back down after EJ ends his call with Victor - apparently she got Johnny to sleep. EJ thinks they are back on track - he has to get going. She wishes him luck. Arrogant EJ doesn't need luck - he knows exactly what is going to happen. Someone's eyes are about to get opened in a very big way.


Warehouse: Victor stands at the foot of Stefano's bed recalling his 'discussion' with EJ about this being the end of an era. Victor signals the nurse to give Stefano his injection. Victor tells Stefano that EJ should be calling very soon or not. Either way, it's finished. Victor calls EJ - what's the matter EJ, to busy to check in on your father. He tells him Stefano is awake and alert. They gave him a rather large dose of insulin and he's responding quite well to it. The problem is they don't have anymore and no plans to restock. When EJ starts cursing him Victor tells him to rein in his temper. Does he have the documents signed and ready or is his father going to die tonight. EJ tells Victor he'll be hearing from him. Victor asks if he has any last words for his father - EJ will say them himself when he sees him - Victor, to his face or in his eulogy? Victor asks Stefano how if feels to be the pawn instead of the king. It's going to be intesting to find out which EJ finds more valuable - your money or your life. It's no consequence to him - he comes out victorious either way. Stefano tells him if he thinks EJ is going to play by his rules he underestimates him severely. If this were a game and I was a gambling man I'd put everything I have on my son.


Brady Pub - Part 1: Outside the pub Brady is on the phone - it's a business call - it's not all that pleasant. Arianna stands waiting for him to finish his call. She seems to be always listening in on his calls. He seems to have a lot on his plate which is totally none of her business. Brady admits that he has a lot of family obligations going on. Arianna thinks that the reason he left his credit card behind is because he has a lot on his mind. She's never seen a black credit card before. Brady shrugs - it's a corporate card. Arianna - Cute and rich, your wife's a lucky lady. Brady finds it interesting that she finds him cute now when just a couple of days ago she was snarling at him. (How is it a new day for them when it's the same day for everyone else in this episode - LOL - I'm confused). It's like a complete 180 - it doesn't have anything to do with him having one of these - he waves his credit card. Arianna - You've got to be kidding me? You think I'd be nice to you because you have a black credit card, because you're rich? She doesn't gave a damn about his money or his incredibly good looks; she doesn't care if he's got something huge packed away in his pants ... Brady - What? Oh for god's sake, she's not talking about 'that' - she's talking about the chequebook in his back pocket. Brady - oh hey, you were checking out my putt. Arianna sputters - no I wasn't. She was just trying to be nice and do her job - take care of a paying customer now she's sorry she crossed paths with him. For the record she's not hitting on him - she is not flirting. Brady doesn't want to belabour the point but not long ago she called him cute. Arianna's calling him a butthead now. Brady chuckles - he's been called worse. If she wasn't flirting why was she trying to find out his marital status? She's not subtle. She asks if he does this to everyone - when a woman makes polite chit-chat does he assume it's a fishing expedition, a come-on. He doesn't do that and for the record he's not married, he's divorced. She didn't ask and she doesn't care. Brady is beginning to sense that. He swears he's not full of himself; he's rusty and out of practice. Arianna - And what are you practicing now? Brady - I'm flirting. She thought they established there was no flirting going on. Brady - See how bad I am at this. She tells him it's not all his fault, she's testy today. So is he with all these family issues. She's sure they'll work out - she's gotta go. Brady tells her that for the record he thinks she is cute too.

Just as she leaves Philip shows up. When Brady asks about security Philip tells him he told them to keep a reasonable distance. Brady notices that Philip is a little shaky on his feet. Philip tells him he's a little woozy from the pain meds. He asks Brady if he's seen Stephanie. He hasn't. Philip is going inside to see if she came to visit her grandmother, he staggers a bit. Brady asks if he thinks he should be out, he doesn't seem that well. Philip snaps that he's not the one Brady should be worried about. Brady asks what's going on - did something happen to Stephanie? They're inside the pub now. Philip rants - where the hell is that waitress - I asked her to get Caroline 5 minutes ago. Brady wants to know what is going on - did something happen to Stephanie (I guess Philip didn't answer him the first time he asked). Philip insists that nothing could have happened to her with all those guards at the house. Philip wants to know what it is to him - is he going to call the cops. Brady thinks that is a good start. Philip tells him he can handle it. Brady asks if he's not supposed to react at all to the fact that Stephanie is missing. Philip thinks he gave up the right to react the second he went to Bo Brady and ratted out his family. Brady tells Philip that he's been keeping Titan afloat while he and his father plot their next revenge move. Philip is confused, first he's a Kiriakis, then a DiMera and then a Brady - why doesn't he make up his mind already. Philip thinks Brady is always looking out for himself - he doesn't follow rules because he's a champion of morality and ethics - he follows them because he doesn't want to get caught. He's always looking out for number 1 like he always has. Brady doesn't need this - he starts walking away but stops - if Philip needs any help ... Philip scoffs ... he's the last one he'd call.


Waterfront: Philip is on his cell talking to Max - yeah she was talking about going to visit her parents - he really appreciates Max's help. Let him know if he hears from her. EJ and his goons come along - you seem cheerful - everything going your way, is it? Philip says everything is great - he's just happy to be alive. EJ - unlike my brother. Apparently they're at the place the accident happened as EJ is very bitter at how blithely Philip walks by having the time of his life. Philip disputes that - he thinks about Tony all the time. EJ asks if thinks about Stefano all the time too. Philip has no idea what he's talking about. EJ says you think I don't know you have him - you're pathetic son of a bitch is holding him hostage. I have a message for him - he's not going to win and neither will you. Philip thinks he's pretty cocky for a guy that's about to lose everything. EJ says that will be you. Philip asks him what he's talking about. EJ is talking about Stephanie - he has her.


Java Cafe: Arianna asks Brady if she scared him away from the pub. He holds up his coffee - he's had a rough week. She has coffee too - don't tell Caroline but the coffee here is better. Brady agrees with her. Arianna just wants to say ... she ends up spilling her coffee on his shoulder. Brady - OMG.


Preview: Arianna to Brady - You're related to Sami Brady? Brady - Yeah, she's my step-sister. Why, you know her? Arianna - Yeah. Not a fan. Rafe to Sami - I should do the right thing. I should make a proper commitment. Stefano muttering to himself - Come on son, I'm counting on you. EJ to Philip - I propose an exchange, a swap. I want my father here tonight.

***************************************

Wednesday May 20

Sami's place: Sami and Rafe cuddle. She tells him she's never felt this way before. Rafe replies - what a waste. He's referring to their time in the safe house - they could have been doing this. He always knew even though she was driving him crazy - it was a good crazy. Sami sort of hopes she doesn't drive him crazy any more. He's not counting on that. And the kisses start. Sami tells Rafe that he's definitely the best thing that has ever happened to her - now she has to figure out how to deserve it. Rafe tells her to stop - she's everything he's ever wanted in a woman. He's a pretty tasteful guy, reasonably smart so don't tell him that he's falling for a woman that is not deserving. Sami - Okay, I'm just going to tell you to shut up - she starts kissing him. Rafe thinks he finally figured it all out - he gets it now. Sami asks if she's annoying him yet. She's trying to play it off like she's not pathethicly desparately in need of constant reassurance but she doesn't think it's working. Rafe tells her that's what he likes about her. You are who you are - beautiful, insecure, sweet, generous, loving, mainly, mainly ... a smokin' hot pain in the ass. He quickly tells her he meant it as a compliment. Sami is sceptical. He tells her she's a beautiful, strong, incredible woman and he cherishes every inch of her ... he starts tickling her. She thinks he likes rebel girls. He likes her. She wants to know why he gave her such a hard time in the safe house. He says you mean for trying to break out of protective custody ... she claims it wasn't just about that - he gave her a hard time about everything. He thinks maybe all that reckless behaviour of hers carried over. She was always jeopardizing her safety as well as Grace's. Sami - you know why I had to get to that convent - she was trying to protect Grace. It didn't make him worry any less. It is one of the things he likes about her - she always protects her children. He has a lot of respect for that. Sami - Is that why you put up with me all those months; because you respect me? Yeah, respect this - he kisses her. He notices the time - he has to split. When he says he's going to his place she asks why. Rafe - you really need to ask that? Sami - because of Will. Rafe says he's going to be home at some point and even though he's cool with us it's not right. They hear Grace cry over the baby monitor. Sami says Grace is crying because she doesn't want him to leave either - she needs him too. He has the magic touch - he can put her right back to sleep. Rafe goes to attend to Grace. Sami listens on the monitor as Rafe tries to calm Grace down. He says no more tears - I'm going to take care of you and your mommy forever.

Sami comes into the living room where Rafe is singing to Grace. Sami tells him she got a text from Will - he's bowling with his friends. He won't be home until later so he can stay longer if he wants to. He does but he still thinks she should have a talk with Will so when he comes home later he doesn't freak out when he's here. She will talk to Will and tell him they're together - she loves the sound of that. She'll tell Will to expect him around a lot. Rafe thinks that is a good idea - he actually had a good idea of his own. He was looking at Grace and he thought since he was staying Salem, they're together, he should do the right thing. He should make the proper commitment. It's time - they've been through a lot together. Sami - Exactly what kind of commitment did you mean? Rafe - I want to be a father to Grace in every way.


Java Cafe - Part 1: Brady strips off his sweater - he's going to get a skin graft for the burn. Arianna tells him to sit down - she'll get him some ice - she'll take care of him.


Warehouse: Victor comments that Stefano is getting his colour back - feeling better too? Stefano is feeling very well and he'll continue to feel well for many more years. Victor - that's the power of positive thinking. Stefano retorts - That's the power of his faith in God and his family. Victor tells him to be realistic - they have no more insulin so if EJ doesn't sign those papers and turn everything DiMera over to them he's afraid it's rest in peace Papa. Stefano is sure that his son will come through for him - he has the DiMera ingenuity and fortitude. Victor - does he have the DiMera naiveté and self-destructive traits too? Stefano - Elvis will not let me down. Stefano tells the nurse that the man she works for is an immoral swine - she can do better. Her reply - in this job market I'm not so sure. He asks her how long the last insulin shot will keep him healthy. It depends - it will be absorbed by the body at an accerelated rate because she rationed it out. Stefano - so I don't have much time. She's sorry - she leaves him. Stefano - Come on son. I'm counting on you.


Waterfront: Philip doesn't believe EJ - he thinks he's bluffing. EJ makes sarcastic comments about Stephanie being at the heavily guarded compound drinking tea - oh but she's not there, is she. He guesses that maybe they had a lover's tiff and she took off. He then whines about the contracts Victor gave him. Philip starts walking away but stops when EJ tells him not to worry about Stephanie - she's safe for now. Philip asks EJ what that means. Philip calls him an arrogant bastard. What goes on between their families is between them - leave innocent people out of it. Stay away from her. EJ laughs - it's kind of late for that now. Philip tells him to stop being so cryptic and tell him what's going on. EJ waves his arm - forget I said anything. Philip - you do have her. You took her. EJ says tit for tat, you took my father, I took your fiancée. He proposes a swap - he wants his father here tonight. Philip is back to thinking that EJ doesn't have Stephanie. EJ replies - You know the funny thing was how easy it was to take her. He always thought a man was supposed to protect his woman. Philip realises that EJ had him drugged. EJ feigns innocence. Philip says if you want to broker a deal - Stephanie for your father. EJ wants him released immediately - make the call. Philip smirks - I can't do that. EJ wants his father released right now. Philip says you think you can tell me that you have Stephanie and we're going to let the old man go just like that? EJ pulls out his cell phone - he thinks he can provide proof. Philip sees the picture Owen send EJ. EJ says she's safe - once he has his father back he'll have his precious Stephanie back. If he cares about Stephanie he'll convince his father to make the deal. Philip will see what he can do. EJ tells him not to run off to the police and Uncle Bo. Deal. EJ tears the contract in half - they won't be needing this any longer.


Morgue: Stephanie is crying and screaming let me out please. Owen opens the door and tells her that she has to understand that she's not giving him much of a choice - she attacked him. She's sorry - she's just so confused. One minute she's at the Kiriakis mansion and the next she wakes up in the morgue. He knows this isn't fun for her but don't take it out on him; he's just following orders. Shut and stop screaming or I'll do it for you - it's your call. Stephanie promises not to try anything again. Owen says good because he doesn't like doing bad stuff especially to her because she's sweet, beautiful and kind. Philip's a lucky guy. Stephanie asks him why he brought her here - he said he had orders? He had very specific orders which he's carried out quite well. She asks if his order was to bring her to the
morgue. No, that was his idea. No one is ever going to find her here. Heck no one would even think to look here - not the Kiriakis family, cops, not even his employers. Stephanie - so it's true. You work for the DiMera's. He didn't say that. Stephanie persists - they're the ones that did this. They're the ones that told you to do this. She tells him the DiMera's are just using him. He doesn't have to do this - there's still time. He can let her go. He can't - if he lets her go his employers will not be happy. She asks - what about your other employers? He can't worry about them now. Stephanie tells him be better start worrying. When they find out that he's a
spy for the DiMera's and that he kiddnapped her he's a dead man. Owen - No, they'll see that I kept you safe. It's not like that. They'll see I didn't hurt you. Stephanie - It won't matter. As soon as they get their hands on you, you'll be the one lying on a slab in the morgue, not me. Owen thinks that Stephanie won't let them hurt him - she's not like the Kiriakis's. She's not a mean person. Stephanie points out that she won't have a say in it. It would be beyond her control. Owen is rattled - he snaps - you're just playing me. Stephanie asks him if he's thought about the police. Her uncle is the police commissioner. Just turn himself in before something terrible
happens. It won't - he's a good guy - she knows it - she said it herself. Stephanie knows he is - he's just mixed up with bad people, that's all. Owen thinks that under different circumstances she would like him. She tells him she already likes him - can't he tell?

She doesn't like the situation they're in but he seems like a nice person. He is - this whole kidnapping thing is not him. This is a first time thing for him. She just wishes he hadn't brought her to the morgue - it kind of freaks her out. Maybe they can go somewhere else just as safe. Owen says this is convenient for him - no one knows she's here. Stephanie - not even EJ? Owen says no, noone except for me. He guesses he can keep her here forever. Stephanie asks for some water. He has water. She asks if she can sit up for a minute so she can take a sip. He pulls out the tray and helps her sit up. He's sorry about her earring - it was probably gold, huh? Yeah
it was - her grandmother gave it to her so it had sentimental value as well - what can you do, things get lost. Her phone rings. Owen isn't answering - whoever it is will leave a message. Stephanie silently pleads for Philip to save her. Stephanie asks if it was Philip calling. Owen says it wasn't his contact. Stephanie - so what now. Owen says they sit and wait until his contact calls with instructions. Stephanie groans in pain - it's her back - if she doesn't get down for a few minutes the pain is only going to get worse. Please let her get down for a few minutes - he'd do that for her, right? She has a history of back problems - this surface isn't the best thing for it that's why she has to get down for a few minutes. He'd love to help her out but after the whole trying to stab me scissors thing ... She said she was sorry. She was freaked out, disoriented. He'll let her down but only for a minute. He lets her down - Stephanie eyes her phone. When the phone starts ringing Stephanie knees Owen in the groin - he goes down writhing in pain - Stephanie grabs the phone - and starts screaming into it - (we get a split screen - we see EJ listening as well) Is that you

Philip - help me, help me, Philip - (Owen grabs hers) let go of me!!!


Brady Pub - Part 1: Melanie is looking at a flyer advertising 'Sell your gold online'. She has Stephanie's earring in her hand - it's got to be gold. Finder's keepers - besides now that she lives at the Kiriakis castle she doesn't need it anymore. She bets she could get a couple of hundred bucks for it - she needs the money.


Java Cafe - Part 2: She's holding ice on his arm - it's feeling a bit better. He comments sarcastically - ever since he met her his life keeps getting better and better. She tells him he started it and reminds him of how he accused her of listening in on his phone call. He admits he was a bit of jerk - he's sorry. Melanie comes in and greets them. Brady is going to introduce the two ladies but they know each other. Melanie asks him what happened to his arm. He jokes that Arianna threw her coffee at him. Melanie asks if she can look at it - she's training to be a nurse so she needs all the practice she can get. She pretends to be horrified when she sees the burn then tells him to put some aloe on it and he'll live. She heads over to a table to use one of the computers. Arianna asks Brady if he's buying her another coffee - he owes her. He'll buy but it's going to be iced coffee this time. Brady brings her the coffee. Brendan comes by their table and tells Brady that they have a softball game on Sunday. Brady will pick up his equipment from Sami's place and be there. After Brendan leaves Arianna asks if he is related to Sami Brady. Not by blood, she's his step-sister - does she know her. Arianna is a not a fan. She's a phoney - she doesn't trust her for a minute. Brady asks how long she's known Sami. She met her a couple of times. Brady - and you already passed on this judgement. Arianna claims to have good people judgement - is Sami his favourite person or something. Brady says no, she's okay - he thinks she means well. Arianna can hear in his voice that they don't get along. He says it's true that they don't get along all that well. Arianna thanks him for the coffee and hopes his girlfriend won't be angry that she scarred him for life. Brady tells her he doesn't have a girlfriend. He's gotta go - see you around.

Melanie talks to the earring - in the olden days she would have sold you for a lot of money but now all of a sudden I have a conscience - Maggie is rubbing off on me. She calls Stephanie and leaves a message - she has her earring. She also sends her a text. Brady comes along and sees what is on the computer screen - is she selling someone's jewelry. No. He notices the earring - why does it look familiar. She tells him it's Stephanie's - who else wears jewelry the size of a tennis racket? She's not selling it - her conscience go the better of her. Brady teases - when did she get one of those? Wait - he's actually impressed. It's like she's becoming a human being or something. The new Melanie - he kind of likes her. She tells him not to get used to it - she's not completely reformed. He understands it's a process. She's kind of shocked herself that she called Stephanie and let her know she had her earring. Brady is proud of her. Melanie says that is sweet and only slightly condescending. He didn't mean it that way. Melanie says coming from a do-gooder like him that's high praise. Brady - it shows that she's moved on from Philip - doesn't it feel good? She says it probably feels as good as when you realised you had to completely give up Nicole. Brady - you know that felt good. They joke around a bit. Melanie is glad he was there to witness her new found maturity. She is officially through with Philip Kiriakis and therefore no longer jealous of Stephanie Johnson. Melanie twirls the phone - so the heiress to be isn't going to call me back - maybe she doesn't need it that much now that she's going to be a Kiriakis.


Brady Pub - Part 2: Philip is at the bar drinking a shot. He looks at the torn contract and gets out his cell. He calls Victor - they need to talk - it's an emergency. After he's done the call he says I won't lose you Stephanie.


DiMera mansion: EJ pours himself a very hefty drink and then stands in front of Daddy's portrait - he's oh so proud of himself. EJ places a call to Owen. EJ hears Stephanie screaming and crying - he puts his hand over his face.


Kiriakis mansion: Philip comes home. Victor - This better be newsworthy. Philip - They got Stephanie. They took her. They kidnapped her from the estate. Victor asks him how he knows this. Philip answers that EJ showed him a picture. Victor - It's unfortunate. Philip - Unfortunate? We're talking about the woman I'm about to marry, the woman I love. They want us to release Stefano in exchange for Stephanie ... so, we do it, now. Victor - No.


Preview: Sami to Rafe - Are you asking me to marry you? Philip to Victor - Thinking like that gets people dead and I will not let Stephanie be next. Stephanie struggling with Owen - Let go of me. Owen - Don't make me hurt you. Nicole to EJ - Something's gone wrong, hasn't it?

***********************************

Thursday May 21

Sami's place: Sami asks Rafe what he means by 'wanting to be Grace's father in every way.' He wants to be her father legally. Sami asks if he wants to adopt her. Yes. He wants her to know that she has a father who's going to be there for her - that she has a mother and father together. Sami doesn't know what to say. He tells her to say yes. Sami points out that Grace has an extended family - he wouldn't just be a father to her in a vacuum. He knows - he kind of likes that. She adds that she's going to be a full time mom long term. He knows that too. Sami - If you were Grace's father you'd have to put up with me for the rest of her life. He actually likes that. Sami - Are you asking me to marry you? Sami is flustered - this is the sweetest thing ever - she can't believe this but she's actually concerned about a couple of things. She thinks he's generalizing his feelings and she's worried about that because he wants to be Grace's father and her husband ... she knows it would be perfect but she doesn't think she can marry him. I mean not now cause it's soon - they just started their relationship. He says okay. She tells him not to be hurt. He isn't. Sami - You're not. He asks her if she wants him to be. She shrugs - she did turn him down. Rafe doesn't want to be technical about it but for her to have turned him down he would have had to propose first. Sami - And you didn't. Rafe - What, do you think I'm crazy? Sami gets a little huffy - so you want to be Grace's father but you don't want to be my husband. Rafe - Well, you don't want to be my wife. Sami rags on him a bit so he asks her if she's mad at him for not proposing to her even though she doesn't want to marry him. Sami - Yes! No. Maybe. Rafe proposes a compromise - if she promises to say no, he'll propose and then she'll have turned him down. Sami tells him it isn't funny. He agrees because if and when they get married they have to be really sure and it has to be right for the kids - they'll be together for a really long time. Sami - so you want to take it slow with us; are you sure you're ready to be Grace's father. Absolutely. Sami has one problem - she doesn't know how to make it work. How do they go court to make him her father without anyone finding out that she's Grace's mother.

Rafe thinks she should sit down because what he's going to tell her is pretty shocking - she's right. Sami makes him repeat that a few times. He tells her that she's right about the adoption. Sami wants him to know that she thinks it would be wonderful if he were Grace's father. He wants to be but she was right - a legal adoption presents one very big problem. They can't tell people that he's the father. Sami says yeah people can count to 9 and figure out I didn't even know you when I got pregnant and we can't tell them I'm her mother because then EJ will ... Rafe, yeah, he can probably count to 9. He wishes he had known her than and that he was Grace's father. Sami says that would make things simpler and she doesn't do simple. Rafe says there is one thing they can do. They can just say that he wants to be
with her, with Grace and make us a family. That has one thing going for it - it's the truth. Sami - You know what else is true? You adopting Grace, being her father would mean more to me than anything and I think it was meant to be. Rafe - Are you saying it's okay then? She is. Sami returns from her bedroom to find Rafe getting ready to leave - she thought since Will was bowling he'd stay longer. They banter a bit and then she asks him to stay 5 more minutes. He tells her she sounds just like Johnny at bedtime - she teases that she will cry if she doesn't get her way. He tells her it's been a big night. She says she was wondering if he hadn't been planning this all along - adopting Grace? He did everything so perfectly to help her, the false birth certificate, all the papers lined up so she could take care of her. Rafe admits that he fell for Grace pretty hard when he first saw her. Mainly he just wanted to make sure she was safe and he knew Grace was safe with her. Sami wishes Johnny was here - that he was safe. Rafe doesn't say a lot of nice things about the guy but he knows EJ wouldn't let anything happen to his kid. Sami kisses him just as Will comes home. Rafe says he was just leaving. Rafe gives Sami a hug and a kiss and then leaves. Will asks Sami if he wasn't here would Rafe have spent the night? Sami didn't realise they had that kind of relationship where he could be so open and honest with her. She grabs him around the neck and rubs his head and asks him if he scored with Mia - did he get some. Will says stop Mom. Sami asks him what he just called her. Will - Mom? Sami - right because I'm your mother. Yes, you get to ask me about my personal life but she suggests he be a little more careful about how he phrases those questions. She tells him seriously that she and Rafe are thinking about him. This is his house and she wants him to be comfortable here. Him, the twins and Grace are her priority and Rafe understands that. Will doesn't know how to act when Rafe is here. Sami tells him Rafe understands that too. Will surmises that she is pretty serious about the guy. She is - they're together. He's living in Salem now so he's going to be around. She hopes that is okay with him. Will asks - 'Does what I think make any difference at all?' Sami says if he had a real problem with Rafe she would talk to him about it but if his problem is that he is not his Dad - that's not really fair to her, is it? Will agrees. He thinks she and Rafe are going a little fast. Sami has something to tell him - Rafe wants to adopt Grace and I said yes. Will - How did you talk him into that? She didn't talk him into it - this was his idea. He loves Grace - he wants to be her father. Will agrees that Grace deserves a father but why him, why now? She's sorry that he's upset. Will thinks she's sorry that he sees that there is something bigger going on here - something that she doesn't want to tell him about.


Kiriakis mansion: Philip makes it clear that he's not asking for permission to make the trade - they're going to do it. Victor says no, they can't let them get away with it. Philip - and to hell with Stephanie? Victor isn't saying that. Philip argues that EJ has Stephanie - they don't know if she's still alive. Victor thinks it's a bluff - they won't hurt her. Philip thinks that all that matters to Victor is not letting the DiMera's pull one over on him. Victor knows what he is doing - he's done this before. Philip tells him they're talking about Stephanie's life - he's not going to let him use her like this. Either he helps him get her back or he'll do it himself. Philip insists they are giving Stefano back and Victor is adamantly against that. Philip isn't asking, he's going to do it. Victor tells him the men guarding Stefano only take orders from him. Philip fires back that he has men loyal to him - does he want a civil war? Victor tells Philip he can't beat him and giving Stefano back doesn't insure Stephanie's safety. Philip points out that Victor took Stefano and EJ retaliated - he didn't cave. Victor scoffs - in a very cowardly way. Philip thinks that if they don't deal with this EJ could go even further, they don't know. Victor - that wouldn't make sense. Philip - EJ's not trying to make sense. He's trying to prove to himself, to the voice of his father in his head that he's a real man, a real warrior. Philip knows this because he's been there in that same place and Tony DiMera ended up dead. Thinking like that gets people dead. I won't let Stephanie be next. Victor says you realise that the reason EJ chose Stephanie is because he knew you'd feel guilty about it and act less than rational. Philip says I got shot, almost got her shot, she got kidnapped and I feel guilty - that's how you're supposed to feel. Victor disagrees - he didn't do anything. Philip argues that he asked her to marry him when he knew what his life was going to like. Victor tells him that's why he shouldn't be making any decisions. Philip sarcastically says be ruthless - let's take Theo - that will prove to everyone that we don't have any feelings at all. Victor tells him to calm down. He won't. When Tony died all that mattered was that he got off. Maybe if he'd been more of a man ... Victor tells him to stop it and think about Stephanie. Philip claims he is. Victor says no, you're beating your breast which means I can't talk to you, can't trust you. Philip - You really don't see this has to end? Victor - I do but I also know that caving in to them isn't going solve anything. It's unfortunate Stephanie got mixed up in the war and that is what this is - sadly war leads to casualties. Philip asks if he thinks they would hurt Stephanie even if they let Stefano go. Victor tells him to think about it - Stephanie is a witness. She can testify in court against them. She has power over them - very dangerous situation to be in.

He tells Philip he's not trying to scare him - he's trying to show him that he's thinking about what would be best for Stephanie. Philip believes him but he doesn't think he understands that Stephanie being with him when he was shot messed with her - she has nightmares. She's not in good shape - they have to help her fast because he doesn't think she can take this. Victor tells Philip they won't let anything happen to Stephanie. Philip points out they already have. Philip is upset - he (Victor) said he was going to handle this. He hasn't handled anything - armed guards, surveillance cameras, the best security devices known to man yet I still get drugged in my own damn house. EJ shows me a picture of Stephanie on his cell phone - you have screwed up big time. Victor tells him he's sorry. Philip isn't asking him to be sorry - he's asking him to see that they don't have the upper hand here. All they have is a sick, old man on his last legs. If Stefano dies we don't have anything EJ wants and he still has Stephanie. If we lose her I will never ever forgive you. Victor knows that - he blames himself for what happened. Philip says then do something. He will but they
have to think this through. EJ's hoping that they react without thinking and just do what he wants. Philip tells him there is no time. Victor asks him if he can calm down long enough to tell him what happened and when. Philip says that's the worst part of it. It was an inside job - it had to be. Victor - Who? Victor is going to call someone but Philip stops him - they need to call EJ and tell him they have Stefano for him. Victor isn't sure that is the right thing to do. Philip tells him that is not his call. Philip brings up Caroline being there earlier. He could see that he (Victor) still loved her. If EJ had kidnapped Caroline this would be his call but he didn't, he
kidnapped Stephanie - Philip feels it's his call to make because Stephanie is the woman he loves. Victor says he's right - this is his decision.


Morgue/ Wooded area: Owen gets the phone away from Stephanie - he can't let her have it. Stephanie cries - she's so scared. She slams Owen into the row of morgue drawers and runs out of the morgue. Stephanie stops in a clearing and tries to get a call through but Owen catches her - they struggle - she ends up falling and hitting her head on a rock - she's unconscious. Owen sees the gash on her - oh god, please don't be dead. Owen has an unconscious Stephanie back on the morgue tray with her hands bound. He says she shouldn't have done that. She doesn't understand that he has to do what he's told - she doesn't understand how powerful these people are. He's sorry he only has a sheet, no blankets. In this place they don't have to worry about keeping anyone warm. He thinks she really put up a fight - if she had one more minute with that phone - the phone? Who was trying to call you? What if it was Mr. Kiriakis and he heard you. Where is that damn phone? That damned phone is lying on the ground next to the rock splattered with Stephanie's blood ringing away. He tells her he's sorry - he has to find that phone - he starts to push the tray back in - stops - I can't just leave you here alone.


DiMera mansion: After hearing Stephanie screaming into the phone EJ tries to call back but gets her voicemail. Nicole comes into the living room with Sydney and asks him what's wrong. Somethings gone wrong, hasn't it? EJ at first denies it but when Nicole doesn't buy it he says there's a small problem. He changes the subject to talk about Johnny and Sydney but Nicole tells him he can pretend everything is alright but she knows him to well. EJ says that nothing will be alright until his father is home. Nicole knows that he doesn't want her involved but she has something to say. At their wedding she told his father she knew what it meant to be a DiMera. She knows that on the obvious level she's to keep her mouth shut and not betray the family. EJ tells her it's a lot easier to know that if she doesn't know what's going on. She understands that whatever he does he's doing for her, for Sydney, for the family - he's doing it out of love. The conscience he has separates him from his father - he's a better man than him. He can tell her anything - she loves him and there are no conditions. Nicole returns after putting Sydney down to sleep. She finally gets him to talk. He thinks he crossed a line. Philip is engaged to Stephanie - he had her kidnapped. He had to go for Philip's greatest vulnerability. He knows she is completely innocent in this fight. Nicole hates and despises the man that did this to her and she hopes Victor burns in hell for what he's done. EJ would never have kidnapped Stephanie if Victor wouldn't have taken Stefano. All he is doing is using Stephanie for leverage - she goes on to say that he doesn't want to hurt her. She has the audacity to say that maybe now Stephanie will realise she was an idiot for agreeing to marry Philip. He may have hit on the one thing that can stop this nonsense. She knows there is still something else going on. EJ says they had a man working inside the Kiriakis mansion - Nicole figures out that he's the one that kidnapped Stephanie. EJ says the guy has been calling him on Stephanie's phone but when he called he got Stephanie yelling and now there's no answer. He doesn't know what is going on. If he doesn't have Stephanie he doesn't have anything to exchange for his father. His life is in Victor's hand and I might have really, really upset Victor. Nicole says Victor won't do anything as long as he has Stephanie. EJ repeats that he doesn't know if he has Stephanie - he can't get a hold of the guy. Nicole smirks - Victor and Philip don't know that. If Stephanie had escaped doesn't he think he would have heard from Victor by now. They'll get through this together. EJ gets a call from Philip - We'll do it - Stephanie for your father.


Brady Pub: Arianna swipes some of Rafe's fries - he warns her he already salted them. Arianna retorts - more like 'brined' - she swears he has no taste buds left - she amends that to no taste full-stop. She comments that he seems to be in a good mood. He is - was. Arianna starts in on Sami but stops herself. Rafe tells her it's serious - like it's never been serious before. Arianna - like marriage? He says no but he is going to adopt her little girl. She asks if he's out of his mind. How did she talk you into that? Rafe says she didn't, it was my idea. From now on Grace is going to be my daughter. Arianna - she's not really yours biologically? Rafe says no but it doesn't matter. He thinks that Grace was always meant to be his daugther. Arianna says that is one lucky girl to have you. She's worried about Sami being tied to his life - that woman is nothing but trouble. Rafe says he made a mistake telling her - what kind of an idiot is he to think that she might be happy for him. She's worried about him. He gets up to leave. She tells him to please open his eyes - you really don't see - it's all happening again.


Preview: Stephanie to Owen - EJ? That man is evil. If you turn me in to him he's going to kill me. EJ (over the phone) to Philip - If anything even seems out of place you'll never see her again. Will to Mia - She still says she's telling the truth. Mia - About what? Will - I still have this feeling she's lying. Arianna to Rafe - What happened before? I'm warning you, that woman could destroy your life. Sami hears this.

********************************************

Tuesday May 26

Sorry but I'm going to pick up the new car I bought on Thursday. I bought it in a city that's a 2 hour drive from here so I won't be back until tonight. I have to leave shortly. I did watch the show. Here's a very brief recap.

Don't miss the scenes between Victor and Bo on the waterfront after Brady leaves them alone. Victor really ties into Bo for never acknowledging him as his father - always acting morally superior - he lets him know that Bo's dismissal of him didn't go unnoticed and that he has feelings too. Bo just tells him that he's not the father that raised him and considering how Philip turned out he considers himself very lucky.

Owen listens as Melanie tells Philip where she Stephanie. She mentions seeing Owen - Philip doesn't think Owen would do that. Melanie points out that it had to be an inside job. Philip accuses her. Melanie gets very upset with him and is going to leave but stops. She says she may be shallow (and she lists off other faults) but she's not a bad person. She warns Philip that if he doesn't believe her he will always regret it. Philip believes her - they talk more about Owen. Melanie mentions the big bin he was pushing. Philip calls for Henderson - he saw Owen a few hours ago - he said he had some stuff to clear up before he left on vacation - he gave him his cheque. Philip is furious - when he finds Owen he's going to kill him. Owen takes that as his cue to sneak out of the mansion muttering - sorry Stephanie, our plans have changed. Philip looks at the file they have on Owen - all it includes is a cell number and box number - he knows nothing about the guy. Brady comes looking for Philip - by the time Henderson lets him Brady and Melanie have taken off. Philip and Melanie split up for a bit - she comes back with some information on Owen - including the fact that his father works at a mortuary - they're off to see if his father knows where Owen is.

Brady returns to the mansion and encounters Victor. Victor tells Henderson to escort Brady out and to never let him back in again. Victor and Brady have words - it's not pleasant.

At the morgue Stephanie keeps crying for Philip to save her - she realises she is running out of air. By the time Owen returns she is not breathing. Owen panics but eventually starts CPR - Stephanie slaps him when she comes to and Owen goes ballistic on her - she promised never to hurt him again. Stephanie tells him she was disoriented - Owen is freaking out - they can't go away together. Nothing is going as planned. He pulls a gun out - Stephanie asks him what he's doing with a gun.

Nicole comes rushing to see EJ at the hospital. Lexie ties in to EJ for not telling her that Father was missing - she tells him this has to end. She goes in to see Stefano and EJ tells Nicole that Lexie is right - he's going to end this. Nicole ties into him - no he can't let the Kiriakis's win. EJ thinks if he tells the police where Stephanie is they'll go easier on him - Nicole argues - he doesn't know where she is. EJ will give them Owen. Nicole goes on and on about how she couldn't live without him - he can't do this. Lexie cries over Stefano - telling him how much she loves him - she just lost Tony she can't lose him too - he wakes up. Bo comes to arrest EJ and Nicole jumps all over him. EJ wants to see Stefano first. EJ slips Stefano the phoenix ring as he's leaving. He tells Nicole to stay with Stefano. Bo tells her she won't be able to see EJ until after the arraignment. Stefano tells Nicole about the history of the Phoenicians and the significance of the ring - the ring makes him indestructible - he can not die.

Preview: Sami tells Caroline that Rafe is adopting Grace - Caroline's reaction - 'You can't be serious.' Brady goes to Nicole to try and find out where Stephanie is. Victor and Philip talking - they both agree that whoever has Stephanie can't know that they're looking for her because he'd kill her. Stephanie telling Owen that if he puts her back in that drawer she is going to die.

*************************************

Wednesday May 27

Rafe/Sami's place: Rafe is having a dream that he and Sami are in his bed making love. She calls him - he tells her he was thinking of her. He suggests picking up breakfast and coming over. Sami is on her way out the door. She's going to the pub to meet her Grandma - she's going to tell her about him adopting Grace. Rafe asks if she wants him to meet her there. Sami doesn't know. Rafe tells her it's her call - if she needs him just call. Sami thinks it will be okay - they'll get together after. Rafe has to go - he has another call. When he hangs up Sami says I love you. Rafe is still interested - of course he knows what he's getting himself into - no second thoughts. Sami and Grace are just about to leave when Will comes out of his bedroom - she tells him where they are going. Will is going to the Java Cafe
for breakfast - can he have 10 bucks? Sami teases him - that seems a lot for breakfast unless he's planning on buying breakfast for two. She asks if he's meeting Mia - he's not sure. She gives him the money - as he's leaving she tells him she likes his cologne. After he's gone Sami tells Grace that she thinks her big brother has a crush on Mia.


DiMera mansion: Nicole plays mob wife - this time by threatening EJ's lawyer. She gets a call from security and tells them to let him in. She opens the door to Brady - he wants to know where the hell they has Stephanie. Nicole is pretty sure she doesn't know. Brady is pretty sure EJ does. Nicole gets snarky so Brady tells her to can it - Stephanie is missing - she may not even be alive - that makes him mad - that makes him ready to do anything to get her back - he looks at Sydney. Nicole asks if he's threatening her. Brady's response is very sarcastic - oh, did he cross a line? Your husband kidnapped a girl that never did a thing to him. Your
family has tried to kill a guy that's like a brother to him twice and he's threatening her because he reminded her that he has enough ammo to blow you and your sweet family out of the water. Stephanie is missing. She's scared and alone, probably with a DiMera thug who they all know aren't known for their decency. Nicole claims that EJ didn't do it. Brady laughs at her. Wow - there's another word for that - it's a lie. Nicole wants to know why he's being like this. Because Stephanie is missing and she's going to tell him where she is. Nicole tells him she doesn't know. Brady - Then we're going to have a long chat about how you're going to find out. Nicole says that EJ would never talk to her about it. Hurting her and Sydney isn't going to accomplish anything and it won't help Stephanie. Brady - so you're just an innocent bystander? Nicole answers that Sydney is. Brady points out that EJ needed a bargaining chip - EJ could have chosen him or Victor but no, he chose a scared young woman who had already been traumatized by watching Nicole's family's paid assasin pump a bullet into her boyfriend's chest. That's who you chose to be your little girl's father - are you happy about that? Nicole claims there's nothing she can to do to help him. All she can do is beg that he stand by her side - please. She thanks him. He tells her that he's not the only one she needs to worry about. She asks him what he's talking about. He's says not what, who - Mia. He ran into Mia at an AA meeting - she's pretending to be an addict to explain the time she was away from school. Nicole thinks that's a good cover story. Brady - There's nothing you like better than a good lie, huh? Unlike her Mia is tired of lying and stringing people along. There's one kid she really likes a lot. Nicole scoffs - so what if a teenage kid finds out that she had a baby. Brady - That teenage kid is Will. We all know that a boy's best friend is his mother.


Kiriakis mansion: Victor answers the door to Caroline - she's waving the morning newspaper at him demanding to know if this is true. She mentions the fight on the pier, EJ's arrest, the police search for Philip and that Stefano was found in a van guarded by his men. How could he do that? He reminds her that the DiMera's tried to have his son killed twice. Caroline reminds him of his promise to keep Stephanie safe - how does waging war with the DiMera's do that. He repeats that he won't let anything happen to her. Caroline wants to talk to Stephanie now. Victor says she's not here - he didn't think it was safe enough for her to stay here. Believe him, nothing is more important to him or Philip than keeping Stephanie safe. Caroline wants to know where she is - can she call? Victor thinks that until this whole thing is resolved it's best that she doesn't call her. Caroline says it took her a long time to figure him out but she did and Stephanie will figure him out as well as his son Philip - she's going to do everything she can to help Stephanie do that.


Cemetery outside mortuary/mortuary: Philip stops Melanie from putting her coffee cup on a headstone - what if people from the mortuary see her - they need to look respectful. Melanie agrees that she has to look respectful - he's not supposed to be here. His picture is in the paper - people are looking for him. Philip sees someone and asks Melanie if that is Owen's father. It looks like the photo she saw of him - showtime. Philip doesn't like her doing this on her own. She reminds him the cops are looking for him and Owen's father probably knows what he looks like. Philip is worried that Owen might see her. She tells him they'll cross that bridge if they get to it. He tells her to be careful. He doesn't want anything to happen to her - look what happened to Stephanie. Melanie - I'm doing this for me. Just imagine the look on Stephanie's face when she realises she owes her - it will kill her. She heads to the mortuary. Philip mutters - bad choice of words. Philip gets a call from Victor - where the hell is he. Philip reminds him the phone lines could be tapped. Victor wants to know that he's safe. He is - how about him. Victor - for the time being. Bo can't prove anything and Stefano is too sick to talk. Victor thinks that now is a good time for Philip to take a little trip and see the world. Philip isn't going anywhere until he finds Stephanie. Victor tells him Caroline was there looking for Stephanie. He guesses that Bo decided to keep it a secret for now because Caroline didn't know that Stephanie was missing. Philip says whoever has Stephanie, he can't know that they're looking for him. If he knew he'd kill her and run - he can't let that happen.

In the morgue Owen is binding Stephanie's hands. She asks if Philip is looking for them. He tells her not to talk. She thanks him for getting these clothes for her. Owen snaps - he's not an idiot - she acts nice to him and then she tries to run away. She's not an idiot either - she's not going to run when she knows he has a gun. She doesn't think he'd shoot her though - he's too good of a person - in fact she thinks he wouldn't shoot anyone. He would if he had too. Owen's father is in the mortuary - he calls for Owen - what's wrong - he sounded so shaken up in his phone message. Owen is sorry - he knows his Dad wanted to go away this weekend. He's not going anywhere if Owen needs him but he wants to know what's going on. Owen tells him he got involved in something - he needs a favour. He needs to lie low for a while and if anyone comes looking for him tell them he hasn't seen him. There's a knock on the door - Owen heads back to the morgue. Owen's father opens the door to Melanie. In the morgue drawer Stephanie unties her hands and rips the duct tape off her mouth - she starts screaming and banging her hands against the steel. Owen pulls the tray out of the drawer. In the mortuary Melanie is crying talking about her poor Grammy - she's doing this for her. She wants to do this for her - family was very important to her. It sounds like family is important to him too. Owen's father - oh it is. Family is everything. Melanie thinks this is the right place for Grammy's funeral - it feels like home. Is it a family owned business? Do you have kids too? In the morgue Owen chastises Stephanie - now he's going to have to tie the ropes tighter - he didn't want to bruise her wrists. Stephanie sarcastically replies that he's worried about bruising her wrists yet he's going to put her back in that drawer where she can't breathe. If he puts her back in there she's going to die.

Owen doesn't see why she doesn't understand that he's trying to help her. He hears his father's voice coming towards the morgue so he clamps his hand over Stephanie's mouth. He warns her that if she says one word he'll kill anyone that comes here trying to find her. He lifts her out of the drawer and pushes her out of the morgue into an adjoining room. Owen's father brings Melanie inside - her grammy wanted her to check the place thoroughly. She mentions that in the small town she grew up in they had two funeral homes. They were both family based - DeMony & Son - do you work with your son? He avoids answering - they have a lot to talk about - he doesn't
think this is the place to do it. Melanie says fine - it's cold in here - she notices an earring lying on the floor - it matches the one of Stephanie's that she had found on the terrace. There's a knock on the morgue door - delivery. Owen's father tells Melanie he's afraid she'll have to go now - respect. Melanie - oh the delivery is a stiff. He says - we say the dearly departed. Melanie leaves. Owen tells Stephanie they're all gone. Melanie comes rushing out to the cemetery - she tells Philip she saw Stephanie's earring in the room with the bodies. It matches the one she found. She pulls out the phone to call the cops. Philip tells her they can't do that. In the mortuary Owen thanks his dad for covering for him with that girl. His dad wants to know what's going on - he's worried about him. Owen tells him he's got it all under control now - he promises. Outside Philip points out to Melanie that just because she found her earring in there it doesn't mean Stephanie is there. He could have taken her someplace else - if the cops arrest him he could clam up and they'd never find her, not alive. In the morgue, Stephanie, who's hand and feet are bound, and mouth duct-taped shut starts crawling towards the door. Outside Melanie tells Philip that maybe the cops will give Owen immunity for telling them where Stephanie is. She tells Philip his war is with the DiMera's, not Owen. Philip replies that if Owen is in this deep the DiMera's will kill him if he betrays them. Melanie - so either way he's not going to talk to the cops. Then it's up to us. Philip needs to get a closer look at that room. Melanie told them she'd be back. Philip asks if she really thinks they'll leave her in that room alone. He asks if she thinks he could break in there. Melanie laughs - he doesn't have to break in - it's like that old joke - people are dying to break in to this place. Stephanie keeps crawling and then groans when Owen stands in front of her. He rips off the tape - he's sorry if that hurt. She thinks if he was sorry he'd let her go. He can't do that now that her friend was there looking for her. Stephanie says she's gone, she doesn't suspect anything. Owen pulls out his gun - he's going to have to make sure of that.


Waterfront - Part 1: Brady is walking along leaving his ninth message for Melanie when he bumps into Arianna. They trade bantering, flirting insults and then go their separate ways.


Brady pub: Caroline apologises to Sami for being late. Sami can tell something is wrong. Caroline talked with Victor - such arrogance, such gall. Sometimes she wishes she never told Bo that Victor was his father. He's not a father, he's a tyrant. She doesn't want to talk about it - what was the news Sami had for her. Sami tells her Rafe is going to adopt Grace. Caroline - You can't be serious. That wasn't the reaction Sami was hoping for. Caroline asks how her mother reacted - silence. Caroline surmises she didn't tell her father either so that makes her the test balloon so if flies with me you'll tell the big guns. Sami thinks she is in a terrible mood and
she's taking it out on her. Caroline is trying to get her to wake up and smell the coffee. She's going to give parental rights to a man she barely knows and who doesn't know anything about being a father and whom has no visible means of support. Rafe joins them - actually that last one isn't true - I just got a job. Sami hugs him - when does he start. Right away. Sami tells Caroline that Daddy and Uncle Bo wouldn't let him join the force if he wasn't a great guy. Rafe tells them he's not joining a force - he got a construction job. He can tell by Sami's reaction that she's disappointed just like her grandmother. Caroline says she isn't a snob - she doesn't look down on anybody's job. She knows he wants to be a cop - is he going to be happy doing construction? Rafe answers that he has responsibilities now. Caroline heard - she also heard that he travelled all over the map and never settled down. She tells Sami he's not going to change just like that - she doesn't know if either of them is being realistic. Rafe tells her a story about his protective grandmother and when she was introduced to his cousin's fiancée. She didn't like her but when she saw how she took care of him and then the way she took care of the kids when they came - it took some time but they became friends. Caroline asks Sami if she's sure he isn't Irish. Sami smiles - he sure knows how to sling a lot of blarney. Caroline asks Rafe is he's hungry - he is. Caroline tells him to sit down and goes to the kitchen. Sami tells Rafe that Grandma feeding him is a good thing - they kiss.

Rafe thinks he's lucky to have a job the way things are. Arianna comes along and sees Grace - there she is, her future niece. Sami thought they weren't going to tell anybody. Arianna says she's his sister and Grace's future aunt. Caroline didn't know that Arianna was Rafe's sister. You work at the Brady Pub - sooner or later you become family. Rafe tells Arianna that she and Mrs. Brady should have a long conversation - she's not too thrilled about him adopting Grace either. Caroline wouldn't say that - and don't call her Mrs. Brady. She looks at Arianna - you're worried too? Arianna replies that Rafe made it very clear that it was none of her business. That concept does fly with Caroline. Arianna says it's a big commitment and it seemed a little impulsive. Things can go wrong Rafe. Sami tells Arianna that she's seen Rafe in action when things go wrong and that's exactly why she said yes when he wanted to adopt Grace. Sami tells Rafe that so far they're batting a thousand - everyone they tell about the adoption thinks it's a really bad idea. Rafe tells her that Arianna is just looking out for his best interests. Sami gets it - she thinks that she's trying to tie him down. Rafe - and you're Grandma thinks I can't take care of you. Sami says she is wrong. Rafe - so is Arianna. The only one that can tie him down is this little one. Sami says at least him, her and Grace think this is a good idea. Us against the world. Rafe - You know what, we're going to win.


Java Cafe: Will brings Mia coffee - they talk about schoolwork and his baseball game. They're talking about schoolwork again - Will likes that hereditary stuff - he keeps telling his mom that she needs to get Grace's medical files - baby's have a right to their history. Mia doesn't know - she gets a call from her cousin. Will goes to the counter for more coffee - Kensie is there. She noticed that he's still hanging with the druggie. Will makes a smart remark to her. Kensie says that was mean. Will says yeah - maybe you'll think twice before you start dissing Mia again. So she had a problem - she's dealing with it. He thinks that it's really cool the way Mia is being honest about everything. Mia tells Will she heard what he said to Kensie - he didn't have to stick up for her. Will says he didn't - he just told the truth. Mia gets a text from Nicole - meet her on the pier now! Mia tells Will it's her cousin - she has to go. Kensie joins Will - she's decided that she doesn't want to see him get hurt. These rehab things never work. She had a friend who went to rehab - she came back, still did drugs and stole from her - it turns out she didn't know her at all. Does he really think he knows Mia? Will - everything he needs to know.


Waterfront - Part 2: Mia joins Nicole and tells her she doesn't like being told what to do. Nicole doesn't like finding out that she's pretending to be an addict. Mia figures out that Brady told her. Nicole thinks it's dangerous - people spilling their guts is contagious - she might blurt out something she shouldn't. Mia - You mean something you don't want me to say. Nicole asks her if she remembers that they agreed ... Mia jumps in no - she doesn't. She remembers Nicole telling her what to do. Someone she likes just told her that she is honest and she is isn't. Everything she does and says is a lie. Nicole asks if that someone is Will Horton. She adds that Mia can't trust him. She's sure with his father's genes he seems innocuous but his mother ... Mia says she's really nice just like Will is. Nicole scoffs - if she thinks Sami Brady is nice than she's dumber than she thought. Mia likes Will's mother - she tells Nicole that she can't tell her how to feel. Nicole tells Mia she can't trust her - she's scheming and under-handed ... Mia - you're one to talk. Nicole - She schemes and lies to get my husband back and uses her children to do it. Everything I've done, I've done for Sydney. Mia - So now you're the only person who loves her kid. Will's mother loves Grace so much that she's willing to let that guy that protected her adopt Grace. She wants to make sure her daughter is always taken care of and Mia thinks that makes her a really, really nice person.


Preview: Mia to Nicole - You know what Nicole, you're going to stay away from me or you're going to be sorry. Sami to Rafe - Maybe this adoption isn't such a good idea. Brady bursting into a room where Melanie wearing a lab coat is zipping up a shirtless Philip into a body bag - What the hell are you two doing? Stephanie to Owen - She's in love with Philip and more than anything in the world she wants me out of the way.

************************************

Thursday May 28

Brady pub - Part 1: Rafe is talking to Grace when Sami returns. After some light hearted banter Rafe states that telling her Grandmother didn't go too badly. They'll win her over eventually. Sami tells him that something else her Grandmother said has her worried - maybe this adoption isn't such a good idea after all. It's going to be even harder to tell her Mom and Dad that he's adopting Grace. Her mom can see right through her even over the phone and her dad is nobody's fool. Rafe says they're not fooling anyone. He wants to be Grace's father legally. Sami argues - why do I want that? If they want him to be the father why don't they get married. Rafe - Is that what you want? She's just explaining what her dad is going to say and he's not going to let it go. Rafe thinks he will when he understands. They don't have to keep this a secret. Sami wishes he really was Grace's father. Rafe - I am and soon I will be legally. And one day you won't have anything to worry about and you're totally not going to know what to do with yourself. Sami chuckles - she'll think of something. They kiss.


Java Cafe - Part 1: Will gets another coffee - the girl behind the counter asks Will where his girlfriend went. He's kind of flustered. He starts to deny that Mia is his girlfriend then just says he doesn't know.


Waterfront - Part 1: Mia assumes that Nicole doesn't think Rafe adopting Grace is a great idea but Mia thinks it's wonderful. Nicole tells her she is wrong - she thinks it's a great idea. Mia doesn't think Nicole is happy for Will's mother or Grace - she's just happy that it will keep Sami away from her husband. Nicole - So two good things come out of this - is that so bad? Mia is so tired of this - she and Dr. Baker always playing these games - all these secrets and lies. Nicole tells her that if she stays away from Will she wouldn't have to keep all these secrets and tell lies. Mia is not staying away from him. Nicole has her baby - that does not mean she runs her life. She's lived up to her end of the bargain - she hasn't told anyone and Nicole still doesn't trust her. Nicole states that she can help her. Mia doesn't need her help. She needs to live her life and doesn't need her breathing down her neck bossing her around. You know what Nicole, you're going to stay away from me or you're going to be sorry.


Hospital: Brady leaves another message for Melanie. He asks Nurse Maxine if Melanie Leyton is working today. She's supposed to be but she's late - she's always late but never this late. Is something wrong. Brady thinks there is. Melanie takes Philip into a room where they can find a way to make him dead. They hide out when they hear someone outside the door. Two orderlies roll a body in and then leave. Philip thinks the guy is about his height. Melanie says the thing about body bags is that they are one size fits all. She tells him they have to check the paperwork to see if this guy is going to a funeral room or downstairs for an autopsy. Philip asks her if they checked the body when it was delivered to the funeral home when she was there. She says no, Owen's father left and the guys that delivered it left about two minutes later. All they had time to do was maybe put the body in a drawer. Philip - So I'm going to be in a body bag in a drawer in a morgue. Melanie asks if he is having second thoughts. No, it's the only way back into the morgue. If it gets them Stephanie back it's worth it. Melanie returns wearing a lab coat and pulling a gurney with a body bag on it. After they make the switch she'll take the body from the room down to the morgue - she has a way of getting guys to help her so no problem getting him into a drawer. She tells Philip to take his clothes off - the body is naked so he has to be naked. Philip doesn't think it will make a difference once he's in the bag besides he can't scout out the funeral home naked. She suggests he at least take off his shirt in case they check. She sees his tiny scar - she can't believe they did that to him. She tells Philip to get in the bag. Nurse Maxine tells Brady that no one has seen Melanie. A nurse at the desk says she just saw Melanie Leyton ten minutes ago on the 7th floor - she was moving a gurney. Brady heads to the elevator. Melanie returns from taking the other body to the hospital morgue. She asks Philip if he's thought of what he's going to do once he gets inside. He's going to play it be ear. He'll see if Stephanie is there - if not, try and find something that will tell him where Owen took her. Melanie is going to wait in the cemetery. Philip tells her she's not going.

He can't let what happened to Stephanie happen to her - he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Melanie tells him he needs back-up. Philip asks her why she's doing this - it could be dangerous. What's in it for her? She owes him. He thinks the debt has been paid. She's going to help him so lie down and shut up. She's zipping up the body bag when Brady walks in - What the hell are you two doing? Philip tells him this has nothing to do with him. Brady tells him if he leaves he's going straight to hospital security. Philip tells him they think they know who has Stephanie. Brady wants to know why he's there playing dead instead of going to Bo. Philip explains that Stefano got to one of the guys that works for them and this guy's dad owns a funeral home. Melanie adds that she went to the morgue and found Stephanie's earring on the floor. Brady - let me guess - you're going to be their next client? They'll see you breathing - are you going to scream when they start to embalm you. Philip states the guy has gone south, they have Stefano back and they still have Stephanie. Brady doesn't understand why he's not going to Bo. Philip explains that it's a way to get in there without anyone seeing him. If the cops confront him the guy will clam up. Kidnapping is a capital offence. He has to get her back. Brady can see that Philip isn't going to change his mind on this. Philip isn't, he asks Brady to please not tell anyone. Brady won't on one condition - he's going to help. Philip thanks him. He tells Melanie she doesn't have to go now. She insists on going and if she can't she'll go to Bo. Brady will take care of her. Philip gets into the bag - let's do this. Brady and Melanie stay hidden as two men come in to pick up the body - they look at the paperwork - it's going to Heritage Park. They leave and Brady and Melanie head out as well.

Lexie goes in to see Stefano - when the hell can he get out of there? Lexie tells him that he's doing much better. His blood sugar levels are good and there is no permanent damage from the insulin depravation. Stefano snarls that there will be permanent damage to Victor and Philip Kiriakis. She tells him to stop or she'll walk out. She asks him if after his diagnosis it never occurred to him to focus on getting well instead of exacting revenge. If he had EJ might not be in jail right now. Stefano tells her that she has to get him out because he has to talk to him. He promises once everything is settled he'll follow her orders but right now he needs a telephone. She's in charge and he's not getting any damn phone. Stefano needs a phone - bring him one. She can't - police orders. He's a murder suspect. Stefano claims that he is the victim. Stefano wants a lawyer. Abe hears that - no problem but before that why don't we have a talk. Stefano isn't saying a word until his lawyer is there. Abe tells him it's off the record for Lexie's sake. Stefano retorts - for one he's no longer a cop; he's an ineffective mayor of this town and secondly he's not going to allow Abe to use his daughter to coerce him. Abe asks if he has any idea of what Lexie has been through because of him. You are smug and arrogant and you are stupid. You screwed up big time and as happy as it would make him to see him spend the rest of his life in prison maybe for Lexie's he can broker something. Stefano tells Lexie to get Abe out of there. Abe confronts Stefano - So Lexie means nothing? Philip's life means nothing? That poor girl you kidnapped means nothing? Lexie asks Abe to please leave - a nurse comes in ... Abe tells her not to let him die until they find Stephanie after that he doesn't give a damn. Abe and Lexie are outside of Stefano's room - he asks if Stefano is alright. Lexie says medically he's stabilized but she doesn't think she will be able to say he's alright ever again. Abe explains that he loses his temper because Stefano puts her through all of this. Lexie asks him what he wanted to find out from Stefano. Is Philip still alive - what went down on that pier - where is all this going? Lexie wonders if Stefano could talk to someone if it would put an end to all of this. He wants to talk to EJ, she thinks he should let him. He can't do that. She knows he wants to know what is going on - tap the phone. He can't do that. She'll listen in and tell him what he says. Abe says he asked for a lawyer - he should be getting him one instead of conspiring to violate his civil rights. Three reporters rush up - is it true Philip Kiriakis was involved in an incident on the pier? Care to comment on the theory that it was a drug deal gone bad? He doesn't care to speculate. EJ DiMera was arrested but not Philip Kiriakis - why? Is this about the Kiriakis / DiMera war? Lexie tells them this is a hospital - this is highly inappropriate. One of the reporters asks if it is appropriate that their mayor is married to a DiMera. Lexie tells Maxine to call security. Abe tells them to make an appointment and he'll give them an interview. One of the reporters threatens Abe - if he is compromising City Hall she'll find out. Lexie shakes her head - what have they done? What has her family done?


Morgue - Part 1: Stephanie tells Owen that Melanie doesn't know she's there. Owen asks why she lied to his father then - Melanie must have some reason to think that she could find someone here. Stephanie points out that Melanie is gone. Owen thinks she could be lurking outside. Stephanie tells him not to hurt Melanie. He responds - You haven't left me with a lot of options here. He tells Stephanie that he has to do this because of what she did before - he gets a strip of duct tape ready. His father is upstairs - he can't let him hear her. Stephanie - doesn't that tell you this is wrong. Owen claims he can't stop this now. She says he can. When he is determined to tape over her mouth she tells him there is something she has to tell him about Melanie. She wasn't lying about her grandmother - Melanie told her that she was very sick. And knowing the way Melanie likes to shop she'll probably go to every funeral home in Salem before she decides. There's nothing to worry about. Owen says that Melanie was there and she could come back with Philip - he's going to tape her mouth - Stephanie asks him to please not hurt Melanie. Owen tells her the only way that can happen is if they leave for Canada right now. Stephanie - Obviously I don't have a lot of say in the matter. He wants her to be happy. She understands that he is looking out for her and she appreciates that but she doesn't think there is anything to worry about especially from Melanie. If she had stepped out and Melanie had shook her hand she wouldn't tell Philip that she saw her. She's in love with Philip and more than anything in the world she wants me out of the way. Apparently Stephanie has told Owen some of the ways Melanie tried to keep her away from Philip. Owen says it sounds like Philip didn't do much to get rid of her. Stephanie starts coughing ... water ... please. Owen brings her a bottle of water - she holds up her hands. He unties her and tells her not to try anything. She asks for a handkerchief and dabs her eyes - she didn't mean to break down - it's just the thought of never seeing her parents or baby brother again ... Owen says that maybe after they're in Canada for a while she can call her folks. Stephanie plays him - you'd do that for me? Of course - he wants her to be happy. Stephanie tells him she doesn't have anyone but him - she needs him. He assures her that everything is going to be alright - he promises. She thanks him and kisses him on the cheek. He hugs her - she has her eyes on the gun.

Owen unties her feet and helps her up. Stephanie knows that he is taking care of her. Owen thinks Philip is a fool - he would never fight with her. He thinks Philip has so much that he doesn't see how great she is. She's so beautiful yet so genuine and real - she talks to him and everyone. She talked to him because she likes him. Her mom was always talking to her about Philip and how he treats girls. She tells Owen that her mom would really like him. Sometimes ... if only she had met her first. Owen tells her it doesn't matter now - he kisses her. As they kiss Stephanie reaches for the gun. As soon as she has it in her grasp Owen grabs her hand and takes it away from her - how could she do that to him? Stephanie tells him it's not what he thinks. The gun scares her - she thought it could go off. After Philip was shot guns terrify her. He has to keep the gun but he's not going to hurt her. He can't let anyone else hurt her either that's why he has to go out there and see if anyone else is around. She asks him to please not hurt Melanie - she's tired of people getting hurt. He is too that is why it's going to stop soon. He goes to a cabinet and pours something into a paper cup - he's making sure she stays safe. It tastes a bit bitter but he wants her to drink it. She doesn't know what it is - she's not going to drink it. He holds up the gun - she shouldn't have let him know how scared of this she is. What's in the cup won't hurt her but he might - she's not on his good side right now. Stephanie drinks it. What's it going to do? He tells her it will make her go to sleep. He's going to put her in the drawer - don't worry, he drilled holes in it so she'll be able to breathe. She falls unconscious. Owen puts her on the tray and puts her in the drawer.


Brady pub - Part 2: Rafe thinks it's great that Sami and Grace have the same smile. She tells him to keep it down - she knows from experience that these walls have ears. Rafe says a little louder - It sure is nice getting to know your family. Sami laughs - yeah because my Grandma was so totally sweet to you. Rafe completely understands where she's coming from - as long as she keeps feeding him, he's fine. Sami says he's going to win her over. She's going to be crazy about him just like she and Grace are. Nicole walks in and says you look up domestic bliss in the dictionary and there's a picture of all three of you. Sami asks her what she wants. Nicole shrugs - she just thought they looked so cute - like this perfect little family. Rafe says they are a family. Nicole asks if they got married. Rafe meant he was adopting Grace. Sami says that's none of her business. Rafe says she's right - it's none of her husband's business but she might as well tell him - Sami has back-up now and Grace has a Dad. Nicole is sorry that they feel the need to be so hostile over such lovely news. She's happy for them ... Sami says Nicole doesn't care about anything unless there's something in it for her. She's up to something and she is going to find out what it is. Nicole guesses that all that time in witness protection made her paranoid. Sami isn't buying her happy routine. Nicole claims that she really is happy for them - she doesn't want to ruin their good news. She congratulates Rafe - he has a beautiful daughter - she leaves them. Sami can't believe that Rafe told her - she thinks he just wanted EJ to find out. Rafe smiles - yeah I did but there's another reason and when she thinks about it she's going to agree with him. The adoption will help on a lot of levels. She doesn't want Nicole poking around in her life, right? Sami agrees. Rafe thinks Nicole does that mainly because of what Sami had with EJ. The reason Nicole was happy about the adoption was because she could see that Sami wasn't focused on EJ - she likes that. Sami agrees that make sense but she's known Nicole for a long time and she knows how she operates. This wasn't just about me - she's up to something; something is happening and I just don't know what it is.


Java Cafe - Part 2: Mia joins Will - she's sorry she took off like that. She finally told her cousin to back off. Will asks if that is the cousin she lives with. Yeah and her cousin's boyfriend lives there too. Will asks if it's a big place. No, only a one bedroom. She sleeps on the couch. She doesn't like it there - the guy treats her like a boarder. Will asks if she could live somewhere else? She answers - yeah, on the streets. Will - what about your parents. Mia wants to change the subject. Will asks if she wants some coffee. She thinks they have done the coffee thing to death - it's time to expand their horizons. Come with her. They're back at the cafe - Will is wearing a silly hat - he lost a bet to her so he has to wear it for 3 hours. He suggests they go to the batting cage and bet about that. He realises that won't be fair so why don't they go - no bet, he'll just teach her how to play. He finally convinces to go with him and they leave again.


Waterfront - Part 2: Will tells Mia that she wasn't terrible - she's just a rookie - once she works on her coordination ... Mia scoffs - she is poetry in motion - she can move better than he ever could. She pushes him down on the bench and tells him to watch - she does some dance moves and tells him to try. He thinks there is nothing to it but ends up tripping and falling into her arms.


DiMera mansion: Nicole is talking to Sami's daughter - she's feeling pretty good about things - now she can focus on giving EJ's daughter a good life but first she has to get him out of jail.


Morgue - Part 2: Owen's father comes in and calls out for Owen. He notices that one of the drawers isn't closed - the one with Stephanie inside - he heads towards it. He's leaning on the door of the drawer talking to a supplier on the phone. The two guys that picked up Philip come in with the delivery. Owen's father says he wasn't expecting them today - he checks the paperwork - it's in order but he had no indication to expect a delivery this morning. It's not on his list - so they're going to have to take it back. Outside in the cemetery Owen comes up behind Melanie and Brady and knocks Brady out with the gun than points it at Melanie.


Preview: Philip (thinking to himself) - I've got to get out of here before Owen gets back. I've got to find Stephanie. Owen holding the gun on Melanie - If you and Brady are here, where's Philip? Kate to Victor - You just need to find Stephanie, you need to find Philip and you need to clean this mess up. Maggie to Lucas - I have nothing to hide Lucas. Lucas - You know something. There's something you're not telling me. I can feel it.

****************************************
Friday May 29
Java Cafe: Lucas finds Maggie there - he's been looking for her - he also left her a message, didn't she get it. Maggie tells him she's very busy. She tries to leave but Lucas starts talking about Kate and Chloe. Maggie reminds him she doesn't know why Kate changed her mind about Chloe - she's as baffled as he is. Lucas doesn't think that is true. He's starting to remember things about the night he fell off the wagon - he remembers what she told him at the Cheating Heart. He admits it's a little hazy but he remembers her saying that she knew more. Maggie tells him she has nothing to hide but if her answers don't satisfy him ... Lucas knows she knows more - he can feel it. Chloe walks in - is she interrupting. Lucas says they were talking about the night he fell off the wagon about something Aunt Maggie told him. Chloe - So what about the night you relapsed? He's remembering something Aunt Maggie told him. Maggie says what happened that night is in the past. Isn't it time he let it go and focused on the future - she points at Chloe. Chloe agrees with Maggie - her cell rings. It's Daniel. She answers - Daniel is looking for Lucas so she hands the phone to him. Daniel tells him that Victor wants him at the mansion - it's about Philip. Lucas tells Chloe what the call is about - she tells him she'll meet him there - she has a few things to take care of. Lucas leaves after telling Maggie they will talk later. Chloe thanks Maggie. Maggie says don't - it seems like Lucas is starting to remember. It's just a matter of time before he learns the truth - that you betrayed him with Daniel. Chloe won't let that happen. She made a promise to God to give up Daniel. Maggie knows she has been faithful to Lucas since she made her deal with God but it doesn't change what happened before - she cheated on Lucas while they were engaged and if he finds out ... Chloe - he'll leave me. Maggie tells her to think positive. Chloe thinks it's just matter of time before this blows up in her face. Maggie says not necessarily. The one thing they know is that Kate loves her son - she wants to see him happy. If he's happy with her Kate is not going to risk upsetting him and potentially losing him just so she can tell him what happened. Chloe prays that she's right and that Lucas doesn't remember.


Kiriakis mansion - Part 1: Kate arrives and is surprised to see Daniel there. He's waiting for Victor - he's on the phone in the study. Kate deduces that something is wrong. Daniel tells her it's Philip - he's in trouble. Apparently the police are after him - there was some kind of sting operation on the pier - when the police got there Philip took off. Kate wonders why no one called her. Victor walks in and says because they had the situation under control until Brady screwed everything up. Victor asks Daniel to excuse them for a moment - he asks Daniel to call Lucas and ask him to come to the house. After Daniel leaves the room Victor tells Kate it may be better if she doesn't know the whole story. Kate wants to know it all. Victor tells her they kidnapped Stefano in retaliation - they took Stephanie as a negotiating ploy. Kate asks why Stephanie - her and Philip are just dating. Victor realises she doesn't know so he tells her that Philip and Stephanie are engaged. Kate is taken aback. Victor says they brokered an exchange and let Stefano go. Kate assumes Stephanie is alright. Victor - No, DiMera's guy decided to go rogue - he's not sure why - holding out for a bigger payday or something else. Kate asks if he thinks she is hurt. He doesn't know. She asks where Philip is. He tells her after Brady went to Bo the cops decided to pull a sting operation so Philip took off - he's on the run all because Brady had to be a hero. Kate barks that Brady probably did what he thought was right. Victor tells her they are doing everything they can. She tells him he has to do more. He will but she has to promise not to say anything to Daniel or Lucas about the kidnapping or about what's going on. Kate assumes Daniel already knows because he's the one that told her about Philip. Victor replies that Daniel knows what everyone else knows - once the police got involved it went public. Kate tells him he needs to find Stephanie, he needs to find Philip and he needs to clean this mess up. He needs her to promise to be discreet.

Lucas arrives and talks to his mom about Billie - Kate says the rehab is intense but Chelsea is with her pretty much around the clock - the doctors say she'll make a full recovery. Kate - How is it that all of my children are facing such terrible adversary. Lucas gives her a puzzled look - the way he sees it he's a lucky guy - so is Austin; Austin has Carrie and he has Chloe - at least some things are working out. Victor answers the door - it's Chloe. He invited her husband not the village slut. Chloe is there to support her husband - Lucas joins them. Chloe tells him she needs a minute alone. Lucas wants to know what Victor said to her. Victor shrugs - he told her she was always welcome in his home. Lucas goes after Chloe. Kate tells Victor that they have to find Philip before it's too late. All of them are in the living room now. Victor assembled them all to discuss the situation with Philip. He knows they are all concerned but he has to ask him them to stay calm and stay out of it. They're handling this situation internally so that means no police. Chloe wonders why Brady isn't there. Victor - My grandson is dead to me. He made an unfortunate decision and I can't afford any of those, personal or professional. That's all he has to say for now. Daniel goes to Victor to talk about Brady - Victor tells him to stay out of it. Daniel refuses because he cares about this family. I'm your godson - you've taken very good care of me. Victor's noticed the way he's repaid him -first my granddaughter, then Kate and now the town slut. Daniel feels sorry for him - he's become a bitter, angry man. Daniel hopes that Philip is safe and that he finds him very soon. He walks away - both Chloe and Kate watch.


Morgue/ Cemetery/ Mausoleum/Funeral Parlor: Owen's father tells the delivery men he doesn't care what orders they got - this corpse is not on his list. The delivery guys don't understand what the problem is - their paperwork is in order. Owen's father will see if he can find some other forms that will clear this up - he's going to check inside the body bag to see if the hospital put something in there. Philip wonders what the hell is going on out there. One of the guys tells Owen's father that there's no problem. They're way behind schedule - they'll give him 30 seconds; after that they'll take his client off his hands and leave him to deal with the family when they find out he refused delivery - no big deal. Owen's father caves - losing business is a big deal - so is the possibility of a lawsuit. He signs the form. The guys leave. He mutters - Owen wants to learn the ropes; let him handle this client. Philip is thinking that he has to get out of there before Owen gets back - he has to find Stephanie. Stephanie stirs. Philip wrestles with the zipper on the body bag but stops when he hears Owen's father return calling out for Owen. Owen's dad talks to himself - until Owen gets back this cadaver will have to wait to be embalmed. He checks the form - wait a second - he puts his glasses on - What? This guy is supposed to be cremated. Owen's father paces and yells - he hates these glasses. Is the box for Cremated filled in - or is it just a big fat ink blot. He decides to wait to hear from the family. Til then he'll store this stiff in a drawer. He puts Philip in the drawer next to Stephanie. Philip - Looks like I finally caught a break - he starts working on the zipper. He's having problems with the zipper - Just think Philip - All you have to do is unzip this thing from the inside and you're out of here - then you find Stephanie. He works on the zipper again. Stephanie starts moaning - Philip hears.

Melanie tends to Brady - she looks at Owen - My God, you do have Stephanie, don't you? Owen cocks his gun - he's not going to let the two of them mess it up for him. Melanie tells him there is no need to point a gun at them. Owen is only doing what he has to do to ensure no one is around when he leaves with Stephanie. Wait - if she and Brady are here, where's Philip? Melanie says she doesn't know. Owen tells her not to lie to him - he knows she was at the funeral home snooping around. Melanie admits that she was with Philip - she asked him to help her find her friend Stephanie but he wanted to do things his own way. Owen asks if she thinks he's an idiot - she doesn't even like Stephanie Johnson - the only reason she is doing this is to help Philip. Melanie goes on a tirade - she's doing this because she's a human being - she cares about her fellow man. Everyone thinks she is shallow and insensitive and she doesn't understand why because she isn't. If Stephanie and Philip want to be together and they love each who is she to stand in their way - she's trying to do the right thing. Owen understands her motives but it's too late, she can't help Stephanie now. Melanie asks him what he means. Owen - It's over for you two. Brady comes too - he tells Melanie he's okay. Owen is sorry he had to hit him but he stuck his nose where it doesn't belong. Melanie tells Brady that Owen has Stephanie - he's probably hiding her in the funeral home. Brady wants to talk about this but Owen says no more talking. He has to get rid of the two of them before anyone sees them. He tells them to move. Melanie unclips her hospital badge and leaves it behind. They arrive at a crypt - Owen tells them to get inside. Brady - You can't be serious? Owen - You should feel right at home in your family crypt - all these fresh-cut flowers - it's beautiful in here. Melanie - You're going to lock us in here? Owen - Since no one comes to visit the dead very often you two should have a lot of quiet time together - enjoy. He leaves and locks them inside. Brady tells Melanie it's locked from the outside - there's no other way - he looked. Melanie - OMG - we're going to die in here. Brady says they're going to be found - trust him. They'll be found because of her - dropping her hospital badge was brilliant. Melanie asks - what if they think it's trash. Melanie goes to her purse and pulls out her cell phone - maybe Owen isn't as smart as he thinks he is. Brady tells her that she won't get reception - the walls are too thick, the crypt is at the bottom of a hill - there's no cell phone towers around. She tells him he's right and Owen was right - no one ever comes down here. Brady - what about Philip. Melanie answers that Philip is in a body bag in a morgue and if someone discovers him he's as dead as they are. Brady tells her not to count Philip out - he's resourceful - they need to focus. Melanie - What we need is a jackhammer. Melanie reads one of the names and says sorry no one comes to visit you very often but we're here now and we may be permanently moving in.

Philip is still working on the zipper. He hears the moans again - Stephanie is that you. Stephanie doesn't answer. Philp finally gets the zipper undone. He calls out for Stephanie again - Stephanie hears him but doesn't respond. In the funeral parlor Owen's father picks up a picture - Oh Owen, why can't you be more like your brother. Owen comes in. When his father asks him where he's been he says out, what's the big deal. His dad tells him a corpse was delivered - out of the blue - did he know anything about this? Did someone give him instructions for this body? In the morgue Stephanie cries. Philip calls out her name but she cries and shakes her head. Philip - Stephanie it's me, where are are you?


Waterfront: Will and Mia are just about to kiss when they are interrupted by Jamie, Mia's cousin. Mia introduces the two of them and then Will leaves. After he leaves Mia says he's so nice, so cute and sweet. Jamie asks her if she's out of her freakin' mind. Mia tells her to chill - he's just a friend. Jamie asks 'like your last friend?' Mia insists that this is different - she's different. Mia is going to leave but Jamie stops her. Mia tells her that what happened last time isn't going to happen again. Jamie agrees because she's never going to see that kid anymore. Mia argues that she is not the same girl she was a year ago - her and Will are just getting to know each other. Jamie asks her to shut up and let her talk. Her lease is up on the apartment. She and Travis are leaving town so either she finds a new place to live or she moves back in with her mother - her choice. Mia asks why she would even suggest that. Jamie - Because it's free. Mia says it's a horrible idea. Jamie tells her that either she goes there or she's on her own. Mia thanks her for being so understanding in a sarcastic tone. Jamie says it's not like she can afford to pay her rent - she has money issues herself. Mia tells her it's okay - it's just that she doesn't know what she's going to do. Jamie wishes she could help - she's really sorry. She leaves. Maggie comes along and asks Mia if she's alright. Mia says she's fine - it's nothing. Maggie realises that she doesn't really know Mia but she can tell it's not nothing - does she want to tell her what's going on. Mia says her cousin just hit her with some really bad news - she's going to have to quit school and leave Salem. But she can't - she made all these friends, it's almost summer break - her life is here now. Maggie is so sorry. Mia - How am I going to tell him? Maggie asks if she means Will. Mia says he's been so nice to her and if she leaves she'll never know what might have happened. He'll forget about her. Maggie says no, of course he won't - who could forget her?


Brady pub: Will's friend Tad joins him at the pub - they talk school and girls. Will wonders why 'T' hangs out with Kinsie - she's a bitch. T tells him to lay off her - she's not his girlfriend but they live practically next door to each other. Will drops it. T asks about Mia. Will says she's just a friend just like Kinsie is your friend except Mia is really nice - she doesn't go around talking trash about everybody. T says she may be nice but it's not that she doesn't have her problems too. Will says Mia had problems - she doesn't anymore. It's Kinsie that's making trouble for her by talking trash behind her back - Will accuses T of being right there with Kinsie. T says when Kinsie starts that he tells her to shut the hell up. He's Will's friend and if he's into Mia he thinks that is cool. Will thanks him. T leaves after making some plans for the weekend. After he leaves Will thinks of the almost kiss. Next time he sees her it's got to be right, the setting, everything ... yeah, that's it ... he leaves.


Kiriakis mansion - Part 2: Lucas tells Kate that Victor could at least try and be civil with Chloe. He's sick of Victor always insulting and humiliating her - he wants Kate to talk to Victor. Will comes in and greets Lucas and Kate - he looks around - did he miss something. Victor tells him his father will fill him in later. Victor is going to get something - Will goes after him. He asks if it would be okay if he brought some friends over to use the pool. Victor tells him to check with Henderson first to make sure he's going to be there. Will thanks him. Chloe returns and tells Lucas she was calling Caroline to check up on Allie - there was no answer. She's going to try again so she goes into the foyer. Will asks Lucas why everyone is so upset - what's going on? Lucas says the usual drama - what brings him by? Will just wanted to ask Mr. Kiriakis if he and his friends could use the pool. Lucas figures that there is someone Will wants to impress - like a girl, like the girl that was at his baseball game. Chloe finishes talking to Caroline as Victor walks by. He is very insulting - Chloe tries to remain calm but Victor gets to her - Chloe insults him. They trade barbs until Chloe has had enough and walks away. Kate joins Daniel on the terrace - is he alright - Victor was out of line. Daniel is just rattled - Brady is a good man and if he raised some kind of alarm about this thing with Philip he's sure he had good reason. Kate goes inside to make herself a drink. Chloe comes on to the terrace crying - Daniel asks her what is wrong. She says everything - she can't take it anymore and throws herself into his arms. Lucas teases Will - Will insists they are just friends - Lucas persists with the teasing. Will says remind me to never talk to you about girls again. Lucas tells him to relax - he was just teasing. Will has to go and call someone - he leaves. Chloe cries - he's just so evil, sadistic and mean. Daniel tells her to not let Victor get to her. Chloe - Just when she thinks everything is going her way everything starts to fall apart. Daniel takes her in his arms - Kate comes out and sees them - they turn to face her.


Preview: Lucas to Chloe (with Kate and Daniel there) - Come on. What is this? A joke? Tell me what's going on. What, are you guys keeping something from me? Melanie to Brady - You and I both know that if we die today I'm going to hell. Stephanie to Philip - What are you going to do if they try and embalm you? Philip - If I could just figure a way to get out of this drawer.