Bo & Hope #83 March 13 - June 20, 2012: 8 hour original edit

#83A 3/13 At the hospital, Billie sat at Bo's bedside and talked to him. When the phone rang, Billie answered it and was surprised to hear Hope on the other end of the line. As Hope asked Billie why she was in Bo's hospital room, Bo had a seizure. Billie called for help as Hope listened helplessly. While Lexie worked on Bo, a panicked Billie picked up the phone receiver and said, "Oh, my God, Hope. I think we're losing him!"

In her hotel in Alamania, Hope called out to her husband, but the line went dead. Scared, Hope attempted to call Billie on her cell phone, but she could not place any calls. John explained that the phones in Alamania were down and that they could not make any calls. Upset, Hope broke down in tears and explained that she heard Billie say that Bo was dying. Confused, John asked Hope why Billie was in Salem.

Hope ignored John's question and hugged him for comfort. John pushed Hope away and held her shoulders firmly so that he could look her in the eye. John urged Hope to calm down. Scared, Hope noted that Billie had said that Bo was dying. John promised to get Hope back to Salem. With her mind set on going home, Hope opened the laptop computer to review John's plan to break into the courthouse. Nodding, John leaned over Hope's shoulder and talked her through the plan to steal their passports back.

John and Hope packed their supplies and climbed out the hotel window. When they got to the courthouse, John worked on the bolts securing the bars to the window as Hope kept her eye on the guards patrolling the grounds. Once the bolts to bars on the window of the courthouse were removed, John studied the alarm system on the window. As Hope examined the alarm system, she was struck by memories of Princess Gina's life as an art thief. Hope remembered a work-around and gave John a stick of gum to chew.

Once the gum was soft, Hope used it to dampen the wire connections on the alarm. John cracked open the window, and they climbed into the room. Hope sprayed shaving cream on the security camera, then she picked the padlock on the filing cabinet. John worked on the second lock on the filing cabinet, while Hope urged him to hurry. Once John cracked open the filing cabinet, they frantically searched for the passports. As John and Hope focused on their search, someone turned on the lights in the office. At Salem hospital, Lexie worked to resuscitate Bo. Lexie ordered Billie to leave the room. Billie pulled out her cell phone and frantically attempted to call Hope as she paced in the hallway outside Bo's room.

3/14 John had just managed to break open the file cabinet in the Alamainian government office where he and Hope believed their passports were being kept, when suddenly the lights turned on in the dark room. "Looking for something?" Stefano asked, holding up their passports. He warned John and Hope that there were "gentlemen" waiting in the hallway in case they tried to flee. Hope accused Stefano of being responsible for what had happened to Bo, but Stefano pointed out that he would have been subtler about it if he'd wanted to harm Bo.

Stefano added that although he was sorry about Bo, Hope would never be able to get a flight home to Salem. John pointed out that he and Hope wouldn't even be in Alamainia if not for Stefano, and wondered why DiMera had set the whole thing up. Hope appealed to the romantic in Stefano, and pleaded with him to let her return home to Bo. When sirens began to sound in the distance, Stefano maintained that it was too late. John apologized to Hope for ignoring his instincts that their plan might backfire. Stefano offered to have his men distract the police until he could get John and Hope out of there. John was suspicious that Stefano might lead them into another trap, but he and Hope reluctantly agreed to leave with Stefano.

As they arrived back at John and Hope's hotel room, Hope thanked Stefano, and then ordered him to return their passports. Stefano politely refused, but tried to reassure Hope that Bo would be fine with Lexie's care. John asked what Stefano needed to keep the passports for. Stefano replied that he had a job for the two of them, but he would only divulge details when they needed to know them. Hope demanded, "Why are you doing this to us?"

Stefano replied lightly, "Because it's fun." As Stefano was leaving, John offered to do whatever Stefano wanted if Stefano would allow Hope to return to her husband. Stefano stated that he needed both Hope and John for the job. Stefano then left, and as soon as the door had closed behind him, a furious Hope hurled her bag at the door with a roar of frustration.

3/15 -3/20 no B&H

3/21 Marlena arrives at the pub and greets Kayla, they are gathering for a prayer Mass they are holding for Bo (though we don’t see the Mass). Caroline approaches them and Kayla fusses at her mother as she is supposed to be resting. Caroline admitted that she was feeling restless because of the uncertainty of Bo's situation. Kayla urged her mom to take care of herself and reminds her that is what Bo would want. Gesturing determinedly with her rosary beads, Caroline insisted that they all had to be strong for Bo.

As Carrie and Sami argue over the men in their lives, Marlena interrupted to thunderously remind everyone that Bo was fighting for his life; she lambasted everyone for their selfishness, and for airing their differences in public. Marlena urged everyone to think about what Caroline was going through. "This family is in pain. They need you. They need you all. And you should all be ashamed of yourselves," Marlena concluded. Sami and Carrie apologized wordlessly to their grandmother. Rafe knelt in front of Caroline, and expressed his regret for what had happened, as well as his sympathy about Bo.

A phone call from the hospital to Kayla interrupted everyone's conversations, and the family waited anxiously while Kayla got an update on Bo's condition. When Kayla hung up, she reported that Bo was stable, which Marlena and Caroline seemed to think was great news, although Sami couldn't hide her disappointment that it wasn't better news. Caroline announced that it was a good time for everyone to head to the church. As Lucas escorted Sami out, Caroline observed tearfully, "It's really hard when everybody you love is suffering so much." With the pub closed, the group left for the church.

3/22 In Alamainia, Stefano issued some instructions to one of his henchmen, Martin. Stefano warned Martin that John and Hope were formidable opponents, and that it would be important to catch them off-guard. Later, in John and Hope's hotel room, John carried a half-eaten tray of food into the hallway. Martin emerged from a nearby hiding spot, and he plunged a syringe into John's back. John struggled with Martin, but he quickly lost consciousness. Hope entered the room, and she saw that someone was standing over John's body. Hope tried to escape, but Martin managed to subdue her. Hope and John were taken to an unknown location. After John and Hope regained consciousness, Stefano's image appeared on a television monitor. John warned that he and Hope weren't interested in playing Stefano's games.

"But you are my two favorite players," Stefano said with a laugh. John and Hope ignored Stefano's comment, and they started to leave the room. Martin entered the room, and he pointed a gun at John and Hope. Stefano warned that Martin's aim was impeccable, and he suggested that Hope and John might want to reconsider. John said that he could handle Martin. "I'm well aware of your capabilities, John, after all, I did create you, huh? My pawn. You know, the two of you are an unbeatable team," Stefano observed. Stefano urged John and Hope to try to escape, and he warned that they wouldn't get very far.

Stefano claimed that Hope and John were miles away from civilization. Hope demanded to know what Stefano wanted. Stefano explained that he needed John and Hope to help him complete a special project. John guessed that there had to be a catch. "No catch, I will spell out all of my terms up front. Now, either you assist me, or guess. And, of course, Bo and Marlena will think that you chose to stay on your lovely honeymoon forever," Stefano said. Hope and John refused to help Stefano. Stefano sighed, then he signaled for Martin to kill John and Hope.

3/23 In the dank cell in Alamainia, Stefano's henchman, Martin, held a gun on John and Hope, while Stefano gave orders via video chat. John stated his belief that Stefano needed his captives alive in order to carry out whatever his plan was, and therefore would not kill them. Stefano hinted that he had been responsible for the attack on Bo, and Hope became furious. Stefano warned Hope that she and John could help him or suffer the consequences. Hope accused Stefano of being a coward, and John demanded to know what DiMera wanted. Stefano stated that John and Hope would do what he wanted, because they knew what the consequences would be if they did not. He produced a picture of Marlena and held it up to the camera. John asserted that Stefano would never hurt Marlena. Stefano showed John a live video feed from Horton Square, where Marlena was having coffee, to prove that he was serious. He maintained that he would never harm his "queen of the night," but he could not vouch for the man approaching Marlena just then.

On cue, a man walked up to Marlena in the square, and handed her a tulip, declaring that it was as beautiful as she was. Marlena flinched a little, obviously sensing that the man had ulterior motives. Marlena politely told the man that she was happily married, and then left. John and Hope watched worriedly as the man followed Marlena, while Stefano cautioned, "Marlena doesn't even know that she's in danger, and she won't, until it's too late."

3/26 In Alamainia, John and Hope watched helplessly as one of Stefano's goons stalked Marlena. The man followed Marlena into a secluded part of the Horton Town Square, then he retrieved a gun and pointed it at her back. John sighed defeatedly, and he agreed to help Stefano. After a few tense seconds, the thug quietly walked away, and Stefano's image appeared on the television monitor. John reiterated that he would help Stefano, but he added that he had two conditions. John said that he wanted Stefano to stay away from Marlena, and that he wanted Hope to return to Salem immediately. Stefano agreed to grant John's first request, but he refused to honor the second request. Stefano explained that he needed John and Hope's help. Hope assured John that she would be fine, and she agreed to help. "Years ago, when Hope was Princess Gina, and you, John, were a worthy pawn, I gave the two of you an assignment to steal a particular item of great value, and bring it to me. You succeeded in stealing this item, but you never delivered it to me, you kept it for yourselves, and you hid it. Where it is has yet to be found," Stefano explained. Hope wondered what she and John had allegedly stolen.

"Well, see, I have a collection of priceless Anastasia eggs. Individually, each one is worth at least, well a great deal, but as a set, the value soars. Now, I am one piece short of completing the set, because the two of you decided to go rogue. You owe me," Stefano said. Stefano showed Hope and John a photograph of an ornate egg. John and Hope huddled together and started to whisper. John announced that he and Hope would not be able to help Stefano. Stefano was furious, and he wondered if he needed to send his goon after Marlena again. John clarified that he and Hope were not reneging on their deal.

"It's just that your plan's not gonna work, because we have no memory whatsoever of your priceless egg, and we don't remember stealing it, so therefore, we can't remember where we might have hid it," John explained. Stefano said that he had hoped that the photograph would have triggered a memory. Hope assured Stefano that the photograph hadn't helped at all. Stefano admitted that he had considered that possibility, and he revealed that he had prepared a backup plan. "I was not sure whether you would retain any memory of that phase in your lives, so I retained an expert who can help. Shouldn't be all that difficult to transform you into the people that you were when you stole my priceless objet d'art," Stefano said. Hope said that Stefano was completely insane. Stefano shrugged, and he wondered if John and Hope had a better solution.

Agent Spencer and Billie meet up.

3/27 In Stefano's prison, John and Hope lamented agreeing to Stefano's plan to revert to their old personas and steal for him. Hope was concerned that Stefano wanted to mess with their minds, but John noted that they did not have a choice. "We are keeping the people we love alive," John reminded Hope. Unsure, Hope was worried that she would forget Bo. Hope screamed out to Stefano, and she demanded that Stefano show her proof that Bo was alive. When there was no response, John pulled Hope away from the bars and sat her down on the cot. John reminded Hope that the video of Marlena proved that Bo was alive. John explained that if Bo had died, then Marlena's demeanor in the video would have been different.

3/28 Billie phoned Agent Spencer to inform him that she was moving into the DiMera mansion that day. Spencer wanted to make sure that Billie knew what to do once she was there. "Prove that the DiMeras framed John, and that they stole pensions," Billie explained, and assured Spencer that she would look for any sort of evidence she could get her hands on.

3/29 In Alamainia, John wondered how he and Hope could be sure that Stefano would restore their true personalities after they had recovered the Anastasia egg. Stefano grinned mischievously, and he said that John and Hope were just going to have to trust him. Stefano wondered if John and Hope were ready to begin, and they reluctantly agreed. Stefano claimed that the procedure was painless. A tall, bald-headed man entered the room, and John jokingly asked if the man was Rolf's brother. Stefano refused to tell John and Hope the man's name, but he explained that the man was a famous hypnotist.

"What he is going to do is put you in a receptive state, hmm? And then with, uh, medically safe gas, now, what it's gonna do is, it's gonna knock you out just a little bit, but what it's gonna, it's gonna open your mind to both Princess Gina and the Pawn, see? So that they can come back," Stefano explained. John skeptically wondered if it was really going to be that simple.

"Actually, yes. Bear in mind, you've already spent a good deal of time living these alternate lives. Your subconscious still retains all you've done and been through. They just need a bit of jogging to bring these old personalities to the surface. The key to our success today will be your willingness to become the people you once were," the hypnotist explained, revealing a slight accent. Stefano added that he was going to use a trigger. John reminded Stefano that Marlena had erased all of the verbal triggers that Stefano had implanted in John's brain. Stefano said that there was one thing that Marlena had missed. Stefano pulled out a silver compact that was engraved with the letter G. Stefano wondered if Hope and John recognized it. Hope eyed the compact apprehensively. Stefano explained that it was an exact replica of Princess Gina's compact. Stefano said that he was pleased to be able to give Hope the compact. Hope snapped that she didn't want Stefano's gifts. The hypnotist observed that John and Hope did not seem ready and willing to proceed, but Stefano insisted that they were.

A short time later, John and Hope were sitting on the floor with their backs against the wall, and they each seemed slightly dazed. Stefano wondered if John and Hope had been hypnotized yet. "Well, apparently not, because I despise you now more than ever," John dryly stated. Meanwhile, Hope quietly urged Bo to hold on, and she promised that she would be back in Salem soon. Stefano wondered why the procedure wasn't working. The hypnotist explained that John and Hope were each exhibiting strong signs of resistance. The hypnotist said that he could administer more gas, but he warned that it might be dangerous to do so. "I don't give a damn, do it!" Stefano growled.

Later, the hypnotist announced that he had given John and Hope the maximum amount of gas that he could safely administer. Stefano wondered if Hope and John could hear him. The hypnotist nodded, and he explained that John and Hope were more susceptible than they had ever been before. The hypnotist exited the room, and Stefano started to talk to Hope and John in a manner that suggested that they were at a public gathering.

"What a beautiful night it is! And Princess Gina, you are absolutely ravishing tonight, and, you know, it's so good to see this lovely gentleman sitting right next to you. You are a striking couple; the minute you walk into a room, all eyes are upon you. What is that? What is that I hear, huh? Music. Ah, yes, music, it's beautiful. It's the kind of music that you can dance to and if I remember correctly, you two, you love to dance," Stefano said, as Hope and John started to recall memories of their lives as Princess Gina and the Pawn. Hope opened her eyes. "Ah, la principessa. Ah, such a delight to see you again. You know, it's been far, far too long. Look, you've had such a tough journey. Maybe you're tired; would you like to get a little rest at the hotel?" Stefano asked. Hope started to exit the room, but Stefano reminded her that she had forgotten her compact.

"Thank you. You do know how I hate going anywhere without it. And Steffy, time certainly has stood still for you, you are as dapper as ever," Princess Gina said, as she kissed Stefano on the cheek. Gina started to leave, but Stefano stopped her again. "Oh, Principessa, you have forgotten something else or should I say someone else," Stefano said, as he gestured to John. Gina and John recognized each other, and Stefano gleefully watched as his creations shared a passionate kiss.

3/30 In Alamainia, Stefano interrupted a passionate kiss between Hope and John to welcome back "Princess Gina" and "the Pawn." Stefano's creations wanted to know where they had been, and why Stefano had wanted them back. Stefano informed them that it was 2012, and they were in Alamainia. Gina and John seemed taken aback that so much time had passed. Stefano then announced that he needed a rather large favor from Gina and the Pawn. John and Gina wanted to know if there were something in it for them. Stefano explained that Gina and John had stolen, and hidden, a one of a kind egg from czarist Russia that was supposed to have completed Stefano's collection. John and Gina noted that if they had stolen it, they would be sipping champagne on a beach somewhere. Stefano threatened to make them both disappear again if they did not do as he commanded. John pointed out, "If you wipe out our memories, you're never going to get your egg, because you won't know where we hid it."

Stefano pointedly warned his captives, "If you don't do what I say, the last time you were together will be the last time you were together." Gina and John proposed a compromise: they would retrieve the egg, and then they would tell "Steffy" what they wanted in return. Stefano reluctantly agreed. He advised Gina and John that a car would take them to the hotel, where there were clothes for them, and cash to complete their job, which they had 48 hours to carry out.

As Gina and the Pawn entered their hotel room a bit later, Stefano watched via hidden camera. On the phone, Stefano made certain that all traces of John Black and Hope Brady had been removed from their room. Gina and John complained that the hotel was a dump, but, thrilled to finally be alone, they began kissing passionately. Soon, John pulled away, and suggested, "Let's go to work." He began searching the room for hidden cameras, while Gina smoked meditatively, using a long cigarette holder.

John spotted a camera behind a mirror, and yanked it out of the wall. "My pawn is clever, but not as smart as his king," Stefano remarked to himself as he switched the video feed to a different camera. Gina soon found a bug attached to the bottom of a lamp, and dropped it into a vase of flowers, shaking it to make sure the bug went into the water. Knowing that Stefano likely had backup video equipment, John began searching again. Astute Gina knew right away where to find the last camera: hidden behind the painting of the famous Russian egg they were to retrieve. She smiled mischievously and blew smoke into the tiny camera, then pulled it out of the wall. Cursing, Stefano slammed down the remote. He quickly called his henchman, Martin, and ordered him not to let Gina or John out of his sight.

A little later, John and Hope's transformation into their Stefano controlled alter egos was evidently complete, as John had donned a tuxedo, and Gina wore a pale lavender ball gown, complete with jeweled tiara in her blond-streaked hair. After they admired one another, Gina kissed John, and declared, "It's so much easier when you are not pretending to be Father John, and I do not have to keep my hands off you." She then suggested, "We lose Stefano's goons and retrieve the egg, yes?" John countered that they should let Stefano stew for a bit while they had some fun. Martin later reported to Stefano in person that they had lost John and Gina. "You find them, or all kinds of hell is going to break loose!" Stefano ordered vehemently. "I am not going to lose," Stefano vowed to himself after Martin had gone.

4/2 At a casino in Alamainia, a dealer informed Princess Gina that someone had expressed interest in playing a high-stakes card game with her. John, as the Pawn, was anxious to get away from Stefano, but Gina insisted that she wanted to have some fun first. Gina lit a cigarette as she waited for her competitor to arrive. A short time later, Stefano entered the room. Stefano suggested that he and Gina could play a game of Texas Hold 'Em. Gina claimed that she wasn't familiar with that particular game. Stefano offered to choose a different game, but Gina assured Stefano that she was a quick learner, and that she loved to play games.

Later, Gina and John celebrated their winning streak. "My dear, remember, even if you are a little bit ahead right now, that in the very end, I win.” Stefano warned Gina. John wondered if Stefano was confident enough to agree to raise the stakes. "Well, it seems I spent half my lifetime raising the stakes, so why not?" Stefano reasoned with a shrug. The dealer started to shuffle the deck, but John stopped her. John demanded a new dealer, and a sealed deck of cards. Stefano feigned indignation, and he wondered what had happened to John's trust. The new dealer entered the room, and John and Gina each inspected the dealer's deck to confirm that it was legitimate.

Stefano promised that if Gina and John won the game, then he would never bother them again. Stefano added that if he won, then John and Gina would be forced to hand over the Anastasia egg right away. Gina agreed, and she predicted that it would be impossible for her to lose. Gina and Stefano revealed their cards. "Oh, my dear, dear lady, I'm afraid you were wrong, you see, you could lose, and you have. Now go get me my egg," Stefano growled impatiently. Stefano exited the room, and the dealer followed him. In the hallway, Stefano discreetly paid the man for his services.

Meanwhile, Gina and John started to celebrate. "I'm really enjoying the fact that he had no idea that tonight went on exactly as we planned it," John said, as he opened a bottle of champagne.

"We're gonna get that egg, we're gonna sell it, and then you and I are gonna disappear and live the life that we have dreamed of, together,” John said.

4/3 At the casino in Alamainia, John and "Princess Gina" plotted how he would distract Stefano's men so she could go and retrieve the egg. Gina asked John to promise that once they had sold the egg and moved somewhere exotic together, they would not become a boring couple. John vowed that they would never stop having fun. After kissing Gina passionately, John declared that he wanted to head over to the castle to break in, but Gina pointed out that it was always better to wait for an invitation.

Gina's old friend Wilhelm arrived, and the two greeted each other warmly. Wilhelm whispered suggestively to Gina that she should get rid of her friend, indicating John. Gina politely asked John to leave, so he kissed her hand and bade her farewell. Gina then suggested that Wilhelm have the car taken around to the back door, so the two of them could sneak away to his place. Wilhelm willingly agreed. Soon Wilhelm was escorting Gina into his cavernous bedchambers at his castle. Gina looked around admiringly and remarked that nothing had changed in the lovely place. Although Wilhelm was obviously ready for things to get physical, Gina asked for some champagne and caviar first.

As soon as Wilhelm had gone, Gina locked the bedroom door behind him, and then let John in through the terrace. John produced a vial of an over-the-counter sleep medicine, and instructed Gina to pour the entire contents into Wilhelm's drink to knock him out so they could look for the egg. Gina reassured John that she would not let things go too far. When Wilhelm returned, John quickly hid under the bed. When Wilhelm placed the tray of champagne and caviar on a table, Gina noticed that there was only one glass. Wilhelm informed her that he'd quit drinking. As he poured a glass for Gina, she asked why he had quit. Wilhelm claimed that he had merely wanted to lose weight. Gina pleaded with him to have some champagne with her for old times' sake and teased that they could work off the calories later.

Wilhelm gave in, and as he left to fetch another glass, Gina dumped the contents of the vial into her own glass. She called Wilhelm back, insisting that he take her glass, while she drank from the bottle. Amused by her wickedness, Wilhelm clinked his flute against the bottle, and then downed the contents of the glass while Gina sipped from the bottle. In no time, Wilhelm was rolling around on top of Gina on the bed. Finally John could stand it no longer, and popped out from beneath the bed. He swiped the shovel from the set of fireplace tools on the hearth and prepared to knock Wilhelm out with it, but at last, Wilhelm passed out. John popped open a hidden drawer in the room, and removed a small velvet pouch, which he handed to Gina. Eyeing the egg inside, Gina declared breathlessly, "It is perfect, just as I remember it." Gina instructed John to take the egg back to the hotel, and she would meet him there in a few hours and then they could disappear forever.

When Abe and Roman met Marlena at the Brady Pub, she informed them that she still had not been able to reach John or Hope, and Marlena was sure that Stefano was behind it. Roman reminded her that they'd been trying unsuccessfully to locate Hope ever since Bo's beating. Abe and Roman hoped that if they could locate Stefano, it would lead them to John and Hope.

4/4 In "Princess Gina" and "the Pawn's" hotel room in Alamainia, Gina admired the ornately decorated Anastasia egg, which was a glossy red with gold embellishments, and enthused that they had succeeded. "Stefano's prize possession is our ticket out of here. You and I can buy a life in a place where no one shall ever find us," Gina declared, cradling the egg in her palms. John planted a passionate, celebratory kiss on his lover to express his concurrence. Gina slid John's tuxedo jacket off of his shoulders and onto the floor, and pulled him down onto the sofa on top of her.

John continued kissing Gina, and it seemed as if they would make love, until suddenly he noticed something sticking out from under the edge of the rug. He rose to retrieve it, a picture of Marlena, but admitted that he didn't know who the woman in the photo was. Gina asked why, if that were the case, John continued to stare at the picture. John confessed that the woman looked very familiar. In an attempt to return John's attention to her, Gina unzipped her dress and let it slip to the floor. She stepped gracefully out of it, and announced that she was going to take a shower.

Gina invited John to join her, and kissed him on the cheek, but he barely noticed, so focused was he on Marlena's photograph. He finally set the picture down next to the egg on the desk, and headed toward the bathroom, but suddenly images of John and Marlena's entire past flicked, rapid-fire, though his mind, as if on fast-forward. John seemed momentarily dazed, and then he picked up the picture and looked at it again. "Doc," he exclaimed softly. When Gina returned from the shower a bit later, it seemed John's memory had fully returned. Gina kissed him on the neck, and he had to fight to keep from pushing her away. John admitted that while Gina had been in the shower, the egg had distracted him. Gina remarked that Stefano had to be going crazy, wondering what had happened to the egg. She noticed John's frown, and demanded to know if he were having second thoughts. When he didn't answer, she plaintively reminded him that running away together with Stefano's money was what they had always dreamed of.

Fumbling for the right words, John stated that they had to be very careful with their next step, or the other people they loved would get hurt. An utterly baffled Gina anxiously asked what John was talking about. "I'm talking about your husband. I'm talking about Bo," John declared. Hope tearfully professed that John was the only man she had ever loved. "Why are you doing this? Why are you saying all of this?" she demanded, bewildered. John asked "Gina" if she remembered anything about the previous decade, and explained that the reason she couldn't was that she had been living another life, in Salem, with a man named Bo Brady. Covering her face with her hands, Gina shouted that John didn't know what he was talking about. "Damn it, Hope please, you've got to start to remember, because if you don't, Stefano's gonna win!" John pleaded. "What did you call me? Hope? Who the hell is Hope?" Gina shrieked.

Spencer and Billie met up in the town square. She produced the pictures she'd taken of Stefano's files, and divulged, "Our boy is dealing in illegal arms." Spencer noted that the dates on the invoices were right after the Basic Black funds had been embezzled, and asked if Billie's mother knew about what was going on. Billie assured Spencer that Kate was clueless. Both agents wondered why neither John nor Hope had called home or checked in. Spencer and Billie agreed that if Stefano were in Alamainia, John and Hope could be in serious trouble. Billie then revealed that Kate was afraid that Stefano was after John's wife, although Billie wasn't exactly sure why, since Stefano had left John and Marlena alone for so long after marrying Kate.

Spencer admitted that he was having a hard time getting a visa to return to Alamainia, which meant that John was completely on his own. Although Billie asserted that John and Hope could take care of themselves quite well, she was concerned that neither of them had been in touch with their loved ones. Spencer noted that because Alamainia was "pretty lawless," the ISA had to be careful about making contact with John and Hope, lest John and Hope end up dead like Agent Walsh. Spencer urged Billie to put so much pressure on Stefano that he had to return to the U.S. Billie maintained that Stefano would never have left the weapons invoices where they could be so easily found, and she suspected that either he was being set up or someone else was behind the arms deal. She theorized that E.J. was responsible for embezzling the funds and making the weapons deal and he had done it to dethrone his father. "With Stefano off chasing John and Hope in Alamainia, that works just fine for E.J.," Billie concluded. Spencer and Billie agreed that they needed more evidence to convince the higher-ups, and Billie was determined to find it.

4/6 In his hotel room, John showed a picture of Marlena to Princess Gina in an effort to help her recover the memories of her life as Hope. "You're not Princess Gina. She's dead," John stressed. John reminded Gina that she was married to Bo, but Gina scoffed at John's information. Gina begged John to run away with her, but John grabbed Gina by the shoulders and urged her to fight Stefano. Upset, Gina announced that she was going to take a walk. Shaking his head, John apologized, pushed Gina onto a chair, and then he used the phone cord to tie her down. As Gina pleaded with John to set her free, John argued that he was saving Gina's life, then left the room.

When John returned, he carried a computer printout of the front page of the Salem Spectator. On the paper was a photo of Bo with a story about his medical condition. When Gina stared at the photo, John urged Gina to look inside herself and remember her life as Hope. Hope insisted that she loved John, so John kept quietly urging Gina to remember Bo. "Don't let DiMera keep us away from the people we love," John said. John untied Gina and reminded her that Bo called her Fancy Face. "Bo," Hope whispered. As Hope grew teary-eyed and said that she needed to go home to Bo, John hugged her. Over John's shoulder, Hope's face fell, and it was not clear whether she was Gina or Hope. Pleased to see Hope, John held up the Anastasia egg. Hope admitted that she did not remember stealing the egg.

John explained that they had removed all the surveillance devices so that Stefano did not know they had stolen the egg. John said that the added benefit was that Stefano did not know that they were no longer Princess Gina and the Pawn. Stefano knocked on the door, and John urged Hope to play along. Impatient, once John opened the door, Stefano growled at him for taking his time. Hope fumbled with the buttons on John's shirt and noted that they had not been expecting company. Stefano demanded an update on the search for the egg. As Stefano looked about the room, he noticed a crumpled-up piece of paper in the trash. When Stefano retrieved it, he saw that it was a computer printout with Bo's face. Concerned, Stefano demanded to know why they had a photo of Bo.

4/9 In Alamainia, Hope and John continued to pretend that they were Princess Gina and the Pawn. Stefano demanded to know why there was an article about Bo Brady in John and Gina's hotel room. Hope wondered who Bo Brady was. John claimed that a hotel employee had given him the article. John said that he had assumed that it was a bill for the caviar and champagne that he and Gina had ordered, so he had ignored it. John could tell that Stefano was still suspicious, so he offered to call the front desk to ask about the article. Stefano quickly assured John and Gina that there was no need to do that, and he claimed that the hotel staff had probably meant to deliver the paper to someone else. Stefano changed the subject, and he urged John and Gina to find the Anastasia egg right away, so that they could move on with their lives.

Stefano wondered if John and Gina had retrieved the egg yet. Simultaneously, John said no, and Hope said yes. John and Hope quickly clarified that they didn't have the egg yet, but they assured Stefano that they had devised a plan to recover it. "My temper is running very shortnand if I don't have that egg very soon, there are going to be consequences, Alamainian style," Stefano warned John and Gina, then he exited the room. After Stefano left, Hope wondered why John hadn't given Stefano the egg. John warned Hope that they couldn't trust Stefano. John told Hope that they needed some sort of leverage, and he wondered what she knew about the egg. "Anastasia eggs were crafted for the czars of Russia to give to their wives. The trick was for the wife to find the secret compartment with a prize inside. Stefano must want what's inside of the egg," Hope realized. John inspected the egg, but he wasn't able to figure out how to open the hidden compartment. John handed the egg to Hope, and she managed to open it right away. Hope and John gasped as they looked inside the egg.

4/10 In Hope and John's hotel room in Alamainia, they opened the Anastasia egg and found half a gold coin. The side of the coin was engraved with numbers and letters but John was unable to decode the coin. John noted that he did not need to understand the inscription because the coin itself was the only bargaining ship they needed. John and Hope slipped out of the hotel and purchased a replica of the coin they had found inside the egg. Though the coin was not gold, John swiped some gold paint and a carving tool from a store so that they could alter the fake coin to match the real one. When they returned to their hotel room, John started to work on the coin. John explained to Hope that since Stefano did not know what the code was, he could make up a different code to put on the fake one for Stefano.

"Hopefully it will perplex him just long enough that we can make our great escape," John said. John added that if Stefano caught them, they would have the real coin to use as a bargaining chip. While John worked on the fake coin, a frustrated Hope attempted to decode the real coin. When Stefano arrived, Hope, masquerading as Gina, handed him the Anastasia egg with the fake coin inside it. John asked Stefano to live up to the agreement and let him and "Gina" leave. Stefano ordered Francesco to watch John and "Gina" while he opened the egg and inspected the contents. Grinning, Stefano told Francesco to give John and "Gina" their fake passports. John chuckled as he noticed that he would be traveling as a priest.

As John and "Gina" walked to the door to leave, Stefano stopped them and asked them where they were headed. "Gina" explained that they were headed to the city where they had fallen in love: Paris. Stefano wished them well. John and Hope rushed to the airport to catch a flight to Salem. Hope was anxious to board the plane, but there was a line of passengers ahead of them. Back at the hotel, Stefano examined the coin and ordered Francesco to report on John and Gina. Francesco confirmed that John and Gina had gone to the airport. While Francesco waited for word about the flight, Stefano rubbed the coin and realized that it was a fake. Stefano called Francesco's contact at the airport and ordered him to stop John and Gina. When the contact noted that John and Gina were in line to board a plane to Salem, Stefano realized that John and Hope had deceived him. "They know that they are John and Hope!" Stefano growled.

At the airport, an airline agent checked in John and Hope, disguised as Father John and Miss Faversham, for their flight. The gate agent handed John and Hope their tickets and passports, but then he asked them to wait as he took a phone call.

4/11 After the agent got off the phone with Stefano, he informed Hope and John that they had been denied boarding. Hope flipped out, desperate to get home to Bo, and John urged the agent to be sympathetic. Although that ploy did not work, the agent finally said, "If you want to risk your lives on that plane, it's your choice. Give me your passports, and I'll see if I can get you clearance." John stuck some cash inside his passport as he slid it across the counter. After the man left, Hope fretted to John about their fake passports, because the flight was their last chance to get home before Stefano figured out that they'd double-crossed him. Another uniformed man appeared behind the counter, and John demanded his and Hope's passports back so they could board.

The man was not an airline employee; it was Agent Spencer. In hushed tones, Spencer explained that John and Hope's fake passports had triggered a "detain and arrest" order, and Spencer was trying to keep them from getting locked up. He demanded to know why Hope and John had been posing as Princess Gina and her consort and refused to help them get out of the country until they filled him in. John and Hope quickly explained to Spencer that they had only recently begun pretending to be the princess and the pawn for Stefano's sake, after they'd discovered that Stefano had no intention of returning them to their lives. They pleaded with Spencer to help them get out of Alamainia before Stefano figured out the truth. Spencer warned them that Stefano was already onto them, and instructed them to play along.

The airline agent returned then, but instead of helping John and Hope get on another flight to Salem, the man pulled a gun on them. He began escorting them away, but Spencer intervened, and quickly incapacitated the man. Hope stood watch while John and Spencer hid the unconscious agent in a back room. Hope and John then hurriedly filled Spencer in about the Anastasia egg and its contents. Hope showed Spencer the half-coin they'd found in the egg; she and John asked if Spencer could decrypt the code on the back of the coin. Spencer promised to have his best people try. He added that he hoped decoding the coin would give them another way to put DiMera away, since so far the operative in Salem had turned up no link between the DiMeras and the missing Basic Black pension funds. John knew it wouldn't take long once he was back on the investigation, but Spencer pointed out that it would be a conflict of interest for John to investigate his own case. John understood, but he hoped the agent on the inside could take down Stefano and E.J.

Back at the hotel, Stefano was pleased to hear that Francesco's man had John and Hope's passports. Stefano asked Francesco to ensure that there wouldn't be a public scene at the airport, but stressed that John and Hope were not to get away. Francesco tried to reach the airline agent, but the man didn't answer. Stefano ordered Francesco to go to the airport and find out what was going on. A little later, Spencer announced that he'd arranged for a private jet to take Hope and John back to the United States. Hope was so ecstatic that she hugged Spencer, who then escorted John and Hope to the plane.

At the hotel, Stefano growled into the phone, "What do you mean, John and Hope have disappeared? How could your man let that happen? Well, you better tell your man that he'd better disappear and pray that I do not find him!"

4/13 Billie was at Bo's hospital bedside when Hope burst into the room. Hope rushed to Bo's side, but his eyes did not open, and she sobbed quietly. Billie began to tiptoe out of the room, but Hope stopped her. Hope expressed her gratitude to Billie for staying by Bo's side, both in words and with a warm embrace. Billie guessed that Bo was still in the medically induced coma because he had been waiting for Hope. Hope tearfully admonished her husband to return to her, since she had returned to him. When Billie stepped into the hallway, Hope kissed Bo gently, but then sternly urged him to fight his way back to her. Suddenly Ciara ran into the room, and into her mother's arms. Billie explained that Caroline was in the waiting room, and then left Hope and Ciara alone with Bo. After playing a quick game of catch-up with her daughter, Hope promised never to leave Ciara again.

In the hallway, Billie spoke to Agent Spencer by phone. Billie hoped that the coin she'd heard about from Hope might turn into a real lead. Spencer asked about the file Billie had found. Billie explained that she had been interrupted before she could find anything more incriminating, but she planned to look again later. Spencer cautioned her not to get caught. Billie was determined to find enough evidence to put E.J. and Stefano away. After Ciara had gone, Hope sat on Bo's bed, and stroked his hand. She admitted that she was having a hard time being patient, because she didn't want to lose him. "You need to fight. I love you, Beauregard," Hope declared. She curled up next to him and put her head on his chest, and grasped the hand closest to her. Slowly, Bo's other hand crept across the blanket to touch Hope's, and she sat up excitedly.

At Common Grounds, Marlena and John reunited. John wanted a moment to relish gazing at his wife's face before he explained why he had been out of reach for so long. Finally, John filled Marlena in about the Anastasia egg and the gold coin inside that Stefano had wanted and about the henchman who had followed Marlena around Salem with a loaded gun, on Stefano's orders. Marlena was horrified at the realization that Stefano had never intended to return John and Hope to their lives. John asserted that it had been a picture of Marlena that had snapped him out of the hypnosis. Marlena admitted that she couldn't help but worry whether John and Hope had slept together while under Stefano's influence, and John reassured her that they had not. He updates her that the divorce was not finalized. Marlena thought that John should ask his friends at the ISA for a favor, the least they can do.

4/16 At the hospital, Hope informed Daniel that Bo had moved his hand. Daniel was optimistic, but he admitted that Bo's condition hadn't changed yet. Hope wondered if she should tell Bo's family and friends about the movement. Daniel encouraged Hope to share the good news with everyone, then he excused himself. Hope urged Bo to wake up.

"What's the deal? I risked my life to get back to you, and what, you're just gonna lie there? I need to hear your voice, Brady. I need to see your smile," Hope said. Hope waited for a response, but Bo didn't move. Hope decided to try a different approach, and she announced that she was going to talk to Bo until he couldn't stand it any longer. "How 'bout we start with the first day we met? I knew you were trouble the second I laid eyes on you, Brady, but I never could say no to that bike.

And how about our first kiss, huh? You didn't think I could handle it, but, of course once again, I proved you wrong. Made you keep your promise to dance with me, so glad I did. That was the day we decided to spend the rest of our lives together. I gave you my heart. There was no turning back, it was just the two of us. It was perfect, Brady. Do you remember what I said to you that day? I said you were my husband in heart and soul, now and forever, and I meant it, I meant every word, Brady," Hope said. "I have loved you more than half my life, Bo Brady. We've had so many great years together, but that was just the beginning, because we still have a whole lifetime to go. Do you hear me? You're my best friend. You are my partner. Damn it, just open your eyes," Hope begged Bo. Hope continued to encourage Bo as his eyes started to flutter. Bo opened his eyes, and Hope excitedly kissed him.

4/17 In his hospital bed, Bo opened his eyes to see a smiling Hope at his bedside. Hope informed Bo that he had been asleep for a while and to conserve his strength. After looking around the room, Bo stared at Hope, then he fell unconscious. Hope pleaded with Bo to open his eyes, but when he failed to wake up, Hope ran into the hallway and grabbed Daniel. Daniel examined Bo and determined that there was no change in Bo's condition. Hope pleaded with Daniel to believe her and rouse Bo out of his induced coma.

Daniel was reluctant to waken Bo from his coma, he agreed that Bo could benefit from being with his family. Overjoyed, Hope hugged Daniel in celebration. Daniel injected medication into Bo to wake him from his coma, and Hope sat on the bed and encouraged her husband to wake up. Bo's eyes slowly fluttered open and he whispered, "Fancy Face." Bo asked Hope what had happened, but she urged him to rest. "I just woke up, and you're already telling me what to do," Bo joked. After Daniel left the room, Bo told Hope that he had heard her talking to him when he was unconscious. "I love you more than you'll ever know," Hope whispered.

4/18 When John and Marlena visited Bo at the hospital, Hope was still by her husband's side. Bo wanted to know what had happened in Alamainia, and Hope tried to persuade him to wait until later to talk about it. John suspected that Stefano wouldn't give up until he'd gotten what he wanted, and Hope concurred. A nurse entered to draw some blood samples from Bo, so the others stepped into the hallway, where Stefano was waiting. Stefano demanded his stolen property back. As the nurse left Bo's room, Stefano began to threaten John and Hope. Bo wobbled out of his room, and warned Stefano against menacing the people he cared about. Hope admonished Bo to get back into bed. Stefano found it hard to take a man in a hospital gown seriously.

Hope ordered Stefano to leave, but Stefano reminded John about the man who'd followed Marlena with a gun while John had been away. John growled, "You will stay away from my wife, just like you're going to stay away from all of us." Stefano cautioned, "I think I have delivered my message. But you know what I want and what I'll do to get it." He wished everyone a good evening, and strolled away. Bo finally agreed to return to his bed, but he wanted to hear the whole story about what had happened in Alamainia. After John and Hope had filled Bo in, Bo wanted to know why Stefano had desired the coin so badly. John acknowledged that they still had to find that out, but first they had to get the coin back from Spencer.

4/24 In Salem Hospital, Hope woke Bo up from his nap. Bo told Hope that he dreamed that Stefano had informed them that he had given up his "bad guy ways." From the doorway, Marlena announced her approval of Bo's dream as she walked into the room with John. John informed Bo and Hope that the ISA had needed to use multiple agencies to decode the coin. John explained that the decoded message mentioned a woman named Yvette. Bo noted that in order to decode the message they needed to locate the other half of the coin before Stefano found it.

Inside Bo's hospital room, Marlena joked, "He's baaaack." Hope theorized that Stefano was at the hospital to harass them, and Bo attempted to get out of bed in order to yell at Stefano. Hope urged Bo to rest in bed, and John offered to take care of Stefano. As John, Marlena, and Hope walked into the hallway, Stefano leaned against the wall in deep thought. John ordered Stefano to back off, but Stefano remained silent, staring at the floor. When John raised his voice, Kate said, "What is wrong with you? Can't you see he's in pain?" When John wondered aloud what could hurt Stefano, Lexie called out to her father. Aroused from his contemplative state, Stefano gasped and hugged Lexie tightly. When Marlena wondered aloud what was going on, Kate turned to Marlena, John, and Hope and informed them that Lexie was dying. Hope covered her mouth in horror at the news, and John and Marlena gaped in disbelief. John and Marlena left to find Abe, and Hope returned to Bo's bedside.

In the hallway, Stefano asked Lexie what was wrong. Lexie explained that she had an inoperable brain tumor. "No doctor is going to give us the answers we want," Lexie said. Stefano refused to give up. Kate offered her help to Lexie, but Stefano ordered Kate to leave. Down the hallway, Lexie spotted Dr. Yu walking up the hall, and she introduced her to Stefano and E.J. Stefano asked for a moment alone with Dr. Yu, and Lexie reluctantly agreed to leave. Once alone, Stefano informed Dr. Yu that if she would not take steps to save Lexie's life, then he would. Dr. Yu countered that no amount of threats or treatment would save Lexie's life. Nodding, Stefano apologized to Dr. Yu.

When Stefano asked Dr. Yu about the cause of Lexie's tumor, she responded that the tumor was most commonly caused by exposure to a specific gas. Confused, Stefano asked Dr. Yu about the gas. Dr. Yu explained that the gas could be found in its natural form underground, particularly in the mines and tunnels that were common in the region. Stunned, Stefano muttered in Italian. Concerned, Dr. Yu asked Stefano whether he was all right. Stefano said he was fine, but he shook his head in denial. As Abe walked down the hallway behind Stefano, Stefano mumbled, "It can't be my fault." "What did you say?" Abe asked.

4/27 John and Marlena accompanied Hope as she returned home with Bo. Bo protested that he didn't need help getting from his own front door to the couch. Hope reminded him that they'd had to convince Daniel to let the "world's worst patient" go home a little early. Bo was only interested in hearing about what had happened in Alamainia while he'd been comatose and in knowing when he and Hope could get remarried. Hope and John reluctantly informed Bo that they hadn't been able to finalize the divorce, thanks to Stefano, but Agent Spencer was working with the State Department to convince the Alamainian government to grant the divorce in absentia.

Bo surmised that Stefano had used the divorce as a way to get Hope and John to Alamainia to find the egg and the half-coin inside. Bo wanted to know how John and Hope had found the egg when they no longer had the Pawn and Princess Gina's memories. Hope confessed that Stefano had turned them back into their alters. John and Hope reassured Bo that nothing physical had happened between them, because they had mentally prepared themselves beforehand. Marlena wondered if Stefano already had the other half of the coin, but Hope didn't think he even knew what was on the half they'd found. Bo was ready to join in the investigation, but John didn't think Bo was physically ready yet. "Have we met?" Bo quipped.

Bo wondered if whatever was on the coin would lead them back to the funds that had been embezzled from Basic Black. Marlena believed that Stefano had stolen the money and framed John for it. John revealed that Agent Spencer already had an agent working on that very angle. Marlena suggested that they should tread lightly in taking Stefano down because of the news about Lexie. Hope agreed that Lexie would need her entire family in the weeks ahead, including Stefano. The women pointed out that because of Lexie, Stefano might not be as focused or obsessed as he normally would be. John then got a text message that refuted what the women believed, and read it aloud, "Fair warning: return what's mine or lose someone you love." John and Hope asserted that Stefano meant business, because he'd made it clear that he could get to, and harm, Bo or Marlena any time he wanted.

John thought the ladies should lie low until they'd taken Stefano down, and Bo concurred. John added that the next step was figuring out why the coin was so important to Stefano, after they got security for the Bradys' house as well as the Blacks' penthouse. Bo planned to have Ciara stay with Caroline for a little while longer. John called Roman to get the ball rolling on the security, and then John and Marlena left to meet Roman.

Outside, Marlena asked John if he thought round-the-clock security for the four of them was a bit of an overreaction. John replied that Stefano's threats seemed different, more desperate, that time. "It's as if his never-ending chess game is finally coming to an end. He's going all out for one last checkmate, and it doesn't matter who or what he has to sacrifice in order to get that win," John asserted. As they walked away from the house, a man followed them.

Inside, Bo and Hope agreed that they were thrilled to have some time alone together, because they had missed each other so much. They sat on the couch together to snuggle and kiss, but before they had sex, Hope made sure that Bo had his doctors' approval. "The only approval I need is yours," he said. They lay on the couch and began to make love, as someone watched through the front window.

4/30 As Marlena and John entered Horton Square, a man jumped Marlena, and held a knife to her throat. "Tell me where the coin is, or the pretty lady's dead," the man growled to John. As John considered his options, Roman and Carrie arrived. Roman pointed a gun at the man, and Marlena stomped on the man's foot while he was distracted. The attacker rushed off, and Roman called the police station so that he could report the incident. Marlena conceded that John was right, they did need protection. John nodded, and he warned that Stefano was more desperate, and more dangerous, than he had ever been before. "I talked to Spencer, he’s sending an agent over to take you to a secure ISA safe house," Roman announced. Marlena started to protest, but Roman insisted that it was absolutely necessary, and John agreed.

"Now listen, I don't want to scare you any more than you probably already are, but the guy Spencer's sending over, this Agent Harmon, he's been assigned to DiMera for years. He says they have intel that Stefano has hired professional assassins, and that he has something very big planned for 'all of my enemies in Salem,'" Roman revealed. Later, Harmon arrived, and the group headed to the safe house.

Meanwhile, at the DiMera mansion, Stefano received a phone call. “So did that fake attack on Marlena look real? Hmm. And my man got away? Excellent. Now they know how far I'm willing to go to get my coin back," Stefano told the caller.

Outside Bo and Hope's house, someone watched as Bo and Hope kissed. Bo glanced at the front door as he heard a noise, and he noticed that someone was turning the doorknob. Bo and Hope quickly grabbed their guns, and Bo cautiously approached the door. Bo was surprised to find Rafe standing on the other side of the door. Rafe assured Bo and Hope that he hadn't seen anyone, and that he hadn't tried to turn their doorknob. Rafe told Bo and Hope about Marlena's attack. Rafe explained that John and Marlena were being moved to a safe house, and he cautiously urged Bo and Hope to join them. Bo and Hope quickly agreed, and Rafe admitted that he had expected the conversation to be more difficult than that. Meanwhile, outside, someone continued to spy on the group.

Later, at a safe house in an undisclosed location, Roman and Spencer arrived, and they greeted John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Rafe, and Harmon. Roman explained that Carrie had agreed to purchase some groceries for the group. Rafe wasn't pleased, and he insisted that Carrie should not have been given directions to the safe house. Rafe wondered if the place was really secure enough to protect everyone from Stefano.

"Look, there's really no need to worry. This place has a state-of-the-art security system and direct communication with headquarters. There's no landlines, computer terminals, Wi-Fi, or anything else that can be hacked, breached, or compromised," Spencer assured everyone. Rafe was still skeptical, but Spencer dismissively insisted that FBI agents were always suspicious of other agencies. Rafe denied Spencer's claim, and he explained that he was skeptical because he knew what Stefano was capable of. Spencer conceded Rafe's point, and he invited Rafe to join the ISA so that he could help with the investigation.

Rafe was shocked, but he eagerly accepted Spencer's offer. Spencer changed the subject, and he announced that the ISA had created a duplicate coin. Spencer explained that the coin would be delivered to Stefano later that day. John pointed out that he and Hope had tried that trick in Alamainia, and he reminded Spencer that the coin had failed to fool Stefano. Spencer insisted that the ISA's coin would fool Stefano. Spencer explained that the coin was an exact replica of the original coin, except for one important difference, the code on the coin was meaningless, and it was also impossible to decrypt.

Meanwhile, back at the DiMera mansion, Stefano received a package. Stefano found a velvet pouch tucked inside the envelope. "Finally," Stefano muttered, as he retrieved the coin from the pouch.

Back at the safe house, Bo wondered if John believed that the war with Stefano was finally reaching its conclusion. John nodded, then he added that it was important to make sure that Stefano lost the war. John laughed, and he admitted that he would love to be a fly on the wall as Stefano tried to decrypt a code that was impossible to decrypt. Marlena said that she would love to be a fly on the wall of Stefano's future jail cell. "Yeah, with his cellmate, Bubba,” Hope dryly added. Spencer muttered that he never wanted to get on the group's bad side, then he excused himself. As Spencer exited the safe house, Carrie arrived. Rafe offered to help Carrie with the groceries, but she insisted that she didn't need his help.

John observed that Spencer had seemingly thought of everything, but Marlena pointed out that Stefano also possessed that quality. Marlena and Hope went to the kitchen to help Carrie. Bo and John hoped that the ISA would only need a few days to take down Stefano, since Hope and Marlena were going to be cooking their meals. Bo added that he hoped that the coin would distract Stefano for a while, because if he realised that it was a fake, then he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.

At the DiMera mansion, Stefano was at his desk, researching the link between toxic gas and brain tumors, when someone entered his living room. "Ah, yes, Agent Harmon. I've been expecting you," Stefano said, as he shook the man's hand. Harmon told Stefano about the fake coin. Stefano was furious when he realized that his enemies had tried to trick him again. Harmon informed Stefano that the ISA had cracked a portion of the original coin's code. Harmon mentioned the name on the coin, Yvette, but Stefano didn't seem to recognize it. Harmon wondered if there was anything else that he could do. 5/1 At the safe house, Bo paced in frustration as Hope urged him to calm down. As Rafe was heading out to talk to Agent Spencer, John stopped him at the doorway and thanked him for helping them out. Marlena asked Rafe to show them how to work the security system before he left. Rafe entered the code into the panel to demonstrate how the security system worked, noting that the same code was used to arm and disarm the system. As everyone nodded, Rafe explained that green meant they could leave the house but a red light meant no one could leave the house.

In his living room, Stefano examined the coin. When Agent Harmon asked Stefano whether he had any orders, Stefano countered, "Yes. Take care of them. All of them." Stefano chuckled and told Harmon to use the trust the residents of the safe house to his advantage. Harmon showed Stefano the setup on his computer and noted that he had placed a receiver in the woods by the safe house that had jammed all cell phone service. Harmon explained that the execution of the plan was up to the people in the safe house. As Harmon gathered his stuff to leave, Stefano urged Harmon not to tell him any details about the plan.

While walking through the park outside Horton Town Square, Harmon confirmed on his cell phone that the bomb at the safe house was in place. Harmon noted that if anyone opened a door or a window that the bomb was rigged when the security code was entered the first time.

John was frustrated and talked to Marlena about his desire to go to the DiMera mansion and choke the life out of Stefano. Marlena warned John that he was feeling claustrophobia, but unfazed, John stressed that he wanted to kill Stefano. Marlena urged John to remember that the ISA was handling the case. John noted that Stefano could not decode the coin without the second half. Frustrated, John muttered that he needed to learn who Yvette was in relation to Stefano. Marlena theorized aloud that if Yvette was not connected to Stefano then she might be related to the artisan that had crafted the egg. John noted that whatever was on the coin, it was important enough to Stefano that he was willing to kill for it.

Over on the couch, Bo observes that John has fought DiMera for a lot of years. He admitted to Hope that if Stefano had hurt Hope or Ciara, he would want to kill Stefano. Hope urged Bo to eat, but Bo was upset that they were hiding in a safe house. With a sigh, Bo reminded Hope that she was still married to John, and he was frustrated. As Bo sulked on the couch, a smile flashed across his face. Bo excitedly told Hope that while he had been in his coma, he had seen Zack. Bo told Hope that Zack was happy and at peace. Stunned, Hope asked Bo about his experience with their son. Bo told Hope that he had seen Zack, and Zack had told his father that he wanted him to be happy. "It was so real I just wanted to stay there with him. Then I heard this voice way off in the distance. So I listened, and it was you," Bo said. Bo said that Zack had told him to listen to Hope.

"I just wanted to stay there with him," Bo admitted before he started to weep. Bo explained that Zack had told him to go back. Wiping away tears, Hope suggested that once they were out of the safe house that they should return to therapy with Marlena. Bo agreed, noting that he would do whatever it took to improve their marriage and their relationship. As Carrie headed to the door, John stopped her so that he could disarm the security system. Across town in the square, Agent Harmon told the person on the phone, "So the next time a window or a door is opened, everyone in that safe house dies." At the safe house, John entered the code on the alarm panel and Carrie reached for the doorknob.

5/2 Carrie had her hand on the doorknob to leave the safe house, but Rafe stopped her from opening the door. He pointed out that the red indicator light on the security system was flashing when it should have been solid. While the others watched, Rafe tried re-entering the code, which just caused the red light to start blinking instead. Noting that there was evidently a glitch in the security system, Rafe opened up the control panel. Then ordered the others, "No one touch the door! A bomb's been wired to the alarm system." John observed that although plastic explosive was wired to a timer, the timer wasn't running yet. Bo guessed that the bomb would only detonate if anyone opened a door or window, and Bo surmised that it would have already gone off if it could have been triggered remotely.

John started to call the ISA bomb squad, but discovered that he had no signal and neither did anyone else in the cabin. Carrie fought back panicky tears as she summed up, "So we can't communicate with the outside world, and we're trapped in here, and we can't tell anyone about this bomb that someone could just set off and kill us all, right?" Everyone tried to calm her, but she started to cry anyway. Unable to find any "real tools" in the house, Bo retrieved some wooden chopsticks from the kitchen, since they wouldn't conduct electricity while they tried to defuse the bomb. Carrie hoped that Austin would call Roman if he couldn't reach her by phone, and then Roman would check on them. While Rafe tried to soothe a frightened Carrie, Bo and John took a look the wiring, and Marlena and Hope began to draw a schematic of the bomb and the alarm system.

After examining everything, John declared, "As much as that bastard wants the other half of that coin that we have, he wants us dead even more." Carrie started to freak out in earnest, fretting that they would die in that cabin while things were still unfinished or unsaid. Rafe declared again that there was something that he needed to tell Carrie. "Nicole's baby..." he began, but John interrupted to demand Rafe's help. Marlena hugged Carrie tightly to comfort her. After Rafe looked over the wiring and schematics, he declared, "We can't even tell where any of the circuits lead, if it's hot, if it's neutral, [or] if it's ground." Bo admitted that he and John had reached the same conclusion. After the women went into the kitchen, the men noted that if someone did show up to rescue them, they could all be blown to smithereens.

5/3 At the safe house, Carrie panicked as she noticed that Roman was approaching the building. Bo and John leaned against the front door so that Roman wouldn't be able to open it. Roman couldn't hear John and Bo's warnings, so he assumed that the locks were jammed. Marlena cautioned that Roman would find another way to enter the safe house. Carrie started to panic again, but Hope assured everyone that she had a solution. A short time later, Roman noticed that someone was sliding a piece of paper under the door. "Do not enter door or windows, explosives wired to the alarm system," Roman read aloud. A second note appeared. "All cell phones out. Signal may be jammed. Device is armed; someone has to talk us through disarming it. Please hurry. Six worried people inside. Don't involve Agent Harmon, he had to be in on this," Roman muttered.

Roman went to the chimney, and he lowered a two-way radio into the safe house. Roman asked about the bomb, then he insisted that everything was going to be all right, and he abruptly excused himself. Later, Roman returned, and Hope wondered if he had good news. "Yeah, I hear you've gotten yourselves into a spot of bother. Let's see if we can get you out of here, shall we?" Shane Donovan asked.

Everyone was pleased to hear Shane's voice. Hope used her camera phone to take a picture of the bomb, and Roman went back to the chimney to retrieve it. Shane studied the photograph for a moment, then he started to tell Bo how to disarm the bomb. Bo carefully followed Shane's instructions, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the bomb was disabled. 
 A short time later, something started to beep. "The bomb wasn't disarmed, the timer was activated!" Bo exclaimed.

5/4 At the safe house, everyone freaked out when they realized that instead of disarming the bomb, cutting the wires had started the timer, which had begun counting down from sixty minutes. Outside, Shane and Roman wondered why the others hadn't emerged from the cabin yet. Roman called John on the two-way radio, and John and Hope filled in Roman and Shane about what had happened that had led up to the timer starting. Shane explained that the bomb had evidently been rigged with a fail-safe, so that it would go off no matter which wire was cut. Hope said that there were only forty minutes left on the timer. The others were becoming more and more frightened, particularly Carrie, so Rafe grabbed the radio and asked if Shane had another plan. Shane suggested the guys try rigging something with the leftover wires to try to short out the timer. Bo nearly lost his temper, but managed to keep it in check. Shane talked to Bo and John about how to wire up the timer.

Meanwhile, it seemed like the other guys had gotten the timer to stop, but then it began to count down the minutes again. Shane regretfully informed everyone that there was nothing else he could do. Shane explained to an upset Roman that instead of giving their trapped friends and family members false hope, they had to give the group a chance to say goodbye to one another. Hope and Bo talked about how much they regretted not getting to see their children, or their granddaughter, again. Bo reassured her that Ciara had plenty of people who loved her to take care of her. They expressed their deep, eternal love for one another. Rafe announced that they had ten minutes to build a blast wall. The others were skeptical that it would help, but Carrie pleaded, "We have to try!"

While the others worked at piling all the furniture and rugs in the house in front of the door opposite the bomb, Carrie called her dad on the two-way radio. They expressed their love for each other, and then Roman urged Carrie to get behind the blast wall when the time arrived. Carrie then helped Rafe add another rug to the furniture pile. John instructed Marlena to get behind the mountain of furniture, but she refused to do it without him. Bo took one last, lingering look at Hope's face, and they shared a tender kiss.

Outside, Shane tried to pull Roman away from the door, but Roman wouldn't budge. Inside, John shouted, "Everybody down! This is it!" as the timer ticked down to zero.

Dvd #83B 5/7 At the safe house, Roman tried to rush into the burning building to save everyone, but Shane stopped him. Shane was certain that no one could have survived, but Roman refused to accept that. Roman grabbed the two-way radio, and he desperately tried to contact everyone. Roman didn't receive an answer, and he slowly started to realize that Shane was right. Shane insisted that there was nothing else that could be done, but Roman disagreed. "I can kill the bastard who did this, I can kill Stefano DiMera. I will find DiMera and show him what real pain feels like," Roman vowed. Shane said that killing Stefano wouldn't solve anything, but Roman wasn't convinced. "Let's give all of them the justice they deserve. We'll bring Stefano down, but let's do it the right way," Shane suggested.

"Mind if we help?" Bo asked, as he, Hope, Marlena, John, Rafe, and Carrie rushed over to hug Roman and Shane. Shane and Roman were shocked, and they wondered how the group had survived. Rafe explained that a trapdoor had been hidden under an area rug. Hope added that the passageway had taken them to a fortified basement. "No one can know that we're alive," John stated.

Later, a team of firefighters searched for survivors. E.J. arrived, and he said that he had heard about the explosion. Roman blamed Stefano, but E.J. refused to believe that Stefano would have bothered to blow up a random house in the middle of nowhere. "There were people in there. John and Marlena, Bo and Hope, Rafe and Carrie, innocent people he wanted dead!" Roman snapped. E.J. was visibly shocked, but he dared Roman to find proof to back up his claims. E.J. warned Roman to remain impartial during his investigation. Meanwhile, Shane excused himself so that he could deliver the bad news to the Bradys and the Hortons.

Later, at the Brady Pub, Will, Sami, Lucas, Austin, Billie, and Kayla waited anxiously to hear Shane's announcement. Shane wanted to wait for the rest of the family to arrive, but Sami impatiently assured Shane that she would pass the news along to everyone else. Shane reluctantly agreed. "Earlier today, John, Marlena, Bo, and Hope were placed in protective custody. Stefano DiMera's been threatening them recently, and those threats have become increasingly aggressive, just the other day, he hired an armed thug to attack Marlena. Now, the attack was unsuccessful, but it was enough to convince everyone that further action was necessary," Shane said.

"A few hours ago, Rafe and Carrie helped to...take them all to, uh, a remote location, a safe house. What none of us realized was that the security system had been rigged with explosives. We did everything we could but I'm afraid it wasn't enough. The, uh, the bomb went off with everyone inside," Shane regretfully informed the group. Everyone started to demand answers. Austin and Lucas wanted to help with the rescue efforts, but Shane stopped them, and he pointed out that it was a crime scene. Sami started to sob, and she hugged Will. Will looked uncomfortable, but he didn't push Sami away. Meanwhile, Billie tried to comfort Austin, and Kayla hugged Shane.

Back at the safe house, the firefighters announced that there were no survivors. E.J. offered his condolences, and Roman warned him to shut up. Later, Roman found John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Rafe, and Carrie in the woods, and he assured them that the coast was clear. Roman wondered if everyone was sure that they wanted to go along with the plan. "DiMera just handed us a golden ticket, perfect opportunity to take him down," John said, and Hope agreed. Marlena didn't want to hurt her loved ones, but John reminded her that it might be their only chance to stop Stefano. Roman said that he would deliver the bad news to everyone who was waiting at the Brady Pub. Marlena apologized for putting Roman in that position, but he believed that everyone would eventually understand.

Later, Roman entered the Brady Pub. "I'm sorry. They're gone, they didn't make it," Roman regretfully stated.

5/8 After eating dinner at Chez Rouge, Jack and Jennifer walked through Horton Town Square, holding hands. As Jack swept Jennifer into a romantic kiss, a distraught Abigail ran up to them and told them about the explosion. Fighting tears, Abigail announced that Bo and Hope had been killed.

At the pub, Roman confirmed to Sami, Kayla, Will, Lucas, Billie, and Austin that Bo, Hope, Marlena, John, Rafe, and Carrie had been killed in the explosion. As Sami broke down sobbing, Brady and Madison entered the pub and learned the news. In disbelief, Brady noted that he had seen his father earlier and that he had been fine. Roman explained that he and Shane had been at the site of the explosion. Billie took Roman and Shane aside to ask them what had happened. Roman explained that there had been a threat by Stefano against Bo, Hope, Marlena, and John. Shane added that he was in Salem because of the threats. When Roman noted that Rafe had been at the safe house to help secure the site, Austin interrupted to ask why Carrie had been at the safe house. Stammering, Roman noted that Carrie had been at the safe house to help everyone get settled.

When Shane returned to the pub, Billie took him aside and demanded to know what was going on. Shane avoided the question. Upset, Billie swore to help take down Stefano. Jack and Jennifer arrived at the pub, and Kayla confirmed that Bo and Hope had been killed. Kayla added that Chelsea and Max were unreachable in Italy and that Caroline was on a church trip with Ciara. Jennifer was worried about Caroline and frantically grabbed her phone. Roman took Shane aside to talk about how difficult it was to tell their families that everyone had died in the explosion. "It's the only way, Roman," Shane said. Kayla interrupted to add that if the ISA did not deal with Stefano, someone in the family would. Overwhelmed, Jennifer stood up and shouted that if Stefano had caused the explosion, then she hoped he would burn in hell. Roman received a text message, and he announced that E.J. was having a press conference. Shane swore to everyone in the pub that the ISA would punish Stefano.

At the DiMera mansion as Stefano sat in the living room deep in thought, E.J. walked in the house and demanded to know what Stefano had done. Stefano feigned ignorance and asked E.J. to tell him what he had done. E.J. was furious that Stefano acted surprised by the deaths of John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Carrie, and Rafe in an explosion.

"What I don't understand is why? You've played this stupid game for years. I thought it was about winning. Losing. Who made the next move. I never thought you'd end it like this," E.J. said.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Stefano whispered to himself. Shocked by Stefano's statement, E.J. noted it sounded like Stefano had confessed to killing John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Carrie, and Rafe.

"I never wanted them dead," Stefano said quietly.

"This is how you choose to show your estranged son and your dying daughter that you love them?" E.J. asked.

Stefano received a phone call from Agent Harmon. With a growl, Stefano ordered Harmon to meet him at the house. After hanging up the phone, Stefano angrily swiped all the pieces off of his chessboard. When Harmon arrived, a furious Stefano asked what had happened.

"All I wanted was for them to realize how serious I was about getting back what was mine," Stefano growled. Harmon apologized, but an enraged Stefano shoved Harmon backward. "Are you sure that they're dead?" Stefano asked. Harmon said that no one had lived through the explosion.



In Horton Town Square, E.J. worked on his speech for the press conference. When Roman arrived, E.J. offered his condolences. "We don't rest till we get who did this. I think we both know who that is," Roman said. While E.J. spoke in the square, everyone in the pub watched E.J. on the television. E.J. promised to punish those responsible for murdering six citizens in an explosion.

"My administration will not allow this senseless, cold-blooded murder to go unavenged. Now, if by any chance the perpetrator of this heinous crime is watching me now, you stand forewarned," E.J. said. In the DiMera living room, Stefano shook his head as he watched E.J.'s speech on the television.

5/9 Shane and Roman met on a park bench outside Horton Square. Roman admitted that it would be difficult to pretend that the very much alive Bo, Hope John, Marlena, Carrie, and Rafe were dead while their loved ones grieved at the memorial service. Shane reminded Roman that they both had to fake it, or the others' lives would be in danger, plus going along with the plan would finally give them an opportunity to take Stefano down once and for all.

At the Brady Pub, Kayla was busy preparing for the wake celebrating the lives of John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Rafe, and Carrie, whose pictures were lined up on the bar. The Deveraux family arrived, and Kayla confided to a sympathetic Jennifer that, two days after getting the news, it seemed even more unreal that everyone was dead. As Kayla joined Jennifer, Jack, and Abigail at a table, Kayla expressed disbelief that Stefano would actually kill six innocent people, despite everything he had done to their families over the years.

Victor and Maggie arrived just then, and Victor vowed to make Stefano pay for what he'd done. Maggie pulled Victor aside, and gently pointed out that threatening more bloodshed would only make things worse for those who were already grieving, and encouraged him to join the others in celebrating the lives of their loved ones. Victor promised to wait to deal with Stefano until the next day. A furious Kayla urged Victor to let the police handle things, but Victor complained that the police, including Roman, had never been able to take Stefano down. As Kayla stomped away, Jack chastised Victor, "She just lost her brother; now you're going to blame the one she's got left?" Victor apologized to Kayla, and she acknowledged that they were all crazy from grief. Privately, or so he thought, Victor vowed to Maggie that just as soon as he'd buried his son and daughter-in-law, he was going after Stefano.

Chad, Melanie, Sami, Lucas, Gabi, Roman, Shane, Will, Austin, Billie, Madison, Brady, Nicole, and Sami had all arrived at the pub. Kayla announced that people had sent cards and telegrams to express their condolences, which were on the bar for everyone to read if they wanted. Kayla continued that everyone who had known them had been lucky to know John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Rafe, and Carrie. Kayla explained the Irish tradition of sharing memories with others who had lost someone as a tribute to the deceased, so the sorrow didn't erase the joy of having known and loved them. She continued that what she would remember the most was the sound of laughter, which, to her, was the sound of love.

Gabi then shared some memories of growing up with her older brother, Rafe, who had always made her feel like no one else in the world mattered. Gabi then broke down. Melanie signaled to Chad to comfort Gabi, and he complied by putting his arms around his sobbing friend. Sami stated that she wasn't surprised that Rafe had died the way he'd lived, protecting others. "I consider myself and my children very blessed to have spent time with him. He was a good man, and I really loved him," Sami concluded mournfully. She and Gabi shared a tearful embrace. Victor talked about how spending time with Ciara had made him regret not getting to raise Bo, but he had finally realized that Bo had grown up exactly where he should have, with the Bradys, who had raised Bo to be the strong, unafraid, yet gentle man he'd become.

Jennifer told some stories about growing up with her cousin and best friend, Hope. "She made the impossible seem possible. She made me feel like I could do anything," Jennifer declared. When Jennifer began to weep, Abigail rose and tried to comfort her mother. Austin described how everyone had tried to talk him and Carrie out of getting married so young, but he had fallen in love with her again and again over the years, and they had grown closer as they had grown up together. He confessed to the group that the two of them had been so sure that they'd been on the right track that they'd been talking about having a family.

Will expressed how his grandmother Marlena had known so much about different things, and had so many friends. He thought it was because she had always tried to find out exactly who the other person was without telling them who to be. "I think that's why I told her things I've never told anyone else, and why I'm going to miss her for the rest of my life," Will concluded. Brady shared that his dad had been a role model for many, including Brady, because John had taken responsibility for his mistakes, and had always tried to do what was right. Brady declared that he was going to try to live his life in a way that would make his father proud. "So from now on, I'm a Cubs fan," Brady wisecracked.

Sami then acknowledged how difficult things had been between her and her mom. "I never made it easy for her to love me, but she did, because that's the kind of person she was. She let me know that, no matter what, she would always have her arms open, ready for me," Sami explained, her eyes cast downward guiltily. "I would give anything to have another chance for her to put her arms around me." Sami sat back down, and buried her face in her hands. As Stefano and E.J. arrived outside and saw the crowd gathered in the pub, Stefano demanded to know what they were doing there. "There's a wake going on in there. I wanted you to see what you've done, the people you've hurt, the pain that you have caused," E.J. explained.

"Since when have you become so damn sanctimonious?" Stefano growled as he strode off.

After Kayla announced that it was time to head over to the church for the memorial, everyone began rounding up their belongings. Will merely gazed mournfully at the photograph of Marlena on the bar. Maggie stroked him on the back soothingly, and tried to reassure him, "They'll always be here with us, watching over all of us from heaven."

5/10 Doug, Julie, and Kayla wondered how they were going to tell Caroline and Ciara about the explosion. Julie said that it was comforting to know that Hope had died while she had been doing something that she had believed in.

At a new safe house in an undisclosed location, Roman announced that Stefano had been spotted near the pub during the wake. Roman was certain that Stefano was convinced that everyone was genuinely grieving. Shane was pleased to learn that Stefano had taken the bait. Roman noted that Shawn and Belle had been told the truth about the explosion, and he explained that they had agreed to warn all of the out-of-town family members about the ruse. Shane added that Abe and Lexie also knew the truth. Shane and Roman excused themselves so that they could start the second phase of their plan.

Bo wondered how John wanted to handle Harmon. "I say we bring back the tradition of hanging traitors in a public square," John dryly stated. Hope admitted that John's suggestion sounded satisfying, but she pointed out that Harmon might know something about Stefano's organization. John insisted that Harmon couldn't be trusted, but Hope suggested that they might be able to use that to their advantage. Bo agreed, and he pointed out that Shane could feed Harmon some false information. Bo hoped that Harmon would inadvertently lead Stefano right into a trap.

Back at the Brady Pub, Roman said that he needed to talk to Doug, Julie, and Kayla about something. "The rest of you, I need for you to move quickly and quietly to the rear of the pub. There's a beer truck out there. I want you to get in the back. No questions, just do what I tell you right now," Roman cryptically instructed the group.

At the Horton Town Square, Shane told Harmon that the explosion had crippled the DiMera investigation. "The loss of John, Bo, and Hope severely undermines the ISA efforts to get Stefano DiMera. I was on my way to debrief in the safe house just before the explosion happened. I'm afraid all the information they had on Stefano died with them in that explosion," Shane explained. Shane offered to let Harmon handle the investigation, and Harmon eagerly agreed.

Back at the safe house, Roman escorted Will, Gabi, Brady, Nicole, Sami, Lucas, and Austin into the building. Roman instructed the group to remove their blindfolds, and they were shocked to see John, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Carrie, and Rafe standing on the other side of the room. Everyone shared an emotional reunion with their loved ones, and the survivors quickly revealed the truth about the explosion. John reminded everyone that they needed to continue to grieve, and that they needed to make it look real. Sami couldn't contain her anger any longer. "Are you serious? It is real! We thought they were really dead. I thought my sister, and my mother, and Rafe, I thought they were really dead. It wasn't just some act for your convenience," Sami snapped.

"Do you understand that I almost told my kids? That I almost put your grandchildren through this? That I, that we were really heartbroken, thinking that you were dead? How could you think it was okay to do that to all of us?" Sami asked incredulously. Marlena patiently explained that it had been necessary to lie to everyone until after the memorial service, so that Stefano wouldn't realize that no one had actually died. Lucas reminded Sami that she had promised to stop making scenes. Sami insisted that her anger was justified, and she refused to apologize. Lucas said that the whole situation had been a nightmare for everyone, and he asked Sami to relax.

"I'm not gonna relax, Lucas! They should've gone home to their families! They should have told the people that they love that they were okay, and now they tell us they want us to fake it all, while they're sitting here cozy and comfortable, eating pie?!" Sami asked incredulously. Carrie tried to get Sami to back off. Sami snapped that Carrie seemed extremely comfortable at the safe house with Rafe.

Roman told Sami to stop talking, and he announced that it was time for the visitors to leave. Austin suggested that Roman might be willing to arrange for Carrie to go back to Switzerland. Carrie claimed that she didn't want to put the operation at risk. Carrie started to tell Austin something else, but Roman interrupted and reiterated that it was time to leave.

Back at the Horton Town Square, Billie offered Shane her condolences. Shane hugged Billie. "Actually, they're all alive. I'll explain later," Shane whispered in Billie's ear. Billie quietly wondered if Shane had told the safe house residents that she was working for the ISA. Shane told Billie that he hadn't revealed that information yet.

At the Brady Pub, Doug, Julie, and Kayla celebrated with a bottle of champagne. "To nine lives and more," Kayla said, as she raised her glass. Sami, Lucas, and Austin entered the pub, and they told Kayla, Julie, and Doug about everything that had happened at the safe house. Sami told Kayla that Roman had gone to talk to Victor and Maggie. "Good, good, maybe they can put a stop to starting World War III with the DiMeras," Julie optimistically suggested. Kayla offered Sami some champagne, but Sami said that she wasn't in the mood. Julie assured Sami that everything was going to be all right, but Sami was still visibly annoyed.

Back at the safe house, Shane and Roman rejoined the rest of the group, and they started to talk about the DiMera investigation. Carrie suggested that Shane could convince Harmon to testify against Stefano, but Rafe pointed out that Harmon was a liar and a traitor. Rafe said that Stefano's lawyers would quickly discredit Harmon's testimony. Marlena wondered if the ISA had managed to gather some evidence that would connect Stefano to the Basic Black embezzlement scheme. Shane said that an agent was working on that, but he added that the agent hadn't managed to find anything yet. Roman noticed that John seemed agitated, and he wondered what was wrong.

"Why did I ever think this was gonna work? It's been two days, folks, two whole days and what do we have to show for it? Nothing," John said with a sigh. Marlena urged John to be patient. "I have been patient most of my life. You know, it doesn't matter what kind of evidence we gather here, or what kind of a case we build, DiMera will just pay off the judge or the jury, and he'll walk free, like he always does," John insisted.

Bo refused to give up, and Marlena wondered what had caused John's outburst. John said that the explosion had been the final straw. John reminded the group that Stefano had been threatening them for decades. John told Marlena that he was sick of watching Stefano get away with everything. "There's only one way to stop this man, and I think you all know what it is. All of us, everyone we care about, will never be out of danger until that son of a bitch is dead!" John snapped.

5/11 Billie arrived at the ISA office to meet Shane, who surprised her by revealing that Bo and Hope were there, as well. Thrilled and relieved to see the Bradys still in one piece, Billie embraced them both simultaneously. Billie worried that if Stefano found out everyone had survived the bomb blast, he would make absolutely sure they all died the next time. Hope wanted to know when Billie had started working with the ISA again. Billie explained how her cover had been to work at Countess Wilhelmina with her mom, while gathering information from inside the DiMera mansion. She continued that she had found a bill of sale for a weapons deal. Billie assured the others that E.J. clearly had no idea what his father was up to, because it seemed that E.J. had stolen the missing pensions from John, and Stefano had used some of the money that to buy the arms.

The others were stunned that E.J. had been the one who had set John up, and that Stefano had double crossed his own son. Hope guessed that E.J. had used the embezzlement as a "wedge issue" to win the mayoral election. Billie noted, "If we could just find a way to split E.J. away from Stefano..." Hope suggested that Billie simply tell E.J. how Stefano had betrayed E.J. by helping to free John. Billie called E.J. and asked if he would meet her in Horton Square right away, because she had something to tell him. Billie told Shane, Bo, and Hope, "Now I just have to give him the bait and see if he bites." After Billie had gone, Hope expressed her optimism that once E.J. learned that his father had betrayed him, E.J. would give them what they needed to put Stefano away.

When E.J. met Billie outside Horton Square, she asked if he'd learned any more about how John Black had been freed. E.J. feigned nonchalance, so Billie assured him that she wasn't wearing a wire. E.J. asked why he would think such a thing. "Because you're guilty of a crime: you framed John Black. You stole his pension money to help get yourself elected mayor," Billie contended. Billie continued that despite everything E.J. had gone through, John was free, and the money was missing. E.J. demanded that Billie get to the point. "I know who made it possible to get John freed," Billie divulged, then clarified, "Stefano. Your own father betrayed you to help his sworn enemy."

5/14 At the Horton Town Square, E.J. refused to believe that Stefano had helped John get released from prison. E.J. suspected that Billie was lying because she wanted to cause conflict. E.J. pointed out that Billie hated him just as much as she hated Stefano. "That was true...until your father killed six innocent people. You know, E.J., you're starting to look like a human being next to him," Billie replied. Billie assured E.J. that Stefano could not be trusted. Billie wondered if E.J. had really assumed that Stefano would remain loyal to him just because he was Stefano's son. Billie reiterated that Stefano had killed six innocent people, and she warned E.J. to watch his back.

In one of the ISA offices, Hope inspected Stefano's coin, and she noticed that there was a mark in the upper right-hand corner. Shane guessed that it was just an engraving error, but Hope wasn't convinced. "You have men working on this case? They may know cryptography, but I know jewelry, especially the expensive kind. When I was Princess Gina, I'm pretty sure I had a necklace with an insignia similar to this one. Definitely European, very expensive," Hope said. Shane excused himself so that he could try to find out more about the insignia. After Shane left, Bo praised Hope's detective skills, and he joked that she deserved a raise. "There's only one thing I want. Stefano prides himself on being the phoenix, rising over and over again from the ashes. It's our turn this time, Brady," Hope said.

Later, Shane returned, and Billie followed him into the office. Billie told everyone about her earlier meeting with E.J. Billie gleefully predicted that E.J. and Stefano were going to be at each other's throats soon. Shane changed the subject, and he congratulated Hope.

"Our people have managed to trace the markings on that coin piece to a private family jeweler in Perugia," Shane announced. Billie noted that Perugia was a city in Italy, and she refused to believe that was just a coincidence. "It gets even better. Apparently, Stefano DiMera's father, Santo DiMera, used the services of that very same jeweler," Shane revealed.

Hope pointed out that the jeweler might remember what was engraved on the other half of the coin. Bo and Hope insisted on going to Perugia to talk to the jeweler, but Shane seemed reluctant. "Ah, Shane, what's with the look? Stefano thinks we're dead -- he won't be looking for us. Give us a couple of false passports -- we'll slip out of the country into Italia, and no one will be the wiser. How about it? Come on," Bo urged Shane. Shane admitted that he had more immediate concerns, such as smuggling Bo and Hope back into the safe house in one piece.

As Shane locked the coin in a floor safe, Hope asked him to give her some more time to research the jeweler. Shane agreed, and he told Bo and Hope that the office door would be locked from the outside. Shane assured Hope and Bo that they would be safe, and he explained that someone would need the key code in order to enter the office. Billie and Shane excused themselves.

At the DiMera mansion, E.J. barged into the living room. Stefano sarcastically stated that he was honored that the mayor had decided to visit him. E.J. said that he had been under the impression that Stefano detested sarcasm. "I do, when other people use it," Stefano replied. E.J. demanded to know why Stefano had helped John get released from prison. E.J. insisted that Stefano owed him an explanation. "I owe you nothing. I owed Alice Horton," Stefano calmly stated. E.J. pointed out that Alice was dead, but Stefano said that didn't matter. Stefano explained that he had given Alice his word. “So you chose a promise to a dead woman over the love of your son," E.J. summarized.

Stefano said that E.J. was wrong, and he explained that he had made a promise to Alice because it had been the only way to protect E.J. "Ah, no wonder you're so angry. You let your nemesis go for a child who's not even yours," E.J. realized. Stefano said that he recognized the irony of the situation, but he added that he never second-guessed his decisions. Stefano said that he understood that E.J. wanted to pretend that Stefano was still his father, but he insisted that life didn't work that way. E.J. tried to sound ominous, and he stated that Stefano was leaving him with no other option. "Do I hear a threat coming my way?" Stefano asked dismissively.

"You know, for years, I watched you. I scrutinized everything that you did, every move that you made, every action, every reaction because I thought that one day, I would become your successor. I learned at your knee. I learned how to be cold. I learned how to be ruthless, how to be unforgiving and now that I can no longer apply all of those traits towards the DiMera legacy. I'm putting you on notice old man. Everything you taught me, I'm using against you," E.J. warned Stefano.

“Elvis, you don't want me as an enemy. Why don't we just declare peace and we each go our own way?" Stefano suggested. E.J. said that it wasn't that simple. E.J. added that he had spent years preparing to take over the DiMera empire, and he refused to let it slip through his fingers. Stefano said that E.J. didn't have a choice, but E.J. replied that Stefano couldn't live forever.

"Who do you think will take over when you're gone? Chad? Theo? I don't think so. If you're very lucky, and you manage to stave off a prison sentence for the six people that you killed. You get to live in this cold house, with your tragic opera and your little hand-carved chess pieces, on your own, sort of in a prison of your own making, if you will," E.J. said. Stefano promised that he was going to be around for a long time. Stefano added that E.J. wasn't welcome in the mansion, and he ordered E.J. to leave. "Just remember, you pushed me away. Maybe I should count my blessings, only a really soulless bastard could do what you did to me. I suppose, in a way, I'm rather lucky that you're not my father, because it's going to make becoming your worst nightmare so much easier," E.J. said, and he exited the mansion.

Back at the ISA building, Harmon tricked someone into telling him which office Shane had used earlier. Harmon tried to open the office door, but it was locked. Meanwhile, Hope told Bo that she had heard a noise. Harmon convinced someone to unlock the door, and he started to search for the coin. Bo and Hope watched from an adjacent room as Harmon loaded a gun.

5/15 At ISA headquarters, Harmon snuck into an office and searched the room for the gold coin. After checking that his weapon was loaded, Harmon went to the door of the file room where Bo and Hope were hiding. Before Harmon opened the door, he noticed the safe. As Harmon opened the safe, Bo and Hope peeked out the window of the file room and watched Harmon pull the coin out of the safe. As Harmon absconded with the coin, Shane called Bo's cell phone, and it rang out loud in the file room. Harmon was in the hallway outside the office and returned to look for the ringing phone. On a desk was Bo's ringing phone. Harmon answered it and was surprised to find Shane on the other end. Harmon explained that he was at ISA and had found the phone. Shane lied that he had misplaced the phone and asked Harmon to leave the phone with the security guard. With a sigh, Harmon tucked the phone into his jacket and left.

Bo and Hope returned to the safe house to inform Shane about Harmon's theft of the coin. Shane was furious that Harmon had bypassed his security protocols at ISA. With a sigh, Shane noted that the value of the coin was the inscription and that they still had a copy of that. Shane checked in with his agents and learned that they had failed to stop Harmon from meeting with Stefano because they did not want to spook Harmon. Screaming, Shane ordered the agents to ensure that Stefano did not leave town. When Shane received another phone call, he learned that an arms dealer was en route to Salem. Hoping to nab Stefano, Shane explained that they had one shot to catch Stefano in the act of dealing weapons. John suggested that they infiltrate the weapons deal. Shane offered to give Harmon bad information about the weapons deal.

At the DiMera mansion, Stefano listened to a news report on the radio about the explosion. As Stefano turned off the radio, Harmon returned. Harmon presented Stefano with the gold coin, and he explained that he had removed the coin from an ISA safe. Stunned, Stefano examined the coin and determined that it was the real thing. "Paid a high price, but at last it's mine," Stefano said. Shane called Harmon's cell phone to inform him that arms dealer Vladimir Nevski was on the move in the area. Shane asked Harmon to consult with his sources and determine where Nevski was headed. Once Harmon was off the phone, Stefano ordered Harmon to update him about the search for Nevski. "If I do get any information on that guy, I won't be telling it to the ISA," Harmon said.

5/16 At the safe house, Bo, Hope, and John filled in Rafe about the international arms dealer, Vladimir Nevski, who was in Salem, presumably to make a deal with Stefano. They explained that the plan was for the four of them to go undercover, meet with Nevski, and outbid Stefano; as soon as Stefano learned of the deal, he would contact Nevski, and they could bust DiMera. Hope noted that Stefano would never have risked having Nevski go to Salem if he'd known that everyone from the safe house was alive. The group knew they had to move fast, before Nevski and Stefano could meet. Shane called and informed the team that Nevski was refusing to meet with them. John said that he had a contact who might put a good word in with Nevski for them, but Bo and Rafe worried that John would be revealing to the contact that they were all alive. Hope pointed out that it might be their only shot to nail Stefano, so John made the call.

A little later, Bo hung up from talking with Shane, and announced to the group that John's contact had gotten them a meeting with Nevski right away. John and Rafe headed upstairs to tell Marlena and Carrie what was going on. Bo pointed out to Hope that she didn't have to go with them to the meeting, but an insistent Hope wanted to be there when they took Stefano down.

At a warehouse a while later, John, Bo, Hope, and Rafe met Nevski, who arrived accompanied by two thugs. John introduced himself as Green, and used the aliases O'Toole, Charity, and Garcia for Bo, Hope, and Rafe, respectively. Nevski wanted to know why they had wanted to meet with him. John replied, "We hear that you have something to sell, something that is of great interest to us." Nevski countered that he already had a buyer, but John asserted that they had something more substantial to offer than the competition. Nevski wondered why, in all the years he'd been in the business, he had never heard of his new potential buyers before. "We like to keep a low profile," Bo replied simply. Nevski said that he was willing to hear the group's offer, but cautioned them that he did not like games. "If I feel like you're playing a game, this won't end well for any of you, not even lovely Charity," Nevski warned.

After the team had extended an offer for the weapons, Nevski noted that his original buyer might be upset if Nevski backed out of their deal. Indicating the briefcase the group had taken to the warehouse, John noted that their very generous offer would compensate Nevski for his trouble. Just as they agreed they had a deal, Nevski got a text message. Nevski read it, then issued a terse order to his men. The thugs pulled out large guns, which they aimed at the foursome. "I'm sorry, my friend, but your little game is over. I know who you all are, and I know exactly what you're doing here!" Nevski declared.

5/17 In a remote warehouse, John tried to ease Vladimir's suspicions. John reminded Vladimir that a sizeable amount of cash was on the table. Vladimir admitted that he did have a weakness for large amounts of cash. Vladimir acknowledged that the team had done their research, but he added that he had also done some research.

"You see, when you all arrived, you were all photographed. Your pictures were sent to a database back on the ship, and then, after a few minutes, your true identities were revealed. You're John Black, wealthy industrialist. Also former ISA operative. Beauregard and, um, Hope Williams Brady, two of Salem Police Department's finest detectives, hmm? And lastly, Rafael Hernandez, also Salem P.D. formerly, and, once upon a time, an FBI agent," Vladimir said. Vladimir's goons raised their guns, and Vladimir started to walk away. Rafe stopped Vladimir, and he conceded that Vladimir had figured out the team's true identities. Rafe added that Vladimir still didn't know the team's true motive.

"Your original buyer, Stefano DiMera. I'm sure your men have already filled you in. I was recently arrested on embezzlement and fraud charges. I lost everything, and I'm positive DiMera's behind it, in fact, he's using my money to buy the arms. I know DiMera gave you a deposit. You keep that along with our money, make a hell of a bounty. Then I will sell the arms, make a sizeable profit, and screw DiMera in the process," John said.

Vladimir wondered how John could afford to purchase the weapons. John claimed that one of his buyers had given him an advance. Vladimir was skeptical, but John pointed out that his resale deal was none of Vladimir's business. Vladimir asked about Bo, Hope, and Rafe's motives. Bo said that he and Hope were interested in their share of the money, and Hope added that Stefano's son was the new mayor of Salem. Hope explained that it was only a matter of time before she and Bo would lose their jobs at the Salem Police Department. Rafe said that he had already been fired, and he added that Stefano and E.J. had ruined his life. After the team answered all of Vladimir's questions, he admitted that he believed that they were telling the truth. Vladimir agreed to make the trade, and he started to reach for the money. John stopped Vladimir, and he said that his team still needed to see some of the weapons. Vladimir agreed, and his goons left to retrieve the guns.

Later, Vladimir examined the money. Meanwhile, John, Hope, Bo, and Rafe examined the weapons. Everyone confirmed that they were satisfied, and Vladimir started to leave with the money. Bo, Hope, Rafe, and John pointed their guns at Vladimir and his goons, and John admitted that Vladimir should have trusted his original instinct. After Vladimir and his goons were arrested, John, Bo, Hope, and Rafe prepared for the next phase of their plan.

5/18 At the warehouse, Bo, Hope, John, and Rafe were getting into their disguises before their meeting with Stefano. All were dressed almost solely in black, with gloves and long sleeves covering their exposed skin. Hope pulled a black scarf around her head, covering most of her face and neck, while the men had hoods and face masks. John urged the others to keep Stefano talking once he arrived, because Shane would be recording everything from a surveillance van. They had Nevski's cell phone, which rang with a call from Stefano. Bo answered it as Nevski, using a bad Russian accent, but it was good enough to fool Stefano. Bo made a vague excuse as to why Nevski hadn't been in contact with Stefano yet. Stefano warned Nevski that he knew about the other buyers Nevski had met with, but Bo assured Stefano that the weapons were securely on the ship. Once Bo gave Stefano the location, Stefano declared that he was on his way.

When Stefano arrived, he asked about the extra people with "Nevski," and why everyone was wearing masks. "Nevski" admitted that he'd had a couple of security breaches since his last dealings with Stefano. Stefano pointed out that Nevski knew better than to double-cross Stefano, but "Nevski" replied that he had only responded to a better offer. Stefano argued that Nevski had to honor their deal, because they'd signed a contract and Stefano had wired the money to pay for the munitions.

"Nevski" agreed that they could consider the additional money a down payment for future orders. Stefano warned that there would be dire consequences if Nevski did not deliver what Stefano had bought and paid for. Chuckling, "Nevski" declared that they had a deal, but cautioned Stefano that some of the items had been unattainable. Stefano said that there had to be a change in the payment to compensate. "Nevski" asked for the original invoice and the receipt for the money transfer. Stefano produced those willingly, and the men agreed on a deal.

Stefano then asked, "So, are we done here?" Bo replied, "Not quite." He removed his mask, as did the others, revealing their true identities. Bo declared that Stefano had made a couple of wrong moves, as Stefano grinned from ear to ear, seemingly pleased that the group was alive and well. "This is check and mate," John said. While Hope put the handcuffs on Stefano, Bo read Stefano his rights.

5/21 At the police station, John, Hope, Bo, Rafe, Shane, and Roman gloated about Stefano's arrest. Stefano said that he was glad that he had given the group a reason to celebrate. Bo noted that Stefano seemed confident, but Hope theorized that Stefano was secretly panicking. Shane informed Stefano that he was facing federal charges, since he had violated the Patriot Act. "He knows, that's why he did it, isn't it? To prove you could get away with it, because the great Stefano DiMera is untouchable? You know, you remind me of that little boy in the myth who flew too close to the sun, but your wings have melted. You can't fly anymore, Phoenix, only fall," Hope said. Stefano admitted that Hope's knowledge of the classics had impressed him.

"The boy who went too close to the sun is called Icarus and, um, I think you would be more satisfied with the fable that is called Sisyphus, you see? That was when the gentleman had to push up a big boulder up a hill, but what happened was that the boulder kept coming down and going over him," Stefano added. Shane noted that the difference was that Bo, Hope, John, and Rafe had managed to push the boulder to the top of the hill.

"You lost control of everything; your empire, your ego, even us, your pawn and Principessa. We'll never be your victims again. You kept me from my family, my husband, when he needed me most. I think it only fitting I return the favor tenfold. You will never see your family again," Hope promised. John said that Stefano was going to be locked inside of a tiny cell for the rest of his life. Stefano sighed impatiently, and he wondered if everyone was finished with their tedious speeches. "'Fraid not, 'cause I haven't had my say yet," Marlena said, as she and Carrie entered the room. Stefano stood to greet Marlena, and he happily noted that his queen of the night was alive and well. Marlena said that she was pleased that Stefano would never be able to hurt her family again.

Stefano slyly stated that he was sorry for all of the pain that Marlena had endured, even though he wasn't the one who had actually caused that pain. "Oh, my gosh! You still won't admit it, will you? You tried to kill all of us. I tried to find a way to say goodbye to the man I love most in this world. Can you even conceive of how painful that was for me? You can't, can you? Because there's something very wrong with you, inside you. You're broken. You're dark. You're evil. I don't hate you, I find you pitiful," Marlena calmly stated.

Stefano is escorted to his jail cell! Roman reminded Bo, Hope, John, and Marlena that he would eventually need to take their statements. Marlena and Hope were eager to leave the police station, so Bo and John agreed to stay behind to help Roman. Meanwhile, an officer escorted Stefano into the room. A moment later, Lexie and E.J. arrived. Roman wondered who had asked the officer to remove Stefano from his cell. A middle-aged man who has arrived reaches into his pocket and retrieves a badge. "Agent Newman, CIA. I gave the order. I want him released immediately," Newman announced.

5/22 In Horton Town Square, Hope and Marlena walked around while people stared at them in disbelief because they were alive. While Hope was checking her phone messages in the square, Abe cautiously walked up to her and asked her why she was walking around in public. Hope explained that Stefano had been arrested for trafficking in illegal arms. His face falling, Abe exclaimed that the news would crush Lexie. Nodding, Abe added that he was glad that Stefano was no longer free to terrorize the citizens of Salem. Marlena and Rafe joined Abe and Hope in the square. Hope wondered aloud where Bo and Roman were. Marlena was concerned that they had not heard from John, Bo, or Roman. Hope called John.

At the police station, a CIA agent named Newman ordered the release of Stefano. Furious, Roman refused to release Stefano. Bo interrupted to note that Stefano had been caught dealing in illegal arms. In the corner, E.J. chuckled to himself, while Lexie pulled Stefano aside to ask him what was going on. "The hows and whys are not important. What is important is that I will be here when you need me," Stefano said. Agent Newman noted that regardless of the evidence, the US government considered that Stefano was innocent. Lexie asked E.J. what was going on, and E.J. urged Lexie to stay out of the matter.

Concerned, Lexie asked Agent Newman what was going on. Agent Newman explained that Stefano had been acting under the orders of the CIA. Agent Newman added that in exchange for Stefano's assistance, the government had forgiven his recent criminal activity. In disbelief, John asked Stefano to tell the truth. Stefano explained that he had been buying arms for the past few months under the orders of the CIA. "If the ISA would talk to the CIA a little more often, this would not be such a shock," Stefano said. "You expect us to believe that you're some kind of patriot?" E.J. asked with cynicism. Shaking his head, John noted that Stefano would go free. Furious, John attempted to punch Stefano, but Roman tackled John onto a desk and held him back. As Bo pulled John aside to calm him, Stefano asked Roman to remove the handcuffs.

Roman took John aside and asked him to find a way to hold Stefano. John made some phone calls, but he was stonewalled. When John wondered aloud why the government had chosen Stefano for the sting operation, Roman noted that Stefano was the perfect choice because the arms dealers would not have suspected that he would work with the government. Roman noted that he was still reviewing Agent Newman's story. Stefano reminded Roman that Lexie was ill and that he needed to go home to be with her. "Admit your mistakes and let me go," Stefano said. When Stefano argued that he demanded justice, Marlena, Rafe, and Hope walked into the police station. Marlena barked that if Stefano had been executed, that would not have been justice.

Lexie begged Marlena to back off. "I know how much you love him, but he tried to kill us," Marlena said softly. Angry, John, Marlena, Rafe, Hope, and Bo yelled at Stefano while Roman refused Agent Newman's order to quell the mob. Overcome, Lexie clutched her head, and Abe and E.J. rushed to her side. When Stefano saw Lexie's pained expression, he rushed over to her. Lexie cried out for everyone to stop, then groaned and fainted.

5/23 At the police station, Bo and Hope tended to an ailing Lexie. They informed Lexie that E.J. had taken her father home, since that was what Roman had thought was best. Marlena apologized for upsetting Lexie. Abe returned from getting the car, and Bo carefully helped Lexie to a standing position. Abe wanted to take Lexie to the hospital, but she gently insisted that he take her home instead. After Lexie and Abe had gone, Bo Hope, Marlena, and John ranted about how Stefano had managed to evade arrest yet again. No one could believe that Stefano had been working undercover for the CIA. Shane informed the group that he'd spoken to the top people at the ISA, and they had told him there was nothing they could do about Stefano, because Stefano's work for the CIA had allegedly taken some major arms rings off the streets.

Shane continued that there was also no proof that Stefano had embezzled the pension funds or planted the bomb at the safe house, and they couldn't afford to tip off Agent Harmon that they were onto him by trying to get him to flip on Stefano. "Well, folks. Kind of looks like we're back to square one, doesn't it?" John remarked. Roman urged everyone not to let the temporary setback get them down. Hope noted that it had been exactly thirty years that month since Stefano had begun his reign of terror in Salem. Although Stefano had committed countless crimes against nearly everyone in town, he had served almost no jail time, Hope pointed out. Bo remarked that they would all be dead if it were up to Stefano. "That's why he has to be stopped, once and for all, no matter what it takes," Hope declared vehemently. As John flipped through the police file on Stefano, he pointed out that his entire existence had just been a game to Stefano. John stated firmly, "I'm ready to do anything to get him out of our lives and I do mean anything."

After Bo and Hope called to tell Ciara goodnight, they recalled how Stefano was responsible some of their deepest pain. "He took our baby from us when he took Zack and gave him to Lexie to raise. We lost J.T., and then we lost Zack," Hope recalled. Bo remembered, "If he hadn't told us that Chelsea was dead, we would've raised her, been with her. How different would our lives have been?" John and Marlena overheard Bo and Hope's conversation. Marlena recalled for John, "He took Eric and Sami's father away; he took me away. I am persuaded that my relationship with Sami was forever damaged by him." Bo believed that Stefano would keep going after their families for generations until they found a way to stop him. Hope wanted to know how they could put an end to it.

Bo, Hope, John, and Marlena went to Common Grounds to strategize over coffee. Hope thought they should go to Italy to track down the jeweler who'd made the coin, but John didn't think it would help. "I hate that we're the ones waiting for him to make the next move," Hope grumbled. Shuddering, Marlena confessed, "I've got such a bad feeling, as though Stefano is planning something so horrible, so cruel that this time, somebody really is going to die." John promised not to let anything happen to any of them, but Marlena was still worried that Stefano was truly invincible. "If he is stopped, it will not be because of our judicial system," Bo remarked. John pointed out that meant they were out of options, and would have to take care of DiMera themselves. 5/24 In a hotel room, Bo and Hope celebrated their anniversary, and they reminisced about their first wedding ceremony. "I know it's difficult to comprehend, but I do love you now more than I did then," Bo said. Bo sighed as he admitted that it was nice to be able to forget about things like work, Stefano, and Alice's mysterious bank statements. Hope wished that Doug and Julie had been able to learn more about Alice's bank account during their trip to Africa. Bo groaned as he realized that he shouldn't have opened his big mouth. Later, Hope had a nightmare about Stefano, and she vowed that he would never interfere with her marriage again.

In a remote area of Horton Town Square, someone handed John a brown paper bag. John inspected the contents of the bag, a gun, and determined that the weapon would be sufficient. Later, Marlena paused as she exited the town square. "It's okay, John. I'll make sure Stefano pays for his crimes," Marlena vowed.

5/28 At the Carver house, Abe told Bo and Hope that Lexie was napping. Hope wondered how Abe was doing. "Honestly? The days are, the days are okay. I keep myself busy. I get Lexie her medicine and fix her meals. The nights are, um, the nights are the worst. You know, I lie there and I watch Lexie sleep, and I watch her chest rise and fall, and I think, I think, 'How the hell am I going to do this without her?'" Abe said. Abe changed the subject, and he started to talk about Stefano. Bo was upset that Stefano had managed to escape again. "Well, you know what, guys? Maybe it was the universe's way of saying Lexie needs more time with her father," Hope theorized. Abe promised that Stefano would eventually be held accountable for his actions.

Before Abe could elaborate, Lexie entered the room, and she greeted Bo and Hope. Lexie apologized for all of the horrible things that Stefano had done to Hope and Bo, and she assured them that she didn't condone Stefano's actions. Bo and Hope insisted that they didn't blame Lexie for Stefano's misdeeds. Abe was eager to change the subject, so he excused himself so that he could get everyone a slice of cheesecake. Hope and Lexie started to talk about Theo's new obsession with hiking, but Abe soon returned, and he wondered where the "cake cutter thing" was. Lexie smiled and shook her head as she answered Abe. "My poor husband. I've been making lists and instructions for him...for when I'm gone. You know, little things like where to put the Christmas decorations, and how to tuck Theo in just perfectly at night. You know, I mean, I'm sure he'll be fine. I just worry about him," Lexie said with a sigh. Bo assured Lexie that there was no need to worry, because the entire Brady clan was going to be there for Abe and Theo.

Lexie was pleased to hear that. "After I'm gone, promise me you won't let Abe shut himself away from the world, that you'll make sure he still sees his friends, and takes Theo to the park. And if he meets a woman who makes him feel whole again, encourage him to love again, okay?" Lexie quietly asked Bo and Hope. Bo nodded at Lexie, and Hope tearfully agreed. Later, Hope could tell that Lexie was getting tired, so she and Bo decided to leave. Lexie hugged Bo, and she asked him to take care of Hope. Lexie turned to Hope, and she said that she was lucky and blessed to have Hope as a friend. Hope referred to Lexie as her sister, and she tearfully hugged Lexie.

At the Horton Town Square, Bo could tell that Hope was upset about something. "You know what bothers me more than anything? One of my best girlfriends in the entire world, a woman that I can't imagine not having in my life anymore. She's dying, but instead of worrying about her day in and day out, you know what I'm thinking about? Stefano. Damn it, it makes me, it just makes me furious that he's managed to take my focus away from someone I love. I hate that man," Hope said. Bo hugged Hope, and he promised that Stefano was going to get what he deserved. Bo excused himself so that he could go to the police station. Hope kissed Bo, and she walked away. After Hope left, Bo reached for his hip holster. After checking his gun, Bo knelt down and checked a second gun that was strapped to his ankle.

5/31 At the police station, Roman told Bo, Hope, Marlena, and John that he had talked to Shane earlier. "Apparently, the big guns at the CIA aren't real happy with us. They didn't appreciate our efforts in trying to bring down Stefano. Bottom line is, we have been ordered to be on our best behavior where Stefano is concerned," Roman announced. Marlena insisted that Stefano was a threat to everyone, and that he needed to be stopped. John hoped that Stefano was enjoying his moment of glory. "The old man's always got away with his crimes 'cause he trusts that we're not capable of being as cold-blooded and ruthless as he is. Gang, I think it's time to make a change," John said, and Bo agreed.

Marlena said that there was no need to resort to Stefano's tactics, and she insisted that there were other ways to neutralize him. Before anyone could respond, Marlena excused herself so that she could meet with a patient. After Marlena left, Hope started to excuse herself, but Roman stopped her. Roman reminded everyone that they needed to follow the rules.

"Fact one, his son is the mayor. Fact two, the mayor is our boss. Fact three, he could strip us of our jobs, put his cronies in place. What good does that do, and where does that leave us? Don't you think I share your frustration? Don't you get that? But I got a job to do, okay? And I'm telling you all this, anybody in this room starts operating outside the law, I gotta come after you, and I don't care if you're friend or family. And don't think I'll look the other way, 'cause I won't," Roman warned the group.

Bo, Hope, and John seemed mildly annoyed, and Hope wondered what had inspired Roman's lecture. "It is pretty clear to me that, given the opportunity, all three of you in this room would just as soon kill Stefano with your own hands," Roman replied. Marlena checked the gun that was hidden in her purse. Meanwhile, at the town square, John tucked his gun under his jacket. At the pub, Bo checked the gun that was strapped to his ankle.

6/1 At the townhouse, John gripped a pistol, feeling its heft in his hand, while he eyed a grouping of family portraits on the mantel.

At the Brady Pub, Bo checked to make sure the drop gun he carried in an ankle holster was loaded. His cell phone rang; he saw that the call was from Roman and ignored it.

At the Bradys' house, Hope musingly pressed her hand to a gun that lay on the sofa table. Next to it lay a picture that Ciara had colored. Hope stared at the picture for a long moment before throwing on a raincoat and grabbing the gun. She shoved a clip into the gun, stuck the gun in her waistband, and hurried out.

In the living room of the DiMera mansion, E.J. leveled the gun at Stefano's head and ordered the old man to turn around so he could finish what he had to say or he would shoot Stefano in the back. E.J. noted that it would be fitting since Stefano had done so many things behind E.J.'s back. "If that's what you want," Stefano said nonchalantly, without turning around. E.J. turned the gun toward the fireplace in frustration, and shot up a vase of flowers on the mantel with several rounds. Finally turning around, Stefano asked if E.J. felt better.

"I'm not going to feel better until you're dead in the ground," E.J. snarled, then turned and stalked out the door to the foyer. The instant E.J. left, Stefano suddenly heard Abe's voice from the rear doorway: "I have to say I agree with E.J. on this. There's a first time for everything." Abe, too, held a gun, which he then cocked and aimed at Stefano. Still brandishing the snifter of brandy with indifference, Stefano promised that he would not put up a fight if Abe wanted to kill him. Abe railed at Stefano for causing Lexie's illness, and became even more enraged when Stefano moved to the bar to refill his glass. Stefano stated gravely that he would never forgive himself for what he'd done. "You've hurt the people I love for the last time," Abe vowed, then placed his finger on the trigger determinedly. Stefano turned to face Abe, but then Abe lost his nerve.

Abe carefully set the gun down on the chess table, and although still clearly livid, explained that his conscience had kept him from killing Stefano, because he knew that he wouldn't have been able to face his wife or his son if he'd robbed them of Stefano. "I still might do it," Abe warned. "You could not possibly understand how much I love Alexandra," Stefano said, but Abe cut him off. "You have no idea what love is," Abe declared, then ducked his head and pushed past Stefano to the front door.

Stefano wandered into the study, and was surprised to find John waiting for him. He asked what John wanted, and John replied simply, "Justice." Stefano could tell that John had a gun in his pocket, and cheerfully urged John to go ahead and make his "little speech" about everything Stefano had done wrong. John declared that it was too late for that; it was time to make Stefano pay for trying to kill everyone in the safe house. Stefano didn't think John would be able to sleep at night if he killed an unarmed man, but John said that he would sleep like a baby. "Then stop wasting my time and do it!" Stefano demanded.

A little later, John strode through the living room and out the terrace door, after tucking the gun into his waistband. Stefano entered the living room shortly after John had left. Stefano then opened the front door, and found a bedraggled Hope on the doorstep. Chagrined, Stefano declared that he already knew what she was going to say, but she demanded that he listen to every word. Hope angrily explained that when she and Bo had been in the safe house, counting down the seconds until their deaths, all she'd been able to think about was how she'd miss getting to watch Ciara grow up.

Stefano pointed out that Hope had survived. Hope declared, "Being that close to death made me realize something: that as long as you're around, I will never be safe. My husband and children will never be safe." Hope then pulled a gun on Stefano. Stefano merely asked how Hope planned to explain things to her family and daughter when Hope was caught. "I won't have to," Hope replied. Turning his back to pour another drink, Stefano pointed out that Hope would be in prison when Ciara graduated and got married. Realizing that he was right, Hope lowered her weapon. By the time Stefano turned back around, Hope had exited through the terrace door.

John returned to the townhouse, slamming the door behind him. "Damn it!" he swore as he unloaded his gun. He threw the weapon and the ammo clip across the room. When Hope arrived back at her house, she was soaking wet, and clearly upset. Alone in the office later, Kate fondled a small handgun, holding it pensively against her chest as she gazed out the window at the rain. As Bo strode purposefully through Horton Square, he paused for a moment as if reconsidering what he was about to do, then hurried on his way.

One by one, Will, Kate, and Bo showed up at the mansion and confronted Stefano. Kate and Bo each pulled a gun on DiMera; Kate vowed not to let Stefano control her life anymore, and Bo declared that he would administer justice on that spot for what Stefano had done. Will shouted at Stefano, "What did I ever do to you? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! But you didn't think twice about destroying my life!" Will picked up the gun from the chess table. Stefano growled at each of them, "Can you deal with the consequences of pulling that trigger? If not, get out of here, and leave me the hell alone."

When Marlena arrived a little later, Stefano was in the study. "I've been expecting you. Do you want to kill me now?" he asked. Instead of lecturing Stefano on his many sins, as he was expecting, Marlena instead calmly said that people were bullies to make themselves feel strong, when they were actually very weak, just like Stefano "You are at your lowest point. That's why you've gone as far as you have. But I'm here to tell you we're not going to take it from you, none of us. There will be retribution," Marlena declared, adding that she pitied and despised Stefano. Instead of shooting him, though, she turned and left. On her way out through the darkened living room, she spied the gun on the chess table, gingerly picked it up, and eyed it curiously.

When John crept back in through the terrace door a little later, Marlena was gone, but the gun was on the chess table. John spun it around with an ungloved hand, then noticed the light from a flashlight outside on the terrace. John quickly exited the room through the rear door. Then, Bo entered through the terrace door. He shined his light around the living room until he spied the gun. He picked it up with a bare hand, sniffed it curiously, and put it back as he continued looking around the room. When E.J. returned a bit later, the gun was still on the chess table. E.J. poured a drink while he stared at the gun, downed the liquor, then with a bare hand, picked up the gun and went to the terrace door to investigate a noise, which turned out to be a dog barking in the distance. He then placed the gun on the piano, and strode out of the room through the foyer door.

As soon as E.J. had gone, Hope let herself in through the terrace door, armed like her husband with a flashlight. Like the others, she was not wearing gloves. As she investigated her surroundings, she saw the gun, and picked it up. The gun was back on the piano when Kate entered a bit later. She, too, picked it up with bare hands.

While the townhouse, the Mad World offices, the Bradys' house, and the Carvers' living room all stood dark and empty, Stefano gazed sadly at a picture of Lexie in his study. He apologized profusely to it, then kissed the picture and set it on a table. As Stefano poured himself a glass of grappa, he thought he heard a noise in the hallway, but no one was there. He then put on a recording from Pagliacci, and sat in the wingback chair before the fire as he mouthed the words along with the tenor. A mysterious figure let him (or herself) into the DiMera mansion with a gloved hand. He or she picked up the gun from the piano, then walked through the darkened house until they reached the study, where Stefano listened, eyes closed, a hand over his heart, as the aria reached a crescendo. The person leveled the gun at Stefano, and a shot rang out. 6/4 At the DiMera mansion, a gunshot rang out during the dramatic climax of the Pagliacci aria "Vesti la giubba." The shooter, who was wearing black leather gloves, checked Stefano's pulse. Satisfied, the shooter exited the room, leaving the gun laying on a table next to Stefano's body. Later, at the police station, Roman received a shocking phone call. Bo was shocked to see Hope at the Brady Pub. Hope claimed that the house had been too quiet, since Ciara had decided to spend the night at a friend's house. Bo nodded, and he told Hope that he had finished his errands. Bo received a phone call from Roman. Roman asked Bo and Hope to meet him at the DiMera mansion. Bo wondered what was going on. "I'll explain when you get here. Let's just say there’s been a development," Roman said.

Back at the townhouse, John turned on the television so that he could find out when the rain would go away. "Again, we have received numerous reports that Stefano DiMera, CEO of DiMera Enterprises, is dead," a news reporter stated. Marlena seemed skeptical, and she wondered if the story was accurate. "Well, if it is...our dreams have just come true," John said.

At the DiMera mansion, Roman showed Hope and Bo an evidence bag that contained a gun. "Gunshot from behind into Stefano's back, through his chest. The killer left this behind. Odds are it is the murder weapon; we won't know for sure till ballistics does their thing. We also found bullet holes in the living room, but they're not from this gun. This gun was only fired once," Roman explained. Bo wondered why the killer had been careless enough to leave the murder weapon at the mansion. Hope theorized that the killer had wanted the weapon to be discovered, and Roman agreed. "We received an anonymous phone call earlier. Person used a voice-altering device, told us Stefano had been murdered, obviously knew what they were talking about," Roman added.

Roman informed Bo and Hope that they were both suspects. Roman wondered where Hope and Bo had been earlier that night. Hope quickly responded that she and Bo had spent the evening together at their house, and Bo agreed. Bo and Hope each silently recalled their earlier confrontations with Stefano. Roman wondered if anyone would be able to confirm Bo and Hope's shared alibi. Bo started to get defensive, but Roman calmly pointed out that he needed to cover all of his bases. Roman held up the evidence bag, and he wondered if Hope or Bo had ever seen the gun before. Bo and Hope each recalled an earlier encounter with the gun, but they simultaneously answered that they didn't recognize it.

Chad started to struggle with some officers as he tried to enter the room. Roman instructed the officers to step aside. "What the hell is, oh, my God, is that my father?" Chad wondered, as he noticed a sheet-covered body that was lying on a gurney. Roman confirmed Chad's suspicion.

"No, no, no, no. This, this can't be happening. Who did this? I have to call, I have to call my brother. I have to find E.J. I have to get E.J. Where's E.J.?" Chad wondered, as he frantically looked around the room. Meanwhile, at the Brady Pub, E.J. stared out the window with a menacing expression on his face, and he tried to steady his shaking hands.

Later, Roman started to question the potential suspects. At the Carver house, Abe tried to convince Roman to postpone the interview, but Roman refused to do so. Abe said that Lexie had gone to bed shortly before Roman had arrived, and he begged Roman to reconsider. "Abe, Stefano's dead! I need to do my job," Roman loudly stated, as Lexie descended the stairs. Lexie said that Stefano had been at the house earlier that night, and she insisted that he couldn't be dead. Lexie was shocked to learn that Stefano had been murdered, and she broke down in Abe's arms. After Lexie regained her composure, Roman assured her that he would find out who had killed her father. Lexie told Roman about Stefano's earlier visit. Roman wondered if that was the last time that Lexie had seen Stefano. Lexie tearfully nodded, and Roman repeated the question for Abe. Abe silently recalled his earlier confrontation with Stefano, but he claimed that he had last seen Stefano at the Carver house.

Next, Roman questioned Kate at Titan. Kate said that Will had told her about Stefano's death. Will silently recalled confronting Stefano earlier that night. Will claimed that he had heard a news report about Stefano's death, and he said that he had rushed over to Titan to check on Kate. Roman asked Kate to tell him about her last conversation with Stefano. Kate silently recalled her earlier confrontation with Stefano. Kate said that Stefano had sent divorce papers to her office earlier that day, but she added that a messenger had delivered them. Kate claimed that she hadn't talked to Stefano recently. "And now I guess I never will," Kate added.

Finally, Roman visited John and Marlena at the townhouse. John admitted that he was thrilled that Stefano was dead. John claimed that he had thought about going to see Stefano at the DiMera mansion earlier that night. John added that Roman's lecture had convinced him to reconsider. "Really? You never listened to me before," Roman noted with a smile. John silently recalled confronting Stefano earlier that night, and he shrugged as he stated that there was a first time for everything. Roman agreed, and he turned his attention to Marlena. Marlena remained silent as she recalled her earlier showdown with Stefano. Marlena claimed that she had not talked to Stefano recently. Roman wondered if there was anything else that John or Marlena wanted to tell him. Marlena and John each silently recalled encountering the gun that had been found at the DiMera mansion. John said that he had nothing to add, and Marlena echoed his statement.

Back at the DiMera mansion, Chad was relieved to see E.J. "God, this is such a nightmare. This is such a nightmare. I came here to ask him a question, and now he's dead. He's Stefano DiMera. He's supposed, he's, I don't understand why anyone would do this," Chad tearfully stated, as he stared at the gurney.

Later, E.J. went to the police station to talk to Roman. E.J. explained that he had just finished identifying Stefano's body at the mansion. Roman offered his condolences, and he wondered why E.J. had decided to visit the police station. E.J. silently recalled firing three shots at the living room wall earlier that night. "I mean, I don't think it's much of a secret my father and I had a tumultuous relationship. It was marked by a lot of ups and downs. I thought you should hear it from me -- recently, we were going through...somewhat of a rough patch. Sooner or later, you're going to look towards me as one of the suspects, and, uh...I'd rather you got me out of the way sooner rather than later, so you can focus on finding the real killer," E.J. claimed. Roman wondered why Stefano and E.J.'s relationship had been strained recently. E.J. claimed that Stefano had mistakenly convinced himself that E.J. had been trying to take over the family business. E.J. insisted that he had his own goals, and that he was a lot more than just Stefano's son.

At Bo and Hope's house, Hope vented about the fact that Roman had decided to keep her and Bo off of the DiMera case. Bo assured Hope that they would be able to work on the case as soon as their names were cleared. Hope agreed with Bo, but there was a hint of uncertainty in each of their voices.

Meanwhile, at the police station, an officer handed Roman a report. "Abe Carver? The murder weapon belongs to Abe Carver? Are you sure?" Roman asked incredulously. The officer confirmed that the report was accurate. Later, the officer returned, and he handed Roman the lab's fingerprint analysis. Roman wondered if the lab had found a match, and the officer replied that the lab had found a lot of matches. "Eight matches. Well, they're all here, Abe, Hope, Bo, John, Marlena, E.J., Kate and Will. One of these people murdered Stefano DiMera but which one?" Roman wondered, as he added Will's photograph to a corkboard that already contained photographs of the other seven suspects.

6/5 While Roman drank his coffee in Horton Town Square, Office Martine Kent introduced herself to Roman and informed him that she had been assigned to him. Roman explained to the officer that he was being replaced as the lead investigator into Stefano's death by a man from the governor's office. Roman added that he needed Martine's help to comb through the murder investigation and prepare it to hand over to officials.

6/6 Bo and Hope arrived at the townhouse to let John and Marlena know that Abe's gun had been used to murder Stefano. "Abe's weren't the only prints on the gun. The lab found matches for seven other prints on that gun, including the four of us," Bo revealed. John concluded that the four of them were suspects, and Hope confirmed it, adding that she and Bo were not on the case as a result. Bo explained that the only reason he knew about the prints was that he had a friend in forensics. Realizing that each of them had handled Abe's gun, John turned to his wife. Marlena admitted that she had confronted Stefano. Marlena and John apologized for not telling each other the truth about seeing Stefano. "Apparently, we all did," Hope pointed out. Marlena wanted to know who else's prints had been on the gun. Bo replied, "Junior, Kate, and get this: Will." Marlena was stunned.

Roman then showed up with Officer Kent, whom Roman introduced to the others. Kent's phone rang with a call from the station, so she stepped outside to take it. "I hope I haven't walked in on some kind of cover-up," Roman warned the Bradys and the Blacks, and added, "All four of you have already lied to me about where you were last night." Everyone apologized to Roman. Roman demanded to know if someone in that room had murdered Stefano DiMera. John declared that none of them were sorry that the old man was dead, but none of them had shot him. Officer Kent returned as Roman was instructing the group to go to the station for a gunshot residue test, and not to leave town. Roman and Officer Kent then left.

At the police station, Hope and Bo looked at the board with the pictures of all the suspects, including the two of them. Hope asked Bo, "If you shot Stefano, you'd tell me, wouldn't you?"
Bo replied, "Yeah, sure. And you'd do the same, right?"
Hope declared, "Of course, absolutely."

6/13 Looking pale and tired, Lexie sat near Stefano’s coffin to address her father. "To say our relationship has been complicated would be an understatement," Lexie said with a smile. She added that it had never lasted when she had tried to kick Stefano out of her life, because she had always known how much he'd loved her. She acknowledged that his guilt over her illness had been excruciating, and assured him that she forgave him. "I just hope and pray that you're finally at peace." Lexie kissed Stefano on the cheek just as Abe arrived to take her home.

6/15 While John was away, Bo and Hope went to the townhouse for another counseling session with Marlena. Marlena asked what the problem was. Bo blurted that he was driving Hope crazy, but she insisted that wasn't the case. Bo tried to explain that their problem had to do with work, not their life as a married couple. Hope asserted that the two things were essentially the same, because they had worked very hard to regain trust in one another. About the case, Hope began, "I think we're both really scared." Bo finished her thought, "We're trying to find the person who killed DiMera. Might end up being someone we love."

Hope was surprised to hear that Bo felt the same way she did, and added that she and Bo were sorry for what Marlena was going through with Will. Marlena firmly maintained that Will was innocent, and many people had wanted Stefano dead. Bo said that he felt much more sympathy for Stefano's killer than for the victim, then quickly noted that he probably shouldn't say such things out loud. Marlena assured him that whatever they said in session was confidential and then asked if the confidentiality were reciprocal, since both she and John were suspects.

Bo reassured Marlena that they weren't there to try to trip her up. Marlena remarked that, based on who and what Stefano had been, they all could have been capable of murdering him. Bo then suggested that they should table the discussion of the case, so Marlena asked what else was troubling the Bradys. "Bo's not happy about what happened while he was in the hospital, and he will not talk to me about it," Hope divulged. Bo noted that there wasn't really anything to talk about, because he didn't want to hear all the details of the time Hope and John had spent in Alamainia as Princess Gina and the pawn.

6/20 In the Carvers' garden, a sobbing Abe held Lexie's lifeless body in his arms, and begged her not to leave him. Lexie's spirit rose from her body, and hovered nearby as Abe cried, "I need more time!" Lexie's spirit gently reassured Abe that he was going to be fine, because he had their son and their friends, and wonderful memories, to get him through. As if he heard her, an emotional Abe protested that he wasn't ready. Lexie promised never to leave Abe and Theo, and wrapped ethereal, comforting arms around her husband.

Meanwhile, in the house, Bo and Hope watched Theo and Ciara playing together. The Bradys were both glad that they'd been able to give Abe and Lexie some time alone together, and Hope tearfully confided that she didn't think any of them would ever be ready to say goodbye to Lexie. Ciara asked her parents, "When are Uncle Abe and Aunt Lexie coming back?" Theo calmly informed Ciara, "Mommy's not coming back." He resumed coloring, while Bo and Hope asked why the boy had said that. After much prodding, finally Theo answered, "Because Mommy just went to heaven."

Hope went out to the garden, and saw that what Theo had said was true. She knelt next to Abe, who still clutched Lexie to him. Hope began to cry as Abe admitted that he didn't want to let his beautiful wife go. After Lexie's body had been taken away, Bo joined Abe on the garden bench. Abe confessed that it didn't seem real, and Bo admitted that he could only imagine what Abe was feeling. "A part of me is missing," Abe managed. "You were here together. You got to hold her, [and] know she was at peace," Bo noted sympathetically. Abe nodded, but asserted that Lexie had still had so many plans, although he was grateful that he and Theo had gotten a chance to say goodbye.

Bo gently reminded his friend that Lexie wasn't in pain any longer, and perhaps she'd been able to let go because she'd known that Abe and Theo would be okay. "And she passed here in her garden, at her home, in the arms of the man she loved," Bo said quietly, fighting to keep his voice from breaking. He added that Abe had been everything to Lexie. Inside, Hope left a message for Celeste, "I'm here with Abe and Theo. You might want to get over here as soon as you can." Spirit Lexie put her hand on Theo's shoulder. Without looking up from his video game, Theo said, "Hi, Mommy."

While Hope made more phone calls in the kitchen, Theo told his mom that he didn't want her to go. Lexie reminded him of the conversation when she'd told him that she would need him to look after his daddy. "Can you do that for me?" Lexie asked. Theo nodded. Lexie declared that she loved her son very much, and she would always be there to look out for him. As Lexie put her arms around Theo, Bo and Abe entered from the garden. "How do I tell my son his mother's gone?" Abe wondered. Bo informed Abe, "You don't have to. He's the one who told us that Lexie had passed. He sensed it." Abe wasn't surprised, noting that Theo and Lexie had always had an incredible connection. Lexie's spirit stepped aside as Abe took the chair next to Theo. When Abe said that they had to talk about something, Theo replied, "I know, Daddy. Mommy's gone. I have to look out for you now." As Abe grabbed his son tightly, Lexie beamed and blew a big kiss to Theo.

Lexie's spirit hung around and watched as E.J. arrived, and Bo and Hope expressed their condolences to the mayor. Theo pulled out of his father's embrace to run into E.J.'s arms. After hugging his uncle, Theo announced that he was going to play with Ciara, then ran up the stairs. E.J. asked how Lexie had died, so Abe described how it had happened. "She was at peace, E.J.," Abe said reassuringly. Hope and Bo then went into the kitchen to make some more phone calls, as well as get some coffee and tea ready for visitors.

Bo and Hope returned from the kitchen with a tray of sweets, as well as tea and coffee. They informed Abe that they'd called Cameron and Celeste, and Kayla was going to call the rest of the family. A grateful Abe acknowledged that Bo and Hope had also lost Lexie. They each recounted the ways in which Lexie had touched their lives. As if realizing that they had to comfort one another and she had to move on, Lexie spirit took one last look at her loved ones before her spirit slowly vanished.

**The End**