DVD #25A 10/4 At the TV station, Andre has Hope at gunpoint with everyone surrounding them. Andre sneaks out the back way as Bo runs after them. Stefano scolds Steve for getting Hope killed. Steve wants Roman to get to the hospital but he refuses. Roman tells the cops to throw Steve in jail. Stefano threatens Steve that he will have him thrown in an institution for the rest of his life. Roman is wheeled away on a stretcher and Stefano dismisses Steve. Stefano continues to threaten Steve and they go back and forth with angry words. Steve accuses Stefano of being egotistical and Stefano replies that no one talks to him that way, for very long. E.J. comes in and Stefano thanks God they are okay. Steve chimes in with some jokes. Stefano insists on hearing what happened and E.J. complies.

Kayla runs in and comforts Steve. He drops the bomb about Andre taking Hope hostage. Kayla yells at Stefano. Steve apologizes to Kayla for worrying her. Kayla professes her love as the cops drag Steve away in handcuffs. E.J. and Stefano resume their private conversation. He wants Stefano to separate Lucas and Sammy by making sure the divorce goes through. Stefano says the vendetta and violence is over and asks what is E.J.'s plan for Lucas is. He says it's Santo's plan. He knows he can make Sammy forget about Lucas over time as he chuckles. Stefano wonders what kind of persuasion will be effective to make the divorce final.

10/5 Kayla updates Adrienne on Steve, and admits she doesn't know what they're going to do. At the police station, Stefano vows to Bo that he'll make sure Steve spends the rest of his life behind bars. Bo storms out past an arriving Kayla. Kayla takes the opportunity to speak with Stefano alone. She urges him to drop the charges, for Benjy's sake. Stefano refuses, and Kayla loses it, threatening his life. Stefano senses the cold sincerity in her threat.

10/9 Hope comforts Kayla, who has brought a sick Pocket to the hospital. The doctor reports that Pocket has been poisoned by various chemicals; he's going to have to report this to Child Protective Services. Kayla defends herself, but Hope warns her to contact a lawyer. Mrs. Meyers from Child Services shows up and announces Pocket will be taken from the Johnsons.

10/10 At the police station, an upset Kayla tells Steve about Pocket's health crisis. She says the doctor suspects she and Steve are somehow to blame, and Child Protective Services took the baby from them. When Steve tries to comfort her, Kayla pushes him away, angry that he's in jail instead of at her side where she needs him. Stefano arrives with shocking news; he's dropping the charges against Steve! He contends that Kayla talked him into it, and he's also doing this as a way of paying tribute to Benjy. Just as Steve is released, Philip shows up and reveals Pocket may be his son, Tyler. He's angered to learn Pocket has been hospitalized. He's further outraged when Mrs. Meyers informs them that until all questions are answered, the baby will stay with anonymous guardians. Furious, Philip warns Steve and Kayla that if anything happens to his son, he'll hold the two of them responsible.

10/12 John and Marlena are standing outside by Belle’s car. Suddenly, a car drives by and hits John at full speed! Marlena is horrified as the car takes off without stopping, and she rushes to an unconscious John. Belle soon arrives on the scene, and cries out for her father.

10/17 Marlena, Belle, Bo, Hope, Steve, and Kayla gather around a dying John. Though he's in a great deal of pain, John tries his best to hold on, but it's clear he's suffering. Marlena knows she must give John permission to let go, but she's not sure she has the strength to do it. She finally frees John to move on, and he dies.

10/18 It's a day of mourning as everyone prepares for John's funeral. The entire town gathers at the church. The crowd is surprised when Victor shows up and gives a touching eulogy to his former son-in-law. Caroline, Hope, Anna, Sami, Belle and Roman also pay tribute to John. An emotional Marlena thanks everyone for coming when Stefano arrives. She rips into him, blaming him for all the pain in John's life.

10/19 The mourners head back to the pub after the service. Stephanie realizes how hard it must have been for Kayla to face Steve's funeral alone and starts to make inroads with her parents. Everyone remembers John through memories of his life.

10/22 Kayla, Steve and Philip gather at the hospital after learning Pocket was brought in again for symptoms of poisoning. Dr. Davidoff explains that Pocket wasn't poisoned; he suffers from a rare genetic condition called MMA. Philip insists on taking Pocket home with him but Mrs. Meyers from Child Protective Services reminds him his paternity has not been legally established. Pocket's new foster parents, Ruth and Wayne Wilkens, arrive. Philip, Kayla and Steve are all struck by the tight, loving bond between Pocket and Ruth and Wayne. Steve points out that the kind of love the Wilkenses have for Pocket is something money can't buy. Kayla has a private moment with Philip and points out that his biological son can't fill the hole in his heart. Sometimes doing the right thing means letting go.

10/30 Steve and Kayla are startled when Stephanie shows up at their place in the middle of the night. She's an emotional mess and bursts into tears over the state of her life. Steve gives his daughter some time alone with Kayla. Stephanie confides to her mom that she went to a party and made out with some guy she didn't even like. She regrets her behavior because she did it to spite Max. She was angry with him for flirting with Morgan. Kayla advises Stephanie to forget about Max and concentrate on school. Later, Steve arranges for Adrienne to hire Stephanie at the Cheatin' Heart so she can spend time with Max. Alone, Stephanie breaks down in tears, saying she needs Max now more than ever.

11/2 E.J. shows up at Steve and Kayla's, and tries to convince them to let him see his son. They refuse. Back at Steve and Kayla's, she calls Bo (who is enjoying a romantic early birthday night with Hope), and he agrees to help them. By the time E.J. and Stefano return to the Salem Inn, Bo has arranged for Kayla's suite to be put under "quarantine." A stymied E.J. and Stefano are forced to leave empty-handed.

11/5 Hope confides to Kayla about Belle and Philip's affair. Hope wants to tell Bo, but Kayla warns her that Bo will blab to Shawn. Bo returns home and informs them that Shawn was rejected by the Academy, for now, because of the letter questioning his character. Kayla leaves, and Hope confesses to Bo that Belle and Philip had an affair.

11/8 Bo, Hope, Roman, Steve and Kayla arrive at the church and stage the intervention to try to stop Sami from marrying EJ. Sami is unswayed, and the disheartened Bradys return to the pub. Steve goes off on an errand. Back at the church, Sami starts down the aisle and sees a mystery woman dressed all in black. The ceremony begins as three different guns aim at the groom.

11/9 Steve hides a gun at Brady's Pub and is almost caught by Caroline.

11/14 Kayla finds Steve scoping out the crime scene in the church and questions where he went after the intervention at the church. Steve lies and says he was at an auto parts store. Kayla doesn't quite believe him.

11/16 Steve drops by the pub to retrieve the gun he hid behind the bar. Shawn catches him before he can get it, and Steve makes a hasty exit. A suspicious Shawn searches the bar. Shawn calls Bo to the pub, and he shows his dad the gun he found behind the bar. Later, Bo and Shawn confront Steve when he makes another attempt to retrieve the gun.

11/19 Later, Bo escorted Steve to the station with the gun from the pub. Roman surprised Bo with a revelation; it was his gun. He explained that Steve had been protecting him. Steve had gone to the church to get revenge against E.J., but he'd run into Roman, who'd had a gun. Roman hadn't been able to bring himself to shoot E.J., and after the shooting, Steve had covered for him by hiding the weapon.

11/20 Stephanie arrived at her parents' suite to take a pregnancy test in private. However, Kayla caught her. Stephanie reminded her mother of the night she'd made out with some guy to get back at Max. She revealed they had done more than make out; they'd had sex. Kayla offered her support to a grateful Stephanie. While Stephanie was in the bathroom, Steve returned home and found the pregnancy test box. Kayla covered that it was hers. Steve confided that if Kayla was really pregnant, he'd be okay with that. Stephanie, not knowing her father was home, walked out with the test stick.

11/21 Stephanie and Kayla attempted to prevent Steve from finding out that Stephanie had taken a pregnancy test. Later, mother and daughter were greatly relieved to learn the test was negative. Kayla urged Stephanie to return home for the holiday and told her to invite Cordy, too. Once Stephanie left, Steve questioned Kayla and got the truth out of her. Kayla begged him not to tell Stephanie he knew. Steve felt useless but was glad their daughter had gone home when she'd needed help.

11/23 Steve and Kayla are at Bo & Hope’s for Shawn and Belle’s wedding. Steve gives Shawn a watch from Grandpa Victor. Belle recognises it as Phillip’s watch and has flashback to sleeping with him, but still marries Shawn. The Bradys and Hortons gathered at the pub to celebrate the wedding and Thanksgiving. Doug gave a stirring speech about family.

11/26 Chelsea and Nick tell Bo, Steve and Stephanie they took photographs of evidence against Ford. An agitated Stephanie blasts Chelsea for causing trouble. Ford will try to get even. Bo looks at the photographs and wonders how they got them. Chelsea confesses they broke into Ford's dorm. Bo flips out but she defends her actions, saying the school and the cops have let them down. Bo wants to get a warrant so he can go after the evidence, but Chelsea tells him everything is gone. Ford realized someone had broken in and cleaned out his room. Stephanie knew Ford would get away with it. This touches a cord in Bo and Steve, and they decide to pay Ford a visit. Bo and Steve sternly warn Ford to stay away from their daughters as they give him a little taste of what is in store for him if he tries to hurt another young woman.

12/10 While playing with Ciara at the pub, Kayla and Steve talk about having a baby again. Steve worries his abusive childhood will impact his child-rearing skills, but Kayla assures him he'll make a great dad, if he does indeed want to be one. Steve acquiesces. He'd love to raise a child with Kayla. They decide they'd be happy adopting or having one the old fashioned way. Later, they leave the pub and spot a mysterious person (Kate) tampering with their car before escaping.

12/11 Kayla got worked up wondering who cut their car's brake line but a smooth Steve calmed her by reminiscing about a tryst they had in a parking lot long ago. The two got amorous in the back of their car. Confused, Hope noticed that Steve and Kayla's car was still in the lot outside and mentions it to Caroline. When a curious Hope opened their car door and found them inside getting busy. Embarrassed, Kayla chased Hope back inside the Brady pub while Steve waited outside to talk to the mechanic about their car.

A giggling Hope promised Kayla that she would not tell anyone about what she happened upon in the parking lot, but Hope grew solemn again when Kayla asked her about Belle and Shawn. Conflicted, Hope told Kayla that Belle had been with Philip on her wedding night and asked Kayla for advice. Based on her recent emotional issues with Stephanie, Kayla urged Hope to tell Shawn the truth. As Kayla promised that everything would be okay, Steve entered the pub and confirmed that the brake line on their car had been cut.

12/12 Bo arrives at Brady's Pub and finds out that someone tampered with Steve and Kayla's car. He asks Hope to call Billie over, then checks out the car with Steve. Bo realizes the job was done by an amateur and not the DiMeras.

12/18 A negligee clad Kayla greeted Steve at the door and enticed him to stay home for the evening. As the two kissed, Steve pulled away and reminded her that they could always adopt a child. When Steve couldn't drop the subject of adoption, Kayla pressed him to tell her why. Steve admitted that he was concerned about the risks of the pregnancy. Kayla promised him that she would never leave him, and then she showed him all the research she had done into the risks of a pregnancy at her age.

Once Kayla promised to get a doctor's approval for the pregnancy, Steve relaxed and the two made love. Later as the two were lying in bed, Steve wondered how Stephanie would take the news of the pregnancy. The two agreed not to tell Stephanie they were trying to get pregnant in light of how uncomfortable that might make her. With that settled and Stephanie still on his mind, Steve asked Kayla whether she noticed that something seemed to be bothering Stephanie lately. Kayla was confident that if Stephanie needed them that she would come to them. However, Steve wanted to be more proactive and planned to take Stephanie out to lunch to get her to open up.

12/19 In Rolf's laboratory, they look at someone lying under a sheet and hooked up to mysterious machinery. Stefano asked, "Is it done?" and Rolf assured him, "Ja, ja, it is done." Alone with the patient, Stefano talked of how his father, Santo, had restored the DiMera name to its former glory after a fall from grace, and he would not let anyone destroy it again, especially not a woman. He said the patient would help him destroy his female nemesis and save the DiMera Empire.

12/24 Belle shares with Kayla her feelings of insecurity about Bo and Hope. Kayla advises her to hang in there and show her in-laws how much she loves their son. Later, Kayla encourages Hope to give Belle a chance.

Dvd #25B 12/25 In the Chez Rouge ladies’ room, Cordy begged Stephanie to tell someone about her rape. Stephanie resisted stating that she didn’t want people to see her as a victim. Cordy then quoted Stephanie to herself, telling her those words had saved her life, and Cordy asked Stephanie to let them save her life as well. When Cordy told her to give her loved ones a chance to help, Stephanie finally relented and agreed to tell Kayla.

Cordy brought a weepy Stephanie out to the dining room to find Kayla, and seeing her daughter crying, Kayla rushed over. Finally, Stephanie admitted to her mother that the night she had hooked up with a stranger, it had been no stranger. Stephanie admitted that she had been raped by Ford, and cried in her mother’s arms, begging her not to tell anyone, especially Steve. Kayla agreed.

In the other corner, Steve took Max aside to assuage his fears that Stephanie was not interested. Steve filled Max in on the fact that he had gotten Stephanie the job at “The Cheatin’ Heart” just so she could be close to Max. Pleased but confused, Max told Steve that Stephanie had every right to worry about getting her heart broken. Steve told Max that he knew his bad boy ways were in the past, but he also promised that if Max hurt his daughter, he would come after him.

12/26 On Christmas morning, Marlena meets Crystal, a psychic. Marlena thinks she's a con-artist, but she's stunned when Crystal has information on John and says he's alive! Marlena doesn't have time to process this before Steve arrives and says the whole family's worried about her. Marlena decides not to tell Steve what Crystal said.

Steve, Kayla, and Stephanie all arrive for the hospital Christmas party, where Max (dressed as Santa) and Nick (as an elf) end up reading the Christmas story to the sick children. Later, Kayla comforts Stephanie. Followed by a Christmas montage of Salmites celebrating. Later, Stefano and Rolf tend to a mystery man in the laboratory.

1/2 Bo met Hope, Steve, and Kayla at the Chez Rouge, where all were dressed to the nines and then, to everyone's surprise, Marlena joined them. The five of them were seated at a table, where they paid each other compliments, made Champagne toasts to things like family and friendship, danced and laughed, enjoying each other's company and appreciating their time together.

On the dance floor, Kayla and Steve lovingly discussed the fertility testing they'd soon be doing. Marlena followed her, and confronted her outside. Crystal told her that Brady was in danger and needed Marlena's help, and that Marlena should let herself be guided by the picture she received after John died. Marlena tried to press her for more information, but Crystal broke free of her grasp and ran off. Just then, Bo, Hope, Steve, and Kayla came out of Chez Rouge and worriedly asked Marlena what was going on. Marlena covered, then hurried away herself.

Bo, Hope, Steve, and Kayla arrived at the midnight party at the Brady Pub. Hope asked Shawn where Belle was; he covered and said she had decided to be ring in the New Year with her mom. Everyone thought that was a wonderful, selfless idea. As midnight signaled the arrival of 2008 and strains of "Auld Lang Syne" were heard throughout Salem, Marlena looked to her photograph of John on the mantel as if for advice, after counting down to midnight, Bo and Hope, and Steve and Kayla each shared kisses at midnight and wished each other a Happy New Year.

1/8 At the DiMera mansion, E.J. snuck into the lab to find a table with a sheet on it. E.J. cautiously moved the sheet back to find a hand with I.V. tubes and wires attached. Shocked, E.J. covered his mouth in disbelief and then worked up the nerve to pull the rest of the sheet back. Once the sheet was ripped off, the patient and house guest was revealed to be none other than a sleeping John Black. Right on cue, Stefano entered the room and said "magnificent, isn't he?" Stuttering with disbelief, E.J. backed away wondering how this was possible. "One of my greatest creations yet," Stefano continued.

1/9 Bo, Hope, Steve, Kayla, and Roman were hanging out at the Brady Pub. Over tea, Kayla caught Hope up on what was going on with the fertility doctor, but expressed concerns that Steve might not be fully on board, that he was just going along with it to appease her.

Meanwhile, the men rehashed all the recent threats against the Bradys and Marlena's family. Bo and Roman filled Steve in on their inability to get a warrant to search the psychic's building, and how they'd learned the building owner's name is C.B. DiMera. Steve suggested he was available for some "after-hours snooping," but Kayla interrupted, reminding him of his appointment at the clinic. She pulled him aside before he left, wanting to make sure that he really wanted a baby; he reassured her that he did, "with all my heart and soul."

Max and Steph bumped into Steve, who of course wanted to know why his baby girl was at the hospital. She told him she just had some stuff she needed to talk about, and that Kayla had set her up with Dr. Whitney. To her surprise, Steve said he understood, hugged her, told her he loved her, and sent her and "Maxwell" on their way. After freaking out that he would go straight to her mom, Stephanie called Kayla, who said Steve hadn't said a word about seeing her. Stephanie was relieved and surprised. Kayla also reassured her daughter that she wouldn't mention it to anyone until Steph was ready.

Kayla brings out Claire joking she had to wrest away from Grandma Caroline. Later, Belle left with Claire, and Kayla advised Hope that there was still a chance Belle and Shawn would work things out. They then discussed their fears that an increasingly frustrated Marlena would take matters into her own hands with the DiMeras. After his appointment at the clinic, Steve joined Kayla, and thrilled his wife by saying, "Let's make a baby." They left to go home and get started.

1/21 Steve helps Caroline out at the pub as Bo and Roman are searching for kidnapped Claire. Caroline told Steve that he has made Kayla very happy, and she is proud to call him a member of the family. He praises her for taking a chance on a dude like him. Kayla showed up at the Brady Pub and told Steve that the time was right for them to conceive and to hurry home. Caroline stopped by Kayla's apartment at a very inopportune time. Her visit was followed by a call from the hospital. Finally, Steve and Kayla were alone to try to get on with their plan to have another child. 1/25 At the Brady Pub, Stephanie arrived to find her parents making out like teenagers. She sat down at their table and a proud Steve announced that this time next year she would have a younger sibling. Obviously preoccupied, Stephanie did not have much of a reaction to the news. Trying to joke, Steve told her to stop thinking about boys because she was so beautiful that she would have to fight them off of her. Stephanie immediately broke into tears. Confused, Steve looked to Kayla for guidance. Kayla put her arm around her daughter and gently urged her to tell Steve what had happened. "Did someone hurt you?" he asked her. Unable to say it, Stephanie cried. Finally Kayla told Steve that Stephanie had been raped. Steve immediately hugged them both, crying. After a few moments he managed to ask her who. Stephanie explained that it was Ford, who had drugged her first.

Distraught, Steve managed to realize that Ford was the missing boy and that the rape had to have happened a while ago. "He better be dead because if he's not, I'm gonna kill him," a heartbroken and angry Steve said. Steve also realized that Kayla had to have known for a while and not told him. Concerned, he reminded them both that they were a family and that they could not keep secrets from one another. Steve gently questioned Stephanie about therapy, ensuring that the therapist had told Stephanie that it was not her fault and that she should not be ashamed. When Stephanie mentioned that she felt like Steve would think she was ruined, he responded "Ruined? You'll never be ruined. You're my baby girl. This is a sick world and I wanted to protect you from bad things. Why couldn't I do that?" The three then began to hug one another and cry again. Steve looked into his daughter's eyes and told her that it was not her fault and that it did not change the fact that she was their wonderful daughter.

Inside the Brady Pub, a frantic Crawford spotted Stephanie and her parents. He pleaded with Stephanie for information on where his son was. Stephanie denied any knowledge and repeated the story she told the cops. Unable to take Crawford's grilling anymore, Stephanie told him "Your son raped me. I hate him." Crawford told her that was irrelevant to the situation and begged her to tell him where Ford was located. Stephanie would only respond that she did not know where Ford was. "I do," said Chelsea as she entered the pub. "I'm sorry, sir, but Ford is dead," Chelsea confessed.

1/28 Chelsea went to the Brady Pub, where Crawford Decker was questioning Stephanie, Kayla, and Steve. Chelsea, with great hesitation but with calm and relief, slowly detailed the events and circumstances leading to Ford's death. Crawford turned violent and threatened to get revenge and justice on everyone that was connected to his son's death and macabre burial. Max entered the pub and admitted that he had helped the girls get rid of Ford's body but would not reveal where he had buried Ford, so as not to implicate the girls further.

Steve and Kayla contacted an attorney after hearing the information from Chelsea, Stephanie, and Max and learning of their roles in the circumstances surrounding Ford's death and disappearance. Steve and Kayla were also saddened for Ford's family, but very worried about the long-term effects of Stephanie's ordeal and the secret she and the others had been keeping from everyone for months.

Roman and Abe informed Bo and Hope of Shawn's run-in with one of Crystal's men and said Shawn had to stop taking things into his own hands, or his career would be over. Abe and Roman welcomed Hope back to the force and then questioned Crystal's man about Crystal using another name, that of Desiree Wilson. Later, Bo and Hope visited Belle in the hospital with Philip, Shawn, and Chloe and told them that Crystal, a.k.a. Desiree Wilson, had been seen getting off a plane in Ireland with a little girl, and they were heading off to investigate. Philip rushed to get his jet ready to join them, even though Bo and Hope had told them all to let the police handle matters.

1/29 Kayla was working a shift at Salem Hospital when a rattled Steve shambled up to the counter, fretting about Stephanie's rape and how he had not been able to protect her. Steve admitted that he was frustrated that he could not kill Ford because he was already dead. "I'm not all right," he told her. Kayla pleaded with Steve not to do anything he would regret, but Steve continued to talk about how scarred their daughter was. Kayla tried to reassure him that Stephanie was getting counseling and that their daughter had their love and could not see his hate and anger. "I'm angry. But I know better than to let her see it," Steve said.

When Kayla left to answer a page, Steve wandered down the hallway and ran into Crawford Decker. Crawford tried to walk away, but Steve stopped him, saying that he would not forgive Crawford's son. Crawford replied, "There is nothing you can do. My son is dead. And I'll never forgive them for killing him." Seething with anger, Steve growled that it had been an accident. When Steve asked if Crawford had looked the other way during the rapes, Crawford turned it around and asked if that was what Steve was doing with murder.

Crawford tried to say that he did not believe the accusations, but Steve pushed harder, asking, "You didn't believe or you didn't want to believe?" Steve blamed Crawford for making Ford feel like he could get away with anything, but Crawford repeated that no matter what Ford had done, he had not deserved to die. "Oh, yes, he did. He did," said a crazy-eyed Steve. Steve then told Crawford that if he had cared about his son, he would have been paying attention and realized what kind of person Ford was before he had hurt all those girls and gotten himself killed. Crawford promised that everyone involved would pay. "You have no idea who you are dealing with," threatened Steve. "Neither do you," Crawford countered.

Down the hallway, Kayla met up with Hope in order to give her a physical. When Bo mentioned he needed his as well, he made sure to let Kayla know he did not want his sister to perform the physical. As the two laughed about how neither wanted to do that, Lexie showed up and offered her services. Bo went to his treatment bay with Lexie, and Hope followed Kayla behind the next curtain. Hope started to tell Kayla about her trip to Ireland, but she noticed that Kayla was obviously preoccupied. Kayla admitted she was worried about Steve. When Hope pressed further, Kayla said that the college rapist had raped Stephanie and that she feared what Steve would do.

Later, Hope, Bo, Kayla, and Lexie met up again, and Kayla and Lexie agreed that their patients both looked pretty good. Steve ambled over and offered his assistance to Bo and Hope. Noting Kayla's worried face, Steve told her that he was okay. Not fooled, Kayla asked him about his obviously injured hand. Steve admitted that he had gone a round with a wall. Kayla took Steve aside and examined his hand. Kayla noted that the hand was not broken, but she also told him that she was worried about him. Steve told her not to worry because he would not let anything else hurt their family. "Neither will I," said Kayla.

1/31 Adrienne informed Steve that she, Justin, and the boys were moving to Dubai. The siblings shared a tearful farewell. Roman filled in Steve on disturbing news about a patient. He promised that he and Kayla would take the next flight out to Ireland.

2/4 Kayla and Steve arrived in Ireland with Shawn Sr. to prepare him for his surprise reunion. Shawn Sr. received the shock of his life as family and friends witnessed him reunite with his older sister, Colleen. He thought she died over 50 years before and that he had been partly to blame for her untimely supposed "death." Colleen explained that she didn't jump off the cliff that night, but ran away and went into hiding. She told her brother that she felt terrible that she never told him she was alive, but did so to protect the family. She confessed she had lived with that guilt every day. Bo told Aunt Colleen that she was wrong for causing his father so much pain.

The others thought it was the only way that she could make Stefano suffer as she had, but unfortunately Stefano's revenge was more evil than she could have ever imagined. Shawn told Colleen that he forgave her. Steve and Kayla told Bo and Hope that Stefano was in a catatonic state and that no one knew exactly why. They went on to explain that Stefano had been transferred to a long-term care facility. Steve and Kayla told Bo that they had some very bad news to tell him and that they wanted to talk to him first so he could decide how to break the news to Hope.

2/5 Downstairs in the bed and breakfast, Steve told Bo that there was another reason he and Kayla had visited. Kayla explained that the test results for his physical had come back, and that they were very troubling. Kayla informed him that he needed to have more tests as soon as possible back home in Salem. Hope returned and the group of three grew very quiet. Trying to cover the awkward silence, Bo explained they were discussing Shawn Sr.'s reunion with Colleen and her surprises. The group then switched to talk about Claire and the reunion. As Steve said it had been a pretty good day, an uncomfortable and guilty Kayla stared furiously at the cup of tea in her hands.

After a quick glance at Kayla's terrible poker face, Steve began to discuss the country view outside and asked them to join him for a walk. Bo immediately begged off telling Steve he wanted to catch up with his sister, Kayla. Steve turned to Hope and convinced her to join him outside. Once Steve and Hope had left, Bo demanded Kayla give him specifics. Kayla explained that his results were abnormal and looked very bad. Unsure, Bo argued that he had exhibited no symptoms. Kayla explained that was normal, and told him that he needed to go back home so that he could fight this and win.

Out on the porch, Steve talked about the view and as he started to make jokes about leprechauns, Hope asked him what was up with Bo. Steve tried to play coy but Hope pushed him and said that Kayla was acting strange. Steve looked her in the eyes and asked her to remember when Bo had learned that Victor was his father. "Did I give you bad advice?" Steve asked her. "No. Great," Hope answered. Then Steve asked her to trust him and to give Bo a little bit of space.

Back in Ireland, Bo rushed outside to tell Hope the good news about Chelsea. Steve and Kayla were relieved to hear the news and said they were hopeful of what the news would mean for Stephanie. Kayla then not-so-subtly suggested that Bo and Hope leave for Salem immediately in order to comfort Chelsea. Steve jumped in and said that now that Claire was found, everything was under control. Bo was quick to agree to leave but when Kayla offered to call the airlines for them, Bo had to make a face at Kayla to back off. Hope was clearly not fooled by any of the three and asked, "You really are trying to get rid of us, aren't you?" Before anyone could answer, Shawn joined them on the porch, quickly followed by a frantic Marlena. "John has run off," Marlena gasped.

2/6 Downstairs, Marlena, Hope, Kayla, Steve, and Bo returned from looking for John, and joined Belle, Claire, and Shawn in the pub. Marlena told the shocked group that John had knocked her out and tried to kill Colleen. She said the only thing that had stopped him was Colleen's admission that she was John's mother. Bo wondered if Colleen was lying to protect herself, but Marlena told them Colleen was wearing the same medallion as in the old photograph of John and his mother. "Colleen's my grandmother," Belle said incredulously.

Marlena worried that John might be a "walking time bomb" since his mission had failed. Philip and Chloe came downstairs just as Bo, Steve, and Shawn were leaving to continue their search for John. Philip offered to come along, as did Hope, but Bo told her it was too dangerous. Besides, he said he needed her there in case John returned to complete his mission. Marlena told Colleen's story to the other women. "John's a Brady and a DiMera?" Chloe asked in amazement. Belle, clearly appalled, realized Stefano was her uncle. Marlena admitted that Stefano might have had programmed John to harm himself if his mission failed. Belle volunteered to stay with Colleen, her newly discovered grandmother. Kayla asked what Marlena thought John would do once the others found him. "Resist with everything he's got," Marlena replied grimly. She agreed with Chloe that the implications were staggering, because it meant that Colleen was Brady's grandmother, and Stefano his uncle. Chloe wondered if Stefano could be behind Brady's kidnapping. Marlena said Colleen didn't think so, and Marlena believed her. Hope realized Grandpa Shawn didn't know about Colleen being John's mother, and offered to tell him before he saw his sister again. As she jumped up from her stool, she nearly fell, but brushed it off as not having eaten since breakfast.

Steve was in the woods when Kayla called him to tell him John had been found. He wanted to make sure they talked to Bo and Hope right away, so they could get home to get their tests scheduled. Steve and Kayla discussed how worried they were about how Hope would take the news. Kayla said it had been difficult enough to tell Bo. "How do you tell someone you love they could be dying?" Steve asked. Shawn and Philip emerged from the trees just then and overheard, but Steve covered, saying it was a patient of Kayla's. He told them John had been found, and they all returned to the pub. Back at the pub, Steve pulled Kayla aside and asked if she'd had a chance to talk to Hope.

Shawn Sr. appeared on the stairs and announced that Colleen needed to see everyone in her room right away.

2/7 Colleen's family gathered around her bedside. Bo told his aunt not to give up. Colleen told her family that everything she did was to keep them safe and to see her brother one more time. Everybody felt it would be cruel if Colleen died after they'd just found her again. Colleen said God was not cruel and everybody should trust God. She felt people reaped what they sowed. John thought if that was true, Colleen was in a lot of trouble. Shawn Sr. was extremely angered by John's actions and comments. Colleen felt that John hated her.

John told Colleen that he did not care enough about her to hate her, but he was disappointed that he did not kill her when he had the chance. John felt that what Colleen did to her family was unforgivable, but since she was dying everybody was acting as if she were a saint. John did not think Colleen deserved forgiveness. Colleen said John did not remember love and he was not like his father. However, Colleen hoped one day John could become like his father. Colleen said Santo was a very loving man, and he loved Colleen very deeply.

Colleen faked her death so that Santo would not divorce his wife. Stefano blamed Colleen for ruining his father's life and decided to punish the Bradys. Colleen spoke to each member of her family and offered them advice. She told Belle and Shawn that they were the family's future. She told Bo he had Brady spirit. She told Hope to stand by her man. She wanted her family to take care of her brother. Colleen died in John's arms. Everybody went downstairs and John and Marlena stayed with Colleen. Marlena could see a change in John's eyes. John told her he did not feel or remember anything. When Marlena stepped into the hall, John closed the door behind her. John went over to Colleen's bed. He kissed his mother on the forehead and started to cry.

Downstairs Shawn Sr. was inconsolable. Philip offered his condolences and told Kayla about Lexie's message. Lexie was finally able to tell Kayla about the test results. Kayla admitted that nobody had told Hope what was going on. Lexie said Hope needed to be told right away. Lexie then told Kayla some good news-that she was pregnant.

2/8 In the woods near the bed and breakfast, Bo admitted it was hard not knowing what was going on with his health. Steve said he doubted Lexie would have sent Steve and Kayla to Ireland if she hadn't had cause for concern. Bo said he wanted to stay positive, then appeared to get very dizzy. Steve helped him to sit on a tree stump. Bo insisted he was fine, but he was worried about what Hope would have to go through. Steve thought Bo should tell her, but Bo said they should pretend everything was all right for now. Down in the pub, Kayla called Lexie, who asked if Kayla had told Steve she was pregnant yet. Kayla said she wanted to wait to tell him over a romantic dinner. Both women said they were thrilled by the news. Lexie said she was glad she could give good news to at least one of her friends, and mentioned how worried she was about Bo. Kayla informed her they were returning that afternoon, and they would go right to the hospital. Lexie wished them all a safe flight, and hung up.

Hope came downstairs and told Kayla she felt like Kayla, Steve, and Bo were keeping something from her. Kayla started to explain, but was interrupted by Steve and Bo returning from outside, and by Shawn coming downstairs. Shawn told the group about Colleen's wishes, and said they'd be having the memorial soon, after Shawn Sr. had some time alone. He also remarked how little comfort John would be to Shawn Sr, even if John were his nephew.

The group gathered in the woods for Colleen's memorial. Marlena asked Shawn Sr. if he'd like to begin by saying a few words. He said he didn't think he could manage it, and Kayla tried to comfort him. Marlena asked John to speak, but he flatly refused. She then said he should be the one to hold his mother's ashes, which he finally but churlishly agreed to. Bo then announced he would say a few words. "Fan-tastic! Let's get on with it," John said rudely.

The others tried to ignore him as Bo began to speak. He delivered a moving eulogy about Colleen, her love for Santo, and how love could overcome even the most insurmountable obstacles. "In the end," he said, his voice breaking, "true love survives above all." John removed the lid from the urn and handed it to Shawn Sr. Shawn Sr. reached in and took a handful of Colleen's ashes, which he then released into the light breeze. He handed the urn to Kayla, who repeated her father's actions. And so it went, from Kayla to Bo, then Hope, Shawn, Belle, and Marlena. As Colleen's family silently scattered her ashes in the woods behind the home where she'd lived out her final years, they seemed to share collective memories, gleaned from the couple's letters, of Colleen and Santo's beautiful yet poignant love story.

Finally, Marlena passed the urn to John. His back to the group, he poured a handful of ashes into his palm and briefly studied them as they began to fall through his trembling fingers. He turned his hand over and let the remainder drop, as the group began silently filing out of the clearing. John poured more of the ashes into his hand and watched again as they slid through his fingers. Marlena paused as if to speak to him, then reconsidered. She left him there, alone in the woods, and he blew the last of his mother's ashes from his hand into the wind.

Steve and Kayla came into the pub, looking for her missing cell phone. As Kayla left to search in another room, a woman appeared in the front window. When Steve turned and saw her, she fled. He ran outside, but there was no sign of the woman.

Alone in the woods again, John saw what appeared to be the ghosts of Colleen and Santo, young again. The otherworldly Santo took both of Colleen's ethereal hands in his and pulled her close. Their figures dissolved into those of their ghostly doppelgangers, back in the woods of Ireland. Santo gently touched Colleen's face as he kissed her lovingly. Their figures slowly vanished as John watched, and a faint glimmer of light seemed to return to his eyes.

2/11 After Colleen's memorial service, the Black and Brady families boarded John's jet to return to Salem. Marlena quizzed John over his emotional state since Colleen's death. John told Marlena that he felt nothing and was glad "it" was over and that he hadn't killed his mother. He also told her of his vision of Colleen and Santo on the mountaintop. Marlena shared John's experience with Shawn Sr., Bo, and Hope. She told them that perhaps Colleen and Santo's spirits were free at last and at rest.

Steve noticed a familiar face at the airport and left the plane abruptly to find the mystery woman. Kayla chased after Steve and later quizzed him about his behavior. He lied about the woman and told her he'd forgotten his cell phone. Steve continued to avoid Kayla's questions about the incident and appeared concerned and preoccupied on the flight home.

2/12 John's jet was still flying home over the Atlantic Ocean. On board, a tired Shawn Sr. slept rather fitfully while a worried Kayla fretted about her father's health.

In the cockpit, the pilot complained to the copilot that the controls felt mushy. John entered and asked the pilot to fly under the weather, but the pilot explained that weather might not be the problem. When John cocked his eyebrow in a questioning glance, the pilot explained that though the instruments were working, the plane was getting progressively harder to fly. "Do your best. You have my family back there," John said before catching himself and looking stunned by what he had just said. After John tested the controls himself and agreed with the pilot, the three agreed the best course of action was to land in Iceland for repairs. However, when they tried to radio the tower, the radio was no longer working, and there was no way to communicate with the airport.

Hope sat down with Steve and Kayla and begged them to tell her what Bo's secret was about. Steve played dumb and Kayla asked Hope what Bo had told her so far. "To trust him," Hope whispered. Kayla told Hope that everything would be all right. Satisfied, Hope returned to Bo. However, a worried Steve asked Kayla why she would say that when they were not sure that everything with Bo would be fine. Kayla explained that she'd said that because she hoped it would be fine.

John returned to the cabin and asked the group whether anyone had a cell phone with reception. None of the cell phones on board had any reception. As everyone in the cabin grew tense, John explained that the radio was out, but the plane was fine. However, when the copilot leaned into the cabin to tell John they were losing cabin pressure, the group was no longer fooled.

John returned to the cockpit and, together with the pilot and copilot, determined that the bump from before was probably not turbulence but instead was something knocking out the electrical systems. The group attempted to cut fuel to the engines to force a descent, but that didn't work. Steve ducked into the cockpit and overheard the three discuss the possibility of dumping the fuel and causing a crash. Steve passionately argued with John to think of his family in the back, since not everyone would survive the crash. Unmoved, John ordered the fuel dumped. However, nothing happened. With no way to descend, John cautioned Steve to tell everyone that the plane was about to get a whole lot colder.

2/13 Steve didn't mince words: "We got no radio, no instruments, no controls, and we're losing cabin pressure." Everyone peppered him at once with panicked questions. After quieting them, Marlena asked if John could fly the plane. Steve told them that John was in the copilot's seat and apparently remembered a lot about being a pilot. Steve explained that John and the pilots had decided the best thing to do was to keep the plane flying straight and level for the time being.

Steve asked Philip to round up some blankets because it was going to get a lot colder. John returned to the cabin and reiterated what Steve had told them. Marlena asked him point-blank, "Are we going to crash?" John replied, "Not on my watch." He admitted he had absolutely no idea what to do next and filled them in on what was happening. He said the plane's controls were unresponsive, so they had tried but failed to descend to a warmer altitude; they had attempted to dump fuel, but it hadn't worked; the plane was flying at a constant altitude, but they couldn't maneuver it; they were losing cabin pressure by the minute; and they had no idea how or why any of it had happened, nor how to fix it.

Bo asked how long they could stay in the air. John said two and a half hours, but they couldn't change course or land. He said at that altitude, their main problems were the cold and the lack of oxygen. Steve asked how long the air in the cabin would last. John replied that it was leaking from a hole in the fuselage, so he couldn't calculate how long it would take. Bo asked why they didn't just turn off the engines until they descended to a safer altitude. Steve said they'd already tried that, but it was all tied into the electronics.

John returned to the cockpit. Marlena advised everyone to get bundled up to keep warm and conserve body heat. Steve got "Papa Shawn" settled comfortably then joined Kayla as the rest of the group huddled under blankets with their seatmates. Kayla confided to Steve that she was worried about Stephanie, should anything happen to them, and he tried to assuage her fears.

When John got back to the cockpit, he found both pilots unconscious. He returned to the cabin, and quietly asked to see Marlena up front. She was stunned to see the pilots on the floor. He asked if it was from the cold or the lack of oxygen, but she said no. She slipped back into the main cabin to retrieve her bag then returned and checked the pilots' vital signs. After noticing residue in the bottom of the water bottle the pilots had shared, Marlena determined they had probably been drugged with a high dose of narcotics.

Later, Marlena told John she'd given the pilots naloxone, and they were stable but still unresponsive. John admitted he had no idea what his next step was. She said she was impressed with the way he'd handled things so far. Suddenly, John closed his eyes and began "doodling" in the air with his finger. When Marlena asked what he was doing, he replied, "Math." He said he'd calculated that they had a little over two hours' flying time left, and he might have figured out a way to land safely -- and they might have just enough oxygen to do it. Marlena returned from the cockpit and announced that John thought he had figured out how to land the plane safely, but he was the only pilot. She explained that the same people who'd sabotaged the plane had probably drugged the pilots. "This was no accident," she surmised.

The others, shivering, all looked at each other with fear and concern. Marlena said that John had calculated how much fuel they needed to burn off before they could land safely. She reminded them about the leak in the fuselage, but she said they could use whatever was in the oxygen masks and released the masks from overhead. John appeared in the cockpit door, and Marlena asked if he'd figured out how to land the plane. He said no; they'd be up there until they ran out of fuel. "And then what?" gasped a panicky Chloe. John replied, "We join Colleen and Santo in the sweet hereafter."

2/14 There was mass panic on the plane. The plane was running out of fuel and oxygen. Not all the oxygen masks worked. There was a lot of discussion about who would use the masks. As a group, everybody decided to take turns using the masks. Everybody except John and he refused to share his personal oxygen tank and mask. John, Steve, and Bo decided to do something about the plane. Bo tried to stand but got dizzy and was unable to assist anybody. Steve knew how to hot-wire cars, so he thought he'd give the plane a shot. Steve asked John to accompany him to the cockpit. John refused, choosing to work on the back of the plane by himself.

Kayla was worried about Steve. She wanted him to stay by her side. He told her he would be fine. He would use the pilots' oxygen masks. Kayla gave her husband a loving and passionate kiss before he departed. When he left, Kayla began to reminisce about when their unborn child had been conceived. She then remembered the phone call she'd received from Lexie telling Kayla she was pregnant. Marlena sat across from Kayla. Kayla told Marlena that she was pregnant. Marlena expressed concern for the fetus. Marlena told Kayla not to share her mask because she needed adequate oxygen for her unborn child. Kayla worried about Steve. Marlena was convinced that John would save the day. Belle asked her mother if she was sure about John's abilities.

John returned and told everybody he didn't know what he was doing. He decided to take a break. He sat beside Kayla and closed his eyes. Kayla asked what John was doing. John said he was thinking. Kayla said John needed to do something and quick, John had to save the day, just as he always had. John said what he needed was for people to stop telling him what to do and stop reminding him of what he used to be like. John left his seat and walked toward the cockpit.

Shawn Sr. did not want to share an oxygen mask. He decided that he had lived a full life and was at peace with his sister. Perhaps it was the time for him to make peace with God. Hope and Bo forced Shawn Sr. to share the air mask with them. Bo finally decided to tell his wife about his illness. Hope was devastated to learn that her husband had cancer and crushed when he said it was likely fatal. Shawn Sr. could not believe his ears. He was very concerned for his son. Bo was growing weak due to lack of oxygen. Shawn Sr. decided Hope should keep the oxygen for herself and Bo. He was willing to sacrifice himself for his son.

Steve reached the cockpit. He tried to use the oxygen masks, but they were not working. Very soon, Steve became weak and lost consciousness. John entered the cockpit and saw Steve sitting on one of the chairs. John felt for a pulse then held the oxygen mask to Steve's face. John encouraged Steve to wake up, but had no intention of looking after him. John was able to repair the oxygen mask in the cockpit. He placed it on Steve and began to hit him. Steve regained consciousness and began to flail about. John told him to calm down. John said he had good news and bad news. The good news was that Steve was fine. The bad news was that he would not be for much longer.

Abe made a call and discovered the plane had left Ireland a couple of hours prior and was headed home. Abe told the young ladies it was not necessary for them to stay because he would call them as soon as the plane arrived. Just as Chelsea and Stephanie were leaving, Abe received a call. Abe stopped them because it was a call about the plane. Abe told everybody the plane was in trouble.

2/15 Roman was surprised to find Abe, Lexie, Chelsea, and Stephanie in his office at the Salem Police Station. Abe informed him that John's plane had lost radio contact, and the pilots had missed a scheduled position report. He said it appeared as though they would miss their landing coordinates and soon run out of fuel. If that were to happen, Abe continued, they would have no safe place to land.

Caroline and Max soon arrived. In detailing the situation for his mother, Roman didn't sugarcoat the fact that their family was in trouble. Roman reassured everyone that the pilots were trained to deal with all sorts of emergencies plus they had John, Bo, Philip, and Steve to help them. Everyone waited and worried while Abe and Roman got on the phone to attempt to get more information. Roman hung up with Homeland Security and said there was no indication that the crew's lack of communication was connected to terrorism. Abe soon learned that Greenland was tracking the plane on radar, but it still hadn't changed course, airspeed, or altitude. Caroline shakily asks how long until they run out of fool. Abe somberly admits, “Not very long”.

In the cockpit of John's plane, a digital readout ticked off the oxygen supply's remaining minutes. As Steve regained consciousness and gasped for breath behind his oxygen mask, John recapped what he'd missed: they still had no control over the plane and couldn't alter their course or altitude, and there was less than half an hour of oxygen and an hour's worth of fuel left. When John calmly told Steve, "Look on the bright side. The crash won't kill us, we will already have suffocated," Steve lost it. He told John they could not give up because they had to save their friends and families. John concurred and said they needed to dump the fuel, regain control, and try to land the plane. John then asked about the pilots. "They didn't make it," replied Steve. John wondered aloud who could have been behind the sabotage.

Back in the passenger cabin, the group discovered more of the oxygen masks were working, so everyone could have their own. As Hope secured an unconscious Bo's mask, Shawn Sr. dropped his own mask to his lap. Hope gently ordered him to put it back on, but he refused. "I won't do it, darlin'. Bo needs to live, and so do you," he said. He and Hope argued, and she finally convinced him to put his mask on while she went to get Kayla, because Kayla deserved to know what he was about to do. Shawn Sr. said he'd put on the mask only if Hope didn't tell any of the others. When Hope quietly led Kayla back, Kayla was concerned to see that Bo was unconscious. Hope explained Bo had passed out because he had refused the oxygen. She related that Bo had said he was probably not going to make it, anyway, and they should let him die and Shawn Sr. was trying to do the same thing.

As Hope watched tearfully, Kayla tried to talk Shawn Sr. out of sacrificing himself. She told him she was pregnant and wanted him to know his new grandchild. Shawn argued that the child wouldn't even have a chance at life unless Kayla let him go. Kayla ordered her Pop to put his mask back on, but he steadfastly refused. He told Kayla he loved her and the whole family, and promised he and Colleen would watch over them all. "Tell Caroline that I'll miss her most of all," he said resolutely.

Kayla said without the oxygen, he would just go to sleep, and then she would put the mask back on him. He told her to stop it and let him die. "You know it's right!" Shawn insisted as Kayla began to weep. "Now let me go, before the devil knows I'm gone." With that, Shawn reached up and yanked his mask's tubing out of the ceiling. Kayla cried, "No! Pop!" as the plane bounced, nearly jostling Hope into the aisle.

Up front, the oxygen monitor clicked down to seven minutes. John told Steve they needed to figure out a way to either regain control so they could descend, or dump the fuel-but the former was far preferable, as dumping the fuel would cause the plane to plummet quickly. John located the proper switches for Steve, who removed the control panel's cover and began working on the wires with pliers and a screwdriver. Steve noted that it looked like the wires had been burned by explosives, but neither man was sure which set of wires controlled the fuel dump and which went to the flight controls.

Hope removed her glove and felt for Shawn's pulse. "I can't believe he's really gone," she sniffed to a devastated Kayla, and then gently pulled the blanket over his face. They agreed not to tell the others yet. Hope quietly asked Kayla if Bo was going to die from what he had. Kayla assured her she would do everything she could not to let that happen. "He has to live, Kay," said Hope, her face streaked with tears. "Your father's sacrifice can't be in vain."

Steve began having trouble breathing, and as the clock ticked down to zero, John barked, "We need flight control or dump that fuel now!" One by one, the passengers removed their masks as they realized they were no longer getting oxygen, and everyone gasped for breath. Belle insisted there had to be more air for Claire. Marlena tried to reassure her by telling her Claire would just stay asleep and would never know what had happened. The words offered little comfort for Belle, who began sobbing.

Marlena managed to quietly gasp, "John," before her eyes closed as well. Hope put her arm around Bo and softly said, "I love you, Brady," as she rested her head on his shoulder. Kayla put her head on her father's chest, whispering, "I love you, Pop. I love you, Steve."

In the cockpit, Steve succumbed to the lack of oxygen and slumped back in his seat. Deeply drawing in breath through his mask, John took over with the wires, as the passenger cabin grew eerily quiet behind him. Finally, John twisted the right combination of wires together, and the plane made a whining sound. Immediately, the fuel gauges began sliding toward "empty," and the plane began to descend rapidly.

**The End**