Written By Joseph

Sonny goes to Evan's room to apologize for how Arianna acted on Christmas, refusing to go sledding with him and David and wanting to wait for Will. Evan understands that Arianna would act out about losing Will to prison and being protective of Sonny. Sonny thanks him for understanding and tells Evan that he really doesn't know how to tell Arianna that he and Will are getting a divorce since he can't keep it a secret forever. Evan calls it a blessing that David isn't old enough to ask questions because he doesn't know how to explain to a child that his uncle killed his mother.

Xander goes to the prison and tells Ben that he has another visitor. Ben questions what he's doing here. Xander tells him they need to have a little chat about his nosy girlfriend. Ben tells Xander that he's wasting his time since he and Ciara broke up a long time ago. Xander responds that he's not buying it. Ben says they are done here and tries to call the guard to leave but Xander reveals he paid off the guard to lock the door. Xander orders Ben to sit back down.

At the Kiriakis Mansion, Victor warns Ciara not to even try denying that she was visiting Ben and investigating Xander. Victor questions why she has been lying to him. Ciara thinks back to telling Ben of her plan to move in to prove that Victor framed Ben for Jordan's murder then to overhearing Victor and Xander's conversation about sending an innocent man to prison.

"Hope" goes to the interrogation room and tells Rafe that he is fired so Rafe asks why.

"Steve" tells Kayla that she's right, he has changed and it would be a lot easier if she just accepted that the man she knew is gone. Kayla questions how he can just act like he doesn't care anymore. "Steve" then shouts that he's in love with another woman so Kayla asks who she is.

Evan mentions to Sonny that he just read Ben is facing his last appeal. Sonny informs him that Ben's new lawyer is his dad which surprises Evan. Sonny calls it kind of crazy since Ben previously tried to murder his husband. Evan asks how he feels about it. Sonny admits he's conflicted since Justin always says everyone is entitled to a good defense but he doesn't have sympathy for Ben. Evan responds that he actually does.

Ben sits down and asks what Xander wants with him. Xander tells him that Ciara has become a pain in his ass by investigating him, lurking in doors, and sticking her nose where it doesn't belong so he wants to know why. Ben claims he doesn't know what he's talking about. Xander thinks he does and warns that things will get ugly for Ciara if he doesn't talk. Ben warns him to keep his hands off Ciara. Xander guesses they are still involved then. Ben calls Ciara innocent. Xander tells him not to worry about Ciara since Victor told him to stay away from his granddaughter but he didn't say anything about Ben.

Ciara admits to Victor that she's been lying to him and that she still thinks Victor ordered Xander to kill Jordan and let Ben take the fall.

"Steve" tells Kayla that he won't tell her who the other woman is because they are divorced and she's in love with Justin so it doesn't make a difference. Kayla argues that they raised two children together and she supported his son while he was away so she deserves to know who he is in love with. "Steve" decides that if she really wants to know, he will tell her.

Victor tells Ciara that he had nothing to do with Jordan's death and he can't believe she still believes that. Ciara can't believe that he dragged Ben in to this room and nearly strangled him to death. Ciara tells him that she knows what he tried to do and that Ben threatened to tell her but promised to forgive and forget if he just took care of Jordan which he did but he double crossed Ben by sending Xander to kill Jordan and framing Ben for the murder. Victor calls it complete nonsense while Ciara calls it the truth. Victor asks what evidence there is. Ciara admits that she has been spying on him and Xander and she overheard him say they sent an innocent man to prison so she tells him to just admit it. Ciara's phone lays behind her on record.

Ben questions if Xander is trying to scare him, arguing that he couldn't do a thing to him that hasn't happened already. Xander warns him not to challenge him and questions Ben thinking he's safe here. Xander threatens to have him stabbed. Ben says it wouldn't be the first time. Xander notes that Ciara wouldn't have a reason to come around anymore but the messy part could be avoided if Ben just tells her to back off. Ben asks if they are done. Xander warns him that if he does not call Ciara off, he will have them both killed. Ben reminds him that he just said Victor told him to stay away from Ciara. Xander points out that he did but just like Ben could be easily stabbed in the shower, Ciara could get cut off on her motorcycle and end up dead in a ditch without it ever being traced back to him. Ben flips the table and grabs Xander, warning him that if he touches Ciara, he'll be a dead man. Will then walks in and questions what the hell is going on here.

Sonny is surprised Evan feels bad for a guy like Ben when he killed David's mother. Evan clarifies he's not condoning that but Rafe has told him that Jordan was completely unhinged. Sonny admits that's true since Jordan kidnapped Ciara to frame Ben as the crazy one and then spent time in a psych ward, convinced them she was sane only to go after Ciara again. Evan knows it may sound weird but suggests it's a relief that Jordan is out of the picture so maybe Ben did his nephew a favor. Sonny asks if he really believes that.

"Hope" is sick and tired of Rafe undermining her authority at every single turn and talking about her behind her back to Roman. Rafe says he was telling Roman that he's worried about her. "Hope" tells him to focus on the little boy he has at home instead of his ex-wife and now he'll have time to do that. "Hope" demands Rafe turn over his gun and badge but Rafe refuses.

Kayla asks "Steve" to tell her who the new woman in his life is. Marlena and John come out from the back after hearing raised voices and asks if everything is okay here. Kayla apologizes for disturbing them since she came looking for answers while "Steve" just informed her that he's in love with another woman and he was just about to tell her who that is.

"Hope" tells Rafe that she has full authority to fire anyone including him. Rafe says maybe she does but it's a process and he has a union who will find her reasons for termination unfounded then she will have to create a case file for HR. Rafe then reveals the file he's created of her inconsistencies. "Hope" questions him building a case against her and spying on her, calling it outrageous. Rafe says he created it because he's worried about her. Rafe tells her if she's determined to terminate him, she can go for it, but it will only make him more determined to find out what's really going on with her. "Hope" claims she's fine and she's never been better. She adds that her only problem is with him. Rafe hopes one day she will tell him, but until then he will take his file and go home to see David for lunch, unless she wants to fire him for that too. Rafe then exits the station.

Sonny questions Evan being a fan of vigilante justice. Evan feels it's just probably for the best that Jordan is out of David's life as he just can't imagine a woman with her issues raising a child so now there's no possibility that she will come back to mess everything up. Evan adds that David really got lucky ending up with a guy like Rafe. Sonny adds that David got lucky to have Evan too. Sonny calls him a great role model and praises him. Sonny says that Evan makes David feel safe and loved. Evan talks about his dad not being around much when he was a kid so maybe that's why he gravitated towards taking care of kids. Sonny calls him a natural and says he will be a great dad someday.

"Steve" doesn't see the point in sharing his lover's name. Kayla refuses to leave until she gets it. "Steve" tells her that the woman is beautiful, intelligent, and captivating so that's all she needs to know. Kayla hopes they are very happy and storms out. "Steve" tells John and Marlena that he's sorry about that. Marlena goes after Kayla to catch up to her. John tells "Steve" that was a bit harsh. "Steve" argues that Kayla asked, so he answered. John questions if he was telling the truth about the other woman.

Will asks Ben what's going on here. Ben tells Will that it doesn't concern him so he should walk away. Will responds that he can't do that so he pulls Ben off of Xander, not wanting him to do something stupid. Will tells Ben not to let Xander get to him and not to sink to his level. Xander mocks Will being best friends with the man who strangled him. Xander adds that Will did join the killer club when he wiped out his mother in law. Ben then grabs Xander again, screaming at him to shut his mouth. Will pulls Ben off of him and encourages him to relax, reminding him that getting into it with Xander could mess up his appeal and then he'd never see Ciara again. Will urges Ben not to let this piece of trash ruin that for him.

Victor tells Ciara that she's wrong and claims she misheard so she has no idea what she's talking about. Ciara insists that she knows exactly what she heard and that she has proof. Ciara informs him that when Mickie was kidnapped, Xander wrote a confession to get her back. Victor argues that she doesn't know that. Ciara explains that she watched Xander burn his confession in the fireplace then she went back to take it out. Victor asks if she has his confession. Ciara says all that was left were the words "And that's the whole sorted story of what we did". Victor states that she has proof of absolutely nothing then. Ciara argues that she doesn't need to see the paper to know what Xander was confessing to and now Ben might die because of what Xander did. Ciara says she has looked up to Victor all her life and he has always been there for her especially after she lost her dad so she needs him now. Ciara pleads with Victor to tell the truth or else, they are going to kill an innocent man who has worked so hard and long to put his life back together. Ciara knows in his own twisted way that he thought he was protecting her, but this is not the way to do it. Ciara argues that he can still fix this. Victor questions her calling him twisted when he's done nothing but love her. Victor then suddenly passes out in his chair so Ciara rushes to check on him.

"Steve" questions what makes John think he isn't telling the truth. John says he's known him a long time and knows how he operates. John feels he is pushing Kayla away and making up another woman because she's with Justin. "Steve" admits there is no other woman and that it was just simpler this way. John argues that they don't do simple and there's nothing simple about this. John says they shared a lifetime together and asks if he's sure he wants to throw all that away. "Steve" responds that he already has by signing the divorce papers. He adds that it wasn't easy with their history and their kids but he had no choice as their relationship was in ruins and now she's in love with Justin. John argues that he pushed her in that direction by going off the grid. "Steve" asks what kind of man he would be to come back to town and destroyed what she has with Justin. John asks who's judging if he still loves her. "Steve" says he can't because she has moved on which is why it was easier for him to let her believe there's another woman. John is not so sure but "Steve" says that's the way it has to be and there's no going back to Kayla. "Steve" asks if he can count on John to keep his secret.

Marlena catches up with Kayla at the hospital and asks if she's okay. Kayla says she didn't mean to cause a scene but she wasn't expecting her ex-husband to drop the bomb that he's in love with another woman. Marlena is sorry that he hurt her and imagines she must be so frustrated. Marlena suggests it's good that he came back to town so she can have some closure. Kayla wishes she saw it that way but it just gave her more questions like who this woman is and if she is the reason Steve was gone for so long or why he gave up on their marriage. Kayla feels like a fool to let him back in to her life. Marlena tells her not to blame herself for this. Kayla declares that she will never make that mistake again.

Ciara tries to wake Victor up but can't so she gets her phone and calls 911.

Ben tells Will that he's right that Xander isn't worth it. Xander says maybe not but Ciara is so he warns Ben to get her on a leash as he storms out. Will asks Ben what that was about. Ben explains that Xander knows he and Ciara are still together and that she's been trying to prove Xander killed Jordan to help exonerate him. Ben says he has to warn Ciara now that she is in serious danger.

Sonny and Evan get close until Rafe walks in and apologizes for interrupting. Sonny says he just stopped by to say hello. Evan tells Rafe that David went down early for his nap and shows him video of earlier in the day. Sonny decides he has to go run errands. Rafe gives Sonny an envelope to give to Justin when he sees him. Rafe says he finally got an attorney to sign off on him formally adopting David. Sonny and Evan call that great news. Rafe says he's been David's legal guardian for over a year so it's past time to make it official. Sonny and Evan agree that it's perfect. Rafe wants to get David the best life that he deserves. Sonny says he'll get the papers to Justin. Rafe goes to check on David. Sonny tells Evan that the news is great but then asks Evan what's wrong.

John tells "Steve" that he won't say anything to Kayla but he doesn't keep secrets from Marlena. "Hope" then shows up and says she wanted to talk strategy with them about how to flush Stefano out. "Steve" goes to get his tablet from the bedroom. "Hope" tells John that she knows he told Marlena about her feelings for him. John is sorry but says she had to know the truth. "Hope" says she understands but hopes it won't interfere with them working together on tracking down Stefano. She asks if he will continue working with her which he agrees to do.

Marlena is sorry Kayla had to go through this with Steve but says he's made his choice and she chose Justin and they are hapy together. Victor is then wheeled in to the hospital. Paramedics tell Kayla that he was unconscious but still breathing and has signs of a possible stroke. Ciara arrives behind them and tells Kayla that she has to help him and she doesn't know what happened as they were just talking. Marlena goes over and hugs Ciara, assuring that Victor is in good hands.

Evan tells Sonny that it's fine but before Rafe came in, he thought they were about to kiss but guesses it was just in his head. Sonny tells him that it wasn't.

"Hope" is glad John will continue working with her. John says they've always made a great team but for this partnership to work, she needs to let go of whatever feeling she has for him so their friendship can get back on track. "Hope" says she just wants them to be friends. John gets a call from Marlena, who tells him that Victor had a stroke and just got brought in to the hospital. John asks how he is. Marlena says she's not sure as they are waiting for word but she thinks he better call Brady. John says he'll call him right away and thanks her for letting him know as he hangs up. "Hope" asks what's going on so John informs her that Victor had a stroke. John says he will have to postpone their meeting as he has to go find Brady to tell him what's going on. "Hope" comments that it's unfortunate that Brady and Victor aren't on good terms. John responds that it doesn't matter what kind of terms they are on, Victor is his son's grandfather. John then exits. Stefano comes back out so Gina tells him that John had to go find Brady because Victor had a stroke. Stefano remarks that it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Gina says they must only worry about themselves because she fears the walls are starting to close in on them.

Ciara gets a call from Ben. Ciara informs him that Victor had a stroke and cries that she doesn't know how he's doing. Ben asks what happened. Ciara explains that Victor found out that she was visiting him and confronted her so she confronted him and tried to record him but he kept denying having anything to do with Jordan's death. Ciara cried that she kept pushing and then Victor just fell back in his chair. Ben says he's sorry. Ciara feels it's all her fault for pushing Victor too hard. Ben tells her that Xander came to visit him and he knows what she's trying to do. Ben warns her that Xander is in a rage so he asks her to promise to stay away from him. Ciara assures that Victor won't let Xander touch her. Ben informs her that Xander threatened to hurt her. Ben knows that Victor would do everything in his power to try to protect her but right now he isn't in any shape to try to stop him.

Sonny admits he thought they were going to kiss too. Evan knows he's still married. Sonny says he is getting divorced so technically it wouldn't be cheating. Evan adds that he'd be kissing Sonny so he'd still be the innocent party. Sonny points out that Evan hasn't kissed him yet so he then does.

Ben informs Will that Victor is in the hospital and Ciara hasn't gotten any updates on his condition. Will says as much as he dislikes Victor, he knows Sonny loves him so he has to be devastated. Ben adds that Ciara is blaming herself. Will says she shouldn't since Victor has had health issues for a long time. Ben hopes Victor makes it because right now, he's the only one protecting Ciara from Xander which makes him hope that she stays the hell away from him.

Ciara asks Marlena if there's any word on Victor's condition. Marlena goes to check. Xander then arrives at the hospital and questions Ciara as to how the hell this happened.

Gina tells Stefano that none of this is going as she intended and now Rafe has started a file on her since he's taking issues with some of her decisions. Stefano suggests firing him. Gina says she tried but apparently there are rules. Stefano reminds her that Rafe sees her as Hope. Gina says it's not just Rafe since he told Roman that he's worried about her. Stefano points out that Rafe was married to Hope and knows her so it makes sense that he would be aware of any irregularities in her behavior. Gina asks what if Rafe has started to figure out that she's not Hope. Stefano suggests she get busy and put some distance between her and Rafe. She calls that excellent advice and says the more distance the better as the last thing she needs is for Rafe to destroy their plans. Gina tells Stefano that if they are going to come between John and Marlena, they must make their move fast.

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