Written By Joseph

Marlena goes to the Brady Pub where she finds Kayla eating alone. Marlena is surprised to see her here instead of at the hospital with Justin. Kayla informs her that Victor's surgery went long so Justin insisted she go eat but she doesn't have an appetite. Marlena asks about the surgery. Kayla tells her it was a complete success and they removed the blood clot. Marlena tells her that she's been thinking about her a lot.

Kristen questions what the hell Steve Johnson is doing at her door. He tells her that he's here because of her father, Stefano DiMera.

Princess Gina goes to her and Stefano's hideout and calls out for Stefano. John comes out and questions why "Hope" was expecting to find Stefano here.

Xander is at Victor's side at the hospital. Victor thought he was a goner. Xander tells him that the ambulance arrived just in time and the surgery went well so he's a lucky man. Xander says he had to convince Maggie to go home and rest. Xander knows he should do the same but they have to talk about Ciara.

Justin enters the chapel and informs Ciara that he just got the call that they have reached a decision so she asks what it is..

Kayla tells Marlena that she was with Jack and Jennifer earlier and Jack told her about his run-in with Steve. Kayla says Jack was spot on when he said Steve doesn't seem like the man he was before as he's cold and cruel. Marlena says she and John were taken back by the way "Steve" treated her when she deserves answers. Kayla complains about "Steve" throwing another woman in her face. Marlena wonders if they are misreading this and that "Steve" didn't mean to hurt her but wasn't aware of what he was saying since he's on a mission right now that could be dangerous.

"Steve" tells Kristen that he heard Stefano was in town so he hoped she could help him. She tells him that he came to the wrong place because she hasn't heard from him. "Steve" says Stefano is her father so she must know something. Kristen says he hasn't made an effort to see her and only communicates with Chad but refuses to show himself so who knows if he's really their father or not. "Steve" asks if she has doubts. Kristen complains that he sent Chad as an errand boy demanding her DiMera shares so that stock is the only thing Stefano gives a damn about so she doesn't give a damn about him. "Steve" senses anger issues and suggests he could convince her to help him catch Stefano.

"Hope" tells John that when she saw the lock on the door had been tampered with by a professional, naturally she thought Stefano had returned. John says if they got here earlier, they might have caught him because Stefano has definitely been here as he raises another cigar. John says the Salem police searched the place thoroughly so this is proof that Stefano has been back since then. "Hope" says he has to know they are onto him so he wouldn't be so careless to leave behind evidence like that. "Hope" guesses Rafe or someone must have overlooked it. John points out that it's their job not to. "Hope" says she will take it up with them. John asks if she wants to log it in to evidence. "Hope" says of course and goes to take it but John questions her not putting it in a bag. She calls it a long day and then takes it in a bag. "Hope" reminds John that this was a secured crime scene and she did not give him permission to enter so he's lucky she didn't mistake him for someone else. John apologizes for not going through the proper channels but whatever it takes to bring down Stefano is his priority. John thought coming here would help get inside Stefano's head but he has no answers. John adds that he does have a question for "Hope" about "Steve". John asks how exactly she managed to track him down and bring him back to Salem.

Kristen questions "Steve" wanting her to help him catch her father. "Steve" says Stefano has obviously hurt her and he's sure there have been betrayals and disappointments in the past. Kristen argues that he doesn't know anything about her father and what a great man he is so there is no way in Hell she will work with him to expose him. "Steve" is sure he appreciates having such a loyal daughter. "Steve" asks if she has her own plans for the stock she mentioned. Kristen says her only plan right now is to break up Brady and Nicole now that they are a couple again. "Steve" asks if love is what has her so upset. Kristen asks how Steve would like it if he came back and his beloved Kayla was with someone else.

Kayla tells Marlena that Justin has been wonderful through all of this and been supportive so she's grateful to him and happy that he is in her life. Marlena notes that she doesn't seem happy. Kayla says she is or at least was before "Steve" came back. Kayla is just angry with herself because she has an amazing man but can't let go of Steve.

Xander tells Victor that Henderson told him that he was alone with Ciara when he had the stroke but she wouldn't tell him what happened so he asks Victor what she did. Victor informs him that Ciara confronted him about Jordan's murder but he didn't say anything because right after she accused him, he collapsed. Victor tells Ciara that Xander was right that she thinks Ben is innocent and that they are responsible for Jordan's murder. Justin then walks in and asks if she's right about that.

Ciara goes to the prison to see Ben. She tells him that she just spoke to Justin at the hospital. Ben asks if Victor is going to be okay. Ciara says he made it through surgery and will be fine. Ben says he's glad to hear that. Ciara says that's not why she is here. Ben guesses there has been a ruling. Ciara informs him that Justin told her the verdict.

Xander argues that Victor needs to rest. Justin asks if Xander is Victor's guard dog or his lapdog. Xander accuses Justin of encouraging Ciara in her ridiculous delusion that her serial killer boyfriend is innocent of killing his homicidal sister. Justin doesn't think it's a delusion but Xander argues that he has no proof. Xander insists he and Victor had nothing to do with Jordan's death but his recklessness nearly caused one. Xander argues that Ciara is love struck and incapable of rational thought but Justin is encouraging her that Victor is guilty of murdering Jordan so Ciara hounded him until he had a stroke. Justin is truly sorry for Victor's stroke but says if there is any possibility that he is somehow involved. Xander cuts him off and says Ben had his day in court and lost several times so that should be proof that he's guilty. Justin shouts that every person has a right to justice including a right to appeal his conviction that was based solely on circumstantial evidence which is why Ben does not deserve the death penalty. Justin says that's the argument he made to the judge. Xander hopes the judge sees the truth and that's the end of it. Justin informs him that the ruling just came in..

Ciara tells Ben that she's so sorry but they didn't overturn his conviction. Ben says it's not much of a surprise since there was no new evidence. Ben notes that Justin's petition included a request to get his sentence to life but Ciara reveals the judge denied it. Ben states that was his last appeal and after all the horrible things he did in his life, he's going to die for something he didn't do.

Kayla tells Marlena that she needs too accept that Steve is with someone else now. Kayla says people change so she has to let him live his life but she just wishes he wasn't being such a jerk. Kayla wonders why "Steve" is trying to hurt her and push her away after all their years together. Kayla argues that he is the one who stayed away. Marlena says she can't explain why "Steve" is behaving how he is but she's sorry that it's so upsetting to her. Marlena adds that they were a family with children and memories that can't be put aside. Marlena is glad Kayla has Justin but she understands why she's having a hard time letting go. Kayla comments that "Steve" didn't have a problem moving on.

"Steve" informs Kristen that when he got back in town, Kayla had indeed taken up with Justin. Kristen says he should understand how much it hurts then. "Steve" says it doesn't bother him as much as everyone seems to think it should. Kristen doesn't get it since they were like a super couple. She questions him just being fine that Kayla is in love with another man. "Steve" says part of him will always love Kayla but if she's happy with Justin then he has to respect that. Kristen declares that she will only be happy if Brady is with her. "Steve" states that she knows what she wants and she usually gets it which is one thing Stefano loves about her. Kristen questions how the hell he would know that.

John tells "Hope" that Steve is a highly trained ISA agent who was in hiding so it would be nearly impossible for anyone to find him unless he wanted to be found but she found him easily and he agreed just like that to come back to town. "Hope" asks if he's accusing her of something. John says it's not about her but about "Steve" as he's been downright rude to Kayla and a bit to him too. John adds that the only person he's halfway nice to is Marlena. "Hope" says that Steve and Marlena are old friends like she and John.

Xander proclaims that justice is done, the verdict stands, and Ben is guilty of murder and sentenced to death. Justin argues that a young man is going to die. Xander calls him a certifiable killer and says now Justin can stop blaming them for crimes they didn't commit. Justin tells Victor that he loves him and he knows he'll be able to live with himself after they execute Ben for something they both know he did not do. Justin adds that Xander is right about one thing, Ciara is deeply in love with Ben. Justin asks if Victor is prepared to accept the fact that she will never ever forgive him for this.

Ciara tells Ben that Justin wanted to tell him himself but she asked to give him the news. Ciara cries that she was going to be strong for him and encourage that they could fight this. Ciara admits she's so scared as she breaks down crying. Ciara insists that she's not going to let him die but questions how to stop it. Ben tells her it's over so he needs her to leave, forget about him, and never come back.

Kayla tells Marlena that it's not like Steve hasn't pushed her away in the past but it was different as he was trying to protect her then but it's not like that now as there is no love. Marlena says she and John felt what he did was cruel. Kayla suggests it would've been better if he didn't come back and asks why "Hope" brought him back anyways. Marlena asks who can speak to why "Hope" does anything at all. Kayla asks what she means. Marlena informs Kayla that she caught "Hope" making passes at John.

John says "Hope" that she's right about being friends. "Hope" brings up that they agreed to work together to pursue Stefano so she asks why she's getting the feeling of hesitance on his part. John apologizes and wants to make sure they are on the same page on where they stand with each other. "Hope" asks him to try to understand the feelings she developed for him were not something she planned on. "Hope" says to put all that aside because they are professionals with a job to do. She adds that Stefano's return presents a threat to all of them and she has every intention of prevailing so she needs the very best like him and "Steve". She says that's why she brought "Steve" back because she knows he wants the same thing she does.

"Steve" tells Kristen that he's spent the better part of his life deeply concerned with what Stefano does, thinks, and feels so no matter his faults, he has no doubt that Stefano loves his children very much. Kristen feels he loves some more than others. "Steve" is sure Stefano loves Kristen very much. Kristen argues that if her father gave a damn about her, he would've contacted her directly as she was his daughter before Chad showed up and she's been nothing but loyal to him. "Steve" suggests Stefano had his reasons for not contacting her directly. Kristen says "Steve" came here asking her about her father but it seems he knows a lot more about his current state of mind than she does so she questions what he's not telling her. "Steve" tells her that Stefano is a wanted man with legions of enemies. Kristen asks why that's so relevant. He tells her that she should appreciate why Stefano might need to lie low. "Steve" brings up Kristen coming back to town with someone else's face to avoid detection so she could win Brady back. Kristen argues that she didn't win Brady back, she lost her child, Brady, and everything. She questions where her father was when she was broken, alone, and needed him the most. She shouts that he chose to stay beneath whatever rock he crawled under and she doesn't know why she's telling him this. "Steve" responds that they have more of a connection than she realizes.

"Hope" knows she was wrong and overstepped by admitting her feelings for John but says she only did it because she thought he felt the same and she clearly misread the signals. John blames himself for giving her the wrong impression and apologizes for that. "Hope" says he already apologized but she doesn't want him to be polite with her, just honest. She feels there is a distance between them and it's killing her so she's worried that because of her mistake, she's going to lose his friendship. She asks him to tell her that she's wrong.

Marlena explains to Kayla that when she was in Europe, "Hope" moved in to the townhouse and got rather close with John. Kayla knows she was going through a hard time with her divorce from Rafe and Ted Laurent's murder. Marlena asks if she's excusing her. Kayla says absolutely not but that Marlena and Hope had been close friends for decades so she's trying to figure how she could do something so outrageous as make a pass at John. Kayla feels it doesn't sound like her. Marlena tells her about walking in on "Hope" with her blouse off and that John told her he had no interest in her so she apologized. Kayla notices that Marlena is still unhappy about it.

Ciara cries that there's no way in Hell that she's walking away from Ben now. Ben asks her to go home. Ciara refuses to leave him. Ciara hugs Ben while the guard yells that there is no touching and orders her to step back. Ben informs him that his last appeal just got denied which means death. Ben warns the guard that if he lays a finger on Ciara, he has nothing else to lose so the guard walks away as Ciara hugs Ben. Ciara repeats that she's not giving up on him and promises to find a way to keep him alive. After Ciara leaves the room, Clyde arrives. Clyde tells Ben that he heard he lost his last appeal. Ben asks if he came to rub it in his face. Clyde says he's his son so he's genuinely grieving but now that Ciara let him down again, maybe it's time to let his old man help him out.

Ciara goes back to the hospital and storms in to Victor's room. Xander reminds her that he told her to stay away but she says she's not going anywhere. Xander asks if she's here to finish the job. Ciara says she loves her grandfather and needs to talk to him. Xander says after what she did, no chance in hell. Xander doesn't want Ciara within 100 yards of this room. Ciara responds that she doesn't take orders from him and she's going to get her answers. Xander informs her that Justin told them that Ben lost his last appeal so the subject is closed. Victor wakes up and calls out to Ciara. Ciara tells Victor that she loves him but she loves Ben too and he's going to be executed when they both know he did not kill Jordan and that Ben is the innocent man they sent to jail.

John tells "Hope" that their friendship has survived a lot of ups and downs so it will survive this too as long as they are both clear that Marlena is the only woman for him. "Hope" says she understands. John says he needs to go track down "Steve" to start their hunt for Stefano. John stops and tells "Hope" that any man would be lucky to be with a woman like her as he then exits. "Hope" remarks that she's glad to hear him say that because his luck is about to change..

Marlena tells Kayla that she could never be threatened by "Hope's" attraction to John since they have worked too long and hard to make this marriage strong and they have more in love now than ever. Marlena says they do have a threat right now in Stefano. Kayla is glad "Steve" is back for that since when he and John team up, not even Stefano is a match for them. Marlena hopes they catch him quickly. Kayla says she has to get back to Justin at the hospital and thanks Marlena for listening. Marlena asks Kayla if she would consider going back to Steve if he wanted to give their marriage a second chance. Kayla responds that he's not the man she knew and she's happy with the man she's with. Kayla then exits the Pub.

Kristen questions what connection she and "Steve" could possibly have. He calls it a familial one as he reveals to Kristen that he is her father.

Xander orders Ciara to get out and let Victor rest. Ciara refuses to drop this and says she knows what they did so she's not going to let Ben die for their sins. Ciara pleads with Victor to help her because he's the only person in the world who can. Victor doesn't respond so Xander says Ciara has her answer and starts to take her out of the room. Ciara threatens to tell Maggie everything about how she saw Xander burning his confession and how she overheard them saying they sent an innocent man to prison. Xander argues that she can't tell Maggie any of that. Ciara says she will say and do whatever to get Maggie to believe her then Maggie will get them to admit what they did. Victor stops Ciara and tells Xander that they have to tell her the truth.

Ben tells Clyde that he doesn't need his kind of help and asks if he's going to go after baby Mickie again. Ben says if he does, he'll go straight to the warden. Clyde suggests he get off his high horse and listen to what he has to say. Clyde tells Ben that he's talking about busting them both out.

John joins Marlena at the Brady Pub. Marlena comments on being glad to see John drink a beer instead of the fine wine that "Hope" introduced him to. John doesn't want to talk about Hope. John makes a toast to Marlena and their love.

"Hope" talks to the portrait of Stefano, saying she obviously has no chance with John as long as Marlena is around. She declares that she has no choice, Marlena must die.

Kristen questions "Steve" wanting her to believe that he is her birth father and thinks he's just trying to convince her to help go catch Stefano. She calls him pathetic and yells at him to get out. He screams at her to listen to him because he is not Steve Johnson, he is Stefano DiMera as he then removes his eye patch.

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