Written By Joseph

Eli questions JJ as to why he said that he and Gabi can't get married. JJ thinks back to Lani telling him about Gabi threatening to kill Julie. JJ then tells Eli that it's because of Lani.

On the phone, Abe says he loves Lani but he knows something has been off with her for a long time and he wants the truth now. There's a knock at the door so Lani says she has to go. Abe says not until she explains this all to him. Lani tells him that she's late so she'll talk to him later and hangs up. Lani answers the door as Kristen arrives. Lani thanks her for getting there so quickly. Kristen comments on her finding a place in Salem to stay under the radar. Lani tells her that JJ offered his place, which used to be her and Eli's. Kristen asks if JJ has gone to work. Lani explains that JJ just bolted out on a mission to save Julie's life and that's why she called her because she's afraid it will have the opposite effect unless Kristen intervenes.

Julie comments on Kayla's machine spitting out a lot of paper. Kayla says everything looked good when she examined her. Kayla then goes over the papers and finds something a little odd. Julie asks if something is wrong with her heart. Kayla tells her it's her pacemaker.

Rafe questions if Hope is now smoking and wonders what the hell is going on with her as he exits her office.

Stefano and Gina arrive outside John and Marlena's door. Stefano asks if she's sure she's ready to do this. Gina responds that at this point, it is their only option..

Marlena tells John that she can't shake this terrible feeling that someone or something is trying to come between them. John blames her bad dream on stress and assures her that nothing is going to come between them, not Hope and certainly not Stefano DiMera, as he then hugs her. Outside their door, Gina says for them to prepare to die.

Julie tells Kayla that her pacemaker is working fine and she feels great. Kayla thinks it is working properly but the battery is very low. Julie argues that the surgeon said it would be years before having to change it. Kayla says it should be at least five years which is what is odd but hers is losing it's charge. Kayla decides they will call her cardiologist and find out because she has never seen this before.

Eli asks what Lani has to do with him marrying Gabi. JJ questions if he has to ask after their conversation yesterday. Gabi questions what conversation.

Kristen questions Lani telling JJ everything. Lani says JJ then freaked out and raced over to the DiMera Mansion before she could stop him. Lani worries that JJ is going to try to disable the app. Kristen argues that he doesn't know what he's doing. Lani says she tried to tell him that but there was no stopping him. Kristen realizes this is where she comes in. Lani hoped Kristen could go create a distraction or give JJ a cover if he's been caught. Kristen feels she's the last person JJ will accept help from and asks what if he tries to shoot her again.

Stefano and Gina enter John and Marlena's as "Steve" and "Hope". "Hope" comments that they shouldn't leave their doors unlocked since anyone could walk in. John is starting to think Stefano being in town is a bunch of bull. "Hope" questions him not believing the evidence. John points out that nobody has seen him. "Steve" is afraid they are here with proof that Stefano was there. "Hope" pulls out her gun and says that's why she felt she had to do this.

Gabi questions what Eli and JJ talked about. JJ said they talked about life and love. JJ mentions that he asked Eli if he's sure his feelings with Lani are over. Gabi argues that Lani dumped him at the altar and broke his heart. Eli says that is what he said. Gabi doesn't understand since she and Eli have been together for over a year while Lani left town and things have been over so she doesn't understand why JJ is asking this now. JJ knows it's been a long time but when he saw Lani in Italy, it became obvious to him that she wished she could've made a different choice. Gabi remarks that she's sorry if Lani regrets becoming a nun. JJ adds that he probably would've killed Kristen if Lani didn't show up and talk him down then his life would be over so he felt he owed it to her to tell Eli how Lani feels. Gabi reminds JJ that she saved his life too and questions this being how he thanks her. Eli responds that Gabi actually should thank JJ because he made him realize that Lani leaving him at the altar is in the past and how much he wanted to propose to Gabi.

Lani tells Kristen that she doesn't have to worry because JJ won't try to shoot her again since he was on drugs and out of his mind with grief then but he went to rehab and is on the mend. Kristen feels that she took a huge risk in telling JJ about what Gabi did. Lani says she didn't mean to get JJ involved but ever since this whole thing started, she's felt alone since everyone in Salem thinks she's a terrible person who left Eli at the altar while JJ had been so kind and kept asking about it so it slipped out. Kristen questions JJ being the only person she could confide in and asks what about her. Lani reminds her that she just said she wouldn't help her and she's barely heard from her. Kristen says she's sorry as things have gotten busy since she started a new job at Basic Black and her father asked for her shares. Lani asks if it's true that Stefano is back in town then and if she saw him. Kristen thinks back to Stefano revealing himself and tells Lani that she sort of saw him.

"Hope" gives Marlena the gun and says she had it registered in her name for protection. "Steve" adds that Kristen told Abigail that her father came to visit her last night. John doesn't believe a word Kristen says. "Hope" adds that Kristen also said that Stefano told her he was leaving the country and claims that an ISA operative spotted Stefano in Prague this morning. John argues that it doesn't make sense since Kristen, Chad, and Marlena are in town so he questions why he would leave now. "Steve" suggests he's getting his ducks in a row before he comes back to claim what is his. Marlena argues that she's not his and she doesn't want the gun. Marlena adds that if Stefano comes anywhere near her, John will help her but "Steve" responds that he won't.

Lani questions Kristen saying she sort of saw her father. Kristen tells her she doesn't want to know. Lani says that's all she wants to know. Kristen says the point is, she did not give him her shares because she's using all her leverage to help Lani. Lani appreciates that but says if Kristen wants to help her, she will go to the DiMera Mansion to make sure JJ doesn't get caught with Gabi's phone because she will never forgive herself if anything happens to JJ. Kristen agrees to do it but tells her not to count on any miracles as she then exits.

JJ congratulates Eli and Gabi. Gabi asks if he means it as she thought they were okay after their talk on Christmas Eve. Gabi mentions that she still cares about him. JJ says she never stops surprising him and claims he came to see Abigail. Gabi tells him that she's not here. JJ decides he can wait and sits on the couch. Eli then decides to ask JJ to be his best man since they are family. Eli then gets a call and steps out to answer. Gabi tells JJ that it means a lot to Eli. JJ asks if Gabi loves him. Gabi says of course she does and asks why else she would accept his proposal. JJ brings up that Lani took Gabi's husband from her so maybe she wants to take the man who was going to be Lani's. Gabi calls that an awful thing to say and says it's not true. JJ questions if she really thinks they can all be one big happy family. Gabi asks if he's talking about Abigail but JJ says he's actually talking about Julie.

Julie walks through the town square and runs in to Abe. Julie tells him it's nice to see him but then asks if something is wrong. Abe says he's afraid so as he just found out that Lani was back in town and didn't bother to call him then before he could track her down, she left just as quickly. Julie informs him that she saw Lani as she was leaving town. Julie asks him not to take it personally but she's afraid it was just a matter of time before Lani hurt him with her history of hurting people she cares about. Abe says she has every right to be angry with Lani with how badly she hurt Eli and he can't blame her for being protective of her grandson when he's just as protective of his daughter. Abe adds that all that matters to is him is Lani's well-being but he's terribly worried about her. Julie assures that she understands because she feels the same way right now about Hope.

Rafe goes to the Brady Pub and asks Kayla if Roman is there. Kayla tells him that Roman is out and asks if everything is okay. Rafe says it's not and it's about Hope. Kayla asks what's going on. Rafe says he probably shouldn't discuss it with her as it doesn't exactly paint her in the best light. Kayla insists that she wants to know so Rafe sits with her. Rafe tells her that Hope has just been acting very strange lately and been sloppy at work so he confronted her about it and she tried to fire him so he went to her office to discuss it but he smelled smoke so he looked in her desk drawer and found cigarettes. Rafe asks if she's ever known Hope to smoke. Kayla says no then recalls there was one time..

John questions what "Steve" is talking about and argues that he will protect Marlena because she is his priority. "Steve" clarifies that John can't protect Marlena because he won't be in Salem as he needs him to come with him to Europe to help stop Stefano in his tracks. John says there is nothing more that he would like than that but he doesn't want to leave Marlena. Marlena decides she'll go with him but "Hope" says that she can't.

Gabi questions why JJ is mentioning Julie. JJ says Julie is part of his family and will be part of hers now while they were always at each others' throats. Gabi says not anymore since ever since she gave her Stefan's heart, they've been best friends. JJ says he's glad they are getting along better these days and hopes it lasts. JJ decides he doesn't want to keep her from work. Kristen enters and says she brought contracts that need Gabi's signature immediately. JJ mentions hearing Kristen was back in town but assures her that he won't try to make her pay for what she did as he will leave that to the law. Kristen says she appreciates that and tells JJ that she would do anything to make up for what she did so they could both have their lives back to the way they were before that awful night but she knows that can't happen. Kristen says part of the reason she came back to Salem is to face the people she's wronged and to do her best to make amends. Kristen then realizes she must have left her contracts at the office so Gabi is going to have to come with her. Gabi informs her that she is celebrating her engagement to Eli. Kristen says she's sorry but this can't wait. Kristen then exits with Gabi while looking back at JJ and Gabi's phone on the table.

Julie tells Abe that Kayla warned her to avoid stress for her health but she can't help but be upset recently about "Hope's" behavior and questions how she could just bring "Steve" back to Salem without any warning to Kayla. Abe feels Kayla is not the only one that "Hope" has been insensitive too. Julie admits she was surprised when she turned down her and Doug's offer to move in with them to stay with John and Marlena. Julie knows she's not the easiest person to live with but she was hurt. Julie thinks "Hope" has become so distant. Abe mentions speaking to Rafe earlier so she's not the only one concerned about "Hope."

Rafe asks if Kayla saw "Hope" smoke. Kayla says not exactly but a couple months ago, she had a patient who tried to sneak some cigarettes into the hospital so she confiscated them so then she came to the Pub and told Roman and "Hope" the whole story. Kayla explaina that she set the cigarettes on the table and later they weren't there. Kayla says at the time, it didn't occur to her that "Hope" would take them since she doesn't smoke but maybe it wasn't such a ludicrous idea. Rafe knows "Hope" has been stressed lately but he finds it hard to believe she would start smoking. Kayla responds that she's been hearing all kinds of things that are hard to believe about "Hope." Rafe asks what she means. Kayla informs him that Marlena told her that when "Hope" was staying with them, she made a pass at John which shocks Rafe.

Marlena questions "Hope" trying to tell her when and if she can leave Salem with her husband. "Hope" claims she's just trying to protect her because they are all familiar with Stefano's obsession with her so she questions why she would run straight in to that danger. John tells Marlena that he hates the idea of being away from her but he thinks "Hope" is right. John says he trusts Hope and Steve as they spent most of their lives battling Stefano so if anyone could predict his next move, it's them. "Steve" claims they have a strong lead on his whereabouts so they need to jump on it now. John tells Marlena that this could be their one chance to put Stefano away for the rest of his life. John agrees to go with "Steve" so Marlena goes to help him pack. Gina tells Stefano that for a moment, she thought they were going to have to go back to killing Marlena. Stefano warns her that no one is dying and to remember the plan. Gina says this must work. Stefano tells her to have patience because good things come to those who wait and when this is all over, Marlena will think John is dead and John will think Marlena is dead while he and Gina will both have exactly what they want.

Julie tells Abe that she had no idea that "Hope's" erratic behavior had spilled over to her work but she has been distracted for quite awhile now. Abe says "Hope" has had a rough year with her divorce, Julie's surgery, and her house being flooded. Abe asks her not to mention to "Hope"that they talked about this. Abe is sorry if he upset her. Julie tells him that he didn't and that Kayla just gave her a clean bill of health but she can't say the same for her pacemaker.

Gabi stops to ask JJ if she should ask Harold to bring his car around. JJ tells her that he will wait for Abigail here if that's okay. Kristen tells Gabi they have to get a move on as they are up against a hard deadline to finalize this deal. Kristen and Gabi then exit so JJ goes to Gabi's phone. It's password protected but JJ guesses that it's Arianna's birthday. JJ then finds the pacemaker app on her phone.

Lani complains to herself that she wishes there was something she could do but she's stuck in this apartment away from everyone she loves. Lani picks up her phone and calls Abe. Abe is glad she called him back. Lani tells him that she's sorry for hanging up on him earlier and for not seeing him before she left town. Abe appreciates that but doesn't want her apology, he wants the truth. Abe wants her to explain what's going on with her. Lani claims it's nothing as she just realized coming back to Salem was a terrible mistake.

Gina tells Stefano that they went about this completely backwards when they should've just kidnapped John and Marlena to take them to Europe in the first place. Stefano points out that every law enforcement agency would be after them and they'd spend their lives looking over their shoulders so this was much cleaner. Stefano tells her that soon, John will belong to her and only her while Marlena will belong to him and only him.

Marlena helps John pack. John knows she has a lot to do today. Marlena refuses to go anywhere until she sees he is safely on his way. John understands she is worried. Marlena says they know Stefano has been obsessed with her for years but also that he would never hurt her. John assures that Stefano is no match for he and Steve, so one way or another he will make sure Stefano never comes back to Salem again. John assures her that Abe and Roman will keep an eye on her while she's gone. Marlena would still feel better if she was with him but John says he wouldn't because Stefano is there and her patients need her here. Marlena feels he needs her more. John thinks he has the next best thing in his buddy Steve because they have been partners for years so he doesn't trust anyone more than him to have his back..

Stefano needs Gina to promise not to do anything stupid while he's away. Gina remarks that he's the one who paraded around town dressed as Santa, sent Marlena gifts, and visited Kristen. Stefano argues that she's been so preoccupied with John that she's fallen behind on covering their tracks since Rafe is suspicious because of her gravest errors. Gina argues that he can't be concerned with Rafe.

Rafe questions "Hope" making a pass at John. Kayla knows it sounds crazy but she apparently admitted it and apologized. Kayla suggests she was vulnerable and lonely. Rafe insists this does not sound like the Hope he knows and this is serious.

JJ finds the pacemaker app is password protected but he can't figure this one out. JJ uses his phone to take a picture of Gabi's app. Eli then walks in and asks what he's doing. JJ claims he was just leaving Abigail a note since he decided not to wait after all and will just text her. JJ goes to leave but Eli stops him.

Abe asks Lani why she felt coming back to town was a mistake. Lani tells him that she knows Eli is with Gabi so she doesn't want to get in the way of that since Eli deserves to be happy and seeing her only upsets him. Abe asks where she is and if she went back to the convent in Italy. Lani asks him not to come looking for her. Abe tells her that he's worried about her and he misses her terribly. Abe asks her when he is going to see her again. Lani promises it won't be long and this won't go on forever. Lani prays that someday she will be able to come home and give everyone the answers they need.

Kristen brings Gabi to the Basic Black office. Gabi asks where the contracts are as she can't believe Kristen forgot the one thing she was supposed to bring to the house. Kristen admits she didn't forget but the contract fell through. Gabi questions what she is doing here then. Kristen says she needed to speak to her in private and couldn't risk Chad overhearing at the mansion. Gabi can't believe this was all a ruse. Kristen tells her to stop being melodramatic and listen. Kristen informs her that Stefano reached out to her directly for her DiMera shares but she refused because she ultimately wants to turn them over to Gabi. Gabi asks when. Kristen says when she gets what she wants. Kristen points out that Gabi has Eli's ring on her finger so when she has Brady's on hers, Gabi will be richly rewarded.

Eli reminds JJ that he never answered if he will be his best man. JJ says he's flattered but questions not asking Rafe. Eli admits he did but Rafe is already walking Gabi down the aisle. JJ jokes about being his second choice and ruining his proposal celebration. Eli insists that it would mean a lot to them to know that they have his full support. JJ decides if that's what he wants, he'll do it. Eli thanks him and they hug.

Rafe asks if Kayla thinks it's possible that "Hope's" behavior is a psychological or medical problem. Kayla says there's no symptom of illness. Rafe guesses he'll just do more investigating. Rafe suggests keeping it between themselves. Kayla agrees and tells him to keep her posted. Kayla says she'll see him later and exits the Pub. Rafe then pulls out his phone and calls someone, saying he needs their help.

"Hope" wishes John and "Steve" luck as they prepare to leave. Marlena tells John to be careful. John says he loves her and kisses her goodbye."Steve" says it's time to get the show on the road. John tells Marlena that he will call her as soon as he lands. John and "Steve" then exit. Marlena tells "Hope" that she still worries because there is a lot at stake here. "Hope" assures John will be fine and she will make sure that Marlena is well taken care of..

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