Written By Joseph

The man holding Gabi hostage tells her that she will be let go after Jake returns what he's asked for but complains about Gabi kneeing him in the groin earlier. Another man enters and tells him the boss sent him to make sure the transaction goes smoothly. He questions who Gabi is as he thought they had Jake's girl. He tells him this is Jake's wife. Gabi says it's complicated while the second man asks where Gwen is. Gabi then asks who the hell is Gwen.

Marlena tells Claire that she's sorry they couldn't find Gwen at Bayview. Claire reveals that is because she's right here as she brings Gwen into the room. Marlena and John question what is going on.

Eli and Lani wait outside the Kiriakis Mansion. Eli sees through a window that Ben and Ciara are huddled around Jake, who is writing something in an old novel. Lani questions why he'd be doing that. Eli doesn't know but hopes they aren't wasting their time. Lani assures that Jake knows something about Gabi's disappearance. Eli can't figure out how Ben and Ciara are involved and what they are up to.

Ben encourages Jake to work faster as he worries the guy holding Gabi is getting impatient. Jake says he has to make it look legit enough to appear like his old boss's copy of the book Crime and Punishment. Ciara asks if he's sure he can pull this off. Jake says the guy holding Gabi is a low level thug so there's no way he will know so hopefully by the time his boss gets it, they have Gabi back safe and sound. Ciara goes over the plan to find Gwen and return the real book to Jake's old boss. Ben asks if Jake feels good about the plan. Jake says he's trying to, consider his and Gabi's lives are on the line.

Claire apologizes for lying to John and Marlena again. Gwen blames herself for showing up unannounced and asking Claire not to say anything. Marlena tells Gwen that a lot of people are looking for her. Gwen says that's why she ran as she doesn't want to be found. John asks why she came here. Gwen explains that Claire is her only friend in town and she planned to just visit and keep running but Claire convinced her to come forward. Claire explains that she told her about Gabi's life being in danger. Marlena states that apparently people are willing to kill for something Gwen has. Gwen then shows them the book.

Jake finishes writing in the book and says it's time to make the switch. Ciara offers to drive but Ben tells her to stay because it's way too dangerous. Ciara argues that he will need all the help he can get. Jake says he was told to come alone. Ben tells Ciara that he can't have her come with them. Ciara points out that she has the book and without her, they wouldn't have a plan to rescue Gabi. Xander walks in and takes the book from Ciara, saying he's been looking for it. Ciara questions what he's doing. Xander says he's in the middle of reading it. Ciara says she needs it now but Xander says that's too bad as he's tired of people taking things that belong to him..

Sarah and Brady lay in bed together Sarah apologizes for this being her idea as she thought sleeping with Brady would be the best way to get back at Xander but she doesn't think she thought it through. Brady says it would've been a mistake and they talk about Brady being unable to do it, which he insists has never happened to him before. Brady admits he wanted to go through with it but he couldn't stop thinking about Kristen. Sarah says she totally understands and then admits that Xander was all she could think about.

Ciara argues that the book doesn't even belong to Xander, it belongs to Victor. Xander says he's been reading it for the past few weeks which Ciara questions. Xander claims he's an avid reader of the classics. Xander then sees Jake and calls him a dead ringer for Stefan DiMera. Jake tells him that they need the book. Xander tells him they can have it after he's done reading it. Ciara bets he hasn't even read a single paragraph. Xander says he relates to the main character by rationalizing a crime that he did it for the right reasons and now has to deal with the consequences, guilt, and remorse. Ciara is surprised Xander really did read the book. Ben tells Xander to grab another copy or download it on his tablet. Xander asks why when he has this fancy copy. Ciara then tells him it's a matter of life and death. Xander asks if she's being dramatic. Ben asks for the book but Xander tells them to get their own and walks out of the room with the book.

John questions that they've been looking for an old book. Claire explains that there are names and account numbers written inside. Gwen assumed Jake stole it from the people he was working for and now the boss wants it back. Marlena asks if she's suggesting Jake works for the mob. Gwen confirms that he did but he was low level and wasn't going around killing people that she knows of. Gwen adds that Jake is lucky she didn't throw the book away months ago. Claire declares that they have to call Ciara to let her know they have it. Marlena decides she will do that and hopes that it's not too late for Gabi.

The men question Gabi not being told about Gwen so they assume Jake was with both of them. He tells Gabi that Jake was with Gwen for a year and a half. Gabi remarks that them only meeting Jake a year and half ago means that Jake could still be Stefan.

Ciara, Ben, and Jake fight with Xander over the book and wrestle it away from him. Ciara's phone lies nearby with a missed call and voicemail from Marlena. Xander gets up and questions what the hell is wrong with them. Xander then storms out of the mansion while Eli and Lani hide outside. Xander calls it a freakshow and asks since when a book is a matter of life and death as he walks away.

Sarah thought hooking up with Brady would get Xander out of her system but now it's like he has even more power over her and she hates it. Brady thought sticking it to Xander would make him feel better but it feels like one big betrayal of Kristen. Sarah asks if Brady still loves Kristen after everything. Brady argues that it's not Kristen's fault that she had to take off with the baby. Brady understands why she stabbed Victor and doesn't know if he'll ever see her again but he's not ready to move on. Sarah decides pretending to be together was a giant mistake from the start so she suggests cutting their losses and moving on. Brady asks if that means she's ready to forgive Xander. Xander then knocks on the door and asks Sarah to open up. Sarah asks Brady what Xander is doing here. Brady says he doesn't know but if she's ready to stop pretending, now is her chance to tell him the truth.

Marlena gets a call from the hospital and steps away to answer it. Claire hopes Ciara calls soon as she would hate it if something happened to Gabi. John encourages that Gabi is a fighter. Gwen asks who Gabi is and how she got involved in Jake's mess. Claire admits she doesn't know the connection. John explains that Jake looks just like Stefan DiMera. Gwen asks who Stefan is. Claire says he was Gabi's husband who died. John adds that Gabi is convinced that Jake is Stefan. Gwen calls that impossible and says she's known Jake for at least a year and a half. John recalls Stefan DiMera died almost two years ago. Claire calls it possible but Gwen disagrees, arguing that Jake told her all sorts of things about his life and childhood. John notes that it's possible those memories weren't real or implanted. John says either way, Gabi is in the wrong place at the wrong time but she's been hounding Jake to remember their life together.

Gabi argues that the men think they have everything under control but they don't know who they are dealing with. Gabi insists that Jake Lambert is really Stefan DiMera which they mock the idea of. Gabi explains that Stefan doesn't remember who he is as he was shot but a scientist brought him back without his memories. They continue to mock Gabi for her belief. Gabi says they won't be laughing when Stefan remembers who he is and kills them both and their boss. One of the men responds that maybe they should kill him before he gets the chance.

Jake wants to get going. Ciara wants to go with. Ben promises she will be a lot more useful if she stays behind in case something goes wrong with the exchange. Ben tells Ciara to call the cops if she doesn't hear back from him in an hour. Ciara questions sitting around and worrying about him. Ben promises he will be fine and he'll be able to think more clearly knowing she's safe. Ciara tells him to be careful. Ben assures that nothing will stop him from marrying her as they kiss.

Eli and Lani remain outside the Kiriakis Mansion. Lani talks about how she will be glad when the morning sickness is gone. Lani wonders what Xander meant when he said a book is a matter of life and death. Eli says he must have been talking about the book that Jake was writing in. Eli suggests they just knock on the door and confront them. Lani says they would just clam up so they are better off just waiting. They then hide as Jake, Ciara, and Ben exit the mansion. Ben tells Ciara not to worry as it's going to go great. Jake agrees as he and Ben walk away. Ciara then heads back into the mansion. Eli and Lani then follow out after Ben and Jake.

Xander continues knocking for Sarah to open the door. Brady tells her that it's her call. Sarah decides they will figure it out later but for now, they will stick to the plan. Sarah gets up and answers the door, telling Xander they are kind of busy. Xander tells her that he needs to show her something and promises to stop bothering her if she just comes with him this one time. Brady offers to escort him out. Sarah says it's okay and tells Xander that she will get dressed.

Marlena comes back and asks where everyone is. Claire tells her that John went to make Gwen some food since she hasn't eaten since leaving Bavyiew. Marlena says that will give them time to talk. Marlena warns Claire about already deceiving them twice in her first day here. Claire apologizes. Marlena threatens to send her back to her parents if she does it again. Claire argues that she was just trying to make things right with Ciara and it went okay then Gwen needed her help so she couldn't turn her away. John and Gwen come back into the room. Gwen asks Marlena not to blame Claire because if not for her, she would still be running. Gwen admits she thought about making a profit when she heard people were after the book but Claire made her do the right thing and turn it in. Claire tells Marlena that she's really trying which she is glad to hear. Marlena and John remind Claire that she must be honest and no more sneaking out. Claire thanks them.

Gabi tells the men that no one has to get killed because Jake is coming with the book then they can go their separate ways and pretend this never happened. They talk about their boss not liking that Jake stole from him. Gabi argues that she won't let them hurt her husband as she already lost Stefan once so she won't lose him again. They point out that Jake's time is almost up so maybe he's not coming after all. Gabi insists that he wouldn't leave her here. One of the men then gets a call that Jake and Ben are there. He says to send them in. Gabi says she knew he wouldn't walk away from them. One of the men tell Gabi that if Jake is her dead husband, he had definitely moved on with Gwen. Jake and Ben then enter the room and face off with the two men.

Xander brings Sarah to her baby Mackenzie's grave.

Brady looks at a photo of Kristen on his phone and talks about missing her more now than the day she left. He hopes she and Rachel are happy somewhere and wishes he could be part of that. Brady doesn't know how he will ever get over losing them.

Marlena decides to try calling Ciara one more time but Ciara arrives at their door and says she got Marlena's message. Ciara comes in and immediately recognizes Gwen and that she has the book. Gwen asks where Jake is. Ciara explains that Jake and Ben went to meet up with Gabi's kidnappers to make the exchange, using a different copy of the book to pass off as the real one. Gwen asks who's terrible idea that was.

Jake asks if Gabi is okay. She claims she's just swell. The man reminds Jake that he told him to come alone and questions him bringing Ben. Jake says he's just good company and points out that he's not the only one that brought someone else as he acknowledges the second man as Luka. Jake is surprised the boss would send his right hand man to this exchange. He asks for the book. Jake wants Gabi cut loose first. Ben and Jake whisper about if he will realize the book is fake. Jake says it's too late to turn back now. They untie Gabi but hold her with a knife. Jake hands over the book but Luka questions what he's trying to pull as he recognizes it's not the right book.

Sarah cries at the grave of her daughter and says she hasn't been able to bring herself to come. Xander hopes she doesn't mind that he had the head stone made for her. Sarah calls it perfect. Xander talks about trying to make things up to her and wanted to spare her the pain of having to change the head stone so Mackenzie could be honored correctly. Xander says he's the one who made the lie happen so it's only right that he's the one to undo it and he's sorry it wasn't this way from the beginning. Xander hopes Mackenzie can rest in peace now and Sarah can find some peace now. Xander tells Sarah that he will leave her alone now and the car will wait for her in the parking lot. Xander says goodnight and exits the cemetery.

Marlena thought Ben was going to contact the police. Ciara says Jake thought that was a bad idea. Gwen thinks they are going to get caught with a fake book. Claire tells Ciara to call Ben to tell him they have the real one. Ciara says she tried on the way but Ben wasn't answering. John asks if Ciara has the address. Ciara says she does and that Ben told her to contact the police if she doesn't hear from him within in an hour and it's getting close. John decides he will run the book over there. Marlena tells him to let the police handle it but John says the police will only spook the kidnapper so it's better if he goes alone and hopefully he makes it in time.

Jake argues that it is the right book. Luka says the names and numbers are not correct and tells Jake to stop lying. Jake then admits it's not the real book. Gabi questions what he was thinking. Jake says he can get the real book in a little bit of time. He tells him that his time has run out and he' done with all of them. Eli and Lani burst in with their guns. Eli shoots Luka while the other man holds Gabi with the knife and warns them to drop their guns or Gabi dies. Eli warns that they have backup and the place is surrounded. The man doesn't care and threatens to kill Gabi. Gabi argues that they don't care and want her to die. Jake tells him to just let Gabi go. The man demands Eli and Lani drop their guns. Lani starts feeling morning sickness again and says everything is always better when she lies down which Gabi takes as her chance to break free, allowing Lani to shoot the man. Lani rushes out the side to throw up while Eli takes care of the man and Gabi rejoins Jake and Ben.

Sarah cries over her daughter's grave and apologizes for not visiting sooner as she didn't know if she would be strong enough. Sarah says it breaks her heart to think about what could've been. Sarah cries that they didn't have enough time together but she loved her more than anything in her life and she always will.

Xander returns to Brady's room at the Salem Inn. Brady asks where Sarah is. Xander says she's fine and just needed some time alone. Brady asks what he's doing back here. Xander wanted to apologize as his only thoughts that night were about protecting Sarah and Maggie but didn't think about how his actions would affect Kristen or Brady. Xander admits he didn't care and thought he was justified but he understands now that it was wrong and he is sorry. Xander then walks away.

John takes the book and goes to leave but Ciara gets a call from Ben. Ben tells her that everybody is fine on their side. Ciara asks what happened. Ben explains that they realized the book was fake but then Eli and Lani showed up at the last minute and took them down so the bad guys are in custody. Ciara asks about Gabi. Ben confirms she's shaken up but will be okay. Claire asks what's going on. Ciara tells them that the cops showed up and everyone is okay. Ciara adds that she was worried about Ben. Ben reminds her that he said nothing will stop him from marrying her.

Jake checks on Gabi. Gabi says she will live. Jake asks if they hurt her. Gabi thinks she did more damage to them and thanks Jake for coming to her rescue even though he almost screwed it up. Jake argues that he didn't tell her to go snooping around her place for his DNA. Jake asks if she will ever let this go. Gabi brings up Jake turning up in Philadelphia just a year and a half ago which means he could still be Stefan. Ben comes over and says he just called Ciara to let her know they are safe. Ben then reveals that Ciara is at Marlena and John's with Claire and Gwen is with them too which surprises Gabi and Jake. Ben confirms that Gwen has the book which relieves Jake. Gabi questions what is up with this book. Eli and Lani come back in, saying they'd like to know that too. Jake calls it a long story.

Ciara decides she's going to meet up with Ben and hugs Marlena, thanking her for everything. Claire is glad everything worked out and no one got hurt. Ciara is relieved this nightmare with the mob is finally over but Gwen says not quite as she picks up the book.

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