Written By Joseph

Ben visits Ciara's grave and says he knows Ciara is not really there as he's not even sure she really died but he'd give anything to know the truth. Ben then hears a footstep and wonders if it's Ciara.

Nicole goes to see Rafe in his office at the police department. Nicole notes he's working late. Rafe says he's catching up on all the cases since he's been out of town. Nicole wants to know about Allie and if they are going to charge her for pulling a gun on Tripp. Rafe guesses she hasn't heard that Allie is off the hook.

Claire thought they couldn't press charges against Tripp. Allie and Belle explain that this will be different as they are suing Tripp in civil court. Allie says she will have to accept that he won't be found guilty or locked up. Claire asks what good this will do. Belle says Tripp will be held responsible for everything he did. Allie adds that there will be a judgment against him. Belle says it's about vindication and Tripp being held responsible for what he did. Allie says she won't forget that night but it might help her get past that nightmare and get on with her life.

Tripp informs Kayla, Steve, and Joey that he just got off the phone with Ava as he wanted to tell her he was staying for dinner and she said it's fine. Joey is glad Tripp is staying. Tripp thanks him and says he really wants to be part of the celebration since he's glad Joey is back but maybe he should go. Steve questions why. Tripp says it is his first night with Ava so maybe the right thing to do is to go back to her place after all.

Charlie shows up at Ava's door and says he got her messages that said they need to talk so here he is. Ava questions how he got to town so fast. Charlie reveals he's been here for awhile and that he moved to Salem for her.

Nicole asks Rafe if Allie is not going to be charged which Rafe confirms. Nicole questions how this happened. Rafe believes that Melinda didn't want to go down Tripp's word against Allie's word again. Nicole asks if it's over then which Rafe confirms. Nicole is happy that Allie doesn't have to deal with another legal battle. Rafe tells her that he understands why Allie did what she did. Nicole talks about Sami doing the same thing in high school. Rafe thinks Allie is more like her mother than she'd like to admit. Nicole believes that Allie would not have gone through with shooting Tripp and that she just wanted to feel in control.

Allie says that she doesn't want a cent from the lawsuit but she wants it on record that she was raped. Belle assures they will make that happen. Claire mentions bringing home pie from the Pub so they invite Allie to stay which she agrees to. Belle goes to prepare in the kitchen. Allie says she should've gone to Belle right away instead of doing something stupid. Claire questions what she did. Allie responds that she might have taken matters in to her own hands.

Steve tells Tripp that he will have plenty of time with his mother. Joey adds that they would love to have him. Tripp responds that he's not sure everyone feels that way. Kayla tells Tripp that he doesn't need to be concerned about her because it's a family celebration for Joey. Steve tells Tripp that he is family. Tripp thanks them all for still making him feel welcome. Steve assures that he's always welcome. Joey talks about dreaming of a home cooked meal with his family again for four years.

Ava questions Charlie saying he moved to Salem for her. Charlie informs her that he got himself a job at Titan which shocks Ava. Charlie says he's been keeping an eye on Philip for her and making sure he's cooperating. Ava points out that she never asked him to do that. Charlie says he was taking initiative and assures they are not onto him. Charlie adds that he has valuable information for her like the fact that Xander isn't onto him but that he is growing suspicious of what Ava and Philip are up to. Ava questions how he knows that. Charlie informs her that Xander told him. Charlie explains that Xander and Philip are each trying to get him to get dirt on the other but he has it handled. Ava tells Charlie that she doesn't have time for this and that Tripp is the reason she called him here. Charlie agrees to talk about Tripp.

Ben asks if Ciara is there but it is Shawn arriving at the grave. Ben apologizes and knows how crazy it sounds. Shawn tells him it's not crazy at all and that it happened to him the day of the funeral when he heard a noise and thought maybe Ciara was alive. Shawn mentions that Tripp came to the grave to pay his respects in private because he didn't think anyone would want to see him at the service which is probably right.

Joey keeps thinking he's dreaming as Kayla talks about getting to cook for her son again. Kayla suggests saying grace before dinner so they join hands, including Kayla and Tripp.

Claire questions Allie pulling a gun on Tripp. Allie says it wasn't a big plan but she freaked out after finding out that Tripp was going to get away with this. Allie talks about how Lucas told her about Sami being raped when she was younger and not getting justice either so she took the law in to her own hands. Claire asks Allie if she shot Tripp. Allie admits she didn't but she might have gone through with it. Claire questions what stopped her. Allie informs her that Tripp's mother came in.

Charlie asks Ava what's all the urgency about Tripp. Ava informs him that her son has been accused of rape. Charlie didn't realize that's what she wanted to talk about. Ava tells him about Allie saying Tripp raped her. Charlie mentions hearing that from Claire. Ava asks what she said. Charlie tells her that the district attorney is not pressing charges so Tripp will be free and the whole thing will blow over. Ava questions it blowing over when people think Tripp is a rapist so his reputation and life could be ruined. Charlie tells her that he's sorry if she's upset. Charlie knows it's a horrible situation and it must be hard for her to accept that Tripp is capable of something like this. Ava asks what the hell is wrong with him and says that Tripp is innocent.

Shawn tells Ben that he's come to Ciara's grave a lot. Ben is surprised they haven't run in to each other before. Shawn informs Ben that what just happened to him happened again on his way home from work when he saw a girl from behind that looked like Ciara so he thought maybe it could be her even though he knows it's next to impossible. Ben talks about following a motorcycle wishing it was her riding. Ben asks why they come to the grave when Ciara's body isn't there and might not have even been in the car when it exploded. Shawn says they don't know while Ben declares they might not ever know.

Nicole thanks Rafe for filling her in and says she'll leave him to finish filing cases. Nicole mentions that she's going Christmas shopping. Rafe asks about the kids. Nicole says they are with Maggie. Nicole adds that she hired Chloe and Brady for Basic Black so she's not swamped with work for once. Rafe comments that he thought maybe she'd like to spend the night with Eric. Nicole realizes no one has told him yet that Eric is gone.

Kayla says a prayer for grace. Steve gives thanks for Tripp being there as well as they finish. Steve knows things aren't perfect right now but it means a lot to him to have both of his sons there. Steve says he loves them as he hugs Joey and Tripp.

Charlie tells Ava that he's sorry that came out wrong as he didn't mean to upset her and sound so heartless. Ava talks about how this has ruined Tripp's life. Charlie says the good news is they are not pressing charges so he doesn't think she has to worry about it. Charlie adds that Claire said it's being looked at as a "he said, she said" situation where Allie says he did it but Tripp says he didn't. Ava then declares that Charlie knows that is true, because he is the one who did it.

Nicole explains to Rafe that she knew nothing would stop Eric from going when he heard how much the Congo needed and she felt she had no choice but to let him go. Rafe argues that she did have a choice but what she did was a very loving thing. Nicole talks about it not being easy to be apart from him when they are newlyweds. Rafe remarks that life doesn't always go as planned. Rafe brings up he and Hope just getting close again before he had to leave and they were even talking about getting back together but now she's gone. Nicole mentions Hope leaving right before Ciara's funeral and asks if he's been in touch with her. Rafe informs her that he actually saw Hope and they sort of ended things. Nicole tells him that she's sorry. Rafe understands that Hope can't be with him right now as she's still holding out hope that Ciara is out there and searching for answers so he gets that there is no room in her heart for him right now.

Ben tells Shawn that the hardest part for him is the constant feeling of limbo since they have no concrete proof one way or the other. Shawn points out that is why Hope left Salem. Ben acknowledges that she went to go find Ciara.

Steve makes a toast to Kayla as the best partner, mother, doctor, and cook. Kayla feels so lucky to have Joey back and says she can't express how much she missed him as she loves him so much. Tripp tells Joey that it is such a relief to have him back. Steve asks if Joey has thought about what he's going to do now that he's back. Joey says all this time, he thought about nothing but getting out, coming home, and being with his family again. Joey adds that it's everything he imagined and more but he honestly has no idea what comes next.

Claire questions Tripp's mother being alive which Allie confirms and notes that everybody is pretty shocked. Allie guesses now they will never know if she would have pulled the trigger. Claire doesn't think she would have. Allie says that's what Nicole said too but she doesn't know because she really wanted Tripp to hurt the way he made her hurt. Claire tells Allie that she just worries about how this could hurt her case if it comes out in the court room and if Tripp could use it against her. Allie argues that there won't even be a police report about it. Claire points out that if she's asked about it, she has to tell the truth. Allie says the only people that know are her, Ava, and Tripp. Allie points out that Ava is a criminal and Tripp is still saying they didn't have sex when she has a baby with his DNA so she questions who they will believe.

Charlie questions Ava thinking that he raped Allie when he doesn't even know her. Ava brings up the rape taking place in London, where Charlie was keeping an eye on Tripp for her. Charlie questions that being her proof, arguing that it doesn't prove anything. Ava says maybe not, but the DNA test does.

Ben tells Shawn that he's had a lot of the same thoughts as Hope which is why he went looking everywhere he could for Ciara. Ben mentions speaking with Hope a few times and she assured him that she was okay but she made it clear that she wants to be left alone so he's respecting that. Ben mentions hearing Rafe was back in town and asks if he got in touch with her. Shawn informs him that Rafe tracked her down, only for Hope to tell him they are done with because she's searching for Ciara. Shawn hopes that Hope finds what they are all looking for and if she doesn't, he prays that she will somehow get closure and come home to them.

Nicole tells Rafe that she's sorry about he and Hope as she didn't know. Rafe says at least he has all these cases to throw himself into. Nicole encourages him not to give up and points out how long it took her and Eric to get things right so it could happen for Rafe and Hope. Rafe asks if she has any idea how long Eric will be gone. Nicole says she doesn't and she doesn't want to pressure him as Eric will come back when he feels he fulfilled his mission. Nicole is glad she stopped by as sometimes it just helps to talk. Rafe says it was good to see her and a good talk.

Kayla says that Joey just got home so he doesn't have to figure out what he wants to do yet. Steve says he didn't mean to pressure him. Joey says he should've given more thought to his future but getting out was a total surprise. Tripp asks about school since he had talked about finishing his degree. Joey says he wants to finish but he knows how expensive that is. Steve and Kayla say he doesn't have to worry about that as they will do whatever to help. Joey says that's great of them but wonders if he should get a job first and figure out what's next so he can make his own money while doing it. Steve points out that Joey is always welcome at Black Patch even though he and John aren't exactly getting along right now. Steve then apologizes to Tripp for bringing that up. Kayla decides they don't need to talk about any of this tonight since this is a family celebration and they are all together.

Charlie questions Ava about what DNA. Ava informs him that they did a DNA test comparing Allie's baby to Tripp. Charlie didn't know Allie had a baby as Claire only told him that Allie got raped. Ava explains that the timing of the birth of Allie's son matches up with the rape in London. Ava points out that Tripp's DNA matches Allie's baby which is interesting since he swears he didn't have sex with her. Ava asks if Charlie has any theories on how that could happen. Charlie responds that he knows Ava will hate hearing it but it seems pretty clear to him that Tripp is a rapist.

Kayla asks who wants dessert. Tripp says they can enjoy but he should get going as Ava is waiting. Tripp knows what they all think of her and they have every right. Kayla acknowledges that Ava is still his mother. Tripp says he makes no excuses for her but he thought she was dead and now she's here. Joey says he's grateful to be free as Tripp then exits.

Belle comes back from the kitchen and says she just got a message about John's case so she has to give them a call back. Belle asks if Allie has any more questions. Allie says she already took enough of her time. Belle tells her to call if she needs anything as she then exits. Allie is glad to not talk about this for the rest of the night as she just wants to chill and hang out since Maggie has Henry and Holly tonight. Allie notes Claire checking her phone all night and asks if she has to go. Claire says she just thought she might get a text from someone special.

Ava tells Charlie that Tripp swears he never had sex with Allie. Charlie says he must be lying but Ava says she believes him. Charlie asks how Tripp explains the DNA. Ava declares that he can't explain it but she can.

Rafe asks if Nicole has told Eric how much she misses him. Nicole doesn't want to make Eric feel guilty or cause his mission to be any harder. Rafe knows it has to be hard for her too. Nicole says she won't pretend she doesn't have her moments but she tries to remember how lucky she is since she married her first love. Nicole knows Rafe's break up with Hope must be terribly difficult so she's here whenever he needs a friend. Rafe says the same for her as they hug and Nicole then exits.

Ben tells Shawn that he fully expected to go through life alone as he thought that's just what he deserved. Ben says the idea of falling in love with a wonderful woman seemed impossible until Ciara changed his life. Shawn acknowledges that Ben made Ciara so happy. Ben calls it hard to believe that one day they were married and the next day she was gone.

Tripp tells Joey it's great having him back and to text him later as they hug. Tripp thanks Kayla for everything she's done for him. Kayla says he doesn't need to thank her but Tripp insists and wants her to know how much he appreciates what she has done for him. Steve offers to walk Tripp to Ava's so they exit together. Joey offers to help Kayla clean up but Kayla says not on his first night back. Joey feels Kayla deserves to relax after that meal. Kayla ageres to let him help clean up just so they can spend more time together. Joey thanks Kayla for including Tripp in the dinner, knowing how hard it must be for her. Kayla doesn't want to talk about Ava and just wants to spend time with Joey at home as they hug.

Allie asks Claire about her boyfriend. Claire tells her that his name is Charlie. Allie notes that she never mentioned him before. Claire says she had so much going on and she didn't know it would be anything but it's been so great. Claire says they just had dinner so she thought he was going to text her because he usually does. Claire tells Allie that Charlie is her boyfriend and she thinks Allie is really going to like him...

Charlie argues that he doesn't know what Ava is suggesting but he followed Tripp around London like she asked him to and he's not the saint that she thinks he is. Charlie says Tripp was partying at the Pub the minute he got there. Charlie knows that Ava doesn't want to accept that Tripp is guilty but Allie had a baby and the DNA is a match. Ava then declares that she knows someone else who shares a lot of the same DNA as she reveals that Charlie and Tripp are brothers!

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