Several Months Ago

DIMERA MANSION
A few days after Stefano had to be put in a wheelchair. André walks in the front door, just as Harold passes.
HAROLD: Excuse me, do I know you?
André smirks, and walks up to Harold so that he can speak into his ear.
ANDRE: No, and you'll never get the pleasure to if you don't get out of my way. You see, I find that I am uncharacteristically late for a meeting with my dear Uncle Stefano, who I hear is in poor health. So, unless you wish this to be your last day at the office, you'll take me to see him.
HAROLD: Um, right this way.
Harold led André into the parlor, where Stefano is on the phone.
STEFANO: Pick up, damn it. I told you to get here, soon! Now, where the devil are you?
ANDRE: Speak of the devil...
André walked up behind Stefano.
ANDRE: ...and he shall appear.
Stefano closed the phone, and sighed with relief.
STEFANO: Ah, André.
Stefano looked to Harold.
STEFANO: Leave us.
Harold walked out.
STEFANO: André...how good it is to see you, my boy.
ANDRE: You as well, uncle. Now, tell me, why was I summoned here on such short notice?
STEFANO: It had to be short notice, my boy. There is no guarantee on how much time I have left.
ANDRE: Oh, don't be silly, uncle. You're Stefano DiMera, the Phoenix. Besides, you, if anyone should know that the DiMera's never truly die.
STEFANO: Yes, yes. But, I am afraid that the embers have nearly gone out for this Phoenix.
ANDRE: What have the doctor's said?
STEFANO: Oh, you know doctors. They speak their mumbo jumbo, they run their tests, but it does not mean a thing, because I am nearing the end of my life.
ANDRE: Oh, please. You have decades left. I'll get Rolf to take a look at you.
STEFANO: That would be wonderful. However, Rolf is no longer in my service.
André smirked.
ANDRE: No, but he is in mine.
Stefano sighed.
STEFANO: It is not just a medical condition that is killing me. I'll tell you something, my boy, it is my children that have killed me. Or, should I say, the loss of my children. Think of it this way, all of my children are gone. Alexandra, Elvis...Kristen. My only living child, Chad, has betrayed me. Which is why I need you. You have been summoned here because I need you to keep the DiMera name alive.
André knelt in front of Stefano and took his hand.
ANDRE: Uncle, you have no idea how long I have dreamed of this moment. It will be an honor to continue what you started.
STEFANO: I knew you wold be pleased. However, there is something I need you to do, first. And I am particularly glad that you have brought Rolf back with you.
ANDRE: What do you need?
STEFANO: Obviously, nobody will accept that you have turned over a new leaf just because you say you have. You will have to lie low for a while until Dr. Rolf and I can make sure everything goes according to plan.
ANDRE: And what exactly is your plan?
STEFANO: I need you to become my son.
André stood.
ANDRE: Uncle, I've devoted over half of my life to becoming Tony. Nobody will ever believe that I'm the real him again, all they'd have to do is call Anna to prove it. Besides that, Tony's dead.
STEFANO: Calm yourself, André. You will not become Antony in that sense.
ANDRE: Explain.
STEFANO: If all goes according to plan, and Dr. Rolf can do what I need him to do, you and Antony shall become one.
André and Stefano had met up with Dr. Rolf in the basement of the DiMera Mansion. André is wearing a hospital gown.
ANDRE: So, explain this plan to me, Rolf. What did Stefano mean that Tony and I shall become one?
ROLF: If ze operation iz successful...
ANDRE: If?! "If" is not good enough, Rolf! I am not going to put my life on the line for an "if". You've gotta give me something more substantial than that!
ROLF: I mean, when ze operation iz successful, your mind and Antony's shall be one.
Rolf picked up a jar with a brain in it, and showed it to André.
ROLF: When Antony vaz first pronounced dead, your uncle had me come in, remove his brain, and keep it in storage here, just in case we needed it for zomething in ze future.
ANDRE: So, Tony really is dead, then?
STEFANO: Yes, he is. He met with the wrong end of Philip Kiriakis.
André examined the brain in the jar and chuckled.
ANDRE: Couldn't have happened to a more deserving man.
Rolf put the brain back in the freezer.
ROLF: As I vaz saying, your brain and Antony's shall be fused together. Antony may be dead, but we froze his brain before there was any permanent damage.
ANDRE: So, when you fuse my brain to his, will I still be in control?
ROLF: Of course. We will have D.N.A. tests that show you are Stefano's biological child. As, in a sense, you will be.
ANDRE: Oh, uncle, I had always hoped that this day would come. The day that I am finally accepted as the child you always wanted.
STEFANO: Yes, it is wonderful. But it is not "uncle" anymore. From now on, I am your father.
ANDRE: Of course. I've claimed you are for so long that having it be true will just be icing on the cake.
STEFANO: Rolf, take me upstairs, I am growing tired. Come back for me when it is finished.
ROLF: Yes, Stefano.
Rolf took Stefano upstairs, then came back down.
ROLF: Are you comfortable?
ANDRE: As comfortable as I can be when I'm about to have my brain molded to that of my sainted cousin, I mean, brother. Let's just get this over with so that I can be Stefano's son for real.

Several Hours Later

Stefano was sitting in the parlor. Dr. Rolf knocked on the door.
STEFANO: Come in.
He walked in.
STEFANO: Rolf, how did it go?
ROLF: Well, it vaz very difficult at times. Zere were moments when I did not think he would make it.
STEFANO: Just cut through the overdramatics, okay? I want to know if he's okay, or not.
ROLF: Yes, he iz. Ze operation was a complete success. André and Antony are now one.
STEFANO: Excellent. Send him up here.
Rolf bowed.
ROLF: As you vish.
Dr. Rolf walked away. Moments later, André walked up the stairs, wearing a dashing three-piece suit.
ANDRE: Hello, father.
STEFANO: André, my dear boy, you look wonderful.
ANDRE: Yes, thank you. It is good be back.
Stefano attempted to get up, but André went over to him and sat him back down.
ANDRE: No, please, don't get up. Save your strength.
André kissed Stefano on the head, then knelt down, taking one of Stefano's hands in his.
STEFANO: André, as you know, we might not have much time.
ANDRE: So you keep telling me. That is the very reason that I returned. So, when do I get to reveal my miraculous return to the good people of Salem?
STEFANO: Not just yet. There is a matter that I need you to attend to, first.
ANDRE: Anything you ask, father.

FARMHOUSE – REDDICK, FLORIDA
Clyde had been able to escape prison in Florida, and was now on the run. He was in a rural part of Florida, where there were mostly farms. He was coming in from tending to some cows. He came in the door, and turned on the lights. He was surprised to see André sitting in his chair, reading the newspaper.
ANDRE: Oh, good, you're home. I was wondering how long you'd be out.
CLYDE: Who the hell are you? What are you doin' in my house?
André took off his reading glasses, put down the newspaper, and stood.
ANDRE: I have a message for you, Mr. Weston.
CLYDE: I asked you a question. I said, who the hell are you?
André put a finger to his lips.
ANDRE: Ssh. There's no need to shout, Mr. Weston. I'm standing right here and I can hear you just perfectly.
André chuckled.
ANDRE: Besides, even if you did shout, there's nobody around to hear you.
CLYDE: What do you want?
ANDRE: Good lord, you are as dense as father said you were, I just told you, I have a message for you.
André bent over the chair he had been sitting in, and dug into the cushion. He pulled out his katana.
CLYDE: Are you threatenin' me?
André chuckled again.
ANDRE: Oh, I don't make threats.
CLYDE: You think you can kill me? Well, here's some news for you, you can't! I'm Clyde Weston, and I'm indestructible! Many a man has tried to kill me. What makes you think you'll be any different?
ANDRE: Oh, you think you're indestructible, eh? Well, I've got some unfortunate news for you, Mr. Weston. You're deluding yourself. There is only one indestructible man to walk this earth...me. The Black Phoenix.
CLYDE: Phoenix? I've heard that name before. You're one of his men, aren't you?
ANDRE: No, worse. I'm his son.
CLYDE: What, daddy couldn't handle me himself so he sent out you to take care of me, junior?
André wrapped his arm around Clyde. The blade of the katana was to Clyde's neck.
ANDRE (whispering): Never call me "junior" again.
CLYDE: You're makin' a big mistake, pal. Never bring a knife to a gun fight.
Clyde reached for the gun in his pocket. André tightened his grip, and chuckled.
ANDRE: Oh, but I didn't. I brought a sword.
André sliced his katana through Clyde's neck. Clyde fell to the ground, dead. André reached into his shirt pocket, brought out a handkerchief, and wiped the blood off of the blade.
ANDRE: Stefano DiMera sends his regards.

DIMERA JET
A few hours later, André was on a private DiMera jet. He is on the phone with Stefano.
ANDRE: It has been done.
STEFANO (over phone): Excellent. Now, when you come home, sneak in the front door. I will be in a meeting. It must look like I do not know you are arriving.
ANDRE: Oh, I'm well aware of the plan. I'll be seeing you soon, father.
André hung up the phone, smiled, and laughed.

DIMERA MANSION
Stefano hung up the phone. Rolf walked in.
ROLF: I assume everything went according to plan?
STEFANO: Of course. André was always my most faithful soldier. And now, he is my most faithful son.
Rolf nodded.
STEFANO: Now, Dr. Rolf, it is wonderful having you here. However, you must make yourself...
ROLF: Scarce? Yes, I know. André informed me of this when we arrived. I shall retire to my lab. But, you may, of course, contact me at any time.
STEFANO: Good. Good.
Rolf went downstairs.

Hours later...

Stefano was talking to one of his goons.
STEFANO: Bring him in through the tunnels. He must not be seen. Everything must go according to plan.
ANDRE: And what would that be?
André walked in, surprising the goon.
STEFANO (faux surprise): André? Dear god! What are you doing here? I told you never to come back to Salem!
André smiled. The goon had bought it, hook, line and sinker. Now, it was time to have some fun.