BRADY HOME
It is now the next morning. Aiden and Hope had just gone out to have breakfast. When they came home, they noticed something unusual.
HOPE: That's odd. The front door's open.
AIDEN: I'm sure we closed it when we left.
HOPE: I know we did. But, there's no signs of forced entry.
AIDEN: Well, both the kids have a key. Maybe they got home early from spending the night at Shawn and Belle's.
HOPE: Maybe.
Hope and Aiden walked inside.
HOPE: Ciara?
AIDEN: Chase?
Each looked around the house for their respective child, but neither was anywhere to be found. Then, Hope noticed something else.
HOPE: Where is it?
AIDEN: Where's what?
Hope went over to the fireplace mantle.
HOPE: My picture. The picture of me, Bo, Shawn and Ciara.
AIDEN: It's not on the mantle?
HOPE: I'm looking at the mantle right now, and it's not there.
Aiden walked over to the other side of the mantle. He looked around for a moment, and then held up a picture.
AIDEN: Is this it?
Hope looked.
HOPE: That's exactly it. What was it doing over here?
Aiden shrugged.
AIDEN: Maybe you moved it and just forgot.
HOPE: No, I wouldn't have moved it. I keep all of the pictures on this mantle in order of when they were taken. This was taken when Ciara was first born. Why is it over here by Ciara's 8th grade graduation picture?
AIDEN: I have no idea.
HOPE: Well, neither do I. But, this is very strange. First, the front door is open, when we know that we closed it. Then, one of my pictures is moved on the mantle...what if someone's here? In the house with us?
AIDEN: I will admit, it is odd. But, I don't think anyone's broken in. You said yourself that there were no signs of a break in.
HOPE: It wouldn't hurt to check, though.
Aiden nodded.
AIDEN: All right.
HOPE: I'll get the upstairs, you check down here.
AIDEN: You got it, detective.
DIMERA MANSION
André sat at a desk, holding a tablet in his hands. He grinned, as he watched what was on it. The subjects of his amusement were currently Hope and Aiden, who were blissfully unaware they were being watched, but well aware that someone had been there. André chuckled to himself.
ANDRE: Now, this is reality television. Smile for the cameras, darlings.
André touched the screen, and the video got smaller. Beside it were several other videos.
ANDRE: But whom to watch next?
HORTON HOME
J.J. and Claire were in the garage of the Horton home. J.J. had set up a small speaker and plugged his guitar into it. He'd also gotten two microphones.
J.J.: Trust me, the acoustics are way better in here.
CLAIRE: Cool.
Claire put down her backpack and pulled out a sheet of paper.
CLAIRE: You know this one?
She handed J.J. some paper.
J.J.: Of course. I love it.
CLAIRE: Awesome.
J.J. picked up a nearby electric guitar and started strumming. He and Claire walked to their respective microphones.
CLAIRE (singing): I still don't know what I was waiting for and my time was running wild; a million dead-end streets.
J.J. (singing): Every time I thought I'd got it made, it seemed the taste was not so sweet. So I turned myself to face me, but I've never caught a glimpse...
CLAIRE (singing): Of how the others must see the faker. I'm much too fast to take that test.
CLAIRE & J.J. (singing): Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
J.J. (singing): Turn and face the strange...
CLAIRE & J.J. (singing): Ch-ch-Changes!
CLAIRE (singing): Don't wanna to be a richer man.
CLAIRE & J.J. (singing): Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
CLAIRE (singing): Turn and face the strange...
CLAIRE & J.J. (singing): Ch-ch-Changes!
J.J. (singing): It's gonna have to be a different man. Time may change me...
CLAIRE (singing): ...but I can't trace time. I watch the ripples change their size, but never leave the stream of warm impermanence and...
J.J. (singing): So the days float through my eyes, but the days still seem the same.
CLAIRE (singing): And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds...
J.J. (singing): Are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through...
MONTAGE
As J.J. and Claire continue singing, we see several Salemites doing various things. Such as Aiden and Andrew showing Belle to her new office.
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
CLAIRE (singing): Turn and face the strange...
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-Changes!
J.J. (singing, vo): Don't tell them to grow up and out of it.
Max at the Brady Pub, tending bar. Chelsea comes in and kisses him.
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
J.J. (singing, vo): Turn and face the strange...
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-Changes!
CLAIRE (singing, vo): Where's your shame? You've left us up to our necks in it. Time may change me...
J.J. (singing, vo): ...but you can't trace time.
Daniel at the hospital looking over a sheet of paper.
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Strange fascination, fascinating me.
Ciara and Chase going to see a movie together.
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Changes are taking the pace I'm going thru. Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
J.J. (singing, vo): Turn and face the strange...
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-Changes!
Belle comes home and helps Shawn-D unpack. The two hug, kiss, and do their signature dip.
CLAIRE (singing, vo): Look out you Rock'n' rollers!
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!
CLAIRE (singing, vo): Turn and face the strange...
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): Ch-ch-Changes!
J.J. (singing, vo): Pretty soon now you're gonna get older.
SALEM P.D.
As the song ends, we transition to the Salem P.D., where Bo is putting things back into his office. Large boxes fill his desk.
J.J. (singing, vo): Time may change me...
CLAIRE (singing, vo): ...but I can't trace time
J.J. & CLAIRE (singing, vo): I said that time may change me...but I can't trace time
Just as Bo emptied a box and put it down, Hope knocked on the door.
HOPE: Hey.
Bo looked up.
BO: Hey, come on in.
Hope walked in and she and Bo hugged.
HOPE: Rafe told me you were back on the force.
BO: Yeah. Roman updated me on all of the stuff that's been going on lately. Clyde Weston, the Necktie Killer, some psycho nephew of Victor's.
HOPE: It's been busy as ever around here.
BO: I can see that it definitely hasn't calmed down any since I was away.
HOPE: Well, I'm glad you're back.
BO: Yeah?
HOPE: Yeah.
BO: Cool. So, I heard J.J. was thinking of being a cop. What's up with that?
HOPE: Whatever it was, he's gotten over it. He's gone back to wanting to be a musician. He's even trying make a band, and trying to recruit our granddaughter for it.
BO: Hm. I see. What does she play?
HOPE: I don't know that she plays anything, but she can sing. She's a great singer.
BO: Well, I hope to hear her, sometime.
HOPE: I'm sure you will. So, onto you. How was your visit with Daniel?
Bo rolled his eyes, and tried to hide it.
BO: He didn't tell me anything, he just took a bunch of tests. X-rays, blood tests, CTs. Those flashcards that someone poured ink over that you're supposed to say looks like a bird. I'm kidding about that last one.
HOPE: I figured.
BO: Yeah, Marlena was actually the one who gave me that test.
HOPE: Well, they wouldn't have done it if they thought it wouldn't help.
BO: I guess.
HOPE: Any word on when you'll get the results?
BO: A day or two.
HOPE: Do you mind if I come with you?
BO: I don't mind. But, what about Aiden?
HOPE: Aiden understand how important you are to me. He also understands that this situation is anything other than normal.
BO: Well, normal never really was our style, was it, Fancy Face?
Bo and Hope chuckled.
HOPE: No, not really. But, whatever happens, we'll face it together.
BO: You really mean that?
HOPE: Of course I do.
BO: Cool.
Bo's phone buzzed. He picked it up.
BO: Text from Daniel. He's got the results. Says he'd like me to drop by tonight.
HOPE: All right. We get off at the same time, so I'll be ready when you are.
BO: Okay.
Hope turned to walk out.
BO: Hope...
She turned back.
HOPE: Yes?
BO: Thanks.
Hope smiled and walked out.
DIMERA MANSION
André was sitting in the living room, watching the monitors on his tablet.
ANDRE: The people of Salem are so boring. Perhaps we'll have to spice things up a bit. But with whom...?
Harold knocked, walked in, and bowed.
HAROLD: Mr. DiMera?
André put down the tablet.
ANDRE: Oh, what is it now, Harold?
HAROLD: Your father wishes to speak with you. You and Chad. The younger Mr. DiMera is already up there.
André stood.
ANDRE: Thank you.
He walked up the stairs and into Stefano's bedroom. Chad sat in a chair in the corner.
ANDRE: Hello, father.
Stefano made a small effort to get up, but didn't have the strength. André knelt at his bedside, took Stefano's hand in his and patted it.
ANDRE: Save your strength.
STEFANO: André...it is good that you are here...both of you.
Stefano coughed.
CHAD: Well, you did summon us here, after all. What the hell do you want?
André briefly turned to Chad.
ANDRE: Show respect, would you? This is our father.
He turned back to Stefano.
ANDRE: Of course I'm here, father. You know that I will come whenever you call.
STEFANO: You...you're a good boy.
He coughed some more.
STEFANO: You have always been...my most faithful...son.
ANDRE: And I always shall be.
André kissed Stefano's forehead.
STEFANO: There...is not much time left.
ANDRE: What on earth are you talking about, father?
STEFANO: My...
He had a short coughing fit.
STEFANO: My time is almost up.
ANDRE: Surely that can't be.
STEFANO: Sad to say...it is. Which is why...I've called you both here.
ANDRE: Anything you ask, it shall be done.
Stefano attempted to squeeze André's hand. He barely managed it.
STEFANO: You...are a good...a great son.
Chad rolled his eyes.
STEFANO: André...I need you...to look after the business.
ANDRE: Of course, father.
STEFANO: You and Chad...you are all that is left...
He coughed again.
STEFANO: ...of my blood line. At least...until Giovanni...comes of age.
André nodded.
STEFANO: You must...continue to train Chad...
More coughing followed.
STEFANO: And when the time comes...train Giovanni...and Sydney.
ANDRE: Of course, father.
STEFANO: Boys...come closer.
André inched closer, gripping Stefano's hand in his. Chad stood, but made no effort to move any closer than he had to.
STEFANO: My...sons...my beautiful sons...mi famiglia...I...
Stefano had one last small coughing fit, took a deep breath, and shut his eyes. While Chad's face showed mild concern, André looked grim.
ANDRE: Get Rolf.
CHAD: What?
ANDRE: Dr. Rolf. The man in the lab coat down in the basement. Go get him.
Chad's face showed a look of confusion. André stood. He inched towards Chad in a threatening manner.
ANDRE: Now dammit! Or have I got to do everything myself?
CHAD: All right! All right! I'm going!
Chad hurriedly made his way out of the room and down the stairs. André turned to Stefano, and stood, looking down at his body.
ANDRE: It can't end like this. You're not leaving me like this, old man.
A short while later, André and Chad stood outside of Stefano's bedroom. André was pacing, while Chad was doing his best to stay out of the way. After a short amount of time, Dr. Rolf walked out of the room. André and Chad looked up.
ANDRE: Well?
Rolf shook his head.
ROLF: Zere was nothing I could do. He iz gone.
Chad looked down at the floor. André's expression went from anger to blank.
ANDRE: Excuse me.
André went into the bedroom. He walked over to Stefano's bedside radio and turned it on. By chance, it happened to be playing Stefano's favorite song, March of the Valkyries. Andre took Stefano by the hand, and kissed him on the forehead.
ANDRE: I shall carry on your legacy, father. We've had the best of times, haven't we? The best.
André shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
ANDRE: Farewell, father.
André looked at his father's hand. He saw the Phoenix ring, where it always sat. Very carefully, he took the ring off of Stefano's hand. He placed the ring on his own hand.
ANDRE: The king is dead. Long live the Phoenix.
André turned off the radio, blew his father one last kiss, then he turned and walked out of the room.
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Bo and Hope sat in a hospital room. Daniel walked in, holding a file in his hands.
DANIEL: Thanks for coming on such short notice.
BO: No problem.
DANIEL: Well, I ran the tests...
BO: What did you find?
DANIEL: You have a brain tumor.
BO: Okay. Well, you can take it out, right?
Daniel shook his head.
DANIEL: If I even tried to, you would be a vegetable. It's in one of the most hard to get to places in the brain. There's no way to get to it without giving you considerable brain damage.
Bo took a deep breath. Hope took his hand.
HOPE: Why does it sound like that's not all you found?
DANIEL: Because it's not.
BO: What else could there possibly be?
DANIEL: The full body scan showed that the tumor is cancerous...and it has spread to a few other parts of the body, namely your chest.
Bo blinked hard.
BO: And there's nothing you can do?
DANIEL: There may be some things I can give you to keep you comfortable. But, nothing can make the brain tumor go away.
Bo wiped his eyes. Hope put an arm around him.
BO: So...so how long have I got?
DANIEL: There's really no accurate way of telling.
BO: How long?
DANIEL: Three months.
HOPE: What?
DANIEL: And that's at the most.
BO: I...
DANIEL: I would need to do a second CT and body scan, but because of the size of the tumor, and the spread of the cancer from it, I'd say you have three months, at most. It could be as few as two weeks.
Bo put his head in his hands.