Melissa Anderson's Penthouse
Melissa hears the doorbell ring and calls out that she'll be right there. When she gets to the door, she sees Stephanie has arrived quite early. Stephanie wonders if she hasn't just walked right into her own execution. Melissa can tell that Stephanie is on edge and can understand why she feels that way, but she assures her that she simply wants to clear the air. Stephanie doesn't think there's anything simple about that, not after what happened between Melissa son, Nathan, and her.
Sandy Horton's House, formerly Tommy Horton's
Over at Sandy's, Nick and Marie are enjoying a peaceful breakfast. She asks him how he knows Stephanie Johnson. He tells his grandmother that they were in the same social circle in Salem a few years ago and became fast friends. Marie is glad that Nick can have a friend in town. He tells her that Stephanie wants to take advantage of the fact that they're both in L.A. and introduce him to a few of her friends. Marie thought Nick was visiting, but now it sounds like he may make Los Angeles more of a permanent home. Nick shrugs, unsure. Marie just hopes that everything will work out. Right on schedule, Sandy comes downstairs, dressed for work at the hospital. Nick takes his cue to go out and begin his day, leaving the aunt-niece pair to square off.
Kimberly Brady's Beach House: Malibu
Steve shows up at Kim's door, which Shane answers. "Steve Johnson," Shane utters wondrously, "I wondered when you might show up on my doorstep." Inviting Steve inside, he asks what brings Steve by. Steve says he needs Shane's help. With what, Shane wonders curiously. "My past, Donovan. I need to fill in the holes left by Alamain and DiMera – sixteen years worth of 'em." Steve thinks the ISA is the only way he's going to get the answers he wants.
Alexander Apartments - Third Floor
Andrew walks up to the door of his apartment: number 5. He considers knocking, but digs for his key.
Andrew Donovan and Jake Kaufman's Apartment
Inside, his towel-clad roommate hears the jiggling of keys and rushes over, opens the door, and is surprised to see him. He thought he'd be spending more time at his mom's after the divorce. "Let's just say things have gotten a bit more settled, Jake." Jake asks if Andrew is back for good and Andrew nods, saying that he missed his freedom. Jake won't deny that it's been fun having the place to himself, but he missed his partner in crime. Andrew can't help but smile, shaking his head and telling him to get some clothes. Jake teases Andrew, asking if he wants a piece of him. Andrew shoots him down with a smirk, adding that his sister's coming by to help him with his stuff. "And don't even think about it," Andrew cautions Jake's playboy sensibilities, as Jake puts his hands up in an innocent expression of defense.
Bay Memorial Hospital: Nurse's Station
Kimberly stops at the nurse's station and spies her sister. "Kay! Think we can grab lunch together later?" Kayla agrees, since she's free. Steve often brings her lunch, but he's tied up today. Kim thinks that its serendipity telling the sisters they were in for some much needed bonding time. Kayla's glad they're both working together at the hospital. It's like old times. Kim recalls raising their kids together in Malibu and all the times she babysat Stephanie while Kayla went to night school. Kayla still doesn't think she's quite paid her sister back for that. Kim says she can start by buying lunch. Kayla laughs, more than glad to cover it. Kim checks her watch and notices that she has a patient in a few minutes, so she wants to run back to her office and prepare. Kayla tells Kim to meet back at nurse's station at 1.
Melissa Anderson's Penthouse
Melissa offers a now-seated Stephanie some coffee. She declines. Melissa decides to simply get down to brass tax, then. She would be lying if she said that Stephanie is her favorite person after what she put Nathan through, and she's right. Nothing about this is simple, but Melissa wants to try. Stephanie wants to know why Melissa's being so nice to her. "You made a mistake, Stephanie. You're human. And if you were some nothing girl who'd broken my baby's heart, maybe I wouldn't even think twice about you. But you are Steve and Kayla's daughter. I know deep down you're a good kid. And like you, Stephanie, I'm human, too. I've made mistakes. I've let people take advantage of me. I was a rebellious teenager, because my birth mother did nothing but use me to get what she wanted. First, I was Mickey Horton's kid, then I was her ex Jim's, then I was Mickey's again, then she married Bob Anderson, and he adopted me like a daughter. Then, after he died, Mickey and Maggie – the two people I've called mom and dad for most of my adult life – took me in. Being a Horton has meant the world to me. But it took a long time before their sobering influence took hold and I lashed out. I dated this guy named Pete, a member of a gang. He was a good guy deep down. Kind of like your papa."
Stephanie becomes curious about Pete. She asks about Nathan's dad. Melissa immediately goes to change the subject, but Stephanie curiosity is getting the better of her. Melissa says that she's never ever talked about him to Nathan and she doesn't think it's appropriate to talk about it with her now. Stephanie accepts this and apologizes, though still curious. To change the subject completely, Melissa brings up the fact that she nearly married Stephanie's uncle Jack, which Stephanie never knew. They share a laugh about that. "Stephanie, you are a beautiful woman. You should never feel like you need to compete with another woman for a man. I pined after your uncle for about a year, but when we made it to the altar, I realized I was fooling myself, that he wasn't worth it, and I dumped him. Of course, the fact that I'd caught him cheating on me helped motivate my decision," Melissa admits. Stephanie can't believe that of her Uncle Jack. Melissa just smiles, knowingly. "The bottom line is you have to think of you first. Not some man. And while I realize that this time this man was my son, he is just as much to blame for what happened as you are. If despite Nathan's insistence you felt so threatened by Melanie that you had to lie and cheat to keep him, Nathan failed you. What's done is done. There's nothing you can do about it now, and I want us to move forward and not dwell on the past, okay?" Stephanie nods.
Melissa sees Stephanie out, hoping that her words were a comfort to her. Stephanie thanks Melissa for this talk. She knows Melissa never had to like her. She appreciates that Melissa believes in her. Melissa tells Stephanie that it's more important that she start to believe in herself. After Stephanie leaves, Melissa's phone rings. It's Marie. Melissa wonders what she's calling about. Marie tells Melissa about the flowers that Linda sent that arrived today. Melissa wonders why her mother couldn't be bothered to reach out to her, hanging up with Marie. She knows she shut Linda out of her life years ago, but sometimes she wishes Linda would at least try to be something to her.
Kimberly Brady's Beach House
Shane looks at Steve, slightly crestfallen. "Steve, I'm no longer with the organization. I'm not sure what I can do to help you." This revelation startles Steve, who thought that being in an international spy for as long as Shane was not something that he could just drop. Shane wonders what Kayla would think about Steve's investigation. He heard that it hadn't gone so well in the past. Steve snaps at Shane, telling him to let him worry about his wife. There is a long pause. Steve apologizes for snapping. He knows Shane is just trying to protect everybody. Its what he always did. After a moment, Shane offers to do whatever he can, but he doesn't look forward to getting read the riot act by Kim and Kayla.
Steve sighs, admitting that his time in the psych ward was hardly a expenses-paid vacation and the Ava Vitale drama was nothing short of exhausting. He figured old loves coming back to haunt you was a once in a lifetime kind of thing, thinking of his late wife Marina. Shane points out that he had his own share between Emma and Gabrielle, then recalls Steve's prior relationship with Britta Englund, but Steve claims that was different. It was before Kayla. "And this Ava Vitale person was after Kayla." Shane quips. "In a manner of speaking," admits Steve, adding that there's something about that which has never quite worked in his head and that's driving him to keep digging. Supposedly, he wound up in the DiMeras possession, not unlike John, Roman, Hope, and Marlena. But his dealings with the DiMeras began and ended with nearly adopting Benjy with Kayla and being connected to Roman and Marlena and Bo and Hope. Yet, he was made into this DiMera soldier, by Stefano's youngest known son, Elvis, who wasn't even born when Steve disappeared...but it was Lawrence Alamain who targeted Bo in the explosion that landed Steve in the hospital. Shane admits that there seems to be a missing piece of the puzzle, indeed. In spite of himself, he reiterates how Kayla will play into this.
Sandy Horton's House: Kitchen
Marie and Sandy are having a bit of a stand off. Sandy notes how quickly Marie's grandson scurried off. She hopes her aunt is not filling the boy's head with lies to scare him about his Aunt Sandy. "No lies, darling," Marie says, "because to be perfectly honest with you, I have no idea what to expect now that we've laid my brother to rest." Sandy seems amused by this, but neither woman can say anything else before the doorbell rings. A deliveryman delivers an extravagant bouquet of flowers. Sandy takes the note and is clearly touched. Meanwhile, Marie is curious who sent them, noting the flamboyant arrangement. Sandy reads the note, "No matter how our relationship ended, I always thought of you with great fondness. It saddens me greatly when I heard of your passing and I hope that this beautiful arrangement can justly express my even greater sadness at not being able to pay my respects to you in person. Always, Linda." Marie notes her surprise, having not heard the name Linda Anderson in many, many years. Sandy has to be off to work, but she asks Marie to find a nice vase for the flowers and, on her way out, adds for Marie to take care. Marie can't help but feel it was more of a threat than a friendly goodbye.
Andrew Donovan and Jake Kaufman's Apartment
Andrew is on the phone with the building superintendent, Mr. Alexander, thanking him for freeing his schedule so that he could meet and renew his rental agreement. He understands that he can't make it out to the apartment complex right now. He knows that he's a very busy man. Telling Mr. Alexander he's on his way, he thanks Mr. Alexander again before hanging up. After hanging up, he calls out to Jake, who has put on some pants. He can see Jake isn't exactly ready to go meet their landlord and asks if he can stay and wait for his sister? He doesn't want to keep Mr. Alexander waiting. "Sure," Jake agrees, and Andrew reissues his warning from earlier that his sister is off-limits. Jake is perfectly willing to accept that. He wouldn't want to ruin the good thing they have going here as roommates. Andrew grins, thanking his friend and roommate and slapping him on the back affectionately before heading out. Jake watches him go out the window, deep in thought...
The doorbell rings. Jeannie is on the other side, struggling with one of the heavier boxes of Andrew's stuff. Jake takes one end of it and helps her carry it and place it down. He tells her to take a load off. He can tell that was quite a burden to carry by herself. He didn't realize his roommate's sister was Xena, Warrior Princess. She bursts out laughing and adds that she didn't think her brother roommate was a comedian, either. With a smirk, he tells her to stay there, looks out the window and asks her if her car is the white Mercedes. She nods and he compliments her on her wheels, telling her that he'll be right back with some more stuff. She watches him go before taking a look around the apartment. She can tell it's a bachelor pad, shaking her head, saying "Boys," exasperatedly.
When Jake comes back, Andrew is with him and asks Jeannie if "this punk" gave her any cheek and she says that he was a perfect gentleman. Andrew scoffs at that and Jake takes mock offense to the suggestion that he's anything but a gentleman. Andrew tells Jeannie that Jake is like a chameleon; he just sort of fits to his surroundings. Jeannie thinks that's not a bad quality to have and Andrew is glad that they're getting along okay. When Jake tells him about the long box Jeannie carried up by herself, Andrew can't believe she didn't leave that for when she could had help, but Jeannie says she was fine, because of the elevator. Besides, it was more awkward than heavy. Jake recalls how much she was huffing and puffing when she was waiting outside the door and how he had to scramble to get the box out of her arms when he answered the door. "Why'd you call me Xena, then?" Andrew casts a suspicious glance over to Jake, who simply says it was impressive that she'd managed it as far as she did. Andrew can see the misogynistic conversation coming a mile away and tells Jeannie come with him and grab the last few boxes. She narrows her eyes at Jake before leaving with her brother.
Bay Memorial Hospital: Kimberly Brady's Office
There is a knock on Kimberly's office door and on the other side is Kayla, Kim breaks out into a big grin and gives Kayla a big hug and eyes the greasy bag of Chinese. "Oh Kay, do you remember how many times we tried to get papa and mama to order chinese food when we were kids?" Kayla nods and laughs with her sister, recalling how adamant their father used to get about eating that junk. And the number of times Roman would sneak them some. "He always was the best bad influence in our childhood," Kim recalls. While she's enjoying reminiscing with her favorite sister ("Only sister," reminds Kim), she can see that something's on Kim's mind. Kim sighs, saying how easy she is to read for someone who counsels other people about their problems. Kayla knows she's no psychiatrist, but she'll still try. "It's the kids, Kay. And Shane. I just don't know what to do."
Kayla wants to know what's going on. She asks Kayla if she remembers how Andrew moved back home when she was sick, you know, after the divorce. Kayla nods. "Well, today he's going back. I offered to take off work and help him move, but he didn't want me to go to the trouble. I almost did anyway, but I know my kid. He's stubborn as a mule," Kayla smirks, noting that he's a Brady through and through. Kim notes that he's got quite a bit of Donovan in him, too, though he doesn't like to admit it lately. Kim is worried that the kids are afraid that Shane and her will mess things up again. It's why they have been taking things slow. She loves Shane with all of her heart, but she feels as if they are in limbo. Kayla points out that the kids are adults now. Kim knows that, but it's still a big deal, because while Shane was around them growing up, he was always this distant, cool parent. Now, he's just there all the time and it's not what they're used. "It's not that they think it's bad, really," Kim adds, "just different. It's like they don't really know what to think of it. They expect him to be off on adventures any minute, just like when they were kids and last minute assignments came up while they were in England and Peachy had to watch over them while he was gone."
Kayla understands Kim's concerns. Kim goes on. The divorce hit both kids hard. Andrew took up his mantle as man of the house and then Shane comes out of nowhere and steals his thunder. Kayla can see Kim's analyzed it. Kim smirks, saying she can't help it. It just comes naturally to her. Jeannie's had it rougher. Andrew was old enough to have had a lot of time with Shane when they both left Salem forever, going their separate ways. All Jeannie remembers is the father that came and went throughout her childhood and teen years. There's more distance between Shane and Jeannie because of all the time Shane spent thinking she was Cal Winter's, and its hurt her. Plus, she knows what it's like to be a woman in a man's world and wanting to be rebellious because of a less than satisfactory childhood. She tried to give her and Andrew more stability by having Phillip as their stepfather, but she's not sure that it helped Jeannie. Kayla points out that Jeannie hasn't gone through the kinds of things Kim went through. Kim knows that, but she still worries about her only daughter.
Jeannie's Car
Jeannie starts asking questions about Andrew' roommate and Andrew immediately puts his foot down. "Jean, whatever is going through that mischievious little mind of yours, forget it. Jake's my roommate. He's a good roommate, but he's a bit of a ladies' man. Forget about him." Jeannie rolls her eyes and tells her brother that he's crazy if he thinks she's interested in Jake. Andrew hopes not. He's trying to protect her, but he's also trying to protect himself. He doesn't want to deal with the awkwardness of his sister dating his roommate and good friend. It's just not worth it. He makes her promise not to go chasing after Jake. Jeannie says that she would never do anything to upset her big brother and tells him not to worry so much. Andrew is not convinced as he watches her walk back to the building with one of the last small boxes.
Bay Memorial Hospital: Kimberly Brady's Office
Kimberly thanks Kayla for listening. Kayla promises that she'll look out for Jeannie, and so will Stephanie. Kimberly knows that and is glad to have her back up. It's always meant a lot to her. Kayla senses there is more on Kim's mind, but she rejects the idea, saying that she just has her mind on work. Kayla hopes they are still on for dinner at her place next week. She thinks a good family dinner will be great for everyone. Kim looks forward to it. Kayla realizes they both need to get back to work and thanks Kim for lunch. After Kayla leaves, Kim wonders if trouble with the kids is the only thing keeping her from being with Shane.
Kimberly Brady's Beach House
Steve conceals the fact that he hasn't talked to Kayla yet to Shane, saying that she doesn't like it, but she understands his desire to learn more. She's scared. She doesn't want to lose him again. He has no intention of being taken away again. He will be there to watch Joey grow up. He's gonna be there to watch his little Sweetness marry and have kids of her own, no matter what he's already missed. That's a promise. But in order to be complete, Steve says he's got to do this. Shane understands. Their good friend John went through the same thing. He tells Steve that he'll do whatever he can to help.
Bay Memorial Hospital: Chief of Staff Office
In her office, the Chief of Staff office, Sandy hangs up her phone and begins pouring over her paperwork. There is a knock on the door. She doesn't look up, but tells the knockee to come in. She does, but she is not immediately revealed. "Excuse me, Dr. Horton, I have a five o'clock appointment with you- your administrative assistant told me to come right to your office." Sandy smiles up at the applicant. "It's so good to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Valerie Grant is revealed to be the other woman in the room. "I need a job, and I heard that you had a few positions available for on staff doctors."
Sandy Horton's House: Living Room
Marie is alone at the house, having a cup of tea when the doorbell rings. It's Frankie Brady. Marie recognizes him from pictures of Jennifer with Frankie in her mom's photo albums, having never met him. Frankie asks how Jennifer is, but Marie is unsure as they had little chance to catch up at her brother's funeral a few weeks ago. She thought he was lawerying in Washington, D.C. He admits that he's done a bit of travelling in his work and he's afraid this isn't a social visit. He tells her that he is Tommy's lawyer. She informs Frankie that Sandy is at work, and she would be next of kin, but Frankie makes it clear that he already knew that. He's here for Marie. With a sigh, Marie admits she was waiting to see what Sandy would try to pull on her next. "It's an eviction notice, Ms. Horton, effective immediately. She feels your presence here in the house, along with your grandson, will only serve to exacerbate her grief." Marie takes the document in Frankie's hands, looks at it, and looks back up at him, clearly shaken but her voice strong. "Very well. Feel free to inform your client that I've gotten the message." He's sorry that he had to do this. She simply escorts Frankie out of the house and slams the door.
Malibu Pier
Stephanie walks down to the Malibu Pier, where she remembers going all the time, recalling how her mother always talked about her dad hanging out on the riverfront. She remembers meeting Jeremy Horton here on this very spot...over four years ago. Next thing she knows, Nick Fallon is running up to her. She asks him if something's wrong. "No, I just saw you over here and figured I'd come say hello." She asks what he's been doing. He tells her that he's job hunting. He's not sure how it went, yet. He knows his family could pull some strings and have him working as a lab tech again, but he wants to make a new start on his own terms. Stephanie admires that and adds that she's glad that he's here in L.A. Sometimes, it's good to have a friend you can really depend on. He can see she's upset and pulls her into a hug.
She laughs, not sure why she's so upset. "I guess everything is sort of catching up to me. It's overwhelming, starting over." Nick understands completely. His phone goes off, causing them to break their physical proximity. It's his grandmother.
Cut to: Marie on her cell phone
"Nick, darling, I'm glad I caught you. I have some bad news. We are no longer welcome at your aunt's house. She's evicted us. I'll call you with more details about where we'll stay until we find somewhere to go." She hangs up as quickly as she can, not allowing Nick to react.
Cut to: Malibu Pier
Stephanie asks what's wrong, and he tells her that he's homeless.