DAYS #118: EJ gives Gabi some extra protection, Nick tells Sami about the wedding (07/30/14)

EPISODE 118
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Gabi walks around the main room of her shared apartment with Sonny and Will, holding Ariana in her arms as she feeds her her bottle. Ari stays peaceful and quiet as Gabi quietly sings to her, as a knock on the door is heard.

Surprised, as it's relatively early in the morning for visitors, Gabi walks cautiously toward the door.

GABI: Seriously? It's like...6:30 in the morning. Who the...


Gabi opens the door to find EJ standing on the other side, looking back at her gravely.

GABI: EJ?
EJ: Gabi, I'm sorry, but this is an emergency.

Gabi looks back at EJ, confused and surprised by EJ's rather dramatic greeting.

---


Sami stands in the DiMera living room, trying in vain to get EJ to pick up his phone.

SAMI: Ugh! Straight to voicemail again? Come on, EJ!

Putting the phone down on the desk, she pinches the bridge of her nose momentarily, trying to figure out what emergency EJ could possibly have at 6:30am, when Harold emerges from the foyer, getting Sami's attention immediately.

SAMI: Harold?
HAROLD: Uh, a Mr. Fallon to see you, Mum.


Sami's expression changes immediately to one of irritation as Nick steps into the room, a smile on his face.

---

Daniel stands behind his desk in his office at University Hospital, putting down his tablet, as someone knocks on his office door.

DANIEL: Come in!


Billie bursts through the door, a bit out of breath and an excited look on her face.

BILLIE: Daniel! Come, quick!

Daniel walks toward Billie, a worried look in his eye.

DANIEL: Billie? What happened?

Billie starts to smile as she tells Daniel her news.

BILLIE: It's Theresa. I think she's starting to wake up.

---


In Theresa's hospital room, a woman in black pumps stands by the door. In her hand, a filled syringe.

She slowly steps toward Theresa, being careful not to make a sound as she approaches Theresa's hospital bed.

Theresa lays in her bed, still unconscious, as the woman standing over her leans over to grab her IV.

As the woman jabs the syringe into the IV line and injects the liquid into Theresa's IV, Theresa's head begins to move as her eyes begin to twitch. Theresa struggles to wake up as she sees the blurry shape of a woman standing over her.

The woman pulls the syringe out and quickly makes her way out of the room.

Theresa, squinting as she struggles to wake up, tries in vain to lift her arm up to reach out to the woman before her energy dissipates yet again and she descends slowly back into her coma.

---

---


Noelle wakes up, groggy and sore. She opens one eye slowly, making a sour face. Checking the room around her, she spies Alex walking to the vanity by the bed in nothing but a towel, drying his hair with another towel. Noelle slowly flops over to face her husband.

NOELLE: Ughhh.
ALEX: Good morning to you too.

Noelle lies back in bed, closing her eyes again, hoping to dull her throbbing headache.

NOELLE: Ugh wake me up next month.

Alex rolls his eyes, somewhat amused by his wife's hangover.

ALEX: You know, I know you don't wanna hear this, but it serves you right.

Noelle stays lying back in bed with her eyes closed as she whines back at Alex.

NOELLE: Shut uuuup. What do you mean?
ALEX: Well, you know, if you hadn't snuck into Victor's room and had a go at him--
NOELLE: Aleeeex, come on. Let this go, please?

Alex turns around, exasperated.

ALEX: Well, come on, Noelle. He's family. Whether you like it or not.
NOELLE: Ugghh, don't remind me.

Noelle fumbles about, flailing to try to feel where her tablet is. Finding it on the bedside table, she haphazardly pulls it toward her and turns it on to read the news.

Alex, meanwhile, bends down to open his underwear drawer, pulling out his briefs for the day.

ALEX: I'm just saying.

Noelle doesn't look up, simply shakes her head gently as she tries to ignore her husband, hoping he either stops talking or changes the subject.

NOELLE: Fine. Whatever.

After a moment, Noelle's eyes widen, shocked by the headline.

NOELLE: Oh God.

Alex stops grabbing his clothing from the drawers of the vanity and straightens up, looking over at Noelle by staring into the mirror.

ALEX: What?
NOELLE: Not what....who.

Noelle turns her tablet to face Alex. Before him is a picture of his mother under the headline that reads:

DEVERAUX KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN: DISGRACED SENATOR'S EX-WIFE ENTERS GOVERNOR'S RACE

Alex looks over, visibly displeased by the headline.

---

Daniel steps excitedly into Theresa's room, immedately stepping to her side to check her vitals.

He inspects everything, but sees nothing unusual. He opens her eyelids to check for signs of consciousness, flashing a light into them, before stepping back.

He shakes his head, hanging back a moment in hopes that maybe he was wrong. Daniel waits a moment before stepping back in closer to her, and taking her hand in his, gently calling out to her.

DANIEL: Theresa? It's Dr. Jonas.

Daniel waits a moment, before continuing.

DANIEL: Theresa? Can you hear me? If you can, squeeze my hand.

Daniel waits for some kind of small sign from Theresa's again-comatose body, before letting go of her hand and heading out into the lobby, where Billie awaits.

Once Daniel emerges, Billie anxiously walks over to him and puts a shaking hand on his chest.

BILLIE: So? Is she coming to?

Daniel sighs and slowly shakes his head, as Billie's hands quake even more.

DANIEL: There's no indication she's coming around at all, Billie. I'm sorry, I--
BILLIE: Did you call our to her? Did you put your--your hand, did...did you hold her hand?

Daniel looks down as Billie holds her still-shaking hands up, before resting them against his body.

DANIEL: I'm sorry, Billie.

She presses herself against Daniel's body as he takes her in his arms to comfort her as she begins to cry.

BILLIE: No...she...I felt her hands, Daniel...
DANIEL: I know...I know...

Daniel strokes Billie's head with one hand and holds her close to him in the other, as she rests her head against his chest.

---

Sami leans against the desk in the DiMera living room as Nick stands just inside the doorway. Harold steps out of the room and closes the door behind him, leaving Nick and Sami alone in the room. Sami barely blinks as she glowers at Nick and his sunny expression.

NICK: Well, good morning to you too, Sami!
SAMI: What do you want, Nick?
NICK: Oh, trust me. Nothing bad.

Nick all-too-casually steps toward the armchair, sitting himself down and making himself comfortable in it as Sami remains leaned against the desk, scowling back at him.

SAMI: Why does that somehow scare me even more?
NICK: A negative outlook. Seasonal depression. Irregularity. Could be a lot of things.

Nick looks over at Sami's mug on the desk beside her and points to it, cracking another joke.

NICK: Oo! Coffee could help, maybe you're the kind that need two cups in the morning.

Sami stands upright, folding her arms in as she maintains her distance from Nick.

SAMI: You know, you're awfully quick with a cheap crack for 7am, Nick. You might wanna cut back on the energy drinks, yourself.
NICK: Nah, I'm high enough on life right now. And besides, you could make my high even greater if you have that little...proposal we talked about?
SAMI: Oh, you mean Gabi's modelling contract? Yeah, I sent it to her yesterday, she'll give me her decision this afternoon.

Nick smirks as he clasps his hands together in almost comical self-satisfaction.

NICK: Good. Excellent work, Sami. I think you've earned yourself a little reward for your efforts.

Sami guffaws at Nick's offer, laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

SAMI: A reward? Nick, I hardly think you have very much that I would want.
NICK: Ohhhhh, I think you might want this. In fact, I guarantee it.

Sami squints, studying the situation and Nick's guarded body language, before speaking up.

SAMI: Okay, I'll bite. What's my great reward?
NICK: My continued silence about your questionable lifesaving skills...and some valuable information.
SAMI: Information? What kind?
NICK: Ohhh very valuable. You might wanna sit down for this.

Sami rolls her eyes as she resolutely refuses to move from her spot by the desk.

SAMI: I'll take my chances, what is it?

Nick's expression changes to one of deadly seriousness.

NICK: It's your brother, Eric. He's getting married today. To Nicole Walker.

Sami's eyes widen as the colour drains from her face.

---

Gabi stands in the doorway of the apartment, stunned by EJ's early visit.

GABI: I...wh--come in, wh...what's going on?

Gabi steps out of the doorway to let EJ in, and she shuts the door behind him.

EJ: Samantha told me about the bidding war Nick's setting up to try to reel you in.
GABI: Oh...yeah...what about it?

EJ steps in closer, in disbelief about Gabi's nonchalance regarding the situation.

EJ: Gabi, you've readdicted Nick to the same prescription that drove him to murder, and kidnapping in the first place.
GABI: Well, yeah, but I can handle it. Nick's gonna slip up soon and we'll catch him and get him thrown in jail before it goes too far.

EJ becomes increasingly emphatic with Gabi, trying to get her to see the gravity of the situation, while simultaneously trying to hold his voice down so as not to be overheard by Will or Sonny.

EJ: No, you cannot handle it on your own, Gabi. I didn't tell you this but that dosage I gave you was far stronger than the first bottle I gave you. Nick is about one step away from a total meltdown right now and if he finds out you, Samantha, and Kate are trying to play him, he's going to take some drastic steps, and I don't think anyone will be safe if he does that.

Gabi curls in her lips, frustrated by EJ's clarity. After a moment of trying to rock Ariana so as to keep her calm in this tense situation, Gabi sighs and responds to EJ.

GABI: Okay, fine. What are we gonna do then?

EJ reaches into his jacket as he replies.

EJ: Well, I'll tell you the first thing you're going to do, and that's carry this with you everywhere you go.

EJ pulls a Glock pistol from his jacket, immediately causing Gabi to tense up.

EJ holds the gun out for Gabi to take, but a voice calls out before Gabi can reach out for it.

SONNY: What in the HELL is that gun doing in our home?!


Gabi and EJ both turn around quickly to see a just-awoken Sonny standing in the doorway of his and Will's bedroom, looking stunned and infuriated.

---

DAYS #117: Theresa has a visitor, Eric and Nicole prepare for their wedding (07/29/14)

EPISODE 117
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Billie steps off the elevator at University Hospital. Standing at the nurses' station is Daniel. Billie and Daniel smile at each other as they give each other a peck on the lips as a greeting.

DANIEL: Well, you're out and about awfully early.

Billie chuckles to herself, checking her watch as she responds.

BILLIE: More like up really late...we had a hell of a night at work and...(sigh) I just needed to see some friendly faces.

Daniel looks up from his tablet, where he's finalizing some work, and gives Billie a stern look.

DANIEL: Well, I hope one of those faces isn't Theresa Donovan.

Billie furrows her brow at Daniel, frustrated.

BILLIE: Of course she is.

Daniel sighs, glowering at Billie's bullheadedness.

DANIEL: Billie--
BILLIE: ...Well, what do you expect me to do, Daniel? That girl was like a daughter to me before I had Chelsea in my life. I'm closer to her than her own mother. I have a right to see her, regardless of what her mother says.
DANIEL: You and I know that but I still don't think it's a risk you should be taking. Remember? If I let you in that hospital room, I'm putting my career on the line, and yours as well.

Billie looks to the side, biting her lip, trying to hold in her frustration at Daniel.

BILLIE: Five minutes.
DANIEL: Billie--

Billie gets agitated, leaning in close to Daniel so as not to project her voice and potentially have others hear their conversation.

BILLIE: Daniel, come on. Just...five minutes, you stay closeby, check in and I'll head home. Okay?

Daniel hesitates another moment, Billie persists.

BILLIE: The guard's on his break, no one will know I'm there. Come on.

Daniel sighs, before taking a moment and motioning silently toward the door.

Billie turns and makes a beeline for Theresa's hospital room door, she looks back at Daniel and smiles warmly at her boyfriend before winking at him, then stepping into the room, closing the door behind her. Daniel looks on, gravely concerned for the consequences if she's caught.

---

Sami stands in the DiMera living, still in her robe. It's early in the morning with the sun just peaking out. She paces the living room, studying work documents on her tablet, as she sips her morning coffee.


Down the steps comes EJ, groggy, but noticing the lights on in the living room. He steps into the room, surprised to see Sami up so early.

EJ: Samantha...what are you doing up at this hour?

Sami turns to look at EJ, she sets her coffee and tablet down on the desk in front of her.

SAMI: Oh, I...I couldn't sleep so I...I figured I could at least get some work done.

EJ steps into the room and walks over toward Sami, he hesitates before putting a hand on Sami's shoulder, unsure of her reaction. Sami doesn't pull away, though the uncertainty is still on her face.

EJ: I...umm...if there's anything I can do to help.

Sami looks up at EJ, and smiles.

SAMI: Nah it's...it's okay. I gotta present this contract to Gabi at some point today and then...help Will with some wedding plans, and...
EJ: Contract?

Sami turns back to the desk to pick up her tablet, she taps it a couple times before presenting it to EJ.

SAMI: Oh yeah...it seems Nick Fallon's trying to pit Kate and I against each other for his golden girl. So Kate, Gabi, and I are gonna play along and get the drop on Nick. And hopefully he'll keep his mouth shut on what happened by the river that night.

EJ looks down at the tablet, before looking up at Sami, a grave concern on his face.

---


Nicole stands in front of the mirror, beaming from ear to ear as she looks at herself in her wedding dress.

NICOLE: Well...take two, Nicole. Hopefully this time, it goes off without a hitch and you'll become Mrs. Eric Brady.

Nicole looks herself over, before her face drops, the worry hitting her like a ton of bricks.

NICOLE: Just so long as Nick Fallon doesn't pull anything first. (sigh) Nothing can go wrong today. I won't let it.

---


Aiden sits in his office, taking a sip of his first coffee of the morning. He sets it down on his desk, then getting to signing a document on his desk, when a knock is heard at the door. He looks up, calling out to the person at the other side.

AIDEN: Come in!

A delivery man steps into the room.

AIDEN: Oh! Great. Yes. Ahhh....here it is.

Aiden picks up a large manila envelope and hands it to the delivery man.

AIDEN: And that's going to Mr. Eric Brady at the Salem Inn. That's Room 226.
DELIVERY MAN: Need a signature on that?
AIDEN: I will, yes. And uh...please make sure, no earlier than 6pm this evening.

Aiden and the Delivery man nod to each other, acknowledging their arrangement, as the man steps out of Aiden's office. As the door closes, Aiden looks on, sighing.

AIDEN: Alright, Nick. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into.

---

---

EJ's concerned face confuses Sami, she furrows her brow as she steps over to the desk in the DiMera living room, grabbing her cup of coffee to take a sip.

SAMI: Why do you look like something terrible's just happened.

EJ looks away, suddenly deep in thought.

EJ: Because something terrible may be just about to happen.

Sami suddenly looks concerned.

SAMI: What do you mean, EJ?

EJ turns to face Sami, a sense of urgency in his voice.

EJ: I can't get into it, but you need to be VERY careful how you proceed around Nick Fallon from now on. You, Gabi, and Kate.

EJ turns to head out of the room, leaving Sami stunned and confused.

SAMI: EJ? What...where are you going?
EJ: I have to take care of something.

Sami stands dumfounded as EJ runs off up the stairs.

---

Nicole continues to insepct herself in the mirror, when she hears a knock on the door. She turns around quickly, confused as to who would be there.

NICOLE: Now who would that be at this hour?


Nicole opens the door to find Eric standing on the other side, dressed in his tuxedo and ready to go, taking Nicole by surprise.

ERIC: Morning!

Nicole jumps back behind the door to hide her wedding dress.

NICOLE: Aah! Eric! What are you doing here?? It's bad luck to see me in my wedding dress before the ceremony!

Eric chuckles to himself as he leans against the doorframe.

ERIC: You're really gonna play traditional right now? This is probably the least conventional wedding I've ever seen.
NICOLE: Yeah, well...I have my reasons for being a little bit superstitious. This doesn't exactly have the highest marital success rate, if you hadn't noticed.
ERIC: Yeah, well...I figure we can be an exception.

Eric smiles widely and melts Nicole's defenses. She cracks a smile and chuckles to herself before looking into her fiancé's eyes.

NICOLE: (sigh) Okay. Let me grab my coat, and let's go!

Nicole steps away from the door, and grabs her coat, putting it on and grabbing her purse before opening the door to her suite. She steps out to find Eric stood with his elbow stuck out to one side, inviting Nicole to wrap her arm around his.

ERIC: M'lady.

Nicole takes Eric's arm and looks warmly in his eyes as they head for the elevator.

---

Aiden continues to work at his desk, when he receives a call. Without looking up from his papers, he picks up the phone on his desk.

AIDEN: (into phone) Aiden Jennings.

...


Nick stands in the Brady pub, a to-go cup of coffee before him as he shakes the sugar packets in his other hand.

NICK: (into phone) Aiden, it's Nick Fallon. Is it sent?

...

AIDEN: (into phone) It is, as requested.

...

NICK: (into phone) Excellent. I'll be contacting you probably tonight with what I need next from you, alright?

...

AIDEN: (into phone) Hey, as long as you keep paying my fee, I'm all yours, Fallon.

...

Nick stirs his coffee casually as he looks up, smirking once again.

NICK: (into phone) Oh, trust me, that won't be a problem.

Nick hangs up the phone, chuckling smugly to himself.

---


Billie sits next to Theresa's comatose body in her hospital room. She holds Theresa's hand as she speaks gently to her.

BILLIE: Hey, Sweetie. I've been meaning to come see you more but...well...you know your mom.

Billie laughs half-heartedly to herself as she looks down at her friend. She sighs, trying to hold her emotions in.

BILLIE: I guess I should let you know what's up. I...uh...well, Daniel and I are getting pretty serious now. I know he's...not exactly your favourite person, but...he's been good to me. Hell, he's the one making sure I can still come to see you, so that's gotta count for something, right?

Billie stops a moment, never taking her eyes off Theresa's face, as she holds Theresa's hand in hers.

BILLIE: We miss you, Theresa. I know you've got a long way to go and...you may...no, I'm not gonna think like that...I'm not giving up. You're gonna make it all the way back to us, you hear me?

As Billie squeezes Theresa's hand, she feels Theresa squeeze gently back, her thumb moving, causing Billie to jump after a moment, as the heart monitor makes note of Theresa's slight increase in heart rate.

BILLIE: Theresa??

Billie jumps up, and heads for the door of the room to find Daniel to let him know that Theresa's starting to wake up. She stops for a second at the door, a big smile appearing on her face, as she carefully steps back out into the hallway to look for Daniel.

After a moment, the door to Theresa's room, creaks open. A woman in a pair of black pumps steps into the room. She carefully closes the door behind her.
In her hand is a filled syringe.

---

DAYS #116: Alex & Noelle take the long way home, Nick reveals the truth to Percy (07/28/14)

EPISODE 116
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Percy finishes apply bandages from the First Aid kit in the Titan lab to Nick, as Nick sits on the island counter of the lab, he winces slightly as his tender wounds are touched.

PERCY: There you are, that should cover it.
NICK: Ugh, thanks, Percy.

Nick looks over his wounds before jumping down off the counter, walking over toward his laptop, as Percy puts the contents of the First-Aid kit back together.

PERCY: You know, you gave me quite a scare, Nicholas.
NICK: Yeah, I...I dunno, Percy. These headaches I've been getting--

Percy turns around, surprised to hear about headaches.

PERCY: Headaches? Nicholas, you've been...rather hazy for weeks...are these headaches connected?

Nick looks down at the table, closing his laptop and putting it into his case, he speaks nonchalantly to Percy.

NICK: (sigh) Yeah. Just didn't want to alarm you...or anyone else. People seeing me in pain is seen as a showing of weakness in the business world. Always best to struggle through your pain.
PERCY: You're far beyond struggling through, Nicholas. You're in great pain, Nicholas. I mean, you've been moody and irritable for weeks. And now I find you...sprawled out on the floor of the lab. Is someone trying to harm you, Nicholas or...is something else going on?

Nick keeps looking down, a serious look on his face as he packs the last of his things away.

---


JJ sits in the Horton living room, alone, contemplating the cheque that Liam's given him, when Laura opens the front door and steps in.

JJ turns around, and, upon seeing his grandmother, gets up from the sofa. Laura beams as she walks toward her grandson, giving him a warm hug.

LAURA: JJ, darling. How are you?
JJ: I'm good. I'm good. Uh...how are you?

Pulling out of their hug, Laura smiles warmly at her grandson.

LAURA: I'm alright, sweetheart. A bit tired, though, I'm going to head up to bed if you--

As Laura turns to head up the stairs to her room, JJ stops her, a serious tone in his voice that catches Laura's attention.

JJ: Ah, Grandma! Please. I need to talk to you about something, it's really important.

Laura looks at JJ, concerned by JJ's tone and troubled expression. She nods slowly before redirecting toward the Horton living room.

LAURA: Okay...so...what seems to be the trouble, JJ?

JJ stops before Laura. He sighs as he looks down at Liam's cheque, before unfolding it, and presenting it to her. Laura hesitates before taking the cheque, studying it intensely before breathing in deeply. A look of grave concern on her face as she slowly begins to look up toward JJ.

---


Noelle sits with Nicole at Club TBD, now rather sloshed, as they continue to laugh and drink. As they continue to laugh at a joke, the door to the bar opens, and Alex steps in. Noelle takes notice of her husband's presence and straightens herself up, donning a serious expression that makes Nicole take notice.

Nicole turns around to face Alex, unsure who it is approaching.

NICOLE: Well, who is this handsome devil?

Alex, smelling the martini on Nicole's breath, makes sure not to get to close, instead rests casually on the bar next to her, trying to maintain a sense of humour despite being rather unimpressed by his wife's public drunkedness.

ALEX: Ohh nobody, just the tired husband here to collect his wife.

Noelle leans against the bar, sloppily pointing a finger Alex's way.

NOELLE: You got my text. But I am not some meat piece you pick up. I am a woman.
NICOLE: That she is. A woman who's clearly been drank under the table by an experienced professional.

Nicole takes on a mocking haughty tone as she sips the last of her martini. Noelle shakes her head at Nicole, her eyes squinted partly in irritation, partly in exhaustion.

NOELLE: I don't have to take this. But I do have to take this ride because taxis are eps...expensive.

As Noelle stumbles to get out of her seat, she nearly tumbles, but Alex manages to break her fall.

ALEX: I think you're right.

Noelle, still not paying enough attention to try to regain her balance, objects loudly.

NOELLE: Hey! Don't take her side on this!
ALEX: I'm not, honey. I promise. Look, we need to go. I hope you two had a good evening.

Alex pulls Noelle back upright, and she struggles to keep balance as she holds onto Alex's arm for dear life, attempting to no avail to maintain a sense of dignity on her way out. Nicole waves goodnight to them, quite amused.

NICOLE: Oh, absolutely, had a blast, get home safe, you two!
NOELLE: Goodnight, Nikki!

Noelle turns back to talk to Alex as they head out of the bar.

NOELLE: You know, that Nicole is so much nicer when you're not near a man, it's like day and night...


As Noelle and Alex head out the door, Nicole sighs, shaking her head with amusement. T walks over and points toward Nicole.

T: You wanna settle up?
NICOLE: Are you kidding? The other fake blonde's the lightweight here. Hit me up!

T laughs as he steps away to make Nicole another martini. In curiosity, Nicole checks her phone. Seeing Nick's name in her contacts, she looks down and sighs.

After a moment, she shakes her head, and says something to herself.


NICOLE: You know what, Nick? You're not controlling me anymore.

Nicole hits a button on her phone, blocking calls from him Nick's number. She looks up with a sense of satisfaction.

NICOLE: Because tomorrow morning, I will be Mrs. Eric Brady, and even if Eric sees those files, I'm gonna know he chose me. You can't hurt us anymore, kiddo.

As she turns back to the bar, putting her phone down on it, T presents her new martini, which Nicole takes a congratulatory sip of.

---

---

Alex drives through the night with a stern expression on his face. Next to him, a decidedly uncomfortable Noelle sits, uneasy with the tense silence between them. She finally breaks the silence, trying to maintain her composure despite her obvious intoxication.

NOELLE: How was your eveni--
ALEX: It was good.

Noelle senses the terse tone in her husband's voice, and immediately knows something is indeed very wrong between them.

NOELLE: Look, Alex, I don't wanna fight abo--
ALEX: Then don't, okay, Noelle? I'm really not in the mood right now.

Noelle sighs, before folding her arms and slouching down in her seat. As the pair hit a red light, Noelle looks back over at her husband and tries talking again.

NOELLE: I had a really good talk with Nicole tonight. That was...Eric's...fiancé...back at TBD...

Alex's stone silence as he presses down heavily on the gas from the stoplight makes Noelle lean back slightly in her seat, only adding to her discomfort as she looks out at the road ahead.

NOELLE: She helped me relax a bit...and I'm sorry about earlier at the hospital...

Alex still doesn't react. Noelle persists, trying to provoke some kind of response from Alex.

NOELLE: Alex? Did you hear me? I said I was sorry about earli--

Alex finally reacts, still keeping his eyes on the road as he snaps back at Noelle.

ALEX: I heard you.

Alex finally looks over momentarily at Noelle. Catching her eyes, his eyes snap back to hers, causing him to relent a little.

ALEX: Look, I just....Noelle, I heard you but...

Noelle leans back in her seat, trying to retain her composure, gurgling out a response.

NOELLE: But what?
ALEX: But I don't know if I believe you or not. You....you had such anger toward Victor, it just...I don't kn...I...Noelle?

Noelle puts her hand over Alex's, as she begins to sweat.

NOELLE: Alex pull over.

Alex looks over, confused.

ALEX: Huh?

Noelle begins to look panicked, as she raises her voice to Alex.

NOELLE: Pull over.
ALEX: Noelle, I'm not gonna let you walk home from here, it's still about three miles from the ho--
NOELLE: Now! Please!

Noelle puts her hand over her mouth, sweating more and more profusely as Alex realizes what's wrong. His expression changes and he immediately checks behind him before pulling over by a park. Noelle immediately gets out and runs from the car, sick from the excess martini.

Alex sits in the car, rolling his eyes momentarily before stepping out of the car to check on his wife and hold her hair back like a dutiful husband.

---


Jennifer and Liam sit at a table at Chez Rouge, as the waiter pours them glasses of white wine. As the waiter, walks away, Jennifer looks up and smiles.

JENNIFER: Thank you.

Jennifer looks over to Liam, raising her glass to toast him.

JENNIFER: Well, I would like to make a toast to you, tonight.
LIAM: To me?
JENNIFER: Yes! To you!

Liam and Jennifer laugh as Liam also raises his glass.

LIAM: What for?
JENNIFER: For reaching out to my son. For trying to build bridges even though you've had problems in the past. It means a lot to me, and I know that, despite his reservations, JJ appreciates it too.

Liam smiles as he moves his glass toward Jenn's and they toast.

After taking a sip from their glasses, Liam sets his glass down and smiles at Jenn.

LIAM:  I just hope that I can keep making you happy, and you know what? I'm gonna make sure JJ comes around, even if it kills me.

Jennifer laughs as she leans across the table to peck Liam on the lips.

---

Laura stands in the living room of the Horton house with JJ. She turns suddenly to face JJ, horrified by Liam's latest 'gesture'.

LAURA: JJ, you cannot accept this money.
JJ: I know. I don't want to but--
LAURA: No buts. JJ, this is dirty money.

JJ looks at Laura, puzzled.

JJ: Grandma, Liam offered me this to go to Stanford. He said this would cover my tuition and my living expenses for awhile, and--

Laura holds up her hands, stopping JJ midsentence.

LAURA: JJ, Liam works for Stefano, he's been supplying people with pharmaceuticals on the sly, this is dangerous to get involved with him. Besides that, isn't it obvious he's trying to buy you off and get you out of town so he can manipulate your mother further?

JJ looks down, sighing. He nods solemnly.

JJ: Yeah, it looked that way to me too.

Laura walks closer to JJ and cups his hands in hers. She stares deeply into her grandson's eyes as she instructs him.

LAURA: That's why you cannot accept this money. Your mother needs you. Your sister needs you. I need you. We've got to stay together to protect this family.

JJ looks down, soaking in what his grandmother's telling him.

LAURA: Please, JJ.
JJ: Look, Grandma, I understand what you're saying. And I agree, my family needs me...but what if there's another way? What if this money is our ticket to stopping this guy from destroying this family?

Laura looks at JJ, unsure what he has in his mind.

---

Nick zips up his bag and nods, turning toward Percy to respond to him.

NICK: Listen, Percy. I don't know what's going to happen from here on out. All I know is, I have a target on my back. And so will you.

Percy looks at Nick, confused.

PERCY: Nicholas, I don't understand--
NICK: Listen, Percy. Tonight I stopped Sheryl and Jordan from planting that virus in the Titan server.

Percy looks stunned at Nick, shocked that he would back away from their plan.

PERCY: Wha--why? I mean, that was our plan all along was to allow them access to Titan's computer system to stop this blasted deal--
NICK: I know...I know, that was what we planned, but...
PERCY: But Nich--
NICK: Percy, just...just hear me out.

Nick looks at Percy, emphatically explaining his change of plan, as Percy looks back, incredulous.

NICK: See...Sheryl was setting me up to take the fall for the virus...and if we were going to see this thing through...I can't let that happen. I can't go back to prison. Ever. So, I decided the best way to stop the oil sands project, is to control it from the inside.

Percy's eyes grow wide, as he realizes the change in Nick emerging.

PERCY: Good lord, Nicholas. You're not saying...

Nick smiles, as he interrupts Percy. A devilish smile on his face.

NICK: Yes, Percy. We're not gonna take down Titan. We're gonna take OVER Titan.

---

DAYS #115: Percy finds Nick, and Jerome and Sheryl discuss their next move (07/25/14)

EPISODE 115
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Sheryl runs frantically around her room at the Salem Inn, packing up the last of her toiletries, as her cell phone goes off.

Picking it up, she checks and sees that a message has appeared from Jerome.

Lakeview Motel, 1937 Highway 50. Booked under Sally Francis, meet u there

Sheryl takes a moment to read the text before putting the phone in her jacket pocket, and zipping up her suitcase, being sure she hasn't left anything behind.

SHERYL: Thank you, Jerome. Saving lives yet again.

Sheryl grabs her suitcase and runs out of the room, struggling with her bag. As she drops the bag to pull the handle out so she can roll the suitcase out, her ID falls out onto the floor. Sheryl, not noticing, carries on, closing the hotel room door behind her as she makes her escape.

---


Jerome, quickly walking down the stairs to his family home, is encountered by his grandmother, Valerie, who is just arriving home from the hospital. She looks surprised as she greets him.

VALERIE: Hey, Jerome!...Baby, where you going?
JEROME: Have to take care of something at Salem U.

Jerome quickly kisses his grandmother on the cheek as he grabs his jacket and heads for the door. Valerie turns around, befuddled.

VALERIE: I...he...hey! Weren't we supposed to go for dinner at the Brady Pub tonight?
JEROME: Uh....I don't know how late I'll be, Grandma. Look...why don't I text you when I'm done and we can meet up there, kay?
VALERIE: Okay...sure...Jerome?

Jerome stops, having started to open the door, and very clearly in a hurry.

JEROME: Yeah, Grandma?
VALERIE: Don't be too long. I'd love to spend some time with you, we've both been really busy lately.

Jerome stops, and turns to look at his disappointed grandmother. He smiles sheepishly.

JEROME: You're right. I'm sorry. I'll be there as soon as I can.

Valerie looks on, smiling warmly at Jerome.

VALERIE: I love you.
JEROME: Love you too.

Jerome takes off out the door, leaving a frustrated Valerie behind.

---


Jordan lies in bed next to Rafe. As they lay together in Rafe's bedroom, Jordan wrapped in Rafe's arms, she looks, at last, content, her new engagement ring shining on her finger.

Jordan begins to dream, recalling Sheryl's ominous threat from earlier:

***

FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 105
 
Jordan stands in Sheryl's office, and looks down, arms still folded in discomfort as she tries to hold herself back. Sheryl looks on, standing behind her desk. Jordan sighs heavily, as she wordlessly listens to Sheryl’s emphatic words.
 
SHERYL: You can pretend like you have this great future with Rafe, Jordan, but we both know that once we launch that virus tonight, the ISA and the Salem PD are going to be onto us, and you and I will have to leave town and take on a new identity. There’s no way out Jordan. Even if you back out now.

***

Jordan's snapped out of her memory by the sound of her phone buzzing.

Trying to pick it up from the bedside table without waking Rafe, she reaches over to the table, and reads the name on the call:

It's Sheryl.

Sighing heavily, she ponders answering the call.

---


Percy steps into the Titan Lab, excited for the news Nick was to have for him by evening.

PERCY: Greetings! ...Nicholas?

Percy, unsure whether Nick is even in the room, steps delicately into the lab, looking around, confused.

PERCY: Nicholas, I just received your text messages inviting me to come on down here...

Seeing a single desk lamp illuminated by Nick's still-open laptop, Percy slowly makes his way over towards it. Midway there, Percy's shoe crushes some glass from where Nick dropped the test tubes as he fell. The crunching sound startles Percy, as he looks down at the ground.


Looking down with a furrowed brow, Percy pivots the desk lamp slightly to catch a better light at the ground. Seeing more test tubes broken, Percy hastily walks over to one side of the room and flips on the lights, at which point, he sees Nick collapsed on the ground surrounded by the shattered test tubes.

He looks on stunned.

---

---

Jordan decides the cancel the call to Sheryl, then fumbles to turn her phone off, before laying it down.

Laying the phone back down before snuggling back into a sleeping Rafe, she sighs, thinking to herself.

JORDAN: (in her head) Sorry, Sheryl. You're on your own from now on.

Jordan shuts her eyes, and nods off, comfortable in the arms of her fiancé.

---

Sheryl stands in her new room at the Lakeview Motel, irritated as she pulls the cell phone from her ear after Jordan hung up on her.

SHERYL: Dammit. You stupid...(sigh)

Shortly thereafter, Jerome's car pulls up out front of her room. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Sheryl walks over to the door, and quickly waves Jerome inside.
Once inside, Sheryl quickly closes and locks the door.

JEROME: Glad you made it.
SHERYL: Yeah, well, I had a hell of a time finding the place. The maps app needs to do a bit of updating with all the construction around that stupid oil field.

Sheryl paces the room, keeping an eye out the window for any unwelcome visitors.

JEROME: Well, if things go according to plan--

Sheryl snaps at Jerome, turning abruptly around to respond to Jerome.

SHERYL: Oh things are definitely not going to plan now.
JEROME: What do you mean?
SHERYL: I mean we're caught. They bugged my laptop, and they blew up my laptop before I could plant the virus.

Jerome looks on, very worried. He sighs, looking down away from Sheryl as he tries to help her figure out what to do next.

JEROME: Damn...okay, so...you got a good idea who planted it there?
SHERYL: Fairly certain it was Billie Reed. She's uh...Lucas' sister.
JEROME: Okay...and you can't think of anyone else who might be a suspect? Like that Nick dude who you were planning to set up as the fall guy for this?

Sheryl looks down, eventually shaking her head.

SHERYL: Nah...I mean (sigh) honestly, I don't know. She could be in cahoots with him but...Nick's a bit of a lone wolf. I checked him out pretty thoroughly and he only ever was working alone. From what I've gathered, he's alienated too many people in town to really have any allies at this rate.

JEROME: But you haven't spoken to him at all since before the virus was supposed to be planted.
SHERYL: No, I haven't. I wouldn't bother keeping him too closeby anyway. The little twerp wouldn't know if he was on foot or horseback.

Sheryl flashes a smirk at Jerome momentarily, before looking down more pensively. She continues her thought.

SHERYL: Besides, I honestly thought he was genuinely on our side with this. That's what made this whole set up so easy. Nick was gonna be working late at the lab, playing innocent, while Jordan, you and I planted the virus, and--

Jerome interrupts Sheryl, raising a point of his own.

JEROME: Speaking of Jordan...what's gonna happen there? I mean...if you're caught, I mean...you and Jordan are so tightly connected...it's only a matter of time before the cops come looking for both of you.

Sheryl laughs dismissively, shaking her head as she paces the room some more.

SHERYL: Try telling Jordan that. No, she's completely fixated on this fairytale life she's constructed in her mind with Rafe Hernandez. She's completely beyond seeing any sense about it.
JEROME: Well, what are you gonna do? She can't stay here, she's a liability.
SHERYL: Oh I know. That's the thing, though. She can't stay and we can't go anywhere without her or we're sunk too.
JEROME: So?

Sheryl stops, and stares out the window, resigned to a fate she didn't anticipate.

SHERYL: We've got to stay here, under the radar until we're able to get Jordan out of here...whether she likes it or not.

Jerome looks on, gravely concerned for Sheryl and Jordan's safety.

---


Julie, Maggie, Alex, and Will walk out of the archway leading into the new Penthouse Grille. They all are talking amongst themselves, still congratulatory over Julie being named manager by Maggie.

JULIE: Oh, thank you again, Maggie. You know, I know that it's gonna mean long hours and it'll probably put a bit of a crimp in my travel time with Doug, but...you know, honestly, I think it's about time we spent a bit more time here in Salem with the family.
MAGGIE: I agree.
WILL: Completely.

The group laughs, as Julie turns to press the button for the elevator.

MAGGIE: Well, listen, we're going to finalize details this week, and then everything should be ready for the grand opening in a couple weeks. How's that sound?
JULIE: Wonderful. Thanks again, Maggie. For everything.

Julie takes Maggie's hands and holds them in hers. They look warmly at each other, before Maggie pulls Julie into a hug.

MAGGIE: Anything for family.
JULIE: Absolutely. And speaking of family, you keep me posted about how Victor's doing. I want him to make a speedy recovery.
MAGGIE: I will.

The elevator doors open, and Julie steps on, the rest of the group looking on.

JULIE: Good night.
ALEX: Night, Julie.

As the doors shut, Maggie turns to Alex and Will and smiles.

MAGGIE: Now...if you'll excuse me, boys. I still have menu items I'm going to have to finalize ingredient sources for. I'll be in my office.
ALEX: Alright, we'll see you later.
WILL: Thanks, Aunt Maggie.

Maggie hugs both Will and then Alex, before walking back into the still-under-construction restaurant, headed for her office, leaving Will and Alex alone.

Will turns away awkwardly, trying to avoid a private moment with Alex. Alex, meanwhile, turns toward Will, and, noticing Will's avoidance, calls out to him.

ALEX: Hey! Where you going?

Will plays it cool, and checks his watch as he talks.

WILL: Well, I gotta get home. I have a fiancé waiting, and I was supposed to be home about oh....two hours ago?
ALEX: Ahh...yeah. Sonny. Listen, I...I hope you two are in a better place than you were the night of the party at Uncle Vic's, I--

Will holds his hand up to stop Alex midsentence.

WILL: Sonny and I are fine. We worked things out, just like always.

Alex smiles, somewhat half-heartedly, as Will pushes the down button on the elevator himself.

ALEX: I'm glad to hear it.
WILL: And how's...Noelle, is it?

Alex tries to look at Will but the tension in the air between them makes it awkward. Alex shuffles a bit, looking away a lot as he tries to avoid answering Will's question.

ALEX: Yeah! She's...uh...well...she's fine. We had a...bit of an argument but...
WILL: Oh...I'm sorry to hear.

As the elevator door opens, Will smiles at Alex before stepping on. Will turns to face Alex, and smiles at him.

WILL: You coming?

Alex doesn't react for a moment, still deep in his own thoughts, before responding to Will by motioning his refusal.

ALEX: No! No, no. I uh...I gotta take care of some stuff at the office. You go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow.
WILL: Kay. Have a good night.
ALEX: Night, Will.

Will smiles as the elevator door closes. Once the door shuts, Will's face immediately drops in relief. He rests himself against the back wall of the elevator, and lets out a heavy sigh.

WILL: Well, Will? You did it. You made it through another day without cracking. (sigh) How much longer can you keep doing it, though?

On the other side of the elevator door, Alex turns back around, unsure of how he feels. He pulls out his cell phone, to text Noelle, initially, before seeing Will's name at the top of his "recent texts" list.

Nearly clicking Will's name instead, he finally taps on Noelle's name, and texts her:

omw home. u awake?

Alex sighs as looks down at his phone, trying to process the evening's events.

---

Percy kneels over a still-passed out Nick, shaking him to try to revive him.

PERCY: Nicholas! Wake up! Are you okay???

Nick struggles to revive himself, grunting as he starts to come to. Percy seems relieved when he does.

NICK: Ugh...uhhhh Percy...
PERCY: Yes, Nicholas, what can I do?
NICK: Per...Percy grab my pills, they're in my bag. I need two. My head.

Nick's world spins around him, the pain still pulsating in his head. The pressure unbearable.

Percy leaps into action, grabbing Nick's bag and rummaging through it. Pulling out the pills, Nick begins to lift himself up. Percy struggles to find an in-tact glass to give Nick water, but eventually does, as Nick rests on the ground, head still woozy.

NICK: The...pills...
PERCY: They're on their way, Nicholas.

Nick nods slowly, trying to catch his breath, as he lifts one hand up and studies it. Realizing his hands are bloodied, he looks at them, an exaggerated surprise in his eyes.

NICK: What happ--agh!

A sharp pain hits Nick, as Percy tries to feed Nick his pills. Nick hastily swallows the pills and grabs the water, spilling much of it on himself as he drinks up.

PERCY: Excellent, excellent. There we go, Nicholas. Now...how do you feel?
NICK: (gasping) like Hell. But....(pant) I'll be okay. Percy!

Percy, getting up from Nick's side, looks back and kneels back down.

PERCY: Nicholas...who did this to you?

Nick looks at Percy, confused for a moment, before smiling through his pain.

NICK: This? What? Heh heh heh oh this???

Nick holds his hands up to show the bloodied mess to Percy, as well as realizing he has a rather sizeable cut above his eyebrow.

NICK: Oh, that was...nothing.
PERCY: Well, it seems to me like someone's out to hurt you, and it wouldn't surprise me, under the circumstances.
NICK: No, no, Percy....you need to listen to me carefully...(gasp) You can't tell ANYONE, no cops, nobody here at Titan...no one at the TV station...nobody...can know about this...or anything we've been doing here, okay? If anyone asks, you say nothing, and you can't tell anyone anything if something happens to me, okay? You can't....you can't trust ANYONE, got it?

Percy looks at Nick, even more terrified. He nods quickly back at Nick.

PERCY: Absolutely, Nicholas.
NICK: I know...I know I look bad right now, but....you don't understand, now that things have gone down? You have to stay absolutely silent, no matter what. Or there'll be a target on all of our backs. Got it?

Percy draws himself up, petrified, and believing Nick's current state is the result of someone attacking him. He begins to shake a bit in terror at the situation at hand, his eyes never off Nick's intense gaze.

---