Friday, May 15, 2020

DAYS #180: Gabi finds the pictures, EJ questions Kate about the key (10/27/14)


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EPISODE 180
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco
 
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Jordan opens the door to Rafe's loft, finding Roman standing on the other side. She is immediately tense, particularly after Nicole's TV special, and begins to trip over her words as she goes to greet Roman.

 
JORDAN: Ah...uh...R--
 
Roman looks confused by Jordan being at the door. He tries to look past her to ensure he has the right address.
ROMAN: Ah...Hi...uh...is Rafe there?
JORDAN: Ah, no. No, he...he just stepped out for a second. Umm...is there...anything I can...maybe help you with? Or...maybe pass on a message?

 
Roman looks down, racking his brain trying to figure out what he even came for. After a moment, he looks up at Jordan, and shakes his head.
 
ROMAN: You know what? Don't worry about it. I'll get ahold of him later.
 
Jordan smiles, pleasantly, but with a distinct tension behind her eyes.
 
JORDAN: Okay. Sure.
 
Jordan closes the door, as Roman leaves. Inside, she leans against the door, relieved.
 
JORDAN: Just...breathe, Jordan. He's not after you, or you'd be under arrest already. Just breathe.
 
...
 
On the other side of the door, Roman  walks to the elevator, and presses the "down" button on the elevator.
 
As he waits for it to reach his floor, he pounds on the frame of the elevator, trying in vain to recall why he came to Rafe's.
 
ROMAN: What da Hell am I doing here? (sigh) Dammit.
 
Roman is startled by the ding of the bell, announcing the elevator's arrival. He steps on and presses the Ground floor button.
 
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As the doors close, Rafe emerges from the stairwell, momentarily catching a glimpse of Roman, but is unable to call out to him in time. He frowns, wondering about the reason for Roman's visit, before stepping into his unit.

 
---
 
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The door of Will's car shuts, as Percy leaves the vehicle, having been dropped off from the TV studio. Will is now about to drive toward the Kiriakis mansion, with Alex in his front passenger's seat, Nick and Anjelica sitting in back. He turns the steering wheel, leaving the curbside by Percy's place.

 
Everyone is stoic in the car, with most somewhat still shell shocked from Nick and Anjelica's near-miss on the studio floor with the falling lighting rig. 
 
WILL: Okay, so I'm taking you all to the Kiriakis house, yeah?
NICK: Yep.
WILL: Right.

 
The car ride becomes silent once again, as Nick looks over at Will, who is focused on the road ahead. Alex looks over to Anjelica, who is looking out the window, as if in a haze.
 
ALEX: Anjelica...you alright?
 
Anjelica turns and smiles at her son warmly, but distinctly half-heartedly.
 
ANJELICA: Yeah. Yeah, I'm just...I'm just exhausted.
ALEX: Can't say I blame you. That was...quite the scare.

 
Anjelica nods silently, before shuffling slightly in her seat.
 
ANJELICA: Yeah...and I can't say these fabric seats are helping matters much.
 
Will pipes up from the front, exhausted himself, and exasperated by Anjelica's unending snobbery.
 
WILL: Yeah, well, welcome to normal people's cars, Anjelica. I'm sorry I couldn't get Harold to lend me the Bentley for the night, but you'll have to make do with plain old unheated cloth.
 
Anjelica rolls her eyes, shuffling slightly again as she glares at Will.
 
ANJELICA: Wish I hadn't told my driver to have the night off.
ALEX: You'll be fine, Anjelica.

 
Anjelica turns back to looking out the window, now more glaring out the window, really.
 
The hush falls over the car once again.
 
After a tense moment, Nick turns to ask Will a question.
 
NICK: So, you figure the special got a good rating?
 
Will stares straight ahead, purposefully disengaged from Nick.
 
WILL: I'm sure we'll hear about it tomorrow.
NICK: Overnights should be good. You think I came off well on TV?

 
Will snaps at Nick suddenly, catching him off-guard.
 
WILL: I don't really give a damn about how you come off on TV, Nick.
NICK: I'm sorry, Will, I--
WILL: But I will tell you, you come off really badly sneaking Gabi out of our apartment without letting Sonny or I have a say about, or letting Gabi discuss it with us first like we asked.

 
Nick looks surprised by Will's sudden display of backbone, Will looks back, heated.
 
---
 
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Kate slams her rocks glass down on the bar table in the DiMera living room, having just toasted to Nick's inevitable undoing. EJ and Sami look on, less than convinced.

 
SAMI: Well, you're awfully sure of yourself tonight, Kate.
 
Kate shrugs, before turning to face the bar, debating whether or not to grab another.
 
KATE: I have good reason to be. Nick Fallon's overplayed his hand.
 
Kate decides to go for it, and pours another half-glass of bourbon into the rocks glass, before picking it up gently spinning it around in her hand.
 
KATE: And it's our time to seize upon that.
EJ: Alright, I've got a question.

 
Kate finishes taking a sip of her second drink and motions to EJ to go ahead.
 
KATE: Shoot.
EJ: What makes you so sure about this particular timeline for Nick's downfall?

 
Kate saunters over toward the armchair as she explains herself to EJ and Sami. EJ and Sami turn, their eyes following Kate as she takes over their living room.
 
KATE: Simple. Nick was so eager to seize control of Titan, that he got sloppy. He established, and used a working relationship with Jordan and Sheryl, or whatever their real names are, to get access to their servers, and then use them as the fall guys to help bribe the board into giving him control. Of course, those two have been working day and night to destroy Titan for the whole EnerNext fracking nonsense, so Nick pretended to be on their side to get access to their plans, and, I'm guessing, thwart them. Not to mention his blackmail tactics, which...frankly, if we stop him in time, we'll keep him from running his mouth everywhere about everyone and everything.
EJ: That's all well and good, but...how can you prove he was working with them?
KATE: Well, that's the best part. This stays between us, of course, but Billie's been investigating them this entire time. That's why she was brought back to Salem in the first place. So the goal now is to lure Jordan and Sheryl to the Penthouse Grille gala tomorrow night, and let the fireworks begin.

 
Kate smiles, as she takes a sip of her drink. EJ and Sami look at each other, less than certain of Kate's plan.
 
---
 

 
 
---
 
Sami folds her arms, as she stands facing Kate in the DiMera living room.
 
SAMI: Well, this needs to work, or we're all going to jail. Though, frankly, I don't see why we don't just kill that little twerp anyway, if we're heading to jail anyway.
 
Kate raises her rocks glass again from her seat in the armchair.
 
KATE: Amen to that!
 
EJ widens his eyes at Kate, implying she keep her mouth shut.
 
EJ: Samantha, remember our New Year's resolution, we were going to try to keep the murder to a minimum this year.
KATE: How sweet! Impractical, but sweet.

 
Sami glares at Kate, annoyed by how comfortable Kate is in her home. Sami grabs her paperwork, and tablet, and heads out of the room for bed, kissing EJ on her way.
 
SAMI: Look. I gotta get to bed. But keep me posted, okay? And if anything goes even slightly left, you call me right away.
KATE: Got it.

 
Sami turns to EJ to wish him good night.
 
SAMI: EJ?
EJ: I'll show Kate out, Samantha. Don't worry.

 
Sami smiles, then walks out of the living room, walking up the stairs and out of sight. EJ checks carefully to make she she has gone up, before motioning to Kate to get up from her seat and come over closer to talk to him.
 
KATE: What?
 
EJ pulls the key he found in the safe out from his pocket.
 
EJ: Does this look familiar to you at all?
KATE: Ahh...maybe, I...

 
EJ leans in closer, and speaks softly, but emphatically to Kate.
 
EJ: You need to think really hard about this. Did father talk to you about a...safe deposit box, or anything of the sort that isn't part of the normal DiMera accounts.
 
Kate mulls it over a moment, before answering EJ.
KATE: There was something. He mentioned having a box at a small savings and loan in Chicago, but he never said anything more than that. Why?
EJ: Because I have been through that safe about a hundred times and those pictures of the drowning attempt, among other...unpleasant reminders, are not in there, but I know for a FACT father has copies of them.
KATE:Why would Stefano have those?
EJ: To keep me in line. Why else? To remind me that my loyalty is to him, and not to Samantha.

 
Kate nods, understanding Stefano's motivation clearly.
 
KATE: Sounds like Stefano.
EJ: Right, but then that begs another question.

 
Kate puts her drink down, realizing EJ's question before it even comes out of his mouth.
 
KATE: Is Stefano tied up with Nick.
EJ: Exactly. And how deep.

 
Kate sighs, as EJ clears his throat a moment.
 
EJ: I need to get those pictures, Kate.
KATE: What other pictures are in there. I mean, you can't just be this jumpy about Nick and the drowning--
EJ: Nothing for you to worry about.

 
EJ cuts Kate off, preferring not to elaborate. Kate takes the hint and backs down. She grabs her clutch, and prepares to leave, but hesitates.
 
KATE: Can you keep me in the loop about whether you track the pictures down or not?
 
EJ looks up, nodding to Kate.
 
EJ: I will. 
 
Kate turns to leave, but EJ calls out to stop her.
 
EJ: Ah, Kate.
 
Kate turns around, as EJ shares his last thought with her.
 
EJ: Don't tell Samantha about the pictures. She's already...a wreck as it is, I don't think she needs this on top of everything else.
 
Kate nods, smiling half-heartedly at EJ.
 
KATE: No problem.
 
Kate turns to leave, leaving EJ alone in the living room, looking pensively at the key.
 
---
 
Rafe steps into the loft, finding Jordan finishing up cooking dinner for them. Jordan turns to look at Rafe, who points his thumb down the hall.
 
RAFE: Am I seeing things or did Roman just leave?
 
Jordan looks at Rafe, pretending to be confused.
 
JORDAN: Wh...no. Roman wasn't here. It's just been me, finishing up the sauce.
 
Rafe looks genuinely baffled, as he shuts the door to the loft.
 
RAFE: Hm. I guess I need to get my eyes checked...you sure he wasn't just here?
 
Jordan laughs, hoping her deflection works, and raises the mixing spoon from the saucepan for Rafe to taste.
 
JORDAN: I'm positive. Here, try.
 
Rafe leans in and tastes the piping hot sauce. He's immediately enticed by Jordan's home cooking.
 
RAFE: Mmm, okay, that does it, you're movin' in.
 
Rafe leans in to grab Jordan, but in the excitement, Jordan swings the spoon at Rafe and sprays sauce all over his shirt. Rafe backs up, stunned, while Jordan looks Rafe over, trying to hold in a giggle.
 
RAFE: This is like...my favourite shirt!
 
Jordan smiles sensuously, before running the spoon down his shirt, slowly reaching the top of his jeans.
 
JORDAN: i guess you'll have to throw it in the wash....right away.
 
Jordan steps in closer, wrapping her arm around the back of Rafe's neck, and pulls him into a kiss. Rafe grabs Jordan, but stops himself a moment, remembering the sauce.
 
RAFE: Wait, what about dinner?
 
Jordan turns around and turns the flame off the stovetop, before turning back to face Rafe.
 
JORDAN: It can wait. Time for appetizers.
 
Rafe smiles, as he picks Jordan up in his arms, her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him, as he whisks her way to the bedroom.
 
After Rafe closes the door to the bedroom, Jordan cell phone begins to buzz on the kitchen counter, with Sheryl once again trying to reach her.
 
---
 
Roman shuts the door to his car, and sits inside in the parking lot outside Rafe's building with his car off.
 
In the dark of the night, he racks his brain, stumped as to why he's there.
 
In frustration, Roman smashes his hand against the rim of the steering wheel.
 
ROMAN: DAMMIT!
 
He sighs, mulling over what to do now.
 
ROMAN: Okay, Roman. Just...have a drive around, think over what you were doing. Just...cool your head.
 
Fumbling with the keys, Roman struggles momentarily in the dark, before finally getting the key in the ignition. Once the car is started, Roman backs out of the parking spot, and heads off into the night.
 
---
 
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At WXIR, Abby and Nicole finalize things after the end of production of Nicole's TV special. Nicole bends down with another crew member to inspect where the lines broke on the rig.

 
CREW MEMBER: Nicole, these...these wires...
NICOLE: What about them?

 
Nicole notices something is wrong. She turns around, and motions to Abby to come over and take a look at the rig wires.
 
NICOLE: Abby, come here and check this out.
 
Abby steps over, as Nicole points to the cut cable.
 
ABBY: Someone cut that cable.
NICOLE: Exactly. And that's not the only one.
ABBY: Somebody meant to drop this lighting rig.
NICOLE: Exactly. And I have a feeling I know who they meant to hit.

 
Nicole stands up, a worried look on her face. She turns to face Abby, speaking with urgency.
 
NICOLE: Call the police right away. Get someone down here, NOW!
 
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Abby nods quickly, before running off to get a signal on her cell phone closer to the doorway, when Eric walks into the studio. He races over to embrace Nicole, who is thrilled to have him here.

 
NICOLE: Oh my God, Eric!
ERIC: I saw what happened on TV. Are you okay?
NICOLE: I'm fine. Just...shaken up a little. You have no idea how happy I am to see your face.

 
Nicole reaches around and hugs Eric again, tightly.
 
As they hug, Abby stands off to the side of the room, as she begins to dial the police. Her heart sinks a little, as she watches Eric and Nicole embrace. She longs for her own lost love, as she recalls her mother's words from earlier in the day.
 
***
 
FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 174
 
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Outside the Brady Pub, Jenn looks confused, as she puts a hand on Abby's shoulder.

 
JENN: Loving Chad wasn't a mistake, Abby. You just...you had a lot on your plate, I wouldn't call that a huge mistake.
 
***
 
Abby sighs, catching her breath as she recalls her feelings for Chad. She wipes away a tear, as she finally dials the police.
 
---
 
In Will's car, there is a silent tension from Will having snapped at Nick. All eyes are on the front seats, as Anjelica and Alex await Nick's response.
 
After a moment, Nick begins to laugh at Will's anger.
 
NICK: Dude, you've got this vein that like...pops out on your forehead when you're pissed, it's...hilarious.
WILL: That's not an answer, Nick--
NICK: Gabi made her choice on her own. In case you didn't notice, she's a grown adult, and I don't think she needs you to be making her decisions for her.
WILL: She does when it affects my daughter.

 
Anjelica listens intently to the conversation, before pulling her phone out, and slyly sending a text to Liam.
 
change of plan, meet @ pier for 11, need 2 grab somethng
 
As she puts her phone away, Nick shakes his head, still keeping a cool head to counter Will's temper.
 
NICK: You act like I'm taking them away to Greece or something. They're right down the road! Hell, Ari will probably spend more time at our place, what with Alex living there and all.
WILL: What the Hell does that mean, Nick?
 
Nick smirks, knowing he touched a nerve.
 
NICK: Just sayin', I noticed you two are getting pretty close lately, and not in a boss/employee sorta way.
 
Will looks away, frustrated by Nick's insinuation that something untoward is going on between him and Alex.
 
ALEX: Shut up, Nick.
NICK: Hey, is that any way to talk to your boss, man? 

 
Will mutters under his breath, turning his attentions back to the road ahead.
 
WILL: Hopefully not for long.
NICK: What was that?

 
Will pulls into the driveway at the Kiriakis house, and puts the car into park, before turning to Nick with a big, fake smile.
 
WILL: Nothing. Now get the Hell out of my car.
NICK: There's that ol' Salem hospitality.

 
Nick opens the door to leave, but turns back at the last moment to get one more jab in.
 
NICK: Thanks for the ride, by the way. I know it's hard in this rickety old thing, but, maybe I'll give you a raise and you can get a new one.
 
Will rolls his eyes as Nick laughs, shutting the door behind him. Anjelica opens the door, and motions to Alex, who stays behind a moment.
 
ALEX: I'll be right in, Mom.
ANJELICA: Okay.

 
Alex puts a hand on Will's shoulder, as Will leans back in the driver's seat, drained and frustrated.
 
ALEX: Hey. Don't let him get to you. We'll get him. I promise.
 
Will nods his head, and puts his hand over Alex's. Alex, suddenly uncomfortable, pulls away, and awkwardly responds.
 
ALEX: I should ah...I should go back in. You okay?
WILL: I'll be fine.
ALEX: K. Goodnight.
WILL: Night.

 
Alex exits the car, leaving Will alone. Will sighs, as he hits his head against the headrest. He sits for a minute with the car off, contemplating how things are going in his life.
 
---
 
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Inside the house, Gabi opens the door to Nick's room, turning on the light to be sure she's alone this time. She checks the hallway behind her before stepping in and leaving the door slightly ajar.

 
Gabi sighs, as she contemplates where to start looking this time.
 
GABI: Alright, chances are, it's gonna be...here.
 
Gabi turns to face Nick's desk, and tries to pull open the bottom drawer where she was stopped before. It's locked. 
 
SIghing, she takes a second, before pulling a pin from her hair, and using it to pick the lock.
 
After a second, she manages to pop the drawer open.
 
GABI: Yesss....
 
Inside, she immediately spots a large manila envelope. Intrigued, she opens the envelope to find she's hit paydirt. The photos of her, Kate, and Sami attempting to drown Nick are inside. She breathes a sigh of relief as she flips through the photos. 
 
GABI: Oh my God! I found it.
 
But behind her, trouble lurks.
 
Nick approaches the door, and goes to open it, but notices it's ajar. He hesitates, checking carefully to see who's inside. Seeing it's Gabi, his face drops. He hangs back silently, watching her betray him like a hawk.
 
GABI: We got him. Oh my God, I'm finally free.
 
She presses the pictures up to her chest, thrilled by her discovery, but then flips to the next picture, her own face drops, as she sees an image that stuns her.
 
GABI: Wha....what the....?
 
The image of Abby and EJ mid-liplock is before her eyes. Gabi's jaw drops, as Nick looks on from outside.
 
---

Sunday, May 3, 2020

DAYS #179: Kate pays Sami and EJ a celebratory visit, is Nick okay? (10/24/14)


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EPISODE 179
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco
 
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Sheryl paces her apartment living room, livid after Nick's attempted betrayal. Jerome gets up from the sofa, trying to cool her off to no avail.

 
SHERYL: I can't believe it. I can't believe we were barking up the wrong tree the entire time.
 
Sheryl turns to face Jerome, pointing a finger up to Jerome's face as she curses Nick's name.
 
SHERYL: I'm gonna kill him, Jerome. I swear to God...
JEROME: You sure whoever dropped that stage light didn't do it for you already? Besides, it's not like he actually exposed you guys or anything...

 
Sheryl turns to look at the TV, shaking her head.
 
SHERYL: Nah. Nahhhh, I may not know Nick well, but I do know he doesn't do anything he doesn't intend to see through. One way or another. 
 
Sheryl sighs, shaking her head, while never taking her eyes off the TV.
 
SHERYL: So...it's time to finish what we started, and then get the Hell outta Dodge...
 
Jerome balks at Sheryl's assertion, which catches Sheryl's attention away from the TV.
 
JEROME: (laughs) You think you're actually gonna get Jordan away from Detective Loverboy? You need to be looking after your own ass.
 
Sheryl turns her head back to face the TV, almost mesmerized by what she sees.
 
SHERYL: Ohh, she'll come with me. Once I've finished what I need to do, she won't have a choice.
 
Sheryl smirks, trying to stifle a laugh, as the glare of the TV reflects in her eyes.
 
---
 
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At the WXIR studio, there's chaos after a portion of the lighting rig directly above the soundstage has crashed onto the stage, narrowly avoiding crushing Nick, Nicole, and Anjelica during Nicole's TV special. 

 
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By the doorway of the studio, Abby runs over to the studio phone, calling the producer in the control room.
 
ABBY: Yeah...end the broadcast?...Yeah, I'll let them know. Thanks.
 
Abby hangs up and turns to walk briskly into the action on the soundstage. She walks toward Nicole, who's on the stage finishing wrapping the episode before they race to a commercial break, to tell her what the control room said.
 
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Nick sits back in his chair onstage, holding his head to try to soothe the intense pain and ringing in his ears after one of the lighting rigs fell from above the stage, narrowly avoiding crushing Nick. Alex and Will rush to the stage to check on Anjelica, who's okay, but shaken up in the chaos.

 
ALEX: Anjelica! You okay?
 
Anjelica puts a hand on Alex's shoulder, nodding emphatically.
 
ANJELICA: Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. Just...a little stunned is all.
 
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Percy and Nicole rush over to Nick's side to check on him, as Nick shakes with pain. 

 
PERCY: Nicholas! Are you alright??
NICK: P...Pills...

 
Nick is barely audible in all the chaos, but Nicole gets down on her hands and knees to check on him, a moment of genuine concern for her.
 
NICOLE: Nick...Nick, did you get hit?
 
Nick shakes his head, barely able to function without intense pain, as Nicole leans in close to him.
 
NICOLE: Okay, tell me what you need.
NICK: My p...my pills...in my bag.

 
Percy races over to Nicole and Nick with Nick's bag. They rummage through his     bag to find his pills. Nicole grabs them from the front flap, and Percy hands her his water bottle.
 
NICOLE: Thanks. Okay, Nick. I got your pills, and your water, okay? 
 
Nicole pops two pills from the pack, but notice they're chalkier than she's used to for the brand. Also noticing the brand isn't written on the pill, she's unsure for a moment, but hands them to Nick regardless.
 
---
 
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Gabi approaches the Kiriakis Mansion, talking to EJ on her cell phone as she quickly walks up to the front door, rummaging through her purse for her keys.

 
GABI: (into phone) EJ, I will...no, he doesn't suspect anything, and besides, he isn't home right now, he's about to be on Nicole's TV special...I will be careful...I'll keep you posted, thanks.
 
Gabi hangs up, getting increasingly frantic as she can't find her key. After a frustrating moment, she does find it, and opens the door to the house.
 
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Once inside, she sighs in relief at being left alone from Nick's suffocating presence. But as she turns to head upstairs, Adrienne comes around the corner from behind the stairs, and she isn't thrilled to see Gabi.

 
ADRIENNE: Gabi! Just the person I wanted to speak to.
 
Gabi rolls her eyes, as Adrienne gives her a stern glare, as she stops Gabi from going upstairs.
 
---
 

 
---
 
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At Rafe's loft, Jordan finishes sweeping up the broken glass on the floor of the kitchenette, as Rafe walks over to check on her.

 
RAFE: Babe, you okay?
 
Jordan picks up the filled dustpan, opens the garbage can, and dumps the broken glass inside. She looks surly.
 
JORDAN: (sigh) Yeah, I guess.
 
Rafe takes the dustpan out of Jordan's hands, and put them on the kitchen island. He then takes Jordan's hands in his and steps in close to her, speaking playfully to try to break Jordan's tense mood.
 
RAFE: I don't believe you!  Come on! I saw your face when Nick started talking on the TV, you were white as a ghost.
JORDAN: Yeah,well...I mean, anytime a person gets a lighting rig dropped on them, I get....faint of heart.
RAFE: Well, thank God you're not an ER nurse then, hm?

 
Jordan loosens up a bit, trying to stop from laughing at Rafe's attempts to make her smile.
 
RAFE: Look, seems like everything's okay at the studio, just relax.
JORDAN: Ugh, yeah. Sorry, just...it looked intense and I just...I guess I'm just a big bleeding heart.

 
Jordan laughs nervously, while Rafe brushes her hair away from her face.
 
RAFE: I know. It's what I love about you.
 
Rafe turns and opens the garbage can, pulling the bag out.
 
RAFE: Look, I'm gonna...take this out. It's getting pretty full, so...I'll be right back, okay?
JORDAN: Okay.

 
Jordan smiles, as Rafe kisses her gently on the lips. He smiles as he pulls away, grabbing the bag of garbage before stepping out of the loft.
 
Jordan watches Rafe as the door closes behind him, breathing a sigh of relief as she thinks over her situation with Nick and Sheryl.
 
JORDAN: Alright, Jordan. Nick didn't actually show your picture. You're still safe. (sigh) You're still safe.
 
Jordan turns the heat off on the stove, going to lift the pot off the stove when she hears a knock on the door.
 
Jordan puts the pot back down, walking quickly over to the door, as she calls out to the person on the other side.
 
JORDAN: One second!
 
Jordan opens the door, expecting Rafe on the other side, but is stunned when it isn't.
 
JORDAN: Rafe, did you forget your key--
 
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It's Roman. Jordan's stomach drops, as her mouth hangs open, stunned and scared. Roman looks on, confused.

 
---
 
In the Kiriakis foyer, Gabi rolls her eyes at Adrienne, then attempts to walk past Adrienne to get upstairs to her room. Adrienne moves to  stop her dead in her tracks.
 
ADRIENNE: I would...like to talk.
GABI: Adrienne, I don't have time right now, okay--
ADRIENNE: You need to make time. Because I am worried about you right now, okay?

 
Gabi rolls her eyes, trying very hard not to snap at Adrienne.
 
GABI: You don't have to worry about me. Okay? I'm fine.
ADRIENNE: Maybe for now. 

 
Gabi folds her arms, very uncomfortable with Adrienne's line of questioning, but keeps tight lipped.
 
ADRIENNE: But I know it's just a matter of time before Nick does something to harm you, or Sonny, or Will. And anything he does to any of you will hurt Ari.
GABI: Adrienne, Ari is my number one priority.
ADRIENNE: Well, then prove it. Leave Nick, and move back in with Will and Sonny.
GABI: I can't do that.

 
Adrienne gets impatient with Gabi, beginning to speak more tersely, though remaining quiet so as not to raise alarm to anyone else in the house.
 
ADRIENNE: Why not? Honey, I can see the fear in your eyes. Believe me, I've been there. Don't leave it until it's too late.
 
Gabi doesn't respond to Adrienne, instead stands with her arms folded, looking away, as Adrienne stares intensely at her.
 
ADRIENNE: Gabi...I'm serious. I'll be keeping an eye on you and Nick. I want you to be safe. For Ari's sake.
 
Adrienne turns and walks toward the living room. Leaving Gabi behind feeling tense. She turns and quickly heads up the stairs.
 
---
 
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At the DiMera Mansion, EJ is stood at the safe in the living room, behind Stefano's portrait. Believing he's alone, he's opened the safe, and is rummaging through to find something.

 
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As he rummages, he finds an oddly-shaped key with a number on it. He studies it for a minute, never having seen said key before. He furrows his brow, before putting the key in his pocket. As he does, Sami enters the room, tablet in hand, prompting EJ to quickly shut the safe.

 
SAMI: EJ!
EJ: Samantha! You ah...you surprised me.

 
EJ obscures the safe with Stefano's portrait, as Sami looks at him curiously.
 
SAMI: You ah...you don't have to hide from me. I know there's a safe in there.
EJ: No, I know, I just...ahmmm...you know. Needed something. So how are you feeling?

 
Sami walks over to the desk across the room, setting the tablet down. She turns back to look at EJ, who is walking her way.
 
SAMI: Better. I mean, I'm still mad at my mom for what she's putting my dad through, but...
 
Sami shrugs, as EJ stands facing her, smiling warmly at her.
 
EJ: I understand.
SAMI: Thank you, by the way. Thanks for listening. I know I haven't been...the easiest to get along with lately.

 
Sami steps in closer to EJ, as EJ gives her a hug, Sami finally feeling comfortable again in his arms.
 
EJ: It's alright. That's what Laura's been helping us with, right?
SAMI: Yep.

 
From outside the room, they hear the sound of stilettos clicking as the front door to the house shuts. Then Kate's voice rings through the foyer and into the living room, preceding her arrival.
 
KATE: It's alright, Harold, it's just me.
 
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As Kate enters the room, Sami and EJ turn Kate's way, Sami folds her arms with a smirk.

 
SAMI: You do realize you don't live here anymore, right?
KATE: And for that I'm much better off, I assure you. (sigh) We need to talk. Something's come up. Something big.

 
Sami and EJ look curiously at Kate.
 
EJ: Why? What's happened?
 
Kate's eyes light up as she tells Sami and EJ her news.
 
KATE: Well...I just got back from the police station.
 
Kate saunters over to the bar, pouring herself a drink as she continues.
 
SAMI: Okay?
KATE: Abe asked us all to meet there, because they're fairly certain that they not only have Sheryl and Jordan dead-to-rights, they also may have Nick.
SAMI: Well, that's fantastic news! When will we know?
KATE: Well, they'll likely have everything figured out by tomorrow night. So, I say...we toast.

 
Kate holds up her glass in front of her, smiling as much as she's able to.
 
KATE: Because in 24 hours, we will finally be well rid of Nicholas Fallon.
 
Sami and EJ look on skeptically, as Kate takes a sip of her drink, looking happy as a pig in mud.
 
---
 
Back at the WXIR studio, Abby finishes up another call up to the control room.
 
ABBY: Okay. Thanks.
 
Abby hangs up the phone and steps away from the wall the phone's against, revealing Nick standing behind her. Now cooled off thanks to his medication, he approaches Abby, who is taking notes with her tablet, not noticing Nick's presence.
 
Nick softly calls out to her.
 
NICK: Hey, Abigail.
 
Abby looks up from her tablet, before sighing and then turning around.
 
ABBY: Nick.
NICK: I ah...I'm sorry your first show didn't work out...quite how you...or I wanted.
ABBY: Yeah, well...these things happen. Excuse me.

 
Abby goes to step away from Nick, but Nick grabs her by the upper arm, stopping her.
 
NICK: Abby. Wh...what's wrong?
ABBY: Nothing's wrong, Nick.

 
Abby forces Nick to let go of her arm, but hesitates to walk away from him.
 
NICK: (sigh) Abigail, if something's bothering you, you can tell me, you know. I mean, we used to be really clos--
 
Abigail turns around suddenly, snapping at Nick.
 
ABBY: Yeah, Nick. Used to be. 
 
Abby backs down, but continues to speak to Nick, looking down so as to be less confrontational.
 
ABBY: A lot's changed since then. Especially with you. Look, I'll be fine, thanks for checking on me.
 
At this moment, Will, Alex, and Anjelica approach, putting an end to Nick and Abby's tense conversation.
 
WILL: Hey, Abs. Ahh, Alex and I are gonna take Anjelica back to the Kiriakis house, did you need a ride to your mom's?
ABBY: No. No, I'll be fine. I got...I got a lot to do with Nicole to wrap the production up anyway, so...I'll be awhile. Thanks though.

 
Abby gives them a faint smile, before walking away to get back to work. Alex and Will look at Abby as she walks away, their faces filled with worry. After a tense moment, Nick smirks at Will, who glares back at him.
 
NICK: What? You're not gonna offer me a ride, Will?
ALEX: Nick...

 
Will stops Alex from continuing, putting his arm out in front of Alex to indicate it. Will replies to Nick with a stern, almost-catty tone.
 
WILL: You know what, Nick. Sure! We'll give you a ride. You're all headed to the Kiriakis house anyway. Besides, you and I have a few things we need to discuss anyway.
 
Will gives Nick an intense look, while Nick tries to hold in a laugh, amused by Will's apparent lack of self-control.
 
ALEX: Come on, let's go.
 
As they start to walk off, Nick feels his cell phone buzz in his pocket. 
 
Pulling it out, he sees the call is from Sheryl. He immediately ignores the call, and follows the others out of the studio.
 
Behind them, on the soundstage, Nicole kneels down by the broken lighting rig. She looks at the cables meant to keep the lighting rig in place. She notices a number of them have clear cuts across them. She sighs, realizing what this means.
 
Nicole is snapped out of her investigation by Abby, who walks on stage to check on her.
 
ABBY: What is it?
 
Nicole looks momentarily at Abby, before looking way up above her. Abby's eyes follow suit.
 
NICOLE: Someone cut those wires. They meant for this to happen. And I don't think this is the ending they wanted, either.
 
---