Marlena walks into the living room as Tate’s setting up a birthday party for Sophia. She marvels at her grandson’s kindness, but… she thinks they should talk. Marlena brings up Sophia’s old feelings for him, and asks if they’re still there, despite his insistence that they’re just friends.
“I would caution you about these acts of kindness because they could be a little misleading.” Unless Tate has feelings. No, no he doesn’t. Only Holly. If that’s the case, there’s always hope Marlena says, of them getting back together.
Talk then turns to how much he’s matured, and the disappointment of the failed adoption. Marlena tells Tate that she’s the one who told Johnny he had to be honest about his reluctance to adopt. Tate understands, and assures his grandmother gave the right advice.
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Besides, now that Sophia’s 18, they’re going to an adoption agency. The birthday girl shows up, thrilled at the surprise, even though their friends are all busy at prom. Marlena heads out as Sophia hugs Tate in enthusiastic thanks. He, in turn, makes an uncomfortable face.
Sophia’s Birthday Takes a Turn
They eat the dinner he made, then Tate starts feeling queasy. But he pushes through and hands her a corsage (boutonniere?) for prom. He asks how Amy handled the adoption news, but Sophia hasn’t told her family yet. But she’s not backing out! This is happening.
Tate grabs Sophia’s birthday cake and sings to her, but then has to sit down as he feels dizzy. She feels his forehead and he’s burning up — he’s got a bad fever. Sophia gets ready to head out and tells Tate to take care of himself as he apologizes.
Paulina and Xander Strike a Deal
Xander tries calling the director of DiMera Pharmaceuticals, but doesn’t get through. Alex tells his cousin he asked Stephanie to put a good word in with Kayla, then asks if Philip should get a second chance.
Xander snaps that he’s tired of people claiming Victor wanted this, plus he can’t get past Philip’s betrayal. He can’t trust his brother — and is worried he can’t trust himself. Before he can say too much, though, Paulina shows up with some chocolate cake.
As Xander notes, she wants to sweet talk him to not sue Sweet Bits. As Xander notes, with all the problems, it might be in the public’s best interest if it’s shut down. So Paulina just asks him what he wants. About that…
Abe’s on the hospital board and Xander needs votes. “I can literally feel my litigiousness disappearing as we speak, along with my anger.” Paulina suggests Abe might be feeling some loyalty towards EJ, since they were once family. But if Xander were to give Theo a job at Titan/DiMera, that would be different.
The two agree on the deal and Paulina leaves a smug Xander behind. He heads out to see Sarah at the hospital, where he runs into Philip.
Kevin, Steve and Shawn Mess It All Up
Philip’s on the phone with Kevin as he breaks into Dr. Russell’s lab. Steve and Shawn hide behind a dumpster as they plan out their drug theft. They cut the surveillance feed, loop in a fake and head in the building — just as Kevin enters the lab.
He pulls out the drug vials, notes he’ll have to pull a little from each tube to keep anyone from noticing any missing, and hangs up on Philip. As he’s carefully filling a test tube, Steve and Shawn unlock the lab door and head in. Kevin’s nowhere to be found, but Steve hears something and heads off to find it was the emergency exit, while Shawn finds the Versavix gone.
Shawn starts panicking, but Steve hustles him out. They’ve got to go. The cameras won’t stay off forever. Outside by the dumpster, a panicked Kevin has the entire collection of vials in his hands.
He’s freaking out and calls Philip, who ignores his old friend as he tells Xander he misses working with him. He just wants to repair their relationship. It’s too late for that. He can not forgive or forget Philip. Well, Philip says, they’re stuck together. He heads off.
Kayla Talks to Stephanie and Marlena
Stephanie visits her mom in her office to see if she wants to grab dinner. Kayla’s busy — and so’s Steve! So don’t ask him next. Kayla claims Steve’s out in the field and Steph assures her everything will be fine.
Stephanie asks to talk, instead of dinner, and she, of course, launches into a pitch for Alex and Titan. Kayla’s not sure either Xander or EJ will be a good fit, so Titan will have to make their case. Stephanie heads out to meet Alex at Small Bar, after assuring her mom that she and Alex are doing well. “I feel like I can finally put all of this drama behind us.” (Probably one of the most worrying phrases in soap opera history.)
Marlena heads into the office and spots Kayla at work, saying she wanted to give Tate some time alone and needed a distraction so she doesn’t think about John. Kayla’s response tips Marlena off that something’s wrong. “Is Steve in trouble?”
Kayla deflects. He’s just worried about Bo. They all are. Kayla hates feeling helpless about her brother and Marlena feels the same about John. They reassure each other that neither are helpless and Marlena heads home.
Stephanie and Alex meet up for some expensive wine, then they talk about his date with Gabi. It went fine, but he doesn’t think she got her money’s worth. Stephanie tells him she talked to her mom, but it’s up to Xander showing himself as the nicer person than EJ. Alex returns to the novel, saying he wants to publish it. He even found an editor. They get all flirty and head back home to recreate more scenes from the book.
In the Show’s Final Moments
Marlena gets home as Sophia’s leaving, telling the doc that Tate got sick. As soon as she’s out the door, Shane calls and tells Marlena that Paul and Andrew are closing in on John’s location. Marlena breaks down in grateful tears.
Shawn and Steve get back to Kayla’s office with the bad news. Someone got to the drug before them.
Xander finally gets his call back from the DiMera doc, demanding answers about Versavix. That’s when he learns the doctor already talked to Philip.
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Philip calls Kevin back when he gets to his Salem Inn room. Good news, bad news. He got the drug, but he ran off with the whole batch. OK, fine, mix up his own vial, then get the batch back. Kevin, though, gets a message that Dr. Russell left the conference early and is heading back to the lab. Tonight.
On the next Days of Our Lives, Marlena and Susan are interrupted by EJ and Kayla, Steve and Shawn tackled a mystery.
