At the DiMera mansion, John reiterates to Paul that now’s an excellent time to make their move, since Victor’s preoccupied with family matters. Paul notes John’s cold remark and reminds him that Victor’s preoccupied because his granddaughter is very ill in the hospital. John simply states that they need to “strike while the iron’s hot.” He smokes a Cuban cigar while Paul implores him to spill what his so-called brilliant plan is. Marlena emerges and is curious to know the same thing. “Just a couple of guys chewing the fat,” claims John. “I find that so hard to believe,” responds Marlena. She asks Paul if John used his position in the customs department to cause problems or delay the Kiriakis ships. Paul claims he has no idea what she’s talking about. Marlena confronts John knowing what he did and wonders what he’s up to now. When the doorbell rings, John predicts that Rolf will discourage any unwanted visitors. “I hope you’re not referring to me,” says Philip, who isn’t surprised to find John and Paul together. Philip confronts John about plotting strategy with his new partner in crime. He warns Paul that it’s only a matter of time before the grand jury makes their call. “And if that happens, it’s just because you and your stinkin’ father had me framed!” accuses Paul. This amuses Philip, who states that one can’t frame a guilty man. A furious Paul urges him to bring it if he has proof. John surmises that Philip doesn’t have any proof and decides to finish his and Paul’s discussion later. “Call me crazy, but he’s got some nerve being upset when he’s the one, along with you, who tried to undermine my company,” notes Philip. John asks Marlena to excuse them, but Marlena is eager to hear more. Philip doesn’t mind her being present and reveals that Marlena’s the one who warned him about John’s intentions. “Too bad it didn’t do any good,” says Marlena.
John insists to Philip that he plays to win. Philip recalls how the DiMera and Kiriakis families have always found a way to coexist. He admits there was a time when he actually respected John. “And now you’re going to respect me in a whole new way,” predicts John. Philip brings up the time when he and John worked together when John was with the ISA and Phil first came home after joining the Marines. “You worked for me,” clarifies John. Philip declares that he’s not the same man he was back then. Marlena begs him not to go to war with Philip, but John demands for her to stay out of it since it doesn’t concern her. “The hell it doesn’t. I am your wife. We have a family. I will be damned if I will sit by and watch you drag all of us into a war,” asserts Marlena. John insists it’s simply business and nothing personal. Philip declares that Victor made his life in Salem and insists that John just can’t take that away. Marlena agrees with Philip. John affirms that Salem is also his home, and if he’s to succeed in the way that he wants to, Philip and Victor will step aside.
Philip later notes that John’s showing himself to be a true DiMera. John states that he doesn’t consider himself a DiMera or Brady, he’s just his own man for better or for worse. Philip admits that he feels sorry for John, but not as sorry as he feels for Marlena. He wishes Marlena luck with John before he leaves. John then turns to Marlena and assumes that she’s disappointed in him once again. She confirms that she is more than she can even say. He suggests that she stop comparing him to the old John. “Otherwise known as Superman, Captain Marvel, and Gandhi all rolled into one,” states John. “And now he’s just the Phantom,” counters Marlena, who wishes he understood that life isn’t just about winning and losing. John insists that he needs a reason to get up in the morning. “I’ll give you a reason to get up in the morning,” she says softly before she leans in and kisses him. He pushes her away briefly and wonders if she’s trying to bribe him. “What do you think?” she retorts. John deduces that it just might work, then kisses her passionately again. After they kiss, Marlena seductively tells John that she decided that she needed to be more aggressive in getting him to remember his old life. They kiss again until John pushes her away and says it’s good to know, but he has to excuse himself to get ready for his hot date. He walks out of the room, leaving a dejected Marlena.
In Chelsea’s hospital room, Kate notes that Chelsea feels like she’s burning up. Daniel confirms that she has a temperature again, although not as high as before. When Nurse Jenny enters, he confronts her about not telling him about Chelsea’s temperature going up and orders her to get him the latest test results. A smiling Tony arrives with flowers for Chelsea and is eager to talk to Kate about her upcoming commercial. Kate refuses to discuss any commercial now and states her intention to stay by Chelsea’s side in the hospital. Chelsea asks Daniel to tell Kate that she’s going to be fine. Daniel assures Kate that Chelsea will be fine and she needs her rest anyway.
Outside Chelsea’s room, Abe asks Lexie what’s going on. Lexie confesses that Bo hasn’t heard from Hope since he was released from the hospital, and now it looks like he’s missing. Abe wonders why she didn’t tell him before. Lexie says she tried, but he was in court. Abe asks what Steve and Kayla has to do with this. Lexie gravely informs him that nobody knows where they are either, and she’s tried everywhere. Abe recalls how worried Bo was about Hope earlier, but then asked Abe not to look for Hope. Lexie relays how Bo said he overreacted, then finally admitted that Hope was missing. She recalls how Bo begged her not to tell Abe and get the cops involved and fears that she made the biggest mistake of her life. Abe tells Lexie how Steve confided in him about Ava, including her admittance to sabotaging the plane. Lexie admits that Bo asked Victor about the Vitali’s before he disappeared and Victor warned Bo to stay away from them. She wonders why they would take Hope. Abe worries that their friends could be in a hell of a lot of danger if Ava took them.
