At Chez Rouge, Marlena sits with Dr. Berman and discusses hospital fundraising. (She reveals his first name to be Miles). Marlena gets distracted when she spots John across the room. “It really is true. He’s still alive,” remarks Dr. Berman. “So you were the physician that signed my death certificate?” confronts John. Dr. Berman insists that he followed strict procedure and double checked everything, but John isn’t buying it. He extends his hand to John before heading back to the hospital, but John doesn’t reciprocate warm and fuzzy greetings his way. John then introduces Paul Hollingsworth to Marlena, but she already knows who he is. John reveals that they were discussing some of the DiMera operations. She questions if that was the reason he was talking to Victor at the hospital and wonders what he’s up to. John invites her to join them for breakfast and find out.
The three of them sit down, where John and Paul discuss shipments. John then questions if he’s ever delayed a shipment on purpose, but Paul says no and has to head out. Marlena then assumes that John wants Paul to delay Victor’s shipments and put John’s through quickly. John neither confirms nor denies this and claims he’s insulted that she would think so. “Get over it,” she responds. “Why do this to Victor? He was your father-in-law,” she reminds him. Marlena also reminds him that he loved Isabella very much and they named their daughter after her. John doesn’t give a darn and is only interested in being a good businessman. Marlena states how the John she knows would never deliberately undermine a competitor. John denies undermining anyone, but she tells him not to play the dumb card with her. She admits that his behavior frightens the hell out of her, and vice versa. “You don’t know me, but you won’t even try,” she states. “What am I supposed to do?” he asks. “Be the man I love,” she suggests. “How can I be someone that I’m not?” he retorts. John declares that she’s looking at the new John Black and suggests that she pretend he didn’t die. She can’t and expresses hope that he tries to rethink everything, then leaves. Marlena then calls Philip and warns him about something going down at the docks.
Marlena later finds John by the docks and assumes that he’s waiting to meet the customs official and give him bribes. She begs him not to do it. “And if I do?” he questions. She threatens to turn him over to the authorities. He tells her to knock herself out. She warns him that he’ll be crossing the line if he takes that step and thus won’t be able to come back. “And what do I have to come back to?” he retorts. “Me. All of me,” she answers before she lays a passionate kiss on him. John appears as though he liked it, then turns and walks away. She’s thankful that he changed his mind about meeting Paul.
Nick encounters Max on the docks, who grumbles that his community service isn’t exactly his dream job. Nick brings up the notebook incident and wonders if they’re good. Max reiterates that he just needed a piece of paper. Nick admits that he initially suspected Max was trying to ruin his career. “Now why would I wanna do that?” retorts Max. “Because you have a career? And I’m just...here,” rants a jealous Max. Nick states that all work has value and dignity, then apologizes. “Are you jealous of me?” questions Nick. Max doesn’t directly answer the question and tells Nick to look what he has going for him. He claims he’s happy to be helping his mom out at the pub, since it’s the least he can do for everything his mom and pop did for him. Nick notes that he has a lot on his shoulders. Max admits that he has no idea what the future holds for him. Nick had no idea Max was feeling this way and assures him that he’s entitled to some soul searching. He brings up the whole “airline thing.” Max admits that it wasn’t the brightest move he ever made. Nick agrees that Jeremy was their “black sheep” of the Horton family. He believes that Steph is the one good thing that came out of all of it.
Steph and Chelsea then arrive at the docks, which brings a smile to Max’s face. Steph brings him chowder from the pub, which he appreciates. He then demurs that she’s in college now and has a great internship and will probably get a high profile job somewhere. She wonders what it has to do with her bringing soup. “I don’t know. You’re busy, I’m busy,” he responds. She wonders if he’s breaking up with her. A glum Max claims she can do better. She implores him not to ever talk about himself that way and reminds him that he’s an amazing person. He refers to her as amazing as well, then asks if she went by the hospital. She gravely reveals that there’s no change in Bo. He moans that his family can’t catch a break. She apologizes and says her parents could use some good news too, although she doesn’t disclose details. They are interrupted by Chelsea, who offers to grab some coffee. Steph bolts out of there and offers to get some instead. Nick then summons Chelsea to his side and claims there’s a problem with one of her calculations. Max secretly examines Nick’s notes.
Nick tells Chelsea that he asked Lexie if he could help out with the compatibility testing, but she told him that it was covered already. Chelsea shares how she wants to be her dad’s donor, although she realizes the risks involved. Nick tries to assure a distressed Chelsea that Bo’s going to be okay and promises to be there for her no matter what happens. She turns and hugs him. Meanwhile, Max changes Nick’s notes around, then puts the notebook back in Nick’s bag before Steph returns.
