Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Rafe bursts into the cottage, but finds the place completely deserted. At the same time, Anna is on a plane waiting to take off for Costa Rica. Sami and EJ bond more over Sydney until Rafe calls them to the cottage. EJ covers with indignation as Rafe questions him and Sami. A nearby caretaker shows up to add to EJ’s distress, but Rafe gets nothing from the caretaker. They all leave. Later, Sami gets Rafe to admit he’s happy that she and EJ were able to bring Sydney home; however, it has affected their relationship. EJ returns to the mansion to call Anna. Her flight is finally ready for take off and EJ thinks he’s dodged a bullet. In prison, Nicole has gradually started getting more memories about the designer boots and the whispered voice calling Sydney “sweet pea.” Nicole recalls living at the DiMera mansion and hearing Anna was whispering to Sydney while wearing the same designer boots. Horrified, Nicole finally remembers Anna was the kidnapper! Bo rails at Carly for revisiting the idea of pleading guilty. He tells her there’s a chance with Hope, who’s talking to Melanie now. Hope tells Melanie the facts surrounding Vivian the day of the wedding. Unfortunately, she fails to dissuade a resolute Melanie who wants Carly punished. When Hope tells Bo and Carly, Carly gives up. Bo refuses to let her, and leaves to continue working on it. Carly tells Hope she’s letting Bo go. Hope, stricken, says she doesn’t need Carly to hand her husband back to her. Max returns and visits with Caroline. Later, he goes to see Melanie. She is heartbroken to realize he isn’t her biological brother any more, but he says he’ll always be her bro. He questions what she’s doing to Carly. Does she really want to stick it to her mother like that? Melanie says she’ll think about it tomorrow. At the same time, Carly is planning to plead guilty. Nicole comes to a realization about Sydney’s kidnapper. Over the phone, she vaguely questions Anna, who gives away nothing. Nicole pressures Anna to meet with her. Fay arrives and places doubts in Nicole’s mind. Anna shows up and claims she didn’t understand Nicole’s bizarre messages. Nicole has only one response: you stole my baby! Melanie thinks she can put off thinking about Carly, but she has decided to plead guilty to shooting her own daughter. Vivian learns and is overjoyed; meanwhile, Bo, Hope and Justin all try but fail to change Carly’s mind. Melanie bonds with Max and Daniel, and realizes things with Carly are more complicated and urgent than she thought. As Carly’s hearing gets underway, Melanie appears at the last second. What will she say? Stephanie comes somewhat clean with Nathan. Max warns Philip that he better be good to Melanie, or he’ll answer to him. Later, Nathan goes to see Melanie, and Philip wonders why. Meanwhile, Stephanie, despite all, remains determined to stay in the game and win Nathan over.

The judge is about to sentence Carly when Melanie arrives. Bo, Carly, Justin and DA Woods are all shocked when Melanie admits the shooting was an accident. The judge rules Carly is not guilty. After the judge dismisses everyone, Carly is moved by her daughter’s choice to come to her aid. She goes to hug and thank Melanie, but she’s denied. Melanie tells Carly not to touch her – ever. Anna denies she took Sydney, but can’t answer when Nicole asks where she’s been while Sydney was gone. She remembers that both Rafe and Sami saw her in Salem. Shaken, Anna asks Nicole what she wants.

Neither Chad nor Mia can forget their kiss. Chad tells Gabi he can’t see her as he still has feelings for Mia. Gabi pretends with Chad that she’s fine with putting the brakes on their relationship, but alone, breaks down. Meanwhile, pleased Will notes Mia is wearing the St. Christopher medal to denote their exclusivity. Will leaves to see Kate, and Chad confesses to Mia he can’t stop thinking about her. He and Mia agree to see one another, but in private. As they’re making out, the clasp to the St. Christopher medal breaks. Mia leaves and Gabi sees Chad with it. He leaves it behind and just as Mia realizes she doesn’t have her medal, Gabi is telling a hurt Will that she found the medal with Chad. Kate hatches a plan for Stefano to see Sydney but it all goes south when EJ realizes he’s been tricked. He tells Stefano he’ll see him in hell before Stefano spends any more time with Sydney.Nicole wants Anna to get her out of prison. Nicole knows Anna is an old friend of the governor and wants Anna to get her a pardon. She threatens Anna not just with police action, but with the wrath of EJ and Stefano as well. Anna finds out the governor will be at Victor’s for a fundraiser and shows up. Victor meets her at the door. Melanie rejects Carly, but she doesn’t completely buy the rejection. She thinks Melanie must care a little if she exonerated her. Melanie maintains it’s because Daniel got her to do it. Philip arrives and gets Melanie out of there. Carly goes to the hospital to get reinstated. Carly thanks Daniel for getting Melanie to help her. Daniel says he didn’t do it for Carly. He’s glad Carly isn’t going to prison, but he hates that she kept Melanie a secret from him. He’s glad he and Chloe don’t have secrets. Later, he overhears Chloe tell Philip she’s lying to Daniel about going to therapy over her hysterical pregnancy. Alone, Daniel asks why she’s lying to him. Vivian wants to celebrate Carly going to prison. Upon learning that Victor is hosting a fundraiser for the governor; she invites herself and goes shopping for a new dress. Kate runs into Vivian and gives her the news of Carly’s exoneration. Vivian is furious. Kate then lets Carly know Vivian is on the warpath. The two women come face-to-face on the pier. Philip takes Melanie to their new home – Maggie’s. Melanie is touched he moved them there so she would be able to take care of Maggie. Melanie tells Maggie how glad she is to be living with her. Maggie is the only mother she’s ever known, and she isn’t about to lose her.

Arianna tells Rafe that she and Brady are getting married. Brady goes to Sami’s to tell her, but he finds EJ living quite comfortably in her townhouse. After a few words with Brady, EJ offers to take care of the kids while Sami goes out. At the same time, Nicole is hopeful Anna is going to work her charm with the governor. She borrows the guard’s phone and makes a call to Brady, but ends up not saying anything. At the pub, Sami and Rafe come face-to-face. They’re civil as Brady and Arianna break the big news about their engagement. Brady and Arianna wonder and hint if another wedding will happen soon, but Sami and Rafe downplay. Rafe has a lot going on with the FBI and Sami says she’s applying for a job. Sami clarifies she’s thinking of applying for an administrative position with the FBI, but will need a letter of recommendation – from Rafe. He doesn’t think that’s a good idea. Meanwhile, Lexie shows up with Theo and calls EJ on his living arrangement and feelings with Sami, Later; Theo tells an alarmed EJ he knows his secret. Sydney’s been with him this whole time… Daniel confronts Chloe about her lying and not seeing a therapist. Chloe appeals to Daniel, but he doesn’t back down, and he advises her to do what’s right and seek help. Chloe says she will. Later, an upset Chloe goes to Nicole. Nicole realizes it has to do with Chloe’s inability to give Daniel a child, especially since Carly gave him Melanie. Nicole advises Chloe to be Daniel’s ally, not his enemy. Anna is at Victor’s working her charms on governor Jim Ford. Victor thinks it’s odd, but Jim is happy to see her. She works up the courage to ask for a pardon for Nicole. When Anna mentions Nicole’s name, Jim says no way. Vivian finds Carly and tells her she’s toast. The judge may have set her free, but Vivian never will. It looks like she may take her out there, but Vivian prefers to keep Carly guessing. Daniel shows up and warns Vivian to leave Carly alone. Vivian balks and leaves. Daniel and Carly reconcile. He vows to help her deal with Vivian. Later, Vivian calls Victor and tells him she must kill Carly. Is he in or out? Victor says he’s in.