document: Kate: I didn't expect to see you for a few days. How was Houston?
  Lucas: Muggy.
  Kate: So can I ask about Sheryl?
  Lucas: Can I stop you?
  Kate: She wouldn't speak to you?
  Lucas: Oh, no, mom. She had plenty to say, thanks.
  Kate: Okay, look, I really am sorry, but, obviously, it was not meant to be or--
  Lucas: Or she would have been great with you using her? I don't think that's the way it works. And if this is your version of pretending to care, you can skip that too.
  Kate: She was always a means to an end.
  Lucas: Yeah, for you, maybe. I hope it was worth it.
  Kate: Actually, it was. Jordan's leaving Salem.
  Rafe: So were you even gonna tell me that you were leaving?
  Jordan: Is this from Gabi? Because she misunderstood--
  Rafe: Gabi didn't say a word. It was Ben. He's the one who told me you were leaving town.
  Ben: Can I ask you something?
  Abigail: Yeah, sure.
  Ben: This terrible thing you did before, was that about Nick? Because I wouldn't feel bad about anything you supposedly did to that guy.
  Abigail: You don't know my cousin either, do you?
  Ben: I don't have to. I watch. I pay attention. It's not just me--no one likes that guy.
  Will: You were going to shoot Nick, weren't you?
  Sonny: Yes.
  Sami: I do know what time it is. Do you? Because you were supposed to have those contracts in to new York two hours ago. Yes, you are going to get them done right now. You're not leaving until you do.
  EJ: Something wrong?
  Sami: Yeah, in fact, I'm about to fire stivik, so if you want to watch, we could make a night of it.
  EJ: I think you're finished for the evening.
  Sami: Why? I'm not gonna just sit around here waiting for the hit man to call and say that he's killed Nick.
  Julie: Nick.
  Nick: Aunt Julie.
  Julie: Oh, I'm so glad you answered my text.
  Nick: Of course I did.
  Julie: Come here, you.
  EJ: You didn't do this. If it helps, remember that.
  Sami: I didn't stop you. I put that phone in your hand. And when push came to shove, I didn't back away.
  EJ: It was my choice. Let it be that.
  Sami: I'm fine. Okay? I am, I just--I'm just-- you know, I can't help thinking about Nick... the fact that he's gonna be dead. Or maybe he already is or... I don't know, it's just so...
  EJ: Necessary. Nick made it necessary. He did that. What?
  Sami: We're no better than he is.
  Lucas: Did Jordan find out that you used Sheryl?
  Kate: No, but I don't think that would drive her away anyway.
  Lucas: But you found something that did.
  Kate: We had a little discussion about her multiple identities.
  Lucas: Did you tell her you broke into her apartment?
  Kate: You know, I think that's beside the point.
  Lucas: Not to you, maybe. Not to the law.
  Kate: Or to Joan cooper or whatever her name is. It's not like she could go to the police, Lucas. You know, and then she freaked out, and now she's running away. Doesn't that say something to you?
  Lucas: Yeah. Tells me you're every bit as scary as I thought.
  Kate: [Sighs]
  Lucas: You think that Rafe is just gonna thank you for this? Really?
  Kate: I'm not looking for thanks, actually.
  Lucas: What are you looking for? You think he's gonna come crawling back to you? Mom, if you think that, you're pathetic, and you're deluded.
  Jordan: Why would my brother tell you I was leaving?
  Rafe: Exactly. Because as you know, Ben and I aren't the best of friends, so why is he the one being honest with me and not you?
  Jordan: Oh, it sounds horrible when you put it like that.
  Rafe: Yeah, well, guess what.
  Jordan: Okay. If I could just explain--
  Rafe: You can.
  Jordan: Okay. It's not--
  Rafe: What is it not?
  Jordan: I do care about you.
  Rafe: Great. Yeah, Ben wants me to convince you not to leave town, actually. He-- he says you actually love me.
  Jordan: Okay.
  Rafe: Do you love me? Use your words.
  Jordan: [Laughs] Yes. I love you.
  Rafe: Okay. Great. I love you too. So you're not going anywhere.
  Ben: You never answered.
  Abigail: It's not about Nick. It's my own mess, and I have to figure it out on my own.
  Ben: Well, that sounds messy.
  Abigail: But it's only messy. Don't worry, you're not leaving me in any mortal danger or anything.
  Ben: But for the record, I mean, I can totally do that. Since you hate this whole hero, white horse--
  Abigail: [Laughs] Hate is kind of a strong word, I think. Look, I don't need rescuing, but I shouldn't have been so rude to you either.
  Ben: Forget it.
  Abigail: So... friends?
  Ben: Friends.
  Sonny: Nick said he would put Gabi in prison if she doesn't do what he wants. Exactly. Things have escalated, will. It's one thing when Gabi wanted to be with Nick and she was with Nick. We thought that was creepy. But she's a grown woman, and she makes her own choices. But she doesn't want to be with him now. She's afraid, and she should be from what he said. Nick has come off the rails. And that's the guy who's gonna raise Ari? Your daughter? Our daughter? I am not gonna let that happen to Ari.
  Jordan: It's not fair.
  Rafe: What's not?
  Jordan: [Sighs] You don't understand.
  Rafe: Okay, well, then stay here and explain it to me.
  Jordan: [Sighs] I can't.
  Rafe: You just told me that you loved me. You know that I love you. Oh. Does this happen to you every day? In the physical therapy rooms, you have guys' broken hearts all over the place? Huh, do you?
  Jordan: Come on. Stop.
  Rafe: I'm not an idiot. Okay, I know there is something big that's got you spooked. And I don't know I don't know if it's a thing or if it's in your mind or if it's ten years from now or around the corner or what. But what I do know is that I can help... if you give me a chance. But not if you run away.
  Jordan: I don't want to.
  Rafe: Okay, so don't. Don't. Just listen to your brother and to me.
  Jordan: How do I get this?
  Rafe: What?
  Jordan: How I ever deserved such an amazing man, I--
  Rafe: I know, it's true. You are really a pain. You caught me at a weak moment.
  Jordan: [Laughs]
  Rafe: We're okay together, and you're gonna be okay here.
  Kate: Darling, this is really so much fun, but perhaps we should focus on the real problem.
  Lucas: Oh, yeah, which is what?
  Kate: While you were away, Nick took Gabi to a lawyer to draw up a new custody agreement. Now your son will only be seeing his daughter every other weekend.
  Will: No. We have to find another way.
  Sonny: Will, there isn't another way. People would have to go to prison.
  Will: Have you ever shot somebody?
  Sonny: No.
  Will: I have. You can't live with that. I will not let you--
  Sonny: You were a scared--
  Will: I will not let you live with that.
  Sonny: You were a scared kid when that happened. Of course it's gonna haunt you. I didn't want you to know what I was about to do.
  Will: So you would lie about this for the rest of our lives? No. Nick is a problem. Nick is a big problem. But this would ruin our lives forever, and deep down, you know that.
  Nick: So is something wrong? You sounded urgent.
  Julie: I want to spend some time with you.
  Nick: Okay. Why?
  Julie: Do I need a reason? If I do, it's 'cause I'm worried about you, Nick.
  Nick: I'm fine. I told you.
  Julie: Yes, but I discovered you fighting with Abigail, and nobody fights with Abigail.
  Nick: It was nothing.
  Julie: Sweetheart, I'm really worried about you, concerned. Please, just tell me what's going on.
  Nick: It was a lousy day. That's all, you know? Every time I turned around, literally, somebody was in my face.
  Julie: Why?
  Nick: Because they hate me.
  Julie: [Laughs] Darling, that isn't true.
  Nick: What, you think I'm exaggerating? Julie, it's a fact. Honestly, beside you and aunt Maggie, I don't think there is one person in this town who would care if I live or die.
  EJ: Listen to me. We tried every legitimate way that we could think of to deal with Nick. What is the alternative? You'll go to prison for the rest of your life. Kate goes to prison for the rest of her life. Your granddaughter is taken away from William and raised by that man. Look at me. Even if you thought it was so important that that little monster stay alive-- important enough that you're willing to risk the rest of your life in prison? Neither one of us is gonna subject that little girl to a lifetime with Nicholas Fallon as her daddy.
  Sami: And I agree with you. We are justified. But I--
  EJ: No buts. No buts. This was the only course.
  Sami: I'm just asking why you were the one who felt that you could deal with Nick a different way. Did we try every other alternative first? I'm just-- how did we end up here?
  EJ: He did this. We didn't do this. He did this. You and I are just defending the people who we love. And let me tell you, the world will be a much safer place without Nicholas Fallon in it. When you only have one hand,
  Abigail: I have to go.
  Ben: See you around.
  Abigail: Yeah.
  Ben: Abigail...listen. Maybe you don't need to hear this again, but I would stay clear of that Nick guy. He's trouble.
  EJ: I promise you, nobody is going to find anything out.
  Abigail: Maybe not much longer.
  Lucas: Well, how the hell did we do this? How the hell did we get from them living all three happily together to a courtroom?
  Kate: You know the answer to that.
  Lucas: Yeah, Nick.
  Kate: Of course. He's the one who hired the lawyer for Gabi. Anyway, I have a call in to a contact at the family court because we need to find out if they filed anything.
  Lucas: This has gotten out of control. This is way out of control. Who the hell does he think he is? He doesn't belong in the middle of our family like this. I mean, I'm not gonna let him use this baby as a pawn.
  Kate: I agree. He needs to be stopped. And we're not the only ones who feel that way.
  Will: Where did you get the gun... and the silencer?
  Sonny: It was in a gun case at my uncle Vic's. But no one saw me take it. No one saw me take it.
  Will: Put it back now before Victor knows it's gone.
  Sonny: I will. I promise.
  [Phone ringing]
  Will: I have to meet Abigail. I hate leaving this here with you.
  Sonny: It's okay. I got to get to work anyway.
  Will: Okay, can you drop it on the way?
  Sonny: Not now.
  Will: I don't want a weapon in the house!
  Sonny: Will, I will put it way at the top of the closet and first thing tomorrow, I will bring it back when Maggie and Victor leave. Okay, no one will ask any questions.
  Will: Okay. I love you. I can't believe you're willing to kill somebody for me. But you know that it's not right.
  Sonny: I do. It's out of here first thing tomorrow.
  Julie: Okay, Nick, who do you think hates you?
  Nick: Oh, you want a list?
  Julie: Yes.
  Nick: All right, so I go, and I make a list, and I apologize to every single person that I've ever upset for anything I've ever upset them for. I've been there, aunt Julie. It doesn't change anything.
  Julie: Gabi doesn't hate you.
  Nick: No. But if they had it their way-- I just--I love her so much.
  Julie: And I understand she's going to go to court over the baby's custody?
  Nick: Uh, yeah. It looks like.
  Julie: Your lawyer's really stirring things up there.
  Nick: It's not my lawyer.
  Julie: Well, you found him.
  Nick: Abigail recommended him, all right? And he's doing what lawyers do. You know, he took a negotiating position on a contract that will asked for. He's starting this, Julie. He's the one who wanted the custody agreement, you know? You talk to everybody else, and it's like--like I kidnapped Ari, and I sold her into child slavery or something.
  Julie: So everybody is overreacting?
  Nick: Yes. I don't want to be at war with everyone.
  Julie: There he is.
  Nick: What?
  Julie: The sweet boy that came to town eight years ago, who was kind to everybody, and such a good listener, really paid attention. You know, Nick, you are still one of the smartest guys I ever met.
  Nick: Yeah. Well, such a smart guy-- I've certainly done a lot of stupid things.
  Julie: And you paid dearly for it. So why do you keep beating yourself up?
  Nick: You know, all I want-- all I want is a life with just a little bit of happiness. Just a little bit. You know, every time I take two steps towards Gabi, I have 20 people start screaming at me.
  Julie: For no reason? I've been there, honey. I know you want to push it off on everybody else, but, darling, you have to deal with your own demons.
  Nick: Demons? What do you mean? What do you mean, "demons"?
  Julie: We all have them.
  Nick: No, no, no. We all have problems. We all have issues, but you said, "demons." That's what you said.
  Julie: Oh, I didn't mean--
  Nick: No, you said "demons," aunt Julie. Do you think I'm crazy?
  Sami: Let's go do something. Come on.
  EJ: No.
  Sami: Let's just get out of the house.
  EJ: Samantha, it is best if we stay put. The servants have seen us. They know we're here. The cars are in the driveway.
  Sami: All right. All right, well, I'll just go play with the kids.
  EJ: No, you're not going to play with the kids, Samantha. They all sense that something is... why don't we go for a walk? How about that? Get some fresh air. It's a lovely night.
  Sami: For a murder.
  Kate: Okay, so when did the request come in? Did they get a date? That's next week. No, no, thanks, just keep me posted. Right. Nick Fallon, I am not kowtowing to you anymore.
  Jordan: I'll stay.
  Rafe: For?
  Jordan: For you.
  Rafe: Forever?
  Jordan: That's what I want. I won't go--I won't even think about going without talking to you.
  Rafe: Okay. Great. That's a start.
  Jordan: And I am really sorry. You shouldn't have had to hear something like that from my brother.
  Rafe: No, I shouldn't have. But I'm glad to hear it. I'm sure he will be too because, for whatever it's worth, he really seems to care about you.
  [Phone ringing]
  Rafe: Sorry, this could be work. Boy.
  Jordan: That doesn't look good.
  Rafe: No. Sorry, I got to go. I'll see you later, though. Promise?
  Jordan: I'll be here. I promise.
  Rafe: You'll be here? Like, right here?
  Jordan: [Laughs]
  Rafe: I'll see you.
  Allie: Daddy, are you mad?
  Lucas: No, no, no, honey. I'm not mad at you. I'm fine.
  Allie: Then who?
  Lucas: There's just a-- a very bad man doing a lot of bad things to a lot of people.
  Allie: Maybe he'll go away.
  Lucas: Yeah, yeah, I hope so.
  Jordan: Ah, hey, Lucas. Hi, Allie.
  Allie: Hi, Jordan. There's a bad man on the loose.
  Jordan: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Hey, I got a new app on my phone.
  Allie: Can I?
  Jordan: Sure. Hey.
  Lucas: Please.
  Jordan: Bad man?
  Lucas: Yeah, don't worry about it. You look chipper.
  Jordan: I am. Things are good.
  Lucas: Good to hear.
  Jordan: Yeah, well, I do miss double-dating with you and Sheryl though.
  Lucas: Yeah, yeah. I guess she just had a great job offer, you know, the kind you can't refuse. What about you?
  Jordan: I like my job. I like Salem.
  Lucas: And Rafe?
  Jordan: [Giggles]
  Lucas: So what? You're sticking around?
  Jordan: Yes, it looks like I'm finally going to be staying in one place for a while.
  Lucas: Oh.
  Julie: No, Nick. I did not say you are crazy. And it's not what I think.
  Nick: I killed a man, I kidnapped Melanie.
  Julie: You were taking drugs. You were addicted to pain killers, everybody knows--
  Nick: I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy.
  Julie: No, you're not. But you do have demons, sweetheart. Not like your mom, but--
  Nick: What?
  Julie: Oh, baby, I'm not qualified to have this conversation with you. You should be talking to a professional.
  Nick: [Sighs] I've done that. I've done that.
  Julie: Well, didn't it help?
  Nick: I don't know. I thought-- I thought it had, but, aunt Julie, in the end, we're on our own.
  Julie: No. No, you're not. We're there for you. And there are people trained to get you through this thing. Honey, why don't you just call Marlena?
  Nick: [Laughs] Oh, yeah, Marlena. I'm sure Marlena would love to help me.
  Julie: She can recommend someone, somebody who'd be objective, a place where you can be totally honest and get your hands around this thing that's inside of you and feel safe. What?
  Nick: [Cries] I just-- I just-- it's been a long time since I've felt safe.
  Julie: [Sighs]
  Nick: I don't... I don't want to be like this. I don't want to live like this.
  Julie: I know, baby. I know. And things are going to change. And you are gonna change. And you're not alone.
  Nick: Thank you. No, thank you... for not judging me.
  Julie: God would strike me dead. I have no right to judge anybody. But I'm exhibit "a" that things can get better. So what do you say I take you out to dinner? And then I'll astonish you with stories from my misspent youth. I promise you'll feel like a saint.
  Nick: [Laughs] That sounds good. Sounds good, but I think I'm gonna stay here. It's a pretty night.
  Julie: Really?
  Nick: Yeah.
  Julie: You'd rather be alone?
  Nick: I got to clear my head.
  Julie: Things get better. And it may take a lot of hard work, but then all at once, suddenly it changes just like that.
  Nick: See you soon.
  Julie: Kiss good-bye.
  Will: I shouldn't be too long with Abigail.
  Sonny: All right. I may have to close the club tonight, so I will let you know.
  Will: It'll be okay. This is better.
  Sonny: Will... if it came down to it, I wouldn't hesitate. I would do anything for you.
  Will: I know.
  Jordan: Is everything okay?
  Lucas: Uh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. It will be.
  [Phone ringing]
  Jordan: Lucas?
  Lucas: Listen, can you do me a favor? You're not busy right now, are you? Could you just watch Allie for, like, a half-hour for me?
  Jordan: I--sure.
  Lucas: Thank you. Thank you. Allie? Allie, honey? Oh, come here for a second. Daddy's got some business he has to take care of, so Jordan's gonna watch you real quick. Is that okay?
  Jordan: Maybe we can go get some fro-yo.
  Allie: Excellent.
  Lucas: Yeah, fro-yo's good. Thank you very much. You be good. Okay? I want a report.
  Kate: Hey. How you doing? How's will holding up?
  Sonny: As good as he can be with the stunt Gabi's pulling.
  Kate: So the court notified you?
  Sonny: What?
  Kate: Oh, my God. Brace yourself because it's about to get worse.
  Abigail: Hi, will. You look like hell.
  Will: Bad week.
  Abigail: I know. But that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I think that this could all be coming to an end soon.
  Will: What's that supposed to mean?
  Abigail: Well, I talked to someone who thinks that Nick is gonna come to his senses.
  Will: That's it? Some random person has a thought, and that's supposed to fix--
  Abigail: No. I'm sorry. I just heard how that sounded when I said it out loud, but I'm just trying to say that I have hope, you know? It's not--
  Will: Nick is a human wrecking ball. He won't stop. He won't change. He'd use anyone or anything to get what he wants.
  Abigail: Maybe not.
  Will: Where have you been these past four months? He'll hurt anyone, Abigail, even sweet you and--
  Abigail: [Clears throat]
  Will: Abigail, does he have something on you too?
  Nick: You mean the world to Gabi. And I hope that someday, you and I can even be friends.
  Rafe: Maybe.
  Gabi: You see? He bends over backwards, and they still don't listen.
  Abigail: Right. Well, it's really great that you're being so understanding, Nick.
  Kate: I was going to say that you did a good job.
  Sami: My little girl tells me that you've been helping her with her homework.
  Nick: Allie's a great kid.
  Sami: And I saw the gift that you gave will and Sonny for their wedding. It's beautiful. It's thoughtful.
  Nick: I will not let you down, not after everything that we've been through together. You believe me, right?
  Gabi: I do.
  Nick: Hi, Marlena. It's Nick Fallon. exact date, but my source did say that they're on the court calendar for next week.
  Sonny: Doesn't the court have to tell us? Forget that. Gabi didn't say anything.
  Kate: It's an ambush, Sonny.
  Sonny: She acted like we would settle out of court.
  Kate: Yeah, of course she did.
  Sonny: Gabi meant it.
  Kate: Well, then, what does that say? Gabi is not the one in control.
  Sonny: We know who's behind this, all of it.
  Kate: Yes, we do.
  Gabi: Hey.
  Jordan: Gabi, how are you?
  Gabi: Good, I'm on my way to pick up Arianna. Did you speak to Rafe tonight?
  Jordan: I did. And I'm staying.
  Gabi: Thank God.
  [Phone ringing]
  Gabi: You know, you two have fun.
  Jordan: Bye.
  Will: Don't lie. I can see that I'm right. Does this have to do with that guy that you were seeing? He always kind of seemed like he was married or something.
  Abigail: Or something.
  Will: Let me guess. Nick tells you he knows. But it's okay, he's going to keep it to himself as long as you do... whatever, fill in the blank.
  Abigail: Actually, no, it's not nearly that polite. God, will, this is so bad. I mean, if this got out, it would hurt so many people and for no good reason. I mean, it's just-- [Sighs]
  Will: You're a mess.
  Abigail: Yeah, I know.
  Will: So tell me. Tell a guy that won't hold you hostage.
  [Phone ringing]
  Abigail: You can get it. It's okay.
  Will: I'm sorry. I really should.
  Abigail: No, it's fine.
  Will: Yeah.
  Sonny: Are you sitting down?
  Will: Yeah, what?
  Sonny: Gabi has hearing date next week in family court.
  Will: What?
  Sonny: Yeah.
  Will: But I-- no, I thought-- I thought that they were--
  Sonny: I know. It has to be Nick pushing her.
  Will: Yeah, listen. I got to go. I got to--
  Sonny: Okay.
  Will: Okay.
  Abigail: Are you okay? It's looks like you're going to break this table. What happened?
  Will: I got to go.
  Abigail: Will.
  Jordan: All right, there's a bartender here named Ben, and he makes the best fro-yo sundae. Here you go. Can I help you?
  Jordan: Oh, isn't Ben working tonight? He was, but he left in a big hurry a while ago.
  Jordan: Oh, did he say where he was going or why? No, but he was pretty upset.
  Sami: No, I'm not saying they have to be huge ice sculptures, just, you know, smaller, medium-sized ones.
  EJ: Small swans. Tabletop swans.
  Sami: Why does that sound even worse?
  EJ: [Laughs]
  Sami: There's not that many people here. Is this working?
  EJ: It's okay. They heard me laugh. They know we're here.
  Sami: Okay.
  EJ: How about the music for the wedding reception? We haven't talked about that.
  Sami: EJ...
  EJ: Tell me, what would you like for the first dance?
  Sami: I can't do this. I just can't.
  EJ: Hey, Samantha, look at me. Look at me. It is almost over. Don't think about anything except us right here, okay? Okay? So you tell me about that first dance. What would you like?
  Sami: Well, it has to be a tango.
  EJ: It has to be.
  Nick: Julie suggested that I--that I call you. She thought you might... you might be able to recommend somebody for me to see, you know, professionally. Professionally. You know, I just--I don't-- I don't think... I don't think I can go on like this, and, um... I just got to shut it all down. You know, it's --it's time. I know that I'm hurting people. I know that, and I'm hurting me. I'm hurting myself, and I don't want to do that. And I can--I can change it. It feels really good just actually saying that, you know, like, like maybe there's hope.
  [Quiet gunshot, gasps]
  [Quiet gunshots, gasps]
  Sami: Thanks, Gilda. So the kids are asleep. What would they think if they knew what we had done?
  EJ: We keep them safe and their niece. That's all they know. That's all they ever need to know.
  Lucas: Have you guys seen Allie and Jordan anywhere?
  Sami: I thought Allie was with you. You left her with Jordan Ridgeway?
  Lucas: I had some business to take care of. It's no big deal, really.
  Sonny: I'm sorry I had to give you the news.
  Will: I'm glad. At least we had some warning.
  Sonny: We had to hear about the court date from someone else?
  Gabi: I'm sorry, but it'll be okay.
  Kate: [Sighs]
  Julie: This place filled up fast.
  Allie: [Screams] Nick!
  Julie: Oh, my God! He's been shot! Oh, darling! Oh, darling!
  Rafe: We need a bus in Horton square now!
  Julie: Nick! I'm here. It's gonna be all right. Darling, who did this to you?
summary: The contract killer was about to shoot Nick, but Julie showed up. Rafe questioned Jordan about leaving town. EJ and Sami talked about putting the hit out on Nick. Rafe told Jordan she wasn't going anywhere. Sonny tried to convince Will that Gabi is afraid of Nick and that he wasn't going to let Nick raise Arianna. Will didn't want Sonny to kill Nick. Kate told Lucas that Nick is trying to keep Will from Arianna. Nick told Julie how everyone hated him except for her and Maggie. EJ tried to convince Sami that killing Nick was the right thing to do. She thought it was, but she had doubts. Lucas was upset that Nick was trying to keep Will from Arianna. Kate said other people were upset with Nick. Will wanted Sonny to get rid of the gun. Sonny wanted to get rid of it later. Nick talked to Julie about the custody agreement and the mistakes he made.