Friday, September 2, 2005
Di covered in front of Del when he grilled her about who sent roses to her, but he remained skeptical. She insisted that he drop the subject of Kevin Sturgess — and not make mention of him in his book.... Tad treated "Dixie" to a romantic date in the same place Opal and Ruth trapped them alone together on the 4th of July. He then broke the news to Dixie that he needed to talk to an old friend: Di Kirby. "Dixie" swore that was just a fake name she'd made up, but Tad said he needed more info on Kevin.

At B.J.'s, Zach deflected Kendall's grilling about whether Ryan is alive. Slater warned his wife that if she pursues her suspicion, she'll end up hurting someone. Kendall pointed out that she would never deliberately hurt Greenlee. Zach's barbs became pointed, leading Kendall to nearly throw a fit and draw stares from the other customers. When she stalked out, Zach sighed, "Damn you, Ryan."

An emotional confrontation between the Lavery brothers led to a reconciliation between Jonathan and Ryan. Afterwards, Jon wisely decided against blowing himself and his siblings to bits. Ryan drew Jon into a tight hug. He and Erin both swore to Jonathan that they would never abandon him. Ryan and Erin were preparing to load Jonathan up and bring him to the hospital when Zach called. Erin answered but handed the phone to Ryan when Zach insisted. Ryan blanched when Zach reported that there's a rumor going around town that he's on the verge of being resurrected.

On the beach, Babe and Greenlee met up and talked about love and betrayal. Greens was worked up, reeling from the idea planted by Sam and Lily that Ryan faked his death. She returned to her home, where she was soon joined by Kendall. Greens cried out to Kendall that Ryan couldn't possibly have done something so cruel as to fake his own death... Right?

At Tad's, a jumpy Julia nearly struck Sam with a baseball bat, paranoid that the person entering the house was after her. Sam explained to Julia that he felt he needed to step up and help to protect his family.

Thursday, September 1, 2005
When Sam learned that Zach swore Lily to secrecy about Ryan's ghost, he was mighty suspicious. The teens then headed to the penthouse to tell Greenlee and Kendall (who had just finished another round of pre-pregnancy hormonal injections) about Lily's run-in with Ryan's "ghost". Lily explained to Greenlee why she now believes her encounter was with the real Ryan, not his spectre. The mere suggestion that Ryan deliberately faked his death sent Greens into a tizzy and she tore out of the apartment. Lily then revealed to Kendall that Zach saw the ghost, as well — and made her swear she wouldn't tell anyone about it. Kendall grew pale.

Julia surprised Tad in his home and asked him for help. He volunteered it readily but noted that the cops would be of greater assistance. No way, she insisted, as the police hadn't helped keep Noah safe. Tad promised Julia that he wouldn't tell Mimi where to find her, then cautioned Julia against aligning herself with Zach. Tad then asked Julia if Zach has produced any leads so far. Julia filled him in about the Dragon and Kevin Sturgess, and reported that Zach has Di's mug shot. A nervous Tad tried to downplay the role Kevin and Di play in the whole Dragon affair, but Julia remained determined to find Di. Tad promised Julia he'd take care of Di. Just then, Sam returned home, and his jaw dropped when he saw his Aunt Julia.

Brooke came by the Chandler manse to express to "Dixie" her concerns about Tad and "Dixie" renewing their love affair — namely, that Tad wouldn't survive another heartbreak at her hands. Di assured Brooke she had no intention of hurting Tad. When Di went inside to tend to Little Adam, Big Adam materialized and was coy about his efforts to prove that Di is a fake. Brooke told Adam she believes Tad deserves a second chance at happiness; he said if he proves that Di isn't Dixie, he'll be doing Tad a favor.... Di received a gift box she assumed contained flowers from Tad. But when she opened the box, the contents made her scream in horror.

At B.J.'s, Zach pressed Krystal for info on her former cellmate, Di Kirby. Krystal was hardly eager to cough up the info and left after receiving a veiled threat from Slater. On her way out of the eatery, she stopped by Del's table and cozied up to Di's brother, asking him personal questions — including a pointed one about how many sisters he has. Adam called Krystal on her cell phone for a progress report; she covered in front of Del. Del was tight-lipped on the subject of his family tree, then excused himself.... Zach, meanwhile, got the 411 on Del from Myrtle, who quizzed Zach about how his marriage is going. Zach's exit from the restaurant was blocked by Kendall, who told her hubby she knows Ryan is alive.

While Jon prepared explosives in his room, Ryan and Erin continued to discuss the best way to deal with Jonathan's condition. Ryan told Jonathan he was proud of him for agreeing to enter the hospital. The presumably close moment between the sibs went by the wayside when Jon lashed out at Ryan and Erin for the bad things they've done. Ryan and Erin then recoiled in terror as Jonathan stood poised to detonate the dynamite that would be the end of them all. Ryan begged Jon to let Erin go, but he was hardly feeling charitable toward his sis, who had escaped the physical abuse he endured at the hands of their father. Erin tried to remind Jonathan that they're free now, but Jon didn't see it that way. Ryan swore to Jon he would never leave him alone again, even if that meant dying with him. He pulled Jon into a hug.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Adam roused Krystal from her sleep at the Pine Cone and gave her a wad of cash to dig up the dirt Del has on Di. Adam told Krystal he suspects Di might be Dixie's half sister.

Di brought breakfast to Del in his room at the Chandler manse, then dumped it on his lap. She accused her bro of trying to ruin her life; he reminded her that it's Dixie's life, not hers. Di replied that the life fit her like a glove and she intended to keep it. Del insisted he doesn't want Di's money. Di agreed to give him the chance to be her brother — but reminded him not to call her Di. "You got it, Dixie," he winked. After Del left, Adam arrived and explained why he's letting Del stay with the Chandlers.

Mimi stopped by the Martins to discuss the shooting at Wildwind with Tad and Sam. Mimi acknowledged to Sam that her task force is looking for his aunt, Julia. Lily arrived, shaken by a newspaper headline about the gunfire at Sam's house. Tad sent the teens away, then learned from Mimi that Zach is aiding Julia. Lily spilled to Sam that she saw a ghost in the casino, then quickly changed the subject.

Zach woke up Julia from the nightmare she was having and assured her she was safe. She was antsy to leave, so Zach dared her to go and get herself killed. Julia relented and agreed to stay put for the time being. Zach then asked Julia what she knew about Kevin Sheffield (Di's ex), a man connected to The Dragon. Zach showed Julia the mug shot of Di (replete with brunette tresses) and they discussed how she might be key to discovering the identity of the man who did in Noah and is gunning for her. After Zach left the cabin, Julia let her anger out by throwing furniture. She recalled being taken away from Noah before being able to say good-bye, and Zach telling her that she'll have to continue moving. "Stop," she screamed.

Ryan and Erin freaked out when they realized Jonathan was missing from the cabin. He returned shortly, however, and Ryan tried to sell him on the idea of being institutionalized. Jon excused himself to think it over. Alone in the cabin's back room, Jonathan grumbled about not needing Ryan's help, then took explosives out of his backpack. Erin remained wary about hospitalizing Jonathan, but Ryan tried to assure her they will be helping their brother, not hurting him. She fretted about having no life once Jonathan is locked up, so Ryan told her to chase her dreams. From the other room, Ryan and Erin heard Jonathan agree to get help. Jonathan anticipated Ryan walking through the door.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Babe tried to talk Krystal into supporting her plan to marry JR to get her son back. Krystal saw how such a move would win her points in a custody battle but worried about the effect a Babe/JR redux would have on Jamie. Babe sighed that it didn't matter, because Jamie was through with her for good. The Carey women then agreed that their goals will be easier to achieve if Di turns out not to be Dixie.

At Fusion, Greenlee berated Zach for endangering Kendall by aligning himself with Julia. Zach dragged Kendall off to the roof for a chat, where Zach read his wife the riot act for telling the cops about Julia. Kendall finally blurted out what had motivated her loose lips: She cares about Zach. He assured Kendall that he'd found a new hiding spot for Julia, but he wouldn't tell her where it was. Zach then took off... Ethan and Simone discussed his troubled relationship with his dad.

Tad and "Dixie" convened a romantic dinner at the Valley Inn, complete with chicken fingers. Tad praised his ex's newfound strength; she articulated that she no longer wanted or needed saving. Opal and Palmer then arrived and Opal exulted over what she took to be Tad and Dixie's reconciliation. Tad and Di slipped away to avoid their family.

With a glint in his eye, Del introduced himself to his nephew, JR, and asked for directions to the guest room. Thinking he could use Del to his advantage, Adam interrupted JR's attempt to send Dixie's brother packing. "What're you doing?" hissed JR to Adam as he lavished intensely, out-of-character kindness on Del. Adam probed Del for info on his family, like whether he has any other siblings. Del was about to answer when Tad and Di appeared. She shot him a pointed look. Del explained to the crowd that he's a writer hoping to publish a book about Dixie's miraculous return from the dead. Adam was only too happy to accept Del as a houseguest. JR assured Tad he wouldn't let Del out of his sight. Adam phoned Krystal with the news that Del was on the scene.

Ryan and Erin debated about what to do to get Jonathan the treatment he needs, given that if he's found alive he'll be tossed in jail. Erin insisted she could care for him herself; Ryan wanted him to be institutionalized under an assumed name. While they chatted, poor demented Jonathan had visions of his abusive father. The Lavery sibs then turned in for the night... While Ryan and Erin slept, Jonathan sneaked out of his room.

Monday, August 29, 2005
Julia and Zach were unharmed by the spray of gunfire that broke out at Wildwind. Derek and Mimi arrived on the scene and realized they had to find Julia before the shooter did. Zach didn't make it far before Derek and Mimi caught up, but Julia hid from their view. Derek and Mimi disclosed to Zach that Kendall blabbed to them about Julia having broken out of the Witness Protection Program. When the cops left, Zach dragged Julia off with him and vowed that he would take care of the Kendall problem. "Thanks," sighed the troubled Santos.

Simone was offended that Greenlee selected Kendall and not her as a surrogate mother. They assured her that they do value her friendship and she agreed to keep their secret. Ethan showed up and told the women he'd heard a report of gunfire at Wildwind. Kendall grew pale, concerned about Zach's safety. Simone sniffed that Zach's death wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. As the group tried to keep Kendall calm, Zach arrived. Kendall threw her arms around him. "You betraying bitch," he hissed into her ear.

Post-sexfest, Jamie and Amanda praised one another's skills in the bedroom, but he got moody when she brought up Babe. He made it clear to her that he'll bolt if he gets the sense that she's after anything more than casual with him. "I was made for fun," she promised. He then gave her money so she would no longer need JR. Myrtle then interrupted and pulled Jamie aside for a chat. He assured Myrt that he knew what he was doing with Amanda.

Dani asked Garret what was going on with his behavior toward her. When she tried to suss out whether he'd made an advance on her, he said she was flattered by her crush on him. She tried to clarify that she thought he had a crush on her. His smooth-yet-creepy response left her more muddled than ever. Livia showed up and Dani asked her aunt what she thinks of Garret. Livia encouraged Dani to give Garret a chance, saying that he strikes her as a good man.

At the Chandler manse, JR pressed Babe to admit that she staged the tryst with Josh out of love for Jamie. She claimed she was just sick of him hating her and couldn't take it anymore, adding that she had needed Jamie after JR smashed her heart. "You never loved me!" he shot back. She agreed that he wasn't the man she wanted to be with, then strolled away, leaving a confused JR behind. An exultant Babe returned to the Pine Cone, where she reported to Krystal that she thinks her new plan just might work. "I'm going to marry JR," she announced to Krystal. Back at Myrt's, a mournful Jamie thought back to happier times with Babe.