Friday, January 27, 2006
Mike and Katie showed up at Yo's for an impromptu engagement party, where Nick received kudos from his fellow police officers for cracking the Paul Ryan case. Mike called some other people to join in the festivities, including Jack and Carly. Katie was concerned Mike invited the Snyders since things are tense between them and Nick. Everyone was toasting Katie and Mike's engagement when Jack and Carly arrived. Carly wondered if they should leave, but Jack wanted to support Mike and Katie. While Margo and Carly celebrated with Katie, Jack said hello to Nick and apologized to Hal. Hal revealed he wanted Nick and Jack to work together on a gambling case. Jack told Carly about his new partner and begged her to stay out of it. Nick asked Carly to dance but she told him to buzz off. Katie dragged Nick to the dance floor while Jack came back with a beer for Carly and he started pounding shots and beer. Margo toasted Mike and Katie and then everyone cheered Nick again for solving the Paul Ryan case. Nick thanked Paul for being dead and making it easy for him, and a now inebriated Jack called Nick out on being insensitive. Nick got into Jack's face and taunted him on his suspension, and it looked like Nick and Jack were going to come to blows.

At Java, Casey invited Maddie to join him at a movie marathon but she said she had plans a fellow classmate, Nate, who had just arrived. Maddie went over to Nate and asked him to pretend to have a conversation with her. Nate revealed he has wanted to speak with her for a long time and they got a table and talked while a jealous Casey looked on. When Nate left, Casey came over and wondered why Maddie had never mentioned Nate before. Maddie insisted that she and Nate had a lot in common, but Casey didn't buy it. Maddie told Casey she didn't need his "big brother" dating advice. Casey realized she overheard him talking to Margo earlier and was hurt by what she heard. Casey laughed it off but Maddie asked him why he cared if she started dating Nate. He admitted he cared about her as a friend and didn't want her to get hurt.

Will was with Gwen at the Lakeview and still reeling from news of Paul's suicide. Will beat himself up for not forgiving Paul, especially after Paul forgave Will for killing Rose. "He was a better man than I am," shrugged Will. Gwen convinced Will to go to the service and he insisted that she go with him. At the cabin, Paul told Meg he was going to his memorial service and she couldn't stop him. Paul had to hear if Jennifer forgave him and threatened to not pay Meg if she didn't take him. Meg said she would go to the service and tell him everything that was said, and stormed out. At the church, Barbara flipped when Emily showed up for Paul's memorial service and told her that she didn't belong there. "Your son hated your guts, Barbara," Emily spat back. Barbara blamed Emily for Paul's suicide and a distraught Emily went to leave, but Henry convinced "the grieving widow" to stay. The service began, complete with a large, framed glamour shot of Paul. During Barbara's eulogy, Meg slipped into the church, and Dusty and Jennifer wondered what she was doing there. Gwen and Will arrived as well, just as Barbara begged Paul to forgive her as she never stopped loving him. Paul — who clearly didn't listen to Meg — heard everything through a crack in the door. Jennifer spoke next, admitting she had lashed out at Paul for what he did to her and is now angry at Paul for leaving them. She revealed she may have been able to forgive him in time, and that hopefully he has found some peace. Henry then encouraged Emily to say something. Meg turned around and saw Paul at the door and snuck out. Meg blasted Paul for coming and he said he wasn't leaving until he heard what Emily had to say. Emily started to cry during her eulogy and ran down the aisle. Before she opened the door, she heard Paul tell Meg, "I have to know if Emily forgives me," and couldn't believe her ears.

Thursday, January 26, 2006
Holden showed up at Lucinda's guest house after she called him about Luke. Luke admitted he got drunk and knew it was wrong, but omitted the tiny little detail that Kevin was there with him. But then Kevin and Kevin's dad showed up so Kevin could apologize to Lucinda and Holden, and Luke was even more busted. Holden was ticked Luke lied and flashbacked to Luke giving Kevin the backrub. Lucinda insisted to Luke that they were just worried about him. Holden warned Luke that if this happens again, Luke is going to rehab and then he revoked Luke's driving privileges. Then he declared Luke couldn't hang out with Kevin anymore because Kevin was a bad influence.

Barbara and Jennifer grieved for Paul at the police station and made arrangements for his memorial service. Jennifer continued to beat herself up about Paul's death. Barbara left to tell Will about Paul. At the Lakeview, Gwen — in a stunning maid's uniform — cleaned up a room until Will showed up and planted a kiss on her. Will spied the fruit basket the guests had left behind and they shared some of it, then kissed some more. Will ignored Barbara's call, and Gwen told Will that she couldn't sleep with him there because she didn't want to lose her job. He took off and Barbara found him in the hall and told him that Paul was dead. Will couldn't believe Paul killed himself and refused to go to Paul's service. Gwen comforted Will and encouraged him to go because Paul was his brother and he wasn't always a bad person. Will couldn't get past Paul committing suicide and said everyone has bailed on him except for Gwen and that she is his family now.

At Susan's house, Hal wondered how Emily knew Paul was dead. Henry came back into the house and Hal questioned why he was even there. Hal demanded Emily tell him what she knew about Paul's death. Emily started to tell the story when Susan came in and announced that Paul had committed suicide. Emily scrambled and said she suspected Paul was suicidal. Emily asked for details and Hal said they found Paul's car in the river and a gun with his fingerprints on it. Emily sobbed as Susan walked Hal out. Henry hugged Emily and said she was off the hook, then told Emily his money wasn't where she said it was. Emily was more preoccupied with how Paul's fingerprints got on the gun she had wiped clean. She blamed herself for Paul's death, and Susan came back in the house and told Emily it wasn't her fault. Emily then got a call from the pastor about Paul's memorial service. "This is going to take a lot of work, but I'm going to turn you into the grieving widow," said Henry, who demanded that she go to the service.

At the cabin, Paul heard the report of his death on the radio and cut up his ID so he could disappear. He looked a photo of his family, then burned it in the fireplace. At the Lakeview, Meg told Dusty the pills were none of his business and tried to take off but he stopped her. She showed him it was just an antibiotic, and said Eli helped her since she lost her job and no longer has health insurance. Dusty wondered how she could afford the Lakeview if she was so broke and demanded to know who was bankrolling her. Meg told Dusty to back off and went to leave when Jennifer arrived. They revealed to Meg that Paul had killed himself. Meg overheard Jen tell Dusty about the memorial service and Meg took off. Dusty told Jen they shouldn't go to the service but Jen remembered all the good times with Paul and said she loved him. She maintained she had to say goodbye to Paul so she could let everything go and let love into her heart. Meg returned to the cabin with the medicine and Paul wondered what happened while she was gone. Meg admitted she hates herself more than other people hate her, and Paul replied that he was happy she was the one who saved his life. Barbara, Jennifer and Dusty showed up at the church and prepared to start the service when Emily arrived. Back at the cabin, Meg revealed that she had bumped into Jennifer and she was holding a memorial service for him this afternoon. Paul was stunned and said he had to see Jennifer — so he was going to his own funeral.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Maddie and Casey woke up in his room (he was on the floor, she was in his bed). They devised a plan so she wouldn't get busted for being in there. Maddie gave Casey a backrub to help his aching neck and they almost kissed. Margo found Maddie in Casey's room and wondered what she was doing in his room so early. She then spied Maddie's hair clip in the bed and asked to speak with Casey. Maddie went out in the hall and had a hot fantasy of Casey kissing her, but was snapped back to reality when she overheard Casey tell Margo that he considers Maddie like a kid sister.

Lucinda walked into her cottage, found an empty vodka bottle — and Luke and Kevin passed out. They woke up and before they saw her, raved about all the partying they did the night before. Lucinda busted them and Kevin took off. Lucinda blasted Luke for drinking, especially with his new kidney. She reminded him of their pact and Luke promised her it wouldn't happen again. Luke tried to stop her from calling Holden but she said she was going to tell him. He asked Lucinda not to tell him that he was with Kevin. Luke said it was all his fault and Lucinda reached out to him, wondering why he was acting out this way.

Henry met up with Emily at the Lakeview and wanted his money back so she took off to get it. Henry overheard Jen reading her message from Hal, which said that the police knew what happened to Paul and the story would break soon. Jennifer and Dusty met up with Barbara at the police station and Hal broke the news to them that Paul is dead. Hal told them they found his car, a gun with Paul's prints and bloodied shirt. Barbara and Jennifer cried as Hal told them even more evidence was found that made it look like Paul killed himself. Jennifer blamed herself while Barbara grieved the loss of her firstborn. Barbara and Dusty told Jennifer not to blame herself and Barbara, of course, blamed Emily. Meanwhile, Henry showed up at Emily's and said the police know she murdered Paul so she had to get out of town, pronto. Emily started packing but then thought about Daniel. Henry demanded his money, then Hal showed up. While Henry went to get his money (in a bag behind the freezer), Hal told Emily they found out what happened to Paul. Hal said Paul was dead, and Emily begged him to let her explain.

Paul and Meg listened to the news but there was no word on Paul's "suicide." Fearing the cops were closing in, Paul told Meg that she should go. When she wouldn't go he fired her and she finally agreed to leave. Paul started coughing so Meg checked him out and determined he had pneumonia and refused to leave him once again. She did leave, however, to get Paul more medicine. Paul finally heard on the radio that the police think he is dead. "Rest in peace, Paul Ryan," he smiled. At the Lakeview, Meg got some pills from Eli. Dusty saw her, grabbed the pills and asked her what she was up to.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006
At first, Gwen and Will balked at Lisa's offer to have Gwen stay at the Lakeview, while Will would stay at Kim's. Will didn't want to be split up, but Gwen couldn't handle staying outside all night. They decided to be apart for a few days until they could come up with a plan. Gwen realized they would need money too and asked Lisa for a job. Will wanted both of them to get jobs, but Lisa said there were no job openings right now. She said she'd try to think of a job for Gwen and went to check on Gwen's room. Gwen and Will had a hard time saying goodbye as Will left Gwen at the Lakeview.

Maddie went into Casey's room and discovered he wasn't home from the party yet, then heard Margo heading towards Casey's room. Margo peeked into the room and was pleased Casey was already in bed, but it was really Maddie under the covers, pretending to be Casey so he wouldn't get in trouble. Margo thanked "him" for sticking to the rules. Casey then spied Margo in his room through the window as he was sneaking back in and hid before she could see him. Margo felt the draft, closed the window and left the room. Maddie opened the window for Casey and he thanked her for helping him. He made a crack about her, and she shut the window and locked him out again. She let him back in and he wondered why she was in his room in the first place. Casey then stopped Maddie from leaving the room because he didn't want his parents to bust her. He told her she had to hang out in his room until his parents went to sleep but warned her not to fall asleep.

Carly informed Jack that she didn't tell him that Nick helped her when she hurt her ankle because she didn't want to upset him. Carly said she was trying to leave when she fell on top of Nick, and an upset Jack went to confront Nick. Carly stopped him by reassuring him that she has everything she wants and not to let Nick bother him. Hal called Jack in to take a look at new evidence on Paul. Jack told Carly she wasn't coming with him, and made her promise she wouldn't show up. Carly had a daydream of Hal crediting Jack for breaking the Paul Ryan case and getting his job back. Carly decided to go to Jack, so she called a sitter.

Nick and another police officer looked for clues on Paul's disappearance in the woods. Nick found a piece of Paul's shirt and then the gun that Meg had planted. Meanwhile, Meg helped Paul back into the cabin. Paul said he went after Meg because she was gone for a long time and he was worried. Meg said the only reason she cared about him was for the money. Paul wanted her to snoop around to find out if the police think he's dead, but Meg told him that would raise suspicions. Paul said he didn't want Emily or Meg to be hurt anymore. Meg decided to go but made Paul promise not to leave. Meg overheard Jack getting debriefed at the police station — Paul's car has been found. Meg asked Jack if he thinks Paul is dead and he wondered why she was so interested. Meg told Jack she was leaving town, and Jack questioned her about why she was up at the cabin alone and wondered whose cabin it was. Back at the cabin, Paul had a black and white dream about Nick and Jack busting Meg for helping Paul, then another one of Hal bursting into the cabin and killing him. Nick arrived and told Meg and Jack that he thinks Paul committed suicide, but Jack had his doubts. Hal informed Nick that Jack was also on the Paul Ryan case. While Jack and Hal talked in the interrogation room, Meg told Nick she believed in his theory, then took off. Nick wondered what Hal and Jack were talking about when Carly arrived and taunted Nick that he was now the odd man out. Jack told Hal they couldn't assume Paul was dead since there was no body and accused Hal of wanting to believe Paul is dead so he can have another shot at Emily. Hal was furious and yelled that Nick had until morning to wrap things up — with or without a body. Meg returned to the cabin and found Paul in bad shape following all of his nightmares. Meg said the police weren't convinced that Paul was dead — yet.

Monday, January 23, 2006
At Jack's house, Holden told Jack about Luke's friend, Kevin, and admitted he was worried that they are spending too much time together (but didn't tell him he found Luke giving Kevin a backrub). Jack reassured Holden that Luke will be okay and to give it some time. After a reassuring talk with Lily, Luke answered the phone to Kevin, who wanted him to come over and get drunk. Luke told him he couldn't and hung up. Holden returned home and surprised Luke (and Lily) with the idea of him and Luke going on a sporting trip, just the two of them. Holden then got uncomfortable when Lily brought up Kevin's name. Later, Lily and Holden discussed Luke, and Holden promised he was going to think positively. Luke came in and told Holden he couldn't wait for their trip. Holden and Lily went up to bed and Luke got a text message saying, "Open the door." It was Kevin, holding a bottle of liquor and wanting to have a private party. Luke said he couldn't because of his parents but Kevin convinced him to go party with him and they took off.

After injuring her ankle at the police station, Carly fell on Nick just as Katie and Mike walked into the interrogation room and found them in the compromising position. A flustered Carly scrambled to explain what happened, then Mike and Katie shared the news of their engagement. Katie asked Carly to design her wedding dress and Mike walked Carly out to her car. Katie caught Nick looking at Carly. Mike, Katie and Nick discussed the proposal and upcoming wedding. Mike spied Carly's scarf on the ground and went to return it to her while Katie talked to Nick about Carly. Katie said Carly won't like Nick because he took Jack's job and warned Nick to respect Jack and his wife. Meanwhile, Carly came home and told Jack she twisted her ankle while looking for him at the police station. She said Mike helped her to the car and revealed that Mike and Katie are engaged. Things started getting amorous and Carly went upstairs while Jack turned off the lights. Mike showed up with Carly's scarf and revealed that Nick was the one who caught Carly when she fell at the station. Mike laughed about finding Carly on top of Nick and Jack took the story in. Mike took off and Jack yelled for Carly to come back downstairs. Jack then asked Carly why she didn't tell him that Nick was the one who helped her. Mike returned to the station to pick up Katie, and Nick took off when he was told that they found Paul's car in the river.

Paul left the cabin to help Meg find the gun. The cop busted Meg just as she found the gun, which she secretly slipped into her backpack behind her. The cop insisted on searching her backpack, but Meg told him he needed a warrant and he backed down. Off in the distance, Paul made a noise and hid while the officer pulled out his gun and looked around. Another officer came upon them and said a car had been found in the river and they took off. Paul realized that Emily dumped his car and was optimistic that the police would believe that he is dead. Meg then helped Paul walk back to the cabin.

Kim came upon Gwen and Will huddled up on a bench outside of Java and was horrified to find out they were homeless. Kim invited them to come home with her, but Will said his parents would go nuts if she helped them. They did agree to go to the Lakeview with her and talk. Following their meal, Kim went to speak with Lisa while Will and Gwen appreciated being inside and vowed to figure something out. Gwen revealed she had stayed at the homeless shelter once before and refused to go back there. Lisa and Kim discussed Will and Gwen's situation and Lisa had an idea. Meanwhile, Gwen had a daydream of her and Will enjoying a candlelit hotel room together. In her dream, Will revealed Barbara let him have his trust fund and they kissed. They started undressing and Will presented her with a necklace. It was back to reality when Lisa and Kim came over and told Will and Gwen that they supported them. Lisa then offered Gwen a room at the hotel as her guest.

2005 recaps