Friday, December 30, 2005
Sami put up fun, festive New Year's decorations for a last-minute party she pulled together. Austin came home, saying he didn't know they were having a bash. Carrie stopped by and Sami invited her to join them. Though Austin and Carrie had other plans, they agreed to attend. Lucas rang Sami's doorbell. He was with Eugenia. Sami invited them both to the party. Lucas noticed Sami smirking and asked why she was so happy, considering Carrie and Austin were together. She said it didn't bother her. "What are you really up to?" he asked. "Nothing," she replied. Lucas went over to Carrie and Austin and told Austin that Sami needed him in the kitchen. Lucas wished Carrie a Happy New Year. She thanked him for backing off from buying highstyle. Austin passed around champagne (and cider for Lucas). They toasted to a Happy New Year. Austin kissed Carrie.

At the penthouse, Lois and Marlena had tea. A floral delivery arrived for Marlena from John. Marlena read the card, then explained that John sent her flowers all the time, with different notes. The phone rang. It was Alex, using his one phone call to call Marlena. He assured he loved her and didn't abuse her years ago. "I would never hurt you, Marlena. You have to believe that," he insisted. Alex heard Lois in the background, then warned Marlena that she couldn't be alone with Lois. The cops made him hang up before he could explain why. After Marlena hung up, she asked Lois what Alex meant. Lois said that she wasn't a threat to Marlena, she was a threat to Alex because she knew the truth about him.

Hope and Bo dropped Zack off at a friend's house to spend the night. When they walked out, Hope told Bo that she felt for Belle and Philip and couldn't imagine what she would do if they lost a child. Bo went to pick up Chelsea. In the car, she begged him to sign a certificate allowing her to drive again, but he refused. She vowed to be careful on the road and not use her cell. She said she wanted to show him that she could be responsible and make him proud of her. Bo caved. "Don't make me regret this," he warned. She promised she wouldn't, then asked for another favor: to borrow his car. Bo was torn, but said all right. "Be careful," he advised.

At the hospital, Lexie told a devastated Belle and Philip that unless Claire got a liver transplant, she would die. Belle lost it and broke down in tears, insisting there would be a miracle for Claire. Shawn wanted to go to her; Mimi stopped him, saying that is Philip's job. John, Victor, Caroline, Shawn, Alice, Bo, Hope and Kate gathered and prayed for Claire's survival. Caroline asked to speak to Mimi privately. She asked how things were going with Shawn. Mimi said they were going well. Philip came out into the hall and revealed to the group that Lexie suggested they take Claire off of life support, but they refused, insisting that there was hope for the baby. Alice suggested prayer. The group joined hands in a circle. John led the group in prayer. Belle got upset during it when John made a reference to Claire not making it. "We can only think positive thoughts," she cried. Victor comforted Philip. After, John called Marlena and told her what Lexie said. Marlena said she wanted to come to the hospital, but John said no, she needed to rest. A teary, conflicted Marlena asked John to tell Belle that she was praying for Claire. She then wished John a Happy New Year. Lois brought her some tea. Marlena drank it and felt tired. She told Lois to take the guest room and then went up to her room to go to sleep. Lois plotted to harm Marlena.

Bo and Hope called Zack at his playdate to wish him a Happy New Year. They hung up. Zack followed a cat from the house outside in the street. Chelsea came thundering down the road in Bo's car. She pulled out the cell phone she promised she wouldn't touch and didn't realize that Zack was in her path.

Shawn pulled Mimi aside and said that in light of everything that was going on, he made a decision. He then got down on one knee and proposed.

Thursday, December 29, 2005
At his apartment, Lucas told Kate it was no secret that he was in love with Carrie. He suggested that his feelings for Sami may have come from the fact that he couldn't have Carrie. Kate asked if Lucas was going to fight Austin for Carrie. No, he said. Lucas added that the similarities between Kate and Sami freaked him out a little. Eugenia showed up and said word on the street was that Austin was close to taking over highstyle. Lucas hushed her because Kate was in the other room. Kate came in and was not pleased to see Eugenia. Eugenia tried to work things out with Kate and asked that they put their past of harming Lucas behind them.

Sami made tea and had a full conversation out loud about lying to Austin about the e-mail about Carrie being highstyle's CEO. Sami heard her own voice and looked in the mirror, where "bad girl" Sami told her she was out of control. "I'm not listening to my reflection in the mirror," scoffed Sami. "If you don't listen to me, you can kiss Austin good-bye," mirror Sami replied. Mirror Sami told Sami to come clean with Austin and tell him Carrie is the CEO of highstyle. Sami refused, then threw a knick-knack at the mirror, smashing it.

Carrie and Austin took a walk in the park. They rehashed the demise of their marriage. Carrie asked if he regretted their marriage not working out. "Every day," he replied. Austin then asked if she was at the Rolling Stones concert. Yes, she said. He asked if she saw him. At first she said she didn't, then admitted that she did. "Why didn't you say hi?" he wondered. She didn't answer, so he figured it was because of Sami. Carrie said she wished she and Sami could be closer, but in light of everything that happened between them, she doubted they could. Austin asked Carrie to spend New Year's Eve with him. She accepted the invite. They returned to the apartment building. Sami tried to make amends with Carrie. Carrie said okay, but wanted Sami to know that she was interested in Austin. Carrie then revealed that she heard Sami in the bathroom in L.A., blabbing to the attendant about how she was going to go after Austin. Sami was stunned. She told her sister to go for it with Austin. "He's all yours," Sami added.

At the penthouse, Marlena and John rushed in and found Dr. Banks on the floor. Alex insisted he did nothing to harm her. John handcuffed Alex, claiming he had ISA authority to do so. He asked Lois if she wanted to press charges. "Yes, I do," she answered. John called Roman to say he was bringing Alex in. John took him down to the station, with Lois in tow. Alex warned Roman and John that they were putting Marlena in danger by keeping him there. Back at the penthouse, Marlena convinced herself that Alex is innocent, then remembered the pearl necklace incident and wondered if she was right. John called Marlena and told her not to open the door to anyone. They hung up. The doorbell rang. It was Lois, who begged to be let in. Marlena said she couldn't. "Marlena, we were best friends," Lois pleaded. Marlena allowed her to enter. Back at the station. Alex warned that it was Lois who wanted to harm Marlena.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005
A smitten Lucas placed a floral order for Carrie. Sami came by the apartment on the pretense of seeing Will, but he was out, so Lucas asked her why she was really there. Sami said that she was concerned about Carrie and was wondering how she was doing. She's fine, said Lucas. Sami told Lucas she knows he took Carrie to the Rolling Stones concert. He countered that he could tell Sami wanted Carrie out of the picture so she could have Austin to herself. Sami suggested they work together to split Carrie and Austin. He refused, noting that he was no longer her partner-in-crime. The flowers arrived for Carrie while Sami was there. Lucas said he got them for the apartment to brighten up the place, but Sami knew her was lying since he ordered Carrie's favorite flowers. Lucas kicked her out.

Austin went to visit Claire at the hospital and met up with Kate in the cafeteria. He told her was meeting "someone special" for hot chocolate. "Just tell me her initials aren't SB," said Kate. "Sandra Bullock? I wish," Austin joked, then revealed it wasn't Sami, but Carrie. Kate admitted to being shocked and asked how it all came about. Austin told her how they'd reconnected. He then asked for some business advice about highstyle. They parted ways; Kate went to Lucas's apartment to bring by a present for Will. Kate admitted she was glad that Lucas and Austin were no longer interested in Sami. Lucas revealed that he was also interested in Carrie, to Kate's dismay.

Austin called the apartment and asked Sami if they had received any e-mails about highstyle's CEO. Sami opened the e-mail and saw that it was a photo of Carrie. Sami lied that it was spam and deleted the e-mail.

Carrie ran into Roman at the hospital and the two had a happy reunion. She apologized for not getting in touch with him sooner, but explained that she was ashamed by the way she ended her marriage. He told her she was being silly. She told him about her new job at highstyle; he was impressed. He asked if she could move her company to Salem. She said no. He asked about Anna. Carrie said she was in Milan. Carrie asked Roman about Kate. He noted that she had done too many despicable things to forgive. Didn't Kate's behavior have a lot to do with Sami, Carrie asked. Somewhat, Roman replied, but not enough to justify what Kate did. Carrie said that Sami was part of the reason she has stayed away from Salem. She then revealed she was meeting Austin and was hoping they could make a fresh start. "That's great news," Roman smiled. Carrie said she was prepared to fight Sami for Austin. Austin found her and suggested they go for a walk.

A despondent Belle sat with baby Claire. Shawn sat with her. Belle made a reference to Marlena losing her son, D.J., and how hard that must have been. Belle wondered if it was her fault that Claire was sick because of her post-partum depression. No way, replied Shawn. Shawn surprised Belle by giving her Zack's baby blanket. Touched, she put it on Claire.

At the penthouse, Marlena refused to believe Dr. Banks's claim that Alex was an abusive monster. Marlena asked if she really knew Lois from years past. Yes, said Alex, but she was not a friend. Alex and John bickered, which angered Marlena. Dr. Banks revealed that at first Alex and Marlena seemed like the perfect couple, then when their residencies began, Alex became jealous of Marlena's success and possessive of her. Alex challenged her, so she produced "proof" of Alex's abuse, which was a photo of Marlena's face, bruised and bloody. Marlena asked if a police report was filed about it. Lois said Marlena wouldn't let her turn Alex in. Alex denied doing anything to Marlena. She believed him. John asked to speak to Marlena alone. On the terrace, he implored her to take what Lois was saying seriously. Inside, Alex asked Lois what she thought she was doing. "Exposing you for the deviant you are," she snarled. Alex told her he wouldn't let her destroy what he had with Marlena and moved toward her. She fell backward, yelling. John and Marlena rushed in.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Max and Chelsea went to the Brady house, but Bo and Hope weren't home. Chelsea suggested they search the cookie jar to see if it had cash they could swipe. Chelsea explained that she was entitled to it because she missed out on getting money for the first 18 years of her life. You're kidding, right? Max asked. Chelsea said that she was, but it would serve Hope right if she robbed her. Max insisted that Bo, Hope and BIllie all cared about Chelsea. Chelsea cried about the car accident and said that Bo and Billie should buy her a new one to make it up to her. Max warned her that she needed to be more careful on the road. They realized they were alone and started making out.

Hope went to Jennifer's to check on her cousin. Frankie came in from the kitchen, surprising Hope, who thought he left. He explained his flight was canceled because of weather and he was planning to leave later that afternoon. Frankie went to call a cab. Hope asked Jen why she was pushing Frankie away. Jen explained she couldn't depend on him forever. Alone, Hope asked Frankie why he wasn't pushing harder to stay. He said he was respecting Jen's wishes. "She's incredibly stubborn; you know that," Hope pointed out. Frankie wouldn't budge and left to get dressed. Frankie said good-bye to Jen, then left. The women heard him yell and rushed out after him. Turns out he slipped on the icy walk and broke his leg. Max, Chelsea and Hope brought Frankie, who was on crutches, back to Jen's from the hospital. Hope asked Chelsea about her driving lesson. A sulky Chelsea told her the lessons were a "boring waste of time," but that she would still go. Frankie thanked Max for helping out. Jen announced that Frankie was staying put until he was healed.

Alex and Marlena returned to the penthouse from the cabin. John explained he went to the cabin to try and prevent Marlena from getting attacked again. "What do you mean again?" she asked. Alex accused John of being in serious denial about Alex and Marlena's relationship. John reiterated to Marlena how much he loved her and insisted Alex didn't want her remembering her past with him. Alex remarked to John that all he was doing by trashing him was pushing Marlena toward Alex. John said he could prove Alex was a bad guy and brought in Dr. Banks.

Lucas made an impressive breakfast for Carrie and Will. At Sami's apartment, Nicole, Sami and Austin had coffee. Sami thanked Austin for the briefcase he bought her for Christmas. Nicole and Sami bickered over what they got Austin for Christmas. Sami gloated that she knew Austin so intimately that she got him a robe. "Every time he hands out his business card, he'll think of you. Every time he gets out of the shower, he'll think of me," Sami said, then laughed at Nicole's notion that she could be with Austin. Sami then revealed to Nicole that Carrie was back in town — and that Austin would always love her. Carrie answered Lucas's door to a nosy neighbor who was giving Lucas junk mail that wound up in her box accidentally. The neighbor recognized her from when she used to live there and gave her an earful about Lucas, Sami and Austin. Sami went to Lucas's and was surprised to see Carrie there. She got a less-than-welcome reception from Will. Carrie asked if Austin was home, but Sami said no and rushed out. She broke down in tears outside the door. Carrie admitted to Lucas that she was worried about Sami's interference. Sami returned to the apartment and Austin asked if Carrie was home. No, she lied, then privately vowed to keep them apart.