At the pub, EJ told Sami they needed to go into hiding until Stefano was permanently behind bars or deported. Sami adamantly opposed the idea, since she didn't trust EJ. He argued Roman and Bo couldn't protect Sami, reminding her that Stefano had men on the police force. Sami accused EJ of running from Stefano and split. Later, she wheeled the twins down the hall to her apartment when EJ emerged, insisting he wasn't running from Stefano. They went inside and continued bickering until they heard a noise at the door. EJ pulled out a gun, went into the hall, and retrieved a box. Inside, he found a rattle and announced Stefano wanted baby Johnny. Sami realized EJ was right; they had to get out of there. EJ made a call and soon Abe arrived, explaining he'd arranged for a safe house for them. When Sami went to tend to the twins, Abe confronted EJ about not trusting him. EJ assured he wouldn't have phoned Abe if he were up to something. Abe swore he'd never drop his guard around a DiMera. EJ noted he was a Wells, but Abe wasn't buying it.

Caroline chatted with Steve at the bar until Kayla arrived. Alone, Kayla told Steve, "I need your body." Steve was raring to go, but Kayla slowed things down, rambling on about an optimal time to conceive a baby. Kayla headed home and Steve scampered after her. Back home, Kayla took an ovulation test and realized it was time, so she phoned Steve. He arrived on cue, bearing a bouquet of yellow roses. The pair started kissing when there was a knock on the door. It was Caroline, returning the wallet Steve left at the bar. She left and the couple got back to business. Then, Kayla's beeper went off. She made a phone call, delivered some medical advice, and hung up. Finally, Steve and Kayla resumed making out.

Outside John's hospital room, Marlena remembered introducing Belle to her new Robodad. When Hope and Bo arrived, Marlena filled them in on John's visit with his daughter and how he pretended to know her. "Why would he do that?" asked Hope. Marlena noted John was beginning to trust her. Meanwhile, Roman watched as the cops restrained John and accused him of putting on an act for Marlena. Roman vowed John wouldn't fool him. Roman left, and John began working to pick the lock on his cuffs with the scissors he'd swiped earlier. Hope cautioned Marlena to be wary of John. Marlena refused to give up hope that John would fight off Stefano's brainwashing and come back to her. Inside, John wiggled out of his cuffs and remembered the DiMera torture chamber. Suddenly, Marlena entered his room, followed by Hope. John grabbed Marlena and warned she'd die if Hope called for help. Marlena told John he'd never hurt her. He swore he'd kill her, but then he began shaking violently as he remembered being tortured. Marlena freed herself from John as the cops raced in and locked him back up. As a doctor came in to sedate him, Marlena asked John why he felt he had to escape. Once the drug took effect, everyone left the room except Marlena, who told John she knew he wouldn't hurt her. He loved her and would come back to her one day. Marlena then left, and Hope warned her again that John couldn't be trusted. Bo and Roman echoed her sentiments. Marlena admitted she knew that, and it was breaking her heart.

Lucas whined to Stefano about being cooped up in their cell. Stefano said his lawyers could get Lucas out of jail in less than 24 hours. Lucas wondered what he'd have to do to pay off the debt. Stefano's lawyers arrived and he left to chat with them, promising Lucas they'd continue their talk.

Sami and EJ packed to go to the safe house. She explained the ground rules: When EJ wasn't helping with the twins, she wanted him as far away from her as possible. EJ agreed. Sami got a call from Lucas, asking why Sami hadn't returned any of his lawyers' calls. Sami claimed she was busy dealing with her own problems. Lucas apologized for shooting EJ and asked Sami to bring Ali to see him. Sami said she couldn't. She was taking the twins someplace safe to protect them from Stefano. Lucas said Stefano couldn't hurt anyone since he was locked up with him. No matter, Sami insisted she was going to the safe house. Lucas heard EJ's voice and blurted, "Don't tell me you're going to go off with him somewhere to hide out?" Sami said she couldn't talk and hung up. EJ asked what Lucas wanted. "To tell me about his new cell mate...Stefano," replied Sami. EJ was stunned. Sami feared for Lucas' life. EJ thought Lucas would be safe with Stefano in his cell, since his father typically didn't get his own hands dirty. Stefano returned to his cell, and Lucas confronted him about their earlier conversation. Namely, getting Lucas out of jail. Stefano said the proposal was simple, since he needed assistance getting his grandson away from his parents. "You want me to kidnap Sami's son?" asked Lucas. Stefano pointed out that if Giovanni was away from Sami, EJ would be away from her, too. No matter, Lucas wasn't interested. When Lucas headed off with the guard, Stefano picked up his cell, realized Lucas used it, and hit redial. Sami answered and went off about Stefano. "I hope you're not speaking about me," retorted Stefano. Sami tossed the phone. EJ picked it up, promising everything would be fine.

Belle woke up, called out for Claire, and asked Philip if she'd been found yet. Philip explained the tyke was still missing. Meanwhile, Crystal watched over Claire. Belle wanted to leave the hospital to go find her. Philip insisted she couldn't and urged her to sleep. Belle urged Philip to head back to work. "It's not as important as being here," he said. Belle went on about how she should have saved Claire. Philip assured there was nothing she could have done and said he'd leave so she could rest. Belle begged him not to and asked Philip to hold her hand while she fell asleep. Belle hummed "Hush Little Baby" while Crystal hummed the same song to a sleeping Claire.

Hope told Marlena there was no word on Claire, but Bo and Roman were following up some leads. Then, Hope praised Marlena for being so in control of the situation with John. Having been held captive by Stefano herself, Marlena knew what John was going through. Suddenly, she heard John calling out, "Doc." He awoke and told Marlena he'd been dreaming about her. John didn't remember much and blamed the drugs he was on. Marlena said she'd try to get his dosage lowered, then she told Hope about John's dream. Marlena wasn't sure if it was a breakthrough or if he was working her. In his room, John remembered Stefano erasing his memories and chuckling about a disc containing his entire life. John screamed, "Don't take it!" Marlena and Hope raced into his room. "Did you remember the dream?" wondered Marlena. John noted he couldn't remember anything because of the drugs. Dr. Carrington arrived and Marlena pressed him to lower John's dosage. Dr. C mulled it over and left. Roman confronted Marlena about lacking objectivity when it came to John. The duo headed to John's room, and Marlena explained Dr. C wouldn't lower John's meds. Marlena apologized and swore she would always love and fight for John. John said if Marlena couldn't stop him from being pumped with drugs, she was of no use to him. Marlena left as Dr. C instructed a nurse to inject John. Marlena watched and wondered if John had been close to a breakthrough, vowing to take matters into her own hands if necessary.

Billie questioned Nick about Ford's disappearance, but he claimed not to know a thing. Billie demanded to know what happened, just as Dean Lochlan and Crawford walked in. Dean Lochlan noted that a detective was stopping by the Theta house. Hopefully, the girls would come clean. As he and Crawford left, the dean warned Nick and Billie they'd be out of jobs if they were part of a cover-up. Billie begged Nick to tell her what was going on, but Nick insisted he knew nothing.

Max arrived at Steve and Kayla's with breakfast for Stephanie. Steph wondered why her parents weren't up yet. "Maybe they had a late night," noted Max. "Ewww!" squealed Steph, who was happy to be laughing again. The pair discussed her visits to Dr. Whitney, and Max vowed to stand by Steph until she got over the trauma of Ford's rape. Max asked if Steph wanted to go back to the sorority house. Steph said no, since Chelsea had arranged an emergency meeting to vote on whether to keep Ford's death a secret or 'fess up to the cops. Steph and Max fretted about each other's part in the cover-up. Steph worried about the humiliation of a trial and began to cry. Max reminded her of her strength and suggested taking her to the house to cast her vote.

Chelsea arrived at the Theta house and filled the girls in on Crawford and the contact lens found in the basement. She suggested revising their story and telling the truth. Ford's family had a right to bury him. The girls were against the idea. Chelsea said the cops were suspicious and knew this was the last place Ford was before he disappeared. It was only a matter of time before the truth cane out. Chelsea suggested taking a vote: Tell the truth or keep mum. Steph arrived, noting Ford would become the victim if they 'fessed up, while she and Cordy would be the campus sluts. All the girls but Chelsea voted to keep silent. The bell rang and it was Detective Sullivan, noting he was there to interview the girls separately.

Bo met Hope at the hospital, where they discussed John and the search for Claire. Hope told Bo she wanted to go back to the police force full time to make the world a better place for Ciara. Bo wasn't for the idea at first, but eventually relented. Hope wondered who her partner would be on the force. Bo wondered too, as Hope teased him about being jealous. The duo kissed. Billie interrupted and announced she thought Chelsea was in really big trouble. Billie explained how she was being investigated for orchestrating a cover-up regarding Ford's disappearance. Bo promised to help.

A weary John woke up and found Marlena by his bedside. Dr. Carrington walked in and injected truth serum into John's IV. John revealed he had to go on a mission. Marlena asked about Stefano's part in it, and John began to shake. Marlena told Dr. C that John's memory had been wiped clean. She suggested traditional therapy and wanted him taken off medication. Dr. C thought it was inappropriate for Marlena to treat her husband. He suggested moving John to the psych ward. Marlena was opposed, and they argued. Dr. C said Marlena could still consult on John's case, but others would take over. "Like hell they will," fumed Marlena once Dr. C left. Soon, Hope arrived and Marlena filled her in about Dr. C taking her off John's case. Marlena vowed to get to John, no matter what anyone said. After Hope left, Marlena stopped John's IV and called out to him to wake up. She questioned John about his mission and promised to reach him, vowing nobody would stand in her way.

Chelsea filled Nick in on the vote the Theta girls took about how to handle the Ford situation. The sisters decided not to tell the cops the truth about his death. Stephanie talked them out of going to the cops. Nick said he loved Chelsea and vowed to stick by her, and they kissed. He urged Chelsea to go to the police, but she refused to betray her sisters. He told her about Lochlan and Decker's conversation with Billie, then left.

Detective Sullivan filled Bo in on the Ford Decker investigation. Sullivan thought the sorority gals were lying when they said Ford showed up at the Theta house drunk, crashed on their sofa and left the next morning. He explained that Crawford believed the gals killed his son and Chelsea was behind it. Bo wanted to see the case files. Sullivan agreed to turn them over and split. Bo headed to see Chelsea and asked about Ford's disappearance. Chelsea said the girls all gave their statements. Bo realized Chelsea was covering and demanded the truth. She insisted there was nothing more say. Bo turned to go, noting he thought Chelsea had learned from lying about what happened to Zack. Chelsea said she was doing what she thought was right and didn't want to hurt anyone. Bo hugged Chelsea and told her he loved her. Alone, Chelsea cried.

Shawn and Chloe looked up Rob's tattoo on the Internet and discovered it was a Celtic woman's warrior knot. Shawn realized it could be the key to finding Claire. He wanted to head to the storefront where Marlena first saw Crystal and break in. Chloe said it was too dangerous, but Shawn didn't care. He had to find Claire. Chloe insisted on going with him. The pair arrived at the storefront, heard a noise, and realized someone was inside. Shawn knocked, said he was there to pick up something, and showed someone a picture of the warrior knot.

Belle got out of her hospital bed and started packing her bags so she could leave and search for Claire. Philip arrived and carried her back to bed. Belle's nurse and Philip ordered her to stay in bed. Belle mentioned her dad and how he always gave her hope. Philip suggested she visit him.

John awoke and Marlena told him he was in the psych ward. Threatening her and trying to escape was what got him admitted. Marlena said it was imperative John remembered what Stefano programmed him to do. John wouldn't cooperate. No matter, Marlena vowed not to give up on him and noted Dr. Carrington wanted to move John to a more secure place. "You mean a nut house," retorted John. Marlena noted she was John's wife, so Dr. C needed her signature. Marlena agreed not to sign anything if John let her help him remember his mission. Marlena suggested hypnosis, but John refused. She wondered if it was part of his programming. Philip arrived and dropped Belle off. Belle asked why her dad was handcuffed to a bed in a psych ward. Marlena took Belle outside and told her the truth about John's brainwashing. Dr. C arrived and assured Belle he was doing everything he could to help John. Belle said she knew her mom wouldn't quit until she brought her dad back. Marlena promised to do exactly that. Philip returned, fetched Belle, and took her back to her room. Then, he went to check on any leads on Claire, while Belle prayed.

While John slept, Marlena muttered that he'd shown her how to get the answers she needed. Dr. C wondered what Marlena meant, but she kept mum. Dr. C noted this was no time to keep secrets. Marlena ensured this wasn't about John's treatment, but the mission he was programmed to perform. "Somebody else can tell me what I need to know," noted Marlena.

Stephanie arrived at the pub and found her parents kissing. Steve filled her in on their secret: by this time next year, Steph would be a big sister. Steph seemed upset. Steve thought it must be boy trouble and noted how his pretty daughter had to fight the guys off. Steph got teary-eyed. "I think we should tell him," said Kayla. Steph couldn't. Kayla intervened, revealing Steph had been raped. Steph said her attacker was Ford. Steve realized that was the kid who disappeared and said he'd better be dead or vowed to kill him. Steve was upset that Kayla kept this from him and asked if Steph was getting counseling. Chelsea peered into the pub as Nick advised her to talk to Steph and do the right thing. Soon, Crawford arrived. Steve approached him and identified himself. Crawford asked about his missing son and begged Steph to tell him what happened. Outside, Nick dragged Chelsea back to the window to watch, insisting it was time to tell the truth about Ford. Steph wailed that Ford raped her and she hated him. She swore she didn't know what happened to him. Chelsea interrupted saying she did: Ford is dead!

Shawn told the man at the storefront door he was there to pick up a little girl. Stefano sent him. The guy attacked Shawn, but Chloe came to the rescue, knocking him on the head. Shawn realized the man wasn't working for Stefano and wondered who they were dealing with. Rob emerged, noting "Stefano DiMera's enemies." Shawn raged and demanded Claire back, as Rob held a gun on him. Chloe ran out to call the cops. Soon, they arrived, and Shawn discovered a packet containing photos of his family. At the station Shawn told Roman that Rob kidnapped Claire. Roman demanded Rob tell them everything he knew.

John viewed images on a computer as Dr. Carrington watched his reaction. Soon, John stopped, saying he was bored with the show. After Dr. C left, Sami went into his room. To her surprise, John said he remembered her face, but then he put his hands around her neck and choked the life out of her. But wait, it was just a RoboJohn fantasy. In reality, Sami gave John a hug as he laid with his eyes closed, then she left. Alone, John began remembering Stefano's instructions about his mission.

Marlena walked into Roman's office and asked to see Stefano. Roman asked why she was toting her medical bag. She said Stefano might need something to be more cooperative when she questioned him. Roman exited, and Marlena called Dr. C to ask about John's test results. He said John had no emotions, except for anger. Roman returned noting things were set with Stefano and left him and Marlena alone. Marlena told Stefano she was going to give him sodium pentathol. Roman and Abe watched as Stefano said he was immune to truth agents. Abe protested Marlena's actions, but quickly relented. Marlena injected him and asked about John's mission. "Seek, destroy, revenge. He will not stop until he finds his target and eliminates them," said Stefano. Marlena asked the identity of John's target. Stefano wouldn't spill. When Stefano claimed he had a headache, Marlena gave him pills. Abe and Roman entered the interrogation room, and Abe ordered Stefano be taken to solitary. Marlena doubted they'd get anything more from him. Abe noted Stefano would walk if they didn't charge him. Later, Marlena went to Stefano's cell. The guard let her in. She knelt next to the sleeping Stefano and muttered that she hadn't given him aspirin earlier. They were sleeping pills. "What you did to my husband, to me ...We will just call it even after this," taunted Marlena, reaching into her medical bag.