Friday, September 2, 2005
Evangeline warned Antonio that the social worker was coming by to speak to him and that she would be asking about Jessica. Evangeline told Antonio he can either fight for Jessica or fight for his daughter, but not both. She suggested he tell the social worker that he and Jess broke up. "Jessica can hurt you if she's perceived as absent or in any way unstable," she explained. When the social worker asked him whether he's seeing anyone, an eavesdropping Layla stepped up and said she was dating him. She then told the worker what a great father Tonio is and made up a bunch of stories about activities they all did together. The social worker ate it up. Before leaving, the worker said she needs to set up a time to meet Layla, Antonio and Jamie all together. Once alone, Antonio blew up at Layla for lying to the social worker. Layla said she saved his butt by saying what needed to be said. She said they also need to continue their charade until Antonio gets custody.

Tess came down with the flu and was worried that Jessica would take over again. Nash gave her some antihistamines and went out to get some supplies. Tess called to get her cell phone voice mail and heard a message from Ginger warning her that Antonio is coming to look for her because he wants Jessica back. Later, Tess dreamt that Jessica and Antonio were in the room with her. Jessica taunted Tess saying that she is sick and getting weaker. Then Nash joined the dream ad begged for Tess to stay with him. Next, there was a weird, mirror image of two Tess/Jessicas facing each other outside. Then the dream appeared to be over.

John tried to tell Natalie that he was going to go visit Cristian in jail, but Natalie got upset thinking he was talking about Hayes. She begged him to just leave her out of it, so he clammed up and let her leave without telling her about Cris. From his jail cell, Cristian read in the newspaper about how John saved Natalie's life. While Cristian thought back to his past conversations with John about Natalie, John showed up at his cell.

Evangeline visited Lindsay, who said that she truly loved Jamie and that she and RJ would not give her up to Antonio. Natalie came by to talk to Lindsay about Cristian's art. She mentioned to Evangeline how Layla had some harsh words for here back at John's place. Vangie said her sister does not speak for her. Before everyone left, Lindsay made sure to tell Evangeline that she is moving in with RJ to ensure that someone will always be home to watch Jamie.

Margaret sat in an alley babbling to her baby. Some guy approached her and she tried to shoot him with Todd's gun only to realize she had no bullets. Ginger visited Todd to say good-bye to the Mannings because the family who's house she was staying in had come home. Todd offered her a full-time job watching his kids and said she could live with them at their penthouse. Later, after receiving a phone call and promising to meet the caller some place, Ginger showed up at the alley and spoke to her "Aunt Margaret."

Kevin talked to Todd about what he will be doing about Margaret and their unborn child. Todd said he wants Margaret dead. Kevin Todd could never actually go through with killing an innocent child. When Kevin said he was going to tell Bo, Todd said if he does that he'd either make sure Asa rotted in jail or that Carlo kills him. Kevin eventually agreed to keep quiet, but only until he hears that Margaret has hurt someone, in which case he would go straight to Bo.

Thursday, September 1, 2005
The warden told John over the phone that Cristian was in solitary confinement because he found out about Natalie's kidnapping and trashed his cell. John insisted that the warden let him visit Cris anyway. Later, John sparred with someone at the gym and hallucinated that he was boxing with Cristian. Next, John hallucinated that his father was in the gym with them, too. "Just be sure you know who you're REALLY mad at, John," the father's ghost told him. John admitted to the ghost that when his dad got shot to death it messed him up good.

Some guy showed up at the winery while Tess was sweeping up the cabin. He told Tess that he lived there and accused her of breaking in. When he threatened to have her thrown in jail, Tess tried to seduce the stranger. Nash walked into witness Tess getting very familiar with the guy. The stranger explained to Nash that he was the son of the deceased former owner of the winery. Nash apologized for moving into the winery before the deal officially closed. The stranger said it was okay and left. Once alone with Tess, Nash railed at her for coming on to the stranger. "You're never going to change, are you?" he asked her.

Evangeline worked with Antonio on demonstrating to the court how he is the right parent for Jamie. She told him that the judge moved up the court hearing and that he can't miss any more of his visitation dates. She told Tonio he needed to stay in Llanview until the court hearing and stop spending all of his time searching for Jessica.

Natalie asked Roxy to let her into John's room so she could surprise him when he gets home. Meanwhile, Layla was searching John's closet and found a box containing some files on Cristian. She recognized the last name as the same as Antonio's. When Roxy and Natalie came in, Layla quietly ducked out unseen. After a quick run-in with Roxy in the hallway, Layla went back and knocked on John's door to talk to Natalie. "You're the one who ruined my sister's life," she told Nat. After arguing a bit, Natalie pointed out that Layla couldn't have known she would be in John's room. "What are you really doing here?" she asked.

Rex visited Lindsay at the gallery. She told him she had a bunch of Cristian's art that she could sell for a good price now that he's "dead." Rex wondered what Natalie would think about that. Lindsay admitted that she isn't sure how Nat feels about the fate of Cristian's art.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tess was less than impressed with the state of the winery when she and Nash arrived. Nash told her that the owner died six months ago (The place LOOKED like he died six years ago.), but he seemed to welcome the challenge of fixing it up. Tess freaked and shrieked when she found "an army of bugs" inside the vineyard's cabin. Nash promised to call an exterminator, but it wasn't enough. "This place is a dump and it's always gonna be a dump," Tess raged. Nash told her she was acting like a kid, and Tess stormed off (like a kid). She came back, though, and told Nash she is upset because she's afraid that if she plants roots at the vineyard with him that she'd be too much like Jessica. "If you stay here you don't have to be anyone you don't wanna be," Nash answered. She responded by bringing inside a sign she made with lipstick that read "Brennan Winery." Nash hung the sign outside. They picked two grapes off a vine and toasted with them to their future.

Nat and John woke up in each other's arms and shared another smooch. They both confided that everyone seems to think their pairing up is a bad idea, but agreed to ignore the criticism and just takes things slow. Natalie mentioned Cristian again and said how it seemed her husband noticed something happening between she and John before they did themselves.

Evangeline and Nora talked about John over lunch. Layla walked up and introduced herself to Nora. After Nora left, Layla told Evangeline that she thinks John is hiding secrets. Evangeline said she saw John kissing Natalie, who was wearing his jacket, indicating they spent the night together. Vangie showed her sister that she still had the key to John's place. Layla took it from her and said she'd take care of it. Layla took the key to John's place to do some snooping.

At the hospital, Paige again argued with Spencer over the chief of staff position he offered her. "I don't like administration; I like patient care," she told him. Spencer alluded to old times they share, "one old time in particular." It ruffled Paige a bit, but Bo came to visit her and interrupted. Spencer gave Paige a wary, evil eye as she hugged Bo and told him she loved him.

Paige ran into Nora at the hospital and asked about her illness. Nora resented that Bo shared that info with Paige, but Paige seemed really concerned about getting to the bottom of what's wrong with Nora.

Jamie came to visit Antonio. She was upset with him for missing his last visit with her. Layla asked to be introduced to Jamie and helped to cheer her up a bit.

RJ bumped into Ginger at Capricorn and tried pumping her for info on Jessica.

Natalie returned to work at the police station. Bo offered to take his niece out to dinner. Natalie agreed and said that before they go that he should know that she is very happy with John. Bo didn't take the bait and simply said, "John McBain is a very complicated man."

While at the gym working out with the heavy bag, John had flashbacks of Cristian. He called the prison and set up a meeting with Cris.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Duke and Adriana got really flirty and familiar with each other at Capricorn. Adriana showed Duke that she was wearing the sexy bra that he bought her to replace the one she lost in Argentina. Rex saw them, mused over the possibility of Adriana ever falling for a ruffian like himself and ordered a keg of beer from the bar. Adriana told Duke she wanted to have sex, and just as the two were just about to run off to a hotel, Duke walked away to take a business call. Ginger witnessed it and told Adriana maybe she's trying too hard with her revealing dress. Adriana got really angry and told Ginger to back off. Ginger told Adriana she should back off herself. They parted before there was any scratching or biting.

Duke apologized to Adriana and said he had to blow off their plans for the evening and go to the office. Adriana wasn't in a forgiving mood. Once Duke left, she was left alone at the bar with Rex. Rex told her that Duke is stupid if he can't see what a "rockin'" girl Adriana is. Adriana was flattered, but continued to defend Duke. She did, however, reach out and hold Rex's hand as a country music montage kicked in.

Tess told Nash that she never wants to return to Llanview because that part of her life is over now. She told Nash that she is very happy, but that she wasn't able to completely relax and stop worrying, though she was vague about what was worrying her.

John tried to tell Natalie about Cristian still being alive, but Nat took it wrong and thought he was just telling her that Cris was still alive in her heart. John didn't fight all that hard and wound up just letting it go. "I think we've waited long enough for this — too long," Natalie finally said. "Kiss me, John." Johnny complied and soon the two were shirtless on the bed again. But before they had sex, they stopped yet again and decided that maybe it was too soon. John said it was okay, that he wasn't going anywhere and that instead they could just hold each other.

Kevin broke up Todd and Margaret and noticed that Peg was with child. Margaret informed him that Todd is the father. Kevin said he'd go back to Kelly and not mention what he saw if Todd promised to leave Margaret alone and let the police handle the situation. While they quarreled, Mags pulled a pistol on the two gents and ran off. Kevin went back to Kelly but didn't reveal what he'd seen. Meanwhile, Todd got in his car and went looking for Margaret. He got out when he saw her car crashed on the side of the road, but Margaret had already escaped the wreck on foot.

Monday, August 29, 2005
Todd dropped by Margaret's hotel room and told her he wanted her dead. Margaret pointed out that he didn't tell anyone that she stabbed him and said it must mean he is protecting her. Todd offered her a deal: "You can have my kid, but you can't have me." Margaret replied, "Well then you're just going to have to kill me — and your sweet, defenseless little son." Todd said he can't be a good father and husband from jail, but that he will kill her if he has to. Todd said Margaret's child was the son of two rapists. "I hate that thing inside of you," he shot at her. "I hate that thing as much as I hate myself." He offered Margaret money to leave town, but she refused and instead grabbed Todd's stab wound, doubling him over in pain, and ran out. Todd went after her.

Blair admitted to Spencer that she does believe that Margaret is back in town and that Todd's off somewhere trying to kill her. She asked the doctor if it's possible that he made up his story about accidentally impaling himself on shears while opening the car trunk. Spencer still kept Todd's secret by not telling Blair the truth.

Antonio went to the station and told Bo about Jessica's DID. He asked Bo if he could put out an APB on Jessica. Bo said no, because technically she isn't missing but left on her own accord. He told Tonio that he could make some calls and see if he could track her down on his own, though.

Viki caught Kevin and Kelly making out at Llanfair and suggested, quite literally, that they leave and get a room. She told the duo that she was considering postponing her trip to London so that she could be home for her daughters. She said in addition to Natalie, that she's also very worried about Jessica. Later, Antonio went to see Viki and told her to go to London and not worry about Jessica until she gets back home. Later, Bo came by and took her to the airport.

Kevin and Kelly got a room right down the hall from Margaret's. They heard Todd and she struggling, but didn't realize who they were. Kevin went over to check out what the noise was all about and found Todd strangling Margaret.

When Natalie visited John, they started to talk about having a relationship. Natalie said she always wanted to be with John, but that she isn't sure what would happen if they actually did get together. John said he was through overthinking everything and kissed her. Although John was haunted by visions of Cristian in prison, he took things over to the bed and they both started to undress a bit. Eventually, John stopped and said he has something he needs to tell Natalie.

Marcie saw Michael talking to Evangeline. Then Michael saw Hugh ask Marcie if he could buy her a drink. Marcie admitted to Hugh that even though she and Michael broke up that it's still weird to see him with other people. She also acknowledged that Michael isn't crazy about seeing her with Hugh. Michael was upset when he saw Hugh walk Marcie out of the bar. He commented to Evangeline that he thinks his relationship with Marcie is slipping away for good.