Bo asked whether Hope wanted to move back home because she wanted to rebuild their life together, or because she wanted to keep an eye on Carly. Hope admitted it was both, because she wasn't comfortable with the woman who had once replaced her living in Hope's house-with Hope's husband. Bo insisted that Carly had never replaced Hope, and was not a threat to their marriage. "Fancy Face, you're the love of my life. You're my family," Bo declared, adding that he was not fool enough to give that up just because Carly had returned to town.

Hope was unsure, so Bo assumed that she didn't trust him to be faithful. Hope argued that it was Carly she didn't trust. Bo countered that Carly was in trouble and had nowhere else to go, and suggested that Hope should get to know Carly. Hope replied sarcastically that she wasn't interested in getting to know a murderer, then backpedaled and apologized for not being more compassionate. Shifting gears even further, Hope sat next to her husband and kissed him, happy that they were back together-and excited to tell Ciara that the two of them were going home.

Bo reluctantly stated that it wasn't a good idea, because Carly's life was in danger and it wasn't safe for Hope and Ciara to move back home yet. Although Bo reminded her that he was legally Carly's guardian until things were resolved, Hope was angry. Bo tried to explain that there was more to the story, but he couldn't tell Hope everything without compromising her and Ciara's safety, as well as that of other innocent people. "But it's okay to compromise our marriage?" Hope asked. Bo apologized, but refused to put his family at even more risk. Hope quietly told him to leave.

Hope was waiting on the front stairs of the mansion when Justin returned home, frustrated because he hadn't found a way to keep Carly from being extradited. Hope informed Justin that she'd decided to go home, but Bo had said it was too dangerous as long as Carly was living there. Justin agreed, but maintained that Bo was only trying to protect Hope and Ciara. Hope understood that, but choked back tears as she added that it felt like her husband had rejected her for another woman.

Justin urged her not to look at it that way, pointing out that at least she and Bo had opened the lines of communication again. Hope admitted that they had talked openly and honestly for the first time in a while, until Bo had treated her proposed return like an inconvenience. Justin was optimistic that they would work things out, as they had after Zack's death, but Hope confessed, "I'm really scared for my marriage."

Caroline visited Bo at the police station to chide him about what was going on with Hope and Carly. He confessed that Carly had already caused problems in his marriage, but knew that he and Hope would eventually work through it. Caroline was not pleased, but Bo argued that he had to obey the court order, while not endangering his wife and daughter. "Bo, what do you guess Pop would say about this?" Caroline asked pointedly. Bo squirmed, but grudgingly admitted, "He would say I'm being a damn fool."

Caroline reminded her son that Hope and Ciara were his family, and therefore his first priority. Bo agreed, so she told him to prove it by asking Carly to move out. "I can't do that, Ma," Bo replied, insisting that he had the situation under control. "Fine," Caroline conceded with a sigh. "But when it comes down to saving Carly or your marriage, I hope you make the right choice."

Mia was sitting on the pier, crying, when Carly found her. Carly observed that Mia looked like she could use a friend, noting that they probably had a lot in common. Mia was skeptical, but Carly said that she, too, used to enjoy sitting on the pier. She asked Mia if it would help to talk about things. Mia sadly replied that she wouldn't even know where to begin. Just then, Chad arrived. "How about you start with the truth?" he spat. "That you're a lying whore." He sniped at Mia, derisively urging her to tell her new friend about all the guys she'd had sex with.

Carly angrily defended Mia, firmly declaring, "You're going to need an ambulance if you don't back off now!" Mia spotted a piece of paper in Chad's hand and guessed that he'd gotten the paternity test results back, and he confirmed it. He admitted that although he might not have been a great father, he would have loved his little girl. "And that's a whole lot more than I can say for you!"

Mia shouted through her tears that she loved her baby, and that was why she'd given her to a good family. Chad sarcastically maintained that a washed-up porn star was hardly a fit mother. He continued condemning and ridiculing Nicole and Mia until a protective Carly ordered him to leave. Chad got in one last, cruel shot: "As big a sleaze as Nicole is, she's got to be a better mother than you will ever be!" Mia broke down in miserable wails. Carly tried to comfort Mia, putting her arms around the girl's shoulders as she sobbed.

Carly gently asked Mia about the situation. Weeping, Mia confessed that she truly thought she'd done the right thing by giving her baby away, but some days, she missed Sydney terribly. "But that's what mothers do," Carly reasoned. "They sacrifice their own happiness so their child can have a better life-and that's why you're a good mother." Mia thanked her for saying that. Carly then asked about Mia's family. Mia confided that her dad had never been around much, and her mom had kicked Mia out when Mia had gotten pregnant. Carly was sympathetic.

Mia maintained that she'd wanted to give her baby something better than her messed-up family, and even though the adoptive parents were having some problems, she knew that the right woman was raising her baby. Carly asked kind, interested questions about the adoptive mother, and about Sydney. "It sounds like you found her a good and loving home," Carly concluded after hearing Mia's glowing answers. "So don't ever let anyone make you feel like you made a bad decision." "You're right," agreed Mia. "Because if I know one thing, it is that Nicole will always do what's best for my little girl."

Daniel was taking care of Sydney at the Brady Pub when Nicole marched up and lit into him for taking Sydney without first telling Chloe. Nicole ordered him to hand over her daughter, but he refused until she calmed down. That only upset her further, and she continued reading Daniel the riot act until Chloe walked in. Nicole pleaded with Chloe to make Daniel hand Sydney over, but Daniel pointed out how irrational Nicole was being. Nicole started into another tirade, but Chloe interrupted and managed to talk Nicole down, ordering her to get some water and calm herself. Nicole stomped petulantly over to the bar.

Daniel suspected that something more than his taking the baby out for a walk was upsetting Nicole. Chloe concurred, and vowed to find out what it was. Once Chloe was satisfied that Nicole was no longer hysterical, she carried Sydney over and placed her in Nicole's arms. Nicole admitted that she'd flipped out, but only because she'd been terrified over not being able to find Sydney. Chloe gently asked what was going on to have Nicole so upset. Nicole confided tearfully that she was scared of losing Sydney to her birth parents.

Daniel interrupted to tell Chloe that he had to go to the hospital, and Nicole apologized sincerely to him. "No worries, okay?" he replied, then kissed Chloe and left. Nicole explained to Chloe that without E.J.'s help, she didn't think she could win a custody battle with Sydney's birth parents. She feared she was about to lose everything, which was why she had been so desperate to find Sydney. Although admittedly confused about the details, which Nicole wouldn't divulge, Chloe wished there were something she could do to help. "You can help me make sure that Sydney's birth parents never get their hands on my baby," Nicole replied.

Out in front of the pub, Nicole instructed Chloe about what to do with Sydney: "I need you to take her home with you right now. Don't tell anyone you have her; don't talk to anyone; don't call anyone." She clarified for a stunned Chloe that she was leaving town with Sydney, but she had some things to pick up first. Chloe reluctantly agreed to do whatever Nicole needed. She wished Nicole luck, then left, pushing Sydney in her stroller.

An elated Sami frantically ran around the townhouse, grabbing her jacket and purse, eager to go out and find her daughter. She was dialing Nicole's number when Rafe snatched the phone out of her hands. He promised that they would have Sydney home very soon, but pointed out that Nicole knew that he'd been snooping around, and she might sense something in Sami's voice and do something drastic. "I'm not just going to sit around here and do nothing," a determined Sami complained. Rafe replied that they needed to work out a plan very carefully.

Sami and Rafe then went to the DiMera mansion, because Sami had overheard Nicole leaving a message for Chloe to take Sydney there. When Mary answered the door, Sami claimed that she was picking up Sydney for Nicole. Mary agreeably went upstairs to get the child. Sami could hardly contain her joy as she thanked Rafe for finding her baby. Rafe promised that as soon as they had Sydney, they would go to the police, and Sami hoped Nicole got locked up forever.

Sami tried not to panic when a worried Mary returned without Sydney-and didn't know where she was. Mary informed them that she'd left Sydney in Kate's care, and guessed that Nicole must have already picked up the child. Sami and Rafe managed to stay calm as they concurred, but once they were outside, Sami wanted to call her dad. Rafe didn't want to involve the police yet, so as not to tip off Nicole. He insisted that Sami wait at the pub while he tried to find Nicole and Sydney on his own, since someone had already tried to kill him once that day. Sami grudgingly agreed.

Sami left a message for Kate on her way into the pub, but realized that Kate would probably never call back. Inside, she ran into a sullen Chad, who informed her that he'd just learned Sydney was not his daughter. Sami tried to be sympathetic, but Chad wasn't interested, so she asked if he had seen Nicole or Sydney. He hadn't, and told Sami to leave him alone. Sami noticed that her cell phone battery was almost dead, and decided to head home to charge it so Rafe could reach her.

Daniel called from the hospital just as Chloe arrived home with Sydney. Chloe explained why Nicole had been so upset, and Daniel was surprised to learn that Chloe was at home watching the child.

At the hospital, Rafe asked a nurse if she would call the daycare center to find out if Sydney DiMera was there. Daniel overheard and asked why Rafe was looking for Sydney.

Later, Chloe was searching for a snack for Sydney when Rafe flung the door open. "Give me that baby," he demanded.

Nicole let herself into Sami's townhouse, calling out to make sure no one else was home. Remembering the $50,000 Sami had loaned her to flee the country before, Nicole hoped that it was still in the townhouse somewhere. As she began opening drawers, searching for the money, Nicole told herself, "It's my only hope-the only way Sydney and I will be able to escape."

Nicole found the money in the kitchen and returned to the living room to put it in her purse. She had just gathered up her things and was heading out the door when Sami returned home.