Nicole returned to the DiMera mansion from a jog. E.J. was glad that the time out had helped Nicole clear her head, but Nicole still wasn't sure what was next for her. Nicole noted they had a busy morning with E.J.'s press conference and Holly's school. Holly came downstairs, annoyed that the snow had missed them and hadn't saved her from going back to school. Holly wondered how she would deliver the apology letters she had written for Tate and his family, since she had to stay away from them.

Nicole told Holly she would hold on to the letters and that she was proud of her daughter for taking responsibility. Nicole asked E.J. if he was ready to deliver his own apology, and E.J. snarked that it was "every district attorney's dream" to admit wrongful prosecution. Holly expressed remorse, and E.J. said he had only gone after Tate because he had believed Holly would never do drugs. "You proved me wrong," he concluded.

Holly snapped that it had been difficult for her, since she had been on her "third stepfather" -- a stepfather whose name had come with baggage. Holly then brought up E.J.'s brother being implicated in the drug trafficking. After Nicole sternly reminded Holly that Holly had made her own choices, Holly huffed "whatever" and left. Nicole apologized for Holly, but E.J. thought that Holly was mad at herself and lashing out as a result. They were interrupted by a phone call for E.J.

E.J. told the person he would be there and hung up. Nicole kissed E.J. goodbye and said she would see him at the press conference. Once alone, E.J. smirked and affirmed his plan to deliver a weak argument so that the judge would reject Stefan's plea deal.

Brady, Theresa, and Tate stopped for a meal at the Brady Pub before the press conference. Theresa encouraged Tate to eat, but he claimed he wasn't hungry. Theresa was anxious for the press conference so she could enjoy "Mr. Big D.A. eating crow publicly." Mocking E.J.'s accent, Theresa predicted he would end the speech with, "I'm such an idiot." To Theresa and Brady's chagrin, Tate wondered who else would be at the press conference.

When Brady again warned Tate to keep his distance from Holly, Tate groused that he would or else he would "go directly to jail, do not pass Go." With an eye roll, Tate told Brady he "got it" and that he would stay away from "Holly the teenage werewolf." Theresa doubled down on Brady's warning, condemning Holly as "trouble" who would screw up Tate's life.

Tate redirected the subject to him working again at the pub. Tate made the case that he would be paying off his debt while also helping out his family. Brady and Theresa were both unconvinced and encouraged Tate to focus on school instead. As Brady tabled the discussion, Nicole and Holly entered and caught Tate's eye.

Nicole took notice of Brady's -- and especially Theresa's -- reactions and told Holly they needed to respect the family's wishes and leave. Holly pressed Nicole to let her give the family her apology letters in person, and Nicole reluctantly agreed.

Holly approached the table with Nicole and informed the group that she had written them letters. As Holly handed the letters out, her hand brushed against Tate's, and the two shared a look. Tate read his letter silently. Holly had written to him that she wanted to be "the kind of person who deserves someone like you." She had then mentioned wanting to keep his sweatshirt the next time, which prompted Tate to reminisce about their time alone in the park.

Brady politely told Holly that he appreciated the letter, but Theresa was less enthused and reiterated that the letter did not change the way Theresa felt about Tate and Holly seeing each other. Nicole assured Theresa that Holly would abide by their wishes, while Tate and Holly shared a longing glance.

When Nicole and Holly stepped away, Holly said she had been nervous but was glad to have delivered the letters. Nicole hoped that the experience had taught Holly to make better decisions because choices could have severe consequences. Holly vowed that she never wanted to hurt Nicole or anyone else like that again. Mother and daughter each told the other "I love you."

Back at the table, Tate read a message on his phone and exclaimed, "What the hell?" He tried to blow off the comment, but after Theresa prodded him, Tate showed her the message. A kid at school had called Tate a "pill-pushing dirtbag" on social media. An enraged Theresa promised to talk to the principal, but Tate pleaded with her not to make a big deal out of the message. Brady believed the press conference would make things easier for Tate, but Theresa wasn't as sure.

As they all headed out for the press conference, Holly vowed to Tate, Brady, and Theresa that she would let everyone at school know that Tate had had nothing to do with her overdose. Tate said he would see Holly there and smiled at her.

At the police station, Sloan met with her new prospective client: Stefan. She called his case unusual because he had already worked out a plea deal without an attorney...a move she deemed bold. After Stefan remarked that fearlessness was in his DNA because he was a DiMera, Sloan cracked that "a man who chooses to represent himself has a fool for a client." Stefan reminded her that he wanted her to represent him. When she brought up a retainer and noticed Stefan's pained expression, Sloan retorted that Stefan was not looking so fearless.

Stefan explained his inability to access his finances but assured Sloan he would pay her handsomely. He also insinuated that she needed the work. Non-plussed, Sloan demanded double the money and asked Stefan why he wanted her help when he had already worked out something with E.J. Stefan admitted he felt confident E.J. would double-cross him.

E.J. arrived, annoyed that the hearing had been moved up, and wanted to know why Stefan had hired a lawyer when they had already agreed on a deal. Stefan reaffirmed that he didn't trust E.J., who countered to Stefan that a very generous deal was on the table.

Smiling, Stefan urged E.J. to go forward with the deal so that E.J. could brag to Salem's citizens about avoiding a costly trial. When Stefan suggested going home to the mansion once he was released, E.J. balked. Stefan promised E.J. would pay if Stefan wasn't allowed to return home.

Later, in the judge's chambers, E.J. made his case for Stefan's release. E.J. ended by telling the judge that time served would be in the best interest of all parties. Appalled, the judge asked if E.J. was joking and called the proposed deal the "epitome of nepotism." When E.J. began to protest, the judge cut him off, claiming the deal was not in the public interest and did not reflect the gravity of the charges. Sloan asked to speak and launched into a defense of Stefan in which she brought up the drugs that had been seized and the arrests made because of Stefan's assistance. Sloan also reinforced how Stefan had worked with Clyde under duress because his wife had been threatened and injured.

The judge announced that she would consider the plea bargain but would require time to reach a decision. After the judge left, Stefan sincerely thanked Sloan, who let him know they were in a waiting game. Once alone with E.J., Stefan exchanged blackmail threats with his brother. Stefan implied he had made copies of the audio recording, and E.J. countered that he could turn Stefan in for shooting Harris. "My blackmail trumps your blackmail...take your ass back to your cell like a good little boy," E.J. sneered before storming out.

Brady, Theresa, and Tate arrived at the press conference and were unpleasantly surprised to see that E.J. had begun the proceedings before the press had arrived. E.J. issued a vague apology saying that he was sorry the justice system did not always work and then concluded the press conference. An outraged Brady blasted E.J. for not taking more personal responsibility during the speech. Brady demanded E.J. give him a written copy of the speech, and E.J. snidely told Brady he could take or leave the apology. Tate asked Brady to give it a rest, and Brady eventually relented.

Nicole apologized for E.J. and told Brady and Theresa it was hard for E.J. to say he was sorry. "Oh, boo-hoo, poor E.J.," Theresa said sarcastically. Nicole apologized again on behalf of her whole family. Brady accepted and left with Theresa and Tate. Before leaving the square, Tate looked once more over his shoulder at Holly.

Chanel and Johnny roused from their honeymoon night on the Horton cabin couch. The couple flirted and began kissing. Julie barged in and gasped, "I did it again. Consider me invisible...and carry on." She rushed back through the door, leaving Chanel and Johnny to share an annoyed but amused look.

As Johnny and Chanel settled down for breakfast, Julie announced that she would be a "third wheel" no longer because she was leaving. Johnny informed her that the bridge and ferry were closed, so the three of them were snowed in together. "I'm trapped in a cabin with hot little newlyweds," Julie sighed.

Julie continued to moan about having "invaded a honeymoon." She felt especially bad because they had nothing to do, so she suggested Chanel and Johnny go "frolic" in the snow. She excitedly left to get them snow clothes. Later, the newlyweds posed with strained smiles as Julie looked them over in their bulky, oversized clothes and caps. "Go out and play," she commanded them. When alone, Chanel and Johnny good-naturedly rolled their eyes and agreed to make the best of it.

Julie greeted Johnny and Chanel when they headed back in a short time later, shaking off snow. The couple said they had enjoyed a fun time and reported that they'd gotten stuck together in the snow while making snow angels. Julie had another idea, and the trio ended up playing charades. Julie won after she successfully guessed Johnny's wild "burning" gestures as referring to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Johnny headed back outside to get firewood while Chanel and Julie chatted about Paulina and about the time capsule Julie had found. Chanel soon left to help Johnny. After some time had passed and neither Chanel nor Johnny had returned, Julie grew concerned. She was relieved when Johnny arrived, explaining that he had gone to the shoreline to fetch some better wood. Julie's relief turned to worry again after she realized Chanel was not with Johnny.

Julie explained to Johnny that Chanel had gone to find him, but he claimed not to have seen her. "Where is she?" Johnny asked an alarmed Julie.

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