At Collin’s room at the Salem Inn, Jen tells Collin that she will prove that she wants him and only him, and she tells him to make love to her! Jen closes Collin’s room’s door, not realizing Sami was outside the room. She thinks Jen is two timing Jack. Meanwhile, Collin wonders why Jen is coming on so strong, and thinks something is going on. He says something feels strained. Jen says she is just nervous and excited, but Collin wonders if this is a ploy. Jen says this is not a ploy, and she was just hurt when he rejected her in Ireland. She says it took her a long time to trust him again. Collin tells Jen that he loves her, and he wants to know if she loves him.
At Dot.Com, Jack is worried about Jen because she didn’t show up for their meeting. Brandon arrives at Dot.Com to meet Sami, but she’s not there. He calls her cell phone and she says she was at the Salem inn for a meeting, but it didn’t happen. She does say she ran into Jen, so Brandon passes the info onto Jack. Jack thinks Jen is in danger and runs off. He goes to the Salem Inn, where he runs into Sami. She refuses to break his heart and says Jen took off. Sami leaves, and Jack calls Collin’s room.
Up in Collin’s room, the phone rings, and Collin refuses to answer it because he wants to know if Jen loves him or not. Jen lies and says she does love him. They kiss, and begin taking off one another’s clothes. Collin makes love to Jen, but her heart is with Jack. She tells herself that she is doing this to protect Jack. Afterwards Jen is in tears, and she claims that she is crying because she is happy. She tells him that she loves him and only him, and that Jack is not a threat.
Back at Dot.Com, Nicole meets with Brandon, and he can see she is upset about something. Nicole ends up opening up to Brandon about cheating on Victor, being blackmailed by the man, and that Victor may know about it. Brandon asks who it is, but she refuses to say. Nicole continues to explain that she is afraid Victor saw the check and knows, so she needs to get home and find out what Victor knows. Brandon continues to press for the man’s identity, but she says she can handle it. Sami shows up and wonders what is going on. Brandon wants them all to sit down and make peace, and Brandon wants to bring Sami to the wedding. Sami ends up taking off after getting a phone call from Collin, and Nicole also decides to leave. Brandon ended up snooping through Nicole’s stuff and found the check to Collin, so he knows who is blackmailing Nicole.
Meanwhile, Victor makes a phone call to the wedding planner and asks her to deliver one more invitation to Collin Murphy, and he says Nicole is not to know about this.
At Bo and Hope’s, Bo has decorated the house for Hope’s birthday. He has decorated it with balloons, and he says he gift is in one of them, so she will have to start popping them! She eventually finds it, and it is a certificate for a day at the Salem Spa, and a night in the Salem Inn suite. She thanks him, and as they hug, Hope sees Larry’s face in one of the balloons. For some reason, she is afraid for Shawn.
Larry is trying to cover up everything at the Horton Cabin that indicates he was there. Unfortunately for him, Belle and Shawn show up at the cabin while he is doing so! Larry takes aim at Shawn, but before he can shoot Bo and Hope call so that Shawn can wish his mom a happy birthday. Hope asks him how he is, and he says he is fine. He says he’ll see her a little later. Bo talks to his dad again and says they are up at the cabin and wants to know if he can light the fireplace. Bo says okay, but to open the flew first. Shawn heads out to the shed to get the tool to open the flew, and Larry once again aims at Shawn with his gun. Larry doesn’t shoot Shawn, because Belle has found something odd. The fireplace has been used! Shawn wonders if Mickey and Maggie may have been here. Later they go out to get some wood, and Belle ends up smacking poor Larry in the head with the door to the cabin, which knocks him senseless! Belle and Shawn end up leaving before Larry can come to and finish them off.
Bo and Hope go to the Salem Inn, where the spa is, and they run into Jack. Jack is worried about Jen and thinks something is wrong. Bo agrees to go up to check on Collin. Bo knocks on his door, and Jen hides. Collin asks Bo what he wants? Bo asks if he is alone? Collin says of course, and he asks what he wants. Bo says he was just seeing if he was all packed up and ready to go back to Ireland. Collin says there are some things he has to take care of first, and he shows Bo out. Jen comes out of the closet, and she is dressed already. She says she has to go pick up Abby, but before she leaves he asks her to come to Ireland with him. She says she can’t do that. He asks if she can’t, or if she won’t. Jen says it will take time, she can’t leave her job and just take off. She also says she can’t leave her family. Collin wonders if this is about Jack, but she says he is not the problem. She tells Collin that she will go to Ireland with him, but he has to stay here awhile longer until she can work everything out. Jen leaves, and Collin decides he still has to take out Jack. Collin calls Sami and demands she meet him right away.
Sami meets Collin out at the docks, and he says he knows she saw him with Jen. He wants her to take Jack to lookout point tomorrow and tells Jack what she saw, but she refuses. He says he’ll tell Brandon all if she doesn’t, so she agrees. In his head, Collin plans to murder Jack at lookout point! Meanwhile, a teary-eyed Jen calls Jack and says she had to go meet Collin when he called, and she says she’s sorry for not meeting him. Jack wonders what is up with Jennifer, and he realizes that something is wrong.
Meanwhile, John visits Daphne DiMera's grave as Marlena waits in the car. Tony appears and both men learn the other knows the truth that John is Daphne’s son. John's furious and claims that Tony will never be his brother, despite any DNA tests. Tony says he can’t deny DNA. Marlena intervenes and Tony thanks her, which irks John more. Tony then tells Marlena that John has accused him of wanting to steal her away from him. Marlena is shocked. John says he believes Tony is here to take her away and finish what Stefano couldn’t. John and Marlena leave and go back to the car. Marlena tries to calm John, who swears Tony will end up in one of the cemetery plots if he comes after Marlena. Alone, Tony comments how John has inherited his father's temper, making it clear Tony knows the identity of John's father...
Sami is waiting for Brandon in his loft when he returns. She tells him that she let herself in last night to wait for him, but he never came home. Brandon says he had to work late, but he's frustrated he couldn't get to Colin because he's been in surgery all night. Nicole arrives, gets rid of Sami, and demands Brandon give back the check he stole from her. Brandon refuses, but Nicole implores her brother that she has to take care of this on her own. He finally gives in and returns the check, but vows that Collin will not get away with this.
Sami goes to Tony for help and fills him in on what Colin asked her to do to Jack. Tony pieces together Colin's plan and tells Sami that Collin is probably planning on killing Jack. Sami says she can’t let that happen and has to tell her dad, but Tony points out that Collin will blab all her secrets to her father and Brandon if she does. Tony says that he will handle Colin. Sami leaves, and Tony has had it with Collin’s infatuation with Jennifer Horton. Sami returns to Brandon, shaky and nervous, convincing him to make love to her.
Meanwhile, Colin receives a hand-delivered invitation to Nicole/Victor's wedding and gets a call from Larry, reminding him that he only has until midnight tonight to kill Bo. Later, Nicole gives Collin the check and gets the tape in return. She believes she's in the clear, but Colin says it's just beginning. Collin tells himself that Nicole is going to make sure that he gets everything he’s always wanted.
At Dot Com, Bo and Roman discuss the lack of evidence they've accumulated in Raymond Grant's office. Bo questions Roman about his involvement with Kate, and what he will do if she is in deep with Stefano. Roman is hoping she isn’t, but he knows she is hiding something big.
At the mansion, Victor tells Nico that Colin won't be a problem after tonight. Kate arrives and tells Victor she knows about his "wedding present" to Nicole; Victor tells Kate not to worry about it, but she thinks he is going to destroy her. He tells her that he has far more important things to worry about. She leaves, and Victor tells himself that he won’t be making Kate or Sami’s life hell after he marries Nicole, it is Nicole that is going to find out what hell means in 2003. Later, Roman shows up and threatens Victor not to hurt Sami and Kate, but Victor dismisses Roman's concern. After Roman leaves, Bo comes over and Victor asks him to be his best man. Roman returns to Dot Com and sees Kate, who pales when he tells her he confronted Victor about his plans for Sami and Kate. He promises to protect them and they make plans to spend New Year's Eve together...
Shawn/Belle meet and plan their special night together at the Salem Inn. Bo comes up and Shawn privately tells Bo his suspicions that someone was at the Horton Cabin. Cassie/Rex invite Belle/Shawn to spend New Year's Eve at the mansion, but they decline because of the wedding and "other plans." Cassie sneaks a peek in one of Belle's bags and sees a negligee. Bo plans to check out the Horton Cabin before the wedding, unaware that Larry is hiding out there; Cassie vows she'll stop Belle and Shawn from making love once again...
At Jack and Jen’s, Abby is happy that she has her mom and dad with her on Christmas morning. At the Carver house, Lexie and Abe celebrate Christmas together. Abe gives Lexie her gift.
Bo, Shawn, and Hope celebrate Zack’s first Christmas as a Brady. Belle shows up to see Shawn, and they kiss. As Hope is cleaning up paper and ribbons she has another flashback to Larry tying her up. Bo asks what is wrong, and she says nothing. Shawn goes into the kitchen with Belle to give her a kiss, and a card. Meanwhile, Bo gives Hope a necklace, and he says there is more to come! Mimi shows up, and she tells Shawn and Belle that she just got an odd call from Phillip asking them to meet him at the mansion.
Back at the hospital, Mickey and Maggie, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, arrive and meet up with Roman, Caroline, and Shawn. Mickey has laryngitis, and Roman says he was supposed to read the Christmas story. Jack, Jen, and Abby show up for the story, and Collin asks Jen if he can talk to her. She tells him not right now. Nancy, Craig, Chloe, and Brady are getting ready to leave and run into the Hortons and BRadys who have assembled. Alice asks Chloe to read the Christmas story this year, and she agrees. Chloe then reads the Christmas story from the bible to the kids at the hospital. Later, Collin tells Jen that he is leaving for Ireland, but needs to meet with her before he leaves. She agrees, and later when Jack and Jen return home, she tells Jack that she won’t risk her life in any way. He is glad, and gives her a hug, which Abby sees.
At the Kiriakis mansion, Kate shows up and asks Victors if he talked Phillip out of his insane plan to join the marines? Phillip shows up and says nothing that they can say can stop them, and he is leaving today. Victor and Kate talk to Phillip, and Victor tells him that he is proud of him and his decision is a brave and noble one. Lucas and Billie show up, and the wonder why everyone is saying goodbye to Phillip. Phillip tells Billie and Lucas about his choice, and how dad is okay with it but mom isn’t. The kids show up, and they agree with Kate and think Phillip has made a crazy choice. Phillip asks his dad to watch over mom for him while he’s gone. Chloe and Brady show up later, Belle called them, and Chloe asks to speak with Phillip alone to say goodbye. She hopes he isn’t doing this because things didn’t work out, and he says no. He says this is what he has to do, and he knows things will work out for her. Chloe gives Phillip the necklace he gave her of their tree. She wants him to keep it until he comes home and can give it back to her. Chloe and Phillip, in tears, hug one another.
The Brady’s head to the pub, where Abe shows up to give Zack some gifts. Lexie has not come, but she has sent a gift. Lexie is outside, and sees Hope reject her gift for Zack. Hope heads outside to see Lexie, and she tells Lexie to go inside and give Zack the gift herself. Lexie is touched by Hope’s kindness. Lexie makes a speech to everyone thanking them all for their forgiveness and acceptance, especially Hope and Abe. She says it is a dream come true for her. She then tells them that she is pregnant. Everyone is thrilled, and they toast to Lexie’s new baby, and the baby born in Bethlehem.
Elsewhere, Shawn and Belle talk about their big night, which Shawn has planned for New Years Eve at the Salem Inn.
Roman goes to see Kate, who is still upset about Phillip’s choice. Roman, however, is impressed. He says he is a gutsy young man, and he will come back a real man. Kate just feels like everyone is leaving her and doesn’t need her anymore. Roman says he is not leaving, and he still needs her. He then gives her a passionate kiss.
At the DiMera mansion, Cassie fantasizes about kissing Shawn. Rex tells his sister to get a grip, Shawn loves Belle and not her! Meanwhile, Bart reports to Tony about Collin’s plan to leave the country. He has bought a few plane tickets, and Tony wonders what he is planning. Later, Tony goes to see the twins, and they end up in a trance. They say they have to find Dr. Putnman to get him to help them protect the DiMeras. Tony asks Bart to get Rolfe, and he asks them what they mean “protect the DiMeras?” Tony says that is his role, he will protect this family. The twins have no idea what Tony is talking about. Tony goes to meet with Rolfe, and he demands to know what Rolfe has done to the twins. We never heard Rolfe’s answer. Tony asks Rolfe to keep an eye on the twins until he returns, and he takes off. Meanwhile, Rex goes into protection mode because he has learned that Collin threatened Tony. Cassie, however, is preoccupied on stopping Shawn and Belle from doing the deed, not protecting the DiMeras. Rolfe shows up to watch the twins, as directed, but they have already gone!
Collin verifies that the five million is now in his account, and then he looks at the bullet with which he will kill Bo. He also plans to make sure to get rid of Jack for good so that he can take Jennifer with him to Ireland. Suddenly, Sami shows up and tells Collin that she knows what he is up to, and he can forget it! Sami knows he is planning to kill Jack, and she refuses to help him. Collin blackmails her back, but she refuses to play along and says she’ll claim he was an accomplice to her since he knew. Collin says she’ll lose more because Brandon is her last chance to be happy. Sami says she has saved four lives, not just hers. She says Abe and LExie will be happy together now, and she will be happy with Brandon. Collin tells her that she is full of it, and he says that she will go to prison, Lucas will get custody of Will, Marlena will be devastated that her daughter hasn’t changed, and Brandon will hate her!
Bo and Hope show up at the pub to see the family. Hope is very tired, and Caroline worries about her. Bo thinks she has just overdone it for the holidays and needs time to pull herself together. Hope leaves to be on her own and continues to have visions of Larry. Hope tries to convince herself that Larry is dead and he can’t hurt her anymore. Meanwhile, Jack meets up with Jen at the Brady Pub. He wonders what is eating her, something has her sad. She claims her cider is gone, so he says order some more. Jack begs Jen to tell him what is wrong. Jen says Collin is what is wrong. Jen says she still has to pretend to be interested in Collin. As Bo and Hope are about to leave, Jen snags Bo to ask him some questions. Bo realizes something is bothering Jen, and when Collin walks in, she tells him that she needs to talk to him later. Jen pretends to be interested in Collin, and she asks to ring in the New Year with him. He tells her that won’t happen. He says he’d like to be kissing her at midnight, but duty calls. Jen suggests they get together later, and he says that he’d like that. Collin leaves, and Jen vows to put Collin away for a long time. Collin walks off, and Jack follows him. Later, Jack calls Jen and says that he’s been following Collin and he is not at the hospital, he is at Victor and Nicole’s wedding! She wonders what Collin is up to, and asks Jack to stay put until she gets there. Jen meets up with Jack. She is dressed to the nines, and she gives Jack a tux to change into. She tells him that they are crashing the wedding!
Meanwhile, Kate shows up and Roman makes plans in his head for a great New Years with Kate. He talks to Kate and tells her that he thinks they should just spend an evening at his place watching the ball drop. They head to Roman’s place, and they get ready for a romantic dinner and night together.
At the Kiriakis mansion, wedding preparations are underway. Victor orders Nico to search Collin Murphy’s room at the hotel. He leaves, and Brandon arrives to see Nicole. Brandon goes up to see her, and Victor continues to scheme and plot against Nicole. Brandon visits with Nicole and she tells him not to worry, Collin has the money and she has the tape. Brandon doesn’t think Collin will let this go, but Nicole has convinced herself that it is over. She tells him that once she is married, she will tap into Victor’s power and take care of Collin if he tries anything. She assures him that everything will be fine. Nicole takes off to eat, and Brandon says no one hurts his sister and gets away with it! Meanwhile, Nico asks Victor if he is to still go after Sami and Kate after the wedding? Victor says no, his plans for Nicole’s wedding gift have changed. He says once they are married, Nicole’s life will come to an end!
Later, Faye shows up for the wedding and Nicole is nasty to her mom. She tells her to acts like she has some class for a change! Meanwhile, Sami arrives at the wedding and runs into Collin. He says he is here on business; he’s going to have a chat with Brandon! He tells Sami that she had her chance, and she blew it! Sami realizes that she has to stop Collin. Bo and Hope also arrive at the mansion, and Hope continues to see visions of Larry. Everyone sees Collin come in, and people wonder what he is doing here. Nicole decides to take care of Collin and asks him what he’s doing here? Victor appears and says he invited Collin to the wedding! He says they owe a lot to Dr. Murphy, and she should be nice to their guest. Jack and Jen arrive, and they tell Victor they are here to cover the wedding for the Spectator. Meanwhile, Brandon confronts Collin, and Jack intervenes and saves Collin from Brandon’s temper. Brandon wonders where SAmi is? Sami has broken into her father’s house, only to find out he is with Kate. She ends up knocking over a chair, and Roman’s gun falls out of his holster. Sami takes the gun and leaves. Back at the wedding, Jack demands to know what is going on between Collin and Jen. Collin asks Jack if he really wants to know the truth? Collin ends up bragging to Jack that he made love to Jen for hours yesterday! Meanwhile, Jen confides to Bo that she had to distract Collin up in his room to keep him from doing something to Jack. She begs Bo to help her. Bo asks what Collin said? Jen lets Bo know that Collin was going to kill Jack, so she slept with him. Bo is furious and tells Jen not to do anything else because he will take care of Collin! Elsewhere, Nicole goes to her room to change into her gown. She finds a note there from Collin indicating that the blackmail has only begun! Victor catches Nicole reading the note from Collin. Back downstairs at the wedding, everyone searches for Collin. Hope steps outside to get some air, because she is still dizzy. She ends up overhearing Collin, on the phone with Larry, plotting to kill Bo tonight!
Nicole reads Colin's note and is furious that he plans to continue blackmailing her and still has a copy of their encounter on tape. Victor, who's been watching her, makes his presence known and asks about the note, but Nicole covers. He gives her a chance to come clean, but she doesn't; Bo interrupts, looking for Colin, and confides in Victor that Colin's been stirring up trouble. Victor tells Bo he'll handle Colin, but Bo is just as determined. Victor calls Nico and tells him to take care of Colin. Bo's frustrated when he can't find Colin and has to take his place next to Victor as the wedding begins, unaware that Colin is taking aim at him outside. Nicole doesn't appear on cue and Bo/Victor go to look for her; Bo also realizes Hope isn't there and sends Shawn to search for her. Colin mutters to himself because he's lost the perfect shot on Bo and suddenly realizes that someone is watching him. Victor finds Nicole and brings her into the room, looking shaken as she finally weds Victor. Shawn returns empty handed, nervous, and Bo, Belle, and Shawn split up to search for her. Chloe and Brady leave the reception to be alone at the loft, as Isabella looks on.
Victor tries to get Nicole to reveal why she was late and tells her he knows the real reason. Nicole is unnerved and Fay, still upset that Brandon hasn't returned, realizes Nicole isn't wearing her veil; it's seen outside the house, torn. Jennifer returns, numb, and sees Jack return. Jennifer apologizes, but Jack doesn't want to hear anything about Colin; she says Colin will always be with them and reveals that he's dead. Sami sneaks into Roman's house and returns the gun, revealing she took it to save her and Brandon. Bo finds Hope at home, shocked to see her hand covered in blood. As Belle searches for Hope, she lets out a blood-curdling scream when she stumbles upon Colin's dead body...