Stephanie Begins Gun Training Just as Joy Arrives, and Sophia Begins Her Endgame

Alex is shocked to find Joy at his door with a his baby! She introduces him to Kelsey, their daughter and admits she may have told a little white lie before leaving about the pregnancy results. Naturally, Alex wonders if she’s telling another lie about the baby being his!

What Does Joy Want?

Joy understands, so she’s happy to do a DNA test. If he wants. She doesn’t need anything from him. (Please. This is Salem. Yes, you do.) Alex is suspicious enough to wonder why she’s back now, but Joy just says she heard through “mutual friends” (Jeremy) he was eager to start a family.

Alex just about melts when he holds his daughter and brings up having to talk to Stephanie. His wife. Joy says to just let her know about the DNA, she’s not coming between them, and heads off.

Sophia Burns All Her Bridges

Ari’s studying for finals at the bookstore, happy to see Liam’s starting his first day — but he’s uncomfortable and hurries off. Sophia comes in next and Ari’s not playing nice anymore. She tells Sophia the hell off: “Face it, you have no friends. And if you wanna know why, look in the damn mirror.”

And as Sophia starts flipping out and returning Ari’s energy, Liam comes over to throw her out. Between that and Ari helping him find a book for a customer, things ease up a bit, but he’s still very much uncomfortable with her!

Can Gabi and Philip Work Together?

Gabi and Philip meet at his office to go over Titan’s offer for Gabi Chic and roleplay a little HR nightmare right on the desk. After putting their clothes back on, Gabi looks over the offer, admits DiMera’s deal was better… And takes Titan’s! She’s letting personal feelings cloud business acumen, but pretends she’s not.

But also, she lives in the mansion, so she doesn’t want Titan to go under or she’ll lose her home. (Again, these all sound like personal reasons…) It’s a done deal, and they part ways!

Is Stephanie OK?

Stephanie takes to the firing range like a fish to water, as Steve gives her and Brady a gun lesson. But she starts flashing back to her kidnapping, and it’s throwing her aim off. Stephanie tries leaving in a frustrated fury, but Steve talks her back into trying again. This time, she visualizes Owen, and puts two bullets through the bullseye!

The trio heads over to the Pub after they’re done to fuel up and talk shop. The guys get a little uncomfortable when Stephanie says she got better visualizing Owen as the target and wouldn’t mind putting a bullet in him — but she just hopes she can testify against him. (So maybe Wes Ramsey isn’t done!)

Brady, meanwhile, mentions Tate teaching martial arts, so he and Stephanie are both up for some self-defense lessons. Brady finishes up and Stephanie tells Papa that he can head out, too. She’s doing fine. He’s proud of her, reminds her to put the gun in the safe away from the ammo and she lies to his face: “Will do.”

In the Show’s Final Moments

Brady meets with Philip to talk about Marlena and Basic Black. Philip won’t help him out, though, and insists it’s Kate at Basic Black or nothing.

Sophia talks away to herself as she creates a fake social media account at Ari and Holly’s dorm group chat thingy to post nasty things about herself. The group jumps right on it, tearing into Sophia, but she may have gotten more than she bargained for as she seems genuinely hurt.

Gabi stops by the bookstore, says hi to Ari and is excited to spot “Gage” — and his nametag that says “Liam!” Whoops. She demands answers! Then figures them out herself. He’s the guy who helped kidnap the DiMeras! Gabi warns him the hell away from her daughter, but that was his plan anyway, so no problem!

Stephanie gets home, floating on cloud nine after firing off a few bullets and… Alex has to tell her the news. He’s a daddy: Surprise! (He’s not nearly that excited, though, and neither is Stephanie.) And over in Small Bar, Joy tells Jeremy how right he was. Aha! (Doesn’t want anything from Alex, my left foot.)