"Now that the secrets of her past had been revealed, Alex was ready to move on with her life. Edmund, though, that that moving forward too quickly would be a mistake. "It was self-defense," Alex chattered. "The man killed his own child." Obviously, Edmund was elated to know that Alex had acted in self-defense, but in his mind there were still so many unanswered questions. He asked Alex why there were no accounts of Geoffrey's life or career anywhere. He also noted that her sealed medical records puzzled him as well. Alex chalked up Edmund's suspicions to his journalistic instinct. Alex told Edmund that she was sure that there was still more to learn, but confessed that she was still a bit intimidated by her past. For so long she'd convinced herself that she'd be better off not knowing about her past --- and now memories were rushing back. Edmund nodded understandingly and promised not to pressure Alex.
At Chandler Mansion, Adam thanked Ryan for dropping by. Ryan asked Liza why Jake had suddenly decided to change his mind about a custody agreement that had been working so well. What made it even more unsettling for Ryan was Gillian involvement and her need for "this whole pop-up family." Liza explained that Gillian wanted to be loyal to Jake. "Love is a powerful motivator," Adam added. Ryan nodded slightly. He stated that love was the reason he'd dropped by. "I'm still in love with Gillian [and] I want her back," Ryan said determinedly. Liza asked Ryan to consider the possibility that a future with Gillian was not in the cards. Adam, though, understood where Ryan was coming from. "Ryan isn't the first man to hope for a second chance," Adam noted. Liza could relate to wanting a second chance, but she also felt that there was a time to admit defeat. Ryan argued that Gillian wasn't really in love with Jake, but he didn't elaborate on how he'd come to that conclusion. Jake and Gillian strolled into the study to return Colby. Upon seeing Ryan there, Gillian panicked. "What are you telling him?" the princess squawked. Liza moved towards Gillian and told her that no one was saying anything to Ryan. Ryan asked Gillian why she'd gotten so worked up over being there with Adam and Liza. From that point forward, Ryan and Gillian said nothing. They stood transfixed, unable to take their eyes off of one another. Jake let it be known that he did not approve of the court order forcing him to give Colby back to Liza. Adam informed Jake that he'd brought it all on himself. Liza tried to explain that the situation was only temporary until they could reach an agreement. Jake doubted Liza's promise and her sincerity. Jake took off, but Ryan and Gillian remained in place. A few seconds later, Gillian realized that Jake was gone and she, too, headed on her way.
Gillian returned to Wildwind and told her grandmother, who'd just arrived from Budapest, that Ryan was driving her crazy. She mentioned that Ryan had kissed her and Eugenia was outraged by Ryan's forwardness. Gillian shamefully admitted that she'd kissed Ryan back. Gillian also confessed that she'd thought about calling off the wedding. However, when she bumped into Greenlee and learned that she and Ryan had had sex the night before, that thought vanished from her mind. Eugenia said that Dimitri must have sent Greenlee to help Gillian. Gillian seemed taken aback by the suggestion. Eugenia, though, was sure that Dimitri had used Greenlee to help prevent Gillian from making a terrible mistake. Jake showed up a little while later. Eugenia granted them some privacy, but she warned Jake that he was not to see Gillian after midnight.
At the mall, Greenlee proudly reflected on the con job she'd pulled on Gillian. Leo joined her a little while later with the hopes of roping her into his plot against Marian. Greenlee paid little mind to what Leo was saying. Instead, she boasted of the way that she'd foiled any chance of reconciliation between Ryan and Gillian. Greenlee saw nothing wrong in what she did. In fact, she claimed that she'd actually done Gillian a favor. "Don't look over your shoulder on the way down the aisle," she chirped. Leo told Ryan that a "wealthy" man had enlisted his services. Greenlee instantly knew that the man in question had to be Adam. Her rationale was that only two men in town would make a person whisper the word "wealthy." One was Palmer and the other Adam. And since Leo was already in Palmer's family... well, that left just Adam. Leo explained that he Greenlee's help in getting Marian to commit adultery. "You want me to get caught in bed with a married woman?" Greenlee squeaked. Leo rolled his eyes. The conversation ceased when Scott and "the human chastity belt," and Greenlee called her, appeared at the table. Becca spoke of the evils that could pop up anywhere at anytime. Greenlee was amused by Becca's "backwater" thought process and ribbed her incessantly. Marian strolled by and told the young adults to enjoy their youth. Leo was noticeably uncomfortable. Marian headed off to The Valley Inn to meet a client. Scott and Becca also cut short their coffeetalk with Becca and Leo. Leo placed a phone call to one of his friends after which he took off. Edmund and Alex stopped by the mall to do a little shopping. As Alex headed to try on some clothing, loud screams sounded in the distance. Suddenly, several shots rang out. Scott threw Becca to the floor and covered her with his body. A gunman raced through the crowds and grabbed hold of Alex. He held the gun to her head and warned two security guards that he'd shoot Alex if they made any sudden movements. Edmund pleaded with the gunman to unhand Alex. In what should have been the most terrifying moment of her life, Alex somehow found a burst of confidence. She grabbed the gunman's arm and twisted it behind his back. Alex then kicked the man in the groin and followed it up with a kick to the man's head. The gunman tumbled to the ground and Alex stomped his arm to hold him in place. The officers swarmed in and hauled the man off presumably to jail. A stunned Edmund walked over to Alex and asked her where she'd learned to defend herself that way. "Who were you?" he asked. "And where the hell did you learn to do that?" Alex shook her head in confusion and said that she has no idea. Becca thanked Scott for saving her life with a passionate kiss. Scott replied by giving Becca a necklace --- and telling he that he loves her.
At The Valley Inn, Leo and his pal, Paolo, watched Marian from across the room. Leo briefed Paolo on what was needed: Stuart had to find him and Marian in bed together. After being assured that Stuart was not a violent man, Paolo agreed to accept the challenge.
Back at Chandler Mansion, Ryan asked Liza if she noticed how oddly Gillian acted upon seeing him. Liza knew that she could not give Ryan a proper explanation, so she opted to leave the room while the getting was good. She took a feverish Colby up to the nursery. Ryan turned to Adam and noted that Gillian seemed troubled by the thought of them being alone together. Adam waved his hands and assured Ryan that he was reading too much into the situation. Ryan sensed otherwise and asked Adam to tell him what he knew. Adam said that he'd have "nothing to gain" by telling Ryan. Ryan correctly deduced that Adam must have something to lose. Without revealing any secrets, Adam told Ryan that he could lose Liza by spilling his guts. Ryan didn't want to be the reason why Adam and Liza split, but at the same time he really wanted to find a way to get back together with Gillian. Adam smiled deviously and announced that there might be a way that he can help Ryan without breaking his promise to Liza. Adam escorted Ryan out of the study and into the hallway. "What you're about to see has the potential of changing both our lives," Adam grinned. He opened the door to the safe room and walked Ryan inside. He gave Ryan a brief overview of the room's functionality. Ryan wondered why Adam was going out of his way to help him. Adam explained that he wanted to repay Ryan for being such a good friend to Hayley. However, he warned him not to even think about crossing him. Ryan was left to sit before the video monitors and watch... and listen. Adam returned to the study and waited for Liza to return. Believing that Ryan was gone, Liza told Adam that Jake was becoming "desperate." Gillian, on the other hand, was "in a fog," according to Adam. Liza said that she felt sorry for Gillian for having to keep a secret from Jake. Adam, who also had kept a secret of his own, said that he didn't reveal the truth to Liza because he was afraid she'd leave him. He felt that Jake and Gillian's marriage would crumble because it was being built on a foundation of lies. Liza was sure that Gillian would keep her secret from Jake. After all, she asked, how would Gillian go about telling Jake that Colby was not his daughter. In the safe room, Ryan's eyes widened and a slight gasp escaped his gaped mouth upon hearing the news."
- Soap Central