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Alex comes to the office and coolly tells his cousin he was just talking to Sarah, who just so happened to say she misses and loves him. Xander is obviously affected by this news, but quickly moves on to admitting Stephanie’s plan to officially make Philip co-CEO has some merit. Alex believes it’d get them all out of harm’s way, and also, Xander getting half of something is better than all of nothing. The only other option is undoing the DiMera takeover. Xander will think about it.

Vampires or Ticks?

Over coffee in the Square with Marlena, Sarah rants about Kristen not coming forward sooner about shooting EJ. Marlena defends her, much to Sarah’s surprise, especially when it comes to her being a mother to Rachel. They move on to discussing Marlena’s health issues, with Marlena sharing Susan’s diagnosis that involved vampires, and how she’s sick in body, mind and soul.

Sarah dismisses Susan’s wackiness, but the blood sucking vampires stuff gives her an idea. Since Marlena was just in Estonia, and there is a higher rate for tick-borne illnesses in the Baltics compared to the rest of Europe, she’d like to test for that. Marlena agrees and then asks about Sarah. She admits she still loves Xander, but she can’t go back to the man he’s become. She hopes Marlena can help him get to the source of his rage for his sake and their daughter’s.

Susan’s Dire Vibrations

A visit from Grandma Susan interrupts Johnny and Chanel’s plans to celebrate his freedom in their bedroom. As the trio discusses the trial, Susan shares that she never got the vibe that Kristen was the one who shot her dear Elvis. Johnny and Chanel adamantly counter that Kristen confessed, and they need it to be over. Susan backs down and leaves the lovebirds to “shake their tailfeathers.” Out in the hallway, Susan’s expression turns grim, and she shivers.

Back inside, Johnny gets a call from Salem U, where he applied for a job last year. A professor quit, and they want him as an adjunct for the new semester starting next week. They’ll even work around his schedule at Titan-DiMera. Chanel encourages him to consider it since it involves his love of film.

Susan visits Marlena at the penthouse to apologize for her earlier diagnosis and gets another chill. Terrified, she warns Dr. Marlena Evans that whatever is going on with her has gotten worse. An agitated Marlena isn’t interested in her “vibrations” and slams the door on her.

Sarah meets Xander in the Square to pick up Victoria. He tries to get her to say what she told Alex, but ultimately has to awkwardly spell it out himself. However, Sarah sees no point in discussing it and leaves with Victoria.

Testing, Testing

At home, Gabi tests out a fountain pen recording device, saying she doesn’t need Steve Johnson’s help, not even one iota. Javi enters, and she tries to lure him back as her assistant with the tease of him becoming very rich, very soon. He takes a hard pass because he likes his life right now. They move on to discussing how Gabi’s life is right on track. But there is one thing missing: love.

Javi presses for details, but Gabi will only admit there are two guys, who she didn’t think anything of at first. However, there is an emotional connection with one, while the other is the reason she didn’t come home last night. Javi is dying for all the juicy scoop, but Gabi remains coy.

Later, Gabi brings a report to Xander’s office and leaves it on his desk, along with her recording pen.

Philip Ponders His Future

After horseback riding at the Kiriakis estate, Philip laments to Belle about what a perpetual screw up he is and how he can’t hold onto a relationship. Belle cheekily brings up Gabi, but Philip dismisses their night together. Besides, he doesn’t trust himself in a relationship right now. He wouldn’t want to hurt Gabi, just like he wouldn’t want to hurt Belle. She reminds him they’re in a good place now, but teases it’s not without its judgment. They laugh over old times and share a wistful look that implies something more than friendship.

Belle gets Philip to admit that Titan might not be what he wants for his future. But he doesn’t know what he wants. She encourages him to discover what matters to him, which might not be his supposed birthright. He thanks her for giving him a lot to think about.