So Much For Auld Lang Syne

We pan back from a roaring fire and find Sami holding one of Sydney's Christmas presents and, it goes without saying, brooding. She flashes back to seeing the note from the kidnapper and huffs. Rafe comes out and blows on one of those cheap party horns.

"What's that," asks Sami.

"A party in a box."

"I thought it was gonna be the two of us," says Sami.

"Who says you need more than two for a party," says Rafe. My guess would be Johnny and Allie but, hey, how important can a couple of irritating kids be?

Daniel saunters into the hospital all tuxed-up and tells Nathan he's taking Chloe to Chez Rouge. Nathan tells him about his date with Stephanie, but assumes Daniel thinks he's still hung up on Melanie. He stammers around and they talk about her engagement with Phillip.

The Voyager Spacecraft slowly approaches the planet and... Oh, check that. We're panning in on Melanie's diamond. Melanie and Phillip stand in Maggie's kitchen as Phillip announces his jet is all fueled and ready to head to Vegas. Melanie hesitates.

A nurse congratulates Carly for saving a life as Carly flashes back to Lawrence's death. Technical note: in commemoration of the coming year, that was exactly the 2010th time we have seen her slice and dice his gut. "I don't deserve praise," says Carly, "I did what I had to do."

Vivian toys with an envelope as she flashes back to talking to Victor about Carly's child, "Once I find you... you inglorious bastard we'll make Carly suffer."

Hope is in the Kiriakis mansion den with Justin planning to hunt for evidence once Victor and Vivian skedaddle.

Rafe hands Sami a feather boa. She wants him to wear one, too. Rafe stops her, "I'm the only one who touches the box."

Speaking of touching, Prevuze would not touch that one with a ten foot pole.

Rafe dives in and pulls out champagne glasses. He reminds her of their last New Year's Eve and they bicker about who was more irritating in the safehouse. They both win.

Victor and Vivian walk in on Hope and Justin. Victor accuses them of conspiring about something.

Melanie insists she isn't having second thoughts. She reminds him Kate wasn't happy when Lucas and Chloe eloped. Phillip says his mom is no longer a part of his life.

Nathan thinks Phillip and Melanie getting together so quickly is a little strange. Daniel butts in with a piece of advice, "She's not married yet. Better to work out your unresolved feelings now." He leaves.

Nathan stares, "He's right. I can't leave things like this."

Victor presses and Hope just says she's concerned about Ciara. As he and Vivian turn to leave Victor gives her a parting shot, "Try not to burn the house down."

With the coast clear, Justin says, "I thought they'd never leave."

Hope says, "It's time for us to get to work."

Daniel finds Carly and congratulates her on saving the life but Carly don' need no stinkin' congrats. Daniel says, "Something seems to be bothering you... can you talk about it?" Greeted with silence, Daniel continues, "Just know I'm (say it with him) here for you if you need me."

Carly breaks the silence, "No matter how many lives I save it doesn't make up for the one I took..."

Daniel is a little confused, "Huhwah?"

"Lawrence," says Carly, "I did it. I killed him." She walks away. OK, so I guess it doesn't take a high IQ to become a doctor.

Julie and Maggie are standing... somewhere... maybe Maggie finally added that living room to her house... and they're all dolled up and ready to party. They share small talk about their husbands and decide they are keepers. Maggie gets a call as they head for Chez Rouge. Vegas odds are about 10 gazillion to one that the Mickster can't make it.

Stephanie shows up at Maggie's to pick up her camera. She asks about Nathan and Melanie says he's not there. Eagle-eyed Stephanie sees the luggage and asks about it. Melanie tells her she and Phillip going to Vegas. Stephanie gets all-excited, "Oooo... Donnie and Marie? Cirque du Soliel? Wayne Newton? The Gorge and Puke Buffet?

"No," says Melanie, "We're getting married."

Nathan stands at the elevator and contemplates, "I've gotta do this in person."

Chloe stands in the Java Café and dumps some cream into her cup-o-joe. Daniel walks up behind her and cops one of his patented feels. He suggests ditching their date options and going for a private party. "You may be on to something," says Chloe. And we all know what Daniel hopes that something will be.

"I can't wait to get out of this tux," says Daniel.

Chloe asks, "Can I help you?"

"You bet your ass you can." Daniel sees Carly and heads over to talk to her, "We need to finish our discussion."

Apparently Victor and Vivian are exhausted from their long drive so far. So much so that they've had to stop for coffee after traveling the first mile. They stand outside the Java Café and wonder what Carly and Daniel are doing in there.

Hope and Justin start the search.

Melanie tells Stephanie she and Phillip are eloping. Stephanie congratulates her and says what she and Phillip had is over, "I'm happy for you, but you don't seem happy. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Meanwhile, outside the pub, issue-laden Nathan bumps into flower-laden Phillip. Phillip gives him the big news, "We're eloping... tonight."

Carly wants Daniel to stay out of things, even though she was stupid enough to blab to him. She hitches as Vivian and Victor walk in. Carly tells Daniel Vivian knows the truth, but asks him to stay out of it.

Carly starts to leave and heads directly into Vivian's path, "Get out of my way."

Vivian fakes being gracious, "I Just wanted to wish you a happy Two-Oh-One-Oh. I'm happy we all made it through this year in one piece. Well, except poor Lawrence — he didn't make it."

Hope and Justin search.

Rafe tells Sami he has news, "The false leads on Sydney are just rolling in. Not only that, but the FBI has lowered it's standards to the bottom of the barrel, and I may be reinstated. Now I'll have direct access to all kinds of files — officially this time." He goes for more champagne.

Sami grabs her phone and calls EJ, "I know what you're thinking — this isn't about Rafe. I think I'm gonna tell him about the ransom note... tonight."

Maggie is soooo disappointed, "Oh, Mickey, do you have to cancel out on me again?" The Mickster explains that the case he is working on is just too hot to leave for a New Year's Eve party. It seems his client was clocked going 40 in a thirty-five and the legal ramifications are just too complex to leave hanging. Mickey breaks up and hangs up. Maggie gets off the phone and turns to Julie, "So much for Auld Lang Syne."

Julie suggests it's time for Maggie and Mickey to go on a cruise. She paints the picture of the wonderful time they can have when they get seasick together and have to spend the whole trip in their cabin. She also invites Maggie to spend the evening with her and Doug, "Put your best foot forward." Maggie puts her foot forward and reveals her red shoe.

This, of course, is the catalyst for yet another flashback. Maggie lies in her hospital bed as Mickey gives her a pair of dancing shoes and tells her, "You were born to dance, Maggie." The girls exit singing a chorus of Auld Lang Syne.

Chloe asks Daniel what's up with Carly. Victor wishes them a happy new year. Victor also wants to know what was up with Daniel and Carly. Daniel tells him to leave Carly alone.

Outside, Carly huffs, puffs and nearly faints. She recalls being buried alive as Vivian lies sprawled out on top of her living grave and cackles.

Vivian recalls the same thing. Carly looks in at her. Staredown. Carly leaves.

Victor wonders if Chloe wants her future husband hanging with Carly. Daniel and Chloe become indignant and leave.

Vivian walks up to Victor, "How did it go with Daniel?"

"When it comes to women he's an idiot, and with Daniel, it's all about women. He'll wind up kicking her out on her ass."

"I love it when you wax eloquent," says Vivian, "And Carly will pay for what she did to Lawrence."

Justin and Hope continue to search the Kiriakis mansion. Justin finds a locked door. Hope finds a locked closet. The suspense hangs in the air like the smell of that milk jug you left open on the counter all night.

Sami bickers on the phone with EJ as Rafe comes back out. Sami hangs up. Rafe asks whom she was talking to. "It was EJ," says Sami, "He was checking up on the search."

"Don't worry," says Rafe, "I'm sure someone will find Johnny and Allie before too long." Rafe thinks she was acting panicked. Sami says EJ was just being obnoxious.

Rafe pours the champagne. He toasts 2010 and talks about next New Year's Eve, "We'll all be together then."

"And we can get a babysitter, dump the kids and go out and have some fun on New Year's Eve," says Sami.

Rafe toasts, "To us and our family."

Out in the audience, the Ejamis stew like that overcooked pot of New Year's cabbage.

Stephanie insists she and Nathan are good for each other. Melanie asks, "And do you think I'm going to get in the way of that?"

"No," says Stephanie, "I won't let you."

Nathan says he refuses to let Phillip marry Melanie, "She's only rushing into marriage because she's confused. She's doing this to punish me."

Phillip thinks that's ridiculous, "Her decision has nothing to do with you."

Nathan thinks Phillip will ruin Melanie's life. Things get rough. They move into the pushy-shovey stage and Phillip lands a haymaker on Nathan's jaw.

Lucas wanders in, helps pick Nathan up and gives him some advice, "You shoulda sucker-punched him when you had the chance."

Victor worries that Daniel is now involved in Carly's intrigue. Vivian insists she has things under control, "Don't worry. Mama has it all figured out."

Victor decides they're not going to make Chicago in time. Vivian suggest having a bite in Salem. Victor tells her his appetite is ruined.

Vivian gives him a suggestive look, "What would you rather do instead?"

Justin is beginning to think the papers aren't there. Suddenly Hope finds a secret panel in the closet. She opens it and finds a puzzle box.

Rafe mumbles, "I was thinking..."

This shocks even Sami, "Really? HAHAHA!" Rafe suggests a family camping trip. Sami isn't too thrilled with the prospect of a woodsie, "The last time I went camping I got attacked by a snake and a tiger."

That doesn't compute with Brainiac, "A tiger?"

"Don't ask," says Sami. She suggests renting an RV. Rafe thinks he's got a real nature girl on his hands. Speaking of back-to-nature, Sami moves in on him. Rafe responds.

Melanie says she doesn't appreciate Stephanie's insinuation that she will come between Stephanie and Nathan.

Someone needs to come between Phillip and Nathan. Things have degenerated into a full-blown...

FIGHT!

Joe the cop rushes up and breaks it up. He tells them they'd better cool it before they land in jail. Phillip says, "I'm done with this loser. I'm getting married... tonight."

Hope attempts to open the puzzle box.

Carly is back at the hospital, flashing back to to her burial. She remembers gasping for air as Vivian radios her goodbye. "She can never know about my daughter," whines Carly, "Never."

Stephanie starts to leave as Joe the cop calls Melanie. "I'll be right there." She gets off the phone and announces to Stephanie, "You'll never believe where Nathan and Phillip are right now."

Joe escorts Phillip and Nathan into their cell...

SLAM!

"Happy new year boys." The scofflaws stand together staring at each other.

Chloe and Daniel stroll outside and remember Chloe's injured ankle from last year. We have fireworks and smooch-o-rama. Munch-o-rama. He carries her off just like he did last year.

Hope fumbles with the puzzle box. They hear Victor and Vivian out in the hallway. Vivian walks in to find the pair glued to each other kissing and groping.

The kissing and groping are history over at Sami's place. She and Rafe lounge in bed. "I have something to tell you," whispers Sami.

"Hold that thought," says Rafe. He goes for champagne so they can have another toast. Sami's phone rings. It's a text from EJ, "We need to meet. It's important. Don't tell Rafe."

Meanwhile, in Times Square, the giant ball descends to mark the new year. Johnny and Allie ride it down and wave to the crowd as it lights up to herald the arrival of 2010.

NOTE – you can now follow Prevuze on twitter at: http://twitter.com/prevuze Prevuze II has a video of the daily show previews, which should be available by noon (EST) on any given day. To see Prevuze II: CLICK HERE