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Holly and Tate greet each other with a kiss in the square, all lovey dovey. And that’s about to change fast. Tate breaks the news that he’s not going with her. Yada, yada, family’s miserable, Rachel’s in an asylum, etc. Holly’s understanding, but then he keeps the bad news rolling and explains he’s on academic probation. He’s gonna take classes over break.

Holly’s still remarkably understanding, so they head back to her room for a little make out sesh. Actually, a little sex sesh. Good lord, they better be using triple protection after the past year.

Can Belle Get Through to Brady?

Belle stops by the mansion to visit Brady, who launches right into a “We may lose Titan, the house and everything, Merry Christmas!” spiel. Then he moves onto Rachel being stuck at Bayview for Christmas, continuing the holiday cheer. (We also learn that there’s a skeleton crew at Bayview right now… Who wants to bet Sophia’s taking advantage of that?)

More: A Christmas in Salem preview

The good news is, Rachel’s improving, and Belle can sympathize, what with her daughter being a reformed sociopath. She suggests Brady talk to mom about everything, resorting to a little guilt trip about disappointing their dad if he doesn’t forgive. Plus, she explains how Kristen pushed Marlena to keep the secret.

Can Brady Forgive Marlena?

Marlena’s enjoying a nice book at home when Paulina drops in with some cookies and some Rachel talk. She can’t do anything to make Rachel’s legal problems go away — but Marlena should stop beating herself over it!

Next up, Brady drops in to forgive Marlena. (That guilt trip really worked, huh?) He wants her back in their lives and is sure Rachel would love to see her. Black family schism healed.

They get on to what they should be doing — supporting each other — and Marlena ponders the possibility that mental illness runs in the family, from Rachel, to Kristen to other Rachel. But they can still help her. Not together, though. Brady still thinks it’s time to find his own place.

Is Peter Behind the Kidnappings?

Kristen collapses from her fever, and the commotion wakes EJ and Tony. Finally! The DiMeras are all together! Oh happy day! Well, not so happy. Maybe DiMera Happy? Peter accuses EJ of trying to kill them all and tells him not to touch Kristen when he wants to help.

Peter launches off on how everyone should hate EJ for all he’s done to them, cutting Chad off when he tries defending EJ and letting everyone know that he’s followed ALL the family drama for years. Like, even EJ sleeping with Abigail family drama. Which, we learn, Chad has never forgiven EJ for. Welp.

More: Who is Peter Blake?

The point is, Peter hates EJ and he hates how Stefano’s warped the family — it’s why he’s stayed away so long. Peter steps up his campaign on turning everyone against EJ, which is when Kristen, who’s come to, speaks up. There’s one other person who could be behind this: Peter. She makes a compelling case and, even in the face of Peter playing innocent, Theo’s Team Kristen.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Belle visits Paulina in her office to laugh about the delightful possibility of EJ going away forever. Paulina’s going to keep an eye out on how to smack EJ down again. And Marlena should sue him for cutting costs at the hospital and messing up her bloodwork.

More: Is Stephanie’s stalker tied to Peter?

The DiMeras are finally unified: Against Peter. Things take a turn towards Clue and everyone demands Peter empty his pockets. Whoever has a weapon, did it. Naturally, Peter refuses, so Theo charges him, gets tossed back and cracks his head open. And Peter reveals himself to them all. He did it and he’s got a vial of gas. They stay back, or he’ll kill them all. Well, that escalated quickly!