EJ’s Latest Move Deepens Tate’s Fear — and Xander Asks Sarah to Move In

Sarah exits Xander’s spare bedroom in a black t-shirt to find him cooking haggis with neeps and tatties, a.k.a. turnip and potato mash. He was going to bring her breakfast in bed — respectfully knocking first, of course. He wouldn’t presume to barge in there while she was in bed. Sarah coyly says he could have done that.

Tripp somberly comes home from the hospital to Wendy, who’s leaving for Hong Kong tonight. He regretfully says he can’t go with her because he worries Ava is involved in Salem’s drug trade. Wendy understands that Ava needs him now more than ever and respects him for wanting to take care of his family. Tripp asks what this means for them.

At the police station, Justin announces that EJ convinced the judge that Tate is a flight risk because of his family’s wealth, which is why the judge revoked his bail. Tate interrupts his parents’ freak out to ask what will happen to him. Justin explains Tate would be sent to juvenile hall, but he’ll file an appeal and then explore other options. Alex wants to throw money at the problem, but Justin explains that’s not how the system works. A grinning EJ saunters in. Alex, Justin, and Rafe hold Brady back from lunging at the smarmy DA.

Sarah and Xander drink coffee as they marvel over their daughter’s improvement from her fever. Xander’s sorry Sarah’s New Year’s Eve plans were ruined. Sarah flashes back to their midnight kiss. “I wouldn’t say they were ruined.” When Xander rushes to care for a crying Victoria, Sarah touches her lips, grinning.

When Xander returns with Victoria, he discovers Sarah’s finished, and loved, her Scottish breakfast. A debate over the correct pronunciation of the word scone leads Sarah to hope Victoria gets Xander’s accent. He’s hoping their daughter takes after Sarah’s family instead, complete with an American accent because he likes everything about her. After exchanging a charged look, Sarah gets ready to take Victoria home with her.

In the squad room, EJ declares Tate will be charged as an adult and held at the local jail with the other prisoners. Justin argues that the law doesn’t support that for possession. EJ is well aware. So, how about manslaughter or attempted murder for peddling a deadly batch of drugs that’s killing kids… and that nearly killed his stepdaughter? Theresa asks if he can do that. Justin affirms he can charge a minor as an adult if the crime is fitting.

Alex knew they should have gotten another lawyer. Justin yells at his son for not knowing what he’s talking about. Next, Alex accuses EJ of having the judge under his thumb. He steps to EJ, but Tate yells for them to stop. He desperately asks his mother not to let them send him to jail.

At the apartment, Tripp suggests they keep up a long-distance relationship, but Wendy knows they’ll be too far away. She cares about him so much, but she doesn’t expect him to wait for her. He wouldn’t want her waiting for him either. Tears well as they gush over how wonderful the other is. They passionately kiss and lean back on the couch.

At Xander’s, Sarah emerges in her New Year’s Eve dress, joking about doing a walk of shame. He calls her beautiful no matter what she wears… or doesn’t wear. As they awkwardly make small talk, Xander asks her to move in there permanently “with our daughter.” Sarah says she’s too worried about Maggie to leave her. Xander asks if she’s just looking for a reason to say no.

Sarah admits it because living together is complicated. Xander brings up their kiss. She says it was an in-the-heat-of-the-moment thing, but Xander admits he’s wanted to kiss her for some time. She has too. Xander could tell. She calls their kiss amazing, like all their others, but she’s scared of going too fast and regretting falling madly in love with him again. Xander promises they’d just be co-parenting and that he’d respect her boundaries. After they share their lists of silly boundaries, Sarah says she’s willing to give it a shot. He happily gives her a set of keys.

Privately with his parents at the station, Tate expresses how scared he is. Brady and Theresa vow to fight like hell to prove his innocence. Nearby, EJ remarks that even if the drugs weren’t his, Tate didn’t call 9-1-1 when he found Holly, which could be the determining factor on whether she pulls through or not. Tate sincerely apologizes, but EJ says it’s too late for that.

When Theresa looks at EJ’s cold eyes, she doesn’t see a husband who’s grieving the loss of a child or a man dying inside over his wife’s suffering. She just sees bitterness and hatred. Rafe instructs an officer to get Tate changed and then asks to speak to EJ privately. Theresa agrees with Alex that they should have gotten another lawyer.

In the interrogation room, Rafe asks EJ what the hell is the matter with him. As they debate his actions, Rafe urges EJ to think about Johnny at Tate’s age. How would it make him feel if someone was doing to him what he’s doing to Tate?

Later, Tate returns in prison denim and embraces Theresa. Justin assures Tate they will fight this, and Brady promises to get him home as soon as they can. Rafe returns to take Tate away. “We wouldn’t want to keep your new cellmates waiting now, would we,” EJ smugly muses. Theresa calls EJ a monster. Brady hugs his son, vowing to move heaven and earth to get him out of there. Rafe cuffs Tate and leads the scared teen away. “This isn’t over,” Brady firmly tells EJ. “Not by a long shot.”

As Wendy and Tripp arrange their clothes at home, she notes her car is coming soon. Tripp offers to take her to the airport, but she thinks it would be too hard. When she goes to freshen up, Tripp slips a wooden Jenga block into her bag. She returns, and they tightly embrace. They tell each other they love each other before she leaves. Wendy and Tripp lean on opposite sides of the door with falling tears and crumpling faces.