Holly Does Her Best to Come Between Johnny and Chanel While Susan Questions the Paternity of Nicole’s Baby

In the Square, Tate tells Nicole about the cool girl who turned him down in the park. But Holly did give him her number. “I’m sorry,” Nicole says, “did you say Holly?” The only detail Tate can give her is that she’s hot. After he IDs her in Nicole’s photo, she tells him that’s her daughter. Chagrined, Tate assures Nicole he meant “hot” in a totally respectful way. When Nicole lets him off the hook, he asks if she could put in a good word for him. He retracts his request, though, because Holly’s in love with someone else. It’s the first Nicole’s heard of this.

At the DiMera mansion, Holly feigns enthusiasm for Chanel and Johnny’s reunion, while bringing up their divorce and that Chanel is also into girls. Chanel clarifies that she’s into both girls and boys. “That’s a bummer,” Holly says, not quite under her breath. She quickly covers, saying it’s a bummer for the rest of Salem because Chanel is such a catch. Johnny feels lucky to have caught such a catch, twice. Holly forces a smile.

In the interrogation room, Marlena thanks Harris for rescuing Susan. She offers to vouch for him with the Salem PD should he need it. Right now, he’s more concerned that Ava will be sent to prison. Marlena asks why he risked so much for her. Harris says they became friends after bonding in Bayview. She thinks he’s in denial about his true feelings.

Susan and EJ waltz into the squad room, where Ava sits handcuffed. Ava is happy to learn that Susan got the all-clear from the doctor. EJ is, too, because now she can press charges against Ava for attempted murder. They bicker about their respective crimes until Rafe interrupts them. EJ declares Susan wants to make a statement, but Susan declines to press charges.

At the mansion, Johnny invites Holly to join them for the movie. She sits in the middle of the couch, forcing them to sit around her. Chanel grimaces. Later, Johnny pauses Clueless for a mid-movie review, and launches into a history of film lesson. Chanel playfully chastises him, but a flirtatious Holly encourages him to continue. When Alicia Silverstone’s and Paul Rudd’s characters’ romance is brought up, Chanel calls it creepy, but Johnny points out they are just step-siblings and not related. “Exactly!” Holly enthuses. Plus, they’re perfect for each other, she says, batting her lashes at Johnny. When he chokes from the spice Chanel put on the popcorn, Holly leaps up to get him some sparkling water. She begrudgingly agrees to get Chanel some, too. Chanel slides over into Johnny’s arms.

At the station, EJ furiously reminds Susan that Ava is the reason she was held captive for a year. Susan forgives her. She would rather have Rafe find the mystery man who shipped her off to Edmund. After mother and son leave, Rafe informs Ava that they’re letting her crimes slide because she rescued Susan. However, she was in Bayview because of a court order. So, where she goes next is up to her doctor.

After Tate takes off upon getting a message from Brady, EJ rushes up to Nicole in the Square to give her the most incredible news. Susan follows behind with a corndog, which is what she missed most — “Good old American cuisine on a stick.” Susan is surprised to see Nicole pregnant since the police commissioner didn’t say anything about becoming a daddy.

Alone on the couch, Johnny asks if Chanel would like to move into the mansion, despite the perpetual chaos. Chanel’s so happy they reunited, but she doesn’t want to get ahead of themselves. He suggests they go upstairs after the movie and practice for when she does move in. Holly returns with a tray of water to find Johnny and Chanel making out. When they pull apart, Holly trips and spills water all over Chanel. She acts horrified, but turns her head to smirk.

In the interrogation room, Marlena explains to a resistant Harris that how honest he is with his feelings affects his recovery. He won’t deny that he cares about Ava, but he isn’t sure about the kind of feelings she’s talking about. However, he’s transfixed when Rafe brings Ava into the room. Rafe informs Harris he’s off the hook, but Ava explains she still has to complete her court-ordered stay at Bayview. Marlena agrees to talk to her doctors about releasing her.

In the Square, Nicole can’t believe EJ didn’t tell Susan he is the father of her baby. After Susan gets caught up, she wonders if Nicole is sure her baby is EJ’s. She’s not getting any familial connection to it. EJ thinks her psychic connection is on the fritz because they did a paternity test. “Are you whoring around on my boy,” Susan asks an offended Nicole, who explains the whole biscuits debacle. When EJ urges his mother to be happy for them, she relents, calling children a blessing.

Tate comes home to a frustrated Brady, who wonders where he’s been. After hearing about Holly, Brady declares he won’t have time for girls because, when he’s not at school or studying, he will be working at the Pub.

At the mansion, Holly just feels so bad that Chanel will have to go all the way home to change out of her soaking clothes. Johnny offers Chanel his t-shirt and sweats. Holly rolls her eyes. When Chanel heads upstairs to change, Johnny reassures an “upset” Holly over the incident. In fact, she and Nicole have made their “nuthouse” more bearable since moving in. Holly asks if she can tell him a secret. Before she can get out the words, Susan arrives. Johnny races to embrace her. As they reunite, Nicole pulls Holly aside to ask about the boy she’s in love with.

Marlena returns to the interrogation room to tell Ava her doctors believe she’s no longer a risk to society. Relieved, Ava embraces Harris and then leaves to call Tripp. Marlena tells Harris Bayview is willing to readmit him. He declines because he feels like he’s back in control. He’d like to keep seeing her on an outpatient basis, though. She wonders if his decision is due to the fact that Ava will no longer be at Bayview. Smiling, he says, “Not at all.”

At home, Marlena is thrilled to welcome Tate. When he calls her Granny Mar Mar, she recoils. He notes that’s what Rachel calls her. She says he can call her Grandma Marlena unless he likes sleeping in the broom closet. He says it’s a deal. When the adults go to set up Tate’s room, he texts someone.

An embarrassed Holly drags her mother to the foyer. She lies that she made up being in love with someone to let Tate down easy. Nicole hopes Holly would tell her something so important. Holly hangs back from rejoining the others when she gets a text from Tate. He asks if she’d like to hang out tomorrow. “Sorry, Big Mouth. Ur dead 2 me,” she fires back.

In the living room, Johnny, Susan, and Nicole agree that EJ needs to wipe the slate clean with Ava. Feeling outnumbered, he relents. A celebratory Susan jumps into his arms. EJ’s expression briefly hardens.

At the station, Rafe looks over a file containing EJ’s photo. He knows EJ tried to have Ava killed. She may be off the hook, “but you’re not, Elvis.”

In the interrogation room, Harris calls the Pub to ask if he can move into Eric’s old room. Roman’s not there, but Kate thinks he’d be fine with it. Ava returns to ask Harris what his plans are. He tells her he’s staying in town at the Pub. She’s glad to hear it. They share a lingering look.