Max arrives at the docks for work and is found by Stephanie, who gives him a quick kiss. She thought he was working at the pub, but he figured he would come by and dock in some more community service hours. Steph presents him with hot chocolate and teases him that he might have to share. She rubs his shoulders and surmises that he’s exhausted. He says the sooner the community service hours are done, the sooner he can get off the docks.

Steph notes that he’s killing himself doing it. Max admits that it helps get his mind of off everything else that is happening.

Max flashes back to visiting his pop’s grave revealing that he wants to find something else which will enable him to take care of Stephanie. Max suggests that Steph move into the mansion and help Chelsea recover. Steph chooses being right there with Max over the lap of luxury. Max wonders if she would rather be hanging out with the Theta sisters if they were hitting all the clubs. Steph reiterates that she likes it right where she is, which makes Max grin. Max surmises that the Theta girls must not be all that fun. Steph assures him that she’s not going anywhere. He moans how he’s stuck there and she’s just moving on up. “No. Whichever direction we’re moving, we’re moving there together,” she affirms. They are interrupted by Max’s supervisor, who chews him out and tells him to get back to work. Steph notes what a jerk his boss is. Max claims that his boss is just doing his job and refers to himself as “grunt number 3.” Steph reminds him that the only reason he’s down there is because of her, which she’ll never forget.

“I don’t want you to come down here anymore,” he requests. Max claims the place isn’t exactly safe. Steph reminds him that she used to race and believes she can handle a bunch of tough-talking dock workers. Max admits that he loves seeing her, but doesn’t want to see her on the docks. “Your wish is my command,” she agrees.

Steph states how proud she is of Max for what he’s doing there. “Like I said, you’re my hero,” she declares before she hugs and kisses him. Their moment is interrupted by Steph’s phone. She makes a beeline for the hospital after hearing that her mom was just admitted as a patient.

In Ava’s room, she implores Steve to lay one on his wife. Steve claims he doesn’t really like an audience. This surprises Ava, since that’s not what she remembers. Ava reminisces about a beach in Italy, but Steve interrupts her. She believes that “Kayla” needs to hear about all of the great stuff. She smiles how fun it was and implores Steve to kiss “Kayla.” Steve reluctantly hugs Hope and whispers for her to follow his lead. They are about to kiss when Ava stops them and turns her nose up, noting that the reunion wasn’t quite as passionate as she expected. “Sorry to disappoint you, but hostage situations just don’t do it for me,” states Hope. Steve implores Ava to let “Kayla” go and insists that Ava’s got him now. Ava refuses, scoffing that "Kayla" has his “little bun in the oven.” Steve calls Ava “Babe” and tries to convince her to let his wife go. Ava smiles when Steve calls her “Babe.” She then speculates that it’s a trap and tells him to stop being so condescending and says she can’t trust him. “You broke my heart!” she rehashes. Hope can’t understand why Ava wants a relationship with a man she doesn’t trust. “Well did you trust him when you first met him?” retorts Ava. Hope claims she didn’t, but she does now. As Steve talks to her, Ava gets a headache and yells at him to shut up. A disturbed Ava reveals that she gets migraines, but the doctors can’t figure out why. She blames her headaches on Steve and vows to make him pay.

Steve says he wants to fix this and didn’t mean to hurt her, insisting that he was really messed up when he left her at the altar. Ava isn’t buying it and invites him to have dinner with him tonight, just the two of them. Steve acquiesces, but asks about Kayla. Ava flies off the handle and suggests that “Kayla” just go and rest. Hope grabs Ava’s arm when she touches her stomach and notes how flat “Kayla’s” stomach is. “How far along did you say you were?” questions Ava. Hope hesitates, then lies that she’s about twelve weeks along. Ava appears dubious and surmises that “Kayla” is having a little girl, since she’s heard the myth that women start showing later with girls. She wonders if "Kayla’s" over the morning sickness. Hope claims she never really had any, which surprises Ava. Steve lies and says he was there for the sonogram. Ava suggests getting “Kayla” checked out by a doctor, stating that she has one who makes house calls. Hope is fortunately able to talk her out of it. Ava knocks on the door and asks Angelo to take “Kayla” to another room while she has dinner with Patch. Hope goes with Angelo. Ava approaches Steve and kisses him.

Outside the room, Hope questions Angelo how long Ava’s been like that. “Since that man in there dumped her,” replies Angelo, who admits that the only reason Patch is still alive is because of Ava’s good graces. He warns Hope to stay on Ava’s good side, or bad things will happen to her man.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Nicole coaxes her cute little pooch to go play, then displays her empty champagne bottle to Henderson and asks him to bring her the usual. “Get out!” orders Victor. Nicole innocently asks where Victor’s manners are and asks Henderson to clean Pookie’s bag and feed her (or him). Nicole marvels how good it is to be home and joins the other guests at the dinner table. She notes how great Philip’s face looks, as one can hardly see the scars. She assumes that Phil and Victor are no longer on the outs, then demands to know where Brady is. Henderson brings her a cocktail. Nicole praises Henderson for his efforts and asks him to hit her with a “smidge” more Vodka.