Gabi catches Javi in the kitchen and launches right into a list of demands for work. He rolls his eyes when she yells at him, but luckily, Gabi gets distracted when JJ knocks on the door with questions. It’s not about EJ, though. It’s about Philip’s beating.

Kate thinks it stems from “a workplace dispute” with Xander. So what do they know about that? Gabi says the brothers seemed to be delighted when they took over, but the last week or so, there was extra tension.

More: Revisit Will’s emotional coming out

Javi hasn’t noticed anything, but Gabi’s been making him miserable at work, so what does he know? Gabi and JJ get back into him questioning her about EJ’s shooting, going back and forth until Javi decides to be elsewhere. As he’s leaving, Arianna shows up at the door and the two scream and hug. And Gabi does the same!

She gushes over her daughter, but “How did you get here?” Her flight got in at two, but no one was there to pick her up. Gabi blames Javi for messing up the flight time and the two launch into fighting until — “You’re fired, Javi.” Fine. He quits.

Ari and JJ awkwardly greet each other and he leaves, following Javi. Ari demands to know what’s happening with her mom and tells her she texted that her flight was canceled and she had to get another one. She owes Javi a major apology, Ari insists.

Belle Agrees to Help Shawn

Doug is going a bit out of his mind, working at the pub, when Belle drops in for some soup for Tate. They’re understaffed, he says, because Roman and Kate were at the hospital with Philip. That’s news to a horrified Belle.

Doug doesn’t know anything else, though. He rushes off and Shawn (who just touched base with Steve, to learn there’s still no luck finding Kevin’s roommate) and comes in. Belle tells him about Philip, and notes that he seems extra distracted.

He is, he says. His head’s spinning worrying about his dad and his mom and he doesn’t feel great. He changes the topic to congratulating Belle on John’s imminent return. He hasn’t heard about his dad, though. And now he’s let him down again.

More: Preview – Time is running out for Bo

He talks vaguely about the experimental drug he messed up in getting. Belle tells him he can’t lose hope. She just got her dad back, he can still get his dad back.

Julie Tells Doug to Leave

On the other side of the pub, Doug’s cleaning up when Julie shows up, dismayed to see him. “Please tell Roman, as long as you are working here, Julie Wililams will be taking her lobster bisque at the Bistro.” Doug stops her before she runs out, wanting to say something.

He knows staying there makes her unhappy, so he’s just saving up to leave town after buying back her necklace. He’ll track it down and get it back to her. “Don’t bother,” Julie snaps. He can’t make amends. She just wants him gone. As she’s laying into Doug, Shawn and Belle come over to see what’s happening.

Julie tells them they can’t help, she’s praying for their fathers and she has to go. After she’s gone, Shawn asks Belle if she still keeps in touch with Kevin Lambert. They’re trying to find his roommate, Asher Leeds. Belle thinks the name’s familiar, but she doesn’t know where.

After some searching, she finds him online and remembers defending him as a juvenile. She’ll look through his file for a grateful Shawn.

Chad Learns About Philip

Chad gets to The Spectator office, only to run across a hyper-caffeinated Leo, trying to figure out whether to focus on the corporate hospital battle or Philip’s beating. “What??” Chad demands.

They talk about who did it, figuring Xander must have done it. Chad doesn’t know why he’d beat his brother, though, unless… He doesn’t say more, but just runs off and tells Leo to prep both stories. Leo’s doing good work. (As their only employee?)

Paulina Shoots EJ Down

Paulina gets to the DiMera mansion, having been called by EJ. She just wants to know what the hell this is about. He wants Paulina to talk to Chanel to help convince Johnny not to cut him out of his life.

Paulina’s annoyed, but as EJ says, like it or not, they’re family. Paulina isn’t buying it, reminding him of trying to get her kicked out as mayor. She isn’t buying this reformed act. “To me, this is another con!” To put icing on the cake, she tells EJ that Abe will be voting to accept Xander’s bid.

Fine. EJ just wants to focus on their kids. Johnny’s been eaten up inside after learning what happened, and EJ wants to make amends and help his son realize he can be a loving parent. And help give Chanel the loving family she deserves.

EJ’s happy to learn that their kids reconciled already. But before Paulina can walk out with one last insult, EJ tells her he will never give up on Johnny. “I will die for him.”

After Paulina’s gone, Chad visits his brother with the new of Philip’s beating. “Did you have something to do with it?” No, EJ promises, he didn’t. Chad believes him and EJ understands. Yes, he was upset with Kate for telling Johnny, but he’s come to understand the truth had to come out eventually. He’s the only one to blame.

Julie Rages as Javi Opens Up

Julie and JJ both get back home, where she asks how his day was. “Could’ve been better.” But the bright spot is Ari came home. Julie’s delighted and wants to go see her. “When her mother’s not around, of course.” She has a few more cutting remarks about that “little vixen” then wants JJ to tell her he’s not seeing Gabi again. He’s not. “Good!”

Javi meets a much calmer Leo meet at the Pub where he tells his boyfriend Gabi fired him. Leo takes this moment to admit he tried searching online about what happened to Javi in Corpus Christi. So Javi just tells him. “When I came out, I was out.”

He wasn’t fired, but he came out to a guy at work, thinking he could be trusted to keep it quiet. Instead, the guy spread it around to everyone and their captain was homophobic. He made Javi’s life miserable, mocked him and tormented him until he gave in and quit.

More: Are Philip’s, Bo’s and John’s lives connected?

Javi gets emotional, thinking it’s his fault for walking away and not standing up for himself, but Leo tells him he’s got nothing to be ashamed about. “I just wish that I didn’t give up on my dream and I was strong enough to stick it out.”

In the Show’s Final Moments

Gabi promises she’ll apologize when Javi comes home, then asks Ari what she wants to do for her birthday. The birthday girl just wants to keep it simple: Dinner and chill. Gabi’s just thrilled she’s home. “One more hug?” They hug.

At the DiMera mansion, Chad’s happy that the old EJ is no longer at the wheel. And EJ asks if Chad and Cat have gone on their date yet. No, but Chad admits they’re going skydiving — much to his dismay. Cat jumped on his joke and he’s afraid of heights. EJ tells him not to be nervous. He and Cat “are taking the plunge together.”

Over at the Horton house, Julie finds a skydiving brochure addressed to Chad. JJ explains it probably has something to do with his date with Cat, which also disgusts Julie. And JJ. “Part of me kind of hopes her shoot doesn’t open.”

Belle gets the chicken soup for Tate, then tells Shawn she’s going to go check in on Philip. Shawn thanks her for all she’s doing in helping with Kevin’s roommate and she hugs him and tells him to keep the faith.