Episode # 10225
Tape Date: 12/5/05
Air Date: 1/9/06
Director: Albert Alarr

Summary: Lois continues to stalk Marlena…Jennifer feels guilt over what happened with Frankie…Family and friends continue to gather at the hospital as the news spreads about Zack’s condition as practically the entire Horton/Brady families are there to offer their support….and Chelsea still doesn’t realize that she is at fault. This was a tough one to watch… If you have a tender heart…have a hanky near. Powerful performances from Kristian Alfonso, Peter Reckell, Renee Jones and Jason Cook.

At the Deveraux Place…Frankie tries to take the blame for what happened, saying it was all his fault, he put her in an awkward position. He says maybe he should just leave. But she asks him not to, saying it was all her fault. Later, he hobbles in on crutches and wants to talk and tries to assure her she did nothing wrong, but she still blames herself. He tells her that he will be there for as her friend, but she says she has ruined everything. He tries to assure her that what happened didn’t mean anything and that they will ALWAYS be friends. She asks him to stay, but from now on, when it comes to showers, he is on his own. Maggie calls with news about Zack. She doesn’t offer any details other than that there was an accident and she thinks that Hope may need her there. Jen says she will be right over and rushes out as Frankie tells her he will watch JJ. Later, he is in the kitchen and finds an envelope addressed to him from Jack. Inside is a DVD which he pops in the player. It is a video from Jack, telling him if he is watching this, it means he is dead. He wants to make sure that he is following up on his promise to him and asks him to do whatever it takes to make Jennifer realize that there is “life after Jack”. He is sure that Jen can fall in love with him again…and for Frankie not to give up. He tells him at some point to show this to Jen, to show to her that this is what he wanted. He then addresses Jen, telling her not to feel guilty for this is not a betrayal, he just wants her to be happy again and that Frankie is the best man for her…give him a chance…and to remember that he will always love her.

At the Hopsital…Marlena has the feeling that someone is following her (Lois is) as she runs into John (literally) and is startled. He is upset to learn that she was looking for Alex. She still thinks that there is something going on here that they don’t know about. She tells him that she thinks maybe she should go be with Belle and not think about Alex or Lois for the moment. She thinks she may be able to help her prepare for what is about to happen with Claire. John says he will go check on her and suggests that Marlena go lie down in her office. He takes her to her office as she looks around and says ‘so this is where I work’. He tells her to lie down, he will be back soon. Marlena turns off the light and lies down on the couch as Lois slips into the room, syringe in hand. To herself, she says ‘Alex can’t help you now’. John walks up behind her and asks what she is doing there. She shoves the needle in her pocket and explains that she was worried about Marlena and was checking on her. Marlena wakes up and points out that this is the second time tonight she has woke up to find her standing over her. Lois tries to explain that she can’t help but worry about her, she was like a sister to her and feels protective. John has bad news…on his way to see Belle, he ran into Mickey in the hallway and he told him about Zack. This upsets Marlena, who feels that she needs to be with Belle when she hears the news about Zack so they rush off. Lois says she will catch up with them later…and then under her breath, she mutters ‘and when I do, you will be a dead woman’.

Outside the Waiting Area…The 2 cops worry about telling Bo it was his vehicle involved in the accident. Inside, Lexie explains to the family that she did all she could but they lost Zack. A distraught Hope falls in to Bo’s arms (Mickey and Maggie come rushing in as the news is being broken). Everyone is in shock and tears as Hope clings to Bo. Shawn goes charging off in a rage, followed by Mimi. He goes to the chapel, cursing God for doing this to them, asking what kind of a God he is. He throws a candle and then crumbles to the floor as Mimi holds him. Through her tears, Hope demands to see her son, refusing to believe he is gone. She begs Bo to find out who murdered their son. Abe (who is now there) hugs them and vows to make the culprit pay. Celeste is also there (I assume she drove Abe over) and is trying to comfort a crying Lexie. Chelsea (who still hasn’t put 2 and 2 together) cries on Max’s shoulder about losing her little brother. She cries that everyone around her just disappears as Max assures her that whoever did this will pay. Maggie asks Julie about Alice and she explains that she was overwhelmed and Doug took her to Lexie’s office to lie down. As Julie and Maggie talk, Julie talks about how they loved him and recalls the food fight they had while babysitting him once (as we see flashbacks) and then tells Maggie she is going to check on Doug and Alice. Lexie is beating herself up for not doing enough to save Zack as Abe tries to assure her she did all she could. Celeste fears that Lexie will never get over losing “Isaac” again. Hope wants to see her son, so she and Bo go with Lexie.

They stand over his bed as Hope talks to him, telling him how much they love him and she loses it all again. She lays her head down on his chest and says Oh my God…he is breathing…he is still alive. In the chapel, Shawn is venting to Mimi about losing Zack and vows that whoever did this will be dead as well when he gets his hands on them. Chelsea continues to cry to Max, not sure what to say to Bo or Hope. She remembers that Billie is out of town on business and wants to go call her and let her know what is going on. Abe introduces himself to the two rookie cops and asks if they have any leads. They explain that they do and that they may be making an arrest soon. Victor arrives and sees Caroline crying (she explains that popShawn is with Alice right now). She says she doesn’t know how much more she can take…first Claire and now Zack. He takes her in his arms and holds her as she sobs…as popShawn walks up and sees them. Lexie explains to Hope and Bo that Zack is breathing, but the machine is doing it for him, for he is on life support…how long he continues to breathe is up to them. Mimi tries to reason with and calm Shawn down, but he says it is what he has to do…for Zack’s sake. He won’t listen to her…saying that someone took Zack’s life and he will do the same to them. Mickey comes in and then proceeds to lecture Shawn. He says that their parents didn’t raise them that way…to hate. He assures him that justice will be served, there is s system in place and his folks are a part of that system. He knows that he is talking out of grief right now. Mickey seems to get through to him, telling him that this revenge will only make things worse and will not honor the memory of his little brother. He tells him that right now, he needs to be with his parents…they need him. Shawn finally sees the light and goes to be with Bo and Hope and thanks Mickey. Jen arrives in the waiting area, full of questions for Maggie, asking if he is okay. Maggie didn’t want to tell her over the phone just how bad it was, but hits her with the news now, telling her that Zack is brain dead…as they cling to each other crying. Shawn interrupts Caroline and Victor and she thanks Victor for giving her a shoulder to cry on (literally) and he says anytime. As he leaves the waiting area, he talks with the two cops in the hall, introducing himself and telling them if they need anything to let him know. After he walks off, the cops worry about how to break the news to the family. Hope holds out hope that as long as Zack is breathing, he may recover and wake up. Lexie explains it isn’t that simple as she tries to explain the gravity of his condition. Hope holds onto his little hand and kisses it, refusing to give up on her baby. We learn that Chelsea couldn’t get Billie on the phone. As Shawn comes through the waiting area, Jen offers her condolences and asks if there is anything she can do. He joins his parents and hears Hope saying that she will not take Zack off of life support, giving him a few seconds of hope. Then Lexie explains that the machines are the only think keeping him alive and that he is brain dead. Bo tells them they have a tough decision to make. Hope starts up again (she must have been dehydrated after filming this) saying she can NOT say goodbye to him and Shawn agrees. Bo says he has no chance…but if there was even one in a million chance, they would keep him alive. He asks Lexie…is there? As she solemnly shakes her head no and says there is no chance at all. Bo says Zack is gone and they have no choice but to turn off the life support. Bo, Hope and Shawn hover over his bed and cry…as Lexie turns away and quietly cries alone…and the previews show…

Shawn (to Mimi) He had quite an arm…I would tell him all the time ‘if you want to pitch in the majors, you can’…now we will never know…

Philip (to Belle): We have to say goodbye to our little girl…

Carrie (to Austin, who is on the phone): My God Austin…I don’t believe it…

Bo (with Hope by his side): We need to know 2 things…who was driving the care who killed our son…and how they are going to be punished (cut to a shot of Chelsea)…

As the credits roll…
Laney