Carrie is busy trying to find a way to clear Mike's name before the hospital elects the new Chief of Staff today. Austin says that Mike shouldn't have picked up the woman and he shouldn't have gone to her hotel room. Carrie and Austin start arguing, Carrie doesn't understand why Austin can't see that Mike was just being a good samaritan. Austin apologizes for upsetting Carrie. Carrie gets a call from John, who just talked to the forensics lab. John tells Carrie that the glass is clean and that the woman left town. Austin decides to leave to go see Will. Marlena shows up and she tells Carrie how sorry she is about Mike. Carrie tells Marlena that Mike is a wonderful man and she will never give up until she can prove he was framed. Carrie suddenly gets the idea to go investigate the rental car agency. Carrie asks Marlena if she'll help her and Marlena says she will. After going to every agency in town, Carrie and Marlena end up at the last agency. Carrie shows the clerk the picture of Shelley and she asks him if he recognizes her. The clerk tells her that he remembers her, but he can't show Carrie the woman's paperwork. Carrie starts talking about what the woman did and the clerk gives Carrie the woman's credit card and license. The woman's name is Shelly Clark and the clerk lets Carrie search the car. In the car, Carrie manages to find a matchbook from Phil's diner.
At the Horton House, Alice and Hope are setting up everything for the picnic. Mike shows up and is very sad. Alice asks Mike what is wrong and he tells them what happened to him. Hope tells Mike that this is the oldest trick in the book and the police will find the woman who did this to him. John shows up at tells Mike that the glass he analyzed was clean, so she must have taken the real one. Things get even worse when he tells them that the woman has left town. Later, John sees Hope sketching. John looks at the sketch and realizes that she's sketched the painting they saw at the house. John tells Hope that he researched the painting and it is on a tour of paintings that have been touring the world. Hope wonders if she saw it when she was Gina and John tells her that the painting just happened to be in New Orleans at that time. However, Hope believes that she saw the painting somewhere else. Hope and John start talking and Hope says she must have learned to draw when she was Gina. John says people are usually born with this talent. Hope wonders if Stefano might have given her this talent. John tells Hope that if Stefano did give her this talent, why did he give it to her?
At the hospital, Lexie is reading the paper and talks to Ali about the scandal involving Mike. Lexie has a suspicion that Craig is behind this. Nancy tells Craig that the board committee is meeting to decide what to do about the scandal. Craig gets beeped and wonders if the board has made their decision. Suddenly, Mike shows up. Lexie tells Mike how sorry she is and that she supports him completely. Ali agrees and tells Mike that they know something funny is going on. Lexie tells Mike that she feels Craig is the one who set him up, but Mike doesn't believe he could stoop so low. Mike is also hurt because he let Carrie down. Craig starts tells Mike how sorry his is for what happened and that he still respects him.
Franco meets Roberto in Salem Place. Franco tells Roberto that he has to get his marriage license before his hearing.
Sami is at home and is admiring her engagement ring. Lucas walks in and tells Sami that this wedding will never happen. Sami says she will marry Franco, but Lucas says "over my dead body." Lucas tells Sami that he doesn't want Franco near his son, but Sami says Franco will be a wonderful father, better than Will's drunk of a real father. Sami tells Lucas that she, Franco, and Will will live happily ever after. Sami realizes that Lucas is afraid Franco will adopt Will. Lucas tells her that Franco will dump her, but Franco interrupts Lucas and tells him that is enough. Franco kisses Sami and tells her that they should get married right away. Sami tells Franco that she's so thrilled that he is anxious to be married, but Sami says she wants a big wedding. Franco says that sounds nice, but won't it remind her about her wedding to Austin? Sami says no because this time she's marrying the right man for the right reason. Franco says they should go down to City Hall and marrying right away. Lucas, who is eavesdropping, wonders why Franco wants to get married so soon. Sami tells Franco that she can't go down to City Hall today, but maybe tomorrow. Franco panics because he needs to show a marriage license to a judge today. Sami starts talking about their honeymoon and suggests Italy, but Franco says they should go someplace new to create memories just for the two of them. Franco asks Sami once again to go to City Hall, but she tells Franco that she wants the big wedding. Sami leaves and Franco calls Roberto and has him meet him at City Hall. Lucas hears this and wonders what Franco is doing.
Franco meets Roberto at City Hall and Lucas has trailed him. Back at the Kirkiais Mansion, Sami plans top announce her engagement at the Brady-Horton picnic. Sami looks at the paper and sees the headline about Mike. Austin comes in and Sami tells him that Carrie must be devastated.
At the Horton House, Hope compares a sketch from High School to the one she just did and they are nothing alike. Hope thinks that Stefano must have given her this talent, but she doesn't know why. John tells Hope that he may be able to help her trigger some memories from her past. John tells Hope that he called a professor about studying the photo and he says he's expecting a call back from him. Hope is thrilled and John tells Hope that it's about time they find out what Stefano has been hiding from them. Shawn and Shawn D. show up and John gets a call on his cell phone. John talks with the professor and tells Hope that the professor may have given them the clue they're looking for. John tells Hope some cities where the phot of her could have been taken. When John mentions Lugano, Switzerland, Hope feels something. Hope says she knows exactly what she has to do and Stefano isn't going to like it. Hope tells John that she's going to go to Lugano. John doesn't like the fact that she's going alone, but Hope says Bo needs time to himself and she doesn't want to involve him with her problems anymore. John tells Hope that she needs to be careful because Stefano has men everywhere.
At the Courthouse, Lucas is busy spying on Franco. Franco goes into the court room and is told by his lawyer that he has to prove he's getting married. Franco says he's engaged, but his lawyer tells him that he needs a license. The judge comes into court and the hearing starts. Franco says that he was swindled by his immigration officer, but the judge refuses to buy that and says he is to be deported immediately. Franco's lawyer tells the judge that Franco is engaged to be married and they even have a license, which is phony. The judge asks why Samantha Brady isn't here and Franco says that she had a prior commitment. Franco swears that Sami knows his status and the judge warns him that the INS will investigate this marriage. The judge tells Franco if this is a marriage of convenience then both he and his fiancee will be prosecuted. Meanwhile, Lucas is trying to find Franco. Lucas finds Franco after his hearing and overhears Franco's lawyer tell him to get a real marriage license as soon as possible. Lucas confronts Franco and Franco says that he was here getting a marriage license for Sami to fill out and he leaves to pick up Sami. Lucas vows to stop Franco from marrying Sami.
At the Kiriakis Mansion, Sami starts telling Austin how Carrie would do anything for Mike because she's hung up on him. Austin tells Sami that Carrie is just trying to prove that Mike is innocent. Sami starts talking about Mike coming between him and Carrie, and Austin tells her not to cause trouble. Sami says that Mike's news may put a damper on the picnic, but she has a surprise to put everyone in a partying mood. Austin leaves to see Will and Sami can't wait to announce her engagement. Austin returns and asks Sami why she is so happy. Sami says that it is Franco, he makes her feel like she's never felt before. Sami slips up and mentions Franco being Will's step-father, but she quickly says "if they were to marry." Austin says Lucas won't like that, but Sami says Lucas is a poor father. Austin says whether Franco is in the picture or not, he will always be there for Will. Austin sits down and starts reading about boxing. Sami tells Austin that he shouldn't have to give up his dream because Carrie hasn't given up on Mike. Austin points out that Carrie is only committed to making Mike COS. Austin leaves to get Will to head over to the picnic and Sami says Carrie will be miserable when Austin defends her (Sami) from Lucas after her engagement announcement.
At the hospital, Mike realizes he'll never be named Chief of Staff and he tells Craig that if he makes University Hospital the best it can be, then he has his support. Craig thanks Mike and wishes him the best. Lexie and Ali are outraged, but Mike tells them that this is for the best. Mike says he must take care of something and leaves. Nancy leaves to check on Shelly and after she's gone, Lexie asks Craig if he thinks he'll get away with this. Craig plays innocent, but Lexie knows he's behind this. Craig says he feels bad for Mike, but Mike should have used better judgement and gone straight to the Salem Inn. Craig tells Lexie that he will be the Chief of Staff and she better learn to mind him and respect him. Lexie says she may have to work with him, but she doesn't have to respect him. Meanwhile, Mike gives Ali a letter and asks her to deliver it to the board. Ali tells Mike that she really respects him. Mike leaves and Ali gives the letter to Lexie, because she fears she'll cry if she reads it. After reading the letter, both Mike and Ali stare at Craig.
Meanwhile, Carrie and Marlena go to Phil's diner to search for Shelly. Carrie shows a picture of Shelly to the manager and asks him if he's ever seen her. The manager tells Carrie that he's never seen her. Nancy shows up outside the diner and finds Shelly there. Shelly says she's leaving town, but she just wanted to pick up some food. Nancy leaves and Carrie and Marlena come out of the diner and spot Shelly. Carrie and Marlena trail Shelly to an apartment and confront her. Suddenly, Shelly's son Donny starts coughing. Her son does have asthma and Marlena helps the little boy. Carrie asks Shelly to please help them and she asks her if she knows Craig. Shelly claims she knows nothing, but Carrie says she knows what she did, but she doesn't know why she did it. Shelly starts crying about how she can't take care of her kid with no money. Carrie says she understands how hard it is for her, but their are doctors out there who would help her, doctors like Mike. Carrie tells Shelly that Mike was there for her and now she needs to be there for Mike. Marlena gives Shelly the name of a doctor who will help Donny for free. Once again, Carrie begs Shelly to tell the hospital board the truth.
Nancy returns to the hospital and thinks they are in the clear. Lexie reads Mike's letter, which is an apology to the staff, and how he hopes he can continue working at the hospital. Mike returns and tells Lexie that he just wanted to post it on the board. The members of the board showed up to make the announcement, but a nurse says that some kids playing with illegal fireworks were just brought in and they need everyone. Mike, Craig, and the others rush off and the board says their announcement will just have to wait. Mike and Craig work as a team together and the board members say they must appoint Craig Wesely as the COS, which Nancy overhears.
Eric and Nicole have shown up for the Brady-Horton picnic, as well as Sami and Austin. Sami tells Nicole that she saw the proofs from the LA shoot and they are great. Nicole is pleased that Sami liked the shoot. Sami leaves to find Franco and Austin talks to John. Franco arrives at the picnic and asks Sami where her engagement ring is. Sami says it's in a safe place, she doesn't want to show it to annoying before announcing their engagement. Roman approaches them and he's cold to Franco, who leaves to get them something to drink. Roman tells Sami that he hopes she's taking things slow. Lucas warns Franco to stay away from his son, but Franco says he should get used to it because he's marrying Sami soon. Meanwhile, an INS agent is watching Franco.
Maggie, Mickey, and Alice are talking. Laura won't be coming to the picnic because she's too upset about Mike.
Roman and Billie show up at the picnic. Hope comes out of the house and Roman says he just wishes Bo could have been here. That is Billie's cue to start accusing Hope of driving Bo away. Roman tries to calm them down, but he's distracted when John asks to talk to him. John and Roman leave to talk and Billie starts accusing Hope of killing her baby. Hope tells Billie that she has to move on with her life. Billie says she plans to, she plans to make a life with Bo and have another child. Hope, who has had enough of Billie, attempts to walk away. Billie grabs Hope and tells her not to walk away from her. Billie starts lashing out at Hope until Austin pulls her away. John talks to Hope and she tells him that she wants to go to Lugano now.
Austin tells Billie that she should go home and he'll drive her, but Billie refuses to let "little miss hopeless" drive her away. Austin asks Billie if she's heard from Bo, but Billie says no.
Lucas shows up for the picnic and Alice jokes with him about having a hard time calling her grandma. Alice tells him that in time he may learn to call her grandma. Lucas sees Austin holding Will and he takes Will away from him and asks when he's going to get it through his thick skull that he is Will's father. Austin asks Maggie to take Will to get a cookie and Austin tries to reason with Lucas. Lucas says he's trying to bond with his son, but Austin says he's all for that but he doesn't like him drinking around Will. Lucas says Sami is making that up and she's the bad one. Austin tells Lucas that Sami is trying to turn her life around and he should do the same. Lucas starts picking on Austin about how his wife has dumped him for Mike.
At the hospital, Mike and Craig are working on some boys who were brought in for playing with illegal fireworks. In another part of the hospital, the board members read Mike's letter and decide that they must appoint Craig as Chief of Staff. Nancy overhears this and is delighted. Mike invites Craig to the picnic tonight and Nancy shows up and agrees. Mike leaves and Craig asks Nancy what she's thinking. Nancy tells him that Winston and Lewis will be there and they will offer him the job tonight!
At Shelly's place, Carrie is pleading with Shelly to tell the truth about Mike. Shelly refuses and Marlena and Carrie eventually leave. Shelly begins to cry and says she has to get out of town, now.
Carrie and Marlena drive to the hospital and Carrie tells Marlena that she isn't going to the picnic because she doesn't want to face Mike after letting him down. Once at the hospital, Carrie sees and reads Mike's letter. Ali asks Carrie if she's going to the picnic, but Carrie says no.
Marlena arrives at the picnic and runs into Roman. Roman asks Marlena to talk to Sami about her relationship with Franco. Marlena finds Sami and Sami prepares to slam Marlena for living in sin with John. Marlena tells Sami that she'd like to talk to her about Franco. Sami says Franco makes her very happy and maybe she should focus on Carrie's relationship with Mike. Sami becomes fed-up and walks away.
Roman goes back and finds Billie. Roman offers Billie some food, so they leave. As they walk off, Billie drops the compact. Roman tells Billie that she needs to get-away to someplace relaxing and suggests "that" chateau in Paris. Later, a drunk Lucas shows up and asks Billie to have a beer with him. Billie says she's not drinking tonight and he shouldn't be either.
Hope and John are still talking about Hope's decision to go to Lugano. John sees Marlena and decides to go talk with her, but he tells Hope they'll talk about this later. Seeing Marlena busy with Sami, John goes back to talk with Hope. Both find it odd that Roman and Billie seem to be so close. Later, Hope tells John that she has decided to Lugano and he won't change her mind.
The immigration officer trailing Franco shows up at the party and just happens to be an old friend of Roman's. Franco overhears this and panics. Sami goes to Franco for comfort after her fight with Marlena and she asks Franco why there is a strange man staring at them. Franco says that he has no idea, so Sami decides to find out who he is. Franco stops her and says he can't bear to be away from her for one more moment. Franco decides to announce his and Sami's wonderful news. Franco announces that they are engaged and it shocks everyone. Slowly, others begin to congratulate them.
Mike shows up at the Brady-Horton picnic and tells his Grandma that he wants to have fun today and asks where Carrie is. Alice tells him that she doesn't know. Craig and Nancy show up and are anxious for the committee members to show up and announce that Craig is the new COS. Later, the board members show up to make an announcement. Winston and Lewis talk to Mike and they tell him that they are impressed by his letter. Mike says he's really sorry for making such a horrible error and causing so much trouble. Winston and Lewis tell Mike they understand because they were about to make a horrible error as well. Winston and Lewis call over Craig and Nancy to tell them all their decision.
Out front, Carrie shows up for the picnic, but decides to leave. As she walks away, Mike comes out the door and stops her. Carrie apologizes for letting him down. Mike says he knows what she did and that Shelly told Winston and Lewis and that she drugged and robbed him. Mike tells Carrie that he is the new Chief of Staff. Carrie leaps into Mike's arms. Mike tells Carrie that he couldn't have done this without her. Carrie tells Mike that she'd do anything for him and he knows how she feels about him. As fireworks explode overhead, Mike and Carrie kiss each other.