Naomi Continues to Keep Secrets From Jacob

Naomi Continues to Keep Secrets From Jacob on Beyond The Gates

Naomi and Jacob are getting sexy first thing in the morning. They get through round one before Jacob hears gunshots, which Naomi clearly did not. He avoids the topic and they head into round two. Afterwards, Naomi notes they can’t lie in bed all day as he has a commendation ceremony to get to.

Jacob can’t believe there is a fuss being made over him when Derek is the real hero. Naomi notes she will be forever grateful for Derek’s sacrifice but also believes her beloved is a hero. He declares he won’t stop until The Impaler and everyone associated is behind bars.

Naomi notes all she went through while he was undercover along with everything else she is dealing with. Jacob clearly has no clue and inquires. She sort of lies by omission and Jacob apologizes for only talking about himself. He urges her to tell him anything and everything going on in her life. Naomi promises to catch him up later, but first they must hit the shower before heading over to the ceremony.

Nicole and Vanessa Get Real About Grief and Sex!

Nicole joins Vanessa at the country club. Vanessa is thumbing threw one of Doug’s old photo albums. Those photos remind her of classic Doug. She says Derek’s memorial brought her back to her grief and thinking about folks cut down in their prime.

Vanessa thinks her children won’t accept Joey because she hasn’t fully gotten over their father. Nicole notes it is important for her to feel all of her feelings and grief has no timeframe. She encourages her friend to process her feelings giving them the depth they deserve. Vanessa wonders if Nicole is taking her own advice or is she still beating herself up for fantasizing about her ex.

Nicole says she doesn’t feel guilty as her life crumbling has made her into a different person. The old, strait-laced Nicole has gone by the wayside. She wonders if it gives Nicole pause her current beaus aren’t the ones intruding into her thoughts. Nicole knew it was a mistake to tell her bestie about her naughty country club thoughts. In all seriousness, these fantasies make her really uncomfortable around Ted, only exacerbated by this Chief of Staff nonsense. Vanessa inquires and Nicole brings her up to speed on Ted’s desire to put her up for the position. After a little more chit chat, Vanessa heads off to visit Joey.

Previous Beyond The Gates (BTG) recap: Kat and Martin Attempt to Bleach Their Brains After Walking in on The Grands!

Will Nicole’s Fantasies Wreck Ted and Shanice?

Ted arrives at Garland Memorial to find a very distracted Shanice. She is having a tough time with the Derek of it all and is very surprised to learn he sent Nicole to speak with her about her grief. Shanice is noticing a pattern of him talking to other people about her rather than doing it himself.

Shanice and Ted take a seat, and she understands a bit more about why he was hesitant to approach her. Ted says he should have trusted their relationship more and she concurs. He pushes and Shanice goes into why Derek’s murder is hitting her so hard. Ted says he understands and refers to the loss of his brother and sister-in-law. He says time help to dull the ache. She stops him as she doesn’t want to get upset at work. Shanice thanks him for his words and heads off to get back to work.

Nicole arrives at the hospital and asks how Shanice is doing. She wonders if she is asking for herself or her ex-husband. Shanice immediately apologizes, but Nicole knows she’s spoken to Ted. Shanice doesn’t know why she is so sensitive and knows they are friends. Nicole explains the situation perfectly and notes communication in tough times isn’t always her ex-husband’s strong suit. Just then, Shanice is called away to deal with a patient.

Nicole walks into Ted’s office and thinks it’s time for them to get real. They take a seat and they both admit things have been awkward between them. Nicole flashes back to her fantasies when Shanice walks in and interrupts. Nicole abruptly gets up and walks out. Afterwards, Shanice admits she overreacted earlier and apologizes. With that, the duo embrace as Nicole catches a glance from outside the door.

Izaiah Asks Joey About His Involvement in Plasma-Gate on Beyond The Gates

Randy joins Joey at the gambling pit, having just spoken to The Impaler’s right hand man. Randy promises to handle the upcoming meeting with care as he knows his boss doesn’t want to walk into an ambush.

Randy notices a difference in Joey. He is not as reckless since Vanessa’s influence has crept into his life. Joey gives him the business before he admits his priorities have shifted. He notes The Impaler has a serious body count and won’t let his organization or his people be impacted.

Joey gives Randy specific instructions about security before telling him to set up the meeting with The Impaler for the end of the week. Just then, Vanessa arrives and Randy exits.

Joey notes her mood and wonders if it’s about Doug. Vanessa says she is concerned about Jacob, and his belief Joey is connected to the red market ring. He says the situation is being handled and then returns to his questions about digging through her feelings about Doug. Vanessa reviews her initial attraction to Doug and their early times together. She can’t understand how they started so connected and concluded so far apart. Vanessa worries the same fate will befall them, but Joey says it’s not possible. Just then, Izaiah walks in the door and Vanessa exits.

Izaiah wants to get real and asks Joey if he had anything to do with his brother almost being killed. They take a seat and Joey looks him in the eyes, saying he would never harm any member of his family… that’s how much Izaiah means to him.

Vanessa heads back to Joey’s home and flashes back to her last very difficult conversation with Doug.