At Gina's, Billy tried to talk his dad into letting him go to Aspen with Brittany and her parents. John questioned that Billy's attitude had changed considerably, since he wanted something. John said that he expected respect from Billy and that they had some serious issues to work through. He said that Billy had been totally irresponsible. Billy immediately took the attitude that John was saying that Billy couldn't go to Aspen and that he was punishing Billy. He sarcastically thanked John for ruining his life.
Sharon and Nick lounged on the sofa in front of a roaring fire, basking in the silence of not having the children running around. They were saying that they didn't give themselves enough time together. Sharon said it was never too late to start. Nick said he wished his mom and dad could get through their differences. He didn't understand why they couldn't get past it and move on.
Brad was at the ranch, still trying to convince Nikki to go away with him. He kept putting down Victor for controlling Nikki's life.
Back at Gina's, Diane was on the phone with Victor. He was saying that he wanted to talk to her about his living arrangements. Diane said she was available right away, but Victor said he was too busy that day -- it would have to be the following day. Of course Diane said it was okay, and they hung up.
In Victoria's office, Victor hung up the phone from talking with Diane, totally unaware that Victoria had been standing at the doorway, listening to his conversation. Victoria asked her father what he thought he was doing. His eyes turned steely cold as he turned around and asked, "Were you listening to me?"
Somewhere in St. Louis, Jill was at a private detective's office. He was on the telephone with Amanda, Mac's mother. He was scamming her by telling her he was from the Census office and couldn't read the answer to the question about where her daughter had been born. Amanda's told him that Mac had been born in Kirkwood.
At the Chancellor estate, Mac and Raul were having muffins and juice and talking about the sweet sixteen party that Brock and Katherine were planning. She couldn't figure out what the big deal was. Raul said they had missed so many of her birthdays that they wanted to do something special for her. She was concerned about having the party at the house because of what had happened at the last party there. Raul suggested that the party be held at the coffeehouse. She wondered if Katherine would go for that, and Raul said it was her party, and Katherine would probably let her have it wherever she wanted.
Diane was in seventh heaven because Victor had called her. She was totally fooling herself into believing that he wanted her again. Marissa was skeptical, but Diane told her that Victor had "reached out" to her in his time of need. Marissa didn't want her to get her hopes up and reminded her how much Victor had hurt her in the past. Diane said she knew, but she couldn't help wondering if her dreams might actually happen. They would find out the following day when she saw Victor.
Ramona looked at the architectural plans for the new lab. Elena arrived and suggested that they go out to dinner, but Ramona didn't want to. Elena thought she was mooning over Victor. Ramona told her that Victor was back home with his wife. Elena asked if she had told him about Nikki, and she said no.
Victoria told Victor that she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Victor told her that it was none of her business and that he didn't like her tone of voice. She asked him how he could consider moving back in with Diane after all she'd done to him. He told her to stay out of it. She said, "The hell I will." He told her he wouldn't discuss it with her, and furthermore, he wanted a complete report about Brash & Sassy on his desk first thing in the morning. He made a huffy exit.
John told Billy he was not punishing him. Billy said it looked like John was not going to let him go to Aspen. John replied that he hadn't said that. He said he needed specifics on the trip and that he was going to call Brittany's parents. Billy said no. He felt John was treating him like a ten-year-old. Billy said that when they had been in New York, John had let him do whatever he'd wanted, and since they'd arrived in Genoa City, John had always been on him. "Don't you trust me?" Billy asked.
John told Billy that they both knew the answer to that. Billy said they would be staying at the Hodges' condo in Aspen. John said he still had to talk to Jill about it, or it just wouldn't work. Billy said, "Apparently not -- you're checking up on me 24/7." John replied that, given Billy's attitude lately, he had no other choice.
Nick told Sharon that he and Victoria were meeting with Victor in the morning. She said that maybe they should consider letting the coffeehouse go, for the family's sake. Nick said, "But I thought you loved the place." Sharon reminded him that Victor was upset that they'd bought the coffeehouse. She said that it wouldn't solve his parents' problems, but it would take one issue off his father's plate.
Nick got a little upset and asked if they should just quit. Sharon told him that she loved the coffeehouse, but they should try to restore peace in the family. He told her that he didn't want her to sacrifice anything, and she said it was not about her -- it was about the family. It would be a gesture in his father's eyes, and maybe it would be worth it in the long run. She asked if he was angry with her, and he told her that he could never be angry. He said that he was going to go out and think about it to clear his head.
Nikki told Brad it was not as simple as he thought it was to just pick up and leave a life. He tried to tell her it would be for her own good, but she told him he was acting just like Victor and trying to control her. She said he was trying to push a "new Nikki" on her, and she didn't even know who she really was yet. He told her, "We can find her together." She said no because she would just be trading one man's version of herself for another. He told her that he wouldn't let her do that.
Nikki said that Brad was not listening to her. He said he was sorry and asked if they could talk about it. She said she was in no position to move forward with anyone right then, and she needed time to find herself. He asked if she was refusing to turn to him for help. He said he hoped that she was not telling him that the affair between them had been some midlife crisis. She said no, and he told her to convince him. She said she could kiss him, or they could go somewhere to make love, but that would just be the same as giving up her identity if she gave in to him.
Elena said she assumed that Ramona had told Victor about Nikki. Ramona told her the feelings between her and Victor had been building up for a long time. She said that she wanted Victor to want her for herself and not because Nikki had been unfaithful. Elena told her that she understood. Ramona said, "Do you?" She said that Victor and she were not entirely faultless -- they had slept together.
Elena asked Ramona if she regretted it, and Ramona said it had been the most wonderful night of her life. Elena said, "Knowing Victor like you do, do you think he will stay with Nikki when he discovers what she has done?" She walked out of Ramona's house.
Raul got ready to leave, and he kissed Mac. Brock entered and apologized for interrupting. Raul asked Mac if she was inviting Billy to the party, and she said no; he wouldn't even be in town during break. Raul left, and Brock apologized again to Mac for walking in. She said they had nothing to hide. She told him she was sorry for the things she'd said to him earlier about not knowing how to be a father. Brock said it was okay and asked her about Raul.
Brock told Mac he really liked Raul, and she said she liked him too. Then Brock said it was too bad she couldn't straighten things out between her and Billy. He asked if Billy had hurt her. She said, "He couldn't get close enough to hurt me."
Raul ordered a cappuccino at Crimson Lights and told Cody about the upcoming party for Mac. Billy was lurking in the background, listening. Cody said he'd check it out with Nick. Billy walked up and asked Cody if Brittany had left, and Cody said that she had. Raul said hello to Billy. Billy smart-mouthed, "Are you talking to me? I can't really tell because you say you don't know who I am anymore. You called me a jerk." Raul said that was because he was acting like one.
Billy told Raul that he had been cool before, and he was too serious. Raul said some things were serious. Raul said that Billy had been his friend and had trusted him -- but he wouldn't reveal what was going on with him. Billy said there was nothing going on. Raul looked sadly at Billy and said, "If I did something, I'm sorry," and he left.
Gary the ad man entered Gina's and sat down at a table where Victoria was. He asked her where Ross was. She told him it was just the two of them. He asked if she wanted to talk about the Brash & Sassy ads, and she said that was the last thing on her mind. He asked if she wanted to talk about the stalker, and she said, "Strike two." She said she had gotten off work early and had thought she'd call him because she enjoyed spending time with him.
Nick entered Crimson Lights and asked Cody what was happening. Cody told him to look around at the crowd. He said it was amazing how things had turned around since Nick and Sharon had taken over the place and that Nick should be proud.
Mac didn't want to talk about Billy. She asked if the sweet sixteen party could be held at the coffeehouse. Brock said that would be fine with him. She asked if he thought it would be okay with Katherine. He said sure. She told him that growing up, each year on her birthday, she would make a wish that things would be better the next year. He asked what she'd wished for that year, and she told him her wish was that everything would stay the same.
The St. Louis detective still couldn't find a record of Mac's birth in the computer. Jill said that Amanda was probably in on the scam with Mac.
In Amanda's house, she was on the phone, calling the Census office. She asked for Roger Tate -- the name the detective had used when he'd called her. They told her that no one by that name worked there. She hung up and said to herself that it had to have something to do with Mackenzie. She said in a sarcastic voice, "Maybe I should try to find you, my darling daughter."
Victoria asked Gary if he was uncomfortable. He said maybe a little, because Ross was interested in her. She told him that she'd picked up on that. Gary said that he'd told Ross to back off and not mix business with pleasure. She said, "Oh? Then whatever this is will be our little secret." He said okay, and they toasted their "secret."
Nikki told Brad she thought he was bitter. He said he was trying not to be. She told him they had both been searching for something the last while, and people used each other to do that, but it didn't mean they were not sincere. He asked her if she was sincere. She said, "If the only way to prove that to you is to move in with you, then my answer will have to be no." He thought she was still not ready for that.
Nikki told Brad she finally knew what was at the root of her "midlife crisis." He said, "A need to find yourself." She told him that Victor had molded her since she'd been a teenager, and she needed to break off on her own. He asked her if she was asking him to wait for her. She said she was not asking him anything, just telling him where she was at that moment.
Brad told Nikki to take the time to do it for herself. She asked him what he would do, and he told her he was thinking of leaving town, but he was not sure. He told her that he was sure that he loved her, and that would never change. He turned and walked out the door.
In his office, Victor looked at a picture of himself with Nikki with a sad look on his face. The phone rang, and it was Ramona. She asked him how he was, and he said that he was okay. She asked if things were back to normal, and he said kind of. He asked her about the plans for the lab, and she said they were remarkable.
Ramona said she missed Victor, and she had no regrets about their night together. She said since she hadn't heard from him, she assumed that he and Nikki had worked out their differences, and she was glad. She just wanted him to be happy. She said she'd just wanted to hear his voice, and she wouldn't bother him again. He told her she was not bothering him at all and that he was glad she'd called. They both had tears in their eyes, and she said goodbye. He said, "Goodbye, my sweet Ramona."
Victoria asked Nikki if Victor knew about her affair with Brad. Both women assumed that was why Victor was talking with Diane about living arrangements. Nikki wondered just how far Victor would go to punish her. She found out from the lab that Victor's sperm had been delivered to the Newman Towers penthouse.
Diane told Michael that Victor wanted to meet with her. Michael concluded that she wanted to be with Victor and not him. He asked Diane how much money she was willing to pay for his silence regarding Victor's sperm.
Victor met with Nick about his ownership of the coffeehouse. When he found out that Nick hadn't sold it yet, he said he would have to reassess his decision to give Nick a seat on the Newman board.
Billy was pleased when John and Jill decided to let him go to Aspen with Brittany and her family over winter break. He went to the coffeehouse and was surprised to find out that Raul was going to have a birthday party for Mac. Billy asked Mac why he hadn't been invited. She informed him that she'd planned the party around his absence.
Malcolm and Callie discussed their wedding. Malcolm told her he would support her 100 percent when she received the talent showcase offers. When Malcolm was in the shower, she made a quick call to the musicians union, requesting a list of agent showcases.
Katherine entered Victor's office. She was very upset with what was happening between Victor and Nikki. Katherine suggested that Victor was no saint, and the two of them should call it even. Victor fantasized about dancing with Nikki to their favorite song.
While hiding from Diane in her apartment, Nikki found the container with Victor's sperm in it. She eventually revealed herself to Diane, who was trying to set up a catered dinner for Victor when he stopped over. Nikki and Diane got into an argument. Nikki left with her large bag in tow. Outside the door, she began to smile.
Victoria wasn't happy with the photos promoting Brash & Sassy. Malcolm and Gary set up a camera in the office to catch Victoria at work. They thought it would make a great campaign.
Nick told Sharon that although they had planned to sell the coffeehouse, he wasn't going to. Nick was so angry with Victor that he just wouldn't give in to his bullying.
After a conversation with Billy, Jack murmured to himself that Billy had a bad crush on Mac.
Victoria covered when Victor asked her about the Brash & Sassy ad campaign. She was afraid her father would take over her division if he found out about the stalker. Later, she told Gary that his idea of a spontaneous photo shoot had been brilliant. He was becoming quite an asset to the company.
Brad thought he could be helpful to Jack and wanted to become his business partner. Jack didn't trust him but thought he could use Brad to get at Victor. Victor confided in Neil that he was acquiring companies that held Jabot's debt. That way, he could drop the axe on Jack Abbott whenever he wanted to. Victor was at his desk when Brad walked in. He'd heard that Victor had been looking for him.
Tricia told Ryan that Tony's death had shocked her out of a terrible mental place. Ryan only hoped that he had his wife back. He had missed Tricia. Christine counseled Sharon not to jump to conclusions about Tricia's involvement in Tony's death. She should let the police do their job.
Olivia informed Malcolm that she probably had a form of anemia. He wanted her to know he was concerned about her. Neil entered and asked Malcolm to leave. He felt Malcolm was a big reason that Olivia was sick in the first place.
Tomas told Nina that she needed to spend time by herself to help her writer's block. He suggested she take a long drive to clear her head. In her excitement over his idea, Nina spilled her wine all over him.
Victor wanted to know why Brad had resigned. He informed Brad that he would forfeit a considerable amount of termination pay. Brad didn't want anything from him. Victor thought he'd had another agenda. Brad told Victor he should stick closer to home. Later that day, Brad received a copy of his employment contract. He turned to the flagged page. Brad cursed Victor.
Diane was waiting for Victor to arrive when she noticed that the door to the spare room was unlocked. She determined that she'd just forgotten to lock it. When Victor arrived, he refused Diane's invitation for a drink. He only wanted to talk about the living arrangements.
The doctor assured Tricia and Ryan that it was okay for them to try to conceive. She noticed that Tricia was uncomfortable with the news and told her it was perfectly normal to have reservations about getting pregnant after a miscarriage. Tricia claimed she was looking forward to being intimate with her husband again.
Callie could see how worried Malcolm was about Olivia and wondered if there was a bond there that couldn't be broken. Gina advised her to let go of the past. She and Malcolm would be married soon. Trey was upset with Sam for not telling him about Callie's divorce notice in the paper. Sam vowed not to let Trey see Callie again. She wasn't good for his career.
Michael Baldwin called Christine to let her know that Warton was being tailed. He was sure the Newmans were responsible. Paul found Gladys, the lady who'd bought the flowers that had been delivered to Victoria.
