Not So Goodfellas
How long are we gonna look at that screen before making a move? a frustrated Vic asks Paul - understandably, he wants to go after Vinnie. It's time to move - Paul finally gives the OK, grabs his gun and follows Bobby and Vic out the door.

Nikki's defiant. You've boxed yourself in haven't you? I'd rather take what I know to the grave. An angry Vinnie throws the chair and warns she might end up being tossed in the river.

Leave me here, she suggests. My husband has a lot of resources - he'll kill this guy, then come after you. Lucca and Vinnie argue over what to do with Nikki. We gotta take her to the club - untie the broad. We gotta move. Nikki's untied: Come on Angel face - maybe you'll smarten up and tell me where the evidence is (or maybe use her to get Bobby the snitch to talk). Out they go...

Now in the warehouse, Paul assures that according to the GPS device, they're in the right place. Vic picks up and smells the white gag - Nikki's perfume.

Look what I found (rope) - they tied her up. They see writing on a box (behind where Nikki was bound) - it looks like blood. 'MAR' - Marsino's, the clever boys guess.

At the club, Vinnie gives Ang orders: The girls gotta change backstage tonight. Ang balks: I'll let you use the office...No - go back upstairs! Vinnie orders. We let YOU use the club. Meanwhile, in the dressing room, Nikki's tied up again: this really hurts, she whines. Why protect Bobby? Vinnie asks. You think Bobby would protect YOU? He's selling his best friend of 20 years down the river - think he'll help you? You've got 5 minutes to save your miserable, pampered life. When the uncooperative Nikki spits in his face, Vinnie cocks and points the gun: bitch! The barrel inches from her head, Vinnie barks: tell me what you know!

Now at Marsino's, Bobby convinces Vic and Paul to let him talk to Ang. After some small talk, Bobby nonchalantly asks if he's seen Nikki? Ang hasn't - be serious, she only used to come here to see you. When stripper Lois interrupts to ask why they gotta change backstage tonight, Bobby gestures a signal towards Vic (who's seated nearby looking around). What's going on in the dressing room? Bobby asks. Ang has no idea - ask Vinnie.

Vinnie tries to intimidate Nikki - you'll have to ask Bobby, she says bravely. Vinnie welcomes Bobby in: step into my office. I want the papers you've been collecting. Bobby wants to know where Nikki is. In the dressing room, Nikki bites Lucca's hand and screams out: Bobby!! As Bobby's about to go to her, Vinnie pulls the gun on Bobby.

Mac The Med And The Crybaby
At the ranch, a scared JT thinks he better go get the car. Brit is in agony. I think my water broke, she wails: it's too soooooon - breathe, he instructs. Mac arrives - did you call 911? Mac's calling an ambulance - just relax, JT tries to calm her. We have a woman in premature labour - I'm at the Newman ranch, Mac says on the phone.

Breath through your nose - and into your belly, Mac coaches - when the next contraction comes (she shows her the breathing technique) in through the nose, then out: he he he. JT brings towels as ordered. Mac watches as JT encourages a terrified Brit. I think it's coming now, Brit tries to breath as Mac instructs.

Where the hell's the ambulance? JT worries as Mac takes the offered towel and drapes it over Brit's open legs. Wow - it IS coming, she peers under. Relax - breath like Mac told you to, JT coaches. My back hurts, Brit sobs. JT holds her hand. I volunteered at a clinic at the reservation, Mac explains. I helped deliver a lot of babies - try not to push. Arch your lower back and try not to breath - like there's a feather in front of you moth. My God she's crowning - don't push! Mac gives instructions - next contraction - hold your breath - now push - let it out. Push! There's the head. You're so close - keep pushing. That's it. In no time (and I DO meant no time), Mac's holding the blanket wrapped baby - while JT comforts the exhausted Brit.

Congratulations, Mac smiles. You two have a beautiful little boy. He's so tiny, JT marvels. He has all his finger and toes? Brit confirms. I wanna hold him. Watch his head, Mac says as she hands him over. As a joyful Brit laughs, Mac watches what she believes to be a happy little family.

Walkin' In A Winter's Wonderland
Lily gets a visit from Devon. You sound like my mother, she sulks at his scolding. Lily explains that she made things worse with her Mom - I asked her to pass on a letter to Daniel. She didn't freak out. I think she's beginning to understand. He's NOT a 'bad boy', she insists. He still got wasted that night - and that's stupid - and he messed up your life. Your future is up for grabs.

Lily compares it to his wanting to help his mother (despite everyone telling him not to). Mom is my family - I didn't choose her, Devon clarifies. I didn't choose Daniel either, Lily insists: it just happened. Maybe you should leave. Devon eases up - but don't expect me to like the guy. Lily gives him a note too (in case her Mom didn't pass it on). Devon refuses. What if you wanted to get a message to your Mom - and had a friend you knew you could count on?

Back at the apartment, Dru whines to Neil that they're treating Lily like a common criminal - and she gave me a letter for Daniel. Of course Dru won't give it to him. She could spend her senior year in jail - thanks to Phyllis, she gripes. Neil prays Lily will be home tomorrow.

Seein' Red
Over at the Abbott home, Phyllis declines a late night dip - it should be me in jail, she mopes to Jack. Chris and Neil have blasted me - the only one left is Dru. I better go over and make amends for getting her daughter arrested. I don't want her making a scene over here. I just wanted to do something for my son. Phyllis appreciates Jack's support - his life's not the same without her in it. Phyllis declines his offer to take her to the Winter's - but with a kiss agrees, they'll take that swim when she gets back. As soon as Phyllis leaves, Ash comes down and asks where she's going at this hour. To do damage control? Like that's something new, Ash cracks.

Hi - can I come in? Phyllis asks Neil. Arms folded, he lets her in. OK - I deserve whatever you're gonna give me, Phyllis stands. It's all I can do not to kick your behind, Dru says as Neil stops her from doing just that. I was so worried about my son, Phyllis implores: Mother to mother, my son is dying in there. I knew a visit would lift his spirits. They love each other so much. You used our daughter, Neil frowns. You pimped our daughter, Dru accuses. Phyllis will go to the hearing and tell he Judge it was her idea - take full responsibility. Yeah - it WAS all my idea. I'm sorry - I'd change places with her any day. Save it, Dru turns her back. The damage is done. If something happens to our daughter it's on your head. At least they aren't together, Phyllis points out the silver lining. That's a letter to Daniel? she eyes the paper. Confirming it is, Dru slowly and deliberately rips it up and tosses it.

Jack defends Phyllis and informs Ash that he offered her a job at Jabot. She's brilliant. Ash is against it: She just got fired. We don't want to scrounge after NE scraps. Jack brings up Brad - he holds too many of Jabot's secrets - we need to be poised to counter attack. When Ash questions his motives, Jack knows she's not story book marriage material his eyes are wide open. Nobody ever made him happier. He hopes they can recapture the magic. Here's to you, Ash toasts: you're a glutton for punishment - good luck. You're gonna need it.

Devon: Cell To Cell Salesman
Visiting his second detainee in one day, Devon's lead into the room by an officer. Daniel's surprised to see Devon. You're my visitor? Your lawyer set it up, Devon quickly adds: but I'm only here because of Lily. How is she? Daniel asks. I feel terrible about what happened - I wish she'd stayed away. Devon's angry: She didn't (stay away) when you hid at the Abbott's or went to california - she's risked everything to come to your rescue. She's not even the same person. Do the right thing - tell her it's over, Devon requests. Don't ruin her life more so than you already have. I know I shouldn't do this - he puts the letter on the table and leaves. Daniel unfolds and reads the letter - 'I hate that I can't see you... I miss you - it's creepy in this place. When I get scared I imagine you're holding me. I can't wait for that moonlight swim we talked about. I love you so much, Lily'. Daniel flashes back to California - her turning herself in. I love you - I always will. I love you too - no matter what. That's real. They kiss.

My Thoughts
Today's show rates a 6 .... The climaxing mob story, coupled with the premature delivery of Brit's baby should have rated much, much higher. Alas, today's show fell flat *sigh* I can barely bring myself to waste time commenting (on a holiday Monday when the sun is shining outside), but here goes.... Vinnie, Vinnie, Vinnie - You've let two witnesses walk away (JT and Brit) and NOW you bring your captive to a strip joint? Tsk Tsk - everyone knows the best secret hideaway in town is the Abbott playhouse. I cringed when Paul shoved the gun down his pants (sure he'd shoot prematurely, so to speak, and once again be rendered impotent). If only he'd pulled it out (so to speak) at the club the other day (at shot Vinnie), this whole episode could have been prevented. What kind of lame security does this warehouse have? Is it just open to the public, or what? Obviously ex Jabot security guard Larry Wartman isn't doing security there ... The only highlight in this scene was Nikki actually spitting on Vinnie - it was well done too - no dribble on her chin even .. How fortunate that Vic recognized Nikki's perfume: mumble, mumble.. this is definitely has the superior nuances of a perfume created by Newman Enterprises, the company I built from the ground up - not that skunk oil Jabot churns out - ya got that? (No disrespect to John Abbott, whom I greatly admire, and the lovely Ashley Abbott) ...mumble, mumble..... And now we move to the ranch *sigh*. Any pregnant first time mothers-to-be out there better tune into TLC's 'A Baby Story' - cause Brit's delivery might as well have been animated - like Shrek or Finding Nemo. It was completely overreacted and unrealistic. Which is a good thing since they were likely on one of Nikki's very expensive Persian rugs. Was Miguel off in the kitchen baking cookies this whole time? Wouldn't the 911 operator stay on the line to unsure mother and baby made it OK? Or until the Medics arrived? Shouldn't Mac have given an address - or are they all supposed to know the location of the Newman ranch? Of course Mac didn't need to ask for a stop watch to time the contractiosn - there seemed to have only been one very, very long on. And finally - wouldn't it have been a good time to tell Mac that this isn't JT's baby? After all, the cat does seem to be out of the bag .... Um - given the relationship between the incarcerated Lily and Daniel, would the authorities really be stupid enough to let the same person visit both of them - especially on the same day and without being searched (for things like letters perhaps)? ... Give it a rest Phyllis (it should be me in jail). If she's feeling oh so remorseful about 'pimping' Lily out - she can always go in and confess to some of the crimes she's gotten away with (IE. mowing down Paul and Chris with her rental car). Funny how she never felt remorse over THAT ... ...

Next: How the hell do you know what they're doing to Nikki? Vic asks Paul (who replies that they don't even know for sure that she's there) .... New Mom wants Bobby there with her and the baby - you don't think anything happeded, do you? .... Do you really want to get married to Michael Baldwin? Brad asks Lauren.

*****

For those who were members of the message boards - and therefore, no doubt, a friend of 'Leafy's' - Amy Kay has created a very touching tribute. http://dump.grendosa.com/Leafy.wmv . Just added: my own eulogy or sorts. My thoughts: From the heart - Leafy.