At the jewelry store, Sharon has tears in her eyes and a ring on her finger - the very same ring the salesman just sold to a man renewing his vows - how romantic, right? Sharon's flashback (of Nick) is accompanied by thunder and lightening outside. Ma'am, are you alright? And as Sharon bolts from the store, the salesman shouts 'stop!', then sends the security guard running after her.

Umbrella in hand, Vikki finds Nick the only one awake at the tacky house. Over a coupla beers, they drink to Mom and Paul. Nick's so happy Mom's marrying a great guy - hopefully it'll stick this time. 'To sticking' they clink bottles. Vikki informs that JT's parents have been married for 35 years. Imagine being with the same person for that long. Nick hears it happens. Not to us or our parents, the mopey Vikki drinks.

As the storm continues outside, Ashley doesn't know where she stands with Victor anymore. He says he loves her, but his actions speak differently. Victor insists he loves her and the baby. But then you hurt me - and my family, Ash whimpers - what you did to Colleen was so cruel. You betray, manipulate, humiliate me - playing games with my life, my career and reputation - you don't do that to people you love! Surely, there must be something Victor can do - he didn't mean to hurt Ashley - it was business. There must be something he can do to fix this.

Paul couldn't be any more shocked - is this a joke? Tears streaming down her face, Nikki loves her dear friend - who's always been there for her - and loves her unconditionally. That's why you don't want to marry me? Paul's confused. It's not enough - you need to marry someone who'll love you with their heart and soul (which Nikki can't). You'd be settling. Paul absorbs the announcement ~sigh~ He wants to marry Nikki more than anything - but only if she wants to. We should postpone the wedding, he suggests (sure he can erase her doubts). Nikki's sorry - it wouldn't be fair. Paul asks her to keep the ring she slips off - but Nikki places it on the pew divider. She's leaving town - for a while - needing time to think - about what she wants - she should have done this a long time ago. Nikki then hands him a note - read this later (something she doesn't want to leave 'undone'). Paul agrees to take care of telling everyone - call if you need anything, he sniffles - I still love you. He soon realizes Nikki won't change her mind - 'it's not gonna happen is it? As long as someone's looming over us'. Take care, Nikki leaves Paul to quietly sob. Alone, Paul loosens his tie and unfolds the note - then is stunned by what he reads.

Victor doesn't want this situation to drive a wedge between them - she's been upset all the time lately. Let's discuss this when things calm down. Ashley agrees she can't handle anything else tonight. She'll take a sedative and forget about this horrible day. Victor takes the hint - and will sleep in the guest room - good night. Now alone, he pours a stiff drink. What the hell are YOU doing here? he growls when Nikki walks in.

Caught her in the parking lot, the security guard boasts - hauling Sharon in like she's catch of the day. You're hurting my arm, she whines - what's the problem? You ran out wearing the ring, the salesman points out. I did NOT, Sharon argues. Look at your hand idiot. Oh gosh! she gasps - it was an accident - then babbles about the father of her baby not wanting to marry her. I had a panic attack, she insists - swearing she'd have brought it back. I'm not a thief. She can explain that to the police who are on their way.

Vikki feels she's following in Mom's footsteps - and not in a good way - Ryan, Cole, Brad, JT. She doesn't mean to be so maudlin - but can't help wondering if Mom and Dad will ever really be over each other. Nick thinks Mom has a shot at that with Paul - they have a good friendship to build on. And Dad and Ashley are doing well. Nick likes to believe both Mom and Dad are with people they belong with.

While Ashley's nap is rudely interrupted by Sabrina's appearance, Victor's scolding Nikki for just walking in like this. Nikki can't help but feel it's still her house - and he's still her husband. No - she hasn't been drinking - she's stone cold sober - and is thinking more clearly than she has in years. Adam creeps down to listen as Nikki tells Victor his three favourite words - you were right. She called off the wedding because she loves someone else. Nikki's only ever loved ONE man with her entire soul - that man is you. It doesn't matter how many other women he marries - or how many children he brings into this world. Deep in your heart, you know you'll never love another woman like me.

Paul thanks Heather for coming - no, he's not OK - the wedding's off - Nikki's gone. But that's not why he called her over. He needs to talk to her - about Adam.

Adam listens as Nikki knows Victor doesn't want to hear it. She's not gonna beg him to take her back - and has a taxi waiting. She's satisfied that he doesn't hate her or want her dead. She'll take comfort in that - and the incredible moments they've shared. Victor will never forget them either - but he's married to Ashley - she's expecting his baby. Nikki knows all that - but must share her feelings - no matter how wrong or inconvenient they are. She sent her worst enemy to find Victor - knowing Ashley'd get through to him. She has you now. It was a risk Nikki took - to bring Victor home. No one could ever love you the way I have - that's all she came to say - good bye. Nikki's leaving GC - who knows for how long - a week? Perhaps forever? Adam continues to listen as Nikki asks that he tell the kids - she'll call them. Victor tells Nikki that his life is difficult right now. Don't worry about me - Nikki's prepared to live her life without him - but won't lie anymore - or pretend they don't love each other. Now alone, Victor runs a hand over his face. Nikki's outside - where's my taxi? She calls the taxi company - and will meet the cab they're sending outside the security gate. Putting her hood over her head, she walks into the rain.

Sabrina? Where did you go? Ashley's distressed - Is that my baby? No - this is my baby, Sabrina says (as she cradles an infant) - your baby's gone. MY baby's beautiful. Leave - get out of my home, Ashley demands. This will never be your home, Sabrina vows - I'm the woman he loves - Victor's mine - forever. He's coming back to me - he's on his way now. Ashley awakens panting - 'you can't have him' ringing in her ears'.

Victor sits downstairs - mulling over Nikki's revelation. Adam watches as he heads outside - stands on the front porch, hands on his hips, Victor looks out into the stormy night.

Ashley flies downstairs - Adam, where's Victor? She has to find him - before he goes back to Sabrina. She grabs her keys, and runs out, ignoring Adam's warnings about the storm. He's amazed and pleased that his plan's finally worked - 'right over the edge', he chuckles in delight.

As the very last person Paul needs to see (Victor) arrives at the chapel, Nikki's walking in the rain - flashing back to Victor pretending he works for Colonel Austin - then announcing to the wide eyed, naive young girl that HE is Victor Newman.

Back at the tacky house, Nick opens another beer as he asks about Vikki and JT. We don't agree on anything - we annoy one another, Vikki whines. Nick shares the 'trick' - choose to be happy - be grateful for what you have. You never know when someone's gonna call and tell you your kid's in a comma. Summer's crisis was a wake up call - marriage is tough - you gotta work in it. He was ready to throw it all away. Yeah, but for a woman you've loved forever, Vikki points out. But Nick loves Phyllis too - he's where he belongs. Next time he forgets, could Vikki please hit in in the face? You got it, Vikki agrees.

Sharon thanks the salesman and guard - you've both been so kind. And when the officers arrive, the salesman feels there's been a misunderstanding. Oh, you're at it again, the female cop tells of arresting Sharon before for stealing. The salesman scoffs - to think I almost fell for your sad story! Despite Sharon's begging (and fear that Nick will find out), the salesman wants her arrested.

Forget the storm - Adam opens the door to face the wrath of Hurricane Heather - you're gay!? What the hell!? Don't you dare lie to me - are you gay!? How could Heather ask that - after all the times he's banged her. So, you swing both ways!? Heather's not mollified. She holds Nikki's note - detailing how she saw Adam and Rafe kissing. How could she possibly misread anything? Why would Nikki lie? Oh my God - Nikki tried to warn me, Heather now realizes. So did Rafe. Oh my God! Stopping her from calling rafe, Adam can explain - yes - something did happen - but it was a mistake - an experiment - it'll never happen again. I'm NOT homosexual or bi - I love you, he insists - I want to marry you. Rafe meant nothing. You cheated on me - with a MAN!? Talk about a red flag! Thank God Heather found out now! Don't touch me. I never want to see you again! she slams out. Damn you Nikki, Adam mutters.

Though Sharon frantically offers to pay whatever the salesman wants for the ring, she's placed under arrest - cuffed and read her rights.

Paul doesn't know where Nikki is - she left town because she can't get over you, he sneers at Victor - she just can't move on. Why don't you let her go? You can't get each other out of your systems - you can't make it work - but go back for more. No - Paul doesn't have a clue where Nikki might be. She'll be gone for a very long time. So, she left us both - we may never see her again. Paul's ready to call and end to this long night - having lost the woman he loves. You wanna go track her down? Be my guest, Paul marches off.

As Nikki continues to plod along in the rain - towards the guard shack, Ashley's grips the wheel as she speeds down the road. Meanwhile, Victor sighs at the wall mounted Jesus - Lord, if you're listening, I know you know the truth - deep in my heart, I still love Nikki. I wish I didn't - but I do. Meanwhile, still precariously careening down the road, the car's wipers barely helping visibility, a distraught Ashley sees a figure in a raincoat - Sabrina! With a gasp, Nikki's eyes widen as large as the headlights illuminate her terrified face.

Next: You're putting everyone in an impossible situation by not telling Chloe about us. Just more time, OK? Billy assures a frustrated Mac ... I'm NOT in denial over here, Sharon protests (at the police station). You. Need. Help. Jack insists firmly ... Where did you see her this time? Adam asks. On the road, the horrified Ashley covers her mouth - I think I hit her.

My Thoughts: Great show today - chock full o' suspense .... With such a wide selection of almost identical diamond rings - and with Sharon only catching a brief glimpse of Phyllis' - how did she manage to pick the exact same ring Nick bought Phyllis? ... Sharon's last arrest didn't make the papers? Giving the local shop owners a head up on potential thieves? You'd think they might recognize the former Jabot spokesperson .... When telling the salesman his 'romantic' story, seems odd that Nick never dropped the Newman name. If he did, the salesman would have boasted - telling Sharon she made a good pick - as it's the same one a Newman just purchased there. Nick renewing his vows with Phyllis was sooo 'romantic'? Guess he didn't tell the salesman the rest of the story. It was tacky to say the least - starting from the way he walked over to hit 'play' on the cheap portable boombox ... Yeah, Vikki IS following in her Mom's footsteps - 50% of the men she listed slept with both mother and daughter ... How ludicrous is it that Nick's giving anyone marital advice? When has HE 'continuously worked at it'? And now he feels he 'belongs' with Phyllis and Summer? wasn't he, just a coupla weeks ago saying that he couldn't 'live a lie'? And that he 'belonged' with Sharon? Perhaps the REAL 'trick' is not to say 'I do' unless you're sure. Oh, and then not cheating on the one you said 'I do' to ... Dad and Ashley are 'solid'? Guess Nick doesn't know that Victor's been locked out of his own bedroom for days now - but you'd think Vikki would have relayed the whole boardroom incident to her brother (who was supposed to be at the meeting). Vikki knows Victor and Ashley are anything BUT solid ... 'How CAN Nikki just walk into the house like this'? Duh - with her key. If Victor wants to put a stop to it, he needs to tell the guards to stop her at the gate (who are only supposed to be allowing immediate family access) - or he could change his locks ... As for the strict security measures - how did Hurricane Heather get past the gates? She's NOT immediate family .... Why would Nikki's taxi take off? If she was expecting a ride back into town, she wouldn't have paid the driver until he delivered her to her final destination. It makes no sense that he'd leave without payment - and you'd think he wouldn't budge - and would wait as long as Nikki took - hoping for a generous tip ... Funny to hear Adam begging Heather to believe and trust in him - after all the lies Heather's already aware of. Her reaction was great (though I would have liked to see her catch Adam in the act) ... Paul's long, sad day's not over yet. Nikki's not only left him at the church - she really left him in the lurch - with the unenviable responsibility of updating all the guests and canceling whatever arrangements were made (with regards to a flowers, reception, food, etc.) The least she could have done is stuck around long enough to help Paul with that. She deserves to be run over - Go Ashley ... How long IS Victor's driveway anyway? Must be a great distance from the front door to the guard house on the main road (judging by how far and how fast Ashley's driving before getting to Nikki).