At the club's bar, post work out, a proud Uncle Jack gives Abby (who's on a break from arbitration) praise and a pep talk. Stay in touch - let me know how it goes, he ends the call. Tucker approaches to quip that he sounds like a (losing) couch at half time. Relieved when Sophia interrupts with some business, Jack states the obvious. So, you're back on the job. Sticking with his sports analogy, Tucker thinks Jack might be able to 'come off the bench' too - keep me posted on the arbitration. Kyle bouncing over, father/son football's on the agenda today. Look - Jack even found his old 'pig skin'. Phyllis comes over, hoping to join them (hell no, Kyle's face reads).

And what's Nikki doing at the ranch - if she knows Victor's not home? Just walking in like she owns the place. Nikki's dropping off Victor's birthday gift, that's what. And judging by Diane's reaction, No - she didn't know.

Marching up to Nick at CL's, Sharon demands to know where Victor is. Updating him on Victor's confession to the DA, Sharon does NOT agree that his conscience got the better of him. Nick thinks Victor did the right thing. Yes - but - he forced Adam to leave in exchange, Sharon complains. Wrong - Nick says she can thank HIM for that.

On the patio, Abby rants to Leslie and Vikki (about that liar Adam). Furious, Mike slams a file down - what kinda last minute stunt is THIS!? Leslie's relieved that Neil came through - with proof that Adam's lying.

Meanwhile, at the court house, Victor reads the file. Disappointed, he then turns to scowl at Neil. You too?

Kyle suggests that Phyllis has things to do - like deadlines - an article. Like the one about your Mom? Phyllis explains that she didn't think of the impact it'd have on Kyle - can't we get past it? This isn't a bribe, she hands over a wrapped 'little something'. Thanks, Kyle manages (holding a new football). OK - she can come, he concedes - delighting Jack; who now gets to be spending the afternoon with his two favourite people in the world.

Diane just so happens to have a very special evening planned for Victor's birthday. Unconvinced, Nikki has some advice to share - Victor will need more than sympathy tonight (no matter how the arbitration goes) Yeah - like Diane needs advice from Nikki (who decides NOT to leave her gift - so that Diane can say it's from her). Good luck tonight, Nikki leaves Diane to fret.

Seated at the club, Sophia asks about Tucker's relationship with Jack (who seems to have a lot invested in this arbitration). Does Tucker think NE may be vulnerable? You're ready to pounce, Sophia guesses. Tucker knows someone who could make that very likely - her number one fan; Neil.

Admitting he suggested Adam leave town, Nick's surprised (and skeptical) he took him up on it. And when Vikki and Abby race in briefly with great news (Neil's on their side and signed papers saying Adam lied), Nick's left to suggest THAT'S why Adam took off. HE offered ME a deal (and used Faith as a bargaining chip - disgusting!). Nick merely told Adam that if he left town, Sharon would be able to spend as much time with Faith as she wanted. Sharon's clearly not impressed - what's Nick's problem anyway? Adam's no threat - he saved her life for cryin' out loud. OK - so he's capable of bravery, Nick admits - maybe even .... Love, Sharon finishes - Adam's acting out of LOVE. So self righteous and manipulative - more like your father every day, Sharon clip clops off.

File still in his hand, Victor had no idea Neil resented him so much. Not personal? Obligation? Victor scoffs - assuming Neil's bitter about being passed over for promotion (while employed at NE). THIS is how you express 'gratitude'? Victor tosses the file aside - and challenges Neil to take HIM on (if he has an ax to grind). Why Neil's attacking the very company that gave him opportunities - attacking his former friends and colleagues. NE could go South! As everyone else files in, Victor tries to get Neil's info thrown out (while Vikki and Leslie object). Victor and Mike are scowling the fiercest as the Judge allows it - and instructs all to take their seats. Seated beside Nick, Neil drops the bomb that Adam could not have access to the family's legal (because of the firewall he himself installed). Therefore, Adam's lying about forging those papers.

At the park, Jack checks his phone (for news from Abby) - as he tosses the ball back and forth with Kyle. Phyllis at his side, Jack can't believe the Newman family has come to this. Oops - Kyle accidentally (on purpose) throws the football into a puddle - sorry. No problem. Splattered with mud, Phyllis' smile does NOT reach her eyes (which shoot daggers at Kyle).

At the ranch's front door, a surly Diane tells Sharon that Adam's not there. Asking Diane to check the messages, Sharon questions her attitude. Diane's sick of the Newman drama. Sharon can relate to that. Diane scoffs at the woman who married a psychopath. You don't know anything about Adam, Sharon's had enough. Oh yeah - I'm the clueless one, Diane has the last word - which one of us can't find our fiance? ~slam~

Neil's going up against Victor Newman - on principle? Sophia can't believe it. Tucker thinks her and Neil kindred spirits (which makes her lol). Tucker gushes about how Neil championed her - almost like he had a personal stake in it. He needed help with his work load, Sophia reasons. Yeah - that's probably it, Tucker lets it drop (much to Sophia's relief).

Before Neil leaves the arbitration, Nick would basically like him to tell the Judge how important he and Vikki were to NE. Mike's objection denied, the Judge asks if Victor ever hand over the company to Nick or Vikki. Yes - all the time. In fact Neil left because Victor would eventually hand the reigns to one of his children. Victor sees it another way - Neil saw that he'd never hand the reigns over to anyone. You DID concede control, Nick and Vikki argue (loudly denying they bribed Neil). Abby interrupts the bickering to imply that no amount of money is worth this. Assured there's no more surprises, the Judge goes to his chambers - but will be back SOON with his ruling.

Nick and his 'bud' are in the hallway when Vikki babbles her thanks to Neil (who's not happy to have testified against the man who stood by him for many years). The 'man of integrity' definitely has their 'respect' (though not Victor's). The Judge summoning all back into the arbitration room, Neil can't apologize to Victor (but hopes one day he understands). Victor will never understand why Neil Winter's did what he did. The Newman's seated, the Judge blathers on. Bottom line, the kids win - 500 million each, for a total of 1.5 billion. As the kids silently squirm with excitement, Victor stands and walks out. Mike follows to pat his shoulder. Recourse? The ruling's binding - final, he informs his tears eyed client. Find a loophole, Victor orders. I will not dismantle my company because of these spoiled brats. I won't do it - no one beats Victor Newman.

Meanwhile, Nick shakes his honour's hand. Good luck he bids them - the hard part remains ahead of you. Now alone, the kids absorb the shock. We won! Nobody beats Victor Newman - but we did. Nodding, his arms folded, Nick's smile doesn't quite reach his eyes.

Jack and his two favourite people in the world wrap up their football throwing (Phyllis not impressed with Kyle's jokes at her expense). And as Abby calls Jack, Phyllis takes pig skin to her butt. Sorry! Kyle shouts out. Phyllis is fuming - as Jack asks Abby 'what turned it around'?

Abby's at the tackhouse with Nick when Sharon arrives (listening as Abby tells Jack that Neil proved Adam a liar). Nick fills Sharon in on the rest - the Judge awarded us 500 mil - each. Things are looking up for Faith too (who gets to spend more time with her Mommy now). No words are exchanged as Sharon wheels Faith out (Nick all but slamming the door as she exits). Vikki's also on the phone - assuring that she'll negotiate for BofN separately. Tucker has no doubt she'll prevail; congratulations. Ditching Vikki to take another call, Tucker gets the same news from Jack (who also promises to deliver BofN). And now the kids pour champagne - toasting to Judge Phelps; a good guy. Nikki arriving - quickly realizing they won - is ashamed of them. Marching out, she leaves all three feeling guilty about not remembering it's Dad's birthday.

As Victor mopes his way into the living room, Diane trips all over herself to overcompensate - she's got Beef Wellington in the oven (and look at this cake she made all by herself). So - how did the arbitration go? Diane's eyes are wide - as Victor topples the table, sending her cake to the carpet.

At the club, Sophia and Tucker are in the background - as Leslie thanks Neil at the bar. Neil's stunned to hear that Victor lost (1.5 billion). Leslie knows he didn't like hurting his friend. True - but Victor brought it on himself (which makes it even sadder to Neil). Flirting, they shake hands - and are still holding hands as they choose room service over the dining room. Watching them exit, Sophia's disappointed and distracted. Tucker discussing some kind of business trip, Sophia knows the perfect guy to send.

Losing his case on his birthday - must be an extra punch to the gut. We didn't even remember, Nick mopes. Abby's troubled by how alone Victor must feel right now. Vikki's the only one unremorseful.

Surprised to find Victor in the stables, Nikki says she's sorry. Deciding to reschedule her ride, Nikki leaves the gift; Happy Birthday. Thank you, Victor sighs - then grabs Nikki's hand; please stay, he holds - then kisses her.

At CL's, Sharon's leaving Adam another message. Please come home - she WILL get Faith back.

Sophia continues to pry - does Ashley know about this deal he has going with Jack? It's tricky when your business and personal lives get tangled up, Tucker opines. Ashley's irresistible - but so's this opportunity. Confiding he has doubts about getting married, he asks Sophia's opinion. If Ashley's the one Tucker turns to when things get rough, then he made the right choice. Lucky we BOTH found that person, Tucker muses (causing Sophia to sigh).

And upstairs in a suite, the man of integrity and the lawyer he barely knows are kissing passionately on the sofa. Extricating himself, Neil's just not feelin' it right now. It's not supposed to feel right - it's supposed to feel naughty, Leslie tries once again - only to be rejected. Neil would like to know her better. Ah - a gentleman, Leslie's left to cool down (while Neil orders room service).

Walking home, Kyle claims it was 'fun' - maybe they can do it again sometime. Oh nooo - Phyllis will leave football for male bonding. Jack's distracted - I can't wait to get my hands of Beauty of Nature, he says in a dreamy voice.

Mike's at the tackhouse, sorry to interrupt the celebration. Victor wouldn't be pleased about what he came to say - but having worked for the family for years, Mike feels obligated to warn the three kids that Victor 'won't go quietly'.

Meanwhile, in the stables, hay bales and blankets form a makeshift bed - on which a naked Victor and Nikki are in the throes of passion when Diane walks in - catches an eye (and ear) full - then walks back out (unseen).

Next: This is me - this is what I do, Tucker tells Ashley (and if she can't come on the ride with him, he understands) ... Diane shows up at Nick's door - I hear congratulations are in order ... Victor points his finger at Vikki - YOU of all my children, you betrayed me.

My Thoughts: With the lawsuit being followed so closely by the press, why aren't they trying to interview the winners and/or the winning attorney? You'd think Leslie would have microphones shoved in her face, not Neil's lips ... If relevant, would Judge Phelps even need to ask Neil whether Victor 'handed the reigns' to Nick and/or Vikki? Couldn't he have just Googled the press releases? ... Just last week, Tucker was whining about Sophia 'robbing him blind' and now she's a 'kindred spirit' with Mr Integrity? .... Phyllis has been wanting to 'say this' to Kyle for a while - but note that her words don't actually include a 'sorry' ... Shouldn't someone tell Jack what Victor's confessed to? So he can get to the forensics photographer he's paying? Poor guy's probably been hunched over his computer day and night - to enhance the quality of a video clip Victor's already admitted to - and described in full detail .... Since Jack coaching Abby's supposed to be somewhat of a secret, why would he be shouting into his phone loud enough for other club patron's to hear? And why would Tucker feel the need to mosey over to comment on the nature of Jack's phone calls? .... Nikki didn't want to 'disturb the staff'? Huh? By knocking on the front door? How very thoughtful of you Nikki. Guess the staff won't mind washing the extra blankets tho .... I doubt Diane's stupid enough to try and take credit for Nikki's gift. Like she wouldn't ask Victor about it later. And she'd have the receipt to prove SHE bought it ... Sure didn't take the writer's long to destroy Sophia's character. Showing no signs of guilt, she almost blushed when Tucker called Neil her 'number one fan' ... Obviously, there's many implausibilities throughout this lawsuit, but it's kinda silly for Neil to say that the documents weren't accessible due to a firewall. Yeah - the computer files were inaccessible, but if Adam had forged them, he obviously had the hard copies. Too bad the Judge didn't give Mike and Victor any time to come up with a plausible scenario (like that Victor had printed off copies that went missing). And since when did Neil become such a computer expert? .... Shouldn't Jack be reprimanding his son (or at least telling him to be more careful with his aim)? A foot to the left and the pig skin woulda knocked Jack's expensive phone out of his hand. What was the point of Phyllis going anyway? She stood and chatted to Jack the whole time (except when glaring at Kyle - and giving herself whiplash to see who's on Jack's phone) .. Mike feels an obligation to the whole Newman family? Then why was he willing to go along with Victor's lies - risk his license - to screw the kids out of 500 mil? ... I'm no Diane fan - but hadda laugh when she left Sharon blinking on the front step. I wasn't quire sure why Diane was giving Sharon attitude though. Not like she couldn't use a friend (even if it IS the town pariah) .... Isn't it possible that Neil's ' personal stake' in having Tucker rehire Sophia was because she's his future sister in law - or perhaps he's grateful for all Sophia's done for Lily? Or because Sophia's to be his grandkids Godmother (and she can't buy them nice gifts if she's unemployed)? ... Diane looked good all in gold - like an Oscar award statue. She's having a rough day - cooking - baking (only to have her cake end up smeared all over the carpet) - then to catch her sugar Daddy mounting his ex wife. So very sad. Way to play hard to get Nikki. Victor's barely said a civil word to her in months. 'Please stay' and her clothes are falling off!? Thank goodness for oversized blankets (which thankfully only revealed feet and cankles). Looks like a matching set - Sharon's wearing the third blanket around town . ... Nice that Neil, Mr Integrity, just said 'no' - but shouldn't he have said it BEFORE renting a room? Odd - Leslie never gave any indication that she was so easy. I'm sure there'd have been a lot more witnesses on the kid's side of the table if folks knew what incentive their attorney was offering ... LOL@ Sharon. Yeah, NICK'S the manipulative one. Adam's perfect. Just the frequency with which he disappears at the drop of a hat would be unsettling to Nick. How's he to trust that Adam wouldn't take Faith and Sharon with him next time he buys one of his one way tickets? .. How is it that no one remembers the birthday of the most famous (infamous) man in town? Since the press are 'hand-picked' Victor 'worshippers' (who've been sympathetic to his side), why wouldn't they put that spin on it - to drum up even more sympathy for poor ole Victor ... I guess Vikki's next step is to help all those people she's putting out of work - like she told that former NE employee at CL's.