Bumping into Nick at CL's, Kay would like to congratulate him on his win - but isn't convinced anybody won. When Nick repeats the tired 'we didn't want it to get this far', Kay repeats the even more tired 'hopefully the family can now heal'. What!? Nikki's moved to the club - with Deacon!? Nick's stunned.

Rubbing Nikki's shoulders, Deacon ignores a call (causing Nikki to joke that he's hiding a woman). Not to worry, Deacon's gotten rid of every obstacle standing between them. And as Nikki runs to the phone, Meggie's leaving a message on Deacon's (the usual; get me outta here or I'm gonna blab to Nikki)

At home, Vikki enjoys a video chat with Reed. It's awesome that Mac and Dad are giving him a sibling - but Reed can't wait to see Delia and meet Lucy. I love you, Reed chirps (as Billy, in the background, waves her tiny arm - What am I chopped liver?) I love you Billy - love you Mom, Reed obliges. Closing the laptop, Vikki's smile turns upside down - worried that she and Reed might end up like her and Victor. Billy guarantees otherwise - not like Victor's as torn up as she is. Right now he's focused on cushioning the blow for himself.

And there's the cushion now. Married!? Diane yelps - let's think about this. They will - on the plane, Victor sees no reason to wait. Just say 'Yes'. It's deja vu - and finding Victor ridiculously confident, sorry - but Diane won't accept. Hpfffm! Victor huffs.

Back at CL's, Nick expresses his disgust that Nikki's living with that loser. What can Nick do? Be there for his mother when Mr Sharp hurts her, Kay advises. Nick feels like he's walking through the rubble of the armageddon that's destroyed his family - too late to save anyone. Having no regret over joining the suit, Nick's sure Victor feels victimized by his greedy kids (and is working on ways to ensure the ties are severed for good).

'We're eloping' is a proposal? Yes - and Victor thought she'd be as delighted as he is. Diane suggests it's more to do with him losing the lawsuit - and Nikki. Maybe it IS kneejerk reaction, but so what? Diane's the only thing they can't take away from Victor (who then makes Diane chuckle - at the thought of him proposing on bended knee).

Deacon looks panic stricken when Nikki (getting her phone to show off photos of Lucy) notices she has a message - then conceals a sigh of relief that it's Nick (who wants to meet her at CL's). Sending Nikki off with a kiss, Deacon now has time to go online - how the hell do you break someone out of jail?

Head in Billy's lap, Vikki reminisces about Victor teaching her to ride a horse. Not wanting to hear Billy diss her father, Vikki doesn't regret the lawsuit, but does regret hurting (and losing) her father. Yes, he's hurt HER, but he also tried to settle. Alas, Vikki was too caught up in winning. Victor brought this 'heartbreak' on himself - he forced your hand, Billy continues - don't think of what you've lost - think of what you've won; freedom (for her children too). All true, but Vikki can't help but feel sad.

By process of elimination, Deacon finds a plan that might actually work. On cue, Meggie calls with another threat. I may have found something - I'll be right there ~click~

What the hell are you thinking - moving in with Deacon Sharp? Nick lectures his Mom (who knows Deacon's past is questionable - but her 'rock' understands her as no one else can). He's been supportive, caring - doesn't manipulate her. Is she in love with this guy? Not getting a verbal response, Nick cautions her to be careful - come to HIM is she needs help. Deacon may be an unlikely supporter, but he's still there - that's gotta mean something, Nikki claims.

'Completely agreeing' that Kyle must come first, Victor wants him back at the ranch full time (with himself as a 'father figure'). There's that 'little business' about a pre-nup, but Victor thinks it'll be good for both of them. And as Diane makes faces, Victor welcomes Kay in (with gift wrapped nuts). Diane's soon dismissed - told to think about what she and Victor discussed. 'Nothing else', Diane smiles - then leaves Victor to express how betrayed he feels.

Nick confirms he hasn't seen Victor since the ruling (lest he stir up more animosity). Nikki assures that Victor loves his children very much. Yeah, Nick keeps reading that - but he'd never pull this crap on HIS kids. Victor's done terrible things, Nikki admits - but waaah, he didn't have a Daddy. Nick knows that Albert Miller felt no remorse over abandoning Victor; who subsequently told him (when offered millions to leave Albert alone) that money meant nothing without family.

Kay sympathizes with her dear old friend - it's a slap in the face. Victor recalls being poor - once having to decide whether to put gas in his car or eat. The kids have destroyed the empire he built with his own hands. Kay can relate - but grew to love Tucker (and so, knows the Newman's will reunite). You are family! she hands him a framed photo to prove it. Placing the photo face down, Victor says there's no going back - 'they' destroyed it.

Back at the Abbott home, Billy's taking the day off. Having no desire to watch the perfect families depicted in 50's sit coms, Vikki suddenly remembers she has more shocking news to share - Mom's living with Deacon. It's repulsive but she seems happy. Obviously, Deacon will wanna hold onto his meal ticket (so may treat Nikki well).

Deacon slips an envelope to the guard granting him access - then tells 'darlin' that this nice man's cutting them a break; a conjugal visit. The couple following the guard, Meggie yelps when Deacon slaps her orange clad ass.

Locked into a storage room for 10 minutes, Deacon and Meggie quickly strip. Removing bright pink hospital scrubs, Deacon explains how a guy walked right out the front door of prison (as seen on the Internet). It's brilliant! Meggie's excited. Putting the scrubs on and taking a badge that will get her past security, she agrees not to contact Deacon or Nikki again.

At Jack's, Diane peppers Kyle with questions. Kyle's enjoying his stay with Jack - but misses the ranch. Victor wants the three of us to be a family, Diane shares that she's thinking of marrying him (but ONLY if Kyle's OK with it). How would Kyle feel about having a step Dad? Kyle thought it'd be fun to have Nick as a step Dad (and goes on to list the reasons why) - but since she and Nick are just friends, he's OK with her and Victor 'going for it'. Diane's not sure they will - but with a hug, thinks her decision a lot easier now.

Joining Nick and Nikki at CL's, Kay asks to speak to Nikki privately. Nick having things to do anyway, Kay immediately launches into her visit with Victor (who's a broken man). Nikki knows - she slept 'made love' with him last night.

When Diane returns from her 'errand', Victor (who's just ended a call that indicates he's got someone on stand by awaiting further instructions) - wants an answer to his proposal.

Yes, Billy's willing to fly Vikki to a New Jersey circus - to put a smile on her face. Realizing that he's always cheering her mopey self up, Vikki wants to be the one to make the plans. As she runs upstairs, Billy's left to puzzle over what she's up to.

On the CL's patio, Nick's on the phone (discussing 'tax ramifications' of his newfound wealth). Hanging up, Nikki's talk of Albert Miller leads Nick to flash back to Victor sobbing (rejecting by the father who abandoned him).

Inside, Kay's not shocked to hear Nikki and Victor made love. It's a one time thing, Nikki IS sure (and is OK with it). We need to move on. No offence, but Kay thinks Nikki's kidding herself.

Victor wasn't kidding when he announced (at G-worm) that he and Diane are an item. Diane likening him to Superman, Victor thanks her for making him smile. And what would keep the smile on his face? Diane going to get the beautiful dress waiting for her upstairs. Exiting to wait on the jet, Victor hopes Diane joins him - quickly. Now alone, Diane picks up the face-down family photo - pouting, she taps her finger on Nick's smiling face.

Prancing down in her blue bunny costume, complete with ears, Vikki wiggles her fluffy little tail as she straightens her black stockings. Getting up to slap her butt, Vikki recites her Playboy bio - ' Bambi'; a nuclear physicist at Yale enjoys .... Being horizontal? Billy interrupts. Jokes aside, this is Vikki's way of apologizing for being so mopey. Apparently forgiven, Vikki's tossed onto the sofa for some lip action.

Nikki insists that she and Victor won't reconcile - not because of Diane, but because she's with Deacon. Kay scoffs - Deacon can't fill the void Victor left. Nikki credits the 'good man' she trusts completely. Feeling she'd be drinking otherwise, Nikki's lucky to have him.

Meggie's now got the scrubs on beneath her jumpsuit. No, Deacon can't tell. Thanks hon, Meggie heads back to her cell. Don't contact me again, Deacon warns in parting. Tell the warden she took the bait, Deacon informs the guard on his way out.

The pilot's told to wait a bit longer (Victor sure Ms Jenkins will be there soon). At the ranch, Diane's dressed to impress in off-white. Matching purse and coat in hand, she's not exactly a happy bride - and is totally discombobulated when bumping into 'Nick" at the front door.

Next: It's Adam, Sharon frets to Paul - he packed a bag and left town. I haven't heard from his since. Can you find him? ... It's a victory Nick, Jack assures - given any thought into what you wanna do next? ... Meggie, outside in her pink scrubs (handcuffed and restrained by the guard), hisses - tell Deacon Sharp that he messed with the wrong person this time.

My Thoughts: Oh Diane - Don't feel too badly about failing at marriage with Victor - every other Mrs Newman has failed too (actually, didn't Victor dump Diane to marry Nikki on her 'deathbed'?) ... Why wouldn't Reed want to chat longer with the Mom he never sees - tell her about his friends or school (like she suggested). Guess Mac must be making him a really, really good lunch ... Nice to see the adorable Reed again - even if he is obviously reading from cue cards ... Highlight of the day is Lucy grinning at Vikki from Billy's lap. How could she not reach out and squeeze her? ... Silly Diane - men Victor's age don't get down on bended knee (cause they'd have trouble getting back up) ... NOW Vikki and Abby realize that Victor repeatedly offered to settle - proposed 'a lot of ways' to compromise? Too bad they didn't contemplate the ramifications beforehand. I guess Vikki will get around to helping the unemployed NE workers another day - when she and Billy are done her mating like rabbits ... GC's county lock up doesn't monitor it's phone calls? Inmates are able to freely discuss breaking out? Meggie shouldn't even be allowed contact with Deacon (a convicted felon himself). I guess we're expected to believe that an ex con can so easily and quickly set a prisoner up - that the warden wouldn't just shrug Meggie's ramblings off as just another con who'd like to escape (which'd probably be all of them). At the very most wouldn't the warden just thank Mr Sharp for relaying his concerns - and say 'we'll keep an eye on Ms McClean'? If given a plan to escape - the cooperation of a guard - and the equipment, isn't it 'entrapment' or sumthin'? How would a visitor get a swipe card anyway? ... Deacon's eliminated every obstacle standing between him and Nikki? Huh? What 'obstacles'? you'd think Nikki might wonder ... Note how Meggie has to hang up the phone twice (because the cord was in the way) - where's she getting so many quarters for the pay phone anyway? Who knew prisoners had such liberal phone (and visiting) privileges ... For all this talk of putting Kyle first, neither Diane or Victor think he might want to be there for their wedding? A good stepfather might even ask his future stepson to be his best man (especially since he has no friends and his own son just sued him for 500 million) .... Did Victor expect Mike to drop everything and draw up a pre-nup within the next few hours? Though given the number of times Victor's married, I guess Mike's already got his pre-nup on his computer - all he has to do is delete Sabrina's name and type in Diane's ... Um Victor - who'd want you as a father figure? And why would that be necessary? Didn't Diane move to GC so that father and son could bond? How generous of Victor to allow Jack to 'talk to Kyle' as often as he wants ... Who could that be? Victor wonders who's at the door (guess the guards at the front gate forgot to call up to the main house again) ... A box of macadamia nuts? What a cheap gift from one billionaire to another ... Victor didn't really 'tell the world' that he and Diane were an item - just the stragglers Gloria pestered to come to G-worm (and anyone who read the Chronicles's Society section). I doubt 'the world' cares who Victor's involved with this month ... Superman's modesty is the only difference between him and Victor Newman? Um - OK ...