Snakes on a plane. Ignoring Jill and Cane's idle chit chat - and the fact that she hasn't eaten in hours, Vikki's only concern is Billy (who might never make it 'home' - because he could be dead).

Victor has two plane tickets to India - Billy's is one way. At the monastery, he'll have time to reflect (Victor doesn't believe Billy was set up - and neither will Vikki). Victor WILL contact Billy if anything happens to Delia in the future - but no, he has no qualms about shipping Billy out on Vikki's b-day (in fact it's the best b-day gift he can give her).

Arriving at G-worm, Paul, Nina, Chance and Chris drop the smiles to share an awkward eye lock with Ronan (who's at the bar).

At the mausoleum, Murphy reports that Kay's pruning out her aggressions in the greenhouse (but won't admit she's bother about not being invited to Tucker's wedding). Warned not to 'hover', Ester's far too busy for that - Delia's coming home.

In her room, Delia's one mopey kid - but she, Chloe and Kevin rejoice when the doctor announces she can go home today.

Paul on her heels, Nina approaches Ronan - she meant what she said about no more pressure - but there's no reason they can't be polite. See ya, a smiling Nina leaves Ronan looking lonely.

Still on the plane, Jill encourages Vikki not to dwell on Billy possibly being dead - never mind what that idiot official said. They now have a solid lead for the State Department. Billy will wriggle out of whatever trouble he's in, Jill's sure. Don't give up hope, Cane chimes in.

As Billy packs what's left of his life into a bag, Tank sure doesn't approve of Vikki's father rubbing it in. Told that Billy has a guy in Myanmar (proving his innocence so that he can skip the flight to India - and return to his wife and child), Tank lets Billy make a call.

Frustrated when getting Cane's voicemail, Billy updates that Victor's sending him to India (so will try to reach him again soon - somehow). We gotta get goin', Tank leads his new pal out.

The doctor will send home some instructions - Delia's to stay away from germs (school). Wait til you see how clean your room is - no dust. As Kevin steps out to make a call, Victor sneaks up on him (guessing he was calling Billy - who's leaving the country - hopefully for good). In Delia's room, Victor talks of the people she must have missed. Especially Daddy, she bleats.

Like an outsider, Ronan watches the happy foursome as they joke and laugh (all except Paul are going to Washington). Perhaps he and Ricky will spend some time together. As all file out, Chance lingers to pay the bill - and saunter over to say 'good bye' to Ronan (who needs to make up his mind - stop hurting Mom).

Done scrubbing 'every square inch' of Delia's room, Ester takes a break - to listen to Murphy rant about 'Grandma Jill' not being there for Delia's homecoming. He's really pissed; Chance's leaving is a 'sacrifice' - while the selfish Jill is 'gallivanting'.

At the familiar New York Irish pub near the airport, Vikki's taking the next flight (and doesn't care if an incoming storm delays her). She'll be just fine. Excusing himself, Cane calls to update Kevin (he lost Chelsea - Vikki and Jill showed up). Reporting that Delia's being released, Kevin finds it revolting that Victor's at the hospital (all 'kindness'). Hanging up, Cane relays the good news - and with a few more encouraging words he and Jill leave Vikki to pout.

Chloe assures Delia that Daddy's not staying away because she's sick - he doesn't even know. If he 'found out', he'd be here. No, he's not mad at you. Daddy would love to be here, Kevin asserts - glaring angrily at the back of Victor's head.

What if Daddy never comes back? Chloe reassures Delia that her Daddy loves her. Many days like this? Victor asks. Our fair share, Chloe responds. Victor then offers to lead his pony Pinkerton over to their car - if they swing by the ranch. Chloe's touched - while Kevin looks ready to explode (or vomit).

On the plane back to GC, Cane remains silent - as Jill has to consider that Vikki's right - Billy's really gone.

Meanwhile, a glum Vikki picks at her food - flashing back to meeting up with 'fancy pants' Billy at the Irish bar. Walking in behind Tank, an equally depressed Billy belly's up to the bar - just a few feet away from Vikki's table.

Now at the mausoleum, Paul tells Nina to have fin in DC. And as she walks him out, Chance relays their run-in with Ronan - and his warning. If he steps out of line (with Nina), Murphy's to let Chance know.

Chris marches over to Ronan - to say some things she couldn't get into around Nina. Did he request a transfer out of GC? His silence confirming it, Chris huffs in disbelief - didn't he accept this assignment to be NEAR Nina?! Now he's chickening out - again. Ronan excuses himself - so Chris isn't late for her flight.

Pulling up to the stables, Chloe's the only one impressed when Victor leads over 'the real Pinkerton'. Can we go home now? Delia whines. Stepping out of the car, Chloe apologizes - she's just tired. Maybe another time - thanks so much. Sending the ladies home, Kevin will take a cab home - after he has a talk with Victor.

Ignoring her father's missed call - and a text from Nick, Vikki wonders why there's nothing from Mom. And as she walks past, Tank grumbles about Victor (who wants him to stay in India - indefinitely). To hell with life as a monk - he shouldn't be keeping either of us from out girls. I'm done with this, Tank leaves - instructing Billy to hold off on buying a ticket home just yet. He needs time to come up with a cover story. Good luck brother. Oh look - Vikki's back at her table.

The welcome home banner in place, Chloe brings Delia home - to be gushed over by Murphy and Ester - then Chance (who asks Delia to make sure everyone has fun every day) ~hug~

Mere feet away from one another, Vikki and Billy are both flashing back to happier times (at the bar). And when Vikki turns around, the bar stool's empty - bag over his shoulder, Billy's on his way out.

Back on the plane, Jill cries about Billy possibly dying - without ever knowing how much she loved him. Unable to keep the secret a second longer, Cane stuns Jill (with the news that Billy's not dead).

Kevin calls Victor out of the stable. Isn't he supposed to be with Delia? No - know who's supposed to be with her? Her FATHER! Kevin can't take this anymore - watching Delia blame herself for her Daddy leaving - when it's all VICTOR'S fault! And when Victor reminds that Billy left, Kevin insists Victor bring him back.

Paul rejoins Chris at G-worm - knowing she came back to confront Ronan. Yeah - but it didn't work. One day he'll figure out what he's missing out on, Paul's sure. Both then leave (as Paul's driving Chris to the airport).

On the CL's patio, Ronan's on the phone. He's changed his mind on leaving GC - to finish what he came here to do.

After Chance leaves, Chloe takes Delia upstairs - to read her a book; Daddy's favourite.

Jill scolds Cane for not telling he's been in touch with Billy. Both are 'unbelievable'. Don't be angry with him, Cane implores - Billy wants nothing more than to be with his family.

You know who you're playing with? Does Kevin intend to expose what he's done? No - but Victor's to bring Billy back - for Delia (who will be messed up for life due to Daddy's rejection). After Kevin marches off, Victor gets a call from Tank - who reveals it was HIS idea to let Billy go.

His flight delayed, Billy's back at the bar for more green beer. Stunned, Vikki slowly approaches from behind. Billy! she gasps in disbelief as he turns to face her.

 

Next: In Billy's arms, Vikki has questions - Where have you been since they let you go? ... 'I, Tucker, take you Ashley - to be my wife'. In the foyer, Harmony's about to sneak in, when Neil startles her ...

My Thoughts: How long could it possibly take Ester - to clean a room that Delia hasn't been messing up for many weeks? ... What makes Billy think that once he's proven innocent, he can 'go back' to being a Daddy to his little girl? Has he forgotten that Chloe had completely cut off all access to Delia? What exactly has Billy done to make her change her mind? He may not be guilty of whatever landed him in jail - but, by his own admission, he 'messed up - big time' .... Geez Murph - overreact much? No one knew until a half hour ago that Delia was even coming home that afternoon. How does he know Jill's not away on business? She does hold two major positions at two major company's (while he does nothing but fish, attend Lodge meetings - and kiss Kay's @ss). Too bad she didn't walk in in time to hear Murphy call her a 'stubborn old broad' ... Ronan's gonna finish what he came to GC to do? Does that mean he's gonna finally solve Diane's murder? The only 'person of interest' he seems interested in is Phyllis. Can't wait for Nina's reaction when she finds out her estranged son is hookin' up with Phyllis (and she thought Heather was unworthy) ... Delia's a fantastic little actress. I was going to unleash on Victor - until he stepped up and finally did the right thing (in letting Billy go) - but he can never undo depriving Delia of her Daddy's support and love while she was going through the most terrifying experience of her young life ... Why would the 'State Department' pursue their lead on Billy? Shouldn't it be Interpol? .. Jill's THAT anxious to get off the plane and 'stretch her legs'? For one - she's in first class and under 6 feet tall. She does know she's able to get up and walk around right?