Wednesday, January 4th

Copyright Toni's Spoiler Site. Not to be republished.

How long has Ronan been standing there (at RS)? Long enough to see Phyllis is right where she should be (shouting out orders as they scramble to get the big story to press before deadline). Harmony goes to light a fire under graphics. Sure their relationship's kaput - but does Phyllis still wanna help Ronan find Diane's killer?

Dining at the club, Deacon suggests an evening out - to make up for New Year's. Nikki apologizes for disappearing from G-worm - to go crash out at home. She had too much to drink. Understanding, Deacon wants a do over. Nikki makes a beeline to Nick - to update him on Chelsea.

On the patio, Vikki's glad the DNA results will be in tomorrow - at least we'll know. A text (from the adoption agency) informs that they're to meet with the birth mother early next week. Vikki worried about Chelsea (broadcasting her news) - Billy assures he'll get this under control.

Inside, Avery updates Sharon that she broke things off with Nick - then notices her engagement ring. Victor's been incredibly supportive - but Sharon's gonna turn him down.

Mike expresses his surprise - when buying the ring, he assumed (and hoped) it was for Nikki (whom Victor's made big sacrifices for). Sharon - really? Mutually beneficial, Victor's explanation is cut off when the guard delivers a letter to Mike. Victor instructs him to take it to the Judge immediately.

Jack has no idea how the cat left the house - or got back in. Kyle's just glad he's back. As he'll be starting his new school in New York soon. Kyle won't be attending the wedding. He's OK - knowing this is home (where his family will be waiting for him). That's right - he has a family who loves him - and Dave - and Genevieve's excited to be part of Kyle's life. Son is happy for his father - and after giving him the cat, he thinks her pretty cool. Going up to pack, Jack pets the cat - and concludes that Kyle's doing OK. For once, everyone's OK with his engagement.

The repairman has no idea why the alarm was going off - unless someone was tripping it. Really strange, a suspicious Genevieve asks how many times it went off. Merna didn't count - she got scared and left. Good it turned out to be nothing. Gen's not so sure about it - and insists she'll look into it (despite Merna's protests as Gen marches upstairs). Patty grabs a menacing looking tool - and looks menacing....

As Paul and Ricky catch up at G-worm, Harmony's heard ordering a dessert tray - after working all night, the RS staff is in need of a sugar rush. Ricky approaches her - to say he'd kill for a job at RS. Harmony's new - he needs to speak to Phyllis (but should wait til the buzz of their huge story dies down).

Back at RS, Phyllis would love to solve the murder with Ronan - then reports their big story; Victor proposed to Sharon. Yes, he's gonna marry his son's ex wife (who's parading around wearing a rock the size of Cleveland). Why? Ronan wonders.

Billy hangs back - as Vikki confronts Sharon. Listing Nick, Adam - now Victor, manipulating the men in Vikki's family must be great fun for Sharon (who claims it's ALL Victor's idea).

Back from seeing the Judge, Mike's told that the letter reminded that he owes Victor a favour. Must be a big one - the Judge cleared his schedule to take care of the matter immediately. So - you know what you have to do, Victor replies.

Nikki and Nick's grumbling goes from the Chelsea matter - to what the hell Victor and Sharon are thinking. Sharon's thinking about Sharon - and believing she knows what Victor's thinking too, Nikki won't put up with it.

When the bill comes, Deacon searches Nikki's purse for a pen - and instead, finds her prison visitor's pass (which he pockets seconds before she returns).

Coming down the stairs, Genevieve trips on what's later revealed to be a dislodged stair rod. Patty watches - and is frustrated to see that Jack's caught her. Thank God! a relieved Genevieve clings to her fiance.

As Phyllis announces they're done - and with two minutes to spare, Harmony serves a pastry to their 'fearless leader' (who's so impressed she suggests Harmony will soon be promoted). Arriving, Billy praises the not so modest Phyllis (who didn't let Victor off the hook - or Sharon). Sitting Billy down at the computer, Phyllis gives his shoulders a rub - told ya I wouldn't let ya down. It's perfect, Billy's impressed.

Hey. Hey. Nick and Avery bump into one another at the club. Both are busy - and awkward (which Nick is sure will pass - and they'll be friends again). Delivered a letter, Nick scowls - how did this happen? He needs a lawyer. He has one. Yes, Avery's sure - let's go.

At CL's, Sharon's mooning over a photo of Faith when Mike rushes in - to announce that she's been granted an emergency custody hearing - 5 minutes ago (he hustles her out to the car).

Arms folded, Victor growls - if this is about Sharon, leave. Vikki talks of Victor stooping lower than she thought possible (with this so called engagement). It;s asinine - ridiculous - but she's also pissed that he hired Chelsea (who's wild accusations won't break up her and Billy).

Meeting Ronan at G-worm, Nikki suggests he review Deacon's alibi one more time. He claims he was at the park (and Gloria admitted it's possible). No - Nikki's not trying to deflect suspicion (from herself) - she's trying to help Ronan (sure that Deacon knows something). Ronan excuses himself to take a call - then has to leave abruptly. Left annoyed, Nikki makes a call - I need your help.

In the hallway, Nick snarls at Sharon - this your doing? Talk to my lawyer, Sharon snaps. I'm talkin' to YOU! Things get ugly quickly - Sharon's pissed that Nick had her take out a restraining order on a man who did 'nothing wrong' (then reneged). Nick wastes no time blasting her for marrying their kid's grandfather. If Sharon 'hasn't accepted the proposal', why's she wearing Victor's ring?! Sharon squawks as Nick grabs her wrist. And after Mike and Avery make a brief appearance, Nick suggests the whacked-out Sharon call her therapist. Maybe she will - cause she's SICK of Nick using Faith to control her. Enough!! she clip clops into the courtroom ...

Victor won't be blamed for Billy Abbott's mistakes (which he lists). He kept them apart because he didn't want Vikki to get hurt. You got that!? Yeah Dad - I got that - but it's an excuse. Shouting, Victor suggests she direct her anger at that useless SOB. Tearing up, Vikki rubs her face - frustrated.

Paul meets Nikki at the club - oh, how worried he's been. Why'd she marry Deacon? The only thing Nikki wants to discuss is what Deacon knows about Diane's murder. We all know Victor's confession's a lie - Nikki WILL solve this mystery and bring that stubborn man home (no matter WHO he marries). Huh? Who he marries? Nick's call interrupts. What!? Nikki will be right there. Left to sigh, Paul will see what he can find out from Ronan.

In the courtroom, an agitated Avery's shouting into her phone - I'll pay you - this is important! Sorry - Ricky can't this time - good luck ~click~ And when Mike arrives, both lawyers now know who's representing the other side.

It's an old house - the bracket could have come loose, Ronan figures. Genevieve mentions other weird occurrences - the security system - Jack's illness New Year's Eve. You know how Collin operates. Ronan does - but isn't convinced. When Jack wants to hire him to get to the bottom of it, Ronan agrees to see what he can find out.

As Billy goes to congratulate the graphics team, Ricky arrives applauding - and wanting Phyllis to give him a job. We had a deal. Billy returns - to say he doesn't hire weasels (who hack into his website). Get out. He then leaves Ricky to threaten Phyllis (he'll tell Billy who gave him the passwords).

Nikki races into the courtroom - to ask Nick how this happened. Does Vikki know?!

Vikki's wondering - what's the going rate to hire someone to break up a marriage. How much money did Victor waste bringing Chelsea here? Getting a call from Nikki, Vikki will be there as soon as she can. Your fiance is dragging Nick into court, she updates Victor - gotta go. Nice talkin' to you Dad.

Before the Judge, Mike confirms that his client is only asking to reinstate joint custody (now that she's been cleared of Skye's murder). Sharon's access to her daughter shouldn't be at the mercy of Nick's whims. Avery asks that the current arrangement remain intact - Sharon fails to demonstrate the necessary stability and decision making skills (which puts Faith at risk).

I'll be waiting for your call, Ricky leaves Phyllis to 'work on Billy'. Phyllis updates a curious Harmony. She wants to hire Ricky, Billy doesn't (because he pulled sumthin' on him). Harmony earns more points by siding with Phyllis. Billy salivates at the computer - this is gonna piss a lot of people off. Phyllis campaigns for Ricky; a go getter with great instincts - and scruples. SHE'S the bad one (for stealing the Heather/Adam photos). We'd be high fivin' him for hacking into someone else's website. A competitor will hire him, Phyllis concludes.

As Vikki takes a seat on Nick's side, Mike champions Sharon (over Nick). And as he talks of the restraining order, Avery jumps up to question Sharon's soundness of mind - impulsively engaged to a confessed murderer - never mind that he's the children's grandfather. Sharon worries - I wouldn't grant me custody either.

Victor gets another visitor. Hello Victor, Deacon smiles.

Ronan gone, Genevieve updates Merna that she and Jack have hired him to investigate - he'll have access to the house and grounds. Patty slips her veil on - and runs out (when Jack shouts that he can't find the tool box). Instead of fixing the stair rod, how about Genevieve moves in with him? (an idea which troubles an eavesdropping Patty).

At CL's, Ronan and Paul agree that Victor didn't kill Diane. They'll team up to investigate that - and the weird occurrences at the Atkinson place.

Ricky returns to RS - that was fast. Billy's willing to give him a trial run - but he better not screw up (or screw Billy over). Harmony delights all with an advance copy of RS's latest issue (on the front cover, Sharon's head is on a baby's body; Gimme gimme! Sharon Newman always gets her way. Victor newman and Sharon Newman; engaged). Welcome back chief, Billy gives Phyllis a pat on the back.

Does Victor really think that Nikki coming to visit him in prison is good for her? Get her sober - Victor doesn't give a damn what Nikki's up to.

The Judge agrees that Sharon's shown troubling behaviour in the past - but remarrying proves she's serious about staying rooted in the community (and being the excellent mother she once was). Custody is to be shared equally between both parents. Needless to say, Sharon and Mike are the only ones happy with his decision.

Next: Genevieve appeals to Merna - the safest thing for me to do is stay with Jack right now - I want you to come with me ... This baby I'm carrying gives me all sorts of rights actually, Chelsea announces (as Vikki and Nikki glare down at her) ... A furious Nick accuses Sharon - You sold yourself to my Dad - so you could get control of Faith.

My Thoughts: If Sharon thinks Adam's a man who 'did nothing wrong', she really IS sick. Also - does she really think that mulling over Victor's proposal is any less disturbing than actually marrying him? She's asking for trouble by wearing (and openly admiring even) a 'rock the size of Cleveland' - it's not like Victor would know if she slipped it into her purse before entering CL's. Victor should understand why Sharon would want to avoid antagonizing people (until she's sure she wants to marry him at least. If she declines, she's putting herself through a lot of unnecessary grief). Instead, or protecting her, he's given Sharon a big ole target (to wear on her finger). As wrong as Sharon is, she's right about Nick using Faith to control her. As Victor's not a danger to Faith, Nick's only valid argument would be how Sharon's poor decisions might effect Faith emotionally. If there's a case there - he needs to stop huffing and puffing - and calmly build and present it. But if he's going to dispute the incestuousness of Sharon's relationship, it's a bit hypocritical that he's being represented by the sister of his ex wife to do so. Just sayin' .... An emergency custody hearing? Wouldn't that only apply if a child was in immediate physical danger? .... When giving patrons the bill, you'd think the club's waiter would have also left a pen (if he wants a tip that is) ... Harmony is to Phyllis what Neil and Mike are to Victor - why would she think Billy would WANT to hire someone who 'pulled something on him he didn't like'? Perhaps she wouldn't be agreeing with Phyllis if she knew the 'something' Ricky 'pulled' was hacking into the magazine's website ... HARMONY'S gonna go light a fire under 'graphics'? I'm sure educated graphic artists will love being bossed around by a new employee - who's only experience in lighting a fire is holding a Bic under the bowl of her crack pipe ... LOL - watch Nikki stabbing away at the rubber food on her plate. Let's hope she's having a non-drinking day (cause whatever that entree is, it's gonna be even uglier coming back up) ... Gotta love how Phyllis takes all the credit for RS's latest issue (which was COMPLETE except for the cover article she rewrote)..... Really Billy? Given Phyllis' past antics in publishing (for which he fired her), he didn't even bother to read the article before it went off to the printer? .. If Paul was so worried about Nikki - why did he do nothing except leave her messages? A former FBI agent needs Paul's help to investigate weird occurrences at Genevieve's place? A man feeling queasy and passing out on New Year's Eve - a klutzy woman (no doubt in heels) trips on the stairs? - a faulty alarm? What an intriguing case!... And HOW are Paul and Ronan a 'good team'? They didn't even solve Diane's murder - Victor confessed.