NICHOLAS comforts NIKKI and assures her that they are going to find Victor alive. PAUL tells him that a professional rescue team is searching for his father but Nick wants to go down and help. He is dissuaded when Nikki nearly collapses from mental anguish and he tells his mother that he's taking her home. Nick instructs Paul to call him immediately with any information. After they leave, NEIL sympathizes with the amount of stress that Nick is under. Paul shares with Neil some information he didn't think Nicholas or Nikki needed to know yet: a storm is brewing in the area of the plane crash and if they don't find Victor before it hits, things could become much worse.

SHARON is nearly hysterical at the thought of the court hearing. She and CHRIS both agree that Nick's presence in Cassie's life has been her safe harbor and made Cassie feel secure. Chris asks how the situation between Sharon and Nick is but Sharon is convinced that Nick moved in only for Cassie's welfare. Chris suggests that the two of them let down their defenses and they just might find that there's still an abundance of love between them but Sharon isn't sure that Nick still loves her. Paul interrupts their conversation and tells them about Victor's plane crash. Sharon rushes out of Chris' office to be with her husband. Paul tells Chris the details of Victor's disappearance. Chris maintains that it is imperative for Nick to stay in GC for the temporary custody hearing; the judge must see Nick by Sharon's side. What they need to do is locate Millie and suddenly Paul has an idea. Calling FRED'S answering machine, he orders twenty-four hour surveillance on Alice Johnson. They know that Alice is just keeping Millie out of sight until the hearing is over and wonder if Alice has a lawyer yet, although Paul can't imagine what kind of lawyer would hook up with the likes of Alice.

Al's friend tells them that MILLIE requires more care than she can give her. Besides that, all the money that AL and ALICE gave her up front is long gone and the money for Millie's care has started coming out of her pocket. She tells them that they are going to have to care for Millie now since Millie wants to be home anyway. Millie told the woman about signing her social security checks over to Alice and she demands the money or threatens to walk away and leave Millie with them. Alice reasons that she needs the money to retain her lawyer and promises to sign next month's check over to the woman but she'd rather have the cash Alice has now. Al tells the woman that Alice is fighting to get her daughter back but the woman says that she's trying to make ends meet. Alice offers her $1000, which is half, but the woman wants all the money or nothing. "Either pay up or your mother's coming home for good," the caretaker threatens. Alice reluctantly gives up all the money -- anything to keep her mother from talking to anyone. Alice gets down in Millie's face and nastily tells her good-bye before the caretaker wheels her back out of the house. Alice paces and frets because all the money she had for the lawyer is gone. Al tells Alice that Michael Baldwin is now their best bet but Alice doesn't trust him. "He's too slick," she complains. Al reminds her that she has a week before trial and she really doesn't have any choice. When Al answers a knock at the door and finds Michael standing on the front porch, he chuckles and tells Michael that his timing couldn't be more perfect.

GRACE tells MICHAEL that she needs him desperately. He misreads Grace's signals and kisses her. Grace pulls away and wonders if Michael wants sex in return for helping Cassie. The air is suddenly quite chilly between the two of them as Grace asks about Michael's expectations more specifically. Michael denies this vehemently and tells Grace that he cares a great deal for her. It hurts that she'd think he would make sexual demands of her in exchange for his services. Grace apologizes and tells him that she's leaned on him a lot and pushed the edge of the envelope as far as their friendship is concerned. Michael is worried about Grace's request to deliberately lose Alice's case and tells Grace that Alice doesn't trust him enough to hire him. Grace persists and Michael finally agrees to go see Alice to find out "the lay of the land" and he'll be in touch.

JACK sits at his desk and wonders why he can't get Victor out of his mind. He recalls a conversation he and Victor had soon after Victor took over Jabot. BRAD comes in and breaks the trance and Jack tells him that the more he thinks about what they've done, the more he knows that it was definitely worth it. Brad had expected to hear from Michael by now and Jack tells him that Michael assures him that he's working day and night keeping Victor tied up in court. DIANE interrupts their discussion with a phone call, insisting she must see Jack and he tells her to come to his office. Jack shares Jill's escapades to poison Diane against him with Brad and then wonders if Jill is correct -- could Diane be a double agent, still carrying the torch for Victor? He assures Brad that by the time he finishes talking with Diane he'll know just whom is working whom. The phone rings a second time, this time with the news of Victor's plane crash. Brad and Jack exchange uncertain glances. Brad calls Michael to pass along the information of Victor's tragedy. Michael tells him that it gives him some breathing room to attend to other business while they wait for word on Victor's status. Brad will keep him posted. Although Jack and Brad are stunned at this turn of events, they realize that it buys them some time -- IF Victor pulls through.

KATHERINE is sprawled on a bright orange couch in the Homeless Shelter. NED comes by to check on her and tells her that the police are going to come by to take a report from her. Katherine doesn't want to talk to them but Ned tells her that if she remains silent then those two thieves will roam around finding other innocent victims. MAC (introducing ASHLEY BASHIOUM in the role) says that she'll take care of giving the police the description of the two muggers and Ned agrees. Once again, Mac has come to Katherine's rescue. Mac alludes to the fact that she can handle the police because, unlike Katherine, they won't be asking her any questions that she doesn't want to answer. Mac and Katherine are cleaning the window blinds with soap and water. Mac opens up a bit and tells Katherine that she had plenty of practice cleaning up at home before she hit the road. Katherine says nothing and Mac tells her that she was "cool" about not asking questions. Katherine wonders if she passed her "test" and Mac tells her that she did. Mac appreciates the fact that Katherine didn't ask a lot of questions and Katherine tells her that one's privacy is something to be respected.

DIANE and MARISSA discuss how Diane is going to put Jack to the test to see if he's sincere. She has to put all her chips on the bargaining table so that one way or another she will know if her fiancé is using her or not. When she arrives at Jack's office, Brad leaves them alone to talk. "So beautiful," coos Jack suavely. "What's up?" Jack takes Diane in his arms and sweet-talks her. Diane wastes no time in dropping her bomb: she wants Jack to move in with her. Jack kids her about his magazine subscriptions and being grumpy in the morning but she tells him that she can handle these things. Then Jack drops his bomb on Diane: Victor's plane has crashed. Waiting for her reaction, it doesn't take long for Jack to see the worry and concern that crease her brow. "Oh my God," Diane moans. "Not Victor." Jack purses his lips and looks away.

At the ranch, Sharon enters while Nick is trying to glean any information he can about Victor over the phone. When he turns to find Sharon standing there, they meet each other halfway and clasp each other in a needy embrace. Sharon is sure that they are going to find Victor and tells Nick that his father is a strong man. Nick blames Brad and Jack, vowing that if any harm should come to his father he will spend the rest of his life making them pay for what they've done. On a softer note, he tells Sharon how grateful he is that she's here with him during this crisis. She tells him that she cares and Nick realizes that she truly does. Sharon leaves to go gather a few more things from their house and Nick tells her he'll be down to help in a few minutes. An emotionally distraught Nikki tells Nick that she's going back to NE because all she's doing is pacing around the house. Nick offers to go but Nikki knows that Sharon needs him there. Nick tells his mother that Victor is an indestructible man and Nikki prays that it's true.

CHET finds VICTOR awake and in a great deal of pain. Victor informs Chet that he has to get back to Genoa City, Wisconsin but Chet tells him that for the time being this little hut must be his home. He needs to set Victor's leg and put a splint on it but Victor won't allow him to touch him and brushes Chet off when he asks who Victor is. Chet acknowledges that for a man stuck out in the middle of the desert with a broken leg, Victor sure has an attitude. Victor writhes in pain and Chet informs him that his tibia is broken and comments that Victor has a high threshold of pain, having walked the distance he did. Victor must either allow Chet to set his leg or let a doctor re-break it later and set it then. Victor decides that it's best just to get it over with and Chet prepares him for the intense, excruciating pain that setting the broken bone will cause and he has nothing for the pain. As the storm gains in magnitude outside, Victor stifles a cry as Chet touches his leg. The rain beats unmercifully against the roof and windows of the tiny shack. On the count of three, Chet sets Victor's leg and Victor's scream seems to echo through the rain and along the canyon walls of the desert. Later, after Victor regains consciousness, he watches as Chet gathers the items he needs to make a splint. They talk about the crash and Victor doesn't remember much. Chet tells Victor that he found him about three miles from his shack. Victor soon learns that there is no phone or radio and Chet's truck is out of commission. Victor wants to walk to the next town as soon as the splint is on but Chet tells Victor he has no choice. With the storm and Victor's condition, he won't be going anywhere for awhile.

Michael shows up unexpectedly at Alice's door in Madison but he isn't welcomed with open arms by Alice. Al on the other hand is very is happy to see him. Alice calls Michael a "motor-mouth" and flounces out of the room leaving Al and Michael face to face. Michael tells Al that Alice tracked Cassie down and paid her birth mother a visit; he says that this isn't the act of a mother who is not interested in her child. He wants the straight story from Al and he wants it now. Alice returns to the room and asks rudely why Michael is still there. Michael lays it out for Alice in no uncertain terms just what she will face if she goes to court. Alice mentions the lawyer handling the case for the Newmans and Michael is shocked to learn that it is Christine!

Back in GC, Sharon takes Cassie back to their house to get some books. Cassie wanders around touching things and says that she loves it here. She also asks when they can move back in, but Sharon can only promise that it won't be long. When Cassie goes to her room to look for the books that she wants to take to the main house, Nick arrives. He tells Sharon that he has no new news on his father but he has his cell phone, so if there is any word, he will be the first to hear. Sharon tells him that she is worried about Cassie; she doesn't smile and laugh like she used to and she acts afraid all the time. When Cassie returns to the room, she is happy to see Nick. She announces that she found her Cindy doll---an old ragged doll that she brought with her from Madison. Sharon mentions that it has been a long time since she has needed Cindy. When Sharon says it is time to go back to the main house, Cassie asks for just a little more time in her real home. She curls up on the sofa and before they know it, she is asleep. Sharon says that she will let her sleep a while then they will return. Nick is going up to see if his mother is all right but before he can get out of the door, Cassie begins having a nightmare. She is crying in her sleep, "No, no! Please don't take me; please don't make me go!"

In New Mexico, Victor is alone in the cabin, hobbling around on the make-do splints that Chet has applied. He looks out the window and all he can see is torrents of rain cascading down. Not far away, there is the flash of lightening and the loud clap of thunder. The door opens and Chet arrives with a bowl of soup. He says that he kept it covered from the rain just for Victor. Victor demands to be gotten out of here; he has to get back home right away. Chet ignores his complaints and Victor hungrily begins to eat his soup. When he compliments Chet on the flavor, Chet tells him that it is Armadillo soup---but it is fresh, not road kill. Victor wants to know what Chet is doing hidden away out here in the desert. Chet tells him that he once was a member of the rat race but now he is living a simpler, more enjoyable life. When Victor complains again about having to get home, Chet reminds him that at least he is still alive.

Jack tells Diane about Victor's plane crash and closely monitors her reaction. He is disappointed to see that she is taking the news hard. When he comments on it, she tells him that she never wanted to see the man dead. She is also disappointed that he would use the news of a tragedy like that to test her. She later admits that her asking him to move in was also a test. They both realize that they have a trust problem but both of them want to overcome the problem. She asks him again if he will move in with her but he says no. He adds that he could never live in the same house as Victor Newman, the man that he hates more than anything. Diane looks downcast until he says that he would rather she move in with him into the Abbott mansion. With joy, Diane answers yes.

John pays a visit to Jill and asks what the latest is about Katherine. She admits that she is really worried and has finally notified the police. She also admits that she got Esther to fill the missing person's report just in case Kay's disappearance was a ruse. John sees where she could be caught in the middle. If the disappearance is for real, she could be considered a cold, hard-hearted bitch, but if it is a joke, she could look like an all time sucker. After john leaves, she is worried about Kay when Shirley comes up all excited about finding the video of her first movie and asks if Jill would like to watch it with her. Jill cuts her short by saying she has more to worry about than watching a movie. Later, the movie is going and in one of the most scary parts when Esther comes into the living room. The scenes on the video frighten her so that she almost faints when Shirley comes at her with a knife. As she sinks down on the couch, Shirley laughs at her and tells her it was only a joke. Shirley notices that the person on the TV is Shirley and asks if she is an actress. Shirley admits that she is but realizes that she has given herself away. She quickly adds that even though acting is her passion, one has to pay the bills, hence, the domestic service gig. This all flows right past Esther's head.

Jill finds Nikki in the conference room and asks how she is doing. Nikki begins to grumble about Jack and Brad calling Victor back in the middle of their vacation. She wonders why they couldn't handle whatever it was that came up. Jill realizes that Nikki doesn't know about the takeover. When Nikki says that she had a good talk with Brad and he was very supportive, Jill tells her that Brad is not her friend. Nikki wonders what she is talking about! Brad is still a good friend. Jill tells her that neither Jack nor Brad are her friends because they are the reason Victor had to come back; they have used his absence to take over the company! Nikki is horrified.

Cassie is in the middle of her nightmare, begging some unseen monster not to take her away from her mommy. Sharon tries to comfort her but Cassie, in her sleep, pulls away. Nick picks her up and awakens her. He assures her that it was only a nightmare and that he and her mommy are here for her and will not let anything happen to her. She tells them about the nightmare. When she resigns herself that it is time to go back to the main house. Nick speaks up and says that they have decided to come back to their own home. Her face brightens up and as she heads upstairs, she asks Nick if he will come and help Sharon to tuck her in.

Brad is in Jack's office calling to see if Ashley is back from Spain; her secretary says that she is expected at any moment. Just as he hangs up, Ashley comes into the office calling for Jack. She is just as happy to see Bradley and tells him that her problems have been solved. He wants details but she says it is over and done with and she doesn't want to talk about it ever again. He asks about her marriage and she tells him that she and Cole are just as close as ever; her marriage is in great shape, which is something Victoria isn't happy to know. She wants to know what the big emergency is that required her to come home right away. Before he can tell her, Nikki bursts into the office and calls Bradley a lying, backstabbing traitor. She then attacks Ashley, saying that she is even worse to let this happen and do nothing about it. Ashley is lost and tries to get an explanation but Bradley keeps interrupting and trying to get Nikki out of the office. However, when Nikki says that Brad and Jack are the reason her husband is lost and possibly dying, Ashley demands to know what has happened. She is shocked to learn about the plane crash. Nikki leaves after vowing that Brad will pay dearly for what he has done. Alone again, Ashley demands some answers. Brad explains that Victor misused company funds and that he is losing his grip on the company. Ashley says that Victor is the most clear-headed person she knows. She refuses to listen to what Brad has to say about the Forrester deal but she does demand to know if the board meeting was before or after he "tried" to talk Victoria out of going to Spain.

Victoria pays a visit to Cole at the Abbott mansion and tries to give him advice on how to handle Ashley's relationship with Rafael. She insists that there is more going on between the couple than Ashley has said. Cole is angry with her for coming over to his home and trying to cause trouble. He says it is only jealous spite causing her to do this. When she refuses to leave when he asks her to, he roughly grabs her arm and pulls her toward the door. Vicki opens her mouth as if she is planning to spill what knowledge she thinks she has.

Megan is adding the finishing touches to her table waiting for Tony to arrive. Tricia is getting ready to leave but she stops long enough to dish out some free advice. When she insinuates that Megan is acting cheep and loose with Tony, Megan gets mad at her and wants her to stop with the advice. Tricia agrees to stop giving advice---for now. Before she can get out the door, the doorbell rings and Tony is there with a full grocery bag. He thinks that they are alone when he gives Megan a sloppy kiss. Tricia lets him know that she is still there but about to leave. Megan wants to know what is in the bag but Tony says that it is a surprise to celebrate their dinner. Tricia reminds him that her sister is under 21 so it had better not be anything alcoholic. With exaggerated patience, Tony unloads the bag and shows Tricia that all there is in the bag is pasta-making materials. Megan is mortified and angrily rushes Tricia out the door.

After they finish eating, Megan offers cheesecake with cherries as dessert but Tony says he had something else in mind. Megan thinks that is a better idea. As things begin to heat up, Megan says that tonight is the night she goes all the way with him because she really wants him. As it nearly reaches that point, the doorbell rings and Nina stands there asking about Ryan.

Alice has questions about Christine Williams, assuming that she isn't any good. Michael says that on the contrary, she is brilliant. Alice is suddenly frightened but Michael says that the only person who might have a chance at beating Christine Williams is he. Alice remains suspicious and asks what he will be getting out of representing her. Michael evades the question and says that with her case, he isn't sure that he wants to represent her. He then reminds her that he has a tape where she says that all she wants is money. She would have to look him in the face and convince him that she wants Cassie more than anything. Alice looks Michael in the eye and tells him why she adopted Cassie; she wanted someone to love and who would love her regardless of anything. Even now, she needs to be loved more than she is---no offense to Al. She is in tears when she finishes and she is still looking Michael in the eye. She vows that all she wants is to get Cassie back; she will support her somehow. Maybe she isn't rich like the Newmans, but she can give her love. She will help her with her homework and she will always be there for her. "So what are my chances?" she asks Michael. He assures her that if he can't get Cassie back for her, no one can. He says that it is too late for her to get temporary custody but he urges her to look at the big picture; they want permanent custody and that is what they are going for. To Al's credit, he is right there giving Alice emotional support after her confession. Michael asks what their living arrangements are. When Al says that he more or less lives there, Michael says that Judges don't like those kind of living arrangements. As he leaves, he suggests that Al either move out or they make it legal.