Since he'd already emptied most of the valuables out of Cortlandt Manor, there was really no reason for Palmer to return to his former home. Somehow Opal was able to predict that her husband was come slinking back---and she was waiting for him. Opal sat in the middle of the empty parlor on what appeared to be the only chair that Palmer had not taken. In her hand, she held an antique handgun. Palmer froze in his tracks when he realized that Opal was pointing the gun in his direction. He held his hands in the air and pleaded with Opal to put down the gun. He explained that old handguns were unreliable and could go off accidentally. Opal assured him that if the gun fired, it would be no accident. Palmer warned Opal that she would not get away with shooting him. Opal disagreed, stating that she'd tell the police that she'd heard an intruder and fired in self-defense. She smiled as she noted that Palmer's luck seems to have taken a downward spiral in recent weeks. She floored Palmer with the news that Braden had confessed to "getting it on" with Kit. Palmer said nothing; He'd been sideswiped by the news. He turned and scurried out of the mansion.
Down at the courthouse, Braden could not understand why Gillian had turned on him. In his mind, Braden felt that he'd kept Ryan out of jail. Tad, Dixie, and Adrian observed from the doorway as Gillian unleashed with another barrage of slaps and punches. Braden explained that Ryan would never have gone to jail had he not confessed to the crime. Gillian argued that Braden was simply letting Ryan take the fall for a crime that he had committed. Still Braden continued on with evidence that he believed proved he was trying to help his brother in his time of need. Braden reminded Gillian that he had fed the tabloids the stories about Kit's past transgressions. Had he come forward, Braden feared that he'd have been railroaded in much the same way that Kit had done to Tad. Tad shook his head and asked to be left out of Braden's excuses. "I hate that he confessed," Braden said softly. He claimed that Ryan had confessed to the crime because he felt that he was helping him. He tried to explain that his "dream job" at Cortlandt Electronics also prevented him from coming forward. Gillian was outraged that Braden had put his job before helping his brother. Gillian slapped Braden several times before Adrian pulled her away. Tad received a frantic phone call from Opal asking him to help her deal with Palmer's latest monkeywrench. He excused himself and left Adrian and Dixie to handle Gillian and Braden. Dixie walked over to Braden and offered to help him find a lawyer. As they spoke. Palmer arrived on the scene and fired Braden on the spot. Dixie argued that Palmer could not fire Braden because he hadn't committed any crimes. Contracts, said Palmer, have nothing to do with the law. The mogul argued that as long as a black cloud was hanging over Braden, the terms of the moral clause had been violated. Understandably, Braden threatened legal action. Palmer chuckled fiendishly and reminded his now former protege that he had millions and millions of dollars to fight off Braden's suit. Palmer turned and walked away. Dixie chased after him to try to talk him out of firing Braden. Meanwhile, Gillian had a few more choice words for her brother-in-law. Gillian yelled at Braden for nearly killing Ryan. She figured that since Ryan had caught pneumonia while trying to elude the authorities, Braden was directly responsible for his near-death experience. More than that, she accused Braden of being responsible for their break-up. "People fall out of love all the time," Braden said unsympathetically. Gillian snapped that she and Ryan had not fallen out of love, they had "been pushed out" of love. Gillian tearfully recounted how she'd offered to sleep with David to earn money for Ryan's escape. She didn't mention her near-affair, instead saying that she'd made a "terrible mistake." Braden rolled his eyes and walked away. Gillian feared that Braden would skip town, but Adrian assured her that he'd tail Braden. Gillian wanted to accompany the former spy on his mission, but Adrian calmly stated that he worked alone. Gillian pleaded with Adrian to reconsider and ultimately he agreed to let her tag along.
Back at Cortlandt Manor, Tad was not at all happy to see that Opal had been left with nothing. He instantly knew that Palmer was behind the extensive spring cleaning, but urged Opal not to let her husband upset her. "The room may be empty, but it's full of promise," he said optimistically. Opal agreed, stating that the room was a reflection of her life. Opal wondered if she would ever find a true love like Tad had found in Dixie. Dixie returned and brought Opal and Tad up to date on what had transpired at the courthouse. Neither were surprised that Braden had been fired. Opal headed upstairs, leaving Tad and Dixie enough time to have an intimate encounter in the furniture-less room.
Raquel searched all of Max's usual hiding places, but was unable to find her son. She strolled into Mateo and Hayley's room and noticed a conspicuous lump under their covers. She pulled back the sheets and Max chirped giddily about being located. Max told his mother that he wanted them to sleep in the same bed as Mateo. Raquel bowed her head and explained that they could never do that again because it would make Hayley unhappy. "Why does Hayley have to be so mean?" he asked. Raquel dodged the issue by telling Max that it was time for bed. Max managed to talk his mother into another game of hide and seek.
Downstairs, Edmund phoned Brooke and asked her to be on the lookout for Kit. Mateo and Hayley returned home at about the same time, with Hayley still ranting furiously about the judge's decision to keep Ryan in jail. Mateo didn't want to appear to be the bad guy, but he explained that Braden's statements had yet to be proven. They both agreed to take the night off from discussing Ryan and Kit. As they kissed to seal their deal, Jack stormed into the house and asked if they'd seen Kit. They both shook their heads and Jack continued towards the parlor. There, he and Edmund agreed to scour the town for Kit. Dimitri strolled into the room and announced that he'd seen Kit in the parking lot of The Pit earlier in the evening. Edmund and Jack were furious with Dimitri for leaving her there by herself. Dimitri smiled arrogantly as he explained that he told Kit that she should leave town. Jack raced out of the house and headed for The Pit. Meanwhile, Edmund read his brother the riot act for turning a cold shoulder to Kit. Dimitri explained that he'd grown tired of Kit's games. Because of Kit's allegations, his family had fallen apart. Dimitri let it be known that he was still hurt that Edmund had taken Kit's word over his. Dimitri took time out to lay blame on Edmund, stating that Ryan would never have gone to jail in the first place had Edmund not agreed to press assault charges against him. Edmund tried to defend his decision, but he knew that nothing he said would undo the damage. Edmund promised to offer Ryan a full apology if it turned out that he'd been telling the truth all along. Jack returned from his search, but he didn't come back empty-handed. Jack found Kit's scarf in the parking lot. When Dimitri learned that Jack hadn't found any money in the lot, he knew that Kit must have "done the right thing" and left town. Jack and Edmund listened as Dimitri bragged about paying Kit to hop a bus out of town. The money, Dimitri sneered, was "stash for her next con." Jack responded with a quick rabbit-punch to Dimitri's mid-section. Doubled over in pain, Dimitri struggled to the sofa. When he regained the ability to speak, Dimitri stated that he knew why Jack wanted to help Kit---they were siblings. But was Edmund helping Kit because he still loves her? "No," responded Edmund coldly. He went on to say that he thought of Kit as a friend and that she deserved to have someone there in her time of need.
Max's hide-and-seek session landed him underneath Mateo and Hayley's bed. Hayley and Matt returned to their bedroom and momentarily forgot about their promise to avoid talking about Ryan and Kit. After a few more gripes from Hayley, the couple focused on planning the move to a place of their own. Hayley grinned as she announced that she'd found map wallpaper for Max's room. Under the bed, Max beamed from ear to ear. Hayley told Mateo that she needed a few gallons of chocolate pudding to make her feel better, but Mateo felt that a weekend getaway might do more for her frazzled nerves. Hayley closed her eyes and said that her life would be perfect if Kit and Raquel would disappeared forever. The remark sent waves of terror through Max. He ran out of his hiding space screaming for his mom. In the hallway, Max told Raquel what Hayley had said. Raquel took her son in her arms and took him back to his bedroom. Hayley buried her head in her hands and tried to explain that she didn't mean what she'd said. Mateo looked crossly at her and said that he needed to go talk to his son. Hayley offered to accompany him, but Mateo told her to stay put before she does any more damage.
As part of the usual morning ritual, Dimitri poured himself a cup of coffee. He looked up when someone enter the house, wondering if Edmund had finally returned from searching for Kit. There was still no sign of Edmund, but Hayley had come back from a spur of the moment shopping trip. She explained that she wanted to buy Max a little something to make up for the way she'd stuck her foot in her mouth the night before. Dimitri listened intently as Hayley explained that she'd inadvertently wished for Kit and Raquel's demise while Max was hiding under her bed. Dimitri assured Hayley that she had not acted improperly because she had no way of knowing that Max was under the bed. Still, Hayley felt horribly. Dimitri praised Hayley's willingness to put up with Raquel for so long. He then smiled wryly and announced that one of Hayley's least favorite people was still missing. Hayley was jubilant at the possibility that Kit was gone for good. Dimitri grinned devilishly and explained that he'd paid off Kit---and offered to do the same to Raquel. Hayley gave Dimitri a big hug and thanked him for being on her side.
Upstairs, Mateo continued packing his bags. Moving day had arrived, but the move out of Wildwind would not be a simple move. Max lurked glumly in the hallway. He told his father that he refused to pack because he did not want to move out of Wildwind. Mateo escorted the young boy into his bedroom and told him that sometimes everyone has to do things that they don't want to do. Max feared that his dad was mad at him for the way he'd acted the night before. Max was concerned that Hayley's wish that Raquel would "vanish" might come true. "Maybe Hayley is a witch and has magic powers," Max whispered timidly. Mateo assured his son that Hayley was not a witch and that magic powers only existed in the movies. Max hinted that his frigidity towards Hayley was in response to her hatred of his mother. Raquel entered the room and suggested that the three of them talk things out. From the moment she entered the room, Raquel put forth a pleasant demeanor. She knew all the right things to say and offered no hint that she and Hayley are the bitterest of enemies. Raquel told Max that she doesn't hate Hayley and that Hayley doesn't hate her either. "Sometimes when people are angry they say things they don't mean," Raquel stated. Hayley hovered at the doorway and asked if she could join the conversation. She walked over to Max and crouched in front of him. Hayley apologized profusely for what she'd said about Raquel, but her apology was thrown back in her face. "I hate you!" Max screamed. Mateo pulled her aside and told her that it might be better if he and Raquel handle Max. Hayley worried that Raquel would do more harm than good, but she agreed to give it a try. She left the room and paced in the hallway. As she asked for spiritual guidance, Raquel poked her head out of the room and apologized for Max's outburst. Hayley didn't fault the boy because he was "just saying what he felt." Back inside the room. Max's separation anxiety became apparent. He worried that he'd never see his mother again, but his parents assured him that that was not the case. Raquel touted the condominium as a top-notch place to live. Complete with a gigantic pool and playground, Max's room was just across the courtyard from Raquel's condo. In fact, Raquel would be able to see Max's bedroom from her room. They devised a flag system that would allow them to communicate back and forth. If a white flag was flown from Max's window, it meant that he wanted to see his mom. Content that things would be okay, Max scurried off to his room to back up his belongings. Mateo thanked Raquel for her assistance. "I have a lot to make up for," Raquel replied.
Downstairs, Hayley contemplated trashing the present she'd bought for Max. Mateo entered the room and told her that everything was back on track. The pair shared a hug and thought about their future together as a family.
In Mateo and Hayley's room, Raquel looked longingly at a picture of the happy couple. As tears welled in her eyes, Max entered the room and asked his mother what was making her so unhappy. Raquel said that she felt "a little scared" because this would be the first time she'd be on her own since Max was born. In a cute display of manhood, Max told his mother that she only had to fly a white flag from her window and he'd be there for her.
Still in her white satin nightgown, Liza answered a knock on her door. Jake dropped by fresh from his return flight to Pine Valley. He was invited into the condominium and wasted no time in asking Liza if she and Adam had come to a decision about their paternity dispute. Jake claimed that he did not want to take the fight to court, but if that was the only way that would allow him to be a father to his child... then he had no other choice. "I believe I have some say in that matter," said Adam from the doorway to the bedroom. He apologized for not being dressed and offered Jake a cup of coffee. The trio sat down at the dinner table and readied to hash out their differences. Adam asked Jake if he was sure that becoming a father was prudent at this point in his life. What if he were offered a job offer somewhere else? Would he turn down the job simply because he needed to stay a few blocks away from Colby? Jake muttered that he'd already been given a high profile job offer at L.A. Metro Hospital. Liza and Adam both were shocked by the announcement, but Adam's surprise was not genuine. He congratulated Jake on his coup and urged him not to pass up the terrific offer. Jake casually stated that he'd turned down the offer. Liza watched Adam carefully as he desperately tried to convince Jake to accept the job. Jake quickly skipped the topic and stated that he was considering a court-ordered blood test to establish paternity of Baby Colby. Adam shifted nervously in his chair. He quickly explained that the test was not necessary since everyone knew that Jake was the father. Jake nodded, but said that the test was required before he could proceed to the next legal step. Liza became enraged and blasted Jake for backing out on their agreement that he would have no say in her child's life. Jake again claimed that he would have honored that agreement if Adam was not in the picture. Jake headed towards the door, but not before Adam tried one more time to get Jake to reconsider the job offer in Los Angeles. After Jake left, Liza mentioned that Jake's job offer was a little too convenient. She knew that Adam must have had someone in his pocket pull some strings. Surprisingly, she was not upset with Adam. "It was brilliant. I wish I'd have thought of it," Liza grinned. Unfortunately, she knew that Jake would never accept the job. "The Martins are stubborn," she explained, reminding Adam that Jake had dropped out of medical school to become a handyman. Liza announced that they could not allow Jake to intimidate them. She said that they could move forward and then tie the case up in court. During that time, Adam would get to bond with Colby and Jake would be left out in the cold. After Liza left the room, Adam placed a frantic call to Barry Shire. He asked his attorney to help him concoct a way to keep Jake away from Colby. He had to hang up the phone abruptly because Liza made her way back into the room. Liza said that she'd done some more thinking and decided that they should agree to let have a DNA test performed.
On his way to a meeting with Trevor, Jake took time out to meet with Joe. Before moving forward with a court case, Jake wanted to make sure that his father was in his corner. Joe reminded his son that he had been opposed to Jake becoming a sperm donor in the first place. He went on to say that he could not fault him for wanting to be a part of his child's life. He added that it might be better to act before Colby was born. Jake wondered how he could move forward without a blood sample from the baby. Joe mentioned that Pine Valley Hospital had instituted a new policy a few months prior that required all amniotic fluids be kept in storage until after the child was born. That meant that since Liza had undergone an amniocenteses, her fluid was still being stored at the hospital. It was up to Trevor to handle the legal aspects of the tests.
Dixie arranged for Opal to spend a day at the hairdresser so that she'd be out of the house when she sprung a trap on her Uncle Palmer. She and Tad did not want to tell Opal what they were planning for fear that she'd be opposed to the plan. Opal wanted to be filled in on all the details, but there wasn't enough time to go into detail. Palmer called out to his niece from another room and Opal was forced to scurry out the back door. Tad and Dixie took seats in the middle of the room and reviewed the latest wedding magazines. Palmer entered the parlor and asked Dixie what she wanted. Tad and Dixie paid him no mind, instead talking about the different bridesmaid gowns. Palmer grew increasingly irritated as the pair ignored him. Just as he was ready to leave, Dixie called out to her uncle and told him to wait. She coldly informed him that he'd be ignored by everyone he holds dear unless he agreed to conform to the terms of his divorce agreement. Palmer refused to believe that Nina would side against him. He was sorely mistaken and found that out when he placed a call to his daughter and learned that she was opposed to the way he was treating Opal. Palmer was ready to lash out at anyone in his way, but he knew that there was only one thing he could do. Opal returned from her appointment early and nearly ruined everything. Tad tried to shoo her out of the room, but Palmer saw her before she could hide. Palmer blasted his loved ones for turning on him, but stated that he'd agree to give Opal half of everything. Dixie smiled and thanked her uncle for finally seeing the light. Now that the dispute had been resolved, Dixie pledged that her relationship with her uncle would return to normal. "I don't need any of you," Palmer groused. "As far as I'm concerned, the whole damned lot of you never existed!"
