Nick asks Sharon what she hopes to accomplish by bringing up the paternity test, and if she is trying to hurt him. Sharon reminds him that he didn't want the child if it were Matt's. Nick assures her that he accepted that the child was theirs, and she thinks the baby had to die first for him to come to that decision. Sharon explodes that he is to blame for their baby's death because he could not accept the baby as his own. Nick is too upset to respond and exits the room. Victor assumes that Nick and Sharon will get past this, and Victoria thinks that the only thing that matters now is how much they love each other. Diane is suspicious of Nikki's concern for her baby. Diane realizes Nikki thinks she is abusing or neglecting her son, and orders her to stay out of her life. After a visit to the fertility doctor, Jack treats Phyllis to a day of beauty. Brad wonders why Colleen would do drugs when she has a loving family. John speculates that Colleen feels abandoned by Steve, Brad, and John, and that's why she turned to drugs. Ashley notices how well Colleen has been taking care of Abby, and asks her if she will babysit on New Year's Eve. Colleen is surprised that Ashley still trusts her after she messed up. Billy gives Mac a new music box as her Christmas gift. Mac is touched since it brings back pleasant memories. Billy suggests Mac talk with Amanda again, and clear some things up. Amanda tells Mac she is upset because she wasn't invited to her birthday party. Mac explains that she celebrates it in February so it is separate from Christmas. Amanda is relieved, and gives Mac the present she planned to give her. Mac is speechless when she sees that it's her old music box.

Jabot:

Jack can't believe Nikki won't tell Christian's father that he has a son. She hypothesizes that if the father is stable and in a good relationship etc. then it would shatter his world. Jack still thinks she should. He offers to check out the dad. He tells her she doesn't have the right to play God. She knows that. He would want to know if it were him. Before she can say anything he tells her that he's been keeping a secret and swears her to silence. He and Phyllis have begun hormone treatments. She's ecstatic for him. She avoids talking about Christian. It's her problem; he should be focusing on him and Phyllis.

Hospital:

Phyllis visits her doctor and explains her symptoms. The doctor thinks it might be related to her hormone therapy. He suggests taking a break from the treatment until the next cycle or he could lower the dosage. She doesn't like either option and would prefer to toughen it out. When she mentions her New Years dizziness he strongly advises to cut the dosage. She doesn't want Jack to know.

Jabot boardroom:

John proposes another option for Colleen. He points out that Colleen has made a breakthrough (the babysitting New Year's Eve). Traci senses that Brad isn't so sure about it. He's worried about the message it sends to her. John and Ash think it's a step in the right direction. John also adds the photo album project. John thinks that exiling her will only make things worse. Traci insists on sticking with her decision. She asks to see Colleen. Later Brad and Ash talk about Colleen. They don't want to give up on her and Brad wants to bring in professional help. Ash is worried that shipping her off will create a setback. She notices the irony of the complete 180 they've each done on Colleen, her wanting C to stay, him wanting her to go.

Abbott House:

Colleen looks through the old family photos. Billy walks in and notices she's done packing. She's none too happy about being shipped off to boarding school. Billy tells her that if she opens up to her parents it might help. She snaps that he's not much older than her and to shut up. He's changed so much since his NY days. He calls her on her bad behavior with her running away and later drug use. She throws in his alcohol poisoning. He shows her that he's changed. She's changed too but he asks her how she can prove it. When he calls her a spoiled brat she slaps him which is seen by Traci and John. Billy explains that it wasn't all her fault. She tells her mom again that she doesn't want to go. She explains that visitors are not encouraged at first but eventually will be allowed when the school thinks it's right. She dismisses her mom and goes to get her bags. Traci's even more convinced that they are making the best decision but John presses again for giving GC another chance. Colleen says she's ready to go.

Sean's:

Jill tells Sean she's not ready to accept his proposal...yet. She loves everything about him but it's just too soon for her. She is completely taken with him but needs to take it slowly. He's never felt this way about anyone. This isn't a spontaneous move on his part. She's comfortable with how things are but he doesn't want it to be just comfortable. She ties to explain that he has nothing to worry about. Everything is so perfect now and begs him not to rush it. She has scars from quick relationships before and can't go there again. He has what she's saying but wants it be more than just fun between them. There's no one else she wants in her life. She wonders if this has changed his feelings for her. He can't answer that now and leaves.

Neil's Office:

Neil can't believe Alex wants him to take back what he said about her feelings for him. She asks him to tell Mal that he misread things but Neil is peeved at her attempt to cover her feelings for him and lie about it. He suggests telling Mal that they did talk about their feelings and even kissed. She doesn't like that idea at all. She wishes she'd seen this side of him before. It would have prevented the whole mess from happening. Yes there may have been a spark but it's natural since he's a warm, nice guy and they worked so closely together but it's nothing major.

Crimson Lights:

Malcolm brings Nate by to see Olivia. She congratulates him on his new car, knowing how much he's always wanted one. He suspects that she's not happy with the gift Alex got him but she's not at all, and wonders if he is, judging by his knee-jerk reaction. He apologizes and confesses that he was thrown by the car. She doesn't think they should be talking about Neil and Alex. He wants to confront Neil but she advises keeping their distance. He doesn't think there's a problem as there would have been signs. He then flashes back to when it seemed she was having trouble committing. He has a bad feeling. Neil walks in at that moment.