Jack.
-Hey! -Hey.
I'm so glad you could make it.
-Aw, thanks. -Come here.
I was a little surprised that you invited me to your office.
It seemed so formal.
Well, I could have come your way,
but I didn't think it was a good time to stop by the ranch.
In fact, Victor would probably say
there's never a good time for me to show my face there.
Mm. I sense that you want some privacy,
so that makes me worry that something is wrong.
I mean, it's gotta be here somewhere.
How'd I miss that?
Sometimes it just takes a fresh set of eyes
for everything to fall into place.
♪♪
Hey, Mom.
-Hey, son! -Good morning.
Good morning.
-Are you, uh, you off to work? -[laughs]
I've already logged meetings with two department heads
and met with the board chair about implementing
some new clinical and compliance policies.
Wow, that's a full day already, huh?
Uh-huh. And this is my reward before I get back at it.
So, uh, no time to talk?
No time to talk...
to put family first?
I made that mistake back in the day, didn't I?
Well, you kinda had your hands full being a single mom.
Well, this single mom would like nothing more
than to make up for that
and sit down with her very handsome son
and have some real catch-up, chitchat.
Maybe even buy you a muffin?
Well, I wish I had time for that level of heart to heart,
but there's... there's really something
that I wanted to talk with you about.
Sounds serious.
-Let's sit. -It is, yeah.
-Here you are. -Thank you.
You're welcome.
What's going on, son?
Well, it's kinda that work/life push/pull thing
that you mentioned.
What do you mean?
I've been offered an opportunity
to accelerate my climb up the corporate ladder at Chancellor.
That's wonderful news!
Lily obviously recognizes your potential.
Well, the thing is, Lily didn't make that offer.
And neither did Cane. Billy Abbott did.
Billy Abbott?
He works with you at Chancellor, right?
-Yes. -I didn't realize
he had that kind of decision-making power.
Well, apparently, that's about to change in a big way,
and I am stuck in the middle of what might become
an epic battle between the Winters and the Abbotts.
And Devon thinks we should just honor the agreement
and hand Chancellor over to the Abbotts.
-And you're not happy about it? -No, of course I'm not.
Just 'cause Billy found these documents
it doesn't mean that we have all the answers.
So I'm not just gonna cave.
I have to say I am surprised Devon is advocating
for Billy to take control of Katherine's company,
given how he feels about the man.
Yeah, trust me, me too.
But, you know, I mean, he can fight or not fight.
I won't even need him if the situation goes as I hope.
NATE: Sounds like you have a plan.
Yeah, I do.
If said plan fails...
Then I will come up with another plan,
because I intend on keeping Chancellor.
Why is this so important to you?
What kind of question is that?
Look, I know the company's always meant a lot to you,
and there's no getting around the fact that it must sting
to have Billy, of all people, take control.
But with me potentially going back to medicine
and Devon starting his own liberal arts college,
you'll be running Winters all by yourself.
To juggle that with Chancellor...
-it's a lot. -I know it's a lot,
but I can handle it, and I can fight to keep it.
Look, I know as well as anyone
that you are not one to back down from a fight.
But this looks like it could be a long, messy one
-that you could very well lose. -No.
Nope. That is not an option.
I have to ask.
Is this about hanging on to Chancellor,
or is it about making sure Cane doesn't lose it?
So Billy believes his family owns the company
that Lily currently owns and Cane runs?
Right. Right, right. And he's very confident
that he'll take over as soon as next week.
And, yes, he... he wants me on board.
And you're thinking about it?
I mean, it's...
it's hard not to.
So you would go against your sister, your own family?
Well, I have always wanted to be my own boss,
and that's what Billy's offering me.
-How so? -He wants to mentor me.
Give me a real chance to run my own company one day.
That is a big promise.
And you don't think that you can achieve that same goal
-working with Cane? -Well, I've worked for Cane
since the days he was Aristotle Dumas.
Right? With the odd jobs, the short-term gigs.
Nothing with any future to it.
Even this job he's giving me right now at Chancellor--
he hasn't really defined what it is.
It's not exactly...
inspiring.
And on the other hand,
I don't wanna let Lily down
and walk away from the trust she has in me.
I have seen you and Lily connect
since you found out that you were related.
Ever since you were a little boy,
you always wanted to have a sibling, and now you have one.
I'd hate to see you jeopardize that.
So would I.
Is there more to this than you're telling me?
I-I'm still getting to know the Winters family,
and Lily and I are finding a groove, which is good.
But...
Devon and Nate, not so much.
Why is that?
Well, I pretended to be Damian when I first came to town,
per Cane's orders, and it didn't go over so well
once they found out the truth.
-I can imagine it didn't! -And since then,
I feel like I am always trying to prove myself,
and I'm not getting anywhere.
And I can't blame them for keeping their guard up.
Maybe you need to give it some time.
Mom...
I don't think they're ever really gonna trust me.
So I have to ask myself
if I pick the Winters in this battle...
am I siding with the family
who never intended to accept me in the first place?
You know, if you're here for a meeting,
they don't have one scheduled.
No, no, I'm here for the coffee.
Obviously.
And because it turns out I royally suck
at the, uh, the whole staying clean thing, so...
Well, I hope, uh, you know, that doesn't mean
you ended up back in the hospital.
No. Proud to say, I did not.
Just by the skin of my teeth, though.
Good.
Do you have a plan?
Uh...a plan?
Yeah, you know, like when you try to stop.
-Try to stop. -Yeah, see, I break it down--
days, weeks, months.
That all adds up to...never.
But, uh, hours...
hours are much more manageable.
Yeah. Makes sense.
You know, I left here feeling pretty strong.
You know, some sugar, a little kindness.
It's great for making you feel like you can do the impossible.
But it's like you said, you know,
on the other side of those doors, um...
stuff just gets in the way.
It's the stuff that always gets us, right?
Hours. Come on, how hard could it be?
You know, you string enough of them together,
whole day sober...then another.
I made it to almost midnight.
Yeah. That's the witching hour.
Came home to trouble.
My, uh...
husband, um--for now--
he, um...
I was supposed to meet him.
And I was, you know, obviously busy
getting my stomach pumped, not that he needed to know that.
And he just slid in, you know?
"Why didn't you show? Where you been?
Why do you look like hell? How could you be so weak?"
Man has a way of throwing words around like fists.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I tried. I did, you know?
I tried.
But one pill felt so good.
I was halfway to swallowing the bag
because, you know...why not?
But I remembered something that you said at that meeting.
How you said that you, um,
you try to remind yourself
that you're not the hero.
But you're also-- you're not a waste either.
Anyway, let's hope they have enough sugar packets, right?
Does that mean you, uh, checked yourself into this place?
Yeah. I mean, somebody's gotta finish the puzzle, right?
Ah...
I'm so bad at this.
I can tell. It's a mess.
I did not mean to worry you.
I thought it might be fun to catch up in private.
So...how are you doing?
How's your vision? Any residual issues?
Well, as a matter of fact,
I have just come from my follow-up,
and I'm happy to report everything is back to normal.
Wow. That's fantastic. Wonderful.
And how about you? I mean, I'm not the only one
-who went through an ordeal. -Well, Diane and I
are finding our way back to normal.
I am hopeful that we will find the other side
of Patty Williams' visit.
Is this where you start going off on Victor?
Is that why you wanted to have privacy?
No, not at all. I'm not going to say a negative word
about your reconciliation.
So you no longer have any objections
to my reconciliation with Victor?
Well, don't go that far.
I haven't suddenly become a fan of Victor's.
I never will, but...
I know how much this marriage means to you.
I know how hard you've worked, how hard you've fought,
to get to this place.
Okay...
I also know the biggest obstacle to peace
in your marriage to Victor is your friendship with me,
and as much as I may despise Victor,
as much as I may think that you were, are,
will always be better off without him...
I think it might be better if I
keep my distance for right now.
Well, that's a little extreme.
Well, I'm sure Victor would applaud it.
In fact, he probably made it a stipulation
in your reconciliation.
Victor did try to make my friendship with you an issue,
but I wouldn't listen to him.
And I told you
he said that his love for me is more important to him
-than his hatred of you. -All the same,
I think there would be more peace in your marriage to Victor
if you just steer clear of me.
Pssh. Amateur.
-What? -Okay.
You have to group the pieces together
by their color family, consolidate.
That way it's easier for you to find your pieces.
Okay... cocky.
Listen, when I do puzzles
it's more free-wheeling in nature,
so you do you.
[whispers] Right. Yeah.
Why are you smiling?
Uh...nothing.
Okay, just so you're not getting, you know,
a big head thinking that like you are the reason
why I checked myself in here...
You did say...
that you were completely inspired
by my brilliant and insightful share, so...
what has two thumbs and is a hero?
This guy.
Oh, my God. I've created a monster.
Nope. Those are just facts.
Okay, well, uh, who is the only person
who found a piece of the puzzle today?
This guy. Yeah, right here.
So you are not the only hero among us.
All right. We both have something to brag about.
In all seriousness, um...
Kinda made me feel good to know that
something I said, you know,
may have led you in the right direction to getting help.
Boom.
Did it.
How do you keep doing this?
All I know is I am officially one up on you now.
Really? You think adding a couple random puzzle pieces
eclipses making a life-saving speech?
Mm, kinda. Yeah.
Come on. I would say, at a minimum...
-it's a tie. -Oh, no.
No. Uh-uh. No. You have some catching up to do.
So, uh, what you waiting for, cowboy?
Claire thinks Billy's offering me
nothing more than a sales pitch.
What do you think?
I don't know.
I know the sacrifices you made to give me a good life,
and I want to make the best of that life.
I want you to be proud of me.
I'm already proud of you, son.
I appreciate that.
But there's so much more that I wanna do,
and I feel like this is my time.
The decision I make will impact my future in so many ways,
and I just... I want to get it right.
That's why I'm glad that you're giving this so much thought.
But do I support my sister
with no guarantee of the career that I want
and maybe...no acceptance from my new family?
Or do I take the job that Billy's offering me,
which means... turning my back on my sister?
And potentially breaking a connection
that we just started to find?
Lily and Cane are good people.
Whatever Cane's past, you gotta remember
that he stepped up and saved your father's life.
I know.
And I don't think that he and Lily
would take advantage of you in this situation.
Have you ever thought about just talking to Lily,
you know, let her know the dilemma that you're facing?
Just be honest about it.
[exhaling]
I don't know how she would take it.
Lily understands that the connection between you two
is new...that you gotta look out for yourself.
She won't fault you for that.
I don't know. This...
this whole sibling thing...
I wanna be a good brother. I wanna support Lily.
But if that means cheating myself out of my dream job,
then how...
how much loyalty do I owe to a sister
that I never even knew I had?
Wow, so you're bashing Cane. Now you sound like Devon.
It's not my intention, but it's a fair question.
Because this seems more personal
than you supporting Cane as your CEO.
Well, of course it's personal.
I mean, he did save Malcolm's life, right?
So I am gonna have some loyalty.
I think there's a lot more than loyalty at play these days.
Come on, Lily.
It's clear to everyone that you and Cane are together again.
I don't see how that's relevant, but okay.
[huffs] Okay then, uh...
speaking strictly from a business perspective.
Cane is incredibly savvy
and more than capable of landing on his own feet.
Even if Chancellor goes to Billy,
-Cane will be just fine. -Yeah, I know he will be.
But that's not gonna happen.
-Because you're gonna fight. -Yes, absolutely.
You say you're ready,
but Billy's been known to fight dirty in the past.
Which means this will inevitably get extremely personal.
Given the capability of so much collateral damage,
why are you so willing to fight this fight?
Because I have set something in motion that,
if it all works out,
it's gonna take all the thunder out of Billy's attack.
I wanna do right by Lily. I really do.
But...at the expense of my own goals?
One of the things that appeals to me about Billy's offer
is that there are no personal complications.
It's purely transactional.
It is just business.
I think when people say that, they're just trying to
justify the choice they're making
even though it could hurt someone else.
Well, the last thing that I would wanna do is hurt Lily.
Well, that could be inevitable if you choose to break with her.
Let me ask you something.
How well do you know Billy Abbott?
Can you trust him?
I'm not sure. But I'll say this.
Claire knows him, and she is not a huge fan.
Hmm. I sense Claire is pretty savvy
when it comes to seeing people for who they really are.
She is.
I wanna make the right decision.
I wanna do the work, make my mark,
and not get tangled up in taking sides in office politics.
I don't know if that's possible.
I don't know all the players well enough to give you advice,
but I do know you.
I remember when you were eight years old,
the principal called me because you had gotten in a fight.
-[laughs] -Looking at you now,
who would have guessed you were the smallest kid in the class
taking up for the second smallest kid in the class
and getting a black eye for your effort.
He was a good kid.
And he always used to share his peanut butter cups with me.
You've always had good instincts and a big heart, Holden.
Black eye or not,
you made the right choice.
And I trust you will do that now.
You know, I can postpone the surgery to my hand.
Stay on with the company till this is all settled.
No, no, no. I have got this.
It's fine, okay?
You put your energy towards what you were born to do,
Dr. Hastings.
[phone chimes]
Ooh, it's, uh, Stephanie.
We're having lunch today.
See? It's a sign!
You're meant to go back to practicing medicine. STAT.
What are you saying?
You think we should end our friendship?
I would not, could not, ever end our friendship.
Well, then what is this about?
I'm just trying to give you a little space...
at least while you and Victor are still getting your footing.
I always will have your back, always.
Well, that's very noble of you, Jack,
but the answer is absolutely not.
I don't want space from you.
You just said that you would always have my back,
and that's what I need from you right now.
I need you to help save Nicholas.
You know, I know this is none of my business,
and feel free to tell me to shut up,
but does your husband know you're here?
Does it matter?
I mean, he's had enough.
Pissed off is his default these days.
Maybe he just doesn't like seeing you like this.
He could be scared.
He might think the only way he can deal with it
is by getting angry, you know? Sometimes it really helps
if you can understand where someone's coming from
and then maybe you won't take it as personal.
But it is personal, you know? I mean, I'm an addict.
And I did-- I stayed out all night,
etcetera.
It's not like he's wrong.
The cherry on top of that sundae...
is I lost my job.
What happened?
I'm an addict.
You know? You show up late a few too many times
or not at all, and... you know, when I was there
it's not like I was really... there.
And going AWOL after I OD'd, that was not a...
a popular...popular decision.
So when I got home, they called to inform me that
my services were no longer needed.
That's the trouble you were talking about?
Yeah.
Waitress jobs come a dime a dozen, right?
Hey, at least you made it till midnight, you know,
before you used.
I was white knuckling the whole time.
There was only one way I was gonna go.
Yeah. Doesn't take much, does it?
Sometimes nothing at all.
You know, I, uh, I...
thought a lot about you.
You know, after everything that, uh...
happened the other night.
Yeah, I've been...
thinking about you too.
I want to apologize.
Nah. You don't have anything to apologize for.
Yeah, I do.
The pills. Like...come on.
What an ass. I just left them to set you up to get high?
Who does that? That's disgusting.
Yeah, well, I'm not letting you take that hit.
I mean...
everything that happened wouldn't have happened.
You know? We wouldn't have...
I wouldn't have overdosed.
Yeah, but then I wouldn't have gotten to save your life
and be a hero, and then...
and then we wouldn't be here.
Lucky us.
I don't think I'd use the word luck.
Fate?
Let's go with...choice.
You are choosing to be here to get better.
Like I am.
It's the first good choice I've made in a long time.
And you look a lot better than the last time I saw you.
I would think anything would be an upgrade over that.
No, but you're doing it, you know?
I mean, you're drinking the coffee and you're...
trying to do a puzzle that you suck at
instead of going out there
and looking for another pill.
I call that progress.
Well, I'm not gonna lie to you.
I think about scoring...
-all the time. -Yeah.
But like I said at the meeting,
I'm not just doing this for me.
No. You're doing it for your family.
And the people that you love.
They are keeping me on this side of the doors.
I've been on this side of the doors before, remember?
More than once.
And the only thing that it has proved to me
is that I can't hack it.
Well, I think that you should
put a little more faith in yourself.
Well, at least I got a friend to kick me into shape.
Yeah. You absolutely do.
How is Nicholas doing?
He's been struggling, which is why I'm hoping
that you're still willing to help.
Oh, it's a standing offer.
I will do whatever I can to help him.
It has to be his request, though.
-It has to be his choice. -Yes, of course.
Victor's not gonna like this one bit.
He was furious at me when I was temporarily your sponsor,
never mind that night at the Athletic Club.
he will never let me forget about.
I don't care if he likes it or not.
You saved my life,
and there is no one I would trust more
with Nicholas's sobriety than you.
How is Nicholas handling rehab?
I wish I could see for myself.
Wait, you haven't visited him yet?
Not since his relapse. He's not up to visitors,
-not even family. -He's a very strong,
very proud man.
He's probably a bit embarrassed.
Well, that might be,
but for me not to be able to talk to him
or to see how he's doing-- I hate it!
I am so sorry. But take some comfort in knowing
he's doing the work.
I am holding on to that.
And when he gets out, I will be there for him.
Whether it's as his sponsor or a friend, it doesn't matter.
I will help.
Thank you, Jack.
[phone rings]
[gasps] It's Nicholas!
Nicholas? Is everything all right?
Uh, you know how rehab is. It's, uh...
it's going as well as it can.
Um, but I was actually calling because
I was wondering if...
if you could come by, um...
I'd really like to see you.
I'll be right there.
This move you're making to block Billy
from taking Chancellor from you...
if you wanna run it by me, I'm here.
Just let me know if I can help.
Yeah, okay. How about you help me celebrate when it's all over?
You're on.
Oh, Holden!
-Hey. -Hi!
If you're busy, I can come back.
I was just leaving.
-Take care. -All right. Bye.
[softly] I still don't think he's a fan.
[laughs] It's okay. He'll come around.
Um, are you here 'cause you have good news for me?
You ready to join me in this fight against Billy?
Afternoon, Victor.
If you have come here to gloat about
Chancellor Industries, you're premature.
There's no way the Abbotts will ever own that.
Nor will Billy Boy ever run it.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised
you're aware of what's happening there.
Well, I'm aware of everything.
Well, I hate to break it to you. You don't know everything.
I am not here about Chancellor.
I'm here about something far more important.
And what's that?
Your son, Nicholas.
What about my son?
He is in the fight of his life,
and I think what he is going through
supersedes any animosity between the two of us.
I assume Nikki told you that she has asked me
to be his sponsor when he gets out of rehab.
I don't give a damn what Nikki asked you.
It's a terrible idea.
Why did I think you were gonna say that?
It is your weakness, Jack Abbott,
that nearly killed her,
your night of debauchery in the Athletic Club.
I shall never forget nor ever forgive.
Nicholas.
-Hey, Mom. -Ohh!
Oh, my baby.
This feels so good, I don't know that I'm ever gonna let you go.
I've been so worried about you. How are you doing?
Oh, you know, just, uh, coffee,
which is terrible, and, uh...
lotta sugar,
puzzles, which are awesome.
I know how hard this is.
Questioning yourself, looking for answers...
when all you really want is that next pill or next drink.
-I'm not gonna let you down. -Don't you worry about me.
This is about your recovery.
Nothing else is more important.
And that's why, even though we miss you,
I don't want you coming home until you are 100% certain
that you are solid.
Understood?
Yeah. I got it.
But I do hope that you're ready for more visits like this.
Yeah, um, well, Sharon was here earlier,
and she reminded me how much I missed you guys.
And, uh, I think I'm ready, but, I...
-But--but what? -I, um...
Well, it's why I wanted to see you first,
'cause you best understand what I'm going through.
But the truth is, when it comes to visits, I just...
I didn't think I had the guts to look you
or Dad or Vick in the eyes.
Darling, the people who love you understand.
I've done nothing but lie to you
and make promises that I never keep.
And I continually let you down.
And I don't know what to do with that.
Hey, sorry I'm late.
Ah, you're right on time.
And this time, lunch is on me.
-Oh, no. No, no, no. -No, yeah.
You did the cooking last time, so it's my turn.
Look, if it makes you feel any better,
it's a write-off since I'm still wooing you
to join Memorial's surgical team.
Oh, I have news on that front.
-Ah. -I spoke with Dr. Price.
We scheduled the surgery.
If all goes well,
I'll be able to take you up on your offer
sooner than we thought.
Billy offered me a great position at the company
if he takes over.
Oh, okay.
Of course he bribed you.
He will just say whatever he needs to
to get what he wants, and then he will stab you in the back.
-I promise you. -Oh, I didn't know.
I mean, are you really considering this offer?
Well, Cane can be a...
a challenging boss, in the past,
and he still hasn't really even defined my current position
-at Chancellor. -Right, okay, but...
Billy just offered you the stars.
You know he would be a terrible mentor, right?
He will crash and burn and take you down with him.
He seems very confident, and I like the direction
he wants for the company and for me.
But I would, of course...
I would hate to go against you.
Well, it kinda sounds like
that's what you're already doing, Holden.
It's a lot to take in. It is a big decision.
Yeah, it is.
And you have to pick a side.
Like, are you gonna look out for your family
or for yourself?
That's wonderful news!
You must be so excited.
The idea of returning to what I love,
helping people, making a real difference?
I wish I could start this second.
From our first conversation--
your passion, the way you lit up--
it was obvious to me that you belong in an operating room.
And I will do anything I can to facilitate that transition.
And I just wanna let you know I am so grateful.
Your support has meant everything.
I know a good surgeon when I meet one.
If you wanna end up at Memorial, I will find you a place.
There's no place I'd rather be.
It's home.
Billy said the exact same thing. Pick a side.
Okay. Well, I guess that's one thing Billy and I agree on.
-So what's it gonna be? -Well, according to him,
Chancellor is practically his. He has all the documentation.
It's just a matter of him taking it to court.
Yes, I understand, because Billy is a big talker, okay?
But this takeover is never gonna happen.
Wait. So he has no proof to back up his claims?
I mean, he has a case.
But listen, Katherine was Devon's grandmother,
which means she's a part of our family.
So I am gonna do everything
to fight for her legacy and the company
because nothing is more important than family.
So you can either be a part of that or not.
"Our family." It, uh, it feels...
feels good to hear you say that.
Okay. How good?
I-I'm in. I've got your back.
No matter what.
Nicholas, I have felt exactly how you're feeling right now...
the guilt, the shame.
But working this out with your doctors--
that's what's gonna get you to the other side.
And, as odd as this sounds,
you might even gain some strength through it.
Yeah, well, I'm gonna need all the strength I can get
if I'm gonna get through this.
Darling, nobody is as strong as you.
Now, the coming days are not going to be easy.
You're gonna have dark days.
But, please, never forget
that you aren't alone.
I'm right here. So is your family.
So draw strength from our love and faith in you.
I love you, Mom.
I love you so much.
That night is the last time Nikki had a drink.
Try to focus on that-- what came out of it--
especially since your anger over it
nearly cost you your marriage.
I will not be lectured by you or the likes of you
about my marriage or anything else.
I'm not here to lecture anyone. I'm here to help.
I am an addict.
I have the same proclivity for pills that Nicholas has.
I understand what he is suffering on a cellular level.
And I wanna help him in any way I can
-if he needs my help. -Aw.
Warms the cockles of my heart.
Kindly see yourself out.
All I'm asking is that you set aside your hatred
just long enough to see the value in this.
Captioned by Los Angeles Distribution and Broadcasting, Inc.
Captioning provided by Bell Dramatic Serial Company,
Sony Pictures Television and CBS, Inc.
Join us again for "The Young and the Restless."