At the Club, Stephanie happens upon Nate, who asks about Nikki’s surgery. She’s sure there will be good news. Talk turns to the surgery and it turns out Nate misses it. That said, it bothered him when he couldn’t save people… like Devon’s Hilary and their baby.
Nate tells Stephanie that she’s saving lives but wonders if she’s second-guessing her decision. She admits she was burnt-out in New York; here she can focus on people. She swerves back to surgery lighting up his soul. She’s found an orthopedic surgeon with a new technique that could make him a surgeon again. Nate insists he’s fulfilled, but Stephanie will text him the guy’s number in case. “Once a doctor, always a doctor.”
Strength
At the ranch, the Newman family is home from the hospital. Nick says Nikki didn’t need them hovering. Victor adds that the nurse said she needs peace right now. They worry about whether the surgery will be a success… it could take hours, days or weeks to know.
As they go over how strong Nikki is, Noah, who was an infant at the time, recalls how her strength kept the family from spinning out even worse than they did when Cassie died. Victoria declares that the woman has fought tooth and nail for them, Victor, Newman, and herself. The others join the chorus. Victor flashes back to marrying Nikki in a hospital bed.
Victoria wants her parents back together, and the others chime in to say the same. Victor says it’s between them, so Victoria reminds him he’s meddled in all of their relationships. She and Claire head back to the hospital and Nick asks Victor about Matt. Victor wants him to concentrate on his mother’s recovery and his own. Nick doesn’t want the risk of having Clark around.
Victor argues with Nick and Noah about having Matt out there running around. Noah’s not convinced by his innocent act. Victor explains he’s using him to find out Cane’s next move against the family. If he doesn’t provide any interesting info, he’ll know he’s lying about regret.
Once Victor’s left the room, Noah crabs to his dad about his grandfather not being more on guard about Matt. Nick’s troubled by Victor forcing Matt to be a snake again when he wants to be reformed. He doesn’t trust Clark yet given the history. It’s good to keep him close, though.
Beauty
In Nikki’s room, Victoria reminds Claire this isn’t like her dad. Claire still wants to stay. They sit and look at Nikki and her eyepatches, remarking how beautiful she is. Victoria reflects on her upbringing… sometimes she still feels like a five-year-old girl. She still needs her mom, who is the strongest one in the family.
Suspicion
At Society, Matt greets Cane with a jovial air. Ashby introduces him to Lily as Matt from Kansas. Matt offers to buy them a drink and presses the point when they hesitate. Cane tries dismissing him – twice – but Lily insists they talk and takes off.
Terse, Cane tells Matt to sit down. Ashby sneers that this is ridiculous… he’s a fan?! “What do you want, Matt?” Clark shrugs, “Victor doesn’t trust you. He wants me to get close to you and figure out what your next move is.” He claims he only cares about making a few dollars from Victor. Cane grills him about his backstory… he’s not buying he’s an old friend of the Newmans or living in Kansas. He thinks this is about a lot more than a couple of bucks.
Cane doesn’t care about Victor’s interest in him. He wants to know why Matt’s so nervous and his real connection to the Newmans. Clark asks if he’s coming after the Newman family again or not. Ashby shrugs, “Go tell them I’m not a threat.” After that, he should run. Again, Cane suggests he come clean. Phyllis watches through the window.
The Final Scenes
At the hospital, Nikki awakens and says Victoria’s name. Her daughter tells her she and Claire are there. Nikki whispers, “My girls. My girls are here.” They tell her that Nick, Noah and Victor were there too. The surgery went well… now they have to wait. Outside, Victor watches through the door and has another flashback of their love.
At the Club, Lily joins Nate and Stephanie, congratulating her cousin on closing a deal. Nate lets her know that Stephanie’s trying to recruit him again. Lily wonders if he’s intrigued.
At the ranch, Noah tells Nick not to worry about Matt. Nick can handle it. Noah disagrees. He’s the reason he became addicted to begin with… he’s begging him to let Victor handle Matt. “Put your focus and energy into getting well.”
At Society, Phyllis listens as Matt tells Cane he’s a man out of options. He doesn’t want handouts from the Newmans and needs to build a whole new him. Cane asks, “What’s wrong with the old one?” Phyllis intervenes, asking why Cane cares. Ashby wonders if there’s something he should know about her new little friend.
