Deacon was filled with guilt. This didn't come as a surprise, he'd felt this way many times. Usually, he wouldn't think twice, but this time it was consuming him. This wasn't part of the plan. He wasn't supposed to fall in love with Nikki, but he had. He knew they had taken a break, although those words were never actually said. What she had said was that she loved Victor, but he knew that. He also knew that just because you loved someone didn't mean you were in love with them. He knew Nikki needed to work that out for herself and he wanted her to. He also knew that if they were ever to go any further than where they were at this point, he had to come clean. The reality of her finding out his involvement in Meggie's scheme was slim, he could easily just sweep it under the rug, but he knew, it would come between them, his guilt would see to that. He had to tell her. He drove over to her house but she didn't answer the door. He walked down to the barn and saw a teenage boy in the stall mucking it out. The boy was a neighbor who said he helped out whenever she needed to make some extra money. Deacon asked where she was and was told she went somewhere for the night, something about a ranch or something. He looked at the phone number Nikki had left on the whiteboard, and Deacon knew she was at Victor's. He thought himself to be crazy or stupid, probably both, but he was going, he had to.

Victor was downstairs reading his paper, a smile on his face. He'd had a smile on his face ever since last night, ever since Nikki came to him. It was right, they were right together. They would put the past behind them, like always, and realize that this is where they belonged. In whispered moments, she'd told him he was the only one she loved. The only one who would ever have all of her. She was still upstairs, showering and doing whatever it is women do in the bathroom for hours. He could wait, they had all the time in the world.

Nikki was standing in front of the mirror putting her makeup on. She was still in disbelief about last night. It was wonderful, but she couldn't believe she had actually come. It was like some outside force was guiding her, taking her straight to Victor. One night of passion was certainly not the cure for the problems that plagued them. It was more like a huge band aid slapped over a gaping wound. For Victor that would be enough, but not for her, they needed to talk. They still had never discussed Meggie at any length, or what Nikki was thinking when everything hit the fan. Deacon, no, they never came close to that topic, except for Victor telling her what a piece of trash he was. They never touched on how hurt Victor must have been to find Nikki with Deacon. And, Nikki had most definitely not told Victor that even after rehab, she was still eyeing the booze. Their problems were never in the bedroom, that was easy. It was everything else she was worried about.

Deacon pushed the doorbell at the ranch and prayed to God Nikki would answer the door. "What the hell are you doing here!" Victor bellowed, his smile fading fast. "I can't believe you would have the nerve to actually come here. You get the hell out of here now before I make you, you got that?"

"Victor, I need to see Nikki, it's important."

"Like hell you do!"

"Two minutes, that's it. That's all I'm asking for."

"I don't care if it's two seconds you sonofabitch! Ain't gonna happen!" Nikki heard the commotion and came down the stairs, "Victor, what is going on? Who are you. . ." she trailed off as she saw Deacon.

"Nikki" Deacon said and brushed past Victor. "I need to talk to you."

"Deacon, um. . . Now is not good."

"Please. A few minutes. You need to hear this. I owe you the truth." Victor was becoming further enraged. "I'm not going to ask again. Get out now, or I'll beat the hell out of you like I should have done months ago!" Victor went in for the kill and had his arm around Deacon's neck in a choke hold. Nikki looked on horrified as Kay walked in. "Dear God in Heaven Victor, don't kill him." She quickly pulled out her cell phone and told whomever she was calling to come quickly to the ranch. Kay looked at Deacon and said, "Young man, you are in a lot of trouble." Nikki was becoming quickly confused, what was going on? "I think Mr. Sharpe as been hiding a few things from you my dear." Kay told Nikki. "That's what I'm here for!" Deacon stammered. His whole world was coming down around him. He had to act fast or Nikki would never believe him. He might have entered with bad intentions, but that wasn't the case now, she had to know that. "I don't understand." Nikki said.

"Well, darling" Kay went on, "It seems as though Mr. Sharpe and Meggie were quite good friends. You might even say partners in crime."

"Kay, what are you talking about?" Nikki asked.

"Just that. He was in on the plan to murder Victor. His part was to get you in a. . . um. . . A compromising situation, shall we say, and then Meggie would lead Victor right to it. You see, Meggie figured out that Victor wouldn't leave you just because you were drinking again, so she had to find another way."

"But how did they meet?" She asked looking at Kay, then turned to Deacon, "Is this true?"

"It's true," Kay went on, "Deacon caught Meggie spiking your drink at Gloworm and got in on the deal. He would lure you into bed in exchange for a part of the fortune Meggie thought she would inherit." Nikki sat down on the couch in shock. She was numb, her eyes glazed over, her head spinning.

"Nikki! Nikki! There is more to it then that! Please, listen. . ." Deacon was cut off as Victor punched him square in the face. "Victor, that will do" Kay scolded, "The police are on the way." As promised, Ronan walked in and read Deacon his rights and hauled him off to jail. Nikki needed air. She knew she was about to get a lecture from Kay and Victor, and she couldn't handle it. She got up, grabbed her purse and left as Victor shouted after her.

She was so tired of this drama. She was so tired of thinking. Thinking about Deacon, and how her best friend and children were giving her constant grief over it. Thinking about how Deacon had lied to her from day one. Tired of thinking about Victor. Tired of thinking about the lawsuit Victoria and Abby had filed. Tired of the mess Sharon, Adam, and Skye had stirred up. She took the 30 day chip Deacon had given her and threw it out the window. She knew just the thing to make her stop thinking.

Victor had wanted to go after Nikki, but Kay persuaded him to let her go. She was in shock, and probably denial about everything that had just happened. They both agreed, however painful, she needed to know the truth. They both couldn't be happier that Deacon was out of her life.

Nikki got home and put the brown paper bag on the counter. Her hand was shaking, but not out of fear, it was out of desperation. She wanted to drink until she couldn't remember her name. She took a glass and poured the vodka. The first glass was forbiddingly delicious. The second was like meeting an old lost friend. The third was like coming home. She couldn't remember after that, but then again that was the point.

The sun had gone down long ago. Victor was worried that he hadn't heard from Nikki. He wanted to give her time, but he needed to see that she was alright, after all, the rug had been pulled out from underneath so to speak. She wasn't picking up her phone and so his worry was only heightened. He grabbed his car keys. He needed to make sure she was okay.

More to come.