As soon as Billy Abbott left the Newman ranch, the voice in his head started again. But unlike when he attempted to run over Adam Newman, he was aware of what was happening. The voice, his conscience, told him that what just happened between himself and Victoria was for the best. He hated to see her hurt and to be thrown out of her life for good. But that's what he needed-a clean break. That particular door was now closed forever so there was no going back. The only thing they had between them at this point was their children, Katie and Johnnie.

A feeling of melancholy enveloped him and seeped into his pores. "Of course there's going to be a grieving process," he said to himself as he drove back to the Grand Phoenix. He knew all about the grieving process from years of Gambler's Anonymous meetings and therapy. He knew so many concepts and coping skills, he could probably counsel someone else at this point. But it would have to be a "do as I " kinda thing. He had no interest in being a role model, which is what his family wanted and Vicky would always measure him against Victor Newman and find him lacking.

What was his life anyway, he mused as he walked through the doors of the hotel. Was it the adventure he wanted it to be or a tragedy? Vicky was stabbed-and it was his fault indirectly.

And then there was Amanda, one of the most alluring, intriguing women he'd ever met in his life-and that was saying something as he'd met many, many women during his ill spent youth, and even as an adult when he was in between committed relationships. People always said he was too much and that could have been what caused Amanda to create a distance between them. This morning was the third time.

Walking through the lobby, Billy scanned the guests hoping to catch a glimpse of Amanda's gorgeous face, but there was no one he recognized lounging in the plush chairs or at the bar. For a second, he considered taking a seat at the bar, but a drink was not what he wanted. No, that wasn't true, he wouldn't mind a beer.. It was the ambiance that was lacking. His niece, Abby Newman, had outdone herself to make the Grand Phoenix into a palace, yet he longed for something else.

Forty minutes later, Billy found himself entering the Empty Glass tavern and a part of him was not surprised to see Amanda at the jukebox. As if she sensed his presence, she turned around and gazed at him, their eyes locked and held. He walked directly toward her taking off his jacket and laying on the back of a chair near her.

"I swear," Amanda began, "If I thought you'd be here Billy I wouldn't have come. I thought you'd be patching things up with Victoria."

"So why are you here?" Billy asked taking a seat and stretching out his long legs. It was uncanny, he was feeling better already just from seeing Amanda's face.

Amanda pushed the button on the jukebox and the first few bluesy chords to Tennessee Whiskey came through the terrible sound system. He could tell she was stalling while she figured out something to say. She looked around the bar until her eyes settled on the entrance and for a moment, Billy was afraid she was going to bolt. But she stayed.

"I was on my way to go see Ripley being arraigned. I wanted him to know that he has lost all control over me."

"So how'd you end up here?" Billy asked and signaled for a waitress. "Have a seat." He nodded to the empty chair across from him. Amanda hesitated for a second before she sat down.

"I really can't stay long," she said. "After I decided to not see Ripley, I found myself here. I just wanted to hear this song one last time."

"Why didn't you just download it from itunes or youtube?" Billy calmly popped a few peanuts into his mouth. He was playing this cool. Real cool. But inside was dancing. Break dancing like he was back on his college campus. One of the few white guys with rhythm.

"I don't know," Amanda answered, still not meeting his eyes. "I guess I wanted to hear it in the same place where I heard it the first time." She closed her eyes and sang a few lyrics in a sexy contralto. She had a beautiful singing voice, yet another thing for him to admire about her, in addition to a very long list he'd been compiling since they met months ago. Amanda was intelligent, accomplished, a fantastic listener, non judgemental,not to mention one of the most beautiful women he'd ever met. And he'd met some beautiful women. But her beauty was just icing on the cake. What they shared was far deeper than appearances. Billy fell silent allowing Amanda to enjoy the song without interruption.

When the song ended, Amanda stood and he could imagine how she probably looked in the courtroom. Unconquerable. Fully composed-on the outside anyway. He'd been privy to her inner world and witnessed her reliving her worst fears. For an entire night, he watched over her, an honor he did not take lightly. His presence, she said, made her feel safe. So unlike what everyone else said about him. Billy the wildcard. Billy the complicated enigma. Billy the screwup. Never was he the solution to anyone's problems. Until now.

"I guess you must think I'm pretty silly." Amanda said, drawing in a deep breath. "Anyway, now that I've heard my song, I'm going to head out. So uh...you take care." She started to walk away.

"I don't think you're silly," Billy said, "But…" He left it there and waited.

Amanda stopped her retreat and paused for a moment, probably considering the pros and cons of further engaging with him. "But what?" She asked. Her voice, tho still composed, held the slightest waver.

"But," Billy stood as well. "I believe you've always been honest with me."

"I have been," Amanda's gaze met his and he couldn't help but be dazzled yet again by her enchanting, wide set dark brown eyes, fringed by long sooty lashes. "You know more about me than," she shrugged. "More than anybody."

"Then uh, why are you lying to me now?" Billy watched her flinch slightly. And knew he was not being a gentleman, exactly. "That's not the only reason you came here, to listen to a song," he insisted.

"You're absolutely right Billy," she said and the sweet, smoky sound of her voice washed over him and did something to his mind, to his soul. Just the way she said his name drove him crazy, But not in a devil may care kind of way. But in a way that made him want to live life to its absolute fullest. With her. He had absolutely no idea what that would look like and maybe they were meant to just remain friends. Somehow they could make it work. He needed Amanda in his life.

"I was on my way to Ripley's hearing," Amanda continued, "and I thought about what you and I talked about last night," she paused and gave him a shy glance. "and again this morning."

"We talked about alot of things," Billy responded urging her to keep talking, to continue opening up to him.

"Yes and I was thinking about how this is a new day and I don't have to prove anything to anybody. And I think that means explaining myself as well. Even to you."

"Touche" Billy chuckled.

Amanda smiled too and he could feel the wall she was trying to build between them begin to crumble. When she attempted again to make her getaway, intuition told him, this was the absolute perfect time for an ambush. Not that he would hold her there if she truly wanted to leave but he certainly wasn't going to make it easy for her. Why could she not see what was staring both of them in the face? This was a brand new day. They could start their lives over again-together. He chose his next words carefully.

"When are you going to admit it Amanda," Billy called out to her retreating back. "You weren't drawn here today because of a song. Your true motive for coming here is you wanted to see me. Because you want to be with me."