Snow fell on Genoa City as Victoria sat in the Newman home and remembered the conversation she'd had with Claire just before Claire had confronted her Aunt Jordan. Victor joined her, and Victoria gave him an update. She expressed her fears about not being able to help her daughter. Victoria told Victor about Claire's mood following the confrontation and that Claire was back at Memorial Hospital. Victor remained worried about Victoria, who expressed her desire to get to know Claire and prove to her that she was deserving of love.

Victor commiserated with Victoria and talked about his struggles to create and maintain a good relationship with Adam.

Victor reminded Victoria that Claire was also a victim and that her hurt "will not wash away overnight." Victoria was realistic as she acknowledged that getting Claire to trust her and Cole could take a long time. Victor was concerned that seeing Jordan again could have reignited feelings of loyalty in Claire.

Victoria assured Victor that Claire was finished with Jordan, then she asked her father not to hold a grudge. He wondered about the quality of care Claire was getting, but Victoria couldn't be sure because, as an adult, Claire's sessions were private.

Victor asked Victoria how it felt to have Cole back in her life after so many years.

Victoria said that Cole had been wonderful and reassuring. Victoria told Victor she and Cole wanted to see it through, but Victor was concerned that Victoria's absence at work would have a ripple effect. "Do you miss me at Newman?" Victoria asked her father. He took a moment to ponder then smiled and said, "What do you think?" Victor assured Victoria that he understood why she needed to take a leave of absence and that she was an invaluable part of Newman Enterprises.

At Crimson Lights, Lauren and Nikki continued their conversation. Nikki was concerned that her sponsor, Seth, was drinking again, and Nikki blamed herself.

Lauren tried to shut that down when she said, "You don't get to blame yourself. Even if you're right and Seth is drinking, you're not responsible for his actions." Nikki admitted her struggle with the bottle was difficult. "The only thing we have to do is not drink, but that's a very tall order," Nikki said, then dreaded the thought that she might have been the cause of her sponsor's falling off the wagon. Lauren said she would hate if misguided guilt caused Nikki to stumble again.

Lauren asked what she could do to help Nikki, but Jack walked in before Nikki could answer. He wondered if he had interrupted them.

Nikki told Jack that she had to get home. Lauren offered to drive her, but Nikki declined then left. Jack wondered if Nikki was okay. He told Lauren he didn't want to intrude if it was a private matter, but as friend to both Lauren and Nikki, he wanted to help. Lauren told Jack that Michael was out of town and that she could use some advice.

Lauren swore Jack to confidentiality. Then, she told Jack that Nikki was in trouble, and he deduced that Nikki was drinking again. They agreed to meet at Jack's house to discuss the matter more privately.

Christine caught Danny and Phyllis kissing at the jazz lounge.

She walked away upstairs just before Danny pushed Phyllis away. "You cannot keep doing this. I cannot follow you down this road, Phyllis," Danny told her. Phyllis accused Danny of enjoying the kiss just as much as she had. Danny insisted he was not interested in pursuing things with Phyllis. When Phyllis claimed to have changed, Danny said that posting the video of his performance of the new love song was a sign that Phyllis hadn't changed at all.

Phyllis didn't relent. She called Danny out for not stopping the kiss or pushing her away. Danny said he'd been caught off guard and that it wouldn't happen again.

Phyllis dismissed the posting of the video because people posted videos of rock stars all the time. Danny stopped Phyllis and insisted that they could not do "this." "It doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel right. Maybe some version of friends, for Daniel's sake, but anything else? No. Never" He walked away, up the stairs.

Christine rewatched the video, upset. Then, she texted Nina and asked if they could meet. Danny found Christine. She told Danny that she had seen him kissing Phyllis. Danny told her that Phyllis set him up. He admitted that Christine was right that Phyllis had not changed.

Danny admitted that he'd been foolish for giving Phyllis the benefit of the doubt. Christine said, "I saw the kiss. It didn't look to me like you were set up at all."

Danny admitted to being na�ve in expecting Phyllis to back off. Christine insisted she would not compete with Phyllis for Danny's attention. Nina replied to Christine's text. Christine asked Nina to meet her at Society. Danny asked Christine to go somewhere and talk. Christine declined and said, "You need to figure out what the hell you want, and you need to do that without me." When Danny claimed he did know what he wanted, Christine responded, "The kiss I witnessed tells me you're not sure.

" As she left, Christine walked right past and ignored a newly arrived Phyllis.

Nikki arrived home and saw Victoria and Victor talking. Victor noted Nikki's agitation, so Nikki explained that she'd run into Seth and suspected he was drinking and that it was her fault. Victor stopped her. He and Victoria told her that Nikki had no power over the alcohol or Seth's actions, but Nikki was adamant that she was Seth's trigger. Nikki insisted that she was not overreacting and that the support in a support group worked both ways.

At the Abbott home, Lauren confirmed to Jack that Nikki was, in fact, drinking again but that the alcohol had originally been forced upon her.

Lauren explained that she felt she was in over her head because Nikki thought Seth was drinking again, and she was blaming herself for it. Jack explained that Nikki couldn't see things logically while in the throes of addiction. Lauren told Jack that Nikki needed someone who was an addict to give her support. "You're asking me to step in, aren't you?" Jack asked Lauren.

Jack was reluctant to help because he didn't want to jeopardize Lauren's relationship with Nikki by revealing what he knew. Instead, Jack agreed to try to spend some time with Nikki, and he hoped the subject would come up on its own.

At Society, Christine told Nina how close she was to seeing where things might go with Danny. Nina noted her expression. "I only know one person who could put that look in your eye, like you could commit murder," Nina surmised. Christine told Nina about how Phyllis had posted a video of Danny playing her a song and had captioned the video "That feeling when your ex plays you a love song." Nina visibly cringed.

Christine told Nina about the kiss she had witnessed. Nina played devil's advocate and suggested that Phyllis had staged the whole thing and lured Christine with the video. Christine was skeptical of that, but Nina reminded her of how conniving Phyllis was.

Christine told Nina. "There's just one thing -- you didn't see the way he kissed her back." Christine told Nina that she refused to get hurt again. "I'm just gonna end things before I get in any deeper," Christine said.