Chelsea stopped by Adam's apartment after Connor's doctor phoned to let them know that their son was ready to talk. Adam recalled that the previous week, Connor had not wanted to converse with them at all. Chelsea advised Adam not to project his own desires during the interaction because Connor's recovery was in the beginning stages. Adam asked Chelsea if she might be talking about herself, not him.

Chelsea replied, "Both. We can't screw this up. There's too much at stake." Chelsea suggested she and Adam avoid particular words or subjects that might trigger Connor's anxiety and refrain from uttering "reassurances" that might validate his fears. Adam sternly insisted that he already knew the rules. Chelsea's anger boiled over at Adam's dismissive attitude.

Adam took a step back and agreed that he and Chelsea should act together as a team to support Connor. When Connor appeared on the computer screen, Chelsea beamed and told her son it was good to see his face. Adam greeted Connor and asked his son a number of questions about how things were going and if his therapy was working out. A reserved Connor replied, "It's going okay, I guess. I don't know." Chelsea calmly told Connor to take his time, explaining that they would be eager to listen whenever he was ready to talk.

Connor, appearing to relax, told his parents that his main doctor was "pretty cool" and understood his moods and "disassociations," which he understood was his brain's way of protecting him from becoming frustrated whenever he failed to remember things. Chelsea told Connor that her brain often raced ahead and caused her to forget where she was going, adding that slowing down and staying in the moment helped her. Adam asked Connor why it was not okay to "check out" sometimes. Connor explained that doing so would be giving in to the OCD part of his brain and wrongly interpreted as normal behavior. Adam acknowledged that he had misunderstood and might often require explanations.

Connor happily reported that he was playing soccer again and running drills with a friend named Mike. Adam asked about Mike, but Connor reminded him about privacy rules. Connor told his parents he was eager to get better, so he could come home. Adam assured Connor that his parents loved him and would abide by the doctor's orders. Connor replied, "I love you guys, too." After ending the video call, Chelsea and Adam admitted they were confused about how to properly interact with Connor.

Adam cried that it was frustrating to constantly worry about reassurances and disassociations. Chelsea reminded Adam that the "exposure and response therapy" would help Connor get better in time. Adam recalled that when he had been a kid, he had instinctively blocked things out, even erasing all memories of having watched a man die because he had mistakenly believed he was responsible. Adam blamed himself for Connor's struggles. Chelsea told Adam that though they did not completely understand Connor's illness, they should remain calm, strong, and unified.

Adam told Chelsea that because Connor shared their DNA, he was likely suffering some of the same dysfunctions as his parents. Chelsea, frustrated, replied that watching Connor suffer was agonizing, though she could not give in to her feelings because her son needed her. Adam asked Chelsea why she would not talk to him directly about how she felt inside without restricting herself to buzzwords and to-do lists.

Chelsea cried, "I'm terrified, Adam. I'm terrified, but I'm afraid if I fall into that well of shame and guilt, I won't be able to crawl out. I want to kill this thing that's hurting our son. I want to destroy it. And of course, I blame myself for my weakness and my illness." Adam blamed himself for being absent for part of Connor's life and for having created chaos when he had entered the picture. Chelsea calmed herself, wiped her tears, and admitted she struggled with dark, intrusive thoughts that made her hate herself.

Chelsea acknowledged that though Connor's illness was different from hers, it was normal for his parents to feel responsible. Adam said he wanted to tell his son that everything would be okay and that he would live a normal life. Chelsea agreed with Adam that they both yearned to be reassured once in a while that everything would be okay. Adam told Chelsea that they could rely on each other whenever they felt tense or scared. Chelsea replied, "I'd like that very much."

Chelsea asked Adam how he knew she needed to unload her pent-up frustrations. Adam admitted he needed to do the same thing. Chelsea acknowledged that she and Adam had learned to talk to each other in ways that were different than before. Adam agreed that it was better to talk as friends. Adam embraced Chelsea, and they vowed to rely on each other to help Connor.

Nikki entered the Abbott home and embraced Jack. Nikki told Jack she was happy that Harrison was back home. Jack happily reported that a doctor had confirmed that Harrison was fine physically, though time would tell about his emotional state. Jack noted that Harrison referred to Jordan as "the mean lady" and the "witch." Nikki gasped and remarked that they were lucky to have rescued Harrison.

Jack asked Nikki if she had heard news about Claire. Nikki replied, "No, but Victoria got a call last night that she thought could've been Claire." Nikki admitted that she was sorry for thinking that Claire might had been involved in the kidnapping. Jack said that he, too, had doubted that Claire had been able to turn her life around so quickly.

Nikki again blamed herself for not having fully supported Victoria and Claire. Nikki berated herself for allowing her weakness to thwart her efforts to stop drinking. Jack reminded Nikki that she had endured situations that would have brought most people to their knees. Nikki explained that she harbored guilt because Claire and Harrison would never have been kidnapped if not for her actions. Summer overheard and asked what Nikki meant.

Jack insisted that Nikki was not responsible for what had happened to Harrison due the actions of a psychopath. Nikki replied, "There's more to it than that. None of this would have happened if I had made different choices. When Jordan took that poison in front of us, Claire asked if we should even bother saving her life."

Summer was taken aback to learn that Claire had been willing to let her aunt die. Nikki explained that Claire did not want anyone to suffer from Jordan's abuse as she had, adding that once again, Claire had fallen victim to Jordan. Nikki cried that because she had summoned paramedics, Jordan had lived. Nikki, in her defense, acknowledged that she could not have known that Jordan would escape and cause their family to suffer additional chaos. Nikki said Summer had every reason to hate her.

Jack, protective of Nikki, grabbed his keys and offered to escort her to a support meeting. Nikki explained that she had a meeting with Lauren to discuss Newman Media, promising she would attend an A.A. meeting afterward. Summer told Nikki she believed that Jordan was solely responsible for kidnapping Harrison. After Nikki left, Summer checked on Harrison and later told Jack that Harrison was still clingy, though he had smiled when she had promised they could do all of his favorite things.

Jack asked Summer how she really felt about Nikki letting Jordan live. Summer replied, "My son has bolted awake from nightmares twice since he's been home. Jack, he might be scarred for life. What am I supposed to say when my grandma tells me that this all could have been avoided? I wish she had let Jordan die." Jack requested that Summer not share her feelings with Nikki because Nikki was in a fragile state and could easily be pushed over the edge. Summer agreed not to say anything to Nikki.

At Crimson Lights, Lauren told Nikki she was sorry about all Nikki had endured. Nikki sighed and acknowledged that one nightmare had followed another. Nikki said she hoped to hear soon that Claire was safe. Lauren shared Nikki's hopes about Claire's rescue and urged her friend to rest. Nikki agreed that she desperately needed sleep. Lauren insisted that Nikki forget about business and go home to sleep. Lauren picked up her phone to send a message to Victor, but Nikki insisted Lauren allow Victor to focus his energy on finding Claire. Lauren agreed and made Nikki promise to go straight home.

After Nikki left Crimson Lights, she entered a suite at the Athletic Club. Nikki pulled a brown bag out of her purse and set it on a table. Nikki stared at the bag as if she feared it and took three steps back. After peering at herself briefly in a mirror, Nikki grabbed the sack, pulled out a bottle of vodka, and drank several ounces. Nikki took a deep breath and waited impatiently for the alcohol to take effect.

At the Newman ranch, Michael questioned Victor, Victoria, and Cole about the mysterious phone call made to Victoria. Michael asked what the caller had said. Cole replied, "Mom." Victoria explained that though the audio had been muffled, she believed it had been Claire. Michael suggested the call might have been a recording Jordan had arranged.

Frustrated, Victoria cried, "Michael, it was Claire." Victor, noting that the call had originated from a landline, said investigators were checking area cell towers. Victoria pleaded with her family to do something quickly because Claire might be injured, explaining that her daughter had sounded panicked and desperate. Michael asked if Claire knew what had happened to Jordan. Victor replied, "I doubt it. We kept the press out of it."

Cole took offense when Michael asked if Claire might be unaware that Harrison had been rescued. Michael recalled that Claire had spent her entire life carrying out Jordan's orders. Victoria accused Michael of implying that Claire was still working with Jordan, and she reminded Michael that Harrison had told them that Jordan had hurt Claire. Michael suggested that Claire and Jordan might have put on an act to deceive Harrison.

Cole accused Michael of distracting them and wasting time instead of focusing on rescuing Claire. Michael acknowledged that his statements were inappropriate, blaming his "lawyerly skills" for arguing on both sides. Victoria cried that Jordan, the one person who could tell them where to find Claire, was dead. Victor insisted that Jordan was exactly where she should be, adding that they would not give up until they found Claire.

Victoria told Victor and Michael that she and Cole should search the motel room where Harrison had been found because investigators might have missed clues. Victor agreed to the search and said, "I'll see to it that no one interferes with you." After Victoria and Cole left, Michael said, "Run that by me again, Victor?" Victor replied, "Run what by you again?"

Michael asked Victor how Jordan had died. Victor claimed that Jordan had run when she had seen him and his security team approach and had fallen into the water below the Galewood River Bridge. Michael asked about recovery of Jordan's body. Frustrated, Victor claimed that authorities were still searching.

Victor insisted that Jordan's death had been a "fortunate" accident and that Michael should let it go. Michael explained that knowing Victor, he felt that his client was hiding details. Sounding defensive, Victor replied, "I am in no way responsible for that Jordan woman's death. Okay?" Michael replied that Victor's statement sounded sincere. Victor told Michael that finding Claire soon was crucial because he feared time might be running out.

In the motel room, Victoria and Cole inspected every corner. Cole recalled the sadness and heartbreak that had overwhelmed him when they had thought they had lost baby "Eve" after she'd been born. Cole remembered the day he'd learned that Claire was alive. Cole, becoming emotional, said he would exchange his life for Claire's in a heartbeat, adding that he had never had such feelings for anyone. Victoria replied, "It's called being a parent." Cole cried that Claire was the greatest gift he had ever received, and he yearned to find her, hold her tight, and assure her that her father would always protect her.

On a closet shelf, Cole noticed a porcelain doll similar to the ones his mom had collected. Victoria noted that the doll was hideous. Cole replied, "Well, that's the whole point. The creepier, the better." Victoria recalled that Jordan had used a doll to torture Nikki while she had been held captive at the lake house. Cole felt something hidden inside the doll's back.

Cole found a concealed set of keys, which he said had to be a clue Jordan had left behind. Victoria closely examined the three keys. Cole, frustrated, hoped he might find another clue or a map as he looked under the mattress and behind pillows. Victoria suddenly remembered that she had seen the keys before. Victoria said, "I think I know where we have to go."

• Ashley chats with her friend from Paris at Society

• Cole and Victoria find something hidden inside a doll

• Jack forces his way into Nikki's trashed hotel room