Thorne and Darla give Sally an answer.

Thorne and Darla arrive at Spectra, ready to give Sally an answer to her offer. They walk into the office and find Sally and Clarke in a celebratory mood over the latest sales figures. Spectra sales have increased again, Sally proudly boasts. She thinks their continuing trend of sales increases shows what a team they make, which is why she hopes Thorne's decided to buy into the business as her partner. Thorne tells her to forget the sales pitch; he's already made up his mind. So what's it going to be? Sally asks. Thorne admits he never expected her to respond to his partnership proposal with an offer for him to buy into Spectra for $50 million. While he sees her reasons, that kind of money is a huge sacrifice, one that will require him to sell his stock in Forrester. Sally says she was afraid he'd say that. He tells her that he gave her offer a lot of thought and has decided that he's going to make that sacrifice. Sally and Clarke are thrilled as Sally welcomes her new partner aboard!

An elated Sally wants to celebrate her new partnership.

Sally promises to sextuple Thorne's investment and make a home for him and his family here at Spectra. She knows his decision wasn't an easy one and intends to reward his faith in her. Thorne says he has to thank her, since everyone here at Spectra taught him to believe in himself. Sally goes to announce her new partner on the intercom, but Darla points out that Thorne hasn't told his parents yet. In fact, he's headed over to Forrester right now; he asks Sally to hold off on making an announcement until he gets back. Sally agrees and joins Darla in wishing Thorne luck as he leaves. Once Thorne's gone, Sally guesses that this is going to be hard on him; she tells Clarke to gather the troops and call the "party planner to the stars" so they can throw a huge bash for Thorne. As Clarke gets to it, Darla tells Sally this is sweet of her. Sally says it's what any mother would do for her child. Darla thanks Sally for all she's done and predicts Sally and Thorne will make a great team.

Eric and Stephanie are stunned at Thorne's unexpected decision.

At Forrester, Eric shows Stephanie the latest sales report: Spectra is still climbing, but Forrester at least has held steady. However, Eric points out that he's not getting worked up over that news after what Ridge told him last night [off-camera]. He still can't believe Ridge swallowed his pride and made a passionate plea for Thorne to return to Forrester where he belongs. He's so sure Thorne will accept that he starts planning an office for Thorne here on the executive level. Stephanie warns him not to get ahead of himself, since Sally or Darla can still throw a wrench into this. Eric however is sure Thorne will come back home to the family business where he belongs. Right on cue, Thorne arrives. Eric asks his son if he's here to tell them he's coming back. He guesses they've been talking to Ridge. Eric says he has, and he couldn't be more thrilled, especially after the way Sally exploited Thorne and the Forrester name. Thorne admits he talked to Sally about that, and she conceded that he wasn't being compensated fairly. Eric's glad to hear that, but thinks that's water under the bridge now that Thorne's returning to Forrester. But he's not, Thorne says: he's staying at Spectra.

Eric and Stephanie are stunned that Thorne would be undervalued at Spectra. Thorne explains that Sally offered to give him half of Spectra for only $50 million. Eric is stunned. Thorne assures him that it's a good deal. Even if it is, Eric points out, more money than Thorne has. Thorne says he can get the cash. Stephanie immediately realizes that Thorne wants to sell them his interest in Forrester. Eric asks Thorne if he really wants to do that and cut off all ties to the family. Thorne says he wants the chance to finish what he started. But he's done that, Stephanie says. Thorne says he needs to stand on his own. Eric says he can, here at Forrester. But he'll only be one voice among many, Thorne points out, while he'll be an equal partner with Sally at Spectra. Eric wonders if he can trust Sally; Thorne says he can. And he doesn't trust his own family, Stephanie laments, and that's their fault for not supporting him. Eric asks Thorne to think about what he's doing. He recalls his vision when he founded Forrester to create a business where the whole family could work together, even if they disagreed now and then. He can't believe Thorne would walk away from a chance to make that vision a reality.

Jackie worries that Deacon craves a drink.

At Jackie M, Heather brings a shaken Deacon the latest sales report. He barks at her that he's busy and throws the report on the floor. Heather apologizes; Deacon collects himself and says he's sorry. He suggests she take her break. Jackie enters and asks Deacon if sales are that bad. She sees his hand shaking as he says everything's fine and guesses he's again craving alcohol. He says he wants a drink real bad right now, but he's not going to do it. Even though he feels like his life is a mess, he promises her that he just won't do it. Jackie wants to call his A.A. sponsor and get him to an A.A. meeting pronto. She reaches for the phone, but Deacon tells her to wait; he reminds her that she's doing an interview on the Fashion Channel this afternoon. She says she can cancel, but he doesn't want her to miss out because of him. He promises to call his sponsor and get to a meeting while she's gone. Jackie reluctantly agrees; on her way out, she asks Susan to keep an eye on Deacon.

Heather tells Massimo that everything's set.

Heather slips outside and into Massimo's limousine, where Massimo asks if she had trouble slipping out. She says Deacon was only too glad to see her go. Mass guesses that Mr. Sharpe is getting quite irritable right now. He is, Heather confirms, and his cravings are driving him up the wall. Massimo is pleased that it's all coming together. Heather comments Massimo for his confidence in his plan, but she has to say that Deacon is doing his damnedest to resist. She's stunned that Sharpe still hasn't touched a drop of alcohol. Even so, Mass says, Deacon is a ticking time-bomb, and every second that passes brings Deacon that much closer to self-destructing. They look out the window and see Jackie leaving. Mass asks Heather if she took care of the other matter he mentioned. If he means the fully stocked bar, she says, she did: the bar is stocked and ready for customers - and Deacon - to find it.

Deacon finds some vodka and gives in to temptation.

Inside the boutique, a nervous Deacon looks for some coffee but finds the pot is empty. He goes to the pantry to look for some more and finds a slew of alcohol bottles (including the brand of vodka Heather slipped to him recently) in one of the cabinets. How did this get here? he wonders. While he takes the bottle of vodka out and stares at it, he doesn't see Heather slip in behind him. She watches with a pleased expression as he gazes intently at the bottle, and she then slips out. Deacon stands up, looking sweaty, and wipes his brow.

Outside, Massimo approaches the boutique and peeks in the window, where he conveniently can look through the boutique at Deacon in the pantry. He watches Deacon nervously hold the bottle, open it up and take a sniff. He counts down, "Three -- two -- one."