Neal decides to dump the farm project, Jack thinks Carly is in love with Holden, Lily tells Holden she slept with Mike, Paul tries to save the day and Bonnie makes decisions without Henry!
Jack is ready to leave the police station to pick up JJ when Carly arrives. She gives him some road trip advice and then asks if Janet is coming along. He says she is working and asks what she really wants. She says nothing but keeps asking about JJ; he invites her to go along. They talk about JJ for a while and then Carly says she knows he is moving on. He says this doesn't change anything between them or with the kids but Carly isn't so sure. He tells her to stop beating herself up because of Holden.
When they get to camp JJ is excited to see Carly and Jack, but is finishing a project so they finish his packing. As they do, Jack innocently comments about JJ's bag making the bed collapse and Carly flashes back to her night with Holden. Jack sees she is distracted and realizes why. "Are you in love with him?" he asks. Carly isn't sure; Jack says that he won't scare the next guy off and says she deserves to be happy. They hug and JJ walks in. Before he can get the wrong idea, they set him straight. JJ isn't upset. He shows them his art project and asks Carly if they can hang it up to help them remember they are a family. She is touched. They leave for home.
Once they arrive home, Jack says they should have talked more in the past the way they did today. She asks if he is still mad at her. He says no. Neal arrives and Jack feels uncomfortable so he leaves. Carly stops him. He assures her that he isn't upset and just needs to get back to work. Carly goes back inside. Neal tells her about the project and invites her to come with him to Paris. Carly turns him down. He kisses her cheek and says she knows where to find him if she changes her mind. Carly sits alone on the sofa.
Lily makes Mike breakfast after they make love. They have trouble with the small talk and she admits she isn't sure what this all means. He says the night before was very special and kisses her. Faith walks in! Lily tries to cover what was going on but Faith catches on. Neal calls and tells Mike to meet him at the farm. He says this can't be good and leaves. Lily tags along so she can pick up Natalie and Ethan and at the last second, Faith decides to go, too.
Meg and Paul have coffee and kiss. They are about to make love when Mike calls and tells them to get to the farm. Paul isn't worried but Meg says they have to go.
At the farm, Holden finds Emma sitting alone. She tells him about the contamination, believing that they are in big trouble. Faith, Lily and Mike arrive. Holden says the other kids are in the barn so Faith goes to collect them. Meg and Paul arrive; Emma starts fussing over Meg, who insists she is fine. Neal arrives and says the contamination is too bad and they are pulling out of the project! Emma and the family are floored. Paul demands that Neal stand by the original contract. Mike offers to cut his rate. Holden says they'll renegotiate the sale price. Neal apologizes but says they simply can't proceed. Lily offers to pay for the clean up costs but Emma turns her down. Mike leaves to tell the crew and Lily follows. Emma is worried about keeping the farm and Paul says he'll make sure she can keep the farm. Emma is stunned. Meg says they need to talk about it first and says he doesn't have to prove himself like this. He says he wants to help because he's never had a family like hers. Paul leaves. Meg turns triumphantly to Holden and Emma but they both think Paul is just using this to get to her.
Paul goes to Barbara when he finds out the bank won't give him the full amount. She says he can't win over Meg's family this way; Paul says this is the one way he can prove to everyone - even himself! - that he has changed. Babs still isn't convinced. Paul says Meg was afraid of him in the hospital and it wasn't just because of the poison and this way she'll know that he really has changed.
At Metro, Bonnie is talking to a supplier when Henry walks in. She plays hardball with their wine guy, who finally gives in to her demands. Henry tries to grab the phone but she keeps it away from him. He angrily says their wine guy is a friend and really knows his stuff but Bonnie won't do it. Henry says Marcello is very good at his job but Bonnie still won't back down; she says he needs to be tough or they'll never make a profit and shows him the renegotiated prices. Henry is surprised that Marcello agreed; she leaves. Paul arrives with legal papers and asks for Bonnie's advice. He tells her about the mess at the farm. She says she'll refer him to another expert but he won't take no for an answer. Henry butts in and tells Paul to stop. He offers double the money. Bonnie turns him down but Henry tells her to take the job! "Someone's got to feed the sharks," he says. Bonnie gets to work but Henry says she is working too fast and needs to slow down. He says Paul's legal fees could pay for a lot of stuff!
Outside Emma's, Mike tells Lily that he can't stay. She is crushed but says she understands. Holden sees them together and when Mike walks away watches Lily. She tells him that they slept together. He says he doesn't care but from his look, it is obvious he does. Lily reminds him that he had the first affair and he asks when she is going to stop throwing it in his face. "Sign the separation agreement," she says!
Holden goes back inside; Meg realizes he is upset about Lily and Mike. Holden says it shouldn't matter to him. Meg says she thought things were over with Paul several times but now she's glad she didn't give up. Emma returns, still upset about losing the farm. Paul arrives and says she isn't going to lose the farm or her home. Emma is relieved. "Maybe if Meg and I have kids, they can come here…maybe milk a cow," he says, making Meg laugh. Mike returns. Paul says the project is back on if he'll stay. Mike says yes!
Mike goes to Lily's and triumphantly tells her that Paul is taking over the project. He kisses her. Holden walks up. Mike goes inside. Holden says he has the signed separation agreement but asks if this is what Lily really wants. She says things have gone too far and they have to let go. Holden leaves. Lily sadly takes off her wedding ring. Mike returns. Lily sadly says Holden just left but that he really left a long time ago. "We pretended and that just made it worse," she says. Mike hugs her. Lily apologizes for laying all of this on him. Mike says that is what friends are for.
Meg and Paul return home. He kisses her and she says he surprised her today - so he's in for a surprise now. She says she'll make him a pie but he pulls her onto the sofa and they make love.
Holden returns to the farm and takes off his wedding ring. Emma comes into the kitchen and asks if it is a mistake to trust Paul. He says she didn't have any other choice and then says the separation is official. Emma hugs him.
Next on As The World Turns:
Danielle comes to town.
Parker declares his love - again!
Carly turns to Holden when Parker is late.
Holden and Jack fight over Carly.
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