Deacon worries that Jackie has lost faith in him.

Deacon comes home to spend some time with Jackie before leaving on a business trip. A relieved Jackie says she was worried, as he'd already left the office and wasn't answering his cell phone. He says he must have left it in the car. She asks if he stopped somewhere; he says he went to the office supply store, but he can see that she thinks he was drinking. She says she was just concerned. He says he can handle this, since he's a big boy; she says he's a grown man with a big problem and she wants to help. He says he doesn't need this and turns to leave; she grabs his briefcase to stop him and a bottle of vodka falls out. Deacon claims he bought that yesterday and didn't drink it today, as he was focused on this business trip all day. A trip he's not going on, Jackie says: she's taking him off the account! He accuses her of doing this because of what happened at Cafe Russe with Spectra, but she says it's about what's best for him. He thinks she's lost faith in him and begs her to let him go on the trip, but she says she can't. A despondent Deacon leaves.

Massimo refuses to claim Jackie as a consolation prize.

At Marone Industries, Massimo asks Nick if he told Jackie about his heroics at Big Bear. Nick says they spoke. Mass asks what Jackie said; Nick tells him to stop beating around the bush and ask what's really on his mind, how Jackie's getting along with her drunk boyfriend. Mass senses Nick doesn't approve of his methods; Nick says he's seen alcohol ruin sailors' lives, so he thinks driving Deacon to drink is a low blow. Mass says he could have just crushed Deacon; instead, he gave Sharpe a fighting chance. By putting him in front of a moving train, Nick laments. At least Jackie will see what Deacon is like, Mass says. Nick wonders why Massimo even cares after Jackie cheated on him; he thinks Mass wants her back and wonders why he just doesn't ask her to come home. Mass says he won't be a consolation prize; if Jackie wants him back, she'll have to decide on her own. But Jackie thinks he [Mass] hates her, Nick says. Mass says Deacon will either have to overcome his addiction or show Jackie how weak he really is. And then she comes to her senses and runs home? Nick asks. He knows his father wants to make a clean break, but he doesn't think this is the way to do it. He doesn't want his mother hurt again.

Heather listens to Deacon pour out his feelings.

Deacon goes to Jackie M, where Heather finds him. She wonders why he's not with Jackie before leaving on his trip. He tells her that he's not going: Jackie pulled him off the project, and he deserved it, and he's not sure he ever will. Heather tells him not to fret over one project, but he says it's more than that. Jackie doesn't trust him, and he doesn't know why she should, since he's a mess. She suggests he talk to Jackie, who probably didn't mean to make him feel that way. He says he knows she didn't mean it: in fact, she wants to help him. But the bottom line is, he's a drunk. He had his alcoholism beat for a long time, but now everything's falling apart, and he loves Jackie too much to drag her down with him. He saw the look of pity in her eye and he knew she deserved a guy she can be proud of, not a guy like him. Heather listens and looks almost sorry for Deacon.

Jackie thinks it's too late for her and Massimo.

At the beach house, Jackie's looking at a photo of Massimo and her when Nick drops by. He asks if she's alone. She says she is and apologizes for the mess. Nick guesses it's hard work caring for her boyfriend. Deacon is ill, she reminds Nick, and is overwhelmed by a sudden, confusing urge to drink again. He hopes she won't let Deacon drag her down with him. She says she just wants to help Deacon, but Nick thinks she should help herself first by coming home where she belongs. Jackie says she can't just leave; Deacon was there for her when she needed him, so how can she abandon him when he needs her the most? Nick thinks Deacon took advantage of her when she was vulnerable, and that's the only reason she's not home with Massimo right now. Jackie disagrees, especially since Massimo asked her to leave. She can't go back after that. But what if Massimo would take her back? Nick asks. He tells her she could have her family back, but only if she chose to come home. A confused Jackie considers the idea.

Megan tells Ridge that Amber hasn't been around.

Ridge calls Forrester looking for Brooke. Megan senses the stress in Ridge's voice and asks what's wrong. He tells her that Amber came by earlier, and he doesn't want Ms. Moore bothering his wife. Megan tells him not to worry, since Amber wasn't here today. But she's been there? Ridge asks. Megan tells him that Amber came by to see Thomas yesterday. Furious, Ridge tells her to call security and ban Amber from the building. Megan says she will and wonders what Amber did to get him so riled up. He says he's just worried about Thomas and Brooke, since Amber can't hurt him.

The telltale photo shocks Brooke.

At Ridge's house, a stunned Brooke stares in disbelief at the photo Amber just gave her. Ridge said this wouldn't happen, Amber points out - but it did. Brooke wants to know where this photo was taken. Amber explains that she trapped Ridge and Bridget in that mineshaft: she knew this would happen, and it was the only way to prove it. Noe Ridge has betrayed Brooke AND Bridget by not only touching Bridget again, but kissing her! Brooke says this isn't real. Amber insists it is. She knows Ridge tried to make her the bad guy, but now it's clear who the real danger to this family is. She didn't mean to hurt anyone, but she had to show them that she, not Ridge, belongs in this family. Brooke sobs that Amber's right and has been all along. Amber says she understands; she knows it will be hard, but she and Thomas will be there to help Brooke and the kids through this. We hear the door open, and...

Brooke and Ridge tell Amber not to make things worse.

...Brooke walks in to see Amber picking up the photo album: Amber showing her the photo was just Amber's fantasy! Brooke asks Amber what she's doing here. Amber says she has to talk to Brooke about something important. Brooke hopes this is isn't another attempt to cause trouble. It isn't, Amber insists. She tells Brooke how she made this photo album and gave it to Ridge as a peace offering, but he threw her out. Brooke tells Amber that she can't bribe or force Ridge to accept her. Amber asks why she's the bad one while Ridge is Mr. Perfect. Because Ridge is the perfect father and husband, Brooke says. Amber disagrees. Just then, Ridge comes in and asks Amber why she's still here, trying to plead her case to Brooke. Amber thinks Brooke has a right to know who she's married to. Ridge has had enough of this and tells Brooke to go upstairs while he deals with this. Amber asks if he's afraid to let his wife learn the truth. Brooke thinks threats like that will only make things worse, but Amber can't see how they won't get worse. Brooke asks Amber if she thinks causing trouble will win her points with Thomas. She doesn't think Amber should take this out on Ridge. But Ridge isn't the man Brooke thinks he is, Amber insists.

Amber promises to make Ridge pay.

Brooke says she knows exactly who Ridge is, especially after he saved Bridget's life at Big Bear. Ridge thinks Amber's taken enough of their time and shows her to the door. Amber can't believe he's treating her this way when all she wanted was peace. Ridge thinks she's getting what she deserves. If that's how he wants to play, Amber says, then she can fight his way. She just wants him to remember that he could have stopped this by meeting her halfway. Instead, he disrespected her, so he'll have nothing but his holier than thou attitude to blame when his fairy tale life with Brooke falls apart. He may call her names now, but wait until he sees what they call him! Ridge asks her to enlighten him as to what she thinks she knows. She says he'll find out soon enough - and when he does, she wants him to remember that she wanted peace, not war. He tells her not to let Thomas hear her make threats like that, or he'll see how crazy she is. Go ahead, she says as she turns to the door, call her crazy and insult her. But mark her words, he'll pay for it. She leaves, leaving Ridge shaking his head in disbelief.