Caitlin can't believe Ridge is ignoring Brooke's messages.

Thomas and Caitlin are still at Insomnia, talking about his dad's disappearance. Thomas says he thought at first that his dad was just giving Brooke time to cool off over Amber's photo. Caitlin thinks that was a good idea, since Brooke was understandably bothered seeing her husband kiss her daughter. But that only explains the first night, Thomas says, and not his dad's missing Hope's recital or ignoring Brooke's messages. Caitlin thinks it's not like Ridge to ignore Brooke that way; she doesn't want to alarm Thomas, but she wonders if something is seriously wrong.

Thomas can't figure out what his dad is trying to prove.

If she's talking about Amber, Thomas says, he already thought of that, since she was behind his dad's last disappearance. In fact, he even found Amber and asked her, and she swore she had no idea where Ridge is. Caitlin asks if he believed Amber. He says he did. He knows what Amber did before, but he didn't get the vibe that she was up to something this time. She even said she wanted to leave town, since she was sorry for the harm she caused, and she said she hoped his dad and Brooke work things out. He admits he might be wrong where Amber's concerned, but Nick and Bridget also talked to her and got the same feeling he did. Caitlin wonders if Ridge might be making a point with Brooke, showing her what life would be like without him after she threw him out of the house. Thomas says that Brooke already knows what life without his dad is like, since they spent years apart. In fact, Brooke thought those days were over, which is why she's so upset over the photo and his dad's vanishing act.

Nick and Bridget get news of Stephanie and Helen.

In the hospital, Brooke tries to help Stephanie cope with Helen's death. Stephanie swears she never saw the other car coming. She couldn't have known that car would run a red light, Brooke points out, so she shouldn't blame herself. Stephanie laments that Helen was like part of their family [even if we only saw her on screen once every few months since 1999]. She doesn't know how to tell Gabriella that her mother's dead. Brooke offers to call the police to see if they've found Gabriella; she steps outside and leaves a message for Lt. Baker just as Nick and Bridget arrive.

Bridget asks how Stephanie is. Improving by the minute, Brooke says. Bridget's relieved and asks where Helen's room is, since they brought flowers for her; when Brooke is silent, Bridget asks what's wrong. Brooke breaks the news of Helen's death and explains how Stephanie blames herself. She's been trying to comfort Stephanie, but she thinks the only person who can really do that isn't answering her calls. Hold on, Nick says: is she saying she left Ridge a message about his mom's accident and he hasn't called back? He can't believe it. Bridget agrees that it doesn't make sense. Brooke says she doesn't understand it either, but that doesn't change the fact that the woman in that room needs her son. Bridget offers to talk to Stephanie; she knows it might not work, but at least it's a new face. As Bridget goes inside, Nick sits down with Brooke and offers to look for Ridge and find out what's going on in Ridge's head. Brooke admits she's almost afraid to find out.

Morgan listens to Brooke's latest message.

In Venice, Morgan listens to Brooke's message about Stephanie and Helen; the message ends with Brooke pleading for Ridge to get to the hospital and saying that she misses him. As she deletes the message, Ridge comes in and asks if there were any messages for him. No, Morgan says. He asks why she's checking messages at 4 am; she guesses she couldn't sleep because of the time difference. Ridge says he knows how she feels, because he couldn't sleep either. She suggests he go back to bed to rest. He thinks he will and asks if she's coming. She says she'll be in as soon as she takes care of something. Ridge offers to help, but she says she's got it handled and bids him goodnight. As soon as he closes the bedroom door, she picks up his cell phone and starts typing out an email. "Dear Mother," she begins. Before long, she's done and sends the message, a pleased smile on her face.

Stephanie asks Bridget how she can tell Gabriella about Helen.

Bridget goes in to see Stephanie. She says that Eric's on his way back from Europe and Nick is here. She's so glad Stephanie's OK. Stephanie says she's glad Bridget's here, since she's worried about Helen's daughter. Helen was the only family Gabriella had, she worries, so now the girl is all alone. Bridget suggests that Stephanie tell her; she's sure Stephanie can find just the right words, like she always does for their family. Speaking of family, Stephanie asks, has anybody heard from Ridge? No, Bridget says. Stephanie senses that Bridget's worried about him, too. Bridget admits she is. Nick comes in with Brooke; looking around at all the flowers, he quips to Bridget that he told her they should have gotten the stuffed animal, since it's already a rose parade in here. Right on cue, a nurse comes in with some more flowers for Stephanie, and an urgent fax that her office sent over. Stephanie takes the fax, but she has trouble reading and asks Brooke to read it. Brooke takes the fax and is stunned to see that it's from Ridge!

Brooke is stunned by Ridge's fax.

Brooke reads the fax; Ridge says he's sorry about the accident and wishes he could be there for Helen's funeral, but he needs time away to think. It's been a difficult year, and he's out of patience with Brooke. He knows the kids are asking for him, but he can't deal with Brooke anymore and thinks it's best for him to keep his distance. Brooke can't believe it: he "can't deal" with her anymore? He needs space? What did she do to deserve that? He just needs time, Bridget says. For what? Brooke asks. Stephanie reminds Brooke that she didn't have faith in him. But even so, Brooke asks, how could he just leave her this way? And what about the kids? She can't believe the man she married would just abandon his family! As Bridget comforts her mom and says they're all here for her, Stephanie guesses that Ridge reached his breaking point. Because she threw him out for one night? Brooke asks. Stephanie says Brooke was wrong to do that, but Ridge is equally wrong to just run away. She agrees this isn't like her son, which is why she hopes he comes to his senses soon. In the meantime, she intends to help Brooke and the kids deal with this: that way, when Ridge comes to his senses and crawls home on his knees, they can both throttle him! Brooke wonders if he will come home; Stephanie is confident he will and tells Brooke to believe that. Brooke thinks Stephanie is right: if she believes in her husband, no one can tear them apart.