Friday, April 28, 2006, Episode #4796

Stephanie gives Felicia support and advice.

Stephanie finds a tearful Felicia playing with one of Dominick's toys and fears that she let Felicia down. She sits down and gives Felicia a hug. Felicia says that's not it; in fact, she's realized she was being selfish by opposing Bridget and Dante taking her son to Italy, especially after how supportive they were when they thought she was dying. Stephanie argues that the baby is responsible for Felicia's rapid recovery, so the trip was ill advised. "You're the baby's mother," she states. But Dante and Bridget agreed to raise him, Felicia states. That was when she thought she was dying, Stephanie counters. She wonders if Felicia blames herself for that, but Felicia thinks she'll blame her mom, instead. Stephanie's not surprised, comparing it to how a person who saves someone becomes responsible for that person. Not that her mother needs a reason to control people's lives, Felicia quips. She says that she might need Bridget and Dante if her condition changes, so it's a good idea to let them spend time with the baby. Stephanie suggests that Felicia forget about Bridget and Dante and focus on her own well being, which will improve if her son is with her. And he will be once they return, Felicia says. But what if they don't? Stephanie asks, pointing out that as Dante's child, the baby has dual citizenship. Felicia sarcastically thanks her mom for suggesting a worst case scenario. Stephanie says she's not trying to be negative. She just wants Felicia to see that it could happen. If it does, Felicia will be at a disadvantage in an international custody battle. She knows Felicia loves Bridget, but she thinks this is a time for Felicia to be selfish, for her own sake and her son's.

Lt. Baker boards Bridget and Dante's plane to Italy.

Bridget and Dante are on the plane with Dino. Bridget is relieved to be aboard, but Dante says he'll feel better when they're in the air. Bridget says she understands Felicia's reaction. Dante says he does, too. Then why don't they come home a day or two early? she suggests. Dante smiles and holds her hand, saying that he'll do anything for her. He then looks at his watch, wondering why they haven't taken off yet. Bridget asks why he's so anxious; he says he can't wait to get back to where they met. It seems so long ago, Bridget says, thinking about how she was still planning a life with Nick just a few months ago. Just then, Lt. Baker of the L.A.P.D. boards. Bridget is surprised to see the detective and asks if something's wrong. He tells her that there is a custody issue over the child she's traveling with. Dante argues that he's the baby's father. Lt. Baker tells him that he needs permission from both parents to take the child out of the country. Bridget offers to show the detective the guardianship papers, but Baker informs her that those are being disputed. Bridget guesses that Stephanie is behind this. Lt. Baker suggests she take her issues up with Stephanie directly. Dante says they will, when they return from Italy. Lt. Baker suggests that Dante and Bridget deplane now and go see Stephanie, to work this out. Dante asks what will happen if he refuses. Then he'll be arrested for kidnapping, Lt. Baker states.

Bridget and Dante confront Stephanie.

At the Forrester guest house Stephanie continues to lecture Felicia on forgetting about Dante and Bridget's needs and focusing on her own. She vows not to let anyone take Dominick away from Felicia. Just then, Bridget and Dante come through the door. A confused Felicia asks why they're there, but an angry Bridget lashes out at Stephanie, who obviously planned to make sure that they never left the country. Felicia asks her mom what she did. She's contesting Bridget's guardianship, Dante explains. And if they try to leave the country, Bridget adds, they'll be arrested for kidnapping. Dante says that he's calling a lawyer, and then he's booking the next flight to Rome. Stephanie suggests that he not do that; she's sorry she had to go to extremes to get their attention, but now that she has it, she intends to settle this now. Bridget turns to Felicia and reminds her that she gave them permission to do. She asks Felicia to tell Stephanie that this isn't what she wants.

Taylor gives her take on Brooke's actions.

Brooke is at home, unable to believe that Taylor just accused her of pretending to be drugged so she'd have an excuse to have sex with Ridge. Taylor says that Brooke never needed an excuse before, but that was when she was ruining someone else's relationship, not her own. Brooke says the only threat to her relationship with Nick is Taylor, who suggests that the threat is Brooke having sex with another man. Brooke accuses Taylor of telling Nick because she knew how he'd react, but Taylor claims that she's only interested in how Brooke, who was supposedly just violated, doesn't seem too upset now. Brooke says that she forgave Ridge, as she knew he would never hurt her deliberately. She guesses Ridge didn't understand. Ridge didn't understand the word "no"? Taylor asks. Just then, the phone rings; it's Sally, who warns Brooke that Nick overheard her calling a courier to take a package to Big Bear for Ridge. Nick took the package and bolted out, Sally says. Brooke hangs up and heads for the door. She tells Taylor to watch the kids, since she has to get to Big Bear. Nick found out that Ridge was at Big Bear, so she has to get there before they kill each other!

Stephen can't believe what Taylor tells him.

Soon after, Stephen comes by the house and is surprised to see Taylor there. Taylor explains that Brooke asked her to watch the kids while she went to Big Bear, where Ridge is. Stephen is furious that Brooke will be near that bastard. Taylor guesses that he knows what happened. He says that Taylor is lucky to be rid of Ridge, who did something unforgivable. Taylor tells him that Ridge was devastated by what happened, but Stephen doesn't care; that man violated his daughter, he says, and nothing Taylor can say will convince him otherwise. Taylor says she didn't want to get involved, but she's afraid, since Nick is on his way up there. Stephen assumes that Nick wants justice for Brooke, just as he does. Taylor explains that she spoke to Nick, who is angry enough to kill Ridge. Stephen says that angry can't even begin to describe how he feels about that man. He's ashamed to admit that he really thought Ridge loved Brooke, but now. Ridge DOES love Brooke, Taylor says, and Brooke must feel the same way, since she went to Big Bear to protect Ridge. Stephen doesn't think Brooke could forgive Ridge for this, but Taylor says she already did. She warns an astonished Stephen not to underestimate Ridge and Brooke's relationship. Even with all their ups and downs, she doesn't think Ridge could do anything to make Brooke stop loving him. Stephen doesn't see how Brooke could just kiss and make-up with Ridge after Ridge violated her last night. Stranger things have happened with those two, Taylor says. Stephen says she sounds almost like she wants Ridge with Brooke. Taylor says that's not it. She's just tired of maneuvering her way through Brooke end Ridge's emotional minefield, and she fears that a great guy like Nick is about to be the next casualty.

Brooke is in her car, flashing back to Nick shouting on the phone, "I'll kill him!" She hopes she can get to Big Bear in time to stop him.

Ridge taunts Nick by saying that Brooke forgave him...

At the cabin, Nick tells Ridge that he's not scared of him. Ridge says he's not hiding from Nick, either. If he's going to hold that gun, Nick tells Ridge, he ought to load it. Ridge cocks the rifle's hammer back and shoots at a lamp, stunning Nick. Ridge says that the gun is his mother's and is always loaded. He puts the rifle back on the wall and tells Nick to come forward with any issue he has with him. Nick calls him a sorry son of a bitch and says he has a big problem with Ridge, who forced himself on a sedated woman! That's rape, he says, so he predicts that Ridge will be joining their old man in prison. He then corrects himself, guessing that a white collar criminal like his pop won't be together with a sex offender like Ridge! He predicts that Ridge will lose his freedom, his family and his job, but Ridge doesn't think there will be any charges. He thinks that Nick can't stand that Brooke still has feelings for him, and that's why Nick is calling what he did rape. Nick says he just can't stand Ridge, period. If what he did was so bad, Ridge asks, then why did Brooke forgive him? Nick says that won't happen, but Ridge says that she already did.

... but Nick can't believe she would do that.

Nick can't believe that Brooke could forgive Ridge, who asks Nick if he even asked Brooke what happened. Nick says he knows what happened, but Ridge doesn't think Nick knows anything, including how Brooke feels. Nick says that Brooke would not have sex with Ridge unless Ridge forced himself on her. Ridge asks Nick if that's because Brooke refused to have sex with Nick. He tells Nick that no one loves sex more than Brooke, and Brooke never had better sex than she had with him. They were like two forces of nature pulled to each other, just like Brooke said in their wedding vows, which is why no one can satisfy Brooke like he can. Nick has had enough of Ridge's taunts, so he calls him a son of a... and punches Ridge, sending him flying into a table. He then jumps on Ridge, who throws him off and punches back. The continue to trade blows, and Nick is about to get another one in as Brooke arrives and yells at Nick to get off of Ridge!