Monday, August 14, 2006, Episode #4872

Thorne is stunned by what Taylor tells him.

At the Bel Air mansion, Thorne is stunned as Taylor admits that she was the one who killed Darla. She says that she's so sorry, but it was all an accident, because she didn't see Darla falling onto the road in front of her until it was too late. Thorne can't believe she's been lying to him and asks if she was drunk that night. Taylor says she wasn't, so Thorne asks if she'd been drinking. She says she was, and she knows she shouldn't have been driving, but Phoebe was in trouble. She knows that's no excuse, but she can't keep lying to him. She wishes she could do it all over, but she can't. She just hopes he understands that it was an accident, since Darla fell back, and... Thorne cuts her off, unable to believe that she's implying that Darla caused her own death. Taylor says that's not what she meant and again says she's sorry for what she's done. What she's done, Thorne fumes, is reach out to him and his little girl just to ease her own guilty conscience over killing his daughter's mother...

Taylor tells Phoebe about her nightmare.

The word "mother" echoes in Taylor's head as Phoebe calls out, "Mother, wake up!" Phoebe rouses her mother, who realizes that the whole confession was a horrible dream! Taylor frantically tells her daughter about the nightmare, including the way "dream Thorne" seemed to know she'd been hiding something. "He hated me for it," Taylor laments. Phoebe tells her mother to get a grip on herself and forget about the dream, but Taylor doesn't know if she can. She thought she could live with herself by helping Thorne and Alexandria with their pain, letting that be her punishment. But now she wonders if she's strong enough. Seeing how frantic her mom is, Phoebe suggests that Taylor tell Thorne the truth; she's not sure if she's completely OK with that, but she hates seeing her mother this way.

Soon after, Thorne calls Taylor to explain why he went to Hector's today. He explains that he was at the cemetery and ran into Phoebe, who seemed worried that Hector might not be helping Taylor. He wants Taylor to know that he's there for her, because of what she's done for him and especially for Alexandria. He can't thank her enough. In fact, he feels like Darla is looking down on them and is also grateful for how Taylor has helped.

Bridget tells Nick about her break-up with Dante.

Bridget drops by Marone Industries to see Nick, who's been trying to track her down. Bridget laments that she feels like a fool over what happened with Dante. Nick says she has nothing to feel foolish about, but she reminds him that she stopped Dante's wedding to Felicia. She just wasn't in love with Dante, Nick replies. Bridget wonders what's wrong with her that she nearly ruined Dante's life, just like she almost ruined Nick's. Nick suggests that she stop blaming herself and tells her to accept that everything happened for a reason. She admits that Dante was a good man, and he loved her unconditionally, only wanting her to love him back. But when he tested their commitment by asking her to have a baby, she realized that she was only using Dante to get over Nick, even though she didn't want to admit that to herself. She tells Nick that she will get over him eventually and hopes she's not making him uncomfortable talking to him this way. Nick assures her she's not. Bridget guesses that she should be getting to work, as she graduated and is "Dr. Forrester" now. Nick asks why she didn't say anything; she explains that she didn't feel comfortable celebrating with Darla's passing. Nick says they'll have to throw a party, since she worked so hard. He wants her to know he's proud of her. Bridget thanks him, since his support helped her get there. She then thinks they both have work to do, so he bids, "Dr. Forrester" goodbye.

Ridge tells Donna that he feels like he's at a crossroads.

At Brooke's house, Ridge and Donna read Jarrett's latest rave about her modeling for the Bedroom line in the new issue of EYE ON FASHION. Donna tells Ridge that it was all his designs, but Ridge says that Jarrett seems to think it was her sizzling strip tease. He admits that he knew she'd be great. Donna still can't believe she's in the magazines she used to read, but she wants Ridge to know she's ready for whatever he throws at her. She wants to give R.J. a kiss goodnight, but Ridge tells her that his son's already out like a light. He wonders if his son knows he loves him. Of course he does, Donna replies. Ridge laments that he'd like to spend more time with R.J., but Nick is here and he's not. Donna replies, "R.J. knows who his father is. Nick's just some pirate wannabe who happened to marry his mother." Ridge laughs that he knew there was a reason he liked Donna. Donna admits that's why she called Ridge over, with Brooke up at Surf Camp with Hope until tomorrow, and with Nick working late. She doesn't think Ridge should have to work around Nick's schedule to see his son. Ridge replies that he's just trying to make the best of the situation, since he had his chance to live with Brooke and his son and he blew it. Brooke is the one who blew it, Donna says, since he's the best, and if Brooke can't see that... Ridge says he feels like he's at a crossroads and asks what he should do. Maybe he should move on, she suggests.

Donna thanks Ridge for changing her life, since she wouldn't have this opportunity without him. She just hopes she doesn't wake up and realize this is her sister's life and not hers. Ridge assures her that this is her life now. Brooke might be a hard act to follow, but so is she. She asks how he'd feel if he met her before he met Brooke. He'd be captivated, he says, because it's obvious that she makes anyone who sees her want what she has to offer, whether they see her on stage or in pictures. Donna says she didn't know she had that kind of power. "Neither did I," Ridge says, moving closer to her. Just then, Nick walks in and asks what's going on. Donna says they were just talking business, but Nick retorts that he'd be sued for that kind of "business" at his office. "My, what big ears you have, grandma," Ridge sarcastically retorts. Nick calls Ridge a "sleazy son-of-a-bitch," and tells him to leave Donna alone, since she's not just one of Ridge's bimbo models. Donna tells Nick he has no right to say things like that, but Nick reminds her whose house she is. This is Brooke's house, Donna replies, and Nick can't boss her around just because he married Brooke. Just then, R.J. starts crying, so Donna goes to check on him.