Tuesday, August 08, 2006, Episode #4868

Ridge tells Donna to enjoy the ride.

At Forrester, Ridge is still kissing Donna. He stops and thanks her for making things feel like old times. She thinks he means when Brooke modeled for the line, but he tells her that he means it feels like the times when the Bedroom line started. He explains that he hasn't gone into a showing with this much nervous energy in a long time. Donna is stunned that he says he was nervous, since he seemed so confident. Ridge tells her that he was nervous, just like she was. But he had to pretend he wasn't, since he had to give her the courage she needed to get out there and do what she did on that stage. What she did on that stage cost her the job, Donna retorts. Ridge tells her that she blew them away. Along with her modeling job, she notes. Ridge thinks she made a great mark and made the line her own, so she should enjoy it. He explains that fashion is like a rollercoaster, so she could be in for the ride of her life. Donna reminds him that she doesn't have a job anymore. He tells her to let him worry about that. He just wants her to focus on letting him lead her, like a ballroom dancer leads his partner, so they can make this line sexy and provocative enough to be a success. It'll mean a lot of work, but the rush she'll get will be worth it. Donna says she already feels like she's been swept up on a wave. Then she's felt the build-up, Ridge says; now comes the payoff when it peaks, and the fashion show was only the beginning. Donna offers to stay around to inspire her, but he tells her to celebrate before her fitting tomorrow. She says she'll be there.

Brooke comes home and finds Nick in the living room, making himself a sandwich. He asks how it went. She tells him that the biggest problem is the huge mistake she made by letting Donna model, since her sister turned the Forrester showroom into a strip club! Nick doesn't understand, since he thought the stuff Donna does makes for good press by pushing the envelope; he thought Brooke would understand, since she's pushed the envelope herself a few times. Brooke retorts that Donna didn't push the envelope, she tore it to shreds! Nick suggests that Donna will do better next time, but Brooke tells him that there will be no next time, since she fired Donna. Surprised, Nick asks why she did that. She says that she regrets hiring her sister, who is just an amateur. Nick says he didn't hear any booing. Still, Brooke explains, Ridge humiliated Donna and made the line into a mockery. Then fire the meathead, Nick says, referring to Ridge. Brooke explains she just wants to protect Donna, not punish her. She thinks she pushed Donna into the modeling job, but Nick says that Donna wasn't pushed into anything. Brooke explains her fears that her sister is being delusional by thinking that there could be something between Donna and Ridge and tells Nick that she saw Ridge and Donna kissing.

Nick wonders why Ridge's kissing Donna bothers Brooke.

Nick asks Brooke why Ridge kissing Donna bothers her. Brooke says she's not jealous, but she wants to protect her sister. She knows how Donna feels right now, thinking everything is perfect, since she felt it when she was modeling. Nick points out that the press is treating Donna like royalty. So is Ridge, Brooke responds, and that's what bothers her, because Donna doesn't see that the kiss means nothing to Ridge. Nick asks Brooke if she'd feel differently if the kiss meant something. Brooke replies that her sister has been unlucky in love, so she's concerned that Donna will get hurt by thinking Ridge is interested. Which Ridge isn't, Nick comments, since they know Ridge is still in love with Brooke. He suggests that she take some time off and take Hope up to surf camp, and he can join them in a few days. Brooke says she can't just leave and let her sister think she has a future with Ridge when there isn't one. Just then, Nick looks over Brooke's shoulder, to where Donna has just entered.

Donna and Brooke come to an understanding.

Nick compliments Donna on the show she put on today. Donna retorts that Brooke put on a show of her own after, one that Donna doesn't want to see an encore of. Donna starts to go up, but Brooke stops her and offers an apology for what she said earlier. And what about what she just said to "Captain Bligh?" Donna asks. Nick takes that as his cue and excuses himself so the sisters can talk. Brooke tells Donna that she understands now why Donna went along with Ridge, especially after she saw the two of them kissing. Which Brooke didn't like one bit, Donna responds. Brooke says that she wants Donna to be happy and find the right man, but she doesn't think Ridge is that man. Donna asks Brooke if that's why she fired her, to keep her away from Ridge; if that's the case, Donna promises that she can do this job Brooke's way. She begs Brooke not to take this away from her. Brooke agrees, as long as everything is completely professional. She doesn't want to see any kissing flirting with Ridge, and she wants Donna to be loyal to her and not Ridge. After all, she is the CEO and knows how this line should be presented. Donna agrees. In that case, Brooke says, Donna has the job again, provided she doesn't cross the line again. Donna thanks Brooke for the second chance and tells Brooke she won't be sorry.

Taylor arrives at the firehouse and finds Hector, who thanks her for coming. He takes her aside and says he needs to tell her something that he's told her before, since he needs to set her straight about it. He explains that he lied to protect her because he loves her. No one asked him to, but he made that choice and no one stopped him, just like no one can stop her if she wants to tell Thorne the truth. He knows she's an honest person, since he is, too. But at the same time, both of them can still do a lot of good in the world - that is, as long as she doesn't confess. He agrees that Darla's life was important, but he thinks theirs are, too, and he brought her there to show her that. Hector's fire chief then calls Hector over. Taylor watches and listens as the Chief explains that ceremonies like this are usually held at the courthouse, but Hector, nice guy that he is, didn't want to waste money that way. One firefighter jokes that maybe Hector didn't want to iron his dress uniform. The Chief then praises Hector for everything he's done to save lives in their community and in L.A. county and presents Hector with a medal for his selfless service to the community. Taylor looks on, but she doesn't applaud.

Lt. Baker and Taylor watch Hector celebrate his award.

As Hector's buddies congratulate him, Lt. Baker comes up to Taylor. She asks why he's here; he reminds her that Hector contributed to Darla's case, so he wanted to talk to the fireman again, to see if they could get a lead that will help solve the case. They need a break in that case, Baker explains. Taylor asks if that's likely. Baker thinks she would be surprised at how something like this eats a person up inside. He predicts that the driver of the car that hit Donna will eventually confide in someone, and that someone might come forward. Hector sees Taylor with Baker and calls for everyone's attention. He says that a medal like this is great, but the thing that's important to him about this job is how they can change lives by making split-second decisions. He's always wanted to make a difference, so he prays he can continue to do this for a long time. He's looking directly at Taylor while he's saying this, and it looks like she gets the message.