Tuesday, August 22, 2006, Episode #4878

Thorne watches Alexandria show off her art talents.

At Thorne's house, Stephanie visits Thorne and Alexandria. Alexandria tells her grandma how much she likes art camp and draws a picture for her. Stephanie thinks it's good enough to frame, so Thorne sends Alexandria to get some construction paper from her craft drawer to make a frame. Once Alexandria is gone, Stephanie comments to Thorne that his little girl seems to be doing well. She just wishes she could say the same about Thorne, who admits he still needs answers about Darla's death. Stephanie tells him that she spoke with Lt. Baker, who has a few leads, but Thorne laments that those slim leads haven't produced anything concrete as of yet. Stephanie reminds him how busy the lieutenant is and suggests that he be patient, but Thorne tells her that he has to know everything. Stephanie tells him to stop obsessing on the investigation, since he should be focusing on himself and his daughter. Thorne can't believe Stephanie is telling him not to wonder who killed his wife. She says that he has to move on with his life. She then points out that he may never have all the answers about Darla's death, and she doesn't want to see him bring his life to a halt forever from lack of answers about how Darla died.

Stephanie assures Thorne that he can get through this.

Thorne says he won't just let his life freeze while he waits for answers. Stephanie assures him that he'll get through this; he just needs help, and he shouldn't feel weak to ask for that help. Thorne points out that he hasn't had to, since Taylor and Phoebe have been here for him. Stephanie says she's here for him, too; she won't let him down like she did Taylor. Thorne thanks her and goes to check on Alexandria. While Thorne is gone, Stephanie recalls her last conversation with Lt. Baker and wonders if there could be something to his theory about Taylor.

Phoebe worries about her mom.

At the Bel Air mansion, Taylor talks with Phoebe about her plans to tell Thorne the truth. She tells Phoebe that she called Steffy and Thomas (and where is Thomas, anyway?) and told them that she loved them. Phoebe frets about what might happen to her mother once she confesses. Taylor tells her that she has to face up to what she did, and she hopes Phoebe has learned from this that you can't run from your mistakes. She admits that she's scared for Phoebe and her siblings, which is why she's counting on Phoebe to make sure the three of them stick together. Phoebe fears that Thomas and Steffy won't understand what Taylor did and will be angry. Taylor says a lot of people will be angry at her. She knows Phoebe will defend her, but she doesn't want this to ever come between Phoebe and her siblings, or even her dad. She tells Phoebe she loves her. Phoebe says she loves Taylor, too and they tearfully hug.

Ridge wonders what's going on with Taylor.

Ridge arrives; Taylor thanks him for coming over, since she has something important to tell him. She's wanted to tell him this for a while, but she's had a lot going on. Ridge says that he knows things have been hard for her, lately. But the one thing she's grateful for, Taylor responds, is that she knows their family will always pull together in a crisis. And they always will, Phoebe promises. Ridge agrees. Taylor tells Ridge that he's a wonderful father, so she knows he will be there for their kids when things get confusing. Ridge points out that she has taken good care of them. But he'll have to do that if she can't take care of them, Taylor replies. Ridge asks where this is going and wonders if it has to do with Taylor's drinking. That, she answers, and a lot of other mistakes she's made - mistakes she is trying to take responsibility for. She can't take back the pain she caused, but she can make things right. Ridge asks what he can do. Just keep being a good father to their kids, Taylor pleads. Ridge gives her his word that he will.

Lt. Baker pays Hector a visit.

Lt. Baker drops by the firehouse to see Hector, who wonders why the cop is wasting time asking questions about him and Taylor instead of solving Darla's case. Baker finds it interesting that Hector took Taylor and her daughter to the women's prison to see an inmate convicted of vehicular manslaughter. Hector says he thought it would be a good idea due to Taylor's recent alcohol woes, and it was a good lesson for new driver Phoebe. Baker doesn't buy it. Hector tells the cop to stop playing games by fishing for answers. Baker asks Hector if he knows about Taylor's DUI. When Hector says he does, Baker asks if Phoebe knows. She does, Hector confirms. Then shouldn't her mother's DUI conviction and seeing what happened to her aunt be enough to teach Phoebe not to drive drunk? Baker asks. Hector has said all he intends to on the subject. Unless Baker wants to arrest him or has some real evidence to discuss, he thinks they're done here, so he suggests they both get back to work. Lt. Baker says his job would be easier if Darla's killer came forward. He's learned as a cop that he can't always count on leads or evidence, but he can always count on unbearable guilt.

Taylor is about to leave the Bel Air mansion to go to Thorne's. She opens the door to leave and finds Hector there. The fireman tells her about Lt. Baker's visit to the firehouse and reminds her that Baker has no proof to back up his theory. He doesn't need proof, Taylor states. Hector points out that Lt. Baker said the same thing. And he's right, Taylor says, because she's going over to Thorne's right now to tell him everything. It's the only way she can live with her mistake, she explains. And even if she's locked up for years, at least Thorne will be free to move on with his life. Hector warns that Thorne will never forgive her, but she says she can't forgive herself if she doesn't end this lie. Hector reminds her that he was the one who misled the police, and he did that because he was thinking of her. Taylor says that she knows he only wanted to help, and she's sorry if she misread his concern for her. She didn't mean to drag him into this, but her mind is made up that she's telling Thorne. Seeing that she won't budge, Hector offers to drive her to Thorne's; it's the least he can do, since she would have been honest long ago but for him. Taylor thanks him for the offer.