Tuesday, December 19, 2006, Episode 4959

Thorne asks a favor of Ridge.

While decorating the tree at the Forrester mansion, Ridge and Thorne talk about Taylor's plan to get Forrester back. Ridge frets that it's too dangerous for Taylor, even if she is a shrink, to play mind games with a malicious nut like Nick. Thorne points out that Taylor's welfare is no longer Ridge's concern and assures Ridge that Taylor has the situation under control. Ridge explains that he just doesn't want to see Taylor hurt. Thorne appreciates that, since Ridge is the father of Taylor's children and will always be part of their lives, but he doesn't think he needs any coaching. Ridge offers to be there if Thorne needs backup. Thorne promises that he'll call if he needs help, which brings him to one more favor he needs to ask of Ridge.

Ridge agrees to Thorne's request.

Ridge asks what the favor is. Thorne answers that it's about the wedding. He explains that he and Taylor want to keep things simple. Ridge points out that they'll still need a pair of rings. And he'll need someone to cause a panic by losing those rings, Thorne quips. That would be the best man, Ridge responds. And that's where the favor comes in, Thorne states. Ridge asks Thorne if he checked out "best man" in the phone book. Thorne nods that he has and says that Clarke is busy, so he was wondering... In that case, Ridge responds, he'd be glad to do it. Thorne thanks his big brother, pointing out that he was only kidding about losing the rings. The two men embrace.

At Forrester Creations, Jackie stands outside the CEO's office, trying to listen in, but she still can't hear anything. Davis, the new head of operations, comes by and sees Jackie standing there. He asks Jackie if she needs help, but she tells him that she's just waiting for her son to finish a meeting.

Nick remembers Capt. Jerry Kramer.

Inside, Taylor asks Nick why he didn't want Capt. Kramer to come around anymore. Nick recalls that Kramer brought him presents. He flashes back to a time when Kramer brought him a necklace made of boar's teeth from Tahiti. He was thrilled to receive the gift from the sea captain. He tells Taylor that Capt, Kramer - he then calls the captain by his first name, Jerry - was a great guy who liked him. But then something changed, Taylor points out, urging Nick to remember what that something was. Nick says he's not sure. Maybe he just outgrew the friendship. He thinks Taylor's wasting her time with this and suggests she try and catch her "fish" in other waters. Taylor tells him that he's a complex man; he may be a bit tougher and more experienced than most people, but he's till human, and humans will occasionally block out some painful memories. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Nick says that he's not ashamed. Then why does he keep ending their sessions when they discuss his not wanting to see Capt. Kramer anymore? Taylor asks. Maybe Kramer just stopped bringing presents, Nick suggests. Taylor doesn't believe that and wants to dig deeper, but Nick tells her that he has a business to run. Taylor asks if they can have another session tomorrow. Nick promises to pick this up after Christmas.

Jackie worries about Nick dwelling on the past.

Once Taylor leaves, Jackie returns to the CEO's office and asks Nick how his session with Taylor went. Nick says it was interesting, since Taylor got him thinking about things he'd forgotten. Jackie remarks that she always found it pointless to dredge up the past and stir up old memories, whether they're good or bad. Nick tells her that he talked to Taylor about growing up in Seattle. He asks Jackie if she remembers Capt. Kramer, who brought the pearl earrings he gave her for Christmas when he was ten. Jackie says that she remembers the earrings, and she even thinks she still has them, but she doesn't really recall much about Kramer. From the look on her face, however, she seems to know more than she's saying. She asks Nick why they're wasting time with idle chat when they're so busy. Nick explains how Taylor wants him to remember why he didn't want Kramer coming around anymore. Jackie suggests that Kramer must not be very memorable, since they don't recall much about the man. Nick wonders why he was mad at Kramer. Jackie advises him to let it go; it may have seemed like fun to hang out with the sailors, but they were the kind of men who... Who what? Nick asks. Who drank too much, Jackie covers. She suggests that Seattle is in their past and they need to focus on their present. She reminds Nick how upset he was when he lost Brooke; she thinks he should think about that instead of dwelling on a man from his childhood. Nick tells her not to worry. Jackie checks the time and says she has to be going; she and Nick exchange "I love yous" and she leaves.

Taylor is put off by Jackie's "advice."

Jackie then goes to Taylor's office, where she asks the good doctor about her session with Nick. Taylor reminds Jackie that her sessions with Nick are confidential. Jackie suggests that there's nothing wrong with her son, so she thinks Taylor can do the most good by helping him get over Brooke. Taylor appreciates the advice, but she thinks she understands psychiatry better than Jackie. She explains that there's no road map to follow in conducting therapy sessions, which is why she prefers to talk to her patients and work from there. That process could take some time, she warns. Jackie suggests that Taylor is looking for something that isn't there, but Taylor explains that she sometimes has to do that in her profession. Jackie suggests that it's a waste to talk about Nick's past, since he had a healthy childhood. They may have been poor, but she and Nick loved each other, and Nick knew she would do anything to protect him. Taylor says it's a bit more complicated than that, although she admits that Nick did not contradict anything Jackie said. Jackie still can't see the value of digging into the past. She suggests that the best way for Taylor to get Nick to return Forrester Creations is to help him get over Brooke. And while she's fond of Taylor as a doctor, she wonders why Taylor can't see Nick as a man who's so much more suitable for her than Thorne. Taylor reminds Jackie that Nick is her patient. Then help him! Jackie urges.

Taylor asks why Jackie sounds so concerned. Jackie says that she IS concerned. She says that she would do anything for her son, even if Taylor isn't hearing her out. She excuses herself and leaves. Alone in the office, Taylor says to herself, "Oh, I'm listening. I heard everything you just said."