Nick and Laurie make their case for the environment.

Massimo and Nick are in Mass's office with Laurie David, environmentalist and wife of comedian Larry David. Laurie tells them about programs that can reduce waste and pollution to prevent global warming. Mass says that he knows of these programs, but he also has employees and stockholders to think of. Laurie tells him that free enterprise and environmentalism aren't exclusive. Nick agrees, pointing out the good these programs can do. But they don't affect his bottom line, Mass argues. They will eventually, Nick says, pointing out how the programs can save them money in the long run. He thinks they need to make this contribution to the world they'll hand off to their children and grandchildren. Mass asks Nick why he wasn't so concerned before this. Nick said he wasn't going to be a father before; he doesn't want his kid to ask him why he didn't do anything to help the environment. He points out how even the fish he loves to catch are affected by this. Mass still frets about the cost, even when Laurie tells him how much he can save by leading these efforts. Nick agrees. Persuaded by Nick's belief in Laurie, Mass tells her to send him a proposal. She thanks him; he tells her to thank Nick, who will be responsible for every penny spent. Laurie thanks Nick, who thanks her for helping him see that he's doing the right thing as he shows her out.

Massimo is stunned to hear that Taylor was with another man.

Once Laurie is gone, Mass frets some more about these programs will cost. Nick tells him that it's money well spent, since Mass will be leaving a better world for his grandkids. Speaking of grandkids, Mass asks how Bridget is. She's a bit stir crazy from being bedridden, Nick says, but she's OK. Mass is glad to hear that; he's pleased to see both his sons so happy. Nick says that he may be happy, but he's not so sure about Ridge. Mass asks what he means. Nick reminds him that Ridge didn't come home for the holidays. Mass thinks that was unfortunate, but he also, as a businessman, has to respect Ridge doing what had to be done. After all, a successful business has to make money to pay for things like environmental programs. Nick fears there's more going on. Mass asks what he means. Nick doesn't think it's his place to say, but Mass presses him, so he tells him how Ridge asked Brooke to bring RJ over on New Year's Eve. Ridge wasn't there when he got there, but she found Taylor with Hector Ramirez - in the bedroom, kissing! Mass is stunned, since Taylor is so virtuous. She was kissing another man, Nick says. Mass thinks Ridge and Taylor must work this out, for the sake of the children and the family. Nick reminds Massimo that Ridge walked out on another family recently. Mass realizes that Nick is referring to RJ and Hope. Just between them, Nick says, he wonders where Brooke will end up when all this dust settles.

Taylor frets that Ridge left and isn't coming back!

Meanwhile, at the Bel Air mansion, a bathrobe clad, sullen Taylor stares out the window. Stephanie arrives and calls out Taylor's name, but Taylor doesn't answer. Seeing Taylor by the window, Stephanie asks if she got her messages. No, Taylor says. Stephanie asks what happened. Taylor tells her how wonderful it was to have Ridge home. He was so sorry for missing the holidays. Then they made love, likely for the last time, because Ridge walked out and isn't coming back after she told him about James! Why did she tell him? Stephanie asks. Taylor says she had to be honest with him. She explains how she told Ridge about Hector first, and he forgave her. Then she told him about sleeping with James, and he forgave her for that, too. So what's the problem? Stephanie asks. Ridge couldn't forgive her for the hypocrisy of lying for years, Taylor says, and she wonders if he's right. He isn't, Stephanie says! Shaking Taylor by the arms, she says that it was just one mistake! Taylor says she made a mistake and tried to cover it up. The worst part is that Ridge can't forgive her for the way she judged Brooke, which makes her no better than Brooke. Stephanie says that horses and pigs are both mammals, but they have little in common. Taylor says that she judged Brooke by her own moral superiority, so she deserves Ridge's disdain. Stephanie tells her not to go there. She thinks they must act quickly, before Brooke can make a move. She says she's going to talk to Ridge and convince him to come home. Taylor tells her that Ridge won't listen. since he knows what Stephanie did. Stephanie says she will handle that. She refuses to let Brooke destroy everything that Taylor loves and deserves.

Brooke is stunned to learn that Taylor slept with James.

Brooke pops into an empty office at Forrester, looking for a quiet place to work, and finds Ridge sleeping on the couch. As he wakes up, Brooke guesses that Taylor told him. Ridge is surprised that she knows. She tells him that she walked in on Taylor. He says that Taylor said a lot of things; she guesses that his talk with Taylor didn't go well. She knows that it hurts, but it was only one kiss. It was more about the hypocrisy, Ridge says. So it was more than just one kiss? Brooke asks. Ridge tells her that it was going on for years. But Taylor hasn't know Hector for years, Brooke points out. It wasn't Hector, Ridge says: it was James Warwick! Brooke is stunned. Ridge explains to her what happened at Big Bear, in the wake of the earthquake. He knows it seems impossible, but Taylor did it! Brooke recalls how she suspected something went on at Big Bear, but James denied it. Ridge thinks Taylor blocked it from his mind. Brooke says he should have been told; she can't believe tasks that a decent woman like Taylor could do this. And what did Taylor learn from it? Ridge asks. To be more tolerant? Understanding? Fair? Those don't describe how she treated Brooke, he recalls.

Ridge recalls how things were before with Brooke.

Brooke tells Ridge that she knows how important honesty is to him. He tells her that she always knew what he was about, and there were never any lies or secrets between them when they were together. Brooke thought he had that with Taylor, too. Ridge says that so did he; Taylor was perfection, he recalls. And Stephanie reinforced that image, Brooke says. She can't wait until Stephanie finds out Taylor's feet are made of clay, like the rest of them. Ridge says Stephanie already knows that. Brooke is stunned! She realizes now that Stephanie was so nervous because she knew about Taylor and James all along, and she can't believe how Stephanie attacked her so many times over the years while defending Taylor at the same time. That's what upsets Ridge most about this. Just then, Stephanie comes down the hall; hearing Ridge and Brooke, she listens from outside the door as Ridge asks recalls how he renewed his vows in front of a mother who faked a heart attack, to a woman who lied to him. How can he forgive Taylor for that? He feels like the ground under him has shifted and his life has been a mirage. Brooke reminds him that there is someone who doesn't judge him and just wants to love him: their son RJ. She encourages Ridge to spend some time with him. She says she'll finish up here and they'll meet at the house later. They hug. Brooke kisses him on the cheek. Ridge pulls away, looking fondly at Brooke as he leaves.