Tuesday, November 07, 2006, Episode #4931

Harry warns Taylor about Shane's intentions toward Phoebe.

Harry visits Taylor in jail; he doesn't want to intrude, but he thought she'd want to know what's going on with Phoebe. Taylor asks if there's a problem with her daughter. The problem, Harry replies, is Shane McGrath; he thinks Shane is bad news, and even though Phoebe says she can handle Shane, Harry fears that she can't. Taylor admits that she's always been wary of Shane and the way he entered their lives. Harry frets that Shane knows how valuable he is to Taylor's defense and is using that to get to Phoebe. Taylor is disturbed by Shane's romantic interest in Phoebe, but Harry assures her that the feeling isn't mutual. The problem is that Phoebe doesn't want to alienate Shane and scare him off before the trial, so she won't tell Shane to take a hike. Taylor frets that her daughter is afraid of blowing her defense. Harry assures her that Phoebe has handled herself with Shane so far, but he he fears that Phoebe is getting in over her head. He knows that Phoebe's dad and Hector are both in the house, but they can't be there 24/7. He just hopes Phoebe can hold up until after Shane testifies at Taylor's trial. Taylor offers to forget about Shane's testimony if her daughter is in trouble, but Harry promises to protect Phoebe. Taylor asks him to promise to tell her if anything is wrong. Harry vows that he will; "McGrath won't pull anything while I'm around," he assures Taylor.

Shane feels put off by Phoebe.

A shirtless Shane finds Phoebe by the pool doing homework. He tells her that he's been looking for her to confirm their dinner date tomorrow night. Phoebe responds that she might have plans. Shane tells her that her answer sounds like a brush off and alludes that she wouldn't want to do that, especially with her mom's trial date having been moved up. Phoebe feels uncomfortable by his suggestion, but she tells him that no one is brushing him off. Shane is glad to hear that. Phoebe "accidentally" drops her book to get away from Shane, who sees the book fall and reaches to pick it up. As he gets up, Shane pretends that he hurt his back and puts Phoebe's hand on his back to massage it. Phoebe starts to rub it, but when Shane enjoys the way her "magic touch" feels, she stops and says that she has to get back to her homework. Claiming that he was the captain of his high school wrestling team, Shane jumps on top of Phoebe and pins her down. Phoebe cries out to Shane that he's hurting her and tells him to stop!

Phoebe tries to be honest with Shane.

Shane apologizes to Phoebe. He tells her that he didn't mean to hurt her. Obviously his back isn't hurt, Phoebe retorts. He just liked the way her touch felt, Shane tells her. Phoebe doesn't want him to take this the wrong way, but she doesn't want that. Shane asks if he's ever told her how good she smells. Phoebe tells him to either control himself or leave. Leave, as in leave L.A. before her mom's trial? Shane asks. Leave, as in go inside, Phoebe replies. She knows he's a decent guy who will protect her mom with his testimony. Shane says that he's attracted to her beauty and innocence and asks her to let him show her what a real adult relationship is like. Phoebe reminds him that she's still a teenager, so she's not looking for that kind of relationship. When she sleeps with a guy, she explains, she'll be in love with him. Shane suggests that she might fall in love with him if she gives him a chance; he even feels like they may have already connected at that level on the night they first met. Phoebe asks him to please stop, so Shane relents. He assures her that he doesn't want to pressure her. If she only wants to hang out as friends, he's OK with that, as long as she goes out to dinner with him tomorrow night. He's made all these special plans and wants to have a little fun before the trial. Dinner is fine, Phoebe replies. Pleased, Shane leaves her to finish her homework. Alone, Phoebe tells herself that she only has to play along until the trial. After that, it's over, even if he is kind of... Phoebe stops and says that she just can't go there.

Jackie has an idea how to hurt Stephanie.

In the hospital, Nick helps an unsteady Jackie take a few steps away from her bed. When Jackie says she feels dizzy, Nick helps her back to the bed. Dr. Hillman tells Nick that he's pleased with Jackie's progress in walking and speaking, but she still has a way to go. The doctor warns Nick that Jackie's chronic headaches and dizziness might stay with her. As Nick puts Jackie back in bed, she sees that he's not wearing his wedding ring. He tells her that Brooke ended their marriage. She frets that Stephanie has won, but Nick tells her not to worry about him. He's more worried about her, and what Stephanie did to her. "She's going to fall, mother, he whispers. "She's just not gonna fall quite the same way you did." Storm drops by and asks Nick if this is a bad time. Calling Storm by his first name (Stephen), Nick suggests that later might be better. "Just let me know when you've made any decisions," Storm replies. "Decisions?" Jackie asks. Nick introduces his mother to Brooke's brother, who's a lawyer. Storm tells Jackie that he's heard all about her from his sisters and Nick, so he's pleased to meet her, although he wishes it was under better circumstances. He tells Nick that Donna's prepared to go to the D.A. if Nick wants to pursue criminal charges, and he's also prepared to file a civil suit if Nick wants. Nick says that he wants to do whatever will hurt Stephanie most. Jackie responds by muttering, "Get -- the company. Get Forrester Creations."

Nick gets his mother's meaning; after all, Stephanie and her Ken doll son value that company more than anything, and Stephanie only accepted Brooke to get the company back. Storm asks Nick if he's sure about that last part. Nick assures her that Stephanie still hates Brooke and only accepted her to get control of the company back. If they take Forrester, Jackie slowly chimes, they can use it to get Brooke away from that family forever.

Ridge is pleased to see Brooke back at work.

In the Forrester CEO's office, Ridge is pleased to see Brooke back at work, especially after what happened last night. Brooke suggests that Nick had good reason to get so excited last night. Ridge doesn't want to talk about Nick right now and asks Brooke to talk about their relationship. He feels like they've come full circle with her coming back here. She reminds him of his promise not to pressure her. Ridge says that he didn't mean to pressure her; he just wants her to know how glad he is to have her where she belongs. Stephanie and Eric come in, and Stephanie is glad to see Brooke and Ridge working together; she's sure they'll be working their magic again in no time, despite Brooke's lunatic husband's actions. Brooke comments that Stephanie just couldn't resist getting a dig in; Stephanie reminds her that Nick was the one who broke into her home and attacked her. Ridge comments that Nick is a hothead and suggests that they let him cool down. Brooke doesn't know if that will be possible, since Nick has turned to her brother for legal advice. She warns Stephanie that she might be facing criminal charges and/or a civil suit. Stephanie thinks that's preposterous, since it was an accident. Nevertheless, Eric chimes in, they have to contain this, so he's asked lawyer Eli Donovan to stop by, before this gets out of hand. Brooke tells them that seeing his mother in pain has torn Nick up inside. The thought that his mother might not fully recover has gotten to him, so she warns Stephanie that Nick will not give up on this.

Eric and Stephanie talk with their lawyer.

When Eli arrives, Stephanie gives him her side of the story. So she's claiming it was self-defense? Eli asks. The only thing she's claiming, she clarifies, is that she intended no malice and didn't intend for Jackie to go over that railing. Eli wonders if a judge will believe that, especially if Donna testifies. Eric tells Eli that they can't let it get that far. He recognizes that Jackie was hurt in their home and is prepared to offer a generous settlement. Stephanie asks Eric why he's giving in without a fight; he says he's trying to protect her, but she suggests that he might still have feelings for that English... Eli interrupts and says that he can have settlement papers drawn up by day's end, and he informs Stephanie that she can press charges against Nick if she wants. "I'd like to see her try," Nick says as he and Storm enter. Stephanie asks if he came to finish what he started last night; he replies that he won't stoop to her level and has another way to get justice from her for what he's done. Eric suggests they sit down and talk about a settlement offer, but Nick is offended that Eric would just treat this like a business negotiation that they can brush off by throwing money around. Eli tries to intervene, but Nick tells the "ambulance chaser" to keep quiet. Ridge isn't surprised at Nick's angry tone, since Brooke warned them that Nick was pursuing legal action. Which is why they have yet another Logan here, Stephanie fumes. Brooke says her earlier comment was less of a warning and more of an attempt to stop people from getting hurt. She thinks focusing on Jackie is what's most important right now.

Nick and Storm present Nick's conditions.

Nick comments to Brooke that she's in the middle again and asks if she likes it that way. Ridge tries to defend Brooke, but Eric steps in to get them back on track. He wants to talk about what they can do to make amends to Jackie, and he repeats that he's prepared to be generous. Money won't make this go away, Nick says. And what will? Ridge asks. "I want Forrester Creations," Nick states. Ridge, Eric and Brooke are stunned, and Stephanie accuses Nick of being delusional. Nick assures her that he's not. He will drag the Forrester name through the mud in the criminal and civil courts if necessary, and he's offering Stephanie two choices to avoid that. "Give me Forrester Creations or go to jail. What's it gonna be?" He asks.