Tuesday, November 21, 2006, Episode #4941

Jackie asks Nick if he has heard from the Forresters.

Nick comes home and finds his mother doing therapy with her nurse, Florence. As Jackie tries to stand up, she experiences some horrible head pains. Nick asks Florence for his mother's pills, but the nurse tells him that Jackie has another hour before she can take more medication. Nick argues that his mother is in pain; Florence tells him to speak to Jackie's doctor if he has a concern about the prescribed dosages. Jackie says to forget it, so Florence says they'll resume the therapy later. As the nurse leaves, Jackie asks Nick to stay with her and take her mind off the pain. She asks if he got an answer from the Forresters. Nick responds that he has a meeting with them this afternoon, after which either he'll own Forrester Creations, or Stephanie will be preparing to go to jail.

Nick and Storm stand firm on Nick's terms.

Nick goes to his office and finds Brooke waiting. She asks how Jackie is. He answers that his mother is home and is improving, but she'd progress faster with a little incentive. Like control of a premier fashion house? Brooke asks. Nick tells her that he's meeting with the Forresters today, and he'll either leave there with half the company or with Stephanie's head on a plate. Brooke asks why he makes it sound so ugly. Because what Stephanie did to her and his mother was ugly, he replies, and Stephanie needs to be held accountable. He asks Brooke if she's decided to run Forrester with him and his mother. Brooke says that she can't; she loves the company, but there is no company without the Forresters. She won't punish the whole family in what's purely an act of revenge against Stephanie. Nick again insists that Stephanie be held accountable. Brooke argues that this is about them, not about Stephanie. She knows he thinks he's protecting her, but she doesn't need protecting, and she doesn't even recognize the vengeful person he's become. She pleads for him not to do this. Storm arrives to accompany Nick to his meeting at Forrester; Brooke asks her brother how he can encourage Nick to do this. Storm tells her that Nick and Jackie have a legit grievance, but Brooke doesn't think it's fair for the whole family to suffer. Storm argues that what Stephanie did to their family and to Jackie wasn't fair, either, so maybe this is karma. So what comes around goes around? asks. And today, Nick states, everything comes around for the Forresters.

Stephanie asks Jackie to rein Nick in.

Stephanie drops by the Marone Mansion looking for Nick and finds Jackie resting. Jackie tells La Forrester to leave Nick alone. Stephanie says she'll be glad to once Nick stops blackmailing her family. Jackie thinks Stephanie should be grateful Nick is offering a fair price for the company. Stephanie insists that the company isn't for sale. Jackie wonders if Stephanie's kids might be glad to be free of their mother by seeing her in jail and declares that it's payback time. Stephanie says that her family will never give in to blackmail. "Don't you dare paint yourself as the victim," Jackie seethes, pointing out how she can barely walk across a room, and how she needs pills to cope with the pain. She fumes that Stephanie is only losing her company, but she almost lost her life. Forrester is her family's life, Stephanie argues, and she's willing to take her chances with a jury to keep it. Jackie can't believe Stephanie is so obsessed with being right that she won't own up to her actions. Stephanie recalls how Jackie came to her house that day uninvited and refused to leave. And now Stephanie is doing the same thing, Jackie counters; does that mean she can drag Stephanie upstairs and throw her down? Stephanie points out that Jackie followed her upstairs. She begs Jackie to rein Nick in before this vendetta ends badly for them all. Jackie thinks Stephanie is the one who needs to be reined in. She used to wonder why a woman with so much was so hostile, but she doesn't care anymore. All she wants is to own Stephanie's company or to see Stephanie behind bars.

Eric gathers his children for a difficult decision.

Eric meets with all his children, including Rick and Kristen, in the Forrester CEO's office. Felicia tells Bridget that she was sorry to hear that Bridget lost the baby, as she thought they and Dante could make things work. Rick and Kristen question Thorne and Ridge about Taylor's trial, and about that Shane character who disappeared before he testified. It's all over now, Ridge sighs with relief, thanks to Thorne. Thorne says that he loved Taylor too much to let her go to jail; in fact, he asked her to marry him! Everyone's thrilled by that news and they all congratulate Thorne. After that bit of good news, Eric gets to the reason he called them here today. He presents them with sales agreements that contain two separate assessments of the value of the company. If they sign these papers, they agree to sell their stock in Forrester to Marone Industries, to resign from the company and to refrain from competing with Forrester for ten years. Rick can't believe Nick wants to buy them out and asks if his mom knows about this. Eric explains that Brooke tried to talk sense into Nick, but Nick wants all Forresters out of the company. He's lost his mind, Rick fumes. It's extortion, Ridge frets. But if they don't agree, Eric explains, Nick will press assault charges against Stephanie. He fears that Stephanie's temper got the better of her, and after talking with his lawyers, he fears that the only way to protect Stephanie is to accept Nick's offer.

Felicia and Kristen question the terms of Nick's offer.

Felicia asks Eric why Stephanie isn't here. Eric explains that Stephanie would not want them to even consider this decision, which is probably the most difficult one they've ever made. Trying to understand, Rick asks how this ties in to Jackie's accident. Eric, Ridge, Thorne and Bridget explain how Stephanie and Jackie got into argument that ended with Stephanie pushing Jackie over the railing. It wasn't malicious, Ridge insists. But Donna says otherwise, Felicia and Donna point out. And it will go to trial unless they meet Nick's demands, Eric explains - and if that happens, once Stephanie's temper goes on trial, there's a chance she could be convicted. Kristen doesn't want her mother to go to jail. But it means giving up everything, the others point out. Eric points out that he's lost Forrester before, but Ridge argues that he's never been booted out of the company. This means giving up all their resources and their name, everyone agrees, and they can't start a new company for years with the non-compete clause. Ridge and Felicia ask what they're supposed to do. Kristen wonders if this would keep her from designing with Tony, as she's been doing in Florida. Rick thinks the whole idea is crazy. Bridget offers to talk to Nick, guessing he's just upset about his mother. This has nothing to do with Jackie, Ridge states, or even with Stephanie. It has to do with Nick trying to lure Brooke back to him, like some pimply-faced kid stealing a little gold bracelet for his girlfriend. That's why he refuses to sign this crap and sell to Nick!

Rick and Bridget want to know why Nick is punishing their father.

Nick, Storm and Brooke arrive. Having overheard, Nick guesses this will be a short meeting, so maybe he should meet the D.A. for lunch. Eric says tells Nick they were discussing his offer, but Nick says the time for discussion is over. He wants an answer. Either everyone signs their stock over and resigns, or the deal is off. Ridge accuses Nick of putting a gun to their heads, but Nick thinks Stephanie did that. Rick, Bridget and Felicia ask Nick why he is punishing Eric and the rest of the family when none of them did anything to Jackie. Brooke urges him to listen, but Nick's only response is that they'll be well paid. Now he wants their answer. Rick asks his uncle Storm how he can be part of them. Storm tells him that Nick and Jackie have a right to ask for damages. But that doesn't give him the right to steal their company, Thorne argues.

Ridge tells Nick where to go with his offer.

Nick is tired of the debates. He wants an answer. Ridge gets up from his chair, walks over to Nick and tells him, "Go to hell." Nick asks if everyone agrees with that sentiment; if they do, he reminds them, Stephanie is going to jail. Felicia reminds him that her mother might not be convicted. Nick is willing to take that chance and asks if they're willing to do the same. They have no choice, Eric states; they have to do this for Stephanie.