Wednesday, November 08, 2006, Episode #4932

Nick and Storm stand firm on Nick's settlement terms.

In the Forrester CEO's office, Ridge balks at the idea that his family would hand their company over to Nick. Eric agrees that it seems like a steep price, but Nick thinks it's a small price to pay given his mother's condition. Stephanie tells Nick that he's crazy. Ridge tells Nick to take his idea and take a hike. As he and Storm turn to leave, Nick tells Stephanie, "Enjoy prison." Eli (the Forresters' lawyer) reminds Nick that no laws have been broken. Stephanie asks if Nick's offer qualifies, since blackmail was illegal last she checked. Nick says this isn't blackmail, as he's making a fair offer. Ridge still refuses to even consider the offer, so Nick tells him to make sure he can handle the consequences. Eric tells Nick to wait a minute and be reasonable. Nick thinks he is being reasonable, given how his mother could barely speak simple sentences yesterday. Stephanie tells Nick that she truly feels bad about his mother. Then prove it and draw up a sales contract, Nick counters, since he'll make sure she goes to jail unless she sells him her family's piece of Forrester Creations. Eric is sorry for what happened to Jackie, but he's sure it wasn't premeditated. But the law still provides for compensation in such cases, Storm reminds Eric. Stephanie and Ridge think these threats are about more than just compensation, and Ridge doesn't even think a judge or jury would ever convict his mother for an accident. Even if Donna testifies? Nick asks. Stephanie tells Nick to forget about Donna's lies for the moment and explain just how Brooke fits into his plans.

Brooke tries to reason with Nick.

Nick thinks Brooke will be better off without Stephanie around, especially once his mother gets better and starts running Forrester. Brooke reminds Nick that she owns controlling interest in the company. Actually, Nick explains, Marone Industries purchased Taylor's 2% stake in the company (although I thought he signed that over to Brooke - the writers may have forgotten that). Since his company owns the stock, it's not community property that he and Brooke shared. He would have let her keep that 2% had she remained married to him, but now he's decided to keep it himself. Concerned, Brooke asks to speak to Nick alone. They go to Ridge's office, where she reminds him that he bought Taylor's 2% stake for her. Nick points out that he did that with the intent to fire the Forresters. Brooke reminds him that she couldn't do that, as there is no company without the Forresters. Nick disagrees. Brooke asks how he intends to run both Forrester and Marone. Nick explains that his mother will run Forrester when she's better, along with Brooke if Brooke wants. They'll hire new designers with fresh ideas. Even when Ridge is doing the best work of his career? Brooke asks. Nick reminds her that she recently made decisions that she thought were best for her future. He respected that, and he hopes she'll reciprocate now that he is doing the same thing. This is her chance to run the company she loves along with his mother, and it gives the Forresters a chance to cash out and make up for Stephanie's sins. But they'll never do it, Brooke warns. "We'll see," Nick responds.

Ridge promises Stephanie that they will fight Nick on this.

Stephanie, Ridge, Eric, and Eli remain in the CEO's office. Ridge promises Stephanie that they will fight Nick on this with everything they have. Eric tells Eli to prepare their settlement offer; the lawyer wonders if Nick would be open to any terms other than the ones he laid out, so he suggests that they let things cool down. Stephanie doesn't think there is any reasoning with someone as emotional as Nick. However, she recalls how reasonable Jackie has been in the past and thinks Jackie can rein Nick in. She suggests that she go to the hospital to talk to Jackie. Eric and Eli both fear it's not a good idea for Stephanie to be with Jackie, but Stephanie assures them that she'll be careful and leaves. Ridge turns to Eric and asks, "Why do I always worry when she says stuff like like that?"

Eli levels with Eric about what to expect.

Ridge then asks Eli what the chances of his mother going to jail are. Eli explains that the D.A. would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stephanie pushed Jackie. With an eyewitness, Eli can't say for certain whether a jury could be convinced. In addition, the negative publicity for their company could be damaging to the Forrester brand name. Ridge doesn't care about that; he only wants to keep his mother out of jail. Eli explains that aggravated assault carries a jail term, and there is a lot of pressure these days to make sure the laws are applied fairly. Eric suggests that Stephanie can be diplomatic when she wants to be, so he hopes she is apologizing to Jackie. Ridge thinks Eric is underestimating Jackie, who is out for blood, just like Nick is.

Dr. Hillman fills Bridget in about Jackie's condition.

In the hospital, Jackie is being examined by Dr. Hillman, who tells Jackie how well she's doing. Jackie complains about headaches; Hillman says that he can only increase her medication to help her cope with the pain. Bridget drops by to see Jackie and is pleased to see Jackie talking again, even though her voice is still weak. Dr. Hillman tells Bridget that he and Jackie took a short walk. "I stood up and sat down," Jackie laughs. That's a start, Bridget notes. Dr. Hillman then leaves. Jackie asks Bridget to stay a while. Bridget sits by the bedside and asks where Nick is, since he's spent almost every minute by Jackie's side since Jackie fell. Jackie tells Bridget that she didn't fall: she was pushed by Stephanie, who will pay for what she's done! Jackie tells Bridget about her and Nick's plan to buy Stephanie's piece of Forrester. Bridget thinks that sounds like blackmail. Jackie counters that Stephanie's actions were criminal, and she also blames Stephanie for breaking Brooke and Nick up. Bridget points out that her mother, Nick and even she played a part in the end of that marriage. Jackie still wants Stephanie to pay for what she did to her. Just then, Jackie suffers from a severe headache, so Bridget calls for Dr. Hillman.

Bridget frets that Jackie might be on medication for some time.

When Dr. Hillman isn't available, Bridget calls a nurse to bring Jackie more medication. Jackie frets that the medication is addictive. Bridget agrees that it is, which is why she wants Jackie to stop obsessing about Stephanie. Jackie thinks that sounds like Bridget is taking Stephanie's side. Bridget says she's not taking sides; she just wants Jackie to focus on recovering. Jackie says that Stephanie is a bad person who has to pay for what she's done. Soon after, Dr. Hillman arrives and tells Bridget that he's worried about Jackie's headaches. He fears the headaches could lead to epilepsy, or they could leave Jackie on pain killers for the rest of her life. Bridget thanks the doctor for being so candid with her. Dr. Hillman promises to keep her in the loop and leaves. Jackie frets that she might become addicted to her medication; she won't have to worry about that if she forgets about Stephanie and concentrates on getting better, Bridget advises. Stephanie arrives and asks to talk to Jackie alone. Bridget is worried, but Jackie assures her that the visit is okay. Bridget leaves and goes back to her office, where she files away some folders. Seeing one with Jackie's name on it, Bridget recalls how Jackie was briefly her mother-in-law. With "Soul Reason" playing in the background, Bridget flashes back to her and Nick's relationship and marriage. "I wish I could do that all over again," she laments as she wipes a tear.

Jackie refuses to let Stephanie bully anyone ever again.

Alone with Stephanie, Jackie tells her to forget it if she thinks all is forgiven, "I will never, ever forgive you for this," Jackie states. Stephanie asks Jackie how she's feeling; "You have no idea," Jackie retorts. Stephanie admits that they've never gotten along, but she never wanted to physically harm Jackie and is sorry that it happened. That doesn't really sound like an apology, Jackie states, since she doesn't believe that Stephanie feels bad about what happened. She's sure Stephanie is just here because of Nick's demands. Stephanie states that both Nick and Jackie must have lost their minds. "And you're going to lose your company and your freedom," Jackie replies. For an accident? Stephanie asks. Jackie points out that Donna saw it, but Stephanie doesn't care what Donna thinks she saw. She only cares about her family, just as Jackie loves hers. She realizes Jackie is angry and in pain now, but she's sure Jackie will get better in time. She's sure a jury will see that, and they'll see that nothing is wrong with Jackie. Jackie can't believe that Stephanie is so caught up in herself that she can't see how transparent she is. "You are a bully," Jackie declares, stating how bullies are tough until they have to pay the piper for what they did. When that happens, the bully tries to worm his or her way out of it, but Jackie won't let that happen this time. "I'm not going to let you bully anyone ever again," she warns.