Thursday, October 12, 2006, Episode #4913

Nick worries that Stephanie and Ridge won't leave Brooke alone.

Nick returns to the Shady Marlin and tells Jackie that he saw Brooke, but she wouldn't listen to him. Jackie is sorry for Nick, who is glad that Brooke wouldn't listen to Stephanie, either. Jackie's not surprised Stephanie was there, but she is surprised when Nick tells her that Stephanie had divorce papers drawn up for Brooke. Fortunately, Nick explains, Brooke threw them both out so she could have some time alone. Jackie doesn't think Stephanie will give up so easily, but Nick intends to make sure that both Stephanie and Ridge leave Brooke alone.

Ridge tells Nick that he blew it with Brooke.

Nick then goes to Forrester, where Ridge works with some models. When Ridge says that one of the designs doesn't grab him, Nick quips, "I thought you were the one that does all the grabbing around here, Forrester." Ridge dismisses the models and asks Nick what he wants. Nick has a little advice for Ridge: he warns Ridge to give Brooke some space, and not to send "Mommy" over to do his dirty work. Ridge wonders how much space Nick is giving Brooke if Nick knows that his mother was there. Nick retorts that he's looking after his wife, but Ridge thinks Nick is looking after himself - although he can't really blame Nick after Nick slept with Brooke's daughter. Nick points out that Bridget explained all that. Ridge asks why Brooke would believe that explanation. Because nothing means more to Brooke than her children, Nick responds, confident that Brooke trusts Bridget. Ridge replies, "She used to trust you, but you blew it, Nick." He thinks that Nick has nothing going for him now that his "white knight image" is tarnished. "Is this where you fill me in about your history with Brooke?" Nick asks. No, Ridge replies, because he and Brooke share more than just history. They share a child - and like Nick just said, nothing means more to Brooke than her kids.

Brooke can't believe Stephanie had divorce papers drawn up.

In the Forrester CEO's office, Brooke points out that she asked Stephanie to leave. Stephanie notes how Brooke chose safety over love, but got neither. Brooke comments that Stephanie wants her to choose Ridge, after years of trying to keep them apart. Stephanie admits they both made mistakes, but this is Brooke's chance to fix them, by signing the divorce papers and then becoming Mrs. Ridge Forrester again. Brooke can't believe Stephanie had divorce papers drawn up, but she then reconsiders when she recalls how Stephanie once brought her a gun and told her to shoot herself. "I'm just trying to make your life easier," Stephanie says, but Brooke replies that she's not. Stephanie thinks she can, and will, if Brooke will only listen. Brooke says that this is her decision, but Stephanie reminds her that RJ has a stake in that decision, too. She thinks Ridge and RJ need each other, and that Ridge is lost without Brooke. She then points out what a great team Brooke and Ridge made and promises to support them 100% if Brooke will only go back to Ridge.

Jackie interrupts Brooke and Stephanie's little chat.

Jackie comes in and overhears Stephanie's comment; applauding, she says that she would ask Stephanie for an encore, but she'd heard it all before. Stephanie says this is a private conversation. Jackie tells Brooke that she'll just be disappointed and hurt again if she takes Stephanie's advice and goes back to Ridge. Stephanie responds that if Jackie wants to talk about disappointments, Nick has been the biggest of all. Jackie agrees that Nick made an "egregious mistake," but Stephanie asks if Nick sleeping with his step-daughter was "just a mistake." Brooke interjects and thanks both women for their concern. Jackie admits that she IS concerned, because Stephanie only makes promises to Brooke when she wants something. Stephanie retorts that Nick is the one who wants something, from Bridget. Brooke tells them again to stop. Stephanie apologizes for the low blow, but she has to tell Jackie that she always thought of Nick as an honest man; that's why she finds his betrayal so shocking. Jackie thinks Brooke has a right to feel hurt, but she will not let Brooke be manipulated by Stephanie. She urges Brooke not to throw her marriage away. Stephanie claims that Nick threw it away. Jackie reminds Brooke how much her kids adore Nick, and that Brooke and Nick recently renewed their vows. Which Nick did when he was unfaithful, Stephanie remarks. Brooke has had enough of both of the women: she tells them to keep fighting if they want, but she doesn't want to hear it! She then asks them to see themselves out, while she goes upstairs to decide what she's going to do.

Stephanie argues with Jacqueline.

Stephanie asks Jackie if she's satisfied. Jackie says that she's actually relieved, since Stephanie bringing over divorce papers proved how manipulating the Forrester matriarch is. Stephanie asks Jackie if she really thinks Brooke will stay with Nick. Jackie points out that Brooke has forgiven Ridge many times, but Stephanie points out that Ridge never slept with his step-daughter, who is also his ex-wife. She asks Jackie if it's OK for Nick to sleep with his wife's daughter. No, Jackie answers. Stephanie argues that Ridge needs Brooke but Nick doesn't; she thinks the reason Nick is so insecure is that he sees that Brooke will eventually wind up with Ridge. "Then why are you here shoving divorce papers in Brooke's face?" Jackie asks. Before Stephanie can answer, her cell phone rings. Jackie guesses it's Ridge, checking to see if mommy completed her mission, but Stephanie answers and finds that it's Phoebe. Phoebe begs Stephanie to come over quickly; it's about her mom, Phoebe states, so Stephanie says she'll be right over. Jackie thinks it's a shame that Stephanie has to leave. Stephanie says that she just wants her son happy, and the way to make that happen is for Brooke to end her marriage. She thinks that's bound to happen.

Back at Taylor's, Phoebe prays for Thorne to understand that it was an accident, and for him to see that Taylor would ever hurt anyone - especially not Darla.

Taylor can't accept Thorne's ring.

Up at Big Bear, Thorne tells Taylor that he has no doubt that he wants a relationship with her. He hopes she feels the same way. She says she does, which is why this is killing her. She doesn't think he can ever forgive her for what she's about to tell him about Darla, since he doesn't know the pain she's caused. Thorne doesn't think it can compare to the good she's done for him and Ally, which is why he wants her to have a special gift. He opens the jewelry box he had delivered in the last show and opens it; when Taylor sees an engagement ring inside, she's stunned! She thinks it's kind of sudden, but Thorne is sure this is what he wants, and he hopes she wants it, too. He tells her that she has made him smile again, which is why he hopes she will want to be part of a family with him and Ally. Taylor says that she can't accept this. Thorne assures her that he loves and appreciates her, but Taylor says that she can't accept this ring until Thorne hears what she has to say about the night of the accident.

Thorne is confused about what Taylor is trying to say.

Thorne doesn't want to talk about that night, but Taylor says they have to. Thorne can't understand why Taylor is suddenly feeling guilty. She says that she feels that way because Darla would still be there if it was not for her actions. Thorne tells her not to say that, but she says it's true. She reminds him how she rushed out when she thought Phoebe was in trouble, even though she had been drinking. Thorne admits she should not have been driving, but he reminds her that she has dealt with her drinking. And even if she had been drinking that night, Darla would still have been there with Phoebe on the side of PCH. Taylor says that she's the one who should not have been there. Thorne thinks Darla was lucky Taylor was there, but Taylor insists he has to know what really happened. Thorne says he already knows. Taylor frantically says he doesn't. Thorne tells her to calm down, but she says that she needs to say something before she loses her nerve. After Phoebe called her for help that night, she panicked. On top of that, it was dark and foggy, so when she came around the curve, she didn't see... and then it was too late. She couldn't stop it.