Monday, September 25, 2006, Episode #4900

Phoebe doesn't want to believe Hector's accusations about Shane.

By the pool at the Bel Air mansion, Hector urges a skeptical Phoebe to look at the fax he has and see how dangerous Shane is. Before Phoebe can take the document, Shane comes over and grabs the fax from Hector's hand. Shane tells the "blind private eye" that Phoebe only has to ask if she wanted to know about this. He then explains that he was indeed arrested for theft when he first came to L.A.: he couldn't find a job and was hungry, and he stole a sandwich. Hector responds by asking Shane about his missed court appearance; Shane explains that he arrived at court at 9 AM and waited to be called, but he had to leave at 1 PM to go on a job interview. Hector then asks about the restraining order in Atlanta. Shane explains that he worked as a security guard at a bank, where he knew all the security codes and delivery schedules. It was therefore standard procedure to take out an order when he left, to keep him from coming near the bank's premises. Annoyed at being given the third degree, Shane turns and leaves. Hector tells Phoebe that Shane's explanation might not be true. Phoebe asks the former fireman if he ever admits being wrong and storms off.

Shane considers his angles.

Phoebe goes up to Shane's room and asks why he came by the pool. Seeing Shane move his arm around, she asks if he needs his bandage changed; what he needs, he says, is a place where he can live with people he trusts. Phoebe apologizes for the grilling he just got from Hector, who should be embarrassed about how he acted. Shane asks Phoebe if her opinion of him has changed. She says that it hasn't; even though she never went hungry growing up in a house like this, she's made her share of mistakes that she kept from her mother. As for breaking the law, she thinks Hector shouldn't be criticizing him about that, either. Shane decides to take Phoebe up on her offer to change his bandage after all. As she checks out his hand to remove it, he thinks to himself about how innocent and virginal Phoebe is. He wonders if he should still blackmail Taylor for a million dollars, or if he should find some other angle. Thinking it over, he then admits to Phoebe that he paid for the sandwich he stole as soon as he got his first paycheck. But even so, he still missed his court appearance without explaining, so he wonders if it's safe to stay here with a possible warrant out for his arrest. Just let them try coming here to get him, Phoebe warns. She knows he's no criminal. Moved by the vote of confidence, Shane explains why he came down to the pool: he wanted to ask Phoebe to dinner. He wants to give her and her mom his last paycheck from Jorge, but he knows they won't take it, so a dinner date is the least he can do. Phoebe accepts, although she jokes that she'll have to cut his meat for him. Shane laughs and responds, "Oh, no, no knives for you, Mrs. Scissorhands."

Outside the door, Hector walks by and overhears as Phoebe joking and laughing with Shane. He takes out his cell phone and makes a call; he tells the person on the other end, "That rap sheet wasn't enough. You've got to help me check out this guy's story, and you've got to do it quick."

At Brooke's house, Bridget tries to explain to her mother why she can't go to Africa. She admits that her explanations about going to help people there are just "sanctimonious crap" that has nothing to do with her true motives. She thus feels like she's disgraced herself before everyone, especially Brooke. Brooke tells her that there's no disgrace in changing her mind; in fact, she's relieved by Bridget's decision to stay, and she's sure Nick will be, too. Right on cue, Nick walks in and asks what's going on. Brooke explains that Bridget has decided not to go to Africa after all. Bridget tries to say that it's not about changing her mind, but about something that's happened that affects all three of them. Brooke is sure they can work it out, whatever it is. Before Bridget can say anything more, Nick interrupts with a surprise for Brooke. He takes a bouquet out from behind his back and tells Brooke that he's arranged for them to renew their vows. He leads Brooke out onto the balcony and shows her a candlelit garden where Reverend Mulcahey is waiting. With everything going on lately, he thought taking their vows again would be a good idea, this time in front of a minister before God. Brooke is touched by the romantic gesture and says she'd love to do this.

Brooke and Nick renew their vows.

Nick takes Brooke down to the garden. They explain about the turmoils during their first wedding to Reverend Mulcahey, who recalls seeing the semi-nude Brooke's Bedroom ads in the paper. Brooke says that she was the source of most of the turmoil, but Nick chimes in that they both need a fresh start. That's why he hopes the Reverend has something appropriate for a couple who's only been married 10 weeks, as opposed to 40 or 50 years. The minister says he'll think of something.

Bridget tells Felicia that she has to find the right time to reveal her news.

Meanwhile, up on the balcony, Bridget is looking down on the candlelit garden as Felicia arrives. Felicia says the door was wide open - although she doesn't explain why she came to Brooke's house in the first place - and asks Bridget what's going on. Bridget points out Brooke and Nick, preparing to renew their vows. Felicia guesses that Bridget didn't tell them yet. Bridget says that her mom saw how unhappy she was and responded by telling her how wonderful she is. She thinks about Brooke down there, about to renew her vows, completely unaware of what's going on. Felicia suggests that Bridget might not have to tell Brooke; after all, Bridget might not even carry the baby to term. Bridget asks if she needed to hear that. Felicia tells her sister to be honest with herself about why she came here today, prepared to tell the truth; if it was because Bridget thought she had a chance with Nick, she suggests Bridget act now. Bridget says that she's not angling for Nick; all she wants is to tell her mother the truth, but she has to find the right time to do it.

Brooke offers her vows to Nick...

Down in the garden, the minister asks Brooke and Nick to renew the vows they took previously, and to recommit themselves to their love before God. Brooke begins: "I'll never forget how close I came to losing you. It was like, falling through the dark with nothing to hold onto. With your love, it makes me feel so safe. So strong. And I felt so lost when I thought I had destroyed that. I love you. And I promise -- I promise never to take your love for granted. Ever again."

...and Nick does the same.

Nick then takes his turn and says, ""I've failed you. And there's no other way to say it." Brooke tries to stop him, but he asks her not to argue or disagree. He continues, "I know I failed you. You know, loving you is the easy part that I don't think I can ever stop if I tried. But I failed you, and I fell in love without limits. So, no more uncrossed lines in the sand. No more old-fashioned, you love me my way or I'm leaving. That's over. That's what led to my failing you. So, before heaven, and you, and this man, I promise you I'll never let that happen again." With that, the Reverend concludes the ceremony and tells Nick that he may kiss the bride - which Nick eagerly does. Up on the balcony, Bridget looks down and watches, torn over what she has to do.

After the Reverend leaves, Nick thanks Brooke for doing this for him. She laughs that he's stuck with her forever now. She thanks him for the beautiful ceremony, even though they were already married. Nick suggests that they forget that first wedding, but Brooke says she loved that day. In fact, she wants to get married every year. Nick jokes, "Isn't that sort of standard operating procedure for you?" Brooke replies, smiling, "I meant with you, silly." Nick asks if that means a honeymoon every year; of course, Brooke replies, telling him that she'll be waiting for him up in the bedroom. Soon after, Nick comes into the house and is about to go upstairs when he see that Bridget is still there. She guesses he didn't think she'd want to watch him renew his vows to her mom, especially since she thought not too long ago that she'd be the one renewing her own vows with him. She asks how it went. Nick tells her that today was very important to him: Brooke doesn't know why, but Bridget does, and he realizes that Bridget was right when she said they could never tell Brooke the truth. He let Brooke down, but he will never do that again. So everything's perfect for him now, Bridget states. Nick asks what she means by that. Bridget tells him to congratulate her mom and turns to leave.