Monday, April 09, 2007, Episode #5034

Stephanie wants to have a word with Nick.

Storm catches Stephanie wandering around Forrester Creations and asks if she's there for a job now that Forresters Originals is floundering. "Don't you wish," Stephanie smugly replies. Storm bets even she has to admit that her new company stalled when his sister Brooke made what he thinks was the best decision of her life by not marrying Ridge. He turns to leave, running into Nick in the doorway; he warns Nick that they have a "guest" as he passes. Stephanie is glad to see Nick, since she came today to give him some advice; she hopes he doesn't repeat Ridge's huge mistake by leaving Taylor for Brooke. Nick is surprised that Stephanie wants him with Taylor, since she always wanted him with Brooke. She explains that she wants Taylor to be happy, but that won't happen with Brooke on the prowl. Nick sees her dilemma; she can't use him to get Brooke away from Ridge without causing problems for her good friend Taylor. Stephanie tells him that she doesn't want Taylor stuck in the middle, so if he plans to back away from his commitment to Taylor, she hopes he does it now before there's a baby. Nick doesn't like this try at reverse psychology, but he promises not to let Taylor down and tells Stephanie to leave. Stephanie asks why he can't see how relentless Brooke is, since she knows Brooke will pull out all the stops to seduce him. Nick promises he won't let Brooke do that. Stephanie hopes not, because Taylor's heart is on the line. She knows Brooke has her sights set on Nick, so she hopes Nick will be honest with himself about which woman he wants. "If you're going to walk away from Taylor, do it now," she cautions.

Taylor can't believe Brooke's audacity.

In Nick's office, Taylor can't believe Brooke's shameless attempt to challenge her relationship with Nick, in Nick's own office, no less. Brooke says that Nick should still be her husband. Taylor asks whose fault that is; Brooke admits it's her own fault. Taylor is glad to see Brooke doesn't seem delusional until Brooke admits she can't blame Taylor for feeling angry or threatened. She tells Brooke to accept that Nick moved on after Brooke left him for Ridge. Brooke says it's over with Ridge since he struck her son. Taylor thinks that's silly, since she and Brooke both know Ridge well enough to know he's not a violent type (although I guess she's forgetting numerous times that he was over the years). Brooke says that doesn't change how she feels. It doesn't change the way Nick feels, either, Taylor says, confident in Nick's feelings for her. Brooke doesn't think Taylor would be so defensive if she was really as confident as she says. Taylor asserts that she's not threatened by Brooke. Brooke doesn't want Taylor to feel threatened, but she does want the Doc to be aware of the reality of the situation. The reality of the situation, Taylor says, is that Brooke always thinks the grass is always greener on the other side, so Brooke acts like a little girl and grabs at someone else's toys, no matter how many toys she already has; she sees that, and she knows Nick sees it, too!

Brooke directs a sharp retort at Taylor.

Brooke admits Nick has some doubts after the mistakes she made by hurting him, but she's not going back to Ridge, and once she makes Nick see that... Taylor tells Brooke that she won't make Nick see anything, since he's moved on and is engaged, and she plans to give Nick the child Brooke wouldn't give him. Brooke points out that she gave Nick children. Stepchildren, Taylor points out; while she knows Nick loves Brooke's kids, she also knows he wants a child of his own. Brooke asks Taylor if she plans on hanging on to Nick by getting pregnant. Taylor asks if Brooke really wants to go there. Brooke says she doesn't want to argue, since she was trying to leave. Taylor points out that Brooke was trying to undermine her relationship with Nick. Brooke recalls how she made Nick happy and claims she just wants to see him that happy again. Taylor feels a sense of deja vu, since Brooke said these same things to her in trying to steal Ridge away. She wonders if Brooke is just obsessed with having her man, her house, her family and her everything! She orders Brooke to just stay the hell out of her life. Brooke asks, "Or what, Taylor? What are you going to do? Run me over with your car?"

Nick interrupts the ladies' argument.

Taylor and Brooke each vehemently try to argue their points, back and forth. Nick comes in and sees the women arguing, so he tries to break them up. Brooke says she was just waiting for him to return when Taylor came in and went off on her. Taylor argues that Brooke has no place being in this building and tells her to go home. Nick steps in and tells both ladies to calm down. He leads Brooke to the door and calmly tells her that it's time to go. Brooke says they'll discuss this another time and leaves. Nick then asks Taylor if anything is broken. Only her pride, she states, admitting that she shouldn't have let Brooke get to her. It's just that she's tired of the way Brooke will do anything to get what she wants and can't live with that anymore, especially when she and Nick are trying to plan a future and a family. Nick says he understands and promises that she doesn't have to worry, because they will keep trying to have a child, and they will have their future.

Felicia tries to reassure her big brother.

Felicia finds Ridge in his office and tells him to stop moping around. Ridge says he deserves to mope, but Felicia thinks he deserves a kick in the pants after punching out his fiancee's son. Ridge admits he wasn't thinking clearly. He laments that he was so sure things would work out with Brooke this time, but now it's all over. Felicia bets Phoebe feels awful; Ridge says he was just trying to protect Phoebe from Rick. Felicia reminds Ridge how they didn't listen to their parents either when they were Phoebe's age; she knows Phoebe usually acts responsible, like Taylor, but Phoebe also has his genes, too. Ridge admits this is his fault, not his daughter's. Felicia tells him to give Brooke some time, but Ridge fumes that Brooke ran straight home after breaking up with him in Sydney and went right from the airport to see Nick. Felicia can't believe Brooke did that, especially since Nick is engaged to Taylor. And besides, she adds, Brooke's running to Nick doesn't mean he's willing to get back with her. Ridge reminds his sister that Brooke usually gets anything she wants badly enough.

Ashley tells Bridget about her past with Rick.

In the lab, Bridget backs away from her question to Ashley about the photo, admitting that it's none of her business. She's sure Rick would tell her if he wanted her to know about his personal life, even if it included an affair. Ashley explains that she had just gotten divorced and was focusing on work when she went to Paris to discuss Rick's fragrance proposal, and one thing led to another. There were no expectations or strings attached. It just happened. Bridget points out that Ash is now in L.A. working with Rick and asks Ashley how she feels about Rick now. Their relationship is strictly professional, Ashley replies, especially since he's fallen head over heels for Phoebe. Bridget reminds her about the age difference between Rick and Phoebe, but Ashley counters that people would probably says the same thing about her and Rick if they knew. So nobody knows? Bridget asks. Ashley sees no reason anyone should know, since it's a non-issue now. Paris was wonderful while it lasted, but she and Rick have both moved on. Bridget offers to introduce Ashley to some great guys here in L.A. if she's lonely. Ash thanks her but playfully asks, "If they have such great taste in women, then why aren't any of them dating you?"

Bridget has a suggestion for Stephanie.

After she leaves the lab, Bridget stops in Ridge's office, but he's not there. Stephanie finds her leaving a note for Ridge asking how to handle the Internet photos of Rick and Phoebe in Sydney. Stephanie admits she'd like to think people would not get caught up in scandals like this, but she knows how damaging the publicity can be, so she suggests a "no comment" reply for now. Bridget agrees and asks if she should send Ridge to Stephanie's office if she sees him. Actually, Stephanie wants her son to go home after everything he's been through since breaking up with Brooke. She's astonished that Brooke's running straight from Sydney to Nick's place hasn't helped Ridge get over Brooke. Bridget admits that it's good to get angry after a break-up, but she found that it's better to just move on and try to meet someone new. "From your lips to god's ear," Stephanie agrees.