Monday, April 16, 2007, Episode #5039

Taylor is disappointed that she's not pregnant.

At Taylor's house, she and Nick anxiously check the pregnancy test for the results. Nick isn't sure how to read it, so Taylor checks to see if it's blue and is disappointed to see that it isn't, which means that the test is negative. She isn't pregnant. Taylor starts to cry, although she's not sure why she's so upset. She's upset because she's disappointed, Nick states, just like he is. But this doesn't mean that they're done, he points out, since they can still keep trying. Nick tells her not to be sad, but Taylor can't help it, since she was so hoping that this first test would show that she was pregnant with his child. And she will be pregnant with their child, Nick assures her. He promises that things are still good between them, even though her stomach is tied in knots now, because the disappointment is just part of the whole experience they'll share on the way to having their child.

Brooke urges Stephanie to call Taylor.

At Brooke's house, Stephanie balks at Brooke's request to call Taylor and find out if she's pregnant. Brooke is sure Taylor will tell her friend Stephanie, but Stephanie tells Brooke to call herself if she wants to know. Brooke has an even better idea and decides to go see Nick and Taylor herself; Stephanie tells her not to even think about that! Brooke tells Stephanie to give her a reason not to go. Stephanie counters by asking Brooke to give her an incentive to call; she agrees to call Taylor if Brooke gives her word that she'll back away from Nick. Brooke agrees to back off only if Taylor is pregnant, so Stephanie makes the call.

Stephanie again tells Brooke to back away.

When Taylor answers and learns that it's her former mother in law on the line, she gets annoyed and upset and says that she doesn't want to talk right now. Stephanie asks Taylor if she took the test. Nick grabs the phone and tells Stephanie that Taylor doesn't want to talk before hanging up. As Stephanie hangs up, Brooke asks what Taylor said. When Stephanie replies that Taylor didn't say, Brooke takes that to mean that Taylor is pregnant. Brooke is relieved, since that means Nick is free to have the life he always wanted with her, Hope and R.J. Stephanie tells Brooke not to jump to conclusions; Taylor might have been upset from bad shrimp, she suggests. And that bad shrimp will give Nick a chance to think, Brooke states. Stephanie thinks Nick will back away from Brooke if he's thinking at all, but Brooke is confident that she is still in Nick's heart. Brooke leaves, leaving Stephanie rolling her eyes at Brooke's ago.

Nick tells Taylor that he doesn't need an "out."

Nick assumes that Stephanie asked Taylor about the test and fumes, because this is personal, between him and Taylor. Taylor points out that everyone will know soon enough, but Nick says they dealt with this already. Taylor thanks him for the wonderful reassuring things he said before Stephanie called, because she knows he would honor his commitment to her, even if she's not pregnant, and even if he still has feelings for Brooke. But she's not pregnant, which is why she's giving him an out. She wants him to think about what's in his heart and see if he has any feelings for Brooke. Nick insists that he loves her and wants to have a child with her, but she points out that they're NOT having a child yet, so he still has options. He's been honest that he still has some feelings for Brooke, so she thinks they should be realistic. They started talking about having this child when Brooke and Ridge were still engaged to be be married, but that isn't happening, and now Brooke wants him back. Nick insists that he doesn't want Brooke, who walked out of his life when they chose to divorce. But that was Brooke's choice, Taylor points out, not his, so she wants him to choose now. Nick responds by taking out his Blackberry and showing Taylor a date. She asks what this is. "It's our wedding date. Does that work for you?" Nick asks, explaining that he left her time to plan and have her family there. An overjoyed Taylor says it's wonderful and tells him she loves him. Nick says he loves her, too, which is why he doesn't want to hear any more talk about "outs." "I'm in this for good," he assures her.

Shane tries to talk to Phoebe.

Phoebe is having coffee at Insomnia when Shane approaches her. Phoebe is upset seeing that he followed her, but Shane insists that he just wants to talk. He explains that his life has taken a downturn lately, but he remembers how he was able to turn his life around with her support before and needs that support again. Phoebe doesn't see what she can do. For one thing, Shane responds, she can believe in him, and she can be there for him like she used to. Phoebe says that she does believe in him, but she can't be there for him that way. Shane asks for just one favor; he explains that he needs to land a major account for his job at the recycling center, so he wants her to talk to her family. Phoebe points out that her family is probably still upset at how he bailed on her mom's trial. Shane admits that he blew it when he did that, but now his life is slipping away, and he needs Phoebe's help to turn it around. He asks Phoebe to remember the fun they used to have. Just then, Ridge comes in for coffee and fumes as he sees McGrath with his daughter. He goes over to the table and asks Shane what's going on here. Shane says he was just trying to finish a talk with Phoebe he started at her house. Ridge is livid that Shane was at Taylor's house, and he's angrier when Shane admits that he followed Phoebe here to finish the talk.

Phoebe and Ridge ask Shane to leave.

Ridge fumes at the thought that Shane is stalking Phoebe. Shane insists that he just wanted to talk to her. Phoebe explains that Shane wanted her help landing accounts for work. Ridge asks Shane if his interest in Phoebe is purely professional. Not exactly, Shane answers, explaining that he cares deeply for Phoebe and always has, but that clown Nick doesn't know their history. Ridge asks how Nick is involved; Phoebe tells her dad that Nick threw Shane out of the house. Shane says he left to avoid a scene, but he was angry at the way Nick treated him like some nobody. He is somebody, he asserts, and he matters, just like he used to matter to Phoebe. He asks Phoebe if that guy Rick will be there for her the way he would, pointing out that he was there for Phoebe at the worst moment in her life. Ridge tells Shane that Phoebe has put that behind her, which is why he's suggesting that Shane leave. Shane says he just wants one more chance with Phoebe, but Phoebe asks him to leave, too. Shane is upset, but he leaves. Ridge asks Phoebe if she's OK. She assures him that she's fine, but she wonders if Shane is really gone. Ridge offers to stay for a while to be sure, but Phoebe says it's OK, since she's on her way to the Marlin to spend the night. Ridge isn't too keen on her spending the night alone on a boat, but Phoebe explains that she doesn't want to disturb Nick and Taylor, who are having dinner. She promises her dad she'll be fine.