Tuesday, February 20, 2007, Episode #5002

Stephanie has a frank chat with her sister.

Pam arrives at the Forrester Mansion after a long afternoon with her mother checking out condos. Stephanie hears Pam come in and asks if her mom settled on a place yet. Not yet, Pam replies, although she thinks Ann liked one of the places they saw today. Changing gears, Stephanie gently states that she's noticed how close Pam has gotten to Eric over the last few months. She knows that her sister and her husband would never cross the line, and she also knows how fond Eric is of Pam, but she thinks Pam might be playing on Eric's sympathies. A confused Pam insists that it was all Eric's idea to move her and Ann to L.A. Stephanie says that she could understand why Pam would want a change after all those years stuck in that Chicago condo caring for their mother. Pam states that she never suggested leaving Chicago to Eric or anyone else. Stephanie points out that Eric is a generous man, so it would only have taken a slight hint or complaint from Pam to move him to make a grand gesture like moving Pam and Ann to L.A. Pam states that Stephanie's accusations are unfair. Stephanie agrees; she thinks it's unfair to their mother to expect her to move, since both Ann and Pam have lives in Chicago.

Pam fumes at Stephanie's accusations.

Feeling suddenly unwelcome, Pam asks Stephanie, "What kind of life did you think I had?" She laments that she spent the 30 years catering to their mother's every need, with no help from Stephanie, so she doesn't see anything wrong with wanting something for herself. Stephanie wonders what's gotten into Pam, who is tired of being treated like the little mouse who never speaks up. She fumes that Stephanie thinks that she's so desperate that she would have to look to her brother-in-law to be her knight in shining armor. Stephanie apologizes if she insulted Pam, who replies that she's just tired. Stephanie says she understands, but Pam doesn't see how that can be, since she's the one who cared for Ann for years after Stephanie deserted them. Stephanie reminds Pam that she had a good reason to desert them. Pam agrees, but she doesn't think that changes the fact that she had no choice but to care for Ann. "So I owe you now?" Stephanie asks. Pam is tired of everything always being about her sister and tells Stephanie to think about how life was for her. She frets that Ann monopolized all her time while scaring off any potential men in her life and controlling all her friendships. She was all Ann had, so she stayed with her - but those days are over, since Stephanie is part of their family, too! She insists that Stephanie accept that she and Ann will be making lives for themselves here in L.A.

Rick tells Phoebe why he can't give her a ride.

Outside Insomnia, Phoebe jumps into Rick's truck, unable to understand why he can't give her a ride. Rick tells her that he's late for a meeting at Forrester Originals. Phoebe points out that it will only take an extra five minutes to drop her at home on his way to the office. Rick caves in and tells Phoebe that her father threatened to kill him if he crossed the line with her. He knows Ridge won't actually kill him, but he doesn't want her to get in trouble with her dad because he gave her a ride. Then they'll keep this ride a secret, Phoebe suggests. Once they're on their way, Rick tries to tune in the radio, but he has no antenna. Phoebe is silent, so Rick asks if she's angry because of what he told her about her dad; she understands that her dad wants to protect her, but actually, she was thinking about karaoke night at Insomnia. They both laugh and agree that the guy who was on before them was terrible, and they also agree that their duet sounded even better than their last one at the party. Rick thinks there's a magical connection between two people singing a duet. Phoebe agrees, but their conversation stops when Rick's truck overheats and conks out. Rick tries to let the truck rest for a minute, but he still can't start it. When Rick calls the truck "she," Phoebe suggests that "she" might be jealous that Rick will soon be back in Paris. Rick says that the only place he's going right now is the office. He wants to call the office, but Phoebe left her cell phone at home, so Rick searches for his.

Felicia, Brooke and Thorne discuss the new boutiques.

At Forrester Originals, Eric, Ridge, Thorne, Brooke and Felicia discuss the plans to start their own chain of boutiques. They all agree that they have to do this to succeed. Ridge still worries about the debt they'll incur to make this happen, but he thinks it's worth the risk. Brooke apologizes for thinking that Nick might sell their designs at Jackie M; she guesses she had less pull with him than she thought. Felicia attributes that to the buzz Nick is getting in the press, but Brooke points out how EYE ON FASHION singled out her sister Donna as the weak link in Nick's organization. Ridge and Eric wonder where Rick is; Ridge doesn't think they can wait any longer for him, but Brooke insists that they need Rick's insights on the International markets. Ridge suggests they put that experience to work and send Rick to Europe, Asia and Australia to scout boutique locations, since that will keep him far away from Phoebe!

Eric lays out his plans for the boutiques.

Eric lays out his plans for the boutiques. He wants to start out with a store in each of the 10 major markets and then branch out from there. He wants each boutique to be like a gallery, showing their designs like works of art. And he wants each store to be the same, so their customers will always know what to expect from Forrester Originals, no matter where in the world they are. Felicia suggests Rodeo Drive and Worth Avenue in Palm Beach as possible locations, but Thorne thinks they should stay off the main drag. Eric however likes both of Felicia's suggestions and adds 5th Avenue. Brooke says that Rick has a friend in commercial real estate in Paris who could probably help. If Rick ever shows up, Ridge gripes. Brooke is sure Rick will be there, soon. Ridge frets that they're not only putting their own legacies on the line, but their children's, too, but Eric is confident that adding a retail chain makes Forrester Originals a much stable business.

Brooke worries about Rick.

Just then, Brooke gets a call on her cell phone from Rick, who tells her that his truck is acting up again. Brooke frets that she told him to buy a new car and tells him to get there as soon as he can. Rick is sure he'll be able to start the truck soon, but he'll have to stop at the house on the way to drop Phoebe off. He explains to Brooke that he ran into Phoebe at Insomnia and had to give her a ride home, and he begs Brooke not to tell Ridge that Phoebe is with him. Brooke understands and hangs up, telling the others about Rick's car troubles. Felicia sees the concerned look on Brooke's face and asks if someone has to go pick Rick up; Brooke replies that she's just worried about all the crazy drivers on the road, but she's sure Rick will be fine.

Ridge is upset that Brooke kept a secret from him.

Ridge then gets a call from Taylor, who tells him that Phoebe went out with her friend Madison and hasn't checked in like she promised. As he hangs up, Ridge tells the others about Taylor's concerns, and he admits that he's a bit worried, too. Brooke says she's sure Phoebe is fine. Ridge thinks they have to find out where Phoebe is to be sure, but Brooke confesses that she already knows - because Phoebe is with Rick! Ridge fumes that his daughter is with Rick after he told Rick to stay away, and he's even more upset that Brooke knew about this and didn't tell him. He asks Brooke, "So now more it's important for you to protect your son than to be honest with me?"

Phoebe confides in Rick.

Back in the truck, Rick asks Phoebe if she's OK. She says that driving at night reminds her about Darla's accident. Rick says that he's sorry, but Phoebe responds that she has to get over this. Rick says that she's not over it yet; she admits that she sometimes thinks she's over it, but then something happens. Like getting stuck by the side of the road? Rick asks. Phoebe can't believe that everyone is getting so worked up about this when nothing is going to happen. Rick promises to make sure nothing happens, but Phoebe explains that she can't help but be haunted by the memory of Darla falling onto the road and in the path of her mother's car. She wonders if she'll always be haunted by that moment. Rick tells her that she will move on, just like her mom, Thorne and Aly all have moved on. He agrees that what happened to Darla was a tragedy, but he doesn't want Phoebe blaming herself for something that wasn't her fault. He offers to help her find peace.