Thursday, February 08, 2007, Episode #4994

Stephanie resents the position Eric has put her in.

On the terrace at the Forrester mansion, Stephanie asks Eric why he's playing white knight for the Douglas family when her mother is her cross to bear. Eric points out that Pam bore that cross for years and that's not fair. Stephanie asks why he doesn't want Pam to go back to Chicago. Because she blossomed here, Eric replies, explaining how Pam helped out at the office and even tagged along with Bridget at the hospital while Stephanie was away. Stephanie tells Eric that Pam can still visit whenever she wants. Eric reminds her that time isn't on Ann's side. He tells her the decision is made, so he wants her to go in and welcome her mother to L.A. As she goes in, Stephanie tells Eric that she resents his putting her in this untenable situation.

Pam listens as Ann lists some things she'll need to move to L.A.

Eric and Stephanie go inside, where Eric tells an excited Ann to stay in the guesthouse tonight, so he can take her to see her new condo tomorrow. Ann tells Pam to get her bags but Eric says he'll get them. He then looks to Stephanie and asks if she has something to say. Stephanie reluctantly welcomes her mom to L.A. Ann is so glad to hear that; she's thrilled to be near her daughters, her grand-kids and great grand-kids, but she frets that Santa Monica is far away, so she might need a car to get around. After Stephanie and Pam point out that Ann hasn't driven in years, Eric agrees that the L.A. freeways may be too daunting for Ann and offers to get a car and driver for her. Stephanie is shocked. Ann then wonders how her dowdy wardrobe will look here in L.A.; Eric offers to get her clothes and asks if there's anything else she wants. Ann admits, "I would absolutely die if you put me in one of your fashion shows." Stephanie exclaims, "Oh, my god!" as Eric says he thinks he understands Ann perfectly. Ann looks to Pam and says it looks like she has a new home - one that will ALMOST leave Pam free of her, she laughs.

Eric admits to Pam that his motives may be selfish.

Later, Pam brings Eric a martini. Eric fears she's here to tell him that he overstepped his bounds, but she tells him she's thrilled by what he did, since no one ever did anything like this for her. Eric says he did it for the family, but Pam is grateful nonetheless, since he's given her a chance to have the life she dreamed about all those years she cared for her mother. She's especially glad that he's the one who did this for her, but he admits he was being a bit selfish in his motives. Pam tearfully thanks him and promises that he and Stephanie will never regret this. Eric then comforts Pam, unaware that a puzzled Stephanie is watching from the landing upstairs.

By the restrooms at Cafe Russe, Rick tells Phoebe to stop thinking she knows what's on his mind. She tells him to forget about laughing in her face and suggests he get back to Paris. Rick asks why she's pegged him as a lowlife and wonders why they're arguing. At l;east it's not about paper shredders, Phoebe admits. Rick asks if she needs rescuing from Shane. She says Shane is OK, but right now she feels nauseous. Rick the points out that Shane is gone and suggests that he take her home now, unless she wants to have a bite first. Phoebe says she's not hungry, so Rick opts for the ride home.

Storm updates Nick on his attempts to set up a meeting with Harvey Golden.

At the bar, Nick is with Storm, who is about to have a clandestine meeting to set up a meet with the mysterious Harvey Golden. Storm asks Nick if he wants to be there, but Nick tells his attorney just to keep him posted. As Storm turns to leave, Brooke comes over; she exchanges a quick "hi" with her brother and gives the bartender her order to go. Nick quips, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." She retorts, "Careful what you wish for, captain." She then asks if the fashion industry is working out as he planned. He admits he's getting used to it, although he has it easy across the waters thanks to her son's work at International. He even tells her about Rick's visits to see him - not to spy, of course, he qualifies - and asserts that Rick is a good man. Brooke agrees, pointing out how everyone is on edge these days. Nick says he isn't and asks Brooke how many male friends Ridge has. Brooke thinks Rick and Ridge are too much alike, but Nick disagrees; he sees Ridge as more a man's man than a woman's man. And that leads to? Brooke asks. Nick thinks she already knows the answer.

Brooke tells Nick about the friction between Ridge and Rick.

While she waits for her order, Brooke asks Nick if he heard about Thorne and Taylor. He says he did and asks how Phoebe is, presuming Phoebe is staying with her and Ridge while Taylor is out of town. Brooke is surprised he knew Taylor was away, but then realizes she shouldn't be. Nick asks how Phoebe and Rick are getting along. Too well for Ridge's taste, Brooke answers. Boys will be boys, Nick quips. Brooke says Rick didn't do anything wrong, but Nick says he wasn't talking about Rick. Brooke then tells Nick about the night Phoebe and Rick were in the garden looking at the stars; she admits that it reminded her of the time he tried to show her all constellations on "their" island, or at least he pretended to. Nick acts like he's drawing a blank on that island. Brooke hopes she didn't say anything wrong; she was just remembering the good times. That's easy to do when you're currently having good times with someone else, Nick counters.

Nick is pleased after he gets Storm's phone call.

Nick's cell phone rings, so he says he has to take it; "You have so much to take," Brooke states as she leaves. Nick then takes the call from Storm, who says it's done: Nick meets with Harvey Golden tomorrow.

Rick tells Phoebe that he thinks of her in many ways.

Rick and Phoebe get home and stop in the garden, where Phoebe laments how immature she sometimes acts. She wonders if that's because she has nothing in life other than a job she doesn't know how to do. Rick tells her not to fret over Shane, since the guy's not worth it. Phoebe admits to Rick that she only went out with Shane to see if Rick would care, but all she did in doing so was make a fool of herself. Rick asks if she wants him to leave. She says no, but then admits she she's torn. She asks Rick what he thinks of her; like, does he thinks of her as a kid, or a basket case? Rick says he thinks of her many ways. He always heard her name, especially when her sister went overboard in the Bahamas. Phoebe laments that nothing dramatic happens to her, although she admits many people thought of the situation with Shane that way. She recalls how she almost cut Shane's fingers off, and she wonders why it seems like terrible things happen AROUND her and not TO her. Rick asks if he's one of those things around her, but she says he won't happen to her, either.