Wednesday, February 28, 2007, Episode #5008

Taylor asks Nick to take her for a boat ride.

Taylor leads Nick, who has his eyes closed, aboard the Shady Marlin. Nick knows he is on his boat, but he doesn't know why they're here. When Taylor gets him into the main cabin, she tells him to open his eyes and reveals a picnic basket she packed so the two of them can have a romantic dinner at sea. Nick reminds her that he's traded his boats for blouses these days, so he doesn't know if he has time for this. Taylor tells him that she's never been out on a boat on the L.A. waters at night, especially not with an experienced sea captain, so she orders him to weigh anchor and take her for a ride. ""Aye aye, baby," Nick responds. After calling in to the harbormaster, Nick takes the boat out to sea. Taylor admires how good he looks at the helm. Nick admits that it's been a while since he took the Marlin out at night, but Taylor feels comfortable with "the best sailor, and the best looking, in the seven seas at the wheel. Taylor watches him steer and remarks how easy he makes it look; Nick offers to teach her sometime, but for now, she's happy watching him do his thing. "Just watch me do my thing," Nick laughs, kissing Taylor. Suddenly, the lights go out.

Nick can't figure out why the Marlin lost power.

Taylor asks what happened; Nick says that she made the boat short circuit. Nick checks the engines and fuel tank to see why they lost power, but he can't find anything wrong. Since they're three miles out to sea at night, Nick goes to call in for a tow, but Taylor tells him to wait; she confesses that she likes the idea of being alone with him in the middle of the ocean under the stars. "When you put it that way," Nick laughs, "I wish this boat would've broken down more often." As they cuddle in the cabin by candlelight, Taylor notes how quiet it is. Nick admits that this is what he loves about being out on the water; it's like nothing else exists. Taylor wishes it could always be like this; when she thinks about how empty her life was not too long ago, this feels like a whole new start for her. Nick says it's a new start for them both. They kiss passionately. Taylor then asks Nick, "Make love to me."

Rick and Phoebe make their case to Brooke.

At the future Forrester Originals boutique on Rodeo Drive, Brooke is stunned to find Rick and Phoebe kissing in the storeroom, especially since Rick told her he would break things off with Phoebe. After checking to make sure the coast is clear, she leads Rick and Phoebe out of the room and asks if they realize what would have happened if Ridge had caught them. Rick thinks he has a pretty good idea, "Then why are you still seeing Phoebe?" Brooke asks. Rick admits that he tried to end things with Phoebe, but it just felt wrong, since it felt like his mom was letting Ridge have his way. Broke reminds him that their family and their new business are riding on her wedding to Ridge, who would lose it if he found out that she knew that his daughter was sneaking around with her son behind their backs. Phoebe offers to talk to her dad; Brooke doesn't think it will help, as she fears that Ridge will never accept this relationship. Phoebe tells Brooke that she and Rick probably can't turn off their feelings for each other, even if they tried. Rick argues that Ridge put them in this position. Brooke asks how long they planned to keep this a secret. "Until after you two were married," Rick replies, with Phoebe adding, "And the new stores were launched." Rick tells his mom that they hoped Ridge would come around. Phoebe tells Brooke that she can't think of this as wrong, no matter what her dad says, since she feels safe with Rick. Rick says he feels the same way and hopes that his mom, of all people, would understand.

Brooke doesn't know what to say. Phoebe asks Brooke to talk to Ridge, but Brooke fears Ridge will not listen. Rick says that he and Phoebe just want the chance to live their lives their own way, just like his mom and Ridge have. Brooke asks Rick if he's thought about how this could turn out if he and Phoebe stayed together. Rick says that he understands how complicated the situation is, since Phoebe is only 18 and has her whole life ahead of her. But at the same time, he and Phoebe haven't been able to shut out their feelings, leading them to believe that this is something worth fighting for. Brooke comments that they wouldn't be the first young couple to raise a few eyebrows, and the relationship probably wouldn't last anyway. Since she thinks this will be all over once the magic of the relationship fades, she sees no harm in Rick and Phoebe pursuing a relationship, but she has just one condition: Ridge needs to be told! Phoebe and Rick fear how Ridge will react, but Brooke thinks it would be worse if they lie and Ridge finds out lately on his own. She offers to try explaining to Ridge why their kids couldn't break things off. Rick fears Rodge will never accept it, but Brooke says that she has to at least try.

Stephanie asks Ridge if he's sure he wants to marry Brooke.

Ridge walks into the offices of Forrester Originals and finds his mom working with Davis (the production guy who Nick promoted when he first bought Forrester, only to later have Davis help Ridge and Stephanie expose Jackie's past). Nick hands Davis a sketch he did of a wedding invitation and asks to have a mock-up created ASAP. Davis says he'll get right on it. Stephanie asks Ridge what the rush is; Ridge explains that Jarrett Maxwell, the smarmy reporter for Eye on Fashion, is coming over, and Ridge wants to offer Jarrett an exclusive about his upcoming wedding to Brooke. Stephanie tells Ridge that she wants him to be happy, but she needs to know if he's sure that Brooke is the woman he wants to spend his life with. Ridge says he is 150% sure, Stephanie asks if Brooke feels the same. Ridge points out that Brooke is marrying him, but Stephanie remind shim that marriage does not erase feelings that one might have for a third party. Ridge tells her that Brooke's feelings for Nick are done, so he and Brooke are better than ever except for one thing: Rick and Phoebe!

Ridge tells his mother not to interfere.

Stephanie asks if Rick and Phoebe have gone too far. Thankfully, Ridge says, it stopped at one kiss, since he kicked Rick out of the house when he found out about them. Stephanie thinks he had no choice. Ridge is sure his mom agrees, since Brooke didn't at first. But now things are over since Brooke talked to Rick and convinced him to give up on Phoebe. Stephanie isn't surprised that Broke, as usual, sees things the way she wants to, no as they are. Ridge fumes at his mother's bashing Brooke and tells her that he will not put up with any more interference from her. He warns Stephanie that she will be the one out of his life if she interferes with his marriage to Brooke, and he means it!