Friday, January 12, 2007, Episode 4975

Nick suggests that Taylor is marrying Thorne out of guilt.

Nick brings a bunch of ledgers and binders to the Marone mansion. Jackie asks what all this is; Nick explains that he needs to learn everything he can about the fashion world. He needs to make money, since he's completely leveraged by the purchase of this house and of Forrester Creations. Jackie points out that they have inertia on their side, plus the sympathy generated by their recent bout of publicity. She suggests that the sympathy might just get them back Forrester's former lead designer. If she's talking about Eric, Nick quips, no man in that family has a mind of his own. Jackie asks if he's referring more to Thorne than Eric. He suggests that Taylor is marrying Thorne out of guilt. Jackie is surprised that he's finally admitted that and asks if it means that Taylor is important to him.

Eric is still angry with Stephanie.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie's driver arrives to take her to the airport. Stephanie asks Eric if, given the tension between them, she should postpone the trip and have Pam find someone else to care for their mother. Eric thinks the tension is exactly why she should go. Stephanie reminds him how he promised not to give up on their marriage. "You don't make it easy," he replies. She asks if he'll be there when she gets back. "We'll see," he replies. Stephanie then says goodbye to Pam, who tells Stephanie, "Tell Mom I miss her. Who knows? In a week, I actually might." Stephanie doubts that and asks Pam to remember to look over those "assets" they discussed. Pam says she will and the exchange "I love yous." As Stephanie leaves, she tells Eric, "For what it's worth, I do love you."

Pam does some mending for Eric.

Later, Pam dims the lights to sew. Eric comes down and asks how she can see what she's doing. She tells him her eyes are fine, so she sees no reason to make the electric company rich. Eric laughs and tells her that he's going to get a bite to eat, since he missed dinner. Pam tells him there's a plate for him in the kitchen. Eric is surprised, since Stephanie never did that. Pam says she and her sister both want him to keep up his strength, since he's stuck playing host to an unexpected guest. Eric tells her he's sorry, but Pam says she was kidding. After all, she knows what it's like to live with someone who doesn't want her around. She then hands Eric the garment she was sewing; Eric is surprised to see that it's one of his jackets that he intended to take to the tailor, as it's missing a button. Pam says she took care of it and even made sure the buttons match. Eric is impressed at her work and thanks her before heading to the kitchen.

Stephanie gives Jackie a warning.

Meanwhile, Stephanie stops by the Marone mansion on the way to the airport and warns Jackie to stay away from Eric. Jackie quips that she has to live up her "reputation" now, thanks to Stephanie, but La Forrester says that she's serious. Jackie asks what Stephanie will do if she goes near Eric, since Stephanie has nothing left to threaten her with. Stephanie tells Jackie not to be so sure about that, since she knows Jackie meant nothing to Eric. Jackie contends that Eric only stayed with Stephanie because of their company - the company Jackie's adoring son Nick now owns! Jackie suggests that Eric can easily get back into the company by marrying her. Stephanie thinks Jackie is delusional; she doubts Jackie can understand how deep her and Eric's relationship is. Jackie however thinks that Stephanie is beaten and only has herself to thank for it; in fact, she can almost thank Stephanie for that. Stephanie warns Jackie, "By the way, I'm having you watched," and leaves.

Jackie meets Stephanie's sister.

Jackie grabs her coat and heads for the Forrester mansion. After sneaking in, she looks around the dimly lit room for Eric and is surprised to find Pam sitting there. Pam figures out who Jackie is and says she's heard so much about Jackie from her sister. Jackie quips that Stephanie told the whole world about her and asks where Eric is. Pam tells Jackie that Eric is occupied and can't be disturbed. She asks Jackie if she'd like to have some tea with her so they can get acquainted. Jackie is sure Eric will want to see her. Pam says she'll let him know Jackie called. Jackie points out that she's here and wants to see Eric, but Pam says it's late. Jackie again asks to see Eric; Pam points out how forward people in California seem to be and remarks how exciting it is to her. Jackie thinks she sees a family resemblance between Pam and her sister. Pam laughs that Stephanie was right about Jackie bring a character. Jackie says, "I'll be back" as she turns to leave. Pam retorts, "I'm sure you will. And I look forward to it."

Aly can't understand how her daddy can love her mommy's killer.

At Taylor and Thorne's house, the couple contemplates what to tell Alexandria about Darla's accident. Thorne thinks Aly went to get ready for bet since she didn't want to know, but Taylor disagrees. Aly comes in and tells them that Phoebe was there and saw it. Yes, Taylor confirms, Phoebe was there. Aly says that Phoebe wouldn't lie, but she didn't think Taylor would lie, either. Taylor says that she was afraid and tells Aly about the night of the accident. She tries to explain to Aly how she couldn't stop in time, and then she made the mistake about not telling anyone. But then she did tell them, Thorne adds, asking Aly if she understands. Aly asks how he could love the woman who killed her Mommy. Thorne tells her that it was an accident, but Aly wants to go home. Thorne says this home, but Aly wants to go back to the beach house and threatens to go herself if Thorne won't take her. Taylor says it's OK and tells Aly to get dressed while Daddy packs a bag for her. Aly insists that Taylor can't tell her what to do and runs off. Thorne calls after her, but Taylor tells him to give Aly some space. She points out that Hector is on vacation with his kids and hasn't moved in yet, so maybe this is a good time to take Aly back there for a while. But what if nothing changes in a few days? Thorne asks.

When they get to the beach house, Thorne wants to talk to Aly, but she just stares at Darla's photo and says that she's saying a prayer to Mommy to forgive her for liking the person who killed her. Thorne asks Aly if she wants milk and cookies, but Aly just wants to go to bed. She's upset to see that Thorne brought the dress Taylor made for her from Darla's dress. Thorne tells her that she doesn't have to wear it and puts her to bed. As Thorne closes the door, she tells him that she doesn't want to be the flower girl. Thorne tells her that she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to and bids her goodnight.

Taylor tells Nick about Aly.

Nick drops by Taylor's house and asks if this is a bad time. When Taylor says she thought he might be Thorne, Nick asks if something's wrong. She tells him that Aly found out about how Darla died; she thinks she was foolish to think she could pick the time to tell Aly, and that she thought they'd have a chance to come together as a family before Aly had to learn the truth. Nick says he really doesn't get the whole thing, either, and he's an adult. Taylor tells him that she and Thorne didn't plan to fall in love. Nick agrees she fell into something, but he doesn't see anything magical or passionate between Taylor and Thorne, and he asks her if she sees those things. She asks if he's trying to get her to say that there was a dark cloud looming over then from the beginning; even if there was, she adds, they were happy, and she thought she could do something with this. Like what? Nick asks. Like helping Aly, Taylor replies. Nick suggests that she might not be the one who's supposed to do that, but Taylor feels obligated to do it. She turns to leave. Nick offers to drive her, but she says he's the last person Thorne needs to see. She says she can drive to patients if she needs to, and Aly needs her now.

Thorne frets about his missing daughter.

Thorne knocks on Aly's door but find it locked. He calls out for her to open it. When she doesn't answer, he breaks the door down and finds an empty room. After calling the authorities, he calls Taylor, who says she is on her way over. She's on Pacific Coast Highway, but it's foggy as usual, so she'll be there soon. She doesn't want to leave things like Aly like this. Thorne tells her that Aly left through her window and ran off, so Taylor says that she'll be there as soon as she can. As Taylor hangs up, Thorne thinks about her mentioning PCH and realizes that must be where Aly went! He takes his flashlight to go to the highway to look for her.