Monday, January 15, 2007, Episode 4976

Aly is mad at Thorne and Taylor.

As her car bears down on Alexandria, Taylor slams on the brakes and stops just in time. Thorne runs to Aly's side as Taylor gets out of the car. As Taylor asks Aly if she's OK, Thorne holds his daughter and tells her that everything's OK. He carries Aly to Taylor's car and they go back to the beach house, where Thorne tries to talk to his daughter. He knows Aly is angry with him and Taylor, but he hopes she realizes that running away isn't the answer. Aly shouts, "You lied to me! Both of you!" Thorne tells her that they meant to tell her when she was older. Taylor admits to Aly that they made a mistake by not telling her. Aly asks Thorne how he can marry Taylor and shouts that she hates Taylor! Thorne tells Aly that he only wanted to protect her. Taylor even wanted to tell her, but he saw how upset he got when he found out and didn't want Aly to be hurt the same way. Aly tells Thorne that she knows he loves her, but she can't see how he can love Taylor. Thorne tells her that it was a terrible accident, where Mommy slipped while helping change Phoebe's tire. Taylor asks Aly to believe that she tried to stop, but she couldn't. Thorne tells Aly that it was hard for him too at first, but he forgave Taylor, and he thinks Aly can, too. Aly says that she wants to go to bed.

Thorne tries to reassure Taylor.

After tucking Aly in, Thorne assures Taylor that Aly will come around, just like he did. Taylor wants to believe that, but she remembers how hard it was for him to come around, and he's an adult. She fears that Aly, as a child, might always see her as her mommy's killer and might never never forgive her. Thorne tells her not to say that; he knows it will take time, but... Taylor tells him that Aly needs her father now, since he's all Aly has left. She doesn't see how they can get married while Aly feels this way. Thorne appreciates Taylor putting his daughter first, but he knows Aly is very resilient, so he's sure Aly will come around. He promises Taylor that they will be man and wife. He kisses her on the forehead and holds her as she leans on his shoulder for comfort.

Eric is surprised by Bridget's statements about Nick.

Bridget drops by the Forrester mansion to see her dad. She thinks it's good that Aunt Pammy - who isn't her aunt and who she never even met before Christmas as far as I can remember - is visiting and asks how long Pam is staying. Eric isn't sure, and he admits that having a house guest is... Bridget says she knows, since Shane recently stayed with her. Eric is stunned and asks what she was thinking. Bridget explains that Shane was injured and needed her help, and having him living with her gave her a chance to keep an eye on him and Phoebe. Eric thinks Ridge will still be furious, but Bridget says that Ridge will never know, since Shane has already found his own place. Still, it was nice to have someone waiting when she came home, since she hasn't had that since Nick left. Eric isn't happy to hear her ex-husband's name. Bridget apologizes, since she knows Nick is a four letter word around here, and she agrees that Eric has every right to be mad at Nick for taking his company away. Eric reminds her that Nick is just a sailor, so this takeover bid of Nick's is nothing but a revenge ploy. Bridget reminds her dad that it's Stephanie Nick wants to get back at, not him. Eric thinks Nick also wants to get even with Ridge for taking Brooke away. Bridget agrees that Nick's first attempt to buy the company was about her mom, but she thinks the most recent buyout was all about Jackie.

Bridget admits she might still have some feelings for Nick.

Eric asks Bridget if that's what she really thinks, or if she wants to think that so she can believe in Nick. She responds that she's not sure if he's really over her mom, or if he's the kind of man she can believe in now. She's not even sure if Nick knows, since she has kept her distance from him lately. Eric thinks it's good that she's kept away from Nick, but Bridget points out that not everything is Nick's fault; while she doesn't understand all his decisions, she can understand his most recent actions in light of what happened to his mother. Eric actually agrees, since he still cares about Jackie. He was horrified at what Stephanie did to Jackie, so he had to admire how Nick stood up for his mother. Bridget thinks that's one of the things she loved about Nick, that he was there for those who needed him. Eric infers from Bridget's tone that she still has feelings for Nick. Bridget admits that she still has some feelings for Nick, and she thinks that learning what he went through as a child might have shed some light on his actions. She wonders if things would have been different for her and Nick had she known about his childhood sooner.

Nick has something for Brooke.

Brooke drops by Taylor's to discuss Hope telling Aly about Darla's death; she's surprised to find Nick there. Nick tells her that Thorne took Aly back to their beach house, and Taylor went there to see if there was anything she could do. Brooke asks Nick why he's here; she wonders if he wants to lend Taylor a friendly shoulder when she returns. Nick admits that he wants to be there for Taylor, since she was there for him. Brooke is glad Taylor was able to help him, especially after Stephanie's inexcusable defamation of his mother at the fashion show. Still, she doesn't think it makes sense for someone like him to buy a fashion house just to stick it to Stephanie. Nick replies that Forrester is his company now, not the Forresters'. Brooke suggests that the Forresters might not want the company and may be ready to move on. As well they should, Nick says - and speaking of moving on, he has something for Brooke. He was going to call her about this, but they might as well deal with it while she's here. Brooke is stunned as Nick hands her divorce papers. He explains that her lawyer called, so he moved on it, thinking it's what she wanted. Surprised, Brooke promises that he can visit Hope anytime, since he'll always mean a lot to Hope - and to her. Nick tells her that she'll be free to move on in a few months, after a short waiting period. He asks if this is what she wants. Brooke says that she wants them both to be happy - her with Ridge and him with whoever. She can't help but think that he wouldn't have rushed to sign these papers unless he had someone else in his life, and she asks if that someone is Taylor.

Taylor tells Nick and Brooke what happened with Alexandria.

Before Nick can answer, an exhausted Taylor walks in. She's surprised to see Nick with Brooke and asks what's going on. Nick tells her that they were concerned about her and Aly. Brooke apologizes for Hope telling; Taylor says it's not Hope's fault, as she should have anticipated this. More importantly, Aly ran away from the beach house, and she almost hit Aly with her car. Brooke asks if Aly is OK. Taylor says she is. Nick asks Taylor if she's OK. Taylor says she stopped in time, but Thorne had to move Aly off the highway. However, she isn't surprised at Aly's actions, since she did kill the girl's mother. Brooke suggests that Taylor give Aly some time, but Nick suggests that Taylor isn't doing Aly any good by pushing this, or by marrying Thorne out of guilt because she feels like she owes Thorne and Aly. Taylor says she doesn't own Thorne anything. Brooke scolds Nick for even suggesting that Taylor's commitment to Thorne is anything other than love, but Nick doesn't believe that Taylor loves Thorne, and he thinks Taylor would see that if she was truly honest with herself. Brooke tells Nick this isn't any of his business, so she has to wonder if his involvement is yet another step in his revenge plans against the Forresters. Nick tells Brooke she's off base, and Taylor thinks Brooke's theory is a stretch. Brooke, however, doesn't see any other possibility, unless there's something going on between Nick and Taylor.