Wednesday, January 03 2007, Episode 4968

Jackie is frustrated by Stephanie's visit.

In the Forrester CEO's office, Clarke and Donna show Jackie the latest changes to one of the designs for the cruise line. Jackie frets that even with the changes, the outfit just doesn't meet the standards people expect from Forrester Creations. She tells them to go fix it before their showing the day after tomorrow. As Clarke and Donna go to tweak the design some more, Stephanie barges in. Jackie is upset that security let Stephanie in the building. Stephanie points out that all the guards know her, so they let her in. Jackie asks La Forrester what she wants; Stephanie explains that she came to throw Jackie and Nick a lifeline. She overheard Jackie's conversation with Clarke and Donna, so she can see that Jackie's first line is bound to destroy the Forrester brand. Stephanie doesn't want to see that happen to the company her family built, so she's here to ask Jackie to prevail on Nick to live up to his word and sell the company back. Jackie refuses and asks Stephanie to leave. As Stephanie urges Jackie to reconsider, Nick arrives and tells Stephanie that she'll never have this company. Jackie explains that she told Stephanie to leave. That being the case, Nick tells Stephanie to get out, or else he'll throw her out himself. Stephanie says that won't be necessary. "Then get out!" Nick orders. As Stephanie turns to leave, she remarks, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Nick doesn't want to talk with Jackie about her past.

Jackie thanks Nick for standing up for her,especially since Stephanie had boasted that she knew about Nick's breakthrough. Nick assures her that Stephanie doesn't know the details, but Jackie still worries, especially with the pressure on them both from the upcoming fashion show. Nick tells her that aside from Stephanie, nothing between them has changed. Jackie frets that he's still mad at her and doesn't want to talk about it. She suggests they find someplace private to talk about this, but Nick doesn't see the point and suggests that they get back to work.

Ridge tells Taylor not to trust Nick.

Taylor arrives at the Forrester mansion at Stephanie's request and finds Ridge there. Ridge tells her that his mother hasn't arrived yet; Taylor is relieved, since that gives her time to steel herself to face Stephanie's latest bout of frustration. Ridge tells her not to blame herself for Nick backing out on his deal. Taylor responds that Nick didn't back down from anything; he just needs time before he's ready to sell the company back. Ridge isn't sure they can wait for Nick to be ready to sell, since Eric is slipping away creatively every day he's away from Forrester. He thinks they might have to find a different approach if Nick won't agree to sell.

Taylor lays down the law with Stephanie.

Before Ridge can say any more, Stephanie arrives and asks to speak to Taylor alone. Once Ridge leaves the room, Stephanie tells Taylor that she saw Nick both last night and this morning, and it's clear that he has no intention of selling Forrester back. Taylor suggests that Stephanie misunderstood, but Stephanie thinks Nick made himself perfectly clear. Since that thieving son-of-a-bitch Nick and his whore of a mother have no intention of living up to their word, Stephanie sees no choice but to use the information about Jackie's past to get the company back. Taylor forbids Stephanie from using that information; she knows Stephanie is feeling impatient and Eric is depressed, but she won't allow Stephanie to use confidential information about one of her patients this way. Stephanie understands Taylor's concerns, but she is willing to risk everything to help Eric. Taylor reminds Stephanie that she could lose her license to practice if Stephanie uses this information. Stephanie promises to protect Taylor from Nick. "Like you protected your family and your company from Nick when he came after you?' Taylor asks. Stephanie tells Taylor not to be intimidated by Nick; Taylor says she won't be intimidated by Nick or by Stephanie, which us why she's warning Stephanie to let Jackie's past stay between them.

Donna and Clarke bring in the latest design.

Back at Forrester, Donna and Clarke bring in the next design for Jackie to review. Nick says it looks fine to him. Donna asks Jackie what she thinks; Jackie thinks they can use this design for the show. Nick asks how many more they have. Clarke says this is it, for now. Donna assures Nick that they're working as hard as the can. Jackie says that they'll be ready. They have to be. Nick thanks Clarke and Donna, who leave with the model. Jackie thanks Nick for at least being able to work with her. Nick says that he has to, since the Marone board expects this line to show a profit. Jackie assures him that it will. Nick hopes she's right, since this is all he has going for him. Jackie says that's not true. Taylor arrives and is pleased to see Nick and Jackie talking. Nick tells her not to make too much of it and turns to leave. Taylor tells him to wait. Jackie agrees with Taylor and offers to leave, but Taylor asks Jackie not to go; she knows Nick and Jackie have a lot riding on their showing in two days, so they need to work out their issues. Nick says he has no time for group therapy. Taylor suggests he make the time, since he's at a crucial point in his therapy. She points out how his shattered perfect image of his mother has affected every aspect of his life. Nick asks if that means he should forgive Jackie. Taylor asks what he wants. Nick says that he wants to be free of conflict for a few days, which means he doesn't want Stephanie hassling him or his mother about his deal with Taylor. Taylor agrees that this is none of Stephanie's business and promises to keep Stephanie away. Nick just looks at her and leaves, leaving Taylor and a tense Jackie alone in the office.

Stephanie needs to find Captain Kramer.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie considers her options. Flashing back to her confrontation with Jackie in the hospital, she tells herself that she gave Jackie plenty of chances to save herself from humiliation. But if she uses the information she learned from Taylor... She pauses and says that she will use the information. Ridge comes in and asks where Taylor is. Stephanie replies that Taylor left and tells him about Taylor forbidding her to take the information about Jackie's past public. She's not surprised by Taylor's refusal, but she is disappointed, since Nick is so adamant about not selling the company back. The problem is that Taylor thinks Nick just needs time. Ridge fears that Nick is a bastard who can't resist the chance to play with Taylor's head. He suggests they make a call to Jarrett. Stephanie reminds him that Taylor could lose her career if they go public. Then they go to Nick, Ridge suggests. Stephanie tells him that Nick would run right to the medical board, and she refuses to pay Taylor back that way for her friendship. Ridge points out that Taylor never met Nick at her office, nor did she bill him for her services, so they could argue that Taylor was just talking to Nick as a friend who happens to be a psychiatrist. Stephanie thinks he's on to something, but they still need proof that Jackie took money for sex. Ridge recalls that she mentioned some sea captain in her account of what she overheard Taylor says. Stephanie thinks back and remembers that the man's name was Captain Jerry Kramer and wonders if they can find him.

Jerry Kramer gets a surprising invitation.

Ridge takes out his laptop and searches for a captain by that name; he thinks there could be a lot of captains in Seattle, so Stephanie suggests that he check for captains of Marone ships first. Ridge checks and finds that a Capt. Jerry Kramer received a special award from Marone after 25 years of service. That could be him, Stephanie states. Ridge looks for something more recent and finds an ad for a bar and charter boat in Long Beach owned by Capt. Jerry Kramer, who has 40 years of sailing experience. Stephanie asks for the phone number in the ad and dials; when Kramer answers, Stephanie asks if he's the Capt. Kramer who worked for Marone in Seattle. Kramer asks if she's a bill collector; when Stephanie says she isn't, Kramer confirms that he worked for Marone. Stephanie tells him that she has an offer for him; she explains that they have a mutual acquaintance, Jackie Payne, who has been speaking about him rather fondly lately. Hearing Jackie's name, Kramer is intrigued. Stephanie asks Kramer if he can come to her house in Beverly Hills, where she can tell him more. She promises to make it worth his while. Kramer says it's a hike for him to get to Beverly hills, but he guesses he can get there tomorrow morning. Stephanie gives him the address - 369 Willow Hill Road in Beverly Hills, just off Benedict Canyon - and says she'll see him then.