Friday, July 06, 2007, Episode #5097

Phoebe tells Rick how she feels.

In the lab at Forrester Originals, Rick tries to convince Ashley not to tell Ridge about their fling. Ashley wants to tell Ridge before he finds out from someone else, and she thinks that Rick should do the same with Phoebe. "I don't think Phoebe can handle it," Rick states, just as Phoebe walks in. Having heard Rick's comment, she guesses that he's worried about her ability to handle the promotion for the new Phoebe soap. She appreciates Rick looking out for her, and she's excited about the new product, but she also admits that it might be too much with everything that's going on. Since she doesn't want to experience this without Rick, she asks Ashley if they can hold off on their plans to promote the soap. "For now," Ashley responds, glancing in Rick's direction as she excuses herself to go to a meeting. Alone with Rick in the lab, Phoebe tries to kiss him. When Rick pulls away and says they can't do this here, Phoebe reminds him that they don't have to hide their relationship anymore. Sensing Rick's being hesitant because of his brief affair with the other woman, Phoebe assures him that she's forgiven him for that and moved on.

Ridge tells Eric about Brooke's resignation.

In Eric's office, Ridge tells Eric and Stephanie about Brooke's resignation. He admits it wasn't easy, but he felt he had to break things off with Brooke after what's happened between them. Stephanie is proud of Ridge for seeing Brooke for who she truly is, but Eric hopes Ridge has considered what the loss of Brooke on their team could mean for the company. Stephanie suggests that they have Ashley step up to fill that void, since Ashley has experience running a business and can take Brooke's place in more ways than one. Ridge tells his mother to slow down, but Stephanie thinks Ashley is a much better fit for him than Brooke is.

Ashley asks Ridge how he feels.

Stephanie goes to Brooke's office to pack Brooke's things. As she dispatches a messenger to take the box to Brooke's house at 200 Beston Place, Ashley stops by and asks what's going on. A pleased Stephanie informs Ashley that Brooke won't be working here anymore, and she thanks Ashley for making that happen by showing Ridge that there's life after Brooke. Ridge sees the activity and pops in to see what's happening. Stephanie tells him that she and Ashley were just chatting and excuses herself. Ridge asks Ashley what he walked in on. Ash tells him that his mother was just telling her about Brooke's resignation; she asks if it means what she thinks it does. Ridge says it does. Ashley notes how happy Stephanie seemed about the news. Ridge thinks calling his mother "happy" about it is an understatement. Ashley asks Ridge how he feels, wondering if he has any second thoughts. Ridge admits that he's concerned about what Brooke is going through, since he'll always care about his ex. But as far as his future goes, he doesn't see himself going back to Brooke again, since this time seems different. "Why?" Ashley asks. Ridge reminds Ashley how she recently told him that she wanted to go back to Genoa City and explains that he realized then how much he didn't want her to go. They kiss, just as Stephanie walks by, pleased to see her son and Ashley smooching.

C.J. chats with Bridget.

Bridget stops by Insomnia for coffee and chats with C.J. about the singing contest between Rick and Constantine. She asks what the winner gets. C.J. doesn't really care as long as it's good for business. Just as C.J. goes to take care of business, Carl approaches the table and tells Bridget that he has some new information for her about the "little matter" they've been dealing with. Bridget reminds Carl that the matter is settled, but Carl says that may not be true. He sits down to share coffee and a muffin with Bridget so he can tell her what he's learned.

Bridget is upset when Carl comes to see her again.

Bridget tells him to come out with it, so Carl tells her that Dr. Mills has a retirement party scheduled for next month. When Bridget points out that Dr. Mills isn't set to retire until next year, Carl suggests that the Chief of Staff moved his retirement date up to avoid a scandal around the Marone baby. "There is no scandal," Bridget insists, assuring Carl that her mother has nothing to do with this. Just then, Nick comes over, having spotted Bridget. Having heard her mention her mother, he asks what's going on with Brooke. "Everything's fine," Bridget attests. Nick then notices Bridget's friend, so Carl introduces himself. Bridget tells Carl that they're done now, so a disappointed Carl excuses himself and leaves.

Nick chats with Bridget.

Nick sits down and asks Bridget where she knows her strange friend from. She explains that Carl works at the hospital and asks how Taylor is. Nick says that his wife is fine, although she has a craving for scrambled eggs. Bridget gasps at the mention of scrambled eggs. Nick explains that he went to the market to get some eggs for his loving wife and stopped here to get some decaf for Taylor on the way back. As he orders a cup of decaf to go, Nick sees the odd look on Bridget's face and asks what's wrong. Bridget covers that she was just thinking about what a great husband he's being, and she tells him that she's really happy for him and Taylor. She thought something might happen between him and her mom, but she knows now that she was wrong. Nick thanks her and asks again what's going on with Brooke. Bridget admits that she's been worried about her mom, especially with Brooke so intent on reuniting with Ridge. Nick insists that Brooke can't go back to Ridge; he warns, "If you think your mother's life is in a tailspin now, if she hooks up with that drama queen, things are going to get a hell of a lot worse." Bridget agrees that she's worried about her mother, too, since the way Brooke bounced back between Ridge and Nick wasn't healthy. She sometimes thinks her mom needs to be by herself, but she also worries about what might happen if Brooke is alone given Brooke's current mental state.

A guy hits on Brooke by the bar at Cafe Russe.

Meanwhile, a dejected Brooke orders a drink at the bar at Cafe Russe. When the bartender greets her as "Mrs. Marone," she corrects him that it's not Marone, so he calls her "Mrs. Forrester" instead. "Keep trying," Brooke says as she orders some sparkling water and flashes back to her saying goodbye to Ridge at Forrester Originals. Across the bar, a guy in a suit watches Brooke and approaches her. He tells her how lovely she looks and offers to buy her a drink, but Brooke declines. The man keeps trying, despite Brooke's insistence that she has to get home.

Donna needs Brooke to come home.

As the man tells her to relax, Brooke pulls away to answer her cell phone; Donna is calling from Brooke's house, where she's watching the kids. Donna asks where Brooke is, since she has to leave to catch a flight for a photo shoot for Forrester Creations. Brooke says she's on her way and tells Donna to call Catherine to watch the kids until she gets there. As Brooke turns to leave, the man at the bar again asks her to have a night cap. Brooke pulls away, causing the man to spill some of his drink on her. She leaves as the man calls after her, "That's expensive scotch!"

Brooke rushes to get home.

As Brooke drives home in the rain, she remembers Ridge telling him, "I can't trust you, Brooke." She then remembers Nick telling her, "I'm moving on." As the words of both men echo in her mind, she gets another call from Donna, who tells her that Catherine is visiting her family in Chicago. Brooke tells Donna that she's almost there, since she just turned off Sunset. In her rush to get home, Brooke almost gets into an accident, so she pulls over. Fretting that she can't let her kids see her this way, she asks herself, "What is happening to me? I feel like I'm falling apart."

RJ and Hope are home alone.

Back at Brooke's house, Donna tells Hope and R.J. that Mommy is on her way. Donna goes to gather her things so she can leave as soon as Brooke arrives. When she hears a car in the driveway, Donna peeks outside and thinks it must be Brooke, so she gets her things, kisses the kids goodbye and heads out the back door to where her car is parked. Alone in the house, Hope and R.J. wait for their mother. They then hear pounding at the front door. "Don't say anything," Hope tells R.J. as Stephanie's messenger stands outside, calling out that he has a delivery for Brooke. When he doesn't get an answer, the messenger leaves the box out front. R.J. tells Hope that he's scared. Hope suggests that they hide behind the couch until Mommy gets home. "Aunt Donna said she'd be here soon," Hope recalls. "Then where's Mommy?" R.J. asks.