Friday, July 20, 2007, Episode #5107

Rick tries to understand Phoebe's hesitation.

Rick and Phoebe lie by the fire at the beach house, making out. Phoebe suddenly pulls back and tells Rick to wait. "I can't..." she states. Rick is confused, since she said she wanted this. "I guess I'm not ready," she replies. Rick tries to understand, but he's having a hard time. Phoebe asserts that she doesn't understand it, either, and she wants him to know that she loves him, but... Rick asks if that means she loves him as a friend. Phoebe insists that she loves him as more than a friend. Rick counters that loving someone as "more than a friend" usually includes making love, but Phoebe asks why it has to be that way. "Can't two people be committed and not sleep together?" she asks. Of course, Rick answers, since many people do that and are OK with it. "But you're not," Phoebe guesses.

Phoebe urges Rick not to give up on them.

Phoebe urges Rick to believe that she is committed to him and asks if he's trying to tell her that he wants to get engaged. Rick says that's not what he's talking about and asks how two people in love are supposed to grow if they don't connect in the deepest way possible. "I don't want this relationship to die," he pleads. Phoebe is surprised he thinks their relationship will end if she doesn't sleep with him. She explains that she doesn't want to have regrets when she makes love for the first time. She wants the first man to make love to her to respect her after, and more importantly, she needs to respect herself, too. Rick tells Phoebe that he'd never disrespect her. Phoebe tells him that this about her, not about him. She knows he's been patient waiting for her to be ready, and she sees that he may gave reached his limit. But at the same time, she has to respect her feelings, so she'll understand, no matter how much she'd hate it, if he wants to move on and find someone who can give him what he needs. Crying, she asks him not to give up on them and says she's sorry. "You have to do what you have to do," Rick responds.

Hope gets a visit from her Mommy.

Brooke stops by Ridge's house to tuck the kids in. As she goes Hope's bed, Hope stirs and asks, "Are you here to take us home?" Brooke gently tells Hope, "You're staying here tonight." Hope asks Brooke if she'll be back in the morning. Brooke tenderly explains that Ridge wants to spend time with Hope and R.J., which is why Brooke needs to "share" them with Ridge for a while. Hope responds, "I love you, Mommy." "I love you, too," Brooke says as she tucks her little girl in. Ridge watches from the doorway as Brooke cuddles Hope and strokes the little girl's hair.

Ridge tries to reason with Brooke.

Ridge goes downstairs, where an anxious Stephanie wants to know what Brooke is doing up there for so long. Ridge tells his mother that Brooke can have all the time she needs with the kids. Stephanie hopes he's not second guessing himself. Ridge thinks it's getting late and intends to turn in once Brooke comes down, so he suggests that his mother go home, but Stephanie decides to stay and make some tea. As Stephanie goes to the kitchen, Brooke comes downstairs. She admits that she's not surprised to see Stephanie here. Ridge reminds her that this is just temporary, so she can get the help she needs. "You call this help?" Brooke asks. Ridge says he was just doing what he thought was best; Brooke is stunned that he of all people would think what's best is to keep her from her children. She reminds him that he could have stood up to his mother, but he didn't. Ridge points out that she's been all over the place emotionally lately, but Brooke thinks they could have talked about it instead of his letting his mother roll over her. Ridge reminds her that Child Services forced this issue, not his mother. "You really believe that?" Brooke asks. "It's the truth," Ridge answers. Before Brooke can respond, they hear Hope calling from upstairs, asking "Daddy Ridge" for some water. Brooke suggests he tend to her daughter and turn to leave.

Stephanie has words with Brooke.

As Brooke's on her way out, Stephanie comes in with the tea and remarks about Brooke's tough day. Brooke isn't buying Stephanie's concern, but Stephanie retorts that this is a long overdue chance for Brooke to face her issues and heal herself. "And what are my 'issues'?" Brooke asks. Stephanie calls Brooke a self-centered narcissist whose concept of men and sex revolves around an obsession with conquering men. She suggests that Brooke's sexual power is fading, but Brooke didn't see it coming, which led Brooke to make the foolish choices that got her to the tragic outcome she faces today. She admits that she wouldn't even care if it was only Brooke involved, but Brooke has two young children, so she has no regrets about alerting the authorities to Brooke's behavior. Brooke infers from that speech that Stephanie sees herself as being vastly superior. Stephanie submits that they just have different priorities, since she focuses on family while Brooke fixates on sex. But family includes a male companion, Brooke points out, and she wants that, so she refuses to apologize for seeking that warmth instead of being a "human icicle" like Stephanie. Stephanie counters that she at least has a place in her grandchildren's lives, and she intends to make sure those kids are brought up with the right morals. "You really hit the jackpot this time," Brooke seethes. "Not only have you cut me out of your life completely, but now you have a child to raise with your beloved Ridge."

Taylor tells Nick about her concerns.

Nick comes home and shrugs off Taylor, who asks if he took Brooke home. He tells her that Storm took Brooke by Ridge's house to see the kids. Taylor still can't believe the judge gave Ridge custody, even temporarily. But it happened, Nick argues as he pours himself a drink. Taylor asks if he's blaming her for what happened. He points out that her testimony didn't help Brooke. Taylor tells him that she was just telling the truth, because she has concerns about things Brooke told her. But she couldn't find a way to finesse things and instead told the judge Brooke can't care for her kids, Nick counters, pointing out that Brooke helped raise Taylor's kids. That was a different time, Taylor replies. "Whatever you say," Nick retorts. Taylor confesses that she might not have felt the need to finesse things for Brooke, since she knows Nick will always be there to catch Brooke when she falls. Nick asks if she really wants to go there, since she's not exactly objective when it comes to Brooke, either. "But I can at least admit that," Taylor answers, suggesting that this could be the chance for Brooke to get the help she needs. What Brooke needs, Nick argues, is her kids, since Brooke is more than capable of getting help and caring for her kids at the same time. Sensing that either he or Taylor might say something they'll regret later, Nick decides to go to the Marlin to cool off. "Should I wait up?" Taylor asks. "If you get tired, go to sleep," Nick states as he storms out and slams the door.