Tuesday, July 10, 2007, Episode #5099

Stephanie asks Ridge not to go to Brooke's.

In Eric's office, Stephanie tells Eric and Ridge about how what happened at Brooke's house last night, including how her friend Dorothy Bascomb from Child Services showed up along with Lt. Baker. She fumes at how embarrassed she was when Dorothy found out that it was her grandchildren that were left alone because their mother was boozing with some strange man. Ridge points out that Brooke explained why she smelled of booze and suggests that his mother show some compassion for Brooke, but Stephanie insists that Brooke made her own problems this time. When Ridge wants to go over to Brooke's and check on the kids, Stephanie objects, since things are going well with Ashley. Neither Eric nor Ridge sees anything wrong with Ridge going over as a father checking on his kid, but Stephanie fears that he'll be sending Brooke mixed signals again and begs him to reconsider. She instead offers to go over Brooke's herself and check on the kids.

Eric tries to convince Stephanie that Brooke's situation is under control.

After Stephanie and Ridge leave, Eric gets back to work, but Stephanie realizes she forgot her car keys and comes back. Eric suggests that she leave Brooke alone, but she refuses to back off after seeing how scared Hope and R.J. were after being left alone all night. Eric assures her that the situation is under control now, but Stephanie fears that Brooke may use her youngest kids as doormats, like she did with Rick and Bridget for years. Eric reminds her that Rick and Bridget are his kids, too. Which is all the more reason for them to be involved as grandparents, Stephanie states, since Brooke is incapable of being a good mother to those kids.

Ridge gets a gift from Abby.

Ashley and Abby drop by Ridge's office so Abby can give Ridge a thank you gift for inviting them to the pool party and for making Ashley so happy. Ridge opens the gift and is delighted to find a ceramic mug that Abby made at art camp. He promises to use it here for his coffee, so it can inspire him when he draws. Ashley then sends Abby to find office assistant Molly to take her downstairs, since Abby's friend Samantha is coming with Samantha's mom to take Abby to the movies. Ridge gives Abby a big thank you hug and sends the little girl on her way. Once Abby leaves, Ridge marvels at how well adjusted Abby is after everything going on in Ashley's life over the last year. Ashley admits she and Abby have been through a lot with Ashley's divorce from Brad, the loss of Abby's grandpa, the moves to Hong Kong and L.A. and Brad's latest divorce. That's a lot for an 8 year old, Ridge agrees. Ashley bets Ridge is similarly worried about R.J. given what's going on with Brooke and offers to help, but Ridge thinks his mother has cornered the market on helping him lately. However, he does intend to help Brooke by spending time with R.J., like he did with Thomas and the twins while Taylor was missing. As Ridge offers her some water, Ashley points out how well his kids turned out. Ridge suggests that he make her sweat now that she's hydrated from the water. Ashley asks what he has in mind.

Ashley steams things up for Ridge.

Ridge takes Ashley to the company steam room. He explains that being in the steam room helps clear his head and gets his creative juices flowing. Ashley compares it the way she gets ideas in the shower and goes along with Ridge. She asks if the protocol is to just sit and wait for her muse to overtake her. "That's one technique out of many," Ridge coos as he starts to kiss Ashley all over her body to warm her up. Ashley admits she's feeling warm, so Ridge continues to kiss her and offers to heat things up. "I'll have to get back to you on that, 'cause I'm in deep consultation with my muse," Ashley purrs, telling Ridge that her session with her muse is a closed session, by invitation only. Ridge asks what he has to do to get invited. "Submit a proposal," Ashley states. Ridge asks, "Decent or indecent?" She tells him to use his imagination. Ridge tells Ashley that he's glad she came into his life and asks if this is something she can get used to. Ashley tells him to twist her arm, but he kisses her passionately instead.

Nick worries about Brooke.

Nick drops by Brooke's house to see Hope and R.J., who want to play pirate with Nick. Nick sends them to get their gear so they can then look for the treasure. As the kids leave, Nick quips that he's getting old and corny and asks Brooke if he's cute that way. Brooke thanks him for coming. Nick recalls that she sounded a bit off on the phone and asks if she's OK. Brooke tells him that she still can't forget how scared the kids were after being left home alone overnight. Nick changes the subject and tells Brooke that he heard about her plans to reunite with the dressmaker from Bridget, but Brooke tells him that Ridge rejected her and is pursuing Ashley now. Nick bets that won't last, but Brooke doesn't think it matters, since Ridge doesn't want her. She explains that Ridge still thinks she's in love with Nick, and she can't say he's wrong. Sensing that her last comment made Nick uncomfortable, she apologizes, even though what she said was the truth. She explains that she's faced a lot of truths lately, the most of which is that she's lost focus on her children, which is why she's made an appointment with Taylor. Nick is surprised that Brooke is seeing his wife as a patient. Brooke explains that she's going over there now, so she asks Nick to watch the kids while she's gone. Nick agrees to stay and hopes her talk with Taylor will leave her in a better place than she is now. Brooke tries to comment on what she said about her feelings for Nick earlier, but Nick thinks some things are better left unsaid.

Taylor is reluctant to help Brooke.

When Brooke arrives at Taylor's, the Doc is alarmed to learn that Brooke is her last minute appointment. She doesn't think she can be Brooke's therapist, although she offers to give Brooke a referral to another doctor who can even see Brooke today. Brooke frets that she can't explain what's going on with her to a stranger, which is why she thinks Taylor is the only one she can trust. Taylor is still hesitant, but Brooke feels like she is in crisis after what happened to her kids last night, so she pleads with Taylor to just talk to her as a friend. Taylor reluctantly agrees and asks Brooke about last night. Brooke explains that Ridge rejected her because he thinks she's still in love with Nick. "Is he right? Are you still in love with my husband?" Taylor asks, not liking where this conversation is going. Brooke explains that she is in love with Ridge and Nick, but Nick is off limits because Taylor is pregnant. Taylor tells Brooke to forget about the pregnancy and focus on her own feelings. Brooke explains how Ridge rejected her, so she feels so alone, like her life is out of control. She was so distraught that she fell asleep in her car, even though she should have known better, and her kids were home alone as a result.

Brooke opens up to Taylor.

Taylor concedes that Brooke has always had problems with impulse control. Brooke bets that Taylor thinks she's pathetic with the way she runs from one man to another, and now the two men she loves have rejected her. That leaves her at a crossroads, and it feels like every decision she makes is the wrong one. She was weak, and she left her kids alone, so she wonders if the woman from child services might be right that her kids are better off without her! Taylor tells Brooke not to say that, but Brooke feels like a horrible mother. Taylor explains that we all have moments where we feel like we're falling apart, but those feelings are not facts. She admits that Brooke has always acted on her emotions, but she also thinks Brooke is resilient and strong. Brooke doesn't feel that way now. She feels weak and selfish after letting her kids down, and she feels alone having had both Ridge and Nick walk away from her. She fears that Ridge is finally sick of her, because just like Stephanie always says, she ruins people's lives. Taylor tries to calm Brooke, but Brooke says it's all true, and she has to change before something terrible happens to her kids!