Friday, March 02, 2007, Episode #5010

As the paramedics wheel Taylor into the hospital, Nick asks about her condition. The doctor explains that Taylor had a bad case of hypothermia, although Nick's attempts to clear her lungs kept it from being worse. Taylor mumbles, "They're out to get you." Nick asks why she's doing that. The doctor states that the cold got to Taylor quickly since she has little body fat, but he thinks she'll be fine in no time. After the doctor leaves, Nick kisses Taylor on the forehead. She says he looks terrible. Nick laughs that he's sorry for not having time to freshen up yet.

Ridge has a chat with Phoebe.

Ridge calls Phoebe to his office to discuss something disturbing. She wonders what Brooke said to him that has him disturbed, but he tells her that he was actually referring to the photo of her and Rick at Insomnia that Jarrett told him is making its way around the Internet. Phoebe asserts that she and Rick were just having fun on karaoke night, but Ridge is more interested in what she thought Brooke told him. She covers that Brooke saw her with Rick at the new Rodeo Drive boutique, so she thought Brooke might have said something to him about it. Ridge asks if she was hoping to change Rick's mind. Phoebe says that Rick still thinks it's wrong. Ridge says he's sorry, but Phoebe doubts he means it, Ridge assures her that he does; he just doesn't want to see his little girl's heart get broken, even if he has to play the bad guy to prevent that.

Bridget gets a disturbing call from Nick.

At Bridget's beach house, Rick refuses to answer to Stephanie, who instead turns to future daughter in law Brooke to tell her if something's going on with Rick and Phoebe. She just hopes Brooke isn't sneaking around behind Ridge's back playing cupid. Brooke says that she's talking to her kids in their home, so Stephanie has no right to barge in with her accusations. Stephanie says that she's just worried about a scandal. Brooke declares that she'll call the wedding off if Stephanie keeps interfering, since she won't go through a lifetime of Stephanie's badgering her or her kids. Stephanie insists that she's just trying to protect Phoebe and their new business venture, so she wants to know what Brooke is hiding. Brooke says it's only a fight if Stephanie makes it one. Before Stephanie can respond, Bridget gets a call; she recognizes the hospital's phone number on the display, so she's surprised to hear Nick on the phone. Rick asks if Stephanie can enter or leave a room without a threat; Bridget asks him to hush so she can hear Nick. As Brooke wonders why Nick is in the hospital, Nick tells Bridget about Taylor's accident. Stephanie's ears perk up as Bridget asks if Taylor's unconscious. Nick says that she is, but she seems a bit out of it. Bridget says she'll be right there and hangs up, quickly filling the others in about Taylor. Stephanie says she'll follow Bridget and suggests they call Ridge, but Bridget fears they might scare him.

Brooke tells Rick that he can't have any more close calls.

After Bridget and Stephanie leave, Rick thinks he should tell Phoebe, but Brooke asks him to wait. Rick tells Brooke that she seemed bothered that Taylor was with Nick on his boat, but Broke wants to talk about what just happened here. Rick thanks his mom for standing up to Stephanie and promises to do whatever Brooke wants about Phoebe, but Brooke worries that he was about to rush out just now so he could hold Phoebe's hand. Rick promises to be discrete. He reminds Brooke that she predicted earlier that his and Phoebe's feelings for each other might fade over time, and he doesn't want to hurt Phoebe by ending her first love with a painful break-up if that happens. And if their feelings turn out to be real... Brooke tells him that there can't be another close call like tonight, especially with Stephanie sniffing around. Rick promises to be careful and assures his mom that he cares about her happiness as much as she cares about his, even if he disagrees with her choice.

Nick sits by Taylor's bedside.

At the hospital, Nick sits by Taylor's bedside and asks how many fingers he has up. Taylor laughs that he's supposed to ask her the date, or the President's name. "That's it. No more ships for you," Nick laughs. When Stephanie barges in, Nick asks where Bridget is. Stephanie says Bridget is with Taylor's doctor. Taylor again mumbles, "They're out to get him." Nick asks what she means. When Taylor answers, "Marone," Nick realizes she's saying that it was a Marone tanker that hit them! He laughs and asks Taylor which one of them should call the lawyers first. He then excuses himself to find Bridget, warning Stephanie to keep things short with Taylor. When Nick leaves, Stephanie tells Taylor that Ridge is on the way. Taylor asks Stephanie why she called Ridge; Stephanie tells Taylor that she will always be important to Ridge. Stephanie sees the look on Taylor's face and guesses that the Doc is still angry with her. She just wishes she had been firmer when Taylor was drinking. Taylor says she didn't throw herself overboard. Stephanie is glad to hear that, even though she doesn't think she has to ask why Taylor was with Nick. "Then don't," Taylor responds. Stephanie urges Taylor not to waste her time over a bum like Nick.

Taylor is happy to hear Nick's confession.

Bridget and Nick are talking to Taylor's doctor when Ridge and Phoebe arrive. After Bridget directs Ridge to Taylor's room, Nick wonders why all these people are here and asks Bridget f she can clear Taylor's room out. Bridget goes to see what she can do. Brooke and Rick arrive and see Nick; while Rick goes to get coffee, Brooke tells Nick that he looks terrible. Nick agrees that he does and tells Brooke about what happened on the boat. He blames his lack of attention for his losing the Marlin. Brooke says she's sorry, but Nick thinks he should be getting back inside. In the room, Taylor tells Ridge, Stephanie and Phoebe that she's fine. As Nick comes in, Bridget suggests that they let Taylor rest, so Ridge and Phoebe say their goodbyes and leave. Stephanie wants to continue her chat with Taylor about something important; when Taylor says it was only important to La Forrester, Bridget motions for Stephanie to leave. Stephanie says she'll be back. "No one ever doubts that," Nick snipes. He then tells Taylor he's sorry, but she says she's the one who should be sorry, since she didn't let him fix the boat and turned off his radio. Nick agrees that it was her fault, but she feels bad that he lost his boat. "I lost one lady, but I gained another," Nick tells her. He then offers to let her rest, but she asks him to stay the night. Nick says he will if she lets him. Taylor asks, "Why should I let you, Captain?" He answers, "Because I think I'm falling for you," admitting he never thought he'd say those words again. Taylor says that his secret is safe with her. Nick leans in and kisses her.

Rick whispers some information to Phoebe.

In the hall, Rick brings Phoebe a cup of her favorite tea and uses the chance to whisper to her that Stephanie is watching them like a hawk. Still whispering, he tells Phoebe that his mom didn't tell her dad about them yet. Phoebe says that she knows, since she almost told her dad. Rick tells her that his mom is OK with them as long as they keep things quiet, so Brooke won't be telling Ridge anything as long as they play it cool. He asks Phoebe if she's OK; she replies, "Yeah, apart from being crazy in love." Rick tells her to sit down and drink her tea, so she does. Rick sighs as he watches Phoebe sit next to her dad.

Stephanie has words with Brooke.

Brooke walks by Taylor's room and sees Nick by Taylor's side. Stephanie comes over and points to Rick and Phoebe in the waiting room; La Forrester thinks it's obvious how Rick and Phoebe are avoiding looking at each other. Brooke renews her warning as to what will happen if Stephanie keeps this up; Stephanie doesn't believe Brooke will leave Ridge, who comes over and asks what's going on. Brooke responds that Stephanie is flashing back to her old self, but Stephanie insists Brooke is lying about Rick and Phoebe. Ridge doesn't believe her and tells his mother not to come to his and Brooke's wedding or even their home if this is how it's going to be. Stephanie walks off. Ridge asks what's with his mother. Brooke says she doesn't know, but she won't take anything from Stephanie anymore. Ridge says she shouldn't have to and goes to call Thomas.