Monday, March 05, 2007, Episode #5011

Taylor recovers at Nick's house.

In a bedroom at the Marone mansion, Nick tucks Taylor in after dinner and asks if he can get her anything, especially since he almost got her killed. Taylor reminds him that she convinced him to turn off the radio, and he probably would have moved the Marlin in time if he had the radio on. Nick says he could get another boat, but he couldn't replace her. The doorbell rings; Nick goes to answer it and is surprised to see Stephanie there. She wants to talk to him after seeing him with Taylor at the hospital. Nick wants to wait for the morning, but Stephanie tells him that she saw the other night how his relationship with Taylor has changed. Nick thinks that almost getting killed can do that. Stephanie warns that Taylor isn't his kind of woman - but Brooke is. Nick asks where this is going; Stephanie explains that Brooke and Ridge's relationship is about to blow up, and she doesn't think Brooke and Ridge are going to get married. She knows how Nick feels about Brooke and... Nick tells her to admit that she's not here out of concern for him or Brooke, but because she's turned on Brooke, just like he said she would. Stephanie says that Brooke brought this on herself, and since she knows Brooke will need someone to comfort her when things fall apart...

Stephanie tries to push Nick toward Brooke.

Nick tells Stephanie to leave him out her games, since he isn't buying her concern for his happiness. Stephanie says she's not worried about him; she's worried about Taylor, who is just a distraction to him, one he'd drop in a minute if Brooke was available. Nick says that's not true, but Stephanie doesn't believe it; she tells him that what Taylor really needs is stability from a man she can count on. Nick agrees with that, which is why he hopes Taylor stays far away from Stephanie and her screwy family. He tried telling Brooke to do that, but she didn't listen. Stephanie thinks it's too bad that Brooke didn't listen, since now Brooke is lying to Ridge about Rick and Phoebe and supports those kids seeing each other. She supports it because there's nothing wrong with it, Nick argues. Stephanie is glad to see that Brooke has confided in him. She wants Nick to know that she's not his enemy. She knows he doesn't want to hurt Taylor, but it's bound to happen, so she's urging him not to let Taylor be cast aside for Brooke again. Nick's had enough and shows Stephanie out.

Nick tells Taylor about Stephaie's visit.

Taylor is upstairs remembering her game of strip poker with Nick, specifically the point where he took off the St. Christopher medal Brooke gave him. Nick returns and tells her about Stephanie's visit. Taylor is stunned that Stephanie would come over and ask him to support Brooke again; she thinks it's as odd as Stephanie telling her in the hospital how special she would always be to Ridge. She doesn't see why Stephanie would be saying these things, since Ridge and Brooke love each other. Nick explains Stephanie's theory that Brooke and Ridge's relationship will fall apart once Ridge finds out that Brooke's been lying to him about Rick and Phoebe. Taylor tells him that Ridge said Rick and Phoebe aren't seeing each other, but Nick only knows what Stephanie told him. Taylor is astonished that after a year of trying to get Brooke and Ridge together, Stephanie is now trying to push Brooke back to Nick, all because she thinks Brooke will come running back to Nick. She asks Nick what he thinks Brooke will do. Nick isn't sure. Taylor asks Nick if they're going to get sucked into the drama around Stephanie and the Forresters; she knows she doesn't want to do that and asks what he thinks.

Ridge asks for Rick's opinion.

At Forrester Originals, Brooke warns Rick that Stephanie is on the warpath over his relationship with Phoebe. She thinks she needs to tell Ridge about it before Stephanie does, since La Forrester will put her own spin on things. Rick doesn't want Ridge to hear it from anyone until after the wedding, recalling Ridge's threat to kill him if he crossed the line with Phoebe. He thinks Ridge can make his life hell, but Brooke thinks Stephanie also can, and will. Rick is sorry to see his mom at war with Stephanie again, but he thinks that comes with the territory of being involved with Ridge. Before Brooke can respond, Ridge comes in with Phoebe and Felicia; Phoebe is wearing a low cut dress and asks if it's too sexy. Brooke is hesitant to respond, even though Felicia says there's no such thing as "too sexy." Ridge thinks this dress is better suited for another model and asks Rick what he thinks. Rick admits that Phoebe looks hot - in fact, he thinks she might be TOO hot, and he doesn't think that's the image they want to project as a company. Brooke takes Rick's response as a sign that they can work together. Which is good, Ridge remarks, since they have lots of work to do. On that note, he recalls that Rick sent out a memo about an idea he wanted to run by them.

Felicia adds her two cents.

Rick explains that he was doing some research at Forrester International into the idea of creating a fragrance line to complement their fashions. He had planned to pitch the idea to Eric, but he never got the chance before he left Paris, so no one at Forrester Creations knows about it. Felicia likes the idea and says they can give it a cute name - like "Phoebe." Rick likes that idea. Ridge agrees that a fragrance line would be a great way to gain an edge over Forrester Creations. Felicia suggests they get this going before the grand opening, so Brooke offers to call some people. Felicia suggests that Rick mention it in his interview. Phoebe remarks that she forgot about that; Ridge asks what she means, so Felicia explains that she scheduled an interview for Rick and Phoebe next week. Rick suggests that Felicia handle P.R. for that; having seen the look on Ridge's face when she mentioned the interview, Felicia agrees that it would be a good idea. Later, Ridge talks with Felicia in his office about the tension between him and Rick. Felicia thinks Rick got the message when Ridge kicked him out of the house. Ridge tells her that their mother suspects that Rick and Phoebe are still seeing each other, and that Brooke is covering for them. So the honeymoon is over for their mom and Brooke, Felicia surmises. Ridge explains that he told Stephanie to stop abusing Brooke. Now that this thing with Rick and Phoebe is settled, he doesn't want any more hurdles in the way of his marrying Brooke.

Rick tries to reassure his mother.

Back in the main office, Brooke thanks Rick for handling things with Phoebe just now, but she's still worried about lying to Ridge, so she suggests that Rick continue to keep his distance from Phoebe until after the wedding. She just hopes he and Phoebe are careful, since now Stephanie and Ridge are keeping an eye on them, and if they get caught... Rick promises to be careful. Before he can say anything more, Stephanie comes in with Phoebe and asks Rick to take a look at the stitching on the neckline of Phoebe's dress. Rick doesn't see anything wrong, and Phoebe says she doesn't feel anything. Brooke offers to take a look, but Stephanie says that she'll just have Eric check it later. She then explains that she stopped by hoping that Brooke could come talk with her in Ridge's office for a moment, since Ridge isn't there. Brooke seems hesitant, so Stephanie asks what's wrong; it can't be that Rick and Phoebe will be alone, since Brooke gave her word that they weren't involved. Brooke says that's true, so Stephanie asks Brooke to come with her - but before she leaves, Stephanie turns on the intercom on the desk phone,

Brooke defends her son to Stephanie.

When she and Stephanie get to Ridge's office, Brooke asks what's going on. Stephanie tells Brooke to stop lying to Ridge about Rick and Phoebe, since she knows that those two are still involved. Brooke asserts that Ridge doesn't believe that. Stephanie urges Brooke to do the right thing, but Brooke doesn't need Stephanie telling her what's right for her family. Stephanie disagrees, because she sees how Brooke has mishandled this situation so far. She suggests that Brooke rein her son in before Rick and Phoebe have sex, which is bound to happen - and once it does and Ridge finds out... Brooke tells Stephanie to stop this right now! She insists that Phoebe is a good girl and Rick is a good man, so she knows Rick would never take advantage of Phoebe, no matter what Stephanie thinks. That's why she wants Stephanie to butt out and leave Rick alone! Frustrated, Brooke storms out of the office.

Phoebe has an idea.

Back in the main office, Rick and Phoebe are glad to finally have some time alone. Phoebe suggests that Rick lock the door, but Rick fears that the two of them being together in a locked room is bound to set her dad off. Phoebe reminds him that her dad went to the cutting room with Felicia, but Rick points out that they also have to worry about Stephanie - who at that very moment, turns on the intercom in Ridge's office and listens through the line she left open when she fetched Brooke. Phoebe and Rick worry about Brooke covering for them with Ridge, so Phoebe suggests that they go somewhere private where no one can walk in on them. She'll leave her dad a note that she went to the beach with Madison. Rick thinks that's a bad idea, since if they both disappear at the same time, her dad is bound to come looking for them at Bridget's beach house. Instead, Phoebe suggests they take separate cars up to the family cabin at Big Bear. Rick likes that idea, but before they go, he wants to take a quick break for a kiss from Phoebe. After they kiss, Phoebe says that was nice. Rick says there's more where that came from.