Monday, March 12, 2007, Episode #5016

Storm gives Nick the scoop about Brooke, Ridge, Rick and Phoebe.

Jackie, Storm and Donna join Nick in his office at Forrester Creations to read the EYE ON FASHION report on Ridge and Brooke's wedding. When they read Jarrett's hint that "something, or someone" might derail the wedding plans, they all wonder if the smarmy reporter might be referring to Rick and Phoebe's relationship, especially since there's not a mention of the Internet photo of the young duo in the article. Nick suspects the Forresters strong-armed Jarrett into keeping mum on Rick and Phoebe, especially since he and Jackie can confirm that Ridge and Brooke disagree about their kids' seeing each other. Storm tries to call Brooke for the scoop; she tells him about the blow-up at Big Bear. Storm tells the others and shares his suspicion that Brooke isn't getting into it with Ridge about this so as not to ruin her wedding's tie-in with the boutique launch. Jackie thinks that the idea of launching the stores with a wedding is tacky and is a slap in Nick's face. Nick sends the Logan siblings to find a way to derail their sister's wedding.

Nick again tells Jackie that Brooke is in his past.

Alone with Nick, Jackie see how bothered Nick is about this wedding and urges him to do something to stop it. Nick reminds his mother yet again that Brooke made his choice and doesn't want or need his help; his future is with Taylor now. Jackie can't believe that he is going to just stand by while the Forresters hurt Brooke again. She knows he cares for Taylor, but those feelings pale in comparison to his feelings for Brooke. Nick reminds her that he tried to have a life with Brooke, and that failed. But time has passed, Jackie argues, and Brooke knows how he feels... Nick admits that he doesn't want to see this wedding happen, but his life with Brooke is over. "Let it be over," he begs his mother. Later, after Jackie leaves, Nick grows sad as he looks at photos of him with Brooke and Hope.

Phoebe frets that Rick might find someone else.

Ridge is in his office with Phoebe, trying to get her mind off Rick. He admits that Rick is crazy about her, but he also points out that Rick is 10 years older than her. Phoebe doesn't see the big deal. Ridge says that he's not grounding her for life; he just wants her to back away from this thing with Rick and date people her own age. Phoebe fears that Rick might find someone else while she does that; she warns her dad that she will never forgive him if that happens. Ridge reminds his daughter that he's known and loved her from the day she was born, so he can state for a fact that no woman in the world could ever compete with her.

Ashley is pleased to see Rick again.

But Rick, meanwhile, is in the other office with Ashley Abbott, who is glad to see that he kept his long hair. Rick apologizes for being so shell-shocked; it's just that he didn't expect to see her here. Ashley seems surprised; she thought he knew that Brooke invited her to consult on Forrester Originals' new fragrance. Rick suddenly realizes that Ashley was the mystery woman on the phone. Ashley is miffed that he didn't recognize her voice; Rick jokes that he didn't recognize it because she wasn't whispering in his ear like she was when they last spoke. Ashley recalls that she whispered something in French, breaking her rule not to mix business with pleasure. "What good is business if you can't take pleasure from it?" Rick asks. Ashley asks about the change from Forrester Creations to Forrester Originals; Rick doesn't want to get into the sordid details. Ashley says she can relate to the infighting in a family business; after all, that's why she went to Hong Kong for Jabot originally (as shown on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS). But she felt that Hong Kong wasn't her, so she decided to try something new on her own when his mom called. Rick agrees that Ashley is the best in the business when it comes to fragrances, but he worries about their past. Ash assures him that Paris was Paris, and she has no regrets about what happened there. She offers to back out if this makes Rick uncomfortable, but he still wants her on board. Ashley asks if he has anyone in his life; Rick says he does, but it's complicated and dangerous. Before he can say anymore, his assistant calls him and tells him that it's time for the meeting. Before they leave, Ashley assures him that this visit is just about a job; what they shared is in the past. Rick thanks her.

Stephanie and Eric chat with Ridge about Rick and Phoebe.

Ridge joins Eric and Stephanie for the meeting with Ashley. Eric shows Ridge the EYE ON FASHION report about the wedding; Ridge is ready to say "I do," but Stephanie urges him to reconsider marrying Brooke while he still can. Ridge and his mother argue again about whether Rick and Phoebe's relationship is over or not; Stephanie says she'd slap Rick silly if it wasn't over. "Over my dead body," Brooke counters as she walks in. She urges them all to table this discussion now, so Ashley doesn't walk in and feel like she's caught in a hornet's nest. Eric agrees that Brooke is right, which irks Stephanie. Stephanie asks where Phoebe is, hoping they don't have to send someone up to Big Bear again. Right on cue, Phoebe walks in.

Ridge is ready to meet with Ashley Abbott.

Ridge asks his daughter if she saw Ashley outside. Phoebe says she didn't, but again right on cue, Rick arrives with Ashley. The Forresters and Ash exchange greetings - their families have had dealings before in past Y&R/B&B crossovers - and Stephanie tells Ash that she was sorry to hear about John Abbott's death last year. Ridge introduces Ashley to Phoebe; Ash is pleased to meet the new star model she's heard so much about. Brooke guesses that Ashley already met her son Rick; Rick explains that he and Ashley actually met, since he contacted her when he first came up with the fragrance idea at International. They all agree that it's good to have Ashley on board, since she's the best in her field. Ash lives up to that statement as she presents several samples for fragrances she worked up during her past meetings with Rick. The Forresters are suitably impressed. Rick suggests they take the project a step further with bath oils and other cosmetic products, but Broke and Eric both agree that they should focus on just the fragrance for now. Ashley remarks about the possible choice for a name, Phoebe; she likes the fact that it would work well with a young demographic. Eric likes what he's seen, too, and tells Ashley that he'll send a proposal to her hotel. Ash looks forward to getting it.

Rick tells Ashley about his relationship with Phoebe.

After Eric shows her around their new offices, Ashley returns to the office Rick is working out of. Rick asks what hotel she's staying at so they can send their proposal over. Ash tells him and asks him again if he's OK with working so closely with her. Before they can discuss it further, Phoebe walks in, fawning over how Rick was during the meeting with Ashley. She calls him a "sexy businessman" and walks closer to him, but she then sees that Ashley is there. Rick says that he and Ashley were just talking about the proposal; feeling embarrassed, Phoebe takes that as her cue to leaves. Ashley asks Rick if that is his "complicated" involvement. He says it is. Ashley thinks Phoebe is cute; Rick is glad she approves, since his family doesn't, especially Ridge. Ash asks what he's going to do, since Ridge is marrying his mom. He tells her that he agreed to play it cool with Phoebe for now, but Ash asks if he can really do that.

Brooke gives Ridge a stern warning.

In Ridge's office, Brooke asks him to come to Australia with her, but Ridge says he has too much going on. Brooke senses he is still worried about Rick and Phoebe and tells him to trust their kids, but Ridge worries that he still has to keep a close eye on them. Brooke thinks she should stay if there are still problems, but Ridge tells her that she's needed in Sydney. She urges him to keep his distance, since they control their kids' lives. She recalls what happened at Big Bear and warns Ridge that he can't that happen again. Ridge says it won't as long as Rick stays away from Phoebe, but that isn't good enough for Brooke. She tells him that he can't grab Rick that way - ever! If he ever lays a hand on her son again, she warns, it will be over between them.