Tuesday, March 20, 2007, Episode #5020

Ashley accepts the Forresters' job offer.

Ashley meets with Stephanie at Forrester Originals to accept the Forresters' job offer. Stephanie is thrilled and is sure the rest of the family will be, too. She asks if Ashley is done with Jabot; Ash says that she did enough for Jabot in Hong Kong to take a leave of absence and have some time for herself. Stephanie thinks that Ashley, having worked for a family business like Jabot, can appreciate how complicated things can be among the Forresters. Ash asks, "Are you referring to your 'friendship' with Brooke?" Stephanie says that she was actually thinking about how difficult things have been with Rick and Phoebe, especially since Ridge disapproves of those kids being involved. Ashley suggests that Rick and Phoebe's feelings might pass in time, but Stephanie isn't sure that will happen. Stephanie asks Ashley if Rick said anything to her about the women he dated in Paris when Ashley met with him there. Ash covers that Rick never said anything and then asks about the tension between Ridge and Brooke over Rick and Phoebe, hoping that won't affect the launch. Stephanie assures her that the launch of the boutiques and the wedding are a go. Ashley is pleased and suggests that they announce their new fragrance at the launch, proposing that they use Phoebe to talk to the press about the fragrance. Stephanie agrees that's a wonderful idea. Ashley is sure that the public will love Phoebe.

Ridge is disappointed and angry that Phoebe broke her word.

Ridge and Taylor are stunned to find Phoebe in Eric's office, sitting on Rick's lap. Phoebe insists that she was only giving Rick a haircut, but Ridge wants his daughter off Rick NOW! Ridge then tells Rick that he wants to talk to Phoebe alone. Phoebe tells her dad to calm down, because she and Rick weren't doing anything wrong. Ridge points out that this is an office, not a barber shop, so it's no place for Rick to be getting a haircut. Rick interjects that Phoebe did a good job, but Ridge dismisses that and tears into Phoebe for breaking her promise to stay away from Rick. He's through trying to compromise with Phoebe, since it's obvious that she and Rick can't work together, so he has no choice but to fire Phoebe! Phoebe protests and turns to Taylor for support, but Ridge warns that he and Taylor are on the same page. Taylor admits that she had her reservations about Phoebe taking a year off from school to work here. Phoebe can't believe this is happening. Rick tells Phoebe not to worry, because she's not going anywhere. "Excuse me?" Ridge asks. Rick states that they can't fire Phoebe, who is an integral part of their plans to launch their new boutiques and fragrance. Ridge says that his daughter means more than this damn company, but Rick wonders if his dad and Stephanie would agree. Ridge asserts that he's getting annoyed by Rick's attitude; Rick counters that Ridge has been annoyed for some time. Phoebe tries to break them up, to no avail, so Taylor tells Rick to take a walk so everyone can cool down.

Taylor talks with her daughter about sex.

After Rick leaves, Phoebe protests her dad's firing her over a haircut, but Ridge states that Rick has been a negative influence on Phoebe since Rick's return from Europe. Phoebe asks Taylor if she agrees; Taylor says that she does, since it's inappropriate for Phoebe to be alone in a closed office with an older shirtless man. Phoebe insists it was just a haircut, but Taylor says it was foreplay. She thinks they need to talk about this, since Phoebe wants to be treated like an adult. Phoebe is not in the mood for a sex talk, but Taylor wants to know if Phoebe has slept with Rick. Phoebe says that she hasn't. Taylor points out how they've talked about how special a young girl's first time is, and it's even more special if the girl takes her time and waits for the right moment. Ridge tells Phoebe, "It's worth it, sweetheart - and you're worth it." Taylor explains that she and Ridge just don't want to see their daughter get hurt. Phoebe asks how she's supposed to grow up if she can't make her own decisions, even if she makes some mistakes on the way. Ridge tells her that she can experience life all she wants if it's without Rick. Fed up, Phoebe asks if she still has a job. Ridge says no, but Taylor suggests that he reconsider. Ridge agrees that Phoebe can stay for now.

Stephanie urges Ridge not to go to Sydney.

Phoebe passes Stephanie as she storms out of the office. Stephanie realizes what that was about. Ridge tells his mom that she was right that nothing has changed with Rick and Phoebe, but he doesn't want to hear her say, "I told you so." Stephanie thinks this just proves why Ridge should call off the wedding, since this would be over if Brooke hadn't lied to him. Taylor disagrees, because she sees Ridge wants to be with Brooke. Ridge tells the doc that he's already told his mother over and over that this wedding is happening, but Stephanie doesn't believe it. Ridge thinks they need to focus on keeping Rick and Phoebe apart for now. Taylor isn't sure what the answer is, but she knows one thing: if Ridge pushes too hard, all he'll do is damage his relationship with Phoebe and push her closer to Rick. After Taylor leaves, Stephanie suggests that Ridge cancel his trip to Sydney with everything going on with Phoebe. Ridge insists that they need him in Sydney for the launch and asks his mom to keep an eye on Rick and Phoebe while he's away. Stephanie doesn't think she can keep an eye on the kids 24/7, so Ridge tells her to do her best. He had a hard enough time restraining himself today, and he doesn't know what he'll do if he returns from Sydney to find that Phoebe is in deeper with Rick. If that happens, he vows to tear Rick apart!

Ashley's sister Traci gives Ash a call from New York.

In the other office, Ashley gets a call on her cell phone from her sister Traci in New York. Ash asks how Traci's daughter Colleen is doing in Genoa City. Traci says that Colleen is fine and asks her big sister how she's adjusting to life in L.A. Ash admits it's a big change, especially with her daughter Abby starting a new school, but everything is great. Traci admits she was worried when she hears Ashley left Hong Kong already and took a new job in L.A. She can't help wondering if all this moving around is Ashley's way of coping with their father's death. Ashley assures Traci that she's fine. Traci asks if they can find some time to just chat and catch up. Ashley suggests that Traci visit her in L.A., and they can have some sushi. Traci laughs that her sister has gone California on her and then, on a more serious note, tells Ashley to call if she needs her any time, day or night. Ashley says the same goes for her. She bids her sister goodbye and tells Traci to say "hi" to her husband Steve. The sisters exchange "I love you's" and end the call.

Rick comes in and sees Ashley there. Ash sees that he cut his hair and admits that she liked his long locks, but she thinks the new look will grow on her - and on Rick. She then tells Rick that she accepted his family's offer. Rick is thrilled and gives her a hug. Ashley asks if he's really OK with her working here. Rick is sure she'll fit in well here. Ashley can't wait to start working with Phoebe. That's assuming Phoebe still works here, Rick states, telling Ashley about the blow-up over the haircut. Rick laments how unreasonable Phoebe's parents are being, especially Ridge, so he wishes he and Phoebe hadn't caved to their parents' wishes. Ashley isn't surprised that his attempts to bring peace to the family are failing, since she knows how passionate he is, even if Phoebe doesn't understand that. Rick admits he used to think Phoebe was too young for him, because she was a kid, while he was married and ran a major company division. But even though Phoebe is young, he feels drawn to her. Ash admits that you feel a spark when you're drawn to someone special, as he seems to be with Phoebe. At the same time, she thinks he needs to consider affects others, like his mom or Ridge. If she's talking about sex, Rick states, that's not happening, even though it's killing him. He asks Ashley is she has any idea how long it's been since... Ash says she doesn't know, but Rick thinks she does. Ash is surprised that he and Phoebe haven't had sex and wonders if that's a sign that things could pass in time between him and Phoebe. "Like it passed for you?" Rick asks.