Thursday, March 01, 2007, Episode #5009

Bridget asks her big brother what's going on with him and Ridge.

Bridget comes home and finds Rick hastily packing. She jokes that he should try folding his clothes first and then asks why he's leaving after only one night. Rick tells her that there's a storm brewing between him and Ridge that she doesn't want any part of. Bridget tells him to stay and asks why just Ridge threw him out of their mom's house. Rick explains that he and Phoebe fell for each other, and Brooke was OK with it when she found out. But Ridge wasn't OK and kicked him out, Bridget guesses. Rick tells her that their mom is over at the house right now, taking a stand with Ridge. He fumes at how Ridge is trying to tell him and Phoebe how to live their lives. Bridget bets their mom's chat with Ridge won't be pretty. Rick tells her that that last thing he expected when he came back to L.A. was to fall for Phoebe. That's because they're practically related, Bridget points out. But they're not related, Rick counters. Bridget asks Rick to see it through Ridge's eyes. Rick admits that Phoebe is still young, but it's not like he's some school-yard predator. And so far, all he and Phoebe have done is kiss, and he's OK with it not going further for now. Bridget wonders if he can really be OK with that and frets this will put their mom in the middle between him and Ridge. Rick tells her not to worry about their mom, who has always followed her heart. "If Ridge can't handle that Mom is okay with this," Rick declares, "then maybe they shouldn't be married."

Stephanie brings Jarrett by for his scoop - but he has another scoop in mind.

At Forrester Originals, Brooke tries to tell Ridge about Rick and Phoebe. She concedes that he has a right to worry about his daughter, but he also has to trust Phoebe to make her own decisions. Ridge is fine with that as long as Brooke keeps Rick away from Phoebe. Before Brooke can respond, Stephanie arrives with smarmy reporter Jarrett. Ridge tells Jarrett that they have an exclusive for him and hands him the mock-up wedding invitation. Jarrett is impressed with the idea of Ridge and Brooke getting married at the opening of the Forresters' flagship boutique and agrees that it will rate a cover story. But he admits that he hoped they had called him here to give him the scoop about Phoebe, since there's buzz about their new young hot model everywhere. Stephanie states that Phoebe has a bright future ahead. And does that future include Rick? Jarrett asks. Ridge says that there's nothing going on between Rick and Phoebe; there's a photo of Rick and Phoebe making its way around the Internet that suggests otherwise, Jarrett responds, since it shows the two of them gazing intently at each other while singing a duet at Insomnia.

Ridge assures Brooke that they'll get it right this time.

Brooke tells Jarret that Rick and Phoebe simply enjoy singing together. Jarrett sees nothing wrong with Rick seeing Phoebe, since Ridge is technically a Marone, but Ridge points out they're all still family. Brooke hardly thinks a photo of Rick and Phoebe having fun singing can compare to news of a Rodeo Drive wedding at a gala opening of a worldwide boutique chain. Stephanie agrees and suggests that Jarrett keep "Eye on Fashion" focused on the boutique opening, quietly adding that Jarrett might otherwise see his exclusives from their company dry up. Jarrett says he understands and leaves. Once he's gone, Stephanie fumes that the press has gotten wind of Rick's inappropriate attraction to Phoebe. Ridge assures her that it's under control, since Brooke talked with Rick. Stephanie is still skeptical, but Brooke assures her that Rick understands the the importance of this launch. And Jarrett loves a scandal, Stephanie frets, and that's the last thing they need when they have everything riding on the opening of these boutiques. Ridge assures her that Brooke has handled this; Stephanie hopes so and leaves. Ridge then tells Brooke how much this wedding means to him; he knows it's tied to their boutique openings, and he also admits that they've made mistakes in the past. But this time, he promises, they're going to get it right.

At the beach house, Bridget reminds Rick how young Phoebe is and recalls how young she was when she was with Deacon. Rick wishes everyone would stop comparing him to Deacon Sharpe! Bridget says she's not comparing him to her ex-, but she's using it as an example of how tricky something like this can get. She asks Rick if he's been serious with anyone since Amber. Rick asks if she can just forget Amber's name along with Deacon's, but she points out that no one really knows much about his life in Europe. Rick admits to Bridget that Amber and Deacon were bad news for them, but he's not a threat to Phoebe. He just wishes he and Phoebe could live their own lives, since this is nobody's business. "If only that were so," Brooke says as she walks in. Rick sees his mom looks stressed and asks what's wrong. Brooke tells him about Jarrett's visit and the photo on the Internet. Rick bets Ridge went ballistic, but Brooke says he's fine. Rick takes that to mean that she didn't tell Ridge; Brooke says she couldn't. Rick laments that this is just why he and Phoebe wanted to keep this secret. Brooke says that Jarrett promised to keep quiet for now, but Rick fears that the press won't leave them alone. Brooke frets that she's keeping secrets from the man she's about to marry. Again, Rick remarks, asking how things will be different this time. He urges Brooke to see that this is his life and his business.

Brooke defends Rick to Stephanie.

Stephanie walks in and tells them not to let her interrupt. She assumes they're talking about Phoebe, but Rick tells her that this conversation is none of her business. Stephanie asks Rick why he can't just do as his mother and Ridge ask and stay away from Phoebe. Brooke says she cam handle this, but Stephanie disagrees. Bridget chimes in that Rick knows how young Phoebe is, but Stephanie asks if he really sees what's at stake. Not only do they have to think about the impression this will leave on an impressionable young girl, but this could create a scandal that could hurt their new business, just as Brooke's stunts over the years hurt Forrester Creations. Rick objects to Stephanie judging him and his mother this way, but Stephanie insists that Rick's relationship with Phoebe is wrong. Rick insists that it isn't! Brooke says the situation is resolved; Stephanie doesn't believe that and turns to Bridget, who she thinks should know what a scandal like this can cause. "What I know is that your involvement never helps," Bridget responds. Brooke assures Stephanie that Rick doesn't want to harm Phoebe. Stephanie points out how supportive she's been of Brooke's relationship with Ridge and hopes Brooke isn't lying. As for Rick, shew turns to him and asks him to honestly tell her that he's stopped seeing Phoebe, When he's silent, she calls him a lying son a bitch and turns to Brooke, accusing Brooke of knowing about this. She warns that Brooke is making a big mistake, especially once Ridge finds out!

Taylor tells Nick she feels comfortable with him.

On the Shady Marlin, Taylor and Nick bask in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Nick tells her that he never made love adrift, but Taylor laughs that it seems like a ploy on his part. Even if is, she says, she likes his style. Nick says that he could probably get the Marlin going or call a tow, but Taylor wants to stay here, since she feels comfortable here with him, even though she sees how complicated he is. She's intrigued how the man who hangs out at Chuck's can put on a suit and conquer the fashion world. And the best part, Nick laughs, it that he's here with her. Stranded on a boat miles from anywhere, Taylor quips. With the fog coming in, Nick adds. Taylor says she can handle that. Nick bets she can handle anything. Taylor wonders how long it would take for them to sail around the world, exploring without any destination in mind. They could spend a lifetime exploring, Nick replies. Taylor asks if he likes to live that way, traveling with no destination in mind. Nick answers that he took off to sea when he was young, searching for adventure, but he found that all he was doing was running. Taylor asks if he'd like to stop. He says he'd like to belong somewhere, with someone. "You do," she tells him. They kiss.