Wednesday, March 14, 2007, Episode #5018

Nick gives Hope a geopgraphy lesson.

At the Marone mansion, Nick and Taylor break from another card game to make out on Nick's sofa. Jackie interrupts when she drops by with a surprise for Nick: she's brought Hope over to spend time with Nick while Brooke is Down Under! Nick is thrilled as Hope rushes into his arms and tells him how much she's missed him. Hope sees the cards and asks Nick if they can play a card game; Nick says yes, pointing out that Taylor just beat him at cards three times in a row. When Hope points out that they only need two people to play "Go Fish," Taylor takes that as her cue to leave. Nick tells her to stay, but she wants him to have time with Hope and gives him a kiss goodbye. Nick makes the most of his time with Hope and shows the little girl where Australia is on the globe. Hope remarks how far away it seems; Nick confirms that Sydney, where Hope's mommy is, is on the other side of the world. Hope thinks it would be cool to go there and see the koala bears and kangaroos. Nick agrees that he likes koalas and kangaroos, too. Hope asks if they can see those animals someday. Jackie points out that there are some at the zoo, but Hope wants to go to Australia with Nick. Maybe someday, Nick tells the tot.

Jackie reminds Nick how much he cared for Brooke.

When Hope goes to the little girl's room, Nick takes Jackie aside and scolds her for the surprise visit by Hope; he thought Jackie knew how much he loves the little girl. Jackie apologizes if her surprise bothered Taylor, but she didn't know Taylor would be here when she decided to bring Hope by. Nick says that Taylor isn't the problem; rather, it's the fact that being around Hope reminds him how much he misses her. Jackie thinks that shows how much he misses the family he had with Brooke and asks why he wants to be with Taylor if his heart belongs to Brooke. She thinks it's only a matter of time before Brooke's relationship with Ridge explodes over the situation with Rick and Phoebe, and... Nick tells his mom, "That's their problem, not ours." Jackie asks Nick what he'll do if Brooke doesn't marry Ridge; Nick tells her to just leave it alone.

Ashley shares fond memories with Rick.

At Cafe Russe, Ashley reminds Rick that she's no stranger to tensions within a family business, so she needs to know if Rick can but loyalty to his family before his feelings for Phoebe. Rick assures her that his family comes first, even if it means he and Ridge will have to work through their issues and find a way to coexist. He thinks Ashley will see that all the Forresters are willing to work together to solve their problems. Ash points out that he's smack dab in the middle of his family's drama since he came back to L.A. After all the changes in her life lately, she needs stability, not drama. Rick remarks that she's not the spontaneous woman he romanced and serenaded in France. Speaking of his singing, Ash asks if he's kept that up; Rick says he's been too busy focusing on the business. Ashley thinks that's too bad, since she'd hate to see him give up something he loves. Speaking of love, Rick has some advice for her; he thinks she needs a change right now, and he points out that L.A. is the perfect place to reinvent yourself. Even his father is all fired up by their new business, and he thinks Ashley can reinvent herself in the same way if she accepts their offer to join Forrester Originals. Impressed with his ability to eat and make a glamorous sales pitch at the same time, Ashley agrees to come on board. She just has to call her brother Jack and arrange for a leave of absence from Jabot.

[Note from Scott: I have to admit that I've been wracking my brains the last few days, trying to figure out just when Ashley and Rick had their fling. Ashley was never away from Genoa City for an extended period on Y&R, so I can't figure out when Rick and Ash could have had their grand old time under the Paris moonlight. Hopefully the writers will address that at some point.]

Rick asks Ashley if her brother will give her any problems about a leave of absence. She asks how his family would feel if he left Forrester. He reminds her that Jabot shipped her off to Hong Kong, but she counters that his family did the same to him by sending him to Europe. Touche, Rick laughs. Ash points out that he came to love Paris and asks if he intends to go back. Rick admits that he wanted to at first, but now he has lots to look forward to here. He suggests a toast to Ashley's new job, but she points out that she's jet lagged and suggests some coffee instead of champagne. Rick says he knows just the place to get some java, and it's right down the block.

Phoebe questions Donna's motives.

At Insomnia, Donna continues to urge Phoebe to follow her heart with regards to her feelings for Rick. Phoebe asks Donna why she cares; Donna points out that she's Rick's aunt, but Phoebe suspects this has more to do with messing up her dad's plans to marry Brooke, especially since Donna works for Forrester Creations. Donna admits that they're all nervous about the Forrester Originals gala grand opening on Rodeo Drive, since it will generate a lot of buzz for the new company. Not as much buzz as there will be if she and Rick get caught, since the press would be all over the idea of two Forresters dating. Donna thinks Phoebe sounds like Ridge and urges the young lady to think for herself. She doesn't understand how Phoebe can let her dad come between her and Rick. Phoebe explains that she and Rick are just cooling off until after the wedding, since it won't matter what the tabloids say once the stores open. But it will matter to Ridge, Donna asserts. Phoebe says she's willing to wait for her dad to come around, but Donna asks if Rick is also willing to wait. Phoebe thinks he will. Donna asks Phoebe how Ridge will ever come around if Phoebe and Rick have agreed to stay apart; she thinks the only way Ridge will see how good Phoebe and Rick are together is if they're actually together.

Doona tries to advise Phoebe.

Phoebe agrees with Donna, but she fears her dad will call off the wedding if he finds out she and Rick are seeing each other. Donna suggests that maybe Ridge and Brooke aren't meant to be together if something like that can drive a rift between them. Phoebe points out that Rick says the same thing, but Brooke makes her dad so happy. So did Taylor, Donna points out, asking Phoebe if she wants her parents to reunite. Phoebe doesn't see that happening, since her father is committed to Brooke. Then go for it, Donna advises, hinting that Phoebe ill regret it if she lets true love slip away. As Phoebe considers Donna's words, she sees Rick and Ashley come in. Rick sees his aunt and Phoebe and comes over to introduce Donna to Ashley. Phoebe asks Rick where he's been, since she's been trying to reach him all night. He reminds her how they frown on using cell phones at Cafe Russe, so he turned his phone off. Donna seems surprised that Rick was having dinner with Ashley; Ashley explains that she invited Rick to join her so they could discuss business. Donna wonders what kind of business the Forresters might have with Jabot's star chemist. Ashley is surprised Donna knows of her and asks if they ever met in Genoa City [a nod to the fact that Jennifer Gareis, who plays Donna, was once Y&R's Grace Turner]. Donna says she's never been there and suggests that Ashley might have seen her on TV. Rick explains that his aunt if the spokesperson for Forrester Creations. Donna promises not to tell anyone at work that she saw Ashley and says her goodbyes.