Monday, May 28, 2007, Episode #5068

Taylor and Jackie stay strong for Nick.

At the courthouse, Nick is led away in handcuffs to await sentencing. Storm, Jackie and Taylor follow. As Jackie laments Nick's plight, Taylor asks Lt. Baker how this could happen with Ridge in the courtroom. Baker points out that Ridge wasn't charged with a crime. Jackie asks how long Nick will be here. Baker explains that Nick will be sent to a state facility after sentencing. Taylor insists that Nick won't be sentenced and declares that she's not giving up, even if the police won't do their job. Storm tells Taylor that she won't help matters by getting arrested and assures her that he plans to appeal the verdict. Jackie blames herself, thinking she should have pressed charges against Stephanie instead of egging Nick into buying Forrester Creations. Nick tells his mom to stop talking like that. He then tells Taylor and Jackie that they need to take care of each other and stay strong, especially with the baby on the way. Taylor promises not to forget their child as Jackie vows to care for Taylor as Nick would.

Brooke tells Ridge to do the right thing.

In the courtroom, Brooke asks Ridge why he didn't speak up. Stephanie suggests they wait until Nick is sentenced, since he might get a suspended sentence or probation. Brooke fumes that Stephanie believes that, even after Nick was convicted of second degree murder. Brooke then tells Ridge to confess to Lt. Baker, or she'll do it herself. Stephanie tells Brooke to stop making that threat, since no one will listen to Brooke now that a verdict has come in. She then tells Ridge that he shouldn't suffer in prison for 20 years when all he did was try to keep Shane from killing himself. Brooke argues that an innocent man was convicted. Stephanie again suggests they wait for the sentencing, since Nick might get probation, or maybe just a few years. Brooke won't hear of it. Stephanie asks Brooke why she's so loyal to her son of a bitch ex, who cheated on Brooke by sleeping with Bridget. Brooke refuses to let Nick spend even a minute in prison; she turns to Ridge and points out that he should have learned right from wrong from his mother. Ridge tells his mother and Brooke to both stop; while he's grateful for their acting like angels on his shoulder, he doesn't think all the angels in paradise could help him now. He wants to find Taylor and Phoebe, since he wants to put his daughter first now. Stephanie argues that he should put himself first, but Ridge says he has to do the right thing. He won't let Nick spend one more night in jail.

Stephanie asks Brooke if she understands what she's done.

After Ridge leaves, Stephanie tries to find a lawyer. Brooke tells Stephanie not to worry, since she's sure Ridge will protect Stephanie when he confesses. Stephanie says she doesn't care about that. She just wants to keep her son out of prison. Brooke declares that the Ridge she knew and loved is back. Stephanie can't get any lawyers on the phone. Brooke is sure Stephanie will find a lawyer soon enough, but she thinks it's best that Ridge confesses on his own, since it would be wrong to let a lawyer take this moment from Ridge. Stephanie asks Brooke if she understands what she's done. Brooke points out that Ridge is doing what he wants and suggests that Stephanie go home, but Stephanie can't abandon Ridge. Brooke understands that Stephanie acted out of love, but she thinks Stephanie's love is so overwhelming that she's glad Stephanie never loved her. She offers to drive Stephanie home, but Stephanie won't leave. Stephanie senses that Brooke blames her for this and asks how Brooke can just cry her tears, dust herself off and start over again all the time. She thinks Brooke is incapable of giving, since anything Brooke gives comes back to her. Brooke asks it's better to be like Stephanie, whose family lives in fear of her. She points out that Stephanie always pulls any member of her family who runs away back in, but she doesn't think Stephanie is getting Ridge back this time, and that's what breaks Stephanie's heart. "I'm not going to cry any tears for you," Brooke proclaims.

Nick gives Ridge an icy glare when they cross paths in the hall.

In the hallway, Nick asks Lt. Baker for a minute alone with Taylor. Baker allows it, so Storm goes to wait with Phoebe in Lt. Baker's office and work on Nick's appeal so Nick can have time with his wife. Nick tells Taylor to sit down. Taylor laments that Nick will miss the big "welcome home" dinner she planned. Nick says they'll just have to postpone that dinner. Taylor vows to find the real killer, even if it's Ridge, but Nick tells her to let him worry about that while she focuses on their baby. Taylor admits that he's right. Nick doesn't want her here watching him while he's led away, so he tells her to go find Phoebe. Lt. Baker returns with a guard and they lead Nick down the hall, where they pass Ridge. Ridge asks Lt. Baker where Phoebe is. Nick and Ridge glare at each other as Lt. Baker answers that Phoebe is in his office. Nick continues to icily glare at Ridge as he's led down the hall to a cell.

Ridge tells Phoebe and Taylor the truth.

Taylor joins Storm and Phoebe in Lt. Baker's office. Taylor ask Phoebe if she and Storm can be alone to work on Nick's appeal. "You mean, work on blaming Dad?" Phoebe asks, wondering why her mom can't just focus on getting a light sentence for Nick now that he's convicted. Storm explains that the evidence can be read two ways, and he needs the court to read it the other way. Ridge comes in and asks to speak to Taylor and Phoebe alone. Taylor tells Ridge that he's not welcome here, but Storm suggests she hear her ex out and offers to wait outside. Once Storm leaves, Phoebe blames herself for all this, since she was the one who brought Shane into their lives by trying to help him. Taylor tells Phoebe that Shane was an adult, and thus was responsible for his own actions. Phoebe asks Ridge to tell Taylor why he went to Paris. "I don't really know why I do anything these days," Ridge replies, explaining that he left because he was afraid and ashamed. But he doesn't have to do feel that way anymore since the trial is over, Phoebe states, and he doesn't have to answer any more accusations. Ridge says he wants this to be over, especially for Phoebe's sake, which is why he came here to tell Phoebe and Taylor the truth. He tells them that he was involved in Shane's death, and he dumped Shane's body in the bay and allowed Nick to take the blame, hoping Nick would go to jail.

Phoebe is stunned by her father's admission.

Taylor wants to find Lt. Baker, but Ridge wants her and Phoebe to ask him about what he just said first. Phoebe asks if he's just doing this for her mom, so Nick won't go to jail, since she knows Ridge didn't kill Shane. Ridge explains that he doesn't know who pulled the trigger, but he was there when Shane died. Shane came there with a gun. He thought Shane was going to shoot him first, but then he saw Shane thinking he couldn't live without Phoebe and turn the gun on himself. He tried to stop Shane, but he felt the gun in his hand as it went off and fired the shot that killed Shane. Taylor asks Ridge why he set Nick up. Ridge explains that he didn't; he originally just took Nick's boat after Phoebe talked about the secrets at the bottom of Santa Monica Bay. But he didn't say anything when Nick was accused or arrested, Taylor seethes. Ridge admits that he didn't. He then tells Phoebe that she wasn't wrong to try to help Shane; in fact, he thinks if she should forgive anyone for what happened that night, it should be Shane. Taylor asks Ridge if he's going to tell Lt. Baker this. Soon, he replies. Devastated, Phoebe asks Ridge how he let it go on so long. He tells her that even when you try to be a decent person, little things sometimes happen. He wants Phoebe to always remember that he loves her, and he wants Taylor to take care of their kids. He then turns to leave. Phoebe tearfully begs Ridge to stop, but he goes out the door, leaving Taylor there to comfort her sobbing daughter.