Thursday, May 10, 2007, Episode #5056

Brooke meets Rick and Phoebe at Insomnia to talk about Nick's arrest. Brooke refuses to believe that Nick killed Shane. Rick says that he doesn't believe it either, but he thought she'd want to know, even though it meant interrupting her vacation with Hope and R.J. Phoebe asks if Hope has any idea what's going on. "She just knows that I'm upset, but she doesn't know why," Brooke answers. She decides that she needs to go see Nick. Rick asks if that's a good idea, but Brooke thinks Nick needs to know that she believes in him and leaves. Rick and Phoebe wonder how Nick and Taylor will react once Brooke gets there, but Phoebe is more concerned about the press conference at Forrester Originals. Rick tells her that he has strict orders from his dad to keep her away from there, and he agrees with Eric that Phoebe shouldn't be answering any questions about Shane. Besides, this gives them some time alone, so he suggests they head for the beach. Phoebe thinks that's a good idea, so they head for the door.

Rick and Phoebe sing another duet on the Insomnia stage.

C.J. stops Rick and Phoebe as they're on their way out and directs their attention to the karaoke stage, where Casey's warbling is killing business. He begs Rick and Phoebe to do just one song. No can do, Rick tells his old buddy. Phoebe adds her apologies, suggesting that maybe they can do a song next week. Rick and Phoebe turn to the door and are about to leave when C.J. gets up on stage and introduces them anyway. Rick and Phoebe reluctantly go back in and take the stage. After starting the music from the karaoke machine, Rick and Phoebe belt out their rendition of "You're The One That I Want" from the movie GREASE. They're clearly having fun, and so is the crowd, since everyone claps along. Little do they know that C.J. is sitting in the back with Phoebe's friend Madison, recording the performance on his laptop. When Rick and Phoebe finish the song, the crowd goes wild with applause.

C.J. has plans for his video of Rick and Phoebe.

C.J. runs over to Rick and Phoebe and tells them that they were great. Rick warns his buddy not to pull that stunt again. C.J. promises, at least until next week. He thanks Rick and Phoebe again and then excuses himself. Rick takes Phoebe and sits her down at a table to tell her how great she was on stage. Phoebe says that he was amazing, too. "You know, you ARE the one that I want," Rick remarks. "Then take me," Phoebe says as they kiss. Meanwhile, C.J. goes back to Madison, who has the recording all set. Anxious for some free publicity, a smiling C.J. instructs her, "Upload our two little songbirds onto the Net, and the entire planet will know how great karaoke is at the Insomnia."

Nick demands answers.

At the Forrester mansion, Nick demands that Stephanie tell him who killed Shane. Ridge calls out from the stairs, "My mother had nothing to do with Shane's death." Nick then asks Ridge if he killed Shane. When Ridge doesn't respond, Nick asks his half-brother why he seems to have gone mute. Ridge retorts, "I have nothing to say to you." Stephanie seconds that notion, but Nick refuses to let her manipulate him this way, just like he didn't let her get away with what she did to his mother. Stephanie asks if he's threatening her; Nick points out that he was set up, and he's looking at the two most likely suspects. He asks Ridge the over-protective dad to look him in the eye and say he had nothing to do with this. Stephanie tells Nick to leave before she calls the police. Nick asks if she'd let an innocent man go to prison. Stephanie counters that he's not innocent, since he must be guilty of something that warrants punishment. Nick thinks she's just jealous that he took everything she loved, including Brooke, Taylor and Forrester Creations. He tells them that it was a bad move to set him up, and he won't let them get away with it. Nick then leaves.

Bridget and Felicia worry about the throng of curious reporters.

In the Forrester Originals showroom, Eric gathers Felicia, Bridget and Ashley backstage to prepare them for the rabid reporters who have arrived for the press conference. Eric explains that the press wants a statement from them about Shane and Nick. Felicia isn't surprised, since Nick is their biggest rival. Thorne comes backstage, having returned from a vacation with Alexandria, and comments how all hell broke loose while he was away. He can't believe Nick killed Shane. Bridget insists that it must be a mistake, but Thorne thinks that Nick's focus has to have shifted after being charged with murder. Felicia thinks this could be a chance to get Forrester Creations back, but Eric doesn't want to worry about that now. They have to address this and keep the press from hounding them, especially since Shane was obsessed with Phoebe. That's why he told Rick to keep Phoebe away from here today. Bridget agrees that's wise. Eric states that he'll make a statement and then leave it in the hands of the police. Felicia reminds everyone that Ridge is Phoebe's dad and Nick's half brother, so she's sure the reporters will want to talk to Ridge.

Back at the mansion, Stephanie and Ridge fume about that "miserable son of a bitch" Nick. Ridge wishes Nick would rot in... Stephanie cuts him off and says she'd personally shove Nick down to hell to make him rot down there. Before Ridge or Stephanie can say anything else, Stephanie gets a call from Eric, who tells her to find Ridge and bring him to Forrester Originals ASAP. Stephanie asks what's going on, so Eric tells her about the press conference; he thinks it's important that Ridge is there when they address the reporters. Stephanie hangs up and tells Ridge about Eric's request. She thinks Eric is right that the press will want to talk to Ridge, since he is Nick's half brother, but she urges Ridge to hold it together and remember that Shane's death was an accident. She advises him to tell the reporters part of the truth -- that he's sorry about Shane's tragic death, that he offers his sympathies to the family and that he believes in the criminal justice system. But most importantly, she wants him to make sure not to slip up, since he could go to jail if he does. She declares, "Nick started this war, and we're going to end it. As far as I'm concerned, he brought this on himself."

Brooke offers support to Taylor.

Nick returns home and tells Taylor about his confrontation with Stephanie. He's sure Stephanie lied when she claimed to know nothing about Shane's death. The doorbell rings; not expecting anyone, Taylor answers and is surprised to see Brooke, who says that she heard about Nick's arrest. She's sure this must be some kind of mistake. Nick gets a call from the P.I. he hired to help clear his name, so he leaves the room to take the call, leaving Brooke alone with Taylor. Taylor laments that Nick can't go to prison when she's about to have his child. Brooke is surprised that Taylor already underwent the IVF procedure and is waiting to see if she's pregnant. Taylor frets that she might lose Nick just when they're getting their lives together. Brooke offers to help any way she can and promises Taylor that this will be straightened out. She admits she still cares about Nick, but she also wants him to be happy. "I want you both to be happy," she adds. Taylor thanks her. Nick returns and tells Taylor and Brooke about the Forresters' press conference. He fumes that Lt. Baker won't see why Ridge would want Shane dead. Brooke asks if he's suggesting that Ridge killed Shane. Yes, Nick replies. Taylor tells Nick to slow down, but he thinks the facts speak for themselves. Brooke can't see Ridge killing anyone. Nick suggests that Stephanie might be pulling the strings. Taylor agrees that Stephanie is capable of it, but she can't see Ridge killing anyone. Nick reminds her that he's accused of the crime, but he didn't do it, so he has to find the person who did, and everything points to Ridge!

Thorne tells his mother about his trip.

As Eric preps Ridge to meet the press, Stephanie asks Thorne how his trip with Aly was. He says it was good for the two of them to spend time together, so Aly knows he'll always protect her. He also thinks that being away when Taylor married Nick helped him get some perspective. Stephanie asserts that Taylor's biggest mistake was not staying with him.

Eric lets Ridge and Stephanie take the podium.

Eric gathers his family together to join him on stage. He takes his place at the podium and tells the members of the press how saddened they were by Shane's death. He then adds that Nick may be their rival, but they take no pleasure in his fate, which is in the justice system's hands now. Smarmy reporter Jarrett asks Ridge if he thinks his half brother Nick killed Shane. Ridge freezes, so Stephanie steps up and echoes Eric's sentiments about Shane's tragic death and Nick's arrest. Jarrett asks Ridge why he has nothing to say. Ridge flashes back to Stephanie saying that Nick started this war, but they're ending it. Ridge then steps up and says that he's sorry for Shane and his family, but he can't feel sorry for Nick after everything Nick did to hurt his family over the years. "Then you believe that Nick Marone killed Shane McGrath, even though he's declared his innocence?" Jarrett asks, wondering who else could have committed the crime. As Lt. Baker watches from the back of the room, Ridge pauses for a moment, flashing back to the struggle that ended in Shane's death. Ridge then states that the police completed their investigation and gathered the evidence. All they can do now, as Eric said, is trust the criminal justice system.