Wednesday, May 09, 2007, Episode #5055

At the police station, Nick is livid when Storm tells him that he's a flight risk, because he's rich and has access to a private jet that he can disappear anywhere in the world. Nick says he doesn't want to disappear, because he's innocent, and he orders Storm to get him out on bail! When Taylor arrives with Nick's passport at Storm's request, Storm goes to talk to the D.A. about Nick's bail. Nick asks Taylor why she's here so soon after the procedure. She tells him that the procedure went quickly and she's fine. She shows him the ultrasound photo of the embryos inside her, although she knows that can't make up for his being there in person. "That's our future," she tells him to give him something to focus on. She then asks if he got bail. He tells her that Storm is working on that now, but he doesn't want to talk about that. He'd rather talk about her and the procedure.

Taylor tells Nick all about the procedure.

Taylor tells Nick how much she missed him at the hospital, although it helped having Bridget's support. She makes sure Nick knows that Bridget supports him and knows he didn't kill Shane, just like everyone else. Everyone except the cops, Nick points out. Taylor asks Nick how the police can say he's guilty if they only have circumstantial evidence. She reminds him that someone else owned that boat before she bought it for him, so there would be fingerprints all over it. "Including mine," Nick states. But they don't have the murder weapon, Taylor says. Nick laments that he can't say the police won't find the murder weapon, since he fears that one of his many enemies might be setting him up. He tells Taylor how he found things out of place when he came on the boat that night, but he thought Phoebe moved stuff around when she was there. Then he found the anchor chain was cut. He just wishes he checked the fuel gauge, since he would have known from that if someone else took the boat out to sea. Taylor asks if anyone saw the boat leave earlier that night, but Nick explains that the harbor master only has record of his call, and why would he call in if he planned to dump a corpse in the bay. Taylor asks if he made any enemies at Marone Industries that might do this, but Nick points out that he ruffled a few feathers in the fashion industry lately. Taylor asks if he's saying the Forresters did this.

Rick talks with Phoebe about Nick's predicament.

At Insomnia, Rick and Phoebe read about Nick's predicament in the paper. Phoebe is sure Nick didn't kill Shane. Rick points out that they found evidence on Nick's boat, but Phoebe thinks Shane must have followed her to the Marlin and been followed himself. Rick thinks it must have been a shady guy who set Nick up for a crime he didn't commit. Phoebe frets about how this will affect her mom and Nick's plans to start a family. Rick asks how that's going; Phoebe explains that her mom is trying not to get stressed over Nick's arrest since it could interfere with her chances of getting pregnant. Phoebe's friend Madison comes over with two friends, Chris and Riley, Madison tells Rick and Phoebe that her friends heard them sing here and wanted to meet them. Chris asks if they'll sing again soon. C.J. comes over and says he was wondering the same thing. After Madison and her friends leave, C.J. looks at the newspaper headline about Shane's death. Phoebe tells him it's not true. C.J. thinks it's pretty creepy though, since he recalls the night he almost had to come over when he saw Shane making Phoebe upset, until Ridge came in and told Shane to get lost. Obviously Shane didn't listen, Phoebe says, and now it's gotten Nick in trouble.

C.J. asks Rick and Phoebe a favor.

C.J. hates to being this up since he knows Phoebe has a lot to deal with, but he has a favor to ask her and Rick. He tells them that karaoke night isn't really bringing a crowd in lately, so he's been thinking about ways to deal with that. Since he was blown away by Rick and Phoebe the last time they got on stage and sang, he's wondering if the two of them would agree to be a regular act here. He asks them to think about it while he steps away for a moment. Rick asks Phoebe if she'd be up to performing with him, since she might not be able to control herself while they make some beautiful music together. Talking about being together reminds Phoebe of Rick's recent idea for the two of them to go on a romantic getaway; she asks if he's still upset that she turned him down. Rick says it sounded romantic, but Phoebe explains that she feared they might be putting themselves into a situation where they'll be tempted, and they agreed to wait... Rick cuts her off and says that they WILL wait. He explains to her that he's always tempted because he loves her and loves being with her, whatever they're doing, but he thinks he can keep himself in check. C.J. returns and asks Rick and Phoebe if they've considered his offer, reminding Rick that they've been friends for years. Rick tells C.J. they he'd love to help, but the decision is Phoebe's.

Ridge wrestles with his conscience.

While having coffee with Stephanie at her house, Ridge tells her that he can't let Nick go to jail. Stephanie counters that Nick would already be in jail if there were any justice in the world, but Ridge says that Nick still doesn't deserve to be punished for Shane's death. "Neither do you," Stephanie remarks. Ashley arrives, having read about Nick's arrest in the paper; she says she immediately thought of Ridge when she read it, since she remembered when Lt. Baker came to question Ridge about Shane's death. She guesses that it must be difficult for Ridge to know that his half brother has been arrested for killing Shane. Stephanie points out that Ridge and Nick aren't close, but Ashley thinks Ridge must still be concerned. She knows she only met Nick once, but he didn't seem like a killer, so she wonders why he would kill Shane. Stephanie points out that Nick's new wife Taylor took out a restraining order against Shane. Ashley surmises that Nick would have been defending himself had Shane attacked Nick because of the restraining order, so why would Nick cover the death up? It makes no sense to her, so she can only guess that the police have the wrong guy. Hearing that comment, Ridge drops his coffee cup, which falls to the ground and shatters.

Stephanie approves of Ashley's suggestion.

Ashley asks Ridge if he's OK. Stephanie says they're all upset about this, but Ridge says it's just not right. He knows Nick stole their company and came between him and Brooke, but that doesn't mean Nick deserves to go to jail for a crime he didn't commit. Stephanie reminds Ridge of all the ways Nick hurt their family, and she also points out that Nick lived the dangerous life of a sailor before he put on a business suit. Sensing the tension between Ridge and his mom, Ashley asks Ridge if he wants to get away for a day or two. Stephanie thinks that's a great idea and practically shoves Ashley out the door so she can pack for a trip where she and Ridge can have some fun, like a ride up to Santa Barbara.

Storm gets Nick out on bail.

In the holding room at the police station, Taylor considers Nick's suggestion that the Forresters set him up out of a desire for revenge. Nick says he doesn't know they did it, but he does know Ridge was on his boat. Before Taylor can respond, Storm returns and says that Nick made bail. He had to agree to a $1 million bond, but Jackie's arranging to post it right now. Taylor offers to get the car and drive Nick home, but he tells her to go home and rest while he makes a stop on the way. Storm hopes that stop isn't the Marlin, since he doesn't want Nick anywhere near the crime scene. Nick takes his cell phone, which Storm just returned to him, and calls Stephanie. When La Forrester answers, Nick says he's glad she's home and tells her to stay there. As she hangs up, Stephanie remarks, "I hope you didn't waste your one phone call on me."

Phoebe gets some news about Nick.

Back at Insomnia, Phoebe tells C.J. that she'd love to help him, but her heart's not into it today. C.J. understands and agrees to talk about it another time. He leaves Rick and Phoebe alone. Phoebe then gets a call from Taylor, who tells her that Nick made bail. Phoebe gives Rick the good news. Rick is glad Nick is out, but Phoebe points out that she knows Lt. Baker, and the cop wouldn't have arrested Nick if he didn't have a case, so Nick's not off the hook yet. Maybe so, Rick responds, but he knows Nick, so he can honestly say that Nick won't just lie down and take the rap for a crime he didn't commit. He's sure Nick will fight this with everything he has.

Stephanie is curious why Nick came to see her.

Ridge finds Stephanie ending a call with Lt. Baker. Ridge asks why the cop called, but Stephanie explains that she called Lt. Baker to find out if Nick was out on bail yet, since she has a feeling Nick's coming over. Ridge fears that Nick knows something and doesn't want to leave his mother alone with that bastard Nick, but Stephanie tells him to go have a good time with Ashley. Ridge wishes she'd stop acting like he can get away with this, and even he admits he might not want to get away with it. Stephanie says she just wants to buy him time and tells him to focus on Ashley right now. Ridge goes upstairs, so Stephanie is alone when Nick comes pounding on her door. She opens the door; Nick asks if she really wants to open her door to a dangerous murder suspect. Stephanie says she did it out of curiosity, since she wonders why he's here after making bail instead of being with his lovely wife. Nick explains that he has three theories why he'd be accused of killing Shane. One is that Shane followed Phoebe to the Marlin and was followed himself by one of his enemies, and it ended with Shane getting shot. The second is that he's being set up. And the third? Stephanie asks. "I'm looking at her!" Nick states. Stephanie asks if Nick thinks she shot Shane and set him up to take the blame. Nick asks who hates him more than her. Obviously someone, Stephanie replies, since she didn't shoot Shane. Nick recalls how she tried to kill him once before, when she pulled a gun on him after he stormed into the house, after Jackie's fall. Stephanie agrees she did that, but she didn't shoot Shane.