Friday, November 16, 2007, Episode #5190

Jake puts his camcorder away at Eric's request.

In the moments before the fashion show, Eric and Ridge busily make last minute adjustments on the models backstage. Katie hears music from a band she likes called "Unified Tribe" and finds Jake viewing a video of the band's latest concert on his camcorder. She's impressed that Jake snuck his camera in to get the illegal concert video and agrees to meet up with him later to watch the video. As Katie gets back to work, Eric spots Jake and asks him to put the camera away, since some members of the press have exclusive video rights to the showing. Jake puts the camera aside.

The Logans gather in Brooke's office before the show.

The Logans gather in Brooke's office before the show. Donna frets that Stephanie might show up and try to ruin the day for her and Eric. While Katie tells Donna not to worry, Brooke looks in her desk for a pen and finds the gun that Stephanie gave her (to kill herself with), right where Storm left it so Brooke could return it. Storm hopes Stephanie gets the hint once she gets the gun back; stating that Stephanie doesn't know what surrendering means, a less-hopeful Brooke puts the gun back in the drawer. Donna agrees that Stephanie doesn't like to back down, which is why she can't afford to let her guard down today. Storm suggests that they all take the high road with Stephanie. Stephen overhears as he enters and states that a witch like Stephanie won't back down just because they ignore her. Storm asks his genius dad what he suggests. "That we never forget what she did to this family," Stephen insists. Brooke remarks that she has Ridge back, so she won't start any conflicts as long as Stephanie keeps her word not to interfere. Stephen seethes that Stephanie has to pay for all she's done to Brooke. Katie, Storm and Donna all tell their dad to calm down. Even Donna, who has no reason to trust Stephanie, sees nothing to be gained by starting a skirmish in a building full of reporters. They all agree to play things cool and just hope that Stephanie's smart enough to stay away, but Stephen warns that Stephanie will have to deal with him if she shows her face here today.

Eric has to pose with Stephanie to get her attention.

Ridge asks Eric one last time if he's sure about his plans for the finale. Eric assures Ridge yet again that he wants Donna by his side today. Ridge argues that focusing on Eric's love life may hurt sales, but Eric stands firm and states that Stephanie will just have to deal with his decision. They peek out from behind the curtain to check the showroom and see that Stephanie is "dealing with it" by chatting up Jarrett and the other reporters. Eric goes over to Stephanie and has to pose for a few photos with her as he whispers to her that they have to talk. He pulls her aside into his office, where Stephanie asserts that she's only doing what's best for him because she loves him. Eric asks if what he wants matters. Stephanie maintains that today is supposed to be about their family and their triumphant return to the company and not about him and Donna. She fears their return will be downplayed if Eric parades Donna in front of the press and promises to take Eric back once he comes back to reality. Surprised by that statement given how she swore the other night that she'd never take him back, Eric tells Stephanie to accept that what he and Donna have is permanent. Before Stephanie can reply, Storm pops in; since Stephanie decided to show up, he wanted to warn both her and Eric that Stephen is also in the building. Eric tells Stephanie that he can't throw her out, but if she antagonizes Stephen... Stephanie promises not to start any fights with Stephen. Storm's glad to hear that, since even though he plans to watch his dad, he can't be everywhere at once.

Phoebe prepares to hit the runway.

Backstage, Ridge and Brooke check out Phoebe's outfit and tell her that she looks great. As Phoebe goes to find her shoes, Ridge and Brooke take advantage of a moment alone to get a few smooches in. Off to the side, Rick reviews the fragrance order forms for their catalog with Ashley, who winces as she sees Brooke and Ridge kissing. Ashley takes the order forms from Rick and tells him that she'll make sure these get into the buyers' packets.

Thorne and Felicia fret about their father's decision.

Elsewhere backstage, Thorne and Felicia fret that their dad refuses to budge about his decision to have Donna when beside him when he takes his bows. Felicia can't understand why their father wants to humiliate their mother with that "hoochie mama." Stephanie comes over and laments that Eric just can't see how that "hoochie momma's" presence will eclipse everyone's hard work. Felicia and Thorne think their mother has every right be out there today, since she helped found this company. Stephanie fears she won't be a part of this day, but she just hopes that Eric won't make a complete ass of himself in public.

Donna tells Eric how happy she feels.

Clad in her robe, Donna enters Eric's office and finds him sitting in his chair, thinking. She tells him how happy she'll be to stand with him for the finale. Holding her hand, Eric tells her that he'll be proud to have her by his side. They stand there looking each other. Meanwhile, Brooke finds Stephanie backstage and blasts her for not having the sense to stay away. Stephanie declares that she has every right to be here to save the day for her family business. Brooke notes how funny that sounds coming from the woman who was involved in her rape and who gave her a gun to shoot herself - a gun that, by the way, is in her desk drawer, since she'd like Stephanie to take it back. She wants no part of the violence that surrounds Stephanie. Stephanie asks if that's all. Brooke says it isn't and warns Stephanie not to spoil Eric and Donna's happiness in her attempts to "save the day."

Clarke and Jackie feel insulted by Stephanie's comments.

By the showroom entrance, Jarrett and the other reporters crowd around the just-arriving Jackie and Clarke; the reporters wonder why Eric's competitors are here today. Jackie insists that they want to see what the legendary Eric Forrester has come up with to wow her customers, but Stephanie comes over and tells Jackie and Clarke to leave, since they weren't invited. Jackie points out that she owns Jackie M. Boutiques, but Stephanie counters that the Forresters have their own successful boutiques now, so she has no intention of letting Jackie and "Valentino Jr." knock off their designs. Jackie retorts that she'd sooner sell her new "M" line door to door before selling any Forrester frocks in her stores. After Stephanie makes a crack about Jackie's customers being sleazy sailors, Jackie proclaims that Stephanie will be hearing from her lawyers. Unfazed by the threat, Stephanie points Jackie and Clarke to the door and tells everyone else to take their seats.

Brooke helps Ridge with his pre-show pep talk.

Backstage, Eric and Ridge give the troops a pre-show pep talk. Thorne and Felicia squirm when Donna tries to add her two cents, even though Eric doesn't seem to mind her input. As everyone takes their places, Donna goes to get dressed and runs into Stephanie. She asks Stephanie why she wants to torture herself, comparing La Forrester to the frumpy high school girl that no one asked to the prom. Stephanie shoots back that at least she's not the one under the bleachers with the football team and boasts that she'll be just fine. Donna brags that she's going to find Eric so he can help her get into the showstopper, since she's sure they both want everything to be perfect for their big moment together.

Katie and Storm watch the show - and if you want to see, click here.

Ridge comes out on stage and thanks everyone for being here. After proclaiming that Forrester Creations is back where it belongs, with the Forrester family, he's pleased to present the first line from the new Forrester Creations! Phoebe comes out first, followed by some of the other models. While most eyes are on the models, Stephen can't help fuming that Stephanie is there.

Rick comes to Ashley's rescue.

Meanwhile, Jarrett takes a break from watching the runway to go talk to Ashley, who asks if he wants to sample their new "Felicia" fragrance. Jarrett says he'd love to, but he'd rather find out why Ashley isn't wearing her engagement ring. Ashley tells him that she and Ridge broke things off. Before the smarmy reporter can ask more questions, Rick comes to Ashley's rescue and tells Jarrett that he needs Ashley for a moment. Once Jarrett steps away, Rick asks Ashley if she's OK, since he's sure it can't be easy for her to be here around his mom and Ridge. Ashley insists that she's fine, but Rick thinks she'll be even better when she's out of here and suggests that they leave right now. Ashley agrees and they leave.