Tuesday, October 02, 2007, Episode #5157

Brooke apologizes to Nick for her breakdown during the fashion show.

Nick is in his office at Forrester Creations, reading the headlines about the "Brooke's Bedroom Boo-Boo." Brooke comes in and again apologizes for her breakdown during the fashion show. When she tells him that Ridge took her to a rape crisis center, Nick offer to take back a few bad things he's said about Ridge. Jackie comes in with a copy of the latest EYE ON FASHION and fumes that Brooke might have deliberately let them down for a pat on the head from Ridge. Brooke says that she panicked and offers to do any interviews or appearances Jackie wants to contain the damage. Jackie suggests that Brooke do a lingerie photo shoot, but Nick rejects the idea, stating that it's his job to save this company and not Brooke's. He wonders if he was being naive when he bought this company with the hopes of beating the Forresters at their own game. Jackie points out that they have too much invested to just give up. Nick agrees and tells Brooke to go home and come up with some mass marketing plan where they can sell something for ten times what it costs to make. Brooke asks if he's sure. Nick says he is, so she thanks him again and leaves. Once Brooke is gone, Jackie suggests to Nick that they get on the phone with the buyers who are canceling orders left and right over the Forrester Creations blood they smell in the waters right now.

Katie is concerned that Ridge kissed Brooke.

Brooke comes home and tells Katie about her visit to the rape crisis center. Katie is glad when Brooke says she'll be gong back there twice a week for now. Brooke then tells Katie how she was afraid to let a man touch her since the rape until she talked about it to Ridge, who responded with a kiss filled with nothing but love. Katie frets that an engaged man shouldn't be kissing someone other than his fiancee, even for therapeutic reasons. Brooke points out that she still isn't sure about that engagement. "You may not be, but Ashley is," Katie retorts, telling Brooke about Ashley's warning earlier. Brooke is upset that Ashley threatened Katie, but Katie says it wasn't a threat, even though she could have handled it if it was. She suggests that Ashley is going to keep Ridge on a short leash. Brooke suggests that Ashley will deservedly lose Ridge if she does that. She then tells Katie that she should be getting back to work, since what happened at the fashion show is partially her fault. When Katie wonders why Nick is not hunting Stephanie down yet, Brooke explains that Nick doesn't know about Stephanie's helping Andy yet, and she doesn't even want him to know, since Ridge will make sure Stephanie isn't a problem now. Katie hopes Brooke isn't getting her hopes up about Ridge. Brooke doesn't think she is, since she sees a chance for her and Brooke to become the kind of partners Brooke has always wanted them to be.

Ashley is stunned when Ridge tells her what's going on with Brooke.

Ridge stops by the lab to talk to Ashley, who fumes that he bailed on their wedding planning to see his ex-wife model underwear. Ridge says Brooke didn't model anything, but Ashely doesn't see how that makes a difference and demands to know what's going on with Brooke. Ridge reminds her that he'll always have a relationship with Brooke, and he's having trouble figuring out where to draw the line. Ashley says she understands, but that doesn't give him the right to be keeping secrets with Brooke all the time, since whatever is going on is affecting his relationship with Ashley now. She asks if Brooke is addicted to drugs, or if she's dying of some terminal illness, since she's willing to cut Ridge some slack with a valid explanation. Ridge pauses for a moment and tells Ashley, "She was raped." Ashley is stunned.

Ridge explains his actions.

Ridge explains to Ashley how he went over to Forrester Creations to stop Brooke when he heard she'd be modeling lingerie, since he was sure it would be a disaster - and it was. He then explains why Brooke didn't report the rape, leaving out the parts about Stephanie's involvement, and he tells Ashley that he took Brooke to a rape crisis center after Brooke couldn't go through with modeling the lingerie. When Ridge tells her that Brooke didn't want anyone to know, Ashley supposes that Brooke didn't want to be treated like a victim. Ridge says he was trying to respect that, which is why he's not sorry Brooke turned to him, although he is sorry about how he made Ashley feel by not telling her. Ashley says it's OK, because she wanted an explanation and she has one. Now she guesses she owes Ridge an explanation herself. She tells him that she's known so many people who say one thing and do another that she needs to know if he's the same man when she's not with him as he is when they're together. Ridge admits that he's lied a few times, sometimes screwing up over conflicting loyalties. He's sure Brooke will be OK, although Ashley worries about what Brooke's idea of Ridge's loyalty looks like. Ridge tells her that he needs a life that he can count on, since he needs to feel safe. Ashley asks how safe he felt just now when she jumped down his throat. Ridge points out that she didn't give him back his ring and call everything off. He tells her that he loves her. Ashley says she loves him too and they kiss.

Donna encourages Eric to get Forrester Creations back.

Donna comes into Eric's bedroom wearing one of his shirts and carrying a tray. She finds him sitting on the side of the bed looking at a gun. He explains that Stephanie keeps the gun in the drawer by the bed and suggests he move it into his own underwear drawer where Stephanie won't look for it. Donna asks if he thinks Stephanie would use it. Eric suggests she have Clarke fit her for a bulletproof nightie. Donna points out that Clarke hasn't been good for much else lately, showing Eric the headlines about the "end of an institution" for Forrester Creations. She takes that as a sign that Eric should make Nick an offer to buy the company Eric started back, but Eric doesn't think Nick will accept, even though Nick only got into the business to spite Stephanie for Jackie's fall from the balcony. She suggests that Eric offer to buy back the company without Stephanie, if he could swing it financially. Eric thinks he might be able to, but he also points out that there would be no Forrester Creations without Stephanie, since her father loaned him the money to start the company. Donna thinks he's repaid that debt many times over, especially since Stephanie cost him the company. Eric thinks for a moment and then kisses Donna. She asks what that was for. "My work. My name. My freedom," he proclaims. He tells Donna, "You're right. It's time for me to take back what's rightfully mine," and kisses her again.

Jackie wants to hear what Eric has to say.

Soon after, Nick and Jackie are busy calling the buyers when Donna comes in and tells them that Eric is here to see him. When Nick asks if Stephanie is there, too, Donna states that Eric is alone and adds that Stephanie hasn't been seen in days. Jackie tells Donna to show Eric in, although Nick is less than enthused about their visitor. When Eric comes in and comments on how wonderful Jackie looks, Jackie returns the compliment, prompting Nick to quip, "How nice. We're all gorgeous. Our splendor knows no bounds." Nick then asks Eric what he wants. Eric explains that he's here to help Nick cover his losses by offering to buy Forrester Creations back for the same price Nick paid for it, which is much more than what Nick would get on the open market. On top of that, he tells Nick that Jackie would retain ownership of the Jackie M chain, since the Forresters have their own stores now. This way, Nick doesn't lose a dime. Nick states that he's not Eric's son, who goes off whining over a bad review, and boasts that he already has a diversification plan in the works to keep the company afloat. Eric is skeptical and tells Nick to accept that he has inventory he can't move and is up to his ears in debt. He asks if Nick plans to drag Jackie M down with the sinking ship at Forrester Creation, throwing away all Jackie's hard work.

Nick turns down Eric's offer.

Nick takes exception to Eric's bringing up Jackie, since he only got into this business after Stephanie tried to kill Jackie (or at least, that's how he sees it). That's why he'll hold onto this company, no matter what the cost, to keep it from Eric and Stephanie. Eric tells Nick that Stephanie is not part of this deal, as he would be the sole owner of Forrester Creations if Nick sells. Nick quips that Stephanie is slipping if this is some plan on her part, but Donna chimes in that she's heard that Eric's marriage is over from someone in the family. Jackie is surprised at that news, but Nick doesn't believe it's true. Donna doesn't think it's so shocking giving how Eric sold the company to Nick out of loyalty to Stephanie and got nothing but grief in return.