Tuesday, October 09, 2007, Episode #5162

Eric tries to explain to Thorne.

In Ridge's office, Donna pulls away from kissing Eric when she sees Thorne standing there. Thorne tells his dad and ex-fiancee not to stop, because it was was just getting good. "Maybe I'll pull up a chair and make some popcorn!" he snipes, thinking he now knows why his mother left town. Eric tells him that Stephanie doesn't know, but Thorne qualifies that she doesn't know YET. He can only imagine how his mother will react when she finds out that Eric, who stood up for him at his aborted wedding to Donna, has pushed his wife aside to take up with a fraud like Donna! While Donna takes exception to being called a fraud, Eric tries to explain that Donna is not tricking him, so he won't allow Thorne to talk to her that way. He explains how he started to give up so many things in his life for lost until Donna came along. Thorne scoffs that he knows full well about Donna's "healing powers," but that doesn't change the fact that Eric is still married. He's sure his parents will get through their marital problems as usual, but Eric contends that what Stephanie did this time cannot be fixed. Thorne can't believe that and scolds his dad for throwing his marriage away for some predatory female. Offended by the reference, Donna tells Thorne that what she and Eric share is mutual. Thorne isn't buying it and finds this whole situation to be absurd. When Eric tries to defend her, Donna thinks it's best that the men talk this out alone and excuses herself to get back to work.

Thorne is mad at his father.

Thorne tries to get Eric to come to his senses. He knows that the sex with Donna is great, but he urges his dad to think about what he's doing getting sucked in by Donna. Eric insists that he's not getting sucked into anything. He looks at Thorne standing here full of moral outrage accusing him of sinning and suggests that the only sin he's guilty of is not living up to his potential. He feels like he's withdrawn so much that he feels dead inside, but Donna made him look at his life and woke him up. He hears Thorne telling him to not rock the boat and patch things up with Stephanie for the good of the family, but that's not how life works, especially when life can yank things out from under his feet.

Donna overhears Thorne and Eric talking.

Thorne asks Eric to consider Stephanie's life, but Eric thinks that's Stephanie's business, and he's tired of having to pick up after her one more time. Thorne concedes that his mother can be frustrating, but he doesn't think that's a reason for his dad to throw away a lifetime of memories just for Donna Logan. Outside the door, Donna listens as Thorne begs Eric not to let Donna destroy their family. When Eric doesn't answer, Thorne sighs and leaves, but he doesn't see Donna standing behind a rack of clothes as he exits.

Ashley lays down the law with Brooke.

In Eric's office, Ashley rubs her face where a furious Brooke just slapped her. Ashley tries to explain. She understands how traumatic the rape was to Brooke, so she sympathizes that Brooke was violated by that file man. But at the same time, she won't let Brooke take advantage of that situation for her own ends. Brooke warns that Ashley is close to crossing the line again, but Ashley claims that Brooke is crossing the line with the way she keeps leaning on Ridge. She understands that Brooke thinks she needs Ridge when she gets frightened over the events of her rape, but there are plenty of other people who know about the rape that Brooke can turn to. Brooke argues that Ridge cares about her, but Ashley counters that Ridge is responding as a decent human being trying to help the mother of his son, and she doesn't think that gives Brooke a blanket invitation to help herself. Brooke tells Ashley to stop being naive, but Ashley doesn't want to hear yet again about Brooke's legendary love for Ridge, since she's heard that love is usually temporary. She orders Brooke to stop manipulating Ridge, but Brooke retorts that Ashley's best friend Stephanie is the one doing the manipulating by helping her rapist!

Ashley can't believe that Stephanie set Brooke up to be raped. Brooke tells Ashley how Stephanie assisted Andy with getting close to her and into her home, and he used that information to rape her. She suggests Ashley ask Ridge if she doesn't believe it. "Do you actually think that she meant for you to be raped?" Ashley asks. "Maybe not, but I WAS raped," Brooke argues, "just so Ridge could be with somebody sweet and safe like you." Ashley thinks that explains why Ridge has been spending so much time with Brooke, because he feels guilty about what his mother did, but Brooke argues that Ridge is doing it because he loves her. She tells Ashley not to accuse her of using R.J., either, because she doesn't need to use anything. Ridge is reaching out to her because he wants to, Brooke contends. She points out, "My needs will always come before yours. Now is that the kind of marriage that you really want? Is that the way you want to live your life?" With that, Brooke storms out.

Ridge tells Brooke she should meet with her rape counselor herself.

Soon after, Ridge returns to explain to Ashley why he went to Brooke's last night. Ashley tells him about Brooke's accusations regarding Stephanie and asks if it's true. Ridge confirms that it is. Ashley tells him that he doesn't have to feel like he needs to be available to Brooke 24/7 because he feels guilty about what his mother did. She knows he's trying to be compassionate, but he's also sending Brooke mixed signals that make Brooke think there's something deeper going on, and that needs to stop. "Do you really want her clinging to the hope that the two of you are gonna get back together?" she asks, suggesting that's exactly what Brooke does every time he runs to her rescue. She suggests that Brooke turn to one of her sisters or Bridget if she needs help, since they're just as capable as he is of supporting her. Ridge sees this is really bothering her. Ashley tells him that she just wants what's best for everyone, including Brooke, and he thinks she wants the same thing. She doesn't want to issue ultimatums given the extraordinary circumstances, but she thinks Brooke is a survivor who can get past that. In the end, she thinks Brooke needs to help herself. Ridge agrees, so Ashley asks him to talk to Brooke about the counseling situation. Brooke comes in and tells Ridge that they should get going to meet her counselor, Beth, at her place. Ridge gently tells her that he thinks it would be best if she meets with Beth alone. Brooke protests, but Ridge insists it's for the best, so Brooke gives in and leaves.

Rape counselor Beth talks with Brooke.

Brooke meets with Beth, her counselor, and explains that Ridge won't be joining them. Beth sees that Brooke is upset that Ridge isn't here, but she tells Brooke that any involvement by Ridge is a good sign, since many rape victims can't handle being around men at all. Brooke insists that Ridge is the only man she wants to be with, which is why she still thinks he'll come back through that door one day and be home to stay.