Wednesday, September 12, 2007, Episode #5143

Ashley asks Eric for his opinion.

Ashley drops by the Forrester mansion to see Eric, who's working at home. After some chit-chat about Thorne's throwing himself into his work after his aborted wedding, Eric thanks Ashley for coming to the wedding, even though Ridge wasn't there. Ashley concedes that Ridge needed some time with Brooke and the kids, which brings her to the reason she's here. She asks Eric if he minds sharing his perspective on the whole Brooke/Ridge relationship with her. Eric points out that he and his wife don't see eye to eye on that subject, since he thinks Ridge and Brooke still love each other. Ashley understands from her own experience what it's like to love someone she couldn't get out of her heart, but she also knows from their talks that Ridge wants a future with her. Eric assures Ashley that Ridge is trustworthy and isn't taking her for a ride, but he has to be candid with her; he truly believes that Ridge and Brooke are destined for each each other, especially after all of Stephanie's failed attempts to keep those two apart over the years. Ashley thanks him for being honest with her. Eric tells her that he didn't say these things to hurt her, and he even admits that he might be wrong about Brooke and Ridge. He doesn't think he is given the toll the recent custody battle took on Brooke, but he also sees that something is still very off with Brooke, even after Ridge brought the kids back to her.

Eric candidly tells Ashley what she wants to know.

Ashley thanks Eric again, since she feels more prepared after their talk. She wants him to know that she's a fighter, and she doesn't fall easily. Eric guesses that Ridge has won her heart. Ashley admits that Ridge has and asks Eric if a relationship between her and Ridge is hopeless. Eric says that's it's not impossible for her to be with Ridge, since he's learned that nothing is impossible regarding matters of the heart. Ashley is glad to hear that, but she also senses that Eric isn't exactly her ally. Eric tells her that she doesn't need him in her corner, since she already has Stephanie on her side. Ashley agrees, but she also likes to hope that she won't need anyone on her side. Eric tells her that he just wants Ridge to be happy. And despite the fact that Ridge and Brooke always seemed like they were meant for each other, Eric has also seen those two try time and again to keep their relationship together. So maybe it's not as impossible as Ashley thinks, he confesses, wondering if the time has finally come for Ridge to move on.

Felicia tells Brooke how to end the hostility between their families.

Brooke is surprised when Felicia comes by Ridge's house looking for Stephanie. Felicia explains that she was worried that her mother was headed here to tear into Brooke again. Brooke asks Felicia why she's suddenly being so supportive. Felicia admits that her mother has been hard on Brooke over the custody issue, who finds the concern to be too little, too later. Fortunately, she has her kids back now, thanks to Ridge. Felicia remarks that Ridge again came to Brooke's rescue, leading Brooke to surmise that Felicia, like her mother, prefers Ridge with Ashley. Felicia replies that she doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about Ridge's love life. But Stephanie does, Brooke points out, wishing that Ridge wasn't Stephanie's son. Felicia tells Brooke to stop showing her claws, so Brooke asks Felicia to tell Stephanie to back off. That's just what Katie wanted, Felicia answers, telling Brooke about how she ran into Katie earlier at the mansion. Felicia explains how Katie asked for her help in ending the war between their families, and she thought it was a good idea - and she thought that the best way to make that happen is for Brooke to back away from Ridge! Brooke assumes that Felicia has been brainwashed by her mother into keeping her and Ridge apart, but Felicia truly thinks it's best for both Brooke and Ridge to move on with their lives.

Brooke tells Felicia that she was raped.

Brooke nervously says that moving on is the last thing she wants to think about. Felicia sees how unnerved Brooke is and asks what's wrong. Brooke says it's nothing, but Felicia presses her to talk about it after the way Brooke got upset at the mere thought of moving on. Brooke can't believe that Felicia came here to Ridge's home, where he invited Brooke and the kids to stay, to tell her that her backing away from Ridge will end the war between their families. She again assumes that Felicia wants Ridge with Ashley, but Felicia tells her that it has nothing to do with Ashley and everything to do with Brooke and Ridge letting go of their pasts after numerous failed attempts to make their relationship work. Brooke blames Stephanie and her plan to take Brooke's kids away. "Her little plan backfired because of what happened to me," Brooke attests. Felicia asks what she means by "what happened," so Brooke blurts out that she was raped! Felicia is stunned. Brooke tells Felicia the whole story, including how Ridge has helped her since he found out about the rape. Felicia asks if Brooke reported the rape to the police, but Brooke sees no point now that the rapist is dead. After Brooke explains how that sick, evil person died, Felicia feels really bad for Brooke. The worst part, Brooke explains, is that Andy had help from someone who knew all about her life, which is why Ridge is trying to find that person for her. Knowing how persistent her brother is, Felicia is sure Ridge will find the accomplice.

P.I. Ed has an idea how to get into Andy's phone.

At the Cafe Russe, Ridge tries to get into the call log on Andy's cell phone, but the phone is locked. He asks P.I. Ed if there's anything he can do. Ed says that he already did something, since he got the name of Andy's personal secretary at the law firm while driving over here. He suspects that the secretary knows Andy's password. Ridge tells Andy to call the woman, because he won't rest until they find the person who helped Andy. Soon after, Ms. Eileen Simpson arrives to pick up her late boss's cell phone. Ed thanks her for coming over, since he knows this is a terrible time for her, and he informs her that Ridge was there when Andy died. Ms. Simpson admits that she wasn't surprised that it happened here, since Andy always liked coming here. It was a great place to pick up women, she remarks, quickly taking the comment back. Ridge and Ed start asking her questions about Andy and inquire what it was like to work for the guy. Ms. Simpson at first is reluctant to answer, but she then admits, "Andy Johnson was a pig!" With disgust in her voice, the secretary tells Ridge and Ed about the lewd comments Andy used to make about how she looked. He used to offer her overtime, but she turned it down, since she was afraid to be alone with her. She goes on to tell them how backing away from Andy backfired on her, since she got turned down for two promotions because she refused to work late with her boss. "I won't say I'm glad he's dead, but it will be a relief not to see his face anymore," she admits.

Andy's secretary, Eileen Simpson, helps Ridge.

Ridge apologized to Ms. Simpson, who tells him to call her Eileen. Ridge tells Eileen how Andy victimized a close friend of her. When Ridge confirms that the friend was a woman, Eileen realizes what Ridge is telling her and gets upset. Ridge and Ed tell her how they were looking for clues in Andy's locked cell phone. Ridge adds that someone helped Andy, and he was hoping that the cell phone might have some clue as to who Andy's "helper" was. Moved by Ridge's plea, Eileen unlocks the phone and even tells Ridge who some of the phone numbers belong to. After going through all the logs and contact lists, Ridge thanks Eileen again for her help. Still upset by the notion that her boss was a rapist, Eileen wishes Ridge luck in finding out who helped Andy and leaves.