Tuesday, August 19, 2008, Episode #5380

Brooke questions Marcus's theory.

In Ridge's old office, Brooke questions Marcus's theory that Owen poisoned Eric. It doesn't make sense to her that Owen would want Eric dead given that he was the one who urged Donna not to take Eric off life support. Marcus admits that he doesn't have all the pieces to the puzzle yet, but he doesn't have time to figure out Owen's motives when Owen is hanging out with Donna as they speak. Brooke tries to calm Marcus, but he rushes out to protect his mother from Owen. While driving to the mansion, Marcus gets a call from Steffy, who asks him to meet her at the hospital. He tells her that he has to handle something first and will meet her there later. Steffy tries to ask Marcus what's going on, but he hangs up.

Owen reassures Donna.

At the Forrester mansion, Donna starts to go upstairs. Owen asks where she's going. She tells him that she has to go to the hospital, since she can't just sit here and do nothing. Owen tells her that she's done everything she can for Eric by making him happy and praises that any man would be lucky to be with her. Marcus enters and sees Owen standing by the stairs talking to Donna. He angrily bolts over to the stairs and pushes Owen away, ordering Owen to stay away from Donna. Owen says that he doesn't want to cause any problems and offers to leave, but Donna tells him to wait and asks her son what he's doing. Marcus says that he's protecting her. Donna says that she doesn't need to be protected from Owen, who is responsible for Eric being alive right now, but Marcus still insists that Owen leave right away. Donna protests, but Marcus orders Owen to get out and not come back. Owen tells Donna that he'll let her talk with her son and leaves.

Donna is shocked by Marcus's accusations about Owen.

Donna tears into Marcus for how he treated Owen, who has been nothing but a supportive friend and even made her dinner. Marcus asks if she ate what Owen made. When Donna confirms that she did, Marcus asks if she is nauseous or dizzy. Donna says that she's fine. Marcus asks her where the bottle of gin that Owen gave Eric is and is horrified to learn that Owen poured it all out to keep her from drinking it. Donna asks why that bottle of gin is so important to him, but Marcus doesn't answer and continues to probe her about the gin. He asks if Eric ever drank from that bottle. Donna informs him that Eric used it to make a martini the night of his heart attack. Marcus asks her if she had one of those martinis, but Donna tells him that she hates gin. Bothered by all these questions, Donna demands that Marcus tell her what's going on, so he shares his theory that Owen poisoned Eric. Upset by the accusation, Donna refuses to believe that Owen tried to kill her husband, but Marcus disagrees and asks her to at least give him time to find proof. Most importantly, he tells her to stay away from Owen and to call the police if Owen returns, but Donna can't believe that Owen would hurt Eric intentionally. Later, Owen returns and sees how rattled Donna seems after talking with Marcus. He hopes Marcus isn't bad-mouthing him again and assures Donna that she can trust him. Donna covers that she's fine. Owen knows she's getting a lot of static about him, but he hopes she realizes that they're in this together and that he'll be there by her side no matter what.

Ridge tells Steffy that there's been no change.

Ridge visits Eric at the hospital, lamenting the fact that he nearly killed his dad by trying to take him off life support. Bridget assures him that he was only doing what he thought their dad wanted and only wanted to end Eric's pain and suffering. Ridge asks if Eric is in a lot of pain. Bridget sighs that she doesn't know, and she fears that Eric might not be the man he once was if and when he finally wakes up. Ridge goes over to Eric's bedside and apologizes for the colossal mistake he almost made. "I don't want you to die," he sighs, "but I don't want you to suffer either." Steffy arrives and asks her dad if he's OK. Seeing how torn Ridge seems, Bridget tells him to stop blaming himself, but Ridge reminds her that he turned the ventilator off. Bridget reassures him that Eric is fine. Brooke comes in and asks if there has been any change. Bridget says there hasn't been. Brooke echoes her daughter's earlier sentiment and tells Ridge not to keep beating himself up, since he was only doing what he thought was necessary. Ridge tells her that he didn't want Eric to die, and he just hopes he has another chance to tell Eric just how much he loves him.

Jackie pays Eric a visit.

Jackie enters the room and is shocked to see how bad Eric's condition is. She tells Ridge, Brooke, Bridget and Steffy that she's so sorry for them and offers to come back later, but Ridge tells her that it's OK for her to spend a little time with him. Jackie thanks him. Once the others file out, Jackie walks over to the bed and tells Eric that none of this would have happened if he had made his life with her. Recalling how strong and vibrant Eric used to be, Jackie is heartbroken to see him this way, and she can't help but think that he wouldn't be here fighting for his life if he had made a life her instead of with Donna.

Ridge confides in Brooke.

Brooke and Ridge go home, where Brooke gives him a massage. Ridge wonders if he should have stayed at the hospital, but Brooke assures him that the doctors will call if anything changes. She suggests that he take the kids to camp tomorrow, since they miss their daddy. Ridge asks if she's going into work tomorrow. When she says she has an early meeting, Ridge asks her to let him know if she sees anything going on between Marcus and Steffy. Brooke tells him that she saw Marcus earlier, but she thinks the young man has bigger things on his mind. As he and Brooke cuddle in bed, Ridge confides that he's worried about Eric, Steffy, Marcus and the company as well as her and the kids. Brooke tells him not to worry about her, the kids or the company too much and urges him to save his energy for focusing on his family. Ridge thanks her for being there for him and then asks why they aren't married yet. Brooke assures him that they will be, but Ridge thinks he should have dragged her to the altar at Eric's wedding and married her right there, since that might have been his last chance to get married with Eric standing by his side. Brooke assures him that they will get married and promises that Eric will be there with them when they do.

Bridget is stunned by Marcus's request.

Marcus gets to the hospital and finds Steffy, who asks if he's OK, since he seems a bit wound up. Marcus tells her that he still has to figure some things out and promises to fill her in once he has more information. They go into Eric's room and find Bridget by her dad's bedside. Bridget tells Marcus that she heard he was looking for her. Marcus asks if they can talk in private, so Steffy excuses herself to get some coffee. Once he's alone with Bridget, Marcus asks her to check Eric's blood for poison. Confused Bridget asks what this is about, so Marcus shares his theory about Owen and the gin and asks if they can test Eric's blood for traces of something that can cause a heart attack. Bridget asks why Owen would want to poison her dad. Marcus suggests that Owen would have access to Eric's widow and his fortune were Eric to pass on, which is why he needs Bridget to test the blood. Bridget points out that anything Eric had ingested before the attack would be out of his system by now, son they'll need to find a sample of blood from when Eric was admitted to test against.