Friday, February 29, 2008, Episode #5260

Nick tells Taylor that he's sorry.

At the Marone mansion, Nick holds one of Jack's toys as he thinks about how he'll soon have his son back home. Meanwhile, at the Bel Air mansion, a sobbing Taylor asks herself why Nick would take their baby from her. She decides to call Nick to ask him not to go through with the hearing. Nick tells her that he only wants what's best for their son. Fighting for custody is not what's best, Taylor puts forth, reminding Nick that she's a good mother. Nick agrees that she's an amazing mother when she's stable, but her recent behavior shows that she needs more time to get on her feet. Taylor pleads with Nick to acknowledge that she would never put their son in danger and accuses him of letting Brooke convince him to seek full custody. "Am I right?" she angrily asks. Nick says he's sorry and states that he'll see her in court before hanging up, leaving Taylor sobbing about how she doesn't deserve this. "I hate you, Brooke!" she exclaims.

Ridge asks Brooke about her involvement with Nick.

At Brooke's house, Ridge learns of the custody hearing from Brooke and is appalled that Nick would try to take Taylor's son away. When Brooke defends Nick's actions by pointing out that Taylor has been drinking and behaving irrationally, Ridge reminds her that he knows better than anyone what kind of a mother Taylor is. On top of that, he's shocked at how Brooke knows all the intimate details of Nick and Taylor's life and asks, "How involved are you with Nick Marone?" When Brooke is silent, Ridge tells her that he's not insecure, because he loves her as much as he ever has. But at the same time, he fears that her attachment to Jack is keeping her wrapped up in Nick's life. He knows Brooke wants the same "happily ever after" ending he does, but he fears her involvement with Nick and Taylor will only delay them from having that life. When Brooke again doesn't answer, Ridge tells her that it's up to her to decide when they'll have the future they always dreamed of sharing. He then walks out. Brooke rushes after him and calls out to him from the doorway, but she sees his car pulling away and realizes that it's too late.

Phoebe comforts her mother.

At the Bel Air mansion, Phoebe comforts her mother. Phoebe can't understand why Nick would do this. Taylor agrees that she doesn't understand it, either, which is why she's sure Brooke's behind it. The doorbell rings. Phoebe answers and is surprised to find Rick there, fully aware of the custody hearing and ready to lend Taylor his support. Phoebe thanks him and invites him in, telling her mom that Rick is there to see her. As Taylor greets Rick, he asks how she's holding up. She tells him about her futile attempt to call Nick and ask him to back off, sure that Brooke is behind Nick's insistence on calling this custody hearing. "Can you make her stop?" Taylor pleads, hoping Rick might call his mother and ask her to back off.

Rick gives Taylor some advice.

As Rick advises Taylor that dwelling in court on his mother's part in recent events will only take the focus off Jack, Phoebe asks what Brooke has to do with this. Taylor replies that she just wants to make sure she doesn't see Brooke at the courthouse today, so Rick agrees to call his mom to ask her to stay away from the courthouse today.

Jackie assures Nick that he's doing the right thing.

Jackie arrives at the Marone mansion and assures Nick that he's doing the right thing for his son. She knows it's hard for him to even think of keeping Taylor and baby Jack apart, but he's putting his son's safety first. Brooke and Storm arrive. Storm asks Nick if he's having any second thoughts. Nick sighs that he hates doing this to Taylor. Brooke tells him he has no other choice, Jackie agrees with Brooke and thanks Brooke for being here to support Nick, although she knows Brooke has reasons of her own to be at... She starts to cut herself off, but Brooke tells her not to worry, since Storm knows about the egg mix-up. Jackie asks Brooke if she intends to be in court, but Brooke thinks that might be adding fuel the fire giving her shaky history with Taylor. Brooke then gets a call from Rick, who begs her to stay away from the courthouse to keep from upsetting Taylor. Rick is relieved when his mother agrees not to come to court and reports back to Taylor that Brooke won't be there. Taylor thanks him, as she didn't know what she'd do if she had to face Brooke today. Meanwhile, back at the Marone mansion, Brooke tells Nick and Storm about the phone call from Rick and his request for her to stay away from the courtroom today. When Brooke tells Storm that she agreed to stay away, Storm asks her to reconsider, as he might need her testimony give how things go. He promises not to call her unless he has to. Brooke points out that she knows what Taylor's going through, so she'd rather not be there. But she can also see Storm's point why she might be needed, so she asks if she can wait somewhere to see if she's needed. Storm promises to find her a room down the hall where she can wait, so Brooke agrees to come.

Taylor's lawyer stops by the Bel Air mansion to meet with her client. She reminds Taylor how crucial it will be to stay composed in front of the judge. Taylor assures the attorney she'll be fine now that she knows Brooke won't be there. Taylor then says her goodbyes to Jack and hands him off to the Nanny when it's time to leave for court.

Brooke tries to explain to Taylor.

Brooke, Nick and Storm get to the courthouse early. Brooke waits with Nick in the empty courtroom for Storm to hunt down a room where she can wait. When Storm doesn't arrive, Brooke worries, because her brother was supposed to find the room so she won't cross paths with Taylor. Nick goes to find Storm, leaving Brooke alone in the room. Meanwhile, Taylor and Rick arrive. Taylor thanks him again for all his support. Rick tells her it's no problem and sends her to the courtroom while he goes to look for her attorney and Phoebe. So Taylor is stunned when she walks into the courtroom and sees Brooke standing there! "What the hell are you doing here, Brooke?" Taylor asks, freaking out over Brooke's broken promise to Rick. When Brooke explains that Storm asked her to be there, Taylor realizes Storm is Nick's attorney and guesses that Brooke is there to testify against her. Brooke points out that she went through this same ordeal last year, leading Taylor to accuse her of wanting to use the opportunity for payback by stealing Jack away. "We just want to make sure we do what's best for this child," Brooke insists. "Didn't you really want to say, 'my child'?" a hysterical Taylor shouts, lunging at Brooke.