Monday, January 28, 2008, Episode #5236

Nick is pleased when an old friend of Taylor's arrives.

Nick is working in Jackie's office at Spectra when Dr. James Warwick arrives. [For those who don't know James, he's Taylor's mentor and friend, and he lost his virginity to her at the Big Bear cabin when they thought they were going to die after an earthquake. He also shares history with Brooke, Stephanie and his ex-wife Sheila Carter.] Nick is pleased to see James, who wasn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow. James explains that he sensed the urgency when Nick called him, so he hopped on the red-eye to get here. Nick thanks James, who apologizes for missing Nick and Taylor's wedding. Nick says he understands and informs James that Taylor loved his wedding gift. James is glad to hear that, since he hasn't spoken to Taylor since Christmas. He hopes nothing is wrong with Taylor. Nick informs James that Taylor has been going through a lot recently.

James hopes Taylor isn't drinking again.

When James asks for details, Nick explains how Brooke is baby Jack's biological mother. He fears that Taylor desperately needs support coping with that fact, although he admits that Taylor seems to have turned a corner recently. James thanks Nick for being so up front with him. He knows how thrilled Taylor was to give Nick a son, so he can only imagine how upset she was to learn that she gave birth to her worst enemy's baby. Although he knows that Taylor is a brilliant psychiatrist, he also knows how troubled she's been with her drinking and with what happened to Darla. He hopes Taylor hasn't started drinking again. Nick informs him that there was a close call, but she hasn't. James is relieved to hear that, since he thinks Taylor can handle anything as long as she's sober.

Rick offers Taylor some advice.

At the Marone mansion, Taylor finishes her bottle of vodka. Seeing the empty bottle, she refills it from a larger bottle by the bar. When the doorbell rings, Taylor puts the small bottle away and takes a few spritzes of breath spray before answering the door. When she finds Rick at the door, Taylor tells him that this isn't a good time, but Rick states that he just wants her to know that he's concerned about her, even though he's Brooke son. She's always been a good friend to him and his family, even with the rivalry between her and his mom, so he wants to repay her by giving her some advice. After Taylor invites him in, Rick explains that he wants her to be happy, but he doesn't know if that will ever happen while she's raising Brooke and Nick's child. He knows she doesn't want to hear this, but the odds are against her. Taylor tells him that he's wrong, but Rick thinks the intense feelings between his mom and Nick will only grow stronger now that they have a child together. Taylor asks Rick if she's just supposed to give up. Rick sees that this isn't easy for her, but he thinks that it's best that she get our now, because he's confident that his mom and Nick will end up together. "My mother always gets what she wants," he reminds Taylor, who accuses Rick of saying these things because he hates Ridge. Rick admits that he'd do anything to keep his mom and Ridge apart. "Including trying to get your mom and Nick back together," Taylor suggests.

Taylor doesn't want to listen to Rick.

Taylor informs Rick that Nick is committed to her and their child. She thinks the problem is that Brooke always makes destructive choices to get what she can't have, and she feels that this instance is no different. Rick understands that Taylor wants to protect herself, but he truly believes that fate has brought his mother and Nick back together by giving them a child. Taylor argues that what happened with the baby was an accident that had nothing to do with fate, and she tells Rick that she would never have let him in if she knew he was going to spew this garbage. Rick assures Taylor that he's worried about her, and he feels partially responsible for what happened since his mother and sister are at the center of his mess. He asks Taylor to trust that he only wants to help her, but Taylor says that she doesn't need his help and asks him to leave. Rick turns to leave and spots the large half-empty bottle of vodka on the bar. He asks Taylor if she's been drinking again. Taylor tells him that she only had a tiny cocktail to take the edge off and asks Rick not to make a big deal about this, especially after he caused so many problems by telling his mother about her recent panic attack. She asks him to promise that he won't create any more problems, but Rick refuses to make that promise and heads for the door, still holding the bottle of vodka. Taylor calls out for him not to say anything, but Rick keeps going, leaving Taylor frustrated over her situation.

Donna calls Stephanie's bluff.

In Eric's hotel room, Stephanie warns Donna, "You're really trying my patience," and demands that Donna live up to her end of their bargain. Donna argues that she just wants Eric to be happy, but Stephanie insists that he will be happy once he's back with his wife. Fed up with Donna's failure to deliver, Stephanie picks up the phone to call Lt. Baker and have Storm sent to jail, but Donna grabs the phone and asks Stephanie to listen to her. She reminds Stephanie that it was Brooke who agreed to Stephanie's terms, not her. She also points out that she tried to break up with Eric several times, but her attempts only made Eric more determined to be with her. Stephanie scoffs that Donna's claim to have a "sex addiction" probably just turned Eric on. Donna declares that she and Eric have more than just sex going for them, and she bets that even if she succeeds in ending things with Eric, he still wouldn't go back to Stephanie. Stephanie tells Donna to let that be her problem and advises Donna to focus on her brother. "I guess we're about to find out whether you're a selfless or selfish young woman," Stephanie proclaims. Donna calls Stephanie's bluff and tells her to go ahead and call Lt. Baker; she suggests that sending Storm to jail will kill the last slim hope Stephanie has of getting Eric back. "Did you come up with this little idea on your own, or did you discuss it with the other bimbos at bimbo school?" Stephanie taunts, demanding that Donna take the chance she's being offered to save her brother and end things with Eric!

Katie is distracted while working with Eric.

Katie drops some marketing proposals on Eric's desk just as he enters his office. He thanks Katie for bringing these by early, crediting her with sharing the same work ethic as her sisters. He feels blessed to have all three Logan girls working for him. Katie asks Eric if they can go over the proposals, especially one that's a revamped idea of Stephanie's from a few years ago. As Eric starts to look over the proposals, Katie asks if he's heard from Stephanie. When Eric says that he hasn't, Katie asks if that's kind of odd, but Eric doesn't see any reason for Stephanie to contact him now that they've separated and he has filed for divorce. He resumes reading the proposals for marketing the "Felicia" and "Phoebe" fragrances and makes a few comments, but Katie is clearly distracted and doesn't respond. Sensing that Katie hasn't heard a word he's said, Eric guesses that she's worried about his relationship with Donna. Katie says that he's right and states that she just wants her sister to be happy. Eric wishes things between him and Donna weren't so complicated and assures Katie that he's not going to hurt Donna. After Eric leaves, Katie calls Donna and tells her that Eric is on his way to the hotel. She urges Donna to end things with Eric now, no matter what it takes. Donna insists that she knows what she has to do.

Stephanie talks with Katie about Donna.

After Katie hangs up, Stephanie enters the office, sarcastically commenting on how lucky she is to be here with another Logan daughter. Donna tells her that Eric isn't here and is with Donna right now. Stephanie hopes that Donna really understands how serious the situation is, for Storm's sake. Katie assures Stephanie that Donna knows what needs to be done; she's sure things will soon be over between Eric and Donna for good.