Wednesday, January 30, 2008, Episode #5238

Nick holds a photo of Jack next to one of Brooke, Hope and R.J.

At Spectra, Nick calls Clarke to find out where Clarke, Jackie and the new line that's supposed to make them rich are. He then goes to pick up his jacket and his wallet falls out. When he picks it up, he sees a photo of Jack in it. Later, after taking a call from a supplier, Nick sees a photo of him with Brooke, Hope and R.J. on the desk. He picks up the photo and then takes out his wallet, holding the photo of Jack side by side with the other one.

Rick worries about Taylor.

Rick drops by the Marone mansion again to talk to Taylor, who rushes him inside and asks if he told anyone about his visit the other day. Rick assures her that he's worried about her, because she's putting herself and Jack at risk. Taylor insists that Jack is fine and laments that everyone seems to be judging her and her ability to be a mother. Rick tells her that he's not judging her; Taylor doesn't believe him after the way he bolted out the other day and reminds him of his assertion that he wanted his mother and Nick back together. Rick says he's not here to talk about his mom or Nick. He's here to talk about her drinking. Taylor tearfully insists it was only one drink, a tiny lapse in judgement over the stress from the egg mix-up, so she begs Rick not to use that for his own agenda. Rick says that he's not here to cause trouble. He's just here as someone who cares about her and wants to help after learning that she got a raw deal.

Taylor confides in Rick.

Sobbing, Taylor apologizes for being so defensive. It's just that she carried this burden for months and hasn't had anyone who knows what she's going through. Rick tells her not to apologize, since he's the one who should be saying "I'm sorry" to her. Taylor explains that she knows in her head that what happened in the fertility lab was an accident, but there are still times when she falls into an of paranoia because the whole thing scares her. Rick tells her that she's a beautiful woman and psychiatrist with so much to offer, and having a child with her husband should be the happiest time in her life. He doesn't think what happened to her is fair, so he wants to help her. Taylor doesn't want to burden him and insists that she'll deal with this, but Rick won't hear of it and urges her to call him any time she needs to talk. A skeptical Taylor scoffs at the notion, so Rick tells her not to think of him as Brooke's son, but as someone who's there for her, and he's not leaving until she agrees. A grateful Taylor thanks him and gives him a hug.

Nick's put off by Taylor's idea for dinner guests.

Just as Rick is about to leave, Nick comes home. When Nick asks what's going on, Rick says that he was just checking on Nick's wife and son and is glad to announce that both are fine. Nick thanks Rick, who then leaves. Nick then snuggles with Taylor, who's glad to be in his arms. She feels so much better now and tells him that she has an idea. She wants to show everyone that she's getting back to her old self, and she thinks the perfect place to start is by inviting Ridge and Brooke to dinner tomorrow night. Nick suggests that dining with Ridge and Brooke will be a nightmare, but Taylor tells him to think of it as a chance to end her nightmare. Nick reluctantly agrees, so Taylor thanks him. "This is going to be a surprise for them," she predicts.

Stephanie asks Eric for a chance to start over.

At the Forrester mansion, Eric keeps up his charade that he's devastated by seeing that Donna has been using him. When Stephanie offers to help, Eric acts surprised that she'd be willing to do that. She reminds him that they've shared many years together, and nothing can change that. She asks if there is a chance that they can start over. Eric asks if she's be willing to do that. Of course she would, she replies, because he's her whole world. He recalls all the times she warned him about Donna and laments that he let himself be blinded to what Donna was really like, He grows frustrated thinking that he actually believed that he could intervene somehow and help Donna, but then he found her in bed with another man! "Forget about her. She doesn't matter," she doesn't matter. Eric agrees, lamenting that he was an absolute fool to believe in Donna. He insists that he wants Donna out of the company and out of his life for good. Please with his realization, Stephanie reminds him that she always said he could come home, no questions asked, if things fell apart with Donna and asks "Will you come home?" Eric asks if she wants him to. She responds by planting a big kiss on him! Pulling away for the kiss, Eric asks Stephanie if they can take things slowly, for both their sakes. Stephanie agrees. And as far as Donna's concerned, Eric adds, he doesn't want to ever hear her name again, because they're finished, so he asks Stephanie not to mention her again.

Katie is stunned after Donna admits what she did.

Katie arrives at Eric's hotel room to check on Donna (although I can't see why she'd think Donna would still be there if she thought Donna broke up with Eric). She tells Donna that she knows it was hard, but she did the right thing, and she's proud of her. Donna doesn't think Katie will be so proud when she hears what she did. Katie asks what she did, so Donna shamefully admits that she couldn't go through with it and instead told Eric about Stephanie's blackmail scheme. "Have you lost your mind?" an irate Katie asks, worrying that their brother is going to go to jail once Stephanie finds out. Donna tells her that Stephanie isn't going to find out and explains Eric's plan to Katie, who fears that Stephanie might easily see through Eric and figure out what's going on.

Donna wants to find out if Eric's plan worked.

Donna decides to call Stephanie and make sure that La Forrester thinks she held up her end of the bargain, since that's the perfect way to find out if Eric's plan worked. Putting the phone on speaker so Katie can listen, she dials up Stephanie and says, "I did what you asked. Now I have to make sure you live up to your end of the promise, that Storm is safe." Stephanie tells Donna that she already heard about the breakup. "You kept your part of the bargain. I'm going to keep mine," Stephanie growls, warning Donna not to call or see Eric again. Hanging up the phone, a delighted Donna tells Katie that Eric did it, and Stephanie bought Eric's act! That means that Storm is safe, she enthuses, while she and Eric still have a chance to be together.