Tuesday, May 06, 2008, Episode #5305

Stephanie is surprised to learn that Katie kissed Nick.

In Eric's office, Bridget gets a call from the hospital about Katie's latest tests. Brooke and Stephanie wonder what's wrong. Bridget tells them that they're losing Katie, but she can't understand why. Stephanie asks if she knows how Katie is now. Bridget says that Nick texted her that Katie is weak, but OK. They all hope Katie's having a good time. Bridget starts to look online again. Brooke tells her that she did her best, but Bridget says there's only one outcome she can live with. Stephanie comments that Katie is fond of Nick. Bridget informs Stephanie that Katie kissed Nick. Stephanie is surprised. Brooke says it was just a friendly kiss, but Stephanie still can't understand why Bridget would go along with this prom thing. Bridget says that's just why she agreed to the prom thing. She knows it will mean a lot to Katie. Brooke asks if that bothers her. Bridget says it doesn't, since she knows Nick is committed to her. But right now, Katie needs Nick, so she wants him to be there to give Kate that moment of joy.

Brooke reassures Bridget.

Stephanie leaves, but Bridget is so focused in her work that she doesn't even notice. Brooke thinks that's a good thing, but Bridget doesn't see how that can be if it's not doing Katie any good. Brooke advises her daughter not to shoulder all the responsibility, since she did everything she could. Bridget however feels like she failed, because Katie is going to die. Brooke says she knows that, but even so, that death won't be because of a lack of effort on Bridget's part. She notes how happy Bridget made Katie by sharing the man she loves, and she knows that couldn't have been easy. Bridget doesn't even want to think about it that way, since she and Nick simply opened their home to Katie because she's family and they care about her. They were fighting to give Katie a second chance at life, and they thought they had. But now they see that they didn't, and all they managed to do is buy Katie a bit more time. But that was precious time that she bought, Brooke points out, since Katie got a chance to realize her dreams that most people never get. And to top it off, Katie got to realize those dreams in one precious, memorable night. "And it's probably gonna be her last," Bridget whispers as she and her mother hug.

Nick and Katie take some prom photos.

Meanwhile, at the Marone mansion, Katie and Nick are dancing the night away to some more pseudo-90s music. As the song finishes, Nick complains that Katie likes to lead. Katie apologizes and decides she wants another dance, but after she chooses one of her old favorites from the jukebox, she starts to feel a bit shaky and decides to have some punch instead. Before they do that, Nick has something else they need to do and leads her over to a camera, where he takes a bunch of cheesy prom photos of the two of them. After Nick snaps a few silly ones of himself, he sits Katie down and brings her some punch. Katie has a faraway look in her eyes, so Nick asks what that's about. Katie explains that she was such a nerd in high school, especially when compared to Homecoming Queen Brooke and Head Cheerleader Donna. Her sisters were always surrounded by guys, but high school was rough for her. But there was this one guy, a football star in her biology class who she'd share notes with, even though they didn't exactly run in the same circles. She then stops, but Nick sees that this is important to her and encourages her to share. Katie reveals that the boy asked her to the prom. And? Nick asks. Katie confides that what she's about to tell him is a secret she's never shared with anyone, not even with her sister. Nick tells her to go ahead.

Katie remembers her nightmarish prom.

Katie recalls how excited she was when this boy asked her to the prom. Of course, she said yes, and Storm helped her scrape together the money for a dress. She got all made up, and Storm gave her date the third degree when he arrived to pick her up. Then they went to the dance, where she felt like a princess in a fairy tale. Spending time with her date, the big man on campus, she had a good time as they danced and talked with people. She was on top of the world. But then the time came for the last dance, and watched her date go get something to drink first. He was over by his friends, talking to them. They looked over at her and she smiled, but then she saw that the guys were all laughing. Then the other two guys gave her date some money, and she realized she was a bet, a dare, since no one expected a guy like that to ask someone like her to the prom. All of a sudden, she felt like everyone was looking at her, laughing, so she ran home and locked herself in the bedroom. She was so ashamed that she felt like she lost something - the part of herself that felt like fairy tales could come true. She realized then how cruel people could be, and she wishes she could erase that memory and replace it with something else.

Nick tells Katie that he's sorry, suggesting that tonight might have been a bad idea. Katie tells him that it was a perfect idea and thanks him for giving her a new memory. Nick says she's beautiful and points out that she never got her last dance, so he leads her to the dance floor. As a slow song plays, they dance together. Katie tells Nick that she feels free now, since she's never been able to let those memories go. That means it's time for new memories, Nick says. Katie agrees and says that she feels like she graduated now. She never thought she'd live to see the day she could love and trust someone completely, but she knows that's possible now. She then asks Nick if he believes in life after death. If she's talking about the kingdom of heaven, Nick responds, it's right here. Katie agrees. Nick tells Katie that he's here for her. Tears roll down Katie's face as she says she knows, but she thinks it's time for this wonderful night to end. She thanks him, but Nick tells her to wait a minute, since what kind of prom date would he be if he didn't see her home? He picks her up and carries her up to her room.