Tuesday, June 17, 2008, Episode #5335

Katie opens up about her feelings.

In Katie's bedroom, Nick sits stunned as Katie proclaims that she loves him. It's the truth, she reaffirms, and she thinks he knows it, too. Nick doesn't think they should talk about this while she's getting better, but Katie says that she is better and is seeing everything clearly now. She realizes that their feelings for each other are what's really important and asks him not to deny those feelings, since she felt them on the boat, when they danced and when they kissed. It wasn't just a fantasy, she insists. Nick reluctantly agrees. And it wasn't just last night, Katie adds, since those feelings have been brewing for a while. She admits that she's scared by those feelings, because she knows how much Bridget loves him. But life is short, and she thinks they have to all be honest with each other. "If I'm wrong," she states, "just tell me."

Bridget tells Katie that she's glad she's there.

Before Nick can answer, Bridget enters the room. She's pleased to see how perky Katie seems and remarks that Nick has the same effect on her. Nick leaves so Bridget can give Katie a quick check-up. Bridget is pleased with Katie's progress, but she still thinks her aunt should take it slow for a while longer before getting out into the world again. At the same time, she doesn't want Katie to worry too much, since that might impede her progress. She suggests that Katie just do what feels good and enjoy herself, since she deserves it. Katie tears up and gets a guilty look on her face, so Bridget asks what's wrong. Katie weeps that she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Bridget, so she wants her niece to know how grateful she is for that. Bridget won't take all the credit, since there were so many people pulling for Katie, including Nick. She reminds Katie of all the things Nick did for her that made her want to live. Katie thanks Bridget for letting Nick spend all that time with her. She knows that Nick and Bridget were just getting together and should have been in their "honeymoon stage," but here she is and... Bridget cuts her off and reminds Katie that she's here and she's alive, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Nick brings Jack by to see Katie.

Nick returns with Jack in his arms and announces that the little guy wanted to say goodnight. Katie eagerly takes Jack and marvels at how big he's gotten. Bridget tells Katie that Jack missed her, and Katie says that she missed him, too. Nick notes that it's Jack's bedtime, so Bridget takes the tyke from Katie and goes to put him down. Alone with Nick, Katie remarks that Bridget is an angel with a big heart. "If I ever hurt her," she states, "I don't think I could ever forgive myself." Nick reminds her of what she said earlier, but she says that doesn't matter now. "You love Bridget," she states. When Nick admits that he does, Katie says that she does, too, and she doesn't want to betray her. Nick points out that she didn't betray Bridget, but Katie doesn't want Bridget to ever regret inviting her to live here to take care of her. "I won't make that beautiful, brilliant woman feel like a fool, and I won't fool myself into thinking this could work out somehow," she vows, since she knows someone, and maybe all of them, would get hurt. Even though she's never felt like this before, she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Bridget, and that has to come before anything else. "She can't know," she affirms. Nick tells her that she deserves to be happy. Katie says that she will be. She'll be happy for him and Bridget. She tells Nick to go and says that she'll always love him. Nick kisses her hand and gets up to leave, stopping in the doorway a moment before leaving the room. Alone in the room, tears well up in Katie's eyes.

Donna covers with Eric.

In Eric's office, Brooke comes to grips with Donna having a grown son. She tells Marcus that his coming into their lives after their recent crises might be just the kind of miracle that their family needs to turn itself around. "But no one can know I'm a Logan," Marcus points out. Not just yet, Donna cautions. Brooke agrees that they have to be careful about telling Eric the truth, especially after all the lies he dealt with while married to Stephanie. But at the same time, she thinks it would be better to tell Eric sooner rather than later. "Tell me what?" Eric asks as he comes in the door. Sensing Donna's hesitation, Eric asks if she needs to speak with him alone. She tells him no and covers that she just wanted to talk to him about Marcus. She didn't want to say this in front of Marcus for fear of embarrassing him, but she wants Eric to know what a great job Marcus is doing.

Eric gets Marcus's opinion.

Eric is pleased to hear that and asks for Marcus's opinion of some sketches he has on his easels. They're aimed at a younger clientele, he explains, so he thinks Marcus can offer some valuable insight about how he thinks these designs look. While the guys chat, Brooke takes Donna aside and urges her to tell Eric the truth before he finds out some other way. After Brooke leaves, Eric talks some more with Marcus about the designs while Donna looks on. Eric thanks Marcus for giving him a fresh perspective. Marcus says he was glad to help. Eric then asks his bride what other surprises she has for him; the question catches Marcus's ear as he goes to put Eric's sketches back. As he gets ready to go down to shipping, Eric tells Donna that maybe she shouldn't be here in the executive suite after all. Instead, he thinks that maybe she should be out in the field scouting new talent. He gives her a kiss and thanks Marcus again for his help as he heads downstairs. Alone with Marcus, a pleased Donna tells him how happy she is that he and Eric got along so well. Marcus suggests that Eric is that way with all his employees, but Donna points out that Eric showed him his sketches and asked for his opinion. "I can't wait to tell him you're my son," she declares, promising that it won't be long.

Felicia is sure Marcus is hiding something.

In his office, Ridge discusses the situation with Marcus with Felicia and Steffy. He doesn't want to put the guy through the wringer, but they need to make sure that Donna isn't placing any "operatives" in their company. Steffy scoffs at the idea that Marcus is Donna's spy, but Ridge can't discount the possibility given how Donna got Marcus hired. Felicia points out that they can't confront Donna without proof and instructs Steffy to keep searching on the computer for something they can use, but Steffy can't find anything. Thorne comes in and says that he made some calls to Texas, and everything on Marcus's application checks out. Steffy wonders if they're looking for something that isn't there, but Ridge and Felicia are sure that there has to be something they're missing, and they just have to find it. Just then, Felicia gets an idea and asks Thorne and Steffy to come with her.

Ridge and Brooke agree not to let Donna and Eric come between them.

While the others are gone, Brooke drops in to see Ridge. She tells him how overwhelming the last few weeks have been, and she doesn't expect things to settle down any time soon. Ridge asks if she's talking about Katie's condition, but she tells him that she was thinking more about how things have been around here with Donna. She asks reminds Ridge that she loves both her sisters, and she can't see why he can't just ease up on Donna given the challenges that the Logans have faced over the years. "Do it for me," she pleads. Ridge argues that this is business, and he needs to be wary of Donna because of the impact she might have on the family and on the company. Sensing that Brooke doesn't totally like that answer, Ridge tells her that they can't let Donna interfere with their relationship. With a guilty look on her face, Brooke says that she doesn't want that, either. Then they should just leave things where they are, Ridge suggests. Brooke agrees, but she wishes they could all just get along. She asks Ridge if anything will change between them, no matter what happens between Eric and Donna. Ridge promises that nothing will change.