Monday, March 24, 2008, Episode #5274

Nick tells Katie that life isn't a fairy tale.

At the Marone mansion, Katie scoffs at Nick's suggestion that they're anything alike. They agree that they may both be stubborn, but that's where the comparison ends. Nick tells Katie that she's a bit more stubborn than he is, but she states that it might not be by much if he doesn't see how right Bridget is for him. Nick tells her again that he's not sure if it's right. Katie can't believe he thinks something so great might be wrong and accuses him of being chicken. Nick denies it, but Katie puts forth that he's afraid to commit and might even still be holding out for Brooke. Nick reminds her that Brooke made her choice, so it's over between them. He explains that he's just not ready to get involved in a new relationship so soon after ending his marriage, and he guesses that Katie can't understand that because she's too inexperienced. Calling Nick a jerk, Katie tosses her basketball at him. Nick asks if she carries the ball around to throw at people. Katie dares him to take her on in a game of 1-on-1 if he wants to find out. Nick suggests darts instead, but Katie wants to know why he's holding back. Nick says that this isn't some fairy tale where Prince Charming sweeps the fair maiden off her feet, not that it's any of Katie's business. Worried that Nick's vacillating will just lead Bridget toward more heartbreak, Katie admonishes, "You should have thought about that before you slept with her."

Bridget thanks Katie for encouraging her.

Nick tells Katie that what's right for him is what's right for his son and goes upstairs, so Katie is alone in the living room when Bridget drops by. Bridget hugs her Aunt Katie and thanks her, since she doesn't think she would have had the nerve to get past her fears and try again with Nick without Katie's encouragement. "I would never be this happy if it wasn't for you," Bridget gushes. Katie tries to downplay her part and tells Bridget that she's glad to see her so happy, but Bridget still thinks that she owes that happiness to Katie. "I didn't exactly have to twist your arm," Katie stammers, but Bridget disagrees and asks Katie how she can thank her for giving her the courage to pursue Nick again. No thanks are necessary, Katie states, urging Bridget not to get ahead of herself. Bridget says that she's trying, but it's hard when it feels so right being with Nick again. She tells Katie that she talked to Brooke, who promised not to interfere, so she doesn't see anyone or anything standing in her and Nick's way now. She asks Katie if she agrees that Nick is a great guy after pitching in lately to help out with baby Jack. Katie agrees.

Katie makes an observation about Nick.

Nick overhears the tail end of Bridget and Katie's conversation from the stairs. After Katie leaves the room, Nick comes downstairs. Bridget asks him how Jack is, since the baby was sleeping when she left. (Actually, she told Nick that Rick took the baby to the park and he took Jack to see Taylor, but what's a continuity error between friends?) Nick tells her that Jack is fine. Bridget asks Nick how he feels about Katie being around to help out. "She's handy," Nick states. Bridget tells him that she and her aunt have gotten close, since Katie has been so supportive. Nick suggests that Katie can use some friends, since she seems a bit different, a little abrasive and a tad strange. Bridget says that Katie isn't strange and asks Nick if he thinks Katie is attractive, since she wants to find a nice guy for Katie. Nick has no interest in playing matchmaker. Katie comes back in and says that she's not interested. Bridget asks Katie to reconsider and asks what Katie would do if they could find someone like Nick for her. Admitting that she's tempted, Katie quips, "Men like Nick don't grow on trees. They swing from them." Nick chuckles at the comment/insult.

Brooke is sickened seeing Rick kiss Taylor.

Brooke recoils in disgust at the sight of Rick kissing Taylor. She walks toward them, pushes them apart and slaps Taylor in the face! She calls Taylor sick and accuses Taylor of using Rick to get back at her, and she thinks it's pathetic that Taylor would take her son because Taylor feels she took Taylor's son away. Taylor thinks it's natural that Brooke would think that way, since Brooke is known for her schemes and manipulations. Rick insists that he's a grown man who can make his own decisions, but Brooke urges him to open his eyes and see that Taylor is using him to get back at her. "Whatever is going on here between the two of you," Brooke orders, "I want it to stop." Taylor states that she's not using Rick, who has been a lifeline to her. Brooke thinks it's convenient that her son is Taylor's lifeline, but Taylor scoffs that Brooke doesn't like being on the receiving end for a change. Brooke thinks it's clear that Taylor is manipulating Rick, but Rick tells her to stop talking that way. Taylor agrees, since she thinks Rick is a wonderful young man. "Too young for you," Brooke counters, but Taylor finds it ironic that Rick would stand up to his own mother to support her. She tells Rick that she's honored and flattered by his feelings for her and admits that she cares deeply for him, too. Brooke is sickened by this whole conversation, especially when Taylor tells Rick that he's the one man who his mother can't steal from her. "So I am right?" Brooke asks. Taylor supposes Brooke is right; since Brooke took her son, she thinks it's only fair for her to take Brooke's.

Taylor asks Rick what his "inner voice" is saying.

Brooke asks to speak to Rick alone, but Rick states that there's nothing she can say to him that she can't say in front of Taylor. Brooke asks Rick if he's acting out because he's upset with her, but Rick tells her that this has nothing to do with her. Brooke can't understand why he'd want to get involved with Taylor. Rick tells her that it's not for her to understand. Brooke tells him that he has her attention of he's trying to make a statement, but Rick assures her that Taylor is important to him. Brooke asks if he's falling for Taylor. "What if I am?" Rick asks. Brooke thinks the notion is ridiculous, but Rick disagrees. Brooke warns that Taylor is only acting out of spite, but Rick says this isn't something sordid or dirty. "This is about two people who have found something special in each other, he insists. Brooke leaves. After Brooke is gone, Rick talks with Taylor about the way his mom always tries to control his life, like he's still a kid. Taylor actually understands how mothers do that sometimes and asks Rick if he was trying to make a point by kissing her in front of Brooke. Rick says that he may have been trying to make a point, but he tells Taylor that his feelings for her are genuine. He admits that he sometimes hears a voice in his head that he can't control. Taylor asks what the voice tells him. "It says, 'grab this woman and kiss her,'" Rick states, showing her how he listens to the voice by kissing her again. Taylor tells him that she hears a voice, too, and it's telling her to leave before Brooke returns. Rick thinks that's a good idea, so they leave.

Ashley has a heartfelt conversation with Ridge.

Ridge stops in Eric's office looking for his dad and is pleased to find Ashley there. He tells her that he's been going through the sales reports and sales for her fragrances have gone through the roof. He's thrilled with the amount of money that Forrester Creations has earned from her work. Ashley thanks him for the compliment, since she admits that there have been times where she questioned her decision to move to L.A. "Lately," she says with a smile, "I'm pretty happy about my decision." Ridge is glad she didn't leave and admires her independence and the fact that she doesn't need a man to make her happy. Ashley concedes that sticking around let her work some things out. Ridge tells her not to get any ideas about staying in Genoa City when she takes Felicia to her hometown for the launch party for her brother's new magazine, RESTLESS STYLE. Ashley responds that she won't be staying, since things are far too interesting in Los Angeles. Since she has to catch her plane, she bids Ridge goodbye and gets on her way.

Ridge scoffs at Brooke's notion about Taylor.

A bit later, Brooke comes in and tells Ridge that they have to talk. Working on a sketch, Ridge asks if this has to do with Nick and Bridget, since he thought he was clear that she should stay out of Bridget's life. When Brooke says it's not about Bridget, Ridge guesses it's about Jack and tells Brooke that the baby will be OK, but Brooke tells him that this is about Taylor and her latest crazy act. Ridge asks if Taylor is drinking again. Brooke says she's not sure, but she's worried that Taylor is trying to get revenge on her by seducing Rick. Ridge laughs at the idea, but Brooke tells him that she's being serious and tells him how Rick kissed Taylor. Ridge asks if she really believes this, since there has to be something else going on. "There is more going on," Brooke agrees, stating that Taylor is using her son to get back at her. Ridge tells her to stop being so melodramatic, but Brooke is sure she's right about Taylor using Rick and thinks it's sick that Taylor would do something like this.