Friday, November 21, 2008, Episode #5446

Donna watches Stephanie with Eric.

In Eric's office, he and Donna talk about Rick's decision to send Marcus to Paris. When Eric states that it's good that Rick is making decisions like that on his own, Donna recalls a time when Eric made decisions like that, too. She quickly apologizes for the comment, lamenting that it's hard for her to compete with Stephanie and feel like she has to prove herself. Eric asks her to be a little more patient, but Donna states that she's already waited so long. Eric says that he just wants to make the right decision. Before Donna can answer, Stephanie drops by with family Halloween photos to show Eric. Seeing Donna, Stephanie offers to come back later, but Donna says she was just leaving and excuses herself. As she leaves, Donna pauses in the doorway and gets upset watching Eric and Stephanie laughing at the snapshots.

Donna talks to Owen...

Donna stops by Owen's office and is surprised that he's still there. Owen explains that he was trying to order her a new rare breed of super orchid, even though he knows that's crazy given how committed she is to Eric. He just can't understand why she wants to be with a guy whose family want to make her life a living hell. Donna reminds him of his promise to be nice after Eric hired him back, but Owen can't bring himself to be so gracious about his job given how Felicia and Thorne are going out of their way to make him miserable. He asks Donna what kind of man moves his wife and his ex-wife into the same home.

...who can't understand why she's still with Eric.

Donna tries to defend Eric's choice, stating that it's a big house, but Owen thinks it's insulting and asks Donna why she even tolerates being part of Eric's "harem." Before Donna can say anything, Owen reminds her that she has another option besides Eric, and she's looking right at him. "Do you ever wonder what you're missing with me?" he asks. "What if I do?" Donna responds. Owen locks the door. Donna tells him that he doesn't have to do that, but Owen thinks she trusts him. He says that he's always been straight with her, even when it wasn't to his advantage, and he's never tried to undermine her relationship with Eric, either. Still he knows she's attracted to him, so he asks her to let him show her what he can do for her. Moving closer to her, he reminds her that the door is locked and no one's watching, so they can do whatever they want.

Thorne and Eric continue to watch Owen and Donna.

Thorne enters Eric's office and notes how glad he was to see his parents sharing time together. Eric says they were just looking at Halloween photos, but Thorne thinks there was more to it and asks Eric why he keeps punishing Stephanie when he knows what's going to happen. "You guys just fit," he states, turning on Eric's laptop. Spotting Donna in Owen's office, Thorne is sure something must be going on with those two, but Eric warns him not to jump to conclusions. Thorne retorts that he's not the one who chose to spy on Donna with a hidden camera. Eric spots Owen lock the door and wonders what's going on. Thorne thinks the answer should be obvious and asks his dad why he's subjecting himself to this. As he and Eric spot Owen moving close to Donna, Thorne eagerly urges, "Do it, Donna. You know you want to."

Brooke asks Ridge to set a wedding date.

In their bedroom, Brooke and Ridge bask in the afterglow after their sushi-fest. Brooke tells Ridge that she feels safe with him holding her this way, since he's her "happily ever after." She asks when they can get married, pointing out that they don't need anybody's blessing. Ridge thinks they took a step backward when she asked him to move out. but she reminds him that Rick has moved out and is OK now. "Until next time," Ridge snipes. Brooke reminds him that this was different from Sydney, where they ended their engagement. Ridge recalls, "He involved my daughter," but Brooke is sure that won't happen again and urges him to set a wedding date. Ridge says he's anxious for them to say their "I dos," but something always seems to get in the way. Brooke thinks things will be different once they commit to each other for better of for worse. One problem has always been that they almost believed it when people said they were wrong for each other, so she thinks they just need to believe in each other now. Ridge thanks his "Logan-san" for her wisdom, but he's still concerned about Rick's desire to keep them apart. Brooke assures him that Rick won't be a problem, but Ridge has his doubts. Brooke sighs that she feels like Rick has always felt like he had to best Ridge at something, but she thinks that should be done now that Rick is president of Forrester. "So marry me, Ridge," she coos. Ridge promises her the most beautiful and romantic wedding, since that's what she deserves. "This time it's going to be forever," Brooke giggles, "and nothing is going to come between us ever again."

Steffy tells Rick that he's been acting like a kid.

Rick stands in his office in front of a mirror, practicing introducing himself as "Rick Forrester" and "Eric Forrester Jr." Steffy walks in on his "identity crisis," so Rick explains that he's been thinking that Rick sounds like a kid's name. Steffy points out that "Junior" sounds like a kid's name, and he's been acting like one with his attempts to expunge her dad's presence from the building. Rick reminds her that he was fine with sharing the presidency, but Ridge refused. Still, the door is always open for Ridge to come back any time he chooses. "Maybe he will," Steffy muses, suggesting that her dad might have already made his choice to move back in with Brooke. Rick changes the subject and tells Steffy that he wants to talk about her. He think she's ambitious like him, but her talents are being wasted in shipping, so he'd like to bring her up here to the executive floor. He knows many people think the models and artists drive his company, but he prefers to think that those people are driven by the business people like Steffy and him. Steffy says she might be happy where she is, but Rick thinks he knows what makes her happy.

Rick has dinner with Steffy.

When a waiter brings in dinner for two, Steffy offers to leave, but Rick tells her that this dinner is for her and reminds her that her dinner date ditched her. Steffy claims that her dad has a "better offer," but Rick bets that must irk her. Steffy says that Ridge already had plans with Brooke, leading Rick to hint that the two of them have more in common than she thinks. As they dine, Steffy suggests that Forrester should be focusing on women under 35, like the young actresses in Hollywood or New York. Recalling that she did a report about that for her dad, she starts to look for it on the desk, but Rick reminds her that it's his desk now. Steffy asks if he's even listening to her. Rick says he may not hear what she's saying, but he is paying attention to her, if she knows what he means. "Get a grip!" Steffy warns, reminding him that he dated her sister and is on the rebound from her mother. Rick responds by kissing her! Shocked, Steffy pulls away and slaps him! Rick says he's sorry, but he thought... "You thought wrong," Steffy admonishes, warning him not to put his hands on her again and and storming out. Alone, a pleased Rick says to himself, "A challenge. I like that."