Thursday, November 20, 2008, Episode #5445

Donna has some questions for Eric.

At Forrester, Eric meets with Rick, Donna and Owen to discuss the new surf line. Eric wants Donna and Owen to work on the new line. Rick isn't sure that's a good idea, but Eric thinks Donna's runway experience and Owen's surfing background make them the perfect choices. Rick still has reservations, but Eric declares that his mind is made up. After Rick and Owen leave, Donna asks Eric why he wants her to spend time with Owen. Eric reminds her that she assured him that he has nothing to worry about, but Donna still thinks it's a bad idea, especially when she considers Eric's feelings about Owen. Eric assures her that he can handle it and doesn't think it will be a problem if she's as committed to him as she claims. Donna confirms her commitment, so Eric doesn't see any reason why she can't work on this project with Owen. Donna agrees to do it and kisses Eric, telling him that she loves him.

Thorne and Eric watch Donna and Owen.

Donna goes to Owen's office, where he has several swimsuits from the surf shop down the street to scope out their competition. Donna confides that she finds it odd that Eric would want them to work together, but she talked to him and he didn't seem threatened at all. She thinks Eric must truly realize how much she loves him. Meanwhile, Eric watches on his laptop, wondering if Donna can be faithful to him. Owen tries on one of the swimsuits he bought and shows it to Donna. Owen suggests that Donna feel how soft the fabric is, so she does. Thorne enters Eric's office and asks what's going on. "This guy can't seem to keep his shirt on," Eric quips. Thorne comes behind Eric's desk so he can see the laptop and is stunned when he sees Donna's hands on Owen's shorts. When Donna looks in the back of Owen's trunks to get the fabric information off the label, Thorne thinks she's taking Owen's shorts off and bets that it's only a matter of time before Donna shows her true colors.

Owen tries on another pair of trunks.

Owen tries on another pair of trunks, but he and Donna both have some reservations about it. Donna bends down to roll up the fabric on his legs so that the suit is a bit higher. Back in Eric's office, he's sketching while Thorne checks out a report. When he sees Donna rolling up Owen's shorts, Thorne calls Eric over to the laptop to look, but he's disappointed when he sees that Donna didn't do anything. Eric thinks everything looks innocent enough, but Thorne thinks that Donna will eventually prove that she's not worthy to be Eric's wife.

Brooke shows that dinner is "on her,"... literally.

Ridge arrives at Brooke's in time for dinner as she asked and finds her in the bedroom. He finds the room transformed into a Japanese setting, with a bikini clad Brooke lying on the bed with pieces of sushi sitting on her body! "I told you dinner would be on me," she laughs, inviting him to check out the menu. Ridge eagerly sits on the bed and is about to try a sample when he gets a call from Steffy inviting him to join her for dinner. Ridge tells her that he already ordered in, raving about the spread that's right in front of him. Steffy asks if he wants some company, but Ridge tells her that he's with Brooke and promises to call her soon to have dinner with her. After hanging up the phone, Ridge is about to dig in, but Brooke stops him. She points out that it's customary to remove one's shoes in a Japanese house, so Ridge apologizes and takes off his shoes. Brooke then adds that it's also polite to remove his socks... and his shirt. Ridge complies and decides to take his pants off for good measure. With Ridge stripped down to the bare essentials, Brooke giggles, "Domo arigato, Ridge-san."

Stephanie drops by Rick's office and finds him taking down photos of Ridge. She asks if there is anything left of her son here. "God, I hope not," Rick retorts, reminding Stephanie that this situation wouldn't be happening if she'd taught her son to share as a child. Stephanie warns him not to act so cocky, but Rick reminds her that exposing his secret will push Brooke right into Ridge's arms and will probably affect Eric's health, too. Stephanie tells him not to take that tone with her and informs him that his little plan didn't work out quite the way he planned, since it looks like Ridge and Brooke are going to survive. Rick is naturally upset. Tiring of these little games, Stephanie asks "Einstein" what his next move is.

Marcus and Steffy get some news from Rick.

Rick is about to explain when Marcus and Steffy drop in. Marcus says that he got a message that Rick wanted to see him and hopes he didn't do something wrong. Far from it, Rick replies; in fact, he's so impressed by Marcus's work that he's sending Marcus to Paris to learn the ropes at Forrester International. Steffy congratulates her stunned boyfriend, who thanks Rick and promises to do him proud. Marcus asks how long he'll be there for. It's just a few weeks for now, Rick explains, but it could become permanent if he likes it over there. Marcus asks if he'll be there without Steffy. "There is such a thing as e-mail," Rick responds. Steffy tells Marcus that they can I.M. and do video chats. Rick agrees and tells Marcus what a great opportunity this is. The one catch is that he has to leave tonight. Rick has already arranged for a car to take Marcus to the airport in a couple of hours, and packing won't be an issue as there will be a new wardrobe waiting for Marcus upon arrival in Paris. Marcus wishes he had more time to say his goodbyes, but he's grateful for this chance and thanks Rick again. Marcus then asks Steffy to help him get ready.

Stephanie gives Rick some advice.

After Marcus and Steffy leave, Stephanie advises Rick that he's making some rather hasty decisions and warns him to start thinking this through a bit more carefully. Rick assures her that he has thought this through. After getting Ridge out of the company so easily, he's sure he can get him out of Brooke's life, too, and he has a new strategy to do that. Stephanie suggests they just let Brooke and Ridge fall apart on their own, but Rick doesn't want to see his mom in yet another twisted cycle with Ridge. Stephanie asks what his brilliant plan is. Rick asks if she really wants to know, since he thought she wanted to keep her hands clean. Stephanie is sure Eric has forgiven her for far worse than what Rick has in mind, so Rick agrees to tell her. He just wants her to know up front that it's big, but he's sure it will end Ridge and Brooke's relationship forever.

Marcus tells Donna about his promotion, including the news that he's leaving tonight. Donna is thrilled, but she admits that she's going to miss him. Marcus reminds her that he's only going to Paris and assures her that he'll always love her, no matter where he goes in the world. Donna gives him a hug and bids him goodbye.

Ridge thinks he knows why Rick is so hostile toward him.

Back in Brooke's bedroom, the sushi-fest winds down. Ridge thanks Brooke for going this for him. He knows outside forces often get in their way, but none of that matters at a time like this. What's important, Brooke stresses, is that they can work things out together. She tells him that she's sorry about Rick, admitting that asking him to move out while Rick recovered was a mistake. She's glad she was able to help Rick, but she wishes it wasn't at Ridge's expense. Ridge hopes Rick appreciates their relationship. Brooke is sure Rick will eventually come around. Ridge tells Brooke that he loves her and her optimism, but he thinks his issues with Rick run pretty deep. He feels like a lot of the antagonism between him and Rick started when Rick screwed over Phoebe, since he found it unforgivable that Rick would hurt his daughter that way. "Phoebe's fine, out on tour, enjoying the world," assures Brooke, promising that Rick will never hurt Phoebe ever again.