Friday, October 24, 2008, Episode #5426

Owen tells Donna to wait for word from Eric.

At Owen's beach house, Donna worries that Stephanie and Eric might be in danger. Owen reminds her that they saw Pam leave the house next door, so he's sure Stephanie's plan is working, but Donna worries that things could turn sour once Pam realizes that her mother isn't there and isn't sick. She wonders if they should call the police. Owen fears that might make matters worse and advises Donna to sit tight. He assures her that she'll be reunited with her husband soon. Donna knows that's not how Owen hoped things would turn out and tells him that it would have been him in her life if it wasn't Eric. Owen quips that getting the silver medal is still better than a bronze. Donna tells him she's sorry, but he tells her not to apologize for loving her husband. Growing impatient for news, Donna decides to call Eric. She tells him not to talk if he's with Pam, but he replies that Pam's not there and explains how Pam collapsed and was taken to the hospital. He then tells Donna he knows everything and will talk to her later, but right now he has to help Stephanie at the hospital. Donna hangs up and fills Owen in on what happened. Owen thinks that's good news, since Pam will soon be arrested, but Donna tells him that there was something in Eric's voice that sounded like genuine concern about Stephanie. Owen chalks that up to the ordeal with Pam, but Donna fears that Stephanie might have made some inroads with Eric by supporting him over the last few weeks.

Stephanie and Eric get news about Pam.

At the hospital, Eric and Stephanie answer questions about Pam's medical history for the hospital staff. Stephanie worries about her sister. Eric suggests that they wait for some word from the doctors first. One of the nurses comes over to tell Stephanie that they have to call the police, since Pam is a fugitive. Stephanie asks the nurse to help Pam now and worry about the police later. The nurse says they will help Pam, but they still have to contact the police later. Fine, Stephanie answers, begging the nurse to help her sister. As Stephanie worries, Eric assures her that she's not responsible for this. Stephanie frets that she lied to Pam, but Eric points out that they had no other way to lure Pam into the open and promises her that they'll face this together. Dr. Brauer comes over to tell them that an MRI showed a mass of scar tissue in Pam's head that's putting pressure on Pam's brain. They need to remove the mass immediately. Stephanie asks if that could have caused her sister's recent erratic behavior. It could have, the doctor confirms, asking if Pam ever sustained any head injuries. Stephanie recalls Pam running from their father and falling down a flight of steps and asks if that could have created the mass. It could have, the doctor confirms before leaving to prep Pam for surgery to remove the mass. Stephanie wants to go see Pam before the surgery. Eric offers to go in with her, but she'd rather go alone. Eric offers to wait for her, but Stephanie suggests that he go talk to Donna. Eric worries about her being alone. Stephanie thanks him and tells him to go see Donna.

Stephanie goes in to see Pam, who lies unconscious on a gurney. Stephanie says that they won't let things end this way, blaming their father for stealing their innocence and their childhoods. "We are not going to be defeated by him," she vows, promising her sister that the doctors will make her well. She tells Pam that she's not to blame for this, urging Pam to keep fighting, because there is too much to live for and the best is yet to come. The hospital staff comes in to take Pam to the O.R. Stephanie promises to be right here waiting when Pam gets out of surgery.

Donna tells Eric why she kept Pam's actions a secret.

Eric returns home and calls Donna, who rushes right over. Donna asks how Pam is. She's not good, Eric states, feeling compassion for the poor woman. Donna tells him that she can't be that generous given how Pam threatened him. Eric thanks Donna for turning away from their marriage to save his life, noting that no one has ever done anything like that before. He doesn't know how he can ever repay her. Donna tells him that she hated telling him that she wanted to be with Owen, but Pam was standing there with a gun. Eric asks why she didn't come to him in secret later. Donna explains that she was scared of what Pam might do, hoping he's not upset that she didn't come to him. Eric says that he's not upset about her courageous act, but he can't help thinking that something could have happened to her. But id didn't, Donna sobs, and their both OK now. That's all that matters. Eric puts his arms around her and gives her a comforting hug.

Ridge tells Rick that what happened was an accident.

In Rick's hospital room, Brooke and Bridget are thrilled to see him awake. Rick asks if he's going to be OK. Bridget is sure he will be, but the doctors will need to check him out first. Ridge tells Rick that they're all glad to have him back. "What the hell are you doing in here?" Rick growls, seething that Ridge could have killed him. Ridge insists that it was an accident, but Rick angrily retorts that Ridge damned well knows that it wasn't and asks Brooke and Bridget if Ridge has tried to spin this as an accident. He shouts for them to get Ridge out of here. Bridget asks her mom and Ridge to leave. As they exit, Ridge tells Rick to take care. "Go to hell," Rick counters as Brooke ushers Ridge out of the room. Bridget tells Rick to calm down, reminding him that he's not out of the woods yet and recommending that he just sit tight and wait for the doctors to examine him.

Brooke has questions for Ridge.

Brooke leads Ridge into her an empty hospital room where she asks if what Rick said was true. Ridge admits that they argued but insists that Rick was out of his mind. Brooke reminds Ridge about what happened between him and Rick in Sydney, but Ridge says it wasn't like that. Rick was more aggressive this time, so he tried to leave, but Rick grabbed him and started punching him before getting him into a choke-hold and nearly strangling him. "If I hadn't done something, he would have killed me," Ridge explains, but Brooke asks how that justified shoving Rick over the side of the building. Ridge insists that he only pushed Rick off to protect himself. Brooke frets that Rick could have died and asks Ridge why he was fighting Rick. Ridge says that he tried not to fight, but Rick came at him. He asks if they can stop arguing about this, since he is truly sorry about what happened to Rick. Brooke embraces him and sighs.

Bridget and the doctor test Rick's legs...

Bridget brings a doctor in to examine Rick. The doctor asks Rick how he's feeling. Rick says he's not feeling very much and guesses that's from the painkillers. He asks the doctor if his sister told him how he wound up here after a run-in with their brother. Bridget tells Rick to forget Ridge, but Rick thinks their mom should do that instead. Brooke returns to the room as the doctor explains that Rick's x-rays show no sign of any sustained severe injuries. Brooke is relieved. Rick tells his mom not to be so serious, but Brooke reminds him what a close call this was. Ridge starts to come in but stops in the doorway as the doctor prepares to perform a neurological exam on Rick. He tells Rick that he's going to roll on instrument over his legs and instructs Rick to call out when he feels that. Rick tells the doctor to go ahead and start. The doctor rolls the instrument across Rick's leg but Rick doesn't say anything. After a minute, Rick asks the doctor to get started. Realizing what's going on, Brooke and Bridget stand there, staring horror-stricken at Rick.