Monday, October 20, 2008, Episode #5422

Stephanie offers to help Donna.

At Owen's beach house, a terrified Donna tells Stephanie to leave before Pam realizes that Stephanie now knows the truth. She fears Pam will go after Eric again if she figures out what's happened. Stephanie offers to help, since she thinks she can get through to her sister, but Donna warns that people will get hurt if Stephanie doesn't leave. Stephanie asks who Pam has threatened. "Anyone that Donna cares about," Owen answers, urging Donna to accept La Forrester's offer. But Donna is scared senseless of what might happen to Eric and orders Stephanie to just take Eric, forget this conversation and leave. Stephanie complies and leaves.

Pam makes another call to Donna.

Donna scolds Owen for deviating from their plan and telling Stephanie the truth. Pam then calls Donna on her cell phone and asks the "Hot Tamale" what she's up to. Donna covers that she got rid of Stephanie, who came back to pressure her to sign the divorce papers. Donna informs Pam that Eric is waiting for her in his office with the papers. Holding her head again like she's in pain, Pam orders Donna to stay away from Eric; Donna points out that she can't end her marriage unless she goes to sign the papers. Pam relents and tells Donna to go, warning her not to see Eric ever again after that. Donna says that she understands. After Donna hangs up, Owen asks if she's really going to end her marriage. Donna doesn't think she has any other choice.

Eric's lawyer, Gloria, says hello to Stephanie.

In his office, Eric solemnly looks at the divorce papers when Stephanie arrives. He shows her the divorce papers and tells her that he is ending his marriage today. Shortly after, Eric tells the receptionist to send his lawyer Gloria in. He asks Stephanie if she wants to leave, but she opts to stay. Gloria enters the room with Donna and Owen right behind. Eric is peeved that Donna brought her lover with her. Owen explains that Donna doesn't have a lawyer, so he's there as a paralegal to look things over. Donna is sure Eric will be fair and asks if they can get this over with.

Eric angrily tells Donna to sign the papers.

As Donna is presented with the property settlement first, Eric tells her that he's keeping the house. Donna nods, prompting Eric to ask why she has nothing to say as they end their marriage. "There's nothing I can say," Donna replies. Upset with how certain she is, Eric angrily tells her to sign the petition. When Donna hesitates, Eric grabs the pen from her, signs the petition and tells her to do the same. Donna pauses for a moment and then signs. After she's done, Eric storms out of the office. Gloria says that she'll file these today and leaves.

With Owen beside her, Donna asks Stephanie if she's happy now.

Donna tearfully asks Stephanie if she's enjoying this. Stephanie claims that she isn't. "Then why are you here?" Donna asks. Stephanie says that she doesn't want Eric this way and acknowledges that her sister is ill and needs help. She wants to find Pam so she can protect both Pam and Donna, but she's going to need Donna's help to do it. Donna asks why she should trust Stephanie, who points out that Donna has no one else to trust. I'm probably going to give you what you want most in this world, Eric," Stephanie advises, "so I suggest you help me."

Ridge talks candidly with Taylor about the kiss.

In Ridge's office, Taylor kisses Ridge, who asks what she's doing. Something she has wanted to do for a long time. she answers, wondering what happened to their lives and dreams. Ridge reminds her that they're marrying different people. Embarrassed, Taylor tells him to forget the kiss, but Ridge admits that he can't. Taylor is pleased, since that means his feelings for her are still there. Ridge tells her that they'll always be connected, since she is the mother of his children. Taylor tells him that she sees now that being with him is what's always made her happy, so she has subconsciously comparing any relationships she had since to what they shared. She thinks the kiss brought back the passion and history that they share. Ridge says that he misses their family, too. Taylor can't believe that she's been holding these feelings back, especially since she sees right now that nothing has changed between them. Ridge reminds her that he and Brooke are planning their wedding and have accepted Jack into their family. Taylor reminds him how he felt seeing Brooke and Nick gravitate toward each other at Jack's party and asks Ridge if he can deal with those feelings for the rest of Jack's life. She honestly doesn't think Ridge wants all that drama, and he didn't have that with her and their kids. But he will have that with Brooke as long as Nick is in the picture.

Taylor promises to wait for Ridge.

Ridge tells her that this is not about Nick. Taylor tells him that she loves him and doesn't want to fight it anymore, but Ridge states that it's not that simple and asks what she intends to do about Rick. She says that she can't marry Rick if she's having these feelings and is hoping for a chance with Ridge again. She thinks of all the times that they were separated, only to find their way back to each other, and she thinks that they can have that again if they both want it badly enough. Ridge confesses that she is right; when it comes to what they shared together, there is no comparison, and he remembers all the beautiful memories and is feeling the same thing Taylor is. However, he wants to be clear that his future is with Brooke. He knows Taylor thinks he is bound to be disappointed again, but he doesn't intend to let that happen. Taylor tells him that Brooke has him snowed, but Ridge tells her that he promised not only Brooke and Jack, but himself, that he would do better to keep from flying off the handle and from making ultimatums. Taylor asks if he heard what she said. Ridge says he loves her and always will, leading Taylor to think there is still hope for them. She tells Ridge that she's telling Rick how she feels tonight, adding that she'll be waiting for Ridge when he finally sees that his relationship with Brooke is just a fantasy. She then kisses Ridge and leaves.