Tuesday, October 21, 2008, Episode #5423

Donna scolds Owen for the risk he took.

After signing her divorce papers, Donna returns with Owen to his beach house. She looks at the papers and laments that her marriage is over thanks to Pam and her threats. On top of that, she can't believe the risk Owen took by telling Stephanie about Pam's threats. Owen tells her that it had to be done and assures her that Stephanie can help deal with Pam, but Donna fears that Pam could be watching and might become even more dangerous if she finds out about Stephanie's plan. Owen urges her to calm down and believe that Stephanie's plan will work, paving the way for Donna to have another chance with Eric. Donna notes that she knows he doesn't want that. Owen tells her that he loves her, but he knows that he can never have her until she's had her chance with Eric. That's why he's here for her. Donna thanks him.

Pam gets another headache.

Meanwhile, Pam watches from her vantage point in a nearby house, gleefully gloating about the miserable day that "Hot Tamale" Donna is having now that her marriage is over. "That's what you get for taking away my sister's husband!" she chuckles, but her pleased expression turns into a pained look as she gets another painful headache. Wishing for the pain to stop, she grabs a bottle of pain relievers and downs a handful. She then takes out a photo of her, Stephanie and their mother and says that she's finally going to make up for not saving Stephanie from their father when they were little.

Stephanie tells Eric about Pam.

Stephanie arrives at the Forrester mansion and finds that Eric has a very dry martini and dinner waiting for her. He wants her to know how sorry he is for everything he's put her and their family through, and he promises to make a fresh start now that Donna is out of his life. Stephanie thinks this is all wonderful, but she needs to talk to him about Donna. Eric tells her that Donna is a dead subject here and would rather talk about their future, but Stephanie cuts him off and tells him that Donna loves him and has never stopped loving him. "She agreed to the divorce in order to protect you," she explains, filling Eric in about Pam. Eric is stunned and asks how long Pam has been off her medication. It's been months according to their mother, Stephanie replies, but she thinks there's more to it than that. She points out that Pam has been off her meds before but has never snapped this way. A shocked Eric suddenly understands how Donna could turn her back on him so abruptly. Stephanie tells him that Pam made Donna promise not to tell anyone. She's just grateful that Donna told Owen, who came to her. She wants to find Pam and get her to a hospital. Eric asks how she can do that without involving the police. Stephanie answers that she has an idea, but she's going to need his help.

Brooke talks to Ridge about Taylor.

Ridge comes home to Brooke, who hopes he didn't listen to a word Taylor had to say about their relationship. Ridge tells her that he'll always consider what Taylor has to say as she's the mother of three of his children. Brooke is upset that Taylor is trying to steal Ridge away when they're about to get married. Ridge explains that Taylor thinks Nick will come between them. Brooke says that she knows what Taylor thinks and wonders if Taylor gave her Jack to sabotage their wedding plans. Ridge assures her that Taylor just wants to protect her son, but he can see where raising Jack might challenge them. Brooke asks if he's referring to his being threatened by her being around Nick. Ridge tells her that she's the love of his life, but he feels like she keeps slipping out of his reach. He tells her again that while he will share Jack, he will not share her with Nick. Brooke affirms that Nick is Jack's father and nothing more while Ridge is the man she wants to spend her life with, but she fears they can't be together if he can't act civil with Nick for Jack's sake. Ridge concedes that she's right once again and admits that he has to be more tolerant of little things, like her posing for a family photo with Nick and Jack. Brooke points out that there will be some difficult moments, but Ridge asks if they can keep those to a minimum. He assures her that Taylor is in his past and he wants to marry her, and this time it will be forever. He and Brooke start to playfully flirt with each other and wind up on the bed. They kiss and start to undress each other, falling back on the bed to make love.

Taylor confesses her feelings to Rick.

At Taylor's, a stunned Rick asks why she'd back out on their wedding and asks if something happened at the party. When Taylor doesn't say anything, he demands that she answer him! Taylor explains that the problem is with her, because she's still in love with Ridge. Rick asks if this has anything to do with the ridiculous talk she had with his mom about Ridge being the love of her life, but Taylor regretfully tells him that she kissed Ridge and realized that her old feelings for him are still there. Having faced those feelings, she feels like she and Ridge can still get back together some day, and... Outraged, Rick begs her not to let Ridge break her heart as he's done to so many other women, but Taylor tells him that she has never gotten Ridge out of her heart. She acknowledges that Rick has always had issues with Ridge, but Rick thinks it's more than just an "issue" when Ridge takes everything away from him, and he's not going to let Ridge get away with it this time. Taylor assures him that she never meant to hurt him and hopes he can find a woman who loves him and only him, but she's not that woman, and she won't take vows she can't live up to. Rick reminds her that his mother has a "vice grip" on Ridge, so he can't believe that Taylor would stand around waiting for some fantasy of Ridge that will never happen. Taylor is sure Brooke will drive Ridge away yet again and will run back to Nick, and she plans to be there for Ridge when that happens. Rick scoffs at that notion and begs her not to let herself get hurt again, lamenting the wonderful life they could have had but for Ridge.

Ridge and Brooke talk after making love.

After making love to Brooke, Ridge asks if he eased her mind. Brooke says that he did, but she is still worried about Rick. She doesn't think Rick and Taylor can get married if Taylor is still hung up on Ridge. Ridge informs her that Taylor knows that and is planning to talk to Ridge today. Brooke is sure Rick will be devastated, but she thinks it's better that Rick find out how Taylor feels now, before the wedding. Ridge then gets a call on his cell phone from Rick, who tells him to meet him at the Sky Lounge at Forrester right away. Ridge says that he'll be there soon. Brooke asks if Rick is OK. Ridge assumes that Taylor talked to Rick, since Rick wants to meet at Forrester. Brooke wants to go with him, but Ridge thinks it would be better if he goes alone, in case Rick is looking for someone to blame and dump on - and if that person has to be him, so be it.