Wednesday, April 15, 2009, Episode #5542

Katie and Donna check on their sister.

Donna and Katie stop by Brooke's to find out why she missed the exercise class that she insisted they join. Brooke apologizes for being distracted lately. Katie and Donna realize that something's wrong and ask if this is about Rick.

Brooke discusses Ridge and Rick with her sisters.

Brooke sighs and tells her sisters about Rick's decision to get married at her and Ridge's sacred spot at Point Dume and about how upset Ridge got about it. Katie wonders if Ridge's refusal to accept Rick's olive branch goes back to what happened to Phoebe. Brooke states that the whole thing is very complicated. Rick is in love with Steffy, and she loves her husband, but the weight of losing a child affects everything, and everyone hurts.

Taylor is pleased to see Thomas.

Ridge meets Taylor at Il Giardino for lunch. Taylor asks if he invited her just to check up on her, but Ridge doesn't think it would be so bad if he did. Taylor then asks if this is about his mother moving in with her. Ridge states that he approves of his mother's new living arrangements, but he invited her for another reason. He turns around and calls out, "Come on in," and Taylor's stunned to see Thomas and James walk in. Taylor gives her son a big hug and greets her old friend and mentor. When they all sit down at the table, Taylor asks James how long they can stay. James states that they have to fly back to his clinic in the hills this afternoon so he can get back to some meetings and appointments. Taylor asks about Thomas's therapy. Thomas explains that he sees now how enraged he got by watching Rick pick off the women in his family one by one. Taylor tells him not to dwell on that, so Thomas suggests that they all blame Rick. Ridge confides that he knows how Thomas feels, since Brooke and Steffy can't see what a manipulator Rick is, but all he can do is stand by and watch - or so Rick thinks.

James and Ridge comment on the situation with Rick.

James is surprised that Brooke hasn't intervened given her son's extreme behavior. Ridge explains that Brooke is willing to excuse almost anything Rick does since he's her flesh and blood. Thomas urges his father not to let Rick win. He's sure they can find a way to show Steffy that Rick's love isn't everything he says it is. Ridge promises that he and Taylor will do anything necessary to protect Steffy from Rick. After Thomas and James leave, Taylor tells Ridge that Thomas was right: they can't let his wedding happen. Ridge thinks that the answer is to get Brooke to be more active in helping them solve this problem. Taylor thinks it's obvious that Rick is trying to hurt both her and Ridge. She just wishes Steffy could hear the way Rick talks to Ridge. Ridge agrees that Steffy needs to hear that, but he doesn't think it has to be in person. He then says he should get going so he can talk with Brooke, but Taylor has one thing to say to him first. She knows that she may be setting herself up for disappointment, but the happiest times in her life have been with him. Still, she knows those days have passed, and she's learned to accept that. But at the same time, Ridge was the only man she ever wanted, so she wants him to know that she's there for him if things don't work out with Brooke. "You've always been right here in my heart," she states, "and that'll never change." Ridge thanks her with a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

Bridget and Owen listen outside Jackie's door.

At Jackie M, Jackie and Nick negotiate with Stephanie as Clarke and Owen eavesdrop outside the door. Bridget catches Clarke and Owen listening and decides to help them out by getting her stethoscope from her purse and holding it to the door.

Nick seals his deal with Stephanie.

Inside, Stephanie watches as Nick talks with Mr. Williams from the bank. Stephanie asks Jackie if she could get her some coffee, but Jackie quips, "I don't think hell's quite frozen over yet." After Nick ends the call, Stephanie offers to talk to Mr. Williams if Nick agrees to give her 50% of the company. Nick wants to be sure she can actually produce first before making her a partner and offers her 8% of the company plus a salary if she gets profits to increase to a certain point. Stephanie states that she doesn't want nor need a salary, so she asks for 12%, with an increase in her ownership stake if sales double. Jackie warns Nick not to give away the farm, but Nick is willing to give Stephanie 50% if sales double. Stephanie says that they have a deal and they shake on it. Suddenly, Nick hears cheers and applause from outside; he opens the door and finds Bridget, Clarke and Owen standing there, stating that they're just happy about what they heard. With Stephanie officially on board, Clarke breaks out the pigs in a blanket and sends Bridget to get some good old Irish whiskey from his desk so they can celebrate in true Spectra style. Nick notices that his mother is missing. Stephanie guesses that Jackie's not in a celebratory mood. Nick thinks they can celebrate without her and looks to Bridget, who hands out paper cups of whiskey to Nick, Stephanie and Clarke while deciding to opt out herself. After proposing a quick toast to their success, Stephanie wants to talk about their plan to focus on finding more young, hot designers. Bridget thinks Owen would be great at sniffing out up-and-coming designers, but she notices that he left.

Jackie teases Owen.

Owen drops by Jackie's loft to find out why she left after they made a deal with Stephanie. He asks Jackie if she's been avoiding him since they kissed. Jackie says that she hasn't been avoiding him, but she thinks they should just put the past aside for now and just move forward. Owen doesn't know if he wants to do that, so Jackie asks what he does want. "I'd like to see you with your clothes off," Nick puts forth. Jackie says that people would snicker if they saw them together in public, so Owen suggests that they just keep their little "fling" private so there's nothing for anyone to snicker about. Jackie tells him that she's all in favor of a little discretion, but she's not about to lose sleep about what the press might discover about her. "So you could take me or leave me?" Owen asks. Jackie states that she didn't say that. She explains that there are many women her age who are happily married with families, but she's not one of them. She points out that Owen might be a schemer who is after her money or is looking for an easy way to climb the corporate ladder. Owen asks if that's what she thinks. Jackie says that it isn't, and even if it was, the danger would be to him. She admits that he's attractive, but she warns that life may not turn out the way he wants. Owen says that he might surprise her. Jackie tells him that his clothes will have to come off first if he wants to see her with her clothes off. Owen says that he has no problem with that and takes off his shirt.

Back at Jackie M, Stephanie tells Clarke that she keeps expecting to see Sally walk in the door. Clarke tells her that he got a postcard from Sally in February from the Canary Islands. He reads the card to Stephanie, who laughs at Sally's statement that she's surrounded by swarthy, Spanish men in paradise. She thinks it's sweet that Sally still cares about him and notes that this business is more of a family than the one her family threw her out of. Clarke asks Stephanie if she's going to fire him; he knows that she doesn't like him much, and he's not the next hot thing anymore, but he thinks he has talents that can be well utilized here. He asks if she wants him to make Eric jealous; Stephanie declines the offer but thanks him for offering.

Stephanie wants Clarke to be "Keeper of the Flame."

Nick comes in with a contract in his hand, and Bridget's right behind him. Nick asks Bridget and Clarke to witness Stephanie signing the contract - that is, assuming that Clarke isn't going anyplace. "Am I?" Clarke asks. Stephanie tells Nick that they need a "keeper of the flame," someone who remembers what this place was like when it was Spectra and who is able to keep an eye on their hot, young designers to make sure they're not copying each other. Nick assumes that she's saying that he can't fire Clarke. "Right," she laughs. Clarke asks if this means he gets a promotion and the title "Keeper of the Flame" on his door. "No," Stephanie and Nick respond in unison. Clarke asks if he can at least pour the whiskey. "Yes," Nick and Stephanie reply.