Friday, December 04, 2009, Episode #5705

Bill tries to reassure a doubtful Brooke.

In Bill's office, a doubtful Brooke refuses to keep the truth about Steffy kissing Bill from Katie. Bill insists that he has no feelings for Steffy or any other woman besides Katie, but Brooke feels that she has to be honest with her sister and leaves. Sitting alone in his office, Bill looks at his necklace and recalls his wedding vows. After remembering his pledge to Katie that he'd never break a promise to her, he buzzes his assistant Hillary to cancel his afternoon meetings and walks out of the office.

Katie thinks she knows what's bothering Brooke.

In Katie's office, Ridge fits a pair of models with his latest designs for the Glamour campaign. Looking on, Steffy praises her dad for his best work ever, but she wishes her grandpa was there. Ridge wishes his dad was there, too, but he understands the pride that's keeping Eric away. Steffy laments that Ridge missed his chance to finally run the company. Ridge tells her that she has a great opportunity here, even if it's not the one he wanted for her, and he wants her to know that he's proud of her work. Katie walks in and seconds that. As Steffy leaves to get back to work, Katie praises Ridge's brilliant work. Walking out, Ridge tells her to imagine how brilliant he'd be with the Forresters in charge and not Bill. Soon after, Brooke pops in. Katie wants to show her the latest designs, but Brooke wants to talk. "There's something you need to know," Brooke starts, but before she can elaborate, Ridge walks in and asks if he's interrupting. Katie tells him that Brooke was about to tell her something important, but she thinks she knows what it is and asks Ridge if they've reached an understanding. "Have we?" asks Ridge. Katie says she knows he hopes to regain control of the company someday, since he'll never accept Bill in charge. At the same time, he's torn because Steffy is flourishing under Bill's regime. Ridge tells her she's right. But regardless of how he feels about Bill, she continues, they're all being productive and there's a sense of peace in the halls. She asks Ridge if he agrees. "We'll see," Ridge states. Taking that as a yes, Katie asks Brooke if they've covered her issues. "I think we have," Brooke states, so Katie heads downstairs for a meeting.

Later, Brooke stops back in and Ridge is there alone. Brooke asks if Katie is still in her meeting. "Yeah, doing what Dad used to do," Ridge sighs. Brooke asks if he's upset with Katie, but he admits that Katie is right about how things are around here right now, especially with Steffy doing so well. Brooke tells the proud papa that he and his daughter make a good team. Ridge tells her that he still plans to get the company back in the family's hands someday, but in the meantime, he's glad Steffy is happy and he's thankful for the peace around here.

Nick has questions for Sandy...

Sandy tells Nick that he's overreacting, but he feels like she has a problem with him and wants to talk about it. Sandy thinks it's natural for her to be more comfortable relating to Bridget woman to woman, but Nick thinks there's something else going on. There isn't, Sandy states. Nick tells her that he wants her to be comfortable with him, too, since he's the father of the baby she's carrying. Sandy asks him to chill out and cut her some slack, since she's never done this before. Looking down at the table, Nick sees piles of mail addressed to Agnes Jones. Sandy tells him that this is just a business relationship for her to give him and Bridget a healthy child, but Nick thinks it's more than that, since a pregnancy requires emotional support and he and Bridget can both offer that. That doesn't mean he can barge in without calling, Sandy argues. Nick points out that he knocked first. Growing agitated, Sandy asks Nick to leave. Nick asks if he did anything to offend her. Sandy says she's just a private person, and she'd like him to respect that. Nick agrees, but before he goes, he'd like to know if she lives there alone. When she says she does, Nick demands to know why all her mail is addressed to Agnes Jones. Grabbing the mail, Sandy says it's none of his business, but he thinks it is and demands to know who she is!

...but Sandy holds back with her answers.

Sandy tells Nick to stop interrogating her, but he says he just wants to know who she is and who Agnes is. When she doesn't answer, he looks through her cupboards and finds them filled with junk food, despite her claims of living a healthy lifestyle. Sandy says she's eating healthy now that she's pregnant, but Nick wants to know why she wasn't straight with them when they met. Sandy doesn't see why it should concern him, but he reminds her that she's carrying his child. She asks him to leave, but he won't leave until he gets answers. Sandy tearfully admits that she embellished a little since she wanted to be a surrogate for some great couple. Nick isn't buying it. Sandy explains that she wants to experience giving birth, but it won't happen for her in a relationship with a man. That's all she wants to say about it. Nick urges her to open up to him and reaches out to her, telling her to trust him. Sandy nervously pulls away and orders him not to touch her! Sensing her distress, Nick guesses she has issues with all men and not just him. "What happened to you?" he asks.

Ridge and Steffy wonder what Katie wants to talk about.

Katie returns to her office to take a call, but she refers the caller to Steffy on some P.R. matters. As she ends the call, Bill comes in and tells her to have her calls held. She asks if she should also lock the door, but he says that won't be necessary, so she assumes this is business and buzzes the receptionist to hold her calls. Brooke comes in and quietly asks Bill what he's doing there. When he tells her that he's telling Katie what happened, Brooke tells him that she was wrong earlier when she insisted Katie has to be told. Bill disagrees. Katie interrupts and asks Brooke for some privacy since Bill wants to talk to her, but Brooke tells her that Ridge needs to see her right away. Katie tells Bill she'll be right back and heads for the roof, where Ridge is seeing how a dress looks on a model in natural lighting. As Ridge sends the model to the sewing room, Steffy comes up and tells him that she wishes things could be different. Ridge assures her that they will get the company back eventually, so he needs her to hang in there. Steffy tells him she'll do anything for him. He asks what she means. She says she wants him to be happy, and she knows he isn't with Bill in charge. Katie comes up and asks Ridge what he needed to talk to her about, wondering if it's about Steffy. Steffy asks why it would be about her. Katie explains that Brooke is worried that Steffy might be working too hard. Steffy assures her dad she's fine, but Katie thinks Brooke might have a point and advises Steffy to slow down a bit to avoid burning out.