Friday, December 18, 2009, Episode #5715

Brooke and Nick try to explain to Sandy.

Brooke drops by Jackie M to talk to Nick about Sandy. Nick reveals that Sandy is Whip's cousin, but he hasn't told Bridget since Sandy begged him not to. Brooke wants to know more, so Nick tells her how Sandy was sexually assaulted. As a shocked Brooke digests that news, Sandy, having overheard, enters and lashes out at Nick for betraying her trust. Brooke assures that Nick didn't betray Sandy's trust. Nick tells Sandy that he hasn't told Bridget, just as he promised, but he thinks she needs help. She points out that he told Bridget's mother. Brooke agrees with Sandy that Bridget shouldn't be told and asks to speak to Sandy alone. As he leaves, Nick tells Sandy that Brooke can help since she knows what Sandy's going through.

Sandy talks with Brooke about her assault.

Sandy tells Brooke to save her pitch, since she heard it before and doesn't need a therapist or treatment center. Brooke reveals that she understands Sandy's desire to shut herself off from the world and back away from men, since she was also sexually assaulted, and that's why Nick thought she could help. Sandy now gets that Nick didn't want to hurt her, but it's hard for her to believe Brooke has been through this knowing Brooke is married to Ridge. She asks Brooke how she can be with another man. Brooke explains that it wasn't easy, but she was able to let a man touch her once she realized that men are different and not all of them are monsters. Sandy is unsure and afraid because she has a great memory, yet she recalls nothing about that night. Brooke agrees that Sandy's assailant did hateful things, but all men aren't like that. Sandy confides that she sees couples like Bridget and Nick or Brooke and Ridge and wonders why she can't be like that. Brooke thinks it takes time, but Sandy sobs that it's been five years. Brooke urges Sandy to open up and not let the hurt fester inside, since dwelling on it is like letting that man repeat his violating act. Sandy asks Brooke to stop, but Brooke tells her that the man who assaulted her is trash and begs her not to let that man control her life. Pointing out that Sandy is carrying Nick and Bridget's baby, Brooke tells Sandy she's very important to them and they're lucky to have her in their lives, and she offers the sobbing surrogate a warm, comforting embrace.

Nick, Bridget and Stephanie offer Sandy a job.

Bridget pops in Stephanie's office and finds La Forrester swamped with work thanks to the rave reviews and awesome sales figures from Bridget's fabulous designs. Bridget frets that Stephanie has too much work, but Stephanie insists she can handle it. Bridget suggests getting Pam to help, but Stephanie questions if that's really help. Bridget offers to hire Stephanie an assistant, but Stephanie doesn't have the time to interview or train anyone. Nick enters and Bridget shares her assistant idea with him. Nick thinks Sandy would be perfect for the job. Stephanie is skeptical of the whole idea, but Nick asks her to at least give Sandy a try as a favor to him. The trio heads for Nick's office to talk to Sandy. Nick goes in first, giving Sandy a chance to compose herself after her emotional exchange with Brooke. When she sees Bridget and Stephanie come in, Sandy offers to leave, but Bridget and Nick ask her to stay because they want to offer her a job. The Marones introduce Sandy to Stephanie and offer her the assistant job. Sandy is unsure, but Bridget reveals that it was Nick's idea and asserts that it will be a chance for Sandy to get out of the house and spend time with them. Nick tells Sandy that she'll fit in with her their fun band of misfits around here. Sandy agrees and thanks Bridget with a hug. After Bridget, Stephanie and Brooke leave, Sandy apologizes to Nick for lashing out at him earlier. She sees now he didn't betray her and tells him that the talk with Brooke really helped her. She never thought she'd say this again, but she wants Nick to know that he's a wonderful man and she trusts him. Nick smiles in approval.

Steffy is stunned by her dad's design.

Ridge summons Steffy to his office. Right after Steffy arrives, Katie pops to ask Ridge for an E.T.A. on his designs. Ridge says he doesn't have one, but he'll let her know when they're ready. After Katie leaves, Steffy seethes at the way their so-called C.E.O. talks to Ridge, the man who should be doing that job. Ridge chuckles that Katie won't have the job much longer since he has a plan. Once Ridge tells her that Eric is coming back to work, Steffy realizes her dad and granddad are up to something. Ridge explains that they're going to fulfill Bill's mandate to create a line impact and teach Bill a costly lesson about the fashion world at the same time. Steffy asks how he intends to do that, so she shows her the first sketch from their new line - the last collection he'll ever design for Spencer. Steffy looks at the sketch and is shocked that he's designing a collection that's going to fail. It's the only way to get this company back in the family's hands, Ridge insists. Once this collection tanks, he's sure Bill's board of directors will want Spencer out of the fashion game ASAP. Steffy looks at the sketch again and starts to like it.

Ridge places his future in Brooke's hands.

Brooke walks in and sees the sketch in Steffy's hand. Taking a look, she's stunned. Steffy leaves to give her dad and step-mom a chance to talk. Brooke asks Ridge what's going on with the sketch. When Ridge tells her it's the first design in their new line, she thinks he's kidding, but he states that this design is the key to Bill and Katie's downfall and the means for them to get their company back. Brooke fears he'll be the laughingstock of the industry releasing designs like this, but Ridge points out that he and Eric are just a footnote in the current Forrester regime ruled by Bill and his wife. Since the Spencers are the face of the company, they'll be the ones to deal with the fallout and the tarnished image. Brooke reminds Ridge that he'll be destroying her sister's career, but he contends that a few months in a job Katie never earned or was equipped for hardly constitutes a career. But the members of his family had their careers ruined, since this company belongs to him, his dad, his siblings and Brooke. They're the ones who put heart and soul into Forrester long before Katie was around, and he needs Brooke's help to get the company back for them by convincing Bill and Katie that this new line is solid. Brooke fears Katie will see right through the plan. Right on cue, Katie comes in, insisting on seeing the first sketch. Ridge hands it to her, saying that it might be avant-garde, but it's some of his best work. Katie thanks him and leaves. Brooke frets that she can't lie to her sister, but Ridge claims she'll be righting a wrong and places their future in her hands. Brooke hates betraying her sister, but she reluctantly agrees it has to be done.