Monday, December 28, 2009, Episode #5720

Stephanie questions Whip's grilling of Sandy.

Stephanie enters her office and finds a cheerful Sandy already hard at work. She asks Sandy to research the top 15 "green" charities for her, and Sandy impresses her by offering additional information on fair-trade charities that might apply. When Whip comes in with the latest sales figures, Sandy greets him as "Mr. Jones," but he tells her to call him Whip because "we're all family here." After he and Stephanie discuss the sales report and rumors of a new top-secret line at Forrester, Whip asks Sandy what she thinks of her job. Stephanie tells him to stop probing, since Sandy already has the job, but Whip is curious about Sandy's "fresh start" and her reasons for wanting to start anew. Stephanie tells him to leave Sandy alone, since everyone here has a past they'd like to forget. Whip agrees that the Jackie M gang is quite the lovable band of misfits, but Stephanie thinks their jobs here are a sort of reprieve. Sandy remarks that she likes the "no questions asked" aspect of her job. When Whip continues to question her, Sandy starts to feel uncomfortable and offers to take the sales report to Nick. Once Sandy leaves, Stephanie questions Whip about his grilling Sandy. She reminds him that the whole Jackie M crew, including both of them, found a second chance here after overcoming obstacles in their lives, and now Sandy might be finding her second chance. Whip just hopes that whatever problems Sandy had in the past stay there.

Sandy finds Nick and Brooke talking about her.

In his office, Nick talks with Brooke about Sandy. He recounts how Sandy enjoyed herself at the party and notes how Bridget has been good for Sandy. Brooke tells him that he did the right thing by not telling Bridget about Sandy's past, since Sandy needs to heal at her own pace. Nick shows her some pamphlets he picked up from a rape treatment center in hope of helping Sandy. Brooke thinks that's the kind of help Sandy needs, but it won't be easy getting a loner like Sandy to talk to somebody. Sandy comes in with the sales report and realizes from Brooke and Nick's sudden hesitation that they were talking about her. Brooke tells Sandy that she sees her not as a victim, but as a beautiful, generous young lady who's carrying Brooke's grandchild. After Brooke leaves, Sandy marvels at the way Brooke put her rape behind her. Nick tells Sandy that she can do that, too, and shows her the pamphlets, but Sandy insists that she has no desire to relive what happened with a shrink at some treatment center. Nick offers to go with her, since she needs to confront what happened and get answers rather than run away, but Sandy just wants to forget the horrible ordeal. Nick points out that she's changed a lot recently, since she's smiling and laughing and enjoying herself. He wants to ignite that spark of life inside her, and he thinks a professional can help her do that. Sandy stands firm that she doesn't want to talk about this.

Lt. Baker invites Nick to come see him.

Nick tells Sandy that he's not forcing her to do anything. He just wants her to know there is help available. Sandy explains that she tried to get help from the police five years ago, but she wound up with a lot of questions and no answers. She thinks it's pathetic that she never got one answer in all that time. Nick suggests that she find out why she never got answers and calls Lieutenant Baker at the Beverly Hills Police Department. He asks the police detective if he and a friend can drop by to talk about a case. Lt. Baker tells him to come on down. As Nick hangs up the phone, Sandy predicts that the police won't do anything, but Nick thinks she can find a little justice if they're persistent enough. He assures her that she won't be alone, but he wants her to understand that he needs something from her if she wants his help.

Justin offers Katie some advice.

Katie calls Justin to her office. When he arrives, Justin assumes she wants him to pass on a message to Bill, who is in New York, but she wants his opinion on the Dare line. Justin admits the look is different from the normal Forrester style, but Bill did tell Eric to push the envelope. He's not sure he's the right one to judge, though, and suggests she talk to her sisters. Katie tells him that lately, she's not sure she and her sisters are on the same team. Justin reminds her he knows little about fashion, but Katie wants his business advice. Justin agrees that the Spencer board will likely want to cut Forrester loose if the line tanks, especially after the job Bill had convincing them to sign off on acquiring Forrester. Based on that, Katie decides to do some independent research.

Eric and Donna discuss the latest DARE creations.

In Eric and Thorne's office, Eric and Ridge share their latest designs with Thorne, Donna, Thomas and Steffy, who agree that these are horrendous. Eric and Ridge remind the others that they have to sell the hell out of these designs to the Spencers, and that includes Donna and Brooke distracting Katie so she doesn't figure out what's going on. Donna hates lying to her sister, but Katie chose to side with Bill. Thorne worries that Bill might hold a focus group to get public opinion on the new line. Eric thinks they have to convince "King" Bill that they know best, like in the story "The Emperor's New Clothes." And one arrogant emperor will come tumbling down, Steffy predicts.

Thomas and Steffy promise to keep quiet.

As they work on the designs, Ridge notes that they can't preview these designs as they normally do. They have to keep this line secret until it's too late to pull the new designs from production. Steffy asks what she should tell the press. Thomas suggests they let their silence speak for them.

Thorne and Ridge have some concerns.

After Thorne double checks to make sure they are clear, Ridge presents the others with the next set of horrible designs. Eric tells Thomas and Steffy that he's sorry they have to lie. He knows they were raised to be honest, but this is a family mission to get their business back. Thomas says they will just say they're sworn to secrecy, which is true. Steffy asks where Donna went. Ridge says that Katie called Brooke and Donna to a meeting, and that worries him. Eric is worried, too, since he fears Katie will know her sisters are lying. After Thorne learns Bill is out of town, Eric instructs to have the production department work on nothing but the Dare line. Ridge thinks Bill will be easy to control because Bill is greedy, but Katie might be a threat since she has some integrity.