Friday, February 13, 2009, Episode #5501

Bridget gives Steffy her opinion of Rick.

Bridget drops by the Bel Air mansion at Steffy's request to talk about the situation with Rick. Bridget is surprised, since she thought Steffy was going to end things with Rick before Ridge found out. Steffy explains that she went to Rick to break things off, but her dad already found out, and now Ridge is retaliating by trying to get Rick fired from Forrester. "He shouldn't be fired because of me," Steffy laments. Bridget reminds Steffy that she predicted that this was bound to happen. She questions Steffy's staunch belief in Rick, since Steffy was always so loyal to her dad. Steffy explains that Rick was really sweet to her, but her father thinks Rick is using her. She asks Bridget if she thinks Rick is using her, since Bridget knows how her brother thinks. Bridget doesn't think Rick is using her, but that only makes the situation more tragic. She advises Steffy to forget about Rick, since she knows from her own experiences with Deacon and Nick what it's like to fall for the wrong guy, and it will only get harder the longer Steffy waits to end it. She assures Steffy that she'll find another guy, since there are many boyfriends in her future. But Steffy only has one dad, and he's going through hell right now. "I love my brother, but it's not worth all the pain it's causing you and your dad," Bridget urges.

Eric and Donna chime in while they wait for Brooke's decision.

Rick implores his mother not to banish him from the company. Brooke asks to speak to Rick alone. Felicia and Stephanie don't see what else there is to say. "You know in your heart what you have to do," Stephanie tells Brooke. Donna asks everyone to stop putting pressure on her sister. Ridge reminds Brooke how Rick betrayed their trust and urges her to boot Rick out. Brooke and Rick leave the room and go to Rick's office. Felicia quips that Rick should pack his things while he's there, but Eric points out that this isn't a done deal yet. Stephanie asks Eric if he let Brooke decide Rick's fate because he wants Rick to stay. Eric admits he wants Rick to stay, but he also wants to be fair. Since Rick's involvement with Steffy affects Brooke and Ridge the most, he felt Brooke should decide. Stephanie thinks Ridge would have been a better choice, since Brooke isn't a member of the family. "Brooke is your son's wife," Donna defends, but Stephanie doesn't think Brooke should make decisions about the company. Donna asks what Rick's personal life has to do with his ability to run the company. It shows his poor judgment and his disdain for Ridge as CEO, Felicia, Thorne and Stephanie argue. Donna thinks they've all made mistakes, but Ridge doesn't think Rick's part in Phoebe's death or his breaking his word about staying away from Steffy are mistakes. Eric agrees that Rick should face the consequences for breaking his word, but Donna points out that Rick will only be punished if that's what Brooke decides. "For the sake of my daughter, it better be," Ridge asserts.

Felicia nominates Thorne to be the next Forrester president.

While everyone waits for Brooke to return, Eric talks with Donna while Thorne chats with Felicia. Felicia tells Ridge and her mom -- and not Chairman of the Board Eric, mind you - that she and Thorne have been discussing their need for a new president. Eric thinks that's a bit premature, but Ridge wants to hear what his sister has to say. Felicia recommends naming Thorne as the new president. Stephanie wholeheartedly agrees, and Ridge asks his little brother if he's up for it. Thorne is thrilled. Felicia reminds her father that Thorne has waited a long time for another chance. Eric agrees. Stephanie thinks Thorne deserves the recognition. Eric states that he's well aware of Thorne's contributions, and they can talk about this more if they in fact need a new president.

Brooke has some questions for Rick.

In Rick's office, Brooke asks him why had to taunt Ridge by breaking his word about staying away from Steffy. Rick insists that this isn't about getting back at Ridge, but Brooke thinks the end result speaks for itself. Rick reminds his mother how she's fallen in love without caring who might be impacted, but Brooke says that he should have cared given the circumstances. Rick explains to his mother why he wanted to be president: he wanted the chance to work side by side with his parents, as a family, but Ridge came along and ruined that the way he ruined everything else in his life. He knows it sounds crazy, but it's true. Brooke believes him, since she knows how he always wanted her to reunite with his father, so she can see where he thought being president would fulfill that need. It was a childhood dream come true, Rick confides. But he blew it away by doing the one thing he knew was forbidden, Brooke charges. Rick insists that his relationship with Steffy just came out of the blue, and he thought they could work any issues out because he knew how much Ridge loved Brooke. Brooke reminds him that he was involved in the death of Ridge's daughter, so his story doesn't ring true, and that makes her wonder if Rick is manipulating her. Rick insists that he loves running the company withe her and Eric, but he's also in love with Steffy, and he thinks Ridge just has to accept that. Brooke tells Rick that he'll understand Ridge's feelings if he ever has a daughter.

Rick pleads his case with his mother.

Rick asks Brooke if that means she's siding with Ridge and firing him. Brooke hates being put in this position. Rick asks her to think about the position he's in, with Ridge controlling his life. Even Eric doesn't like this, which is why he gave the decision to Brooke. He begs his mother not to take his title and his family from him, because that's all he has left. Brooke recalls how she always dreamed of him coming home to the family business while he was away in Paris. When he finally came home, she hoped everything would work out. Rick thinks everything will work out if the two of them and Eric can continue to work as a team, and they won't have to worry about any more secrets now that his relationship with Steffy is out in the open. It's out in the open, Brooke agrees, but it's not resolved. Rick thinks they can resolve it, but Brooke doesn't know how they can when he hasn't shown one hint of respect for her husband's wishes. She feels like that not only disrespects Ridge, but her as well, since a mother should expect support from her son. Rick says he expects support from her, too. Brooke says that she has supported him, time and again, yet he's only repaid her with lies and manipulation. But it stops now, because she's cutting him loose. Rick asks her not to do this, but she declares, "You no longer work here at Forrester Creations."

Ridge tells Rick to get out within an hour.

Rick pleads for his mother to reconsider, but she tells him that her mind is made up. Ridge overhears from the door and tells Rick that he heard his mother. "Pack your things and get out," Ridge orders. Brooke goes to tell the rest of the family. Once she's gone, Ridge boasts that Rick's lies have finally caught up with him, costing him the trust of everyone in the family, include Rick's own mother. He knows how much this is killing Brooke and orders Rick to be out of the building within the hour. Rick bets that Ridge is enjoying this, since it's the moment he's been waiting for. Ridge retorts that Rick caused this to happen by using Steffy. Rick insists that Steffy is in love with him. Ridge commands Rick to stay away from Steffy. Rick warns that Ridge can throw him out of the company and even out of town, but that won't kick him out of Steffy's heart. "I'll always be there, and she'll always be in mine," Rick boasts. Ridge reminds Rick that he has one hour to be out and leaves.

Stephanie figures out what Brooke decided.

Brooke returns to Eric's office, where the others await her decision. Stephanie surmises from the look on Brooke's face that she asked Rick to leave. Brooke nods and sighs. Donna comes over to console her sister. Later, Brooke goes to Ridge's office and cries. When Ridge arrives, he assures her that she did the right thing. Brooke sighs that Rick seemed like a child again from the fear in his eyes as he pleaded with her. Ridge tells her that Rick is an adult, not a child, and he's dangerous. He couldn't bear the thought of Rick even touching Steffy, but now that's over thanks to Brooke. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he declares.