Tuesday, February 10, 2009, Episode #5498

Katie is stunned when she learns who Madame X is.

At the Marone mansion, Katie tells Nick about her rough day today. On top of a day of endless phone calls at work, she got a flat tire on the way home and had to change it. After Nick wipes some dirt of her nose, Katie compliments him on his new suit. Nick claims that he wants to be fashionable - and speaking of fashion, he shows Katie some designs by their new designer, Madame X, and asks what she thinks. Katie is impressed by the designs and asks who the mystery madame really is. In keeping with their agreement not to keep secrets, Nick agrees to reveal who Madame X is if Katie gives her word not to leak it to the Forresters. Once Katie agrees, Nick tells her that Bridget is Madame X. "As in your ex-wife? The doctor?" Katie asks. Nick explains how it all came about, but Katie finds it hard to believe that Bridget would throw away years of medical school to become a fashion designer, for the company co-owned by her ex-husband, no less. Nick tells her that Bridget offered to quit when she realized how closely they'd be working, but Jackie wouldn't hear of it. Katie finds it suspicious that Bridget made this career move right after the incident with the leaked designs, but Nick insists that Bridget doesn't know anything about that. Katie is fine with his keeping the truth about the leaked designs from Bridget, but she still finds it odd that Bridget suddenly chose to change careers. Convinced that there's something more going on, she decides to go to Jackie M to confront her niece.

Jackie praises her new designer.

Jackie enters her office and finds Bridget working late, toiling away on some sketches. She's impressed by how happy and liberated Bridget seems after everything she's been through with Nick. "No one deserves a second chance more than you," Jackie observes. Bridget thanks Jackie for the kind words, but she knows that she can't hide behind her "Madame X" persona forever. She concedes that she initially wanted to hide her new job from her family, but she fears things might get dicey when they find out the truth. Jackie agrees, and she also thinks things might get tense once Katie realizes that her fiance is working so closely with his ex-wife.

Nick tells his mother that Katie knows about Bridget.

Jackie leaves the office and goes to see Nick. As Nick pours some wine, Jackie sings the praises of their new designer. Nick asks why she's gushing with such lavish accolades for Bridget. Jackie thinks that Bridget is one of a kind, although she doesn't think she has to tell her son that. Still, she thinks there will be dark times coming once Eric and his brood realize that Bridget has "come over to the dark side," but she's confident that Bridget will be able to hold her own. Nick hopes she's right, since Bridget is probably getting an earful as they speak. Jackie asks what he means, so Nick informs her that he told Katie about Bridget. "Katie has a bit of an issue with Bridget today," he asserts. Jackie suggests that he go over there to play referee, since she fears Katie might let her jealousy get the better of her and do something she'll regret. Nick states that he'll let the women deal with this themselves.

Bridget wonders about Katie's "concern" for her.

Katie arrives at Jackie M and finds Bridget still hard at work. Katie walks in and introduces herself, not letting on that she knows who Madame X is. Bridget plays dumb until Katie points out that Madame X's wig is crooked and pulls off her sunglasses. "You have an uncanny resemblance to my niece!" Katie exclaims. Bridget realizes that Nick spilled the beans. Katie asks Bridget why she decided to become a fashion designer. Bridget retorts that people change careers every day, but Katie thinks there's more to it. She picks up Bridget's sketch pad and writes on it, asking if the "X" in Bridget's pseudonym is spelled "X" or "Ex." Bridget insists that her new job has nothing to do with Nick and claims that she moved on to something that makes her feel alive. Katie states that she's sorry she hurt Bridget regarding Nick, even if Bridget doesn't believe her. If this is what Bridget wants, she's all for it, as long as it's only about designing. Bridget finds it interesting that Katie was so worried about her that she rushed right over to wish her well in her new career. She bets that Katie would prefer that she stayed far away from Nick. Katie says that she has no fears as long as Bridget is being honest that her new job has nothing to do with Nick. Still, she wonders what Bridget will do when her family finds out what she's up to. Bridget tells Katie to leave the family to her and wonders why Katie isn't the least bit concerned about her working so closely with Nick. Katie smiles and says that she never expected this from Bridget, and she hopes this is what Bridget really wants. "It is," Bridget assures. Katie hopes that's true, since Nick and Jackie need a successful line. Katie then wishes Bridget luck and leaves.

Thomas is stunned by his sister's revelation.

Steffy comes home and finds Thomas sitting on the couch. She asks if she can talk to him about something important. Thomas asks what's up, so she tells him about the intervention that their mom and grandmother staged for her. Thomas asks what the intervention was for. Steffy explains that she recently fell in love, but their mother doesn't approve. When Thomas asks who the guy is, Steffy admits that it's Rick. "Are you out of your mind?" Thomas exclaims. "Our sister is dead because of him!" Steffy tries to defend Rick, but Thomas insists that Rick is using her. "He loves me," Steffy insists. Just like he loved Phoebe and their mom, Thomas presumes, sickened by the thought of his remaining sister being with Rick. Steffy pleads with him not to tell their dad, who doesn't know yet. Thomas fears what their father might do if he finds out. Steffy knows that, and that's why she's breaking it off with Rick, even though she doesn't really want to. Thomas asks why she wants to be with a guy who came on to her to get to their dad, but Steffy insists that's not how it is. Thomas instructs her to go to Rick and make it 100% clear that she wants to end things between them. Steffy won't do that, because it's not true. Thomas begs her to end things before their father finds out, because he fears Ridge might kill Rick once he learns what's going on.

Brooke tries to calm a furious Ridge down.

Standing in the doorway, Ridge fumes at Rick for trying to take his other daughter away from him. Rick tries to explain, but Brooke asks him to leave so she can talk to Ridge privately. Ridge tells Brooke that he wants to hear this "explanation" directly from Rick, who thinks it's time to come clean. Brooke urges Ridge to let this go, but Rick thinks Ridge deserves to know everything and reveals that he and Steffy are in love. Upon hearing that, Ridge goes ballistic and lashes out at Rick! Brooke tries to come between them and holds Ridge back long enough for Rick to flee from the house. Consumed by his rage, Ridge follows Rick out of the house. Rick makes a run for the driveway and gets into his vintage convertible, desperately trying to start the car. As Rick backs out of the driveway, Steffy suddenly pops up from the back seat. Rick informs her that her dad knows about them. Steffy looks out the front windshield and sees her father approaching. As a horrified Ridge sees Steffy in the car and calls out to her, Rick makes his way down the driveway and speeds off.