Wednesday, February 25, 2009, Episode #5509

Steffy considers Brooke's suggestion.

In the Forrester shipping office, Brooke urges Steffy to leave the company so Rick can come back. Steffy asks Brooke if she talked to Ridge about this. Brooke thinks Ridge needs to hear it from Steffy and reminds Steffy that time is running out, as the press conference is about to start. Steffy warns Brooke that this plan could backfire if Ridge finds out that Brooke thought of it. Brooke hopes Ridge won't find out. Steffy asks if Rick knows about this. Brooke says that he doesn't, but she knows Rick will be fine with it since he needs a job and a solid foundation to rebuild his life, and this is the only way to give him that. Brooke predicts that Ridge won't object if Eric doesn't and pleads with Steffy to go see her father before it's too late. Steffy agrees to talk to her dad; she knows this is nothing compared to what Rick would do for her, and if this can let Rick stay at Forrester, she wants to make it happen.

Eric frets about the press conference.

Eric prepares for the press conference in his office. Katie advises him to just answer the questions and keep his emotions out of it. Eric doesn't see how he can do that when he's firing his own son. Katie offers to issue a press release if he's not up to it, but Eric needs to do this. It's just that he built this company as a legacy for all his kids, including Rick, but Rick's pursuit of Steffy made it impossible for him to keep working here. He's just sorry that Rick felt the need to pursue this vendetta against Ridge. Katie warns him not to even hint to the press that Rick is leaving because he can't get along with Ridge.

Katie and Thorne learn that Rick saved Ridge.

After Eric steps out, Thorne arrives for the press conference. Katie bets that he's excited. Thorne confirms that he is; he always knew he'd get a second shot at the presidency and is anxious to get to work. Katie points out that he's lucky to get this chance after he hired those models to pose as Donna and Owen. Thorne admits he was wrong, but he was desperate. He's glad his father got past that and hopes Katie can, too, since he intends to be heavily involved in PR as president. Katie agrees to try, but she points out that second chances often have to be earned. Brooke comes in and interrupts the discussion of Thorne's new position. She warns Thorne not to count Rick out just yet. Thorne reminds Brooke that she was the one who decided to oust Rick, but Brooke tells him that there's still time to undo that. Thorne is upset and quotes Katie's comment that second chances have to be earned, but Brooke explains that Rick earned a second chance by saving Ridge's life. Even after hearing how Rick saved Ridge, Katie and Thorne doubt that Ridge will want Rick in the company. Brooke says that things can change, but Thorne doubts that will happen here and declares that it's his turn now to run the company. Katie advises Brooke to go see Rick or Ridge now if she needs to, since there won't be time once the press conference begins.

In Rick's office, he and Ridge continue to argue. Ridge wants Rick out of the company and out of Steffy's life, but Rick feels that his feelings for Steffy kept Ridge alive and thinks that should earn him some consideration. Ridge stands firm and tells Rick that he's out of there.

Taylor talks to Thomas about Steffy.

Taylor meets Thomas in the shipping office to talk about what's going on at the company. Taylor is surprised to learn that Thomas knows about Rick and Steffy's relationship and is upset about it. She tells him that she's not too happy about the situation, either. Thomas asks his mom how she could have gotten involved with Rick. Taylor explains that Rick has changed from the person who supported her when her life was in a rut. Thomas thinks Rick was using her, but she couldn't see that at the time because she was fighting her own demons. Thomas wants to protect his sister because Rick is creepy, but Taylor advises that it might be hard since Steffy doesn't see Rick that way. Thomas scoffs at the amount of control Rick has over women, including Taylor; he's just glad his mom wised up in time and dumped Rick. Taylor admits that she's surprised now that she got involved with Rick. Thomas wonders how they can get Steffy out from under Rick's spell and get that jerk out of her life. Taylor warns that Steffy is quite tenacious and will do whatever she feels is necessary to get what she wants, and Steffy thinks she's in love with Rick right now.

Thomas wants to protect his sister.

Thomas laments that he heard all about Steffy's "unique connection" with Rick, and he admits that he'd be all for the relationship if it was any other guy but Rick. He just wishes Steffy had broken up with Rick before their dad found out like she promised to. Taylor explains that it was too late, since Ridge already knew by then. Thomas feels like their family is in danger as long as Rick and Steffy are together. He only regrets that he kept mum about his concerns until now, since they're eating him up inside. Taylor understands how he feels, but she thinks Steffy is a bright girl who will figure out that she's being used soon enough. Thomas hopes she's right and that he's worrying for nothing. Taylor wonders if Steffy knows how lucky she is to have a brother like Thomas. Thomas hopes Steffy does know, since he'd do anything for her.

Rick talks with his dad about his fate.

Eric finds Rick and tells him that it's almost time for the press conference. Rick gripes about being led to the gallows, but Eric insists that he could no longer defend Rick after all the times he crossed the line. Rick complains that Ridge put his foot down to oust him, but Eric thinks Ridge had good reason to be angry. Rick thinks he'll be missed around here and predicts that everyone will see how happy he and Steffy can be. Eric asks Rick why he'd pursue Steffy again; Rick replies that he has nothing else to lose. Eric urges Rick to focus on his god-given talent, but Rick doesn't see any place to use that talent since he's been fired unless Eric wants him to work at Jackie M. Absolutely not, Eric asserts, suggesting that Rick take some time off. Rick doesn't see why he should do that and put his career on hold just to placate Ridge, who is only doing this to keep him and Steffy apart. Eric assures Rick that he loves him and always will. Rick asks if there's any way he can redeem himself. Eric urges him to use his time off to find a way to make a difference. Rick asks if saving a man's life makes a difference and reveals how he saved Ridge. Eric is impressed. Rick thinks some people would call him a chump for saving a man who hates him, but he couldn't let Ridge die. He just hopes that proves he's not the monster some people make him out to be. He knows he let Eric down and will miss working with his parents here at Forrester, and he just wishes there was some other way.

In Eric's office, Thorne grouses about Rick's pulling some "hail Mary" stunt at the last minute yet again. Eric comes in with Rick and asks if it's too late to push back the press conference. Thorne asks why he'd do that. Eric asks if they heard about Rick saving Ridge. When Thorne says that they heard, Eric explains that Rick deserves a few more moments of consideration in light of his heroic act. Katie doesn't know if there's time for that, since the press is waiting. Rick asks where his mom is. Katie reveals that Brooke is with Ridge and offers to find her, but Rick suggests they wait a few more minutes to see if Ridge and Brooke can straighten some things out first.

Ridge wonders about Steffy's sudden change of heart.

In Ridge's office, Steffy asks him if he's worried about the press conference. Ridge tells her not to worry about that. Steffy reminds Ridge of the talk they had when she first came back from Europe. She agreed to try working for the family business to see how she fit in, but it just doesn't feel right anymore, so she thinks she should try a different career. Ridge asks if she intends to go back to Europe. Steffy says that she doesn't. She wants to stay in L.A., but she doesn't feel like Forrester is the right place for her. Ridge suspects that her sudden dissatisfaction with her job has something to do with Rick and asks if this was her idea. Steffy asks why it matters, since it's a good idea for her. But it's an even better idea for Rick, Ridge points out, since Rick could campaign to get his job back if she's not here to run into him. He asks Steffy if she thinks Rick's job as president is more important than hers. Steffy thinks it is, but Ridge disagrees and refuses to let her sacrifice her future for Rick. He senses she feels guilty about Rick losing his job and tells her not to, but Steffy says that she feels bad for her granddad and Brooke, who both love Rick.