Friday, January 09, 2009, Episode #5477

Steffy tells Marcus that their relationship isn't working.

At Big Bear, Marcus asks a stunned Steffy to accept his proposal, but Steffy thinks they're still learning about each other. Marcus thinks Steffy is referring to "the sex thing" and assures her that it will work out in time, but Steffy says that's not what worries her. Marcus insists that he knows what he wants and asks her to marry him so he can prove that he's "the definition of husband material." When Steffy doesn't answer, Marcus gets the hint and tells her to forget it; he assumes he rushed into this proposal and tells Steffy that he'll wait as long as she needs him to, but Steffy tells him that something's changed, and they both know it. Marcus thinks she's talking about how Phoebe's death changed her life. Steffy sighs that her loss should have brought them closer together. Marcus confides that he thought it did, but she obviously has other issues and he's willing to wait for her. Steffy tells him that she doesn't want him to wait. "I don't think this is ever going to work," she confesses. Marcus tells Steffy that she's overreacting to his rushing things, but he doesn't think his haste is a reason to just call the whole thing off.

Marcus asks Steffy if she's being honest with him.

Steffy tells Marcus that they're in different places in their relationship now and she sobs profusely that she's deeply sorry. Wondering what changed between them, Marcus blames Rick and that phony promotion to Forrester International, since everything was fine until he left for Paris. Steffy praises that he's the most amazing guy she knows, and she doesn't think any of her friends have a boyfriend like him. Taking little comfort in that remark, Marcus tells her that no one will ever love her like he does. He then suggests that they get going, since it's a long ride home. Steffy tells him to go ahead, and she'll take the car her dad keeps there for emergencies. She thinks that will be easier on both of them. Marcus sullenly nods and grabs his coat to leave. Steffy sighs that she'll understand if he's done with her, but she wants to be his friend if he lets her. Marcus says he wants her in his life, even if it's just as his friend. He's just glad she was honest with him. He puts on his coat and turns to the door, but then he turns back around and asks, "You are being honest with me, right?"

Brooke and Ridge continue their "product testing."

In the steam room, Brooke teases Ridge about making her do product testing when they should be on their honeymoon, but she agrees to do whatever CEO and husband needs and asks if he sees any shrinkage. "Personally, no," Ridge laughs, but she reminds him that he should be looking at the bikini. Ridge decides to investigate further and starts by removing her top. "So what's the verdict?" Brooke giggles as Ridge holds the top in his hands. Ridge fawns that he feels like he's 14 again, looking at the most beautiful naked woman in the world with an an uncanny ability to see girls without their clothes on. Brooke asks asks when he lost that power. "The first time I actually saw a woman without her clothes on," he kids. Brooke thinks that's tragic, but Ridge thinks he can get over it if she just follows his lead, which she'll do since he's her husband and CEO. Once Brooke has her hands just where he wants them, Ridge drops his towel to the floor and picks her up, and the couple get busy. Basking in the afterglow, Ridge realizes that the door doesn't lock, so anyone could have walked in. Brooke tells him that she asked Jake to keep watch, although she suspects everyone's too busy being at each other's throats to think about steam. Unless it's steam coming out of their ears after reading the EYE ON FASHION article, Ridge qualifies. Realizing that things might be tense because of the article, Brooke decides to get back to work before there's any family bloodshed.

Donna has a question for Eric.

Eric sketches in his office while Donna hangs over his shoulder and compliments him on how he fixed the situation between Ridge and Rick by awarding them appropriate titles. Eric says that he just wants the family to heal. Donna asks Eric if he thinks Ridge might become overprotective of Steffy after losing Phoebe, especially where Marcus is concerned. Eric doesn't see a problem since Marcus is well grounded, and that's just the safe kind of guy Ridge wants for Steffy now. Looking back to his sketches, Eric tries to work, but he gets frustrated and tosses four sketches in a row out. When Eric eyes the copy of EYE ON FASHION on the desk, Donna senses his concern and reminds him that they agreed not to talk about the interview, but Eric can't help thinking about how his ex-wife's harsh comments about Rick are killing the buzz generated by their new line. Donna asks why Stephanie is even around, since she doesn't have a title or an office. Eric explains that Stephanie is like a company matriarch, a reminder to their customers and employees that they'll always uphold their standard of quality. Donna points out that Stephanie is always stirring the pot in the family, something she couldn't do if she had no job. Eric explains that he and Stephanie started the company with a loan from her miserable father, and it was Stephanie's skill as a businesswoman that got them on their feet. As much as he often feels like kicking her out, he ethically can't bring himself to do it.

Stephanie tells Rick to pack up and get out.

In Rick's office, Stephanie asks him if he's threatening her. Rick retorts that everyone in the building is trying to move on after Phoebe's death but her, and she's using the situation to her advantage to gain leverage. Stephanie balks that she's not surprised he wants to move on. Fed up with her criticism, Rick reminds her that he's the president and orders her to pack her desk, if she has one, and get the hell out! Stephanie scoffs at his dismissing her with a wave of his presidential hand. Rick reminds her that his father already "fired her" as her wife, and she knows nothing about fashion or marketing or money, except how to spend it, so they have no need for her. Stephanie argues that she kept this company afloat since before he was born by getting the funding for the company and proving to the world that high fashion could come out of L.A. "I am not your mother. I know how to put a misbehaving child in his place, and you better trust me that I will do it," she warns. Rick reminds her that she doesn't have much influence here these days, but Stephanie counters that he doesn't either after sleeping with Phoebe's mother and then killing Phoebe. Rick again orders her out, but Stephanie's not about to take orders from a little boy playing at running this company like a little boy playing at driving on his daddy's lab. Rick says he can't work with her, so Stephanie tells him that he's fired. Rick laughs that she doesn't have the authority. "Honey, I had more authority in second grade then you'll ever have on your best day," Stephanie fires back, "so start packing, baby boy."

Eric has to deal with Stephanie and Rick.

Back in Eric's office, he tells Donna that he'll talk to Stephanie, but Donna suggests that Stephanie can count on his always being understanding. Rick barges in, followed by Stephanie. Eric rails at Stephanie for calling his son, this company's president, a killer in the press, but Stephanie argues that Rick has to face the consequences of his actions. Stephanie and Rick then tell Eric that they fired each other. Stephanie wonders if there's enough money in the company to cover her severance check. Rick cautions that he'll walk unless his dad cans Stephanie, who calls Rick a black mark on the company. Brooke walks in as Eric reminds Stephanie that what happened with Phoebe was an accident, so he sees no reason to serve his son up on a platter. Stephanie asks if he's so taken with Brooke and Donna that he's forgetting about his "other" family. Rick points to that comment as the core of the problem, as he's always being told that he's not part of the "official" family. Eric insists that Rick is a Forrester and is part of this company, but Stephanie thinks Rick was just mildly useful in Europe and is marginal at best here. Given that, she can't see why Ridge should have to share responsibility with Rick.