Friday, January 30, 2009, Episode #5491

Ridge shares his suspicions with Brooke.

Ridge works furiously with two models on designs for the new collection when Stephanie comes in and asks how it's going. Ridge tells her that it's baby steps, since he still has tons of work to do on the new collection. Stephanie hopes that "son of a bitch" Rick won't give this one away, too. Ridge suggests she address that with Eric, who doesn't even want them thinking about Rick. Stephanie doesn't care about Eric's mandate, since she feels that Rick must be dealt with. Ridge tells her that he doesn't have to time to worry about Rick now. "You concentrate on the work. I'll take care of Rick," Stephanie declares, turning to leave. On her way out, she runs into Brooke. Stephanie tells Brooke that Ridge is busy, but Brooke doesn't think that applies to his wife. Once Stephanie leaves, Brooke greets Ridge and notes that she saw the models leaving. Since it will be a while before the models return in their next outfits, she thinks it's the perfect time to give Ridge some inspiration. The pair passionately kiss. Ridge pulls away after a couple of minutes and tells Brooke that he needed that, since he's working on the new collection. Brooke asks if there's been any word on who leaked the last collection to Nick and Jackie. Ridge gripes that Eric called off the investigation, but he thinks his dad is just covering for someone, and he knows who it is. Brooke asks why Eric would protect the person who sabotaged them. "Because it's Rick!" Ridge accuses.

Brooke refuses to believe Ridge's allegation.

Brooke refuses to believe Ridge's allegation, but Ridge insists that it's the only logical answer. Brooke asks how it's logical to assume that the president of the company stabbed his father in the back. Ridge admits that the evidence is a bit thin, but he points out that only Rick, out of all the people who had access to the designs, was missing when the whole mess with the stolen designs came to light. Brooke agrees that the evidence is thin. Ridge adds that the collection was primarily his work, while Rick contributed very little. Brooke asks if he's saying that her son gave their designs to Jackie M out of jealousy, as she finds that notion to be insulting. Ridge then points out that they approached Eric about their suspicions about Rick, and Eric told them to drop it; he asks why Eric would do that other than to protect his son. Brooke notes that he said someone else was with him when he approached Eric and asks who the other person was. When Ridge reveals it was Stephanie, Brooke isn't surprised, as she should have known that Stephanie would be the one leading a lynch mob against Rick. She reminds Ridge of his promise to get along with Rick. Ridge admits that he promised not to hate Rick, but seeing Eric protect Rick has changed how he feels. He knows Brooke wants the best for Rick, but he fears that Rick is so messed up and out of control that he needs professional help. "The best I can do is to keep Rick away from me and my family," Ridge warns.

Eric tells Stephanie to stop bad-mouthing Rick.

As Eric fits dresses on two models and sends them downstairs, Stephanie comes in to talk about the issues with Rick. Eric reminds her that he already said all he plans to about the theft of their collection. Stephanie insists that his enabling Rick is causing problems for this company, and she refuses to let Rick destroy the company or anyone else in the family. Eric asks why she always blames Rick for everything. Stephanie counters that he just sticks his head in the sand rather than let Rick feel the consequences of his actions. Eric sees no reason to keep arguing about this. Stephanie asks if it's going to take another death in this family to wake him up. Eric thinks that's cruel, but Stephanie thinks that a little cruelty might be appropriate after everything that Rick has done. Eric tells her that Rick is a troubled young man who needs all their love and support, but Rick probably won't get that support from anywhere else. He warns Stephanie that he won't tolerate any more instances of her bad-mouthing Rick and throws her out of his office.

Steffy opens up to Bridget.

In his office, Rick looks at photos of Steffy on his cell phone and thinks about her. He types a message saying "I miss you" and sends it to Steffy as an instant message. "There's got to be a way," he thinks. Meanwhile, Bridget is packing up her office at the hospital when Steffy comes by to see her. Steffy asks what's going on. Bridget explains that she's taking a leave of absence, as she wants to try something new. She then asks Steffy why she's here, guessing that it has something to do with Rick. "You're the only person I can talk to about this," Steffy states. Bridget hopes it stays that way, since she can't even imagine what might happen if others find out. She says that she thinks it was wise for Steffy and Rick to end their relationship. Steffy insists that she and Rick love each other, but Bridget asks how it can be love with a man who was involved with both her mother and her sister. She thinks it was just a passing attraction and nothing more. Steffy disagrees, arguing that she and Rick could make a future, but Bridget thinks thinks this is a no-win situation and urges Steffy to cut Rick loose. Bridget gets paged and has to leave. Alone, Steffy gets Rick's Instant Message saying "from earlier and smiles.

Bridget is surprised by what Eric tells her.

Later, Bridget drops by to see Eric at Forrester. Eric is thrilled to see her and asks her what brings her by. She tells him that she decided to take a leave of absence from the hospital because she's decided to make a "change" in her life, although she's not ready to talk about the details yet. Eric is surprised she can't give him too much information, but he wants her to know that he supports her. Bridget thanks him for always being supportive of her. Eric asks if she really feels like he's always been there for her, since he often wonders if she feels like she's playing second fiddle to his children with Stephanie. Bridget says she hasn't and asks if this is about Rick. Eric advises that her brother has been going through a difficult time and might be headed for some kind of an emotional breakdown. "He needs our support very badly," Eric states. Bridget says she'll be there for Rick and promises to check in on him. Eric thanks her and gives her a hug. Bridget assures that she'll make sure Rick doesn't do anything stupid.

Stephanie snoops in Rick's office.

Stephanie comes into Rick's office to tell him that he's wanted in the cutting room. After Rick leaves, she starts snooping around Rick's office. She's looking through Rick's day planner when Steffy's reply to his earlier Instant Message comes through on his computer. "I miss you, too, Rick. Meet me at the beach house," the reply reads. Stephanie reads that and fumes that Rick is going after Steffy, and she bolts out. Soon after, Rick returns and asks Stephanie why she wasted his time sending him to the cutting room when he wasn't needed. He sighs when he sees Stephanie is not there any more. He then spots Steffy's reply to his IM and rushes to the beach house, not realizing that Stephanie is letting herself into the beach house.