Monday, March 30, 2009, Episode #5530

Taylor worries that Rick still holds all the cards.

Ridge makes a call and asks to have a dress brought out of the vault, cleaned and brought to his office. Taylor comes in and asks if Rick agreed to keep quiet about Thomas. Ridge reveals that Rick promised to keep quiet if they'd support his relationship with Steffy, and he had no choice but to agree to Rick's terms. Taylor frets that Rick still holds all the cards. Ridge suggests that Rick's terms have nothing to with Steffy and are all about revenge on him. Taylor asks if he thinks Rick will hold up his end of the bargain. "He loves having that power over me," Ridge muses. Taylor points out that the rest of the family is still worried that Rick is in danger. Ridge explains that Rick called a family meeting to explain, although he wonders just what Rick will say at the meeting. Steffy comes in and brags to her parents that she knew all along that Rick would come through, but Ridge points out that they still don't know for sure that Thomas is safe. Thomas enters, admitting that he's nervous that Rick might still try to ambush him. Steffy defends Rick, but Ridge reminds her how much Rick hates him. Steffy can't believe that Rick would go back on his word, but Thomas fears that Rick will hang this secret over his head for the rest of his life. Steffy tells her parents and brother that they'll see how wrong they are about Rick once this "family meeting" is over.

Eric and Donna worry that Rick is still in danger.

Eric, Donna, Bridget and Katie wait in Eric's office for Rick to arrive. Donna fears that Rick is in danger now that Pam is free, but Eric assures her that Pam wasn't the assailant. If it wasn't Pam, Donna points out, then the real culprit is still out there and might even be in the building. Eric informs her that he hired a bodyguard to protect Rick and everyone close to him, especially Steffy.

Brooke thanks Rick for keeping Thomas's secret.

Brooke comes by Rick's office to thank him for keeping quiet about Thomas. Rick thinks Ridge is the one who should be thanking him; he bets that Ridge is making him out to be the bad guy even though he's doing something good. Brooke assures him that he made the right decision, since having Thomas arrested would have destroyed both their families. Rick points out that the rest of the family still thinks he's in danger, and he's not sure he can convince them that he's not without revealing what Thomas did. Brooke reminds him that he promised not to tell anyone about Thomas, including the family. Rick doesn't think Eric will release the bodyguard standing outside without a good reason. Brooke tells him that he can't say anything, since he gave Ridge his word, and she expects Ridge to keep his word to deliver what Rick asked. "I'm calling the shots now, Mom, and I'm doing what's best for me," Rick insists.

Rick assures his dad that he is out of danger.

Katie is about to leave for another meeting when Ridge, Taylor, Thomas and Steffy arrive through the main door while Rick and Brooke come in through the door by Eric's desk. Rick thanks everyone for coming and promises not to take too long. He knows they're all concerned for his safety, which is why he wants them to know that he's no longer in danger, and that means that Eric can call off the guards now. Eric, Donna, Katie and Bridget all think that's not such a good idea, since Rick's assailant is still out there, but Rick assures them that there's nothing further to investigate. Eric, Bridget and Donna don't see how he can know that. When Rick insists that he knows, Bridget guesses that he knows who attacked him. Eric wants a name. Without naming Thomas, Rick explains that his assailant never meant to hurt him and just wanted to send him a message, so he's decided to send a message of his own that revenge is a vicious cycle. He admits that he and his assailant had some issues, but they've been rectified now. Donna reminds Rick that Marcus was questioned by the police about the attack, so she thinks it's best that he turn the guilty party in, but Rick stands firm in his decision. Katie points out that Lt. Baker can continue the investigation without Rick, but Rick doesn't care about that. To him, the important thing is that he and Steffy are both safe. The others balk at Rick's reluctance to name his attacker, but Brooke suggests that Rick just wants to keep the situation from getting worse. Eric pulls Rick aside and asks what he's doing. Rick pleads with his dad to let this go. The whole thing was a mistake, and he doesn't want to see that judgment turn into a circus that's no good for anyone. Eric's still displeased that Rick is letting the assailant off the hook, but Rick states that he's very optimistic about the future and hopes that the rest of them feel the same way.

Bridget and Katie hope Rick is really out of danger.

Once the meeting ends, Ridge, Taylor, Thomas, Steffy and Rick leave. Brooke stays behind to talk to her sisters, Bridget and Eric about what Rick just said. Eric thinks that Rick might still be in danger, despite his claims to the contrary, but Brooke points out that Rick cares too much for Steffy to just ignore the danger and risk Steffy getting hurt. "He's safe. It's over," she insists, "and I think Rick wants to move on." She thinks they should all do the same. Bridget, Donna and Katie note how uncharacteristically quiet Ridge and Taylor were, especially with all the looks Rick and Steffy were giving each other. Brooke suggests that Taylor and Ridge might finally be accepting Rick and Steffy's relationship. Bridget asks her mom if she accepts that relationship. Brooke thinks they all want peace in the family, but Eric fears that might be too much to hope for.

Thomas gives Rick a half-hearted thank you.

In Rick's office, he asks Taylor, Ridge and Thomas if they're going to thank him. When no one answers, Steffy reminds her brother that Rick came through for him. Ridge accuses Rick of playing the rest of the family, but Rick still thinks a little gratitude is in order. Thomas states that he still sees Rick as an arrogant jerk who hurt Thomas's family, but he has to admit that Rick saved his life today and thanks Rick. He knows he went too far and did things that were wrong out of frustration. Rick doesn't think that sounds like an apology. That's because it isn't, Thomas states, but he still concedes that he owes Rick and Steffy big time. He tells Steffy that she's old enough to make her own choices and apologizes for letting her down. Thomas then offers Rick his hand; Rick pauses a moment and then accepts the handshake. Steffy gives her brother a hug and thanks him. Thomas asks his parents if he can go now. Ridge and Taylor tell him to go ahead, so he leaves. Rick then wonders if Ridge and Taylor intend to stand in his and Steffy's way and asks if they can call a truce for Steffy's sake. Ridge thanks Rick for saving his son and shakes Rick's hand. Steffy asks her dad if this means that he's not going to fight her and Rick anymore. Ridge thinks he can do better that and goes to the door, where an employee has brought up the dress Ridge requested from the vault earlier. Ridge opens the garment bag and takes out a wedding gown. Steffy is stunned at how beautiful the gown is. Ridge tells her that he's been working on this for years, since she was born. He's made a few changes over the years as styles changed and has kept it in the vault so it would be ready when Steffy's wedding day arrived. Steffy is stunned that her dad is giving her this. Ridge tells her that she's a young adult now, and she can make her own decisions. He wants to end the tension between them, so he'll defer to her judgment now. The only thing he asks is that she'll think long and hard about how she wants to spend her life. Giddy with excitement, Steffy gives her dad a hug and thanks him. Ridge thinks he should get the gown back downstairs before Rick gets a good look at it, so he asks Taylor to join him so Rick and Steffy can celebrate.

Steffy tells Rick how excited she is.

Alone with Rick, Steffy gives him a hug, excitedly raving about what a miracle it is that her dad is finally accepting their relationship and trusting her. She has this huge smile on her face, but Rick looks more subdued as he embraces the woman he claims to love. Steffy is thrilled that they can put all the thoughts of revenge and hostility behind them and finally get married. She gives Rick a kiss and tells him that she wants to set the date immediately and get married very soon. Rick tells her that he's tired of the fighting, too. He just wants a life where he can get up in the morning, go to work and come home to her so they can live and love life together. Steffy likes the way that sounds. They share a steamy kiss.