Tuesday, March 24, 2009, Episode #5526

Katie gets fed up with Jackie's put-downs.

Katie pops into Jackie's office looking for Nick to drop off his cell phone. Jackie asks if this little "errand" is an excuse for Katie to check up on Nick. Katie says that she doesn't have to check up on Nick, although she thinks she'd be justified in doing so given that Jackie hired Nick's ex-wife to undermine his relationship with her. Jackie thinks that Katie is bad news for Nick, and she refuses to stand by and watch her son throw his life away on the likes of Katie. Katie acknowledges that she may not be the woman that Jackie would choose for Nick, but she is the woman Nick chose, and she wishes Jackie would just accept that for Nick's sake. When Jackie simply chuckles in response, Katie points out that Nick hasn't changed his mind about marrying her, despite his mother's reservations. Jackie thinks it's only a matter of time until Nick sees Katie for who she really is. Fed up with trying to make nice with Jackie, Katie says that she's done. She won't tolerate Jackie treating her like dirt anymore. Jackie isn't even fazed, so Katie warns her future mother in law not to mess with her; she predicts that Jackie will be in for the fight of her life if she doesn't stop trying to interfere, since the Logan girls know how to fight for the men they love. Katie then tells Jackie that she'll give Nick his cell phone when she sees him and leaves.

At the Big Bear cabin, Taylor wakes up and sees Ridge lying beside her in bed. Ridge tells her that it's not what it looks like; he just wanted to make sure she slept last night. Taylor wishes she could just walk into the living room and find out that this whole thing with Thomas was just a nightmare; she asks Ridge how they'll protect their son.

Rick thinks about Steffy while working out.

Rick works out at the beach house, but he can't stop thinking about Steffy. He sighs as he thinks back to the first time he slept with Steffy and to the night when Ridge, Taylor and Thomas kidnapped Steffy.

Stephanie vows to set her sister free.

At Brooke's house, she's on the phone with the security company reinstating 24/7 protection for Rick when the doorbell rings. She opens the door and finds Stephanie standing there. Stephanie notices that Brooke looks a bit tired and asks if Brooke is feeling lonely with Ridge spending his nights with Taylor lately. Brooke refuses to let Stephanie undermine her faith in Ridge and suggests that Stephanie focus on getting Pam out of jail instead. Stephanie is relieved that Brooke has finally admitted that Pam is innocent. Brooke states that she really doesn't care about Pam at all; she's just concerned about her son and the possibility that his assailant might still be at large. Stephanie remarks that Rick is one of the least likable people in L.A. these days. Brooke sighs that bashing Rick won't get Pam out of jail, but finding the true culprit will. Stephanie suggests that Donna or Marcus might have framed Pam, but Brooke doesn't think her sister or her nephew would do something that extreme. Stephanie concedes that she doesn't know who framed Pam, but she vows not to let the person who did it get away with pinning their crimes on her sister.

Thomas agrees to do whatever his dad thinks is best.

Steffy comes into the living room at the cabin and sees Thomas starting a fire; she pauses as she sees him with a lit match in his hand. Steffy asks where Ridge is. When Thomas says that their dad went to check on their mom last night, they both look to the bedroom door. They agree that it's good that their parents are going through this together. Steffy asks Thomas what's going to happen to him. Before Thomas can say more than a few words, Ridge and Taylor enter the room. Ridge tells Thomas that his family will be there for him while Taylor clarifies that she and Ridge just fell asleep fully clothed in the same bed. Thomas is ready to turn himself in, but Ridge says that's not going to happen. Ridge asserts that the best thing they can all do for Thomas is just keep quiet about what Thomas did. Thomas agrees to do whatever his dad thinks is best. Ridge asks Steffy if she's with them. Steffy looks to Thomas and asks him to promise that he won't do anything else to hurt Rick. Once Thomas nods his head, Ridge declares that they;re in agreement, so it's time to go back home and fix this.

Taylor talks to her son about his actions.

After arriving at Taylor's house, Thomas paces near the foyer. Flashing back to Rick's car exploding, he asks himself, "What have I done?" He comes into the living room and overhears Taylor leaving a message for James Warwick asking for his help with an urgent family matter. Thomas asks his mom if she thinks he's crazy. Taylor says that she doesn't. She thinks he wanted to protect his family, but his judgment was impaired. Thomas admits that he messed up, and the worst part is that his sister's still with "that scum" Rick. Taylor understands that he hates Rick, but she needs him to accept that the way he handled things was wrong and tells him that he can't let something like this happen again. Thomas hopes they hear from Ridge soon, since Ridge promised to handle everything. Taylor is sure that Ridge will come through, since she knows he's as committed to their children as she is, and she wants Thomas to always remember that.

Steffy holds back on telling Rick what's bothering her.

Rick is thrilled when Steffy arrives at the beach house and races into his arms. They start making out and tear each other's clothes off. After they have sex, Rick asks Steffy how she escaped from her parents' clutches. She assures him that her dad just wanted to protect her, since he had doubts about Aunt Pam's guilt. Rick points out that nobody has tried to attack him since Pam was arrested. Steffy goes silent on him. Rick asks what's wrong, but Steffy still holds back. Rick tells her to keep her secrets if she wants, but he thought they could tell each other anything. Steffy says that he's right, since there shouldn't be any secrets between them.

Brooke is confused when Ridge assures her that Rick's no longer in danger.

Brooke welcomes Ridge home. Ridge tells her how much he missed her. Brooke asks how Steffy is. Ridge says that his daughter is safe. Brooke is glad to hear that. Brooke then tells Ridge about her visit with Pam and explains that she believes that Pam is innocent after looking her in the eye. That means that the person who attacked Rick is still out there, and Rick is still in danger. Ridge understands her concerns, but he wants her to take a breath and relax. He assures her that Rick is no longer in any danger. Brooke asks how he can be sure. Ridge promises to explain everything to her, but there's something he has to do first. "Your son's going to be okay, sweetie," he promises before leaving.