Thursday, March 26, 2009, Episode #5528

Bridget helps Owen make his pitch.

Owen enters Jackie's office and is surprised to see Bridget there, "behind enemy lines." Bridget tries to cover that she's just having lunch with Jackie, her former mother in law, but Owen spots some sketches on the floor and figures out that she's Madame X. He tells her that her designs are good, although he's a bit surprised since he always thought of her as the serious doctor type. Owen asks how long she's been drawing. Since she was six, she mutters. Owen teases that he now has some leverage on her and asks if she'll give him a job in return for his keeping her secret. Bridget states that he has to talk to Jackie about that. Owen responds by kissing her, stating that he's been waiting to do that again. Bridget hopes he can make that kiss last, since she gave up kissing princes to turn them into frogs when she divorced Nick, and she also decided not to get involved with men who show interest in her since that proves they can't be trusted. When Jackie enters, Owen introduces himself, but Jackie says that she knows who he is. After Owen lets slip that he knows who Madame X is, Jackie asks Bridget if they have room for another body. Bridget quips that the dogs aren't done with the last one yet. Jackie wonders what they're going to do with Owen, who assures that he isn't going to reveal Madame X's identity to Jarrett at EYE ON FASHION. He explains that he just wants a job. When Jackie asks what Owen does, Bridget decides to give her some time alone with Owen to find out and leaves.

Jackie is intrigued by Owen.

Owen asks Jackie what she needs done. Jackie counters that she'd like to know what kind of position he's looking for. "Standing, sitting, lying down," he kids, stating that he'll do anything. Jackie points out that he hasn't been in the industry long. Owen explains that he connected with the business on many levels while working on the Surf Line for Forrester. He knows that line got a bad rap, but he personally thinks that it was the wrong line for a company like Forrester. Jackie agrees with that assessment. Owen hands Jackie a portfolio that shows everything he did for the Surf Line, from designing to marketing to modeling. Jackie tells him that she runs a lean and mean ship here; everyone does a little bit of everything, from making coffee to matching dye lots. Unfortunately, she has no positions to fill now, but she promises to keep Owen in mind if anything arises. Owen thanks her. "My pleasure," Jackie seductively purrs, bidding Owen goodbye. After Owen leaves, Jackie looks over his portfolio. "Oh my god," she gasps, smiling, as she peruses his modeling shots in the portfolio.

Ridge explains Thomas's actions to Brooke.

A shocked Brooke can't believe that Thomas tried to kill Rick. Ridge states that Thomas never meant to hurt Rick, but Brooke doesn't buy that. Ridge explains how Thomas wanted to protect his mother and sisters. Brooke hopes he and Taylor are getting Thomas the help he needs. Ridge states that he can't condemn his son, since he felt the same way about Rick. He truly believes that Thomas just wanted to scare Rick. Brooke argues that Thomas did more than that, like framing Pam for his crimes. Ridge explains how Thomas panicked and hid the evidence in the first empty place he found, not realizing that it was Pam's supply box. Brooke asks why Thomas didn't come forward and admit what he did. He was scared, Ridge insists. Brooke thinks something has to be done. Ridge says that he has no intention of letting Pam sit in jail, and he plans to hire Pam a good lawyer to get her off the hook. Brooke asks why he has to do that if Thomas is going to confess. Thomas ISN'T going to confess, Ridge asserts, refusing to let his son go to jail as collateral damage from Rick's vendetta against him.

Ridge convinces Brooke to keep his son's secret.

Brooke states that he can't justify what Thomas did by blaming the victim, but Ridge thinks that Rick was never in danger. Brooke asks if her son is supposed to live in fear that the person who nearly killed him is still out there, especially if there's a chance that Thomas might attack again. Ridge promises not to let that happen and asks Brooke to show the same compassion she asked of him when Storm shot Stephanie and when Rick was involved in the events leading to Phoebe's death. Brooke fears that Stephanie might not keep the secret, but Ridge assures her that his mom will keep quiet. "So will I," vows Brooke, promising not to say anything to Rick or anyone else. Ridge sighs in relief and gives her a hug.

Taylor gives Thomas some advice.

Meanwhile, Thomas anxiously wonders if his dad will be able to convince Brooke to let this go. Thinking that Brooke might side with her son makes him realize how much he hates Rick. Taylor advises him not to get so angry about Rick. Thomas suggests that he might just need some time alone to get his thoughts together.

Thomas tells Rick how much he hates him.

After Taylor leaves, Rick shows up to see Thomas. Rick reminds Thomas that they used to be friends and asks why Thomas didn't just face him if he had a problem with him. Thomas asks Rick who invited him in. Rick tells Thomas that what happened to Phoebe was an accident, and he never meant for it to happen. Thomas tells Rick to leave, but Rick thinks he's entitled to some answers about this grudge after Thomas barged into his home and sucker punched him in the face. Thomas tells Rick that in this house, they don't just let strangers barge in and take what they want. He rages about how Rick took advantage about Phoebe, Taylor and now Steffy; he won't Rick ruin Steffy's life like he did Phoebe's and Taylor's lives. He wonders if Rick is picking up where Brooke left off in trying to destroy the lives of Thomas and his family. Listening to the anger in Thomas's voice, Rick suddenly realizes that Thomas is his assailant.

Rick doesn't buy Thomas's sob story.

Rick asks Thomas if he hates him enough to want him dead. "I never wanted you dead. I wanted you gone," Thomas states, ranting about how ugly his life became because of Rick. Enraged, Rick tells Thomas that this "perfect life" he keeps talking about never existed. Rick then reminds Thomas how Taylor was an alcoholic, teetering on the edge until Rick came along to help her. "Where the hell were you? Where was your father?" Rick asks, recalling the special relationship he shared with Taylor. But then Taylor dumped him when she was done with him, just like Phoebe dumped him before that. Since both women dumped him, he wants to know how he's the bad guy. Thomas states that Rick only pursued Phoebe and Taylor because of an unhappy childhood that Rick blamed on Ridge, and everybody knows that. "You killed my sister, you polluted my family, and now thanks to you, I've got nothing left to lose," Thomas fumes. Rick thinks that's all a ton of bull; he tells Thomas that he's tired of being everybody's all-purpose blame receptacle whenever they need someone to blame their troubles on. Just because Thomas doesn't like him doesn't give him the right to torch his house and blow up his car. "I could have died, you idiot," Rick seethes, ready to turn Thomas in. Thomas decides that he might as well make the trip worth it if he's going to jail, so he lunges at Rick!