Wednesday, March 11, 2009, Episode #5519

Rick and Steffy have different reactions to Ridge's declaration.

In Rick's office, Steffy tells Brooke and Rick that her dad won't stand in her and Rick's way any longer. Brooke and Rick ask Ridge if that's true. Ridge confirms that he won't risk alienating his daughter, as she's made her feelings about Rick quite clear. Brooke and Steffy think this will make all the difference for their families, but Rick doubts Ridge's sincerity. Brooke asks Rick why he'd say that. Rick finds Ridge's sudden change of heart just a bit too pat and accuses Ridge of putting on a charade to buy time to think of another way to kill him. Steffy tells Rick that he's not being fair. Ridge wonders if Rick even wants to resolve the tension, suggesting that Rick thinks he can do more damage if the two of them remain at odds. Brooke tells her husband and son to just stop; she feels like Ridge is making a gesture of good faith and doesn't think Rick should question that.

Donna and Katie learn that the cops are back in the building.

In Eric's office, Marcus tells Donna and Katie that the police have returned to the building, but they're not looking for him this time. After Marcus reveals that the cops were headed for Owen's office, Katie wonders what they hope to find, since Owen is gone now. Donna wonders if the police came to question Pam, since Rick fired Pam, too. Katie reminds her sister that Stephanie rehired Pam, so there's no reason for Pam to be upset. Donna puts forth that Pam knows that Stephanie blames Rick for what happened to Phoebe and views herself as Stephanie's personal attack dog. She bets the police have figured that out, too. Marcus wonders if the cops will arrest Pam. Katie doubts that Stephanie will let that happen, but Donna is hopeful that Pam will pay for her crimes this time.

The Bakers look for evidence at Forrester.

In Owen's old office, Stephanie is upset that the Bakers think her sister committed the recent assaults on Rick. Pam insists that she's innocent. The Bakers notice the purse Pam is crocheting and ask her about the yarn she uses in her creations. Pam explains that she uses a special blend of the finest merino wool and cashmere. Stephanie asks what any of this has to do with Rick. Lt. Baker explains that time will tell and asks if they can look around the office. Stephanie asks if he has a search warrant; Lt. Baker says he can get one in minutes, so Stephanie allows him to look around. As Charlie and some uniformed cops search, Stephanie and Pam tell Lt. Baker that he's wasting his time, but Lt. Baker shows them a copy of the note Rick received earlier. Pam insists that she'd never send out something that looks like a preschooler made it, but Lt. Baker suggests that she might do so to divert suspicion. Charlie explains that the lab identified the letters in the note as coming from a surfing magazine. Since Pam worked on the surf line, she'd know that Owen kept a collection of surf magazines here - a collection that just happens to be missing the November issue. Stephanie suggests that they talk to Owen, but Lt. Baker thinks the evidence is pointing toward Pam. Charlie then reveals that the fibers found in Pam's yarn match ones found by Rick's house, in his office and in the glue of the note.

Stephanie tries to calm her sister down.

A uniformed female cop brings Lt. Baker a storage box she found in the closet with Pam's name on it; in addition to crochet supplies, it contains one rag with lighter fluid on it, another rag with grease that looks like it came from a car and some plastic explosives. Based on the evidence, Charlie arrests Pam and reads her her rights. Pam gets hysterical as she's handcuffed so she can be brought to the station for booking. Stephanie tries to calm her sister down; she knows Pam doesn't want to go with the police, but she advises her sister to stay calm and cooperate. Even with her sister's support, Pam still cries out and insists that she's not a criminal. "You are making a terrible mistake!" she shouts.

Pam freaks as she's led away.

Ridge, Brooke, Rick, Steffy, Donna, Katie and Marcus all hear Pam cry out and rush out to the hallway just in time to see her being led away by the police. Donna cries out, "I knew it, you crazy freak!" and thanks Lt. Baker for a job well done. Realizing that Pam is being arrested for the attempts on his life, Rick asks her why she tried to kill him. Pam and Stephanie both insist that Pam didn't do anything wrong, but the Bakers think they'll know more once they send the latest evidence to the crime lab. Pam tells the cops that she's being framed; she insists that she wouldn't have taken matters into her own hands, no matter what Rick did to her family. Lt. Baker asks if this is like the last time she took matters upon herself, but Stephanie warns Pam not to answer that or anything without a lawyer. The cops take Pam down to the station with Stephanie right behind them.

The others gather in Ridge's office to discuss Pam's arrest. Donna isn't surprised that Pam was the assailant, but the others are shocked. When Marcus tells them about the evidence the police found, Donna is convinced that Pam is as psycho as ever. Brooke is relieved the police figured it out, since she can't even imagine what would have happened had Pam tried to kill Rick again. Marcus quips that, "The third time's the charm." Donna admonishes her son for saying that, while Rick lashes out at Marcus. Katie tells her nephews to calm down. Steffy still can't understand why her Aunt Pam would do something like that. Donna explains her theory that Pam was acting to protect Stephanie again, which is why she hopes they lock Pam up and throw away the key. Ridge tells her to let Pam have her day in court. Rick asks Ridge why he's defending Pam. Ridge says that he isn't defending his aunt, but he is worried about his mother; he's sure Stephanie is going through hell watching this happen to her sister.

Marcus tells Donna that he still hates Rick.

Donna and Marcus go back to Owen's old office. Donna sees Marcus is tense and asks if he's OK. Marcus says he is, but he just had to get out of Ridge's office, since he couldn't stand to see Rick with his hands all over Steffy. He sighs, "If Pam hadn't gotten to Rick first, I just..." Donna cuts him off and tells him not to talk like that. She knows he's upset because he loves Steffy, but... Marcus notes that it's good that the cops aren't after him anymore now. Donna assures that she always knew he was innocent. Even with Pam's arrest, Marcus confides, his feelings for Rick haven't changed; he still despises Rick and doesn't think that will ever change.

Brooke asks Ridge to admit that Rick makes Steffy happy.

Back in Ridge's office, Rick presumes that Marcus still hates him given how Marcus just stormed out. Ridge thinks Rick owes him an apology for accusing him of being the assailant, but Rick thinks he's the one who's owed an apology after the way Ridge accused him of committing the attacks himself. The two men exchange half-hearted apologies for what they said about each other. Steffy suggests to Rick that they go get some air. After the kids leave, Brooke asks Ridge if he sees how happy Rick makes Steffy. Ridge wonders if it will last. Brooke thinks that Rick and Steffy would be lucky to find just half of what she and Ridge share; feeling that way about Ridge makes her feel like the luckiest woman alive, since she knows that their love can see them through any challenges.