Friday, May 15, 2009, Episode #5564

Donna confronts Bill about Stephanie's webcasts.

Donna storms into Bill's office at Spencer Communications but finds he's not there. Spotting a photo of Bill on the desk, she says aloud that he's cute. Bill sneaks in behind her and agrees. Noting that his assistant normally calls security at times like this unless the intruder is especially hot, Bill asks "Ms. Logan" what brings her by. Reminding him that she's Mrs. Eric Forrester, Donna demands that he pull the plug on Stephanie's slanderous, revenge-driven webcasts. Impressed by the passion of her plea, Bill agrees to hear her out. Donna asks why he wants to be involved in something ugly like the webcasts. Bill compliments her, stating that she's certainly not ugly, but Donna warns that he can't distract her with flattery, especially since she knows that's what his father used to do. Bill points out that he's not his father, since he prefers to avoid pointless games of cat and mouse; he simply says what he means and gets what he wants. Donna begs him not to let Stephanie humiliate Eric and ruin his company. Bill finds it admirable that she's standing up for her man, although he wonders why Eric isn't standing up for himself. Donna states that Eric won't stoop to Stephanie's level.

Bill tells Donna what he wants.

Bill points out that Eric isn't even trying to stop Stephanie from making him look like a fool; Donna counters that she's here so Eric doesn't have to do that. Bill points out that Stephanie was friends with his father and is making him a lot of money, but he concedes that he'd be willing to end "The Logan Chronicles" and turn sentiment against Stephanie with the right motivation. Donna asks what he means, so Bill explains that he'd like to see more of her feisty side - and less of her clothing! He presumes that she's turned on by powerful men, so he's willing to help her if he gets what he wants. Donna reminds him that she's married, but Bill doesn't think Eric will come after him if he can't stand stand up to Stephanie. Backing her up against the wall, he asks Donna, "What do you say, my little barracuda?"

Rick talks with Steffy about his gift.

In Rick's office, Steffy thanks him for his thoughtful gift, but she hopes he wasn't expecting anything in return. Rick assures that the gift had no strings attached. He just wanted her to see the parts of Phoebe's life she missed out on, but now he wonders if that was a good idea since she thinks the video was a bribe. He thinks he should have just left the DVD on her desk for her instead of selfishly wanting to see her face when she viewed it. Steffy tells him that he doesn't have to apologize, but he thinks he does, since he promised her dad that he'd stay away from her. He turns to leave, but Steffy stops him. She admits that she wanted to forget him and hate him, but she can't after he did something beautiful like this that shows that there's still a lot of good in him. Steffy asks if he still wants a future with her; when Rick says he does, Steffy tells him that it can only happen on her terms. Rick says he'll do whatever she asks, so she tells him to end the feud with her dad and make things right. Rick says he'll try, but Steffy says that trying isn't good enough. He has to promise to respect her dad, no matter how Ridge treats him. Rick agrees to do it, because he wants to do anything in his power to earn back her love, her trust and her respect. He offers to go talk to Ridge now, but she suggests that she do it. She's sure Ridge will see what a good man he is once he sees the DVD.

Brooke tells Ridge that he knows where she stands.

In Eric's office, Brooke assures Ridge that Rick will stay away from Steffy. Ridge asks what she'll do if Rick doesn't keep his word and tries to go after Steffy again. Brooke tells him that he knows where she stands. Taylor barges in and tells Ridge that she just saw Rick in his office with Steffy. Brooke states that their being in the same office doesn't mean something was going on, but Taylor elaborates that they were talking intimately, with Rick holding Steffy's face and gazing into her eyes. Brooke contends that Rick and Steffy are bound to cross paths working in the same building, but Taylor says that no business was being conducted. Brooke suggests that Taylor saw what she wanted to see. Ridge asks Brooke how she can defend Rick when she just minutes ago promised to back him up if Rick went after Steffy again. Brooke points out that up to now, Rick has kept his word.

Steffy tells her parents about Rick's gift.

Steffy walks in looking for her dad and is surprised to see her mom there. Ridge and Taylor ask why she was in Rick's office. Steffy insists that she was just dropping off a report, but Taylor states that she saw Rick talking intimately to her and holding her face. Steffy insists that it's not what they think and tells them about the DVD. Taylor thinks that's just a ploy to win Steffy back, but Steffy defends Rick. Ridge reminds her of the disrespectful, hurtful things Rick said on the recording. Steffy agrees that what Rick said was sick, but she points out that he never once said he didn't love her. Taylor and Ridge can't believe that she wants to forgive Rick, so she offers to show them the DVD so they can see the good in Rick. Ridge doesn't want to watch, but Steffy insists and plays the video. Seeing the video of Phoebe brings Taylor to tears. Ridge insists that Rick's "act of kindness and love" is just a reminder of what a monster Rick is. He thinks it's sick that Rick is using Phoebe's memory to lure Steffy back.

Ridge is furious about what Steffy is saying.

Steffy tells Ridge that he's wrong. Brooke calls the video a "tribute," leading Ridge to fume that she's not supporting him like she promised and instead is defending Rick. Ridge then turns to Steffy and asks what happened, since he thought she saw Rick for who he really is. Steffy says that she misses Rick and wants him in her life, but Ridge orders her not see or even talk to Rick ever again! "No!" Steffy exclaims. Brooke begs Ridge to listen to what his daughter has to say, but he thinks this is the last straw and won't listen to one more damn word in support of this nightmare. Seeing that her dad will never accept her being with Rick, Steffy back pedals and sobs, "I take it back. It's over. I get it." Reduced to tear, she says she's sorry and rushes out. Appalled, Brooke asks Ridge how he could do this to his daughter and also leaves.