Friday, May 29, 2009, Episode #5574

Bridget and Nick get up close to each other.

As they make out on the couch, Nick asks Bridget if he's done paying his dues. She laughs that he's just begun to pay his dues. Nick asks what else she wants, hoping it's not to cut off his beer. Bridget suggests he switch from beer to red wine, since wine has less carbs and has antioxidants. Kissing him, she purrs that he'd probably love a nice Cabernet or a sexy Pinot. Moved by the incentive, Nick decides to become a red wine connoisseur, but Bridget relents and lets him keep the beer. As they lie on the couch, Bridget notes how quiet Nick seems. He says that he can't believe that this is happening. Bridget says that she can't believe it, either, but after another kiss, she assures him that it's happening. They go up to the bedroom, where candles are lit and a fire is going. Nick helps Bridget undress and leads her to the bed, where they make love. Afterwards, they lie in bed, discussing how lucky they are. Bridget asks if they can be this lucky for the rest of their lives. Nick says he's good with that and they smooch some more.

Pam chimes in on her sister's webcasts.

At Forrester, Eric, Donna, Katie and Pam discuss how Brooke's webcast hurt them rather than help them, since it drove thousands of web surfers to Stephanie's web site. Pam isn't surprised, since her sister is the jilted ex-wife, but Donna frets that Stephanie wants to use her divisive attitude to bring this company to its knees. And by the look of things, Eric laments, she's succeeding.

Stephanie is surprised by Thorne and Felicia's reactions.

Stephanie meets with Ridge, Thorne and Felicia in Ridge's office. Thorne and Felicia ask their mom to hire them at Jackie M to get them away from their misery here, but Stephanie doesn't think they'll have to leave and explains her plan to regain control of the company and place it in their hands. Ridge is still worried about the plan, because it involves Bill Spencer. Stephanie asserts that the only way to save the company from Rick and the Logan girls is to get control back, and Bill's plan to devalue the company so he can buy it and then sell it to the four of them will let them do that. Ridge tells his mother that he wants control as much as anyone, but he's worried about how this will affect Eric. Thorne and Felicia agree. Stephanie states that Eric brought this on himself, but her children fear that the strain of going to battle with her is getting Eric more and more depressed each day. "We hate seeing him like this. Truly, it could kill him," Felicia sighs. Stephanie insists that she just wants to clean up the mess their father made and give them back their legacy, since they're being treated like stepchildren here. Ridge states that they're not being treated like stepchildren, and they're not children either. That's why they need her to stop. Thorne and Felicia echo his sentiment. They appreciate her intent, but this is their battle to fight, not hers. Stephanie sighs that she just wanted them to be in charge, and she hopes that someday, they will be. But given how they feel, she agrees to stop her attacks and leaves.

At Spencer Publishing, Bill reads Stephanie's latest article, which talks about how Eric's big heart is both his strength and his weakness. He continues and sees that Stephanie thinks that Eric's generosity has clouded his judgment professionally, politically and legally. He wonders what she meant by "legally".

Forrester employee Bobby says "hi" to Stephanie.

In Eric's office, he gets a report from an employee named Bobby who, given his accent, hails from outside the US. Eric and Bobby exchange some words in his native language and Eric thanks Bobby for all his hard work. Stephanie pops her head in and sees Bobby leaving. She asks how his family is. Bobby passes on some good news about his wife and her sister, who are apparently still in his homeland. Stephanie hopes that someday he'll be with them again and tells him to send her regards when he speaks to his wife. After Bobby leaves, Donna comes in; seeing Stephanie, she asks why she's here. Stephanie says she's still welcome to see her children, since this is Forrester Creations and not the Logan company. Having said that, she leaves, too.

Katie and Donna wonder what to do about Bill.

Watching Eric work with Katie to gather some information, Donna asks why Stephanie is allowed in the building when she's an enemy who is attack the family and the company. Eric is convinced that Bill is using Stephanie, but Donna can't imagine Stephanie letting herself be used. Katie thinks Bill is the kind of man who gets what he wants and suggests that they find some strategy to get him to back off. When Donna stops to ponder that thought, Katie and Eric see the look on her face and ask if she has something in mind. Donna stays silent. After Katie leaves, Eric asks Donna again if she has any ideas how to stop Bill. Donna answers that she wants nothing to do with a horrible person like Bill. Eric says that he doesn't either, but he feels for Stephanie, who is lashing out because she feels abandoned and angry and hurt. Donna doesn't think that excuses Stephanie's airing their dirty laundry on the Internet, but Eric thinks Bill is taking advantage of Stephanie and fears his ex doesn't know what she's in for with Bill.

Eric gets news from Thorne and Ridge.

Ridge, Thorne and Felicia come in and tell Eric that they have some good news. Eric asks what it is, since he can use some. The trio informs Eric and Donna that Stephanie is ending her attacks on the company via her articles and webcasts. Eric is pleased, but he wonders what changed her mind. Felicia says that she and her brothers did by making Stephanie see who she was hurting with her actions. Eric wants to talk to Stephanie, but Ridge tells him that she's on her way to tell Bill.

Bill presses Stephanie for information.

In Bill's office, Stephanie tells him that she wants to discontinue her articles, blogs and web cast and end her war against Eric and Forrester. Bill asks if Eric got to her. She explains that her children made her see how much pain this was causing everyone. Bill thinks they'll forgive her when the company in in their hands and tells her that it's time to turn up the heat on Eric, who he suspects doesn't have the killer instinct to go for the jugular. When Stephanie confirms that Eric is respected for his good nature, Bill assumes it's because of Eric's soft heart. Stephanie asks what he means, so he cites a paragraph from one of her blogs where she states that Eric's warm heart is a strength and a weakness, since his generous nature can cloud his decisions and lead to trouble professionally, politically or even legally. That last part makes him wonders what Eric is up to. Stephanie says she wasn't referring to anything in particular and was just trying to be melodramatic, but Bill senses something there and asks if Eric is cooking the books. When Stephanie ducks the issue, Bill asks why she is protecting Eric and presses her to give up any dirt she has on Eric. Stephanie says there's no dirt to give. She admits Eric isn't a brilliant businessman, but that's because he's been the creative force of the company and always tried to help people in need. Bill still thinks she knows something that could bring Eric to his knees and demands to know what it is. Stephanie stays silent, so Bill wonders if this has something to do with those "people in need" Eric that Stephanie mentioned - like maybe employees trying to provide for their families? Stephanie tells Bill to stop if he wants to stay partners with her, but he reminds her that she was the one who backed out of the chance he gave her to take shots at the Logans and weaken that company. But now he thinks she gave him the "brass key" he needs to put Eric behind bars.