Monday, May 11, 2009, Episode #5560

Brooke tells Taylor and Stephanie to back off.

In Eric's office, Brooke scoffs at Taylor's claim that she and Ridge aren't married. Ridge walks in and Brooke tells him about Taylor's absurd assertion. Ridge concedes that his and Brooke's beach-side ceremony was a bit unorthodox, but they got married at City Hall later to make it legal. But that marriage still isn't legit, Taylor tells a confused Ridge. Stephanie walks in just as Brooke accuses Taylor of saying that their marriage isn't real because she doesn't believe Brooke is worthy of Ridge. "You're not worthy of Ridge, and you never will be," Taylor affirms. Sensing what's going on, Stephanie digs at Brooke about being insecure. Ridge has heard enough and tells Brooke to meet him in his office so they can talk privately. Ridge walks out, but Brooke stays behind to tear into Taylor and Stephanie about their questioning her marriage. She tells them that she doesn't care what they think, because the only opinion that matters is Ridge's. Insisting that she and Ridge will be together forever, she orders Taylor and Stephanie to back off and leaves.

Steffy urges Rick to give her brother a chance.

At the rooftop Sky Lounge, Rick reviews all his misdeeds with Steffy. He tells her that reflecting on what he did made him realize that he's not worthy of her, so he understands why she can't be with him. Steffy is glad he finally gets it, since she's told him that over and over. Rick promises that she won't have to worry about him bothering her anymore, because he's decided to join a monastery and take a vow of celibacy. "You've had some bonehead ideas, but I think this one takes the cake," Steffy scoffs. She knows they broke up, but that doesn't mean his life is over. Rick pauses for a moment and then smirks about how gullible she is. Realizing that he was kidding, Steffy can't help but join him in laughing. Rick is glad to see that he can still lighten her mood. Steffy agrees that things have been tense lately. Rick warns that things are about to get worse since her parents are trying to bring Thomas on board at Forrester, but he and Brooke oppose the idea. Steffy urges him to reconsider, since this could be great for her brother. Rick reminds her that Thomas tried to kill him twice. Steffy informs him that she's spent a lot of time with Thomas since he came home and assures that he's doing much better. Rick still has reservations, but Steffy thinks Thomas has as much right to work here as he does and begs him to give Thomas a chance. Seeing how much it means to her, Rick agrees. Steffy tells him that this doesn't change anything between them. Rick says he's not expecting anything in return. He just wants to make up for the pain he caused her, but he points out that his mom is still against the idea. Steffy urges him to change Brooke's mind.

Rick tells his mom that he's OK with Thomas working here.

In Ridge's office, Brooke scolds him for not speaking up when Taylor claimed their marriage isn't legit. Ridge tells her not to get worked up over what Taylor said, since they both know their marriage is real. Brooke can't believe that his mother and Taylor are still trying to undermine their marriage. Ridge suggests that they use this chance to prove to everyone that they can get past anything if they stand united. Brooke assumes he's referring to Thomas working here and says that she won't allow it. Ridge asks her to consider how important it is for him to work side by side with his son, just as she has with hers. Brooke frets that Thomas might try to kill Rick again, but Ridge assures that he would never let Rick be harmed. Brooke reminds him that Rick is not comfortable with Thomas being there, but Rick walks in and says that he's cool with "Tommy" coming on board. Brooke asks what changed his mind. When Rick says that he talked to Steffy, Ridge scoffs that this sounds like another one of "Ricky's" ploys, but Rick insists that he knows that it's over between him and Steffy and shows Ridge that Steffy gave him back her engagement ring. He tells Brooke and Ridge that he wants to do something positive for Steffy and for Eric, since he knows they both would love to see Thomas working here. Brooke reminds him that Eric still doesn't know what Thomas did. Rick knows that, but he believes now that Thomas isn't a threat. And besides, what's the worst that can happen? He laughs that Ridge wouldn't think it's much of a loss if Thomas tried to poison his coffee or blow him up again, but Ridge doesn't see the humor in Rick's comment.

Taylor frets that she's run out of patience with Brooke.

In Eric's office, Stephanie asks Taylor what she was thinking. Taylor fumes that she's lost all patience with watching Brooke treat Ridge like some kind of possession. Stephanie reminds her that they had a plan and urges her to stick to it. She points out that tipping their hand too early might prompt Ridge and Brooke to run down to City Hall immediately and make their marriage legal. Taylor tells Stephanie that she can see the signs that Ridge and Brooke's relationship is already in serious trouble, so she doesn't want to wait any longer. Pam comes in and asks Taylor if she blew the lid off "little princess" Brooke and her faux marriage yet. Taylor says that she was trying to do just that, but Stephanie tells her again that they have to stick to the plan. Taylor tells Stephanie that she's at her breaking point, since she convinced Ridge to bring Thomas into the company. Eric loved the idea, but Rick and Brooke were against it. Stephanie doesn't think that "little son of a bitch" Rick has any say about what goes on here, but Taylor seethes that Brooke again sided with her son. Stephanie warns her not to let her anger at Brooke grow out of control, but Taylor won't let Brooke get in the way of her son's future. Stephanie assures Taylor that no one will keep Thomas from getting what he deserves. Pam agrees, since she thinks they need all the Forresters they can get to fight the curse of the Logans.

Still on the roof, Steffy calls Thomas and leaves a message for him to call her for some good news. As she ends the call, she sees a photo of her and Rick on her phone. She goes to delete the image, but she flashes back to all the happy times she spent with Rick and can't bring herself to hit the "delete" button. Rick comes up and tells her to call her brother, who is now officially the newest member of Forrester Creations. Steffy is thrilled that he got through to his mom and thanks him, but he warns that her dad thinks he only did this in another attempt to manipulate her. He assures her that he really wants to do this to make up for the pain he caused her. Steffy tells him that she appreciates what he did for her brother. She grabs her bag and goes downstairs, leaving Rick sitting alone at the table with his thoughts.

Stephanie and Pam reassure Taylor.

Steffy walks into Eric's office and tells her mom that Rick convinced Brooke to let Thomas work here. Taylor asks why Rick changed his mind, hoping he's not playing her again. Steffy assures that it's over between her and Rick and tells her mom that she gave him back his ring. Pleased, Taylor hugs Steffy and says that she's proud of her. After Steffy leaves, Stephanie says that she's glad Thomas will be working here, but she's not happy that Rick had a hand in it. Taylor says that she's not buying this sudden "good guy" act by Rick, who is a pathological predator who will use this opportunity to prowl around Steffy again when everyone's guard is down. Pam promises Taylor that she'll keep an eye on Rick and kill him if he tries anything funny. Stephanie looks at Pam, who admits she was kidding about the "killing" part. Taylor states that she doesn't want Steffy in any danger. Stephanie is sure Ridge will come to his senses and see that he belongs with Taylor once Rick pushes Brooke and Ridge over the edge, and that's when they make their move.