Monday, May 18, 2009, Episode #5565

Bill lets Donna know what he thinks of her.

Donna tells Bill that he's out of his mind if he thinks she'll hook up with him to stop Stephanie, but he points out that a tiny bit of effort from her could help her husband and Forrester rebound from the impact of Stephanie's departure. Donna asks why he's doing this. "Because I can," he whispers. Donna suggests that he go back to New York, but Bill says that he likes it here. In fact, he has his eye on a Beverly Hills estate right next to the Forrester mansion, and he notes that he'd hate to see a once great company like Forrester fade away. Donna begs him to help her; Bill says he might if she gets on her knees and says, "pretty please." Donna looks around the office and is reminded of Bill's father. She thinks he's a lot like his dad. Bill isn't sure he's a lot like his father, but he admits that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Donna asks Bill if he knew that his father once published nude photos of her. Bill says that she had an impact on his dad, which is why he wrote her into the will. Donna scoffs that Bill did that to get the last laugh. Bill insists that he shares his father's appreciation of Donna. "You're my kind of woman. You go after what you want and you get it," he notes, guessing that she has "epic skills in the sack" that he'd love to experience.

Donna questions Bill's motives.

Donna tells Bill that nothing will happen between them, but he thinks she's playing hard to get and takes that as a challenge. He warns that he always gets what he wants. Donna asks what he wants with her and Eric, wondering if he shares his father's disdain for Eric. Bill laughs that he admires Eric's current wife, just as his father admired Stephanie. Donna asks why he's working with Stephanie if he admires her; she's sure there must be a reason. Bill doesn't answer and just keeps flirting with her. Donna thinks there has to be more to his coming to L.A. than to hit on her, a married woman, and she asks "Dollar Bill" what the reason is. Before he can answer, Bill gets a call, so he bids his "little barracuda" goodbye and dismisses her so he can take his call.

Steffy tells Rick to accept that they're done.

Steffy and Brooke come to Rick's office to tell him about Ridge's reaction to his video tribute to Phoebe. Upon hearing that Ridge thought it was just a ploy, Rick offers to talk to him, but Steffy informs him that her dad is dead set against their relationship and thinks they have to accept that they can't be together. Rick begs Steffy not to give up on what they shared, but Brooke tells him that it has to be done. She knows he made the video with good intentions, but she thinks it's time that he accept that Ridge will never accept him being with Steffy. Rick refuses to believe it's over, so Brooke asks Steffy to confirm how angry Ridge got after viewing the video. Rick accuses his mom of taking Ridge's side over his again, and he thinks that's unfair to him and Steffy. Brooke reminds him that she supported him today, even though it went against her promise to Ridge. She can't afford to keep doing that with her marriage on thin ice, especially with all the horrible things Stephanie is saying about her and her family lately. Rick fumes that Ridge can't believe he was being sincere by making the video, which was a peace offering not just for Steffy, but for the whole family. Steffy assures him that she was moved by his tribute, since it made her feel close to Phoebe for the first time since losing her. Rick tells her that he really thought they had a chance when he saw the look on her face while watching the video, which is why he's frustrated that Ridge has pulled the rug out from under them. He wants to be with her, but he feels like Ridge is keeping them apart.

Brooke gives Rick and Steffy time to say goodbye.

Steffy explains to Rick that their being together reminds her dad that he was behind the wheel when Phoebe died. Brooke reminds Rick of his promise to stay away from Steffy and gives him and Steffy time to say their goodbyes - and this time, she wants them to mean it! After Brooke leaves, Rick asks Steffy why they have to live their lives for other people. Steffy thinks it's bigger than both of them, so it's out of their hands. Rick asks her to run away with him, but Steffy says that they can't run, because she can't turn her back on her father. Rick thinks they deserve to be happy, but Steffy states that she can't be happy causing her father pain. Rick begs her not to throw away what they share, since that only comes along once in a lifetime, but Steffy thinks they have no choice but to go their separate ways. "If you loved me, you'd understand that and say goodbye," she sighs. Realizing that this is it, Rick gives her back her engagement ring, but Steffy says that she can't take it back. Rick urges her to keep it in a safe place so she can take it out when she feels alone and know that he's always with her. Rick and Steffy then gaze at each other and share one last kiss.

Ridge is stunned by Taylor's revelation.

In Eric's office, Taylor tells a stunned Ridge that what she just said is true. He and Brooke are not husband and wife. Ridge doesn't see how that's possible, so Taylor explains about Pam's mistake with the marriage license application. Ridge is shocked that it happened and even more shocked when Taylor reveals that his mother knew about it and didn't tell him. She defends that Stephanie probably didn't want him getting upset about it with all the tension caused by Rick, but she realized later that Stephanie's decision to keep it to themselves was a mistake. Taylor then reminds Ridge that he could easily fix this by applying for a new marriage license, but she has to wonder if he wants to given that they seem to be the only ones who get what's going on with Rick and that Brooke refuses to help or support them. She can't understand Brooke's attitude, since she never treated Ridge that way when they were married. She asks Ridge if he ever thinks about those times. Ridge thinks the timing is less than ideal, but Taylor thinks it might be the perfect timing. Ridge admits that he's frustrated by Brooke's defense of her son. He always believed he and Brooke could get through anything, but he's not so sure when she keeps defending Rick. Taylor points out that Brooke has never lost a child, so she can't understand what they feel after tragically losing Phoebe. Ridge reminds her that Rick killed Phoebe. Taylor speculates that Rick thinks the world revolves around him. Ridge thinks that Rick's stunt with the video was sick, and to make matters worse, Brooke bought into it. He doesn't know if he and Brooke can make it if she keeps defending Rick.