Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Episode #6250

Donna listens as Stephanie questions Pam.

In Ridge's office, with Brooke and Donna still watching, Stephanie calls Pam out for betraying the family by stealing from them over a crush and some imagined disrespect. Pam claims she was heartbroken, confused and upset by Stephanie's lack of support of her engagement to Stephen. Stephanie argues that she didn't try to break Pam and Stephen up, but Pam sighs that her sister just ignored her and Stephen, barely tolerating them rather than welcoming Stephen into the family. Stephanie states that she and Stephen share a mutual dislike, and she puts forth that Stephen didn't leave L.A. because of her and rather ran off like he always does. When Pam seems skeptical, Stephanie tells her to just ask Brooke or Donna about Stephen's habit of running off. Pam asks Stephanie to forgive her, Stephanie asks Brooke and Donna for a moment with her sister. Once Brooke and Donna leave, Pam expresses surprise that her sister doesn't seem that angry; Stephanie insists she is furious and amazed because she doesn't know who her sister is anymore.

Pam pleads with her sister.

Pam reminds Stephanie of the years she spent in Chicago, caring for their mother while Stephanie enjoyed a full family life there in L.A. Stephanie insists that she wanted Pam to find a life like hers, so Pam asks her sister why she never did anything to show that. Stephanie says that Stephen wasn't worthy of Pam. Pam states that it's not for Stephanie to decide that, but Stephanie says it is her place to decide what comes next. Pam sobs that she can't lose Stephanie and says she's sorry, but Stephanie can't dismiss the theft as just another prank. Stephanie suggests that Eric and Ridge will never forgive Pam, who begs Stephanie not to turn her back on her. Stephanie states that Pam nearly ruined the company, but that's not as significant to her as the fact that Pam betrayed her is. "You have to go," Stephanie tells Pam. Walking Pam to the elevator, Stephanie snipes that she hopes it was worth it, and she bids Pam goodbye as the elevator door closes.

Katie offers some insight to Liam.

Liam is at the cliff house, staring at his wedding ring when Katie drops by. Liam asks if she made up with his dad. She says that it will take time. Liam tells her that she was right. She clarifies that she wasn't right about Steffy being part of Bill's scheme, but she doesn't feel that Steffy's lack of participation negates all her other lies. Liam tells her that Steffy moved out to give him the space he needs. Katie reminds him that there are some things he just shouldn't tolerate, but he counters that he can say the same thing about her. Katie sighs that she loves Bill so much, but she doesn't know if he can change. She wishes she could find a man who trusts her enough not to lie to her and wonders if she and Liam are kidding themselves about who Bill and Steffy really are. As Liam considers that idea, Katie wipes her eyes and tells Liam that Steffy will never change, which means his marriage won't change, either.

Steffy points out an annoying quality of Hope's.

Steffy enters her office and finds her dad on the phone with security, checking for any new leads on the identity of the creep who stole from them. Ending his call, Ridge tells Steffy how amazed he is at at her miraculous recovery. When Steffy shrugs off the "miracle," Ridge asks her what's going on. She tells him that she moved out because of the misunderstanding she and Liam had, but she assures that she's not giving up on her marriage and states that she just wants to give Liam some space. Ridge doesn't think Liam should need space to get his head together and heads over to talk to his son-in-law. As Ridge leaves, Steffy sends Liam a text message stating that she loves him and wants to work things out. Hope drops in and asks Steffy if she's OK; Steffy snarks that her father-in-law made it look like she was dying and now her husband may leave her over that, sarcastically asking Hope how she's supposed to feel. Hope asks if Ridge knows about Bill's plot; Steffy states that she didn't tell him since revealing the truth would do little more than embarrass Liam. When Hope agrees that keeping quiet is a wise move, Steffy quips about how annoying it is to realize that Hope is actually kind of likable.

Hope and Brooke talk with Steffy.

Brooke comes in looking for Ridge. Spotting her daughter and step-daughter together, she asks if everything's OK. Both young ladies assure that they're fine. Wondering if Brooke is hoping to gripe about her to Ridge as usual, Steffy reveals that she moved out to give Liam some space. When Brooke says that she's sorry, Steffy explains that giving Liam space doesn't guarantee he's going to leave her. Stating how clear it is to her that Liam wants Hope, Brooke commends Steffy for being courageous enough to move out and advises her not to move back. After Brooke leaves, Steffy observes how confident her step-mother seemed. Hope thinks it's because of what her mom saw tonight. Seeing Steffy wince at that comment, Hope states that she doesn't want to hurt Steffy, but she thinks Steffy has a right to know how Liam looked at her tonight. Calling Hope out for all her talk about morals and principles, Steffy asserts, "I'm still his wife" and clarifies that her giving Liam space is not an invitation for him to hang out with Hope and is simply a reminder of where he belongs.

Ridge offers some direction to Liam.

At the cliff house, Liam reads the text Steffy sent him. Ridge arrives and spots the phone in Liam's hand, suggesting that his son-in-law call his wife. Ridge then asks Liam how he could let Steffy move out. Liam says that it's complicated, since it's a culmination of things that started over Steffy's lies in Aspen and peaked during their time in Cabo. Ridge doesn't blame his daughter for her actions since he's seen the way Liam and Hope look at each other. Liam still thinks Steffy should have told him that Hope was in Cabo, but Ridge doesn't see why that matters and urges Liam to stay true to his wife. Liam asks how he's supposed to stay true to someone who manipulates him. Stating that Steffy's lies are rooted in her insecurities with men, Ridge urges Liam not to punish Steffy for being insecure. Liam wonders why someone smart and funny like Steffy is insecure. Ridge attributes it to childhood insecurities she built up when he walked out on her; while he has to live with guilt over doing that, he doesn't want Liam to live with that guilt as well and urges Liam to stay in his marriage. Ridge then notes how proud he is seeing Steffy married to Liam, adding that Bill shares that sentiment. Liam sighs at the mention of Bill's name, prompting Ridge to ask if Bill is somehow involved in the tension in Liam and Steffy's marriage. Liam hints that Bill might be involved. Ridge tells Liam that marriages hit rough times, citing his own marriage to Brooke as an example. Noting how he and Brooke made it past all the obstacles, Ridge predicts that Liam and Steffy can do the same if Liam will only call Steffy and get her back.

Liam thinks about what he and Hope talked about.

After Ridge leaves, Liam gets a call from Hope; she tells him that she just wanted to hear his voice. Liam assumes she had an eventful day. She tells him that she doesn't want to pressure him, but she knows he has a lot to think about. Liam tells her that she's not pressuring him, so she tells him to get some sleep and they can talk in the morning. Liam tells her, "I love you." She responds, "I love you, too," and ends the call. Alone in their respective locations, they remain deep in thought and consider what's ahead of them.