Brooke laments to Katie that Rick and Taylor's open relationship will prove to the judge that she is not stable. Brooke is devastated and Taylor elated when the judge orders joint custody to her and Nick. Taylor looks at Brooke and tells Nick that this is the best with two stable homes. No one should be able to interfere with that. Back home, Nick tells Katie that he wanted Jack's life to be perfect, but he can live with this arrangement. Storm fantasizes about giving Ashley some earrings and she calls him a sexy amazing man. She turns them down when he does present them to her, but he wants to pursue their relationship and not let Ridge interfere. He's called to Nick's where Katie fills him in on Brooke's involvement and about Rick and Taylor being engaged. Brooke insists to Taylor that they need to talk about Rick. She is shocked she went along with the engagement; she thought this was about revenge. Stating that Taylor has won Jack, she can let Rick go. Katie thinks it is promising that Storm is seeing Ashley, but disarmed when he tells her that he was fired at Forrester's. Nick overhears Storm tell Katie that Ridge is trying to ruin this and perhaps has already told her that he shot Stephanie and framed his father. He will stop Ridge. Brooke pleads with Taylor to end this engagement now and not marry her son. Rick overhears and admonishes his mother to stop this and asks Taylor to believe him, not this woman who wants to take her baby son away from her.
(Voices whispering indistinctly) Katie: (Sighs) Brooke: What is taking the judge so long? Katie: It's only been a few minutes. Brooke: Well, it doesn't take ten seconds to see how wrong this is. Look at them. Katie: This isn't about Rick and Taylor. Brooke: Their relationship is going to prove to the judge that she is unstable. [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: You doing okay? Taylor: I'm a nervous wreck. Rick: You upset that I mentioned that I asked you to marry me? Taylor: (Sighs) Rick: I-I just-- I wanted to prove that this is not just a fling. Taylor: (Sighs) Brooke: Rick should have stayed home. The judge is never going to give Taylor custody of Jack now. (Voices whispering indistinctly) [SCENE_BREAK] Ashley: Hello? May I help you? Storm: Hi. Ashley: Hi, Storm. Something I can do for you? Storm: Yeah, I was, uh, wondering if you could take these off my hands. Ashley: What is it? Storm: Far less than you deserve. Ashley: They're gorgeous. Ashley: Thank you, you sexy, generous, amazing man. Storm: (Sighs) Ashley: Hello? May I help you? Storm: Surprise. Ashley: What are you doing here, Storm? Storm: Well, is there a reason why I shouldn't be? Ashley: I just wasn't expecting you. Storm: Well, it wouldn't be a surprise if you did. Ashley: Right. Something I can do for you? Storm: Yes, actually, I need your help. Ashley: It's not really a good time. I've go a lot of-- Storm: I-I know. I know. I just need a second, though. I've been working on a little chemistry experiment. (Clears throat) you know, it's amazing what a little time... (drops objects in container) and a grain of sand can do to ordinary calcium carbonate. Voila-- instant chemical reaction. Science is amazing, isn't it? Ashley: I really - I-I can't accept these. Storm: No, please. (Sighs) it's my way of apologizing to you. Ashley: For what? Storm: I've done something wrong. [SCENE_BREAK] (Voices whispering indistinctly) Judge freedman: Take your seats, please. This hearing is resumed. Taylor: (Sighs) It didn't take him very long to deliberate. Rick: Maybe that's a good thing. Judge Freedman: I'm prepared to make my ruling. I've considered all the statements I've heard today, including yours, miss Logan, and though I do think that calling yourself his biological mother overstates your position, still, I think your opinions cannot be dismissed. And as the mother of the young man that Taylor Marone is engaged to, I can understand and sympathize with your concerns. But the relationship between your grown son and Dr. Marone has no legal bearing on this case, and I can't think of any reason why his involvement with the child should be detrimental. Brooke: Of course, Rick wouldn't be detrimental to Jack. I wasn't suggesting that. But this relationship proves that Taylor's state of mind is-- Judge Freedman: Uh, excuse me, miss Logan. Personally, I think that having a man like Rick seems to be in her life could be a stabilizing influence. And the psychological evaluation submitted to this court states that Dr. Marone has come a long way towards achieving that stability on her own. So it's the ruling of this court that custodial rights of Dr. Taylor Marone be restored... Taylor: (Gasps) Judge Freedman: And the child of the parties be granted joint custody forthwith. Please, have your attorneys draw up an order to that effect and an agreement... Taylor: (Crying) Judge freedman: As to the times and places of the child's residence submitted to me as soon as possible. Mr. Marone, I expect you to return your son to Dr. Marone today. Taylor: Thank you. Thank you, your honor. Thank you. Judge freedman: This hearing's adjourned. Taylor: (Sighs) And thank you. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you. Rick: (Laughs) Nick: Jack will be glad to see you. Taylor: Thank you. Thank you, Nick, for what you said to the judge. Nick: Well, it's time to move on, isn't it, get back to being Jack's parents? Taylor: I can't wait. Rick: Yes, Nick, thank you, really. Nick: Well, the judge made the call. Taylor: But you agree with his ruling? You feel safe with me being with Jack? Nick: You say you're ready. Taylor: I am. I am ready, Nick you don't have to worry about me and I-I do want to pick him up today. Nick: Okay. Give me some time to get his things together. Taylor: This-- this is the best thing we could be doing for Jack-- his two parents and two stable homes. We can't let anything-interfere with that. [SCENE_BREAK] Ashley: You've done something wrong? Storm: Well, I must have, since you're not returning my calls. Ashley: Oh. Sorry. Storm: No. No, I'm sorry. For whatever it is I've done, I hope this makes up for it. Ashley: It's really not necessary. Storm: No. No, actually, it is, Ashley. For me, it is. I, um-- I like making you happy and showing you how much I appreciate you. And yes, I might be getting ahead of myself since we haven't been seeing each other that long, but I don't know. I, uh-- I feel some potential between us, and for me, that's rare. And I was kind of hoping we could make that grow if you're willing to take the chance. We just-- we just can't let Ridge ruin it for us. Ashley: What does Ridge have to do with anything? Storm: Well, I saw you talking with him at the restaurant, and you said you were talking about business, right? Ashley: Mm-hmm. That's--that's right. Storm: And you haven't seen him since? He hasn't mentioned me? Ashley: No. Storm: Hmm. Yeah. You wouldn't lie to me, would you, Ashley? (Cell phone rings) Ashley: Somebody wants you. (Laughs) Storm: Yeah. (Rings) Storm: (Clears throat) Hello. Storm Logan here. Katie: Hey, it's me. The hearing's over. Storm: Oh, good. Yeah, how'd it go? Katie: Not the way Brooke would have liked. Storm: Well, is there anything I can do to help? Katie: Yeah, actually, there is something you can do for Nick. I told him that you could draw up some papers. You could do it right away. Storm: Uh, well, I'm actually kind of in the middle of something here, Katie. Katie: Oh, please, please, Storm, just do it for me. Meet me at Nick's. Storm: Okay. I'll see you later. Bye. Well... (sighs) I have to go-- a family emergency. So, um, I guess I'll see you later. Ashley: Bye. Storm: Mm. [SCENE_BREAK] (Door closes) Nick: Jack should be waking up soon. Katie: Well, if you want, you can wake him up, spend some time with him before he goes. Nick: No, no, no, no. He gets cranky when he doesn't wake up on his own. I don't want to send him over to Taylor's like that. Plus, we have visitation papers to do. Katie: Storm's on his way over. Nick: (Sighs) Joint custody. Katie: It's what you wanted. Nick: What I wanted was for this boy to be raised by his mom and dad under the same roof like a real family. Katie: You are a real family, even if you don't live together. Nick: I just wanted his life to be perfect. Nick: (Sighs) Taylor's not gonna pick him up for a while. I think I'm gonna go sit with him for a bit. Katie: Okay. Nick: (Whispers) Yeah. (Doorbell rings) Storm: Somebody call a lawyer? Katie: (Laughs) Don't joke. Storm: Okay, I won't. What's going on? Katie: Well, the judge restored Taylor's custody today. He wants Nick and Taylor to draw up visitation papers as soon as possible. Storm: Well, that should be pretty simple if nobody contests it. Katie: Well, the one person who wants to can't. Storm: Brooke? Katie: Yeah. The judge made it pretty clear what her position is in this case. Storm: Well, legally, she doesn't have one. Katie: Exactly. Storm: Hmm. So how did she take that? Katie: Not very well. She doesn't think Taylor is ready to be a mother to Jack. Storm: Hmm. Went down swinging? Katie: At everyone. She said a lot of hurtful things to Taylor and to Rick. Storm: Why Rick? Katie: Oh, he was there. Apparently, Taylor and Rick are engaged. Storm: Excuse me? Katie: Hmm. Storm: Wow. Okay. Well, Brooke must be going out of her mind. Katie: Hopefully, that's not the only reason Taylor said yes. Uh, well, cheer me up, please. What's going on with you? Storm: Um... yeah, y-you don't want to know. Katie: It's not good? Storm: Well, I mean, no. It should be good. It should be great, actually, if it wasn't for Ridge. Katie: W-what's he done? Storm: Ashley Abbott. He's just trying to ruin everything for me. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: Taylor, wait. We need to talk. Taylor: No, we don't. The judge made a ruling, and I'm going to get my child now. Brooke: We need to talk about Rick. Taylor: Is that why you're still waiting around, so you can congratulate me? Brooke: Rick is a very generous and caring man, and I'm not surprised that he wanted to help you. But to propose marriage? I mean, quite frankly, I'm shocked that you went along with it. I thought this whole thing was about revenge. Taylor: Oh, I know. That's what you told the judge, isn't it? Or--or wait. Was it that I'm crazy? Brooke: Look, it doesn't really matter. You got custody of Jack. You won, and now you can let Rick go. Taylor: I won? Brooke: You got what you wanted. Taylor: The satisfaction of having beat you, the joy of being able to get my child back-- that only matters because I've upset you? And now because I've upset you, I should just get rid of Rick? Is that really the way you see this? Brooke: I'm sure that Rick cares about you. Taylor: And I care about him. Brooke: Well, if you do, if you truly do, then you would break off this engagement. Taylor: I am not using him, Brooke. I do care about him. My feelings for him are real. But, of course, I'm sure the way your mind thinks, you really can't see it that way. That must drive you crazy. I can just see you lying awake at night wondering if Rick and I are making love. Brooke: Are you? Are you having sex with my son? [SCENE_BREAK] Katie: You and Ashley Abbott? I think that's great. That's promising. Storm: Well, I mean, we've only gone out on a couple dates, but I don't know. We really connected. Katie: Good. Storm: Yeah. Except that must have made Ridge jealous 'cause he fired me. Katie: What? Storm: Well, never subtle, that guy, right? In spite of the fact that he's engaged to our sister. Katie: Does Brooke know about this? Storm: Oh, yeah. He got her involved. She told me to stop seeing Ashley. Katie: No, she didn't. Storm: Yeah, she told me that there was plenty of other fish in the sea. Katie: Mm. Storm: (Sighs) She just doesn't get it. I don't know, Katie. Ashley might be the one for me, and it's been a long time since I felt this way about somebody... well, maybe never. And you know me. Once something, or someone, affects me, it's just-- I don't know. E-either way, I-I like her. Katie: Well, I think it's great. I'm totally supportive of this. I hope you're happy. Well, I would be happy if Ridge weren't lurking around. Katie: Oh, forget about Ridge. Who cares what he thinks? What's important is what you and Ashley feel. Storm: Yeah. Well, not to the Forresters. I mean, anything good happens to the Logans, they jump in and turn it ugly. And if they can turn us against each other in the process,fÑ6 all the better. Katie: Well, Brooke has her own agenda. She wants to make Ridge happy, but that shouldn't affect you. Storm: Well, it does affect me. It bothers me that Ridge is trying to manipulate Ashley and turn her against me. Katie: How? Storm: I think he's been telling stories about me. Katie: Oh, come on. She's not gonna fall for that junior high nonsense. What has he said? Storm: Something that could get me thrown in jail for a very long time. Katie: He wouldn't. Storm: I think he's already told her. Katie: No. You think he's told Ashley that you shot Stephanie and framed our father for it? Storm: Well, she denies it, but I think she knows the truth. (Floorboard squeaks) Storm: What was that? Katie: Uh, Nick is upstairs. Storm: What? Katie, what? I can't be talking about this. I thought we were alone. Katie: I know. I know. That's why I can't believe Ridge would say anything. Storm: Well, I'm telling you he did, Katie. I can feel Ashley pulling away from me. But I'll tell you something. I'm not gonna let Ridge ruin this for me. I swear to God, I am gonna stop him. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: Are you and Rick sleeping together? Tell me the truth. Taylor: No. Brooke: So you and Rick haven't... Taylor: Not yet. Brooke: Because your conscience won't let you. Taylor: Whatever you want to think, Brooke. Brooke: It's not right, Taylor. You know it. Taylor: I have to go find Rick now, and I need to go pick up my son. Brooke: No, wait, please. Jack... Taylor: What about him? Brooke: I need a place in his life. Can you give that to me? Taylor: Nick and I have joint custody. If you want to see Jack, then you know who to talk to. I'm sure you can work out some kind of arrangement. Or maybe you wouldn't even have to be doing that if you had gone back to Nick. Brooke: All I ever wanted was to make sure that Jack was safe. Taylor: If Nick isn't worried, then you shouldn't be, either. Brooke: (Sobbing) I can't help it. Taylor: Brooke, you were supposed to be married by now. With your two young children, you were supposed to be a family. I don't know what you're waiting for. Jack was never supposed to be a part of your life. Your role in his conception was an accident. He may have your genes, but he isn't your son. Brooke: (Sighs) it doesn't feel that way. I mean, you-- you of all people, should understand that. I know that in my mind, but... (sighs) I-I don't know that in my heart, Taylor. Look, right now, I am speaking about my son Rick. I am very worried about him, and I love him very much. And I am begging you, as one mother to another, to please, please, break off this engagement. It is only going to hurt everybody involved, and I am asking you to end it. End it now before it's too late. Rick: All right, you know, I've had enough of this. Taylor, who are you gonna listen to? My mother, the woman who tried to take your child away from you, or are you gonna listen to me, the man who loves you? Brooke: Rick, stop it! Taylor, if you have any decency at all, you will not marry my son.