Ridge joins Taylor for lunch at Il Giardino. She thanks him for inviting her, and is surprised when Thomas and James appear. It's a short visit as Dr. Warrick has to be back for a business meeting the next day. Ridge says now he is in the same boat as he is expected to stand by and just accept everything Rick does .or at least that is what Rick thinks. Thomas does not want his behavior to be excused. He realizes now just how wrong he was, but he doesn't want Ridge giving up on trying to stop Rick. Ridge assures him that he will do anything, whatever it takes, to protect Steffy from Rick. Ridge tells Taylor that he really needs Brooke to be supportive and be more active in solving this problem. She really needs to hear how Rick talks to him. Rick is careful about that. Steffy needs to hear it too. Before she leaves, Taylor and Ridge hug and she tells him that she has wasted a lot of energy doing foolish things, trying to get her life together and be happy again. She knows that the happiest time of her life has passed when she was with him and their kids. She's accepted that, but if something were to happen with him and Brooke, she wants Ridge to know that she will be there for him. He can always come to her. That will never change. Stephanie doesn't know why Nick is balking about making them a partnership. They can't lose. She offers to talk to their banker, Mr. Williams. Nick believes in her and tries to convince Jackie. Clark, Owen and Bridget are waiting in the wings with their ears strained against the door. They cheer when Stephanie and Nick shake hands on the deal. Clark remarks they always celebrate with pigs in a blanket around here. Bridget looks in Clark's desk and brings out a bottle of Irish whiskey .another tradition ..bring out the paper cups. They all give a toast and Stephanie says that is good cheap stuff. She wants to talk a little about the concept here at Jackie M's. If they are no longer going to have a signature style, then they need to find some young hot designers like Jason Wu. Bridget thinks Owen would be great at sniffing out some up and coming hot designers. Stephanie tells Clark that she keeps expecting to see Sally Spectra come through that door any minute. Clark pulls out a postcard from the Canary Islands and says that must be where she is as he got that in February. He reads her the postcard about Sally and her swarthy Spanish men and she's still teasing Clark about needing bail money. Stephanie thinks that is sweet. This is more a family than the one she was just thrown out of. Clark realizes that Stephanie never much liked him. She snickers that she wouldn't necessarily cross the street if she saw him coming. He asks if she might fire him as he is not 25 any more. He's not the next hot new thing. He admits that he designs and creates things for people who can not afford designer originals, but it reminds them of them. What he does here he can't really do anyplace else. He asks if he should date her to make Eric jealous? She laughs and says no but thanks for asking. Nick brings papers in to sign and wants to be sure Clark is not going anywhere. Stephanie says they need him as the keeper of the flame, someone with a memory ..in other words Nick can not fire him. Clark pours the whiskey. Brooke forgets an outing she had with Katie and Donna. They sit on her bed as she tells them about the planned wedding of Steffy and Rick and how upsetting this is to Ridge, and she feels she is caught in the middle. Jackie sneaks away to her loft and Owen shows up. He claims that she has been avoiding him ever since he kissed her. She's not that girlish so she was not offended. So he says she is not going to fire him, but she also is not giving him much to go on. She explains that there are different ways of dealing with things and one is to not deal with things .it happened .life goes on ..they move on. Coyly she asks Owen what does he see them doing. He answers that he'd like to see her with her clothes off. She laughs, so he wants a fling ..a nice sexual romp. She asks does he want a raise or a tumble. He says something private unless she thinks that would be too difficult. He'd rather not lose his job if he doesn't have to. She chuckles and tells him that she'd had more drama in her life than fifty people all rolled into one. And yes she is in favor of keeping things private and secret, but she is not going to lose any sleep over what the press might find out about her again. And to fire him, she would have to be cornered. He does have the power to dazzle her, but probably not to corner her. Owen says then she can take him or leave him. She answers that she didn't say that. Being unlucky in love doesn't even begin to cover her life. He retorts that they've all been lonely, but maybe their luck has changed. She says he could be a schemer, after her money, just wanting to climb the corporate ladder. And she might not even care. The real danger is to him. She tells him that he is very attractive and his youth is part of it. What he doesn't know is that his life is not going to turn out like he wants it to. He says he is not naive, he may surprise her. She agrees with that and she will tell him why. She whispers  because she expects nothing. "I refuse to want you badly." She says she may sleep with him, but she will not agonize over him. If he wants to see her without her clothes on, his will have to come off first.
Ridge: Thank you for meeting me. Taylor: Well, thank you for asking me. Meeting for brunch always feels so civilized. I don't know. Did I seem that fragile yesterday that you felt like you needed to check up on me? Ridge: Would that be so horrible? Taylor: Or maybe now that your mother's moved in with me, you might be thinking Brooke could end up in the Bermuda Triangle somewhere. Ridge: I think you'll be great for Mother. She needs family right now. Taylor: I think it'll be good for both of us. Ridge: I had a feeling you'd feel that way. Come on in. Thomas: Hey. Taylor: Thomas! Thomas. Thomas: Hi, Mom. Taylor: Oh. [SCENE_BREAK] Nick: Yes, of course. I understand your position, but there's a solution being worked on that's going to require patience from everyone. Jackie: Nicky will be done in a minute. Nick: Yes. Stephanie: Jackie, would you get me a coffee, black? Jackie: Well, I would, but I don't think hell's quite frozen over yet. (Chuckles) Stephanie: I'm here calmly negotiating a deal with you and your son. Jackie: For me and my son. [SCENE_BREAK] Clarke: (Meows) Catfight alert. Bridget: Clarke, what are you doing? Owen: Shh! Stephanie's in there. Clarke: And either they are going to sign her here and now, or they're gonna kill each other. Bridget: Oh, my God. Could you two possibly be more childish? Where's my big bag? If you're gonna do it, do it right. Owen: Ooh, yeah. Smart. Bridget: (Laughs) [SCENE_BREAK] Nick: We're aware of that, Mr. Williams. I promise you, this will all be addressed. Stephanie: David Williams, First L.A. Bank? Nick, do you want me to talk to him? Nick: Mr. Williams, I-I'm so sorry. I need to get back to you. You're connected to Mr. Williams? Stephanie: Well, I know everybody. I mean, unless I'm mistaken, isn't that why I'm here? Nick: What can you do? Stephanie: Well, I can do all sorts of things for 50% of the business. I don't know why you're balking at this. Nick: Well, like you said, Stephanie, who wants 50% of nothing? And why would we give you half of this company when we're not assured that you can actually produce? Stephanie: Um, let's see. We could stipulate... (Sighs) that if sales don't double in 18 months, my percentage of ownership returns to you. You can't lose then. Nick: (Sighs) You know, I might have a better idea here. Look at this, Stephanie. These are charted profits for the last eight quarters. Stephanie: (Sighs) These are the profits? How did you keep the door open? Nick: Here's the deal. If you produce, and profits go up to, say, let's say, here... Stephanie: Mm-hmm. Nick: You get 8% of the company, plus your salary. Stephanie: I don't want a salary. I don't need a salary. 12%, and if the sales double-- Nick: If the sales double, we'll make it at this number. Stephanie: Ownership points. Jackie: Nicky, are we giving away the farm? Nick: Capped at 50% of the company. You see, Stephanie? I believe in you. She will, too. Stephanie: Mm, speak now, or be ignored later when you're older and even more bitter. Jackie: Hmm. Stephanie: Uh, this all has to be based on gross. Otherwise, you could cook the books on me. Nick: That's doable. Stephanie: Well... (Laughs) I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, uh, I think we have a deal. Bridget: (Squeals) (Claps) Clarke: (Speaking indistinctly) Bridget: (Gasps) Nick: What's going on? Bridget: Oh, just we're-- we're happy. Clarke: Just happy. Bridget: Everybody's-- we're--we're-- everybody's happy. Clarke: Mm-hmm, very happy. Bridget: (Giggles) We're happy. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: (Sighs) Katie: Brooke, you better have a broken leg. Donna: (Imitating Brooke) "Oh, come to my circuit training class. It's the best." Brooke: Oh, I totally forgot. Donna: (Normal voice) And what--what kind of international school of sadism and bad manners did that instructor go to? Katie: (Foreign accent) For health reasons, do not get your sweat on the floor. Donna: (Laughs) Brooke: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I-I really don't know where my head is. Katie: (Normal voice) Why? What's wrong? Donna: Wha--what's wrong? Brooke: Well... (Sighs) nothing should be wrong. Ridge and I are newlyweds, and our kids are getting married. We should be happy. But... (sighs) Katie: This is about Rick, isn't it? [SCENE_BREAK] Taylor: So how long can you stay? James: Oh, we have to fly back this afternoon. I have to get back to meetings and appointments. Taylor: I love you so much. How's it going? Is everything okay? Thomas: Yeah, the clinic's nice. It's this old hacienda up in the hills, about 20 patients. Whether it's going well, you'll have to ask Dr. Warwick. James: Do I hear the sound of someone ducking a question? Thomas: I'm a lot more aware now than I was of how enraged I was getting watching Rick pick off the women in my family one by one. Taylor: Sweetheart, you were defending my honor. I was the one who was all caught up in these feelings, and I-- Thomas: You know, let's not blame ourselves. Taylor: (Sighs) Thomas: Let's blame Rick. Ridge: Now I'm in the position you're in. My wife and my daughter can't see what a manipulator he is, and all I can do is stand by and watch... or so Rick thinks. [SCENE_BREAK] Clarke: Oh, pigs in a blanket. That's how we celebrate around here. Stephanie: Ooh. Clarke: It's a tradition. Bridget: Hey, Clarke, I looked in your "desk," but all I found was this Irish whiskey. Clarke: Oh, that's another tradition. Uh, use the paper cups. Nick: Maybe that explains your productivity. Where did my mother go? Stephanie: I guess she doesn't want to celebrate our shotgun marriage. Nick: Well, if you make us solvent, she will. (Sniffing) Well, at least these smell good. Bridget: Okay, so I'm not gonna have any of this... (Clears throat) stuff at this hour, but... Stephanie: Oh, spoilsport. Bridget: Uh-huh. Stephanie: Come on. Nick: Thank you. Stephanie: Well, cheers? Nick: Cheers. Bridget: Cheers. Nick: (Exhales) Stephanie: (Coughs) Bridget: (Laughs) Stephanie: Ooh, that's good, cheap stuff. Bridget: Uh-huh. Clarke: (Sighs) Stephanie: (Sighs) Thank you, Clarke. Listen, I-I thought maybe we could talk a little bit about this, uh, concept from now on, okay? If--if Jackie M. is no longer going to have a signature style, and we're going to concentrate on finding young, hot designers-- Nick: Young and hot is a signature. Stephanie: Well, I guess you're right. I'm hoping that we'll find, besides Bridget, some Jason Wu types. Bridget: Oh, he's great. I'm--I think Owen would be great at sniffing out up- and-coming designers. Where did he go? [SCENE_BREAK] Owen: May I come in? Jackie: Yes. (Sighs) So how were the festivities? Owen: I didn't stick around. Jackie: Oh. Perhaps we should rename the company Jackie "M-barrassment." Owen: You've been avoiding me. Jackie: Mm, no. Owen: Yes. Since I kissed you. Jackie: (Chuckles) No, I haven't. Things have just been really crazy. Owen: Look, if I offended you, then I-- Jackie: Oh, please, I'm not that girlish. Owen: So are you gonna fire me? Jackie: And why would you ask that? Owen: Because you're not really giving me much to go on here. Jackie: You know, look, there are ways of dealing with things, and one of them is not to deal with things. It happened. Life goes on. We move on. Owen: Is that what you want? [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: (Sighs) Katie: So was this supposed to be some kind of olive branch from Rick, getting married where you and Ridge did? Brooke: Exactly. But Ridge saw red. To him, it was a way for Rick to violate the place that was so sacred to us. Katie: I'm sure it all goes back to Phoebe. Brooke: It's really very complicated. Rick is in love with Steffy, and I love my husband, but the weight of losing a child, it just affects everything, and everyone hurts. [SCENE_BREAK] James: I'm surprised Brooke hasn't intervened in what sounds like extreme behavior from her son. Ridge: Rick's her flesh and blood. It seems to make it easy to excuse almost anything. Taylor: (Sighs) Thomas: Don't do that with me. I mean it. I know that what I did to try to scare Rick off was wrong. But let me say now what I was trying to say then but didn't know how. Don't let him succeed. Don't give up and tell yourself, "Well, he has Steffy. We can't do anything. We can't stop him." Help her see that love is not what Rick is all about. Ridge: Thomas, I promise you this. Your mother and I are gonna do anything and everything to protect Steffy from Rick. [SCENE_BREAK] Jackie: So what do you see happening between us, Owen? Owen: I don't know. Jackie: Hmm. Well, there's really no point then, is there? Owen: I'd like to see you with your clothes off. Jackie: Oh. (Laughs) A fling, then. A nice sexual romp. Owen: I don't see any reason why we have to decide in advance. Jackie: Well, you wouldn't. You wouldn't be the one that people will be snickering about if they saw us out together spoon-feeding each other crème brûlée in a romantic restaurant. Owen: I don't really have the money for a romantic restaurant, to be honest with you. Jackie: I think it's time you decided. Do you want a raise or a tumble? Owen: I'd rather stay in. There is no risk of people snickering if they don't know anything. Jackie: Something secret, then? Owen: Something private. Jackie: Hmm. Owen: That is unless you feel that would be too difficult. Jackie: Difficult how? Owen: Well, I'd rather not lose my job if I didn't have to. Jackie: (Chuckles) Let me tell you something about me, Owen. I have had more drama in my life than... (scoffs) 50 people, you know, rolled into one. So, yes, I'm all in favor of keeping things private and secret, but I'm not gonna lose any sleep about what the press might find out about me again. Owen: Okay. Jackie: To fire you, I would have to feel cornered by you. Now you do have the power to dazzle me. But to corner me? Mnh-mnh. Owen: So you could take me or leave me? Jackie: I didn't say that. (Door closes) [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: (Laughs) I keep expecting, um, to see her walk through that door any moment. Clarke: Oh. What are the Islas Canarias? Stephanie: I believe those are the Canary Islands. Clarke: Then that must be where she is right now, because, uh, I got a postcard from her in February. Stephanie: Oh. I only got one at Christmas. Clarke: (Chuckles) All right, look, see? Here it is. Stephanie: Mm-hmm. Clarke: "Dear Bucky, I'm surrounded by swarthy, Spanish men. It's paradise, home to failures from all over the world. You'd love it." (Chuckles) "Kisses, Sal." Oh, "P.S. I'm at Casa Linda if you needed bail money." Stephanie: (Laughs) Clarke: She still worries about me. Stephanie: I see that. It's sweet. You know, this business is more of a family than the one my family threw me out of. [SCENE_BREAK] Taylor: Thomas is right. He's--he's absolutely right. Ridge: We cannot let this marriage happen. Taylor: I know. But what can we do we haven't already done? And every minute, this wedding gets closer and closer. Ridge: Well, Brooke needs to be more active in helping us solve this problem. That's all there is to it. Taylor: But it's so obvious that he's hurting you. He's trying to hurt both of us. Why can't she see that? And of course she doesn't hear the way he talks to you. Ridge: No, he's very careful about making sure that doesn't happen. But could it be possible? Taylor: I'm not following you. Ridge: Steffy needs to hear how he talks to me. Who says it has to be in person? [SCENE_BREAK] Jackie: There are a lot of women my age who can look back on very happy marriages, loving homes full of laughter. (Scoffs) I'm not one of them. "Unlucky in love" doesn't even begin to cover it. Owen: We've all been lonely. Maybe our luck has changed. Jackie: You could be a schemer. You could be after my money, just wanting to climb the corporate ladder. Owen: Yeah. Is that what you think? Jackie: No. (Chuckles) And I might not care if you were, because the real danger here is to you. You know you're very attractive, and your youth is part of it. What you don't know yet is that your life isn't going to turn out as you want it to. Owen: I'm not naive, Jackie. I may surprise you. Jackie: Oh, that I guarantee, and I'll tell you why. (Whispering) Because I expect nothing. (Normal voice) I refuse to want you badly. I may sleep with you, but I won't agonize over you. And if you want to see me with my clothes off, yours are gonna have to come off first. [SCENE_BREAK] Clarke: You never liked me, did you? Stephanie: Well, I wouldn't necessarily cross the street if I saw you coming. Clarke: You know they're gonna do whatever you say. Stephanie: They should. Clarke: So are you gonna fire me? Look, I'm not 25. I'm not the next hot thing anymore, okay? I design and create clothes for people who can't afford designer originals, but it reminds them of them. What I'm saying is what I do here, I really can't do anywhere else. Stephanie: I see. Clarke: So, um, you want me to date you to make Eric jealous? Stephanie: (Laughs) No. Clarke: (Chuckles) Stephanie: But I adore you for asking. Thank you, Clarke. Nick: We have a contract. Stephanie: Aha! Nick: Bridget. Stephanie, I need you to sign three different pages and initial below each signature. Legal says that we need two witnesses. Clarke, you're not planning on going anywhere, are you? Clarke: I don't know. Am I? Stephanie: We need a keeper of the flame. Nick: And do we have the unknown soldier here? Stephanie: Well, what we need is someone with a memory who can recall what this design house was when it was Spectra and before you bought the label, somebody, I guess, who can, uh, keep an eye on the, uh, hot, young designers that we're going to hire who will realize if they're repeating and copying one another and, um, someone, if we are in business long enough together who will realize if we're copying our own style-- somebody for continuity. Nick: So in other words, I can't fire Clarke. Stephanie: Right. Clarke: Does that mean I get a promotion? Stephanie and Nick: No. Clarke: "Keeper of the flame"-- does that go on my door? Stephanie and Nick: No. Clarke: Should I just go ahead and pour the whiskey? Stephanie and Nick: Yes. Nick: (Groans) (Exhales) [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: I should be going. But first, there's a conversation I need to have with my wife. Taylor: There was something I-I had wanted to say to you, but I just didn't quite know how to get into it. But, you know, I-- (Sighs) I have wasted a lot of energy doing a lot of foolish things, trying to search for a way to get-- get my life together and--and be happy again a-and have meaning in my life, and--and at the same time, I-I've known that I'm only setting myself up for disappointment, because the fact is that... (Sighs) I know that the happiest part of my life has already passed, and that was when I had my life with you and our children. And I'm okay with that. I-I've accepted it that... (Laughs) that was it for me. You were it. You were all I ever wanted, and--and I'm okay with whatever ends up happening. If--if things don't work out for you and Brooke, and--and if you reach an impasse, I-I just want you to know you're not alone, and I'm here for you. You've always been right here in my heart. You-- (Laughs) I just want you to know you can come to me. Ridge: (Sighs) Taylor: That'll never change. Ridge: (Sighs)