With Bridget listening in at the door, Brooke continues to tell Nick that she doesn't want her daughter hurt by him again. Bridget is incensed that her mother would stab her in the back and reveal something she had told her in confidence. She accuses her mother of collecting these men and not making up her mind which ones she wants. She calls her selfish and manipulative, and even Nick sides with Bridget. Bridget advises her mom to leave Nick alone, it's too late. This is not about Bridget, this is all about Brooke and her juggling act. She vows she is not going to let her mother control her life and choices any more, and how dare she say she is trying to protect her. She reads Brooke the riot act about her destiny and puts Brooke on the spot by asking  now or never  does she want Ridge or does she want Nick? Nick overhears and announces that he would like the answer to that as well. Pam takes over at Forrester's as the receptionist, telling Eric that the new receptionist was hitting the tequila and unable to continue. Pam convinces Eric that she really wants to work there and be part of the company. She can't wait to gloat to Donna, ask her honey bear, she is now part of the company. Donna has a problem with this and spills to Eric. Eric questions Pam and she in turn sweetly apologizes to Donna for being overly protective of her big sister. Donna declines the apple pie that Pam offers to make. Eric suggests they have coffee after work and get to know each other better. Bridget tells her mother that she can't have it both ways. One of them is going to leave tonight and one is going to stay. Brooke didn't realize Bridget's feelings for Nick ran that deep until Bridget declares that she is not the one that is going to be leaving tonight. She heads upstairs. Nick tells Brooke that he's going upstairs too. He's getting old and he's not going to sit around waiting on a dream that may never happen. He warns her that he really thought he would be going upstairs with her.
Brooke: I am trying to protect my daughter. I don't want her life to be ripped apart again. You can't get involved with Bridget, Nick. You just can't let that happen. Bridget: Mother, how can you do this to me? How dare you just stand there and stab me in the back like that? [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: Oh, Eric, this is such wonderful news, and I just know you can make it happen. Your wife is gonna be so happy. Eric: Mm-hmm. Pam: There you are, Donna. Have you been lurking there at the door? Donna: Well, promotions is plowing full speed ahead on the new Eric Forrester ad campaign. Eric: Good. Donna: I think you'll be pleased. Eric: That's great, Donna. Pam: Oh, and in case you haven't already heard, Eric just offered Stephanie to stay on here at Forrester. Eric: That's, of course, if legal says that I can do it without jeopardizing the buyout. Donna: Well, I think that's only fair. I'll certainly try to have an amicable relationship. You know, Eric and I are--are getting married, but yeah, I'm sure we can find some room for Stephanie. You know, we still have that office near the sewing room, don't we? Pam: That's awfully generous of you, Donna. I think you and Stephanie are gonna get along just fine. (Intercom buzzes) Pam: Ooh, uh... Eric Forrester's office. May I help you? Oh, uh, he's-- he's in a meeting right now. Could I take a message? Yes. Okay, great. Um, thank you very much. You have a nice day. (Laughs) Eric: Pam, you didn't have to do that. Pam: Oh, it's my pleasure. It actually makes me feel like I'm part of the company. Eric: You know, we just-- we just hired a new receptionist, uh, Margie, but, uh, she's on a lunch break right now. Would you like to fill in for her? Pam: (Gasps) I would love to. Eric: Good. Thank you. Donna: Can you come down to the art department with me and approve some new photos of your ad campaign, please? Pam: More nude photos of Eric? You gonna use that one of him on the ledge outside your apartment? (Telephone rings) Pam: I'll get that. (Laughs) (rings) Pam: Forrester Creations. Uh, could you hold, please? [SCENE_BREAK] Bridget: I can't believe what I just heard you say after what I told you in confidence, Mother! Brooke: Honey, I know you think you know what's going on here, but please, just give me a moment to explain. I was only trying to protect you. Bridget: Protect me? From what, you? Brooke: No, of course not. I know how hurt you were when you broke it off with Nick. I just didn't want to see that happen again. Bridget: So stupid. To think I thought I could trust my own mother. You are incredibly two-faced. Brooke: Bridget, don't! Bridget: I opened up to you about Nick and gave you every opportunity to say, "No, don't pursue a relationship with him because I'm still in love with him." But that is not what you did, Mother. You led me to believe that you wouldn't interfere. And yet, here you are, behind my back begging Nick not to get involved with me. How am I supposed to react? You say one thing to my face and something entirely different behind my back! Brooke: Look, I know. I know. And I shouldn't have done that, but I saw Ridge out of the corner of my eye at the doorway, and I knew I had to come up with something. Now I just knew that he would never accept the truth. Nick: Ridge wouldn't accept the truth, so you lied? Brooke: Nick, please. Bridget: He's right. You have a problem, Mother. You collect these men, and then you can't let go of them. When you're with Nick, you want to be with Ridge, and when you're with Ridge, you want to be with Nick. You can never truly be with the man that you're with because you always want what you can't have. You know, it's cruel to everyone involved, but it is especially cruel to me, your daughter. Brooke: Honey, I don't mean to be cruel. Bridget: Oh, I know. I know. Brooke: It's just that I-- Bridget: I know. I know. You're just so confused, and you're also cruel, narcissistic, insensitive and very, very selfish. Brooke: Are you gonna say something? Nick: I think your kid has a point. [SCENE_BREAK] Pam: You have a nice day. Oh, you must be Margie. Margie: Yes. Yes, I am. Who are you? Pam: Oh, um, it--it doesn't matter who I am. Mr. Forrester told me to tell you that, uh, it's--it's not working out. Margie: What's not working out? Pam: You, deary. I'm replacing you. Margie: But it's only my first day. Mr. Forrester said that I could go for a coffee. Pam: I'm so sorry, but, uh, here, take this. It's your severance package. You have a nice day. (Telephone rings) Pam: Forrester Creations. May I help you? Margie: But this doesn't seem... Pam: Um, excuse me. Could--could I put you on hold for a second? Um, what part of the word "scram" don't you understand? Now just take your little envelope and skedaddle, or I'll call security. Margie: (Sobs) Pam: Uh, I'm so sorry to put you on hold. Um, Mr. Forrester's in a meeting right now. Um, could I take a message? Mm-hmm. All righty. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: I can't believe that you feel that way. Nick: Are you listening to yourself? Brooke: You don't believe that I have genuine concern for my daughter? Nick: I believe you have genuine concern. I think you crossed the line. Bridget: You know, Mom, this is really none of your business. It's not your decision to make. This is between Nick and me. Jack: (Crying) Brooke: Okay, that's Jack. I-I'm gonna get him a bottle and change him. Nick: I'll deal with Jack. You deal with this. Jack: (Crying) Bridget: All right, Mother, it's just you and me now. Can you please tell me the truth? Brooke: The truth is that I love you. Bridget: (Laughs) Brooke: And I just don't want to see you get hurt, and what I was saying to Nick was out of my genuine concern for you. Bridget, honey, I know. I know that I have hurt you in the past. Bridget: How can you say this? I walked in and heard you telling Nick not to get involved with me. Bridget: I gave up my marriage and put my own feelings for Nick aside so that you two could try to make it work. Brooke: (Sighs) Bridget: Here we are again. Here we are again, and you still can't make up your mind whether you want to be with Ridge or Nick. So guess what, Mom? It's too late. You can't have it both ways. So why don't you just leave Nick alone? This is my life. Please, please, don't do this to me again. [SCENE_BREAK] Eric: Pam, the--the--the new girl's not back? Pam: Oh, you mean Margie? Eric: Yeah. Pam: Um, she came back all right, but she was in no condition to work. Eric: In no condition to-- she just went out for a coffee. Pam: Ooh, I think she might have had something a little stronger than coffee. Eric: What? Pam: Tequila. Eric: Tequila? Pam: Yeah. But not--not to worry. I can handle all the calls. Eric: Well, you shouldn't have to do that... she seemed a lot more together than that. Look, uh, you don't need to do all this. I-I'm gonna have Donna call the temp agency. We'll get somebody out here right away. Pam: Oh, no, no. You don't have to do that, Eric. I-I actually enjoy doing this. It makes me feel like part of the family. You know, part of the company. Eric: Pam, you are part of the family already. Pam: I know, and I really am grateful for that. But I'd like to feel more useful. I know this is a lot to ask, Eric, but I'd really like to work here. Eric: W-work here? What--what--what about Ann? Your moth-- doesn't your mother need you? Pam: Oh. No. Trust me, she's fine. Anyway, she's traveling for the next few months. I-I don't want to put you on the spot or anything, but it would mean so much to me to be given this opportunity. (Telephone rings) Pam: (Sighs) (rings) Eric: Well, all right, you--you have a job. Pam: (Gasps) oh, Eric, thank you so much. Mm. You won't be disappointed. (Rings) Pam: I promise. Eric: Okay. All right. Pam: I'd better get that. Eric: All right. Pam: Forrester Creations. May I help you? Oh, I will transfer you. Pam: (Inhales) Donna: What--what are you-- what are you doing, Pam? Where's Margie? Pam: Oh, um, Margie left. Well, I guess I should be the first one to give you the good news. I work here now. I'm the new receptionist at Forrester Creations. (Laughs) Donna: (Laughs) No. No way. Pam: Yeah, way. Ask your honey bear. He just hired me. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: I was just fighting to protect you. I did what I thought was right for you. Bridget: Don't give me that, Mom. You have had so many men. This is just another one of your... weird juggling acts. It's not about me. This is all about you. Brooke: (Sighs) I was just... (sighs) protecting you, and all I really did was end up hurting you. I'm sorry. Bridget: (Scoffs) spare me. Those words mean nothing to me coming out of your mouth. You know, I'm not gonna let you try to control my life anymore. Who I love and how I love them is my business, because I deserve my chance at happiness now. Don't you dare try to take that away from me again. [SCENE_BREAK] (Telephone rings) Donna: Pam out there is claiming to be Forrester's newest employee. Eric: Yeah, I just hired her to be the new receptionist. (Phone ringing) Donna: W-why-- why would you do that? Where's Margie? Eric: There was a problem with her. She didn't work out. Donna: We were gone for 15 minutes. What kind of problem could there have been? Eric: Well, I mean, she had issues, you know-- issues that we weren't aware of. (Telephone ringing) Donna: I-I-issues? W-what--what kind of issues? Eric: Uh, well, it doesn't matter. The fact is we need somebody competent out there on the desk. Listen to the phones. Oh, my God. Donna: So you hired Stephanie's twisted sister out there? Eric: You have a problem with this, don't you? Donna: Yes, I have a problem with this, Eric. She threatened me, okay? I-I know she said she didn't mean it, but she can't be in this building. She threatened to kill me. (Knock on door) Pam: Yoo-hoo! Oh. Sorry. Am--am I interrupting something? [SCENE_BREAK] Bridget: Mother, I have managed my life with class and restraint. And I've stayed out of your personal business with Nick 'cause I didn't want to be involved in your affairs. But I watched you weave yourself in and out of Nick's life, always being sold on the same bill of goods, your "destiny." Was it Ridge this time, or is it gonna be Nick? Or--or do you even know? 'Cause frankly, Mother, I don't think destiny exists for you. I think it's just a way of, you know, keeping all of your options open, your need to be desired and loved by every man that gets close to you. Well, I am done watching. The best times of my life were spent with Nick, and I'd be willing to bet the best time of his life was when he was married to me. Now we might not have had the dramatic ups and downs that you two had together, but what we had was real and pure. And most importantly, I was someone that he could count on. And I gave you an incredible opportunity. I ended my marriage so that you and Nick could be together, and you botched that. But still, against my better judgment, I'm gonna give you that same opportunity, right here, right now. Are you still in love with Nick? Would you rather be with Nick than be with Ridge? You know, now's your chance, Mom. It's now or never. Nick: That's a hell of a question. I'd kind of like to hear that answer myself. [SCENE_BREAK] Eric: Come in, Pam, uh, and close the door. This is about you. Pam: Uh-oh. Did I, uh, do something wrong already? Eric: No, no, no. Actually, uh, yes. Yes, you did, and--and Donna has reservations about you working here because of it. Pam: Oh, okay. I-I think I know what this is about. Donna, look, I already apologized to Eric for what I said to you last night, but the apology really should go to you. I honestly don't know what got into me last night. I think I was feeling overly protective of my big sister, and I lost my temper, and I said some things I really didn't mean. I am so sorry. Pam: I-I guess I got caught up in being defensive of Stephanie, and it wasn't neighborly of me. It's really not who I am. Do you think you could forgive me? Eric: You can forgive her, can't you, Donna? Donna: Uh... Pam: I'd like to bake you an apple pie as a peace offering. Donna: Uh, you-- no, an--an apple pie won't really be necessary. Eric: Look, this has been a complex, uh, emotional time for everyone. Pam: Yeah. Eric: And, uh-- and Pam's no exception to that, and I'd really appreciate it if you could forgive her. You can do that for me, can't you? Donna: Yeah. Sure. I'll do it just this once. Pam: (Laughs) Eric: Is it possible the two of you could have coffee together after work maybe and get to know each other a little better? Pam: I think that'd be lovely. Donna: (Sighs) yeah. Yeah, lovely. [SCENE_BREAK] Bridget: Go ahead, Mother. What's your decision? Tell me. Tell Nick who you'd really want to be with. Whatever you decide, I can live with. But one of us is leaving this house tonight, and one of us is staying. If you want to stay, if you want to make a life with Nick, you better do it now. You can't have it both ways. Brooke: I didn't realize that your feelings for Nick ran this deep. You've been carrying this around for years. And it's true. You did give up Nick for me so that I could try to have a chance at a life with him. Bridget: Oh, damn it, Mother. What are you saying? This is absolutely ridiculous. You know what? I'm not the one leaving tonight. You are. Bridget: I'll be waiting for you upstairs. Brooke: Do you feel the same way that Bridget does about me? Nick: I don't think there's anything more to say. Brooke: Nick, if you go through with us... Nick: What? What'll happen? Brooke: There's no turning back. Nick: Turning back to what? You made your choice, Brooke. I put my feelings on the line for you. You knew where I stood. Brooke: Stood? Nick: Yeah, stood. (Sighs) I'm gettin' old, you know? Life's about living, not waiting around for some dream that may never happen. Nick: I'm going upstairs. Nick: You know, I really thought it'd be you up here.