Chapter Twelve


Jackie awoke and was momentarily confused to her whereabouts. She jumped up and looked around the room and it all came back to her. Mexico, Nicky, Massimo. Thoughts flooded her mind and tears filled her eyes as she remembered the horrible news Nicky had given her. “Paralyzed. You can’t be darling, we will find a doctor who will treat you, we will.” She said with determination. Massimo had promised her that the finest doctors would be at her fingertips. He seemed so genuinely concerned. Did he have a clue? She wondered. She replayed the last evening in her head. Massimo had insisted on being invited inside her room. They talked for almost an hour about their past and where they had both gone. Massimo had pushed for details about Frank but Jackie had found detours around those questions. She wasn’t ready to address the possibilities with Massimo, she wasn’t sure that she was even ready to address them with herself. And it wouldn’t be fair to Nicky, not now, not with everything else he was dealing with. It was wonderful to be with Massimo again though, even under these horrible circumstances. Their dinner had been quiet and pleasant. He had been interrupted by the hospital administration who was having problems with Nick’s release and wanted to put it off a couple of days. Massimo had dealt with them strongly and powerfully. He made his presence known, even over the phone and by the time the call had ended Jackie still felt things might be able to go off as planned. Massimo had always been a man who made things happen. He was a mover and a shaker, but he also had a tender side, one she had many fond memories of. She felt comfortable with him, protected even and to her own surprise she still felt some of the old sparks under the surface. “Massimo did too, I know it.” She smiled. Was there a chance to recapture something? She wondered. She got up from the bed and went into the bathroom. She added a soft, flowery oil to the water hoping that Massimo would find it alluring. “You still care Jackie, you do.” She said with a gentle laugh.



Brooke opened her eyes to find Nick looking at her. She immediately remembered where she was and blushed. “Have you been awake long?” She asked.
“A bit.” He admitted.
“You should have woken me. Can I get you anything? Are you in a lot of pain?” She struggled to sit but Nick held her down with his strong arm.
“I’m okay, don’t worry so much. I’ve just been lying here watching you.” He smiled at her.
“I must be a mess, I slept in my clothes with my makeup on. Yuck.” Brooke grimaced.
“You look beautiful to me.” He laughed. “Though from my behavior last night no one would know it.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” She crinkled her nose in confusion.
“I fell asleep on you. I tried to stay awake but I just couldn’t. I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about, you were tired and in a lot of pain, I’m glad you were able to sleep.”
“I wasn’t sure I’d still find you here when I woke up.” Nick confessed. “I’m glad I did.”
Brooke smiled up at him. “I promised to stay.”
“I know you were a little embarrassed.” He chuckled.
“I still am.” She laughed back and then gasped as she saw her blouse was open, baring her breasts. “Nick! Did anyone come in and see me?”
“I can’t vouch for what happened during the night, but when the nurse came in earlier I covered you, well sort of.”
“What is sort of?” She looked into his eyes.
“This.” He covered her breasts with his hands, turning her nipples into hard little pebbles.
“And how did my blouse get in this state in the first place?” Brooke questioned him.
“I guess you didn’t do a good job of buttoning up last night after we kissed.” He laughed. “I’m kind of glad, I’ve been enjoying the scenery.”
“I bet you have.” She smiled. He still hadn’t removed his hands and Brooke was perfectly happy with them just where they were, except a part of her was wishing they’d move lower. She flushed at her own thoughts.
“Am I making you feel uncomfortable?” Nick asked her.
“Frankly it’s the total opposite.” Brooke admitted with another blush. “I don’t even understand it. We barely know each other and yet I feel so comfortable with you, it feels so right, like I belong here, like I want to just stay in your arms forever. This is moving so fast Nick. It scares me.”
“I know.” He gently closed her blouse and then stroked her face with his hand. “I feel the same way. I don’t want to be without you and yet the whole thing scares the you know what out of me. I meant what I said last night, I need for you to know that. I need you to know it wasn’t the drugs or tiredness or confusion talking, it was me.”
“Say it again.” She whispered.
Nick laughed and leaned over for a kiss. “I love you Brooke.”
“I love you too.” She smiled and touched his face, his hair. “And it’s scaring the you know what out of me too. When I’m away all I can think about is being with you again.”
“And on that note.” He sighed and gave her another kiss.
“What?” Brooke frowned.
“I’ve been lying here thinking and starting to feel very guilty.” He started.
“What could you possibly feel guilty about?” Brooke asked.
“Everything.” He said. “I screwed up. I wasn’t thorough enough. I missed some signs, I didn’t stop it. Now men are dead, lives are torn apart and I should have prevented it.”
“You did so much Nick, Massimo said so. He doesn’t blame you, no one does. And you are hurt too. If you expect me to feel badly that you’re alive you can just forget that! I am happy you’re alive. I prayed for that and my prayers were answered! Please don’t feel guilty over this, please.” She begged him.
“Well that is something that’s going to take some time. But the other thing I’m guilty about doesn’t and I can do something about it and I will.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “You’re going home Brooke, you’re going home today.”
“The hell I am!” She said defiantly.
“You have a beautiful little girl who is missing her mommy and who needs her really badly. You need to go home to her Brooke, you need to go home to her today.”
“You need me.” She objected. “I mean I know Hope does, but she has Donna and Marta and Rick and Amber. Besides, you’ll be going home in a day or two, I’ve waited this long and I am going to wait till the end. I’m not leaving without you Nick, that is out of the question!” She turned away from him.
“My mother is here now.” He told her. “I won’t be alone.” He put his hand under her chin and forced her to face him. “I don’t want you to go, but you have to. I’ll be home soon and I know you’ll be there waiting for me. Maybe it’s a good thing.”
“How?” She asked as she held back tears.
“There’s a part of me who doesn’t want to leave my men. Nothing will change that, but if I can’t see you till I go home I’ll have an even stronger force pushing me to go. As long as I have you here I’m content to stay.”
“I don’t believe you.” She argued.
“You think I want you gone? Please don’t tell me that you think this is about Pilar.”
“No.” She said quietly. “You opened up your heart and soul to me last night. I cried for you for the pain you felt.”
“I’m not in pain, not from that, not anymore.” He assured her.
“I think you’re trying to put some distance between us.” Brooke told him. “Maybe you’re more scared than you even realize. I won’t hurt you Nick, I’m not her.”
“You and Pilar are very different, I know that. You’d never do what she did, but there are always things that can get in the way. You haven’t totally dealt with Ridge yet.”
“So you’re sending me away?” She gasped. “I will deal with him. But my place is with you.”
“Your place is with Hope. I’m okay Brooke, I survived the explosion, I’m awake and about as well as I can be right now. I want you, I need you, but she needs you more. Humor me Brooke, go home to her and I promise you I’ll come home too. We won’t be apart more than a couple of days. I’ll make sure of that.”
“You didn’t even want me to leave your side last night.” She reminded him.
“I know.” He smiled. “I don’t want you to leave now, but you have to. Hey, I miss her too. I want to get home and see her too. Now admit it Brooke, you really do want to go home to her don’t you?”
“Yes.” She whispered. “But not without you.”
“But you’ll do this for me?” He asked.
“Alright.” She reluctantly agreed. “But you have to promise me that you won’t fight against going home.”
“With you as my destination? I’d have to be crazy wouldn’t I?” He pulled her closer and kissed her.



“Just a minute!” Jackie shouted. Someone was knocking on her door and she was busy putting on the finishing touches. She wanted to be there as soon as Nick awoke, she hoped to hear some good news, perhaps he had regained some feeling. She put down the chain she had been struggling to clasp around her neck and opened the door. She hadn’t expected anyone and assumed it was housekeeping but to her surprise it was Massimo. She smiled at him as she caught her breath. “I didn’t expect you here this morning.”
“I thought I’d accompany you to see your son.” He told her. “I also thought perhaps I could firm things up with his doctors and see if we can get him home today. The team I hired are still flying down so even if it’s not today I’m sure it will be tomorrow at the latest.” He gave her an appreciative look. “You’re looking lovely. Did you sleep well?”
“As well as possible under the circumstances. Massimo, I’m so worried about Nicky. He’s trying to be so strong but he’s scared and he’s in so much pain.”
“That’s why it’s important that we get him the proper care. I just wish he wasn’t so stubborn about not saying anything to Brooke Logan. It’s hard having to pussy foot around the subject and she’s always there.” He frowned.
“She loves him.” Jackie smiled.
“I’m not so sure about that.” Massimo laughed. “She was about to marry my son. I’m sure this is rebound for her, but she does seem to have some genuine feelings for him. Just be careful Jacqueline. Brooke Logan may not be what you want for your son, at least not long range.”
“It doesn’t matter what I want, she’s what Nicky wants and that’s good enough for me. Besides, I like her. She seems very real, down to earth and honest. And I can tell that she loves him Massimo, whatever she felt for your, your son, well she feels differently for my Nicky.”
“She has a reputation Jacqueline, and a very wild history.”
“We all have a past. I won’t judge her on a time when she didn’t even know my son. As long as she makes him happy now that’s good enough for me and like I said, I like her.”
“Well then maybe you can wake up your new friend. I knocked on her door first and she didn’t answer.” He rolled his eyes.
“Perhaps she was in the shower. I’ll have them ring her room.” She walked to the phone and picked it up. “Hello, hello, can you connect me to Brooke Logan por favor?” She smiled at Massimo. “Gracias.” She waited as the phone rang once, twice, three then four times. “Perhaps she’s already left.” She told him as she put the receiver in its cradle. “She’s been finding her way there on her own for the past two weeks, she doesn’t need us to get her there.”
“Whatever you say.” He looked around the room. “Have you had breakfast?” He asked, not seeing a tray.
“No, not even coffee. I’ll have something after I see Nicky.”
“We can get coffee on the way and once you’ve seen Dominick I’ll take you to eat.” He told her. It was an order, not a suggestion and while some women might have been angry, Jackie felt flattered that the man was so protective of her.
“That would be lovely.” She grabbed her purse. “Shall we?” She offered him her arm.



“He’ll be going home soon, what will you do then?” John reached for the sugar as he waited for Pilar’s answer.
“I’ll convince him to stay.” She answered with a pout.
“You don’t believe that any more than I do. Maybe he’d stay for the men, but from what they were willing to tell me he needs more care, more than they can give him here. And then there’s Brooke.” He smiled.
“He’s not serious about her.” Pilar insisted.
“I don’t know his feelings but hers seem real.”
“He’s using her to punish me.”
“You deserve it, and more.” John stirred his coffee, put down the spoon and took a sip. “But I know you had something very real once. That’s why I tried to get him to see you when he first came back.”
“He still loves me, but he’s still angry.” She looked down at the diamond on her finger and started to fiddle with it.
“Does he know you’re still wearing that?” He asked.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And what?” She stubbornly replied.
“And he’s okay with it? I don’t think so. So tell me, is he talking to you? Has he given you anything to believe you still have a chance? Cause frankly Pilar, when we last talked about you, before the accident, he didn’t want anything more to do with you and he did say there was someone else, someone special.”
“Not her.” Pilar spit.
“I think you’re wrong.” He shook his head.
“She’s not his type. Neek doesn’t want a woman like that.”
“Oh yeah, what would he want with a beautiful, classy blonde? Hmmmm, one with a body that doesn’t quit and eyes that make you melt. Nah, he wouldn’t see anything in her would he?”
“She’s not from his world.” She insisted.
“I think he’s in a new place Pilar. LA changed him.”
“He’s the same and he still loves me. She’ll go and he will forget her, but never, never will he forget his Pilar.”
“You’re very confident.” John looked up at her. “But I think it’s more bravado than anything.”
“You will see John.” She looked down at her own coffee. “He loves me.”
“But if he does leave, then what?” He repeated.
“Then I will go too.” She said with determination. “I was wrong, I hurt him, but I love him and I will get him back. I will marry him John.”



“All I’m doing is lying in this damn bed, why am I so tired?” Nick complained.
“You’re recovering, you need rest.” Brooke sat up. “I should go.”
“Yeah, you need to go home.” He agreed.
“Would you please stop it!” Brooke frowned at him. “You act like you hate having me here! I was only talking about leaving you alone so you could get some sleep. Why do you want me to leave so badly?”
“I just feel guilty Brooke, you should be with Hope, she needs you.”
“I’m not going anywhere until someone tells me when you can come home. I know Hope needs me and I need her and I feel guilty enough already. But I am not leaving you Nick, not until I am ready. Do you have that straight?”
“Aye aye Captain.” He smiled at her. “I really don’t want you to go, but I want you to do what’s right.”
“I will, I’ll do what’s right for all of us.” She promised. “But right now you need to sleep some more, I don’t think it helped you having me there all night. I’d better go.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “Having you here is the only thing that made the pain ease up. Please don’t leave.”
“Stay, go, Nick you’re all over the page here.” Brooke shook her head.
“I know.” He admitted. “There’s so much I need to tell you, so much you need to know. I tried last night.”
“You were open and honest and I appreciate that Nick. I do understand what you went through and it does help me see how you can have trust issues, but I promise, I am not Pilar. I’m not going to mess up what we have. I’m happy, you make me happy. As crazy as it sounds after all the things that have gone on in my life I wouldn’t think it was possible, but it is. Even here, even while I sat here and watched you sleep, just being with you made me happy. For the first time in my life I can finally see a future that doesn’t include Ridge, and it’s a future that I actually look forward to. Do you even have the slightest idea how foreign a concept that was to me and to anyone who knows me? My entire life was shaped around Ridge and being in his life and fighting to have him, all of it Nick. And when I finally had it all in my grasp.” She stopped and looked at him. “The dream turned dark.”
“Yeah but if he hadn’t done that with Bridget.” He argued.
“But he did and that opened my eyes.”
“That had nothing to do with me.” He told her.
“No it didn’t.” Brooke agreed. “But I hadn’t let go. I hadn’t opened my mind or my heart to the possibilities. You helped me do that Nick.”
“Timing.” He answered in a tone that upset Brooke.
“Yes, the timing was right, but it had been before and no other man could ever make me close that door before.”
“You can’t do it for a man Brooke, not even me, you have to do it for yourself, then what comes next is just gravy.”
“But I DID do it for myself. You helped me do that. I knew that I could have stayed and jumped into something with you, something you wanted and I wanted but we wouldn’t have stood a chance, not at that point. I needed to go away and to clear my head. You could have been angry with me, you had offered me everything but I still left, but you were kind and patient and when I asked for you you came running. I know you’re scared, I know it takes a lot for you to open up. You waited for me, now I’m going to wait for you. So you take your time and you think things out. I’m not going anywhere.” She took his hand and squeezed it tightly. “That night we spent together was more than good sex. I knew it was right Nick and I knew that I wanted to take a chance, a chance on us and I am so glad that I did.”
Nick looked away, he couldn’t look into her eyes. He loved her and he knew she loved him too, but he was not willing to sentence her to a life with an invalid. He had to push her away, he had to free her or he’d hate himself forever. “Maybe.” He said.
“No, not maybe, not at all.” She touched his cheek. “I know it won’t be simple once we’re home, I know that I’m going to have to face him and deal with him.”
“And maybe the draw will come back and you’ll run back to him. I was warned that I was just a roadblock, maybe I should have listened.” It was killing him to do this, he didn’t believe it, not for a minute, but he wanted to make her want to leave, he wanted to give her the out she deserved. He could never live with her pity, that would hurt more than anything.
“I can’t believe you just said that.” Brooke looked at him with fire in her eyes. “And I guess I will blame the medicine and the pain because you’re all over the place Nick. One minute you say you love me, then you act like I’m just something that annoys you and this stuff about Ridge. I just don’t get it.”
“You’re right, Brooke we need to talk, I have to tell you something.” He said with a sigh.
“Please trust me Nick, you’re not a roadblock, you’re real, we’re real and I.”
“I can’t do this, I’m trying but I just can’t lie to you, not anymore.” He sighed and laid his head back on the pillow.
“Please Nick, please just tell me.” Brooke pleaded. “Don’t make me beg.”
“No, I won’t.” He told her. “Brooke this is really hard but you need to know it all.” He looked at her and was just abut to speak when the door opened.
“Well there you are!” Jackie said with a laugh as she and Massimo walked into the room.
“Must have gotten here very early Brooke.” Massimo frowned. “Isn’t that the same blouse you had on yesterday?” He asked. Brooke reached down and secured the open buttons.
“I spent the night.” Brooke told him. “And I don’t want to hear a single word from you about it.”
Nick had to smile at her bravado. Brooke was surprising him more and more every day. He owed her the truth, he had to find a way to tell her.
“Nicky darling, how are you feeling?” Jackie walked up to him and gave him a kiss.
“Tired.” He answered. “After all the time I’ve been asleep you wouldn’t think that was possible would you?”
“See Brooke, you really aren’t doing him any good hanging all over him.” Massimo said with a hard stare.
“If she hadn’t been here I wouldn’t have gotten any rest.” Nick protectively put his arm around Brooke. “Thank you.” He told her with a tender kiss.
“Has the doctor been in yet?” Jackie asked.
“No, not yet.” Nick sighed.
“Aside from being tired, how are you?” She asked her son.
“I don’t know, better I guess. I’m hungry.” He smiled.
“Your voice is much better and you’re not coughing.” Brooke told him. “I think they’ll let you eat.”
“They have to before the let him go don’t they?” Jackie asked.
“I don’t think they’re too concerned about it.” Massimo interjected. “That’s why I want him moved today if possible.”
“That would be wonderful.” Brooke clutched Nick’s hand. “We’ll both be happy that way.”
“Of course Dominick will be happy to go home.” Massimo said impatiently. “Sometimes you say the most insane things Brooke. You do know that this is about Dominick, not about you!”
“Nick was concerned about my being away from my daughter, but he also hated to see me go, now it seems it will all work out.” Brooke answered with a smirk. Nick caught it and couldn’t stifle his laugh. Brooke looked at him and frowned. “You could have helped me out a little.” She told him.
“You were doing just fine on your own.” He grinned and gave her hand a squeeze.
Brooke was initially angry but when she saw the look of pride on his face her anger dissipated and was replaced by a sense of calm. She smiled at him. “Thanks.” She replied with honesty.
Massimo gave them a strange look but that only made Brooke giggle and Nick smile. “You’re good for me.” Brooke told Nick.
“Yeah, we’re good for each other.” He agreed to Jackie’s pleasure.
“You are good for him Brooke and I can’t thank you enough for being here for my son.” Jackie beamed.
“There’s no where else on earth I could be.” Brooke answered.
Massimo cleared his throat. “I think I’ll see if I can track down the doctor. We need to get some answers and Dominick needs to eat.”
“So does Brooke, she hasn’t had a thing since she got here yesterday.” Nick added.
“Food was the last thing on my mind.” She explained.
“Well I’m starved.” Jackie laughed. “Perhaps you’d like to go grab something quick with me?” She asked Brooke.
Brooke gave Nick a tentative look. “I’m not going anywhere.” He answered her unasked question with a long look at his useless, immobile body. “Go eat.”
“I guess if we’re not too long.” Brooke reluctantly agreed.
“If his own mother can leave you can too Brooke. My God must you always act so needy and clingy?”
“Enough!” Nick was getting angry now. “Look Massimo, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, but that doesn’t give you Carte Blanche to insult Brooke so you can either treat her with respect or you can get the hell out of here!”
“Nicky!” Jackie gasped.
“It’s alright Jacqueline.” Massimo held her arm. “He’s been through a nightmare, and I can certainly understand his frustration.”
“My frustration has nothing to do with the accident or lying here in a hospital bed! It has everything to do with you!” Nick’s eyes were glaring as if on fire. “I happen to love this woman and I am not going to let you or anyone else disrespect her. Am I making myself clear?”
“Crystal.” Massimo said without showing emotion. “Do as you wish.” He told Jackie and Brooke. “I’m going to check on the doctor.” And with that he left the room.
“Nick, you didn’t have to do that.” Brooke stroked his arm gently.
“Oh yes I did, I should have done it a long time ago.” He turned to Jackie. “And I know you respect him but I will give no respect to someone who refuses to respect Brooke.”
“You love her.” Jackie smiled.
“Yeah, I do. So?” Nick said gruffly with a frown. Brooke laughed softly and smiled at him.
“He’s such a romantic.” She giggled.
“And you love him?” Jackie asked.
“Yeah.” She smiled and gave Nick a kiss.
“Go get your food.” He told her, embarrassed by the open declarations.
“You were in the middle of telling me something.” Brooke reminded him.
“It’ll keep.” He said gruffly. “Go eat, both of you.”
“Come on Brooke.” Jackie took her arm. “Give him time to calm down, Massimo upset him.”
“But I.” Brooke started.
“This has nothing to do with you Brooke, Massimo upset him, not you..” Jackie assured her. “He’ll be smiling at you when we come back, I promise. I’ve known him all his life, so trust me.”
“Trust ME Brooke.” Nick told her. “I’m not going to lie to you.”
“I do trust you.” She said softly. “And I love you too.”
“Oh God.” He pulled her tightly into his arms and kissed her hard and passionately. “It’ll be okay, it will.” He told her when he released her.



“That’s the best you can do? No, never mind, I’ll find another way.” Ridge hung up the phone and looked down at the notes in front of him. He had located Nick and he had found the hotel Brooke was registered in, but so far he hadn’t been able to reach her. He was desperately trying to book a flight but to no avail. He had inquired about the Marone jet but it was already in use. He twiddled his pen between his fingers as he tried to decide his next move. “Not on the phone, I have to do this in person.” He put down the pen and picked up the phone, hitting the intercom button to his assistant. “I’m going out of the office, I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Tell Sandra I’ll call her when I know more.” He put the phone back in its cradle, grabbed his jacket and left the building.



“That’s really great news about Captain Payne.” Amber told Donna. “Do you think Brooke will be coming home soon?”
“I’m sure she will as soon as he can travel.” Donna answered.
“Good.” Amber turned and watched Hope and Eric playing. “Hope misses her.”
“She does but she’s adjusted well. I think with Brooke calling her a couple of times a day she doesn’t feel like she’s really gone.” Donna looked at Amber. She seemed to want to say something but was having trouble. “What is it? Did Hope say something to you?”
“No, it’s not about Hope, it’s about Forrester.” Amber explained.
“Brooke doesn’t need to worry about work right now, I’m sure Eric can handle everything.”
“Well that’s just it.” Amber bit her lip.
“What? Is something wrong?” Donna was concerned. She remembered what had happened when Brooke had gone to Ojai after Deacon. The Forrester’s had tried to vote her out of the company. With a shiver she looked up at Amber. “Are they playing games again?”
“Eric is a bit upset. He doesn’t understand why Brooke hasn’t called him. She did just about every day from Ojai and now she comes back and takes off again and he’s getting nervous.”
“It’s not the same though.” Donna argued. “Ridge and Stephanie aren’t there anymore and well Brooke isn’t off trying to get herself together, she’s off because Nick needs her. Maybe I’ll tell her she needs to call him before it gets out of hand.”
“That’s what I mean.” Amber explained. “Rick hasn’t said anything because Brooke hasn’t but that is putting him in a tough spot.”
“That’s not fair to him.” Donna agreed. “I’ll talk to her. Is there anything else going on there that she should know? Any problems? Anything?”
“No, everything else seems to be okay, but you know it’s hard on Eric, he’s lost so much and now he feels like Brooke doesn’t even want to trust him.”
“That’s not good. Thanks Amber, I’m going to tell her all this, I know she’ll appreciate your honesty.”
“Brooke and I haven’t always agreed on things or even got along, but I really respect what she’s doing now and what she’s done and well, I want things to work out for her.”
“So do I Amber, so do I.”



“Eric, Ridge is here.” Megan announced over the phone. “I told him you were busy but he, well he insists.”
“Send him in Megan.” He instructed. “And hold my calls.” He stood up and watched Ridge as he came in.
“Dad.” Ridge said with a tentative smile.
“I didn’t expect you, not here anyway.” He walked to the pitcher and poured a glass of water. “What brings you here Ridge?”
“We need to talk, we need to get past all this.”
“Past it? What you did isn’t something we can just get past.”
“I don’t know how many times and how many ways I can say I’m sorry. I know I was wrong Dad, I know I hurt everyone that I love. I’ve lost everyone. Please give me a chance again, please.” Ridge begged.
“Sit down.” Eric walked over to the couch and sat. Ridge took the seat next to him. “It must be very hard for you and I do understand the pressures you were under, but Ridge, the choices you made.”
“They were bad ones.” Ridge admitted.
“They were terrible ones. But I suppose they cost you more than you deserve.”
“Are you saying you forgive me?” Ridge asked.
“I’m not sure if that’s something I can ever forgive or forget but maybe you’re right, maybe we need to find a way to get past it. Do you have any idea the damage this did to our family?”
“Yes.” Ridge looked down at the floor. “Bridget, I really messed her up and Brooke won’t talk to me, and you and Mother.”
“No Ridge, that wasn’t you, that was her doing, the lies, the things she kept from me, you were her victim too in that respect, maybe in a way in every respect.”
“Can you ever forgive me?” Ridge asked. “Or will you hate me forever?”
“I don’t hate you.” Eric looked at him. “I’m disappointed in you, I’m sad about everything that happened, I’m angry but I don’t hate you, I’ve missed you.”
“I wish I never knew, I wish nothing ever changed.”
“The saying is true, ignorance is bliss.” Eric said with a sad smile.
“You’re still my father.” Ridge told him.
“Don’t let Massimo hear you say that.” Eric said with a frown.
“Dad I’m sorry, really.”
“I know.” Eric put his hand on Ridge’s shoulder. “It will take time for things to be more normal, but I do appreciate your making the effort.”
“Can I ask you something?” Ridge hesitated.
“Go on. I’m not sure you’ll like my answers but go ahead.” Eric watched as Ridge was silent, searching for the words.
“Has Brooke said anything to you?” Ridge finally spoke.
“About you? About what happened? A little.”
“Does she hate me?”
“You disappointed her, you disappointed everyone.”
“I still love her, I still want to marry her.” Ridge confessed.
“I think it’s a little too late.” Eric answered.
“No, not if she listens to me. Dad I need her, I really do.”
“She needs time, time and space.” Eric warned him.
“I can give her that, but only after she talks to me. Otherwise it may be too late.”
“She’s moved on.” Eric shook his head. “But if you ask me it has to be rebound.”
“Not even that much.” Ridge muttered in disgust. “She’s punishing me, and I do deserve it, but she needs to know how I feel and then I can let her think about it.”
“And she won’t listen?” Eric asked.
“You know she went away.” Ridge told him.
“Do you have any idea for how long?” Eric wanted to know.
“It’s already been far too long. Has she been keeping in touch?”
“Ridge, you no longer work at Forrester, I don’t feel right discussing business.”
“Fine, I just wondered if you got to talk to her regularly.”
“No, she hasn’t called since she went away.” Eric explained.
“I need a favor.” Ridge looked his father in the eyes. “I know you’re angry at me, and I know this is a lot to ask of you, but hear me out Dad cause this is very important, to me and to Brooke.”



“I feel so guilty.” Brooke looked nervously around as she and Jackie took seats in the cafeteria. “For so long I was afraid to leave him, I know it’s silly, I know he’s okay now but it just feels wrong leaving his side.” She looked up at Jackie and forced a smile.
“You love him.” Jackie smiled back.
“I didn’t plan to, I never expected to, it’s all happened so quickly I’m not even sure I understand how it happened, but it did.” She looked at Jackie again. “Yes, I love him.”
“He loves you too. It’s rare Brooke, love is something I wasn’t sure Nicky would ever find. Please don’t hurt him.”
“You’re talking about Ridge.” Brooke said bluntly. “You have to understand, Massimo doesn’t like me and he really isn’t willing to give me a chance or to listen to me.”
“I’ve been warned, by several people.” Jackie answered.
“Seems my reputation is really damaged.” Brooke pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear. “I’m really too tired to give you a history lesson or tell you my story. I will if you need that, but I hope you’ll just trust me and trust Nick too.”
“Is it over? That’s what I really need to know Brooke. Is it over?”
Brooke sighed and seemed deep in thought. Finally she turned back to Jackie. “I’m not sure if something like that can ever really be over.”
“So you’re still drawn to him? You’re still in love with him?”
“A part of me will always love him, no matter how many terrible things have happened. Ridge and I shared such a long history, so many years, so many memories, so much love.” Brooke tried to find the words to explain. “The last betrayal opened my eyes. I realized that no matter how much you love someone there is a point when you have to stand up and say enough. I reached that point.”
“And if things were different?” Jackie had to ask.
“If things were different we’d be married.” Brooke admitted. “But they aren’t and we aren’t and I’m okay about that.”
“Is this rebound Brooke? Is that what my Nicky is to you? Are you using him to get past your pain?”
“Nick helped me get past my pain. I will never deny that. But he also helped me grow and he taught me how to smile again, how to laugh again and how to see all that the world had to offer. We became friends but I wasn’t ready for more. I think I did hurt Nick then because I took off and I didn’t take his calls. I didn’t take any calls. I needed to think, I needed to be alone and to decide where my life was going.”
“I can understand that.” Jackie took Brooke’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “ I know what a broken heart feels like.”
“That’s the thing.” Brooke explained. “I went away thinking I was going to think about my past and heal my broken heart and the only thing I could seem to think about was Nick. I know I drove my sister crazy. She came to help me, she’d been there before, oh boy had she been there.” Brooke laughed. “She had the routine down pat and she was ready to give me all the best advice and comfort but I shocked her. I kept telling her stories about Nick. It was Nick this and Nick that. I knew I had to apologize to him and I knew that if he still wanted to see me, I wanted to see him too. I called him and asked him to come to the spa to visit me. I had it all planned. I’d apologize, we’d have a nice lunch, a talk, a walk maybe and then Nick would go back to LA and we’d see what happened when I got back.”
“And?” Jackie asked.
“When I saw him my heart did cartwheels. Our chat and walk turned into one of the best days of my life. We did talk, but we, well, we got to know each other better too.” Brooke blushed.
“Ohhhhh.” Jackie said in a knowing voice.
“We went swimming and then met my sister and my daughter for lunch. Donna grilled Nick but he was wonderful. We all had so much fun and I was becoming more and more drawn to him. I never expected things to happen as fast as they did.”
“Sometimes we can’t stop ourselves, not when our hormones take control.” Jackie smiled.
“It was my heart too.” Brooke wanted to make that clear. “But we were still going to wait, Nick felt that I needed time and he was going to give it to me, take it slowly. Then the storm hit.”
“A storm?” Jackie asked.
“The roads were flooded and the power was out. Nick needed to go back to LA, he had to come down here, he was already late so he was determined to get back.”
“That’s my Nicky.” Jackie smiled. “He never shirks his responsibilities and he never thinks of himself first.”
“I know he didn’t really want to leave but he really felt that he had to, but the news was bad, the roads were all closed. He tried to get a room but the spa was booked. He called other places nearby but they were either booked or the roads were out so Nick slept on the couch in my villa.”
“I’m glad you put him up.” Jackie told her.
“I never would have let him leave, not if I could stop him.” Brooke assured her. “Anyway, things all changed that night. I was restless and hot and so was Nick. Somehow we both ended up outside in the rain. I couldn’t deny my feelings anymore. Nick never tried to deny his.”
“I assume the couch was abandoned?” Jackie said with a laugh.
“Oh yeah.” Brooke smiled. “I think I was in love with him before we even walked inside again. The next morning when he left was the saddest and yet the happiest day in a long time. He was leaving, but he was there, in my heart and I knew that I had something very good, very real.”
“Brooke, it’s more than sexual isn’t it?” Jackie asked with trepidation.
“Of course it is!” Brooke was somewhat aghast. “Jackie I know my reputation isn’t the best around, but please believe me, it’s really exaggerated. I am not loose, I am not a slut. What Nick and I share is very deep and very strong. The sex part is just a part of it, I won’t deny that it’s wonderful, but it’s not the most important part. I love his mind, I love his sense of humor. He respects me and he encourages me and he makes me feel like what I do and say is important. We talk, we laugh we relate. I love all of him Jackie, I do.”



“I need to know if this is ouwwww.” He pushed the woman’s hand from his chest. “That hurts.” He complained.
“I’m sorry, I’ll try to be more gentle. I don’t like the way they’ve wrapped this.” She frowned. “But it will do for now, I’ll adjust it later.” She looked down at the cast on his ankle. “I’m going to need to X-ray that again too.”
“What difference does it make.” Nick said angrily. “It’s not like I’m going to use it for anything anyway.”
“You don’t know that.” She protested.
“And you didn’t answer me!” He shouted. “I need to know if this is permanent. I need to know if I’ll ever, well I need to know everything.”
“Captain Payne, I can’t give you answers. I need to get you home and examine you, I need to do tests. There is nothing telling me that it IS permanent, but I can’t make promises and I don’t want to give you false hopes, so please be patient, bear with me and I promise you once we get home I will have answers for you, as well as the best care.”
“Listen to her Dominick.” Massimo said from the doorway. “She comes highly recommended, even if she isn’t who I was expecting.” He gave her a cross look and then frowned at his cell phone.
“I told you that it was a last minute thing. Believe me Mr. Marone, I am just as qualified as Dr. Wing, however if you’re not happy with me, feel free to contact him again once we’re home. I’m sure he’ll answer all your questions.”
“Oh I intend to get my answers.” Massimo told her. “No offense meant and I mean no slight on your talents, but I am a man who is used to getting what he pays for and I paid for Dr. Wing.”
“Is your plane ready?” She asked as she continued to examine Nick.
“It is.” He concurred. “Will we be able to move him?”
“I think so, he is in much better shape than I had hoped.”
“I wouldn’t want to cause any further injuries, but I will defer to you in this case.” Massimo said with a frown.
“Hello! I’m here!” Nick rolled his eyes. “Stop talking about me like I’m some shoe or a piece of meat!”
“I’m sorry, you’re right.” She told Nick. “I wasn’t expecting you to be this strong, not after coming off of a ventilator and after all the trauma you’ve suffered. I see no reason not to move you, however I do want to examine the plane and make sure that I feel it’s right for the trip. I know you are anxious to get home but you’re still in a lot of pain and in pretty bad shape and traveling won’t be as easy as you think.”
“I can appreciate that Dr. Watts really. All I ask is that you’re honest with me. I don’t want any sugarcoating. This is my life and a lot rides on your answers.”
“Captain Payne.” She looked at him sympathetically. “Even if it is the news we’re hoping it’s not, you’re still young and strong and you can live a long and productive life. Please don’t give up.”
“I’m not. I intend to live with whatever is dealt to me, but HOW I do that is another matter. So I need your word that you tell me nothing but the truth.”
“You have my word, I promise you.” She offered him her hand.
“I expect miracles from you doctor.” Massimo interrupted. “Captain Payne is not only a valued employee but a hero as well. I will spare no expenses to have him back on his feet.”
“Some things can’t be bought Mr. Marone.” Dr. Watts said calmly. “BUT, you’ve bought the best team of doctors and we will do our damnedest to make it happen.”



“We can’t just leave him standing there! He’ll keep ringing the bell Macy. What am I supposed to tell him?” Sally threw up her arms in dismay. “Come on Macy! You were going to marry the man, at least talk to him and send him away. He’s driving me crazy.”
“I don’t want to see him, he’ll leave if we ignore him.” Macy looked down and blew on her nails, helping the newly applied polish to dry.
“Well I hope he leaves soon. I will be glad to be rid of the whole damn Forrester family.” Sally walked away from the door and sat down next to her daughter. “What? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She grinned. “But don’t count on being through with the whole family, just Thorne.”
“I don’t get it.” Sally frowned.
“No, but you will soon.”
“Maccccccccccccccy.” Sally drew out the name.
“Soon Mom, really. Now please, get rid of him.”
“I don’t know what is going on here. It’s only my own home, my own daughter, why would I think I should know anything? Lord knows.” She mumbled as she walked to the door.



“That’s it. Good Nick, good.” Dr. Watts smiled at him. Nick was sitting up and he had done it with his own strength. “I think those ribs are going to feel a lot better now. Was that very painful?” She asked.
“No, not too bad.” He answered, but the sweat on his brow and the pain in his eyes told another story.
“It’ll get better.” She promised. She turned and watched Massimo who was still busily pushing numbers on his phone. “I told you he’s not there.” She looked at Nick and gave him a grin. “If you want Dr. Wing once we get home I don’t have a problem with it.”
“I have no problem with you.” Nick answered. “Now can we get some of these tubes out? I can swallow any pills you may want to give me and I can eat too.”
“Are you hungry? That’s good.” She told him. “I’ll see that you get some food. And as long as you promise to take the medicine I give you I’ll unhook you.” She gave him a wink.
“What are they telling you about me?” He laughed.
“Nothing that I can’t see for myself. You’re very stubborn.” She answered. “But that could be an asset. It’ll make you more determined and that’s a good thing.”
“I want to walk doctor, I want that and everything else. If it’s in my power it’s not a problem, it’ll happen, but if it’s not.”
“Stop obsessing Dominick.” Massimo told him. “This will take time. You will walk again.”
“It’s good that he’s feeling this way.” Dr. Watts told Massimo. “A patient who just lies there expecting me to do all the work is a patient looking for an early grave.”
“Ouch.” Nick frowned. “I hope that’s not your usual bedside manner.”
“You asked me to be honest and not to sugarcoat and believe me, I don’t sugarcoat.” She looked up at Nick. “And you’re not a man who wants that anyway. I’ve had patients who’ve given up before they ever tried. I don’t see you giving up like that.”
“No.” He agreed. “But I’m realistic and I can deal with whatever happens. I just need to know what it’s going to be so I can start things in motion.”
“Nick it’s way too soon to know what is going to happen. I told you before, from what I’ve seen your paralysis is most likely not permanent, but I can’t give you promises. I suggested we went with the assumption that you’ll be walking again, you’re the one who wanted to work from the worst case up. As long as you work with us I don’t care which way we do it. But you need to get a little more faith too.”
“He’s worried about that woman.” Massimo said with disdain.
“I warned you.” Nick said sharply.
Dr. Watts looked at Nick with sympathy. “I understand your fears, life will be different, at least for a while, but if she loves you she’ll understand.”
“I don’t want you to say a word to her. If anyone tells her that will be me, and that will be at my time and on my terms. Got that?”
“Surely she knows how badly you were injured.”
“She doesn’t know that and for now I want to keep it that way.”
“Of course I’ll respect your wishes, but on a personal level, I think if this woman is someone you care about, you should tell her the truth, for both your sakes. She could be good for you and I know if it was my husband or significant other, I’d want to know.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.” Nick said with a frown. “Now let’s get rid of the tubes and get me something to eat.”



“She’s beautiful.” Jackie smiled and handed Brooke back the photo. “And her father? I take it you’re divorced?”
“We were never married.” Brooke answered. “It was a rather difficult situation.”
“One that resulted in a precious gift though.” Jackie reminded her.
“A gift I can’t even begin to imagine my life without.” Brooke grinned.
“And she’s your only child?” Jackie queried.
“I have a grown daughter and son. Rick and Bridget.” She opened her wallet and showed their pictures to Jackie. “This is Rick with his wife and their, her, well again it’s a long story but this is Little Eric.”
“He’s darling.” Jackie said, not looking for any further explanation. “And Bridget?”
“This is my daughter.” Brooke pointed to her.
“She’s as beautiful as her mother. I always wished I had a daughter, in addition to Nicky I mean. But things don’t always work as we want them to. Are you and your daughter close?”
“Things are strained right now.” Brooke felt the blood rush to her face.
“Don’t worry Brooke, I’d never press you for personal information you aren’t comfortable talking about.”
“I’m surprised Massimo didn’t already tell you.” Brooke looked down in shame.
“I don’t like gossip Brooke. If Massimo tries to spread it, he won’t find a taker in me.”
“Thank you.” Brooke sighed. “Look, the time and place, it’s just not right, but I’m not trying keep secrets from you. I just need to keep my energy on Nick, not my own troubles. I hope you understand.”
“I do.” Jackie assured her.
“Jackie, I’m not perfect, I hope that’s not what you’re expecting, I hope you can accept me for what I am, because I do love your son very much.”
“I’m not perfect either Brooke, in fact I find perfection rather dull don’t you?”
“Yes.” Brooke smiled and giggled.
“I think we’re going to get along just swimmingly.” Jackie put her hand over Brooke’s.




“I knew it was too good to be true, I knew there had to be an ulterior motive.” Eric said with disappointment.
“Dad, no, I meant what I said. I would have come either way. I just need this and I’m really hoping you’ll think about it and help me.”
“What’s wrong with Massimo’s jet?” Eric scowled.
“It’s unavailable.”
“And a commercial flight?” Eric suggested.
“I tried, there’s nothing until late tomorrow. Please Dad, if not for me, for Brooke.”
“Brooke is where she wants to be. Why is it good for her to subject her to another round of your hounding? That’s why she left in the first place.”
“She’s going to him for the wrong reasons. She doesn’t know him, she doesn’t love him, she’s doing it to try and punish me, but it’s going to hurt her. I have to get to her before it’s too late, before she does something stupid like sleep with the idiot.”
“I don’t suppose the saying let he without sin.” Eric frowned.
“I know, I know I was stupid too, I was stupid with Bridget and with Morgan but Dad I’ve changed, I’ve grown and I’ve opened my eyes. I love Brooke and I want to marry her, I want to be a family with her and my children.”
“And her children too?” Eric asked.
“Well yes.” Ridge stammered.
“Might be hard to see Bridget in those terms now Ridge. And Rick? I doubt he’ll ever trust you.”
“We’ll all adjust.” Ridge promised.
“And what about Hope? You always seem reluctant to even admit to her being, now you want to marry her mother and make a family, yet you mention your kids but not Hope. God knows how I feel about Deacon Sharpe but Hope is a beautiful child and I love her. Can you say the same?”
“I do Dad, it’s just hard sometimes. Once we’re married it will be different.”
“You really think Brooke is going to marry you? I don’t know Ridge, I really don’t.”
“She won’t if I can’t get to her. That’s why I’m really hoping you’ll come through for me. Please Dad?”
“Giovanni is doing a shoot, the jet won’t be back until this evening. I’ll have it refueled and ready for you.”
“Thanks Dad.” Ridge gave him a hug. “You won’t regret this.”



Massimo walked up to Brooke and Jackie as they returned to Nick’s room. “The doctor just left, I’m going to take her to the plane to see what we need for the flight home. Go back to the hotel and pack, we’re leaving today.”
“How is he? What did the doctor say?” Brooke asked.
“He’s well enough to travel, she wants to get him home.” Massimo told her.
“Go on in and see him. Tell him I’ll see him once we’re ready to go.” Jackie gave Brooke a hug. “In fact, give me your room key, I’ll pack for you and check you out. You stay here with Nicky.”
“Are you sure?” Brooke asked. “You should be with him.”
“He wants you darling, you stay.” She gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t be that easy to get rid of at home, you and I will have our work cut out getting him back into shape right?”
“Right.” Brooke grinned.
“Alright Brooke, now don’t wear him out, it’s going to be a tough flight for him already.” Massimo said with a scowl.
“Really Massimo!” Jackie gasped. “You need to try and be more understanding. They love each other.” She grabbed his arm. “We’ll see you soon Brooke.” She waved as she and Massimo walked away.
Brooke walked to the room and opened the door. She couldn’t hold back her smile when she found him sitting up, eating. All the tubes were gone and he looked tired, but better than he had in such a long time.
“When we get home I need some real food.” He looked at his plate with a grimace and put down his fork.
“Oh Nick.” Brooke ran to him and gave him a hug.
“Hey, it’s okay, I’m just eating.” He smiled and kissed her.
“Massimo said the doctor was here.”
“Yeah, she’s okay.” He pushed the table away. “I guess you win. We’re all going home huh?”
“Once you’re back on your feet you can come back and see your men.” Brooke gently stroked his hair. “But right now you need to get better and that is going to happen a lot faster at home.”
“Sit.” He tapped the bed next to him.
“Is something wrong?” She asked. “You look so serious.”
“No, just a lot going on. I feel like everything’s happening in fast forward. It’s hard to stop and catch my breath.” He put his arm around her. “Where’s my Mom?”
“She went to the hotel to pack.” Brooke explained.
“Barely had time to unpack.” He shrugged. “What about you?”
“Jackie said she’d pack for me, I don’t have to go back.”
“Hope she doesn’t forget anything.” Nick smiled.
“There is only one thing I need to bring back with me and he’s right here.” She leaned in and kissed him. The tender kiss turned more serious as Nick pulled her tighter to him. She opened her mouth wider giving him the opening he needed to capture her mouth deeply and passionately.
“I can’t seem to get enough of you.” He sighed as he let go.
“Ditto.” She planted kisses on his lips.
“You know who I can’t wait to see?” He asked.
“Ridge?” She teased.
“Uh, no.” He choked as he laughed. “Hope. I really miss that little munchkin.”
“I’m not sure they’ll let her into the hospital Nick.” Brooke linked her fingers with his.
“Oh yes they will.” Nick insisted.
“Do you always get your way?” She asked.
“No.” He admitted. “But this one I’m not going to accept no for an answer.”
“We’ll see what I can do.” Brooke promised.
“I won’t be in intensive care, no scary machines or anything, she’ll be fine. Unless you think her father would have a problem with it.” He questioned.
“Nick.” Brooke started then stopped. “I never told you about her father. Do you know?”
“He was gone before I came to town, but I’ve heard he’s a good guy. You wanna talk about him?” He asked her.
“You’re talking about Whip aren’t you?” Brooke asked.
“He is her dad isn’t he? He was your husband.”
“Oh God.” Brooke took a deep breath and fought the tears that threatened to form in her eyes.
“Hey.” Nick grabbed her head and turned her to face him. “Truth Brooke, no lies. Is she Ridge’s?”
“No.” She said with a humorless laugh. “Though it would be a lot easier if she were.”
Nick frowned and thought about it. “Thorne.” He stated. “You were married to him before you married that Whip guy. Thorne is her dad?”
“You’re going to hate me.” She lost her battle and the tears started flowing down her face. “Everyone else knows, I never thought I’d have to tell someone again, someone that mattered, someone who’d be in the position to judge me. Oh God Nick, you’re going to hate me.”
“Brooke.” He said softly, holding her tighter.
“When Ridge heard he was so cruel, it took so long for him to forgive me. How am I going to tell you?”
“Why did he even love you?” Nick asked.
“I know, I didn’t deserve him, I.”
“Hey! Hey! Hey!” he stopped her. “Whoa, that is not what I meant. This guy is so stuck on what he wants and what works for him. Brooke I don’t care who Hope’s father is, except I’d like to thank him for helping make that sweet little girl. Ridge is a fool. If you love someone you love them and you don’t make them jump through hoops to please you. Forget it, forget I asked. It’s not important to me, to us. As for judging you, well that won’t happen either. I told you my whole ugly story about Pilar, do you really think I have the right to judge anyone else’s failed relationships? Who you are and what you’ve gone through is what shapes you. I love you for the woman you are right here, right now. I hope you love me for who I am now too.”
“I do.” She wiped her tears and looked into his eyes. “You really mean that don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do.” He gave her a gentle kiss. “You don’t owe me any explanations.”
“I owe you the truth.” She squeezed his hand and took a deep breath. “When Thorne and I broke up I was in a bad place. I had realized I still loved Ridge, but he was married. I was so stupid, so delusional; I thought I was going to get him back. I decided to go after him.”
“I don’t imagine his wife was too happy.” Nick said softly.
“She was furious, but she laughed at me and that made me even more determined. Ridge was flattered and he was tempted too. I used all the heavy artillery. I brought up all our happy times, all the memories; I tried to convince him that that was the happiest time of his life.”
“And?” Nick asked.
“I think it worked, sort of. He did remember and he did miss us, but in the end I was only fooling myself. Ridge played along a bit, but he was never going to leave her. In the end I was left alone, crying, just like always.”
“The fool.” Nick muttered.
“I was the fool.” Brooke admitted.
“No, you were in love.”
“He left and I had nothing. My marriage was over, I didn’t have Ridge, Stephanie and Taylor laughed at me, life at Forrester was hell, I just didn’t fit in anymore. Then I had to see my children making mistakes in their lives too. I couldn’t let them follow in my footsteps, I had to stop them.”
“I think you were just looking for something to fill that space, a reason to go on. But I can relate, I’ve thrown myself into things just to stop thinking about something else.” He told her.
“I went to Bridget’s husband. I had to get through to him. I know he wasn’t happy in the marriage, I knew Bridget was going to be hurt. I hoped I could make him see reason. I had to end that marriage, for Bridget’s sake. I knew she wouldn’t understand at first but I hoped some day she’d thank me.”
“So that’s why all that went down with Ridge.” Nick said as the light bulb went off in his head. “Payback. Makes sense now.”
“Yes, but not exactly for the reason you’re thinking.” She started to shake. Nick held her tightly.
“I’m not judging you Brooke. Nothing has changed.” He kissed her forehead.
“I don’t know how it happened Nick. I didn’t plan it, he didn’t plan it. We were both so lonely, so unhappy. I never wanted to hurt my little girl, I wanted to help her, but instead I betrayed her in the worst possible way.”
“Deacon.” His eyes widened. “Deacon is Hope’s father.”
“Yes. My daughter’s husband is my baby’s father. So you see Nick, I am a slut, I’m everything they say about me.”
“Shhhhhh.” He held her and rocked her in his arms.
“It wasn’t just once, it kept happening I thought I loved him, maybe I did, maybe I didn’t, but I didn’t stop, not even when I knew I’d lose Bridget, not even when Stephanie found out, I still didn’t stop. Not even after Whip came in and claimed my unborn baby as his, I still wanted Deacon.”
“But it’s all out now Brooke and it’s over.”
“Bridget said she forgave me, but I don’t think she ever really got over it.”
“So she turned to Ridge.” He said. “Maybe out of revenge, maybe because she needed someone to relate to. So you hurt her, she hurt you, but it’s over. Isn’t it?” He asked.
“If you’re asking if it’s over with Deacon yes, it was over when I married Whip. Yes, I still wanted Deacon, but we both knew it had to be over. Bridget overheard us and she found out. We were estranged for a long time, then things started to get a little better, then that thing with Ridge. So you see? You see? You see why I knew you’d hate me. Please Nick, even if you despise me for this, please don’t think badly of Hope, she adores you.”
“I thought you really knew me.” He stroked her hair, her arms, holding her, planting little kisses on her face. “I love you Brooke. And I love Hope too. So stop this silly talk.”
“You still love me?” She asked.
“You really thought that would change?” He asked.
“It’s going to be hard to get used to this. You really accept me for who I am, you don’t want to change me. It’s going to be really hard to get used to this.” She smiled. “But nice too.”
“It should be the norm.” Nick shook his head in disgust over Ridge’s judgement. He had to wonder how the man could claim to love a woman that he constantly made jump through hoops, who he always wanted to change. “So what happens now? Does Deacon see her? Does Hope know him?” Nick asked.
“Deacon left town at one point, he told us, me and Bridget, that he was going to stay out of our lives, but he came back and he wants to see Hope. It just scares me.”
“He’s her Dad.” Nick told Brooke. “Don’t you think Hope deserves a chance to know him? I mean as long as he isn’t doing anything criminal and as long as he follows the rules.”
“Maybe you’re right.” She felt herself relaxing in his arms. “Nick you are so good for me.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine the kind of relationships you’re used to if you think this is so unusual.” He said with a frown.
“Can we talk about something else now?” Brooke asked. “This is just too intense and I really do want to let it rest if I can.”
“Sure.” Nick agreed even though he knew that he was going to have to make things even more intense himself.
Brooke smiled and relaxed in his embrace. “What did the doctor say? Are you healing well?” Brooke asked, opening that door that Nick was so reluctant to go into.
“Fair is fair, honesty deserves honesty.” He said is a serious tone. It was going to come even sooner than he had expected. But the time was now, he had his opening and he needed to take it. “I gotta come clean with you Brooke and you’re not going to like this.”
“Nick?” She tensed up again.
“No more putting it off.” He looked away, desperately praying for the strength to tell her.



“I thought you were warming to her.” Jackie folded the last of Brooke’s blouses and put it into her suitcase. “She’s no longer interested in Ridge, so why is she such a threat to you?”
“Thank God she’s away from my son!” Massimo growled. He looked at Brooke’s personal things on the dresser and frowned. “All her tools of seduction.”
“Oh don’t be silly Massimo, it’s just makeup and a hairbrush and mouthwash. Hardly makes her into some slinky seductress. I talked to her, she’s a good woman with a good brain and a good heart too. You’re far too hard on her and like I said, what is it of your business now? She isn’t involved with Ridge. Not that it was your business who Ridge is with anyway.”
“I’ve started to grow fond of your son, and I am more than fond of you Jacqueline. I hate to see that woman worm her way into either of your lives. Though I have to admit one thing.”
“Yes?” Jackie looked up.
“She does seem different, a bit more palatable when she is with Dominick. Perhaps he makes her more mature, more likeable.”
“My son loves her.” She reminded him.
“But does SHE love HIM?” Massimo questioned. “Because I imagine this is just a little rebound thing for her and mark my words, she is going to run when he needs her the most and that is why I want her gone now, before he is hurt again.”
“You really think she’ll leave because of his injuries?” Jackie was worried. She liked Brooke, but she still didn’t know her very well.
“She’s all about sex, and without it, she’s history. I just have to make sure that she never turns back to Ridge and that he sees just what this woman he thinks he loves is about.”



Ridge took a sip of his iced tea, he swirled it around watching the ice cubes and then sighed. He rolled his eyes and then spoke into the phone again. “I really don’t care, this is more important to me and I’m going. If it all goes as I plan I will be home in a day so just calm down. What? No, of course I’m concerned with the company. Look you can handle a day or two without me.” He was getting frustrated. Who was this woman anyway to try and tell him how to lead his life, she might be an important member of the Marone team but she was just an employee, he was Massimo’s son and that put him miles above her. “Sandra I know you’re not happy but this is how it’s going to be. Hold on, there’s someone at the door.” He turned at the sound of the chimes. “In fact, I do have to leave, this is probably about my flight so I’ll talk to you when I return. Goodbye Sandra.” He said, dismissing her and hanging up the phone. “Hold on! Be right there!” He called out as he headed to the door. It was probably the driver, ready to take him to the jet. He smiled, soon he’d be with Brooke, ready to take her home and make her his again. But when he opened the door he couldn’t even hide his disappointment. “Macy, what are you doing here?” He asked with annoyance.
“Hello to you too.” She walked past him, inside his house.
“Look, this is not a good time or a good idea. I have to leave and the kids are upstairs with Catherine.”
“Then make the time.” She put down her purse and walked to the bar.
“Drinking again?” Ridge asked.
“Actually I was just getting some water. You don’t mind do you?” She opened a bottle and brought it to her lips, taking a gulp.
“Help yourself, and then go.” Ridge told her.
“I don’t think so Ridge, things have changed.” She smiled.
“Macy, what we did was wrong, it was a mistake. You’re a beautiful woman, sexy, attractive and I was drawn to you, but my brother loves you and I love Brooke and what happened between us, well we both have to forget it.” He walked over to her and gently took her arm. “I think you understand that it’s for the best for everyone. We just need to pretend it never happened.”
“Well Ridge, that isn’t going to happen.” She smiled at him and touched his cheek. “You have a way of leaving a very strong impression on a girl.”
“Oh Macy come on, you don’t really want to do this. We had fun but that’s over.”
“Actually it’s far from over.” She smiled again.
“Oh yes it is. Now I really need you to leave, I have things that I have to do and.”
“No.” She cut him off. “This is more important and believe me, there is no way we will ever forget what we did and we won’t be able to pretend it didn’t happen either.” She touched her belly. “I’m pregnant, with your baby Ridge.”




“The doctor was here, she’s the one Massimo hired, she came down to come back with us.” Nick started.
“She disconnected you.” Brooke smiled. “And she got you food. That’s a good thing Nick. I know you’re discouraged but soon you’ll be back to normal.”
“What did they tell you about the explosion?” Nick asked. “And what it did to me?”
Brooke gave him a strange look. She didn’t know why he was asking this. “Well you were unconscious, the weren’t sure if you’d wake up. They um, said you had broken bones or fractures and that your lung had collapsed. They were very worried, but it was hard to get too many details from them speaking English. Pilar was a help because she could talk to them. Why Nick?”
“When we slept last night, did anything seem strange to you?” He asked.
“The whole thing was strange.” She said with a nervous laugh. “I’m not exactly used to sleepovers in hospital beds.”
“What about me?” He asked.
“Nick, I didn’t expect anything more than sleeping, I know you’re in pain, I tried to give you a lot of space so I didn’t hurt you.”
“You wouldn’t have.” He answered.
“Not on purpose.” She whispered. “But I made sure I didn’t. I was very careful. I didn’t want to hurt your ribs or your ankle or even worse knock out the tubes or the catheter. But I don’t have to worry about those anymore.” She grinned.
“Not all of it.” He said.
Brooke looked down. “Oh, they still have that in. Why? Are you still having trouble um, you know.”
“This is harder than I thought it would be. Please just let me tell you, we can talk after, just let me get it out okay?”
“Nick?” She looked at him with fear.
“I’m not going to die or anything Brooke, but it’s not as good as you think it is. I was hurt pretty badly, I was opening a safe when it happened. The safe fell over on me. They think it saved me from getting the worse of the explosion.”
“Then that’s good.” She said. He gave her a sharp look, for interrupting. “Sorry.” She said.
“It’s okay, it’s just more difficult than I thought.” He took her hand.
“Go on Nick, I won’t interrupt again.” She promised.



Jackie was deep in thought as she watched Massimo lead Dr. Watts around the jet. He had worried her a bit about Brooke but she knew she needed to trust her own judgment, as well as Nicky’s. She liked Brooke and more importantly he loved her. But she still had one fear. Brooke could hurt him, she could hurt him deeply if she ran like Massimo thought she would. “No, it’s not just physical, she loves him, she does.” She said softly. But her earlier conversation with Brooke kept coming back at her. They had gotten physical so quickly, so easily, if that was all he meant to her Nicky’s heart would not only be broken, but his faith in women could possibly be irrefutably damaged.
“So are you ready?” Massimo asked, breaking her from her thoughts.
“More than ready and I’m sure Nicky is too.” She answered. She turned to Dr. Watts. “Will everything be alright for the flight home?”
“We’ll be just fine.” She assured Jackie. “Your son is in much better shape than I had hoped. He’s very strong and very determined.”
“Please, please tell me that there is hope.” Jackie begged.
“There’s always hope.” Dr. Watts answered.
“A rather generic answer.” Massimo commented.
“I didn’t mean it to be.” Dr. Watts explained. “I’ve examined the charts and the X-rays and there is nothing I can see to determine that his injuries are permanent.” Jackie’s eyes lit up. “But please, don’t jump to the conclusion that they aren’t.” She warned the anxious mother. “Once we have him home our own tests will tell us a lot more.”
“What do you think? What is your personal assessment?” Massimo asked.
“I can’t answer that right now.”
“Come now doctor, you’re the top of your field, you’ve seen hundreds, maybe thousands of cases, what is your first impression? Do you thinks he will walk again?” Massimo asked.
She looked at Massimo and then Jackie. “I wish I could give you the assurance that you need but right now it’s too soon to tell and I don’t have enough data to give you an answer.”
“Opinion, instinct, what does your gut tell you?” Massimo pressed.
“That if anyone can beat this, he can.” She told him. “But that isn’t backed by any medical facts.”
“It’s backed by experience doctor, and that works for me.”
“Massimo, no one is blaming you.” Jackie took his arm. “Nicky knew the dangers of his career, we both did. I know you’re feeling guilt, but there’s no reason for that.”
“I just want him better.” Massimo said in a gruff voice. “I want all my men better.”
“You and Nicky are very much alike, you both carry the world on your shoulders.” Jackie commented. “You’re both good men, strong men, caring men.” She smiled at him.
“Ah, so will you use the bed or will you have him sitting?” Massimo was clearly embarrassed by her praise and he turned to Dr. Watts, changing the subject.
“Your pilot told me we could be facing some turbulence. Though he would be more comfortable in the bed, I feel it’s safer to have him strapped in securely. I’ll be using the seat.”



“No, no, you’re crazy. You can’t be pregnant and you if you are it’s not mine!” Ridge protested.
“You’re the only man I’ve been with.” She opened her purse. “And here, I thought you might have doubts, here’s the test results.” She handed him a piece of paper. “It’s all medical mumbo jumbo, but you only need to see three things, my name, the reason for the test and that word.” She pointed to the word positive. “Congratulations Daddy.” She smiled.
“It’s not mine.” He insisted. “It’s Thorne’s, it has to be.”
“I haven’t been with Thorne.” She walked to the couch and sat down. “Only you Ridge. I will prove it if I have to and remember it will be easy to prove, you and Thorne don’t share a father so your DNA is very different.”
Ridge shook his head and sat down in a chair facing Macy. “Okay, we can handle this, we can deal with it, no one ever has to know.”
“Of course they do.” She laughed.
“No, you’re not far, barely anything there, the abortion should be simple, over before it even starts.”
“Oh no Ridge, there will be no abortion.” She corrected him. “Certainly you remember how long I’ve wanted this.”
“With Thorne, you want this with Thorne!” He shouted. “Macy this will kill him, we can’t do this to him, an abortion is the only choice!”
“Brooke isn’t going to be very happy either.” Macy said with a slight smirk.
“I’ll make some calls.” He told her. “You won’t have to go through this alone, I’ll help you.”
“And what kind of calls are you planning on making?” She asked.
“I’ll make the arrangements; maybe we can even do it today.” He told her.
“Ridge, the only calls you need to make are to your family or perhaps to a wedding planner.”
“A what?” He jumped up.
“I know that children are important to you.” She said with another smirk. “And your mother too.” She added.
“I’m not going to marry you.” He shook his head and walked away to the bar, he poured himself a glass of water and gulped it down. “It’s out of the question.”
“Ridge, we had a very good connection. I know you had fun. You and Brooke are so last year, it’s time you tried something new, and I promise you, life with me will never be boring.”
“You’re crazy, you’re crazy.” He shook his head.
“You may as well not fight it Ridge because I am going to win. Even if you don’t marry me I AM having this baby and the world will know who it’s Daddy is and how it was conceived and how many times and how many ways. You wanted me, you had me, now it’s time to pay the piper.”



“How is she Helen?” Thorne asked as the Forrester housekeeper let him into the mansion that he grew up in. Nothing seemed the same anymore, not with the family in shambles like it was. He was especially worried about his mother. She was growing withdrawn, acting almost defeated, and this was a Stephanie that Thorne had never seen before.
Helen shook her head and lowered her eyes. “She’s sitting by the pool, she’s still in her pajamas and robe. Mr. Thorne, someone has to get through to her, she’s so unhappy. If only Mr. Forrester would come home.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Thorne said, confirming her worst fear. “But we do need to find something to snap her out of this. Try not to worry too much okay, and thanks for calling me.”
“I promised I would and I still will. You’re so good to her, she needs you you know.”
“Hmmmm, I think she’d prefer Dad or Ridge, but she’s got me and she’s going to have to deal with that.”
“Can I bring anything down to you?” Helen asked him.
“Has she eaten yet?”
“Not even coffee.” Helen sighed.
“Okay, make us a pot of coffee and maybe some danish or something, I don’t want to push her too far but she needs to come back to the world of the living.” He gave Helen a smile and walked out to the pool.
Stephanie was sitting on the end of a lounge chair just staring down at her hands. Thorne was relieved to see that she had at least combed her hair and was attempting to keep up her appearance, even if she was still in her nightclothes. He put on a smile and walked over to her. “Hey Mother, isn’t it a little late to still be in your pajamas? Don’t you think it’s time you got yourself dressed?”
She looked up at him and then turned to the pool. “Why? What would the purpose be? I have no where to go, no one to see. No one wants me, no one needs me.”
“You know that’s not true.” He sat down on the lounge next to her. “I know Dad hasn’t come around but that doesn’t mean anyone else feels that way. Why are you doing this? It’s not like you to just give up. You’re a fighter.”
“It’s not just your father.” She let out a deep sigh. “Massimo is away, he didn’t even tell me where he is or when he left or if he’s even coming back. Ridge won’t answer my calls either.”
“You know they had that disaster at Marone, I’m sure that’s all that is. Ridge and Massimo are busy. You need to keep yourself busy too.”
She looked up at him and gently touched his face with her hand. “You’ve always been such a good son, so loyal.”
“This isn’t like you.” Thorne said with a blush. He loved his mother’s attention, but he was feeling that he was getting it by default. How he wished that she felt this way when Ridge was paying her attention.
“I’m so tired.” She sighed.
“Then get upstairs, take a shower, get dressed and let’s get you moving. You’re not tired from lack of sleep, you’re tired from lack of activity okay. You need to get into the office and start getting back to life.”
“The office? Your father doesn’t want me there.” She said with a sad resignation.
“That’s not his call is it? You and he are partners, you belong there as much as he does.”
“Neither one of us belong there anymore do we?” She asked. “We should have left, we should have gotten out a long time ago, when that bitch took over. It’s all her fault you know, it’s always her fault, yet I get the blame.”
“I don’t know how you can twist this one to blame Brooke.” Thorne shook his head. “But you may be right about the past. Maybe you should have gotten out, maybe we all should have, but that’s water under the bridge and we can’t go back and change things.”
“So what do we do?” She asked him.
“We go on and do the best with what we have okay. It’s not that bad is it? We’ve all gotten along with Brooke over the years.”
“Ha.” Stephanie said in a bitter voice. “You’ve all had your way with her, she’s weaved her little web and trapped each and every one of you and now look! She’s torn our whole family apart, she’s even torn her own family apart and where is she now? Who knows! When the going gets ruff our Miss Brooke runs off crying, looking for some man to save her. Well it’s not going to be one of my men! Never again! Never!”



Nick looked at Brooke again and took her hand. “The safe saved my life, but it was heavy, very heavy. When they found me I was under it. These were just sailors, just regular guys, they didn’t know anything about first aid or rescue work. They pulled the safe off me and dragged me out. They were doing their best to save me.”
“Nick?” Brooke’s eyes widened in fear. She knew what was coming next, she’d read the stories and seen things on television, but still she wasn’t prepared for it to happen to someone she loved.
“I guess it hurt my spine or something. Dr. Watts, Massimo’s doctor, she said she needs to do more tests. She can’t give me any answers Brooke. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“How bad is it?” She clutched tightly onto his hand.
“Maybe not as bad as my fingers are going to be.” He tried to lighten the mood with a smile and a laugh. Brooke eased up her grip but didn’t take her eyes off of his. “I can’t feel anything below my waist.” He told her.
“Nnnothing?” She whispered. “But.” She stopped and put her arms around him. She held him tightly, kissing his hair so softly he barely felt it. “Oh Nick. Nothing?” She asked again, hoping somehow that she had misunderstood.
Nick held onto her, breathing in her scent, lovingly caressing her hair and her arms. “Nothing at all.” He answered. “I can’t feel, I can’t move, I can’t walk Brooke and I have no idea how bad or if I’ll ever feel anything again.”
“It won’t be permanent. Nick we’ll get the best doctors in the world. You WILL walk again.” Her eyes filled with tears. She kissed him gently on the lips. “We’ll get through this.” She promised.
“I haven’t given up hope.”
“You better not.” She warned him with a nervous laugh. “I won’t let you.” Her strength surprised Nick but not more than it surprised Brooke herself. “I’ll be your anchor Nick, hold onto me and I swear we’ll get through this. I won’t let you give up hope. I’ll be your strength.”
“I can see that.” He gave her a smile. “But this changes everything. I’m sure you can see that.”
“Of course it changes things, but we’ll work together and it will be okay.” Brooke assured him. “You have me, you have your mother. Everything is going to be fine.”
“I have to accept the possibility that it may be permanent. I have to be realistic.”
Brooke though for a moment and then nodded. “But you can’t give up or stop trying. I think, I really do think that everything will be fine. But if it’s not.”
“If it’s not that changes everything.” Nick interrupted her.
“It will make things harder but we’ll adjust.” She took a breath. “I don’t even want to think that way though, we need to stay positive.”
“You need to listen to me Brooke, you need to understand what I’m telling you.”
“I do understand.” She said softly. “Oh God Nick, I’m so sorry and I’m scared too.”
“You’re so pretty.” He said with a smile. “You’re beautiful Brooke, inside and out. You’ve gone through so much in your life, so much pain and so much heartache, but I think you’re at a place you needed to be for a long time.”
“You helped me get there.” She smiled back. “I’m a better person because of you.”
“You were a wonderful person before me Brooke. You need to realize that. But now you’re more secure, you’re stronger. Maybe I did help you, maybe I just helped you open your eyes.”
“You did.” She confirmed it.
“You deserve so much in life.” He continued. “I want you to have it all.”
“I like what I have right now. It feels like I have it all, for the first time in a long time it really does.”
“If this is permanent.” He nervously cleared his throat.
“It’s not.” She stubbornly answered.
“Brooke, it may be and if it is, well it’s over.”
“It’s not over. We’ll adjust, we’ll make changes and make it work. Don’t you dare give up. You’re strong and smart but maybe a little too proud if you’re thinking this way. You will make it and you’ll go on and still have a wonderful life! I know it Nick. Nothing is over, not if you fight hard enough.”
“You’re not understanding me Brooke.” He pushed himself until he was sitting higher. He needed to be strong and tall. This was going to hurt him more than it would hurt her. She’d get over it and she’d have the life she deserved, but it couldn’t be with him. “If it’s permanent I will find a way to live. My life will be different, but it won’t be over.”
“Good.” She smiled at him.
“But.” He stopped her. “We’ll be over Brooke. You and I WILL be over.”




“Macy this is not going to happen.” Ridge paced back and forth. “I am not having a child with you, I am not marrying you, I’m not. I don’t even know why the hell you’d expect me to. You’re not a kid, this isn’t 1950.” He turned to face her. “It’s not mine. I don’t believe you.”
“You need time to digest this. I understand.” She got up, walked up to him and stroked his face. “We were electric together, like nothing ever before. Think about it Ridge, Brooke’s never really made you happy and Thorne’s never really made me happy. We have a chance for a new start…………together.” She smiled and touched his nose. “Once you let it all sink in I think you’ll be excited with the possibilities. But no matter what, I intend for the world to know just whose baby this is, so I suggest you think very carefully.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss. “I’ll leave now, you think.”
“Macy.” He shook his head.
“Call me in a day or two. Don’t dismiss me Ridge, that would be a terrible mistake.” She smiled at him, retrieved her purse and walked to the door. She stopped and turned back to face him. “You may find out that you could love me Ridge, more than you ever loved Brooke. Think about it. This isn’t a threat, it’s a promise. I want you and I’ll have you and if you think you can push me away you’re very very mistaken. You may think you want Brooke and that you’ll have her, it won’t happen Ridge. Remember that, it will never happen.” And she left him.
Ridge stood staring at the door, his blood boiled in anger. He knew he had to deal with her, but he had to get Brooke, he had to go to Mexico and bring her home. He couldn’t lose her. Macy’s words scared him. Brooke would be hurt, she’d be disillusioned, but she loved him. It would take time to get her back if she found out about this baby. He had to stop Macy, but he had to get Brooke. “What? What? What?” He shouted aloud. “What the hell do I do first?” He slammed his fist on the coffee table. “Brooke. I need to get her now, before Popeye has a chance to work on her sympathy. I’ll get her home now and then I’ll make sure Macy stays quiet. I have to do it.”



“Please, I need to speak to you before we go back in.” Jackie touched Dr. Watts arm.
“I’m sure I know what you want to know, but I really don’t have answers for you. I know you’re all anxious and I promise we’ll go for some results as soon as we get home.” She answered Jackie.
“It’s not, not, permanent?” She asked her. “I know he’ll walk again, he just has to.”
“It’s too soon to know for sure Mrs. Payne.” She answered. “I don’t mean to be noncommittal, I just am not about to offer false hope.”
“It’s not hopeless.” Jackie gasped.
“No, I didn’t mean it that way. I’ve told Mr. Marone and your son that the equipment here is relatively primitive. I’ll have a much better idea once we get home.”
“Dr. Watts, he’s come through so much, the doctors didn’t even think he’d survive and look at him.” Jackie smiled. “He’s awake and hungry and so very vital. He’s strong and he’s a fighter.”
“That’s a very good thing too. Someone with his attitude has a much better chance.”
“Do you have children Dr. Watts?” Jackie asked her. “You understand how a mother feels, I can tell.”
“No, no kids.” She smiled at her. “But I do have a bunch of nieces and nephews if that counts.”
“Oh it does, if you love them like I’m sure you do.” Jackie smiled. “I love my son so very much. I need to know there is hope. Please Dr. Watts, there is hope, there has to be.”
“There is.” She took Jackie’s hand. “He has such an awesome attitude and a wonderful support system. Let’s get him home and I’ll get some answers.”
“Do you have the team you need at home?” Massimo asked. “Is Dr. Wing going to be working with you?”
“Mr. Marone, everything is under control. Dr. Wing will be available and if Captain Payne is unhappy with my services he is certainly entitled to ask for him to be his doctor. As for the rest of the team, we have a wonderful hospital staff and I work with the best physical therapists in the business. Captain Payne will get the best possible care, I guarantee that.”
“I was just offering my help.” Massimo answered defensively.
“I’m sorry.” She said. “I do appreciate you wanting to help, but you have to trust me or this isn’t going to work.”
“Dr. Watts, forgive us, we’re just nervous.” Jackie apologized for Massimo.
“I do understand.” She said. “It will all make more sense once we get home.”



“Thanks Helen.” Thorne stood as the woman left the room with the coffee cups and plates and unfinished pastries. He then sat down again and faced his mother. “Are you ready to get dressed now that you’ve eaten something?”
“Why are you pushing this? There is nothing for me there.” She protested.
“Don’t let them win.” He said.
“Them?” She asked.
“Dad, Brooke, Ridge, anyone who’s making you feel so miserable. Do it for yourself Mother.”
“I just don’t want to make things worse. Your father is so angry.” She sighed and looked at him. “I wish you could understand. It’s so hard Thorne, so hard to love someone and have them want nothing to do with you.”
“I do understand.” The sadness in his eyes was palatable.
“Macy still isn’t talking to you?” She asked, coming out of her own self pity.
“I went there and I know she was home. She had Sally lie to me.” He explained. “I’m not giving up though. I’ll get through to her eventually.”
“Are you sure Thorne?” Stephanie wondered.
“I won’t give up.” He answered with a squint. “Did you think I would? I’m not a quitter.”
“No honey, I didn’t mean you’re a quitter, I just wondered if it was worth it all. She’s been gone so long and you’ve been through so much. Maybe it’s too late, maybe you two are just too far apart now.”
“I was so wrong to divorce her. I should have been there helping her, loving her.”
“Brooke.” Stephanie spit. “There isn’t a life in this family that she hasn’t destroyed, not even her own children.”
“It wasn’t her fault. It was both of us. We should have stopped things before they went as far as they did. Brooke and I never should have married. We should have just settled for an affair. Short but sweet. We’d still have good memories and no one would have ended up in so much pain.” He gave her a smile. “But I can’t change the past, just the present and hopefully the future and that’s with Macy.”
“Are you sure she doesn’t belong in your past too?” Stephanie asked honestly.



Brooke stared at Nick in disbelief. She frowned and then laughed. “You know for a moment I thought you were serious.”
“I am.” He answered quickly.
“Oh I know, you meant it about your injuries. But I thought you meant it about us. It was mean to even joke with me about that.” She smiled and took his hand. “Now we need to find out how long you’ll be in the hospital and what we’ll need to do for when you come home. Are you going to continue with this doctor or haven’t you decided.”
“You’re not listening to me Brooke.” Nick seemed confused and conflicted by her attitude.
“Of course I am, but you didn’t have very much information. But that’s okay, maybe we need to wait until you get home and they can assess everything.” She opened her purse and pulled out her planner. “I had a trip to New York planned but I’m going to send Thorne.”
“Brooke!” Nick said in a loud voice.
“Now don’t get all worked up about this. Even if you hadn’t had the accident I think I’d have sent him. I don’t like leaving Hope and I’ve displaced her far too much already lately. And now that things are going to be a little crazy with you I know it’s not the time for me to leave. I need to spend more time with you and at Forrester, my going out of town is just a bad move. I’m going to send Megan a message to change it all before I even get back. You know I’m not sure I’ll be back at work for at least a few days. I want to get you settled and I want to spend some quality time with Hope.”
“Brooke I am serious. I am not going to get you involved in this.” Nick protested again.
“That’s crazy, I’m already involved. Don’t worry Nick, I have no intention of trying to take over anything, all the choices are ultimately yours, but I can do some research and see if I can come up with any alternatives. We need to look at this as a challenge. We will beat it too, I know that.” She started to make notes.
“No!” He shouted, stopping her in her tracks. “I meant it Brooke. If it’s permanent it’s over. You go your way, I go mine. We say goodbye and that’s that.”
“Sorry, but I can’t do that.” She shook her head and closed her notepad.
“You won’t have a choice. I’ll make sure of it.”
“And why Nick? Who would you be punishing? Tell me? Have I done something to upset you? I don’t think so. You’re understandably upset and you’re depressed too. But you have me, you can lean on me and we will get through this, no matter what the future brings we will get through it together.”
“I won’t do it! I won’t!” He objected.
“And what is it you’d be doing? You’re not making sense Nick.”
“You’re not going to be saddled with a cripple! I won’t ruin your life that way! You may feel this is what you want right now but sooner or later you’d be unhappy and you’d resent me. I know you Brooke, you’d feel obligated and you’d stick around. I won’t let you do that! I won’t!”
“Why don’t you let me decide what I will do and won’t do?” She answered. “And as for being unhappy, you couldn’t be more wrong. I can’t even imagine being happier than I’ve been since you and I, since, we, since, since we started seeing each other.”
“It can’t be the same anymore Brooke.”
“I’m not afraid of change. No, it won’t be the same but it’s still good Nick. I love you and you love me. We are happy, we will still be happy. I’m not scared of being there for the hard times. God knows you did it for me.”
“No comparison.” He muttered angrily.
“No. I admit it’s different, but that’s okay. It’s not a tit for tat thing. I’m not doing this to pay you back. I’m doing it because it’s where I want to be, it’s what I want to do. I love you Nick.”
“You’ll end up hating me.” He argued.
“No I won’t.” She smiled. “I don’t think I could ever hate you.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“I’d be shocked if it ever happened.” She shot back.
“Brooke there are things you haven’t even considered. This isn’t about you playing Florence Nightingale!”
“Oh is THAT what you think I’m doing?” She laughed.
“You feel bad and you think it’s wrong to turn away, but that’s okay because I’m freeing you. Run Brooke, get out while the getting is good. I mean it. I won’t tie you down to this. I could never live with myself.”
“You must really think I’m shallow. I don’t get it Nick, I know that you know me better. You know me better than just about anyone I’ve ever met before.”
“I’m not calling you shallow Brooke but I just don’t think you’re grasping the entire situation! I can’t feel Brooke, it’s not like I’m going to be some cute little cripple in a wheelchair and that that’s the only change. It’s not like the TV movies where the guy plays basketball or does marathons, it’s hard work, it’s painful and it’s a royal pain in the ass too. There is nothing fun or glamorous about this! I can’t walk! I can barely make myself sit up! I can’t do things! What we started was so good Brooke, and I know you’re a passionate woman. Do you really expect me to pull the plug on that part of your life? Am I supposed to be the man who made a nun out of Brooke Logan? I’m sorry sweetheart but I can’t do that! I won’t do that!”
Brooke stared at him. She opened her mouth to speak but at first nothing came out. She just continued to stare.
“See, you weren’t thinking it all through were you? It has to be over Brooke. I can’t expect you to give up sex for me! I know you love me and I know you’d do your best to stay faithful. But it would kill both of us when you couldn’t do it anymore. It’s easier to just cut it off now before it goes too far. I don’t want to lose you but I won’t sentence you to that life. I’m doing this for you damn it!”
“Do you think I only love you because you’re good in bed? You think all I want you for is your pen*s? Do you think that’s what love means to me? Sex?”
“Sex is important Brooke, don’t pretend it’s not. I know it’s important to you.”
“I’m not pretending anything Nick, but I love you for everything about you. Yes, we are great together in bed, but if that was all I cared about, well I just can’t believe you think that way about me.”
“I don’t.” He said softly. “I don’t at all, but you just need to see where I’m coming from. It won’t work. I know that, even if I wish it wasn’t true, I know it is true.”
“So you think you can just push me away and we’ll both be happy?” She asked. “I know I won’t and I don’t think you would be either. Nick I’m not going anywhere, I’m sticking by you and we’re going to fight this together. I want to be with you, no matter what happens. You’re not going to get rid of me no matter how hard you try so I suggest you use you energy on something a little more productive.” She crossed her arms across her chest defiantly. Nick stared at her first with anger and then he couldn’t help smiling. Brooke’s frown started to break and when Nick laughed she had to laugh too.
“You’re one stubborn woman.” He shook his head.
“I am.” She said.
“You sure have gotten a lot stronger since the first time I met you.” He added.
“I have.” She agreed.
“Brooke I think I’m right about this. I think that if it’s permanent you need to move on.” He gave it one more attempt.
“No.” She shook her head.
“You’re not thinking it out.” He argued.
“It’s not me who’s not thinking things out Nick.” She held onto his hand. “We’re going to be okay Nick. First, I think that this is not going to be permanent. I know you’re a fighter and I know you can beat this.”
“Brooke.” He shook his head.
“Don’t interrupt me.” She warned him. “I’m not going to give up that fight Nick, even if it doesn’t happen today or tomorrow, I believe you’ll beat this, but if not I’m still not going anywhere. We have something worth fighting for and I intend to fight for it, even if it means fighting you, which it shouldn’t.”
“I’m doing it for you.” He weakly protested, but he knew his words were useless at this point.
“Well thank you very much, but no thanks.” She smiled at him then she turned serious. “I do like sex and I do like what we shared.”
“I know you’re willing to give it up, but you’ll resent me, it’s too much to ask.”
“I think there are a lot of ways we can please each other.” She looked into his eyes. “Once you’re feeling better and you’re home we’ll see that Nick. You can’t even know how great it feels just to sleep in your arms or to have you kiss me. But there can be more, we can find ways to express our feelings.”
“Damn it Brooke, that’s not enough!” He shouted.
“It is for me.” She told him. “I’m not going to just stop loving you Nick, no matter how much you seem to want me to it’s just not going to happen so give it up!” She said in a strong, powerful voice.
“Looks like I’m not going to win this am I?” He muttered.
“I think you’ve already won Nick, you have me and you have my love, in my book that makes you a winner.”



”You always liked Macy.” Thorne frowned. “Why are you discouraging us? You can’t blame her for what I put her though. She did suffer.”
“I know she did honey, but look at how she reacted, look at how quickly she reverted to the bottle”
“She’s not drinking anymore.” Thorne pointed out.
“I know, and she did that on her own. She drew her strength away from you. Perhaps she sees that as much as you love each other, you’re not good for each other. I am not saying this to be cruel. She is a lovely girl and I will accept her if this is what you both want. I’m just not sure it’s really what she wants, not anymore. Now Trisha on the other hand does want you. You know Thorne, I haven’t seen you so happy and strong yourself as you were with her. I think you really need to think about that.”
“I like Trisha, but I love Macy. She was my wife! If I wasn’t so stupid she’d still be my wife. I need to make it right again Mother. I want to marry Macy and make a family with her. I hope you’ll support us, I really do.”



Ridge looked out the window as the plane taxied down the runway. He was excited; he was going to see Brooke soon. He would convince her to return with him and they could finally be married. I just didn’t know what to do about Macy. Brooke couldn’t know, not until they were safely married. “Vegas!” He smiled. “We’ll make a quick stop before retuning!” He was pleased with his idea. He knew she would have a hard time with it, but he also didn’t believe for a minute that Macy was carrying his child. “It’ll all work out.” He told himself. “Just a few more minutes and I’ll be on my way to my beautiful. What?” He gasped as his eyes widened in shock. The Marone jet was taxiing away, ready to take off. “Brooke!” He called out. “Please, please tell me you’re not on that plane!”



“Are you comfortable darling?” Jackie reached over and touched Nick’s hand.
“Just peachy.” He mumbled.
“Shhh.” Brooke chastised him. “She’s just concerned.”
“I’m okay Mom.” He gave Jackie a smile and then laid his head back against the headrest. He reached for Brooke’s hand and held it tightly. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.” She laughed softly. “She’s your mother and she loves you very much.”
“That’s true but I meant about before.” He sighed and forced a smile.
“You’re not going to fight me?” She asked.
“You’re right that having you makes me a winner. But it also makes you a loser. I’m not ready to drag you down. I just don’t know what to do.”
“You’re not going to have to do anything.” Brooke promised. “We’re going to get good news and you’re going to be fine and we can forget we ever disagreed on this.”
“I’d like nothing better than for that to be true, I just don’t know.” He shook his head.
“Life offers us no guarantees.” She answered. “But I’m just glad we met and that we’re together and good or bad I’m here. It’s time you got that through your thick skull.” She teased. She leaned over and checked his seat belt, making sure it was secure. “We’ll be home soon and everything is going to work out.”
“For once I agree with her.” Massimo interjected.
“Do you have a couple of cars meeting us?” Nick asked his employer.
“An ambulance will be there as well as my limo. Why?”
“I want Brooke to be taken home.” Nick instructed.
“Nick!” Brooke gasped in shock.
“It’s going to take forever to get me checked in and the tests started. I want you to go home to Hope. You can come see me tomorrow.”
“I’m going with you. I want to make sure you’re settled.” She said stubbornly.
“God woman! I can’t make you budge on anything!” He threw up his arms in frustration. “Would someone please tell her that I’m right!”
“He is Brooke.” Massimo eagerly jumped in. “Nick will be busy and you really can’t be much help with all the paperwork. Go home like he asked you.”
“I disagree with all of you.” Jackie spoke up, making all eyes turn to her. She looked at them all and then continued. “After all that Brooke has been through Nicky, you certainly can’t expect her to not see it out until the end. As for you.” She turned to Massimo. “You need to get over your animosity towards Brooke. She loves my Nicky and he loves her.”
Brooke smiled at her. And Jackie turned her attention to Brooke. “But darling, I don’t totally agree with you either, Nicky is right. You need to see your daughter.”
“Yes, but.” Brooke tried to interrupt.
“But.” Jackie continued. “Not until you know Nicky is being taken care of and in his room. So I think you should accompany us and get him settled and then go home and spend the evening with your baby. I’ll be with Nick and you will be seeing him again in the morning. Now how does that sound?” She asked.
“Fair.” Brooke smiled broadly. “And smart, very smart.”
“Doable.” Nick halfheartedly agreed.
”You act like you don’t want me around.” Brooke frowned.
“I’m worried about Hope.” He admitted. “She’s going to resent me.”
“Never.” Brooke promised him.
“Well, you bring her over to see me once I get home.” He said gruffly.
“Looks like my son loves mother AND child.” Jackie laughed. “It’s so sweet seeing this side of him.”
“I’d like to bring her to see you sooner but I doubt the hospital will allow it.” Brooke looked out the window. “We’re taking off.”
“Good.” Nick sighed. “She’ll see me soon, I don’t intend on staying in the hospital more than a day.”
“A day!” Brooke gasped. “Nick that’s crazy!”
“Not as crazy as you think.” Dr. Watts interjected. They all turned to her.
“I can go home?” Nick asked.
“Once we do the testing and determine a regime to follow I’d say yes. Physically you’re in pretty good shape, but the um,” She stopped. “We can discuss this alone later.”
“She knows, they all know.” Nick informed her. “They know I can’t walk or anything.”
“Okay, that makes it easier.” She sighed with relief. “As long as we determine how to go ahead and you agree to whatever therapy I prescribe I think a home environment could be beneficial to a more speedy recovery. However a day may be a bit optimistic. I’m thinking we’ll need you in at least three or four days and then when you do go home you’ll need home care.”
“I can take care of myself.” Nick grumbled.
“Not at first.” Dr. Watts disagreed. “It will be a different world Nick, everything familiar will look different to you. Things that were once within easy reach will become impossibilities. You’ll need help with the simple things and especially with the more complicated ones. In time, if it is a permanent condition, you can adjust to being on your own, or mostly on your own, but not right away. Plus I’ll want you to have plenty of therapy. Your home will need some customization too, switches moved, other things too. Do you have stairs?” She asked.
“Oh dear.” Jackie exclaimed. “Well, you can stay in the guest room at the beach house with me, that will work.”
“I have plenty of room, but the stairs will be a problem.” Brooke frowned.
“I have a penthouse apartment with a private elevator, there are no stairs for him to navigate at all.” Massimo volunteered.
“Hold it!” Nick called out loudly. “I have a home, thanks for the offers but I’ll be going home to the Shady Marlin.”
“You can’t.” Brooke protested.
“It would never work darling.” Jackie agreed. “You’d never ever get below deck.”
“You live on a boat?” Dr. Watts asked him.
“Yes I do and I have no intention of moving.”
“I’m afraid your mother and your friend are right Nick, it just isn’t a realistic option.” She turned to Massimo. “The apartment sounds like the best choice.”
“The Shady Marlin is the ONLY option.” Nick announced. “We’ll make it work.”
“Now Dominick, you have to try and be more agreeable.” Massimo chastised him like he was a child. “Your mother and I are trying to make things better for you. We could insist that you remain in the hospital or transfer to a Rehab facility.”
“Over my dead body.” Nick scowled. “And as for options, the only option is the one I choose.”
“I’ll make some calls.” Brooke told him. “I know a carpenter that worked for Thorne, he’s good and he’s quick. I bet he can set up a ramp or something.”
“A ramp?” Nick asked.
“You’ll be in a wheelchair Nick.” Dr. Watts answered. “Surely you realized that.”
“I guess.” He sighed and dejectedly sat back.
“Only for a little while.” Brooke told him with a smile. “You’ll be walking soon, I promise.”
Dr. Watts shot her a quick look but realized Brooke was right, Nick needed positive reinforcement and encouragement. Not only that but she believed that he would walk too. She had no physical evidence, just her gut instincts. Her frown turned to a smile. “A positive attitude is very important.” She assured Brooke. “And I think with your help and Mr. Marone’s and his mother’s too that Nick is going to do very well.”
“But the Shady Marlin?” Jackie asked in a tone that showed her distaste.
“It’s my home.” Nick reminded her.
“You can stay with me until we get it fixed up for you.” Brooke volunteered. “We’ll set up something downstairs.”
“I don’t want to be put on display, you’re not going to turn your dining room or whatever into a bedroom for me. I’ll figure something out.” Nick told Brooke.
“You have enough to worry about, I’ll figure this one out.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Nick, I relied on you for so much, please let me reciprocate.”
He looked at her and tried to be angry, but the love that shone from her eyes was more than he could handle. He turned away as he felt his own eyes tear up. “A team, we’ll be a team.” He muttered softly.
“We already are.” She answered.



Ridge felt helpless as he watched the plane take flight. He had desperately started making phone calls trying to keep the plane on the ground but it was no use. Now he could only hope that Brooke was still there. He had called the hotel that he believed she was staying but the language barriers had made it an impossible quest. He called the hospital but no know knew if Nick Payne was or had ever been a patient. He knew that his best bet was to go there in person. He was going to lose precious time if Brooke was already gone, but if she hadn’t left yet he’d be able to get through to her. He pulled out his papers, ready to make the trip through customs as fast as possible. He needed to get to Brooke and get to Brooke now. “You won’t have her Popeye, she’s mine.” Ridge said aloud. “Mine.”



“Macy, honey what’s going on?” Sally walked up behind her daughter and put her hands on her shoulders. “You’ve been acting very strangely lately. I know you’re annoyed with Thorne but I can’t help thinking there’s more to it.”
“I’m fine, I just have a lot on my mind.” Macy replied with a smile. “Don’t worry about me Mom, everything is going to work out just fine, I know it.”
“Do you mean Thorne?” Sally asked with a frown.
“Oh yeah. Everything is going to be just as it was meant to be for Thorne.” She smiled again. “Soon I’ll tell you everything, I promise.”
“I’m intrigued! I am very intrigued. Can’t you tell me a little about what’s going on?”
Macy laughed and took her mother’s hands. “I’m going to have what we’ve always wanted. You’ll be happy.”
“And will you?” Sally wondered.
“I already am.” Macy looked down at her still flat belly. “Happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.”
“I’m very confused. You did have me send Thorne away. I suppose this is your way of keeping him in line somehow, but be careful Macy, I don’t want it to backfire on you.”
“It won’t.” Macy said confidently.



The phone calls had been fruitless so Ridge decided to head to the hospital and see if Brooke was there. He had instructed his contacts to make more calls while he went looking for Brooke, then he had gotten a taxi and gone to the hospital. The language barrier has proven to be more than a small challenge but finally he had found where Nick’s room was. He walked fast, with a purpose, down the hallway looking up at the room numbers as he got closer. He turned the corner and there it was, Nick’s room. He was going to do this quickly, no time for debate. Brooke was coming home with him no matter what Popeye said. He walked through the open door to find the bed eerily empty. The machines were all silent and unplugged. Ridge thought perhaps he had the wrong room and was about to turn around when he heard the sound of soft, feminine sobs. Frightened that it was Brooke crying over the fool he quickly turned and saw the attractive brunette sobbing into her hands. “Payne?” He asked her.
“Gone.” She said in a thick Spanish accent. “He’s gone.”
“Oh my God, I had no idea.” Ridge gasped. “Damn, I didn’t like the guy but this is not what I wanted, really. Is, was he a friend of yours?” He felt stupid after the words spilled from his mouth. Of course he meant something to her, she was sobbing her heart out. He walked over to her and sat down next to her. “When?”
“I, I don’t know.” She looked up. “I was late getting here and when I got here it was too late.”
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what to say to the woman. He just wanted to leave, he wanted to find Brooke. Now he was almost positive that she was on that plane. If Payne was dead there was no reason at all for her to stay. “Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?” Ridge nervously asked the woman.
She looked up at him with a frown. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you mister, uh?” She looked up in confusion.
“Ridge, Ridge Forrester. Payne worked for me.” He explained.
“No, he worked for Marone.” She corrected him. “Oh wait, you’re the son. Brooke told me about you. You’re the man she was to marry.”
“The man she WILL marry.” He corrected her. “You know Brooke? Do you know where she is?”
“I’m sure she left too.” Pilar gave him a strange look. “Why would she stay behind?”
“You mean with Massimo, sure, I’m sure she did go home with him. I guess they made all the arrangements to get him, it, well, you know, the body um home.”
“Body?” Her tears stopped and she looked up at him and started to laugh.
“Pop, Payne.” Ridge reminded her. “They aren’t burying him here are they?”
“I hope they’re not burying him at all.” She laughed.
“I don’t understand.” Ridge frowned. “Oh, at sea, that’s what sailors like isn’t it?”
“Mr. Forrester, Ridge, Neek is not dead.” Pilar explained.
“But you said.” He stopped and scratched his head as he looked around the empty room. “And you were crying.”
“I said he was gone.” She laughed again. “Gone home. With her.” She bitterly added.
“That son of a bitch!” Ridge growled. Pilar gasped in shock. “Sorry, but that man is a thorn in my side. I guess he means something to you so I’m sorry if I seem insensitive but I need to find Brooke, I need to find her now.”
“Are you going back to LA?” She asked.



“Sharon, you’re back!” Dr. Dick Wing walked over to Dr. Watts. “Thanks so much for taking over for me.” He looked down at Nick who was settled into the bed, walked up to him and offered his hand. “Captain Payne, I trust Dr. Watts has given you the best care.”
“Just peachy.” He said with a sarcastic sigh and a look over at Brooke.
“She’s been wonderful.” Brooke assured the older man. “Nick’s a little cranky, it was a long, hard flight and he’s tired.”
“I just want to go home.” Nick muttered.
“Hello Dr. Wing, I’m Massimo Marone and this is Jacqueline Payne, Dominick’s mother.” Massimo extended his hand. “And I concur with Ms. Logan, Dr. Watts has been exemplary.”
“Good, good.” He nodded and turned back to Dr. Watts. “I made the calls and I got Tracy Deveraux. She should be here in the morning.”
“Wonderful.” She smiled and turned to Nick. “She’s the best physical therapist in LA. I try to work with her and her staff whenever possible. She’s always in demand, it’s very good news that we got her.”
“Just get me out of here Dr. Watts.” He said without much emotion.
Dr. Wing looked from Nick to Dr. Watts. “Sharon?”
“Nick, Captain Payne, is in remarkably good shape after all he’s been through. I’d like to treat him on an outpatient basis and now that we have Tracy I have full confidence we’ll be able to. I just want to keep him a day or two for the tests and to come up with a regiment and then I think he will really benefit from being in a friendlier environment. Nick has promised to make it to all his therapy sessions and with the cooperation of his friends and family I’m sure he will do just that.”
“I’m sure you’ll take everything into consideration and I wouldn’t second guess you. Captain Payne does appear to be in much better shape than I expected.” Dr. Wing picked up the chart and looked at it. “I see you’ve scheduled all the appropriate tests, good.”
“Don’t you just love how they talk about me like I’m not even here?” Nick asked Brooke in a very sarcastic tone.
“Shhhh.” Brooke sat next to him on the bed. “They’re just doing their jobs.”
“Hmmmmm. I’m not some specimen in a test tube.” He said loudly. Then he pulled Brooke to him and kissed her. “Okay, I’m in the room, I’m safe and sound, they’re doing all the tests, you know where to find me, go home to Hope okay?”
“I know, I know.” Brooke sighed. “I just hate to leave you.”
“For God’s sake Brooke, he doesn’t want you here? Give the man some peace!” Massimo growled at her.
“Hey!” Nick shouted at him. “I never said I don’t want her here. I do!” He pulled Brooke to him and looked her in the eyes. “You know that don’t you?” He asked her.
“Yes.” She told him with a smile. “And I know why you want me to leave and I have to reluctantly agree with you.” She laughed softly.
“Bring her to see me, please.” He begged.
“Nick I don’t know if I can.” She protested.
“Please. Sneak her, I don’t care, please Brooke, I want to see her.”
“I’ll do my best.” She promised.
“Go home.” Nick whispered. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asked.
“Of course you will.” Brooke promised him. “I love you.” She leaned down and gave him a gentle kiss. “Sleep tight.”
“I’ll dream about you.” He winked.
“I hope so.” She giggled. “I know I’ll dream about you.” She kissed him once more and got up. She turned to Jackie. “Take good care of him and call me if anything, well just call me.”
“I will Brooke, but he’ll be fine.” Jackie assured her. “Have a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow.”




“Uh yeah, I’m going back home to LA, I need to find my fiancée.” Ridge told the woman. “Why?”
“You have your own plane no?” She asked.
“Why?” He was getting suspicious. He didn’t know who this woman was, not even her name. “Who are you anyway?” He asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I felt like I know you so you should know me?” She laughed. “I am Pilar.” She told him.
“Am I supposed to know who Pilar is?” He asked.
“I am the woman who you should be very glad to meet Reedge. I am Pilar, Neek’s fiancée.”
“His what? Popeye? He’s engaged?”
Pilar lifted her hand and showed Ridge her ring. “Neek loves me, but he is confused. You and I will help him not be so confused no? Together we will make sure that Neek and Brooke end whatever it is they started no?”
“Yes, yes.” Ridge said excitedly. “And you want to come back with me? You need to tell me the whole story.”
“I will, on the plane, if you take me.”
“Yes.” Ridge nodded. Things might be looking up after all. Nick had a fiancée. Brooke was going to be shocked, Brooke was going to be his. “Let’s get going. Do you live nearby? We need to get your suitcase.”
“Come, we go.” She took his hand. “We make good partners Reege. We both will win.”



“Mommy!” Hope screamed and ran into Brooke’s outstretched arms. The little girl giggled as her Mother lifted her and swung her around and then held her close and hugged her.
“Did you miss me?” Brooke kissed Hope and hugged her tighter. “I sure missed you.”
“Mommy.” She gave a deep, contented sigh and relaxed in Brooke’s arms.
“I’m home now baby, I’m home.”
“Mommy! See my boat!” Hope suddenly struggled to be free. Brooke put her down and then followed the excited child as she ran to the other side of the room. “Look! Look! Nick!” She held up the toy boat that had once lived in Rick’s toy box.
“Oh Hope.” Brooke smiled. “What a nice boat that is.”
“Nick.” Hope repeated. Then she looked around with a frown. “Where Nick?” She pouted.
“Nick’s home too sweetie, you’ll see him soon.” Brooke didn’t want to make promises about when as she didn’t know how soon Hope would see him. She was shocked that Hope seemed so into Nick after so much time had passed.
“I miss Nick.” She told him. “Mommy?”
“What honey?” Brooke asked.
“Can we marry Nick?” She asked with the sweet innocence of a child. It shocked Brooke but it also making her smile.



“Will this test take long Dr. Wing?” Jackie asked as she put sugar into her tea and stirred it. Dr. Wing had taken Jackie and Massimo to the cafeteria while Dr. Watts had taken Nick for some tests.
“About a half hour.” He put down his fork. “Are you sure you don’t want something to eat Mrs. Payne? This chicken is quite delicious.”
“I have no appetite and my nerves are frazzled. Please, please tell me what you think and be honest. Will he walk again?” She implored him.
“At this point it’s hard to say. I’ve reviewed the X-rays and I see nothing that would cause a permanent paralysis, but we do need to take more extensive X-rays here, as well as the other tests.”
“But your own opinion? Doctor? What do your instincts tell you? If Nicky were your son would you feel optimistic?”
Dr. Wing swallowed his mouthful and looked at Jackie. “I’d say yes.” He said slowly, carefully. “But I don’t want to give you any impression that this is a guarantee. Let’s just wait on these tests. But even if it’s not permanent, there was damage done and he will need intensive and painful therapy.” He looked down at his plate. “This applesauce is awesome, you’d never expect something homemade in a hospital cafeteria but that’s exactly what this is. Are you sure I can’t tempt you?”
“It is good Jacqueline.” Massimo concurred. “You need to keep up your strength, but if you’re not ready to eat I’ll take you out when we leave.”
“I just want to hear some good news, I want to know that Nicky is going to be okay.” Jackie stared down at her tea. “That’s all I want, just to know my son is going to be alright.”
“I think we’ll be getting some, and I’m glad you have Sharon Watts on the case, she’s excellent.” Dr. Wing told them. “Keep your chin up, it’s going to be a long, slow process but I think we’ll have a happy ending.”



“Hee hee, I’m sure that’s not the welcome home you expected.” Donna laughed as she walked into the room and up to Brooke. “She’s hooked Brooke, I swear she missed him as much as she missed you.”
“Maybe more.” Brooke laughed. “Thanks so much Donna, I can’t ever repay you for this.”
“I love you and I love Goldilocks too.” She ruffled Hope’s hair. “How’s Nick?”
“We’ll talk later.” Brooke said in a serious tone.
“He’s okay isn’t he?” Donna was obviously worried.
“Yes, he is, but it’s complicated.”
“Mommy can we? Can we?” Hope tugged at Brooke’s blouse.
Brooke looked up at Donna for help but her sister just shrugged. “Sweetie I know you like Nick a lot and he likes you too.”
“I want to marry him.” Hope grinned. “He can sleep in my room!” She said excitedly.
“Little devil, she sure is starting early.” Donna teased.
“She really is fond of him isn’t she?” Brooke shook her head.
“Are things not right between you?” Donna frowned.
“No, it’s not us, we’re fine, we’re really good. I’ll tell you later. Has Hope eaten?”
“Have you?” Donna asked.
“Not really, well I did have something with Jackie but neither of us really ate anything. Shall we call for a pizza or something?” Brooke suggested.
“Sounds good to me.” Donna agreed. “You’re not going into Forrester tomorrow are you?”
“No, I’m not sure when I’ll be going back. I need to speak to Eric, but I’m just so damn tired. You don’t think I’d be horrible if I put it off until tomorrow do you?”
“Not at all. Now just let me call for the pizza and we can catch up.” Donna walked to the phone. “Is it okay that I use it?”
“The phone?” Brooke questioned. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I thought he might be calling or something.”
“Oh.” Brooke smiled. “He’s really tired, I think he needs to sleep. I’m going to go back first thing in the morning. He wants me to bring Hope but I really don’t know about that.”
“What if I come with you, she goes in and says hello and I take her right home?” Donna suggested. “That way she won’t be wondering where he is but she won’t be there long enough to ask too many Q U E S T I O N S.” Donna spelled the word. “She’s getting way too smart.”
“She’ll ask them anyway.” Brooke laughed. “But that might work. Thanks Donna, you’re always there for me.”



“So what did it tell you? Be honest, remember.” Nick looked sternly at Dr. Watts.
“I know, no sugarcoating.” She sat on the bed next to him. She looked at her chart and then finally let her eyes meet his. “You’re not responding to stimuli Nick.”
He frowned and settled back on the bed. “I guess that’s that then.” He sighed.
“No. I didn’t say that. It’s early, we need to give it time.”
“I should feel something shouldn’t I?” He asked.
“A lot is unknown.”
“Well I know one thing.” He said through clenched teeth. “She’s moving on whether she likes it or not.”
“Listen to me. We have to start the therapy, we need to work not quit.” Sharon Watts protested. “You promised me you weren’t a quitter. And Nick, I’ve checked the X-rays and there is nothing in there indicating anything was damaged. Physically you should be healing.”
“Oh, so you’re saying this is in my head huh? Sorry Doc but you couldn’t be more wrong. The last thing in the world I want is to be lying here like some kind of helpless gimp. Just go! Just go!”
“Nick please.” She touched his arm but he pulled away as if her touch was repulsive.
“Go!” He shouted. “I need to be alone!”
“I’ll be back. Just think about what I said, it’s not hopeless, it isn’t.”
“Go!” He screamed at her.
Nick turned his face from her but listened as she left. He heard the door closing and then her footsteps as she walked down the long hallway. “Why? Damn it why?” He shouted in anger. He looked on the side table and grabbed the small vase of flowers that Jackie had brought in for him. “Hopeless! It’s all over!” He held the vase so tightly that the blood rushed to his fingers. Suddenly his anger erupted full force. With all his strength he threw the vase of flowers that the door that Dr. Watts had retreated through.
“Whoa!” Came a feminine voice. Nick looked as the petite woman ducked out of the way of the missile. “I feel like I walked into a scene from Gone With the Wind.” She laughed.
“Who the hell are you?” He grumbled as he studied her. She was young, around thirty or so, very pretty with long reddish brown hair and sparkly hazel eyes. The sweat pants hugged her body as did the small sports bra top. In another lifetime she would have gotten a quick arousal from him, but that was no longer part of his world. “What do you want?” He demanded.
“You know, I do like my patients to have spunk and be a little feisty, but this is going a little bit too far.” She walked to him and extended her slim but strong hand. “I’m Tracy Deveraux, your physical therapist.”



Ridge hung up the phone and turned to Pilar. “He’s checked into the hospital and Brooke has gone home. Massimo and his mother are still there.”
“You certainly get instant answers don’t you.” She smiled at Ridge. “In fact you get everything you want don’t you?”
She looked around the luxurious plane. She had never seen anything like it before in her life.
“I ALWAYS get what I want.” He concurred.
Pilar had no doubts that he was referring to Brooke. She smiled like the Cheshire Cat. She had had her doubts before but with Ridge on her side she knew that Brooke would not be a problem for her. She belonged with a man like this, not with Nick, in the end they’d all be happy and they’d all be where they belonged. She took a sip of her sparkling water and looked out the window. Soon they’d be landing and she hadn’t given a thought to where she would stay. She had little money and now she was worried. “Ridge?” She looked at him.
“Yeah, I do get what I want, and yes, I will get Brooke back.” He threw back his head as he gulped the strong amber liquid.
“Do you know where Neek lives?” She asked.
“On a rickety old boat.” He laughed. “Like Logan would EVER live there. Like she could ever be happy there.”
“Can you take me there?” She asked. “I will need a place to stay.”
“Oh.” Ridge suddenly realized her predicament. “No, I don’t want to arouse suspicion. You can stay in one of my guest rooms until Popeye gets out.”
“One of them?” She asked. “You have more than one guest room?”
“I have several.” He gave her an odd look.
“Why? Why would you need so many rooms?” She wondered. “I’m sorry, I do not mean to be rude.”
Ridge remembered her small, sparse apartment. Sometimes he forgot the world didn’t all live by the standards of the Forrester family. He rarely traveled in other circles so he wasn’t used to even the middle class, like Brooke had once been part of, let alone someone who was actually poor. “Always be prepared.” He told her. “You stay with me and I’ll help you, I’ll help you get that life that you want and you’ll help me get Brooke. I’ll teach you to act and dress like Brooke does and then Payne will have the woman he loves with the class he hoped for. We’ll make a good team Pilar. You’ll learn, I’ll show you how to look and act and be just like Brooke okay?”
“I will do anything to get Neek back.” She answered. “Anything.” Her vow was a promise, one that Pilar was prepared to keep. She would do anything to win back Nick and she already knew that this man wanted a taste of forbidden fruit. She could see how he stared at her, how he was undressing her with his eyes. She’s spent many years prostituting herself to get ahead, she had sold her body for food, for money and for shelter. The only man she had ever given herself to out of love was Nick and she’d gladly give herself to him to get Nick. She found him unattractive and even repulsive, but he would never know that. Ridge would think that she found him the most attractive man on earth if he helped her get Nick back. “You can show me how Brooke loves a man too no?” She opened the buttons on her dress and let it fall to the floor. “You’ll show me what he wants to replace Pilar with.” She kicked the dress out of her way and walked up to him, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her breasts against him. Her hand reached down and cupped him. “I will show you how a man can make a woman his forever too.”
“Pilar.” He gasped as her mouth covered his. One hand reached to cup her breasts and the other slid between her legs, stroking her dark wet curls. The woman wanted him. He knew he should say no, but if he denied her she could turn on him and he needed her help. He’d make love to her, he’d do anything to get Brooke back.
“Anything.” She whispered and closed her eyes, shutting the man from her sights. She brought Nick’s image into her mind, felt his hand stroking her, his lips kissing her. She spread her legs wider, allowing his fingers to enter her, soon it would be more, and soon she would have him ready to do anything for her. “Anything.” She repeated.

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