Chapter Six


Brooke tried to reach for the lamp but she was still unfamiliar with the room set up and she couldn’t seem to find it without turning away, and she just couldn’t seem to do that. “How did you find me?” She repeated.
“You wanted me to didn’t you?” He asked as he slowly walked closer to her bed.
“I, I, I, no. No I just wanted to be alone.” She weakly protested.
“I don’t think so.” He stepped closer, into a spot illuminated by moonlight. “I think you hoped I would come. I think you had this in mind right from the start.”
“You sure do think a lot of yourself.” She frowned at him. “I came here to be alone, to think. I didn’t tell you, I didn’t tell anyone.”
“Then how did I find you?” He asked.
“That’s what I’m asking you.” Brooke answered. “I don’t know why you’re here.”
“I’ve been thinking about you.” He said softly.
“This doesn’t make sense.” She nervously pulled the blankets up higher, trying to hide herself from him. “You’re in my hotel room.”
“You’ve been thinking about me too.” He stated in a soft, knowing voice.
“You shouldn’t be here.” Brooke protested, yet she found herself relaxing and no longer afraid.
“I’ll go. Just say the word.” His eyes sparkled as he smiled at her.
“You came all this way. Why?” She asked.
“I think you know the answer Brooke.”


Amber handed the paper cup of water to her son. “You drink that honey and Mommy will go down and get you a cookie, how does that sound?”
“Chocolate chip.” Little Eric looked up at her through his sleepy eyes.
“Chocolate chip it is.” She ruffled his hair. She looked over at the clock. “I wonder where Daddy is?” She asked, more to herself than to her son.
“Daddy was gonna read to me.” Eric’s lip quivered, as he was about to cry.
“Mommy will read to you. Daddy can read to you tomorrow.” She promised. “Now you just pick out a book and when I come back with the cookies I’ll read to you okay?”
“Okay.” He agreed.
Amber pulled on her robe and walked down the darkened staircase. The house was so quiet without Brooke and Hope and Rick not being there didn’t help anything. “I wish you had told me where you were going Rick.” Amber muttered as she reached for a lamp. “Eric?” She frowned as the golden rays illuminated her father-in-law, lying on the couch.
“Hello Amber.” He stretched and sat up. “Didn’t Rick tell you that I was staying?”
“No.” She blushed. “But I guess I should have figured it out, with what happened and all.”
“It’s only for a couple of days.” He scratched his head. “Until I get a place of my own. Everything happened so quickly, I just needed time to get my footing. I hope I’m not in your way.”
“Of course not.” She smiled at him. “I didn’t mean to disturb you, I just came down to get Little Eric some cookies.” She looked at Eric and frowned. “Why are you sleeping here? There are plenty of bedrooms.”
“I was reading.” Eric picked up a book from the floor. “I was getting tired so I shut off the light, I must have dozed off.”
“Good.” Amber pronounced. “I mean good that Rick didn’t think you should sleep on the couch or anything.”
“No.” Eric laughed. “My son set me up in Bridget’s old room.”
“Do you know where Rick went?” Amber asked him.
“Rick? I didn’t know he wasn’t here. He was earlier. I had talked to him about everything. I was thinking of going to bring Brooke home.”
“Oh, I don’t think she’d like that.” Amber shook her head. “Did Rick tell you where she is?”
“I knew Amber. I just don’t like to see her running away from her problems. I want to help her and hiding isn’t going to help at all.”
“She’s not hiding Eric. She just wanted time to think. She’s not alone either.”
“She’s not?” Eric was confused.
“Donna Logan was going to join her and I think Katie might too and of course Hope.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t go. I would have really embarrassed her.” Eric chuckled a bit. “I wonder why Rick didn’t tell me.”
“I’m not sure he knew. Katie called tonight and she was asking for the number there because she couldn’t leave as soon as she had hoped too, but she tried Donna and she had already left. I didn’t know they were going until she told me, so maybe Rick didn’t either. But I really think Brooke is okay about this. If she comes back then Ridge will start coming around again and if he does she may not be strong enough yet. I mean I know she loves him and all, but I don’t think she wants that now. Do you?”
“No I don’t Amber, and frankly I don’t think he’s good for her now, maybe never again.” Eric picked up a framed photo of Brooke and Ridge. “Once I believed he was the only man she would ever really love. I believed they were truly meant for each other, I believed it was destiny. But I was wrong.” He put the photo down. “I gave up a chance for true happiness, more than once.”
“You still love her.” Amber sighed.
“I’ve always loved her Amber. Once you love Brooke, it just doesn’t go away. Maybe, just maybe it could be our time again. That’s part of why I wanted to go to her.”
“Then maybe you should.” Amber told him.
“She’s not ready for that yet, but she is ready for a friend, a good friend, and I can be that for her.”


The soft rapping on the door awoke Bridget from her restless sleep. “Ridge?” She gasped. “Oh Ridge, you’ve come back.” She jumped out of bed and ran to the door, flinging it open, hoping to fling herself into the arms of the man she was so desperately in love with but her heart sunk to her stomach when she saw the woman standing there. “Stephanie.” She muttered.
“You didn’t really think it would be him did you?” Stephanie frowned and walked in, closing the door behind her.
“Why are you here? It’s late, I was sleeping.” Bridget complained.
“Not too late if I were Ridge though.”
“This doesn’t concern you.” Bridget rudely answered.
“It doesn’t concern me? It doesn’t concern me?” Stephanie’s voice rose in anger. “Whatever goes on in my children’s lives concerns me Bridget!”
“Ridge isn’t a child and neither am I. We’re right for each other, even Taylor saw that.”
“Taylor?” Stephanie scoffed. “Don’t delude yourself Bridget. Taylor loved you, but as Ridge’s little sister. She never would have considered you for him. She never considered anyone but herself. Certainly these feelings weren’t happening when she was alive were they?”
“No.” Bridget mumbled. Then she cleared her throat and looked up at Stephanie. “But when she was in the hospital, she knew she was dying and she spoke to me about love and what was important and she knew and she was telling me to be with Ridge. She wanted this and so do I and so does Ridge.”
“Ridge wants your mother and as misguided as that is, she is a far better choice than you are Bridget.”
Bridget looked crushed and Stephanie felt the need to somewhat clarify her statement. “For Ridge honey, because of your relationship. I think you are a wonderful girl and if you weren’t who you were I’d be behind you, but you are Bridget. Ridge is your brother, even if there is no blood tie. He’s your brother.”


He walked up to the bed and sat down near her. “You look beautiful.” Brooke blushed and started to turn away but his hand was on her cheek turning her back towards him. “Don’t do that Brooke. You’re not embarrassed and you’re not afraid of me either.”
“Hope.” She weakly protested.
“Hope is important.” He smiled. “I’ve hoped to have a chance to fix things, to make them right again and I’m here and you’re here. Hope worked for us.”
“I, I meant my daughter.” Brooke explained.
He laughed gently and took her hand. “She’s important too.”
“To you?” She asked. “I didn’t think she was.”
“Everything about you is important to me. I’m just so glad that you’re giving me this chance to show you.”
“Show me what?” She asked him.
“How much you mean to me.”


“You’re still here?” Massimo asked Nick as he walked into his office. “What’s going on? Anything I need to know about?”
Nick didn’t look up from the chart as he answered. “Problem on the Cortez. The old tanker was taking on some water. Slow leak. We have repairs going on but it seems like we might not make the deadline. I sent Randall out to upload the more important cargo. We’ll make it but we’re going to take a slight loss.” He used the compass on a spot on the map and looked up. “He should be there in about three more hours. We’ll make it.” He repeated.
“You diverted a lot of trouble. Good job Captain Payne.” Massimo said with a nod. “You’ve been here all day, why don’t you go home, get some sleep.”
“Got the couch right here.” Nick pointed “I’m not going anywhere until I know the job is done.” He looked Massimo in the eyes. “You know if I was out there this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.”
“But you’re here.” Massimo pointed out.
“Maybe I’m not in the right place Massimo.” He used the familiar name. “I’m not sure that I’m cut out to sit in an office. I’m already getting antsy without waves under my feet.”
“You’re in the right place. I’ve been doing a lot of research. Nothing but good words about you.”
“Hey!” Nick stood up. “If you want to know something about me, you ask. I do not appreciate you sending your goons out to try and dig dirt on me.”
“You’re a very private person Dominick Payne. I do what has to be done to preserve the integrity of Marone Industries, I’m sure you’d do the same in my position.”
“I’ve never given you a reason to question my integrity. I’ve never given you a reason to question my abilities. My private life is just that, PRIVATE!” Nick angrily told his employer.
“Dominick, Dominick I don’t want to blow this all out of proportion. I was giving you a complement. I am pleased with your work. I am glad I gave you the position. I think you are an asset to Marone Industries. Now just calm down.”
Nick unclenched his fist and took a deep breath. He looked at Massimo and he seemed sincere. “I’m sorry. I just don’t like people getting into my business. Privacy is very important to me.”
“I’ll respect that.” Massimo assured him. “And just know that I am very pleased with your work. I know we got off on the wrong foot after the accident. I’m sorry about that. I misjudged you and I just wanted to correct it. I’d like to know you better. Is there anything wrong with that?”
“I guess not.” Nick shrugged. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have blown up. This problem has me a little upset. I’m a hands on kinda guy and I feel like I should be the one down there. In fact, once I know that Randall is there and things are working out, I thought I’d fly down and inspect things for myself.”
“Not planning on running out on me are you?” Massimo wondered.
“No.” Nick shook his head and laughed. “But I have to admit, the lure of the sea gets to me. I think I’ve been in dry-dock a little too long.”
“I thought there was something keeping you here.” Massimo queried.
“My mother? Yeah, I like spending time with her, but I’m a grown man. I can’t just stay here because I miss her. She understands even if she doesn’t like it.”
“I was talking about someone else.” Massimo pushed.
“Not you too.” Nick frowned.
“So it is true?” Massimo asked him. “You are interested in Brooke Logan?”
“You hate her that much?” Nick wondered. “You hate her so much that you’re willing to push her off on the old salt? Anything to keep her away from your precious heir?”
“She and Ridge are over. They never belonged together.”
“On that we agree.” Nick told him.
“See.” Massimo smiled.
“But unfortunately, Ms. Logan doesn’t. Her heart lies with Forrester. I’m sure she’s with him right now as we speak.” He sighed.
“No. Ridge knows that was a mistake. He realized that he deser, um he is more suited to a woman like Bridget.”
“Bridget? You think that he’s more suited to his own sister?” Nick was astounded. “In fact, more than just a sister from what I’ve been told.”
“There is no blood relation. There is nothing wrong. She’s a good woman, a lovely stable woman. Fine and upstanding.”
“She’s a child. She can’t even come close to what Brooke has. But I don’t think I have to convince Forrester of that. I’m sure he’s proving himself to Brooke right now.”
“Why do you say that?” Massimo was angry but interested in Nick’s answer.
“Because Brooke is not taking my calls. Brooke is not around or available. And neither is Ridge. Look, I admit, the woman intrigued me. But she made her choice and it wasn’t me and I’m moving on. I had decided to give it another try. I went to her home, I went to her office I left messages at both places, hell I even left one on her cell phone. The lady is not interested, her heart is with Forrester. I know when to cut my losses, the fight is over. He won, he has her. I guess that is part of why I want to get moving on back to sea. I just don’t belong behind a desk.”
“Now Dominick, that is ridiculous. In the first place, I don’t think Ridge is interested anymore, there is someone else.”
“His sister.” Nick answered with distain.
“Bridget is not his sister, there is no blood between them.”
“Blood isn’t the only thing that makes a family. She lived her entire life as his relative. I’m sorry Massimo, but in my book it’s pretty pathetic.”
“You just don’t understand. But that doesn’t really concern you. My point is that Bridget is better for Ridge and if not her, then he will find someone else. You and Brooke have a lot in common. I think she’ll see it if you show her.”
“You are pretty desperate.” Nick laughed. “But no need for the big sell. I like her; it’s Brooke who made her choice in his favor. I can’t change it and I really have no intention of hanging around like a wounded puppy. So unless you have another point to make, I’d say this conversation is pretty much over.”
“Fine, don’t go after Brooke Logan. I have more important things to worry about, such as my business.” Massimo grabbed the chart. “These ships, all these ships, that is my concern.”
“And having me on board one would be one less worry.” Nick sighed.
“But having you here means that I have a lot less worries. You know Marone so well, you know the fleet and you know the crew and you make good decisions about all of them. Having you here is invaluable.”
“Funny you didn’t think that much of me after the accident.” Nick raised his eyebrows.
“I was wrong. I admitted that and I made changes to show that. What do you want Dominick, an apology?”
“The great Massimo Marone apologizing to Nick Payne?” Nick snickered and smiled. “Somehow I don’t think that day will come.”
“At a price.” Massimo explained. “Everything comes with a price. I say I’m sorry and you stay, not that bad a deal is it?”
“Massimo why me? There are millions of others out there who would walk on water to get this job. Me? I just want to be back on the sea where I belong.”
“Six months.” Massimo looked intensely into his eyes. “Give me six months and if you’re still unhappy, you go, you have your pick of the fleet and this is over.”
“I still don’t get it.” Nick said.
“Humor me. Besides, even if you don’t want Brooke Logan, perhaps you’ll meet another woman and she can keep you here.”
“I don’t need to be in LA to find a woman.” Nick scoffed.
“I wasn’t saying that Dominick, I just meant that there could be someone special out there just waiting to meet you.”
“I meet plenty of women.”
“Ah, I see, a woman in every port?” Massimo laughed.
“I’m not lonely.” Nick winked.
“But is that fulfilling? Is that enough?”
“Why are you so interested in my sex life?” Nick asked with a frown.
“I’m not. I was just giving you reasons why life here at Marone had a lot to offer. You seemed interested in something with Brooke Logan, there are better women than Brooke Logan all over LA.”
“Stop it. Stop insulting Brooke and stop trying to control me. I have my share of women and I’m not interested in a wife.”
“Marriage can be very rewarding.”
“And I’m to take that from a confirmed bachelor?” Nick laughed.
“I squandered a couple of chances at real happiness Dominick. I hate to see a young man like you or like Ridge make the same mistakes. And family is important to me. I had a son Dominick, I had a son I never knew. I can only imagine how my life would have been if we had been able to be part of each other’s lives.”
“You and Forrester did lose something. But that really has nothing to do with me.” Nick told him.
“I’m just giving you the advice that I’d give to Ridge. And I am offering you a chance to make something here, to have a position of envy. To be a man of power!”
“You never answered my question. Why me?” Nick pushed.
“Because I only hire the best.”


Bridget was unhappy after Stephanie had left. She had really expected to have her on her side, but Stephanie was condemning the relationship. “It’s not fair, it’s just not fair.” She wiped a tear away when there was another knock on the door. “Please God please.” She begged as she slowly walked to the door. This time she was stunned by who stood at her doorway. “Thomas?” She gasped. “What are you doing here? It’s so late. Does your father know that you’re here?”
“He doesn’t care. All he cares about is HER.” He said with a pout.
“Come on in.” She ushered him inside. “Is Catherine home? Does she know you left?”
“No.” He mumbled.
“Then we have to call her.” Bridget put her arm around him. “I bet she’s terrified.”
“Why does he only want her Bridget? We want you.”
“Ridge loves my mother.” Bridget said softly, suddenly realizing that she actually believed it herself. She was saddened by this.
“He loves you too.” Thomas protested.
“Yes he does. But not like a wife Thomas.” She tried to explain. “Do you understand?”
“It’s stupid.” Thomas pouted.
“Where is your father?” She asked.
“Her, he went to go to her.” He said angrily.
“He knows where she is? How? Did she call him?” Bridget wanted to know.
“I dunno.” He sulked.
“Well when did he leave? Did he get a phone call first? What made him go?” She pressed.
“I dunno.” Thomas repeated. “He left a few hours ago I guess.”
“Did my mom call him?” She asked again.
“I don’t think so.” Thomas scratched his head. “I was sad about you and I got out the pictures and me and Phoebe and Steffie were looking at them and Dad came in and sat down with us and he looked at them too.”
“Pictures of my mom.” Bridget said sadly.
“Some, but pictures of my mom too and of you.” Thomas put his hand on top of hers and smiled. “I told Dad that I wanted you to move back home.”
“Oh Thomas.” Bridget gushed. Her mind created a picture of herself as the lady of the house, waiting for the children and Ridge to come home. She smiled absently, imagining the large diamonds on her finger and the hello kisses Ridge would give her. Thomas’s voice brought her back to reality.
“Then he looked at a picture of Brooke and one of you and that guy you married and Dad got all mad then he looked at Brooke again and he said ‘I know where she is!’ and he got up and said something to Catherine and he left.”
“He went to find her.” Bridget said, more to herself than to Thomas. The picture in her head was fading and she struggled to bring it back.
“I guess.” Thomas sighed.
“But what made him do it? A picture of me and Deacon?” Could Ridge still be angry about Deacon and her mother? Was he off to tell her it was over? Bridget’s stomach started doing flips at the thought.
“I dunno Bridget but I want you back, we all do.”
“And I want to be back too. But that’s up to your dad and I’m not sure what he wants.”
“I know he wants to see Brooke.” Thomas said sadly.
“Maybe it can still work out.” Bridget said, but she was not thinking about Ridge and her mother. “But we have to get you home before Catherine calls out the FBI. Let’s go kiddo.” She said as she grabbed her purse.


“What do I mean to you?” Brooke asked him.
“Don’t you know?” He countered.
“I don’t know anything anymore, that’s why I left. I needed answers, I needed distance.”
“Are you angry that I found you?” He wondered.
“I just don’t know how you did.”
“Why is that so important to you?”
“Why do you answer everything with a question?” She shot back.
“You’re right. I think I’ll answer a different way.” He inched closer to her and Brooke felt her heart racing.
“No. I don’t think this is a good idea.” She softly whimpered.
“But this is why I’m here.” He gently pulled her into his arms. His lips covered hers and Brooke felt her mouth opening to his kiss.
“Oh God.” She gasped as the kiss ended.
She looked into his eyes with a little fear and a lot of desire.
He smiled at her and then brought her back into the kiss. Slowly he maneuvered himself onto the bed and gently he lowered Brooke back down. Before she knew it he was on top of her, kissing her, touching her and making her feel things she wasn’t sure she should be feeling with him. His hands went to the thin straps of her nightgown, pushing them down and baring her breasts. Brooke’s eyes widened in shock but when he lowered his mouth and began to lick and suck them her fears dissipated and were replaced by passion. She found herself moaning aloud and when she felt him harden she arched herself towards his body, straining to feel him against her. His moans joined hers as her hand slid between them and caressed him through his clothing.
“Brooke, oh Brooke.” He whispered. His mouth left her breasts and claimed her mouth again as his hands moved down, shedding her nightgown to the bottom of the bed. He reached towards his fly but was stunned when her hand beat him there. His moans became louder as she freed him. “Brooke.” He repeated.
“Shhhhh, don’t talk, if we talk it will make it too real.” Brooke said softly.
“I need you.” He moaned. “I really need you.”
“You have me, all that happened before is forgotten and forgiven, make love to me, please make love to me.”


“Stephanie!” Massimo smiled as he stood up from his desk. “What brings you here? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Hello Mass.” She smiled. “I guess I’m just feeling a little restless and displaced. I’ve just come from talking to Bridget. I can’t seem to get through to that girl. And I can’t find Ridge anywhere. I just don’t know what to do anymore. Of course Eric is blaming me. I suppose it is partially my fault. I should have been up front from the beginning.”
Massimo walked to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “You tried to protect him. I too wish that the truth had come out sooner. In fact if it had years ago.” He stopped speaking and had a look of longing in his eyes.
“Mass please. We can’t go back, and I was happy. I love Eric, I love my family. I had a wonderful life.”
“It should have been our life.” Massimo shook his head. “But you’re right. I can’t change the past, only the future. So what brings you here to me?”
“A friend, I needed a friend.” She smiled at him and took his hand and squeezed it. “You are my friend aren’t you Mass?”
“Of course I am.” He promised.
“Mass I have to get through to them. I can’t let them continue on this destructive path.”
“Ridge and Bridget are not related.” Massimo walked to the bar and opened a carafe of brandy. He poured two snifters and handed one to Stephanie. “She’s a lovely young woman and I’d be honored to have her as my daughter-in-law. You need to get past what used to be.”
“They spent their entire lives believing to be related and not just as brother and sister.” Stephanie shook her head. “I love Bridget and if she weren’t who she was I’d love a woman of her integrity for Ridge, but this is wrong Massimo, it’s very wrong.”
“So you’d prefer Brooke?” He spit the name with hatred.
“Over Bridget? Yes.” Stephanie sadly acknowledged. “Oh why did Taylor have to die?”
“She was a wonderful woman, and a good wife to Ridge.” Massimo agreed. “But Bridget will be too.”
“Not as long as I live and breathe.” Stephanie warned him.
“I don’t want to fight with you Stephanie, and perhaps it’s a moot point anyway.” Massimo said with a sigh.
“Why?” Her eyes widened with interest.
“I just had a talk with Nick Payne. It seems he feels Ridge has taken off to find Brooke and I am afraid he may be right.”
“I don’t want her, but she’s a better alternative to Bridget.” Stephanie walked to the window and looked out. “Maybe if he spends time with Brooke he can forget his feelings for Bridget and at the same time he may realize what is missing in Brooke. She has no morals, she has nothing the attracted him to Bridget. Maybe then he can find a good woman.”
“One like Taylor.” Massimo agreed.


Ridge stopped the car and looked at the dark windows. “She’s sleeping. She’s here, I know she is.” He told himself. But he didn’t see her car either. “Brooke, please, you need to listen to me, you need to realize how wrong I’ve been and how much I do love you.” He removed the key from the ignition and got out of the car. Slowly he walked to the door. He sorted through the keys on his chain for the proper one. “So many memories Brooke, tonight we’ll make some new ones, tonight you’ll agree to be my wife again. Big Bear, it always meant so much to us. It will help us regain our magic.” He smiled to himself and inserted the key in the lock.


“Nick, oh God Nick, hurry, I need you now. Please hurry.” Brooke begged.
He kicked at his pants, finally freeing himself from the layers of unwanted clothing. “You made this happen Brooke. You brought me here for you.” He moved back on top of her.
“Now.” She reached for him. “Don’t make me wait.”
“Never.” He whispered as he lowered himself into her waiting body. Brooke moaned and screamed as she clutched him to her. Her nails raked his bare back and her legs tightened around his waist.
“Nick! Nick!” She screamed loudly as her body rose and fell to meet his thrusts.
“Brooke? Brooke honey are you okay?” Donna’s voice was like an invasion.
Brooke struggled to push it away but consciousness pulled harder than her fantasy. Sweat poured down her body as she opened her eyes and looked at her sister.
“Brooke? You were screaming. You really scared me, well until you said his name.” Donna blushed.
“Oh my God. Donna what’s happening to me?” Brooke pulled the blanket up to cover herself, though in reality her nightgown was still firmly in place.
Donna smiled and sat down on the bed next to her sister. “This Nick must really be something. I didn’t realize it had gone that far.”
“It hasn’t. Not even close.” Brooke felt her cheeks turn warm with embarrassment.
“I guess you have some subconscious feelings there.” Donna grinned.
“I can’t remember the last time I had a dream like that. It was so, so, well I don’t know.” Brooke looked down at the blanket.
“Sounded pretty intense.” Donna agreed. “I wonder if he’s really that good.” She giggled.
“Donna!” Brooke gasped and then laughed too.
“Am I going to get to meet this guy?” Donna asked her.
“Donna.” Brooke sighed. “I don’t know if I’m even going to see him again.”
“Come on Brooke, this is Donna you’re talking to. I know you and I know you never would have had that kind of a dream about someone that you’re not interested in.”
“I pushed him away. I’ve ignored him Donna. I’m sure he’s moved on, and maybe it’s for the best. He works for Massimo, you know, with Ridge. It would just be so complicated.”
“Since when have you been afraid of complications?” Donna challenged.
“He is nice. Oh Donna he’s really a nice man. Maybe I was stupid to do that to him. But he was coming on so strong and I just wasn’t ready for it.”
“Maybe you were more ready than you realized.” Donna shrugged.
“I can’t control my dreams but I can control my reality.” Brooke argued.
“So. No one is saying you have to go to bed with him. But maybe you could see if there may be something there. Like you said, he intrigues you and he’s been good to you.”
“He was there when I needed a friend. He was kind and gentle and so supportive.” Brooke reminisced.
“Then think about it. It wouldn’t kill you to give him a chance.” Donna took Brooke’s hand. “There’s a whole big world out there Brooke. It’s not just Ridge.” She gave her sister a hug. “Think about it.”
“I will.” Brooke promised.
“Now get some sleep and try to have some G rated dreams this time.” Donna teased.
“Get out of here!” Brooke giggled and threw her pillow at her retreating sister.


“I was so sure.” Ridge sat down on the couch in the cold and empty cabin. “Where are you Logan? Where?”


Nick looked up in shock as his mother entered his office. “Mother? What are you doing here at this ungodly hour?” He looked at the clock and back at Jackie.
“I was worried. I was sitting there all alone thinking about you and our last conversation and I was worried.”
“Mom.” Nick’s stance softened as he got up and went to her. He took her into his arms. “You don’t think I’d just sneak out on you do you?”
“I wasn’t sure.” She admitted. “I know how unhappy you are and I know how much you miss the sea. I also know that you have a tendency to run away from your problems. I just don’t want you to think you have to run away from me.”
“I’d never run away from you.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Seems like everyone is aching for me to stay. Well almost everyone.”
“Who darling?” She asked.
“Not Brooke.” He laughed. “But if you believe it, Massimo has been pressuring me to stay. I really don’t know why.”
“Massimo?” Jackie said in a breathless voice.
“Massimo Marone, my boss.” Nick explained. “It’s weird Mom. We don’t really know each other and yet there is something strange, something I can’t put my finger on. I try to hate him and yet I just can’t.”
“Nicky, I, I.” She stopped and turned away.
“What?” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. “What?”
“I just want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. When you first left home, it broke my heart.”
“I didn’t do it for that reason.” Nick told her. “I needed it. I don’t know why, but the sea has always been in my blood and once you were free of my father, I knew I could leave in good conscience.”
“And what life have you had Nicky? Moving from port to port, never putting down roots, never finding what most men do?” She asked him with sad eyes.
“Not you too?” He sighed.
“Someone else said this? Brooke?” She asked with a hopeful smile.
“Massimo.” Nick laughed. “No, Brooke has made her choice, it’s Forrester for her.”
“Are you sure?” Jackie pondered. “The last time we talked.”
“Yeah, and I went to her house and I went to Forrester and I called both places and I left messages and she won’t answer me. Add to that that Forrester is nowhere to be found either and it doesn’t take a Rhode’s Scholar to put two and two together.”
“I’m so sorry.” Jackie said with genuine hurt. “I had so much hope.”
“Mother I am not some hopeless loser. I’ve had my share of women.”
“Sleeping with strangers in strange ports is not what I have in mind for my son’s happiness.”
“Hey, don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it.” Nick joked.
“You’ve never had someone, someone you couldn’t stand to let go of. You’re missing out on so much Nicky.”
“Is that how you felt about my father?” Nick frowned.
“Yes.” She said in a soft, distant voice. “It’s exactly how I felt about him.”
“I’m sorry it worked out the way it did for you, for us.” Nick put his arm around her. “But I’m not you. And maybe I did have someone like that.”
“Did you darling? Is there a woman out there somewhere that you love?”
Nick closed his eyes and thought. “There could have been.”


“I’ll call you tomorrow, we’ll have dinner.” Massimo told Stephanie as he held the door open for her. “And don’t worry, it will all work out for the best.”
“I hope so Mass.” She sighed.
“Goodnight my dear.” He gave her a soft kiss. “Sweet dreams.”
Stephanie smiled and walked away to her car. Massimo stood and watched until she was safely inside and had driven away. Then he headed back for his office, but before he got there he heard voices coming from Dominick Payne’s office. Curiously he opened the door.
“Dominick, any news on the.” He stopped as his jaw fell open and he stared at the woman in front of him.
“Massimo Marone, I’d like you to meet my mother.”
“Jacqueline.” Massimo finally managed.
“Hello Massimo. It’s been awhile.” She smiled sweetly at him.
“You know each other?” Nick looked from Jackie to Massimo. The two seemed to be in a trance, they couldn’t tear their eyes from each other. “Obviously you do.” Nick answered himself. “I’m feeling like an intruder here. Shall I leave you two?” He asked. He squinted as they just stared at each other, not answering him or speaking to each other. “Okay then. I’ll just go to the lounge and get myself something to eat. Call me if Randall calls. Yeah, you do that.” He laughed. “I’ll be back.”
Nick walked out of the office, looking back several times to see them and then he chuckled and walked towards the employee’s lounge.
“Jacqueline.” Massimo finally found his voice again. “Dominick? He’s your son?”
“Yes.” She said.
“Did you set this up? Did you encourage him to work for me?”
“I didn’t know. He was always enamored of you. I suppose I have myself to blame, I told him so many wonderful stories about you growing up.”
“Why Jacqueline? Why did you run out on me?”


Nick poured a little coffee into the cup and sniffed it. It wasn’t fresh but it didn’t seem too bad. He sipped it, frowned but continued to drink it. He was curious about his mother and Massimo, but he was sure Jackie would explain once they were alone. He laughed to himself. “Mom, you may have some secrets of your own.” He inspected a plate of pastries, looking for something appealing when his cell phone rang. “Hmmmm.” He pulled it out of his pocket. “Who would be calling me here, now?” He switched it on. “Payne.” He answered.
“Nick?” The soft, feminine voice spoke.
“Yeah?” He frowned. He didn’t know who it was.
“Nick? It’s Brooke.” She said in a whisper.
“Brooke?” He almost lost his footing. He made his way to a big leather chair and plopped down on it. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?” He asked.
“I wanted to say I was sorry. I know you’ve been trying to call me. I know it was rude of me, but please believe me, I wasn’t trying to ignore you. I just needed some time alone. I just needed to be away.”
“Brooke, you have to do what you have to do. I’m sorry if I put you in a position where you felt you had to hide from me. All you had to do was say the word and I would have backed off.”
“I, I, I wasn’t doing that Nick. It’s just that everything was getting away from me. I felt like I had lost all control. But it wasn’t you.”
“Apology accepted. Don’t worry about it. You do what you have to do.”
“You’re angry.” She sighed. “I guess I’m just not making sense and I don’t want you to be angry.”
“I’m not angry Brooke.” He said softly. He sighed and repositioned himself in the chair. “I guess I wasn’t expecting to hear from you tonight myself. Is something wrong? Are you in trouble? Do you need my help? Say the word and I’m there, wherever you are.”
Brooke smiled as she felt her heart melting. He was such a good man. “You know you have been a lifeline to me. I never realized how much I had come to depend upon you in so little time.”
“I like you Brooke. But I’m worried right now. It’s late and I’m not sure what’s wrong. Do you need me? What can I do for you?”
“I never meant to scare you. I’m fine really. I was just, um, thinking about you and I felt so guilty. I called my phones and found your messages and they made me feel even worse. I just needed to tell you that it wasn’t you. I’m not hiding from you. I’m not.”
“You’re hiding from Forrester?” He asked.
“I’m not hiding. I just needed to get away. But, I, well. Can you come tomorrow?” She asked.
“Just tell me where you are.” He answered without hesitation.
“There’s nothing wrong. I’d just like to see you, to talk to you. If you’re too busy I understand.”
“Brooke. I am not too busy for you.” He said with a smile. “Do you want me to come now? You seem pretty shook up over something.”
“No!” She gasped and then blushed. “I mean I am shook up, but you don’t have to come tonight. You sleep and I’ll sleep and you can come tomorrow and we can talk.”
“You’re a mystery Brooke.” He laughed. “Lucky for you I can’t seem to turn away from mysteries.”
“I don’t mean to be one. I just wanted to talk to you.”
“I’d love to talk to you too. I’ve missed you Brooke, more than you can ever imagine.” It was hard for him to admit that, but he found that talking to Brooke made things easier.
“I’ve missed you too. We’re at Ojai. Do you know where that is?” She asked.
Nick shuddered at the word ‘we’. Forrester was with her. “Look, Brooke, maybe it’s not such a good idea. We can talk when you come home.”
“If you don’t want to come.” She said sadly.
“I don’t like to be a fifth wheel and I’m sure that I’m the last person Forrester wants to see.”
“Ridge? What does Ridge have to, oh, we. I meant Hope and Donna . They are here with me.”
“Donna?” Nick asked.
“My sister. Nick, please come.”
“What time?” He asked, once more happy.
“Whenever you can make it. We’re in Bungalow 10.”
“I’ll be there.” He said.
“Goodnight Nick. Until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.” He said. He heard the click as Brooke disconnected. “Well Mom, I guess you’ll have me around a little longer at that.”

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