Ep. #5224

Stephanie tells the Bakers’ that Stephen didn’t shoot her. Stephanie explains that she has been having memory flashes and adds that she won’t testify to a guilty charge against Stephen when the case is taken to court. Charlie has no other choice but to release Stephen. Brooke hates the situation Stephanie has put Donna in but she is thankful Stephen is free. Stephen begins to feel bad for Donna; knowing his freedom means breaking her heart. Stephanie calls Brooke and warns her that Donna had better keep to her end of the bargain or else Storm goes to jail. Donna attempts to break things off with Eric by declaring that she is a sex addict and will be unable to remain faithful. The plan fails when Eric simply tells Donna that he will help her get through it. Stephanie calls Donna and orders her to leave Eric now but Donna finds it impossible.

Ep. #5226

As Taylor watches, Brooke suggests to Nick that Taylor may need professional help. Nick quickly leaves and returns home where Jackie is taking care of Jack. Jackie questions Nick over Taylor's state of mind and Nick confesses the mix-up caused by the hospital during Taylor's IVF. Jackie is stunned yet thrilled that Nick has a baby with Brooke. Nick makes it clear that Taylor is Jack's mother but Jackie begins wondering what will happen if Taylor is unable to accept the fact that Brooke is involved in their lives. Taylor confronts Brooke and accuses her of trying to steal Nick and Jack. Brooke attempts to defend her actions and insists that she simply cares for Taylor and Jack's wellbeing. Taylor thinks that Brooke and Bridget set the whole situation up so Brooke could steal Nick. Taylor works herself up into a panic and finds it hard to breathe. Brooke yells out as Taylor collapses to the floor.

Ep. #5228

Jackie thinks that Jack would be better off being raised by Brooke and she suggests Nick make a play for Brooke before she commits to a future with Ridge, but Nick refuses to listen to his mother. Ridge asks Brooke to stay out of Nick and Taylor's problems but she wonders if she can when Jack's wellbeing is at stake. Ridge later seeks guidance from Ashley but she understands Brooke's maternal bond with Jack. Ashley tells Ridge how, as a friend, she hopes things work out with Brooke, but as an ex-lover, she doesn't. Jackie tells Brooke that she belongs with Nick and their child. Brooke insists that she is with Ridge now and any chance of a life with Nick is over. Jackie begs Brooke to think of Jack and the life they could have with Nick. Taylor apologises to Nick for the poor way she has handled things. Nick tells Taylor they are a team and he will help her through anything, but Taylor later finds herself hovering over a bottle of vodka.

Ep. #5230

As Eric demands answers from Donna, Jake is embarrassed and quickly leaves. Donna tells Eric that her sex addiction got the better of her and tries to make Eric see that their relationship can never work. Eric refuses to let Donna leave his life and promises her that he will help her through anything. Donna ends up in bed with Eric again. Nick refuses to listen to Jackie's rant that Brooke is his soul mate. Brooke comes by with Jack and tells Nick and Jackie that Taylor has been drinking. Taylor rushes in and yells at Brooke for taking Jack. Jackie takes the baby to Clarke's office and places a call to Bridget asking for her help. Taylor denies to Nick that she had a drink and blames all of her problems on Brooke. Nick tells Taylor that the thought of her being tempted by alcohol scares him and Brooke explains that she only wants what's best for Jack. Taylor orders Brooke to stay away from her, Nick and Jack.

Ep. #5232

Nick tells Brooke that he thinks things will be better from now on with Taylor. Brooke is glad that Taylor can now start being a real mother to Jack. Bridget is unhappy when she sees Nick and Brooke touching hands and yells at them to see how Ridge or Taylor would have reacted had they seen. Bridget stresses to Brooke that she needs to lessen her concern for Jack. Jackie finds Taylor clearing out a closet at the house and she comes across photos of Brooke and Nick. Jackie feels Brooke will always be part of Taylor's life but she refuses to listen to it. Rick later visits Taylor and she begins having hallucinations of Brooke taunting her followed by another panic attack. Rick learns that the egg mix-up really did happen and fears for Taylor's mental state. Rick offers her his friendship should she need it. Rick tells Brooke of Taylor's breakdown and she refuses to allow Jack to be caught in the middle. Nick finds Taylor freaking out, crying and shouting about Brooke when he returns home.

Ep. #5234

Brooke is relieved when Taylor says that she is going to be a good wife and mother and begins sounding a little more positive. Brooke urges Taylor to keep it together or risk losing everything she has. Jackie sees the photographs of Nick and Brooke that Taylor found and Nick says that he has to get them out of the house. Jackie begins telling Nick again that he belongs with Brooke, but he quickly changes the subject and walks out. Taylor finds Jackie taking care of Jack and threatens to keep Jackie away from Jack when she realises that Jackie would rather Nick and Brooke raise the baby. Taylor snaps that Jackie had better support her marriage or else she is never to return to the house. Nick gives the photographs to Brooke and they begin remembering their times together. Nick has to distance himself from the memories when they begin to affect him. Taylor has yet more hallucinations, this time of Brooke seducing Nick. Taylor freaks out, grabs a bottle of vodka and takes a drink.

Ep. #5236

James Warwick meets with Nick at his request. James is stunned as Nick tells him about Jack's mother being Brooke and the way that it has affecting Taylor. James feels he can help Taylor but only if she stays away from alcohol. Rick suggests that Taylor leave Nick as she is unable to cope with the situation. Taylor orders Rick out when he implies that Brooke and Nick will be together again. Rick finds a half empty bottle of vodka and Taylor is forced to confess to having a drink. Taylor panics as Rick rushes out with the evidence. Stephanie threatens to call the police if Donna doesn't cooperate with her. Donna attempts to stand up to her but Stephanie issues her with a final warning. Katie questions Eric on whether he has heard from Stephanie but he doesn't expect to. Eric informs Katie that he wants a divorce from Stephanie. Donna feels out of ideas and finally comes clean with Eric that Storm shot Stephanie. Donna reveals the truth over Stephanie's blackmail attempt and begs Eric for help.

Ep. #5238

Taylor is relieved that Rick hasn't told anyone about her taking a drink. Taylor yells at Rick for having his own agenda of reuniting Nick and Brooke but Rick assures Taylor that he genuinely cares for her. Rick asks Taylor to call him if she should need him. Nick is happy that Taylor is doing better and gets a surprise when Taylor decides to invite Ridge and Brooke over for dinner to show them that she is now coping well. Katie is livid when Donna tells her that she and Eric are still together. Katie is concerned as Donna tells her of Eric's plan to dupe Stephanie and worries that it may blow up in their face. Eric tells Stephanie that he found Donna with another man and now wants nothing to do with her. Stephanie asks Eric to move back in and take her back. Eric says he doesn't want to rush things but agrees to move back in but takes a separate bedroom. Eric calls Donna and tells her that their plan is working. Eric assures her that Stephanie will divorce him when she realises their marriage is dead.

Ep. #5240

Ashley tells Rick that she has been thinking about him a lot and how much fun they had together. Ashley wonders if they could make a real go of it this time and kisses him. Rick can't deny the feelings they share for one another but asks her for a little time to think about it. Ridge thinks marrying Brooke would be a great idea but he has to take her aside when she refuses to do it. Brooke thinks the wedding is a ploy from Taylor to simply feel more secure within her own marriage to Nick. Ridge finds it hard to see why Brooke won't marry him if she truly loves him. Nick is pissed with Taylor for calling in a minister to perform a wedding. Taylor sees it as a gift to Brooke to show they are all moving on with their lives. Brooke tells Taylor that she won't be marrying Ridge as she wants the time to plan her own wedding. Taylor flips out again and accuses Brooke of not marrying Ridge due to her feelings for Nick.