The courtroom drama is resolved. Storm pays Ashley a visit at work! Katie reassures Nick.
In the courtroom, everyone mills around waiting for the judge to return. Brooke tells Katie that the judge will see that Taylor is unhinged by her relationship with Rick. Rick, meanwhile assures Taylor that he only spoke up about the proposal because he wanted the judge to know this wasn't a fling! The judge reconvenes and he addresses Brooke. He tells her that referring to herself as the biological mother is overstating things! He says that it seems Rick would be a stabilizing factor in the boy's life. He orders that Taylor and Nick will share joint custody of Baby Jack! Taylor thanks the judge and then turns to thank Rick. As they share a kiss, Brooke looks on in consternation! Taylor then rises and approaches Nick. She thanks him for saying what he did to the judge and asks if he's ok with her being in charge of Jack. He says he is, and Taylor glares over his shoulder at Brooke.
Storm imagines surprising Ashley with a gift in her lab, and having her react positively. Back in reality, Ashley enters her lab to find him actually sitting in her chair in a lab coat. He presents her with pearl earrings in a lab beaker. When she says she can't accept them, he insists that she must. They're an apology - he's done something wrong. Storm says they haven't been seeing each other that long, and he'd like to see it grow. That is, if they don't let Ridge ruin it for them! A wary Ashley asks what Ridge has to do with it. Storm wonders if she would be lying to him about her and Ridge's conversation at the restaurant. Before she can answer, Katie calls him to report on what happened at the court. He tells Ash he has to go. He gives her a kiss on the cheek and says he'll see her later. A freaked out Ashley goes over to examine the earrings in the beaker!
Back at Nick's house, he and Katie discuss the aftermath of the hearing. Nick is discouraged that Jack will not have a perfect life in one household. He goes upstairs to sit with him before Taylor comes to pick him up. Storm arrives and Katie fills him in on the ruling, and Brooke's reaction. She also tells him that apparently Rick and Taylor are engaged. Storm says, "Okay. Well, Brooke must be going out of her mind!" Katie asks how things are with him. He tells her that it could be better - Ridge is trying to ruin things between him and Ashley Abbott! Katie is happy to hear that he is seeing Ashley. Storm remarks that Ridge is very jealous though - that must be why he fired him! Katie is stunned to hear this news! Storm admits that he really likes Ash. Katie tells him to forget about Ridge, but Storm says anytime something good happens to a Logan the Forresters try to destroy it. He tells Katie that he thinks Ridge may have told Ashley about him shooting Stephanie. Upstairs, a shocked Nick listens in!
Brooke confronts Taylor about having 'won'. She tells her that now she can let Rick go. Taylor is stunned that that is the way Brooke sees it. She
insists that she is not using Rick - she really cares about him! Taylor asks if she is lying awake at night wondering if she and Rick are making love. Brooke
glares. "Are you? Are you having sex with my son?!" Taylor sighs, and admits that they're not. Brooke then tells Taylor that she wants to be in
Jack's life. Taylor says that she and Nick have joint custody - so she must know where to go asking for access. She even suggests that Brooke get back
together with Nick if she wants to see the baby so badly! Talk turns back to Taylor and Rick's relationship, with Brooke begging Taylor not to marry Rick!
Rick comes in and announces that he's had enough of this! But Brooke won't be deterred. She hisses at Taylor, "If you have an ounce of decency in
you, you will not marry my son!"
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