A man in an elegant office shuffled through haute couture fashion designs as a television monitor displayed models strutting down a runway. Sighing, the man exited through a door in his office and entered a backstage area, where dozens of models scurried between racks and racks of clothes, getting into wardrobe and jewelry. Another man, who seemed to be in charge and was fitting a model, instructed a techie to turn another television monitor around so he could see it. The second man sent the model to the entrance of the runway while the first man stood at the back of the great room, straight-faced.
As the hustle and bustle continued, a third man walked through and said to the first man that it sounded as if "they like us." The first man replied to the third man, Thorne, that the applause was from the press -- what mattered was whether or not the public would buy it. Thorne declared to the first man, Ridge, that their father was the best there was. Ridge told Thorne the line felt flat to him and that it needed more sex and sensuality.
Thorne pointed out that, as vice president, Ridge was picking "a hell of a time" to protest the line. Ridge didn't think their father would listen; when Thorne asked if their dad had ever been wrong, Ridge said he had been, and Ridge hoped he wasn't that time. Thorne scoffed that Ridge was "just waiting." Ridge deflected by eyeing their father with a beautiful woman, Margo, and openly wondering if they had ever "made it together." Thorne looked disgusted, and left.
An assistant interrupted Ridge working with a model to tell him he had a phone call. Ridge took the phone in the back and was greeted by a woman named Caroline, who asked if they were still on for that evening. Ridge leered that it depended on what Caroline had in mind. Caroline admitted to Ridge that she missed him; they agreed to meet at her place, since her father had plans. Caroline told Ridge, "Love you," but he didn't say it back.
Thorne, his father, and Margo prepped another model, who obediently said, "Yes, Mr. Forrester" when the father wanted her gloves to be pulled up. Mr. Forrester anxiously traded out earrings on another model then asked Thorne what he thought. Thorne beamed that it was his best collection ever. When Mr. Forrester asked for big brother Ridge's thoughts, Thorne lied, saying Ridge shared his opinion of the collection being another winner.
Back in his office, Ridge took a phone call from a Bill Spencer, who wanted to see Ridge immediately to talk about his daughter Caroline. When Ridge said he couldn't possibly get away at that moment, Bill announced that he would be heading over to see Ridge instead, and he hung up.
Elsewhere, in a very middle-class house, a young girl descended the stairs and appraised herself -- and her acne -- in a mirror. The girl sadly walked to a teen magazine, staring longingly at the hunk on the cover. She then fantasized she was dressed in a beautiful gown, standing with the boy, who told her she was lovely. "But my face," she protested. The boy said he only saw how beautiful she was, and they fell into a loving kiss. The girl's bubble was popped by an older girl who rushed into the house and locked the door behind her. The younger girl was horrified to see the older girl, Brooke, in torn clothes and covered with bruises, and she asked what had happened.
The terrified Brooke dashed to the window to check for something, not giving the young girl any answers, despite her asking who had done that to Brooke. Brooke insisted she was okay and asked if "Mom" was home, or Storm, or Donna. The younger girl, Katie, reported that they were all out, but she went to the phone to try to call one of them. Brooke stopped Katie, who said she only wanted to help. Brooke wanted to be alone, but Katie felt they should call someone.
The doorbell rang, and Brooke whispered in fear, "Don't...answer it!" Katie ran to the window and told Brooke a police car was outside. Brooke tentatively asked who was at the door -- it was Dave, who asked Brooke to let him in. Brooke did so and allowed herself to be hugged by Dave, who had just heard what had happened. Brooke told a resistant Katie that she needed to talk to Dave alone. Once Katie reluctantly went upstairs, Brooke asked Dave how he had found out.
Backstage at the fashion house, the racks had been cleared, and the press busied themselves interviewing Mr. Forrester and taking photos. Ridge stood in the back of the room, disapprovingly. Once they were alone, Ridge compared the event to opening night. Mr. Forrester replied they were at the mercy of their critics. Ridge opined that 20 years, with two showings a year, was a lot of rags. Mr. Forrester relayed that he had heard from Thorne how much Ridge liked the line. Ridge retorted, "That's what he said?" Ridge proclaimed he liked to be turned on by women, and he reiterated his thought that the collection needed more sex appeal.
Mr. Forrester felt Ridge still hadn't learned the psychology of women, which Ridge sarcastically invited Mr. Forrester to tell him about -- again. Mr. Forrester told Ridge that, for women, it wasn't about how much skin they showed, but it was about a woman's state of mind and her confidence in herself. When Ridge argued that his focus was on men and what they lusted for, Mr. Forrester reminded him that women bought the vast majority of their product. Mr. Forrester walked out.
The same assistant returned to tell Ridge that Mr. Spencer had arrived. Ridge found the pacing Bill Spencer in his office and informed the man he didn't have much time. Bill responded that he would get right to the point, then -- Bill didn't want Ridge seeing Caroline anymore.
Ridge wasn't sure he'd heard Bill right, asking where the demand was coming from. Bill stated that it was in the best interest of his daughter. Ridge felt Bill was acting as if Ridge and Caroline had some hot romance going, prompting Bill to say he knew Caroline wasn't the only woman Ridge was seeing. "So does Caroline," Ridge added nonchalantly, wondering if Caroline had said something.
Bill worried Caroline could be "taken in" by Ridge, telling Ridge he was aware of Ridge's charm -- and his "love 'em and leave 'em" reputation. Bill didn't want Caroline to end up as one of Ridge's discarded conquests. Caroline was Bill's only child, Bill explained, and Bill would do everything in his power to keep Caroline from getting hurt. Bill admitted that Caroline would be upset if she knew Bill had gone to see Ridge, and he ordered Ridge not to tell her. Bill knew Ridge was going to see Caroline that evening and demanded Ridge end the relationship before the night was over.
At Brooke's, Dave gently said a classmate of Brooke's, who had seen what had happened, had reported in -- and, in turn, Dispatch had informed Dave. Dave revealed he had to ask Brooke about everything that had happened.
Dave understood how Brooke could feel she hated all men in that moment, but he coaxed Brooke not to worry about him. Brooke slowly described how she had been on a high, walking to work from college because she had gotten an "A" on a tough physics exam. She had crossed Ventura at Burton and had seen a man standing outside a blue van, and the man had asked her to pinpoint their location on a map. Before Brooke had had a chance to, the van's back doors had burst open, and a second man had tried to drag her in. The first man had grabbed her legs and had helped to shove Brooke into the van; Brooke said she'd been afraid she was going to die. Brooke had managed to kick the first man "you know where" -- when he screamed, it attracted people's attention, and she'd gotten free after the men had panicked and driven away. Brooke had thanked God over and over.
Brooke confirmed to Dave that there had only been two assailants and that they had attacked her in a rusty blue van with no windows. Dave said they sounded like perps they had been looking for who had committed other rapes. Brooke lamented that she had a kid sister who walked the same streets; Brooke didn't want her to hear about Brooke's assault. She also had another sister, Donna. Initially, when Dave asked Brooke to go to the station to identify her attackers, Brooke said she wanted to forget it all, but then she changed her mind -- she wanted to "get those bastards." Brooke told Dave that she needed to change clothes but that she would meet him at the station in half an hour.
Ridge stood pensively on a high-rise balcony; Caroline invited him inside and handed him a drink. Caroline could tell something was bothering Ridge, and she encouraged him to tell her what it was. Ridge hedged but finally divulged that "a pompous old ass" had barged into his office -- it had been annoying and intimidating. When Caroline asked how it had been resolved, Ridge replied that it hadn't been. Ridge dodged Caroline's questions about what the man had said and done by remarking that he had forgotten how beautiful Caroline was. "You mean when you're dating other women?" Caroline asked knowingly.
Ridge kissed Caroline's hand, then kissed Caroline intensely, stating that he wanted her right then. Caroline tenderly stopped him, but Ridge became insistent. Caroline reminded him that, for her, it would be the man that she married. "All right," Ridge said, shocking Caroline. He wanted to marry Caroline as soon as possible. Caroline was overjoyed and fell into another passionate kiss with Ridge.
Katie sat alone, contemplative, when her brother, Storm, returned home. Storm inquired where their mother was. When Katie reported Beth was working, Storm lamented that she worked too much, and he intended to tell her so. Sensing Katie's distraction, Storm wanted to know what was wrong. As Katie was about to tell him, Brooke walked down the stairs and was surprised to find Storm there. Brooke put on a happy face and asked if she could borrow Storm's car, as she had to go somewhere.
Brooke deflected when Storm noticed the bruise on her face, and she rushed out. After Brooke left, Katie told Storm that Brooke had covered the bruise with makeup and had arrived at home, terrified, with her dress torn, but she had refused to tell Katie what had happened. Storm worried when Katie added that Dave had stopped by, acting more like the cop he was than Brooke's boyfriend, talking about some kind of report before Brooke had sent Katie away. Katie didn't know more than that, but the situation scared her.
In a luxurious office, Margo watched Mr. Forrester work. She praised him for the success of the showing, but he complained about how Ridge had felt the line lacked excitement. Margo asked Eric why he put up with Ridge; Eric remarked that it was because Ridge was his son. When Margo said she despised Ridge for hurting Eric, Eric commented on her loyalty. Margo noted that she cared about Eric, who offered her a drink. Margo declined, saying she had to meet someone. Margo seemed affected when Eric thanked her for her invaluable help, and she excused herself.
At the police station, an officer showed Brooke in to see Dave. Brooke stared at Dave's holstered gun and said she didn't look forward to seeing those "slimy morons" who had attacked her in the mug shots she was there to look through. Dave swore to get Brooke's assailants and reminded her that, although Brooke had every right to dump on all men after what had happened, Dave was one man who loved her "a hell of a lot."
In an elegant mansion, an impeccably dressed woman made her way down a staircase. A servant let Eric in and took Eric's briefcase. The woman, Stephanie, revealed she had heard from a fashion editor that the showing had gone well. Eric was sure they had wondered why his wife hadn't been in attendance. Stephanie explained that she had had a busy day and observed that Eric was in a mood. Eric replied that he had been in more of a mood every night and asked if Stephanie was getting anything out of their marriage. Stephanie inferred from the question that Eric wasn't.
Eric wondered if Stephanie felt the same malaise as he did. When Stephanie didn't believe Eric felt that way, since she was in the same bed as he, Eric stated it was a matter of need. Eric wanted answers, leading Stephanie to wonder if there was another woman, specifically Margo, as Stephanie had taken note of Margo's devotion. Eric assured Stephanie there was no other woman and questioned what they should do about their stale marriage, but the troubled couple was interrupted by the arrival of Ridge and Caroline.
Brooke finished looking through the books of mug shots but didn't see a photo of either of her attackers. Dave offered to have an artist do a sketch. Brooke felt there might be an easier way to catch the men, since they had promised they would be back for her.
Bill handed a martini to a woman -- Margo -- and crowed that Ridge would no longer be seeing Caroline due to Bill's talk with Ridge. Though Bill hadn't put much stock in Ridge's relationship with his daughter, Margo knew the way Ridge looked at Caroline meant that Ridge wanted her, and she groused that Ridge turned on the charm until he got what he wanted from women. Margo answered cryptically when Bill said she sounded as if she were speaking from personal experience. Bill believed Margo would have wanted Ridge's attractive, rich father, especially as the word was that Eric's marriage was on the rocks. Margo reported that Eric had never crossed the line, but Bill deduced that Ridge had -- and had hurt Margo by doing so. Margo deferred, and Bill said he had never crossed the line with her, either.
Margo felt that had been because Bill wasn't over Marion. Bill countered that Marion had been gone almost a year and would have wanted Bill to go on with his life. Bill agreed with Margo that part of his inability to move on from Marion had been because of Caroline, who was all Bill had left. Bill said he would do anything to ensure Caroline's happiness, and his brief meeting with Ridge was a step in that direction. Bill sternly relayed that Ridge's date with Caroline that evening would be his last.
Storm waited up for Brooke and Dave and, when they arrived, demanded to know what was going on. Brooke avoided the question by asking about their mother's and sisters' whereabouts and by claiming she was fine, but, based on what Katie had told him, Storm didn't believe it. Dave filled Storm in about how Brooke had been pulled into a van and nearly raped by two men. Brooke tried to calm the enraged Storm and begged him to let Dave and the police handle the matter. Storm thought there was more, which Dave confirmed by disclosing how the men had said they'd be back for Brooke. Dave declared Brooke would have police protection -- he loved Brooke, too.
Storm and Dave felt that Katie and Donna needed to be told what had happened to Brooke. While Brooke agreed, she insisted their mother be kept in the dark, as the news would freak her out. Brooke wondered what made some guys want to hurt women, and Storm hugged her.
At the mansion, Ridge reintroduced Caroline to his parents and hinted that they'd be seeing more of her. While Ridge declined Eric and Stephanie's invitation to dinner, he did accept their offer of a drink and requested Champagne all around. Ridge toasted to the future and life's pleasures. Stephanie and Eric both felt there was more going on. Ridge coaxed Caroline into telling them their news: Ridge had proposed to Caroline.
Eric immediately congratulated the marrieds-to-be, while Stephanie took longer to come around. When Caroline admitted that she and Ridge hadn't yet set a date, Ridge suggested two weeks from Friday. Caroline agreed and also wondered why she and Ridge couldn't stay for dinner. Ridge figured that Caroline would want to tell her father, Bill, about the wedding right away, and Ridge coyly added that he was very anxious to see Bill's reaction, as well. Across town, Bill broodingly stared at a portrait of Marion.
At Bill's house, Bill imagined that Ridge was rejecting Caroline at that moment. Margo pondered whether the two had been lovers. Bill was adamant that it hadn't been that way with Caroline. In Margo's opinion, it would have been a matter of time because Ridge was irresistible.
Bill said it was why he'd set out to stop Ridge before he could use Caroline and drop her. Bill explained that it hadn't been a discussion but an ultimatum. Ridge had been as "intimidated as hell," in Bill's view. Margo asked if Ridge would tell Caroline about it.
Looking at Caroline's portrait over the fireplace, Bill hoped not, but he'd done what he'd had to do to spare his daughter pain from the egocentric womanizer. Caroline was precious to Bill, and he wouldn't allow any man to abuse or harm her. He'd do anything to ensure her happiness.
Bill invited Margo to have another drink, but she needed to go. He decided against a drink, too, because he'd soon have an emotional daughter on his hands.
In Ridge's car, Caroline would never have guessed that Los Angeles' aloof and most eligible bachelor would get married. "You've got a great body," Ridge quipped. Sure that it was how she'd gotten him, she bet she was the only girl who'd ever held out on him. Ridge teased her about pulling off and eloping, but she asked how two weeks from Friday sounded.
Noting the Forresters' reaction to the engagement, Caroline wondered how her father would respond. Ridge did, too. Caroline was an only child, and her mother had died a year prior. Bill was very protective of her, but she believed Bill and Ridge would hit it off.
Ridge and Caroline were almost at Caroline's place, but Ridge teased her about pulling off. She insisted it was important to her to wait, but he quipped that it was important to him not to. He kissed her and asked about splitting the difference. She didn't know what that even meant, but it would have to wait until after they were married because Daddy was waiting.
Later, Caroline left Ridge in the foyer and went to "prepare Daddy." In the living room, she and Bill greeted each other. He sensed something going on and asked if there was something she wanted to talk to him about. Caroline assumed he'd heard her mention Ridge Forrester before.
Bill recalled that Caroline had said earlier that she'd had a date with Ridge. She announced that something unexpected had happened. Bill scowled when Caroline called Ridge and invited him to join them. Caroline introduced the men. Bill rendered a cold smile as he shook Ridge's hand.
Before Caroline left to get Ridge a drink, he gave her a drawn-out kiss. She headed to the kitchen. Bill's eyes narrowed on Ridge, and he asked "what the hell" Ridge was doing there.
Caroline returned with the drink and hoped the men had been getting to know each other. She revealed that something unexpected had happened. She asked if Ridge wanted to tell Bill, but Ridge said she should do it. Caroline announced that Ridge had asked her to marry him.
Bill began to stammer, and Caroline added that the wedding would be two weeks from Friday. In Bill's silence, she hoped he wasn't angry. She knew that it was sudden, and Bill didn't know Ridge; however, she loved Ridge very much. She asked if anything was wrong.
Bill pretended that nothing was wrong, and he wished his daughter all the happiness in the world. Caroline hugged Bill. Ridge smirked at Bill as Bill coldly stared at Ridge.
At the mansion, Stephanie guessed Thorne had heard the news about his older brother's engagement. Thorne thought it was a joke, but she said Ridge had announced it earlier. Thorne asked who the woman was. Stephanie revealed it was Caroline Spencer, whom Stephanie didn't know much about. Thorne didn't know Caroline, either -- not really.
It was hard for Thorne to believe Ridge would marry a woman he barely knew. Stephanie said it would happen in two weeks. It seemed sudden to Thorne, especially for a decent, straight gal like Caroline. "Knowing big brother and his taste in women," Thorne questioned what Ridge was even doing with a woman like Caroline, let alone marrying her.
Stephanie was worried that Ridge had gotten Caroline pregnant. Thorne hoped Ridge hadn't messed her up like that. Stephanie couldn't think of another reason Ridge would suddenly marry a complete stranger. Thorne assumed Ridge had found some good sense. Smiling, Stephanie reflected upon how different her sons were. Her daughters were different from each other, too.
Stephanie said there was nothing wrong with love, intimacy, and pleasure. She believed Thorne could learn that from Ridge. "Don't castigate him. Learn from him," she said and went upstairs.
At the Logan house, Katie arrived, eager to know if Brooke was okay. Storm said Brooke was and would talk to her sisters later. He warned Katie not to say a word to their mother, who had enough to worry about. Katie complained that she still didn't know what had happened. Storm said she would soon, and he sent her into the kitchen to help Beth.
In the kitchen, Beth was cooking in her caterer's uniform. She looked tired to Katie, who suggested Beth change and get comfortable. Beth had a catering job that night. Beth observed Katie and noted that the acne medication was working.
Katie griped that her acne was visible under the lights. Katie hated how she looked, and she didn't want to hear that she'd outgrow it. Brooke entered, and Katie dropped the subject.
Storm entered as Beth noticed a makeup-covered bruise on Brooke's face. Brooke claimed it was nothing to worry about. Donna arrived and flashed an alarmed look at Brooke.
Later, Brooke saw her mother out the front door, promising to talk about the bruise later. After Beth had gone, Brooke sat her sisters down and said it was important for them to know what went on in the real world. Brooke revealed that two men had tried to grab her and rape her.
Brooke told her sisters that when she'd gone to help a man with his map, the back doors of his van had flown open. Brooke became upset, describing how someone had tried to drag her into the van. She'd fought and scratched, and then she'd run and run and run.
Though Brooke had wanted to protect Katie from it earlier, Storm had stressed to Brooke the importance of Katie and Donna knowing what went on in the world. Katie asked what it was with guys. Brooke replied that it wasn't most guys, and most guys were terrific. However, there were sick weirdos out there, and the best way to avoid them was to be smart, not "dumb like I was."
Brooke advised her sisters to stay away from lonely streets and strangers and to never walk alone. She advised them of other tips and said not to be afraid to scream. Brooke prayed that it never happened to her little sisters. She started crying, and they hugged her.
At the Logan house, Storm found his mother making breakfast after a long night of catering. He told her that Katie was 16, Donna was 18, Brooke was 21, and Storm was 23, all old enough to handle their own breakfast. He feared Beth was overdoing it.
The look on Storm's face reminded Beth of his father, and Storm decided to refrain from looking at her that way. Storm was bitter about Stephen walking out on them six years prior. She said they all knew why Stephen had gone. Storm called his father a failure. Stephen had done nothing with his college degree and had failed at everything he'd touched.
The subject turned to Brooke's bruise. Beth asked how Brooke had gotten it and why Dave had picked Brooke up earlier, acting more like a detective than a boyfriend. Storm promised Beth that he was taking care of it. She told him that he wasn't the father of the family. "But I do a pretty good imitation of it, don't I?" he asked.
In the courtyard at Brooke's school, Dave asked how Brooke was. She hadn't slept, and she wondered when she'd ever stop thinking of what the men had done to her. She was paranoid by noises in the bushes and recalled that they'd vowed to return for her. She wondered what would have happened if one of her sisters had been the victim instead.
Brooke felt powerless, but Dave said that she wasn't. She replied that he didn't know what it felt like to always look over his shoulder, waiting to be raped. He told her that they'd get the guys, and she'd help them. Brooke didn't want to look at more mug shots.
Dave had another plan, but he wasn't sure he liked it. He suggested setting a trap for the creeps. "And who's the bait? Who's the bait, Dave? Or do I even have to ask?" Brooke replied.
Brooke assumed Dave wanted to use her as a decoy to lead the criminals into his handcuffs. He knew that it was dangerous, but he'd be with her every step of the way -- if the perpetrators returned. Dave wanted to get those guys more than anything in the world, but Brooke asked what happened to her if he didn't get them.
In Eric's office, Margo and Eric worked with a dress on a live model. Eric snatched off one of the model's earrings and said there was only room for one. "Just when I think I'm able to track you," Margo said. Eric declared that the unexpected was the true mark of a designer.
Eric had things other than fashion on his mind, and he revealed there would soon be a family wedding. Margo gasped, wondering if Kristen had met someone at school. Eric shook his head. Margo said that Felicia was a teenager, so that left Thorne and Ridge.
Eric replied that it was Ridge. Margo faked a smile. Eric said that the betrothed was Caroline Spencer. The name sounded familiar to Margo. Eric was impressed by Caroline and surprised that Ridge was settling down with one woman. Margo's jawline tightened.
Eric left, and Margo made a swift call to Bill, who guessed she'd heard. Margo didn't know what to say except sorry. Bill assured Margo that setting a date didn't make a wedding happen.
In Ridge's office, Thorne arrived with congratulations. Ridge asked what for, and Thorne wondered if Ridge was getting married or not. Ridge affirmed it. Thorne noted that Thorne hardly knew the girl. Ridge quipped that Thorne wasn't the one marrying her. Thorne decided Ridge was serious, and Ridge asked if he'd kid about something as dangerous as marriage.
Thorne asked why Ridge was doing it. "Have you looked at her lately?" Ridge responded. Thorne replied that Ridge had had plenty of beautiful women. Ridge explained that Caroline had something more than beauty. "It isn't a baby, is it?" Thorne responded. Chuckling, Ridge was sure that wasn't it because he hadn't even touched her.
Thorne was shocked that Ridge was marrying a woman he hadn't slept with and asked what was going on. Ridge didn't know, really, but asked if he'd mentioned that Caroline's father had been there. The man had demanded that Ridge end the relationship by the stroke of midnight. Thorne wasn't surprised and said Caroline was classy and wholesome.
Ridge suspected that meant Caroline was too good for him. Thorne guessed it was what her father thought, and to Thorne, it almost sounded like Ridge was marrying the woman to spite her father. Ridge admitted that it did kind of. Thorne hoped "the hell" that wasn't it. Ridge hoped it wasn't, either, and said it was a heck of a reason to get married.
Thorne questioned Ridge's cavalier attitude. Asking Thorne to lighten up, Ridge quipped that it was a marriage, not a funeral. It was starting to look more like a circus to Thorne.
At Bill's condo, Caroline saw her sullen father on the balcony. She said he didn't look like the father of the bride. He said he didn't feel like the father of the bride and thought they should talk.
Inside, Bill explained that ever since her mother had died, Caroline had been almost the center of his universe. He loved her and only wanted the best for her. He thought daily of what the best thing was that could happen to his daughter. She said his prayers had been answered.
It was more than a prayer, Bill revealed. It was a plan. It was a plan for her to get a good education, develop herself, and eventually have a marriage and family. Caroline said it was exactly what was happening. She had her education, and she was getting married.
Bill asked how well she knew Ridge. "Well enough," Caroline replied. Bill noted that they'd just started dating, and she asked how long he'd dated her mother before marriage. Bill refused to compare himself to Ridge and asked if she knew Ridge's reputation. Caroline replied that Ridge had never asked anyone to be his wife before, and that canceled out any reputation.
Bill wished he'd known that would happen. Caroline asked what Bill would have done if he had known. Bill insisted that Ridge was no good for her, and Bill was happy to get proof. Caroline urged Bill to give Ridge a chance. Bill agreed to do it if she'd postpone the wedding. She didn't want to put it off. She loved Ridge and believed it would last.
Bill refused to allow the marriage. That was his final word. Heartbroken, Caroline was determined to do it and implored Bill not to let it be without his blessing. "And I am going to marry him," she declared. Bill hugged her.
Caroline was dismayed that her father would not accept Ridge. Bill was certain that Ridge would hurt Caroline. Caroline declared that she would marry Ridge with or without Bill's approval, although she really wanted Bill's blessing. Bill hugged Caroline but said he felt the marriage was wrong. Caroline kept trying to convince her father to come around, assuming Bill would have negative feelings about any man Caroline chose. Bill replied that that wasn't the case.
Caroline recalled that her mother had said the man Caroline married would have to be a genius, a strategist, and a diplomat to deal with Bill. Caroline wished her mother was still alive and was sure she would have liked Ridge. Bill got a phone call from Eric, who relayed that Eric and Stephanie wanted to meet Bill, since they were about to become in-laws. Bill wanted to meet the Forresters, as well. When Eric remarked that there wasn't much time before the wedding, Bill caught Caroline's pleading look and said, "Yes, we are going to have a wedding, aren't we?" Caroline breathed a sigh of relief at her father's tacit acceptance. After Bill hung up with Eric, Caroline hugged her father, but Bill still looked dubious.
Ridge got off a business call as Stephanie entered his office. Stephanie reported that she was picking Eric up because they had an appointment with Ridge's future father-in-law. "Sounds like fun," Ridge answered with more than a hint of sarcasm, which Stephanie picked up on. Ridge sidestepped and told Stephanie to give Bill his best.
Bill welcomed the Forresters into his home, remarking that he'd had no idea their paths would cross. Eric concurred, and Stephanie admitted the news of Ridge's engagement had been a surprise. Eric surmised that Bill and Caroline were close, and Bill said he and Caroline had become even closer in the year since Bill's wife, Marion, had died. Bill asked Eric how he felt about the wedding and the suddenness of it. Eric admitted he'd been taken aback but that Caroline and Ridge seemed to know what they wanted. Stephanie wondered if Bill had a problem with the wedding; Bill replied he only wanted to be sure Caroline was doing the right thing, adding cryptically that he planned to make Caroline's wedding day an event she would never forget.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow as Bill began to show her and Eric out. Stephanie suggested having the wedding at the Forrester mansion, since Ridge and Caroline wanted a small ceremony. Bill agreed, and after the Forresters left, Bill made a phone call.
Bill met with a Mr. Weston, saying he had heard from an associate that Weston was good at what he did. Weston smirked that he was good when he was paid on time. Bill wanted to have Weston check Ridge out. Bill allowed that he could be wrong about Ridge and hoped he was, for Caroline's sake, but Weston was to report back about any indiscretions Ridge might have. Weston seemed ambivalent about the assignment but then told Bill he had just hired himself a private investigator.
Caroline surprised Ridge at his office, covering his eyes and making him guess who she was. Ridge grinned that it had to be the girl with the sexiest body that he'd be lying next to every night. Ridge laid Caroline down on his desk and kissed her.
Ridge didn't know if he could wait two more weeks before the wedding to be with Caroline, who teased that she was worth the wait. Ridge agreed she was and asked how Bill had reacted to the news of their engagement. When Caroline hedged, Ridge declared that his own father was perfectly happy about it. Caroline admitted Bill had been against it at first but had come around, adding that Bill was getting a great son-in-law. Ridge looked unsettled.
At the Logan home, Donna entered the kitchen and found a pensive Brooke. Donna announced that Dave had been trying to call, but she hadn't known Brooke was home. When Brooke admitted she had been thinking about something that Dave wanted her to do, Donna assumed it had to do with Brooke's recent attack. Brooke got Donna to tell her that Dave was at the station and left without telling Donna what Dave was asking of her.
In her room, Katie again studied her teen magazine and fantasized that she was with the boy on the cover. Katie was in sequins. The boy, in a tux, told Katie how lucky he was to be with her, kissing her and cooing that he had waited so long to do so. Storm inadvertently brought Katie back to reality, asking how Katie was doing. Katie asked how she looked. "Not bad," Storm replied. "For a girl who looks like she has a disease," Katie lamented. Storm entreated Katie not to be so hard on herself, but Katie was discouraged about her acne. Despite a good diet and medication, the blemishes had not gone away.
Katie wanted to know if Storm would have asked her out if she had been a girl in Storm's high school. Storm affirmed he would, but Katie didn't believe it. Katie sulked that she hadn't had a date since starting high school. Storm assured Katie the acne would pass, but she wanted to know when and angrily asked if it would be in five years. Katie got upset and figured she could go that long without talking to a guy. Katie left Storm standing in her room.
Brooke met Dave at the station and informed him she had made a decision. Because she was frightened her attackers would keep their promise and come back for her, Brooke wanted to go along with Dave's plan to act as a decoy to lure them out of hiding. Dave said he had changed his mind about Brooke going through with it because she hadn't yet recovered from her ordeal. Brooke didn't want to wait, feeling they could lose their chance to catch the perpetrators. Brooke wondered if Donna and Katie would also have the police protection Dave had arranged for her, since they lived with her. Brooke didn't want to take a chance on her sisters' safety and asked Dave to tell her how they would trap her assailants.
Brooke insisted that she wanted to go through with Dave's plan right then. Hearing Brooke say she was sure, Dave decided they would put things in motion the following day.
With her headphones on, Donna didn't hear Storm enter the kitchen. Storm mentioned what a rough day Katie was having, which Donna assumed was because of Katie's complexion. Storm wanted to do something about it, but Donna didn't know what. Storm thought it would help Katie to have a guy ask her out and figured Donna had to know some boys in Katie's class. Donna was more concerned about Brooke, who had seemed shaken by something Dave had asked Brooke to do. Storm's concerned look led Donna to believe Storm knew what it was; Storm excused himself, saying only that he had a hunch what Dave had in mind and didn't like it.
