The Returned

Chapter 3

Stacey sat in the chair waiting for her name to be called.

She wasn't nervous.

She made sure to research all she could on Sally Spectra the second. Though a lot of what she found was mostly gossip about her relationship the Media mogul heir, Liam Spencer, and the back and forth to win him from the Forrester heiress Phoebe Forrester.

She did find out that she was one of Forrester's top designers and was on her way to her own line within the company when she was mysteriously let go from the position.

'Something happened and either she caused it or she was the scapegoat.'

There was no doubt in her mind that it was the latter, rich people never take ownership and will throw the lackey under the bus to get what they want. Stacey only needed to look at her brother to know that her mom's warnings against the wealthy were accurate.

Snapping out of her thoughts Stacey watched as her potential new boss and the male Forrester heir came out of the office , not really paying attention to anyone as they talked.

"Look Thomas, I already told you that I don't want your money. I am going to make sure that this company has no connections to Forrester Creation and that includes you."

"I know okay, just had to try one more time, after what they did... Look I get it okay, you know I get it. If I could separate myself from them I would have a long time ago. As much as you want no Forrester connection in the business, does not mean I won't always offer because YOU are my friend."

He looked and sounded sincere as far as Stacey could tell and her potential new boss must have thought the same because the red headed fashionista leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks Thomas."

There was something definitely there with these two beyond friendship, more like unexplored tension with the way they were staring into each other's eyes.

'Huh? I guess the gossip got it wrong, there seems to be something with these two'

Coming to her senses that she was in the lobby of her company Sally pulled away from Thomas, " I have an interview, so I will see you later."

" I will hold you to that." Thomas stepped back, turning to make his way out, but paused when he saw Stacey sitting there. As he stared at her short brunette hair and piercing her gray/blue eyes in a business skirt and blouse clearly here for an interview.

He was hit with a sense of deja vu.

Thomas knew he had never seen her before, but something is familiar about the woman. "I'm sorry do I know you? This isn't me coming onto you, I just have the weirdest feeling like I have seen you before."

Caught off guard by the attention Stacey replied, "Umm, well I worked at Tina's as a waitress. Your family came in for lunch on one of my shifts, that's the only place I can think of."

The explanation seemed to satisfy him, "Yeah that must be it. Uh good luck with the interview don't let the red hair fool you, she does have a soul."

"Haha, very funny. Ignore him, please come on in."

Stacey got up and followed the red head into her office, not noticing the expression on Thomas's face once her back was turned to him.

XXXX

Ridge and Brooke's House

Ridge walked into the house, pausing briefly when he saw Brooke on the couch. Not wanting to start yet another argument with her, he quickly began making his way towards his home office.

"Ridge, Ridge! You can't keep ignoring me, we have to talk eventually. The kids are noticing that something is not right between us." Brooke called out after him.

"We have said all we needed to say about this situation. The kids will be fine, isn't that what you said when you refused to abort? That Phoebe, RJ, Rick and most of all Bridget will be fine." Ridge replied, still keeping his back to her, but heard her gasp.

Rolling his eyes at her dramatics, he made his way to get the drawings he left.

"Ridge! We agreed that we would raise this baby together! The kids will be fine as long as we stay a family."

"No Brooke, I agreed to protect Bridget and all you had to do was show up to the damn appointment! Since what you wanted mattered to you than the children you have now, there is nothing else to talk about." Walking back towards the front door.

"That is not fair! You can't ask me to protect my children while in the same breath ask me to kill our child."

He turned to face her for the first time as he opened the door, "Your child"

The slammed door was the only thing that broke the silence of the house.

XXXX

A/N: Note all the way back since I stopped watching the show, I know what's happening thanks to twitter. BUT Brad Bell is not getting my views.