The real shooter!

Chapter one

Ridge sits with his entire family: Taylor, Steffy, Finn, Thomas, Brooke and Hope, he tells them all the details about his cooperation with Bill and the FBI. Bill and his plan was successful, Sheila was finally arrested. First they were afraid she would get away again. Sheila had realized what Bill was up to and had managed to escape. She rushed to Deacon and persuaded him to run away with her. But Ridge, Bill and the FBI were prepared for all eventualities. They hid tracking devices in Sheila's purse and Deacon's car. Thus, the two got caught just outside LA.

As Ridge tells his story, he is surprised at the reaction of his family. He is astonished, they are all in some way reserved towards him. He doesn't understand what's going on. Actually, everyone should be happy, Sheila is finally no longer a threat. But still, everyone seems to have some kind of reservations about him. Taylor, in particular, looks at him several times with disappointed, icy eyes. Ridge can't shake off the feeling that she is angry with him.

The next day, he heads to Taylor's beach house to solve the situation with her. Taylor is less than pleased when she sees him.

"Ridge, what are you doing here?" she asks sharply. Ridge tries to lighten the atmosphere. He looks around with great interest.

"There's been some changes around here, looks good!" But Taylor only gives him an annoyed stare. Ridge spots a cookie jar on the cocktail table. "Oh, I see you baked your wonderful cookies again!" He wants to take one, but Taylor slams the lid on the jar.

"They're not for you! They're for Steffy, Finn and the kids!" Ridge stares at her confused and hurt, but Taylor remains firm. "So, what do you want? I guess you didn't come to talk to me about my decor and to steal my cookies."

"No, that's not why I'm here! I want to know what's going on with you? Did I do something that upset you?" Taylor glared at him incredulously.

"You really don't get it? Well, I think it's great that Sheila is now locked away for good and we don't have to worry about her any longer. But do you know what really upsets me? The whole time you knew Bill was just playing a game with her and his blackmailing against Steffy and me was just a stunt. But you didn't give us the slightest hint!" Ridge tries to explain himself.

"Doc, you have to understand, I wasn't allowed to say anything! The mission was top secret!"

"Come on! Do you have any idea what I've been through these past few weeks! I went through hell because of Sheila, Bill and his threat! I was this close to turning myself in, because I thought it was the only way to protect Steffy, Finn and the kids. I almost went crazy because I didn't know anymore what was right or wrong! And you were part of this plan and you didn't say anything, instead you tried to soothe me on the phone. I guess you watched it on the screen when I went to Bill and Sheila trying to talk some sense into Bill. I hope you enjoyed the show!" Ridge tries to placate her.

"Now stop it! You honestly think this hiding game was easy for me?! You have no idea how painful it was to know what you guys were going through and not being able to stand by you, but it was necessary!"

"No, it was not! Certainly there would have been other options and you could have given us some kind of a clue. I'm sure Sheila could have been taken down without you playing Samurai."

"Why are you so angry at me? Bill was involved and he was playing you too!"

"I wasn't married to Bill and he's not the father of my children! We experienced a true nightmare! Have you ever thought about Steffy? She was completely stressed out, she was very afraid for her family, for her children! And she had to worry about me too!" Ridge guiltily lowers his head.

"I know the situation wasn't easy for you, but it's all over now!"

"Still, you can't expect me to forget all this so easily!"

At that moment, there's a knock on the door. Taylor opens and Brooke steps in. She is very surprised to see Ridge.

"What are you doing here?" she asks sternly.

"Taylor and I have something to discuss!"

"Oh yeah?" She turns to Taylor. "I hope you made it clear to him how miserable you were all this time!" She looks angrily at Ridge. "She was suffering tremendously, she was only able to fall asleep with medication. I was so concerned about her I even thought she was going to harm herself!" Ridge shrugs his shoulders. "And did you ever think about Hope? You let her walk into an open knife! You knew about Sheila and Deacon's affair and you didn't mention it in one sentence! You let Hope run into her misfortune, she practically had to watch her father getting arrested." Ridge is completely blindsided. Being attacked by both of his ex-wives is too much for him.

"Calm down Logan, I feel sorry for Hope, I didn't mean to hurt her. But at least she knows now who her father really is! Besides, Taylor and I were in a private conversation. I think you should go! Two's company, three's a crowd!"

"You're absolutely right, Ridge! It's too crowded here!" She walks toward the door and opens it, "I ask you to leave!" Ridge looks at her, stunned.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me! Please go!" Shaking his head, Ridge leaves the beach house. The tables had clearly turned. After Taylor shut the door behind Ridge, she and Brooke have a terrible laughing fit.