Steve & Kayla #27 April 4 - August 8, 2008, 2007: 8 hour original edit
DVD #27A 4/4 Stephanie played dumb at first, but Kayla was clearly fed up with all the secrecy. Kayla pushed Stephanie to admit that Steve was keeping something from her. Upset, Stephanie explained that she and Steve were only keeping the secret in order to protect her and the baby. Furious, Kayla demanded the truth. Stephanie told her about Ava reappearing from Steve's past, and explained that Ava was so crazy, Steve had hired a bodyguard to follow Kayla around. Kayla was angry that Stephanie and Steve had lied to her and told her that she was going to find Steve and "give him a piece of my mind."

In Ava's bedroom, Hope paced in front of the window, staring at the sunrise. Angelo entered with Steve. Once alone, Steve told Hope that he had never had dinner with Ava because she had passed out. Worried, Steve cautioned Hope that although Ava had always been wild, she had never been so unstable in the past. While the two talked, Ava crept in the room and asked them whether they were arguing. Acting quickly, Steve told Ava that his wife did not believe that they had not had dinner the previous night. Taking her cue from Steve, Hope jumped in and argued that since Ava had been so excited to have dinner with Steve, Hope doubted that nothing had happened between the two of them. Hope then asked to talk to Ava privately so that she could hear the truth. Ava asked Angelo to take Steve out of the room and leave her alone with Steve's wife.

When Hope again asked what happened, a beaming Ava spun a story about how she and Steve had talked and drank and made love. Hope pretended to be angry and jealous, and Ava seemed to fall for Hope's ruse. Hope wondered aloud why Steve had not mentioned Ava sooner and concluded that Steve likely still had feelings for Ava since he was still so protective of her.

Declaring the situation dysfunctional, Hope announced, "I deserve better than this."
"What are you saying?" an excited Ava asked.
"I don't want anything to do with that bastard!" Hope yelled.

With victory in sight, Ava asked Angelo to bring Steve back into the room. Hope increased the drama by yelling at Steve who then admitted that his feelings for Ava were complicated. With the words still in the air, Hope smacked Steve across the face and told him that she would not let him raise their child. "You're giving up?" Steve marveled.

"It's hard to believe," Hope said quietly.
"Yeah. I'll say," said a disbelieving Angelo. Suspicious of Hope's easy defeat, Angelo suggested to Ava that Hope's performance was a little too convenient. Before Angelo could say any more, Steve's cell phone began to ring.

Angelo and Ava were hesitant to answer it, but Steve begged them to let him answer since his brother-in-law was in the hospital. Ava relented, but pointed a gun toward Steve and Hope and warned him to be on his best behavior. Hesitant, Steve answered the phone only to hear Kayla on the other end demanding to know what was going on.

4/7 Stephanie told Kayla about Steve's past and said that his ex-girlfriend, who was part of a mob family, had returned to Salem and wanted Steve back in her life. Stephanie told Kayla that Steve was trying to protect them from Ava, who was ruthless, unpredictable, and a very unstable person. Kayla was so upset at this news that she called Steve on his cell phone, which rang where Steve and Hope (who Ava thought was Kayla) were being held hostage at the Vitale house.

Steve had to take Kayla's call at gunpoint and pretend that Kayla was a realtor. Steve told Kayla not to call him anymore and said that he couldn't talk to her, and then threw the phone on the floor. Lexie walked into Kayla's hospital room as Kayla was talking to Steve. Kayla said that she couldn't understand why Steve was acting so strange or why he hung up on her. Kayla tried to explain to Lexie that something was wrong and that she had to find Steve. Lexie was worried about Kayla's and the baby's health and urged Kayla to stay in bed and let Steve take care of his own problems.

Ava didn't believe that Steve was talking to a realtor and threatened Hope at gunpoint if he didn't tell her the truth. Hope said that if Ava hurt her or Steve that Ava would be in more trouble, and would never have the life with Steve that she so desired. To calm Ava, Steve told her that he loved her more than he ever loved Kayla, and that they should make a plan to leave for one of the islands. Ava was so overjoyed at Steve's response that she allowed herself to fantasize about starting her life over with Steve. Ava told Steve that she could finally have the wedding and honeymoon of her dreams with the man she loved. Angelo walked in and informed Ava that her doctor had arrived and needed to see her immediately.

Lexie explained to Kayla that Steve had a very checkered past and it was best for him to deal with his past in his own way. Kayla was worried that something terrible was going to happen to Steve and prayed for him and their baby. Just then, Stephanie arrived at the hospital to comfort and calm Kayla. While Ava was gone, Steve and Hope discussed how to break out of the Vitale house without causing suspicion. Hope wished that Bo were there, as he would know exactly what to do. She encouraged Steve to come up with a plan quickly.

4/8 At Salem Hospital, Stephanie sat at Kayla's bedside and worried about her mother's insistence on leaving the hospital. Stephanie begged Kayla to calm down, but Kayla called the nurse in to request a printout of the baby's heart rate. The nurse obliged and after a quick scan of the printout, Kayla told Stephanie that since there were no signs of contractions that she should be able to go. The nurse looked displeased and warned Kayla that Dr. Ellman had given her orders to stay put. Grinning, the nurse told Kayla not to bother checking herself out either, since the paperwork would not be ready for a very long time. Still frustrated, Kayla asked Stephanie to hand over her phone so that she could call Roman.

After a quick chat, Kayla learned that Roman was already in the hospital and on his way up to see her. Shortly thereafter, Roman arrived and mentioned that he was at the hospital to convince Bo not to try to check himself out. Kayla sheepishly dropped her eyes and muttered, "That's crazy." Chuckling, Roman told Kayla that Lexie was keeping Bo in bed so he had a few minutes to talk. Kayla eagerly filled Roman in on her odd phone call with Steve earlier. She also told him that a crazy ex-girlfriend of Steve was stalking him, and that he might be in trouble.

Roman did not seem worried and gently reminded Kayla that Steve would not take any unnecessary risks that might keep him from his family. Noting Kayla's nervous expression, Roman offered to get involved and help her track down Steve, but Kayla declined, promising to stay in bed. Once Roman was gone, Kayla asked Stephanie to get her some orange juice. Satisfied that her mother would stay in bed, Stephanie agreed and set off to find the juice. As soon as the door closed behind Stephanie, Kayla hopped out of bed.

Later, an extremely tense Kayla marched into Bo's room and demanded answers. Kayla informed Bo that she knew Steve had visited him before his disappearance. Alarmed, Bo asked, "What do you mean disappeared?" A worried Kayla explained about her odd phone call with Steve earlier and when Bo finally started to spill the beans about Ava, Kayla rolled her eyes and told him she knew about his crazy ex-girlfriend already. Confused, Kayla asked Bo how Hope was involved, and Bo was forced to admit that Ava thought Hope was Kayla. The two discussed police involvement, but Bo nixed the idea, informing Kayla that Ava's family was "connected." Startled, Kayla remembered that she told Roman about Ava, and Bo told Kayla that as long as Roman did not talk to Abe, then neither would think to look into Hope's disappearance. Still frustrated, Bo tried to leave but Kayla pushed him back into bed. When Kayla then tried to leave, Bo warned her that she could not run off either because her pregnancy was still too unstable.

Back at Kayla's room, Stephanie returned with juice only to find her mother's empty bed. One quick call to the nurse later and the hospital was on alert to track down Kayla. As Roman, Lexie, and Stephanie contemplated which direction Kayla may have run off toward, the nurse rushed back to inform them that Kayla was spotted in Bo's room. Roman offered to take a relieved Stephanie downstairs for coffee in order to give Kayla some time alone with Bo. Meanwhile, a man in scrubs in the corner slyly took a photo of Stephanie on his cell phone.

Back at Ava's compound, Hope paced in a bedroom alone. Suddenly, a smiling Steve was knocking on the window. Hope happily rushed over, and Steve explained that the alarms on the window could be circumvented if the window were broken instead of opened. Hope warned Steve to duck out of sight and then rushed over to the radio. With the radio now blaring rock music, Hope pretended to read a book until Angelo burst into the room, demanding she turn the music down. Hope grudgingly obliged and turned it down only slightly. The grumpy Angelo retreated from the room and once the door was shut again, Hope broke the window while the music covered for the noise of the shattering glass. With escape now possible, Hope hopped out of the window and took off across the grounds with Steve. The two were just about to scale the perimeter wall when a guard stopped them. A quick-thinking Steve got the jump on the guard, knocking him out, but the delay allowed Angelo to catch up. With guns leveled at them, Steve and Hope were forced to surrender to Angelo.

Back at the house, a very tense Ava resisted sitting for her therapy session with her doctor. Suspicious, the doctor warned her that he would have a look around in order to find the source of tension in the house. Ava quickly blamed the tension on her confinement, explaining that she had been applying pressure to her cousins to let her out. Satisfied, the doctor decided to go ahead with their session. A timid Ava asked the doctor why she was not getting better, and he explained that it was likely because she had not yet recovered her traumatic, repressed memories from when Steve left. Rather cryptically, Ava grumbled that she thought there was another reason for the repressed memory. After a couple of half-hearted attempts, a frustrated Ava gave up. The doctor fed her a couple of pills to sedate her, but Ava still could not recover her hidden memories. Tired of trying, Ava began to cry and convinced the doctor that they had done enough work for the day. Once the doctor left, a bleary-eyed Ava called for Angelo and ordered him to bring Steve to her. After being informed that Steve and his wife had escaped, an angry Ava frantically paced the room.

Angelo returned a short time later with Steve and Hope in tow. Ava was furious and refused to believe Steve when he professed his love for her. Steve explained that he only wanted to protect his wife because she was pregnant and innocent, but Ava did not seem to feel the least bit sympathetic. After Ava made a vague threat against Hope, Steve warned Ava that although he loved her, he would not let her hurt his wife. Ava and Steve agreed to have dinner together and as Ava contemplated whether to believe Steve was being honest with her, Angelo rushed in with a cell phone for Ava. A gleeful Ava eagerly grabbed the cell phone and told Steve that it was her insurance policy. Opening the phone, Ava explained that although Steve had said the baby was their first child, she knew all about Stephanie. To Steve's horror, Ava showed Steve a photo of Stephanie on the cell phone. "Escape again and she's dead," Ava purred.

4/11 Nurse Maxine ordered Bo to rest and asked Kayla to keep an eye on him, then left the two of them alone. Bo immediately tried to get out of bed so he could search for Hope and Steve, but Kayla insisted he get back in bed and let her handle it. Bo argued that it wouldn't be good for her or the baby, but she countered that he was in even worse shape. Finally they agreed that until they were discharged, they were powerless to do anything. Bo worried what would happen if Ava figured out she'd kidnapped Hope instead of Kayla, and that Hope was a cop. Kayla urged him to go to the police, but Bo said Steve had been adamant about not involving them. He said he had another idea, then picked up the phone.

Soon Victor joined Kayla at Bo's bedside and described Ava's family, the Vitalis, for Bo. He depicted them as a very dangerous Mafia family, underscored the fact that they were known to even torture their own members and order hits on their rivals, purely for effect. He added that they'd likely had people in the police department on their payroll. Bo asked if Victor knew anyone on the inside who could give them any info, but Victor said people who had been with the family would never talk for fear of being killed. He then asked why Bo wanted to know, and Bo claimed it was for a police investigation.

Victor implored him to let another officer handle any case involving the Vitalis, and Bo agreed to consider it. After telling his son to just concentrate on getting well, Victor left for a meeting. Kayla asked Bo what he planned to do, and Bo replied that he had no choice but to take care of things himself. Kayla exhorted him that it was much too risky, but he was determined. She realized he would never back down, so she declared she was coming too. He tried to argue with her, but she insisted that, as a doctor, the only way she'd allow him to leave was if she could keep an eye on him.

Before they could reach an agreement, Nurse Maxine returned to tell them their doctors were on the way to examine them both so they could perhaps go home. She politely ordered Dr. Johnson to return to her own room, and Kayla reluctantly complied. As soon as the two women had left, Bo got out of bed. "Hang on, Fancy Face," he pleaded silently. "Wherever you are, I'll find you."

Angelo led Hope and Steve to Ava's room, where Ava had set up a romantic dinner for two. As Hope commented that it was unlikely one of the place settings was for her, Ava appeared in the doorway wearing a lacy black nightgown and matching lace robe, and informed Hope that she'd be watching while Ava and "Patch" enjoyed an intimate evening. Ava slunk over to Steve and wrapped herself around him, pressing herself to him and kissing him deeply right in front of "Kayla." Hope played the part of crazy-jealous wife to the hilt, and flew at Ava in a rage. Angelo separated them, and Ava warned Hope to behave lest something happened to her and her unborn baby. Ava then pulled out a chair for Steve and bade Angelo to handcuff Hope to a chair. Steve protested, but Ava ignored him and began pouring shots of whiskey. Angelo left, and Ava toasted to the past and future with Patch. Hope watched unhappily as a computer screen showed pictures of Steve and Ava together, and as Ava reminisced about how in love they had been. She arose from her chair and draped herself over Steve's shoulders and recounted a night when they'd made love six times, then made sure Hope had heard before kissing Steve's neck.

Finally Steve had had enough. He told Ava that he didn't appreciate her blatant attempts to make Kayla jealous, and that she'd never win him back that way or by having his daughter followed. When she smugly told him that she'd had her guy pay off Stephanie's bodyguard, Steve went ballistic, grabbing her by the arm and demanding to know what she had done to his daughter. He then lowered his voice and, carefully measuring his words, warned Ava, "Every time you threaten my wife or my daughter, any chance of reconciliation between us slips further away."

Her eyes filled with fear as she back pedaled hastily and apologized, and then invited him to sit again. She wanted to continue talking about the days when they were in love, and the screen changed to a picture of the two of them kissing. She recalled that it was their first kiss, but Steve reminded her that it had nearly gotten him killed. Ava explained to Hope that Angelo had threatened to show the picture to her father, but she'd stopped him because she already knew that she loved Patch. Steve remembered how afraid he'd been to get involved with Ava, because her father did not approve when she'd dated his employees. Ava had divulged that she'd talked to her father, and though he hadn't exactly given his blessing, he hadn't forbidden their relationship because she'd told him she loved Patch. As Steve's mind replayed the memory of telling Ava he loved her more than anything, his expression changed, and he rose to kiss Ava across the table. Hope begged him to stop and look in his pocket. Finally he pulled away from Ava and removed a piece of paper from his back pocket, and unfolded it to reveal a printout from Kayla's sonogram. Ava was furious that she would manipulate Steve to get him back, but Hope reminded him that he had missed Stephanie's entire childhood. She asked if he wanted the child she was carrying to also grow up without knowing its father. "I'm sorry, Kayla," he replied evenly. "This is where I belong." Ava's eyes lit up. "I knew you'd come around," she said, and pulled him into a kiss as Hope looked on helplessly.

4/14 Ava arranged to spend time alone with Steve. Ava reminded Steve of their past love together. Steve told Ava that their love was real and that he cared about her, but he was married to Kayla and expecting another child. Ava kissed Steve and tried desperately to convince him that they were meant to be together.

In another room, Hope was frustrated at being held prisoner, and searched for a way to escape. Steve apologized to Ava for complicating her life and causing her such pain and heartache. Ava had her own agenda and told Steve she loved him and began to seduce him. Steve pulled away and feigned soreness in his ribs, from injuries suffered in the plane crash, to discourage her advances. Ava expressed remorse for almost having killed Steve in the plane crash, but yearned to be with him. Steve told Ava that he was in too much pain to make love to her. Ava was upset and cautioned Steve that he must decide whom he loves, her or Kayla. She told him that she would not wait for him forever and left the room.

Steve left his room and went to find Hope to give her an update on what was going on. Steve told Hope that he felt responsible for Ava's state of mind. Hope told Steve that she was surprised at the extent of his relationship with Ava. Hope reminded Steve that it was important for him to remember that his relationship with Ava was part of his past. Angelo caught Steve in Hope's room and told him that Ava would not be pleased that he was visiting Hope (who they thought was Kayla) and ordered him back to his room.

Daniel visited Kayla in her hospital room and asked her how she was feeling. During their conversation, Daniel told Kayla that he had reviewed her file and credentials prior to Bo's surgery. Daniel explained that he wanted to make sure that she was qualified to join his surgical team, especially since his patient was her brother. Kayla asked Daniel to speak to Dr. Elman to expedite her discharge from the hospital. Daniel agreed and left to process the appropriate paperwork. Lexie entered Kayla's room and urged her to take care of herself and get bed rest. She asked Kayla to encourage Bo to do the same. Kayla agreed and called her mom and asked her for a favor. Caroline picked up Bo and Kayla from the hospital but questioned the whereabouts of Steve and Hope.

Bo and Kayla asked Caroline to drop them off at the Brady Pub and not to ask any questions. Caroline, a wise mother, knew Bo and Kayla were up to something and begged them to be careful and take care of each other. Bo showed Kayla a surveillance disc from hospital security. Bo said that he hoped the information on the disc would help lead him to Hope. Kayla and Bo put a plan together to find their spouses. Bo sensed that Hope was in danger.

4/15 Bo lay soundly asleep in his darkened hospital room as a smiling Ava crept in with a syringe full of drugs. Ava injected his IV, causing Bo's heart rate monitor to flatline. Fortunately, this was all just a nightmare that Hope was having during her restless sleep at the Vitali compound. Tired, Hope finally fell back asleep and this time dreamt that Ava went to see the real Kayla after learning the truth.

An angry Ava argued with Kayla who begged for her baby's life, to no avail. The two women struggled and Ava tossed Kayla out the nearby window. In the real world, Hope tossed and turned in her sleep and had a third dream, this time about Bo walking along the foggy docks. When Hope tried to stop him in her dream, he told her he had to keep going because he was going to visit Pop and their son. A tearful Hope begged him to stay, but Bo told her to be careful of Ava and know that he would always love his Fancy Face. Terrified, Hope sat bolt upright and hurriedly began to search the room for an escape.

Down the hallway, Steve feverishly paced his room and looked for a way out. Realizing the search was futile, Steve finally sat down and flashed back to remember his past with Ava. In the past, Ava told Steve that she believed he was a good man who would never hurt her. Steve had agreed with her and promised never to leave. Ava told him that she believed in him and after a moment of staring lovingly into each other's eyes, Ava proposed to him. Steve did not accept at first, citing her father as an obstacle to their marriage.

Ava suggested that they run off to Vegas to elope so that they could start having babies as soon as possible. Eventually Steve agreed, telling her, "Didn't I tell you I'd never leave you? I meant that." Shaking his head, Steve came back to the present time and ran to the bedroom door calling out for Angelo. After a few moments, a grumpy Angelo answered the door. Steve told Angelo that he did not remember Ava ever acting like she had been recently and that he was worried that she needed help. Gritting his teeth, Angelo countered by informing Steve that she had a doctor already because Steve had caused her illness. Adding, "If not for her orders, I'd kill you."

At the Brady Pub, Bo played the hospital surveillance DVD while Kayla watched the footage over his shoulder. After a little searching, the two finally found what they were looking for on the DVD when they spotted Hope's car leaving the parking lot with another woman at the wheel, while Hope lay slumped over in the backseat. Kayla immediately tried to calm a frantic Bo, and then the two worked to think of where Ava might have taken Hope. When Kayla began to worry if Steve and Hope were hurt, it was Bo's turn to remind her not to panic and stay positive.

After a few sweat-filled moments, Bo finally remembered that new security cameras had been installed on all the bridges in town. Bo furiously dialed up his friend Bill and asked him to find information on Hope's car. While Bo waited for a call back from Bill, Kayla nervously searched the pub for food to eat. After a couple of tense minutes, Bill called back and told them that the car was spotted headed into Brookville, a large area to the north. With a lot of ground to cover, Kayla and Bo brainstormed for ideas of how to find Steve and Hope. They figured out that Ava was likely not alone and that her family might have land in the area.

Bo reached out to a street informant named Earl, who arrived a little later. When Bo could only offer $250, Earl balked at giving Bo any information. At his wit's end, Bo grabbed Earl by the collar and screamed, "Listen up you little weasel! Those people have my wife and you don't start talking, I will break you in half!" Kayla stepped in to ask Earl a little more nicely. Earl informed them that the Vitalis had a compound on the hill staffed with a large number of armed guards. Before leaving, Earl cautioned them not to storm the place because it could get Hope killed whether she was at the compound or not. Bo grabbed his gun and argued with Kayla about whether either of them should run off to the Vitali compound, but ultimately they both agreed to go and inform one another if they needed medical attention.

4/16 At the Vitali compound, Angelo threw Hope into Steve's bedroom when the perimeter was breached by intruders. Angelo advised Ava about the situation and tried to keep her calm. Ava was worried that there would be more bloodshed, but Angelo continued to try to calm her down and soothe her nerves. Steve began to bang on the door, calling out to Ava. Though Angelo advised Ava not to go in, Ava demanded to see Steve.

Angelo opened the door and Ava cautiously entered the room to find a pleading Steve, asking Ava to let Hope go, so Steve and Ava could start their life together. As Hope played along, yelling at Steve and Ava, Ava remembered her past with Steve. However, the memories caused her to visibly shake and grab her head in pain. Steve tried to hold her but Ava flailed her arms and screamed. When Angelo attempted to give her the medication she needed to calm down, Steve punched Angelo. Enraged, Angelo pulled out his gun and warned Steve that he was finally going to have his revenge on Steve for what Steve did to his cousin. Angelo knocked Steve out cold and when Steve came to, Angelo reentered the room with a much calmer and quieter Ava right behind him.

Out in the compound's yard, Bo and Kayla scurried across the grounds and ran into the bushes to avoid detection. Grimacing, Bo was clearly in a lot of pain from the effort of breaking into the compound. Kayla begged Bo to go along with her plan, but he steadfastly refused. As Bo breathed heavily, wincing with every gasp, Kayla calmly walked into the open yard and into the flashlights of the oncoming security guards. After the guards frisked Kayla, she demanded to see Ava, telling the guards that she was Steve's wife. Confused, the guards tried to radio Angelo but could not reach him. With the guards distracted by the radio, Bo attacked from behind, knocking out both guards. Bo and Kayla handcuffed the guards in the bushes and headed up toward the house.

Inside the Vitali house, Angelo continued to hold a gun on Steve when a guard rushed in and told him that two guards had been found tied up outside. Angelo pulled Ava into the hallway, leaving Steve and Hope tied up and locked inside the bedroom behind them. Ava apologized to Angelo for all the trouble and, when she hugged him, carefully picked his pocket in order to steal his keys. Once Angelo ran off in pursuit of the intruders, Ava used the keys to go back into the bedroom. Ava calmly squatted in front of Steve and told him that she knew he never intended to leave Kayla but that she wanted to hear him admit it.

When Ava asked Steve if he was only there for Kayla, Bo and Kayla burst into the room, guns drawn. "That's right!" said Bo. With the gun pointed at Ava, Bo hurried to untie Hope who then hugged him tightly. Kayla rushed to Steve's side and put her gun down on the bed behind Steve so that she could untie him. Once he was unbound, Steve kissed Kayla, sighing, "Oh, Sweetness." Horrified, Ava watched the scene unfold before her. "Who the hell are you?" she asked Kayla. "I'm Steve's wife. Kayla." Steve, Kayla, Bo, and Hope ran for the door, hoping to avoid Angelo, but with their backs turned on Ava, she took the opportunity to grab Kayla's gun. Ava called out to the foursome and fired a shot directly into Hope's stomach. Shocked, Bo quickly raised his gun in response.

4/17 Ava shot Hope. Steve rushed Ava and knocked her out, as the others rushed to Hope's aid. Hope was only hit in the shoulder. Kayla tended to her while they considered their options. Hope, Bo, Steve and Kayla started to escape while Ava was unconscious. As they sneaked out, Ava came to and set off an alarm. Suddenly, the foursome was surrounded by heavily-armed guards. Hope was losing blood and fainted as the guards jumped Bo and Steve. The fight stopped. Ava ordered the guards to kill them all. Steve tried to talk Ava out of it. He begged her to take him and leave the others alone. Ava was about to shoot Steve when Angelo spoke up and stopped her. He'd do it. Hope asked Ava to tell them why she hated Steve so much. They wanted to know what he did to her. Ava agreed to tell them the love story of Patch and Ava. The Salemites had bought themselves some time.

4/18 Ava stood in the doorway of her room with Angelo hovering protectively behind her and asked her prisoners if they were sure they wanted to hear what Steve had done to her. Though she was bleeding badly from the bullet Ava had put in her shoulder, Hope asserted that if they were going to be killed anyway, they should at least hear why Ava hated Steve so much. Bo concurred, because he said he couldn't imagine that his old friend was capable of doing something as horrible as Ava claimed. Ava consented, but said she'd rather start at the end of the story.

While a weakening Hope leaned against Bo on the bed, and Kayla sat in a chair near them-and with Steve bravely standing to face his former lover-Ava cut right to the chase. She told them that she had believed that she and "Patch" were very much in love-soul mates, even-until their wedding day. She recounted how they had eloped to a small chapel in Nevada. She had worn a short, lacy white dress and carried a simple bouquet of wildflowers she'd picked nearby. Clad all in black, his long hair in a ponytail, Steve had beamed at his bride from the altar as she arrived at the back of the church. They'd mouthed "I love you" to each other while the priest and their two witnesses waited for Ava to walk down the aisle.

Ava stopped and sarcastically asked Steve if she was telling the story right. He assured her that she was, then turned to apologize to Kayla before pleading with Ava to stop, to forget about the past, and to move on. Ava retorted that the past wasn't over for her, so Hope weakly encouraged her to continue. Ava angrily insisted Patch take over the storytelling from there, and he reluctantly agreed, though he told Kayla he wanted to do it. Steve picked up the story where Ava had left off, with him watching happily as she started down the aisle toward him, until suddenly he'd begun to feel strange. He said he had started having flashes of another wedding, his wedding to Kayla, though he didn't know it at the time-and he knew something was wrong. He earnestly told Ava, "I just knew, in my gut, in my heart, I couldn't go through with it."

Kayla watched sadly as Ava, her face streaked with tears, bitterly told him to continue because she hadn't heard this part of the story yet. As the flashes continued in his head, Steve said, he unconsciously backed out of the church, stumbling as he exited the side door. He'd gasped for air and held his head as he tried to make sense of the images in his mind. He said he'd realized he had to go back inside and explain why he couldn't go through with the wedding, but before he could, two men had grabbed him from behind and dragged him away, throwing him into the back of his own car.

Ava stopped him and asked if he really expected her to believe that, or if he thought she was stupid. He swore it was the truth, and that he had never intended to hurt her. Her voice breaking, she told him a part of her had died when she realized he wasn't coming back. He apologized again, and gently asked if he could explain the whole story. Ava said he'd just lie to her again, but Bo asked her to let Steve finish. Hope agreed that she'd like to hear the rest, and Kayla softly said, "So would I." Ava was clearly becoming angrier and more disinclined to listen, but she told Steve to go ahead.

He related the story of how Stefano DiMera had abducted him, held him prisoner, erased his memory, and faked his death, in order to cause pain to Steve's loved ones. Ava acknowledged that Hope had told her something about that. Steve went on that after years of being Stefano's prisoner, he'd managed to escape, but he had no idea who he was or even where to go.

"I was lost," he said, looking levelly at Ava, "but then I met you." He confided that falling in love with Ava had given him a reason to live. He swore on everything they had meant to each other that he had wanted to marry her, and that it had killed him not to be able to tell her goodbye. Ava's face crumpled, and Kayla closed her eyes, wiping away tears of her own.

Steeling herself, Ava offered to pick up the story from there, since she knew Steve had no way to know what had happened to her after that. She said after he had left the church, she thought he must have just been playing a game, so she waited for him. When she realized he wasn't coming back, she ran out the side door to look for him, but there was no sign of him. Devastated, she had collapsed in sobs in the churchyard. "The next thing I knew," she said, "I was in an ambulance being taken to a hospital, where I stayed for quite some time."

Afterwards, she continued, her father had brought her back home and locked her in her room, claiming it was for her own good, and she had been there ever since. Kayla's cheeks were again wet with tears, and she, Hope, and Bo were clearly moved and saddened by Ava's tragic tale. His voice a whisper, and crying now himself, Steve managed, "I'm so sorry, Ava." She erupted in anger, sobbing and lashing out at Steve for ruining her life and turning her into the person she'd become-and whom she despised. "I hate you!" she shrieked and beat at his chest, as both Steve and Kayla wept miserably.

4/21 At the Vitale mansion, Ava was devastated after she explained to Steve, Kayla, Bo, and Hope that she was never the same after Steve left her standing at the altar. Steve tried to apologize to Ava but she screamed at him and told him that she could never forgive him. Ava blamed Steve for her years of psychiatric treatment that included isolation, confinement, and various drug regimens. Ava told them that she had been through hell. Ava's state of mind was drifting in and out of reality and her behavior became very erratic.

She lovingly approached Steve and fantasized about their wedding day. Ava thought about how happy she and Steve would have been if he hadn't left her at the church that day. As Kayla watched Ava embrace Steve, Kayla became hysterical and yelled at Ava as the one responsible for her father's death and for taking everyone hostage. Ava became violent and ordered Angelo and George to kill everyone. Kayla intervened and pleaded with Ava to think about her actions. Kayla let Ava feel her baby move and told Ava that this baby was innocent and should not die because of what happened in her past. Kayla told Ava that they were all sorry for what had happened to her.

Steve asked Angelo to get help for Ava because if she killed them, Ava could spend the rest of her life in prison. Angelo agreed with Steve and convinced Ava to cancel the hit. Ava told Steve that her life was meaningless without him and left the room. Angelo had everyone restrained. Hope's condition worsened and eventually she passed out from her gunshot wound. Bo tried to revive her but could not break free from his restraints. Bo, Steve, and Kayla told George that Hope needed medical treatment and to call 911. George checked on Hope and said she was fine, but Bo was not happy with George's answer and kicked him. George hit Bo in the face with his gun and knocked him unconscious.

Ava returned to the room with Angelo and told Steve and Kayla that she was going to spare their lives under one condition-she wanted Kayla's baby as her own, and Kayla would agree to be the surrogate. Ava told Steve that he and Kayla already had a child together and they owed her this child as payback for the pain Steve had caused her. Ava told Steve and Kayla that after the baby was born, she would decide which of them would live or die. Steve screamed back at Ava and told here that there was no way she would take his and Kayla's baby. Steve turned to Kayla and apologized for all the pain he was causing her as a result of his past.

4/23 Kayla was anxiously pacing, alone in a locked room at the Vitali compound. When Angelo and Mikey entered, she demanded to know where the others were and if they were all right. Angelo, clearly irritated by her questions, assured her Hope's gunshot wound was being taken care of, then he instructed Mikey to take Kayla to her new room. Kayla refused to go with them, and told them she wanted to see Ava. When Angelo threatened her, she stood up to him, and reminded him she was carrying the baby Ava wanted.

Angelo returned shortly with Ava in tow, and, after she'd ordered her cousin to leave, Ava asked what Kayla wanted. Kayla said she wanted to discuss Ava and Steve's relationship, and emphasized that the man Ava had fallen in love with didn't exist anymore. Ava insisted, somewhat uncertainly, that he was coming back. As she argued with Kayla, Ava removed a tablet from a small gold compact, and then slipped the pill into her mouth. Kayla asked what the pills were, but Ava refused to answer. Kayla tried to reassure her, reminding her that she was a doctor and declaring that she just wanted to help.

Ava tossed the pills at Kayla, who deftly caught them, and then she pressed Ava for more details. Ava's replies were argumentative and flippant, but Kayla persisted. Finally she confided that she just wanted to make sure Ava was healthy enough to take care of a baby. Ava earnestly swore that she'd make a good mother. Kayla pleaded with Ava to let her help, if only for the baby's sake, and expressed sympathy for Ava's situation. "This is no way to live your life-locked in your room, held like a prisoner," she said kindly.

Ava bitterly replied that she'd seen lots of doctors, none of whom had been able to help her, so she didn't think Kayla could, either. Kayla deduced that Ava had tried to commit suicide, and asked when it had happened. "Right after Patch left," Ava answered resignedly, and her eyes briefly filled with tears as she confessed that she wished it had worked. When Kayla asked what the doctors had diagnosed her with, Ava replied, "Brief psychotic disorder," and added that she thought they'd made it up.

Kayla assured her it was real, and explained that it was usually triggered by a traumatic event, such as what had happened between Ava and Steve. She also said that the symptoms shouldn't have lasted so long. Ava asked if she'd been misdiagnosed, and Kayla picked up the pillbox from where Ava had left it and said if that were the case, the pills could do more harm than good. Ava snatched the pills away from Kayla, maintaining that her father had handpicked her doctors and that no one would deliberately hurt her.

Kayla asserted that perhaps Ava should get a second opinion, and asked her gently how the drugs made her feel. Ava snapped, "They relax me, all right? Stop with your damn questions!" She was suspicious of Kayla's motives, but when Kayla told her that it had been Steve who had asked her to help, it caught her off-guard. This time when Kayla questioned her about the medication and how often she took it, Ava answered honestly. Kayla hinted that it was possible the doctors didn't have Ava's best interests in mind, because the pills seemed to make her agitated rather than relaxed.

Ava became angry again and blamed her mood on Kayla. She then banged on the door and shouted for Angelo, who opened the door and ordered Mikey to take Kayla out. Ava urged Mikey not to hurt Kayla, lest he harm the baby that would soon be Ava's. After the other two had gone, Angelo informed Ava that Patch was still unconscious but should be awake soon. "Good," she replied with a sly smile. "We need to spend some time together-up close and personal."

4/24 Steve woke up in bed next to Ava, who welcomed him back to "the good ole days." Steve wondered what happened to his clothes, and Ava said she knew he was out of it and needed time to regroup but added that they hadn't slept together. Steve asked about Kayla, Hope, and Bo. Ava assured him that they were all fine. She said that taking Kayla's baby was payback for Steve running out on her. Ava said she believed his version of what happened on their wedding day when Steve was kidnapped by Stefano's men.

Steve said even if he wasn't kidnapped, he wouldn't have gone through with the wedding because Kayla was the one he was meant to be with. He encouraged Ava to put the past behind her and move on with her life. Ava tried to convince Steve that he was the exact same man that she knew years ago, but Steve said their romance was in the past and if she ever cared about him, she would accept it and let him go. Ava said she couldn't let it go, because if she did, her life would be over. Steve told Ava he wouldn't fight her anymore. He said he would have a baby with Ava if she would let Bo, Hope, and Kayla go. Ava told Steve she wanted his heart and soul, not just his body, and he told Ava that if she wanted him, she would have to accept him the way he was-still in love with his wife. Ava agreed to Steve's terms and said she wanted to make a baby.

4/25 Roman and Abe entered the pub and found a table. Abe quickly brought a stunned Roman up to speed about how Bo, Hope, Steve, and Kayla were all missing, and that Ava Vitali was likely responsible. Roman agreed that they needed to figure out where Ava had taken them, because if the Vitalis had anything to do with their disappearance, the four of them were in great danger.

A short time later, Roman and Abe met Earl, Bo's informant, in front of the Pub. Earl initially refused to talk with them about the Vitalis, but Roman threatened to throw him in jail for resisting arrest. Earl reluctantly divulged the location of the Vitali compound in Brookville. Roman paid Earl for his trouble and told him to get lost, while Abe called for backup.

At the Vitali compound, Angelo and Mikey held guns on their tied-up captives, Bo, Hope, and Kayla, and led them through the hallway. Kayla stopped and defiantly demanded to see her husband.

In a nearby bedroom, a naked Ava kissed Steve passionately and told him how much she'd missed him. The door slammed, and they looked up to find a horrified Kayla. Steve leapt out of bed and accused Ava of setting the whole thing up, and she freely admitted she wanted Kayla to catch them together. Steve blasted Ava for what she'd done and for living in the past, then softened a bit as he reminded her how she and Kayla had been through similar ordeals when each had lost him. Ava became enraged and started yelling for Angelo. Angelo heard Ava's shouts and ordered Mikey to lock up their hostages in separate rooms. In a flash, Bo untied himself and punched out both men, then grabbed Mikey's gun. While he untied Hope, the two agreed they should both get to a hospital, but first they had to rescue Steve and Kayla. Bo retrieved the keys from Mikey's pocket, and gave Angelo's gun to Hope.

Steve and Kayla heard the commotion in the hallway, and rushed to the door. Kayla put her ear to the door while and Steve searched for something to open it with. While they were thus distracted, Ava opened the nightstand and pulled out a gun. "Patch," she said quietly, and the two of them turned to see the gun pointed at them. "You're not leaving me." Steve asked her to put the gun down, but she refused, and threatened to shoot anyone who entered. Bo announced he was coming in, then he and Hope burst through the door. Steve immediately wrestled with Ava for the gun, which went off, firing harmlessly into the ceiling, and then he slapped Ava hard across the face. She held her cheek in horror and disbelief as Bo, Hope, and Steve kept their guns on her. Bo asked if they were all right, and Kayla and Steve exchanged a long look before Kayla nodded and replied softly, "Yeah. We're fine."

Steve informed the others that Ava had paid off Stephanie's bodyguard, so Bo handed him Angelo's phone to call and check on her. Steve dialed his daughter's cell, but got no answer, so he tossed the phone back to Bo and told him to call for backup. Steve sat on the sofa next to Ava, who looked bewildered and asked him what happened. Steve gently asked her to come with him and led her out the door, as Kayla quietly slipped Ava's pillbox into her pocket. The five of them went into the hallway, and just then Angelo's walkie-talkie crackled as one of his men tried to call in. Bo threatened to shoot Angelo if he answered, so he grudgingly handed it to Bo. Bo then shoved Angelo and Mikey into the bedroom and locked the door.

Meanwhile, Roman and Abe had arrived on the grounds, and crept up to the house with guns drawn until they heard Bo calling out to them. Bo and Hope emerged from the shadows, followed by Kayla and Steve, who held his arm around Ava protectively. Abe asked if they were all right, and they told him that Hope had been shot and both she and Bo needed to get to the hospital. Abe read Ava her rights and handcuffed her, while she just stared somewhat blankly at Steve. As Abe led Ava away, Roman assured Steve and Kayla that he'd sent a squad car to check on Stephanie. Roman then followed Bo and Hope to the ambulance. Steve tried to comfort a worried and upset Kayla, whispering "Sweetness," and caressing her cheek tenderly. Mikey and Angelo, tied up back to back, managed to get free. Angelo used Mikey's phone and told the person on the other end, "It's a go."

4/28 Steve asked Ava if she knew anything about Stephanie's disappearance, but she was uncooperative. Abe received a phone call and learned that Max had gone to look for Stephanie. Steve and Kayla left the police station to help search for Stephanie. Max found Stephanie, negotiated her release, and scared off her captor. Kayla and Steve caught up with Max and were reunited with Stephanie; they thanked Max for saving Stephanie's life. Steve told Max that Ava was in custody and that the police were rounding up the guards that were responsible for holding them hostage at the Vitale compound. Kayla assured Stephanie that the baby was fine but did not want to discuss what had happened while they had been held hostage. She said that she wanted to put the entire matter in the past. Steve warned Max and Stephanie that Ava's father was a threat to them. Steve told Victor what had happened at the Vitale compound and that Bo and Hope were at the hospital with Chelsea.

Back at the police station, Ava became agitated. She warned Roman and Abe that her father would not be very happy when he learned that she had been arrested. Ava demanded to make a phone call and have her lawyer present. Roman and Abe left Ava in the office to make her phone call. Ava phoned someone to summon her father because she needed his help. Abe asked Ava to make a statement before she was booked, but she refused. She became very upset and told him that she would not make a statement unless Steve was with her. Ava was distressed and told Roman and Abe that she'd suffered mental anguish for years after Steve had left her. Abe tried to calm her, but she ranted on that her life would be meaningless without Steve. The stress caused Ava to have a seizure, and she was rushed to the hospital and subsequently placed on suicide watch. 4/30 Steve, Kayla, and Stephanie woke up on the couch together, and Stephanie made her parents promise they would keep themselves safe. Kayla assured Stephanie that she and Steve were fine despite the ordeal they had gone through. Stephanie confided in Kayla that she was in love. Stephanie asked Kayla if that was how it had been when her parents had fallen in love.

In the hospital, Ava woke up screaming Patch's name, only to find a police officer guarding her. Ava yelled for the officer to leave, or she would be sorry. A nurse entered and gave Ava a sedative. Ava was talking in her sleep, telling her father to "kill them all." Steve went to the hospital to see Ava. Kayla gave Ava's medicine to a lab technician to have it analyzed.

While Steve was visiting Ava, Stephanie walked in. She tore into Ava for what she had done. Kayla entered the room and tried to calm down Stephanie then took her out of the room while Abe questioned Ava. Stephanie told Max that she didn't feel better, even though she had told Ava off. Ava refused to answer Abe's questions. He told Ava that they had enough evidence to convict her, whether she cooperated or not. Steve warned Abe that death and destruction followed Ava's father, and there was nothing her father couldn't do when he put his mind and resources to it. The lab technician gave Kayla the results of the lab work.

5/2 Steve, Kayla, Lexie, and Abe entered Ava's room at University Hospital, where Ava struggled miserably against her restraints. Kayla informed Ava that they'd had her medication analyzed, and Ava protested that it was a violation of her privacy. She demanded to see Dr. Neusbaum and became very agitated when Kayla refused. Kayla then told Ava the pills had been making her worse instead of better. Kayla and Lexie continued that it was an anti-seizure medication that should never have been prescribed for Ava's brief psychotic disorder, because it could cause anxiety and mood swings. Ava insisted that she trusted Dr. Neusbaum and that he would never hurt her. Kayla warns her that this medication is only making her worse. Lexi chimes in to tell her this drug is never used to treat brief psychotic episodes and it can causes anxiety, paranoia, manic episodes, mood swings. It is potentially very dangerous in Ava’s case.

Dvd #27B Steve gently suggested that maybe Ava didn't know him as well as she thought and asked her if she knew why the doctor wouldn't want her to get better. Ava tearfully told the group that something had happened after Steve had left her, but she'd never been able to remember what it was, no matter how hard she tried in her sessions with Dr. Neusbaum. Ava then became almost hysterical, and when Steve's efforts to calm her didn't work, Lexie ordered everyone out. Ava thrashed and wailed for "Patch" not to leave her. Lexie tried without much success to soothe her then had the nurse give her a sedative.

Out in the hallway, Kayla told Steve and Abe that Ava's memory might improve once the drugs were out of her system. Abe was amazed when Kayla declared that she truly wanted Ava to recover, but Steve echoed his wife's words. Both of them believed Ava was not responsible for her actions, and Kayla asked Abe to run a background check on Dr. Neusbaum.

Lexie emerged from Ava's room, and Steve overheard when she privately urged Kayla to tell him the truth. He asked what they were talking about, so Kayla reluctantly told him that Ava had tried to commit suicide right after he'd left her at the altar. Devastated, Steve asked his wife to go with him back into Ava's room.

Inside, Steve reassured a very disoriented Ava that the hospital staff would take good care of her, and Kayla cautioned Ava that she probably wouldn't feel well while the drugs were being purged from her system. Ava weakly asked why Kayla was being so nice to her when she'd done such terrible things to Kayla and her family. Kayla replied that she was just doing her job, but Steve assured Ava that they knew it was the drugs that had caused her to do the things she'd done.

On his knees in a dark alley, a badly beaten Earl pleaded with Mr. Vitali to spare his life. He swore that Bo had threatened to kill him if he didn't reveal where the Vitali compound was. Martino assured Earl that everyone deserved a second chance, but later, he and his thugs stood over Earl's dead body, gazing at it dispassionately as the blood flowed unchecked across the pavement.

After Steve and Kayla returned from Ava's room, Abe's cell phone rang. When he hung up, he told them he had to leave because a body had been found in the alley behind the Cheatin' Heart. Steve went back into Ava's room and sat by the bed, where, in hushed tones, she pleaded with him to help her escape. When he gently refused, she told him that he owed her, and she began to cry. He tried to calm her, but she quickly became hysterical, shrieking, "Get me out of here!" Kayla rushed in, and she and Steve urged Ava to relax, but Ava just grew more and more agitated, flailing and screaming at them to let her out. Suddenly Martino appeared in the doorway, and Ava immediately quieted down. "You're here," she said softly as Martino entered and kissed her on the forehead. Kayla demanded to know who the man was, and he replied, "My name is Martino Vitali. I'm Ava's father."

5/5 Martino Vitale insisted that he be given access to Ava's hospital room. He asked Kayla who she was and for someone to update him on his daughter's condition. Kayla explained that she was one of Ava's doctors and one of the hostages that Ava had held captive at the Vitale compound. Martino told Kayla that he was not responsible for what had happened at his home when he had not been there.

Kayla asked Martino why Ava's physician had prescribed a drug treatment plan that would cause Ava to be unstable and dangerous and would push her toward a psychotic breakdown. Martino had no answer as Ava begged her father to explain how this could have happened to her. Martino tried to comfort his daughter and told her that he was going to take her home so he could take care of her there. Though still groggy and confused, Ava reminded her father that she was under arrest and in police custody. Martino told Ava not to worry but said that if anyone was to blame for her state of mind and unpleasant situation, it was Steve. Ava became so agitated that Kayla asked Martino to leave the room. Lexie checked in on Ava and told her that most of the drugs were out of her system and that she should be feeling better soon. Ava was very unsettled and agitated and kept asking for Steve and her father.

5/13 In Hope's living room, Hope had tea with Kayla. Not fooled by Hope's hovering, Kayla asked her whether Steve had pushed Hope to keep her company and take her to the doctor. Hope admitted Steve had asked her, and a defiant Kayla stated that she was not afraid of the Vitalis. Unsure, Hope cautioned Kayla that an extra pair of eyes on her back could only help. Kayla said that she felt Ava's behavior was all due to the drugs, but Hope reminded her that Ava not only shared a past with Steve, but that Ava was still Martino Vitali's daughter. Running late, Hope hurried Kayla out the door in order to make her doctor's appointment on time. Kayla and Hope wandered into the same hallway and the foursome shared an awkward silence. Ava quietly thanked Kayla for diagnosing her problem, and Kayla inquired about Ava's health. Ava admitted she was much better, and then she wished Kayla luck at her appointment.

Kayla and Hope returned from the doctor's appointment. A frustrated Kayla was upset that the doctor had ordered her on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy, but Hope reminded her that she had to do what was best for the baby. Kayla agreed that she would, but told Hope that she had no intention of forgetting about the Vitali family. Trying to lift Kayla's spirits, Hope headed into the kitchen to fetch tea and apple pie. As Kayla sat alone in the living room, she suddenly clenched her stomach in pain.

Down on the docks, the man that was following Steve earlier rushed down the stairs with a rifle in his hand. The man climbed behind some crates and peered through the rifle's scope. Across the dock, Steve wandered into the far side of the clearing, playing his harmonica. As a fisherman followed Steve onto the dock, Steve stood back behind a pole, just out of the rifle's site. Steve made a phone call to Bo and cryptically clued him in that he was being followed. Bo hung up the phone at the police station and turned to Roman saying, "Steve's in trouble."

5/14 Martino arrived at his daughter’s demand, escorted by two of his thugs. When he tried to kiss Ava hello, she flinched and ordered her father to sit as Angelo made his exit. She then demanded that Martino stop the hit on Steve, but he pretended not to know what she was talking about.

Hope and Kayla were sitting on Hope's couch, enjoying some tea, when Bo called to tell his wife that Steve was in trouble. He urged her not to let Kayla know what was going on, so as nonchalantly as possible she told him she loved him and she'd be right there.

Down on the docks, a gunman watched through his rifle's scope as Steve paced and played his harmonica, unaware that Steve had spotted him and called for help. The man kept trying to get a bead on his target, but Steve managed to stay just out of range by ducking behind crates and pillars. Suddenly, the gunman had a clear shot-but before he could fire off a round, he felt the barrel of a pistol against his own temple. Bo stood over him and put him under arrest. Another officer handcuffed the gunman while Bo read him his rights and Hope searched his pockets. With a look of satisfaction, Hope pulled out the man's wallet and showed it to Steve. As the officer led the gunman to the squad car, Hope remarked that she hoped they could use the new evidence they'd found. Steve asked how Kayla was, and then headed to Bo and Hope's house to pick his wife up.

Kayla, bored with waiting for Hope to return, rose from the couch to call Steve. Before she reached her purse she doubled over in pain. She collapsed on the couch, calling Steve's name, then finally managed to crawl to the phone. She dialed 911 and anxiously told the operator that she was 26 weeks pregnant and thought she was going into labor.

As Ava continued to plead with her father to call off the hit on Steve, Bo flung open the door of the pub. Bo ordered the thugs to sit down and keep their hands visible, and Hope announced that Martino was under arrest. When Martino asked, "For what?" Bo replied, "Two counts of murder, and the attempted murder of Steve Johnson." Ava glowered at her father.

5/15 Back at the Brady Pub, Bo had police officers pat down Ava Vitali's father, Martino, and cousin, Angelo, and take her father's bodyguards away. Martino told Bo he didn't have anything on him, then Hope presented proof that the man who tried to shoot Steve killed Dr. Nussbaum. Martino said they couldn't prove he hired the gunman, but Ava said she could. She said she knew everyone on his payroll.

Angelo told Ava that Dr. Nussbaum was acting on Martino's orders to drug her. Ava told her father he kept her drugged up to keep her from remembering that he'd had her mother killed. She attacked him, and he pulled out a gun from under a napkin and fired while Bo fired his gun at the same time. Martino was fatally shot. After his body was removed, Roman reminded Ava and Angelo that they were still out on bail and weren't allowed to leave town. Bo told Hope that Martino got off easy.

At Bo and Hope's house, Kayla went into early labor, so she called 911. Steve walked in as she doubled over in pain. The paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital. As Bo briefed Roman on what happened at the pub, he received word that Kayla had gone into labor.

5/16 In the delivery room at University Hospital, a worried Kayla begged Dr. Elman to stop her contractions, because it was too soon for the baby to come. Sarah, the nurse, announced that Kayla was already somewhat dilated, but Dr. Elman reassured Kayla and Steve that the drug she was adding to Kayla's I.V. should slow the contractions. Steve and the doctor both urged Kayla to focus on staying relaxed. Kayla panicked when she felt another contraction, but Steve whispered assurances and reminded her to breathe. Dr. Elman stated that the baby's heartbeat sounded strong, but that the ultrasound she'd ordered would tell them more. Kayla refused the doctor's offer of an epidural because it could speed the contractions, so Dr. Elman injected something to help her relax. When the doctor ordered Sarah to alert the neonatal team, Kayla became even more distressed, but Dr. Elman pointed out that they had to be ready for anything.

Hope and Bo paced in the hallway, where Hope assured an anxious Bo that there was no need to call Caroline unless the doctors couldn't stop Kayla's contractions, but added that Stephanie should be there. Stephanie was watching TV and eating popcorn with Chelsea at the Brady house when Hope called and told her that her mom was in labor. Stephanie quickly filled Chelsea in, and, both worried that the baby was coming too soon, the girls gathered their things and rushed out. Bo and Hope went into Kayla's room to check on her, and Lexie announced that the ultrasound had not revealed any fetal distress. After another contraction, Kayla said she didn't think the drugs were working, and when Sarah examined Kayla she found that she'd dilated a little further. Dr. Elman, troubled that Kayla's contractions were getting stronger and closer together, added another drug into Kayla's I.V. to help slow her labor.

Lexie and Dr. Elman told Kayla the medications weren't working, but Kayla was terrified her baby wouldn't survive if it were born so early. Steve tried to reassure his wife that their baby was a fighter, and coached her through the next round of contractions. Lexie announced that, due to the timing of the contractions and how far Kayla was dilated, the baby was coming any minute, and asked Sarah to get the neonatal team. Stephanie came in during this flurry of activity in preparation for the delivery, and, alarmed that her mom was already giving birth, rushed over to her parents. When the doctors wheeled an incubator past where the Bradys waited in the hall, Chelsea asked Hope if that meant the baby was about to be born. Hope sadly told her it did. Chelsea confessed she was worried about the baby coming too soon, adding how scared the Johnsons must be. Hope encouraged her to pray and hope for the best. Bo quietly noted to Hope that the ordeal must be hitting close to home for Chelsea, and went to put his arms around his daughter.

A bit later, everyone in the delivery room had donned surgical gear, and Dr. Elman instructed Kayla to push. Kayla tried to refuse, crying again that it was too early, but Lexie firmly told her the baby was coming whether they were ready or not. Kayla moaned in pain while Steve and Stephanie uttered encouragement and everyone coached Kayla to push. Finally the baby was born. Kayla, Stephanie, and Steve were thrilled to hear that it was a boy, but their joy quickly turned to worry and fear when they saw the doctors' grim faces. "Why isn't he crying?" Kayla asked fearfully. Dr. Elman informed the Johnsons he was being taken to the neonatal intensive care unit. A panicked Kayla asked again why the baby wasn't crying. Lexie sadly told her that the he wasn't breathing. "No!" Kayla wailed over and over, sobbing hysterically as a devastated Steve held her, tears streaming down his own face, and Stephanie stood nearby and wept helplessly.

5/19 At the hospital, Kayla insisted on seeing her baby who was delivered prematurely and in ICU on a ventilator. Dr. Elman and Dr. Carver (Lexie) told Kayla that she needed to have complete bed rest, but Kayla was worried about the health of her new baby boy. Steve tried to calm her nerves and asked her to take her doctors' advice. He reassured her that he would visit the baby soon and give her a report. However, the doctors informed Steve and Kayla that no one would be allowed to see the baby because the lung specialist was examining him and had ordered more tests. Dr. Elman and Lexie further explained that the baby must stay in a sterile environment for his well-being.

Kayla was becoming more agitated and worried about the baby's health. The doctors emphasized the importance of Kayla getting plenty of bed rest. Dr. Elman and Lexie promised Steve and Kayla that as soon as the baby was out of danger, they could visit him. While Dr. Elman examined Kayla, Steve and Stephanie comforted each other and waited for news about the baby. Dr. Elman told Steve, Stephanie, and Max that Kayla's blood count was very low and that she had to be sedated and placed on 24-hour bed rest. Shortly after, Stephanie and Steve spent time with Kayla and tried to get her mind off things by suggesting they think about a name for the baby. Stephanie, Steve, and Kayla picked out various names, but it didn't seem to cheer up Kayla, who was still preoccupied with worry. Kayla told Stephanie that she might never know her brother. Lexie walked into the room with news that the baby was still not breathing on his own. Kayla was overcome with grief and leaned on Steve for support.

5/21 Kayla and Steve were worried sick about their newborn son. He was still in the neonatal ICU and there had been no change. They talked about what to name the baby and Kayla said she wanted to name him Joe. Steve was affected since Jo was his mother's name. They agreed on the baby's name.

5/22 Kayla was in the hospital dreaming that she was holding her newborn son when Ava came along and snatched in out of her arms. In reality, Ava entered her room with a bouquet of flowers. Kayla told her about the nightmare she had, and Ava said she understood Kayla would have that dream. Ava said she was different since she was no longer on the drugs her psychiatrist gave her. She told Kayla she heard about the baby being born prematurely. She said she wished there was something she could do to. After their talk, Ava left the room and returned dressed as a hospital staff member and showed Kayla a cell phone picture of her baby in ICU.

5/28 Kayla was being released from the hospital, so Stephanie pushed her mom's wheelchair to the window overlooking the neonatal I.C.U. As they looked at baby Joey through the window, and Kayla worried aloud about his chances. Steve joined them and announced that it was time to go, but Kayla tearfully said she couldn't leave her baby. Steve and Stephanie promised they'd come back soon and even told Kayla they had a surprise for her, but she still didn't want to leave. As Stephanie tried to reassure her mom that Joey was getting the best care, Steve left for a moment. When he returned he told them that they could go in to see the baby.

After donning protective gowns, the Johnsons gathered around the incubator and gazed at the tiny, fragile infant as they introduced themselves to him. Steve and Stephanie joked about how Stephanie would be a bad influence on her new baby brother, and Kayla smiled weakly at their attempts to behave as if everything were normal, but they all had tears streaming down their faces. Kayla asked the nurse if it was all right to touch him, and then put her hand through the opening in the incubator and gently stroked her son's head. She spoke to him softly, telling him that he had to get better because they wanted him to come home.

When she began crying in earnest, Steve put his arm around her and reassured her that their boy would be coming home soon. The three of them were discussing what little Joe Johnson would be when he grew up when the nurse announced it was time to leave, but promised she'd try to get them back in after visiting hours. Steve and Stephanie told Joey goodnight, and Kayla briefly hung back and, weeping, wished her son sweet dreams before getting back into her wheelchair and allowing herself to be wheeled out.

Steve and Stephanie later guided a blindfolded Kayla down a hallway, where Steve unlocked a door and turned on the lights. "Welcome to our new home, Sweetness!" said Steve as Kayla pulled off her blindfold. Eyes wide with surprise, she took in the new apartment. Steve and Stephanie showed her around and pointed out how Kayla could not only watch her favorite cooking shows, she could also cook, since they now had a kitchen. Kayla marveled at where they'd found the time to do it all. Stephanie replied that Steve had found the place and she had decorated it. When Stephanie's cell phone rang, she remembered she was supposed to be at the pub for her internship evaluation. She bid her parents a hasty goodbye and ran out the door. Steve then turned to Kayla and asked what she really thought. She smiled and said it was perfect.

Later, as she wandered around the apartment distractedly examining the décor, Steve offered to make her something to eat. She said she just wanted to get back to the hospital. He told her that he wanted to be with their son, too, but she needed to recuperate. He led her to their new couch and sat her down and put his arm around her. He said they should try to enjoy their first night in their new home, but Kayla said, "It's never gonna be a home without our baby." Steve promised her that Joey would be home soon.

5/29 Steve and Kayla returned home from the hospital, but Kayla was upset that the hospital staff made them leave during the nurses' shift change. Steve tried to take Kayla's mind off of going back to the hospital, but when he was out of the room, she snuck out. After he brought her back into their apartment, the two put together a swing for the baby's nursery. Steve also surprised her with a stuffed giraffe and a baby monitor. Kayla worried that their baby would never get to use the things Steve bought for him. 6/3 Kayla sat on the couch in her new apartment thinking about baby Joe. Stephanie entered the living room, stirring Kayla from her reverie. Putting on a brave face, Kayla smiled and told Stephanie that Steve had gone to get them breakfast. When Stephanie asked if there was any news about Joe, Kayla's face faltered a bit, but she noted that the hospital staff was in the middle of a shift change so there was no news yet. With bags full of goodies, Steve bounded through the front door. As Stephanie dug into the bags of breakfast food, Steve quietly crossed over to Kayla and asked if there was any news about Joe. Before Kayla could answer, the phone rang and Steve answered it immediately. After a brief conversation, Steve hung up the phone and somberly informed Kayla and Stephanie, "Our baby boy has taken a turn for the worse."

At the hospital, the nurse informed Steve and Stephanie that during the night Joe's heart rate and blood pressure had fallen and that, because of the fluid in his lungs, complications had set in. A worried Steve clutched Stephanie tightly in his arms as the nurse announced, "There is not a whole lot we can do for him and we have to hope that he responds to the medications." Steve set off to scrub in for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit just as Max ran in to console Stephanie. The two set off for the chapel, as Steve headed into the NICU. Kayla stood next to her son's incubator, whispering encouraging words. Steve joined her and the two held hands on top of the incubator while they prayed for their son Joe. Through the window of the NICU, Chelsea looked in at Steve, Kayla, and the baby while she clutched her own stomach.

Meanwhile, inside the NICU, the monitors beeped to life as a teary-eyed Kayla yelled with joy that Joe's heart rate and blood pressure had increased. As the nurse noted that the medications were beginning to work, a happy Stephanie watched through the window from the hall outside. When Stephanie and Max ran off to scrub in for a visit, a pale-faced Chelsea stood at the window, staring at Joe inside. Behind Chelsea, Bo cautiously approached from behind and hugged his daughter.

6/6 Steve and Kayla arrived at the NICU to see baby Joe. Nurse Maxine gave them the welcome news that their son would be taken off the respirator the next day.

As Bo continued speaking about the environment and how they were fulfilling Shawn's wishes to make the world a better place, Steve and Kayla came in quietly. Caroline was officially presented with her framed Green Certificate, amid much applause and cheering, then stepped behind the bar to cut the ribbon. Steve and Kayla told a thrilled Stephanie that her baby brother was being taken off the ventilator.

Kayla asked why Max wasn't there. Stephanie admitted she didn't know where he'd gone, so Nick left to look for him. Steve clinked his glass to get everyone's attention. He told the group about how well baby Joe was doing, and as they cheered and applauded, he thanked them all for their love and prayers, adding, "Big Joe Johnson will be breathing on his own!"

6/12 Stephanie told Kayla that Max was going through something and wouldn't talk to her mother about it. She said she found out Max had a gift he was hiding from everyone and she didn't feel like she knew him anymore. Stephanie asked about her baby brother, and Kayla told Stephanie that Joey was getting stronger every day. Stephanie told Kayla about Max's special gift, and she was surprised too. While they were talking, Max returned to the pub followed by Nick. Stephanie asked Nick how his talk with Max went, and he said it didn't go well. Kayla asked Max if he wanted to talk about what was bothering him, but he wasn't interested.

6/13 Kayla arrived and sat Caroline down to tell her what a genius Max was at math and physics. She related how Max had redone some of Nick's grant proposal. Caroline was happily surprised to hear that her son was so brilliant, but wondered why she'd never known, and why such a big secret was just coming out.

6/16 Steve and Kayla arrived at the hospital to visit with Joey. Steve asked Kayla about Stephanie's whereabouts and if Stephanie spent the night with Max. Kayla told Steve that Max was going through an emotional crisis. Kayla explained to Steve that Max helped Nick with his energy project but did not want anyone to know that he had a gift for numbers and formulas. Kayla told Steve that Max was getting into fights and that Stephanie felt Max might be leading a double life, because Max wanted to keep secret certain information about his past. Steve seemed concerned and wondered why Max was being so secretive and hostile. Steve was worried about Stephanie, but Kayla convinced him to let Max and Stephanie work things out together. The nurses wheeled out little Joey and Kayla and Steve held their son for the first time since he was born. Stephanie and Nick arrived to celebrate Joey's recovery with Steve and Kayla. Nick and Stephanie mentioned to Steve that Max was missing and that they were going to look for him. Steve, concerned about Stephanie's welfare, questioned her about Max.

6/17 Outside Joe's room at Salem Hospital, Steve voiced his concerns to Stephanie about Max's odd behavior. Stephanie was defensive about Max's recent actions, but Steve advised her to give Max some room. "Are you saying I should break up with Max?" Stephanie asked, stunned. Steve assured Stephanie that he was not suggesting that, but explained that he was worried. Stephanie accused Steve of overreacting, and reminded him that the recent threat to her life was because of Steve and that the one that protected her was Max. Chastened by the reminder, Steve backed off. Stephanie apologized before leaving, but when she was gone, Steve told Kayla that he had no right to tell Stephanie what to do since he had not raised her. Kayla assured Steve that it did not matter because Stephanie was a grown woman and that even Kayla could not keep Stephanie from making up her own mind. Kayla advised Steve that Max was a good kid and that they needed to trust that he would not hurt Stephanie.

6/25 Steve asked Max to explain his recent erratic behavior. Max confessed he'd been hiding something because he didn't want to be anything like his biological father, who was back in Salem. Steve reminded Max that he'd also had a terrible father, and agreed that while that didn't excuse Max's actions, it explained them a little. Max assured Steve that he would never hurt Steph, and that he'd explain the whole story soon. Steve vowed to be there if Max ever needed anything. Just as Stephanie was sitting down next to her mom, Morgan burst into the pub and asked Roman for his help locating her missing father. Roman said he couldn't do anything until Paul had been gone for 24 hours. Chloe and Philip came in just then, and Chloe announced to Roman and Morgan that she'd seen Paul on the pier the night of the fire-and that he'd reeked of gasoline.

7/9 At the Brady Pub, Max was busy serving bottled water to people displaced by the blackout. He and Stephanie were discussing how the power seemed to be coming back on around town when Steve and Kayla arrived. Max told Stephanie that he'd called them to help with finding his sister. Steve and Kayla were surprised to hear Max even had a sister, so he filled them in. Afterward, they agreed to help in the search. Kayla assured Max that they understood his need to learn about his biological family, but urged him to tell Caroline the whole story. Max agreed and left to find his mom.

Stephanie declared to her folks that Max's biological father was an arrogant creep. A worried Steve ordered her to stay away from Trent. Stephanie refused, maintaining that Trent didn't seem dangerous. She then showed Steve the European phone number they'd retrieved from Trent's phone and said that when Max had called, the woman who answered had said, "Dad." Steve left to try to match the phone number with an address. Kayla admitted that Max's curiosity about his sister worried her, but only because she didn't want him to get hurt. Steve returned and informed his family that he'd learned the phone number was registered to a woman named Melanie Layton. Privately, Steve urged Max to find out more about the woman before he contacted her again-and to keep Stephanie out of it. Max agreed.

7/16 Steve and Kayla met Stephanie at the Brady Pub and found her crying. She angrily told them that Max had lied to her and had gone to look for his sister without her, and then showed them his letter. She started ranting about how she should be with him, until Steve interrupted and confessed that he'd told Max not to take her. Stephanie was furious, but Steve said he was just trying to protect her. Kayla asked if Caroline knew where Max had gone. Stephanie didn't think so, and Steve said it was Max's decision whether to tell his mom.

Though Kayla tried to calm her down, Stephanie lit into her dad and declared she was going after Max. Kayla quietly asked Steve why they shouldn't be supportive of what their daughter wanted. Steve admitted he hadn't had any practice at letting go, since he hadn't been there when Stephanie was growing up. Stephanie apologized for being hard on him, and acknowledged that she'd learned from her parents how to support the person she loved.

Kayla apologized to Steve for taking Stephanie's side. Steve declared that his wife and daughter had been right-Stephanie was an adult and could make her own decisions, and he was having a hard time letting go. Kayla assured him that Stephanie and Max would be fine, and reminded him that they were going to the south of France, not somewhere dangerous. She added that they had to let go because otherwise their children would never learn to make their own way in the world. Steve admitted to Kayla that he could understand Stephanie's wanting to be with Max, "'cause wherever you are, that's where I want to be."

7/21 At Steve and Kayla's apartment, Caroline, Maggie, and a nurse from the hospital prepared for baby Joe's homecoming. Kayla and Steve arrived with baby Joe and could not believe that their family was together at last. The nurse explained to Steve and Kayla the importance of the heart monitor and then demonstrated how to place it on baby Joe. Steve noticed that Kayla seemed worried that their new baby boy required a monitor when asleep. Caroline tried to comfort Kayla who thought something might happen to the baby. Caroline assured Kayla that there was no need to worry because the hospital would never have allowed Joe to come home if he was not ready.

Kayla and Steve thanked Caroline and Maggie for the food, decorations, and support to welcome home their family. Caroline and Maggie left so that Steve and Kayla could spend time alone with Joe. Kayla asked Steve to get some rest so that he could be ready to take the first shift to watch Joe. Steve tried to assure Kayla that Joe would be fine and not to worry, but Kayla remained uneasy over the baby's health.

Sami knocked on Steve and Kayla's door and did not realize that baby Joe arrived home that day. Before Sami could explain to them who rented her apartment, Ava turned the corner to find Sami to complete the details of the rental. Steve and Kayla were shocked and outraged to see Ava and learn that she would be living across the hall from them. Kayla screamed at Ava and told her to find another apartment. Ava told Kayla that she had no idea that they lived there and tried to apologize, but Kayla was out of control and Ava ran off to avoid a scene. Kayla could not believe that Sami would consider renting her apartment to Ava. Kayla was so angry with Sami that she never allowed her to explain the situation and slammed the door in her face.

Steve tried to keep Kayla calm, but she was too upset to talk. Kayla, absorbed in her thoughts, recalled the time when she found Steve in bed with Ava, and the thought of Steve with Ava overwhelmed her. Steve tried get Kayla to open up and asked her why she thought Sami would rent her apartment to Ava. Steve thought that Ava planned the entire situation, but Kayla was still too upset to comment. Kayla told Steve that Ava caused everything bad that happened to them, and that she would not allow Steve's crazy ex-girlfriend to live across the hall from them.

Steve reminded Kayla that they must get beyond the past and not let Ava dictate their lives. Kayla kept remembering the day that she found Steve naked and in bed with Ava. Kayla told Steve that she did not believe that he did not want to be with Ava. Steve did everything he could to convince Kayla that Ava drugged him and that he did not know where he was and who was in danger: Kayla, their unborn baby, Bo, Hope, and others.

Steve told Kayla that he was desperate to protect her and told Ava that he would do anything to keep his loved ones safe, especially Kayla, the only woman he ever loved. Kayla still did not seem to believe Steve because he betrayed her, regardless of the reason. Steve told Kayla that at first, he did not remember Ava, and that when he saw Ava at the airport, he did not want to worry Kayla and cause stress to the baby. Kayla screamed at Steve and told him that he should have trusted her and told her about his relationship with Ava as soon as he remembered his past with her.

Steve seemed shattered and devastated at Kayla's accusations and could see the hurt in her eyes. Steve told Kayla that he would not ask her to forgive him, but to try to understand that he did what he had to do because he thought that he would never see his "sweetness" again. Steve told Kayla that without her and his family that his life was not worth living. Kayla sobbed as Steve wrapped her in his arms and apologized to her repeatedly.

7/24 Steve told Kayla he was sorry about the whole ordeal with Ava, which led to the death of Kayla's father, Shawn. Kayla said the sooner Ava was behind bars, the better. Steve wished Stephanie hadn't gone with Max to find his sister in France. Kayla said Stephanie and Max weren't in any danger, and Stephanie would provide Max with emotional support.

Roman and Marlena showed up at Steve and Kayla's door. Roman told them that Ava's lawyer was going to try to use Ava's drug dependency as a defense. Marlena asked Kayla if she was okay, and Kayla said she and Steve had a fight when she found out that Ava was trying to sublet Sami's apartment. Roman told Steve that it was not his fault that Ava went nuts and targeted him and his family. Kayla said she couldn't wait until Ava was behind bars, and Marlena thought it was only a matter of time before Ava hurt someone else. Marlena asked if Bo had stopped by to see the baby, and Kayla said Bo was too busy with work. Marlena mentioned that Bo seemed stressed, and Kayla said she would find out why. Steve told Kayla that if the D.A. could convince the judge that Ava's actions were intentional and deliberate, Ava could go to jail for a long time. They got a call from Stephanie, who asked about Joe. She told them that they found the school that Max's sister was enrolled in and planned to visit it once they got to town. Steve felt better after talking to Stephanie.

7/25 Steve visited Bo, who was home alone with Ciara, to tell him he thought Bo had done the right thing by protecting Philip. Bo wasn't so sure, especially since it had begun to look like Philip might have killed Paul, but Steve didn't think Philip was a murderer. Steve encouraged Bo to talk to Hope, emphasizing that as both Bo's wife and a good cop, she'd figure it out on her own soon enough. He added that secrets between spouses always caused problems. Bo admitted that Hope was already upset because she knew he was keeping something from her, but he couldn't let her get involved. Steve offered to see what he could dig up about Hollingsworth, to try to prove Philip's innocence and ease Bo's mind. Bo grimly replied that he'd still never feel good about any of it, especially about lying to Hope. He then announced that he was calling off the surprise he'd planned for her.

Caroline dropped in on Kayla, ostensibly to bring over a new outfit for baby Joe, but she really wanted to talk about what was going on with Bo. Kayla admitted that she was worried about Bo, too. Caroline told Kayla that Daniel had barred Victor from having any more visitors, because Victor's heart rate had increased dramatically during Bo and Philip's visits. Caroline added that she sensed more tension than normal between Victor and Bo, and she suspected it had something to do with the Paul Hollingsworth case. Kayla was surprised when her mom told her that Bo wasn't sharing his theories about the case with Hope. Both women wondered what kind of trouble Bo was in. Kayla said that Steve had taken Bo out for a beer the night before, but that they hadn't yet had a chance to talk what had happened.

Steve returned home and greeted his mother-in-law with a kiss. Caroline then asked if Bo had confided in him the night before. Caroline and Kayla were surprised when Steve said he'd just returned from Bo's, but he tried to reassure them that Bo hadn't told him anything they needed to be concerned about. Caroline announced that she was going over to talk to Bo, so Kayla, frustrated by Steve's stonewalling, left with her.

When Kayla and Caroline arrived at the Bradys', Caroline went upstairs to see Ciara. Kayla told her Bo that she wasn't going to pry, but she knew something was going on with him. He swore there was nothing to worry about, but added that he was canceling Hope's surprise. Kayla urged him to reconsider, and to tell Hope what was going on, pointing out how harmful it was for a couple to keep secrets from each other.

Later, Steve opened his door to find Ava there. She told him she'd hoped to talk to him and Kayla together. Steve replied that Kayla wasn't home, and reluctantly let Ava come in when she asked. Ava reassured Steve that although she'd loved him in the past, she was moving on with her life. She then asked if he would consider testifying on her behalf at her trial.

A perturbed Steve declared that he would not lie for her, but Ava promised that he wouldn't have to. She only wanted him to tell the truth: that before her father had drugged her, she hadn't been the kind of person who could ever have done the things she was accused of. Steve reminded her angrily that Shawn Brady had died because of what she'd done, but grudgingly agreed he would testify as to what kind of person she'd been when he knew her. Ava thanked him quietly and left, almost bumping into Kayla on the way out. Kayla asked why Ava had been there, and Steve told her that he'd agreed to testify on Ava's behalf. He began to explain, but she stopped him and assured him that she trusted him. They acknowledged that they'd both made mistakes, and Kayla said that she just hoped they'd learned from them. Steve pulled his wife to him and held her close.

7/28 - 8/4 no Steve & Kayla

8/5 As EJ and Tony wait by Stefano’s bedside, they wonder if Stefano is going to wake up and take revenge. Kayla overhears and says that is a disturbing idea. She tells them Stefano's test results indicated that there were indeed areas of increased brain activity. She cautioned that there were many possible explanations for the results, but she'd have Lexie review them as well. She added that it was too soon to tell when or if Stefano would wake up.

John then strode into the room and peered impassively into Stefano's face. "What are you plotting now?" he whispered, and he seemed amused when Kayla warned that Stefano might be able to hear him. John then asked about Stefano's prognosis. He never took his eyes off the old man as Kayla explained that they really didn't know whether Stefano would emerge from the coma or what sort of shape he might be in if he did. John left but declared that he hoped his brother had brain damage. Kayla told E.J. and Tony that it was also possible that the seizure meant Stefano was deteriorating and that she'd ordered additional tests to determine more.

Marlena entered Stefano's room and leaned in close to him. She reminded him of what she'd done in his jail cell and whispered in his ear, "I would do it again in a heartbeat." Stefano slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at her then closed them as his heart monitor started beeping wildly. Kayla rushed in, followed by Tony and E.J., and checked the monitors which were going wild. Kayla asked what had happened and Marlena pretended innocence that she had just arrived. Silently, Stefano vowed, "Prepare yourselves. I will have my revenge!"

8/6 At the Brady house, Bo answered the doorbell, and instantly the house was filled with Hortons and Bradys, as Julie, Maggie, Steve, and Kayla filed in, chattering excitedly, their arms filled with shopping and garment bags. Julie took charge, ordering Steve to get Bo ready and Kayla to change out of her scrubs. The women briefly discussed Stefano's condition until Bo overheard and told them to change the subject. Maggie asked if Hope had suspected anything, and Bo replied that she only knew that something was going on, not what it was. Hope arrived home to boisterous laughter and asked what everyone was doing there. They all shrugged and feigned ignorance, and Bo teased, "It's a surprise." Julie sat Hope down on the couch then dismissed the men, who grabbed their garment bags and went into the kitchen. As Julie began to apply makeup to Hope's face, Hope asked again what was going on. The others kept mum and told her to just relax and let them pamper her.

In the kitchen, Bo opened a couple of beers as Steve reassured him that Hope had been completely surprised. Bo confided that he'd almost cancelled the whole thing, but he'd changed his mind after finally confessing to Hope that he'd concealed evidence in the Hollingsworth case. Steve wasn't surprised to hear that Bo had admitted it only after Hope had begun to put the pieces together herself. Bo then told Steve that the police had received an anonymous email alluding to missing evidence. Bo added that the police suspected that John was behind the missing evidence, because they'd discovered that Ava had been using a computer at the Java Café around the time the email had arrived. Steve was surprised but also confident that Bo was in the clear, since the email hadn't mentioned Bo's name. Bo vowed to find out who was responsible and lock them up.

Julie finished Hope's makeup and sat back to admire her work. The others exclaimed that Hope looked like a princess. Hope peered into a hand mirror and gasped, "Where's Hope?" She kissed Julie and thanked her just as they heard a knock at the front door. Chelsea then admitted Glorianne, Hope's hairdresser. Glorianne revealed that she only made house calls for special occasions, but Julie ushered her upstairs before she could spoil the surprise. Hope pulled Chelsea aside and begged her to divulge what was going on, even threatening not to let Chelsea borrow any more jewelry unless she did. Chelsea firmly refused to spill the beans.

Glorianne returned downstairs and announced Hope's arrival. Smiling from ear to ear, Hope glided down the stairs and modeled her new, glamorous 'do as the other women applauded. Hope guessed that Bo planned to take her to a fancy dinner, but the women still wouldn't tell her what the surprise was. Julie then ordered Hope to get dressed.

A bit later, Maggie, Julie, and Kayla were gabbing about the lengths to which Bo had gone to arrange everything, including ordering gumbo and crawfish étouffée. Hope then returned down the stairs, looking radiant in a simple, one-shouldered sheath of sand-colored silk. The ladies oohed and aahed over how beautiful she looked, and Hope posed so they could admire the dress. Hope said she'd overheard them talking about the food and confessed that she hadn't had those things since she had been in New Orleans with Bo.

Dreamily, Hope recalled her time there with Bo, many years before. The two of them had dressed up in antebellum costumes, and Bo had carried her up the staircase of a grand Southern plantation, where they'd made love for the first time. A blissful Hope snapped out of her reverie at last and softly declared that it had been an unforgettable trip. The others wanted to know what had made it so special, other than being alone with Bo. Hope confessed somewhat sheepishly that it was when she and Bo had first been married. Julie and Maggie exchanged a conspiratorial glance as Kayla looked at the floor. Hope explained that it had just been the two of them, and therefore not a legal marriage, but it was still very romantic. She remembered floating down the staircase in an off-the-shoulder white dress, covered in lace and ruffles, to where Bo awaited, clad in a long, pale tan coat, complete with ascot. Hope had carried a lace fan, and Bo had presented her with a small bouquet of white roses.

They'd recited their vows before two similarly dressed mannequins. Bo had slipped a plain gold band onto her finger, and they'd shared a tender kiss. As Hope described how beautiful it had been, suddenly a light dawned, and she snapped out of her dream state, exclaiming, "I'm getting married today! Right?"

Steve returned to the kitchen and informed Bo that everything was progressing as planned, with Doug and Mickey setting up lights in the back for the reception. When Steve declared that Hope was "drop-dead gorgeous," Bo excitedly tried to get a look at her. Steve stopped him, maintaining that his orders were to keep Bo away from his bride until it was time. Steve praised Bo for putting together something so cool for Hope. Bo acknowledged that Hope was an amazing woman who had stood by him through lots of tough times and that he was a very lucky man. The two men then left to don their "monkey suits."

Hope was thrilled that Bo had arranged such a wonderful surprise for her. The ladies admitted that Bo had been planning for them to renew their vows for months. Maggie then presented Hope with a lace-trimmed handkerchief from the Brady hope chest, which Chelsea said was Hope's "something old."

For "something new," Kayla gave Hope a fleur-de-lis bracelet that Hope had admired in a store. Julie helped Hope put on her "something borrowed"-- a necklace that had belonged to their mother. An emotional Hope began to get teary-eyed, but Chelsea prevented her from ruining her mascara by giving her a traditional blue lace garter for "something blue." Hope thanked them all for making her day so special. Soon, the women announced that it was time. Chelsea gave Hope a bouquet of white roses to carry as Kayla escorted the giddy bride out the front door. Maggie praised Julie and Chelsea for getting Hope ready in time then reminded the ladies that they all still needed to get dressed as well.

8/7 Bo opened the doors to the church sanctuary as he and Hope arrived, and all their loved ones were there to greet them. Bo asked his mother and Hope's father to officiate their ceremony. Steve and Kayla recounted the evolution of Bo and Hope's love for each other as they flashed back to each time Bo and Hope had been married. When they remembered their first real wedding, Ciara asked Hope if she looked like a princess, and Bo said she did all those years before, and she still did. Kayla and Steve continued their trip down memory lane to when Bo and Hope had left town on their boat with Shawn-D when he was a baby. They remembered when Bo and Hope had gotten married in the hospital as Zack was being born. Hope said Zack would be in their hearts forever. Kayla and Steve remembered how Bo and Hope had had a formal wedding at Christmas the same year that Zack was born.

Caroline read something that Alice had asked her to read, which Alice had read to Alice's husband, Tom, at their first wedding. Bo and Hope said their vows and exchanged rings. Bo asked Ciara to give him his wedding band. It had belonged to his father, Shawn, and was meant to be worn as a symbol of a new beginning and of a love that, like Caroline and Shawn's, stood the test of time. Caroline prayed that God would continue to bless Bo and Hope in their lives together, so they would be an example of what true love could be. Bo and Hope thanked everyone for helping to arrange everything and keeping everything a secret. Bo invited everyone back to their house for a New Orleans-style barbecue. Before they could walk out, a reporter from the Salem Spectator showed up to ask Bo how he could sleep at night, knowing he was a liar and disgrace to the police as all of the guests looked on.

8/8 At the church, the Brady family stared stunned at reporter Brad Baker as he accused Bo of tampering with evidence.. While John watched from the shadowy corner, Brad quieted the confused and murmuring crowd by telling them that he had proof. From his jacket, Brad pulled out a copy of the email Hope had received that read, "What happened to the evidence in the Paul Hollingsworth case? Is there a cover-up going on?"

At the back of the church, Abe yelled for quiet and asked Brad to follow him to the station in order to make a statement on the record. Provoking a stronger reaction from the family, Brad announced that Paul was dead and that Bo was protecting the killer. Bo continued to remain silent throughout the commotion, and when Abe asked if he had tampered with evidence, Bo still said nothing. Brad continued to make his case, stating that there was a tape-recording and that Bo had "gotten rid of the evidence." Worried, Chelsea interrupted in order to defend her father, but Abe quieted her down and asked Bo, "Was there a tape?" Obviously struggling with his emotions, Bo quietly admitted, "Yeah. There was." Abe asked Brad to accompany him down to the station, and they left.

Bo turned to his family and said, "I'm sorry, everybody. There's no excuse for what I did. I made a bad decision. I'll accept responsibility for it." Hope quietly whispered to Bo that they all loved him just before Roman entered and asked Bo for answers. Bo told Roman that the evidence had been destroyed, but he would say no more about the tape. When Roman guessed that Bo was covering for someone, Bo denied the charge and told Roman that he was willing to accept full responsibility. Roman attempted to escort his brother from the church, but Chelsea ran over to intervene. Bo pleaded with Daniel to take her home. "Is he going to jail or not?" Chelsea cried out. With a deafening silence in the air, Mickey offered to follow Bo down to the police station. As they left, their friends and family followed them out.



**The End**

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