DVD #3A 10/28 Steve tells Florence (the hooker that picked him up in the Cheatin Heart) that this isn’t going to work and he changed his mind. He gives her $50 and suggests she go buy herself something nice. She says maybe another time, he tells her that he doesn’t think so. While leaving, Florence falls ill and Steve sends her to the Emergency Center and tells her there is a real nice nurse down there.

“If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody” plays to a montage of Bo & Hope kissing, Pete & Melissa, Lars dancing, sad Kayla looking at the yellow roses that Steve left on her doorstep, heart broken Steve sitting alone in the dark.

Steve stops by the Emergency Center to apologize for standing Kayla up, but she’s not having any of it. He tells her that he doesn’t blame her for being mad at him. She tells him to keep his apology as she doesn’t want it. She walks away and he grabs her arm asking her to listen to him explain what happened. She swings to slap him but he stops her in mid strike. She is furious and demands that he let go of her hand and she wants him to leave.

Florence stops in because she’s not feeling well. As Kayla asks questions of the new patient, Florence talks about the “john” paying for their meeting, but nothing happened. Florence tells Kayla that her “john” just kept talking about his girl. Florence tells her you just don’t meet guys like that every day, Kayla softly agrees with her.

Steve stares at his reflection and asks himself who he thinks he is kidding (by even dreaming about a relationship with Kayla being a possibility). Roman stops by Steve’s apartment for answers about the attack on Steve. A soaking wet Kayla shows up at Steve’s apartment. He asks her what she wants, to go another couple of rounds? She tells him she is there to apologize and offers Steve a yellow rose. She says she was wrong to attack him earlier and wants him to explain what happened. He questions her change in attitude towards him. She tells him about seeing him last night kissing a woman, and the same woman showed up today at the clinic. The woman told her that he wouldn’t sleep with her.

Steve becomes indignant towards Kayla when he realizes she knows about the hooker. He tells her that who he does or doesn’t sleep with is none of her damn business. She abruptly turns to leave and he stops her from going into the storm. She orders him to move as she is leaving. He says he can’t let her go out in the storm as we can hear lightening. He says if she catches pneumonia that he will have the entire Brady family down on his head. He tells her to get out of those wet clothes.

10/29-10/30 Kayla finds Steve’s packed duffel bag and is visibly upset. “People are counting on you.” They continue to argue as she claims he is running away rather than risking his heart. He tells her that he is doing her a big favor by getting her out of her life. She refuses as she knows he does good things, she has seen him do it. He asks her if she thinks he is some knight in shinning armor just dying to get out? He tells her to get a good look at him! She says it isn’t about how he looks, it is about who he is inside.

He goes on about her brothers being right and if she wants to know about him, she should ask Roman and Bo. She says she doesn’t care about what they think. She yells at him, “I’ve got a mind of my own and a heart of my own and I will give my heart to whoever I want.” She suddenly gets quiet realizing she just admitted to having feelings for him and embarrassed she quickly turns away from him. He softly puts his hand on her shoulder and asks her if there is something she is trying to tell him. He stares into her eyes and grabs her and starts kissing her.

Just as Steve starts kissing Kayla, Bo arrives pounding on the door. He rushes in and asks if they know what is going on? She starts yelling at him that she doesn’t care what he thinks and she is tired of everyone interfering in her life. He stutters that he came here to see if she had seen Hope? He tells them that she went out to the Brookeville clinic with Frankie which was just hit by a tornado.

Steve, Kayla and Bo arrive back at the loft after the police turned them around. While Bo is out of the room, Steve offers to build a fire and suggests Kayla get out of those wet clothes. While Kayla changes into dry clothes, Bo comes back in and says he will take care of the fire. Steve stands over him and questions him about his sudden concern for Hope, aren’t they getting a divorce. Didn’t Bo cut her loose? Steve asks him to tell him what is really going down.

Bo warns him to get out of his face, that nothing is going on between him and Hope. Steve observes that Bo never does anything without a reason and everything Bo has been doing lately has to do with Kiriakis. Bo warns him to stay out of his life and to stay away from Kayla. Steve refuses and says that Kayla is his business now too. As Kayla enters the room she overhears Steve tell Bo that he didn’t appreciate his lecture last night outside of Kayla’s door and that Bo asked Steve to leave before their date. Bo says it obviously didn’t do any good since Steve is still hanging around her. Steve admits he tried but Kayla has a will of her own.

Kayla realizes the reason that Steve didn’t show up was Bo interferring. She starts yelling at him that her personal life is none of his business. She stops and says they have other more important things to focus on right now. When this is over, her and Bo are going to sit down and get things straight once and for all. Hope surprises them all when she returns home. Kayla is relieved to see her and says she is going to head to the hospital to see if they need help. Steve offers to give her a ride to the hospital to assist Dr. Horton and the storm victims. As Steve and Kayla are leaving, he asks Bo if he isn’t coming too? Bo leaves as Hope looks after him sadly.

At the hospital, as Steve paces in the waiting room, someone tells him if he doesn’t need medical care that he should leave to make room for the patients who do need help. Steve looks at Kayla as he leaves and Kayla stares back at him.

10/31 Hope and Kayla discuss Steve and his whereabouts since they have returned to Salem. Kayla asks Hope if she knows where Steve is or if she has heard from him? Hope reports that Roman is also looking for Steve. Kayla worries that Orpheus has gotten to Steve.

Roman finds Steve on the dock. Roman fills Steve in about his plan to catch Orpheus. Roman has an idea to set up Orpheus but Steve refuses to be used as bait by Roman. Roman goes to Kayla for help convincing Steve to go along with his plan, but she refuses to trick Steve, but agrees that she will try and convince him to go along with Roman's plan. She goes to see Steve to convince him into listening to Roman. Steve refuses.

Kayla returns and says that he won’t agree to being set up, he is scared of Orpheus. Roman is so disappointed as this is the only way he knows to get Marlena back. Kayla tells him that she can’t lie for him. After returning to the loft and talking to Hope, Kayla decides to find Steve and talk to him again. Steve finds Roman and agrees to help Roman in trapping Orpheus. Steve waits on the docks to meet Orpheus. Orpheus doesn’t show. Kayla arrives at Steve’s and races down the stairs calling his name. She is grabbed from behind and is shocked to turn around and see Orpheus.

11/3 Steve and Roman wait on the dock, though Steve thinks it's a waste of time. Kayla struggles to get free from Orpheus, when some ISA agents arrive, he threatens to kill Kayla unless they drop their guns. Roman argues with Steve as he tries to calm him down, Steve is convinced Orpheus isn’t going to show. Orpheus takes Kayla to a yacht and questions her about Roman and Steve. Kayla is forced to call Steve and tell him she's with Orpheus. He then tells Steve to meet with him tomorrow night and warns him to come alone. Roman goes to see Steve and Steve tells him Orpheus has Kayla. Steve refuses to help with Roman’s plan. Roman leaves angry at ‘Dead Eye’. Steve is worried about Kayla. “You Just Can’t Smile It Away” montage. Roman comes to Steve’s and tells him where Kayla is being held. Orpheus calls Steve.

11/4 Hope tells Bo that Orpheus has kidnapped Kayla and is using her to threaten Steve into meeting him on the docks. Later, Hope warns Bo not to blame Steve as he is doing everything possible to get Kayla away from Orpheus. Hope thinks Bo and Victor are the key to getting to Orpheus. Bo defends Victor that he isn’t involved in kidnapping Kayla. Hope tells him that because of Victor’s ties to Orpheus that of course he is involved somehow. Victor and Orpheus meet on the dock. Victor demands to know if he has Kayla. He says yes he does, he didn’t want her, he went after Patch. Since he couldn’t get him, he took Kayla instead. Victor warns him that if anything happens to Kayla that he will be very sorry. Orpheus warns him that he will do what he has to do. Victor retorts as will he.

11/5 Steve warns Orpheus, if he touches Kayla he will kill him. Orpheus refuses to allow Steve to talk to Kayla. He then gives Steve his orders and hangs up when Steve asks about Marlena. Roman disguises himself as Steve, complete with eye path. Roman meets Orpheus's contact on the pier, while Steve searches for Kayla. Roman is knocked out on the boat, as Steve locates the yacht Orpheus is holding Kayla on. Steve swims towards Orpheus’ yacht. Kayla begs Orpheus not to kill Steve. Steve finds a crying Kayla on the yacht. Steve finds tattoo pictures in the safe. Roman is presumed dead. Steve and Kayla escape by jumping in the river.

11/6 Steve and Kayla are in the water, as she struggles he holds her afloat, but she's worried about Roman. Orpheus learns Roman dressed was dressed as Steve, and he is not pleased. Steve and Kayla make it to the docks, as Shane and Gillian find them. They fill Shane in, as they see Roman in the water, and Shane dives in to get him. Steve tells Kayla not to tell anyone about the tattoo pictures they found. Kayla argues with Steve about not allowing her to at least tell Roman what they know about Orpheus and the tattoos. She then thanks him for saving her, as he fights his feelings for Kayla.

Steve and Kayla go to Shane’s. Kayla dotes over Roman when he returns. Roman thanks Steve. Roman asks Steve if he is holding back any information. Steve tells Kayla he will sleep on telling Roman and Shane more, and then decides to share the information. Kayla kisses Steve on the cheek. While he sleeps on the couch, Kayla caresses a sleeping Steve’s hair. “What About Me” background music.

11/7 Kayla has nightmares of Orpheus, when Steve wakes her and holds her. Roman and Hope arrive at Shane’s, and reunite with Kayla. Hope compliments Steve on his bravery in saving Kayla. Roman worries about where Orpheus is with Kayla. Steve shows Roman the picture of Britta’s tattoo that he took from Orpheus’ safe. Roman is upset that Steve didn't show him the picture of Britta's tattoo until now. The picture clues Roman’s memory, the knife pointed to a something on a map. He remembers making a map and hiding it behind the poster from Stockholm. Steve and Roman plan to go to Old Town, Stockholm.

He peels back the poster and reveals the map beneath it. He tells them if the knives are properly placed on the map that it will point to where the bonds are hidden. Roman and Steve agree to work together and plan to go to Stockholm together. The ISA computer takes the coordinates and spits out the location in Old Town where the bonds are hidden. Orpheus is linked to Shane’s ISA computer and gets the location at the same time. He calls Victor and tells him he knows the area the bonds are hidden. They both plan to head to Stockholm.

11/10 Steve takes Kayla and Hope back to the loft, and then says good-bye. Kayla insists she is going too! Kayla daydreams of Steve returning with roses and kissing her. Hope and Kayla decide to go to Stockholm to warn Roman and Steve that Orpheus is in Stockholm. Steve discovers Kayla is on the plane. He is upset. “Where’s Hope, flying the plane?” Roman is stunned to find his sister and Hope on the plane. Roman and Steve are NOT happy to see the girls on their plane and demand to know what they are doing. First signs of Adrienne following Steve.

Victor arrives and meets Orpheus at a restaurant in the old town. Orpheus wants the bonds and revenge against Roman. Victor tells him that Roman is his son’s brother and he promised him no harm would come to his family. Orpheus doesn’t care, he made promises too.

Steve argues with Kayla, insisting she return to Salem immediately. After arriving in Stockholm, Roman tries to remember where he hid the bonds. Roman tells them he is having flashes of memory. He remembers something terrible happened with Orpheus after he hide the bonds. When Steve returns, Kayla confronts him about how difficult it is to be back in Stockholm. “I like to feel things, baby.” Steve takes Kayla on an impromptu tour of Old Town. They meet up with Roman and Hope at a restaurant. Steve tells Kayla he’s staying close. Another sign of Adrienne.

11/12 Orpheus calls Victor to arrange their meeting for that night and Victor will get his precious bonds and Orpheus will get Roman Brady! Bo is listening in as he bugged the line. Orpheus tells Victor that the meeting is off. Another sign of Adrienne at breakfast. Kayla asks Steve where he was all night. Kayla tells Steve how worried she was about him. He tells her he found out about Orpheus and Victor meeting. Though Kayla insists, Steve refuses to tell Roman about the meeting. He leaves without telling Kayla where the meeting will take place.

Steve follows Orpheus on the pier. Kayla follows Steve. Steve saves Kayla from being stabbed. After Steve and Kayla argue, Kayla finally leaves. Steve is following Orpheus and in the dark he mistakes Bo for him and jumps him and starts a fight while Orpheus gets away. They fight. A badly beaten Steve returns to the hotel room. Kayla nurses his wounds. They argue over telling Roman about Bo being in the alley. Hope pretends to be surprised Bo is in Sweden.

11/13 Bo walks the streets alone at night, he stops and has a flashback to earlier days with Steve & Britta. He smiles at remembering their friendship and good times. Steve hustles Kayla in a doorway, telling her they are being followed. Adrienne is the one following them. They end up in front of Helga’s. Helga runs out when she recognizes Steve. They end up in front of Helga’s. Helga runs out when she recognizes Steve.

Helga talks of old times. She tells of how Steve, Bo, and Britta had so much fun while staying there. Steve tells Helga that Britta is dead. Kayla tells Steve she wants to know him better. She found that man warm and charming. He tells her the old Steve doesn’t exist any longer. She doesn’t believe him. Kayla walks back to the hotel alone. Steve startles her when he joins her. “Just Say You Love Me” background music.

11/14 Someone (Adrienne) tries to break into Steve’s room while he is sleeping. He jumps out of bed in nothing but his blue briefs. Kayla foils her attempts as she approaches his door and Adrienne runs off. Steve grabs Kayla when she enters his room. Kayla tells Steve she came in when she seen his door was opened. He thinks she saved him, since he knows he locked the door when he went to bed. Steve offers to take Kayla to breakfast. Roman storms in, saying he remembers where he buried the bonds. Roman attacks Steve for not telling him about the meeting. Steve leaves angry that he trusted Kayla. Kayla rails Roman for acting crazy. She runs after Steve and apologizes. Again, they argue.

Roman tells Steve that he needs to remove the cobblestone under the sign of the three knives to see if that is where he hide the bonds. Steve agrees to help them and they pose as city workers. Orpheus watches Steve and Roman set up their decoy as street workers at the entrance to the storm drain. Orpheus calls Victor and fills him in as Bo listens in. Victor unscrews the phone and finds Bo’s bug. Victor plays his game by inviting himself to join Bo for breakfast and a tour of Stockholm. Bo makes excuses but can’t get out of it.

Kayla questions Hope about where she was last night? Hope makes excuses that she was out walking and then got up early this morning before Kayla. Kayla then fills her in on the plan to find the bonds. They realize the guys are keeping them out of the action to protect them and run out to go join them as they are digging in the street. A police officer confronts Roman and Steve about why they are digging in the street. They tell him it is an emergency, they are from the American Embassy and there is a bomb in the storm drain. Cop is not buying it at all. Hope and Kayla see the situation and Hope starts screaming for help that they have been robbed. Cop takes off to help them and they take him off on a goose chase.

Steve and Roman are able to open the cover and make it underground. Orpheus follows them. Kayla and Hope return and Kayla grabs a flashlight off the truck and goes into the tunnel to warn the guys that the cop is going to be coming back. Hope distracts Victor and Bo while she goes underground. Roman finds the bonds, as Steve and Kayla are trapped with water filling up the space very fast. Victor and Bo come upon Hope. She pretends surprise to see them in Stockholm. She pretends that she feels faint. Bo tells Victor that she is pregnant and wants an ambulance.

11/17 Roman has the bonds. Orpheus confronts him and demands the bonds and they struggle. Bo hears gunshots and races to the rescue. Orpheus stands over Roman and takes the bonds away from him as Bo approaches. He gloats two Brady’s for the price of one. Orpheus begins shooting as Bo dives for cover. When sirens are heard, Orpheus takes off. Bo picks up his unconscious brother and carries him to safety. He sets Roman down outside and asks a passerby to look after him while he goes for help.

Orpheus meets with Victor. Hope sees Orpheus and follows and listens in on their conversation. Orpheus gloats that Victor’s son stopped him from retrieving the bonds. After Victor leaves, Orpheus pulls the bonds out of his jacket smirking.

Steve and Kayla fight for their lives as the storm drain fills up with water. Kayla and Steve realize they are going to drown. Somehow, the mystery figure of Adrienne shows up and shuts off the water. Once they escape, Steve promises her that he is going to take care of her and not ever let anything happen to her again. They both climb out of the storm drain. They hang onto each other as they make their way outside, shaken and relieved to be alive as Steve keeps asking her if she is okay. He encourages her that they will go to Helga’s and get warm and dry. Relieved, they hug each other tenderly. Helga welcomes them and exclaims they are soaking wet. Steve covers Kayla with a warm blanket and has her remove her wet clothes underneath. He promises not to look and says he will get her warm real fast.

She asks what about him? He jokes that snakes are cold blooded. She asks him not to talk like that. He wraps his arms around her and nuzzles her neck as he holds her tenderly. She turns around and they look intently into each other’s eyes. They move closer and look like they are about to kiss tenderly. Helga interrupts with hot tea and gives Steve dry clothes to put on and sends him out of the room to change. Helga tells Kayla that Steve is a good man, and when he is your friend, he will do anything for you. She observes that Kayla is lucky to have him looking out for her. Steve comes back in and says he has to go look for Hope and Roman. He wants her to stay by the fire while he is out. He promises to be back soon. Steve comes upon Roman and Hope outside. They fill him that Roman found the bonds but Orpheus took them and Orpheus is double crossing Victor over the bonds.

Kayla has changed into a pretty off the shoulder dress. When Steve returns, Kayla asks him what he said he wanted to tell her in the storm drain. She reminds him that he didn’t finish what he was going to say. He claims he can’t remember. She says when they thought they were going to die, that Steve wanted her to know something and she would like to know what it was. He cracks a joke about wanting to know if she had a spare oxygen tank. She says maybe he will tell her some day.

11/19 Steve walks the streets playing his harmonica. He goes back to Helga’s and imagines Kayla in the pretty dress, surrounded by candle light and glasses of wine as she toasts to “us”. In his fantasy, he isn’t wearing the patch as he kisses her softly. Kayla enters and asks what he was daydreaming about? She called his name and he didn’t respond. He asks what she is doing there? Put off by his snarky tone, she responds that she came to get her clothes. Helga comes in and tells Steve that they have been talking all morning as Kayla wanted to hear all the old stories and they have been talking for hours.

Helga starts to tease Steve about being locked out of his room, start naked. Roman comes rushing in and demands to talk to Kayla right away. He shows her a note that he found in his room last night, and he knows it wasn’t from Orpheus as he has the bonds even though he lied to Victor and said he didn’t. Roman demands for Kayla to set up for him to meet with Bo. When he won’t take no for an answer, Steve steps in and tells Roman to back off. Roman begs her that this is his only chance to get information from Bo that could lead to getting Marlena back. Kayla calls Bo and tells him she has to see him, that it is urgent. Bo isn't happy that Kayla tricked him into meeting with Roman. Roman sends her on her way so he can talk to Bo alone.

Hope runs into Steve and they talk about the note that was left and that they don’t know who has Orpheus. He also tells her that Kayla arranged to meet with Bo, and Roman. Hope gets upset that Roman didn’t come to her. Steve defends that Roman thought it would be too painful for her. She gets upset that how could Roman think that Bo would be involved in anything that could harm Marlena.

Hope feels faint and has to sit down. He tells her not to do this to him again, last time she did this she was pregnant. He guesses that she is pregnant again. She tells him it happened on their honeymoon but a lot has changed for them since then. She insists that she will raise the baby on her own. He tells her that if Bo isn’t there for her, that he will be. She thanks him but assures him that if she needs Bo that he will be there for her.

Roman asks Bo for his help. He fills Bo in that Orpheus is working for Kiriakis and he thinks he has Marlena but the notes he has been getting don’t make sense. The notes still talk about a trade but doesn’t make sense as Orpheus has the bonds and he thought he had Marlena. He wants Bo to get info to help him find Marlena. Bo refuses and says he can’t help him. Roman punches him. After Roman leaves, Kayla comes back and apologizes to him for setting him up to meet with Roman. Bo forgives her, he knows how forceful Roman can be when he wants something. Kayla wishes things didn’t have to be this way between Bo and him. Kayla tells him that she loves him and gives him a hug as she leaves.

11/20 Steve makes Kayla an omelet and she teases him about his cooking skills. Then they toast to a new phase in their relationship. Kayla defines what she means, to include be honest and be friends, but he tries to show her they are mismatched. Bo walks in on Steve & Kayla arguing and he thinks he is taking Kayla’s side and she blasts both of them for trying to appoint themselves guardian of her life! Steve, Roman, Hope all leave for the pier. Shane arrives at the hotel and tells Kayla that the ISA has Marlena and always has.

On the pier, Roman is ready to make the exchange, Gillian is there in the distance in the fog in a blonde wig. Orpheus appears and says he has the bonds and he wants Marlena. Roman yells at Gillian disguised as Marlena to run. She pulls a gun and Orpheus knocks it out of her hand. Shane comes running up and dives towards Gillian just as Orpheus shoots at her and Shane dives in front of her and is shot.

Dvd #3B 11/21 All hell breaks lose on Pier 27, as Shane is shot. Steve and Kayla tend to Shane, as the fighting continues. Orpheus then grabs Gillian as a hostage. Bo comes up behind Orpheus and grabs his gun, and Gillian is able to get away. Bo and Orpheus fight as Roman takes on the two ISA guys. Orpheus gets away from Bo and dives into the water, Bo follows him as Hope yells NO!

Roman demands to Gillian tell him what is going on here? Kayla tells Roman that Shane is bleeding to death, that is what is going on! As they load Shane in the ambulance, Hope asks Kayla for reassurance that he will be okay. Kayla tells her that he has lost a lot of blood and it doesn’t look good. Kayla is going to go with him to the hospital, Steve says he will ride along with her.

Steve and Kayla wait at the hospital on Shane. Steve tells her how proud of her he is for how she took care of Shane, and gently touches her face. The doctor tells her they have done everything they can for him but he has lost a lot of blood, and if there is anyone who should be notified that this would be the time. Kayla calls Kim and tells her about Shane. She says she will head to Stockholm. Kayla is devastated and Steve comforts her. She says she has seen death as a nurse but it is different to have the patient at risk, someone she cares about. He tells her that he is going to be okay. Gillian arrives and Kayla tells her that his condition is very critical.

When Hope later arrives at the hospital, Kayla tells her that Shane is still unconscious. He is always the person making sure everyone else is okay. Gillian tries to apologize but Steve interrupts her to tell her that they don’t want to hear it. Hope says she doesn’t know or care what is going on with the ISA, one of her dearest friends is fighting for his life. Gillian regrets her part in this, but Hope says it won’t much matter if Shane dies how sorry she is.

After getting coffee, Steve paces restlessly and Kayla asks him what is wrong. He says he tried to tell everyone about the ISA but no one would listen to him. He says you can’t trust anyone and the ISA is just like anyone else with power with no regard for the lives of their own people. He exclaims, they kidnapped Roman’s wife! He continues that Shane trusted the system with his life and he is a moment away from losing it. Steve feels bad and apologizes to Kayla as he doesn’t want to upset her.

11/24 Steve & Kayla and Hope watch as Shane crashes and the ER staff being immediate CPR. He flatlines but is brought back to life as his friends sigh in relief. Steve is surprised that Kim is coming to Stockholm since her and Shane broke up. Kayla informs him that Kim loves Shane and when you love someone, you are there for them. Kim says she will stay there with Shane and sends them back to rest at the hotel.

Steve & Kayla come into Roman’s hotel room and updates him and Hope on Shane’s condition. They want to see Marlena too. Roman tells them that he doesn’t have her, that Orpheus does. Roman tells them about remembering that he accidentally shot and killed Orpheus’ wife when they were on an assignment together. He tells them Orpheus threatened him over the phone, “Your wife for mine!” They all offer to help Roman get Marlena back and go out searching.

11/25 Steve & Kayla meet with Roman. Kayla asks if he has talked to Roman. He says he doesn’t care if Bo drops off the face of the earth, he is only concerned with getting Marlena back. Roman thinks that Orpheus will put his plan into action tonight. Kayla defends Roman to Steve and says that Orpheus was his best friend, and the shooting was an accident. Steve says one of these days she will wise up, it is your closest friend who will hurt you the most when they stab you in the back. She asks if that is what he is afraid she will do to him? Later, Roman tells Steve and Kayla that Orpheus has set up another meeting with Roman for that night. He is demanding that Roman come alone and unarmed. Roman has to figure out how he can do that and rescue Marlena with no one getting hurt. Kim says goodbye to Kayla at the hotel and tells her she is heading home to Salem. Kayla is surprised that Kim is heading home so soon and isn’t going to stay with Shane.

11/26 Steve & Kayla and Hope are waiting in the tunnel. Kayla, Steve and Hope set up the plan to help Roman and Marlena. As Marlena runs towards Roman, she is shot in the back and falls to the ground. They hear gunshots while waiting down below and Kayla turns to run to the rescue. Steve stops her and tells her they are going to follow the plan until they know for sure what is going on and tells her that no one goes out alone. Marlena asks what happened? Roman tells Marlena that Orpheus shot her with a tranquilizer dart. As Roman moves to pick her, Orpheus warns him that he will kill her if Roman tries anything. Roman assures her that everything is going to be okay. Orpheus says that everything is NOT going to be okay. Roman asks her to trust him.

Steve throws open the grate to the tunnel and Roman throws her down, jumps in after her and slams the grate closed behind him. They all take off through the tunnel as Orpheus climbs down to follow. He follows into the trap and is caught. Kayla dances up and down so excited that they did it. Roman holds Marlena and tells her it is over. Back at the hotel, the gang celebrate with champagne! Roman toasts to the bravest woman he has ever known! Marlena toasts her friends from helping to save her from Orpheus. Hope toasts everyone going home safe and sound!

Steve and Kayla head back to their room. He asks her if she is heading home with Hope tomorrow. He says he has nothing waiting for him back in Salem, so he will hang out in Stockholm for a few more days. Kayla tells him she really didn’t get a chance to see Stockholm and asks him if she should stay? He tells her to suit herself. She is disappointed over his lack of a positive response and walks away. He calls out to her and tells her that if she wants to stay then she should stay. She smiles at him, and he grins to himself.

11/28 Kayla goes to invite Steve for a bite to eat, and he comes to the door clad in only a towel just out of the shower. He teases her by asking her if he should take something off. She calls his bluff and tells him it is whatever he wants, it is his room. She continues to look at him smiling. He calls her bluff and reaches for his towel. The phone rings and he tells her she is saved by the bell. He is notified that Orpheus escaped. Steve says they have to tell Roman immediately. Kayla wants to wait and give them some time alone together, but Steve tells her that Roman needs to know that Orpheus is out there as he sure won’t take a break for hearts and flowers.

Steve and Kayla arrive to tell Roman and Marlena about Orpheus being loose. Steve is anxious when he is alone with Kayla, and paces while playing his harmonica. Kayla asks him if he can sit down and relax. He warns her that he can sit down next to her too long as he might to something with all that energy that offends her. He continues to fight his feelings for her. In an effort to protect Kayla, Steve says he is spending the night with her. Kayla has ordered dinner from room service complete with flowers and candlelit and arrives with a knock on the door. Steve is surprised as he thought she meant she was getting sandwiches. She reports that after everything they have been through, she thought they deserved something special. She tells him that she would like to come back to Stockholm some day. It is a beautiful place and in spite of everything, she feels safe with him.

When another knock at the door, Steve cracks, “What did you order an orchestra?” It is the maid and she asks if just one guest in the room tonight since Hope left. Steve clarifies that no there will be two people in the room that night. Next Roman knocks on the door to tell them he is leaving. He thanks Steve and compliments there were a couple of times that Steve came in handy. After Roman leaves, Steve clarifies that he is spending the night to protect her from Orpheus. She looks disappointed but insists that she knew that. Later, she nervously comes out of the bathroom. She asks him if he is going to get his pajamas from his room? He laughs, yeah and his teddy bear too. She realizes he doesn’t wear pajamas. He watches her intently as she gets into bed, and she is staring right back at him unsure of what to say. Finally she says, “Goodnight” and he tells her to sleep well. She calls out to him but he pretends to be asleep.

12/1 Steve is talking to Kayla from the bathroom and he freaks out when he realizes she isn’t in the room. When she comes back in he yells at her for taking a such a risk. He tells her not to go out by herself for even a moment as would only take a minute for Orpheus to kidnap her. He then grabs her into his arms and hugs her with relief that she is okay. Kayla points out that she is here and she is okay. He asks what is in the box she is carrying? She tells him it is a dress for their last night in Stockholm. She comes out of the bathroom and asks him for help zipping up her dress. He says he is better at the unzipping. He takes care of the task and then gently touches her shoulders taking his time while being close to her. She turns around and he softly touches her face, and then takes her face in his hands seems he is thinking of kissing her. He tells her they should get going.

Steve and Kayla go to Helga’s for a special candlelit dinner. She tells them they are good together. He looks at her tenderly as she stands in front of the fire and tells her how pretty she is. An old friend of Steve comes in and acts like a sleezeball to get Kayla to leave the room. He wants Steve to smuggle emeralds back to the states and points out that the innocent looking angel he would be traveling with. Steve isn’t interested and says he doesn’t do that kind of stuff anymore, but then the guy offers to pay him $20K and Steve hesitates in his refusal and reluctantly agrees.

Kayla comes in to tell Steve dinner is ready and he snaps that he will tell her when they are ready to eat dinner. Hurt she leaves the room, and Helga tells him later that Kayla left alone. Steve is frantic with worry and rushes back to the hotel, relieved that she is safely there. Kayla lectures Steve that she knows he is a good man, and it is his choice the life he wants. Kayla doesn't want Steve to slip into old habits. She hugs him and tells him that he doesn’t have to be alone. He is touched and gets teary eyed as he stares at her. He warns her a leopard can’t change his spots and turns away to go pack. He stands alone shaking his head, crying as he just can’t believe he deserves to be happy and loved by Kayla.

12/2 Kayla hears a noise at their door the next morning and wakes Steve up. He grabs his knife and covers Kayla’s mouth. It is a maid who apologizes and thought they had already checked out. He acts like they are having sex and too busy to check out. Kayla is horrified over what the maid will think as he laughs. As he continues to tease her, he asks if she is afraid of him? She admits that sometimes she is. Next, room service arrives with two meals and a yellow flower. Steve excuses that the hotel must have sent the meal. He walks the server out the door and tips him he thanks as the guy acknowledges that he hopes Steve is satisfied with everything he ordered.

Kayla calls him out on continuing to push her away. She asks him if things will be different between them when they return to Salem. He tries to avoid answering the question but she demands and answer and he admits that yes they will be. She smiles softly and says she likes that answer. When she heads to shower, he sews the emeralds into the lining of a black leather jacket. He calls his old friend and leaves a message that the deal is off and tells him where he can collect his property (in the jacket hanging in the closet - huh how is the guy supposed to get the jacket out of a locked hotel room after they have checked out?).

Steve leaves Kayla’s jacket sitting out. He heads downstairs. When Kayla grabs her things, she grabs the jacket out of the closet with the jewels inside without knowing she has taken the wrong jacket. On the airplane, Kayla surmises that she is going to get a chance to get to know him all over again. She doesn’t want to change him, but they can each take responsibility for who they are. She tells him that she cares about him. She admits maybe she hasn’t said that before but she is saying it now. He grabs her hand tentatively taken that step forward. He closes his eyes in the moment.

While Steve is sleeping, she grabs the jacket out of her carry on bag and puts it on. When they land, she wakes him up. He is horrified to see her wearing his jacket. She says she was cold so she put it on. He asks where she got it, and excuses that he had lost it. She tells him she noticed he left it in the closet. Just then the passengers are asked to remain in their seats. A police officer comes and takes Steve away for questioning. As the officer is approaching, he warns Kayla that she doesn’t know him.

12/3 Kayla watches as the officer takes Steve into custody. She asks what they are doing? Steve pretends he doesn’t know her and tells her it is none of her business. The cop tells her to move off that the guy is a suspected smuggler. They search Steve and one of the officers comments on the pretty blonde that seemed very concerned about Steve and was sitting next to him on the plane. Steve bluffs that he never saw her before in his life. Kayla calls Chris and tells him that Steve needs a lawyer as he has been detained and is not a smuggler.

After she gets off the phone, she notices the bulge in the jacket and hides in the bathroom when she sees one of the officers. When she comes out of the bathroom, the officer takes her in for questioning. Steve continues to deny knowing her and they take her away to be searched. Steve looks after her concerned, and Kayla is staring daggers at him.

When she comes back in, Steve is relieved that they didn’t find anything on Kayla. She asks him what would there be to find? She is relieved when Chris arrives. He tells them both that there is a big celebration party for Marlena’s return and they are both invited. Since no evidence is found they are both able to make the festivities and are there to welcome Marlena home. Marlena is surprised and thrilled to walk into empty Blondie’s and be surprised by her friends and family. Marilyn McCoo sings and Steve and Kayla look into each other’s eyes. She is upset as she thought Steve had changed. He reminds her that he never said he was a saint. He was been telling her all along that they are too different people. He asks her to admit that he just isn’t her type. She sadly tells him that it took her a long time to realize it but he is right!

12/5 Steve grabs Kayla on the docks and tells her to hand over what was in the jacket, but she plays dumb. She suggests that if he thinks she stole something from him, then he should call the police. He tells her not to lie to him. She tells him that he has a lot of nerve, she thought he had changed in Stockholm. His feet hadn’t even touched American soil and he was in trouble again. Steve’s friend approaches and wants his emeralds. Steve tells him that he gave him a message that he left the jacket hanging in the closet with the gems sewn inside. The guy says he checked with the front desk and no jacket was left. He grabs Steve and tells him that he wants the gems and gives him two hours to come up with them or Steve will disappear just like they did. Steve is still being followed by the mystery woman (who we later finds out is Adrienne).

Steve goes to the clinic and demands the gems from Kayla. He warns her that she won’t have him to kick around much longer if she doesn’t come through for him. She observes that he was one of the good guys in Stockholm and it was good for him, he felt good about himself. Max arrives at the clinic looking for Steve. Kayla calls her folks to let them know that Max is safe with them at the clinic. While Steve is talking to Max, he sees the goon friend waiting for him outside. Steve asks Kayla to take him home and sends them out the back door to safety. Steve turns to follow them but the goon stops him and tells him that time is up. Steve tells him he just needs a little more time.

Steve punches him and takes off as Adrienne watches from outside. Steve makes it down to the dock but is jumped and stabbed as Adrienne comes upon him, stopping the attack. She comes up on Steve from behind, almost touching him. She hears Kayla approaching and disappears. Steve asks Kayla to give him what he is missing as he tries to hide from her that he is hurt. She asks what he is hiding now and wants to know what the matter is? She asks if he has been drinking and he agrees that he has been. She wants him to tell her the truth. He just wants her to give him the gems. He chases Kayla away yelling at her to get out of here. He then falls to the dock, his hand covered in blood from where he had put pressure on the wound.

12/8 Kayla notices blood in the snow and returns to help Steve. She takes him to his place and bandages him up as he argues with her. She tells him it isn’t as bad as it looks. She asks why do these things keep happening to him? She continues to have to wrap up various parts of his body. He warns her that he isn’t going to change so she needs to stop asking him too. He tells her that people like her have choices of how she can live her life. He doesn’t need her to keep telling him his life can be different. He blames her that it is her fault that he got stabbed.

She realizes this is about the emeralds. She tells him that she never meant something like this to happen to him, she was just angry at him for doing something illegal and stupid. She tells him if she gives him the emeralds that he has to promise to stop doing dangerous things that could get him killed. He tells her to never mind that it doesn’t matter anymore. She exclaims they will kill him if he doesn’t give up the emeralds. He tells her it is too late, that he is already dead inside where it counts so doesn’t much matter when he dies. He yells at her to get out. Great sequence of Steve and Kayla flashbacks to key moments in their relationship as he sadly stares out the window, missing her while Kayla is walking on the dock thinking of him. Frankie stops by and tells him about his girl troubles.

Kayla returns with the emeralds that she had hidden at the airport. Kayla realizes that it doesn’t make a difference what he wants her to do, or what he says to her that she simply can no longer stay away from him. She demands to know what she is supposed to do. He grabs her and kisses her soundly! Afterwards she asks him what do they do now? He tells her that he has to get out of this mess he is in. He suggests that he might get out of trouble this time. She tells him she wants to stay with him tonight. He tells her no that one night with him will spoil her as she won’t want any other man after that. She says she doesn’t care as she only wants him. He tells her he doesn’t know why she wants a one eyed bum like him and he can’t be with her until he can figure that out. She leaves him standing alone looking oh so sad.

12/10 Kayla tracks Steve down on the dock and tells him that she is off work today and wants to spend the day with him. She tells him that she thought his kiss the other night would change things. She asks him if he is telling her that what happened between them doesn’t matter? He tells her that if she is finished playing shrink that he has a busy day. He is obviously trying to get rid of her. He is trying to upset her to get her to leave and tells her this is real life, not the fantasy she has in her head. He tells her that even if they had a real nice night together that he likes variety in his snarky tone. Kayla takes off and hides when the goon comes along demanding the emeralds.

He warns Steve that if he doesn’t come up with the gems that he will finish him. Steve gives him the emeralds. He tells Steve that he is a strange one, first he is going to do the job and then he backs out but then takes the gems anyway. He tries to pay Steve off but he won’t take his money. After the goon leaves, Kayla comes out and demands to know why Steve backed out of smuggling and then didn’t take the money. He asks if she doesn’t know when she isn’t wanted? She tells him that she is the one who actually smuggled the diamonds unknowingly and she was the one who was searched (for the first time in her life)! He tries to say that smuggling wasn’t worth the risk. She observes that Warner guy won’t be getting in touch with Steve again. He warns her that there is always another Warner, hell HE is a Warner!

Meanwhile mystery woman has broken into Steve’s place and searching she finds a box hidden away with a picture of a little boy and a toy train. When she hears Steve coming playing the harmonica, she hides but drops a lace handkerchief but thinks it is Kayla’s. He picks it up and heads out to find her and Adrienne quickly leaves. Steve shows up at the hospital to give Kayla back her handkerchief. He says he knows she paid him a little surprise visit today. He is shaken when she says it wasn’t her that she did not pay him a visit and it isn’t her handkerchief and must belong to one of his other ladies. He gives her attitude that she should find someone like Mikey Horton who is more her speed. She starts to say she doesn’t want Mike that she wants… but stops herself before she says him. He tells her to be careful what she wishes for that she might get it and then not be able to handle it.

12/12 Steve and Kayla play a game of cat and mouse at Shenanigan’s. She is reading the paper and Steve is unsure of whether or not to approach her. He hesitates and then turns to leave and Kayla calls out, “I won’t bite you know?”. She continues that it is a little cold to be running outside. He is puzzled and questions running? She says isn’t that what he is doing?

Steve orders his usual breakfast and Kayla orders the same not knowing it's a beer and a raw egg. She wants to know where he is going when he stands up. He says the little boy’s room and asks if she wants to help. Kayla is less than thrilled with her breakfast and even less so when Steve dumps the egg into his bear and then drinks it down. To prove a point she follows his lead and drinks down the egg and beer as he cracks up. He asks her what she is trying to prove, that they aren’t all that different? He says they are still world’s apart. He keeps telling her that she doesn’t understand him. She reminds him of his kiss two days ago and what was he trying to tell her then?

He says that was a goodbye kiss. She calls him out and says it sure didn’t feel like a goodbye kiss. She knows they are different but they can share things and learn from each other, and have fun together. He states they don’t have anything in common and leaves. Kayla follows Steve to a dive pool bar. She suggests they make a wager to make it interesting. She wants to bet .10 cents a ball. He suggests it is usually $10 a ball. She just wants to play for .10 cents as she doesn’t want him to owe her a lot. Steve laughs as she tries to line up a shot, and then she moves the cue ball around as he watches in amusement.

Its obvious she doesn’t know how to play. He takes pity on her and shows her how to line up the cue ball. He puts his arms around her to show her how to shoot properly. She is smiling and enjoying having his arms around her. She takes the shot knocking the ball into the pocket and everyone applauds. They walk down to the docks as she is still raving about her game. She is very happy to have won $1.40 off of him. He is distracted and looking around, his spidey sense telling him someone is watching him. Orpheus plants a bomb at Roman & Marlena’s. As Roman ties the skis to the car, the bomb goes off in the house.

12/15 Steve brings Kayla home from their pool game. Kayla challenges Steve and asks him suggestively if there is anything else he wants to show her. He gets nervous and turns to go. She asks him to stay, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go? She offers to feed him, or perhaps an egg in a beer? She asks if not know then when? She offers a sandwich if he is hungry. He admits that he is hungry but not for food. She gets embarrassed and looks away.

He is amused by her acting so street wise, but then she blushes giving it away. He tells her she is so sweet and he can’t be the man to spoil that. He tells her that he isn’t afraid but she should be. She asks of what? He reaches for her and tells her, “Of this!”. He kisses her passionately, no gentle kiss this time. She seems breathless when he pulls away. She asks him if he is still going to go? He asks her if she wants him to go? She shakes her head no. He laughs as he tells her he is trying to do something half way right for the first time in his life and she isn’t making it very easy for him. She wants him to look at her. He tells her he can’t as she is too damn beautiful.

She asks him if he wants to do what is right for her? She insists this is right, and leans in and kisses him. He pulls away and agrees to hang around for a little while. She will make drinks and he can light the fire. He jokes, he thought they already did that. Music plays as they slowly make their way towards each other, knowing this is that moment. He begins kissing her softly, sweetly and we know they are going to make love when the phone ringing interrupts them. Steve pulls away using the excuse to pull away and encourages her to answer the phone, after all she is an emergency nurse. Tom Horton calls Kayla and tells her there has been an accident. Steve walks her over to the Fish Market. She stops outside to pull herself together. Steve is leaving her there so she can be alone with her family. She tells her father that she has terrible news. Next Kim comes in and rushes into her father’s arms. Kim doesn’t understand how this happened, it has to be an awful mistake.

A shaken Roman comes in and Kim rushes into his arms, while Kayla asks if there is anything they can do? Then pops hugs Roman and tells him he would do anything to change this. When Roman realizes Carrie doesn’t know yet, that Roman says he will tell her. Kim and Kayla try to comfort Roman. Kayla cries as she hugs Roman goodbye and promises to see him tomorrow. She finds Steve waiting for her outside. He thought she might need someone. He puts his arm around her and holds her tight.

They walk down to the dock. She tells him that the look on Roman’s face breaks her heart, he loved Marlena so much. She cries how he had everything, Carrie and the twins, and Marlena was such a wonderful woman. She was always there for everyone, for Kayla. She sobs into Steve’s arms and he holds her tenderly reassuring her softly. Steve takes Kayla home, she says she knows it was Orpheus getting his revenge on Roman. He says that is why he wants to stay here with her tonight, to keep her safe and he isn’t going anywhere. She goes into his arms.

12/17 Kayla awakens from the couch next to Steve. She jumps up that she overslept. He points out that she only got to sleep a couple of hours ago. They hold onto each other, caressing each other, staring into each other’s eyes. He goes to kiss her and then stops himself and points out that she should go to her folk’s house. Steve tells her that he is going to go down to the riverfront and ask some questions, he is going to make sure Orpheus pays for what he did. Kayla offers that he can get in the shower first and she will make coffee. Caroline arrives as she was worried when Kayla didn’t show up this morning. Kayla tells her that she had overslept. Steve comes running out wet, and looking for soap. He stops and goes back into the bathroom when he sees her mama there.

Caroline gets upset and can’t believe she would sleep with Steve like this after Marlena died. Kayla gets upset and asks if her mom is upset about the timing or that she slept with any man, or that it was Steve? As Steve listens in, Kayla tells her that Steve stayed last night to look after her as he was worried that Orpheus would target her as well. Kayla determines that she is a grown woman and if she wants a man to spend the night, then she will. Caroline stops herself mid stream, and tells Kayla they have more important things to think about. She needs Kayla to help care for Max while she helps makes arrangements. Kayla gives her mom a hug and tells her that she is sorry. Steve acknowledges that he is always causing trouble for her with her family. He snarks that he is every mother’s dream. She points out that he was walking around her half naked. He points out that she would have thought the same thing if he was fully dressed.

She says that her family just needs some time to get to know him. He snarks, what is she going to invite him over for Sunday dinner. He says that his family doesn’t want him around, they just want what was best for her. He knows her mother wasn’t thrilled that he spent the night, even if nothing happened. She declares that she is old enough to know what she wants. He asks what she wants? She grabs him and kisses him soundly. He looks at her amazed, and a little bit stunned at her interest.

Caroline drops Max off at the very busy clinic. Steve stops in and offers to take care of Max and do something fun while she is working. Caroline returns to pick up Max. Kayla tells her that Steve took care of him as it was so busy. Caroline pauses but admits that Max likes Steve and Frankie says he was the one who got him to talk. Steve is teaching him how to play pool. Kayla is upset that he brought the child to a bar with drunks. Steve warns her that these people are his friends and she can’t talk about them like that. She tells him that Max is late for dinner and there was no harm done here. She grabs Max’s hand and rushes him out of there without another word to Steve.

He shows up at the loft and asks what the big deal is. She had to ask Max to keep quiet and not tell her parents about his trip to the bar and playing pool. He says he didn’t see anything wrong with what he did. He says this is why he backs off every time she says she wants him, as she won’t accept him the way he is. He asks her to accept him the way he is or to just give up. He asks her to think about it and walks out. She says to herself that she doesn’t need to think about it, that she has already made up her mind Steve Johnson!

12/18 Kayla comes upon Steve playing “Silent Night” on his harmonica in the park. She tells him she has given a lot of thought to what he said yesterday. She tells him that she has made her decision. She gathers her courage and goes up to him and starts kissing him to give him her answer. He asks her to say that to him with words now. She wants him and nothing else really matters. She insists that she does know who he is. He says they need to get some things clear. He is a free agent and he comes and goes as he pleases. She retorts that she does as well. Sometimes he goes out at night, and sometimes he stays out all night, and he saves the evenings for the ladies. He surmises that description doesn’t meet what she wants in a man. She agrees that it isn’t, but she doesn’t believe that is who he really is. She goes on that he is kind and caring, and he has different sides that he shows to people.

He tells her hangs out at all the wrong places, knows all the wrong people, and he is a one eyed bum with nothing to offer her. He wants her to stop trying to pawn her dreams off onto him. She accuses him of pretending, and he yells that he isn’t pretending that this is who he is! Hurt, she tells him to go ahead and spend his life with no family and no friends. She warns him that he is making a big mistake turning his back on her, as she is the BEST thing that has ever happened to him! She storms off as he looks after her shaken, knowing she is right. Music montage.

He later finds her in the park and asks her if she is okay? She says she is but is shocked when he tells her to get out of there and don’t look back. She says she wishes she could but she can’t. He says she has to as that is the only way he can protect her. She realizes that he is the one he is trying to protect as he is the one that is afraid. She tells him that he is afraid to get close to her. He knows that they don’t belong together. She cries as she thinks about how much Roman and Marlena loved each other, and how precious that time they had together was. She cries that they also have a shot of something really special and she just doesn’t want to throw that chance away.

He is touched that she is so upset over someone like him. He tells her that if she has any sense that she will walk away from him right now, that he is no good for her. She asks him to look her in the eye and tell her that he doesn’t care about her, and knows he can’t do it. He walks her to the Fish Market and tries to tell her that he doesn’t care about her but he can’t look her in the eye when he says it. She says she knew that he couldn’t do it. He looks at her and admits that he cares about her, that he wants her, but warns her again that she is making a big mistake here. She runs into his arms and they hold each other tight. He grins that she is real proud of herself. She asks if she will see him tomorrow and he agrees. She turns to go and stops at the door and runs back into his arms sobbing again. As she walks through the door, Steve gets tears in his eyes and asks himself what did he get himself into.

12/19 Kayla gets ready for the memorial service, when Steve arrives at her place. She shakily tells him that she has been trying to get ready. He asks if she is okay, and obvious that she isn’t, he holds her and comforts her. She doesn’t understand how this happened. When they got back from Stockholm, she thought everything was going to be good. He says that is why he doesn’t expect much, then he doesn’t get disappointed. She tells him that she has a surprise for him. He tells her that he doesn’t like surprises. She runs upstairs. While she is gone, Bo & Hope arrive to see if they could give her a ride to the memorial service. Kayla comes running in with a very large wrapped gift for Steve. Bo looks slightly stunned at this closeness between them, and Hope has a twinkle at this new development. Kayla reports that she is going with Steve, but he tries to back out and tells her she should go with her brother. She won’t hear of it. Hope suggests they all go together.

The foursome enter the service. At the door, Steve thoughtfully tells her that it would upset her family to see her show up on his arm and he softly says “not today”, not wanting to upset them with his presence there. Everyone gathers for the memorial, as Marlena sits on a tropical island, looking very blissful. Marlena’s funeral, Tom speaks, then Chris, Mrs. H, and Abe. Then Bo talks about how Marlena always brought people together, that she brought people together even during that time she was in a coma, they are going to make it through this because of her. He stops in front of Roman and tells him that he will always love her.

Steve is waiting outside of her place when she returns home. He opens the present she gave him, a pool stick and wants to know what it is for. She says it is for him, she wanted to give it to him. She says it isn’t for Christmas, and hasn’t anyone every just given him a present just because they wanted to? He shakes his head no. She is happy to be the first. He softly kisses her and starts nuzzling her neck. She asks him to stay the night. He tells her that he can’t. She says she isn’t asking for a big commitment, that she just wants to be with him. He turns and walks out. She follows him asking why? He stays with other women. He tells her with other women, he makes love and then leaves but with her, he doesn’t think he would be able to leave. He kisses her again and leaves. We see a closing shot of a very happy Marlena on a tropical island somewhere.

12/22 Steve tries to leave Kayla a present without being heard. He is dropping off a present for Maxwell and asks if she can give it to him. Steve tells Kayla he won't be there for Christmas. She can’t believe he is leaving and tells him she doesn’t want him to go. She tries to talk him into staying. He reminds her that he doesn’t have any family. She points out that he can be with his friends. He asks friends like her? He says they will have plenty of time to be together after Christmas. He tells her that he doesn’t celebrate, it will just be another Thursday for her. He suggests that she will be so busy decking the halls that she won’t even notice he is gone. She insists that she will miss him and Max will too. He says he will see her in a few days, and kisses her goodbye and wishes her a “Merry Christmas”.

When he opens the door, he finds Max standing there. She tells Steve that Max was really looking forward to spending Christmas with his new friends. He wants to tell Kayla a secret and whispers in her ear that she wants her to take him to the store so he can get Steve a Christmas present. She tells him to go back to her parent’s house and she will pick him up later. Steve leaves but does not look happy about it.

When Kayla arrives at her folk’s place, Max shows her a picture of something he wants to get for Steve. Max goes upstairs to get ready, and Kim comes in. Kayla notices what a good mood she is in. Kim reports that Shane thinks he might have a lead on Andrew. Kayla tells her that Steve isn’t going to be here for Christmas. She had big plans to make it special for him, but now he doesn’t want to be there or be with her. She just can’t get into the holiday spirit.

Max no longer wants to go shopping, and suddenly stops talking. Kim points out that she thinks Max overheard what Kayla was saying about Steve not being there. Kayla calls Steve and tells him that there is a little boy…. he interrupts her and tells her to just give Max the gift from him. Kayla tells him that Max has stopped talking because of Steve. She demands that he come over to her parent’s house right away and hangs up!

Steve tries to cheer him up but Max just looks at him silently with a sad face. Steve tries everything from Santa being unhappy to threats of coal in his stocking. Steve asks Max to tell him what he wants. Kayla shares that Max wants him to stay for Christmas. Steve accuses them of plotting together. She denies it and suggests Steve try to explain it to Max. He sits down with the boy and tells him that he doesn’t like Christmas but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like Max. Steve asks him to just hang out with the Bradys and have a real nice Christmas with them, and that could be Max’s Christmas present to him. He asks Max to promise, and he says, “I promise to have a Merry Christmas”. He proudly gives the boy a big hug. Steve is touched and looks over at Kayla and says he might just have a Merry Christmas too!

12/24 Steve plays pool, and Kayla comes in and asks why he is still in town? She invites Steve to join her family for Christmas, but he refuses. Hope recognizes that Kayla is disappointed but encourages she has some pull with the North Pole and her and Kayla head to the dock. Kayla tells her that Steve can be such a great guy, but then he can turn around to be a jerk.

Hope defends that Steve has been hurt and if he does show anyone his good side that he will be vulnerable. Kayla just has to convince him that he is safe with her, that she will never hurt him. She says she has tried but it doesn’t work. Hope says she knows she just gets the fastest mouth this side of the Mississippi, right? Kayla doesn’t think Steve will ever let himself care about her. Hope disagrees, that Steve already cares but he is having difficulty with being vulnerable enough to let Kayla know. Kayla is discouraged after he turned her down for Christmas, why should she keep trying, what is the point?

At that moment, Steve dressed as Santa Claus comes down the stairs to the docks, and hands out some toys to kids, as Hope and Kayla watch. An older snarky boy doesn’t believe in Christmas and just wants a job for his dad. He gives the boy a present and tells him maybe a job will be coming for his daddy. Kayla sighs softly and tells Hope she wishes she could find a guy like that, he really seems like he is enjoying himself. They are stunned to realize it is STEVE playing SANTA! Hope encourages her to go talk to Steve. Now Kayla is mad that Steve kept this hidden from her. He lied to her and told her he was going away to go gambling somewhere. Hope says Steve is just trying to protect himself from getting hurt. Hope advises that if Kayla wants Steve, that he is going to be a lot of work and maybe it will be worth it and maybe it won’t be. Hope hugs her Merry Christmas as she heads out.

Kayla is waiting at Steve’s favorite bar. He is in a really good mood, wearing his santa hat and buys drinks for the guys at the bar. Kayla is furious that he would hide this sweet side that makes her care about him. He admits that is why he hides it from her. He looks at her softly and they kiss. Max and Frankie come in as Max wants to give Steve a present that he made for him. Steve is touched. When Max notices the red Santa bag, Steve explains that he is helping Santa delivery presents. After the boys leave, Kayla asks him again to go with her to her parent’s for Christmas. He tells her that he just isn’t ready to go sing carols around the Christmas tree, he needs more time. He sends Kayla home to her family, and after she leaves he pulls a present for her out of his bag and stares at her name.

**The End**