DVD #9A 12/30 Melissa, Angelica and Harper discuss Melissa’s outburst with Kayla. Angelica calls Abe about the love letter Melissa wrote to Jack, suspecting it could be connected to Kayla’s poisoning. Abe investigates and gets a search warrant for Melissa’s condo.

Jack tells Kayla that he has a place for them to live alone now, her old place at the loft. Kayla takes a call from Marcus Hunter, but it’s really Patch. He asks Kayla to meet “Marcus” at Shenanigans, alone. Jack insists on going along to Shenanigans, so Marcus distracts him while Kayla sneaks outside to see Patch. He tells Kayla that she must not attend the Deveraux NYE party. They argue and he pulls her into a kiss. Kayla tells Steve that she’s going to the party and he’ll just have to trust her. Unknown hands with black gloves are seen replacing aspirin with other pills in a bottle. Jack and Kayla return to the loft and talk about the memories it holds. Jack says “I love you”, but Kayla remains silent. Kayla slips away onto the roof and thinks about Steve.

Melissa runs into Steve and Marcus before the Deveraux party. She notes that they will be so busy with reporters and supporters, they won’t know what’s going on. Marcus sees that this remark gives Steve and idea. Steve says that he’s going to make sure that Kayla is safe at the party, personally. Music: “The Woman In Me” by Donna Summers

12/31 Glitchy scenes. At the Deveraux NYE party, Melissa tries to clear the air by apologizing to Kayla for her earlier outburst. Kayla sees Patch peeking through the window, and sneaks out to see him. Kayla and Patch go to a barn and kiss passionately, not noticing a reporter snapping photos. Roman talks to Abe about the search warrant for Melissa's about the pills that were poisoning Kayla. Kayla sneaks away from the party to be with Steve on the patio. Jack asks Melissa if she has seen Kayla. A photographer catches Kayla and Steve kissing. Abe arrests Melissa for trying to kill Kayla.

At midnight, Jack can’t find Kayla. So, he chastely kisses Melissa to celebrate the new year then goes to look for Kayla. Roman, Abe and Lexi search Melissa’s condo and find more love letter and bottle of pills (likely the bottle of pills being tampered with earlier in the week). The pills are found to match those that poisoned Kayla and an arrest warrant is issued for Melissa. Melissa overhears Harper say that the police are there to arrest her and she tries to burn a note in the fire. Lexi stops her, and she is arrested.

1/4/88 Melissa is booked for the attempted murder of Kayla by poisoning. Melissa claims to know nothing about the pills found in her condo. Harper Deveraux barks on the phone that he wants a special prosecutor on Melissa’s case ASAP and he wants a conviction. Shortly after midnight, Steve and Kayla are still in the barn after she snuck out of the party. Steve encourages her to stay with Jack until after the election so he can win. They kiss and she returns to the party to find it over. Jack tells her about Melissa’s arrest. Steve, Kayla and Jack all go to the police station to talk to Melissa. They are stunned by her arrest.

1/6 Melissa gets out on bail and goes to Kayla and Jack’s loft to officially quit her job. She sadly tells Jack it is obvious she has to, but wanted to do so in person. Jack sets up a press conference. At the press conference, Kayla is asked about her relationship with Steve. Later, Kayla and Steve meet. A news photographer hides and takes pictures of them as they talk and kiss.

1/8 Kayla tells Steve that the Deveraux campaign is setting up a series of train campaign stops that she is to go on. She will be in a private car with Jack that he is calling “the honeymoon express”. Jo shows up to confront Steve & Kayla, and Steve tells her that he has told Kayla the truth about Jack/Billy. They talk about how Kayla can avoid sleeping with Jack on the train, and Jo tells her to “go home and pack her bags.” Neil give Kayla an excuse not to go campaigning with Jack. Neil appears at Kayla and Jack’s restaurant table with the news that Kayla’s (non-existent) test results from that morning show that she is unable to travel. He decrees that Kayla will have to stay home and Jack will have to go on the “honeymoon express” solo (Jo asked him to do her a favor). Jo goes to Steve’s place to tell him the good news, but he is so angry about her earlier comments to Kayla that he rushes out and won’t listen. Later, Steve ends up on Kayla’s roof playing his harmonica and is surprised to find Kayla home. They kiss, and the newspaper photographer takes more photos.

1/12 Kayla shows up to see Steve and he is worried that she is taking chances that someone could have seen her arrive at his place. She says she was careful. She shows him a newspaper article about Melissa being an unlikely suspect. Kayla agrees as she has known Melissa for years and if she isn’t the killer then someone else could still be trying to kill her. Steve insists that he isn’t going to let anything happen to Kayla and he is going to talk to Melissa himself!

Melissa meets Steve in the park. Melissa wants to know why he wanted to see her, as she has already told him everything she could. He wants to know who in that household would have wanted to kill her. She hints at secrets and he wants to know what it is. She shakes it off not wanting to violate confidences and he warns her that he is trying to help her. Just as it seems like she might spill, Gabrielle races down the stairs and stops them. She tells Steve that she can’t talk to him. Steve reminds her that he is her friend and he knows what it is like when someone tries to pin something on you that isn’t true.

Max has an accident and is found lying in a pool of blood. He is rushed to the hospital. When Steve arrives, Kayla runs into his arms and they hug as the sleazy photographer shows up and Steve goes after him and rips the camera out of his hands and throws in on the floor. Doc comes out and says there is glass lodged in Max’s eye and he needs surgery. He called in a specialist for surgery but doesn't know if Max will lose his eye. Steve demands to be able to see him. He is upset at what is facing the little dude and Kayla reassures him that it won’t change Max’s life if he lost his eye. She reminds him that he found love. He says that she is always talking about miracles and goodness and he needs a miracle tonight. The photographer is home developing his pictures of Steve & Kayla kissing.

1/13 Jack enters a patient waiting room as Kayla is asleep on Steve and they are snuggled up together on the couch while waiting for Max to get out of surgery. Jack demands to know what Steve is doing in here with her. Jack loses his temper and tells Steve he has had enough of this as he grabs Steve’s shirt. He warns Steve that he told him to stay away from his wife! Steve declares he is there to see how Max’s surgery goes and he doesn’t care if Jack likes it. Jack tells him to wait somewhere else away from Kayla. When they are alone, Jack tries to tell Kayla how much his father adores her and when he heard about Max that he would drop everything to help her. Jack tells her how much he loves her, making Kayla feel uncomfortable. He admits that he is afraid that she still has feelings for Steve.

Alice sees Steve at the hospital and she assures him that Melissa didn’t try to kill Kayla. He points out that they found the drug in her home and she had the opportunity spending all that time at the Deveraux mansion for months. Steve wants to believe she didn’t do it but there is plenty of evidence. She points out that when he needed her help, she didn’t ask questions or ask him for proof, she just believed. He is grateful for her helping him and Kayla. Alice insists that Melissa could not possibly have done this and is innocent! She points out wasn’t that long ago that Steve was set up and falsely accused of a crime. He wishes he could believe that and Alice walks away disappointed in him. Marcus observed Max’s surgery but can’t give him any reassurances as too early to know how successful surgery was. Steve laments that he doesn’t want Max to go through what he went through and talks about the trauma of losing his eye.

1/15 Kayla reads the morning paper waiting to call the hospital for an update on Max. Harper and Angelica arrive at the loft. They are there to go with them to Melissa’s pre-trial hearing. Jack still can’t believe she could kill him. Steve arrives at the courthouse and has a moment alone with a frightened Melissa. He asks her to tell him about the family secrets the Deverauxs have and tells her he needs to know what those are. She refuses to tell him as every time she opens her mouth she gets in more trouble and just wants this hearing over with.

Abe testifies and the evidence is damning as the drug was found in her apartment. Then Steve testifies and Gabrielle’s cross examination points out that just being in love, writing love letters, or having an argument with someone does not constitute a motive for murder. Who hasn’t felt unrequited love and do not resort to murder. Gabrielle also cross examines Jack as Melissa cries in the courtroom.

During recess, Steve eyes Harper suspiciously. Kayla is thrown by the reminder that someone tried to kill her, but she still has a hard time believing it was Melissa. Steve takes advantage of Kayla being alone for a moment to approach her. She softly tells him how much she loves him and wants to be with him. He whispers that he loves her too and they discreetly holds hands for a moment but the photographer notices and takes another picture of them together. Jack enters and makes a public declaration of his love for his wife and leans in and kisses her, as Steve grimaces in the background. The judge returns and declares that he is holding Melissa over for trial as she had motive, means and opportunity. The courtroom reacts to this decision.

1/19 Kayla goes to see Max in the hospital, and Steve is there in Max's room and they share a kiss before Jack comes in and asks Steve for his help on the campaign with the riverfront residents. Max's bandages are removed and his eye is fine.

1/21 Angelica is yelling orders at Blondie’s as she is setting up for Jack’s election victory party. Jack and Kayla walk in and Jack points out to her that he hasn’t won yet. Steve shows up next showing his support and admits that he wants Jack to win more than he knows. On the docks, the photographer finally hands Jack the photos of Kayla and Steve, but he drops them before he can see them, as Kayla picks up the folder. Later, Kayla gives Jack the folder, not knowing about the pictures. Steve and Kayla sneak away for a moment alone, and he kisses her. While they are away, Jack opens the folder and sees the vivid 8x10 closeup photos of Steve & Kayla kissing.

1/22 Jack answers press questions as he looks at Steve and Kayla distractedly, still in shock. When he has an opportunity, he demands the photographer tell him where he got those pictures. He tells him they are recent pictures. Jack invites Steve to his victory party as he acts strangely towards Steve and Kayla. When they are alone, Steve and Kayla celebrate finally being able to be together. He teases her that she has to tell Jack as after all he is her husband while she declares he has to do the dirty deed. As the laugh and kiss, Jack is watching them from the shadows of the pier. Later, Steve and Marcus discuss that he and Kayla only have to be apart one more night as S&K plan on telling Jack tomorrow. They laugh and horse around as Steve is relieved that all is about to be right with his world.

Back at home, Jack confronts Kayla with the pictures. He demands to know if she has slept with Steve? She gets tears in her eyes as she says she was going to tell him. He asks if she has any idea what these pictures will do to his father’s campaign, to Jack’s campaign? She tries to explain that is why she waited to tell him. He angrily grabs the pictures and as he rifles through each one asking if she waited then? And then as he throws the pictures around. Jack is angry at Steve and Kayla's betrayal. Jack starts making demands as her husband as she has been putting him off for months, saying she wanted to make love with him. He tells her that he loves her and he is ready and he is going to make love to her. He pushes her down and forces himself on Kayla as she resists his intentions.

1/25 Justin and Adrienne walk into Shenanigan’s and she sees Steve and Marcus sitting at a table. She asks Justin if she could talk to Steve privately for a moment. He realizes she hasn’t yet told him she is pregnant and is shocked as she has known for a week. Marcus leaves to take a call and Adrienne joins Steve. He wants to know what is going on between her and dimples as they were deep in conversation. She shakily tells him that she is pregnant. As he sits in stunned silence, she fears this means he is upset and will never want to talk to her again. The reality hits him and he jumps up and gives her a big hug sweeping her up off the floor, thrilled to hear he will be an uncle. He is concerned that she was afraid of how he would react? What kind of brother does she think he is that he wouldn't be happy for her. After Adrienne has left, the photographer comes over to make nice with Steve and tells him no hard feelings about breaking his camera. Steve offers to buy him a beer as long as he has it at another table. After he turns away, Steve tells Marcus the guy is pond scum.

Jack declares that he never thought he would have been capable of this. He goes onto blame that if she had only loved him honestly the way he loved her. He believed all of her excuses of why they couldn’t make love, yet she was sleeping with him behind Jack’s back. She is aghast that he is blaming her for him raping her. He yells at her about sleeping with Steve like some cheap whore when she is his wife. She declares that when a man forces a woman that is rape, regardless of whether they are married or not. She warns him that he will have to live with this the rest of his life. He says that she led him on day after day, thinking that their marriage was working. She cries that she married him to save his life and isn’t that enough? She says she stayed with him to help him but she no longer wants to help him and turns to go upstairs. As she does, he grabs her arm and she coldly tells him to never touch her again and storms off.

She goes into the bathroom and tries to wipe the feel of his touch off of her skin. Jack knocks on the door and calls out to her, asking her to please answer him. He says that he is sorry as she sobs alone in the bathroom refusing to talk to him or open the door. As Kayla grabs her jacket to walk out, he demands to know where she is going. She declares she is going to see Steve. He grabs her arm and refuses to let her leave. She warns him not to ever touch her again and she looks deadly serious. He threatens that if she goes out that door that he will make her and Steve sorrier than they have ever been. After she leaves, Jack makes a call to Victor. The photographer comes to see Jack and blackmails him to keep the pictures out of the press. She runs into Marcus on the docks. He tells her how happy Steve is that they will be together now. She looks devastated as he walks away and she flashes back to Jack’s attack. Meanwhile, Steve is jumped by several goons outside of his place and beaten up. Kayla finds a beaten Steve at the bottom of his stairs. She helps him into his room and to his bed. Barely conscious, he asks about “Billy”. She tells him to shush and rest and she will take care of Jack tomorrow.

1/27 Kayla takes care of Steve after Jack had him beaten up. She is relieved when he wakes up but moans in pain as he feels the bruises on his face. He remembers that he was beaten up. He wants to know if she knows who they were and why they tried to rearrange his face. Steve remembers that today was the day they were going to tell Jack. He asks what the plan is but she says she doesn’t think this is the right time to tell Jack about them. She says Jack won't touch her, not now as she hurries out leaving him looking at her puzzled. Marcus comes by to check on Steve as he grimaces in pain as he examines him. Marcus asks him to relax and take it easy. Steve says he can’t stay cooped up in here as he has waited too long to be with Kayla.

Kayla meets with Jack at Blondie’s. He comments on her wanting to meet with him in public rather than at home. She tells him that she felt safer this way. She tells him that she knows he hired someone to beat up Steve. She tells him that she will not be going back to the loft with him and there is no he and her together. She then threatens to reveal what he did and tells him to move out of the loft now! He observes that he can’t force her to live at the loft but he refuses to move out. Kayla determines that she will move into her parent’s and tells him there is nothing he can do to stop that. He stops her from leaving and grabs her arm. He demands to know where she is going? She tells him to guess. He suggests she might want to rethink that as someone could get hurt very badly.

As Marcus is leaving Steve’s place, he runs into Kayla’s outside. He asks why she told Steve that his ribs are broken when they are only bruised, to try to keep him in bed. Marcus sees the bruises on her neck. He demands she tell him what happened or he will go back and tell Steve. Marcus is shocked when she tells him that Jack hit her. She shares that Jack found out about her and Steve and went crazy and he hurt her. Marcus begs her to report it. He points out that she has to tell Steve but she says no she can’t tell him. How can she tell him that his baby brother raped her. Marcus says that she can’t go back to Jack and Steve isn’t going to be in that bed forever and she will have to make a decision. Kayla knows but just needs more time. Marcus promises not to tell anyone, but encourages her again to tell Steve. Marcus leaves, and Kayla finds Steve on his feet. He is determined to go tell Jack today as they have waited long enough. She talks him into resting until he is better.

1/28 Steve is in bed, Justin stops by to visit him. Soon Adrienne arrives and is surprised to see Justin there. Steve also demands to know what “dimples” wants. He insists that he is there to be Steve’s friend. Adrienne urges Steve to cooperate and tells him that it would mean a lot to her. Steve grudgingly offers to shake Justin’s hand. Relieved Justin offers to help Steve if he needs anything at all to call him. After Justin leaves, Adrienne promises Steve that she will find out who did this to him and make them pay! A shocked Jo comes by, horrified to see Steve’s condition.

1/29 Kayla finds Steve getting ready to talk to Jack about them. He tries to kiss her and get romantic and uncomfortable she pulls way. She asks him to get better and what will one or two days more matter. Steve wonders what is wrong with Kayla as she puts off telling Jack. She denies it that she is stalling but he doesn’t believe her. He tells her they have done everything they could to help Jack but now it is their time together. Kayla tells him she isn’t afraid for Jack, that she is afraid for them. Steve tells her this is their chance to make it together and they aren’t going to mess it up this time. She asks why he is so sure? He says because they are no longer keeping secrets from each other and that is why they are going to make it.

Steve and Kayla go to see Jack together. Steve tells Jack that Kayla never really loved Jack, that she tried her hardest but it didn’t work out and it was never going to work out. Steve tells him that Jack knows it is true as he and Kayla have never been together as man and wife. Jack looks surprised that she didn’t tell Steve that Jack attacked her. Jack tells him his marriage is none of Steve’s business. Steve tells him that Kayla loves him and Jack has to give her up as she wants a divorce. Jack wants to talk to Kayla alone, and Steve agrees to wait in the car. After he leaves, Jack asks why she didn’t tell Steve. She tells him that she will tell Steve everything. He warns Kayla not to tell Steve what happened and to forget about the divorce. She tells him she will be with Steve no matter what. He looks at her menacingly and tells her that he warned her. He blocks the door as she tries to leave. He says that she should be at Blondie’s at 5:00 and make nice if she values Steve’s life.

Back home, Steve tries to get amorous but Kayla feels uncomfortable. Steve thinks it is because Kayla is worried about Jack. He celebrates that they have the rest of their lives together and predicts that she will be the sexiest old lady ever. He wants to make plans with her about where they are going to live? She doesn’t want to think about that right now. He asks her what is wrong? She says they waited so long for this, that she doesn’t want to worry about jobs or where they are going to live or anything involving reality. She tells Steve she wants to leave Salem and go somewhere far away so they can be alone. She says she wants to go tonight, she wants to leave this place tonight. He looks at her surprised and asks where? Arizona? Tahiti? She wants to go on the first place anywhere. He asks if tomorrow is soon enough and she declares that is perfect as she holds onto him tightly, saying “tomorrow” softly over and over.

2/2 Steve is playing his harmonica very joyfully as Marcus comes in. Steve tells him that he and Kayla are heading out of town. Marcus says he doesn’t blame them for wanting to leave after what happened with Kayla. Steve whirls around demanding to know, what happened to Kayla? Marcus realizes she hasn’t told him yet. He covers and says he means the stress of her being poisoned and all. Steve says he thought something else happened to her. Marcus realizes he would go crazy if anyone hurt Kayla. Steve admits he would kill whoever tried to poison her if he finds out who did it. Marcus asks if Jack knows they are leaving town? Steve says no and tells Marcus that Jack didn’t really react badly, he thought it was going to be a lot worse. Steve says it was like Jack knew all along. Marcus worries that Steve is underestimating the whole situation. Steve assures him that the worst is over and he and Kayla will be together forever.

Kayla is at her mom’s place packing to leave town. There is a knock at the door and Kayla reacts in fear when Jack calls out that it is him. She begs her mother to cover for her and tell Jack something as she hides behind a door. He demands Caroline wake her up but she refuses that Kayla didn’t sleep much and needs her rest. He yells out that he loves her despite everything that happened. After he leaves, Caroline demands to know why she is so afraid of Jack. Kayla denies it but Caroline saw the fear in her eyes when she realized Jack was at the door.

Dvd #9B 2/3 Steve and Kayla drive to an a cabin in the woods, surrounded by a beautiful winter wonderland. She sees that he is tired and offers to make the fire while he rests. He gets suggestive about going to bed, but not sleeping. He starts kissing her and when he gets frisky, she pulls back, as he wonders what is going on. She thinks he must be tired from driving all night. She tells him that she wants to go outside for a walk and see the trees with all the snow on them. He looks at her puzzled, didn’t she just say he was too tired? Of course he agrees to go with her, and tells her he isn’t going to let her out of his sight after all they have been through. She thanks him for listening to her, for doing what she wants him to do, for taking her away when she asked, for making all of her dreams come true. He promises that every day will be like this, he loves her. She tells him that she loves him too.

As they walk in the woods, he tells her they should enjoy this time alone as all too soon they will have children to entertain. They envision what their future as parents with children will be. He mentions Auntie Adrienne and her kids, and Grandma Jo keeping an eye out but he can’t quite figure out how to get Uncle Billy into the picture. Kayla has a somber look on her face. Steve asks her to close her eyes, and he surprises her with an engagement ring. He asks her to marry him in “this sparking cathedral”. They say their vows to each other, and Kayla declares she is now Mrs. Stephen Johnson and couldn’t feel more married to him than she already does.

Later, she hesitantly joins him in bed. He misses her as they haven’t been together in months. She shakily asks him to hold her, that he makes her feel safe and to please just hold her all night long. Again he looks at her puzzled, knowing something is off. She says they will talk about it tomorrow but tonight she begs him to just hold her. She lays her head on his bare chest and he comforts her and agrees, realizing this is what she needed even though he didn’t understand why. Jack orders Steve and Kayla be found.

2/5 Jack turns the heat up to find them and fast. He demands that he wants them found today! As Kayla lays asleep, Steve notices the bruises on her neck, and asks what happened to her. She tries to cover it up. He demands to know who did this to her? She shakes her head at him. He points out that they aren’t going to make it if they can’t talk to each other. He knew something was wrong last night and she promised to tell him today. She finally tells him Jack raped her. Steve is shocked by Kayla's revelation. He demands to know why she didn’t tell him. She admits that she was afraid of what Steve might do to him. She continues that Jack is the one who had him beaten up to prove a point to her about what would happen if she wasn’t a good wife.

He wants to go kill Jack. She tells him that it happened the night of the victory party, that a photographer gave him pictures of them together. She crumbles as she tells him that she didn’t do anything as he attacked her, she didn’t scream. As she tells him about Jack forcing her down on the couch and ripping her clothes off, he tells her to stop. A distressed Steve gets dressed to leave. She asks if he is going to leave to go kill Jack and then come back? He doesn’t know what he is going to do. She softly begs him to stay there with her instead. He takes her in his arms and she sobs as he reassures her. He realizes this is why she wanted to leave town. He now understands why Jack didn’t react when he told him about Kayla wanting a divorce. He insists this doesn’t change anything between them and asks her not to worry. He assures her that he loves her and holds her tightly as Jack’s goon peers in the window having found them. Steve is knocked out by one of Jack's goons when he goes to get some firewood.

2/8 As Kayla waits for Steve, a triumphant Jack enters and demands that Kayla goes with him. She warns him that she won’t be Mrs. Deveraux for long, as soon as she gets back to Salem she will be filing for a divorce. She threatens she will give the press a story they can’t ignore. He can’t believe she didn’t accept his warnings. She tells him Steve isn’t very happy with Jack at the moment. He realizes she has told Steve about his attack. He promises that he will force her to go back to Salem if she refuses. He throws some clothes at her and threatens that if she doesn’t get dressed, that he will get her dressed. Steve fights with Jack's hired goon in the snow and falls off a cliff during the fight. Meanwhile, Jack and Kayla are back at the loft. She demands to know where Steve is? He continues to warn her about Steve but isn’t specific. She wants to know if he is alright? He tells her about a reporter coming over to do an interview that afternoon, and recommends she cooperate and to take his warnings seriously. She cooperates and then he goes outside to pay off the actor that he had impersonate a reporter in order to test Kayla’s cooperation.

Jack locks Kayla in her room and he leaves to call his goon who reports Steve won’t be a problem any longer but doesn’t give him specifics as Melissa approaches. Jack pretends he has a happy wife waiting for him at home and as he is leaving he tells her that he is sorry for the way things turned out, that she deserves better. She snarks back so does he, that Kayla will never belong to him not as long as Steve is alive. She points out that anyone who sees them together can see how they feel about each other. She tells him that she could have made him happy and puts her hands on his face and kisses him as he looks at her. She tells him she is sorry she will never have a chance to prove it as he looks at her in confusion.

When Jack returns to the loft, he lets her out of her locked room and hands her a bag of food. She throws it at him and storms off to leave but finds the exterior door locked. He shows her the only key and notifies her that he had the locks changed. She asks him if he is crazy? Does he really think she will change her mind about staying with him. He threatens Steve’s life if she doesn’t stay. She says she will simply wait for Steve to show up. He asks if she really thinks he will show? She demands to know where Steve is and what he knows! Steve is lying beaten and bloody at the bottom of the ravine he fell into. Steve begins crawling up the side of the cliff. Steve makes it back to the cabin and finds Kayla’s nightgown laying on the bed. He grabs it and holds it, realizing she was taken away.

2/10 Jack is on the phone demanding Steve be brought to him, he doesn’t care if his body is in pieces. Kayla comes in and he threatens Steve again if she doesn’t cooperate. He throws open the door and tells her to go ahead and leave, just know what the consequence is to Steve. Horrified, she tells him that he isn’t going to get away with this and she is sure Steve will be there soon as he gives her snarky looks. He tries to call Kayla’s loft but gets a discounted single that the number was changed to an unlisted one. Steve calls Marcus and fills him in and asks him to check on Kayla. It is snowing and Steve is trying to make his way back to Salem but the car won’t start and he is stuck in the ice and snow in the wilderness.

Marcus shows up to talk about a hospital renovation project. As Jack takes a phone call, they talk in code and he is able to let her know the item she requested is on it’s way just as she requested. Later, Steve calls Marcus. Marcus tells him that Kayla isn’t in a good situation as she obviously doesn’t want to be at the loft with Jack, he urges Steve to get back to town ASAP. Steve reports the guy must have messed with his car as it won’t start but he will get back to town somehow, he has to get to Kayla. Music montage as Steve heads out into the evening snow, as Kayla tenderly holds the golden rose he gave her.

2/12 Steve is walking through the snow, falling from exhaustion and his injuries, trying to get to Kayla. Steve flags down a car, only to find out it is Jack’s goon! As Steve and him are struggling, Marcus comes upon them and pretends to be a cop yelling, “Freeze, police!” The goon runs off. Steve is thrilled to see it is Marcus and is really impressed with his fake badge that he flashed!

Kayla tries to leave the loft and finds a guard there who insists he will go with her wherever she goes. She tries to fire him from protecting her but he isn’t budging. Kayla confronts Jack and says that he told her she could leave anytime she wants? He tells her after today, she can do whatever she wants. He insists she go with him to the inauguration and play the loving wife if she wants Steve to live. Jack is sure that Steve won’t show up. Kayla figures Jack has Steve being held somewhere or he would have already been there. She warns him that Steve will get away and she is sure Steve will return and she wouldn’t want to be in Jack’s shoes then.

Jack and Melissa have a moment as Jack tells her he has been thinking a lot about the other day (when she kissed him). He is surprised that she still cares about him after everything has happened. She snarks that she cares more about him than his wife does. If she had been standing next to him today, would have been one of the happiest days of her life. She reams him, how can he stay married to someone when they don’t love each other. Is he really willing to spend the rest of his life with someone he doesn’t love just for his political career? He admits he was never good loser. He will not let go of something until he is ready to let go, just like his father. He never learned how to lose being a Deveraux. She asks what if it wasn’t a Deveraux? Note: Melissa is looking very sophisticated and stylish with her jaunty hat and swept back hair.

Steve and Marcus arrive and see Jack and Kayla going into the loft. Marcus stops him and points out everyone they are surrounded by and suggests Steve wait to confront Jack. When Kayla goes up to the roof, she finds Steve waiting there for her. She runs into his arms, telling him it took him long enough. She knew that Jack couldn’t keep him away from her. Melissa calls and tells Jack she has to meet with him ASAP. She is holding his adoption records that he knows nothing about. Jack comes up to tell Kayla that he has to go out, and finds them together and Steve asks her to go inside as he stares at his brother. Jack grabs Kayla and holds his arms around her. Steve warns that he is NOT her husband, that he is a filthy pig who raped her. Jack declares that it wasn’t rape that he made love to HIS wife and it was wonderful. Steve grabs Kayla away from Jack and tells her to go inside. He slugs Jack as Kayla screams, ‘Steve don’t!” They continue fighting as Kayla is yelling at both of them to stop it.

2/15 Jack and Steve are in a fight on the roof of the loft, as Kayla tries to break them up, but Jack loses his footing and falls over to lay on the ground below. Steve checks on Jack as Kayla calls an ambulance. Steve calls Jo from the hospital and tells her about Billy’s (Jack) accident. When Jo arrives at the hospital, she reams Steve for this accident, blaming him. Kayla can’t stand hearing her berate Steve, and he tries to stop Kayla from telling Jo about Jack, but Kayla tells her Jack raped her. She tells her that he hit her and she has the bruises to prove it. Jack almost dies on the operating table, but Bill pulls him through.

After the surgery, Steve goes in and sits by Jack’s bedside. As Jack lays there unconscious, Steve talks to him. He tells him that he was the only other person that he ever loved besides Kayla. When he found him sick, he just gave Kayla to him. He questions how could Jack have hurt her like that. How could that sweet little baby that Jack once was do something like that? He is a stranger to him now but says that Kayla is right that they have all hurt each other too much. Steve admits that despite everything that has happened, Jack is still his brother. Steve goes to Kayla and they hold each other tenderly as he sobs in agony. He tells her how much he needs her.

2/17 Gltichy episode. Kayla and Steve enter Jack’s room. She is worried about Steve and how he is doing. He tells her that he isn’t the person she should be worried about. Harper comes in and demands to know what they are doing there and what happened up on the roof. Steve says they had an argument and admits they were fighting, and that Jack lost his balance and fell. Kayla tells him that the argument was over her. Harper is furious and says Jack has more back bone and would never stoop to physical violence and is everything Steve will never be. He continues ecause of Steve he is now lying in this bed and if Jack doesn’t make it through this that Steve will pay! He demands that Steve stay away from his son and his wife! He storms out. Kayla asks if they should tell him about the reasons for the fight. She doesn’t know that it would do any good now. She wants to keep it quiet for now. Kayla suggests that Steve should leave before Harper returns. Steve says that maybe Harper is right, that it was fault. While he didn’t push Jack off the roof, Jack was pushed into doing what he did and Steve is responsible. Steve started making decisions and playing with everyone’s life and really screwed things up.

Steve goes to Jo’s and she is confused and doesn’t understand how this happened. She says he had to be pushed to the limit to do something like that to Kayla. Steve won’t excuse him hurting Kayla. Jo is sad that her sons wound up hating each other so much. She blames herself for splitting them up all those years ago. He tells her it isn’t he fault and she realizes he is blaming himself. She knows he wouldn’t do anything on purpose to hurt Jack. Mike tells Harper, Angelica, and Kayla that one of Jack’s kidney hasn’t been functioning and now his good kidney was damaged. He will have to go on dialysis while waiting for a donor kidney. Harper is told he isn’t a match. Privately he questions Mike about who would be a good donor for Jack. He says someone around his age, weight, height like a brother or first cousin would be the best match.

Harper goes to Jo and asks for a truce as he needs her help, and Steve’s help (he is listening from behind a door). He is shaken and afraid and obvious he loves Jack very much. No threats, no intimidation, no demands, just a plea to help his son. After he leaves, Steve comes out and Jo is obviously in support of him helping Billie as she doesn’t want him to die. Steve goes to the hospital and stops by Jack’s bedside and has a flashback to their childhood. He then goes and tells Mike that he wants to be tested for compatibility as a donor for Jack. Kayla goes into see Jack and he wakes up and asks for her to come closer. He holds out his hand for her to take as he tells her how much he loves her. She looks uncomfortable and refuses to move closer or touch him. He tells her that now she and Steve are finally getting what they wanted, to be together, and he couldn’t stop them even if he wanted to. She tells him that she never wanted this to happen. Kayla walks in on Steve and Mike discussing him being a donor. She asks him to please not do this. She knows the risks for him and doesn’t want him to take them. He tells her he has to help Billy and that is the only way he will be able to live with himself.

2/19 Steve impatiently paces, waiting for the test results. Mike comes in and tells him that he is an excellent match, better than he could ever have hoped for. Mike tells him that Jack has to also agree with this too. It isn’t just about a physical match but an emotional one as well. He could reject the kidney without any physical reasons for doing so. Angelica comes in and demands they do it without telling Jack. Mike refuses as he will find out eventually and what if he rejects the kidney after finding out? Angelica asks to be the one to discuss this with him. Steve tells Kayla that he has to talk to Jack and has to convince him to agree. Steve says just a few days ago, he was hating Jack but now he realizes he was hating himself too. Kayla refuses to allow him to blame himself for Jack’s actions, and insists that it wasn’t his fault! Mike enters Jack room and he wants to know who the donor is and why they are being so mysterious. Steve enters and when the identity of the donor hits him, he refuses to accept Steve’s kidney. He screams he would rather die! He continues that he wouldn’t take Steve’s kidney if he is the last person on earth! He is tired of Steve controlling everyone’s life. They start yelling at each other and Mike has to physically pull Steve out of the room.

Melissa goes into see Jack and tells her about having day dreams of Jack doing wonderful things, with her by his side. She points out the good that he has already done and the difference he has made in the world. She wants him to keep making that difference. She cries at the thought of him not being there. He is touched by her heart felt plea. He asks her to get Bill and he rushes in. Jack agrees to the transplant as Jo is listening fro the doorway. Melissa smiles through her tears as he looks at her deeply. Meanwhile, Steve and Jo are debating whether or not to tell Jack that he is Steve’s brother thinking that maybe he would accept the kidney then. Steve doesn’t think he is going to want to go from being a Deveraux to being a Johnson. They are all waiting outside Jack’s room when they hear the news.

2/22 The alarms go off for Steve’s blood pressure. Marcus comes in and he is given the update, like Steve is giving up. Meanwhile, he is having an out of body experience. He sees a vision of himself without the patch and very well dressed. The vision tells him that he is Steve’s fantasy of what he wishes he looked like in his fantasies. He accuses Steve of giving up, that everyone would be better off if he doesn’t make it. Back in the OR, the alarms are going off as Marcus tries desperately to save him. His heart stops and Marcus gets the paddles ready to zap him. Marcus calls out for him to come back and they get a faint signal that his heart is responding. The surgery is a success as the transplant has been completed. Marcus begs Steve to just hold on.

Later, Marcus and Mike discuss the surgery and Steve’s surprising decline that they can’t explain almost like he just gave up. Bill comes in concerned as Steve has not come out of anesthetic and he should have woken up by now. Back in Steve’s vision dream, his conscious asks how would Jo, Adrienne, Kayla feel if he died. Steve claims he has only know Jo and Adrienne a short while and they spent most of their life without him so they would get used to him not being around. Steve is told that he was closest to his mother and he sees a vision of her telling him that he was the best thing to ever happen to her as she hugs and kisses him. Kayla finds Marcus and he tells her that Steve never woke up and has lapsed into a coma. His conscience is showing him a flashback to his friendship with Marcus with a comment that he is always going to need Steve’s friendship.

As Kayla sits by Steve’s beside begging him to hear her, Steve’s spirt and his consciousness stand side by side. Steve tries to talk to her but he is told that she can’t hear him. She tells Steve that they were so close to being together, and she can’t lose him now. She asks him to fight and to come back to her, that if he won’t do it for himself to please do it for him. His conscience asks him what is it going to be? Is he going to stay in the spirit world or go back to Kayla? The question remains unanswered as the screen fades to black.

2/24 Kayla is by Steve’s beside begging him to come back to her, to not leave her as she needs him too much. Steve’s well dressed conscience asks him if he is going to choose a life with Kayla or an early death? Steve says he still doesn’t understand why Kayla loves a bum like him and why she still loves him after everything he has put her through. He continues that she was better off without him and will be better off in the future without him. His conscience is showing him how many people he has affected and helped. Steve demands that his conscience show him just one person that he made their life better. Mrs H stands at his beside and declares that she doesn’t know what would have happened to her if not for Steve (when she was held hostage and he rescued her). Kayla agrees about how many times he has saved her life as well. Mrs. H tells her that Jack is asking to see her.

She tells Jack that Steve might die because he helped Jack, that he gave him a kidney to live a full life. He doesn’t understand why Steve gave him a kidney. When Mike comes in, he asks him to take him to see Steve. Mike doesn’t want to move him yet, maybe in a few days. Jack insists that he has the guy’s kidney in him and he demands to see him right now. Melissa points out that Steve’s room is right next door. Mike doesn’t make any promises. In Steve’s room, Jack has arrived to see him. He asks to talk to him alone and promises that he isn’t going to do anything to him. Kayla grudgingly agrees but Mike says the nurse will stay in the room. Once they leave, Jack reams Steve for leaving Kayla now after he took her away from him. Jack complains that Steve is quitting and throwing in the towel. He demands that he snap out of it and it isn’t over yet and Steve can’t die, not now.

Meanwhile, Steve is telling his conscience that this whole situation is because of Steve. Jack wouldn’t have fallen off the roof, wouldn’t have needed a kidney. His conscience pointed out that Jack did live and Steve was right to recognize that she did motivate his recovery from cancer. His conscience tells him to put all that behind him and move towards the future. Steve asks him to show him a future that he would want to live for. Steve sees his wedding day to Kayla as he carries her over the threshold. She is wearing a beautiful wedding dress and he is in a gorgeous grey tux. He tells her that as long as she is married to him, he will make sure her feet never touch the ground again. She tells him that she always wanted to marry him but never knew she could be this happy. He agrees, that he can’t believe it either. He tells her that it feels just right being married to her. Kayla wants to dance with her husband, “Someone to watch over you”. Steve says he doesn’t want to see anymore, that conscience is probably making this all up anyway. He is told that there is more to come.

Next, Steve and Kayla are returning home with a newborn baby boy and he says he is the most beautiful sight he has ever seen. He tells her that if anyone would have ever told him he would be this happy, he never would have believed them. He declares he must be the happiest man on earth and he wouldn’t trade this for anything. Kayla sweetly tells him how much she loves him and kisses him. Steve asks what about being able to provide for a family, how is he going to be able to do that. He asks if Jack will ever forgive him and be part of that big happy family. Steve is shown a surprise birthday party with a little boy and a little girl, and Jo & Neil (her filthy rich doctor husband).

Next Jack arrives as Steve calls out, “Bill, the life of a senator” because he is late. Melissa comes in just behind him, his beautiful wife. Jack/Billy proposes a toast to the best brother, the best buddy a guy could have. After the vision of such a happy future, he has a ton of questions about where is Justin & Adrienne, did Melissa and Jack have children, how did Neil and his mama get together. He wants to see a little bit more to see how things turned out. He is shown a scene of a very old Steve getting frisky with a very old Kayla, as she asks him if he isn’t getting a little too old for that. Cute scenes and finally Steve says that yes he wants to live! Back in reality, Steve softly moves his fingers and Kayla realizes he is waking up!

2/25 Angelica finds Kayla in the lounge and tells her that Jack is asking for her? Remember Jack, your husband? She asks. Angelica gets snarky about what an embarrassment Kayla is spending all that time by Steve’s bedside. Kayla defends that Steve was in a coma and needed her. Angelica announces they are holding a press conference and she expects Kayla to be there. Kayla refuses. As Angelica pushes asking to know what is wrong between her and Jack, Kayla suggests she should just mind her own business. Angelica observes she knew they weren’t Romeo & Juliet but Kayla cared for Jack and now she acts like she can’t stand him and she has no sense of obligation to him. Kayla suggests that she ask Jack. Kayla tells her that she is sick and tired of Deveraux threats and storms out.

Melissa opens Steve’s door, and she ask why he saved Steve? Jack comes up behind her and wants to know why he gave him his kidney. He states that it was his fault Jack needed a kidney and he did it because he had an extra. He felt he owed Jack and he paid him back. As Melissa leaves, she tells Jack that she will see him later. He tells her that he would like that as he looks at her. After she leaves, Jack demands that Steve tell him the truth as he didn’t buy that fairytale. Steve says he better hope that everyone buys that story or there will be a lot of ugly questions. Steve asks him to just forget about it, Steve already has. Steve says that he isn’t going to tell anyone else. Jack doesn’t understand why wouldn’t he tell everyone, he would get Kayla all too himself and get revenge on Jack by ruining his life. Steve yells that he doesn’t want to ruin his life!

Steve determines that everyone has been through enough. He tells Jack that he has put Kayla through hell and Steve isn’t going to add to that and he doesn’t want to talk about this anymore. Jack believes that Steve was trying to kill him on the roof, and then turns around and saves his life. Jack knows that there is more to this story that Steve isn’t telling him and refuses to leave until Steve tells him the truth. Jack guesses that Steve wants Jack to owe him! Jack tells him that he loves Kayla more than ever and he will keep fighting for her. Steve yells at him that Kayla has already made her choice and Jack snarks to not be so sure about that. As he leaves, Steve groans that this really isn’t over!

The press arrive in Jack’s room as he returns. Jack makes his excuses for Kayla’s absence. Kayla returns to Steve’s room. She tells him she didn’t really appreciate him until he came back to her. She looks upset and he asks her to tell him what is wrong. She tells him about the reporters following her around asking about the accident and her marriage. She continues that Angelica cornered her and insisted that she attend Jack’s press conference. He wants the whole world to think everything is fine and for her to just play along with it but she just can’t do it anymore. She can’t pretend that everything is okay. He takes her hand and reassures her that he felt her presence and she brought him back. He tells her to just ignore the reporters, but she can’t pretend anymore, that every time she sees Jack it is like it is happening all over again, him coming towards her. Steve stops her and declares that she never has to be with him again.

Jo interrupts, thrilled to see her son awake and looking so good. She can’t believe both of her sons are okay. Steve quietly tells her that Kayla can no longer pretend to be Jack’s wife expecting an argument. She agrees that it is better for them all to live in reality. Jack comes back into Steve’s room demanding to talk to his wife. She looks at him in utter puzzlement at his cluelessness. Steve holds on tightly to Kayla’s hand preventing her from following Jack’s wishes. Steve tells him that Kayla will never ever be alone with Jack so whatever he has to say to her, he can say to her in front of him. He tells her that he came to Salem looking for her. He admits that he fell in love with her in Hawaii and he came to Salem to find his future with her. He never intended things to come to this. He is ready to put his dream to rest and walk out of her life forever if that is what she really wants. She just stares at him with so much hurt in her big blue eyes. He asks if there is any small chance that she could forgive him and love him again someday.

She looks at him in hurt and puzzlement, he really is clueless to think there is any kind of chance. She shakily tells him that what he did to her, that he can’t pay to fix and he can not undo. The pain he caused her is something she will never forget and she will never forgive him. She just stares at him with her eyes blazing full of pain and hurt. As Jack she leaves, she knocks stuff off a table asking, “How dare you!”

Back in his room, Jack tells Angelica that Kayla never loved him and never will as he holds his wedding rings. Angelica is heart broken for her step-son as he says he doesn’t know if he can live without her. He tells her that he loved her so much. Later when Melissa comes into Jack’s room, he thanks for her saving his life, giving him something to live for.

Steve encourages Kayla that she knows that was hard, but it is over and done with. She admits that she can’t help but be afraid of what is next. He encourages that it is over now and there is nothing but good things ahead of them. She sadly says she thinks it will be a long time before she feels okay again. He tells her there is no hurry, they have all the time in the world together now. She asks then why is she afraid of what is next. He promises her that there is nothing but good coming for them. She asks how he can be so sure? He smiles and says he could tell her but she wouldn't believe it. He tells her that no matter what happens, that they shouldn’t let fear stop them and they have to move on or they will lose everything. He tells her that there is a light at the end of all of their troubles and they are going to find it together. She looks so sad, and hurt, and lost and afraid. He has her get into bed with him and curls up into his arms as he puts his arms around her, stroking her hair and telling her softly how much he loves her.

2/26 Caroline goes to visit Steve in the hospital. Steve jokes about being a one eyed, one kidney guy now and going into the spare parts business. Caroline is obviously there to say something to him and stumbles a bit. She manages to get out that she hasn’t always been his biggest fan. She admits that it wasn’t personal but she thought Kayla would be better off without him. She says that she is wrong, that he makes Kayla happy and that is all she wants for her daughter. Steve gently asks her to give Kayla some extra attention. He shares that she has gone through a lot recently, and just needs more right now. Caroline softly says that she thinks all Kayla needs is Steve, and she gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek. Marcus comes in and tells Steve there is a doctor who would like to consult on his case. Steve grudgingly agrees and is pleasantly surprised as Marcus opens the door to reveal little Max wearing doc scrubs and carrying his teddy bear and introduces Dr. Max!

2/29 Marcus lets Steve know that he has been released and can go home! Kayla wants to return to the loft, but Steve doesn’t think that is a good idea. He knows she has a lot of bad memories there. She refuses to allow Jack to chase her out of her own home and says Jack will not spoil her dreams. She tells him it is important to her to make it work there and of course he supports her if that is what she wants and hugs her in support. Angelica comes in next and wants to talk to Kayla alone. She tells her she can say whatever she would like to in front of Steve. Angelica wants to discuss the divorce and urges her to be discreet as she has done a lot of damage already. Kayla states that she will get a simple divorce as soon as possible. Kayla tells her she will have his things packed up for him to move back to the Deverauxs. After she leaves, Steve says that he hopes he never has to see that red haired witch again. Steve doesn’t want her to pack Jack’s things and suggests she let Angelica or her servants do it. She disagrees, will be faster if she does it and she wants his stuff out of there.

Marcus comes in and tells Steve he can’t go just yet as they have to run a few more tests before he can go. Kayla says that is good as she can go home and get the house ready. After she leaves, Steve says he doesn’t want Kayla at the loft by herself. Good friend that he is, Marcus heads over to Kayla’s to see if she needs any help. Marcus asks if she is okay? She says she is but she let it go on longer than she should have. He heads upstairs to get Jack’s other bag. Angelica shows up to pick up Jack’s things. She declares she never thought she was good enough for Jack, though she does credit Kayla with saving his life. She continues that she will never forgive her for the way she is hurting him now. Kayla says she always knew how Angelica felt about her, she never made it a secret. She storms out.

Frankie visits Steve and confides his love troubles with Jennifer. He tells Steve about sleeping with another lady while he was split up with Jennifer, and she doesn’t know. They had an understanding that they would wait for one another. Steve tells him to think before he does anything, as he can wind up hurting the ones he loves the most. Kayla and Marcus return to the hospital and she thanks him for being there, and observes Steve is lucky to have a friend like him. He assures her that he is her friend too. They go into Steve’s room and tells him that he is ready to go! He is worried about Kayla and after she leaves the room, Steve asks Marcus how it went. He said she did better than he expected. He warns Steve that one of these days the pain that she is running from is going to catch up to her and she is really going to need Steve then. Steve thanks Marcus for going over and for being such a good friend.

**The End**