DVD #22A Hope arrives at the pub and tells Bo that she had a great talk with Steve and he is determined to do whatever it takes to get through to Kayla. He asked Hope to compile a list of memories of them together and she tells Bo that they have to help him. She is also pleased to report that all Steve cares about is getting through to Kayla, that he barely even looked at the necklace she got for him for Billie.

Hope is optimistic that maybe this will reach Kayla and help her, and perhaps in the process Steve will remember something too. Bo would do anything to help his sister. Bo and Hope reminisce on times past and Hope remembers Stockholm which they figure was the beginning for Steve and Kayla but it was a horrible time for her and Bo as she had the miscarriage. Hope tells Bo how Steve was there for her after she lost the baby and then Hope went on to play matchmaker for Steve and Kayla as she tells Kayla that Steve is just a little boy inside and encourages her to give him a chance as he is just beginning to learn to trust her. Steve tells Stephanie that she can count on him, that he will do whatever it takes to help Kayla. Back at the pub, Bo remembers seeing Steve in 1990 when he returned to town.

11/6 Hope returns to the hospital with a list she thinks might jog Steve's memory. Later, Billie overhears what she thinks is Steve recovering his memories and committing to Kayla but he is telling her what he thinks she needs to hear. He tells an unconscious Kayla that he has remembered her and promises to make up for lost time and that it will be just liked the old days. Steve has memorized a recitation of their life together from when she gave him the pool cue, that it was the first time anyone ever gave him a gift for no reason. She showed him that she accepted him for who he really was and that had never happened before. He reminds her of them playing for ten kisses and everyone cheered when she lost. He promises her that there are a lot more kisses where those came from and sweetly kisses her hand. He tells her how they broke Kayla out of jail and went to Australia and rescued kidnapped Stephanie. He begs her not to give up on them as they have so much to live for. He sings her favourite song, “The Rose”. He is able to reach Kayla as he sings to her she slowly opens her eyes as he hopefully calls her name.

11/7 Steve is excited to see her awake and happily declares that she is awake! Kayla whispers his name. Kayla begins gasping for breath and is in obvious distress as Steve tries to calm her and then yells for the doctor. They rush in as Steve yells at the doctors to save her that he can’t lose her, that he LOVES her! The doctor is amazed that he doesn’t know how he did it, but helped give her strength. He asks him to keep doing whatever he is doing as they need time to find a treatment for her.

Kayla comes to again and freaks out at the sight of the isolation gowns. They assure her that she is safe and in the hospital and then tells her the situation. Kayla wants the truth about how long she has. Unfortunately, if they can't find an antidote she can tolerate, it's only a matter of time maybe two or three days at most. Steve holds her hand and encourages her. She tells him that she could hear his voice, that it was so faint and so far away at first. But as she could feel like she was slipping away, that his voice would bring her back. She cries that she heard him say that he remembered her and that he loved her, that he needed her here with him. She says that she fought so hard to get back to him. He declares it is a miracle. She says regardless of what happens to her now, he has remembered her and that is all she wanted for him to get his memory back and not just telling her what she wanted to hear. Steve tells her that he got his memory back and he isn’t going anywhere. She tells him that if she doesn’t make it, that she will die happy knowing that he loves her.

Bo and Hope come rushing in to tell Caroline that Kayla has woken up and they need to get over to the hospital now. They rush to the hospital where an emotional family reunion ensues. Kayla smiles to see her family’s happy faces. She starts coughing and chocking after taking her oxygen off to try to talk to them. Steve stays by her side and puts her oxygen back on. Bo thanks him as he knows that her thinking she has a future with Steve is giving her the strength to keep fighting.

11/10 Steve sits by Kayla’s bedside, tenderly stroking her forehead. Kayla is barely hanging on. She asks him if he remembers their first wedding. He says that it was on a boat and tells her that later he gave her a gold charm of a boat. He seems relieved when she falls back asleep and asks himself what he is doing. He tells himself that he can’t keep lying to her. Kayla soon starts to have problems breathing. The doctors stabilize her, but warn that she could go any time as she is failing. Caroline determines that she is going to make it. Billie goes to the hospital to talk to Steve, but just as Steve is about to clear the air, Stephanie arrives. Billie takes off thinking that Steve has remembered the past and chosen Kayla.

11/13 At the hospital, Nick (a long lost Horton cousin) arrives with good news regarding the serum to save Kayla's life. He tells them about one of his mentors who specialized in bio-toxin antidotes that are hypoallergenic! Just what Kayla needs! When they are alone, Hope tells Steve she ran into Billie and that he is making the right decision sticking it out with Kayla. Steve nearly confesses the truth to Hope but decides against it. Nick returns with great news, the clinic have used Kayla’s blood to create an antidote specifically for her. It is being flown in tonight. The Bradys sigh in relief. Steve encourages them that Kayla will hang onto until the serum gets here. As long as he is with her, she knows Kayla will fight. The doctor comes in with unfortunate news. Due to a blizzard, there is no way they can get to it. Marlena makes a suggestion: she and John will take his plane and fly to the clinic in Ottawa to pick up the serum. John agrees.

11/14 Kayla continues to get worse. As John and Marlena get ready to leave, they are told the weather is getting worse and they won’t get clearance to take off. Steve is upset and reminds them they need the drug for her. Bo, Hope, and Stephanie all beg Steve to continue to help Kayla stay with them to buy her more time. John tells them that he has borrowed a private plane from a friend. Marlena insists on going with him. Benjy shows up and Steve remembers him. He starts signing to him and can understand Benjy. Benjy tells him that he read in the paper that he was alive. Benjy tells him about a Christmas that they all spent together and suddenly Steve remembers, (flashback with Steve as “PatchyClaus” when he gives Kayla a Christmas present on their first Christmas together!). He turns and stares at her, and shakily says that he remembers! After Benji leaves, Steve goes straight to Kayla’s bedside. He tells her about remembering a moment on the pier around Christmas. She wakes up again and he assures her that she will get better soon. He happily tells her about Benji arriving and that he recognised him even though he is all grown up now. He tells her about remembering how to sign. When he asks her not to talk and save her strength, she tells him that he is her strength.

11/15 The doctors have cleared Steve to leave the quarantine room, but he refuses. He's trying to keep Kayla alive by connecting to their past, and he is having some real memories of their relationship. Nonetheless he asks Bo to bring Billie to him so he can explain his plan to her. Later, Kayla again has difficulty breathing, and at best has only hours to live.

11/16 Steve encourages a weakening Kayla by making her recite a reading from their second wedding. During this, Steve has flashbacks of that wedding and also of his first kiss with Kayla. Suddenly, though, Kayla flatlines. The medical team tries to revive her, but they finally pronounce her dead. The entire Brady clan, watching outside the quarantine unit, are devastated. Steve refuses to accept defeat and places a deep kiss on her lips which revives her! Bo then races in with the medication, which is administered to Kayla. Everyone is buoyed by Kayla's miraculous recovery and the fact that she doesn't reject the new drug. Doctor Myers tells Steve how important he is to Kayla's health and suggests he be there for her full time.

11/17 Kayla's feeling much better and thanks Steve for all his help. She knows this has been hard for him, so she gives him the option of walking away from their relationship. Steve is unable to do so when Stephanie arrives and interrupts the moment. Steve tells Stephanie that when he and Kayla leave the hospital it will be together. Later, Steve confides in Hope about his predicament with Billie/Kayla. He wants to help Kayla, but Billie is the one he has feelings for.

11/24 It was Thanksgiving Day in Salem. Steve arrived at the pub for the Brady family celebration with an emotional Kayla, grateful to be alive to share another holiday with her family. As the Bradys showed Nick their love, Chelsea fumed. Hope told Steve that Billie still had feelings for him. Later, Steve called Billie and asked to meet her the next day. Frankie bade his family farewell, and the Bradys sat down to a loving family meal. Chelsea emailed the damning photo of Bo and Billie in bed together to Hope, Steve, and Patrick.

11/28 Steve calls Billie and they agree to meet up for lunch. He tells Stephanie and Kayla that he has to go out "for a drive." Stephanie, however, doesn't want her dad to leave her mom. Steve spends some time with Kayla. They reminisce, and Steve has another romantic memory from their past, but the moment is broken when Stephanie shows them the anonymous email photo of Bo and Billie. Steve is inwardly stung. Patrick gets the photo and shows it to Billie, who's devastated, and immediately suspects Chelsea. Devious Chelsea tries to cover, but is forced to admit she was responsible. She admits she also sent the photo to Hope and Steve. Billie calls Steve in hopes of doing damage control. He puts her off and cancels their date.

12/1 Steve explains to Billie that, although he's taking care of Kayla, he still wants to be with her. He reveals that he faked his memories to give Kayla the will to live. All he's asking for is a little more time to make the situation right. Meanwhile, Kayla tells Lexie she's worried that Steve feels trapped, and she believes he's faking the memories of their relationship. She decides to test him by taking him out of town to a place that was meaningful to them as a couple. Lexie agrees to the ruse only if she goes along to take care of Kayla. When Steve returns from Billie's, he wants to tell Kayla the truth, but can't bring himself to do so. Kayla invites him to join her on her trip and he agrees.

12/8 Kayla brings Steve to the bungalow where they hid out from Victor twenty years earlier. He admits to her that he has been faking getting his memories back. She already knew and was hoping to find out once and for all if he is really regaining his memories. She goes to leave and he stops her. He tells her how amazing she is, what a good person she is, what a good mom she is, smart, generous, and so many things he isn’t. As he tells her she is something special and how much he admires her, she looks oh so disappointed as all she wants is his love. He knows he has hurt her and never wants to do that. He hopes some day she can forgive him. She points out that he saved her life by keeping her alive. She tells him all she wants is for him to be happy, and doesn’t want him to be with her if that isn’t what he wants. She asks him to just be her friend and they shake on it. He takes her in his arms and hugs her tight, but she pulls away. While she takes some time alone in the bathroom, he lays down and begins having flashbacks as he sleeps. The bungalow does indeed trigger a series of memories of Steve's time with Kayla. When housekeeping knocks on the door, he wakes up thinking he is back in time with Victor after them searching for the disk. She looks hopeful as a flood of memories fill his mind, one after the other. In a big moment, he tells her he remembers everything!

12/11 Steve tells Kayla he remembers everything about his life with her. He remembers being with her and loving her. She wants to believe him but is afraid. She sobs in disbelief and says that he isn’t coming back. She runs out and he follows her and pulls her back into the room. She shakily tells him she can’t go through this again, she just isn’t strong enough. He doesn’t believe her and tells her how strong she is. He encourages her to confront her fears and emotionally reveals how much he loves her and how sorry he is for not being there for her while she was raising Stephanie. He promises to protect her from now on. Steve then signs the word "courage," just as he'd done long ago at their wedding. Kayla, affected, kisses Steve and the two end up making explosive love.

12/12 Steve and Kayla blissfully reconnect in the aftermath of his memory returning. They share a bath together, and she tells him how she would lay in bed at night remembering how he smelled, how he felt laying next to her. Steve admits there are still chunks of his past missing, years he can't remember. Kayla tries to put him at ease by assuring him they'll deal with it together. Eventually, they acknowledge the elephant in the room, Steve's relationship with Billie. Steve allows that Billie's a wonderful woman but nothing he felt for her comes close to what he feels for his "sweetness."

12/19 Steve and Kayla look at pictures together, she still can’t believe that he remembers everything. Hope shows up at their door and observes how affectionate they are and comments she feels like she missed a chapter. He happily shares that he got his memories back. Hope is stunned to discover that Steve regained most of his memories while he was away with Kayla. She questions him to make sure he isn't still faking, but he assures her he's on the level. The Brady family is keeping vigil, anxiously awaiting word about Max and Mimi's disappearance. Bo learns Steve has his memory back and enlists his old friend's help. The two disable the Kiriakis security system, break into the mansion, and find evidence that Philip was there. Bo and Roman later theorize that Max and Mimi were getting close to blowing Victor's secrets so he had them put on ice somewhere. Hope asks Steve if he's told Billie and he admits he hasn't. He isn't looking forward to breaking her heart. Meanwhile, we see Max and Mimi tied together, imprisoned in a church basement.

12/20 Billie is thrilled to see Steve and finally gets the hint as he beats around the bush, and finally tells her that he has his memory back, along with his feelings for Kayla. She's angry that he didn't have the decency to let her know that he regained his memory. Steve knows he let her down, but explains he didn't know how to tell her. He knew that calKayla convinces Steve he needs to write Billie a letter explaining his feelings for her and how everything changed. Later, Steve propositions Kayla and she accepts with a kiss.

12/21 Kayla and Hope share warm moments as they decorate the pub for Christmas. Steve arrives, having scored tickets to one of Kayla's favorite performers, Clay Aiken. Kayla is delighted, but tells Steve they can't go because the performance conflicts with the tradition of comforting sick children in the hospital. This year they wanted Steve to be the main attraction. They compromise, Steve will read the Christmas story and then they'll celebrate at the Aiken show. Later, the two share a lovely kiss under the mistletoe, their life seemingly on track.

12/26 On Christmas Eve at the Brady Pub, the holiday spirit is subdued as Max and Mimi are still missing. On their way to Clay Aiken's concert, Kayla has Steve read the Christmas story to the sick kids at the hospital. Steve is uncomfortable until he gives the story his own twist which enlightens the kids and moves Stephanie and Kayla. Later, Steve and Kayla arrive too late for Clay Aiken's concert. A plane delay keeps the singer in town and he agrees to give Kayla and Steve their own private concert.

12/29 Steve and Kayla have a celebratory dinner with Benjy and his wife, Sonia. Steve gets word about John and says he has to cut the meal short. Later at the hospital, John sees Steve and momentarily comes back to consciousness saying: killer... killer... killer! Steve is stricken. Marlena and Kayla witness this, in shock. Benjy arrives at the hospital and hands Steve a tarot card, the devil. When Steve looks at it, he seems to go into a trance.

1/1 Steve has a profound reaction to the tarot card Benjy gave him - 'the devil' but he downplays in front of Kayla. She insists that he have a complete physical to determine if something's wrong.

1/4 Steve has another incident where he hears the pounding in his head, and he collapses. Kayla insists he get an MRI but the results are normal. Kayla then reveals her worry about Steve to Hope. Bo and Steve drop by to check on John. When John hears Steve's voice, his blood pressure shoots sky high, and the alarms on his monitors start to blare. After John is stabilized, Marlena tells Steve she thinks he was the cause of John's pressure rising. Steve agrees to help Marlena find out if this is true. As they talk, neither notices John's hand move slightly, trying to make contact with Steve's nearby hand.

Dvd #22B 1/8 Belle, Shawn, Steve and Kayla tell Hope and Bo that Claire was taken from them because of Victor. Bo and Steve head out to confront Beverly from Child Protective Services. Bo charges into her office and demands his granddaughter. She tells him Claire's being turned over to foster parents until the hearing. Steve tries to reason with her. Unfortunately, he has another episode and completely loses it in her office.

1/9 Bo is shocked, as Steve tears into Beverly from Child Protective Services. Bo holds him back. Beverly calls the cops. Finally, Steve snaps out of it, but Bo wonders what is wrong with him?! At the pub, Shawn and Belle fret over losing Claire. Kayla brings in a lawyer to help them. Unfortunately, it looks like Victor is going to pull out all the stops, making this personal.

Meanwhile, Kayla and Hope tend to the newborn baby. Hope wonders if Kayla wants more kids. Kayla admits she doesn't feel Steve is in the right frame of mind to care for a child. She tells Hope about the blackout episodes he's been having. In counterpoint, Steve confides the same news to Bo, who urges him to see a shrink. He's reluctant, but Bo makes him see he has no choice. Steve says he'll seek help as long as Bo doesn't tell Kayla. Later, the guys return to the pub with bad news: Claire has been handed over to temporary foster parents. Shawn and Belle are devastated. Hope gets a moment alone with Bo and warns him that Shawn is contemplating taking the law into his own hands.

1/10 Stephanie surprises Steve and Kayla with news that she's taken a job with a race crew in Dayton. Stephanie waited to make a move until she was certain her parents were together and happy. They support her, but they'll miss her. In a private moment, Steve thanks Kayla for not revealing that he's having these strange, explosive episodes. Kayla admits she's terrified that she's going to lose him again. Later, unbeknownst to Kayla, Steve has another episode.

1/17 Shawn calls Kayla and asks her to find out if Claire is scheduled for immunization. Kayla calls back, confirming that Claire is expected at the hospital tomorrow at 1PM. Shawn, Belle, Max and Mimi resolve to show up at the hospital at the appointed time and kidnap Claire before Philip has a chance to take her away from them forever. Before she leaves for her new job in Dayton, Stephanie has a heart-to-heart with her father. Steve tells her she got her looks, brains and personality from her mother, but she got her fire and restless spirit from him. He wants her to be true to herself, to live each day as if it were her last. Stephanie suggests he take his own advice. Lately he seems like a powder keg ready to explode. Steve covers the 'episodes' he's been having and promises to go for the gusto. Stephanie and Steve share an emotional goodbye. Later, he experiences another excruciating 'episode.'

1/18 Steve is hit with another 'episode.' Unable to take the pounding in his head, he flips out and trashes the Salem Inn suite where he lives with Kayla. Desperate for help, he then calls Bo and asks him for a job with the Salem P.D. Steve feels that having a purpose to his life will enable him to overcome the violent episodes he's been experiencing. Bo reluctantly asks him to go down to Mexico City and try to persuade E.J. to return to Salem to face prosecution. Steve accepts, but Bo makes him promise to take Kayla with him just in case he has another of his episodes. Kayla and Stephanie say good-bye, as the latter prepares to leave town. Stephanie suggests that her mom and dad bring another child into their life.

1/19 Bo, Hope and Kayla are at the pub for Sami's award ceremony when Marlena arrives and tells them what the kids are planning. Bo wants to stop them, but Marlena says they have no choice because Philip and Victor are planning to take Claire out of the country.

Steve finds E.J. in a Mexican bar and tries to convince him to come back to Salem and prove his innocence. E.J. isn't interested. Steve questions him about the night John was shot, but E.J. doesn't budge. He does, however, turn the conversation to Steve. He knows about Steve's recurring visions. Steve wants to know more, but E.J. refuses and starts to leave. Steve fakes a seizure and tackles E.J. The bartender and patrons drag Steve outside. Later, we realize that Steve stole E.J.'s wallet and cell phone.

1/22 Steve comes back from Mexico and tells Bo that E.J. is planning to return to Salem. Bo leaves to tell Abe, as Kayla and Steve have it out. She's angry because he went after E.J. without her. She warns him that he could lose her trust. Steve pleads with her, explaining that he didn't want to put her in danger. She reveals that she's been thinking of the two of them raising a child together. Steve is overjoyed with the idea. Later, after talking with Bo, Steve decides to help Shawn and Belle escape.

1/23 Steve arrives at the church to help Shawn and Belle get to Canada. He's stolen a delivery truck, and it's waiting right outside. But they get an unwelcome visitor, Philip. He tells them the cops are on the way, and he's not leaving without Claire! Shawn and Philip face off, and end up in a fight. Shawn goes down, and Belle finds herself alone with a very menacing Philip. She pleads with him not to do this, but Philip won't back down. Just when he's about to take Claire from Belle's arms, Steve shows up and knocks him out. Shawn and Steve stuff him in the basement, then take off for Canada with Belle and Claire. Later, as Belle and Shawn get some much-needed rest, Steve represses his traumatic flashbacks, for fear of putting the kids at risk. Back at the church, Philip is rescued and learns about the delivery truck that was stolen.

Marlena and Kayla are holding vigil, waiting to hear from Steve and the kids. After Steve calls and says everything's fine, Marlena drifts to sleep and dreams about John. She awakens just before John is able to tell her something important. Marlena confesses to Kayla that she thinks John is trying to warn her that Steve is in danger. Kayla isn't surprised. She tells Marlena about Steve's strange episodes.

1/24 Steve is driving Shawn, Belle and Claire to Canada when he feels an 'episode' coming on. Steve reacts when the delivery truck they're in is pursued by police. With Shawn at the wheel, a crazed Steve moves to the back of the truck and pelts the oncoming police car with boxes, ultimately causing the cop to pull off the road. Victorious, Steve instructs Shawn to drive straight through to Canada, then jumps from the speeding van! Shawn, Belle and Claire safely make their way past the border.

1/29 Steve returns home from his trip to Toronto and finds an anxious Kayla waiting for him. She grows even more worried when she realizes he's been injured. Steve, however, doesn't tell Kayla the real reason for his wounds. Roman, who accuses Steve of transporting Shawn and Belle to Canada, then jumping out of his stolen delivery truck in order to get a state trooper off their tail. Kayla is heartsick when she hears this, realizing Steve had another of his "episodes." Roman agrees to look the other way regarding Steve but cautions them all not to break the law again, or he'll have to arrest them.

1/30 Kayla is argues with Steve about his strange behavior. She wants him to meet with Marlena, but Steve wants to talk to Benjy first, to see if he knows anything about his episodes. Right now they need to help Shawn and Belle. Steve and Kayla give the cash to Nick and Chelsea.

2/5 Steve takes Kayla out for dinner and they run into E.J. Steve is shocked that E.J. has gotten out of jail and confronts him about the episodes he's been having. E.J. sets off Steve's memories, and Steve attacks him with a knife. Kayla tries to calm him down, but he loses it and tackles E.J. through the window at Chez Rouge.

2/6 Steve is persuaded to check himself into the psych ward at University Hospital to undergo hypnosis for his missing memory. Benjy drops by as well, having read in the paper about Steve's fight with E.J. After some coaxing, Benjy admits that Stefano threatened him if he didn't give Steve the devil tarot card. Unfortunately, Benjy doesn't know any details about the card. Later, Steve admits to Kayla that he feels betrayed by his old friend. Kayla convinces Steve that Benjy did what he did because he was scared, just like Kayla is scared for Steve's and her future. Finally, Steve agrees to commit himself to the hospital after his arraignment.

2/7 Steve is being released on bail, and Kayla wants him to keep his promise to check into the psych ward so they can find the source of his episodes. Steve is reluctant, especially when Dr. Beale says he needs to commit himself for two weeks. But he eventually agrees to do it for Kayla's sake.

2/9 At the Psych Ward, Steve is really jumping out of his skin. He is clearly very uncomfortable. He makes comments how jail is much better than being locked up in the loony bin. He tells Kayla that they should be making love right now. Kayla tells him that he has to stay. It is in the conditions of bail. Dr. Beal comes in and after a little chatter finally gets Steve to lie down and starts hypnosis. Once under, he asks Steve to go back and remember when he first heard this, and demonstrates a constant bang noise. We see Steve in a room with bare walls, strapped to a bed, shaking violently, undergoing electric shock therapy. He remember seeing E.J in his face holding the devil tarot card saying "you're one of us now Steve." He wakes up very suddenly saying he doesn't remember anything. Steve tells the doctor that he wants to leave, but of course the bail conditions are brought up again. We clearly see that Steve does remember the session. He goes to the bathroom.

The doctor tells Kayla it's obvious that he has been tortured, and that his memories are being suppressed, and that he would like to try another session later in the week, and leaves the room. Kayla insists Steve tell her what he remembers, and he claims he doesn't remember anything. He tries to get her to leave the room by saying he has to make some craft and they will pay him for every inch he makes. He hugs Kayla and she leaves. Steve takes a coin out of his pocket, uses it to take the screws out of the bars that cover the window, and then escapes from the hospital.

2/12 Kayla meets Bo for coffee at the Java Café, and tells him the details about Steve's hypnosis session. Kayla informs Bo that Steve has been tortured, more than likely by the DiMera's. Bo tells Kayla that he has talked to Marlena, she talked to John through a dream, and John warned Marlena that Steve has been brainwashed to do things he has no control over. Bo implies the details may not be so accurate as they were only dreams. Kayla feels that her dreams may have some merit, as John and Marlena have a strong connection and how would Marlena know otherwise that Steve had been brainwashed. They chatter back and forth as to what may really be going on. Bo tries to explain to Kayla that Steve is only trying to protect her, but she fears something terrible is going to happen. Kayla receives a call from the hospital informing her that Steve has taken off. Bo feels he knows exactly were Steve is and they leave in a rush.

Mythic Communications: We see E.J on a business call as Steve comes bursting in exclaiming that he knows what happened to him. E.J drops his call immediately as Steve keeps demanding that he tell him why he was tortured and what more have they done to him. He tries to take a swing at E.J, and E.J retaliates by pulling out a devil tarot card and holding him back via some sort of mind control. Steve tries with all his might to attack E.J but he is unsuccessful. E.J pats Steve on the head, teasing him, calling him a "good little dog," telling him that he was picked directly by Stefano to be their soldier, and that he will be better than John Black. This upsets Steve further, who is still trying as hard as possible to get his strength back. Steve tells him that he isn't anyone's soldier and he won't get away with this. E.J goes on to further say, if he doesn't do what is required of him, it may affect the ones he loves, Kayla and Stephanie.

E.J keeps using this tarot card to keep Steve down as we see Bo and Kayla come charging into E.J's office. E.J has his back to Bo and Kayla, so they don't get to see the tarot card that E.J has in his hand. He quickly slips the card back into his pocket as Bo and Kayla directly help Steve up. An exhausted Steve keeps trying to mumble that he seen E.J in the room, that it was him that tortured him. Bo wants to know what E.J did to him. He claims he didn't do anything and that Steve broke out of the hospital and barged in and tried to attack him again! Steve practically begs Bo to take him back to jail. Bo agrees that if that's where he wants to be he will take him back to the station. Bo asks Kayla to take Steve out of the car while he speaks to E.J , she agrees, but before she does, she tells E.J she has something to say to him, and slaps him hard across the face, after, telling him he is going to pay for what he's done to Steve.

2/14 At the station, Kayla is trying to get Steve to reconsider and go back to the hospital for treatment. E.J comes in to announce that he is going to drop the charges. Steve tells E.J, "No thanks, I'd rather stay in jail." E.J sends the rookie cop to go get the release papers. Steve tells E.J he doesn't want his help, and knows that he tortured him am will not stop until he finds out why. Steve promises that for everything E.J has done to him, he is going to get it back a thousand times worse. E.J says to Steve and Kayla that he is a business man and doesn't want this situation to interfere with that. Kayla sends Steve, who is now all worked up, to go and sign his release papers. Kayla stays back to talk to E.J. He tells her that Steve is dangerous and needs help. He dropped the charges out of compassion. Kayla tells E.J it wasn't compassion, he has none. Kayla tells E.J it will be her that keeps Steve out of trouble, and if E.J even lifts one finger to hurt him, she'll kill him herself.

Kayla leaves and Steve comes back in. He wants to know what is going on. E.J tells Steve to just play along with the game, or someone, like Kayla for instance, will get hurt. E.J leaves and almost instantly Steve has some kind of episode. Kayla comes back in and asks if Steve is alright. He drops a box on the floor and Kayla asks what it is. He tells her it's a Valentine gift for her, he's been carrying it around. Kayla opens it and it is a necklace with two hearts intertwined. Kayla loves it and wants to go home and put all of this behind them. Steve tells her, he won't stop until he finds out what happened to him.

2/19 Kayla comes into the living room of their suite to find Steve lifting weights. He tells her that he cannot sleep. Steve asks her if she is disappointed in him for not staying at the hospital. Kayla tells Steve that she is just frustrated; she wants to see Steve get some help and get better. She asks him if he has another plan, because if he does; it is time to step up to the plate. Steve insists that he cannot live doped up in the hospital, and all that he needs is her. Kayla feels that Steve is trying to get her to give him an ultimatum. That he wants her to tell him to pack his bags. Kayla tells Steve not to take a cowards way out. She reassures him that he is the man she wants, that she has never given up on him, and never will. Steve cries and tells her that he is scared, he does not want to live like this; things have to get better. Kayla comments on the fact the DiMeras took him from his grave and tortured him all these years, any other person would not have made it through, but he is a strong man and he will make it through this as well.

Later, Steve and Kayla are in bed, and Steve tells her that when he meets "the big dude", referring to god, and he asks him what the best thing he ever accomplished was, he is going to tell him the best thing he did was letting his guard down once, and letting this woman named Kayla into his heart. He goes further to say that he does not know if that will get him into Heaven, but right now, this is heaven, as he holds her close. Steve tells Kayla that he has decided to talk to Marlena. Kayla thinks that is a good idea. As they are asleep, Steve dreams about being tortured, he hears E.J keep saying "you're one of us now Steve." Steve wakes up suddenly, staring at Kayla.

2/20 Steve is asleep being taunted by dreams of being tortured. E.J takes off Steve's restraints and lets out and evil laugh as Steve tries to choke him. Steve wakes up realizing that he is strangling Kayla. He is horrified at what he has done as Kayla grabs a lamp to protect herself from any further attacks. Steve is crying as he tells Kayla he was dreaming that he was choking E.J. Steve feels that it would be best if Kayla calls Bo or Roman to have him arrested for assault, saying if he were in jail, he would not be able to hurt her. Kayla refuses, and Steve decides it would be best for Kayla if he leaves her.

2/21 Kayla tries to talk Steve out of leaving. Steve tells her he is afraid of hurting her, maybe worse. He is adamant that he is a danger to her. Kayla tells Steve he is her life, and he might as well strangle her, because she cannot live without him. Steve goes to leave, as Kayla tackles him to the floor, sitting on him, she cries and slaps him, telling him he cannot leave her. Steve gets up and runs for the door, telling her he loves her, and has to leave. He is gone, as Kayla cries. Kayla looks at her and Steve's wedding photo, and drops it. She picks up her cell phone, and makes a call saying, "it's me. I need you right away. It is a matter of life and death."

The Warehouse: E.J arrives at the warehouse with Sami's bag of trash. He goes through it and tells his father; it is just as he expected, Samantha is expecting a baby. He sits next to him and tells him that he has succeeded in planting the "DiMera seed." E.J goes on to say, that his father made him into the man he is today, and E.J vows to make him healthy again. The hand reaches out to hold E.J's. The sliding door to the warehouse opens, and we see Steve. He tells E.J he won, and will do whatever asked of him, just not to hurt Kayla. E.J turns, as Steve grabs him and holds a knife to his throat. E.J takes out his tarot card and uses it to get Steve off him. Steve, down on his knees, asks what he needs to do. E.J tells him, "You're one of us, it is something easy. Bring me John Black."

**The End**