Two groups were created. Bo went with Steve and Hope and Jack remained together as each group split to walk around each side of the house. When Hope and Jack got to the living room window, they saw him ripping something and then go nuts with the pictures on the wall. They called the guys with Hawk's location and decided on a plan to distract him.

Bo and Steve found their way to Hawk's Ford Taurus. On a hunch, they jimmied his trunk open and saw the spare can of gas in the car. They looked at one another and smiled. "Let's start some fireworks, Bo" Steve said

Bo smiled back before he opened the can and dumped it on the car. Even in this weather, they could get a fire started.

Hawk calmed down after a minute. He saw a picture of Jennifer he ripped off the wall. "Oh God, Jenny" Hawk said to himself before he saw a light from outside. He ran to a window and saw his car on fire. "What the-?"

He ran back to his desk and grabbed his gun. After making sure it was loaded, he ran out.

Bo and Steve hid nearby, ready to jump Hawk. The problem was the visibility was nil. They hoped to see Hawk before he saw them...

As soon as Hope and Jack saw him move out, they ran in. They ran upstairs until they saw the attic door. They tested it to find it locked.

"Stand back, Jack"

Before Jack could stop her, Hope kicked the door open. Inside, Jennifer lay on the floor, completely unconscious. As they ran to her, Hope heard what sounded like gunshots.

"Jack, get Jennifer. I'm going to find out what that was"

She grabbed her gun and quietly climbed down the attic stairs onto the second floor. Right before she turned the corner, the back of someone's hand smacked her right across the face, causing her to fall to the floor out cold.

Hawk emerged, clothes disheveled with a score to settle.

Jack picked up his wife. Her breathing was very shallow and she was not responding when he tried to wake her. "Come on Mrs. D, upsy daisy. Being quiet, huh? I don't like it when you don't argue with me."

As he turned around, he saw Hawk with a maniacal gleam in his eyes and a Mauser in his hand.

"Put her down, you son of a bitch. You took her from me once. You won't do it again! Put her down or I'll shoot you dead"

"It will be a cold day in hell when I leave my wife with you. This is how you treat the woman you love? What the hell did you give her? She's barely breathing! She won't wake up!"

"I knew she would be scared, but I knew she would be better off if she got some sleep." Hawk pulled the gun up so it was level with the other man's eyes.

Jack knew he had to keep him talking if they had any chance of getting out alive. Whatever Baby Howie gave Jennifer could kill her if he didn't get her stomach pumped soon.

"It takes a real man to steal someone's wife. I mean come on, you couldn't find a new buddy in prison. Baby Howie, I'm disappointed" Jack kept going. "I have to admit, you fooled me when you came onto the paper. Hooking up with Harold was a nice touch. But why? Your problem was with me. Why did you involve someone who did nothing to you?"

Hawk smiled. "I had to get on the inside somehow once I got hired on at the paper"

Jack smiled back. "Tell me, you had to have had some journalism background to have gotten hired at the Spectator. But we all know where your real talents lie...making new friends. So, tell me. Did you make some in prison?"

Hawk began to shake in anger. "Shut up! Or I'll blow a hole clean through your head. You want to know, Jackie Boy? Why not? I needed a new name, something no one would connect to me, but one I would be able to respond to. When I found a Powell baby that had been born and died the same day, I had it made since it was an easy name. Get that birth certificate, get a social security number...I managed to find a Ward Powell who wrote for one of the Houston papers a while back, so I got my name legally changed to Ward...used his credentials. It's pretty cool what you find out on the Internet these days"

Hawk pointed to himself with his free hand. "I pulled it all off, like a prize filly. I had you fooled. I fooled you all! When I found out that stupid tag along Harold was your friend, I knew I found my ticket inside. I found out he had a crush on me, so I did what had to be done, but Jennifer was worth it. It was worth every disgusting moment I spent in that pathetic loser's company."

Jack looked at Hawk. For a moment, he felt pity for him. He really thought he was wronged and was willing to go as far as have an affair with another man to get to his wife. It was at that moment he felt his cell phone vibrate. Hoping it was Bo or Steve calling, he ignored it. It was then he remembered Hope. He knew she could take care of herself, but she was also pregnant. "Where's Hope?"

Hawk looked momentarily bewildered. "Oh, the brunette. She kissed my fist and is taking a nap on the landing. You, however, are not taking a nap. You, Jackie Boy are going to die. Too bad your brother didn't."

Jack's ears were buzzing at this comment before Hawk continued. "The things I could tell you, but I'm getting off track. You took Jennifer from me once, but not again."

Slowly, Hawk, brought the pistol back up to level with Jack's head. "Say goodbye, Jack".

Just then, a figure jumped from the doorway and knocked Hawk through the attic window. Glass shattered all over as both went tumbling out the window into the night...

SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE

A man handed a dossier to another person. He studied it carefully, closed it and put it away. "Good, another loose end put to rest"

"Mr. Hawkins, I presume, sir"

"Yes, he managed to get a hold of some information that he wasn't supposed to know, and he had to be eliminated. His obsession with Jennifer Deveraux came in quite handy. I just made some pertinent information easy to find for the ISA and voila...no more Howard Hawkins the III".

SIX WEEKS LATER

The Brady Pub was hopping as people were attending the reception for the couple that exchanged vows one hour earlier in St. Luke's Catholic Church. Everyone agreed that if anyone deserved happiness, it was these two.

Just then, Grandpa Shawn took to the makeshift dance floor. "Okay, all, it's time to honor the happy couple today. I guess this song means a lot to them, so without further ado...Steve and Kayla Johnson!"

Everyone began to clap as the happy couple took to the floor with 'Lady In Red' in the background playing.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Brady and Chloe watched the couple as they cuddled in the corner. He turned to Chloe and whispered, "Are you sure it doesn't bother you not getting married on Valentine's Day?"

Chloe whispered right back, "No, it's okay. Besides...eloping with you on New Years Day was even better" She kissed him on the cheek. "I love you Brady Black."

Brady kissed her right back. "I love you, too, Chloe Wesley Black.

The events at the Alamain mansion on New Years Eve convinced Brady he didn't want to wait any longer to marry Chloe. As soon as they received word that Bo and Hope were okay, Victor pulled some strings and Brady married Chloe at the Salem County Courthouse. He still had his misgivings, but he loved his grandson enough to let him make his own mistakes. John, Marlena, along with Victor and Nicole were the witnesses. Then to everyone's surprise, the Kiriakises renewed their vows.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Justin and Adrienne flew in from Texas along with their brood of boys for Steve and Kayla's renewal of their vows. She was so happy that her brother was back home where he belonged. However, the Kiriakises had another surprise as Justin's company was going to be transferring him to Salem in June. As much as they love Dallas, they wanted to be closer to the family, especially now that Steve was home. However, they decided to wait to share the news until tomorrow. Today was Steve and Kayla's day.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Sami and Lucas cuddled in another corner watching her aunt and uncle dance. Sami's pregnancy had begun to show almost immediately. All of a sudden, Sami jumped up, startling Lucas.

"Are you all right? Is it the baby?" Lucas asked.

Sami started to laugh. "Yes, but I felt a kick. If this baby's kicking now, then we're going to be having an early one..OOH!" Sami then took Lucas's hand and put it on her stomach. Sami laughed as his face lit up like a Christmas tree.

Across the room, Kate watched her son and his wife coo over her pregnancy. As much as it made her want to vomit, there was a twinge of regret for the grandchild she possibly will never know. Roman was always welcomed, but she was banished from their apartment and their daily lives. As Roman's wife, she came to their wedding and reception, but they made every effort to avoid her. Someday, Kate hoped to have her family back again.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Shawn and Belle were also watching Sami and Lucas, then Steve and Kayla. They were just happy to have each other again. Before Phillip shipped out to Iraq a couple of weeks ago, he gave his blessing and best wishes to them.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Mickey and Maggie were watching Steve and Kayla dance, but their minds were on each other. Marriage counseling helped bring them back together. Maggie also got Tuscany back. Bonnie threatened to sue, but a judge dropped the suit stating she had no case.

Maggie then sold the restaurant back to Doug and Julie, who are in the process of returning it to the four star restaurant it was. When Mickey was offered the job of District Attorney, he turned them down. He was retiring in April and they were going to travel and enjoy retirement.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Bo and Hope watched the dancing couple and then looked at each other. Hope had a concussion after being punched by Hawk, but the baby was safe. They were ecstatic. The doctor did a sonogram the day before. They were having a little girl.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Harold watched the couple dance and felt a twinge of guilt. As much as he felt like dirt for being used by someone like Ward Powell only to get to Jack and Jennifer, he felt guilt more for what they went through. He offered to quit the Spectator, but they refused his resignation. He started dating again, but wasn't ready for anything serious for a while. Ward broke his heart, and he needed time to heal, but he knew he would in time. In the meantime, he had two people whose friendship he valued more than any man.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Steve and Kayla were doing no more than shuffling on the dance floor because they were too busy looking at each other, bursting with love.

In Kayla's eyes, he looked different, but inside, he was still the man she loved. Perhaps Jennifer was right. Maybe Isabella did watch over Steve like she watched over Jack and her other loved ones, keeping him alive through all his experiences.

Steve had a slight limp from hip damage, and was wearing a patch again, but he didn't care. When he pushed Hawk out the window on New Years Eve, he landed on Hawk, who broke his neck in the fall and died instantly. According to the doctors, landing on Hawk saved Steve's life.

However, he suffered multiple internal injuries and enough damage to his glass eye that replacement was out of the question...again.

He spent three weeks in the hospital recovering from his injuries, but still attended physical therapy twice a week for his right hip. Steve got a job running the Salem Community Center and again will be coaching Abigail's soccer team in the fall.

Kayla resigned from her position in Los Angeles and was offered the job of Head Nurse at University Hospital, which she accepted without hesitation. Stephanie was finishing her semester at UCLA and planned on transferring to Salem University in the fall. She was planning on getting her bachelor's degree in Journalism and was going to intern at the Spectator in the summer.

After everyone found out about Steve being alive, it was touch and go for some people. Some in Kayla's family were angry about Steve's deception, but after hearing the whole story, they welcomed him back to the family with open arms.

Jack and Steve had a long discussion after what happened at Alamain's mansion. Jack felt guilty for Steve's injuries, but Steve wouldn't let him. "You saved me once, baby brother. Now let me return the favor".

With that, they agreed never to lie to each other again. They were brothers and planned on staying that way.

When he got out, the Johnsons wanted to recommit themselves to their family and friends. Today was their vow renewal with a small celebration at the Brady Pub. Steve was still amazed at what the Fish Market became, but it was growing on him.

Near the end of the song, Kayla whispered something in his ear. Steve's eyes bulged out of his head. He pulled away to look at his wife, who merely nodded her head and had a big smile on her face. Steve couldn't contain himself. "Everybody, we're having a baby!" Cheers and whistles lit up the air as he kissed his wife.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Jack and Jennifer were part of the whistling crowd. Abigail was hanging out with her cousins and was going to stay with Justin and Adrienne tonight. Steven was with Alice Horton, who was also watching Zack for Bo and Hope. They were sitting close admiring Steve and Kayla's happiness.

Jack looked at his wife, admiring her and grateful she was sitting with him. Jennifer was rushed to the hospital along with Steve and Hope. She had a drug overdose from the thiopental and phenobarbital that Hawk injected her with. Doctors pumped her stomach, but she had lapsed into a coma. Jack never left her side, scared to death that he would lose her. He and their children held a vigil that lasted six days when she woke up.

According to Lexie, if they had gotten to Jennifer as little as fifteen to thirty minutes later, she could have suffered brain or liver damage, or even died. Jack told her when she was recovering where Hawk held her and it gave her the creeps. However, she knew Hawk was mentally ill and no longer a threat. She returned to work at the Spectator two weeks ago and Jack couldn't have been happier.

Jennifer looked up at her spouse and saw he was lost in thought. "Mr. D, what's wrong?"

Jack turned to the love of his life and smiled. She knew him too well. "Steve...all that he missed. I want to know who put him in the gulag in Russia. They robbed him of his daughter's formative years. When he's ready, we're going to find out what the hell happened".

Jennifer put her hand on his cheek in a show of support, but she had other ideas. "Jack, guess what?" she said playfully

"What, Mrs. D?"

"Guess what outfit I'm wearing under my dress..."

Jack's head snapped to his wife. A smile loomed on his face as he grabbed his wife and began to pull her out of the pub.

"Jack, what about Steve and Kayla?"

Jack looked back at his wife and whispered "I've given my congratulations. The whole world can wait for all I care, but I can't!" Quickly, he pulled her out of the pub.

Steve saw this and laughed, as did Abigail. Her parents were together, and always will be.

FINIS...FOR NOW