On Can't Deny the Heart

Summary: Alternate version to the original story. Takes place morning after Kayla nurses Steve after Victor's goons beat him up.

Rating: PG-13

Beta by: Slynn6776

Notes: This is an alternate version. Its one of my favorite things to do, to create a "what if" story. This version is changing history of Steve and Kayla. I do this with full respect to the canon but I had this plot bunny in my head for some time and I had to see how it would play.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this stuff. But man, if I did...

Kayla was relieved to see Steve was finally regaining consciousness. After the van had reached its destination, Kayla and Steve had been thrown into a garage. The kidnappers, who wore masks, did remove the pillowcases but left their arms and legs tied. The men were actually arguing in front of Kayla about her presence. Obviously what they had planned for Steve was not something they were willing to do to a woman. Glaring at them, she told them they will never get away with what they are doing. They ignored her and Kayla waited for Steve to come to.

Now that Steve was waking up, Kayla had to scoot nearer to him. Pushing her back to the wall so she could sit up, she called to Steve so he would turn her way. Kayla being the first thing he saw made Steve smile until he tried to move and he remembered what had happened. Getting angry, Steve started jerking his arms to see if he could loosen the ropes.

Knowing it was futile, Kayla said, "Steve, don't waste your energy."

Sighing, he mimicked Kayla and used the wall behind him to sit up. Now they were sitting side by side and Steve glanced at her to make sure she was alright. He then began looking around at their surroundings. Feeling like an obvious question, Steve went ahead and asked, "Any idea where we are? It looks just like a garage."

"I think so. We drove for a while but I don't know where to."

"Did they touch you? Are you hurt? I swear to God, if they laid a hand on you..." Steve said, fully realizing the danger Kayla was in.

"I'm fine," Kayla said smiling. Steve's concern for her touched her but she was more worried about him, "How is your head? They hit you pretty good."

"It's okay, baby. If I lean over maybe you could kiss it."

"Do you ever stop?" Kayla said, not really upset to see Steve acting like this. It meant his injuries probably weren't serious.

"Not when I'm around you," he grinned back. The smile fading, Steve looked around wondering what he could do to stop whatever it is they had planned for them. The garage was fairly empty. There was a garden rake in the corner along with a bucket and mop nearby them. On the other side were folding chairs hanging up and more rope. Steve saw no tools sitting around which made him glad that meant they couldn't be used on Steve or Kayla but he didn't like their chances without them.

Knowing Steve was losing hope, she tried to give him some by saying, "Don't worry, Steve. Someone will notice we are missing. Once Roman finds out, he'll send the entire Salem PD to come looking for us!"

Steve chuckled at Kayla, "You mean when they notice you're missing. How long will that take? There is no sign of a struggle at your apartment."

"That's not true!" she started to argue. "More people care about you Steve than you think."

"Whatever you say, baby," he answered, rolling his eye.

That upset Kayla. "You know, this whole 'I'm a loner' attitude would be why, Steve. You can't go through life pushing people away and then get bitter when it works."

"I'm happy with my life, Kayla, it's people like you who insist I'm not."

Kayla glared at him, "If that's so accurate, why were you looking at pictures of your family?"

This shut him up and he bit back an angry retort. He had forgotten all about those pictures of Billy that Kayla had seen. Regret seeped in when Steve realized he almost told her about it, and if he had maybe he would have been in a better position to defend them against the two goons who broke in. Instead, he let his desire for Kayla get in the way.

"You Bradys always have all the answers, don't you?" Steve said angrily. "Some people just aren't cut out for families."

Kayla didn't want to believe that but she knew it to be true. However she refused to believe it applied to Steve. Why would he have kept those pictures? Why would he keep looking at them?

"Maybe circumstances will push a person to run away from families and..." she paused, "...love, but that doesn't prove they shouldn't be a part of one."

Lying on the floor of a garage with his hands and feet tied up, Steve was forced to listen to Kayla. If they had been anywhere else, he would have found a reason to bolt. Walking away from Kayla wasn't an option so now he was stuck there just listening. Still trying to fight what he was feeling inside, he laughed unconvincingly, "Are you actually suggesting I could be that kind of guy? A family man? Look at us, Kayla. We are tied up in a garage! This is what happens to guys like me."

Kayla couldn't believe this was his argument. "We are only here because you were doing the right thing. You were helping out a friend, Bo. You have helped Hope. Whether you like it or not, you were helping out my family."

"I wasn't doing this for Bo! I did it for you!" he said before he could stop himself. He turned his face away from her. Kayla leaned in towards him and whispered, "I know you did."

He turned back to her and she kissed him softly. He couldn't believe that in such a dire situation he could be so easily turned on by her. Clearing his throat, he said, "Now who has the one track mind?"

In spite of it all, Kayla laughed. How he could do that, she would never know. Blushing, she laid her head on his shoulder, "I guess we can talk about this later." A pain in her heart appeared because she knew the possibility that there wouldn't be a later.

Steve had been in a lot of dangerous situations before. He hadn't cared about his own life but now with Kayla sitting next to him, he swore he was going to do all he could to keep her safe. They sat for several minutes in a comfortable silence. The sound of the door opening and the men appearing told Steve he would be given the opportunity to keep her protect her.