Steve was changing Stephanie in the bedroom when he heard the doorbell ring. He idly wondered which family member was stopping by now. Since his return, there had been a fairly constant stream of visitors to their door, as if his family needed to constantly reassure themselves that he was really back.
As he finished dressing Stephanie, he heard Kayla exclaim, "Marcus!" Steve smiled broadly at the thought of seeing his best friend. Carrying Stephanie, he moved to the door, listening as Marcus explained that he had just gotten into town and had rushed over after receiving Kayla's message that she needed to talk to him as soon as he returned to town. He could hear Kayla trying to interrupt as Marcus asked her if she was okay and if Stephanie was okay. Finally, Kayla managed to get a word in and began to tell Marcus the now-familiar cover story.
As Kayla finished the story, Steve took that as his cue and walked into the living room. He watched in amusement as homey's face registered the shock of Kayla's news and Steve's appearance. Steve handed Stephanie to Kayla as Marcus continued to stare. With a grin, Steve finally broke the silence.
"I know I'm even better looking than before, Homey, but you don't have to stare."
Marcus remained silent, but a grin slowly made its way across his face. Finally, he spoke. "I should have known you were too damn stubborn to stay dead."
Steve laughed loudly as he and Marcus fell into an embrace, then backed off for their traditional "womb to tomb" handshake. Their friendship had helped them survive the orphanage as children and had carried them both through many difficult times after they had reconnected as adults. They were more than friends; they were brothers in every way but blood.
With the greetings complete, Steve and Marcus settled onto the couch as Steve repeated the cover story, assuring Marcus he had no memory of the last 10 months. After a few moments, Kayla returned Stephanie to Steve, saying, "I'm going to let you two catch up."
"Wait, Kayla. You don't have to go," Marcus said.
"I know," Kayla replied. "But I need to go to the hospital and talk to Neil. I suppose you heard about my suspension."
"Yeah, I heard," Marcus replied. "If there's anything I can do, just let me know."
"Thanks, Marcus," Kayla said with a smile. Turning to Steve, she gave him a quick kiss and said, "I shouldn't be gone too long. You two stay out of trouble in the meantime."
Steve returned the kiss with a smile and watched as Kayla gathered her things and headed out the door. After Kayla had left, Steve turned back to Marcus and began asking questions about the time he was gone. As they talked, Steve sensed a change in Marcus. Instead of the easy, comfortable vibe they had always shared, Marcus suddenly seemed distant and awkward. Finally, Steve could no longer contain himself and asked, "Okay, Homey, what's the problem?"
Marcus looked startled, then said, "What do you mean?"
Rolling his eyes, Steve said, "What I mean is that a few minutes ago, I was talking to my best friend. Now it feels like I'm talking to a stranger. What's with all the 'yes' and 'no' answers when I ask you what you've been doing for the last 10 months?"
Marcus was quiet for a moment, then said, "You're right. I guess I'm just feeling a little guilty."
"Guilty about what?" Steve asked.
"For the fact that I didn't know you were still alive. I'm a doctor for God's sake. I should have known," Marcus said, the distress evident in his voice.
"Hey," Steve said. "I don't know how they did it, but it was good enough to fool everybody. You can't blame yourself. Besides, it doesn't matter now. I'm home."
Marcus smiled. "Yeah you are home, aren't you? And back with Kayla where you belong."
It was Steve's turn to smile. "There is nothing better than being home with my girls. I missed them so much."
"They missed you too," Marcus replied, his expression growing more serious. "I tried to be there for them as much as I could . . ." his voice trailed off.
"If you're trying not to mention Shane Donovan, don't bother," Steve said, grimacing. "I already know all about it."
Marcus' voice grew quieter. "You okay?"
Steve sighed, then got up from the couch and began pacing. "I'm not saying that it doesn't make me a little crazy to think about Kayla being involved with him. But she thought I was dead and we are trying to put it all behind us and move forward."
"Well, don't blame Kayla," Marcus said. "She was confused and hurting, and Shane took advantage of that."
"What do you mean, he 'took advantage of that'?" Steve asked, his voice rising in anger.
"I mean he was just always there," Marcus said, bitterly. "He moved them into his house and put Kayla to work at his lab. He never let up."
Steve felt his anger rising and took a breath to calm himself. Everything Marcus was saying fit with what he felt about Shane and Kayla's relationship. Although Kayla had tried to downplay it, he knew that Shane had pursued her, and had taken advantage of her hurt and loneliness. Steve told himself it did not matter now. He was home, and he and Kayla were putting their lives back together again. Sighing softly, he said, "It doesn't matter now, Homey. Whatever happened is over and I'm just trying to focus on the future."
Nodding, Marcus said, "You're right. You and Kayla are together. Just like it was always supposed to be.
"That's right," Steve said. "So now why don't you tell me why you haven't found the woman of your dreams while I was gone."
"I thought I did," Marcus said softly. "But it turns out she was already taken."
Steve looked at him curiously. Something in the way Marcus had said those words caught his attention. Even before he had left, Steve had known that Marcus had a bit of a crush on Kayla. He also knew that Marcus would never act on it and that Kayla only had eyes for Steve. Steve briefly wondered if Marcus's bitterness towards Shane wasn't out of his own jealousy. Steve was about to ask Marcus what he meant, but then decided to let it lie. Whatever Marcus had or did feel about Kayla, it had clearly not been mutual, and Steve knew that Marcus would rather die than betray him. The past was the past and it was best to leave it there.
Adopting a teasing tone, Steve said, "Well I guess we'll just have to work on finding one that isn't taken now won't we?"
Marcus grinned. "You just won't be happy until I'm an old married guy like you, will you?"
"Nope," Steve said, still smiling.
Marcus laughed. Standing up, he threw his arm around Steve and said, "It's good to have you home, Steve."
Steve returned Marcus's embrace. It was very good to be home again.