"Careful, Little Sweetness," Steve called out as his daughter toddled around the living room. Stopping, Stephanie turned and gave Steve a big smile, then turned back and headed full speed for the stuffed bear that was perched on the edge of the couch.

Steve could not help but smile as he watched his daughter. Kayla kept telling him that Stephanie was just like Steve, but when he saw that smile and watched Stephanie run headlong after whatever she wanted, all he saw was Kayla. And he had no doubt where Stephanie's already noticeable stubborn streak came from. That was all Brady.

As he watched his daughter play, Steve wondered if he had ever felt that carefree joy Stephanie always seemed to have. His childhood memories held very little that was not surrounded by fear. Fear of his father, fear for his mother, fear of losing his brother, and the more general, all-encompassing fear that had always been with him while he was growing up in the orphanage. No child should have to grow up in fear. Watching his daughter, Steve could not help but be reminded that his nephew was now a madman's target. The fear and doubt he could not fully silence told him that there was nothing to stop his daughter from becoming a target as well.

Or maybe there was something he could do, he thought silently. Maybe the memories of his time in captivity, which were becoming more clear, could help prevent Lawrence from hurting more people.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Scooping Stephanie up, Steve headed for the door. He found Bo on the other side.

"Beauregard," Sreve said with a grin. "What brings you by on this fine day?"

Bo gave a wry grin at the use of his full name, then entered the apartment with a package under his arm. Looking around, he said, "Where's Kayla?"

"She's over at the hospital filling out some paperwork for her appeal to the state hospital board," Steve replied.

Bo grimaced. "I still can't believe she has to go through all of that. I was sure the hospital board would reinstate her after that hearing yesterday."

"I know," Steve said. "She tried to hide it, but she was pretty devastated by the news. I just hope the state board reinstates her. I'm not sure how she'll handle it if she can't be a nurse anymore."

"Aww, man, this is all my fault," Bo said, looking guilty. "She'd have never done anything if I hadn't practically forced her."

Inside, Steve agreed with Bo, but knew it was not the right time to express that opinion. "You didn't know all of this would happen," Steve said. "All we can do know is support her and hope the state board does the right thing."

"I guess you're right," Bo replied.

Steve decided to change the subject. "So what's in the package?"

Bo looked down at the package then grinned at Steve. "It's something that I thought you should have." He handed the package to Steve.

Steve put Stephanie down in her playpen and then took the package. He looked suspiciously at Bo. "It's not my birthday and way too early for Christmas, so what's this about?"

"Just open it," Bo said. "You'll see."

"Okay." Steve opened the package and caught his breath. He looked at Bo, who responded even before Steve could ask the question.

"Kayla gave me that not too long after you . . . left. I figured now that you're home where you belong, you should have it back."

Steve pulled the leather jacket from the box. It was like seeing an old friend again after a long absence. He looked at Bo and said, "Are you sure? Kayla obviously wanted you to have it for a reason."

"Yeah, I'm sure." Bo rolled his eyes. "It's your jacket and you should have it back." Giving Steve a lopsided grin, he added, "Besides, you look funny without it."

"I look funny." Steve did not withhold the sarcasm. "Have you looked in the mirror lately? You look like you're about to enlist in the Marine Corps."

"Hey, don't mock the hair," Bo said. "I'm still better looking than you."

Steve rolled his eyes, but remained silent. He held out the jacket and then slowly slipped it over his arms. It still fit perfectly, like the second skin it had always been. He stuck his hands in the pockets and felt a familiar object. Pulling it out, he looked at the harmonica in surprise. He had several, and had been thrilled to find that Kayla had kept them, but this one had always been his favorite.

"That was in the jacket when Kayla gave it to me," Bo said in response to the question on Steve's face. "I figured it was just supposed to be there, so I never took it out."

Steve nodded, trying to control his emotions. Finally, he took off the jacket and stuck out his hand. "Thanks, Bo. This means a lot."

Bo shook Steve's hand. "I'm just glad it's back where it belongs - just like you."

Steve nodded again and turned to hang up the jacket while Bo took a seat on the couch. "So how's it going?" Bo asked. "Everything getting back to normal?"

Steve sat at the other end of the couch and sighed. "As normal as life in Salem ever seems to be," he replied. "With everything going on with Andrew and Kim, I'm just worried about who might be next."

Bo sighed. "I know," he said. "I can't believe even a psycho like Larry would target a kid. When Kimber told me what happened last night, I wanted to kill him. Hell, I might have gone to the prison to try if Kimber hadn't talked me down." He paused. "If Larry has decided to target Andrew, then there is no limits on what he might do. It's all making me keep a closer eye on Shawn D., that's for sure."

"I know what you mean." Steve looked over at Stephanie playing happily in her playpen. "Maybe it's a good thing I'm not working. At least, it allows me to keep an eye on my family."

Bo looked at Steve with a raised eyebrow. "It sounds like you don't quite believe that."

Steve sighed. "I don't know, Beauregard. I just feel kind of useless sitting around. With Kayla suspended, we don't have any money coming in. Kayla says that's what the money from the house is for - to give us this time - but I just feel like I should be doing something."

"You thinking about going back to the PD?" Bo asked.

"I've thought about it," Steve replied. "It would solve a couple of problems. I could get back in on the Alamain investigation and get a paycheck. . . ."

"But. . . ." Bo gave Steve a knowing look.

"But Kayla says she's not ready for me to be a cop again," Steve said. "I'm trying to give her some time to adjust to the idea."

"You can't blame her for that. . . . I'm sure she'll come around eventually." Bo paused. "But if you are looking for something temporary, I might have an idea."

"What's that?" Steve asked.

"A friend of mine told me that Simmons Freight is looking for some temporary help at their warehouse," Bo said. "It's nothing fancy and is only supposed to be for a couple of months, but it would be a paycheck while Kayla's out of work."

"Warehouse work, huh?" Steve thought for a moment. "Just like the good old days at Allied."

"Hopefully with a whole lot less criminal activity," Bo said.

"Good point," Steve replied. "I'll give them a call and see what I can find out. Thanks for the tip."

"No problem." Bo stood up. "I better get going. Give Kay a kiss for me, will ya?"

"I can definitely do that," Steve said with a leer.

Bo rolled his eyes. "Oh brother. That's my sister you are talking about."

"I know," Steve said. "That's the point."

Bo laughed and clapped Steve on the shoulder. "I'm glad to know some things haven't changed."

The men shook hands. Steve followed Bo to the door and closed it behind him as Bo left. As he turned back, he saw the leather jacket hanging by the door. It was hard to explain what it meant to have another piece of his life back.

Turning away, he walked to the desk and looked up the number for Simmons Freight. He called the number and waited for several transfers before finally reaching the right person. He explained that he was inquiring about the temporary warehouse openings and was told that they would be holding interviews the following Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The man on the phone told Steve to be there if he was interested in a job. Steve thanked the man and hung up.

Walking over to the playpen, Steve picked up Stephanie and swung her over his head. As always, she let out a big laugh which Steve quickly joined. Maybe the warehouse job was only temporary and maybe it was not part of his long-term career plans. But it would do for now. It would bring a paycheck for his family and would help him keep his promise that his daughter would have a far better childhood than he had ever had. And that was all that really mattered.