Steve glanced down the hallway and, seeing it empty, knocked softly on the door to Kim's office. He heard her call softly, "Come in." Taking a deep breath, Steve opened the door and walked inside. Looking around, he saw shelves filled with children's books and stuffed animals.

Unbidden, his thoughts drifted back to the first time he had been in this room. He had busted in on a session between Adrienne and Kim, trying to prevent Kim from helping Adrienne remember the details surrounding Duke's death.

"Steve," Kim called out. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said quietly. "I was just remembering the first time I was in this office. I guess I never really thanked you for helping Adrienne back then."

Kim gave a slight smile. "As I recall, you were not all that happy that I was helping her at all."

Steve shrugged. "No, I wasn't. But I know now that you were doing the right thing. I guess you helped save me from about 10 years of prison."

"I think Adrienne actually did that," Kim said. "I just helped a little. Kayla too."

Steve nodded. Shoving his hands in this pockets, he looked around again, trying to figure out what he should do next. Somehow this all felt so different than it had by the pond at Donovan Manor or at the pier.

Kim seemed to pick up on his discomfort. Pointing to a chair by her desk, she said, "Do you want to sit down?"

"Uh . . . sure, I guess." Steve walked to the chair and sat down.

"Thanks for agreeing to meet me here," Kim said. "I know you didn't really want to come to the hospital."

Steve sighed. He had agreed to meet Kim at her office, because it was really the only place left that was private, could provide some assurances of Kim's safety, and was not Shane's house. Steve knew that they could have met at his and Kayla's apartment, but it did not seem fair to push Kayla out like that. So, reluctantly, he had come to Kim's office.

"It's okay," he said after a moment. "I know the most important thing is that you're safe and, at least, this is private."

"So. . . ." Kim assumed her more professional tone. "Is there anything specific you want to talk about today?"

"Not really," Steve said. "But I thought I should tell you that I told Kayla some of what we've been talking about. I wanted to let her know about the wrist thing you mentioned."

Kim nodded. "I'm sure she was glad that you shared that with her."

"Yeah," he said softly. His mind drifted back to how Kayla had held him while he finally let go of some of the pain that he held inside for so long and how they had made love that night with their emotions so raw and open. In the weeks since his return, he and Kayla had reconnected in various ways and he knew that night was another step towards putting their lives back together again.

"Steve?" Kim's voice shook him from his thoughts once more.

"Sorry," Steve said with a rueful grin. "I guess I'm just a little distracted today."

"So I see." Kim paused. "Is it something you want to talk about?"

Steve shook his head. He appreciated Kim's help in dealing with his nightmares and flashbacks, and he knew that she had also helped during the fallout after he learned about Kayla's and Shane's relationship. But his conversation with Kayla and what had followed were private and personal. Maybe Kim could help him heal his mind, but he knew that it would be Kayla who helped him heal his heart and soul.

"Okay," Kim said. "Maybe we should just call this session off today. You have been making a lot of progress lately."

Steve looked up at Kim. A part of him wanted to suggest that they just call them off permanently. His nightmares had become manageable, even if they had not ceased completely. The breathing techniques suggested by Kim had helped him deal with the flashbacks better. Maybe it was time to just move on. Yet, deep down, he knew that it was not over yet. It still scared him that he did not understand the wrist flexing Kim and Kayla had mentioned. That was something he still needed to figure out to ensure sure that he would not be a danger to Kayla and Stephanie. But it did not have to happen today.

"Maybe you're right," Steve said after a moment. "Sorry to waste your time."

"You didn't waste my time at all," Kim said. "Besides, it gave me a reason to get out of the house for a little while."

Steve eyed Kim curiously. "How are things going now that you're living at Shane's again?"

Kim sighed. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little awkward, but awkward seems to be the new normal for Shane and me." She gave a wry smile. "So I guess it's going fine."

Steve nodded. He started to ask another question, but then stopped, unsure if he should continue or not. Finally, he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Can I ask you a question?"

It was Kim's turn to give Steve a curious look. "Sure," she said after a moment. "Fire away."

Steve stood up, paced around the room, and tried to choose the right words. Then he turned to Kim. "Kayla told me about how you pretended to get close to Alamain, but you were really working with the ISA." He paused before he continued. "And she told me that she found out that you were working with the ISA when Lawrence was arrested for trying to give you the virus."

Kim nodded. "Yes. Kayla was not very happy when she found out that we had kept that information from her."

"She also told me that when Lawrence talked his way out of that charge, you defended him and then moved in with him," Steve said, pacing again. "I know that you eventually taped some conversation that they used to put him in jail, but what I don't understand is why you didn't tell anybody what you were doing? Why let everybody think you really had feelings for the guy?"

Steve watched as a shadow of guilt and shame immediately crossed Kim's face. He kicked himself. "Wait. Never mind. You don't have to tell me anything. It's not any of my business. I've just been trying to put all the pieces together when it comes to Alamain, but I shouldn't have asked you that."

"No, it's okay," Kim said. "After all, I've asked you to talk about a lot of things that were difficult. Turnabout is fair play." She hesitated. "It's just that I don't know if I can answer that question, because I'm not sure I understand all of it myself."

"If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay," Steve repeated.

Kim shook her head. "I was hurt and angry about Shane and Kayla's relationship. I wanted to prove to Shane that I could take care of myself and that I knew what I was doing where Lawrence was concerned. And, as much as I am ashamed to admit it, I got taken in by Lawrence Alamain."

Steve's eye narrowed. "Even after everybody told you what he had done? That they thought he had killed me?"

Kim nodded. "I know it doesn't make sense. Looking back, it doesn't even make sense to me. But Lawrence was attentive; he seemed so sincere and concerned about me and my feelings. He would have his cook prepare these fancy meals with my favorite foods and bring us some fancy bottle of wine from his big wine cellar. He'd act like I was the only person who mattered to him. I guess part of me wanted to believe that wasn't all an act, that maybe he hadn't done the things that he was accused of, or that there was some explanation for it all." She looked up at Steve. "I was wrong."

Steve nodded, taking in what Kim had said. Having met Alamain, he could see how smooth the guy was. He was a pure manipulator and had obviously identified Kim's weak points and used them to his advantage. He remembered how Kayla had said that Kim's relationship with Lawrence had been a factor in Kayla pursuing a relationship with Shane and he wondered if that had been part of Alamain's plan as well.

"So now you know the story," Kim said. "I'll understand if you want to work with a different counselor."

Steve looked at Kim in surprise. "Why would I want to do that?"

"Well . . . I just told you that I was involved with the man who faked your death and tortured you," Kim said. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"It bothers me that Alamain manipulated you and that you let him," Steve said. "And if you were still trying to defend the guy now, I wouldn't be here talking to you. But we all make mistakes, Kim. And I have a hunch you've paid a high price for yours." Steve paused, thinking about his own past. "I know I've made plenty of mistakes of my own. Hell, I'm the poster boy for second and third chances." Steve grinned, trying to lighten the conversation.

Kim tried to smile, but Steve could tell she was still upset. He walked over, stood next to Kim's chair, and looked down at her. "The past is the past and we can't change it now. I appreciate you filling in some of those blanks for me. I know it wasn't easy for you, but every little bit helps when I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this dude."

Standing up, Kim nodded. "Don't ever underestimate what Lawrence is capable of," she said firmly. "The moment you do is the moment he strikes hardest."

Steve saw the fear in Kim's eyes and reached over and gave her a hug. "Don't worry," he said, trying to reassure her. "Someday that dude is going to mess up and, when he does, he's going down hard. He'll pay for everything he's done - to all of us. That's a promise."

Steve released Kim, stepped away, and headed for the door. "Thanks again."

"You're welcome," Kim said softly. "And Steve-"

"Yeah." Steve paused and turned back towards her.

Kim gave him a small smile. "Thanks for understanding."

Steve grinned. "That's me, baby. I'm an understanding kind of guy." He gave Kim a wink. "See you tonight at the party." As he headed out the door, Steve made another addition to his long list of reasons to hate Lawrence Alamain.