"That's great news," Shane told Julie Williams. She had just told him about the State Board of Medicine's decision in Kayla's case. "So Kayla can start right away - that is, if she wants to return to the lab."

"What do you mean 'if she wants to return'?" Julie asked.

Shane leaned back in his chair and looked around the empty restaurant. Wings would not open for a few hours, so Julie had asked him to stop by to discuss some potential researchers to take the new job Shane was sponsoring.

"Shane?"

"I don't know. I ran into her last week after our meeting with Neil and mentioned that we were holding the job open for her. She was . . . let's say, not very excited."

"And you think it's personal?" Julie gave him a knowing look.

"I know it is," Shane explained. "It's Steve and his stupid jealousy. She can't work at the lab, because she might actually have contact with me."

Julie smiled indulgently. "And you don't see why that might upset Steve? Shane, darling, you're far too intelligent a man to not see the problem."

"I know what Steve thinks," Shane said, hoping he did not sound as exasperated as he felt. "I just don't understand why he can't get it through his head that whatever there was between me and Kayla . . . it's over." It was over the minute I went to Egypt. "It's ridiculous that he's clinging to that jealousy - and even more ridiculous that Kayla's catering to it. She shouldn't have to give up a good opportunity just because she might have to talk to me." Shane stopped and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ranted like that."

"Oh, it's fine," Julie teased. "I quite enjoyed that little show. Now I can die saying that I saw Shane Donovan show real emotion. I think that probably puts me in the company of about five other people in Salem."

"If you're done insulting me-"

"Oh that wasn't an insult, darling." Julie chuckled. "You'd know when I was being insulting. Trust me."

Shane had to be amused by that. "Okay . . . Can we get back to the subject? Kayla. The lab administrator job."

"I'll talk to Kayla, Shane," Julie said. "But I'm not going to guarantee you anything. Kayla has her reasons, and I won't push her."

"Okay," Shane said. That was about as good as he was going to get from Julie. Maybe she would be able to convince Kayla not to throw away a great opportunity.

Julie put her hands together. "So now why don't we discuss something far more important than hiring a researcher."

"I can't tell you anything about Lawrence," Shane said.

"Who said anything about Lawrence?" Julie chuckled again. "I want to know how things are going at home - with you and Kimberly."

Shane grimaced. "Not you too. . . ."

"Am I piling on, poor boy?" She laced her fingers together and rested her chin on her hands. "It's only because I care. Look, I know that I wasn't in Salem when you and Kim were together, but I've done my due diligence. My grandmother said what you and Kim had was extremely special. And if there's one thing Alice Horton knows, it's how to spot true love."

"Julie," Shane looked down at the table. "This really isn't the time to go through my history with Kimberly. It's far too . . . complicated."

"Okay. . . This time, I'll respect your wishes." Julie sat back in her chair. "But I just want to see you happy, so you won't get off this easy next time." She picked up one of the folders from the table. "So back to business. . . ."

For the next 15 minutes, they reviewed CVs and discussed the merits of the potential researcher candidates. Julie preferred one from California and, frankly, Shane had no real basis to distinguish them. They all went to good schools, had good post-doctoral experience, and seemed qualified. Beyond that, Shane had no real clue.

In the back of his mind, he recalled Kayla impressing Jordan Bishop to come to Salem. Shane had done his typical approach by describing the lab, the virus project, and the salary. But Kayla had studied Jordan's articles and won him over with her knowledge of his work. She would probably have good ideas-

"Shane. . . ." Julie sounded worried.

He broke away from the memory and looked at Julie. She was staring at the restaurant entrance. Shane turned in his seat to see Steve approaching.

What now?

"Julie . . . Shane," Steve said as he reached the table and stopped, facing the center of the table, about equidistant from them both.

"Steve, it's nice to see you," Julie said.

"You too," Steve replied, sounding very calm. "Would you mind if I have a quick word with Shane?"

This was really not what Shane wanted to do. "Steve, we're in the middle of a meeting."

"I know, Shane, and I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's important. I ran all over town trying to find you. I just lucked out and spotted your car in the parking lot." Steve sounded like it actually was important.

"Okay." Shane looked at Julie, as he started to stand up. "I'll just be a minute."

"It won't take that long," Steve said, his voice suddenly lowering. "I'm just here to talk to Shane about a job reference."

Reacting to the sudden change in Steve's tone, Shane turned his head. He only made it halfway around before Steve's fist connected with the side of his face and sent him sprawling backward. Shane slammed into the table and crashed to the floor amidst a pile of manilla folders and paper.

Dazed and not completely sure what happened, Shane heard people shouting around him. He blinked as he tried to get his vision to clear.

"Shane, are you all right?" Julie seemed to be crouched next to him.

"Yeah," he said, still trying to shake the cobwebs out. "I'll be okay."

"That's quite enough, Steve." Julie's voice was strong and forceful as she stood up and faced Steve. Shane followed her gaze and saw that a couple of the workers were holding Steve back. He was straining against their grips, trying to break free.

"You son-of-a-bitch," Steve shouted. "You had to go talking garbage about me to Carver. You just couldn't wait to mess with my life again, could you? That was my job, Donovan. That was my-"

"And this is my restaurant, Steve!" Julie snapped. "I will not tolerate you or anyone else assaulting my guests." She looked at the employees holding onto Steve. "Help Mr. Johnson find the exit."

The two employees started to try to pull Steve away, but he shoved them away. "I don't need the help. I'm done here anyway." As he stepped back, Steve looked at Shane. "This is the last time you interfere with my life, Donovan. I'll make sure of that." With that, he turned and stomped out of the restaurant.

Julie came back over to Shane as he began to rise. One of the waitresses came over with some ice, and a couple of the other workers began trying to reassemble the file folders. Julie took his arm and helped him over to a chair.

"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Julie asked. She held a towel with some ice to his cheek.

Shane stared toward the front of the restaurant, in the direction that Steve had gone, and muttered, "Like Steve said. It had to do with a job reference."