Shane pulled his car to a stop in front of the fish market and took a deep breath. This was the right thing to do, he told himself. Nonetheless, he hesitated momentarily. Maybe he should have called from the house before coming over here.

But that would have given Kim an opportunity to hang up. It was a lot harder to refuse to listen when you were face-to-face. If he could look her in the eyes and tell her what he wanted, Shane knew she would not turn away.

And he needed to talk to her desperately. After he had called Mickey earlier, he had gone home and walked around the nearly-empty mansion. It all felt completely wrong. That was Andrew's home. That was their home.

I just have to convince Kim of that.

He glanced at the clock, which read a little after 8 p.m. Kim would probably just be putting Andrew to bed, or more likely, staving off his efforts to stay up just a little longer. Shane smiled as he pictured the scene, and decided he would help Kim tuck in their son.

Getting out of the car, he pulled his coat tightly around himself. The night was getting increasingly cold. The temperature had dropped a lot even since he had been on the pier. Passing the dark windows of the fish market, Shane climbed the stairs to the Bradys' house and rang the bell.

A few minutes later, Shawn answered the door. He glared at Shane. "What do you want?"

Shane swallowed hard. He did not want to have a confrontation with Kim's father, so politely, Shane said,"Shawn, I'd like to speak with Kimberly."

"You're not welcome in this house," Shawn said, his voice little more than a surly growl. "Go away."

"Shawn . . . please . . . If you just let me in to talk to Kim, please. I don't mean any harm."

From inside the house, Caroline called out, sounding exasperated. "Shawn, just let him in."

With a loud harrumph, Shawn stepped aside and let Shane enter. He glanced around the living room and kitchen. Caroline was on the floor playing with Stephanie and Jeannie.

"Kim isn't here, Shane," Caroline said. "She and Kayla went shopping after work."

"Oh." Shane felt his heart sink at the disappointing news. "Well . . . would it be okay if I spent a little time with Andrew and maybe she'll be back soon?" The local stores were all closing around now.

"They went to the mall by Brookville," Caroline said. "And they took Andrew with him."

"What?" Shane could not believe that. Of all the reckless-

"Mike went with them," Caroline said, seeing Shane's reaction. "I'm sure they're fine."

Shane debated getting in his car and driving to Brookville, but that would be pointless. By the time he got there, they would be on their way home. He looked back at Caroline. "Would you mind if I waited?"

"Yeah, we do mind," Shawn barked. "Kimmie was a wreck this morning, no doubt because of you."

Shane had to concede that. "I know," he said. "I did something I shouldn't have this morning, but that's why I'm here. I need to apologize and make things right."

"Make things right." Shawn's eyes narrowed, and Shane knew what the man was thinking.

Slowly, Shane said, "Yes, Shawn, I want to make it right."

The room was silent as Shawn and Caroline exchanged looks with one another. Neither said a word.

"Fine," Shane said. "I'll just wait in my car until Kim returns."

As he started for the door, Caroline stood up and grabbed his arm. "Oh, don't be silly. It's near-freezing outside."

With a half-snarl and a scowl, Shawn headed for the back of the house. Shane watched him go, then shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and stood there. He had no idea what to say to Caroline right now, so he walked over to the couch and took a seat, as Caroline returned her attention to the girls.

Shane watched them for a little while. Stephanie was almost perfectly steady as she walked around the room. Jeannie crawled after her cousin, but Caroline distracted her with a pink stuffed animal. He watched Jeannie as she looked at the doll with her big green eyes. So like Kimberly's eyes.

Lucky girl, Shane thought. You're going to look a lot like Kim. In the back of his mind, he added, And nothing like Cal.

"Shane?"

He looked over to Caroline and realized she must have asked him something. "I'm sorry, Caroline . . . I was lost in my thoughts." He caught her slight frown.

"Will you tell me what happened between you and Kimmie?" Caroline asked. "Shawn was telling the truth. She was a wreck, but she wouldn't say anything to us. She just told us that she needed to move back in with the kids."

Shane sat silently, trying to figure out what to say. "I think it's better that I just wait and talk with Kim," he finally said. "There's too much to explain, Caroline."

Caroline studied him for a minute, but seemed to accept that answer. She then said, "Kimmie's been through a lot these past few years. She's been hurt enough, and I want you to think about it before you do anything that might hurt her again."

"I wish it were that easy," Shane replied. "The last thing I want to do is hurt Kim. . . ."

"You just don't think you can help it," Caroline said, with a knowing look.

Was it that obvious? Shane looked over at her. "Has she told you about the plea deal I was offered?" When Caroline nodded, he continued. "Kim's offered to move to England with the children when I get out. It would mean giving up her career, moving away from the family, and living . . . well, it won't exactly be easy living with a traitor."

"I can't say I'd be happy with Kimmie moving that far away, but I only want what's going to make her happy." Caroline smiled softly. "And I never saw her happier than when she fell in love with you. I know a lot of things have happened since then, but I think, despite everything that's happened and still might happen, you could make her happy like that again."

Shane did not know what to say, so he just looked away and let that sink in for a few minutes.

"Oh!" Caroline got up, pulling Stephanie with her. "This one needs a diaper change." She glanced, hesitantly, at Jeannie. "Um, Shane . . . do you mind?"

"No, it's okay," Shane said. "Go ahead."

As Caroline walked into the back, he slid off the couch so he was seated on the floor with Jeannie. She paid him no attention at first, so intent she was on her pink bunny, but then she crawled in his direction, pushing the stuffed animal in front of her.

"I get the hint." Shane chuckled and picked up the toy. He waved the bunny in front of Jeannie and made some silly noises until she began to laugh. "Come here, sweetheart," he said, picking her up and pulling her onto his lap. She watched the bunny some more, then looked up at him with her big green eyes.

You should've been my little girl.

He shunted that thought aside and went back to playing. Forget about the past. Forget about Cal.

"Shane?"

He jerked his head around to see Caroline standing a few feet behind him. She was frowning.

"What's wrong?" he asked. She did not answer, but seemed focused on something on the far wall. Shane followed her gaze and realized she was looking at a clock. It was a little after 10 p.m. He had completely lost track of time while playing with Jeannie.

"The mall closes at nine," Caroline said. "They should have been back by now."

Shane tried to convince himself not to panic. "Could they have stopped somewhere? Maybe to grab a bite to eat?"

"Not with Andrew. It's way past his bedtime already." Caroline looked at him, the worry plain on her face. "You don't think-"

"Let's not panic," Shane said. He stood, still holding Jeannie, and passed her to her grandmother. Then he walked over to the phone and began to dial the Salem PD. He stopped after punching the fourth button. He was an accused criminal awaiting trial. The local cops would hardly respond to his demand for assistance. Shane hung up, then picked the handset up again, and dialed Roman's house. Roman answered on the third ring.

"Tell me that again," Roman said, after Shane filled him in.

Shane repeated, "Kim and Kayla went to the Brookville Mall with Andrew. They should've been back by now. I know it's a bit early to worry-"

"But given everything going on, you've got every right to," Roman said. "I'll call the station and put out an APB. You want me to call Steve?"

Shane almost said yes, but changed his mind. "No, I'll call him. Let me know if you hear anything."

Hanging up the phone, Shane again tried to tell himself not to worry. They just got delayed in Brookville. Or maybe they had some car trouble. Besides, Mike was with them.

None of that lessened his unease.

And the last thing he was going to do was just wait at Shawn's and Caroline's while the Salem PD ran around in circles. He picked up the phone and dialed Steve and Kayla's apartment. When Steve answered, Shane just said, "It's Shane. Meet me outside your place in five minutes. Kim and Kayla are missing."

Before Steve could respond, Shane hung up, turned to Caroline, and asked, "Where do you keep your flashlights?"