Collateral Damage

by 80sDaysFan

In 1991, Days paired Shane and Kayla. This is an AU attempt to fix that plot by asking what if Shane learned Steve might be alive? Can Steve cope with Kayla "moving on"? Will Steve's return bring Shane and Kim together? And can everyone put aside their differences to save Salem - and each other - from Lawrence Alamain? With appearances from many Salem residents.

307. Chapter 307

Steve could not move. His entire body was still on fire and his muscles refused to move. He also no longer had the strength to scream.

Kayla! he shouted silently. Where was she? Steve needed to know she was okay before he died.

From nearby, Steve heard someone laugh. The laughter grew closer until it was coming from just a few feet away, but, curled on his side, Steve could not lift his head to see who was laughing.

The laughter stopped. "Nice try," came the cold voice that Steve recognized.

It was a struggle to respond, because his jaw muscles did not want to work, but through his grit teeth, Steve managed to grind out, "Winters. . . ."

"Good to see that you didn't forget me, Johnson," Cal said.

A footstep next to Steve's head told him Cal was moving. An instant later, one, then two shoes came into Steve's view. From the way he was lying on his side, Steve managed to look out of the corner of his eye and see most of Cal looming over him. He could especially see the silver metal of Cal's gun, which was only a couple of feet from Steve's head.

Cal tilted his head sightly to the side as if he was studying Steve. "Guess I know the taser works."

A taser. Now Steve understood. That explained it. The jolt, followed by the liquid fire that spread through his body, and, now, his inability to get his muscles to respond to command.

But I'm alive, Steve thought. The taser did not kill him. The gun might be a different story.

"Who's with you?" Cal asked.

"No one," Steve lied. He jerked sharply, as Cal kicked him in the ribs. "I swear . . . I'm here alone."

Steve felt his muscles beginning to unlock. Shane had to be in the building by now. Was he in the hangar yet? If he was, all he would need is one shot. Come on, Donovan. If you see me, take the shot.

"Tell me who else is here?" Cal growled.

Slowly, Steve rolled to his stomach. Cal did not seem to care, even as Steve, using nearly all his strength, climbed to his hands and knees.

"Tell me!"

Steve shook his head a little. "I told you, Winters. It's just me."

"I don't think so. But it's okay. I have my ways and I know who's with you." Winters trained the gun on Steve's head and called out into the room. "I know you're here, Donovan. You'd better come out now or I'll blow his head off."