"I'll never leave you," Shane whispered in Kim's ear as he lowered her to their bed. "I love you, Kimberly. I could never leave you."

Kim melted at his touch. As they continued to kiss and caress, she lost track of words, the only sounds registering were the murmurs and soft moans of their love-making. His every touch was electric.

"I love you, Kim," he breathed, words once again coming through. "My beautiful Kimberly. . . ." He continued to whisper her name. "Kim . . . Kim. . . ."

"Kim."

She jerked awake at the voice, realizing it was not Shane's. Suddenly, she was no longer in their bedroom but in the ICU, next to Shane's bed and surrounded by the monitors. Kim spun around to see Marcus just inside the entrance.

"I'm sorry to wake you," he said. "I have to run a few tests."

Still a little disoriented from being awoken from the dream, it took Kim a moment to understand. She looked back at the bed, where Shane looked exactly the same as he had before she had dozed off.

"Kim?"

"Of course," Kim said, getting up from her chair. "I didn't mean to get in your way."

Marcus gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry about it."

Kim stretched a little, as she felt the effects of sitting in hospital chairs all night. "What time is it?"

"A little after 8," Marcus said. "I just came back on duty." He picked up Shane's chart from the end of the bed and looked it over.

After a few minutes, Kim asked, "Is there anything new?"

"Not that I can tell from this," Marcus replied. "I'll know more when I run the tests." He put an arm around her and escorted her to the door. "Why don't you go get something to eat? There are some cinnamon buns in the waiting room that I think Simmons sent over. Of course, with the way the folks in this place descend on free food, there may not be any left by now."

Kim chuckled a little, but the last thing she wanted to do was eat. As Kim stepped out of the ICU, she shook her head. She was not going anywhere until she received Marcus' report, so she began to pace outside the ICU entrance. She was still pacing a few minutes later when Marlena exited the elevator and walked over to her.

"How are you doing?" Marlena asked.

Kim's shrugged a little. "Marcus is running some tests. Maybe we'll get some news."

Marlena nodded and they both waited a bit more until Marcus stepped through the door.

"Marcus?" Kim knew she sounded anxious.

He shook his head. "There's no real change, Kim."

"So you don't know when he'll wake up?" she asked.

Marcus hesitated, and Kim knew what he was thinking. He had no idea if Shane would wake up at all. "I wish I could tell you something, Kim. We just have to wait - and pray. We're doing everything we can for him."

"I know." Kim tried to make that sound as appreciative as she intended. "I guess it's just the strain of not knowing."

She saw Marcus give Marlena a quick look, and then Marlena said, "Kim, let's go to the cafeteria."

"I'm not hungry," Kim insisted. And she did not appreciate Marlena's look of pity. "I'm just going to wait here. Shane needs me here."

Marlena put a hand on her shoulder. "You could use a change of scenery. Just for a few minutes and then we'll come back."

Kim wanted to protest some more, but Marlena was already steering her toward the elevator. Then, as they passed by the nurses' station, Kim caught a glimpse of the front page of the Chronicle sitting on the counter.

"Police Suspicious Over Donovan Shooting: Authorities Question Donovan-Winters Connection."

"What?" Kim grabbed the paper, and was not surprised to see the byline - "By Rachel Knight." Angrily, she growled, "I'm going to find that witch. . . ."

"Don't let it get to you," Marlena said.

Kim waved the paper in front of her. "But did you see this?"

"I did," Marlena replied. "And I know it's not true. It's just a lot of garbage. Just ignore it."

But Kim could not do that. She needed to see what Rachel Knight had written, so she began to read. That only made her blood boil. The article described how Cal had a history of working with rogue ISA agents and then said "authorities were asking if this was another of those instances." Reading further, it cited "anonymous sources" who said that it "appeared" that Steve had uncovered Cal's location and had rescued her and Kayla, but "Donovan's role in the incident is unclear." She shook her head in frustration as she read the last line aloud.

"'Some officials. . . .' Notice she doesn't say who they are. . . . 'Some officials think Donovan's shooting may have occurred during an argument with Winters, who was then killed by Johnson.'" Lowering the paper, Kim shook her head. "I can't believe this."

Marlena sighed. "Come on, Kim. Nobody's going to believe that. It's all speculation. None of it's fact."

"Maybe, but I think I need to talk to Steve. We need to set the record straight." Suddenly, it dawned on Kim what was going on. "It's Tarrington," she said. "He can't let Shane appear to be a hero or it will hurt the ISA's case. I . . . I can't believe it. Shane could be dying because he rescued us, and all the ISA can think about is spreading lies that destroy his reputation."

"I'm sorry," Marlena said. "If anybody knows what the ISA can do to innocent people, it's me."

Kim tossed aside the paper. "I know. I'm just spitting mad right now. It's a good thing Tarrington isn't here right now, because I would give him a piece of my mind."

Marlena took Kim's hand. "Look . . . right now, all you need to focus on is Shane getting better. Don't think about the ISA or the press. None of that matters."

She's right, Kim thought. None of that matters if Shane doesn't pull through.

"Come on," Marlena said, pulling Kim toward the elevator. "The sooner we get something downstairs, the sooner you can come back and see Shane."