Steve glanced at Kayla, as they parked the car. Roman had called the apartment 20 minutes earlier and told them to come to Alice's Restaurant immediately. He had refused to elaborate, telling them to "show up, right away."

Okay, Roman, we're here.

Steve opened the door for Kayla and helped her out of the car, watching her face carefully as she stepped out. She looked tired after a long day of working at the lab, but he did not see any sign of pain, so at least her rib seemed to be healing. Nonetheless, he suspected they both would have preferred to spend a quiet night at home with Stephanie rather than being summoned by her brother.

"I don't get why Roman just didn't tell you over the phone," Kayla said for the third or fourth time. Steve could tell by Kayla's tone that she was worried, but he had no idea what this might be about. So he could only shrug in response. Sounding resigned, Kayla turned toward the door. "Let's get this over with."

Entering the restaurant, Steve spotted Alice Horton talking to some customers. Then he spotted Julie Williams sitting in a booth and talking quietly with Kim, who, as Steve studied her, looked even more tired and strained than in the hours after Shane was shot. Knowing Kayla would want to talk with her sister, Steve escorted her in that direction first.

"Kim. Julie." He stopped beside the table.

"Kayla, Steven, darlings," Julie said. "Why don't you two join us? It seems Commander Brady is running late. I can't wait to hear his explanation for why he's called this pow wow." She turned toward Kim. "Kim was just telling me about Eve being back."

Recalling Roman's conversation with Eve, Steve could only imagine what Kim was going through. He waited for Kayla to give Kim a hug and for them to both sit down before he asked Kim, "So how's that going, you know, with Eve?"

Kim shook her head. "How do you think? She's furious with me, because she thinks it's my fault. And since she's Shane's next-of-kin, she's using that like it's a weapon."

"I was just telling Kim that I can talk to Eve," Julie said. "I seemed to have some minimal influence on her before."

"Or maybe Kay could." Kim looked over at Kayla. "You always seemed to get on okay with Eve. When she was on trial for Nick's murder, she seemed happy you were there."

Steve saw the way Kayla shifted a little, as if uncomfortable with the idea. It took Steve a moment to realize that it might be due to the circumstances of Kayla's past experiences with Eve. After all, a lot of that had come when Kayla was living at Shane's. Trying to be encouraging, Steve said, "If you think it might help, Sweetness, I think it's a good idea."

"Maybe we should tag-team her," Julie added. "Do like they do on TV, with the 'good cop, bad cop' bit."

Kayla nodded slowly. "I guess . . . I'm just not sure it will do any good." She looked down at her hands. "I mean, Eve had already moved out of Shane's when we. . . ." She shrugged slightly. "Eve may not like me that much anymore. . . . What we need is for Shane to wake up."

They all fell silent at her words. After a moment, Steve asked Kim, "Is there any change?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. He's still in ICU. Still in the coma. And Marcus has no idea when he's going to wake up."

"I'm sorry I haven't been by the past few days," Steve said. The last time he had been at the hospital was the morning they met with Jack for the interview.

"Don't be," Kim said, sounding bitter. "It's not like he'd know you're there anyway."

Steve was taken by surprise at her harsh tone, but then he chalked it up to the stress and strain. After this many days, it was no wonder that she might be starting to lose some hope.

Kayla spoke before he could say a word. "Don't think like that, Kimmie. Shane was hurt badly, but he'll wake up. You know he will." She took Kim's hand and gave it a squeeze. "You know it."

"Steve."

Startled by his brother's voice, Steve turned suddenly to see Jack and Jennifer standing a few feet away. "Hey," Steve said. "What are you doing here?"

"Roman called us." Jack looked around, a little confused. "Isn't that why you're all here? Are we at the right place?"

"You are, Jack," Julie replied. "Roman didn't tell you why he wanted us here, did he?" When Jack and Jennifer both shook their heads, Julie said, "I don't suppose this is good news."

"No, I don't think so." Jack sounded pretty certain to Steve.

Frowning, Steve asked, "Why do you say that?"

"I just figured it had something to do with Lawrence Alamain." Jack glanced around at everyone, who all took in that idea. Narrowing his eyes, Jack explained, "I assumed since most of us were in Alamainia and Steve . . . well, you have the most reason to hate Lawrence."

Steve let that sink in. Everyone else seemed to do the same and the group fell silent. After a few minutes, Steve decided to change the subject. He turned to Jack.

"Thanks, by the way, for the article. I know it didn't do much good, but you tried."

Jack and Jen both shook their heads. In a disbelieving voice, Jen said, "I just don't get it. Most of those papers picked up Rachel Knight's lies, but they wouldn't print the truth coming from an eyewitness. That's the kind of scoop every paper in the country would kill for. The reporter who can get a story like that should be on every news show."

"Gee, Jen. . . . Thanks for reminding me," Jack said bitterly.

Steve remembered what Shane had said when Jack told them that Rachel Knight was suggesting the kidnapping was a hoax - the lies make a better story. With a sigh, he decided to lighten the mood. "Cheer up, Jackson. I bet you, now, Rachel Knight's removed you from her Christmas card list."

Jack had to laugh at that, but he stopped almost immediately. "Hey. . . . Look like our host's here."

Steve turned to see Carly, Bo, and Roman walking toward them. Steve wondered if Bo was about to break something, considering his way he was scowling. Roman appeared almost as angry.

"I really don't think we're going to like this," Jack muttered.

The three reached the table, just as Alice rushed over.

"Roman," she said anxiously. "What's wrong? What's so important that you couldn't tell us over the phone?"

Roman stopped and took a deep breath. Then he announced, "Lawrence Alamain was just set free."