Roman - Shane's best friend Roman - had said the situation was a little complicated. As Shane continued to look back and forth between the two Romans, "complicated" was not a word that came to mind.

Astonishing. Bewildering. Baffling. Mind-boggling. Those words all seemed to fit.

The curly-haired Roman spoke before Shane managed to figure out what to say. "Shane Donovan. . . . It's always good to see another ISA man." His tone, however, made Shane think the man did not sound all that pleased to see Shane.

Shane looked over at Roman - or was he Roman? In his mind, Shane quickly decided that his close friend, the former Pawn, was "Roman 1." This other man, despite looking like the pre-Pawn Roman, Shane would think of as "Roman 2." So Shane looked at Roman 1.

"How? How can this be?"

Roman 1 shook his head. "You've got me, partner. We found him in the jungles of San Cristobal."

"Hey, I'm right here," Roman 2 snapped. "And I'm not 'him.' I'm Roman Brady."

"Sorry," Shane said, not really sure what to say next.

Roman 2 looked at Marlena. "I still don't understand why we're here. We should be talking to the ISA's top-brass." He glanced over at Shane. "No offense there, by the way."

"None taken," Shane said, almost amused. He debated pointing out that he had risen about as high as possible in the ISA before his arrest, but Marlena spoke before Shane could say anything.

"Shane's been a good friend to the Brady family." With a smile, she walked over to the desk and gave Shane a kiss on the cheek. "A good friend to all of us. I'm glad to see you up and around."

"Yeah, partner. . . . We tried to stay in Salem until you woke up." That was Roman 1 talking. "But-"

"But you couldn't put off going to Mexico indefinitely." Shane nodded slightly. "I understand fully. So . . . well I assume you have some idea for how I can help with this little predicament. You wouldn't be here otherwise, would you?"

Roman 1 nodded. "I was thinking you could help us figure out which one of us is really Roman Brady. There have to be things you know - ISA-related things from when you were my supervisor - and you could quiz us about them. You have to know things about me that an imposter wouldn't know." His eyes narrowed and he looked at Roman 2.

"Imposter," Roman 2 snarled, his fists clenching. "I'll show you who's the imposter."

"Please," Marlena exclaimed. "Would you please just stop arguing for a minute? Shane, do you think you could help?"

Shane had some ideas, so he nodded. "Sure."

"Why should I trust you?" Roman 2 asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Shane shrugged. "I can't answer that. If you are Roman Brady, then you would know we worked together for a lot of years. Even if I'm not still in the ISA-"

"Wait." Roman 2 put his hands on his hips. "What do you mean you're not in the ISA?"

Roman 1 and Marlena both shrugged when Shane looked at them. Silently, he said to himself, Great. This is going to go over well. Out loud, he explained, "I'm no longer in the ISA. I've . . . I've been charged with treason."

Roman 2 threw up his hands. "Oh no . . . you've got to be kidding me. I'm supposed to trust a traitor? I don't think so." He pointed at the phone. "Get Nickerson on the line."

Shane blanched. George Nickerson had been Shane's mentor until he betrayed the ISA as part of his "game" with Victor Kiriakis. Nickerson's betrayal had included leaving Shane to be killed by Victor. Looking again at Roman 2, Shane said, "Nickerson's dead."

"He was corrupt, through-and-through," Roman 1 added. "And forget the charges against Shane; they're a crock."

Roman 2 shook his head. "And I'm just supposed to take your word for that?"

"Roman, please," Marlena urged.

"No, Doc." Roman 2's voice rose sharply. "You're asking me to trust . . . them, but why should I? Let's call in the ISA. Maybe Nickerson's no longer there, but-"

His words were cut off by a loud cry from the playpen. Shane turned toward Jeannie to see her standing against the side and wailing as loud as she could.

"Damn," Shane said. He grabbed his cane and started to pull himself from the desk chair.

Marlena waved at him. "Let me, Shane." She crossed the room before Shane was fully on his feet and pulled Jeannie into her arms. Bobbing the baby up and down, Marlena carried Jeannie back toward the desk. Shane had returned to his seat and he let Marlena set Jeannie in his lap.

"Thanks," Shane said. "Marcus would have my head if I tried to lift her."

Meanwhile, Roman 1 turned to his counterpart. "Happy, pal? You just scared the hell out of my niece."

"Your niece?" Roman 2 shot back. Then he stopped and seemed to ponder that. "How?"

Uh oh . . . This could be awkward, Shane thought. He raised an eyebrow in Marlena's direction. "Let me guess. . . . You didn't completely fill him in on what's happened with the family the past several years."

"He wasn't really all that up for listening," she replied. She turned to Roman 2. "Jeannie is your niece - or Roman's niece. God, this is so confusing. . . . Shane and Kimberly were married for several years. They have two children, Jeannie and an older son named Andrew."

"Who is at school right now," Shane said. He tried to ignore the angry red flush that was rising in Roman 2's cheeks. "Look . . . how about I test. . . ." He motioned toward Roman 1. "Uh . . . him, first. I'll ask some questions and, when that's done, I'll give you a similar test. Only questions that the real Roman Brady would know."

"Fine," said Roman 1. "I'm game. I've got nothing to hide."

Roman 2 seemed to mull it over, most likely weighing his mistrust of Shane and Roman 1 against the possibility of resolving things. "Okay. . . . I know who I am. You can give me your best shot."

Relieved that a conflict appeared to have been avoided, Shane glanced at Marlena. "Perhaps you should wait in the library. Simmons can bring you some tea or, if you're hungry-"

"Don't worry about us, Shane." She smiled softly, took Roman 2's arm, and led him from the room. Once the door was shut behind them, Shane turned to Roman 1, who ran a hand through his hair and began to pace.

"Never thought I'd have to prove myself to my best friend."

Shane could hear the frustration in the man's voice. "We'll get this over with quickly."

Roman 1 nodded. "Go ahead. Like that other guy said, 'I know who I am.' So let's get this over with."