Steve unlocked the front door of the apartment, walked in, and dropped his duffle bag just inside the door.

"Sweetness?" he called out. "I'm home." The lights were on and he could see Kayla's purse on the table, so he knew she was home.

Seconds later, Kayla entered the living room, her eyes wide with surprise. The small smile on her face widened as she saw Steve. She immediately ran to him and threw herself into his arms.

Steve chuckled slightly and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Did you miss me, baby?"

Kayla did not answer, at least not with words. Instead, she pulled back slightly, smirked, and pulled him down for a long, passionate kiss that immediately got Steve's blood rushing throughout his body.

When they finally separated for a needed breath, Kayla ran her hand across his cheek and smiled again. "What are you doing here already? I thought you weren't going to be home until late tonight."

Steve shrugged, "I got lucky and caught an earlier flight. I didn't want to be away from my girls from one minute longer than I had to be." He glanced around the apartment. "Where's Stephanie anyway?"

"She's still napping," Kayla said, pulling Steve over to the couch. "So what happened in New York?"

Steve sighed as he sat down. "Not as much as I had hoped, Sweetness."

Kayla sat beside Steve and took his hand. "That army captain couldn't help you?"

"Couldn't or wouldn't; it's all kind of the same." Steve frowned slightly. "I think he wants to help, but the ISA has put the fear of God in him and his men. I can't say as I blame him for saying no."

"So that's it then?" Kayla asked, sounding sad. "Without the soldiers, Shane's going to be convicted."

"No," Steve said, shaking his head. "This isn't done yet. There's no way I'm giving up."

"But what else can you do?" Kayla looked down at their joined hands. "I know you want to help Shane. So do I. But what else is left?"

"I don't know, baby." He lifted Kayla's chin and kissed her softly. "And right now, I don't want to think about it anymore."

Smiling he kissed her again, more firmly, and felt her respond. He gradually deepened the kiss and let his hand drift down her arm and across her breast. He heard Kayla moan softly as he caressed her and slowly he began leaning her back into the couch.

"Steve," Kayla moaned softly. The she stopped and started to pull away. "We can't do this now."

"Sure we can," Steve whispered, kissing her neck.

Kayla moaned again as Steve's lips found the spot on her neck that he knew drove her wild. "Stephanie's going to wake up any minute."

"Then we'll be quick." Steve's fingers went to work on Kayla's blouse. "I've been gone for three days, baby."

He heard Kayla giggle as she kissed his neck, her hand moving down to the button on his jeans. "I know exactly how long you've been gone."

It was Steve's turn to moan as Kayla released the button on his jeans and her hand found him. He pressed himself into her as his lips found her breast through her lacy bra.

The moment was broken by a cry from Stephanie's bedroom. "Mama. Mama."

Kayla withdrew her hand as Steve's head dropped to her chest. Pushing against him slightly, Kayla wriggled free and quickly buttoned her blouse as Stephanie continued to call from the other room.

"Told ya," Kayla said with a disappointed grin. Then she leaned down and kissed him quickly. "Just remember where we were for later."

Steve just nodded, sat up on the couch, and rebuttoned his jeans. He tried to get his body under control and focused on the fact that he was going to see his baby girl.

"Papa!"

Steve turned and saw Stephanie squirming in Kayla's arms. He stood up and watched as Kayla put Stephanie down and she ran to her father. Steve smiled broadly and scooped Stephanie up and over his head.

"There's my little Sweetness." He brought her down and cuddled her against his chest. "Did you miss Papa?"

Stephanie smiled and babbled something he did not quite understand. "I'll take that as a yes," Steve said as he put her down again. Then he noticed something in Kayla's hand. "What's that, baby?"

"Stephanie's Halloween costume." Kayla held it up and Steve could see it was a cowgirl costume. "My folks are having a party for the all the grandkids tonight."

"Oh man," Steve replied. "I totally forgot that today was Halloween. I guess that explains all that funny looking people I saw today." He shrugged. "I just thought it was a New York thing."

Kayla laughed. "Maybe it's both." She reached down and picked up Stephanie. "But I need to get this little one in her costume so we're not late for the party."

Steve nodded, stepped forward, and kissed Stephanie's cheek, causing her to giggle. He smiled at the giggles carry downing the hall as Kayla took Stephanie back to her bedroom.

Staying on the couch, Steve tried to digest his emotions. With everything that had been going on, he had forgotten all about Halloween, and more than that, he had forgotten that he had missed Halloween with his family the previous year. It had come just after he had been taken away.

A year. The thought hit him like a cold shower. It had been a year - well just over a year - since he had been taken from his family. A year since Kayla had made his funeral arrangements and put a casket in the ground that she thought contained his body. And a year since the nightmare that was his captivity had begun.

"Steve?"

He jerked his head up at the sound of Kayla's voice. She was her standing in front of the couch and holding a dressed Stephanie.

"Are you okay?" Kayla asked, the concern plain in her voice.

"I'm fine, baby." He gave her a wan smile, then focused on Stephanie. "Look at this beautiful cowgirl here." Stephanie was dressed in a jean skirt, a plaid shirt, leather vest, and the cutest little pair of cowboy boots he had ever seen. The look was completed with a red cowboy hat perched on the top of her head.

Stephanie giggled as Steve lightly pinched her cheeks. Then she wriggled until Kayla put her down. Once on her feet, Stephanie immediately began practicing walking on her boots.

As she clomped around the living room, Steve grinned broadly. He looked up at Kayla and saw that she was watching him, an emotion he could not quite read in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Sweetness?"

Kayla shook her head. "Nothing. I'm . . . I'm just really glad you made it home in time for the party tonight."

Steve nodded and stood, taking Kayla into his arms. He knew that Kayla was talking about more than his trip to New York. It was clear that Halloween had triggered some memories for her as well. Softly kissing her head, he held her close and whispered in her ear.

"Me too, baby. Me too."