Just when it seemed that Steve and Kayla may get their happy ending, "Days of Our Lives" fans were saddened when it appeared that Steve had died in the hospital after being poisoned by Lawrence Alamain. Everyone believed Steve to be dead, although he was kidnapped by the DiMera family. Steve was thought to be dead for 16 years before his brother, Jack, eventually found him living with amnesia. Kayla was stunned to see her late husband, but he had no memory of their life together. Instead of reuniting with Kayla, he began dating Billie Reed (via TV Fanatic).

Later, when Kayla was on the brink of death, Steve pretended to regain his memories to give her a reason to live. When he suspected he was faking, she took him to a special place, where being with Kayla gave him his memories back. He even proved it by using sign language to say the word "courage," just as he had done during the couple's wedding, per Soaps. The couple reconnected, but Steve's past would eventually come back to haunt them.