Steve "Patch" Earl Johnson and Dr. Kayla Caroline Brady are a supercouple on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives. Steve is portrayed by Stephen Nichols and Kayla is portrayed by Mary Beth Evans. On the Internet message boards[5] the couple is often referred to by the portmanteau "Stayla" (for Steve and Kayla). The couple was initially popular from 1986 through 1990 until the "death" of Steve. Both characters have recently returned: after Steve being presumed dead for 16 years, Steve returned to the show on June 9, 2006; Kayla returned on June 12, 2006. Steve and Kayla were dropped off canvas in February 2009. Kayla returned in December 2011. In August 2015, Steve returned to Salem.