Michelle found herself again heading in the opposite direction of school. She didn't want to be forced into sitting through class after class when her heart was far from in it. Going to CONNECTION VILLAGE wasn't high on her list at the moment either. It was like with her father's angry words he had brought back all her self doubt where her and Danny were concerned. So much for her resolve to discuss what had happened between them the other day.

He father would never accept Danny. Michelle couldn't fathom spending the rest of the time fighting for him or hiding him. That wouldn't have been good for either one of them.

Michelle parked the car in the already crowded mall lot. There was a nagging voice in her head prodding her to go to school, it was just one more thing to make her father angry , but she couldn't bring herself to go.

She scolded herself for letting her secret out of the bag. She knew what his reaction would be but she kept right ahead with her words. It was as if she were outside of herself watching the scene play out beyond any control to stop it. And Ed Bauer certainly didn't disappoint in his reaction. As angry as she was at him right now, Michelle had to cut him some slack. She was his life now, well life according to Ed Bauer. As long as Michelle played within his rules things would be fine. She didn't see that happening though. She was already in a game her father knew nothing about.

Michelle wondered in and out of each store not paying attention to much of anything. Her thoughts were drawn continually to her helping Malcolm with Danny. There was the idea of just how Malcolm intended on explaining to Danny, maybe she should have just done it herself. She had all good intention of embarking on whatever this was with Danny on the right foot. She needed to do that so that no matter what happened between them she would always know that she started out with the best of intentions, not some hidden agenda of her feelings for him. She needed to lay it all out for Danny to understand.

Michelle hadn't even noticed that she had spent the entire day milling around the mall. It wasn't until she caught a glimpse of Hunter, Thad and Parker walking into The Record Mart, that she realized that school had to be over. There went another day down the tubes and sad to say Michelle could have cared less. Things in her life had spiraled so far out of control, Michelle didn't know if she could even begin to set them right again.

Just when she thought that she had taken the situation with Parker back under her own power, he was running around thinking they were a couple again. Which if she thought long and hard about was her own fault.

She had done her best to keep her father in the dark about she had been toying with for the past few weeks yet this morning she had destroyed that with one fail swoop. Again through no fault but her own. As for CONNECTION VILLAGE and Danny Santos, well that was so up and down she felt as if she was living life on a roller coaster. At this point Michelle didn't trust herself to get anything right.

She had lingered too long outside of the record store. Just as she turned to go Parker was on her heels.

"Hey, where have you been keeping yourself lately?" he asked with a smile.

"I've been busy," Michelle kept her tone cool. Thanks to Hunter's information Michelle planned on not adding any more fuel to Parker's fire.

"I've missed you at school. I was starting to really worry about you." Michelle was taken aback by this sudden new and improved Parker.

"I'm fine, just busy."

"Did you finish your Psychology paper? You know it's due tomorrow."

"Yeah I did," Michelle eyed him curiously.

"So does that mean you'll be in school then?"

"Yeah."

"Great. Well see you then."

Parker was gone as quick as he had come up to her. She was in awe. The guy who she had come to know as Parker Simms wasn't the one she had just had a conversation with. She laughed to herself wondering just who had taken over his body. There were no rude comments, no attempts to get close to her, not even the remotest sign of the monster she knew so well. Things got more and more confusing.

Michelle was glad to see that her father wasn't home as she pulled her own car into the drive. She wasn't by any means ready for round two. Aunt Meta was sitting at the kitchen table when she walked in, "Hi," she said quietly.

"Hello," Meta had decided long before Michelle came home that she wasn't going to mention this morning's argument unless she opened the conversation.

"How was daddy after I left?"

"Well to put it bluntly, he's scared for you."

"Aunt Meta, what am I going to do?" the anguish was abundant in Michelle's voice, "I can't stop volunteering. The people aren't like dad thinks they are. There are some really wonderful people there. Like I said the director even knew mom."

Aunt Meta understood why Michelle had been so insistent. The place that she had found truly was her connection to Maureen.

"How can I get him to believe that I'll be okay?"

"Sweetie, I think you are asking for something we both know you are never going to get. He's a stubborn man. He already lost one woman in his life. He doesn't want to lose another.

"I know that," Michelle sighed, "GOD he acts like he's the only one who lost something. I did too. I lost the one person who knew me inside and out. I finally found a place where I feel close to her again, and he wants to take that from me too. I can't give this up!"

"Michelle, I wish I knew how to make this better. I wish I had a way to help you."

"Meta, look around," Michelle made a grand gesture with her arms, "There's nothing left of my mother in this house. When she died he took everything away. It was as if she never even existed. How could he do that?" she cried finally saying out loud things only in her thoughts until now.

"Michelle, everyone grieves in their own way. I'm not saying that they way Ed handled things was right or wrong. It was just his way."

"As far as I can see it, his way and my way aren't even close," Michelle said matter of fact.

"I know sweetie, I know." All Meta could do was lean in and hug her niece.

This was the first day in over a week Michelle had been in school. She hadn't wanted to go today any more the others but she had to turn in their Psychology paper. Michelle owed Hunter at least that much. Her hairs stood on end seeing Parker sitting in her seat as she entered the room. After yesterdays encounter at the mall Michelle was most definitely waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Could I have my seat please?"

"Sit on my lap. I've got great news," Parker looked like he was about to bounce out of the seat with excitement. Yet she wasn't falling for his trap.

"Think again, give me my seat!" It hadn't taken much to turn him back into the Parker she had always known.

"I was just teasing," he said getting up from her chair, "You want to hear the news?" he questioned again with a grin on his face that look like the cat that swallowed the canary.

"Okay, okay what news?" she returned not in the least bit curious only wanting him to be gone.

"Guess who is playing Tony in this year's school drama production?" Parker's voice squeaked with the excitement Michelle hadn't heard since they were children.

"I don't know who?" For one reason or another she was playing his game.

"ME!! It's me!" Now Parker was bouncing off the walls like a kid in a candy store.

Before he could continue Ms. Roberts walked into the room, "Let's take our seats please. Well I hope that everyone is ready to turn in their papers. For those of you who put forth some effort I imagine this project has been quite a learning experience."

It certainly had, Michelle thought. Each day that passed she learned more about herself and those around her. No matter the out come she was glad that she had chosen CONNECTION VILLAGE to do her research. Michelle held her anticipation that the best was yet to come at bay. There was a tapping on her shoulder, "Here," Peter Walsh handed her the papers from the rest of the row.

"I feel that you all are entitled to a break. The rest of the period is yours to do as you wish." Her words were met with a round of cheers.

Parker took the seat next to Michelle, "Guess who was cast as Maria?" Parker was bursting at the seams.

"I don't know," she sighed. Michelle knew that it wouldn't be long before his true self surfaced again and she didn't have any desire to be around for that.

"Come on take one guess."

"Parker give it a rest. If you have something to say would you just say it."

"Well Miss James said they had a spectacular audition. They lit up the stage were her exact words." Michelle still didn't have a clue what Parker was babbling on about. She had been there for most of the auditions and she hadn't seen anything all that marvelous. Well, do you know who it is?" he asked anxiously.

"No idea."

"It's you. Michelle she cast you and me in the leads. Can you believe it?"

Michelle was in a complete state of shock. That meant six weeks of rehearsals, love scenes and ultimately spending the majority of her free time with Parker Simms, of all people. Michelle felt her stomach roll end of end as she tried desperately to stop from being sick instantly. So much for getting him out of her life, she thought. Apparently she was a far better actress then she ever realized.

Michelle made her way to the theater before embarking in the direction of the center. Sure enough Parker had been telling the truth. There it was, her name in black and white. She still couldn't believe it.

Michelle couldn't let this cloud her thoughts. She didn't have the time or energy for Parker to take up more space in here head. Michelle needed to get to CONNECTION VILLAGE and to Danny before the doubts that lay dormant in her mind got the better of her good intentions.

As she walked through the doors of the center, she felt a sudden rush of what she was doing could mean to her, to the both of them. She had lulled herself into not thinking about Danny's kiss but being here again brought the memory flooding back. Suddenly she was apprehensive about what he would say when she questioned him. Would she get the gentle Danny who had come to mean everything to her or would she be forced to endure the person who's anger had bit her once already.

"Hi Stacey," Michelle hadn't spoken to her since their phone conversation the other day. "Have you seen Danny around today?"

"Yes," she returned coldly, "Malcolm sent him out on an errand."

"Could you tell him I want to see him when he gets back?"

"Whatever," Stacey retorted thinking here we go again. She couldn't believe what a disappointment Michelle turned out to be. The friendship that had been budding all the sudden was snapped out of existence by a late spring frost.

Michelle went to the filing cabinet and pulled out Danny's folder. She was looking for any further entries that Malcolm may have made. Before she even had a chance to open it Danny walked through the door.

"Stacey said you were looking for me."

"Yeah," she hesitated. The remains of his beating were still so clear on his face. Michelle's chest tightened with anxiety unsure of what she was about to say and how it would be received. "Come sit down."

Danny was dealing with his own anxiety and didn't like the sound of her voice. He hadn't seen her since the other day and had a bad feeling about the way this conversation was starting out.

"I want to talk to you about what happened the other day."

Before she was able to continue Danny stopped her, "No, Michelle, let me start. I'm sorry I put you in such an awkward position. I didn't mean to, it just sort of happened."

"I'm glad that it happened Danny," Michelle softly smiled relieved that the Danny sitting before her was gentle guy she recalled.

"What?" He was overwhelmed by her words.

"I said I was glad."

Confusion reigned supreme. This wasn't what he had expected to hear in the least. But now that he was faced with the words he had longed for he felt the walls creeping up again. The thoughts of exactly what he might be drawing Michelle into by including her in his life caused him to stop and rethink everything.

"Believe me," she sighed, "At first I wasn't so sure. There were so many things that I couldn't past in my head, but the one thing that wouldn't go away was this picture of you that was always in my mind's eye," Michelle knew she was walking out on a limb but sitting across from him she couldn't stop herself. Having Danny that close only made her realize all the more that she couldn't imagine never seeing him again.

"I have given this a great deal of thought and I don't give a damn about the consequences. I know in my heart that I have to give this a try. I wasn't truly sure of how I felt until you kissed me the other day. Things were pretty intense with you then and I wasn't sure if you really meant to kiss me or if it was the heat of the moment kind of thing. All I know is right now I want to get to know you better and see how things develop."

Michelle's words spilled from her mouth so fast Danny had trouble keeping up with them. The wave of shock that consumed him took his breath away. There she was this beautiful creature knowing all she knew about him and she still wanted to have him as part of her life. The thought nearly sent his head rolling off his head.

"You're kidding right?" Danny questioned wondering if maybe he had heard her wrong.

"No," Michelle was as serious as she had ever been about anything in her life. She looked into Danny's eyes searching for any sign of what was really going through his mind. Why hadn't she just let this drop? He's just looking for a way to let me off this hook I put myself on, Michelle thought to herself while Danny looked away.

Without warning Danny came forward and placed a deliberate kiss on Michelle's mouth. The sensation was soft, sweet and filled with a mixture of passion and relief felt by both.

"Well do you still think the first one was done in the heat of the moment?" Danny questioned.

Michelle was unable to speak. She was consumed with a sudden peace. All the pent up doubts and fears that she had been carrying with her vanished. The calm was welcoming.

"No," she whispered nestling herself in the folds of his strong arms.

"Would you like to go on a date?" Danny heard the words before he could stop them. Things were moving so fast now. It was like a small snowball that was steadily picking up momentum as it thundered down a mountain.

"I would like that," she answered looking up at him. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity to Michelle, she was excited about going out on a date. There was no feeling of dread at the thought. She wasn't able to contain the smile that overtook her face.

"How about tomorrow night?"

"Perfect."

Danny found himself again watching Michelle's retreating back. The stunning revelation that in less then twenty-four hours they would be out on a date sent his heart racing and his mind looking to make some sense out of the euphoria had caused his body to sing.

It amazed him that through all the pain that encompassed his life day in and day out, he was given such a sweet angel. How in good conscious could he draw Michelle, his angel of salvation, into the depths of his hell?

There were so many things in his life that could harm her. He had to wonder about the things in her own life that had harmed her as well. He still couldn't shake the ominous feeling that he had gotten from the first true encounter he had had at her at the park. The bruises had faded from his sight but in his memory they were ever present. With that thought in mind he could not not move forward with her. No matter the mess his life was he most certainly intended to look out for Michelle's best interests, which was more then Danny could say had been done for her until now.

Michelle walked away from him as if she had been walking on air. The events had played out far better then she could have ever dreamed. She was about to have a full fledged date with Danny Santos. The thought in and of itself caused her body to grow warm and cheeks flush.

The only thing left for Michelle to do was set things right with Stacey. She deserved an explanation as to what had been going on the past few days.

"Hey," Michelle said entering the main room where Stacey was reading a book, "You think we could talk?"

"I guess," Stacey returned flatly.

"I know you are angry with me and you have every right to be. I've been a lousy friend these past couple days. I apologize for leaving you in the lurch the other day with Danny. You have been a good friend to me in the short time that I have been here and you certainly deserved better then the way I treated you."

"I just don't understand what's been going on." Stacey turned her full attention to Michelle now.

"To be honest neither did I for awhile," she half smiled, "You know that I had a crush on Danny. I did very little to hid that fact. So of course bearing that in mind understand that that only complicated things. Actually I haven't stopped thinking about him since the day I thought he was just a repairman."

"I know all of that. But what really went on with the two of you?"

"That day I showed up here telling you that Danny blew me off at the park. Well that wasn't the entire truth. I went there with a few friends," Michelle used the term loosely, "Danny and I started talking and Parker….."

"The jerk from the other night?" Stacey cut in.

"Yes. Parker didn't like what he thought was going on and he was a real ass to Danny."

"I'm not at all surprised." Stacey remembered what a loser he had been.

"Needless to say I was pretty mad and I did something stupid. I started a fight with him. One thing led to another and Parker ended up trying to choke me."

"That was the same day you stayed for that session with Beth?" Stacey questioned.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well I thought something was wrong but you didn't want to talk so I let it drop."

"Well to make a long story short, Danny and I had a friendship budding. I ran into him the other day and ended up bringing him to work. We talked a little about our mom's and stuff. I couldn't stop thinking about him so when you came and told me he wanted to talk to me I didn't have a clue what to do. I wanted to help him but I knew that I should have gotten Malcolm. Well of course you know I didn't and things got pretty heated that night. The only good thing was that I got him to open up to me as to what was happening with him. After that things were going well and then out of the blue he up and kissed me. Well I just freaked out. I ran out of here and never looked back. I knew it was wrong but it didn't matter."

"So what happened when you finally came back and talked to Malcolm?" Stacey was happy to see that finally both of their hidden feelings were out in the open.

"I told him everything that I just told you. I thought for sure he was going to tell me that I wasn't welcome here anymore but he didn't. He actually asked me to help him with Danny. He said I was the first person in weeks to get through to him."

"What did Malcolm make of Danny kissing you? She was curious on just how he handled that. Malcolm was pretty strict about such things.

"Come to think of it, he never said a thing."

That statement puzzled Stacey. She didn't understand what Malcolm was up to. Her only hope was that he knew.

"I finally talked to Danny about his kissing me. I was terrified, thought for sure he was going to blow me off. That didn't happen though. I got just the opposite really. He said he has liked me all along." Stacey watched as Michelle's excitement had her about to burst at the seams. "We have a date for tomorrow night. Can you believe it?"

"Yes….yes I can. I have known for a while now that Danny thought you were great."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"He wanted me to keep my mouth shut. I have to say I think he was as scared of you as you were of him."

"God Stacey if I had only known. These last few days would have been less agonizing."

"No one said life was supposed to be easy," Stacey commented.

"Yeah I guess. Stacey, do you think that we could start again? I am sorry if I ever made you think that I was blowing you off. I would like us to be friends, good friends. Besides I enjoy your company."

There wasn't a moments hesitation in Stacey's response, "Of course. I was just so confused. Nothing that was happening made any sense. I knew from the start you would make a great counselor. I just didn't get what was going on with you and Danny and then when you didn't tell Malcolm about him being here….well that was suspicious. I was starting to think that maybe you weren't any different from your friend and this was all a joke to you."

"NEVER!" Michelle stressed, "I was just utterly overwhelmed."

"Let's just say all is forgiven and forget about it all." Stacey leaned forward and hugged Michelle completely relieved that she had been wrong in her new friend's motives. "So a date huh?" she arched her brow.

The pair went on talking for some time. Michelle was glad to have worked thing out with both Stacey and Danny. She was beginning to feel as though she had a family there.

"Hey, I wanted to talk to you," she said running into Malcolm as she was making her way to the door.

"Yes?" he answered.

"I wanted to ask you about Danny. Did you tell him about me helping you out?"

"I'll handle things. There's nothing for you to be concerned about," Malcolm looked away as he spoke. He had no intention of letting Danny in on his new found secret weapon. Knowing Danny Santos the way he did, Malcolm was sure that was the quickest way to defeat his whole plan.

"Okay. I just want to be sure that it's all out in the open. How is this really supposed to work?"

"Just like I said. Just be his friend. You and I will try to get together once a week to compare notes."

"Sounds easy enough. Okay well then see you later."

The following day Michelle was a bundle of nerves. She had spent the better part of the day watching the clock and waiting for the phone to ring. With each passing hour Michelle's doubts about Danny ever calling her took hold of her. Each time the phone rang, she jumped to get it only to find a business partner of her father's on the other end. By the time six o'clock rolled around she couldn't stop herself from thinking that it all had been a cruel joke and it had been played on her.

Sitting by the phone willing it to ring was doing little for Michelle's frazzled nerves. She headed for her room. Pressing play on the CD player, the sounds of Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty engulfed the room. She threw open the door to her closet as she let the beat of the music seep its way through all of her doubts.

As Michelle looked at the abundance of clothes hanging before her, she didn't have a clue what to wear. She didn't know where they were going or what they would even be doing. So picking an outfit was a difficult task. She toyed with many possibilities not wanting to be too causal yet she didn't want to be dressed to the nines either. Finally she decided on her favorite Levis and the fisherman sweater that her father hadn't even noticed she had inherited from his closet.

Her eyes wondered to the bedside clock. It was now almost half past six. The knot in Michelle's stomach continued growing tighter. She walked into the adjoining bathroom and started the shower hoping that the beating of the warm water against her body would relax her.

Michelle pushed back any negative thoughts about tonight. She wouldn't let the doubts play tricks on her, not this time. She focused on the wonderful time that she intended on having with him. Maybe he had gotten hung up at the center doing something for Malcolm; he could have to take care of something, Michelle was doing her best to come up with any reason but the one that pushed its way to the front of her mind was that Danny and his stepfather had gone rounds again. The thought of it made Michelle shudder even under the hot stream of water. There had to be a better life for Danny. There had to be a place that he wouldn't be subjected to such torture. Michelle planned to bring that up to Malcolm the next time they talked. She knew that he had helped Stacey get away from her dad why couldn't he do that for Danny as well.

Just as she started to rinse the mountain of shampoo from her hair, she heard the phone ringing off in the distance. "Hello," she said breathlessly.

"Michelle?" the uncertain voice belonged to Danny.

"Yeah," she readjusted the towel around her head and body as she sat on the edge of her bed.

"Is something the matter?" he asked noticing the distraction in her voice.

"No. I was just in the middle of taking a shower when I heard the phone ringing." Michelle didn't want to admit that she had been worried that he and Thomas might have had words again or the even bigger possibility that he had changed his mind about their date.

"Oh well then it's safe to assume that we are still on for tonight?" he asked pensively his own fears coming into play.

"I guess that's up to you," Michelle remarked in a noncommittal tone.

"I hope so," he countered feeling the walls of his fortress beginning to climb.

Michelle let out a heavy sigh. "You want to hear something funny?" she questioned, "I thought maybe you were ducking me. That you changed your mind about our going out."

Danny felt himself smile. She was having the same doubts and fears he was. The thought was a comforting one. One that gave him great hope for the things to come for them.

"No way! I wouldn't break our date. I was just at the center. Malcolm was…well let's just say he's making up for a lot of lost time with me."

"You get things straightened out with him?" Michelle asked noting wanting to sound pushy but her curiosity got the better of her.

"I think so."

"I am so glad to hear that."

"Well I guess I should let you go finish your shower. By the way do you think that we could meet at the movie theater? I can't get my hands on a car tonight so I can't really pick you up. I am really sorry about that. Not exactly how I wanted our first date to go," she heard the anxiety in his voice.

"Listen we could just take my car. I could come an pick you up. I mean I'm an independent woman of the new millennium," Michelle laughed.

"I don't think so. You coming here isn't such a hot idea. This place is usually a war zone. I don't want to take a chance."

"Come on Danny, I'm sure that it'll be okay. I mean really what's ten minutes going to hurt?"

A great deal Danny thought to himself as Michelle continued on with her barrage of reasons that she should just pick him up, "Fine, whatever…okay I give in," he relented finally, "I'll see you then, bye."

Danny was overwhelmed how easily it seemed that Michelle could get anything that she wanted from him. The idea of bringing her into his world distressed him. He knew she was walking into the belly of the beast without a clue of what she had the possibility of facing. He was pleased to see that his stepfather was no where to be found. The one thing he didn't want was a run in between Michelle and Thomas.

Michelle hopped back under the warm flow of water and finished the task at hand. Slipping A BOY NAME GOO into the CD player the song NAME resonated off the walls. She watched her reflection in the vanity mirror as she sang along with the words. Feeling every emotion coursing through her. The anticipation that she felt was consuming.

Michelle again looked at her reflection. Her blonde hair fell in soft damp curls down her back and her deep brown eyes shone with excitement. Hanging up her robe she slipped the heavy sweater over her head and went about fixing her make-up. She opted for minimal amount as she could. She outlined her eyes with soft brown liner and mascara, tawny peach highlighted her definite cheek bones and creamy beige covered her full lips. Michelle sat back and looked at herself again. Pleased with the results, she pulled on her Levis and finished off the look with a pair of short cowboy boots. As she left the room, Michelle caught a glimpse of herself in the full length mirror that hung on the door. She looked at the girl who looked back at her feeling that she was finally together and in control of her life again.

"Where are you headed?" Ed asked as Michelle made her way down the stairs.

"To the movies."

"I'm glad to see you haven't cut yourself off totally from the rest of the world. As well as I am happy to see that you've pulled yourself away from that place," he remarked coldly.

These were the first civil words her father had spoken to her in days. She didn't even want to resume the conversation from the other day. If he had known who she was headed out to the movies with lord only knew what lengthens he would go to try and stop her.

"Bye." She closed the door behind her.

Michelle pulled against the curb at the address Danny had given her. As she entered the building the hallway was dim. Lit only by a bare bulb. In the darkness she nearly toppled over a drunk who hadn't the energy obviously to make it to his own apartment. As she approached Danny's door, Michelle feared knocking wondering if the whole building might collapse around her.

Michelle was greeted by a man she could only imagine to be Thomas. Much to Danny's horror he had returned home just moments earlier. He had wanted to be long gone with Michelle before the bastard ever got there.

"Why what do we have here?" the dirty man slurred, "What's a pretty thing like this doing on my doorstep? You aren't here to see me now are you?"

"No," Michelle countered weakly, "Is Danny here?"

"Now what would you want a loser like when you could have me?" Thomas put his arm around her shoulder. Michelle's body tensed under his touch.

"TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Danny growled through clenched teeth.

Michelle turned to see Danny standing across the room. She was relieved to see him but in the same breath she was frightened as well. Danny standing up to Thomas always spelled disaster.

"WHAT DID YOU NOT HEAR ME?!?! GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HER!!!"

Danny's words only served in Thomas tightening his grip on Michelle's shoulder. She flinched under the pressure.

"Now Danny boy, you wouldn't want me to have to hurt this lovely young thing now would you?" Thomas' words terrified Michelle. This was certainly not how she envisioned their date beginning.

"This is between you and me Thomas! She has nothing to do with it!" Danny was careful not to use Michelle's name not wanting to give Thomas any more information than necessary. "JUST LET HER GO!!!"

What Danny had feared most was happening right before his eyes. Thomas would use whatever means necessary to get to him and he had no intention of letting him use Michelle as bait.

Without warning Thomas dropped his arm and walked over to when Danny was standing. His hand made contact with Danny's jaw with such force that the sound of it bounced off the walls. Michelle felt the urge to go to Danny but her fear had caused her feet to take root.

"YOU KNOW BETTER THEN TO MESS WITH ME!!" He again raised his fist to Danny's face as Michelle could do no more then cover her eyes. Thomas landed hard on his jaw. "GO ON GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE! I DON'T WANT TO EMBARRASS YOU IN FRONT OF THE LITTLE LADY," he cackled, "GET OUT OF HERE!!!"

Danny rushed forward grabbing Michelle and was out the door in a flash never once looking back.

In the safety of the hallway Michelle broke down into tears. "Oh man, baby I am so sorry," he said drawing her shaking body against his, "I knew it was a bad idea having you come here. I didn't want you to ever have to meet that BASTARD," Danny's voice seethed, "Shit you didn't need that. I'm so sorry Michelle," Danny did his best to calm her.

"I was so scared," she cried.

"So was I, scared for you that is. Me well I am pretty used to the ass. God if he would have hurt you, some much as a hair on your head….I….I would have killed the bastard!" Danny's voice was full of rage. "I promise you that will never happen again!"

Michelle eyed him carefully. She had gotten just a glimpse of what Danny was forced to deal with on a daily basis. The little she had seen made her wonder how he had survived this long.

"Forget it okay? It's over, Danny. Let's just try to forget about it. Don't let him ruin our night? I want to have a good time. Please, can we at least try?" she pleaded stroking his bruised face.

He was putty in her hand. He would have given Michelle the world on a sliver platter if he could have.

"Sure," he smiled, "I mean it though, you will never come face to face with Thomas ever again." He gently kissed her forehead thankful that Thomas hadn't made good on his threats.

"So…..you ready for that movie?" Michelle asked in an attempt to lighten the dark mood.

"I think we might have missed it," he countered looking at his watch.

She did the same, "I suppose you're right," she concurred, "So where to now?"

"What would you think about taking a walk in the park?"

"Sounds nice."

"Let's get the hell out of here." Danny took her by the hand wanting to leave the encounter with Thomas in the dust of the surroundings.

The park was just about deserted when they arrived. Michelle was pleased though. Spending time alone with Danny was exactly what she had in mind. The thought of running into anyone else after what had happened with his stepfather left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Look at that sunset," she remarked, "It's absolutely beautiful."

"Like you," he whispered. This was the first time that evening that Danny had taken a good look at the girl before him. She was even more breathtaking then he recalled. He wasn't able to pull his eyes from her.

"What?" she asked not really paying attention to his words. She had been busy gazing up at the sky. The red, orange and yellow lit up the evening horizon.

"Nothing. You look really great tonight." Michelle blushed but backed away suddenly. "Michelle," he questioned puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she returned never looking at him.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

The thought of opening up to Danny at the moment petrified her. She knew all too well he had his own set of problems to handle. He didn't need to be dragged into hers too. He had already figured out that someone had been responsible for her bruises. She just wasn't ready to open those wounds again.

"Michelle," Danny began knowing that he should stop but couldn't. The sudden distance between them had Danny wanting to close the gap. "Are you sure that you are okay? I'm sorry if I said something to spook you. It's just that you look incredible."

"I just don't like being stared at. It puts me a bit on edge," she said sharply.

"I'm sure that you're used to it though. You are beautiful. There's no denying that."

"SO!" she spat, "That doesn't mean that I have to like it. Do you have any idea what it feels like to walk into a room and have all the guys stop what they are doing and stare?" her voice was tense.

"Michelle," Danny stifled his laugh, "Did you hear what you just asked me? I can safely say no I have never had guys stare at me as I enter a room," Danny couldn't stop the laughs now. It wasn't appropriate but they came none the less.

Michelle had to laugh as well. The question had been a ridiculous one. "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that. This has nothing to do with you. It's not your fault. It's just me. I get touchy when I notice people starring at me," Michelle was trying to pull all of her scattered emotions into once sentence.

"By people, you mean guys, don't you?" he asked.

"Yeah.," she commented again looking away from him gathering the strength to explain her actions, "You know they aren't just looking for the sake of looking. There is always some motive behind it. There's a hidden agenda always," she stressed. "My mom always told me to walk with my head held high and be proud of who I was, but lately that hasn't helped me all that much."

Michelle had grown so accustomed to what Parker's intent stares meant that she had difficulty not seeing the same thing in all of the others. At first his deep blue eyes had been mesmerizing but as time wore on they grew menacing and she hated them.

"Nothing ever good comes from them."

Danny reached for Michelle's hand unsure of what to make of her abstract words. He imagined that most of what she was eluding to was tied up in the guy he had seen her at the park with. His anger towards a person he didn't even know began building slowly in the pit of his stomach. The only thought he was able to focus on was that fact that Michelle had been traumatized and he wanted set the world right for her again.

"Look at me," he brought her eyes to meet his own, "You don't ever have to worry about me. There is nothing more behind my intentions other than that I think you are incredibly beautiful, inside and out," Danny smiled.

"If it was only that easy to believe," she quipped still unable to forget the hell her life had been at the hands of Parker Simms.

"Michelle," Danny swallowed hard as he embarked on his next sentences. He was treading down a path that he hadn't traveled in years. A path that was leading to him becoming a part of another person's life and as frightened as he was his heart wouldn't let his feet stop. "Admittedly I know very little about your life. I do know that whatever it is, it's hurt you pretty badly. Somewhere inside I have a good idea what it might be but it's your call if you want to tell me or not."

Michelle hung back wondering if she could actually tell Danny about Parker and the anguish she had suffered. She couldn't forget how angry he had been at the thought that his stepfather might have harmed her. She didn't know if telling Danny about Parker would help. It might only serve in making his life all the more difficult.

"Michelle, I'm not in this for whatever you think I am. God," he gasped, "Can't you see what a great person you are? I just want to get to know you. There isn't a hidden agenda with me. I like spending time with you that's all," Danny heard the earnest way he spoke. Suddenly he was so aware of the remnants of the man his father taught him to be.

Still Michelle hung back. She couldn't get past the feeling that this was exactly how things had started with Parker. He was all compliments and flowery speeches in the beginning. But she knew all too well how that had turned out. She didn't want to take herself from the frying pan into the fire.

As much as she trusted Danny, she couldn't let her defenses just yet.

"Hey, you still with me?" Danny questioned snapping his fingers before her eyes.

"Yeah."

"Hey, I didn't mean to push you. I just want you to understand that I don't want anything from you. I just want you Michelle, only you."

She looked at him and gently smiled. With those words the walls around her heart slowly made their decent. "You know what Danny Santos?"

"Yes?" he prodded.

"I think I found myself a keeper."

Without warning she pulled his body into her own. Hesitating but a moment Danny brought his mouth to hers. Effortlessly she willingly returned his advances. Soon she felt his lips travel to the nape of her neck. Each gentle touch from them sent a shock wave of excitement throughout her body. She felt his hands tremble as he caressed the small of her back. That touch combined with his hot breath on her neck left Michelle with an overwhelming sensation of sheer desire. She hadn't felt this alive in years. She was without an ounce of fear for the man standing before her. It was a strange sensation but one that she took pleasure in.

"I think we should take a walk," Danny said pulling himself away from their embrace. It pained him to do but he knew that Michelle wasn't mentally ready for what potentially was happening between the two of them.

They made their way around the park in a comfortable silence. In that silence Michelle knew that she needed to help Danny understand her fully. Along with the fact that she needed to free herself of the burden of Parker Simms that she had been carrying for far too long now.

"There's something that I need to explain. I need you to understand that I have a lot of issues of my own to deal with, especially where men are concerned. So please understand when I say that this has to go slow for us. I don't want to jump the gun, get scared and bolt. Do you understand?"

"Sure. We can take all the time we need. I think I will like just getting to know you Michelle." Danny flashed his bright smile as Michelle rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

They headed in the direction of the lake neither wanting the night to come to an end.

"One last kiss?" he asked as they made their way back to where the car was parked.

"Most definitely."

Danny embraced her tightly burying his face in the soft curls of Michelle's hair. He drank in the smell of her. He couldn't seem to get enough of it. She looked up at him just a he bent his head in for another sweet kiss. His lips were warm and soft as they grazed across hers. The electricity surged again down her spine.

"Are you cold?" he asked noticing her shiver.

"A little," she lied.

"Here," Easily Danny draped his leather jacket over her shoulders.

"Thanks." It was now Michelle's turn to consume all the wonderful smells there were Danny.

"This is where I leave you," He stated as they pulled up in front of his building.

"I can at least walk you to the front door can't I?" Michelle would have done anything to extend this night just a bit longer.

"NO WAY!" his conviction was firm. "I don't' want to chance you running into Thomas again. Once in your lifetime is enough."

"Please Danny," she pleaded.

This time Danny stood his ground amongst all of repeated attempts at getting him to change is mind. "I would love for you to be able to, but I can't take that chance." He leaned across the console and left her with one last lingering kiss. "Bye for now. See you at the center?"

"Yep."