Michelle anxiously stood at the gate waiting to board her flight. "Last call Flight 837 to Springfield," she heard a voice overhead say. Springfield she thought to herself. Why was she doing this again. Dredging up all those memories that she had successfully buried. But had she really? He fingers went instinctively to the chain around her neck. On that chain was her wedding ring. She knew that she should have tucked it away in that box with all things from her marriage to Danny but when the time came to do it. She couldn't bring herself to.

"Miss," the flight attendant's voice startled her, "Miss, are you on this flight? We're just about to close the gate."

Michelle picked up her carry on and walked up the ramp. She had wished that Dylan had been able to come with her. They had just graduated NYU and in a few weeks would be starting their residency. She had begged him to come with her. She could see him smiling at her as she stood on her tip toes to make eye contact. 'Chelle, I can't. As much as I would love to meet your family and friends I haven't seen my family in over a year. This will the last time I get the chance to before all the craziness of our careers start again. Please try to understand." He then kissed the tip of her nose.

Michelle did understand but that hadn't made going home alone any easier. She settled into her seat for the two hour flight. In two short hours she would be back where it all began. Again her hand went to that ring.

She fingered the smooth gold band. It had been four years since their marriage had been annulled. Yet the way she felt right now it could have been just yesterday. Danny had walked out of the Bauer kitchen signed papers in hand. Michelle stood motionless yet every part of her body told her to run after him. Confess your love to him. Funny as it was they both knew they loved one another but it hadn't been enough. "But it should have been," Michelle whispered closing her eyes. She willed herself not to cry. Closing her eyes only served to conjure up the image of Danny's face. She could see his dark eyes and chocolates curls, the easy curve of his mouth when he smiled. She could hear his laugh, feel his touch. Stop it she scolded herself. You both have moved on the way it was supposed to be. "You have Dylan now. He's a good man and he loves you," she said aloud pushing Danny Santos to the remotest part of her mind.

Michelle ordered a drink and tried to relax. Flying had never been her favorite thing but driving from New York to Springfield had not been an option. She wanted to make it in time for Jesse and Drew's wedding.

Drew and Michelle had remained friends the distance had never been an obstacle for them. The computer age had seen to that. E-mails, faxes and cell phones had been a god sent for them.

Drew knew it was a lot to ask of her friend to return to Springfield but she couldn't imagine Michelle not being there to share in her joy. The joy of becoming Jesse's wife finally. Drew had even gone as far as planning their wedding around Michelle's schedule. She wanted her to be her maid of honor. Michelle had 3 weeks between graduation and her residency. So naturally the wedding would be then.

Three weeks in Springfield Michelle thought to herself. She didn't know if was really up for this. Had Dylan have come, she would have been forced to forget about Danny and form new memories of Springfield with him, but since he hadn't she was stuck looking back instead of forward.

Drew had told her that Danny had left Springfield shortly after she had. She wasn't sure of all the details but he had headed to Chicago to work on something for the family.

Drew assured Michelle that Danny Santos spent very little time in Springfield anymore. The likelihood of her having any contact with him was slim to none. Michelle had mixed feelings about that though. Her head told her it was for the best but her heart ached for him all the while. Still three weeks that was a long time though and anything was possible.

Michelle heard the captain call for all cigarettes to be extinguished and seat belts to be fastened. They were making their descent into Springfield. They should be on the ground shortly.

"Well here goes nothing," Michelle smiled as she debarked the plane.

In four years Springfield had changed very little. She felt she could pick up right where she had left off. Like a book that had been set aside for awhile. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. Now there were two books rather then one and hers had a new hero by the of Dylan Pierce.

Summer had hit Springfield with vengeance. Michelle removed her blazer as she walked through the terminal to the baggage pick up area. She had thought that she would feel strange but she didn't. As a matter of fact she felt completely at ease. "Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought," she said to herself. She would delight in seeing Rick, Abby and her nephew that up until now she had only seen in the form of a picture. This was her home and she had every right to be there.

Michelle stood on the curb waiting for Drew to arrive. She had insisted on picking her up. Said they were in need of some serious girl time. Michelle relented knowing the Drew would not take no for an answer.

"My purse," Michelle said searching through the bags beside her. "Damn!" She retraced her steps trying to find the missing object. She wasn't watching where she was headed and ran head on into someone rushing in the opposite direction.

"Excuse me," she froze at the sound of the voice.

"Danny.........Michelle.......," they said in unison.

Danny walked through the Springfield Airport. He looked like any other businessman but this was anything but a business trip. He was coming home. For a short while anyway.

The merger of the Santos and Rivera families was on it's way to being a permanent fact making them the most powerful crime organization since Al Capone's.

Danny could still see Bernard sitting behind that grand desk that he treasured so much smoking his cigar and smiling. Smiling like a Cheshire cat. This is what he had waited for his entire life. He would have had it sooner if Danny hadn't broken his engagement to Theresa all those years ago. That didn't matter much anymore. Bernard had forgiven Danny for the indiscretion of youth and now everyone was getting what they wanted, But were they? Yes Carmen and Bernard were on top of the world and Theresa well Theresa hadn't stopped smiling in days. Danny thought absently that her face might explode. Yes everyone was happy but him.

He looked down at his watch and knew that Jimmy would be waiting for him with the car. He picked up the pace not wanting to listen to another one of Carmen's lectures. He collided head on with a young women sending both of their bags sailing across the terminal.

"Excuse me," he began. There it was that intoxicating scent that in all these years he couldn't remove from his nostrils. The faintest hint of lavender. The scent that was Michelle Bauer. He looked up and was taken a back. "Michelle?"

"Danny?" his name caught in her throat.

Both stood in awe of one another unable to say a word. Their eyes connected. Connected as they always had done. Each looking into the depths of the others soul. Michelle felt the goose bumps on her flesh even though it was over 90 degrees outside. She was transported back in time. To a place when all that mattered was his love for her. His protecting her. She would have given anything to feel his strong arms around her waist. His mouth against hers.

"It's great to see you," his voice was a hoarse whisper. She was as beautiful as he remembered. Time still for a moment. Danny wanted to reach out to her. Stroke his hand against her bare arms. Push the hair that incessantly fell forward covering her eyes. He stopped himself.

"You too," she returned finding her voice.

The awkward silence encircled them. Michelle shifted nervously not knowing what to do next.

"Here," he handed her her purse.

"Thank you. What brings you back to Springfield?"

"Business," his answer short, "And you?"

"Drew and Jesse are getting married."

"Right...Pilar said something about that."

This small talk was unnerving. They talked to one another as if they had never been anything more than just friends. Michelle couldn't bring herself to look at him. And that was all Danny could do was look at her. Michelle, his Michelle. What had he done all those years before? Starring at her now he couldn't fathom why he had done what he had. But deep down he knew. The decision had been taken out of his hands.

"Nice to see you again, but I'm sure Drew is waiting for me by now." Michelle smiled picturing Drew honking her horn and calling her name.

"Yeah me too......I'm running late as it is. How long you staying?" the words fell from his mouth before he hand time to stop them.

"A couple weeks."

"Maybe I'll see you around." Danny knew he was playing a dangerous game but he couldn't stop himself. Couldn't imagine walking away from her again. Her retreating form held him captive. She sensed his eyes on her and stopped short turning to look at him again over her shoulder. Michelle smiled eyes twinkling. He was unable to stop himself from smiling back. It was as if life had finally been breathed back into his soul. He felt alive again a complete person. The feeling was gone fast though as Theresa threw her arms around his waist.

Michelle felt his eyes piercing through her as she walked away from him. It was if she had been hit by a ton of bricks but she was powerless to stop herself from looking back at him.

She smiled at him. He had smiled back. She felt dizzy with the excitement that filled her. So many hidden feelings came flooding back. All those distant memories were now in the forefront of her mind.

There he was standing there in his ever present black suit and tie, but all she could see was those gray boxers that he had worn to bed every night. All the time they wasted fighting one another. Well more like her fighting him. Pushing him away. Fighting the ever growing feelings that she had for him. She kept telling him that all she wanted was her life back. And when he had given her just that she wanted nothing more then to run back to him.

She shook her head ridding herself of all of it. That was in the past. Dylan Pierce was her present and more then likely her future. But Danny had given her hope that there was a glimmer of feelings still between them.

"Hey girlfriend," Drew said running up to Michelle forcing her to forget about Danny Santos for the moment, anyhow.

"Hey." Michelle smiled throwing her arms around her friend. "So how's the bride to be?"

"Crazed," Drew opened the trunk for Michelle to drop her bags inside. "Things at Millennium are out of control, lost a bartender, trying to train two new girls, Jesse is on his way to New York to set up a gallery showing."

"New York?" Michelle sounded surprised.

"Yeah, can you believe it? Two weeks before the wedding and he's off doing his own thing. He left me holding the bag for all the arrangements."

"Hey that's what I'm here for," Michelle countered.

"I know. It's so great to have you back. I've missed you so much." Drew rested her hand on her friends.

Michelle held back a tear. She had missed this too. E-mail was fine but the personal contact, nothing beat it. "So where do we start?"

"First I would have to say some girl talk. We have some serious catching up to do."

"Drew, we talk nearly everyday."

"Yeah, so?"

"You already know everything there is to know. What more can we say?"

"It's not what you say Michelle. I want to see your face when you say it. I want to see you get the goofy grin of yours when you talk about this guy Dylan." Michelle playfully punched her friends shoulder. "See there it is!" Drew pointed, "I knew it was the real thing with this guy."

Michelle had thought so too until minutes ago. Seeing Danny again had thrown her for a loop. Right now Dylan was running a very distant second. She tried her best to picture his face and remember his voice but all Michelle was able to come up with was Danny Santos.

"Hey, Michelle....." Drew snapped her fingers in front of her eyes, "You in there girl?"

"Yeah sorry. What ... what were you saying?"

"Do you want to grab a bite at Company before I take you back to your house?"

"You know Drew I really am kinda tired. Would you mind if we just met up in the morning?"

"Yeah, sure. You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine." Drew knew better though. She had seen that look on Michelle's face before. All those years ago when she was struggling with her feelings for Danny. Maybe it had been wrong to ask her to come back. To relive something that should have been dead and buried.

Drew pulled into the Bauer driveway. "So tomorrow then?"

"You bet. I'm really glad you're back. Even if it is only for a couple weeks."

"Me too," Michelle leaned in to hug her friend again. "You are going to make a beautiful bride. You know that?"

"I hope so."

"You will. Talk to in the morning."

Michelle walked into the house. Drinking in the familiar surroundings. How she missed this kitchen. How she longed for her talks with Aunt Meta. She had distanced herself from everything when she left for New York. She was looking to start fresh but she knew now that a part of her would forever belong to Springfield and more importantly Danny Santos.

Theresa watched out of the blackened glass of the limo as the planes taxied on to and off of the runways. She absently wondered if Danny's had touched down yet. It seemed like an eternity since she had been away from him rather then just a few days.

She had been walking on air since the day that Danny had decided to marry her. She knew that it was business ploy set up by her father and Carmen but none of that mattered to her. She was getting her dream. Ever since she was a child, she envisioned herself being Mrs. Danny Santos.

She did all the crazy doodles young girls do experimenting with the pairing of their names. As they had gotten older, their friendship moved on to a budding romance. At the age of seventeen, Theresa saw her destiny being fulfilled. She saw herself as the future wife sitting at the right hand of the head of the Santos Crime Family. Unfortunately the fantasy in her head had not played out the same on paper.

Theresa tried not to think about that day. Push it as far out of her mind as she could. Danny up and left. He went on a homage of some sort with his cousin Ray. His only word to her was a note. Theresa could see the words when she closed her eyes.

Theresa,

I am sorry to have to do this. I can't continue on this

way. I am too young to know what I want yet. Your

father and my mother have our lives mapped out for

us. I'm not ready for what they want. I hope you can

understand. I'm sorry.

Danny

Just thinking about it again set her heart pounding. Bernard had set out on the war path. His daughter had been shamed. She spent days in her room sobbing. Crying over what wasn't meant to be. Danny returned with Ray about a month later. Ray was off to the seminary and Danny to college. To this day Theresa still was unsure as to how Carmen and Bernard had made things right between the families. Right now though she hadn't really cared all that much. She was getting what she wanted, her father and Carmen were as well. She knew that Danny was less then sure but she would make him see the greatness that they were destined for.

Jimmy parked the limo along the curb. He got out to stretch his legs and smoke a cigarette. He had had his share of toting around the fair Theresa. He couldn't wait for this marriage to be a done deal so things would go back to normal at the Santos compound. He caught sight of Danny coming through the turnstile.

"Miss Theresa," he said taking around puff, "Danny is on his way."

Theresa was out of the car in a flash heading for him. Her slow gait turning into an all out run. She couldn't get to him fast enough.

"Danny," she squealed throwing her arms around with such force Danny stumbled.

"Easy," he said. He wasn't able to get Michelle out of his head. He looked around hoping to catch one last glimpse of her before he had to climb into the limo with his intended wife. Just the thought of it made him queasy.

It had been easy to agree to this arrangement but that was before he had come up against his true wife. The woman that would own his heart forever. Looking at Theresa standing there gazing at him lovingly, he felt the weight of the world come crashing down on his shoulders. He had done this, everything to keep Michelle safe but at that very moment he would have given anything to have turned back the hands of time.

"Oh sweetie, I missed you," Theresa kissed him fully on the mouth. Doing her very best to deepen the kiss. Danny back away. He couldn't bring himself to kiss her back. Not now.

"Danny?" she returned like a small child.

"I'm tired. Jimmy let's get out of here."

"Right away boss," He had to stifled a smile. It was nice to see someone put this girl in her place.

Danny looked out the window as they wound their way to the Santos house. Theresa went on endlessly about all the plans that her and Carmen had set into place for their engagement party and subsequent wedding. Danny could have cared less. It was all a business arrangement. An arrangement to assure that Michelle would always be safe. Her life had been what was important to him. His life ended the day he walked out the door of her kitchen four years ago.

"Danny....Danny, have you heard a word that I said?" she whined.

"What?"

"What's the matter with you?" she asked irritated by his lack of attention to her.

"Nothing," he looked at her trying to smile. He had to forget about seeing Michelle. If he was to pull this marriage off he had to do that. "I'm just really tired. Long meetings before I left. I'm sorry now what were you saying?" he said not really caring at all..