Michelle sat at the bar nursing her glass of wine as Rick settled up for the night. As she sat starring into the blush colored liquid she couldn't help but relive their brief moment on the terrace. The mere thought of it sent her pulse racing once more.

The funny thing about the two of them was that no matter how hard they tried to be separate from one another, they were merely two halves of one whole.

Danny had let her go so that she could have the life that he thought that she deserved. A life that wasn't riddled with the violence that was his. But for all intensive purposes she wasn't really living at all. No matter how much she tried to fill the void that Danny had left with other things, other people it was still there. Starring her in the face. Tonight though just for a brief second that void no longer existed.

"Michelle," Rick said, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," she pushed the glass to the edge of the bar and looked out to the terrace one last time before exiting the club. Danny Santos wasn't getting away from her this time. Not without one hell of a fight.

Michelle walked into the darkness of her room. Immediately she went for the ring under her pillow. Instead of putting it again around her neck, this time she placed it on her left hand. She held it to her face. The moonlight causing it to sparkle. That was it's rightful place. That's where she longed for it to be.

Michelle no longer cared about the life that Danny led. The guns, the bombs and violence none of that matter to her anymore. She would risk it all if that meant the she could have him back. She was dead without him.

The ringing phone startled her, "Hello," she was met with silence on the other end. "Hello," she said again. "Is anyone there?"

Danny was speechless. The very sound of her voice had rendered him silent. What am I doing? he thought to himself. "Hello," she said once more.

"Michelle," he said just as she was about to hang up.

"Danny?" her eyes trailed to the ring that was still on her finger.

"Sorry to call so late."

"No...no it's okay. We just got home........." she didn't know what to say. Well she knew what she wanted to say. Her heart was pounding so loud she was shocked that Danny wasn't able to hear it.

"I want to apologize for what happened earlier. It was completely out of line."

"It's all right really," she said weakly. She felt her heart sink as she realized that maybe she had let her emotions get the better of her. That she was reading everything all wrong.

"I'm sorry that I had to walk away from you again. It wasn't supposed to be like that. Things are pretty complicated."

"I understand."

"No I don't think you do," Danny was looking for a way to make this work. Searching for a way to have her in his life again and keep her safe too.

"Everything has always been complicated with us," Michelle sighed.

"There's more to it then that. God I wish this was easy, but it's not!" Danny said in an angry tone.

"Danny, what...what is it?"

"Michelle....I still...I'm still in......" with that the phone went dead.

"Danny....Danny," Michelle's anxious words were met only with the sound of the dial tone.

An instant feeling of cold swept through her body. It was a eerie sensation. Michelle knew that she should call the Santos house. She knew that it went against everything that she had agreed to all those years before but something inside of her told her she needed to be sure that Danny was safe. Anything could have happened at that house. So many things that Michelle couldn't bring herself to even think of. Her mind conjured up all these visions of Danny hurt, bleeding or worse dead.

She rummaged through her desk drawer. Danny had given her Jimmy's cell phone number a long time ago. In case she ever needed anything. Well she needed something now. She only hoped that she was able to find it. "BINGO!" she said starring at the tiny piece of paper.

Before she had a chance to pick up the receiver it rang beneath her fingers, "DANNY?!?!" she said with urgency in her tone.

"Chelle? It's Dylan. Who's Danny? Are you okay?" Dylan Pierce couldn't help but notice the distress in Michelle's voice. Instantly he grew worried. There were so many things that he still didn't know about her. So many things that she had kept to herself. It scared him sometimes. He was already so much in love with her but always got the feeling that she was forever hanging back.

"Dylan," Michelle tried her best to sound upbeat. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else. Rick threw me a party and I thought this was one guests." This was the second time that she had lied to him. She felt like a utter heel.

"A party huh?" Dylan chided. "So all your old boyfriends there?"

"No!" Michelle returned too aggressively.

"Easy there killer," he laughed. "I was only teasing with you."

"Sorry. It's been one hell of a long day. I'm exhausted. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"Well sweets, you better get used to those long days. We have quite a few ahead of us I would say."

"I know." Michelle looked at the clock. She knew each minute longer she was on the phone with Dylan was another moment wasted in her attempt to make sure that Danny was all right. "Dylan would you be terribly upset with we cut this short?"

"No," Michelle could tell his agreement had been forced. "I understand that you are tired. We'll talk tomorrow."

"You know things are going to be pretty hectic here with getting ready for the wedding and all," Michelle could hear the words but couldn't stop them. She sounded horrible but right now she didn't even care. "I think it would be best if we just talked when we both get back to New York."

"HUH? You're kidding right?"

"Listen I have to go. Rick just got beeped by the hospital and needs the phone. I'll talk to you soon."

"Chelle, I love you," Michelle had hung up before she had even heard those words. It was for the best since she felt bad enough already.

Dylan sank into the leather recliner still holding the phone between his hands. He felt as if he had just been blindsided by a Mack truck. What happened to the girl who had begged him to come home with her? The girl so eager to have him meet her family and friends? It was like he had just stepped into an episode, a bad one at that, of the Twilight Zone.

He had so many questions and so few answers. Part of him wanted to jump on the next flight to Springfield yet a big part of him was afraid of what he would find if he did.

Danny searched for the words to explain everything to Michelle. How could he make her understand that his marrying Theresa was for her? He laughed at how ridiculous that sounded even to him. The thing was right now he couldn't imagine being married to anyone but her. Theresa was the farthest thing from his mind right now. Danny would have incurred the wrath of God if that meant having Michelle back in his arms. Hell more then likely he would given who he would be dealing with.

Carmen he could circumvent for awhile but Bernard, he on the other hand would be a different story all together.

"I want you to know that I still…I'm still in…." Danny heard the dial tone in his ear before he was able to finish, "What the …." Danny looked up to see Jimmy standing before him finger pressed to his lips indicating for Danny to remain quiet. Jimmy motioned in the direction of the back stairs. Danny saw the curtains swaying from where Dietz had just vacated.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING???? " Jimmy said in a harsh whisper.

That was the second time tonight that he had been asked that question but still didn't have a good answer for it. He didn't have a clue what it was he was doing. He was torn in opposite directions. His head, the only sensible part of him right now. Knew that there was no way he could continue doing this without stirring up trouble but his heart on the other hand would not let go of her. Danny had never needed someone as badly as he needed Michelle. He tried so hard for so long to forget about her but his world had fallen apart the instant she signed those papers.

She hadn't wanted to sign them. Danny remembered her begging for them to give their marriage one last chance. That things would be different. But her had stood firm forcing the pen into her hand. Forcing her to sign the papers proving their marriage, love never existed. She might as well have signed his death notice. For that day was the day the Danny Santos died.

"DANNY!" Jimmy said shaking his friends shoulder, "Have you lost your mind?"

"Maybe," Danny returned meekly as he lowered himself to the sofa.

"God, if I had known that you were going to get this weirded out on me because of her, I would have never let you come back here now."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later. Jimmy, I have been pushing for this for a long time now. I have come so close so many times before. To going to her, to telling her everything."

"I have to tell you something," Jimmy said in a foreboding way, "Watch your back. Dietz knows Michelle's in town."

"I figured as much."

"Then what possessed you to call her from here of all places?" Jimmy questioned.

Danny recounted the events of earlier that evening. Jimmy couldn't help but grin. Michelle was a beautiful woman and he knew how much it took his friend to resist her for so long now.

"Jimmy, I just couldn't handle the fact that I walked away from her again. It was like four years ago all over again. I couldn't even look at her. Then Pilar tells me that Michelle told her that she was still in love with me. That she never stopped loving me. I don't know I just picked up the phone and dialed. Hell I didn't even know what was happening until I heard her voice. I almost hung up. I just couldn't though," Danny sighed.

"Danny, what are you going to do?"

"I wish I knew," Danny said frustrated with himself.

"I am all for you and Michelle, you know that but right now I think we have a problem on our hands. Namely Dietz."

"DAMN, Carmen!"

"Danny, think. What are you going to do?" The conversation was interrupted by the ringing coming from inside Jimmy's jacket pocket, "Hello?" he said gruffly. "Oh hey Michelle," Danny turned his head to stare at him, "No hey that's okay. Not a problem. I know Danny gave you this number I just didn't think you would still have it."

Danny was anxious at only being able to hear Jimmy's side of the conversation. He had been amazed that Michelle still had Jimmy's number as well. And why was she taking the chance and using it?

"No everything's fine here. We had some sort of power outage. That must be what happened to the phone connection," Jimmy lied. He could hear the fear in her voice. He knew all too well the thoughts that had been running rampant through her mind.

"Yes, Michelle, Danny's fine. Really. Everything is okay over here. No, here's outside with the men checking on the security system. I will tell him you called."

Jimmy saw the tears in Danny's eyes as he ended the conversation. This is what he had been trying to keep her away from. No one should have to live their life in fear of losing their husband each and every time he walked out the door to do "business". Danny could only imagine what Michelle had been thinking when they were cut off in mid sentence. He felt his chest tighten at the anxiety that she must have been feeling. Could he actually bring her back into this life? Could he do that to her again? His head was spinning with so much right now he couldn't see straight.

"Is she okay?" Danny whispered.

"Yeah. She was just worried that something happened at the house. Thought you might be hurt."

"I should call her…let her know that I'm okay." Danny reached for the phone again. Jimmy stopped him.

"Pull it together man!" he said forcefully. "You are losing it Danny. You better come up with some kind of plan here before you go running off half cocked." For the first time in their friendship Jimmy felt like Danny was completely, utterly out of control. Danny had always been the take charge one of their group. The leader persay. But right now Danny was in need of some serious leading himself.

"Jimmy," Danny said pensively, "I need you to be sure that while she is here in Springfield that no one, I mean no one touches her. It won't be long before Dietz tells mama about her being here. I have to be sure that she remains protected. Do you understand me?"

"Yeah man I do. Danny, what about you? Should I protect her from you too?" Jimmy asked in all seriousness.

"You might have to. Cause I don't think I can stay away from her." Danny took a long gulp of scotch knowing full well that he was the greatest danger to Michelle right now. He wanted to say he would stay away from her but he knew that wasn't about to happen.

Michelle tentatively replaced the phone in it's cradle all the while never leaving go of it. Like her holding on to it was her connection to Danny.

Jimmy had never lied to her before but she still couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this then what he had told her. It just didn't make any sense. More importantly what had Danny been trying to tell her before they had been cut off? She wanted to believe that she knew that she was about to say. About to say that he still was in love with her. She felt her heart swell with the very thought. Again she looked at her hand. She hadn't removed the wedding ring from her finger. Danny's call had given her the hope that maybe she wouldn't have too ever again. A wave of guilt passed through her as she remembered her conversation with Dylan. She had been so worried about Danny that she had totally blown him off when he called her.

Michelle sat down on the edge of her bed and tried to make sense out of her thoughts. On one hand she had Dylan Pierce, who for all intensive purposes was a wonderful man. Caring, sweet would give her the world on a silver platter had she asked him to. He was everything she had ever hoped for a mate to be. They even shared common interests and goals. But what they didn't share was passion, heat. Not like the heat that she had just experienced with Danny. Even back in the days when she was fighting him every step of the way there had always been this underlying sexual tension. Now she was more certain then ever that they belonged together. Someway somehow they had to find there way back into the others arms.

There were still the pangs of guilt as she thought about Dylan. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. She reached for the phone. She needed to talk to him, make him understand but the clock on the bedside table read three in the morning. She wasn't about to call him now.

Michelle stripped off the tiny black dress and slipped into her boxers and tank. The cool crisp sheets were a comfort against her flushed skin. No matter how hard she tried she wasn't able to stop thinking about Danny touching her, kissing her. She could still feel his hands against her breasts. Michelle groaned rolling over pressing the pillow hard against her face. She'd be lucky to get any sleep at all.

The bright summer sun woke Michelle with its brilliant warm rays. She rolled over and basked in the light. It was then she noticed that her wedding ring was still on her finger. She couldn't stop the smile from creeping across her features. It felt so right. Her and Danny were meant to be together she just knew it.

Drew knocked on the door just as Michelle poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Hey, girlfriend," Drew said as she threw her purse and a pile of bridal magazines on the table, "Rick threw one hell of a party for you."

"I know. It was a complete shock." Michelle took a sip of the steaming liquid. She was debating on whether to talk to Drew about Danny or not. She was bursting at the seams but she knew that if she let herself say it aloud there was no turning back.

"So what's the game plan for the day?" Michelle asked reaching for one of the many magazines that Drew has strewn about the table.

"Well we need to get my dress and yours fitted, talk to the caterer, talk to the band, stop at the country club to check on the room……."

"Okay, slow down. I can't keep up with you girl," Michelle laughed. "You know it's okay to breathe."

"It's just everything is so close and nothing is getting done," Drew sighed.

"Relax," Michelle reached for her friends hand, "Everything will be perfect. I can promise you that. Your wedding will be the most romantic day of your life."

She couldn't stop herself from thinking about her own wedding. It had been just that the most romantic moment for her. Danny looked so handsome standing at the altar. She remembered that was the one and only time that she had truly let him kiss her where she willing returned the kiss. Michelle felt the ring gently swaging beneath her top. One day soon she would have that day to relive all over again. She was sure of it.

The two of them spent the day running all over Springfield. Michelle wasn't able to stop laughing at her friend. Instead of the list of hers getting shorter as the day progressed it got longer. Each minute Drew would remember one thing or another that she hadn't thought of before. It was a hoot for Michelle to see Drew Jacobs, girl who could handle it all, as a complete and utter basket case.

Michelle finally convinced Drew to stop for the day. They had been running since early that morning. It was well into the dinner hour when they walked into Company. Buzz and Selena rushed to hug Michelle. The four of them sat chatting while they waited on their food. Michelle enjoyed the simpleness of the day. That for once she had felt like an ordinary person. It was a wonderful feeling. She was at peace with herself. Maybe because she finally knew what she wanted and she had no intention of backing away this time. No one was going to keep her from Danny this time, not Carmen, not the violence, not even Danny and his insistence that she deserved better then he could give.

"Michelle," Drew said watching the door, "Michelle."

"Huh?"

"Danny and Ray just walked in. Do you want me to tell Buzz ours is a take out order now?"

"No….no it's fine."

"Are you sure?" The last thing Drew wanted was for the two of them to have a run in.

"No really it's fine." She looked over her shoulder as Danny and Ray sat down. She touched her ring once more and smiled.

Ray once again came to Danny's rescue. He had wisked him out of the Santos house after another long afternoon of wedding details. Danny was merely going through the motions. That had been apparent to everyone in the room. A fact that Ray was quick to pick up on. Carmen and Bernard looked back and forth between one another then again at Danny. Anger brewing beneath the surface of both of them. Carmen because her son was making her look the fool and Bernard because Danny was making his daughter the fool. Theresa however sat in the chair along side Danny oblivious to it all. She didn't care what was happening around her. She was busy planning a wedding that Ray wasn't sure was even going to take place. Each day more that Danny spent in Springfield sent him closer to Michelle.

Ray felt every muscle in his body tense at seeing Drew and Michelle in the far corner booth. He should have turned Danny around right then but it had been too late. Danny had already seen her. There was no stopping him now. They took a table closest to the bar. Danny positioned himself so that he was able to look at her. He wasn't able to take his eyes off of her. Even with her hair tied back in a ponytail and not a stitch of make-up she was gorgeous. He felt his heart skip a beat as she stood up heading in their direction. Her jeans shorts showed off her tanned legs and white tank hugged her body. Danny swallowed hard around the lump in his throat.

"Hi Ray," she said looking at him first still searching for the nerve to speak to Danny.

"Michelle," Ray was uneasy about this whole thing. Danny had told him his suspicions about Dietz and his mother. Ray knew that for everyone's sake they should have just left. Yet Danny wouldn't. It was as if he were glued to the seat.

"So did you get your power problem taken care of?" she asked turning to Danny.

"Huh?" He had forgotten the lie that Jimmy had used the night before.

"Jimmy said there was a power outage at the house last night."

"Yeah...yeah right. It was all straightened out. Sorry about the phone call. I hope you weren't worried."

"No..no it was strange as all," Michelle lied.

"Would you like to join us?" Danny asked getting up to offer her a chair at their table.

Ray would have kicked him if he could have. This was totally insane. Danny was asking for trouble. Hell he might as well have sent them all a written invitation.

"No I really can't. Thank you though. Drew and I were just about to have dinner. We have been running nonstop trying to get everything done for her wedding."

"Yeah Pilar is really excited about being a bridesmaid. That's all she's been talking about since I flew in from Chicago."

"I think it will be fun. That is if Drew survives that long," Michelle laughed. "She is coming apart at the seams."

"Weddings take a great deal of planning. They are very stressful," Ray interjected trying to make them both remember that he was at he same table.

"I remember," Michelle said before she knew what she was saying. She looked away. She was afraid to meet Danny's eyes. As much as she hoped he felt the way she did. She still was unsure. Michelle didn't want to see in his eyes that she had been wrong.

"Me too," he smiled reaching out to touch her hand. Michelle felt her knees go weak. His fingers burned into her flesh. It took all she had not to lean forward and kiss him.

Ray didn't know what to do. The biggest part of him knew that both Danny and Michelle were fighting a losing battle. Destiny had spoken when it had paired these two. Yet fate played games too. This game came with a pretty high price as far as Ray was concerned. Ray looked at his cousin and wondered where the man he knew was. The Danny that was in control of every situation. The Danny that never let anyone get the best of him. Well when it came to Michelle Bauer that Danny ceased to exist.

Michelle was about to put herself out on a limb but she moved forward anyhow, "Danny, would you like to be my date for the wedding?" she held her breath waiting for his response.

Danny felt Ray's stare burning holes through him. He turned to look at his cousin. Ray's face conveyed all the reasons Danny should say no. Danny knew all the reason he should tell her no as well. But he so much wanted to be there with her. Hold her in his arms again. Dance the night away as they had at their own wedding. Just then Danny caught sight of Jimmy causing him to remember the talk they had about him protecting Michelle from Danny along with the others. As much as he longed to be her date, knew couldn't. Couldn't take that big of a risk.

"You know Michelle, I have to be heading back to Chicago in a few days. I don't think I will even be in Springfield. I'm sorry." He watched as her smile turned to a frown instantly.

"That's all right. I totally understand. It was a spur of the moment kinda thing." she did her best to sound casual about the whole thing. "Well looks like Buzz just brought our food. Nice talking to you again." Michelle turned and headed back to Drew. She willed herself not to cry. She felt a hot tear trickle onto her cheek. She didn't even stop at the table. Michelle kept walking straight to the ladies room before the sobs were loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.

Drew shot daggers in the direction of Danny and Ray. She was torn between going to her friend and giving Danny Santos a piece of her mind. She chose the later. "Haven't you hurt her enough already?" she spat, "My god just when I think she's finally moved on you have to show up and suck her back in again!"

"Drew, you don't have a clue about me," Danny said as calm as he could. He had hurt Michelle just now. There wasn't anything else he could do. He couldn't let his mother, Dietz and Bernard make her a target. That couldn't happen. It was better for her to hate him and be alive then to love him and be dead.

"I know you Danny," Drew returned confidently, "You love yanking her chain. Gives you a thrill to know that you still have control over her. Control over every emotion that she has."

"You know what Drew," Danny stated harshly, "You don't know a damn thing about me. About what my life has been like since I let her go so I would appreciate you staying the hell out of my face!" Danny threw his napkin across the table and headed for the door.

"Dietz!" Danny said in a surprised tone as he ran smack into him on the porch of Company, "What are you doing here?"

"I think you know Daniel."