Both Drew and Ray looked on as a very angry Danny stormed out the door. Ray wished that he were able to tell Drew exactly what Danny's life had been like since he and Michelle had parted company. It wasn't the fairy tale that Drew had thought it had been. It was anything but that. It had been pure hell.

Danny had to deal with the fact that he had disappointed his mother not once, not twice but three times. First being that he hadn't avenged his brother's murder. Second was that he had the fallen head over heels in love with the killer and third had forced her into a corner regarding sparing Michelle's life.

Carmen had gotten the last laugh though. She had put Danny in his rightful place. The place she had envisioned for him ever since his father had died. And she had done it by using his love for Michelle.

Ray wanted to tell her that Danny was being forced to marry a women he would never love just to ensure Michelle's safety. That it was taking every ounce of his being not to take Michelle back into his life.

"Can you believe him?" Drew threw her hands up in the air. "He's the one who makes her run to the ladies room crying and I'm supposed to understand that."

"Drew, come on. Cut the guy a break. There's a lot more going on here then you understand or even know for that matter."

"All I need to know Ray is that he broke her heart. And the longer he's here in Springfield the more upset she is going to be."

"Wait," Ray grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving, "Drew, Danny is still in love with Michelle. As much as she is with him. Don't be so hard on him. There's a reason for all of this. Maybe one day Danny will be able to tell Michelle."

"I wish I could believe that." Drew walked away before giving Ray another chance to speak.

He shook his head as he watched her go. As much as he loved his cousin he couldn't wait for him to go back to Chicago. This was getting to be a drama that he no longer wanted to be a part of.

Drew pushed open the door to find Michelle splashing cold water on her face. Doing her very best to pull herself together again.

"You okay?" Drew questioned softly.

"I've been better." Michelle returned flatly.

"I knew we should have bolted the minute he walked through the door."

"I can't keep running away from him," Michelle stressed. "I have to stop. It's time to face facts. Danny Santos and I are over. We've been over. It's time I stop living in a fantasy."

Drew watched as Michelle pulled a gold chain from beneath her shirt. To her amazement, she saw the ring swinging before her. Michelle unclasped it and slipped it into her purse. It was the hardest thing that she had ever done. That was her last true link to Danny. His refusal of her was enough for her to realize that she was living a pipe dream. No matter what her heart felt it was hard to deny the words that spilled from Danny's mouth.

"Is that what I think it is?" Drew asked.

"Yes," Michelle whispered.

"You have been wearing it all this time?" Drew was astonished. "Doesn't Dylan find it a bit odd?" she had to ask.

"He doesn't know."

"What?"

"He doesn't know about it," Michelle said again.

"That's incredible."

"Drew we haven't really dated that long. We have been friends longer then we have been dating. I hate to say it but I can't get past Danny. No matter how hard I try he's always there." She felt the tears pushing against her lashes again.

"I'm so sorry." Drew knew how hollow those words were as she watched her friend cry.

"I have to stop this," Michelle wiped away the remnants of the tears, "We have a wedding to plan. It's no time for me to fall to pieces," she forced a smile.

Drew embraced her friend. It was hard to forget about what Ray had told her. That Danny was still in love with Michelle after all these years. Drew was torn. She wanted to tell Michelle everything but something in Ray's eyes told her that Michelle knowing would only make things worse.

"You sure you're okay?" Drew forced Michelle to look her in the eye.

"Looks like I don't have a choice now do I?"

Drew was relieved to see both Ray and Danny gone when they emerged from the ladies room, yet Michelle's heart sank deeper in her chest. Danny had been giving her so many mixed signals that right now she didn't know what to think.

"How's your burger?" Drew asked.

"Fine.....Drew would you mind terribly if I begged off on dinner? I kinda lost my appetite."

"Sure." Drew wished there was a way that she could make that sad look in Michelle's eyes vanish. She knew what would do the trick but doubted that it would be happening anytime soon. Drew laid the money on the table as she watched Michelle let her fingers trail along the chair that had just been Danny's. Her heart ached for her friend. Maybe just maybe there was something she could do after all. Something to raise her spirits.

Danny let the door slam closed behind him anger boiling just below the surface. What right did Drew Jacobs have to sit in judgment of him? What made her think that she knew anything about him or what his life was like now?

Danny ran his hands across his face. What the hell was he doing? Everything was totally out of control. He needed to get out of Springfield. Get out today before he could cause Michelle anymore pain or God forbid worse. Just as he was about to step off of the porch, Danny ran square into Dietz.

"Dietz," Danny said shocked. His eyes darted to inside of Company. Where the hell was Jimmy? he thought. "What are you doing here?"

"I think you have a pretty good idea Daniel," Dietz sneered.

"Dietz, I don't have time for your games. If you have a point just make it," Danny said firmly all the while praying that Jimmy would keep Michelle safe.

"Did you really think that you could keep her a secret?"

"Keep who a secret?"

"Don't play dumb Daniel. It doesn't suit you," Dietz quipped, "We are well aware that Michelle Bauer is back in Springfield."

"Yeah so? What you think I invited her? I'm sure if you know she's in town then you know the reason for the visit as well," Danny's tone was one of complete agitation. "Drew Jacobs' wedding. I believe Pilar said that Michelle is the maid of honor. So your point is, Dietz?"

"Don't think we are all as naive as your bride to be, Danny," Dietz returned in a controlled whisper. "You made a deal and all parties expect you to keep it! You know what will happen if you back out now."

"Dietz, I have no intention of backing out of anything. I know exactly what my duties are. So you go back and tell mommie dearest and Bernard not to worry. Everything is on schedule as planned."

"Bernard is less then convinced Danny."

"You know what I don't really give a DAMN what Bernard thinks anymore! He's making out extremely well from where I'm sitting. So as far as I'm concerned both him and my mother can go FUCK themselves!" Danny said jaw clenched pushing his way past Dietz.

Danny stood to the side of the building trying hard to regain his composure. He chastised himself for losing it with Dietz. He was at his wits end. He was being pulled in so many different directions at the moment he thought he would come unglued at any second. "Think man think," he said aloud. "What the hell are you going to do?" First things first he thought as he reached for his phone, "Jimmy. Yeah it's Danny. We have a problem. I need to talk to you right now. Yeah okay make sure she gets home safe and then call me."

Danny returned to the porch expecting to see Dietz there waiting for him still but he was gone. Danny didn't know whether to be happy about that or worried. Dietz was an unpredictable one. It was quite apparent that he had a thing for Carmen so Danny was concerned as to just how far Dietz would go in making "The Boss" happy.

"Danny, I think it would be best if we left. Don't you?" Ray said joining him outside. "Drew's still pretty angry with you and it's obvious that Michelle is upset. I would think it's best for all concerned if we get as far away from here as we can."

"I think you're right." Ray was taken aback by the fact that Danny hadn't put up a fight. It was then he noticed the tightness of Danny's jawline.

"Danny, what's the matter?"

"I think I may have just blown everything."

"How so?"

"Dietz was here Ray. Lurking around. I can't be sure if he saw me talking to Michelle or not. This is so out of control! I feel like I'm on a runaway train, here man."

"What did you say to him?" Ray asked calmly.

"I told him that everything would go according to plan. Michelle is out of my life and that I will be marrying Theresa like everyone expects."

"Danny, it's obvious to everyone that you don't love her. It's written all over your face. Why do you think I high tailed us out of there this evening? Bernard and Carmen know that this isn't what you want. I think Theresa does too but right now it doesn't matter to her. Cause she knows that once you say 'I do' there's no turning back for you."

"Damn it Ray, what am I supposed to do? I love Michelle. She is every breath that I take. Without her I might as well be dead."

"From the look on her face in there, the feelings mutual," Ray stated.

"I know," Danny was exasperated. "Then I turned her away again. I have to stop doing that."

"Are you talking about not going to Drew's wedding with her?"

"Of course. I could see how badly she wanted me to say yes......."

"And how could you have?" Ray interrupted.

"I don't know! I don't know. There has to be a way to fix this."

"Danny you have two options. Marry Theresa or Michelle dies." Ray hated to have to be so blunt but being a priest didn't stop him from understanding the Santos Family. Danny was between a rock and a hard place. Either direction he took he came out a loser.

Danny shot Ray a horrified look at his response. Fact was though he knew Ray spoke the truth. He had to move forward. He had to pull off the loving fiancé for the family. He had to squelch all the feelings he had for Michelle. Had to lock them tightly in his heart since it belonged to her anyway.

"I need some time to think," Danny looked to his cousin, his friend, his priest, "Pray I make the right choice," Danny walked away without looking back.

Michelle stood in the drive watching Drew pull away from the curb. The sun was setting over the horizon. She gasped at the extraordinary colors illuminating the summer sky. How in an instant could she have gone from knowing what she wanted. Being so confident about both hers and Danny's feeling to being a complete loon?

The connection between them was undeniable. No matter how much they fought it, the connection was evident. So what if he would be in town to go to the wedding with her. That hadn't meant that he didn't want to be with her. Why she let herself get so bent out of shape back at Company she would never understand.

It was all so overwhelming. Being back here after all the time away, and then Danny being here to boot had turned her upside down.

"Michelle," Abby called, "Michelle are you out there? You have a phone call."

"Coming." She took one last glance at the sun before it slipped out of sight.

"Hello."

"Michelle, I know you said you were going to be pretty busy, but I couldn't leave things the way we did. I don't understand what's going on there," Dylan was breathless.

"Dylan," Michelle tried to hide her disappointment.

"Could you please tell me what last night was all about," he returned urgently.

Michelle shifted nervously doing her best to call upon the right words. What was she going to tell him. He deserved better then what she was able to give him. No matter what happened next with her and Danny the one thing Michelle did know was that Dylan Pierce had a right to have a someone in his life that loved him and only him. Not the half hearted attempt that she had been making all this time. Who was she kidding anyhow? Certainly not herself. And sooner or later not Dylan either.

"Michelle?" he questioned. "Are you there?"

"Yes....I'm sorry."

"Please explain what the hell's going on," the distress was noticeable in his voice.

"Dylan, things are just crazy here. Drew is a nut case. Jesse is due back in a day or so. I'm trying to catch up with everyone. I didn't mean to make it sound the way it did," This wasn't how she wanted to tell him. Not over the phone. That wouldn't be right for either one of them.

"Good, you really had me going for a minute there."

"Just think we will be back in New York in no time. Things will go back to normal then." Michelle forced herself to say.

"NORMAL?" he half laughed, "What makes you think residency at one of New York's craziest hospitals is going to be normal?"

"You know what I mean," she countered.

He had a point though. Life would be anything but normal upon their return. She didn't care though it would be better then the turmoil she was living right now.

"I'm just glad that everything with us is okay. Talk about a cryptic conversation last night. You had me thinking the worst all day. I love you 'Chelle."

There it was again, the pangs of guilt. Not once had she ever returned those words to him. She felt it was a betrayal. She hadn't truly loved anyone other then Danny. Yes she thought that she and Jesse were in love at the time but it had been nothing like the feelings that flooded through at the mere thought of Danny Santos not to mention the sight of him.

"Michelle....sweetie are you okay?"

"Yeah sorry. There's just a lot happening here. I'm sorry to be so out of it. Can we talk later? There are some things that I need to take care of."

"Sure anything you want. When should I call you back?" he asked.

"You know I think it would be better if I called you when there is a break in the action. Is that okay?" she prayed it was. She was having one hell of a time holding this together.

"Sure. I understand how crazy weddings can be. I remember what it was like when my sister got married. Take your time."

"Thanks," Michelle let out a sigh of relief.

Abby listened to the one sided conversation and knew all too well what Michelle had been trying to do. Funny thing was it sounded so much like how Michelle had been with Jesse when she knew in her heart that she was in love with Danny. Abby only hoped that Michelle knew what she was doing this time.

"Abby, would you mind my taking the car? I want to head up to Laurel Falls for a bit. I need to clear my head."

"Sure honey. Try to back soon Rick wants to have a barbecue. You know it's been a while since you had a Bauer burger."

"Sounds like heaven. I won't be long I promise."

Michelle blasted the radio as she headed in the direction of Laurel Falls. She couldn't wait to get there. Let her feet hang in the cool clear water, listen to the night creatures talk to one another as dusk fell around them. She had always come there to think. Sort things out. Actually she had spent a great deal of time there after her mother died. Then again when she was trying to figure things out between Jesse and Danny. Now there was Dylan and Danny. The contest had been won hands down without much competition.

Michelle slipped off her sandals letting the grass tickle her feet. The sound of the water lapping against bank was relaxing. Michelle laid back against the cool ground and looked at the stars as they started to appear in the night sky.

She started thinking about all the things that she found so consuming about Danny. What drew her to him. His looks were the obvious choice but Michelle had always seen something bigger in him then just his dark mysterious exterior. He was a good man with a big heart. Even if Carmen forced him to hide it. He had a conscious, not the most desirable trait for a mob boss but he had one none the less. The way he loved her, protected her made her feel like there was nothing more important then the two of them. Sad thing was she had been too bull headed to tell him how she felt until it was too late.

But it wasn't too late. She had the opportunity to tell him now. She would confess everything to him and let the chips fall where they may. At least then she would know that she had given it her best shot.

Michelle sat up looking into the pool of clear blue water. She watched the water cascade over the rocks. It was as if the water was beckoning her to enter. She looked around. She knew she was alone. Hardly anyone came up there anymore.

'What the hell," she said beginning to remove her clothes.

He parted the bushes and watched her in all of her nakedness dive into the water. It was time.

Danny slid behind the wheel sinking deep into the leather interior. Right now he wished that he hadn't ever came back to Springfield. Chicago was looking better and better by the minute.

He fumbled for the ringing phone on the passenger seat, "Everything's all right with her I hope," he said into the mouthpiece before even finding out who was on the other end. He had expected it to be Jimmy with news on Michelle.

"Danny," Theresa cooed, "What are you talking about? Is everything okay with her? Who's her?" she said trying not to sound upset.

"DAMN," he whispered. This was all he needed right now. Icing on the cake so to speak. "Ray had to leave some trouble with some women at the parish. I thought this might be him letting me know how everything went." Danny returned fast on his feet.

"So you're on your way home then?" she sounded hopeful. Since he had gotten into Springfield she had seen less of him then when they were together in Chicago.

She had heard Carmen and her father talking to Dietz. She didn't like the sound of what she had heard. Michelle Bauer was back in town. She only hoped that it had been a coincidence that Danny had suggested they be here at the same time. Theresa was well aware of Danny's little arrangement, but she wasn't about to let that put a damper on things. No matter how he felt about Michelle, he couldn't go to her much less be with her. Not and have her live to see another day. Theresa knew her father well enough to be sure that the last thing he would let happen again was for Danny to leave her.

"Actually I have to catch up with Jimmy and then I should be home."

"Danny," she pouted, "I have barely gotten to spend any time with you. I miss you so much."

"I know I miss you too," he cringed as the very words passed his lips, "But us being here and not in Chicago makes it harder to do business. I promise to make it up to you when we get back there."

"Make it up how?" she giggled.

Danny felt the hairs on his neck bristle. Knowing full well what Theresa was after. He did his best to steer clear of her most of the time. Unfortunately he had to live up to his end of the bargain now and again. Just the thought of it made him want to vomit. He had to keep repeating, it's all for Michelle....it's all for Michelle....it's all for Michelle. Danny even went as far as imagining Michelle instead of Theresa on the few occasion that they had had sex. He couldn't think of it as making love. He didn't love Theresa. Hadn't for a very long time if he ever had.

They were both so young then. Both families pushing for a perfect union to advance their businesses. Theresa bought into it all but he hadn't. At eighteen he couldn't imagine being married to anyone. He hadn't meant it to be a slight against Theresa but Bernard hadn't seen it in that light. He went after the Santos Family tooth and nail. Wanted some sort of satisfaction for the wrong he had felt had been done to his daughter.

After much talk with her son trying to persuade him to do the right and honorable thing, Carmen finally relented and handed Bernard a peace offering of sorts. She gave him a very lucrative business contact that he had been clamoring about for some time. That eased the tension a bit and finally things returned to normal with no talk of Theresa and Danny again.

That was until Danny had opened his big mouth. It was he who started the ball rolling again. Him and his big ideas for setting Michelle free had in turn imprisoned him.

"I promise you the most romantic evening you have ever had. I'll be sure to pull out all the stops." Danny could see Theresa grinning from ear to ear. That seductive smile she had when she was getting what she wanted.

"I'm beginning to like the sound of that," she purred. "I can't wait for all this wedding planning to be over. I just want to be your wife Danny. That's all I've ever wanted."

"I know. It will be here soon enough. Listen I'm just about to meet Jimmy. I won't be long I promise."

"I love you Danny."

"Me too," he said playing his part all the while his heart breaking.

Danny continued down the road without a clue where he was headed. The open road called out to him. He wished that he could drive into the night and never look back. Never have to think about what was expected of him verses what he really wanted. Hell those two concepts were so apart that one was fact and the other fiction.

Danny found himself driving up the dirt road that led to Laurel Falls. He hadn't been to this place in years. He knew how much Michelle loved it there. He wanted anything that would help him to feel closer to her one last time.

As much as it went against every thought in his head, he knew that he had to let her go. Really let her go this time, mind, body and soul.

He walked up the path leading to the falls. This was such a peaceful place. It had the ability to make you forget about every trouble or worry that you might have. Through the bushes he saw a figure. Even without a clear view he knew it was Michelle. He looked on as she first removed her tank top then her shorts, bra and panties were the last to go. There she stood naked before him. She was breathtaking. Her body perfect as she drove head first into the water.

Powerless to stop it, Danny walked forward shedding his clothes with each step closer to her. He entered the water completely unknown to her. Danny wrapped his arms around her petite frame drawing her into him. Before she was able to scream, his mouth found it's way to hers. For one incredible kiss that took her breath away.