Michelle surfaced pushing the hair away from her face. She felt the water rushing past her. She was exhilarated. It was a euphoria that she hadn't felt since she had been a kid. She was completely free there. Free to be whoever, whatever she wanted to be. There were no strings pulling her in so many directions.

She didn't have to think about her family. Rick had been more then delighted when Danny Santos walked out the door for the last time. She was certain that Rick would hit the roof if he knew what she was thinking of doing. He would say that she was throwing herself to the wolves. Abby on the other hand, she had been so supportive of whatever decision that she had wanted. Michelle knew that Abby would be on her side. She hoped the Drew would be as well. Drew had been one of the people forcing her to examine the game she had been playing between Jesse and Danny. At the time Drew was doing it for her own personal gain. Michelle had been well aware of Drew's feelings for Jesse. But as time wore on and Drew and Michelle became closer, she ended up ultimately thanking her friend. Since Drew's insistence had enabled them both to find their true loves, soul mates perhaps. Michelle just hoped that it wasn't too late for her and Danny.

Michelle dove under the water once more. She loved the way the water felt against her naked skin. It sent every sense into overload. She surfaced once more. As she cleared the water from her eyes, strong arms pulled at her. Before she was able to scream or breathe, Danny's mouth came down on hers with such force. It took her breath away. She felt her body respond. Energy coursed through her.

"Danny," she whispered.

"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on."

He pulled back to admire the reflection the moonlight cast on her body. The beads of water glistening. As much as he wanted to control his desire it was unstoppable. He had waited for this moment for so long that he wasn't about to stop and think, not now....not ever again. There was no denying that this is absolutely where he belonged.

"Danny....what are you doing here?" she asked not really caring why.

"I needed to think. I needed to get away and I just ended up here," that wasn't the whole truth. He had come here to somehow cleanse his soul of her but there was no hope of that happening now.

"Me too," she whispered thinking how in sync they were.

"I remember you bringing me here once. It is such an awesome place."

"It is. I can't believe how many things I miss about Springfield." He could hear the sadness in her voice. Sadness that he knew he had caused.

It was funny how even both standing naked before the other, neither made an attempt to move away. It was almost like time was standing still. Danny reached down cupping her face in his hand. For the moment he looked longingly into her big brown eyes, then without warning her kissed her again. This time with tenderness and grace.

Michelle let his tongue part her lips as hers did the same. Exploring one another's mouth searching deep in a way that caused them both to shudder. She ran her hands along his jaw tracing the hardness she found there and winding her fingers through his damp curls. Danny then kissed the nape of her neck gently licking the beads of water from her skin. The fire that he ignited had only just begun to smolder.

He pulled her tight against his body. Even in the cool water she felt his heat against her flesh. She wasn't able to get close enough to him. Her body ached for his in a way that she hadn't ever experienced before.

He followed a droplet of water with his fingertip as it made it's way down her breast stopping at the nipple. He cupped them both with his hands. Her nipples hardened under his touch. She let out a moan as he took one in his mouth. He felt her shiver. He smiled knowing that he was pleasuring her. He let his tongue roll over the nipple slowly at first then progressively quickened until Michelle was pushing herself against his manhood. Begging for more. He continued as he moved on to the other side repeating the movements until Michelle couldn't take anymore.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly lifted one leg then the next. Resting herself next to him. Teasing him the way he had her. She moved methodically against him. Desire growing with each stroke. A tortured laugh escaped his lips as Danny let his head fall back. He had never imagined that such ecstasy existed.

When he was about to explode, Danny took her in his arms and carried her to shore. He laid her down in the soft grass and again gazed at her beauty.

She was his angel. His soul. Gently he laid his body on hers letting his hands travel again. Over her breasts, down to smooth soft skin of her stomach his fingers played with her. He could feel how warm she was, how wet she was as she waited for him.

Michelle arched her body. She needed to feel him. She wanted him to know every part of her. Danny teased her once more. Bringing his flesh close enough to send waves of pleasure throughout her body. She reached for his hips forcing him inside of her when she wasn't able to wait any longer.

Now they were truly one. Michelle felt such a rush that she wasn't able to catch her breath. Easily they fell into rhythm with each other. Passion was slow to build as if they never wanted this feeling to end. Michelle felt Danny dancing inside her. At that moment she knew that they were two souls that had sought the other out. It had been the most magnificent thing she had ever experienced. As their climax neared it was explosive. Danny felt Michelle's nails against his skin. He didn't care that he would be marked. That's exactly what he wanted. Something physical to prove to him that this night had really happened.

She laid her head against his chest still short of breath. Danny cradled her in his arms. Savoring every last moment. His decision had just been made for him. There was no way in hell that he could go through with this marriage. Not after he had just experienced what it was like to make love. For the first time in his life it wasn't just sex. It had been so much more then that.

No matter what mountain he had to move, he was going to be with Michelle again. He kissed her forehead as she lay peacefully sleeping there in his arms. "I love you, Michelle Bauer," he whispered.

Theresa paced about the house looking at the clock again. It was going on midnight. "Where is he?" she said walking to the window once more. "Danny, where are you?" she said again with more anger in her voice.

She had a really bad feeling about all of this. She knew that Danny knew the rules but she also was sure that Michelle Bauer was hardly out of his system yet.

"Jimmy," she said surprised to see him walk into the room, "Jimmy, where's Danny?"

"What?" he returned confused.

"I said where's Danny? He's supposed to be with you."

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Theresa pushed back the drapes and starred intently at the driveway. Like somehow that would magically make Danny's car appear. Again she looked at the clock resting on the mantle. It was nearly midnight. She knew something was wrong. Danny had promised the that he wouldn't be long but that conversation was hours ago. She paced about the room. Doing her best to keep her thoughts in check. She replayed the conversation she had overheard. She could still hear Dietz's words echoing in her head......

"Carmen," Dietz began, "It looks like we have some trouble brewing."

"Trouble...what kind of trouble?" she asked lifting her head from the set of books that she and Bernard were going over.

"Seems as though Michelle Bauer is back in town."

"I'm well aware of that Dietz."

"Are you also aware that your son knows she's in town as well?"

"Dietz, what are you trying to say? Has Daniel gone back on our agreement? Has that girl sucked him again?"

The two had Bernard's full attention now. The last thing he was going to let happen here was have Danny back out of marrying his daughter, but yet again. He also wasn't about to lose the tremendous amount of influence and power that he would gain from this marriage.

"I don't know all of it yet, Carmen, but he was talking to her at Company today. Shortly after he and Ray left the house."

"DAMN HIM!" Carmen bellowed, "When is he ever going to learn?"

"Carmen," Bernard said, "Are you telling me that Michelle Bauer still presents a problem for us?"

"It appears that way. Dietz, you don't take your eyes off of that girl. She so much as thinks about coming near my son.....you know what you are to do. One way or another that Bauer girl will be out of his life."

"Carmen, I don't think I like what I'm hearing all that much. You assured me that this would be no problem. I will not let your son make a fool of my family again!" Bernard returned harshly.

"Easy Bernard, I know my son well enough to know that Michelle is too precious to him. He would never do anything to jeopardize her continued good health."

"That is supposed to make me relieved?" he questioned, "I'm supposed to be relieved that he loves another women so much that he's willing to marry my daughter under duress?" Bernard said angrily, "Carmen, I've watched Danny. He has no love for my Theresa. He is going through the motions here. You really think that he will be able to stay away from Michelle Bauer?"

"I know my son, Bernard. He may love Michelle still but he wants her alive more then he wants her in his bed."

"I think you are underestimating your son," Bernard commented flatly.

"You let me handle this Bernard. I assure you that there will be no problems."

"Let's hope not, Carmen or I may have to handle this one in my own way," Bernard's voice was cryptic.

Theresa hadn't like any of what she had heard. She was well aware of the fact that Danny had made it clear to her some time ago that he did not and would not ever love her. This arrangement was purely business.

Up until a few days ago though, she was certain that in time Danny would come around. That eventually he would fall in love with her again. Throwing Michelle Bauer back into the mix only made matters more difficult.

She heard the door and hoped it would be Danny. He better have a damn good explanation, she thought. "Jimmy?" she was half surprised and half disappointed. "Jimmy, where's Danny?"

"What?" he returned absently. He knew he should have found a way to keep Danny from Michelle but given the circumstances he had just witnessed...he didn't know how.

He had tailed Michelle to Laurel Falls keeping a one eye on her and the other on Dietz. He was sure that Dietz would be lurking in the shadows until Michelle was safely on a plane back to New York. Out of respect for his friend he had walked away when Michelle began to undress and enter the water. As he walked back to his car, Jimmy noticed Danny's. He was torn. Part of him knew that he should head Danny off at the pass and get him the hell out of there. He knew that Danny was a strong man but wouldn't be able to resist the scene he was about to come upon.

The second part, the bigger part of him wanted Danny and Michelle together. He had watched them the entire time they had been married knowing full well that they both had been fighting their attraction to one another. Jimmy thought it was about time that they finally revealed it to each other. So he decided that Michelle was safe with Danny and left them. That had been hours ago though.

"Jimmy, where's Danny? He was supposed to be with you?" Theresa questioned again he dark eyes starring him down.

"I just left him a few minutes ago. He should be here soon. He said he had one last thing to take care of."

"What could he possibly have to take care of at this hour?" she spat.

"Business, Theresa. What else could it be?"

"That's what I would like to know," she countered.

"You worry too much. I'm helping Danny put together a deal between an associate here in Springfield that's got some connections in Chicago as well."

"Oh really?" she said disbelieving, "Is this something that my father would know about?"

"Actually, I don't believe so," Jimmy was flying by the seat of his pants now, "I think Danny is looking to do this on his own. you know to prove to Bernard and Carmen that he is worthy of handling things now."

"Really? You don't say? So how did you get privy to all this information?"

"Danny asked for my help. What was I supposed to do? I'm not in the position to say no.....now am I?"

"I suppose not," she relented.

"I have an early day. I think I'll hit the sack. Good night Theresa," Jimmy was never so glad to escape from a room.

"Associate..huh........associate my ass!" she looking at her reflection in the mirror. She needed to come up with something and fast or this was all going to fall apart around her.

Jimmy dialed Danny's phone as he walked up the back stairs to his room, "Come on man.....come on Danny...pick up! PICK UP the phone! We have some serious damage control to take care of," he said as the phone rang endlessly in his ear.

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Danny lay there holding Michelle close against him. Listening to her easy breathing in his ear. He was completely at peace. For once in the last four years he was whole again. His spirit had been restored. It was the greatest feeling he had experienced in ages.

He looked at the stars in the night sky, breathing in the warm summer breeze. This was how it had always been meant to be. Him and Michelle.

He had come to this place to put the past in the past but the past had just become the present again. Danny hoped that it was also the future. He needed time to think. To put a plan together. The one thing he did know was that walking away from Michelle wasn't an option this time. But getting away from Theresa wasn't going to be any easier. There were so many variables that needed to be considered. The biggest being Bernard. Carmen ultimately he would be able to handle. He had enough on his mother to bury her. But Bernard on the other hand, he needed more time to get the ammunition that he needed to bring him down as well.

He looked at Michelle again as she lay sleeping in his arms and wondered if he could pull this off. If he could make them believe his lie long enough for him to do what he had to.

Ray had said they were suspicious of him as it was. Danny didn't know if he would be able to put Michelle out of his mind long enough to make it all happen. Just a little while longer and he would have everything in place. It will only be for a little while more. It would all be worth it. In the end all the sacrifices would be for the greater good. He kissed her forehead gently burring his nose in the soft folds of her hair. He breathed in deep. Doing everything he could to capture this moment in time. He would need to store it away until they were able to be together again.

The shrill ringing of his phone pierced the silence. He did his best to move away from Michelle without disturbing her. He searched the ground for his jacket, following the trail of clothes left in his haste to get to Michelle.

"Hello," he said finally.

"Danny, thank god. We have a problem."

"What?" Danny said as he began to dress. He didn't like the urgency he heard in Jimmy's voice. He glanced back at Michelle as his heart raced. Reality of what he had done finally hitting him. He had once again put her life in danger for his own pleasure. He could have kicked himself.

"I think you need to get your ass back to the house, NOW!"

"Jimmy, what the hell's going on?"

"Theresa was waiting up for you. I was the lucky one to have to face her. Why in god's name did you tell her you were with me?" Jimmy asked annoyed.

"SHIT! What'd you tell her? More importantly why aren't you watching Michelle?"

"First I think you were doing a fine job of watching Michelle yourself. And I told Theresa some cock and bull story about me helping you with a deal you were trying to put together. One to make you look good in front of Carmen and Bernard."

"Do you think she bought it?"

"I think so, but Danny don't you think we are playing a bit too close to the fire here man?

"What are you talking about?" Danny tired to sound confused but he knew exactly what Jimmy was saying.

"I am talking about your midnight swim with Michelle. I knew I should have stopped you."

"What do you mean stopped me?"

"I was there. I knew what Michelle was up to so I walked away. I didn't think that she wanted an audience. I just I was wrong."

"Jimmy, I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't control the urge."

"Understand man, but now what? Do you really think that Michelle is going to let you go now? Better yet are you going to be able to let her go?"

"Maybe I won't have to."

"How so?" Jimmy was intrigued.

"We'll talk more about my plans later. I need you to be sure that Michelle gets home from Laurel Falls all right...understand?"

"Understood. Danny watch your back. I have a really bad feeling about all of this."

"I will."

Danny walked back to where Michelle was still sleeping peacefully. Every instinct in his body told him to walk away again without a word but he couldn't not this time. He wasn't about to break her heart once again. It wouldn't be fair to her. Not after what they had just experienced together. She deserved better then to wake up alone.

"Michelle," he whispered kissing her softly, "Michelle, baby...wake up."

"Huh...Danny," his name caught in her throat. It was then the memory came flooding back. She looked into those dark eyes of his and saw the love that she had known to be there all along. She wasn't able to stop herself from smiling. Her body alive with excitement once more. She reached out bringing his lips to hers. The kiss deepened as she raised herself up from the ground. Now that she had him she wasn't about to let him go again.

It took all of Danny's strength to resist her. In a heartbeat he could have been swept away again by her beauty. His eyes traveled the length of her naked body desire filling him quickly.

"Michelle," he said as he pulled away. "I have to go. That was Jimmy on the phone. There's an emergency that I have to attend to. I'm sorry."

"Wait, I'll come with you," she said thinking nothing of it.

"No! you can't."

"Why?" she tried her best not to pout.

"Michelle, you know why. I'm sorry but things haven't really changed for us. No matter what we want...it can't be. It's not safe for us to be right now."

"Danny, I don't understand," a tear fell freely. Suddenly she felt awkward standing there naked before him. Hurriedly she reached for her clothes.

Danny's heart ripping to shreds as he watched her fumbling in the darkness. He longed to be able to tell her everything. Tell her how much today had meant to him. That he was a whole man again thanks to her. Now wasn't the time though. Knowing Michelle as he did, she would want to help him, only putting herself in much more danger. For now it had to be this way.

"Michelle," he said quietly, "Michelle, look at me," he forced her eyes to meet his, "I want you to know that this meant everything to me. You will never know how long I have waited and wanted this for us."

"Then what's wrong?" she cried, "Why are you sending me away again? Why do you hate me?" the tears cascaded down her cheeks.

"Hate you?" Danny was barely able to speak the words, "Hate you? I don't hate you."

"Then please tell me why we can't be together?" she pleaded.

"Right now, I can't. Try to understand. Try to trust me. Can you do that for me Michelle? Can you trust me?" She nodded. "Good. I promise that soon I will tell you everything."

"Can we be together then?" she questioned pushing for what you really wanted.

"I pray to God that we can." Danny returned in a serious tone. "I have to go now. Please go straight home. It's really late and I want to know that you are safe." He started to walk away from her but turned back kissing her one more time. "You call Jimmy and let him know you are safe and sound at home. He will get the information to me. And Michelle.......," he hesitated not knowing whether to speak or be silent, "Michelle, if you need anything you get in touch with Jimmy." That hadn't been what he wanted to say. He wanted more then anything to tell her that he loved her. He couldn't though. What if his plan didn't work? What if he was stuck marrying Theresa? The last thing he wanted to do was give Michelle a false sense of things to come. Even though in many ways he already had.

"Well, well Daniel, appears your mother doesn't know you as well as she thinks she does. Looks like it's time to give you a little wake up call." the figure said as Danny walked passed never once taking the time to notice.

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Michelle gathered up the rest of her clothes and started back for her car. This whole evening had been surreal. She had gone from thinking that Danny was lost to her forever, to again thinking that it was possible for them to try to make things between them work, to making love to him and now she was back a square one all over again.

Danny had walked away from her but again. Yet this time it was different. She didn't have the same ominous feeling she had had the times before. She actually felt hope this time. A hope that soon she and Danny would be together, forever this time.

Michelle slid into the front seat of Abby's car. It was then she realized the time. She could only imagine how worried Rick and Abby must have been. She cranked the engine, nothing. She tried again still nothing.

"DAMN!" she said getting out to look under the hood. Not that she really knew what it was she was looking at to begin with. Jesse had tried tirelessly to teach her a thing or two about cars but she had never really paid much attention. Now she wished that she had.

"Michelle," a voice startled her.

"Jimmy," she let out a sigh of relief, "What are you doing here?"

"Danny was worried about you. He sent me to be sure that you got home safe. What seems to be the problem here?"

"Wish I knew," she laughed, "I want to be doctor not a mechanic."

"Here let me take a look." Jimmy leaned under the hood. "You have a flashlight Michelle?"

"Yeah hang on. Let me check the trunk." Seconds later she emerged with light in hand. "Here you go."

"Thanks."

Jimmy had found the problem immediately. The battery terminal wires had been crossed. He felt a cold rush through is body thinking about what could have happened had Michelle touched them. He reached into his pocket for his leather gloves. Using them as an insulate he reattached the wires correctly. Had Michelle have touched them, she would have had gotten quite a shock. Not enough to hurt her but she certainly would have been stunned. Jimmy smelled a scam, but it wasn't a Dietz like move. He would have been much more showy with his attempt. That left Jimmy wondering who else he needed to be on the look out for. He had to talk to Danny. Had to keep him abreast of what was happening.

"Give it a try now," Jimmy called to Michelle.

The car fired right up without a moments hesitation, "Wow, thank you so much. What was wrong?"

"Just a loose wire," Jimmy lied. "The bumpy road must caused it. You should be fine now."

"Thanks again Jimmy. I couldn't imagine calling Rick at this hour."

"No problem. You are still like family to me," Jimmy regretted that the minute he said it.

"Really? How so?" she inquired.

"Nothing," he stammered trying to come up with a good save for this one, "I just still think of you as part of our world. And we protect our own."

"Oh. I guess I should be high tailing it home. Before Rick sends out the S.W.A.T looking for me," she laughed.

"Why don't I follow you?.........make sure you don't have anymore car trouble."

"That's not really necessary. I'm sure everything will be fine now. Thanks for the help though. I am a total loser when it comes to anything mechanical."

"Like I said not a problem. I would feel better if I could make sure you got home all right," Jimmy stressed. The last thing he wanted was for whoever did this to be angry at not achieving their desired effect and try again. Danny would have his ass for that friend or not.

"If it would make you feel better. Sure why not?"

"Okay then let's hit the road."

Michelle waved as Jimmy's horn sounded. She looked and saw every light in the house was ablaze. She didn't have a good feeling about this. Maybe something was wrong with Jake. She burst into the house shocked at the sight she saw.