Michelle entered Millennium without so much as a nod to Jimmy. It wasn't him who she was angry with but right now he was the closest person she had to take it out on.

"JESSE!" she squealed upon seeing him behind the bar.

"Hey there," he quickly left his post and embraced her.

"How was the showing?" Michelle questioned.

"Profitable," he smiled.

"Glad to hear it, but I'm more glad that you are back in town. That woman of yours is going crazy on me."

"What about that woman of his?" Drew asked as she entered the bar. Slipping her arms tightly around her fiancé.

"I was just telling Jesse how crazed you have been about all the wedding plans."

"Can you blame me?"

"No....actually I can't."

"So tell us all about New York," Michelle led Jesse to the nearest table.

Michelle and Drew listened intently to all the happenings in Jesse's career. Michelle wasn't able to contain her joy for her friend. It was hard to remember the day that she had met Jesse. Then he wasn't anything more then a street thug and now he was an up and coming artist. It gave her such satisfaction to know that she had helped shape the person that Jesse now was.

"Well, ladies looks like my best man just arrived. We have quite a few things to take care of ourselves. I will leave you to do yours as well," Jesse explained as he headed in Bill's direction.

"I wonder where Pilar is?" Drew asked absently, "Thought for sure she would be coming with Bill. We really need to go pick up our dresses," Drew shifted anxiously in her seat.

"She'll be here. We have plenty of time." Michelle commented, "Drew, I really need to talk to you."

"What......what is it?"

"It's Danny."

"Not him again," Drew let out a sigh, "I thought you had decided to put him out of your mind. I guess it wasn't as easy to do that as you thought........huh?"

"How'd you guess?"

"I know you too well."

"That you do."

"So what about Danny? What happened?"

Michelle hesitated not knowing exactly where to start. Just thinking about Laurel Falls again caused her pulse to quicken. "Danny and I made love last night," she said in a hoarse whisper.

"WHAT?!?!?!" Drew's voice echoed off the walls of the club. "You and Danny did what?!?!?!"

"Quiet Drew," Michelle looked around remembering what Jimmy had said about watching her back. "Jesus Drew, I don't need everyone in Springfield knowing my business."

"How...when...where....come on details girl....details."

Michelle went on to tell the story. How she had went to Laurel Falls to think as he had done as well. How she had gone skinny dipping and that Danny ended up in the water with her. One thing leading to the other.

"Drew, it was spectacular. More then I ever imagined it to be," Michelle felt her checks flush as she thought about it once more.

"So what does that all mean now? Are you and Danny getting back together? Cause if so, you aren't going to like what I am going to tell you."

"What?" Michelle asked holding her breath.

"Well you know how upset you were at Company? I just thought that I would do something to cheer up . I didn't have clue that this was going to happen......"

"Drew....what did you do?"

"I called Dylan. I asked him to come to the wedding." Drew braced herself for the fall out.

"What?!?!?"

"He said he wasn't sure if he could make it or not. Said something about a big family party. So he still might not show up." Drew tried her best to make it all sound all right.

"Damn!"

"I'm sorry Michelle. I just thought it would help get your mind off of Danny. You said that you were putting the past in the past. How did I know............"

"It's not your fault really. I have been trying to get up the nerve to tell Dylan the truth for awhile now. I just couldn't bring myself to hurt him. Well if he happens to show up then I will just have to deal with it then," Michelle sighed, "Besides, I don't know what the hell's going on with Danny anyhow."

"Well, looks like you just might get your chance to find out," Drew pointed to the swinging door that Pilar and Danny had just walked through.

Jimmy and Danny both turned to see Pilar entering the room. "Peanut, I didn't know you were home," Danny said trying to move the conversation away from his discussion with Jimmy.

"Never mind that. Answer my question Danny. Are you saying that you aren't marrying Theresa now?" Pilar was unable to stop the smile from creeping across her face.

"What gave you that idea?" Jimmy asked.

"Don't play games with me guys. I'm not that little girl you all used to tease. I know what I heard."

"Peanut, I can't really go into all right now......"

"Danny, you know as well as I that you don't love Theresa. We all know that it's Michelle you love. She loves you too. She told me as much. So what is the problem?"

"Pilar, if it were as simple as that," Danny returned in an exasperated tone.

"It is," she countered.

"It's not," he shot back.

"Danny, don't let mama take this away from you. You deserve to be happy. Michelle makes you happy....."

Danny beamed at the very thought of Michelle. Knowing now that the danger had been removed from the equation, he was inclined to believe Pilar's words. He did deserve to be happy, not shackled to a women...a marriage that he didn't want.

Danny needed to use this time while the others were gone to make his move. He wanted to grab Michelle and be long gone before anyone had a clue they were even missing.

"Jimmy, I have to pick up my dress for the wedding....would you mind driving me?" Pilar asked.

"You let Jimmy be, peanut. He's had a long night. I'll take you where you need to go."

Jimmy almost stopped him. Knowing full well that Danny would be running smack into Michelle again. Now that he had remedied the obvious problem, Jimmy wanted to see his friend, both his friends happy. "Thanks man, I need a shower."

"Oh Jimmy," Danny said.

"Yeah,"

"I know they're gone but still keep an eye out okay?"

"You got it." Jimmy was glad to see that Danny was still keeping on his toes.

Danny pushed the door to Millennium open letting Pilar enter before him. She walked straight to Drew and Michelle. Danny froze as he gazed at her. Visions of her naked body still filled his head.

"I'm so sorry that I am late," Pilar apologized.

"No problem. We are just getting down to the wire here." Drew laughed.

Both Pilar and Drew watched as Danny and Michelle stared at one another. In the moment that he had entered the club, everything had stopped for her. She could hear the sound of her heart beating in her ears.

"Hey," he smiled approaching the table, "You have a minute?"

"Sure," Michelle was surprised to have found her voice. She could still feel his hands on her flesh. taste the saltiness of his skin as she kissed it.

"Don't forget about the dresses," Drew piped in.

"I won't keep her long," Danny countered even though his intention was keeping her forever.

"How are you? Jimmy told me what happened last night. Is everything okay now?"

"Yeah everything's fine. Rick is still going ballistic but you know Rick," she tried not to laugh. "Then Jimmy told you everything?" she said hesitantly wondering what he thought.

"You mean about the ring?" he asked reaching for her delicate hand.

"Uh huh," she felt the electricity surge through her. His dark eyes starring at her intently.

"Yes Jimmy told me."

"I should have given it back to you that day....."

"I wouldn't have taken it Michelle."

"Why not?"

"It belongs with you. I have mine as well." His statement had shocked her. The annulment had been his idea. Something that he said he had wanted. So why would he have kept his ring all this time?

"You do?"

"Yes....yes I do." Danny smiled faintly at her knowing that she had to be full of questions by now. Questions that right now he didn't care to answer. The only thing he wanted to do was be with her. Enjoy the closeness that they could now share thanks to his scheme.

"But......" her words were silenced by his kiss while Drew, Pilar, Jesse and Bill looked on. Each one of them knowing that this was the way it had been meant to be. "Danny..............," she returned breathlessly.

"Ssshhhh," he put his finger to her perfect lips, "All in due time. Right now all I want to do is take you in my arms and hold you."

The days leading up to Drew and Jesse's were the courtship that Danny and Michelle never had. They acted like two lovers. Reveling in everything that was the other.

All the while Jimmy and Angela communicate via phone daily doing their very best to come up with anything on Bernard that would get Danny out of this mess peaceably.

"Michelle," Rick knocked on the door to her bedroom, "Can I come in? I think we really should talk." Those were the first civil words that he had spoken to her in days.

"I don't really have time for this right now." Michelle hurried about the room trying to get ready for the wedding rehearsal and the dinner that was to follow.

"Michelle, please," he begged sitting on her bed.

"Rick," she sighed. The last thing she was up for was another lecture from her well meaning big brother. She had been able to avoid him for the most part for the last few days. Michelle didn't want to lie to him but she also wasn't about to waste one moment she had with Danny fighting with Rick.

"Just hear me out. Could you give me that much, please?!?!?" Rick tried to control his frustration.

"What?" she finally relented knowing full well that Rick wasn't about to leave.

"Honey, please listen to reason. I am only looking out for your best interests." Rick said taking her hands in his. "I couldn't imagine anything happening to you. Danny Santos...well he's a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. I don't want you to be part of the aftermath."

"Rick, please, not again," she returned rolling her eyes.

"Michelle, this isn't a JOKE!" Rick's voice raised in anger. "Can't you at least understand where I am coming from?"

"I could ask you the same thing?" she countered.

"Michelle.....I'm sorry I can't. You are asking me to forget who Danny Santos is. What he's all about. I can't. HE'S A MOBSTER FOR GOD SAKES!"

"He's the man I love!" she cried. "You can either except that or not but Rick you keep pushing me you will lose me."

"That's what I'm afraid of," he said softly.

"Rick, I'm safe with Danny. I trust Danny with my life. Why can't you see that we belong together as much as you and Abby do?"

"That's completely different and you know it!"

"Not really. You two complete each other...the same way that Danny and I do. For the past four years we both have been searching for something to fill the void that the other left when we parted. Nothing filled them Rick. Nothing....not careers, not other people nothing but finding our way back to each other. I finally feel whole again. Like the Michelle I once was. I can't let you take that away from me because your fear." she stated calmly.

"But......"

"No, Rick! You have to let me live my life."

"I don't know if I can," he returned cautiously.

"You have to. I love Danny and nothing you say or do will keep me from him."

Rick watched his sister turn her back to him once again. This was a game he just wasn't able to win. Yet he felt if he stopped trying that would give Michelle the wrong message. A message that he excepted Danny and the Santos Family as part of her world. He wasn't ready to do that.

"Michelle," Abby called, "Are you about ready? Jimmy is here with the car."

"Rick," she started before he was able to begin with another triad. "Pilar is giving me a ride to the country club. Jimmy is their driver." She grabbed her black bag and exited before Rick could say any more.

Rick looked on as Michelle climbed into the back of the limo. He still wasn't sure about all of this. He couldn't shake the feeling that Michelle was setting herself up for yet another fall at the hands of Danny Santos.

Jimmy opened the door of the limo for Pilar and Michelle. Both young women looked spectacular. Jimmy watched and waited until they were safely inside the club, more out of habit then for any other reason.

Since Danny had been able to get Carmen, Bernard and Theresa out of Springfield things had been rather quiet. Maybe a little too quiet. He had a nagging feeling in his gut that Danny was letting his guard down a bit too quickly. This caused Jimmy to heighten his own senses.

He had a few leads on some really good dirt that Danny could use to pin Bernard to the wall ending this sham for good but it wasn't a done deal yet. Angela had a couple more strings to pull before it all fell into place. Until then Jimmy intended on making sure nothing happened to jeopardize Michelle in any way.

Pilar and Michelle walked across the courtyard to where a very nervous Drew was standing. "Hey," she hugged the both of them.

"Drew, calm down. I mean if you are shaking this much now...hell tomorrow we'll be lucky to keep you standing." Michelle laughed.

"I know. I just can't believe that this is really happening. I mean I am finally going to be Jesse's wife," Drew smiled all the while her hands shaking.

"Yeah, Mrs. Drew Blue," Pilar stifled a giggle.

"That's enough smarty," Drew returned trying not to laugh herself.

"Here's Ray and Rabbi Gould. I need to talk to them about the ceremony."

"Drew, that's what the rehearsal is for," Michelle was doing her best to keep her friend calm.

"I know...I know I just want to go over everything just one more time."

Michelle shook her head as she watched Drew corner the two men. She almost felt sorry for them. Drew wouldn't be satisfied until she had this all mapped out at least a dozen times.

"Michelle, there's Bill...do you mind?" Pilar pointed to where Jesse and Bill were standing.

"No......go, please,"

Michelle walked up to the bar and ordered a white wine. She gazed around the room longing to be with Danny. He had declined her invitation. Saying that he really did have to get some work done and that they would have all day tomorrow. Somehow tomorrow seemed to be eons away.

"Hey beautiful," a husky voice whispered in her ear.

"Danny!" she turned smiling brightly, "I thought you said that you wouldn't be able to make it."

"I couldn't stay away."

"I'm glad," she kissed him fully on the mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Easy there," he laughed as her tongue found it's way to his ear, "We have an audience you know." he gestured to the rest of the room.

"I don't give a damn," she countered, "I want everyone to know just how much I want you," she purred.

"Well it looks like Ray has other ideas," Danny pointed to his cousin who was motioning for Michelle to join them.

"Don't you go anywhere...Mr. Santos. I have plans for you tonight."

"Plans....huh?" Danny smiled back at her in that devastatingly devilish way of his. "What prey tell are these plans?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." She walked towards the group as Danny watched her body sway. He could only imagine what she had up her sleeve.

"Hey, Danny we need to talk," Jimmy said pulling his eyes off of Michelle.

"I think that Angela finally came up with something we can use."

"Really? what?" Danny's interests had been peaked, "Two scotches," he said to the bartender. "Let's sit down," he handed Jimmy a glass and walked over to a corner table.

"Seems Bernard has a couple off shore accounts."

"Yeah...so? We all have those types of accounts." Danny wasn't getting the great importance of this information.

"Danny, these accounts.....they are in connection with the Ramerez Family."

"Ramerez?" Danny echoed, "What the fuck is that all about?"

"Seems as though Bernard has been playing both sides of the fence buddy."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that Bernard is padding his accounts from your family as well as theirs."

"Carmen will hit the roof!" Danny said taking a sip of the amber liquid.

Antonio Ramerez had been responsible for Miguel Santos' death. It was never proven but Danny knew it had been true. The rivalry for territories between the two men had been great. Antonio thought by taking out Danny's father that would have given him a clear avenue to walk in an take over what he thought should have been his in the first place. Much to his dismay, Carmen had stepped in and taken over where her husband had left off. Never once letting anything slip past her. The Rivera's and the Santos' did everything they could to squeeze the Ramerez's out of the state. Finally with nothing but a few associates left they packed it in and headed for the west coast.

Danny couldn't comprehend what or why Bernard would have any dealings with them after all these years. Bernard and his father had been the closest of friends. Bernard had been beside himself when Miguel had been gunned down. He wanted to enact his revenge yet Carmen held him back. Saying that there was a better way to handle it. She was the boss now and her word was the law.

"Jimmy."

"Yeah, Danny."

"Keep poking your nose around there. Something about all of that doesn't sound quite right. I think you two just may have damn well found me something I can actually use."

"My thought exactly," Danny and Jimmy clinked scotch glasses at their find.

Danny was still thinking about the information that Jimmy had given him as he looked on at the wedding rehearsal. Absently he was trying to put it together. Why would Bernard jeopardize his standing with Carmen for what ever money the Ramerez Family could offer him. Bernard was too smart of a man for that. They were still missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. He only hoped that they came up with it soon. It wouldn't be long before they all would be parading around town again.

Danny's last resort would be to take Michelle and run if he had too. These last few days with Michelle had proven that he wasn't able to live without her. She had easily taken over his entire existence once again. The very same way she had all those years before.

He heard the recessional music play as Jesse and Drew walked up the aisle. Bill and Michelle followed. Danny felt the energy surge through him. Just looking at her caused his heart to race.

"I love you," she mouthed as she glided past him.

"I love you, too," he returned with ease.

"I think we should go through it just one more time," Drew said taking Jesse by the hand.

"Drew, ENOUGH!" he laughed taking her in his arms. "This a wedding rehearsal not boot camp."

"I know," she blushed, "I just want to be sure that everything is perfect."

"Drew, I have officiated many weddings," Ray said trying hard no to laugh along with Jesse, "I assure you three times is more then enough." The wedding party also joined in the laughter. "Drew, honey, I told you this will be the most romantic day of your life," Michelle draped her arm around her friend all the while starring at Danny. Their wedding day was replaying in her memory. She wanted more then anything for Drew to feel the way she had on that day.

"Okay...okay I give up. Let's go have dinner," Drew returned.

"Great I'm starved," Bill piped in as Pilar swatted him in the stomach.

"Bill," she chided.

"Well I am."

Danny sat enjoying the display. This is what life was supposed to be like. The freedom to be with friends and family without the fear that forever encompassed his home.

"Come on," Michelle said grabbing his hand leading him into the dinning room.

"Michelle.....I shouldn't....Drew didn't expect me."

"Come on," she pulled his body off the bar stool, "I think she's too nervous to even notice."

The room was alive with conversation and laughter that went on well into the night hours. Michelle never left Danny's side. She felt as though in the last week she had come full circle. She was exactly where she belonged finally. She rejoiced in touch. Feeling his arms around her waist as they dance, the way he stroked her hair.....all of that made up for those lonely nights that she had spent starring at her wedding ring longing for what wasn't.

It still bothered her that she had lost that treasured object. Her many attempts to ask Danny questions had been silenced by him in one form or another. All he would say was that right now was their time. That soon he would tell her all she needed to know. Michelle tried to be angry with him, but it had been a fruitless effort. One look into those dark pools she was a goner. She had told him before that she trusted him and that's what she intended on doing.

"Excuse me," Bill said clinking his knife against his glass, "I know tomorrow is the big day and everyone is tired and ready to be heading home but before we do that.........there's something I would like to do."

The room watched as he walked over to Pilar. He took her hand in his and got down on one knee. The room fell silent watching and waiting for what they all knew was to come.

"Pilar Santos, you are my friend, my lover, my life. Without you I am nothing. Please will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket as Pilar's eyes filled with tears.

"Yes," she said her voice barely a whisper, "YES!" she said louder this time her voice mixed with tears of sheer joy. "I would love nothing more then to be your wife Bill." Pilar brought her mouth to his for a kiss that had even Danny blushing.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" the room cheered.

"Can you believe my peanut.....she's going to be married," Danny sighed, "It seems like not so long ago she was just a little girl that Jimmy, Ray and me were trying to ditch."

Michelle wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "We all deserve to be happy, Danny," she whispered softly.

"I know. I promise you we will have that too. We will be married again. I just have to be sure that....." his voice trailed off into the night as he watched the speeding car heading towards them.