Michelle found her way to her room. Rick was at the hospital still and Abby had left a note on the counter that she had some errands to run but would be back soon.

The quiet was relaxing. In New York there was never any quiet. Everything was in nonstop motion. It was nice to take a few steps back and breath. Her room was exactly how she had left it. She smiled looking at the posters, medals and ribbons that adorned the walls.

She laid her body across the bed drinking in all the memories that this place held for her. Her mother, her father, Rick and Abby.....Danny yes even Danny. Forgetting about him was proving to be more difficult than she imagined.

In New York it had been easy. There were classes, lectures, labs, hospital rotations endless series of things to keep her so busy that there wasn't any time to breath or think for that matter. Yet here in the stillness that's all she could do was think.

Michelle rolled over pulling out the box tucked neatly under her bed. She knew she shouldn't but some outside force was guiding her. That cardboard box held her life as Mrs. Danny Santos.

There they were starring up at her. The happy couple they pretended to be that day. But they really had been happy. Blissfully happy. How had everything gotten so out of control? How had she let him slip away? She hadn't realized that she was crying until her tears left wet stains on their wedding photo.

Michelle angrily threw the photo back in the box and tossed it aside. "Why am I doing this to myself?" she asked herself. "Why after all this time am I letting him get to me again.?"

She knew why. She was pretending now like she had done then. Pretending that she didn't feel anything for Danny. But that was a lie. She was still desperately, head over heels in love with him. No amount of time or space was going to change that.

The ringing of the phone startled her. "Hello, Bauer residence," she said as if it were second nature.

"Chelle?"

"Dylan," she felt a wave of guilt wash over her. In the midst of her memories she had completely forgotten about him.

"Hey I was worried. You said you would call me the minute you landed."

"God, I'm sorry. Things are crazy here. Drew's wedding, Jesse just left for New York for a showing," Michelle was talking so fast she was tripping over her tongue.

"Whoa. Slow up."

"Sorry. It's just so overwhelming being back here. It's been so long. How's your family?" Michelle did her best to direct the conversation away from herself. The last thing she wanted to do was slip up and say something that would leave him wondering.

"They're great. It's so great to be here. But I miss you so much," he cooed.

"I miss you too." She was glad that he was hundred's of miles away because had he been there facing her she would have never been able to pull of this lie.

The two of them talked for awhile longer. Michelle found herself laughing with him and recalling what it was she found so attractive about him. This is where she belonged. With Dylan not Danny. Danny Santos was her past. The past but why was it that right now the past was exactly where she wanted to be.

Michelle replaced the receiver in it's cradle as she kicked the box further beneath the bed, "Damn you Danny! Damn you." She stripped her clothes as she walked to the bathroom. She hoped that the steam from the shower would clear the fog from her brain.

She let the warm water beat against her body. Washing away all thoughts for the moment. She didn't want to remember anymore. Right now she was sorry that she had returned to Springfield. This was more then she wanted to deal with. As much as she wanted to hop right back on a place to New York she knew she couldn't. It was time for Michelle to stare the ghosts down. Put them where they truly belonged no matter how much it hurt.

As she dried her body the doorbell resounded throughout the house. "Damn." She was still alone. Quickly she grabbed her robe and headed for the door. The bell rang again. "I'm coming," she shouted grabbing for the door. "Yes?" Michelle froze at the face she saw.

The gates of the Santos Compound swung closed as Jimmy navigated the limo up the long drive to the house. Danny steeled himself for the show that he knew was coming. Bernard had joined his daughter days ago so he was sure that there was no getting out of this now.

His heart ripped apart piece by piece at the very thought of Michelle again. Danny was in complete shock. He hadn't expected to literally run into her. He had Jimmy keeping tabs on her for him. Jimmy was the only one in his mother's entire organization that he truly trusted. If there was such a thing as "trust" in the life they all led.

Jimmy, Danny and Ray had grown up together. Each taking their own path but remaining friends through it all. Jimmy knew how forlorn Danny had been ever since he had traded his happiness for Michelle's freedom, hell her life.

Jimmy had agreed to make sure that Michelle would always be safe. He reported to Danny now and again as to how she was. He had left out that she was seeing a fellow medical student. Jimmy didn't think that Danny needed to know that. The last thing he wanted was to cause his friend anymore pain. Besides he hadn't been too sure about the romance as it was. In all the times that he had tailed Michelle and Dylan, he had never saw the same look in her eyes with him that she had had when she was with Danny. Jimmy was sure that she still loved Danny as much as he loved her. That's what made watching Danny go through with this sham of a marriage so hard.

Theresa Rivera, god just thinking the name made Jimmy sick. She was a leech. Attaching herself to Danny any chance that she had. Well it looked like finally everyone was getting what they wanted but Danny. Then again he was getting the insurance that Michelle would always be alive and well. This marriage would seal that deal. If it didn't kill Danny first Jimmy thought to himself.

Jimmy retrieved Danny's bags from the trunk. He leaned against the rear of the car looking at his friend. He couldn't place it but the vacant look that Danny had for four years now had lessened. He didn't understand why but he was hoping it meant what he thought it did.

Jimmy knew that Michelle was in Springfield for Drew Jacobs and Jesse Blue's wedding. He was praying that coincidence would lend itself to righting a wrong from so long ago.

"Thanks Jimmy," Danny said taking the bags from his friend. "I can handle it myself. I have another job in mind for you." Jimmy gave Danny a quizzical look, "What is it?"

"One minute," he turned to Theresa, "Theresa, honey, I'll meet you inside in a minute. I need to go over a few things with Jimmy." Theresa pouted, "I'll be but a minute," Danny reluctantly leaned in to kiss his bride to be, "I promise."

"Fine," she returned still annoyed.

"What's up?" Jimmy asked when Theresa was safely out of ear shot.

"Did you know that Michelle would be in Springfield?" Danny tried to sound angry but it was more then a difficult task.

"Yes," Jimmy said pulling no punches.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I knew you wouldn't come."

"Damn right. You know it can't be like this," Danny's tone was urgent. "There can't be any chance for Bernard or god forbid my mother to know that we are in town together."

"Danny I know. I would never do anything to endanger Michelle's life."

"Problem is Jimmy. I think I already did."

"What?"

"I saw her at the airport. She's as beautiful as ever," Danny's face lit up with those words, "I don't think I can go through with this," Danny said noticeably distressed by that fact.

"Danny," Jimmy rested his hand on friend's shoulder, "You don't have to do this."

"Jimmy," Danny returned exasperated. "You know that the deal is done. I don't have a choice. No choice what so ever. There is something I need you to do for me."

"Anything."

Theresa pulled back the heavy drapes and looked on as the two men talked heads bent together. She had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. The sooner she got Danny back to Chicago the better things would be.

Michelle stepped out of the shower. It had done nothing to clear Danny from her mind. As a matter of fact it had done just the opposite. More memories of their rocky start surfaced. There was no getting away from him. The harder she tried the worse it got.

The doorbell rang loudly through the house. It rang again. "Damn," she said grabbing for her robe. Obviously she was still alone in the house. The bell sounded for a third time. "I'm coming," she yelled bounding down the stairs.

"Yes?" she said breathless. She froze at the body standing before her. "Jimmy?" she questioned. She hadn't seen any of the Santos men for such a long time. She should have been scared but she wasn't. Danny assured her that she would always be safe.

"Hi Michelle," he smiled broadly, "These are for you." Jimmy handed her the most beautiful bouquet of multi-colored roses she had ever seen. There had to be over two dozen there.

"They are absolutely gorgeous," she remarked without thinking.

"I heard Danny telling the florist that they had to be the best for best lady."

"Danny?" she whispered. "Why?"

"He said that he was thinking about you and wanted you to know."

"Jimmy, what's going on?" Michelle was still a bit skeptical. Danny had been so insistent on the annulment that this wasn't making any sense.

Yet she thought back to earlier today at the airport. Something electric surged through them both as their fingers lightly touched in exchanging bags. Was this Danny's way of letting her know that there was a chance for them? That in the all years that had passed they were still connected to one another. Dare she dream?

"Nothing Michelle. I just did as Danny asked. He wanted these roses to be delivered to you. You know I never disobey an order," Jimmy smiled sheepishly.

Michelle had to smile too. On more then one occasion when she and Danny were married she had a run in with Jimmy while he was obeying orders. Somehow though she was always been able to get around him. Little did she know that Danny had always had him looking out for his wife, even to this day.

"I remember," she returned. "Tell Danny thank you. No wait. Jimmy, do you think it would be all right if I called him myself?"

"NO!" he said quickly imagining the mess that would ensue if anyone other then Danny were to get the phone, "I mean you know how mama Carmen is. I think it would be better if I just told him. You understand?"

Michelle knodded but she didn't truly understand. She never would understand a family like them. A family where a mother didn't enjoy seeing her children happy. A family that was still driven by some bizarre code of honor.

She inhaled deeply. The roses gave off the most fragrant aroma. "Danny, will be glad to know that you like them," Jimmy said as he turned to walk up the path.

"Jimmy, tell him I love them."

"We'll do."

"I love him too," Michelle whispered when she was sure the Jimmy was far in the distance.

Michelle was still sitting in the living room starring at the roses when Abby and Jake returned from their errands. Abby stood in the doorway watching her oblivious to her surroundings. Focusing intently on the exquisite flowers before her.

"Michelle," Abby said quietly not wanting to frighten her.

"Abby, my god....hi. This can't be Jake. He's so big," Michelle took the baby from Abby's arms. He was a miniature Rick if Michelle had ever seen one. Same head of brown curls and his gorgeous eyes.

"Sorry, I wasn't able to be here when you got in. Jake had a doctor's appointment."

"Everything's okay right?"

"Yes, fine. Just nine month check-up and a few shots."

"Shots?" Michelle lifted the little one to her face, "Shots??? Those nasty doctors'. They didn't hurt my buddy did they?" Michelle nuzzled her nose against his soft hair. She loved the smell of babies. It was the most delightful smell.

Michelle remembered letting herself think about a time when her and Danny were to have a baby. She wanted their child to look just like Danny. She knew that he would be a wonderful father. He had been a wonderful husband despite all the grief she had given him.

"Where'd the beautiful roses come from? Don't tell me Dylan can afford something like on his salary?" Abby asked sitting beside Michelle on the sofa.

"Danny sent them," Michelle said nonchalantly as she bounced Jake on her knees.

"Danny?" Abby's tone was noticeably surprised, "As in Danny Santos?"

"Uh-huh."

"Michelle," Abby turned her sister-in-law's face to meet hers, "What is going on?"

"I don't know myself Abby. I ran into him. I mean literally ran into him at the airport this afternoon. Then Jimmy showed up here a while ago with these. Saying that Danny wanted me to have them. And to know that he was thinking about me. I'm as shocked as the next person."

Yes Michelle was shocked but that wasn't the only emotion that was running the gambit. She was full of love, apprehension, desire, longing, fear....you name it she felt it. The one thing that she did know was that Danny had felt something as well. She just wasn't sure what yet.

Dietz sat by the curb an watched the scene unfolding. He had known of Michelle's arrival in Springfield and needed to be certain that Daniel kept his word. Because if he didn't then Dietz knew what his orders were.

Michelle and Abby sat talking for sometime in the living room. Catching up on each other's lives. Jake curled up in his mom's lap and fell fast asleep as the two women chatted away. Michelle longed for the times her and Abby used to spend together before she had gone to New York.

In New York Michelle hadn't let anyone close enough. She hadn't let anyone crack the protective shell that she encased herself in. It hurt too much. It hurt to lose the people that you loved. She had lost Jesse to Drew and she had lost Danny by her own stupidity. So instead of chancing it she walled herself off to the world.

Abby was the sister that Michelle had never had. She had been her support system through everything with Danny. Pushing her to explore her true feelings. Asking her to examine what it was she was feeling about this man that she married.

Unfortunately too little too late. By the time that Michelle had taken Abby's advice, Danny had already had the annulment papers drawn up. Ray fought him every step of the way but never the less complied with Danny's wishes.

It seemed like a lifetime ago. In all reality it was. Michelle let her eyes wonder to the roses on the table and couldn't help thinking that maybe all was not lost yet.

Michelle stood in the doorway of the nursery as Abby gently laid Jake down. She was overwhelmed by the rush of love she saw on Abby's face. In a way Michelle was envious of her. Abby had the life that Michelle had wanted. Husband, house, child yet Michelle knew she was living in a world with rose colored glasses on. No matter how much she tried to forget the life Danny led she couldn't. Theirs would not have been the suburban dream that she had hoped for. They would have had guns, violence and "la familia" instead.

"Well, we best go get ready," Abby said closing the door behind her, "Rick will be waiting for us at the country club."

Both women headed off in opposite directions of the house. Michelle pulled out her black velvet cocktail dress from her garment bag and started to get ready. She fastened her hair up in a French twist letting the ringlets cascade about the deep "v" the dress formed in the back. She placed her gold choker around her neck and gold bangle on her arm. Michelle tucked her wedding band under her pillow. This would be the first time in four years that it had been from around her neck. She gazed at herself in the full length mirror that hung on her door. She smiled despite herself. It had been a long time since she had reason to dress like this. There wasn't much call for a dress like this at a frat party.

Michelle kissed Aunt Meta on the cheek as her and Abby walked out the door. The ride to the country club was a quiet one. Michelle was doing her best to stay positive. It was a hard thing to do. Just knowing that she and Danny were in the same town together made it hard to concentrate on anything but him.

"Are you sure we are in the right room Abby?" Michelle asked as Abby pushed her ahead into the darkened room.

"SURPRISE!!!!!!" a dozen voices shouted at her as the lights came up.

"Oh my god," she gasped, "You," she pointed to Rick and Abby, "You both did this?"

"Yes. Everyone was so excited that you were coming home that we had to do it." Rick said.

Michelle looked around the room at the sea of faces. There was Drew, Jesse, Bill, Pilar, Ross, Blake, Phillip and Harley. Michelle tried not to cry but was unsuccessful.

"Thank you," her voice barely a whisper.

"You are more then welcome," Rick hugged her.

The evening was a whirlwind. Michelle was totally caught up in everyone's excitement. It was great to see all of her friends. People that had been near and dear to her for such a long time.

"Hey," Bill walked up embracing her. Pilar hung back. She had been apprehensive about joining Bill at this party. She was sure the last thing Michelle needed was a reminder of her brother. But Bill had convinced her to be his date. They had been inseparable for a long time now. He was actually thinking about asking her to marry him.

"Bill, hi! It is so great to see you." She kissed his cheek. Bill had always been her best friend and confidant. She never realized just how much she missed him until right now.

"You too. Looks like New York is treating you well."

"I guess so," she returned noticing Pilar hanging back. "Pilar?" she questioned.

"Hi, Michelle," she said softly. Much to Pilar's surprised Michelle embraced her without warning.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Great," she still wasn't sure what else to say.

"Good. Good for you. How was your Junior year at SU?"

"Really good actually. I am majoring in Drama."

"Drama huh? Danny always said you were the drama queen...." Michelle had spoken before she realized what she was saying.

The silence between them was deafening. "Yeah, so I have been told," Pilar returned. She felt so badly for Michelle. How much she still loved her brother was etched all over her face. She wondered how she was going to take the news that Danny was marrying Theresa Rivera. Pilar knew in her heart that Danny still loved Michelle as well. This whole marriage to Theresa wasn't making much sense from where she stood. Pilar was sure that if they would just give themselves a chance they could be happy again. Theresa would never be able to make Danny happy. Not the way the Michelle had once done.

"Excuse me," Michelle said as she stepped away from them. The last thing she wanted was for them to see her cry.

She walked out on to the terrace. The night was a beautiful one. Clear crisp night air enveloped her. The moon and the stars shone brightly overhead. The gentle breeze tossed her hair about her head making it appear as though she was an angel with a halo. Michelle rubbed her hands against her arms trying to stave off the chill that was over taking her. She wasn't quite ready to go inside yet.

"Cold?" the voice came from behind her. She knew it was Danny without even looking. She felt the heaviness of his leather jacket resting on her shoulders.

"Not anymore," she said turning to face him.