At the moment Danny felt as if he were caught in a time warp. It was though everything but this breath taking girl had fallen away. Gone was the blaring music, gone was the noise of the crowd gone was everything but her.

Without warning his feet took over and he found himself making his way to where she stood. He couldn't have stopped himself even he had wanted to, which he didn't.

Michelle caught her breath as each step brought him closer to her. Her palms grew damp and she fidgeted nervously alongside of Sarah. There was something about his eyes that held her spellbound.

"Are you enjoying yourselves, ladies?" Danny directed the question to both yet never took his eyes from Michelle. She felt the heat radiating off of her body as those smoldering eyes of his caressed her.

"Yes we are thank you," Sarah said as she pinched Michelle's arm forcing her to speak.

"It's a great party......really great,"

"Glad you think so. I must admit that it turned out much better then I had expected." Danny easily leaned his body against the table positioning himself just within Michelle's reach. "So what about the band? You think we should book them to play here again?" he asked not particularly caring if he got an answer or not just enjoying being close to her.

"DEFINITELY!" Sarah piped in knowing full well that neither of them knew she was alive.

Sarah's voice snapped Michelle back to reality. The fantasy that she was letting herself have about this devilishly handsome man before her was trouble from the word go.

"Sarah's right. They are really good. I bet they have a hell of a following. Should bring you a nice steady crowd."

"Wow....sounds like you really know what you're talking about," Danny couldn't help but looked surprised.

"I know a thing or two," she countered playfully, "I have a friend who runs a club a lot like this one," the words were out of her mouth before she had even realized it. Michelle could have kicked herself but it was still hard at times to remember that that part of her life didn't exist anymore. Two months of being Melanie Branson certainly wasn't about to wipe away nineteen of being Michelle Bauer. She also knew the drill, Agent Lucas had done his best to drum it into her head. Steer clear of the past as much as possible. Right now though she had managed to travel backwards using both feet.

"Maybe you'd let me pick you brain about a few other ideas that I have for this place," Danny saw the opening and took it.

"I'm sure you have more then enough help here. You don't need my two cents too," Michelle desperately tried to move the conversation away from this subject. Besides who was she kidding, she couldn't let herself be sucked into all of this again. I mean sure he was gorgeous, charismatic and all that but her nerves were still a bit raw from Jesse.

"No really I would love to hear how your friend's club was run."

Michelle stifled a laugh at the thought of using the term friend to describe Drew. The words friend and Drew Jacobs in the same sentence when it came to the way Michelle felt about the girl just wasn't happening.

"Melanie, I'm going to grab a drink. You want?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah sure." Michelle was happy to have a reason to turn away from him. The longer she spent this close to Danny the more she couldn't remember way is was that these feelings were a bad thing.

She knew why though. How could she have anything real that was based on a lie? Her entire existence now was just that. One big fat lie. Exactly how was she supposed to get close to someone when she didn't even know who the hell she really was anymore? A relationship for her would be far too complicated. She should be happy with her friendship with Sarah and leave it go at that.

"Seriously, I would love to discuss business with you," Danny pushed.

"I'm by far no business woman, Mr. Sampson."

"Call me Danny please," even though he knew the reason for using his uncle's name it was still difficult to hear himself being called that.

"Like I said, Danny," she stressed, "I was only teasing before. I don't really think that I could be of much help. I better find Sarah." with those words she was gone.

Danny couldn't help but feel as though he had missed something or maybe he had just let Albert get the better of him. Just it had been strange. One moment he could feel the connection that they were starting to make and then wham it was gone.

"What the hell just happened here?" he said to himself.

"The chef says there's a problem and he will only speak to you," Carl's irritated voice poked at Danny's thought.

"Tell him I'll be right there," Danny turned to looked at her one last time. His head told him to steer clear, that this one was better left untouched but his heart had an entirely different idea in mind.

Michelle felt his eyes boring holes in her flesh but she didn't dare turn to look at him. She couldn't let him think that she was interested, even though all the signs had been there. The quickening of her pulse when she thought about his touch was a dead give away.

"Stop it!!!" she scolded herself.

"Stop what? I thought you wanted a drink," Sarah returned not understanding what was happening.

"I do." Michelle reached for the tall glass of champagne. "I see we are learning the finer points," Michelle tipped her glass to Sarah's referring to her earlier lesson of obtaining alcohol on their plane ride together.

"Piece of cake," Sarah smiled, "Where's Mr. HUNK MAN?" Sarah nudged at Michelle's arm.

"I couldn't say."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't know........what?!?!?!" Michelle asked as Sarah starred at her in disbelief.

"WHAT!?!?!?! I mean for god sakes even I could feel the electricity between the two of you from way over here. What the hell happened?"

"Nothing."

"You aren't making any sense. It was so obvious that he finds you attractive and you do him. It's a pretty simple equation. One boy plus one girl equals date."

"Not necessarily."

"It does from where I come from," Sarah countered.

"Let's just say it's more complicated then that."

"Complicated my ass! You are a healthy single woman and by god he is a healthy single man. Who's too hot for words I might add and he has the hots for you to boot. That's the least complicated I've ever seen it to be."

"Sarah, please just leave it alone," Michelle pleaded as she searched the room once more hoping to slip out before she had to see Danny again because if that was to happen she didn't know if she would be able to walk away.

Danny stood there while the chef spoke but he hadn't heard a single word that the man had said. His thoughts were fixated on Melanie. Her hair, her eyes the way her dress clung to the curves of her body that's all that Danny cared about at the moment. That and the fact that she had turned so cold in the blink of an eye. It hadn't made any sense. One minute she was joking and teasing him and the next it was like he was talking to a completely different person. It had been so strange.

"Danny," Carl's voice again intruded on his private thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Well what should we do?"

"Do?"

"We are running out of food," Carl looked at him in shock, "Were you even listening?"

"Yes," Danny lied, "Check the freezer. I ordered extra appetizers just in case. We can use those......I know," Danny shot a look at the chef before he could speak, "I know that they aren't home made Reggie, but right now I think the customers are far too 'happy'," Danny said as he made mock quotes in the air referring to the drunken state of people in the room, "to really notice the difference. Besides it's almost time for last call. We can make do until then."

"I will do it," the chef said, "but I won't like it." All Danny could do was shake his head and laugh. Reggie was a character alright but one hell of a chef.

"Carl," Danny called as he began to walk away.

"Yeah."

"Can I ask you something?" Carl nodded, "That friend of your daughter's Melanie I think her name is. What do you know about her?"

"Nothing really why?"

"Just wondering."

"Never saw her before today. I have to go check on the booze," Carl shuffled away before he could ask anything further.

Danny exited the kitchen to see the crowd thinning out just a bit. He couldn't help but feel proud of his accomplishment. Tonight had been a great success. In more ways then one he thought as he scanned the room in search of Melanie. He was disappointed when he was unable to locate her. Maybe they were in the ladies room. He always thought it was funny how women do that as a group thing. Pilar had clued him in once, that the reason for it was to discuss the men that they had just met. Danny could only hope that was the reason this time as well.

"Well son," Albert said coming to side beside him, "looks like you made your make on the state of Texas. This night has been a wonderful success."

"Yes, Danny. I was completely wrong not to trust you," Jenny added touching Danny's arm gently.

"Thank you both. Well it looks like it's about time to call last call. I think I will do the honors."

Carl felt his blood boil as he watched Albert and Jenny heap praise on the golden boy. It looked as though he had lost an ally in Jenny now. That for one reason or another the prince had won her over as well. At least with Jenny needling him every chance she got that left the door open a crack for him to nudge his was back into the heart of the business as it should have been, but now it looked like if he didn't watch out the door was going to be slammed in his face permanently.

"LISTEN EVERYONE......." Danny said into the microphone, "I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TONIGHT. THE TWO STEP SHOWS PROMISE FOR MORE GREAT NIGHTS LIKE THIS ON TO COME!!!" the crowd responded with a round of hoots and hollers, "SO PLEASE COME AGAIN AND THIS IS LAST CALL FOR THE NIGHT!!!" Danny handed the microphone back to the lead singer as the music started again.

"So what happened with Carl's daughter's friend........ah"

"Melanie," Danny said.

"Yes, Melanie. What happened?"

"Nothing."

"NOTHING?!?!?"

"Nothing," Danny said as he continued to stack the chairs on the tables.

"That doesn't make any sense. I saw the way she was looking at you."

"I told you you needed glasses," Danny said quite seriously. He was thoroughly upset by the fact that she had left without so much as a good-bye. He had to stop himself from having these thoughts. In all reality at the moment what did the girl really owe him. NOTHING. She didn't owe him a good-bye so why was he so unnerved right now.

"Not hardly! I know what I saw. I know that she had her eye on you."

"Well then maybe you should have clued her in on that fact as well because she certainly didn't' think so."

"So what are you saying that you are just giving up without a fight?"

"Giving up?" Danny echoed, "What are you talking about? There isn't anything to give up. It's not like we have even had a date Uncle Albert."

"You mark my words Daniel.......you and that girl are destined."

Danny found himself laughing at that remark. Destiny hadn't brought him much of anything good so far maybe just maybe he was due.

Michelle let the crisp night air whip through her honey blonde hair as she navigated her car out of the over crowded parking lot of The Two Step. Not even the deafening sound of the music coming from the radio could drown out her thoughts. The harder she tried not to think about him......there his face was smiling at her.

She had difficulty recalling anyone ever setting her body in motion the way Danny had. Not even in all the time that she had been with Jesse had she ever felt this on fire.

That was a concept that she couldn't fathom. Jesse had been her one true love. The man that she had wanted a life with. How could she suddenly feel so many things coursing through her body for a man that wasn't him? There was no rational to it. Yes Jesse had fallen out of love with her and into love with Drew.....but Michelle fully expected to love Jesse until the day she died. The feelings that Danny had elicited had sent her mind set reeling.

Those feelings complicated with her life at the moment was like a scrambled mess. A mess that she wasn't able to make heads or tails out of. Who was she trying to kid anyway? There was no way that she could immerse herself in a relationship now. It would be a complete disaster. There were still too many pieces of her new life that she hadn't fit into place yet, she certainly didn't need to add a man to the mix. So why was it that she couldn't stop thinking about him. Why was it that every song the played on the radio she could relate to him. Michelle had to laugh at herself. She had talked to him for all of two seconds really and he had over taken everyone of her thoughts. That was certainly a true Michelle trait if she had ever seen one.

It had been the same way with Jesse. The minute she laid eyes on him he was all that she was able to think about. Yet something about her experience with Danny was different. With Jesse she had wanted to save him, turn him around from the life that he was leading, but with Danny it hadn't been that at all. Danny was a far cry from needing saved. He was successful and pulled together. Michelle found him exciting and mysterious all in one.

She heard the phone ringing on the other side of the door as she turned the key to her apartment. More then likely it was Sarah calling to chew her out for slipping away unnoticed. Michelle wasn't ready for another go around with Sarah about Danny so she let the machine pick up. She had been a bit surprised when it was Jeremy Lucas' voice whose filled the room.

"Just checking to see how you were holding up. I really wished that you would have taken me up on my offer for dinner. I hate to think that you spent the holiday alone........"

The kindness in his tone almost made Michelle pick up the phone, but she hesitated long enough for him to make his good-bye. She could have called him back but she stopped short of picking up the receiver. The longer she stayed tied to him the harder it was for her to immerse herself in this identity. He was a continual reminder of a life that wasn't hers any longer.

So many thoughts bounced through her head as she got ready for bed. She wasn't able to force Danny from the place that he occupied there. Even as she focused all her attention on the picture of Jesse that still sat on her bureau, Danny's image replaced it.

"Stop it!" she scolded herself for the second time that evening, "This is ridiculous!" Michelle said to the reflection that starred back at her from the mirror, "You aren't some giddy school girl anymore! For god sakes you killed a man," she said that as if that fact somehow made her unworthy of anything good in her life again.

She wanted to scream at herself. Lash out at all the unfairness in her world. It was laughable to think that she was pondering thoughts of Danny Sampson in one breath and cursing her life as it now stood. Because one went hand in hand with the other.

"AAAHHHHH!!!!!" she yelled flinging a magazine from the table across the room. How she missed Abby. Right now Michelle resisted every urge to pick up the phone and dial that familiar number. She needed to hear Abby's sweet melodic voice telling her that all was going to be all right. Yet she couldn't do that. The people closest to her in this world were the furthest from her and not just because of the miles that separated them.

Michelle tried to envision the conversation that they might have. She actually could hear herself gushing with the news of this extraordinary man that she had just met. How when he looked into her eyes he could see the whole way to her soul. Michelle would replay every minute of the time they had been talking savoring each detail as Abby would listen. She would tell of how his touch sent pulses of electricity throughout her body. And how his smile could melt her heart. What a wonderful sentiment, Michelle thought.

She looked at the clock. It was almost two in the morning. Absently she wondered what Danny was doing right about now. It was useless to try to stop herself. Her thoughts had complete minds of their own. How she longed to be there with him even if it had only been to watch him from afar..........................., "GO TO BED YOU IDIOT!!!!" Michelle said aloud to herself.

With that said she picked herself up off the sofa and headed to bed, thoughts of Danny still dancing in her head as she drifted off to a fitful sleep.

This was the first night that Danny had actually felt comfortable in his uncle's home. It was though he and his aunt had rounded some imaginary corner that night. It felt good....damn good. That had been the first time since his arrival that he didn't sense tension between the husband and wife. Danny breathed a silent sigh of relief. If it hadn't have gotten better soon, he knew he would have to go. Which he wasn't sure if that would have been better or worse for his aunt. He had a bad feeling that Albert would have followed and Danny hadn't wanted to be the demise of a once solid marriage. So he was more then happy to have things looking up.

After the excitement of the night, it was difficult for him to wind down. That's what he kept telling himself was the reason, but deep down he knew why he was still on edge.

Melanie Branson.

He couldn't stop thinking about her. Everywhere he looked her saw her face. He couldn't imagine that his uncle had imagined all of what he claimed to see. And he too had felt the sparks fly between them before he had even known who she was. The moment he caught her at the entrance to the club he had felt it. It was like a shock wave the resounded through his body. He was still wracking his brain to figure out what had happened. He thought that there actually might be a chance for them to connect, especially since she seemed to know a little about the club business yet she shot him time at each turn. It was completely frustrating.

Danny walked over and turned on the radio hoping that the soft music would engulf his thoughts of her. It only served to heighten them however. With each soft note that rang in his ears, he imagined them dancing, he could feel his hands as they ran down the soft curves of her body. He pictured his lips making contact with hers. He dreamed of how sweet they would taste, almost like honey, the color of her hair. Before Danny knew what was happening, he felt himself become aroused. He had completely let himself get lost in some fantasy. That was something that Danny Santos had never allowed himself to do before. Maybe that had more to do with the fact that there was never anyone to get aroused for more then the fact that he was a Santos.

There was that reality again.......he was a SANTOS! It hadn't mattered that for one evening he had played a game. Pretended to be a man he wasn't. He was still a Santos at heart. Exactly what did that mean though? Ray was a Santos but he had found a way to separate himself from the underworld. Danny had to laugh at himself. After the fantasy that he had just entertained he highly doubted that the priesthood was for him. That wasn't the point though. The point was that Father Ray Santos was a good man, no matter the name that was attached to him. So why was it that Danny didn't think he could make good as well? Why was it that he feared being sucked back if he continued to use that name? Uncle Albert was right. No one in Texas really knew of the Santos Family. They had no idea that in the Midwest Santos was synonymous with the mob. So why was it that Danny couldn't bring himself to be Danny Santos here? He knew why. He couldn't take the chance of being stereotyped all over again. Couldn't let someone or something drag him back. He deserved a life too.

Danny threw on his robe and headed for the bathroom, hoping that a cold shower would rid him of the thoughts that he was having but he highly doubted it.

For the second day in a row the sound of a ringing phone was Michelle's wake up call.

But sleep hadn't been that plentiful the past evening. The dreams....nightmares was a far more fitting word, plagued what little sleep she did have. On the backdrop of the black canvas of her closed eyes, Michelle saw Jesse, Danny and Mick's faces. Each one calling to her with their own agenda in mind. Yet no matter which face she chose the out come was the same. She ended up on the beach again. Mick's body pressed hard against her own. There he was cackling at her like some strung out hyena. The vision took on a cartoonish effect. Each time it played out it was more horrific then the last.

The vibration of the phone's bell entered her dream state giving way to reality. "Hello," Michelle's voice was raspy with a mixture of fear and relief at realizing that where she had thought she was she truly hadn't been.

"Melanie, this is Mr. Rodgers. I apologize, I know that you were supposed to be off until Tuesday, but......." he hesitated.

"Huh?" she said still unsure what was real and what wasn't.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, but I wanted to catch you before you had the chance to make plans."

"No that's fine," she returned hearing the anxiety in his voice, "I don't have any plans what do you need?"

"I was just informed that there is a shipment of books that is being delivered today of all days. And I have to have them cataloged and priced before next week."

"So you need my help?"

"If you don't mind too much. I know that you were spending Thanksgiving with your friend and I certainly don't want to ruin the plans that I am sure that you have made. But I'm really in a bind."

"It's no problem," she said thankful to have something to do other then rambling around her apartment avoiding Sarah's inevitable phone call.

"You don't know what a life saver you are. I promise to make this up to you."

"Really....it's not a big deal. I didn't have anything else to do. What time would you like me at the store?"

"Is nine o'clock good for you?"

Michelle looked at the clock. It read half past seven. That gave her more then enough time to get ready. "Yes, that should be fine."

"All righty then....I will see you at nine. And thank you so much."

"No need to thank me. I mean I am your employee aren't I?" Michelle kidded.

"You are far more then just my employee. I think of you as one of my own," he returned sweetly.

Michelle couldn't speak as she felt the tears well in her eyes. Even in the mess that was her life she had been blessed with many people that wanted to help her. For as many times as she had cursed God for the things that had happened to her, she had to be thankful for far more things.

"Thank you," she whispered brushing away the stray tears.

"Don't thank me. You are like the little girl I never had. Men always say they want sons, but let me tell you something. There's nothing like having a daddy's little girl."

Michelle listened as the dial tone rang in her ear. Mr. Rodgers words repeating in her head. She had always wanted to believe that was how her father had felt about her. That she was the apple of his eye. For many years it had been that way. It wasn't until her mother died that things had changed.

Michelle couldn't stop herself from blaming her father for her mother's senseless death. If he had just been faithful there wouldn't have been reason for Maureen Bauer to have been on the road the night she died. She wouldn't have been out in that hellish storm that claimed her life.

In no uncertain terms Michelle let her father know that at every turn. So how could she blame him now for wanting to distance himself from her. With each look into her eyes, Michelle was sure that he had seen the pain that his selfish act had caused her.

But now five years later, Michelle had grown and matured. She wasn't going to say that she understood why her father had cheated but she was willing to put the past in it's rightful place and remember her father for more then just that one mistake.

But too little too late she now thought. Her unwillingness to forgive had cost her her father. Ed Bauer wasn't about risk facing the disappointment he saw in his daughter's eyes so he stayed away. She had to laugh thinking of it as a two for one bargain....but it wasn't a bargain at all.

Michelle tied her robe tight around her waist and headed to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. She was going to need it. Between the thoughts of Danny Sampson that ran rampant through her head the night before and the nightmares that she could escape, she was running on very little sleep if any at all. It was going to be a long day ahead of her. The last thing Mr. Rodgers needed was for her to fall asleep between the stacks of books she was to price.

As she turned on the shower, Michelle heard the phone sounding again. She debated on whether to run to get it or just let the machine pick up. Her gut told her to screen the call. More then likely it was Sarah wanting to go over again how to snag Danny. Right now she didn't want to even entertain those thoughts; however, even the slightest notion of him set her heart pounding and mind racing. She imagined him standing before her as he had been just last night. How close his body had been to hers. She had wanted so desperately to reach out and touch him. To feel his flesh make contact with hers as it had when he so skillfully kept her from tumbling to the ground. She absently wondered what it would be like to kiss him. To have his lips brush against hers, what his tongue would feel like as it probed against hers.............Agent Lucas' voice splashed cold water on her fantasy..........

"Melanie, this is Jeremy Lucas again. I thought that I might hear from you last night. I just was checking in on you again. I hope you had a nice holiday. Remember call me if you need anything. Bye now."

Michelle heard the answering machine beep in indication that he had completed his message. She drew in a ragged breath trying to get a grip on her emotions.

There she was standing in her bathrobe playing out some exotic fantasy about a man that she wasn't ever going to be able to have. She knew it in her head but why was it that her heart wasn't taking the hint. Michelle groaned in frustration as she stepped under the beating water hoping to make sense out of the senseless.

Danny was starring at the same spot on the ceiling that he had been all night long as the sun crested into the morning mist. His attempt at vanquishing Melanie Branson from his head hadn't worked in the least bit. The cold shower had done little except serve to make him look like a wrinkled prune.

There was no denying the in a brief instant she had gotten under his skin. He hadn't believed in love up until now and certainly not love at first sight. But all things were pointing directly to that.

She occupied his every waking thought and even some of those while he had slept as well. It was as though he was powerless to take control of his own thoughts. That was far from the man he remembered himself to be. Yet maybe underneath all the masks and facades that he had worn for his mother, this was the man that he was meant to be.

He had to shake his head and laugh thinking he sounded more like a love sick school boy. That description had never once even remotely been assigned to him in the past.

For Danny old habits were dying very hard. The untrusting nature of the business he left behind still had a foot hold in his existence here. He whole heartedly knew that Albert was on his side. That was a given. Albert would always be tied to Danny even if he never stepped foot inside the circle again. He and Danny would share an unspoken bond that few would ever really understand without living through it. Danny had his reservations regarding his aunt's sudden about face. As grateful as he was for it, he still didn't trust it. As for Carl Beck, Danny didn't like the man and by no means put his trust in him. Carl was so transparent in his anger at Danny's arrival, that Danny couldn't help recalling his father's words from long ago......'You keep you friends close and your enemies even closer........'

Danny certainly saw Carl as just that an enemy. He intended to keep a watchful eye on this man. Make sure that Carl knew and understood his place in the organization.

Immediately Danny felt the hairs on the nape of his neck bristle. In those thoughts he heard Carmen's words and voice. How was he to truly ever escape this life that she bred him for? Is that what his uncle meant when he told him he could change his name but he couldn't run from the man he was inside? That thought frightened him. The thought that no matter where he was he would see those around him as the enemy.

Danny threw his pillow in frustration. Here he was thinking that he had a chance at a life that was his own for once. A life that just might include some genuine happiness with a beautiful girl and his mother still found a way to creep in and destroy it.

"DAMN YOU CARMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Danny reached for the remaining pillow sending it sailing into the mirror hanging on the wall across from him. It fell to the floor with a heavy thud, shards of glass skated about the hardwood floor. He cursed himself for letting his temper once again get the better of him.

"Daniel," he heard his uncle's voice from the other side of the door, "Are you all right?" Danny hadn't found a way to break Albert of calling him Daniel. Right now that was a further reminder of how much he still was all things connected to the name.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Danny lied. Yes physically he was fine, but mentally he wondered if he would forever carry these scars.

"Are you sure?" Albert questioned hearing the words catch in his nephew's throat.

"Yes," Danny did his best to sound convincing, "I wish I could say the same for the mirror in here," he said trying to laugh, "Apparently it didn't much like where it was hung any longer."

"You sure everything is all right in there?" Albert wasn't buying into Danny's phony humor.

"Yeah, nothing that a broom and a dust pan won't take care of."

"I'll go to the kitchen and grab you one," Albert returned.

"Don't bother. I'll take care of it myself. I was just about to grab a shower anyway."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, go have breakfast with that beautiful wife of yours."

Albert looked back as he walked away from Danny's door. He resisted the urge to go back and try once more to talk to him. He sensed the turmoil that Danny was wrestling with.

He had had it too. It had been much greater of an obstacle when he and Jenny had first moved to Texas. The demons that lay buried within him had been hard to hide in the beginning. The lessons that he had been taught for all those years, weren't something that went away quietly.

Albert imagined that Danny too was having the same battle of wills right now. The inner most part of Danny was one of a good man, but all the years spent covering and hiding it made it a foreigner to him now.

"Albert?" Jenny asked noticing her husband's furrowed brow, "What is it?" her show of kindness to Danny the previous night was now giving way again to the fear that she wasn't sure she would ever be able to shake.

"Nothing," he said absently pouring himself a steaming cup of coffee.

Jenny forced herself not to ask. As difficult as it was for her, she tried to remember Albert's words. That he wanted to be where he was. That he missed his family and the way things would never be. She did her best to recall that Danny was the only family that he had left and pushed all of her questions away for her husband's sake and maybe even their marriage.

"So what would you like for breakfast?" she inquired as if it was any normal day but nothing had been normal in their house since the night that Danny contacted them.

"Coffee's fine," he returned his mind still fixated on his thoughts of Danny.

"Are you sure? I mean I am up for making a grand breakfast in honor of the club's success last night," she leaned in and kissed Albert's cheek.

"No really coffee will do just fine. Besides Danny and I am have to head out to talk with some new vendors for the restaurant."

"New vendors? Haven't we had enough change already?" it wasn't hard to miss the irritation in Jenny's voice.

"Jenny," Albert's tone was firm as he wondered if they were about to have round one hundred when it came to Danny, "We are taking The Two Step in a different direction, that's plain to see so it's natural that we will have to expand into a few different markets."

"Different markets huh?" she spoke Albert knowing all too well the underlying question that she wasn't asking.

"If you have a point I wish you would just make it and be done with it!" he stated feeling the anger for his wife growing again.

"No point," she lied looking into his fiery black eyes.

"I find that hard to believe," he countered.

"I am just surprised as all. I mean you have shot down almost everyone of Carl's ideas, but now that Danny is here it's like it's open season on change."

"Since when did you become the president of the Carl Beck fan club?" Albert spat.

"I'm not........," Jenny scrambled for a way to remove her foot from her mouth.

"It sure as hell sounds that way to me."

"I'm just saying that Carl has been after you to expand for some time now."

"So?????"

"So.....now all of the sudden I see us expanding and you are leaving Carl in the dust. He has been loyal to us from the very first day....and I always thought that loyalty meant everything to you," Jenny said parroting a phrase that she had all too often.

Albert felt his blood grow hotter. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. That his wife had the audacity to put his nephew, his own flesh and blood in the same category as a hired hand. It was ludicrous.

"Jenny," he paused, "You have never been interested in my business," he said pointedly, "up until now...so let's say we keep it that way?"

His remark again instilled a fear in her. A fear of Danny Santos and what he was bringing into their safe world once more.