"What do you think you are doing?" Mr. Rodgers voice startled the pair. Michelle took the opportunity to pull her arm out of Jeremy Lucas' grasp.

She tried to mask the fear that the moment had elicited in her. "Again.....I'd like to know what the hell you think you're doing?"

"It's okay really," Michelle said her voice but a whisper. She wondered just how Jeremy was going to talk his way out of this one. It could prove to be rather interesting.

"No it's not all right!" Tony Rodgers shot back, "For him being a friend it certainly didn't look it from where I was standing."

"It was just a misunderstanding."

"Young man, there's the door might I suggest you use it? And if you so much as think of setting foot in here again I will call security," Mr. Rodgers left no more for argument.

"That won't be necessary, Tony, really," Michelle reassured him, "It really was just a misunderstanding. Actually Jeremy was just leaving."

"I meant what I said. Don't let me see you in here again."

"Not much of a businessman....turning away customers," Agent Lucas shot back angrily before he even thought about what he was saying.

"It's my business so you let me worry about it! Now I think it's time for you to be going. Melanie and I have work to do," He secured the dead bolt on the door. When he turned around the girl he saw before him was a mere shell of the happy person she had been hours before. She was as white as a ghost. "Melanie," his voice was soft as he approached her, "Do you want to tell me what was really going on?"

"It was nothing," her voice still shaky.

"It didn't look like nothing to me."

"Really it's okay. He was just upset that I couldn't have dinner with him."

"Then I would have to say his father never taught him the proper way to accept a refusal. You certainly don't manhandle the woman until you get the response you desire."

"It's not like that honestly. Let's just say it's complicated and leave it go at that," Michelle's eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject.

"Fine......I will let it go for now. But you let me walk you to your car when we are through here. I don't want there to be any unexpected run ins with that man."

"Deal," Michelle smiled thankful for Tony's protectiveness and more for the fact that he had been successful in getting Jeremy Lucas to leave.

Jeremy took a long slow drag of his cigarette letting the gray haze of smoke encircle his head as he exhaled. Disbelief at his actions with Michelle/Melanie filled him. In all of his other assignments he had never lost it the way he had with her. The sad thing about all of this was she had been right. That he had hung with her too long now. Even his supervisors were beginning to harp on him about the cases he was letting fall to the waste side. Yet he hadn't any control over his actions. He found himself wanting to be her everything. The way it had been when she first stepped foot off of the plane. He actually hated it that she wasn't that timid, frightened waif any longer. Despised the fact that she no longer needed him. Because he couldn't fight his need for her.

On one hand he was happy that she had adjusted to the life that she had there. That she had found her niche in this place. That's really all he had wanted her to do, but he just didn't think that she would do it without him.

He couldn't believe that he was having such thoughts. This wasn't supposed to be how it worked. He wasn't supposed to fall for his work assignments. The way it was to work was he was supposed to get them settled in and comfortable and move on. Michelle was settled and comfortable but he wasn't moving on.

He was angry that he had let his need to be her hero instill fear in her again. Fear that the Santos Family could be lurking around every corner even in the state of Texas.

He had repeatedly checked with Agent Reynolds back in Springfield and as odd as it sounded it was as if no retribution for Mick Santos' death was being sought. Reynolds said it appeared to be business as usual in the Santos Family. The whole thing was still a bit bizarre. It was if the murder never happened.

He tried to convince himself that was why he was still so interested in Michelle Bauer. That he was just doing his job as a good agent, but deep down he knew that it was more his desire to be with her that drove him then any official Bureau duty.

He threw the butt of his cigarette to the ground and debated whether he should go in and apologize or just leave it alone. He had to laugh at the man's comment about calling security on him. "If he only knew," Jeremy said chuckling to himself as he headed for his car, "If he only knew."

Michelle was so confused by Jeremy's actions. Nothing he did or said made any sense to her. The funny thing was he was acting like a jealous boyfriend rather then a Federal Agent. His actions were so similar to the way Bill Lewis reacted when Jesse had entered her life that she had to laugh.

Bill had been her best friend, partner in crime so to speak long before they were out of diapers. So it was natural for her to involve him in her search for the person who received her mother's heart. Bill's computer skills had been the instrumental in tapping into the hospital computer to obtain the recipient's name.

It wasn't until Michelle had actually located Jesse Blue and brought him into their circle of friends that Bill started to act strangely. It was as though he didn't want to share her with anyone.

Jeremy Lucas had acted the very same way. That somehow her friendship with Sarah would put her new identity at risk. Butt here was more to it then that. It was though he wanted her to remain dependent on him for everything. She found that strange to say the least and highly unprofessional.

She walked into the kitchen and saw the light on the answering machine blinking a number three indicating the number of messages. Vaguely she wondered if they all were from Agent Lucas. Michelle hesitated as her finger came to rest on the play button. His last words played again in her mind. Could he really just drop her like a stone? Leave her hung out to dry? He had given her the impression from the very beginning that he would be there for her, but now that she didn't need him it was as if he was backing out of his responsibility.

As she finally pressed play, the first one that sounded was the message that she had missed of his that morning.

The second was his voice again, "Melanie, please let me apologize for my boorish behavior this afternoon. It was uncalled for. You were right about everything. You are doing exactly what it is you are supposed to be doing. It's me who isn't. I'm sorry if I frightened you. I didn't mean to. And I will be here if you should need anything."

Relief consumed her at the sound of those words. She was glad to hear that he had come to his senses.

Sarah's bubbly voice was the next sound to enter the airwaves, "Just calling to say I hope you had a nice day," there was a lilt in her tone that Michelle just couldn't explain, "I will be by to pick you up at eight. I want to hear all about it."

"Hear all about what?" Michelle asked aloud. This day was getting weirder by the minute. Anything was possible with Sarah though, Michelle thought to herself. She looked at the clock on the stove. It read five o'clock. She was dead on her feet. Lack of sleep from the previous night and eight hours of pricing and cataloging books she was beat. Thoughts of slipping into a dream state were far too enticing for her at the moment. She kicked off her sandals and headed for the bedroom hoping to grab a nap before she needed to get ready. She wanted everything to be perfect, for this time she had no intentions of running away from Danny Sampson.

Danny threw the bag of food on the butcher block counter as he stormed into the kitchen. All those around him sensed his fury. It was a hard emotion to miss for it was written all over his body posture.

How he had let his guard down he didn't know. This would have never happened to him before. Back in Springfield he was in complete and total control of all his emotions. An inconsequential thing like love would have never even entered his thoughts.

Love was for the weak he told himself. Love was for all those spineless men out there who couldn't stand on their own two feet. It wasn't for someone like Danny Santos.........Sampson........hell he didn't know anything anymore. All he felt right now was a dull ache in the place where his heart had once occupied.

The picture of Melanie and that guy, whoever he was, scrolled through his mind. He was powerless to stop it. His mind toggled between the little he did know about her. She was beautiful, smart, incredibly sexy and TAKEN, he thought to himself.

"Just do what you came here to do!" he said aloud, "Don't get yourself tangled in someone else's life."

Who was he trying to kid? The minute that he laid eyes on her he had been caught in her web and she done that without even realizing it. She had a man in her life so what did she need with him? Or he her for that matter. He had gotten along fine in this life so far without a woman what made him think that he needed one now?

The arguments in his head were doing little to make him forget her. He couldn't. She was embedded so deep in him now that he couldn't let her go. More importantly he didn't want to.

"What happened?" Albert asked peering into the bag as he had done earlier.

"Nothing?"

"She wasn't working after all?"

"No she was there all right."

"Okay what am I missing?"

"How about the fact that she has a boyfriend."

"What?"

"B-O-Y-F-R-I-E-N-D," Danny said spelling out the letters that made up the word, "Do you need me to put it on the marquee out front?" Danny spat.

"Are you sure? I mean I know what I saw the other night........."

"Well you saw wrong uncle. You were dead wrong about her and me. There's nothing destined about us."

"I don't believe that."

"Believe it!"

"Danny, could you have misunderstood what you saw? I mean that is possible you know."

"Very unlikely."

"I don't know Danny. I can't shake this feeling I have about you and this girl. I think that you are wrong about this. Mark my words you are wrong."

"You know what, I don't' really have time to play the dating game with you," Danny's words had a bite to them, "I have to go make sure everything is ready for the DJ when he gets here."

"That can wait."

"No Albert it can't. I'm done wishing for things that aren't in the cards for me. I know who I am and I need to stop trying to be something I'm not. Maybe coming here was a bad idea."

"Why? Because you are finally realizing that you can't control your life no matter where it is you live? Did you really think that coming here would make your life easier to manage?"

"YES!!!" Danny's sighed.

"That was foolish, Daniel. Life is something that's completely and totally beyond any of our control. We," he pointed between the two of them, "should know that better then anyone. You really think if we could control all things that go on in our lives that my son would have died in my arms, or your father and Mick would have met with the death's they did? NO! That should have been a dead give away that you can't control the uncontrollable. We are given choices in this life. What we do with those choices forges the twists and turns our lives take. You made a choice to stand up to Carmen and take back your life. The life that you wanted for you. I think that was a good choice but now what you do with it is up to you."

"Why are you telling me this?" Danny shook his head trying to make sense out of his uncle's meaning.

"I am telling you this because I see you living under the guise that things are black and white. Life is far from that stark of a contrast. There are many variations of gray in between those two colors. The grays make life an interesting journey. If you feel something for this girl don't give up so easily. Things always aren't what they appear to be. All I am saying is don't throw in the towel without having all the facts."

"But....."

"No buts, just listen to your uncle. I know a thing or two about the ways of the world you know."

Danny walked over to the stage area mulling over Albert's words. He wasn't so sure about following them. Why would he want to put himself in the position to get his ego bruised? No matter what Albert said, he knew what he saw this afternoon and what he saw was the glaring fact that Melanie Branson was spoken for.

Michelle heard the beep....beep....beep blaring beside her head, yet in her dazed state she couldn't place the sound. Even as she covered her ears with the pillow, the annoyance found it's way to her.

Rolling over she did her best to focus her eyes on the bright red numbers starring back at her. Immediately she shot up in her bed. It read quarter to seven. She couldn't believe that the alarm beside her head had been sounding for over a half hour and she was just now hearing it. At this rate she wouldn't be ready by the time that Sarah came knocking on her door.

This wasn't exactly how she envisioned her evening starting out. She always hated when she would wake up for school late. It was like for the rest of the day she was always running to catch up.

Michelle threw open the door to her closet and stood there dumbfounded. What was she supposed to wear. The first time she had gone to The Two Step she hadn't been going for any effect but tonight was different. She had every intention of catching Danny's eye for certain. Exactly how she was to go about doing that she hadn't a clue.

She pulled potential outfit after potential outfit from the closet discarding them on the bed until she had more lying there then hanging before her.

She let her eyes travel to the blue velvet halter dress still on it's hanger. Michelle's heart tugged at her. That had been the dress that she had worn when she and Jesse had gone to see the production of Romeo and Juliet. The images of that night prodded at her. How Jesse gracefully held her hand, the walk they took in the park after the final curtain call and how she had made love to him for the first time that night.

"STOP IT!!!!!" she yelled at herself, "Stop it! Jesse chose Drew. He's with Drew now!" That thought was one that still caused her mouth to go dry. She didn't think she would ever truly get over his betrayal. Seemed as though the men in her life were always doing that. First her father and now Jesse. She absently wondered if she was setting herself up for another fall with Danny Sampson. More then likely he would find a way to let her down...hurt her the way all the others had. Her heart pushed forward drowning out those thoughts that her head wanted her to believe. She could hear a tiny voice whispering in her ear..........'Don't underestimate the power of love my dear. Love can do wonderful things if you just let it,'........... It was with those words that Michelle saw her mother's face. The thought was something that Maureen had told her long ago. She only hoped that her mother's words would serve her well tonight.

Michelle fingered the soft fabric but couldn't bring herself to remove it from the closet. That was a part of her life that she wasn't ready to revisit but she just couldn't let it go, not just yet. Instead she turned again to rummage through the pile of garments on her bed. Finally deciding on her red tank dress.

She groaned realizing that she had less then a half hour to be ready and waiting when Sarah arrived. There was no way that she was going to do it, no way.

Michelle stepped under the stream of water stopping her thoughts from traveling back to the fantasies from earlier that morning. There was no time for her to get lost in them again.

In her haste to shower and shave, Michelle ended up with so many nicks on her legs that she looked like someone had pricked her with a thousand needles.

"DAMN!" she said as she went about the ritual of pasting toilet paper upon each blood spot. "Get a grip Michelle or you might end up bleeding to death before you even make it out of the bathroom," she stated all kidding aside to the empty room around her.

With towel tightly wrapped around her head, she settled herself down in front of the vanity mirror. She was all thumbs as she spread the make-up tray before her. She couldn't believe how nervous she was. It was like she had forgotten what she was supposed to be doing. All she could think about was Danny and seeing him again. Her nerve endings began singing with excitement. She wanted this to be a night of new beginnings. She wanted to leave the baggage of the life that she couldn't lead anymore behind her and start anew.

Michelle uncoiled her hair from its constraints and began to dry her honey blonde curls taking special care for them not to frizz. She wanted everything about her appearance tonight to be perfect. Satisfied with the created effect, she started with her make-up. When Michelle pulled back and took a long hard look at herself, she couldn't have been more pleased. Her hair and make-up were perfection in the making. She would knock Danny Sampson clean out of his socks tonight.

She heard the doorbell ring just as she straightened the seams on he stockings. What possessed her to wear the garter and hose she didn't know, but all that mattered was they made her feel completely feminine and most definitely sexy.

The bell sounded for the third time. Michelle could imagine Sarah pacing at the door waiting for her to get there. "Hang on!" she called fastening the gold hoops in her ears. "Hello," Michelle said as she threw the door open to expose her friend.

"WOW! What a great dress!"

"Thank you. Come in for a minute. I have a few things left to do."

"Sure. I love your apartment," Sarah said looking around wondering just how it was that her friend could have all of this on her salary from the book store.

"Thanks. When my father died he made sure that I was set," Michelle said remembering the lies of her new life well now.

Sarah walked over to the bookcase and fingered the frames she found there. She wished that she had memories of her family the way that Melanie did.

Sure she had photos of her and her mother. But from all the photos before her it appeared as though Melanie had an extended family that had no boundaries.

"Ready," Michelle emerged from her bedroom.

"Great," Sarah's voice sounded distant as she never removed her gaze from the pictures.

"Sarah?" Michelle's voice filled with concern, "What is it?"

"Nothing," Sarah brushed away a few stray tears, "Just thinking about my mom again."

"I hear you. Christmas is a hard time of year for me too." Especially this year Michelle thought to herself.

"I just can't imagine her not being there this year."

"I'm sorry," Michelle knew how hollow those words were. Because for many Christmas's after Maureen's death she was inconsolable.

"Forget it! Let's go have some fun okay?"

"You got it."

Michelle followed Sarah closing the door behind them. She had to come up with a way to help Sarah get through this first Christmas without her mother. And maybe it would help her as well. Since she was still dreading the thoughts of waking up alone on Christmas morning.

"Nice car," Michelle commented as she slid into the leather interior of the black BMW, "You said you were going shopping, but I didn't expect this."

"Very funny! It's Carl's" Sarah still hadn't gotten used the idea of calling a man she barely knew dad.

"Thought as much."

"Hey, by the way how was lunch this afternoon?" Sarah asked off handedly trying to cover her true excitement.

"Lunch?" Michelle sounded confused, "What are you talking about? We didn't have lunch remember?" Michelle rested her hand on Sarah's forehead to see if she was sick.

"You mean Danny didn't bring you lunch this afternoon? He was supposed to."

"DANNY!?!?!?!" was all Michelle could say.

Danny couldn't resurrect himself out of the funk he was swimming. At this moment he could have cared less about the night's action at the club. All his thoughts centered around Melanie Branson.

The more he thought about what Uncle Albert said that afternoon the more he was kicking himself for walking away. What would it have hurt to knock on the damn door? He could have used what he had rehearsed about the lunch being from Sarah, but he let his pride get in the way.

"Albert wants to know if you are about ready to leave for the club?" Jenny's voice came after the sound of her knocking.

"No," Danny hadn't any intentions of riding to the club with his aunt and uncle that evening. His mind was too full to be forced to make idle small talk with a woman who he knew could have cared less for him, "Tell Albert that I am going to drive myself. I'm not quite ready yet," he lied.

"Fine," she was just as happy to not have to spend the ride with him as he had been.

Danny stood back and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He still had a tendency to dress in black. That was a habit that he doubted he would ever get away from. His silk suit glistened in the over head light. He straightened his charcoal tie and liked the image that looked back at him. He wondered if all his efforts would be in vain. Would Melanie even show up at the club tonight?

"So where is he already?" Jenny said, "Look it's only the second night under his leadership and he's slacking off already."

"Jenny please," Albert said putting his hand in the air to stop any further conversation on the topic. He understood what Danny was going through. He was having doubts about coming here. Doubts about what he thought it would be like. He assumed that life here would be tied in a nice neat package with no surprises and when it hadn't turned out to be so Danny was running scared, "Let's just mingle and enjoy the evening shall we?"

"Why are you so blind when it comes to him?"

"Jenny," Albert said in his most controlled voice, "I will not do this with you here! Do you understand me?"

"I just...................."

"STOP!"

"Albert......." Jenny watched her husband turn and walk away in the manner he had been doing all too often.

Danny swung into the parking lot, he could hear the music permeating the walls. By the looks of the lot it was going to be another packed house. That thought should have made him happy but he could have cared less. The only thing that would have made him happy at that moment was to walk through the door and see Melanie there. Danny's hopes were dashed the minute that he entered the room. Even in the crowd he knew that she wasn't there. He would have felt her if she had been.

"Danny," Albert's friend Jackson, from lunch earlier that day, walked up to him slapping Danny on the shoulder.

"I didn't expect to see you so soon."

"I thought I would come back and check out the action here. Albert can't stop talking about the wonderful things you have accomplished."

"Uncle Albert is a bit of a bragger," Danny joked.

"That may be true but in this case I would have to agree with him. I think it was a great idea hooking up with the college radio station. Their DJ's have a great following. That alone should bring you a great deal of business."

Danny's memory shot back to words so similar to those. That's what Melanie had said about the band from last night. He was so caught up in his own thoughts that Jackson's words were lost on him.

"Jackson.....ole boy!" Albert joined the pair, "Couldn't stay away huh?"

"I was just discussing business with Danny. I think I might have a band to play here."

"That's great....isn't it Danny?" Albert asked knowing that all too familiar dazed look in his nephew's eyes. Danny hadn't heard a word Jackson had said.

"Yes," he said not really knowing the question he was answering.

"So tell us a little more about this band," Albert took over giving Danny the chance to come back to earth.

"I have to admit that I am a bit biased. The lead singer is my daughter," Jackson smiled, "But really the are very good. They play every Thursday night at The Yellow Rose of Texas. You could go by and take a listen if you would like. I mean you aren't obligated to have them play here," Jackson said trying not to push.

"No that sounds like a great idea. I was just telling Carl that the band from Thanksgiving agreed to play again tomorrow night. Actually I am pretty sure that they are going to be playing here once a month. I could really use some other good talent. Thanks for the information."

"Great. I'll be sure that there's a table reserved for you. Alexa will be so excited. They have been trying forever to get themselves out there in the market."

"Well if they are as good as you say maybe we can work out a deal with them as well."

"Excellent!"

"Okay enough shop talk. How about I buy you a drink?" Albert asked his friend.

"You're buying?" Jackson said in mock disbelief.

"Well it is one of the perks of owning this place."

"Well then how can I refuse an offer like that?"

"Didn't think that you could."

Danny watched as the two men made their way back to the bar. He wondered if he would ever have friends like that. The commordery that was between those two was wonderful to watch. He thought to himself that if he could ever get past his own hang ups that maybe he could have the life that he wanted for himself.

He let his eyes search the room one more time. Still no Melanie. He couldn't stop himself from wondering if she was with HIM. The images of them from this afternoon were still burned in his mind. "You better get a grip Santos!" he scolded himself heading to the DJ booth trying to pretend that the evening's events mattered to him in the least bit.

Carl stood in the far corner of the room surveying the scene around him. Last night hadn't been the fluke that he had hoped for. The people continued to flood through the door. It infuriated him. How was he ever supposed to compete with this kind of success? There was no way that he could. All of this should have been his glory. It had been ripe for the plucking but Albert had let his nephew take what should have been his. Carl took a long hard swig of scotch. The amber liquid set his throat on fire. The feeling matched his mood.

It was then he caught a glimpse of the fire in Jenny's eyes. He watched as her glance darted between her husband and her nephew. Maybe he had read the signs incorrectly yesterday. From where he was standing now, it certainly didn't appear that she was so smitten with her great nephew.

So there was hope for him yet. All he needed to do was bide his time. All might not be lost to him after all.

"DANNY?!?!?!?!" Michelle found herself saying again her voice echoing off the interior of the car.

"Yes Danny," Sarah returned.

"This is some kind of joke right?"

"No....no joke."

"Sarah?" Michelle questioned again still with utter disbelief in her voice.

""I kinda let it slip that you had to miss lunch because you were working......"

"Let it slip huh?"

"Well it was so perfect....I couldn't let it just pass on by," Sarah smiled tentatively hoping that Melanie wasn't too angry with her.

"Perfect huh? Not so perfect I guess because I certainly didn't get this lunch you so artfully set up," Michelle feigned annoyance.

"Yeah that is kinda weird though. I mean he was so psyched about the whole thing."

Michelle did her best to disguise the smile that was taking over the features of her face. "Oh was he now?"

"Yeah...he was. Something must have happened at the restaurant. Hey you're smiling........" Sarah laughed.

"Am not," those words only served to widen her grin.

"So you're not mad about me trying to play matchmaker?"

"Well....."

"Come on you can't tell me that you aren't the least bit interested in the guy?"

"Well he is kind of attractive," Michelle used the words she had to describe him to Tony Rodgers.

"Attractive?!?!?! Is that the best you can do?"

"What......what do you want me to say?" Michelle wondered just what her friend would say if she dared to tell her the elaborate fantasy that she had let play out in her head this morning in the shower.

"I want you to say he's one hell of a fine specimen!"

"Specimen?!?!? What is he a biology experiment now?" Michelle laughed.

"You know what I mean, Melanie!" Sarah gasped.

"Yes....yes I do," Michelle finally relented.

"So does that mean what I think it means?"

"Depends on what it is you are thinking," she said coyly.

"I'm thinking that you intend on making a play for Danny Sampson tonight. You are certainly dressed for it," Sarah added with a giggle.

"Well......." Michelle paused.

"Give it up girlfriend. The suspense is killing me!"

"That was what I had in mind until you told me all of this."

"WHAT!?!?!!?"

"What do you mean what?"

"You are crazy...you do know that don't you?"

"I think it's you who are the crazy one. I mean it's obvious to me that Danny had better things to do this afternoon then deliver my lunch."

"Come on cut the guy a break. He is running a business you know. Besides I was there remember. I was the one who saw his eyes light up at the slightest mention of your name."

"What an imagination we have, Miss Sarah," Michelle laughed.

"Imagination my ass!"

"Well how about you put your money where your mouth is?" Michelle said.

"You're on! I have twenty bucks that says before the night is over you and Danny Sampson are well on your way to making it."

"Sarah!?!?!?!" Michelle gasped at Sarah's lude gesture.

"Well at least he'll have asked you out," Sarah said rolling her eyes.

"You're on! What's that saying a fool and her money are soon parted? Better get ready to say bye-bye to that twenty Sarah my dear."

"I'm not counting on it."

Michelle straightened her skirt for the hundredth time as she and Sarah made their way to the door. Her palms were sweating so much she was sure that they were leaving tell tell signs on the fabric of her dress.

This was ridiculous. Why was she so nervous? It wasn't like it was a date or anything. Somehow that didn't matter at all right now. All she kept thinking about was what Sarah had said about Danny. How she was certain that he was interested in her. How desperately she wanted to believe that.

"ID's please," the bouncer asked. Apprehensively Michelle pulled hers from her handbag. She held her breath as the man eyed it suspiciously. "Yours please," he said to Sarah.

"Is there a problem?" Sarah asked.

"Yes. I'm afraid that there is," he returned.

"Forget it Sarah let's just go," Michelle grabbed for Sarah's arm to lead her away. She could only envision what he would say next. That in one fail swoop everything that she had built there was about to crumble. This life would be taken from her too.

"NO! My father is the manager here! Carl Beck!"

"Yeah...so?!?!!?" the bouncer said in his own cocky tone.

"So....I expect that my friend and I......." Sarah's voice was loud and strong.

"Ricky, is there a problem?' Albert asked as he came to see what all the commotion was about.

"No sir. Nothing that I can't handle."

"Sarah.....Melanie," Albert said looking at the girls before him.

"Mr. Sampson," Sarah returned.

"Albert, please. What seems to be the trouble here?"

"This guy here says......."

"They are under age," the bouncer cut in making sure that his boss knew he was just doing his job.

"Let me see those ID's again," Albert put out his hand as Ricky placed the documents there, "I don't see a problem with these. From now on you be sure that these girls have access to the club anytime they choose."

"Whatever you say Mr. Sampson."

"Come inside," Albert offered his arms to each girl as he escorted them into the bar area.

"Thank you," Sarah said.

"Yes, thank you," Michelle added thankful more for the fact that she hadn't been found out. Maybe Jeremy Lucas had been right. This was far too risky.

"Not to worry. Ricky won't be giving you anymore trouble. Just behave yourselves now girls," Albert winked as he ordered them both a club soda from the bar.

Albert looked back at the spot where he had left them. Melanie was a beautiful girl. She looked exquisite in the tiny red dress. He knew he wasn't wrong about her and Danny. He could feel in deep within him. They were meant to be together and he was going to make damn sure nothing stood in their way.

"There he is," Sarah nudged Michelle.

"Who?"

"Don't give who? I know damn well you are looking for Danny."

"Am not!" She spat.

"Give it up and just admit that you like him."

"I never said I didn't like him," Michelle quipped.

"You know that you are impossible," Sarah groaned in frustration.

"So I have been told," Michelle laughed thinking about all the times that Rick had said the very same thing to her.

Michelle caught sight of him. There he was standing along side the DJ booth talking to one of the college radio guys. Michelle recognized the name from the school station.

She couldn't take her eyes from him. His silk suit fit his form to a tee. She could see his broad shoulders and the jacket was tapered just enough to show his slender waist. If she wasn't careful Michelle was sure that the whole room knew her private thoughts.

"Who's that guy he's talking to?" Sarah's voice invaded her thoughts.

"What?"

"Who is that gorgeous man that Danny's talking to?" Sarah said as though she were licking her lips.

"That's Matt Johnson. He's one of the DJ's from the college radio station," she answered never removing her eyes from Danny's back.

"Now talk about F-I-N-E, fine! I think it's time for he and I to have a meeting of the minds."

"Minds.....is that all?" Michelle laughed at her friend.

"Well maybe body," she drawled, "and mind." Sarah embodied the true spirit of the college coed, "Come on," she pulled at Michelle's arm, "We'll kill two birds with one stone."

"No!" Michelle resisted.

"What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know."

"Then if you don't know and I sure as hell don't know....LET'S GO!!"

Danny felt the waves of electricity surge through his body. He knew without turning around that Melanie was there. That she was watching him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood with the excitement that filled him.

"You were saying?" Matt Johnson asked seeing as how Danny had stopped talking in mid-sentence.

"Huh?" he really had to stop doing this, he thought to himself.

"You were saying something about my play list."

"Oh yeah, I was wondering if you would let me take a look at it? I know you have to run certain songs for the station and all but I was hoping that maybe we could do a request thing with the customers."

"I don't see that as being a problem really."

"Great. Well I'll be back to look at it in a minute. I want to check how the liquor is holding up." Danny turned and ran smack into both Melanie and Sarah.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend?" Sarah asked all the while starring at Matt Johnson.

"Sure," Danny was taken aback. He couldn't stop looking at Melanie. It was like every part of him was held frozen by her. "Matt Johnson, I'd like you to meet Sarah and her friend Melanie."

"Nice to meet you both. Hey listen I have to cue up the next song......" he said watching Sarah watch him.

"Do you mind if I wait?" she cooed, "I'm really into broadcasting." Michelle had to turn away as not to laugh at her last remark.

"No that would be great!" Michelle had to wonder why was it that men were so easily trapped.

"Hi," she finally found the courage to speak, "You have some really great ideas for the club. I'm really impressed."

"I thought you said you weren't the business woman," Danny heard the words escape his lips but he didn't know who was saying them.

"Well no I'm not, but I do know a good thing when I see it," she countered confused.

"Well now that I know you are impressed I will sleep so much better tonight!" he said mocking her. Again he heard his voice but couldn't stop the sarcasm.

He still couldn't get the image of her and that guy out of his head. She had come there alone but he still couldn't let his guard down enough to approach her. So it was easier for him to force her away then to let her in.

"I was just trying to pay you a compliment!" Michelle could have kicked herself for letting Sarah's words and ideas get the better of her. She should have just stayed in her safe little cocoon and let the world parade around her.

"So you were. Thank you for that. I have work that I need to get to." With those words Danny was off in the opposite direction kicking himself all the way.

"What happened?" Sarah said walking over to her.

"Hell if I know. But it sure doesn't look like he's as into me as you said," It was hard to miss the note of disappointment in her tone, "So you better start saying bye-bye to that twenty for sure."

Michelle beat a hasty retreat as she saw Matt Johnson emerge from the booth. At least one of them should have some fun tonight.

"Screwdriver please," Michelle said to the bartender, "Thank you." She was by far no drinker but tonight she didn't much care. She was hoping to drown herself in the caustic liquid. She swallowed hard and fast but that still didn't do much for the drink's awful taste. Never the less Michelle ordered another one just the same and vaguely wondered if this was how her father had lost his way as well.

"Melanie," Albert joined her at the bar. He had watched the scene between her and Danny. Not much liking what he saw. His nephew wouldn't know a good thing if it came up an bit him in the ass. So it looked like he was going to have to do just that.

"Mr. Sampson," she said bringing the glass to her lips once more trying to hide the fact that she despised it's taste.

"Not much of a drinker I see. And please call me Albert. Mr. Sampson was my father."

"Albert, and no to be quite honest I can't stand the taste of this."

"What are you drinking?"

"A screwdriver."

"Ah.....well that should tell me something right there. Joe a kalhua and cream for the lady please. I think you will find this much more to your liking." he handed her a glass with a mixture that resembled the likes of chocolate milk. "I see from you smile that you like it." he joked.

"Much better thank you."

"You are quite welcome. My job here is to keep the customers happy. Enjoy your evening Melanie."

Enjoy her evening, what a laugh she thought. There she was standing there in one of the sexiest dresses she owned and she was alone. In a room full of incredibly gorgeous men she was alone. It was as if someone read her mind because before her now stood a rather handsome specimen if she did say so herself. He wasn't Danny Sampson mind you but he would do.

"Hi," the husky voice said., "How about I buy you another drink?"

"I think I would like that."

"Another one for the lady," he said to the bartender, "My name is Jack and you are?"

"Melanie," she was getting pretty good at this new name bit.

"Nice to meet you Melanie. Here we are," he handed her her drink.

"Thank you."

"So how about a dance?"

"I think I would like that."

She let herself be led to the dance floor. Over his shoulder she saw Sarah giving her the eye. Couldn't wait to have to explain this one to her friend. But for now she just wanted to enjoy the moment.

The sultry beat crept into her soul. She loved to dance. It didn't matter if she was Michelle or Melanie either way she knew how to move. She let her defenses down and the music over took her. She found her hips swaying methodically to the beat. Before she knew what it was she was doing Michelle's body was pressed against his as they became the center of attention. It was like for a brief instant she was totally lost in the moment.

As the beat slowed, Jack pulled her even closed to him. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as the moved to the sound of the music.

Danny watched the scene unfold from the sidelines. His ire growing as he watched the man's hands move about Melanie's back, down her buttocks. If he wasn't so bull headed that could have been him dancing out there with her. What an idiot you are Santos! he chastised himself but again.

He saw them part as the song ended and Matt Johnson went into his monologue. Danny breathed a sigh of relief until he noticed that this man wasn't intending on leaving her go. He gritted his teeth as he watched them make their way back to the bar his arm casually draped over her shoulder.

Albert stood across the room just outside his nephew's line of vision yet he saw what it was he wanted. No one could miss the fire in Danny's eyes as he watched Melanie and another man.

"Well son, you will come to your senses one way or another," he laughed.