It was as though the club had fallen silent around him. Danny couldn't concentrate on anything but Melanie and her new found male friend.

His eyes were fixated on the twosome. He looked on as he bought her drink after drink and as they danced dance after dance. He never once moved from his perch.

"Danny," Carl said coming to stand alongside of him, "Danny!" he said louder.

"WHAT?!?!" he growled back.

"I thought you said you ordered enough booze."

"I did why?" Carl's remarks forced Danny to return to the task at hand.

"Apparently not!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Danny moved to the side to keep Melanie in his line of vision.

"I am trying to tell you that we are running out of booze! If you weren't so damn busy eyeing that stupid bitch!" Carl spat.

"What did you say? You bastard!"

"You heard me. Are you running the club or trying to figure out how to get fucked?!?!?"

"I should just snap your neck you filthy son of bitch!" Danny seethed.

"What the truth hurt?" Carl continued with his barrage.

"Gentleman.....gentleman," Albert's tone was pure sugar but Danny and Carl both knew the darkness that lay just beneath, "Our little scene is drawing unwanted attention from the customers. Might I suggest that we not do this right now?" he said as he smiled at them both.

"I have to go check on the liquor order," Danny said starring into Carl's eyes.

"I better make my rounds too," Carl added as he made an attempt to move away from Albert.

"Whoa....not so fast!" Albert pulled him back, "We need to have a little talk out back.....NOW!" he said not giving Carl the opportunity to protest, "I thought we had this conversation not so long ago Carl."

"What conversation was that?" he feigned stupidity.

"Don't play games with me here. You know damn well what I'm talking about. Are you looking to be let go Carl cause from where I stand you already have one foot out the door."

"Is that so?" he quipped.

"Don't be a smart ass!"

"What so the twelve years that I have worked for you don't mean a thing? You are telling me that just because me and your nephew have differing opinions I should be looking for another job?"

"Yes! If you can't give Danny the respect that he deserves then there isn't any room for you here! Am I making myself absolutely clear this time around? We won't be having this conversation again!"

"FINE! You've made yourself perfectly clear."

"I hope so Carl. For your sake I hope so."

Albert ran his hands through his thinning hair. What was it about Danny that had everyone in this place up in arms. If he wasn't fighting Jenny about him he was fighting Carl. This was getting to be more then he wanted to handle.

"Jenny," he said surprise in his voice, "What are you doing out here? I thought you were inside."

"I heard what you said to Carl, Albert."

"So?"

"I can't believe that you would threaten his job in the way that you did. He has given his sweat to this place as much as we have. In the beginning he worked along side you to make this place what it is. And now suddenly that doesn't mean anything. All that's forgotten because of Danny?!?! Why....why?!?!?!"

"We have been over this time and time again. I'm tired of doing this. Danny is my blood. My brother's son. I want to help him. Why can't you understand that?" he questioned beyond frustrated with his wife. "What is it about Danny that you can't tolerate? What is it that you find so offensive about him?"

"HE'S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she yelled the alcohol she had par taken of that evening getting the better of her. "He's alive and Richard isn't. It should be Richard here by your side. NOT DANNY!!"

"Jenny," Albert's toned softened as he moved towards her.

"NO!" she backed away from his touch, "You can't make up for what happened to Richard by using Danny as a replacement. I won't let you do that!"

"JENNY!!!!" Albert yelled to his wife's retreating back.

Ah the plot thickens, Carl thought to himself as he stood in the shadows listening to the conversation unfold between those two. Jenny was definitely his way to get to Danny. All he needed was a little more information and by the looks of things it wouldn't take much to get it.

"Carl, said there was a problem with the liquor order," Danny said looking directly at Joe but felt Melanie's trailing his body.

"Not that I know of," Joe returned confused by Danny's remarks.

"Carl, just came and told me that we are running out of booze. I personally did the inventory. I want to know what the hell's going on here!"

Michelle knew that Jack was still talking to her but she couldn't focus on his words. Her eyes were riveted on Danny. She knew he was angry but what about she wasn't exactly sure. She wasn't sure about much right now. The drinks were coming hard and fast and she was slowly succumbing to their effects.

"Really Danny, I don't know where Carl got his information but we are more then okay with the liquor order. I haven't even made it two thirds of the way through what you had delivered today."

"Then what the hell's that idiot talking about?" Danny said aggravated.

"Wish I knew."

"Another drink for the lady please," Danny turned to see the request came from the man standing with Melanie. It wasn't hard to tell that she had had one too many already.

"I think the lady is done for the evening," Danny answered.

"And who the hell are you?" Jack said having had one too many himself.

"I own the bar.......so that entitles me to make the rules!" Danny said in a hoarse whisper doing everything within his power to hold it together.

"Let's get out of here baby! There's plenty of other bars. We don't need this dive." Michelle felt the room spin as he jerked her away from the bar.

"You won't be driving her or yourself anywhere," Albert stepped forward to save the day but again. "Joe could you please call this gentleman a cab."

"Sure thing boss."

"As for the young lady. I think she will be staying right here."

"She's a big girl she can leave with me if she wants to," he forced grabbing Michelle's wrists.

"Don't you understand English man?" Danny said coming up behind him. "The lady stays here!"

"The cab's here Mr. Sampson," Joe called from across the bar.

"Daniel, I think I better escort the gentleman outside. Would you mind looking after Melanie for a moment?" Albert was gone before he could answer.

"Daniel, huh?" Michelle giggled, "You don't look like a Daniel."

"I prefer Danny."

"I like Danny better too," she swung her arm around his neck. The mere touch of her skin again his sent chills throughout his body.

"How about we get you some coffee?"

"How about we dance?" she countered.

"You want to dance?" he echoed.

"Uh-huh," she said backing onto the dance while she beckoned him forward with her finger, "I want to dance with you!" her intoxicated state had loosened her grip on reality just a bit.

There was little Danny could do to resist this gorgeous creature. He had spent all night wishing for this very moment and for once he wasn't about to miss the opportunity.

Her body fit his like a glove. The instant that they fell together it was as though they were one body in motion. Michelle nestled her hips against his as the music set them in perfect rhythm. Danny felt the pressure growing beneath the confines of his trousers yet he couldn't move away from her. He was drinking in everything about her. Her scent, her hair, her eyes, her touch each time he looked at her he found something new to explore.

With his hands at the small of her back, she arched and let her head drop. Danny watched as her breast slipped further from their resting place. He could but imagine what it would have been like to touch them to taste her skin. She swept her body to his once more as she smiled at him. He couldn't stop himself from smiling back.

Before he knew what was happening, she brought her mouth to his letting her tongue caress him. Danny suppressed the moan that was building in his throat. Her lips traveled to his ear then to his neck. With each touch his body was a quiver.

He forced her mouth back to meet his. He wanted to enjoy the pleasure of tasting her lips. As quickly as the kiss had begun that's how fast it came to an end, "AH.......Danny I think I'm going to be sick," she said as she made her way to the nearest exit.

Danny hung back for a moment as he watched her heave once more, "Melanie," his voice was a whisper, "Hey are you okay?"

"Oh God!" she groaned.

"What? What are you all right?" he said drawing closer to her now.

"I can't believe that I .......," she started to cry.

"Hey, easy," he said cradling her in his arms now, "Not everyone can hold their liquor."

"Not the impression I wanted to make on you tonight."

"And what impression did you want to make?" Danny asked taking advantage of the situation a bit.

"I wanted to blow you away......not blow chunks on you," she returned deadpan.

Danny tried hard not to laugh at her comment. "I think you made a fine first impression really." he brushed away a stray curl that had found it's way to her face.

"Yeah, right."

"No really. I mean it. Right now all I want to know is how are you feeling? Any better?"

"Not so hot." she said still a little green under the gills.

"I guess not. Do you think you can stand up?"

"Yeah." she said shaky at best. It was like the ground could have opened up and swallowed her whole at any given moment.

"You sure? You still don't look to good."

"Jeez thanks," she tried to laugh but there wasn't much to laugh about.

"You know what I mean. You didn't drive here did you?" He certainly didn't have any intentions of letting her get behind the wheel if she had.

"No, I came with Sarah."

"I'll go see if I can find her. I think the best place for you right now is in bed. You'll be okay out here for a minute?"

"Yeah," she said leaning on the hood of someone's car.

Danny looked around the room for Sarah. It appeared that her and Matt the DJ were hitting it off rather nicely. He hated to break up their fun but he knew that the last place Melanie needed to be was here. He'd been where she was right now and he was sure that dying was looking pretty good to her about now.

"Uncle Albert," Danny said making his way through the crowd, "I am going to drive Melanie home. She came with Carl's daughter and from the looks of things Sarah is busy. Melanie really needs to go lie down."

"Do whatever you need to do Danny. I can handle things here." This couldn't have worked out better if he had planned it himself.

"Thanks. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Take your time son. Make sure the girl gets home safe."

"Where's Sarah?" Michelle asked looking as white as a ghost now.

"She's kind of in the middle of something right now. I will take you home."

"But......"

"No buts about it. Let's just get you home."

"Thank you," Michelle said as Danny eased her into the passenger seat of his car. He cracked the window a bit knowing the cool night air would help.

Danny pulled into the spot next to Michelle's Sebring and got out to help her. "Easy," he said as he put his arm around her to guide her up the stairs. "Where's your keys?" Michelle handed him her small handbag. "Here we go," he said emerging keys in hand. Danny turned on the most minimal lights as possible. "Where are your aspirin Melanie?"

"In the bathroom medicine cabinet," she returned doing her best to undress. If this is what being a drunk felt like she had intentions on ever becoming one. Finally she found her way out of the tiny dress.

"Here take these," Danny said walking into the room. He just about dropped the glass at the sight before him. There she was standing in fire engine red bra and panties, garter and hose. Danny swallowed hard around the lump in his throat, "I'm sorry," he stammered as he turned away. Quickly he exited the room and waited outside the door for her to call him back.

"I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have just barged in here." Danny could still see her scantily clad body before his eyes. If she hadn't been sick at the moment he might have had to kiss her.

"It's okay."

"Well here's some aspirin. Take these and I assure you that you shouldn't have a hang over in the morning."

"Thanks," she took the pills in her mouth and followed them with a swig of the cool water. The sensations of the liquid hitting her stomach made her nauseous again. "Oh God, not again," she cried.

"Hey take it easy. Give yourself a minute for it to settle. Lay down and get under the covers. I promise once you fall asleep things will be okay." Danny sat at the edge of her bed gently stroking her hair until he was satisfied that she was sleeping peacefully.

This wasn't exactly how he envisioned his first experience with her to be but so much for the best laid plans. He let himself out the door being sure to lock it behind him.

He sat in his car thinking about their dance, thinking about how her body felt against his own, thinking about how beautiful she looked standing there in her room.

Danny looked down at his watch. He had just enough time to get back to The Two Step for last call. He didn't intend on giving Carl the upper hand by not being there.

The daylight burned its way through the open slats of the blinds adorning Michelle's bedroom window. She turned away in vain trying to escape the golden streams flooding the room. Even the slightest effort to move the pillow to block the light, caused her head to pound. "So much for no hang over," she said in a whisper that was far too loud for her pounding head.

The doorbell's persistent chimes bounced about the caravans of her brain. Michelle didn't know if she had the energy to move but she certainly wanted the ringing to cease. "Oh god," she groan swinging her legs to the side of the bed. She couldn't remember a time when she had felt this rotten. Even the flu she had had last winter hadn't left her feeling this awful.

The bell sounded once again loudly enough to pierce her ears drums, at least in her altered state it seemed that it would. The pounding in her head worsened, if that was at all possible, in her attempts to stand. Even the few steps that it took to get from her bedroom to the door now seemed like miles.

"What took you so long?" Sarah's voice boomed as Michelle inched the door open.

"Ssshhhhhh," Michelle beckoned shielding her eyes from the sun's fierce light.

"Whoa, what the hell happened to you?" Sarah had lowered her voice but to Michelle's sensitive ears it still sounded like a thunderous roar.

"Huh?" she heard Sarah's words but focusing on them was completely different.

"Where's your coffee?"

"On top of the refrigerator," Michelle returned burying herself deep within the folds of the sofa. If anything she wanted to get lost in their depths praying that she would just disappear.

"So we tied one on last night did we?" Sarah tried to keep a straight face while talking to her friend. Sarah had been where Melanie was more times then she cared to count.

Michelle nodded her reply believing that would be easier then speaking however she was sadly mistaken. The motion of her head just about rattled her brain.

"This might make you feel a little bit better," Sarah handed her a steaming cup of coffee, "Drink it!" Sarah said.

"I don't think so," Michelle placed the cup on the table before her. The faintest aroma of coffee still in her nostrils. The smell alone was making her nauseous. She didn't want to chance what would happen should she dare to let it enter her stomach.

"What the hell happened to you last night? I came looking for you and you were no where to be found. So am I twenty dollars richer or what?" Sarah joked sipping from her cup.

"Not hardly," Michelle returned pulling her knees in close to her chest do her very best to stave off the queasy feeling that filled her.

"I talked to Albert. I know that Danny brought you home," Sarah countered all knowing, "You're telling me that nothing happened between the two of you?" she mocked.

"What you mean while I was puking on the man's shoes?" Michelle said in horror as flashes of the night before came and went.

"What?"

"You heard me. After last night, I seriously doubt that I will be hearing from Danny Sampson again."

"Come on it couldn't have been all that bad."

"You weren't there. Believe me when I tell you it was less then pretty."

"I think you are exaggerating..........." the ringing phone interrupted Sarah's words and perforated the constant pulsation in Michelle's head. "You want me to get that?"

"Please," Michelle answered not wanting move from the sofa.

"Hello,"

"I'm sorry I must have the wrong number," Danny's voice came across the wires, "I was looking for Melanie Branson."

"You have the right number. Can I ask who is calling?"

Danny hesitated for a minute wondering if he was doing the right thing. If Melanie had been the one to answer he would have been forced to talk but now he had an out if he chose to take it, "Hello?" the voice on the other end of the line said again in his ear.

"This is Danny Sampson. I was just calling to check on her."

"Hang on a second."

Danny heard the sounds of muffled giggles and hushed words as he waited.

"You still have that twenty bucks don't you?" Sarah asked grinning like a cat that had just swallowed the canary.

"What......why?"

"Do you have it or not?" Sarah wasn't about to let this go.

"Sarah.....I'm not up for this right now. I mean for god sakes I feel like something crawled into my mouth and died last night and you are worried about some damn bet that I know you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Sarah countered waving the receiver in the air.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Michelle said with all the force she could muster.

"It's a one Mr. Danny Sampson on the phone."

"WHAT!?!?!" Michelle was on her feet in an instant pounding head completely forgotten.

"He's calling to see how you were feeling this morning," she cooed, "So don't count us snowballs out just yet my dear."

"Hello?" Michelle said into the phone all the while starring at Sarah in disbelief. The images of last night that she could recall did not paint a pretty picture of things. She didn't have a clue why on earth Danny would even want to speak to her. She could envision what she must have looked like as she spilled her guts in the parking lot the pervious night. She shuddered at that thought.

"How's the head this morning?" Danny took care in speaking in the softest of tones.

"Not too bad," Michelle lied.

"Glad to hear it. See I told you those aspirin will do the trick."

"Yeah, so you did," Michelle rested her hand on her forehead trying to concentrate. Aspirin or no aspirin her head hurt like hell.

"You sure you are okay?" Danny wasn't sure but it sounded as though she was less then all right.

"Yeah....yeah I'm fine. Thank you for calling to check though. And thanks again for getting me home last night. I don't think that I really ever said that last night. I was.........."

"No problem. It was my pleasure," Danny couldn't help but smile recalling her state of undress from the night before. It had been his pleasure in more ways then one.

"It was very nice of you though. I was completely out of it."

"That you were. It's the holiday though, we all need to cut loose and have a good time." He was trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. He knew how embarrassed she had been about getting sick. The last thing he wanted to do was call further attention to it.

"I won't be doing that again anytime soon," Michelle laughed causing her head to pound again.

"Do what?" Sarah mouthed from her perch on the glass coffee table. This one sided conversation was driving her nuts. Michelle waved her questions off as she continued her talk with Danny, "Well like I said thanks again and I promise not to darken the door of The Two Step any time soon."

"Well maybe you would like to see the other sights in town?" Danny held his breath waiting for her response.

"Excuse me?" she said not believing what she had heard come out of his mouth.

"I am going to check out a band to possibly play at the club. I thought maybe you would like to join me, seeing as how you have such a good ear and know the club scene," Danny added that on impulse just not to appear so anxious.

His questions took her by surprise. After the impression she had made on him last night she surely thought that he would have thought better of asking her for a date.

"It's okay it you are busy. I know it's short notice and all," Danny said covering for his disappointment.

"No........no it's not that really. I mean I would like that. I just didn't.......," she stammered, "I mean after the way I was last night......I didn't think I'd be hearing from you."

"Why?"

"Come on you were there. Need I say more?"

"Hey don't worry about that. I was just glad that I was there." Danny didn't even want to venture a guess as to what would have happened if he hadn't been. The goon she was with was a far cry from a gentleman.

"Me too," she returned softly while Sarah sat anxiously biting at her fingernails waiting for the suspense to come to a close, "When and where?" Michelle asked.

"This Thursday night. The place is called The Yellow Rose of Texas. I'll swing by and pick you up around eight. The band starts at ten. Thought maybe we could grab a bite to eat and we could talk shop. I remember you said that you had a friend who runs a club. I would still love to pick your brain," Danny said following through with his original ground work.

"Sure that sounds nice. Eight it is then."

"Great! See you Thursday."

Danny held the phone to his ear as the dial tone droned on. He couldn't believe that she had actually agreed to go on a date with him. You would have thought that world would have stood still by the expression on his face. It was one of utter disbelief. The sky hadn't fallen in, Carmen had not reared her ugly head, none of that. Melanie had accepted his invitation willingly which still completely amazed him. Texas was beginning to look better and better.

"What the hell just happened here? Are you going to tell me or do I have to drag it out of you? I mean come on ten minutes ago you looked like death warmed over and now it's a if you are walking on air. GIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sarah's sentences spilled out in one mass of sound. Michelle ignored them all as she headed in the direction of her handbag.

"Here," Michelle tossed a twenty dollar bill on Sarah's lap.

"What's this?"

"Look's like you are the first snowball to survive in hell," Michelle's face filled with a smile that stretched from ear to ear, "Looks like Danny Sampson and I have a date!"

Sarah jumped to her feet hugging her friend and they did circles around the living room floor.

Tony Rodgers stood to the sidelines watching his newest employee. In the last week he had seen such a drastic transformation in Melanie. The once sullen creature was now so full of life.

She had been truthful before in saying that her lips were sealed when it came to talking about the nephew who was now running The Two Step. For all his poking and prodding, she had remained silent. Still he was more then certain that Melanie's new found happiness was in one way or another tied to him.

"Thank you, come again," he heard her sweet voice ring throughout the store.

"So what are your plans for the weekend?" he asked nonchalantly as he joined Melanie at the counter.

"I'm not really sure," she returned in her usual noncommittal manner smiling just the same.

"You are enough to drive an old man insane you know that?" he huffed.

"See and you said you always wanted a girl," she laughed as she rearranged the display case.

It amazed her that only weeks ago she had been a complete basket case. Afraid of her own shadow most times and now suddenly she had come into her own finally. It was as though Melanie Branson had at last blossomed. Each time that Michelle looked in the mirror lately she didn't let herself get so caught up in the that was then this is now scenario that had surrounded her before. She was actually comfortable with the skin she was now in and the name that went along with it.

She most certainly missed the family that she had left in Springfield but looking now at all the wonderful prospects that lie before her here in Texas and that at home she would have had to watch Drew live the life that she once thought would be hers Michelle was ready to move forward.

"I have never seen a girl as tight lipped as you," Tony Rodgers commented, "I mean most of the time you can't shut you women up," he joked.

"I don't want to jinx myself."

"AH HA.....," he sounded pointing his finger in her direction, "So there is something going on with you and the nephew," that was always the way Tony referred to him since she had neglected to furnish him with a name yet, "I knew it....I just knew it!"

Her smile was a dead give away. She was no longer able to contain her excitement, "Well maybe."

"Maybe?!?!?"

"Danny," Tony Rodgers gave her a quizzical look, "The nephew......his name is Danny Sampson," she laughed.

"Ahhhhhhh," he said rubbing his chin.

"It's nothing really. I mean we are just going to this club. He's scouting a band for The Two Step," Michelle wanted to sound like it wasn't anything more then a business thing for Danny but her animation was getting the best of her.

"You can't fool me little girl," Mr. Rodgers razzed her, "You can pretend all you want but I know better. You like this neph.......I mean Danny," he was quick to correct himself, "You might as well stop trying to deny it. It's written all over your face."

"I'm not planning on getting my hopes up. For all I know it's nothing more then a pity date."

"What? Why is it that the pretty ones never have any confidence in themselves. This Danny Sampson would be one hell of a lucky guy to land a catch like you!"

"If you only knew."

"Knew what?"

Michelle recounted the events of several nights before. How she had way too much to drink and ended up throwing up in the parking lot while Danny stood watching. Before she knew it Mr. Rodgers was laughing and not one he was trying to hide but a full blown roar that caused his entire body to shake.

"You find that funny?" Michelle said in a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.

"Quite frankly yes....yes I do," he said through his next wave of chuckles.

"Well thanks a lot!" she slammed the stack of books she was carrying down on the counter in a huff.

"Melanie, now come on be honest it's funny," again a fit of giggles wafted in the air.

"FUNNY!?!?! Yeah if it's happening to someone else."

"If you step back you'll see that it's funny even when it's happening to you. I'll share a little secret with you," he said leaning in close to her face.

"What," she countered skeptical.

"That's exactly how I met my wife."

"Oh yeah how convenient," Michelle said not believing a word he said.

"No really. It's true. Marge was so nervous at this frat party she just kept drinking and drinking. Before she knew what hit her she was drunk off her ass......."

"And what you came to her rescue?" Michelle said knowing the scenario all too well.

"Well yes and no. I mean I had been watching her the whole night. She was beautiful. When I finally got up the nerve to walk up and talk to her, she got sick all over me."

"You expect me to believe that? Sounds like a carbon copy of what I just told you," Michelle leaned in and punched at his shoulder playfully. She was happy that he was doing his best to make her feel better about the mess that she had gotten herself into but believing his story wasn't about to happen.

"It's the truth. I swear to you. It happened just like that. You can ask Marge yourself. I'll call her as soon as we close up shop."

"That's not necessary really."

"NO...no I can't have you thinking that I'm a liar. You get the register closed out and I'll go make that call."

Michelle looked up when she heard the knocking on the glass window of the bookstore. There was Sarah ready and waiting to hit the malls in search of the perfect outfit for Michelle's date the following day.

After a careful combing of Michelle's closet, Sarah summized that nothing in there would do for such an auspicious occasion as this. All Michelle could do was laugh at her friend. She would use any excuse in the book to hit the mall scene.

Michelle walked over to the door and let her friend in, "Aren't you ready yet? We have some serious shopping to do," Sarah said in all seriousness. Tony Rodgers poked his head out from the back room at the sound of Sarah's voice.

"I do have a job you know," Michelle countered.

"You go," he piped up, "I can handle closing up for one day. Where are you ladies off to?"

"To the mall," Sarah said, "We are on the hunt for the most perfect outfit."

"Oh really? Thought this was a business thing?" Tony Rodgers chided.

"Business?????" Sarah turned to give Melanie a look as if to say what the hell's this man talking about, "No it's a dat..........."

"Let's go Sarah before it gets too late," Michelle said pushing her friend out the door. She wasn't about to let herself get sucked in by all this just yet. She wanted to bide her time a little longer before she started having visions of her and Danny walking down the aisle and crazy things like the names for their children.

Danny couldn't keep his mind on his work. As he sat behind the desk in the office of The Two Step all thoughts went to Thursday night. He still couldn't believe that she had said yes to his invitation. It was hard to fathom it.

It had been forever since he had been on a date. Hell if he had ever been on one at all. He highly doubted the dinner engagements that had been forced upon him by his mother qualified. Carmen had used his good looks and charm as a pawn in the bigger game she always played.

She was constantly looking for a way to expand their business or force the hand of some unsuspecting client who hadn't learned their place in the game. Danny had served her well in that aspect of her plan. In the beginning, he had just thought that she was just being a doting mother lavishing praise on him. It wasn't until Danny got a hard dose of reality that he understood that nothing that Carmen did didn't come at some cost to him. With each set up he lost a further piece of himself until he no longer felt anything at all. He was nothing more the a robot going through the motions that his mother had controlled by remote control.

That was until less then a week ago. When he had been introduced to Melanie Branson it was like his circuits were recharged. Feelings that he had long since buried rushed forward to reclaim their rightful place in his brain. It was frightening actually. They were so foreign to him. In the last years he had become so numb that these new found sensations caused him to grow dizzy.

"Danny," Joe, the bartender, voice startled him.

"Huh?"

"The liquor order is here. You want to check it in or should I?"

"Would you mind?"

"Sure no problem."

Other then his uncle Albert, Joe was the only person at the club that Danny felt he could truly trust. He couldn't shake the feeling that Carl was doing his best to form an army of his own. That he was looking for the right opportunity to strike. Danny wasn't about to let that happen. He had too much riding on this to let a man like Carl start a war.

He had to smirk at that thought. Why was everything still a war to him? Why was it like he was still trying to stake his territory? Or trying to be sure that no one got the upper hand against him?

Those were things that he was trying so desperately to escape but no matter where he ran they followed him. He wanted to heed his uncle's words. Wanted to believe that in time he could put the things that Carmen had instilled in him in their proper place. Albert had been able to do that but Danny didn't know. Somehow he knew in his heart that Carmen would forever have hold of him in one way or another.

Danny walked out into the club and watched as those around him began to gear up for the night that was just about ready to begin. So far the popularity of The Two Step was growing by leaps and bounds. That made him pleased. It gave his aunt less reason to be angry all the time. Still it seemed as if the better the club did the louder the silences in Albert and Jenny's house grew. The gulf between them widened with magnum force.

Danny had tried in vain to make her see that he wasn't a threat. That he wasn't there for any other reason then but to make a name for himself as well as them. No matter what he said or did he was met with brick wall after brick wall.

"Where do you want the DJ to set up?" Carl said gruffly.

"In the booth...like any other time," Danny countered with the same attitude.

As for Carl Beck, Danny would have liked to tossed him under the nearest cattle stampede.

"Just making sure. I mean you are the man of the hour."

Danny walked away before he let himself be pulled into another shouting match with Carl. That was becoming somewhat of a regular thing as of late and he didn't want to do it again.

Danny watched as Matt Johnson began hauling his CD's into the DJ booth. He absently wondered if Sarah would be there tonight. Seemed as if she and his DJ had hit it off rather nicely. And Danny knew if Sarah was there that there was a good possibility that Melanie would be as well.

He hadn't seen or talked to her since their phone conversation the other day and he hated to admit that he was getting worried that she just might have second thoughts about this 'date' of theirs.

"Hey Matt."

"Danny."

"Where's your side kick?" Danny asked.

"Side kick?" Matt questioned, "Oh you mean Sarah?"

"Yeah. Seems like you two are getting along pretty well."

"Yeah we are. She had something to take care of tonight. Something about having to make sure she found a killer outfit for that friend Melanie. I guess she's got this really hot guy she wants to impress," Matt said without realizing that he had just answered Danny's prayers.