Michelle almost walked into the metal doorframe as she starred at the information, or lack there of, that Carl had given her. Unfortunately it wasn't much more then what she already knew. The one thing she had secured was a picture of Amanda, Sarah's mother, holding her infant daughter. It was a start but far from the vision she held in her head.

"What's so interesting there, that you are willing to risk bodily injury to keep reading it?" Tony Rodgers asked as he guided his ever-faithful employee and friend away from her impending crash into the jam of the door.

"Huh?"

"What's this your Christmas list?" he joked tugging at the paper held tightly in her grasp.

"In a way, but it's not mine."

"Must you always speak in riddles?" he sighed still never sure exactly what to make of this girl.

"Sorry. I was hoping that my friend Sarah's father could have helped me more."

"Helped you?"

"See Sarah's mother died a while ago. This is her first Christmas without her and I was hoping to do something special as a reminder. You know like a scrapbook or something like that. Anything to make her feel better."

"That's very nice of you, Melanie."

"It would have been, but I keep hitting a dead end."

"Why?"

"It's a really long story but here's the condensed version." Michelle went on to explain what she did know about Sarah's life and why and how she had ended up here in the first place.

"So, that's all her father had?" Carl asked looking at the picture Michelle had been starring at.

"Yeah and a few names but nothing all that solid."

"Do you have an address for them or even the name of the city she is from?" he asked.

"It's pretty sketchy."

"Anything will be better then nothing," Michelle handed over what she did have to him, "Follow me," he said heading for the backroom.

"I'm supposed to working," she said looking back at the store.

"Do you see customers breaking down the door to get in?" he laughed, "Besides I think I might be able to help you."

"Really..........how?" Michelle heard the dial tone ring through as Tony Rodgers sat at the computer, "The internet!?!?" she said slapping her forehead mockingly, "Why didn't I think of that?"

"That's why they pay me the big bucks. I know it's a long shot but it couldn't hurt to check here."

"Thank you so much," Michelle leaned and kissed the old man's cheek, "God really must have been looking out for me when Ben picked this place to send me?" she commented before even realizing her words.

"What?" he turned confusion filling his face.

"Ben, my father," Michelle cringed at the thought of putting father and the name Ben in the same sentence, but this would just be another thread to add to her web of lies, "This was his alma matter, so when he died arrangements were made for me to come here. I didn't want to at first. I mean they had to drag me kicking and screaming. But now I'm glad that I'm here," The lines to Michelle's real life and the one concocted on paper were beginning to blur a bit.

"For more reasons then just a friendship with a dautering old fuddy duddy like me."

"First you aren't old or a fuddy duddy. And there have been lots of reasons that I am thankful for coming here. Sarah, you, my school work...................."

"Danny," Mr. Rodgers said breaking her stream of thought.

"Well yes.....and Danny." Michelle blushed.

"So things are going well?"

"Better then I ever imagined."

"See what did I tell you?"

"You are a wonderful man, Mr. Rodgers," Michelle said kissing his cheek again.

"For heaven sakes call me Tony already. Well here's the search engine, why don't you sit down and see what you can come up with on Sarah and her mother?"

"Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me until you find what it is you are looking for.

Tony Rodgers closed the door giving Michelle privacy to concentrate on her task. Why was it every time he thought he knew her, there was something to rethink. As much as he would have liked to believe her tale about her father and how she had ended up here, he just couldn't bring himself to do it. The far off look in her soft brown eyes; the way she looked away from him as she spoke; they were signs to him. Signs that told him there was more to this then met the eye.

He busied himself with his own work hoping to get lost in his chores so as not to dwell on his nagging thoughts.

"Excuse me."

Tony Rodgers looked up to see the young man who had harassed Melanie not so long ago. His protectiveness for his young employee took center stage. The encounter between Melanie and this man was just another piece that didn't add up.

"Can I help you?" Tony feigned ignorance.

"I was hoping to catch Melanie. She is working isn't she?" Jeremy strained his neck glancing around the store.

"No I'm sorry she isn't."

"What?"

"As you can see it's rather slow in here this time of year. It's not really necessary for there to be anyone but me working."

"Do you know where I could find her?" Jeremy pressed.

"Sorry, I can't help you there. Not her keeper," Tony said trying to not smile.

"Damn!" Jeremy whispered under his breath.

"Is there a problem?" Tony asked innocently enjoying the fact that he was pulling the wool over this arrogant young man's eyes. No matter what he did or didn't know about Melanie, he was certain that this guy was bad news all the way around.

"No.....no. I just thought I could catch her." Agent Lucas regained his composure and took the reigns from the overly love crazed man lurking underneath.

"Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"Yeah....no problem," he said absently turning to leave.

Tony watched through the glass windows as the man headed in the opposite direction. This had been one more puzzle piece. Sad thing was right now he couldn't help but think that all the pieces surrounding Melanie were all from very different puzzles but in one way or another they worked together to form an abstract one at best.

He turned when he heard the sound of the doorknob against the strike plate. Melanie emerged with a smile stretching from ear to ear.

"From the look on your face, I would have to say your mission was a success?" He breathed a silent sigh that she hadn't come out minutes sooner.

"Actually yes. I think this might just all come together after all."

"I'm glad."

"Me too," Michelle added, "I just hope to have this all done before the party."

"Party?"

"Yeah, I thought I would do a little tree trimming kinda thing. You know the traditional Christmas stuff. Hoping to put Sarah in the holiday spirit."

"That sound's like a very good idea."

"Here's an even better," Michelle said.

"What?"

"Why don't you and your wife come too. It's short notice I know but it's going to be this Friday night."

"Why on earth would you want an old couple like us at your party?" he questioned.

"Because if it hadn't been for you Mr. Rodgers.......Tony," she corrected herself before he could, "I don't know where I would be right now. And if you feel funny about the age thing, I will ask Danny's uncle and aunt to join us as well."

"So the infamous Danny Sampson will be at this little shin dig?"

"Most definitely."

"Then you can count my wife and I in. I think it's about time I met this man of yours," he kidded.

"You have to be nice now," Michelle pointed her finger at him just as if he had been her true father.

"Who???? Me????? Would I be anything but nice?"

"So say about sevenish or so?" she said ignoring his mocking smile.

"We'll be there. And Melanie."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for thinking about us. It was sweet of you."

"What's Christmas if you can't share it with those the closest to you?"

Albert looked at the door and back at Danny. His stomach fell to his feet at Carl's words of blood money. The venom in the remark hit him like a ton of bricks, yet Danny was too consumed with his own satisfaction of ridding himself of an enemy to see the enormous storm they had just set a brew.

"Problem solved," Danny rejoiced.

"That might not be the case."

"What?"

"Were you so blinded by your own wants that you missed Carl's pointed remarks. The way he said we could keep our blood money. Danny that is a term I haven't heard in over fifteen years. And even I know what it means still."

"Blood money?" Jenny's voice filled with fear as she repeated the words, "What....what's going on here?" Both men looked to each other neither knowing what to say next. "Somebody please tell me what's going on here."

Jenny felt the panic rising in her chest. All the strides that she and Danny had made over the last few days immediately came back to slap her in the face. As hard as she tried to keep them in check, that's how hard they were pushing in on her.

"Jenny come sit down please," Albert finally said in the calmest voice he could muster.

"Albert, what's going on you are scaring me."

"There's no need for you to be frightened."

"I disagree. What??? What is it Carmen?"

"No....Carl."

"Carl?" Jenny heard the breath she had been holding since she entered the room escape her lips, relieved in knowing that she must have misunderstood what she thought she heard.

"Yes. Danny and I felt that it was time that we let him go."

"You let him go?" she echoed in disbelief.

"If you are going to be angry, be angry with me. It was my idea," Danny spoke first not wanting to ruin the newfound closeness that Jenny and Albert had gained.

"Why?"

"Would you believe that in my gut something wasn't right?"

"What?"

"I can't put my finger on it but I didn't trust him."

"Trust him? Danny you are a hell of a one to be spouting words like trust!" Jenny's tone was razor sharp.

"Jenny, hear us both out," Albert added he wasn't about to let the family they were just starting to build crumble.

"So what? He now has you convinced that Carl is a bad guy? He has been a loyal employee since we first opened the doors. And suddenly just because he is miffed by the fact that a man he barely knows is here running what should have been his position, that makes him a threat?!?!?!" Jenny shouted flabbergasted by it all.

"Jenny, it's more then just that. And it's just not Danny who saw it."

"Oh please enlighten me."

"Jenny, do you trust me? Trust my instincts?" Albert questioned.

"Yes."

"Then believe me when I say that Carl posed a threat to this family. I just hope that we handled it right."

"Of course we did," Danny spoke up.

"I think your father would disagree. There's an old saying.... keep you friends close and you enemies closer, Well Danny I think we just dropped the ball on that one."

The high-pitched ringing of the bells on the phone startled the three of them as they stood starring at each other.

"Hello," Danny's voice was detached when he spoke thoughts centering on Albert's last words.

"Danny hi," Melanie said.

"Hey you," he did his best to put things in prospective as he began his conversation with her.

"Albert," Jenny strained to keep her emotions under control.

"Come here," he drew her close to his chest. All the old senses of protection of the things most precious to him came rushing back.

"I'm scared. I don't know what's really happening here. Are you trying to tell me Carl could hurt us?"

"No......no. You know me, Mr. Over Cautious." Albert kissed the top of his wife's head as he put order to his thoughts. Many things were now falling into place. His only prayer was that what he thought might happen didn't.

"Uncle Albert, Aunt Jenny," Danny's voice again broke the silence in the office.

"Huh?" the returned looking in his direction.

"Melanie would like to know if you two would like to join us Friday evening for a tree trimming party at her place."

"I don't know......" Jenny began.

"We would love to," Albert cut her off, "and it's been a long time since we celebrated Christmas properly. I think it's about time we did."

"Melanie, yeah they said they would love to come. Are you sure that you don't need me to have Reggie whip up some stuff? It's not any trouble." Danny chuckled at how adamant she was about taking care of everything herself, "Okay....okay I get the picture, but at least let me bring the wine."

Albert watched his nephew as he continued his conversation. He wasn't about to let his own fears get the better of him. For the first time in longer then he could remember, he was at a point in his life he wanted to be. He wasn't about to let some off handed words said by a disgruntled employee get the better of him.

"That was very sweet of Melanie to include us," Jenny said.

"Yeah it was. She is trying to help out Sarah. This is the first Christmas since her mother's death......."

"Are you saying Carl will be there?" Jenny asked astonished that they would be attending a party with a man that had just been fired.

"No. Sarah and Carl aren't on the best of terms. Actually she is staying with Mel during the holidays. Carl apparently isn't big into Christmas." The phone rang again, "Hello, Two Step," Danny answered.

"Hello Daniel," Carmen's voice dripped with false sweetness.

Ben watched as Carmen paced the room. The phone call that just ended had set everyone's present mind spinning. Each lost in their own thoughts and each with their own set of questions. Curiosity finally getting the better of him, Ben spoke first, "Who is Albert Santos?"

"You know all you need to know Warren," Dietz spat his own mind whirling. This unexpected development would seriously haunt him. He cursed himself for jumping the gun in contacting the Sandoval's. It never failed. In every situation Carmen found a way to come out on top. He should have known better then to under estimate her.

"DIETZ!" Carmen shot him a calculating look, one that he knew better then to challenge.

"Carmen," Ben said prodding her to answer his original question.

"Albert is.....was Miguel's brother."

"Is....was which is it?"

"I never expected Danny to go there," Carmen said ignoring Ben totally.

"Didn't I just ask you if you could think of anyone that Danny would have contacted? You said there was no one. And suddenly he is with an uncle you forgot about?" Ben's tone was a mixture of disbelief and anger. He had been jumping through everyone of Carmen's hoops and for what? She could have led him to Danny with one name.

There was a nagging question he couldn't get past as well. When the check was run on locations to place Michelle Bauer why didn't Albert Santos and Galveston Texas red flag? None of this made much sense.

"Dietz," Carmen's commanding voice startled him from his own thoughts of how to handle damage control for himself, "DIETZ!!"

"What?!?!" he said gruffly before realizing the tone of his voice.

"You realize that this changes everything."

"It does?!?!?" Ben said feeling as if he wasn't in the same room as them.

"What do you want me to do?" Dietz answered.

"I want you to call the others. Get them here. Everything is about to change."

"Carmen?!?!?!" Ben's voice again was ignored.

"So what is the plan?" Dietz questioned.

"EXCUSE ME!!!!" Ben brought his body between the two forcing them to finally see him.

"Not to worry Ben. You are still an integral part of all of this. I just need Daniel right now...................."

Now it was Dietz' turn to be shocked, "WHAT?!?!?!" he cut her off.

"Dietz," Carmen was taken aback by his complete lack of respect for her authority.

"I can't believe that you are still so blind to this guy! His only job was to find Danny and he failed miserably! Yet somehow he still comes out on top!?!?"

Carmen felt as though she had traveled back in time to the day when she had gained control of The Commission. Dietz's behavior resembled that of her eldest son. She hadn't tolerated it then and didn't intend on doing it now.

"You have your instructions Dietz!" Carmen said not wavering in her original plan.

"So what he's still in on it all?!?!" Dietz raged.

"DIETZ!!"

"You really think that Bernardo and the others are going to accept him?" Dietz pushed the envelope of his anger further.

"That's no concern of yours. You have a job to do, am I right?" Carmen said ignoring the man's fury. There was no time for such triads. Dietz's insubordinate behavior could be dealt with at a later time. The only important thing at the moment was finishing what had been started.

"When would you like this little meeting to convene?" Dietz asked harshly gaining enough of his senses to know that this wasn't the way to win when dealing with Carmen.

"As soon as you can get them all assembled. The sooner the better."

"Yes ma'am,"

Dietz closed the door behind him as the wrath that Carmen's alliance with Ben Warren again ignited in him spilled over into his every thought. That should have been his place. He deserved it for all his years of loyalty; for all the messes of Mick's that he had dutifully cleaned up; for being the one to dispense the Santos justice each and every time necessary. But no that wouldn't be the case. Some slick lawyer who frankly didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground when it came to the business was about to reap all that he had sown.

The wheels of Dietz's mind spun as he went to place the calls that Carmen had asked. There had to still be a way to bring Ben Warren down and cover up his own tricks in the process.

"Carmen," Ben said complete frustration in his voice.

"What?" she returned absently still trying to grasp that Danny had turned to Albert and Jenny.

"An explanation would be nice," Ben sighed thinking that was the least that she owed him.

"Daniel is in Texas."

"That's no explanation....that's a fact."

""But the most important fact! Now I have the leverage I need to buy more time."

"So what you think you are just going to call him up and ask him to come home and he's going to politely oblige?"

"I will get him home!" Carmen's tone sounded over confident even to her own ears.

"So is or isn't Albert your late husband's brother?"

"By all rights yes Albert is Miguel's brother. But he hasn't been part of this family for more then a decade maybe even two."

"Then why would Danny choose him? And more importantly why hadn't you thought of him? Would have made my job much easier." Ben knew where Dietz was headed with his accusations. All he needed to do was plant the seed of doubt in Carmen's mind about him. Well Ben wasn't about to let that happen. One way or another he would be prepared for whatever Carmen and the others threw at him. "All that information you shoveled at me said nothing of an Uncle Albert."

"I didn't actually know where Albert was myself. Never thought that Daniel would have even thought about him. Albert hasn't been in Springfield since The Commission offered him Miguel's seat at the table."

"You mean your rightful seat," Ben corrected slyly.

"Albert's son, Richard, was killed in a job gone wrong. Died in his arms. After that Albert was never the same. Miguel finally had no choice but to let Albert go start over."

"Then that explains the man's use of the name Sampson." Ben said while he thought it explained why none of this information red flagged with regards to Michelle's placement.

"Apparently Albert was smarter then I gave him credit for. Didn't take any chances on being traced back to the family." Carmen smiled recalling the many times that she and Albert had sparred in the past.

"Why Texas though?" Ben asked.

"I don't know and that's not all that important to me at the moment. The only thing I am concerned with is getting Daniel back here."

"And if he won't come?"

"I will be sure he has no other option but to return."

"And his threats? They suddenly don't exist?"

"One thing at a time Ben. Right now I think it's time that I called my son."

They had been unsuccessful in redialing the number of the original call and Ben found it highly amusing watching Carmen going about the menial task of calling information to locate the phone number of her brother-in-law.

Carmen replaced the receiver in it's cradle and fingered the slip of paper that held the nine numbers that were about to determine her fate along with her son's.

Ben wondered where the once commanding Carmen Santos was at this moment. The longer he starred at her the less she resembled that person. But somehow the expression on her face this time wasn't like that of before. The threats that Bernardo and the others had made about the Santos family had angered her; that was obvious and maybe they had even served to scare her but right now what Ben was seeing was pure fear. A fear that held her hand captive inches above the receiver.

Carmen looked again at the tiny slip of paper resting beside the phone. The inner voices tugging at her from so many directions. The one that stood out above the rest was actually one she hadn't expected to hear. As a matter of fact, one she hadn't heard for so many years she had forgotten that it even existed.

It's melodic tones were that of Danny's mother. The mother she had been before she had metamorphosized into the power hungry woman she was now. The voice now was allowed to cry for the loss of her husband and son; to want the best for her child rather then the need to fit him into her twisted agenda for him.

Carmen forced the tears that were in jeopardy of falling past her lashes to the back of her eyes. She had failed Danny in every way possible. She picked up the receiver and set it down again thinking about what her choices had cost her and him.

"Carmen?" Ben questioned as she began pacing around the room again. Doing the best she could to collect her scattered thoughts. She wasn't expecting to be feeling this way. She had thought finding him would have been the answer but in turn it only produced more questions. Ones that she wasn't ready to deal with.

"Boss," Dietz entered.

"Yes?" she turned forced to be Carmen, Mob Boss, again.

"Bernardo is out of town. He won't be back for a few days."

"Be sure that they understand I want to see him, everyone, first thing when Bernardo gets back into town."

"It's done."

"Carmen?" Ben's voice again was questioning. In a matter of minutes he had seen the emotions on her face run the gambit. He was uncertain what was truly going on inside of her.

"Would you leave me? I'd like to make this call in private," Her voice was hard but her posture showed the apprehension she was feeling.

"I could stay," he offered.

"No....please go."

"As you wish," Ben reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, "I will be waiting when you have finished."

"Thank you."

The tender thoughts that she had just entertained were gone. Carmen had sealed her fate the day that she took it upon herself to ensure Daniel's rightful place. She tried not to laugh at the thought. Daniel had never crossed her mind then, and sad to say she knew in her heart that she wasn't crossing his any longer either.

Carmen brought the receiver to her ear and listened as the number rang through. At cheerful tone in Danny's voice, she almost hung up but didn't, "Hello Daniel." Jenny and Albert watched as Danny's face grew ghastly pale. "No kind words for you mother?" she asked sarcasm covered any other emotions she possessed.

"Danny?" Albert questioned immediately realizing that the devil had finally come knocking.

"We have encountered a bit of a problem in Springfield. It requires your attention," Carmen went on.

The image Danny held of his mother in his mind came crashing in on him as her words pierced his ear drums. His mouth was too dry to rage and suddenly the world stopped spinning throwing him in a heap on the floor.

"You are needed here right away."

"I thought I made it clear to you.....not to need me," Danny's mouth formed the words but it was all done without thought on his part.

"This is beyond my control."

"NOTHING IS EVER BEYOND YOUR CONTROL!" he spat gathering his senses finally.

"We need to band together in an effort to rid us of the impending disaster."

"IT'S YOUR DISASTER NOT MINE!!"

"Everything about this family is yours Daniel. Your father wanted it that way and I ensured that it would be as such."

"WHAT A CROCK!!!! How many times have you told that lie? Enough that you are finally believing it?!?!?!" he said mocking.

"I have done what was necessary to guarantee that the Santos Family would live up to the greatness that it was destined for. You are that destiny, whether you see it or not!"

"FOR ONCE IN YOUR MISERABLE LIFE........ONCE CAN'T YOU JUST BE HONEST, MOTHER?!?!?!"

Albert heard his wife's breath catch in her throat as Danny's words confirmed what he had known the instant Danny picked up the phone. He felt her grip on his hand tighten as all the things she feared most were beginning to unfold.

"There isn't time to discuss this Daniel. I expect you on the first flight back to Springfield. Albert isn't one of us. You need to be here with your family."

"I am with my family," Danny said eyeing the pair across the desk only being able to imagine what was going through their minds at the moment.

"Please Daniel, you can't possibly think of Albert as part of this family. He abandoned us when we needed him most. Things would have been so much different, had Albert just done what was expected of him," Carmen said playing the last guilt card in her hand.

"Maybe, but from where I sat you got exactly what you always wanted! So I think it's time you learned how to deal with it!!" Danny seethed into the mouthpiece before slamming the phone down ending a conversation that he never wanted in the first place.

"DANIEL.......DANIEL......DANIEL," Carmen screamed into the phone. The only sound that returned her words was that of a dial tone. "Damn you!!"

"I take it the conversation didn't go as planned," Ben asked as he slipped back into the room.

"This is far from over!" she returned jaw clenched in anger.

"So what do we do now?"

"Not to worry. I have enough information to buy myself more time. Daniel, will see things my way one way or another," Carmen said determination in her voice.

"Danny?" Albert questioned.

"How the hell did she find me?!?!" Danny asked not really talking to anyone in the room.

"That really was Carmen?" Jenny asked knowing the answer but needing Danny's confirmation to fully appreciate what that meant.

"Yes," he whispered knowing in his heart he had put the life she had built there in jeopardy and hating himself for it.

"What did she want?" Albert asked.

"Apparently the natives are restless," Danny commented giving Albert a knowing glance.

"Natives......restless......what natives.......what are you talking about?!?!?!" Jenny's voice rose an octave as she spoke.

"Bernardo and the others," Albert said as soothingly as he could to calm his wife's nerves, "It's obvious they have come to know of Danny's absence and they are less then pleased."

"She wants me to return to Springfield," Danny continued, "I guess she thinks that as long as I play puppet to her puppeteer that things will stay the way the always have been."

"So what's your next move son?"

"I'm not going back to Springfield, and I certainly can't stay here now.........."

Danny ran his hands along his face and sighed heavily. All the months that he spent building his new life, it was all washed away like a sandcastle at high tide. It all had been so fragile and now there was nothing left but a mound memories that Danny would carry in his heart forever.

If he closed his eyes tight enough, he could see Melanie's smiling face looking at him. The stabbing pain in his chest radiated throughout his entire body. He couldn't stop himself from thinking what right did he have at happiness? It had never been his friend and happy ever after was never meant for him. Yet Melanie had been his taste, she was his fantasy but now it was time to lose that faith and hit reality.

Yet the actual idea of walking away from her left him breathless. He didn't know if it was something that he could do when it came right down to it. There again was that tug of war. His heart and his head on either side fighting for what one desperately wanted and the other knew had to be.

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know. Anywhere Carmen can't find me."

"Is there such a place?" Jenny questioned.

"Probably not. All I know is I can't stay here. I won't let my world spill into yours. I promised I wouldn't do that."

"Stay," Jenny whispered it surprised her as much as the men in the room.

"What?" Albert could do nothing but stare blankly at his wife.

"Did I hear you right?" Danny too asked.

"Stay," she said louder this time.

"Jenny, you do understand what you are saying right?" Albert almost put his hand on her forehead to feel for fever.

"I understand perfectly."

"Why?" Danny asked completely flabbergasted by her words.

"It's time."

"It's time?" they both echoed.

"It's time for all of us to stop running. And the only way to do that is stand up for what you believe."

"If it were only that easy," Danny shook his head.

"Let us help you," Jenny said placing her hand gently on Danny's shoulder.

"How?"

Jenny looked up at the ceiling half expecting it to tumble down around them with her words, "By doing whatever it takes to make sure that you are allowed the life, and love," she added looking into his eyes knowing that his heart was heavy with the idea of never being with Melanie again, "you deserve. Your father did that for us and now it is time that we do that for you."

Both Danny and Albert starred at her mouths wide open in disbelief. If this had been a month ago, there would have been ranting, raving, screaming and maybe even a few things thrown around the room. Danny didn't care what brought them to this point. He had no plans on questioning it. His only thoughts right now were of exactly what Carmen had up her sleeve and what he could do to stop her.

Danny watched as the world around him continued as if nothing had changed, but in the brief second it had taken the phone to ring everything had changed. The days, hours, minutes, seconds that ticked past since Carmen's call seemed like an eternity. Danny jumped with each chime of the phone; each swing of the club door; each tap of his shoulder. His nerves were as raw as child's cheeks after a long day of exposure to the wicked winter winds. Everything set him on edge. He despised the box that Carmen had succeeded in putting him again. The anticipation of her next move was unnerving. He had been grateful for the fact that the past few days Melanie had been so busy with the preparations for her party that she hadn't seen him in his present state.

"Danny," he jumped at Albert's voice, "I'm sorry son. You have to relax."

"Relax!?!?" Danny repeated.

"Yes. This isn't doing you any good. You barely sleep. I haven't seen you eat a thing in days......"

"I can't. I........."

"Danny, I wish I could tell you not to worry. Even if I said the words I know that you would anyway. It's been days and we haven't heard even a peep from Carmen........"

"That's what concerns me the most."

""What do you think she's going to do? She certainly can't force you home."

"Albert," Danny turned and starred at him, "Have you forgotten this is Carmen we are talking about? She has gone to great lengths to get and keep what she wants. I seriously doubt that she wouldn't stoop to whatever means necessary to be sure that I am right where she wants me to be."

"Daniel, have you forgotten who I am?" Albert stated.

"No," he said not fully understanding his uncle's statement.

"Then believe me when I say that Carmen has much less power then she would like to think. It was me who those men expected to take Miguel's seat. And I fully intend on making that fact be known again if I should find it necessary."

"You can't do that!"

"I can and I will!"

"Albert you don't want that life anymore then I do. And Jenny would be going through the roof if she even suspected that you were thinking about sacrificing yourself for me. And in good conscious I can't let you do that. This is my battle."

"Jenny and I have discussed this. And no I have no intention of ever rejoining that life, however I still garnish enough respect to remove Carmen and ensure that you will be left alone."

"Carmen removed?" Danny said knowing exactly what Albert was getting at.

"If need be."

Danny could see the underboss that Albert had once been come rising to the surface. The thought of having his own mother disposed of sent bile rising into his throat. In a bizarre way Danny knew that it was possibly the only way to ever be completely free of her and that scared the hell out of him. He never thought his freedom would come at such a high price. And more importantly could he live with the cost? How would this be any better then what he had been trying to get away from for so long now?

"There has to be another way," he said.

"Well, if you come up with one please do fill me in. I don't have to explain your mother to you do I Danny?"

"No."

"Then you know that this won't be over until she says it's over. And the only way to be certain that you have the life you want is to rid yourself of the problem." Albert's words were cold and hard. His face was etched in stone.

"She's my mother," Danny whispered horrified.

"She stopped being that person long before your father died. And you have been nothing more then a means to an end for her. I am sorry to lay this on you but you know in your heart Bernardo and the others don't want her. They never have. It's you that they saw greatness in. So without you where does that leave Carmen?"

"I don't know," he cried.

"She most certainly isn't going to just leave the table quietly. Hell, Carmen has never done anything in her life quietly," Albert said with contempt.

"I just can't believe that after all I have done to walk away that it has come down to this of all things," exasperation filled Danny's voice.

"Well it very well may have."

"And Jenny agrees with all of this?" Danny found it hard to believe that his aunt would want to be party to any of this.

"Jenny has decided that the way she has handled things in the past works now. The less she knows the better. But I do have her blessing to handle the situation."

"Amazing!" Danny gasped.

"I agree. Daniel, please understand that I will do whatever it takes to protect you. I failed at that with my own son. I let my greed and power blind me. I won't let that happen this time."

"I know," Danny said resigned in the facts as Albert presented.

"Enough said. We have a party to attend tonight. So put things in perspective and enjoy your lady. She is something special. Something that you....yes you," Albert said grabbing Danny's disbelieving face, "deserve."

"I hope you are right about that."

"Have I been wrong yet?" Albert laughed.

One by one Ben threw the shot glass filled with it's amber liquid back letting it's fire burn the back of his throat. Each one giving him the courage needed to go into that room filled, each member looking to further their own agenda, himself included.

He was uneasy about exactly what Carmen had in mind. He knew that Danny wasn't about to roll over and play dead like the obedient dog that his mother had hoped for. And he found it extremely unlikely that "the Knights of the Round Table" would be up for many more of her put offs and explanations.

Had he been truly smart he would disappear as well. Unfortunately the draw the Carmen's potential power exuded was too strong for Ben to resist. By some stroke of luck, if they agreed to Carmen's wild scheme then he stood to profit greatly. It was the flip side of the coin that he chose not to think about. Him floating face down in the Chicago River wasn't a pretty image to entertain.

He took the last gulp of his scotch and threw some cash on the bar. He knew Carmen was expecting him to arrive well before the others. She wanted all her ducks in a row. She had said. Only problem with that likeness was all Ben could see was the set up for target practice.

Michelle did one last check of the food before heading off to get ready for the party. She was filled with excitement. She was finally feeling completely comfortable in her new skin. She had made a good life out of a horrible mess. Her longing for her family in Springfield was still there but the sensation had dulled a bit with the inclusion of each new person in her life that faintly resembled one that she had left behind. It saddened her but mostly she understood that this was the way it had to be. For her life to go on it was time to put the past in its respective place and live again.

Michelle fingered the deep green velvet bow on the present she had spent so much time preparing for Sarah. The wonders of modern technology were astounding. She had gathered all the information she was looking for via the Internet and e-mails. It turned out that Amanda Wainwright was well loved in her hometown and everyone was willing to lend his or her stories once Michelle had explained what she had in mind. She actually ended up with enough information to do the scrapbook and a framed picture of Amanda and Sarah taken recently from what the old women from their church had said. Michelle only hoped that this would help her friend get through the next few days.

"Coming," Michelle called at the knock she heard on the door. She threw it open fully expecting to see Matt with the Christmas tree that he had left hours ago to go retrieve, "What took you so long?" she asked.

"Hello Melanie."

"What are you doing here?" she asked amazed in Jeremy Lucas' persistence.

"I wanted to give you this," he handed her a tiny wrapped box.

"I can't accept that," she pushed it back at him without actually touching it.

"Please," he pleaded.

"I thought I made myself abundantly clear?" she questioned.

"You did. It's just a peace offering," he assured.

"I can't."

"Melanie, I was a cad and I know it. The way that I handled myself was so wrong. Could you just let me do this?"

"All you have said is true but I still can't take that," she pointed at the brightly wrapped box, "Please understand that I just can't."

"Fine, if that's the way you want it."

"It is."

"Have a nice holiday, Melanie. And please remember that I will always be there should you ever need me."

"How could I forget?" she quipped closing the door.

Jeremy put the box in his jacket pocket feeling as though he had just been kicked in the chest.

Carmen sat along side of Ben and looked on as the members of the table made their way into the room. Ben's eyes darted amongst them all. The effects of the scotch were beginning to ware off and he was now thinking better of his need for the power that he thought was contained by these walls.

Ben's eyes weren't the only set probing the room. Dietz stood by the door doing exactly the same thing. His plan to save his own hide securely planted in his mind. He was playing this close to the vest, his only hope was that it would work. There certainly wouldn't be room for error.

"Can I offer you gentleman drinks?" Carmen asked as if this was some party rather the meeting to determine the fate of The Santos Family that it was.

"How about we just get on with the business at hand?" Nino barked before the others had a chance to answer.

"Bernardo, if you wouldn't mind keeping your son in line?" Carmen said in her most commanding way.

"You mean like the way you have your own, Carmen?" Manuel countered smartly.

"As I have told you previously, Daniel is out conducting business for the family. Expanding an already lucrative business might I add." Carmen used every opportunity to promote the fact that she had added a substantial amount of money to the coffers.

"And I told you previously that I fully expected to see Daniel the next time we met. So where is he?" Bernardo questioned.

"Daniel will be returning shortly." Ben did his best to hide the smile that he was certain was trying it's damnedest to creep across his face, "When his business is concluded."

"What is this business you keep talking about?" Nino remarked.

"Gentleman those drinks?" Carmen motioned for Ramone to come forward and begin dispensing them.

"I think we all would like to hear the answer to Nino's question," Bernardo countered as the others nodded their agreement.

"I must ask when was Nino granted the privilege of speaking at these meetings?" Carmen questioned, "Has he been promoted within the ranks of your organization?"

"HE IS MY SON!!" Bernardo boomed, "AND HAS JUST AS MUCH RIGHT TO SPEAK AT THIS TABLE AS YOU DO!!! HELL EVEN MORE THEN YOU DO CARMEN!!!"

Ben shifted uneasily as the confrontations were only beginning. He reached for the liquor bottle and pour himself a generous amount of the amber liquid.

"I have every right to be here, Bernardo. And I will not tolerate being spoken to as though I do not," Carmen returned with authority.

"You won't tolerate it?!?!?"

"That's correct. I have more then answered your questions about Daniel's whereabouts. It is you who choose to not believe."

"Answered our questions????" Manuel countered incredulity, "You have done everything but."

"He is conducting business for the organization. Nothing more nothing less."

"Exactly what kind of business?" the question was asked again.

"It is too early in the stages to be discussed."

"OH HOW CONVENIENT!!!!!!!!!" Nino spat.

"Bernardo, restrain him or I will have it done for you!" Carmen said through clenched teeth.

"I don't think so Carmen," the man countered, "I think it's about time for you to be restrained," with that said Nino and Manuel stood, "It's come to my attention that you feel that you can dupe us. And it's also been brought to my attention that you don't have a clue where Danny is. So this ruse of expanding the business........well you can save it cause no one's buying it."

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?!?!" she countered as the men took each of her arms in their hands. Hiding her terror was becoming increasingly difficult.

"What should have been done years ago," Bernardo offered as explanation.

"Where did you get this alleged information?" she asked hoping to buy herself a bit more time.

"Not to worry Carmen. You should know me by now. I never act on anything without first checking it out thoroughly. I know for a fact that the man sitting next to you has been trying for weeks now to locate Danny. So the game is up."

"Well I hate to ruin your party but your thorough investigation has misled you!" Carmen remarked ripping her arms from their grasp.

On instinct Bernardo shot a look in Dietz's direction. He didn't like any surprise that hadn't been engineered by him. Dietz couldn't do more then swallow hard around the lump in his throat as he knew that he had been made on both sides as a rat.

"Well then do enlighten me."

"Daniel is in Texas."

The group stood back to admire their work. The tree before them was spectacular. Better then any tree Michelle remembered ever having. She leaned deeply in Danny's open arms but couldn't help feel that something was suddenly different between them. It was like the distance that once separated them had returned. She did her best to push those thoughts to the back of her mind with rationalizations that he was preoccupied with the club and all it's holiday parties but that wasn't making the uneasy feeling vanish.

Jenny and Albert mingled with Tony Rodgers and his wife. It was nice to have company a bit closer to their own age, but neither one of them could concentrate. Both, like Danny, were waiting for what Carmen might do next. It was best for them never to underestimate her. Albert had done that one too many times already. He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

Jenny looked on as she watched Danny going through the motions of his life. What should have been the happiest time for him was so full of anguish. He certainly did his best to appear in high spirits of the holiday season but on closer inspection of his dark eyes one could see the distance and vacant stare there. It wouldn't be too long before she was sure that Melanie would see it too. And that pained her. Melanie Branson was the light that Danny needed to guide him through the hell she knew was too come and she certainly didn't want anything to stop that from happening.

"Do you mind if I steal my nephew for a dance?" Jenny asked.

"Of course not. I need to check on the food anyhow," Michelle said.

"I told you I should have had Reggie handle this. Then you could have just enjoyed yourself."

"I am enjoying myself silly," she kissed him gently on the cheek as she left him to dance with Jenny.

"Ah but I wish you were," Jenny sighed.

"Wish I was what?" Danny questioned quizzically.

"Enjoying yourself."

"Who says I'm not?" he countered.

"Every feature and expression on your face."

"Not true!"

"Very true. Danny, I won't minimize what has taken place in the past few days, but don't let Carmen do this to you again. Don't let her take away from you the things that are good in your life."

"She isn't."

"I don't believe that. Have you looked in a mirror lately? If you saw the looks on you face as of late you wouldn't think that. And if I see it then Melanie does as well. The only difference being that I know why and she doesn't."

"She never will!!!!" Danny said heatedly.

"I agree, but sooner or later she is going to start thinking that it's her that you are upset with. Is that really what you want to happen?"

"No," he sighed.

"I didn't think so."

"How can I just forget that there could be danger looming around the next corner...Danger that could bring harm to her?" Jenny heard the angst in his tone.

"You can't. But you have to get some perspective. Danny I meant it when I told you to stay. And when I said that we would help you get what you want. Whatever means necessary......."

"Ssshhhh," Danny placed his finger to her lips not wanting to have this discussion twice in one day, "I understand. I just don't know."

"The decision is yours. But know that you have options now. And you don't have to do this alone."

"All right everyone," Michelle's voice broke their conversation, "It's present time."

"Presents??????" the chorus of voices countered.

"Yes, presents. What's a Christmas party without presents?"

Michelle went about the room handing out decorated gift baskets to all those there. Each one uniquely suited to the person. Mr. Rodgers was filled with all the tobacco's he loved; his wife's with the bath soaps she had heard so much about; Jenny's was adorned with every cookbook Michelle could get her hands on.

"Thank you," Jenny was almost speechless.

"Danny told me you are a wonderful cook. Thought you might enjoy trying your hand at some new recipes."

Albert's basket looked like she had cleaned out the specialty coffee store. It was overflowing with flavored creamers, international blends and even a personalized mug; Matt's contained more CD's then he ever imagined possible and tickets to a concert he had desperately wanted.

"Yours will come later," she said teasing Danny.

"Looks like you are getting her in a basket," Matt laughed from across the room.

"Very funny," Michelle punched him in the arm.

"Where's mine?" Sarah cried being left out of all the fun.

"Oh not to worry. I saved the very best for last." Michelle went around behind the sofa and retrieved the packages that had been hidden there for days.

"Both of them?" Sarah questioned as Michelle handed them to her friend.

"Most certainly."

The room watched as Sarah opened them with the intense fury of a five-year-old on Christmas morning. Michelle reached for Danny's hand as Sarah lifted the lid of the box that held the scrapbook. The leather embossed with the words 'The Life and Times of Sarah Wainwright' starred back at Sarah. The second she lifted the cover the tears began to flow. She was met with the picture of her mother holding her as an infant. That had been the one good thing that Carl had given Michelle. It was the start of a wonderful book filled with memories, great stories and pictures that Sarah would treasure.

"How?" was the only word Sarah could utter.

"With a little help from your friends."

"I can't believe you did this."

"I knew how much you missed your mom. And with Tony's help and the internet there were many people back home who wanted you to have a great first Christmas here in Texas."

"Well that has been a success." Sarah leapt to her feet wrapping her arms tightly around her friend's neck.

"What you haven't opened the other one yet."

"Oh yeah." Again she ripped into the second package, "Melanie!" Sarah gasped. The picture brought so many memories flooding to the surface. Sarah couldn't do much to stop the tears from flowing down her face.

"I guess that means you like?"

"Thank you," she whispered hoarsely.

"You are more then welcome."

"That was a nice thing you did for Sarah tonight, actually what you did for everyone," Danny said as he helped clean up the kitchen, "You are one hell of a woman."

"Thank you, but is this just your way of buttering me up for your present?" she teased kissing the tip of Danny's nose.

"Well now that you bring it up?" Danny had trouble hiding his own excitement.

He had taken Jenny's words of advice to heart and wasn't about to let Carmen rob him of anything more in his life then she already had.

"You finish up in here and I will be right back," she did a feeble attempt at an Arnold Schwartenzager voice. She entered the room again hands behind her back smiling like a Cheshire cat. "Here," she handed over the box wrapped in golden foil.

"For me?" he questioned in mock surprise.

"Well if you don't want it," she pulled the package from his hands.

"Now I didn't say that." Danny reached behind her back as she did her best to keep his intended package just out of his reach. The game ended with a playful kiss.

"So you really want this huh?" she laughed sweetly kissing him once more.

"Yes!"

"Okay."

Danny removed the ribbon and the wrapping to find a crystal picture frame. One heart held his own picture and the other the most amazing photo of Melanie he had taken at the pond weeks before. He was at a loss for words.

"I know it's not........................."

"It's perfect, amazing."

"I just wanted to give you something that showed how much us coming together meant to me. You showed me that love doesn't always end badly. And that it's okay to give your heart to another person without fear of it being broken."

"You deserve all of that," he whispered.

"Thank you."

"Now what about my real present?" Danny said sheepishly.

"Real present huh?"

"Well everyone else got his or hers in a basket. I was hoping maybe Matt was right," he toyed with the buttons of her silk blouse.

"Oh were you now? Looking for me to wrapped in a big red bow," she said turning off each light as she made their way to her bedroom.

"Texas," Bernardo echoed Carmen's words.

"Galveston, Texas to be exact."

"What on earth for?"

"As I have said before business." Carmen wasn't about to back down now.

"GIVE IT UP WOULD YA!?!?!?" Nino shouted, "There ain't no business in that state that we'd be interested in."

"Quiet Nino!" Bernardo turned and spat at his son, "Go on Carmen, we all are listening."

She searched for some plausible reason for Danny's being there. She knew there wasn't much leeway in this matter. Anything that she came up with had to be viable. Seeing as she knew that Bernardo wasn't about to leave any stone unturned.

"We are waiting!"

"I think I might be able to answer your question," Ben offered while Carmen looked at him as stunned as the others.

"So what now the mouthpiece does your talking!?!?!" Nino bellowed.

"Carmen what's going on here?" Manuel questioned. "Surely you can't expect us to sit by and let you question Nino's ability to speak at this table and then have this suit be given that right."

"I have the answers you all are wanting to hear. I knew exactly why Danny is in Texas and it has nothing to do with expanding the operations."

"BEN!!!!!" It was all Carmen could do to contain her composure. This wasn't supposed to happening this way. She was to be the one in control of the game.

"It's all right Carmen. Everything will be clear in a few minutes."

"OH THIS OUGHTA BE GOOD!!!" Nino snickered.

"Danny is in Texas taking care of some unfinished Santos Family business."

"Sounds like the same old song and dance to me," Nino quipped.

"Not quite. Danny is in Galveston avenging his brother's murder. I have it on good authority the person responsible is there"