Jenny's eyes toggled between the swinging door that Michelle had just run crying through and the angry pairs of eyes belonging to her husband and nephew. She was torn on following Albert's orders and her own instincts. She could imagine the pain that had befallen Michelle at Danny's very vocal explosion. Jenny was certain Michelle's worst fears had been founded in his angry words. Her heart ached for the young girl who had been caught up in a spider's web that wasn't even of her own making.

Against her better judgment, Jenny remained along side Danny's bed. A force inside of her told her that she would be better served there rather then running. Since that was what she was truly doing. Comforting Michelle was easier then staying and facing the words she inevitably knew she would have to hear Albert say again. She swallowed hard and steeled herself for the next wave in this never-ending battle.

"WHAT!?!?!" Jenny heard Danny's voice bark in her ears as he stared hardly at Albert.

"What????" Albert echoed angered by the fact that his nephew was letting a code of honor, one that he now knew no longer existed, rule his thoughts and actions.

"That's right.....what?!?!?!"

Jenny watched, as Danny's face grew flushed at his attempt to hold back his rage.

"Daniel," Albert sighed searching for the words to make this right for him. He knew that the truth wouldn't serve that purpose. It would only muddy the waters further, but there was so much that Albert knew that Danny had a right to know.

"Yes uncle," Danny spat back sarcastically.

"I understand........"

"Oh you do?" Danny cut him off, "You understand what it's like to be made a fool of for months?"

Albert swallowed the words that threatened to escape past his lips. Words that would have said 'how would you feel about years?'

"Son, Michelle's deception wasn't intentional."

"Wasn't intentional???" Danny laughed yet there was no humor to its sound.

"NO," Albert stressed again.

"I can't believe THE GREAT ALBERT SANTOS.....once MIGHTY HAMMER for my father is so god damned gullible!"

"Daniel," Jenny said astonished by his attack.

"No Jenny let the boy speak. I will get my turn." Albert reached across the bed for his wife's hand thankful for her support. Support that had been not there for many years now.

"You expect me to just pretend that she isn't responsible for my brother's death? How am I supposed to ever look at her again and not know that she left him on the beach that night, blood pouring from his head? That she made no attempt to help him....." Danny was having difficulty masking his sorrow with his anger. His voice cracked at the recollection of the events that he had read in the file folder he had found at Michelle's apartment. "She didn't even bother to call 911 for God sakes," he gasped.

"All those things may be true......"

"May be true?!?!" Danny's gasping voice cut Albert off again, "THE WHOLE DAMN THING IS TRUE!!!!"

"Yes, but so are your feelings for her. You can't deny them."

"Those don't matter anymore."

"The hell they don't!" Albert forced, "Those are the only things that do matter," he countered.

"SHE KILLED MICK!!!!"

"You know very well that Mick was the maker of his own demise. Michelle was only the instrument," Albert looked Danny squarely in his cold black eyes, "There is no denying that Mick had been a loose cannon for many many years. Your father knew that and Danny if you search your heart you will know it too."

Albert's truth filled words caused Danny to look away.

"So what that gives her license to end his life?!?!" Danny wasn't able to give into the emotions that his feelings for Michelle elicited within him.

"Why are you being so stubborn man? Do you really know what your brother did to her?"

"Yes."

"Then how can you not understand? She was fighting for her life that night. Come on Danny you know what Mick was, you know what he was capable of doing. Are you telling me that you would have wanted Michelle sacrificed in that violent of a way?"

"No," Danny's voice was barely a whisper.

The words of what Mick had attempted to do to Michelle replayed like a bad dream that he couldn't stop from advancing in his mind. He could see her face as she had recounted the entire experience with Mick before she had known who he was. The terror was self-evident.

He lifted the arm unencumbered by IV tubes and ran his fingers through his hair sighing.

"Danny, are you all right?" Jenny's concern was very apparent.

"That's what I would like to know. What the hell is going on in here?" Dr. Hacker asked entering the room with the nurse from earlier in tow, "I thought I made myself perfectly clear that he was far from out of the woods yet?" The doctor's anger was very noticeable as he went about the business of looking over each monitor Danny was attached to carefully.

"We are sorry doctor," Jenny said. The last thing either of them wanted to do was jeopardize Danny's health in any way.

"Sorry isn't good enough. The spikes in Mr. Santos' blood pressure are the last thing he needs at the moment. His heart has suffered enough stress as it is."

"Hello...." Danny said waving his hand in the air, "You know I am in this room too. I would prefer that you talked to me not at me."

"Mr. Santos," Dr. Hacker said addressing his patient finally, "Right now it is of the utmost importance that you remain calm. I know that you have been told very little about your condition but the bullet that we removed caused a great deal of damage to the heart muscle. While it was repairable that doesn't negate the fact that the injury was very serious and your recovery is far from over. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but here's something that you need to understand," the edge to Danny's tone cut through the silence of the room, "These people are my family and what we were discussing is far from finished. I would suggest that you and your girl Friday there," Danny pointed to the nurse standing vigil at the door, "leave us so that we can continue our conversation."

"Danny," Jenny and Albert said together flabbergasted by the way he had spoken to the man that had virtually saved his life.

"This is family business."

"Mr. Santos," Dr. Hacker began as he took Danny's chart in his hand, "please understand that I am making a notation that you have been advised of the fragility of your condition however you have chosen to ignore it."

"Note away," Danny returned flippantly. Dr. Hacker took no time in making his remarks and throwing the chart down. "Now where were we?" he asked as soon as the doctor and nurse had parted.

"We were finished," Jenny said.

"Hardly."

"Danny, please," she pleaded.

"I will make this concession," he began, "I will not enact the revenge that my mother expects of me, but I will not ever see Michelle again."

"YOU ARE THE DAMNED FOOL!!!!" Albert seethed.

"Albert please," Jenny eyed her husband sternly, "You heard what Dr. Hacker said. Is this really worth it right now?"

"He spoke his peace now it's my turn." Albert wasn't about to stand by and watch Danny throw away the one good thing in his life because of a mishap of circumstance. A mishap, which if it hadn't happened would have never forced them to find each other in the first place.

"Be my guest, but you aren't going to change my mind."

"Wake up. Michelle Bauer....Melanie Branson was the best thing that ever happened to you. Forget all that you know about her past, but remember the person you fell in love with. That person hasn't really changed. She is still the same loving girl who went out her way to make us all feel special not more then a week ago. She cared enough about Sarah to want to make her first Christmas without her mother bearable. You mean to tell me that because she defended herself against a violent attack that she is no longer worthy of your love? If that's the case then you are far more the fool then you think I am."

Albert searched Danny's expression for some sign that he was hearing what was being said.

"Danny, Michelle wasn't the only one not completely truthful here. You too decided that playing another role better suited you. The major difference being that Michelle was doing it to save herself. She was scared to death of the retaliation that she knew would come for what she had done. You on the other hand decided to be a Sampson because you thought that would make you more favorable in her eyes. Maybe you were right because if you hadn't she would have run right then and there. But since she didn't that gave you the chance to fall in love with her; gave you the chance to experience something that very few in this world do. And if you are going to let that slip through your fingers without a fight then more the pity for you."

"What's there to fight for? I can't be with her. Not even if I wanted to."

"The hell you can't!"

"Carmen wants revenge and she expects me to get it for her."

"Carmen is the least of your concerns right now."

"I don't think so. How do you think I found out about Michelle? Carmen set the entire thing up. She knows who killed Mick now. She's not going to rest until she gets her eye for an eye." The anguish Danny felt was finally showing through on the features of his face.

"Do you love Michelle?"

Danny sat silent for a minute. His heart knew the answer without a moment's hesitation but his head wouldn't let his mouth form the words.

"Danny," Jenny spoke softly, "I will only say this once. That girl is completely and totally in love with you. She had no intention of ever lying to you. She was sent here with a new identity and all she was doing was trying her best to build a life here. She fell head over heals in love with you."

"She fell in love with Danny Sampson," he said.

"She didn't fall in love with a name any more then you did. She fell in love with a man. Same as I did when I fell in love with Albert. Even through all her fear of what could happen to her by telling the truth she did it. She could have turned tail and ran falling into a new life that I am sure the Feds had all set in place for her but she didn't. Michelle stayed and faced the truth because she loved you that much and felt responsible for what had happened to you. She deserves more then you just turning her away without so much as an explanation."

"Do you love her, Danny?" Albert asked again.

"Yes," he breathed the word escaping in his exhale.

"Then fight for the girl for heaven sakes."

"It's not that simple or easy."

"Loving her was the simplest thing you ever did in your life. You know that's the truth. Take that feeling and run with it. You both deserve that."

"Could you find her for me?" he asked.

"Definitely," Albert smiled at his wife glad in the fact that from this point forward the Santos family actually had a fighting chance.

Albert stopped short as he witnessed Michelle hugging a man he had never seen before. Every instinct within him sent his bells and whistles sounding in his head.

"Michelle?"

"Albert," she ran into his arms, "He doesn't want to ever see me again."

"Quite the contrary. He sent me out to find you."

"What? I heard what he said. He didn't ever want to see me again."

"Things said in the heat of anger aren't always the truth."

Albert's eyes were riveted to Ross' frame still unsure of just who he was and how he fit into this puzzle.

Albert's apprehension was quite obvious to Michelle, "Albert, I would like to introduce you Ross Marler. He is a family friend."

"What's he doing here?" Albert's protectiveness was coming through loud and clear.

"Nice to meet you.....Albert Santos is it?" Ross offered his hand as he spoke.

"Sampson. It's Albert Sampson."

"You are Danny's uncle?" Ross questioned.

"Yes I am. And just what are you doing here?" he asked again.

"I am Danny's attorney."

"Attorney?" Albert eyed him quizzically.

"That's right. I too found it a bit odd that he would retain my services but he said that he needed someone above reproach. So he came to me."

"Ross is a wonderful attorney," Michelle added doing her best to ease the tension.

"That still doesn't explain why you are here," Albert countered ignoring Michelle's words completely.

"In Danny's instructions I was to hold an envelope for him incase of his demise. I was only to open if should he die. I got word of his being shot and I wasn't sure what to do. So I headed here to meet with Danny if that was possible. Michelle has told me that he has come through the surgery. So I am not sure what he would like me to do with his information."

"He gave you an envelope?"

"Yes."

"What was in it?"

"I don't have any idea."

"Excuse me? You are his lawyer but you don't know what you are holding for your client?"

"He told me that it would be best for me and my family if I was to remain in the dark."

The wheels in Albert's mind began to turn. He had to imagine that the information that this man was holding for Danny was the leverage against Carmen that he had spoken of. It might just come in handy given the current situation.

"Right now I think it would be best for all concerned if you kept this story to yourself."

"I understand. If Danny is recovering then I don't think there is any need for me to be here."

"Ross, please stay," Michelle said.

"Yes Mr. Marler stay. I am sure that Danny would like to speak with you. But right now we need to get you up there," he said turning to Michelle.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Yes. Trust me. It's what you both need."

"I'm scared."

"Don't be. Danny loves you just as much as you do him."

"I hope you are right."

"I am. Mr. Marler why don't you head to the coffee shop? I will meet you there after I get Michelle settled with Danny."

"Certainly." Ross couldn't help but feel the same butterflies in his stomach now as he had the day that Danny Santos had showed up at his office. He wasn't in fear for his life but he couldn't shake the sensation that he was headed into the snake pit.

Michelle rested her hands on Danny's door as her eyes wandered to the thin strip of glass that gave sight to Danny's frame laying in that hospital bed. She didn't know what to do next. If she dared to enter the room, she opened herself up to possibility that he could drop her like a stone no matter what Albert had said, yet if she stayed away she could be missing out on the best thing that had ever come into her life. For the moment she stood frozen not sure which prospect would have been worse.

"Michelle," Albert's voice sank into her ear.

"I'm not sure about this," she said meekly.

"You need to do this."

"But does he need it?" she countered knowing full well that Danny's condition was far from stable. Even from the fair distance she was standing she could see how pale he was and she had to imagine very weak as well.

"Yes," Albert returned forcefully.

Michelle bit at her lower lip as Albert pushed her through the swinging door. She felt her chest tighten as Danny's eyes met hers for the first time since they both realized who the other was.

"Michelle, dear come sit please," Jenny said offering her chair to the frightened girl staring wide eyed at all those in the room.

"Jenny," Albert said above the loud silence that engulfed the room, "I think it's time for us to go. There is someone we need to meet."

"Someone to meet?" she looked at him quizzically hoping that he was finally letting her in on his plan.

"Yes, besides I think they would be better served talking without an audience."

Jenny looked at her husband and suddenly was so unsure of everything again. The hard cold mask that he had once worn was so ever present again and she was on the outside looking in. It frightened her how everything in a matter of forty-eight hours had dramatically changed, for both of them. Albert was a man of long ago and she was now the Mafia wife she had never wanted to be.

She eyed Michelle, who had yet to move from her original spot, carefully. Every mothering instinct in her told Jenny to stay but again she found herself heeding Albert's words.

"We won't be far," Jenny touched Michelle's arm gently as she headed for the door that Albert held open for her.

The swoosh of the swinging door was the only noise in the room. Michelle still hadn't been able to bring herself to move forward. All she could do was stare at Danny but she didn't really see him. The only visions that were there were those of his anger, the only sounds were that of his irate words. They sent chills down her spine causing her to shiver.

"You can sit down you know," Michelle heard the caustic edge to his tone. He was anything but subtle about it. The stabbing pain that filled her made it difficult to move. She had serious doubts that Albert's version of how this was about to go were true, yet she complied with his request.

Again she was faced with what to say. She had gone through all of this over and over again. She had to laugh at how futile I'm sorry sounded.

"Tell me about the night my brother died," Danny said solemnly.

Reliving that night again was the very last thing Michelle wanted to do. She had finally just now been able to fall asleep without a light on, or without Mick's sneering face haunting her. Danny had been the one responsible for those things happening. How bizarre it was that he and Mick were so vastly different. Knowing Danny as she did now she would have never imagined that could have ever been related in any way.

Danny was caring, loving....so human. Mick was none of those things.

"Michelle," Danny prodded her.

"What do you want me to say?" she finally spat angry for his need to make her say things he already knew.

"I want you to tell me about the night my brother died," he said again.

"And if I can't?"

"You have to."

"Why?"

"I need to know everything."

"And you don't already?" she countered, "You seemed to know all you needed to know not so long ago.

"I know what I read on paper, but I need to hear it from you."

"Why? So that it can reinforce what a horrible person you already think I am?" her voice cracked.

"Michelle......"

"Fine, you want to hear this fine I will tell you about your brother, Danny! He was an alcoholic and a drug user. He preyed on anything in a skirt and when I didn't give him the time of day he decided that he would take what he wanted!" Michelle hid behind her rage fearing that if she let herself truly think about that night she would never fully recover from it.

"Mick raped you?" With that sentence Danny strained to keep his composure. He was doing a balancing act at the moment between the loyalty he felt for a member of his family and the love that undeniably filled his heart.

Michelle choked back the tears as she remembered how he tore at her blouse revealing her breasts; she remembered how much she felt like an animal's prey at the moment he pinned her body against the wet sand with his own; she remembered kneeing him hard in the groan and his rolling off of her in sheer agony. Vividly she could still see herself crawling across the sand in an attempt to free herself from him. Mick's pain had metamorphosed into unbridled rage as his long arm came and grabbed her by ankle pulling her body through the wet sand at the water's edge. What actually happened after that was very much a blur to Michelle even now. How she had actually gotten the rock in her hand she didn't know. All that she did know was that it was there and she willed it against his skull with such force that Mick fell to the ground.

"Michelle, I have to know did Mick rape you?"

"He may as well have."

"That really doesn't answer my question."

"Why are you doing this?" she cried, "Why are you making me relive that night. Don't you think that I have done it enough already?"

"I need to understand."

"Understand this Danny....your brother was a monster. A monster who would have raped me that night on the beach and god only knows what else if I hadn't defended myself. I am certainly not proud of what I did. If I could go back and change it I would but if you think that I am going to say I am sorry for being alive....well I just can't do that."

"There is no need for you to apologize for being alive," Danny said softly.

"Then what?"

"Michelle, hear me out. I know what a bastard my brother was. I knew what he was into. I know what a volatile temper he had when he didn't get what he wanted or what he thought he deserved."

"So are you saying that you understand?" Michelle wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"I don't know." Her hopes suddenly dashed by those words, "I know that Mick was my brother. Good or evil he was my blood. That's not an easy thing to get past."

"I'm sorry," she gasped, "Those words are so meaningless. Sorry isn't enough but....."

"Michelle wait," he cut her off, "let me finish. There was no love lose between Mick and I. To Mick I was just another person in his life that had taken things from him. I was the chosen one. What I saw as a curse he saw as a gift."

"What are you saying Danny?"

"I am saying that I came here looking for a fresh start. I thought that I had found that with you but it turned out just to be an extension of what I left behind."

"And you think it was any different for me?" she said angry again, "I wasn't supposed to come to Texas and fall in love with the brother of the man whose death I was responsible for. Talk about a major reality check." As soon as the words were out of her mouth Michelle regretted them.

"I know," she was surprised by Danny's sudden softness. She fully expected to have another angry exchange.

"Excuse me?"

"I know. Believe me we both got more then we bargained for." Danny reached for her hand that was tentatively resting on the edge of his bed.

"Are you saying that there is still a chance for us?" She held her breath not daring to hope.

"I can't imagine my life without you in it," the tears pooled in his black eyes.

"But Danny.....I kill......"

"Shhhh, I know. But I can't continue to let the past rule my future. I am sorry that Mick is dead. I am more sorry that he tried to hurt you."

Michelle exhaled deeply as though she had been holding her breath under water. She had never once thought that she would hear those words from him.

"Michelle, I fell in love with you the minute you walked into The Two Step with Sarah."

"Yeah but you fell in love with Melanie....not Michelle."

"Was there really ever any difference?" he smiled knowing that even though he had changed his name deep down he was still Danny Santos.

"There was supposed to be. Melanie never was responsible for another person's demise."

"Michelle, you said it yourself it was you or him that night right?"

"Yes."

"Then let's leave it at that."

"Can we really do that? Danny I killed your brother. Self defense or not I am the person who did it."

"Listen to me Michelle, I know what you did. You know what you did, but we also both know what kind of man my brother was. He was on the path to self destruction long before he ever brought you in for the ride."

"That still doesn't wipe away the fact that I cost your family one of its members."

"Michelle, I don't blame you for Mick's death. I love you."

Danny reached out and lightly stroked her face, "In some strange way I am thankful to Mick."

"Thankful?"

"Yes. His path of destruction led to my salvation."

"Danny I want to believe that."

"Then believe it because it's true. For once in my life I have everything that I ever dreamed of having."

"But you were so angry and rightfully so. I lied to you."

"No I was the one who lied. You were only following along with what you were supposed to. I was the one who decided to be a Sampson not a Santos and now more than ever I am glad that I did. If I hadn't you would have run. And I would have never gotten to experience what love is really supposed to be."

Danny did his best to pull her body close to his own. Even though their lips barely brushed one another's both felt the electricity pulse through their bodies.

"I love you too," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder as tears of sheer joy streamed down her face. Out of a horrific nightmare something magical had emerged.

Both looked up at the sound of the swinging door, Danny tensed at the pair of eyes that met his.

"Just who are we meeting and more importantly don't you think we should have stayed with them? Michelle could have used us you know," Jenny said as she walked along side of Albert.

"We are meeting an attorney from Springfield named Ross Marler and as for Danny and Michelle they need to work this out alone."

"Springfield.....attorney? What are you talking about?"

"Apparently Danny retained his services before he headed here. That's all I really know at the moment."

"That doesn't make much sense does it?"

"No. Unless Danny really did have something to hold over Carmen's head."

There was that name again. For a brief moment Jenny had lulled herself into believing that the women didn't exist, unfortunately that wasn't the case.

"Albert, about Carmen......." she started.

"There he is," Albert said ignoring the beginnings of her remark.

"Mr. Marler, this is my wife Jenny."

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Santo....Sampson," Ross was quick to correct himself.

"And you," she said politely.

"Could I please see that envelope that you were holding for my nephew?" Albert said pulling no punches.

"I'm afraid that I am unable to do that."

"What?"

"I am Danny's attorney and by law am bound by the client privilege. I can only return this to Danny that is if he wants it back."

"I don't think my nephew will be up to making any decision of such magnitude at this time. I will be in charge of his affairs for the time being."

"Until such time that Danny tells me that himself I am afraid that I can't release any information in my possession."

"Mr. Marler!" Albert's voice grew louder stirring the few others in the coffee shop.

"Albert," Jenny said tugging at his tense arm, "Let the man do the job Danny is paying him for. It's quite apparent that Danny has picked a qualified attorney for a reason."

"You just don't understand," Albert began as Ross dropped his coffee cup against the counter. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a man that too closely resembled his brother breeze through the hospital entrance.

Ross did a double take at the figure that quickly passed through his line of vision. An overwhelming sensation of dread filled him. He didn't want to believe that he had just seen Ben Warren but the knot in the pit of his stomach told him otherwise.

Ross had known about Ben's alliance with Carmen Santos yet his illustrious brother had him over a barrel again. If Ross had pressed the issue, he was certain to arouse suspicion in Carmen, which would in turn have put Michelle in danger again. For all his good intentions it appeared that she was still very much in danger.

Ross was unable to shake the cold shroud that covered his body. Each time he thought that his "brother" couldn't do anything to further disgust him, Ben was right there to prove him wrong again.

"Sir," the young girl behind the counter came to mop up Ross's spilled coffee, "Would you like more?" she gestured to the empty cup.

"Huh.....ah no...no thank you," he returned eyes still riveted to the now empty corridor.

"Mr. Marler," Jenny said placing her hand on his arm, "Are you all right? You look as if you have seen a ghost."

"I wish," Ross whispered.

"Now about this information that you are holding for my nephew," Albert wasn't about to let this issue die. He was more then certain that between whatever Danny had entrusted to this man and his own little bomb; everything was about to change for them all. "Have you heard a word that I have said?" Albert barked.

Ross hadn't stopped starring out the large panels of glass that encased the coffee shop. He hoped to catch another glimpse of the person who was the identical match for Ben.

"What?"

"Mr. Marler!" Albert barked steadily losing what little patience he still possessed.

"I'm sorry," Ross apologized gaining his bearings.

"Now again, about that envelope of Danny's.........."

"We have been through this already........" Ross began.

"Albert," the sound of Bernardo's voice startled them, "we need to speak in private." Bernardo carefully eyed those in the room. Seemed to him that the cast of characters in this abstract play was growing by leaps and bounds.

"What is it?" Albert returned.

"Privately please," Bernardo stressed as his eyes made their way around the room.

"Carmen's gone. She knows about Danny......" Nino blurted out.

"DAMN YOU!!" Bernardo raised his hand to his son, "Don't you ever know when to keep your damn mouth shut!?!?!?"

"Gone?!?!?! What do you mean by gone?" Albert's mouth went dry with the images of Carmen making her way to Texas.

"Apparently she has found out about Danny's being shot."

"How??????"

"Albert, it's been all over the papers........"

"I called her," Jenny whispered fearing the wrath her omission would elicit.

"WHAT!?!?!?!" both Albert and Bernardo said in unison completely taken aback by her words.

"I couldn't help myself," she eked out.

"You couldn't help yourself!?!?!" Albert couldn't do more then stare at her flabbergasted at it all.

"When I called there was a real possibility that Danny could die. I couldn't......." she stopped in mid-sentence not knowing how to make her reasoning make sense to those before her.

"You couldn't what?!?!" Bernardo questioned anxiously.

"She's still his mother," Jenny found the words spilling from her lips unfathomable yet they continued to come forth.

"Like hell she is. She is a lying......."

Albert stopped Bernardo before he was able to say anymore. "Jenny, really you of all people called Carmen?" Albert was still trying to grasp this concept. She nodded her response. "Why????" he echoed again.

"I told you," she whispered looking away, "I couldn't let what happened to me happen to another mother, even one as despicable as Carmen."

"CARMEN DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT DANIEL!!!" Bernardo yelled, "SHE'S A CONNIVING WITCH WHO'S ONLY THOUGHT IS OF HERSELF. AND WHAT YOU BROUGHT HER HERE TO TAKE CARE DANIEL TOO!!!!"

"Enough man!!" Albert shot Bernardo a hard look. The events of the night Richard died, murdered actually, inundated him again. He had never even called his own wife on that fateful night. He had been too numb to think straight. Miguel handled all of it. That had been the beginning of the end for him. The guilt ebbed its way through the cracks in his soul. So much death and destruction had been laid at his feet, even though he had not truly been the reason or cause of it.

"It's not nearly enough. Do you understand what she's done? She might as well have led the lamb to the slaughter!" Bernardo seethed. His rage was a mixture of his own inward anger for how badly he had let himself be duped and for the having to relive the loss of a dear friend.

"BERNARDO......Jenny is my wife and you will treat her with respect! She actually might have made our job easier."

"You are joking right?" he quizzed him.

Jenny stood silent as though she wasn't even in the room. She wanted to scream that she knew; scream that she wanted revenge as much as they did but nothing happened. She stood not saying anything as the tears ran down her cheeks. Suddenly she felt more helpless now then she had ever felt before. In the prior years, she had been content to live her life with her head tucked in the sand, but now that she possessed knowledge, knowledge that made it impossible to continue in her oblivion she felt like she was about to explode.

"She's got that damn suit with her," Bernardo growled, "That arrogant son of a bitch thinks he's in the catbird seat."

"What are you talking about?"

"She conned us into believing this guy Ben Warren....."

"Excuse me did you say Ben Warren?" Ross interrupted.

"Who the hell is this?" Bernardo eyed the tiny man before him.

"Bernardo, this is Ross Marler. He's Danny's attorney from Springfield."

"What?"

"I don't have time to go into this right now. Did you say Ben Warren?" Ross asked again.

"What's it too you?" Bernardo played his Mafia role to the hilt.

"More like what's it to Danny and Michelle. If I just saw who I think I did.....Carmen is already here."

Piercing black eyes met piercing black eyes. Danny felt the rise and fall of his chest as his breaths escaped in quick bursts as he did his best to gather enough of his senses to protect Michelle. It scared the hell out of him to be at such a disadvantage. Lying there virtually unable to move under his own power frustrated him. He was a prisoner to his own body at the moment.

"Danny?" Michelle's sweet voice wafted into his ear. She immediately sensed the tautness of every muscle in his body.

"YOU!!!!!" Carmen's voice sliced through the thick tension that hung in the air.

"Hello mother," Danny's voice never faltered. Never once did he show the true fear that coursed through him. In some ways Carmen had taught him well.

"SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!!!" Carmen's eyes traveled the length of Michelle's slender body. She hard difficulty understanding just how it was the waif of a girl had caused her son's demise. She wasn't letting herself believe the things in the folder that Ben had showed her.

"That's only one person's opinion mother."

"YES!! The only person who's opinion matters here! I am the BOSS Daniel. My orders are not to be ignored!"

Michelle squeezed Danny's hand as Carmen took a step closer to them. She heard her heart beating out loud. The sense of peace that she and Danny had just gained was about to be all washed away.

"There is a first time for everything mother," Danny chided.

"I will not accept such disrespect from my only surviving son," Carmen stressed the word surviving as she glared intently at Michelle.

"I don't really give a damn what you will accept or what you want anymore. I was certain that I made myself completely clear of that when I left Springfield."

"Things have changed. We now know who is responsible for killing your brother," her words dripped with venom as she took another step further into the confines of Danny's room.

"Yes mother we do......Mick is responsible for his own death!"

"You can't actually tell me you are buying the garbage this little tramp has been feeding you about your brother!?!?!" Carmen was angered by his lack of loyalty.

"It was an easy meal to swallow. All of it was true. Mick played with fire one too many times and this time he got burnt."

"How can you be so callous? Mick was your only brother."

"It's easy when you have had an excellent teacher," Danny spat recalling the lack of tears that had been shed by the woman standing before him.

"I love my children Daniel.....all of my children!"

"What a joke!" Danny countered laughing as the tightness in his chest pressed on. "Please mother now who is the one shoveling the garbage?"

"Everything that I have done...has been to ensure you got what was rightfully yours."

"How many times are you going to tell the tired lie? Do you think that I am completely blind or better yet and idiot? Mother you and your actions are more transparent then that pane of glass."

"Daniel....I did it all for you......"

"Don't you mean for yourself?" he pushed.

"If I hadn't stepped in our family would have lost everything!"

"Maybe that would have been for the best. Maybe just maybe I would still have a brother and my sister would know me." Danny choked on his words as his breathing began becoming labored.

"Danny?" Michelle said forcing him to look into her eyes, "Listen to me. You can't do this. You have to stay calm! I think you better leave. You are upsetting him. And right now that is the last thing he needs." Michelle hadn't any idea where her sudden out burst came from but the doctor in her sensed that Danny was teetering on the edge.

"You expect me to listen to you?" Carmen asked mockingly. "Mick can seek his own revenge!" she cackled as she pulled the pistol she had concealed under her coat.

Michelle felt the blood drain from her face as she stared down the barrel of the gun. Danny flashed from his mother's face to that of Michelle's. His worst nightmare was playing out right before his eyes and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

"MOTHER!!!!!!!!!!" Danny screamed with all he had.

"If you won't do what's right to honor your blood then it looks like I will have to do it myself."

Albert and the others raced to the elevator. All with separate thoughts dancing about their heads.

" DAMN!!!" Albert pounded his fist as the elevator doors shut just as the group reached them. "If we don't get to Danny now....Michelle is as good as DEAD!!" his voice had a cryptic lilt to it. Albert toyed with the idea of just what watching his mother kill the woman he loved while he could do nothing to stop it would do to Danny. He knew that that would be the end of the Danny they had once known.

"Where are the stairs?" Jenny's voice was frantic as she had the very same thoughts her husband had running through his head.

"Whoa...hold on a second.......who the hell is Michelle and why is she as good as dead?!?" Nino piped in completely confused.

"I was wondering that myself," Bernardo added as he watched the two of them scurry about the corridor.

"THERE'S NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!!!" Albert barked just as the elevator doors slid open.

The ride to the fourth floor was the longest of all of their lives.

Joe and Sarah entered Danny's room just in time to see a dark haired woman with a gun drawn on Michelle.

"NOT AGAIN!!" Sarah gasped.

"Both of you just go," Michelle ordered. "You don't have anything to do with this. GO!!! Just GO!!!!" she screamed her fear finally getting the better of her. She took a sideways glance at Danny and knew that his color was far too pale....almost gray. The stress of all of this was weighing heavy on him.

"Listen," she directed her comment towards Carmen, "It's me you want, right??? Well then take me. But not here. If you love your son the way you said you should be able to see that this is too much for him."

"Michelle!" Joe said watching Danny as he reached out to her. Willing her to stop what it was she was making her best attempt at.

"JOE......GO TAKE SARAH AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MORE PAIN!!!" her voice quivered.

"What we are just leaving her!?!?!?!" Sarah hysterically screamed as Joe pulled her from Danny's room.

"We have to let her do this," Joe offered not truly believing his own words.

It was then that Joe caught sight of Albert running towards him. By the looks on the faces of all those coming he was certain they knew the gravity of what was taking place.

"CARMEN!!!!" Albert's voice roared as he burst into the room. Silently Michelle breathed as Albert stood between her and the gun pointed at her. "YOU WILL NOT DO THIS!!!"

"Get out of the way, Albert. You lost your right to make decisions fifteen years ago," Carmen said calmly never removing her eyes from Michelle.

"That right is no more yours either." he countered.

"It's very much my right!" she forced, "NOW GET OUT OF THE WAY OR I WON'T HESITATE TO SHOOT YOU AS WELL!!!!!"

With those words something in Jenny snapped, she wasn't able to hold her fury any longer. Before she knew what was happening she lunged at Carmen knocking her to the ground.

"IF YOU THINK I AM GOING TO STAND BY AND LET YOU TAKE ANOTHER SANTOS MAN FROM ME......YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DESERVES TO DIE YOU HEARTLESS BITCH!!!!!" Any further words Jenny uttered were drowned out by her screams of anger.

In the scuffle, Joe took the opportunity to pick up Carmen's gun that skated across the room, "Jenny," Albert reached to pull his wife from atop of Carmen.

"I couldn't let her kill you. Not like she did Richard and her own husband........"

"What?" Danny's weak voice stopped the mass of people in their tracks.

"Danny, I didn't mean for you to find out like this......."

"Jenny.....what are you talking about?" Albert asked not ready to admit the things she spoke were the truth.

"I heard you Albert. I heard you tell Bernardo everything. I know that because of her," Jenny shoved Carmen hard into Bernardo's waiting arms, "I lost my only son! She killed him because she thought he posed a threat to her precious power. I lost the only child I was ever going to have to her greed!"

"Jenny enough!" Albert spouted.

"No let her finish," Danny said gathering what little strength he had left.

"Danny," Michelle came to his side. She put her fingers easily where she could feel his pulse. Beneath her touch she felt it racing, "This can wait."

"THE HELL IT CAN!!!" he yelled, "I need to know everything. Tell me.......TELL ME!!!"

"Daniel, this isn't a good time. You remember what Dr. Hacker said earlier."

"And you must have forgotten what I said as well," Danny's voice was stronger with the adrenaline that coursed through him again.

"Danny, please," Michelle pleaded kissing him gently, "I love you. I can't stand to see you go through this. You have been through so much already. Please......" the tears stopped any further words.

"SOMEONE TELL ME ABOUT MY FATHER!!!!"

"I just found this out myself......"

"Albert, you can't keep this up!" Michelle forced as she eyes the heart monitors beside her. The information that looked back at her frightened her.

"Michelle, you know as well as I do he isn't going to stop until will tell him."

She bit her tongue as to not let the thoughts, thoughts that scared the hell out of her, drop from her lips.

"What your aunt has said is true. Your mother orchestrated my son's killing. She did an excellent job. We all believed it was the work of a rival family. That's what she wanted. She took something Richard said out of turn as a threat and acted upon it. She never expected to get the two for one deal she did. She didn't expect me to ask to be let go."

"What about my father?" Danny whispered. Michelle took his hand in hers. She sensed what was about to come next. The horror of it was unfathomable.

"I'm sorry Daniel....so sorry," Albert searched the cavities of his brain for the words to make this reality hurt less, but there were none. This would be a tough pill to swallow.

"What?" he asked again as the tears crested his lashes.

"After I left the business, Miguel steadily lost the taste for it. Yes he still played his role and did his best to bring you into the fold. But it wasn't what he wanted really. It took him a bit longer then me but he couldn't stomach the killing. He was looking into taking the business into more legitimate avenues until one day it was all legit. Carmen didn't want that. As you already well know, she loves the power that the underworld provides her. So she took steps to make sure things stayed status quo."

"What steps?" his voice was barely audible.

"When she couldn't get you father to see things her way......" Albert was choking on the words that came next.

"WHAT!?!?!" Danny screamed as one of the monitors sounded.

"Danny, Carmen set your father up to be killed. She knew that the others knew nothing about his true plans, only that he was grooming you to take over when you grew old enough. She used that to her advantage to gain the power she always thought was rightfully hers."

"YOU!!!" Danny finally looked at his mother who was cowering under Bernardo's tight grasp, "YOU SET UP TO HAVE MY FATHER KILLED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! FOR GOD SAKES I WAS FOURTEEN FUCKING YEARS OLD!! WHAT KIND OF A MONSTER DOES SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!?!?!"

"Danny," Michelle tried to use her voice to calm him down. The effort was fruitless. She understood his rage but also knew how detrimental it was for him at the moment.

"OH BUT YOU LOVE US SO MUCH ISN'T THAT RIGHT MOTHER????? YOU LOVED ME ENOUGH TO TRAUMATIZE ME WITH SUCH A HORRIFIC EVENT.!!!!"

"I did what was necessary, Daniel." Carmen hung tight to her version of the world.

"AS WILL I," he said his breathing suddenly taking on a painfully labored effort. "YOU ARE DEAD TO ME MOTHER!!! AS OF THE DAY MY FATHER DIED.....I LOST BOTH MY PARENTS!"

"You have to understand......I love you Daniel. I did what was best for the family," she tried to wrestle herself from Bernardo's grip. There had to be a way to make him understand that she only was looking out for her family.

"What I understand is the only family I have now is Uncle Albert, Aunt Jenny and Michelle." Danny reached for Michelle's hand to hasten his point.

"You can't do this to me. I won't let you push me away. I AM YOUR FAMILY!!!!"

"You are as good as dead."

"Daniel, please....please try to understand what it was like for me when your father died. I didn't have anything. I couldn't support your brother, your sister and you. I had to make sure we were taken care of."

"TAKEN CARE OF!!!!!" Danny laughed without a trace of humor, "TAKEN CARE OF..................MY GOD YOU KILLED YOUR OWN HUSBAND!!!!! YOU ARE DEAD TO ME. GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Danny's last out burst sent the remaining alarms sounding but it wasn't until the heart monitor flat lined that the room went silent.