Michelle let Ross lead her to the awaiting unmarked car that would whisk her away to the airport. She stared intently at the scenery before her. Hoping to etch every detail in her memory. As the car made it's way through the heart of Springfield Michelle took a snapshot of every place that she held dear. There was Company, the hospital, Laurel Falls, the light house, her own home and even Millennium. She did her best to catalog all that she knew and loved.

Michelle wrestled with the daunting task that lay ahead of her. She pulled out her driver's license again. The picture was the face she knew all so well but the name was a complete unknown.

"Who is this?" she whispered, "Who am I?"

"Michelle?"

"Don't you mean Melanie?" she quipped.

"What's the matter sweetie?" Ross asked foolishly.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER?!?!?!" she echoed with much more fury, "You have got to be kidding, right? This is far worse then any nightmare that I could imagine," she cried.

"I know," Ross tried to embrace her lending his support, yet all she could do was stiffen under his touch.

"I don't think so!" she spat. "I don't think that you have a clue Ross!" she stared into his disbelieving eyes. She knew that none of this was his fault. That he had done the best for her in a horrible situation, but right at that moment all she could see was what he was costing her.

It didn't matter to her that ultimately it had been Mick and what she had done to him that had really gotten her to this place in time. All she could see was that Ross and his plan was ripping her from this place that she loved with all of her heart.

"Michelle?" Ross spoke softly. He completely understood Michelle's anger and rage. He had been surprised at how long she had actually held this all in check.

"What am I supposed to do with all of this?" she held out the documents that Ben had furnished her with, "So what if you call me Melanie rather then Michelle......exactly what does that mean? How am I supposed to change the person in side of me? I don't understand any of this."

"Honey the only thing that has changed here is your name," Ross countered.

"But my name is who I am!"

"That's so untrue," he forced, "A name doesn't make you who you are. It's only a label. You can be the same person you are right now. That wonderful, beautiful girl I have watched blossom into an incredible young women. You can be the same person no matter what name is on that driver's license."

"I want to believe that," she gasped.

"Then believe it! I can't imagine what you are feeling right now. I won't even pretend to. But the one thing that I do know is you are a strong women who has endured many catastrophes in her lifetime. You need to look at this as a minor hurdle.........."

"A hurdle!?!?!?" Michelle returned exasperated, "How about we call it a concrete barrier," she countered. "Ross, I can't ever come back to this place," she cried, "I can't ever see my family again. I can't so much as pick up the phone and talk to them. How am I to do that Ross?" the tears cascaded once more.

"In time you will find a way," Ross knew just how hollow those words sounded.

"I don't think so!" Michelle turned her head away from Ross. The airport loomed in the distance. Her chest tightened as her time in Springfield was swiftly coming to a close. All the things that Ross said she knew in her head were true but her heart wouldn't let them be true. She was so stuck in the mind set that this new identity required a complete new personality as well. It was something that was beyond all comprehension. For the last nineteen years she had been Michelle Bauer...the daughter of the chief of staff....future doctor herself and now the slate had been wiped clean. It was impossible for her to think that she could just replace one name for another and still remain the same individual underneath.

"I'll help you with your bags but this is where I have to leave you?" Ross said as the car came to rest at the curb, "Agent Reynolds will escort you to the gate. We can't take a chance that someone might recognize me," he watched Michelle's face fill with terror.

"You said you would be with me every step of the way," she countered.

"Michelle, you have to understand something....from now on you are not Michelle Bauer. You are Melanie Branson. Melanie doesn't know Ross Marler. So it makes sense that I shouldn't be walking you to the gate." Ross hated the way his words sounded. They were so cold and harsh in much the same way Ben's had been earlier. The look of utter desperation on Michelle's face tugged at his heart strings yet this was one time that he had to stand firm in his conviction. The integrity of Michelle's new identity depended on it.

"I can't do this.........I won't! Let the Santos' kill me for god sakes!!!" she shouted sounding more like a spoiled child then the adult that Ross knew her to be.

"That's enough!" he growled looking around to see just how many were watching Michelle's rant. "You need to get a hold of yourself right now."

"I'm sorry," she whispered clutching her stomach trying so hard not to throw up on Ross's expensive Italian leather loafers.

"I will miss you, sweetie. But I would rather miss you then mourn you," Ross said solemnly.

"I know." His words were sobering and very true.

"Now get your carry on and follow agent Reynolds. He will be escorting you to the ticket counter and the gate. His cover for right now is your boyfriend. So don't freak when he goes to kiss you. You understand me?"

"Understood."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Ross." With that said she let agent Reynolds take her by the hand as they walked towards the awaiting swinging doors. Michelle looked over her shoulder one last time to catch a glimpse of the man who had become like a father to her, but he was gone. Much in the same way the she was too.

Danny felt for the thick envelope again. It was hard to imagine that he was about to do what he was but he needed someone he knew he could trust. And since trust was an emotion that didn't come easily in his circle, Danny knew that he had come to the most logically place to get it.

Danny had gathered his evidence carefully from the moment he had decided to leave the family business. Mick's death had been a brief diversion from his original plan. Carmen used Danny's love for his brother to force his hand. Hoping to turn him into the man she had always wanted him to be. It turned out that she ended up with the booby prize. It was now Danny's turn to force his own agenda for once.

He had information in his possession that the Fed's would have died to get their hands on. It was quite sad actually. That the only things his family would have been remembered for were those most horrible. The Santos Family had done some wonderful things too, but those weren't the things that made headlines. They were lucky to have made the paper at all. People cared little about the contributions that Danny was the most proud of. Things like the homeless shelter on Fifth Street that Sancorp had been a major backer in, the youth center at St. Michael's that the Santos Family particularly built or the many children's charities that Sancorp had made substantial donations too. Danny never let his mind wonder to where some of the money for that had come from. He wanted to believe in the good that they had done. He tried to forget that some of that good had come from someone else's pain. But that was past for him. There was little he could do to change his mother. She was quite content on living out her life status quo. He had come to accept that as long as he wasn't party to it any longer. He was virtually alone now. The family he had known was no longer and even though that saddened him it was all right. It was time for him to make his way in the world unencumbered by the weight of his mother's expectations.

Danny shifted uneasy in the driver's seat as he watched the man he was waiting for pull in and park his car across the lot. Danny absently wondered what he would think as he approached him. Unfortunately Danny had a pretty good idea what would be running through his head. More then likely the same thing that did every time he entered a room. The people would fall silent watching and waiting for what he was to do next. If it hadn't bothered him so, Danny would have found it amusing that a man the tender age of twenty-four could illicit such a response.

"Mr. Marler," Danny hollered as he removed himself from his car, "I need to speak with you." Danny's tone was ominous to Ross's ears.

"Mr. Santos," Ross returned meeting Danny square in the eye. The last thing he wanted was to show any emotion at all.

"Could we go inside and talk? What I wish to discuss I would prefer not to be done on the street."

"Certainly." Ross turned the key to his office door. His hand trembled as he quickly pushed it open with Danny following close at his heals, "What can I do for you Mr. Santos?"

Hurriedly Ross cleared his desk of everything and anything that even remotely dealt with Michelle Bauer certain that was what Danny Santos had come for.

Ross stood there uneasy wondering if the things that he had heard were really true. There was a part of him that didn't believe so. There was very little written about Danny Santos. Ross assumed that he was more the order giver then the one who acted on them.

"I would like you to be my lawyer?"

"You don't have a family lawyer?" Ross questioned.

"Not in this situation......no I do not."

"Exactly what is it that you want from me?"

"Nothing illegal if that is what you are asking," Danny returned easily reading Ross's thoughts, "This is my last will and testament. I am leaving town with no plans on returning any time soon......."

"So?"

"I need to be sure that should anything happen to me that my wishes are acted upon."

"What are you saying? Are you telling me that you expect to........."

"Be whacked?" Danny finished his sentence for him.

"Well yes," Ross again felt uneasy.

"Unfortunately that is an all too real possibility. I will not lie to you Mr. Marler what I am about to do will anger many in the underworld. But frankly I don't give a damn."

"What are you doing?" Ross asked not really wanting to know more even though he continued asking the questions.

"These are my walking papers," Danny threw the envelope on Ross's desk.

"Walking papers?" Ross was more then a bit confused. He reached for what Danny had laid within his grasp, but Danny stopped him.

"It's not necessary that you know what is in there. The only thing you need to know Mr. Marler is what to do with them if I die unexpectedly. An this," he threw his will along side of the fat envelope, "explains it all."

"Can I ask why me?"

"Because you are the one person that I could think of that was above reproach. One person that no one would guess that I came to. I needed to be sure that this was carried out to the letter. And from all that I have heard and read about the great Ross Marler you were the man for the job."

"And if I don't want the job?" Ross countered having no desire to be involved with Danny or any other Santos for that matter.

"Then I would be forced to take this to a less creditable lawyer and I really have no intention of that happening," Danny returned hardly as he leaned his body across Ross's desk.

"I think I deserve to at least know what I am holding for you."

"Believe me Mr. Marler, the less you know the better it will be. As for this meeting it never took place. I took great care in being sure that I would speak with you alone. Just do as I have instructed and that's all that you truly need to know. Should it be necessary for you to come forward with this," Danny waved the envelope in Ross's face, "The rest will be history in the making and you won't have a thing to be concerned with."

"Is that so?"

"Most definitely."

"How will I be able to get in touch with you if I find that I need to?"

"There won't be need for that. I am moving on with my life........."

"What expanding the Santos Crime Family to bigger and better things?" Ross couldn't help but retort.

"Mr. Marler may I suggest that you stick to that which you know?" Danny said coldly. "Do we have an understanding?"

"Do I have much choice?"

"Everyone has a choice, Mr. Marler," Danny said slyly.

"Fine I will do as you have asked, but the minute I sense any trouble what so ever I plan on dumping whatever this is."

"I assure you there will not be any trouble. I have made most certain of that."

Ross watched the door closed as Danny Santos made his way across the street to his car. He let out a sigh of relief. Part of him was so tempted to open that envelope but a greater part of him knew that if he did there would be no going back to his safe existence.

The line at the ticket counter moved slow as Michelle stood with Agent Reynolds waiting her turn. She was just steps away from embarking on her new life.

"Can I help you?" the woman behind the counter asked. Michelle handed the electronic ticket that Ben had given her in his office to be exchanged for a boarding pass and seat assignment. "Miss Branson, I will need to see your identification."

Michelle continued looking about the terminal oblivious to the fact that she was being spoken to, "Miss Branson," the woman said once more.

It wasn't until Agent Reynolds tapped Michelle on the shoulder and pointed to the woman speaking to her that Michelle realized that the individual was questioning her.

"Excuse me....what were you saying?" she returned in her very dazed like state.

"I need to see your identification to confirm your reservation."

The woman's eyes darted between Michelle and agent Reynolds trying to read this situation, "It's her first time on a plane," he said coming up with something off the top of his head so as not to draw suspicion to them anymore then Michelle already was. The expression on her face resemble one as if he was holding a gun to her back. "She's a bit edgy is all aren't you honey?" he asked turning to face Michelle, "It doesn't help that we are going to Texas to meet my folks," he continued. "She's just a bundle of nerves."

"I remember those days," the woman said with a smile, "It wasn't half as bad as I imagined it would be when I met my future husband's parents for the first time. Don't worry you will make it through."

Michelle stared at the two of them dumbfounded. She would have laughed had she found anything funny about this whole mess. Here she was standing before a woman she didn't even know and having her give her marital advance on a man she hadn't met until two days ago. It was all so surreal.

"That's what I keep telling her," Agent Reynolds added.

"Well enjoy your visit," the woman said, "Your flight to Galveston boards at gate 596A."

"Thank you." he said leading Michelle away by the hand once again.

"What was with the story?" she asked harshly once they were out of the woman's ear shot.

"Somebody had to do something," he countered with the same harsh tone that he had been given.

"What's that supposed to mean?" her voice growing louder.

"It means that you need to pull yourself together and damn quick girl!! If you don't you won't last but a minute on your own."

"You know what all of you think that this is a walk in the park but it isn't!!!!! You have no idea what this is like for me. I have never been out of the state much less the city of Springfield. And now I going half way across the country to god only knows where to do god only knows what. I'm sorry if I'm a bit shell shocked!"

"So you are saying that you would rather stay here and hide for the rest of your life hoping that the next time to you answer the door or start your car that it isn't your last?" his words were harsh.

"NO......YES......hell I don't know anything anymore..................." Michelle's words were covered by the sobs that she was no longer able to hold at bay. She buried her face in the folds of his jacket as she shook with each new wave of tears. Agent Reynolds wasn't able to do more then stroke her golden curls. He had been involved in so many witness protection cases in the past, yet this one was different. In most cases they were relocating an entire family. There was a support system there that wouldn't be for Michelle Bauer. Not to mention that most people were much older then this waif before him. At the age of nineteen, he couldn't imagine being taken from the only place that he had ever known and then told to boot that there could be no contact with his loved ones. He didn't envy her situation.

"I'm sorry," she whispered when her tears had run dry.

"Would you like to go freshen up before we head to the gate?" he asked softly.

"Yes, thank you."

He stood just beyond the entrance to the ladies room as Michelle entered. She was thankful the room was empty. She gazed at herself in the mirror. The tears had wreaked havoc on her make-up but what did she care really. It wasn't like where she was going anyone would give a damn. Michelle splashed cold water on her face remembering why she was doing this in the first place. Remembering that her life, no matter what her name was depended on her doing this. There was no backing out now. She was in this for eternity.

"Ready to go?" Agent Reynolds asked when she emerged. The look in her eyes was different. He wasn't sure just how but he sensed that she had somehow turned a corner. He doubted that her apprehensions were gone but for the time being he thought that she was making the best of a very bad situation.

"I'm sorry that Mr. Marler wasn't able to see you off. I know that would have helped you, but you do understand why don't you?"

"Yes."

"Try to remember that this is the beginning of a long journey for you. I know right now it seems very dark and frightening........"

"Yes....yes it does," Michelle concurred.

"It will not always be like this. You may not believe me but one day you might actually be glad that this happened to you. I am a strong believer in fate and the things that happen to us happen for a very pointed reason. So on your darkest of days try to remember that."

"I'll try," she relented only to make the man before her feel as though he had helped her in some way. Yet really his words had fallen on deaf ears. The last thing she would ever be is thankful for the hell that was now her life.

"You better get boarded. That was last call for your flight."

"Okay."

Michelle tucked her purse under her arm and began walking to the boarding gate. Her feet felt like lead weights heavier with each step that took her closer to the plane.

"And Melanie," Agent Reynolds called. This time Michelle remembered to look back, "It's always darkest before the dawn," he smiled.

Michelle shot back a half smile at him all the while thinking that this was terminal darkness.

Danny slid into the driver's seat content in what he had just accomplished. It had been harder for him to approach a man like Ross Marler then it had been to stand up to his mother.

All Danny had ever craved in his life was respect from men the likes of Ross.....all of those citizens of Springfield who actually were men of honor and integrity. So much the antithesis of the men he had grown up with. It was hard for Danny to place his father in the same caliber as Carlos, Bernard, Antonio and the others. He wanted to believe the image that his father had done his best to preserve. But now it had been shattered and Danny had his mother to thank for that. Carmen was everything that his father had not been. There was no way for her to separate herself between business and the family that she held so dear. They were melded into one entity. Where as Miguel wore many masks Carmen only possessed one. And it certainly wasn't the one of loving mother.

Danny had wanted to tell Ross everything that he had done. What actually was in the envelope he was holding in case of his demise. Yet he held back. Held back for many reasons. One being the fact that it was much safer that Ross hadn't a clue what went on in his family's business. The less he knew the better it would be for him and his own family. Another reason being that for some bizarre twist of things Danny did honestly believe in the code of honor that he had been taught growing up. That problems were taken care of within the ranks of the family. In his own way he had done just that. The hand that he had play against his mother was legal within all realms of their code. Danny had to laugh at the thoughts of the word legal and the Santos Family being used in the same sentence. Carmen just never expected her son to be smart enough to use it against her in a way that she couldn't come out on top.

Danny shifted into drive and pulled out of the parking lot. He half expected to feel sad about leaving the place where his only roots were but that wasn't coming. It was as if the further he went away from the center of his life the less tight the noose around his neck felt. For once he was able to breath freely again. The shroud of darkness that had encircled him was becoming light again. The deep dank tunnel that he once traveled through had opened up into and expansive highway of endless possibility.

Danny looked down at the watch on his wrist. There was just enough time for him to reach the airport for his flight. The state of Texas called to him. The many possibilities that lay ahead were astounding. He much looked forward to jumping in with both feet where Uncle Albert's business was concerned.

Danny had kept track of his uncle through the years. It was as if somewhere in his heart he knew that this day would ultimately come. He most certainly wanted to be ready for it. Uncle Albert's restaurant "The two-step" was ripe for expansion. Danny envisioned the bar and grille as so much more. Lately Albert had been dabbling in the local band scene and Danny couldn't wait to get his hands on some talent. In one of his many attempts to get out from under his mother's clutches Danny had worked with booking local talent back in Springfield. His boss at the time had told him that he was a natural and offered him a full fledged contract but as quick as the offer had been put on the table it was rescinded.

Carmen sworn up and down that she had had nothing to do with it but every time that Danny had gotten close to a career outside of the family business something always seemed to go awry. He cursed his mother for all the missed opportunities in his life. For all those things that she had successfully squashed for him.

The roar of the jet engines overhead signaled that Danny was drawing close to the airport. His anticipation was growing with each mile that brought him closer to his new life. For the first time he was about to have a clean slate to be whatever and whoever he wanted to be.

"Yes?" the woman behind the counter asked.

"My name is Daniel Santos. Marie at Springfield Travel phoned in my reservation to Galveston."

"Certainly Mr. Santos," the woman tried to hide the quiver in her voice. The man standing before her carried an ominous name even though he had a soft face. She wasn't about to take any chances on her impression being wrong.

Her eyes scanned the computer screen. There was no Daniel Santos listed there. No Santos name anywhere. She bit her lip as she checked again.

"Is there a problem?" he inquired seeing the uneasiness in the woman's posture.

"Ah..........," she wavered.

"Well is there or isn't there a problem? I have my itinerary right here if that would help." Danny was having flashbacks of all the ways his mother had stopped him before. It wouldn't surprise him in the least if she had again found a way to foil his plans.

"Yes, may I see that please?" Danny handed over the information that Marie had faxed to him the day before. The paper she held in front of her indicated his flight to Texas was the one boarding at gate 596A right now. Again she brought her eyes to the screen. Plugging in the information that she now knew, she was still drawing a blank.

"I'm sorry Mr. Santos.....it appears as though your reservation was never made."

"You have got to be kidding right?"

"I wish that I were. I put in the information that you gave me and your name is no where on the passenger list."

"What the hell am I supposed to do now?" he bellowed, "I am expected in Texas tonight." Danny ran his hand through his chocolate curls trying to come up with a solution to this dilemma. He had no intention of heading home to mama. He'd sleep in the airport if need be.

"Would you like me to contact your travel agency and see if I can come up with the problem?"

"That won't be necessary," he countered wanting to have the pleasure of reaming the person responsible for this confusion himself. And if by any chance he smelt his mother's involvement all bets were off. He would take the information he had on her and the other families to the Fed's right now.

"It's really no trouble. We do it all the time for many of our passengers," she pushed trying to summize if her was angry with her or not.

"Thank you but I will take care of this myself. I know that it is in no way your fault," Danny returned knowing full well by the look on the woman's face that she was waiting for his wrath.

"Well please do let me know if I can be of any assistance."

Danny waved his hand in the air as he turned to go. She was well meaning and all but right now he had more important things to contend with. Like what the hell happened to his reservations. His Uncle Albert and Aunt Jenny would be waiting at the airport for his arrival and it would be in vain because at this rate he would be lucky if he got to Texas by tomorrow.

"Marie please." Danny spoke into his cell phone.

"This is Marie, how can I help you?'

"You can help me by telling me just what the hell happened to my reservations!!!!!!" Danny growled.

She need not ask the person's name on the other end of the receiver. It was quite obvious who the man was. "Mr. Santos," she cleared her throat, "I tried to contact you earlier but I was informed that you had left. There was a problem with you flight arrangements. For some reason you were bumped from the original flight."

"WHAT?!?!?!?" he bellowed.

"There was a last minute booking that was top priority and I was forced to make other arrangements for you. I did book you a flight but you will have a layover in Kansas before you will fly into Texas. You should reach your party about three hours later then anticipated. I left a message on your voice mail. I just assumed that you had gotten the information."

Danny looked down at the screen on his phone. He had completely missed the flashing indicator for his voice mail, "I must apologize. I was just taken by surprise that there was no flight information for me."

"Given the lateness of the changes that I made there wouldn't be. I gave you the flight numbers you would need to give to the ticket counter when I left you that message."

"Would you mind giving them to me again?" Danny asked awkwardly upset by his original anger.

"Sure.....hold on a second while I pull up the information again."

"Now what happened to my original flight again?" he asked now that he was thinking clearer. He wanted to be sure that his mother had nothing to do with this little problem.

"I really don't know. I received a message back from the airline that you had been bumped from the flight. So I scrambled to make other arrangements for you."

"Do you know who bumped me?" he asked curiously waiting to hear the reason.

"The information came from The State Department. It was pretty vague really."

"Why me I wonder?" Danny questioned more to himself then to the woman on the other end of the phone.

"That I don't know. I'm sure there were more passengers then just you. You just happened to be the only one from this agency on that flight. Here we go.........."

Danny listened as she read to him the information regarding his new flight plan. Given the reason that she had told him for the mix up, Danny was relatively certain that Carmen had not been behind this attempt at thwarting his plans. The State Department and Carmen Santos were not a likely combination. Not even to keep Danny under her thumb.

Michelle filed into the body of the plane along side much happier passengers then herself. She felt removed from what was taking place around her. Seemed as though she was the only person there afflicted with this dark cloud overhead.

She found herself listening to parts of the conversations taking place around her. One older women was on the way to her grand daughter's wedding, another couple was about to see their grandchild for the first time, two high school sweethearts were on their way to college together. Listening to the pair cooing at one another made Michelle's heart ache. If she closed her eyes she could see Jesse and herself. She was able to hear all the promises that they had made to one another. How one day they would be married and living in the lighthouse. Those promises now were nothing more then a memory. A sham of what she once had considered her greatest love.

The chatter that surrounded her was annoying. For Michelle wanted all around her to feel the pain that she was. Why was it that she was the only one hurting. She slipped into her seat hoping that the isle seat would remain vacant. Unfortunately her wish was not to be granted. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the faintest glimpse of a body come to sit next to her. She shifted her posture away from the individual beside her. The last thing she wanted to do was be forced into some inane conversation for the duration of this flight. Michelle much rather wallow in her own misery.

The flight attendants voice compelled her to look up. It was then Michelle saw the sad expression the person beside her wore. She could only image that it mirrored the one she wore as well. The girl that sat along side of her couldn't have been much older then Michelle herself. She was a petite thing with coal black hair and eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea. Michelle found herself studying the girl. Trying to imagine the cross that she had to bare, but she was as unreadable as Michelle was. Absently Michelle wondered if that's just how shell shocked she looked as well.

"The pilot will extinguish the fasten your seat belt sign as soon as we have achieved cruising altitude," Michelle averted her eyes to the woman standing to the front of the plane.

Michelle noticed the young girl's hands tighten around the arms of her seat as the plane began to taxi for its take off. A look of utter filled her face as the jet began its climb.

"First time on a plane?" Michelle found herself asking before realizing that she had spoken.

"Uh-huh," the girl returned without even opening her eyes.

""It will be over before you know it." Michelle had no idea where this upbeat attitude was coming from. Moments before she would have been content to see there for the entire flight drowning in her own self pity but something about this girl's face wouldn't let her do that.

"It won't be soon enough for me," she said with a quiver in her voice as the plane leveled out.

"How about we get a drink?" Michelle asked.

"I'm not old enough."

"Neither am I," Michelle laughed, "But up here do you think anyone will care? Excuse me," Michelle said reaching for the nearest flight attendant.

"Yes?"

"Two white wine spritzers please."

"Certainly." With that the woman made her way back to beverage cart.

"WOW!" the petite girl commented.

"See nothing to it."

"Here you go ladies. Enjoy the flight. My name is Joan should you need anything else."

"Thank you," Michelle said taking a sip of the drink.

"I can't believe she just handed us a drink no questions asked. It was never that easy in a bar. By the way my name is Sarah Wainwright."

"Hi Sarah, I'm Mich......Melanie," Michelle was quick to catch herself. This whole name switch wasn't going to be easy.

"Nice to meet you Melanie."

"What has you going to Texas?" Michelle asked before she really thought what she would say if the question was returned to her. Ben had gone over many things with her but not much background on why she was heading to Texas in the first place. She didn't know if she should make something up or do her best to avoid the questions. Before Michelle had a chance to agonize over it any further she saw Sarah burst into tears. She sat frozen for a moment not knowing what to do or to say. "Sarah?" she finally questioned tentatively placing her hand on the girls trembling shoulder.

Between sobs Michelle was able to piece together that Sarah's parents divorced when she was quite young. Apparently she was an unexpected bundle of joy that her father didn't know any other way to handle but to runaway from.

"I don't even remember the man!" Sarah cried, "And now I don't have any choice but to live with him."

"Why?"

"My mother had cancer and before she died she made provisions for me to go to Texas to be with him so I could at least finish college," she said through a strained voice.

"I'm sorry about you mom," Michelle choked back her own tears. She knew how painful it had been for her losing Maureen and she at least had a loving family around her for support. It was tough to imagine what it would be like for this girl walking into a man's life she didn't even know. She laughed thinking that their situations were very similar. Sarah may not have had to change her name but she had been uprooted from the only life she had ever known in much the same way that Michelle had been. Under either circumstance it sucked.

"She had struggled for a long time. We knew that she wasn't going to make it but.........."

"It's okay," Michelle cradled the young woman in her arms. For the first time in months she had someone other then herself to think about, "I lost my mother too. I was twelve and she died in a car accident."

"I miss her so much. She was my best friend!" The anguish was evident in her tone.

"I miss my mom every single day since she has been gone. It gets better though. It's not always pain. One day you will remember with tears but they will be tears of joy at all the wonderful things about her."

"I wish that I could believe you."

"Don't get me wrong I still have days when I wish that it had been anyone but my mom in that car but mostly I remember what a great lady she was. How she could light up any room that she walked into. How people flocked for her home cooking and wonderful advice. It won't always be so dark....I promise"

Michelle found it hard to believe that she had just said that. Not more then an hour ago she had stood in front of Agent Reynolds as he said the exact same thing to her and she had scoffed at the thought.

"I think I could handle her being gone if I didn't have to be with a man I don't even know. He has never once seen me or sent me a birthday card. I will be surprised if he even recognizes me when we get off the plane."

"Do you know what he looks like?" Michelle questioned.

Sarah pulled out a tattered photo of a man from twenty years ago. "My mom said that he will look the same."

From the photo, Michelle saw where Sarah got her exotic features. She was the spitting image of her father. "He's very handsome."

"Mom always said he was a charmer. That she fell for him hook, line and sinker."

"I can see why."

"Too bad he cared more about his looks then he did me."

"You don't know that," Michelle tried to give her some hope. It was funny to her now that had roles been reversed that was the last thing she would have wanted to hear. "I'm sure your mother wouldn't have sent you to him if she didn't think it was the right thing to do."

"Maybe......but right now all I want to do is go home," Sarah cried.

"Me too.............," Michelle thought to herself.

Danny sat in the terminal of the Kansas airport still doing his best to process the information that his travel agent had given him for his being bumped from his original flight. If it had been something to do with the state department where had all the security been? The Springfield airport didn't look any different then it had any other time he had been there. There was something about it all that left a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He fought the urge to call Carmen just to gloat that he had gotten away. That whatever manipulations she had tried hadn't worked. But he didn't. He couldn't take the chance that she would be able to trace him in any way. He had promised Uncle Albert that he wasn't going to put his new way of life in danger and he intended on keeping his word.

Danny heard the voice boom over the loud speaker. That was last call for his flight to Texas.

"Uncle Albert," he said into the receiver, "I should be arriving at the airport in less then an hour."

"I'll be there," his uncle returned.

"Are you sure about this? I mean aunt Jenny didn't seem to thrilled with my call," Danny said giving his uncle the opportunity to back out. He had every right to protect the life that he had built for him and his wife.

"Everything is fine Daniel. We will be fine," he returned.

"Thank you so much. I can never repay you for the chance you are giving me."

"It's nothing. I only want what's best for my brother's only living son."

"I have to get going. See you soon."

"Soon Daniel." Albert returned the phone to it's cradle and met his wife's disapproving stare, "WHAT!?!?!"

"I don't like this Albert. Not one bit."

"What was I supposed to do Jenny....turn my back on him?"

"Yes!!!!!" she said as if that was the only right answer.

"I can't do that. Daniel is family!"

"Family!?!?!? That 'family' has done nothing but cost you, Albert! It cost me my only child and you expect me to welcome Daniel into my home????"

"Danny was just a boy when Richard was killed. Danny had no involvement in the business then. My lord Jenny his was less then seven years old," Albert returned exasperated.

"You always said that Daniel was his father's son. So what makes you believe him when he tells you that he doesn't want that life?"

"I believe him."

"WHY?!?!?.......HOW?!?!?"

"I can't explain it to you Jenny. I know it here," Albert rested his hands on his heart. "I heard it in his voice. He sounded the way I did when I went to Miguel. He had the same defeat in his voice that I had. My brother gave me absolution. He gave us a way out and a clean slate.........I have to give that to his son. Can you understand that?"

"I wish that I could Albert......I wish that I could."

"I believed him when he told me that Carmen would not be a problem........."

"Is this the same Carmen........" Jenny broke in, "The women who was so power hungry that she didn't even wait for her husband's body to get cold in the grave before she claimed what she thought was rightfully hers?" Jenny found her voice raising, "Albert, please tell me that you aren't counting Carmen Santos out of the picture. She hates to lose. And I don't imagine that she will be taking Danny's leaving lightly!"

"Jenny, you don't understand how 'la familia' works. Carmen had to step forward to claim what had been Miguel's for her children's sake if nothing more," Albert knew he was giving Carmen far too much credit.

"For her children's sake?" Jenny echoed in disbelief, "If that had been me and I had just buried my husband because of 'la familia', she said sarcastically, "I would have taken my children and I would have run and never looked back............oh yes, that's right I don't have any children thanks to 'la familia'!!!!!"

"Jenny," Albert went to his wife but she turned her back to him. The tears for the loss of her only son were something that she never let be seen.

"I'm scared Albert. I couldn't bare to lose you. I don't want to be pulled back into a life where every time you walk out the door I am afraid I will never see you again," she cried in agony.

"Daniel isn't a threat. He isn't about to bring Carmen swooping down on us. Trust me please," he begged.

"I want to....but every time I close my eyes I see Richard's funeral all over again. I see all those men in black suits paying their respects when I know damn well that one of them was responsible for killing my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she shouted unable to hold the tears back any longer.

"Ssshhhhhh," he rubbed her hair. "That's why I got out. I could have taken my revenge, Jenny. I could have killed the men responsible for gunning Richard down, but that wasn't going to bring him back to us. I saw no reason to go forward. I couldn't do it anymore. I know that you can't or don't want to believe me but Daniel is in that same place I was then. Avenging Mick's death won't bring him back and I have a sneaking suspicion that Danny had no intention of ending up like his father and brother."

"What if you are wrong? What if Danny is more like Carmen then you imagined?"

"Then I will send him packing. I meant what I said to him. I don't want my old life running rough shot over the life we have made for ourselves here. I would never do that to you again Jenny, NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Jenny wanted with all her heart to believe her husband. She didn't want to see Danny as a threat to her existence but she had a feeling that she just wasn't able to shake.