Danny followed Nino through the streets of Chicago. He still had a bad feeling about this whole thing. He needed to get in touch with Bernard again and get a better handle on Nino. He certainly didn't like being at his mercy.

Danny scanned the radio stations stopping when he heard the song that had been playing last night when he first caught sight of Michelle. He couldn't stop himself from grinning like a Cheshire cat. He had wasted the better part of the day with Nino and his endless game. He was itching to get back to Michelle. He wanted to look into those soft brown eyes, drink in the scent of her just touch her again. This had been the first time he found himself being aroused. No other woman had elicited such a response from his body. She hadn't done anything more then dance with him yet she had stirred something in him he had long since buried. He wanted to take her in his arms and wrap her up protectively. Wanted to wash away the pain that was lurking within her. He knew that she was hurting and wanted desperately to mend it for her.

Nino motioned him into a tiny parking lot next to a bar. Danny got out of his sedan and joined Nino at the door.

"This the place?" he asked putting on his leather jacket.

"Yeah. Mick used to come here a lot. I know that the guy we're looking for should be here." Nino hoped that the plan as he concocted it was in place.

Danny let Nino enter the bar first. The room was dim. The outside light cast a hazy glow throughout. Nino looked around. He didn't see Carlos anywhere. "Damn," he said under his breath.

"What?" Danny returned.

"I thought for sure he would be here."

"Maybe we should wait?" Danny said.

"Yeah sure," Nino walked up to the bar coming back with two glasses of scotch. He needed the drink to take the edge off. He only hoped that Carlos wasn't backing out of the deal.

Carlos sat across the street. He watched Nino and the man he knew to be Danny Santos walk into the bar. He had been hesitant at setting up a Santos of all people. He too knew of their reputation and he was certain that if Bernard ever found out what he was doing he was as good as dead. That was if Danny Santos didn't kill him first.

He almost turned tail an ran. He owed Nino a favor from a long time ago but Nino had been gone from the family for such a long time now Carlos wasn't sure if all of this was worth it or not. He had a pretty good place in Bernard's organization and he was treated very well why mess that up for some kid that didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground?

The only problem with that theory was that Nino still had connections and if he didn't come through for him he would be always looking over his shoulder wondering and waiting when he would or if he would be whacked.

So Carlos gathered himself up and headed towards the bar. He ran the plan through his head one last time before opening the door. If all went according to Nino's orders Danny Santos wouldn't know what hit him.

Michelle looked on while Drew stood very still. Michelle knew exactly where she was because she herself had been to the very same place hundreds maybe even thousands of times since that fateful day.

Part of Michelle went out to Drew, the part of Michelle that wanted to take care of everyone and everything... Lately, that part of her had been lost. She wasn't able to remember a time when she felt completely like Michelle Bauer, valedictorian, Cedars Hospital volunteer, general all around nice girl, good person. That person was a foreigner she didn't even recognize anymore. The Michelle she remembered herself to be would have never sought revenge against Drew. Hell, that was probably why it ended so badly. More like revenge against herself.

Michelle was certain that no matter how she felt about Drew, she was just as traumatized by what Jesse had done as she. Yet right at that moment looking into those eyes of hers, Michelle didn't really give a damn. Drew had started this war and Michelle had finished it. Problem being she was the only causality in it's wake. Yes, Jesse was dead, Mick was dead; but Michelle was still alive. Alive to relive the terror over and over again.

"You can't have Nino!"

"Get it through your head Drew, I DON'T WANT NINO!" Michelle yelled back.

"Well he sure as hell wants you," Drew countered.

"What do you mean?" Michelle asked pensively. She had known that Nino fancied her, but she was sure that had more to do with his rivalry with Mick then actually her.

"Don't play stupid, Michelle, it really doesn't suit you." Drew said sarcastically.

"Hey, Drew if you have something to say I just wish that you would say it," Michelle had grown tired of all this. She checked her watch if she didn't get going she would be late for work.

"I want you to stay away from Nino!"

"That won't be a problem," Michelle returned confidently, "The only problem I see is you getting him to stay away from me."

Drew glared at her. The anger welled knowing that Michelle spoke the truth. Nino was drawn to Michelle like a moth to a flame. The very same way that Mick had been. What was it about this girl? Drew wished that she had the answer for that question. It ate away at her.

"Just stay away from him!" Drew yelled again as she turned to walk up the driveway.

Michelle stood speechless as she watched Drew's retreating form. "Where had that come from?" she asked herself aloud shaking her head. She didn't have the time or a reason to care at this point. She wanted to be as far away from Nino as Drew had wanted her to be.

Carlos pushed open the bar door and walk to the table where Danny and Nino were sitting.

"Here's the man," Nino said motioning to him.

Carlos took the chair facing Nino. He wasn't quite ready to be looking Danny Santos in the eye.

"Nino," Carlos said.

"This is Danny Santos. Mick's younger brother," Nino stated. Carlos shook Danny's out stretched hand.

"Thanks for meeting me," Danny started, "Nino here tells me you were a go between for my bother. Is that true?" Danny still wasn't certain that this was on the up and up.

"Yeah, that's right."

"So who do you report to?" Danny asked not pulling any punches.

"Whoa, hold on there, Danny," Nino began, "Cut the guy a break won't you. He's got his own ass to think about you know."

"I don't give a damn about his ass Nino. I want some answers and I want them now. If your friend here can't give them to me then it looks like I'll have to go back to Bernard for reinforcements." Danny's voice was cold and calculating.

The scant mention of Bernard Rivera sent Carlos into a panic. He had no idea that Danny had been in contact with his boss. This was turning into a nightmare. He should have never went along with Nino on this. Unfortunately it was too late to turn back out now.

Danny couldn't help but notice how Carlos shifted in his seat while Bernard's name was being bantered about the table. Again body language told him that something was a miss. This was getting very frustrating. So frustrating in fact that he was about ready to throw in the towel and let Carmen's henchmen do the job that she pays them so handsomely for.

Danny was tired in need of a shower and generally just wanted to forget about this for a while. Ever since Mick's death he had been going non stop yet felt as if he were standing still. Each lead was almost like a wild goose chase. This last one finally had turned up some real suspects or so he thought. The more he spent time with Nino the more he felt like this was all a joke. That he was chasing another shadow that was about to lead him nowhere.

Danny got up from the table for the bar. He wanted another drink. Hell he would have taken the whole bottle if he thought that it would have helped. Danny glanced at the two he had left back at the table. They had their heads together talking in hushed whispers. Carlos' eyes darted to Danny now and again making him all the more certain that something was definitely wrong with this picture. He had to get Dietz to apply a little more heat back in Springfield. Time to flush out what really and truly had gone down regarding Mick's murder. He wasn't at all buying Nino's version.

Danny sat back down and listened while Carlos spilled his guts. Danny made mental notes of the things he thought had possible credence and tossed those aside that had been just plain bullshit. Nino didn't know he was messing with. Sure most of the families looked at him as the soft one. The one that had no killer instinct but they were wrong dead wrong.

Nino tipped his drink to him and smiled. He had no idea that Danny wasn't buying any of this. He was certain that he had Danny Santos right where he wanted him. Soon enough he would be out of his way permanently just like Mick. 

Danny threw a twenty on the table as he stood up, "Drinks are on me guys. There's somewhere I need to be. I'll be in touch Carlos," Danny said pointedly starring the man down.

"I told you all I know man," Carlos couldn't help but sound anxious.

"I understand that, but you understand that I haven't stayed alive in this business this long by taking the word of a man I don't even know. We'll talk again," Danny stated firmly. "So, I wouldn't leave town or anything." Danny smiled his sinister smile, "Nino," with that said Danny headed towards the door. Leaving both Carlos and Nino starring at one another.

Just as Danny stepped onto the sidewalk his eyes trying to adjust to the bright light he smacked into a woman hurriedly trying to make her way inside. Actually he sent her falling back towards the pavement, "Michelle!" he cried out.

His thoughts were running rampant through his head. Danny was trying his best to make sense of what had just gone down back at that table. He didn't believe much that had come out of "Mick's so called contact's" mouth. It was too well rehearsed for his liking.

He was still putting it all together when he ran directly into a girl trying her best to get inside.

Before she knew what hit her, the young girl was falling backwards. It was then that Danny realized that he had sent Michelle falling to the payment.

"Michelle," he called but wasn't quick enough this time to stop her from hitting and hitting hard. In a flash he was beside her, cradling Michelle in his arms. "Michelle," he said softer this time.

"Danny," she looked at him holding the back of her head. She could feel the lump already forming beneath her fingers.

"Easy...don't get up too fast. I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. I have so much on my mind right now," Danny's words were coming out so fast that Michelle was having trouble keeping up with them.

She gave her best attempt at standing but was woozy none the less. She felt like one of those cartoon characters with stars encircling their heads.

"Here," Danny said directing her to a bench just outside the door. She revealed in his closeness. The fact that once again she found herself encompassed by his strong embrace. She knew what her head kept saying but at this moment her hearts words were much stronger. "I'm so sorry," he said again. "Here let me take a look," he moved her hand away. Thank god there hadn't been any blood but there was one hell of a knot there. Danny felt his stomach tighten. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. She had come out of no where.

"I think we should get that looked at," he remarked rubbing the lump. She did her best to not wince with the pain.

"I'm fine really. I'm pre-med remember?" she laughed, even that easy laugh sent stabs of pain through her skull.

"Yeah, I know but I would feel better if I took you to the hospital." She was touched by his kindness.

"No really that's all right. Besides my shift here starts in a few minutes." Danny looked at her quizzically, "I work here. I'm a waitress. I tend bar sometimes too." Danny still stared at her. "What you think I'm too good to work?" she punched his arm playfully.

"Too good to work in a place like this," he said under his breath. He shuddered to think of Michelle serving drinks to the likes of Nino and the other creeps in that place, "No, it's not that," he covered, "I just figured you'd be at the hospital any chance you got."

"Well yeah but this gig pays better. Speaking of which I need to get inside and get working. Louie gets pretty pissed when I'm late."

"You sure that you're okay?" he asked as she stood up. It was hard to miss the fact that she was still somewhat shaky.

"Yeah....yeah don't worry about me." she smiled the most incredible smile at him.

"Oh but I do worry about you Michelle," Danny thought to himself as he stood looking at her. She was more beautiful then he remembered. The short black mini fell mid-thigh and the white tank accentuated every soft curve of her body. Danny couldn't resist the urge to pull her in his arms and kiss her.

Before Michelle knew what was happening, her lips were pressed against his. It was the sweetest kiss she ever remembered experiencing. He cupped her chin with his hand stroking her cheek. Their eyes met finally and Michelle was certain he could see her very soul. She felt her head spin when they finally parted. She couldn't tell if it was the intensity of the kiss or the throbbing pain at the back of her head but she didn't care.

He kissed her and she had kissed him back. Hell, the sky hadn't fallen in on them. Maybe just maybe for once fate was on her side. That there would be a light at the end of the long dark tunnel she called her life. Dare she hope, dare she dream that her nightmares were about to come to an end?

"I really have to get to work," she said in a hoarse whisper.

"I don't want to let you go," Danny found himself saying. So much for playing it cool Santos, he chastised himself. What a mess this was going to be, but right there, right now all that mattered to him was having this amazing girl in his arms.

She pulled back to look at his face. Doing her best to read his expression. She so badly wanted to believe his words. She knew that she should be cautious. That she should tread very lightly here. She still had no idea anything about him.

"What time are you done here?" Danny asked without letting her out of his embrace.

"Last call is about 1:30am. I'm usually done by then."

"Is that too late for me to see you?" Danny knew he should be concentrating on Nino and Mick but he couldn't bring himself to be away from her any more then he had to be.

"No, I'd like to see you," Michelle found herself saying. Just the thought of being with him later that night made going into this dive bearable.

"Great then I'll swing by and pick you up?" Danny was grinning from ear to ear.

"How about you pick me up at the sorority house?"

"Yeah, whatever you say?"

"Great."

"See you then," Danny again placed a light kiss on her lips. She stood and watched him walk towards his car. Actually she stood outside of Shooters watching his car drive off into the distance. She walked into the bar with calm about her that she hadn't had in a very long time. That calm was quickly replaced with dread when she saw Nino.