"What?" his voice barely a hoarse whisper.

Danny was a mass of emotions. Fear, rage, hatred, protectiveness all coursed through him.

"The man in Michelle Bauer's room is Nino Rivera, a friend of the family," the nurse said again.

"He's no fucking friend of the family," Danny barked, "He's a lying son of a bitch!"

"Excuse me?" she looked at Danny quizzically.

"I am her only family!" Now it was Jimmy's turned to look at Danny in awe. "No one is permitted in to see her!" he said doing his best to control his anger.

"That wasn't noted anywhere on her chart sir."

"I don't give a damn about what her chart says. No one is to see her without first going through one of these men!" Danny pointed to the three men standing to his right. "Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Danny's jaw was clenched and his black eyes darted towards the door.

The young nurse was only able to nod.

"Wait here!" Danny strode past Jimmy and the boys into Michelle's room. There was Nino hovering over her. Touching her face, playing with her hair. It was all Danny could do not to shoot him right there. Without realizing it his fingers traveled to the gun in his coat pocket. It would have been so easy just to off him without a second thought. Danny didn't give a damn about the consequences. To hell with the family code, family honor, all he could see was Nino touching Michelle that was enough reason for him. All he needed.

"Nino," Danny said calmly with his eyes blazing, "Thought you might be here to see Drew."

"Drew?" Nino tried to sound surprised.

"Yeah, you know your girlfriend."

"Haven't seen her since yesterday."

"Funny," Danny said bringing his hand to his chin, "That's not what she told me."

"What.....what are you talking about?" Nino shifted nervously.

"I'm talking about how she ended up here in the hospital." Danny walked forward positioning himself between Nino and Michelle.

"She's here? What happened to her?" Nino did his best to fane concern.

"Cut the shit Nino! I know it was you who left her here. I know it was you who beat the hell out of her!"

"You're crazy, Santos!" Nino's attitude returning.

"CRAZY??" Danny let out a laugh of a madman. "Damn right I'm crazy and you're just about to find out just how crazy!" Danny grabbed Nino by the jacket thrusting his body against the wall. Danny drove his forearm into Nino's Adam's apple just about crushing it.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Nino said between gasps for air. He was trying his best to remain calm but as each second passed beneath Danny's fury he grew wary of what was to come next.

"I was just wondering what it is you are doing here? Did you come to be sure you finished the job?" Danny let the full weight of his body come to rest against Nino's chest.

"What the fuck are you talking about Santos?" Nino struggled under Danny's grip. His struggle only served to tighten the hold.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Danny spat.

"I saw the news this morning about the accident. I just came to see how Michelle was."

"Yeah right, like I believe that." Danny said never letting up.

"Come on man. I would never hurt her." Nino was having trouble believing what was coming out of his mouth. Right now he needed to get away from Santos and silence Drew's big mouth. He should have just killed her when he had the chance.

"Drew told me. She told me everything," Danny spoke breathing hard and fast. "I know about your infatuation with Michelle."

"Looks like the Santos' have one too," Nino laughed.

Danny felt the wrath seething within him with each laugh expelled from Nino's lips. "Looks like little brother and big brother have the same taste in women."

"What...what are you talking about?"

"Sorry to disappoint you but Mick ole boy had her first." A new plan was forming in his head. He needed to draw Danny's attention away from him and fast. Everything he had worked on was crumbling down around him. He was going to use Danny's obvious feelings for Michelle to the best of his advantage. Nino may have never been able to have her but he would make damn sure that Danny wouldn't get her either.

Danny pressed harder against Nino's chest. He felt his breast bone bow under the pressure. "What about Mick?"

"Mick and Michelle had a thing awhile back. Actually she was with him the day he died." Nino watched a cold hard mask fall over Danny's face.

"What is this Nino another wild goose chase? I've had just about enough of them! First you tell me you can help me, next you try to send me back to Springfield, then you bring this Carlos guy to me who is supposed to lead me straight to the killer and now you expect me to believe that Michelle had something to do with this? That's insane!"

"Danny, everyone is a suspect. After Mick was found Michelle dropped out of sight for a while. It was like she went into hiding. Thought it was a bit odd myself...."

"Shut the fuck up, Nino!" Danny again pushed hard against his throat.

Bingo! Nino had reached the desired reaction. He could see the wheels in Danny's head turning as they spoke.

"I told you that I would do everything I can to help you find Mick's killer and I will. You just have to let me."

"Get out of here!" Danny screamed tossing him through the doorway. "Jimmy has orders to take care of you if you even think about setting foot in this room again."

"Do you know what you're saying?" Nino asked straightening his jacket.

"Exactly! Don't make me start a war, Nino."

Nino stumbled as Danny shoved him through the doorway. "You've go to be kidding, right?" Nino couldn't believe that Danny Santos was about to start a war between the families. A war over a girl he barely knew.

"I've never been more serious! I'm DEAD serious, Nino," Nino sensed the obvious emphasis on the word "dead". He searched Danny's eyes. Hoping to find the weakling that all knew lurked below the surface. That person was no where to be found.

Nino was met only with a cold hard gaze. One that showed that Danny had every intention on making good on his threat.

Nino felt the three more pairs of eyes starring him down from behind. He turned to see Jimmy, Tito and Max forming a circle around him. "Come on Santos, you can't really think that I had anything to do with this?" Nino tried to laugh but it only served to show he was scared.

Nino had no one to turn to. He couldn't go to Bernard. How would he have explained everything to him? He would be lucky to get away with exile this time around. Bernard would more then likely kill him with his bare hands. Looked like he was on his own. He hoped that he could lay enough ground work again to send Danny off in the wrong direction once more.

He knew that he had established a glimmer of doubt regarding Michelle's involvement with Mick in Danny's mind. The only problem with that was that he had sent Danny down so many dead ends already he just might not take the bait.

"Yes Nino, I believe that you are capable of this and so much more," Danny said calmly as he approached him. "I have no doubt in my mind that you are as responsible for what happened to Michelle as what did Drew."

Nino did his best to back away but found himself pressed against Jimmy's chest instead. "Danny come on now. This is nuts. Our families have been friends for years. You know me better then that."

Danny couldn't stop the laughter. "Did you hear yourself, Nino? You sound like a scared shitless client. One who knows the jig is up and it's only a matter of time for him. How's it feel to be on the other side looking in pal? Get used to it!" Danny did his best to control the anger he felt. The last thing he needed to do was to draw anymore attention to himself. "I think it's about time for you to be going." Danny said not giving Nino a change to respond.

Jimmy moved slightly, leaving the smallest opening for Nino to pass through but still forcing him rub shoulders with himself and Max.

Danny watched Nino head for the elevator, "Jimmy, you follow him. I want to know every move that bastard makes."

"Right away boss."

Danny collected his thoughts before heading back into Michelle's room. He knew better then to believe anything Nino had said about Mick and Michelle. Nino hadn't told the truth yet. What made him think that he was starting now. Besides Danny couldn't believe that Michelle had it in her to kill anyone. She wanted to be a doctor for Christ sakes.

The one thing that stuck in his head was the way Nino had said that Mick had had Michelle first. It spilled forth before Nino even realized that he had said it. Could that much of it been true? Could Michelle and his brother been an item? Instead of this getting easier it was only getting more and more complex.

Danny once again sat down along side of Michelle's bed. She looked as if she were sleeping peacefully. Danny wanted her to open her eyes though. He had so many questions for her. He needed to know about Mick. Maybe she could actually help him find who killed him.

Danny tried hard to not think about Mick and Michelle. He couldn't bring himself to picture the two of them making love. Mick kissing her, holding her, Danny willed himself to stop thinking about it.

He brought his focus back to her angelic face. He didn't care about any of it. None of it mattered. He knew that what ever had happened between the two of them was in the past. He intended on keeping it there.

"Just kill me then," Michelle screamed without ever opening her eyes, "Just do it! Kill me!"

"Michelle....Michelle," Danny tried desperately to wake her up. He thought about that first night in the car when she had yelled out in her sleep. This was different though. He knew that this was much more then just a bad dream.

"Michelle, baby," he stroked her face gently, "It's okay. No ones going to hurt you I promise. I won't let anything or anyone hurt you ever again. You're safe with me I promise." Danny continued talking as he gently touched her.

Without warning she opened her eyes. She tried to turn her head but the pain stopped her. The pounding was constant like the beating of a bass drum,

"Oh thank god," Relief washed over Danny. He took her hand in his and squeezed it hard.

"Danny?" she was still unsure what exactly was going on.

"Yes...yes it's me!" Danny's voice overflowed with joy. He was beside himself with the fact that she was finally awake. He kissed her hand because that was all he could do.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You don't remember?"

Michelle tried to sit up but the stabbing pain in her head kept her down. "Easy," Danny stood closer to her helping her to sit up. "You okay?"

"God my head is killing me," she brought her hand to touch the bandage on her forehead. Slowly things were beginning to fall into place.

She remembered watching Danny drive away from Shooters. How happy she was that she was going to see him later that night. Then there was Nino. All she could see was his face and him touching her. Exposing her for all the bar to see. She recalled getting in her car and driving. Just driving. She remembered the headlights coming towards her then everything went black.

Danny looked on while Michelle sat silent. He didn't know whether to tell what he knew or let her come up with her on conclusion. He wanted to know what she had meant when she had said just kill me.

If Nino had threatened her, he was better then dead. No one would ever be able to find him.

"Honey, are you okay?" She nodded not trusting her voice. "Do you remember what happened?"

"Uh-huh."

"Can you tell me?" Danny felt as if he was talking to a small child.

"NO, I can't," she stammered.

"Michelle, honey I just want to help." Danny took her in his arms cradling her close. He buried his nose in the folds of her hair kissing her softly. Danny felt the tension in her body melt away. "I promise Michelle it'll be okay."

"I can't...not again."

"Michelle I can't protect you if I don't know who tried to hurt you," Danny heard his voice rising but didn't know how to stop it. He knew Nino had done this but he needed to hear it from her.

"Protect me?" That was laughable she thought to herself, "No one can protect me. Nino's never going to leave me alone," she sobbed. "He just keeps showing up."

Danny felt the blood rising at the mere mention of Nino's name. "What happened?"

Michelle did her best to recount what had happened in the bar with Nino. She choked on her cries as she told Danny how he had touched her, taken her bra down, told her that he was the best she would ever have. The rest of the story had been drown out by Michelle's sobs.

Danny held her while she continued to cry. He had heard all that he needed. Nino Rivera was a dead man.

"Mr. Santos," Max poked his head through the door. Danny couldn't help but notice that Michelle became stiff as a board at those words. "Dietz, just phoned. He is on his way here to talk with you."

"Fine," Danny returned pulling back to look Michelle in the eye.

"SANTOS?!?!" Michelle said pure horror written over her face. She did her very best to back away from Danny. "SANTOS?!?!" she whispered.

Drew's eyes were as big as saucers as Nino's hand came to cover her mouth. "You scream, you die!" Nino said coldly in her ear. "Do you understand?" She nodded. "Hear you had a little visit from Santos," Drew nodded again. Nino took his hand away as he pinned her shoulders to the bed. She winced in pain.

She was dead she knew it. Nino wouldn't hesitate to do away with her. She was as dispensable as the next. Funny thing was she wasn't even scared. Actually she welcomed the fact that all of this would be over soon. There really wasn't anything left for her. She had no family, no friends, no Jesse, no Mick. What did she really have to live for? Nino would save her the trouble of killing herself.

Killing herself, she would have laughed if she could have. What a fitting picture that would be. There would be no flowery headlines about her as there had been for Jesse. No one to even mourn her passing. Just some two line blurb about a club owner found dead.

She searched Nino's wild eyes for what was to come next. There was nothing. They were as vacant as her own. All he did was stare at her.

Finally he spoke, "We have a little problem Drew," his teeth were clenched as he continued, "Danny Santos is a thorn in my side. And you are going to help me pull it."

"How?" she whispered.

"By keeping your god damned mouth shut from now on!" Nino crushed her collarbone under his grip, "The last thing I need right now is you and your big mouth. What you think that Santos can save you from me? Think again!"

"Nino, what do you want from me?" she asked.

"I want you to disappear. I want you gone."

"Fine make me disappear," Drew knew actually what she was asking Nino to do. She wanted it so badly she could taste it.

"What are you that fucking stupid? You think that I can just kill you and he won't come looking for me?"

"Thanks to you he already knows that it was me who beat you. He knows that I went to Shooters to tail Michelle. Hell when she finally wakes up I'm a dead man!"

"Wakes up?" Drew questioned.

"Yeah seems she was in a pretty bad car accident this morning."

"Really?" Drew wasn't able to stop the smile from creeping over her swollen features. She still wanted Michelle to suffer. Even if she wanted to be dead she wanted Michelle to live and continue to be tortured by the demons in her head.

"Yes. Now, Santos has his men stationed everywhere. Keeping everyone away from her." Nino was still so frustrated by the screen that had taken place not so long ago. He hated them. Hated how they controlled everyone and everything. Even those things that were to belong to him.

"Nino, I have an idea."

"Like I would listen to anything you had to say," he quipped.

"Nino, you are missing the bigger picture here. You are missing the fact that I can almost guarantee that Michelle doesn't have a clue who Danny really is. My god if she knew he was a Santos, Mick's brother to boot do you think she would have let him within 1000 feet of her?"

For once Drew was actually making sense. The light bulb clicked on in his head. She was right. Michelle would have been terrified if she had known who Danny really was.

"Okay, here's the plan," for the first time Nino took his hands away from her. "First, I need you to disappear. I mean it. I don't care where you go or what you do but just don't come back here. I can't have Danny finding you and getting you to talk."

"Where should I go? It's not like Danny couldn't find me. His family can find anybody."

"And mine can lose anybody," Nino countered, "If you get my meaning. Don't cross me, Drew. I promise you that you will live to regret it if you do."

Drew watched as the fire returned to Nino's eyes. The glint was back as the wheels began turning. Turning forming a plan of action.

"Fine...okay I'll go."

"You have to be gone now. I can't take the chance that Danny will come back to get some answers from you."

"Answers about what?"

"About Mick's murder?"

"Why? Why would he come to me?" Now, Drew was panicked. Nino might not kill her but the Santos Family sure as hell would.

"I planted a seed this afternoon."

"What kind of seed?" her voice was a shrill squeak.

"I lead him to believe that Michelle was involved. In a way Mick's death was kinda her fault really. You know it and I know it. If it hadn't been for her he wouldn't have died."

"You what?" Drew couldn't believe what she was hearing. It made perfect sense to her. It was how she had gotten herself through the whole thing. Blaming Michelle Bauer was the easiest escape for her.

"You heard me. If I play my hand right, Danny will have no choice but to kill the girl he's fallen head over heels in love with," Nino found himself laughing hysterically.