Danny's head was spinning as he exited Delta House. Safely in his car, he pulled out the crumpled note from his pocket. It was tough to miss it's foreboding message. Was it possible that Michelle had killed his brother? Given all that he had just heard it was hard not to think that she just might have.

Danny shook his head trying to rid himself of that thought. Mick was a monster that he didn't even know. It was far worse then he ever imagined. All Danny could see was Mick stalking her. Scaring her to death. Danny remembered the receipt with Michelle's bra size written on it. His knuckles went white he was gripping the steering wheel that hard. Brother or no brother had Mick been alive right now he wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Okay Danny thought to himself let's put this all together. He brought up the players in his mind. Mick, Drew, Michelle and Nino. Their faces all before him in his head. Danny was certain that there was no love loss between Michelle and Drew. The little he did know about those two made him sure of that. Drew had cost Michelle her boyfriend in more ways then one. Unfortunately Danny was positive that Drew felt that it was the other way around. That had Michelle never existed then her life would be set.

Danny also knew that Mick and Nino had been rivals from day one. Each one of them trying to prove to the families that they had what it took to lead their families into greatness. But all that served to do was show how unstable the both truly were. Nino also had never forgiven Mick for having Pilar taken away from him. Danny felt a chill run down his spine at the very thought of Nino and Pilar. So the things that Danny was sure of was that both Drew and Nino had scores to settle.

Danny was having a bit more trouble with how Michelle fit into the picture. He was certain that Drew had slept with Mick but when? So had Michelle gotten between them? Or did Mick drop Drew for Michelle? Still so many missing puzzle pieces.

From what Michelle's friend had told him Michelle and Mick had started out just like any couple dating. Hell she even said that Mick had been sweet. That wasn't hard to believe given that they were talking about Michelle. Danny imagined that she had the ability to bring out the best in anybody.

She mentioned that things had gotten bad when Michelle had decided to break it off. Mick went off the deep end. Well from what Danny was able to see that was putting it mildly.

He felt his stomach churn knowing that his interference had enabled Mick to continue to harass her. Had he only left well enough alone maybe Mick could have gotten the help he needed. 'Maybe if I had just come up here sooner none of this would have happened,' Danny thought to himself.

So the last player in this all was Nino. Where did he come into play? How had he ended up with Drew? Was he after Michelle because she was with Mick or was there more to it then that? Mick had to have brought Michelle around the frat house. Maybe Nino just couldn't resist her. Drew had made it clear numerous times how Michelle drew men like a magnet. Maybe he had just wanted to mess with Mick.

Danny was getting a headache from just thinking about all of this. He could make all the speculations he wanted but he would never really know. Mick was dead, Nino couldn't tell the truth if his life depended on it, Drew was god only knows where and Michelle, Michelle wouldn't see him.

"Damn!" he said slamming his fist on the dashboard of his sedan.

"Dietz," Danny said into his cell phone, "Come up with anything yet? Have you found Drew Jacobs?" he asked anxiously.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing?" Danny practically screamed.

"I can't get a single lead on her."

"Nino couldn't have gotten rid of her alone. He had to have some help. What about that Carlos? He was going to help him before."

"I'm looking into it right now, boss."

"You better be doing more then looking Dietz. I know she's the key to us getting to the bottom of this. I just know it."

"Daniel, I have some bad news to report," Dietz began. Danny's mouth went dry. The only thing that came to mind was Michelle. That something had happened to her. "I just spoke with Jimmy. He lost Nino. He gave him the slip in a traffic accident." Dietz could imagine the look on Danny's face right now. Nino being on the loose concerned him as well. Jimmy had mentioned that Nino had been high as a kite. There was no telling what was running through that boy's mind. He was half tempted to call Bernard himself but he knew all too well that that was unacceptable. He would have to wait until his boss arrived on the scene.

"WHAT!?!?" Danny bellowed. "Do I have to do everything myself? You can't find one girl who is beaten so badly she can barely walk and Jimmy can't keep up with a bumbling idiot like Nino!" Danny was completely out of control. All he could think about was Nino somehow getting to Michelle.

"Easy Daniel," Dietz said taking offense with Danny's demeanor.

"Easy? You are telling me to take it easy? That takes some nerve. Do you're damn job Dietz before I see to it that you don't have one to do!" Danny slammed the phone down hard.

"This is unbelievable! This isn't the mob it's a very bad Marx brothers movie," Danny quipped, "What?" he yelled into the mouthpiece of his phone once again. "Unless you found Nino and Drew I don't give a damn what you have to say," Danny spouted before knowing who he was talking to.

"Mr. Santos?" Dr. Edward's voice cut through Danny's triad.

"Dr. Edwards, I'm so sorry. I thought you were someone else. How's Michelle?"

"Can you get back to the hospital? I think we should have this conversation in person."

"I'll be there." Danny said deadpan.

Dr. Edwards walked back towards Michelle's room. It was still unnerving to have to walk through the armed men before going into see her.

He would never think of undermining what Danny Santos had ordered but he still couldn't get used to it all.

"Michelle," he said softly.

"Hi," she said trying to sit up.

"No you just relax okay? How are you feeling?"

"My head still hurts but not too bad. Can I go home soon?" she asked.

"Well we'll have to see about that. We have found a few complications that I think we should talk about."

"Complications?" she sounded worried.

"Yes. It's concerning how underweight you are." Michelle looked away. She knew where he was going with this. She didn't want to know what he would say next. "Can you tell me why you haven't been taking care of yourself the way you should?" Dr. Edwards gently placed his hand on hers. He could feel her trembling.

"You know how tough medical school is," she returned casually.

"Michelle, there's more to it then that. You know it and I know it. I can't help you if you won't talk to me." Michelle could hear those very same words. Danny had spoken them earlier when he had been trying to find out what had happened to cause her car accident.

Danny Santos, she was barely able to think the name. If she could only just remember the man. If every time she conjured up his name she didn't have to see Mick's face this would have been so much easier.

Again her heart did it's very best to push good thoughts forward. Pushing them to the forefront of her mind. Trying to remind her of the kind generous soul she had met when she just knew him as 'Danny'. How he had made her laugh. Made her forget her troubles for just the briefest moment. That he had made her feel safe and protected.

She knew that he had taken care of her the night of the accident. His soft voice still present in her memory. She recalled him trying desperately to be as close to her as the paramedics would allow.

Why wouldn't her head let her heart win out this time? So many other times she had let herself be ruled by heart alone. Only this time that wasn't happening.

She couldn't forget that he was Danny Santos. Santos to her represented fear, terror, humiliation and ultimately death. She may as well have died that night in the warehouse. She looked at her arms. Those scars were a daily reminder of what getting close to a Santos would mean.

She didn't care how caring he had been at first. She knew all too well what would happen if she crossed him. It would be Mick all over again.

"Michelle, how did you get those scars on your arms?" Dr. Edwards voice pulled her back to her room.

"I'd rather not talk about it." she returned curtly slipping her arms under the sheets.

"Michelle, you're a pretty sick young woman. I have a cardiologist consulting on your case with me. You have done some damage to your heart muscle......"

"Dr. Edwards, what's wrong with Michelle?" Danny's unexpected burst into the room left everyone silent.

Fear filled every inch of Michelle. It was written all over her body. Danny was well aware of it. He willed himself to remain where he was. It was the hardest thing he ever did. He wanted to hold her in his arms. Take all of her fear away. He understood why she was afraid but she needed to listen to him. She needed to understand that he wasn't Mick. He would never treat a woman the way Mick had treated her. She needed to know that. He needed to tell her that he loved her.

"GET OUT!" she screamed the words echoing off of the stark white walls. "GET HIM OUT OF HERE!" she turned to Dr. Edwards for help.

"Michelle, please," Danny begged, "I know everything. It's okay. Please just listen to me."

"GET OUT, GET OUT!"

"Mr. Santos, I think it's better if we talk outside." The last thing he needed right now was to have Michelle upset. There were many things going on in her body right now and the less stress the better.

"Michelle please," he pleaded softly as Dr. Edwards led him out the door. It was hard to miss the tears that were forcing themselves from his eyes. Michelle looked away burring her head in her pillow. Tears came silent for her as well.

As quickly as Danny and Dr. Edwards left the room a nurse entered. It was the nurse that had watched Danny sit beside Michelle's bed all those hours before she had awoken.

"Honey," she spoke softly rubbing Michelle's back. "You need to stay calm."

Michelle turned to face the women standing next to here. "You don't understand," she returned.

"That maybe true, but neither do you. You are pretty sick. I don't know what Dr. Edwards told you but stress is the last thing you need right now."

Michelle knew without being told. She had weakened her heart by what she had been doing to her body for the last year. She knew that she was only hurting herself but she didn't care to stop it. In her own way that's how she was making herself pay for everything. Jesse's suicide, using Mick as revenge on Drew, Mick's stalking her and more importantly the shame that came with knowing that she had let herself walk into Mick's trap. Basically, let Mick rape and terrorize her. She deserved what she was doing to herself.

"I understand." Michelle said.

"I don't really know what is between you and that young man but you need to relax." the young women stated.

"Who are those men at my door?" Michelle asked as she finally noticed the men in the dark suits stationed outside her door.

"Your room is being guarded."

"Why?" she panicked.

"Mr. Santos felt it was necessary."

"What?" horror was evident in her tone.

"Apparently there is a man that Mr. Santos is afraid will come looking for you. Someone named Nino Rivera," the nurse gave Michelle the same story that Dr. Edwards had her.

"Nino," Michelle whispered.

"Mr. Santos feels you are in danger from this person."

"I am," Michelle spoke without even realizing it.

"He never left your side. Not until you woke up. Everytime I came in to take your vitals or check your IV's he was here faithfully. Talking to you, holding your hand. He is one devoted man."

"What?" Michelle asked surprised. It was one thing to have her mind telling her this. But it was completely another to actually hear those thoughts spoken aloud.

"Yes. He kept vigil by your side. He never once left unless he was forced to by one of the staff. I even think I heard him say he loved you once or twice."

"What?" was all that Michelle was able to say. He loved her. Loved her. The words danced about her head. That was something that she hadn't expected to hear. "Are you sure?"

"Most positive. Besides why would someone go to such great lengths to protect you if they didn't?"

"I don't know," Michelle returned.

She found herself rethinking the last few days. Finally, her head was relenting to her heart. This time when she thought of those deep dark endless pools that were Danny's eyes, she didn't see Mick's face leering at her. She didn't hear his voice mixed with Danny's when she recalled him speaking to her.

She was at last able to remember being secure with him. That he was there for her. To shelter her from all the bad things. Michelle felt a smile creep over her features thinking about how he kissed her outside of Shooters and how electrified her body felt when the danced. The feeling that was deep in her heart wasn't about to be buried. It was finding it's way to the surface. Helping her to find her way into Danny Santos' arms.

"Could you tell Danny," the nurse gave her a quizzical look, "Mr. Santos," Michelle was surprised that the name had escaped her lips with the earth crashing around them, "that I'd like to see him now."

"Sure, but remember you need to remain calm."

"I promise." Michelle braced herself for what was to come next. She was certain that it wasn't going to be easy but she had to talk to him. She needed to see him.

"I'm sorry," was all that Danny could say. He didn't have any other words. Michelle pushing him away was all that he think about. Hearing her yelling get out was causing his heart to break over and over again.

"Let's go to the lounge so we can talk in private," Dr. Edwards lead Danny away from Michelle's room.

Danny sat to the edge of the tattered leather sofa. He was about to jump out of his skin. All sorts of scenarios were making their way through his brain. He needed to know just what was wrong with Michelle. She still looked so pale to him. He had never been so scared in his life. This was such a bad dream. He had finally found the girl of his dreams and now....well he just didn't know.

"Mr. Santos."

"Danny please."

"Danny, Dr. Spencer has had an opportunity to review Michelle's EKG and also has examined her."

"Yeah. And what's he saying?"

"Well the muscle damage to her heart is more extensive then I first thought. It has been weakened tremendously."

"What exactly are you saying then?" Danny felt his own heart beating so fast it was about to burst forth from his chest.

"Well we are saying that she could have a heart attack, it could cause her to have a stroke......" Dr. Edwards continued speaking yet Danny wasn't listening. He had shut down. He couldn't bring himself to hear anymore. This couldn't be true. It had to be some kind of mistake. "Danny did you hear me?"

"Uh-huh."

"Are you sure?"

"What can be done for her?" He rubbed his hands over his face. Trying to stay focused.

"Like I said before what damage that has been done is not repairable."

"Why?" Danny said desperately. "Muscles are repairable," Danny knew that was true. He had pulled and torn many a hamstring in his day. Muscle is muscle. So he thought.

"Yes, to some extent they are but..."

"But nothing. Get her a specialist. Get her wherever it is she needs. I'm not giving up on her. She has to be able to get well." Danny was now up and pacing around the room. He couldn't sit still. He wasn't able to handle the fact that he was powerless in all this. That all of his money and authority wasn't doing him a damn bit of good right now.

"Danny, sit down please." Danny leaned against the door frame and lit a cigarette. He knew it was against hospital regulations but he didn't give a damn. He hadn't smoked in such a long time but absently found himself buying a pack when he was out looking for Michelle. He breathed in deeply. The harsh smoke invaded his lungs giving him something anything else to think about other then Michelle.

"Danny, please sit. I need you to understand all of this." Danny complied with the doctor's request. "Right now first things first. We need to keep Michelle's stress level as low as possible. Any stress right now could cause cardiac arrest," Danny took another slow long drag on the cigarette, "Then we have to work on getting her stronger. Bringing her body weight back to where it should be is also very important. There's nothing physical causing the weight loss. I have had every test run I can think of for that. So we now have to concentrate of the emotional side. I tried to get her to open up to me but she wouldn't."

"I didn't help things much did I?" Danny asked knowing the answer already.

"I know that you want to talk to her. I think that she needs to talk to you too. But right now we have to see how much she can handle. We have to play this by the book."

"I agree completely," Danny said. The last thing he wanted was for anything to happen to her.

"Dr. Edwards," Michelle's nurse said poking her head into the lounge.

"Yes?"

"Miss Bauer said that she would like to see Mr. Santos."

Danny felt his heart swell with those words. He knew that Michelle would come around. That she wouldn't be able to push him away forever.

"Are you sure?" Dr. Edwards was having trouble with such a quick change of heart.

"Yes. She said that she wanted me to come and find him."

"Just remember what I said Danny. No stress. At the first hint she can't handle things get out of there. Understand me?'

"Yes." Danny assured him. He couldn't wait to get to her. Just as he stood up to go the fire alarm rang through the hospital.

"What the hell?" he said running after Dr. Edwards.

Nino looked in the mirror to see the officer stopping Jimmy dead in his tracks. His car had been the last able to pass through the mangle mess of the wreckage. How ironic it was for Nino Rivera to be thankful to see a cop.

Jimmy had been dogging him ever since he had left the hospital parking lot. No matter how many circles he had made Jimmy was still there. His safe distance behind him. That was until minutes ago. Nino let out a cackle as he could see Jimmy getting out to talk to the cop. "Sucker," Nino sped away as fast as the traffic would allow.

"Yeah," Nino answered the shrill ringing of his cell phone.

"We need to talk," the shaky voice on the other end of the line belonged to Carlos.

"What?"

"We have a problem, Nino."

"Problems, problems, problems..." Nino sounded like a spoiled child.

"Nino!" Carlos' distress heightened.

"What? You worry way too much. You're out of this now anyhow. So what are you yapping about?"

"Well if I'm out of this then could you explain to my why Dietz is poking around asking questions about me?" It was hard to miss the panic growing in his voice.

"What?"

"You heard me Nino. Dietz is asking questions about me. It's not going to take long for him to figure this out. All he has to do is find out that I really work for Bernard and I'm as good as dead."

"Dietz is here in Chicago?"

"Are you listening to me?" Carlos practically yelled. "It's only a matter of time..."

"I heard you," Nino cut him off, "If Dietz is here that means that Carmen is sure to follow. Get out of town Carlos. Go anywhere I don't care. Just don't be anywhere that Dietz or any Santos for that matter can find you."

"What are you thinking Nino?"

"Don't worry about what I'm thinking! Get you're ass out of Chicago and fast. I don't intend on covering your ass. So I suggest that you come up with your own story!" Nino spouted with hatred in his voice.

"What? You're hanging me out to dry is that it?" Carlos spat back. He knew he should have never hooked up with Nino for this ridiculous scheme of his.

"Damn right! You think I'm going down in all of this you're crazy. So you best get moving Carlos. It doesn't take long for a Santos to find their prey and you know it takes less time for a Rivera too." Nino let out a sadistic laugh.

Carlos hung up his phone still not believing what he just heard. "To hell with you Nino," he said putting his phone to his ear. "Hey this is Carlos. I need to speak to Bernard right away. It's life or death," It was Carlos' turn to smile. If Nino wasn't looking out for him then he sure as hell wasn't looking out for Nino either.

Nino had done his best to mask his concern on the phone with Carlos, but the last thing he needed was to have Carmen Santos lurking around in his neck of the woods. It wouldn't be long before she made her way to Bernard. And most definitely Bernard would find his way to his son. "DAMN IT!" he shouted as he took another swig of the Jack Daniels he had enclosed in the brown wrapper. Alcohol was too slow. He needed an immediate rush. He leaned across the seat searching the glove box for the stash he knew was hidden there.

Nino held that vial in his hand as if it had been a bar of pure gold. He pulled off to the side of the road and rolled a twenty dollar bill. He felt an instant warmth fill his body. The second hit cause a numbness to overcome the warmth and the third hit had sent him soaring about the clouds.

He had had enough of all of this. Enough cat and mouse. Enough of always trailing behind the Santos Family. Enough of being the Rivera that no one listened to. Well he was damn sure that they would listen to him now. He was going to make sure of it.

He took another gulp of the amber liquid before he swung his car around. He would hit Danny Santos right where it hurt. He would make certain that this was the last time Danny Santos fucked with him.

Nino pulled back into the Chicago University Hospital lot. He rode the elevator to the ICU Unit where he knew Michelle would be. He didn't give a shit about Danny's men. He was on a mission that no one would dissuade him from.

Nino was shocked to see the doorway to her room had not a person before it. "This is way too easy," Nino said walking confidently through the door, "You're slipping Santos" he hissed.

Nino smashed his fist into the wall upon finding an empty bed. Where the hell could he have taken her. The little Nino did know about her condition was that she was still classified critical this morning.

He sauntered up to the hospital aide sitting at the front entrance. "Excuse me," he tried to sound as coherent as possible. The cocaine and Jack Daniels had made that a rather difficult task.

"Can I help you?" she returned.

"Yes, I am looking to visit a friend of mine, Michelle Bauer. Could you tell me what room she's in."

"I'm sorry we have no patient by that name," she said scanning the roster.

"That can't be right," Nino tried to remain calm. "She was in a pretty bad car accident. Critical condition from what I understand. She has to be here. Check again," he said with more force this time around.

"No sir. I'm sorry we have no Michelle Bauer here."

"Check Michelle Santos," Nino said. He would put nothing past Danny.

"No, no one by that name either. Are you sure she was brought to this hospital. Chicago General is across town. Maybe she was taken there," the woman returned trying her best to be helpful.

"I know she's here!" Nino pounded his fist into the counter causing a vase of flowers to topple. "I'll find her myself. It can't be that tough." With that said Nino stormed away leaving the women wondering what train had just hit her.

Nino rode the elevator stopping on each and every floor. It shouldn't have been that difficult to spot Michelle's room. Hell how many rooms would be guarded? Nino laughed to himself.

He finally his pay dirt on the fifth floor. No doubt his theory had been right. There were the Santos goons standing watch. Nino was certain that Danny's order of shooting him on sight still stood. He had to come up with another way into Michelle's room. He needed a diversion of some sort. Something that would send the entire hospital into a panic. Leaving him the opportunity to whisk Michelle away unnoticed.

There it was starring him in the face. The red lever that said PULL IN CASE OF FIRE. Perfect, Nino thought. That would be absolutely the best. Nino walked over and pulled the bar without a moments hesitation.

The chaos that ensued was one of sheer greatness. He looked on as nurses and doctors frantically run in and out of each room. Nino felt a sheer sense of power at the confusion he had caused. It was an even better high as he watched the two men at Michelle's door being pulled into action by the staff. Trying to get all of the patients safely out of the hospital. Nino donned a white lab coat and slipped into Michelle's room completely unnoticed.

"Well, well we meet again, Michelle," his voice a sardonic whisper.

"Nino," Michelle was barely able to breath. She watched unable to move as he came at her with a cloth. She smelled the chloroform immediately and everything went black around her.