The halls were dim and quiet at this hour of the night. Michelle looked at her watch. It was half past ten already. She hoped to find Danny still awake.

Her new found confidence was wavering with each step she took closer to room 212. He had been so angry when he fumed from Kathy's office.

Maybe she was the last person that he wanted to see right now. Maybe she had imagined these feelings coursing through her veins. Could it have been possible that she misread what was happening between the two of them?

As she rounded the corner, Michelle was relieved to see the light still on in Danny's room. As she got closer she was able to hear voices coming from inside. Neither voice sounded pleased with the other. As a matter of fact Danny's voice was harsh. A tone that she was becoming all too familiar with these days.

Her first reaction was to high tail it out of there. Live to fight another day she thought to herself. But her feet had plans of their own. They continued forward stopping in the doorway just in time for her to see Danny taking a long gulp from a sterling silver flask.

"Danny?" she questioned astonished at the sight before her.

Danny swung around and came face to face with her eyes as they implored him for answers.

"Guess that's my cue to leave," Kirk got up from the chair, "Looks like the lovebirds might want to be alone," he quipped turning Caitlyn's picture face down on the desk as he exited the room. "Nice chatting with you man.....we'll do it again real soon, okay?"

"What do you want?" Danny asked turning his back to her.

"I wanted to talk to you. What was going on in here?"

"Nothing that's any of your business." still all the while never turning around to meet her glance.

"Danny," she pensively walked further into his room. She easily rested her hands on his shoulders, "You can talk to me....really you can."

"Why would I want to?" he spat back at her. The gentle touch of her hands was causing the room to spin beneath him.

Michelle fought the urge to fight back. Fought her usual way of dealing in a situation like this. "Because I have been where you are. Hell, I think I still am there," she stated.

"So....what that gives you the right to come in here thinking you know me?!?!? You don't know a damn thing about me!"

"I'd like to......that is if you would let me." Michelle had surprised herself with the calm way she spoke. For the first time in years she was truly speaking from her heart. If felt good...very good. The world hadn't stopped spinning on it's axis.....the walls hadn't tumbled down around them and more importantly she still standing there in this room with someone who obviously didn't really want her there. And that feeling for the first time didn't scare her off.

Michelle came around to face him. The closeness of their bodies sent out enough electric current to light up the entire state of Illinois. She felt him shudder as she ran her hands long his bare arms cupping his hands in hers.

"I don't know what happened to you. All I know is what it was like for me......when my mom and dad died. It was like my whole world came crashing to a halt. Nothing was ever the same. The pain in my heart....it consumed me to the point I wished I had died with them. So that's what I set out to do......DIE!" she cried searching for any glimmer of understanding from him in his eyes. Yet all she saw were black pools looking back at her. "For all intensive purposes, that's what I was doing.......dying. I wasn't physically dead, but emotionally I was empty. Practically a shell going through the motions..................."

"You're point, Michelle?" Danny moved away from her moving closer to the window. He stared into the darkness outside on one hand willing her to leave him and with the other begging for her touch once again. All the while the guilt ever present in his mind. The moonlight cast a bright glint off of the flask that Kirk had left behind. He could taste the caustic liquid that he had just par took of....he wanted it again.

"My point is you are not alone. You don't have to deal with this all by yourself."

"And what if I want to? What if I told you I am just bidding my time until I can get out of this hell hole?"

"I'd say you were lying through your teeth. I know the drill, Danny. I lived it too many years not to see it."

"So you're the expert huh????? SOME EXPERT...as I recall a few hours ago you were blowing coke up your nose! I think I will pass on your pearls of wisdom ....thanks!"

"Danny!" she gasped at his harshness.

"What.......you can dish it out but you can't take it?" he growled pacing around her now. He felt like a caged animal.

"Danny," Michelle started doing her best to remember her new resolve rather then bolting from the room. "You have every right to blow me off. I was a complete and utter fool tonight. I know that it must look to you as the pot calling the kettle black, but it's not like that. I am not judging you...really I'm not," she repeated into a disbelieving face.

"Sure...whatever."

"Danny," again he found her within inches of him. She brought her body to his again...touching his face this time around. He felt compassion in it's sensation. He longed to let down his defenses and connect with this extraordinary creature before him. "Please....please look at me," she forced his eyes to meet hers. "I want to be your friend. I want to help you."

Danny pushed the stray strands of hair from her face. He was lost in her intent gaze. Drinking in everything the was Michelle Bauer. Right now everything outside of this room ceased to exist. In one brief moment Danny let himself be carried away by her words. Taken to a place where it was only the two of them.

"I want that too," the words were deep as they escaped from his throat. Without realizing his actions, Danny kissed Michelle with such passion.....a passion that he was certain was lost to him some time ago.

Michelle was stunned as the two parted. This wasn't what she expected...not at all. Absently she backed away from Danny, trying to gather her thoughts as they swam feverishly in her brain.

"I have to go," she whispered grabbing for her purse that she had dropped on the desk.

In her hurry to exit the room she caused Caitlyn's picture to fall to the floor. Glass shattered as the frame made contact with the hard tile floor. She reached for the picture, "Oh Danny, I'm so sorry. I didn't......."

"GIVE ME THAT!" he yelled just as he had done when Kirk had handled the photo.

"I'm sorry Danny.....I'll get you another frame," she stumbled over her tongue trying to assess Danny's sudden anger. "I didn't mean for that to happen....she's very beautiful, Danny."

"GET OUT!!!!!"

"What?" Michelle returned in disbelief.

"GET THE FUCK OUT!!!!!" Danny pushed her towards the door. Even in the heat of his fury touching her again caused his body to respond. Just as it had moments before when he kissed her.

"Danny?" she called as he slammed the door on her.

Danny let his forehead rest on the door that he had so abruptly hurled at the object of his rage. A ragged breath escaped his lips. "What was I thinking?" he questioned knowing full well that he hadn't been thinking at all. He had led with his heart. Let his desire for this girl to over take him.

He gazed at Caitlyn's broken picture still resting in his hand. The shards of glass had marred her face. The tears rolled down his cheeks leaving wet streaks on hers. He wondered if there would ever be a time that he could look at a picture of her and not see the car bursting forth with flames. Wondered if he would ever be able to get past the guilt that filled him to the brim.

But the now the guilt took a varied twist. First it had been guilt for his inability to protect and keep Caitlyn safe but now it had metamorphosed into something quite different. It was now more of a betrayal to the woman who he was supposed to have an undying love for. A love that was to out last even her death. Death......that word still pricked at his heart.

There was yet another part the still eat away at him. His guilt he would ultimately learn to deal with....but it was the ever growing feeling that was consuming his every thought. That he was actually considering letting another woman into his world. A world that would eat her whole. As it had done everyone that entered thus far. His father and mother, his brother....in a way even his grandmother lost her existence due to the life they had chose to lead. But had Danny really chose it? Or had it been forced upon him? In some bizarre sense of duty to his father he had let himself become a Santos in every sense of the word.

Danny laid the damaged frame on the desk once again. The silver flask called to him. Beckoned him to hold it in his hands once more. The amber liquid held within its constraints had forever been the answer to Danny's need for escape. He was running out of places to hide. Each place that had once been a haven for him now served to torment rather then comfort.

Danny caressed the flask as if it had been a women's flesh beneath his fingers. The war raged in his head. Two voices fighting for the right to reign supreme.

"What's the problem Santos?" the voice of evil spoke first chiding him to take that first drink.

"Drink it for god sakes......just let it slide down your throat......you want it don't even try to deny it............."

"This has to stop.....you want it to stop," the reasonable voice pushed forcefully forward,

"Come on do the right thing......get rid of that bottle.......don't listen to them anymore you can do this....you can," the voice pleaded.

"ENOUGH!!!!!!!" Danny screamed throwing the flask hard across the room. It smashed solidly against the white wall. The noise it made echoed around the room. Danny stood there defeated as he watched the liquid gold escape it's container pooling on the floor. A harsh laugh fell from his lips. It looked as though the decision had been taken out of his hands.

Michelle had been so stunned by what had just taken place that she couldn't move. Her feet glued to the floor. Her eyes focused on the cold hard wooden object in front of her.

She searched for something....anything to explain Danny's actions. He had done it to her once again. It was as though he had flipped a coin deciding what side he was on. He changed directions so fast that it gave her motion sickness even though she was standing still through it all.

She ran her hands along the door's smooth surface....hand resting on the knob. She wrestled with thoughts of staying or leaving. Weighing each scenario carefully, but the only thing that kept popping up in her mind's eye was Danny's mouth on hers. The desire that filled that one brief kiss was undeniable. In that instant Michelle was certain that she had not misread what was happening between the two of them.

Yet, in one fail swoop it vanished replaced with a viemence that took her breath away. Each and every encounter that she and Danny had had thus far had been just like this one. An encounter that was like the war of the worlds. First hot and angry then warm and tender. None of it made sense to her. All she had wanted was to open up to him. Show him that all was not lost and maybe just maybe help herself in the process.

Michelle let her head get the better of this situation as she walked away from room 212. In this instance.......living to fight another day was more important then forcing the issue. Her gut told her that right now that would do more harm then good.

What clearly amazed her at this very moment, was the fact that even though he had so blatantly pushed her away......she actually wasn't phased by it. For once someone's rejection hadn't sent her careening into her abyss. Causing her to run straight for something to take the pain away.

I was difficult to contain the smile that was slowly growing. This felt good......so good. Much better then the highs she once used to get through life.

"Obviously Kathy must know what the hell's she talking about," Michelle said aloud happy with her new found reliance in herself.

Right now she would give Danny the space he needed to cool down. Tomorrow was another day...another chance to approach him.....to try again. Which is exactly what she intended on doing.

Michelle had been so tickled with herself that she didn't notice the man lurking in the shadows as she made her way to her car for the second time that night. He watched quietly as she pulled out of the lot. The wheels in his head turning already.

Michelle rolled out of bed this morning refreshed. That night hadn't brought the nightmares that usually came to visit her. She could only dare to dream it but she was starting to feel like the person she once had been.

The girl who had a zest for life. One who met her challenges head on. She did her best to recall Kathy's words of caution yet they were a distant memory at the moment.

Right now all she wanted to do was concentrate on the positive. That being that this was a new day, one that held the promise of a fresh start for both her and Danny.

Quickly she showered and dressed. This was the first time she could recall being excited about heading to Hillman. It wasn't until she was in her car and on her way that dread came to her.

Glancing in her rearview mirror the familiar yellow camero was following at a safe distance.

"DAMN IT!!!" she yelled slamming her palm against the steering wheel.

Derrick's words haunted her........"That restraining order of yours...it's null and void. It's hard to have an order against someone that you have been seen with in an intimate moment........"

Without even looking again, she knew that he was still behind her. This was like some bad dream that she hoped to wake from soon. Yet that was not to be. She reached over locking the doors as the black beast she drove came to a halt at the red light. The car that had separated them was now noticeably missing. Michelle's body tensed as the sound of Derrick's horn cut through the air. She felt like she was in a vacuum of sorts that the morning traffic that surrounded her wasn't truly there.

She looked back again to see Derrick's sinister smile looking back at her. She shuddered imagining all that could have happened yesterday if Danny hadn't been there to save her.

The chorus of horns sounded behind her as she sat motionless while the light turned from bright red to green. Finally pushing the petal to the floor she sped forward hoping beyond hope that she could lose Derrick in the morning confusion.

It was fruitless to try. Michelle knew all too well that Derrick's car and hers finished neck and neck in every drag race that they had ever run. She couldn't out run him but she prayed she could out drive him.

She skated through the next intersection just as the light turned red. A minor thing like a red light wasn't about to slow him down in the least. He weaved between the cars making their way through as well.

Michelle sent the tires squealing as she rounded the corner into the employee parking lot. Much to her horror the lot was quiet. She had been hoping to find someone...anyone...hell right now even Dr. Chajson would have been a blessing.

Derrick brought his car to a stop along side hers...their doors almost touching not giving Michelle the opportunity to run. He basically trapped her.

She looked at him while he smirked at her. Laughing at her expense. Why had she ever let him back in?

It was then that she noticed Kathy's emerald Explorer pulling into the lot as well. A sudden relief washed over her. Michelle climbed over the console and exited on the passenger side of the car making a mad dash towards the space where Kathy's vehicle had just come to a halt.

Derrick threw it in reverse enabling him to leave his position in his car. His long legs carried him swiftly in the direction of his intended target. He grabbed for Michelle's auburn hair whipping in the wind as she ran. His fingers tangled in it's strands.

She screamed out at the pain his actions caused.

"I told you can't run from me.......why is it that you have such a hard time listening and understanding me????" he growled in her ear.

"Michelle?" Kathy's voice called out in complete fear at the scene before her.

"BACK OFF!!! This has nothing to do with you! It's between me and Michelle! We are just going to finish what we started the other day....before we were so rudely interrupted!"

"Derrick...please," Michelle begged trying to turn to face him.

"Listen......I know all about you," Kathy began as she tried to reach into her bag unnoticed. "You aren't part of her life any more.....so why don't you just let her go and we will forget this even happened," Her fingers found their way to the ring of keys buried deep within it's depths. She was one push away from setting off her alarm in hopes of calling attention to what was happening.

"That's not how it was the other day. I was a big part of her life," his mouth came crashing against Michelle's just as he had done the day before. But this time she caught his lip between her teeth biting hard enough to taste his blood in her mouth.

"BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he howled but the desired response had been achieved. The pain she had caused afforded her the opportunity to be released from his hold.

"RUN MICHELLE!!!!" Kathy yelled as the car alarm's whistles screamed.

"Ladies.....is there a problem out here?" Michelle heard the voice before she saw the face. As she run into Kathy's arms trembling, she saw the man Danny had called Bernard making his way towards them.

Derrick wasted no time. He jumped back into the driver's seat without hesitation. "THIS ISN'T FINISHED........NOT BY A LONG SHOT, MICHELLE!!!!!!" Derrick shouted over the roar of his car as it rumbled out of the lot.

"Thank you......Mr.......ah," Kathy sighed his name evaded her thoughts as she held a quivering Michelle.

"It's Mr. Rivera....Bernard actually."

"Well thank you Mr. Rivera. Looks like you were in the right place at the right time." Kathy was grateful for his aid but couldn't shake this errie feeling she wad getting as she looked into his face.

"I was more then happy to help," Bernard returned. "Is everyone all right?"

"Michelle?" Kathy asked. She nodded, "I think it's about time we call the police on Mr. Lawson. He's shown up here for the very last time."

"Can we just go inside?" Michelle whispered.

"Sure we can," Kathy returned rubbing Michelle's shoulders.

The three of them walked towards the building in silence. The name Derrick Lawson being filed away for future reference. The last thing Bernard needed was a loose cannon and from what he had just witnessed Derrick was just that. He made a mental note

Bernard's showing up the prior evening was a mystery to Ray. Something about the way he had just blown in trying to take over infuriated him. Bernard had to take center stage in any and all things.

Ray knew that he wasn't helping Danny. Not helping him in the least bit. Bernard was a constant reminder of how and why he had lost Caitlyn. He wasn't sure if Danny would ever be able to get past what happened to her but the one thing he knew for sure was that Bernard's continual presence wasn't promoting it.

Ray let his thoughts wander as he drove towards the treatment center. He mostly wanted to check to see how Bernard could have known about last night. If it had been possible that his name was still listed as a contact for Danny. If that truly had been the case, Ray was about to have that changed immediately. There was another part of him that wanted....needed to speak with Danny. Ray thought that they should clear the air between them. He wanted to once again try to explain his actions to Danny. Ray missed the closeness that they had shared. He wanted it back.

There was one last thing that came to mind.......Michelle Bauer. Last night Ray had gotten the faintest hint that Danny felt something towards this girl. The cues were easy to spot. How Danny had taken her hand as he spoke to Bernard. How she had stood behind him giving him gentle support as Danny had it out again with Bernard and himself.

It was hard to imagine Danny with any woman other then Caitlyn, but Ray went forward with an open mind only wanting his cousin back....and not really caring how he got that way.

Ray's body stiffened at the sight of Bernard's jet black Bentley parked along the curb.

"WHAT THE HELL'S HE DOING HERE?!?!?!" First there was anger then there was fear. What if Bernard was still a contact name and something had happened to Danny? Ray threw the car in park and bolted inside.

"Where's Danny?" Ray shouted not seeing Bernard perched on a chair in the corner of the office lobby.

"In his room I suppose," Kathy remarked off handedly still a bit shaken by what had happened moments ago. She dialed 911 without giving Ray a second glance.

"Ray...calm down .....Daniel's fine," Bernard's voice came from behind.

"THEN MIGHT I ASK WHAT THE FUCK YOU ARE DOING HERE?!?!?!?" Ray wasn't about to hide his fury.

"Lucky for this young lady I was," Bernard pointed over the counter to Michelle who was cowering behind one of the desks, never truly answered the question.

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

"Apparently....this Derrick person doesn't give up all that easily."

"Bernard?" Ray had enough of the riddles.

"I showed up in time to fend him off for Miss Bauer. It looked as if he was looking for a repeat performance of last night."

"Michelle....are you all right?" Ray turned his gazed to the fragile girl before him. She had the same look in her eye as the first day that Danny had been admitted.

"I think so," she spoke softly.

"That still doesn't explain what you are doing here," Ray wasn't about to let Bernard off the hook that easy.

"Ray...really this poor girl has just been through a horrible ordeal. I seriously doubt she wants or needs to endure another argument," Bernard returned graciously leaving no room for Ray to pursue his intended goal without coming across as a cad.

"This isn't over," Ray remarked pointedly flashing the Santos dark stare.

"Well it seems as though things are under control here again," Bernard waltzed towards the door, "I should really be going. I have some business to attend to. Nice to see you again Ray," Bernard patted his shoulder.

Ray's eyes followed Bernard until he was safely inside his Bentley. He hadn't liked this one bit. His stomach was tied in knots trying to figure this man out. He was sure that Bernard had a hidden agenda here.

He wasn't about to get any answers regarding that just yet. But his interest had been peaked....peaked enough to put out a few feelers of his own. Ray may never had latched on to the business the way Danny had.....but he was still a Santos.

"Where the hell are you?" the voice on the other end of the line cursed, "I thought we had a meeting this morning."

"A little change in plans. Not to worry."

"I am worried. What the hell do you have up your sleeve?"

"Nothing you need to know yet. Keep close as instructed. I will be in touch."

The Bentley pulled away from the curb, Ray's eyes burning holes in it.