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Background: Danny and Michelle have parted ways after that fateful day in Pilar's room, both of them being too stubborn or stupid to admit their real feelings to each other.
Michelle has gone away to college, having found that being in the same town with Danny was just too painful.�
Danny has stayed in Springfield and has taken over the family business which he has turned legit but the fear in the eyes of the people of Springfield has not changed. He runs his business fairly but with an iron fist.
�Warning: If you are a Pilar fan, then you will not like this fic.
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Michelle Bauer was coming home.
That knowledge had been tormenting Danny all day. He had been in Millenium to drink his lunch as usual and had heard Drew mention it. Feigning indifference, Danny kept drinking although he was listening intently to each of Drew's words.
After three long years and everything that had happened, Michelle was coming back to Springfield. Drew had said that she had finished third in her class and was coming home to do her residency at Cedars.
Danny had not seen her since that day in Pilar's room when she had given him back his ring. He kept it with him always although nobody knew that except for the first paramedics would had arrived at the scene. It had been returned to him when he had regained consciesness three weeks later. He kept it in his pocket now always, as a reminder of what love had once felt like and what deep hatred felt like now.
Michelle had made her feelings for him very clear when she had not come to the hospital once during those long months. Although, blessedly, he was unconscience for most of that time, the times that he were awake, he was haunted by that realization. Danny Santos had not meant one damn thing to Michelle Bauer, not even enough to visit on his death bed.
Despite his attempts to thwart them, the memories of that fateful day came swarming back. He closed his eyes and willed them away but they remained. His whole life changed forever that day at the docks.
It had been three months after Michelle had left. He had done the only thing he could think of back then to prove his love to her, he had let her go. He hadn't imagined how much that would have hurt and he had paid for it each day. He did the best he could without Michelle though. He got up each day, went to work, ate when he remembered to and then dreamed of MIchelle. He hated the latter the worst.
They had been unloading a shipment of cigars that night. The United States government still looked on that as a crime so they still had to receive those shipments under the cloak of the darkness. Danny was there personally to make sure nothing went wrong. Everything went along smoothly and he had dismissed the crew to go home, he would take care of the rest. Danny had always loved a good cigar and took one from the shipment to smoke. He drew the cigar up to his nostril and inhaled the aroma.
Unfortunately, noone had noticed the gas leak coming from the pump on the dock. Danny had lit the cigar and thrown away the match.
The newpapers had called in a incredible explosion, one that could be seen and felt for miles. Danny had been clinically dead when the paramedics had arrived, but their unwillingness to let him die, brought him back. Danny had thought it would have been better if he had died that night, he still did.
He had been in a coma for three weeks they tell him. His face was covered in bandages and he had lost the eyesight in one of his eyes. The patch he wore each day reminded him of that. His hip had been so shattered that they had had to rebuild one and even today he walked with a limp. The doctors had told him that they had nearly lost him a number of times but they brought him back.
The scars on his body were no less hideous. They ran from his neck to his torso and were ragged and puffy. If Danny Santos were a scary man before, he was more so now. His temperment was even worse and noone in Springfield dared cross him.
Danny had called for Michelle in his delirium and Pilar had told him that she called Michelle at college and she had said she couldn't come. Not once did Michelle come to him in the hospital. Not once did she act like she gave a damn whether he lived or died.
And now Michelle Bauer was coming home. Danny wondered what she would think of the monster he had become both inside and out.
He slammed his drink down, threw a twenty dollar bill on the bar and left. Michelle was coming home and he had to make sure he was there to greet her.
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Michelle stepped down off of the airplane unto the tarmac. She breathed in long and deep. Springfield. Her town. She was home. After three years, she was home.
Was Danny still in Springfield?? She had cut all ties to him completely when she left that day and had vowed never to look back and so far she hadn't. Rick and Abby had never mentioned him in their calls or letters and she didn't even know if he still lived here.
She had worked so hard these last three years to fulfill her dreams. She was on her way.She had to give up so much for this dream though. She had missed every Christmas and Thanksgiving and every other holiday for the last three years with her family while trying to reach her goal. Rick and Abby had understood, but told her this time she had to come home for the christening of little Robin Michelle.
MIchelle had only seen a picture of her newborn neice and she couldnt wait to see her, to hold her in her arms, smell her hair...
Thinking about Rick's daughter brought her thinking about Danny again. She had gotten fairly good at keeping him out of her mind usually, but sometimes, when she least expected it, he was there. He would always be there.
On her second week of college she had written a letter to Pilar. In it she asked how Danny was doing, just out of curiosity she had told herself. Two weeks later, she had received the letter back marked "return to sender". She had taken the hint.
She had never attempted to find out about Danny since. Until now. He was here. She could feel it. Danny had stayed in Springfield.
Michelle wondered if Danny had known that she would have given all of this up for him if he had only told her he loved her. She had loved him so much but had folishly let her pride rule her heart and there was no chance for them anymore. Her life was focused on becoming Dr. Bauer now.
She spotted RIck in the crowd and ran to him. He was such a handsome man her brother. Abigail was not with them and Michelle asked where she and Robin were. Rick told here that they were at home since Robin still had a little colic but she was so excited that she was coming home today.
They rode the rest of the way in silence. MIchelle noted the changes in Springfield since she had gone. They had finished the new mall that they had started building when she had left. Some new houses were going up along with some new apartments. Her gaze was drawn to one of the signs on the construction site of one of the apartment complexes. Coming Soon, The Summit, Two and Three bedroom apartments. For more information, Call Santos Realty, then it gave the telephone number.
Santos Realty. Had Danny gotten out of the crime business? He had always wanted to go legit and now it appreared as though he had. Good for you Danny, she thought, Good for you.
They pulled into the driveway and MIchelle ran into the house leaving Rick to take care of her luggage. She and Abby hugged and then MIchelle went to the basinette that held the first Bauer grandchild. Michelle picked her up and instantly fell in love. She had dark beautiful brown eyes and a cap of brown curls.
Danny's daughter would look like that, Michelle thought feeling the usual pang of jealousy she felt when she thought of any other woman with Danny. Some other woman would get to bear his children and spend their life with him. It was all so unfair. That woman should have been her but the returned letter was all the proof she needed to realize he had cut her completely out of his life and his thoughts.
It was for the best anyway, Michelle thought. They wouldnt have had much of a chance anyway with things being the way they were. But now, with him in the real estate business...
"Michelle" Rick called out to her again.
She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, she had been daydreaming "What, Rick, oh Im sorry" she said.
"I said, Abby and I would like to take you out to dinner tonight. Where would you like to go? Is Towers okay?"
"Sure, Towers is great" Michelle said. She didn't really feel up to going out tonight. She just wanted to take a long bath and lay her head down. The memories that had come rushing back to her were far more overwhelming than she had imagined they would be. She was mentally exhausted and if she were to be honest with herself, she would know that she needed time to think about how she was going to live in the same town as Danny.
She would go to Towers with Rick and Abby though and put on a happy face. She was home now and except for the minor detail of the only man she would ever love but couldnt have being in the same town with her, she was glad.
She just had to figure out a way to never run into him again as long as she lived.
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Michelle was feeling restless. Dinner at Towers had been exhausting with practically everyone she knew being there and coming over to either congratulate her or ask her how long she would be staying in Springfield.
She had silently pleaded with Abby to get her out of there and she had gotten Michelle's message and told Rick she wanted to get home to see Robin. Michelle mouthed a thank you to Abby and they had gone home. Michelle had gone to her room to go to bed. It felt so good to be back in her own bedroom. Everything was the same as when she had left.
She was hanging up some of her clothing when Abby knocked on the door and asked if she could come in. Michelle invited her in and they sat down for some girl talk. Michelle had missed Abby terribly. She had only made a few friends while she had been at Portland University in Oregon. Her best friend was a young man named Josh. They had been study partners in biology and had formed a fast freindship. They had been inseparable. He was very non threatening and she had spent all of her free time with him. He was also studying to becoming a doctor. He was from a small town in Alabama and was commited to going back there and begin a family practice in his own home town.
She had been very sad when they had graduated and went their separate ways. She knew Josh had a fiance' waiting for him in Alabama and had even talked to her on the phone a time or two when she had called her apartment looking for Josh. She had even been invited to be a bridesmaid at their wedding, but Michelle had said she couldnt do that. She was never going to be in another wedding party, either as a bride or a bridesmaid, for a long time. The last one she was in was a disaster.
Abby and Michelle had always had a special bond. Michelle was glad to be back with her.
"Where's the worlds most beautiful baby?" Michelle asked. Abby blushed and said that she was sleeping.
"You look tired" Abby said to MIchelle.
"I am" MIchelle said. "I am used to not getting much sleep with the rotation at the hospital and school and studying and all, but seeing all those people again tonight was just so overwhelming. Trying to keep up with everyone. I have really been behind. I didn't know that Pilar and Bill had broken off their engagement. Do you know what happened?" Michelle asked.
"I dont know for sure, but I heard it was because Bill couldnt handle her family. Kind of like you and Danny" Abby added.
Danny, Michelle thought. She had been scared half to death that he would walk into Towers tonite. She wouldn't know what to say to him if she ever saw him again.
"That's awful" Michelle said. "Pilar and Bill were so much in love. I really hoped that they would have a chance together. Where is Pilar now?" Michelle asked.
"She's living in the Santos mansion with Danny. Word has it that Carmen left the country with her lawyer or something like that. ANyway, Carmen hasn't been seen or heard from in over two years. Pilar takes care of Danny now that Carmen has gone." Abby said.
"Why does anyone need to take care of Danny?" Michelle laughed. If there was anyone on the earth who didn't need taken care of , it was Danny Santos.
Abby was horrified at what she had let slip. Rick had decided when the accident happened not to tell Michelle becuase she would rush home and give up her studies. Rick had never thought Danny was right for MIchelle and he wanted his little sister to finish her education. The one that she had put on hold when she had married Danny. Abby had disagreed with Rick and had told him so, but Michelle was his sister and he had to do what he thought best. HE would be very mad at her for telling Michelle, but she was bound to run into Danny sooner or later and if she didn't know the truth, then Michelle would be very shocked indeed.
She would worry about what Rick thought later. Her conseince was telling her that MIchelle needed to know.
"After his accident honey" Abby said.
Danny was in an accident? When? How bad was he hurt? Why didnt anyone tell her? All these questions assaulted her at once.
"What?" was all she could managed to squeak out.
"I'm sorry to tell you this sweetie but Danny was involved in an explosion several months after you went to Oregon. He was in the hospital for a long time but has recovered." Abby didn't think Michelle needed to know all the gory details about how he had died several times." Pilar helps to take care of him." she explained.
"How did the explosion happen?"
"Danny was smoking on the docks one night and there was a gas leak. His match ignited the explosion" Abby said.
Oh my God, Michelle thougth, Oh my God. She had done a rotation on the burn ward at Portland University Hospital. There was no injury more painful than burns. Danny had been injured in an explosion. HE could have been killed. What had he been doing on the docks?
All sorts of emotions were washing over her. She couldn't breathe. SHe had to get out of here. "Abby, can I borrow your car?" she asked. " I need to go for a drive or something"
"Sure honey, where will you go?" she asked.
"I am not sure, I just need to think. I need to be alone and think about all you have told me. I wont be long, I promise. If Rick says anything, tell him I took the car without your permission" Michelle said.
"Rick Bauer does not have the final say in everything that goes on in this house" Abby said with her hands on her hips.
"Thanks Abby" she said and took the keys and went out of the house.
She drove around for awhile trying to take in all Abby had said. Danny had been hurt and noone had told her. Didn't anyone think that she would want to know. Carmen probably forbid Pilar to tell her. Why would RIck not tell her though? She made a mental note to ask him when she returned home.
She drove to the lighthouse. Noone had been there in a long time. It was her special place. She had gone there the night before she had left for Oregon. She had put her and Dannys past there and had left Sprinfield along with her broken heart.
She opened the door to the dark room. She had expected it to smell musty and damp. It smelled clean. She turned on the lantern. She was surprised at how well everything looked. The bed was made and it appeared to have clean sheets. The furniture was dust free. She opened the window so she could hear the ocean. She loved the sound of the ocean, maybe tonite it could calm her nerves.
She sat down on the bed. The one that she and Danny had almost made love on. She had stopped it that night and had hurt his feelings. She remembered that night all too well. She suddenly got the feeling that she was not alone. Chills ran down her arms when she realized that she was right. Someone was lurking in the corner.
"Hello, who's there?" she called. "YOu are trespassing on private property and I am going to call the police." And just what did she plan calling the police on? There was no answer from the silent party.
"I mean it, I am going to call........" the figure stepped out of the shadows.She would know that walk anywhere. That arrogant, cocky swagger that had made her swoon. It was Danny. He was still hidden in the shadows but she knew it was him.
"Danny?" she called. The figure moved closer to her but did not come all the way into the light. What was he doing there at the lighthouse?
"MIchelle" he said flatly. "You've come back. You shouldn't have. You should have stayed away if you knew what was good for you?"
Michelle was rendered speechless. Danny was not, "Well what are you standing there for. Aren't you going to come and give me a hug?" he said as he started to come into the light.
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