The Song Challenge
Angel
By Amy
Preface: For this fic, we must flash back to the night that Danny was arrested. His life was spinning out of control, because he believed Michelle had reunited with Jesse, and had then gone to Europe to visit Ed.
The song is "Angel", written by Steven Tyler and Desmond Child, from Aeorsmith's CD, "Permanent Vacation"
Danny sat alone, staring into the darkness. His hands touched the softness of sheets on the bed he’d shared with Michelle. She was gone now, lost to him forever. He’d done the only honorable thing. He allowed her to return to her life.
But somehow that hadn’t given him any comfort. Yes, he wanted to do the right thing for her. He wanted her to be happy and safe. But, God help him, he wanted her for himself, too.
That’s why he’d made that stupid mistake tonight. He tried to bury himself in the business to mask the pain he was feeling, and because of that he got careless. And on top of all that, he really wanted no part of the business. He didn’t want this life that had cost him so much, but he’d seen it as the only way to forget how much he loved Michelle.
“I don’t blame you, Michelle,” he said to himself. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get as far away from me as you possibly could. What do I have to offer you? What could I truly give you, other than misery? I mean, look at me. The minute the going gets tough, what do I do? I go and get myself arrested. That’s not the kind of man you deserve, Michelle. I’m not the kind of man you deserve.”
He clenched his fists, as if this action would hold back the tears forming in his eyes. Without her, he had no purpose. Saving her life was the one good thing he’d ever done with his life, and letting her go would be the last.
“Michelle,” he whispered her name as the tears broke free. “I know I did the right thing for you, but I love you, and I’m afraid of what I’ll become without you.”
I’m alone yeah I don’t know if I can face the night
I’m in tears and the cryin’ that I do is for you
I want your love let’s break the wall between us
Don’t make it tough I’ll put away my pride
Enough’s enough, I’ve suffered and I’ve seen the light
On the other side of town, unaware of Danny’s lonely suffering, Michelle sits alone in a dark lighthouse, realizing that the Danny Santos she has come to know is not the man she once believed him to be. She now knows that his heart is kind and gentle, but he has made his feelings clear to her. He doesn’t want her in his life. He told her that he didn’t want to be saved.
You’re my angel
Come and save me tonight
You’re my angel
Come and make it alright
You’re my angel
Come and save me tonight
Danny’s torment continues in the bedroom at the Santos house, as he tries to convince himself that he did the right thing. Hurting her was the only way to keep her away, but still, the look in her eyes when he told her that she could’ve been any girl, cut him to the core. For all his good intentions, he knew his heart was not in it. He knew he’d trade the rest of his life if Michelle could love him for just one moment.
Don’t know what I’m gonna do
about this feeling inside
Yes, its true loneliness took me for a ride
Without your love I’m nothing but a beggar
Without your love a dog without a bone
What can I do I’m sleepin in this bed alone
“I don’t care what he says,” Michelle thought to herself. “If he thinks I’m just going to walk out of his life forever, he’s going to have to look me in the eyes, and tell me again that there’s nothing between us. I care about him, dammit, and I’m not going to let him sink back into that life without a fight.”
She did more than care about him. She loved him, and she knew it.
“It’s true, I love him,” she said out loud as she walked out the door of the lighthouse.
Danny turned away when he heard the bedroom door open. He thought that Carmen was still at Ben’s office, but she must’ve returned. He wasn’t going to talk to her, not now.
He saw the light flood the room as the door opened wider, but he didn’t hear a sound. If it were Carmen, she’d be flying off at the mouth before her hand hit the doorknob, not entering silently. Who was it then?
No, it couldn’t be. It was too much to hope for.
He sat up in bed, and slowly turned in the direction of the door. She was standing there, more beautiful than ever, illuminated by the light in the hallway behind her. She wasn’t a dream. She was real. She was there in the same room with him. His Angel.
You’re the reason I live
You’re the reason I die
You’re the reason I give
When I break down and cry
Don’t need no reason why
Baby, baby, baby