Theresa awoke and began thrashing around, trying to push this intruder away. She opened her eyes and saw Danny. He spoke, "Promise not to scream and I'll move my hand."

Theresa nodded. After she caught her breath, Theresa looked at Danny and said, "I'm surprised it took you this long to show up."

"Well, you did a damned good job of hiding. I believe that when we last spoke you were going to explain how the hell you ended up in my bed."

Theresa looked at Danny and said, "I can't believe you don't remember seducing me. I tried to resist, but you know I could never resist you."

"What the hell are you talking about? I distinctly remember showing you to the door and going to bed ALONE!" Danny shouted.

"Man, you really were drunk. You must have blacked out. About an hour after I left, you called and asked me to come back. You said you couldn't stand to be alone another night, especially after all those nights alone while your wife was in jail. When I walked in, there were beer bottles all across the coffee table and you were sprawled across the sofa. The next thing I knew, you were kissing me and you know where we ended up. We hadn't been asleep long when Michelle came in."

"I don't believe you! Why are you lying!" Danny shouted as he wrapped his hands tightly around Theresa's arms.

"Hey! You're hurting me. Stop!"

Danny let her go and looked her in the eye and said, "Theresa, you're lying and we both know it. Somehow I'm going to prove it." Then he turned and walked out the door.

Theresa knew that Danny could possibly be outside waiting to follow if she left. He probably still had enough connections to have tapped her phone. She walked over to the window and decided to wait until morning to let Ray know about Danny's visit.

***

Ray drove Michelle home. As they rode, he explained how he and Theresa had plotted to get them both to LA. "Remember, I'm the one who later suggested to my cousin's lonely wife that she surprise him in LA."

"Ray, I don't understand how you knew I would be able to get out of my classes so I could go to LA. Especially Dr. Douglas' class."

"Well, a priest calling all your professors and asking that they excuse you from classes due to a family emergency was all it took. After I dropped you off at the airport, I called Theresa and let her know what fight you were on. She had a contact at the airline who called and let her know as soon as your flight landed. Then she slipped into Danny's room and set everything up."

"Ray, what if I had arrived earlier. That flight delay wasn't in your plan."

"No, it wasn't. If you had arrived earlier, Theresa was just going to pull out all the stops and try to seduce Danny. If that hadn't worked, she was going to let Danny in on the plan and make him think you were in danger too. We hoped he'd go along with it to keep you both safe. That delay just made it possible to do things this way and keep Danny in the dark."

"Ray, don't all these lies go against your vows. How could you follow through with this plan?" Michelle asked quietly.

"Well, preventing a hit - Danny's death - seemed like a pretty good reason to me at the time. " As he pulled into the Bauer driveway, Ray said," We're here. I've got to get back to the rectory and see Danny. Let me know if you need anything, Michelle."

Michelle went inside and walked to her bedroom and sank down onto the bed. She knew Ray and Theresa's plan was the only way to keep Danny alive. She silently prayed for the strength to follow through. Michelle got up and went over to the bureau and picked up the framed photo of them from San Cristobel. Matt had snapped it during a brief moment of normalcy on the yacht during the whole Reva rescue mission. Danny's arms were wrapped around her, his chin resting on her shoulder, as they stood at the bow of the boat. Michelle longed to feel those arms around her again.

Danny stood on the Bauer lawn. He had been parked around the corner when he saw Ray's car pull up. He had watched Michelle get out and go into the house. She looked upset. She had to have been talking with Ray about their problems. Maybe she'd listen to him now that she had talked with Ray. Danny climbed the tree by the house and got onto the balcony. He remembered the time he surprised her and came in this door unexpectedly after she returned from Josh and Reva's wedding. He was sure that this visit wouldn't be as pleasant.

Danny quietly opened the door. Michelle heard the door creak and knew it was him. I just can't do this she thought, but she knew there was no choice. Danny walked into the room and saw Michelle standing by the bureau holding the photo. Even in her frazzled state, her beauty left him breathless. They stared at each other for several tense moments. Danny finally broke the awkward silence, "Michelle, please let me explain."

"Danny, please leave. I just can't deal with this right now. This feeling of heartbreak is more than I can take."

Michelle turned and walked towards the bathroom intending to lock herself in, praying that he'd take the hint and leave. She knew if he stayed longer, she'd break down and tell him the truth. When he realized where she was headed, Danny raced across the room and grabbed her arm. He turned her body to face him. Before she could utter a sound, Danny pulled Michelle into a deep kiss. She started to push him away, but couldn't help melting into his embrace.

***

Michelle awoke first. She felt Danny's arms wrapped around her. She knew she had to convince him their marriage was over. That was the last thing she wanted to do. As she wrestled with thoughts of telling Danny the truth, his cell phone rang.

Danny woke up and groggily searched the floor for his coat and grabbed the phone. Michelle reached for her robe and began to get out of the bed, but Danny caught her arm with his free hand. Michelle looked down, gathered her strength, and directed a look of icy anger towards Danny.

"Danny Santos," he curtly spoke into the phone. After several minutes, the conversation ended as Danny said, "Yeah, that's very interesting. Thanks"

Danny met Michelle eyes with a look of pain and confusion as he hung up the phone. He waited for her to speak. Michelle swallowed hard and calmly began, "Danny, last night was a mistake. I want you to leave."

"Michelle, you know you love me and you want to work this out."

"Stop! I can't do this. I've already told you that this is too painful. I can't deal with it, Danny. It hurts too much." Michelle shook as tears sprang from her eyes.

Michelle's phone rang; Danny grabbed it before she could get to it. "Call back later," he tersely said into the receiver before hanging it up and unplugging the phone. "Michelle, neither one of us is going anywhere until we talk."

"Danny, you can't keep me here and you know it."

"Yes, I can and I will. That call on my cell phone was Kevin. I've had him tailing Theresa since last night. Theresa is meeting with Ray right now. He overheard them discussing some sort of plan and your name came up. I want to know exactly what's going on. I know you're in on whatever this is. So, spill Michelle."

Michelle sat down on the edge of the bed and put her head between her hands. Danny turned her around and wrapped his arms around her. As he stroked her back, he listened while she struggled to get the words out and tell him everything she knew.

***

Danny stood silently outside the same bars that once stood between him and Michelle. Carmen's back was to him and she was unaware of his presence. After a moment he spoke, "Mama, you're looking well."

"Daniel, what are you doing here? As I recall, the last time we spoke, you swore that you never wanted to see me again. I believe your exact words mentioned something about never sharing breathing air with me again in this lifetime."

"Mama, I'm going to make you happier than you've been in ages. Michelle left me. She found me in a compromising position with Theresa and promptly served me with these," Danny stated as he thumped the divorce papers against the bars by her face.

"Oh! Daniel, I'm so sorry that things didn't work out."

"Save the fake sympathy, Mama. I know this is the happiest day of your life. You've hated Michelle with a passion since day one. Not many mothers-in-law go so far as to frame an unwanted daughter-in-law for murder."

"Daniel, you're my son and I love you. That Bauer girl wasn't fit to be your wife. Theresa would make a much more suitable mate for you. I'm glad you finally came to your senses and saw the value of a relationship with Theresa."

"Like I said, Mama, save the fake sympathy. I'm here to discuss business, not my personal life. Mama, with you in jail for Ben's shooting, someone needs to take over our operations. I'm here to take control of the business. You can't run it from prison. We both know that is where you're going after your trial. Mama, you have no choice. Either I take over or the business is split among the other families. "

Parts 11-13

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