Michelle tossed and turned in the bed where she had been placed, her pale forehead decorated with beads of sweat. Danny felt completely helpless as he frantically looked on.

"Do you know what is wrong," nedemanded of the doctor who had just finished his examination.

Dr. Erikson began to place his tools back into his bag. "Judging from her raised temperature, fainting episode, restless state, I believe that she has been poisoned, probably with some powdered form of a hallucinogen."

"Poisoned?!" shouted Danny frantically. He forced himself to stay calm. Michelle needed him.

"Is she going to die," he questioned, this time more softly.

"You can never be positive," replied the doctor,"but I don't think so."

He continued on," Her color is still good, she is breathing well, and her pulse is still strong. She will have a long night, and probably an even longer morning when she wakes up�but she will wake up. Your main concern is really who did this to your wife, and why."

Danny looked towards Michelle's unconscious form. " I already know who doctor, and he probably doesn't even need a why."

Dr. Erikson merely shook his head. "Just take care of her Mr. Santos."

"I will," Danny assured.

Sadly, Michelle in her drugged haze was beyond those assurances. Her world right now was one of fog, of nightmares, and of pain.

She was in the lighthouse, normally her haven. It had always been a place a hope and love�but not today.

Danny was leaving her.

It all seemed to take place in slow motion. Danny telling her they could never be together, that he didn't love her anymore. And then, nothing but the sound of the door closing behind him. "Don't leave me Daniel Santos," she sobbed as she fell to her knees. "I love you."

A reply to her plea seemed to echo from the sky above. "I love you too Michelle�I love you too."

But those words offered no assurance. Danny was gone, and her world was swiftly fading to black.

But then, a knock sounded on the same door that Danny had left her life through.

"Danny," she breathed as she opened the door," you came back."

She looked joyously to the shadowed form in the doorway, but it was not Danny who stood before her.

"Not Danny", the hulk before her answered, echoing her thoughts.

It was Mick, or what had once been Mick.

This Mick had died on the beach. With seaweed draping his form, he truly looked like the walking dead.

"Why are you here. What do you want of me?" she demanded as she steadily moved backwards.

"I am here to finish what I started Michelle. I am going to make mama proud and follow though something for once," he said menacingly.

He was touching her now, his cold hands running down her shoulders. No matter how much she resisted, his grip remained firm. His hands moved towards her neck. Forcefully, he guided her towards the bed. Oh god, she was on the bed. "Don't touch me," she screamed. "Leave me alone."

"Like you left me alone Michelle? It's an eye for an eye beautiful. A death for a death."

She was fighting back now�kicking, clawing, biting�anything she could. At one point she felt her fist make contact with his face, a very warm face.

He was holding her down now. He was so strong, she couldn't even move. She was trapped, and there was no escape. This was the end, and her only wish was that she could see Danny's face one last time.

She closed her eyes, and waited for death. That moment seemed to stretch for an eternity.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Somehow, her wish had been granted.

"Danny"

"Oh God Michelle. Thank God. You are okay."

"Danny," she repeated, somehow not believing it was his arms that held her. It was all coming back now - the dinner, Mick's threats the wine that had tasted so strange.

Suddenly she was sobbing uncontrollably. But it's was not just her tears that ran freely down her cheeks. Danny's tears were there too, mingling with her own.

She looked up towards her husband. It was then that she noticed his cheek, already bruising.

"Oh honey, did I do that?"

"We'll just call it payback for all the things I did at the beginning of our relationship," said Danny. "Deal?"

"Deal," agreed Michelle.

She sobered suddenly.

"Danny I was so scared. Mick seemed so real. He was trying to kill me."

"I know sweetheart," he replied, brushing her hair. "But that is why we are here, to make sure that my brother never bothers any of us, ever again. We can't let what happened today affect our plans."

"Don't worry Danny." Michelle took a deep breath. "If anything, I finally understand what must be done."

Part 8

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