When Love & Hate Collide
      Chapter 2

Danny walked through the Springfield Airport. He looked like any other businessman but this was anything but a business trip. He was coming home. For a short while anyway.
The merger of the Santos and Rivera families was on it's way to being a permanent fact making them the most powerful crime organization since Al Copone's.
Danny could still see Bernard sitting behind that grand desk that he treasured so much smoking his cigar and smiling. Smiling like a Cheshire cat. This is what he had waited for his entire life. He would have had it sooner if Danny hadn't broken his engagement to Theresa all those years ago. That didn't matter much anymore. Bernard had forgiven Danny for the indiscretion of youth and now everyone was getting what they wanted, But were they? Yes Carmen and Bernard were on top of the world and Theresa well Theresa hadn't stopped smiling in days. Danny thought absently that her face might explode. Yes everyone was happy but him.
He looked down at his watch and knew that Jimmy would be waiting for him with the car. He picked up the pace not wanting to listen to another one of Carmen's lectures. He collided head on with a young women sending both of their bags sailing across the terminal.
        "Excuse me," he began. There it was that intoxicating scent that in all these years he couldn't remove from his nostrils. The faintest hint of lavender. The scent that was Michelle Bauer. He looked up and was taken a back. "Michelle?"
        "Danny?" his name caught in her throat.
Both stood in awe of one another unable to say a word. Their eyes connected. Connected as they always had done. Each looking into the depths of the others soul. Michelle felt the goose bumps on her flesh even though it was over 90 degrees outside. She was transported back in time. To a place when all that mattered was his love for her. His protecting her. She would have given anything to feel his strong arms around her waist. His mouth against hers.
        "It's great to see you," his voice was a hoarse whisper. She was as beautiful as he remembered. Time still for a moment. Danny wanted to reach out to her. Stroke his hand against her bare arms. Push the hair that incessantly fell forward covering her eyes. He stopped himself.
        "You too," she returned finding her voice.
The awkward silence encircled them. Michelle shifted nervously not knowing what to do next.
        "Here," he handed her her purse.
        "Thank you. What brings you back to Springfield?"
        "Business," his answer short, "And you?"
        "Drew and Jesse are getting married."
        "Right...Pilar said something about that."
This small talk was unnerving. They talked to one another as if they had never been anything more than just friends. Michelle couldn't bring herself to look at him. And that was all Danny could do was look at her. Michelle, his Michelle. What had he done all those years before? Starring at her now he couldn't fathom why he had done what he had. But deep down he knew. The decision had been taken out of his hands.
        "Nice to see you again, but I'm sure Drew is waiting for me by now." Michelle smiled picturing Drew honking her horn and calling her name.
        "Yeah me too......I'm running late as it is. How long you staying?" the words fell from his mouth before he hand time to stop them.
        "A couple weeks."
        "Maybe I'll see you around." Danny knew he was playing a dangerous game but he couldn't stop himself. Couldn't imagine walking away from her again. Her retreating form held him captive. She sensed his eyes on her and stopped short turning to look at him again over her shoulder. Michelle smiled eyes twinkling. He was unable to stop himself from smiling back. It was as if life had finally been breathed back into his soul. He felt alive again a complete person. The feeling was gone fast though as Theresa threw her arms around his waist.