A Change Princess Nikki Summary: A "what if" type fic. Danny survived the deadly mission in China, Rafe realizes he has to let Evelyn go, for the sake of Danny and Evelyn's new family. Now he is living in New York, with a job in the Navy as a Commanding Officer. Will he ever find the love that he had with Evelyn? Disclaimer: NADA belongs to moi

It was a sunny morning in New York. Many people were walking briskly down Fifth Avenue on their way to work. Rafe McCawley stepped out of his first floor apartment to the mailbox. He smiled as he recognized Evelyn's neat handwriting and the Hawaii postmark. It had been three years since he left Pearl Harbor, after he and Danny almost died in China. He walked into the room tearing the envelope as he walked. He sat in his favorite chair by the window and unfolded the piece of writing paper. Dear Rafe, Hello! How is New York? We miss you here in Hawaii and we all hope you Are able to make it for a visit. Danny sends his love and says he will write you a letter soon. He is so busy, Rafe, this job is going to Get to him, I just know it Little Danny is so smart Rafe; he is so very smart! He has grown so much since last year, still his favorite Toy is the red toy plane you gave him for Christmas, I've got to go write back Love, Evelyn PS: Danny wants to know if there is anyone "special" in your life?

Rafe laughed at the last line. He doubted there would ever be anyone "special" ever again, no one like Evelyn. He knew Danny felt badly, that's why he wanted to know, but he had given his heart to Evelyn, and he was still not as confident with women. Recently, Rafe had wandered into the brick office of Dr. Simon Caulfield, a psychiatrist, mentally kicking himself all the way up in the elevator. He made an appointment and went to it. The doctor had told him the same thing he had been telling himself for the past two years, get over it, try someone new, find another Evelyn. Rafe dressed for the day in his Navy uniform and headed to the Navy airfield. He worked until four o'clock then headed out to the parking lot to his Cadillac and got in. He drove home listening to the radio playing Cole Porter's latest hit. He arrived home and sat down with the newspaper. After fifteen minutes of sheer boredom, he finally decided to go out. Maybe this would be good for him. He showered and changed and headed to a small club he knew of in Times Square. He parked, and walked inside, sat down at a table and ordered a drink. After listening to the band for a little while he started to look around at the people. He noticed a young woman walk in alone, she was very pretty, her long blonde hair was swept to the side and she wore a short, red dress. She was seated next to Rafe and he couldn't help but notice she was alone. He smiled at her and surprising to Rafe she smiled back. He decided to ask her to dance. "Excuse me ma'am but I couldn't help but notice, you are, um, alone. Would you care to dance?" "Sure, what's your name? I'm Ella." "Mines Rafe, it's a pleasure to meet you Ella." Rafe escorted her onto the dance floor and the two danced for what seemed like hours. Finally the two took a seat at the table. "What do you do Rafe?" " I'm a Navy pilot, do you work?" "Yes. I'm a Navy nurse." Rafe was surprised, she had to be new he thought he knew everyone in the Infirmary. "Have you worked at the Navy long?" "No, Actually just a few months." That explained it. Rafe had been putting off getting his newest round of vaccinations and he hadn't been sick so old Martha the head nurse hadn't been his buddy in awhile. "So Ella, Where are you from?" "Philadelphia, you?" "I'm from Tennessee, a little farm down there." Before they realized it, it was after one in the morning. "Come on I'll give you a ride home." Said Rafe. "Okay!" she replied Rafe paid the bill from the drinks and they walked out to the parking lot. They talked and laughed about all different subjects all the way to the Navy base. He pulled up to the house she lived in, a tiny bungalow with a small porch. He got out and opened the passenger side door and helped her out of the car. While walking her up the steps he said, "Well, Ella may I call you?" "Sure Rafe, I'd love that!" Rafe kissed her hand and headed back to the car and then home. Maybe the shrink had been right?