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 A/N: The story is going to switch a little in this chapter to give more info on Ella. We all know about Rafe but this woman may be a little complex. He was wonderful. As little as Ella knew about Rafe she knew he was special, unique. In the small time they had spoken neither had brought up their past. Monday morning came quickly for both. Ella showered and dressed in her white nurses uniform she was in hurry because she was hoping to see Rafe on his way to the base. "Hey Elle? What's up with you this morning? You are never this cheery!" said Mary, one of her roommates. "She met a guy Friday night." Said Michaela, another roommate. "WHAT! I thought you got lost and went to the wrong club, Ella! You never said anything about finding company there!" "Yeah and she was out until one in the morning." Interjected Michaela. "What's his name?" "Rafe. Rafe McCawley, he's in the Navy, you know? A pilot, probably just a grounded flyboy" ******************** Rafe was watching a few of the planes take off on the runway when a young pilot came up to him. "Sir, um, there is a, um, someone here to see you." "Alright." "She is waiting for you at the gate." She? One name flew into Rafe's mind "Ella" he hadn't realized he had said that aloud. Rafe walked quickly to the gate that led onto the runway. He hurried up to her and said "Well hey Miss Ella how have you been?" Rafe took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. Because the war was still going on the only pilots on the base were those in training. As Rafe kissed Ella's hand he heard a few whistles and claps. "Hey Colonel! It's about time you've got a girl." "Boys back to your stations!" shouted Rafe. "Colonel?" asked Ella. "Yeah well sorry I didn't mention that Ella, its just I don't like to talk about it much, you know work and all." "And to think I just thought you were some grounded flyboy who was lucky enough to keep himself out of the war!" "Ella would you like to have dinner with me?" Rafe asked abruptly "I'd love to Rafe." "Let me give you a ride home and I'll pick you up at five?" "That sounds wonderful!" "I just have to tell them I'm leaving, okay? Want to come in with me?" "Sure." Rafe and Ella entered the large building and walked up a flight of steps turned a few times then up another flight of steps turned right and entered a door which had Rafe's name on it. "Hey Marjorie! I just wanted to tell you I was leaving for the day. "

"But its only two-thirty?" said a heavy woman with dark hair, pale skin and watery blue eyes. "Yes well I have dinner plans, and I just feel like going home right now tell John to take over down on the field." As Rafe said "dinner plans" Marjorie eyed Ella suspiciously. "Rafe aren't you going to introduce your friend?" "Sure, Marjorie, this is Ella, Ella this is my secretary Marjorie." "Pleasure" said Marjorie disdainfully. "Very nice to have met you!" Ella said, Rafe was practically dragging her out of the room. "Rafe?" Ella questioned. "Sorry about that Ella, but Margie, she gets awful nasty and she was in one of them moods" Rafe replied. "Come on, I'll drop you off now." They drove along the road out of the air base until they reached Ella's house where a few women were sitting on the porch. Rafe got out of the car and walked over to Ella's side. "Who is this?" Mary wondered aloud. Then Ella stepped out of the car. The girls realized this must be the guy. "Bye Rafe, see you in a few hours." "Okay Ella, Good afternoon ladies." Rafe said directing the last comment to Ella's friends. Rafe got in his car and drove away. "See you in a few hours?" demanded Mary "He asked me to dinner" "Elle, you never said that your new guy was gorgeous." "Oh isn't he! Just simply adorable. You know how I thought he was just a pilot?" Well guess what? He's a colonel." "No! And he isn't married with a family?" asked Mary "Nope, well not that I know of" ******************* Ella and Rafe entered a small restaurant. They were seated almost immediately and when the waiter came over he recognized Rafe. "Ah Mister Rafe it is ah how you say fabulous to see you" said and Italian man whose English wasn't perfect and spoke with a heavy accent. "Same to you Antonio." Replied Rafe. The waiter left after taking their drink orders. "Rafe? You don't have a wife and children do you?" "NO!" Rafe said laughing "Well good because Mary had me convinced that you were married and had kids and." she trailed off "Its not funny!" She said obviously perturbed. "Why would Mary think I had a wife and all? By the way who is Mary?" "My roommate, she thought it because you have a great job, you're 'single', you are adorable." She said blushing. "Thank you for the compliment, relay that to Mary for me?" "Okay" They ate and left the restaurant. "C'mon I've got a surprise for you." "Really?" ********************** "NO! Rafe! Don't flip this thing!" Ella shouted. Rafe, taking a leaf from Danny's book had taken Ella on a flight to see the New York skyline, from a bird's eye view. Rafe turned the plane over in a barrel roll for the second time, getting the satisfaction of Ella's shrieks. They were snuggled into the small plane and enjoying the sultry summer night. Ella was enchanted with Rafe, she knew that he was perfect, but she also knew there was an inside story behind Rafe. Whenever she brought up his being single he always seemed to change the subject or shake off her question.