March 28th, 2002

Things weren't the same for Ronnie. Little noises startled her. Quick movements scared her. Her heart couldn't stop racing and her dreams wouldn't allow her to forget the gun in her face. Danny tried to make her forget but nothing worked.

Ronnie stood underneath the spray of the shower. The hot water pounded on her tanned skin. Red blotches started to appear on her skin. Danny walked into the bathroom calling out her name. She couldn't hear him wear she was in her head.

"Ronnie?" Danny walked to the shower stall and opened up the curtain. Ronnie screamed pressing her body to the wall. Danny jumped slightly, "Ronnie, its me." Her large blue eyes looked at him. They soon filled with tears.

"Danny?" She whispered finally having it register that it was him. Tears slid down her cheek.

"Oh, Ronnie." He whispered, ignoring the water spray and pulling her into his chest. Ronnie cried softly into his chest. He reached over and turned the water off, "This water is scalding." He ran his hand over her wet hair

"Wh-Why wont it leave my head?" She sobbed.

"You were scared and put through a lot." He whispered grabbing a towel and wrapping around her. She looked at him with frustration.

"I should be happy that I'm alive, Danny," She looked at him, "I'm terrified to be alive I'm scared to be living, Danny." He looked at her, with his heart breaking.

"I will do everything in my power to make you be happy again, Ronnie." He said seriously, "I want you to be better. You're alive, Ronnie. You're here with me. I thank everyday that you're here and I am able to hold you in my arms. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you then." Ronnie stared at him.

"Really?" She asked gently. Danny nodded.

"I love you with all my heart, Ronnie." He said softly.

"Hold me, Danny/" She whispered laying her head on his chest. He sighed holding her tightly.

* * *

Danny tasted the pasta sauce he had spent all afternoon on. Ronnie zipped up her skirt and brushed out her now dry hair. He walked into the dining room and lit a few candles he had lit on the table.

"Ronnie, it's all ready." Danny put the plates of pasta on the table and dished the sauce all over the noodles. Ronnie walked out and smiled softly as she saw the spread.

"It looks delicious." She said sitting down.

"A special dinner for my lady." Danny said sitting down.

"I'm so hungry." Ronnie spread the napkin on her lap and started to dig in Danny watched her as she ate. The cry she had earlier seemed to have done her some good. Ronnie groaned, "God. This is great."

"I'm glad you like it." He said looking at her, "I wanted to talk to you about something." She looked at him with her fork in her mouth.

"What about?" Ronnie asked softly. Danny cleared his throat.

"I want to take the next step in this relationship with you." Ronnie stared at him.

"What do you mean?" She asked slowly.

"I would like to, if you wanted, to move in with you." Danny said. Ronnie put her fork down.

"Danny…We haven't been together for that long." She said.

"I know and I know you're going to bring up our past relationships but don't." He said, "But don't/ This is no and this is our relationship. I have never ever felt this way about anyone before and when I go home at night, it tears my heart apart. I hate not being able to come home with you. I the not being able to sleep with you every night and what happened the other week just pounded that into my head even more." Ronnie stared at him, dumbfounded. She ran what he said over through her head. Danny stared at her, "Ronnie?"

"What?" She cleared her throat. Danny sighed deeply and put his napkin.

"I'm sorry." Danny took his plate and walked back into the kitchen. He made a big mistake and he ruined everything. Ronnie watched him leave. She frowned deeply and got up. She went into the kitchen.

"Danny, where are you going? I thought we were eating dinner." She said. Danny shook his head.

"No. I leave you alone." He said not looking at her.

"Why?" She asked looking at him.

"Because I moved too fast." He sighed softly, "I screwed up and you're mad." Ronnie crossed her arms and looked at him.

"What would make you think that?" She asked.

"Because…I…the look on your face." He said finally looking at her, "I'm sorry."

"Why on Earth or you sorry?" She asked, "You're sorry for making me feel safe in your arms? You're sorry for wanting to make me happy?"

"No." Danny said.

"You didn't even wait to hear my answer." Ronnie said.

"I know." He said looking at her expectantly.

"I would love nothing more than to have you move in with me." Ronnie said. A smile spread across his face.

"You mean it?" He asked. Ronnie nodded.

"To be honest, Danny, I've been thinking about asking you since…you know...happened." Danny grabbed Ronnie around her waist and hugged her tightly.

"Oh Ronnie." He smiled hugging her tightly. Ronnie smiled, feeling completely save and happy in the shelter of his arms.

"You're a better cook than me." She chuckled, "It'll be nice getting some good food." Danny smiled looking at her.

"Are you seriously okay with this?" He asked. Ronnie nodded tucking her blond hair behind her ear.

"I sleep better when You're here." She said, "You're not my ex. Youre...so much better than he was. You make my soul feel calm and happy. I want you to move in." Danny smiled caressing her cheek softly.

"I love you." He whispered kissing her softly. Ronnie sighed happily. Maybe with Danny's help, she could get past the shooting. Maybe she could get on with her life and move on to happier and more pleasant things with Danny.

*******

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