Note: My mind is spinning after watching "Off the Tracks." I've already completely mapped out this story, so I won't be changing any elements based on what we learned about Danny and Rafael. I'll just try to incorporate the new information in a future story. (Mariel - Thanks for your invaluable editing and feedback.)

That same night, Anna had returned home from work anxious to sink into a hot bath. She'd thought the bath would help her sleep because she always had trouble sleeping without Danny. She'd just gotten in the tub when her telephone rang. The only reason she'd answered it was because she thought it was him.

"Hello."

"Ms. Ridley? This is Stan."

"Hi, Stan. What's up?" she asked. Stan was her building's doorman.

"Well, there's a man down here who says he's your boyfriend's brother. He's asking to see you and Danny."

"Rafael?"

"Yes, ma'am. That's what he said. Rafael Alvarez."

"Um…okay," Anna replied trying to think quickly. She didn't even know how Raffi found out where she lived. "I guess you can send him up."

"Are you sure, Ms. Ridley? Maybe you should meet him down here. Is Danny up there with you?"

"No, he is out of town," she answered with a smile. Danny had even found a way to get to know her doorman. "But it's fine. Just send him up, Stan. Thanks."

She stepped out of the tub, dried herself off, and put on a long robe. She tried to change into something more appropriate, but didn't have time before she heard the doorbell.

Hurrying to the door, she opened it to find Rafael waiting. Stan stood beside him. "Hi. Come in," she said graciously with a welcoming smile.

Rafael walked in and then Stan leaned in to address her quietly. "You want me to stay, Ms. Ridley?"

"I'm fine, really. Thanks, though," she replied quietly.

She closed the door and turned to Raffi who was taking in the large loft and spectacular view. "I'm afraid you caught me at a bad time. Were you thinking Danny was here? He's out of town on a case."

"Uh…yeah…I went by his place first, and he wasn't there so I figured I'd check here. I didn't know he was out of town. Um…but actually, I wanted to talk to you, too. I'm sorry if this is a bad time. I didn't know how to get a hold of you on the phone. You have a very secure building," he responded pointing to where Stan had been standing just moments earlier.

Anna nodded. "Yeah. Stan looks out for me, especially when Danny isn't around. How did you know where I lived?" she asked curiously as she folded her arms over her chest.

"Oh…uh…I guess Danny must of mentioned it to me, but I'm not sure."

"Oh," she responded uneasily. "Well, can I get you a drink or something?"

"Uh…beer would be great."

"Sorry, we don't keep alcohol in the house."

"Right. I guess Danny must be off the sauce now, huh? I figured as much at the wedding. Good for him. That kid could drink anyone under the table by the time he was twelve. "

"He hasn't had a drink in a very long time," she said with a bit of pride. "Do you want water or…"

"I'm fine," he said as he still took in the room. "Look I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other day."

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me, Raffi."

Rafael shook his head. "It's a lot easier for me to apologize to you than to him. I was under a lot of stress that day."

Anna smiled. "I can understand. I mean I've heard weddings can be nerve-wracking."

"Yeah," Raffi responded continuing to look around until his eyes settled squarely on her. "You have a really nice place here."

"Thank you," she answered self-consciously. She all of the sudden felt very uneasy because of the way he was watching her. "How are Sylvia and Nicky?" she asked trying to deflect the attention from her.

"Great. They're great. Nicky couldn't stop talking about you and Danny the other night."

"He's a great kid."

"Yeah, he is," Raffi replied while continuing to stare at her.

"Well I appreciate the apology, and I hope that you and Danny can talk things out when he gets back."

"He doesn't want to talk to me. I've been out for almost six months, and I never heard from him once."

"I know. It's just…it's hard for him. He went through a lot after your parents died. I think he has a hard time trusting anyone."

Raffi nodded. "Yeah, I know I wasn't there for him. And I should have been, but that was a long time ago. And it doesn't look like he is doing too badly now," he said as he looked around the apartment again. "I can tell by the look in his eyes that he is judging me."

"Isn't that what you're doing to him, too? I mean you basically accused him of being ashamed of his heritage. Danny didn't change his name because he was ashamed. He changed it because he wanted a fresh start. If you two would just talk to each other then you would know that," she responded in a frustrated but concerned tone.

"Well he must have done something right along the way. He's got the good job, the girl…and all of this," he said looking around. "And I…I can barely afford to pay the rent on a one-bedroom apartment. Danny was always such a smart kid. Even when he was getting into trouble…he'd always be able to talk his way out of it. I got to give credit to him."

"He works really hard, Raffi."

"How hard did he have to work to get you?" he asked as he stared at her again.

Anna looked down at her feet. She was completely uncomfortable. She still wasn't sure what he really wanted. "I love Danny. I always have."

"Like I said at the wedding…he's a lucky guy," he said as he seemed to focus his attention on looking at her body more than anything else.

"Listen…I…um…I'm…um…meeting a friend for dinner…so…" she lied to get him to leave.

"Right. I've taken up too much of your time. I just wanted you to know that I did enjoy meeting you, and we were glad you and Danny came to the wedding."

"We were happy to be there," she replied.

Raffi walked toward her, and she could tell he wanted to embrace her. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to be rude, but she also didn't want to encourage him. Before she could react, he put his arms around her.

"Thanks for listening," he whispered in her ear.

His grip was a little too tight, and she felt incredibly vulnerable in her robe. And she could smell the liquor on his breath. She knew then that she should have never let him up there. Before she could pull away, he made sure that his body brushed against hers. She finally pulled away and stepped back.

"Goodbye, Raffi. Tell your wife I said hello."

"I'll do that," he responded as he started to walk out, but then stopped. "There is one more thing, and I really hate to ask you. I was going to ask Danny, but…"

She frowned slightly. "What?"

"Um…this is really stupid…"

"What is it?" she asked insistently because she wanted him to leave.

"I've been coming up a little short this month, and its Nicky's birthday next week. Sylvia and I would like to get him a nice gift, but…anyway…I was going to ask Danny to float me a loan. He'd probably say no, but I'm desperate…"

Anna felt torn. She knew that Danny wouldn't want her to give him the money, but she also just wanted him to leave and wasn't sure what he would say or do if she didn't give it to him. "How much?" she asked quietly as she grabbed her purse from the table by the door.

"Um…a couple hundred would be great. We could get that bike that he really wants…"

Anna nodded as she opened her wallet and pulled out two hundred dollar bills. "Here you go."

"Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm sure Danny would've helped me out if he was here…since it is for Nicky and all. I'll pay you back."

Anna shrugged. "It's no big deal, Raffi. I hope Nicky has a happy birthday," she responded as she opened her front door.

"You really are an angel," he said as he leaned toward her again, but she backed away quickly.

"Like I said, it's no big deal. I'll tell Danny you stopped by," she said trying to conclude the visit.

"Right. Thanks again," he said as he backed away toward the elevator.

Moving restlessly, she mentally chastised herself for not listening to Danny's warnings about Raffi. She remembered the feel of the man's arms around her and shuddered, wanting nothing more than to take a shower. Raffi may not have meant to make her feel uncomfortable, but she was certain he was making some kind of point by coming here when Danny was away. There was no way, she thought, that Danny would have told him where she lived.

After sleeping on it, she decided to let it go and not tell Danny about his brother's visit. She didn't want to cause more problems between them. In the future, she planned on making a point not to be alone with him again.