Danielle approached the bar where Ronnie was drowning her sorrows. The room had become very loud as Ian Beale was reaching the climax of his song.

"…money money money, is so funny, in a rich man's world…

"Your-a-bitch and tonic please" Danielle said attempting a cheery pitch.

Ronnie's looked like she had just sucked on a lemon.

"Excuse me" Ronnie tried to hide the disbelief in her voice but remained professional. Danielle was such a sweet girl, and after everything Ronnie had done for her…

Danielle giggled before 'repeating' herself a little louder. "A gin and tonic please!" Ronnie shook her head clear and gave a 'punter' smile; a fake smile for the job. Daniele was going to enjoy this. She was going to be just like Ronnie: hide her true emotions, and cause pain. 'Who am I kidding', she asked herself. The truth of the matter was Danielle was in no mood for playing games. She was nothing like Ronnie.

Danielle sighed. "Why won't you talk to me?" Danielle looked down to her feet.

Ronnie was a little taken aback. Why would she have any reason to talk to Danielle? Ronnie had let her guard down and let this girl into her life, into her home and showed that she cared. It went against everything she had promised herself over the last 19 years, and Ronnie felt as if Danielle had hurt her. She knew she had no reason to resent Danielle, it was her life.

"I'm not avoiding you Danielle. I'm really sorry I cancelled on you that day." Ronnie's gaze dropped as guilt washed over her. "How have you been?"

Danielle was not expecting this. After everything Archie had told her, she was still mumbling on about the abortion. Danielle had made a mistake. She knew she was in no position to be having a baby. Ronnie showed no emotion as she mentioned the abortion of her grandchild.

"Oh I've been fine thanks, but don't you think if should have a little chat, or do you expect Daddy to act as our medium? Whichever way, its fine with me" Daniele's voice held a hint of sarcasm, and was raised in pitch. The last words were rushed. She was starting to loose control.

Ronnie was very tempted to throw Danielle's drink all over her. Instead, she slammed it onto the bar, and hissed at the little girl. "I don't know how much you've had to drink Danielle, but you need to leave. I don't know what I've done to upset you, but you are not my responsibility." Ronnie turned on her heel to leave. The scent of vodka seeping from Ronnie's mouth overpowered Danielle's nostrils.

"Oh, I know your not. You made that clear 19 years ago." Ronnie stopped dead in her tracks. That number. Number nineteen. Nineteen years. This morning, just like every morning, Ronnie had thought about all the things she would be doing with her daughter today if she were alive. Nineteen years of age, Ronnie had wondered what sort of young woman her daughter would have become. She composed herself before turning around to face Danielle. Her hand instinctively reached out to grab Danielle's wrist which was in mid air as Danielle downed the last of her drink. Ronnie's intoxicated body was not as responsive as Danielle's hand, and she ended up grabbing a silver chain which hung loosely from Danielle's neck. The chain snapped and the sound of metal-hitting-floor rang through her ears. Danielle stared at Ronnie with utter disbelief. This woman truly hated her. The one possession Daniele could not do without and Ronnie had annihilated it.

Ronnie was starring at the open locket which now lay in her hand with the fractured chain hanging either side. This was too much. Ronnie couldn't think straight; the alcohol was kicking in, and the pain was unbearable. Ronnie's exterior was breaking down. Her army laid defeated, control crawling away from her.

"You evil bitch! This locket belonged to my daughter! Where would you get this from? You must have stole it from her. My precious little girl, this is all she had left of me, and you took it from her." These were all statements rather than questions. Ronnie babbled everything and anything. Her head was spinning. Danielle had now become Danielle's – plural. Tears stung Ronnie's eyes. One thought overpowered them all. It hurt her to think her daughter had discarded the locket so easily. Maybe sold it, or lost it. Whereas its counterpart had become Ronnie's most valued possession. The one source of comfort Ronnie would willingly run in to a burning house for. Ronnie's maternal instincts kicked in. "Why did you steal it from her?!" Her voice seeped venom with every word. Ronnie demanded answers. She was frightening Danielle. If looks could kill there would have been a double murder tonight.

This was the last thing Danielle had expected. Ronnie had used the word daughter so freely. She was good, but Danielle could do so much better. Danielle calmed herself. The frightened look changed to one of a cold, heartless stare. Her voice was shaky, but she wanted to confront Ronnie, and this was her chance.

"No! Why won't you listen to anyone? Give it up Ronnie. Face the facts, Daddy can't protect you forever. Just talk to me!" Danielle's guard was slipping away as she screamed her words. Her brave exterior was betraying her. Her eyes were seeping with emotion. She could not believe how childish Ronnie was being. She was in denial. Why could she not accept Danielle was the girl she gave away? After coming so far, the least Ronnie owed her was a talk. Was she not good enough? Did Ronnie not want a daughter like her? What was wrong with Danielle? Every bone in her body wanted to scream at the woman who haunted her dreams. This 'calm approach' was not working. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Archie marching towards her. The world stopped. The bustling noise was drowned out. Danielle's legs felt weak. Why was it so damn hot in here? She looked up at Ronnie's distraught face. She had wanted to hurt Ronnie, but seeing her like this was painful. Danielle had never seen Ronnie so weak.

"He was lying" these were the only words Danielle could muster, more to herself than at Ronnie.

Ronnie looked up. A thousand emotions were racing through her mind. "He was Lying" the missing piece of the puzzle clicked into place. Both women had uttered the same words, but little did Ronnie know, Danielle had meant something completely different.

Archie had reached the bar. Ronnie stared at him with such anger, sadness, and confusion. But what pleased Archie the most: His little V looked so vulnerable.

A/N: Reviews please. The more reviews, the quicker I update. That give me a clear indication of how many people want me to continue. LOL