1. Michelle has been practically held hostage since her involvement in Mick's death. And I don't necessarily mean at the Santos house. When Danny came on the scene, he made it perfectly clear that he was there to find out who killed Mick. Michelle knew this and was constantly on guard.

"Will he find out it was me, what will he do when he finds out?" She had no idea what to expect from Danny ... only Danny knew what his plans were. And when he offered her marriage to protect her, yes, she was grateful, but she had to give up her life, her love. So, indeed she probably did hate Danny in the beginning ... of course, that has changed, but I don't blame her for her feelings, in fact I would have probably felt the same way.

2. So, Michelle betrayed Danny by calling the FBI. Again, I don't blame her. She had to humiliate the man that she loved, make him believe that her marriage is real, and give up her old life. All she wanted was to go back to her safe life where she didn't have men with guns outside her door, where Carmen didn't sit at the dining room table glaring at her, and where Dietz didn't watch every move she made. She wanted to take down Carmen -- note, only Carmen.

She was grateful to Danny and knew he was different. So, she wanted to spare Danny. That to me shows how much she cared for him.

3. Yes, everytime he tried to make love to her, she backed off. And yes, I screamed at the TV too. I mean, how can she not want a man like that? I do. But, I put myself in Michelle's shoes. She has morals. The one man she ever made love to was the love of her life at the time, She waited to give that gift of herself to the man she loves and would love forever. Of course, we all know better that Danny is the love of her life, but Michelle didn't know that. And I do think that she wanted Danny, but, she didn't know that love was a part of it. And for Michelle, love is a part of making love. She won't just give herself to any man just because he is hot. Those morals are what I love about her the most.

4. Michelle is confused. I would be too. If you love someone for a long time, like she did with Jesse and then meet someone else, you feel like you need to be loyal to your first love. That is how Michelle is feeling. She made vows to Jesse, and at the time she really meant them or she wouldn't have said them. She is realizing now though that those vows don't mean much to her now. That her heart is with Danny, and that her feelings for Jesse are over. She is confused, upset and probably shamed by how she feels. She needs to come to grips with her feelings and she needs to do this in her own time.

The problem is that Danny wants things to move fast, ie. the annullment, which doesn't give Michelle much time to realize what she wants. Remember, as of yesterday's show they have been broken up for two days. Not long at all. So, of course, she is going to not show exactly what she feels, because she doesn't know yet. And I don't blame her.

5. At Millenium, Michelle did everything she could to make Danny admit he loved her. I believe that if he would have admitted it, she would have said she had feelings for him. But, that chance was taken away from her because TWV came in and interrupted and because Danny denied his feelings. But, you could tell by the way she touched Danny that she didn't believe him and that she really does want him.

6. SHE IS STILL WEARING THE RING. Obviously the marriage means something to her. She can't let go of that ring. It is now apart of her ... just like Danny is. She is slowly realizing that. Deep down inside, she knows why the ring is so important.

7. Yesterday, Michelle didn't tell Jesse that she is afraid of Danny. In fact, she was telling him the opposite, but TWV was not in tune to what she was saying. You could tell she was frustrated by that. That look on her face was like "hello? Didn't you just hear what I said?" And when that phone rang and she answered it, her whole body and facial expression changed. The mere sound of Danny's voice affects her. She is a girl in love.

8. At Towers, Michelle was taken aback by Ray telling her that Danny wanted an annullment. She was shocked and very upset ... you could tell when she said "oh." And then, when Danny said we were forced together, right? Michelle said "right," like she was saying ... I can't believe this is happening. She was staring at Danny with longing and with love and also with hurt, because she is being forced out of this marriage just like she was forced into this marriage. The choice is once again being taken away from her. I would be mad and I am sure she is, too.

9. Michelle will admit she has feelings for Danny. At Towers, she will let something slip. Why would Danny use Pilar to make her jealous if she didn't let something slip. Danny is a smart man, too smart sometimes and he will not let that little information of her caring for him slip out of his mind. He will use it and challenge her to reveal her feelings. And she will. Michelle will tell Danny that she loves him.

10. Michelle is not stupid. She knows what loving Danny is about. She knows that being with him thrusts her back into the life she doesn't want ... with Carmen and Dietz watching her every move. She is not anxious for that. If she gives herself to Danny, she gives herself to the family. I don't blame her for feeling like this. In fact, I can completely understand her point of view. But, and I repeat, but, she will give herself to Danny, willingly, and without hesitation, when she admits to herself she loves Danny. It is only a matter of time.

There is my defense of Michelle. She is complex --almost as complex as Danny. I am enjoying her emotional struggle. Everyone stick with this, it will turn out. Michelle will not let us down!

Kathy