At the risk of reiterating what everyone's said here, I think it's good that Michelle comes back and makes the next move. Danny's rejection may be harsh but I think that they both need to know that Michelle comes willingly, fully aware of all of Danny's faults and his baggage.

But I also think that it's important, especially since I think Guiding Light will build a long-term storyline around them, that Danny and Michelle become friends and perhaps this is where that rejection becomes important.

I think it would be very easy for the writers to fall into this "we have a hot couple" let's send them on an adventure storyline. But at the risk of sounding like a maiden aunt, where would we go when that initial passion was spent (although I think it would last quite a while), would Danny and Michelle really know each other at all? That seems to have been a major theme of the first major arc, married to the mob, with all the "I don't know you" Michelle/Danny lines. And I for one, would find that period, the getting-to-know you period, let's be friends period fascinating, and I think Danny and Michelle would make great friends, and I think in that bedrock of friendship, more passion would be created. I think one of my favorite scenes was when Michelle was trying to flirt with Danny. In that scene, I saw the "magic," but I also saw people who really could put each other at ease, and really speak and listen to each other. Yes, they do have the connection Danny kept talking about.

It's hard to explain. I do think Danny and Michelle like each other, it's not a case of passion without liking or trusting each other at all. It's there on a subconscious level, I think Danny and Michelle just need to figure out why they like each other and understanding it. One of the first things I noticed watching Manny, starting with the country club scenes, was that when Jesse came round and unknowingly threatened them, Michelle almost always reached for Danny's arm and Danny, while eyeing Jesse, would cover her hand with his own. I was totally out of the storyline, but I kept thinking, Michelle, the love of your life has come to save you, and you're reaching for your jailer.

I've really enjoyed the Manny storyline, but it has gone very fast, probably from a number of factors: not originally a long term storyline, fan reaction, etc. I think TPTB are just trying to build up the foundation a bit. At least I hope that's what they're doing.

elle