Note: This is a continuation of Never Look Back.I didn't think I would start this so soon, but here it is. Enjoy!

After Danny Taylor left Brentland Academy, he never looked back. With the exception of meeting Katie, nothing good came from Brentland except for his stellar education. Danny always felt like he was sinking at Brentland. When he started at NYU, he felt like he was soaring. He loved everything about college. He loved the freedom and the culture. He loved the fact that there were all kinds of people, not like the cookie cutter rich kids at Brentland.

His immediate embrace of college life almost made him forget about the heartache of losing Katie. But he could never truly forget. The only thing that helped him forget was getting lost in the party culture of school. Monday through Thursday, Danny hit the books harder than anyone. But come Thursday night, Danny would party until the following Sunday. He was almost constantly drunk. Along with the partying and the drinking, Danny also started a bad habit of hooking up with different co-eds. Most of the time, he didn't even know their names. When he would sober up on Sundays, he would regret his behavior. But the cycle would begin again on the following Thursday.

Not only was Danny relieved that college was much better than Brentland, but he was also happy to have Payton out of his life. After their brief sexual encounter after Katie left his dorm room, Payton tried to initiate a relationship with him.

Shortly after Mr. Mason left Danny's dorm room, there was a light knock on the door. Danny sighed heavily as he got up from the bed. He didn't want to see anyone. He just wanted to be alone. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Payton holding two coffees.

"Good morning," she said cheerily as she brushed past him into the room.

"I thought you left," he replied with little expression.

"Just to grab some coffee. I figured you'd need it after last night. I just saw Mason leave. What did he want?"

"Nothing. It doesn't matter anymore," Danny responded quietly as he sat down on the bed and took a sip of coffee.

"I've been doing some thinking," Payton said as she sat down on the bed across from his. "I think this has all worked out for the best. We click Danny. That was pretty apparent last night. And let's face it…it was apparent our first night in my dad's car. I think…"

Danny interrupted. "You really are delusional. After everything you've done to me…to Katie…and you want a relationship with me? Come on, Payton. This is a game to you. I'm not playing anymore."

"That's what you always say…"

"This time I mean it. No more. Besides, your family would have the same reaction as Katie's. They wouldn't think I was good enough for you. So even if I was interested…which I'm not…I'll never go through that again."

"You were right about my father. My parents don't give a crap about me. My mother's been in D.C. for the last six months…and my father is trying to produce some movie in L.A. They wouldn't care who I bring home…as long as I don't cause them bad publicity."

As much as he wanted to hate her, Danny felt sorry for Payton in that moment. He knew better than anyone what it felt like to not be wanted. The only difference between them was that he didn't have money. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that things are so rough for you. I know how hard it is. But, I still can't be with you."

"Because you love her?" Payton asked referring to Katie.

"Yes…and because I don't think I can just forget all the things you did to me. You made me feel like I was nothing…and I'll never let someone make me feel like that again."

Payton nodded and stood up. "So last night? Was that revenge?"

"I'm sorry about last night. I used you…and I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too," she said as she walked to the door. "I'm sorry for everything."

He watched Payton walk out the door.

In Danny's first two years of college, he was very careful to not start any relationships. His disastrous experience with Payton, and his heartbreaking experience with Katie left him extremely gun-shy. So his newly adopted partying lifestyle worked well for him. He never made any promises to anyone. And if a girl seemed to be too interested in him, then he would quickly cut it off. He knew that sometimes he was hurtful, but he couldn't take any chances.

Danny's problems with alcohol only got worse in college even though he was still able to do well enough in school. People who observed Danny would never see him as an alcoholic. He hid it very well, except for when he would lose his temper. His fuse shortened when he was drunk. He could be very mean and hurtful. He used his charm and good humor to mend fences when he would sober up. His friends and/or casual girlfriends always would end up forgiving and forgetting when Danny turned on the charm.

At the start of his junior year, Danny was surprised to get a call from his old caseworker, Sheila Simmons. He couldn't imagine what she wanted from him, but he agreed to meet her at a restaurant.

When he entered the establishment, she was already there. He greeted her warmly. "Sheila. It's good to see you," he said as he gave her a quick hug.

"You, too, Danny. You look great. College agrees with you. Is it working out?"

"Yeah…it's great. I can honestly say that surviving the hell that was Brentland was worth getting in here. Thank you for that, Sheila."

"You did all the hard work. I just saw the potential," she said with a smile.

"So, what's up? I'm assuming you don't look up old cases to just catch up on their progress. Otherwise…you wouldn't have a life," he asked curiously.

"I got a phone call from your brother. He's looking for you, Danny."

Danny's breath caught. He hadn't heard from or about his brother in years. "Did you tell him?"

"No, I told him that I would find out if you wanted to see him. I didn't tell him that you changed your name."

Danny nodded. "What does he want?"

Sheila sighed. "I almost hesitated even contacting you. I know how hard it was for you to let him go the last time. You almost died trying to help him. I don't want you to feel obligated this time. Raffi has dug himself into a rather large hole."

"What happened?" Danny asked hesitantly not really wanting to know the truth.

"I got a call from his defense attorney about a week ago. He was arrested for holding up a liquor store. He almost killed the storekeeper…a 72 year old grandfather. Raffi was strung out and needed money. You know the story…"

"Yeah…I'm familiar with it. Have you talked to him?"

"He called me after I spoke to the defense attorney. The attorney wants you to speak on his behalf at the sentencing hearing. When Raffi called…he said that he just wanted to see you before he went inside. He said he wanted to know you were okay."

"Yeah…sure he did. He has an ulterior motive. He always does," he said skeptically.

"You don't have to do anything, Danny. Like I said, I thought about not telling you at all, but I didn't think that would be fair to you either."

"Where is he?"

"County jail. He'll do his time at Riker's. According to his attorney, he's looking at 15-20."

Danny shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Then they were interrupted by the waitress. "What can I get you this evening?"

"Can I get a shot and beer, please?" Danny asked without even thinking.

Sheila paused for a moment and then said, "Just a Coke is fine for me, thanks." Then she gave Danny a disappointed look.

"What? What's wrong?"

"I just thought that maybe you would have given up that stuff. You're doing so well. I wouldn't think you'd need to drink. And might I add, I don't think you turn 21 for another couple of months."

"Give me a break, Sheila. You just told me my brother, my only living family, is going to prison for 15 years."

"Have you ever tried getting some help, Danny? A treatment program or AA?"

"Jesus Christ, Sheila…I'm fine. I have a 3.2 GPA. I'm holding down a part-time job. I'm fine. I don't need help."

"Okay. Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you anymore than you already are. You're just one of my best success stories, and I hope you keep going in the right direction."

"You don't have to worry about me, Sheila," Danny replied as he took the shot from the waitress and drained it.

"Point taken. Can I ask you about something else?"

Danny nodded. "I guess…"

"Whatever happened to Katie Mason? She has to be over 18 now."

"I don't know what happened to her. I assume she graduated from Brentland. She's probably somewhere in London right now…studying Shakespeare and going to the theater. I'm sure she's fine…wherever she is."

"I was always sorry that all of that went down. I know it was hard."

"Everything's hard, Sheila. I'm used to it," Danny said quietly.

"Right….Well, do you know what you are going to do about Raffi?"

"Tell him…tell him that you couldn't find me. Tell him that I skipped town or something."

"Are you sure, Danny?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm done with Raffi. I won't let him bring me down again," Danny said as he finished his beer, rose from the table and dropped some money down. "Thanks for letting me know. It was good to see you, Sheila."

"You, too. Take care of yourself."

Two weeks later, Danny sat in the back of the courtroom at Raffi's sentencing hearing. He watched the old man that Raffi assaulted get up and testify against him. The man wept as he described the fear he felt as Raffi attacked him. And then it was time for Raffi's character witnesses. The defense attorney didn't have any. Part of Danny wanted to get up and tell them about the brother he used to look up to…the brother he used to want to be. But he took one look at Raffi and knew that he wasn't that brother anymore. He hadn't been that brother for a very long time. Danny didn't see anyone worth saving when he looked at Raffi now.

Rafael was sentenced to 12-15 years in prison. He watched as they lead Raffi away in handcuffs. That night, Danny drank to his lost youth and family. He remembered when he and Raffi would throw the baseball in the backyard. He remembered when Raffi would swing him high into the sky on an old tire swing in their yard. He remembered laughing and screaming with joy. He wondered how things went so wrong and then remembered he only had himself to blame. Danny believed his parents died because of him…because he was careless. He took another drink to numb the painful memories before passing out.