Title: Run...Run...Run...Away

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own Twisted or the characters of the tv series. I do, however, love to twist and turn the characters to match my own whims and twisted desires. (yes, pun was intended)

Summary: This is my way of staying sane while waiting for Twisted to return. This story takes place immediately after that GREAT FINALE episode. I am NOT a Jo fan but I will do my best to make her likable and not insult her. But to be VERY CLEAR..I am a DACEY fan and no exceptions. Therefore, Janny readers stating Janny in responses to me will just receive a roll of my eyes as I go on to write this story how I want. I won't get mad but I will NOT care. Just warning you. LOL

Chapter ONE: Where to Turn

Danny couldn't breath. He felt like his lungs were being squeezed with each breath he took. He bent down to hold his knees to try to calm himself. The wisps of his hair fell into his face as he struggled to remain calm. He had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. All Danny knew was he wasn't going to go to prison. Juvie was bad enough. Prison wasn't an option.

He stood inside of the old childhood fort bent down in that same frozen position. He was clearly confused. The police would find him soon. He was sure of it. They may even question Jo or Lacey on where he could be. Both may tell of the fort considering neither seemed to care for him anymore.

When Danny was finally able to move, he stood and leaned against the stone of the fort. His body felt numb due to the over zealous run to get away from the police. He darted his eyes looking to see if anyone was near. How long did he have before his wrists would feel the cold clasp of metal on them? He remembered the shackles and handcuffs from his first day being escorted from the local jail house to juvie. He looked so young and non threatening then. Yet now, he would look like the orange jumpsuit and metal were a part of him. Danny felt his eyes burning with unshed tears. He admitted that he was about to have a nervous breakdown. He couldn't do this again. He would rather run forever then live one day incarcerated.

Danny broke out of his haunted memories when he felt his phone buzz with an incoming text. He figured it was his mother. However, he was surprised to see a text from Lacey.

I need to see you. ASAP

The text was simple but it still caused Danny to melt into a puddle to the fort ground. What if this was a set up to bring him in? What if she knew about the murder weapon?

Danny's mind became befuddled the more he dwelled on the scenarios. He took a deep breath before making his decision to go to Lacey's house.

Crawling through the window, Danny glanced up to see Lacey pacing around her bedroom. She seemed relieved to see him.

"I have to tell you something." Lacey practically pushed Danny to sit on her bed. "It's important."

"Wait, Lace." Danny bit his lip before staring up at her. "Something bad has happened. I can't...Gawd, Lacey, I'm so scared."

Lacey frowned before sitting on the bed beside of Danny. She took his hand because he looked like he needed comfort. "What's wrong?"

"Please." Danny's eyes pleaded along with his voice. "Please listen to me before making me leave."

Lacey knew he was referring to her rash actions over the necklace. "Okay."

Now was not the time to fabricate a lie. The truth would be out soon. Lying to Lacey would only damage what little of a relationship they had left.

"They found the murder weapon. It had my fingerprints on it." Danny said quickly before adding. "I don't know how. I promise. I didn't kill Regina. I'm being set up. I'm going to go to prison for the rest of my life for something I didn't do."

His head went into his hands as he leaned his elbows on his knees. "Please. Please. Believe me this time, Lacey."

Lacey bit her lip as she slid off the bed. Danny thought her next move would be to kick him out or call the police. To his surprise, Lacey did neither.

Instead, she bent down in front of him. She squeezed his knees. "Danny. look at me."

Danny slowly untangled his fingers from his hair as he peered at Lacey. His smirk and charm was gone. He was broken just as they had all tried. It had worked.

Lacey mustered up a small caring smile. "I believe you."

It was as if the weight of the situation lifted momentarily at her words. Danny closed his eyes and reopened them to make sure he wasn't dreaming. But there sitting in front of him was his hope.

"You do?" Danny blinked repeatedly trying not to show the overwhelming emotion he was feeling.

"Yes." Lacey slid up to balance on the tips of her knees. Her face was inches from Danny's. She pulled Danny into an embrace to help calm his shaking. Danny hadn't even realized he was shaking until he felt Lacey's arms envelope him. "I didn't mean what I said at the diner about wishing I had never met you. So much happened after you left the diner." Lacey ran her fingers through Danny's hair as she released the hair band. This gesture allowed his hair to fall freely. "Archie trusted me again. Danny, he admitted he and Scott poisoned Cole. I told the whole crowd." Lacey smiled coyly despite the dire situation. " I think I messed up our plan."

Danny chuckled despite the circumstances around him. He pulled back to look at Lacey. "Wow. That would be absolutely the best news if I wasn't going to prison."

"Don't say that." Lacey ran her finger over Danny's jaw. "There is so much more. The reason I believe you without doubts this time."

Lacey recanted Phoebe's story as she continued to be bent down in front of Danny. "What do we do now?"

"I don't know." Danny admitted. "Should I turn myself in? I'm being set up, Lace. I was determined to run for the rest of my life if I had to. But now.."

"You don't want the fugitive life?" Lacey tried to pull one of Danny's tricks of cracking a joke as a coping mechanism.

"No. I didn't have a reason to stay. Now that you believe in me. I do." Danny admitted.

Lacey stood up. She slowly pushed Danny's jacket from his shoulders. "Let's not think about this tonight. Too much has happened today."

"What are you doing, Lacey?" Danny asked as he stared up at her.

"You're going to stay the night here. We'll think in the morning of what to do next. I'll hide you tonight. You can get a shower and sleep here." Lacey stated as she threw his jacket on the floor then pushed it under the bed to hide it.

"Oh yeah." Danny teased with a smirk.

"Don't get your hopes up, Desai." Lacey teased back. "This is not a booty call."

"Darn." Danny breathed out trying to relax. "Thanks."

"Go use my shower. I think I have some of Archie's old sweats here..and a t-shirt." Lacey stepped away from Danny.

"I don't want to know that." Danny groaned as he stood up.

"He has never stayed the night, Danny." Lacey added quickly. "He gave them to me at a football game to change into. He had them in his car for practice. I got cold and he gave them to me."'

"You don't have to explain." Danny took the sweats that Lacey held out to him.

"I know." Lacey grinned. "I wanted to. I know this is serious too. But for one night, we can just not let it get to us. One night."

Danny nodded. "That may be the only night I have left."

"Don't dare talk like that. Tomorrow, we're going to figure something out. US..together."