new6

"Mel"
She quickly turned around to see Daniel running down towards her. Leonie was following just a few steps behind him.
As they came closer, she could see that Daniel had a gun in his hand.
"Oh my God! Darren........is he?"
Daniel dropped down on his knees next to Mel. His hand searched for Darren`s wrist to check his pulse. Mel finally woke from the trance she had been in, and started to pull off her sweather. She rolled it together and pressed it against Darren`s wound.
For once, Leonie was totally quiet.
"He`s alive. Leo! You have to drive down and get an ambulance to get here."
Leo didn`t take the time to answer, she turned around and ran towards the car. The storm had started to calm down, but there was still no connection for the phone. Daniel took over Mel`s position and she sat down with Darren`s head in her lap. She was gently running her fingers through his wet hair. Daniel was talking to him. Under other cercumstances she would have laughed at his monolog.

"Darren! If you don`t die now, I swear I`ll kill you for putting us through this! Why do you always have to make a dramatic moment out of everything? You are such a egomaniac......You don`t know what is good for you you know?"
He was babbling on and on. A slight cough from Darren made him stop.
"You......love me Dan"
His voice was barely carrying. But it did have a tone of humor in it. Mel and Dan looked at eachother and let out a laugh in relief. Mel leaned down and kissed his forhead. Daniel held his hand.
"Try to stay awake Darren. Just talk to us....."
Darren had closed his eyes, but his eyelids were moving as he spoke.
"About what?"
"Oh for Christs sake Daz. You are always rambling about things, wheter it interest us or not. And now you finally decide that you don`t have anything to talk about? I swear man......I`ll never get you! Oh heck......we can talk about your cappucino maker for all I care right now. Just stay awake!!"
Darren let out something that could resemble a laugh, but it was soon broken by a cough. Mel was holding her breath, hoping that he wouldn`t cough up blood. He didn`t, but she could feel how strained his body was, trying to get his body to resist the pain it brought to it.
"It`s a good machine......"
Mel laughed softly, and his eyes finally locked at her. Although there were clouds of pain in them, she could see the love he felt for her.
Time went by so slowly. Daniel arguing, Darren replying and Mel trying not to panic.
Where was that Ambulance?
Seconds before she flipped they heard sirens approaching. At the sound of them, Darren finally let go and welcomed the dark.
As the doctor and the personel took over from there, Dan was standing with his arms around Mel. They needed eachother right now, both feeling so helpless. Leonie was sitting in the car crying her eyes out. Convinced that she had been too late.
When Darren had been placed inside the ambulance Dan and Mel walked towards her. She calmed down a bit when she heard that he was still alive, but it was clear that she was in no state to drive down again.
Daniel was the one to drive. And he parked outside the hospital at the same time Darren was being rolled into the operation room.
They sat down in the waiting room, the doctor had said that it could take hours before they had any news. If Darren would make it through the operation.....
A couple of hours later Dan was picked up by the police for his statement. Still there was no news about Darren.
Leonie had calmed down a bit, and started now to tell little stories about Darren. They laughed a little by them, but the silence afterwards felt akward and sad. *He must survive, or I`ll never forgive myself*
The doctor came about an hour after Dan had left. He informed them that the situation was critical, and the next 24 hours would be very important for the outcome.
They were allowed to go in and see him for a short time.
He was so pale, almost transparent. Leonie leaned over him and kissed his forhead. Mel was almost afraid to touch him, he looked so fragile. But Leonie grabbed her hand and led her over to Darren.
"You know if he dies, you would wish that you had said goodbye....." Leonie tried to be calm about it, but she couldn`t keep her tears from running. Mel stared at her, and then with a firm voice she said;
"I won`t say goodbye. And neither will you, because..........He is not going to die!"
She leaned over and whispered something Leo couldn`t hear.

Meanwhile Darren was talking to Michael. He was still in the hall he had been in when he first had met him, only now he had travelled for a longer time, and he could see a opening in the end. From there he could here music, wonderful music that invaded his mind.
Then Michael had stopped him. He refused him to go any further. He kept saying that he should go back to Melody, but Darren had a hard time remembering who that was.
Michael continued talking about Mel, and the memories started to enter Darren`s mind. Mel........
"Am I dead?" Darren started to get a little scared, this was different than last time. Although it was so beautiful here, he now wanted to go back to Mel, he remembered alright......
"No, but if you go any further you will be. If you cross that gate, there`s no turning back....."
"Well, I`m not going to cross that gate then...."
"It`s not that simple, you have to really want to go back..."
"But I do want to go back." Darren turned and started to go in the opposite direction, but his feet wouldn`t move, no matter how much he tried. Michael stood there watching.
"How much do you love her?"
Darren turned to face him again. He raised his eyebrows.
"I`m here aren`t I?"
Michael laughter filled the air again.
"Thank you Darren. I knew you were the one......Now, focus and go back to her."
Darren smiled at him, oh how he wanted to go back. But no matter how much he tried, he was standing still. He had almost decided to give up, when he heard another voice.
More like a whisper in the wind, but the words were clear.
"Come back to me Darren, I love you.."
Darren`s heart filled up with an overwhelming sence of love, of being loved. Without him even trying so hard, he started to drift back.
Michael turned around, and walked through the gate, he smiled to himself. *Mission complete, Michael*
Right after Mel had whispered the words in his ear, Darren opened his eyes. They wandered around for a while, adjusting to the light, focusing. They locked with Mel`s , and a smile was shared.

A week later Darren was released. Mel and Leo had again started to work on the website. They stayed at home, keeping an eye on Darren. Not that it was necessary, cause Daniel was still there.
The doors were wide open that beautiful summer morning, and Mel had tingles all over her body, sitting with a sunbeam disturbing the image on the screen. Darren`s face were staring back at her from screen. And she could hear his voice from the backyard. Laughing and no wonder having an argument with Daniel again.
She had regained her freedom. Or, Darren had gained it for her. The only thing that could lay a damper on her mood these days, were the fact that they didn`t seem to be this close to eachother anymore.
"Maybe Darren just say what he did to me just out of pitty?" That were the only reason Mel could think of. But never the less, she was so happy to be able to live in freedom, that she refused to let this pull down her mood. "No, first I`m gonna enjoy this,....later I can worry about that."
"Yeah yeah.......Dan the Man. I think you have made that bloody obvious by now!"
Darren sighed as he heard Dan exclaiming for like the hundred time today that he was a hero, and that Darren owed him big time.
"You didn`t think I had it in me did ya?" Daniel stretched his legs, put on his sunglasses and tried to look very important.
"Oh....what should I call you now? Daniel Holmes? Or maybe Sherlock Jones? Both are real good names for a super detective."
"Neither. I`d go for 007...."
"It`s taken...."
"Says who......"
"Pierce Brosnan....."
"They are looking for a new one now."
"Yeah, and you know who I have heard is going to take over?"
"Nope, who? Don`t say it....it`s me right? They heard about my heroic gesture, and decided that I should be the next one.....?"
"Sorry mate. Robbie Williams!" Darren laughed as he saw Dan`s eyes grew wider.
"Robbie.......that gay boyzone man!"
"First of all. I doubt that he is gay. Read the newspapers, and you`d see what I am talking about. Secound: Not boyzone. Take that, I think. Leo! wasn`t Robbie Williams in Take That?" Leo came walking out and heard Dan`s outburst.
"Dammit!"
"What are you swearing about?"
"Robbie has taken my job." Leo was confused, but then again, it was a long time since she stopped trying to follow these two men. They never made much sence to other than themselves.
Darren laughed at Daniel`s disappointed face.
"Hey mate. Don`t worry. You can always be my bodyguard. Afterall you did a good job last time. But next time,.......make sure that you stand in front of me....."
"Why, you ungrateful.......You are never satisfied are you?"
They sat in silence for a little while, and then Dan suddenly decided to go on to more serious subjects.
"How are things between you and Mel?"
Darren raised his eyebrows. He bit his lower lip, while he was thinking about this for a secound.
"I don`t know mate. I haven`t talked to her about it.....us since I got out. I don`t want to push anything. She probably have enough on her mind right now, you know?"
"No I don`t know. I`d say she has fewer things on her mind now, then she had before."
"She just regained her freedom, and.......I don`t hold it against her if she wants to be completely free for a while." Darren looked down before he continued. " I rather give her the time she needs and make her come back to me, than push her and make her go away...."
"Ok, whatever..."
Daniel leaned back and closed his eyes. Darren could see on his face, that he was just dying to say more.
Darren sighed
"Ok Daniel. Spill......how stupid am I this time?"
"Oh, so you want my help again now, huh?"
"DAN...."
"ok ok. I just think that you should talk about it. That`s all. I happen to know.....ahumm......I overheard Leonie and her talking yesterday, and she thinks that you were just with her out of pitty. And now that it is over you don`t want her anymore......"
No, she doesn`t think that......!? Does she?"
"Yeah she does....." Leo interrupted them. Darren and Dan almost fell off their chairs.
"Jesus Leo......are you trying to kill us?" Dan said while still trying to catch his breath. Darren was silent. Looked from Leo to Dan......made quick glances inside the livingroom.
"That`s not the case. I love her, I just thought that she might had other things on her mind right now."
"And why are you telling us this....?" Dan asked, and got a upbacking look from Leonie.
"You`re right! I should go tell her"
Daniel made a dramatic gesture towards the door. Darren carefully stood up, still a bit sour from his wound. He send Daniel one last look, as if he was asking for support. And Dan gave it with a smile.
"It`ll be ok Daz.." Leonie patted his left shoulder as he walked by her.

"Hey...." Mel turned her head at the sound of his voice, met a pair of blue eyes that even the sea were jelous of.
"He...llo." She swallowed midways through the greeting. She almost shoked when she saw the beginning of a shy smile. He walked over and sat on the couch, stared at the floor for a while. Mel waited for him to talk, but he didn`t, and after a few minutes of awkward silence she turned back to the pc.
The sound of the tapping woke him up again.
"What are you doing....?" It was more behind the question. His voice told,.....trembling in a way. //Oh, so he want to play games// she thought and continued typing.
"Straightning out this mess........there`s just no pattern here what so ever!"
She sounded more angry than she had intended. And she hoped he hadn`t noticed the tone.
But he did, and he got a bit aggrovated by this. He had put his own life on line for her. And she was mad at him!?
"Well, I guess it`s your own fault. Afterall, you made it in the first place". Silence.
Leonie had been on her way inside, but as she felt the tention in the air she quickly stepped outside again. No way was she going to get involved in this! Clearly they had more issues to handle then they had thought of.
Darren didn`t like the way this conversation had gone. They were supposed to kiss, laugh and say that they loved eachother. Not start a quarrel.
"Yes, I guess it is part my own fault. That`s why I try and fix it.......Some of the files is deleted it seems, or replaced...."
"Who have deleted them?.....or replaced them? You?"
She felt like he was blaiming her for something. Probably because he had been shot. And she felt guilty for that already.
"Yeah probably. But then again, I did get help....."
"Yeah maybe you did. People aren`t perfect you know...!"
"Meaning.....at least of all me?" //Ouchhh. Her torns are out ok// Darren thought.
"No I didn`t mean that. Or......I did. I meen all people have their faults. You are no better, or worse than anyone else. Why are you so defensive?"
"I`m sorry I snapped at you Darren I just ......I have so much on my mind these days, that`s all." She paused for a while, wondering what to say next. He suddenly jumped to her rescue, tired of cirkling around the subject.
"We haven`t talked about what happened Melody. I think we should....." His eyes met hers. And strangly she got scared by his intense look. Ever since he had gotten home from the hospital she had been lying awake in her bed, wanting to go to him, wanting to hug him, kiss him......And most of all she wanted to talk to him. Hear him say he loved her, feel safe and protected.
Even though the threat in her life were gone, she didn`t feel secure. She didn`t fear for her life anymore, but she still she was scared,and worse, she was alone........
Now he wanted to talk,......now......she wasn`t ready for that anymore......now even that scared the living crap out of her.
"I`m not ready for that Darren. Maybe we should wait...." She looked away from him. Didn`t want to let him now just how scared she was. It felt stupid......
"Melody, I do think we should talk,.....now." His hand grabbed her by the wrist. Forcing her to stay. "What are your feelings like Mel?"
She stared at the floor, didn`t know what to answer.
After a few awkward minutes of silence, Darren inderstood that if someone would start to talk. It would have to be him.
"I`m sorry if it has seemed like I didn`t want you anymore, the fact is that I was uncertain about you. What you wanted....."
"What I wanted? I think that was bloody obvious! I wanted you.....You saved me, how could I not want you?"
"Is that the only reason you want me? Because I saved you...."
Not exactly the reply he had wanted. Now it felt almost like she just wanted to be with him because she was greatful or something. Hurted by this he started to withdraw his hand.
Mel looked at him, confused. Why did he all of the sudden act like this? It was he that wanted to bring this up now. And then she realized what she had said. What it must have sounded like. She reached out her hand and carefully stroke his chin.
"I didn`t meen it like that Darren. I meen, I am thankful, but that`s not why I want to be with you. I loved you before anything happened, remember?"
His hand, that he had laied upon hers was quickly removed and he stood up. He hasted towards the door. Mel didn`t understand what she had said wrong now.
"What Darren? Did I say something?"
He turned around, his face were white and she could see he struggled to keep his emotins under control.
"Listen to yourself Mel. You made it clear now. You loved me......LOVED me. I guess you don`t anymore huh...?"
And he was gone. Leaving Mel alone with her thoughts.
At first she didn`t understand what he had ment, but then it hit her. //Oh Christ Mel! Can you never learn to think before you talk?// She rested her head in her hands and wondered what ever she could say to make up for this. But she had a terrible feeling that there was nothing more to say.
Darren half walked half stumbled into the bedroom. //I`m not going to cry....not going to cry....// Even as he tried to convince himself that he wasn`t going to cry, he could feel the tears start to fall.
He sat down on the bed and held his head between his hands, he tried to be strong and not cry, but when the first sob came there was no way back.
//How did I get myself into this mess?//
He didn`t know how long he had been sitting there, but eventually he had leaned back and welcomed the sleep.
Mel on the other hand had stormed the house right after their quarrel. Leo and Dan didn`t have any idea what was going on, but they decided to stay low. They knew the tantrums Darren could do when he was feeling bad, and they both agreed that if anyone was to sorten this out, it were to be Darren and Mel.

Mel wasn`t looking where she was going, she just walked. For hours it seemed, because when she finally started to look around she didn`t recognize where she was.
Large buildings....., but then again, everything was large in this city. She saw a coffee house on the other side of the street and decided that she needed something to warm her up a bit.
Strange, there was no people there, exept from a man behind the counter. He smiled and reached her a cappucino even before she got the chance to order one. She smiled at him, and sat down at a table beside the window. //Oh, great! It`s going to rain too..//
Her hand trembled a little when she lifted the cup to her lips. With the movement of her hand she suddenly felt a very familiar smell.//Great....just what I needed// In her hurry to get out of the house she had grabbed Darren`s jacket.
Overwhelmed by the feeling of his scent her eyes got all tear floded again. She tried to convince herself that it was just the warm moist of the cappucino that made her eyes wet.
"Are you alright young lady?"
"Oh yeah. I`m fine" She smiled at the elder man infront of her. He looked genuinely conserned.
"I`m not buying that.......see I`ve seen my share of life, and you don`t look fine to me......Care to try again?" He sat down opposite of her. He smiled friendly.
"Nah....it`s just this man. We had an argument earlier and, ahhh.......it turned out the wrong way you might say...."
"Ahh......just a lovers quarrel. I see...." he smiled at her. Mel wasn`t sure what it was about this man, but he made her want to tell him everything that had happened. Before she could stop herself he had been told the hole story. From the day Michael had died, to the day she met Darren, and to their argument today.
"I didn`t meen to say it like that.......of course I still love him. Actually he has been the one pulling away from me! "
"I think you both are a little insecure. Silly young people......" He laughed at her and made her feel kinda silly too.
"Do you love him?"
"Yes..."
"Well then shouldn`t you rather be talking to him right now?"
"But what if he won`t take me back?"
"That`s really not what`s important. The important thing is that you later on in life can look back and say that you did everything you could." He leaned over and squeezed her hand. And suddenly she realized that he was right.
"Thanks, you are right. If I gotta crawl and beg, I will..........I gotta run...."
She opened the door and looked back at the man, still sitting at the table.
"Goodbye.......and thank you so much."
"Goodbye Melly"
She ran as fast as she could down the street. Suddenly his last words hit her.//Melly?// She turned around. The house were now dark, but she thought she could see a shadow in one of the windows. "Goodbye" she whispered into the darkened night. Her mind wasn`t sure who she was talking to, but her heart knew.
She turned around and started to run again, wanting to be with Darren again.
Darren heard she entered his room, but he pretended to be asleep. His eyes were firmly closed when she layed down beside him. He could feel her hand gently running through his hair.

"I love you Darren. I`ve loved you all along.........I guess I just was to proud or to insecure to tell you....."
Darren turned around leaning his head on one arm, and smiled teasingly at her.
"Tell me, what took you so long?"
"Are you saying that you knew I`d be back?" She raised an eyebrow, questioning him. He giggled a bit. Cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her softly.
"No, I was a bit worried and upset. I was almost certain that I had lost you forever."
"You`ll never loose me....I love you so much"
"I love you too"
Mel woke up early next morning. Laid awake for a while, feeling wonderful with his arms around her. She knew this were exactly where she belonged. But there was one more thing she had to do.
Carefully not to wake her sleeping lover she got out of bed. Put on some clothes and headed out the door. Strangly enough she found the coffee house straight away.
A few minutes later she was on her way home. She smiled to herself. The lady behind the counter said that she owned the house and there was no elderly man working for her.
Mel stopped and looked up to the sky."Thank you" she whispered and started to walk home.
Home.....
Where Darren was....

The end!