A/N and disclaimer: I don�t own Savage Garden. I�m not even sure I own this idea. Elaine came up with it first. I�m accepting her challenge. You may want to read her story first [When We Two Parted]. I haven�t read poetry in a long time, but this song by Creed struck me as being the start of a good continuation� Please read and review. [ ] Enclose the song. Single Quote Italics are thoughts.

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My Sacrifice

[Hello my friend

We meet again

It�s been a while

Where should we begin?

Feels like forever]

Darren and Daniel stood, facing each other across the aisle, until the rest of the movie-goers had filed out.

Soon, it was just the two of them; and they each stepped into the aisle.

�Hey, mate.�

�Hey.�

�So, um, want to get a coffee, or something?�

�Yeah. I�d like that.�

They turned, and walked out the exit.

�I had a feeling you�d be here.�

Dan nodded, not trusting his voice.

[Within my heart

Are memories

Of perfect love that

You gave to me

Oh, I remember]

�Starbuck�s?�

�Um-�

�Look!!� It�s them!!� Darren!!� Daniel!! OH MY GOD!!!!�

Darren saw Dan�s face drain of color as his eye�s widened in fear.

�Come on.� He urged, grabbing Daniel�s arm.

They ran around the corner of the theater.

BEEP-BEEP

Darren unlocked his car by remote, and quickly opened the passenger door.

�Get in, Dan.� He gave Daniel a small push with his hand, then ran around to jump in.

He started the car, the doors locking automatically.

The girls pounded on the passenger side windows screaming hysterically.� Daniel noticeably shrank away from the door.

Beeping the horn and signaling, Darren pulled away from the curb into traffic.

After he�d merged into the nighttime traffic, he risked another look at Daniel.

[When you are with me

I�m free, I�m careless

I believe

Above all the others

We�ll fly

This brings tears

To my eyes

My sacrifice]

Dan sat huddled in on himself. As they went through the glare of a streetlight, Darren could see Daniel shaking, tears rolling down his face.

Thirty minutes later, he was opening the door to Daniel�s house.

�Come on, mate. You�re home now. It�ll be okay, Dan.�

Cajoling and pulling, Darren got Daniel into his living room, and onto the couch.�

Daniel laid back, tears still flowing freely.� Darren went to the bathroom, wet a cloth with cool water, and returned to place it on Dan�s forehead.

Then he went into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.� Nothing had changed in Dan�s house. It still looked the way it had when Darren had stayed with him when they had created the songs that would become the Affirmation album.

When the aroma of brewing coffee began to fill the kitchen, Darren went back out to check on Daniel.

His eyes were closed, and the tears had stopped. His lips were parted slightly. His breathing still seemed irregular, but he�d stopped shaking.

�Hey, mate.�� Darren crouched down beside the couch and gently placed a hand on Daniel�s shoulder.� �Feelin� better now?�

Daniel�s right hand slowly went up to the damp cloth, then just as slowly pulled it down over his face, ending with the cloth on his neck as his eyes opened.

Darren saw the fear still deep within them, but Dan managed a small nod.

�Th-thanks, Dazza.�

��s okay, mate.� Coffee should be about ready. Want to come out and have a cup?� Talk?�

Again Dan nodded. Darren stood, offered his hand; pulled Daniel to his feet when he accepted.

Darren poured them both cups, then sat down at the table next to Daniel.

Dan held the cup in front of him with both hands, and stared at the brown liquid.� He wouldn�t meet Darren�s gaze.

�Danny, what happened at the theater back there, mate? It was just a few fans.�� Darren kept his voice low. He had the feeling Dan would bolt otherwise.

Daniel shrugged, silent, eyes still on his coffee.

�Do you want me to call someone?� Michelle?�

Daniel shook his head.

�We� broke up��

[We�ve seen our share

Of ups and downs

Oh, how quickly life

Can turn around

In an instant]

�When did that happen?�

�� Last month.�

�What happened?�

�I� I�m a fucked up coward, Daz��

�What?�

�I� she wanted to go to the Mall, do some shopping� I couldn�t Daz.� All those people��

Darren nodded silently, and waited.� There had to be more.

�Why were you at the movie, Darren?� Why are you here, in Australia?� I thought you were still promoting your album.�

Darren sighed. So like Daniel.� �Change the subject when you�re scared. Uncertain. Don�t let anyone see the pain. Don�t let anyone guess how much you hurt.� But I know you�re hurting, Danny Boy. I know.�

�I wanted to see you again, Daniel. See if we could patch things up between us.� See how you were doing.�

It worried Darren more than a little that Daniel still wouldn�t look him in the eye.

�Daniel? Please look at me, Danny.�

When Daniel still wouldn�t look up, Darren put two fingers under his chin and firmly, but gently raised his head. The emerald eyes that looked at him were full of fear. And something else� what?

�Jonesy, tell me what�s bothering you. Please.�

�I� I�m so sorry, Dazza� I�m so ashamed� �

�For what, Danny?�

�The band� the tours�� his shoulders rose in a small shrug.

Darren stood up to move behind Daniel.� He put his arms around the thin shoulders, and his chin on Dan�s shoulder so their cheeks touched.

[It feels so good to reunite

Within yourself and

Within your mind

Let�s find peace there]

�Don�t be, Danny. I�I�m not sure what�s going on, but I *do* know you couldn�t have done another tour. I understand that now. And that�s okay.�� He kissed Daniel on the cheek.� �Mind if I crash here tonight?�

Dan shook his head slightly, Darren�s cheek still touching his.

�Still got that bed in the spare room?�

Dan nodded.

�Then why don�t you take a shower and get to bed.� Think I�ll be on the Internet for a bit, if you don�t mind?� Check the website and what not.�

Dan nodded again, and slowly moved off up the stairs.

Darren watched him go, his brows knit in concern.� He stood at the bottom of the stairs until he heard the water, then went into the den and turned on Daniel�s laptop.

Two hours later, he thought he knew what might be wrong with Daniel.� It would require a doctor�s evaluation. And he wasn�t sure why it had taken so long to manifest.� But if it could bring Daniel back around to where he was when they started together�

He looked at his watch.� Two A.M.� He sent an email to a friend, then rubbed his tired eyes with the heels of his hands and decided to let further investigation wait for later.

[�Cause when you are

With me

I�m free, I�m careless

I believe

Above all the others

We�ll fly

This brings tears

To my eyes

My sacrifice�]