Dr. Jackson Jacoby clicked open the e-mail from his friend, wondering what he�d been up to.� Dr. Jacoby hadn�t seen him since the fundraiser for the children�s therapy wing the previous year. Hadn�t heard from him in about three months.� But then, they both had their careers.

Hi, JaJay!

Darren here. Look mate, I�ve a favor to ask.

Friend of mine needs a bit of help.

Wonder if you could do me the favor of looking at him?

I know it�s not your main specialty;

But you do specialize in what I think his problem may be.

Maybe you could give me an opinion?

A recommendation or something?

Please, mate. I�d be a relief to me if you could.

We�ll be by about 11. Do lunch maybe?

Umm. He�s not to know though. Not at first.

He�d freak.

E-mail me at this address if it�s not convienient.

Cheers. And thanks in advance.

Yours,

D. Hayes

Dr Jacoby arched his shaggy, graying brows; then took off his glasses, cleaned them, and put them back on and read the e-mail again.

Certainly didn�t answer any questions.� He looked at his watch.� Well, in three hours, maybe a lot of questions could be answered.

�Come on, Dan.�� Darren pleaded.

�Darren, I� no.�� Daniel�s voice sighed his refusal.

�Danny, this is the Brisbane Children�s Hospital. We�ve done benefits there. You like kids. I like kids.� Please. Come with me, Danny.� Darren looked at Daniel with his saddest puppy-dog eyes. The ones he had always used on Dan to get him to give in.� Put his most persuasive tones into his Diva voice.

Sad green eyes looked at Darren, as Daniel tilted his head in that way that told Darren he was going to win again.

Dan heaved a sigh and nodded.� �Okay, Daz. Okay. Stop with the eyes already.�

Darren broke into his best photo grin, and his eyes lit up as he enveloped Dan in a hug. �Thanks, Danny.�

As they left the house, Daniel stared at his driveway.

�Darren, my car ��

�I called a tow service, Dan.� They�ll bring it round this evening.� We were in a bit of a hurry last night.�

Daniel shuddered.

�Hey, it�s okay, mate.�� Darren spoke softly as he gently squeezed Dan�s shoulder.

Dan nodded, and stared off in the distance for a moment.

�What is it, Danny? What?��� What was going on behind those cloudy green eyes?

�Ready?�� Darren asked after a moment.

Daniel nodded again, sighed, and got into the car.

~~~~~~�

�Darren! So good to see you again.�

Darren grasped Dr. Jacoby�s hand while keeping one hand on Daniel�s elbow.�

�Daniel, you remember Dr. Jacoby don�t you?�� Darren indicated Daniel being the reason for the visit to the doctor, while Daniel studdied his sandals.� Darren nudged his elbow.

�I-um, yeah. Yes. Hello, doctor.� He held his hand out slightly. Doctor Jacoby stepped up to grasp it.

�Good to see you again also, Daniel. Would the two of you like to tour the Therapy wing your last benefit helped pay for?�

�Yes we would. Thank you, JaJay.�

They followed Doctor Jacoby as he showed them the small indoor pool, and a physical training room sized for children and teens. Several rooms were set aside for helping children with autism and other emotional problems.

Every time they were approached by a member of the staff, Daniel would hang back, or move to the other side of Darren.

He seemed little better around the teenage patients.� But he smiled when they went into the wards with the young children.

�So, JaJay. How about that lunch I offered?�

�I�d like that, Darren. Thank you.�

�Lunch?�

Darren didn�t miss the panic in Daniel�s voice.

�Yeah. I thought we�d go to that Japanese restaurant we passed on the way here. Get one of the private dining areas.�

Daniel relaxed visibly, and smiled shyly as he blushed. �Okay, Darren. Sorry.�

Darren simply nodded as they headed for the exit.

At the restaurant, in their semi-private cubicle, Daniel appeared relaxed; joining in conversation between Darren and Doctor Jacoby. Laughing at the stories of some of the antics of the children at the hospital.

�So what�s been happening with your plans for a production company?� Darren asked innocently.

Daniel began sweating. His eyes shifted from Darren, to Doctor Jacoby, then down to his plate.� He took a drink of tea, then licked his lips. �That, um� �� Daniel blushed. �That didn�t� �

�Hey, mate. �S okay. Don�t have to talk about it here.� Darren glanced at his watch, then toward the doctor, giving Daniel time to compose himself. �How much time do you get for lunch, JaJay?�

The doctor looked at his watch.� �I should be getting back soon.� He nodded.

The corners of Darren�s full lips twitched in a grimace, and he closed his eyes. Sighing deeply, he looked back at his friend. Doctor Jacoby pulled out a notepad, and scribbled something.

�Are you ready to go then, mate?� Darren asked Daniel.� Daniel looked much more normal, but he jumped quickly to his feet.

�Yeah. If you don�t mind.�

Jacoby pushed the paper surreptitiously toward Darren as he leaned over to stand up.� Darren reached for it as he left the tip, then just as secretly pushed the paper into his pocket.

Daniel was fairly dancing at the door, anxious to be away.

The trip back to the hospital was quiet.� Darren noted Daniel�s obvious relief that he made no attempt to get out as they dropped off the doctor.

�Thanks, JaJay.� Darren called and waved.

�Good to see you again, Darren.� You too, Daniel.�

Daniel didn�t look at the doctor, just nodded, more to himself than the doctor.� Doctor Jacoby and Darren both nodded toward each other, and then Darren drove back to Daniel�s house.

tbc...