When Darkness Part III

DARREN'S POV

I could feel myself waking slowly and for a moment I couldn't tell dream from reality. My body felt heavy like I'd lost all control; my mind seemed clouded by fog. It took awhile for me to come fully awakened, but even then I was not fully aware. The only thing that I *was* aware of was being in pain. My head ached, my back was stiff and sore, and my left wrist was sharply stinging.

Upon opening my eyes, I expected to see the world as I had been for the past few months--blurred and slightly dimmed. What I saw was�nothing. Only blackness. Because I was not completely awake the absence of sight merely puzzled me, instead of making me panicked. At first I thought I was still lost in a dream and I let my eyes slip closed again. When I re-opened them and still saw nothing I shook my head, blinking in disbelief. Blinked again�Nothing still.

I immediately grew scared. I could feel that my eyes were open, I knew that I was indeed awake and not dreaming, but still my world was dark. Part of me still clung to the belief that I was dreaming and I could hear the breath hitch in my throat as I thrashed once to shake myself, desperately wanting to wake from my nightmare.

Suddenly, something next to me stirred and I was wrapped in a pair of very familiar arms, my senses surrounded by a comforting scent. I whimpered slightly, the sound nothing but a gasping squeak worming its way from inside. Then Daniel's tired-but-concerned voice rumbled next to my ear. "Shhh, Darren. You're okay love�"

My body relaxed immediately, muscles uncoiling from their tensing, and suddenly I felt completely drained. Empty. In a rush, all that occurred in the day before came flowing back to me and I held Daniel tighter. I remembered everything-- Daniel and I coupling; the sudden, terrifying blindness; the concert; the fall; and, lastly, the hospital. With the exception of Daniel, the previous day definitely didn't rank up on my list of favorite days. Not even close�

"Darren?" his hands were stroking over my face, running down my neck, then reaching back to bury long, slender fingers in my hair. "Are you awake?"

I slowly opened my eyes, sighing when nothing assailed my vision. "Yes, Jonesy," I replied, my voice still thick with sleep.

"How're you feeling?"

A pause. "Like I'm trapped in a living nightmare�"

An answering sigh. "Oh, Darren."

There was shifting again and suddenly my senses were completely invaded by everything Daniel. He rolled me over so that I was no longer on my side, but on my back under him, his body a solid and comforting weight pressing me into the mattress, anchoring me in reality. I felt him gently take my face in both hands; then he leaned forward and joined our lips. He had me covered from head to foot; his love surrounded me, and his warmth filled me until my body hummed with pleasure.

All nightmares were forgotten about, for the moment at least.

The warm, completed feeling ended much sooner than I would have liked. With one final, almost chaste, brushing of lips Daniel pulled away, letting his fingers skim lightly over my cheeks.

"Why'd you stop?" I asked even as my lips moved to form into a pout. "I was enjoying myself."

My body then shook with Daniel's silent laughter. "That's good to know," he told me, mirth in his voice. I reached a hand up to feel the grin gracing his features. "I was having a bit of fun as well, but we have to stop."

"Why?" My pout was back with reinforcements.

"Because it feels really, REALLY odd making out with you in a hospital bed!" His lips met mine again, kissing the pout away. As he pulled back once more, he caught my lower lip in his teeth and sucked gently. It felt quite good and sent shivers up and down my spine. I brought my hands up to rest on Daniel's smooth, warm, bare, chest lightly stroking my fingers over the lean muscles. The texture of his skin had me mesmerized and the way his body reacted to my inquisitive touch both amused and excited me.

But Daniel was right--getting hot and bothered in a hospital bed was just strange. When he paused for a third time I, reluctantly, let him disentangle his body from mine.

"We'll finish this later," Daniel whispered, the words laden with promise. I shivered. When he moved completely off of the bed, I missed his warmth immediately.

"What time is it?" I asked through a yawn, stretching in an attempt to alleviate the stiffness in my back.

"Quarter to eight," was Daniel's answer from across the room.

"What time will they let me out of here, do you think?"

"Don't know, really," Daniel replied. "Soon, I imagine. I talked to a nurse's aid about an hour ago�" Daniel's voice became muffled with the sound of rustling cloth and his footsteps coming back over to my bed. Then he was beside me again, and when I reached for him I could feel the cloth of his shirt under my hand, an irritating, yet necessary barrier between his skin and mine.

"You've been awake for an hour?" I said, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "What have you been doing all this time?"

"Watching you sleep," he answered honestly.

I could feel myself blushing.

"Too cute," Daniel murmured, his hand briefly caressing my face. I felt my face heating even more. Daniel's low chuckling could be heard as he laughed at my expense.

"Cut it out."

His laughter deepened. "The diva is blushing," he stated in mock-wonder. "The pouty, prancing sex kitten is turning brilliant red because I say he's *cute*"

"Danny!" I half-wailed in exasperation.

"Dazza!" he shot back, mocking me.

I just shook my head as Daniel continued to chuckle slightly. "So, what did the nurse's aid have to say?" I asked, steering the conversation into what I hoped would be safer waters.

All of the laughter was immediately gone from his voice. That wasn't a good sign�

"Jonesy?" I pressed, reaching out to find and touch his arm.

"Its nothing to fret about Darren. Really," he told me his voice laced with worry. "She just said the doctors wanted to have you go through some additional tests this morning."

"When?"

"In about an hour, I believe�"

I absently caught my bottom lip in my teeth and chewed lightly on it while thinking. Finally, I spoke up and asked, "Did the aid say what kind of tests, by any chance?"

"No," Daniel said, slowly. "No, she didn't. I think they want to run a couple of scans on you."

"Will you stay with me?" I asked, almost hesitant. I feared I was quickly growing too dependent on Daniel, but under the circumstances, I felt better and safer with him around. He was my light in the darkness.

"If they let me," He assured me. "I'll be here as long as you want me."

I smiled. "You'll be sticking around for a long, long time then Jonesy."

"I look forward to it." He reached to wrap his arms around me. I laughed as the thin paper of my hospital gown made a crinkling sound under his touch. Daniel laughed, too, then moved to draw my back up against his chest.

"How can you stand wearing that thing?" he asked while purposely crinkling the paperish material once more with his fingers.

I shrugged then drew in a sharp breath as my shoulders protested the movement.

"What's wrong?"

With a grimace, I replied, "Nothing�my back's a tad sore, that's all�"

Daniel didn't answer verbally. Instead, I felt both of his warm, strong hands settling firmly on my shoulders. With deft fingers, he began to rub at my back, turning me into a puddle of a person, practically melting at his touch. Daniel's caress was gentle over the areas I knew to be bruised and sure over the areas of tenseness. Wordlessly, I moaned and leaned back for more contact. I moaned again when his hands slipped underneath the paper gown through the slit in the back. His hands were even warmer against my skin, making me shiver.

"Feel good?" his deep voice caressed my ears as his hands continued to soothe my back.

I sighed, content. "Feels wonderful�" My head lolled back against the juncture of his shoulder and neck. I felt his shift his head to nuzzle mine; then he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"Oh Danny," I said as his hands slowed, then stopped altogether. Sighing I went on, "You play me about as well as you play your guitar�"

His husky laughter washed over me again. "Well, practice makes perfect," he said. "And I intend to get a lot of practice."

"Tease�"

"At least you're relaxed," he pointed out.

"True." It seemed that I was only capable of speaking in one-word sentences. Daniel's massage had practically relaxed me into a coma.

And that was the state that a nurse and an orderly found me in when they came a half-hour later. I was completely comfortable, in a half-doze, reclining against Daniel when I heard the door to the room opening. Daniel gave me a small nudge to get me fully awake.

"Mr. Hayes?" a female voice drifted from across the room. I caught the trace of an accent, but I couldn't quite place it.

I turned to face the direction the voice spoke from. "Yes?" I asked, hoping that I was talking in the right direction.

"Good morning, sir," she said, her voice closer. And Irish. "How're you feeling?"

I was beginning to hate that question, but I answered anyway. "Fine�What can I do for you?" I sat up because I had a sneaking suspicion that I would soon be forced to move anyway. As usual, I was right.

"Dr. Kessler requested last night that we run a couple of tests on you, so we'd like to begin now, if you think you're ready."

"What kind of tests?" Daniel beat me to the punch asking that question.

I heard the distinct sound of papers being shuffled through. "Ermm�it seems that we have you scheduled for am MRI." She paused for a moment. "Any other questions?"

"Yeah," I answered, wanting to lighten the mood and ease the twinge of nervousness that I felt. "What's your name?"

I felt Daniel smack me lightly and heard the lady laugh. "Carole," she answered. "And I'm the nurse practitioner who will be helping to conduct the tests until Dr. Kessler returns."

"Nice meeting you Carole," I said flashing a grin. "I'm Darren."

"Nice to meet you, too, Darren," Carole said, laughter lighting her voice. "Now, could you please stand up for me?" I slowly did so. "Okay," she continued. "I'm going to take your shoulder and guide you to a gurney. Don't be alarmed�"

Her small, slender fingered hand came to rest lightly on my arm as she moved me gently away from my bed and Daniel.

"All right, Darren, " she told me as we slowly inched forward what felt like a few feet. Her hand took my wrist and guided my hand over to a firm padded�thing�in front of me. "What you are touching now is a gurney; basically a wheeled bed�" I ran my hand over what I then knew to be a thin mattress as Carole continued, her voice soft beside my ear. "I'm going to help you climb up, alright?"

I nodded absently as I let my hands see what my eyes could not. The gurney wasn't vey high and nothing on its cold metal frame seemed dangerous. "I think I can do this," I muttered to no one in particular. "It's steady, yeah?"

Carole answered, and I could hear the smile in her tone. "Yes, Darren; it is quite steady. The gurney's wheels are locked and the bed is being held immovable."

"Oh, okay." I turned around and gripped the edge of the gurney with both hands. Hesitantly, I pulled myself up off the floor and sat on the mattress. "I'm up!" I announced, almost absurdly proud of my accomplishment.

"We see that," Daniel stated, sounding nearer to me then I last remembered. "Congrats."

"Funny Danny."

Carole interrupted our bickering. "Can you lie down for me, please?"

"um, yeah�" Carefully I moved to draw my legs and feet up onto the rolling bed.

"All settled?" Carole asked as she guided me to lie flat.

I paused and fidgeted for a moment then answered her. "Yup."

"Wonderful. We're going to wheel you out of here, now. I promise that you will be fine."

"Might I come with you?" Daniel asked, directing his question towards the nurse.

"You may follow," she answered. "But you may not go into the exam room during the testing."

A familiar hand slipped into mine, thumb rubbing gentle circles on my wrist. "Thank you," Daniel told her softly, I smiled to myself and gave hand a small squeeze. Then I felt the bed begin to turn and move, and Daniel slowly released my hand. Reluctantly, I let him go.

As we made our way�wherever we were going, Carole chatted pleasantly about everything and nothing all at the same time. It was a good distraction that kept me from not thinking too much about what kind of tests they were about to run on me. The last tests that were performed on me hadn't been that bad, but I was unconscious at the time, a luxury that I was lacking now.

The wheeled-stretcher pulled to a halt after what seemed like a mad dash through several hallways. Daniel's hand took mine again as he leaned down to feather a brief kiss on my lips. "It will be okay," he assured me. "And I'll be right here when you are finished."

And I was wheeled away, through a pair of swinging doors, into the unknown.

* * * * *

I was transferred from the uncomfortable padded gurney to an even more comfortable, cold, metal table. Lightly, I let my fingers trail over the smooth expanse, shivering at the sensation. I felt like I was lying on a solid bed of ice. With chattering teeth, I lay still, and listened to droning of voices and machines around me. My hospital gown crinkled as I shook.

To say that I wasn�t nervous would be a flat out lie. To say that I wasn't scared would also be stretching the truth. In all actuality, I was bordering on terrified, alone in a room full of strangers. I shivered again, both with cold and nerves, desperately wanting to get on with�whatever this was.

This was when Carole came back to my side. "How're you holding up, Darren?"

I almost sighed in relief upon hearing her voice, but wound up shuddering instead. "I'm cold." I told her, clearly stating the obvious.

"So I see," she remarked. "But I've brought you a blanket to block the chill."

This time I did sigh with some degree of relief as she settled the blanket around my still-shivering form. "Oh thank you," I breathed. Then asked, "So�how does this scanning thing work, anyway?" I am proud to admit that my voice didn't waver as I asked this.

Carole must have heard the fear in the question anyway, because she immediately attempted to soothe my worries. "This test is called a cranial MRI which stands for magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI creates a magnetic field around your body then sends pulses of radio waves at the tissues in question, in this case its your brain."

"Will it hurt?"

"No, not at all. The scan is completely painless. The MRI is loud, its rather lengthy, and it isnt the most exciting thing you can go through," She laughed a little at this and placed a hand on my shoulder. "But it is a simple test. In fact, the only thing you have to do is lie still on that table and let the machine and us do all the work."

My fingers danced over the fuzzy, loosely woven blanket that now covered my body as I listened intently to what Carole was telling me. "When the test begins," she continued, "The table will slide into what is essentially a large tube. It is a rather tight fit, but luckily that shouldn't pose a problem for you."

I nodded absently, while picking at a ball of lent on the cloth. I could hear the slight hesitation in her voice. "What will pose a problem?"

She sighed. "It depends� there might not be any problem what-so-ever."

"Fair enough. What *could* be a problem, then?"

"The noise factor," she answered. "The machine produces a loud thumping/humming noise that might bother you a bit. You'll be given earplugs to block the sound, of course, but�well we'll see what happens."

"Should I worry?"

"No!" she exclaimed. "No, leave the worrying to me because I'm sure there isn't a need for it."

The poor piece of blanket-lent was sacrificed under my picking fingers. "So�" I sighed. "When do we start the festivities?"

"Soon," she answered. "If you'll be patient a moment longer, we'll wait for Dr. Corey to arrive then begin."

"Wait, doctor who? Where's Dr. Kessler?"

"Dr. Kessler will be back this afternoon. In the meantime, Dr. Alicia Corey will be running the scans on you."

Idly, I began drumming my fingers on the table top, fascinated by the muffled thudding sound my fingers made on the metal. As I waited, I let my mind wander and aberrantly listened to the white noise around me. I wished desperately that Daniel were with me. I must have slightly drifted off because the next I was aware of was the sound of an unfamiliar female voice was talking to me.

"Mr Hayes?"

I didn't bother to open my eyes. "Yes?"

"Good morning. I'm Dr. Corey�Are you ready to get started with this?"

She sounded very nice, if not a bit overly-cheerful, but I wasn't enthused. "I suppose so," I returned. "If I must�"

Dr. Corey apparently ignored that and continued on breezily. "We're about ready to begin," she informed me, her voice coming from somewhere across the room. "If you'll just lie there and be patient a bit longer."

How many times had I heard that already?

Then, "Alright, Mr. Hayes, the test is beginning now."

"Darren?" Carole was back beside me again. "I'm going to put the ear plugs in. Tell me if I'm hurting you�" The sensation of the plugs being slid into my ears was an odd one. Then the world got a bit muffled. "Is that okay, Darren?" I could hear Carole, but it sounded as if her voice was coming from underwater, a bit garbled and unclear.

I nodded anyway, determined to get this over with. I gave a little jolt as I felt the table begin to hum and move under me. Then I felt the vibrations as it began sliding backwards. When it came to a stop, I could almost feel that the world had grown narrower. Cautiously, I moved my hand to the side. There were a few inches between me and some sort of wall. I could feel the air around me growing stale and warm, almost stifling.

"How are you doing Darren?" Carole's voice crackled over a speaker that was located somewhere near my ears.

"I've been better," I informed her. "Are we starting now?"

"Yes, Mr Hayes, if you're sure you're situated." Now Dr. Corey's voice was talking to me.

"M'fine. Lets get this party started then, shall we?"

"We're starting now."

Suddenly the area around me came to life. The machine began to vibrate heavily and a loud, monotonous humming filled the tube and seemed to echo off of the encompassing walls. Then the thudding started, feeling not too unlike the heavy beat of the bass at our concerts. I focused on that sound, that feeling, for all I was worth because it was the only thing that seemed remotely familiar. The pounding grew louder and so did the humming. Louder. And louder. Finally, the repetitious humming grew so loud and so enveloping that it drowned out the thumping sound. The air grew staler, like it was simply being recycled every time I breathed out. My lungs began to feel like there was iron clamping around them, like no oxygen could get in. I couldn't breathe. The humming grew louder and I could almost swear that the space around me was growing smaller each time the noise level increased.

I was panting now, afraid, and unable to get any air into my panicked lungs. I was sure that the tube around me was going to crush me because I was unable to see it. It would kill me; it would be my coffin. My chest was heaving with exertion as I tried to force myself to breathe. Air entered my lungs in halting gasps, but it wasn�t enough to calm me down.

"Darren?" Carole's worried voice didn't penetrate through my panicked state. "Darren it's okay. You have to calm down!"

I couldn't answer; the only sound that came from my mouth was a high pitched wailing that was lost in the chaos of the noise around me. My chest hurt with each desperate gasp that I took for breath and my mind began to grow fuzzy from lack of sufficient oxygen. There was nothing that I could cling to for comfort, I felt cut off from the world. I thrashed in my prison; my hand smacking against the wall which only served to fuel my fear.

"oh help oh help oh�helpohhelp�" became my mantra. With each choking gasp for air, I would breathe out the helpless words.

"Darren, we're pulling you out of the machine now!" I couldn't even feel the table as it left the tube; I was too far-gone to care. "�oh help oh help help help�" The words had lost all meaning, but I sobbed them out anyway. Then one word came to mind a word with more meaning than any other; the one thing that I knew could save me from anything. Someone began to try and soothe me, but I twisted away from them crying out in desperation. "Danny! DANNY!"

* * * * * * * * * *

DANIEL'S POV

I was bored, again. And worried. Again. And waiting�again. And I could now see why hospitals would never top anyone's list as far as fun vacation spots go. They had just wheeled Darren away from me not five minutes before, and already I longed for him to be back by my side. Where he belonged.

Obsessive? Perhaps, but I really didn�t care.

So I was forced to endure the grueling task of twiddling my thumbs in a stark, barren hallway while watching my good old enemy the clock slowly ticking away. My attention was divided between the clock, examining the patterns in the dingy white tile, and staring silently at the still double doors that blocked the end of the hallway from my view.

Biting absently on a hangnail, I shifted my gaze from the unfeeling metal doors, back to the slowly ticking clock. Another five minutes had passed, and barely that. I sighed; it was going to be a long wait. Stretching my lanky form out, I tried to slouch into a comfortable position in the hard plastic chair.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew some instinct had me jerking upright and awake. Risking a furtive glance at the clock I saw that only a half an hour had gone by. With a muffled curse, I closed my eyes again and fully prepared myself to drift back to sleep.

My nap didn�t get a chance to come. In the next instant the swooping sound of the double doors swinging had me snapping open my tired eyes. A nurse in spotless white scrubs hurried her way over to where I was lounged.

"Mr. Jones?" she questioned, a hint of urgency hidden in her voice.

"Yeah?" I was immediately seated at full attention.

"Could you come with me please?" Her hand gripped my shoulder and helped propel me to my feet. Automatically, I followed her.

"I thought I wasn�t allowed back here?" I stated said as we went through the doors together.

She cast me a wry glance. "Well, you are now," she stated.

I looked at her sharply. "What's happened?"

The nurse sighed, then sped up her already brisk pace, still pulling me along in her path. "Mr. Hayes has had a bit of a panic attack and we need to get him calm enough to be able to get near him and administer a sedative."

My breath half-hitched in my throat as I drew to a sudden halt. "How bad is he?"

Her gaze was level. "Bad enough," she informed me. "Incoherent, terrified, panicked, and repeatedly screaming your name."

That got me moving again, at double the speed. Further down the hall my heart froze in my chest when I heard Darren's frantic screaming. Quickly the nurse opened a door to an examination room and the screams seemed to increase in both volume and panic level.

I pushed past the nurse and stepped into the room, and nearly cried at what I saw. Through a clear observation window, I could see Darren lying on a metal table, wrapped in a hospital blanket and thrashing about in a fit of hysteria. He was curled into a fetal ball and lashing out at whoever got near him. The sound of his voice yelling my name nearly broke my heart.

"Daniel!" he wailed. "DANNY! Oh help, oh help�Trapped! HELP! Danny�"

His breath was coming in ragged gasps and tears streamed unchecked down his pale face. Without another thought and totally focused on Darren's trembling form, I made my way through the observation room and into the exam room.

"Darren?" I said softly as I approached the table on which he lay. He apparently didn�t hear me. "Darren." I repeated, louder, voice firm. Then again, "*Darren.*"

A sob hitched and caught in his throat. His frantic movement slowed a bit before finally stilling, and his panicked babble changed into a drawn-out whimper.

"Dazza, it's me. It's Danny; I'm here love, I'm right here."

Darren grew completely silent and seemed to turn his head in my direction. His breathing was still ragged and gasping, but it appeared that he was listening. Tears still coursed their way silently over his cheeks. I moved to stand beside him and gently reached to take his hand. He tensed immediately, but didn't pull away.

Gently I began stroking the underside of his wrist with my thumb and our fingers became firmly entwined. "Darren are you listening to me?" I asked softly. "Can you hear what I am telling you? You're okay; you're just fine. Nothing has got you trapped; nothing is lurking in the dark to get you; nothing is going to hurt you because I'm here and I wont let anything happen."

My tone remained even and my thumb did not stop its gentle ministrations. Slowly, Darren relaxed and stretched himself out of his balled up position. "Danny?" he whispered, his voice husky and raw from the screaming.

"I'm here," I assured him.

He sniffled a little like a small, scared child and I had to resist the urge to pull him into my arms, close to me.

"The noise tried to make the walls close in on me because I couldn't see them," he told me, his voice wavering slightly.

"You're fine," I insisted. Carole came up and stood beside me, nodding in encouragement. "The machine didn't get you and it is not going to."

"I don't wanna go back in there�"

"You're going to have to," I told him, with a small sigh. "But the doctor is going to give you something to help you relax a bit. No worries, okay?

Darren nodded slightly. "Will you stay here? Stay and watch the tube for me and make sure it won't close me up?"

I looked towards Darren's small-but-imposing female doctor in askance. She gave me a brief nod of approval while taking up a syringe and a small bottle of fluid. Quickly she prepared the shot then moved to stand next to Darren, alongside Carole and me. As the doctor tapped the needle to expel any air bubbles, Carole quickly swabbed Darren's upper arm with some rubbing alcohol.

"Alright, Mr. Hayes, I'm going to give you an injection." The doctor stated. "It is only a mild tranquilizer to relax you and put you to sleep for a little while." She gingerly took Darren's arm. "You will feel a slight prick of the needle, but that is all it is. Don't be frightened."

Darren's entire body tensed again as the doctor punctured his skin. After a moment, I could see his muscles begin to ease and relax, one by one. Soon, he went completely limp and his breathing evened out. It didn't take long for the drug to totally take him over, sending him into a deep sleep-like state.

"And he's out�" Carole pronounced as she and the doctor moved away from the table. I paused briefly to capture Darren's lax hand in mine and press it to my lips, before following the women out of the exam room and back into the small observation room.

I watched him silently from behind the plexi-glass window, watched as the table slid back into the large tube and obscured him from view. Then the noises started up, muffled though, because of the semi-soundproof state of the room. I was only allowed to look for a moment. After that moment, Carole came over and gently laid a hand on my arm.

"You're going to have to go back to the hallway once the test really gets underway," she informed me, somewhat hesitantly. "Hospital policy. This is a semi-clean room, and you aren't really wearing the appropriate clothing to be in here."

She wasn't telling me anything that I hadn't already suspected. "I thought as much," was my reply as I took one last look towards Darren. "You'll watch the tube for me then? Make sure, for him, that it doesn�t close up?" I'm sure my eyes were solemn, but I felt one corner of my mouth quirk up as I said this.

Carole smiled slightly. "Of course� I'll watch it especially carefully. Promise."

"And will you do me one more favor?"

"If I can."

"Will you find me, or have some else find me, when the test is over. Tell me how it went and all that�"

"Sure," she answered. "That is another promise. "

Carole led me back down the hallway and out of the double doors once more. Looking up at the ever-present clock I saw that an hour had passed while I was in the room with Darren. "He'll be fine," Carole assured me as she slipped back behind the doors and out of my sight. I stood for a moment, uncertain, then hesitantly walked back to the chair I had abandoned an hour before. I didn't sit down, though. Instead, I was struck by a sudden craving for a cigarette and decided to go out and have a quick smoke to pass the time before I could see Darren again. It didn�t take me long to find an exit and once outside I took a deep breath to relish the fresh air.

There was always one thing about hospitals and that was the fact that they always managed to make a person feel incredibly stifled. I walked for a bit, enjoying the feeling of stretching my legs, and soon found a little secluded spot under some trees. Sitting down on a small stone wall, I patted down my pockets in search for my cigarettes and a lighter. Once I procured these two items, I was able to settle back and allow myself to relax for the first time since yesterday morning. I was still very worried about Darren, but I knew that I needed to filter some of that worry so as not to worry him.

I sighed before lighting my cigarette and taking a long, calming drag. Yes, I didn't have to be told that smoking was bad for me. I already knew and Darren had always made sure that he reiterated the fact at any moment he possibly could, but right at that moment, smoking up a storm was the only way that I could manage to calm the storm of emotions that were swirling around inside me.

I took another long pull and watched idly as I exhaled the smoke. It formed a gray cloud before slowly dissipating completely into the air. If only problems and worries would disappear as quickly as smoke�

Long after I finished the cigarette, I sat silently just watching the world around me, contemplating lighting up another. I decided against it and instead whipped my cell phone out of my pants pocket. Pressing a button on the speed dial, I put the phone to my ear and listened intently, waiting for someone to pick up on the other end.

"What da ya want?" A gruff voice asked, though not unkindly.

"Hey, Ben. It's Dan�"

"I know your voice, ya fool," Ben informed me. "What's up, man? How's Daz?"

"Their running some tests on him now and I'm not allowed to stay with him. He'll be finished in a while, I'm not really sure how long though, exactly."

Ben was quiet for moment before speaking again. "Are you ready for some company?" he asked. "'Cause I think we're all ready to come�"

"I could use the company, yeah. When will you be here?"

Ben laughed slightly. "Few minutes at most, if Leo gets her way!" was his reply. "She has been trying to drag us all out the door since the phone rang; she figured it was you calling. So hang tight, man. We'll be at the hospital in a bit."

"Thanks Ben�"

"No prob. Later Dan."

Listlessly, I hung up the phone then stared at it silently for a moment. Slowly shaking myself from my reverie, I put the phone back in my pocket along with my lighter and cigarette pack. Then I stood up, dusted myself off, and made my way back inside the building.

Slowly, I ambled back down the twisting maze of corridors and found myself back in Darren's hospital room. I went in and sat down on Darren's empty bed, desperately wishing that he were here. I'm not sure how much time went by, or how long I sat there staring blankly into space, but the next thing I knew a voice was calling my name.

"Mr. Jones?"

I looked up to see Carole hovering in the doorway. "Yeah?" I asked.

"Darren is in the recovery room now. We're just waiting for him to come out from sedation and then he will be brought back here."

I sighed with some relief. "Thank you. And what of the tests? How did they go?"

"Doctors Corey and Kessler are looking over the results as we speak. As soon as they know something conclusive, then so shall you. Anything else?"

I nodded. "Did the machine get him?"

Carole laughed slightly. "Nope, the MRI behaved itself. It didn't eat him�"

This caused a half-grin to form on my face. "That's good to know; I'm sure he'll be relieved to hear it."

With a nod, Carole prepared to leave. "If you need anything," she told me. "Just call."

"M'fine." I replied. //The only thing I need is him�// My mind finished silently.

As if she could read my thoughts Carole said, "He'll be back here shortly�" Then she walked out of the door.

I was mildly surprised, but it didn't last long because in the next instant I was bombarded by the entire gang. They burst into the room at full speed, talking just as rapidly.

"Where is he?" Angie demanded after she had looked around room and come up one singer short.

"Hello to you, too," I drawled.

Air burst from her lungs as she exhaled in exasperation. "Sorry," she stated. "Hello Daniel, nice to see you, lovely weather we're having, WHERE is DARREN?"

"Recovery room."

Several brows furrowed in concern at this, but Karl was the first person to vocalize it. "What happened?"

Fuck. How was I supposed to explain all that had transpired? "He just got out of the MRI�"

Karl wasn't buying it. "And?"

"And the doctors were waiting for him to wake up before they brought him back here."

"Wake up?" Lee repeated. "He fell asleep?"

I chewed on my bottom lip absently. "Uh�no�Rather, they had to sedate him and the drugs haven't worn off yet."

"SEDATE?" Leonie said, a few octaves higher than normal. "Why in heavens name did they need to drug him?"

"He had a bit of a panic attack while the test was being performed and they knocked him out to keep him still. But he is honestly going to be fine, the tests are finished, and as soon as he wakes up he'll be brought here!" I trailed off with a sigh, before seeing Leonie about to open her mouth to ask something else. "That is all I know, so calm down and stop with the damn questions!"

A hush fell over the group and I could feel a stress headache forming in my temples. All I wanted at that very moment was Darren safe in my arms, with his soothing voice washing over my frayed nerves like a gentle rain.

"We're sorry Danny," Elisa said, stepping away from the group at the door to sit on the bed next to me. Cautiously, she reached a hand out to gently touch my shoulder. "We've just been so worried that I suppose we forgot that the worry and stress have to be even worse on you. You've told us how he is doing, but how are you holding up?"

I shook my head. "I'm okay. And you're right, I am worried, but I shouldn't have snapped." That was the nearest thing to an apology that I could muster, but I could see that the others accepted it without hesitation.

Suddenly a commotion in the hallway had us all looking towards the door. The group standing there suddenly parted like the Red Sea as Darren was wheeled in on a stretcher. He appeared to be slightly groggy, but was overall more coherent then he was the last time I saw him. Elisa and I immediately moved from our spot on his bed to stand out of the way and watch as Carole and a pair of orderlies brought him over.

"It seems like you've got quite a crowd of visitors, here," Carole said brightly to Darren as the orderlies moved him from the stretcher to the bed.

"Do I?" he mumbled as he shifted to make himself more comfortable. I was back by his side in an instant.

"Of course you do," I told him while reaching out to gently clasp one of his hands. "The rest of the clan finally got their lazy arses out of bed and came to see you."

He smiled slightly as the entire group burst into rapid-fire talking, calling out greetings and well-wishings.

"How're you feeling, love?" I whispered, my voice low and for his ears only.

"Kinda out of it, actually�"

"That doesn't surprise me. How long are they keeping you here for?"

Darren frowned in thought. "Ummm�I'm not certain. I think, according to Dr. Corey--you met her right?-- that I'm all through with tests and they just have to review the results and get back to me. Whatever that means� So they should let me leave soon, yeah?"

"Very probably." I answered. "Why don�t you go back to sleep and I'll see what I can find out?"

He sighed slightly in reply. "Feels like I've slept the day away already."

This brought a small chuckle from me. "That's because you have!"

"Oh hush�"

Glancing up, I saw the others all smiling with varying degrees of smug-contentness on their faces. It was rather annoying, to say the least, but I kept quiet about it. Casting my eyes about the room, my gaze landed on Carole who was still in the room, apparently engaged in jotting something down on a clipboard.

"Ah, Carole?" I ventured.

She looked up briefly from what she was doing and made eye contact with me. "Yes?"

"What's next on the agenda for Darren?" When I posed this question the rest of the room immediately grew silent, interested in the answer.

She paused to think for a moment, then began to thumb through the papers she was holding. "I believe," she started. "Hmmm�I think that Dr. Kessler would like a word or two with him and for you to sign some forms, and then you'll be free to take him home."

A deep, heartfelt sigh of relief left the lungs of the man resting beside me. "That sounds heavenly," Darren stated, a lazy smile stretching across his features. "When can I meet with Dr. Kessler?"

Again, Carole stopped to ponder before she answered. "He got in a little while ago and is currently making the rounds. He should be here to check on you at any time now�"

A rapping at the doorway snared our attention. "Good afternoon," Dr. Kessler said breezily as he entered the room.

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear," Ben muttered under his breath. He was silenced when Angie gave him a hard nudge with her elbow. Rubbing his shoulder, he glared balefully at her as she smirked back.

"And how are we feeling?" the Doc asked Darren as he strolled over to stand next to the bedside. "I heard that you were pretty anxious to get out of here�"

"Anxious doesn�t even begin to cover it," was Darren's reply.

The doctor laughed a little. "Well, you won't have much longer to wait. Before I sign your release, I just wanted to talk with you for a moment about your decision for the surgery. Have you reached a decision?"

Darren exhaled shakily. "Yes�"

"And?" Dr. Kessler prompted.

"I've decided that I do want to go through with it, but I also want to know what risk is involved."

Everyone was silent for this part of the conversation.

"That is perfectly understandable. It relieves me to know that you are going to have the procedure done. Now, before I begin, do you mind us having this conversation in front of your live audience gathered here?"

"I live my life in front of live audiences�" Darren answered with a small smile. "And besides, they're family; they don�t bother me--with the exception of Ben on occasion." His small smile turned into a smirk at Ben's squawk of indigence.

"Alright then. I have gotten the surgery scheduled for a week from now. It is Saturday, the operation will take place next Saturday at 9:00 A.M. The night before, you will be expected back here at the hospital for prep. Any questions so far?"

"Actually, I have one." Leonie spoke up from the chair in the corner where she was filling out whatever paperwork that Carole had handed her. "Why is the surgery being done here? Wouldn't it be better just to fly Darren home and have it done there?"

"Not necessarily. While there are advantages to sending him home, the disadvantages bear far more weight. If you sent him home he'd have to check into another hospital there, they would have to review the case, probably run tests of their own, then make a move to schedule a surgery whenever they could--and there is no telling when that could be. Finding someone specializing in procedures as delicate as Mr. Hayes's, is a difficult task because brain surgeons are always in high demand." Kessler answered. "At least here, we've reviewed the case, we are familiar with the patient because we have been treating him, and the surgeon is available within a reasonable time frame."

Leonie nodded, apparently satisfied. "Well, that answers that�"

"Any questions from you. Mr. Hayes?" the doctor asked.

"You still haven't told me the risk involved."

"Well," Kessler began. "With any type of surgery, and especially with brain cases, there is a certain amount of risk involved. But the surgeon, Dr. Marcus Eddings, is one of the best you can find, the world over. This operation isn't particularly life threatening, and the chances of something going wrong are there, but they are very, very slim."

"Okay�Is there anything else I should know about?"

"Not at this time. Dr. Corey and I are reviewing your scan results and should anything unexpected arise, we will contact you. Now that the paperwork is in the process of being completed, I advise that you get dressed, go back to your hotel, and get some rest. I'll have an orderly here in 15 minutes to help escort you outside through the back exit, for privacy."

"Thank you."

"I also advise that you be particularly careful when leaving. It seems that a number of your fans have heard reports of your accident and have subsequently gathered en masse in the front parking lot. We've had to have the police break up several crowds."

Practically the entire group cringed at that. "Sorry for all the trouble�" Darren said shaking his head in disbelief.

"It is quite alright, I assure you. Now is there anything else that you need?"

"I can't think of anything�"

"Very well. I expect to see you back here at 6:30 Friday evening. And try not to worry too much about what could happen. I want you to attempt to relax. Also," the doctor paused before digging in his lab-coat pocket for a pad. As he scribbled on it, he continued, "I've taken the liberty of prescribing some mild painkillers for your shoulder and head�" He pulled a small pill bottle out of the other pocket, ripped a note from the pad, and reached over place both items in Darren's hands. "The directions for taking the medicine have been written down; should you forget, you can have one of your friends read it for you. Take one pill every 2-4 hours, if needed, for pain."

Darren shook the bottle gently, listening to the rattle that the pills made. Then he reached over and handed the pills and the instruction to me. I sat there and looked at both items in confusion for a few moments, not knowing what to do with them, before Leonie grabbed them from me with an exasperated huff.

"Oh, here!" she exclaimed as she snatched the bottle and paper out of my hands. "Honestly�you're helpless!" She laughed as she tucked them safely away in her purse.

I merely shrugged in reply. It worked hadn't it? When in doubt, play it hopeless, and convince someone else to do things for you�

"Hey, Daz�Dan?" Karl spoke up. "We're going to go outside to see if we can get the van brought around." He nodded his head towards Lee and Ben as all three of them made their way towards the door.

"That's fine," Darren stated and I gave them a brief nod of acknowledgment

"We'll go with you�" Elisa stated, speaking for herself and Angie. She turned to Darren, Leonie, and me. "We'll see you in a bit."

"Yes," Leo answered. "We'll meet you around back."

The others nodded and trouped out the door. Leonie slowly followed after stopping to hand me a medium sized plastic bag. "Angie, Elisa, and I thought to grab you both a change of clothes," she told us, glancing at the bag in indication.

Darren grinned in relief. "No more hospital gown for me!" he crowed happily. "Thanks Leo!"

"Thank you," I echoed.

"You're welcome�" she stated as she picked up her purse and made towards the door. "I'm going to head out and find someone to help escort the pair of you outside, just in case. You both get changed and wait here until the orderly comes to fetch you."

"Yes, mum!" Darren agreed cheekily. Leonie rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated/affectionate snort. I smiled.

"Behave," she said. "Or I'll make Daniel make you behave!" She shot me a wink as she strolled out the door, closing it behind her.

The room was silent again, for the first time in awhile. I turned to take a good look at Darren, running a hand over the side of his face as I did so. He closed his glassy-blue eyes and made a small sound of contentment. "Let's get you dressed," I stated getting up from the bed and pulling him with me.

"What about you?" he asked as he stretched his body out, gently trying to relieve the tensed muscles.

"Don�t worry about me, I'm just going to change back at the hotel." I deposited the sack on the bed and rifled through it, pulling out a pair of boxers, blue jeans, and a large T-shirt. Holding the boxers out, and right side around, I handed them over to Darren who managed to slide them on under the hospital gown without too much difficulty. Next came the jeans, which were a bit more difficult, but nothing he couldn't handle on his own. After much fumbling, they, too, were on. Finally, he slithered out of the plastic-ish gown and waited patiently for me to hand him the shirt.

I didn't.

Instead, I closed the distance between our bodies and placed several kisses along his neck and exposed shoulders while my hands unfurled the shirt. He moaned softly as I trailed kisses up from his neck, to his jaw, then finally settled firmly on his lips. With one final kiss, I took my mouth from his, then slid the shirt over his head and guided his arms into the sleeves.

Once into the clothing, he lunged forward and clutched me tightly into an embrace, briefly melding our lips again, then drew back slightly with a smile on his face.

"Are you ready to go home?" I asked, gathering up the bag before throwing open the door.

He smiled as he reached out in a silent gesture for me to give him my hand. I did so without a second thought. He squeezed my fingers gently, before speaking.

"I can hardly wait�"

TBC�