You'll Never Go Unloved by mardel PG Darien was happy that he and Bobby had finally found each other. But he felt that his partner was still holding back. They had made love in almost every possible way the past two months. But Darien hadn't confessed to Bobby that he was in love with him. He'd admitted he was turned on by his friend. He'd praised his skill even begged for more on one occasion. But he sensed Bobby was still holding back. He understood why, Bobby's track record with keeping his loved ones in his life was almost as bad as his. He was afraid to commit. Darien understood that. He'd been there. He'd thought he was in love before. He'd been in love before but making that last final step telling the object of your affection. Risking everything when you were unsure of his feelings. Sure Darien knew Bobby cared. But did he care enough to stay? Darien now knew he cared that much. He'd never risked his life repeatedly for anyone. He'd never felt so connected with anyone. Only Bobby made his heart race and his head swim. There were times Darien couldn't get enough of his compact, level headed partner. Bobby could make him melt with just a look. Darien was headed for his appointment with Claire at a medical facility she'd wrangled a special test for him. They were to have sole use of a new scanner that would give her a even more detailed picture of his brain and the gland. "Darien I'm glad you're here, come with me." Claire greeted him and led him down a hallway. "If you'll remove your shirt please and then lay down on the table here. It won't take long, but I do need you to stay very still while you are inside the machine." "Yeah, Okay can I have a lolly pop after?" "Only if you are a good boy." Claire grinned and started the process. Darien returned to his line of thought on the drive over. He was going to have to tell Bobby soon. He needed to tell Bobby. He didn't think Bobby would ever tell him first. "There all done. That wasn't difficult now was it?" "No, piece of cake." Darien pulled his shirt back on and grinned. "You can go now. I'll see you tomorrow for that last blood test we need." Claire turned back to her instruments. "Okay, great you mean I get rest of the day off?" "Yes, you're scheduled for medical tests all day so now that the first run worked fine you can go." Claire nodded. "Great, thanks." Darien waved and headed for the door. He was driving back towards his apartment, he would change into beach clothes and head down to Palmer beach and relax for a few hours. Then maybe he could meet up with Bobby early and they could have dinner. Darien changed into his cargo shorts and a sleeveless white shirt. He grabbed a towel and some sunscreen and head back out. He stopped and bought a few beers but he would be driving so he only put three in the cooler. He was set up on a stretch of beach that was only sparsely populated. The college age kids had returned to school a few weeks before so it was only the stay at home moms and a few stragglers like himself. He was laying in the sun, relaxing a short time later when the radio from the lady a short way down the beach began playing a song that caught his attention Darien didn't often listen to country. But he was familiar with most of the popular country singers. He'd never heard the song before. The soft melody was nice but it was the words the really got his attention. I know you know just how it goes when it goes And how it feels to be lost and left alone on your own "Oh my God is sounds just like us!" Darien thought, knowing was probably written about a man a woman. He leaned over to listen better. And what it's like to give all you got and have to stand and watch it as it walks away So everyone deserves a chance to live and learn From mistakes that we make and hearts that break and bridges burn "That's what I need to tell him, we both have a second chance now." Darien was moving closer to the radio now. Starting now from this moment on nothing's gonna go wrong Love is here to stay You'll never be without, You'll always have enough When you're in my arms, You'll never go unloved As long as there is time, And for all of it to come No matter where you go, I want you to know You'll never be unloved "Oh that's it! That's what I have to tell Bobby." So in this life we lead, some things are guaranteed You can count on the fact that hearts won't act responsibly Now and then comes a love that's heaven sent and meant to be So baby look at me You'll never be without, You'll always have enough When you're in my arms, You'll never go unloved As long as there is time, And for all of it to come No matter where you go, I want you to know You'll never be unloved Darien wondered how a song could so perfectly express his feelings. "Excuse me do you know who sings this song?" He asked the woman that was stretched out on her stomach. She looked up at him, and smiled. "Yeah it's Brooks and Dunn. It's their new single I guess." "It is? Thanks, it's a nice song." Darien added. "Yeah I like it." Darien nodded and went to pick up his stuff he had an idea and he had to go make plans to carry it out. He picked up the CD at the local music store. He played it several more times in the car on the way to the local Wal Mart. If he was going to carry this off right, he needed a few things. He called Bobby later that afternoon to make sure he would have his timing right. "Hey Partner you going to join me for dinner tonight?" Darien asked. "Yeah, I'm almost done with all of this paper work. Want me to pick up something?" Bobby smiled when he heard Darien's voice on the line. "No, I'm going to provide dinner. You just hurry home." "Yeah you got something special planned there Fawkes?" "You'll see when you get here." Darien promised then hung up. He knew Bobby was a little bit romantic. He did little things for the people he cared about. He was thoughtful. Darien still remembered the first time Bobby had brought him breakfast in bed. Now it was his turn. He'd gotten three candles, his lucky number. He had Bobby's favorite drink, Corona beer. He cleaned up his place extra well. Bobby hated clutter. Darien wished he was a better cook, but he wanted things to be right so he'd special ordered Bobby's favorite from the local Italian restaurant. When Bobby unlocked Darien's apartment door he was expecting pizza and beer and maybe a rented movie. He was surprised to find dim lighting and candles. "Darien?" "Hey, you're home." Darien moved into kiss his lover. They shared a deep kiss, with Bobby taking the lead after the first few seconds. His arms encircling Darien and drawing him even closer. The kiss ended and Darien stared into Bobby's eyes. "I'm glad you're here." "Me too, what's up?" "I wanted to do something nice for you for a change." "Yeah? You didn't have to go to the trouble." Bobby looked the place over it was the cleanest he'd seen it in weeks. Darien reached for the remote for the stereo and hit play the first song was just soft background music. He handed Bobby a beer and moved it sit on the couch. Bobby took a swig of his drink and followed Darien to the couch. He wasn't at all sure what was going on but he thought it was promising. "I wanted to talk to you." Darien started. "Yeah is something wrong?" Bobby ever the worrier asked. "No, I wanted to tell you something for awhile now but couldn't seem to find the words." "Just tell me." Bobby was getting worried now. This didn't seem like the set up for a kiss off, but anything was possible with Fawkes. Darien hit the play button on the remote and the Brooks and Dunn song started. "Listen to this for a minute." Darien asked. His eyes locked with Bobby's. I know you know, just how it goes when it goes And how it feels to be lost and left alone on your own And what it's like to give all you got and have to stand and watch it As it walks away So everyone deserves a chance to live and learn From mistakes that we make and hearts that break and bridges burn Starting now from this moment on nothing's gonna go wrong Love is here to stay Bobby panicked for a second until he focused on the words of the song. Was Darien trying to tell him this was how he felt? You'll never be without You'll always have enough When you're in my arms You'll never go unloved As long as there is time And for all of it to come No matter where you go I want you to know You'll never be unloved So in this life we lead Some things are guaranteed You can Count on the fact that hearts won't act responsibly Now and then Comes a love that's heaven sent and meant to be So baby look at me You'll never be without You'll always have enough When you're in my arms You'll never go unloved As long as there is time And for all of it to come No matter where you go I want you to know You'll never be unloved "You trying to tell me something?" Bobby asked his voice husky, deeper than usual. His eyes damp with tears. "Yeah, I am. I love you, and I always will. No matter what." Darien said and reached for Bobby's hand. Bobby swallowed, he couldn't believe it, he'd been trying to prevent himself from depending on Darien's attentions. He wasn't fool enough to refuse them, but he hadn't thought there was any change their relationship would last. He'd tried to steel himself for the day Darien told him it was over. He'd never dreamed Darien loved him. Not like this. "You do?" "Yeah, Bobby I have for a while now. I was just afraid to tell you. But I heard this song today and I just felt it was time." "Thank you, I mean that's nice. The song I mean…." Bobby stammered. He was tongue tied all of the sudden. So instead of telling Darien he felt the same way he leaned over and kissed him. This kiss was full of passion and feeling. Darien had to realized what he was trying to tell him. "Did that mean what I think it did?" Darien asked when the kiss ended. "Yeah, I feel the same way." Bobby nodded and smiled. "Good you had me worried there for a second." Darien smiled too. end