When You Can't Be Free

by Tabitha


Author's Note: At the risk of sounding repetitive - I do not claim to know any members of the band SavageGarden or anyone affiliated with them . This story is purely fiction and is ment for entertainment purposes .

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Chapter - one


Darren was staring into space , Space that was by all intense proposes devoid of matter . It was also somehow without color . His mouth was dry and his palms were wet with perspiration . He felt as if he were floating , All most as if he were being lifted weightlessly to find himself in the mist of pure blackness.
Pinpoints of color were visible but only barely . He opened his eyes and squinted into the bright lights that welcomed his awakening . He could smell the bittersweet aroma of coffee drifting in from the kitchen of his hotel room , Who on earth is making me coffee ?? well maybe I’ll let them just this once ! Darren was only mildly surprised to see Dan’s head pop into the door way . Darren smiled weekly at his friend and attempted to roll over but the bed linens were to tangled and he could not put forth the effort it required .
Daniel watched laughingly as Darren struggled with the sheets and finally gave up .The peak of all laziness! Leave it to Darren !
“Get your lazy ass out of that bed before I bloody well wallop ya’ !” Daniel said laughingly in his faux English accent . He had been born in Essex , England but his family had moved to Australia when he was young and he had adopted the foreign accent for his own . “Do I have to spell it out for you ?” he asked mockingly annoyed “G-E-T-Y-O-…”
“Ok ok , I’m up “ Darren said stretching , and sitting up . “Whats the rush , are your undies on fire ? “
Darren yawned loudly .
“Ha ha , no . Today is our first day of our three day break and I intend to make the most of it ! There are about 101 things I would like to do and watching you sleep the day away isn’t one of them ! So get up before I get the cold water and you’ll really be sorry !” Daniel began prancing around Darren’s room .
He walked over to the suit case and unzipped it . He tossed imaginary long hair over his shoulder with the flip of the wrist and in the gayest voice he could manage said “I think you’d look sexy in pink , Why don’t you have anything in pink ?? “
“My dearest Renaldo , I am sorry if you are unhappy. “ Darren took to his feet “But I have no pink because you think I look sexy in pink and the last thing I want is you staring at my bottom instead of the cameras! We save that for behind the bedroom door darling !” Darren drawled on in his sexiest voice .
“Oh Baby !!!” Daniel shoved the door hard and threw himself in Darren’s direction .
“Whats this ?“ Darren moved just in time to watch Dan crash into the bed . “Oh , It’s nothing “
“You’re so mean to me ! “ Daniel snarled “I love it , I put the outfit I think you should wear on the top of the suit case , Hurry …I’m in the mood for some shopping !!!”
“Shopping ??” Darren’s eyes lit up like the sky at the stroke of midnight on New Years . “That’s my second best ability !”
“Second best ??? “ Daniel looked confused , “You shop better than you sing so whats your #1 best ability??”
“Wouldn’t you like to know “ Darren said with the slyest of sly smiles planted on his face . He walked over to the suitcase and investigated the clothing Dan had set out for him “Umm… Dan , There are 4 shirts here, I don’t dress in layers anymore , I’m not as … rounded as I was before !”
“Earth to Darren , Earth to Darren , Come in Darren …. Could you please check your pressure ? Do you not remember where we are , or are you still hung over from all that mineral water you drank last night?” Dan giggled at his own joke , “we’re in Canada mate !”
Oh yeah , Darren thought . no wonder Dan was throwing all these clothes at him , It’s a lot cooler here than they were used to ! They had been down here before during what the Canadians called summer but Darren had found it a bit chilly for him , while people were out in swim suits and shorts !
Darren grabbed the clothes and headed for the bathroom . Daniel could hear him talking to him through the wall .
“What are you going shopping for ?” he asked .
“A Valentines Day gift for Michelle “ Dan replied . “You didn’t forget Valentines Day is in two days did you “


“Have anything specific in mind “ Darren questioned .
“Well , I wrote a poem …So something that goes with that I guess , I want it to be special but it can’t be to big or fragile because I have to send it to her through the mail .”
“you wrote a poem ???” Darren asked sounding shocked .
“Yes I wrote a poem , What do you think I’m illiterate or something ?”
“No , I just never knew that you wrote poetry that’s all “
“Well , I don’t think Halmark is gonna be ringing me but I tried my best that’s all I can do !”
Darren exited the bathroom , Walking across the room he looked in the mirror that was attached to the dressing table . He picked up the Facial moisturizer he had brought and applied some to his soft features .
He then picked up a comb and gently fixed his short spiked hair , applying an enormous amount of gel he then turned to Daniel who was tapping his foot impatiently and asked “Can I see that poem ?”
“OH HELL NO !!! “ Daniel retorted , “The way you write I’d be intimidated !”
“Dan , come on “ Darren urged , “ I’m sure it’s a great poem ! “ Darren grabbed his jacket and followed Dan into the kitchen section of the hotel suite . “Please ????” He pouted , and batted his long dark lashes .
“Fine , “ Dan gave in . There was no point in arguing , the sooner they stopped the sooner they could leave!
Daniel reached into his pocket and withdrew a small piece of paper , he handed it to Darren and grabbed a mug from the counter top .
“would you grab me a cup to please ?” Darren asked sitting down .
“yeah , I guess so .” Daniel filled the two cups and set one in front of Darren , he then got out the cream and sugar , “Darren I don’t think theres enough sugar for you !”
“Ha Ha , let me be while I try to read your messy writing !”
The writing was actually very neat compared to how Dan usually wrote . It was weird for Darren to be reading Daniel’s feelings on paper , what was even weirder was the fact that Darren could almost hear Daniel saying the words …


In  love  ,  My life is changing 

My  dreams  happen  while  I’m  awake ,

With  you I feel I  am  finally  completed 

and   I  know  I  have  found  my  fate  . 


                                                                With  love  forever
 

                                                                    ~Daniel~

Darren placed the piece of paper back on the table and turned his attention to his cup of coffee . He added 5 packets of sugar and stirred it vigorously .
“Well , what’d ya think ?” Daniel asked anxiously .
Darren lifted his coffee close to his face “Umm…nice penmanship”
“Oh piss off !” Daniel could tell his friend was joking , “I spit in your coffee !”
“Yummy !” Darren replied taking a sip of the dark liquid , He almost instantly spit it back out .
“HEY ,” Daniel yelped “ watch your aim.” He jumped out of the way just in time .
“Sorry , But this is piss warm !” He said placing the mug on the table .
“Well if you didn’t take 8 hours to get up and dressed it would still be warm !” Daniel stated , “don’t worry maybe you’ll get lucky and there will be a star bucks in the mall , God knows it has everything else ! It one of the largest malls in Canada !”
“Whats in called ?” Darren asked
“It’s the Eaton’s center .”
“Well , you’re in a rush and it always takes me forever to figure out how the lines work in those star buck shops , maybe if they had signs as to which line was order and which was pick up it would be easier but I always get so confused !
“doesn’t take much !” Dan replied . He threw Darren’s coat at him “ you ready to go ?”
“I’m gonna kick your scrawny ass if you don’t watch it !”
And with that the two friends exited the bus .



Chapter 2


The streets of Toronto were filled with people in professional dress , They all seemed to be in a hurry and some of them bumped shoulders with Darren and Daniel as they rushed to their unknown destination .
The air was chilly , even for a February in Canada , and had a slight sent of rain . The two men walked side by side in silence for a while , gathering their thoughts . It had been a long and hard week at the SavageGarden camp and everyone needed to just cool down and relax before the big show in Halifax early next week . Daniel had forgotten to grab his mittens before leaving the hotel , but Darren’s were still in the pockets of his jacket . He offered one to Dan and he graciously accepted . They laughed at the sight of themselves , All bundled up , noses running , cheeks bright red , teeth chattering , and one mitten each ! The pair passed a group of people who had the thick smell of marijuana about them .
“Dan ?” Darren asked breaking the silence .
“Yeah ,” Daniel responded , his voice barley audible through the neck of his jacket that he had shoved his face in .
“Why do you think people do drugs ?”
“I don’t know , The high feels good , An escape from reality , It all depends on the user I guess .” he removed his face from the jacket , “Why ?”
“Well , I know It’s in a way by choice that they do it , but I don’t believe that they know what they are doing . Some people say it’s the risk that’s so attractive , but whats so attractive about the fact that hundreds die everyday in drug related circumstances ?”
“Darren , you care too much ! I care about people , you know I do . But with you its like people you don’t even know you’d do anything to save …You can’t save the unreachable !”
“But who’s to say when someone is unreachable ? Not that I regret my decision , because I don’t but if I had stayed with teaching do you think I would have been able to prevent that kind of misguidence in the children’s lives ?”
“Darren , people experiment , they wont all become addicts . some people go to far and get wrapped up in it all , you can’t call those who just try it misguided . They are just adding experiences to their life span .”
“I guess you could be right , but still I think the whole drug scene is a bit much for me .”
Daniel noticed that Darren was glancing over his shoulder again , that’s the eighth time hes done that “what are you looking for ???” Daniel asked curiously .
“Do you see that girl behind us , the one in the Tommy jacket ?” he asked nervously.
“Umm…there are like ..5 of them .”Daniel retorted .
“the one with the long blond hair , she’s about 15 , 16 maybe 17 .”
“Ok yeah I see her .” Daniel returned his attention to his friend “What about her ?”
“well I don’t mean to sound paranoid but she’s been behind us for the last 6 blocks !” Darren looked almost scared “… You don’t think she recognized us do you ?”
“Maybe she’s going to the mall, girls do that ! .” Daniel suggested “and even if she did recognize us , so what ? we deal with fans everyday , don’t tell me you aren’t used to it yet !”
“I just was looking forward to a quiet day off that’s all , to be a nobody for a day you know what I mean ?”
“Sure I do , you mean like you were in high school !” Daniel joked .
“Oh that’s the last straw , you’re getting beats now buddy !” Darren said making a fist of his left hand .
“you can’t catch me !” Daniel replied , picking up his pace . Darren followed suit and soon the two best friends were running , dodging the pedestrian traffic . A blood curling scream stopped the two of them dead in their tracks .



Chapter 3


Daniel’s head turned hard and fast enough to crack vertebrae . Darren glanced in the direction the loud noise had come from , concern showing on his pale face . When he realized what had happened he let out The air that he had been holding in his lungs with a loud whoosh . The other people that had stopped to investigate must have also noticed the reason for the noise because they continued on their busy path .
The girl the two men had spotted earlier was running towards them full speed . She stopped short of Daniel by about 2 inches .
“Oh my god , Its really you !!!” she said catching her breath . “I have waited all my life for this moment !”
“Umm… hi .” Daniel said sounding a little more relaxed than his face let on .
“I love you guys ! you guys are so awesome ! I love how you play your guitar Daniel , It’s so sexy ! oh ! I almost forgot ..” her voice trailed off as she reached into one of the over sized pockets that her jacket offered “Will you sign my c.d.’s please ?” she finished , removing both “SavageGarden” and “Affirmation” from her coat .
“I have an Idea ,” Darren suggested , “why don’t you come in the mall with us , we’ll find a place to sit and that way I can grab a decent cup of coffee !” Darren turned around and opened the door to the mall entrance .
“Really ??” the girl sounded breathless , “OK” she was obviously content with the idea of spending some time with the boys !
to the boys astonishment she withdrew a camera from her other insanely large pocket and snapped a few shots of them entering the mall .
Darren wondered how the girl had known to bring her C.D’ s and her camera , its not like anyone knew we were here , unless Leonie updated the site which was more than just improbable ! they found a coffee shop and sat at one of the tables in the back .
Daniel watched Darren excuse himself , then ask if anyone else wanted anything . “Yeah get me a large double ,double please .” Daniel said
Darren turned his glance to the young girl “you ?”he asked
“Uh… that’s ok you don’t have to get me anything .” She replied politely .
“I don’t have to do anything but live eat and die .” Darren joked , “are you sure you don’t want anything there are lots of choices here .”
“Well ok , umm… I’ll have an apple juice please and thank you .”
Daniel watched Darren continue to the counter to place the order . Daniel turned his attention to the young girl across from him and realized he had yet to learn her name . “well you know who we are , but I don’t even know your name !” he offered subtly .
“Oh I’m sorry , I’m Tiffany , I have been to three of your concerts …one in Sydney , One in Japan and one in Brazil !”
“WOW , you travel that much just to see us ?” Daniel said astonished .
“What do you mean “just to see us.” You guys are my favorite band ever ! I’d go to …oh I don’t know …the moon and back just to see you !” She giggled slightly at her own joke .
Daniel offered a warm smile . Darren was back with the order .
“Apple juice for the lady ….Umm…I can’t remember which is the double , double !”
“only one way to find out !” Daniel grabbed one of the two remaining cups on the tray and took a sip .
“yucko !” Daniel grimaced , “too sweet !”
“Than that means this bitter cup of death is yours .” Darren and Daniel exchanged cups .
“Darren , Tiffany has been telling me how awesome we are , she has traveled to Brazil , Sydney , and Japan just to ..I mean to see us play live !”
“Wow that’s great ! you must have a lot of resources to be able to do that !” Darren looked shocked .
“Well , my dad is very wealthy , He owns a very prestigious Law firm in LA. He pretty much lets me do as I please ! The tickets were really hard to get in Brazil ! I had to Call 8 different locations before I found one that had any left ! I have always tried to get back stage passes but they’re always gone before I can reach them !”
“well ,” Daniel withdrew a pen from his coat and took his napkin in his hand “ if you call this number you can reserve a seat back stage . then you can come back stage before the show and talk to us and even after the show if you want . you have to call early if you want it though .” he handed the paper to Tiffany .


What is going on in his pea brain head of his . that number is for the disabled kids that can’t stand in line , Or the kids that can’t afford it ! I don’t think she is either of those things ! Darren thought to himself .
“well a lot of people claim to be fans but , honestly I am your biggest fan ! I Have everything available on you and I made 6 different web pages , I’m on 12 mailing lists , I no longer have walls because of all the posters ! look I brought pics to show you .” she once again reached into her deep pockets and withdrew a couple of pictures . did she say she brought them to show us ? how did she know we were even gonna be here ?
“Nice ,”Darren said looking at the pictures , “ did you say you brought them to show us , I thought it was weird for you to be carrying your CDs and camera ! how did you know we would be here ?” Darren asked curiously .
“Umm.. Leonie posted it .”
“Oh , well that’s good , I’m glad I don’t have to bug her to update anymore .”
“She didn’t update , she just put your schedule up !”Tiffany replied . “Dani Would you sign my C.D’ s now please ?”
“Yeah , I guess I can do that .” he grabbed the black , felt tip marker off of the table and preceded to sign his name on their debut album .
“sign it “to our biggest fan love Daniel Jones” ok ?” she smiled sweetly .
“Well , who’s to say you’re our biggest fan ?” Darren asked jokingly
“Look mister .” she said sounding more annoyed with every syllable , “ I travel all the time just to see you guys . I flew to Toronto on like an hours notice . I buy anything and everything that has anything to do with you guys , and I am a hell of a lot more attractive , fun and intelligible than all your other tiny bopper fans so face it ok !”
As she finished , Darren caught a glimpse of pure hatred in her eyes .It sent a cold chill down his spine and he was all of a sudden scared of this girl . He looked over at Daniel who was shaking his head and laughing. Laughing ??? how can he laugh at that ? this girl is sick in the head … It was a joke and she flipped off the deep end ! I don’t wanna be here ! I’ve never disliked a fan before .. am I over reacting ?
Darren remembered the coldness that had been in her eyes .No I’m not over reacting . She’s a nut and I want out of here and away from her ! how do I get Dan out of here though ? He’s obviously taken her sweet act as gospel ! I can’t exactly say “ Jonesy , Can we leave now …this physco bitch is scaring me !”
“Dan , we have to hurry ! You still want to get that gift for Michelle and I want to be back in time to see Leo and Ben .” Darren tried as hard as he could to send the message of urgency with his eyes and keep his voice thin and unwavering (normal) . Dan could always read Darren and this time was no exception , he threw a questioning look at Darren but none the less nodded in agreement .
The girl , Tiffany threw a look at Darren too , hers was thrown as soon as he mentioned Michelle . If looks could kill , he’d have been one dead duck by now ! Oh did that bug you? he thought to himself , Too bad ! you’re never gonna get Dan , Hes not attracted to the knife yielding maniac type … So sorry !
“Darren ?” Dan said his name in a quiet voice .
“yeah ,” Darren asked , Shaking his thoughts .
“you forgot to sign her C.D’ s .” Dan handed him the marker .
“Don’t worry about it Dan , He’s obviously in a hurry … I don’t wanna be a bother . I’m just glad for the time I’ve had with you and I hope we can meet again sometime !” She smiled sweetly and batted her lashes at Dan . He didn’t seem to notice she was flirting .
Yeah Darren thought , pull a guilt trip and try to make me look bad . way to be a super physco bitch !
She handed Dan a piece of paper .
“this is my address . you can write me if you want to …though I don’t expect you to ! I know you work hard and I have no right to even think you’d write ME a letter but wishful thinking ..you know !”
Damn she was good ! Oh by the way babe , now that we have your address we know where to send the straight jacket and the padded walls !
They all stood up . “it was nice meeting you and you never know … I might have time to write a letter , I’m sure Darren will too !”
“Thanx Dan.” she said sincerely . she then turned toward Darren her face darkened “ I look forward to it !”
Her voice had become hard and she had the nastiest look on her , that turned her beautiful face into a gremlin of some sort . even Dan noticed this one . they parted ways and the rest of the afternoon the two boys went unnoticed , But Darren thought he had seen long blond hair flying around a near corner almost every time he turned around . The two of them didn’t discuss Tiffany during their shopping trip . they had other things in mind . Darren had a blast trying on clothes and modeling for Dan , and Dan picked out the nicest set of amethyst jewelry Darren had ever seen . They only brought up Tiffany when they were back at the hotel with the other band mates .



..to be continued.


other fics to be read


~return~