The decoy worked, bless their hearts.

Ben and Darren got Daniel out and into the back of the jeep with only the orderly being any the wiser.  The pain medication really put Danny out of it, so Darren sat in back with Danny’s head on his shoulder while Ben drove.

“Are you sure, Dar?”  Ben asked for what seemed like the hundredth time as he helped Darren put Daniel to bed.

“Yes, Ben. I’m positive.  It’s not like we’ll be *completely* isolated.  You’ll check by every other day to see if we need anything. The phone is off. I have my cell if there’s an emergency. The windows are locked from the outside, the door from the inside. I have the key.”  Darren lifted the chain around his neck, and twirled the silver key.

“I don’t envy you. It could be bad. I think you’re the only one who could stay with him safely though, through his withdrawal… ‘cept maybe his mum.”  Ben grinned, and shrugged.

Darren knew he was nervous.  Hell, *I’m* nervous! But I owe Danny. God, how I owe him. I’ll make it up to him… somehow.

“We’ll be fine.” Darren finally replied and returned Ben’s smile. “See you in a couple of days.  Oh, and don’t forget.  Chocolate cake mix, chocolate frosting, and chocolate ice cream.”

Ben grinned and nodded.  “Later, Dar.”

Darren locked the door after Ben left. He and Ben had gone through Daniel’s house from top to bottom after lunch, looking for his liquor stash. Fortunately, since he was single, he wasn’t imaginative.  Darren was pretty sure they’d found it all.  He had agreed with Ben’s plan. They had to get Daniel dried out now, before his alcoholism became worse. Or…

Don’t go there, don’t even *think* there.  Darren berated himself.

And the house… Darren hadn’t believed it, when Ben had let him in.  Daniel had *never* been the messy one, but it had been obvious he hadn’t been himself for more than a few minutes over the last months.  He could still smell the milk, even though the garbage had gone straight out to the can. 

Darren shook his head, and went to the kitchen to continue cleaning where he’d left off earlier.

Finally. I think it’s safe to use.  Darren put the coffee maker back together.  It had developed a life of its own while Daniel had been drinking, and Darren hadn’t been sure it was worth saving.  But after the fifth vinegar bath and numerous rinses, he decided he had to risk it. He *needed* a cup of coffee.  Daniel would too. 

One habit for another, but he didn’t know anyone who’d been accused of coffee driving. 

That thought made him chuckle a little, in spite of the seriousness of the situation.

“AAAHHHH!!!!”

Darren dropped the cup he’d been holding as a scream tore its way through the house.  “Danny!”

He ran up the stairs to Daniel’s room.  Daniel tossed, screaming, tangled in the sheet and black comforter. 

Darren couldn’t even be certain he was awake.  Nightmare or pain?

He went to Daniel’s bedside.  Time to start making things right.

“Danny…” Darren spoke softly, and shook Daniel’s shoulder gently.  “Shh… Danny.  It’s going to be okay.”

Daniel gave a final shriek and sat up in bed.  His eyes stared. His pupils so wide Darren could barely see the green of the irises.

“It’s okay, Danny.”  Darren continued softly, putting his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.  “You’re home. You’re safe now.”

Daniel blinked his eyes.  “Dazza?”

“Yeah, Danny.”

“Hold me, Dazza… Please, Dazza.”

The pleading in Daniel’s voice hurt Darren more than angry words ever could have. 

“Of course I will, Danny.” 

Darren carefully climbed into Daniel’s king size bed, and untwisted the mangled bedding. He knew Daniel’s bruised body would be aching. He probably just didn’t realize it. He still seemed out of touch with reality.  Maybe this Oxycodone wasn’t good for him.

When Darren opened his arms, Daniel fell into them. He grabbed Darren’s shirt with his hands and buried his face in Darren’s chest.  Darren carefully ran his hand over Daniel’s hair, then slowly eased them both back onto the bed.

He rubbed his hand soothingly up and down Daniel’s right arm.  “It’ll be okay, Danny.” He whispered, as he listened to Daniel’s panic shortened breaths.  “I’m here for you. It’ll be okay.”

He kept murmuring, and stroking Daniel’s arm; listening as his breaths became longer and deeper, until finally Daniel sighed and Darren knew he was asleep again. 

Awareness returned to Darren as his eyes fluttered open.  He hadn’t intended to fall asleep.  But the tensions of the day, combined with jet lag-- in spite of his sleeping most of the flight, must have drained him more than he thought.

Daniel’s hands were still wrapped in his shirt. He seemed not to have moved, and for a moment Darren panicked.  Carefully he placed the index finger of his left hand against Daniel’s throat, and smiled as he felt the pulse.

Judging from the faint light in the room, it was either dawn or dusk. He couldn’t be certain, even if he looked at the clock. He was still turned around. 

Oh well. No worry. I’ve nowhere to go, and nothing to do until Daniel wakes.

He kissed the top of Daniel’s head lightly, and resumed stroking his arm.  So like old times, back when they’d started.  He smiled again.

Daniel stirred then. And Darren heard his slight intake of breath. Slowly the dirty blonde locks shifted until green eyes looked at him from under raised brows.

“Darren?”

“Yep.  It’s me, Jonesy.”

“When? What are you doing here?  And why do I hurt like hell?” Daniel brought his hand up automatically to rub his sleepy eyes.  “Ow! What?”

Gingerly his fingers felt the side of his face.

He sat up slowly, and Darren followed, watching Daniel closely.

Tears filled, then spilled from Daniel’s green eyes.  “Darren, what’s happened to me?”

Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, Daniel stood quickly.

“Danny, be careful.”  Darren spoke sternly as he flung the comforter aside hastily.

Daniel put his hand to his head as he staggered.  “Oh, God, Dazza…”

Jumping off the bed, Darren hurried to Daniel’s side.  He steadied Daniel, putting one of Dan’s arms around his shoulder.

“Let me help you, mate. I bet your bursting.”

Daniel nodded. 

“How did you get here, Darren?” 

“Which here, Danny?”

Daniel shook his head slowly.  When they entered the bathroom, he automatically looked at the mirror on the door of the medicine cabinet.

“Oh, god.”

He put his hand out toward the sink, and Darren obligingly turned him toward it. With Daniel braced against the sink, Darren took a moment to switch the light on.

He watched as Daniel’s emerald eyes began to glisten again.

“You look better than you did yesterday, mate.”  Darren spoke cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood. “Swelling’s gone down, and some of the bruises have already begun to fade.”

Daniel traced his fingers over his cheek again, as tears spilled down his cheeks.

“I’m going to be ugly. The fans will hate me.”

Darren put his hand to Daniel’s chin, and gently turned his face.

“They won’t hate you. And you’ll never be ugly.”  Darren stepped up to Daniel, put his right hand on Daniel’s neck, and drew his head down. “Not to them, and not to me.”

Their foreheads touched.

“Do you hear me, Daniel Jones?”  Darren whispered in a husky voice.

“I’ve missed you, Darren.”

“I’ve missed you too, Danny. I’ve got a lot I want to talk about. But not here. Not right now.”

Darren took his hand from Daniel’s neck, and stepped back.  “How much pain are you in? The doctor prescribed Oxycodone, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to take it, if you don’t even remember yesterday.  Do you?  What’s the last thing you remember?”

“Um… walking out of a bar…”

“You don’t remember the hospital?”  Daniel stared back at the reflection in the mirror. “Ben and I bringing you home last night?”

“No.”

“I think you should take plain Tylenol® then. Unless the pain is really bad. That codone stuff makes you dazed.”

Daniel nodded vaguely.  “Whatever you think, Dazza.”

Darren stepped around Daniel and opened the cabinet. He studied the bottles, then picked one up, opened it, and shook out two pills. Then he ran the water and filled the small bathroom cup.

“Here.” He held the pills out.

Daniel’s actions were mechanical, but soon the pills were gone.

Darren closed the bottle, put it back, then closed the cabinet.

“Think you can manage a bath by yourself? The doctor said it’s safe enough now, just don’t get a lot of water on your face yet. I can help you with your hair, if you want.”

“What?”

“Danny, snap out of it, please.”  Darren put his hands on Daniel’s shoulders and turned him away from the mirror.  “It’d be seven years bad luck, but I’ll break it if I have to.”

Daniel blinked a few times, then lowered his head. “Sorry, Darren. This is all such a shock. I… I think I’ll be okay.”

“Good.” Darren nodded, and glanced out the window. Morning. It’s morning. “Leave the door open, in case you need to call me. I’ll go fix us some breakfast. I’m starved.”

A loud rumble brought a sheepish smile to Daniel’s lips.  “Guess I am too, Dazza. Thanks.”