DISCLAIMER!!!!
       No harm is intended to anyone in this story. It is just for fun.  The Song is Hero, by Enrique Iglesias. The Charcters belong to themselves. This is  FICTION!
 
 

Part One, by Linda

                                                             (Daniel's POV)

Would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Would you run
And never look back?
Would you cry
If you saw me cry?
Would you save my soul tonight?

I told you I couldn't do this any more.  The tours, the interviews,
the photo shoots.
Our second album was done, almost literally, a world apart.
You said you'd pick up the public half.  And I love you for that.
But I wonder if you know why I couldn't do them any more?
Do you ever look at the photos the fans posted on the internet?
Ever see the way I looked at you?
Watched you when you weren't looking?
Did you ever notice when I'd forget?  Let myself get so lost in your
angelic voice that it was a near orgasmic experience on stage?
Try explaining that one to the media.
I know the fans noticed.  I've seen the pictures.  I don't know if I
am happy or sad that you never did.
And now, you're touring the world.
You're album is amazing.  It's not us.  The fans are as divided over
your music as they were over the break up.
But I think you did a wonderful job.
So why are tears my constant companion?  Why am I falling apart?
 

Part Two, by Amre

                                                       (Darren's POV)
 

Now would you die
for the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight.

Another nameless hotel in another nameless city. Just one more day in this life I’ve chosen. Another performance that, even to me, is lacking in something. Or someone.

Alone in my hotel room it’s so easy to put it all into perspective. When I’m not having to put on a brave front for the band, or a calm one for Leonie, or forcing a smile for the cameras.

I had to let you have what you wanted. And why that was to be away from me, I may never know. I probably don’t want to. I do wonder about it sometimes. About what made you suddenly say to me one day, “I’m sorry, Darren, I just can’t do this anymore.” You said it with such finality that I never pressed you for more. It was never up for discussion.

So I accepted it. Accepted that I was doing what you needed even if it was killing me.

Sighing, I roll over on the hard hotel mattress, and clutch my pillow to me. Ever so fleetingly, I wish it were you. Just for tonight. I long for my arms to be wrapped around you, not this lumpy pillow. I quickly push the thought from my mind, and drift off into a fitful sleep.
 

Part Three, By Stine

                                                               (Daniel's POV)

Would you tremble
if I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this.

I feel weak. I feel like I'm no good. I'm trash,
garbage, waste, crap... rubbish. Hm, any other words
for that? Haha, there's nothing like bad
self-confidence! And note my sarcasm here.

Anyway, it's one of THOSE days. Wasting time, doing
absolutely nothing, trying to compose some music but
failing... even gardening to keep my thoughts away
from all that depressing stuff! But once again I give
up. It seems like I can't keep it out of my head.

You know, there were many reasons why I told you I
couldn't stay in Savage Garden. Not only did I adore
you in a way that most people would consider bad for
your health, I also felt like I couldn't be as good as
you. You are the best, the fans loved you, the media
loved you... and what could I do? I could only stay in
the background, watching as you charmed everyone
around you - including me.

Erm, let me give you an example... Hm... Yeah, that
body of yours. Admired by many and, if I'm not
mistaken, a part of many teenage girls' dreams and
secret fantasies. Well, what I want to say is that I
couldn't even live up to that - your body. Me with my
ordinary, maybe a bit skinny, body... and you with
that perfect one.
And that face of yours! Round, unique eyes framed by
long, dark lashes. Perfect nose and cheekbones... And
of course your mouth. Mmm, those full lips. I don't
care if they were pouting or smiling, those lips
always did something for me... and everyone else it
seems!

Ohhh, if I could just touch those lips...... No,
Daniel! Don't even go there!
 

Part Four, By SuicidalRainbow

                                                       (Darren's POV)
 

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
 

Every morning its the same... My dreams and hazy reality mesh with my
imagination. My mind tells me you are here. I cuddle close to you and breathe
in, sometimes I really believe I smell you. Morning after morning, I never
learn... Every morning my heart is broken.

  It was the same when I got up this morning... slowly your body became cold
and lumpy, you became a pillow. The sinking feeling returned. My body was
suddenly filled with a deep sadness.  Do you know what it feels like to wake
up everyday and realize the only good thing in your life is gone?  Well, I'm
sick of this... It's just to much this time...

   I don't know what I am doing... Without really acknowledging my actions I
make phone calls while packing a bag. You would laugh... Me, the diva... one
bag. Sneaking passed Leonie and the others is simple. I have long mastered
this. How else does everyone think I am always happy? It is nearly impossible
to be cheerful when your heart feels like it is in another country, with
another person. Everything feels like it isn't real. It hasn't been real
since you wanted out.

 Whatever my subconscience has done, I remain in a sad haze. You monopolize
my thoughts. I barely register that I have left the cab. I find myself
talking to a perky woman with fake blonde hair. She pops a Hershey kiss into
her mouth as she directs me somewhere. All I think about is you. You love
chocolate.

 My mind feels fuzzy.  I realize what I am doing. It astounds me that I have
done this without really knowing... Although it does seem obvious.  I miss
you.  I know really that I will never have you... But I need to see you. My
insides are torn apart and life is senseless. I can still dream of holding
you, kissing you... even if you do not love me. But when I think of not ever
seeing you, I die inside. You have always taken my breath away... I need to
not breathe... I am coming to see you, no matter the consequences.
 

Part Five, By Judy

                                                        (Daniel’s POV)

Would you swear that you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care...
You're here tonight.

I don’t know why I went home. I should have stayed in the studio longer; there is still a lot of work to be done. My heart wouldn’t be in it though.
How am I suppose to fill my head with work when it’s all ready occupied to the max with thoughts of Darren? It was no use, so I just headed home. It is my record label anyways. I can come and go as I please.
Just like you did for Savage Garden?
The thought entered my mind from out of nowhere. I had no choice. I tell myself.
If I had stayed, I would have eventually cracked and my feelings for Darren would have come out. He always says he thinks of me as a brother. Brothers don’t constitute as lovers-at least not the last time I checked. Instead of having him rush into my arms swearing he’d always be mine, he would just lie, and pretend that he was flattered, and then he would try to go on and act like nothing had changed between us, when in reality it really would. He would no longer feel comfortable with me, and maybe he would have left the band. Well I just saved him the trouble and left myself before he found out anything, before he found out the real reason I couldn’t stay with him.
I feel like I’m just getting myself into a bigger mess. I don’t want to lose his friendship, and I knew if he ever found out I loved him in that way, it would be over. I feel he could still find out even if I am not in the band just maybe not as easily. So I date Kathleen. She is so sweet and funny, and I’m sure any guy would be thrilled to have her as their girlfriend, but there is something wrong with her; she’s not Darren. She is like a best friend to me, like Leonie is to Darren, but I can’t imagine spending my life with her. I want to spend it with Darren. I hang with her to make myself look straight for Darren, so he won’t suspect, aside from the fact that she is my best friend. I mean I enjoy hanging with her but still she’s not Darren.
Have I lost my mind though? I need to forget about Darren. I can never have him. I should just enjoy what I can have, not what I can’t. Tell my heart that though.
I don’t care about anything anymore. Nothing matters if I can’t have Darren-nothing at all.
I hear a knock on the door, and I head to it. I’m really not in the mood for visitors. I’m not in the mood for anything.
I open the door with the intent of getting rid of whoever is behind there, and I gasp.
For standing right in front of me, is the object of all my heart-Darren Hayes himself.
 

Part Six, By Rose

                                                     (Darren's POV)

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by your forever.
You can take my breath away.

I don't know why I'm standing at your doorstep.  But I am.  Isn't that all that matters?  You look beautiful, your dirty blond hair hanging down into your face.  Have you been crying?  No, you would never cry.  You're so strong.

"D-Darren?" you mumble, staring at me.k

I don't want to answer.  I just want to close my eyes and pretend I'm invisible.  Pretend you can't see me.  But I'm not that lucky.  "Daniel," I step forward and reach up to stroke your face.  "Oh, Danny."

You look shocked.  No, it must be disgust.  You aren't gay.  Not like me.  I pull my hand away but you take it back.  "No," you whisper.  "Daz, I...I need you."

My mind races.  There's no way you just said that.  I've wanted you to say that to me for ages.  I stare into your amazing green eyes.  They're filling with tears and I take you into my arms.  "Daniel, my Danny.  My Jonesy.  I'm sorry."

"For what?" you sob.  "It was my fault.  I walked away.  Oh, Darren, please, please, love me."

I take your hand and kiss it.  "Can I come in?"

"Yes," you whisper and pull me in, shutting the door behind you.  "I love you, Darren."

"No words," I whisper as I push you onto the couch.  The first time is odd.  Nothing else can describe it.  We are careful, neither of us wanting to hurt the other.  And then we climax and it's over.

"Danny?" I whisper.

"Yes?"

"What now?"
 

Part Seven, By Amy

                                                        (Daniel's POV)

What now?

The question lingers in the air.  We feel it bearing down on us with a
power as strong as the desire we'd contained just minutes ago.

What do we do now?

Does he honestly expect me to know?  We'd not seen each other for months.
Within the last hour, my wildest dream had been fulfilled.  I hadn't exactly
planned for this.  This - Darren, all of it - had seemed so out of reach;
I'd tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to keep it off my mind.  I'd never gone so
far as to think about what would happen after the mad passionate sex.

"I don't have a clue," I answered finally, truthfully.  Darren looked
perturbed.

"We obviously have a lot of things to talk about, to resolve," he said, as
if he thought he could erase months of excessive pain and suffering with a
quick chat.  I started to become angry.  One can't arrive at my doorstep all
of a sudden, have a quick fuck, give me an apology, and think it's alright.
It doesn't work that way.

"Start talking," I ordered bitterly.
 

Part Eight, By LQ

                                                  (Darren's POV)

Start talking.  Even a deaf person would have been able to hear the
bitterness in his voice. I resist the urge to just grab him and make
love till neither he nor I can think let alone speak; but what good
what it do save postponing what has been long overdue? Running a hand
through my hair I look at him, his eyes fixed on me and my heart
almost breaks at seeing the pain in them. Had I put there?
Yes...maybe not all but some...maybe most.

Something runs down my cheek and I brush it away, only mildly
surprised to find it's a tear. Oh Daniel...shaking my head slightly I
lock my gaze with his, hoping and praying he can see the love, the
longing I feel for him in my eyes just as I can see it in his.

"Why" my voice cracks and i try again. "Why did you leave me Jonesy?
I know you left Savage Garden because you weren't happy with
fame...but why did you leave *me*?  I not only lost my band mate i
lost my best mate. I loved you so much Daniel and it almost killed me
when you left and practicaly stopped talking to me."
 

Part Nine, By Linda

                                                (Daniel's POV)

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
And I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away.

So, the ball's in my court now.

My gaze softens a bit, I know. I can't help it.

As hurt and angry as I am, I know my own cowardice is partly to blame.

Hell, maybe it's all to blame.

I only lashed out at you because right now I'm terrified.

I mean, I'd hoped, prayed and dreamed for this, knowing I'd never have it.

And then suddenly, here you are.

The answer to my prayers.

And suddenly I'm scared. Afraid it will be some cruel hoax.

Yet now I know you feel the same way I do.

I can't stand the pain in your eyes, knowing I put it there.

I never meant to hurt you.

Suddenly I'm on my knees, crying so hard I can hardly catch my breath.

Then you're there. Your arms around me. Pulling me to you.

Trying to kiss away the tears and pain.

"It'll be okay, Danny," you tell me.

"I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you, if you'll let me be."

My breath catches in my throat. If?

"Please." I gasp my plea.

Your lips capture mine again. Achingly sweet.

And I know, somehow, we'll work through this.

But tonight, you're my hero. And I love you.

"Thank you, Dazza."

"For what?" You chuckle lightly.

"For saving my soul, Darren. For loving me tonight."

"And always." You reply simply.

And I know it's true.
 

                                                   I can be your hero.