To say that the men of Savage Garden and their support musicians had hangovers the following morning would have been a gross understatement. To say that the girls were less than merciful would also have been a huge misrepresentation of the truth.

Daniel also noticed that things were particularly strained between Darren and Karl. But it wasn't until after lunch that his head stopped pounding sufficiently for him to feel able to tackle Darren about it.

'Nothing to tell.' Darren told him simply as, at Daniel's invitation, he kept him company on the fire escape whilst Dan satisfied his nicotine cravings. 'We stumbled down the hall together then he went into his room and I went into mine.'

'Do you think…' Daniel chose his next words carefully but there was no need for him to do so. After so many years of friendship Darren knew what he was thinking and finished his train of thought for him.

'That he wanted it to go further?'

Dan nodded, taking a deep drag and holding it before exhaling through his nose.

Darren shrugged. 'To be honest we were both so rat-arsed last night I doubt anything could have happened even if we wanted it to.'

'So what are you going to do? Just forget it happened? I mean from where I was sitting it looked like he was coming on to you pretty strong.'

'Yes, I know. I guess I really should have a talk with him. Find out what that was all about, I mean he's straight, right?'

It was Daniel's turn to shrug. 'As far as I know but then as far anyone else knows so are you mate.'

'True.' Darren concluded with a chuckle. 'Come on, we really should be getting back before they all start to think that *we've* got something going on.'

Daniel smiled and flicked away the rest of his cigarette.

'And Jonesy.'

'Yeah.' Dan paused with his hand on the door handle.

'You really should quit.'

Darren managed to catch up with Karl as they were all milling around, waiting for the technicians to finish setting up the desk levels.

The drummer nearly jumped with fright when he felt a hand on his shoulder and Darren's low voice close to his ear. 'Umm…I think we need to talk.'

'Yeah I guess so.'

'Come up to my room tonight after the final rehearsal?'

To Darren's relief Karl nodded his agreement. 'Yeah.'

Maybe now he would find out what had been going through the other man's head last night and what had prompted him to act in the way he had.

Nervously Karl knocked on Darren's door. It wasn't so much that he feared Darren reaction it was just that he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to put into words his explanation. Goodness knows it all sounded strange enough to his own ears and he knew he would never have done what he did had he been sober.

But sitting there last night he had found that he was able to help himself. Sitting there next to Darren, Darren who was such an intoxicating mixture of both masculinity and femininity both rolled into one. All the feelings that had been building for the last few weeks, months had just come bubbling over.

'Hi ya, come in.' Darren opened his door further and ushered Karl in. 'Coffee?'

'Yeah, please.' Karl sank into the nearest armchair.

Silence filled the room as Darren busied himself making their drinks. Having done so, he decided that the direct route was probably the best one and got straight to the point.

'So suppose you tell me what all that was in aid of?' he asked casually as he handed a mug to his guest.

'I don't know, I'm sorry.'

'You must have had a reason for acting like that. I mean they were some pretty blatant signals you were putting out there Karl.' Darren settled himself down on the armchair opposite.

'I'm sorry,' the drummer apologised once more, 'I mean you not even gay are you?'

'I'm bi.'

'Oh.'

Darren paused, considering what he had just revealed. 'Promise me that that piece of information will go no further than this room.'

Karl nodded.

'There is only one other member of the band who knows what you now know.'

'Daniel.'

'Yes, Daniel, and before you ask, no it's not because we are lovers. We never have been, never will be. I told him a long time ago when we were sharing the flat. Thought it only fair.'

 Karl nodded again and took a sip of his coffee. 

'So what tipped you off?'

'I don't know, I didn't know for sure, I mean you and Daniel are always playing all those mindfuck games with the press. I guess it was just watching you on stage. You see a lot from where I am, stuff that the others might miss.'

'Such as?' Darren enquired slowly.

'Such as the way, you seem to be constantly checking out Lee's arse as you walk round behind us.'

'Well, it is a jolly nice arse.' Darren conceded with a chuckle. 'What else?'

'The way you look at Lindsey.'

'The way I look at Lindsey?' Darren's heart jumped into his throat.

'Like you want to just rush over there and rip all his clothes off.'

'Oh.' Was Darren's only response. 'Shit.' Was his only thought.

'And then, sometimes, you know when we are travelling, or you come back from yet another interview, you look so fragile, so vulnerable. I just want to…I don't know…I guess I just want to comfort you, tell you that everything is going to be alright…tell you that…' Karl's voice trailed off.

Darren was beginning to get the picture. At least he thought he was anyway.

'But I didn't think you were, you know, that way inclined. You're not, are you?'

'That's the thing. I thought not too. Now I just don't know.' Karl sighed deeply, searching for the right words to say. 'I really love Jane. You know she's flying out next week?'

Darren nodded.

'Well I was going to propose to her but what if….'

'What if…?' Darren prompted.

'What if these feelings I have. What if they mean I *am* bi?'

'Doesn't mean you can't propose.'

Karl shook his head and sighed. 'I can't. I need to know.'

'Is that why you came on to me last night?'

'No…yes…NO!'

'Karl, I'm not into one-night stands. I'm not just an easy fuck.'

'I know, I…I… don't expect you to…I…'

Karl wasn't sure what he expected or what he thought. All he knew was that he was experiencing something that he had often experienced before but now, being here with Darren, with his secret out in the open so to speak, the feeling was amplified, amplified to the point where it was fast becoming an undeniable heat that threatened to consume his whole body.

'But I am here for you as a friend, and if I can help you sort your feelings out then I will. I just don't want you to do anything you might regret in the morning.'

Karl shook his head again. 'The only thing I'll regret is if I walk out of here having never done this.' Getting up he came and knelt in front of Darren and placing his hands gently on either side of his face he just lightly brushed his lips against the singer's.