Dedication:  I dedicate this fic to Stina, without whose endless inspiration, support and encouragement I couldn’t have written it.

Darren couldn’t even remember the guy’s name or what had really happened that night. It was all such a long time ago and he had tried his best to blot it firmly out of his memory. But he would never forget the little ‘gift’ that the man had given him. How could he when it consumed his every waking moment?

‘Darren honey, you ok?’ Daniel voice broke into his lover’s thoughts, ‘It’s time to go. Come on let’s go and get this over and done with.’

Slowly Darren rose to his feet and found his shoes. Yet another set of blood tests. What was the point? The results would always be exactly the same. He was not going to get better.

‘Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.’

Daniel was already in the car with the engine running, he hated their six weekly trips to the hospital as much as Darren did.

‘So have you decided where you want to eat tonight yet?’ Daniel asked as he put the car into reverse and backed out of their driveway.

The only bright spot in these visits, Daniel’s little ‘consolation’ prize to him. He always took Darren out to dinner afterwards, letting him pick the restaurant.

‘Nope, not yet,’ Darren informed him as they hit the main highway, ‘but I will and you had better have your gold card on you cos I’m in the mood for something special.’

Daniel groaned. ‘When aren’t you?’

Darren just smiled and settled back for the thirty minute journey. He knew every move the car made. Left at the first set of lights, over the next two and third exit at the large roundabout on the outskirts of town. He was sure that either of them could have driven it with their eyes closed. They had been making the same journey every six weeks for the last three years now.

It had gotten to the stage where they were on first name terms with most of the nursing staff.

‘Hey I wonder if Tanya’s had her baby yet? Remind me to ask Jane or Kathy if they are on duty. They’re bound to know.’ Perking up slightly at the prospect of baby snaps Darren began a discussion on what the nurse in question might have named her offspring.

Daniel felt his heart tighten. Children, the one thing he and Darren had hoped to have one day. The one thing that now was totally out of the question.

‘Well here we are.’ Daniel announced quite needlessly as he drove into the nearest parking space and killed the engine.

‘No shit Sherlock.’ Darren replied.

‘Now, now Darren play nicely with the other children please.’

‘Yes Mum.’ He answered cheekily, receiving a smack on the back of his head for his troubles.

‘Behave or I won’t hold your hand as they stick the needle in.’

‘Jonesy please, I told you not to mention the ‘N’ word.’ Grimacing in mock hurt, Darren reached out for Daniel’s hand as the automatic double doors swished open and they walked into the hospital.

‘Darren, Daniel! Hi, how are you?’ The receptionist greeted the couple like old friends.

‘Fine,’ Darren stuck out his arm theatrically, ‘just here to give you vampires another pint of finest Hayes.’

Daniel just rolled his eyes and gave the smiling woman a brief up nod.

‘The usual four vials will be quite sufficient thank you Darren. Now if you would like to take a seat Dr Walker will be with you shortly.’

Daniel pulled Darren away from the grinning receptionist and into one of the hard plastic chairs that made up the waiting area.

‘Bottichellos.’ Darren suddenly announced.

‘Huh?’

‘That’s where you are taking me to eat tonight. ‘Bottichellos.’

‘If that’s what you want then that is where we shall go.’

Darren nodded and then slipped his hand back into Dan’s.

‘I’m here baby.’ Daniel reassured him, squeezing his hand gently.

‘Darren Hayes.’ An elderly man wearing a white coat and carrying a sheaf of medical notes came out into the corridor and called Darren’s name.

Without releasing Daniel’s hand, Darren got up and followed his doctor back into his consulting room.