The Fight

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Chapter 3

"Careful, pretty boy, you wouldn't want me to hurt those precious vocal chords you need so badly!" Daniel replied, his tone loaded with condescending disgust but his voice was raised as well.

The two scuffled rather ineffectually for a few seconds, shouting epithets at each other when suddenly the door to Daniel's room flew open and in a flurry, Lee, Karl, Angi and Jennifer came rushing in. Lee and Karl quickly separated the two before the violence escalated.

Karl's face was flushed with a mix of shock, concern and anger, "What the hell is wrong with you two?! Can't you for once in your fucking lives behave like adults?" It was obvious that the depth of the violence that had taken place in the last 5 hours scared the group.

Jennifer was equally shaken as she spoke gently yet firmly, her hazel eyes flitting nervously between the two angry men, "I think we'd better call Rebecca and Leonie and get them to arrange a room switch."

Darren and Daniel ignored the others and though they didn't fight Karl and Lee's interference, their body language spoke volumes as their intense stare down continued. Angi left quickly to fetch Leonie and Rebecca, but came back with only Rebecca. Angi quickly explained to Karl and Lee that Leonie, Anna Maria and Ben had gone out to try and distract themselves from the night's disturbing events.

Rebecca looked sternly at her two dear friends whom she had helped to manage for almost 5 years, and spoke almost pleadingly, "What's going on, guys? What started this?"

Darren looked at the floor, feeling guilty under that hawkish, wise gaze, muttering petulantly (and feeling quite the fool), "Daniel was playing his stupid guitar."

Daniel grunted with disgust and replied scornfully, "So? I'm supposed to stop because Mr. Diva decides he doesn't like hearing anything other than his own voice?"

Darren snarled and tried to lunge for Daniel, but Karl and Lee quickly pulled both further away from each other. The two band mates swore at each other and exchanged angry threats before Rebecca shouted, "Enough!" The room went silent as everyone eyed first the boys of Savage Garden and then their angry road manager warily.

Rebecca's dark eyes steeled with silent disgust as she glared at the two angry men before her. Both were bruised and battered, from the inside and out. Darren involuntarily clenched his jaw muscles as he saw Daniel ball his hands into fists, ready for yet another attack if needed. He narrowed his eyes but his mind sighed wearily. 'What a mess. We can't even bear to be in the same room anymore.'

Rebecca started to pace up and down the carpet. "I don't believe this," she began, her voice low and even; however, this was more disturbing than if she had simply shouted at them. "I don't believe how two grown men can be standing before me behaving like this!" At the last note, her voice hit the walls and the duo flinched. Rebecca's nostrils flared as she turned her penetrative glare towards Darren, then Daniel.

"You two have one more radio interview to do tonight, in case you've forgotten." She crossed her arms and it looked like she was holding her breath.

"Don't disappoint me." With that, she gave one last disgusted look at the men in question before she stormed out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ack! Where the hell are they?!"

"Calm down, you know how traffic is at this hour."

"Yes, but they're going to be on air soon! If they don't get their butts in here, then I--"

The door suddenly opened and two rather restrained-looking men walked into the studio. Both were clad in shiny black from head to toe, complete with Doc Martin boots. The DJ, Mick, sighed with relief as he glanced at his watch. Five minutes to go.

"Where on earth have you been? We've been waiting for you for an hour!"

"Sorry," mumbled Daniel, not looking sorry in the least. He squinted in the bright room as he took his place in his seat. Darren gingerly sat in the next chair next to him, then turned towards the big burly DJ.

"Sorry about that! Stuck in traffic, you know the usual!" He flashed his most sincere smile, which Daniel looked on with mild distaste. 'Just how plastic can you get?'

"Ahh, no problem at all. We just skipped the teasers that’s all," Mick returned to his jovial manner, certainly most pleased at the opportunity to interview the nation's current number one chart-toppers. He turned the mike on for both of them and started the music.

As he began making the announcements for "the hottest thang to come out of down under," Daniel started to fidget and shifted in his seat. He had always slightly disliked interviews. No, that was an understatement really. It didn't give him "breathing space" - he detested being pried and scrutinized upon. That was why he allowed Darren, who was obviously more capable at those things, to take over the lead - but just for tonight, he was going to be on for once. He wondered why he agreed though.

'I simply need my personal space,' he quietly mused to himself. He started to fidget some more. There was something to that phrase he couldn't quite put his finger to. Then it came to him. He remembered that it was a private joke between him and Darren about his 'personal space' being invaded onstage. They used to have a good laugh about it, how so much so Darren acted like a stalker while Daniel was the silent assassin behind him. So fun. So damn funny too, at the time.

But not now.

Before any tender feelings for his best friend and business partner could resurface, he bit his lip once again (an unconscious habit, really) and lowered his gaze. No. He was much too hurt and angry for what Darren did to him. At the present time, no forgiving just yet.

"Daniel!" Darren's sudden jab in the arm and his whispered hiss cut through his thoughts. "Where are you? Wake up!"

The guitarist jerked his head up and became aware that all eyes had been upon him. Apparently Mick had been waiting on his reply for some time.

"Uh, yes?" He asked in a small, embarrassed voice.

Darren made a clicking sound with his tongue with annoyance. 'Damnit, what goes on in that mind of his anyway?' He threw another stony look to him. Crossing his legs, he pointedly turned away as Daniel started to speak.

For the next few minutes, the interview ran relatively smoothly, with the same dull questions being repeated over and over again. Darren answered. Daniel answered. Darren answered some more. Daniel merely mumbled. And on it went. It seemed to go on forever.

'That's because Dan and I aren't laughing and jibing each other as we usually do,' Darren thought almost wistfully, before he could catch himself. He promptly stopped any further thought on the matter and turned his complete attention back to the questions from the fans on the phone.

At long last, Mick beamed. "So, I guess this wraps things up then! Thank you boys for your time, we'll see you soon."

"Thank you," the duo both replied in union, grateful that it was all over.

As Darren started to get up, Mick suddenly looked towards Daniel and noticed for the first time that under his jacket, his arm was plastered in a cast.

"Oi. Daniel, how did that happen? Your arm, I mean." Daniel stopped dead in his tracks, but Mick continued. "And I didn't want to ask on air before, but you two look pretty crook today. What the hell happened?"

"Nothing," Darren quickly replied, flashing an automatic smile to him once again. "Don't worry about us, just a scuffle here and there." 'Yeah right. Some scuffle was that.'

Mick nodded and the case would have been dropped right then and there if only: "Yeah, I didn't know you had it in you, Darren."

The singer immediately turned around, shocked. "What?!"

The disdain on Daniel's face said it all. "You heard me. Stop playing around and let the old man hear the truth if he so wants."

Darren opened his mouth to say something, then shut it tight once again. No words formed. He blinked twice and instantly felt the red hot fire sweep into his bloodstream once again.

"Don't you dare start-"

"Start what Darren? Start what, huh? Come on, at least I tell the truth. I don't need to cover up my flaws."

In the back of Darren's mind, warning signals were flashing left, right and center. No, no, no. Do not do anything. Leave. Just get out of here and you will be fine. Deal with him later. Cool down.

But did he listen? No. To hell with it.

Darren took a menacing step towards Daniel, who held his ground ready to do battle again.

Smoothly Rebecca slid between the two and hissed menacingly, "Not now.” Her words were a cold dose of reality that pulled both of them back to the radio station and the shocked DJ now staring at them with his mouth hanging open.

Both men took a step back mentally shaking them. Rebecca smiled at Mick and apologized, "We are having some growing pains right now, you know how it is. 2nd CD and things are very different this time. I know we can trust you to keep this confidential."

Mick nodded and reached to shake each man's hand, "Of course. I hope nothing happens to you guys, your music is great and we want you to be around for a long time."

Daniel flushed and nodded his thanks, while Darren thanked him warmly, shaking off his discomfort. Once outside Rebecca turned on them, the look in her eyes making both of them flinch in embarrassment. They steeled themselves for the lecture that they knew was coming but, instead she turned and walked away, her bearing clearly saying she was not even going to waste her time with them. At least not just yet.

The ride back to the hotel was filled with an icy silence that made Darren shiver. ‘I want it back the way it was,’ he whimpered to himself, but wondered if their old friendship could ever be retrieved. ‘I miss all the fun we use to have, I miss the laughs.’ Choking back a sob he glanced at Daniel from under his long lashes.

Daniel sat next to Rebecca, he eyes resolutely downcast. He refused to lift his head to meet Darren's eyes, though he could feel them on him. ‘Damn,’ he thought, ‘what happened to us? We used to be the best of friends and now here we are beating each other up.’ Absently he stroked the cast, his fingers taking a strange comfort in the rough texture.

Darren continued to stare at him, flinching when he saw Daniel's hand go to his injured arm. Leaning back against his seat, he let his mind drift and it filled with memories of happier days. He and Daniel writing in that little apartment, he and Daniel on stage goofing around for the fans, the time Daniel talked him into going jet skiing and he almost killed himself. A small wistful smile crept across his face to dance around his lips.

Two quiet, subdued men climbed out of the car after Rebecca back at the hotel. She still refused to say a word to them and marched through the doors without even looking back. Outside of the suite, she paused and waited for Daniel to open the door. When Darren reached in his pocket for his key she shook her head sharply. Darren let his hand drop to his side.

Once inside the room she took their respective keys from them and gestured for them to sit and pulled out the cell phone and spoke tersely into it. Time seemed to stretch on forever. Daniel opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it when he saw the look on her face.

The sound of people in the hallway echoed around the room and Rebecca opened the door to admit Anna Maria, Ben, Lee, Karl, Angi, Jennifer and Leonie. They stood silently in a half circle in front of the door. Pain, confusion, fear and a little amusement were among the mixed emotions on their faces. After giving them enough time to become really uncomfortable, Rebecca spoke in a low, firm voice.

"This ends now. You two will stay here and resolve this no matter how long it takes. The connecting door is locked and we will be taking turns at the door so I suggest you go into the other room and figure out how you are going to work and live together with out killing each other." Her voice softened and became husky, "We love you guys and we can't stand by and watch you tear each other apart one little piece at a time."

She took in a shaky, resolving breath and then ushered them out of the sitting area and into the bedroom that was Daniel’s in the suite. Closing the door behind her, she leaned on it with a heavy sigh. "Call me in an hour, Ben, but only if there’s any change." Ben nodded and watched them file out then flipped on the TV. It was going to be a long night.

After being ushered into the bedroom without a by your leave, Darren stared at Daniel with a sulky expression as an awkward silence filled the air. Daniel didn't even look at him as he went to flop down on the bed and picked up his guitar. After a few moments of being ignored, Darren couldn't take it anymore.

"This is your fault you know," he accused petulantly, his voice rising and clashing with the gentle melody of the guitar.

Daniel sighed with surrender and a touch of weary anger as he put the guitar down. Lying on his back with his good arm supporting his head, he muttered, "Here it comes. Why is it my fault?"

Darren agitatedly wandered over to the broad window, highlighting the cityscape of New York City with dark moody curtains, and gave a distressed sigh of his own. His liquid blue eyes skipped over the city lights and structures with familiarity. He rubbed his whiskered jaw in that same nervous manner as he did during TV interviews.

After a few moments, Daniel grunted, rolling his eyes, "Fine, whatever." He turned over on his left side, so his back was to the window and Darren. He looked longingly at his guitar, knowing that usually when he was in such turmoil, he would turn to her and she'd always make him feel better.

Suddenly, Daniel started, his entire body straightening with realization. His eyes narrowed as bits and pieces of a long buried thought starting breaking free in his mind. He sat up and turned to look at Darren, who was still silent. No, that isn’t right. Normally, when he was having problems, he would turn to Darren, not the guitar...although that hadn’t been the case for a long time.

Darren could feel Daniel's eyes on him and he knew he should answer. But frankly he didn't know the answer. After a few more moments, he replied softly, without turning around, "It's your fault because you stopped caring about me. About us. We used to be able to get through anything together...and now we can't. Why, Daniel?"

Daniel barely heard him, as he was deep in thought, contemplating that maybe Anna Maria had been right all along. Maybe he had been blind to all these things Darren accused him of. His mind slowly went back on all the things that had happened since Darren had moved to New York, the decisions they'd made. They had been drifting apart, but not because of physical distance. Running a hand through his hair in frustration, Daniel tried to convince himself he was in the right. He had been busy and besides Darren had abandoned all of them to go off and gallivant in New York!

Not that he’d done much gallivanting… The poor guy had done more suffering than that. The lyrics to the new album oozed with unfamiliar dark emotions…unfamiliar because Daniel hadn’t been there to help his band mate through them. Daniel finally closed his eyes with begrudging regret and admitted the truth. Darren had needed him and he hadn't been there. But he couldn't be there for him. Daniel started at this reflexively ingrained thought. Couldn’t? Why not?

"I...Darren, I...all this time..." Daniel was speechless, as gradually he understood just how much he’d failed his friend. His eyes glistened deep green with confusion and a growing guilt. When Darren and Colby had split up, Daniel hadn't known how to help his best friend cope. He'd been fighting a deep sense of guilt even then, but he hadn't known why.

Then, in New York, when Darren had met...the man who'd changed his world, Daniel had been riddled with this odd bereft feeling. It hadn’t been an issue of Darren being bisexual, he knew, and yet still he had felt a strange resentment. And slowly but surely, he had withdrawn, afraid. He had been forcing himself to be indifferent to Darren. Daniel’s mind echoed with the same question.

But why? What am I so afraid of?

Daniel looked up and his eyes were caught in a deep blue, serious gaze and suddenly it felt like he'd been kicked in the stomach.

All the breath went out of him as the last bit of light from the disappearing sun gave Darren's entire body a bright golden halo. His eyes glazed over and clung to every line of his band mate's body, traveling down every fold in his shiny black ensemble.

His feverish gaze settled on Darren's waist, where the last three buttons remained undone and the loose shirt hung in an inviting manner. Daniel was unwilling to look further down, but helpless to stop himself. He ran his eyes slowly from the opening of the shirt to where Darren's black, tight-fitting pants pulled taut, outlining…

Daniel’s mind went blank with shock as he dimly realized the truth about his fears.

I want him.

Oh God, no…

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