I've seen the best of times and the worst of times, ībeen around and I've taken my chances, But I could never be tied down. Too many questions, not enough answers.

My fate is bound to yours, I've found a cause right here, and if this is the last place God made and yours is the last face I see, just feeling close to you, that's good enough for me.

We've seen the best of times. Been through hell and high water together. These are the times I'll remember forever, if you believe in me, like I believe in you, without a care for the "why" or the "wherefore", I will be there for you and you'll be there for me.

It's good enough for me. You know, it's the only place I want to be.

Blowing out the last candle. AJ frowned as he let his body sink into the couch. It was their one year anniversary. He had spent all day planning a special dinner. Everything would have been perfect. The smile on Kevin's face as he walked through the door to candles and soft music. The look on his face when he opened the present he had bought him. Yes, it would have been perfect. But their was no dinner, no present. Just AJ alone, in the empty house. Picking up the box AJ angrily threw it across the floor. All Kevin cared about was the new club. He was never home anymore and when he was he seemed to hardly notice AJ was there. Hearing a key turn in the door he made no sound as he watched the tall figure shake the water from his hair.

"Man, it's really starting to come down out there" said Kevin as he hung up his jacket. "What are you sitting in the dark for. AJ, is something wrong?"

"Why would something being wrong" said AJ sarcastically.

"Ok, what gives" said Kevin.

"Do you know what time it is?"

"Nine, ten, I guess."

"Ten, it's ten. I've been sitting here for hours, waiting for you to come home" said AJ.

"I'm sorry. Things at the club took awhile." Kissing him on the forehead AJ angrily pulled away.

"I lit candles, I made us dinner. I had a present for you. It was supposed to be this wonderful surprise" said AJ.

"We can still have the surprise. We can re-light the candles, enjoy the food" said Kevin.

"The food's already cold."

"I'll re-heat it" said Kevin.

"Don't bother. I'm already full" said AJ bringing the hidden bottle up to his lips.

"AJ, no. Please, tell me that's not beer" said Kevin.

"It is. You know I had forgotten how good this stuff taste" said AJ.

"God, why. You been sober for months now. Everything was going so well" said Kevin.

"You see I thought I could count on things like you, our love. But I realized tonight the only thing I can count on is this" said AJ holding up the bottle.

"AJ, please don't do this" said Kevin an almost pleading in his voice.

"Why not. Everyone was just waiting around for me to fall off the wagon anyway. Might as well be the screw up everyone thinks I am" said AJ.

"I won't let you do this" said Kevin taking the remaining bottle from the table.

"Fine, pour it out. See if I care. You think this is the only place I can find booze" said AJ.

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere where I am appreciated" replied AJ.

"AJ, your drunk. You can't drive" said Kevin.

"Watch me. Oh, and don't bother waiting up things might take awhile" said AJ.

Closing the door behind him Kevin slumped to the floor in tears. "He had been doing so well. How could he do this, start drinking again." God, the fight with Nick, the accident. He almost got both of them killed. Sitting down Kevin began to unwrap the box. He had given AJ his present earlier in the day. It was a framed print he had admired when they visited the art gallery. Carefully opening the box Kevin pulled the book from inside. It was a first edition book by J.D. Salinger. He loved it, but then he loved everything AJ gave him. He made him complete in a way he never thought possible. Leaning back on the couch his eyes watched as the minutes slowly creeped by on the clock. Minutes that soon turned to hours as Kevin now lay asleep on the couch.

"Startled by a clap of thunder Kevin slowly began to awake as he heard the distant sound of a phone ringing. A phone, his cell phone was ringing. "Damne, where had he put it" Kevin thought to himself as he stumbled in the darkness. Moving closer to the sound Kevin reached into his coat pocket to find his car keys and cell phone.

"Hello?"

"I'm trying to locate a Kevin Richardson."

"I'm Mr.. Richardson."

"Are you related to an AJ McLean?"

"We are friends. Do I know you?"

"I'm afraid your friend has been in an accident." "Oh God, is he ok?" asked

Kevin.

"Their working on him at the moment. He's badly hurt."

"What hospital."

"Florida East. He's in the emergency room."

"I'm only five minutes away. I'll be right there."

"Did you reach Mr.. Richardson?" asked the nurse.

"Yes, he's on his way."

Pulling into the parking lot. Kevin could do nothing but replay the words in his head. "Your friend has been in an accident." This was all his fault if he had just come home. This wouldn't be happening.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for AJ Mclean he was just brought in" said Kevin.

"Your Mr.. Richardson."

"Yes."

"Why don't you take a seat, I'll get the..."

"Mr.. Richardson, I'm Dr. Winslow. Why don't we talk in here."

"Whatever you have to say you can say it" said Kevin.

"I think it would be better if we talked in private, please" said the doctor ushering him into the empty room.

"How is he. Can I see him" said Kevin.

"Mr. Richardson. Your friend suffered massive injuries. We worked on him for over an hour. We did everything we could but it was too late, I'm sorry" said Dr. Winslow.