Daniel Jones' mind was still reeling from the hurt and bitterness as he swiftly swerved his new silver Mercedes into another corner. Hurry up, hurry up... He peered gingerly into the darkness of the night to see the street before him. Yes, he was in the right direction, going up Riverview Highway.

As he steadily drove along, he thought resentfully of all the things that had happened. What the hell has gotten into Darren nowadays, my best friend and band mate? Why is he like this now? He counted the number of years he'd known Darren - seven years. Such good friends. They had been so close, their friendship bond so strong, nothing it seemed, could tear them apart. They were inseparatable musical soul mates, like brothers really, for they both knew they could confide in the other about anything and everything and it would be all understood. Being understood. Ah yes, the was always a deep understanding between them, something uncomprehendable but nevertheless special. He knew that no-one else in the world could ever understand him like Darren did.

The sudden extraordinary success of Savage Garden had only deepened their friendship. Sharing such wonderful experiences together - seeing their singles and album top the charts worldwide, jet setting to the exotic countries of the world, the adrenaline rush of performing onstage, collecting various prestigious music awards - had made them closer still, each one knowing what the other was going through as well. Together, they found the strength to face the big, bad world of 'show business' whenever it all got too much. They would always be there for each other. To Daniel, Darren was his lifeline, their friendship meaning the world to him.

And then, quite suddenly and abruptly, everything changed. Daniel knew for certain that it wasn't him that was changing, it was Darren. Little by little, he started to withdraw, building a small wall around him that Daniel, much to his hurt and surprise, could not get through. He stopped going out with him whenever Daniel asked him out, feeding him one pathetic excuse after another. Never before had he turned down an invitation by his best friend , as he was always on the lookout for new places, new restaurants, new movies to see which they could both enjoy together. They did practically everything together, nothing seemed as much fun without the other. And then there were the phone calls. Darren had completely cut out all his phone calls to Daniel, only ringing him if it was absolutely necessary. He never bothered to return the calls either. If Daniel hadn't persisted, Darren would never call him at all.

It came clear to Daniel soon after that Darren was deliberately trying to avoid him. He felt very wounded and upset with the fact, but he kept it to himself. He fretted why Darren was pushing him away like this, worrying night after night whether he had unknowingly upset him in some way. He wondered if something else was burdening him, something he did not want to share with him. Obviously something pretty heavy was on his mind, for his behaviour became more and more distant and detached. For some days, he wouldn't hear from him for weeks unless he himself went to Darren first. And whenever they were together, he could sense the rising tension between them. Because they often had to work close together on their music, the strain was increasing and it wasn't long before the petty arguments started. Darren's temper was getting shorter and Daniel was getting more and more impatient with his frequent outbursts. Sometimes their little arguments turned into real big heated fights, which was kind of frightening because they had never fought like that before.

Daniel could easily set off another scorching row by endlessly asking him what was the matter. Indeed, by this time, he was positively sick from worrying about him.

"Leave me alone!" Darren would often shout angrily at him, hands moving frantically around as if meaning to throw something at him any moment. "Why do you always poke your head into my life when it's not needed?! Stop pestering me!"

And Daniel, choking back the hurt and anger, would spit back at him: "I care about you, that's all! If I didn't, I would never have bothered you at all!"

There was one incident which he would never forget. During one of their most vicious fights, where tempers were escalating and careless, thoughtless words were being said, Darren suddenly broke down, glistening tears in his eyes. Hand over his mouth, he kept whispering the words "Don't...please don't...", as Daniel, in heated fury, continued taunting him about their once perfect friendship and how it was now sadly dented. Did he, Darren, not want him to be his friend anymore? Was that why he was keeping his distance?

Daniel could not remember the rest of it, only that he was mildly shocked at the sight of Darren looking so hopeless, so pathetic as he tried to control himself. He had stopped and rushed towards him, meaning to comfort him and say he was sorry for all the cruel things he'd said, but Darren had pushed him away, leaving him feeling hollowly dejected and distressed. Yes, he had injured Darren very badly. But then, he reasoned acidly to himself, he had deserved it, hadn't he? But still, that unmistakable look on his face when he hurled those insults at him about their friendship...what was that all about?

Oh those months were terrible. Absolutely terrible. Gone was the once easygoing, relaxed companionable atmosphere. Gone was the fun, good times they had together. Instead, now they stared at one another in civil silence, watching each other warily, speaking only if needed. Everyone around them became concerned - what was going to happen to Savage Garden? Were they meaning to break up soon? But no, it was out of the question. Though they were hostilely cold to one another, they weren't going to split up. The band Savage Garden was much too important.

However, no-one was comfortable with the pair's uneasiness between them. They smiled for the fan's cameras, continued interviews with the media together and didn't stop writing new songs together, but it was only on the surface. Their close friends and family were the only ones who knew there was trouble brewing with the two but didn't dare to intervene. No-one knew exactly why Darren was acting funny all a sudden either. It was all very strange.

And when Daniel started to feel he couldn't take it anymore, that he needed a break, Darren announced he was moving to New York City, one of his favourite places in the world, for a few months. Of course everyone was stunned, but nobody was as stunned as Daniel himself. Whatever for did he need to move out to the other side of the world?!

Within a few weeks, Darren had promptly packed up his bags and was on his way. His family, deeply concerned about his recent impulsive and weird behaviour, had been the only ones to see him off at the airport. Daniel didn't come, he didn't want to make it all the more complicated. He knew Darren would resent his presence there anyway and he didn't want to create an unpleasant scene right there in public.

As the months slowly went by, he couldn't get Darren out of his mind. Would this painful gulf between them ever close? Would Darren finally sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk with him and explain what was going on? In other words, would this ever end? It terrified Daniel that maybe it wouldn't. Maybe they were drifting apart now, and it was time to move on...

Then it had quietly hit him. Of course! Why hadn't he realized it before? When Darren started acting differently, it was also around the time he and wife Colby had announce their separation. Quite possibly it had something to do with it. He must be really cut up, poor guy...no wonder he's not being himself! He felt he could breathe a huge sigh of relief. So it wasn't him that was the problem! It was simply because Darren was still not over the break-up.

For a while, he felt more relaxed than he had ever been for the past few months. He didn't know when Darren was going to come back home - nobody else did either - but he was looking forward to seeing him, knowing now he could comfort and help him get over his ordeal. Then things would eventually all get back to normal, and Darren would be smiling and laughing again.

Things remained that way until just this very morning. Daniel pushed down the accelerator, feeling the car advanced it's speed. He wasn't quite sure what his emotions were right now, whether he was dumbfounded, pained or just plain furious, only that he had to see Darren tonight. He glanced at his expensive Rolex watch. It was just a little after 1 a.m. Wouldn't Darren get the shock of his life to see him so unexpectedly? He laughed sourly to himself. Charming, wasn't it Daz, that you never told me you were coming back tonight. He stopped at the red lights and tapped his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. Oh yes, apparently he had called everyone else that he would be arriving in Brisbane by midnight and everything was all set for the flight. Rather by accident, Daniel overheard his mother on the phone to Darren's mum at 7o' clock this morning, about how lovely it was he would be back home sweet home soon, and wouldn't a little get-together party be a grand idea? After she had hung up, an agitated Daniel had demanded what that was all about.

"Why dear, didn't you know? Hasn't he told you?" his mother had asked him, clearly very surprised.

"No, apparently not so." he had answered back in a tight voice.

And it all came out. Darren had the nerve to call his family, his friends, the record company, their publicist, their promotions manager, the other band members - practically everyone he knew, yet he didn't call him, Daniel! Everyone was slightly embarrassed that Daniel hadn't been told and inside was curious to know the reason why Darren couldn't bring himself to phone this very important person. Was he mad at him for something? Why did he just 'forget' him? So you're the kind that deals with the games in the mind?

Daniel squinted once again through the blackness to see the street sign up ahead. Forest Avenue, it said, the moonlight beaming to it. Yes, Darren's place was number 34. 34 Forest Avenue, Greenwich Gardens. Swanky suburb, this was. Daz had good taste. He slowed down the car, searching for the distinct black ivory lettering of 34 at the front. There it was...the familiar Victorian-style mansion with a huge driveway and high white fences. Inside, he could see a light was dimly turned on in the bedroom, which was at the front.

He went up the smooth driveway and stopped the car. His heart was pounding for some reason. Was he scared? Was he mad? No, I'm just glad to see him, he thought suddenly. I've...I've missed him. Weird, because only an hour ago he was nearly bursting with rage. For a long moment he couldn't will himself to open the door and get out of the car. It just didn't seem right. He checked in the front mirror at his reflection. Wispy dark blond hair, intense grey-green eyes...and his smile. Of course, he knew that his smile was his best feature. It was somewhat naughty and nice at the same time. No matter where he was, he could always turn on that killer smile of his. Alluring, that's the word. Even Darren once commented he had a most alluring smile...

He halted as a strange pleasant warm feeling washed over him. How Darren's compliments always hit the right spot.