Before We Met

David Wright

For a few months, Daniel succeeded in staying away from the man with the green eyes and dark curls. Even implanted him with two new identities, and though he couldn't stop the reaction of his heart each time he saw the man, he kept his vow not to act on it, not to seek him out. Then, when he least expected it, the man found him.

It was shortly after the day's tuning. Time to go home, to his tiny, empty apartment, until They needed him again. He hurried along the riverfront, and had just past a small restaurant, keeping his head down as he walked, trying as always to avoid attention, avoid eye contact. He bumped shoulders as he brushed past someone, and stumbled a little, apologizing softly. Then he heard a too familiar voice.

"Hey... don't I know you?"

He jerked upward at the shock of that voice, which he would recognize anywhere, and those words, which he would have never expected, and felt sharp agony blossom at the base of his spine in consequence of the sudden unexpected movement. How could he have run into him, of all people, here? How could he have been recognized? "I - I'm sorry -- I don't think we've met...."

The man with the green eyes watched him, confused. "No, I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before... I'm good with faces. You're... a doctor?"

"Yes," he said, before he could stop himself, his heart pounding. How could he know that? "I am a -- psychiatrist."

"Right... Dan, was it?"

"Daniel," he replied weakly, feeling like his heart was about to burst from his chest. "Daniel Schreber."

"Yes. Daniel." He smiled, the kind of smile that Daniel was sure was meant to make a woman's knees weaken and melt like warm butter. Or in this case, the knees of a certain blond haired psychiatrist. But the dark haired man didn't seem to notice, extending a hand to him in introduction. "I'm David Wright. I work at the hospital - the ER currently, unfortunately. I've probably seen you there." He paused for a moment, watching him. "This is going to sound a little strange, but... I just got off shift and was going for a bite to eat. Would you like to come with me?"

He tried to tell himself what the right choice was, what he was supposed to do, but he couldn't, not when his heart was aching so badly at the sight of him. "Thank you. I was just leaving work -- myself. I would very much like to -- have company."

Daniel walked with him back to the diner he had just passed, watching him, wondering, trying to ignore the fluttery nervousness in his stomach. How was this man so different? And how was it possible that he remembered his name? He couldn't, shouldn't let himself get involved. There was no telling if he would see this man again, if he would even be the same man in twelve hours. The man wasn't involved in a specific experiment at the moment, just a spare subject, so his identity was just what Daniel had always thought of filler, something to live out until he was utilized for a new experiment. He could be used at any time. But part of him, a very small part that he usually fought to keep buried, felt unfettered joy at this strange, coincidental encounter, and harboured the smallest hint of hope that perhaps this would be more than a few hours distraction.

They talked long into the night, over cups of coffee that were kept refilled silently by the otherwise absent waitress, and Daniel couldn't think of a time when he'd gone so long without thinking about Them. It had only been a couple weeks since he'd imprinted this man, so he knew his persona, his background, his entire synthesized life history. Yet somehow everything was different when it came out of his mouth. It became real.

When the clock struck three, the man now named David looked at his watch with a little sigh. "I should go... I need to catch some sleep before I have to get up and do this all over again." He was silent for a moment, regarding Daniel quietly with those lovely green eyes, and if Daniel hadn't already known from creating his imprint, he would have known now, with a certainty, that this man's current taste in companions was very compatible with his own. "You know..." he said slowly, eyes tracing the outside of his form, voice low and warm, "If you're ever in the area again, I get off at half past midnight. Just ask for me at the hospital and we can do this again."

Part of Daniel was telling him very firmly to decline, to put a stop to this insanity before he got in over his head. The rest of him was starting to realize that he was already in over his head, and was trying to convince his rational self that the best course of action to immediately figure out a way to somehow invite himself into this man's bed. He compromised, giving his companion a soft smile, feeling the tips of his ears heat up self consciously. "I would like that -- very much."

The rational part of Daniel managed to hold out for two nights before he found himself at the hospital after the Tuning. Approaching the doors that lead inside to the ER, he hesitated, lingering outside, uncertain. It was one thing to have a chance encounter, like he'd had with this man's last two personae. A planned meeting, a liaison, was entirely something else, and was much closer to moving into and interacting with a world that he really didn't, and shouldn't belong in. And what of the man himself? There had been a spark between them upon meeting, but would that continue? It was so difficult to believe that such a handsome man would continue to show interest in one such as him, scarred and crippled, when he could have his pick of so much more attractive people....

"Daniel!"

Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed David's exit from the hospital doors in front of him. But he did notice how the other man's eyes lit up as they met Daniel's, how he smiled that smile again, the one that threatened to leave him entirely without words, to melt every bone in his body apart from perhaps one.

He returned the smile, the greeting, a little shyly, managing to stay composed despite the lovely trembling feeling in his stomach, nerves mixed with longing. "Good evening, David. Are you available -- to have dinner with me?"

David's smile widened. "I would like nothing more."

One dinner together became two the next night, then three the night after that, talking over food and coffee for hours, and that night they walked along the riverbank afterward, continuing easy conversation. The dark haired man strolled slowly, leisurely, and Daniel knew it was purposeful to allow him to keep up with ease. It was something which he very much appreciated, even if he was too self conscious to say so. Then as they walked, the man gently slipped a hand into his, twining their fingers together. It was such a simple, gentle touch, and Daniel could hardly understand how it affected him so, heart beating fast, bringing back that most lovely, trembling feeling in his stomach, like butterflies.

"I live a block from here," said the man who was currently called David, stroking the back of Daniel's hand with his thumb. He looked over to find the dark haired man watching him with just a hint of a smile playing around his lips. "Would you like to come up for a nightcap?"

Daniel's heart stopped momentarily, then resumed at twice the pace, and for once he thanked the Stranger's eternal darkness, for the heat in his cheeks made him sure that he must be blushing most ungraciously. Why was he so affected by such simple things? He was no stranger to intimate encounters, even as infrequent as they were, and yet here he was, body behaving no more maturely than a blushing schoolboy. "Yes," he said softly. "It's very kind of you, to ask."

"It's very kind of you to agree," his companion replied, with a smile that had almost a hint of cheekiness to it, which was more endearing than Daniel would have ever expected, and helped him relax a little as they turned toward the man's home.

"I'm not a big drinker," David was saying as they entered his apartment, which was very well kept and just a little on the expensive side, "so you'll have to forgive me if my liquor cabinet isn't so extensive. But I can open a bottle of wine if you like, or pour some twenty year old bourbon that's quite nice." He took Daniel's coat and hat, hanging them neatly on a walnut stand with his own coat as Daniel left his shoes at the door.

"I would like to -- try your bourbon, thank you," he replied after a moment's thought, and then found the disobedient part of him continuing his train of thought out loud, before his reasonable self could stop it. "But you don't have to -- ply me with alcohol -- to get what you want, David." He flushed immediately upon hearing the words leave his mouth and looked away, chiding himself silently. "My apologies... that was inappropriate."

He saw the dark haired man's form turn back toward him, reaching out to cup his face gently, the touch so electric that it made Daniel draw a soft gasp before he could stop himself. Gentle pressure tilted his face back up to look at him, to see that all too alluring smile, and a look in his eyes that was more than a little promising. "It's not inappropriate at all," he replied softly, fingers slipping into Daniel's hair as he leaned down to kiss him, warm and gentle and yearning, promising more.

Daniel's lips parted under his without hesitation, yielding with the softest moan at the shiver of delight that raced through him as they connected, craving more, craving everything. His hands moved to rest lightly, shyly on David's hips, encouraging him gently closer, racing pulse beating loudly in his ears. David's kisses were warm and sweet, tasting just a little of the wine that they'd have with dinner, and he couldn't help but loose himself in the deliberate skill at which his mouth was thoroughly claimed again and again. It was very different than the clumsy, drunken kisses he'd given when he was Michael, but no less passionate, and Daniel felt the rational side of himself quiet and fade, every inch of himself giving over to the emotions and desire he felt for this man.

David drew back finally, just a little, to look at him, to catch his breath, smiling. "I don't normally hook up with people I've hardly just met," he murmured softly, running his fingers through his hair. "Don't want you to get the wrong impression. But I thought you were so sweet when I met you.... I just haven't been able to stop thinking about you."

Daniel felt the tips of his ears heat up and looked down, smiling self consciously. "Sweet? I've heard that before, though I'm not sure why."

The man chuckled softly, a warm, lighthearted laugh. "Because you are." Fingertips danced lightly over Daniel's features, along his jaw, not showing any reaction to the scars under them. Then the pad of his thumb, ever so lightly brushing his lips, David's voice softer, promising. "Come to bed with me?"

He couldn't say no. He felt the heat move from the tips of his ears down into his cheeks, and looked down self consciously. "Yes, I - I would like that. Very much."

The man smiled, cupping his face gently, tilting it up again to receive his kisses, warm and promising. "Sweet Daniel. You don't have anything to be shy about around me." He felt David's fingertips trace the white line of one of the scars on the side of his cheek gently, soothing. "Nothing at all." It was so gentle, so kind that it was almost overwhelming, and Daniel couldn't help but shiver, pressing closer to him, drinking in his affection, his kisses sending soft, pleasant shivers down his spine, his touch leaving tingling waves of warmth in its wake. And somehow, his memories of who this man had been before faded under this sweet affection, and he was only David, as if he'd been this gentle man his entire life. Daniel let one hand slip up to tangle in his dark curls, pulling him down into the kisses, returning them with more than a little longing.

"You're too kind," He murmured against his mouth, sighing as the man's fingers undid his jacket, smoothing over the vest underneath, stroking his chest.

A soft, happy chuckle against his mouth. "Just the truth, Daniel." He pulled back a little, one hand still gentle on his face, watching him for a long moment, longingly, and Daniel couldn't quite read the thoughts behind his green eyes, not until he spoke. "It's easy to see loneliness when it is something that factors so strongly in one's own life, isn't it?"

Of course he would be lonely. A spare subject almost always was, the imprint and interactions with others minimized to make it easier for them to be re-implanted, reassigned to an experiment. Less people to have to alter to forget about them. "Yes.... so perhaps we can -- help each other," Daniel breathed softly, and drew him back down to claim his mouth with his.

They moved to his bedroom quickly, undoing buttons, pulling aside jackets and shirts to bare skin, exploring exposed flesh with hands and lips. He let the man unbutton his shirt, let him pull him down onto the bed and cover his poor, damaged chest with kisses, tracing his scars with his mouth. It was the most tender, delicious sensation Daniel had ever experienced in the remains of his ruined memory, and he arched up closer to him, shallow breath catching, whimpering as his mouth dipped down to tease his stomach, tracing wet trails over his skin with his tongue. His fingers tugged open Daniel's slacks, teasing the head of his quickly hardening erection through his underwear, giving a little appreciative noise at Daniel's whimper, and nipped lightly at his stomach.

"David..." he breathed softly, letting his fingers stroke over his shoulders, through his dark curls. He felt his clothes tugged down further, felt the press of his lips to the head of his cock, and then he couldn't think about anything but what was being done to him. His thoughts were almost completely overwhelmed by the bliss of the hot, wet mouth that went to work on his erection, sucking at his head, working his tongue against all right places, drawing breathless, trembling moans from his throat.

He tried to regain control of himself before he was too far gone, tried to pull his mind back to rational thought. If his only day with David was to be today, he wanted it all. "Mmmm... David, please...."

David lifted his head after dropping a soft kiss to the head of his cock, voice soft. "Please?"

"Make love to me," he murmured, wondering a little at his own choice of terminology. His lover was already moving back up over him, and he drew his face down to kiss him, slipping a hand down his mid line to tug open his pants, slip his hand into his shorts to stroke his erection, sighing softly into his mouth. David rocked slowly into his touch, not seeming to be in any hurry, stroking fingers over his hips and sides, the teasing caress making him shiver and moan.

"Please..." he whispered again, aching for him, arching closer to him, tugging his pants down more, and David answered with more passion, helping Daniel out of his slacks and kicking off his own. He pulled away just long enough to get prepared, then gave Daniel exactly what he wanted without any further delay, easing the blond's legs around his waist, rocking carefully into him. Daniel pressed up against him as much as he could, gasping helplessly for breath between little whimpers of pleasure as he stretched around the girth of his erection, trying to encourage him, the discomfort at adjusting to the penetration nothing compared to the hot shocks of pleasure it drove up his spine. More than ever he needed this, needed to feel, needed to ache with pleasure from this man with the green eyes who had somehow remembered his name.

His lover pressed closer, pressing Daniel's thighs almost to his chest, and it made his back ache from the strain of the position, but he didn't care. Didn't care about anything but catching David's mouth with his own, being entirely claimed by the other man, yielding to the dominance of his kisses. His fingers tangled in David's hair, holding him to him, returning his kisses almost desperately. He gave a gasping cry against his mouth as David started to move harder into him, head of his cock rubbing along his sweet spot, sending a hot, overwhelming shock of pleasure through him so strong that it almost pushed him over the edge right there and then.

He almost moaned in dismay when David pulled back, but the dark haired man slipped an arm under his hips, pulling him up and shifting so that Daniel's hips rested on top of his thighs, calves against his broad shoulders, allowing him to thrust deeper, and then it was a shuddering cry of pleasure that escaped Daniel's lips, driven by the ecstasy of sensation that came with David's thrusts. Somehow David had regained the small bottle of lube, and smoothed some over Daniel's aching cock, curling his fingers around the shaft and stroking him slow and firm in time with his thrusts.

"God, yes! Please - harder!" he gasped, the requests coming with no self-consciousness, only need, need and sensation that escaped everything else. He caught David's gaze, green eyes focused, intent, dark with desire and pleasure, and somehow managed to hold it despite the hard, shuddering pulses of pleasure that rocked through him with each thrust. He reached up with one trembling hand to cup the side of his face, his lover smiling at the touch, pressing a breathless kiss to his palm and leaning into it, voice a soft moan.

"Feels so good, Daniel...."

He managed the slighted nod, shuddering under him as they fell into a harder, more desperate rhythm, finally breaking his gaze as his pleasure surged, riding the edge of climax for a few blindingly intense thrusts that made him shudder helplessly, that made his whole body ache with the simultaneously agonizing and blissful need for release. Daniel let his head fall back and clenched his free hand in the sheets, crying out breathlessly as he was pulled over the edge, every muscle in his body pulled tense, shuddering, ecstasy and oblivion rushing through him hot and bright and overwhelming.

He was half aware of David moving, easing Daniel's legs down a little to make him more comfortable, stilling as Daniel rode out his climax, trying to catch his breath. He felt David lean down and begin to cover his face with kisses, seemingly unconcerned about the state of his own arousal, murmuring his name softly against his skin. Daniel caught his mouth, breathless and trembling, swallowing hard against the surge of emotion that threatened to break free with orgasm. He rocked his hips up against him a little, hissing at the sharp stimulation of hyper-sensitive nerves, and tangled a hand in David's hair, murmuring against his mouth. "Take your pleasure, lover... let me -- feel it...."

David drew a sharp breath at his words, not arguing, starting to move again carefully, slow and deep, shuddering against him, whimpering his name softly against his mouth. "My sweet Daniel...." He let his forehead rest against Daniel's, eyes falling closed, breath warm against his skin. He rocked a little faster at Daniel's urging, the doctor moving with him as much as he could, shivering, loving his passion, loving the sensations. As his lover grew close, rocking fast and hard into him, breath erratic, he caught his mouth again, stealing his soft cries from his lips with kisses as David tensed against him, shuddering, spending himself hot and deep inside him.

Daniel let his head fall back, let himself finally relax, David's head moving to nestle against his chest under his chin, the dark haired man gasping for breath, slowly recovering as Daniel stroked fingers slowly through his hair and over his back. His lover raised his head finally, smiling softly, leaning into kiss him warmly. "You're amazing."

Daniel smiled shyly, giving his head a little shake. "Together we are. Thank you... so much."

His lover gave a low, warm chuckle, kissing him again, slow and languid. "Will you meet me again tonight?"

"Of course."

"And stay here with me for now?"

He gave a little nod, arms wrapped loosely around his shoulders. "I would like that -- very much."

"Good." David pulled away, finally, leaving just long enough to get a cloth to clean them both up, then curling around Daniel, both men quickly drifting off to sleep.

After that first night of intimacy, he didn't spend a night away from David, and almost two weeks passed in bliss - meeting after work, having increasingly shorter dinners, then going back to David's apartment and making love, curling together afterward and talking softly until they drifted off to sleep. He had grown dangerously attached - or perhaps he always had been - to this man's current incarnation, but as much as every bit of experience he had in this city told him that he was just setting himself up for heartbreak, he couldn't bring himself to stop. It was too beautiful, too bright and warm and wonderful in the normally cold, dark world of his everyday life.

He thought about it often, how could he not? The looming certainty that this man would be taken from him, made into someone else. He remembered all too clearly the pang of regret, the agony of loss he'd felt upon finding Anthony the target of his work, and his feelings for this man had grown so much since then. But it just deepened his resolve to enjoy this as much as he could, to make every moment of happiness count, before he lost this man again.

He tried to memorize his features, one night as they curled together after sex, the curve of his lips, the line of his jaw. He let his fingers trace slowly over his skin, following them with his eyes. Admiring the way dark eyelashes played against pale skin. This was a man far too handsome to care for one such as him, and yet somehow he did, time and time again. David caught his gaze and smiled, leaning in to nuzzle his jaw affectionately. His lips pressed gently to his skin, just under his ear, voice very soft. "Daniel. I love you."

He felt himself shudder at the words, closing his eyes tightly at the conflicting mix of joy and despair that washed through him. Don't fall in love, can't, shouldn't fall in love.... "And I -- am hopelessly, senselessly -- in love with you." He bit his lip hard on a sob, closing off his throat. A mistake, such a mistake, but he couldn't stop himself, couldn't resist this man a third time.

Strong arms tightened around him that wouldn't protect him from Them as much as he wished they could, warm hands stroking over his hair, and David was silent for a long moment, as if he sensed Daniel's inner struggle. "Sometimes I think..." he mused slowly, voice soft, "sometimes it feels like... like you come to me every night feeling like - acting like it will be the last time we see each other." He ran his fingers through his hair, pulling back just a little to look at him, eyes mournful. "Daniel... I won't leave you...."

He swallowed hard. "I know. It isn't you that -- I'm worried about," he said slowly, finally.

Gentle fingers continued to stroke through his hair. "What is it, then?"

"I - I can't explain it...."

"You can't, or you won't?" No accusation in his voice, just a simple question.

Daniel sighed. "It's... difficult. Complicated." He felt a soft kiss pressed to his forehead, and his lover curled a little closer to him, arms wrapped around him, strong and secure.

"Try me?"

He let his head rest against David's chest again, fingers stroking slow circles over his skin, trying to find words, to find some rational sounding way to explain his fear. "I... work for some very -- powerful men," he said softly, finally. "They do not allow me to have -- these kind of interactions with -- the general public."

"I don't understand. They don't... allow you?"

He gave a slow nod. "It is complicated," he said again, softly. "I have been -- very good, for a long time -- in their books. However, when they find out about -- this...." He stopped. He couldn't tell the truth, there was no way the man would understand. "When they find out, I will not be able to -- see you again, until I can regain -- their trust. It may be a very, very long time." It would be forever, he knew, at least as far as his lover was concerned. He would be implanted with a new identity immediately, Daniel was certain of that. These few stolen weeks of joy, their time together, their love, everything would cease to exist just as the identity of the man named David would.

"Daniel, that's absurd. Who are these people to say what you can and can't do? Have you gone to the police?"

He gave a soft, mirthless laugh against his skin. "They are far more powerful than the law -- I am afraid."

"Then we'll hide this, we won't show any hint of this in public...."

He shook his head again. "It's not about where we -- go or do not go, or what we do or -- do not hide in public. They have the ability to -- check up on me at any time, and it doesn't matter -- where I am or what I -- do. It is hard to explain, but let me say that -- they are completely unpredictable. Even for me. They will find out. Sooner rather than later."

David pulled back to look at him, expression earnest. "Then let's go away. We'll hide. Leave the city."

Leave the city. Such an innocent assumption to make. "Where would we -- go, David?"

"Anywhere that they don't have control over you."

He laughed, softly, and it sounded much closer to a sob. "Such a place does not -- exist in this world."

"That can't be possible...."

"I've tried," he said gently, hesitating only a moment before lowering his voice more, blue eyes meeting green in misery, and he felt himself tremble against the dark haired man. "Why do you think that I -- must speak like this? I can't breathe, they saw to -- that. How do you think that I -- obtained these scars that you never -- ask me about?"

"God..." David's face went very pale, watching him sorrowfully, helplessly. "Will they hurt you for being with me?"

He gave a little shake of his head. He knew that anything was possible with them, but he wouldn't reveal that. It was a risk he was more than willing to take. "They will consider it enough of a -- punishment, just to keep me from -- seeing you. They wont hurt you," he added softly, heart aching at the thought of being parted from David, though the prospect of physical pain didn't seem to concern the man.

He felt David's arms tighten around him. "There's really nothing that you can do? Nothing at all?"

He closed his eyes, feeling tears escape despite himself. "I can only take what small happiness -- I can find, for as long as I can."

They didn't speak of it again that night, but it seemed that David held him more closely, touched him more tenderly, and after a short while they made love again, slow and rich and intense, giving and taking and loosing themselves, taking comfort in the desperation of love and need with days that were numbered. Finally they fell asleep, curled tightly together even in dreams.

When he arrived at the hospital the next night, David wasn't outside as he normally was, and Daniel felt a shock of fear. He couldn't be gone already, they couldn't have imprinted him without his knowing, could they? It was impossible, he always worked the injections himself.

He waited outside for a few moments, fearful and uncertain, then cautiously entered the hospital, passing through the waiting room to approach the admittance desk. "Please excuse me...."

The nurse didn't pause from her work to look up. "Please take a number and sit in the waiting room."

"I'm sorry - I'm looking for -- Doctor Wright...."

This time she afforded him with a glare. "Take a number."

"Daniel!" David's voice, and he looked up quickly, seeing him coming out of a door at the end of the hall, and felt a shudder of relief course through his veins, tension lifting that he didn't know he was holding in. The dark haired man smiled warmly as he reached him, and Daniel noticed his hair was still damp, and that he was dressed in a nicely fitted dark suit rather than the casual clothes he normally left the hospital in.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," David gave him a warm smile, catching his arm lightly with his fingertips. "I hope Alice didn't give you any trouble."

"No trouble at all," he replied softly, letting the other man guide him from the hospital. "You look very smart tonight -- David."

His lover smiled, slipping his hand from Daniel's elbow down to lace his fingers with his. "Thank you. For the first time I don't feel under dressed around you."

Daniel found himself laughing softly, and squeezed his hand. "You always look nice, David. No need to dress up on -- my accord. This is simply what little -- vanity I have left."

Green eyes glanced toward him with a little smile. "You have many more reasons than just your clothing to be vain, sweet Daniel," he remarked, letting go of his hand as they reached the street to step out and hail a cab.

Daniel watched him curiously, smiling and slipping into the cab when the door was opened for him. "Where are we going?"

"To dinner." He leaned forward to talk to the driver. "The Grand Hotel, please." Then he gave Daniel a smile, warm and almost cheeky. "The chef's table at their 5 star restaurant."

"Is it open at this -- time of night?"

"For us, yes."

He felt his lips part slightly. "David... that's too much...."

His lover's smile widened a little. "Not at all. We must celebrate."

"Celebrate?" He tried to read his face. "Is there an occasion -- I'm not aware of...?"

A little shake of the head, and David's hand found his, squeezing gently. "Just a celebration of us."

He looked down at his hand, then back up at him. "I don't understand... why are you doing this?"

The dark haired man watched him fondly, silent for a long moment. When he did answer, his voice was low, almost melodic. Reciting. "There is a poem that says: Do not go gentle into that good night - old age should burn and rave at close of day. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

It struck a chord deep inside him, a soft surge of emotion, though Daniel didn't recognize the source. "That's beautiful...."

David smiled, a little sadly, glancing down. "I'm a fighter, Daniel. I don't like to just accept things, just take them without doing anything about it...."

He bit his lip. "David... there is nothing, believe me...."

"I know." A soft sigh. "I believe what you said. So... let me fight like this. If you truly believe that any night could be our last, then I will treat each night as if it could be. We will make a lifetime of memories in whatever time we have."

He felt the tips of his ears heat self consciously, felt a lump catch at his throat at the sentiment. "David...."

"It doesn't matter where we go, right? That's what you said? It won't make us any more or less in danger?"

"Right...."

He smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "Then let me do this for you. Give you something to take with you."

He gave a little nod, managing to breathe a soft reply. "Thank you."

Dinner was delicious, luxurious, and for a short time, Daniel let himself forget about all their worries, pretend that he was living a normal life, loving and being loved with no threat of being parted. By the time they were finished, he was warm and feeling just a little fuzzy from the wine, full and content, happiness a warmth in his heart stronger than the liquor that warmed his limbs. They talked over coffee, the restaurant dim apart from their area, the staff leaving beyond one waitress who was polishing glassware behind the bar.

"We should -- let her go home," Daniel said finally, a little regretfully.

David smiled, giving a little shake of his head. "Come walk with me on the terrace first. She's being paid to wait for us."

He hesitated, then agreed, following him out the french doors to the garden terrace that ringed the restaurant. It always amazed Daniel that plants were able to grow here, without the sun. Perhaps the strangers simply replenished them nightly, as they died. But at that moment, it was beautiful, lit with small lights along the pathways that shone softly through the foliage, and Daniel forced himself not to think about it, not to think about Them, squeezing his lover's hand gently.

For a long time, they strolled slowly through the gardens without speaking, hand in hand, stopping at the edge of the hotel terrace to look down on the cars that drove along the riverfront.

"This is beautiful," he said softly. "Thank you, David. This was a wonderful evening."

His lover turned to him with a smile, green eyes dark in the dim light, all pupil. "If - or when - this thing happens that you're afraid of... I want you to fill our days with beautiful memories to take with you...."

He felt a surge of emotion, and swallowed hard against it, though it was clearly apparent in his voice despite his efforts to control himself. "David. I already have -- so many with you."

The man caught and held his left hand, squeezing it gently. "Can there be too many?" And then he moved, taking something from his pocket. Daniel felt him carefully slip something cool and hard onto the third finger of his hand, and his mind registered a ring, and he had to clutch at the terrace railing quickly with his free hand to keep from swaying. He'd been holding his breath, he realized with a shock, and he tried to gulp in more air, tried to force back the blackness that played at the edge of his vision far too easily. He felt David catch him in his arms, supporting him. "Daniel? Daniel!"

"I - I'm sorry," he gasped, holding to him, giving his head a little shake to try and clear it, shivering against him. "I'm all right, I -- Just need a moment..."

"Shhh," the man murmured softly, stroking his back gently, pressing his lips to his hair. "I didn't mean to upset you...."

He closed his eyes, taking comfort in his closeness. "David, I - I can't wear this... they'll know immediately...."

"It's all right," he murmured softly. "I have a chain for you as well, if you like. You can wear it around your neck. I thought you might need to hide it."

"I'm so sorry...."

"Shhh...." He pulled back just enough to look down at him, cupping his face with one hand. "No apologies. I want you to have this, even if you can't show it, even if you don't ever wear it. It's..." he hesitated, then continued. "It's the strongest symbol of devotion there is, don't you think? I... I want you to remember...."

"I could never forget you," he managed to whisper, drawing his face down to kiss him, warm and trembling. "Thank you, David. So much."

He left David's apartment shortly after the man had fallen asleep, like he often had to. He to return to the Underneath, had to mix memories for the night's tuning. But first, he needed to see to something else.

Before leaving, he pulled the gold chain from inside his shirt, undoing it and slipping the ring from his finger onto it, tucking it safely into its hiding place under his clothes. It was beautiful, a masculine gold band with a square cut diamond flanked by three smaller, square cut dark copper coloured gems on each side, set in steps along the band, and while Daniel hadn't questioned it to David, he was sure it must have cost a small fortune.

There weren't many jewelry shops in the city that ever actually opened - most specialty stores were for show, never keeping business hours in the city's eternal night. Normally he would consider this a disadvantage, but it made it much easier now to figure out where the ring had come from. There was a jewelry shop owner they had imprinted a week ago, and he took a gamble and went there now, reaching it just before the shop closed.

"I'm very sorry," he told the shop keeper, pulling the ring from inside his shirt. "I won't keep you long. I am simply wondering if this ring -- comes from your shop?"

The man chuckled, not seeming to mind his last minute customer. "Yeah, I sold that ring just yesterday. It suits you."

He smiled. "It was a gift. Do you by any chance -- have anything similar?"

"Come with me." The Jeweler gave him a little knowing smile, then glanced through the various display cases before unlocking one and pulling out a tray. "This is what I have in stock."

There were only a few of that design, most in gold, with different colour stones that weren't as nice as his, in his opinion. One caught his attention immediately, however. The same ring in white gold, the diamond flanked by stones of the palest green. "May I purchase -- that one?"

"Would you like it sized? This is an 8." The jeweler must have seen his hesitation, because he chuckled, not unkindly. "Let me tell you the same thing I told your friend. Take this now, and if it doesn't fit, bring him back with you and we'll size it together."

He felt blood rush to the tips of his ears and nodded. "Thank you." He watched the jeweler polish the ring, packing it into a ring box and ringing it up. It did cost a small fortune, but the Strangers had left him with no want for money, a small blessing at least. He thanked the shopkeeper, tucking the box into his pocket and hurrying off. His workload for the next two nights was fairly light, and perhaps if he completed all or most of it that night, he wouldn't have to go back before the next Tuning, and could spend more time with David, who didn't have work at the hospital the next day.

When he met his lover after the tuning, David was dressed to impress again, giving him a warm smile. "Do you like Jazz, Daniel?"

He did, and said as much, and they spent the next couple hours sipping martinis in the corner of a very comfortable Jazz club, listening to the sultry tones of the singer, fingers entwined under the table, speaking together softly in low tones between songs. When the live entertainment was finished, they left, walking slowly along the riverfront toward David's apartment.

"Lets stop for a bit," Daniel said softly as they reached one of the benches that sat facing the river, and David smiled, sitting with him, slipping an arm along the back of the bench behind him.

"I always find the river so beautiful at night," the dark haired man mused softly, looking out across the surface of the water. "There's something about the play of the city lights on the water that's almost soothing."

Daniel smiled at his words, leaning into him, enjoying the warmth and closeness of his form. "It's strange, really... I walk by here all the time, but I -- never really stopped to look. Not until I -- met you."

David chuckled softly. "You always walk like you don't want anyone to see you. Hard to see the river when you're staring at the pavement."

Daniel gave a little shrug, smiling knowing he was right. "Then it is a good thing that I -- have you, to help me see." He was silent for a moment, glancing back to the road behind him. "This is where we -- bumped into each other, I think."

"Yes... that's right, just by the diner." The arm around his shoulders squeezed gently. "A very fortunate encounter."

"Yes...." He found David's free hand with his, holding it turned it palm up, fingers of his free hand tracing the lines of his skin. Then wordlessly, he found the small velvet box in the pocket of his coat, taking it out and placing it in his opened palm.

A soft intake of breath, and he pushed the lid open with his thumb. "Daniel... just like yours...."

He found himself smiling, heart swelling at the awe and sentiment he could hear in his lovers voice. "Yes. But in your colours. Moonlight and sage."

He watched his lover trace the ring with his thumb, David's voice soft. "My sweet, eloquent Daniel...." A small shake of the head. "This is too much, I didn't want anything in return...."

Daniel leaned up to kiss him, gently, softly. "I know. But you spoke of -- making beautiful memories, did you not? I want you to remember me -- when you see this." He knew it was useless, knew that David would forget everything, even himself, when he was next imprinted, knew that the ring would probably be recycled by Them along with all David's other personal items. But it didn't stop him from wishing it, and the adoration in David's eyes was worth more than a thousand rings. He took the ring from the box, slipping it onto him, onto the same finger that David had put his on, placing their hands together, matching rings side by side.

"Lets go home," David murmured softly, pressing a kiss to his hair, "so I can thank you properly."

~~~TBC~~~