Chris had only slept for two hours but he didn't give a damn because he had talked to Darren; he had been there for him when he needed it the most and that mattered more than any essay or script … or sleep.

Michael noticed it right away. "You've talked to Darren," he stated.

"How did you know that?" Chris asked suspiciously.

"Your face freaking glows, Colfer!"

"No it doesn't."

"Yes, it does," Michael grinned. "Is he alright?"

Chris smiled and nodded just as Mrs. Nolan started yet another day. He zoned out for a moment and tried a sip of Michael's coffee, hoping it would keep him awake.

"Has anybody heard from Darren yet?" Mrs. Nolan asked while Chris was searching for a place to spit out the coffee because it tasted exactly as hideous as he remembered.

"No, unfortunately not," Caitlyn answered. "But I'm sure he'll call me back any minute now."

Chris swallowed. Certain things were worth drinking coffee for and this was definitely one of them. "Um, I've talked to him," he answered and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Caitlyn's eyes grew big with surprise and envy. "He asked me to say hi and tell you guys that his mom's in the hospital, so he had to go back to San Francisco."

"That's terrible," Mrs. Nolan said and put her hand to her chest. "It's nothing serious I hope."

"It kind of is. Mrs. Criss had a heart attack and has been in surgery all night. But I talked with Darren again on my way over here and the doctors are optimistic thus far."

"Oh, tell him that he and his family are in our prayers," Mrs. Nolan added emotionally.

"I will," Chris said smiling. Across from him Caitlyn wouldn't even look his way, but every inch of her body gave her away; she was furious and Chris knew she would take it out on him first chance she got.

First chance turned out to be at lunch when, out of nowhere, she cut her way to the counter.

"I thought I made it very clear yesterday that Darren didn't need a bunch of people calling him and that I would check up on him." Her arms were crossed tight over her chest as she stared him down, demanding an explanation for his disobedience.

He squinted. "Oh, you did, you did, but the thing is that it was Darren calling me and it would have been rude not to pick up, don't you think?"

Her lips were reduced to thin lines when she stepped closer and snarled at him. "You think you know all about him after 4 pathetic weeks, but you don't. So leave it to his true friends, those he really cares about to check up on him. When this summer is over he'll forget all about you. Out of sight, out of mind. That's the side of Darren you don't know about. Enjoy your time in the spotlight, because it will be brief." Then she turned on her heel and disappeared.

"Whoa," Michael burst out right next to him; "remind me again why I hit on her the first day."

"Because you're a no brainer when it comes to girls, and there's a reason that hitting on someone before you know them is a bad idea." Chris shook his head in disbelief. "But I'll admit that she has stepped up her game."

"Why hasn't Darren brushed her off long time ago?" Michael grunted.

"He tried; I think he was too polite about it. You know how he is."

Lunch put some energy back in Chris and when Mrs. Nolan guided them through a bit of theater history and the different genres that had developed throughout time, he found that the writer in him listened carefully. They experimented for awhile with the different guidelines an actor had to be familiar with to hit the right genre, and then they were given an assignment to write a single scene from a selected period or genre. Chris got started right away. He tried not to think too much about Darren, but bits and pieces from their late night talk kept returning. And before he knew it, the first notes about Alex and Conner found their way to his computer. He decided to write a scene for a children's play and worked through a catchy dialogue with short lines and a high level of energy. Slowly the fairytale world closed around him and prompted him to go a little bit further with every word he wrote and soon he had to give up dialogue and just write ideas because they were coming to him at the speed of lightning. His eyes didn't even leave the screen when his phone buzzed but when he glanced absentmindedly at the display his focus shifted momentarily. It was a text from Darren. It wasn't long, but the words stood out like a lighthouse. My mom's awake and I've just told her that I love her :)

Chris felt tears burn in his eyes out of nowhere. He usually didn't get this emotional, but his heart jumped with joy by the news. He quietly left the class and went outside for some fresh air. He stared at the words one more time and prayed to his version of God that Darren's mom would recover completely. He caught the tears from the corner of his eyes abruptly and decided to make a call.

"Hi mom," he said and smiled contently when he heard the surprise and happiness in her voice.

"Christopher, hi, I was just thinking about you."

"I was thinking about you, too," he said.

She paused. "Are you okay, honey?" Her tone got a bit worried.

"Yes I'm fine mom," he laughed, "I just … I wanted to tell you that I love you and I know I don't say that enough."

"Aww, now I'm going to cry," his mom said softly. "I love you too, son - more than you'll ever know."

Over the next week Darren and Chris talked with each other on the phone every day and usually for a couple of hours at a time.

"My family is getting pretty suspicious," Darren said one day.

"Does that mean you don't normally talk with your friends for hours?"

"Yep, that's what it means. When I call my friends it's more like a short message and I'll see you. It's a bit different with you."

Chris hummed. "I wouldn't know how to do short messages with you to be honest. There's always more I want to know and I can't help feeling that our time is limited."

"It's not, Chris," Darren said gently. "It doesn't have to be. I mean it sucks that I'm not in LA right now, but I will be later and so will you I hope."

"I'm not going anywhere," Chris replied thoughtful. "Will you come back to watch the final show?"

"I don't know yet. I want to, more than anything ... but I can't leave before my mom's home again and I know my dad can manage."

"Of course not, and you shouldn't Darren. I completely understand. I'm happy she's recovering so well."

"Me too. Now she's even picking on us for not sleeping enough or eating properly."

"That's a good sign," Chris said smiling. "That's what moms are supposed to sound like. What about the credit you needed for the semester?" he then asked. "You're not going to get that now."

"Um ... I'll figure something out," Darren said. "I'm not too worried about that."

Chris sighed. "Now you sound exactly like Michael!"

Darren chuckled. "And you sound exactly like Anna."

Chris snorted. "That makes sense."

"Speaking of Michael and Anna, do you think they have a thing?"

"I can't tell yet," Chris answered. "It looks very family friendly so far, but they do talk a lot with each other."

"Well, they're probably talking about us," Darren suggested.

"Oh it would be so like them, wouldn't it."

"Totally." They both giggled. "There's nothing wrong with being family friendly by the way," Darren added.

Chris bit his lip. "No, but there's nothing wrong with being more either." He held his breath.

"How much more, Chris?" Darren asked mildly after a while.

"I'll tell you when you get your cute ass to LA. I promise."

"You're such a teaser, baby."

Chris' heart began to pound. The endearment that more and more often snuck its way into their conversations hit him straight in his stomach. "I miss you, Dare."

"I miss you, too, and I promise I'll come back to you as soon as possible."

"Thank you," Chris whispered.

Chris wanted to do something special for Darren as a surprise for the final show and he was working on several ideas until he reluctantly had to admit that one thing in particular would make Darren happy. Chris had to sing for him. As daunting as it appeared to be, he decided to do exactly that. He cleared it right away with Mrs. Nolan and as always the sweet encouraging woman was thrilled with the idea. He practiced for two days with a very patient pianist, who picked him up whenever he felt the task was too overwhelming or the song too demanding. But little by little he conquered and reached an acceptable result, even to his own critical ears.

Saturday Night Live was coming together nicely, too, and both Chris and Michael couldn't wait to present their material to a live audience. Anna had popped by now and then and given them some good pointers and Mrs. Nolan had preapproved their script. They were as ready as they could be.

Two days before final day Chris was working on his fairytale book. One wall in his room was plastered with sheets and notes. Ideas were still invading his imagination - and looking things over so far made it clear that the story had to be divided into several books. He picked up the phone when Darren was calling with his eyes still glued on his creative wall.

"Hey Darren."

"Hi," Darren said. "Just calling to talk with my favorite storyteller."

"Oh, he's not in. You'll have to do with me," Chris grinned.

"I will not even respond to that. Is everything coming along?"

"With the story or the final show?"

"The story," Darren clarified.

"The story is doing fine, but it will take years to write it all down I'm afraid."

"I can't wait to read the first pages. It will be awesome, Chris."

"I hope so. How's your mom today?"

"Every day is better ... "

"Why do I hear a but hidden somewhere?" Chris asked alarmed.

"It's about the final show." Darren hesitated, but Chris knew right away.

"You can't make it can you?" Chris asked.

"No. It's not that I don't want to. It's just hard to leave my mom. But I will get to LA in the middle of next week."

Chris tried his best to hide the disappointment. "It's alright you know. Nothing's more important than your family right now."

"Chris, I know you counted on me being there, but please don't go anywhere next week. I need to be with you."

"I'm not going anywhere. I've already given you my promise," Chris said tired.

When they hung up Chris dropped down on a chair. He wanted to be dignified about this, but it was a hard blow for so many reasons. Now Darren wouldn't hear the song that was dedicated to him in person and he wouldn't see the final version of Saturday Night Live and laugh at the newest jokes he and Michael had added. But the hardest part was missing him so insanely. The longing had changed from being a solely emotional strain to becoming a physical pain as well. Darren's name was the last thing he whispered before he fell asleep and the first thing on his mind when he opened his eyes. He sometimes woke up in the middle of the night, panting with a hard on because Darren had been wrapped around him in a dream or been inside of him. He had never imagined that love and desire could be this way, so overwhelming and completely out of control. It was not that he resented it. It was just so unfamiliar and new.

Final day came with all its excitement and bittersweet sense of something good and special almost being over. Last rehearsals were mixed with evaluations and closure. Chris was on edge. He would miss Mrs. Nolan's lessons and the friendships he had made over the summer and he was ridiculously emotional about Darren's absence. Michael did his best to cheer him up and Chris appreciated the effort more than anything.

The afternoon was packed with dress rehearsals and every group and every number had a certain amount of time on the stage. Late in the afternoon, only hours before curtain call, it was Chris and Michael's turn to do sound check and get the spots adjusted. Most of the students were hanging out at the auditorium, working as a test audience - and the Saturday Night Live sketch got a great response. Chris finally let go of his heavy heart and dived into every character he was presenting with new energy. The crazier he and Michael got the more their friends rewarded them with cheers and laughter.

In the middle of a line that was a complete tongue tying challenge Chris had given himself, a very specific laugh caught his attention completely. He choked on the spot and strained his eyes to see into the dark beyond the spotlight. Then he turned to Michael who pointed his lips to prevent a smile.

"Have you forgotten your line, Colfer?" he asked innocently.

Chris tried to land on his feet and make the puzzle fit as his heart began to pound ferociously. He quickly switched to a British accent. "I beg your pardon, a Queen never forgets her royal lines."

Everybody laughed again and this time Chris knew it for real. Darren was sitting in the auditorium and there was no question in his mind. A rush of relief and joy bubbled from within and he broke character for the second time when he couldn't prevent a huge smile from splitting his face. His head was spinning and with warm cheeks he looked bewildered at Michael. "Um ... where was I?"

Michael shook his head smirking. "Saturday Night Live," he answered; "Hillary Clinton, does that ring a bell?"

"Oh, yeah ... of course."