Anders hated hospitals. Always had and always will. It probably had something to do with the fact he was in and out of them when he was a kid because he got sick or because he "fell down the stairs" of his one story home…a lot. Either way, he had vowed to avoid them at all costs and he KNEW that Dawn knew that so when Dawn led him and Danny through the front doors, he wasn't slow in vocalizing his distaste. "I hate hospitals," he muttered, looking around as if he was afraid he would catch the plague.

"You wanted proof that Danny isn't yours so I am providing that for you," Dawn replied without even looking at him. She kept her hand firmly on Danny's so she wouldn't lose him in the crowd. Occasionally Danny turned to look at Anders and when he saw the young boy's face, Anders could tell that Danny wasn't a big fan of hospitals either. Finally Dawn found the front desk and stalked up to it quickly. "Excuse me, I would like to order these two a paternity test," she informed the receptionist.

"Are you the mother?"

"What? No, no I'm a friend."

At this point Dawn ushered Danny forward and pulled Anders to the desk. The receptionist took a quick look at them and asked, "Are these the two subjects then?"

Before Anders could use Bragi to talk his way out of the situation, Dawn replied, "Yes they are and don't listen to whatever he has to say because he will use any excuse to try and get out of getting stabbed with a needle."

"Needles? What do you mean needles?" Anders asked rather quickly, casting a worried glance at Dawn.

Dawn just smiled and pushed him towards the exam room that the receptionist had informed they would be going. On many occasions Anders tried to open his mouth to talk Dawn out of this but every time he tried he quickly cut her off. Eventually she sat him and Danny down in the waiting room while she went to find a cup of tea. Anders sat in the chair with his arms crossed, attempting to close himself off from the rest of the room and make himself as small as humanly possible. Danny soot next to him, his little feet swinging seeing as how they couldn't reach the floor. The two sat in silence, Danny looking around in worry and awe as Anders tried to think of a way out of being in the hospital. He really hoped that Michelle was not at work today and wouldn't see him here. Oh how he didn't want to explain this to her. Surely if she saw him she would tell Mike and then Mike would call a thing and everyone would know and everything would turn to shit.

So lost in his own brewing he nearly jumped out of his seat when Danny gently tapped him on the arm. "Fuck, don't do that!" he cursed as he attempted to slow down his racing heart.

"Sorry."

After taking a deep breath, Anders settled back in his chair. A few moments later Danny tapped him on the arm again. This time he didn't jump with fright Instead he turned to Danny and asked, "What?"

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"Then go to the bathroom, why are you telling me?"

"I don't know where it is."

"And you think I do? Ask one of the nurses."

Anders turned to look away but Danny grabbed his sleeve and yanked. Before Anders could say anything he saw Danny's eyes looking at him in a pleading way as he said, "I don't want to go alone."

Anders sighed. Why in the world did this have to happen to him? He wanted to say to grow up and stop being a baby but there was something about the puppy dog eyes Danny was giving him that made him feel sorry for him. After he sighed, he replied, "Fuck…fine, let's go."

Anders quickly stood up and began to walk away with Danny following right behind him. As he tried to find his way to the bathroom (because he had no idea where it was either) he felt Danny grab his hand. In shock he looked down and saw Danny beaming as he trotted alongside Anders. What was wrong with this kid? If Anders was Danny's age he wouldn't want to be anywhere near Anders. But then again, this kid barely knew him. Instead of telling him to let go he decided to let him be and eventually, after much weaving around they finally stumbled upon it. When he led Danny inside he didn't see a familiar brunette catch sight of Anders leading a little boy into the lavatory.

As Danny went to do his business Anders rinsed his face off with water. The cool feeling of the water on his skin was refreshing. So lost in his bliss he was nearly scared shitless again when Danny pulled on his jacket. "Fuck! What did I say about doing that?!"

"Sorry, I just wanted to let you know I was done."

"Yes, I can see that. Come on, then."

As they exited the bathroom, Danny asked, "What is fuck?"

Anders wasn't sure what shocked him more, the question or hearing such a foul word come out of such a young boy's mouth. "What?"

"You keep saying that word so I was wondering what 'fuck' means?"

Anders could feel the eyes of disapproving faces landing on him as he quickly knelt in front of Danny and explained, "It's a word that you shouldn't say."

"But you say it."

"Yes but I'm much older than you so I'm allowed to say it."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Because I said so, that's why now let's go get this stupid test done."

When they arrived back at the waiting room the doctor was ready for them and led them into the lab. When the doctor went to draw his blood, Anders' face paled. Oh how he hated needles. He flinched and turned away when he saw the needle go in and winced when he felt it prick his skin. Thankfully the test was over quickly and after bandaging it up Anders was free to go outside with Dawn and Danny. Once they left the lab the doctor came out and said, "Aright, we got everything we need, we will contact you in a week to let you know the results."

"A week?" Anders asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Do you have any questions for me?"

Anders wanted to ask why it would take so fucking long but Dawn beat him to the punch. "No, we are fine. Thank you, Doctor."

Before Anders could protest anymore Dawn dragged him from the building with Danny in tow. Just as they were leaving the doctor was approached by a female with dark hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. "What were they doing here?" she asked.

"Oh, just another paternity test. Bloody fools can't seem to keep it in their pants, can they?"

Michelle gleamed as she looked back at the door that Anders had disappeared through. "No they can't."

TBC…

So honestly I have no idea how long a paternity test takes BUT I figured it wouldn't be done in a matter of hours. PLUS I want to establish some sort of character development before Anders finds out if Danny is really his. What do you think? Please review!