"There you are. Try not to get into any more accidents." The doctor smiled at Todd and Matt kindly.

"Oh, no, ma'am." Todd gave her his best innocent smile. "We're sorry to have bothered you."

The doctor laughed lightly. "You're not bothering me at all. I'm part of Near's personal staff. We almost never get any patients except for the routine physicals and such."

"Well, thank you again Ma'am." Todd pushed Matt out the door in front of him. "What is wrong with you?" He asked Matt. "Are you trying to kill yourself again?"

Matt looked at him with eyes half mast. A sad expression mingled with the look of curiosity at his friend's last statement.

"That's right. I knew you were cutting before. Why do you think your razors always disappeared?" Todd pulled him into the room.

Matt lay on the bed, bandaged arm covering his eyes. "I don't really care anymore."

Todd sighed. "You can't just stop caring."

"Watch me." Matt snapped. "It's really simple and it's better that way. If I don't care then it won't hurt. Why can't anybody understand that?"

"I do understand but just because I understand doesn't mean I'm going to let you sink into misery." Todd said firmly. He moved Matt arm. "Do you hear me? I won't."

Matt looked away and bit his lip, trying hard not to cry again. "Leave me alone."

"No."

"Leave me alone. I'm about to cry and I think I've made myself look like enough of an idiot for one day." Matt rolled over onto his side and buried his head in the crook of his arm.

Todd laughed. "Is that what you're worried about? Looking like an idiot?" Todd laughed until tears rolled down his face.

"Wow, thanks." Matt muttered.

"I'm sorry, Matt." Todd held his sides as he laughed. "It's almost a relief that you think crying in front of someone is your biggest problem."

Matt scowled for a moment but Todd's laughter was infectious and he could help but gave forth a sad smile.

The smile didn't last long as Near burst into the room followed by Jay. "Matt, what happened?" Near yelled. The worry was clear in his voice and on his face. "I heard you got into an accident."

Todd sobered quickly. "He did but he's fine now. I took him to get stitches and he'll be fine."

"Kid, you had us worried." Jay said as he smoked his cigarette.

"How did you know?" Matt allowed Jay to hold his hand to examine the bandage.

"I have the doctors and nurses page me whenever someone needs their help." The look in Near's eye told Matt that the doctors only paged him when it was Matt.

"Um, Near can I ask you for a favor?" Matt asked.

"Of course." Near played with his hair again and tried to look anywhere but at Matt's arm.

Matt looked at Todd imploringly. The jovial teen immediately took the hint and grabbed Jay's hand, dragging him out the room with him.

"Near, I want…I need to take…an STD test." Matt bowed his head in shame.

Near's eyes widened in surprise. "Alright. If that's what you want then I'll get one of my doctors."

Matt nodded. "I need to do this."

"I can have a doctor ready for you within the hour."

"Thank you." Matt closed his eyes and tried not to feel nauseous with the thought about what could be. "Near, could you not mention this to Jay? You know how his is. I don't want him to freak out over nothing."

"I understand." Near cautiously held onto Matt's hand. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

The red-head looked at him skeptically. "You don't know that."

"No but I have faith."

`--------------------

A couple hours later Matt was sitting on a high stool in Near's personal doctor's office.

"We're still waiting on two more of the tests but so far you're clean." The same doctor from before announced as she came in, carry a clipboard.

Matt nodded but didn't return the smile. He didn't feel clean. "Can Todd come in?"

"Of course." The doctor walked out and came back a few seconds later with Todd. She left again to give them some privacy.

"So?" Todd asked, shifting on his feet nervously.

"The doctor said they're waiting on two more tests but so far I'm clean." Matt put his elbow on the counter next to him and rested his head on his hand. He was suddenly exhausted.

"Well that's great." Todd looked at him nervously. "Are you ok? You don't look to good."

"I'm fine. Where's Mello?" Why isn't he here with me?

Todd shrugged. "After you locked yourself in the bathroom he left."

"Oh." Was all Matt said. I can't expect him to be by me all the time.

The doctor walked back in. "Well, Matt, it seems you're clean. One thing that bothers me is your low white count. I want you to get lots of rest and come back in a week ok?"

"I'll make sure he does exactly as you say." Todd grinned roguishly at the attractive doctor.

"Thank you, Todd." The doctor dismissed them with a wink and a smile.

Matt leaned on Todd as they walked back to his room.

"Really, Matt, you don't look to good." Todd's whole demeanor exuded worry.

"I'm fine I just have slept in awhile." He yawned to prove his point.

Mello came jogging around the corner and almost ran into them. "Matt, what are you doing here?" He asked apprehensively.

"I…I took…an STD test." Matt muttered. He was glad he had rolled down his long sleeves to hide the bandage.

"I, um…." Mello stuttered. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have gone with you."

"'Cause you left, asshole." Todd whispered under his breath.

Mello hugged the injured gamer gently. "I'm here for you Matt. We're still together aren't we? You're not mad at me, are you?"

"I'm not mad." Matt said.

"Great." Mello released his lover. "I'll go out and get you something from your favorite restaurant. OK? I'll see you later." He jogged past them and rounded a corner.

Todd and Matt kept walking and were about to turn the corner when they were almost run over again. This time by someone Matt had only seen once from the last time he had spent here with Near.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry." The man said, brushing his suit jacket nervously. His eyes widened with recognition. "Matt, I'm sorry."

"It's alright Gevanni. Have you met my friend Todd yet?" Matt absentmindedly brushed the hair from in front of his eyes with his hand.

"No, I have not. Hello Todd. How are you?" Gevanni extended a polite hand to Todd.

Todd's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Fine." He said tersely, refusing to shake Gevanni's hand. "Excuse us but we have things to do." Todd sneered as they walked past him.

"What was that about?" Matt asked as he lay wearily amongst the pillows of his bed.

"Don't worry about it. Go to sleep." Todd pulled Matt's boots off for him as Matt was already half asleep.

"Thanks, Todd. You're a great friend." Mumbled Matt.

"You to." Todd ruffled Matt's hair fondly.

Matt drifted off to a sleep devoid of nightmares or terrible memories.

A/N- Ok so I like this story, I really do, but I'm thinking maybe one or two chapters left unless I get seven (7) reviews. K? If I get those lucky 7 reviews I may start taking ideas...maybe. Remember ~ reviews = love.