Author's Note: So, this is the end. :) Despite all the angst going on, I had lots of fun writing this story and I want to thank all of you who read, reviewed and put up favs and alerts. You make my day!

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When Will reached Benji's hospital room, he paused with a hand on the handle. He didn't know what would happen once he opened that door, but whatever it was, he knew it couldn't wait any longer. Whatever was about to happen, it had to happen now. So he took a deep breath and soundlessly opened the door. However, he wasn't prepared for how much it hurt to see Benji like that.

The technician was still pale as a ghost, almost blending in with the hospital sheets that couldn't conceal the fact that he was hooked up to various machines whose quiet humming was the only sound in the room. His eyes were closed, eyelashes resting against the oxygen mask that covered half of his face. He looked fast asleep, so Will tried to make no sound as he crossed the room. Still, either because he wasn't as quiet as he wanted to be or Benji's agent senses were kicking in, his lover's eyes suddenly flew open and immediately focused on him.

As soon as Benji realized who had entered his room, his face morphed into an expression of intense pain and regret and he had to look away. Will slowly approached the bed and sat on the edge, waiting for Benji to lock eyes with him once more. When the technician continued to look anywhere but him, the analyst reached out and cradled his face in his hands, gently forcing him to meet his eyes.

Will could feel Benji's chest shudder beneath his elbows as the technician desperately tried to reign in his emotions. His eyes were shining with unshed tears and Will could feel his own eyes stinging with tears of helpless regret. They stared at each other for a moment, but Benji couldn't hold his gaze for long and shut his eyes instead, letting the tears fall.

Heaving a deep sigh, Will wiped them away. His trembling hands removed the oxygen mask and he slowly, leisurely pressed a kiss to his lover's mouth, effectively caging in the sobs that threatened to escape. They kissed over and over again until Benji had calmed down, once more breathing easily. Tenderly slipping the oxygen mask back into place, the analyst leaned his forehead against Benji's.

After a few long seconds of laying his own fluttering nerves to rest, he pulled back enough to look his lover in the eye. "You moron!" The edge in his voice melted away with the kiss he pressed to Benji's brow. "Don't do that again. Ever! You hear me?"

Benji nodded, leaning into the kiss. That was all the reassurance Will needed. They didn't speak, but instead revelled in the feeling of being free once again – free of guilt, free of secrets and most of all free of worry. The trust that had been broken could be mended by and by.

When Ethan and Jane found them a few minutes later – Benji curled against Will's chest who held him like he could protect him from the world with that simple embrace alone – they shared a knowing look and silently backed out of the room. Everything was back to how it was supposed to be.

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Thank you very much for reading! :)

I take my hat off to anyone who lives with diabetes mellitus – and especially IDDM – day after day.

Love, RuinNine