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"I'm sorry. Dinner isn't quite what I had in mind as a pick your spirits up thing. I knew this play was a comedy, but I didn't realize how dark the humour is."

"It's quite alright," insisted Alex. "I've been laughing the whole time. It's really funny."

"Yeah, but the humour is pitch black; perhaps the darkest I've ever seen. Still, the play is supremely funny."

"That's an understatement on both counts," said Alex, more than a little glee in his voice. He was enjoying himself thoroughly.

It cheered his companion to see Alex show any happiness. "I mean, Lobster Apocalypse?"

"I was rather fond of the Primordial Soup bit. But I think what does it for me is the biting sarcasm that doesn't stop."

"Of course," said Alex's companion with a grimace. This wasn't what he had in mind. It was supposed to be a light night out on the town before Alex returned home. The road ahead of Alex was difficult and the goal was to get Alex's head in a better place. Now he didn't think that this play was a good idea, yet Alex did seem to be enjoying it.

Three chimes signalled the end of the brief interval and the two boys sat back down. The theatre grew dark moments later, and the safety curtain lifted.

In the dark, the boys' hands intertwined. They didn't revel in this simple act, but rather concentrated on the play in front of them. The simple act spoke volumes, though.

The play's ending clearly surprised the audience as the stark silence indicated before thunderous applause erupted and everyone rose to their feet and brought the house down. The actors had to make three curtain calls before the tumultuous accolades even began to die down.

The two young men left the theatre, and went right into the Leicester Square tube station, which was only a few feet from the theatre. It was packed, naturally. There was going to be a noticeable wait before they could even get on a train.

"Where to next?" asked Alex.

"Back to the hospital. First the tube, and then a cab. You know that."

"I know: Dinner and then Dinner. It was a rather clever and nice thing you did for me. I appreciate it."

"Good. I'm glad. I just want you to get better. I'm just not sure Dinner was the right selection given your current condition."

"I will get better, you know. They're sending me home in a few days."

"I know."

Alex stood silently, weighing his friend's tone and body language before changing the subject. "And dinner was great, too. Thanks again. Everything tonight was first-rate."

"Nothing beats good, authentic Italian," replied Alex's friend.

"How on earth did you find such a small, out-of-the-way place?" asked Alex, amazed that anyone would even consider going into such a hole-in-the-wall.

A train swooshed into the station, and waited as a rush of people disembarked. As soon as people were done exiting the train, the throng pushed forward -- rushing to claim the few seats as they quickly filled.

"An accident, really. I made a wrong turn onto Frith Street and there was Little Italy. I thought the restaurant was part of the chain with that same name, but it isn't. It's a real honest-to-God Italian restaurant run by Italians with a mostly Italian clientele."

Eventually, they exited the tube, and took a cab the remainder of the way to the hospital. They stopped just outside the entrance to the hospital, and faced each other.

"I can't believe they let you leave for a night on the town, Alex."

"It surprised me too, but they thought it might be good for me. I guess the doctor wanted to see how I handled it before putting me on a plane ride home. Delos and the parents have already left. It's been nearly three weeks," stated Alex flatly, looking at the ground.

Alex felt arms wrap around him, before he looked up. He felt the warmth in the gaze and he returned it in kind.

"Alex, I guess it was good for you. I can't go past the front desk, so I really do need to say good-bye here. You know I really do love you...."

"Yeah, I know," acknowledged Alex with a happy smile before leaning in, surprising his companion with a quick kiss before breaking the embrace, and then walking into the hospital.

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