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Daren slowly sat up, forcing himself to be ok for Tim's sake. "talk about barrage of questions." he smiled at tim before lifting his arms to let the Doctor wrap him in bandages to hold his ribs in place, "i don't need medication, over the counter stuff will be fine. i'll be sore for a while, but it's nothing i can't handle." he held Tim's hand and gave it a little squeeze, "so you can calm down now."

Caesar nodded, "i'm not sure if you know or not, but i was the one who bought your flat. well, one of my men did. you things have been moved back into there as they were before, everything is ready for you to move right back in. keep the money for the flat as my way of apologizing for what happened to you here."

Daren looked up at the old man, "one condition to my staying, no-actually, two." Caesar lifted an eyebrow, waiting, "one is you don't do anything to the men that beat me. i fought back, they got their share of bruises as well, so there is no need for more. second, leave me the hell alone. i'm staying, so back off, if one of your men comes near me i'll hunt down your organization to the last member, and don't you think i can't do it."

Caesar couldn't help but smile as he pushed his glasses up further on his nose, "agreed, however, my men will be keeping an eye on Tim as always, so i hope you understand that exception."

Daren looked at Tim, "What do you think, want them off your back? then again, they are like your own personal army, ready to defend you at the drop of a hat."

Daren shrugged, "Fine, then i will allow that exception." the doctor finished and he struggled to get his shirt back on, but managed to do it on his own. "so, we've an understanding. where is my car? did you guys just ditch it on the side of the road?"

Caesar shrugged, "that couldn't be helped. couldn't have your car hanging around my house. we will buy you a new one. for now my men will take you to your flat. your motorcycle was easier to hide, it will be delivered as well."

Daren grimaced, not liking someone else driving his bike. "i'll call a taxi, thanks. no offence, but i'm happy never to see your men again." he lifted Apple into his arms and stood up, "see ya, old man. see you around, Tim." he smiled and head out, finally walking through that damned door to freedom.

Daren looked at Tim, "you drove your car here? didn't you just say you had lunch with Caesar? this isn't his house, so you drove from there to here or rode?" he asked, seeing the answer in Tim's eyes and smiling. "how about we take that Taxi to Caesar's house, pick up your car, and i hitch a ride from you to my place. sound good?" it would give Tim more time with him and he was fairly certain that was something Tim would like.

Daren shook his head, "no, they wouldn't have left my bike here in case i somehow got out of my room and made a run for it." he stepped out and saw that there was a cab already waiting. Caesar worked fast. he opened the door for Tim and then got in after him, feeling a bit strange to be out and about after so long of confinement. "i don't know his address, so-" he looked at Tim a little hopefully.

Daren scratched Apple's ears as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes, "sleep. i haven't been able to really sleep since i knew i was being watched the entire time. i'm turning off the lights, curling up in my bed, and going to pass out for a couple years. after that?" he shook his head, "i have no idea. do i contact Iroh and say 'hey, just kidding, i'm back! Chicago air didn't agree with me. oh, can i have me job back?' no," Daren shook his head, "knowing him, he knows i never arrived in Chicago. he's probably been panicking this entire time, so i need to let him know i'm ok. but if i call, he'll want to see me and i don't want him to see this." he gestured to his face, "so i have to figure out if i call now or wait until my face is healed at least." he glanced over at Tim, "what are your plans for the evening, going to tell Andy i'm back?" Andy would be happy he caved in, he'd been one of his only non-violent visitors, but he was constantly pleading with him to agree to stay so he was annoying.

Daren shook his head, "it's not my looks i'm worried about, but his reaction. he's never coped well with my getting hurt and being someone's punching bag won't help that." he instinctively pulled away from the touch, but then forced himself to relax into it. the question gave him pause, did he answer truthfully? but Daren wasn't about to lie to Tim. "yeah, but i don't think he's a bad guy. annoying as hell, but not bad. he'd come and see me, try and talk me into agreeing the entire time he was there, but he'd make sure i had enough supplies and would clean the cuts i couldn't reach on my own. you've a good friend, Tim."

"Give the man a cookie, i'm sure he would be estatic." they stopped in front of what had to be Caesar's place and Daren pulled out wallet to pay. they had allowed him to keep it during his stay, mainly to keep him from thinking they were stealing him money or something. now he was glad to have it. "thank you," he nodded to the drive and got out, glancing around without thinking. there was a woman looking out the window of the house, watching them a little sadly and Daren frowned, "know her?" he asked, nodding to the window as he walked to Tim's car.

Daren looked at the woman before nodding to her, it wasn't her fault her husband had kept him. she gave him a small smile and looked-relieved. maybe she had been against his being held. he got in and thought for a moment, "i should stop and get food, but really, i don't want to. i can go shopping tomorrow, for now i just want to be home." he looked over at Tim, "your bed is probably still there, if you want. you would spend the night, or go back to your place. but if you ever want to, your welcome to stay over." he didn't expect Tim to ever want to move in with him again, but he might like to sleep over now and then and Daren was ok with that.