ANGEL EYES

Angel Eyes is written by Ridgley Warfield. All rights to this fan fiction belong to me. I am not, nor do I know, Stephen Gately or Eloy de Jong. This story is completely fiction and holds no true information. The song Angel Eyes was written and composed by Benjamin Boyce, Alex Trime, and Sven Jordan and was published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing/SFR Music.

My love I have something to say
I'm leaving you tomorrow again
All that's left is tears in your eyes
Don't tell me that it's over today

Stephen Gately looked up from his book as his lover entered the room. His heart sank as he saw the frightened, pale look in Eloy's features.

"Are you okay, babe?" Steve asked concerned. Eloy sat next to the younger man, reaching for Stephen's hand. His face twisted in agony and his lower lip trembled from threatening tears. Steve's blood ran cold and he squeezed Eloy's hand reasurringly.

"Stephen...I..." Eloy fumbled with the words and choked out an anquished sob. "I'm dying."

"W-w-what?" Stephen stuttered in disbelief, his blue eyes shimmering like a sea.

"I have cancer and it's spreading...there's nothing they can do."

"No!" Stephen sobbed, wrapping his arms tightly around Eloy's trembling shoulders. "God...no...Eloy, no!"

"I'm so sorry, Steve." Eloy whimpered as the couple cried in grief.

I tried to smile and make believe
That I was strong enough to leave
Angel Eyes, I know you can't go on anymore

As the weeks following the devasting news passed by, Stephen knew Eloy's health was rapidly declining. It was becoming more and more challenging to keep up with a simple everyday routine and both men knew time was running out.

*****

Stephen had just stepped out of a hot shower when he heard an awful crash of pans and one of their dogs yelp. He rushed towards the kitchen, clad only in a robe, to find Eloy on the floor, unconscious.

"Oh god!" He grabbed the telephone and dialed for an ambulance as he knelt at Eloy's side, taking his hand with one hand and wiping tears from his cheeks with the other. "I need help...my fiance has just collapsed." Stephen gave their address to the dispatch officer and waited for help to arrive. His body wracked with sobs, fearing this was the end.

Stephen punched in another number on the phone and choked when a woman's voice answered.

"Lucienne," Stephen barely croaked out Eloy's sisters' name.

"Stephen! What's wrong? What's happened?!" Her frantic calls were only answered with incoherent sobs of pain and grief. "Stephen, please...is he okay?" Her own voice shook, revealing her tears and dread.

"He...collasped." Stephen finally managed between sobs. "The ambulance...is on the way."

Lucienne's voice was muffled by gutwrenching cries and Stephen heard her getting further away as her husband took over the receiver.

"Stephen? We'll meet you at the hospital." Steve could only nod, vaguely knowing Andries could not see him, and dropped the phone at his side on the floor.

Angel Eyes, Don't say good bye
Come on, Don't make me cry
I'll return on another day
To hold you in my arms again
Angel Eyes, Don't say good bye, again

Stephen hadn't moved from Eloy's comatos side in nearly two days. Though the tears had subsided, the turmoil within him darkened his once bright features. A gentle hand on his shoulder pulled him from his silent reverie. Eloy's mother leaned over her son's still body and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Go home, Stephen, you need your rest." Lenie's voice was soft and caring as she spoke. He shook his head, but said nothing. Before she could say more, Bastiaan Ragas knocked on the open door. Being a life-long friend of Eloy's, Bas had been shattered at the news of Eloy's illness.

"How's he doing?" Bastiaan questioned simply as he approached the bedrail, placing a hand on Eloy's knee. Stephen glanced up at the tall blonde man. Bastiaan's face was drawn and tight and his blue eyes were a dull grey.

"There's been no change for better or worse." Stephen reported, his voice soft with defeat.

"I guess no change is better than anything else." Bas pointed out, hinting Stephen's tone. He sighed and gave Eloy's leg a small squeeze. "What did you get into this time, E?"

Stephen's eyes filled with fresh tears and he bowed his head. Bastiaan looked at Lenie, a silent request passing between them. Lenie nodded and left the room, closing the door after her. At her exit, Bastiaan knelt next to Stephen.

"Tell me this is a dream, Bastiaan, tell me this is not happening."

"As much as I want to, Steve, we both know that this is real."

"I can't live without him." Stephen whispered, eyes closed.

"Everything will be all right, Stephen. I know how unfair this seems, because it really sucks that this happened to Eloy, but you and I both know he'll always be here in spirit. As long as we remember him, he'll always live in our hearts and I know for a fact that *that* is exactly where Eloy would want to be--in your heart."

Stephen fell in Bastiaan with uncontrollable sobs and Bas held him tenderly, fighting back the heartbreaking cries of his own that tore at this throat.

The love we share don't throw it away
I'm gone for a while but just wait
I'm squeezing your hand give me one final kiss
So give me a chance, say you'll stay
Angel Eyes, my destiny
I love you endlessly yeh
Angel eyes I know you can't go on anymore

Eloy began to stir in the bed, startling both Stephen and Bastiaan. He gave a weak smile to his friends and looked around the room momentarily. Stephen grabbed Eloy's hand, hugging it to him, lovingly, as he bent down to kiss Eloy's forehead.

Bastiaan and Eloy locked eyes knowingly, and Bas lowered his head, a strangled sob escaping his lips. Stephen looked between Bastiaan and Eloy, fear in his eyes. Eloy squeezed Stephen's hand weakly.

"Stephen...it's time." Eloy's voice was weak and Stephen shook his head frantically.

"No, Eloy, don't leave me...not now." Stephen's tears fell onto Eloy's face, making it harder for Eloy to be strong.

"I have to go away for a while, Stephen, but when I see you again I'll be better and we can be together forever."

"I love you so much, Eloy."

"As I love you, mijn bestemming...my beautiful destiny."

"I can't say good bye, Eloy, not yet..."

"Angel Eyes, don't say good bye...come on, Stephen, don't make me cry. You know I'll return another day and I'll hold you in my arms again." A single tear slipped down Eloy's cheek and he took a shallow breath. "Kiss me, Stephen, please..."

Stephen pressed his lips to Eloy's, willing him to live with that final kiss, but Eloy's breath stopped and his body fell limp.

Steve kept his lips against his lover's even as he wept uncontrollably. He held onto Eloy's lifeless body for a long while until he felt Bastiaan's hand on his shoulder. Stephen numbly turned away from Eloy and squeezed his eyes shut, allowing one last tear to be shed, and falling into Bastiaan's emotional embrace.

Your love forfilled my soul
On those lonely nights
The future seems so bright if you stay

Angel Eyes, Don't say good bye
Come on, Don't make me cry
I'll return on another day
To hold you in my arms again
Angel eyes, don't say good bye again

Don't say good bye