The Hardest Part ~PG-13~ Chapters 1 - 10
Title: The Hardest Part ~PG-13~ Chapters 1 - 10
By: Nikki
Rating: PG-13
Chapters: 1 - 10
Characters: Orlando, Tiffany, Karl and Nikki
Status: Still working on it
Summary: Life comes out you fast.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters.
Chapter 1
"Nikki! Get up already!"yelled Tiffany as she knocked at Nikki's door.
"Let me at least have 2 more hours of sleep,"she mumbled under her breath.
"Do you want to miss the shoot?"
"Girl,it's only 6:30. We don't need to be there for another 3 hours...."
"Karl's there..."
There's no way I'm going to miss him,she thought. "Ok.I'm getting up! Just give me about 10 minutes."
"Don't you want to take a shower."
"Then give me an hour."
She laughed. "I was just joking."
"I took a shower last night for your information."
"I did not want to know that."
"Then shut up and let me get ready dammit."
"All right. Sorry."
She opened the door and stared at her. "You ever do that again and you know I'll kill you."
"That was fast."
"Well,you know me,"she said as they walked down the hall. "So,has Orlando called you or anything?"
"Not since Monday. He's been really busy."
"I don't blame him."
"Anyone call you?"
"Dom called me last night. That's why I didn't get a lot of sleep."
"What were you guys talking about?"
She sighed.
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm just really tired. That's all."
"Then tell me what you guys talked about!"
"Oh,he was just being really nice to me. He thanked me for returning his horse. You heard what happened right?"
"Didn't everyone?"
She laughed. "I guess so."
"I think Karl really likes you. You should have seen his face when you were riding that horse yesterday."
"I like him too..."
"So..."
"So what?"
"You guys should hook up."
"You're kidding right?"
"Well,we'll just see what happens."
"I guess so..."
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Chapter 2
About twenty minutes later, Nikki and Tiffany finally pulled up at the movie set.
Other than the usual craziness of everyone running around doing this or that, things seemed pretty normal.
Tiffany took a quick look around and was left confused, stopping midstep.
"Uh...what are you doing?" Nikki asked in frustration.
"Something is up. Do you see any of the guys around? All I see are the crew and..." Out of nowhere ran Elijah screaming frantically, taking shelter behind Tiffany and Nikki.
It wasn't long before Orlando came chasing behind him, laughing hysterically with his bow and arrow in hand.
"Where is that cheeky little bugger?" Orlando questioned in front of them, his brow raised in mischeviousness.
"Oh I don't know..." Tiffany grinned, motioning with her eyes over her shoulder.
Within a few seconds, Orlando swung behind Tiffany and Elijah, in the process of trying to get away, slammed into Nikki.
"Now you've done it Lij! Mind telling us what it is you've done to elf boy now?" Nikki practically screamed, shoving him away from her.
"Actually I think I might be able to fill you in." A fourth voice came into play, one which Nikki instantly recognized. 'Great, what am I supposed to do now?' She thought to herself.
She turned around meeting Karl with a smile.
"Sure why not?"
She and Tiffany waited for him to fill them in but he too seemed to be waiting. Elijah had long run off and Orlando was now behind Tiffany, his arms around her waist with a humorous expression.
"Um sometime today?" Nikki said with sarcasm.
"I was kind of hoping I'd leave Elfy here to fill in Tiff and I'd take you on a walk?"
Nikki looked to Tiffany, knowing without a doubt she'd kill her if she didn't go with him.
"Okay."
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Chapter 3
"I'm sorry I didn't go to talk to you yesterday,"said Karl as he looked at her.
"It's all right."
"You're not hurt are you?"
She shook her head. "No. I was fine. But thank you for asking."
He stopped and looked at her. "Nikki...I really like you."
"I really like you too Karl."
"Will you go out with me?"
Her face gave him a big grin. "I'd-I'd love to!"
"I'm sorry if I seem a little awkward."
She laughed. "You don't know me very well do you?" She went looked at the horses and went silent.
"Want to go for a little ride before we have to get into costume?"
"You know I'd love to."
He kissed her cheek and they raced to the barn.
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Chapter 4
Once Karl and Nikki had left for their walk, Tiffany turned in Orlando's arms, giving him a short peck.
"Now, enlighten me as to what the hobbit has done today? Running around with a bow and arrow aimed at a fellow castmate isn't exactly what I'd like to call professional." She joked.
"Professional? Right, like anything about this cast is professional." He replied, mocking her tone.
"So what did he do?"
"Let's just say I had some friends in my tights when I put them on and they weren't exactly friendly." He told her with a whine.
She couldn't help but laugh.
"Why don't you laugh at me...go ahead. Having ants in your pants isn't exactly what I'd call humorous, love." This brought her into gut wrenching giggles.
"Oh baby, I'm sorry, it really isn't funny. I'm just laughing because leave it to Lij to come up with something as cruel as that. And expect for you NOT to do something about it."
"Well you know," He said in a husky tone, nuzzling her neck, "I'm not due to be on set for another hour, want to come with me to my trailer?"
"Um, let me think about that. What exactly would we be doing in your trailer?" Tiffany asked sexily, tracing his ear with her finger.
He laughed deeply in response and just as they were about to walk off, they ran into Billy and Dom who were joking and each eating apples.
"Don't you two ever stop eating?" Tiffany groaned. They looked to each other and then both stared back at her with huge grins.
"No. Wha are ye two doin'?" Billy questioned.
"Well, for one we're not talking to you filthy hobbits." Orlando muttered through clenched teeth and hurriedly pulled Tiffany with him towards his trailer.
As they reached his trailer, Orlando and Tiffany were in passionate kiss. He struggled trying to get the door open and it wouldn't budge. He drew back after a few moments, trying to find his key.
"Bloody hell!" He yelled.
"What's wrong Orli?" Tiffany asked in amusement.
"My bloody trailer is locked and I don't have my key! And what's worse is it was unlocked when I left it."
Tiffany looked to the window and tried to stifle a laugh but failed miserably. Orlando turned to look at her.
"Ok, love, mind telling me what you find funny about this?" He growled.
"Oh nothing humorous, just that, I think I know why you can't get in." She told him with a kiss, then pointed to the window. Orlando's face reddened and he balled up his fists.
"I'm going to kill that bloody Frodo..." There was Elijah waving victoriously at Orlando from the window of his trailer with horrendous smirk.
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Chapter 5
I thought that something wasn’t right about this. I was worried that something might happen. I was so supposed to be going back home in a couple of weeks,but I didn’t want to. I loved New Zealand too much,and I couldn’t leave Karl. I would hate that. But I don’t want to tell him anything. I love him too much now.
“Nikki?”asked Karl as we walked back to the set.
“Yeah?”
“Is something wrong?”
She shook her head. “No I’m fine. Why?”
“You’ve been silent this whole time.”
“I’ve just been thinking about some things.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Karl…I’m going back home in a couple of weeks…but I don’t want to leave. I love you too much.”
“Then you don’t have to go back.”
“You don’t understand. My parents will kill me if I don’t go back.”
“Do you really want to go back?”
She shook her head. “No I don’t.”
“Then I can call your parents and I’ll let you stay at my house.”
“Thanks.”
He was about to kiss her,but then he saw Viggo arguing with Elijah. “Oooooh boy.”
Nikki then ran up to Tiffany to see what was wrong. “Orlando and I got locked out. Elijah has the keys.”
“So what’s why Viggo’s here?”
“Yep.”
“Lovely. Get Aragon to deal with this. I thought you knew better Orlando.”
“Very funny,”he said.
“Nice going prissy elf,”said Karl.
Orlando gave him a look.
Karl gave him a smile. “Don’t worry. Viggo’s got it all taken care of.” Karl looked back at Nikki. “Want to go back to my place?”
“Actually,I need to go get my costume on,”she said.
“Oh all right. You do make one pretty elf.” He smiled and kissed her. “I’ll see you in a bit then.”
“I love you!”and she ran off.
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Chapter 6
"Aren't you going with Nikki love?" Orlando asked, still waiting on everyone else to buzz off.
"No, not yet. Her shoot is a little sooner than mine. I was just going to go walk around set for a minute." She said quietly. Orlando picked up quickly that something was wrong. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her head with his finger.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
She wanted to tell him she loved him but the guilt of saying those words and then leaving in a matter of weeks wouldn't let her get the words out. She'd had long distance relationships before and they never worked out. Besides, back at home, she had a very demanding job working for a children's charity and a rather busy family. Something was always going on with someone. And then there was Nikki.
If the change in she and Karl's relationship just five minutes ago was any indication as to how she truly felt about him, then she and Tiffany were both going to be in the dumps.
She was quickly brought out of her thoughts by Orlando, snapping his fingers in front of her face.
"Wha...what did you say?"
"I asked what's wrong?"
"It's just that...I wanted to..." She tried but of course failed miserably.
"Is this about you leaving?" He asked quieter with a knowing tone. Her head shot up and her eyes met his as she slowly nodded.
"Orli, I don't know what to do. I've got my job at home and a family that needs me. Lord knows they're probably tearing each other to shreds by now."
"Sounds like you've got your mind made up about leaving." He replied, sighing in disappointment.
"What do you mean? I haven't made my mind up about anything! I don't know WHAT to do! I have a life back home and here I've got..." He turned expectantly, waiting to hear her finally say it.
Instead he saw her eyes well up and within a moment she was gone. She ran off in Nikki's path.
Karl who witnessed the whole thing, came up behind Orlando, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Does Elfy actually need advice from the wisdom of man?"
"Sod off Karl. I don't even know what really happened."
"Not even Nikki ran off like that."
"What? You mean, you and Nikki have already discussed this?"
"Yeah and I'm arranging for her to stay with me at my place now."
"That's what I want to do! But she keeps throwing in this line of her job and her family and if I push too hard I feel like I'm trying to tell her that her life back at home doesn't matter and isn't important."
"Do you love her Orlando?"
"You know I do Karl."
"Well then I suggest you remove the tights, become a real man and go after her."
"Thanks and by the way, what did Viggo say to Lij?"
"It's not what he said, it's what he's doing..." Karl smiled, looking over his shoulder.
Orlando erupted into laughter before going into his trailer to change.
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Chapter 7
Nikki stood outside her trailor and saw Tiffany running to hers in tears.
"Tiffany! Are you all right?"she asked as she ran over to her and gave her a hug.
"I just don't know what to do anymore Nikki."
"Tell me what's wrong."
She shook her head. "No. You should go to your shoot."
"Not with you like this! I care about you hon. Tell me what's wrong."
"I'm just so confused."
"About what?"
"If I should leave or not."
Oh god,she thought. We've already been down this road before. Why doesn't she just tell Orlando that she loves him? "Do you really love him?"
"You know I do."
"This is only my opinion Tiffany,but I think you should stay with him."
"I need to go back too."
"Orlando loves you Tiffany. You know he'll give you unconditional love for the rest of your life."
"But what if things go wrong?"
"Did anyone say that life was supposed to be perfect?"
"No. You're right."
"But you do what's right. It's really up to you hon."
"So,where are you off to now?"
"I'm gonna go to the stables and see my horse. Maybe ride her for a little bit. Wanna come with me?"
"Nah. I think I'll pass. Thanks for asking though. I won't forget what you said."
"Just some advice I learned when I was younger."
"Are you going back home?"
She shook her head.
"What?"
"I'm stay here with Karl. He's going to talk to my parents."
"They'll never agree."
"You never know."
"Well,I guess I had better get ready then. When are you getting off work?"
"Probably around the same time Karl does."
"Which will be...?"
"5:00 probably."
"Meet me in my trailor after then all right?"
"I can sure do that."
"I'll talk to you later then." Nikki watched as Tiffany ran off into the distance. She put her hand on her heart. Something wasn't right,but she didn't think anything of it.
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Nikki then walked to the stables to meet her horse Sadie. She smiled as she saw her beautiful brown horse walk over to her.
"Wanna go for a ride girl?"she whispered. She then turned her head. Karl was coming. "Let's show him what we can do." She walked over to the stables and then got on Sadie. Karl then smiled and waved at her. Smile smiled and waved back as Sadie started to trot.
But something wasn't right. Her heart started to hurt and race at the same time. She then started to go dizzy,and before she knew it,she fell off the horse.
"NIKKI!!"yelled Karl as ran over to her.
"Karl! What's wrong?"asked Orlando as ran out of his trailor. But Karl couldn't hear him. He was too worried about Nikki. Orlando then ran back inside and called for am ambulance.
"Nikki...?"asked Karl as he put her head on his lap.
"Is she all right?"asked Orlando as he ran over to him.
Karl put his hand on her head. "She's starting to go cold."
"I called for an ambulance. They should be here soon."
"Go tell Tiffany what happened and meet us at the hospital ok?"
Orlando nodded and ran off.
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Chapter 8
Orlando ran at a mad pace, desperately looking for Tiffany. It had been ten minutes and he still hadn't found her. Panic was rising within him as to what could possibly be wrong with Nikki and the fact that he felt he was on the verge of losing Tiffany.
'Maybe she's gone to my trailer...' He thought to himself and turned back.
"Orli!!" He heard Tiffany's voice call from a distance. He stopped in his tracks and looked around, spotting her over by Viggo and Elijah, at his trailer.
She instantly knew something wasn't right. She had a gut feeling that something serious had happened and the look in Orlando's eyes was a dead ringer for that.
He placed both hands on his knees as he hunched over and tried to catch his breath. Tiffany ran inside and grabbed him a glass of water, hoping it might help him out.
Once he caught his breath, he looked up and met her eyes, which were already clouded by fear.
"Orli...what...what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"We've got to go the hospital, like now."
"HOSPITAL? What on earth for?" She shrieked.
"It's Nikki. She fell from her horse and is unconscious. I called an ambulance and Karl's with her. I ran to find you as quick as I could so we can go and meet them."
"Oh...oh god NO!!! NOT AGAIN!" She screamed as tears quickly filled her eyes.
"You mean this has happened before?!" Orlando asked in shock.
"Long story. Come on let's go."
"Vig, please explain this to Peter and tell him we'll make up our shoots as soon as we return." Orlando explained quickly as Viggo nodded and Tiffany drug him behind her.
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While on their way to the hospital, Orlando couldn't help but think about everything that had happened today, and it had only just begun. He worried about what Nikki and Tiffany could possibly be hiding about her health but trusted that it wasn't too serious as if it were, Peter would've known about it.
He looked to where she sat with her head slumped against the window and tears streaming. Her hands were shaking and she looked like she'd been to hell and back. He reached over and took one of her hands in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Tiffany managed to steal a glance at him and give him a genuine smile, at least as good of one as she could muster.
"Orli...about earlier..." She started quietly. Before she could finish he was shaking his head and placing a kiss to her hand.
"It can wait love. Let's just focus on what's wrong with Nikki right now."
"Was she breathing when they came? The ambulance I mean."
"Yeah, she was breathing but Karl said she was starting to grow cold. As soon as he said that I left and went to find you. What did you mean when you said not again?"
"I'm not sure she would want me to tell. If she thinks it's okay to fill you and Karl in on everything, I'll leave her to it."
"But Tiffany, love, this is serious! This isn't just some secret between friends! This is her health we're talking about here."
"Don't you think I know that?! Look, the last thing I want to do right now is fight Orlando so I'll just tell you my main concern. I'm afraid Nikki may have fallen due to heart trouble."
"What? But she's so young!"
"It happens."
"Love, don't you think you're jumping to conclusions here? Think about it, she fell off her horse. Most people would assume she'd suffer from a head injury. How could she possibly injure her heart?"
"I'm not saying that the fall injured her heart smart ass, I'm saying that her heart caused her fall."She said almost inaudibly as the pulled up the hospital and both made a mad dash to the E.R.
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Chapter 9
"Karl!"yelled Orlando as he saw him in the waiting room.
"Oh thank god you guys are here,"he said.
"How's she doing?"asked Tiffany.
Karl went silent.
"What is it?"her lips started to tremble.
"She had a heart attack..."
"What's her condition?"asked Orlando.
"They've got her on a oxygen tank right now...and she's in a coma."
"Oh dear lord,"said Tiffany.
Karl sat down,looking like he was about to cry,but he looked at Orlando. "Orlando, tell Pete I'm not going to be able to work for a couple of weeks."
He nodded. "I'll tell him. He probably won't mind." He sat next to Karl. "Are you going to be all right mate?"
"I'll try to be. I'm going to stay here until she gets beter."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "I can't leave her man. I love her too much."
"I understand. Do you want us to leave?"
"Do what you want." But then the doctor came out and told Karl that Nikki wanted to see him.
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Karl then went into the room. He took one look at Nikki and almost broke down in tears. He watched as her eyes fluttered open.
"Karl...?"her voice was just so weak.
"I'm here,"he said as he sat down near her bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Like sh*t. I'm so sorry...."
"Don't say that. I'm the one who should be sorry."
"I should have told you."
"Did you know this was going to happen?"
She nodded. "My heart started to hurt before I got on Sadie,but I didn't think anything was going to happen."
He kissed her forehead. "All I want you to do is stay here and get some rest. You need to get better."
"I know..." She put her hand on his face. He moved his face over and kissed it.
"I think you're going to be just fine."
"How long do I have to stay here?"
"For a couple of weeks. And I'm not leaving."
"I'm fine Karl. You should go home. They need you..."
"Not as much as you need me."
"I'll be fine..."
"I've already told Orlando to tell Pete that I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks. It's sort of late now."
"True. Are Tiffany and Orlando here?"
"Yeah. They're still in the waiting room,I think. Do you want to see them?"
"In a little bit. I just want to see you."
He put his head down and their lips met. "I love you,"he said after their lips parted.
"I love you too."
"Tell me if you need anything baby."
"I just want you."
"Are you all right?"
"I think I'll be all right...knowing that you're here."
"You have to promise me something."
"Yes?"
"Promise me that you won't leave me all right?"
She nodded. "Ok."
He kissed her again. "I don't know what I'd do without you Nikki."
"I don't know what I'd do with you Karl. Thank you so much."
"Anything for the person I love the most."
"Can I see Tiffany and Orlando?"
"Am I boring."
"Very funny..."
"I'll go get them. Be back in a sec."
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Chapter 10
"How'd you know?" Orlando asked as he and Tiffany sat in the waiting room.
She looked to her lap and then up at him, uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Know what?"
"You know what. I don't know why you won't tell me what's going on."
"You don't understand. I met Nikki after the...alright listen, if I tell you will you promise not to say anything to them?"
"Scout's honor." He replied jokingly, receiving a rather strange look from Tiffany and others sitting in the waiting room.
"As far as I know, she was born with a heart defect that's given her problems all her life. Doctors have told her that eventually her heart will give out and she'll need a transplant. About a year after I met her, three years ago to be exact, she had a heart attack. I don't know what it was about today, but when you told me what happened I just had this gut feeling that it had happened again. God, Orli, what if she doesn't make it?" She cried as a few tears spilled over.
"Don't talk like that love. Karl's in there with her right now, she'll be fine."
"Correction, Karl WAS in there. I wasn't living up to her expectations as a healer so I've been sent to gather the elves."
Tiffany and Orlando both turned to see Karl looking at them with a smirk and started laughing.
They both stood and began to make their way down the hall. While walking Orlando turned around.
"You coming mate?"
"Nah, she wants to see you guys so ya'll go ahead. I'm not going anywhere." Orlando then mock saluted as Tiffany yanked on his hand impatiently and pulled him to Nikki's room.
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As Tiffany opened the door and stepped in, she couldn't control the tears that desperately fought to be unleashed.
"Nikki!" She wailed as she neared the bedside.
"Please don't cry Tiff, I'm okay. Doctor says I should be out in a couple of weeks."
"I thought I'd lost you when Orlando told me what happened." She replied as Orlando stood behind her, kneading muscles in her shoulders.
"Oh it'll be okay. How are you guys? Everything straightened out?"
"Well due to the havoc midget Frodo wreaked and the accident, we haven't had time to really work through things but we will." Orlando said with a smile.
"Speaking of that midget, did he finally sod off?" Nikki grinned.
"He better hope he did. So I hear you decided to betray our people and reside with the filthy human huh?" Orlando asked, cocking a brow.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just diss Karl, you pansy ass elf. But you heard correctly. That is if my parents agree to it. Even if they don't I'll do it anyway."
"Do you need me to bring anything up here for you?" Tiffany asked, turning serious again.
"No, having you guys here with me is enough." She said softly. Orlando then excused himself out to go and call Peter.
"Why didn't you tell me something wasn't right?"
"I'm sorry, I honestly didn't think I was going to have a heart attack. I just felt weird. That's all. Looking at the damage I've caused I wish I had though."
"Don't do that again. Thank god Karl and Orlando were around when it had happened."
"Do they know?" Nikki asked seriously. Tiffany instantly knew what she meant and looked down.
"Karl doesn't but I told Orlando. He wouldn't let up on it and I buckled. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. Just don't let him tell Karl. I'd rather him hear it from me."
"Orlando's not like that. Hey what do you say that when you get out of here, we get revenge on the two of them for the hell they put us through at the beginning of the shoot?" Tiffany asked, sparks of mischeviousness shining in her eyes.
"I say you got a deal."
By: Nikki
Rating: PG-13
Chapters: 1 - 10
Characters: Orlando, Tiffany, Karl and Nikki
Status: Still working on it
Summary: Life comes out you fast.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters.
Chapter 1
"Nikki! Get up already!"yelled Tiffany as she knocked at Nikki's door.
"Let me at least have 2 more hours of sleep,"she mumbled under her breath.
"Do you want to miss the shoot?"
"Girl,it's only 6:30. We don't need to be there for another 3 hours...."
"Karl's there..."
There's no way I'm going to miss him,she thought. "Ok.I'm getting up! Just give me about 10 minutes."
"Don't you want to take a shower."
"Then give me an hour."
She laughed. "I was just joking."
"I took a shower last night for your information."
"I did not want to know that."
"Then shut up and let me get ready dammit."
"All right. Sorry."
She opened the door and stared at her. "You ever do that again and you know I'll kill you."
"That was fast."
"Well,you know me,"she said as they walked down the hall. "So,has Orlando called you or anything?"
"Not since Monday. He's been really busy."
"I don't blame him."
"Anyone call you?"
"Dom called me last night. That's why I didn't get a lot of sleep."
"What were you guys talking about?"
She sighed.
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm just really tired. That's all."
"Then tell me what you guys talked about!"
"Oh,he was just being really nice to me. He thanked me for returning his horse. You heard what happened right?"
"Didn't everyone?"
She laughed. "I guess so."
"I think Karl really likes you. You should have seen his face when you were riding that horse yesterday."
"I like him too..."
"So..."
"So what?"
"You guys should hook up."
"You're kidding right?"
"Well,we'll just see what happens."
"I guess so..."
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Chapter 2
About twenty minutes later, Nikki and Tiffany finally pulled up at the movie set.
Other than the usual craziness of everyone running around doing this or that, things seemed pretty normal.
Tiffany took a quick look around and was left confused, stopping midstep.
"Uh...what are you doing?" Nikki asked in frustration.
"Something is up. Do you see any of the guys around? All I see are the crew and..." Out of nowhere ran Elijah screaming frantically, taking shelter behind Tiffany and Nikki.
It wasn't long before Orlando came chasing behind him, laughing hysterically with his bow and arrow in hand.
"Where is that cheeky little bugger?" Orlando questioned in front of them, his brow raised in mischeviousness.
"Oh I don't know..." Tiffany grinned, motioning with her eyes over her shoulder.
Within a few seconds, Orlando swung behind Tiffany and Elijah, in the process of trying to get away, slammed into Nikki.
"Now you've done it Lij! Mind telling us what it is you've done to elf boy now?" Nikki practically screamed, shoving him away from her.
"Actually I think I might be able to fill you in." A fourth voice came into play, one which Nikki instantly recognized. 'Great, what am I supposed to do now?' She thought to herself.
She turned around meeting Karl with a smile.
"Sure why not?"
She and Tiffany waited for him to fill them in but he too seemed to be waiting. Elijah had long run off and Orlando was now behind Tiffany, his arms around her waist with a humorous expression.
"Um sometime today?" Nikki said with sarcasm.
"I was kind of hoping I'd leave Elfy here to fill in Tiff and I'd take you on a walk?"
Nikki looked to Tiffany, knowing without a doubt she'd kill her if she didn't go with him.
"Okay."
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Chapter 3
"I'm sorry I didn't go to talk to you yesterday,"said Karl as he looked at her.
"It's all right."
"You're not hurt are you?"
She shook her head. "No. I was fine. But thank you for asking."
He stopped and looked at her. "Nikki...I really like you."
"I really like you too Karl."
"Will you go out with me?"
Her face gave him a big grin. "I'd-I'd love to!"
"I'm sorry if I seem a little awkward."
She laughed. "You don't know me very well do you?" She went looked at the horses and went silent.
"Want to go for a little ride before we have to get into costume?"
"You know I'd love to."
He kissed her cheek and they raced to the barn.
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Chapter 4
Once Karl and Nikki had left for their walk, Tiffany turned in Orlando's arms, giving him a short peck.
"Now, enlighten me as to what the hobbit has done today? Running around with a bow and arrow aimed at a fellow castmate isn't exactly what I'd like to call professional." She joked.
"Professional? Right, like anything about this cast is professional." He replied, mocking her tone.
"So what did he do?"
"Let's just say I had some friends in my tights when I put them on and they weren't exactly friendly." He told her with a whine.
She couldn't help but laugh.
"Why don't you laugh at me...go ahead. Having ants in your pants isn't exactly what I'd call humorous, love." This brought her into gut wrenching giggles.
"Oh baby, I'm sorry, it really isn't funny. I'm just laughing because leave it to Lij to come up with something as cruel as that. And expect for you NOT to do something about it."
"Well you know," He said in a husky tone, nuzzling her neck, "I'm not due to be on set for another hour, want to come with me to my trailer?"
"Um, let me think about that. What exactly would we be doing in your trailer?" Tiffany asked sexily, tracing his ear with her finger.
He laughed deeply in response and just as they were about to walk off, they ran into Billy and Dom who were joking and each eating apples.
"Don't you two ever stop eating?" Tiffany groaned. They looked to each other and then both stared back at her with huge grins.
"No. Wha are ye two doin'?" Billy questioned.
"Well, for one we're not talking to you filthy hobbits." Orlando muttered through clenched teeth and hurriedly pulled Tiffany with him towards his trailer.
As they reached his trailer, Orlando and Tiffany were in passionate kiss. He struggled trying to get the door open and it wouldn't budge. He drew back after a few moments, trying to find his key.
"Bloody hell!" He yelled.
"What's wrong Orli?" Tiffany asked in amusement.
"My bloody trailer is locked and I don't have my key! And what's worse is it was unlocked when I left it."
Tiffany looked to the window and tried to stifle a laugh but failed miserably. Orlando turned to look at her.
"Ok, love, mind telling me what you find funny about this?" He growled.
"Oh nothing humorous, just that, I think I know why you can't get in." She told him with a kiss, then pointed to the window. Orlando's face reddened and he balled up his fists.
"I'm going to kill that bloody Frodo..." There was Elijah waving victoriously at Orlando from the window of his trailer with horrendous smirk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 5
I thought that something wasn’t right about this. I was worried that something might happen. I was so supposed to be going back home in a couple of weeks,but I didn’t want to. I loved New Zealand too much,and I couldn’t leave Karl. I would hate that. But I don’t want to tell him anything. I love him too much now.
“Nikki?”asked Karl as we walked back to the set.
“Yeah?”
“Is something wrong?”
She shook her head. “No I’m fine. Why?”
“You’ve been silent this whole time.”
“I’ve just been thinking about some things.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Karl…I’m going back home in a couple of weeks…but I don’t want to leave. I love you too much.”
“Then you don’t have to go back.”
“You don’t understand. My parents will kill me if I don’t go back.”
“Do you really want to go back?”
She shook her head. “No I don’t.”
“Then I can call your parents and I’ll let you stay at my house.”
“Thanks.”
He was about to kiss her,but then he saw Viggo arguing with Elijah. “Oooooh boy.”
Nikki then ran up to Tiffany to see what was wrong. “Orlando and I got locked out. Elijah has the keys.”
“So what’s why Viggo’s here?”
“Yep.”
“Lovely. Get Aragon to deal with this. I thought you knew better Orlando.”
“Very funny,”he said.
“Nice going prissy elf,”said Karl.
Orlando gave him a look.
Karl gave him a smile. “Don’t worry. Viggo’s got it all taken care of.” Karl looked back at Nikki. “Want to go back to my place?”
“Actually,I need to go get my costume on,”she said.
“Oh all right. You do make one pretty elf.” He smiled and kissed her. “I’ll see you in a bit then.”
“I love you!”and she ran off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 6
"Aren't you going with Nikki love?" Orlando asked, still waiting on everyone else to buzz off.
"No, not yet. Her shoot is a little sooner than mine. I was just going to go walk around set for a minute." She said quietly. Orlando picked up quickly that something was wrong. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her head with his finger.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
She wanted to tell him she loved him but the guilt of saying those words and then leaving in a matter of weeks wouldn't let her get the words out. She'd had long distance relationships before and they never worked out. Besides, back at home, she had a very demanding job working for a children's charity and a rather busy family. Something was always going on with someone. And then there was Nikki.
If the change in she and Karl's relationship just five minutes ago was any indication as to how she truly felt about him, then she and Tiffany were both going to be in the dumps.
She was quickly brought out of her thoughts by Orlando, snapping his fingers in front of her face.
"Wha...what did you say?"
"I asked what's wrong?"
"It's just that...I wanted to..." She tried but of course failed miserably.
"Is this about you leaving?" He asked quieter with a knowing tone. Her head shot up and her eyes met his as she slowly nodded.
"Orli, I don't know what to do. I've got my job at home and a family that needs me. Lord knows they're probably tearing each other to shreds by now."
"Sounds like you've got your mind made up about leaving." He replied, sighing in disappointment.
"What do you mean? I haven't made my mind up about anything! I don't know WHAT to do! I have a life back home and here I've got..." He turned expectantly, waiting to hear her finally say it.
Instead he saw her eyes well up and within a moment she was gone. She ran off in Nikki's path.
Karl who witnessed the whole thing, came up behind Orlando, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Does Elfy actually need advice from the wisdom of man?"
"Sod off Karl. I don't even know what really happened."
"Not even Nikki ran off like that."
"What? You mean, you and Nikki have already discussed this?"
"Yeah and I'm arranging for her to stay with me at my place now."
"That's what I want to do! But she keeps throwing in this line of her job and her family and if I push too hard I feel like I'm trying to tell her that her life back at home doesn't matter and isn't important."
"Do you love her Orlando?"
"You know I do Karl."
"Well then I suggest you remove the tights, become a real man and go after her."
"Thanks and by the way, what did Viggo say to Lij?"
"It's not what he said, it's what he's doing..." Karl smiled, looking over his shoulder.
Orlando erupted into laughter before going into his trailer to change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 7
Nikki stood outside her trailor and saw Tiffany running to hers in tears.
"Tiffany! Are you all right?"she asked as she ran over to her and gave her a hug.
"I just don't know what to do anymore Nikki."
"Tell me what's wrong."
She shook her head. "No. You should go to your shoot."
"Not with you like this! I care about you hon. Tell me what's wrong."
"I'm just so confused."
"About what?"
"If I should leave or not."
Oh god,she thought. We've already been down this road before. Why doesn't she just tell Orlando that she loves him? "Do you really love him?"
"You know I do."
"This is only my opinion Tiffany,but I think you should stay with him."
"I need to go back too."
"Orlando loves you Tiffany. You know he'll give you unconditional love for the rest of your life."
"But what if things go wrong?"
"Did anyone say that life was supposed to be perfect?"
"No. You're right."
"But you do what's right. It's really up to you hon."
"So,where are you off to now?"
"I'm gonna go to the stables and see my horse. Maybe ride her for a little bit. Wanna come with me?"
"Nah. I think I'll pass. Thanks for asking though. I won't forget what you said."
"Just some advice I learned when I was younger."
"Are you going back home?"
She shook her head.
"What?"
"I'm stay here with Karl. He's going to talk to my parents."
"They'll never agree."
"You never know."
"Well,I guess I had better get ready then. When are you getting off work?"
"Probably around the same time Karl does."
"Which will be...?"
"5:00 probably."
"Meet me in my trailor after then all right?"
"I can sure do that."
"I'll talk to you later then." Nikki watched as Tiffany ran off into the distance. She put her hand on her heart. Something wasn't right,but she didn't think anything of it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nikki then walked to the stables to meet her horse Sadie. She smiled as she saw her beautiful brown horse walk over to her.
"Wanna go for a ride girl?"she whispered. She then turned her head. Karl was coming. "Let's show him what we can do." She walked over to the stables and then got on Sadie. Karl then smiled and waved at her. Smile smiled and waved back as Sadie started to trot.
But something wasn't right. Her heart started to hurt and race at the same time. She then started to go dizzy,and before she knew it,she fell off the horse.
"NIKKI!!"yelled Karl as ran over to her.
"Karl! What's wrong?"asked Orlando as ran out of his trailor. But Karl couldn't hear him. He was too worried about Nikki. Orlando then ran back inside and called for am ambulance.
"Nikki...?"asked Karl as he put her head on his lap.
"Is she all right?"asked Orlando as he ran over to him.
Karl put his hand on her head. "She's starting to go cold."
"I called for an ambulance. They should be here soon."
"Go tell Tiffany what happened and meet us at the hospital ok?"
Orlando nodded and ran off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8
Orlando ran at a mad pace, desperately looking for Tiffany. It had been ten minutes and he still hadn't found her. Panic was rising within him as to what could possibly be wrong with Nikki and the fact that he felt he was on the verge of losing Tiffany.
'Maybe she's gone to my trailer...' He thought to himself and turned back.
"Orli!!" He heard Tiffany's voice call from a distance. He stopped in his tracks and looked around, spotting her over by Viggo and Elijah, at his trailer.
She instantly knew something wasn't right. She had a gut feeling that something serious had happened and the look in Orlando's eyes was a dead ringer for that.
He placed both hands on his knees as he hunched over and tried to catch his breath. Tiffany ran inside and grabbed him a glass of water, hoping it might help him out.
Once he caught his breath, he looked up and met her eyes, which were already clouded by fear.
"Orli...what...what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"We've got to go the hospital, like now."
"HOSPITAL? What on earth for?" She shrieked.
"It's Nikki. She fell from her horse and is unconscious. I called an ambulance and Karl's with her. I ran to find you as quick as I could so we can go and meet them."
"Oh...oh god NO!!! NOT AGAIN!" She screamed as tears quickly filled her eyes.
"You mean this has happened before?!" Orlando asked in shock.
"Long story. Come on let's go."
"Vig, please explain this to Peter and tell him we'll make up our shoots as soon as we return." Orlando explained quickly as Viggo nodded and Tiffany drug him behind her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While on their way to the hospital, Orlando couldn't help but think about everything that had happened today, and it had only just begun. He worried about what Nikki and Tiffany could possibly be hiding about her health but trusted that it wasn't too serious as if it were, Peter would've known about it.
He looked to where she sat with her head slumped against the window and tears streaming. Her hands were shaking and she looked like she'd been to hell and back. He reached over and took one of her hands in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Tiffany managed to steal a glance at him and give him a genuine smile, at least as good of one as she could muster.
"Orli...about earlier..." She started quietly. Before she could finish he was shaking his head and placing a kiss to her hand.
"It can wait love. Let's just focus on what's wrong with Nikki right now."
"Was she breathing when they came? The ambulance I mean."
"Yeah, she was breathing but Karl said she was starting to grow cold. As soon as he said that I left and went to find you. What did you mean when you said not again?"
"I'm not sure she would want me to tell. If she thinks it's okay to fill you and Karl in on everything, I'll leave her to it."
"But Tiffany, love, this is serious! This isn't just some secret between friends! This is her health we're talking about here."
"Don't you think I know that?! Look, the last thing I want to do right now is fight Orlando so I'll just tell you my main concern. I'm afraid Nikki may have fallen due to heart trouble."
"What? But she's so young!"
"It happens."
"Love, don't you think you're jumping to conclusions here? Think about it, she fell off her horse. Most people would assume she'd suffer from a head injury. How could she possibly injure her heart?"
"I'm not saying that the fall injured her heart smart ass, I'm saying that her heart caused her fall."She said almost inaudibly as the pulled up the hospital and both made a mad dash to the E.R.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9
"Karl!"yelled Orlando as he saw him in the waiting room.
"Oh thank god you guys are here,"he said.
"How's she doing?"asked Tiffany.
Karl went silent.
"What is it?"her lips started to tremble.
"She had a heart attack..."
"What's her condition?"asked Orlando.
"They've got her on a oxygen tank right now...and she's in a coma."
"Oh dear lord,"said Tiffany.
Karl sat down,looking like he was about to cry,but he looked at Orlando. "Orlando, tell Pete I'm not going to be able to work for a couple of weeks."
He nodded. "I'll tell him. He probably won't mind." He sat next to Karl. "Are you going to be all right mate?"
"I'll try to be. I'm going to stay here until she gets beter."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "I can't leave her man. I love her too much."
"I understand. Do you want us to leave?"
"Do what you want." But then the doctor came out and told Karl that Nikki wanted to see him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karl then went into the room. He took one look at Nikki and almost broke down in tears. He watched as her eyes fluttered open.
"Karl...?"her voice was just so weak.
"I'm here,"he said as he sat down near her bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Like sh*t. I'm so sorry...."
"Don't say that. I'm the one who should be sorry."
"I should have told you."
"Did you know this was going to happen?"
She nodded. "My heart started to hurt before I got on Sadie,but I didn't think anything was going to happen."
He kissed her forehead. "All I want you to do is stay here and get some rest. You need to get better."
"I know..." She put her hand on his face. He moved his face over and kissed it.
"I think you're going to be just fine."
"How long do I have to stay here?"
"For a couple of weeks. And I'm not leaving."
"I'm fine Karl. You should go home. They need you..."
"Not as much as you need me."
"I'll be fine..."
"I've already told Orlando to tell Pete that I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks. It's sort of late now."
"True. Are Tiffany and Orlando here?"
"Yeah. They're still in the waiting room,I think. Do you want to see them?"
"In a little bit. I just want to see you."
He put his head down and their lips met. "I love you,"he said after their lips parted.
"I love you too."
"Tell me if you need anything baby."
"I just want you."
"Are you all right?"
"I think I'll be all right...knowing that you're here."
"You have to promise me something."
"Yes?"
"Promise me that you won't leave me all right?"
She nodded. "Ok."
He kissed her again. "I don't know what I'd do without you Nikki."
"I don't know what I'd do with you Karl. Thank you so much."
"Anything for the person I love the most."
"Can I see Tiffany and Orlando?"
"Am I boring."
"Very funny..."
"I'll go get them. Be back in a sec."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 10
"How'd you know?" Orlando asked as he and Tiffany sat in the waiting room.
She looked to her lap and then up at him, uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Know what?"
"You know what. I don't know why you won't tell me what's going on."
"You don't understand. I met Nikki after the...alright listen, if I tell you will you promise not to say anything to them?"
"Scout's honor." He replied jokingly, receiving a rather strange look from Tiffany and others sitting in the waiting room.
"As far as I know, she was born with a heart defect that's given her problems all her life. Doctors have told her that eventually her heart will give out and she'll need a transplant. About a year after I met her, three years ago to be exact, she had a heart attack. I don't know what it was about today, but when you told me what happened I just had this gut feeling that it had happened again. God, Orli, what if she doesn't make it?" She cried as a few tears spilled over.
"Don't talk like that love. Karl's in there with her right now, she'll be fine."
"Correction, Karl WAS in there. I wasn't living up to her expectations as a healer so I've been sent to gather the elves."
Tiffany and Orlando both turned to see Karl looking at them with a smirk and started laughing.
They both stood and began to make their way down the hall. While walking Orlando turned around.
"You coming mate?"
"Nah, she wants to see you guys so ya'll go ahead. I'm not going anywhere." Orlando then mock saluted as Tiffany yanked on his hand impatiently and pulled him to Nikki's room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Tiffany opened the door and stepped in, she couldn't control the tears that desperately fought to be unleashed.
"Nikki!" She wailed as she neared the bedside.
"Please don't cry Tiff, I'm okay. Doctor says I should be out in a couple of weeks."
"I thought I'd lost you when Orlando told me what happened." She replied as Orlando stood behind her, kneading muscles in her shoulders.
"Oh it'll be okay. How are you guys? Everything straightened out?"
"Well due to the havoc midget Frodo wreaked and the accident, we haven't had time to really work through things but we will." Orlando said with a smile.
"Speaking of that midget, did he finally sod off?" Nikki grinned.
"He better hope he did. So I hear you decided to betray our people and reside with the filthy human huh?" Orlando asked, cocking a brow.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just diss Karl, you pansy ass elf. But you heard correctly. That is if my parents agree to it. Even if they don't I'll do it anyway."
"Do you need me to bring anything up here for you?" Tiffany asked, turning serious again.
"No, having you guys here with me is enough." She said softly. Orlando then excused himself out to go and call Peter.
"Why didn't you tell me something wasn't right?"
"I'm sorry, I honestly didn't think I was going to have a heart attack. I just felt weird. That's all. Looking at the damage I've caused I wish I had though."
"Don't do that again. Thank god Karl and Orlando were around when it had happened."
"Do they know?" Nikki asked seriously. Tiffany instantly knew what she meant and looked down.
"Karl doesn't but I told Orlando. He wouldn't let up on it and I buckled. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. Just don't let him tell Karl. I'd rather him hear it from me."
"Orlando's not like that. Hey what do you say that when you get out of here, we get revenge on the two of them for the hell they put us through at the beginning of the shoot?" Tiffany asked, sparks of mischeviousness shining in her eyes.
"I say you got a deal."