FIC: "Caretaker" 1/2 (Dave Wenham/Orlando Bloom, Katie McGrath) PG-13
Title: "Caretaker" 1/2
Authors: Brenda & Jo (azewewish & idiosyncratic)
Pairing: Dave Wenham/Orlando Bloom (Katie McGrath)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Vampires still don't exist. And Katie's not anyone's nurse, least of all Orlando's.
Summary: Dave introduces Orlando to his new nurse.
Notes: Takes places two months after the end of Catalyst.
Dave cursed in frustration as he yanked his tie and shirt off and tossed both to the floor. What the hell was he thinking? Orlando wasn't going to care what he was wearing, Katie sure as bloody fuck wasn't going to care, and it was highly doubtful he'd be seeing either Viggo or Liv tonight. Not that it would matter. The damage was done, and no amount of natty dressing was going to change his sentence. This time next month, he'd be banished to England and there he'd stay until Viggo felt he'd paid enough penance. God knew how many decades (or centuries, his traitorous brain helpfully supplied) that would take.
Lawrence took a step into the bedroom and stopped short at the clothing littering the carpet. "Indecision issues?" he asked, mildly.
"More like a temporary break from sanity," Dave countered, then sighed. "I have no idea what I'm doing. Or thinking."
"You're over-thinking." Warm fingers slid around the back of Dave's neck, began to gently knead tense muscles. "He's not going to care what you wear."
"I know." Dave let himself relax against Lawrence's chest. "I just... Remind me why I'm putting myself through this again?"
A light touch tipped Dave's chin up, and as always, he was humbled by the love and acceptance in Lawrence's gaze. "Because you love him. And what you still have with him is worth it."
"Of course it is," Dave affirmed, feeling very foolish. "And of course I do. It's just...I won't be able to be here for his entire recovery."
"I know. And you know Viggo did it on purpose, yes?"
"No, I know." Dave wrapped his arms around Lawrence to pull him close. Right now, he needed the contact. "Viggo is nothing if not a genius at meting out punishments. Although it does bother me that he'd punish Orlando like this."
Lawrence's reply was a low rumble. "You don't think Viggo is also punishing Orlando in his own way for not telling anyone about your abandonment?"
Dave frowned as he pulled back to look at Lawrence. "I never thought about it like that."
"I'm not surprised," Lawrence chuckled as he brushed a kiss across Dave's forehead. "You spent too long around Harry not to have some of that honor of his rub off on you. You can't take all the blame for this."
"But -"
"By his own admission, Orlando knew enough to ask you about his training. And he definitely knew enough to talk to Harry or Karl long before he did."
"Still, though -"
"Don't mistake my meaning," Lawrence continued, stepping back to pull a dark green dress shirt from the closet and toss it to Dave. "You knew exactly what you were doing. But young Orlando is far from blameless here. And you're going to be late if you don't get a shake on."
Dave glanced at the clock, then swore. "And Katie is nothing if not frighteningly punctual," he said, changing into his new shirt with a haste born of desperation.
"Then I suggest you hurry."
"You sure you won't come with?" Dave asked, as he slipped into his shoes.
"You don't need the distraction of me underfoot. Tonight is about making sure Orlando is comfortable with Katie, and you facilitating that. You don't need me around."
"I always need you."
"You know what I mean. Now scoot," Lawrence said, and pointed at the door.
"You're right. I know you're right. I'll call you when I'm on my way home," Dave said, and brushed his lips across Lawrence's before rushing to the car.
***
Hoping that no extra cars in the drive at the castle meant that Katie hadn't arrived yet, Dave rang the bell and tried to smooth his hair. It was hopeless, and he gave it up as a lost cause just as Harry opened the door. Harry looked haggard, sleep-deprived, with lines of worry bracketing his mouth and his hair in a loosely pulled ponytail. His eyes - normally so alert and aware - were bloodshot and slightly puffed.
"You look awful, love," Dave commented, and brushed a lock of hair from Harry's forehead.
Before Harry could reply, the unmistakable sound of Orlando's voice drifted down the hall. While the words were unintelligible, it was clear that Orlando wasn't happy about whatever it was. No surprise there, given how he'd spent the last few weeks, but it was nice to know that some things hadn't changed.
"At least he's vocal?" Dave volunteered, inwardly grinning at Harry's hassled expression. "You sure he needs a nurse?"
"I think he needs a bodyguard to save me from strangling him in his sleep," Harry answered, with a grimace.
Dave winced in sympathy, and patted Harry's shoulder as he moved into the foyer. "That bad?"
"Karl's already threatened to spank him."
"And not in the fun way, I take it?" Just then, he heard raised voices - Orlando's and Karl's - then Karl came storming down the stairs.
"As soon as he gets better, I'm murdering him," Karl declared, then stopped short once he saw Dave. Karl, Dave noted, didn't look much better than Harry. "Dave, you're early."
"Uh, actually, I'm...never mind, look." Dave snagged each man by the elbow and led them to the front door. "Why don't you two get out of the house, have a nice dinner, maybe go to the retreat for a few hours. Come back when you've worked out some of the stress - and I think you both know what I mean by that."
Harry threw him an amused look. Already, he looked a little better. When was the last time he laughed? "You're kicking us out so we can have sex?"
"I hear it's a great stress reliever," Dave grinned back. "And I think you both could use it."
"Not to mention," Karl muttered, with a dark look towards the muffled thump from upstairs, "it'll save me from killing your pet."
"My pet?"
Dave had to bite his lip to keep from laughing as the dark look shifted to Harry. "Yes, puppy, your pet."
The other eyebrow went up, and Harry folded his arms over his chest. He opened his mouth, but Dave shoved the keys to the Harley at him before the argument could get started. He knew once they got rolling, they could be all night. "Better yet, why don't the two of you go beat each other around a ring, then have dinner and head to the retreat for a few hours and have lots of stress-relieving sex?"
All three men looked at the ceiling as the muffled thumping stopped. Then, plainly, quietly, they heard: "Harry?"
It didn't escape Dave's notice that Harry took a half-step towards the stairs before catching himself. "You're sure?" Harry asked.
"He'll be fine," Dave said, gently. "Now go."
"You're right, it would do us some good to get away for a little while."
"I'm always right."
"Cheeky," Harry commented, then brushed a light kiss to Dave's cheek. "Thank you."
Dave waved him off. "No worries, love."
"You sure you can handle him?" Karl asked, as he snagged Harry's hand.
Dave snorted. "I'll be fine. He's all bark right now." Then he cast a meaningful glance at the door. "Now go. That's an order."
Harry snapped a mock salute, and squeezed Karl's hand as they headed outside. Dave held his breath until Harry and Karl were safely out the door and he heard the unmistakable sounds of the Harley's engine rumbling to life. Then he headed upstairs.
Orlando was struggling into a sitting position, pillows piled up behind him, and the sheets kicked to the foot of the bed. Dave was also happy to see that Orlando'd gained a bit of color in his cheeks and didn't look quite as fragile and thin as he had the last time Dave had seen him. Orlando, however, didn't look too pleased to see Dave.
"Where's Harry?" he asked, peering around Dave.
"If he's smart, he's halfway to the boxing ring with Karl right about now," Dave replied, crossing his arms. "And hello to you, too, love."
"Hi," Orlando grumbled, then frowned. "He left?"
Dave nodded. "He and Karl."
For a split second, Orlando looked stricken, then he slumped back against the pillows, a mutinous expression firm on his face. "Bastards."
Laughing, Dave sat on the edge of the bed. He was close enough to touch Orlando, but didn't, waiting for Orlando to make the first move. "It'll do you good. You don't need Harry and Karl hovering like old maids while you meet Katie."
Orlando muttered under his breath, then made a rude noise. "Don't need a babysitter."
"That old argument?" Dave grinned at the nasty look he received. "Perhaps moving to the living room would make things better?"
Just like that, Orlando's mood shifted, and he gave Dave a wary glance. "Don't take the piss, love."
"Scout's honor," Dave said, solemn as he held up a hand. "Sound like a plan to you?"
"You promise?"
"As long as you promise to behave around Katie and not to overdo it, I'll carry you down right now."
Orlando stuck out his hand. "Deal. But...can we go to the library instead?"
"Sure," Dave smiled, and brushed a light kiss across Orlando's lips before sliding his arms under Orlando and cradling him close. "Put your arms around my neck."
"I feel like a damsel in distress," Orlando grumbled, but did as asked.
"Just remember this was all your idea," Dave reminded him, as he walked down the stairs and towards the library, careful not to jostle Orlando too much.
The large sofa in the library was already piled with pillows and blankets. He set Orlando down and watched as Orlando curled up on the pillows. "Much better," Orlando sighed.
"Not your first field trip down here, I take it?"
"Harry brought me in the other night while he was going over some paperwork." There was a slight pause while he chewed his bottom lip. "Could I have some juice?"
"Coming right up." Dave was almost to the door when the doorbell rang. He didn't have to glance at his watch to know it was Katie, right on time. (How she managed punctuality in a city with traffic like Los Angeles was a mystery for the ages.) Orlando and his juice would just have to wait, he thought.
When Dave had first met Katie, at her official "introductory" party right after Gerard had given her the Gift, he'd been completely awestruck by her beauty. She'd looked like something out of a Renaissance painting, with raven hair that flowed in a perfect line to the middle of her back and a face that seemed fashioned by the gods, with full, soft lips and wide, expressive eyes the blue-green color of the sea. She'd been wearing a gorgeous green cocktail dress that had showcased flawless, porcelain skin and possibly the most perfect breasts he'd ever seen in his entire life, and it wasn't until much later in the evening that he'd realized her legs were just as nice. He'd fallen half in love with her at first glace, a sentiment shared by just about everyone in the room.
The last 70 years had bred familiarity and friendship, and Dave had long since gotten over his harmless infatuation. But there were still days when she could catch him unawares and take his breath. When he opened the door to see her standing there, with her hair pulled into a loose bun at her nape that showed off the perfect arch of her neck and a wide smile on her face, wearing a hunter-green tank top and a pair of well-worn jeans, he had a feeling today was going to be one of those days.
"How you make that outfit look like haute couture is one of your biggest talents," he said, not even bothering to disguise the fact that he was staring in admiration.
"Your silver tongue is one of my favorite things about you," Katie answered, and stepped in to brush a light kiss to his cheek. "But it won't distract me from being mad at you."
Mad at him? He'd practically been a hermit the past month. "What'd I do?"
Katie gave him an imperious look before sweeping into the foyer. "I still have yet to meet your mate. Who I hear is a truly delectable Maori warrior. Not that I'd know or anything, since you haven't invited me over so I could meet him."
Ah, right, that. Dave put on what he hoped was his most charming grin and shrugged. "Eh, he's nice enough to look at, I suppose," he said, deliberately ignoring the look she gave him. "You were out of town when we first got here, or I would have...and, anyway, this last month's been a bit crazy with Orlando."
"Don't tell me you're going to try to blame your failure as a friend on that poor child," she said, pointing a finger at him.
Poor child? Dave almost snorted with laughter. She'd be set straight soon enough. "Everyone blames everything on him," he said, leading her towards the library. "You'll see."
Orlando lifted his head when Dave stepped back into the room, then frowned when he saw Dave's empty hands. "No juice."
"Manners, love," Dave reminded Orlando softly, smiling as he stepped aside for Katie to enter. Orlando's expression, torn between indignation and shock, was priceless.
Orlando hunched down into his blankets and stared at Katie with a dumbfounded expression. Dave didn't need to be a mind-reader to know exactly what Orlando was thinking. Pretty much every single man that had ever met Katie thought the same thing, regardless of sexual orientation.
//Careful, one would almost think you found her attractive with the way you're staring.//
Dave laughed outright when Orlando went from gaping at Katie to glaring at him. "Oi, wait a minute, you're not supposed to be able to do that."
"To other vampires, no, and thank you for reminding me," Dave replied, sardonically. "But you're not a vampire anymore, now, are you?"
"Bastard," Orlando grumbled, then glanced at Katie again like he was trying to determine if she was real. "Suppose you must be Katie, then."
"I suppose I must be," Katie grinned. "And you must be Orlando. You're just as cute as Dave and Gerard said you'd be."
"I...wait. Cute? Gerard said I was cute?" Orlando squeaked (Dave was sure Orlando would deny it until his dying day, but it was definitely a squeak).
"You'd prefer he call you something else?"
"Well, no, but..." Orlando trailed off and peered at her in clear suspicion. "Did he really say cute?"
"He did. He also said you were polite and fairly smart."
Dave looked at the ceiling, determined not to laugh. With all the bitching Orlando had done over the years in regards to Gerard's stuffy nature, it had to be tying his brain in knots to find out that Gerard had complimented him.
"Huh," was all Orlando said after a long moment of silence. Then he made a soft noise, almost of approval, and went back to staring at Katie.
Katie stared right back. Then she crossed her eyes, and Dave had to look up again, fighting the almost overwhelming urge to laugh. "How're you feeling today?" she finally asked, adopting a friendly, yet business-like tone.
"What?" Orlando practically jumped at the question, then shook his head as if to clear it. "Um...fine?"
"Headaches are gone, no chills, no cramping, no blurred vision, no cotton mouth?"
"Um." Orlando glanced at Dave with a slightly terrified look on his face that was as funny as it was endearing.
//Get used to it, love. That's what she's here for.//
"You're no help," Orlando grumbled, then peered at Katie from under his lashes in a look that Dave knew was completely calculated. This was going to be so much fun, Dave thought to himself, and settled himself in a chair so he could watch the fireworks.
Katie just stood there, patient, one corner of her mouth quirked in a half-smile. She tilted her head, crossed her arms beneath her breasts, and Dave started the mental countdown to Orlando saying something completely inappropriate.
He made it all the way to three before Orlando's eyes dropped to her cleavage. "Keep doing that and you're going to pop right out of that top, y'know. It doesn't hide much."
The child really was too predictable at times.
"That's what my bra is for." Katie leaned forward a little, and Dave began to wonder if she really was mere seconds from being exposed. (He could admit, only to himself, that he was slightly disappointed when nothing flashed.) "Would you like to see it?"
"Is it pretty?"
"It matches my knickers," she answered, "and if you're a very good boy, perhaps I'll show them to you one day. But you still haven't answered my questions."
"You...I...um, well, no, none of that," Orlando said, clearly flustered, and hunched down in the blankets again. "Except the headaches, but not as bad as they used to be."
"Good. And your appetite?"
"I, um..." Orlando straightened, and narrowed his eyes. "Look, I don't know what you're trying to do with your feminine wiles or whatever they're called, but, you know I'm not interested in girls, right?"
Katie quirked an eyebrow. "Well, that makes two of us," she answered. "But I'm not here to fuck you."
"Oh God..." Orlando's face immediately went scarlet. Dave bit his lip and counted to ten in English and German. He didn't bother to come to Orlando's defense. He had started it, after all.
The smile Katie bestowed upon Orlando was diabolically wide. "So, now that we've established that I'm not a hooker and you're not a john, would you mind telling me what your appetite's been like the last few days?"
Orlando managed to hold her gaze, although he was still bright red. "My appetite's been fine, thank you."
"Really?" She kept grinning, pointedly not commenting on his stiff politeness. "Eating everything you're given, then?"
"Yes," he said, "and I'm still starving, if that's your next question."
A tiny frown creased Katie's forehead, and she stepped towards the sofa. It was a bit of a surprise that Orlando didn't try to hide in the blankets.
"You shouldn't be starving," she muttered, gaze sweeping over the parts of him exposed by the blanket. "And you're much too thin. What have they been feeding you?"
"Soup." Orlando sat up as straight as he could and folded his hands in his lap. Dave had the oddest feeling he'd been forgotten. The idea made him want to laugh.
"Soup?" Katie wrinkled her nose in an all too endearing way and shook her head. "That won't do. You need real food, else you'll never regain your strength."
"Real food?" Orlando perked up so fast Dave almost got whiplash just by witnessing it. "You mean, like fish and pasta?"
"Exactly like fish and pasta. And whole grains, plenty of dairy...it's just red meat you don't eat, right, you're good with chicken?"
Orlando just nodded. And though he was trying his hardest not to look impressed that Katie had clearly done her research on him, Dave could see it as clearly as if Orlando had shouted it from the rooftops.
"Good. I'll leave instructions with the kitchen staff on a menu. You need way more protein, and before you start to get any ideas, you're not up for sexual activity yet, so don't even bring up alternative protein."
Orlando let out a small, pained whimper. "You keep bringing up sex."
"You started it. And don't tell me you're prudish about talking about it," Katie answered, with a chuckle. "Because that's not what I've heard at all."
"Quite the opposite in fact," Dave murmured, and grinned in the face of what had to be the absolute nastiest look Orlando had ever given him.
"I'm not a prude," Orlando said, with one last dirty look at Dave. "I just...you keep talking about it, and I'm going to start think...well, nevermind."
"Didn't I say I wasn't here for that?" Katie perched on the arm of the sofa, managing to look graceful and at home without any effort.
"Yes, well," Orlando said, eying her. "You could change your mind."
"Because you're all that and a box of chocolates, I suppose, and everyone that sees you wants to bang you?"
"You're the one who said I was cute," Orlando pointed out with his most charming smile. Dave looked at Katie, knowing he himself had been the victim of that particular smile more than once in the past.
To Katie's credit, her only response was to offer her own smile in return. "And you're the one that can't keep your eyes off my tits. You certain you're not interested in women? Not even a little?"
"I...well, I..." Orlando stopped, then opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"Orlando, love, please quit while you're ahead," Dave pleaded, holding his hand over his heart. "I'm dying over here."
"That's because you're a bastard that enjoys my suffering."
"I'm sorry, isn't that what I said?"
Katie put her chin in her hand and glanced between them. "You both are far too adorable. I can see why Gerry thinks you two're perfect together."
"Gerry?" Orlando asked, with a frown.
"Gerard. My Sire. Sits on the Council. We were just talking about him, remember?"
"He has a nickname?? He allows people to...be all, like, familiar with him?"
"Good Lord, you have been sheltered the past decade," Katie declared. "What ridiculous lies have Karl and Harry been feeding you?"
"Are we talking about the same Gerard? Lord Butler?" Orlando asked, giving her a suspicious look. "Obsessed with history, stuffy bloke with a stick up his arse almost as big as the one up Marcus'?"
Katie blinked, mouthed the word 'stuffy?' at Dave, and then collapsed into gales of laughter. She slid off the arm and onto the sofa at Orlando's feet, practically doubled over with the most delightful giggles. Dave wanted to kiss Orlando for making her laugh, because if she was beautiful normally, she was absolutely breath-taking when she laughed.
"Oi, it's not that funny," Orlando grumbled, slipping one foot from beneath the blanket and nudging her thigh.
"Yes, it is," Katie replied, wiping tears of mirth from her face as she rolled into a sitting position. "Just because he takes Council matters and our history seriously doesn't mean he's...well..." She looked ready to bust out laughing again. "I can't even say it."
"You are totally having me on right now. I'll have you know it's not nice to make fun of the infirm."
"She's not," Dave said, chuckling himself at the glare Orlando leveled in his direction. "Gerry's a stickler for details, but he's not the humorless robot you think he is."
"He obviously doesn't know about Marcus' women, either, does he, otherwise he wouldn't have made the crack about him?" Katie asked Dave.
"I don't think so, no."
Orlando's mouth fell open and he stared at them. "Now I know you're taking the piss," he said, giving Katie's thigh another nudge with his foot. "Marcus has women?"
"That answers that," Katie said, still giggling as she caught Orlando's foot and put it in her lap, one hand curled over his ankle to keep it from shoving at her again. "You really have been sheltered."
"Have not," Orlando said, sounding exactly like a petulant child. "I've met Marcus. Numerous times."
"But not his women," Katie said, and gave Dave a conspiratorial wink.
"Marcus doesn't have women."
Katie patted Orlando's shin. "You really do need to get out more, child."
"I get out plenty." Orlando crossed his arms, looking every inch the disgruntled teenager. "And I'm telling you that I've never seen Gerard or Marcus so much as crack a smile, let alone flirt with anyone at any function I've been to."
"Well, they've all been Council functions, haven't they? They're hardly going to let their hair down and get their freak on when they're supposed to be representing the vampire government."
"I...you...you really did not just say 'get your freak on' in regards to either of them, did you?" Orlando groaned, throwing an arm over his face and flopping back on the cushions.
"Who's getting their freak on and why wasn't I invited?"
Continued in Part Two
Authors: Brenda & Jo (azewewish & idiosyncratic)
Pairing: Dave Wenham/Orlando Bloom (Katie McGrath)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Vampires still don't exist. And Katie's not anyone's nurse, least of all Orlando's.
Summary: Dave introduces Orlando to his new nurse.
Notes: Takes places two months after the end of Catalyst.
Dave cursed in frustration as he yanked his tie and shirt off and tossed both to the floor. What the hell was he thinking? Orlando wasn't going to care what he was wearing, Katie sure as bloody fuck wasn't going to care, and it was highly doubtful he'd be seeing either Viggo or Liv tonight. Not that it would matter. The damage was done, and no amount of natty dressing was going to change his sentence. This time next month, he'd be banished to England and there he'd stay until Viggo felt he'd paid enough penance. God knew how many decades (or centuries, his traitorous brain helpfully supplied) that would take.
Lawrence took a step into the bedroom and stopped short at the clothing littering the carpet. "Indecision issues?" he asked, mildly.
"More like a temporary break from sanity," Dave countered, then sighed. "I have no idea what I'm doing. Or thinking."
"You're over-thinking." Warm fingers slid around the back of Dave's neck, began to gently knead tense muscles. "He's not going to care what you wear."
"I know." Dave let himself relax against Lawrence's chest. "I just... Remind me why I'm putting myself through this again?"
A light touch tipped Dave's chin up, and as always, he was humbled by the love and acceptance in Lawrence's gaze. "Because you love him. And what you still have with him is worth it."
"Of course it is," Dave affirmed, feeling very foolish. "And of course I do. It's just...I won't be able to be here for his entire recovery."
"I know. And you know Viggo did it on purpose, yes?"
"No, I know." Dave wrapped his arms around Lawrence to pull him close. Right now, he needed the contact. "Viggo is nothing if not a genius at meting out punishments. Although it does bother me that he'd punish Orlando like this."
Lawrence's reply was a low rumble. "You don't think Viggo is also punishing Orlando in his own way for not telling anyone about your abandonment?"
Dave frowned as he pulled back to look at Lawrence. "I never thought about it like that."
"I'm not surprised," Lawrence chuckled as he brushed a kiss across Dave's forehead. "You spent too long around Harry not to have some of that honor of his rub off on you. You can't take all the blame for this."
"But -"
"By his own admission, Orlando knew enough to ask you about his training. And he definitely knew enough to talk to Harry or Karl long before he did."
"Still, though -"
"Don't mistake my meaning," Lawrence continued, stepping back to pull a dark green dress shirt from the closet and toss it to Dave. "You knew exactly what you were doing. But young Orlando is far from blameless here. And you're going to be late if you don't get a shake on."
Dave glanced at the clock, then swore. "And Katie is nothing if not frighteningly punctual," he said, changing into his new shirt with a haste born of desperation.
"Then I suggest you hurry."
"You sure you won't come with?" Dave asked, as he slipped into his shoes.
"You don't need the distraction of me underfoot. Tonight is about making sure Orlando is comfortable with Katie, and you facilitating that. You don't need me around."
"I always need you."
"You know what I mean. Now scoot," Lawrence said, and pointed at the door.
"You're right. I know you're right. I'll call you when I'm on my way home," Dave said, and brushed his lips across Lawrence's before rushing to the car.
***
Hoping that no extra cars in the drive at the castle meant that Katie hadn't arrived yet, Dave rang the bell and tried to smooth his hair. It was hopeless, and he gave it up as a lost cause just as Harry opened the door. Harry looked haggard, sleep-deprived, with lines of worry bracketing his mouth and his hair in a loosely pulled ponytail. His eyes - normally so alert and aware - were bloodshot and slightly puffed.
"You look awful, love," Dave commented, and brushed a lock of hair from Harry's forehead.
Before Harry could reply, the unmistakable sound of Orlando's voice drifted down the hall. While the words were unintelligible, it was clear that Orlando wasn't happy about whatever it was. No surprise there, given how he'd spent the last few weeks, but it was nice to know that some things hadn't changed.
"At least he's vocal?" Dave volunteered, inwardly grinning at Harry's hassled expression. "You sure he needs a nurse?"
"I think he needs a bodyguard to save me from strangling him in his sleep," Harry answered, with a grimace.
Dave winced in sympathy, and patted Harry's shoulder as he moved into the foyer. "That bad?"
"Karl's already threatened to spank him."
"And not in the fun way, I take it?" Just then, he heard raised voices - Orlando's and Karl's - then Karl came storming down the stairs.
"As soon as he gets better, I'm murdering him," Karl declared, then stopped short once he saw Dave. Karl, Dave noted, didn't look much better than Harry. "Dave, you're early."
"Uh, actually, I'm...never mind, look." Dave snagged each man by the elbow and led them to the front door. "Why don't you two get out of the house, have a nice dinner, maybe go to the retreat for a few hours. Come back when you've worked out some of the stress - and I think you both know what I mean by that."
Harry threw him an amused look. Already, he looked a little better. When was the last time he laughed? "You're kicking us out so we can have sex?"
"I hear it's a great stress reliever," Dave grinned back. "And I think you both could use it."
"Not to mention," Karl muttered, with a dark look towards the muffled thump from upstairs, "it'll save me from killing your pet."
"My pet?"
Dave had to bite his lip to keep from laughing as the dark look shifted to Harry. "Yes, puppy, your pet."
The other eyebrow went up, and Harry folded his arms over his chest. He opened his mouth, but Dave shoved the keys to the Harley at him before the argument could get started. He knew once they got rolling, they could be all night. "Better yet, why don't the two of you go beat each other around a ring, then have dinner and head to the retreat for a few hours and have lots of stress-relieving sex?"
All three men looked at the ceiling as the muffled thumping stopped. Then, plainly, quietly, they heard: "Harry?"
It didn't escape Dave's notice that Harry took a half-step towards the stairs before catching himself. "You're sure?" Harry asked.
"He'll be fine," Dave said, gently. "Now go."
"You're right, it would do us some good to get away for a little while."
"I'm always right."
"Cheeky," Harry commented, then brushed a light kiss to Dave's cheek. "Thank you."
Dave waved him off. "No worries, love."
"You sure you can handle him?" Karl asked, as he snagged Harry's hand.
Dave snorted. "I'll be fine. He's all bark right now." Then he cast a meaningful glance at the door. "Now go. That's an order."
Harry snapped a mock salute, and squeezed Karl's hand as they headed outside. Dave held his breath until Harry and Karl were safely out the door and he heard the unmistakable sounds of the Harley's engine rumbling to life. Then he headed upstairs.
Orlando was struggling into a sitting position, pillows piled up behind him, and the sheets kicked to the foot of the bed. Dave was also happy to see that Orlando'd gained a bit of color in his cheeks and didn't look quite as fragile and thin as he had the last time Dave had seen him. Orlando, however, didn't look too pleased to see Dave.
"Where's Harry?" he asked, peering around Dave.
"If he's smart, he's halfway to the boxing ring with Karl right about now," Dave replied, crossing his arms. "And hello to you, too, love."
"Hi," Orlando grumbled, then frowned. "He left?"
Dave nodded. "He and Karl."
For a split second, Orlando looked stricken, then he slumped back against the pillows, a mutinous expression firm on his face. "Bastards."
Laughing, Dave sat on the edge of the bed. He was close enough to touch Orlando, but didn't, waiting for Orlando to make the first move. "It'll do you good. You don't need Harry and Karl hovering like old maids while you meet Katie."
Orlando muttered under his breath, then made a rude noise. "Don't need a babysitter."
"That old argument?" Dave grinned at the nasty look he received. "Perhaps moving to the living room would make things better?"
Just like that, Orlando's mood shifted, and he gave Dave a wary glance. "Don't take the piss, love."
"Scout's honor," Dave said, solemn as he held up a hand. "Sound like a plan to you?"
"You promise?"
"As long as you promise to behave around Katie and not to overdo it, I'll carry you down right now."
Orlando stuck out his hand. "Deal. But...can we go to the library instead?"
"Sure," Dave smiled, and brushed a light kiss across Orlando's lips before sliding his arms under Orlando and cradling him close. "Put your arms around my neck."
"I feel like a damsel in distress," Orlando grumbled, but did as asked.
"Just remember this was all your idea," Dave reminded him, as he walked down the stairs and towards the library, careful not to jostle Orlando too much.
The large sofa in the library was already piled with pillows and blankets. He set Orlando down and watched as Orlando curled up on the pillows. "Much better," Orlando sighed.
"Not your first field trip down here, I take it?"
"Harry brought me in the other night while he was going over some paperwork." There was a slight pause while he chewed his bottom lip. "Could I have some juice?"
"Coming right up." Dave was almost to the door when the doorbell rang. He didn't have to glance at his watch to know it was Katie, right on time. (How she managed punctuality in a city with traffic like Los Angeles was a mystery for the ages.) Orlando and his juice would just have to wait, he thought.
When Dave had first met Katie, at her official "introductory" party right after Gerard had given her the Gift, he'd been completely awestruck by her beauty. She'd looked like something out of a Renaissance painting, with raven hair that flowed in a perfect line to the middle of her back and a face that seemed fashioned by the gods, with full, soft lips and wide, expressive eyes the blue-green color of the sea. She'd been wearing a gorgeous green cocktail dress that had showcased flawless, porcelain skin and possibly the most perfect breasts he'd ever seen in his entire life, and it wasn't until much later in the evening that he'd realized her legs were just as nice. He'd fallen half in love with her at first glace, a sentiment shared by just about everyone in the room.
The last 70 years had bred familiarity and friendship, and Dave had long since gotten over his harmless infatuation. But there were still days when she could catch him unawares and take his breath. When he opened the door to see her standing there, with her hair pulled into a loose bun at her nape that showed off the perfect arch of her neck and a wide smile on her face, wearing a hunter-green tank top and a pair of well-worn jeans, he had a feeling today was going to be one of those days.
"How you make that outfit look like haute couture is one of your biggest talents," he said, not even bothering to disguise the fact that he was staring in admiration.
"Your silver tongue is one of my favorite things about you," Katie answered, and stepped in to brush a light kiss to his cheek. "But it won't distract me from being mad at you."
Mad at him? He'd practically been a hermit the past month. "What'd I do?"
Katie gave him an imperious look before sweeping into the foyer. "I still have yet to meet your mate. Who I hear is a truly delectable Maori warrior. Not that I'd know or anything, since you haven't invited me over so I could meet him."
Ah, right, that. Dave put on what he hoped was his most charming grin and shrugged. "Eh, he's nice enough to look at, I suppose," he said, deliberately ignoring the look she gave him. "You were out of town when we first got here, or I would have...and, anyway, this last month's been a bit crazy with Orlando."
"Don't tell me you're going to try to blame your failure as a friend on that poor child," she said, pointing a finger at him.
Poor child? Dave almost snorted with laughter. She'd be set straight soon enough. "Everyone blames everything on him," he said, leading her towards the library. "You'll see."
Orlando lifted his head when Dave stepped back into the room, then frowned when he saw Dave's empty hands. "No juice."
"Manners, love," Dave reminded Orlando softly, smiling as he stepped aside for Katie to enter. Orlando's expression, torn between indignation and shock, was priceless.
Orlando hunched down into his blankets and stared at Katie with a dumbfounded expression. Dave didn't need to be a mind-reader to know exactly what Orlando was thinking. Pretty much every single man that had ever met Katie thought the same thing, regardless of sexual orientation.
//Careful, one would almost think you found her attractive with the way you're staring.//
Dave laughed outright when Orlando went from gaping at Katie to glaring at him. "Oi, wait a minute, you're not supposed to be able to do that."
"To other vampires, no, and thank you for reminding me," Dave replied, sardonically. "But you're not a vampire anymore, now, are you?"
"Bastard," Orlando grumbled, then glanced at Katie again like he was trying to determine if she was real. "Suppose you must be Katie, then."
"I suppose I must be," Katie grinned. "And you must be Orlando. You're just as cute as Dave and Gerard said you'd be."
"I...wait. Cute? Gerard said I was cute?" Orlando squeaked (Dave was sure Orlando would deny it until his dying day, but it was definitely a squeak).
"You'd prefer he call you something else?"
"Well, no, but..." Orlando trailed off and peered at her in clear suspicion. "Did he really say cute?"
"He did. He also said you were polite and fairly smart."
Dave looked at the ceiling, determined not to laugh. With all the bitching Orlando had done over the years in regards to Gerard's stuffy nature, it had to be tying his brain in knots to find out that Gerard had complimented him.
"Huh," was all Orlando said after a long moment of silence. Then he made a soft noise, almost of approval, and went back to staring at Katie.
Katie stared right back. Then she crossed her eyes, and Dave had to look up again, fighting the almost overwhelming urge to laugh. "How're you feeling today?" she finally asked, adopting a friendly, yet business-like tone.
"What?" Orlando practically jumped at the question, then shook his head as if to clear it. "Um...fine?"
"Headaches are gone, no chills, no cramping, no blurred vision, no cotton mouth?"
"Um." Orlando glanced at Dave with a slightly terrified look on his face that was as funny as it was endearing.
//Get used to it, love. That's what she's here for.//
"You're no help," Orlando grumbled, then peered at Katie from under his lashes in a look that Dave knew was completely calculated. This was going to be so much fun, Dave thought to himself, and settled himself in a chair so he could watch the fireworks.
Katie just stood there, patient, one corner of her mouth quirked in a half-smile. She tilted her head, crossed her arms beneath her breasts, and Dave started the mental countdown to Orlando saying something completely inappropriate.
He made it all the way to three before Orlando's eyes dropped to her cleavage. "Keep doing that and you're going to pop right out of that top, y'know. It doesn't hide much."
The child really was too predictable at times.
"That's what my bra is for." Katie leaned forward a little, and Dave began to wonder if she really was mere seconds from being exposed. (He could admit, only to himself, that he was slightly disappointed when nothing flashed.) "Would you like to see it?"
"Is it pretty?"
"It matches my knickers," she answered, "and if you're a very good boy, perhaps I'll show them to you one day. But you still haven't answered my questions."
"You...I...um, well, no, none of that," Orlando said, clearly flustered, and hunched down in the blankets again. "Except the headaches, but not as bad as they used to be."
"Good. And your appetite?"
"I, um..." Orlando straightened, and narrowed his eyes. "Look, I don't know what you're trying to do with your feminine wiles or whatever they're called, but, you know I'm not interested in girls, right?"
Katie quirked an eyebrow. "Well, that makes two of us," she answered. "But I'm not here to fuck you."
"Oh God..." Orlando's face immediately went scarlet. Dave bit his lip and counted to ten in English and German. He didn't bother to come to Orlando's defense. He had started it, after all.
The smile Katie bestowed upon Orlando was diabolically wide. "So, now that we've established that I'm not a hooker and you're not a john, would you mind telling me what your appetite's been like the last few days?"
Orlando managed to hold her gaze, although he was still bright red. "My appetite's been fine, thank you."
"Really?" She kept grinning, pointedly not commenting on his stiff politeness. "Eating everything you're given, then?"
"Yes," he said, "and I'm still starving, if that's your next question."
A tiny frown creased Katie's forehead, and she stepped towards the sofa. It was a bit of a surprise that Orlando didn't try to hide in the blankets.
"You shouldn't be starving," she muttered, gaze sweeping over the parts of him exposed by the blanket. "And you're much too thin. What have they been feeding you?"
"Soup." Orlando sat up as straight as he could and folded his hands in his lap. Dave had the oddest feeling he'd been forgotten. The idea made him want to laugh.
"Soup?" Katie wrinkled her nose in an all too endearing way and shook her head. "That won't do. You need real food, else you'll never regain your strength."
"Real food?" Orlando perked up so fast Dave almost got whiplash just by witnessing it. "You mean, like fish and pasta?"
"Exactly like fish and pasta. And whole grains, plenty of dairy...it's just red meat you don't eat, right, you're good with chicken?"
Orlando just nodded. And though he was trying his hardest not to look impressed that Katie had clearly done her research on him, Dave could see it as clearly as if Orlando had shouted it from the rooftops.
"Good. I'll leave instructions with the kitchen staff on a menu. You need way more protein, and before you start to get any ideas, you're not up for sexual activity yet, so don't even bring up alternative protein."
Orlando let out a small, pained whimper. "You keep bringing up sex."
"You started it. And don't tell me you're prudish about talking about it," Katie answered, with a chuckle. "Because that's not what I've heard at all."
"Quite the opposite in fact," Dave murmured, and grinned in the face of what had to be the absolute nastiest look Orlando had ever given him.
"I'm not a prude," Orlando said, with one last dirty look at Dave. "I just...you keep talking about it, and I'm going to start think...well, nevermind."
"Didn't I say I wasn't here for that?" Katie perched on the arm of the sofa, managing to look graceful and at home without any effort.
"Yes, well," Orlando said, eying her. "You could change your mind."
"Because you're all that and a box of chocolates, I suppose, and everyone that sees you wants to bang you?"
"You're the one who said I was cute," Orlando pointed out with his most charming smile. Dave looked at Katie, knowing he himself had been the victim of that particular smile more than once in the past.
To Katie's credit, her only response was to offer her own smile in return. "And you're the one that can't keep your eyes off my tits. You certain you're not interested in women? Not even a little?"
"I...well, I..." Orlando stopped, then opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"Orlando, love, please quit while you're ahead," Dave pleaded, holding his hand over his heart. "I'm dying over here."
"That's because you're a bastard that enjoys my suffering."
"I'm sorry, isn't that what I said?"
Katie put her chin in her hand and glanced between them. "You both are far too adorable. I can see why Gerry thinks you two're perfect together."
"Gerry?" Orlando asked, with a frown.
"Gerard. My Sire. Sits on the Council. We were just talking about him, remember?"
"He has a nickname?? He allows people to...be all, like, familiar with him?"
"Good Lord, you have been sheltered the past decade," Katie declared. "What ridiculous lies have Karl and Harry been feeding you?"
"Are we talking about the same Gerard? Lord Butler?" Orlando asked, giving her a suspicious look. "Obsessed with history, stuffy bloke with a stick up his arse almost as big as the one up Marcus'?"
Katie blinked, mouthed the word 'stuffy?' at Dave, and then collapsed into gales of laughter. She slid off the arm and onto the sofa at Orlando's feet, practically doubled over with the most delightful giggles. Dave wanted to kiss Orlando for making her laugh, because if she was beautiful normally, she was absolutely breath-taking when she laughed.
"Oi, it's not that funny," Orlando grumbled, slipping one foot from beneath the blanket and nudging her thigh.
"Yes, it is," Katie replied, wiping tears of mirth from her face as she rolled into a sitting position. "Just because he takes Council matters and our history seriously doesn't mean he's...well..." She looked ready to bust out laughing again. "I can't even say it."
"You are totally having me on right now. I'll have you know it's not nice to make fun of the infirm."
"She's not," Dave said, chuckling himself at the glare Orlando leveled in his direction. "Gerry's a stickler for details, but he's not the humorless robot you think he is."
"He obviously doesn't know about Marcus' women, either, does he, otherwise he wouldn't have made the crack about him?" Katie asked Dave.
"I don't think so, no."
Orlando's mouth fell open and he stared at them. "Now I know you're taking the piss," he said, giving Katie's thigh another nudge with his foot. "Marcus has women?"
"That answers that," Katie said, still giggling as she caught Orlando's foot and put it in her lap, one hand curled over his ankle to keep it from shoving at her again. "You really have been sheltered."
"Have not," Orlando said, sounding exactly like a petulant child. "I've met Marcus. Numerous times."
"But not his women," Katie said, and gave Dave a conspiratorial wink.
"Marcus doesn't have women."
Katie patted Orlando's shin. "You really do need to get out more, child."
"I get out plenty." Orlando crossed his arms, looking every inch the disgruntled teenager. "And I'm telling you that I've never seen Gerard or Marcus so much as crack a smile, let alone flirt with anyone at any function I've been to."
"Well, they've all been Council functions, haven't they? They're hardly going to let their hair down and get their freak on when they're supposed to be representing the vampire government."
"I...you...you really did not just say 'get your freak on' in regards to either of them, did you?" Orlando groaned, throwing an arm over his face and flopping back on the cushions.
"Who's getting their freak on and why wasn't I invited?"
Continued in Part Two