Title: Catalyst: Part Twenty-Two Authors: Brenda & Jo Disclaimer: Never happened. "We can't even go sightseeing first?" Orlando asked, clambering into the waiting limo behind Harry and Karl. Viggo and Josh were right on his heels. The flight from London to Istanbul had been far too long, and all Orlando really wanted was a shower and a nap. He knew he wasn't going to get either, however. Not for quite awhile. "This isn't that sort of trip," Karl said. "Maybe after our meeting with Liv." "Does Liv even know we're coming?" Harry asked, immediately pouring himself a drink from the small bar. "She does." Viggo slouched back among the cushions and eyed Karl. "She's looking forward to seeing you again, she said." Josh eyed them both. "There's a story there." "Not much of one, really," Karl said, with a small smile as he smoothed a crease from his trouser leg. The smile widened when Viggo snorted. "I suppose it would depend on your definition of not much." Josh nudged at Karl's leg. "Come on, don't tease." Karl shrugged. "There's really not much to tell. Liv and I were lovers for a time." "For a time, he says," Harry laughed. "Almost a century." "Wait, wait, you slept with the Elder?" "For a century?" Orlando wondered if his eyes were bulging. It felt like they were. Then something occurred to him, and he snapped his head around to look at Harry. "And you?" "Oh, Karl was sleeping with me, too." Orlando frowned. "That's not what I meant." He twisted to look at Karl again. "You really did? For that long?" "Well, not continuously, no, but off and on, when we had the time." "Holy fuck." Josh let out a high-pitched laugh. "Now I really have heard everything." "She's the Elder, not a nun," Karl said. Then he smiled. "Besides, wait until you meet her. She's an incredibly beautiful woman. It would have taken a much better man than myself to refuse her." "So you've said," Orlando muttered, but he didn't get it. Even if she was the most gorgeous woman on the planet, she was still a female. He slanted Harry a look. "And you never did properly answer the question, love." "You never asked it properly." "Fine." Orlando huffed out a sigh. "Were you sleeping with her, too?" "No. Not that I tried to or even wanted to, but she was never interested in me," Harry replied. Orlando blinked. Not interested in Harry? The fuck was wrong with the woman? "Is she a lesbian?" The second the words were out of his mouth, Orlando's eyes went wide, and he felt the flush sweep up his face. He didn't even have time to attempt an apology before Josh howled with laughter, face buried against Karl's shoulder. Viggo just sat there, watching Orlando with an odd expression and one corner of his mouth twitching a little. "I, um," Orlando said, then stopped. Fuck. "I can assure you she isn't," Karl said, lips curving in a smile. Christ, he was never going to live this down. "You're not going to tell her I said that, are you?" Orlando gave Karl a worried look. He didn't think he had any reason for concern, but Karl sometimes had an odd sense of humor. Karl just reached over to pat his knee. "Your secret is safe with us." "One hopes," Viggo said, carefully not looking at any of them, much to Orlando's relief, "that this will teach you that Harry isn't quite the sex god everyone makes him out to be." "I'm not?" Harry joked, just as Orlando said, in all seriousness, "He isn't?" "Well, I think you are," Karl said, with a wink at Harry. Josh just shook his head. "There are days when I really wonder what the hell I've gotten myself into." "Welcome to the club," Orlando replied, just as the car made its way through a ornate set of wrought iron gates and rolled to a stop. Josh whistled as he looked out the window. "Nice digs." "Good grief," Orlando said, craning his neck to see around Harry. "Does she have a small city in there?" "Just a few companions," Karl laughed, as they all got out of the limo. "I doubt she's changed all that much." Orlando continued to look around, eyes wide, as he felt Harry just behind him. The heat hit him like a cinderblock, all-encompassing and weighted. It felt like what he imagined the inside of an oven was like. Even the air felt heavier, with barely a breeze to provide relief. All Orlando wanted to do was curl up somewhere shaded and take a nap. Water gurgled merrily in the fountain off to their right and there was a stone wall that surrounded the property, but all Orlando could see was the house. Palace. Whatever. The place was huge, like maybe something a queen would own or a sheikh or something. "I wouldn't wander too far from the group," Viggo stated, starting towards the house without waiting to see if they were following. He didn't look at all like he was affected by the heat. "There are guards." "Guards?" Josh and Orlando said, at the exact same time. They caught each other's eye and quickly looked away. "Yes. And they're armed." "But, uh, I could heal. I mean, from a gunshot wound," Orlando pointed out. "True, but the poisoned-blood darts would put you out for a few weeks." Orlando was sure his eyes had to be saucer-wide when he looked at Harry. "Poisoned-blood darts?" Harry just nodded, and caressed Orlando's back before moving to stand in front of the guards at the gated entrance to the palace proper (and really, there was no other word for it.) The head guard nodded his respect at Viggo, Karl and Harry. "Lord Mortensen, Lord Urban, Lord Sinclair. You honor this house." "As you do honor to us," Viggo said smoothly, completing what sounded like a ritual. "If you'll follow me," the second guard said, motioning them through as the gate swung open. Orlando stayed close to Harry, head swiveling as he tried to take in everything. There was a garden off to the side that looked like it could rival something out of a movie or a magazine, and the gravel pathway that led to the house was meticulously kept. Orlando felt like maybe he was treading on sacred ground every time his feet crunched on the rocks. Every few steps, his eyes darted to the guard. Poisoned-blood darts? A shudder ran up his spine, and he actually jumped when Harry placed a hand in the small of his back. //Relax.// "Sorry," Orlando muttered, feeling very out of place, and was glad to note Josh was just as awestruck. The guard led them inside the palace, down a long, wide-aisled corridor that looked like it housed more marble busts than some museums Orlando had been to, and left them in a sitting room (thankfully air conditioned) and pulled the door closed behind him after saying something about refreshments. The room itself also looked like something out of a museum – understated and elegant, with light blue paneling on the walls and sofas and chairs covered in ivory fabric scattered invitingly across the length of the rugs. Every bit of furniture and art probably cost more than Orlando made in a year, which was saying something these days. A few moments later, two young and absolutely drop-dead gorgeous men, clad only in billowy pants, came in with trays bearing an array of finger foods and a pitcher filled with something that sort of looked like pink lemonade and glasses. The two men bowed once to Viggo before leaving and shutting the doors behind them. "Okay, that wasn't weird at all," Josh said, in the ensuing silence. "Liv always liked having things done a certain way," Karl shrugged, and went over to the table that took up the better part of an entire wall. "Anyone up for some hummus or malohta or zengin?" Orlando peered at the food, then nudged Harry with an elbow. "I know hummus," he said, "and those look like green beans..." "That's because they are," Harry grinned, moving to snag a few slices of pita before moving on. "With walnuts, flavored with garlic and red pepper flakes. The other," he continued, scooping up some of the red paste, "is the zengin. It's a red pepper paste that's delicious on lamb kebabs." "Which I don't see here," Josh pointed out, studying the array of food while absently taking a glass from Karl. "Try it with the pita," Karl suggested. He dropped into a nearby seat. He didn't seem fazed at all by the pristine nature of their surroundings. "You know," Orlando said, with a pained sigh as he studied everything in front of him, "sometimes I wish I knew half of what the two of you know." "We've been alive a long time," Harry reminded him. "And we lived in the area for...how long was it?" Harry shrugged. "Few decades?" he guessed, then turned back to Orlando. "Karl made an alliance with one of the sheikhs and we spent some time training his men." "If I recall, you both stayed far after your time of service to the sheikh was at an end," Viggo said, while filling his own plate. "It's a beautiful country. It still makes me feel young, just taking in all of the history that's come before," Karl said. "Part of the reason I choose to live here." All heads turned at the lilting voice by the door. Orlando couldn't help it; he stared. The woman was tall and slender and, well, goddess-like was the only word that came to mind. Long dark hair spilled around her shoulders, framing a heart-stoppingly gorgeous face, and full, lush lips were curved in a small smile. She was draped in a flowing burgundy gown that still managed to show off curves that would be the envy of any model. Her skin was flawless, like translucent porcelain, and Orlando felt a tug deep inside him as her eyes, so blue they seemed unreal, landed on his. The intelligence in that gaze, and the intensity in the way she studied him, had him fighting to keep from stepping back to place Harry between them. "Liv, you're looking as ethereal as ever," Viggo stated, stepping up to her and bestowing a light kiss to her cheek. "And you seem to be more relaxed than the last time I saw you," she replied, in that same low, musical voice. "I told you getting laid would agree with you." "Well, you know how stubborn Vig is," Karl said, before Orlando could fully wrap his head around the fact that the Elder had just taken Viggo to task for not having sex. Liv held her hands out, the smile transforming already perfect features into something bordering on the divine. "Karl, my love, how good of you to pay me a visit." Karl, Orlando noticed, didn't bother with a kiss to the cheek. Instead, they shared a full kiss on the lips that lingered far too long for a simple welcome. "I'd be jealous, but that's kinda hot," Josh observed, and Orlando could only reluctantly agree. When the kiss ended, Liv laid a gentle hand against Karl's cheek, smiled at him again, and then turned to Harry. Her smile softened. "And you, Harry," she said, coming forward. "You look much more relaxed as well. Found what you've been looking for?" Perplexed, Orlando looked at Harry, tried to figure out what she meant. What in the world could Harry have been looking for? Harry, for his part, glanced at Karl, who gave him a small, private smile. "It took a little soul searching and some time, but I think so," he told Liv, then stepped in for his own kiss. This one was more of a kiss between siblings. "I'm glad. You've always been so restless," Liv replied, and squeezed Harry's hands before directing her gaze to Orlando and Josh. "And who are these delectable young men?" Out of the corner of his eye, Orlando saw Karl smother a smile before he stepped up to Liv. "Allow me to introduce you to Orlando Bloom and Josh Hartnett. Gentlemen, this is Lady Liv Tyler." "My Lady," they both said, practically in unison, and darted quick glances at each other before looking away just as quickly. Don't laugh, Orlando thought to himself as he offered her a smile. She studied him for a moment, then turned her gaze to Josh. Orlando breathed a silent sigh of relief, then noticed that Josh was trying his best not to move under the weight of that stare. "This is fascinating," she murmured, reaching out to touch Josh's jaw. "A vampire with two pets." Then, she caught Orlando's chin in a light grip and turned his head to study God only knew what. "And a pet with two vampires. What have you boys been up to?" "You should get out more," Viggo told her. Liv rapped Viggo sharply on the arm and moved away before wagging her finger between Harry and Karl. "I'm waiting." They looked at each other, then her, shrugging. "You always said we had something unique," Karl finally said. "And you do," Liv replied. "But just what were you thinking, love, by claiming Harry's pet first?" Orlando started in surprise. How the hell had she known that just by looking at him? "I was thinking that I didn't want to chance letting him go." "You know it doesn't work like that. He would have been invisible except to the one he was meant for. In fact, you shouldn't have been able to do what you did." Karl's reply was soft, but implacable. "Which just proves he was meant for both of us." Orlando just stood there, trying to figure out how she knew. Was it tattooed across his forehead in invisible vampire ink, or something? He opened his mouth to ask and swallowed the words when she rounded on Harry. "And you," she said, fingertip lightly touching his chest, "what were you thinking by allowing this to happen?" "I was out of the country when they met. And by the time I made it back to L.A., I had other things on my mind..." His voice tapered off. The look on Liv's face softened in sympathy. "Oh, Harry." Orlando watched as she rose to her toes to place a soft kiss to each of Harry's cheeks. "Grief can cloud judgment." "I still should have known." "Perhaps, but we can't live our lives in the past." Then Liv turned to Karl once more. "And you truly love him?" "Since the moment I first saw him." "Then I suppose it's only fitting that the two of you should have a pet as unique as you both are. But you do realize that bond between you and Orlando will most likely be lessened as yours to Josh grows." "A situation," Karl said, with a faint smile as he took Josh's hand, "that's just as fitting, given why we're here." Liv smiled, shook her head as she gestured towards the chairs and sofa. "I knew you weren't here simply for the pleasure of my company. Everyone, sit, please." Once they were settled, she looked at each of them in turn. "Now, who wants to start?" Karl and Harry seemed to have another one of their silent conversations, then Harry looked at Liv. "We're here to talk about Dave." Liv looked around the room. "And Dave is...?" "He was also our pet," Karl finished. Orlando gave him massive props for not even flinching under the weight of her stare. "That's not possible. You only have two true pet bonds. And Harry only has the one." "Which is why I severed the pet bonds between them and Dave before we flew out to meet you," Viggo said. "However, Dave is Orlando's Sire." "And this is the same fledgling Dave who is also your assistant?" "Was, and yes, but his dismissal as my assistant is a story for another time." For a long moment, she just sat there and looked at Viggo. "I see," she said, finally, then turned to look at Harry and Karl. "I have to give the two of you credit," she said, quietly, slowly, "when you fuck things up, you do it spectacularly. I cannot believe that either of you would be so careless as to allow someone else to give Orlando the Gift." Karl scooted forward in his chair. "Can we correct it? That's why we've come to you. To ask if there's a way to right the wrong and give Orlando the Sire he should have had." Her eyes narrowed. Then, without her expression changing one iota, she turned that gaze on Orlando. He flinched, but tried to relax as Harry wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulders. "Child," she said, voice cool and calm in the silence, "is this something you want?" "If it's possible," Orlando said, raising his eyes just enough to meet hers, "then, yes." "And they have explained to you the risks involved in being unmade? Just as we do not give the Gift on a whim, we don't take it away on one. Asking a single body to go through the unmaking process only to be remade...that will carry serious risk and a long period of recovery before it could be attempted. Are you prepared for this?" "You mean that I'd be mortal again for a while. I know that. Viggo told me." "A while?" She shook her head and frowned. "It could be months, years even, before you're physically able to accept the Gift once more. If you ever are." Orlando sat quietly for a moment. Then he looked at Karl and received a warm smile as their bond pulsed softly with love and comfort. When Orlando turned to look at Harry, he was overwhelmed by what he saw in those amazing amber eyes. "The risk is worth it." "But if there's anything we can do to help lessen that risk..." Liv stopped Harry by lifting her hand. "The fact that he is bound to both you and Karl will help. But this will be a messy and long process." "Whatever it takes," Karl said. Liv nodded as if she expected no other answer. "Then I will do everything I can to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible." She turned to Viggo. "Unless you have an objection?" Viggo shook his head. "I would be honored to have your expertise on hand." "Very well, then." Smiling, Liv stood. "Now Karl, if you would be so kind as to take a walk with me..." "Of course." Karl smoothly got to his feet and took Liv's arm, leading her out the door and to the garden. Orlando blinked. "Is she...does that mean she's going to do it?" "That's exactly what it means," Viggo said, staring at the door with a thoughtful look. Onto Part Twenty-Three main Catalyst page If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!