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?" Dave just laughed as Dom strolled into the room, Josh right on his heels. The two of them looked as if they'd been rummaging around in Josh's garden – both of them had grass stains on their jeans and t-shirts, and their faces looked freshly scrubbed of dirt. "Marcus," Dave supplied, and smiled inwardly at Josh's classic double take when he spotted Katie. Child looked as if Christmas and his birthday had come early. "Oh, well, he is a sexual freak, what'd you expect?" Dom mused, then lifted a hand in greeting. "Hello, Katie-love, ready to run off together yet?" "As if you'd toss aside Sean to do that," Katie laughed, wiggling her fingers in return. "Orlando here doesn't seem to believe us when we say that Marcus has women." "Marcus not only has women," Dom said, dropping into a nearby chair, "that slick bastard has a harem. And every single one of them hot enough to stop traffic." "Hope you're not expecting me to take his word," Orlando said. He seemed to have settled down some as Katie rubbed his ankle in small circles. "Everyone knows Dom's a lying wanker." "I'm Josh," Josh said before Dom could argue. He stepped forward and rubbed his hand on his jeans before offering it to Katie. "And you must be Katie, since these idiots are too rude to introduce us." Orlando's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything. Dave put on what he hoped was his most bland look. "Katie's here to take care of Orlando while the Eternal Idiots get back to work," he said, knowing full well that both Dom and Josh knew exactly why Katie was there. "A pleasure to meet you," Katie replied, giving Josh a charming, flirtatious smile as she took his hand. "Although now I have to have words with Karl about his greed in getting to all of the hot men before I have a shot at them." "You could still go after Harry," Dom pointed out. "Dom, my love, not even I'm arrogant enough to think he'd look at me when he's got Monica to keep his bed warm." "Good point," Dave nodded, although he knew that, despite Katie's obvious beauty and Harry's considerable appeal, the two of them had fallen immediately into an easy friendship without a hint of sexual tension. Karl had admitted more than once he was completely baffled by it, as they were clearly each other's type. Dave had just accused him of being utterly biased. (Karl hadn't denied it.) "You don't think he'd go for a threesome, then?" Josh grinned. "I know I wouldn't turn you or Monica down." Katie tapped a finger to her lips as she pretended to give the matter some thought. "That's a good idea." "Oi, can we stop talking about Harry's sex life for a minute, and you – " Orlando pointed at Josh " – stop flirting with my nurse. Go get your own if you want one." "Are you getting possessive?" Dave asked, struggling to keep from revealing how endearing he found Orlando's attitude. He wondered if Orlando even realized that he and Katie were pretty much snuggled together like kittens by this point. Dom burst out laughing. "Mate, you do realize Katie's a woman, yes?" Katie leaned over to pat Dom's knee. "We did have that talk after he asked to see my knickers." "Lucky bastard," Josh replied, with a wink as he flopped to sit, Indian-style, on the floor. "I did not ask!" Orlando glared, but Dave noticed he made no effort to move his feet from her lap. "You're the one that mentioned I could have a look at them if I behaved, not me!" "You did ask about her bra, though," Dave pointed out with glee, grinning wide as Dom pulled a throw pillow over his face to muffle his laughter. "That's because her tits were spilling out all over the place," Orlando said, so indignant that he practically bristled. "They were completely covered," Katie said, mildly, just as Josh said, "Of course, one does wonder why you were looking at her tits long enough to think they might spill out." "Mate," Orlando said, giving Josh a flat look, "have you seen her tits?" "Clearly not as well as you have, which is a total shame," Josh retorted, with a pointed look at the two of them on the sofa before grinning. Dave gave up all pretense of not laughing, covering his face with his hands as Dom howled from behind the pillow. The fact that Orlando couldn't even see how he was contradicting himself made the whole thing that much funnier. "Wait, so let me get this right," Josh said. "You're not into girls, but you think seeing Katie's frilly underthings is a good enough reward to get you to behave? Doesn't anyone else think that's a little weird?" "It wasn't my idea to see them!" Then Orlando groaned, and rubbed his temples. "I don't like any of you anymore." "It's alright," Katie soothed. "I don't mind being objectified by my friends." "Does this mean I have license to ogle you whenever I want?" Josh wanted to know. "Only if I can return the favor." "Deal," Josh promptly replied. "Anything you'd like to see me in?" Katie winked. "Those jeans you're wearing'll do just fine." "This is not my life," Orlando declared, to no one in particular. "'Fraid it is, love," Dave said, giving Orlando a commiserating smile. "And I expect full reports on the subject of Katie's lingerie while I'm stuck in London. With photos, if possible." "I do a great sexy pose, if I say so myself," Katie said. "I'm not here to satisfy your prurient fantasies," Orlando muttered, one hand covering his eyes. "Besides, she's my nurse." "Exactly," Dave said, lightning quick and still smiling. "Which means you're in the best position to get a look at her knickers." "Might even get to seem 'em wet," Dom offered, wiping away his tears with a little hiccup of laughter. "I mean, if she's to help you shower up and all." "And your Blackberry does have a camera," Josh pointed out. "That doesn't even make sense," Orlando groaned, peering at them from between his fingers. "She's in a better position to see mine than I am to see hers." "You wear knickers?" Katie asked, with an innocent look that Dave knew was anything but. "No! I don't wear any – " Orlando stopped in mid-word and frowned at her. "I don't even know why I talk to you people." "Because we're your friends and we love you and that is our blood circulating in your veins, so you owe us," Dom replied. "I hate it when you're logical." "Besides," Josh continued, "Karl told me you're the reason he ran off with Harry tonight, so it's your fault that I'm lonely and in need of company and here with you instead of Karl." "Do you even believe your own lies?" Dom asked, with a laugh. "Hell no, but it sounds good." Katie twisted to look at Orlando. "You ran Karl and Harry off? What happened?" She held up a finger when Orlando opened his mouth. "The truth, please." Orlando gave her a mutinous look. She just returned the look with a calm one. The moment stretched out in silence, then Orlando looked away. "We had a disagreement," he muttered, hands back in his lap as he focused on them. Katie remained silent, just watching him, head tilted slightly. He shifted a little, stopped when her hand tightened on his ankle. "Orlando?" Orlando let out a slow breath, but he didn't look up. "I had a temper tantrum and was a complete and utter cunt," he said, voice dropping to a near whisper. Dave blinked, sure he'd heard that wrong. And he didn't even look to see if Dom's mouth was hanging open, because he'd heard the sound of Dom's jaw hitting the floor. Even Josh looked completely shell-shocked. In fact, the only person that didn't look surprised by the admission was Katie. She just patted Orlando's knee. "I know you're frustrated. This is a long and slow recovery process. And I know Karl and Harry can get overprotective with their loved ones. But," she added, "this was something you chose. You accepted the risks and the recovery time." "I know," Orlando answered, sounding as miserable as Dave had ever heard. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." "Sure it will," Katie smiled. "I can already tell you're stubborn like they are. But just remember next time that this is your choice, and there are certain things you have to suck up." Orlando made a face, and settled against the pillows. Dave was pretty sure he'd forgotten that anyone other than Katie was even in the room. "I just feel so helpless," Orlando said. "I hate it." "It'd be weird if you didn't hate it. But you have to listen to your body, and to me." Dave knew he wasn't the only person that had Katie's complete attention. "If you push this, you're going to do irreparable harm to yourself. Kidney failure, blood clots, heart disease, emphysema...your entire system is fragile right now and fighting to keep its balance. Let it. I'll be there with you every step of the way in your recovery, but you have to trust me that I know what I'm talking about. And trust Harry and Karl when they tell you not to go too far. We clear?" "Has anyone ever told you that you're bossy?" "Once or twice," Katie laughed. "You'll want to remember that." "I'll try." She looked at him for a moment, then shook her head. "Something tells me we're going to have more than one fight." "It's almost like she knows him," Dom said. "Shut it," Orlando growled, tearing his eyes from Katie to glare at Dom. "I know patients," Katie laughed. "And I doubt that Orlando's going to be much different from Gerry...though, he might actually be better." "Gerry...Gerard was your patient?" Orlando's head snapped around so fast that Dave wasn't sure he hadn't hurt himself from the way he swayed at the sudden movement. "Of course. That's how we met," Katie sunnily replied. "But that's a story for another time. Now, I need to see to your menu, and you need to rest." "But, I – " She held up a hand. "No arguing. You can rest here if you like, but you will be resting." "Fine," Orlando grumbled. "But I want it noted that I'm only doing this under protest." "So noted," Katie answered, then slid Orlando's feet from her lap as she stood. "Now, you two, come on – " she beckoned at Dom and Josh " – let's let Dave and Orlando get settled. I might even let you both buy me a drink when I'm done with the chef." "I know a great piano bar off Wilcox we could go to. The manager there's a friend of mine," Josh said, as he stood and stretched. "Oi, don't go thinking you're gonna shag my nurse," Orlando piped up. "I know you musician types." Dave chuckled as Katie planted her hands on her hips and gave Orlando an amused, exasperated look. "And I suppose I have no say in who I shag now that I've got you to look after?" Josh just smirked. "Besides, as hot as she is, and you are supernova, don't get me wrong," he told Katie, before looking back at Orlando, "she's still a vampire that's not Karl, remember." "Right," Orlando replied, with a sheepish expression. "I knew that." "But, if something odd were to happen and I should happen to get so lucky," Josh added, "I'll make sure to tell you all the juicy details." "No one's getting lucky today," Katie said, ruffling Orlando's hair as she walked past him on her way to the kitchen. "Now rest. David, if he's overtaxed himself when I get back tomorrow night, I'm holding you personally responsible. Come along, boys." Grinning, Dave just sketched a salute and watched Orlando peer around his pillow until they were out of sight. Then Orlando's eyes found his, and a warm glow shot through him at the mischief dancing in those dark depths. "I like her," Orlando confessed in a loud whisper. "She can stay. But don't tell her I said that." "Your secret is safe with me," Dave promised, holding a hand over his heart. "Seriously, where did you guys find her? She seems so...I mean, she's not at all who I would expect Gerard to choose for a fledgling." "That's because you don't know Gerry." "I still can't believe he has a nickname." Orlando shook his head. "You're all messing with me. You have to be." "You'll see," Dave replied, already envisioning Orlando and Gerard's next encounter. It was too bad he'd almost certainly be banished to London by that time. Maybe he could get Karl or Harry to record it. "But, to answer your question, what Katie said was true. Gerard had gotten very ill, and Katie was instrumental in nursing him back to health. They became very close – like siblings, one could say – and when she expressed an interest in The Gift, Gerry couldn't champion her petition to the Council fast enough." "Huh." Orlando glanced once more in the direction she'd gone, then shook his head. "Still doesn't seem like the type Gerard would pick." "And who does?" Dave was curious as to the answer, almost certain he knew who Orlando would say. "Someone like...well, Marcus." Dave barked out a laugh. Close, but not quite who he thought. God, he seriously could not wait to hear about that next encounter. "Pay attention when you finally get to sit in on the Council meetings," he said, still laughing. "The two of them don't much like each other." "Probably because they're too alike," Orlando yawned, then frowned. "Why're you way over there? Sofa's big enough for both of us." "You sure about that?" Dave expected things would be a little different between him and Orlando as long as Orlando was still mortal, and the last thing he wanted was for Orlando to feel obligated to try to make him feel better. "Well, yeah," Orlando frowned, the space between his eyebrows wrinkling. "I mean, if we can't have sex, the least we can do is cuddle, right?" "Orlando." Dave scrubbed a hand over his face, and gave Orlando a disbelieving look. "You're a true pet now. To two vampires. You shouldn't...we don't have a bond...you shouldn't want me." Orlando shrugged, even though Dave could tell he was confused and trying not to show it. "Well, someone forgot to tell me about it, because I definitely still want you." He pulled the blanket back in invitation. "Now, are you going to get over here or are we going to argue about it? Because if we argue, then I'll be forced to tell Katie that I wasn't able to rest, and I don't think you want to face her wrath." "That's blackmail," Dave laughed, but stood long enough to kick off his shoes before sliding behind Orlando on the sofa. Instantly, Orlando snuggled back against him and let out a small noise of contentment. "Blackmail, bribery," and Dave could hear the amusement in Orlando's voice, "thought you knew me well enough to know that I'm not averse to using either. And we still have a bond." "Orlando --" "Tell me you don't feel it, and I'll call you a liar," Orlando said, a hint of steel creeping into his voice. "No, I feel it," Dave said, voice soft, and he tried to wrap his head around the fact that he could feel something, even if it wasn't as strong as what they'd once shared. He put his arms around Orlando, frowning a little at how right Katie had been -- Orlando was too thin – and pressed a light kiss to Orlando's nape. "Good," Orlando said, snuggling tighter against Dave. "Because I'd hate to have to tell Katie that you were arguing with me when I'm supposed to be concentrating on getting better." "Speaking of Katie..." Dave lifted his head just enough to see Orlando's profile. "Care to tell me why you were flirting with her?" "I wasn't." "You were." "Wasn't." "Are you five?" Dave laughed, and squeezed Orlando's waist. "It's alright if you were, you know. She's a beautiful woman." "Yeah, but it's not...I don't want to do anything with her," Orlando replied, and Dave could tell he was choosing his words carefully. "I liked her. She was funny. And she smelled nice." "She smelled nice?" He knew he shouldn't tease Orlando, but some things were impossible to resist. "Like flowers and sunshine," Orlando said, turning his face into the pillow for a second. It was just long enough to make Dave wonder if he was blushing. "But it's not...I don't...I mean..." "Love, it's okay if you like her," Dave said, breathing the words across Orlando's ear, smiling at the resultant shiver. "It's even okay if, down the road, you want to do something with her. Who knows? By then, she might even want to as well." To Dave's surprise, Orlando didn't say anything at first. He just chewed his bottom lip, and Dave could almost hear the thoughts whirring in his head. "I don't think so," he finally answered. "I mean, I didn't feel anything, y'know, like that. But...do you think she'd be up for snuggling?" Trust Orlando, Dave thought to himself with an inward smile. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She's almost as tactile as you are." "Yeah?" Orlando seemed to perk up at that. "That's cool. I mean, yeah." "And don't forget to listen to her, either. Harry and Karl and Viggo wouldn't trust your recovery to just anyone." "I will. I promise," Orlando stressed, craning his head to look at Dave when Dave gave a small snort of disbelief. "See that you do. I won't be around to kick your ass if you need it." Suddenly, his impending banishment loomed large. "I think she'll be able to do that all on her own," Orlando grumbled. Then he twisted a little, just enough to face Dave. His hand was warm when it came up to rest against Dave's jaw. "And I'll be coming to England at some point, love. I don't plan on giving you any reason to save up ass kickings." "I know." Dave buried his face in Orlando's hair and held him tight enough for Orlando to let out a muffled protest. He eased up immediately. "Sorry." "S'okay," Orlando said, one hand rubbing his ribs. "But I don't think she's gonna like it if you bruise me." "No, probably not," Dave smiled, inwardly wincing at the possibility that he'd hurt Orlando. He had to remember Orlando was mortal now, and still recovering. It was hard, though, with Orlando warm and pliant in his arms. "Just...go easy until I'm a vampire again, yeah?" Orlando smiled, leaning in to kiss the tip of Dave's nose. "Then I promise you can toss me around as much as you want." "Sounds like something to look forward to," Dave replied, the tight band around his heart easing a little at the look in Orlando's eyes. "I do love you. Never doubt that." "I never have." Then Orlando cupped Dave's cheek, and his smile was heartbreakingly sweet. "Just don't forget I love you, too. Mortal or vampire, Sire/fledgling bond, pet or not, it doesn't matter. I know what I feel for you." "Okay." Dave could hear the shakiness in his own voice, but he didn't care. This was Orlando, and he deserved Dave's honest reactions and emotions. "Just take it easy. Harry's not going to even contemplate giving you the Gift again until you're fully recovered." "Which is why I'm going to do exactly as Katie says," Orlando said, smiling at Dave's disbelieving look. "I am, I promise. The sooner I get well, the sooner he'll give it to me." "Think it might take a bit longer than that." Regardless of what Orlando might think, Dave's money was always going to be on Harry giving Orlando the Gift on Harry's schedule. "But I'm going to enjoy hearing the creative ways you try to convince Harry." Orlando sniffed. "I can do it." "Oh, I know you can try." Dave grinned as he leaned in to rest his forehead against Orlando's. "And I thought you were going to do exactly as Katie said." "I am!" "Then why aren't you resting?" "Because somebody keeps insisting on talking to me," Orland replied, with a lift of an eyebrow. "Don't blame this on me." Their lips met in a brief, soft kiss. "Now sleep. I'm not going anywhere." "Better not," Orlando stated, and closed his eyes, happily snuggling into Dave's arms. "Love you." "Love you, too," Dave replied, and brushed another kiss to Orlando's forehead before closing his eyes. He would cherish every moment with Orlando he could get to shore himself for the long months (and possibly years) ahead. Onto Recovery
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