Safe In Your Heart

Italics denote a Flashback

Jimmy chuckled nervously; not knowing quite how much Lando and Addie had seen, but suspecting by their surprised looks that they had seen at least the kiss. . .

Sam was blushing furiously, and grateful that the darkness of the pre-dawn sky covered the majority of her embarrassment. She knew that it was irrational to feel like this, she had certainly dated before, and her brother had witnessed a few kisses over the years. This felt different somehow though. . .

Addie's eye gleamed mischievously. Her brother, finally, found someone who intrigued him. Someone that she liked. . .

Orlando eyed the embarrassed couple curiously. He hadn't seen his sister so embarrassed over a kiss since she was in school and he caught her making out with that louse she dated. Jimmy was an all right bloke though. . . Finally he smiled.

He gathered Addie into his arms, and stood. 'I'll let you two lovebirds have the deck for a bit mate.' With a wink at his sister he added, 'treat 'im right sis, he's a good mate.' Jimmy laughed as Sam sputtered. Usually it was the GUY getting the warning.

Jimmy opened the door for Orlando, who pulled Addie close, so he wouldn't bang her into the door frame. In the sitting room, which still resembled command central-save for the conspicuous absence of the security teams, Viggo, Dom, Billy, and the two bodyguards were sitting around. Billy and Dom were chatting about the upcoming season's plots for Lost-Dom's television show. Viggo was questioning the two security agents about security measures. Only he and the agents looked up as Orlando walked through the room.

In her bedroom, Orlando laid her out in the bed, covering her carefully. Brushing a tendril of hair from her forehead, he pressed his lips to it, before straightening.

He went back into the living room to visit with his mates, interrupting Dom and Billy this time. With a grin, he plopped himself down on the couch, butt between his mates, but because of the way they were turned, his knees rested atop theirs.

'Can the shop talk guys,' Orlando said, 'Like we don't talk enough about that.'

The Hobbits replied by sticking out their tongues. 'Oi what IS it with people and tongues today?' he wondered aloud, drawing chuckles from his two mates.

'So, is that yer sister out there with the lass's brother, then?'

'Unless you know another Samantha Bloom that is my sister's twin,' replied Orlando rolling his eyes. 'C'mon Billy, you're just trying to get my goat now-you know that it's her.'

The next morning, Addie woke up alone, for the first time since she'd arrived. She called out for someone to give her a hand. After a moment, one of the many security agents-really who could remember all their names??-stuck his head in the door.

'Everything all right Miss?' he queried.

'Uh, is Jimmy, or Orlando here? Or Sam, Dom, Billy, or Viggo?'

'None of them Miss. Can I help you?'

'Oi, I suppose you'll have too. To be blunt I have to pee like a bloody effin' racehorse, and then I'd like to wear some clean clothes and lie out on the sofa.' To hell with modesty, she had needs and man or not, he was the only one available.

The man blushed-blushed!-before stuttering, 'oh, ah, yeah, sure, no prob. . .lem.'

He picked her up carefully-'I'm not gonna break!!-thought Addie-and brought her into the bathroom, seating her on the toilet.

Rolling her eyes, Addie said, 'Um, unless you expect me to pee my pants, you'll need to help me take them down.'

He blushed again, avoiding eye contact, but stood her up enough to help her.

'While I'm sitting here, will you go in my room, and in my closet is a mint green outfit, shorts and a top. That's what I'd like to wear today, if you could please get it.' He left hurriedly to comply. Just then Addie heard Sam's voice. She called out.

'Oi, Addie, how'd you get in here?'

'That security guy, Tim or Tom or Tony or something.'

'Ah. Need some help then?'

'PLEASE!' Addie cried out. 'No offence to him, but he was so uncomfortable helping me that it made me more uncomfortable.'

Sam laughed. 'I don't doubt it. Would you like me to help you take a bath? Might be a bit more comfortable for you to have a woman help you.'

'Oh God, WOULD I!' cried Addie, as the agent returned with her selected outfit. Sam took it from him and thanked him, after which he scurried away quickly.

'Typical male,' remarked Sam. 'He forgot the bra and panties.'

Addie laughed. 'Top drawers, bras on the left, panties on the right.' Sam stepped out, and returned a moment later with the additional garments.

While Addie waited, Sam filled the bath about 2/3 full, adding some jasmine scented bath oils. When the water was ready, Sam helped Addie finish undressing, and, with Addie bearing some of her own weight, got her into the claw footed tub.

'Oh, God,' moaned Addie. 'This is heaven!!'

Sam laughed. 'Yeah that's what Mum said that Orlando said in his first bath after the accident at Guildhall.' Working efficiently, Sam helped Addie wash up, washing her hair, back, and legs, as well as her arms. She allowed Addie the modesty of washing the other, private, regions, as Addie felt able to do so.

When Addie was ready, Sam pulled the drain plug, but left Addie sitting. She noticed Addie's curious look. 'When the water has drained out, I can start drying you in the tub, to make it a bit easier. In the meantime, let me get your hair.' By the time Sam had wrapped a towel around Addie's head turban-style, the tub was empty, and she was able to start drying Addie. Standing her up, she supported Addie while she climbed out of the tub, and had Addie lean against a towel rack for support. In short order, Addie was dried and dressed.

'Hmmm, I don't know if I can carry you into the living room by myself, but I think my brother has a rolling desk chair.' She stepped out, and returned within moments pulling a chair on wheels. Grinning at Sam's ingenuity, Addie slid over into the chair, glad to feel a bit more strength than she had had the day before. Sam pushed the chair into the sitting room, where Addie shifted to the sofa.

'Ah,' sighed Addie, settling in on the sofa.

'So you like my brother?' Sam asked at the same time Addie said, 'So you went out with my brother?' They laughed. 'You go ahead,' said Sam.

'No, I don't like Orlando.'

'But. . .'

'I love him.'

Addie nodded. ‘I’ve told him. He told me first, actually,’ she added her eyes belying her surprise at that.

Sam laughed. ‘Orlando’s never been shy about expressing his emotions. Definitely not a typical guy.’

Addie nodded her agreement to that pronouncement. “So. . . you went out with my brother huh?’

Sam nodded, blushing. ‘Yeah, he’s, I don’t know, there’s just something about him. I’ve never felt such a connection before.’

Addie nodded. ‘He’s a great guy, always has been.’ She smiled broadly, ‘he seems to really like you too.’ Sam blushed lightly.

Orlando, Viggo, Dom, Billy, and Jimmy came in then, accompanied by some of the security team. They were lightly sunburnt, having been at the private beach for the last couple hours.

Orlando immediately broke from the group and sat down with Addie, kissing her soundly, despite jeers and catcalls from his mates.

‘Eh, sod off you lot!’ he retorted, cuddling Addie close. To Addie he murmured, ‘Mmmm, you smell great love. I love jasmine.’

Jimmy caught Sam’s eye. ‘Wanna go for a walk?’ Sam jumped up eagerly, drawing another round of catcalls.

When Sam and Jim left, The remaining guys, plus Addie, argued about what to do. Dom wanted to watch a Manchester United game on television. Addie didn’t care as long as Orlando was there, Viggo didn’t care as long as the tv was off, and Billy and Orlando both agreed with Viggo.

Overruled, Dom pouted briefly, til Billy started tickling him. Orlando HAD to join in, of course.

Viggo sat down next to Addie. ‘How you doing, huh?’

Rolling her eyes, Addie laughed. ‘I’m great, Vig. You?’

‘I’m good. Not as good as those three apparently,’ he commented with a laugh. Addie grinned. ‘Hey Orlando, you don’t get back up here, I’m going to whisk your girlfriend away!’ Viggo warned.

Orlando froze, and looked over. ‘You better NOT!’ he retorted, before Dom grabbed him. Viggo grinned and whispered to Addie. She grinned in return, and nodded. She leant over and put her head on his shoulder, he put his arm around hers. The next time Orlando looked up, his eyes widened.

‘OI!’ He shouted, jumping up. Viggo and Addie just laughed. Addie sat up and stuck her tongue out. Orlando jumped over the coffee table and sat next to Addie, between her and Viggo. They both laughed at him.

‘You’re cute elfboy!’ Addie teased. Orlando growled at her, until she leant forward and kissed him.

‘Excuse me folks, there is someone at the gate, says he is a friend of all of yours. . .’ One of the security agents said, after listening at his walkie talkie.

‘What’s his name?’ Orlando asked.

‘I’m waiting for that now. . . .’