Viggo hung up the phone, his hands shaking as he lifted them to rub his face. He'd known the paparazzi were dangerous, that they loved to cause problems, but he'd never dreamed they'd try to kill someone for a snapshot. Creating an accident for fodder and sales. The thought disgusted and sickened him.

He hadn't been able to sit still as Eric had quietly and calmly relayed the information to him. How the Aussie managed to get Orlando on the phone while he was in the hospital looking after his friend, Viggo wasn't certain. The fact that Eric had heard the news before he had upset him more than Viggo wanted to admit. Had his connection with Orlando severed to such an extent, or had he deluded himself that the link ever really existed?

Sitting down heavily on the couch, Viggo took inventory of his life. He had everything. Everything except the most important part, and it was killing him inside to be separated from the other half of his soul. Orlando had given him the reins to run with his success, but right now that was little balm for his conscience. What did it matter how many retirement dollars they had for later if he lost the one he wanted to spend those years with?

A glance into the mirror above the fireplace showed him that he was much closer to those retirement years than he used to be. Maybe he should give it up after fulfilling his current obligations. Money was no longer an object. He could easily turn away from the temptations of a good story for the one he loved, couldn't he?

Orlando had driven himself to the brink of exhaustion with the filming schedule he'd maintained since Rings, and now Viggo was playing the same game, thinking if he just worked hard and long enough he could hide the absence of his soul mate from his heart. But Orlando had recognized his folly; would there need to be a calamity before Viggo saw it as well?

Tears threatened, but he shoved them aside in favor of the decanter of Port on the coffee table. A gift from David, it had been, intended to keep him civilized while he was out playing cowboy in the Wild West.

Right now, Viggo felt being civil was overrated.

Filling the nearby tumbler halfway, Viggo swallowed the liquor in two large gulps, grimacing as the stout and bittersweet taste flowed over his tongue and settled soundly in his stomach. The warmth he had hoped to obtain from it did not appear.

He leaned back against the cushions and waited for something - anything - to happen. Eric had said Orlando would call as soon as he left the hospital, but that had been several hours ago. Even though he knew time came to a standstill in emergency rooms, Viggo needed to hear his lover's voice. It was taking every ounce of restraint he could muster to keep from calling Orlando's cell. Leaving a million worried messages would only make both of them feel worse, and what right did he have to drag Orlando away from the injured friend who needed his presence now?

Closing his eyes, Viggo prayed for sleep, knowing fully well that no amount of wishing would deliver it - not until he heard Orlando's voice. The silence of the room was as oppressive as it was deafening.

His wait was cut mercifully short when the phone rang minutes later.

"I'm fine."

The familiar voice caressed his ear and Viggo released the breath he'd drawn when he lifted the receiver, his throat constricting as he tried to force back the onslaught of emotions from his voice. "Orlando."

"Vig? Are you okay?"

Great, now he'd worried his lover. "Am now," he choked as the tears which he'd held at bay refused to be checked any longer. "What happened?"

"Didn't Eric call you?"

"Yes, but I want... I need to hear the sound of your voice right now." He could hear the smile in Orlando's reply and knew the younger man was alright.

"Sappy old man. Well, the short version is that I left a club with some friends, got chased by paps, and then some idiot in a whitish SUV cut me off and I had to steer into a row of parked cars to avoid swerving into oncoming traffic. Damn good thing we weren't going fast, otherwise Cher might have been killed."

Viggo's heart stopped at the last word. Orlando could have easily been killed as well, and then where would he be?

As if Orlando had heard the unspoken words, he said, "But I'm okay. No damage except some stress, though I'll probably have higher insurance rates now."

Viggo sniffled through a chuckle at Orlando's attempt to lighten the mood. "Where are you now?"

"Home. I would have called sooner, but I wanted to get safely home and shower first." After what felt like a long pause, Orlando asked softly, "How's New Mexico?"

"Cool at night. Days are nice. Perfect for riding."

"Then you're enjoying yourself. That's good."

Viggo sighed, his heart breaking at the sound of longing in Orlando's voice. "I miss you, Orli."

"I miss you, too, Vig. Wish I was there now. Might not have gotten into so much trouble if I had been." His tone was light, but Viggo sensed the regret within.

"You took care of your friends; that's what matters," Viggo assured him.

"Who's taking care of you?"

Viggo couldn't answer that. The truth was there was no one but his coworkers and the crew around him. It made for very lonely nights; even when Ed dragged out the Karaoke machine, all Viggo wanted was Orlando's laughter ringing in his ears as they all made fools of themselves. Memories of their time in New Zealand came rushing back, the warm sting of tears refreshed upon his cheeks.

When there was no response to his question, Orlando spoke again. "I'll be down for your birthday. You don't have plans already, do you?"

"No, Elf-boy. Nothing planned." Viggo smiled as Orlando had intended him to. Yes, the link was still there. "What do you want to do while you're here?" He wiped the wetness from his face with the back of his hands.

"I want to lie in bed with you in my arms, kissing you until we're both breathless... make love to you until we're trembling with exhaustion... and wake with your head on my chest, your arms tight around me."

Viggo made a sound that was part sigh, part moan. "Can we start that tonight?"

"What do you mean, babe?"

"Hold me. Let me feel your arms around me. I need to feel that you're safe." Viggo heard the sounds of sheets ruffling and pillows being fluffed, then a soft voice beckoned him into waiting arms. Viggo laid down on the couch, drawing a throw from its back as he made himself comfortable on the old piece of furniture.

On the other end of the line, Orlando drew a pillow into his arms and stroked the top of it, just as he would Viggo's hair. "I'm always safe in your arms, love. Sweet dreams, Vig."

"Night, angel." Viggo murmured, the sound of Orlando's even breaths lulling him to sleep.

~END~

Read an alternate view point for the chase. Accidents Happen - During the chase - crash