Mea Culpa 9/? Part B

[imogen-lily.livejournal.com]

*** Flashback ***

It took a moment for Orlando to gain his bearings as he looked at the unfamiliar décor, before suddenly realising where he was… Elijah's spare room. A sense of unbridled relief washed over him as his mind recalled the previous day. He had left Mark. Dominic had come round and taken him away, told him he wasn't going back, not ever. The implications of this had been buried the previous night as his friends had taken it upon themselves to comfort and amuse Orlando for the whole night. Pizzas and videos had been heavily consumed the previous evening. No mention of Mark had been made. For one night, Orlando tried to forget about Mark, that his heart was ripped or his body still ached. He was Orlando that night.

It was only now that the true implications of his actions occurred to him. He'd left his boyfriend, run away from Mark. He had done the one thing he promised he would never do; he had abandoned Mark. A suddenly sickness welled up within him at the prospect of Mark but he squelched it down. A selfish part of him rejoiced at his freedom, that he didn't have to face the day with a searing pain or a throbbing body from Mark's desires. It hadn't mattered to his lover whether his attentions were desired or not. Dredged up memories of previous abuses and tender moments would frequently replay themselves intermingled, and now to be without those, he felt strangely…lost.

There was no feeling of hot breath on his neck, no arms wrapped around him. He missed that, the feeling of another lying next to him. A part of him raged at that sentiment, it felt as if he was betraying his friends by wishing to awaken back in those arms, and yet to have left Mark was betraying his lover. It seemed no matter what he did he was wronging someone. His only desire, deep down, was to be free - free from an irate boyfriend and worried friends, or pushy journalists. He was aware the press was commenting on the `strains' of his relationship, of the speculations over Mark's fidelity/temper/supposed drug habit or his own exhaustion/ bulimia/ bruises. He didn't know what was going to be done about Mark. He never wanted to leave Mark but Dominic's words were true. Things had been steadily going out of control for well over a year now. Orlando couldn't brush off Mark's abuse as accidents or `one offs'.

The injuries had become more serious, more difficult to hide. They'd needed stitches or hospital attention and the combination of Elijah and Dominic along with the constant pain had been enough to finally crack Orlando, and he'd left, and he hated himself for it. He wanted to hate Mark, but he couldn't, not yet.

Yet along with the sorrow came relief. To be able to wake up and not worry over whether he was going to be greeted with a kiss or a slap was…relieving. For now, he was safe from Mark, from the outside world. With Dom and Elijah, he could be himself. They wouldn't care if he fell apart. He didn't have to justify his actions to them or act a certain way. They didn't demand `proofs' from him, they were just there for him, and for that alone Orlando would carry on.

He would carry on for his friends, he owed them that much. A soft knock on the door made Orlando unconsciously tense up for a moment before Dom popped his head round the door. The tension drained out of his body as he offered a tentative smile. Orlando drew his legs up slightly as Dominic sat down on the bed as he turned his gaze on Orlando.

"How you feeling mate?"

"I'm O-" began Orlando, and then closed his eyes as a painful realisation came over him. He wasn't OK. He wasn't fine or happy and he didn't want to smile and pretend, not anymore. "I hurt" he admitted in a whispered tone. Dom felt a prickling behind his eyes. It was the first time Orlando had actually admitted that. To not see the haunting, empty smile was as much of a relief as it was to see Orlando laugh. While it hurt him to see his friend in such obvious pain, a part of him knew that this sort of pain was the kind that would make him get better.

"Hey Orlando, wanna grab some breakfast? Lij's got pancakes; surely even you can't turn them down?" The tone was wheedling, lighter and Orlando couldn't stop a smile spreading across his face. It's been a long time since he'd had pancakes, or really a breakfast at all. He had got into the habit of feeling nauseous when he awoke.

"I think pancakes sound good" he admitted and at Dom's insistence he followed his friend down the stairs, to be greeted by a harried looking Elijah in the kitchen letting out a string of expletives, some of which Orlando was positive belonged in Star Trek.

"Bloody fucking stove, who invented these bastards?!! Why won't the fucking thing light Goddamnit?!" he demanded, as he aimed an ill- advised kick against the cooker, causing yet another string of curses and a severely pained expression.

Dominic chuckled slightly as he patted Elijah on the head. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, you need to turn the switch on. No power no oven, strange I know, but that's the twisted world we live in," he offered.

Elijah glowered and turned away muttering darkly, his face a suspicious tone of red as he poured the batter mixture into the pans (naturally it was ready-made, being Lij's house). Elijah had long ago accepted cooking wasn't his strong suit and seemed a little too comfortable with relying on friends, specifically Orlando and take-aways for his nutritional in-take.

Orlando watched in detached amusement as his friends silently fought over the size of the pancakes, chocolate vs. maple syrup or most importantly, who was clearing up. It was really rather remarkable how at certain times, especially when food was involved, their respective ages seemed to devolve to around toddler-age. As it turned out, Orlando was given the biggest portion at both men's insistence.

"Y'know we've got to get you to eat more, fatten you up. I swear I can see your ribs through that shirt" Elijah, helpfully pointed out and Orlando felt himself flush. Perhaps he was looking thinner, more tired but really when you spent your life trying to avoid the next punch or figure out what film wouldn't land you with a swift kick, food generally took a back seat. "Not that it matters or anything." Elijah quickly added at Dom's withering glare. "Anyway…what are we doing today? I vote for slobbing around"

"You always slob around" Dom pointed out, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, but we have Orlando to slob with, so consequently it's justified"

"Actually I need to…sort some things out…" Orlando's voice was quiet, unsure as he looked between his friends.

"If it means going back, forget it." Dom's tone was unwavering as a frown spread across his face.

"But I have to get things…I need to leave a note or something I can't just aban-"

"Yes you can!" cried Elijah, all joking gone from his tone. "You don't owe him anything – love, loyalty or explanations. He's lost any rights the first time he hit you; the last thing he deserves is your sympathy! We need to make sure you're safe OK, and that means you have to stay here, where someone can check on you-"

"'Check on me', don't you mean keep me under lock and key? I don't need a babysitter Elijah! Don't you trust me or something?!" The anger in Orlando's voice took them all by surprise. Seeing his friend's surprised faces Orlando felt terrible. Why did he say that? They were trying to help, how could he yell at them? That was how Mark had started, just yelling. The thought that he could so suddenly lose his temper frightened him. Was he becoming like Mark? The idea made his insides freeze.

To his amazement, Elijah placed a comforting hand on his cheek, understanding shone clear within the bright blue depths of his eyes. His shame only deepened with the complete lack of censure he received. How many other friends would stand by him for so long, offer such unconditional support; support which in truth he desperately needed. Was he *trying* to drive them away?

"I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell…I just…I didn't mean it" he whispered, shame flaming on his face. He found himself wrapped tightly in Elijah's embrace.

"Hey, no apologies necessary. Don't ever blame yourself, OK? I trust you, we both do, there's no question about that. What I don't trust is that son of a bitch not to hurt you if you went round without us. Orlando, I can't let anything happen to you. Remember we promised to look out for each other?" his voice became a whisper, as he pulled away slightly, looking intently at his friend.

"But what about you guys? If Mark finds you…he…he…I can't let either of you be hurt because of me" Orlando felt himself shake slightly as random thoughts invaded his head, remembered threats of Mark's suddenly came to the forefront of his mind and became scarily real.

"Anymore than we can let him hurt you. We'll be careful OK, we'll plan, don't worry about us Orlando, promise me" Dom begged, his hand gently squeezing Orlando's shoulder.

Looking up, as the doorbell suddenly rang, Dom shot up to answer it, fully intending to send the caller quickly on their way. While normally Dominic would have enjoyed a social call, now was most definitely not the time and Dom just wasn't in the mood for company. All his energies were fixated on Orlando and he didn't want to lose focus until he was sure he would be all right.

Hearing the bell ring again Dom prickled. He didn't appreciate being harangued. Surely they could wait a few seconds. Deliberately slowing his movements he slowly opened the door. His face flashed white before changing to a darker colour in a few seconds.

"What the hell do you want?" he hissed, unwilling to believe the figure standing before him. Of all the people here, now it had to be him. Of course he'd have come here. How could he be so stupid? Pushing any self-chastisement aside in an effort to rid the unwanted presence from the doorstop before Orlando discovered him.

"Where. Is. He?" demanded Mark, his face darkened with immense fury. It also appeared that he hadn't slept the previous night. Not that Dom cared in the least. It appeared that Mark had difficulty sleeping without his `precious punch-bag'. Too bad, there was no way that Dom would ever let Mark get near his friend.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since Tuesday" he ground out, eyes never leaving this Creature in front of him. Mark didn't deserve to be human. No one human could so willingly hurt another, of that Dom was adamant.

"You're not wanted here, so just do everyone a favour and piss off" despite his fierce tone, Dominic felt himself shake inside. He hoped it was due to anger, but being with someone as… unpredictable as Mark, it would unnerve anyone.

Mark had developed a chilling habit of looking right through people, and Dominic's harsh words didn't seem to perturb him in the least. Most people would have believed Dominic, the man was a good liar and the unblinking eyes, intent stare and sheer venom behind the words would've been enough. But Mark wasn't anybody.

He knew people, could read them like a book. He could see past the darkened eyes and into the guarded stance, how the eyes flickered briefly, the ultra-rigid posture, too unnatural. He also knew that Orlando's friends would shift heaven and earth to help their friend should they feel the need. Perhaps it was time he tested exactly the strength of that theory. He had to wonder what Orlando would be like without his precious little bodyguards. It annoyed him to no end that *Lij* and *Dom* (God they sounded like a couple of teenagers) seemed unable to leave Orlando for two minutes without the little bastards interfering.

What he wouldn't have given to chuck the two little asses out of Orlando's life. Contrary to what they might think, they weren't great friends. He could see their envy, that Orlando had someone, that he was loved. They didn't like sharing their precious Elf (yes they still called him that) with anyone who didn't meet their specifications and Mark would be damned if he'd let Tweedldee and Tweedledum dictate Orlando's love life.

"You're lying. He's here" Mark's voice was more of a hiss, and yet remained eerily calm. Dom repressed the urge to shudder. He saw the fire, the insane glint in his eyes whenever Orlando's name was mentioned. There was no doubt in his mind that if Orlando stayed with Mark it would end in death. Orlando's death. Mark couldn't cope with Orlando's affection for others; the idea of even the most platonic friendship threatened him.

"Look if you don't get off my property I'm gonna call the police, and they'll slap a restraining order on your arse. If you ever come near Orlando again-"

"You'll what? Call the police? Sweep Orlando off to a fairytale land? Newsflash Dominic, there is no fairytale land. The world is harsh and Orlando knows that, at least he does now."

Dom felt his hand twitch, to hear Orlando's suffering mocked, belittling it; it was all he could do to hold himself in check. "Now do yourself a favour and go get Orlando like a good boy, before I get pissed off and decide to find him myself and burn your house down".

Before either man could speak again the kitchen door opened as Orlando practically ran out, followed by a moaning Elijah, who appeared to have a large amount syrup smeared over his favourite (limited edition no less!) Star Wars t-shirt, and muttering something about `death threats' and `sacrilege'. Holding a spoon in his hand, Orlando was grinning like a maniac as he reached out to sling his arm around his friend. It was so much like the ‘Old Orlando’ that Elijah almost wanted to cry.

"Hey Dom, what's taking so…long?" Orlando trailed off, moving back slightly at the sight that greeted him. He found his heartbeat increasing as his throat contracted. Unconsciously he wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Mark" he whispered, mentally shaking himself as he tried to choke down his fear.

"What are you doing here?" Elijah found himself moving closer to Orlando, offering silent support, but Orlando's eyes were glued to Mark, following a small smile playing around his lips. His panic rose, his breathing shortened. Every fibre of his being was yelling at him to run away, but he found to his own disgust he was frozen, gazing at the face, into the eyes that had caused him such pain, such misery. Arms that had both hit and held him.

"Orlando? Come out, please? I want to see you" Mark's voice was like silk over his senses. A gentle, enticing tone, quite unlike the tone he'd heard a day ago, and Orlando felt himself tremble even more at the soft tone.

"Well, he doesn't want to see you" Dom butted in, putting no small amount of pressure on Mark's chest, forcing him backwards.
"I don't want to see you again. Not around here or anywhere near Orlando. Understand? Comprende?" Dominic's words didn't seem to register with Mark, as he looked straight past him into Orlando's chocolate orbs. Orlando was sure he would've buckled under the gaze, if Elijah hadn't been quietly lending his support, both physical and mental and he felt himself involuntarily move back.

"Orlando? Sweetheart, is this true?" Mark's tone was quiet and pleading. Orlando wanted nothing more than to cry. To promise he'd never leave Mark, to forgive him for all the pain he'd caused, but something kept him rooted to the spot.

Elijah's eyes narrowed. "You don't have any right to speak to him you bastard. Piss off!" he wasn't going to fall for the `sad puppy' look, he'd seen that look too often. He'd seen how Orlando had reacted, and it infuriated him that Mark could affect him so deeply. A part of Elijah wanted to shake Orlando, yell at him `what are you doing, why are you letting him win?!' but he couldn't. Orlando had had enough fury and accusations to last this lifetime and the next. Moving forward slightly reinforced the physical barrier that Dominic was creating, Elijah stood, silent, shielding Orlando.

Despite the barrier, Mark moved forward slightly. "Orlando, please don't do this, don't hide, I just want to talk I promise, I'll only take five minutes. *Please*." If only Orlando would come out everything would be alright. He just wanted Orlando back, why couldn't his lover see that? To be without Orlando an entire day and night was wrong. He couldn't sleep without Orlando's warmth, he couldn't really do anything without Orlando. There was something addictive, intoxicating about this man, even Elijah could see that.

Ever since they'd got together, three years and a half years ago Orlando had always been there, and to find his beautiful lover gone… it was a shock. He knew he had hurt Orlando, not always treated him with the proper care he deserved, but this last day had been the most painful of his life. When he'd discovered Orlando was gone he'd raged at whatever he could think of. How could they take Orlando away? Deprive him of the only person who could make him feel peace. No one else had ever held him like Orlando, even when his lover cried he still held him, who else was so loyal, so forgiving? Mark wouldn't allow himself to lose the only worthwhile thing in his life.

"Please come out, I want tell you I'm sorry. Please? Orlando…Orli?"

As Orlando moved forward slightly, Mark looked at his lover and he felt a twist in his heart. The bruising around his jaw had swollen, taking on a garish purple. The cut along the brow had been stitched up yet still looked frighteningly vivid. He'd caused these injuries, harmed his beautiful god.

He couldn't fathom how he could hurt his lover, he could remember the blind rages but now, there was calm and a deep, bitter regret. "Orlando, I'm so sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to…I didn't mean-" his voice held none of the certainty of before, it was cracked, broken.

"To do this?" came Elijah's grating voice, interrupting Mark's visual assessment of Orlando. Elijah's hand brushed over Orlando's injuries and Mark immediately felt himself bristle. Only he should comfort Orlando, touch him like that. "This is what you did, what your anger did. If you cared you wouldn't have done it, so don't you dare try to apologise. I hope you had a good look because the next time you see him will be in court" the midget hissed.

"I'm not leaving until I hear Orlando say that he wants me to leave. He can speak for himself; he doesn't need a couple of retarded protectors." Before Elijah could retort the barb, Mark turned to Orlando, as he moved forward, pushing past Dominic's `barrier.'

"Orlando, you know I didn't mean it. I never wanted to hurt you…you know that don't you? I know I hurt you before and I'll never forgive myself, but I need you back Orli please? I can't live without you, you know that" he moved closer to Orlando, gently reaching over to touch the bruise, and Orlando flinched at the touch. Mark frowned and pulled back his hand slightly. "I promise I'll never do it again. Just come back, I want to take care of you, like you do with me."

"Bullshit!" Dominic snarled as he grabbed Mark's arm, yanking him back from Orlando. "You don't give a fuck about Orlando. Look at what you've done to him you arsehole!! Do you ever think Orlando will trust you again? You don't know the meaning of `sorry' - you keeping doing it!"

"You better shut up Dom, you don't understand anything about my feelings for Orlando. Tell him, Orlando, tell him you love me, that you understand" Mark urged, a trace of desperation clear. All eyes fell on Orlando, his cheeks burned and he desperately wanted to run away. He couldn't do this, didn't want to be here. "I…I can't. Just please…go" he whispered, not looking at Mark.

The silence was deafening as the grip on Dom's arm loosened, a look of absolute disbelief played across Mark's features.

"What?"

"I need you to go Mark. Please I…I can't do this right now. If you love me, please…just go" the voice was slightly stronger this time, as Orlando dared to glance up and immediately wished he hadn't. It was impossible to describe the emotions, which flickered across Mark's eyes in those few seconds.

"You heard Orlando, so fuck off!" growled Elijah as he moved to Orlando, intent on propelling his friend away from the door, but to his horror, Orlando slowly moved forward.

"Mark? Please listen to me. I can't come back, not yet. I love you, I really do, but I can't, not right now. You need to get help, I want to help you, please let me?" Orlando tried to make his voice soothing.

Slowly Mark's attention focused solely on Orlando. "How can you say that?! I need you back Orlando, you know that! Why won't you just come home where you belong? Forget them, they don't understand, not like you do. Please Orlando, I can't do anything without you. I *love* you"

"Orlando don't listen. Remember what happened, he'll keep hitting you, he won't stop. You don't need him." He knew Elijah was right, that he couldn't go back, but seeing Mark's face, the lost confusion…

"Stay out of this!" Mark snarled "It's not your business!"

"It is when Orlando can barely walk because of you!" Dominic shot back.

"He's our friend, you hurt him, it becomes our business" that was from Elijah.

"You really think he even cares about either of you?! He’s a fucking whore!" Mark demanded, before he turned his rage on Orlando, roughly grabbing his face, making Orlando meet his eyes, who was almost cringing in fear now.

"You think if you screwed them they'd stick around? If you pouted and fluttered those pretty eyes they’d want to play the dashing Knight? That they'll still want you when they find out what you are?" the voice was hard and unforgiving. Orlando was disgusted when he felt himself move back slightly "How long did it take for you to spread your pretty thighs last night? An hour? Five minutes?"

"You call him a whore again, I'll smash your face in" threatened Dominic, a low tone in his voice, so unusual that both Elijah almost did a double take. This wasn't Dom or his face…not their easy-going Sblomie (for the life of him, Elijah still couldn't figure out how Orlando came up with that name)… the fury on his face was indescribable.
"See what you do to people Orlando? What you always do. You make people get hurt Orlando, make them hurt, come back with me Orlando. Make it safe for everyone"

"No." the voice was quiet, yet with underlying steel to it. Orlando wasn't sure where that came from, but he found himself looking up into Mark's face. He could still recall how Mark had caressed him after bruises had formed, how he'd pulled Orlando against his chest, whispered words of love in his ear. Perhaps Mark did love him, but the obsession, the anger it was too much. "I want you to go, now. I don't want you around anymore Mark. I don't want you to hurt me anymore."


"Hurt you?! This is always about you isn't it? How you're suffering, do you ever think of anyone but yourself?! What do you know about pain? You know how it feels to have you heart ripped out? To know that your boyfriend’s fucking around on you-”

“I didn’t…I’m not-” Orlando desperately tried to force the words out by they stuck in his throat, an over-whelming fear washing over him. Not fear for himself but for Dominic and Elijah. As long as they were safe things would be OK, he could calm Mark down.

“It’s always about him isn’t it? You don’t even give me a chance! You're not the first person to be dumped, why can't you get over it?? Your perfect fucking Mortensen is *gone* Orlando! He’s not your white knight Orlando, he never has been, he abandoned you! He doesn't want you, he *never* wanted you. Do you think he would've given you a second chance, or a fifth? He wanted an on-set fuck toy, he got it and moved on. I want you. I need you, why can't you see that?!" This time the voice held a hard edge. When Orlando didn't respond, was unable to respond, Mark felt something snap. Orlando belonged to him!

Before either Dominic or Elijah could stop him, Mark grabbed Orlando's shoulder and yanked him forwards, his fingers digging into his shoulder, almost crushing his collar-bone. Orlando's pained gasp brought attention to the new turn of events. "You're coming home with me. Now." Mark snarled, all patience having run out.

"Mark stop p-please. You're…hurting me!" Despite the pain he was in, Orlando desperately tried to focus on his surroundings, if he could just make sure Elijah and Dom were safe, then maybe he could try to calm Mark down, although judging from his expression that wasn't going to happen. He still couldn't grasp how quickly things had disintegrated, that just half an hour ago he'd been thinking that perhaps things could change. He should've known Mark would find him. He'd been naïve and stupid and now his friends could be killed because of that, and Orlando would rather suffer all the torments of hell than have their deaths on his conscience.

"Let him go you arsehole!" Dominic's voice carried through the hall, which suddenly seemed to develop an echo as his eyes widened in horror. Although he knew of the abuse, had seen the aftermath, but seeing was quite another. He'd never seen Mark attack Orlando, hurl insults yes but the physical violence had always been kept behind closed doors. He felt sick, sick that his friend had been forced into this position. Even now he knew that's Mark's grip would leave bruises.

"Maybe he needs it! Will it make you stop whoring around? Did you sleep with them last night? Orli spreads his legs and everyone rushes to protect him, to love him, I know what you do with your co-stars, your friends... Did you pretend to love them? Did you?!" Orlando tried not to wince at the fury punctuating each accusation.
"Orlando's not a whore! He never cheated on you, though God knows why-" Elijah ground out, as he reached out to his friend. Mark suddenly released Orlando's shoulder, but before he could relax, Elijah felt a punishing grip on his own wrist. In his shock, he didn't even cry out.

"You don't need to do that. I just want Orlando back then I'll happily leave" Mark's voice came over cold and distant. As the sensations of pain flooded into his nerves, Elijah had to bite his lips to stop himself crying out. The grip was excruciating. To know that Orlando had put up with so much worse… it was sickening. All at once, he gained a whole new admiration for Orlando while feeling his heart shatter into a million pieces. How had Orlando done it? Stood by this monster? Horrified at Mark's actions, Dominic immediately darted forward. "Let go you bloody bastard, you'll break his fucking hand!"

Dominic's anguished cries broke Orlando's heart. This was all his fault. He should've known this would happen. If he'd never left Mark, this wouldn't be happening.

"He'll be fine if you shut up and let me get Orlando. Trust me as soon as I get him back I'll be happy to leave"

"Orlando's. Not. Going. With. You" Elijah ground out. "He's not your possession. You think this is going to win him back? Crushing my hand?" snorted Elijah as he winced through the pain. He couldn't let Orlando see how much it was hurting because with the pain, Mark would have too much leverage.

"Orlando will come back because he understands. Unlike you Orlando actually does have some brains beneath the pretty face."
Orlando watched the scene unfold with a detached sense of horror, as if watching someone else's life unravel. Mark was threatening his friends, he was hurting Elijah. As if he'd suddenly been woken from a daydream he moved forward. "Mark! Let Elijah go, please. You're hurting him! Don't do this." If he injected just the right amount of pleading, hopefully Mark would let go.

Turning to his lover, Mark's eyes appeared somehow both cold and fiery. "Are you coming back?" The question was low, expectant. He knew how this would play out; Orlando's loyalty knew no bounds and his sentimental streak would not allow anyone to be hurt if it was in his power to prevent it. A part of him relished the anguish on Orlando's face, the pain on Elijah's. He knew Elijah and Dominic were making Orlando pull away from him. It was their fault Orlando got so scared around him. He told Orlando he didn't mean it and he still wouldn't believe him.

Just what did Orlando want from him?! His life's blood? Because slowly, Orlando was driving him insane, teasing him with his beautiful face, his delectable body, the smile which seemed to be for everyone, reminding him that although Mark might have his body, he never had his soul. Mark wanted to possess Orlando, to own everything and when Orlando wouldn't give it him, he couldn't cope. It made him hit Orlando, made him hurt this beautiful creature and he hated it, hated hurting Orlando, for making him hurt Orlando.

"Mark…just let Elijah go? Please Mark!" The begging in Orlando's voice was unmistakable. He was sure he saw something akin to victory gleaming in those eyes. The eyes he'd learned to love then hate. He knew no one else who could be so cold, so ruthless yet utterly dependant and it scared him.

Dominic was practically spitting with fury as he reached for the phone, intent on bringing an end to this madness. He'd sleep a lot safer knowing Mark was enjoying life in a cell.

"You call the police and I'll snap your friend's wrist, trust me it's easy enough."

"Try doing that with a couple of restraining orders on your ass" Elijah bit off, refusing to be intimated into silence.

"You think the police care about an abused faggot? There's a lot I can do before they even get here. Do you want that Orlando? To have your friends hurt because of your selfishness? You can end it all now. You know I'll still win, and I'll make it hurt even more when you do come back, you know I will."

"Stop it. Mark let him go, you win" Orlando's voice seemed to carry across the entire room. There was a tiredness in the voice that none had ever heard. "You got your wish, I'm come back with you, but only if you don't hurt them."

"I don't think you're in a position to make bargains my darling."

"Put it this way, if you let Elijah go, and don't harm either of them again, I'll come willingly. No police, just me, and I won't leave again. You have my word." His voice seemed stronger than before. Ironic that the only time he could stand up to Mark was when his friends were threatened.

The quiet voice seemed to sooth Mark somewhat, as he cocked his head slightly, seeming to consider and finally realising Elijah's hand. The young man massaged his wrist and Dominic turned a critical eye to the badly bruised wrist, as he gently checked it, seemingly satisfied it wasn't broken he turned his attention to Mark. He stepped in front of the man who he hated more than anything.

The vaguely triumphant gleam in his eyes made Dom want to punch him, but Orlando had been through too much, violence wouldn't help, not in the end. It still didn't quench his blazing hatred. "You won't get away with this. He'll never love you again, you haven't won!"

"Au contraire, he will." The voice was soft but grated over Dominic like jagged glass because it is not in his nature to do otherwise. "Unlike you, I understand Orlando. He was born to love people, to follow them. He'll love me because I can protect him, because I'll never leave him, because that's what he truly fears – being abandoned. For all your professed knowledge of your friend, I know him better than anyone. He loves me for that too." The voice was now quiet again, all the rage seemingly having been repressed. It was genial, almost philosophical.

Neither Elijah nor Dominic could say anything, because, in part, Mark was right. Orlando would never leave Mark again because of them – because Mark had threatened them and he valued their safety. Once Orlando's word had been given it was an unbreakable promise, his loyalty knew no bounds, Mark knew that too. He was willing to sacrifice his own safety for them. Elijah couldn't stop the tears running down his cheeks.

"Don't cry Lij, I'll be OK, I promise" whispered Orlando, his own eyes tearing. They both knew it was a lie. Mark would make him suffer for this, of that everyone was certain. Slowly Orlando moved towards Mark, his head hanging down, despair radiating out of every pore. Despite Dominic's earlier words they all knew Mark had won.

"Orli, please don't" Elijah whispered in a last ditch attempt, as he stroked his friend's arm, giving some attempt at comfort, but he was simply met with a brief shake of his head.

"I have to Lij. I have to keep you two safe"

`At risk of your own life?! It's a two-way thing protection!' Elijah wanted to shout but stayed silent.

Without waiting for any more replies, Mark skillfully steered Orlando out the door. "Don’t look so worried, you'll still be able to see him" Mark offered, in a mocking comfort. "After all he needs his bodyguards, and we don't want people thinking there's anything wrong with your precious Orlikins now do we?" He leaned in conspiratorially to the two men.

"Oh and a word of warning, call the police, or anyone else, and I'll make sure Orlando really can't walk, that's a promise."

Neither replied as Mark pushed Orlando into the car. Nor did either man missed the tears trickling down his cheeks; a twisting of their stomachs grew as they watched their friend drive off, and away from safety…

*** End flashback ***

Elijah shook his head, clearing the memories of that terrible morning. No he wouldn't allow that to happen again, because this time Viggo was here, and when it came to him, no amount of Mark's threats could hold any sway over his friend. Now Orlando would have something…someone to truly give him hope. Mark had succeeded before because there was no other alternative, that wasn't the case anymore.

Despite his anger towards Viggo, he knew that the man truly loved Orlando, and would fight to keep him. To make him safe and happy. If nothing else, Viggo was a man who learned from his mistakes, and really, that was all anyone could hope for at the moment. Love, for his favourite lovebirds would be a ways off, he was aware of that. Re-connecting was needed first, after practically four years of non-and-miscommunication was no easy task. They were both different yet the same.

Glancing back he was gratified to see an empty bowl and a slightly more relaxed Orlando. Ahhh, the healing properties of soup. While Orlando needed to reconnect with Viggo, the same was true of his friends; Elijah himself had felt distanced to Orlando for the past six months. He understood why of course, but it didn't ease the hurt.

All he'd wanted to do was help, and Orlando (whether unconsciously or not) had been pushing him away, to protect him. As he remembered that fateful day, he found himself in awe of the sacrifice Orlando had made for them, to ensure their safety with his own pain. That Orlando would essentially lay down his life for them was remarkable, but purely Orlando. Mark had been right about one thing that day – Orlando was born to love. It was not in the man's nature to hate people, even when he should.

Of course, it wasn't just Elijah and Dom he'd disconnected from. Everyone had fallen under Mark's eye…even Orlando's mum, sister Samantha and Bast – Orlando's own *family* were cut off, anyone who could pull Orlando away. There was no doubt in Elijah's mind that had Beanie been around he would've immediately picked up on what was going on, as would both Eric and Johnny – all three men seemed to have a built-in radar to danger (a ‘shit filter' as Eric had once succinctly defined it), as well as an innate urge to protect Orlando.

Hell, Beanie would have even risked life and limb to immediately fly over if he'd known what was going on. But he didn't, no one did. They were left with their own worries and suspicions. Billy, Liv, Ian too had eventually been deemed threats and were slowly cut off, isolating Orlando and increasing Mark's control. Everyone who might've stopped Mark before he started, that could've protected Orlando had been skilfully pushed out; those were the people Orlando needed back, people who loved him, for himself.

"Orlando, I know you probably don't believe me right now, but we'll get through this Orli. It'll take time, but we'll do it together. You, me, Dommie…Viggo" he added tentatively. At that, Orlando's head shot up. "Viggo? I thought he's back in LA now, anyway he only came because Dom asked him."

"Not true. I hate admitting this, but... he loves you Orli. He always has, he broke up with you because he was scared, not because he didn't want you. He said…he said he wanted to make amends, he wants you back in his life Orlando – but it's up to you how much, just…think about it Orlando, don't shut him out" he advised, sounding suspiciously wise for his years. Before Orlando could formulate a coherent reply, the phone rang. With an expression of apology, Elijah padded into his room to answer it, hoping it would be Dom or Viggo. He needed to speak with them.

"Hello Elijah Wood speaking…"

"Hello my dear Mr Wood" a raspy voice came the other end and Elijah's eyes crinkled up in laughter.

"How are you, Sebastian?"

"Please, I do believe we're old friends, Bast never Sebastian. I still curse my dear beloved mother for giving me such an awful name, I honestly don’t know what she was thinking. I called mainly because my beloved seems to miss Orlando and felt I should check up on him, although I’m beginning to wonder why I married the damn woman, she’s obviously in love with my annoyingly photogenic cousin. It’s quite worrying. How is the old git anyway? Any broken bones I should know about?"

Elijah didn't reply at first, and felt himself involuntarily wince at Bast's cheerful words. Noticing the unusual silence, Bast was immediately on alert, Elijah Wood as sweet as he was, was (Bast was almost certain) physically incapable of remaining silent. "Is something up with Orli?"

"Yeah. He's…he's been going through something…bad."

“He’s been through bad before Lij, he’s stronger than people give him credit for, he’s a fighter, whatever it is, he’ll get through it, I promise” despite his reassuring voice, Bast was beginning to feel a sense of dread well up within him. What the hell was wrong?

“No…no…this is…different. It’s not the same as other times…he…it’s different” Elijah could barely form the right words as he tried desperately to articulate to Bast his gut wrenching fear. Elijah’s tone made Bast stop.

"Bad…how bad? C'mon Elijah I need some more details here." The voice was gentle, encourage as Bast fought the fear welling up in his gut. Elijah was an optimist, he also had an unshakable faith in Orlando, and what could have happened to make Elijah so fearful for his friend, Bast didn’t want to imagine. Something told him this was considerably worse than an on set accident, or even when Orlando broke his back. He felt his stomach fall. "Try really bad, I don't even know where to start, there's about four years worth…probably more of crap Orli's has to deal with"

"Give me the condensed version" he offered. Elijah let out a small sigh before he began to relate the past four years to Bast, as he prayed that Orlando's cousin would have some answers he desperately needed

TBC…