Chapter Two
Superman
Love Rides Blind
Your favourite food
Chapter Two: Superman
Orlando stood leaning against the side of his car in the stable parking lot, trying to finish his cigarette before Erin arrived. He�d purposefully gotten there before her just so he could get in a smoke; he�d learned rather quickly she despised the habit - and the smell - and if she caught him doing it he�d have to listen to her rant about how bad smoking was for him all day.
Not that he often had a desire to smoke while with her. She usually kept him so busy he never even missed it until he was back at his own rented house and sitting in his favorite chair on his sore arse. He�d been training with her for a week and a half now, and Orlando found himself utterly exhausted every night. He�d hardly the energy to make to his bed, and he often didn�t, waking with a start most mornings still sitting in his armchair with his clothes all rumpled.
Trying to make himself into Legolas was more challenging than he had originally thought. Just yesterday he�d gone in for a costume measurement recheck� they�d had to do a bit of readjustments because of the muscle tone he�d gained from having three weeks of training under his belt. He had thought to make it to the gym more, but with all the things needing to get done and learned in the ever shortening space of time between then and the start of filming, he�d only managed to go to the gym three times with Billy and Dom, and on those three occasions his body had been so worn out from training he�d hardly been able to lift any weight of significance.
Erin�s truck appeared on the horizon and Orlando quickly stubbed out his cigarette, stomping it into non-existence and hurriedly waving away the cloud of smoke hanging around his head. He leaned through his car window and briefly sprayed a bit of cologne on, hoping it would cover the smell of smoke at least long enough for him to get on the horse and out of close proximity to Erin.
The cologne was a new trick, something he�d just come up with the night before, and he wasn�t sure it would work. Erin pulled in and parked and Orlando stuck his hands in his jeans pockets, smiling at her as she jumped down from her vehicle. She met him halfway and they walked to the barn together.
�Bright and early today, are we?� she asked as she turned on the lights along the center aisle. And it was early. The sun had just come up above the mountains, bathing the world in a shimmering lavender shade Orlando noticed could only be found in New Zealand.
�Too early,� he said wearily, yawning as if on cue. �That drive is murderous.�
Erin tossed him an encouraging glance. �Starting next week you don�t have to come up here everyday. Your lessons drop back to twice a week.�
Orlando looked down to her as she stopped outside of Bud�s stall. He still hadn�t come up with a proper name for the horse, and she still teased him about that. But he would come up with something eventually� better than Bud. He arched his eyebrows. �And I�m supposed to know everything by then?�
�Assuming you�re ready to admit you don�t already know everything,� she answered, a quiet note of mocking authority in her voice, �then yes, you should know most everything.�
He watched her saddle Bud, happy to let her do it since she was faster at it. He was still rather clumsy handling all the equipment. He smiled quietly to himself, thinking that his cologne idea must have worked, because she hadn�t said anything about the smell on him yet. He would have to remember that for next time. She handed the reins to him, peering up at him curiously for a moment, and then moved away to another stall.
�Don�t gloat,� she called over her shoulder, �I can still smell it on you.�
Orlando�s face of silent triumph quickly crumbled to one of disappointment and confusion. So his trick had not worked. And he�d thought for sure he�d gotten away with it this time. For all the trouble he�d gone through with arriving early and drenching himself in cologne� and it had been useless. She�d still known. He often found it creepy the way she could so easily tell his thoughts. He really needed to find out how she did that.
He watched her dumbly for a moment as she began to saddle another horse, a brightly colored sorrel and white gelding. �You can still smell what on me?� he asked innocently, his voice only slightly muddled with the annoyance he felt at having failed in this latest ploy.
�The smoke,� she said matter-of-factly. �You tried to sneak one in before I got here, didn�t you?�
�No.�
�Don�t you lie to me, Orlando Bloom,� she warned, her blue eyes sending him a glare. �For an actor you�re a very bad liar. I can see right through you.�
He sighed, leading Bud over to stand next to her. �Why don�t you call me Orli?� he asked, both actually bothered by the fact and wanting to get her off the subject of smoking. Nearly everyone else he worked with had picked up the nickname quickly, but though he�d asked Erin to start calling him Orli on the third day of training with her, she still continued unfailingly to name him by Orlando or Mr. Bloom. He had to admit it frustrated him she did that; it was as if she tried to maintain a certain distance from him, and yet over the past week and a half they�d become very comfortable around each other. It just didn�t seem� right anymore for her to keep calling him Mr. Bloom.
She turned around to face him at his question, looking up to him seriously. She stood little more than a foot away from him, her face upturned in the dim barn lighting, and he was struck by how different she looked in the mornings � before her face became covered in sweat and dust and half her ponytail had fallen out.
�Because,� she said softly, �we are here to work. I get paid to teach Orlando Bloom how to ride, and no matter how fun I think it might be to do so, it�s still a job. It would be unprofessional for me to call you Orli here. I don�t want you thinking this is all fun and games you see.�
Orlando squinted at her. That didn�t seem fair. Since his first day with her they�d spent several evenings out in the parking lot, talking until the sun went down before saying hasty goodbyes and driving their separate ways. He�d brought his lunch with him every day, yet he�d found himself in Erin�s kitchen often enough anyway, and she joked about keeping track of how many lunches he owed her, none of which he�d paid back yet. She�d gone and bought tea for him, and he�d gone and bought her various bottles of alcohol, claiming she didn�t keep enough around the house.
Even during the lessons, when Erin wasn�t trying to correct his balance or foot placement, they were always talking about something. It seemed they never ran out of things to say to one another, and he never got bored with her. And here after all of that, she stood there and told him she couldn�t call him Orli because this wasn�t all fun and games? Did she think he was that childish?
He crossed his arms as she turned her back on him again. �Fine then,� he challenged, �if that�s how it�s going to be, Miss Taylor, come out with me this Friday night. Then it will be an unprofessional setting, and you may call me Orli.�
She looked to him sharply. �What?�
�Come to the pub with me Friday night,� he repeated. �I owe it to you after all those lunches. Billy and Dom are coming too; we�ll all go out and have some fun� get away from this� work.�
She narrowed one eye doubtfully, knowing he was subtly mocking her. �I don�t know��
�Please?� Why am I begging?
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. �It�s in Wellington, Orlando. What am I supposed to do, drive an hour and a half back to my house drunk in the middle of the night?�
Orlando frowned. He�d never thought of that. But leave it to Erin to always bring up the logical side of a situation. �You can stay at my place,� he countered. �I�ve been to your place enough times.�
Erin snorted. �Yeah, let me stay the night with a drunken guy I�ve only known for two weeks. That�d be a wise thing to do,� she scoffed, once again focusing her attention on the horse.
Orlando cocked an eyebrow at her, waiting. She glanced to him briefly over her shoulder, and he smiled knowingly at her. If there was one thing Orlando had discovered from his long hours with Erin in the past few weeks, it was that she sometimes took her work too seriously. But he also knew that sometimes she slipped into a more natural, laid back version of herself; uncaring about rules and regulations, open and opinionated. It was this Erin he appealed to with his invitation. And it was this Erin he knew would accept.
Erin couldn�t stand that smile on his face, the one that showed both dimples. He knew flashing that grin often convinced her to do or say things she would normally not. And she hated the fact he could do that to her. He was only an actor, albeit an attractive one with a British accent, and she�d only just met him. Yet she�d never known anyone she got along with so well. But things could change, she thought. Once this movie takes off� fame will get to him. He�ll be like the others. Guess I might as well take advantage of this while it lasts.
�Maybe,� she finally relented. �Will I have to dress up?�
Orlando barked laughter. �You? Dress up? I can�t imagine it.�
She glared. �All right then, I�ll go. But I�m staying at a motel.�
He shrugged. �Fine. But in that case you might as well stay for Saturday as well. No point in wasting one day if you can waste two.� It was the crazy logic she�d come to expect from him.
�Have you learned to surf in the middle of your busy schedule then?� Erin asked, wondering if he�d get her hint.
�I�ve had one lesson, last weekend.�
Yeah, he knows what I�m going to say, she thought. A light had turned on in his eyes. �Well if I�m going to stay for Saturday too, I want to surf.�
That grin spread across his face again, flashing his pearly whites. He had such perfect teeth, and beautiful lips� if only he didn�t smoke. �What makes you suddenly so eager?� he asked. �I thought you weren�t interested in surfing?�
She shrugged as she finished saddling Achilles. �It�s just that, well� I don�t like you knowing how to do something I don�t, honestly.�
�Ah.� They led the horses out the front side of the barn, once again side by side, and Erin noticed with approval Orlando walked on the proper side of the horse. �Then you�re going to have to go bungee-jumping,� he said.
Erin snapped a look of disbelief at him. He met her eyes bravely, peering over the top of Bud�s neck.
�What?� she exploded. �Didn�t you read your contract with New Line before you signed it?�
�I read it. I only ignore parts of it, don�t worry.�
She stared at him in mute shock for a good minute before she shut her mouth and sighed in exasperation, shaking her head. �I wouldn�t do that anymore, if I were you. And you can keep your bungee jumping. I�ll never, ever do that.�
�Why not?� he inquired playfully. �Never felt inclined to try it?�
�No. It�s just that� well, heights are just not my thing. You couldn�t get me to bungee jump if my life depended on it.�
�Is that so?�
She looked at him again, hearing the tone of his voice, and fixed him with the sternest gaze she could muster. �No, Mr. Bloom, do you hear me? Absolutely not. Absolutely, positively no fucking way.�
�Okay,� he said easily, and dropped the subject. But Erin still felt uneasy; as if that would not be the last she would hear of this bungee jumping.
***
The two of them guided the horses along a narrow path through the fields and scattered trees of the stable�s vast acreage. This was the second day they had actually left the arena and gone out riding together, as Erin was hoping to put Orlando through some unusual and unexpected situations with Bud before they started filming around a bunch of guys in scary costumes with loud swords.
They rode in silence for a long while, and then suddenly Orlando cried out in alarm. Erin startled, looking to him quickly and expecting to see him on the ground � or in some equally dangerous situation, but he was still upright and in control, his eyes coming around to face her excitedly.
�What�s wrong?� she asked uncertainly, not sure if that was the proper question from his expression of glee.
�I�ve thought of a name for the horse!� he shouted.
Erin blinked at his enthusiasm. Is that why he�s been so quiet? �Well�?� she prodded. She had to admit she was very curious to hear his decision� what kind of a name would take him nearly two weeks to think of? �What did you come up with?�
�Comet!� he announced proudly.
Erin made a face, not understanding his thrill over such a seemingly plain name. �Comet?� she asked doubtfully. �I see. And Comet is better than Bud� how?�
�Because it�s Comet� you know the flying horse?� At Erin�s completely baffled look he sighed in exasperation. �Comet is Superman�s horse! I always liked Superman when I was little.�
Erin stared at him, and then suddenly burst out laughing, unable to stop herself.
Orlando startled at Erin�s sudden and unexpected laughter as it rang out across the fields. His excitement died away, replaced by irritation and strange embarrassment. �What?� he asked sullenly. �Why is that funny?� He was trying to be serious, and didn�t appreciate her making fun of him.
Erin finally got a hold of herself and glanced over to see Orlando watching her with a solemn expression on his face. She cleared her throat, somewhat regretting her laughter at the hurt in his eyes.
�I�m sorry,� she said sincerely. �It�s just that�� she had to try very hard to keep the giggles from escaping her, �it�s just that when you said that, I pictured you as a little boy, running around in your underwear and your Superman cape!�
She snorted at the thought of it again and covered her mouth, physically holding in the laughter welling up in her chest.
One corner of Orlando�s mouth twisted into an impish smile, his eyebrows arching with interest. �You thought of me in my underwear?� he asked wickedly. �That�s not very appropriate for this professional setting, is it?�
Erin stopped smiling, her mouth coming open to shoot something back at him, but then she couldn�t think of anything to say. He sat on his horse and smiled at her, his face laughing in triumph, and she turned away from that haughty expression with a huff, kicking Achilles into a trot.
*
They spent the rest of the day riding, and after Orlando�s underwear comment she tried extra hard to put obstacles in his way. She led him through the trees, over creeks and ditches and logs, and spent most of the time in a trot or canter. But he had set his mind to keeping up with her, and even though he thought he was going to fall off and die several times, he managed to stay in the saddle until they stopped for lunch.
They ate beneath a small grove of trees in one of the pastures, and Erin refused to look at him or talk to him. Orlando kept his eyes and his smile trained on her until she finally became so frustrated with his stare she turned to face him.
�What?� she demanded. �What are you smiling about?�
The irritation in her voice only made his smile grow. �I bet Comet is faster than Archimedes,� he claimed boldly, knowing the statement would make her mad.
�It�s Achilles, not Archimedes, you idiot, and there�s no way Comet is faster.�
He opened his mouth to argue but she cut him off.
�And no, I will not race you just to prove it. You aren�t that good at riding yet, Superman.�
Orlando shut his mouth at the nickname, frowning. Once again she�d read his thoughts before he spoke them. He sighed, turning back to his food, and considered taking off on Comet anyway when they were done with lunch. Then she would have to chase him, and they�d find out which horse was faster. But then he reconsidered, knowing that Erin was fully capable of reporting such reckless behavior to the higher ups. And he really didn�t want to listen to anymore lectures about his safety � he�d already heard enough of those from everyone.
�What about when I get better at riding?� he asked. �Will you race me then?�
Erin shook her head. �Not likely. You�re not supposed to be galloping around all over the place, it�s too dangerous. You really shouldn�t even be cantering.�
Orlando grunted. �You haven�t seemed too concerned about my safety this morning. I rather think you�re trying to dump me off and make me look like a fool.�
Erin shrugged. �It�s better you fall off here with me than in the middle of a scene with a bunch of other horses standing around.�
�Oh great. So you are trying to dump me off.�
�And besides, when you�ve fallen off once you�re not afraid of it anymore.�
Orlando eyed her in disbelief. �Says who?� he asked, thinking he would never not mind plummeting several feet to smack into hard earth.
�Says me,� Erin told him. �That�s how it was for me, and that�s how it�s been for lots of people I�ve taught. Once you fall off you kind of learn how to do it, and no fall is ever quite as bad as your first one.�
�I see.�
�That�s the truth.� She must have heard the doubt in his voice.
�I�d still rather not fall off.�
Erin shook her head, smiling slightly, and packed up her stuff. �Well don�t get your hopes up, Superman. No one can ride horses for months and never fall off even once. Not even you.�
Orlando rolled his eyes as he stood and also gathered up his lunch remainders, putting them back into his saddle bag. He turned to Erin as she mounted Achilles. �Explain to me why you can call me Superman but not Orli?�
Erin grinned down at him. �Because I make the rules,� she said simply, and then she turned her horse away from him and started off.
Orlando squinted after her, then shook his head and mounted Comet quickly, heading after her at a trot. Sometimes he really didn�t understand Erin Taylor.
***
It was Friday.
Erin checked her watch and let out an irritated sigh when she saw she was already running late. But she didn�t move from in front of her full-length mirror, deciding to waste a few more precious seconds evaluating her reflection. She peered at herself, trying to decide if she liked her outfit, and then looked over her shoulder to her bed, already strewn with clothes.
She found herself supremely annoyed with the fact she�d fallen so low as to be frantically yanking clothes from her closet only to reject each outfit after trying it on. She�d nearly gone through her whole wardrobe, and she was very close to just throwing on a t-shirt and jeans, as she usually did. But for some reason she wanted to be a little different tonight, and she wondered if it was because Orlando had once claimed he couldn�t imagine her dressed up.
But she wasn�t really dressed up. She had very few dress clothes, and she�d started with those, but in the end had decided she didn�t feel comfortable in them and had opted for a subtler look. She finally decided her current look was casual enough not to be obvious, and yet dressy enough to be noticeable. But do I want to be noticed?
She checked her watch again, then grimaced and rushed to grab her purse, nearly killing herself on a mound of discarded clothes as she went. She slung her overnight bag over her shoulder and grunted at the weight of it. Cursed Orlando Bloom� she never should have let him talk her into spending the whole weekend in Wellington. But she was looking forward to it�
She staggered down the stairs and double-checked to be sure everything was in its proper place before stepping out onto the porch and locking the front door. She threw her crap into the truck and hopped in, speeding away down the now-familiar road.
*
Orlando sat at one of the many round tables of The Kanono, a small but popular pub on Courtenay Place. Billy and Dom sat on either side of him, chatting across to each other idly and trying in vain to illicit some participation from the third member of their party. But Orli�s mind was clearly somewhere else; he constantly twisted in his chair to check the door. Erin was late, and he couldn�t help being a bit worried about her.
�Why don�t you just sit someplace where you can face the door and save yourself the neck pain?� Dom asked finally, tired of seeing his friend fidget.
Orlando faced him, blinking. �What?�
Dom rolled his eyes and cast a knowing glance to Billy. �Look, lover boy, there�s plenty of other pretty females already here for you to obsess over, and all you can do is watch that door. Sit back, would you?�
�And even if she doesn�t show up,� Billy put in helpfully, �it�s not like this is a date. I mean, you�ve already got a girlfriend� right?�
Orlando sighed, tossing back the rest of his drink and glancing toward the bar, wishing for another. �Right,� he said, �but even if I have got a girlfriend, that doesn�t mean I�m not allowed to worry about a� friend. What if she�s lost?�
Billy chuckled. �Well that�s possible� and you�d know!� He hid a snigger at the memory of Orli�s horrible sense of direction when he�d first come to New Zealand.
Orlando shot Billy a glare but before he could think of a comeback Dom spoke up.
�But if she�s been here for awhile like you say, wouldn�t she know her way around by now?�
�Well, yes�� Orlando answered. �But still�� he trailed off, realizing how lame he sounded, and suddenly wanted to escape the awkward conversation before his two friends had another chance to make fun of him. He stood from his chair quickly and cleared his throat. �I think I�ll just get another drink��
Billy and Dom looked at each other again as he disappeared through the crowd toward the bar. Billy shook his head, a silent smile spreading across his comical face.
By the time Orlando returned with a new drink Billy and Dom were once again emerged in one of their ridiculous conversations. Orli tried very hard to pay attention this time � partially in the hopes of easing his anxiety over Erin�s tardiness, and partially because of the fact that without paying close attention, it would be completely impossible to understand what Billy and Dom were talking about. They had a habit of falling into hysterical bouts of laughter and wheezing, which made it very difficult for any outsiders to follow the conversation accurately.
He managed to concentrate on trying to understand some story Billy was telling for a good five minutes before turning away from his red-faced friends to glance over the entrances again. He felt a numb shock at the sight of Erin standing just inside the main entrance, scanning the crowd in an obviously futile attempt to find him.
He straightened immediately and hit Billy on the shoulder just as his friend was about to take a drink. �There she is,� he hissed, ignoring Billy�s muttered swear and the beer that sloshed onto the table. Orli then turned to Dom, who�d just lit a cigarette. �Put that out!� he ordered.
Dom blinked in confusion. �Wha?�
But Orlando had already jumped from his chair and was weaving his way through the crowd with a determined force, trying to catch Erin�s roving eye.
Orlando waved at Erin and she smiled brilliantly as she noticed him. He had hardly recognized her when she�d first come in - she looked very different from the �professional� Erin he usually worked with. She wore a black sleeveless shirt, khaki pants and black sandals, and he took in her appearance with the keen eye of someone who cared about fashion. She looked stunning even in such a simple outfit; he�d rarely seen her in anything but jeans and a worn t-shirt, and he found himself strangely reluctant to imagine how beautiful she would look if she really glamoured up. And yet despite his reluctance he felt a small glimmer of anticipation at the thought that one day, for one reason or another, he would get to see her so dressed up. Orli had never really noticed Erin�s hair before; during their lessons together it was always tied back in a messy ponytail. But tonight she�d left her shoulder-length, dark tresses loose to fall around her shoulders and frame her face.
He returned her smile dumbly and was surprised at how happy he was she�d finally made it. He didn�t take his eyes off her as he maneuvered his way around the room.
Erin returned Orlando�s wave, feeling at once more comfortable when he smiled at her. The pleasure that lit his face when he spotted her vanished her doubts about coming to this place and she made her way toward him confidently.
They met at the front door and to her surprise Orlando hugged her briefly in greeting, then held her at arm�s length and looked her over. He grinned, then frowned mockingly. �You�re late,� he accused. �I�d thought you�d gotten lost.�
Erin lifted an eyebrow and shook her head, looking him up and down just as he�d done to her. He wore his usual t-shirt, faded jeans and sneakers. Erin felt a quick flutter of uncertainty as to whether she should have bothered to dress up. A quick glance around the room assured her she was not the one over-dressed; rather he was the one under-dressed. �No, Mr. Bloom,� she smiled knowingly, �I thought it best to leave your infamous �scenic tour� of the New Zealand countryside for another time.�
He narrowed his eyes, wiggling a finger at her. �Hey now,� he scolded. �We�re not at work, remember? It�s Orli here� Orli, got it?�
She grabbed his hand, pushing his finger out of her face. �Yeah. Whatever you say Superman.�
He caught hold of the hand she�d used to push his finger away, ignoring her comment, and led her toward a table along the far left wall. �Come on,� he spoke out above the music, �You�ve got to meet Billy and Dom.�
Erin let him lead her through the maze of tables and standing people, all too aware of the warmth of his fingers pressed into her palm. He�s your student, Erin, she reminded herself wryly. Not to mention looks hardly old enough to drink. But then she scolded herself for being so severe. Oh just relax. You�re here to have fun.
He stopped in front of a table sitting two young men, and both of them stood from their chairs to shake her hand and nod greetings as Orli introduced them. �Miss Taylor, this is Bill and Dom.�
�Dominic Monaghen, actually,� Dom said sarcastically, �but Dom suits me just as well.� Dominic grinned first at Orli and then at Erin and stubbed out his cigarette, though it didn�t much matter with all the smoke in the air already. She nodded to him, smiling tightly, feeling once again out of place in the pub. �Right,� she said, �Orli and Dom.� She turned her attention to Billy. �And what does Bill translate into?�
Billy grinned at her as they all took their seats. Orli pulled hers out slightly for her and Erin barely hid her frown at Orli�s strangely chivalrous behavior. She�d never pictured him as a man with good manners. She turned back to Billy.
�Billy Boyd,� he said, and she noted both Billy and Dom also had attractive accents, though Orli�s voice still seemed her favorite. �But Bill or Billy will do nicely.�
�Well you can just call me Erin,� she replied, eyeing the bar longingly. She wanted a drink. A strong drink, possibly with a friend to follow, and a small paper umbrella to twiddle in her nervous fingers. Why had she agreed to come out here again? Why hadn�t she remembered she wasn�t any good at socializing? But she reminded herself again she couldn�t get drunk� it would be a bad night to get drunk, and judging from the several empty glasses already on the table, Erin had the feeling she�d need to be mostly sober by the end of the night - for the guys� sake.
�We�re glad you finally made it,� Billy announced suddenly to Erin, breaking the semi-awkward silence that hung around the table. �Although Dom and I had a bet going on how long it would take our friend Orli here to break his neck from twisting around so often to watch the door.� He dodged Orli�s punch deftly, grinning madly.
Erin glanced to Orlando only to see a blush spreading across his face even in the dim lighting. She grinned at his embarrassment, inwardly pleased he�d been so anxious for her arrival. He scratched the back of his neck. �Yeah well��
�So you�re the riding instructor for the horses then, eh?� Dom asked, purposefully starting the conversation in a different direction and saving his friend from farther humiliation.
Erin nodded again, trying to force herself to relax. If she was going to be spending much of the next year with these people she had to get to know them. �Yes. Well, not for everyone,� she corrected herself. �I�m only in charge of Orlando� er, Orli. Everyone who will have a major riding role has their own instructor.�
Billy glanced to Dom. �I�d like to ride a horse! Why the hell don�t I get to ride a horse?� he demanded thickly, his voice muddled both by the alcohol he�d consumed and his Scottish accent.
�It�s not as fun as you think,� Orlando grumbled. �I�d like to see you try and ride a horse for hours on end. They make you work at it for hours and hours� all day every day� for weeks! Let me just say you wouldn�t be sitting on a hard wooden seat afterwards � for a long time - if you catch my drift.�
�Oh thanks,� Erin said loudly, �make me sound like a slave driver! I didn�t make up your schedule! And it�s just as hard to teach as it is to learn! Lots of people don�t know what they�re doing at the start, and they still don�t know what they�re doing in the end. Half the people I teach don�t have a single clue about horses, and they couldn�t care less about learning anything about them either.�
Orli narrowed his eyes. �What are you trying to say?� he asked in alarm. �You�re not talking about me, are you?�
Erin sighed and smiled gently at him, patting his arm. �No, you�re doing quite well for your second week.�
He gave a firm nod, turning back to Billy and Dom with a cocky smile. �I�m doing quite well for my second week.�
Dom rolled his eyes. �Sure you are, Cupcake.� He turned to Billy and cocked his thumb in Orli�s direction. �What can you say about the man who can do everything?� he muttered under his breath.
Orlando half stood from his chair, moving to silence them, but Billy and Dom were too fast for him. They turned to Erin in unison, identical grins adorning their faces when they shouted sarcastically, �Well, he can�t kayak!�
Orli sank back into his chair, once again blushing fiercely as Dom and Billy burst into hysterical laughter at their in-joke. He buried his face in his hands and waited for the laughter to end, while Erin sat in mute bemusement, thinking she would definitely have to get this whole story from Billy and Dom later.
It was several minutes before the two of them gained enough control of themselves to do more than gasp for air and pound the table. But when they had finally settled down enough to speak legibly, or at least as legibly as could be expected with the amount of alcohol they�d already consumed, Billy leaned forward on the table, focusing his still-beaming gaze on Erin once more.
�So Erin,� Billy piped between his giggles, �how�d you come across this job in the good old barely sunny, often rainy, but always great land of the flightless bird?�
Erin smiled and shrugged, casting another glance to Orli. He still hadn�t emerged from his humiliated posture. She shook her head, liking Billy and Dom more and more with each subtle stab they took at Orlando. It was hard to resist giving him a hard time� she was glad to find Billy and Dom felt the same way.
�I started teaching horseback riding for movies about three years ago in L.A.,� she said, speaking to Billy but looking sideways still in Orli�s direction. �I met a lot of people doing that, made a lot of good connections. One of them was John Scott; he�s the stunt coordinator for the horses on The Lord of the Rings project. That�s how I heard of Mr. Jackson�s need for riding instructors. So I called Mr. Jackson and had a meeting with him, and now here I am.� It sounded so simple when she said it. But it hadn�t been that simple of course; she�d made several long distance phone calls and spent quite a bit of money on travel before finally landing the position. But she didn�t regret any of it� yet. She harbored a secret hope that working on these movies would boost her career, and she could stop working part-time jobs in between projects.
�How do you like New Zealand then?� Dom asked. �Orli told us you had to come down even earlier than we did.�
Erin nodded once more as Orli shifted restlessly in his chair. �Yeah, I�ve been here for about two months now. I get to help with a lot of the other horse business as well. John and I have spent the past few weeks travelling all over New Zealand, mustering up all the trained horses and extra riders we can get our hands on.� She sighed. �It�s hard work, that�s for sure. But I love it.�
�I�m sure it is,� Orlando said suddenly, slapping his palms against the table. �Which is why she needs a drink.� He turned to look at her inquiringly. �What would you like, love? On me.�
Erin thought a second, still somewhat thrown off guard by Orlando�s use of such a pet name. It had slipped into their discussions often over the past weeks, but she still wasn�t sure if she liked it or not. �Um, I think I�ll just have a beer,� she finally decided. Orli nodded once and slipped from his chair to go to the bar.
�Hey, and don�t be shy with the compliments for Dom and I, either!� Billy called out after him.
Orlando glanced over his shoulder, discreetly flipping Billy the bird.
Erin shook her head, turning back to the two young men across from her, and suddenly realized they looked enough alike to be brothers. �I�m sorry, who do you two play?� she asked, determined not to be the only one answering questions.
Dom stood from his chair and bowed sharply, lifting Erin�s hand from the table and kissing it reverently. �Meriadoc Brandybuck, pleased to meet your acquaintance,� he announced.
Erin grinned at him as he sat back down, trying to ignore the curious looks of those sitting nearest to them.
Billy laughed at Dom�s display and reached across the table to shake Erin�s hand. �Peregrin Took,� he said seriously.
Erin nodded, recalling what she�d read so far of the Fellowship of the Ring. She�d started the book on the plane ride to New Zealand, but she�d been so busy since arriving she hadn�t gotten very far. �Well that should be fun,� she commented absently.
�I guess we�ll find out,� Billy said, leaning forward, �but it really all comes down to how much fun you can have in furry feet and a wig!�
�I beg your pardon?� Erin said faintly.
�Wig and feet� mandatory hobbit dress!� Dom picked up where Billy left off. �That means a really early call� it�s going to take them something like an hour or two to put the things on!�
Erin grimaced at the thought, but then realized how many early mornings were ahead for her and nearly groaned aloud. Billy looked up as Orlando approached, his blue eyes lighting up at the sight of the fresh cold beer Orli handed to him.
�Thanks mate,� he said cheerily, taking the schooner eagerly.
�Yeah,� Orlando mumbled. �You�ll fix me up later, I�m sure.� He handed Erin hers as he sat down and she thanked him.
Billy sipped his beer, a look of exaggerated glee spreading across his face. �What about Miss Taylor here?� he asked suddenly. �Does she have to pay you back too?�
Orli shook his head. �I�m paying Erin back for all the lunches she�s fixed for me.�
Dom looked at Erin. �So that�s true then, eh? You�ve really been feeding this bugger?�
Erin took a drink and nodded. �Unfortunately yes.� She glanced sideways to Orli. �But he hasn�t been bad company,� she added, almost as an afterthought.
�I tell you Dom,� Billy said with a shake of his head, �we�re gettin� screwed on this hobbit deal. Think about it� hobbits are all early mornings, curly wigs and prosthetic appendages, cute furry little bundles of simplicity. What�s an elf?� He gestured across to Orlando. �Immortal sex appeal and cool horse riding lessons� not to mention daily lunches with beautiful women!�
Erin felt her cheeks flame at the comment. She raised her beer quickly to try and hide it. Maybe she would get a little drunk�
Orlando cleared his throat, feeling Erin�s discomfort, and changed the subject. �So you guys are still on for tomorrow, right?�
They both nodded. �Yeah, we�ll be at your place at nine in the morning,� Billy assured him.
Erin lowered her drink, feeling the blush drain away at her fear of what they could be talking about. �What happens tomorrow at nine in the morning?� she asked carefully, not sure she wanted to know. She remembered her promise to go surfing and hoped that wasn�t it. But sure enough Orlando turned to her with a frown.
�Surfing,� he answered plainly. �Remember?�
Erin stared at him, then glanced over to Billy and Dom and back to Orli. �Exactly how many people are going to be at your place at nine in the morning?�
Orli shrugged. �You, me, Dom, Billy, and Elijah. That�s all.�
That�s all? Erin thought in near panic. Going surfing alone with Orlando in front of people she didn�t know was one thing, but making a fool of herself in front of people she�d actually have to see again was another matter completely. And at least at the pub she had alcohol to drown her worries, whereas tomorrow on the beach she�d be painfully sober. She turned to her beer abruptly and took several big swallows, setting the glass back on the table rather too firmly. She cleared her throat and gestured for Orlando to follow her.
�Can I talk to you for a second?�
�Sure.� He followed her from the table with a backwards glance to his friends. They shrugged.
Erin led him out of earshot from the other two and then faced him. He stuck his hands in his back pockets, bracing for something, though he didn�t know what.
�I thought you said we were going surfing tomorrow?� she hissed.
He frowned in confusion. �We are��
�But you never mentioned an audience! I�m worried enough about humiliating myself tomorrow in front of you without having to worry about what your friends think of me too! What�s wrong with you?
Orli glanced around at the volume of her voice and she inhaled deeply to try and calm herself.
�What makes you think everyone there is going to be watching you anyway?� he asked with a half smile, but Erin wasn�t in the mood for teasing.
�Orlando!� she protested. �I�m serious! You should have warned me or something.�
His smile disappeared. �I�m sorry,� he said sincerely. �I didn�t think it would be that big of a deal.�
Erin sighed heavily in exasperation, crossing her arms. �Maybe I just won�t go,� she muttered.
His brows furrowed. �What?�
�I told you I didn�t want to look like an idiot in front of everyone� if they are going too then I don�t want to go.�
Orlando rolled his eyes, releasing a sigh of his own. �Erin, relax. I promise you�ll have fun.� He fixed his deep brown eyes on her face, looking at her sternly. �And I�ve looked like a stupid git in front of you before on that horse� you owe me.�
Erin raised her eyebrows. �Oh�� she said in mock understanding. �So that�s what this whole surfing thing is about. Your revenge on me.� She smiled sweetly. �Well now I�m definitely not going!� She started to turn away but Orlando grabbed her wrist suddenly. She turned back around to face him, feeling an odd bit of delight at his touch. But he let go quickly as she turned around, as if he wasn�t sure he should have done that, and stuck his hands back in his pockets.
�Erin,� he said again, �it�s not about my revenge.� He paused, shrugging a little, and looked to her with a small smile growing across his face. �Well, not all about revenge��
�You see?� Erin interjected. �You admitted it! Now why would I want to go surfing with you after a confession like that?�
�What else are you going to do?� he asked. �Watch while everyone else surfs?�
Erin shrugged. �I happen to think reading a book on the beach is a good way to spend the day, thank you very much.�
�But I thought you said you didn�t like me knowing how to do something you didn�t?� he argued back.
�I don�t,� she replied, �but there�s a limit to anything I�ll do, you know. And besides, I can do a lot of things you can�t.�
Orlando�s eyes narrowed. �Like what?�
Erin blinked at him. She hadn�t expected him to ask that. �Like� like, uh�� she stammered for an answer, her eyes drifting to Billy and Dom, who watched the discussion with interest. �Like kayaking!� she finally said triumphantly, looking back to Orlando.
His face clouded and she smiled knowingly up at him. He crossed his arms. �I bet you�ve never been kayaking,� he retorted.
�I�ve been canoeing,� she defended, �and from what Billy and Dom said, I�d guess I�m a lot better at it than you.�
�Fine,� Orli said at last. �You go surfing with us tomorrow, and I�ll go canoeing with you later. I�ll teach you to surf; you teach me to kayak� if you can do any better than the people trying to teach me now.�
Erin regarded him doubtfully for a moment, then sighed. �I�m going to need a few more drinks before that deal sounds appealing,� she commented wryly.
Orlando grinned at her suddenly. �I can take care of that. So you�ll at least think about it?�
Erin looked at him, at that insistent face, his pleading eyes, and smiled despite herself. �Yes,� she answered wearily. �I�ll think about it. But only think.�
�Good,� Orli said, relieved. �Then go sit down and I�ll get you another drink.�
�But I haven�t finished my first one,� Erin protested.
�But you will,� Orli said as he moved off toward the bar once more. Erin watched him go; shaking her head and giving up, and then turned to go back to the table. She sat down heavily, and Billy and Dom watched her expectantly.
�So are you going surfing with us tomorrow then?� Billy asked.
Erin looked at him in disbelief. Would she ever hear the end of this? �Um� that remains in question,� she finally answered.
�Oh,� Billy said, seeming disappointed. Then he brightened and raised his glass. �Well here�s to making up your mind! But I do hope you go.�
Erin smiled kindly and silently raised her glass with his and Dom�s in the mock toast, then joined them both in swallowing the contents.
*
The night passed quickly after the subject of surfing had passed, and as the morning hours approached Erin found she enjoyed the company of Orlando and his friends far more than most other people she knew. It was easy to relax around them, and they made it easy for her to forget about her worries, her job, and what was to be done by the next morning. Billy and Dom constantly had her laughing with ridiculous accounts of their most recent pranks and their past prosthetic appendage mishaps. And Orlando kept them all entertained with farther stories of his failures in elf-training, ranging from his ability to mysteriously turn the elfish language into bad words to popping the passing Peter Jackson in the head with one of the practice arrows. Luckily that had only caused a small bruise and a brief headache�
It was a relief for Erin to be able to be herself around Orlando, and it seemed the same for him. The constant guard Erin kept up at the horse barn disappeared, and Orli�s anxiety over having to learn so many things subsided. Outside of the professional setting both of them loosened up, and it was obvious even to Billy and Dom that there could quite possibly be something between Erin and Orli.
Erin volunteered to get the next round of drinks and slid from her chair, walking a little unsteadily through the thinning crowd to the bar. Orli watched her go, smiling to himself.
�You look far too happy for a man who isn�t single,� Billy commented suddenly. �Tuck your tongue in, mate, before we all get the wrong idea.�
Orlando coughed into his hand, taking his eyes off Erin and turning back to his friends. �I have no idea what you�re talking about,� he said.
Billy just shook his head and resumed his conversation with Dom. Orli rested his chin on his palm and tried to pay attention to them. But after a moment his eyes strayed back to Erin.
�Hello?� Billy interrupted again, realizing his friend was staring and waving his hand in front of Orlando�s face. �You�re doing it again! What is it about this girl that�s got you so gob-smacked?�
Orli sighed, sitting up once more as Erin started back for the table. He shrugged. �I don�t know. She just looks� different tonight. Not at all like when we have lessons together.�
Dom didn�t like what he heard in Orlando�s voice. That was the sound of deep and unadulterated awe. That was the sound of a man on the verge of affection. That was the sound of a man falling in love. Dom leaned across the table. �Orli, mate, that�s called makeup,� he whispered.
Orlando�s eyes were once again on Erin. �Whatever it is, she�s gorgeous,� he muttered.
Billy and Dom looked to each other worriedly, but they could say nothing else, for just at that moment Erin arrived, setting down the drinks carefully.
�Here we are!� she announced happily. �But really, this has got to be my last one!�
The boys ignored her statement, knowing she had said that five drinks earlier, and as she sat down the conversation continued as normal. But though no one else noticed, Dom set himself to keeping a closer eye on Erin and Orli.
*
Erin didn�t think to look at her watch until much too late, and then she swore aloud at the time. Dom looked to her in question, being the only one sober enough to even realize she�d said anything. Orli and Billy were far gone, laughing outrageously at some obscure joke they couldn�t remember correctly, and yet found to be shockingly funny.
�Oh sorry boys,� she said suddenly, speaking loudly to be heard over Orlando�s roaring laughter. �I hate to interrupt your fun, but I think I�m going to have to be heading out.�
Orli stopped laughing, turning to her with a sudden pout on his face. �What? Why? It can�t be that late�we just got here!�
Erin smiled warmly as she stood carefully from her chair, thinking she�d taken on just a few more drinks than she�d planned. �Oh it�s late enough,� she assured him. �And if you want to be conscious in the morning you�d better go home too, get some sleep.�
He frowned, checking his own watch and squinting at its face. After a second or two of staring at it he shrugged and gave up. �Aw, I can�t read the shite,� he muttered.
�That�s a sure sign you should quit while you�re ahead,� Billy said with a grin, standing from his own chair and nearly falling over backwards. Dom reached out a hand to steady him before he fell. Billy only grinned the wider, giving an appreciative nod to Dom, then turning to Erin. �And it seems I�d better be heading out too!� he exclaimed.
�I�ll drive,� Dom offered quickly. He got up from the table, tossing a look to Erin that told her Billy had done this more than once. She returned the look with a smile and faced Orli, watching him expectantly.
Orlando sat at the table a second longer, disappointed his fun had to end, while the other three stood around and waited for him. He finally sighed. �Very well, if you insist we must go.� He scooted out from the table and stood, stumbling over his chair and nearly falling into Erin. She caught his shoulders and waited until he�d regained his balance to release him.
�Whoops,� he grinned sheepishly. �Didn�t see that chair there.�
Erin eyed him doubtfully. �I don�t think you should be driving, either,� she admitted, looking to Billy and Dom. �Did you all come together?� she asked.
Dom shook his head, one hand on Billy�s arm to help hold his friend upright. �No. Orli came alone��
Erin shook her head. Of course. But she didn�t want him driving in such a state. If he couldn�t find his way around sober he�d never make it home drunk.
�But I can drop him off,� Dom continued. �If I�m taking Billy I might as well take him too.�
�Where do you and Billy live?� Erin asked, feeling bad for Dom. To have to handle both drunk Billy and drunk Orli�
�On the other side of Wellington,� Dom answered. �But it�s not a problem. It won�t take long to get there and back, not at this time of night.�
Erin smiled kindly at Dom, shaking her head again. �That�s all right. I�ll take him home. My motel is over in that direction anyway, and that way you won�t have to make an extra trip to the wrong side of town.�
Dom took a half step forward, opening his mouth to argue, but she waved his protests away. �It�s fine,� she said. �Really. I don�t mind.� She turned to look at Orli only to find him watching her closely. She forced herself to keep his gaze. �You do remember how to get to your house, right?�
�Yeah,� he said moodily, �but you needn�t worry about it. I can drive myself.� He pulled his keys out of his pocket and jangled them in front of her, then tossed a sloppy salute to Billy and Dom. �G�night boys. Had lots of fun, see you in the morning!� He turned to walk away, but as he passed Dom his friend caught his arm.
�The door is that way, mate,� Dom whispered, turning Orli in the direction of the front entrance.
Orli raised his eyebrows and nodded. �Eh, thanks,� he muttered, making his way toward the exit unsteadily.
Erin sighed, smiling at Billy and Dom, who watched Orli�s clumsy attempt to get out the door with fascination. �Good to meet you,� she said, finally edging after Orli. �I had a great time! �I guess I�ll see you tomorrow.�
�Surfing?� Billy asked hopefully.
Erin shrugged. �Maybe�� She nodded over her shoulder to where Orli had finally wrested open the door and managed to stumble outside. �I�ll get him home safe,� she assured them.
�You sure about driving him home?� Dom asked again.
Erin nodded. �Yeah. No problem.�
�Well, I must admit it�s good to have some help,� Dom grinned at her, �I don�t know how I�d handle �em both myself!� Billy nodded in agreement, and then seemed to realize what his friend had said and shot him a look.
Erin snorted in amusement at the comment. �I can see what you mean,� she said, and with that turned to hurry after Orli.
She found him fumbling with the door of his car. She stopped beside him and watched him for a moment, wondering if she should tell him he had to unlock his door before it would come open. �Need any help?� she asked finally.
�No,� he replied sullenly. He lifted his keys and peered at them, then reached down to unlock the door. Erin caught his hand, stopping him short of putting the key in the lock. He looked over to her.
�Come on,� she said quietly. �I�ll drive you home.�
He shook his head adamantly. �No no. Can drive myself. Don�t want to be a pain.�
Erin sighed, forcefully removing the keys from his hand and shoving them in her pocket. He stared at her blankly but didn�t try to grab them back. Then she turned and walked toward her truck, looking over her shoulder when he didn�t follow. �Well?� she asked. �Are you planning on spending the night in the street?�
He followed her silently to her vehicle, walking slowly over the pavement he swore was uneven. He climbed into the passenger seat without farther argument and Erin pulled out from the street parking with a wave to Dom, who currently helped Billy into his car.
�Now,� she said once they were away, �where is this place of yours?�
*
�That�s it, right there,� Orli said, pointing up the street a little ways to a quaint but nice-looking one story house.
Erin nodded and pulled up alongside the drive, relieved to find her motel was not far away. The drinks and the drive had begun to lure her into sleep, and she didn�t think she�d be a much safer driver than drunken Orli after too much longer. Orlando turned to her suddenly within the confines of the truck�s cab, his eyes much too serious.
�You look very nice tonight,� he commented, his voice still heavy with the influence of alcohol.
Erin turned to him in surprise, raising her eyebrows. The fact he would say something like that at this point in the night� she blamed it on all the drinks he�d had. �Thank you,� she stammered, unsure of what else to say.
�Are you sure you don�t want to stay?� he asked abruptly.
Erin looked at him, but his expression was innocent. �No,� she said firmly. �I can�t stay. I�ve got to get going.� She dug his keys from her pocket and handed them to him.
He sighed heavily as he took them, nodding. �Well I�m glad you came tonight. Can we do it again sometime?�
Erin smiled. �Sure. But maybe not so many drinks next time, huh?�
He shrugged. �Maybe not� but maybe so.�
Erin hissed a breath through her teeth in wonder at this young man. �Goodnight, Orlando,� she said.
He looked at her a second more, as if he were going to say something else, but then he smiled. �Goodnight,� he said, opening his door. He started to get out of the truck but got hung up on the seatbelt. It took him a moment to figure out why he couldn�t get out, and Erin leaned over to undo the latch for him, rolling her eyes. She made a mental note to never let him drink so much ever again.
He tossed her another sheepish smile and clambered down from the vehicle, slamming the door and backing away, waving to her. She waved back, but waited to see if he could make it inside before driving away. She grimaced as he tripped up the stair to the front door, and watched as he fumbled with his keys.
She waited a good five minutes while he bent over the door handle, until she finally gave up on him and got out of the truck, walking up to stand behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to her briefly, then went back to examining the door knob.
He eventually gave up, handing the keys to her silently. She shook her head again at his antics and squinted at the door handle - her own vision wasn�t the clearest - but she managed to fit the key into the lock and swung the door open for him.
�There you are,� she announced.
�Thanks, love,� he slurred, moving past her into the darkness beyond.
Erin frowned, wondering what he could be doing, and heard him bang into something and curse. But then things were quiet. �Do you want the lights on?� she asked cautiously, unsure of to do.
�No,� came the disembodied reply. �Lights hurt.� There was a short pause, and then, �Score one for Superman.�
Erin furrowed her brow, beginning to seriously worry about Orlando Bloom�s sanity. �What are you talking about?� she asked.
�I got you inside,� came the simple reply.
Erin looked down and realized she stood just inside the door. She blew out an irritated breath, suddenly annoyed, and was struck by the thought that Orlando just might not be as drunk as he seemed to be, after all. She yanked the keys from the doorknob and tossed them into the darkness, hearing them land with a muffled clink.
�Ow.�
Erin smiled in satisfaction at her blind hit and stepped out onto the porch. �Goodnight, Mr. Bloom,� she huffed, pulling the door shut behind her.
�It�s Orli!� he yelled, but she closed the door on his voice and walked quickly down the sidewalk, letting out a frustrated growl. Why she had ever volunteered to drive him home was a mystery to her� but as she got back into the truck she found herself smiling.
***
What you like to do
Your favourite colour
or any other
The thing on your mind
That you like to share
Cause I can stay here
And listen to every word
Because I'm interested
Can I be an instrument
For changing your life
Is that all right?
Because I'm interested
I'd rather be with you instead
Than anyone else
Cause I'm interested in your middle name
Now don't be ashamed, Naw
It's between me and you
Everything you do
Let your guard down
Because there's a new girl in town
gonna turn it around
I hope that you are down
Because I'm interested
Can I be your instrument
In changing your life
Is that all right?
Because I'm interested
I'd rather be with you instead
of anyone else
I'm wide open
No more secrets
No lie
Don't wanna live like a fool
But I will, For you
So I'll beg
I'll scream
I'll call
I'll write
If that's what it takes for you to be in my life
Because I'm interested
And I'll be an instrument
In changing your life
Is that all right?
Because I'm interested
And I rather be with you instead
Of anyone else
Oh No
Because I'm interested
And I'll be an instrument
In changing your life
Is that all right?
Because I'm interested
And I rather be with you instead
Of anyone else.
�Interested� by India.Arie