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Disclaimer: Not ours. The real ones at least. Just wild imaginary spinnings.

Summary: Hmmm, about technophobes and friends who mean well.

Chapter Eight

Merlin was back home finally. The stitches had been removed and the wound was healing up nicely. Jen felt like dancing and singing around her house. She felt cherished and cared for and loved. It didn't matter that she still had no clue what Orlando really looked like. It wasn't important.

She was in love with Orlando, with ever fiber of her heart.

"Typical for a geek. I fall in love through the net, with an Internet-hating-person, haven't ever met him but … okay, I'm not going to remember the night of Merlin's accident. I do need to get going," she said to her reflection on the mirror. She wondered if anybody else could see the glow in her eyes when she thought of him. Jen saw herself and imagined that HE made her even seem pretty. She even considered if she should really meet him.

She caressed Merlin's head on her way out. "And I think he likes you too, buddy. Take care of the house, I have a meeting."

Mick and Jennifer sat in a café, talking over the software-designers-meeting they had attended.

"Jenny, forget Data Corp and software. How is Mr. Shaggy? I am awfully sorry that I was out of town that day, but I am also happy that you were not alone. Tell me more about Orlando," Mick said. She was genuinely happy that things seemed to be working out for Jen, even though she could not imagine if she could "date" anybody without ever getting to see him.

But after Jen had told her about how Orlando had been on the phone almost a whole day keeping her company, she figured she owed the guy the biggest hug available to mankind and a ton of respect. Jen deserved that and more.

Jen blushed. There were many things about Orlando she wouldn't share. But she could tell Mick about her fear of meeting him in person.

"Well…" she hesitated. How much should she tell Mick? It wasn't as if Michelle needed to know everything about him anyway. "He's about the most generous person I've ever known, besides you, of course."

"Oh, of course," Michelle added dryly. "Skip the boring stuff and get to the juicy parts." Jen raised her water glass to her lips, grateful for the cool water to cool her flushed cheeks. "What juicy stuff? There's nothing juicy to tell."

"You mean to tell me that you and Orlando have been having an Internet/phone romance going on for the last two…three months and the whole notion of cybersex or phone sex hasn't come up?"

Jennifer, startled to hear the words coming out of Mick's mouth, fumbled her glass and ended up spilling it all over the table and floor. A waiter hurried to wipe up the mess, and Jen, apologizing profusely, watched helplessly as he cleaned it up. She shot a very amused Michelle an angry glare.

"You did that on purpose," she hissed once the waiter was gone.

Michelle settled back in her chair, wiping away her tears from laughter away. "Oh, no, my sweet, I didn't. I can't believe it! So which was it? Cyber or phone?"

"I'm not sharing every moment of my life with you, Mick, I don't care how good of a friend you are," Jen mumbled, her cheeks flaring again. "And if you ever breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll personally rip your tongue out of your mouth."

"As if I would tell something like this."

"See that you don't."

"So, do I get to meet Mr. Wonderful anytime soon? I mean, he is coming for a visit, right?" Michelle didn't miss the uncertainty that flicked in Jennifer's eyes before she ducked her head. "He is coming, right?"

Jennifer shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, Mick. His work keeps him very busy."

"Uh huh…I see," she replied, a wariness creeping into her voice. "You do have his last name by now, I hope."

Jennifer rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm not naive, Mick, of course I do. It's Bloom."

Michelle frowned. "Bloom…Bloom. Orlando Bloom. Hmm, that sounds familiar. I'm sure I've heard his name from somewhere since he's an actor…or trying to be one. Oh well, it'll come to me later. Okay, so are you going with me to this screening or what?"

Jennifer looked skeptical. "What movie is it again?"

"Two Towers."

"Never heard of it."

"Duh! Because it's not even out yet! Come on! I hear some of the stars might show up. Besides, it's free!"

"Okay, okay. But only because you asked oh so nicely."

"Knew you'd go. So I'll pick you up tomorrow night at six, okay?"

"Sure. Whatever," Jen murmured, her face buried in her menu, but her mind was far away on someone a thousand miles away, but never far from her thoughts.

****************

Orlando shifted from foot to foot, his nervousness showing to anyone who bothered to pay attention. Right now the only one noticing was Billy, who was eyeing with some annoyance.

"Sorry," he said, grimacing slightly.

"I mean it, if ye canna keep yer feet still, I'll tie 'em around yer head."

"I said I was sorry!"

"Like the last five time ye've said it? What is the matter with ye?"

"I'm just anxious is all."

"About the screening? It's not yer first."

"No," Orlando sighed. "It's not the screening. Jennifer lives here."

Billy's face clouded in confusion and then suddenly brightened. "Jennifer, is it? Well, why dinna ye say so? Are ye gonna see her?"

"I thought about it."

"Ye should. Not like ye get a chance like this every day."

Orlando nodded, his feet shifting again as the line slowly moved forward. "Who knew it would take so fucking long to get our luggage?!"

"Calm yerself, mate. We'll get there soon enough. In the meantime…fill me in on this Jennifer."

With their luggage collected, Orlando and Billy caught a cab to their hotel. As soon as Orlando had his luggage in his room, he was back out the door, without a word to anyone. He knew what he wanted to do with the few hours he had to spare before the screening…see Jennifer.

Finding her house was no problem. Getting out of the cab and walking up to the door was a whole different matter.

"Getting out?" the cab driver asked, when Orlando didn't make a move for the door.

"Yeah, thanks."

Orlando paid the man and then got out of the cab. He had no choice but to go to the front door and ring her bell. He was here…now he had to do this. He couldn't remember being this nervous. Not even the time he had auditioned for his first movie role. He debated a second on knocking or ringing her bell. He opted for the bell.

Pressing the round button, he listened to the bells peal out inside the house and the answering bark of a dog. He smiled…Merlin. He must be feeling much better if he was up to barking at the door. The sound of someone running for the door and a soft voice shouting for Merlin to "hush it" filled his ears.

He could see just the tip of someone's head pop up in the window in the top of the door and then the click of the lock. His blood rushed in his head and he almost thought he might hit the floor. The door eased open, and Jennifer's…it had to be Jennifer's face, filled the doorway.

Her dark eyes were large and round with curiosity…her brown hair hanging straight to her shoulders. She had bangs that fringed on her forehead and freckles on her nose. There was nothing striking about her at all, but yet…she was beautiful.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice a little timid.

"Only if you're Jennifer," he replied, giving her his best smile.

Her eyes widened and a smile graced her lips. "Orlando?"

He nodded, barely having time to open his arms when she threw herself at him. Her arms circled his neck, holding him tight, as Merlin danced around their feet barking excitedly. Orlando wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but this reaction wasn't it.

"Easy, love," he murmured, when he felt his air slowly cutting off due to her grip.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she gasped, pulling completely away from him. "I don't know what got into me!"

He had to laugh at the totally horrified expression on her face. "It's okay, love. I wanted to do the same thing…only I might have done it a little differently."

"How's that?"

"This," he said, pulling her toward him again, his mouth meeting hers gently.

He felt her soft gasp, but he didn't take advantage of her open lips. He kept it all soft and gentle, not wanting to scare her. He eased her away, watching with satisfaction when her eyes took a moment longer to open. "Hullo, Jennifer."

She smiled and sighed softly. "Hello, Orlando. Would you like to come in?"

"I thought you would never ask."

He followed her inside the house, taking note of the cozy rooms and little things that made it totally Jennifer. This place suited her, he decided. Everything in it. Merlin padded after them happily, thinking this new person was company for him. Merlin was scrambling to fit his whole body into Orlando's lap as soon as Orlando sat down, but only part of him fit since he was so huge.

"Merlin! No! Bad dog! I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into him!" Jennifer gasped, trying to pull Merlin away.

Orlando caught her hands and pulled her down beside him. "It's okay. I don't mind at all. Hullo, Merlin, pal. Been taking good care of your mistress, have you?"

Merlin gave him a lick for an answer, which caused Orlando to laugh.

"Cheeky fellow, aren't you?"

Jennifer couldn't help but smile. No one had ever talked to Merlin like that…not even Mick. Orlando glanced up to see Jennifer giving him a smile.

"He's a heavy thing, huh? What're you feeding him?"

"Anything he wants right now. I can't help but spoil him. I almost lost him…"

"I know, love," Orlando replied softly, grasping her hand in his and raising it to his mouth for a kiss. "Tell me, what have you been up to?"

"Well, aside from work, I have this strange man calling me up at all hours of the night, demanding that I talk to him," Jennifer said, unable to keep a smile from teasing the corners of her lips.

Orlando's brows rose slowly. "Strange man, huh? And what does that strange man want?"

"I don't know," she replied as innocently as she could. "I think he's a pervert…he just breathes all the time. Sounds like he's…well, you know."

Orlando laughed at the pretty blush that stained her cheeks. "A wanker is he?"

Jennifer laughed along with him. "Uh, yeah. You could say that."

"So, maybe I should stick around…just in case he calls again."

She pretended to be panicked by his suggestion. "Oh no! You can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"Cause he might want a date. How would I explain a strange man answering my phone?"

"How indeed?" he laughed.

Jennifer's laughter died in her throat, when he reached up to cup her jaw. "I'm glad you were home," he whispered.

"So am I. But I'm really glad you decided to come see me. Is this a one day trip? Or do I get to keep you longer?"

"I'll be here for a day or so. Works calls, I'm afraid, in an hour. But tomorrow…we could spend some time together if you want."

"Of course I do! Now that you're here, I want to show you all the things I've told you about."

"That sounds wonderful. But for now…"

Orlando reached over and pulled Jen into his lap, which Merlin had recently vacated. Jennifer stiffened against him for a moment, not sure just what he was intending. He cradled her head with one hand, stroking her face with the other.

"I just want to look at you, Jen. I want to see the woman I've been talking to for the last few months."

"I'm no one special."

"I disagree. Anyone who can make me get on a computer is more than special. In fact, you're bloody gifted."

Jen ducked her head to hide her blush, but he caught her chin in his hand. "Don't hide from me, Jennifer. Don't ever hide from me."

"I'm just not used to so much attention," she admitted.

"You deserve it…and much more. If only I could give it to you."

Jennifer wrapped her arms around his neck, her head falling to his shoulder. "You give me enough…it's enough."

But Orlando knew it wasn't enough…it never would be.

All too soon their time was up. Jen walked him to the door, reluctant for him to go.

"Sure you can't get out of this appointment?"

"I wish, love, but I can't. But after tonight, I'm all yours," he said, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

"Tonight, then?" she asked, hopefully.

"Tonight."

Jennifer watched him get into the cab he had called for and drive away. She shivered in anticipation of him coming back to see her until she remembered…the benefit screening! Jen groaned, as she closed the door and leaned against it. She had totally forgotten about the screening she was to attend with Michelle. Why did she ever promise to do such a thing? Well, she couldn't back out now. Mick would never forgive her for it. With any luck, she would be through it and back here at the house, long before Orlando's appointment was over with. Then she wouldn't miss seeing him for one single minute.