The Photoshoot
Part Six

by Ranger and Rolf





"I didn't say a word." Luke signed a cross over his chest and watched his lover try valiantly to look as though his interest was captivated by a tomato juice. The effect was heartrending. Luke leaned forward and grabbed his hand, holding it when Val tried to pull away.

"Are you going to spit at me all day?"

"Probably." Val twisted, trying to get his fingers away. "And probably tomorrow too. Being made thoroughly miserable for three days has that effect on me, I'm funny that way."

"Don't even try getting my sympathy on that." Luke warned. Val grimaced.

"Alright, I understand why, you don't have to start on the speeches again- but I'm not going to go skipping through the day, I can't do it."

"I'm only-" Luke sat back and grimaced as yet another gaggle of teenagers surrounded the table, looking nervous. Most held autograph books. Val took his time, aware now that he was in a position to irritate Luke without any of it being his fault. Luke had his lines to say. Val had his hands full with his adoring public. By the time Val had drawn the third flushing adolescent out of her shell, Luke was starting to fidget. It wasn't long before Val felt, rather than saw him rise to his feet and make his six foot six height apparent to the others in the room. Luke could emanate a very sinister presence when he wanted to and the area around the table visibly chilled. The girls were backing away even before Luke pointed out quietly and politely that Mr. Quentin was resting, he was entitled to some privacy and needed to be left alone. The rest of the room visibly withdrew. Luke sat down again, pushing his coffee aside with exasperation. Val gave him a disdainful look.

"Privacy my foot. Mr. Quentin's bodyguard wants peace and quiet in order to continue lecturing Mr. Quentin. Something he expends a good deal of time and energy on."

"Brat." Luke said with exasperation.

"Gorilla." Val retorted.

"Now that we've gotten that straight." Luke again grabbed for and captured Val's hands. "Kitten, love, we've only a short way to go to get to your father's house. I think it's important that we show him a united front."

"What, for your benefit?"

"No, love, because it's the truth. We ARE on the same side. Your father is not a monster. He is, however, a hard man, and one whose mind cannot be swayed easily. If he even thinks for a minute that we're not right together, we'll have one heck of a time convincing him otherwise. Now I realize how difficult the apology will be for you. And I realize that you're in a lot of pain and unhappy with me because of that. But you need to know that I'm behind you 100%. You may think I'm being completely unreasonable, and a total ass, but I'm doing it because I love you. You got that brat?"

Val still wanted to clobber Luke for the pain he was in, but that lecture was full of love. Just like the Grinch, his heart melted a little and he looked up into Luke's probing eyes. "I got it, gorilla." And smiled.

Luke looked at him searchingly for a minute, then his own smile flashed out, the real and rare Luke smile, and he sat back.

"Good. So can we stop pretending you like tomato juice?"

"I do like tomato juice. It's just better with alcohol in it." Val drained the glass and put it down, catching his bodyguard's eyes once more.

"I don't know if I can do this Luke."

"You can."

"You heard what he said."

"Kitten you made him pretty angry. What you did was wrong and stupid and immoral. No one's going to congratulate you for that- it's something you're going to have to live down with a lot of people. But they're not important. You just need to set this straight with the important people."

"He's only going to yell some more." Val muttered. Luke once more held out a hand.

"Maybe. Its called consequences. They happen when you do bloody stupid things."

"Thanks."

"I told you not to look for sympathy from me." Luke said gently. "You made me furious this time- angry and ashamed-" he grabbed Val before he could flinch away, "But we've straightened that out between us. We're okay, it's in the past and I'm still here. This isn't going to be easy with your father, don't think it will be- but he loves you. If you can go to him and be up front about what happened, and show him you're really trying to face up to it, he'll respect that."

"You sound like you know." Val said slowly, still with his eyes on the table. Luke shrugged.

"I've done some pretty stupid things in my time. Your father's been a good friend to me. I've had him yell at me plenty of times and I'll tell you- he makes a lot of noise when he's angry and he doesn't pull any punches. But he doesn't mess around either. If he thinks you're worth salvaging, he's still on your side when he's finished shouting."

"You served in Ireland with him, didn't you?" Val said softly. Luke nodded.

"And Bosnia."

"What... what was it like?"

"It wasn't fun."

"I could figure that one out Sherlock. I mean -"

"Kitten, now is not the time nor the place to talk about that. Let's save that for a time when it's just the two of us, somewhere more private. And not used as an excuse to delay seeing your father. Come on, let's get back on the road." Luke stood up and held his hand out to Val.

Val let loose with a huge pained sigh before slowly and gingerly making his way to his feet. Luke picked the jacket up and helped Val into it before putting his arm around the smaller man and walking back out to the car. Thirty minutes later they pulled into the driveway of Quentin's boyhood home.

Val's mother had seen the car arrive and was standing on the porch when the two men approached. "Daniel, how are you?" She beamed as she gave her son a huge hug.

"Fine Mum, fine. Missed your cooking."

"Well we can certainly fix that. One cake and a plate of scones cooling in the kitchen, I've been fighting the kids off them all morning. And Luke!" She enclosed him in a huge hug as well. "How is the world's greatest bodyguard doing?"

"Mrs. Quentin, you're such a charmer. I'm fine, thanks." Luke hugged her back, feeling as if he had arrived home as well.

"Come in, come in. Daniel, your brothers and sisters are eager to see you."

Val went in the door in search of the rest of his family, anyone but his father. He went upstairs to the playroom, instantly being mobbed by the three youngsters. "Daniel!!" The three screeched as they all went for a hug at the same time. Kyle, the youngest at 7, popped Val across his butt.

"Ouch, you little bugger, you!" Val said, trying not to let anyone touch him that way again. It took him 15 minutes to prise himself out of their grasp, in search of his 14 year old brother Peter.

He went to his brother's room and knocked on the closed door. "Anyone home?"

"Dan, is that really you?"

"No, it's Robin Hood."

"Well then go away Robin, I'm waiting on my brother to take me away from here."

Val frowned at hearing that, and opened the door. "Hey, what's up?" He saw his brother stretched out on the bed, hands crossed behind his head.

"Uh-oh, better watch out. You shouldn't be here, I'm under lock and key today by the jailer."

"You in trouble?"

"Yeah, sort of stayed out a little late last night, so I'm stuck in here all day."

"Bummer. I'm sure he won't mind me saying hi, since I don't get around here much."

"Yeah, and Satan's making snow cones in hell. Need a stage hand? Come on, I'm sure you've got at least one opening for your brother, don't you?"

"You don't want that sort of opening." Val said, laughing. Peter shook his head.

"Come on Val. I can't sing, I'd be no competition- you get all the luck. Swanning around the country, no one to tell you what to do, no one to stop you doing anything you want-"

"In my dreams!" Val pulled Peter up off the bed. "Come on. Come downstairs. There's a gorilla I want you to meet. Don't worry, I'll handle Dad- believe me, once he's seen me, he'll forget all about what ever you did."

Luke was flat on his stomach on the living room floor, building with Kyle's lego under Kyle's strict instructions. He gave Val a look of open appeal when he saw his lover. Val stepped over his legs, gave him a sweet smile and ignored it.

"Peter, this is Luke."

"Hey Luke." Peter said easily. Luke sat up, brushing lego off his jacket, a little surprised. Val had given no title, no job direction to the introduction- he'd been introduced as a friend. He offered his hand to the teenager but his eyes stayed on Val. Val accepted the mug his mother handed him, drank scalding tea fast enough to burn his tongue and looked apprehensively into the hall.

"Where is he then?"

"In his study." Mrs. Quentin followed her son's gaze, looking equally apprehensive. "Leave him for a while, it'll be dinner soon-"

"It's alright." Val put the mug down and shrugged at Peter. "Better get this over with."

"Want me to come?" Luke said softly. Val shook his head.

"It's my problem."

Val straightened up and walked towards the office looking a lot more confident than he felt. He slowed as he approached the door. He looked over his shoulder at Luke, then slowly walked in, stopping just out of Luke's sight.

Storm looked like he was engrossed in his paperwork, though he knew who was standing there.

Val cleared his throat, not sure he could yet trust his voice.

Storm stopped the shuffling of papers and put his pen down. He looked up at his oldest son and simply said "Yes?"

"I... Sir, I have something I... uh... want to say to you." Val stumbled over his words, unsure of himself.

"Go on." Storm wasn't making this easy for Val.

"I'm... beyond sorry for what I did."

Storm's voice rose quickly to the bark he had refined during his stint with the military. "Do you think that is going to solve anything? Do you think that's all it takes to fix the multitude of problems that you caused? DO YOU?"

Val was expecting the yelling, but it still shocked him. "No, no sir."

"Shut the door and sit down."

Val was pricked into action, shutting the door quickly and moving into one of the chairs in front of the desk. The chair was a solid wooden one, no cushion, and Val, quite against his will, grimaced in pain, barely able to stand to stay seated but too afraid to move.

Mrs. Quentin knew it would be a long and loud discussion, so she ushered everyone into the kitchen, away from the commotion.

Peter was intrigued with discussion. "Mum, what is that all about?"

"None of your business, young man. Don't you have somewhere you should be?"

"Yes, ma'am." Peter said, his face falling.

"Well, sit down and finish that cake, your father will be a little while. Just a few minutes."

"Thanks." Peter sat down next to Luke and dug into a large piece of chocolate cake.

"Here Luke, one for you as well."

"Thanks, that looks delicious."

Mrs. Quentin got the three youngsters situated with their own cake and drinks and sat down to join Luke and Peter.

"Does Daniel have a lot of people trying to get autographs?" Peter asked with a mouthful of cake.

"Yes, almost everywhere we go. Just this morning we stopped at a rest area and within minutes there were several girls at the table asking for autographs."

"Must be nice."

"Not always. It's hard sometimes Peter. Val can't just go into the mall to pick up a pair of shoes. He can't just go to any movie theatre to see a movie. Things have to be planned in advance, or he needs to be disguised a little in order to get around without mobs of people following him."

"I never thought of it like that. Guess that could get a little hard to deal with, though everything else sounds wonderful. All the sights, the places, the people, access...."

"Peter" Mrs. Quentin interrupted "why don't you head back upstairs, it won't do to upset your father anymore. I'm sure once he's finished his discussion with Daniel he'll allow you out to visit. Now scoot."

"Yes, ma'am." Peter pushed back his chair and headed back upstairs to his room.

"Good boy you have there ma'am." Luke said.

"They all are." Mrs. Quentin said, as she cleaned up from the mid morning snack. She then herded the youngsters back upstairs to the playroom and then joined Luke in the living room. Things had quieted in the study, and about 40 minutes later the door opened.

Val looked pale but he was calm and he and his father were both relaxed as they entered. Luke got up and was relieved when Quentin senior immediately offered his hand.

"Luke."

"Sir."

"Sit down McNeil, stop making the place look untidy." Mr Quentin dropped down into the sofa beside his wife and surveyed the two younger men. Val perched on the arm of Luke's chair, resisting the urge to grab Luke as much as Luke was resisting the urge to get hold of him and make sure he was unbroken.

"Well." Quentin senior said eventually. "I can't say I approve of your taste McNeil, but it's your funeral. I suppose I wished him onto you in the first place."

"Its something I'm very grateful for." Luke said bluntly. Quentin raised an eyebrow.

"Ah. You never did have any sense of self preservation. Well I employed you to straighten him out and you're about the one person who shows any sign of succeeding. You may kill him in the process, but that seems to me a reasonable risk."

Val flushed. Luke, unable to hold back any more, hooked an arm around Val's waist.

"He's doing okay."



Peter was allowed out of his room and the entire family enjoyed a relaxed lunch, Val relishing everything about being home. He managed to forget about his sore backside and last spanking for a hour or two. After lunch it was suggested that the family head downtown to the local theatre for an afternoon movie. Val jumped on that immediately.

"Yes, that would be GREAT! Hey guys, what do you want to see?" He asked his brothers and sisters, before reality crept back in.

"Sir, ma'am, it's been a pleasure this afternoon, but we need to head back to the house. Val has some things to take care of." Luke said, hoping that Val would take the hint and leave without a scene.

Val looked up at Luke, certain he wouldn't make a scene in front of his family.

"I don't get home much, I don't think a movie is out of the question. I can disguise myself a bit, security won't be an issue."

"No, security is not the issue, you are. We're going back to the cabin Quentin." Luke said in a firm tone.

Val smirked at him. "You go back to the cabin if you want to, McNeil. I'll be staying at the farmhouse if you want me."

Luke gave him a Look.

"What's a cabin?" Peter demanded. "I thought you were up towards-"

"Quentin." Luke said softly.

"He's American." Val said as if this explained everything. "Don't be such a stick, Luke- you like films too, we can find something with enough gore in to keep you happy-"

Luke's fingers closed on his shoulder and he was yanked back against Luke's chest. Luke spoke in his ear, softly enough for only him to hear.

"Quentin, if you want to go public with ALL the aspects of this relationship, you go right ahead. Either way, we're going. Now. Whether we leave discreetly, or whether we treat your family to a floor show is entirely up to you. Do you understand me?"

"You are SUCH-"

Luke swatted him, discreetly and hard. Val yelped and flushed as several of the family looked round.

"We really need to go." Luke said smoothly. "Say goodnight, Quentin."

"Goodnight Quentin." Val said through his teeth, feeling the grip Luke had acquired on his hand.

"Daniel, when will you return dear?" Mrs. Quentin asked as she got up to hug her son.

"I don't know mum. Not tomorrow, that's for sure." He hugged his mother, Luke letting go of his hand.

Luke got the same big hug. "You continue to take good care of my son."

"Yes ma'am, I will. Thanks for everything. Nice to meet you guys, Peter." Luke said as he looked at everyone.

Val got mugged by his brothers and sisters as he tried to leave the kitchen.

"McNeil, a word?" Storm asked as the mob walked out towards the porch.

Val had a few minutes to say goodbye to his family before Luke and his father made their appearance on the porch.

"Daniel? You've got a good man here, don't go messing with it, understood?" Storm said sternly.

"Understood, sir." Val went to hold his hand out to his father, but instead was pulled into a bear crushing hug. "Behave yourself." Storm said in his ear. "Brat."

"What did my father say to you?" Val demanded as Luke drove out of sight of the house. Luke grinned.

"That secrets drove you mad."

Val pulled a face at him and slumped back into his seat. "Do we HAVE to go back to the house?"

"We do. Cheer up Kitten. The day after tomorrow we're staying London for three weeks and you can see as many films as you like."

"It's not the films I want to see, it's the farmhouse I don't want to see."

"No sympathy here love, but it is almost over."

"Gorilla."

"Brat."



A week later Val finished his fourth concert in five days. After meeting with the backstage fans and wrapping up with the media, Val was ready to head back to the room. He spied Luke, arms crossed and holding up the wall and gave him a tired smile.

"Ready to go kitten?" Luke said as he peeled himself away from the wall.

"Not been more ready to head back to the room in a long while." Val said as Luke wrapped an easy arm around his shoulder.

"That was a wonderful evening, love. You really connected with the crowd tonight, I could literally see you glowing."

"It was wonderful, wasn't it?"

Both men enjoyed the easy silence on the short drive back to the hotel.

Luke unlocked the door and Val entered first, immediately seeing the bright green box on the table. He went directly to it, seeing no card on the outside. He untied the bow, sensing Luke's strong presence behind him. He removed the top of the box and opened the green tissue paper, revealing a perfect red rose nestled inside. He saw a card under the flower. It read

"It's been six months to the day that you and I were thrust together. Just wanted you to know.....I love you. Gorilla."

Val turned quickly around and hugged Luke tightly, having dropped the flower and card back on the table. "Oh Luke, thank you!"

"You're welcome love. Happy anniversary."

Val stood back, and his face fell for a moment. "But I don't have anything to give you." Just then an impish grin crossed his face, and his eyes lit up. "But I could show you how I feel." He said in a sweet, sexy voice.

"That's what I was hoping for." Luke said gruffly, picking Val up and carrying him into the bedroom.

THE END