December 18 (Early Morning)

“I had a feeling about you and softie, there.” Sean held Erins hand as four companions sat, sipping champagne in the stretch limo. “The two of you would make a good couple, if things were not so complicated.” Erin had filled Sean in on all the lurid details of the evening as only a friend can confide in a friend.

“I am at a loss for words, anymore.” Erin sipped her champagne, feeling the exquisite buzz flow through her.

“I think you should tell the bitch, Jemma, off. I think you should let that dirty laundry out for the world to see.” Amy added.

“Not a good idea, mate.” Dom added. “Orli is a great guy, love him to pieces I do. But somethings are not meant to be bloody well messed with. If he is so keen on you, love, he will tell her himself.”

“Right. I agree with Dom on that. Fer what its’ worth, lass. I would love to see ya with OB, but it seems nothing falls right for the both of ya.” Billy added, his hand wound tightly into Amys. He turned to her, his eyes doleful and soft. “Ya know I am going to miss ya tomorrow when I depart fer the UK. I will be spendin’ a few days with Doms’ family for Christmas. But I promise to call ya, every night.”

“I don’t want to think about that, now.” Amy felt anxiety building at the thought of Billy being so far away. “Lets enjoy the rest of the time we have together, Billy.”

“Ya know, Erin. Softie seems to have a spot of weakness in jealousy. Perhaps we can push that to the edge and use it to yer advantage?” Sean kissed the top of Erins head softly.

“I don’t want to do that. If he is true on his sentiment to break it off with Jemma, then it has to be for his own reasons, not because of me. I can’t give him promises. I cant give him the excuse. Besides, there is nothing between us, not really. May it be, what it will be…for wherever the road takes us all.” Erin sighed, watching Billy and Amy with a soft smile.

“Yer a braver soul than I. I admit I would do just about anything if the occasion called fer it.” Sean smiled softly. “Yer a good woman. Not many of those left, anymore.”

“If I was such a good woman, I would have left a man who was promised to another, alone.” Erin downed the remainder of her champagne as the limo pulled to a stop.

“Ya cant help what ya don’t know. This wasn’t planned, love.” Billy added. “Lets leave all this behind us an’ have a good time. This is our last night together fer sometime! Lets get pissed!” He smiled devilishly as the door to the limo opened before the club of Studio 54.

“I agree to that!” Erin smiled, sliding out onto the street. The entourage gathered, walking into the club together with Viggo, Liv and Lij. Orlando and Jemma paused inside the car, unable to be seen through tinted windows. Erin gave a look back, wondering what was going on inside the vehicle before being pulled along by Sean and Amy.

“Do you like your gift? I had it made especially for you, for tonight.” Jemma picked up her compact case, powdering her nose.

Orlando looked to the crafted gold ring about his ring finger. A present from Jemma, scribed in Elvish to read, “To wherever it may lead.” To Wherever it May lead…

“Its lovely, Jemma. Thank you, again.” Orlando fell quiet.

“What is on your mind, Orli.” Jemma fixed her make up before leaning back to look at him.

“Nothing, love. Lets just go.” He was anxious to get into the club, his eyes watching the group enter amidst the paparazzi.

“Your lying to me. You have been distant all night.” Jemma slipped her hand along his thigh, suggestively.

“I don’t like the way you are treating Erin and Amy, frankly.” He turned to look at her, coldly.

“American trash. What does it matter, hmm?” Jemma dipped her hand further along Orlandos inner thigh, brushing against the most sensitive areas of his nether regions.

“It matters to me.” He stated frankly, pushing her hand away.

“What if I promise to be a good girl? Will that help?” Jemma batted her eyes softly, suggestively. She did not agree with the way he suddenly seemed to keep her at arms length. Jemma could tell he was done with the conversation and there was no debate left to be had.

“No.” He responded quickly, his hand braced to the door. “You ready?”

“After you.” Jemma responded coldly, adjusting her skin tight Versace dress.

The club was packed full of heaving, sweat laden bodies grinding to the primal beat of a mixture of music styles.. In its heyday, Studio 54 had the most exclusive reputation for the top entertainment, parties, music and drugs. However, with the death of the 70’s, Studio 54 passed ownership and the once grandiose reputation had altered dramatically.

A bass primed remix of “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics blared over the sound system Lij, with an arm around Erin held up the third Aftershock shot. Sean also had his arm braced along Erin, holding her around the shoulder. Billy, Dom were wrapped around Amy with Viggo and Liv hanging out in the middle of the throng. “On the count of three, ya pussies!” Sean hoisted the newly poured shot.

Lij smiled devilishly, “One…Two…Three!”

The entire group downed their shots, cringing from the sharp taste of the Aftershock. Each letting out a yell as the burn of the cinnamon coursed through their bodies like battery acid.

“God damn, Sean. I am calling the next shot. This shit burns.” Viggo braced his forearm to his lips, eyes wide as he screamed over the music.

“Ya cant handle it lad!” Billy had tears in his eyes as he coughed his words. The display of electronically charged lights pumped in time with the music, falling over each of them in a dizzying display.

Viggo leaned into the bar as everyone put their shot glasses down. The bartender produced a bottle of Johnny Walker, filling the glasses. In a moment, the liquid was once more gone and the shot glasses lined the bar top.

“Aww shit, I have to dance!” Amy grabbed a hold of Liv and Erins hands, dragging them toward the already packed dance floor. “Smooth” by Santana and Rob Thomas, hyped with additional mixed beat, replaced the previous song.

Liv giggled, her face turning red as the alcohol hit her slight frame, hard. Erin hiked her long dress up, tucking it under and into her garter belt, exposing her long legs.

“Man it's a hot one, like seven inches from the midday sun, I hear you whisper and the words melt everyone, but you stay so cool. My Munequita, my Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa, Yeah, you're my reason for reason, the step in my groove.”

The three were dancing, striking sexy poses to their dates, watching them intensely at the bar. Amy was waving to Billy as she shook what she had, provocatively. Dom had to hold him back from rushing onto the dance floor, much to Billys dismay.

“And if you said this life ain't good enough, I would give my world to lift you up. I could change my life to better suit your mood, Coz you're so smooth. And it's just like the ocean, under the moon, Well that's the same as the emotion that I get from you. You got the kind of loving that could be so smooth, Give me your heart and make it real and don't forget about it.”

Erin did the drop down low from the waist maneuver, flipping her hair upward with a wink toward Sean. She could not keep from laughing. Sean could not keep from the vision of her.

“ Well I'll tell you one thing, if you would leave it to be a crying shame, In every breath and every word, I hear your name calling me out. Out from the barrio, you hear my rhythm on your radio, You feel the turning of the world, so soft and slow, Turning you round, and round. “

Orlando stepped into the club, drawing up to the bar with an unimpressed Jemma behind him. None of the men seemed to notice his arrival, each fixated at the middle of the dance floor. The three ladies promenaded around each other, laughing and spinning each other in turn. Liv, Amy and Erin were working their curves, much to the enjoyment of the crowd on and off the dance floor. The song was nearly at an end and the three headed back toward the bar. Erin bit her lip, seeing Orlando there, holding her head up with pride.

Sean lit up two cigarettes, one for him and one for his date as Billy asked the bartender to line up some whiskey in the already presented shot glasses.

“Add me down for one.” Orlando exhaled his cigarette.

“Orli, mate. Glad ya made it!!” He laughed, smacking him hard on the shoulder.

“Hey, OB, feel like dancing?” Lij smiled, wiggling his hips toward his friend.

“I think you have all the moves you need, all by yourself.” He shook his head as the three ladies returned.

Sean handed off a cigarette to Erin, kissing her on the cheek. “Bloody hell, love. Ya have some moves on ya.”

“Well, this Goth girl can dance, when the occasion calls for it.” Erin laughed, taking her shot in hand. “Oh, shit, whiskey? Its Billys turn, isn’t it?” She shook her head, exhaling sharply in preparation for the sting about to hit her senses.

“Damn, boy. You keep feeding me shots and your going to have to carry me upstairs and put me to sleep tonight.” Amy placed her hand softly on Billys cheek, drawing his face to hers as she kissed him, passionately.

Liv took her shot, bumming a drag from Viggo with a smile. “Don’t even think about it.” She laughed.

Viggo feigned an innocent look. “Your going to make me look bad in front of the boys. How about one little smooch, just between friends?” He laughed and found himself suddenly attacked by Liv. He nearly spilled his shot as her lips connected to his with ferocity.

“Well hot damn!” He shuddered. “Lets reenact that dream sequence in the Two Towers..." he smiled as Liv slid back into place, shooting him that famous displaced Elvish glance.

“OB, you made it.” Liv grasped him into a hug, sticking her tongue out to Jemma who stood directly behind him. Jemma shook her head, rolling her eyes. “You up for some dancing?”

“Thought we were drinking?” He laughed as Liv released him, taking his hand into hers and looking at the gold band around his first finger. Sighing softly, she regained her smile.

“Listen up, mates! All of you! We are drinkin’ on the count of ‘bastard’. And, One…Two…Bastard!!”

Everyone obeyed, downing the shot. Erin shook her head of the bitter bite of the liquor, watching as the lights streamed over Orlando…and the glint of gold around his finger. Instantly, she fought the feeling of her spirits sinking. The music changed to “Hella Good” by No Doubt.

“Come on, Sean. I want to dance!” Erin cried out, she still had her dress tucked into her garter, which Sean snapped against her leg.

“Lets do it.” He laughed. “But I am takin’ this bastard with me!” Sean grabbed Lij, who was mid drink…causing him to spill what was left in his shot glass onto his shirt.

“Oh Jesus, Sean. Wait..oh shit, come on!” Lij looked back to Viggo for help. Viggo was already being persuaded to join the entourage. “Orli, don’t I have to stay here with you and do something important?” Viggo pleaded as Orlando laughed.

“Nah, mate. Have fun!” Orlando waved as Liv dragged him away. Viggo had the look as though a swarm of Uruks’ were stabbing him to death.

“The waves keep on crashing on me for some reason but your love keeps on coming like a thunderbolt

Come here a little closer 'Cause I wanna see you, baby, real close up (Get over here)"

Erin was in the middle of her two dance partners. Lij in the front of her, Sean behind her The trio was grinding, lost in the rhythm beneath the swirl of cued lights. Orlando sipped another drink he had ordered, watching her in the center of the two partners.

“You've got me feeling hella good so let's just keep on dancing

You hold me like you should so I'm gonna keep on dancing”

Amy was straddle one of Billys kilt clad legs, pulsing in dark counter movement to him. The two seemed to show a bit too much of what was going on behind closed doors as neither could seem to keep their lips from the other. Viggo looked lost, trying to hold his own as Liv guided him with a hand on his hip.

“Your performance deserving a standing ovation and who would have thought it'd be the two of us.

So don't wake me if I'm dreaming 'Cause I'm in the mood come on and give it up

You've got me feeling hella good so let's just keep on dancing

You hold me like you should so I'm gonna keep on dancing”

Orlando could not keep his eyes off of Erin. Her dress hiked up and tucked into her garter, exposing her leg. The vision was driving him bloody wild. In an instant, Jemma was before him as he extinguished his cigarette.

“You haven’t heard a damn thing I am screaming to you, here.” She growled. “Look, I am going back to the hotel. Goodnight, Orli.”

“Right, love. Whatever you want to do. Don’t expect me back too early.” He nodded, watching her walk out as the troupe came piling back to the bar. I should be feeling more guilty than this. Bloody hell, my fiancée is walking out of the club and I really don’t seem to care, do I.

“Alright, what is the next shot?” Amy laughed, stumbling and falling against Billy…who in turn, fell back against Orlando.

Orlando laughed. “Well damn, mate. Are we drinking or stumbling?”

“All of the above, lad!” Billy waved his hand emphatically in the air. He was as drunk as every member of the fellowship at Studio 54. “Where is that wench of yers?”

“She left.” Orlando lit another cigarette.

“Why aren’t you with Erin, lad. Don’t you see what a beauty she is, both inside an’ out? Yer about to make the biggest mistake of yer life…an’ I wouldn’t be sayin’ such if I weren’t smashed out of me mind!” Billy laughed, grabbing Amy close to him.

“I want kamikazes with Chambois! Can we do shots of those?” Erin yelled out to the bartender, who instantly began mixing up the contents for the shots. Erin was laughing, despite herself, drunker now than she had ever known herself to be. She felt a tap on her shoulder as she turned, meeting Seans mouth with an impassioned kiss.

“What was that for? Thought we are only friends?” She smiled, wiping her lips. Orlando found himself ready for battle, yet again, as he stood with his cigarette in hand. He removed his suit jacket. Lij shook his head, preparing once more to intervene, looking to Viggo who had the expression of “just let it be.”

“I just had to, incase I never get another chance to.” Sean smiled to Erin as he looked to Orlando with a wink.

The fellowship claimed their drinks, Dom being the first to cough with the strong libation. Billy began to pick on him endlessly.

Erin felt the courage coursing through her veins in the form of alcohol. “Sean, please excuse me.” She stepped onto the side of Orlando at the bar, taking his cigarette from his hand and drawing it to her lips…exhaling with devilish intent. “Where is Jemma?” She leaned in, the music pumping.

“She left.” He responded, looking to her as he moistened his lips. God, I want her so badly…so bloody badly, I can taste it.

The music changed to a fierce, whistle driven beat. “I want to dance with you, Orlando. One last time.” Erin slipped her hand in his, crushing his cigarette.

He needed no persuading to join her. Orlando slipped onto the floor, consequences be damned, as “Get off” by Prince blared over the system. The two found a spot in the midst of grinding, sweating bodies as Erin straddled his legs, pressing her hips to his…eyes holding his own. Slowly, her long red nails ripped against his flesh, popping the buttons on his shirt.

“How can I put this in a way so as not to offend or unnerve

There's a rumor goin' all round that u ain't been gettin' served

They say that u ain't.. u know what in baby who knows how long,

It's hard 4 me 2 say what's right

When all I wanna do is wrong”

Orlando drew her into him by her hips, feeling his need grow with her closeness. Erin laughed, darkly, sliding around from his hips, facing away from him as Orlando drew her backside against him.

“Gett off - 23 positions in a 1 night stand

Gett off - I'll only call u after if u say I can

Gett off - let a woman be a woman and a man be a man

Gett off - I u want 2 baby here I am (Here I am)”

Erin drove herself deeper against his hips. She looked back over her shoulder, licking her lips as she watched him. Orlando laced his fingertips through her hair Erin dropped down lower, trailing her nails up along her exposed, stocking clad legs. The feel of him was intense…and growing. Orlando drew Erin back against him, holding her by the waist with one hand. His free hand laced about her throat, lightly. Orlando was breathing hard in her ear as the music pumped around them. “You are driving me bloody wild, love.”

Erin kissed the line of his jaw, her back pressed against his chest as her hands roamed down the length of his hips. Orlandos’ breath was hot in her ear, sending shivers through her blood as he continued to rock his hips into her hind quarters. She could hear herself moaning. Orlando held her captured against him, feeling her chest heave with desire. Her head turned, her lips were against the line of his jaw. All the while, they moved with their hips in dark, erotic rhythm. “You feel so good.” Erin growled, nipping the angular curve of his jaw with her teeth.

“1 2 3 - Nah, little cutie, I ain't drinkin' (Gett off)

Scope this, I was just thinkin'

U + me, what a ride

If u was thinkin' the same

We could continue outside (Gett off)

Lay your pretty body against a parkin' meter

Strip your dress down

Like I was strippin' a Peter Paul's Almond Joy,

Lemme show u baby I'm a talented boy”

Orlando turned her around to face him, unable to take another moment of torment. His mind filled with images of her body naked and shaking in pleasure below him. Entwining tendrils of her burgundy hair between his fingers, he drew her face to face with him. His features were flushed, sweating…his eyes intense and wanton. “Bloody hell, I want you.” He mouthed as he took the hand at her hip and brought it to her throat. face. Orlando brought her lips to his with a brutal, passionate kiss.

“Everybody grab a body

Pump it like u want somebody

Gett off (Gett off)

So here we-so here we-so here we are, here we are (G-G-Gett off)

In my paisley crib

Whatcha want 2 eat? "Ribs"

Ha, toy, I don't serve ribs...

U better be happy that dress is still on

I heard the rip when u sat down”

Erin tasted him, her senses spinning and intoxicated with his kiss. She draped her leg at his hip, pulling his growing need further against her. Her mind filling with memories of what had happened in the middle of the movie premiere. Erins teeth bit into Orlandos lip as her tongue rolled into the hot confines of his mouth. “I want you…” She cried into his lips, feeling him tighten his hold on her hair as he broke his lips away. Orlando pulled into her dark tendrils, sending her head back…her eyes closed. His lips trailed the length of her neck, tasting her skin as his tongue lapped along the line of her cleavage.

“Honey them hips is gone

That’s alright, I clock ‘em that way

Remind me of something James used to say…

‘I like ‘em fat’

‘I like ‘em proud’

‘Ya gotta have a mother for me’.

Now move your big ass ‘round this way

So I can work on that zipper, baby.

(spoken)Tonight your a star

And I’m the big dipper”

Erin slipped her hand down along his thigh, unable to control her desire. Her fingertips traced along the stiff shaft of his need, her touch sending Orlando into soft shivers as his teeth slid down her throat, leaving red marks in their wake. Erin rode against him, her hand rubbing him as much as the material of his jeans would allow…all the while, his hips drove his thick manhood deeper into her grip. Orlando found her lips, bruising her mouth with the strength of his desire, all the while her fingertips toying with his manhood. They were panting, flushed, shivering with need. Orlando held her eyes, his hand trailing her flesh, his fingertip dripping against her cleavage.

“Gett off - 23 positions in a 1 night stand

Gett off - I'll only call u after if u say I can

Gett off - let a woman be a woman and a man be a man

Gett off - I u want 2 baby here I am (Here I am)”

Orlando drew her face upward, his eyes holding hers as he choked for breath. Her hair was spilling from between his fingers. “Bugger, me. I cant take this anymore…” Orlando fought his eyes from rolling back as Erins fingertips toyed with him, causing him to shiver beneath her fondling like a puppet on a string.

“I need you, Orlando. Please.” Erin moaned against him as the song wound down.

Orlando slowly slid back from her, taking her hand into his. Leading Erin through the throng of dancing, drunken club goers, he brought her outside and into one of the unoccupied stretch limos awaiting the fellowship.

Sliding inside, Erin leaned back into the seat, panting and sweating as Orlando entered, closing the door behind them…his breath was coming in short gasps. “Are you sure, this is what you want?” His strongly accented British voice washed over her as his fingertips unclipped the garter on her thighs. Slowly he slithered her panties down along her legs, which she willingly assisted in releasing them both of the fabric burden. Orlandos fingers found their way between the petals of her most delicate flower, spreading her open, causing her to gasp with remembrance.

“Yes…I have wanted this..I have been dreaming of this. I want to feel you inside of me…please…” Erin gasped, her hands working on the remainder of the buttons of his black and white shirt.

Orlando grasped her close, his mouth claiming her with brutal, feral passion. In a single moment, the two slipped down onto the floor of the stretch limo. Erin fumbled with the button and zipper of his jeans…all the while returning the bruising passion of his mouth. Slowly, she managed to slither his jeans around his thighs…her eyes falling over his brilliant, pulsing manhood.

Orlando braced his hand on the floor of the limo, just to the side of Erins head, resting his weight atop of her. He broke his kiss away, his sable eyes holding hers as he poised between her legs, the tip of his exquisite length pressuring along her moist, swollen womanhood. With excruciating slowness, Orlando slipped the first inch of his need into her trembling flower…watching as her eyes closed tightly…her lips crying out with desperate desire…her hips pumping upward to receive more of him. “You are so beautiful…so beautiful, Erin…”

Erin laced her hands into the unruly waves of his dark hair, drawing his lips against hers. Orlando, unable to bare the teasing any longer, drove his full length deep into her…crying out with the tight, warm sensation. United…joined…writhing as one…

“Oh god…” Erin cried against his lips, drawing her breaths hard as he pressured himself deeper with every stroke. “..Orlando…oh god…I feel you…deep…”

“Ohhh…Erin…your all around me…hot and whet…Tell me how I feel…tell me what you feel…” He responded, biting his lip as he rose above her, his hips driving with unbelievable force into her depths. His eyes half slit to take in the view of her, writhing in the torment of their unification.

Erin dug her nails deep into his shoulder, gasping for breath as he drove her wild with sensations…his body joined with her as his manhood buried itself deep into her depths. She parted her eyes slowly, watching the exquisite contortions of his face as he drove himself harder, deeper…the tip of his shaft coursing against all the right spots. “You feel…Ohh god…” she writhed, her hips moving in counter rhythm to his own, driving him harder into her body. “..like heaven..please don’t stop…please…Im so close…”

Orlando leaned his head down, kissing her brutally…biting into her lips and tongue as he fought back his own need for completion. Every thrust of his hips brought a tortured moan from her mouth…he could feel her giving, yielding to the feel of him…driving him more insane with primal lust. “I feel you…so, close…” He managed.

Erin dug her free hand into the carpet of the limo, writhing as the sensations became increasingly more intense. “Orlando…Orlando…” His name was like a prayer to a dead god, falling from her lips like holy water. Her body spasmed in one sharp convulsion…her eyes holding his sable gaze. Erin was cumming, hard…barely able to breath as the convulsions washed over her.

Her womahood caved in upon him..squeezing and massaging his thick shaft until he could take it no more. “Bloody Hell, Im….Ohh god…Erin…” Orlando squinted his eyes as his face contorted in pleasure…the hot pulse of his seed burrowing deep into her body. His body convulsed as he heaved for breath…crying her name like a mantra…his fingers laced tight to hers. Their joined hands held fast to the floor of the limo.

“Ohhh….” Orlando felt the tension release as he lessened the crushing grip of his hand within Erins. Sweat poured off his brow as he collapsed atop her, gasping. Erin laced her free hand through his hair, moaning hard into his ear.

Erin writhed with the aftershocks, convulsing around his length, their bodies joined, unified in the pursuit of passion. “Ohh god…” She gasped, her nails tracing the length of his spine, feeling him quiver.

Orlando leaned up, flushed and sweating, his lips finding hers with unbelievable softness and passion. “Bloody hell…” Was all he could manage between tortured breaths, his kisses were unrelenting. Erin met his mouth with equally breathless ferocity..gasping as she slowly drew his body from hers. Each inch leaving her depths caused a moan of unrequited bliss. Orlando wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his mouth once more, whispering, “You are so beautiful..so amazing…”

Erin brought her hand to her brow as Orlando slowly withdrew his kiss, looking down at her. “Tell me how you feel, love.”

“Blissful…fulfilled…you destroy me, Orlando.” She smiled, refusing to let the guilt creep into her. “I really need a cigarette.”

Orlando released her slowly, rebuttoning his jeans as he slid up onto the seat. Lighting two cigarettes, he dipped his head back, exhaling sharply.

Erin, reclaiming her panties, slid them on and joined him on the seat of the limo. She accepted one of the lit cigarettes from between his fingers, resting her head on her hand.

“Bloody hell, you are so beautiful..so amazing.” His free hand traced the line of her jaw as he looked at her. Oh god, what have we done? What the hell do we say now?

Erin could see something change in his eyes. She inhaled, sharply, refusing to let herself regret… “I have to get back inside. Have a safe trip and take care of yourself, Orlando.”

“Erin, wait, love…” Orlando reached for her. Erin came out of the limo, quickly, slamming the door behind her as she raced into the club without looking back. She dropped her cigarette to the concrete.

The drunken entourage watched Erin race through the crowd. Erin pushed Billy out of the way, falling into Amys’ arms. Amy ran her fingers through her matted hair, listening as Erin whispered, “I have to leave…now.”

Amy grasped her by the shoulders, instantly knowing by the tears streaming down her friends eyes. “Alright., we will leave through the back, come on.”

Lij grasped Erins hand. “Are you alright?” He was met by a whet gaze and running eyeliner.

“Is she alright?” The girl Lij had been dancing with previously, named Shannon, asked.

“I have to leave, Lij. Thank you for everything.” Erin hugged him tight, wiping her eyes. Erin looked to Sean and instantly he knew. Pushing Lij out of the way, Sean grasped her close, kissing her cheek softly. “I am going to call you, love. Go on.”

“Thank you Sean…” Erin felt her tears threatening to overwhelm her. Letting go of him, she let Amy lead her through the crowd and out into a side street.

Amy hailed a cab down, stuffing money into her friends palm. “I will call you in 2hours on your cell phone. Are you alright, hon?”

“I have to leave, I have to. I love you…and send my love to Billy. Apologize to Liv, Viggo and Dom for me, okay. Promise me?”

“I will…I promise. I will talk to you in 2hours. Go on.” Amy felt her buzz slipping away with her friends tears.

Erin slipped into the taxi and sped off down the city streets. Shaking her head softly, Amy turned to find Billy at her side. “Its alright, babe. Don’t worry, Erin is going to be okay..she just had to leave.”

Orlando came tearing out from the side exit doors, running into Billy. His shirt was unbuttoned, his face flushed and hair disheveled. “Did Erin leave? Where is she going?” His voice was frantic.

“She is gone, lad.” Billy tapped him on the bare chest, reading the pain in his eyes. “I hope whatever you did was worth all this.” Amy glowered at Orlando, following Billy back into the club.

Orlando stood a long moment on the street corner alone, rubbing the back of his neck, wondering. How did it come to this…

The entourage made way to the hotel, raging drunk, with the exception of Orlando. He had not said a word to anyone since Erin departed, his eyes seeming far off…his heart, dejected.

“Orli? You still with us?” Viggo looked to him sympathetically. Although piss drunk, he could feel the anguish rising off his young friend. Viggo knew precisely what had transpired, he could read it in the eyes of Orlando, much as men could hold entire conversations without a word spoken. “Why don’t you get the number from Amy and call her?”

“Because I can’t. She ran from me, Viggo.” Orlando held his head down and when he finally met Viggos eyes, his friend saw the same painful look he had seen at Boromirs death as well as the lament for Gandalf. Minus the blue contacts. Viggo laid a hand on his friends shoulder, shaking him softly. “I am here, if you need me."

Orlando nodded, stepping out of the elevator. In the distance Lij and the girl he had met at the club, Shannon giggled. He could hear Viggo helping an inebriated Liv to her room…Amy and Billy kissing and laughing in the background…the soft footsteps of Dom following behind them all.

Orlando slid the keycard into the electronic lock to one of the many presidential suites. He waited till it the signal indicated green and stepped in. The room was dark and quiet. In an instant, he knew. Jemma is gone.

Orlando flipped on the light, finding the incandescent glint shine from the diamond ring on the coffee table. Orlando let his head fall low as he picked up the engagement ring. In a scant moment he recalled the shopping for it, the buying of it…the giving, the proposal. It had been a different time…they had been different people. And now, his world came crashing down around him. I don’t know how it was supposed to end…but not like this.

Orlando picked up his cellphone, dialing and waiting for a response. His head cradled in his hands, he was shaking, the engagement ring positioned on the first knuckle of his pinky.

“Hello?” He heard the groggy sleep drenched voice of his best friend answer. “Orli, is that you?”

“Yeah, Atti.” He responded softly.

“Do you know what time it is? I only rapped a few hours ago on Giving Till it Hurts for the night.” Atti seemed to come to his senses. “Bloody hell, what’s going on mate?”

“Jemma returned the ring…” He paused, tears forming at the rim of his eyes, “and Erin and I…well…” Slowly he began to recant the tale to a speechless Andre. “How did it get this far, Atti? Everything has turned to shit.”

“Are you alright, mate? When is your flight in?” Andre was sounding more awake, now, listening to his tormented mate and feeling helpless.

“I leave out of here at noon on the Concorde from JFK. Factor in the 5 hours of time difference against the 3 and a half hour flight…I should be home by 10:30am, London Time. I would be more precise, but I do not feel up to dragging my tickets out, mate. I have the Australian Premiere on the December 21 with Dom, Billy, John and Ian. Then I hit the break for the holidays.” Orlando hung his head as he spoke, his voice no longer gasped through drunken tears.

“I will be at the airport with Naddie, tomorrow.” Atti referred to his sister, Nadine. “We will figure it all out then, yes?”

“Alright, man.” His voice was soft, sad.

“Listen, I know you have a packed schedule but you cant worry about that now. Just think about today, tomorrow will come when it comes.’

“Right, mate. I just cant wait to be home, long away from all of this.” Orlando laid back on his bed. “Hit the sack, Atti. I will see you in a few hours.”

“Right, mate.” Atti yawned. “See you in a bit.”

Orlando hung up, resting back on the pillows softly. He could smell Erin from when she laid there, still mixed with the scented sage pearls. Rubbing his eyes, he forced himself to undress to his boxers. The room was spinning, his eyes hurt…his heart hurt, his mantra looped over and over again…How did it come to this?

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