Always Be Here

**Disclaimer : I do not know Orlando Bloom. I have no knowledge of him personally and this is simply a work of fiction....strictly my imagination here folks. If you do not see him this way, then do not continue to read. I make no profit from this, and it is written for my own enjoyment, and hopefully that of others.

Chapter 3

if you're afraid to cry
though you could use it once in awhile
nothing will cloud your eyes
you've been caught in one of those times
when nothing's real or getting through
and it seems like you've forgotten how to feel
call me
i'll feel
for you
and some days you'll feel for me too

~Semisonic

Monday 8:00 AM (LA Time)

On the flight to Morocco now. Wish I’d been able to tell baby goodbye. She seemed really stressed this morning…more so than usual. Guess I should’ve told her that I’d called Damien to bring me some clothes. She worries so much. Guess that’s her job though. Fi really should let her have some time off. I think she needs to get away from LA. I haven’t been there too long…or too often really…but in the time that I’ve spent there I figured out that it’s not a place to stay for too long. Seems to be a soullessness to the city that I’ve not felt anywhere else.

I worry about her sometimes. A lot actually. She’s the best really, but she doesn’t take care of herself. And trust issues? A lot of those. I’ve tried my best to get her to drop her guard. Succeeded a couple of times, but as soon as she notices? WHAM! The walls go right back up. I don’t get it. She must’ve been hurt by someone…badly. It’s really starting to get to me though…never been one to pass up a challenge, have I?

I’ve been to her flat three times this week and couldn’t come up with a valid reason, so I had to feign being drunk. At least too drunk to go home. She’s so patient too. Helps me to the sofa…even insists that I change into something to sleep in. Doesn’t grumble about it…too much. Don’t really know why I’ve wanted to stop by so often, except that I don’t feel so alone when I’m there. Even just sleeping in her front room. She’s beautiful, but I don’t think she’s into me. I’m a pretty good judge of it by now and I don’t think she’s ever even thought about me like that. Strange, since practically every other female on the planet has, at least in the last twelve months. She really is beautiful. Wouldn’t pass up a chance there. Not likely though.

I love the way her hair falls into her face at 3 AM when I’ve rung her doorbell again. She makes me coffee…doesn’t even drink it herself, but she keeps it in the flat. For me. Wish she’d cook for me…maybe I’ll cook for her when I get back. Damn…how long will that be? Really miss her face…and her heart.

Long flights call for long naps. Think I’ll sleep now.

9:00 PM (LA Time-5 AM Morocco Time)

Finally arrived at the hotel. Damn long flight. Have a 5 AM call tomorrow and I plan to use today to get adjusted to the time change, but I want to call baby before I go to bed. Hated leaving her like that. Now where’s that number? Oh yeah…aren’t cell phones great? Baby. Baby. There it is.

“Hello?.......hel-lo?.......Is anyone there? Cause if you don’t say something in like…” There’s the voice I’ve wanted to hear all bloody day. Patient, this one, isn’t she?

(delay) “Babyt’s t’s Orli. Hang on luv. You’ve got to wait. There’s a delay 'cause I’m ringing you from overseas.”

(delay) “Orli? What’s wrong? Couldn’t you reach Fiona?” She sounds really astounded that it’s me, and a touch panicky…she’s very like Fi in that way. Thinks I’m gonna spontaneously combust when I leave her sight.

(delay) “No baby…I spoke with Fi. She’s fine…she can go dive to the bottom of a really dry martini now that she knows I’ve landed safely.” I say, laughing dryly.

(delay) “So you decided to call and wake me up again? I can’t even get any sleep when you’re on the other side of the planet, Bloom!” Love it when she calls me Bloom. Grrrrrr. Her laughter comes through on the line…husky with the sleep that I’ve woken her from, yet again.

(delay) “You were sleeping? It’s only…what?....li o’c o’clock there. Are you sick or something? You’ve got to take better care of yourself baby.” I tell her, repeating my thoughts from earlier. There is a bit longer delay than would normally happen with an overseas call and I can practically hear the steam coming from her ears. She hates to be told what to do.

(delay) “I know. I’m really trying. Work was awful today and I have another migraine. How was your flight anyway?” This is new. She just admitted that my advice was right, and that work was tough. She has too many migraines. It’s settled. I’m calling Fi as soon as I wake up. This woman’s gonna get some rest if I have to tie her up and leave her in her hotel room for a week. Shouldn’t have thought of tying her up. Bad thoughts.

(delay) “Flight was fine baby. Been over all that with Fi. I just wanted to call and apologize ‘in person’ for leaving without saying goodbye. I know it was rude, but I really had to hurry. Didn’t think you were up for seeing the limo driver at your door. You were already upset about Damien. Sorry about that too by the way. Guess a warning would have been nice, huh?”

(delay) “I’m used to it Bloom. All you Hollywood types think you own the world.” Glad I can hear the laughter still in her voice, else that last comment would’ve hurt. I’m so not the ‘Hollywood’ type. Especially with baby. Not like she’d let me get away with it anyway. I need to be around her away from LA. Damn town is jading her.

(delay) “Baby, you need some sleep. Go back to bed and have the sweetest dreams…of me.” I laugh and wait to hear her say goodnight.

(delay) “Dreams of you would be nightmares Bloom. Nightmares with endless doorbells, drunken visits, coffee and no sleep. Have a safe stay in Morocco. Call if you need anything. See ya when you get back. Goodnight Orli.”

(delay) “Goodnight…baby.” I wait for the line to die, but never get a dial tone. She hasn't said anything else so I assume she's going to hang up. She’s a tough girl, that one. I have to remember not to take her jabs personally. She doesn’t let anybody in. Nobody. Just have to make her see that I’m not anybody or nobody. I’m me...I'm somebody…

9:30 PM (LA Time-5:30 AM Morocco time)

Think she was surprised I called. I guess I should do it more often. She sounded really tired. I’ll call Fi and tell her to make sure baby gets a vacation soon. Hmmm. Wonder if Fi could send her here? I could use an assistant and at least baby would make sure to keep me in touch with reality.

I like it that she’s totally straight with me. Doesn’t fall for any of my shit…ever. Definitely calling Fi when I wake up. Ok. Off to bed now.