Friends

Title: Friends 8 of 10
Author: Simplyshelly (simplyshelly2@earthlink.net)
Pairing: Craig Parker / Karl Urban
Rating: NC17 for sexual content / SLASH
Summary: Just a bit of fluff because a man that nice should be happy in every aspect of his life -
Warnings: AU / SLASH
Archive: Author site – http://www.simplyshelly2001.com.
Disclaimer: Okay, so I don't own anyone but myself. But I'm not in the story so it really doesn't matter. I'm just borrowing a few people, trying to live vicariously through my stories and having some fun.
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Previously in Part 7:

Ian took the phone from his hand and slipped it into Craig's front pocket. "I said I would take you back. I may not be as violent as Mr. Urban is but I guarantee I'm twice as stubborn and accustom to getting my way." He smiled, his eyes crinkling in genuine concern.

Craig felt a surge of panic, fear; doubt and sudden loss rush through him as he stared at Sir Ian's face. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen." His voice broke as he was overcome with the tremors that shook his body, falling to his knees with Ian protectively kneeling with him. The older man wrapped his arms around Craig's shoulders as 'Haldir' completely broke down.
~~~~~

PART 8:

"Go make yourself comfortable and I'll be right back with something cold for that face. You know, it's a good thing that you have completed all your filming for this round. Peter would have your head for showing up looking the way that you will in the morning. You should have known better than to have let him hit your face. You make your living by your face. Now, a few broken ribs you could have dealt with but an actor should protect his face at all costs." Ian commanded. Instead of taking Craig back to his room, Ian brought to hto his home, insisting on taking care of the distraught Kiwi himself.

Craig was numb. He'd barely said ten words since he broke down at the restaurant, not having the energy to fight Sir McKellen when he insisted on Craig staying with him tonight and simply unable to make any decisions.

He noticed the grandfather clock chiming as he slowly sank into the chair. In his head, he counted off the chimes blocking as much out as he could. If things had been different, he'd be making love to Karl right now, both experiencing a new level of their relationship, Karl giving himself completely to Craig.

A strained sob escaped his lips as the tears began again, no longer attempting to hide them. He didn't care. Right now, the only thing Craig cared about was Karl's safety.

When Karl became upset, he'd ride his bike at extreme speeds, daring fate to end his misery. Sometimes, he'd drink himself into a stupor and make a total ass of himself, often ending up on the wrong side of a fist after starting a bar fight. When it was very bad, he'd mix the two and had ended up in the hospital the one time his luck ran out.

Craig just hoped he was upset enough to just do a bit of drinking, not do anything stupid. Hell, he hoped that Karl got over him quickly and moved on. Maybe what they had was that insignificant that Karl would be fine.

"Here." Ian returned to the room and gently placed a thick, ice cold thawed steak to Craig's face. Craig jumped, having shut his eyes while he rested his head and startled at Ian's actions.

"This is meat." Craig said, removing the slab of beef from his face, nausea not far from the surface.

"Yes, dear, and it won't do any good in your hand. Put it back on your face and lean back." Ian insisted, handing Craig a glass of whiskey. Craig nodded, taking a mouthful of the strong liquor and letting it burn his esophagus as he replaced the meat.

"Now, my dear young man," Ian said as he moved an ottoman over and lifted Craig's legs up onto it. Craig looked at him with one eye since the other, while covered in raw meat had started to swell shut. "Tell me what sort of lover's quarrel you two men had when all I noticed during dinner was how infatuated you were with each other?" Ian sat on the ottoman as he removed Craig's shoes.

"That obvious? I'll have to remember to be more discreet next time." Craig said solemnly.

Ian chuckled as he began massaging Craig's feet, much to Craig's surprise. "Did you two meet in the restroom?" Ian asked, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

Craig couldn't help but to chuckle. "Yeah. He'd been...well, keeping me pretty focused on him during dinner with his hand. See, Karl and I have been...well, it's been months now." Craig explained.

"You two are lovers?" Ian asked, genuinely surprised.

Craig shook his head and quickly realized that wasn't a good idea. "Uh, no." Craig corrected, holding his head. He felt as though he'd vomit any moment. "No, not lovers. I let him fuck me but we're not lovers. That is, we weren't. About a week ago, things changed."

"Did you fall in love with him?" Ian asked, now rubbing Craig's ankles. He knew how sensitive Craig could be, how open and trusting.

Craig laughed sarcastically. "No. It was the other way around actually. He told me he loved me. He wanted to get into a relationship. I have no idea why he'd want someone like me." He shrugged. "Karl falls in love easily. He's always looking for love. The whole tough guy image is just that. He's a pussy cat inside." He smiled slightly.

"And you didn't feel the same?" Ian asked, his hands absent-mindedly moving up slightly on Craig's legs. Craig shifted, moving his legs off the ottoman out of reach. The last thing he wanted right now was to become aroused.

"I could love him. Karl is a good friend. It's just, well, I've been through that. I have given everything inside me and it hurts. It always hurts. It's easier to stay uninvolved. I won't let myself be hurt again." Craig confessed.

Ian looked at him with the saddest face. "Who hurt you so badly that you have turned yourself away from life's grandest experience?" he asked, cupping the unmarred side of Craig's face. Tears were again welling in the young man's eyes. "Love, my dear, is joyous no matter how long it lasts. You can love someone for a night to a lifetime and still have more to give. Now, you don't seem to me like someone who has trouble showing affection. I've seen how you crave physical warmth." Ian said softly.

Craig tried to turn his head. Here he was, sitting in Sir Ian McKellen's home with a steak lying on the side of his face, drinking incredible whiskey, getting lectured on love. Life could be so strange at times. "Even when you know they'll break your heart?" he said softly.

"My dear, nothing lasts forever. You are ing ing out on so much if you are not willing to let yourself feel the exquisite pleasures of love, of that overwhelming feeling that takes over your mind and your soul, where all you can do is think about the next time you'll see him." He smiled. "Tell me something, Mr. Parker. Does your stomach flutter when you see our striking Urban?"

"It has for years." Craig admitted.

Ian smiled. "Do you enjoy spending time together? Not sex, mind you but just normal time?"

"Very much." Craig nodded.

"Are the two of you compatible in the bedroom?" Ian asked, making Craig blush.

"I don't know if I should answer that." Craig giggled a bit, already feeling better.

"Oh, give an old man some joy. The mental images of the two of you are already there so indulge me." Ian kidded.

"Oh, man." Craig laughed, this time it was for real. "Uh, yes, we are compatible. Very compatible. Karl was working on ...well, in the bathroom, at the restaurant, he asked if we could do something tonight. That was before he knew I was leaving. I thought he knew. It was something we've never done and it meant a lot. It was hard for him to suggest it and if I hadn't been so stupid, I'd be..."

"Having incredible sex with the man you love?" Ian asked.

Craig removed the steak from his face and looked at Ian's face for a moment. "I do. I don't want to but I do love him." He finally admitted.
~~~~~

Karl leaned against the door, banging relentlessly. "Come on, Parker! I know you're in there. Open the fuckin' bloody door, mate."

"Shut up!" Someone yelled.

"Oh, sod off! Parker! Open the bloody door!" He yelled, pounding against the wood hard enough to nearly break the door down.

"Go back to your apartment, Urban! He's not home!" Someone else yelled.

"Bloody hell!" Karl kicked the door and finally gave up. He stumbled back to his own apartment and passed out on his bed moments after entering.
~~~~~

Ian returned the steak to the kitchen while Craig went to the bathroom to wash his face. They had done a bit more talking and Ian had convinced Craig it was time to stop running.

"You look much better, not that you weren't already irresistibly handsome to begin with." Ian said as Craig returned to the lounge. He had poured another drink for the two of them and motioned for Craig to sit back down.

Smiling, Craig graciously accepted the drink. He held up his glass in a toast.

"To new friends." Craig said, thanking Ian for his hospitality and kindness with his eyes.

"And to making right with the old." Ian added tapping Craig's glass.

The two men sat and enjoyed the fine whiskey in silence. After several minutes, Ian stood.

"My dear, my call is quite early in the morning. I am going to retire for the night but leave you with several options. First, the bottle of whiskey is on the counter in the kitchen. Once you finish that one, there is another in the cabinet. When you are only able to crawl, the guest bedroom is the second door on the left. You second option is to sit here, enjoy the fire, have a few more drinks, then call a taxi and go find Mr. Urban. Just lock the door behind you." He took several steps towards the hallway and turned back to Craig with a mischievous look in his eyes. "And then there is the third option."

"And what would that be?" Craig asked, a dazzling smile coming to faceface.

"Once you have numbed your brain with whiskey, take the third door on the left and make an old man's evening. I can promise you comfort and a warm arm to hold you through the night. Any decision you make will be yours." He smiled. At times, Craig was just amazed with how adorable Ian could be. "Whatever you decide, just know that if you ever need to talk or just share conversation with someone who's had his poor heart broken more times than you've had birthdays, just know that I'll always be there for you. That is a lifetime promise, Mr. Parker and I expect you to not make yourself a stranger. Good night." He nodded and headed to his room.

Craig sat in the silent house for a very long time. He did have choices and Ian's kindness meant more to him than Ian would ever know. Swirling the drink in his glass, he stared into the fire. He did love Karl. He'd also hurt Karl very badly and he wished he could have taken the whole evening back again. Finishing the drink, he called for a taxi and then walked down the hallway and tapped on the third door.

"Come in." Ian called.

Craig slowly opened the door, smiling softly. Ian was laying in bed reading, a small table lamp lit as he lowered his glasses. Craig simply walked over to the bed, bent and he gave Ian a soft kiss.

"Thank you." He said.

Ian smiled, knowing what Craig had decided. "Have a safe trip home, Mr. Parker."

"I will. Good night." Craig said as he silently left.
~~~~~

Craig arrived back to the apartment building, thankful to see Karl's bike. By the way it was parked, he was pretty sure that Karl had been drinking but at least he'd made it back safely.

Heading directly for Karl's door, Craig knocked, his stomach churning. Would Karl still be angry? Would they be able to talk this through? Was Karl even here? He pounded again, trying not to wake any one else up. It was late and many of the actors had early calls.

After several minutes, he gave up. Maybe Karl was sleeping. He'd just try to get time tomorrow to talk to him before he left to go back home.
~~~~~

Karl tossed and turned all night. At one point, he thought he heard a knocking on his door but then his dream changed and he was laying on a gurney in an operating room. Every thing was stark white, so white that it hurt to look at. He tried to sit up but he discovered that he was restrained, tied to the gurney and totally nude.

A surge of panic came over him when he realized he couldn't move. He looked around and found he was in a theater style operating room with an observation deck full of people peering down upon his naked form.

"Let me up, you bloody bastards! You can't do this! I don't need this!" He yelled, fighting the restrains. Almost immediately, the surgeon came over and stroked his hair.

"Shhh, it's all right, Mr. Urban." He soothed.

Karl looked at the surgeon's face and he was wearing a mask, concealing is identity but one look in those eyes and he knew exactly who this 'surgeon' was.

"Craig, baby, what's going on here? You've got to help me, please." Karl began begging, watching what Craig was doing.

Next to Craig, there lay a table with many horrible looking tools, each looking more torturous that the last. Craig was making a point of picking them up one by one, inspecting them, making sure everything was operational. High up on the observation deck, Karl could hear gasps and cackles in response to the tools, the crowd seeming to like the more hideous tools.

Karl had never felt more terrified than he did at that moment. There was something in the look in Craig's eyes that scared him. That is, he thought he was scared until he watched Craig lift a saw and turn it on. Full fledge panic and Karl began fighting the restraints with everything he had. Hands came out of nowhere, many, many hands reaching out of the darkness, holding him down.

"Just relax, Karl, Darling. This will pinch just a tad." Dr. Craig said as he lowered the buzzing saw in overly exaggerated movements to bring it down in the center of Karl's chest.

Karl gasped at the pain. He could feel everything as he yelled out in utter agony. He looked up at Dr. Craig whose brow was furrowed in complete concentration. Karl felt the bile rise in his throat as he began to black out.

Suddenly, it was over. Pain was gone but when Karl looked up at Dr. Craig, he could see the blood. Craig had it everywhere but the closer Karl looked, the pattern the blood made on the front of Craig's chest did not look like it had been spattered. Instead, it looked to be coming from inside Craig's shirt, soaking from the inside rather than from Karl.

"One last thing and you'll be done, luv." Dr. Craig leaned over and kissed Karl's lips. God, it felt so good, so right. Karl could feel Craig's hand on his chest, his weight causing pressure against Karl's chest but it was good pressure.

As Dr. Craig deepened the kiss, Karl felt sudden pain return to his chest making Karl gasp and turn away from Craig's lips.

"Oh, God!" Karl cried as he felt Craig's hand reach into his chest cavity, wrap his fingers around Karl's heart and yank it from his body. Karl could feel everything in such clarity as he gasped for air and his eyes pleaded with Craig for an explanation.

That was when Karl glanced at Craig's chest and he realized that the other man was also bleeding from the same spot, his heart missing in the bloody mass of flesh.

Karl sat up suddenly, struggling for a breath, shaking violently. Slowly, he became aware that he'd been having a dream but that didn't explain why he hurt so much, why his chest felt so empty. The images were still so vividly clear in his mind, the blood, the pain. He panted, wiping his forehead, trying to get a full breath to calm his heart down.

He looked to the clock on the nightstand. He'd been in bed barely two hours and had to be up in one. The dream, still so clear would make going back to sleep impossible. He was exhausted, still drunk, and needed to throw up. It was going to be a bitch of a day.
~~~~~

Craig paced back and forth, over and over again in his tiny apartment. He had no idea how long he'd been pacing and honestly, he really didn't care. He wasn't sleepy. He was edgy. He was nervous. He was restless. He couldn't sit still, even when he tried.

He looked out the window and noticed that the sun was coming up. He soon became mesmerized by the startling colors painting the skies, the vibrant yellows, incredible oranges and amazing reds filling the entire hemisphere. It was breathtaking and no matter how many times he'd seen it in his life, he could get lost in each and every sunrise he saw.

As much as he loved watching the sunrise, something felt 'off' about this one. While the colors were as vibrant as ever, something inside of his chest felt hallow, sort of empty. Maybe when he saw Karl and they made up, he'd feel better but right now, he just felt 'off'. Craig didn't like feeling that way.

Unable to shake his unease, he decided that maybe a shower would help. Clear out the head, so to speak. As soon as he stepped under the warm jets, he found his body relaxing finally. He lathered up, taking care to make sure his entire body was cleaned. The longer his shower took, the slower he began to move. The need for sleep was beginning to take over as his body demanded respite. He knew he had a long day ahead of him in the sound studio but first he needed to catch Karl before he left for the day.

As Craig came out of his apartment, he saw several of the stunt crew standing around waiting for the bus to take them to the location. He half-smiled a greeting and headed for Karl's door.

"Hey, Parker. He isn't there." Lawrence called, approaching Craig. Lawrence made a face when he saw the bruise lining Craig's jaw and cheekbone and the swelling of his eye. "So, I guess the rumors are true." He smiled.

"What rumors?" Craig asked.

"Oh, it just got around that you and Urban exchanged blows. That guy was messed up when he came in last night. Yelling and pounding on your door for the longest time, man." Lawrence explained.

"Shit." Craig rubbed his face. "Is there anything more to the rumors, Lawrence?"

"No, man. Just that you two beat the shit out of each other. Nothing more." Lawrence said, knowing what Craig was referring to. Had anyone speculated about their relationship or started any rumors regarding Karl's sexuality was Craig's primary concern. Craig could deal with rumors about himself but he didn't want Karl's reputation tarnished in any way.

"Is he around here somewhere?" Craig asked, a bit relieved. He knew he could trust Lawrence.

"No. He left about an hour ago. Mumbled something about not being able to sleep so he caught an early bus. They changed the location of the shoot and he won't be back for a few days." Lawrence said.

"A few days? Bullocks, I leave tomorrow morning. Look, Lawrence, could you do me a favor? When you see him, can you have him call me? I really need to talk to him." Craig said, extremely disappointed.

"Sure, I'll give him the message. See you when you come back." He gave the smaller man a hug and went to the bus, which had finally arrived.

Craig felt deflated. Everything would have been okay if he'd just been able to talk to Karl, to work things out with Karl before he left. But there was no chance of that now.

Maybe it was a sign. Maybe it was supposed to end this way. Well, he'd done all he could. Now the ball was in Karl's court. He could either contact Craig or not. It was his choice and there wasn't anything more that Craig could do.
~~~~~

Rebecca knocked on the door. She knew it was early but he knew what time she was coming to pick him up to get to the airport. She'd flown in the evening before, taking care of some business while he finished up with this commitment. Today was a long day of travel and then tomorrow, back to full swing. He knew he had a full day of appointments scheduled for the next day. She'd been handling things for him for the length of time he'd been away at the shoot but now it was time to get down to business. Besides, Craig was never late. She waited for a few moments and knocked again. Still nothing.

She pulled out the key she'd gotten from one of the secretaries at the office, not having expected to use it but knowing it's always good to have a spare in case something came up and Craig wasn't there. She slowly opened the door.

"Darling, are you in here?" She called out. The apartment was completely silent, dark and quiet. She stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. It wasn't like him to not be ready. They had just gone over the plans the night before. They had an early flight to Auckland, time enough for him to go over several scripts she'd been holding for him. She had a carry-on already packed with a thermos of tea, a few pastries that he loved so much and a warm blanket for him to curl up during the flight. She had several auditions set up for the next morning starting at 6am and would take him well into the afternoon. Then, he had two interviews scheduled over dinner and an appearance to make at the hospital charity later in the evening. No time for jetlag. She needed him up, perky and witty. The more she thought about it, he did sound a bit different on the phone the previous night. She wondered if he even went to sleep after they'd talked.

"Craig, are you in here?" She called, heading towards the bedroom. She opened the door and instantly saw him sitting perfectly still in the chair, dressed only in his fluffy white robe she loved so much, legs crossed at the ankle, stretched out, heels resting on the foot of the bed, staring at the perfectly made linens. His mobile phone was lying on his lap.

"Honey, are you okay?" She asked, standing in the doorway. He looked up at her, unfocussed for a brief second. Then he looked back to the bed and shook his head, returning to the present.

"Oh, hello Becs. Sorry, didn't hear you come in." He said, looking back at her with a smile on his face, one that she could easily tell was put on for her benefit.

"What's the matter, Craig? Have you been sitting here all night?" She asked, seeing how tired his face looked and how bloodshot his eyes were. Then she noticed the damage. "Oh, hell. What happened to your face?" She asked, reaching out to touch it but he moved his head away. He rubbed his face with his hand, sitting forward in the chair.

"Nothing. I guess time got away from me." He said softly, obviously lying to her face. "I'm sorry I'm late. It will take just a few minutes for me to..." He said while standing up, his legs a bit unstable as he wobbled. Rebecca was immediately at his side.

"Hey, luv." She said, steadying him on his feet. She placed her hand on his shoulders and tried to look at his eyes but he was averting her interrogation. "What's wrong, honey? This isn't like you." She said, truly concerned.

Still feeling a bit unsteady, Craig sat on the end of the bed. "I'm fine, Becs, really. I just haven't slept. It's been a really crazy schedule the last few weeks, that's all." He said, trying to reassure her.

"Why couldn't you sleep last night? I know it was just a few hours ago but you seemed tired enough when we hung up. Is everything okay? And just because I'm not pushing you now does not mean that you have gotten out of telling me what truck you ran into with your face, okay?" She sat next to him, running her fingers through his perpetual bed head. He rested his head against her shoulder, relaxing into her embrace.

"I'm just tired." He whined in a small voice. Rebecca couldn't help but to smile. "I'm tired of starting over, Becs." He finally said.

Rebecca had no idea what he was talking about so she assumed it was about the film. Craig did live a life of a gypsy going from job to job. "I know, honey. Maybe it's time you stop spending the rest of your life alone and find yourself some stud to share your bed with." Rebecca suggested softly as he curled up with his head in her lap, her fingers stroking his hair. She could feel him totally relax in her lap but knowing him well enough to know there was much more to this story.

"Not me. I'm nothing but a whore." He shrugged. "Why do I always fall for the one's that are going to end up breaking my heart, huh? Pretty pathetic of me, isn't it?"

"Who broke your heart? Tell me who and I'll kill the son-of-a-bitch." She said, feeling so sorry for him but trying to keep it as light as she could. He had so much to do over the next few days and in the shape he was in right now, he'd never make it.

"Doesn't really matter now, does it? They're all the same anyway. Unfortunately, this time, it was my fault. I'm the heartbreaker so I deserve to feel this way. But right now, we should be heading to the airport. Give me a minute to jump in the shower." He said, forcing himself out of the security of her lap where he easily could have found some well needed sleep and remembering his prior commitments. "Most of my stuff is packed, I think."

Rebecca watched him sway slightly and continue on to the bathroom, shutting the door. As much as she loved him, he could be so hard on himself.

"Darling, did you at least get your face looked at by the medics? Make sure you didn't break anything?" She called, picking up a few of the remaining things scattered around the room and putting them into his suitcase.

"No need, Beccs. I just got punched in the face. Guys get punched in the face everyday without seeking professional medical care. Trust me, it looks much worse than it is." He yelled back from the bathroom.

"So, who punched you?" She asked. She was concerned about how his auditions would go but she could do wonders with makeup. As bad as he looked right now, he'd need a miracle. Yes, she thought to herself, even Mr. Parker can look like shit.

"Karl." He confessed.

"That bastard." She said quietly. She'd known about him and Craig since the beginning and just never liked him much. Always thought he'd end up hurting Craig.

Craig cracked open the bathroom door as he usually did when she was around before he stepped into the shower. "And before you go passing judgment on him, darling, I will again repeat that I was the bad guy. All he did was to love me."

"You let him kiss you, didn't you?" She asked, stepping into the bathroom and leaning against the counter so they could talk without yelling at one another. It was still very early and she didn't want to wake anyone else up.

Craig's silence was the only answer she needed. She could see his silhouette leaning against the shower stall wall, all movement stopped. After several silent minutes, she heard a broken sob.

"Oh, honey." She stood up, willing to go into the stall with him and hold him while he cried if she needed to but she knew him better than t Cra Craig did not cry in front of her or anyone else if he could help it.

"Becs...." His broken voice called.

"Yeah, luv?" She asked.

"Can you...give me a few?" He managed, politely excusing her.

Rebecca reluctantly left the small bathroom, picking up a towel that was hanging from a nearby chair and throwing it across the room. "Damn you, Karl Urban. So help me, if I ever see you again, I will make you hurt the way you've made him hurt." She said, her voice almost growling in frustration.

To keep herself from going around knocking on all the apartments to find Karl, she instead finished packing Craig's things. She pulled out clothes for him, kept out an extra pack of cigarettes just in case and checked his ice box for something for him to eat. She knew he rarely took the time to feed himself.

After several minutes, Craig finally emerged, wearing what she'd set out for him, toweling off his head. He looked at the dining table, where she had set out toast, tea and juice and actually managed a small smile.

"We're already late because of me. You didn't have to do this." He said as she gently pushed him into the chair.

"Shut up and eat. I'm going to load your stuff into the rental." She said.

"Why didn't you drive up? I know how you love to drive." He asked, bringing his tea cup to his lips.

"Tight schedule but don't you worry. I had both our cars serviced and filled the gas tank with your credit card so I'm getting something out of this also." She teased. Rebecca had been such a long time friend and the only person in this world who had access to everything Craig had. She actually knew more about what he had than he did himself.

"You deserve a raise for taking such good care of me, you know." He said, tasting the toast and realizing how hungry he really was.

"That's okay, luv. You gave me one last month and I do say I was pleased with your generosity." She laughed as she carried his bags out the front door, the sounds of Craig laughing making her feel better. He'd get through this. He always did.
~~~~~


TBC