Posted: October 2004
Title: Win A Date With Karl Urban
Author: Estella Greenleaf

*****

Karl was having the most difficult time wrapping his mind around the fact that Dave and Viggo were lovers once. His manager was a bit of a control freak; and the artist was the very definition of an unkempt hippie. They should be driving each other insane in a bad way, not a good one.

A snap of slim fingers before his eyes startled the actor out of his musing. Orli was looking at him with concern. "You okay? You're gone there for a sec."

Unlike Karl, who *hated* the idea of his manager going off with Viggo, Orli was more surprised than upset. The young man was always of a mind that his boss should get out more and interact with other people. It was a good thing that Viggo seemed so at ease with this 'Daisy'. Of course, Orli was still a bit worried. He didn't know a thing about this Daisy and it was his job, as Viggo's personal assistant, to make sure the man didn't get hurt in any way...

Karl nodded. "Yeah." Noticing the dark-haired beauty's distant look, he teased, "Look who's dreaming now?"

Orli pushed the thoughts of his boss away and smiled at his date. "You know, I'm just thinking, I never got an answer to my question earlier."

Karl grinned, knowing he couldn't ask for a more opportune moment to kiss Orli. He reached out, gently caressing silken skin as he lifted the youth's chin. Gazes locked, he slowly pressed his lips against the dark-haired beauty's. He kept the kiss tender and undemanding, skilled tongue stroking Orli's supple lips. When he felt the young man tremble in his arms, he reluctantly pulled away. Karl didn't want to rush things with Orli. He wanted to take his time, savor every moment of this budding relationship. "Does that answer your question?"

Orli smiled goofily and touched his lips. He had to be dreaming; Karl Urban just *kissed* him! "If this is a dream, I wish I will never wake again."

Karl smiled at his date and wound his arms around the slim waist. "It's not a dream, babe. I'm here, you're here. And there's nothing I want to do more in this world than date you."

Taking another moment to compose himself, Orli said, "Wow, you have no idea how unreal all this is to me."

With a move that he had perfected with years of practice, the movie star managed to wrangle his wallet out of his jean pocket and pay for their dinner without letting go of Orli's waist. Leading the still slightly dazed youth out of the diner, he grinned, "I guess we better start making this more 'real' then. How about we go do stuff that people on real dates do?"

"That sounds wonderful," replied Orli, grinning like an idiot. He didn't know what Karl had in mind; but he trusted the man. Someone perfect like Karl would never take advantage of him. As he put his hand on Karl's shoulder, he couldn't help but sigh in absolute bliss. There were such things as miracles in this world after all.

*****

Viggo was on edge. He hadn't forgotten that his ex could be a total shark whenever fancy struck. Being alone on a bed in a cheap motel room with the man wasn't exactly a wise idea. Not that they were doing anything inappropriate; they were just sipping their beers in silence while Daisy sized him up. The man's blatant appraisal made Viggo extremely uncomfortable; the only eyes he ever wanted studying him like that were Orli's.

Unable to stand the tension any longer, the artist exclaimed, "Stop staring at me, Daisy. If you have something to say, say it."

"The years have treated you nicely, Dodo. You look good."

Surprised at the compliment and a bit apprehensive of the other man's intentions, Viggo gulped. With the most serious look he could muster under the circumstances, he said, "Daisy, I don't really know how to say this, but I'm sort of with someone right now."

To the artist's surprise, the other man burst into laughter at his words. Still chuckling madly, Dave said, "I'm just paying you a compliment, silly Dodo."

Feeling like an idiot, Viggo quipped defensively, "It's an honest mistake. You were so checking me out."

"Yes, but not for my own lecherous purposes," explained Dave with a grin. "I'm here on a professional capacity."

"How does my looks figure into your scheme to get Mr. Movie Star back to where he belongs?" asked Viggo with a frown.

"I'm pretty sure I saw some sparks between you and the delectable Mr. Bloom at the restaurant. And as I've just said earlier, you still have the goods; all we need to do is get him to notice that. If he's with you, there's no reason for Karl to be here anymore."

Viggo snorted in self-pity and said, "You must be sleep deprived and imagining things. Orli isn't interested in me."

"Really? Have you tried telling him how you feel?" asked Dave with a knowing grin. He knew his ex; the man couldn't be forthcoming with his feelings to save his life.

"Of course..."

"I mean tell him tell him, not just sprouting romantic poetry," interrupted the manager, raising his eyebrow in amusement.

"I will have you know that poetry is a perfectly acceptable way of expressing love!"

"Right, but you're a poet. How often do you read your works to him in a non-romantic context?"

"I gave him 'The Look' too," replied Viggo defensively. He already felt like an idiot for not being more assertive when he had a chance. He didn't need Daisy to rub it in.

"And that's different from the way you always look at him?" asked Dave with a smirk.

"I don't do it that often," grumbled Viggo in defeat as he chucked his beer. "Besides, even if he's not entirely not interested, you aren't exactly the one I'd go to for help in the romance department."

"Hey, I've came a long way since we broke up," replied Dave indignantly.

"So you don't give coffee makers as anniversary presents anymore?" teased the artist, remembering what Daisy had given him on their one-year anniversary.

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" sighed the manager.

"Nope," Viggo grinned; how he loved teasing Daisy, making the man lose his cool! It was still as much fun as it used to be.

"Seriously, Dodo, I'm good with dealing with people. I'm sure I can send Orlando your way, if given the right opportunity."

"And what would that opportunity be?"

"Karl said he's buying a farm, right? He will ask me to check it out before he closes the deal. And knowing him, he'll invite Orlando for the visit too. Just tag along as my guest and I promise your sweet beloved will see you in a totally different light."

"What you have proposed is a disaster waiting to happen, Daisy. You, of all people, should know that I can't help but 'go caveman' on Karl when I see them together," replied Viggo, shaking his head vehemently at Dave's scheme.

Dave grinned. "Actually, I'm counting your reaction. Trying to show a rival up is classic jealousy-induced behavior. I'm sure one as innocent as Orlando will recognize it once it's been pointed out."

"So you *want* me to look stupid in front of Orli?" asked the artist incredulously.

"Love makes fool of everyone, Dodo," Dave replied, grin still in place.

"It's easy for you to say. You don't have anything to lose," retorted Viggo, annoyed that his ex was making light of this entire situation.

"You can't lose what you don't have, Vig," replied Dave quietly, tone now serious. "Trust me. I want this to work, more than you'll ever know."

The sincerity in Daisy's voice stopped Viggo from arguing any further. Though the artist was very bad with people, he could tell his ex had more invested in this scheme than pure professional pride. He would do as the manager had asked. "Alright, Daisy. I'm in." He could only hope he wasn't making the worst mistake of his life.

*****

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