Title: Following Your Heart 1/?
Authors: Anorien and Sairalinde
Type: RPS
Pairing: Craig/David
Rating: Explicit Sex
Beta: Ourselves
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: This never happened...this is total fiction.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com or thechroniclesofosgiliath@ yahoo.com
Archiving: OEAM, our own sites, others please ask
Summary: David and Craig have a misunderstanding and David chases Craig from Los Angeles to New York to explain.

NOTE: Words in // are thoughts //

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[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4]

David set his carry on bag down and leaned against the wide windowsill staring out at the labyrinth of runways marked with glowing lights and watched planes taxi. He wished he could have told Craig how he felt, his note hadn't exactly been poetry. Call me sometime? That wasn't exactly screaming that he couldn't live without seeing his friend's smile everyday. Yours...in so many ways...but how would Craig have taken it? Your friend most likely. David sighed dejectedly and thought about the first time he'd ever seen Craig. His eyes were what drew him in first, beautiful sparkling blue eyes and then his smile. He looked out at the runway watching as a plane taxied past and glanced down at his watch. He still had an hour before his flight.

Craig walked slowly toward his gate. He loved New Zealand - always had - and it was always hard to leave. And for the past few months,….New Zealand had held something else….David. From the first second he'd laid eyes on David, Craig had felt his heart speed up and his legs grow weak. He'd asked around and done a little of his own research, and had now secretly seen almost every one of David's movies. He'd heard of him of course, but meeting him face to face, being able to look directly into those gorgeous blue eyes….it was as if everyone else in the world had ceased to exist.

Smiling and nodding at everyone in his path, Craig turned toward the window watching as another plane taxied down the runway. His breath hitched and his fingers itched to reach into his wallet just to feel the note David had left him.

There he was! Gorgeous, blue-eyed, sweet, shy David. Who'd taken the time to hand write and deliver a note to his room. He started to walk over, but remembered David had said he wasn't good at goodbyes. But what if this was goodbye forever? Unable to help himself, Craig quickly crossed the room to stand next to David, suddenly losing his nerve before he could say a word.

David felt someone step up beside him and turned to see who it was; immediately his heart leapt in his chest and he smiled. Seeing that Craig had a suitcase with him he realized he wasn't there to see him, just simply both of them catching planes going opposite directions. "Going to Los Angeles right?" David asked softly and wondering if Craig could hear his heart beating it was thundering so hard in his chest.

When David turned to look at him, Craig had to fight the urge to simply wrap his arms around him and hold on for dear life. Instead, he swallowed the lump in this throat and leaned against the wall, trying to look relaxed. "Yeah….Los Angeles," he managed. "I've signed up to do a few conventions…..should keep me pretty busy for a while." //But I'd rather be with you. // "How about you? London? Or some other equally enticing location?"

"Home," David grinned. "Going home, and then to London in a few weeks to start filming," he answered. He wasn't sure what else to say, he couldn't very well tell Craig that he thought he was in love with him, standing in an airport, with less than an hour before he needed to board a plane. "I'm...I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye at the party," David said softly. "Did...you find my note?" he asked curiously.

Craig could barely keep himself from getting lost in David's eyes. As his friend's words began to register, he shook his head and looked down. "Yeah. I did," he said softly. "I…I wondered if I'd said or done something to make you not want to say goodbye at the party. I saw you talking to Sean one second, then you were gone. I was hoping we'd have a chance to talk for a bit, but //…I couldn't get up the nerve to say anything meaningful to you and chickened out…//it was pretty crowded. I lo….thought the note was really nice though." He looked over David's shoulder, then down at his carry-on. "You traveling alone or with someone?" he asked, trying to look as if he were simply making conversation, but steeling himself just in case David said he was traveling with someone….his boyfriend or girlfriend or ...or anyone.

"Alone," David said softly in answer to Craig's question. "I...I'm really sorry I left, I just...I'm not great at goodbye's obviously," he said sighing and looking down. "I just left the note because I wanted you to know //that I think about you all the time //that I was going to miss you," he said softly. "Why...well why isn't Marton going with you to Los Angeles? He have another project lined up?" David asked looking back out at the lights not really wanting to know the answer to that. He was just making conversation.

//He's going to miss me? He had no idea how much I….wait….// "Marton?" Craig asked. //Oh shit, does he have a thing for Marton? Bloody hell….that would hurt too much. Of all people - the man he was pretty sure he was in love with wanted one of his closest friends. Why else would he want to know where he was if it wasn't that? // Feeling a heaviness in his stomach, Craig hung his head. "Marton is staying around here for a few days. He's got a job lined up in London next week….I….I guess you can probably look him up while you're there."

"But you won't be there?" David asked hoping that maybe Craig would come to London to visit Marton and he'd at least get to spend a little time with him. "I mean I just figured you would be...since he will," David shrugged.

"No, I won't be there," Craig said, looking up at the strange inflection in David's voice. "Marton and I are friends, but we rarely ever see each other. It was purely circumstantial that we ended up working on Rings together. Besides, from the looks he was giving Hugo, I wouldn't be surprised if Hugo went with him." He laughed nervously and looked around at the other waiting passengers, trying not to roll his eyes at himself. //Oh, *that* was smooth, Parker. If he does like Marton, you've just shot that all to hell. The least you can do is lose gracefully, especially to one of your closest friends!//

David's eyes lit up when Craig said he and Marton were friends. "Really? You two aren't a couple? I thought...well..." David was cut off by the PA calling his flight number. "Damn, that's me," he said looking up at the speaker on the opposite wall. "I...I have to go. Um...give me a call when you get to L.A. just...so I know you got there safely," David said almost cringing. He didn't have the *right* to ask that but the words were out before he could stop himself. Looking down nervously he stepped forward and pulled Craig into a quick and somewhat awkward hug. "I...um...see you around, eh?" he said trying to keep his voice steady. He wanted nothing more to pull Craig back into his arms and kiss him until both of their knees were weak. Before he could do anything any more stupid than he already had he grabbed his bag and started to back away and then turned and made his way to the boarding gate.

Before Craig could say a word, David's arms were around him, then, just as quickly, before he could even enjoy the sensation, they were gone, and David was heading toward the boarding area. //What the hell was that all about? He thought…..that Marton and I were a couple? And…he really wants me to give him a call? And, most importantly, what would I have to do to get another hug - a real one next time?// Standing there among hundreds of strangers, Craig smiled, still feeling the warmth of David's arms around him. He wondered if David had asked everyone to give him a call when they landed…especially Marton, but decided it didn't matter. He *would* give him a call. The very minute he landed, if not sooner. He just wanted to hear his voice. And maybe try to discern whether or not David was interested in anyone. //What I wouldn't give to be sitting next to you on that plane, David. Holding your hand and……// Before he could finish the thought, he heard his own flight being called. With a sigh, he headed toward the gate, a soft smile still on his face.

David spent the entire flight back home thinking about Craig and Sean's constant badgering that he should just tell him and that he thought Craig felt the same way. Now that he knew Craig and Marton weren't a couple...why the hell hadn't he just asked before? //Because you just assumed it to be true, the way they were so comfortable with each other...they just *seemed* to be together.//Finally arriving home David went through his mail that had piled up and checked messages that he'd missed or hadn't been forwarded to his cell. He kept looking at the clock, it was a long flight to Los Angeles, but Craig's plane should have landed by now. Maybe he wasn't going to call? He didn't *have* to. David flipped off the lights and made his way for the bedroom unbuttoning his shirt. Soon he was in the shower trying to clear his mind as the warm water poured over him, but every time he closed his eyes all he saw was Craig. "This is going to be tougher than I thought it would be," David whispered to himself.

Craig sat on the edge of the bed in yet another alien hotel room. They all looked the same after a while, and he wasted little time putting his clothes in the closet and various dresser drawers. Deciding to unpack the toiletries later, he'd planted him self on the bed and picked up the phone. //He told me to call. He wanted to know if I was safe. He probably didn't mean it, but…..whether he did or not, at least I can hear his voice again. // He picked up the phone and began dialing. Before his finger could hit the last digit, he slammed the handset into the cradle, suddenly wondering what the hell he was going to say. //'Hi David! Listen, just wondering if you were interested in Marton? Cause if you're not, I'd like to tell you that I've wanted you for so long now, and wondered…..' Oh shit. Maybe 'I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm in love with you, and have been for months and I miss you already…// Taking a deep breath, he shook his head and slowly dialed the number again. //Just say hello, that you've landed, and hope he had a good flight. Then see what happens from there. //

The phone rang three times, then he heard David's voice. With a grin, Craig started to speak, but realized that it wasn't David….it was a machine. //Damn! // He started to hang up so he could call back later and talk to him in person but figured that he probably had caller ID and would call the number back, wondering why Craig didn't leave a message. After all, Craig reasoned, David simply said he wanted to know that Craig had made it to L.A. alright. That was easy enough to say in a message. Clearing his throat, Craig closed his eyes and concentrated on keeping his voice steady.

"David? Hi. Um…..It's Craig. I…You asked me to call when I landed and I did. Land, I mean. Well, the plane landed, and I'm here in Los Angeles. So……I hope you had a good flight. I'm sure a lot of people missed you, and you're glad to be home. And…..well, I was wondering about what you said about Marton and I, and was…..oh, um….never mind. I'll…..I hope to hear from you soon. If you need anything, give me a call. My cell number is 948-361-5471. I'll…..You can call me anytime. I…um…ok…bye." He was talking so quickly, he didn't notice the machine beep before he finished the number. He placed the handset back in the cradle and stood up, deciding to see what kind of food the restaurant downstairs had. Quickly changing clothes, he put the keycard in his pocket and walked out the door.

David thought he heard the phone ring when he was in the shower and quickly turned off the water and opened the door grabbing a towel. Wrapping the towel around his waist he walked into the bedroom to see the answering machine light flashing. //Maybe it was Craig?//He leaned over and pushed the button smiling as soon as he heard Craig's voice fill the room. As he began to recite his cell number the machine cut off and David's smile faded. "Five, four...what?" he growled in frustration and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Five, four, FUCK!" he snapped the words echoing in the quiet room. He...he could call Sean maybe he or Viggo knows Craig's number? He knew his number in New Zealand but he wasn't IN New Zealand! David replayed the message wondering if Craig mentioned what hotel he was at. He hadn't. David groaned and flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Craig laid his cell phone on the table next to his plate, hoping that by simply wanting it so badly, he could make David call him back. Well, he had his cell number. In fact, he was one of the few people who *did* have his cell number. He'd forgotten to tell almost everyone that he had a new cell phone, and the only person he'd remembered to give the number to was Marton. But now David had it. And if he wanted to call, to talk……to ask about….well, anything, then all he had to do was pick up the phone.

The phone didn't ring. All through dinner, he stared at it. He'd managed to get a dark table in the corner of the room, and luckily hadn't been noticed too many times. Or maybe it wasn't lucky - sitting here alone, with the other actors and actress scheduled to be at the convention not due for another 2 days, he simply had more time to dwell on the phone call. Or lack there of. He'd turned the phone on and off several times, just to make sure it still worked, and was almost disappointed to find it in perfect condition, with a full signal. //Guess he's busy. Or talking with Marton. Or heard that I was safe and sound, and didn't need to talk to me. Or….//His mind ran over endless possibilities as his food got colder and colder. He finally threw some bills on the table and went back to his room, where he threw himself on the bed.

David *needed* Craig's number...or at least to know what hotel he was staying in. Maybe he should call PJ? Certainly someone from the production knew where he was staying? His agent? No they'd ask too many questions. David finally sat up blowing out a soft huff of air and glared at his answering machine before picking the phone up and dialing Sean's number not caring how late it was.

Sean hit the mute button on the remote control in his hand and reached for the phone. He was scheduled to fly out the next morning, and could *never* sleep the night before a flight. He'd just resigned himself to a night of old movies when the phone rang. It was, for once, a welcome distraction. " 'lo?" he answered in a low voice, hoping the ring hadn't woken up Viggo, who always managed to sleep even the night before a flight, despite Sean's best efforts at keeping him awake. Sean reasoned that he simply wanted to share with his lover how much he hated flying and how he didn't understand why they couldn't just take a ferry this time.......across the entire Atlantic Ocean.

"Sean? It's David...I'm sorry to call so late, but...I...I need some help," David said feeling silly now that he had the man on the line and wishing he hadn't called now.

Sean sat up in bed, throwing the covers aside and planting his feet on the floor. He quickly crossed the room and shut the bedroom door, not wanting to wake Viggo up yet if something was really wrong. "Dave? It's ok. You need help? What's wrong?" he asked, trying to keep the worry from his voice as he clutched the phone.

David sighed, "That came out sounding a bit desperate didn't it? I...God this is silly...I ran into Craig at the airport, and asked him to call me when he got to Los Angeles...he did, but his number was cut off on the message. I...I don't want to screw this up anymore, Sean. You were right I *should* have talked to him before I left...really talked, and now...I'm going nuts I think. And...and you were right he wasn't with Marton...they were just friends, I...I finally got the courage to mention it and he said they were only friends...but do you have his number? Please tell me you do," David said in a rush knowing that Sean had probably missed half of what he said he was speaking so fast.

Sean wasn't able to stifle a soft chuckle as his normally soft-spoken friend's rush of words. "Wait, Daisy," he laughed. "Hold on - let me see if I have it." He padded into the foyer and rifled through his wallet for his list of phone numbers. You know, I *told* you he wasn't with Marton. But….you ran into Craig at the airport…that's good. Why didn't you just talk to him then?"

"In an airport?" David almost squeeked. "Just wasn't...well certainly not the time for *that* kind of conversation. I want his number so I can get his schedule...I'd like to talk to him in private without an audience of strangers with carry on luggage and crying babies about," David explained. "I realized something, when I saw him at the airport...that I can't say goodbye to him, I need him in my life, Sean." David ran his hand through his hair and stood up walking to the window to look out. "I need to know if he feels the same, like you said you thought he did...I need to know for sure. It didn't hit me until after I had to board the plane that I *couldn't* live not knowing."

Sean smiled, knowing exactly how David felt. It'd taken him months to realize that he loved Viggo, and he regretted every moment they'd missed together. "I'm glad you finally figured it out, Daisy," he said softly, walking back to the door and smiling down at his sleeping lover. "Find him. I have no doubt you'll learn that he feels the same way." Lifting the card he'd pulled from his wallet, he grinned. "And I found the number. It's the number I got from him when he first got here, but I'm sure it's still the same." Reading the number quietly, Sean slid back into bed next to Viggo, realizing that even if he *did* wake him up, it wouldn't be a bad idea just to tell him how much he loved him. "Don't wait, David. Call him now, please? Don't waste a moment, ok?"

David took down the number but something didn't seem right, he distinctly remembered a five and a four following each other and this number didn't have that. He sighed figuring he was just too tired to remember anything properly. "Thank you, Sean. I'm going to call him as soon as I hang up with you," David said softly. "I'm sorry I know it's late. Get some sleep."

"It's ok, Daisy," Sean said softly. "Just let me know how it goes, ok?" He pushed the off button and proceeded to kiss his lover awake, all thoughts of David and Craig pushed to the back of his mind as Viggo started to respond to his touch.

David hung up with Sean and began dialing the number his friend had given him. The phone beeped loudly and an operator came on saying the line had been disconnected. David tried it again thinking maybe he'd misdialed and got the same response. Irritated he replayed Craig's message from earlier and the numbers did not match at all. "Well...I could just keep trying number combinations just two digits I need," he said to himself and shook his head. No that'd take too long. He considered throwing the phone out the window like Viggo had done that time, but then thought Craig could try him again. He laid down on the bed and sighed trying to think who else he could call. He decided to wait until morning he'd already disturbed Sean he didn't want to bother anyone else. //Why didn't I just tell him? Because Daisy you are a big chicken.</i>

Craig stared up at the ceiling long into the night, clutching his phone in one hand. The jet lag finally caught up with him and he dozed off after 4AM. When the phone on the nightstand rang at 8, he jumped up and grabbed it, forgetting where he was for the moment. //David! He's calling me back! // He quickly picked up the phone and grinned. "David?" He was met with the soft tones of a computer, announcing his requested walk up call. //Damn! Wrong phone. Wrong person! Wrong….everything! // Deciding to stay in the bed for the rest of the day, he got up only long enough to remove his clothes and climb underneath the covers. //David. Why won't you call? At least to tell me that….you got my message. Or….something? //

David had been making phone calls all morning trying to track down SOMEONE who knew where Craig was staying or what his schedule was. A call to Fran led to a call to Mark, led to a call to Brian, and he was starting to get a little dizzy from all the little notes he'd written on the notepad. Finally he got in touch with a girl named Melissa who had the itineraries of all the fan cons that Craig had signed up for. Quite a list of them all over the world in fact! He jotted down the first few, and then asked her to email the rest to him. He had two and a half weeks before he had to be in London to start principal photography on his new film. After getting off the phone with Melissa he threw on some clothes. He called Craig's hotel in Los Angeles and left a message with the front desk since was out of his room. David decided to try and catch Craig in Los Angeles praying the front desk gave Craig his message. He raced around the house printing out the email from Melissa, and calling the airport to arrange a flight. He grabbed the itinerary and shoved it in his jacket pocket and took his suitcases he hadn't even unpacked. Back to the airport, and hopefully within 14 hours or so he'd see Craig again.

Continue to Chapter 3