Title: The Moose, the Tree, and the Irish Writer
Author: Sairalinde
Type: HET Fan Fic
Pairing: Viggo/OFC
Rating: R
Beta: Glorfindel
Disclaimer: This never happened…this is total fiction…Viggo is a real person but I
make no claims on him other than he is ready made for writing a romance story
about. Artist/Actor/Poet all that jazz perfect fodder for a romance story, saved me
a lot of time making up a character is all. The female character is a figment of my
deranged imagination from reading far too many cheesy romance novels.
Peripheral characters of Sean Bean and Orlando Bloom are also not mine
obviously and do NOT have a relationship as far as I know. This was written in
fun that's all. All other characters are fictitious.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde@hornofgondor.com
Archiving: Yes but ask first please.
Summary/Notes:Viggo meets an Irish writer in a most unusual way. Love story.

---------------------------------------

[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12]

---------------------------------------

Chapter 7

Viggo walked up the steps to the house...the car he had hired was already heading home after dropping him off. He walked in the house and looked around. Tabby was in bed...it was almost four in the morning. He went up stairs to his room; when he walked in he could hear her light breathing. She was in his bed!

He set the suitcase down and walked to the edge of the bed. The full moon was out and was casting just enough light into the room so he could see her sleeping. She was so beautiful.

He undressed silently and pulled on a pair of sweats and a thin t-shirt then crawled into bed on the other side of her. She sighed and rolled to her side. He put his arm around her and pulled her to him. God her hair smelled good...the scent of wildflowers weaved through his muddled brain and relaxed him. He breathed her in deeper and shut his eyes. "Welcome home, mo chroí." A soft voice said beside him.

He pulled her closer when he heard her call him my heart in Gaelic and kissed the top of her head as he fell to sleep.

Tabby felt warm breath on the back of her neck and realized it was Viggo...he was home! Plus he had crawled in bed with her...then she remembered waking up in the middle of the night and feeling him get in bed...she had welcomed him home. She snuggled closer to him then and he pulled her in tighter to him.

"You're awake." Viggo whispered softly.

"Aye, so are you." She replied.

He laughed and she felt it reverberate through her. She smiled and snuggled against his arm.

"What time did you get in?" She asked.

"About a quarter to four." He answered.

She looked at the clock beside the bed. "It's almost seven." She said sleepily.

"Yeah." He said and then he yawned and this time she laughed.

They fell back to sleep that way and woke up to someone pounding on the door and yelling.

"Shit...I think Sean and Orlando are here." Viggo said softly.

"Oh...well then we better go let them in?" Tabby asked.

"Rather stay here...it's warm and you're soft." Viggo said snuggling his face into her hair.

She tried to move away from him but he pulled her closer. "Viggo...we have to let them in. They flew across the Atlantic and most of the way across the U.S. to see you." She softly scolded.

He sighed. "You're right." He released her and she scrambled out of the bed. He watched her as she did...her hair was mussed and she had on a white cotton nightgown. One that made him think of old fashioned things. She grabbed her blue robe and pulled it on and pushed at her hair.

"Well? Are you coming?" She asked with her hands on her hips.

"You go ahead...be down in a minute." Viggo replied watching her leave.

Now to try and get his arousal to go away...no time for a cold shower so he just had to think about things he hated and pain…hobbit feet...ahh that worked.

Tabby bounced down the stairs barefoot and came to the door. Orlando and Sean were standing there stamping their feet and peering through the glass.

She opened the door smiling at them and Sean and Orlando just stood there staring at her. Oh her photo didn't do her justice at all. Petite and soft looking with all that pretty coppery hair...bed hair but it still looked gorgeous Sean thought. No wonder Viggo was so taken with the little pixie.

Orlando looked at him just before she opened the door and said, "Christ she's adorable, and not much bigger than a hobbit, Sean." Sean just smiled.

"Hello! Céad míle fáilte romhat!" She said cheerfully. "Sorry I didn't get down here sooner...was asleep."

Orlando looked at Sean and whispered. "What the hell did she just say?"

Sean laughed. "She said a hundred thousand welcomes. It's Gaelic."

"Oh." Orlando smiled. "Viggo must love that…another person who slips in and out of other languages."

They came in with their bags and stood in Viggo's living room.

"Is Viggo back from New York?" Sean asked taking off his coat. God it was
already cold in September!

"Yes, he got back around four this morning...that's why we didn't hear you. He should be down in a few minutes if he didn't fall back to sleep." She responded. "I will put some tea on...are you two hungry? I can make griddle cakes."

Orlando smiled. "I'm always hungry."

"Good...come on." She said tugging on his hand and leading the young man into the kitchen.

"Oh Sean I like her." He whispered walking past Sean.

Sean just laughed shaking his head.

Tabby already had both the men seated with cups of tea before Viggo came in the kitchen. His hair was standing up on one side of his head and Tabby had to resist the urge to laugh at him. The two guests turned around and practically tackled Viggo in a double bear hug. His face split into a huge smile and Tabby turned back to the stove. She wanted them to have their moment together without her
interference.

Sean broke the hug first and said, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah...yeah I am...I just didn't want to stay for the funeral. I did what I needed to...I got to say goodbye." Viggo said sadly. Orlando hugged him again and Viggo smiled at him.

They all sat down and Tabby pressed a cup of tea into his hand. He grabbed her hand with his free hand and squeezed smiling. She just smiled at him and turned back to her cooking.

Sean noticed the gesture and then said, "Well Tabby...that smells wonderful dear."

"Thank you." She said smiling brightly over her shoulder at him.

Orlando also noticed the way Viggo's eyes didn't leave her very often. "So you gona show me that painting?"

"Hmm oh yeah it's in the studio." Viggo said getting up and walking to the studio with Orlando. Sean stayed behind with Tabby.

"So, how are you?" Sean asked taking another sip of tea.

"Good…better now that Viggo's back. Oh I know that sounds so silly doesn't it but it were strange here without him. I am just a guest after all and then to be here alone for two days…well it was odd." Tabby said waving the spatula about a bit. Sean could tell already that she was good for Viggo…really good for him. "Guess it's good I was here though, I took care of the horses while he was gone."

Sean sat back a bit. "You took care of the horses?" God she was tiny and Brego and Sky were both huge.

"Aye…I grew up around race horses in Kilfenora." She said turning back to flip a pancake.

"I see. Well I am sure he appreciates that. He certainly loves those animals." He said taking another drink of his tea. Kilfenora was a place Sean knew quite well in fact.

She moved around Viggo's kitchen as if she had been here for years instead of less than a week. Sean noticed how her hands moved so efficiently as she worked, definitely a well-bred Irish girl. He also noticed the tiny gold cross that dangled at her neck…he was fascinated by the girl. How could she possibly be over thirty? She looked so young, and innocent.

"Orlando doesn't speak any Gaelic." Sean said then.

"What? Oh, oh yes I am so sorry…I didn't even think when I welcomed you…did you tell him I wasn't insulting him?" She asked concerned.

Sean laughed. "Yes I told him."

Viggo and Orlando came back into the kitchen talking about Orlando's latest movie as the phone began to ring.

"Uh Tabby…where is the phone?" Viggo asked looking around.

"Oh it's by the couch." She answered without turning around. Orlando and Sean just looked at each other. They already seemed like a couple…one with years behind them instead of days.

Viggo ran into the living room and grabbed it. "Hello? Oh yes…who is calling for her? Alright."

"Tabby it's for you…someone named Janie." Viggo announced walking into the kitchen.

"Oh…uh can you just hold the phone to my ear I am elbow deep in batter." She said working at the stove. So Viggo held the phone to her ear as Sean and Orlando watched.

"Hi Janie…yes…yes. No the black boots…yes, my riding boots….Oh Christ woman you know which ones. Yes just those things….yes…Janie my God you are kidding right? Well tell Martin that I already have five chapters for him…yes…yes five…are they good…I should hang up on you right now." Then
Tabby laughed. "Yes…well it had an accident in Nevada"

When she said that Viggo chuckled. Tabby glared at him and he just tried to suppress a grin which he had some difficulty doing.

"Alright Janie…thank you..yes just charge the shipping to my expense account and I will pay Martin back for it…please. Thanks…yes uhhh why don't you have Viggo give you the address."

Viggo looked at her. "I am having Janie send me some of my things…clothes mostly…if I am going to be here a month I figured I need something more than three pair of jeans and a couple dresses."

Viggo nodded and started talking to Janie giving her his address. He hung up and put the phone back.

"An accident in Nevada huh?" Viggo laughed.

"Well I can't very well tell her she pissed me off so bad I tossed the cell out the window could I?" Tabby said smacking the spatula against the side of the pan. Viggo just laughed again while Sean and Orlando stared at them.

"Janie is Tabby's agent. She was giving Tabby a hard time a few days ago and Tabby didn't even bother to hang up on her just tossed her cell phone out the window somewhere in the desert in Nevada outside Las Vegas." Viggo said trying not to laugh.

"Oh wish I had thought of that one!" Orlando said laughing. Sean just shook his head.

"Irish temperament." Sean muttered.

Tabby turned around and raised her eyebrow at him "And what of it Mr. Bean?"

All three men just burst out laughing at her. "You'd be much more convincing if you weren't so damn cute." Viggo said smiling at her.

"Oh you…your making fun of me…all of you get out…get out until I am finished cooking!" she said tossing a towel at Viggo.

The men went back into the living room leaving her to finish cooking.

Sean put his arm around Viggo's shoulders. "She's good for you Viggo…I haven't seen you this comfortable in a long time."

"Yeah." Viggo answered.

They sat down and Viggo told them about Dave and the ax and the wonderful Gaelic phrases he caught her hurling about that day. Sean was laughing so hard he had tears rolling down his face and Orlando wasn't in much better shape.

"She is a doll, Viggo." Orlando said after he caught his breath. "An honest to goodness doll and not much bigger than one. God she is so tiny, when I first saw her I thought she was a little girl."

"Yeah she is tiny but she is full of fire…I wish you could have seen poor Dave's face when she lit into him…it was priceless." Viggo said laughing again.

Sean laughed too. "I am glad to see you laughing…was afraid we would find you very depressed considering."

"Yeah…I know, but ever since Tabby came into my life well I have laughed every single day…she just won't allow me to get too far inside myself." Viggo said seriously then.

"Good." Sean said nodding.

Tabby walked into the room then. "You boys ready for breakfast?"

"YES!" Orlando cheered and hopped up.

"These really are delicious." Sean said as they ate.

"Thank you." She replied softly.

Viggo smiled, "Maybe you guys can talk her into making brownies again…they are absolutely wonderful."

She smiled at that. Upon learning Orlando was a vegetarian Tabby was very glad she hadn't made bacon or sausage for breakfast. She decided to amend what she would make for dinner to suit him.

After breakfast Viggo started to clear the table Tabby stopped him.

"No…go get dressed I will do this." She said pulling the plate from him.

"But you did the cooking." Viggo tried to protest but she was already shaking her head.

He looked at Sean and Orlando and they just smiled at him so he went upstairs to get dressed.

When he came back down Sean and Orlando were in the living room.

"Where's Tabby?"

"She ran us out of the kitchen…said we were under foot." Orlando said smiling.

"Ah…well you guys want to come out and help with the horses?" Viggo asked.

"Hell no." Sean responded at the same time Orlando said "Yeah!"

Viggo laughed and said, "Typical."

The two men headed out to the barn and Sean laid his head back on the couch…Viggo's house had always been comfortable but Tabby seemed to make it more like a home.

She walked into the living room and said, "Well I guess it's my turn to get dressed. Can't very well remain in my bedclothes all day. Why don't you take your bags up stairs, Sean?"

Sean looked at her a few moments. "I uh I thought I would be in the studio guest room…thought Orlando would sleep in Henry's room."

"No, I relinquished the upstairs room…I umm, I moved into Viggo's room while he was gone…I knew you wanted that other room. I guess I will move to Henry's tonight." She said playing with the belt of her robe.

"I doubt Viggo will let you move out of his room then." Sean said seriously.

She looked at him then with a shocked expression and Sean laughed. "You can't stand there and tell me you don't know how much Viggo cares about you."

"Well I…I…I will still probably be in Henry's room or here on the couch." She said softly.

"I doubt that…Viggo will sleep in the barn before he lets you sleep on the couch." Sean said softly as he got up to take his luggage to his room.

She stood there a few seconds blinking as if shocked then went up to Viggo's room and got dressed. When she came back down she heard Orlando laughing.

Viggo was smiling and when she came in the room he gestured to her to come sit by him on the couch. She sat down and curled her feet under her and Viggo put his arm around her. Orlando smiled.

"You two are perfect together." Orlando observed. "Absolutely perfect."

"That they are." Sean said stepping off the last stair into the room. He had changed out of his traveling clothes into something more comfortable.

He sat in one of the chairs across from them and the men talked about friends and a bit of Hollywood gossip. Tabby really wasn't listening her attention had been drawn to Viggo's hand which was rubbing her back and melting her insides.

Then she realized they were all looking at her…they expected her to say something. Shit…what had they been talking about?

"Sorry I wasn't paying attention." She admitted and they laughed.

"Orlando asked about the current book you are working on, his sister Samantha is a fan of your books." Viggo said filling her in.

"Oh…sorry my mind tends to wander sometimes." She said as her face turned red.

Sean smiled at her noting Viggo's hand moving across her back. She realized what his smile meant and she thought perceptive shit isn't he?

"This new book, well I am only a few chapters in really…I am still trying to decide where to take my characters at the moment…but things are starting to fall into place, albeit a bit more slowly than my past books. I have been having some writers block, though seems some of it has lifted since I came here…guess it's the air." She said.

"Inspired here are you?" Sean asked.

"Yes, suppose I am." Tabby admitted knowing full well what he was on about.

Thankfully the phone rang.

"I'll get it." She said jumping up from the couch. Viggo frowned a little as he watched her go. He wished the phone would just stop ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hi Tabby…it's Henry is Dad there?"

"Oh hello darling…yes just a minute." She said smiling.

She walked over to Viggo. "It's Henry."

"Oh..thanks." He grabbed the phone and felt a pang of guilt over wishing the phone hadn't rung.

"Hey kiddo!" Viggo said happily walking to the kitchen to talk.

"You are from Kilfenora huh?" Sean asked.

"Aye." She responded as she sat back down.

"I have been there…lovely…you get back there often?" Sean asked.

"No, I don't actually…it's been about six years since I have been back to Ireland." She admitted.

"Why so long?" Orlando asked.

"Nothing there for me anymore I guess." She said softly.

"Don't you still have family there?" Orlando asked.

"Aye…my parents live there as well as my four brothers, but they don't want to see me." She said looking down at her hands in her lap.

"Why?" Sean asked leaning forward a bit resting his elbows on his knees.

"They said I was am embarrassment to them…writing romance novels." She said tugging at the edge of her sleeve.

"Oh that's just stupid." Orlando snapped and she looked up at him with the saddest eyes he had ever seen.

Sean nodded in agreement with Orlando.

Viggo clicked off the phone as he walked into the room and said, "What's going on?" He noticed how sad Tabby looked and how concerned his friends looked.

"Nothing." Tabby lied trying to smile.

Viggo looked at Sean and Orlando but their expressions were unreadable.

"So what did Henry have to say?" Sean asked sitting back trying to break the tension.

"Oh he just called to check on his old man." Viggo said sitting back but still
watching Tabby.

"I have to make a call…excuse me." Tabby said getting up and going to the studio for privacy.

Viggo watched her as she walked out, something wasn't right. "Alright…what the hell is going on?" Viggo asked Sean and Orlando.

Orlando looked over at Sean and he began to relay their conversation to Viggo. As they spoke they could see their friend getting angry.

Tabby was sitting in the floor of the studio with tears running down her face. The phone was in her lap when Viggo walked in.

He squatted down beside her. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I just spoke to my brother Cullen, he's doing well. His wife is pregnant with their second child…I never even have met the first one. It's been more than six years since I have been back to Ireland, Viggo. All because my father believes that what I write is smut. Last time I was home he called me a harlot and said I wrote pornography." She said softly clutching the phone in her lap.

Viggo clenched his teeth until they hurt. "Your father is wrong, you know that, I know you are intelligent enough to know that." Viggo said softly.

"I do know…but it doesn't change the fact that when someone you love so much says something like that it hurts." Tabby said softly looking down at her hands.

"Well you know it is minic a bhris béal duine a shrón. Your father will regret his words…I am sure he already does. Six years is a long time to not see your only daughter. Sean has daughters, just ask him." Viggo said putting his arm around her. "Besides why don't you let us be your family, let me be your family."

Sean was standing in the doorway listening…Viggo had his back to him and Tabby was only looking at Viggo. Sean had heard Viggo say in Gaelic that, "Many a time a man's mouth broke his nose." He stood watching the two of them mesmerized by the scene in the floor.

She looked up at Viggo then with tears in her eyes again. She threw her arms around Viggo's neck and caused him to loose his balance and plop down on the floor next to her. He started to laugh but she stopped him with her mouth on his. When she broke the kiss, he hadn't had enough; Viggo pulled her into his lap and kissed her again. He let his hands slide into her hair and pulled her even closer as
she opened to him. His kiss grew hungrier, more demanding, and she responded in kind. His hands slid down her back from her hair, exploring and caressing her. When his tongue slid against hers she moaned softly in the back of her throat and he nearly forgot about his two friends in the other room. Nearly.

Sean silently went back to the living room…he hadn't witnessed a kiss like that in a long, long time.

When Viggo pulled back from her this time, they were both breathless. Tabby's eyes flickered open and the tears were gone, and were replaced with a look that sent white-hot heat traveling straight to his groin. She literally felt him stir under her and her face turned redder than before.

Viggo laughed softly. "Umm we have guests."

"Aye…that we do." She said smiling.

When they returned to the living room Sean and Orlando were grinning at them.

"Everything ok Tabby?" Orlando asked concerned.

"Aye…everything is just fine, now…I think I am going to go start dinner though." She announced gathering cups to take back to the kitchen.

Go to Chapter 8