Displaced Prince

I've been making lots of progress with the boat, though to the untrained eye she probably still looks pretty shapeless. But I can make out the curve of the keel, know where the rib boards will go, can already imagine her polished and painted and sailing out on her maiden voyage. It's going to take a long time still, but she's on her way.

I've started taking Phillippa's growth very personally, as if it's connected to mine somehow. And maybe it is - she's certainly giving me as much as I'm giving her. I smirk a bit as I think that, next to Sam and Jessica, Phillippa is the most important woman in my life.

I'm just checking the square of the lofting, actually pretty impressed with my work so far, when I see you standing in the doorway. I straighten up and come over, extending my hand. "Paris! Good to see you, mate. Dave told me you were in town. How have you been?"

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Paris grinned, and took John's hand. “It's good to see you too! And I'm fine, thanks, never went back to acting, though, not really my thing.” He looked around the boat shed with an appreciative eye, and walked over to the boat, running his hand along the keel.

“She's gonna be a beauty! How long have you been working on her?” He can see there is a long way to go, but can also see the potential. He turns back to John, concern on his face. “How are you, though? Sam tells me you were in an accident.”

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I beam with pride as you admire the boat. "Just a few months now. Yeah, she's coming together, despite the fact that I don't have a clue what I'm doing. Think we're learning together."

I put some of my tools away as I talk, I don't like my workspace to get too cluttered. And I need something else to look at as I answer your other question. "Yeah, um, I did have a bit of a run in with a tree. A very stupid thing, really. But I'm as good as new now."

I quickly change the subject. "So Sam tells me you're helping Dave out with his house. I haven't seen it, but from what she says it sounds like a lot of work. How's it coming?"

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"A run in with a tree? Well, I glad you're okay." Now that was curious. Why would John be nervous talking about his accident? Paris felt the same discomfort from him that he had felt from Dave several times, always when he asked about the other Rings actors. He shook off the feeling. He wasn't here to pry, just to catch up with an old friend.

"Dave's place is going to be amazing when we're done. You should drop by, I could always use the help of someone with your talents!" He nodded in the direction of the boat. "And Sam did a great job fixing us up with some temporary comforts. She has some great ideas for the finished look too." He tried to make his next question sound casual. "Is she around today?"

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"I've been meaning to come out, just ..." I motion around the boatshed "I've been keeping so busy with Phillippa. It's amazing how the time seems to fly by out here." I can't tell you that there's no way I'll go anywhere near that street, near Craig's. It's too much of a risk, considering the stories I've heard. "I'll make it out before too long."

"But Sam - she's having a great time. I'm so glad Dave asked her to help. She's needed a more exciting project than looking after her old Dad." And I've noticed that she does seem to be a lot happier since she started working out there. I suspect that's not all due to her artistic bent - I suspect your presence may just have something to do with that. "Yeah, she's up in the house, probably putting together more colour charts to confuse Dave. You ought to go see the great job she did decorating our house. I'd show you up, but..." I nod back at Phillippa "I've got my hands full here." And I don't think either of you will miss my being there.

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He smiled at the mention of Sam. "I'll look in and see her on my way out, but that's not why I came." It was his turn to be nervous. "I never really got the chance to say thanks for helping me out during my time on the shoot. I pretty much felt like an outsider, and having you there to talk to made everything a lot easier to handle. I promised myself if we ever ran into each other again, I'd tell you how much I appreicated your company. And I arrive in Wellie to find you living here! I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

He grinned. "And yeah, I can see you've got a lot to do here! If you ever need a hand, let me know. I'd be over like a shot." He smiled and raised an eyebrow at the name. "Phillipa?" Then a thought occurred to him. "She's not around here too, is she?"

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I stop tidying and look over at you, deeply touched. "Well, it was my pleasure, Paris. I've always loved working with young actors, that's why I taught acting back in Sydney. And I was a bit of an outsider myself. I've never been on a shoot with such a close-knit bunch. You were just as much company for me as I was for you, I'm sure."

I give you a warm smile, though I don't feel it inside. We're outsiders in another way, drawn to Wellie but not yet drawn like the others into the drama being played out here. Should we stick together, as outsiders? Should I tell you what's going on here? As I have since I heard of your arrival, I question Dave's wisdom in bringing you so near to Craig's. It seems extremely foolish to place you in such danger. Would it help you to know what could happen? Would that help you stay away, as it's helping me?

I hope my face isn't giving away my confusion. I wouldn't be much of an actor if it did, I guess. I wipe these troubled thoughts from my mind. "Yeah, I hear she's still around, though I haven't seen her. I'd kind of like to know that the boat floats before letting her know she's its namesake." I grin. "And I could definitely use another pair of hands around here. I had Dave's suckered in, but now it sounds like his hands are full. Any time you need a break your help would be much appreciated."

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Paris smiled at John. It was good to see him again, but something wasn't right. Something simmered just below the surface of his words, even though outwardly, all seemed well. That settled it. The next time he and Dave got together, he was going to start asking questions. He didn't want to push John, but there was something bothering both of them.

"Yeah, I think Dave is gonna be tied up with the house for quite a while, but I'd love to help out. I'll give you a ring before I come over next time, make sure you're around. He grinned. "I better go. I've got to talk to the guys at the lumber yard, and I'd like to see Sam before I go." He felt suddenly awkward. "You ah, don't mind if I ask her out, do you?"

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"You're welcome anytime, call or just drop by if you're in the neighbourhood. I'll never turn down the company."

And I chuckle at your question about Sam and can't help but teas you a bit. "I don't mind at all, but I should warn you that she's already turned down Viggo and Orlando. She's a pretty picky young lady." I've got a hunch though that you'll succeed where they didn't. Sam comes back from Dave's with a glow and a bounce in her step that I'm sure isn't due to the fact that Dave likes a table she's picked out.

I walk to the door of the workshop with you. "Thanks for dropping by, Paris. It's great to see you again, and you're looking well. Let's get together soon."

I lean in the doorframe and watch you walk up to the house, curious about what Sam will say to your offer.

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"I'll do that." Paris smiled at the teasing. He was pretty sure what Sam would say, if he was reading the signals right. "She turned down Orlando and Viggo?" Well, that was a boost to the ego, he thought.

"It was good to see you too, John. I'll see you soon." With a smile, he walked off in the direction of the house, suddenly wondering if Sam would agree to go out with an unqualified carpenter who could just about afford pizza, when she could have gone out with movie stars who could take her anywhere she wanted.

Only one way to find out!

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I had an art teacher back in uni that said the only words men fear more than "marriage" are "wall treatments." But there's a lovely ragged technique that I really want to try at Dave's - the walls are rough and uneven, and this would look so much better than a flat paint there.

I'm pondering how to convince Dave of this when I hear a tapping on the back door. Dad's hands must be full so I jump up to open it for him. My eyes widen when I see it's not Dad standing there, but Paris. I look at you questioningly as I slide the glass door open. "Paris? What are you doing here?" Oh, that was rude, Sam! He's probably just visiting Dad. I smile a little wider as I motion you inside. "Would you like to come in?"

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Paris knocked on the door and stood waiting nervously for Sam to open it. She looked pleased to see him which put a smile on his face. "Hi, Sam. I called in to see your Dad and he told me you were home, so I thought I'd look in and say ... hi!" He grinned as she waved him inside. "Yeah, thanks."

Inside, open design books covered most surfaces, along with swatches of fabric and paint samples. He turned to look at Sam. "Wow! Are these for Dave's place? I love the colours!"

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"Really? You like them? More importantly, do you think Dave will liek them? I'm having such a hard time pinning him down - he's so easygoing, he seems to like everything, and I don't want him to end up with something that he'll hate in a few months. But yeah..." I run my hand along one of the palettes I picked up at the paint store. "I think these would really make the old place sparkle."

I smile back at you, glad that you like what I've picked out, and for just a second I wonder if maybe you might be here for some other reason. But that's silly. You're just being nice. You've been so nice whenever I've been over at Dave's house. It's not your fault that I've gotten a bit of a crush on you.

I pivot around on my toes as I jerk my thumb towards the kitchen. "I was just about to fix myself an iced tea. Would you like some, or a beer maybe?"

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Paris nodded. "I think he'll love them. You've got a really good eye for colour and these will fit in with all that wood perfectly." Having seen what Sam had planned, he could now imagine the place when it was finished, and it was going to look good.

"Er, yeah, an iced tea sounds good. I can't stay long, gotta call by the lumber yard on the way back, but a cool drink would really hit the spot, thanks." He put his helmet down on one of the few free chairs, and followed Sam into the kitchen. He watched her for a moment.

"Would ... would you like to go out for a pizza tomorrow night?" He stammered out, hopefully.

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I pause just a minute as I'm taking the ice trays out of the freezer. "Um, tomorrow night?" There's a little catch in my throat which I hope you don't hear. But it's nothing compared to the squeeing I'm doing inside. "Hmmmm, well, I think I'm free." Play it cool, Sam. It won't do to appear too eager. Oh, but don't play hard to get either, I hate those games. I break ice cubes into the glasses and pour in the tea, and finally look into your eyes with a smile as I hand you your drink. "Yeah, pizza, I think that would be fun." I take a big drink to hide the smile spreading across my face, but I'm sure you can still read it in my eyes.

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For Paris, the pause lasted an age. He was reasonably sure that Sam liked him, but didn't like to take things for granted.

He watched as she poured out the tea, and saw the sparkle in her eyes as she said yes. She said yes! A grin spread over his face, and he hoped he didn't look too smug, but knowing who she'd turned down, he was very flattered at her acceptance. He took a long drink.

"How about 7.30? I could come and pick you up on he bike?" If there was a problem, he could always ask Dave if he could use his car, he supposed.

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"The bike? Oh, yeah, that would be fun!" I hope that my wide eyes won't give away the fact that I've never ridden on a motorcycle before, and that I'm as excited about it as I am a little scared. And I really hope that's not a blush rising to my cheeks as I think about sitting close behind you, my arms wrapped around your waist.

Best that I change the subject quickly. "So do you and Dave have big plans for the house tomorrow?"

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Paris realised by her reaction that Sam had probably never been on a bike before. He grinned at her. "You'll be fine on the back of the bike. I'll take it slow, and you can hold on to me. Nothing to worry about!" The thought of Sam curled tight against his back was quite pleasant!

"Tomorrow? The lumber for the hot tub support won't be delivered for a few days, so I'm finishing a couple of small jobs off, and I think Dave is still working on the walls. He really doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. Why, you got another shopping trip planned?" He smiled at her.

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"That sounds great, Paris." And it really does, and I'm already imagining how it's going to feel to fly down the road with my legs wrapped around your hips. I have to turn my face away to hide my smile now, so I glance down at my design sketches.

"I might just do that." My finger traces one of the open magazines lying on the table. "I heard about a new furniture store that sounds like something Dave might like. I thought I might go and look around tomorrow."

I look up at you and smile. "You guys are doing a great job on that old place, you know. It's going to be incredible when you're done!"

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Paris drank down the rest of his iced tea. "Thanks! It's hard work, but I love seeing a project come together like this, and I know Dave wants to make a good job of it."

He put his glass down on the table and picked up his helmet. "Sorry I have to run off, but I've gotta catch the guys at the lumber yard." He said apologetically, smiling at her. "So I'll pick you up tomorrow?"

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