Reunited

Reunited


"Hendrick, are you alright?"Someone called out to him, Hendrick looking up from his papers. Looking down, the other advisors and businessmen stared at him while the President of the company watched him. He paled a little, shuffling his papers.

"Yes, I'm fine. Will you excuse me?"Hendrick said as he passed his papers along, getting up from the table and exciting the meeting room. He immediately retreated from the office, scrambling onto an elevator heading towards the ground floor. It had a cafe, coffee and a quiet corner that he could collect himself.

Meetings always made him nervous. Even though he was the son of the President of the company, that just made his work load double and the expectations heavier. When the elevator sounded on the last floor, he walked briskly past the front desk, heading right down the corridor to a dimly-lit classy neon sign.

Just a regular black coffee and Hendrick retreated to a back corner table only to find someone already sitting there. He was an odd one. For a business man he had long hair that trailed down his back in a long braid and a rather whimsical look to him, almost magic. The stranger caught his stare, looking over to him with cool blue eyes that seemed to be almost purple at a glance.

"I'm sorry…were you sitting here?"He asked, inclining his head.

"O-oh…No. I can find a different place to sit. It's not a problem."Hendrick answered stiffly.

"Your presentation went very well…Though, I think you need a little more confidence when you speak."The stranger spoke as he rose.

Oh…shit. Hendrick now realized who that stranger was. The man sitting at his favorite table was none other than the President of another company who he had just given that big presentation to. How did he get downstairs so quickly?

"Ah! Thank you…I'm trying."Hendrick said, managing a smile. The President smiled, rising from his seat when someone came through the doors of the cafe.

"I look forward to working with you soon, Mr. Gray-Harte."He said, extending a hand to him. Hendrick shook it enthusiastically, even though it was freezing cold.

"Ludwig, you know I called your cell phone several times."A softer voice called from beside them both. Hendrick saw that the stranger was not as tall as the President, Ludwig, but he was striking. His hair was long as well, blonde to the point it was white with deep blue eyes.

"Sorry Mamoru…the meeting ran a little longer than I thought. I had to keep it off."Ludwig smiled, inclining his head and patting his partner's cheek. "Ah, how rude…Mamoru, this is the son of the President of this company, Hendrick Gray-Harte."

"Oh?"Mamoru purred, extending a hand to him as well. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Ludwig was right when he said you were handsome…Oh, and such a hard worker as well."

"Thank you so much for the compliments. Ah..but… I won't keep you two. Thank you for watching and listening to my presentation, Mr. Ludwig."Hendrick said, smiling broadly. The two men stepped away from him, smiling and chatting lowly amongst themselves. When they were out of the cafe, he let out a long breath, retreating to the table and nearly falling into the chair.

Thankfully, after today, he would be free for three weeks.

The morning of the next day, he was eager to get out of the city and into the country side, further out to the sea. With a single suitcase packed, he drove out in his old blue convertible, the wind in his hair and the front of his shirt open to the air. As he drove along the coast, he could see the sea from there and down by the shore, a large beach house with another car parked near it.

'That must be the summer house-keeper or the chef.'He thought, slowing a little as he came to a hill that went down to the shore. Pulling up to the house, he saw someone come out onto the patio, and he raised an eyebrow.

"You must be the keeper?"He asked, the stranger returning the curious gaze.

"You must be Hendrick. Your father told me you were coming…I'll come down and get your bags."The stranger said, Hendrick getting a better look. The house-keeper was indeed male, wearing a pair of tan shorts and a green tank-top. His skin was creamy and tan naturally with his hair a beautiful chocolate color, tied back in a high ponytail. He leaned over the door of the convertible, pulling out the bag and finding it surprisingly light.

"Ah…I'm sorry I'm not dressed right."The man apologized, his eyebrows furrowing together. "I just got here a few hours ago myself and haven't quite settled down yet."

"It's alright. I don't care what you wear."Hendrick commented, walking past him and stepping up onto the patio, heading inside. The man followed behind him, drifting away and carrying his bag into the master bedroom of the place.

When he returned, he held a fresh towel. "Would you care for a bath?"He asked, smiling.

"No…I'm fine. What's your name?"Hendrick asked, the house-keeper raising his eyebrows.

"Therodorea Meadows. You may call me 'Theo'. Most people do."Theo nodded. "Is there anything I can do for you while you relax from the trip here?"

"Lunch would be good. Just a sandwich and something to drink…I'm not all that hungry."Hendrick said, waving him off.

Theo frowned, nodding and going to return the towel to the closet. Was he really going to be stuck with this pale, boring man for three weeks? Theo desperately hoped not to be but then again…he was getting paid really well to come to the beach house to keep it maintained. He even got a room to himself. As he prepared Hendrick's sandwich he sighed heavily, putting on some music to hopefully lighten the mood a little.

Hendrick came into the kitchen and Theo turned the music down some, setting the sandwich on the table with a cold glass of milk. "Let me know if there's anything else you'd like, Mr. Hendrick."He said, nodding and retreating from the kitchen.

"Are there any other houses around here?"Hendrick asked, Theo stopping.

"No. This is a private cove, sir."He answered.

"Good…"Hendrick sighed.

"If I may ask…Why isn't your father here? I'm sure, if I recall, the whole family usually comes together…"Theo asked with a curious glint in his eyes.

"My father has work…I'm taking this vacation on my own."Hendrick explained. "I'll be here for three weeks…Just until I can clear my head."

"I see…If you don't mind, I'm going to go down to the beach and go fishing. Perhaps I can catch something for dinner?"Theo mused as he walked out of the kitchen. Hendrick watched him leave, hearing the back patio door open and close. Looking down to his sandwich, he lifted the top slice to look at the contents, raising an eyebrow and picking it up. When he ate, he decided to see if Theo had caught anything, walking out to the back porch to find no one on the beach.

'I thought he would have fished here…I wonder if there's a better spot that he prefers?'Hendrick thought, jerking his head when he heard a splash. Something popped up in the water, heading out onto the beach. Theo stood there soaking wet, holding a bucket with a grate over it. Hendrick watched him shake the water out of his hair and remove his goggles, flopping down on the sand, Hendrick himself heading down onto the sand with his hands tucked into his pockets.

"So, what did you catch?"Hendrick asked, Theo's eyes popping open and out of his relaxed state.

"Not much. Two good-sized fish and I'm going to dig for clams."Theo said as he sat up.

"Clams?"Hendrick asked, Theo sitting up and standing.

"Yep. Would you care to help?"Theo asked, scratching the back of his head. "Have you ever did something like this before?"

"Eh? No, of course not."Hendrick frowned.

"What a shame…Well, I'll put these fish on the patio and we can go dig around…Though…If you don't mind…"Theo said, pointing to Hendrick's pants. "I think putting on some swim shorts would suit you better."

"I'll be fine."Hendrick insisted. Theo rolled his eyes, getting up off of the sand and carrying the bucket with him. Looking over his shoulder, he smiled rather mischievously, trotting a little faster. Oh, he was going to be in all sorts of pain! Chuckling to himself, he retreated, coming back with two trowels and a new bucket.

Theo taught him what to look for and where to dig, though knew he would get soaking wet when the waves came barreling through. Hendrick walked a little funny, Theo chuckling to himself as he watched him from behind and collected a few clams. By the early evening, they had collected enough and by seven that evening, had a seafood dinner.

"My legs are burning…"Hendrick sighed, fidgeting in his seat.

"I told you swim shorts would have been a better idea. I have a remedy that will help take care of it."Theo smiled, prying apart a clam for it's contents.

"Just how much do you know? Seems like you've got a knack for everything. Cooking, cleaning…Part-time diver and a house-keeper."Hendrick commented.

Theo raised an eyebrow, a smile coming across his face. "I just do what piques my interest. To be honest, working under your family is a part-time job for me…I own a rather successful shop in the city but to earn a little more income, I was offered a job here."He explained.

"Oh really?"Hendrick questioned, getting up from the table, his face cringing a little.

"Indeed…Since you're done, I'll clean up."Theo smiled. "I would suggest going to lie down for a while. I'll come in and help you out when I'm done cleaning…alright? Give the chaffing some time to air out."

"Right…"Hendrick pouted, limping out of the kitchen and towards the upstairs with some unpleasant grunts. Theo listened, washing things slowly until he was satisfied, exhaling and letting himself relax.

"Its about time…"Theo sighed in relief, scooting over to the cd/radio player and inserting a disk. Some worldly music began playing, Theo rolling his hips as he listened and cleaned up the kitchen. 'I swear if I every played this in front of him, I'd probably die from embarrassment…'he thought as he dried a pot, humming to the music.

As he danced his way to the next dish, he didn't hear someone come downstairs, peeking into the kitchen as he danced. Hendrick raised an eyebrow in amusement, leaning against the doorway. Theo rolled his hips, scooting and turning, having grabbed a knife that had been used and hurled it across the kitchen, through the doorway and missing Hendrick's head by a hair's breath.

"Wah! I'm sorry!"Theo yelped, shutting off the music. "I felt someone staring and I don't like it when people sneak up on me and I was taught self-defense so throwing the nearest thing has become a horrible horrible habit, I'm really sorry!" He spoke quickly, bowing repetitively.

Hendrick stood there, his lower eyelid twitching as he felt a few hairs from the side of his head flicker and fall onto his neck. "I-It's ok…I should have spoken up…I'm alright…"He said as he paled another tint, Theo running over to catch him before he hit the floor. That was too much of a life or death situation for him to relax!

Therodorea carried him upstairs, settling him down on his bed. He retrieved a cold cloth and a fan, sitting there and trying to wake him up somehow from the fainting spell. Oh how stupid and paranoid did someone have to be to throw a fucking kitchen knife at someone?! Beating himself mentally, he saw Hendrick stir, quickly standing up.

"Mr. Hendrick? Are you alright? Can you feel your toes?"Theo asked, looking down at him. Hendrick blinked, his eyebrows raising.

"I'm fine…That was the first time someone's put me nearly at the brink of death though…"Hendrick commented, seeing Theo flush and stand back. He was helped to sit up, Theo fluffing up the pillows.

"I am so sorry…"Theo apologized.

"I'm alright aren't I? What about you though? What happened to your fingers?"Hendrick asked, seeing Theo's fingers cut from something.

"Huh?"Theo questioned, looking down at his hand. "I must have cut it on that knife…Damn, of course when I also nearly kill the Master of the house, I also make a rookie mistake and cut my own fingers."

"Go get the first aid kit. I'll help."Hendrick said as he moved his feet off of the bed.

"Oh! Oh no no, you don't have to. Please, I can take care of it myself."Theo said as he got up and disappeared out of the bedroom, returning with the white medical box. He retreated to the bathroom however, Hendrick hearing the sound of hissing and rummaging. Getting up, he peeked into the bathroom, seeing Theo fumbling with the bandages. Sighing, he made his way into the bathroom, taking Theo's hand and the bandages as well.

"Not only are you lethally paranoid but you're clumsy…"Hendrick chuckled, bandaging Theo's fingers for him.

"I'm sorry…"Theo frowned, his shoulders slumping. "Maybe I should call for someone to take my place?"

"If you do that, I'll fire you indefinitely. You're fine, just…try to take it easy with the throwing things..Maybe once you can bend your fingers, you can teach me how to do that and a few other things?"Hendrick teased, ruffling Theo's hair. He got a puzzled look, Theo smiling a little.

"Of course."Theo smiled. "I'll take care of your chaffing now, if you don't mind?"

"Right…What do you need to do?"Hendrick inquired, Theo stepping aside and retrieving a wash cloth and a bar of soap.

"Not what I need to do, but you need to. Take a nice hot bath, make sure you wash where it hurts. I'll get what I need afterwards."Theo instructed, giving him a little nudge. "I'll draw the bath for you."

"Ah, that's alright. I've got it. You shouldn't get your hand wet just yet."Hendrick said, giving Theo a slight push towards the door. 'I'm more afraid of surprising him and getting something more delicate chopped off than my ear…'

"Oh…Okay then."Theo pouted, Hendrick closing the door behind him after Theo was out of the bathroom. Sighing, he limped to the tub and drew himself a bath.


While Hendrick was in the bath, the phone to the house rang. Theo ran to go answer it, picking it up and listening for the voice. "Hendrick?"They asked over the ear piece.

"No, I'm sorry this is the house-keeper. May I ask who's calling?"Theo asked, his eyes narrowing some. The voice over the phone sounded desperate and panicked.

"I need you to tell Hendrick not to return home by any means! There's been a break in and there are armed men all over the mansion. They've killed the President!"They spoke hurriedly.

"What?! Presi…I'll tell him. What should he do until it's been cleared up and resolved?"Theo asked, stiffing his shoulders.

"Get him out of there! They're trying to break into the room as we speak! Once they try to find him, they'll kill him as well or try to use him to take over and forcibly take over the company. Please…Take him out of there before they come!"They hurriedly spoke, the phone line going into the dull hum when the call disconnected. Theo slowly put the phone down, inhaling sharply.

'What do I do? I don't know any of the Gray-Harte family's other residencies to get him somewhere safe…It takes almost five hours from the city to get here…Once they figure out that he's here, they'll come here…'Theo thought, looking over his shoulder up the stairs. 'We'll have to leave by tomorrow morning at the earliest or by tonight…'

"Theo, who was on the phone?"Hendrick called from the bedroom, Theo raising his eyebrows and heading up the stairs. Barging in to Hendrick putting a pair of pajama pants on, he looked at him sternly.

"You have to leave as soon as possible."Theo instructed, looking around and starting to gather things into the suitcase that Hendrick had brought with him.

"What? But I just got here this afternoon! Just who was on the phone?!"Hendrick said as he watched Theo pack as he pulled his pajama pants on. Theo threw a set of new clothing at him, standing there with his fists clenched.

"Someone from the main mansion called here…There's been an emergency and I've been instructed to take you somewhere safe. Now please, get dressed. We're leaving tonight."Theo said as he stared at him. "By all means, if you don't, you will be knocked out and forced to leave if necessary."

"What? Who…Shit. Did they say anything about my family? Are they alright?"Hendrick said as he pulled his pants down again and started to re-dress.

"I'll discuss more with you once in the car. I have an idea of a place you can go to that's perfectly safe."Theo said as he turned and left the bedroom to go retrieve his own things. Downstairs and off the patio, Theo waited for Hendrick to come outside. When the Master of the house came out, he pulled open the door to his own vehicle which was just a green Jeep with the roof not clipped on.

"Why your car?"Hendrick asked.

"If they see your vehicle, they'll think that you're still here and alone. That'll buy some more time."Theo said as he lifted Hendrick's suitcase into the back of the Jeep, going around to open the passenger door. As he went around back to the back, he unrolled the roof of the car and began to hastily reattach it. They would need as much cover as they could get. It wouldn't be the safest but it would help hide them if whoever broke into the Gray-Harte Mansion came barreling through.

Hopping into the driver's seat, he started the engine and pulled out so quickly, Hendrick felt the whiplash. "Okay, rule one."Theo started once they were on the road. "You will absolutely not judge my driving skills. Rule two, what I'm about to tell you will bother you but by absolutely no means you will freak out and make me lose control of this vehicle. Are you ready for what I have to tell you?"

Hendrick stared but nodded slowly. Theo inhaled, and exhaled, calming himself down. "The Gray-Harte family mansion was invaded. I don't know if your family is alright but they've killed your father. I was asked over the phone earlier to get you somewhere safe. They would be coming after you next."He explained.

"Father?"He spoke lowly, his head bowing. Perking it up, he looked over to Theo. "Take me to the mansion."

"What?! Are you off your rocker? I just told you that they're after you and you're going head first into danger? Your father's other staff told me to get you away from there and somewhere safe and that's what I'm going to do. Argue with me, I'll tie you up and throw you in the back seat."Theo threatened, Hendrick staring at him seriously. He wouldn't cave. Looking up, he saw other cars coming in front of them, grabbing Hendrick's head and shoving it down under the dashboard.

"Get down and stay there."He said, putting his hand back to the wheel.

When the cars passed, Theo noting that there were three black vans in one line, he made sure they were three miles away before letting Hendrick up again. It would be several more hours until they reached the city and more when they reached where Theo knew Hendrick would be absolutely safe.

Evening passed into night and they moved through the city, exiting the towering concrete jungle and pushing past into more suburban areas. Hendrick had fallen asleep, leaving Theo with just the radio for company. "In the latest update of the take-over, Police squad units have recover the family of the President. All but one child are accounted for but resources say that the eldest son of the architecture tycoon was out of town that week. His location remains a mystery."The radio announced, Hendrick stirring in his seat but only to roll over and get comfortable again.

'At least he's resting a little easier…'Theo thought, looking ahead drowsily. 'I told those idiots moving closer to the city would be better…'

"Mm?"Hendrick perked up, sitting up and looking around. "Where are we?"

"We're almost there. It's about another two hours."Theo yawned, looking about. They were passing through a small town. "We'll pull off and get something to eat. I need to stand up or else my ass is going to fall asleep."

"I think I see a diner sign up ahead…"Hendrick peered.

"Pleeeaase be twenty-four hour."Theo whined, pulling over and sighing in relief that it was. Shutting off the engine, he hopped out of the Jeep…an immediately fell over. Hendrick got out of the car, running over and seeing the driver sitting on the ground rubbing his bottom. "Uggh! Screw my ass, it's my legs that fell asleep!"

"Are you alright?"Hendrick asked him, pulling him up to his feet and helping him lean onto the Jeep.

"Fine, it's just a tumble."Theo sighed, leaning a little heavily. Just when did Hendrick get so tall? Therodorea himself was around 5'11" himself but Hendrick had him by an inch or two. He felt small which made him feel more aggravated than anything. They both fumbled their way into the diner, sitting down at a booth. An exhausted waitress came over and poured them some coffee, dropping off two menus and leaving.

"Where are you originally from?"Hendrick asked randomly, Theo raising an eyebrow. Setting his coffee cup down, he leaned back with a sigh.

"I'm originally from the south islands near New Zealand. I was adopted and brought here along with my older brother. You'll get to meet him eventually."Theo answered, looking to the waitress. They told her their orders and she went off with a yawn. "Why? Do I look like I not fit in?"

"What? No, it's just that you have very long hair and your eyes are…a very different color. They almost look violet."Hendrick commented.

"I don't think it's a tradition but my adopted parents told me that in my home culture men grew their hair long. I had a hard time believing it but I got used to the idea. Heck, a lot of my adopted siblings have long hair…"Theo scratched his head in thought.

"That's odd…"Hendrick furrowed his eyebrows. "How many brothers and sisters do you have?"

"Let's see…We'll, not counting myself…I have nine other older brothers and sisters. We're all grown up but you'll probably still meet a few of them where we're going."Theo yawned.

"We're going to your parents house?"Hendrick blinked.

"Of course. It's the safest place possible. Miles and hours from the city plus the security there alone will be enough to make sure we weren't followed."Theo huffed. "Besides, they won't mind."

"I see…Shouldn't you give them a call then?"Hendrick asked, looking out of the corner of his eyes as the waitress put his steak and eggs in front of him, Theo having got pancakes.

"They probably already know we're coming. They have an odd knack for knowing everything, sometimes before it even happens. Don't worry about it Hendrick…"Therodorea said, reaching across and ruffling Hendrick's dirty blonde hair. "I'll take good care of you so you won't have to lift a finger."

Hendrick stared in appalling manner, growling a little and biting into his steak. After dinner, and a piece of cheesecake since Theo demanded that he get some before they left, the two were back on the road. Pulling off at a gas station before they exited town, they drove down a two lane road in the dark. Theo pulled off at a unmarked cement road, driving down slowly up until they reached a gate.

Reaching out, Theo tapped a button. "Hey! I'm home!"He called, the line going silent.

"Who's home?"A voice called.

"Theo. Open the gate."Theo grumbled.

"I don't know a Theo. Who are you?"The voice in the box called, a series of laughter behind the voice.

"Therodorea! Now open the fucking gate!"He shouted, the buzzer sounding and the gate sliding open. Theo growled as he pressed on the gas, sending them forward again and driving up a long drive towards a large dark shadow with gleaming eyes.