He was a farmer, damn it. At least that's what it said on paper. The truth was he owned a huge swath of land and the only thing that grew on it was trees. So that's what he sold. Christmas Trees to be more precise. Which, apparently, made him a farmer.

You'd think farming would require fewer forms.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Being a bit of a loner, he wasn't fond of talking on the phone, either, but it was better than paperwork.

He pulled his cell out and slid his finger across the bottom to answer it. "Appleton."

"Ap. It's Oliver. How are you?"

His eyebrow arched. Oliver? From California? He hadn't heard from Ollie in months, at least not via phone. He emailed regularly with his friends.

"Hi, Ollie. What's up?" He couldn't imagine this was just a casual call.

"I have a bit of an emergency, and I was hoping to appeal to you for your help."

Well that was surprising. He was a little far away to be helping Ollie out, but he was happy to do what he could. "Of course. What do you need?"

"I have a sub, Gregory, who is... well, I'm sorry to say that he's completely out of control, and I'm afraid, if the police pick him up once more, they'll deport him. He's a Canadian citizen, and he needs help. Somewhat desperately."

Ap frowned and started looking up flights. "What is he being picked up for?"

"Fighting. Drunk and disorderly. Destruction of public property." Oliver sighed. "He was in the very beginning of a relationship -- very hardcore, 24/7, master/slave -- when his Dom was shot and killed in a convenience store. That was three years ago, and he's gone through and worn out every Top I know. He's self-destructive, and no one has the energy and time to give him the control he needs."

Damn, that was a rough hand to be dealt.

"You want me to come down and fly him back, or do you trust him to make the transfer and I'll meet him in Toronto?" Aside from paperwork, there wasn't a whole lot on his plate right now. He could certainly spare Oliver a couple of days to make the pick-up, if need be.

"I'll bring him." Oliver sighed. "Thank you, Ap. I appreciate your help."

"Text me the details, Ollie, and I'll meet you at Pearson International."

"Is the day after tomorrow too soon?"

The day after tomorrow. Was he ready to be invaded by a hard case right now? If he wanted to help Ollie out, he would have to be, because if Oliver wanted the sub delivered that quickly, he was clearly at his wits' end.

"That'll work. I can stock up while I'm in the city." Unless they were on a red-eye, Ap would have time before the flight came in.

"I'll send you his file, his questionnaire from the Hammer, and our flight details."

"Sure thing, Oliver. Will you be staying for a few days yourself?' He would be happy to spend some time with his old friend.

"No. No, I'll be meeting my Jack and we'll spend a day or two vacationing before we head home."

"Dump and run, eh?" He chuckled to let Ollie know he was just teasing.

"No. No, I'm just... Ap, I've been to the jail twice this week. I'm rather overwhelmed."

"I'm sorry, Oliver. I was only teasing. Are you sure you don't want me to come down for him?" He'd be more than happy to in order to help out.

"I think you'll need to prepare yourself. He's not exactly pleased at being sent away. Willing to trust me, but not pleased."

"All right, Ollie. I'll get everything ready for him and meet you at the airport. It's going to all work out -- you'll see." It wasn't like Greg would have anywhere to run away to or anyplace to act out other than his house; he truly was in the boonies.

"I owe you one, my friend."

"I'll let you know just how big of one in a week or two."

He and Ollie exchanged goodbyes, and he opened his laptop up, beginning to make lists; it had been awhile since he'd had a live-in sub.