7:15 am, Thursday February 20th, 2003

Lily’s alarm clock was beeping loudly next to her head; she rolled over and slammed the snooze button for the third time. She resisted the urge to throw her blanket over her head and stay there forever as she sighed deeply and opened her eyes. She looked over at

the alarm clock and groaned.

If she got up now, and rushed, she would just make it to work in time. She felt Oberon jump on the bed; he walked up to the pillow and laid down next to her head.

"Oh Oberon darling, I have to get uuuup…" she moaned. He looked at her and yawned widely. She knew he was just waiting for her to get out of bed so he could occupy the warm spot she would leave. She patted him on the head and shut off her alarm. Then she carefully sat

up, so as not to disturb the cat and walked to the bathroom. She turned on the shower and got in, and let the steaming hot water flow over her. As she washed her hair she thought about the day in front of her. She closed her eyes and massaged her scalp, trying to gear herself up for her day. She wondered what kind of mood Gary would be in. But now that she

thought about it, had he ever been in a good one?

She got out of the shower and donned her nylons, then put on her favorite green skirt and plum colored sweater. She brushed her teeth quickly and curled her auburn colored hair into a french twist. She grabbed her purse and her keys and left the apartment,

got into her black Toyota and rushed out into the traffic. She knew that if she stopped for breakfast that she would be late; she'd rather be hungry than face Gary’s anger at her tardiness. The LA freeway was crammed with cars and she sat back in her seat,

furious at her helplessness. Why had she hit the snooze button so many times? She sighed and sat back to wait for the jam to clear.

It had been three years ago today that she had come to LA. She was tired, financially broke and her hope was failing. She worked for Gary Spooler full time and she hated both the job and him. She looked out the window at the choked highway and the smog that lay

over the city like a green cloud. Why exactly was it that she had come to America again?

She heard her sister’s voice in her head. "Go to America, Lily. America is where the stars are!

You are going to be a star!" Diana had said, dancing gaily around their family’s small flat in London. Lily smiled at the memory; she missed her family. But here she was, three years later, working as a secretary to the biggest asshole in the casting business. Her talents had gotten her nowhere. She fought back the lump that was rising in her throat at the thought of her lost dreams. She refused to get depressed before even arriving at work, she had to be

tough; she had to be sharp, or she wouldn’t survive.

Eventually the traffic broke and Lily made it to the office with only a minute to spare on the time clock. She sat down at her desk and flipped on her computer. She took a deep breath and waited. Sure enough, ten seconds later, she heard him holler.

"Lily, get the fuck in here!"

She stood and grabbed her pen and notepad, then entered Gary’s office and tried desperately to keep her expression from looking disgusted. His desk was covered in candy wrappers and used tissues; he sat in his chair, his two-sizes-too-small shirt stretched across his huge

stomach. He was drinking his alcohol laced coffee and she noticed some had spilled onto his chin. He grabbed a used tissue and dabbed it away, then he looked up at her.

"Did you finish that Findley file?" he demanded.

"Yes, I stayed until 10pm last night," she said,

hoping maybe that would make a difference to him, maybe even get her some overtime.

"Great," he said, "Patricia called, she needs you to call her back. I have an appointment this afternoon with some people. Please draw up a standard contract and have it ready for me by noon."

"By noon?" she repeated, feeling a little panicked. "It might take a little longer than that…"

"I don’t fucking care. Have it to me by noon," he said. He waved his hand and dismissed her, so she left his office and sat down at her computer.

She shook her head and began to work.

Two hours later, she was working on the contract when she heard him again.

"Lily, get in here now!"

She got up and ran in.

"Yes?"

"This file isn’t right. I’ve marked what I want changed. Get it to me ASAP," he requested, handing her the file.

"Okay, but do you want me to work on this or…" she said, but he interrupted.

"Are you stupid? I said, get it to me ASAP! In America that means: As Soon As Possible!"

She nodded and backed out of the office, wondering what to do: work on the contract or the file? She looked down at the file and was dismayed to see giant red marks all over it. So much for 3 hours of hard work yesterday. She blinked hard and clutched it to her chest. She returned to her desk and began to work on the contract; the file would take much longer and

he needed this by noon. She fought back her tears of frustration.

Ten minutes later, she heard him again.

"Lily!"

She rolled her eyes and got up once more.

"Uh huh?" she said; he was talking on the phone, but held it away and looked at her.

"Go get me my lunch…I just called it into Archer’s Deli," he said, returning to his phone call.

"But I’ll need…" she began; he glared at her meaningfully.

She sighed again and left. He hadn’t given her any money to pick it up, and the petty cash was gone, spent on his daily vodka tonic and candy. She looked in her purse to see she only had three dollars. She would need to stop at the ATM. How was she supposed to finish both the contract, the file and get his lunch all before noon? She grabbed her purse and ran out of the office to head for the deli.

She stopped at the ATM and withdrew enough money to buy his lunch and hers. She ran into the deli and was met with a big line. She rolled her eyes heavenward, praying that the line would move quickly. It didn’t.

Almost fifteen minutes later, she ran back out, juggling his lunch, her salad and his coffee. She got back to the building and looked up at the clock; it was 12:13. She winced realizing the contract wasn’t finished. She punched the elevator button for the 18th floor, all the while trying to juggle her lunch, Gary’s lunch, his coffee and her purse; she couldn't.

"Shit!" she cried as it all began to fall. Her purse hit the floor and it’s contents went everywhere. She managed to hold onto Gary’s coffee and his lunch, but hers spilled on the floor, all over the contents of her purse. Salad dressing went everywhere. She sank to the floor, set down the lunch and coffee and stared at her destroyed purse. All the frustration of her day came crashing down on her. It was all just too much. She began to cry softly. She didn’t want anyone in the lobby to see her crying, so she wiped away her tears and began to pick up as much of the mess as she could without looking like a pathetic idiot. It was useless; sopping up as much as she could only seemed to make it worse. More tears streamed down her face.

She was just about to give up when she heard a voice.

"Hey, do you need some help?"

Lily looked up into the most shocking pair of blue eyes she had ever seen. Everything seemed to come to a screeching halt for a second.

"Here, let me help you…what a mess, huh?" he said.

"Hey, can we get some paper towels over here or something?" she heard him call.

Lily’s brain reconnected.

"Oh my gosh, no, please, I’m okay…" she stammered. He looked back down at her.

"No, you’re not," he said, "It’s okay, I’ll help you." He knelt down and began sweeping salad into the paper towels someone had handed him.

"I’m sorry, but it looks like your library card is ruined." He said, holding up the soggy card.

Lily snatched it from him. She didn’t want him to see her awful picture.

"I’m okay, I’m okay." She said; he looked at her.

She was doing her best not to look at him, but he could see there was something wrong.

"You were crying, weren’t you?" he asked quietly.

"No! I was just…" Lily began, but the elevator door opened. She looked at him; he had stood up, and was now standing in the elevator car, holding Gary’s lunch and his coffee. He smiled at her, and her stomach flipped over; she resisted the urge to run away as

fast as she could.

"You’re Elijah Wood, aren’t you?’ Lily whispered to him.

"Yep!"

"I’m okay now, Mr. Wood," she said, reaching for the coffee. He shook his head and held onto it.

"No way. I said I was going to help and that’s what I’m doing. And my name is Elijah, not ‘Mr. Wood’.

Now get on the elevator or your day will get worse."

He said, pointing to the spot next to him and grinning widely.

Lily obeyed. She had seen a few famous celebrities before, but she had never been this close to one, or someone who was so handsome, either. Elijah punched the 18th floor button. He looked at her.

"Where are you headed?"

"The same," she said, as she slung her soggy purse over her shoulder and reclosed the lid of her lunch.

"Are you from England?" he asked, and she nodded.

"I like your accent. So, what’s your name, since you know mine?" he asked as the elevator began to ascend.

"Lily. My name is Lily."

"Lily. That’s pretty. Do you smell as nice as one?"

he said, leaning over and sniffing her hair. She nearly jumped out of her skin. "Yup, you do. Though it smells a little like salad dressing, too," he laughed.

"Gee, thanks…I think," she said, feeling like an idiot.

"No problem, just trying to cheer you up."

"Umm, I can take Gary’s lunch and coffee back," she said.

"You sure?" he asked, eyeing her.

"Yes." If Gary saw Elijah Wood carrying his lunch and coffee instead of her, she might be out

of a job. He handed it back to her carefully.

"Do you work for Gary Spooler?" he asked.

"Yes."

"I’m so sorry," he said, "That man is an asshole."

The elevator stopped and the door opened. Lily was left speechless at his remark.

"Lily Stephan! Where the hell have you…OH MY God, Elijah! Welcome!" Gary said, catching himself in mid tirade to switch to his schmoozing voice.

"Hello Gary," Elijah said, his tone flat.

"Come come! Your friends are waiting for you in the conference room,"Gary said, pointing down the hallway.

Elijah nodded, "It was nice to meet you Lily," he said, winking at her. Lily’s stomach flipped over for what seemed like the millionth time. She nodded at him and he walked away.

"Jesus H. Christ, Lily where the fuck have you been?"

Gary hissed at her. He grabbed his coffee and lunch and stormed away. Lily sighed and went back to her desk. She began to work on the contract as she ate what was left of her lunch.

***

"We need someone who is not well known for this film, Gary. I’m sick of Prima Donnas," Dominic Monaghan said.

"He’s right. I mean, we like Liv Tyler and all, but the whole time she was with us in New Zealand she had to have an entire entourage of people around her," Elijah said, tapping his pen on the table.

"I’d like to see someone in this role who is not a bitch," Billy Boyd said.

"Way to be subtle, Billy," Elijah said.

"Well, you agree with me, don’t you?" Billy asked, grinning.

"And she has to be beautiful." Orlando Bloom put in.

"Talented." Dominic said.

"A great body." Billy said.

"And intelligent." Elijah added.

"Okay, okay, gentlemen. Let me get you a portfolio of the girls we have that fit your description. I’ll be back in 5 minutes," Gary said; he left the office

and headed straight for Lily.

"Get me the files on Barbara, Angela, Sherry, Jocelyn, Elizabeth, Mandy, Patricia, Theresa, Rebecca, not the insane one, the other one, Cheryl, Maggie, and oh shit, what’s that other chick’s name? The one with the rose tattoo on her ass?"

"Helene?" Lily replied.

"Yes! Yes, that one. Bring them in right away."

Lily jumped up and began collecting the info Gary needed. She wondered what was going on. Was Gary helping to cast someone for a movie with Elijah Wood?

Five minutes later, she knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Gary said pleasantly. He was never rude to her around clients.

Elijah smiled at her; she smiled back at him weakly.

Sitting around the table was Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan. She nearly dropped the stack of portfolios. Gary took them from her and gave her a sharp look.

"Here’s the contract as well," she said, handing it to him.

"Thanks Lily," he said, taking it.

"If there’s anything else you…" she began, but he cut her off.

"Thank you." he said with finality.

Lily left, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the conference room door, trying to make her brain stop spinning. Was it possible to have that many gorgeous men in one room? How did Gary manage to land a job with half the cast of The Lord of the Rings?

***

Later that afternoon, Elijah, Billy, Dom and Orlando were sitting in a downtown coffee house, looking over the portfolios Gary had given them.

"Holy shit, look at the legs on this one! They go up to her fucking neck!" Orlando said, handing them a file. They all laughed.

"What about her?" Billy said, holding up Patricia’s file.

"Jesus, if she turned sideways, she’d disappear!" Elijah said.

"How about her?" Dom said, holding up Rebecca’s file.

"She looks like my cousin. Put that away!" Orlando laughed.

One by one they went through every girl. Too skinny.

Too tall. Looked like a bitch. Looked like a ditzo. Not enough experience. One by one they were all not a good match.

Elijah sat back in his chair, holding his latte’.

"What’s on your mind Elwood?" Dom asked him.

"I was just thinking about this girl I met today," he answered.

All three of them groaned.

"Not again…" Dom said.

"This one’s different," he insisted.

"Right. And I’m still a 3’6 hobbit," Billy sighed.

"If we’re talking about pretty girls, what about Gary’s secretary, huh? She was fiiiine," Dom said.

"Yeah, she was," Billy agreed, "And I loved her accent! Reminds me of home."

"You live in Scotland, moron. It’s me who lives in England." Orlando said.

"I lived there most of my life too, Orli." Dom interjected.

"Uh, guys?" Elijah said, interrupting them.

"What?" they answered in unison.

"She’s the one I met today. I met her in the elevator on the way up to Gary’s office."

"Tell us all about it then! Don’t hold back!" Dom said, leaning in, watching Elijah with a grin on his face.

"Oh so now you’re interested?" Elijah laughed.

"Okay, okay, shut up and talk!"

"I dunno, she’s kinda shy."

"Shy is good!" Billy interjected.

Dom pinched him on the arm, "Let him finish!"

"Well, her name is Lily. She looked like she was having a really shitty day."

"Wouldn’t you if you worked for a pig like Gary Spooler?" Dom said, drinking the rest of his coffee.

"Yeah, but I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before…" Elijah said, staring out onto the street.

"Maybe you saw her amongst the billions of our adoring fans." Orlando said, relaxing back into his chair and sighing dramatically.

"Jesus Orli, someone’s going to have to pop that giant head of yours." Billy said, throwing a biscotti at his head.

****

Lily arrived home at nearly 7pm and dropped everything on the kitchen table. She opened the fridge and took out a bottle of spring water, then kicked off her heels and went to the living room. Oberon was sitting on the couch waiting for her. He purred loudly and rubbed against her hand; she smiled and petted him lovingly. Without warning, a sharp image of Elijah Wood smiling at her in the elevator popped into her head. Those damn blue eyes! She groaned. Shit, it was hard not to think about him. She had been trying all day since they left Gary’s office. The phone rang and Lily answered it.

"Hey girlfriend, it’s Trish. Whazzap?" her best friend said.

"Hey Trish. Nothing much. Killer strange day at work," she answered.

"Why?"

"If I tell you, you’ll scream."

"Maybe. Why?"

"I met Elijah Wood today," Lily said, waiting for the inevitable.

"OhMiGod I fucking hate you, tell me all about it!" Trish shrieked into the phone. Lily told her about her embarrassing crying jag in the lobby and how Elijah had helped her. When she told Trish about seeing Dominic, Billy and Orlando, Trish screamed again.

"You lucky BITCH! I am so fucking jealous!"

"Lucky?" Lily said calmly, "You are saying I’m lucky for working for an asshole like Gary Spooler?"

"Okay," Trish sighed. "You’re right. He is an asshole, but oh honey! The four of them are so

gorgeous!"

"Tell me about it. I can’t get Elijah’s blue eyes out of my mind."

"Enough to drive a girl mad, aren’t they?" Trish giggled.

"Yes. They are," Lily sighed again.

"Okay, enough moping around your apartment like a lovesick slug. We’re going out tonight," Trish said.

"No way, Trish. All I want to do is take a bath and go to bed."

"Nope. Sorry. We iz goin’ OUT!" Trish laughed, "Get up, get dressed."

"But…" Lily began to protest.

"What’s the one thing that makes you happy when you have a bad day?" Trish asked.

"But I’m really not in the mood for…"

"Karaoke!" Trish squealed. "I’ll be there in an hour! If you aren’t ready to go out, I’ll kill you." She hung up before Lily could stop her.

"Damn." Lily said, getting up. There was no stopping Trish when she was like this.

She got up and walked to the bathroom to start getting get ready.

***

"So what should we do tonight?" Orlando said, sitting down on the couch in the hotel suite he was sharing with Billy.

"I don’t feel like going clubbing tonight," Elijah said.

"Well, I don’t want to sit here all night with you idiots." Dom said, tossing a very expensive object d’art into the air and catching it again.

"Yeah Elwood, there are girls out there just waiting for us," Orlando said.

"Dom, you and I went to a pretty cool place a couple of nights ago, didn’t we?" Billy asked him.

"Yeah, they were doing Karaoke," Dom answered.

"How tacky!" Orlando said, sitting up. "Let’s go!"

"You going to sing for us, Orli?" Elijah teased.

"Damn straight," Orlando answered, grinning.

"What about you, Elwood? Are you in the mood to

siiing?" Billy said, swinging his arms like a bad lounge act. Elijah burst into laughter.

"You’re on crack, Billy." Dom said.

"No I’m not!" Billy said, lowering his arms. "I’m just anxious to go out! Let’s go!"

"All right, all right! Christ!" Elijah said. "You want some cheese with that whine?"

"Fuck you too, Elwood," Billy giggled.

Twenty minutes later they left the hotel and headed to the bar.

***

"Lily?" Trish knocked and called through the door.

"Come in!" Lily said.

Trish came in the door and patted Oberon on the head. He purred at her and wound a figure 8 around her legs.

"Jeez Oberon!" she said, "Boy am I glad I’m wearing black tonight or your fur would show up all over me!" Oberon sniffed, looking offended.

"Trish?" Lily said. "I’m in my room."

Trish walked down the hallway just in time to see Lily putting her hair up.

"Oh no no no…" Trish said, rushing forward.

"You are not putting that gorgeous mane up tonight, girlfriend. Leave it down!"

"But what if the wind blows it?" Lily said, protesting.

"Then the wind blows it," Trish said. "Besides, that dress is killer. It screams out: Loose hair!"

Lily laughed. Already she was feeling better.

"Okay, are we ready to go?"

"As ready as we’ll ever be." Lily said, checking her reflection in the mirror once more. Her long auburn curly hair did look better down with the black and red dress she was wearing, but she’d never admit it to Trish.

Trish stood beside her checking her nylons. They made quite a pair. Lily hoped they didn’t get hit on too much tonight. She hated slobbering drunk men.

"Okay, Lily. We’re off," Trish said. They walked to the elevator and hit the button for the 1st floor.

Once again Lily’s mind wandered to Elijah. She shut her eyes and willed the thought away. It was no use dreaming over a man she would probably never see again.

A little while later the cab brought them to the karaoke bar. Lily could hear music coming from inside and it lifted her spirits again; she really did love to sing. She sat down at a table and began pouring over the music list, trying to decide what she would sing tonight. Trish went to the bar and ordered their drinks. When she returned she took a big gulp of her

Kaluha.

"Why do you have to get smashed to sing?" Lily asked.

She never did understand that.

"Because that way all those faces looking at me don’t scare me so much," Trish answered, laughing.

"Hmmm," Lily said, pointing to the book. "What about this one?"

"Can you make those highs?" Trish asked. She knew her friend had an amazing vocal capability, but this one was a bit harder than normal.

"I’ve been singing it in the car for a long time now."

"Okay sweetie!" Trish smiled. She watched Lily walk to the DJ and hand him her slip. Trish really was jealous of Lily sometimes. She had such a great body, and she was so smart. Sometimes Trish wondered why Lily was still single. She knew it was Lily’s shyness that seemed to turn men away. They thought she was stuck up and she really wasn’t. She remembered meeting Lily for the first time almost 3 years ago. They had met at an audition for "Rent". Neither one of them had gotten the part but they had been fast friends ever since. Trish looked around the bar for any good looking men. She seemed to find nothing but

boys with no brains and wandering hands. She sighed. Someday that would change.

Lily returned to the table and sipped her Bailey’s Irish Cream. It took a lot to get her drunk, and this wouldn’t even come close. She watched some of the singers. They all clapped for some, booed for others. The place was starting to fill up now. People were everywhere. She wondered if someone else would try to sing her song before she got to it. That always pissed her off.

"I think I know what I want to sing," Trish said, looking slightly flushed.

"What?"

"Summer Nights from Grease." Trish said, giggling.

"Oh but honey, you need a male partner for that song," Lily answered.

"Oh shit, I forgot." Trish said, flipping again through the book.

"Okay people! Our next singer is up…Lily Stephan!" the DJ shouted into the mic. Lily took a deep breath and stood up.

***

Elijah, Billy, Dom and Orlando entered the crowded bar. They made their way to a free table and sat down. Orlando got up and went to the bar to get their drinks.

The whispers began.

"Doesn’t he look familiar?" One woman whispered to her friend.

"Yes, he does…" she said back.

Orlando winked at them. One of the women gasped and squeezed her friend’s arm.

"Oh My God Jeanie! That’s Orlando Bloom!"

"Who?"

"You know…Legolas? From Lord of the Rings?"

"What? Mary, it can’t be…isn’t he blond?"

"Legolas was blond, but not him…" Mary answered,

looking at him with wide eyes. Orlando laughed to himself and ordered the drinks.

Back at the table, the guys started looking at the books and laughing to themselves. The guy on stage was so drunk he could barely stand, say nothing about singing. The booing began and pretty soon he staggered off stage. They heard the DJ announce the next singer, Lily Stephan.

Elijah froze. Lily Stephan? It couldn’t be! He watched the crowd, looking for her.

"Holy shit! That’s Gary’s assistant!" Billy said.

"What?" Dom asked. "No, it can’t be, look at her hair!"

"Her hair was up today." Elijah said quietly, his eyes locked on Lily. Dom watched Lily make her way to the stage, her long auburn hair swinging lightly as she took the mic and smiled at the DJ.

"She’s incredibly beautiful, isn’t she?" Billy whispered to Elijah and Dom.

Neither one of them answered.

Lily took a deep breath and held the mic tightly. The music began. She had picked "I Keep On Falling" by Shakira. She didn’t have to even look at the prompter. She knew all the words by heart. Lily began to sing and the bar quieted instantly. The music began to pour out of her like magic. Lily closed her eyes and let herself go. There was nothing in the world like this feeling. The music swelled and peaked. Her voice carried out over the bar like a

clear silver bell, and Lily knew she had nailed it.

When the music stopped, there was dead silence in the room. Then an explosion of clapping and hooting and shouting like nothing she had heard before began. She opened her eyes and looked around the room. It was amazing. Her heart beat faster. Trish was right, this always made her feel better after a shitty day. She smiled and nodded in thanks, and began to make her way back to the table. She tried to pick out Trish from the crowd, but couldn’t see her. As her gaze swept the room, she stopped dead in her tracks. A pair of deep blue eyes were watching her from the corner.

Elijah couldn’t move. Or speak. Or think. Was this the same woman he had met earlier today? Was this the same woman with salad dressing all over her purse, crying softly on the floor of the lobby? It couldn’t be. This woman in front of him was energetic, amazingly talented, and beautiful. He stood up and began walking towards her; she saw him coming. Her eyes widened and she began to push through the crowd to run back to her table. He passed Orlando. "Hey Elwood, what’s going on? That girl was pretty good, wasn’t she…" Orlando said, but Elijah walked past him like he wasn’t even there.

"Holy shit girl!" Trish exclaimed "You nailed it! You’re amazing!"

"I think I’m going to be sick!" Lily said, her face draining of color. "Elijah Wood is here! He’s coming over to this table right now!"

"Oh my God, you’re kidding!" Trish said, grabbing Lily’s hand. "What are you going to do?"

"I’m going to freak out, that’s what I’m going to do!" Lily cried hysterically.

"No…no you’re not. You’re going to be fine. Here…" Trish said, brushing a wrinkle from Lily’s dress and fixing her hair, though there was nothing wrong with it.

Lily looked down at her drink, and picked it up. She swallowed four big gulps and slammed it back down on the table. The look on Trish’s face was priceless. "Excuse me…Lily?" she heard him say. She turned around to face him and was hit full force by his gaze. She coughed.

"Umm…yes?"

"Lily, it’s me. Elijah. We met today?"

"Uh, of course! Sure. UmmmHmmm." Lily said, feeling stupid.

"I just wanted to tell you that…umm…" he paused, looking unsure of himself. "You were great up there," he finished.

"Thanks," she said. Suddenly, she felt Trish poke her in the leg.

"OH!" she said. "Elijah, this is my friend Trosh. Uh...Trish! Trish!" she stammered.

"Gee thanks for the horrible intro, Lily." Trish said, standing up and extending her hand.

Elijah shook it.

"Nice to meet you."

"Lily told me she met you today, and that you rescued her from the exploding salad dressing." Trish said, smiling sweetly. Lily made a mental note to kill her later.

"Oh, she did, did she?" Elijah said, turning back to Lily and smiling at her. "Yes, we shared a few moments together."

Lily gulped. Just then, she heard a loud voice behind Elijah.

"Elwood? What happened? Where did you go?"

"Oh, Orlando, this is Lily Stephan and Trish…I’m sorry, I didn’t get your last name?" he said.

"Trish Howard," she answered, offering Orlando her hand.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Trish," Orlando said, shaking her hand and staring at her. It was Trish’s turn to gulp. Lily shook Orlando’s hand.

"You’re from England!" she said.

His eyes lit up, "Ahh, a fellow Brit! How wonderful. Where are you from?"

"London," she said, thinking back to her family.

"Yes, me too. We’ll have to talk about it sometime…"

"Where are Billy and Dom?" Elijah interrupted. He felt a twinge of annoyance at Orli’s easiness with Lily. Orlando pointed behind him.

The two of them were handing the DJ a slip of paper.

"They better not be doing what I think they’re doing,” Elijah said, frowning.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, but he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her back out into the crowd. She gasped in surprise and followed him.

They came face to face with Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan giggling wildly.

"What the hell did you do?" Elijah demanded.

"Oh nothing…nothing!" Billy said, trying an innocent face and failing. Lily was beginning to understand.

"Please tell me you didn’t put us in for a duet?" she said, her voice rising.

"Oh dammit, Dom! She guessed it already!" Billy said, disappointed.

"Shit!" Elijah shouted, leaping for the DJ booth.

Lily had to laugh at the sight of him frantically pleading with the DJ.

"My name is Dominic Monaghan, but most people call me Dom," Dom said, smiling at her and offering her his hand. She smiled back and shook it.

"Yeah, it stands for dumb," Billy said, pushing him out of the way and kissing Lily’s hand like a knight in a fairy tale.

"At least I’m not named after a goat," Dom said, kicking him in the shins.

Lily laughed at them as they mock argued with each other. Just then, Trish and Orlando joined them again.

"What happened?" Trish asked; Lily noticed that her arm was linked with Orlando’s. She smiled secretly at her, and Trish winked back.

"Well, you see, we decided Lij needed a dose of Karaoke because he…" Dom began, but just as he was about to finish, Elijah returned and clamped his hand over Dom’s mouth.

"Say anything more, Monaghan, and you’ll be able to hit high notes like Mariah Carey!" Elijah threatened sweetly.

"Mmmmbbble," Dom answered. Billy exploded into laughter and danced away as Elijah went to smack him.

"Christ," Elijah swore, and let Dom go. Dom smiled secretively at Lily. "I’ll tell you all about it

later." He whispered to her.

"I wouldn’t trust him Lily, he’s really insane." Elijah said, taking her hand.

"Aw, come on, Elwood, I’m just having a bit of fun at your expense," Dom said.

Elijah sighed and rolled his eyes. "Lily, would you go outside with me?" he asked her.

"Sure…" she said, wondering why. "Let me get my purse."

"Does it still smell like salad dressing?" he called after her, laughing. She turned and stuck her tongue out at him.

When she was gone, he turned back to his friends. Trish was watching him intently, her brown eyes boring into him like steely spikes.

"Be careful with my friend," she warned, her smile was as cold as ice. He nodded, then she and Orlando walked away.

"You really like this girl, don’t you Elwood?" Billy asked.

"Yeah, I do. And if you fuck it up for me I’m going to have to kill you all," he said, eyeing them.

"Bring it on man…" Dom said, cracking his knuckles and grinning. "Bring it on."

***

A few minutes later, Lily and Elijah walked out of the bar into the clear crisp February air. Now that they were alone again, Lily’s butterflies came back. They walked around the corner and sat down at a bench.

"So you got the DJ to throw away the slip Billy and Dominic gave them?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, they wanted us to sing Summer Nights from Grease," he said, shaking his head. "I love to sing, but trying to sing a duet with someone you just met is a little much, don’t you think?"

Lily laughed, "They’re very…interesting. They remind me of home."

"Yeah, sometimes those guys are insane, but they’re my best friends," Elijah said, looking thoughtfully into the city lights.

"You aren’t like most celebrities," Lily blurted out.

"Why do you say that?" he said, looking at her. She had to recollect her thoughts as he stared at her, those damn blue eyes of his boring holes into her.

"Well, most of them seem to think the world owes them," Lily answered.

"Well, you’re not like most fans," he said.

"Why do you say that?" she asked in return, wondering how she managed to get classified as his fan.

"Most of my fans would have tried to rip my clothes off by now," he said. "But you haven’t. You haven’t even asked for my autograph."

Lily blanched. Was she supposed to have?

"Oh, I’m sorry!" she stammered. She began fishing for a pen in her purse.

"Stop!" He laughed. She looked up at him.

"Why do you work for Spooler when you have so much talent as a singer?" he asked.

"Talent only gets you so far in Los Angeles. I have rent to pay and a cat to feed." She said, smoothing her skirt. "But I’ve acted a little here and there. Gary’s my agent as well as my boss."

"You’re an actress?" Elijah said, surprised.

"Well, Gary doesn’t seem to think so, but I’ve had a few jobs."

Elijah paused. Was this where he’d seen her before? "Where? When?" he asked.

"Oh, a play called The Dream Came True. And a…" she stopped. She suddenly didn’t want to tell him.

"A what?" he prodded.

"I don’t want to tell you."

He shifted on the bench to face her, "Why not?"

"Because, it’s embarrassing," she said, looking up at the bright stars in the blackened sky.

"Come on. You’re talking to someone who was in a movie at the age of 5. What’s more embarrassing than having someone drag that out of the closet?"

"Good point…but I still am not going to tell you."

"Oh come on…you can’t say that! Now I’ll have to drag it out of you!" Elijah said, putting on his best puppy dog look.

"Nope." Lily laughed.

"Puh-leeeeeze?" he sighed dramatically, clasping his hands together and blinking at her.

Those damn blue eyes of his!

"A Clorox Bleach commercial," she said, wincing.

His face changed from puppy dog, to confused, then to amused, then to surprised, all in a matter of seconds.

"I knew that’s where I had seen you before!" he exclaimed.

"You saw that?" she squeaked.

"Yes! You were the girl who spilled spaghetti on your white dress!"

Lily was mortified.

"Oh my god I am so embarrassed!" she said, standing up and walking away.

"No! No, wait!" he said, standing and running after her. "Lily! Wait!"

She stopped in her tracks. She was more embarrassed and flustered than she wanted to let on.

"Never mind, just forget it. I needed the money. It’s not what I usually do…" She said, not wanting to look at him.

"Lily, it’s nothing to be ashamed of," he said.

"That’s easy for you to say, you’re a movie star."

He took her shoulder and gently turned her around.

"I’m sorry Lily," he said. "It’s just that I have been trying to think all day where I had seen you before."

"All day?" she asked softly, blinking at him.

He moved closer to her. "All day."

Reluctantly she looked up at him. His hands were on her shoulders and the wind was lightly blowing his hair. She had never met anyone like him before. She had to protect herself from him; she couldn’t let herself fall for a movie star. She had to step back before she was lost. Her body obeyed her mind and she stepped backward, but she was caught against the wall

of a building. He stepped closer to her again, looking determined.

"Elijah, I…" she began, but he bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. She froze, and her mind went blank with shock. She shivered involuntarily. He pulled back and looked at her.

"You were going to say something?" he said, running his hand along her cheek.

"Ahhh…ohh…" she stammered. "I think we should get back to the bar now…" she said. She pushed him away and began walking back, her mind racing in panic and self stupidity.

Elijah watched her walk away, wondering what had gone wrong. He sighed and followed her.

Back at the bar, they found Dom and Billy singing a rousing rendition of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

They were making a mess of it, of course, but they were having a ball. Lily looked for Trish but couldn’t see her. When Dom and Billy finished, they got a round of applause for their effort. They came back to the table and sat down with Elijah and Lily.

"So Lily!" Billy said, grinning at her, "Did you have a nice time with Elwood here?"

"Elwood is my nickname," he whispered to her.

"I figured that out a while ago," she whispered back. "I did, thanks." Lily answered, taking a sip of her drink that had magically transported itself from her table to theirs. These guys missed nothing.

"So will you sing again tonight, Lily?" Dom asked.

"I don’t know…" she said, wondering if singing would ever feel the same to her again after that one brief kiss. She wanted to go back in time and smack herself for panicking.

"Please?" Elijah said. "I’d love to hear you sing again."

"Really?" she said, not knowing if he was kidding or not. From the look in his eyes, he wasn’t.

"Okay," she said. She began to flip through the book as they guys started shouting out different songs they wanted her to sing. She picked a song from the book and miraculously managed to keep it a secret from them. She handed the DJ her slip.

"I’m going to put you on next," he said, winking at her. She nodded, then walked back to the table and sat down, waiting. Sure enough, the DJ announced her name and there was a wave of applause. Blushing a little, she went to the mic. She had picked the remake of "Killing Me Softly" by the Fugees. She knew she was good at this song. She stood for a moment and prayed that she did it right. The music started and she began to sing.

"Jesus Elwood, you sure know how to pick them," Dom said, whispering in his ear. "If you hadn’t mentioned your interest, I’d go for her myself."

"Touch her and die, Monaghan," Elijah whispered back, his eyes never leaving Lily. Dom sat back and looked at Lily thoughtfully. She looked like a renaissance painting of a red-haired water nymph. Dom sighed and sipped his drink and tried to ignore the growing attraction he had toward her. The last thing he wanted to was to fall for the same woman that his best

friend was already interested in.

Elijah watched Lily sing and thought to himself that he had never met anyone quite like her. Why had she pulled away from him? He hoped she wasn’t dating anyone. She was shy, but when you got her out of her shell she was amazing. And she sang like an angel.

She was an actress too! He wondered why Gary hadn’t given them her portfolio to look at today. The asshole probably didn’t want his secretary to leave him.

Her body began to sway with the music she was singing. At one point she opened her eyes and looked over at their table. His whole body jerked in response. He had to shut out a vision of her, naked underneath him. He took a long gulp from his drink to calm himself.

When her song was through, there was another thunderous round of clapping. He saw her looking out into the crowd. For a moment he wondered if she was looking for another guy, then remembered Trish. Where was Trish anyway? Lily returned to the table and waited for them all to stop congratulating her. She blushed and thanked them all in return.

"Billy, where did Trish go?" she asked.

"Oh, well now. Hmmm. Uh, Trish left with Orli," he said. Lily’s eyes widened. She could imagine the shrieking phone call she would get in the morning.

"She said to tell you…'laryngitis tomorrow’. What did she mean?" Dom said, moving over so she could sit beside him. He didn’t notice Elijah’s annoyed expression.

"Uhhh…" Lily began, sitting down. How should she handle this? That was their code phrase for amazing sex.

"Think about it, Dom…" Billy said. "My guess is Trish is a screamer…" Billy giggled.

"Huh? OH!" Dom said, understanding washed over him.

"Damn that Orli…he always gets the screamers…" Billy said.

Lily began to laugh; they all joined in. She didn’t know if it was the Bailey’s Irish Cream she was drinking or the good company that was making her feel so happy. But why oh why hadn’t she let Elijah kiss her again?

***

The bar closed at 1:00 am and the four of them left, and hailed a cab.

"Where do you live, Lily?" Elijah asked.

"28 84th Street. Number 15," she said, dreading the coming morning.

"Umm…guys? How are we going to handle this? Four people in the back of a cab?" Dom asked, pointing to the tiny back seat of the cab.

"Lily can sit on my lap!" Billy offered, grinning.

"Now why would she want to do that?" Dom said. "There’s nothing to sit on."

"Oooh you fucker! That’s three slams on me manhood tonight!" Billy said, flicking Dom on the ear.

"Ouch!" Dom said, jumping away. Elijah and Lily laughed at them.

"Lily will be sitting on my lap on the way home." Elijah said, matter of factly.

"Oooohhh Elijah!" Billy said, fanning his face and fluttering his eyelashes. Lily giggled; she had never had anyone argue over her before, even if it was just jokingly.

Dom watched her smile and wished to himself that he had met her first.

They got in the cab and laughed over the cramped space. Elijah’s arms supported her back as she ducked. Dom told the cabbie the address and the cab began to move away from the curb. She felt Elijah’s hand brace her back, and a flicker of fire seemed to pool in her belly.

A few minutes later, they arrived at her apartment complex. They piled out of the cab.

"It was wonderful to meet you Lily," Billy said. "I hope we can hang out again?" She nodded and smiled at him.

"You sing like an angel and look like a sexy little devil," Dom said, slipping his arms around her waist and swinging her around. She jumped a little and laughed as he spun her in a wide arc. Dom laughed with her.

"Okay, okay, you’ve made a big enough fool of yourself…" Elijah warned, getting a little pissed. Dom let her go and grinned wickedly at her; Elijah made a face at him.

"Good bye." Lily called after them as they got back in the cab. She got out her keys and headed for the door.

Elijah took the opportunity and jumped out of the cab.

"Lily, wait!" he called. She took a deep breath and turned around. The streetlight illuminated his face as he gazed at her.

"We have another appointment with Gary tomorrow at eleven. Can we take you to lunch afterwards?" he said.

"Sure, if Gary will let me, which I kind of doubt."

"I’ll make him." Elijah said, rubbing his hands together and looking for all the world like a villain plotting to make mischief. She giggled.

"Okay then," she said. "I had a nice time with you all tonight."

Elijah leaned in to kiss her. Much to her dismay, she involuntarily backed away. Lily felt like smacking herself.

Elijah stopped, backing away a little to give her some space.

"I’m sorry…" she stammered. "It’s just…I haven’t…"

"It’s okay," he said. "I like you, Lily."

"I like you too, Elijah," she said. "Just give me a little time and I promise I’ll stop being such a

fool."

"You’re not a fool." He smiled.

She looked into his deep blue eyes and sighed.

"Yes, I am." She said, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Goodnight." She turned around and opened her door.

Dom sat in the cab and watched Elijah talking to Lily. His brow furrowed when Lij went to kiss her, but he smiled when she moved away. He was unaware that Billy was watching him.

"What the fook are you doing, Dom?" Billy said, his voice even.

"Nothing," he lied, "Why?"

"I’m not an idiot. I can see you like her, too."

Dom sighed and looked back at Lij and Lily talking. "So what if I do, it’s too late now, isn’t it?"

"Yes, it really is too late." Billy said, beginning to feel nervous.

"Yeah. Right." Dom said, looking back at Billy. He hadn’t seen Dom like this before. "Just don’t tell Elwood, huh?" he said.

"I won’t. But just forget about her, though."

Dom looked back as Elijah began walking toward the cab. Lily waved at them before disappearing inside the door.

He waved back, feeling torn and confused.

***

The next morning dawned early and bright. Lily felt Oberon kneading the blanket with his sharp claws. She opened one eye to see there was a full ten minutes left before her alarm was due to go off. Damn she hated that! She sat up and patted Oberon and he purred thankfully. Her mind kicked out of sleep fully and she thought about last night.

Had she maybe dreamt it all? Had famous blue eyed Elijah Wood and his friends really been at the Karaoke bar? Had he tried to kiss her twice? Jesus, had she chickened out twice? Augh! What a damn fool she was. Trish would have slapped her silly if she had been

there. Oh my God! Trish had left with Orlando Bloom!

Lily couldn’t wait to hear about it.

Holy shit! They were coming back today to the office! Lily jumped out of bed and began throwing clothes out of the closet onto the bed. Everything was so damn frumpy! Wait…she did have that one suit that…no. Wait. Calm down. You can’t wear that suit to work, she thought. It’s cut so low and the skirt is so short! She walked tentatively to the closet and drew it out. It was deep dark blue with silver embroidery around the hem of the skirt. She walked to the mirror and held it up in front of her. She sighed, wondering if she had the guts to wear it. The last time she had worn it anywhere was to an audition and the director had hit on her. She laid it on the bed and got into the shower. The moment she stepped out of the shower she had made up her mind.

She was going to wear it.

She put on the suit, donned her best black strap shoes and left her apartment, bound and determined that she wouldn’t chicken out again.

****

Lily arrived at the office and turned on her computer. She didn’t wait for Gary to holler for her. She grabbed her notebook and pen and walked into his office. He looked up at her, then down, then up again. She felt nauseous at his perusal of her. She began to grab up the candy wrappers and throw them away, then she put her hands on her hips and glared at

him.

"I didn’t finish the Findley file. I’ll get it to you later today."

"What in God’s name has gotten into you?" he asked in surprise.

She leaned down and stared at him, "You owe me thirty bucks."

"Fuck that I do! What for?"

"Your lunch for the past month and a half. I’ve paid for it out of my own pocket and I want my money back."

Gary seemed to regain his composure; his expression turned ugly. He reached in his pocket and drew out his wallet; and he threw a twenty at her.

"That’s all you’re getting, you uppity British bitch. Now get out of my office before you really piss me off."

Years of family training stopped her from slapping him full in the face.

She turned on her heel and left his office, wishing she could tell him to go fuck himself.

****

Dom looked at his watch: 10:33. He was running a big risk, but he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind all night long. He was a half an hour early for their appointment with Gary, but he hoped to get a few minutes alone with Lily.

He punched the 18th floor button in the elevator and took a deep breath as it ascended. The elevator stopped and the door opened. A short blond woman in sat at the reception desk, typing furiously. He walked up and cleared his throat, making her look up at him.

"Oh!" she said, looking flustered. "Hello!"

He looked at her name badge.

"Hello, Samantha. I have an 11:00 appointment with Gary, but I was wondering if Lily Stephan had a minute?" he said, feeling suddenly foolish.

"Sure Mr. Monaghan, let me call her." the woman said, smiling brightly.

For once he was thankful for his celebrity status.

A few minutes later, Lily appeared in the reception area. Dom gulped when he saw her. She was wearing a short deep blue suit and her hair looked like a waterfall of flame against it. She saw him and smiled brightly.

"Hello, Dominic!" she said, coming to sit next to him.

"Hey, Lily! I was a little early, so I thought I’d see if you were available."

She looked back at the offices for any sign of Gary.

Her expression was worried, but she turned back to him and smiled.

"Sure! Just do me a favor though? If Gary comes out here, you are asking me about one of the girls." She said.

"Absolutely!" Dom nodded. She looked relieved.

"Thank you," she said, tucking a curl behind her ear absently. Dom’s fingers twitched to touch her hair but he resisted the urge.

"How long have you been in the states?" he asked instead.

"Exactly three years yesterday."

"Really? Do you like it?"

"Well, I like America, but I do miss my family terribly, especially my sister."

"Yes, I go home often to see my family too," he said.

"I wish I could afford the plane tickets," she sighed. "I haven’t been back at all."

"Not at all?" he said, feeling badly for her.

"At least I have the BBC I can watch here!" she laughed to lighten the mood.

"Oh yeah…gotta have that," he said.

"I especially like Hetty Wainthropp," she said, winking at him.

"Oh Jesus! You would have to bring that up, wouldn’t you?" Dom groaned.

Lily laughed gaily, "Oh yes! I nearly brought it up last night but I didn’t want to embarrass you."

"That was sweet of you, Lily," he said, looking at her.

Lily looked back at Dominic. His eyes were a beautiful deep brown, and he had the slightest shadow of a beard on his face. Normally she didn’t like facial hair on men, but it worked for him. He was actually quite handsome. There was something about him that was familiar and comforting. It felt wonderful to talk to another Brit again, though it made her heart yearn for her family. She sighed and smiled at him.

"So where in London did you live?" he asked her.

"On Bridge Street in the South End."

"I know where that is…" he said. "There’s a fabulous bookstore down there called Books by the Bridge."

Lily looked at him in shock.

"You know that store?" she said excitedly.

"Yes, I bought my first copy of Lord of the Rings there before leaving for New Zealand."

"My family owns that store!"

It was Dom’s turn to look shocked. "You’re joking!!"

"No, I’m not! It’s been in our family forever!"

"Did you work there?" he asked.

"Yes, I did…for a while. Until I moved to America."

Dom looked at her sideways. "I think I even remember seeing you in there," he said, rubbing his temple.

"Well, you might have, but it…" she began, but he interrupted her.

"Wow, that is so strange! To think I might have met you before actually meeting you," he said, running his fingers through his hair.

Lily leaned back in the chair and laughed.

"What a small world, even all the way over here in America!"

Dom stared at her, his mind racing. He had to stop. He had to go. Elijah had already made his move; he was too late…again. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, then opened them and stared at her. Her green eyes gazed back at him.

"Lily, can I tell you something?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

****

"Orli said he was going to be late," Billy said, leaning against the wall of the elevator.

"Figures," Elijah replied. "Where’s Dom?"

"I don’t know."

The elevator door opened. Elijah’s eyes widened. Dom sat facing Lily, and she was holding his hand. Dom was saying something. Elijah’s stomach clenched in fear. What the fuck was going on? He stepped out of the elevator quickly.

"Hey guys!" he said, trying to keep his voice even. Dom let go of her hand and sat back quickly. Lily looked at Dom with a quizzical look on her face, then turned to Elijah. She smiled at him.

"Hello!"

"What’s up?"

"Nothing…Dominic and I were just talking about London," she said, standing up and smoothing her skirt. The sapphire colored material complimented her dark red hair beautifully. He resisted the urge to whistle appreciatively.

"Wow Lily, you look…stunning."

She blushed nearly as red as her hair.

"You must stop complimenting me all the time!" she said softly.

"It’s totally deserved." Elijah said, walking over to her and giving her a quick peck on the cheek. She giggled.

Lily and Elijah didn’t notice Billy cuff Dom upside the head.

Suddenly, Samantha cleared her throat.

"Lily, Gary’s looking for you." she whispered loudly.

Lily jumped. "Oh dear! I have to go…see you later!"

she called, running out of the room.

The three of them watched her go. Dom sat against the chair, feeling like a fool. Billy sat down beside him, and so did Elijah.

"So you guys were talking about London, huh?" Elijah said, making his voice cordial yet inquisitive.

"Yes," Dom answered.

"Hmmm. And you were holding her hand……why?"

Dom didn’t answer him.

He couldn’t even if he wanted to.

Billy spoke up to break the tension. "No doubt he was telling her about the Giant Splinter

episode."

Dom groaned and laughed.

"Yeah, sure…that was it. Motherfucker was huge I tell you!" he said, sitting up and grinning at Billy, thankful for his interception.

"Yeah, you were going to die." Billy joked.

Elijah weighed his desire to poke more at Dom about Lily and his need to keep his best friend. In the end, he laughed.

"That’s okay Dom…" he said. "We all know you’re a wuss."

The three of them laughed, all tension forgotten.

****

Lily sat at her desk and glanced into the conference room. The four of them had been in with Gary for nearly an hour now. Orlando had come flying in about 40 minutes ago, looking a little giddy and flushed.

Lily was waiting patiently for Trish’s screaming email to arrive in her inbox. She had finished the Findley file and her other work. She would have more work this afternoon, no doubt, but right now she was left to clean up the errant dust bunnies on her desk.

Soon, a beep issued from her computer and she looked up to see Trish’s email entitled: OMG! She laughed and opened it.

Lily,

Have I ever thanked you for being my friend? If not, thank you. If I didn’t know you, I never would have met Orlando. If I had never met Orlando, he and I wouldn’t have had mad, passionate monkey sex all over my apartment last night like a bunch of horny teenagers until nearly 5 am. So, thank you. Of course, I can barely walk, my voice is totally hoarse and I was thirty minutes late for work and nearly got fired, but it was sooo worth it. Is he there now? Can you see him? Can you see what an amazing piece of male flesh he is?? AUGH! Must stop…getting horny again just thinking about him.

Love,

Trish

Lily giggled compulsively as she read the email. No wonder Orli had looked flushed! She wrote back a quick answer.

Trish,

Yes, he’s here. He looks like a wild man, his hair is all tousled and his eyes are as wide as saucers! You lucky thing you! He gave me a pretty sheepish look as he came running in today. I had a laugh at his expense, as I’m sure Elijah, Dom and Billy did too.

Lily hit the send button. As she waited for Trish’s answer her thoughts turned back to her conversation with Dominic. What had he been going to tell her?

And why had he stopped when Elijah and Billy had arrived?

Trish’s response popped up on her screen.

Wow, what happened last night after I left? Did we have a threesome or something?

Lily gasped at her friend’s cheek.

Absolutely not, you cheeky monkey! They’re taking me to lunch today, want to come along?

Trish’s answer came through quickly.

Can’t. Damn. Hate my job. Being watched now…damn the man!

Do me a favor though…tell Orli he owes me a new spatula.

A spatula? Lily sighed. She really didn’t want to know the story behind that one. She looked out the window at the clouds rolling by. How would she ever make it through lunch with these four men all by herself?

****

Elijah sat back in his chair and checked his watch. Gary was in the middle of a speech about one of his girls. It was nearly twelve thirty. He hoped Lily didn’t give up on them and go get her own lunch. He looked over at Dom, who was looking out the window, lost in thought. Orli and Billy were the only ones really paying attention to Gary.

"I know that your initial opinion of Angela wasn’t great but she really…"

"Hey Gary?" Elijah interrupted. Gary looked up at him, the slightest hint of annoyance flashing over his bulbous face.

"Yes?" he said.

"We’ve been here an hour and a half. I’m fried. Give us the files back, we’ll go to lunch and send Lily back with them." he said, handing the files to Dom.

"Lily?" Gary blinked at him.

"We’re taking her to lunch," Elijah said flatly, just waiting for Gary to object.

Orli looked at him in surprise, but he said nothing.

"Oh, I don’t know if that’s a good idea…she has a lot to do today." Gary lied.

"We met her last night at Karaoke," Billy piped up.

"So we’re taking her out to lunch," Elijah finished.

Gary looked at the four of them. He looked like a trapped rat in a hole.

He cleared his throat.

"Stealing my secretary away from me, eh?" he attempted humor.

None of them laughed. Elijah stood and picked up the files from the table.

"Don’t worry, it’s only lunch," he said, feeling suddenly like punching the man. Dom, Billy and

Orlando stood as well.

"Okay then Gary, we’ll see you in an hour or so," Dom said, walking out of the conference room.

"Uh…oh…Lily only has a half hour lunch…" he trailed off, but stopped as Elijah glared at him.

"An hour," he said flatly.

Gary nodded grudgingly.

Lily looked up from her monitor to see Dominic standing in front of her. Billy and Orlando were walking up behind him. Dom held out his hand to her.

"Shall we go to lunch Lily?" he smiled at her. She smiled back, then stood and took his hand. She stepped out from behind her desk and saw Elijah standing there. His eyes were flashing blue and she felt her stomach tighten.

Dom let her hand go and he stepped back. She ran her hands over her hair to smooth an unruly curl as she smiled at Elijah.

"We got you an hour lunch," he said, smiling impishly.

Her mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"What? You can’t be serious!" she said, looking back at Gary, who had just emerged from the conference room. All of them missed the angry look he shot her before disappearing into his office. She sighed. An hour lunch with the guys was great, but knowing Gary, she’d be here until midnight now.

She shook her head to forget it. She was going to have fun, even if she would pay for it later.

"Where would you like to go?" Elijah said, walking with her towards the elevator.

"It doesn’t really matter to me." she said, walking into the elevator. Billy and Orlando got in, and she had to lean against the wall of the small elevator for Dom to get in.

"I’m having taxicab flashbacks," he laughed.

Lily smiled, remembering the ride as well. The door closed and she felt Elijah’s hand against her back.

"Me too." She heard him say softly into her ear.

Goose bumps broke out all over her body.

"What about Italian for lunch?" Billy suggested loudly, pinching Dom hard on the arm as he looked longingly at Lily.

"OUCH!" Dom shouted, dropping the files and rubbing his arm. He glared at Billy indignantly.

"What’s the matter Dominic?" Lily asked him, her green eyes filled with concern.

"Nothing’s wrong with him Lily, he’s just got a splinter," Orli said, grinning wickedly.

"A splinter?" she asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"That’s right Lily. Dom has post traumatic stress disorder from his splinter episode," Elijah smirked.

"Okay, everyone who is not Lily can shut the fuck up now," Dom said, flipping them the bird and picking the files off the floor.

Lily was more confused than ever.

"I got a splinter once…" Dom said, looking at her sheepishly. "It really hurt and I thought it was bigger than it really was…" he began.

"Sort of like your…" Billy interrupted, but Dom smacked him before he could finish. Orlando and Elijah burst into laughter. Dom’s face was beet red.

Lily began to understand the joke. She felt bad for him, so she reached out and squeezed his hand.

"That’s okay Dom, they must only pick on you because they’re jealous of your…ahem…you know," she winked at him.

The four of them stood with their mouths open in shock as the elevator door opened. Lily laughed loudly and danced out the door.

She turned around and saw they hadn’t moved, but were staring at her like she had just dropped a bomb.

"Well? Do I get Italian for lunch or not?" she pouted.

Billy was the first to recover.

"I can be Italian!" he said, stepping out of the elevator. He proceeded to recite bad poetry in a terrible Italian accent. She laughed and walked with him out onto the street.

Orlando came up behind she and Billy as they walked.

"Is Trish coming to lunch with us Lily?" he asked.

She looked up at him and shook her head. "No, Orlando, I’m sorry, she can’t. But she said to

say: "You owe me a new spatula."

Orlando stopped walking and they turned to see him cracking up laughing on the sidewalk.

"A spatula?" Billy laughed.

"Oh my God, that woman is so funny!" Orli said, catching his breath.

"I don’t think I want to know…" Billy said, walking again. "Lily, can I ask you something?" he said.

She looked at him. His blond hair had gotten longer since she’d seen him on TV a few months ago. He was smiling at her. Jesus, was she really going out to an hour lunch with the cast of LOTR? Where was Sean Astin? Her trip into the twilight zone would be complete with him here.

"Yes, you can ask me anything." She said, taking a deep breath of the February air.

"Do you know what you’re doing to them?" he said, sticking his hands in his pockets and eyeing her.

Lily stopped walking and looked at him in surprise.

She was totally confused again.

"I’m sorry Billy, what are you talking about? Doing what to whom?"

He stood for a moment and regarded her carefully.

Her confusion mounted.

"What do you mean?" she repeated.

He sighed and looked up at the sky, then back at her.

"No…you really don’t have any idea, do you? You’re not playing with them."

"Playing with who?" she said, crossing her arms over her chest against the suddenly cold air. She was completely confused and a little anxious.

Orli was standing next to them now. He watched Billy intently.

"What the fuck are you talking about Billy goat? You’re freaking poor Lily out here!" he said,

knocking Billy on the arm. They shared a look between them.

"Never mind me, Lily." Billy smiled. "Let’s go get some tasty Italian, shall we?" he said, offering her his arm. She smiled and took it, her panic subsiding.

They began walking again. Suddenly Lily realized that Elijah and Dom weren’t there. She turned around to look for them.

Elijah grabbed Dom’s shirt and pulled him back from following Lily, Orli and Billy down the street. Dom turned around and looked at him.

"I need to talk to you, man," he said; Dom came to stand next to him.

"Yeah?" he asked, running his fingers through his hair out of nervous habit.

"What’s going on?" Elijah said, taking his cigarettes out of his pocket and lighting one.

"What do you mean? Dom said.

"You know what I mean."

He was able to take a long drag before Dom answered him.

"I can’t help it Lij."

Elijah closed his eyes and sighed. He had hoped so much that this wasn’t what was going on. He took another long drag from his cigarette.

"You can’t help it," he repeated, not wanting to look at his best friend right now.

There was another long stretch of silence.

"She’s amazing, and beautiful, and English…" Dom blurted out. "I couldn’t stop thinking about her and how it was too late…"

"Yes, Dom. It is too late." Elijah said, finally looking at him. Dom’s expression was both anguished and desperate.

Elijah looked up at the street as Billy took her arm.

She was laughing and talking with them, but he felt no clutch of fear like he had when Dom had done the same thing. Why was this happening? He took a drag from his cigarette, clinging to it’s familiar scent like a lifeline. He sighed and flicked the finished butt away.

"I don’t want to do this with you Dom. You’re like my fucking brother."

"I don’t want to do this either." Dom said, kicking a pebble with his boot.

"So let’s not. As amazing as she is, I won’t let a woman come between our friendship. Can you say the same?"

There was another stretch of silence.

"I want to, but I have to watch you kiss her and hold her when I want to be the one doing that."

"Fucking Christ!" Elijah shouted, finally losing his temper. He looked up the street to see Lily walking towards him, her expression concerned. She reached him and took his hand.

"Are you coming?" she asked them. "I only have 49 minutes left."

"Yeah, I’m coming." He said, taking her hand. "Let’s go."

He left Dom behind. When she realized he wasn’t walking with them, she stopped and turned.

"Are you coming, Dominic?" she asked, smiling at him.

He shook his head.

"No…go ahead, I’ll see you later," he said, smiling back. He gave Elijah a dirty look. The wind gently blew his brown hair as he turned and walked away.

She turned and looked at Elijah. He was watching Dom walk away with an angry look on his face.

"Lij, is everything okay?" she whispered. He turned and looked at her, and his expression softened.

"No, but it will be, I promise," he said. "Now come on, I want to make good use of that 49 minutes."

They caught up to Billy and Orli and continued walking down the street.

****

They arrived at the restaurant and sat down. Lily frowned at the prices on the menu. She only had the twenty that Gary had given her, and most of these dishes were well over that. The waitress came to take their order. When it came to her, she ordered a salad and a soda.

"That’s all you’re having?" Elijah asked, his eyes wide. "Aren’t you hungry?"

"No, that’s okay." She smiled.

"We’re paying for your lunch, Lily," Billy grinned, reading her mind.

"No, no, please, you don’t have to do that," she said, shaking her head.

"You came here thinking you were going to pay?" Elijah said, incredulous.

"Of course I did…" she trailed off. The three of the groaned.

The waitress smiled at her and leaned in.

"Honey, you have three gorgeous men wanting to pay for your lunch and you are denying them? Give me a break sweetie," she whispered.

"Listen to the intelligent waitress now, Lily," Billy said, snapping open his menu and putting it in front of her.

"Uh, well, I suppose I’ll have the Chicken Alfredo then."

"No," Elijah said sharply.

She looked at him in surprise. "Okay…then the…"

"Lily, I’m kidding!" He laughed.

The waitress rolled her eyes and left the table, mumbling to herself about idiot English women.

They ate, talked and laughed during lunch. She nearly choked on her food more than once as they told her stories about filming the movies in New Zealand. Billy began to tell her one story about Dom but stopped when Elijah gave him a warning look.

They changed subjects quickly and listened as she told them about her childhood in London. Orlando and she especially had a good conversation about it, and pretty soon she realized her hour lunch had ended ten minutes ago. She jumped up and grabbed her purse.

"I need to go! Oh god, Gary will be so mad…" she said, running towards the door.

"Lily, wait!" Elijah called. She turned to wait for him.

"Here’s my share guys…give me the change later," he said, throwing a hundred dollar bill on the table. He ran to the door.

"I’ll walk with you," he said.

"It’ll be more like run with me," she said, opening the door.

"Okay, I’m up for it!" he said as they dashed out the door. Lily’s heels clicked down the sidewalk as they ran towards her office building.

"Oh please don’t let me be fired…" she gasped as she ran.

"He wouldn’t fire you, would he?" Elijah said in astonishment.

"Oh yes he would. He’s an asshole, remember?"

"Oh yeah. I hope we didn’t get you fired," he said, feeling badly.

"Me neither. Without a job my Visa goes bad and I have to go back to England," she said, throwing open the door to her building.

Elijah’s heart slammed against his chest. Go back to England? Could that really happen? He prayed madly that she wasn’t fired.

She got inside the elevator and hit the 18th floor.

He joined her, both of them completely out of breath.

She looked at his flushed face and giggled.

"I’m having Deja Vu…weren’t we in here the same time yesterday?"

He looked over at her and grinned.

"Yes, I rescued you from exploding salad dressing," he said, coming towards her. Lily looked up at him.

His hand moved up to brace against the wall next to her head. She backed up, her fingers clutching her purse strap tightly. The elevator seemed to shrink in size. Oh God those damn blue eyes! She gulped nervously and resisted the urge to flee.

"Lily…" he breathed, sliding his fingers up her neck into her hair. She shivered and closed her eyes.

She felt his lips caress hers. Electricity zipped through her veins like fire. His kiss deepened, and she let it. Her panic melted away as she opened to him. She felt his tongue dance along hers, pulling from her a hunger she didn’t know she had. She kissed him back, her desire suddenly matching his in urgency.

She tasted the tang of the clove cigarettes he loved to smoke. Her fingers dug into his shirt. She heard him groan. Her tongue flicked playfully along his teeth and that adorable little gap. She felt his hands cup her ass as he leaned harder against her.

"Oh!" she sighed, feeling a tingling warmth all over her body.

From somewhere above her she heard a clanging bell. She gasped as the elevator door opened. Gary stood there, his face beet red with anger. Samantha stood behind him, waving frantically for Lily’s attention. Elijah stepped away from her. She felt him link his hand with hers.

"Hello, Gary," He said smoothly.

"Lily was supposed to be back fifteen minutes ago, Mr. Elijah Wood," Gary grated out.

"I’m fully aware of that, however we were tied up at the restaurant."

"Yes, you look like you were tied up," Gary snapped.

Lily pulled away from Elijah and stepped around Gary.

"I’m sorry Mr. Spooler. I’ll get back to my desk right now," she whispered.

"Lily, wait…" Elijah said, but she shook her head frantically. Gary continued to glare at him. She ran down the hallway and around the corner.

"Let her go," Gary said flatly. Elijah turned to look at him.

"Why are you such an asshole to her?" he demanded.

"Did she tell you she was an actress? What was she trying to do, get in on this movie deal for herself? That sneaky little British bitch," Gary fumed.

"Fuck you, Spooler."

The elevator beeped behind them and Billy and Orlando stepped out.

Elijah turned around.

"Fuck this shit. You can forget us using you as our casting agent, Spooler. Come on guys, lets go." He said, walking back onto the elevator.

Billy and Orlando looked at him in surprise.

"I want my files back," Gary shouted.

"Shit, Dom has them," Orlando said, wincing.

"I’ll get them back to you by 5pm." Billy said, pulling Elijah back before he punched Gary.

The elevator door swung shut.

"That motherfucker! I’m going to fucking kill him! He tried to make me think that Lily was just using us to further her career!"

"What career?" Orlando said, pushing the lobby button.

"She’s an actress as well as a singer." He answered.

"You’re kidding!" Billy exclaimed. "He thought she was going with us to lunch so she could get the job?"

"Yes."

"Asshole," The three of them said angrily.

Lily sat down at her desk and put her face in her hands, trying to hold back the flood of emotions hitting her. Elijah’s kiss had melted her bones and Gary’s rage had sent her into a panic. There was nowhere to go. She heard his heavy steps coming towards her desk. She looked up.

Gary stood there, his face a mask of rage. "Pack your things. Pick up your last check in

personnel and get the fuck out of my sight," He hissed.

She gulped, fighting back tears. She nodded and stood up. He walked away from her. She stumbled down the hallway, looking for a box for her things.

****

Dom sat in the park, breathing evenly to calm his nerves. He had been there nearly an hour now. His mind raced with anger at his own weakness. He should be sitting with them, eating Italian food and joking with his friends. He should be the one sitting next to her, feeling her slender white fingers linked with his. But he was too late. Again. He thought back to Penelope. She had worked with him on the set of Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as the

makeup artist. Dom had fallen in love with her too, but she had been dating his best friend. Penelope had never known about his feelings for her. He had suffered in silence for over a year. Hell, he had even been at their wedding. He looked down at a tiny round stone on the grass in front of the bench. He picked it up and hurled it as hard as he could into the small pond. A warm breeze came up, and the files on the bench next to him began to flutter. He had forgotten about them. He sighed and picked them up. He should return these. He stood up and began walking back towards the office building.

****

Lily got on her computer for the last time and typed a quick email to Trish.

Trish,

I’ve just been fired. I’m going home, please call me there tonight.

Lily

She hit the send button. She logged off the computer and picked up the box with her plants and pictures of her family in it. She picked up her pocketbook and left the office, then she walked down to personnel to get her check.

Adrian MacDonald stood there, waiting for her; he looked sad.

"Lily, I have to talk to you before I can give you this," he said, holding up her check. She nodded mechanically and followed him into his office.

"I hate to do this, but I’m required by law to report you as a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien. That means I have to tell the INS that you no longer work for us," he said, looking at her unhappily.

"Just between you and me, I know Gary’s an asshole, but unless you find another job within…"

"Within a week, I have to go back," she said numbly.

Adrian nodded, handing her the check and a form to fill out. She signed her name, her mind completely blank. She got up and walked toward the elevator.

Samantha shook her head sadly.

"Good luck, Lily," she said quietly, shaking her hand.

Lily nodded again and tried a half smile.

The elevator door opened and she got inside, setting down the box. The door closed and she leaned against the wall.

The tears that had been held back came rolling down her cheeks, and she crumpled into a heap on the floor of the elevator, sobbing.

She hated America. She hated LA…why had she ever come here? She wiped her hand across her face. It was no use. She continued to cry, not caring anymore.

Dom stepped inside the lobby and looked around for any sight of Elijah, Billy or Orlando, but they weren’t there. He walked over to the elevator and pushed the button. He tucked the files in the crook of his arm and ran his fingers through his hair. All he had to do was give the files to the receptionist and get the hell out of there. The elevator beeped and the door

swung open.

His jaw dropped at the sight in front of him. Lily sat curled on the floor, a large box next to her. She was weeping softly.

"Jesus!" he exclaimed. He got inside the elevator and knelt down next to her.

"Lily…" he said.

She didn’t answer.

"Lily!" he said again.

She looked up at him, her emerald green eyes ringed with tears. He heard her sharp intake of breath as she looked at him.

"Oh, Dominic…" she cried, putting her face in her hands. Dom’s heart dropped into his toes.

"Lily, what’s the matter?" he said, taking her shoulders in his hands. Wordlessly she put her arms around his neck, clinging to him. His body reacted almost painfully. He pulled her to her feet and she curled into his arms, still sobbing. His mind raced.

"Lily, please tell me what’s the matter." he said, hugging her. He suddenly wanted to kill whoever had hurt her.

"He fired me," she said, shaking her head.

"He what??" Dom nearly shouted.

"He fired me and now I don’t have a job and if I don’t find a job within a week then I have to go back to London and I have no money and…oh God…" she stammered.

"Lily…Lily…please listen to me." he said, reluctantly pulling her away from him. He looked her in the eye, brushing an errant red curl from her tear stained face.

"We’ll find you another job, I’ll help you out," he switched pronouns.

Lily felt feeling returning to her numbed fingers.

She nodded and wiped her face.

"Thank you Dominic," She said, squeezing his hand.

He looked down at her hand in his and gulped back the urge to crush her to him and kiss her tears away.

Instead he picked up the files that he had dropped on the floor.

"I need to get these back," he said, wishing he didn’t have to.

"I can’t go back up there," she whispered.

"No, you don’t have to. Can you wait in the lobby for me?"

She nodded. They stepped out of the elevator and he sat her down at a big comfy chair in the lobby.

"I’ll be right back," he promised. She nodded and smiled at him weakly.

He turned and ran back to the elevator. As it was ascending he heard his cell phone ring. He frowned and flipped it open, looking at the screen. It was Elijah. He hit the button.

"Yeah?"

"You still have the files?" Elijah said, his tone flat.

"Yes, I’m bringing them back right now."

"Good," Elijah said, sighing. "I…uh…guess I’ll see you later then."

"Fine," Dom said.

He hung up and tucked the phone back in his pocket.

He was glad Elijah hadn’t mentioned Lily. The doors swung open and he all but threw the files at Samantha. She jumped up and grabbed them, looking at him oddly. He stepped back inside the elevator before the door could close.

Lily sat in the lobby, looking around her. The reality of what she had just done was starting to hit her.

She had just been fired.

She had completely fallen apart in front of Dominic.

She had clung to him like a weeping child, and he had comforted her so tenderly.

She had let Elijah kiss her in the elevator. The memory of it brought a flush to her cheeks.

Suddenly, Billy’s question came flying back into her memory.

"Do you know what you are doing to them?" she heard his crisp Scottish accent in her head. Lily sat up straight and gasped to herself, the whole thing suddenly fitting together like a giant puzzle.

Oh God…Dominic liked her too!

Was that what he had been trying to tell her this morning? Was that what he and Elijah had been arguing over before lunch? She covered her mouth with her hand to keep herself from crying out in dismay, and squeezed her eyes shut. The memory of Elijah’s kiss in the elevator came to her again. She felt her stomach flip at the thought of him, his body pressed against hers in the tiny confines of the elevator. She thought of Dominic holding her quietly while she

cried, the solid wall of his chest like a lifeline in a rough ocean of fear and panic. Dear God, had she been the cause of an argument between best friends? Her stomach began to roll in

sickly waves. She heard the elevator door open and felt Dom come to sit beside her.

"Can I take you home, Lily?" he asked softly.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. His brown eyes questioned her and she wanted to run from their honesty.

"No, no, that’s okay. M…my car is here, I just want to go home," she stuttered.

"Are you sure?" he asked, wishing she would accept his offer. Lily stood up, and he stood as well. She turned her green eyes on him.

"Dominic, it was really sweet of you to help me just now. But things…" she broke off and gulped in some air. "Things are…my life is really…"

Dom went to hug her and she jumped backwards. His eyes betrayed his hurt at her actions and she wanted to smack herself.

"I’m so sorry, Dominic." She breathed. "I’m so sorry!" she grabbed the box and ran away. She ran out the door and down the stairs to the parking garage. The door slammed shut behind her.

He watched her run away. He stood there for what seemed like a thousand years, the creeping darkness filling his mind with despair and loneliness.

****

Elijah stood on the corner of the street, dialing his cell phone. A woman answered pleasantly.

"Spooler’s Casting, can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah…this is Elijah Wood, can I speak to Lily Stephan please?"

He heard her sigh. "I’m sorry Mr. Wood, but Lily Stephan no longer works for us."

"What???" he exploded.

Samantha’s voice lowered quietly.

"He fired her today. She left about an hour ago."

"MOTHERFUCKER!" Elijah shouted. Several people around him jumped back in surprise.

He slammed the cancel button and hailed a taxi. He got in and gave them Lily’s address.

Lily peeled out of the parking garage and drove down the street. Her car became one giant pulsing ball of energy as she drove like a maniac. She pulled onto the highway and slammed the accelerator. The Toyota screamed up to 50, then 60, 65, 70, 75, 80. At 85 she let up a bit. The scenery flashed by like lightning.

She looked around and was happy to see there was not another car in sight. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel. She sped past the exit for her house and kept going. She needed to be alone. She needed to drive, to clear her mind.

God…Dominic. She had hurt him, she knew it. But Elijah…where was he? What had happened to her life? How had everything fallen apart in two short days? Worse than that, what was she going to do now? Go back to London? Admit defeat and return to her family

after a 3 year struggle in America? Her mind raced in time with the speeding car. Thought after thought assailed her as she drove. The pitch of it became too much all of a sudden.

Lily threw her head back and let out a long, shrill and agonizing scream. The sound of it reverberated back at her. Immediately she felt better, though her throat burned with the effort of it. The car slowed a little as she drove. Suddenly, she heard her mother’s voice like a clear silver bell in her head.

How did do you feel about Elijah? The voice asked. That was easy. He made her toes curl and her body shake; he made her mind go blank and her blood burn in her veins. He was like water in a desolate empty desert; he was like light and laughter after years of loneliness. There was something about him that she couldn’t explain, couldn’t deny.

Now…how do you feel about Dominic? That was easy too. Dominic was like…well…home. He

was familiar. He was gentle, and funny, and handsome as a devil. He was like a friend she had had all her life. He was that one pillar of sanity in this craziness. He was honest and kind, and so tender.

Lily’s foot slammed on the brakes. She had to go back. She had to fix this. Elijah and Dom were best friends. She owed it to them and to her own honor to fix this mess. She got off the highway and turned around to head for home.

****

Elijah knocked impatiently at her door. There was no answer. He banged louder. Still there was no answer. "Lily!?" he called. He heard a cat meow but nothing else.

Where the fuck was she? She should be here by now. He sat down on the steps near her door and chewed his fingernails. Would she have to return to England now? And what the hell was he going to do about Dom? He shook his head. What a fine mess, all for the love of

one beautiful British woman.

Twenty minutes later, he heard someone coming up the stairs. He stood up, waiting for them to appear.

Lily looked up to see Elijah standing at the top of the stairs. He looked worried and haggard.

"Lily, are you all right? Where have you been? I came as soon as I found out…" he said, but stopped when her fingers touched his lips. She smiled sadly at him.

"I’m fine, Lij," she said. He took her face in his hands and looked at her.

Tears threatened to fall at the intensity of his blue eyed gaze. He took her in his arms and held her. They stood that way for a long, long time. He gently rocked her back and forth, not saying a word. Her silent tears leaked onto his shirt. A few minutes later she could hear Oberon scratching on the door and meowing. She pulled away from Elijah and wiped her face. She laughed a little.

"He’s a hungry boy." She pointed to the door. Elijah nodded and followed her as she unlocked the door and went inside. She stroked Oberon’s black fur as he wound circle 8’s around her feet. She carefully made her way to the kitchen and poured him some food from

the nearly empty bag. His tail flicked with gratitude as he bent to eat. She sighed and walked back into the living room.

Elijah was watching her. He pointed to the couch. "Sit," he said. She did, and he sat as well.

His face looked terribly sad as he looked at her. "Lily, was I the reason you got fired today?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly.

Her eyes widened. "No, no!" she said, taking his hand. "No, Lij, you didn’t."

He let out a breath he had been holding in relief. "But you said your Visa goes bad if you lose your job…"

"Yes, I must find another job within one week."

"And if you don’t?"

She sighed deeply.

"I go back to London."

"God…that can’t happen, Lily, it can’t! I just found you, I can’t lose you already!" he said, cupping her chin in his hands. He kissed her lightly. When he broke the kiss she stared at him in wonder.

"Is this really happening, Lij?" she asked.

"Yes, and I’m so sorry," he answered.

"No! No…I mean…are you really here? Am I really kissing you in my living room? Or is this some cruel dream to which I will wake up from soon?"

He reached down and took her hand and laid it on his chest. She could feel his even breathing as the heat from his body warmed her hand.

"I’m here. I’m right here. And I’m real."

"I’m scared," she whispered.

"Don’t be," he said, kissing her again.

She closed her eyes and let him kiss her, feeling once again that strange hunger flame to life within her. His fingers curled in her hair and his mouth left hers. He could hear her uneven sharp breathing as his mouth seared little hot kisses down her neck. Her fingers wrapped themselves tightly in the fabric of his shirt. His hands left her hair to roam along her sides, making her twitch beneath him. He swung his leg over hers and continued raining kisses on her neck, then along her collarbone. She felt him undoing the topmost buttons of her blue suit. His warm hands came in contact with her skin. She shuddered and sighed deeply. His hands were working unbelievable magic on her body. She opened her eyes and looked down at him. At that same moment he looked up at her, his eyes like cobalt spheres piercing into her. She let out a groan and her head fell backwards against the couch. Her fingers dug into the upholstery as he continued his downward exploration of her body. Delicious shivers rocketed through her. Lily was floating on a hazy cloud of desire when she heard the doorbell ring. Her eyes flew open and she looked down at Elijah. His expression was annoyed as

he looked up at her.

"Ignore it, please…" he said, running his hand down the inside of her thigh.

"Oh!" she gasped. Fuck whoever was at the door…this was just too delicious a feeling to stop.

But the doorbell rang again, followed by loud knocking. Elijah groaned and put his forehead on her chest in a sign of defeat. She giggled and sat up. He slumped to the floor and rubbed his head.

"I’m going to kill whoever that is," he mumbled. She stood and smoothed her skirt.

She walked to the door and opened it.

Her jaw dropped open in shock.

Dominic stood there, staring back at Lily. Her hair was all tangled and the top four buttons of her shirt were undone, giving him a glimpse of her soft white skin and black lace bra. She stared at him in astonishment. He dragged his gaze away from her bra and back up to her face. "Dominic, what are you doing here?" she fumbled, drawing her shirt together.

Elijah stood up, and he and Dom locked eyes across the room.

"I was just coming to see if you were okay…" he stammered, wishing he hadn’t.

Lily felt Elijah come and stand behind her. He put his hands gently on her shoulders and stared at Dom.

"She’s fine," he stated clearly.

"Right…right…" Dom trailed off, feeling like a class A moron. "Okay, I’ll go now," he said, turning around.

"Dominic, wait!" she called to him. He didn’t want to turn around.

"What?’ he said, trying desperately to keep his voice calm.

"Please…come back. I want to talk to the both of you," she said.

He turned around. Elijah was looking at her in surprise.

"The both of us?" he asked her. She nodded.

"Please, come inside." She beckoned to him.

Against his better judgment, he followed her.

When they were both seated on her couch, she stood in front of them and clasped her hands in front of her.

"How long have the two of you been friends?" she asked. They looked at each other.

"Almost four years," Lij answered.

"Four years? Now you aren’t even talking to each other?"

There was no answer from them. Dominic shifted uneasily. Elijah longed for a cigarette to calm his nerves.

"All because of me," she said softly.

The two of them began talking at once.

"No Lily, please don’t think that…"

"I’m sorry we’re such idiots but…"

"We met you on the same night and we both…"

"But I never intended to…"

She held up her hands for them to stop talking over one another.

She sighed and looked at Elijah.

"You said you liked me that first night."

He nodded.

She looked at Dominic, "You never told me that you liked me."

"I couldn’t," he said.

"Because of your friendship with Lij, you tried to squash your own feelings for me?" she said gently.

He nodded. She looked back at Elijah, "He never told me."

"But he tried to," Elijah said, chewing his fingernails.

"Yes. But now here comes the hard part." She took a deep breath.

The doorbell rang.

All three of them groaned.

"What is this, grand central station?" Elijah exclaimed.

Lily sighed and walked to the door and opened it. Orlando and Trish stood there, and Billy was behind them. Trish rushed in and hugged Lily tightly.

"Lily! I got your email! I’m so sorry you got fired honey!"

"We hired a hit man to go and kill Gary…OH!" Billy said, noticing Dom and Elijah on the couch.

Trish looked at her sideways.

"Uh…we’re interrupting something important, aren’t we?" she whispered.

"It’s okay Trish," she said. "Come in, I’ll get everyone something to drink."

Billy sat between Lij and Dom, giving them both knowing looks. Elijah swore and got up from the couch. He followed Lily into the kitchen to help her.

"What’s going on?" Orlando said, picking up Oberon and patting him. The cat purred happily.

"Don’t ask," Dom answered.

Lily and Elijah returned with sodas and a bag of tortilla chips.

"Sorry I don’t have any salsa..." Lily said.

"Fuck the salsa, tell us what happened!" Trish cried.

"He fired me," she stated simply.

"Just like that?" Orlando asked.

"Yes."

"What about your Visa?" Trish said, hugging her.

"I have a week to find a job or I have to go back."

"Go back?" Billy said.

"To London," Dom said flatly.

"Jesus!" Billy exclaimed.

"Will everyone please calm down?" Lily nearly shouted.

The room became quiet.

She turned and smiled weakly at Trish, Orlando and Billy.

"I appreciate you coming to see if I’m okay, but I really, really need to talk to Dominic and Elijah. Can we make dinner plans to hash over my uncertain future?" she pleaded.

Trish took over.

"Okay boys, OUT! Leave them alone. Let’s go." She herded them out the door. She turned and gave Lily peck on the cheek. "Whatever happens, know that I am with you," she whispered.

"Thanks," Lily said in return.

The door closed behind them and her apartment was quiet once more. She took a deep breath and returned to the couch.

She looked at Elijah, those damn blue eyes of his filled with uncertainty.

"Lij, I need to talk to Dominic alone," she said. He looked over at Dom, then slowly nodded.

Dom stood up and followed Lily into her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and sat on the bed. She pointed to a spot next to her. Dom came and sat down heavily.

"Dom," she sighed. He looked at her in surprise. She had never ever called him that. She always called him Dominic. "It wouldn’t be fair of me to let this go on any longer. I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have. You were there for me when I needed you and I left you standing there, alone and probably hurt. Having said that…" she took another deep

breath. "I only like you as a friend."

Dom closed his eyes, feeling like he’d been sliced in two by a sharp hot blade.

"Uh huh." He managed to choke out.

"I’m so sorry, Dom," she said, taking his hand. He pulled away from her quickly. He looked up at her. Her green eyes were full of sorrow. She truly didn’t want to hurt him. Penelope

had never meant to hurt him, either. Was he always destined to fall in love with people who didn’t love him back?

Lily must have read his mind.

"But I do love you, Dominic. I love you like I love my family, my home. Please say you’ll still be my friend…please." Her eyes pleaded with him. He gulped back several bitter statements.

"I can only try," he said quietly.

She nodded. He stood up and walked out of the bedroom and she followed him. Elijah stood at the window, looking out into the sky as dusk was coming on.

Dominic walked over to him and extended his hand.

Elijah looked down at it and back up at Dom. He took the offered hand and shook it.

"You’re still my best friend. But if you hurt her, I’ll kill you," he said, smiling. Relieved, Elijah

smiled back.

"Thanks Dom."

Lily walked into the kitchen to give them a moment to reinstate their friendship. Pretty soon she heard them laughing. She walked back into the living room. Both of them smiled at her. A wave of relief flooded through her.

"Hey Lily, did I ever tell you about the time Elwood fell down the stairs?" Dom said, giggling.

"Oh Jesus…here we go…" Elijah said, sitting back and rolling his eyes.

"So…there we were on the set of Rivendell and…"

The doorbell rang.

"Holy Fucking Christ!" Elijah shouted. Lily frowned. Who could that be? She stood up and walked to the door. She pulled it open.

"Surprise!!!"

For the second time that day, her jaw dropped open in utter shock.

****

Elijah and Dom sat on the couch, both of them shocked speechless. Lily didn’t move or speak for nearly a full minute.

"Lily?" the woman said. "D…Diana?" Lily stammered.

"It’s me! Surprise!" the woman said, setting down a large suitcase to hug Lily.

"Diana! Oh my God what are you doing here?" Lily cried, hugging Diana back fiercely.

"Mum and Dad sent me! They wanted me to visit you in America!"

"Oh my God!" Lily cried again. She pulled her sister inside. She had completely forgotten about Elijah and Dominic, who were still sitting on the couch, blown away at the scene in front of them.

Dom’s jaw hung open. Lily turned and pulled Diana inside; se was beaming happily.

"Diana, I want you to meet my friends, Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan."

"Oh my God! From Lord of the Rings! Wow Lily, you really hang out with famous people don’t you?"

Dom stood up, trying in vain to form words. "You…you look just like…" he blurted out, pointing at her. Diana laughed gaily.

"We’re twins!" Lily and Diana cried jubilantly.

"Ho-leee-shit." The two of them said in unison.

****

February 26th, 2003

Lily took a deep breath and stepped out onto the stage. The glaring lights hit her but she ignored them. She launched into her performance. She put everything she had into it. When she was done, there was a deadly quiet.

Then she heard a voice.

"Thank you Miss Stephan. NEXT!"

She nodded and walked off stage. Elijah stood there waiting for her. He hugged her tightly.

"You were amazing!" he said.

"Oh but the last time I auditioned for Rent, they turned me down!" she wailed.

"Not this time they won’t. You blew everyone else away." He said firmly.

"Now comes the waiting. It’s the worst!" she said.

They walked back to the backstage area, hand in hand.

She sat on the floor and Lij sat next to her. She ignored the jealous looks from the other girls who were auditioning for the part.

"Where are Dominic and Diana?" she asked. "I was hoping they’d be here."

"Take a wild guess…" Elijah said, grinning wickedly. "They’re probably doing what I’d like to be doing right now…" he said, kissing her neck playfully.

"I still can’t believe how it worked out so well."

Lily shook her head in amazement. "Diana’s been walking around the house like a lovesick goose."

"And you haven’t?" he pouted.

"Okay, so maybe I have been too," she giggled.

"The Stephan Sisters take on America…the 2003 Tour." Lij laughed.

She laughed with him, but stopped short. "If I get this job that will be true," she sighed.

Just then a man walked in the room and cleared his throat. Everyone jumped up expectantly.

"May I have your attention please," he asked. The energy in the room spiked through the ceiling.

"Will Maggie Connolly, Janice Rice, Barbara Kneeland and Joyce Kensington please follow me?"

The four girls jumped to follow him, their faces full of joy. Lily sagged against Elijah’s chest, disappointment flooding through her. He held her, not knowing what to do or think. The stage door shut behind them like prison bars.

"I…I guess I should go home and start packing," Lily said, her voice cracking.

Suddenly the door flew open again, and the tall man looked around the room.

"Lily Stephan?" he said sharply.

She sat up, hope filling her. "Yes?"

"You too." He motioned towards the room. "Come along quickly!"

Lily jumped up and ran towards the door. She looked back once at Elijah, his blue eyes filled with happiness and relief.

Lily was asked to sing another piece, which she nailed, dead on. Three of the five girls who had been called in were told to go. They left the room, crying loudly.

It was down to Maggie and Lily.

Lily sang again, her voice ringing out into the darkness like a knife blade. As she sang she prayed to God to let her get this part.

Maggie lost.

****

"I got the part!" she cried happily, crashing into his arms and hugging him.

Elijah shouted in joy and picked her up to swing her around.

"You got the part! You’re staying!"

"I am staying! I’m staying!" she said, repeating herself in shock.

She looked down at Elijah, those damn blue eyes of his filled with indescribable joy.

"Lily Stephan, actress and singer, starring in ‘Rent’." He said.

"Oh God. It’s really coming true Lij! My dream is coming true!"

"Mine too." He said softly. He took her hand and together they left the theater, walking out into the bright California sunshine.

The End

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