AN: Hey guys so this is my new story for the Hobbit (i cannot wait for the next movie this year! and i'm definitely going to write more stories once the movie is released). I decided to play around with this modern theme that is loosely based on a game that I was playing. It's called Seduced in the Sleepless City, by Voltage Inc. Places that I have used are based loosely in New York. I'm not that familiar with it, I haven't been there before myself I would very much have loved to go though… Anyway please do leave me some comments on what you think!
More about the story: Bilbo is a new writer who joins up with 'Middle Earth' magazine. He was hired because he was the cream of the crop in his University. He moves to New York to be closer to his job. He has yet to find a house there. Meeting Thorin, Kili and Fili and the rest, he soon begins to fit in and develops feelings for his boss.
Pairings: THILBO mainly, and a little Kili/Bilbo, Fili/Bilbo on the side
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or any of the characters! This story is 100% fanmade! For the fans, by a fan. Names and places used in the story are purely by coincidence.
Chapter 1:First Day
The morning had begun, bleak and dreary with heavy rain and lightning as Bilbo got ready for his first day at work in the small motel room that he had rented here in New York. Months after finishing his studies, Bilbo had landed himself a job in a publishing firm in New York. It was top class, one of the biggest publishing firms there was to be. 'Middle Earth Times' it was called. A little funny, Bilbo thought it to be unique though and he had accepted the offer immediately. After all when did a chance such as this come by in the life of a writer like him? It was good enough that the company had taken him in based on what he had written in his examinations and class projects.
So he had flown over to New York immediately, his few possessions brought along with him in three big boxes. Right now he stayed at a cheap little motel. He had enough money to last him for a month, maybe two. Bilbo wrung his hands again, checking his watch as the cab stopped at another red light. Could the traffic possibly hate him anymore? Of all days to be late, it had to be the first day. He drummed his fingers on his knee, his mind chanting the continuous mantra of, 'Hurry, hurry, hurry.' The weather wasn't treating him any better as the rain poured endlessly down on the roof of the cab. It was almost as if all the forces were against Bilbo joining the new company. But he wouldn't be discouraged no matter what.
Finally the cab pulled up outside the tall building in midtown Manhattan. Bilbo paid the cab driver and stepped out at the entrance of the building, quickly running in to the shelter of the building. He stares up at it. It is huge. The tinted glass panes making the whole building gleam like a black gem in the sky. This is the new company that he will be working at. With a huge breath, Bilbo adjusts his satchel on his shoulder and walks into the building, pushing against the revolving doors he is thrust into another world.
Behind the revolving doors, it is a completely different world. The sound of the rain is muffled. It smells of paper and ink and people are scurrying about trying to meet deadlines. They are dressed in different degrees of clothing, the well dressed upper class business man, the smart casual journalist, the casual artist. It's a whole diversity on its own here. This is what it's like to be in the publishing industry and Bilbo smiles to himself at the thought, he's glad to be here, but he cannot stay here to think any more about the beauty of the place. He is already late as it is.
Quickly he rushes through the crowd of people and heads straight for the lift. In his mad rush he isn't so careful though and bumps into people as they cross his path, muttering apologies along the way. One especially important person, is caught head on in a clash with Bilbo who quickly mutters an apology, too distracted to even take notice of the man or his now stained clothes.
"Watch where you're going!" the man calls after him, his voice gruff, irritated.
"Sorry!" he calls again as he quickly rushes into a crowded lift, the last to step on as the doors close behind him and the elevator draws him up into the heavens of the publishing industry. Nothing is going to sour his mood. The elevator takes him up to the upper floors, he is to be in the department with the journalists and as the doors of the elevator open, he sees a pristine hall with a reception desk right in the middle of the hall, behind that must be the doors to the interior of the journalists department. He walks up to the reception desk confidently, a smile on his face. He greets the petite woman behind the desk taking out his documents.
"I'm the new journalist, the one from Sheffield University. I'm here to meet with, Mr. Oakenshield?" Bilbo says as he pushes the stray strands of hair from his face, showing the woman his papers.
"Please hold on a moment," she says as she dials a number, "Mr. Oakenshield has yet to come into office. I should probably bring you to Mr. Grey," she says to him as she stands, coming out from behind the counter. "Come with me," she murmurs as she leads him.
"Thank you," Bilbo mutters as he follows behind her. She leads him into the main office, where he can hear the clattering of people working at keyboards and the slight murmur as he enters the office with the receptionist. He knows what they must all be thinking, the new guy. He's the new guy. How did he get a place here? Something along those lines…
The receptionist knocks on the door with a plaque outside it that reads, 'Gandalf Grey'. Bilbo waits behind her, anxious that he would have to meet someone else instead of Mr. Oakenshield. He doesn't know the both of them but still to meet with someone other than his designated superior…he isn't too sure about this.
"Mr. Grey, the new journalist is here," she announces then she opens the door and ushers him in before taking her leave.
"Oh and please call Thorin to my office when he gets in," Bilbo hears as Mr. Grey instructs the receptionist before she leaves.
Bilbo is left with a wise looking old man who smiles warmly at him, "Mr. Baggins, I've heard so much about you from your teachers and the papers that you've written are absolutely brilliant," he says immediately heaping praise on him. "Come, come take a seat and please call me Gandalf we go by first names around here," he continues motioning for Bilbo to take a seat.
His cheeks are burning with embarrassment as Gandalf heaps praise on his work. He doesn't think that it's that good. He feels his work is mediocre, nothing special, "I cannot thank your enough Mr. Grey…I mean Gandalf," Bilbo mutters stopped with a mocking stern look from the wise old man at the usage of the title of 'mister' again, "I cannot thank you enough for hiring me. I didn't think I'd get a job so soon."
Gandalf smiles, nodding knowingly, Bilbo's work indeed is of high caliber and he believes that it is in the company's best interest that he has hired someone like Bilbo, "You don't see your work in much good light do you? You need to be confident!" Gandalf tells him, "Your work can take you to great heights. I know it you have the potential, Bilbo. You need to believe in yourself."
Bilbo nods, "Those were just school papers and exams though. Working here as a journalist, it's different, a challenge that I'm willing to accept. I hope you can support me and help me in this path," he says, his heart a little more settled at the extent in which Gandalf trusts him to do well in his job. He is glad that he was able to meet with such a nice person on his first day and he wonders if Mr. Oakenshield will be something similar.
However, before they can talk more, the opening of the door and a gruff voice that spoke interrupts them.
"Sorry for being late Gandalf, but some boy ran into me this morning and spilled my coffee and I haven't…" he trails off as he turns seeing the new employee who is sitting before Gandalf.
He seems familiar somehow.
AN: So thanks for reading guys! Do leave me a comment to let me know what you thought of this first chapter and i've actually already typed quite a lot out (Chapter 17), if you have any other ideas, or suggestions, do let me know and if i do use them i will credit you! :)