Hey Guys! So I'm iffy about this chapter but I hope you all like it. Thanks to all my readers and reviews as always! You all make make my day!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit.

The next night was a work night again and Kili and the rest of the company were all in their positions along with another squad from Erebor Corps. with the attacks they were doubling security. So Kili soon found himself in room scanning the area though his scope and in another room down the hall from him another sniper was there scanning the area behind the building. The building was three stories tall. The ground floor was the display cases where the jewelry were normally placed during the day. At night all of it was removed and placed in a safe on the same floor. There were a few exceptions which remained in their display cases however but those cases had individual safety measures. The middle floor was where the jewelry was made as this particular company made the jewelry it sold and hired many jewelers to work for them. The top floor consisted of office space and several rooms which were used by appraisers who worked for the company. The building also had roof access so there were eight people up there on various vantage points. There were three other people on the top floor besides Kili and the other sniper. The second floor had six people on it and the ground floor held seven.

Everyone was on edge waiting to see if anything would happen. Kili sincerely hoped not. Ever since the attacks began things started to look bad for Erebor Corps but things went from bad to worse when it became apparent that the major connection between the attacks was Erebor Corps. The O.R.C.S were attacking the places because Erebor Corps were guarding them. Needless to say, bad for business.

At three o'clock in the morning Kili was just beginning to think that perhaps they'd have an uneventful night after all when the other sniper radioed in saying that he had spotted movement behind the building. Kili cursed and swept the area at the front of the building again like h had been doing for hours. It was on his second sweep back he saw movement. He radioed it in and heard Thorin bark orders to the others. The teams readied themselves for the onslaught and Kili heard Nori calling in the police. However they all knew it would be a few minutes before the police reached and they all knew how much damage could be done in a few minutes.

The attack began suddenly. Shots peppered the windows the walls, the iron grill that covered the storefront. The glass was bullet proof but Kili didn't know how long they'd stand up to being hit like that. Once the assault started, motorcycles roared up the road and more Orcs appeared. Kili aimed and shot, trying to keep the mass of attackers from forcing the front entrance. The team stationed on the roof was doing the same but they were conserving ammo because they didn't know if the Orcs would attack the roof again and they needed to be prepared for if they did. The attack was going as well as attacks can for the first few minutes. The attackers had been smart and chosen to attack when Kili and the others were fatigued from their long vigil. However the building was not breached and they seemed to be holding their own. Then Kili noticed something strange in the mass of bodies outside. The Orcs seemed to be setting up something. He shot but kept an eye on it. It quickly took shape and looked like…a ramp? A ramp? Kili frowned then noticed the motorbikes. They couldn't be…. What were they thinking? It was then he noticed the Orc holding the RPG. The RPG aimed at the second floor, just below where he was. Kili shouted a warning and pushed himself away from the widow and then the RPG hit the building. The shock of it knocked him off his feet and rocked the building. He pushed himself to his feet carefully, avoiding the glass which had partially shattered on impact.

According to the team in the second floor, the RPG hadn't done a lot of damage. It had just taken out a nice sized hole in the wall. The building was somewhat unsteady but not too bad. They couldn't take another hit like that though. Kili however was wondering what that was all about because honestly why not use the RPG on the ground entrance? Then he remembered the ramp. The ramp and the bikes and the hole in the wall.

"Thorin!" he yelled, "They are going to drive the bikes to the second story and take us down like that!"

"What?!" yelled Thorin but at that moment Kili heard motorbikes rev dangerously and he ran back over to the window only to see the bikes head for the ramp. Thorin had obviously had managed to see that rtoo from where he was because the next words he yelled were, "Kili! Shoot them!"

Kili hurried to comply but the time he had his rifle up the first of the bike were already in the air. Kili locked down in an instant; every part of him streaming in a sharp focus, where the only thing he was seeing was his target and his body moved without thought to make blood blossom where his gaze rested. It was the closest thing to 'if looks could kill.' Kili shot the first one in the head and then shot the bike, throwing its momentum off and causing it to crash well before its target, he got the second one in the air as well and the third just as its front wheel cleared the ramp. The fourth bike in like didn't make it to the ramp. There wasn't a fifth in line. Oh well. Kili turned his gaze to the other bikes which were still zooming around. Blood bloomed in rapid succession and bikes skidded taking out Orcs in their way.

The team on the roof reported that Orcs were now zip-lining in. Instead of attaching their line to the roof though, where it would have been taken care of by the defenses Nori had installed, they had opted to attach the zip line a bit below it and then climb up. Kili abandoned his post and ran to the side of the building where the Orcs were coming in. Unfortunately the only window there was a small window high in the wall. Kili had no idea what its purpose was because it was just so small and awkwardly placed but it was all he had. He also had to stand on someone's expensive looking wooden desk to reach it. He did reach it though and pushed it open and sighted his first target coming out of the gloom like a nightmare in the dark. Kili shot him. And he shot the Orc after him too. The Orcs on the line tried to shoot him back but the small window worked in his favour giving them a very small target to hit and the average Orc wasn't a sniper. He dropped them like he was working on an assembly line until they stopped coming and the wailing sirens of police vehicles sounded.

It was only then Kili stopped shooting and pulled his rifle away from the window. And it was only then he realized how much he was shaking. Not with fear, certainly with exhaustion but mostly with frustration. He was surprised at himself. Frustration was not what he thought he'd be feeling right now. He shrugged it off and got off the table achingly. He walked a few steps forward before he suddenly understood that his frustration had nothing to do with what had happened tonight. No his frustration had everything to do with what had happened last night and that frustration had bled over into his job, into his calm but vicious shooting of the O.R.C.S. And that scared him. It sacred him enough that he started shaking all over again.

Kili stumbled to the ground floor in time to see police officers swarming around the building. He was feeling strangely lightheaded now and his body just wanted to crash onto the floor and stay right there. Another squad car pulled up and a man in a long, dark leather coat came out holding a badge.

"I'm detective Bard Bowman," he announced in a no-nonscence tone, who's in change here?"

Kili saw his Uncle emerge fro somewhere and head towards the man. He tried to do the same but his leg buckled and his head spun. Someone caught him on the way down and steadied him.

"Easy lad," said a familiar voice.

"Bofur?" he said.

"Well at least your brain is working well," Bofur replied cheerfully.

"Not as well as you hope," Kili said without thinking.

"I hardly doubt it ever woks as well as I hope," Bofur said, "so that's not too much of a change." Boufur turned his head and addressed someone behind them while Kili was trying to think up a suitable insult in reply.

"Oi! Bring some water over here!"

"Wait!' said Kili. He jerked his head to where his Uncle was talking to the detective, "I want to hear what they saying."

Bofur sighed and helped Kili walk over to where the pair was. On the way someone caught up with them and brought the bottle of water. Kili sipped from it gratefully and focused on his uncle.

Thorin had just finished give the detective the details of the attack. The detective jotted down the last of his notes and said, "That's a very concerning story, Mr. Durin. However I find it even more concerning that the only attacks were made on business guarded by Erebor Corps."

"We had nothing to do with this if that is what you're insinuating!" Thorin growled.

"Not at all, Mr. Durin," said Detective Bowman he opened his mouth to continue but Thorin cut him off.

"If haven't realizes the Orcs are targeting jewelry stores. And we happen to be a company that guards jewelry stores. Obviously we are going to be here."

"Yes," but you're not the only security company out there Mr. Durin," said the detective, and none of the jewelry stores guarded by them have been attacked despite the fact that some of them have been less heavily guarded. As that evidence stands I suggest for the safety of your clients that you pull out of contract with them and advise them to get another company at least for the time being until the O.R.C.S. are caught."

Kili and Bofur winced simultaneously.

"You expect me to run from this?" said Thorin dangerously, "You really think I would let these criminals drive me out of business?! Think again Detective!" he spat out. Before Bowman could say anything else Thorin brushed past him and began shouting out orders to his men.

"Oh dear," said Kili.

"You took the words right out of my mouth lad," sighed Bofur.

Detective Bowman looked after Thorin and then shook his head in disgust and went over to some of the officers on scene.

When Kili got home he was instantly bowled over by his worried and fawning mother and then sent to the infirmary. Kili wisely put up no fuss and went to be treated. When he got to the infirmary he discovered that he had numerous tiny cuts on his face from somewhere, his trigger finger was sore, he had a burn on his forearm from a hot shell, his left arm was hurting a lot from the recoil of the rifle and he was still dehydrated. The doctors patched him up, gave him electrolytes to drink and sent him to bed. He stumbled to his room and passed out in the process of falling onto his bed.

He awoke somewhere in the evening feeling terribly thirsty. So he got up painfully and sleepily and got himself a glass of water. Drinking too fast had him feeling slightly nauseous so he was forced to sit down and drink it slowly. The second glass of water though he was able to chug down. When he was finished though he found that he had now well and truly woken up. And now that he was up he didn't want ot be inside.

A few moments later he had slipped out of the building, caught a cab and then got out somewhere on the other side of the city and walked along the streets just looking around and clearing his head. Half an hour later his stomach announced forcefully that it was hungry. Kili looked around at where he was to see if he spotted any food places close by. Sure enough, just ahead of him, across the road was a sunny little café, boldly labeled THE GREEN DOOR, which did in fact, have a green door. A round green door.

Kili crossed the road and went in. Inside was quaint little place, all wooden and beautifully sanded. Inside was cooler than the outside but not cold, and there was a pleasant scent of greenery and a hint of spice floating through the air. Kili was instantly charmed.

"Nice place this," he said to himself. Then louder, since there was no one in sight, "Hello? Anyone there?"

"Oh, yes, yes!" said a man voice from somewhere in the back, "Give me a moment. Don't want the bus to burn."

Kili shoved his hands in his pockets and waited and soon a little man blustered in from the back.

"Yes, hello," he said, "What can I do for you?"

"Um," said Kili, "Well what's on the menu?"

"Oh," said the man. He picked up a laminated piece of paper from the counter and held it out for Kili. Kili took it and studied the choices on the menu.

Finally he chose two chicken enchiladas, two beef pies, two sugar buns and a cup of coffee. At the last selection the man huffed.

"I don't know why I opened a tea shop if all anyone wants is coffee!" he muttered under his breath and hurried off towards the back with Kili's order.

A few moments later he was back with Kili's things on a tray. Kili paid him and then despite the little man's protests transferred the tray from the counter to the table himself. The little man looked so offended however that Kili said, "Hey, why don't you get a cup of you tea and join me? I could use the company."

The little man looked surprised and then indecisive but perhaps something in Kili's face must have swayed him because he nodded and soon was sitting opposite Kili with a cup of steaming, fragrant tea.

"This is really good," said Kili already on his second enchilada.

"Thank you," said the man, looking pleased.

"My name is Kili, by the way," Kili said.

"Bilbo Baggins," said Bilbo and held out his hand.

Kili shook it and smiled at him.

"So, you don't look like you're from around here, Mr. Baggins, " he said.

"Oh no," said Bilbo, "I recently moved in from the Shire."

"The Shire!" said Kili, "That's a pretty big move."

"Yes," sighed Bilbo, and Kili could tell he missed it. "But an old friend of my mother's decided that a change of place and pace would be good for me. He said I'm growing stagnant and unsociable. Me! Unsociable! Of all the things! But he's an old meddler and I've been trying to stop him in the three months it took to move here and it didn't work so here I am. But that wasn't enough for him so he made me open this store! Not that I don't like the teashop, I do, but no one else seems to appreciate tea in this city!"

Kili laughed. Poor little man. He would do fine in Dale as far as Kili was concerned. He had fire.

"Well I'm glad you came," said Kili, "This is the best food I've eaten in ages and the best coffee too."

"Well, thank you," said Bilbo. "Now any chance of you telling me why you look like someone attacked your face with a grater?"

Kili choked. When he finally got air back into his lungs he gasped out: "What?"

"Your face," said Bilbo, "It's all cut up and your arms to a bit."

"I know,' said Kili, "But it doesn't look that bad."

"Well then," said Bilbo, primly "I don't want to know what you would call bad."

Kili laughed and began to explain that he was in a firefight. Then he had to explain why he was in a firefight in the first place. Once he was done, Bilbo sighed.

"Well now, that was exciting and unexpected. Not really my taste in things you understand. I much prefer just watching those things on TV or reading about them. But all the same I do hope you'll be careful. I'd honestly hate t see your picture on the news saying you got shot."

"I'd hate that too," said Kili, finding that for some reason he liked Bilbo. Perhaps it was because Bilbo was so different from the people he was usually around, quite the opposite in fact. And he was soothing to talk to.

In a split second decision Kili said, "Hey Bilbo, can I ask you something?"

Bilbo frowned at him, obviously sensing something was up, "Of, course."

"When, when um, when I was shooting those Orcs last night, I, I was taking out my frustration from something else on them. And, and it feels wrong and…"

"Hold on a second," said Bilbo, "You were frustrated because of something before,"

"Yes," said Kili.

"And when you were shooting, you acted on that frustration."

"Yes," said Kili.

"And shooting with emotions isn't something you do normally."

"No," said Kili. "You're taught to shoot clinically. Shooting with emotion is dangerous because it is easy to cross a line like that. You don't let your emotions bleed out or cloud your judgment. I've always shot like that but this time I didn't and I didn't even realize it until it was over and it scared me the way I went about doing it and…"

"And you're wondering if you're a bad person," Bilbo finished for him.

"Yes," said Kili and swallowed hard.

Bilbo thought about it for a few moments and then said, "I don't think it makes you evil," he said finally, "I think it just means you're human. We all get moments where our emotions cloud our judgment and make us do things we wouldn't normally do. It doesn't make us bad. Sometimes those moments turn out to be good things and those are the moments when the emotions push us towards a purer form of ourselves and sometimes those moments turn out to be bad and those are the moments that push us away from who we are and who we ought to be. In the later case its usually the bad emotions that do that and all we can do afterwards is just make sure that in the future we don't do it again. It is only when we don't do anything to stop ourselves then we are bad. So, just try not to do it again and hold on to your true self and you'll be fine."

Kili stared at Bilbo and wondered how the little man could say exactly what he had needed to hear.

"Thank you," he said in pure heartfelt gratitude. Because what Bilbo had said had somehow applied to his entire life. It made the choices he had made and still had to make not so bad and quieted his inner fears about the amount of trouble he caused for mother and uncle in the quest for his brother.

Bilbo suddenly seemed shy and said, "Well, it's the truth and that's nothing you have to thank me for."

Kili smiled at him and then glanced at the time and realized that he had to go. He took his leave of Bilbo and returned home feeling lighter of heart and more sure in his way.

R&R Please!