(a/n ACK!!! Did I write there was an upstairs!? A reviewer said I wrote something about Bag End having an upstairs! bangs head on keyboard Can someone please tell me what chapter that's in so I can fix it? I can't find it. I can't believe I wrote that! I know there no upstairs. . . mumble mumble mumble.)

The next two days passed quickly as the hobbits prepared. Foxburr spent most of her time with Rashelle, not that she wanted to. She still wanted to be close to Frodo.

Rashelle's wounds already showed signs of healing and she chatted happily with Foxburr even if the halfblood didn't answer back.

Foxburr burned with a jealousy as she watched Rashelle sit, glowing in her bed. Every now and then a hobbit head would pop in to check on them, well Rashelle. The one that visited most was Samwise. Something of a bond had formed between the halfblood and gardener, but Foxburr wasn't sure if she liked it. After what he had done for her she couldn't lie and meet his eyes. A lot of times, she couldn't meet his eyes period.

"Good morning, Miss Rashelle, Miss Foxburr," He greeted on the second morning, carrying in a tray of tea. "I thought you ladies might be hungry,"

"Absolutely famished, Sam," Rashelle beamed and Sam set the tray on the bed. He then leaned down and shared a tender kiss with the healing hobbit-lass. Foxburr felt a gnawing sensation in her stomach, not hunger, but jealousy. She quickly averted her eyes and told herself she wouldn't touch a morsel on the tray while it was so close to Rashelle.

Suddenly Sam was beside her, his eyes locked with hers. He held a teacup and a muffin.

"Here you are, Miss Foxburr," He said softly. Could he read minds, did he know what she had planned to do?

As she took the teacup and confection from Sam's hands, he bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead. An act of sweetness that sent absolute electricity surging through Foxburr's body.

He then turned and smiled at the both of them, "Take care of Miss Rashelle for me Miss Foxburr," Sam said and then left the room, but Foxburr had found she could only stare at the door where the gardener had stood.

"Samwise Gamgee, you tease,"

Sam turned to see Merry behind him, holding several empty suitcases. He was to pack for Rashelle.

I don't know what your talking about, Master Merry," Sam said firmly and Merry chuckled.

"I think you like, Foxburr," The Brandybuck smiled and gave his friend a rougish wink.

"Don't be absurd, you know Mr. Frodo said she's too young to get involved with us,"

"I don't remember talking about Frodo, only you Sam," Merry scratched his chin, "I think she likes you too,"

"Well I think your smoking some bad Toby!" Sam huffed and walked down the hall. Merry chuckled and shook his head. Shifting the luggage he knocked on the door and it was opened by the halfblood. She had a certain sparkle in her eyes before they landed on him. Meriadoc smiled to himself.

"Good morning, Foxburr, is Rashelle in?" He asked peering over her shoulder.

"Good Morning, Merry, where else would I be?" Rashelle laughed and Foxburr said nothing, she just moved aside so Merry could enter the room.

So the day went by on creeping feet and Rashelle and Foxburr were asleep when Frodo and Sam entered the bedroom . Frodo gave a small chuckle as he looked at the sleeping halfblood, curled into her chair and Rashelle spread eagle over her large bed, the blankets tangled and gathered around her frame.

"Like two children, Mr. Frodo," Sam whispered, echoing his master's thoughts.

Should I?" Frodo murmured asked and the gardener moved forward, placing the candle he held on a nightstand.

"It won't hurt, I'll take Miss Foxburr to her bedroom," Frodo watched as his dear friend gathered the halfblood into his arms. She woke for a moment, like a child, long enough to register a familiar face and slip her arms around his neck.

"Samwise," the gardener turned to face his master, and Frodo walked to them. Reaching out he petted Foxburr's fiery locks, "Sam tell her I'm sorry for my deplorable actions. I'll make it up to her in Rivendell,"

"I think she's already forgiven you, Mr. Frodo," Sam said softly, "I think she wants your attention, not your words,"

"I know, Sam, may she patient with me, but I am going to do it,"

"Sir?"

"In Rivendell, I'm going to ask Rashelle to marry me," Frodo's blue eyes turned onto the sleeping figure in the bed. "I won't loose her again. I've spoken to Merry and Pippin and they want me to, all that's left is you,"

"Mr. Frodo, need you ask?" Sam smiled and would have hugged his master if not for the precious cargo in his arms. "Will you ask Foxburr?"

The happy gleam in Frodo's eyes died, "Why, Sam? She is not part of our-"

"She may not share our bed, Mr. Frodo, but she does share our house," Sam said, already regretting opening his mouth. Frodo turned, running his hand through his curly locks.

"I shall ask her in the morning, good night, Sam," Frodo said rather abruptly and Sam took his cue, leaving the room as Frodo slipped into bed beside Rashelle.

********************************************** **************

"Sam, don't leave," came Foxburr's voice from the darkness as he crept toward the door.

"I didn't know you were awake, Miss Foxburr," Sam said and made his way back to her bed, soundly banging his foot on a dresser. The gardener gave a curse, half-hopping, half-walking, he made it to Foxburr's side and felt her soft hands pull him down on the bed.

"Are you hurt bad?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No, no I'm fine, just a little tender," There was a moment of silence as Sam massaged his throbbing foot and then felt Foxburr lay her head on his back. Sam's throat went dry. "Miss Foxburr?"

"Don't let him ask me,"

"Who ask you what?"

"I heard you and Frodo talking, I heard him say he was going to marry Rashelle. If he asks me, I'll, I'll tell him no! I can't lie to him, like you do,"

"Lie to him! I never-"

"If you all love her why do you allow him to marry her, why do any of you allow it? Surely you lie, wouldn't you like to marry her?" Sam shook his head.

"How little you know about this world," He sighed and she was gone from his back, shifting, and then two hands on his chest, pushing him down to the mattress and two lips on his. They worked hotly, crushing against his mouth in a desperate, yearning fashion and then they were gone.

"Then teach me about this world! Don't shut me out, I want to learn!" She whispered in his face. Sam reached out and touched the curve of her face and then he gathered her close and brought her against him. She brought her arms around his shoulders and spoke just as he opened his mouth to say something.

"Please don't tell me I'm just like your Rashelle, I'll scream if you do," She threatened and then Sam laughed. A merry sound, breaking the darkness of the room and mood.

"No, Miss Foxburr, you'll be happy to know you are nothing like Miss Rashelle, I was going to say good night," And with his strong arms around her, Sam feel asleep.

"But-" Foxburr began and then fell quiet. He hadn't answered her. Most men with a kiss like she had given would have done anything for more, which included Frodo, who had barely escaped her, but on the gardener she had no effect. She gave up and settled for the sound of Sam's beating heart. As Foxburr slept she had a dream. She dreamed she lived in a wonderful hobbit hole, more elaborate and beautiful than Bag End. She had a family, little ones running through the house, and two husbands. Two that loved her with all their hearts. They would do anything for their lovely Foxburr. One had eyes of sapphire and the other had a crown of freshly bloomed flowers. What wonderful husbands.