A/N: this is my very first LOTR fic, so be gentle. Not that I mind flaming, cause I don't. If you don't like the story tell me in any way you want. I don't live for reviews, I just post my stuff because I can, and hopefully someone will get some enjoyment from what I write.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the plot idea, and there may be a couple of original characters in here somewhere.

SUMMARY: Slightly AU...Basically Frodo is swept overboard the ship to the Grey Havens, and Gandolf jumps in to save him. They both are pushed through a dimensional portal to this world, only at different points on the timeline. Not enough I know, but I don't know what else to say that wouldn't give the entire plot away. Oh yeah, its a crossover too, but I don't know how many people will recognize the show.



PROLOGUE

Portals on the sea:

The first few days of the journey across the sea was uneventful and boring. At least to Frodo, who didn't mind in the least. He was able to rest, to clear his mind and heart of some of the troubles he faced. He spoke often with Bilbo and Gandalf of nothing and of everything. The kind of talk that stimulates the brain, and seems to give physical satisfaction as well. Frodo had nearly put everything that had happened behind him, though his shoulder still pained him, and he still felt a cold chill once in a while. The peace would not last for long.

During the second week of the journey, Frodo stood on the deck of the ship, marveling at the wide expanse of the calm grey waters of the sea. He walked over to the rail and looked over it into the water. He could see fish and other creatures swimming, all with a peaceful harmony. This was part of a ritual he did every day. He would wake up in the morning, spend most of the morning whiling away the hours speaking with his friends. Then he would go above and walk around the deck, enjoying the feel of the wind in his hair. Then finally he would go to the side of the ship and look out at the sea.

So caught up in this daily ritual was he, that he did not notice when dark clouds covered the sun. Clouds often did this, so he thought nothing unusual about that. Nor did he notice the rain, it often did this too. It wasn't until the wind picked up, and a crash of thunder was heard, that he realized that something just might be wrong. Too late, he turned to go back below, and he was swept overboard as a massive wave towered over the side of the ship and grabbed at anything it could take with it to the depths. Frodo instinctively held his breath, even as his visions of his parents' boat turning over flashed before his eyes. He swam until his head came up above the top of the water, and gasped for air, only to have to hold his breath again as another wave crashed over his head. Vaguely, he wondered what the shape floating beside him was. Then the thing grabbed him and he began to struggle before he realized it was only Gandalf, and relaxed. The wizard was pulling them both towards safety, when a strange light appeared in front of them. Gandalf's hold was shaken from Frodo when the light engulfed them, and they both knew no more.

Earth late 21st century:

"Beth! That's enough now, stop crying," Calista Lestrade commanded her four year old daughter, which of course only made the child cry all the harder.

Calista sighed in exasperation, glad to be rid of the girl if only for the summer, regardless of who she was leaving her with. She hated her father in-law with a passion, and didn't want him to have the satisfaction of raising his granddaughter. He had actually told her she couldn't marry his son. Her, the daughter of the richest man in America, was refused what she wanted. And she had wanted Thomas Lestrade. He was dark and mysterious, and he was a cop from England. He would never give up his job for anyone, leaving her free to do what she wished, without answering to anyone. She had used all her feminine wiles, and he had fallen head over heels, just like every other man she had known, and her plans were all set, only to be ruined by this strange man.

The first time Thomas had brought her home and she had met Micheal Lestrade, she had thought he was just like everyone else. That mistake was brought home quickly, when, the first time he looked at her it seemed that he saw straight to her very core. Obviously what he found was lacking, and he dismissed her out of hand, in a kind manner. Thomas always obeyed his father, and had agreed that they wouldn't be getting married. So, Calista had done what she did best, manipulate. Micheal was old fashioned, so she used that against him and got pregnant. He saw through that too, but his ideals were too strong, and he had insisted she and Thomas get married, thereby giving her what she wanted.

Only, it hadn't worked out the way she had planned. Thomas had expected her to stay home with the baby, and to be a general housewife. They got into a huge row about that, until finally they compromised. She would do as he said, as long as they could live in America, and never see Tom's father again. Thomas had reluctantly agreed, even though he knew it would break his father's heart not to see his grandchild ever. However, the child's welfare was more important. When Beth had been born, she had been the apple of her father's eye, which was just fine as far as Calista was concerned. He left her alone to do what she wanted, while he was home. Then four years later, the stupid man got killed in a hovercar chase, so she was left with the little girl and a trip with friends coming up soon.

Calista turned with a sneer to the child sitting next to her in the luxurious hoverlimo. Beth was still sniffling, and her eyes were red and swolen. The major reason Calista hated the girl was because of her eyes. They held that wise, all knowing look her grandfather had. So she was rather afraid to leave her in the care of her worst enemy. They both might turn on her one day. But, her need for freedom outweighed her fear, and her twisted since of humor was touched by the irony that the old man would only get a taste of what it would be like to be with his granddaughter, only to have her snatched away, never to be seen by him again.

As the limo landed in front of a large two story house in New London, Calista was reminded why she didn't like England. It was raining and cold. She stepped lightly out of the car dragging a reluctant Beth by the hand. Better to get this over with quickly. She walked up to the door and knocked. An aging woman answered the door. Mrs. Humphrey, the house keeper. A sudden fear of being probed by the grey eyes of her father in-law prompted her to let go of Beth's hand and march back to the limo, where she climbed gracefully inside. She looked out the window to call, "I'll be back in September!" Then she signaled the driver to go on.

Beth watched her mommy leave. She didn't understand why Mommy didn't want her, and why she had to stay with some man named Your Grandfather. She wanted to stay with Daddy. She had told Mommy that over and over again, but Mommy ignored her like she usually did, until she finally told her to shut up.

"Oh my, you poor dear. That woman is...well never mind," the lady who had answered the door said. Beth looked up at her, her lips set in a pout.

"Oh my, well, come on in and we'll go see your grandfather in a minute. First you look as though you could use something to eat. Come along."

Beth followed the lady into the house, a wondrous expression on her cherubic face. This house had lots of old stuff, just like Daddy liked. Her house was new. It had lots of computers and holovids and other stuff like that. She liked those too, but this was more interesting. She gasped in surprise when they passed an open door and she happened to look inside. There were books in there! Real books! Daddy had started teaching her to read books, and she could read every sign she saw, even if she didn't know what it meant. Maybe Your Grandfather could teach her some more, like Daddy said he was going to.

They soon came to a small kitchen, where the lady sat Beth at a table. Then she put a tray with something that looked like huge biscuits, and a glass of milk in front of her. Beth eagerly ate them and drank the milk. When she was finished, the lady wiped her mouth and hands, then led her to the room with all the books in it. In a corner, sitting in a large red chair, was an old man with bushy white eyebrows and white hair. He looked up at their entrance and smiled. Beth decided then and there she liked him. He had smiley eyes. The lady left the room quietly.

"Well," the man said, "You must be Elizabeth hmm?"

Beth nodded. "Uh huh, Elizabeth Marie Lestrade," she told him proudly, "And you must be Your Grandfather," she told him.

The old man smiled again. "Yes, that's right, but you can call me Grandpa, or Gramps or whatever it is you wish to call me."

"Okay, Grandpa. Can you teach me how to read? I really want to know how, so that when I see Daddy again he'll be proud of me."

Grandpa's eyes grew sad then, and Beth wondered what she had said. "Your mother didn't tell you did she," he asked kindly.

Beth frowned. "She wouldn't tell me anything about Daddy when I asked her."

"Oh dear, I thought as much," Grandpa said. Then he got angry, and Beth was suddenly afraid he was mad at her, like Mommy always was.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa, I won't ask about it anymore."

"No child, it is not you I am angry with. It is your mother. Your father is dead," he said, his voice growing softer, "Do you understand what that means?"

Beth nodded with tears in her eyes. Her puppy had died, and Daddy had said that that meant she would never be coming back. Then Beth ran over to Grandpa, and he held her in his arms, and she felt safe and loved again.

The whole summer was fun. Grandpa taught her how to read, and how to do other fun stuff too. Then Mommy came to pick her up, and Grandpa convinced her to let Beth come visit every summer. It happened that way for four years, and then Mommy was killed by a raging boyfriend who had escaped the crypno process, and Beth's fondest wish came true. She was being allowed to live with her Grandpa.


A/N: Yeah, I know, it doesn't really make much sense yet, but it will, I promise.