A/N: Hey, everybody! Listen, I am extremely sorry about how short this is. I've been a little busy, and, not only that, my muses have fled for some reason. It's been getting a little hard to produce any form of writing lately. Also, I want the story to start moving a little faster. There's a lot of stuff I want to get down.

Again, I'm sorry this is so short, but at least I'm satisfied with the way it turned out:oD I'll try and make it longer next time.

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Disclaimer: My brain's fried, so, again, no witty disclaimer. Legolas really isn't mine, neither is "Lord of the Rings" or anything else that the brilliant Tolkien invented.

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ch.10

The next week something happened that twisted my life. As usual, I was hanging around the apartment with Legolas, enjoying his company and liking the sound of his laughter filling the rooms better than the silence that had reined before he'd been transported here. We were in the living room, the TV turned on, but we weren't watching it. We'd lost interest in the show long ago. Legolas was perched on the back of the couch, cross-legged (I honestly had no idea how he was able to sit like that without falling over, but he told me he had excellent balance earned from climbing trees and sitting on the branches), and I was reclined against the arm.

Somehow, I'm not sure how, we got on the topic of jobs, whether they were past occupations or ones we were thinking of in the future.

"I notice that Fran leaves every morning, yet you stay here," Legolas remarked, looking down at me from his seat. "And, judging by the way you both act, it's normal for you to stay home."

"I haven't had a job in a while," I admitted, reaching over to take a sip of my Pepsi. Legolas cocked his head, narrowing his eyes.

"Why is that?"

I shrugged carelessly, scratching the back of my neck. "I…never really tried to find one, to be honest. I'm not sure why, I just never had the heart to look." Legolas regarded me curiously for a while, tapping his finger against his knee.

"Everyone takes from this world," he finally whispered. "It's only proper to give back." And that's honestly all he had to say to make the guilt rise within me. Why didn't I give back? Was I just too lazy? I watched as Legolas slid down from his perch, stood smoothly to his feet, and walked over to the window. I didn't follow him. He normally had one or two hours of the day reserved as the time he would withdraw into his own mind, and I respected that by not pestering him. Besides, I was busy thinking about getting a job.

And guess what? The very next day, I slapped the paper down onto the countertop, sat, and began thoroughly reading through the job listings. I didn't just scan it; I mentally ripped the damn thing apart looking for an occupation.

And guess what? I found one! I felt like marching down the street waving banners. The next chance I got, I called the number listed on the page. The job opening was for a cashier and someone to restock the merchandise in a common convenient store. But hey, it was something.

As soon as the manager accepted my offer, I slammed the phone down, then ran into the living room. Legolas had been sitting on the couch, but seeing me rush in so suddenly, he stood to his feet, a baffled look on his face. Before he could ask any questions, I launched myself into his arms, laughing. It threw him off balance, and it was a good thing the couch was there, otherwise we both would have ended up on the floor.

"Kyla, what—"

Legolas cut himself off when I kissed his cheek. "Thank you," I whispered, hugging him tightly. "Thanks for giving me a kick in the ass to wake me up." With that, I released him and went skipping off, leaving him sitting on the couch, blinking with surprise.

Nothing could get me down that day. I was the happiest person, and both Fran and Legolas noticed the huge difference in my disposition. I don't know why getting a job got me so hyped, but I felt good with the idea that I would be doing as Legolas said and giving back to the world.

When the day came to finally go to the convenient store, I threw on my best outfit and rose as early as Fran. Instead of feeling drowsy, I felt energetic. It was then that I realized how detached from the world I'd been. I had always been holed up in my apartment, the only link to the outside world the computer. But now I was going out into the world, and to make a contribution. It felt good.

I know, I know…you're probably thinking: 'Jeez, what's with you? All you're doing is going to work at a small store on some corner that will probably underpay you!' Well, to tell you the truth, looking back on it, I'm not sure why I was so giddy. I'm not sure how to explain it either.

So I ate breakfast with Fran, then watched as she left. She needed to leave before me, so I still had a little extra time to spend with Legolas. We stayed at the kitchen counter, joking and laughing with each other, until I caught sight of the clock over his shoulder. My smile fell and I sucked air through my teeth.

"I'm sorry, Legolas, but I have to go," I said reluctantly. He glanced back at the time, then nodded.

"Go on," he said bravely. "I'll, of course, be here when you get back." I grabbed the handle of my bag, but then hesitated. I remembered all the times I was stuck in the apartment, alone, because I didn't have a job or anywhere to go. I remembered how lonely it was. Seeing a hint of melancholy in his eyes, I almost sat down again and refused to go. But then he placed a small smile on his face and waved his hand at me.

"Go," he repeated.

"You'll be alright while I'm gone?" I asked uncertainly. His smile only grew.

"I'm not a helpless elfling," he said, prodding my arm in encouragement. "I'll be fine a few hours by myself. Go on, you don't want to be late for your job." I nodded, and, brushing my hand against his arm in farewell, I made my way to the door, leaving him staring after me from where he was sitting in the kitchen. I opened the door and looked back to meet his sapphire gaze.

"Bye," I said, waving feebly. He returned the gesture.

"Navaer," he said softly. "Garo arad vaer." I didn't understand a word, but I knew it was some form of encouragement, so I smiled and inched out of the door, closing it slowly behind me. After that, I stared at the closed door, wondering how he would spend his time. Then, assuring myself that he would be fine, I turned and headed down the stairs.

God, how I wish now that I'd turned back around, threw open the door, and planted myself in the kitchen with Legolas, refusing to go to my job. Maybe it could have prevented some bad stuff from happening.

But…I didn't, so now I have to tell you the bad stuff that did happen because of me going to work.

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Mwahahahahaha...that'll keep you wondering for a little while. Reviews, please!