A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. I just adore them.

. . . . . . . .

"There's no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it." – Mary Little

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

The motel they settled on—or Legolas did—was a four story, older complex that looked like it might have been built in the seventies. It was actually two buildings in the shape of a triangle, with a porch on each story joining the two sides.

'What a shack' were Kristy's first words.

Legolas pushed the door open, followed closely by Kris. He went straight to the table in the corner and dumped his grocery bags. The rest, the ones they packed hurriedly from the apartment were in the same corner. Shenzie was tied to a nearby rail, tail wagging incessantly and eyes flitting back and forth.

Something about the structure of this place appealed to Legolas. The balconies outside reminded him of the porches running the trees of Mirkwood, maybe. Either way, he'd insisted on this place as soon as they saw it. And Kristy wasn't happy.

"Of course they wouldn't offer food in this dump."

"Never mind." Legolas helped her unpack.

"You have such awful taste."

"Best not argue with this elf's second sense." Estel spoke up from behind. "If he found this place, we certainly can abide in it."

"Yeah…or something terrible would happen!" Kristy waved the sandwich she'd started to make in the air. "Like having to buy our own food."

"You haven't been cooking enough, anyway." He shot back. "You've been leaving me to fend for myself ever since we road up to the cabin."

"Oh horrors. Lowered to manual labor like we surfs!"

Legolas made to jump across the table at her, but she shrieked and dove away. He decided to ignore the comment, helping with the sandwiches instead …And when she deemed it safe again, Kristy helped, bumping him lightly every chance she had.

. . . . . . .

It was late that night, and still quiet.

Kristy rested on the couch, a window at her back. Faint light streamed through the smudged glass and she curled and uncurled her fingers. Streetlights. She stared at her fingers' shadow as they moved: open, closed.

"-Is that very interesting?" she heard Legolas murmur from somewhere beside.

She wasn't sure how long he'd been there. She didn't look up.

Slowly, Legolas sat down. Kristy felt the depression in the cushion as he did, and it made her feel less solemn…for some reason. A few moments of quiet passed. And then, staring at her from the edge of his eyes, Legolas covered the moving hand with his own.

"Kristine?"

She stared at the floor, shrouded in darkness. The high was gone from packing…running, moving out. All that was left was a hollow, empty reality. And it made her feel alone.

"You dwell on Roger," he said softly. It wasn't a question.

Still nothing. Kristy just nodded a little; the movement was so tiny he almost missed it.

"There is nothing you could have done," he said, "to have avoided any of this. You know that."

"Really."

"Yes. You were his target, you and I, from the beginning. He was in a sense, hunting us. There was nothing to be done about it."

"Hunting." She scoffed. "What an awful word."

"But accurate," Legolas said, before drawing the hand slowly into his lap. He let it rest in the crook of his thighs where he slowly, gently rubbed it in his fingers. "You knew your government were hunting those like me…like Estel and Tauriel."

"But Roger-" she broke off, taking a quick breath. "But Roger, h-he was my friend."

Legolas was going to speak. Answer after answer flitted through his head, staring at her, but he didn't choose any of them. They all seemed so callous. Instead, he chose the simple words. "I know."

"I-I mean, I…" Kris started up, but broke off. She swiped her nose with the back of her hand, and settled for staring miserably at the moth-eaten carpet. "I thought I knew him. He's a good man, Legolas. I-I remember when he went overseas. He was so brave. H-he said he was going to protect us, his family, his country. That's what he wanted to do."

"How could he fall so far?" Legolas asked, surprised at how cold it sounded. But to his further surprise, she said immediately.

"Maybe he hasn't!" Kris lifted her head. "Maybe that's what he's still doing. He's protecting us in-in his own," Kris scrunched her nose, "messed-up kinda way. Maybe he just wants to help."

Legolas smiled faintly. Here they were in a dingy, cold motel in the heart of an even dingier neighborhood. He could feel the cool air as it hovered by the window. There was a single, narrow bed and a couch that felt crusty. She was hunted now, like a criminal or one of them, like himself. And she was defending the man who put them here?

Legolas sighed. She could forgive anyone anything.

Of course she could. She was Kristy.

A few moments passed, in which Legolas leaned closer, infinitesimally so. He was just close enough to rest his arm on the back of the couch, to comb the stray hairs from her cheek. So soft. So warm. "… And that is a thing I love in you, precious thing." Legolas said very, very softly.

Kristy didn't flinch at his arm enveloping her, or his words. But she blinked at him, staring at his knees.

Legolas realized his slip. "Belittling all my ill-feelings with kind words," he chuckled, hastily covered it with a harder, less tender smile. "Of course you would, Kristy. I mean, how can I hate the man when you love him so?"

She shrugged, turning a brighter shade of color.

"Yes?" he pressed, hoping she'd laugh and he could forget his mistake, brush it off, pretend he didn't say that word to her in any context. Love. Mistakes like that were crucial. "Well?" He grinned and flicked her ribs with his fingers. She was delightfully ticklish.

Kristy choked and scrambled away. "No!"

"Then go to bed," he said, pointing past the rickety table to the blankets Tauriel occupied. They agreed earlier that Tauriel and Kristy should share the bed, Estel would have the couch, and Legolas would take some blankets to the reclining chair. It was lumpy and haggard looking, but he was an elf. He should be an elf. He could sleep anywhere.

Besides, Estel had slept on a chair long enough. It was about time he had a decent night's sleep.

"Dwelling on it will not help us any, little one," he said more seriously.

Aragorn emerged from the bathroom.

"Go." Legolas prodded, deciding to chase her from the couch so the ranger could have it. Estel glanced at the two a little strangely. "Hurry up. Get in."

"I don't need you to tuck me in." She slapped him off, recoiling.

"Go to sleep, Kristy."

And so…by the time two o'clock rolled around, every light was switched out and Legolas was left staring at the ceiling. He listened to the ticking of the clock. Minute after minute passed, covered only by a blanket and feeling strangely…hollow. He chased sleep but it ran.

How did he end up here? …On the run? Hiding from a man he barely knew? A government he had no hate for? It all felt surreal.

But they were all afraid. He knew that. The storms, they were an anomaly that no one seemed able to deal with. The unknown couldn't be controlled or rationalized. It was dangerous. This country was closing in on itself for defense. It was something to be avoided like…like-

Legolas turned his head, staring at the faint rise and fall of Kristy under the covers.

…like the irrational feelings clenched in his chest. Yes, they were dangerous too. They made him think about things, things that should be forever and couldn't be. They made him have hope that the impossible was possible.

But Kristy was mortal. She lived in a world utterly foreign to his. His was a war torn battle zone, and hers was a crowded mess of steel and lines. Lines that could never be crossed.

Legolas shivered, drawing the blanket up over his shoulders. And suddenly, he felt incredibly alone.

But then there was a touch to his arm and he jumped violently.

Kristy.

Frustration and a brief moment of confusion rushed through him. He dropped his head back again in relief. Kris kneeled by the side of the recliner and put her chin on the leather armrest.

"What is it?" he asked in confusion. Why in Manwe's name wasn't she asleep?

Kristy didn't answer. She just looked at him, as if he should be able to read her mind. She held herself in her sweater.

And then, realization dawned and Legolas sighed. Oh, he knew what she wanted. She wanted to cuddle against him in the covers.

No! Too many wrong choices, too many times of letting this thing close to him. How many? In all the weeks he'd been here…growing, recovering, living with her. How many times did he do things like this? He let them have these moments and they became precious to him. Without even realizing it.

"Oh, Kristine..." He sighed again, tilting his head to stare wearily at her face.

She just smiled hopefully. She didn't like to sleep in the same bed as Tauriel; Legolas knew that. Or maybe she was cold. Something rational and hopefully platonic.

"Oh, alright." He groaned softly, shifting over and lifting the coverlet in invitation.

Kristy didn't smile again, to his surprise. She let out a rush of air in relief and got up to slide in so fast, he almost didn't register it. Until her warm body was pushed up against his and she buried her face in his chest.

Legolas almost sighed. Why did she do this to him? Yes, he wanted to enjoy the time he had with her. But this was torture!

"I couldn't sleep." She admitted into his chest. "I was cold and…and…I feel empty when I can't touch you."

Legolas almost laughed. As if she'd echoed his own feelings exactly. "Manwe, I do love you, precious thing," he sighed in his own tongue.

"Please don't do that," Kristy said. Her breathing was faster than his, probably from staring at him in the dark, heart pounding erratically in her ribs and waiting for an answer.

It took a half an hour of agony, tossing and turning to come here and ask for what she wanted. But now that she felt him, could listen to his heartbeat in his chest...it was all better.

"What?"

"Talking to me when you know I don't understand." she insisted. "Why do you do it?"

"Why do you think?" he asked automatically.

Kristy didn't answer, but he felt her breathing stop. "I…I think you don't know what to say."

Probably true.

"Legolas?"

He made a very quiet, responsive sound.

"Are you upset with me?"

Legolas blinked. "For what?"

"For…" she shrugged uncomfortably, fidgeting with his shirt and glancing down. An awkward movement, considering their positions, "you know, for being here."

"I let you here." He said in answer.

A little while passed. Legolas could almost feel the thoughts as they passed through her head. Because you couldn't say no. Because you don't want to hurt me.

"I know." She whispered.

And then, Legolas shook his head and sighed. He enveloped her in his arms completely. "Simply put, I want to enjoy my time with you, Kristy. Don't make me say more."

"… Okay." She whispered under his chin. And then, out of nowhere, she said. "I-I just had to hear your breathing. It helps me sleep. I know it's stupid. I-"

"'Tis alright. Come to me whenever you need." He assured her. "It is alright."

"I'm sorry I keep doing this to you." Kristy said. She was going to leave it at that. But it just didn't feel complete. She wanted to tell him what she felt. All of it. And so, after a moment of hesitation, she whispered in a small voice, "I just…I just feel like you're slipping through my fingers."

Legolas shook his head. "What?"

"Everything keeps changing!" Kris spilled out in a whisper. "I mean, R-roger, Estel and Tauriel? I can't keep up. I feel like you're leaving me behind, a-and I don't want that. I don't want to be left behind."

Legolas felt a sharp sting in his throat. He grimaced, fingers shaking as he processed those words. They made him angry. He didn't want that either, for her or himself. But he couldn't stop it. No matter how hard he tried, he felt like he was leaving her behind. And it felt wrong.

"Quiet, Kristy," he forced out quietly. "Just sleep. Please. For me?"

And when she didn't say more, he kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. She wasn't alone. Not yet. And he didn't want her to feel like it. For him, it felt like he was already in a deserted wasteland.

. . . . . . . .

"You! Seal off all the exits." Major Roger Sterling grabbed a passing Marine and threw a finger at the flashing sign. Wind and rain blew through his hair and he slammed his car door shut. "Barnes, get a truck and wait for me out front."

"Yes, sir."

The party evaporated within minutes. Roger didn't bother taking the files Luke and Kristy had seen. It was too late now, anyway. He was so stupid.

Roger muttered a curse as he walked around to the street front. Barnes was in the driver's seat and when he jumped inside, took off with a roar.

"I shouldn't have let them out of my sight!" His knuckles turned white and he grabbed the seat restraints.

"Rog, that's not helping. Don't worry. We'll get em' back."

"I know that." He spat, "But Kristy, she…" he trailed off. She would know everything now.

Roger let the streetlights whiz past his face and he stared angrily at his hands. He thought he had tonight in control! Dammit. He'd had nothing to drink tonight but water, to keep his head clear. The men in his personal squad had done the same. Even his contest with Luke was fake…all a plan to lull them into security.

But it hadn't worked! None of it. They got away.

"Where are we going?" Barnes finally spoke up.

"Kristy's apartment. You know the one."

He blinked in confusion. A minute passed and he didn't quite dare ask, but after another moment went by and the major didn't explain, Barnes started. "But how do we-"

"She doesn't smoke." Rog interrupted in a beat. "Alright? They were lying to get away. I went out the other side, thinking they were running. But they went to my car instead. They saw the files."

"Luke's?"

"Yes," he muttered.

And then again, maybe it was for the best. Maybe it was time she knew what kind of a…creature she was harboring. Roger glanced at the speedometer and the dark, mostly deserted streets. Rain pounded relentlessly on the windshield, wipers beating frantically.

He was just running through every possible turn in his head. They could run. But if that was it, Kristy would never live a life in this country again. He hoped desperately she was smarter than that. Or, they could stay and be hoping to talk things out with him, convince him to let them go maybe. That was a stupid plan.

And then again, maybe Kristy had let Luke go.

Yes, maybe that was it. She'd finally seen sense. She'd seen this Luke Smith for what he was…an alien, a liar, maybe a spy sent to infiltrate their system, overthrow their entire way of life.

Yes, she'd be sitting in her apartment alone. Luke would be gone and Roger could hunt the man free of his conscience. The thought made him feel better.

But alas, it was too good to be true.

When they arrived, not only was Kristy's car gone, but after bursting through the door, they found the rooms ransacked and empty.

"Idiot girl," he spat, throwing a book splayed across the table. A violent rip of thunder rattled the windows and flashed across the ceiling.

Barnes didn't flinch.

"What is she thinking?" Roger whirled around, gripping his fists in fury. "Come on! We'll look over the street cameras and follow the car. They won't get away this time."

He was fully prepared to do just that. It would take a few hours, but they'd get the job done. It was when they made it to the street that it began. Roger froze, half way out the glass doors.

It rumbled under his feet and he felt the beginning. No…Rain pounded the pavement and he took in short gasps of the cold air. It smelled sharp like, like…

"Call the men into the bunker!" He shouted over the wind.

He was just in time, before the first splash of light tore open the sky.

. . . . .

"Legolas!"

The cry came an instant before a snap of thunder jarred him awake. Legolas bolted upright, hitting Kristy with his arm on the way.

"Get up!"

"What is it?"

Legolas stroked her hair in the dark as he whipped his head around, whispering an automatic apology.

"What is it?" he echoed.

Before Estel could even answer, Legolas knew precisely what was wrong. Rain battered the glass and the floor was trembling. He stumbled upright and grabbed the wall.

"Get onto the ground level." Aragorn's voice was harsh.

They were going to do just that. But it happened so fast, it came out of the storm from nowhere. They didn't make. Suddenly, another crack ended in an ear-splitting scream and glass flew everywhere. The windows shattered.

"Get down!" Estel shouted over the roar, pushing Kristy under a table as Tauriel ducked, shielding her face. Wind tore through the building like a hurricane, trying to force Legolas against the wall. He couldn't think. He couldn't breathe.

There was something…

"Legolas, get back!"

Legolas clutched his head and dropped to the floor, on his knees. He wanted to, but his limbs wouldn't move. There was something pushing and pulling in his mind. He felt it and couldn't stop it. Glass gouged his hands as he fell and blood stained the carpet. His blood. And yet…

Legolas.

The word echoed in his mind, as clear and crystal as day. Even through the sound of screams and blaring sirens, he heard his name. Through the wind and a splash of icy rain, the whisper left him paralyzed and the overwhelming rush of fea against his own. It had been so long…he thought his spirit no longer existed!

It was dormant, cold and lifeless for so long. But now it surged to life and a thousand sensations rushed through him. He felt alive again. Like himself. Like an elf of the Woodland Realm and a prince.

"I'm here…" He gasped out, "Galadriel!"

. . . . . . .

A/N:D Have a great rest of your day, all.