Apparently Fili worked with his brother for his Uncle, who owned a business renovating old houses and building new houses. We headed into town where there was a house being restored and I saw people running around like busy bees. My heart pounded and my palms were sweaty, but I showed none of my nervousness as Bilba and I walked up the street to the work place.

There was a fence surrounding the house and I saw that the house had been risen so people could get under the house easily and there was a tractor scooping up dirt for some reason in the back yard. Bilba stood by the gate and waved to someone. I tried not to stare as a young man ran up who looked like Fili, but different. This Fili had a short beard and his mustache didn't have braids. His blond hair was also cut short and he wasn't bulky like a dwarf. He was a human version of Fili. I had a feeling if I met anyone else, they'd look like human version of themselves too. This brought home the fact that even tho he looked like him, this was not my Fili. I couldn't help but think, "Well this is depressing."

However, when he greeted me I couldn't help but smile and congratulate him on catching Bilba. When he blushed I grinned wickedly until Bilba elbowed me, a blush on her cheeks as well. Laughing I mentioned lunch.

We went to a cafe around the street and I mostly listened as the couple talked. Bilba was an excellent chef and wanted to open her own restaurant. Fili was all for supporting her and wanted to be as good as an architect as his Uncle. I did catch something when Fili mentioned his Uncle, but I couldn't quite put my finger in it...it was almost like sadness.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I paid for everyone's meal, laughed when Bilba protested and then walked with them back to the work site. My thoughts drifted and I barely noticed when we got back until I nearly had a heart attack when a loud booming voice hollered at a workman. I stared at none other than Dwalin, who was scar-less and bald and no tattoo's on his head. Although he did have intricate Celtic tattoo's covering his entire arms. His beard was short and so was his mustache, he was actually well groomed. Dwalin strode up and growled, "Fili! Stop flirting and go help with the tiles. We're going to miss our deadline. If your damn Uncle doesn't get his head out of his arse I'm going to..."

That's when he noticed me and coughed uncomfortable, "Excuse me, who are you?"

I held out my hand, hiding my amusement, "Ariana McKing. And you are?"

"Dwalin Fundinson, what are you doing hanging around this little bit of mischief?" Ignoring Fili's groan of embarrassment and Bilba's giggle I said, "Bilba invited me to lunch with her and Fili. Sorry we kept him too long."

I could have sworn I saw his lip twitched until something behind him caught my eye, "Um, excuse me Dwalin, but your man is about to die."

Dwalin spun and saw a man wearing a hard hat driving the tractor towards the house! Dwalin hollered and raced for him, Fili right behind. They managed to get to the tractor, wrestle the man off and stop it before any damage was done. There was a lot of arm waving, and yelling I couldn't make out before the man threw down his hard hat and stormed our way. Bilba and I moved to the side and then the man spotted me, his face going all red. I stepped in front of Bilba just in case. He stormed over, smelled to high heaven and thrust a meaty finger into my chest, "You should have minded your own business you little wench!"

I snorted, eyeing the man who obviously was used to women scurrying away from him in fear, "Your the dummy who drank on the job and nearly ruined the whole project. You ruined this yourself."

His face was turning purple and he grabbed my newly healed arm, "You better watch your mouth!"

I was losing my patience with this man at an alarming rate and as soon as he touched me, my patience and temper went up in smoke. Grabbing that meaty wrist I twisted it back until he let go with a gasp and then pressed it back and to the side until he fell to his knees. I growled, "Now you listen to me bub, I don't give a damn who you are but if you touch me again I will rip this arm from it's socket and shove it up your ass! Do you understand me?"

He whimpered and I squeezed until he gasped, "I do! I understand!"

I let go and snorted, "Get lost."

He scrambled to his feet and ran out of the gate as fast as he could. I stuck my thumbs into my belt loops and then realized Dwalin, Fili and Bilba were staring at me. A blush rose up my cheeks and I shrugged, "What? I don't like being touched."

Dwalin let out a bark of laughter and said, "I think you handled it nicely. Tho I'm sorry you had to handle it at all."

I waved him off and decided I had mingled enough for one day, bid them a good day and headed home. I wondered who else I would meet in the future and wondered how different Thorin looked as a human.

0o0

I had no idea I would find out a couple weeks later. After I had gotten my casts off I had purchased a punching bag and some weights and got to work strengthening my body again. This kept me distracted from the past. After two weeks I decided I needed to go out and headed to a bar I had heard had good live music and food. When I got there there was a neat band playing country music and I headed straight for the bar. I ordered a tall Guiness, a hamburger and fries and a cheesecake for dessert.

Listening to the beat I relaxed as I finished my food and then my beer. I ignored everything else around me until I was done with my beer. Then I paid and headed home. I should have paid more attention because two people left the bar ahead of me and I would have recognized them. Luck was sort of on my side however as I strolled down the street to enjoy the night air before I called a cab.

The sound of a fight caught my ears and I looked down an alleyway. A street light showed a figure on the ground and a smaller figure trying to defend it from three thugs. Striding forward I dove right into the fight and had surprise on my side. The thugs didn't even see me coming and I pummeled them into the dirt with ease. Snorting in disgust I turned to the two people left, "You alright?" and nearly bit my tongue. Kili stared at me with startled brown eyes, one turning black as I looked. I slowly looked at the ground as the man sat up with a groan and it was none other than Thorin.

0o0

I was grateful my face was in shadow until I could hide my shock and slowly asked, "You two alright?" Kili rubbed his cheek where he had gotten punched and nodded, "Yes thank you. I was just trying to get my Uncle home."

Thorin didn't look like he was in any shape to stand, and I said, "I have a cab waiting for me down the street. Let me give you a hand."

Kili hesitated for a second but then Thorin slumped over and he gave in. We each grabbed an arm and lifted him up onto our shoulders. I introduced myself, "I'm Ariana. Um, having a good night?"

Kili grunted under his Uncle's weight and said, "Kili, and it's fantastic."

I chuckled at his sarcasm and braced as Thorin swayed, nearly losing my grip. Kili cursed when he lost his grip and suddenly Thorin was hugging me, muttering under his breath and a blush lit my face on fire. Until I heard a disgusting noise and paled as my shirt got wet. Kili quickly straightened Thorin, looking pale as well, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry!"

I sighed, waving him off, "No worries, I didn't like this shirt anyway." I ignored through sheer will the vomit on my shirt and we got to the cab. I reassured Kili that I could easily get another and helped him get Thorin in the cab after Kili told me his brother could help him get Thorin out of the cab.

After they drove away I flagged another cab down and carefully pulled off my shirt and threw it into a nearby garbage can. Ignoring the stares I got into the cab and gave my address. Rubbing my forehead, wondering how I should feel about seeing Thorin again. From what I could tell in the dark he looked the same except both his hair and his beard were short. I was happy, but at the same time worried. I had never seen Thorin so trashed and his muttering had seemed so sad. Something was off with him and I couldn't put my finger on it. But the part where he vomited on me, I was serious about forgetting.

0o0

The next day I was munching on a sandwich, looking up things on my computer when there was a knock on my door. Setting down my sandwich I went over and opened it. I stared at Bilba, Fili and Kili. Then I frowned, instantly suspicious, "Hello. The answer is no."

Bilba snorted, "You haven't heard what we have to say yet!" I waved them in and headed back to my sandwich, "Bilba, you look like mischief incarnate and Fili and Kili look like worried kittens who got into a jar of cream."

I leaned against my counter and ate my sandwich as they came in and Bilba asked, "When did you meet Kili?"

Kili answered, "Last night, she helped me with Uncle Thorin."

I swallowed, playing innocent, "He was your Uncle? He was pretty trashed last night, we could barely get him in the cab."

Both Fili and Kili looked uncomfortable and embarrassed. I studied them, trying to figure out why when Bilba distracted me, "Ariana I need a favor. Tomorrow night there is a party for rich people to get together and rub elbows. Thorin is invited because he's done a lot of houses for high class folk, and Fili and Kili are going because Thorin made sure they could and I'm Fili's date. I would like you to come and liven up the party."

I stared at her, eating my sandwich slowly. She shifted and glanced at Fili. He shrugged and Bilba took a deep breath and said uncomfortably, "Ok, to be honest I want you to come to help Thorin." I could have won a world class poker game when I kept a bland face and voice, "Why would I do that for someone I don't know?"

When Bilba looked at me, her green eyes shining, "Please. Thorin hasn't been himself."

She looked desperately at Fili and he looked at Kili. They seemed to agree on something and Fili said, "Thorin was married to a woman named Serene. He was happy, until he caught Serene having an affair in his bed. It messed him up pretty bad, especially since she owns 51% of Thorin's company. She verbally abuses him every chance she gets while at the same time she's running the company into the ground."

I scowled at them, "Are you trying to set me up with your Uncle?"

Kili waved his hands and his long brown hair got in his eyes when he shook his head, "No! We just, were kinda hoping you can distract him and play interference with Serene."

His puppy dogs were more devastating then I remember, "We just want him to have a good night for once."

Rubbing my forehead I asked softly, "Why me?"

I looked at all of them and saw them look at each other. Fili finally answer, a bit uncomfortably, "Well, we don't know anybody else we can trust. Almost everyone here is in Serene's back pocket except our mom and our male friends. Uncle isn't gay, and would probably kill us if we set him up with a guy."

This made sense. I didn't care if this Thorin didn't know or care about me. I knew him, and I could help him. Looking at Bilba, Fili and Kili I saw their intense worry and fear for Thorin. This warmed my heart, knowing others cared for him too.

I began to wonder about my sense of mind when I finally said, "Alright, alright. I see where your coming from. But I am just going to be a distraction at the party. Don't expect me to date him."

The looks of relief and joy convinced me that this was the right move. They left in happier spirits and I headed straight for Beorns, needing some animal TLC to work up the courage for meeting Thorin once again.