A/N: Modern day AU. Because someone requested it and well, here you have it. Not very detailed I'm afraid but I'm sure you'll like it.

Enjoy.

i

Lori stared somewhat peeved at her new carpet then glared at the creature which had stretched itself over said carpet. The dog paid his mistress no mind as he tried to scratch an itch. Clearing her throat, Lori set her hands on her hips.

"Really?" she asked dryly, a look of consternation passing over her face. "This is my new carpet. And you drag mud all over it?! For heaven's sake, Gwyn, it cost a lot!"

Bored eyes simply stared at her for a moment before Gwyn went back to scratching his back. Lori huffed in exasperation and made for the bathroom. She was going to have to clean that stupid thing. Grabbing a sponge and the cleaning utensils she hurried back to the room shooing Gwyn away. On her knees, she started scrubbing. "Gwyn I love you, but one of these days your luck will run out." The dog barked at her. Lori rolled her eyes. "You know I'm right and stop barking or the neighbours will hear.

A groan left her lips at the thought of her neighbours. First there was old Mrs. Benson. That woman was a terror, always sticking her nose where it had no place and constantly trying to find out if Lori was in single so she could pair her up with a nice young gentleman. Another one of her personal favourites was Jonathan Strei. The guy was a mechanic and whenever they happened to be in the same small space he would hit on her. Lori had subtly tried to make him stop but that man wouldn't know what 'no' meant if it hit him in the face. And, of course, that one weird couple that never left their apartment.

Then there was Nick Forser, a former heavy-weight champion. Lori actually liked the man. He was in his early forties and very good company once one got past his gruffness. More than once he had told her mechanic friend off, helping Lori out of some uncomfortable situations. Gwyn too liked the man. And so Lori found herself leaving the dog to this particular neighbour when she had business to deal with. That man was like a father to her.

The daughter of a neurosurgeon, Robert Bolger, and an actress, Marina Seaffer, Lorena had never had an easy childhood. Her mother had not particularly wanted a child, keeping the one she made for various benefits; it did not go with her plans later on, so Lorena spent her childhood with her father and his wife, Marybeth. Although her father's wife treated her well, Lori was always aware of her status in the family. She was not like Remy or Jocelyn. She was an accident. Robert had always made sure she had food and clothes and a good education but he shied away from any sort of emotional contact. That combined with her natural shyness made her aloof, standoffish to others. She didn't have any friends in school, nor did she spent time with children her own age because of that.

Her loneliness was cured when she met Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo was a sort of cousin to her as far as blood ties went but, more than that, he was her first real friend. She was eighteen when she met him. Bilbo came to visit her father all the way from Australia. He instantly connected with Lori and shortly after he settled in London, working for a small firm there. Lori followed him, enrolling into University. For years they shared a flat.

Fourteen month ago, her cousin had met Emilia, a Hispanic woman whose kind nature made everyone instantly like her. Lori moved out after they got married. She was already working so it was no big deal. Of course Emilia had insisted that she stay but Lori would have felt awkward being in their way all the time.

Gwyn literally hopped on her lap one day when she was in the park. He had been a small puppy, abandoned and dirty, and Lori's heart bled at the sight. She immediately took him to her new flat. To her great amusement and pleasure, her little companion seemed to hate Jonathan with a passion. The guy tried to touch him only to have his fingers munched on. The look on his face made Lori laugh until tears steamed down her face.

The doorbell rand, making Lori jump out of her lost state "That must be Bilbo." He had promised to visit her, and bring Emilia along too. The woman was pregnant and was starting to show. She looked at the carpet to see that she had managed to clean it. "Thank goodness." Rising to her feet, she straightened her clothes as she walked to the door. Opening the door she was careful to place a smile on her face. Gwyn barked in the background scrambling to his feet and running to the door. Supporting his weigh on his hind legs the dog put its paws on Bilbo's legs, tail waggling.

Bilbo opened his arms in invitation as he stepped over the threshold. Lori jumped into his embrace enthusiastically. She laughed as he ruffled her hair and broke out of his arms. Lori smiled at Emilia and pulled the older woman in a hug, mindful of the small bump in the midsection. Gwyn ran circles around them, his tail still waving left and right in rapid movements.

"Who's moving in?" Bilbo asked, taking Emilia's jacket off and hanging it.

"What do you mean?" Lori questioned back, confusion in her voice. "She peered through the slightly parted door to see boxes on the hall way. "I have no idea. This morning those boxes were not here. Maybe Jonathan has finally obtained a post somewhere else." Lori pondered out loud.

"Maybe you should give the man a chance," Emilia suggested in a motherly voice. "You are always cooped up here. Go out and have some fun one in a while."

Embarrassment coloured Lori's cheeks. What Emilia was saying was true, she rarely went out. Thus it also happened that she ever really met a special someone. "I can't promise you anything, Emi, you know how I am. But I really have no desire to give him a chance."

"Then, you know what? I'll take you with me," Emilia delivered happily. "Next Friday. At Donn's."

Protest bubbled on Lori's lips. "I couldn't possibly-"

"Nonsense," Emilia interrupted her, "you are coming and that's final. Bilbo, tell her she's coming."

"Come on cousin," he encouraged Lori with a grin. "Don't knock it 'till you've tried it, I think the saying is."

"Fine," Lori agreed. "You win this time." She shook her head and giggled at the look of triumph on Emilia's face. "I'm only doing this because later on we won't be able to."

ii

The music pumped all around her, bodies grinding to one another in time with the beat. Lori grimaced at the headache that had developed in her skull. This really wasn't her cup of tea. She took a sip of her drink and pulled her skirt down. The short cloth kept riding up her legs, exposing a lot skin she didn't feel comfortable showing.

This night was not bad, but Lori had always known why she never liked these loud and packed places. Emilia was dancing with her husband, her face weakly lit by the dim lights. Gretchen, a friend of Emilia's, came up next to Lori and smiled kindly at the girl.

"Are you okay?" she asked with a smile. "I thought I saw you scowl a moment ago." Gretchen finished. A mother of two, at thirty-eight, Gretchen pretty much acted like everybody's parent. She was a sweet woman, a bit unlucky as far as relationships went. But she had her feet firmly planted on the ground and took great care of her two sons.

"I'm alright," Lori assured the older woman, "I'm just annoyed by this goddamned skirt." Once again she tugged the material down. "I swear it's the worst!"

Gretchen laughed. "That's why I prefer pants to anything really." She looked down thoughtfully. "It's not that bad, but just in case, next time go for skinny jeans. They would look smashing on you."

"Point taken." Lori bit her lip and downed the content of her glass. A catchy tune started playing. Its beat thrummed through her body inciting her body to move. "I like this song."

"Then to the floor we go." Gretchen grabbed her hand and dragged all the way to a free spot. "Come on, move."

Doing her best, Lori soon lost herself in the music. She ended up having fun, with Gretchen supporting her all the way. That woman sure knew how to make one feel better. Even her headache receded by the time they were ready to leave the club.

"Call me when you get home," Bilbo instructed his cousin in a stern manner. He hailed her a cab and helped her in. "Night, shrimp." He kissed her cheek.

"Oh shut it. You aren't all that tall either." She placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "See you later." She waved at Emilia and Gretchen.

Stepping out from the car Lori let the chilly night air wash over her. She took a deep breath, adjusting her scarf. "Finally home," she said, in front of her flat building. The young woman searched her purse for the keys, fingers bumping in every unnecessary object littering her handbag. Frustration made her sigh. "Where did I put them?" A jolt travelled up her spine, making her jump. Lori turned her head, and was surprised to see a tall man staring down at her.

Grey eyes analyzed her closely. Lori felt her heart skip a beat. The man was stunning, kind of like the sinuous sounds the strings of a violin made. He had a cold beauty that left her speechless. It did not help that the stranger towered over her; she felt like a deer in the headlights. Although, to be fair, he did not look like he meant her any harm. Nor did he seem to be an axe murderer. Which was good, because he was very attractive. The silence stretched between them for a few more seconds.

The man raised his hand, the movement distracting Lori from his face. Hazel eyes went wide to see a key very much like her own. He must have moved here recently, she thought, while watching him open the door.

"After you, Miss," he spoke. His voice was deep and smooth, a sound that made Lori sign and glue herself to him to listen to it all day long.

"Thank you," she heard herself reply. Lori entered the building, silently reminding her lungs to drag air in and then puff it out. She could hear him walk behind her and had the urge to turn around, or fidget, or pull down her skirt. That damnable too-short skirt. Lori had forgotten about it for a moment and it hit her in the face like a slap.

The stairs creaked under her feet and she could still hear a second set of footsteps. Lori reached her door and pulled out the keys she had finally managed to find. To her utter astonishment the man walked to the flat that weird couple used to share.

"You're the one who moved in last week?" she asked out loud.

He turned to glance at her. "Yes. I don't think we've met. I'm Thorin Oakenshield." He extended his hand.

"Lorena Bolger," she answered and shook hands with him. "It's a bit curious that we haven't run into each other earlier."

Thorin shrugged. "Good night Miss Bolger."

"Please, it's Lori, Mr Oakenshield," she joked softly, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

"In that case call me Thorin," he replied with a smirk. Thorin entered his lodging.

Turning away Lori entered her own place, closing the door with a thud. Gwyn jumped on her when he spotted the woman. "Easy Gwyn." Lori patted the dog's head. "Did you have a good time with Mr Forser?" Gwyn nuzzled his head into her leg. "Oh, I get it," Lori said after a moment of thinking, "You've missed me. Haven't you?" The pet barked approvingly. "Gwyn, don't. You'll wake everyone up."

"I'm hungry." She walked to the kitchenette, her loyal dog following close behind. Digging through her pocket Lori pulled out her phone and dialled Bilbo's number. It rang a few times before her cousin picked up. After a routine check-up Lori was left to prepare her meal in peace. Well, relative peace, as Gwyn stood to the side with puppy eyes just begging to get something to eat too.

"Okay, I get it. You will also get something," Lori conceded. "Stop looking at me like that. Gwyn, stop. No. Don't." It wasn't working, dog was winning. "Damn it Gwyn."

Lori threw him a piece of meat which he caught in the air.

iii

Thorin dropped his bag to the floor as the door clicked shut behind him. He ran a hand through his hair and let his head roll back. Tense muscles relaxed slightly. Rather carelessly he took his shirt off and threw it away. All the way to the shower he lest a trail of clothes behind. Water started running, the sound filling the empty space.

The flat was sparsely furnished. It looked like it wasn't even lived in. Everything was immaculate, cold rooms stretching out. One might not think it strange considering he had just moved to that place. Surely in a week he did not have time to fill his home to much. But the state of his flat had always been that of semi-bareness. The only personal things, that gave an inkling to the real, breathing man were a few photographs , neatly placed on the coffee table.

The first picture was of a family of five. An imposing man held his arm around a tall, elegant woman and in front of them two boys. The older one was holding a baby, wrapped in a pink blanket, in his arms. The other child looked curiously at the bundle as the mother smiled kindly, ruffling the older son's hair. That was Thorin's family. His parents and younger siblings, Frerin and Dis; Thorin was the one looking mildly irritated at the camera.

The second photograph was of three young people; an older Thorin had his arm around a teenager Dis and Frerin was patting her head. The girl was scowling, looking ready to shed blood. Thorin was grinning at the camera, a truly content look on his features. Frerin's face was set in a laugh, making the contrast to his sister's face even more amusing.

The last picture was of Thorin and an older man. Both looked serious. The young Thorin was supporting the other man. There was an uncanny resemblance between their faces. They were no doubt related. Unlike the other pictures, this presented a strict face of the man, not unlike the one of his father. The older man was in fact Thorin's grandfather, Thror. He had not seen him for years now.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Thorin dried his hair with a towel. He went straight to the bedroom and crashed on the bed, clad in boxers and a shirt. Steely eyes snapped opened as he found himself contemplating his neighbour. The woman he had met at the entrance. He had not seen her until this night, he was sure.

She was a small thing, standing at about five feet. His six feet two inches frame easily covered hers. Her face was pleasant, although he hadn't detected anything remarkable, yet she was attractive. Her eyes had been warm and trusting, a look of innocence that she wore so well dominating her features. She seemed to be a sweet woman. Thorin shook his head. Why was he thinking about her again?

He closed his eyes. There were more important things to deal with. And he was tired. Too damn tired to be thinking about a woman he had just met no matter how good she had looked in the low light.

A bark sounded through the silence making Thorin open his eyes. Lifting his upper half up, he looked at the door. Who had a dog? It couldn't be that mechanic two doors down. He was forever leaving his flat at noon and returning only by ten in the afternoon. Nor could it be the older man. The massive guy had a limp, a severe one at that, which would prove problematic if he always had to look after a pet. Come to think of it, he rarely left his home.

Naturally it fell to the sole female neighbour then. Lorena she had said her name was. A small smile stretched over Thorin's face. Somehow it seemed to fit her, having a pet. Then he realised he was still thinking about her. Thorin sighed. Pinching the bridge of his nose, the man drove all thoughts away from his mind. They could not be trusted at the moment it seemed. Dropping back to the mattress, inky hair on white sheets, he fell into oblivion.

Morning rolled by in a fast flurry. Thorin woke up with the taste of sand burning in his mouth. He could hear the sound of commotion on the hall, probably what woke him up. Turning on his side, the man buried his head in the pillow, deciding to ignore the uproar. Yet the sounds were only growing louder. A high pitched voice tore through his brain.

"What the fuck?" Thorin jumped out of bed, pulling a pair of random trousers on. He walked barefoot to the door, an angry expression clouding his face. Yanking the door open he came face to face with a pissed off Jonathan and a very distressed Lorena.

The tall male could see her breathe in relief when her eyes landed on him. Jonathan on the other hand, looked miffed, like somebody who had just had his plans ruined.

"Well the, I'll be going. Bye Jonathan. Thorin." Lori avoided the oppressive man that had put himself in the middle of the hallway, squeezing past him. She looked back at Thorin sending him a silent message of thanks.

The woman was well aware that she owed him. Jonathan was getting a to bee a little too much for her to handle on her own.

Lori ran down the stairs, hurrying to get away. She was running late for work as it was. In the back of her mind she made a note to thank her helpful neighbour when she next saw him.

Jonathan glared at the taller man. "What the hell are you looking at, buddy?" he snarled, ice blue eyes scrutinizing his opponent.

"Let's get a few things clear," Thorin retorted, not liking the attitude one bit. "First, I'm not your buddy. Second, leave the girl alone. And third, watch your back." he threatened in a serious manner. "Got it? Buddy?" he asked sardonically, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Who do you think you are?" Jonathan threw at Thorin, his face going red in his rage. "What the hell gives you the right to come into something private like that?"

"There isn't anything private in an asshole like you forcing himself on a woman. If I see you bothering her again, I won't be so lenient." Thorin slammed the door in his face. Some people made him want to shoot them straight between the eyes. Jonathan fitted the bill just fine.

"Scum," Thorin said to no one in particular, trudging back to bed. He had a few more hours of sleep.

iv

"I thought I told you to leave her alone," Thorin growled out.

He had just gotten in the building to see the mechanic was at it again. Lori looked a bit more frightened now, her face a few shades too pale. What was wrong with the man, always picking on the woman? Thorin grabbed Jonathan by the collar, pulling him away from Lori.

"Was I not clear enough?" He smashed him to the wall. "I may need to be a little more persuasive then."

Lorena watched, wide-eyed as Thorin gave Jonathan a few good punches. She had not realised just how string he was. He must have had some power in those arms to remove Jonathan from her person like he had. Tears tracked down her cheeks. She had almost given up hope. This week Nick had gone off with some friend of his. A fishing trip, Lori recalled, and she was left with no defence. Thorin had been absent, she hadn't seen the whole week. Dimly she realised that she only saw him on Fridays or week-end days.

"Come on," Thorin called over his shoulder, dropping a bloody nosed Jonathan to the floor. He extended his clean hand to her, shoving the other in his pocket. "I'll see you to your place."

She smiled weekly at him, her face still stark white. A trembling hand, cold fingers wrapped around Thorin's hand. He glared at Jonathan once more. Lori hid behind him, feeling safer like that. She walked alongside her saviour, words all stuck in her throat.

The woman was trembling like a leaf; Thorin sensed it against his skin. "It's okay. He won't bother you again. If he as much as approaches you one more time-"

"You don't have to do this," Lori interrupted him as they reached her door. "It must be a bother. You really don't have to concern yourself with me."

"That's some way of thanking me," Thorin drolly remarked. This rose had thorn it seemed.

"I'm sorry," Lori rectified, "I didn't mean to seem ungrateful. I really am thankful for the help." She bit her lip in uncertainty. "Would you like to come in?"

"Don't you think that's dangerous?" Thorin asked, one eyebrow rising. "I'm a stranger to you, after all."

"You saved me," she answered as if to remind him. "Had you wanted to hurt me, I'm sure you would have done it by now. So?"

Thorin nodded his head. "Sure. Why not?"

Opening the door, they were attacked by a ivory animal. It sniffed Thorin curiously, throwing glances to its mistress ever now and then. "This is Gwyn. He's friendly don't worry," Lori assured her guest.

Petting the dog silently, Thorin watched her, "I noticed." He took off his coat at hung it. Keen eyes glanced around the apartment. How different it was from his! Although the place was neat, it was also warm and cosy, a far cry from his place. It looked like a real home, not a house.

"What would you like? Coffee?" she called, grabbing his attention. "Tea?" She pondered for a moment. "Don't just stand there. Come on, follow me."

A grin broke out on Thorin's face. This reminded him of a time when he was but a child and his mother dragged him after her. He obediently followed the small woman. She looked so well here, like she belonged. One would expect that. She lived here after all.

Sitting on a stool Thorin continued his inspection. Dark eyes trailed after her form as she moved around with ease. "Beautiful," he whispered to himself. And she was. She had this fragile appearance about her that made him want to protect her. Alarms sounded in his head. Was he getting attached?

"What did you say? I didn't catch it, sorry." She hummed, pouring the water. Twirling a lock of hair that had escaped her tie, she looked at him over her shoulder.

"Nothing," Thorin answered. "Do you live here on you own?"

She shook her head, "I have Gwynn." She smiled at the look on his face. "Yes, Gwyn is my only flatmate. You?"

"I've always been a lone wolf." He nodded his head. Thorin caught her stare with his own.

Over the course of the next few hours Thorin got to know this creature a little bit better. She was not extremely open, but then again, neither was he. Other than that she really was an incredibly innocuous young woman with trouble in her past. She spoke nothing of that, but the shadows were clear to him. He shared even less of himself. Thorin simply couldn't, even if he had wanted to. It was impossible to him, but he did feel torn about it, something he had never experienced before. Hell, he even regretted leaving her place for his own cold dwellings.

And soon it became a habit, meeting with her every week and drinking tea or coffee. If she wasn't at his place, the he was at hers. It astonished him how quickly she wormed her way into his universe and found a comfortable place to settle in. Even more surprising was that he found himself liking it. That was dangerous.

At the same time, Lori was developing some strong feelings for her next door neighbour. There was something about him, he was irresistible to her. Thorin was taking over her heart and thoughts and she was alright with that. Their weekly meeting became the highlight of her life. Like any woman who fancied herself in love she anticipated the moment and played a thousand scenarios in her head.

Just when things were starting to brighten, it hit Thorin like a train, He picked his cell phone, scrolling through the messages. There he saw it. The game was no longer just play. He would have to let her go soon. But he did not want to let her go, not at all.

"Hey, Thorin!" Lori exclaimed as she entered his flat, a smile on her lips. "How are we today?"

"Brilliant, now that I've seen you." She laughed at the comeback nut did not comment.

v

Thorin was suffocating. Blood filled his mouth, the metallic taste lingering on his tongue. The gunshot rang through the heavy air, hitting the target. The shot was a clean kill. His victim had not suffered. Thorin scowled. That bastard deserved every ounce of pain. But enough thinking about his targets; Thorin was covered in blood. Some of it his, but most of it not. The man grimaced and cursed through gritted teeth. He was supposed to meet with Lorena and he would never make it in time. "Damn it all." He would scare the living daylights out of her is he appeared like this.

Warm water poured over him, cleansing away the sickening red. But it was not fast enough. Thorin made the bitter realisation that he was almost never fast enough when it counted. Blood soaked clothes on the floor and opened wounds on his body, he stood before her, the mountain that could be brought down at the gentlest of breezes.

"What-What?" Lori stammered over her words. Her complexion had flushed to a brilliant ruby colour, the blush gliding down her neck, into the large t-shirt she wore. "Thorin, what happened?" She could not phantom the reason for which he was covered in blood and she felt worry grip at her when she saw his injuries. "Wait. Don't tell me."

He stooped his mouth from speaking. He could have told her anything, an elaborated lie and he would be free of all suspicion but he did not want that. He did not wish to lie to her. "Lori, I-"

"I don't want to hear it. Whatever it is," she replied coldly, an internal battle taking place in her mind. "Just let me treat you and don't say a single word. I need to think." She looked around unsurely. "Do you have a first aid kit?" He nodded towards the bathroom. "Stay here." Lori hurried in that direction and found what she needed with relative ease.

Without saying a thing she cleaned the wounds, applied disinfectant and wrapped a soft gauze to the heavier ones. Thankfully he did not need any stitching. Thorin had not said anything to her. He simply let the woman slide her hands and fingers against him. Who knew? This may very well be the last time he had the chance. A muffled sound came from behind him and he felt her trace an old scar with her index finger.

"Do you do this for a living?" she asked finally. There was no need to clarify, it was glaringly obvious what she meant.

"We do what we have to," he answered morosely. "I do my job."

"Can you," she paused, leaning her head on his uninjured shoulder, "tell me who you work for? Or are you not allowed to?"

"Can't," he replied shortly, in a clipped manner. "You should probably go now. Don't worry, I won't bother you."

"Don't you dare," Lori hissed in his ear. "Don't you dare, think you can dismiss me just like that! It's not fair." She got up from the bed and walked around him, to the window. "You cannot just play with my feeling like that."

"I could so easily shoot you where you stand," Thorin told her with no inflection. He rose to his feet, sinewy form cornering her, leaving no room for escape. Long fingers brushed against her neck, feeling her pulse beat wildly underneath his fingertips. "It would only take a strong squeeze to leave you breathless." He leaned in closer to her face. "Just one move to snap you in two."

"Are you trying to scare me? Because if you are, you're doing a fine job at it. But this won't make me leave you." Lori took his hand and entwined her fingers with his. "Someone had to do it, whatever it is that you are doing. And I'm sure you have your reasons. I don't need to hear them. Just-" she stopped speaking. Warm, full lips pressed to his mouth. Lori felt his shock and surprise. "You should consider yourself lucky, sir; I have no intention of leaving you."

"Should've taken your chance when you had it." Thorin backed her against the wall. "You're not getting another." Practiced hands lifted her by the waist, pushing the soft body into the hard surface. On instinct she parted her thighs slightly. Thorin used the breach to widen them more. Bodies pressed together, skin burning through thin cloth. She moaned at the new feeling, her face burying in his shoulder. Deft fingers stroked her body, like a skilled musician playing the harp, pinching, pushing and pulling. A desperate plea was lost in her flesh, passing from his lips to her soul.

Tangling her fingers in his short cropped hair, Lori gave a weak tug. Thorin let her wrap around him after he discarded of her clothing, throwing the pieces anywhere away from the skin he was burning to see. He moved his mouth over hers in a claiming way, biting the soft skin of her lips, leaving his mark. Self-control flew out the window and he lost himself in her. The woman gave freely, opening to the first touch of another. She traced her way through uncharted, learning as she went.

Wild and passionate, then sweet and slow to scorching and all consuming, she tasted all colours of the spectre. Meshed outlines in the fading light, the two let the ardour burn out to embers, pleasantly tingling through sated bodies. Trembling and sleek-skinned, they climbed to unsteady feet.

Losing her footing Lori was about to fall. She squeaked in surprise as Thorin caught her naked form, broad hands trailing over her. Although these were innocent touches, their purpose not to build a fire in the pit of her stomach, Lori found herself glad for them. She liked the feeling of his hands on her. It was the most basic sort of touch that appealed to her innermost need. She was affectionate with those she offered her heart too, however few they were.

"You had better explain this to me one day," she said in a faraway voice.

"One day," Thorin agreed to the loose promise. "Stay with me and I will tell you one day."

"I have to go back now," she said after a moment of silence. "Gwyn's all alone and I'm pretty sure he's not pleased about that."

"Are you telling that a dog's feelings are more important than me?" Thorin asked with a profound lack of seriousness.

"Don't be daft. You can't keep me all to yourself," she noted teasingly. "You'll have to share. Gwyn won't mind."

"How relieving," he wryly remarked.