Chapter III: Reunion

Bilbo Baggins was a lot taller now. At least the height of five foot seven, but Thorin still towered over him. 'Good,' Thorin thought. He always liked it that he towered over Bilbo. Memories of him trapping his former lover against a wall or counter began to surface. Memories of their love making began to surface too. After four years, Thorin knew what made Bilbo moan loudest. What his sister said was true when he saw the gun and badge on Bilbo's hip. Dis was the first to greet Bilbo. "Bilbo, it's so good to see you," she said getting up from her seat. She gave Bilbo a hug who returned it. He always did like Thorin's sister. "He has been miserable since you two broke up," she said into Bilbo's ear.

"It's good to see you, too, Dis," Bilbo said with a smile.

"I'm serious, Bilbo. You two right now are like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett," Dis said causing him to chuckle. Legolas thought about it for a while before he spoke up.

"So, that would make you Elizabeth Bennett?" he asked Bilbo. His partner glared at him as Dis chuckled.

"So, what brings you to Erebor?" Dis asked.

"Official business I'm afraid, Dis," he said. "My partner, Inspector Legolas Greenleaf," he said.

"Hi," he said. They all said 'hello' to Legolas before Dis turned to Bilbo.

"We had a development in your father's case," Bilbo said causing Thorin to stand up.

"What development?" he asked.

"Dock workers found a body in the Thames early this morning," Bilbo started.

"No, Bilbo, don't say it," Dis said before Bilbo continued.

"I recognized him as your father, Thrain," Bilbo started and Dis let out a cry, Fili and Kili coming to her side. "I am so sorry for your loss."

"We'll need you to come down to the morgue when you're ready to make the id," Legolas said.

"Whatever you need," Thorin said as his nephews comforted their mother.

Bilbo and Legolas were escorted back down by Dwalin. "Well, that sucked," Legolas said as he and Bilbo handed in their passes.

"Yeah. Give us a call when they're ready to come in," he said to Dwalin who just nodded before heading back up.

The id wasn't all that pleasant for Dis either. When Dr. Radaghast pulled the sheet back, she let out a sob before Thorin gathered her in his arms. "Did my father suffer?" Thorin asked the ME.

"No, it was very quick. I assure you, Mr. Oakenshield," Radaghast said. Thorin nodded before handing Dis to Dwalin. He conversed with the doctor some more, mostly about when he would be able to have his father's body for burial. "A few days, sir," he said.

"Thank you. You have my numbers. Give me a call when your ready to release the body." The ME nodded his understanding and Thorin left the room. He found Bilbo standing against the wall, as if he was waiting for him.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am," Bilbo said, "but a part of me knew we weren't going to find him alive." Thorin let out a sigh as he stood against the wall across from Bilbo. "So, this is the part where I have to ask you questions."

"I know. Fire away."

"When was the last time you saw your father?"

"Five years ago before he left on a business trip to America," Thorin said.

"Can you think of anyone who would want to kill your father?" Bilbo asked.

"The other crime families, Smaug specifically. Look, Bilbo, these questions should have been asked five years ago. My dad wasn't alone when he disappeared. You had a suspect."

"I know, Thorin, but Azog was cleared of anything," Bilbo said.

"That's a crock of shit," Thorin said. He was getting frustrated at this Bilbo. He wanted his old Bilbo back. "He's disappeared, too, you know."

"What?" Bilbo asked.

"Azog disappeared after you wonderful police cleared him."

"Look, Thorin, I wasn't in charge of your father's case five years ago," Bilbo said.

"But you are now and I'm thankful for that. Not just so that I get to see and talk to you again," he started causing Bilbo to chuckle, "but, I know you will not rest until you find out what happened to my father," he said. Bilbo sighed as he crossed his arms and leaned on the wall. "I didn't get a chance to say this, Bilbo, but you look good."

"You, too, Thorin."

"I've missed you," Thorin said before closing the space between them. Bilbo was trapped between his ex boyfriend and the wall. He couldn't go anywhere as Thorin lifted his hand and brushed his fingers against his cheek.

"Thorin, don't .." he protested trying to pull away from Thorin's touch. His eyes closed as Thorin drew closer to him leaning in for a kiss. Just as their lips were about to meet, the door at the end of the hall burst open and Bilbo shoved Thorin away before turning his head.

"Boss?" Dwalin asked. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, ready to go," Thorin said looking at Bilbo. "You'll call if there's any developments?" he asked him.

"Yes, I will," Bilbo said before heading in the opposite direction. Thorin sighed as Dwalin came up behind him and put his hand on his shoulder.

"He'll remember," Dwalin said.

"Yes, but how long until he does?" Thorin asked.

"Maybe Gandalf knows," Dwalin suggested.

"Maybe," Thorin said before following his bodyguard out of the morgue.

Bilbo sat at his desk going over the old case file on Thrain Oakenshield. "Who was the original inspector on the case?" Bilbo asked.

"Uh.." Legolas dragged out before looking at the files. "Oh, it was Dain," he said causing Bilbo to groan. Five years ago, Dain was looking forward to retirement and the Oakenshield case was the last case he worked on.

"Great," he said. "Dain was a decorated inspector. Word gets out he bungled a case, he is not going to be happy."

"You know what he'll say, don't you," Legolas said. " I quote, 'He was only missing back then.', unquote," his partner said.

"I still think the bodyguard had something to with the disappearance."

"And the murder?"

"If I had run the case, I would've looked at the other crime families," Bilbo said. "Smaug, especially."

"Right," Legolas said. Just then, Bilbo's phone went off. He let out a sigh when he saw his caller id. "Old boyfriend?"

"My neighbor. My whole building's been evicted," he said.

"What?"

"The whole building didn't pass it's inspection last month. The old owner is no where to be found and the new one has decided to level the whole building and just make a new one."

"That's great," Legolas said.

"Of offices," Bilbo finished. "I warned the owner about it, but he pushed me aside. Now he's facing many lawsuits. If he ever shows up."

"What about you?"

"I don't need the money."

"What about a place to crash? I got a nice couch you can sleep on," Legolas said.

"Thanks, but I have a cottage in the country I can crash in."

"Oh, that cottage. Doesn't Thorin have one near you?"

"We are neighbors in Shire. His cottage or manor I should say, is in front of mine," Bilbo said.

"What about running into him?"

"Thorin and his family only use Ered Luin during the weekends. Never the week. I move tonight though. Got everything I need to take with me in my Land Rover and the rest in storage until I can find a new flat. I'll be fine, Legolas. No worries, okay."

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," Legolas said causing Bilbo to sigh.

End of Chapter III