ANDREA
Laughing as Kharl and his latest girlfriend walk away, I nudge Ashley with my shoulder to get her attention. "So what are you planning to do this summer?" She shrugs, her finger tracing the rim of her Styrofoam cup absently, a distant look in her eyes that meant she was overthinking something; probably her job interview next Wednesday for a teaching position. "Earth to Ashley," I say loudly, waving a hand in front of her face.
"Huh, what," she asks, looking around wildly for a moment. Her eyes return to their normal size when she realizes that everything's fine. "Um, I guess I'll read for the most part and help Rose with the baby Kharl's too much of an idjit to claim." I take a drink of my coffee, looking around at the small shops that line the main part of Stillwater. "What about you?"
"I'll probably spend some time in California with my aunt before I come back to Oklahoma and start my position as an upholder of justice."
"You're a cop, not Batman."
I jolt awake at Sméagol's cries for help, surprised to spot Sammy straddling the creature's stomach and choking the life out of him. I let it go on until I see Sméagol's face turning violet, then I get up and haul the Hobbit off Sméagol. Sméagol curls into a protective ball behind me, whimpering. "I heard it from his own mouth," Sam fumes. "He means to murder us!"
"Never," Sméagol yells in a whiny tone," Sméagol wouldn't hurt a fly! He's a horrid, fat Hobbit who hates Sméagol and who makes up nasty lies!" I intercept Sam as he goes for Sméagol again.
"You miserable little maggot! I'll stove your head in! Call me a liar? You're a liar!"
"Enough," I scream," Get used to him being here because if he leaves, then we'll be lost again and never make it to Mordor!"
"I don't care! I can't do this anymore and I certainly won't wait around for him to kill us!"
"Too bad, he's staying." Sam gives me a wounded look, taking half a step back. "You know that, if not for Sméagol, we wouldn't have made it this far. I hate to say it, but we need him…. And I need you." Sam's face softens into one of understanding. "Stay by me a while longer, help me finish this, and then we'll never have to see that thing again." I pause, staring into his eyes and holding him in one place until I feel him relax. "Are you with me, Sammy?"
"I'll be with you as long as you'll have me, Andi." I allow my gaze to shift over to Gollum, pinning him in place with a glare. I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him and I knew Sam must be telling the truth or he wouldn't have snapped like that. Until that Ring was destroyed, Sméagol was a necessary evil, but afterwards I would kill him myself. Nobody's going to hurt my Sam. I turn my eyes back to the Hobbit, releasing the hold I had on him and brushing the dirt off his cloak.
"I know, but you have to trust me." He nods, looking down at the rocky, uneven ground. "My most trusted companion," I smile," my Samwise the Brave."