Coffee Shop Romance

*}|{*Disclaimer*}|{*
I don't own LOTR or it's Characters, nor to I own any of the actor's mentioned in this story. This was written for others enjoyment only. My only claim is the character Sarah and the dog! I own her soul!

This story has two parts, and I'll post it a couple of chapters at a time...depending on my number of reviews!! *Hint Hint* This story is completed, so updates could be every day if the demand is there. Enjoy!!

~Sari

*Begin Part 1*

Chapter 1

As the sun slowly heated up the air in Santa Monica, Ca I made my way along the streets of my neighborhood. I had just moved there and was looking around, seeing houses that made mine look like a shack. I was an actress, or trying to be. Luck had not been on my side, and I knew that soon I'd have to leave. Duchess, my puppy, walked happily beside me enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. My CD player turned up high, blared the songs of the Beatles and as I walked I'd break into song, "I want to hold your haaaanndd.....”

As I passed a cute house, a car suddenly pulled out of the driveway and right in front of me. I screamed and pulled my dog back. Pulling to a halt the window rolled down to reveal startling blue eyes. They seemed to swallow his face, and pulled me in; I could see my shocked face reflected in its deep blue pools.

"Sorry bout that! Didn't see you, are you okay? Did I hit your dog?" He looked concerned, "Are you okay…Miss?"

"No, you didn't" I just stood there and starred at him. Duchess began tugging at her leash and I saw why, two dogs sat in his car. "Um...I’m sorry." I walked around the car and continued down the road and into my own house.

An hour later I pulled out my driveway and headed into the city. I stopped at a small coffee shop, one of the local jewels. Inside the atmosphere was darker, and almost like an old bookshop. Shelves lined the walls, and contained old volumes and novels. I walked to my usual corner and sat down. Taking out my own book I ordered a small coffee and began to read. My days were fairly routine, stay at the coffee house for a couple hours, and then go to work at the local music store across the street. Today was great though, I didn't have to work, so I was planning to sit here all day. I was just getting into my book when a shadow fell across me. I looked up expecting the waiter only too see the same blue eyes from before.

He looked down, "Um...I saw you walk in, didn't mean to scare you this morning. My music was really loud so I didn't hear you walking."

"It's okay, really. I wasn't paying attention, my mind tends to wander. Music does that to me." I was slowly pushing my book under the table. It was my dad's worn copy of the Lord of the Rings. I didn't want to look like a total freak.

"What were you listening too?" He sat down with his coffee and then stuck out his hand, "I'm Elijah."

His hand was warm, "Sarah." He was cute, but duh! This was Elijah Wood! "I was listening to the Beatles. My dad loves them so I do too."

"Wicked, I do too. I wish I could sing that well."

"You sing?" I replied coyly. "I’d like to hear ya sometime."

He blushed, "Well, I only really sing in the shower."

"So I guess a concert is out of the question then?" I smiled as he squirmed.

He changed the subject, "I didn't mean to disturb you, saw you were reading, but wanted to make sure you were okay." He paused, "I can leave if you want."

"No!" I replied. "You are fine; I just don't normally talk to people in here, so I always bring a book to read."

"What are you reading?" He smiled, and his blue eyes lit up with amusement.

Damn him.... I thought. He knows, just wants me to be embarrassed! I pulled out the worn copy of The Fellowship of the Ring. "It was my dad's when he was little, gave the whole trilogy to me when I moved to college. I read them all once a year, have since I was little." I fumbled with the book and dropped back into my purse.

He laughed. "S'okay, I am just teasing you. A sick thrill of mine I guess. Look, I want to apologize for this morning...and make it up to you. I saw you move in last week, want a tour of the area? I can show you all the best places here and maybe get a bite to eat later? What do you think?"

I looked into his eyes, and knew this was probably my one and only chance to spend a day with him, "I'd love too!" I stood up and reached for the check for my coffee but he grabbed it and went up to the counter to pay for our drinks. How sweet. I thought. He then opened the door for me and we walked to his car, where he once again opened the door and helped me in.

Chapter 2

As he opened the door for me I felt him lean in slightly. I felt a tingle as his breath hit my neck. Her hair smells good. He thought. We drove around for hours, listening to all of our favorite groups. We both smiled as we discovered our similar passions for music. I got to see much of the city, all the while talking about our childhood dreams, movies we liked, and even our favorite foods. We had pulled over for an ice cream and were sitting under an umbrella laughing at jokes when his mobile rang. "Hey...Yeah man sounds great....no...Umm, half an hour…sounds good, do you mind if I bring someone...No mate!....*laughs*...no, she's too young for you Bills. No problem. Bye." He smiled at me, "Do you like to swim?" He asked. "I know of this great beach where it isn't very crowded."

"I love to swim...but I'd need to go back to the house and get a suit and towel."

"No problem, I do too. I'll drop you off and pick you back up in a half an hour?" He smiled as I blushed. Cute girl. He thought, Gotta be careful before I get attached. He had a habit of treating his female fans to a day of fun and a dinner, and then disappointing them when it was a one day deal, not a long term relationship. It wasn't done out of meanness...he just wanted to give something back to the ones who made him who he was. This one's different though, he thought as he drove back. She seems more interested in me than in my roles or fame.

He got out and knocked on her door, and smiled when he heard her puppy barking at him through the window. The door opened a crack and he slipped in, only to be tackled by the small dog. Soon he was covered in wet puppy kisses, as the dog tussled with him on the floor.

"Duchess! Stop that!" I walked in with my things, "Sorry bout that, she is just really friendly." Not that I wouldn't mind doing the same thing. I thought. He was dressed in shorts and a Hawaiian style shirt, bright blue that seemed to match his eyes perfectly.

"Why don't you get a nice dress to change into for dinner? I thought we'd try someplace nice to eat."

"Okay, what is the plan?" I set my stuff down to go back into my room.

"Well, tonight I am meeting the rest of the cast for a dinner party to help promote The Return of the King. You'll need to dress quite formally." He paused as he saw my expression. "Are you okay? I can take you out to eat another night of you want..."

"No, tonight is fine. I am just, overwhelmed I guess. I came to CA to be an actress, and within the first week of living here I meet you, and now I am meeting the rest of the cast....I guess I am just pleased." I guess I’m just pleased? I thought....I'm going to explode in a few minutes!

I ran back to my room to dig out a black dress, long and silky. Getting make up and my hair dyer I put it in a bag and returned to the living room. Elijah was sitting on my couch talking in his mobile again, "Yeah...we'll be there. Yes, I said 'we'....a friend. You'll meet her in a few...." He laughed. "Yes, okay what ever you say! Yep…bye." He saw me and took my bags, "Sorry bout that....mate of mine was giving me trouble."

"That's okay." I held up the dress, "Is this okay?"

His eyes widened, "Wow, yes it is. I can't wait to see you in it." He took the dress and my bags and went out to the car. I followed him to the car, and pulled the door shut.

Chapter 3

When we got to the beach, the first thing I noticed was that there were already several people in the water. Some splashing and carrying on, others were surfing. We got out and laid our towels down, then began to take off our shirts and shorts. The suit I chose, a dark blue green, went well with my olive brown complexion and was sure to impress Elijah. As we walked up to the surf I heard a voice call out from the water, "Hey Elijah! Glad you could make it mate!"

As I saw the owner of the voice I smiled. Coming out of the water was Billy Boyd, friend and co-star of Elijah. I scanned the water to see that all of the young Hobbits were there plus one very tall Elf. They all came onto the beach and the introductions began. "Guys, I'd like you to meet Sarah, she's one of my neighbors."

"Catch him going through your garbage? Is that how you met him?" Billy joked. "That's how we met him in Wellington. Dom and I were walking around and we saw this fellow go to dig into our trash cans."

I laughed, "No, he just almost hit me and my dog with his car."

Dom smiled, "Lij, you aren't supposed to hit girls, you hit ON girls." He touched my elbow, "We don't take him out very often, and he’s a real loner." As the others made comments and their own hellos Elijah seemed to step back and let me stand alone with his friends.

'Hmm...' he thought. 'She seems to match.' he smiled, 'she looks as if she belongs with us.'

All this time, Elijah was standing there smiling at me. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow at him; he simply smiled and punched Dom on the shoulder. The two of them eventually got into a tussle and ended up in the water, dunking and splashing each other. Not wanting to get in the middle of it I stepped back, but Orlando ran up behind me and swung me into his arms and threw me into the surf. Soon we were all in the waves, fighting and swimming. The hours seemed to melt. After a while I got out and sat on the sand with Sean Astin’s wife and daughters. Together we built a sandcastle, and buried Billy in the sand.

I got my towel out and proceeded to try and relax. The boys were busy trying to surf, though none of them seemed to be making progress. Dom repeatedly fell of his board and once even washed into Billy...who was knocking them both onto shore. I turned and lay on my back; closing my eyes and feeling the hot sun suck the moisture out of my skin. I let my mind wander, thinking how lucky I was to be spending the day with these people. Soon however I realized that there was a scuffle out just at the shore line. Elijah was outnumbered against the tackles and tosses of his companions. Not wanting to see him lose, I slowly rise and make my way down to the water. Seeing the closest person to be Dom, I smiled and jumped onto his back, tickling him without mercy until he collapsed onto the wet sand. I continued my attack...ignoring his laughs and cries for help. I was just about to ask for a surrender when I suddenly found myself underneath Billy...receiving the same treatment as poor Dom had been.

"Hey now! I brought her! It's my turn now Bills!" Elijah laughed. He tackled Billy, knocking him off me and giving me the chance to try and rise. No such luck as Orlando saw me trying to escape back to the safety of Sean and Christine. I heard him call to Elijah, and felt his arms wrap around my waist and spin me around. "Having fun?" He whispered in my ear.

"Well...it's okay...I mean...it’s not everyday you get to flirt with a cute guy on the beach." I looked at him coyly.

"Cute? I'm just cute? What happened to hot and sexy?" He squeezed me and smiled.

I reached a hand up and poked his nose and winked, "Why Mr. Wood...I wasn't aware that we were talking about you! I was referring to the very striking Orlando Bloom. I struggled to get out of his arms as he suddenly got a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Oh really?" He said. All I could do was nod...as my breath was gone do to the laughing from the continuous assault of tickles I was receiving. I finally won however when I kissed him on the cheek. We spent the entire afternoon on the beach. Just as the sun was beginning to set, Elijah checked the time. "Damn, we have to get going if we are going to make it to the premiere." We grabbed our things and headed for the Hilton Hotel. We were ushered into a suite of rooms, were we all had the opportunity to shower and change clothes. Soon I was ready; I had slipped into my black dress and styled my hair which I keep long. The five men rose as I entered, with Elijah coming to take my arm. "You look Beautiful." He gave me those eyes and that flash of a smile and I blushed. As I stood there and looked at him, the day’s events flashed through my mind. How I had gotten to know the real Elijah Wood. We had talked about our childhood, our likes and hates, favorite ice cream flavors, etc...Now I was entering his world of black ties and cameras. All I could do was smile at him.

"Thank you so much for this."

He smiled. "Don't mention it." 'Damn', he thought. 'I fell for her. And why not?' a corner whispered. 'She isn't a child! You are both adults, and you are entitled to have relationships!' As we made our way to the conference room he pulled me aside. "I have a serious question for you. And I want a serious answer."

I looked into his eyes, the twinkle still there but just dimmed. "Of course."

"If I wasn't Elijah Wood, why would you date me?" He looked worried, as if others had answered in the negative.

I smiled, "Because you open the doors for me, pick up the tab once in a while, and like my dog." I saw him pause, "I know that many girls see you as a Hollywood star, but as someone who wants to act, I understand the need for a normal life. I want to act, simply as a way to make a living doing what I love. I am not looking for fame and fortune, just fulfillment. And I would never date someone to get noticed, or my face in the papers. Or to satisfy some girly crush." I gave him a peck on the cheek. "Even if this was the first and only date with you, I will always see you as a human with a life outside the movie theater. And I thank you for what you did today."

He smiled as if satisfied, "Well, today wasn't a normal day for me. So I'll have to show you what a normal day is for me." He took my hand, "I want you to walk past my house again tomorrow." He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. Turning to see the rest of the guys standing there watching us, we laughed. Billy had taken Dom’s arm, and had rested his head on his shoulder. A dopy love struck expression stuck on his face. Orlando was "crying" into Sean’s arms. We all linked arms and walked into the crowded room. Cameras flashed as reporter fought to get the best shots of the Hobbits and Elf. Elijah slipped his arm around me, and together we stepped into the sea of people.