One pair of Red shoes: Missing

Thanks for the comment Tinuviel!

And no LimeySugar I am not on acid or and other mindaltering drug. Hadn’t even taken an aspirin that day. The story is the result of my strange mind alone (or what did you think the Strange in Strange Music stood for? ;) )

And also much thanks to the kind soul who gave me the vote!

BTW: The Title is a reference to "The Wizard of Oz"

Title: One pair of red shoes: Missing 2/4 (EW/DM)

His mother looked surprised when he came home a lot
earlier than he had told her. Standing at the stove
where she had just started to prepare dinner, she
smiled when he came over to kiss her on the cheek.
Nevertheless, she sensed that something was troubling
him as soon as he sat down without anothord.ord.

"Something happened?"

"I just had the weirdest interview I ever gave. And to
top it all, Jane was just talking nonsense as well. Just,
the more I think about it, the more I get the impression that I’m
the one that is talking another language."

Cleaning her hands on the next towel, she sat down
beside him on the table.

"Why do you think so?"

"I mean, a whole interview and she didn't even mention
‘Lord of the Rings’ or my role in it."

His mother’s smile lulled him into a security that
turned out false the moment she opened her mouth.

"Why didn't you tell me that you had a small role in
‘Lord of the Rings’?"

"Small? I wouldn't call Merry small."

There was a moment of confusion but it quickly disappeared
when she gave him a slight hit on the head "Silly boy. Had
you played Merry you would have been down t for for almost 2 years. There would have been no time for to also film the last three seasons
of “Jeffrey Shawcross“ or for making "Cover my eyes...“.

In the passing of a single moment, he actually thought
about asking what she was talking about. However, the
look in her eyes made him stop. It was enough that one
of his family, namely him, was slowly but steadily
starting to be creeped of hof his mind. Didn't have to
include the rest of his family. Especially not his
mother.

He tried on a fake smile and hoped that it looked at
least halfway believable. After all, it wasn’t as if he
hadn’t had plenty of practice every time a reporter
asked him about his *girlfriends*.

"Of course I was kidding."

It was a relief to see the worry disappear from her
eyes.

"Sorry. I didn't want to scare you."

She just shook her head and stood up to go back to the
stove.

“Mum?"

"Yes, Dominic?"

"You wouldn't happen to have any videotapes of my
work?"

The look that this question gained him was deserved,
or so he guessed.

"They are where they have always been: in the Library
next to the VCR.”

Without another word, he almost ran up the stairs, turning
into the first room on the right and going directly to the VCR.

And there they were, standing upright, labeled in neat writing.

He found ‘Hetty Wainthrope’ and all the others that he knew
about.

However, they were followed by neatly labeled ‘Shawcross PI’ and this damn movie ‘Cover my eyes’.
Hell, even the Bafta Nomination was on tape.

Almost ripping the plastic window when taking the tape out of
its cover, he felt his pulse quicken as he went for the
play button, only to feel a slight relief when the face of Serena
appeared on the Screen.

"And for Best Actor in a leading role…”

“David Straighthairn in ‘Through his eyes’,

Russel Crowe in ‘Not playing their Games’, aul aul Michael Glaser “Starsky and Hutch: The Real Reunion”,
Dominic Monaghan in ‘Cover my eyes’ Colour my world’
, and Elijah Wood in ‘Lord of the Rings’.”

What scared him more than having the tape of a
nomination that he didn't remember was the fact that
apparently he wasn't the only one. The expression on
Ian's face when he had read his name had not changed
when he had been reading it. It had
not had the sparkle that reading Elijah’s name had
brought to his eyes. As if he didn't know him? As if
he were stranger.

What the hell was going on?

Was everybody playing a joke on him?

Starting to go through the rest of the tapes, it was 4
hours later when he realised that for NO joke on this
world would someone produce 60 episodes of a TV
series that he had never made, or a film that he couldn't
remember. Because though the announcement still could
have been faked, it wasn't possible for the rest. And
there was a hand clutching his stomach ever since he had
read the name of the Actor playing Merry in ‘Lord of
the Rings’: Brad Possard.

He let himself fall back on the carpet, his brain
long ago on overload. And he could only hear
himself repeat, "What the HELL is going on?"

*~*~*~*

It was there that his father found him 3 hour later,
lying on his back while fast-forwarding through tapes
of a life that he couldn't remember.

The calmness that his father displayed, revealed that
he had heard at least a bit of what had happened that
afternoon.

It was the *whatever your problem is, lets talk about
it* expression that he had seen many times.

"You mother told me that you were upset about
something. And that you seemed to be a bit confused
earlier."

He almost smiled when he thought back to how easy his
life had been when he was still living here, when he had been
younger. How easily some of those grave problems had
been solved then.

For bad grades, you had to learn harder the next time.

For a fight with his brother, they just sat down
to talk at the same table.

For a bad mood, he had sat down with his father in
front of the TV talking about everything and nothing.

He just wished times were still that easy.

Without rising from the floor he asked, "I’m not still living
here? Am I?" If the question surprised his father, he
didn't show it, either because he was humouring him or
simply because he thought that a sane approach to the
problem was the better one. He himself had given up the
*sane* approach to this problem after he had finished
viewing the first hour of 'Shawcross PI'.

"No, you moved out a few years ago. You just come to
stay here whenever you have to stay in London for some
time."

So far so good.

"I am still living in 415 Bracksheer Rd."

"Yes, of course."

He felt guilty about the relief that he heard in in his father’s voice.
Which was why he didn’t explain that the answer
clutched at his guts. Not when in his memory he had sold
the house 4 years ago before he left for New Zealand.

"Did I ever go to New Zealand?"

"Yes, after Monsieur Renauld you did a casting for one
of the 4 hobbit. However, you didn't get the job. Why
did you ask?"

"Just thinking how life would have been had I gotten
the job." The lie was smooth and not even that hard.
"Think I would have moved to LA. Like most of
u...them?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Don't know." And what was he supposed to say.

*I have memories of doing the films. Moving to LA with
my lover, but no proof? I can't remember doing any
other films in the last few years beside ‘Lord of the
Rings’ and a small one called ‘Insomniacs Nightmare’.
Yet you have a whole tape collection of me doing just that.
I recall long nights talking with friends where my name now
probably doesn't even spark a recollection. And most of all, I
now realise why my lover doesn't know me*.

No. That wasn't something that he could say without running
the risk of living the next years of his life in a padded cell and
with a psychiatric that tried to guide him back to his *life*.

It was almost too much for him. But he knew that a
breakdown of any kind would not help him right now.

"Have you ever thought where your life would be if you
hadn't done the films?" He remembered now saying those
words to Billy while they where leaning back in a
happily buzzed, not yet drunk state of mind. But how
was that possible?

Standing up from the floor, he gave his father a peck
on the cheek. "Tell Mum I’m sorry about dinner but I
I’m going to bed earlier." So that maybe tomorrow all
this would be just a nightmare.

~*~*~*~

It wasn't the alarm clock that woke him the next day,
but rather the annoying chirping of his cell phone.
Barely lifting his head from the pillow, he pushed it
under his ear.

" 'ello?" he slurred into the phone.

"Morning, mate! Still asleep?" Cheery as only one
person that he knew could be at this time of the day.
Optimistic as only one person could be about not being
greeted with angry words for calling at whatever early
time in the morning it was.

Still, he didn't care as he was awake in a matter of
seconds the moment his favourite Scottish accent had
sounded over the receiver. His relief was so strong that
he felt his heart race.

Closing his eyes he knew that he could only hold back
part of the relief from slipping into his voice.
However, right now he didn't care if that would
startle Billy.

"Morning to you too, Billy." Letting himself fall back
onto the pillow he felt a smile creep over his face.
"You wouldn't believe how glad I am to hear your
voice! I had *the* worst nightmare last night." He was still
shivering at the thought of it. Damned if it hadn't
felt real. "I don't think I will ever get drunk for
the rest of my life."

“Poor boy.”

He was too happy to hear Billy’s voice to complain about
the teasing laughter.

"That’s too bad! Because I just talked with Peter about
tomorrow’s Ring Party, and he allowed me to invite you as
a friend. Even when it is normally just for those that worked
on the movie."

The happiness that had only seconds ago bmakimaking
him smile brighter than he had for too long was now gone
within seconds as a feeling of cold dread washed over him.

"Only those that worked on the movie..." He was barely
getting those words out without stuttering.

Not having yet sensed anything wrong, Billy's
cheerfulness was still sound and true. "Well, of course:
all those who worked in it, and their families and spouses.
So when I told him that otherwise I would make you my
boyfriend for the day, he said that I should just go ahead
and invite you. You can stay at my place so that we won't
have to drive through London town tomorrow..." He
stopped as the silence at the other end of there phone made
him suspicious.

"Dom? Are you all right? Did anything happen?"

He wanted to say that nothing was all right. That he
had apparently really lost his mind. But it was as if
the words weren't making it past this throat.

"Come on, Dommie! Tell me what’s wrong." He sounded
worried now. So much like the Billy he knew that
the effort to speak was now even harder.

"Shall I come over?" It was spoken fast and Dom knew
that if he said yes Billy would make the 1 hour drive
in about 30 minutes. Therefore, he swallowed his
feelings as well as he could.

"Can we meet for dinner at 12 o'clock?" He really
needed to speak with Billy. If not to tell him
that it was all a big joke then at least to tell
him that he was insane, and make him smile at a fact
that was currently building a black hole in his
stomach.

"Okay...I'll pick you up at home. Will that be all
right?" The voice sounding calmer but still very
worried.

He realised that he had started to nod. "Yes, that will
be great" he quickly voiced his answer.

"Okay...and don't do anything hasty." Dom knew that it
was supposed to sound teasing. However, the sound
behind it was much too worried.

"Billy..." he whispered before the other man could lay
down the receiver.

"Yes?"

"Where did we meet?" He knew that it was probably the
wrong question to ask. Not while he sounded so tired.
Nevertheless, he just had to know. Had to know if not
as a hobbit how he had ever gotten to know Billy.

There was an almost scared gasp at the other end. "Did you
take anything?" The question was hasty, and he could
almost hear the older man jumping out of the bed.

"No. I was just wondering because I was thinking about
it yesterday."

"Dom, I’m coming over right now!" A part of him just
wanted to say 'yes' please come over here. However, it
wouldn't be fair to have Billy race through London
just because he needed an emotional teddy bear.

"No!" He took a deep breath as he tried no to choke on
the word. "Just be here in time to pick me up for
lunch."

There was a pause while the other man apparently
decided if it was a good idea. "But you call me if you
want to see me sooner."

He felt himself smile again. No matter how much life
was different, some things remained the same. "I
will!"

"On the set." He almost didn't catch Billy's reply. "We
met at the Hobbit audition and then again when I
started working for Shawcross." He paused. "Please be
careful!"

"Thanks, Billy... See you in a few hours."

Letting his eyes wander to the ceiling, he contemplated
if getting up and facing the day was really such a
great idea.

~*~*~*~

It was 30 minutes later that he sat down in front of
the VCR to look for the Shawcross episodes that Billy
had had to be talking about.

After some time of fast forwarding thought the tapes,
he finally found the episodes 55 minutes later.

It seemed that Billy was actually playing alongside
him for the last five episodes of the third season.

David Scott Geoffrey's first partner. A former Police
Officer who had to retire after going into the witness
stand for a few of his former less than honest
colleagues.

Now helping Geoffrey with the background that he
himself had never gotten.

There where even a few interviews with him and Billy
for the BBC, and he was relieved to see that things
between them really weren’t any different from the
reality that he remembered: the joking, the
familiarity. Maybe life's way of saying that some
things never changed or were simply meant to be.

Rewinding the tape, he started to pay attention to the
answers that they both gave as well as the question
being asked--for information, and so as to not scare Billy
too badly with any question like the one today. After
the third interview, he wasn't certain that he would
be able to fool Billy, but he knew that at least he
would be able to fake his way through any other
interview that he would have to make, not only for
'Shawcross' but also for 'Cover my eyes'.

There was even a bit about Billy on Liquid News.

"So, Billy. It’s being said that you will be on board again
next year for another series of 'Shawcross PI'. Did
you know that when you signed on for the first episode?"

"Didn't expect it. Nevertheless, you don't expect to
win the lottery either and are happy when it
happens. I guess it was the fact that Dominic and I
just got along so well that we just inspired the
writers. So after the one episode, it was only a few
days till they asked me if I would mind if my
character were made permanent."

"You do know that you didn't only inspire the writer
of the show but also quite a few writers on the
Internet?"

"I heard about it. Haven’t yet had the time to read
it. However, as soon as I have time again I’ll have
a look. Especially the ones that deal with Dave and
Geoffrey on a more *personal* basis."

The reporter laughted at the very suggestive movement
of his eyebrow.

"You think that this will ever happen in the show?
After all, Mr. Monaghan isn't exactly someone who is
hiding his sexual preference."

"You mean will Geoffrey and David ever dance the
horizontal tango? There’s nothing planned at the
moment. But who knows. We all know that love comes in
many different forms. "

"Back to talking 'bout personal. How is the atmosphere
on the 'Shawcross’ compcompared to the one on 'Lord of
the Rings'?"

"Well, I did make many friends down there. Especially
with Elijah, Sean and Orlando."

"What about Brad Possard, the actor who played
Merry?"

"Well he was a nice young man! In addition, we had a
great working relationship. Even hung out a few
times."

Dom felt a strange satisfaction hearing Billy proclaim
what was most certainly a great way of saying that
they had no connection when the cameras stopped
rolling.

"I heard that the whole crew will be there for the
Bafta's. Are you looking forward to seeing them
again?"

"Of course! I mean, I did see them last at the opening
of "The Two Towers" but you know what they say: You
can't see friends too often."

He was so absorbed that he didn't even hear when his
mother came into the room. Only when she spoke did he
realise that he was no longer alone.

"Dominic?"

Turning around, he was happy that he managed to put on
a smile that was at least halfway true.

"Yes?"

She looked a bit relieved at his smile, but most of
her worry remained on her face. "You didn't come down
for breakfast. Aren't you hungry?"

"I’m all right, Mum. Don't worry. It's just that Billy
will come by early to pick me up for lunch today. And
I wasn't that hungry when I woke up. Sorry. I
should have come down. But I didn't realise how time
flew by."

Plus it wasn't even a lie. When he looked at the clock
he realised that Billy would be there in less than 30
minutes. And taking into account today's conversation, he
doubted that Billy would even be a second late.

"By the way, he invited me to stay over at his place
for the Ringfest tomorrow. So I might not be coming
home till the day after."

"Well, I hope you have fun."

"I will, Mum. And don't worry, I’m okay!" He knew that
repeating that he was okay was probably just proving
the opposite. However, he just had to at least reassure
her a bit.

"Give Billy my love."

"I will." It felt strange and normal at the same time.
Normal because sad sad said those words so many times
before, knowing Billy from coming by fairly often.
Strange because it was still confusing seeing things he
knew, in a world that he didn’t.

~*~*~*~

When Billy arrived with the sound of the 12 o'clock
bells, the worry still written plain in his face,
Dom knew that the fact he had almost choked on
his tears when Billy had stepped into the kitchen had
not helped.

But he had tried, and failed, the moment the familiar
face had finally appeared.

There hadn't even been words exchanged by the time
they both sat down in Billy's car. Just a hug that
told more than anything else did. When they were
finally driving, it didn't take long for Dominic
to recognize the direction that they were taking.

"The London Flat?" It was a flat that they kept for
longer stays in the UK. Normally, it was a shared flat
between most Ring actors of British origin.

That brought him a surprised look from Billy. "I
didn't know I told you about it."

"Well, call me Mr. Fantastic...reading minds to the
left and right"

There was a sparkle in Billy's eyes as he laughed at
the admittingly lame joke. But it was gone when he
went on talking.

"Well, it's just that you didn't sound so great this
morning, and I wasn't so sure if the conversation that
we’d be having should be one where people could
listen in. And you know that neither you nor I are
prone to be lucky enough to have a private
conversation of any kind as soon as people start
realising who you are."

Leaning back in the seat, Dominic was seriously starting
to think about what he would tell Billy as soon
as they were in the flat.

The truth...or a lie that would not get him committed.

To be continued soon.… (really ;) )

And as always Comments complains correction are always appreciated.

Question to my sanity might take a bit longer to answer.

PS: New Chapter Today 1July