To Sleep... Perchance to Dream
                                                                  Part Three


...'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.  To die...
To sleep...To sleep, perchance to dream.  Aye, there's
the rub.     (con't;  Hamlet, Act III, Sc 1)


The next few days of filming are unalloyed agony for poor Dom.  He feels he has let Hannah down,
and he knows he's buggered up his relationship with Elijah.  For as bad as Dom feels, Elijah looks
far worse.  He's got dark smudges under his eyes that make-up can't quite cover.  He's lost the
bounce in his step, the sparkle in his eye - and he avoids Dom - avoids being alone with him,
having to talk to him.  Oh - he can still act - he's a professional after all - but now it's a strain, and
it shows.

Dominic hasn't realized 'till now how his bond with Elijah has helped him get through the grueling
days of filming.  Little things - the quirk of an eyebrow, a bright blue laughing glance thrown his
way across the set, a slender arm around his shoulders as they go over a scene.  Little things that
kept him sane - that now he's lost.

The loss of the bright spirit they love has gotten to the rest of the cast, too.  The quiet confines of
the beautiful Rivendell set seem shadowed - the ever-present laughter stilled.  

Later in the afternoon Peter takes Dom aside.  "Look here," he says. "Your personal lives are none
of my business, but if it affects the movie,  I am damn well going to make it mine.  I've talked to
Elijah - he insists he's fine.  But I don't for a fucking minute believe him.  So - since this seems to
involve you, YOU fix what's gone wrong.  Besides," he adds, looking away, "I love the kid and I
don't like seeing him like this - none of us do."

In desperation, Dom decides to seek advice from someone who knows Elijah even better than he
does.

"Sean, can I talk to you a minute?"  Dom asks after leaving Feet for the day.

Sean studies him silently and nods.  "Let's go to my car." he replies, and leaves, Dom trailing after
him.

"Something happened between you and Elijah that night at my house."  He states without
preamble as soon as Dom is settled beside him.

Dom is just about at the end of his rope. "Yeah.  Something happened all right - and I fucking don't
know what to do about it!"  Like a dam breaking, all that has happened since that night at Elijah's
house comes pouring out of Dom in a torrent.  He doesn't offer any excuses - he gladly takes all
the guilt to himself.

Beyond the first gasp of disbelief, Sean is utterly silent.  Dom broods beside him, waiting for a
response.

"You really love him, don't you."  Sean says, looking Dom square in the eye.  "I mean, you're IN love
with him, aren't you."

A blush mantles Dom's cheek.  "I'd just about come to that conclusion, yes," he sighs.  "It hurts too
much to be anything else."  He sits up abruptly.  "How'd you know?" he demands.  

Sean averts his eyes. "It - takes one to know one, I guess." His voice is low and rough.

Dumbfounded, Dom stares at Sean - Sean Astin, perfect father, perfect husband.  "God, Sean,
d'you mean - you - I'm sorry - I didn't know..."

"Don't be - how could you know?  It's the proximity - beside each other, every step of the way.  
Perhaps Tolkien didn't intend it, but it is a love story - Frodo and Sam's story.  I'll be okay, I have
my family and I love Christine, too."  Sean smiles at Dom.  "And besides, I think he's made his
preferences crystal clear, hasn't he?

"Okay," Sean continues doggedly, "Is it unresolved sexual tension that's stressing our Ringbearer
to the point where he starts sleepwalking?  And if it is, what are  you gonna do about it?"

"Well," Dom says slowly. "I don't know how you Americans regard homosexuality - you read things
in the tabloids - which attitudes are true?  I'm a Brit - we produced Oscar Wilde and Beau Brummell
- and we did invent the boarding school system.  We're a bit more open to that sorta thing."

"Yeah, and we've got the Mayflower, and all those Puritans." Sean chews his lip and ponders.  
"Hollywood is an aberration.  Americans are more prudish.  And there's that Wild West thing.  We
do prize masculinity - especially in our icons."

"However, this is neither here nor there.  I don't for a minute believe you or Elijah are gay.  You're
probably more bi-sexual than anything else.  And he's not homophobic.  Look at his relationship
with Ian - they adore each other."  Sean smiles.

"Here's what I think.  He's nineteen; his hormones are having a party and he hasn't been invited.  
We've got to get him laid, and you've got to find a way to do it.  If there's more to it than that, we'll
deal with it later.  Okay?"  Sean rubs Dom's shoulder reassuringly.

"I've got some ideas about how to do it," Dom admits.  "It's just.  Oh, I dunno - him and me...  I
would have liked it to be more - spontaneous.  Less calculated.  You know..."

"Spontaneity is all very well, but a well-planned seduction does have its charms."  Sean laughs
wryly. "Listen to me!  God, I sound like Ian!"

He sobers.  "There's one thing you need to understand, Dom.  I love Lij too.  I know he's got more
of a future with you.  I don't want him to know how I feel - I come with too much emotional
baggage.  But god help me - if you ever do anything to hurt him - you'll have to deal with me. Got
it?"

Dom counters with quiet intensity.  "Sean, you've got nothing to worry about.  I never thought I'd
have a chance...I don't go for casual sex, you know?  With him..." he whispers. "if he wants me...I
want forever."

Dom slips out of the car.  "Okay, tomorrow is Saturday.  Tell Bill and Orli not to plan anything for
that night.  And I might need you to help me corner him.  Don't tell anyone else, all right?  It may
not work...and I hope to god we're not gonna make things worse."

"And Sean...thank you."

                                                                        ~~~~~                                                                            

The glue has set, the Feet are on and the Hobbits are ready for another day of filming.  Sean grabs
Billy and shoves him out the door.  They can hear Bill's startled squeak as Sean pulls the door to.   
After a moment the techs down tools, murmur something about breakfast and leave.

Elijah steps out of his box and trails listlessly toward the door, only to find Dom in his way. Dominic
has thought things over, and has decided to appeal to Elijah's professionalism, his commitment to
the movie.

"Lijah?"  Dom begins, the faintest tremor in his voice.  "We can't go on this way.  There's nine more
months to go before filming ends.  We've got to resolve this one way or another, 'cause it's starting
to affect the rest of the cast.  If we don't, you'll - I'll go stark staring mad - if Peter doesn't kill us
first!"

Elijah remains silent, his eyes downcast.  His eyes are red-rimmed, and dark circles mar the
porcelain skin under the heavy make-up.  He doesn't back away or try to push Dom aside.

Encouraged, Dom continues.  "We've got stuff to talk about - there are things that you need to
know.  Why don't you come over to my place for dinner tonight.  I'll make that pasta you're so fond
of and grab a movie - we'll take our time - only if you want to talk about it.  I won't press you."  
Dom's breath catches in his throat. "I miss you so much."  He whispers.

His face still averted, Elijah pushes past Dom to the doorway.  Dom reaches out to stop him, then
sags back in despair.  Unbelievably, Elijah pauses at the door.  A word wafts back on a breath of
air.

"Okay." he mutters and is gone.

                                                                       ~~~~~                                                                             
 

The day crawls by on leaden feet.  Perhaps the decision has relaxed some of the tension in Elijah -
enough so that Peter spares Dom a nod of approbation. Filming goes well.  

As soon as they are released from Feet, he races to buy the supplies to support the mood he
intends to set.  In the video place, he takes his time choosing a movie to fit.  Dom's stumped until
he spies a title he hasn't seen in a long time.  Elated to find it on DVD, he grabs it and rushes
home to prepare for the night ahead.

The food's almost ready, the wine chilling in the fridge and still Elijah hasn't come.  Dom's hand is
on the 'phone when the doorbell rings.  He's at the door in one bound, wrenching it open to find
Elijah silent on the doorstep.  He offers Dom the ghost of a smile, taking in the frilly apron, one of
his gag gifts from the Christmas before.  Dom smiles back and steps aside.  One hurdle over.
They still don't touch or hug - Dom feels the ache of the void in his heart and his smile falters a bit.
 Elijah doesn't notice.

Dinner is excellent - Dom's managed to keep his mind on his cooking and the conversation, stilted
at the first soon flows more smoothly.  They talk about the filming, about the cast and the others
who would soon join them for the Two Towers scenes. Dom plies Elijah with food - it's obvious that
the boy hasn't been eating regularly for days.

Dinner's over, and the dishes are left to soak in the sink for later.  Dom grabs a special bottle of
Amaretto, Elijah's favorite liqueur, drops ice cubes in a couple of glasses and leads the way to the
living room.   He takes the armchair, leaving the couch to Lij and hits the remote button.  The
movie comes on.

"An Affair to Remember!"  Elijah is startled. "Mom loves that movie!  Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr
- wow."

"Yeah," Dom replies, pleased at Elijah's reaction.  "My mom likes it too.  I guess I was feeling a
little homesick and - well - if it makes me long for home, I'd rather see it with someone else
around."

He fills the glasses and settles back.  Dom keeps to his promise - he will not initiate any mention
of what has driven them apart.  It will be up to Elijah to do so.  Soon they are both engrossed in the
classic melodrama and an hour speeds by.  

There's a kink in his neck - Dom stretches to relieve it, glancing across at his friend, intending to
ask if he wanted a refill.  What he sees sends him to his feet and across to the couch.  

Elijah is crying - silently.  Tears fill the sapphire eyes, welling over in huge drops to glide across his
cheeks and dampen the collar below.  His hands lie on his lap, palms open as if in surrender.  The
movie has been cathartic for him and the hurt inherent in the pose tugs violently at Dom's
heartstrings.

He says nothing as he folds Elijah into his arms, tenderly patting his face with a tissue from the
box on the table.  He feels the initial stiffening of Lij's body and eases the pressure of his arms,
crooning wordlessly in reassurance.

Rewarded by the relaxation of the soft body against his, Dom breathes deeply of the warm
Elijah-scent he loves and lays his lips softly on the thick curls against his cheek. This is enough, he
vows to himself, I'm not asking for more.  

He feels a renewed dampness against his neck and gently cups Lij's face, tilting it up to rub his
thumb over the tear-stained cheek.  Lijah looks up, and Dom meets his gaze, his heart in his eyes.  
With a sigh, the blue eyes are shuttered and the full lips part, allowing a glimpse of the tip of a
tantalizing tongue.

Hesitantly, Dom bends to touch his lips to the tear-wet velvet open so invitingly before him.  A
hand creeps up to grasp his shirt-front, and the kiss deepens.  Hot * wet * silken * velvet. Their
tongues meet, caress and draw back, a dance as old as time.  Dom angles his head, seeking to
reach all the intimate recesses of the other's mouth, plundering the almond-scented sweetness
offered up to him.  Elijah suckles eagerly on Dom's probing tongue, drawing it into his hot mouth
so deep as to strain the root.  Moments pass and neither has drawn breath, the kiss impossibly
deeper.  They are cocooned in a haze of sensation, almost unaware of the stirrings in their groins,
the sweet discomfort of their mutual arousals.

They finally come up for air, gasping, staring at each other's swollen lips, awareness struggling to
the surface.  For a moment, they sway back toward each other - then a shudder grips Elijah, and he
flings himself back toward the end of the couch and curls in on himself, trembling.

Dom is at a loss, his mind clouded still by the effects of that incredible kiss.  He slides off the
couch and onto his knees before Elijah.

Whether or not he has earned the right to say them, the words come out of their own volition.
"Lijah,   please," he pleads, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry for what happened that night - sorry for
taking advantage of you.  Let me help you - talk to me!"  

The body on the couch goes still, the spastic trembling slowly subsiding as Elijah absorbs the
meaning of Dom's words.  When he finally speaks, his voice is raspy with shed tears.

"She never would talk about...it, you know?  She was scared that going to a shrink would result in
adverse publicity.  I was hustled to the family doctor like...I had some kinda disease.  She said it
was Dad's fault - I inherited it from him..."  He swallows hard.  "I just felt so dirty...I know it's just a
trivial thing...she didn't mean to traumatize me...but I was so afraid it would happen again."

"And it did...and you.... None of this is your fault..."  His voice breaks and he falls silent.

"And then I found myself attracted to both guys and girls..." he continues.  I was so confused!  Just
another indication of how fucked-up I am.  And so...I don't let anyone in.  I'm ok as long as I
concentrate on my work...nothing can touch me there...until now.  You were right, Dom."  Fresh
tears well up in the sapphire eyes.  "You can't love your mates - it just hurts so damn bad."

"Elijah!  Listen to me."  Dom brings his hand up to stroke the dark curls beside him.  "All the
examples I've had in that sort of relationship have been pretty immature and needy people.  Love
hurts when it isn't returned.  I love you - I love your generosity, your energy and your maturity.  So
we're both guys - so what?  Can't you take love where you find it?  Isn't it the love that's important -
could you throw that love away?"

Long moments pass and Dom holds his breath. Elijah straightens up and lays his hand on the curve
of Dom's cheek. "I love you too, Sblom."   He smiles. "And no, I couldn't throw that love away." He
leans forward and murmurs against Dom's mouth - "So...are we gonna do something about it?"

Dominic laughs and regards his friend with admiration. Just like Lij - once he decides to do
something, it's full steam ahead.   "Doodle, have you had any...erm...experience?  Are you very
sure you want this?  You don't have to, you know."

Elijah looks at him seriously. "Dom, I think we've wasted enough time already, don't you?  Just..."
He chews his lip nervously.  "Just go slowly, okay?"

They kiss all the way to the bedroom - little, nibbling, unsteady kisses that more often than not,
miss their mark.  They halt by the bedside, and Dom places his hands on Elijah's hips and gently
pulls the boy towards him.  He dips his head and sucks slowly on Lij's silken lower lip, then slips
his tongue into the boy's willing mouth; sliding under the other's tongue to caress the root. hot*
sweet* darkvelvet * wetsilk*  A rhythm begins to build, a give and take between the two.  Elijah
slips his hands up under Dom's shirt, moving in small circles over his chest until they reach the
sensitive buds at the apex.

Dom trails kisses up Lijah's face with a groan, dipping his tongue into the shell of his ear, his
breath warm and wet.

Elijah feels a wave of heat flash through him.  It lifts all the hairs on his body, and his knees
buckle, throwing them both on the bed, their erections coming together through the thick denim.

"Clothes...off...let me."  Dom gasps, ripping his shirt off and losing most of the buttons in the
process.  He straddles Elijah, pulls the shirt off over his head, and throws it aside.  Then he lowers
his head to suck gently on the soft skin of Elijah's neck and his free hand settles over the tell-tale
bulge of denim-covered cock, kneading it through the rough fabric.

"Fuck, yes!...oh god...please...Dom."  Elijah's hips strain upward and his fingers pull urgently at the
buttons of Dom's jeans.

Dom wriggles out of his jeans and boxers, kicking them off onto the floor.  Then he turns his
attention to Elijah and flicks buttons open, until he gets to what he craves.

He sits back on his heels and gazes at the delectable feast spread out for his enjoyment.  Pale,
pale skin, alabaster-fine, surmounted by cinnamon buds puckering in the cool air.  A firm stomach,
bisected by a line of down culminating in a inverted vee of crisp curls. And nestled in those curls -
the perfect cock, a shade darker than the rest, crowned with a shimmering drop of pre-come.

His gaze travels up toward his lover's face - whose avid eyes are taking him in with equal
enjoyment.

"God, Doodle, you're beautiful."  He sighs.

"So are you, you wanker.  Now shut up and com'ere."

Elijah pulls him down and covers him.  He takes Dom's mouth in a deep kiss, sucking and pulling
at his lips, his tongue flicking, sliding, licking.  His breath is coming in harsh gasps, and he
controls himself with a visible effort.  He shifts his weight and turns his attention to Dom's nipple,
laving a sensitive bud with his tongue and rolling the other between his fingers.

Dominic arcs off the bed, his moans rising to a higher pitch.  He grabs Elijah and grinds his
erection against a smooth thigh, then rolls him over and straddles his hips.  He follows the line of
down with his tongue and buries his face in the nest of curls, breathing deeply of its musky
Elijah-scent.  Then he tilts his head and runs his tongue up the velvet shaft so near his cheek.  Now
it's his turn to hold on, as Elijah's head whips from side to side, his groans rising to fever pitch and
his clutching hands buried in Dom's hair.  Dom shakes the hands off and rises on all fours, his
hand firm around the base of Elijah's cock, and lowers his mouth over the swollen shaft.  He licks
the blushing head, savoring the bitter/salty tang of come and without warning, takes it all into his
eager mouth, as much of it as he can manage.

Elijah's strangled gasp rewards him and he begins to suck strongly, one hand caressing the velvety
sac below, the other finding Lij's hot, tight orifice.  He feels Lijah stiffen in surprise, then relax,
and is in turn startled by a tug on his sensitive cock and a hot, demanding mouth closing over it.

Ahhhhh...the two-backed beast...  The world grays out and a red-tinged halo obscures his vision.  
He is teetering on the edge when Elijah gasps out, "Dom...no!  Inside me - I want you inside me!"

Breathing heavily, Dom reverses himself and gropes in the bedside drawer for the condoms and
lube he had stashed so hopefully earlier.  

"Lij, are you sure?  It'll hurt...you've got to be sure...'cause I sure as hell can't stop once we get
going!"

Elijah nods.  "Yeah, Dommie, I'm sure.  I know it'll hurt - but I know you'll take care.  Okay?"

They kiss again, deep, slow, languorous kisses, the edge taken off their urgency.  Dominic settles
down on Elijah, tucks a pillow under his ass and inserts a lubed finger into his tight, hot opening.

Lijah moans.  "Dom...ahhh...I thought...I...uh...was supposed to be face down...you know..."

"It'll be easier for you this way, Lij.  You can't tense your back up and...well...I want to see your
face.."   And you can see me loving you.

Teasing Elijah's nerve endings with his hot mouth, Dom inserts another finger, then another,
stroking the muscle and stretching it as much as he can.  He avoids the prostate nub, for he
senses that Lijah can't take much more and wants to prolong the keen pleasure of penetration.

He takes his eager cock in hand, sets himself and slowly, oh so slowly slides in, the copious lube
easing his passing.  

"Does it hurt, love?" he murmurs, seeing the blue eyes widen at the intrusion.

"Yes...no...oh god...it's okay...oh yes...yes...Dommie!"  And Elijah wraps his legs tight around Dom's
waist, forcing him in deeper, shouting his lover's name as his shaft nudges the sensitive gland
deep inside.

They groan together, the ages-old rhythm taking over them completely.  Dom strokes sweet and
long, seeking the rhythm akin to the ebb and  flow of the tides - and heralds the final swell, the
surge that lifts them to ecstasy and the scent of the sea.

They lie tangled in post-coital languor, appetites temporarily sated.

"Are you sure you haven't done this before?" Dom asks teasingly, as soon as he gets his breath
back.

Elijah's giggle is muffled in Dom's neck. "Yeah, well, I've had a lotta practice." He laughs at Dom's
consternation. "You know how active my dream-life has been lately.  And I want lots more - in real
time."  He yawns widely.  "Sleep now?  You'll need the energy tomorrow."  He grins teasingly.  

Dom relaxes.  He would call Hannah in the morning.  Elijah's demons have been banished.  
Perhaps forever, perhaps not, but the respite will give them time to assess, to recover.  And then
Dom will make sure that Elijah will always be able to laugh about the experience - and if it
happens again, that he will never have far to walk.

They are drawn deep into healing sleep - and - they do not dream.


                                                                         END