They had been so happy to spend that week in a romantic chalet onto that mountain, making love, laughing, walking alone, taking their time to know each other better, that they had almost forgot everything about their fight, Abigail, and all the things that had kept them apart.

Sean had worked quite a lot during those years, always refusing to leave her alone at home, taking Alex wherever he went to film, rendering impossible for her to find a job. But the girl didn't seem so worried about that, for she was more than happy to follow him during his transfers, developing a particular endowment for photography, at the point that Sean had bought her a little digital camera, and was beginning to frame her works, showing them with great pride to relatives and friends.

Alex was snapped out from her reverie by the phone ringing, that made her jolt, drop the photo and run to the cordless.

That conversation left her speechless, and she became aware that it hadn't been a joke just when the fax began to hum.

The script.

Once finished, Alex sat down onto the large couch, with the pack onto her knees, staring blankly at the first page.

"Lord of the Rings. Complete script. To Sean Bean by Peter Jackson. Note: You would make a perfect Boromir!"

It was only a couple of hours before dinner that the automated gates opened, and Sean's car drove in. He parked it next to Alex' and dismounted quietly, taking a couple of bags from the backseat before heading to the front door of the white house, rummaging into his pockets for the keys.

"Alex? I'm home, love.."

He shut the door behind his back once inside, looking around and pursing his lips worriedly when he didn't get any answer.

"Alex?"

Said girl was wiping her hair into the bathroom, after a relaxing shower, and immediately ran downstairs when she heard him call her, still barefooted, just with her bathrobe on, grinning at Sean when she saw him.

"You can't even imagine who called today!"

"Mmmh." he mumbled, eyeing her head to toe with patent interest and arms crossed across the chest, grinning in return when their eyes met again. "Believe me if I say that Queen Elizabeth herself could have called and I couldn't care less, until I'll get the welcome kiss I deserve. And by the way.. I definitely feel like reminding you that the more you're undressed, the better you look."

"Oh, Sean!" she exclaimed, pretending to be exasperated, rolling her eyes and sighing, even if mere moments later she couldn't help but burst into laughter, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him tenderly, unaware that her bathrobe was opening, partially exposing her still damp body to her beloved.

"C'mon... don't you want to know who has called?"

"Of course.." he whispered, a crooked smile on his lips as he slowly slid his hands underneath the fabric of her robe, grasping her bare buttocks in order to drag her even closer. "I would suggest you to tell me straightaway, before I irremediably lose this barest hint of self control I've left."

"You're really becoming an old perv!" she grinned, retreating and closing her bathrobe to avoid further distractions.

"Anyway... Peter Jackson called this morning. He'd sent you a script...and... you've been chosen to play Boromir in the trilogy The Lord of the Rings. They want you to be in New Zealand next week, and the filming will last about one year and half, or something like that…"

Suddenly sobered up by her words, Sean remained speechless for some moments, as if not sure he'd understood well. He eventually shook his head, regaining his usual composure, and cleared his throat.

"I--I need time to think about this. And.. to have a look at the script, maybe.. I was but a teen when I read the books, I don't know if I actually can--oh God."

Grinning to herself, for she knew already what would have been his reaction, Alex walked to the studio, taking the script and handing it to Sean.

"Here's the script. You'll have all the time to think about that, for Peter told me that you'll not began filming immediately after your arrival, for he want you actors to become friends, so he'll give you some time to know each other better. But I think that it is not an occasion you can waste, Sean..."

He stared blankly at the bundle of paper in his hands for some moments, obviously concerned and still upset, until he raised his head to look at his lover again.

"I know.. but Alex.. try to understand me" he mumbled, "I just feel like I'm dealing with something.. I don't know, something too huge for me to handle. What am I supposed to do? And would you agree to live in New Zealand for all that time? I'm not going anywhere without you."

"But you don't have to worry about me!" she immediately complained, crossing her arms on her chest, raising an eyebrow in a quite dangerous way. "Read this script. Now. I'll cook something and I'll bring it to you into the study. Then you'll go to sleep. Tomorrow morning you'll see it clearly, I'm sure of that..."

"I am not going anywhere without you." he repeated firmly, and actually pouting. "Promise.. no, swear that you would come with me, and I'll read the script. Otherwise you can be sure that I'll throw it right into the fireplace."

He would have never done such a thing, and was also pretty sure that she knew it. The purpose was to make the concept clear, and he really wasn't willing to leave her at home and stay away for more than a year. He'd have rather refused the part.

"How could you even think that I would let you go without me?" she asked softly, nearing him again and hugging him tightly. "I'll never leave you, Sean. I told it to you three years ago and I meant it..."

Sean somehow managed to lay the script on the nearby sideboard and returned the embrace almost fiercely, clinging to his Alex and closing his eyes. "I love you so much.. I could never, ever go without you. And I want your opinion on that script." he said softly, drawing back to kiss the tip of her nose. "Why don't you come with me, sit on my knees and just relax as I read it out loud for you?"

Smiling, she raised her eyes to look at him. It was something they often did, for she loved the theatrical way in which he used to read out loudly. But that was why he was an actor. And a damned good one.

"I would freeze to death if I come like that" she grinned, pointing to her bathrobe. "I'll go and dress myself. Then I'll cook something and I'll catch you up".

"Deal." he smiled, kissing her softly. "I'll have a look at it in the meantime."

Said that he collected the script, his pack of cigarettes and also a bottle of beer from the fridge, finally decided to face the awesome bundle of paper without letting it frighten him. Once supplied with everything he could have needed he climbed solemnly up the stairs and entered the study, a wide room perfectly tidy safe for a small desk, Sean's personal space for reading and writing, the walls covered almost entirely by high bookcases overflowing heavy volumes.

He took off his shoes and squatted on the leather armchair in front of the fireplace, beer and cigarettes at hand on the coffee table, browsing quietly through the pages.

Almost an hour later, Alex entered the study, wearing a pair of torn jeans and a simple shirt, and carrying a large tray with some pasta salad and chicken.

"Are you hungry?"

"Indeed." he muttered with a small smile, head bent on the papers. "It is.. really awesome. I think I should read the books again.. and also freshen up a bit my fencing, most probably."

"Do you like it?" the girl then asked, settling the tray on a small table and leaning to kiss his forehead and caress his hair, then sitting onto the armchair opposite to his, taking some pasta and eating quietly, knowing that it was better to let him work, or he would have been distracted from her presence.

"Oh yes, yes I do." he said, raising his head to look at her and smiling warmly, before to turn his attentions back to the papers.

"Try to picture a black screen, okay? A throughout black screen, as the narrator begins to speak in elvish.. then the words 'The Lord of the Rings' appear in gold lettering, and it fades back to black before a fire comes onto it."

He was now totally absorbed in his reading and elaboration of the script, forgetting about the dinner and everything else, his mind already working out vivid and colorful images as he skimmed skillfully through the lines.

"Much that once was is lost. For none now live who remember it."

Alex continued to eat and listen to him, smiling to herself to see him so concentrated and enthusiastic.

The Lord of the Rings was a magnificent project, that would have been the buttonhole of his career. Anyway she wasn't too excited to move again, to New Zealand this time, but she would have followed him everywhere.

It was just unimaginable to live for so long alone in that home.

It took Sean a good couple of hours to read the entire text, allowing himself to have just a short break to eat and fondle his beloved affectionately, crouched on the armchair with her. When the last line was read he took a deep breath, settling the sheets on the coffee table, and looked at Alex.

"So what do you think? I already know that I'll ponder over this all night.."

"It's really a good script" she smiled softly, soothingly caressing his back and arms.

"But you must try and sleep even if just a little, my love. Sleep will bring you council...Anyway I'll be with you. Whether you'll decide to take that plane or not..."

Sean nodded, and smiled. A little hesitantly at first, but said smiled broadened straightaway after a tender kiss, and then slowly turned into a wicked grin.

"I think I'll be able to sleep only if hugging you tight all the while.. would you mind to be my personal teddy bear tonight?"

"I'll make this sacrifice for you" she grinned back, standing up and taking his hand to guide him to the large bedroom furnished in spanish stile, taking off her clothes and tossing them away, slipping under the covers just with her underwear on, turning to look at him.

"So... what is that you need to sleep peacefully?" she asked softly then, shifting the covers to let him see her body, longing clear into her blue eyes.

At the sight Sean froze right in place while taking off his t-shirt, and arched an eyebrow. He then resumed the undressing business, smiling, and had only his boxers on when he laid down on the bed, propping on an elbow to lean over Alex and caress her lips with his own.

"I need you to take that pretty underwear off.. unless you want me to do it for you." he whispered seductively, his free hand travelling slowly over her flat stomach, his fingers sliding underneath the fine fabric of her panties once reached the spot. "And I need you to fall down beside me, literally collapsing from a whole night of wanton lovemaking, exhausted at the point of not being able to take any more, else I'll start over again, and again, and again.. how does that sound?"

Moaning and closing her eyes in pleasure at both his caresses and his words, Alex instantly kicked away her panties and almost ripped her bra to pull it off in hurry, looping her arms around his neck and nibbling at his lips.

“You’re the first man able to make me almost come undone just with his words…” she whispered sensually, while her hand started to travel down his chest and stomach.

“I love your voice…your accent…you’re so…sexy…”

Sean shivered and grinned wickedly in response, dipping his head to nibble at her chin and jawbone, their gazes locked steadily and his hand moving to caress her inner thigh with unhurried strokes. "Mine" he whispered against her smooth skin, closing his eyes and moving down to reach her neck with his mouth, matching every 'mine' with a heated kiss.

His possessiveness was something Alex had accepted from a long time, feeling somewhat even pleased by the fact that he seemed so jealous about her.

Sometimes it had been hard during those years to deal with that side of his character, for she was used to feel free from every bond, and maybe sometimes it was still hard. But she loved him. Sean was her man.

Sex had always been important between them, it seemed to be some sort of connection, an erotic attraction that drove them almost insane. It was clear that they were crazily in love, addicted to that relationship, even due to their sexual understanding.

Sean knew exactly how and where to touch her, and Alex knew that he wasn’t just ravening. He was serious. He could made love to her even for the whole night. Certain was that the girl never drew back, for it seemed that she had never enough of him.

In the meantime a quite absorbed Sean was licking his way down her neck, lingering to nuzzle for a while and then gnaw enthusiastically at her collarbones, his hands cupping her breasts and squeezing lightly as he shifted to lay on top of her for a better comfort.

"Love you.." he murmured while resuming his fervent sinking, although stopping again when the tip of his busy tongue brushed smoothly over a firm nipple.

"Need you.."

No further words were uttered in the following moments, Sean's mouth being fastened to said nipple, the only sounds in the room his already heavy breathing and Alex' ragged pants. His eyes closed again as he kissed, licked, nibbled carefully at the tender flesh and savored the moment. Shivering with delight when he felt her nimble fingers tangle in his hair in order to hold him in place. Though he couldn't quite get enough of the luscious scent and the rich taste of her skin, he eventually found himself short of breath and had to draw back. He stared intently at her for long moments then, all his senses reveling at the sight of his beautiful Alex flushed and panting, until he licked his lips in a quite enticing way, and moved to tease the other nipple like a man on a mission.

"Want you.."

Was the heated whisper this time, and then once again there were only ragged breaths, soft pants and Sean's occasional low, rapturous hums. When his mouth left Alex' skin, and stormy green eyes met similarly gusty blue ones, both were indeed flushed and doubtlessly quite turned on. But then a fancy digression from his early, romantic topic suddenly came into Sean's mind, and a wide grin appeared on his face almost of its own will.

"Shag you senseless."

“Do it” was the only thing Alex could think, her eyes bright and her lips swollen for their previous kissing session.

Then, following her instinct, the girl tugged at his hair in a quite impatient fashion, forcing him to raise his head and bringing his face to hers. She started to nibble at his lips, licking her way to his earlobe, sinking her tongue into his ear and then gently blowing at it, knowing all too well that this particular gesture always drove him mad.

“Shag me…”

Such words, matched to her purposeful ministrations, actually caused Sean to groan out loud. It was just too much for him to bear in that moment, overwrought as he was. Without thinking about it twice he hooked Alex' legs in order to lift them and braced on both arms, dipping to plunge his tongue fully into her mouth as he pushed his hips forward with a swift motion. A low, throaty moan erupted from him at the overwhelming sensation, a helpless shudder jolting through his whole body in time with the first, energetic thrust.

To feel him deep inside of her caused Alex to clutch at the sheets, gripping them convulsively, eyes closed and her brain concentrated on the sensatios she was feeling.

As Sean began to thrust mercilessly into her, the girl just let the waves of sheer pleasure wash over her, Throwing back her head and giving voice to her satisfaction, groaning and moaning loudly, for she was aware that they lived in a secluted spot, and there weren't neighbors ready to complain about the noise.

His lover's vocal performances were apparently of use to fuel Sean's ardor, as well as his own heated moans. Within mere minutes his thrusts had become so fast and hard that he was nearly hyperventilating, on the brink of what anticipated to be a furious orgasm and struggling to keep his eyes open to look at her. To see her undone, writhing beneath him and overwhelmed with pleasure and lust, was indeed a priceless sight.

Sean's hard thrusts, so deep and fast, rendered Alex almost dizzy with desire, sure that one of those days she would have died for pleasure. His basin brushed against her clit at every shove, and soon the girl began to feel the familiar heat permeate her body, burning her limbs, even if she knew that the day after she would have had bruises at the back of her thighs.

Every coherent throught was cut off within moments by a painfully strong orgasm, and she clutched him tightly, raking her nails into his back, crying out loudly his name, while her whole body was shaking with shocks of intense pleasure.

Alex was still writhing and moaning when Sean hissed sharply, his head falling back and his body quivering all over, each and every muscle tensing abruptly. A split second later he was coming hard, clutching helplessly at Alex' firm thighs, only barely aware of her legs tightening around his waist in response. Afterwards he remained still for long moments, moaning and panting, blond hair dark with sweat and eyes shut.

"I love you" he muttered breathlessly as he eventually collapsed boneless on top of her, releasing the firm grasp on her thighs. "I love you.."

"I love you, too" she smiled, shifting from beneath him to settle the covers on both, afraid that he could have taken a cold.

Then she was again into his arms, snuggling closer and enveloping him in a warm embrace.

"Now you just have to sleep...have some rest. Tomorrow will bring you consel, and we'll decide if pack our things and go to New Zealand..."

"Cuddle.." he mumbled, already half asleep, tightening the embrace and hiding his face in between Alex' neck and shoulder. "Cuddle me.. please.."

Smiling to herself, the girl started to kiss his forehead, whispering sweet nonsense to his ear, all the while lazily stroking his back.

It was just some moments later that they both fell soundly asleep, still embraced and buried under the covers.

Strangely enough, hours later Sean was the first to open his eyes. Alex was much more of an early riser than he was but that morning, when he untangled himself from the warmth of her embrace and slipped out of the bed, she was still sleeping peacefully.

He smiled to himself, gazing at her sleeping form as he retrieved his underwear and put it on, reminding the passionate lovemaking of the night before. The urge to jump on the bed and kiss her breathless was almost overcoming the will to let her sleep, and he had to stifle a chuckle at the thought that they would have almost certainly ended up making love again in that case.

He was awfully in love. Awfully happy. He couldn't help but smile everytime he looked at her, everytime he looked at his Alex.

Once he had put on a random t-shirt and some as much random pants he allowed himself to put a chaste, loving kiss on her forehead, pushing back the strands of dark hair. Another longing look at her and he was out of the room, stalking decidedly to the study, resolute to find all the three books of Tolkien's trilogy among the myriad of volumes jammed in the high bookcases.

He was going to need them.

When Alex arose from the bed, hours later, she was utterly surprised to discover that Sean wasn’t at her side, for he usually slept until late in the morning.

His side of the bed was already cold, and that meant that he had waken up from hours, maybe. Sighing and sleepily passing an hand over her face, the girl thought she knew what was he up to.

Sean was going to play Boromir.

After her moving from Italy to the cold and rainy England, it had took some time for her to get accustomed to the new weather, the new house, the different food and lifestyle.

And now they were going to begin, again. They were going to move to New Zealand, that place she had almost never heard of, for one or two years. Then back again in England.

She was missing her home, afterall. That great farm were she lived with her aunt, so full of peace, silence and always kissed from the sun, for it was rare than it rained for more than half a day.

Before to start and depress herself with those thoughts, the girl retrieved an old, large shirt and put it on, alongside with her underwear, walking to the kitchen to prepare some hot milk and an espresso coffee.

Sean had evidently heard her exiting the bedroom, for minutes later he was entering the kitchen, too. His head dipped in a large book and a mug on the other hand, he neared Alex to give an affectionate peck on her lips, and then settled the empty mug on a counter before he climbed to sit on it.

"Mornin' love" he mumbled, still engrossed in said book. "Tea. I need some tea."

Arching an eyebrow in a dangerous way, the girl looked at him, shaking her head and with a great desire to throw away the book from his hands.

Does he believe I’m his servant?

She sighed, fuming and preparing some tea, pouring it into the mug quite brusquely.

A moment later she was again into the bedroom, dressing quickly and taking her purse and her keys, still nervous due to his attitude.

“I’ll have my breakfast with Gwen” she barked at him, before to slam the door and climb into the car, starting the engine and sprinting away.

A girls’ going out was what she needed at the moment.

At home a quiet Sean and his mug went back to the study, and said man settled on his armchair to continue the reading, cordless phone at hand in case his agent would call back. One of the first things he'd done that morning was ringing him up to explain Jackson's offer, asking to take care of the matter on his behalf and gather some practical info. Now very well aware that it was a chance he couldn't waste.

At the tea room, Alex was sitting on an armchair, opposite to her friend Gwen.

They knew each other from almost ten years, and she had been always near to Alex when she had had fights with Sean. That morning, Mark, Gwen’s boyfriend, was at work at his estate agency, and finally they had some time alone to chat.

“And now we’re beginning again!” Alex was explaining nervously. “He’ll be completely taken by that project, behaving as if I were his maid, not even considering the fact that I couldn’t be so happy to change everything again, confined at home and completely forgotten by him!”

"Eighteen months are.. quite a long period indeed" Gwen observed pensively, nibbling at her muffin. "But what the hell, you have been through worse fights.. the only thing you two need to change is that damn attitude you both have whenever something goes wrong. Learn to shout and brawl instead than ignore each other, you'll feel better afterwards. Guaranteed."

“Oh, you say that just because you’ve never seen him angry…” Alex hinted a bitter smile.

“Gwen, believe me… I’ve seen him fuming and shouting just one time. And he scared the shit out of me… I can’t remember what one of those cheap tabloids had written about me and him. Sean was so angry that he ripped the newspaper, broke the door glass for he slammed it too hard…well he scared me… So I just prefer to stay away…”

"All right, all right.. I wouldn't really die to see such a show." the other girl nodded, propping on her elbows over the small table and looking at the other.

"Then go for a quiet, serene and very english exposition of the facts, leaving out the shouting and brawling thing. But tell him when something's wrong, and ask him to do the same.. right now he's probably sitting with his book and thinking that you're totally fine, when in fact you're quite seriously pissed off."

“More probably he’s neither thinking at me…” Alex sighed, sipping at her tea. “I’m the last of his thoughts. At least until he comes to bed… You know, sometimes I feel so…depressed when he behave like that. I feel like…used and forgotten. So I’m sure he had neither noticed that I was pissed off…”

Gwen couldn't help but sigh and shake her head, placing a hand over her friend's for a moment in a soothing way. Wondering who, if Alex or possibly Sean, was the more stubborn of the two. Sure was that to her they were a beautiful couple, despite the occasional quarrels and misunderstandings.

"Don't say that.." she said softly, smiling. "It is glaring that he's madly in love with you. Shit, Alex. Just think about all the good times you've been through, about the happiness you've shared.. and not just about the fights and his addiction to his damn job. No one can be perfect, now can they?"

“Yeah, whatever…” she just murmured sadly, continuing to drink and sighing now and then.

Addiction to his job. That was more than sure. So taken that sometimes he almost forgot to eat, or to sleep. And it was to her to cook, clean the house, call him to sleep. Nurse him.

He knew how much she hated to be treated like that, but he just did it all the times.

“I’m not so happy to go home now…”

"Then we could... oh I don't know.. what about some wild shopping?" Gwen grinned enticingly, and took a sip from her cup. "You know what, you should confiscate one of his credit cards everytime he gets you pissed. So you could find solace by buying the most useless, inconceivable things, and go back home smiling and absolutely relaxed.. no doubt, thus he would learn to behave."

Finally grinning, Alex looked at her friend, nodding her approval.

“I don’t know what would I do without you…”

Then she fumbled into her purse, finding what she was searching just after some minutes.

“I’ve one of his credit cards there. But…I’m afraid to use it…what if he’ll be mad at me?”

Gwen hummed pensively, eyebrows raised and a grave espression on her face.

"Well, did he give it to you? If so, I think you can use it.." she began, stopping for a moment to grin and chuckle. "If instead you just took it and slipped it in your wallet maybe's better to ring him up and ask."

“He gave it to me ‘just in case’ “ Alex smiled amusedly, showing the card to her friend. “But I’ve never used it. After all it’s his money…and I always feel so awkward when it comes to use them…”

"I promise that I'll watch over you then.. to hinder foolish expenses and such. But we're going to shop and squander right now." the other girl said solemnly, taking her purse and standing up. "Get your dainty bottom out of that armchair, will ya? I don't want you to think about it too much and change your mind."

“Ok, ok!” the other girl surrendered, taking her purse and following her to the parking lot. “But I advise you, if he will be pissed at me I’ll come to you and Mark’s. And you’ll have to prepare a bed for me… Oh, Christ… I’m already changing my mind, you know that? I just…would like my own money to squander… not his own… and I just would like to feel him close to me, not so cold and distant as he’s now… It’s been a long time from our last shopping session together…”

Gwen nodded, but said nothing as they reached Alex' car. Only once sitting at her side she turned to look at her, and smiled.

"Take me home." she said, "And tell him that you'll be picking him up in ten minutes, I'm sure he won't refuse. You need him right now, it wouldn't be the same if I would go shopping with you. Take your cellular phone and call him. Right now."

“But…” Alex tried to say, stopping abruptly when the meaning of her words sunk in. Gwen was right. She needed Sean. She needed to be with her man.

And her friend wasn’t complaining about that.

“I don’t know if he’ll ever agree…” she murmured, while taking her cell phone and calling him.

“Sean? It’s me… ehm… I-I want to go shopping with you, now. Yes I know that you’re busy but…Sean it’s important. Please…Ok! I’ll be there in ten minutes!”

When she had finished, Alex turned and hugged Gwen tightly, smiling brightly.

“He wasn’t very happy to leave that damned book… but maybe he had understood that there were something wrong this morning, and he’s in mood of talking, too…”

"See?" Gwen exulted, hugging her friend tight in return. "Sometimes it takes just a very small effort from both parts to set thing straight. And you are too much of a beautiful couple to ruin it all because of a silliness like that."