Bilbo was nervous. She didn't normally go out, and it had taken hours of her friends pleading with her to get her to even put something attractive on. But now, in the dim, loud nightclub, surrounded by people and with a drink in her hand, she was feeling pretty good about herself. She'd gotten a few appreciative looks from men sitting at the bar, a rare occurrence in her daily routine, and was ready to step a little out of her comfort zone.

Bilbo, born Billie Bo Peep (her parents had quite a sadistic sense of humour, god rest their souls), was 26 years old and was approximately five foot 2. Her figure was not what you would call voluptuous by anyone's standards. Sure, she had a few curves, but her standard choice of wardrobe verged mainly on loose shirts and trousers causing her to be mistaken for a boy plenty of times, especially when she pulled her hair back. Her long, red hair, pointed chin and high cheekbones combined with her green eyes gave her an elfin look, but not a lot of people could tell as she looked at her feet about ninety percent of the time.

Shy and reserved, it was an adventure to go out to clubs or bars feeling confident enough to get dressed up, so when the tall, dark haired man caught her eye and gestured to the dance floor, she threw reservation to the wind, threw back her drink, and threw herself into the crowd. The man found her in no time, and they danced through a couple of tuneless songs before going back to her table. Her friends, whom she vowed to kill later, sat behind the attractive stranger and made suggestive gestures and winked. Bilbo blushed, and the man smiled.

"So who have I had the pleasure to dance with?" The man asked. "My name's Thorin. You?"

"Bilbo," she replied. "It's just a nickname- I'm pretty sure my parents were stoned when they named me. My full name's Billie Bo Peep… the only explanation is that they were either high or hated me." The alcohol was making her loosen her tongue to the point of chattiness, but she took another sip of the sweet drink in her hand.

"Well, I think it's charming. Shall we dance some more?" Thorin stood up and offered her his hand.

"It'd be a pleasure," she responded, taking his hand and climbing woozily to her feet. They waded back into the dancing and Bilbo swayed as Thorin held her hips. Bilbo looked up into Thorin's bearded face and smiled happily. She couldn't think of a place she'd rather be right then- she was dancing with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger with a drink in one hand and an immense feeling of happiness spilling out of her in waves. She didn't think she had been this happy in… well, perhaps ever; certainly she'd never felt so unrestrained.

Thorin was quite pleased with himself. While Bilbo might not have been the sexiest or most alluring woman in the club, she was quite possibly the most interesting. Her delicate features weren't the type that usually interested him, but with her red hair spilling around her face from a messy bun on top of her head, he couldn't resist. Now, moving with her in the heated crowd, he took a moment to admire her. Her lightly freckled skin had a beautiful pink flush to it from the exertion and her pale ivory dress made her skin look creamy and soft. She looked up at him and smiled from half closed eyes, lips slightly parted, and he felt a rush of unexpected arousal. He grinned at her and promised himself that this one he would not let get away so easily.

As she looked up at Thorin, panting a little from the unaccustomed exercise, he looked back at her with eyes so dark and a grin so intoxicating she almost shivered. He definitely placed among the top ten most attractive men she'd ever seen. He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips, and she gaped in surprise and stopped moving. He looked at her in concern before she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him back. They slowly moved off the dance floor with cries of "Get a room!" and "Oi, cut it out!"

They sat down at the table they had sat at before and started kissing in earnest. Bilbo was almost in Thorin's lap and his hands were on her waist before feeling a buzzing coming from Bilbo's dress.

"Sorry, it's me- er, my phone, I mean," she giggled and blushed, more than a little tipsy. She fumbled with her dress before finally managing to get her phone out of her pocket and flipping it open.

"Hello?" she asked muzzily.

"Bilbo? Hey, it's Lobelia- sorry to rush off but Prim got a bit sick. She had too much to drink… we had to leave. Sorry hon. You can get a ride home, right?" Bilbo scowled furiously. She should have known better than to rely on Lobelia, but couldn't really blame her for taking care of Prim. Primula was always top in Lobelia's priorities, and much higher up that Bilbo, who ranked quite low. It probably had something to do with Bilbo inheriting all of her mother's impressive jewelry when she died, and the whole family knew how Lobelia had coveted it.

"Yeah, I'll just get a cab, I guess. Just make sure Prim's ok." Bilbo knew her scowl was evident in her voice but didn't particularly care; for some reason she was delightfully uninhibited that night.

"Great! I'll talk to you later, then- Oh, no, Prim, you can't throw up there! Come on; let's get you inside-" the call was ended to sounds of miserable retching.

Thorin examined the girl next to him with great interest, watching the way her innocent features took on a wrathful, angry look that he wouldn't have wanted directed at him… then again, he always did have a thing for fiery women. He listened to the conversation at his side with great amusement and some worry. "Your friends left you?" he asked. "That wasn't very considerate."

Bilbo sighed. "Nah, Lobelia's actually my cousin. She had to take care of Prim, but yeah, I guess I don't have a ride." She giggled a little though it wasn't very amusing, all signs of anger wiped from her face and body. "I'll just catch a taxi."

Thorin looked at her unsteadiness and wide eyes, not certain that she would be alright to make it home in one piece. "Do you want me to give you a lift? I'd hate it if anything happened on your way home." And maybe get a little reward for it later. Ah, shit, he thought. I'm being way too obvious. No way she'll accept.

But all she did was look at him with wide eyes and a huge smile. "You would do that? Thank you so much!" score one for Thorin.

He helped her unsteadily towards the door of the club, catching her as she tottered in her- she was wearing heels? She was even smaller than he'd thought! As they walked out onto the sidewalk Bilbo shivered a little in the cold night air, raising goose bumps on her bare arms. Thorin sighed, and gave her his jacket. She giggled again and looked up at him adoringly, causing him to hold back a low growl of excitement in his throat. As they got into his car, a black Porsche boxer, she sighed and rubbed up against his shoulder. He grinned to himself. He was definitely going to get laid tonight.