A/N:
A few things should be obvious at this point:
1. All of the events of this story are seen through James' POV--AKA: limited.
2. Sirius, James, and Lily are all OOC. Sirius is well...dating Lily AND teasing James about it. James is subdued--tame. Sirius makes many references to this: "used to be your type," "I don't know what happened to you," etc. Lily is flirtatious with Sirius (let's face it, she should be hexing him through most of this) and rude to Christine--a girl she just met and knows nothing about other than the fact that she is dating James. James makes numerous references to Lily's odd behavior as well: "what the hell is wrong with her," "why isn't she hexing him," etc.
3. Sirius does not like Christine.
All of the above are important and plot-related. I promise all will be revealed in the end. I am taking you somewhere GOOD. Those of you who have read "Waste My Time" know that the pay off will be well worth the agony (not that I'm bragging or anything--oh sod it, I am bragging).
Now that being said, things between Sirius and Lily are going to appear to get worse. Um...a LOT worse. I pretty much guarantee that by the end of this chapter you will feel nauseated and disgusted; there is probably something wrong with you if you don't. I did and I wrote the bloody thing. You will probably hate me. Keep in mind that things aren't always what they seem. Characters can and do have agendas. Obviously, I am expecting a lot of flack regarding this chapter. So read on, duly forewarned.
Sirius was right, the place was a dive--gaudy colors, dim lights, and a general malaise of atmosphere permeated the establishment. James couldn't help but wonder as the quartet settled into a table adjacent to the dance floor, why in Merlin's name Lily had wanted to come here.
"So Lily," Christine said, removing her wrap. "How did you decide to become an auror?" Christine shifted, smoothing her skirt. "I mean, it's hardly a common career for a lady to pursue."
Lily's eyes snapped to Christine. "Quite simple, actually. I've never been the sort to stand idly by while others are being tormented--not if I can do something to prevent it. Bullying toerags have always grated my nerves." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and stared straight at him when she said this. Of course, James knew exactly what--or rather who--she was referring to. Snivellous. How convenient of her to forget that Sirius was just as culpable in that regard as James was. More so, since Sirius had actually attempted murder, in a round-about way, by sending Snape to the Shrieking Shack during Moony's time of the month. James shot a questioning glance at Sirius, who shrugged and grinned back.
"Still," Christine continued. "It must be difficult to compete in a field so dominated by men."
Lily laughed. "Sure. For them. I trounce even the smartest of them, like James here, on a regular basis."
James felt suddenly light, irrationally pleased. She thought he was smart.
"Hey!" Protested Sirius, looking rather disgruntled.
"Oh don't look so put out, Sirius, you're well aware that I'm only dating you for your looks." She winked.
She thought Sirius was handsome...not so tantalizing.
"I wish you would put out." Sirius grumbled.
James' heart skipped a beat. So they hadn't...? He watched Lily closely, determined to evaluate every nuance of her response. Something akin to outrage flickered so briefly across her face that James would have missed it had he not been watching obsessively. Now that was odd.
"Enough talk." Lily said quickly. Did she sound strained? "Dance with me?"
Sirius shook his head, grinning at her. "Patience, love, patience. We've only just arrived. I'm exhausted. Let's order some drinks and then, we'll see."
Lily stood up. "Now that," she said with a smirk and a teasing toss of her hair. "is precisely why I don't put out." She turned to Christine. "A smart girl never does till she gets what she wants first."
Christine's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"Lily's teasing, Christine." James hastened to explain, claiming her hand and rubbing it soothingly. At least, he thought she was. "Right, Lily?"
Lily waved her hand dismissively. "Of course."
"So..." Sirius drawled, his eyes on Lily. "Are you saying that if I dance with you, you'll put out?"
Lily shrugged. "There's only one way to find out." Was her flippant reply.
Sirius gave her a once over with his eyes in a way that made James' grip the arm of his chair with his free hand so tightly his fingers went numb.
Sirius shook his head. "Sorry, love, not liking those odds. Maybe James...?"
Both Lily and Sirius turned to look at him.
"Uh...probably not..." he managed, fighting the urge to leap to his feet and lead her to the dance floor. Christine cast him a curious glance, as if she sensed something. He patted her hand again, hoping to soothe any doubts.
Lily's eyes narrowed into slits as she stared at them. "Fine." she said rather sharply. "I'll find someone else."
Now what was that all about? It almost seemed as if she were more upset by his unwillingness to dance that Sirius'.
"Where is she going?" James asked, his eyes following her as she headed out towards a group of Muggles near the dance floor.
Sirius shrugged. "Probably to find some Muggle to dance with."
Christine raised an eyebrow. "And you find this acceptable?"
"Sure. Why not?" Sirius replied in an off-hand manner.
Without realizing it, James' eyes had drifted back to Lily, who was talking to a tall, muscular Muggle. How could Sirius be so calm? She wasn't his girl and it was driving him crazy. Why wasn't Sirius doing something to stop her?
Apparently her query met with a favorable result--how could it not, she was gorgeous--because the Muggle took Lily's hand and lead her out onto the dance floor.
"You...uh...might not feel that way when you see who she's dancing with." James warned Padfoot, nodding in Lily's direction.
Sirius waved his hand dismissively. "Probably a poof. Most male Muggles who can dance are."
"Right." replied James, not at all convinced.
"So, Christine," Sirius said, his voice taking on the carefully modulated tones of 'polite' conversation. "tell me, how are your charming parents?"
Christine brightened immediately. If there was one thing she adored, it was polite conversation. "How kind of you to inquire, Sirius. Daddy's working on..."
At this point, James checked out. When Christine got going, it was worse than any ten high teas conducted by his mother. James made a mental note to strangle Sirius later. His eyes began to wander, finally settling on Lily, who was dancing with the Muggle.
What the fuck? He sat up board straight in his chair. Now that most certainly did not qualify as dancing! Lily and her Muggle partner were gyrating in time to the music, bodies a mesh, hands roaming. It looked like they were trying to have sex with their clothes on. True, James was no stranger to the lack of subtly seen in modern Latin dancing, but this was taking it too far.
Before he realized what he was doing, James was on his feet, hands clenched into fists. Startled, Sirius and Christine turned to see what he was staring at.
"Oh for fucks sake!" Sirius jumped up too.
James peeled his eyes from Lily long enough to glare at Padfoot. "Poof, huh?"
The Muggle dipped Lily backward, their lower halves pressing together as he drew a hand sensually between the twin swells of her breasts.
"If you don't stop this, Padfoot, I will." James hissed through clenched teeth, barely suppressing his rage long enough to speak.
"I'm on it."
Sirius stalked away from the table and towards the dancing pair. James started to follow, but Christine grabbed his arm.
"Sit down." She whispered urgently, her cheeks flushed. "You're making a scene."
He wasn't. No one was paying him the slightest bit of attention. But Christine had very conservative ideas about what constituted 'a scene.'
"It's sweet that you're concerned for Sirius, but let him handle it. He's used to being embarrassed."
Sirius? What the hell was she--oh. Oh. Right. He'd momentarily forgotten that Lily wasn't his to defend. Fuck. What was wrong with him? He'd almost...he sat down quickly. Christine gave him a questioning glance.
"Don't want Sirius to be hurt." he mumbled, hating himself for the lie. He hadn't give a flying fuck about Sirius a moment ago. Lily on the other hand, had very much occupied his thoughts.
"Don't worry." Christine said reassuringly. "Sirius is handling it. See?"
James looked up. Sure enough, the Muggle was backing away from Sirius, raising his hands up as if in surrender. Sirius grabbed Lily's hand and whispered to her. She pulled away, gesturing. It was hard to tell from a distance, but they appeared to be arguing. Sirius grabbed her again, but instead of leading her back to the table as James had expected, Sirius pulled Lily flush against him--dancing with her.
And it was worse, a hundred times worse for James than her display with the Muggle. Because this was Sirius. His best mate. He couldn't leap to his feet and hex Padfoot for dancing with her. Sirius had every right. She was his girlfriend. James struggled valiantly to control his wildly swinging emotions, which leapt from rage to jealousy to depression in rapid succession.
Well, fan-fucking-tastic. He turned to Christine out of desperation.
"I don't suppose you'd like to..." He asked hopelessly.
Christine favored him with a disgusted look. "You'd suppose right, James. This is not my kind of dancing."
"Right." James replied, running his hands through his hair--something he hadn't done in years. Not since...he flagged down a server.
"A bottle of...whatever has the highest proof."
"James!" Christine admonished.
But James wasn't listening. He accepted the frosted bottle from the waiter and took a swig. Not half bad. A few of these and he'd be good and pissed.
James was half-way through his second bottle when Sirius finally led a pouting Lily back to the table.
"You are no fun!" Lily protested.
Sirius sighed. "Sorry, love, I need a drink. I'm parched." He sat down, looking at James. "See? James has already started without us."
Lily shrugged. "I'm not done, yet!"
"Oh, yes you are." Sirius said in a warning tone. "I'm tired and there is no way I'm letting you dance with a Muggle again. You can't be trusted to behave."
Lily pouted, her full lips puckering most enticingly. She batted her eyelashes. "Please?"
"You heard me." Sirius said, accepting his own bottle from the server.
"But Sirius!"
"I'll do it." James said, his eyes still fixed on her mouth. How the hell could Sirius resist that?
Lily shot Sirius a questioning glance.
Sirius nodded. "James is ok. But no one else."
Lily extended her hand to him, slight smile curving her lips. "I suppose you'll do, Potter."
Now that sounded almost like an insult. Not that he cared, really, because at least he was dancing with her. She led him to the dance floor, weaving expertly through the sea of bodies until she found an open space. James reached out, tentatively putting a hand on her waist and twining the other with hers. She stepped closer.
"Relax, Potter," She said with a smile. "I don't bite. Much."
The music started and James began to move with her in time to the music, being careful to keep himself under tight control. Lily frowned, tugging at his arm and trying to pull their bodies closer together. He resisted.
"What's wrong with you, Potter?" Lily asked after the third try. "You're so stiff it's like dancing with a cadaver."
Now that really wasn't fair. James wanted more than anything to be able to take the same sort of carnal liberties with her that Sirius and the Muggle had. He was a much better dancer than Sirius was. And Lily knew it, too. She'd seen him at their graduation ball. James was constrained by the eyes upon them, by the existence of Sirius and Christine. If only...he cut the thought off firmly. James had a sense of propriety. He wouldn't torture Christine that way, at least. Somehow he got the feeling that Sirius wouldn't mind all that much.
She sighed again. "What happened to you? You used to be fun."
James' eyes narrowed, a flash of uncontrollable anger ripping through him. She knew perfectly well! He grabbed her roughly and pulled her against him--hard.
"You sucked that right out of me now didn't you?" He hissed into her ear.
She pushed away from him, green eyes smoldering. Her cheeks flushed and her mouth puckered. She was pissed. He should not be getting turned on by this. He had a girlfriend.
"Don't you dare blame the mess you've made of your life on me, James Potter!" She poked his chest.
James fought the urge to grin. Here at least, he was on familiar ground. Pissed Lily was someone he had plenty of experience dealing with.
"Why not," he replied with a smirk, feeling more alive than he had in ages. "when you know perfectly well that it's true."
Her eyes narrowed. "You are such a bastard, Potter, you know that? Forget it. I think we're through here." She whirled around as if to go, but James wasn't having it. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards him, his other hand seeking her waist. Her back arched slightly as their bodies brushed, causing her still erect nipples to press into him. Merlin, he was in trouble.
His hand slid downward, past her hip and to her outer thigh, his fingers curling around it and caressing her gently through the material of her jeans as they moved to the music. He was, dimly aware that his actions were bordering on inappropriate. Sirius and Christine were watching, but James couldn't bring himself to care. He leaned inward, breathing in her scent--musk and sandalwood--all woman. His lips brushed her neck--a flutter. Dangerous. Very dangerous. He had to maintain control.
"You really shouldn't do things like what you were doing with that Muggle earlier." James murmured, his pulse pounding fiercely. "You'll make Sirius insanely jealous."
Her hand curled around his neck in a possessive manner. He ground into her slightly, wanting her to see what she was doing to him.
"Make Sirius insanely jealous?" Lily replied in a honeyed whisper. "Or make you insanely jealous?"
Oh, fuck. James was caught fast in the clutches of something he was powerless to control. He wanted her, wanted her desperately. He turned his head slightly, just wanting to look at her, only to find that her lips were but a breath away from his. Her eyes fluttered closed, her tongue flicking briefly, enticingly across her lips leaving a trail of moisture he longed to lick off.
He pulled away, roughly and abruptly. What the hell was he thinking? What the hell was she doing?
She looked at him in surprise and...disappointment?
"You're right." He growled at her, frustrated by his own sense of honor. "We are finished."
He disentangled himself from her and strode off, every nerve in his body groaning in protest.
If she'd been angry before, now she was positively livid. Her fury was palpable. He could feel it emanating off her in waves as she fell into step beside him.
Sirius and Christine looked up. Padfoot's eyes were slightly glazed, as if he'd had more drink than was good for him, while Christine's eyes were filled with reproach. Fabulous. Bloody brilliant! Lily brushed past him, knocking into to him with her shoulder as she passed, and whispered something into Sirius' ear.
"But Lil...Lily." Sirius' words were slightly slurred. He wasn't completely pissed, but he was close. "James..."
But Lily didn't give Sirius a chance to finish his thought. She twined her hands into his hair, pulling his mouth to hers and crushing it with her lips. Sirius was frozen for only a moment before his hands wrapped around her waist. She was licking, biting, consuming Sirius' swollen lips, her kisses frantic and desperate. James' jaw dropped as he watched them. That, he thought as alternating waves of nausea and regret swept over him, should have been my kiss. Stupid fuck, he cursed himself. She'd wanted him, wanted him every bit as badly as he'd wanted her. He'd felt it. And he'd pushed her away. If it was the right thing to do, why the hell did it feel so wrong? His hand wandered to his pocket, fiddling with his wand.
Lily pulled away from Sirius, panting slightly. She raised an eyebrow. "Does that answer your question?"
Sirius nodded, pulling a handful of Muggle bills--hundreds--out of his pocket and absently tossing them on the table. He stood, wrapping his arm around Lily.
"I'll catch you later, mate." Sirius said over his shoulder. "Don't wait up."
