********It seems this chapter is a bit meatier. Some questions answered! Never done a Harry Potter universe fic before, but as always I don't own anything here. I'm just a fan.*********

At 6:30 the next evening, Queenie's had finally finished primping and preparing her sister for what she referred to as a date. In Tina's mind it was not a date so much as an interrogation, however Queenie insisted that she accessorize her modest black dress with an embroidered scarf and beaded pocketbook. Queenie was getting ready to go out as well since Tina had asked that she vacate the apartment until midnight; just incase the interrogation continued after dinner. With a hug and a shake of blonde curls, she Disapparated to meet some of her friends.

After a few deep breaths, Tina walked down the stairs to the front of her apartment building. Just as he had promised, Newt was waiting for her rocking on his heels, holding his case.

The bow tie he had donned for the occasion and the small bouquet of daisies were entirely too charming; and those damn boyish freckles. Tina felt some of her frustration with him melt, but he wasn't going to be completely forgiven so easily. He gave her the aforementioned daisies and proffered his arm.

"You look lovely tonight, Tina." He said when she wound her arm through his.

Stifling a blush she asked. "So, where are we going?"

"I found this little hole-in-the-wall muggle place. They have the best housemade jam."

They walked to the restaurant in relative silence. Perhaps they were both too nervous to say anything. Newt held her arm close and seemed happy to be by her side, Tina hoped she wasn't reading too much into the contact. When they got to the restaurant, the waiter brought them both menus, a plate full of warm bread, and the jam Newt was so keen on. He tucked his case under the table discreetly. Tina cleared her throat and decided it was as good a time as any to start the interrogation, thought she hated to break the amicable silence.

"Okay. Easy questions first." Tina took a bite of the bread and jam and was pleasantly surprised that it was in fact wonderful. "How long have you been in New York?"

"A week, seven days." He answered quickly.

"Where are you staying?"

"The Clairmont, a few blocks from here, but I am registered under the name Dougal."

"To avoid detection by MACUSA?"

"To avoid detection by everyone, I'm afraid." As usual, Newt was avoiding eye contact with her. That night his gaze was trained on a large man at another table. "Do you think someone is watching us?" He asked.

"I don't think so…" Tina looked around momentarily and nothing seemed out of place, so she continued her investigation. "When are you, leaving?"

"I have tickets booked aboard a steam-liner set to leave the morning after next, but…"

"You're leaving the day after tomorrow?!"

"No… Yes… Well, maybe. There are a few variables still in play." He shifted his head back and forth as though he were calculating some unseen math problem.

"You were going to leave without even seeing me, weren't you?"

"Hey now…" Sensing her dismay, his eyes returned to hers and he tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, just as he had done on the docks. "I have always intended on meeting you tonight. You just forced my hand a bit. I was going to send you a telegram today, I promise! Look! I've got your copy of my book right here."

Opening his case ever so slightly he removed a gorgeous first edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It was bound in smart red leather with gold embossed lettering. Inside the cover was a beautifully calligraphed note that read: I would humbly like to dedicate this book to Porpentina Goldstein, without whom the chapter on Thunderbirds would have been grievously incomplete. To the side of it, in Newt's typical field journal script it read: I wanted to get your approval on the wording before I had this dedication printed in every copy. I cannot thank you enough my dear, Tina. Yours, Newt Scamander.

She touched the words thoughtfully. "Newt, the wording is lovely, but I'm afraid I didn't do all that much to help you with your book last fall."

"You refueled my passion for writing. I was struggling with horrendous writer's block when I was last in New York." Again, there was his befuddling, sweet sincerity.

"Then why didn't you come and see me when you first arrived?" Tina's emotions betrayed her then, she knew her eyes were wet when she reached to take Newt's hand.

"Believe me, I wanted to… I really wanted to. But I was unsure how you would interpret my little mission. Before I left, you specifically said not to do anything that warranted investigating, and I'm afraid my actions have been less than lawful in your country." Newt's eyes darted over Tina's shoulder to see if the man was still staring at him.

Tina turned around too, and the man went back to eating with his family. "Newt…"

In a slightly more hushed tone he continued. "Hear me out. Not only did I smuggle my case back into your country after it was specifically banned by President Pickery, but I also smuggled in a Class Four Restorative Draught. Only Class One's are legal here, correct?"

"Correct. They're mostly used for clarifying memories after a long night of drinking, if I recall."

"I couldn't live with myself for Obliviating Jacob. I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I am terribly awkward around people and have very few friends. I needed to see if he was better off without me and with his new bakery, before I could give him the potion in good conscience… However, that was my plan from the start. How could I have known if you would have arrested me? Queenie would have seen right through me instantly, I was such a nervous git about it all."

"Do you still have the Draught?"

"No, I spiked Jacob's after work whiskey with it tonight. I had to do it before you would inevitably try to talk me out of it. He is more than likely sleeping off the effects now, and will wake up in the morning with all his memories intact… Most likely, all of his memories will be sharper and more accurate."

"So you are leaving the following morning to take him with you back to London?"

"Possibly, that depends on your sister. I have written both she and Jacob matching letters. Depending on which of them shows up at the dock will determine if I am traveling, or if the two of them are."

"What about my sister? And what if both of them show up at the dock?"

"That would be the ideal, and then I will be forced to extend my stay in New York by a few weeks." He smiled at her shyly. "I left Jacob's letter on his nightstand, would you like to read Queenie's?"

Before she could respond, he removed an envelope from his inside pocket and slid it across the table to her. The letter inside read: Miss Queenie Goldstein, As you may or may not be aware I have come into some money recently. I find my new found celebrity status difficult to endure alone. Thus, I have purchased a small building in London. The front is a muggle storefront with living quarters above, the back will be my receiving office and house a few choice creatures. It is my hope that our mutual friend Jacob Kowalski will reestablish his splendid bakery in the storefront after having his memory restored. It is my sincere wish that he will be happier in England where the muggle/wizard relationship laws are more lax. I would also like to make use of your tremendous people skills, Queenie, and hire you as my publicist and agent. I have no doubt you that would be able to handle the job perfectly, should you choose to accept. Certainly better than I. You will probably will be back in New York often on my behalf via Port Key, so hopefully it won't be too big of an adjustment for you. If you do accept please meet me, and (all things permitting) Jacob, at the Ellis Island docks tomorrow morning. The ship permits two suitcases, the rest of your belongings could be sent for magically. Yours - Newt Scamander

"You want Queenie to permanently move with you to London?"

"It is entirely up to her. I just wanted to extend the opportunity to her as well."

"This is all a bit sudden, isn't it?"

Newt shrugged. "I didn't know how else to approach it. It will be a better job than the one she has presently."

The frustration returned to Tina's voice. "You don't know that, she loves her job. She has friends here, family…"

"I… I'm sorry, I just thought that…" The wind was clearly knocked out of his sails a bit. He withdrew his hand and started fidgeting with the silverware.

"So that's why you were watching her too. You can't just observe people like animals and expect to understand their whole life."

Just then, the man that had been watching them got up and strode over to their table. Standing up his menu like a wall, Newt tried to duck behind it, self consciously. It made no difference, the man was intent on speaking with him.

"Hello?" Said the man in a deep baritone.

Newt wet his lips nervously. "Erm… Yes? I mean, hi…"

"Pardon the interruption, my daughter seems to think you are Newton Scamander."

Sheepishly, he replied. "I am."

"Would you mind if I sent her over to meet you? My little witch has already read your book half a dozen times."

When Newt shook his head no, the man gestured for the girl to come over and she grinned widely. The man returned to his table, but kept a close eye on his daughter.

"Hi Mr. Scamander Sir, I'm Emmy, and I'm going to be a magizoologist like you when I grow up!"

"Nice to meet you, Emmy."

"Could you sign this picture I drew of a Swooping Evil?"

"It would be my pleasure." He scratched his name and a short message on the paper and handed it back to Emmy. "This is truly a marvelous drawing, you have real attention to detail. Hold on, I have something to show you." Hidden under the tablecloth he reached into his pocket and withdrew his own Swooping Evil. It hung like a yo-yo from his fingertips and they both marveled at it with childlike wonder. Curious, she began to reach for it. "Uh uh, don't touch. We don't want to unleash its fury on these poor unsuspecting muggles, now do we?"

"No sir!" She giggled. "Is that your bowtruckle?"

"I never leave home without a few of my favorites." He winked, putting the Swooping Evil away before turning his attention to Pickett, who had climbed out from behind his lapel. "You promised you would stay hidden this evening. Away with you or I shan't bring you out to dinner again." The little bowtruckle stuck out its green tongue before disappearing once more.

"Thank you, thank you!" She said, beaming as she skipped to join her parents at the restaurant's exit. Turning around one last time, she waved enthusiastically. Newt smiled crookedly and waved back.

"That was so sweet, you really made that girl's day." Said Tina, taking his hand once again.

"I suppose I did. It's not the children that I mind, they are quite endearing actually, it's the press… and the pictures… and the constant pressure of it all. I can't do it alone anymore, Tina." He squeezed her hand tightly.

What Tina had failed to take into consideration was how taxing being the center of attention could be for a man like Newt. He was happiest when left to his research, which he had virtually no time left for since publication. They talked about how much Pickett liked having his picture taken, and how little Dougal did. They talked about the newest additions to Newt's menagerie, how people had taken to sending him every magical beast in need of rehabilitation and how that could be both a blessing and a curse. The rest of their meal was eaten amidst enjoyable conversation with no further interruptions from fans.

Newt thought that his dinner date with Tina had gone exceptionally well. As he walked her home, he felt proud to have such a strong, intelligent woman on his arm. Not to mention beautiful, and she was beautiful. Her dark eyes and hair caught the shadows of the nighttime city. It would have been customary for him to end their evening at the front steps of her building, but she was so insistent that he join her upstairs for a cup of coffee that he couldn't refuse. So, up the stairs they went.

His heart skipped when he saw the billywig's prominent enclosure in her parlor. Not only was his book propped up against the terrarium and open to the billywig chapter, but she had perfectly recreated the creature's ideal habitat, complete with an enlargement charm which allowed the bug enough space to move about freely. She must have studied his writings extensively to have gotten every detail exactly right.

Gesturing, he said. "I see I was too late in giving you one of my books."

"My shabby little copy is nothing like the one you gave me. And how could I have resisted getting it as soon as I possibly could?"

"You did catch one of my billywigs, though. Well done, they are slippery little buggers."

"Periwinkle was so unpredictable that I was forced to carry a butterfly net with me everywhere I went, on the off chance I saw her." She laughed. "Am I taking good care of her?"

"I've not seen one happier." He beamed. "Periwinkle, you said was her name?"

"Yes, I couldn't recall you mentioning a name for this one, so I had to come up with something."

"Indeed, I suspect she likes Periwinkle better anyway… She never did appreciate the name I gave her."

"What name was that?"

While they had been talking, Pickett had climbed out from behind Newt's lapel and proceeded to climb on top of his head for a better view. Newt plucked the bowtruckle out of his hair and scolded him lightly. "Hmm? Oh… Stu-Rita."

Tina grimaced playfully. "Stu-Rita?"

Furrowing his eyebrows, he retorted with a chuckle. "Hey, you to try name hundreds of creatures sometime. It's not as simple as it sounds."

"So, did I get her enclosure right?"

"One slight alteration I'd like to make, if I may." Newt set his case down on the ground, opened the latch, and climbed down the ladder into its charmed interior. After setting Pickett on his workbench, he emerged a few minutes later with his hands cupped around another billywig. "This charming little fellow is called Tweezle and he was always quite fond of your Periwinkle. If you'd agree, perhaps they would be happier together? Loneliness is a terrible affliction for any creature to endure."

Tina agreed, so he opened the lid to the enclosure and released the beetle inside. The two bugs twirled around each other in a merry dance, occasionally bumping into one another. Eventually, they zoomed off toward the back of their habitat. Once they were out of sight, an awkward silence settled between Newt and Tina. Suddenly becoming anxious, he mumbled something about needing to leave before it got too late but found himself unable to break away.

Tina closed the distance between them, which only made him more anxious. His gaze flickered between her eyes and shoulders, as he was struggling to maintain eye contact with her. Gingerly, she cupped his cheek and stilled his some of restlessness, but his hands were still shaking at his sides.

"I… I'm sorry Tina." Tipping his forehead against hers, he stammered. "I'm no good at courting, but I want you to know that is my intent."

It was then that she kissed him fervently, warmly. Her fingers that had been resting on his cheek moved to tangle in his hair. Newt could feel her tongue gliding along the union of their lips. He brought his trembling hands to her hips, and wound one arm around the small of her back. He closed his searching eyes and allowed himself to relax into the kiss. She raked her nails along his scalp. Why are humans the only species that kiss? It is utterly enjoyable.

Tina pulled herself flush up against his body and sighed appreciatively into his mouth. Perhaps the kiss was getting a bit too fervent for the befuddled, Newt. Blood was beginning to pool betwixt his legs in an entirely undignified and inconvenient fashion. He prayed that Tina hadn't noticed, or if she had, that she wouldn't think him less than a gentleman. Given that she's pressing herself against me all the more, she couldn't be too put off, right?

Newt had never desired someone as much as he desired Tina right then. He imagined how soft her bare skin would feel. He imagined laying her down on the chaise behind them, or better yet, on the bed of his living quarters within his case. How could he possibly show her how much he adored her, how much he wanted her? He was suddenly unsure he could keep himself from escalating things further if given the chance. But at that moment, the door to the apartment flew open and Queenie bounded inside. The pair broke their embrace and Newt was sure that he was blushing furiously.

Queenie's cheeks turned crimson when she realized what she had interrupted. Newt tried desperately to dispel the uncouth thoughts that had been circling his mind, as well as conceal the evidence of his arousal with his coat.

"Mr. Scamander!" Queenie admonished after searching his thoughts, followed by. "Porpentina Esther! You're even worse!"

"Queenie, you told me you would stay out of here 'till midnight!"

"It is midnight! How could I have known?!"

"I should..." Newt's voice cracked. "I should go, thank you for the lovely evening my dear, Tina. I will contact you tomorrow." He kissed her wrist and left the apartment as quickly as his Apparate could be conjured.

Newt reappeared in his hotel room. He briefly wondered what other information Queenie had gleaned from his thoughts, but felt confident that there was little else but Tina at that time. Which, of course, was embarrassing enough in itself. Will Queenie tell her what she saw in my mind? Hang on, what could Tina have been thinking that was even worse?! The possibilities made him blush deeper than he already was. He shook his head to chase off the unbidden lustful images, but they continued to creep in.

He realized he would be unable to sleep or think of anything else until he debased himself for the second time in so many days. True that tonight was, well, intimate but I had no such excuse last night. How can just the sight of someone reduce me to this quivering mess?