The next morning James was slow to wake up.

Groggily, he raised his hand so he could slap the back of it over his eyes and block out the bright light trying filtering through his closed lids. He was shocked however, when instead of coming into contact with his own face, he felt the unfamiliar texture of someone else hovering over him.

"What the-" he stuttered, his eyes flashing open wide so suddenly that his eyes stung and began to water.

What little James was able to see, without his glasses and with his retinas burning, revealed that Sirius was leaning over him, watching him expectantly.

James was so shocked to find someone looming over him that he almost shouted out, but he managed to control the urge at the last minute. He just shoved his friend in the shoulder instead.

Sirius grunted as his body took the impact but instead of retaliating as he would have usually done, all he did was flash James an uncharacteristically sympathetic smile.

"What?!" James snapped, tension suddenly flooding his body. After all, it was very rare for Sirius to be sympathetic over anything or towards anyone, so James was finding it understandably disconcerting to have it directed towards himself.

"You called her a whore," Sirius stated in a soft, half-amazed, half-pitying voice, shaking his head back and forth .

James, who was still trying to shake both sleep and the shock of finding Sirius Black perched over him, could only stare uncomprehendingly.

Remus replied in his stead, "James called someone a whore?!" He scoffed at the bizarre announcement. "No way."

"Yes, way," Sirius defended, as Remus threw himself across the foot of the bed, landing hard on James's legs. James choked down a groan before kicking his friend in retaliation. Remus grinned in return, but eventually complied with the silent command and shifted his weight.

Sirius ignored their childish antics and nodded his head slowly his eyes wide. "He. Called. Her. A. Whore." Sirius repeated, enunciating each word for emphasis.

"Pull the other one. I didn't hear anything of the sort," Remus smiled, leaning back on his elbows.

"That's because you weren't there," Sirius said grimly, and seeing that Sirius wasn't joking, Remus's smile began to fade.

After last night 's drinking though, James was a little slower on the uptake. "Where are you going with this wind-up?" he sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Could you get to the punch line quickly because I'm really not in the mood. I'm tired, hungry, and I have a headache."

"No wind- up, James. You called her a whore." Sirius repeated for what felt like the millionth time, aggravation in his tone over the fact that his friends weren't listening to him.

"Yes, Sirius, I caught that part, but you have yet to tell us who exactly he called a whore," Remus pointed out in a deceptively light voice.

"I didn't call anyone anything of the sort," James interjected roughly. "I may have been a little tipsy last night—"

"You were more than tipsy." Sirius cocked his head at James and suppressed a snigger.

James snorted. "I haven't had a really heavy night in over a year. I learnt my lesson and I learnt it well."

"Actually, James," Remus said musingly, "you did seem rather pissed."

James looked between Remus and Sirius warily.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Why the hell do you think you feel so tired and hungry then, huh? Didn't you mention a headache? Do you normally sleep fully clothed? All symptoms of a hangover, my idiotic friend."

"Huh." James frowned down at his twisted shirt like he'd never seen it before. "I guess you're right."

"So we've established James was drunk?" Remus smiled. " Well, I haven't seen that in a while. I'm a little sorry I missed it."

"He was drunk and suffering from a severe attack of the green-eyed monster."

"He was jealous?" Remus scoffed. "I don't think I've ever seen James jealous."

Sirius shrugged. "Neither had I, but it's the only logical explanation for the way he was acting and the things he said."

"Jealous?!" James laughed, "Of whom?"

"Well first it was Lily and Gideon--"

"First?!" asked Remus, at the same time James said, "Gideon? Now I know you're messing with me! Why would I be jealous of him? I'd trust him with my life, why would I not trust him with my girlfriend?"

Sirius shrugged, not in the least bit put off. "That was exactly my point last night."

"So…"

"Well, obviously nothing happened. Even when drunk, I think James knew that the idea that Gideon would hit on Lily was ridiculous," Sirius confirmed. "But then it was Lily and Brandon-"

"Ah," Remus said knowingly.

"I have to admit," Sirius said suddenly in James's defence, "Brandon was really starting to push his luck – the little git deserved everything he got and more. I would have done it myself if I thought it was safe to leave you alone—" he continued heatedly, gesturing at James vaguely.

"Sirius, stop waffling and get to the bloody point!" James demanded as he started to lose his patience and brief images of the night before started to skitter across his memory.

"Well, after you pulled Brandon off and he'd scampered away like the rodent that he is, you kind of turned your anger on Lily."

"And in his anger he called her a whore?" Remus asked incredulously, catching on much quicker than James. "Lily? Lily Evans? His seemingly loving and devoted girlfriend of months— he called her a whore?"

"Ya- huh," Sirius nodded.

"No, I didn't." James denied confidently, shaking his head at Remus and Sirius.

"Yeah, James, you did," said Sirius quietly, flashing that uncharacteristic sympathy towards James once more.

James started to shake his head again, but suddenly he stopped in mid-action as the events of the night finally filtered together in his still slightly hazy consciousness.

He groaned suddenly as he dropped his head into his hands, the realization of what he had done finally hitting him full force.

"See?" Sirius pointed out almost triumphantly after hearing the noise "I told you he called her a whor—"

"Don't say it!" barked James, holding up a quelling hand.

"But you did. If you said it, why can't I? You called her a— "

"Enough! I almost called her one," James grumbled, cutting Sirius off before he could say the word again.

"Same difference," Sirius responded, shrugging in an off-hand manner.

James felt like cringing just thinking about it. He scrubbed a hand down his face and turned to his two friends. "Bugger," he finally sighed. "You're right."

"Of course I am – anyway I just thought you might like to know. I thought you might like to apologise."

"I thought you were angry with her?" James asked absently, referring to Sirius's behaviour the day before in the Hospital Wing, when he had yelled at Lily who was yelling at James for getting himself hurt.

"Nah, I could tell she was upset and that the only way I would be able to get through to her was if I shouted. She really made me like her more. It showed me she actually cares about you, the loveable little git that you are." He said as he reached out and pinched James's cheek "You can't fake that kind of reaction."

"Bugger," James sighed even as he slapped Sirius's hand away. "And then I was a real…"

"Wanker." Sirius supplied cheerfully.

James opened his mouth to protest and then shook his head. "Yeah I was a wanker - so what do I do now?"

"Damage control, and fast."

---

"Lily," a deep voice managed to intrude though the curled cocoon of blankets.

The loud voice was quickly followed by Emily's timid prod and a hesitant, "Um, Lily—"

"Lily!" The voice shouted again interrupting Emily. "Lily Evans!"

"Lily, I think James is calling you," Emily attempted once more.

"Tell him to sod off, I'm sleeping," she croaked without even attempting to move.

"I don't think that's going to dissuade him. He seems pretty determined." As soon as Emily finished that sentence James loud booming voice filled the room again.

"Lily! I need to talk to you!"

When Lily still didn't move in response to his loud voice or her friends timid attempt to get her to deal with the situation, Jennifer came storming out of the bathroom over to the lump she knew was Lily's curled form and brandishing her toothbrush like a wand she said, "Lily, if you don't stop that boy from shouting in the next few seconds, I am going to go down there and maim that beautiful face you must love so much!"

"Be my guest," was the harsh reply, muttered from beneath Lily's blankets.

"LILY EVANS!"

Jennifer stared at her friend in confusion, "For the love of magic Lily, go down there and deal with your man before the stupid idiot decides to actually come up here and cause real chaos. We both know he knows how!"

"No," Lily said stubbornly, curling herself up even tighter in her blankets

"Lily…" said Jennifer in a warning voice.

Lily groaned. "Bugger."

"What?" Jennifer sat down at the foot of the bed and put her hand on the lump masquerading as her friend.

"You're really going to make me deal with him aren't you?" Lily's voice was muffled, but there was no mistaking the resignation in her tone.

"Yes," was the straight forward reply. "And even if I weren't making you deal with him, there's no point trying to avoid him. You know better than anyone I imagine, what James is capable of when he's determined, " Jennifer said rolling her eyes. "Anyway, what could Boy Wonder have done that was so terrible?"

Lily angrily tore her quilt away from her face and glared at her friend. "He's a prick," she hissed. "Isn't that enough?"

Jennifer and Emily were both so shocked by Lily's red eyes and tear streaked face that all they could do was stare.

Then suddenly they demanded at the same time,

"What the hell happened?"

"Are you okay?"

"That's it, I really am going to go down there and maim him," Jennifer pronounced when Lily hadn't answered.

Lily ignored her friend's fervent threat and rolled out of bed mumbling, "Fuck, I'm going to have to go down there with everyone watching, aren't I?"

"LILY!" She heard James voice bellowing from down the stairs as if in confirmation.

"I'm coming, you obnoxious idiot!" Lily finally screamed back, shocking Jennifer into inaction.

It was obvious that he along with the rest of Gryffindor had heard her as well, because with those words the loud bellowing finally ceased.

--

"What do you want?" Lily demanded of James once she was dressed and standing on the bottom step tapping her foot, and with her arms crossed tightly across her chest.

James hesitated, taking in her strained face and defensive posture before saying, "We're going to Hogsmeade."

"Are you mad?" she asked, so surprised that her arms dropped to her sides and her mouth fell open.

"Depends who you ask," he quipped, a wry smile on his handsome face.

Lily glared. "Yes, well, in case you hadn't noticed, or were too drunk to remember, we had a fight last night. And even if that wasn't the case you fell off your broom yesterday and have several broken ribs. So…"

James negligently waved off the comment about his ribs "Firstly, we used to fight all the time. In comparison to some of our previous arguments, last night was just pathetic. Secondly, I've never forgotten anything that's happened between us, good or bad, you think I'd start now? Third, I'm sorry about last night and I want a chance to make it up to you," he interrupted quickly, searching her face for traces of forgiveness.

When she appeared unmoved, James promptly switched tactics. He continued in a commanding voice he often used during practice, "I invited you to Hogsmeade, you accepted and so we are damn bloody well going to go!"

Lily frowned and shook her head tiredly. "James I shouldn't have agreed to go with you in the first place. I'm not even supposed to go to Hogsmeade – I promised my dad, and he didn't sign the form."

"You seemed eager enough when I asked you," he countered in a gruff voice. "How did you expect us to go before?"

"Before?" Lily gave a bitter chuckle. "Before, I was more willing to bend the rules in order to be able to go with you. " She shook her head and turned her face away from him. "Not anymore," she mumbled.

"Lily," he said resting his large palms on her tense shoulder and forcing her to face him. "I'm really sorry about yesterday and I want to make it up to you. I'll hold you here all day if I have to, but know that we are going… one way or another."

Then, before Lily even had a chance to draw breath, James was dragging her towards the exit.

"I don't want to go!" Lily cried out in desperation, uselessly pushing at his hand where it gripped her. "Let go of me!"

James simply ignored her.

"Potter, I don't even have my cloak!" she shouted as a last ditch attempt to get him to release her.

"I'll keep you warm," he said just as they reached the courtyard and a hard gust of wind blew by.

Lily flushed and looked at James incredulously as she allowed herself to be pulled down the path to the castle gates.

James caught her look and didn't understand it at first, but then he rolled his eyes. "I meant I'd place a warming charm on you."

"Oh, okay," Lily nodded, resigning herself to being pulled around by him, knowing him well enough now to know that she'd never had a chance of winning this particular battle of wills.

Suddenly she found herself pulled to a stop, and toe to toe with James. She felt his finger on her chin as he tilted her face towards him. "Unless you… you want me to…" he trailed off, lifting his arm uselessly trying to indicate he'd wrap his arm around her.

Mortified, Lily simply shook her head as her cheeks tinged pink.

James watched her intently and thought about her actions, and then without further ado, threw his arm around her and continued to drag her further out in to the crisp morning air.

After a couple of dazed steps Lily finally recovered herself enough to wriggle free of his hold.

As she did so, he let out a hiss of air and the colour drained from his face right before a subconscious movement of his hand covered his ribs.

"Bloody hell, James!" she said angrily. "You're not invincible and putting your arm around my shoulder to keep me warm is not a good enough reason to put yourself through pain!"

"Of course it is," he interrupted, trying to smirk unsuccessfully, grimacing as another sharp pain hit.

Lily rolled her eyes before saying furiously, "I don't even want you touching me right now!"

He frowned at her. "But Lily—"

Lily made something akin to a growling noise. "You dragged me along with you under protest! So just because I'm here with you doesn't mean that everything is fine, you know!"

"I know," James said seriously. "But it's a start."

Lily felt a little of her resolve melt a fraction as she looked into his earnest face, but then she recalled the night before and how he hadn't even bothered to try and find her, about the time she spent crying – she never cried and she resented him for making her do it – and her anger came back full force.

"Oh, just go away, James! I'm not even close to being ready to deal with you," she said right before she spun round and charged off in the direction of Hogsmeade, leaving James to stare after her stupidly.

Coming to his senses, he whispered, "Oh, hell no," then charged directly after her.

"Stop!" he demanded, when he finally managed to catch up to her. "Can't we talk about this like grown-ups?" he asked, even as she continued her furious pace.

Lily stopped, her whole body going rigid. She spun around, her eyes blazing. "I don't know, James, can we? Are you capable of having an adult conversation without jumping to bloody conclusions or calling me names, like you did last night?"

"Of course I can," he mumbled contritely. "I said I was sorry and that I wanted to make it up to you. I don't know what else to say."

Lily stared at him in disbelief, her hands on her hips. "You want to talk? Then fine, we'll talk! " She threw her hands in the air and took a step closer to James. "Just as soon as you explain to me what the hell that was last night? Bloody hell, James, I thought you knew me, we're supposed to be friends - friends who trust each other - and you're accusing me of being stupid enough to throw it all away over some boy I don't even know!!" she cried, her voice suddenly thick. "You're acting just like my father." Lily's chest was heaving, her eyes going from fierce to cloudy at her declaration.

That took James aback, he could see that she wasn't just angry anymore- he'd been too livid last night to notice- she was upset. If he hadn't known better he would have thought she was on the verge of tears, and she never cried. Guilt immediately flooded him at the thought that he had the power to make her cry.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel like that, I was…" he trailed off, scrubbing a hand down his face, searching for the right words.

"You were what?" she said, poking him roughly in the chest with her index finger. "An idiot? A wanker? How about a chauvinistic pig, who despite all his training and encouragement, still thinks that I'm a pathetic little girl who isn't even capable of having a conversation with someone without having to have them screened first?"

James felt immediately ashamed. "I'm sorry Lily, I know this is a sore spot for you and I would never purposely make you feel that way. I have faith in you. I really do."

"Oh, just save it, James! No matter what you say now, I won't believe it. Last night showed me that you say one thing, but really you mean another. You think I'm an incompetent idiot who needs to be protected at every moment. Just bloody admit it so we can end this farce and move on with our lives!"

"No! That's not true, I don't think that!" James exclaimed "I'm so sorry and I know I deserve all those names you called me and more, but I was…."

Lily groaned. "You were what?" she demanded. "Stop stalling and say what it is you want to say so I can leave." She looked him straight in the eyes, her expression fierce.

James took a deep breath, realizing he had no choice but to tell her the truth. "I was jealous," he finally admitted slowly. "I was so bloody jealous, I couldn't see straight, Lily."

That brought her anger up short.

"What?" she asked incredulously, her eyes widening.

"Don't make me say it again. I feel stupid enough as it is," muttered James.

"You were jealous…. really?" Lily asked, her anger deflating and a strangely pleased feeling streaking through her at the thought.

"Yeah."

"But… why?"

James ran a hand through his messy hair, sighing as he tried to explain. "I don't know Lily. It's just that we spend so much time together… and we get on so bloody well… sometimes it's hard to distinguish between what's real and what's fake. I saw him hitting on you and I couldn't seem to control myself. Plus I have some pre-existing issues with Brandon that just inflamed my reaction to seeing him with you. That bloke shouldn't even be allowed to breath the same air as you, let alone be allowed to put his hands on you."

Lily was flabbergasted. "James, you don't need to be jealous. I know Brandon's an idiot."

James nodded. "I know. I know you do, but don't you see I wasn't angry because I thought he might hurt you, or because I thought you didn't have enough sense to walk away. I was angry because…"

"You were jealous," Lily repeated with a tinge of awe in her voice.

"I may have also been feeling a little insecure," James said, deciding that he'd opened a can of worms so he may as well empty it. "You're not really my girlfriend so I have no …no say. No reassurance that you're not out snogging someone else…" he continued before he suddenly looked up at her, his hands grasping his hair "Oh god, you're not are you?"

"NO!" she told him, anger coming back into her voice.

"Good," he said quickly before they could start arguing again. "Um, neither am I by the way."

The warm feeling that spread through her surprised her; she hadn't realised how much she'd needed his reassurance as well.

"I haven't with anyone since we started this…. I….I haven't wanted to." James's hazel eyes looked straight into her green ones then, causing a slight flutter in her belly at their intensity.

"Well…. well good," she eventually managed to say, before she cleared her throat and admitted, "I haven't wanted to, either."

James nodded; seeming relieved both with her answer and with the fact that he didn't have to expose his feelings any more. He held out his hand to her. "Come on, Lils, I know exactly how to sneak you out so let's just say truce and go have a good time, yeah?"

Lily grumbled under her breath a moment. "You're a idiot, you know that right?" she said blowing out one last angry huff of air.

James nodded "A big one."

She laughed a little right before she took his hand.

---

A/N

Wow. I know it must have been a real shock to see an update.

I left the chap extra long to make up for the wait.

I apologise to all of you who have been leaving reviews – I'm so sorry that I haven't been getting back to you…. Especially you regulars out there. Please be forgiving!

Just so you know the next chap is almost finished so the next update should be quite quick….depending on the incentive….REVIEW

I have to thank abok1972 who took time out her very schedule to help get this chap up to scratch.... all together with me now...."THANK YOU!"