So, another chapter. It was only a couple of days wait this time so you guys should be happy!

But I would like more response than I got for the last chapter, pretty pretty please. I know I was gone for a while but don't hate me too much!

Thanks to those who did review, I love you guys. If FanFiction would let me reply to your reviews, I would reply to every one.

Now, Read and Review, or die!

It was dark, completely and utterly dark and Tonks could not see a single thing. In fact, she had no idea where she was, or what she was doing there. She felt like she was in a pensieve, watching someone else's memories, unsure of what to expect and not seen or heard by anyone she encountered, or in this case, didn't.

This was one of those dreams where she was trapped, watching her worst fears playing out like a bad muggle movie, unable to escape.

Tonks looked around in fear, unsure of what she was seeing or what she was doing there. Never had she felt more alone and as she thought on it, she realised the absence of him.

Remus.

Tonks' body felt cold and it had nothing to do with frigid night air that wrapped around her, the cold wind whipping her hair around her face and obscuring her vision just as much as the darkness.

And then, there was a noise, and Tonks head shot up, her eyes glittering in the icy night air. As she looked in the direction that the noise had sounded she reached for her wand, but could not find it. She had clearly been mistaken before; She felt more alone now than she ever had, even more than earlier as she realised that she had no wand, no protection at all against whatever was out there.

Her feet moved mechanically towards the noise and Tonks found herself unable to control the direction she took, compelled as she was to find out what was happening. The closer she came, the more she could hear the sounds.

Growling, lots of growling and a voice; the harsh, cold voice of a murderer. Tonks clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth slightly in anger as she realised that Greyback was here and another realisation followed straight after.

Her worst fear: Remus. Greyback. And he had left her, he was gone. Gone to Greyback, and she didn't know what would happen to him. And this, this was one of her nightmares, one of the worst and she screamed as she realised what she would see next.

Suddenly, she found herself at the top of the grassy slope she'd been walking up, looking down into a large grassy basin. It was here that she heard the second voice, even as her eyes sought him out.

Remus stood across from Greyback in the cold, his shoulders hunched as he stared the other werewolf down. Surrounding the both of them were other werewolves, some watching to see how the scene played out, others jeering and laughing in ways that made Tonks shiver in fear.

Greyback growled at Remus and instinctively, Tonks took a step forward to attempt to protect the one she loved, but she found she couldn't move. So she screamed again, even though she knew that they couldn't hear her at all because she wasn't really there and this, this was not really happening. The thought did not reassure Tonks one bit, as she was not naïve and she knew that this was likely to happen and worse when Remus found Greyback's pack.

Greyback leaned forward, crouching as Remus stared straight at him and from her angle, Tonks could see clearly, the malice on Greyback's murderous face. She could not see Remus' face at all as Greyback sprang at him. Remus made no move to protect himself as Greyback transformed midair and lunged, claws drawn and teeth bared at him.

And Tonks, watching on from the top of the hill found that she could not make herself move away as she watched her worst fears playing out in front her, and as Remus was torn apart limb from limb, she could taste the tears running relentlessly down her face. She could feel the grief as though this were real and she screamed and screamed, praying that she would wake up soon.

Tonks eyes snapped open and she could still taste the tears as vividly as she could in the nightmare. Reaching a hand up to touch her cheeks she realised that she really was crying, that the salty tears were not just a figment of her imagination.

Suddenly she remembered fully, the dream and last night, when Remus had threatened to leave, and she turned to find him. The disappointment hit her as she realised that his side of the bed was empty and cold and she threw back the covers, feeling the warmth leave her body. She could only hope that he was in the kitchen, but somehow, she highly doubted it.

He could have said goodbye, Tonks thought angrily, but she wasn't really angry; the anger just distracted her from the icy chill settling somewhere inside her heart. Her heart sank even further as she reached the empty kitchen and living room, and she felt the absence of him in every part of her.

What was he trying to say by leaving without saying goodbye? She didn't know and it worried her, especially after the conversation the night before. She thought about the promise he had made to her before they had fallen asleep; did he really mean it? She couldn't help but think that there was something guarded about it, like she'd had to force the very words from him against his will and she didn't understand. He did love her, didn't he?

There was a slight whooshing sound and Tonks looked up to see a patronus materializing in her kitchen. The phoenix patronus belonged to Dumbledore, this she knew. Sure enough, Dumbledore's deep voice sounded throughout the room.

Meeting tonight Nymphadora: You know where to go.

Tonks groaned inwardly. The last thing she wanted was to go to a meeting, especially at the burrow, where people knew about her and Remus and who might possibly be worried about her because of his absence. Somehow, she didn't feel up to talking about him or explaining to people, why he would be gone.

Then again, she didn't feel like putting on appearances for those who didn't know about her and Remus which was admittedly, most people. It would be hard to act like nothing was wrong, like hearing about Remus and his lack of attendance, and especially the reason why, didn't make her want to cry.

Yes, because she did want to cry and crying was something that Nymphadora Tonks never did. She was an auror, tough as bones, and stronger than steel. She usually prided herself on her control over her emotions and the way she didn't break under pressure. Now, she wasn't so sure that she could hold back the feelings of hurt and loneliness.

In her mind though, she knew that even though he had left to fight the werewolves, she had her own role to uphold. She was there to protect and defend and she was working hard for the cause and the cause was bigger than anything, or anyone. So she would go, and she would be like steel, like bones, because if that was what it took to win this war, then she would give it all she had.

-RLNT-

Remus regretted leaving as soon as he walked out the door but he forced himself not to look back. Leaving like this felt permanent somehow, as though he wasn't just walking out on Tonks, but like he was walking out on some part of himself. He felt tainted already, like the greater part of him had been left with her, his heart and his soul and now he was empty, nothing but a shell of the man he'd been before he'd walked out that door.

Remus shook his head. Thinking back on what he could have had wasn't going to work. He had a job to do now and he was damned if he wasn't going to try his hardest to do the best he could at it, even if that meant leaving behind the things that meant the most to him.

He had a feeling that this was going to be the longest two weeks of his life. No matter how much he tried, thoughts of Tonks seeped through his mind. It frustrated him how much she had lowered his defenses and planted herself in his mind, in his heart.

Now he found that he couldn't think without thinking of her, couldn't walk without taking every step for her, couldn't breathe without every breath being for her. She was his life and he felt the absence of her greatly, like part of him was gone.

He hoped that leaving her without saying goodbye didn't hurt her too badly. It was easier for them both, he reasoned. Besides, no doubt she would be over him now that he'd left. Now, she'd see that she deserved more than him and more than he could give her. She'd find someone else and that person would make her happier than he ever had or ever could. She was too young now to know what she wanted or what she was getting into by being with a werewolf. Surely she wouldn't wait for him.

So far Remus had gotten nowhere: He wasn't anywhere close to picking up the trail of Greyback's pack. His plan for now was to find them and to spy on them. He needed to suss out the situation before diving straight in and trying to convince those of the pack to join him.

To infiltrate the track he needed to find their weakness. He could not impenetrate the pack without the vital information. Spying meant that he could find out who would be more likely to change sides and who to not even try. It would also give him a fair idea of the pack's habits and defense system as well as allowing him to collect helpful information, which he would then pass on to the Order. The thought of information spurred him onwards and he actively tracked the pack throughout the day.

Nightfall found him still walking, and apparating and then walking again. At one stage, when he could no longer see the ground in front of him, Remus thought that he should probably stop and camp for the night and eat something. Reluctant to admit to a day of failure though, he decided to walk for just a little longer.

He was about to give up when he stumbled and fell, flying sideways off the path and landing unharmed in the trees to his left. Remus cursed and went to stand, grabbing at a tree to help him when he caught the scent in the thicket of trees: Greyback's pack.

They were close enough that he was forced to retreat until the morning to set up camp, casting various spell and charms to ensure that he would not be found as he slept. His heart jumped at the thought of the pack and exulted in the knowledge that he had found them and that maybe, just maybe, this was not for all for nothing.

-RLNT-

Tonks sighed wearily as the meeting passed by without any mention of Remus. As she'd expected, Order members who had realised that Tonks and Remus were friends were looking in her direction. Those who just didn't care clearly thought that he was away due to the full moon, even though the full moon was a week away yet.

Remus had been on her mind all day and she hadn't been able to shake the fear for his safety that clouded her thoughts when she was unaware. She was so unsure about this mission of his. It was dangerous but she knew in her mind that he had to do it. She knew how much she would sacrifice for the Order and she would not have turned Dumbledore down either. However, that didn't help the fact she worried about him while he was gone.

She turned her mind back to the meeting as Snape sneered at her, clearly aware of what she was thinking to some extent. She rolled her eyes and glared at him before turning back to Dumbledore who was talking about Mad-Eye and his plan to start trying to find any places that the death-eaters may have been using as meeting place.

However, she wasn't really listening until she heard his name, at which point her hearing seemed to have improved greatly, or been degraded drastically, whichever way she looked at it. The words seemed louder than usual through the rushing sound in her ears as she listened.

"-Remus is away, spying on the werewolves and attempting to convince some of them to not turn to Tom," Dumbledore said, and then glancing at Tonks he added. "He should be back in two weeks and during his absence, he will be communicating only with me, as magical communication in the pack will be greatly discouraged. I suggest that none of you try to contact him in this time."

Dumbledore's eyes seemed to bore directly into Tonks' and she fought the rising wave of misery and dejection. She would be unable to contact him and he would be unable to contact her for two weeks. The thought of not knowing how he was sounded in her head and she tried not to let her emotions show on her face.

Regardless, Dumbledore's eyes seemed knowing, like he knew just what she was thinking and Tonks averted her eyes from his in an attempt to hide her emotions from him. Staring at the table, Tonks did not notice the way Molly's worried eyes flickered to her at Dumbledore's words, taking in the way Tonks sat, hunched at the table, her hair flat and a dirty pinkish colour. Everything about her just seemed wilted and Molly seemed to know just why Tonks refused to look around the table.

The meeting passed with no further word of Remus and Tonks barely listened, so consumed she was in her own thoughts. In fact, she didn't even notice when most people left the table when the meeting was over. She didn't notice anything until a slightly familiar voice sounded close to her.

"Hi," the speaker said to her quietly as she slid into the chair opposite Tonks.

It was Emmeline Vance; Tonks remembered her from the first meeting when they had been introduced. However, Emmeline hadn't seemed interested in her then and Tonks was at a loss to know why she seemed interested now.

"Hi," she replied tiredly, making a little effort to hide her feelings of depression from the older woman.

Emmeline Vance, it seemed, was a straightforward woman and she cut straight to the point. "So," she started, "You seemed to know Remus quite well."

Tonks nodded. "Yeah," she replied, the irrational part of her annoyed that Emmeline took the liberty of using his given name, as though she knew him. It was protective and stupid but he was hers and frankly, Tonks didn't like the way she said Remus' name, as though he was something to eat. It was the way Tonks said his name when-

But that wasn't the point and Tonks forced herself to think of anything but that; It made her miss him more, more than she had even thought possible.

Emmeline smiled but her eyes looked conflicted. "I didn't know who else to talk to about this," she said, "About what I'm feeling but I've felt it for a long time now and I could really use another girl to talk to about it, especially since you know him so well."

This made Tonks weary. What could Emmeline possibly want to talk about to her that concerned Remus? As far as she knew, the two had had very little contact with each other since they'd met. Remus had never spoken of her to Tonks and so she could only assume that Emmeline wanted to talk about what she'd heard earlier at the meeting. Sighing inwardly she hid her tiredness behind a falsely interested voice and a bright smile that was completely fake. "What's on your mind Emmeline?" she asked the other woman.

"It's Remus," Emmeline whispered. "I really like him."

This sentence affected Tonks more than anything else that night and she her features froze into whatever expression she'd been wearing at the time as her eyes showed the racing conflict in her mind. Emmeline liked Remus? Tonks didn't blame her one bit. It couldn't be just her that saw Remus as attractive. However Tonks mind raced with questions? Did Emmeline love Remus for who he was or who she thought he was? Remus deserved nothing less than someone who understood him, not some idiot who thought she knew what was best for him, but really didn't.

When she spoke, her tone was harsher than she'd originally intended. "Why?"

Emmeline laughed then. "I wouldn't expect someone as young as you to understand the attraction Remus and I feel for each other," she said superiorly, giving Tonks a look of indulgence that enraged her. "One day you'll know when it's serious."

What was she implying? That Tonks didn't know how to be serious? Tonks had learned to be serious the first time she'd seen someone get killed, the first time she'd tried to save someone who just couldn't be saved, the first time she'd seen the path of destruction caused by Voldemort and his followers. She'd known how to be serious the time she'd had to identify a victim of the cause, the time she'd been submitted to her first crucio at the hands of her own aunt.

She'd been serious as a child, when her mother would cry at her sisters betrayal. She had grown up when her cousin had been arrested for a crime he didn't commit. She'd grown up when Voldemort had returned, turning her entire world upside down. So who was Emmeline Vance to tell her about being serious?

Gritting her teeth with all the determination and effort she possessed, Tonks struggled to remain calm. "The attraction Remus feels for you? She asked in a hard tone, "Do you even know who he really is?"

"Yes, I do," Emmeline had the nerve to reply. "He's a hero, to get past all that werewolf nonsense. The way he pretends to read so that no-one sees who he really is. Besides, I bet he's really sexy, being a werewolf and all."

That was the last straw for Tonks. "You have no idea who he really is," she hissed at Emmeline, "That's not him at all."

Emmeline seemed unaffected by the harsh tone Tonks used to speak to her, ignoring the insulting words. "I see how it is," she laughed cruelly, "Little Tonksie is in love with Lupin. Well, he'd never fall for someone like you. You're too young to understand. You see, he needs a mature woman to show him what he wants, what he needs."

"WHAT HE WANTS?" Tonks exploded now, ignoring the startled stares she was receiving from the others in the room, "WHAT HE NEEDS? How in the name of Merlin would you know what he wants? How could you even think he wants you? You're insane Emmeline if you even think he'd go near you with a ten foot pole."

Emmeline just laughed again. "Quite defensive are we?" she taunted, "Your feelings aren't reciprocated. I'll bet that he treats you like the child you are; you don't know what you want."

Tonks could only stare at the woman. She had no more words; Emmeline had hit way to close to home. The way Remus insisted that she didn't know what she was getting into with him, like she didn't know what she wanted. Part of her knew she shouldn't listen to Emmeline, but the stronger part, the part that was crushed by Remus' sudden departure couldn't help but believe her.

Trying to keep the hurt from her voice, Tonks spoke. "You're bloody insane," she spat before turning and storming towards the door. "I'm sorry Molly but I can't stay," she told the older witch before making her way quickly out the door and disappearing before bursting into tears.

-RLNT-

For Remus, it was a sleepless night. His first night away from Tonks was terrible. He missed her warmth as she wrapped herself around him. He missed the way she spoke before they went to bed. He missed everything about her, everything.

Nearby, Remus could hear the other werewolves and he prayed that they would not stumble upon him that night, before he had a chance to get away. He really should get right away from them for now, but he'd spent all day looking and he wouldn't risk losing them now if they happened to move in the night. Besides, if he made too much noise they'd hear him and then, all hell would break loose.

At some point during the night, Remus heard Greyback rally his supporters and give some sort of speech but he was not close enough to hear the exact words, nor did he dare to move closer to find out just yet.

Eventually the noises died down and all Remus could hear was the steady sound of footsteps, fading at times as someone walked the current pack boundaries, obviously on patrol, looking for intruders such as him.

The steady sound did not lull Remus to sleep and he lay awake, thoughts and memories of Tonks assaulting him at every possible moment and try as he might, he could not clear her from his mind. The mantra in his head started to sound. I miss her. I miss her. I miss her.

I miss her. I miss her. I miss her.

Thanks again to my reviewers!

PLEASE REVIEW!