Thank you to all our wonderful reviewers!

"I thought you were staying over at… Sophie's house?" Remus' hushed voice made Sirius turn. He was in the kitchen making coffee and he grinned.

"So, Prince Charming awakens!"

"Shut up, Sirius," Remus growled, but there was a smile on his face. "Sophie's?"

Sirius shrugged. "She's not the 'cuddle afterwards' sort. A few hours, a good few hours and then home suited me. So, how'd it go?"

Remus took the cup the Sirius handed him and they moved quietly into the lounge room.

"She's still sleeping. It… She just cried and told me it didn't matter…" Remus shook his head.

Sirius smirked. "Told you so."

Remus was quiet for a moment. "She was the first person who has…. voluntarily looked at them. I suppose after Jessica…"

Sirius nodded slowly. "Dora loves you, Remus, the scars won't change that."

"She could have anyone but… She… She wants me. Scars, nightmares, fears and all."

Sirius snorted. "Self-deprecating idiot. I am not going to flatter you and give you a fat head. So, had sex yet?"

"Sirius Black! Will you get your mind out of the gutter; I really don't think that it's any of your business."

Sirius sighed. "Come on; give me a break, Lupin! I have to live vicariously through your relationship!"

Remus shook his head but he was fighting to hide his amusement. "Was sex pre me showing her, which meant I wouldn't even roll up my sleeves in front of her? Or after, when I had no energy to do anything but sleep?"

Sirius huffed. "Then I am sure that you will love her when she wears that sexy little Christmas present."

"I could wear a sack and he would love me," Tonks teased as she made her presence known by coming around the couch to curl up beside Remus. She took the cup from his hand and swallowed a mouthful of tea. "Yuck. Not enough sugar."

Remus smiled as she handed the tea back to him.

"But, dear cousin, I am sure that Remus will absolutely adore seeing me in that 'sexy little thing' you bought and I promise, when I do wear it, we will try not to make too much noise." Tonks winked.

Sirius grimaced. "Suddenly, I am regretting that purchase."

Tonks giggled and nestled against Remus. "Did you have a good night?"

"Indeed I did. You remember you're coming to the Weasley's with us?"

"I feel like I am intruding."

"Oh, rubbish. Molly loves you, probably would have before you were dating Remus but now…. Now you are practically a golden child."

Tonks blushed. "I like Mrs Weasley. She was always nice to me when I visited."

Remus faced her suddenly. "Did you and Charlie…?"

Tonks began to laugh. "No! No! But that would have been hilarious!"

Remus poked her in her ribs. "Enough, you goose. It would most certainly not have been funny."

Sirius grinned. Remus was finally getting his happy ending. James and Lily were, undoubtedly, sitting in the heavens singing with delight. And Sirius, Sirius couldn't have been happier because nothing would ever change in his friendship with Remus. They would always come through for one another. Nothing would change…. Even if, Sirius thought, they start a family…. right?

Harry bounded out of the house and grinned when he saw Tonks exit the car. He had known that last night had held a sort of significance and through strategic eavesdropping between his uncles had discovered what was planned. The fact that Tonks was there, her fingers curled around Remus' made him incredibly happy.

"Hurry up!" He demanded. "You are the last to arrive! Neville and Luna are already here!"

Sirius slung an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Have a good night?" They entered the house, Harry enthusiastically recounting the pranks that had filled the Weasley home overnight.

"Who are Neville and Luna?" Tonks whispered to Remus.

"Neville Longbottom, he is in the same class as Harry, nice boy. His father was in our unit before…" Remus trailed off.

"Before?" Tonks prompted. They had paused and she looked up at Remus curiously. He still looked tired but the tension that had filled him yesterday had drained away.

"Frank and Alice were involved in an… accident. They survived but suffered horrific brain damage. Neville lives with his grandmother now. And then Luna Lovegood, she's in Ginny's class, rather eccentric girl but very sweet. Her mother was a chemist, was mixing some sort of chemicals one day and it exploded. Poor Luna was in the room. She lives with her father who… is an unusual sort. A journalist who writes stories that no one else would dream of."

"Good stories?"

"Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction."

The door opened again and Ginny skipped out. "Are you coming in?" She hesitated before Remus formally offered his arm to her and Ginny laughed and placed her hand on his forearm. Tonks smiled, she sensed that this was a tradition of sorts.

"Did the boys behave last night, Ginny?"

Ginny laughed. "Do you honestly think they can, Mr Lupin? Hermione and I locked ourselves in my room with snacks and refused to emerge. Fleur is here." Her tone was disgusted.

Remus raised an eyebrow but didn't have a chance to speak before they entered the warm, bright kitchen that was overflowing with people. Food was heaped onto the table and Molly clapped her hands as they entered.

"Excellent! Tuck in everyone! And then we can settle anywhere!"

Tonks found herself being tugged away from Remus by a smirking Charlie and she sighed. "Pack of wolves, you are," she grumbled, seeing the looks she received.

Remus smiled, distractedly, as Molly swooped to him. His eyes rested on Tonks as Charlie began to cross-examine her, wide smiles on their faces.

"How are you?"

He sighed and turned his attention back to the motherly woman. "I'm fine, Molly. How are you?"

Her gentle gaze swept over him closely. "Well, of course. You seem different to how I have ever seen you, Remus."

A small frown creased his face. His attention was pulled, for a moment, to the loud voices of teenagers. "Different?"

"She has made you live."

"Molly, I was living before."

"No, your world revolved around Sirius and Harry but now it includes one more but you are different, you are… alive now."

Remus half smiled. "Go and mediate between the twins before they eat all the food."

She shook her head at him. "You laugh at me, Remus, but I can see. I can see that you are different. I'm happy for you." She bustled away and dealt swiftly with the twins who were crowding the younger people away from the table. Remus leaned against the wall. He watched the fuss and noise of teenagers squabbling about food with amusement. It was always the same in this house. The only house, other than his own, that he felt remotely comfortable in. Always the noise and the business. He could hear Tonks laughing and warmth spread through him. She was perfect. He took the plate thrust into his hands by… Fred? and approached the table. The girl who had stolen his heart and warmed it again. Who reminded him that he deserved happiness. She was…. incredible.

"Molly, you are a saint! The food was divine, as always!" Sirius grinned cheekily at the woman who blushed as she cleared away plates.

"Don't listen to him," Remus teased his friend. "He says this about anyone who puts food in front of him."

"Honestly, Remus, you break my heart. You tear me… to pieces…."

"Someone has to keep you in line," Remus retorted lightly. He winked at Tonks, making her blush, before he limped into the sitting room. There was a corner of the room, near the door, but shadowed that had a chair in it, a chair that had been moved there after the Weasley's had met Remus. It was close enough to the rest of the furniture in the room to ensure that conversation would be normal but it provided safety. Security. Remus sank into the chair and turned to look at the teenagers that sat on the rug in front of the fireplace. They were laughing. Joking. It was the most precious sound to Remus' ears. A sound that he would never take for granted: the sound of Harry and his friends happy.

The room filled up quickly. Tonks approached him once and dropped a kiss to his cheek before she was dragged to a corner where she, Charlie, Bill and Fleur, the despised fiancée, chatted about old school friends and careers. Tonks' eyes kept flickering to Remus, who remained quiet, listening to Sirius and Arthur talking about sports in loud tones. She smiled. Every few minutes someone would pause and speak to him. He was part of this family no matter how quiet he was, he was part of this family. That was proven by the jumper that Molly had handed to him, Sirius and Harry and to her, a scarf, a gift, knowledge that she was accepted and welcomed. The apology that had come with the scarf, the fact it was not a jumper had touched her. Molly had a heart of gold.

It wasn't long before there was a loud game of Cluedo happening on the floor. Tonks found herself on a team with Ginny and Fred and the laughter grew louder as the clues became more and more outrageous. She looked up, her face flushed, and her eyes sparkling only to find Remus' seat empty. Her eyes caught Sirius' and he bent low to her ear. "Noise gets too much for him sometimes."

She nodded. "I'm getting something to drink. Keep playing!"

It wasn't hard to find him. He was in the same spot that he had been during Harry's birthday party. The ground was muddier and it was raining as Tonks walked over to him. He looked up when he heard the squelch of boots in mud.

"What are you doing out here?" he demanded as he pulled her into his arms, wrapping his coat around her so she was pressed close against him, protected from the rain.

"I wanted to see you. Charlie was keeping me hostage. He's mean." Tonks smiled and kissed him.

"Very mean," Remus agreed. "You looked like you were having fun though. You should have stayed inside, and dry!"

"Wanted a kiss. Remus?"

There was an expectant pause.

"I want to be with you on New Year's."

There was a heavy sigh. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He nodded. "Ok. I'll talk to Sirius. Maybe he will finally take Harry to see the fireworks."

"I don't want to push them away!" She spoke quickly.

Remus shook his head. "I've been at Sirius to take Harry for years now, but they won't leave me alone."

She nodded and kissed him again.

"We can start the new year right," Tonks murmured against his lips, her hands on his chest. It was rather cliché to be kissing in the rain, but she didn't mind one bit.

"Are you staying again tonight?" Remus asked a while later, once they had moved back inside, finally tearing themselves away from one another's embrace. They were sitting at the table drinking tea, fondly listening to the commotion from the other room.

Tonks shook her head as she swallowed her sip of perfectly sugared and milked tea. "I'd love to but I have work bright and early tomorrow. Don't want you keeping me up," she winked, relishing in the blush that brought to his cheeks.

"Still on desk duty?" Remus asked, trying to sound unbiased.

"Mm," she murmured in affirmation, glaring at him slightly over the rim of her mug. "Yes, much to the delight of everyone but me."

"Much," Remus agreed, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm, succeeding in drawing a smile from her. "Well I'll begin wishing you a good day now and maybe it will come true."

"Good day my arse," Tonks mumbled to herself as she forced her hand to continue writing her illegible scrawl. What she really wanted to do, if she wasn't allowed to leave her chair practically, was begin to daydream about kissing a certain someone in the rain. And that daydream included them both catching a cold so they both had to stay home together. A runny nose was better than fixing these forms that no one seemed to do correctly.

"Am I allowed to curse at work when I join the force?" A voice quipped behind her, the tone obviously filled with amusement.

Tonks started and spun her chair around, looking very surprised. "Harry! What're you doing here?" She cried, drawing the attention of a few other officers.

"Making your day better, apparently," the teen smirked as he rocked on his heels, his eyes darting around the room in observation before looking back at her. "Uncle Remus told me earlier he was going to be a good boyfriend and bring you lunch. And I begged to tag along, hope you don't mind…"

Tonks' eyes widened as she quickly stood, her head craning around to find Remus. Her eyes landed on him standing near the door, looking rather out of place and nervous. Their eyes meeting, her face erupted in a smile that he hesitantly returned.

"What a nice surprise," Tonks said, clapping Harry on the shoulder. She looked at the boy, knowing that he came along for Remus' sake as much as he did his own and hers. She bounded past him to go to where Remus was, painfully aware that he could feel the obvious stares he was receiving.

"Good afternoon," Remus mumbled, still looking a bit shy, as Tonks slyly rearranged them so they were standing behind a pillar.

"Hello there," Tonks grinned, leaning up on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. She then pulled back, her eyes closed in delight. "Do I smell lasagna in that basket, Remus Lupin?"

"You do," he replied, a smile in his voice as he watched her face.

"God, you're perfect," she sighed before opening her eyes. She reached up to absentmindedly fix his collar before her hand moved down his arm to grab his free one. "Let's go to the break room then."

Tonks pulled him out from behind the pillar to go past only a few desks toward the break room, when she stopped. Moody was standing there, in all his intimidating glory, glaring at Harry.

"How did you get in here, boy?" Moody demanded, causing Harry to look rather worried.

"The door?" Harry mumbled, not daring to take his eyes off the man in front of him.

Moody opened his mouth to argue with the kid's cheek, but Tonks cut him off.

"He didn't sneak in through the bathroom window, Mad-Eye, don't worry," she said, walking up and nudging Harry's shoulder with hers,

Moody continued to glare as he studied Harry's face, looked at Tonks, and then past her to the man hesitating a few feet away. His face then showed surprise and he looked back at Harry.

"Ah, should have known," he grunted. "Looks-"

"Just like his father," Remus finished, trying to stop his shaking hands as he slowly stepped forward. He relaxed somewhat as Tonks rested her hand on his back. He glanced at Harry and his face became less tense at the proud look on his face.

"Good to see you, Major," Moody said with a nod. He glanced between him and Tonks, seeing the closeness, and nodded again. He then simply stomped off, leaving those watching intrigued by the stranger that was actually in Mad-Eye's good graces.

"Will I work under him?" Harry asked, his eyebrows raised.

"If you're at this precinct, yes," Tonks smirked, turning around to lead them to the more private break room.

"Cool," Harry muttered, nodding his head as he followed Tonks, making sure Remus went in before him. Ensuring that Remus' back was protected.

They were the only ones there and Tonks led them straight to a table in the corner. She knew it probably wouldn't be long before the room filled with noisy cops but for now she was going to relish the time she spent with two of her favourite people.

"You knew you were going to visit me, didn't you!" Tonks demanded between mouthfuls of lasagne. "Yesterday! When you said that today would be a good day!"

Remus smiled. "I was thinking about it," he admitted. "I know you hate desk duty…"

"It's horrible!" she exploded. "I can't stand it! It's killing me from sheer boredom!"

A deep laugh made them turn to the door where Kingsley sauntered through. "And driving everyone in the office mad from her constant griping."

"Oh, shut up."

"Nice to see you again, Harry."

"You too, Officer Shacklebolt!" Harry looked at the man with something akin to hero worship.

"King, this is Remus Lupin, Remus this is my real partner."

Remus rose and glanced at the hand that was automatically extended to him. Tonks bit her lip as she watched Remus breath in deeply before meeting the hand with his own. Kingsley swallowed as he saw the clear marks of the torture that Tonks had mentioned.

"It is nice to finally meet you. Tonks doesn't stop prattling on about you."

Remus sank back into his chair and automatically hid his hand under the table. "Likewise."

Harry glanced quickly at his uncle and his eyes met Remus'. Remus' head tipped slightly and Harry grinned. "Want to sit with us?"

"Oh," the big man hesitated. "I don't want to—"

"Please, I want to get to know Dora's friends better."

Kingsley smiled slightly and settled into a chair. "For a few minutes. I am heading out on patrol. No, Tonks, you can't come."

"I wasn't going to ask!"

"Not in front of Uncle Remus anyhow," Harry mumbled.

"Hey! It's a good thing you are out of punching distance!"

Harry grinned cheekily.

"How's school?"

At Harry's grimace the man smiled. "You keep studying, Harry. School is important. You could be in charge of all of us if you keep your grades up."

Harry nodded. "Yes, sir! I will!"

Remus and Tonks exchanged amused looks.

"Good kid," Kingsley rose. "Enjoy your lunch. See you around, Remus. Nice to finally meet you."

"And yourself."

Tonks slid her hand into Remus'. Her eyes were warm. "I love you," she whispered.

"Gross," Harry teased.

Remus shook his head. "What makes you think I won't punch you for Dora, young man?"

"Easy, you love me too much!"

"Cocky!" Tonks laughed. She had just taken another mouthful when Brian sauntered into the break room. There were several other officers that had entered while Kingsley was with them and the noise was a constant buzz. Brian paused and looked over at them. He had ignored Tonks since she had returned to work and she had not objected. Now, she watched his lips curl in a contemptuous sneer. Remus saw him and his eyes narrowed but he turned to Harry who had made a small, angry noise in his throat.

"No, be still."

Harry's eyes darted to his uncle and he could see the steely resolution that Remus was deadly serious about this. He nodded and began to stare moodily at his plate.

"Well, if it isn't the man who threatened me," Brian mocked as he approached. "I should have you up on charges for that."

"Good luck with that," Tonks snapped. "What do you want, Brian? I was enjoying lunch until you walked in!"

"Does Moody know they are here? It's against regulations!"

"He invited them back here."

"I want to know what you see in…. him and not me, Nymphadora?"

"Do not call me that!" Tonks snapped. "And as for what I see in him… a hell of a better man than you!"

Remus gripped her hand under the table. His eyes met Brian's coolly. He felt sick, he wanted to be out of the suddenly quiet room that was abruptly suffocatingly hot but he had met people like Brian, dozens of times in his years in the army, and he knew that he could not… would not show weakness to this… person. None of them saw that Alastor Moody stood in the doorway.

"Can we help you?" Remus' voice was even.

"Oh, I highly doubt that you could help yourself," Brian mocked. "Not much of a hero are you? You don't even hold down a proper job! And as for your face, Tonks must be blind to date a—"

Harry's chair abruptly pushed back as the teenager sprang up, eyes blazing.

"Harry," Remus spoke quickly but very sternly. "Sit down."

The boy's shoulders heaved with anger but he silently obeyed the quiet order. There were certain tones that you did not disobey, no matter how unassuming the giver.

There was a startled silence in the room and Brian plunged on. "A man who can't even walk straight, all crippled up and I might have let her get shot… but you… you let your friend be blown up."

Remus went white. His lips parted and before Harry or Tonks could react Brian was spun around and slammed against the door.

"Watch yourself!" Moody bellowed, face flushed with anger. "That man is the bravest and most loyal soldier that I ever had the honour of training! Do ye hear?! You have no idea! It was your incompetence that caused Tonks to be shot and mark my words that report will be pushed as high as I can get it! That man is worth fifty of you! He has a drawer full of medals to prove it because I know that he, unlike your arrogant, peacocking self would not display them. Now, you, get out of my precinct! I do not want to see you in this room again! A cop who insults a soldier awarded the VC, made an honorary major and who kept secrets that no one would dream telling you, will not work under me. Good luck salvaging your career!"

Brian, cowering against the wall, twisted away and fled from the room, throwing a last poisonous glare towards Remus.

Remus who sat, grey faced, staring mutely past Moody, his hands gripped on either side tightly by both Tonks and Harry. Tears stood in her beautiful eyes and a look of anger and anguish rested on Harry's face.

"Everyone out!" Moody roared and there was a scramble as he was obeyed. Tonks was aware of the sympathetic looks they received from many co-workers. Sympathy, not pity; Brian had been out of line and in an effort to break Remus he had shown her colleagues the truth of the hero she was dating. Moody had shouted it in the highest praise that any of them had heard leave his lips.

Moody shut the door behind the last of his police officers. Remus hadn't moved, his gaze remained fixed on the wall opposite him despite Harry pleading with him.

"Please, Uncle Remus, just look at me."

Tonks felt her heart break. She was not surprised by the cruel words, the way Brian had hurled James Potter's death at his best friend and his son crushed her, but the pleading in Harry's voice, the young man who would never think of Remus and Sirius as anything less than the greatest men in his world, it tore her heart to a million pieces.

"Lupin," Moody's voice was surprisingly gentle. There was no response and he sighed deeply. "Lupin!" He bellowed and Remus seemed to snap to attention. "Look at me!"

Light brown eyes met Moody' slowly and the older man swallowed at the despair he saw there. They had come close to breaking him. Close, but not close enough and he was proud, he was proud of Remus and Sirius, prouder than he would be of any other men, prouder than he would ever admit.

"Potter's death was not your fault! Do ye understand?"

Remus looked away. "I should have known something wasn't right."

"You did! You just didn't know who. No one blames you for not being all powerful, Lupin. Except perhaps yourself. Does Black think it's your fault the Potters died?"

Remus flinched slightly at the question.
"No!" Harry snapped, he was furious. "Of course he doesn't! And neither do I! It wasn't his fault!"

Remus turned slowly and his eyes softened. "Ah, Harry, it's all right."

"No! You and Uncle Sirius! You both blame yourselves! It's not your fault! It's not! It was Pettigrew but he got what he deserved and you know it."

Moody nodded curtly. "I think young Potter sums it up well enough."

Remus nodded jerkily. The accusation still rang in his head but it was empty… and he knew it. For the first time he thought that perhaps, perhaps James' death was not his fault.

"Uncle Remus?" Harry suddenly folded his arms. He glared at his uncle who had slumped back into his seat, Tonks' arms wrapped around his arm, her head on his shoulder.

Remus waited.

"You never told me you had a VC!"

Remus blinked at the teen before sighing, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. "You never asked," he mumbled softly before speaking up. "You know I don't take much pride in bragging about my medals. But you may hunt them up if you really want to."

"You should," Tonks whispered as she sat up. "You should take pride in them."

"We do," Harry said firmly.

"That's enough for me," Remus said with a thin smile. "Now finish your lunch or no treacle tart."

Harry began shovelling cold lasagna in his mouth as if he were ten and rightfully afraid of the threat.

Recognizing his attempt to move forward in the, now, quiet room, Tonks leaned over to press a kiss to his scarred cheek before going to heat her meal up in the dingy microwave. She felt a mixture of things (sadness, pride, satisfaction, anger, bloating) but tried to focus on Remus, Harry, and the lasagna. There is absolutely nothing wrong with those three things together, she thought.

"Sirius?"

"Dora? What's wrong? You sound like shit," Sirius said frankly as he held the phone to his ear that evening. He had expected Tonks to arrive within the hour, but had received a phone call instead.

"Cheers. I feel like shit," Tonks moaned, half her face pressed into her pillow.

"Do you have a cold? There's been something going around, half the Weasleys are home sick," Sirius said, sounding genuinely concerned.

"No, nothing like that. Just monthly problems," Tonks groaned as she curled up beneath her blankets. She had never really been shy about the subject. Partly to make Charlie Weasley squirm, partly because she thought it stupid to not talk about something every woman went through. This time she was secretly hoping Sirius would have a Charlie-like reaction.

"Ah, turning into a wolf? It is a full moon tonight, I think," Sirius said nonchalantly. He then raised his eyebrows at the prolonged silence he received from the other line. He was about to ask if she was still there, but was stopped by laughter.

"You're such a prat," Tonks giggled, feeling slightly better despite the slight pains the laughter caused. "Just give the phone to Remus, you dog."

"Look who's talking, wolf-girl," Sirius snickered but called Remus to the phone anyway.

"Please disregard anything Sirius said," Remus instantly said upon receiving the phone, ignoring the gesture Sirius gave him as he went to the kitchen.

"Just now or always?" Tonks asked, smiling at the sound of his voice.

"Mm, better stick with forever," Remus conceded, a frown on his face. "Are you alright, Dora?"

"I've been better," Tonks sighed as she rolled onto her back. She heard Remus make a noise over the phone and could imagine him tensing up with worry. "I just called to say I won't be over for dinner, I don't want to be a downer and I'm not up to even getting dressed at the moment."

"Dora," Remus started before swallowing roughly, his mind churning rapidly. "Is… is this about earlier? At lunch…? Do… Are you…" His breath caught raggedly.

"Relax, love," Tonks said quickly, knowing he was beginning to draw conclusions. And, despite herself, she blushed slightly as she explained. "I just started my period and feel like rubbish and don't want to get out of bed. And I know I was fine earlier but it hit me all of a sudden right before I finished to come home. Stupid thing."

"Oh," Remus murmured, feeling bad for being relieved at her expense. "I didn't realise they were that bad for you…"

"Sometimes it's not that bad, but other times it bloody sucks. It just depends. I'm sure you've had some experience with this," Tonks mumbled.

"Not in a while," Remus admitted. "And the few women I've been close to never discussed it much, not with me. Is there anything I can do?"

"I didn't call for that, I just wanted to tell you I won't be over," Tonks said, smiling slightly at his offer. "Enjoy a boys' night and I'll call you tomorrow, yeah?"

"If you're sure," Remus said hesitantly before exchanging 'I love yous' and hanging up. His hand still on the phone, he quickly came to a decision and walked into the kitchen.

Tonks was woken from her light doze by her doorbell. Grumbling, she got out of bed, wincing at her protesting muscles, and made her way to the front door. She was only wearing some leggings and a big t-shirt, but could not have cared less about her appearance at the moment. Without looking through the peephole, Tonks swung open the door, a glare already on her face. But it quickly turned to shock when she saw who was standing there.

"I hope you won't expect too many surprises from me despite being full of them lately," Remus said, his voice a bit husky, as he stood in her doorway with a bag in hand. Again, he looked a bit nervous as he waited for her reaction.

"What are you doing here?" Tonks asked, looking up at him.

"I know you said you didn't want company, but I thought I would try to help you feel better. I brought some dinner and… a few things that I've used on myself in the past that help," Remus said, holding up the bag and giving her a small smile.

"What kinds of things?" Tonks asked, curious, as she stood aside to let him in.

"A heating pad, some lotions, and … some heating oils," Remus answered, his cheeks reddening at the surprised look on her face. "They all help relax muscles and help with tension and pain. I've had quite a few doctors explain the process to me, for me, so I think I should be able to help you feel better."

Tonks, having closed the door, stood by it and simply stared at Remus, amazed. Of all the boyfriends she had, which admittedly wasn't a large amount, none had gone to such lengths for her, especially regarding her monthly. So she just stared.

"I… I could just leave these and head back if you're adamant about being alone," Remus suggested at her silence, setting the bag down on her table. He was too busy watching her face to look around at her apartment, having only been in it once before… after breaking her heart and it being a disaster zone. But, despite his aversion to new places, it smelled just like her, and he took comfort in that fact.

"No!" Tonks said quickly, stepping forward. "No, stay. I just… this is such a nice thing to do, Remus, thank you." She walked forward to wrap her arms around his neck so she could pull him in for a kiss.

Remus felt warmth in his chest as he kissed her back, his arms sliding around her waist. He was very pleased that he had pleased her. They stood there for a good few minutes before she pulled back, grimacing slightly.

"I hate it when my back hurts," Tonks sighed, her hand moving to the bottom of her spine to try to relieve some pressure.

"Come on, the food will keep, let me take care of you," Remus said, lightly brushing the hair out of her face as he kissed her forehead. She followed him to the kitchen where he stored the food in the fridge, his eyes flittering around the unfamiliar setting warily.

"Words every woman wants to hear," Tonks smiled up at him before she took his hand and pulled him towards her bedroom, leaving him to grab the bag quickly.

"The goal is to make your muscles relaxed all over, so I'm going to give you a massage, if you don't mind," Remus said, trying to sound more confident than he was. This was definitely an intimate thing and he didn't want it to go wrong. Didn't want to make it go wrong….

Tonks bit her lip as she sat on the edge of her bed, flushing slightly. Despite the circumstance, she was happy they were moving forward like this, even if she was a bit nervous as well. "That sounds wonderful, Remus," she said honestly. "Do whatever you think will help, I trust you."

At those words, Remus stepped forward to kiss her tenderly. Trust was a very important and sensitive thing for him, and knowing he had hers meant the world. He was about to speak when she took the initiative and pushed herself back so she was sitting in the middle of the bed. She pushed some of her purple covers away and sat up on her knees. Blushing heavily, she boldly reached for the hem of her shirt and tugged it off, leaving her in only her knickers and tights. Not giving him much time to look, Tonks turned to lay down on her stomach, giving him free reign to her open back. She felt butterflies in her stomach alongside the cramps as she waited for him to make a move. She couldn't tell if she was slightly glad or disappointed in the fact that this could only go so far.

Remus swallowed at the sight of her bare skin. He felt the sudden urge to run his fingers over it and memorise every piece of her. He set the bag on the bedside table and pulled out several bottles. "Move back over to the edge, love," he said softly. "I'll stand while I do this."

Tonks nodded. She had turned her face so she could see him. To watch his long fingers work. "I'm glad you ignored me," she said softly as she watched him slip out of his coat and roll his sleeves up to just below his elbows. "You here is much better than me sulking on my own."

Remus smiled at her and gently brushed a wisp of hair off her face. "How could I leave something so precious alone? When you are always there for me when I need you."

"Your cooking remember," she teased him before a cramp worsened suddenly and she winced. Automatically she twisted and curled into a ball.

"Dora!" Remus sounded alarmed.

"It's ok!" she reached for his hand. "It just got… worse… And it was already a bad one…"

"Let me use the oils," he pleaded. "It might help…"

Tonks nodded, grimaced and slowly returned to her original position. She watched him pour oil into his hands to warm it before he bent over her and began to work it into her skin. He started at her shoulders, worked the oil deep into her skin and she made a soft, contented noise. He moved slowly, pausing occasionally to pour more of the oil into his hand before continuing.

"You're good at this," Tonk mumbled softly.

Remus half smiled.

"I am going to make you do this all the time."

"Happy to," he murmured as his fingers found her lower back. He frowned in concern as he felt her tense. "Am I hurting you?"

"No, it feels good… I'm just… achy…"

Remus nodded warily. He was so afraid of hurting her.

Tonks spoke softly. "How was Harry after you left the station today?"

"Angry, upset."

"Not with you?"

"No. Not with me. He was annoyed about the… medals. But that's all."

"Moody made good on his threat. Brian won't work there again."

"I don't want to ruin a man's life."

Tonks huffed a laugh. She was amazed how well Remus' fingers were seeming to relax her. "He ruined it the moment he said those horrible things to you!"

Remus was quiet.

"Did you tell Sirius?"

"No."

"Will Harry?" She pushed gently. She knew he wanted to box it up and push it into a dark corner of his mind but…. She was not about to let him do that.

"I don't know," Remus admitted. His fingers kneaded her lower back as he could feel tight muscles beginning to relax under his touch. He was pleased with how well his maimed fingers could make her feel. "I hope not, he said that it would upset Sirius if he found out but… I don't want him to keep things locked up… Like I do."

Tonks shifted slightly so she could look her boyfriend in the eye. "Tell him if he wants to he can talk to me, yeah?"

Remus nodded. He struggled to paste a smile on his lips, failed, and bent to kiss her temple before he turned to concentrating on his massage one more. Tonks sighed in contentment and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. An hour had passed with a few words being exchanged and not once had Remus' hands stopped working their magic; her muscles felt looser and the ache in the small of her back had reduced dramatically. Her stomach growled suddenly.

"Hungry?" Amusement laced his tones.

"Mmm, so it would seem."

"How does your back feel?"

"Wonderful! I am going to start paying you for this."

Remus laughed. "No need."

"Payment in kissing?"

"That I can accept. I will heat dinner up, you get dressed."

Tonks snaked her arms around his waist and kissed the back on his neck. She had made sure to knock into the bench as she walked into the room, giving him warning of her advance and she was pleased when he only stiffened a little before turning and enfolding her into his arms.

"I love you," she smiled up at him. "You have no idea how much better I feel!"

"Still sore?"

She reached up to smooth away the adorable wrinkle the frown brought to his face. "Yes, but it's almost bearable now."

"A heat pack will help."

"Did you drive or did Sirius swing past here?"

"I drove."

"Remus?"

"Mmm?"

"Why don't you like driving?"

His eyes dropped. And he would have pulled away but her arms tightened around him. She could hear the sound of the microwave heating their food. Cars and a dog barking but her eyes stared up at him. Gentle.

"When I walk I can escape into alleys if… I… feel threatened, I suppose. I can watch around me and see everyone in a glance… In a car… I have to watch the road... people… there are too many noises and blind spots… and… I only drive when I have to."

Tonks nodded, accepting his reason. "What about being a passenger?"

"Doesn't worry me as much because I don't have to concentrate on the road. You are dating a man with more issues than can be counted, you know that, don't you."

"I am dating a man who gives the best massages, who looks after me when I feel ill even if it makes him uncomfortable. A man who happens to have a freaking VC!"

Remus moaned. "Curse Moody!"

Tonks giggled. "Feed me! And then give me your heat pack cure and cuddles. I want cuddles."

"Anything you want, milady."

"Mmm, see, I knew there were good reasons to date you! No one else refers to me as a princess," she grinned cheekily, stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Tonks tugged Remus from the kitchen. "I'll do the dishes tomorrow. I want to curl up with you. Please."

Remus, glancing back at the pile of dirty dishes sighed and nodded. "Fine. Let's go back to your room. I've warmed the heat pack up."

"Best boyfriend ever!" Tonks announced as they moved back to her room. "Are you staying the night?" She tried not to look too hopeful.

Remus swallowed. "I can't… I'm sorry, Dora… but…"

"It's alright, I'm happy just you ignored me and came over. Now, I want to snuggle."

Remus smiled. "Anything you like, love."

"Huh, you are smart, agree with me all the time this week."

Remus waited for her to settle on the bed before he gingerly eased himself onto the edge. He looked wary, uncertain for a moment before he looked at her and he smiled. Slipping his shoes off he shifted. "Lying or sitting?"

Tonks tipped her head to the side for a moment, studying him. "If I sit between your legs will it be too much for your hip?"

"Seeing you are a tiny slip of a thing I think we should be fine," Remus teased her. He leaned against the headboard and waited for her.

"I'm not tiny!" Tonks argued. She smiled at the sight of Remus, leaning against the headboard, waiting for her. She pulled a small pillow from the floor beside the bed and motioned almost shyly to his knee. "Will it help?"

Remus swallowed and nodded. She slid the pillow under his knee and gently caressed the swollen joint before scrambling to settle between his legs, her back against his chest. She relaxed into his arms and sighed softly when he placed the heat pack on her lower abdomen. He kept it in place with his hands spread over it. Tonks ran her fingers over his knuckles. Her head was tucked against his neck and she felt blissfully relaxed. She found a scar on his wrist and traced it gently. It snaked up his forearm and then vanished under his sleeve.

"How many medals do you have?"

Remus was quiet for a moment. "A few."

"Can I see them?"

"Why?"

Dora tipped her head so she could kiss his jaw. "I think that you should display them. Can you?"

Remus sighed. "Yes, you may see them. No, they are not being displayed."

Tonks giggled. "See, I still win."

"I'm being nice."

She kissed his jaw again. "Thank you for coming. You have no idea how much better I feel."

"Is this helping?"

"Your hands are helping, the heat pack is an added perk." She wiggled back more firmly into his arms. "Have you spoken to Sirius about New Years?"

"He and Harry are going to see the fireworks and then will get home as soon as possible."

Tonks nodded. "He's not mad?"

"No. He agrees it's high time Harry saw the fireworks instead of being crammed into my pitch black room while I try not to completely break down."

Tonks squeezed his hands. "I am going to be there, my darling. It will be…ok."

"Your optimism amazes me," Remus spoke dully.

Tonks smiled. "I amaze you!" She retorted.

Remus kissed her nose. "Yes, you do."

"Good looks and charm. That's what it is."

A laugh rumbled through Remus. "Exactly. When do you go back into the field?"

"I get looked at by the doctor right after new year's. And as soon as I am cleared I will be back out. I'll have easy weeks for the first two weeks, half in the office, half out… And then I go back to normal. Thank goodness! I know you don't like me out there, but…"

"I don't like the fact that you are in danger. The fact that you do what you love makes it easier to bear. You are an incredible police officer and I am so proud of you for that. Just… try not to get shot again. I don't think my mental health would survive it."

Tonks nodded. "Promise."

Remus tightened his hold on her as he pulled a quilt over their legs. Tonks turned slightly to curl against him as she rested her head over his heart. Despite herself, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep in his arms, aided by the soothing sound of his heartbeat and breathing.

Remus, after over an hour, decided that she was completely asleep. He, with quite a bit of trouble, managed to move out from under her and tried his best to make her comfortable on her bed. He set a glass of water by her bed and set out a few breakfast items for her for the morning. The dishes were washed and stacked on a drying rack. Giving her forehead a kiss, he then turned to leave. He would have loved to stay by her side all night, but he knew he wasn't ready, not when he would be so disoriented upon awakening. Not when he would wake up screaming. He hoped she didn't mind taking it as slow as they were. But, he thought as he took her key, locked the apartment behind him, then slid it under the door, the image of her taking her shirt off will definitely stay in mind for a while.

It was late when he slipped into his own home. Despite his trembling hands he was quiet. Harry would have been in bed hours ago and he had no desire to…

Harry and Sirius both looked up from the table when he limped into the room.

"Why are you still… Ah." Remus' eyes fell to the objects that Harry had spread on the table.

"Did you get Sirius' too?"

Harry nodded. "Started with them. How's Dora?"

Remus eased himself into a chair on the opposite side of the table. "She's fine. Asleep when I left."

"Harry said you mentioned that he could hunt them out."

"I didn't expect him to do it so… quickly."

Harry flushed. "You aren't mad?"

Remus stared at the metal disks attached to coloured ribbons on the table. "No."

"Why don't we have these displayed? And yours too, Uncle Sirius? Dad's are."

"It's different," Sirius spoke slowly. "Remus and I…. we don't care about these."

"But… why?" Harry blurted. "Aren't… Don't… You should be proud of these!"

Remus and Sirius exchanged long looks.

"Harry, each and every person we served with deserved a medal. Some of them were given to all of us because of things we did as a unit. Pettigrew's were removed from him when he was found."

"And Sirius were given back to him."

"And then Remus was awarded the VC."

Harry carefully touched the medal. He remembered a class where they had talked about what was needed to do to get this highest honour.

"He got a few others at the same time. But that one is the most exciting I think." Sirius half smiled at the look of awe on Harry's face.

The teenager slowly reached out and carefully touched the cool metal. He couldn't get the words that Moody had hurled at Brian out of his head. He had always thought that Sirius, Remus and his dad were heroes. The belief had been supported as he had grown up. But to see these medals the clear example of their bravery, left him speechless.

"Harry?" Sirius nudged his godson. "Thoughts?"

"I… I…"

"That good, huh?" Sirius looked amused. "Pretty amazing thoughts there, don't you agree, Remus?"

"Life changing."

Harry sighed. "Why didn't you tell me about these? All of these? You are always telling me that each other person is a hero. But no one ever told me that you both had medals. Heaps of them! More than my dad!"

"Harry," Sirius sighed. "We have the exact same ones. I have a few extra for a few things… Other missions that I was directly involved with. Remus has extra because… well…" Sirius scowled.

Harry nodded slowly.

"But Harry, we couldn't care less about them," Remus murmured softly. "They are nothing to us."

"But I don't understand why! Why aren't you proud? Or why didn't you tell me? Especially about the VC!"

"I asked Sirius not to. When I was given it."

Harry moaned. "I don't—"

"Understand?" Sirius mocked gently. "We don't expect you to, Kid. But… you know about them now and maybe you can keep it to yourself, yeah?"

Harry looked between the men who raised him. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops. That his uncles were brave decorated war heroes. That Remus, the uncle that was withdrawn, shy, tormented had the highest warded medal that could be earned.

"I'm going to bed," he announced. He stood up. "Can I look at these whenever I want?"

Remus nodded slowly. "If you want to."

Harry ducked out of Sirius' reach. He walked around the table and hugged Remus. "I'm proud of you. Both of you. I have the best guardians in the universe."

Remus and Sirius simply watched as Harry silently repacked the medals and went to put them back. He then slipped into his room and shut the door.

"That kid," Sirius sighed, shaking his head, in slight disbelief and awe.

"Did we completely skip the rebellious, angsty stage of teenhood?" Remus asked dryly, amazed that they had to deal with such a decent kid.