One evening, when Andromeda was just bringing supper to the table, Rabastan stormed into the dining room and sat down, glaring up at the woman. "Your daughter is a little bitch," he said in frustration.

"Ha," said Andromeda, a proud smirk gracing her lips. "What is it now, Rabastan? Did she tell you off as well—though I would hope that you'd leave her to her engagement with your brother."

"She—" Rabastan began angrily, ignoring Andromeda's comment, then stopped. "I'll tell you later."

Rabastan fell silent as his brother entered the room with said bitch. The couple were holding hands, Nymphadora leaning into her fiance's side. Andromeda immediately understood part of Rabastan's frustration: she would curse the two herself for being so happy if Dora weren't her daughter. Andromeda turned away from the two, wondering what else annoyed Rabastan about Dora.

It wasn't until the meal was over and Dora and Rod had gone upstairs that Rabastan volunteered any clarification about his annoyance. "Andromeda, do you have any idea—this is bad." Rabastan shook his head slightly, and Andromeda raised an eyebrow at him before walking off into the kitchen. He followed her, leaning against the counter. "I mean, it's good too, but—Rodolphus is going to flip out."

"Why? What's going on?" Andromeda frowned.

"Nymphadora says—if she is to be trusted on this—that she has met Rodolphus' twin sons," Rabastan said finally. "I do not know what to think of this."

"What?" Andromeda said in shock. "What did she say specifically?"

Rabastan sighed, then answered, "She said they were at the tavern, when I went to rescue Rod and Dora from each other, the night they were engaged. I guess they were the twin boys that fought with me—we had a riot on our hands. She questioned them the next day at the Ministry, and they told her about them, Dora said. She's afraid to tell Rodolphus for fear that he'll leave her."

Andromeda drew a deep breath, then swore, making Rabastan raise an eyebrow at her. "I would gladly," he began, but she glared at him, and he laughed. "You shouldn't say such things, then, Dromeda."

The witch turned away from him, going to wash off the table. "Do you know if it was indeed the truth?" she asked.

"She cried like it was," Rabastan shrugged. "Like it hurt her deeply to tell me. I guess it was because the boys didn't take kindly to her."

"Poor Dora," sighed Andromeda. "If it's true, that Rodolphus' sons are alive, do you think he will cut off the engagement?"

"I don't know," Rabastan answered. "I do want him to stop telling me that I need to find a suitable pureblood wife. I definitely have no intentions of the sort anymore, if I ever did."

"Not the one woman man, are you?" Andromeda asked, turning to smirk at him.

Rabastan merely smirked back at her. "Haven't found a woman that could make me a one woman man," he answered. "You'd be the closest."

Andromeda scoffed at him. "What? I keep you down to three women, do I? How nice."

"I wouldn't know," Rabastan shrugged. "I don't...know you well enough."

"Ha," said Andromeda, though she couldn't help wondering if she had the ability to keep him faithful to herself alone, as Bella had done Rodolphus. She shivered slightly. What on earth was she thinking?

"I just want Nymphadora to tell Rodolphus the truth so that he will stop putting pressure on me to marry and produce children," Rabastan told Andromeda. "I don't want a bunch of children in my home—Rodolphus is more that type."

"You just want a well-trained wife," Andromeda snorted. "By your design, surely."

Rabastan smiled. "Well, I'd rather not have a woman like Bellatrix."

Andromeda scowled at him. "Then why do you want me?!"

"You're not like her," Rabastan sighed, looking into Andromeda's brown eyes. "You're playful, but not in a deadly way—at least, unless someone tries to hurt you, or your family. To be sure, though, you're as mad as Bellatrix ever was."

"Surely," Andromeda smirked, then froze as Rabastan reached out and stroked her brown hair out of her face.

"You're kinder," he said matter-of-factly. "In spite of your temper. You're definitely more proper, too. That's a plus."

She couldn't help wrinkling her nose at him, and he chuckled, leaning forward and kissing her cheek. Andromeda could not keep herself from stepping forward as Rabastan took her arm, the man pulling her closer and kissing her freely on the mouth. She clung to him for some moments, pressing herself to him tightly as she returned his kisses needfully.

When they drew back, still holding onto each other, Rabastan looked into her eyes once more. "You don't want to be told this, I'm sure, but you're just pretending you don't like me," he said softly, and she bit her lip slightly. "I know you're nervous, Dromeda. Just give me a chance."

"I gave you all I can today," she whispered. "Now leave me alone. Please."

"All right," he nodded, then turned and left the room.

Andromeda placed her hand over her chest as Rabastan left, feeling her heart thudding fiercely. She would not deny that she had wanted his touch right then, that she had nearly grabbed him and kissed him first. Andromeda sighed softly, turning back to cleaning up the kitchen. She was too lonely for her own good.

It was with a knowing look at breakfast a couple days later that Andromeda said to the other three adults, "Is there something going on that I should know about?"

"You don't know about Shaul and Mordor, do you?" Rodolphus said quietly, then shifted uncomfortably, Dora leaning closer to brush her arm against his. "Last night, Nymphadora told me that my twin sons are alive, contrary to what Bellatrix told me almost three years ago."

Nymphadora smiled proudly at Rodolphus, then turned back to her mother to explain. "They're sixteen, almost seventeen, and they'll begin their final year of Hogwarts in the fall. Slytherins, of course." Then she added as an afterthought, "Oh, yes, and—they were Junior Death Eaters."

"But you see, I had absolutely no influence on them," Rodolphus told Andromeda with a smirk.

"Right," Nymphadora agreed and turned to the brothers. "One of the twins said that when you were caught after the fiasco over the Prophecy, Bellatrix demanded that they join the Dark side in your places. But when you came back, they were sent off to play with the other younger Death Eaters. For some reason, the two of them seemed to despise Draco—"

"That's probably from Bellatrix as well," Rabastan said. "She disapproved of how easy Narcissa was on him. Several times, Bellatrix said that she'd gladly offer her sons to the Dark Lord."

"She wouldn't have if she'd seen them grow up," Andromeda said, but Rodolphus shook his head.

"She would have done it as her duty to the Dark Lord, I have no doubt," he said softly. "She would count it as a great honour to have her sons—our sons—join us in the Dark Lord's service."

Rabastan nodded his agreement. "She would have been overjoyed—I'm sure she was."

Rodolphus looked down at the table. "I'm sure I've seen at least one of them before."

"You've seen both," Dora said softly. "They were the ones that helped Rabastan duel in the tavern the night we ended up in Knockturn."

Rodolphus started slightly, then muttered, "They have her eyes."

Dora leaned her head against his shoulder, holding Teddy closer as Rodolphus slipped his arm around her, drawing her into his side.

An owl landed on the windowsill, tapping the window with its beak. Andromeda began to rise from the table to go open the window when Rabastan waved her to sit down, waving the window open easily. "You're a witch, Andromeda," he reminded her. "Act like it."

She couldn't help but turn red slightly as the owl landed on the table before Nymphadora, the girl asking Rodolphus to open the letter for her. "Weasley," the man muttered darkly before holding the letter out to Nymphadora.

Dora read silently for a few moments before looking to them all in shock. "We're all invited to the Burrow Friday night! All of us!"

"She thinks we'd deign to attend?" Rabastan sneered. "Never!"

"I...will, if I must," Rodolphus sighed, sounding as if his death warrant had just been signed.

Nymphadora glanced over at him. "I won't make you. Either of you."

Rodolphus frowned. "They're your friends…."

"Not so much now," Dora said, biting her lip. "They're afraid of me. You don't even have to pretend to get along with them. Even I disagree with them sometimes."

"Don't make excuses," Rodolphus muttered. "You know I'd love to stay away from them."

"All right," Dora nodded.

Rodolphus glanced at his brother. "You should go too."

Rabastan smirked. "Want company?"

"It would look better if you both went," Dora sighed. "They might think you haven't changed—"

"I haven't," Rabastan said sharply, and Andromeda laughed at him, drawing a glare from the man. "And I won't."

"You don't want to solidify their opinions that you're dangerous, mad criminals—"

"But Dora," Rodolphus chuckled, "we are."

She turned to frown at him, then leaned over and kissed his cheek, whispering, "I don't believe you." She glanced down at Teddy, then said, "Would you take Teddy? I've got to go, or I'll be late."

Rodolphus took the child into his arms, cuddling the child close as his mother smiled at both of them. He watched Dora leave, not glancing back to Teddy until the witch had disapparated to the Ministry.

Later that evening, Andromeda frowned when she felt a disturbance in the wards, muttering threats and curses under her breath if she found one more person telling her her daughter was injured. To her surprise, it wasn't any Auror, but just Arthur Weasley.

Andromeda bit her lip, then motioned both brothers to leave her alone at the door. "It's Arthur Weasley," she sighed. "Go upstairs, or something. I have no idea what he's here about."

Rodolphus retreated to the sitting room, but Rabastan headed up the stairs, not the slightest bit curious about what was going to happen. Andromeda opened the door, greeting Arthur politely, "Hello, Arthur. What brings you here today?"

"Um," the man began uncomfortably, "hello, Madam Tonks…is Dora here?"

"Not yet," Andromeda replied. "She should be off work soon, though. You wish to speak to her?"

"Yes, and not at the Office," Arthur said with a firm nod. "Shall I come back later?"

"She should be home any time," Andromeda answered. "You can come in and sit with us if you want to wait a few minutes for her."

Arthur finally agreed and followed her to the sitting room, taking a seat opposite them in an arm chair. Rodolphus did not speak to him, and the Weasley did not attempt speaking to the man seated next to Andromeda.

It was only when Andromeda felt Dora's magic against the wards that she got to her feet, walking toward the entrance hall. "Nymphadora," she began. "Arthur is here to—Merlin preserve us!" Andromeda reached for her wand, seeing the very image of her older sister standing in the doorway.

Bellatrix seemed to grin at her, and then Andromeda was brushed aside as someone darted forward to the black-haired witch. Rodolphus had seen her. Andromeda stared at the two as Rodolphus grabbed Nymphadora, pulling her to himself and kissing her roughly for a few moments, his practised hands stroking her body before he drew her tightly against himself, both of them breathless.

"If you're quite done," came Andromeda's sharp and pained voice, "do let her go so that she can speak to us without interruption."

Dora slipped her arms around Rodolphus and laid her head against his chest, looking over at Arthur and Andromeda. "Oh, Rodolphus," she said, her eyes twinkling, "I do think we've scandalized Mr. Weasley."

"Ooops," said Rodolphus mildly. "Scandalized the patriarch of the Weasley clan. Too bad."

"Rodolphus!" snapped Andromeda, her ears turning red for the shame of it all. "Do not tarnish my daughter's reputation with your uncouth habits!"

Rodolphus only smirked proudly, but the young witch blushed a little. "Mum, you were explaining why Arthur is here?" she reminded her.

"He came to talk to you and is staying to supper, which is ready right now," Andromeda replied, quite flustered. "Go wash up, let Rabastan know that supper's ready, and bring Teddy downstairs, please. We will talk further at supper."

"Okay," said Nymphadora cheerfully, still looking exactly like Bellatrix, and hurried off upstairs, Rodolphus bounding after her despite Andromeda's shouts for him to remain downstairs.

Andromeda finally bit her tongue to keep herself from shouting again, wanting to scream and Crucio her future son-in-law into the next century. She could not believe he'd done such a thing in front of a guest. Truly, the man had no sense of propriety when it came to Bellatrix.

When Andromeda, Rabastan, and their guest had sat down at the table, Rabastan muttered, "Well, we should probably go ahead. There's no telling when they could be down...they're fighting now. She should know better, Andromeda...perhaps you should have a talk with her."

Andromeda bit back a sarcastic reply, deciding not to answer at all, beginning to serve supper to the two men at the table. They ate in silence until Rodolphus and Nymphadora entered the room, the man's arm around the witch, Teddy held in his mother's arms. Dora was back to her brown-haired, more subdued self, and Andromeda shot a glare at the man next to her.

They sat down and Rodolphus began to serve himself and Dora their supper, Rabastan looking up and jeering at his brother in French: "Finally tried her out to see if she can be Bella? Did she pass the test?"

"I would not," Rodolphus hissed in their shared language, Andromeda catching her breath softly. "She is a good girl, and I will not shame her in any way, before anyone."

"Sure you wouldn't," Rabastan laughed mockingly. "Just as you would never hurt Bellatrix."

"Nymphadora is different!" Rodolphus snapped, his eyes angry as he glared at his brother.

"Not a few minutes ago," Rabastan smirked. "You will make her just as mad as you made Bella, I have no doubt."

Rodolphus was beginning to reply when Andromeda yelled out, "Enough!"

Rabastan turned to stare at her, saying, "I didn't know you knew French!"

"I grew up in a Pureblood House, idiot!" Andromeda practically growled at him before switching to English. "Keep your malicious comments to yourself. I don't care if you bite your tongue off, or burst into flames. Do not speak so of my daughter, Lestrange."

Rabastan did not reply, Andromeda turning to the redhead at the table. "You had something to discuss with us, Arthur?" she asked politely.

Arthur glanced over at Nymphadora, then gave her an apologetic smile. "I accidentally let it slip at the Ministry about you and...him." Arthur motioned to Rodolphus.

"And the news about our impending marriage," said Tonks airily, grinning first at Rodolphus and then around the table, "will be in the Daily Prophet tomorrow."

"How did you know?" Arthur asked in surprise and relief, and both Rabastan and Andromeda choked into their teacups.

"Popped by St. Mungo's on the way home," Tonks replied. "The receptionist told me it was all over the Ministry, and that it had originated with a Weasley. That's why they were all assuming it was true. I told her it was."

"You confirmed it," Rodolphus chuckled. "The whole world will know tomorrow." He looked over at Dora, suddenly becoming solemn. "The whole world will know tomorrow," he said again softly.

She squeezed his hand, then leaned closer to him. "I'm more than ready for this," she said firmly.

Rabastan rolled his eyes. "To be hated by everyone," he muttered. "Welcome to the family."

"Why thank you," Dora smirked at the man.

"Thank you for coming to warn us," Rodolphus told Arthur Weasley, keeping his blank expression.

Arthur seemed surprised, but nodded. "I thought the two of you might want to know before it gets out," he replied. "And I wanted to ask you if you'd gotten the letter that Molly sent. Did you get it?"

"Yes," Andromeda answered for them. "We had begun to discuss it before Nymphadora left for work this morning, but we did not finish."

"Oh, all right," Arthur said. "Molly just needs to know who's coming so she can make preparations."

"Yes," said Rabastan sarcastically, "ward the brats in tightly so we can't get to them."

Arthur ignored his rudeness and said, "So you are coming?"

Rabastan glared at the Weasley. "I make no promise."

"Well, then," said Arthur pleasantly, "I bid you all good evening. Thank you for supper, Andromeda; it was wonderful." Andromeda nodded, then rose to see Arthur out the door.

The two were standing in the doorway as Arthur looked straight into the witch's eyes and asked, "Is Nymphadora all right, Andromeda? I'm worried about her."

"She—" Andromeda began, then paused. "She has discovered her other half."

He gave her a strange look, then nodded, turned, and left the Tonks house. Andromeda shook her head slightly before returning to the dining room. Yes, the witch thought, eyeing her daughter with her fiance for a moment. Dora has found her Dark side.

"We should decide what we're going to do about Friday night," Andromeda said, holding back a small smirk of pride at her thoughts toward Dora.

"Already done," Rodolphus told her with a frown. "We're all going, even Rabastan."

"Oh." Andromeda glanced at the younger Lestrange, then sat down to finish her tea. "How was work this morning, Dora?"

"Captured three Death Eaters," the black-haired witch shrugged. "And then I almost died."

"What?!" Andromeda gasped. "What happened?"

Dora sighed slightly. "I tripped over Neville when I was dueling and fell," she said. "And Rowle fired the Killing Curse at me, and—" she stopped, grinning at the horrified look on her mother's face.

"What happened?" Andromeda gasped. "How did you survive?"

"Er," Nymphadora said, seeming to hesitate for some reason. "Well," she continued, decided to get on with it, "Draco stepped between us and conjured a black shield that swallowed the Killing Curse and spat out three streaks of pure magical power in return. Rowle fell, and Draco helped me defeat the third Death Eater."

The brothers stared at Dora, and Andromeda let out a small squeak of horror. Teddy cooed softly and Nymphadora looked down at the child. "If it weren't for Draco Malfoy, darling, you'd be an orphan."

Andromeda couldn't help that her eyes filled with tears at that moment. "Nymphadora, it's not a joke!" the witch cried. "You can't play around with Death Eaters! War is not a game, and even though the Dark Lord is gone, the war is not over! You're going to wind up dead yet if you don't take things seriously!"

"I'm not playing around!" Dora protested. "I stepped backward and tripped over Neville—"

"That's not funny!" Andromeda half yelled at Rabastan, who was now laughing openly at the mental imagine of Nymphadora falling over Neville.

Rodolphus waved a hand, removing his brother's mouth, and Rabastan glared at his brother the best he could before choking with laughter, nearly suffocating in his hilarity. A few moments later, Rodolphus removed the spell, and Rabastan spluttered with laughter, "Is that why you went by St. Mungo's on the way home? To help Longbottom out? He did seem a bit off when you got here...hugtackling you indeed!"

"Rabastan Lestrange," Nymphadora snarled, and Andromeda realised that Rodolphus had drawn away from her daughter, "if you don't shut up this instant, I swear I'll make you regret that I saved you from the dementors!"

Rabastan clammed up immediately, staring at Nymphadora in horror. "You wouldn't."

"I would," she growled furiously. "Just try me."

The man looked at her, his eyes suddenly looking much more haunted than Nymphadora had ever seen before. Without a word, he slowly rose from the table and left the room.

Andromeda bit her lip, watching him go. "Do you think it was wise to say that to him?" she asked Nymphadora in a worried undertone.

"I don't know," Dora gave a small groan. "But I have to gain at least a grudging respect from him. He doesn't think too highly of me, and I don't care, but I really wish he wouldn't outright laugh at me, and I definitely want him to respect my friends."

The older Lestrange sat silently, staring at his plate until Teddy gave a cry. Nymphadora held her son closer as Rodolphus looked sideways at the child, frowning. "He's just hungry," Dora said defensively. "I'll take him up to the nursery and feed him. If I don't see you before you go to bed, then good night." Standing up, she turned to walk away, then turned back and put her hand on Rodolphus' shoulder. "I love you," she whispered in his ear, leaning down to him. Rodolphus didn't move, and Dora turned away dejectedly.

After she left the room, Andromeda sighed, resting her head in her hands as she stared at her own plate. A few minutes later, she looked up to see Rodolphus gritting his teeth, an angry look on his face. "Rodolphus," she said softly. "Rodolphus." He didn't respond, and she sighed.

"Lestrange," she snapped, her voice icy. He immediately looked up, his eyes flashing fire. "If you're worried about what your brother said, then go talk to her," Andromeda told him quietly. "Go on. She basically invited you to."

Rodolphus got up and walked away, heading up the stairs, and Andromeda drew a deep breath, hoping nothing went horribly wrong between her daughter and the man.

A little while later, as Andromeda had just finished tidying up, there was a sharp knock on the door. She muttered a curse under her breath and drew her wand cautiously before she opened the door, looking out. "What do you want?" she demanded of the four Aurors she saw outside her home. "Oh, Potter...what's going on?"

"We've come to investigate one of the Lestranges' sensors going off," Harry sighed. "Sensor registered that he did Crucio."

Andromeda frowned at the two, fear creeping into her heart that the man had harmed her daughter. "Very well," she nodded, opening the door. "They will be upstairs, in the nursery, most likely."

She held herself back from following them, attempting to keep back her panic that Rodolphus had attacked Dora. He should know better, Andromeda thought desperately. He wouldn't hurt her just because of something Rabastan said….

Minutes later, the Aurors returned, without either Lestrange or Nymphadora. "Ah, good day," said the oldest one, and the four escaped the house without another word.

Andromeda glared after them, locking the door and creeping upstairs to see if her daughter and the brothers had all killed each other. She found Rodolphus holding Nymphadora close on the floor of the nursery, Teddy in her arms. Dora was sniffing as she clung to the man, most likely heartbroken at the thought of losing him. Andromeda rolled her eyes, then drew a small breath as Rodolphus chuckled, "I think I've discouraged my brother from attacking you...he shouldn't attempt it again or I'll hurt him. I'll find a spell that doesn't bring the Aurors running to me."

Nymphadora laughed softly as Rodolphus chuckled, then kissed her, the man getting to his feet and helping Dora up. "I've got to go to Malfoy Manor," Rodolphus told her, "to let Narcissa know about our engagement. I don't want them to find out through the Prophet. That's indecent."

The brown-haired witch in the doorway did not wait to here anything more before she hurried down the hall, pausing before a door and biting her lip slightly. Finally, she touched the wards on the room with her magic, then cracked the door open, slipping into the room and shutting the door behind her. "Rabastan, you idiot," she said to him, and he grinned at her painfully.

Andromeda sighed and crossed the room to look down at him where he lay on the bed. "What did you do?"

"I...lost my mind and attacked Nymphadora," Rabastan rolled his eyes. "Nothing deserving of a Crucio..."

"Ha," said Andromeda, reaching out and touching the man's shoulder, deciphering how badly he was injured and what needed to be done. "Lestrange, you had best be thankful it was not I that caught you—I have no sensor."

"Yeah," Rabastan grinned slightly, then groaned in complaint when Andromeda flipped him onto his stomach.

"Shut up," she ordered him, then reached down, placing her hand on his back, a healing spell crackling through her hand into Rabastan's body.

The man almost immediately relaxed under her hand, whispering, "Dromeda, your magic feels so good!"

Andromeda gave a small smirk as she continued her spell to help him. She was slightly proud that he reacted so strongly to her weakened, torn magic, and couldn't help the emotions rising in her as she remembered all that she had used to be. Andromeda recalled the power she had held, how she had had most everyone she knew at her command—everything had changed because of her unexpected pregnancy.

He turned his head to look at her when she was finished, and frowned in concern. "Andromeda, what is it? What's wrong?" Rabastan sat up slowly, then reached out to the witch as a tear ran down her cheek. "Did I say something wrong again?"

Andromeda brushed her tear away, but couldn't stop another from trickling down her cheek. "I've been so much more in my past," Andromeda whispered, regret in her voice.. "I...I don't miss most of it, but I was powerful, and vibrant, like Nymphadora. She really is a lot like me, Rab."

Rabastan slipped his arm around Andromeda and cautiously drew her into his side, kissing her head softly. "Well, I don't remember your past, and I like you as you are," he told her firmly. "And I prefer you to Dora anyway, contrary to what I may have portrayed to Rodolphus."

"Thanks," Andromeda sniffed, laughing slightly through her tears. "Thank you, Rab."

"Of course," he said, and rubbed his hand over her arm, hugging her carefully to himself. She wrapped her arms around him, and he shifted his position to pull her onto his lap. "Don't be nervous," he said when she looked up in concern. "I just…" Rabastan smirked at her expression as he allowed his magic to trickle down over her shoulder, the witch shivering slightly.

His magic was hot and fierce, but not painfully so. Andromeda felt her magic crackle in response to his and bit back a moan of longing. It had been decades since she had shared her magic with anyone...her breath caught in her throat as he leaned in, kissing her softly as he allowed his magic to play over her gently. "We're more than compatible," Rabastan murmured against her lips before looking into her eyes. "Would you share your magic with me, Andromeda?"

Andromeda groaned softly as Rabastan shifted them to lie down on the bed, the man leaning over her and looking down at her questioningly. She reached up, pulling him closer by the collar of his shirt and pressing her lips to his, closing her eyes to relish the warmth and strength of his kiss. She finally slipped an arm around Rabastan's neck and allowed her magic to run over the man's shoulders and back as their magic combined, crackling around them.

"Your magic is so unusual," Rabastan breathed, concentrating for a moment as he pressed his face into the front of her dress. "Dromeda, you have so much power in reserve—anyone else would have destroyed the world if they had that."

"Rab," she moaned as his magic warmed her to her core, his arms wrapping around her firmly as he looked down into her eyes before kissing her firmly. Andromeda loved the warmth, the strength of his embrace, and held him to herself tightly, grateful for the weight of his body on hers. She gave a small sound of pleassure as he kissed her neck in the heat of their magical passion.

Without a thought, the witch arched her back, pressing her hips against his as she gave a small groan of longing against his lips. The man responded just as Andromeda had supposed he would, pressing her firmly down into the bed as his hands quickly removed her corset, tossing it aside. Rabastan drew back to look at the witch for a second, and Andromeda stared into his face, their eyes dark with passion and desire. "Dromeda," he said huskily, but he didn't have to finish.

Andromeda reached up, speaking quietly but firmly as she surely unfastened each button on the man's shirt. "I want you." Her heart was pounding as she pulled his shirt off and threw it from them, rubbing her hands over his bare chest.

Rabastan leaned down and pressed a kiss between her breasts, looking up to her face with a smirk. "You're blessed," he whispered, his lips brushing her soft skin, and she shivered slightly in delight.

She reached down and began to undo the belt on his trousers as his hand reached down to the skirts of her dress. He smirked at her, kissing her firmly before easily taking the dress off her and throwing it from them. Andromeda shivered slightly to half realize what danger she could be in, but ignored her fears that he'd be too rough.

It was when she heard Rabastan's soft groan of longing that she caught her breath and looked into his eyes. "Dromeda, are you sure?" he breathed raggedly. "I...I won't stop once...you know."

She stared intensely into his eyes before breathing, "I want it, Rab. Go on, please."

Rabastan nodded once, and in a matter of seconds, Andromeda cried out in shock and pleasure as the man began to make love to her. She writhed in pleasure beneath him as he fulfilled his desires, Andromeda shifting her position and shrieking with delight when he touched her in just the right places.

She cried out his name, tugging at his hair as he pressed kisses to her neck, her throat, and her collarbone. Andromeda couldn't help but be overwhelmed by all her emotions, and as they finished, Rabastan collapsing to the sheets beside her, she found herself fighting back tears.

They lay in each other arms, both breathless, their passion spent as they clung together. "Andromeda," Rabastan whispered, his lips against her cheek as he kissed away her one tear that had fallen. "That was amazing."

Andromeda shot him a small smirk, unable to resist, and she finally said, "It was. You are so good." She swatted away his hand as he placed his hand on her hip. "Naughty boy."

Rabastan couldn't help laughing as he kissed the woman's head yet again. "Dromeda, you're such a pretender."

She pouted at him, then laid her head on his chest with a yawn. "You've gone and tired me out," she complained, rubbing away the rest of her tears. Andromeda sighed softly as he wrapped his arms around her and held her naked form close to himself, pulling the sheets of his bed over them.

Andromeda gave a sigh, curling into his side as she felt his hand rubbing her bare back. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, her arm across the man as she rested in his arms.

It wasn't but a minute or two later that Rabastan said, "Dromeda, what does it mean when your hair is purple?"

"What?" Andromeda asked, startling back from her half-asleep state. She looked slightly surprised, then blushed. "It means I'm happy," she murmured. "I guess I like being here with you." She returned to her place in his arms and closed her eyes, content to stay with him for the night. Perhaps Rabastan would be okay for her after all, though she still didn't want to openly have a relationship with him. The man was right: she was a pretender, but pretend she would. He could see right through her most of the time anyway….