Tonks finally managed to get back to full duty at work. Finally. She never thought she'd say that. But things were starting to get insufferable. She couldn't stand not doing anything. Being useless. It just wasn't on. Especially since she was fine. Not that her opinion seemed to hold much weight when it came to be personal wellbeing.

"I'm fine!" she said in an exasperated tone, standing in the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips - ready for battle.

"But are you really?" Dawlish asked earnestly, facing her off and blocking her way out the door.

"Yes!"

Dawlish exchanged a doubtful look with Savage, who eyed her and then shook her head.

"I've been cleared by the Healers!" she said indignantly.

That should be more than enough for them. Never mind that she had got that clearance by arguing with the Healers enough to make them want to throw her out and mutter about "Stupid, headstrong Aurors". She didn't like hospitals, okay? Actually, she hated them. Hated the look, hated the smell, hated how she always felt tired and adrift. Hated everything about them.

It didn't help that the last time she had been in one was when Sirius-

No. She wasn't going there. Still couldn't go there. Nuh uh. Another good reason to stay away from hospitals. Hospitals weren't good, okay?

"That doesn't mean you go straight back to normal duties!"

"We only have one duty!"

It wasn't like they could put her on restricted work. There was no light work for them. They patrolled Hogsmeade. Checked out anything suspicious that they or the public reported on. Not exactly difficult work. Just endless. And boring. But definitely not heavy work. Or very complicated. The most difficult thing was staying alert and that wasn't very difficult at all.

Dawlish spluttered for a moment before shaking his head.

"You're just going to have to be more careful," he said triumphantly, proud of the fact that he actually managed to get something out. "You're going to be paired with one of us for the next week or so!"

"What!" she asked, outraged.

She could do her damn job just fine, thank you very much! She didn't need a babysitter!

"Take it or leave it."

Tonks made a disgusted noise in the back of her throat and flung herself into a kitchen chair so she could bury her head in her arms.

Who knew that Dawlish, Dawlish, could be so mollycoddling? He rivalled Molly for Merlin's sake. Tonks didn't think anyone could manage that. Especially Dawlish. Like, what the hell? What was he playing at? But somehow, he had managed it. Checking up on her every hour, making sure she ate enough food (she was slightly insulted at the amount of food he thought she could eat) and drank enough water. He had actually banned her from drinking pumpkin juice and coffee until she got rehydrated! Really? Really? That wasn't necessary at all. And who took coffee away from an Auror? A crazy person, that's who.

Speaking of crazy, Dawlish kept giving her these worried and concerned looks. Like she was going to disappear or keel over at any moment. Which was stupid, she was fine.

The last thing she wanted to be was the helpless female. The weak link. The one who dragged everyone down.

As if he could read her damned thoughts, Dawlish glared at her.

"You're no good in the field if you're not feeling your best," he barked. "I'm not going to let you be a liability to anyone. Including yourself."

She just muttered darkly at that and looked away. Why did he have to choose now to talk sense?

But she was fine! No more limb tremors and her cuts and bruises were basically gone. Sure, there were still a few aches and pains but that was even more of a reason to get back on her feet and moving again. Loosen those joints up.

She was sick of this tiny flat that seemed to get smaller with each passing day. It didn't help that she was basically restricted to her room like some recalcitrant child who wouldn't do as she was told. Which she wasn't but that wasn't the point. She was an adult for crying out loud. She knew her body's limits. She did. A sidelong glance at Dawlish confirmed that he didn't think she did.

His eyebrow crept higher up his forehead.

"Well?"

"I'll take it," she grumbled.

It was either this or not going back to work and she did not want to go back to doing nothing.

Not that Dawlish looked too convinced by her reply. He even gave Savage a pointed look, who nodded solemnly back. Great. Why did she get the idea that she was going to be treated like a ditzy trainee that needed to be watched like a hawk?

"Will it make you feel better if I promise to be careful?" she asked in a mocking tone.

Yes, she was challenging her inner teenager. She couldn't help it. Dawlish was acting like an overprotective parent. Actually, her parents were overprotective and he was worse. He even had the disapproving, scolding look down pat. Of course, he didn't have anything on mum so she didn't even look away from his gaze. He had brought her meals on a tray for crying out loud. Hardly intimidating.

He snorted and shook his head.

"No," he responded bluntly.

Tonks rolled her eyes. At least he was being honest.

"I really will be careful," she tried again, this time with less attitude.

She really didn't want to be put back on bedrest. Or see Dawlish with an apron on him again. Tonks shuddered at that memory. Sometimes it was better to be unconscious.

"You better be careful," Dawlish threatened her before, rather abruptly, leaving the room.

Probably so she wouldn't argue further with him. Because, yes, getting captured and tortured was really in her plans for the day. Tonks rolled her eyes and groaned.

At least she had won? With some caveats and more overprotectiveness than she would like but she had won. She was going back to work. Tonks had never thought she would be so happy thinking that.

Proudfoot choose this moment to make an appearance. Finally. Where had he been when she needed him? He was the one who had been complaining about a man down (trying to prove to the Auror Office that they needed at least one more person out here to cover, ahem, accidents).

"Uh, what did I miss?" he asked, looking around the kitchen in confusion.

"Don't ask me how I am," she warned him.

He just laughed at her.