It happens in the blink of an eye. One moment, Tonks thinks she's on top of the world, and this fight is in the bag. The next, there is only pain as something hot seems to rip through her body. Tonks cries out, dropping to the floor. In the distance, she hears laughter and maybe someone taunts her and her predicament, but she can't even bring herself to care. All she can focus on is the white-hot pain that has taken up residence in the very marrow of her bones.

In the back of her mind, she thinks that maybe she's supposed to stay down. Why would anyone get up when they are clearly injured? Someone will come for her, and that will be that.

Unfortunately, Tonks has always been a bit too stubborn (too stubborn for her own good, her mum would always say with an exasperated sigh), and that stubbornness fuels her. Gritting her teeth, she manages to sit up, groaning all the way. It doesn't matter if she is hurt; she is still alive, and everything else is secondary. Her time as an Auror helps her breathe through the pain now.

"Come on," she grumbles, her legs threatening to buckle and send her back to the floor. "One foot in front of the other."

It's easier said than done. Each time she puts weight on her right foot, there's a fresh wave of pain. She doesn't even know what sort of spell she was hit with, or what damage it has done, but she figures she must have twisted her ankle when she fell. It almost makes her laugh. Clumsy, even in the face of Death Eaters. It's a miracle she's alive at all sometimes.

"There you are!"

She bites back a groan. Why does it have to be Remus who finds her? She would much rather him see her in battle, strong and sure. Not like this. Not weak and injured and absolutely pathetic. He must think she's a child who can't do anything right.

"Are you okay? Your, uh… Your hair color keeps changing."

Tonks makes a face. Even better. The man makes her so giddy and flustered that she can't even keep her appearance under control. "I'm fine." It's a little sharper than she intends, so she offers him an apologetic smile. "Think I twisted my ankle, is all."

Remus raises his brows, clearly skeptical. "Right. And the large gash in your side is just a scratch?"

Only now does Tonks look down and notice how much blood has stained her shirt. That explains why it felt like fire. Such curses are absolutely horrible, and she wonders if perhaps it would be better to be subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. "Oh. I'll take care of it."

"Don't be stupid. You're hurt."

Tonks scowls at that. "Don't call me stupid."

"I didn't. I said you were being stupid. Big difference."

Sometimes Tonks wonder how Remus could fit in with people like her cousin. Though she barely knew Sirius before he died, he was so obviously different from Remus. Then there are moments where she sees Remus' quick wit, coupled with his cheek, and she understands.

"I'm fine, Remus," she says, her tone laced with exasperation.

He gives her a look that clearly says he doesn't believe her. Part of Tonks wants to melt into his arms and let him take care of her and tend to her injuries; part of her is more than a little resentful that he's acting like he cares, that he's being so soft with her. Remus has rejected her advances again and again. Why does he have to be so kind to her now? It makes it so difficult for her to focus.

"Nymphadora?"

"Tonks," she corrects sharply, eyes narrowing when he laughs.

"Tonks," he agrees, a hint of a smirk on his lips, "I'm not much of a Healer, so I can't do much for you, but come on. Let's get you to safety. Molly should be able to treat you."

She wants to protest and insist, once again, that she's fine, but she can't bring herself to anymore. It really does hurt. Grudgingly, she nods. "Okay."

…

Molly is talented at healing. Tonks supposes it must come with the territory of having seven kids, especially with the twins being so incredibly chaotic. It doesn't take long to heal Tonks, but there's a nasty scar left behind, a permanent reminder that curses aren't so easy to escape.

"All done, dear," Molly says in a tone as warm as her smile. She wipes her brow and stretches her arms. "I'll put the kettle on. A nice cuppa will do you some good. You're looking a bit pale."

Tonks mutters that she's fine, but she doesn't put much energy into it. Molly Weasley is a typical mother, and that means she's ridiculously stubborn when she's trying to take care of someone. Tonks doubt her protests would sway the older woman.

Molly isn't even out of the room for a minute before the door opens again. Tonk doesn't know who she expects, but she's surprised to find Remus standing awkwardly in the doorway. She had assumed he would have dropped her off and left.

"Molly says you're okay," he says, offering her a small smile.

Tonks shrugs. "I've had worse," she tells him. "Comes with being an Auror, you know."

Remus nods. Silence hangs between them, tense and more awkward than Tonks would like. Why can't things just feel natural between them? She wonders if it might if she hadn't been an idiot and told him her feelings. Stupid, stupid, stupid. With her luck, she's ruined any chance of them even being friends.

"I don't think I actually thanked you," she says, climbing to her feet and taking a step closer.

"You don't have to thank me. Anyone would have done the same."

Tonks supposes he's right about that. Still, she isn't so sure that just anyone would have waited vigilantly the way he had. Maybe, but doubtful. Not unless the person meant a lot to the one who waited.

She shakes her head, silently scolding herself. If she keeps reading into things, desperately searching for things that aren't there, she's going to break her own heart. Again.

"I'm glad you're okay."

She nods because she isn't sure what else to do or say. "You don't have to stay," she says. "I'm fine now."

Remus shrugs. "Molly invited me to have a cup of tea." He offers her an amused grin. "I think she's still trying to play matchmaker."

"Looks like it."

"I'm really not good for you," he says with a heavy sigh. "Why don't you understand that?"

"Why don't you understand that your self-loathing is not a reflection of how I feel? You want to hate yourself, go right ahead. But, Remus, I… I never could. I want you," she whispers.

His lips twitch. "Maybe I should skip the tea."

With that, he's gone. Tonks stares at the spot he had been only seconds before. The pain from the curse had been nothing compared to the pain in her chest now.