A/N: Rave, please don't die! Here's the new chapter! lol. Also, I thought I should address Operation: Black Pearl. I'm forgetful in my old age and actually didn't realize until the end of the previous chapter that it has the same name as the ship (I think it was the ship) in the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. Which, I might add, is a wicked AWESOME movie! I had originally thought I came up with that because during the last school year my best friend mandy and I had to try and dodge this creepy kid everyday after lunch and I gave it the codename Opeation: Black Pearl, or so I thought. I occurred to me this morning that that wasn't the name at all. Hee hee. It was actually something like Operation: Black sky or something, I honestly don't remember, but that's how I came up with it. Also, about the whole towel thing… funny story, I had the first part of the chapter done a while before the rest and then I started reading some HP fanfics and discovered it was indeed very popular. I happen to like the idea though, although Rave I agree, he doesn't need the towel ;) so it stayed in. Heh. Oh and I was wondering if anyone found this line: "Sirius grinned despite himself, and felt a bit cocky, no pun intended, and tickled her again." I'm such a nerd, I wrote that myself and was in tears with laughter. I blame it on the ice cream. Also, this chapter was partially re-written twice because I realized I left out some things and completely forgot about Keira's kitty. Poor Allergen. So I apologize for taking so long. I really gotta stop writing these long notes. . .
Thank Yous: alastormadeymoody51, RavenMirage, emiepatapouf, Tropic, Dragon Voldemort, and Black Phoenix Tears, my regular reviewers, for reviewing chapter five. Muchas gracias.
Chapter Six---Operation: Black Pearl, Commence!
"I want you." Keira whispered seductively into Sirius's ear.
Sirius felt his face flush while the rest of his body went rigid. It had been a very long time since he had been this close to anyone. For the first time in his life, Sirius Black was nervous with a woman. He had full confidence that if James and Remus could see him now they'd tease him relentlessly. Keira playfully nibbled on Sirius's ear.
"Oh Shite." Sirius mumbled. Keira ran her hand up the front of Sirius's shirt, sending shockwaves through his body. If he allowed this to go on for another minute, he wouldn't be able to say no. Therefore, he grabbed Keira's hands and forced her away from him enough so he could see her face. He looked into her dark eyes and saw sadness accompanied by a glimmer of shame. "No, Keira," he whispered softly, "This isn't what you want." Her expression dulled and her eyes suddenly looked void of all emotion.
"I apologize," she said flatly, "I thought you found me attractive." She removed herself from his lap and sat on the opposite side of the couch. Sirius closed his eyes and sighed.
"I know what you're trying to do, but you and I both know it won't help. The pain isn't going to go away." He said gently.
"I know." She whispered. Sirius immediately moved over and gave her a fierce hug. Then, in an effort to make her smile, he changed into his dog form. He licked her hand and she giggled. She eagerly petted his head and scratched his ears. He jumped up on his hind legs and danced around a bit causing her to laugh even harder. "You're my best friend Sirius." She said with a brilliant smile. He turned back into his human form; a grin was already set on his face.
"Well, I think it's time to talk about this Operation: Black Pearl." He said mockingly in a stern voice. She threw a pillow at him.
"Ok," Sirius said, as he petted a contently purring Allergen, "but how are you going to get your story published?" They had been talking for quite awhile now and had almost their whole plan worked out.
Keira sneezed before responding. "Oh that's not a problem, believe you me. My editor is too busy talking to his mother or staring at a dirty magazine to ever actually read over my work." She laughed. "It won't be read until it's been sold."
"Are you sure you're ok with losing your job?" he asked warily.
"Yeah," she paused, "Sirius, I don't plan on coming back here." Sirius looked at her suspiciously. What did she mean by that? He tried but couldn't read the expression on her face. So finally, he asked.
"What do you mean Keira?"
"What do I mean about what?"
"About you not coming back."
She half-smiled, "I don't mean I plan on dying during this mission if that's what you're asking." He wouldn't admit it, but it was what Sirius was thinking.
"I uh, no of course not. I just meant erm . . . where are you going to go?"
"I haven't decided. I'm gonna go with the flow I guess; see where life takes me." She pulled out a small package of tissue from her pocket and blew her nose.
"Are you sick?"
"Nope, it's my allergies." Keira replied, in-between blows.
"Allergies? What are you allergic to?"
"Cats, among other things." A broad smile formed on Sirius's face.
"You're allergic to cats?" he asked, looking down at the sleeping cat on his lap.
"His name isn't Allergen for nothing."
The most annoying buzz of Keira's alarm clock woke Sirius up the following morning. He glanced over at the VCR from his spot on the sofa bed and saw it was only 4:30. He groaned and covered his head with a pillow, trying to keep out the noise. It was to no avail, the sound was digging through his very skull. He gently moved Allergen's sleeping form. 'What is it with me and cats?' he wondered silently. 'I'm a dog for Pete's sake!' He pulled his shirt back on and headed towards the source of the sound from hell. If only he'd had his wand, he'd transfigure that contraption into something much better. Sirius, still in a sleepy state, stopped moving completely as he pondered the various items he could make out of that buzzing clock. "Better yet," he thought devilishly, "I could blow it apart." He entered the room and headed directly towards the square, digital, buzzing, evil, clock. He raised his powerful fist and just as he was about to crush the timepiece to the ground, a hand caught him. Without a word, Keira reached over with her free hand and shut it off for him.
"Good morning." She said cheerfully.
"I thought you weren't a morning person." Sirius grumbled.
"I'm not, normally, but today's an exciting day!"
Sirius responded by collapsing backwards on the bed and grunting.
"Sirius you should be more excited!"
"Ugh."
Keira bounded out of bed and stood up, straight as a pin. "Operation: Black Pearl, commence!" She shouted, stifling her laughter. Sirius looked up at her through one squinted eye.
"You're crazy." She flopped down next to him.
"I'm not as crazy as the wizards think you are." She teased.
"The key word there being 'think.'"
"You're mister grumpy pants in the morning aren'tchya?"
"It's not morning. It's still dark." Sirius mumbled beginning his decent back to his dreams.
"Sirius Black," Keira began in a very stern tone, "what about your godson Harry? Dontchya think he'd like to see you sometime this century?"
"Actually, he thinks I killed his parents. He'll probably try and hex me." Sirius's tone was a sarcastic one but he still got up and made his way to the shower.
"Sirius!" Keira called about ten minutes later, "what about this poor kitty cat? We can't leave him here alone!" She held the cat up to her cheek and promptly sneezed.
"You're allergic to that cat." Sirius yelled back.
"So?"
"So, maybe it's time Allergen got a new home. One where he didn't make his owner sick." Keira pouted.
"But he's my kitty." She whined.
Sirius emerged from the bathroom looking like anything but a wizard wanted for murder. His hair was tucked neatly behind his ears and his face was completely clean-shaven. The wound on his head was much better and no longer needed a bandage. He wore dark black, flattering, sunglasses; a crisp, white, buttoned down shirt with the sleeves partially rolled up; a black silk tie; neatly pressed black pants; and black leather dress shoes. Keira, unknowingly dropped Allergen onto the bed. Her jaw dropped as well. "Mr. Black . . ." she whispered, "You look . . ."
"Sexy?" Sirius finished; a sly grin on has face.
"Well, you don't look like a corpse, that's for sure." It was nearly true, much of the color returned to his pale skin, the whitening strips she had forced him to use had begun working, and though he was still rather gaunt, his practically non-stop eating habits were starting to pay off.
"Thanks, I think. Now, about this cat, I know you hate to leave him but honestly, sweetie, it'll be difficult for him to travel with us to London. Plus, he makes you sick!"
"I know." Keira said, her voice full of defeat. "Actually there is a sweet old lady down the street who could probably use a friend. Her husband died not too long ago. I'll take Allergen to her." Silently, she gathered a few of the cat's toys and then the cat himself and left Sirius alone in the bedroom. When she returned she looked utterly abandoned.
"I'm sorry." Sirius said lamely.
"Nah, it's alright, Mrs. Thomas loved him. She couldn't thank me enough." Sirius put in arm around her.
"Come on kiddo, Operation: Black Pearl awaits. Go get dressed." After Keira finished showering, they packed up a few things to take with them. Keira took a long look around. "Ready?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know Sirius... is it safe for you to go out like that?"
"Looking this good? I can manage."
"Ha ha ha. Seriously, should you change into a dog?"
"I'll be ok until we get to London." Sirius said solemnly. "Trust me."
"Maybe you-"
"Keira," he interrupted calmly, "nobody has seen me look this good in nearly thirteen years. Nobody has seen me look like this here in America. They're looking for the guy you found in your backyard. That's not me." Keira remained silent. "Let's go."
They put a few things into the car and then Keira drove away leaving her tiny unhappy house behind. Their first stop was at the bank. Keira made a sizeable withdrawal. Then they were off to work. It was time to turn in the story. Keira parked the car and grabbed her purse. "Sirius do you want to come with me?"
"Won't that be a little obvious?"
"Yeah you're probably right. Ok, I'll be back in a minute." She disappeared into the building and Sirius sat back and relaxed. A few minutes passed and then suddenly Sirius flew out of his seat. In a panic, he ran out of the car and into the building. Luckily, he caught a glimpse of Keira going up the steps just as he got inside.
"Sir, excuse me, sir? Can I help you?" The receptionist asked. Sirius ignored her and flew up the stairs after Keira.
"Keira! Keira!" He called. Was the girl deaf? Why didn't she hear him? If felt like he had been running up these stairs forever. The building didn't seem this large outside. He ran and ran and ran; his breath began to come in short gasps. His legs were aching and his lungs were burning. Why didn't she hear him? "Keira! Keira wait!" He yelled as he ran with all his might. She still didn't even acknowledge him.
"Here you are sir, my story's finished." He heard her say. Finally! He made it to the top. He bent over, his hands on his thighs, as he tried desperately tried to catch his breath. Keira finally noticed him. "Sirius, what are you doing here?" She asked casually. What was he doing here? He couldn't remember now.
"SIRIUS BLACK!" The unknown man next to him roared. "SIRIUS BLACK IS A MURDERER, YOU MURDERED MY PARENTS!" he yelled. Harry was the first person to enter his mind. The man was dressed in black robes; a hood cast a shadow over his face. 'No... how could Harry be Keira's editor? He's only thirteen?' Sirius though, panic entered his brain. "IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO PAY SIRIUS!" One of the man's hands emerged from his robes holding a wand. He pointed it straight at Sirius and mumbled something Sirius couldn't hear. A jet of green light flew from it and hit Sirius square in the chest. He didn't feel a thing except himself hitting the ground. Keira was screaming his name....
"Sirius? Sirius Blaaaaaaaaack! Sleepy head, would you wake up please?" Sirius opened one eye and the sun came pouring in. He was in the car, Keira's car, and she was shaking him. He jumped. "Hey, are you ok?" she asked. It was only a dream. A wave of calm ran through his body.
"Yeah," he replied gruffly, "I'm alright. You changed all the magical references to muggle ones right?"
"Yes, I showed you, remember?" Sirius nodded and looked out the window. Keira grew concerned. "You sure you're ok? Did you have a bad dream?"
"Hey," Sirius began, forcing a smile, "let's get this show on the road!"
Reassured now, Keira returned his smile. "Ok then. Operation: Black Pearl commence!"
TBC...
Sorry if this chapter's a bit short. I had originally planned to make it longer but I'm going on a last-minute vacation with some friends this weekend so I've got some packing to do. I'll be home Monday and then I start school Tuesday, yuck, but *hopefully* I'll have chapter seven up before that.
Please review!!