AN: Hi, people. Again, I will be apologizing for the late update. I'm very sorry. My schedule has been pretty hectic. Thanks for reviewing, guys! :)

Disclaimer: As always

Chapter 28: Words

James took off like a shot the moment the Knight Bus lurched to a stop. A bag slung over his shoulder bounced as he ran through Muggle London, darting in and out of crowds. James had always been a good athlete, but today he was particularly unstoppable, propelled by what he had to do. He felt a bit of nostalgia as he passed the same arts-and-crafts store he used to work at with Elsa, and he briefly slowed. He smiled as he recalled the great times he'd had with her during work hours. Elsa was a wonderful woman. And she would always have a special place in his heart. But yes, Sirius was right. He loved Lily. He always would. Which was why he was going after her. Without her, his life would never be complete. With a determined smile, he raced off again for Lily's street.

"Could you go to the store for me, Lily?" Mrs. Evans called to her daughter.

Lily, who had been lounging on the couch reading, jumped up. "Sure, Mum. What do you need?"

Mrs. Evans handed Lily a list. "Just these."

Lily pulled on her coat. "Okay."

Her mother smiled warmly and placed her arms around Lily. "I'm sorry, I've been using you as an errand girl since you came home."

Lily returned the hug. "It's okay, mum. I love doing this stuff. Besides, I want to help around the house, not lounge around like some kind of princess."

"You're a wonderful daughter, Lily."

"Thanks. You're a great mother too."

Lily headed out the door to the bus stop.

James turned a corner. Yes! He had made it onto Lily's street. He doubled over to catch his breath. A few more steps and he would reach his goal. His shoes pounded on the gravel as he resumed his journey. He finally screeched to a stop outside a particular house. He quickly smoothed his hair and dabbed the sweat from his brow. Reaching out his finger, he pressed the doorbell.

Lily sighed as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her bus was taking so long! She let out an impatient sigh. Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...Finally! She saw the bus approaching. "Sorry, miss. I had a flat tire."

Lily boarded the vehicle. "Oh, it's alright. It wasn't your fault."

And the bus pulled away.

Mrs. Evans pulled open the door. She gasped at the sight of the disheveled young man before her. "Mrs. Evans?" the boy ventured tentatively.

"Yes?"

"My name is James Potter. Is--is Lily there?"

She drew in a sharp breath. So this was the guy her daughter had raved about--and cried over--for the past year. "I'm sorry--James. You just missed her."

"Oh." His shoulders slumped.

"She went to the store. If you hurry, you just might catch her."

James's head jerked up as Lily's mother began spouting off the directions.

"Thanks a ton, Mrs. Evans! I will never forget this!"

Mrs. Evans smiled. "Go get her."

Lily balanced the bags of groceries as she struggled to reach the doorbell. "Mum!" she finally called, giving up.

Her mother answered the door. "Lily?"

Lily entered the foyer, glad to be rid of the heavy bags. "What's up?"

Mrs. Evans was wringing his hands. "Lily, someone came here looking for you."

Lily paused in the act of peeling off her coat. "Oh, must've been Sirius. Is he here?"

"It was James."

Lily froze.

"He went to look for you at the store."

Lily put her coat back on. "I'm going to find him, Mum."

Rain was beginning to pour as James exited the store. He had been too late. Lily had left by the time he arrived. He slumped down at the curb, defeated.

Lily grasped on tight to her umbrella as she ran for the bus stop again. As if the bus driver sensed her hurry, he was waiting when she reached it. When it stopped, Lily took off, running as best as she could on the rain-slicked, slippery street. She halted in front of the grocery store, her eyes scanning the surrounding area.

James was ambling back to the bus stop, his steps slow and heavy. He was soaked with the rain. He felt the chill right down to his bones. He'd probably get himself a fever at this rate. Then his eyes widened as he spotted the bus. A girl holding a pink umbrella was getting on, and as she lowered her brolly, he saw a flash of very familiar dark-red hair. "Lily," he gasped. But his throat was dry and scratchy, and could not make the sound. Ignoring the pain in his muscles and the fatigue in his bones, he started to run after the bus.

Lily reached her house, once again eyes red and swollen. How could fate do this? Get her so close to James, then yank him away again? She fumbled for keys, eyes watering. As she let herself in, she saw a familiar figure staggering towards her.

AN Again: Does this count as a cliffie? Maybe not, since you guys pretty much know who the guy is anyway. Next chappie: Sap, Sap, and More Sap--The Reunion of James and Lily.