Okay, I've desperately tried to avoid typos. Although maybe I should leave them in there since a good number of people review just to tell me I made a mistake. Although some people have really fantastically creative ideas about why the wrong name was in there...indicating that they should get out there and write some stories! :)

A newcomer named Emmy was my super-quick reviewer. Welcome and thanks for the warning about the typo. Hand3 was my other super-quick reviewer. Always happy to see your reviews.

Hippiechick, always a pleasure, I've fixed last chapter's name mixup.

Imogen: I did kind of play fast and loose with POV last chapter, didn't I? Sort of did it again this chapter. Ah, well, just trying to keep you on your toes. Welcome to the party and thanks for the review.

Lily: you didn't catch the typo. Shocking! And I expect a LOT of writing to be done on your end in the very near future. I'm not only adding to our story but I'm doing this one too! Do you feel guilty yet?

Terilicious: nice to hear from you again, your reviews make me feel special. I hope you become a regular!

Next chapter, as fast as my little fingers could fix it, all for you.

--Aimes

Hermione woke up languorously, warm and comfortable, though her jewelry was pressing into her and leaving imprints. Her mind had regained the balance she'd lost the night before as the loss had overwhelmed her and she felt better, not even really sad so much as…done. It was finished and over and her life was going to move on now.

I need to use the loo. She got out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom when it hit her: naked. Whoa, wait a minute. The memories assaulted her in vivid color and she went pale. What did I do? I'm such an idiot! She finished up and exited the bathroom quietly. A quick glance at the bed told her Lupin was still asleep, looking peaceful and sweet. Sweet? Oi, this is going to be bad. She grabbed a robe and pulled on her undies, leaving quietly and going downstairs to the kitchen.

Remus woke up and silently watched her leave. His curiosity turned to irritation turned to anger in short order. He was not sure what he'd expected but this was not it. He rolled out of bed and pulled on a robe, prowling after her.

Hermione stopped short when she saw Tonks at the kitchen table. Tonks smiled welcomingly at her.

"Hey, Hermione."

"Um…hi…"

"Don't worry, I don't ask questions," Tonks assured her.

"Glad to hear it. I don't think I'm ready to answer them. So…how long have you been here?"

"Long enough to know that you get more action than I do," Tonks replied cheerfully. "Maybe it's the hair color," she said thoughtfully. Within moments her hair had gone from acid green to a deep orchid.

"Don't know if it's the hair, but I can assure you that after my idiocy I'll be right there with you on the no action front," Hermione replied despondently, slumping across from Tonks at the table. Remus stopped short of entering the kitchen and blended into the shadows, waiting and listening.

"What do you mean, Hermione?" Tonks was asking.

"I went and messed everything up," Hermione sighed.

"In what way?"

"What must he think of me? Instead of mourning the loss of my entire family, I threw myself at him and I shagged him senseless. Not only am I a whore, I'm a coldhearted bitch, too."

"Don't ever say that about yourself, 'Mione," Tonks said firmly. "I may not know exactly what's happened, and I do expect the story one day, mind you, but listen to me and listen well. I know you. First: you're an amazing person. I know that, you know that, and if he doesn't know that, I'll slap him so hard he sees next week, I promise. Second: you're not a coldhearted bitch because you needed to be held. You needed to feel alive. I've done it too. Sometimes you need it," she said softly. "Besides, how does this ruin things?" Tonks continued. "I mean, you needed to be loved and he gave you that last night." Remus silently growled at her.

"For one night," Hermione spat bitterly.

"What do you want?" Tonks pushed, sipping at a cup of coffee.

"I want…I want…I don't know," Hermione hedged.

"Say it or it's worthless," Tonks warned. Remus lent his voiceless encouragement.

"Fine, I want something real, are you happy? I don't want a good one night stand or a quick satisfying shag. I want him, alright? He can be such a private man, I was going to take it slowly, to build something, and now I've gone and fucked it to hell. Literally." She gave a sardonic smile.

Lupin stiffened in the shadows as he processed what she was saying. She wanted him. She wanted him. He wanted her too, he wanted to love her…he wanted to hold her…to talk to her about everything under the sun, to tease her and tell her to be silent, to laugh with her and hear her yell at him…he wanted…everything. He needed everything. He needed her. Remus turned and walked swiftly back to the bedroom, mechanically peeling off the robe and settling back into bed. His mind churned wildly and he closed his eyes and tried to focus. He loved her. Damn.

"I think you've underestimated Remus," Tonks was saying. "He's a good man, one of the best. Do not presume to know what he's thinking. Communicate with him Hermione. I know it's hard, but tell him what you feel, what you want. I know he can be a private man—I'm one of his few friends now. He's lost a lot, he's entitled to be private. Talk to him. After that, it's out of your hands."

That's amazingly good advice, actually. So go back upstairs, crawl back into that bed, and tell him how you feel in the morning. Then let him decide what to do.

"Thank you, Tonks. You're right, I'm being silly. It'll work itself out."

Tonks downed her coffee and smiled.

"It always does, Hermione, it always does."

Hermione smiled at the her and rose from her seat. "And Hermione?"

Hermione turned questioningly. "Silencing charm, dear." Hermione grinned and gave a rude gesture.

Hermione climbed the stairs and entered the room quietly. She peeled off her robes, deciding to leave her undies on, and climbed into the bed next to Remus. She put a hand hesitantly on his bare chest and he pulled her towards him with lightning speed.

"Have a nice midnight stroll?" he queried in a velvety voice.

"It was exactly what I needed," she responded softly, relaxing against him. "We need to talk."

"Feel free." Okay, he's not going to make this easy.

"I don't want to give you the wrong impression, Remus," she began quietly. He froze. This was not how she was supposed to start. "I know what you must think of me. That I'm coldhearted and a slut," she hurried on, as his arms tightened into a viselike grip and a stormy look came across his face. "I've buggered it all by…by...being such an idiot. I don't want this to be a one-night stand. I don't want a fling or a shag buddy or any of that. I want…I need…"

"I want as well," he murmured. "I need you."

Hermione sighed in relief.

"And if you ever say anything about being a slut or coldhearted again," he growled, nipping her shoulder roughly, "You will regret it."

Okay. Here's your moment, Granger. Go for it.

"I think I'm in love with you."

He paused in his activities and caught her gaze, locking into it firmly, ethereal eyes glowing. "That's good to hear Hermione, because I've had some time to really consider it and I'm quite sure I'm in love with you." It was more than he was used to saying and he suddenly felt uncomfortably vulnerable awaiting her reaction.

She grinned brilliantly at him and pulled him down in a gentle kiss.

Remus kissed her face lightly and sweetly. He settled by her side and caressed her gently. "It takes all my self control not to devour you," he rumbled. "The werewolf in me, you know. Rest…" his whispered command drew her into sleep and she tossed a leg loosely over him as she snuggled against him.

I have.