Thanks for all the kind reviews! I appreciate them.
Chapter 16

Analise whipped around quickly and beamed at Remus. "Did you hear him? The Albus Dumbledore asked me if I wanted to be in the Order! Isn't that exciting?" She asked animatedly.

"Wonderful." He responded cheerfully but she noticed that the happiness was not quite reaching his eyes.

"What?" She asked suspiciously.

"What?" He asked back.

"You don't think I should do it?" She inquired quizzically.

"I didn't say that." He replied instantly.

"You don't have to. I can see it in your eyes." She said as she tried not sound hurt. "You don't think I can do it?"

"I didn't say that." He insisted. "I just don't want you getting hurt."

"Oh. So you don't think I'm capable of taking care of myself." She said testily.

"Analise, come on." Remus said in exasperation.

"So, remind me again. Who knocked out Severus Snape? Who bound Lucius Malfoy in ropes when he was attempting to kidnap her? Who, may I ask, escaped her professional protectors?" She asked cantankerously.

"You." Remus answered in surrender.

"Then why do you not trust me?" She asked.

"Dammit, it's not a matter of trust!" He shouted, finally losing his temper with her provoking words.

"Then what is it about?" Analise demanded.

"I love you. Ok. I love you. And the thought of you in danger, like with Malfoy, makes me ill. I can't think straight around you. I'm all in knots. I can't think of anything but you. Are you happy?" Remus said indignantly.

Analise stood with her mouth hanging open as she registered Remus' harshly spoken words. He loves me? Oh Merlin, he loves me. Do I love him, she wondered.

Remus watched her and instantly regretted his tone of voice. He stepped closer to grasp her hand in his.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. See, that's what you do to me. You've got me turned inside out. I love you Analise." He said genuinely as he searched her blue eyes expectantly.

"Oh, Remus. I really like you. A lot actually. You're very special to me. But I don't know about love. I've never been in love, I don't know what it feels like." She said honestly.

"You will." He said confidently. "And for now, that's enough for me."

"Cocky aren't we?" She teased, trying to lighten the heavy mood.

"Self assured." He informed her before pulling her to him for a soul capturing kiss.

He felt her arms slide instantly around his neck and he smiled against her lips. She loves me. She just doesn't know it yet.

"Are you tired?" He asked when they finally broke apart.

"No." She answered. "Are you?"

"No." He said. "How about going to the quidditch pitch? I promised you I would take you."

"That would be fun. Let me grab my cloak." She said as she dashed upstairs.

Remus watched her hurry upstairs and made sure she was out of sight before he Apparated to his own house to grab a couple of provisions. He was back before she'd even returned downstairs.

Analise was laying flat on her back looking up at the brilliant stars in the clear sky when Remus' face came into view.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked softly while he picked at the blanket he'd brought.

"About what a beautiful night it is and how it's even more perfect because you're here." She answered truthfully.

He smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her passionately. And she thinks she doesn't love me? Those are words of a woman in love.

"What about you? What are you thinking?" She asked huskily as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Dancing." He answered immediately.

"Excuse me?" She asked in confusion. That was definitely not what she was thinking right now.

"Will you dance with me?" He asked suddenly as he jumped to his feet and offered her his hand.

"There's no music." She argued.

"Of course there's music. There's always music when you're around." He grinned.

"Flattery will get you....some places." She said as she smiled back and let him pull her to her feet.

Remus wrapped his arms tightly around her waist as she wound hers around his neck. He rested his chin on the crown of her head as he began swaying back and forth to an imaginary rhythm.

Analise felt herself melting into him and tried to remain upright. He began humming lightly in her ear first, then the humming turned to low singing. Singing about lost love and not knowing what you have until it's gone. How do you know when you're in love, she wondered urgently.

Remus decided as soon as he pulled her into his arms that this was exactly where he wanted to be for eternity. She was so soft and pliant against him he had to hold back a groan. Her hands were mindlessly caressing his shoulders as they moved back and forth to his singing hints.

"Remus?" She whispered into his chest.

"Hmm?"

"Please tell me you want me to join the Order." She said.

"Do you want me to mean it?" He asked.

"Of course."

Remus stopped moving and gazed into her searching blue eyes. He could see hope shimmering there and knew this was very important to her. He also knew he was at a loss to deny her anything she asked of him but he still wanted some reassurance.

"Why? I need a reason Analise. Why do you want to risk your safety?"

"You're organization works against the very people who stripped me of the last of my family." She said as tears welled up. "I want revenge."

Remus pulled her into his embrace as tears rolled down her cheeks. He stroked her hair comfortingly and kissed away the falling tears.

"I think you would be a great asset to the Order, Analise Shimmer, and would be very proud and pleased if you would join us." He said, surprising himself by meaning it.

"Oh Remus! Thank you!" She cooed as she threw her arms around him for a hug.

Oh Merlin, let that be the right choice. Keep her safe. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her, Remus thought desperately.

I want me a Remus! :)