Long Time Love.

Chapter 2.

The next morning found Remus waking suddenly from what had to be one of the worst nightmares he'd had in a long time. Covered with a thin film of cold sweat he shivered as he tried to shake the memory.

The dream had started off well. He was on a date with Kate and they were having a really good time. At the end of the date Remus took Kate back to his flat and it was just starting to get a little heated when he could feel himself change. "NO!" he cried panting. "RUN!" he yelled looking up at Kate. "While you still can," he growled. Kate didn't move. Remus could still hear her scream as he sat up in bed with his head in his hands.

"I have to tell her," he said quietly, running his hands over his face. They'd only known each other for one evening but if anything was to develop between them then she needed to know the whole truth about Remus Lupin.

With his face set with determination he threw the blanket aside, swung his legs out of bed and padded over to the bathroom. After a long hot shower he made his way to the kitchen for breakfast. 10 minutes later he was sat at the kitchen table with a plate of toast and a mug of tea contemplating how he was going to break the news of his lycanthropy to Kate.

2 hours of pacing later and Remus' mind was made up. He marched over to the fireplace and picked up the jar of powder from the mantle piece. He threw a pinch in, called out Meadowview Grove Parker residence, and thrust his head inside.

"Kate?" he called out. "Kate, are you there?" Remus tensed a little as he saw a figure in blue satin pyjamas come into the room.

"Good morning Remus" came her soft voice. "Sleep well?"

"Yes" he lied. "Listen, there's something I really need to talk to you about, it's important. Would it be ok for me to come over?" (Stupid Remus) he thought. (She's only known you for one evening, why would she let you into her home?)

"Of course," she replied, "I'll make you some tea".

Within seconds Remus' head had disappeared and then re-emerged attached to the rest of his body.

(Better get it over with) he thought. "Kate, have you heard of lycanthropy?" "Sure," she replied. "Werewolves right?"

"Yes. See…The thing is…I am one."

"One what?" she asked pouring the tea.

"A werewolf." Remus said lowering his head.

"Oh." Kate replied as though he had just told her he had a tattoo. "Do you take sugar?"

He looked up at her stunned, not even answering her question. At his silence Kate turned round to face him. "What's wrong?" she asked. "You look as though you were expecting me to run screaming from the room yelling 'get out of my house you freak'". Then it dawned on her. "Oh my Gods, you were weren't you?"

"Everybody else does," he said lowering his head again.

"I'm not everybody," she replied. "Well, at least that explains things," she said with a touch of mischief. "I thought I noticed a bit of a prowl."

"I do not prowl," he replied, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Oh yes you do," she said walking slowly towards him. "It was one of the first things I noticed about you. You walk like an animal. Slow, graceful, with purpose. It's almost like you're stalking."

Remus swallowed, twice, as his eyes bore into hers. His nostrils flaring slightly as he took in her scent. She placed her hands on his chest as she moved even closer to him, feeling his hands on her satin clad hips. Moving his hands up her back he pulled her tight to his chest and lowered his lips to hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pushed her fingers into his hair.

Reluctantly, Remus pulled away. "This isn't what I came here for," he said breathlessly. "I know," Kate replied, "but we've covered the lycanthropy topic so what's the harm in having a little fun?"

"The harm is that I may not be able to stop." Remus growled.

"Who said I wanted you to?" Kate threw back.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I can't, not yet." And he made to turn away from her. When he felt her hand on his arm he stopped and looked at her again.

"I'm sorry," she said, "you don't have to go."

"Yes I do," Remus replied heading for the fireplace. "Oh, one more thing, Padfoot is 19 next Friday, we're having a party for him at my place, do you want to come?"

"Sure, I'd like that, on the condition that I get to see you before then. I don't think I could wait a whole week." Remus smiled and pulled her into another kiss. "I'll call you tomorrow," he said between kisses.

"You'd better," Kate replied smiling. Suddenly she pushed him towards the fireplace. "Now get out of here while you still can." Remus laughed, taken by surprise.

"Thank you," he said a little more seriously. "For understanding and trusting me. Thanks to you I have a little more faith in the wizarding world." He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers gently. Straightening up he threw some powder into the fire and called out Normandy Road, Lupin residence. Taking one last look at the amazing woman who had already begun to enrich his life, he stepped into the green flames and was gone.

Stepping out into his living room Remus smiled. (That went better than I thought it would) he thought to himself. (Never did have that cup of tea though.) Just as turned the kettle on he heard his name being called. It was Sirius.

"Hey Moony, you here or are you still out getting laid?"

"I could ask the same thing about you." Remus replied walking back to the fire.

"Nah, didn't feel like it."

"Too drunk you mean?"

"I resent that remark," Sirius said with a frown that quickly faded to a grin. "So, spill. What happened after you left the club?"

"I'm surprised you can remember that much."

"Stop changing the subject. Hey, was that the kettle? I'm coming over." Remus shook his head as Sirius disappeared and went back into the kitchen.

"So, what happened?" Sirius repeated as he settled into a chair putting his feet up on the one opposite.

"I walked her home, then I came back here." Remus said trying not to laugh at the look on Sirius' face.

"What?" he said. "That chick was hot. I set 'em up for you to knock down and you leave her standing."

"I went over there again this morning," Remus said trying to keep the blush from staining his cheeks.

"Now that's what I'm talking about Moony old boy," Sirius said grinning.

"Nothing happened Pad. We talked. I told her about me…well… my condition."

"And?"

"She asked if I wanted sugar in my tea. She didn't care."

"I'm pleased for you Moony, like I said to you last night it's about time you had a bit of fun. Now, speaking of tea?"

Remus laughed and placed a mug in front of his friend. He then remembered something Kate had said that morning. "Hey Pad, I don't prowl do I?"

Sirius grinned at Remus over the top of his mug. "I didn't like to say anything mate," he said, and then laughed as a wet cloth came flying towards him.

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To be continued…