A/N: What is with this chapter? Seriously! I hate myself for it, so I know you guys are going to. I didn't intend for it to come out like this, I just started writing and this is what happened. Shrug. There should be two or three chapters after this one. I'll try and fix this mess I've made. Bear with me...

Remus was fuming. Having comforted his crying child (Jake again!) and made Andromeda wait out of the room as he did so, he was expecting a heated confrontation when he left. He got one.

"Can I see them?" Andromeda hissed as Lupin closed the bedroom door with a smug smile on his face.

"No, I don't think so," he replied casually and headed back down the corridor, hoping that the woman would not enter the room. She didn't. Instead she stalked after him. Remus practically felt her blazing glare on his back. She was shouting at him now, though Remus wasn't listening. They headed back down the stairs quickly. Remus hoped to get the grandmother as far away from the sleeping children as possible.

"Remus, are you even listening to me?" she screeched, yanking him around with a strong hand on his shoulder.

"Shh, you'll wake the twins," Remus whispered, deliberately trying to wind up the older woman up. She huffed loudly and pushed the man through the nearest door into the drawing room.

"I don't want to argue with you, Remus," she snapped. He shrugged.

"Then don't. Leave. You know where the door is, I'm sure I don't have to escort you."

Andromeda's mouth dropped open at the man's rudeness.

"I hope you weren't as rude to my daughter, Lupin."

This clearly touched a nerve; she could see it in his eyes. Andromeda almost smiled. She decided not to.

"No I wasn't," Remus answered finally. "But there's no way in Hell your daughter would ever ask me to do what you're asking me to do tonight. Do you honestly think this is what she would have wanted, Andromeda?"

"You're just saying that because it's what you want," she spat back. "You're just being selfish!"

"Perhaps I am!" he shouted back at her, pacing angrily across the floor. "But, after all the shit I've been through in my life, I think I'm entitled to, don't you?"

"You think my life's been great? Do you? We all have to suffer, Remus, some more than others. And I'm choosing you over me. I'm taking the twins now, and I don't ever want to hear from you again." The woman headed purposefully to the door. Remus had to think fast.

"If you even attempt to take those children, the Ministry will hear about it."

She turned to him and gave a bitter laugh.

"The Ministry? Do you really think they'll prefer you over me, you filthy werewolf!"

"Mamma!"

The sharp, new voice caused Andromeda to turn around abruptly. She froze suddenly, feeling her insides turn ice-cold. Taking a deep breath, she crossed over to the door, and to her daughter. The young witch's eyes were dark and set.

"What are you doing here, Dora?" she stuttered nervously. She was trembling, her daughter noticed.Tonks' eyes widened in anger.

"What are you doing here!" she hissed. Then her eyes fell on Remus who hadn't even acknowledged her. The man seemed so tired and fragile. It broke her heart.

"Get out," Tonks muttered through clenched teeth. Her chest was heaving with each heavy breath. Andromeda just blinked at her.

"But, Dora–"

"Get out!" she shouted this time. Andromeda flinched and fled the room. Her daughter turned her head away in disgust as she passed her.

The room fell suddenly silent. Tonks was still breathing heavily and she was beginning to feel dizzy. This wasn't quite the homecoming she had expected. Tonks closed the door quietly behind her and walked slowly to the man who was now seated on the old couch.

"Remus?" she called out. The man continued to stare at his hands.

"Remus?" she asked again, louder this time. Lupin raised his head slightly upon hearing her, but still refused to meet her gaze. He gave a little sob. Tonks swallowed hard and reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. She hesitated, then brought it back slowly to her side. This was going to be hard, she could tell. Tonks shuffled with her feet, wringing her hands uncomfortably.

"Are you ok?" she asked quietly. What a stupid thing to ask, she thought. However, it got a response.

"No, I'm not ok," Remus croaked. Tonks remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate. "She's going to take my children from me."

"No she's not," Tonks said lightly and shook her head. Remus put his head in his hands.

"She will," he whispered, "and then I'll be alone again… like I always am."

"Remus, you're not alone," Tonks insisted firmly.

"Well, I certainly don't have you!" he retaliated, his voice finding strength. Tonks frowned and bit her bottom lip. Taking a sigh, she crouched in front of the grieving man.

"Remus, look at me," she commanded gently. Remus shook his head.

"No."

"Remus," her voice was stronger this time. She took both of his hands in hers, leaving Remus no choice but to face her.

"Your hands aren't cold," he mumbled. No they weren't, was he expecting them to be? "Why do you do this to me?" he asked suddenly and Tonks blinked at him in confusion.

"Do what?"

"You know what! Make me remember, day after day. Do you really think that's fair? I didn't think you'd do that, Dora… Not you."

Tonks hesitated. She licked her lips and took a deep breath.

"Remus…I'm not dead," she told him. His eyes never left hers.

"Stop it," he pleaded weakly.

Tonks stared at him a beat longer, before placing both of her warm hands onto his cheeks and pulling him in to a deep and overdue kiss.

Remus kissed her back softly, not entirely sure what was going on. She had never felt so warm before. She had never felt so real.

Tonks broke away and flashed a little smile; her smile, which she saved only for him.

"Dead gals don't kiss like that," she announced impishly. Remus studied her intently for a brief moment, before pulling her close. The man began to sob quietly onto her shoulder.

"Shh, it's ok," Tonks whispered soothingly, rubbing the man's back gently. She brushed her lips lightly over his neck, mumbling incoherent words of comfort as the man cried.

Eventually Remus pulled away, though he kept hold of Dora's hands tightly, as if worried he would lose her again.

"I don't understand," he murmured quietly.

"Me neither," Tonks croaked. "But I'm back…for good this time. No one's going to take me or the twins away from you Remus, I promise."

The man blinked at her, wishing that her words were true. But life was unfair, especially his life, and he knew that his family would never be safe as long as the war raged around them. He couldn't risk losing them, not like that. He knew what he had to do.

Remus suddenly rose from his seat, causing Tonks to almost over balance in her crouching position. He crossed to the window and ran a hand over his face, sniffing loudly as he did so. Tonks frowned at him.

"You can't stay here," he said unexpectedly, as he turned to see her sat on the floor. Tonks felt her mouth drop open.

"What?"

"You can't stay here," he repeated, placing emphasis on each word. "You can't expect to come waltzing back in and have everything as it was…you've been gone to long."

Tonks couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why was he being like this? Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

Remus swallowed, hating himself for what he was saying. The pained expression on her face was enough to break his heart…if it hadn't already been broken. But Remus knew what he was doing was right…Andromeda had been right; the twins didn't deserve to be raised in this hell. They deserved a better life, with their mother.

"Take the twins and leave," he said suddenly. His tone was harsh, and he heard Tonks give a little whimper as he turned to stare out of the window. Rather that than see the distress on her face.

"You don't mean that," Tonks breathed, suppressing a cry.

"I don't want you in my life anymore, Dora…I've grieved for you."

"It's been a month!" She was shouting now, crossing over to him. Anger and confusion contorted with the anguish on her pale face. "Is that how long it took you to get over me? A month!"

"I would never get over you!" he shouted back at her. Tonks stopped in her tracks.

"Then why do you want me to leave?" she asked quietly. She needed to know. Remus gave a weary sigh. Turning to her slowly, he looked deeply into her shimmering eyes.

"Because I don't love you anymore, Dora. Please…take your children and leave."

Tonks had heard enough. She spun quickly on her heels, and fled the room in a hurry, refusing to let her tears fall until the door closed loudly behind her.

Remus watched her go, feeling the urge to call her back but resisting the temptation. He had broken her heart, as she had broken his, but he knew that one day, when her children had grown up to be safe and happy…she would thank him for it.