Chapter Three

"Most people have a harder time letting themselves love than finding someone to love them."

Bill Russell

After a delightful breakfast with the Weasley family Remus and Tonks said their good-byes and walked down the path away from the Burrow hand in hand. As they walked along the country road they were very quiet. Occasionally stealing glances at each other they walked until they were at a clearing, letting go of her hand Remus turned to her and asked, "you work today?" Tonks shook her head no and Remus nodded, "well I need to run some things to Kingsley at the Ministry for the Order. Would you care to meet up later?"

"Course," Tonks said as Remus took her hand again and kissed it gently, "why don't you come by my flat bout six and I'll have some supper ready for us." Remus gave her a small smirk and he pulled her in for a kiss. Running a hand through his greying hair she pulled back and added, "I promise I won't burn it all." Remus laughed and took two big steps away from her. "Say hello to Kingsley for me." He gave her a wink and apparated into thin air, and Tonks quickly followed back to her flat.

"So how is Tonks? You guys still an item?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked kicked back in his desk chair talking to Remus who was leaning up against Kingsley's desk. Remus turned and looked away not saying anything and Kingsley arched one of his eyebrows, "what's wrong Remus? You two have a row? Have you thrown in the towel already?"

"No well we're still dating, but I'm so...oh I don't know." Remus shoved his hands in his pockets and looked to the floor, "she can do so much better than me Kingsley. She's young. She's pretty and she could easily have any man that is her age. I just don't get why she want's me..."

"What you don't want her?"

"Of course I do Kingsley!" Remus looked at the tall black man. "I've wanted her for ages! But I don't deserve her, she deserves someone less..."

"Old? Less dangerous? Less poor?" Kingsley asked, already knowing what Remus' ridiculous excuse was for him and Tonks not dating. "Remus you seriously have to lighten up on yourself. You are a good man, yea so you turn into a werewolf once a month. Big deal. So Tonks not only gets a boyfriend, she gets a dog too." Remus shot him a glare and Kingsley laughed, "I'm joking Remus. She's crazy about you, regardless of what you are..."

"And that is what worries me." Remus said wringing his hands. "If I ever hurt her when I was..."

"Remus, you can't think that way." Kingsley cut him off, "yea that will always be a worry. But you're forgetting one thing mate, she's a trained Auror. The girl can take care of herself, you really don't need to worry about her. I mean you should care about her, but you shouldn't treat her like some kid you need to protect."

"I'm just scared I think," Remus said, "it's been so long since I've been in love; or more specifically had someone who was in love with me." Kingsley smiled as Remus checked his watch, "I better go, she's cooking dinner for me. I'm supposed to be over there at six." Picking up his coat Remus added, "the reports go up to Dumbledore's death, from my undercover work."

"I'm sure it'll be of great help Remus, thanks. If I need any other information I'll let you know."

Tonks was very pleased with herself, she was down to finishing the side dishes and failed to burn anything. Not that she was a bad cook, but she did unfortunately have a bad habit of burning things. Turning off the stove she raced to her bedroom throwing on a nice black turtleneck sweater over the camisole she had been wearing and checked her hair. Her hair was still the hue of purple that the daisy that Remus had given her that morning. She pulled the sides up and pinned them up; taking her lavender body spray she squirted herself a couple of times. Smiling she thought of how Remus smells her hair when he hugs her, she knows he probably thinks she doesn't notice it; but there wasn't anything that Remus did that Tonks didn't take notice of.

A knock at the door made Tonks jump. Checking herself one last time in the mirror she ran to the front door; almost tripping over her couch while doing so. She opened the door and saw Remus standing there. "Hey," She reached out and grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into her flat. Giving him a quick kiss she smiled, "you'd better be proud of me. Got through the entire meal without burning a thing!"

"We'll have to mark this occasion on the calendar." Remus smirked as Tonks playfully hit him in the chest. Taking off his coat she grabbed it from him and laid it on the arm of the couch. Looking around the small flat he raised an eyebrow. "Dora where are we going to eat?"

"Huh?"

"You have no table." Tonks didn't have a table and she shrugged.

"Couch is good of a place as any." Tonks laughed, "Don't worry so much, sit and I'll bring out a plate." Sitting down on the couch Remus took stock of Dora's flat. It was an incredibly warm and inviting place. Earth tones and such, but as Dora walked back into the room with two large plates of food he thought to himself. The paint job isn't why this place is so inviting, it's the company. "Why do people always think they need to stuff me with food whenever I enter their home?" Remus remarked as she sat the big plate of food in front of him.

"Oh I don't know, could the twenty hole belt be an indication?" Tonks jokingly tugged on his belt. Tucking her legs under herself she added, "and besides, is it a crime I want to cook a big meal for my man?" Tonks smiled as Remus flushed at being called, "her man." "What? Want me to call you something else? How bout "sweetie," or "baby-cakes?"

Remus laughed and took a bite of food, "I'll stick with "man," thank you." Tonks smiled as he ate, as he devoured his food he finally noticed that she was not touching hers. Looking up Remus raised an eyebrow, "you okay Dora? You aren't eating."

"I was just enjoying watching you eat." Tonks said, flushing madly at getting caught; stuffing a large amount of food into her mouth. Remus laughed and leaned in to give her a small kiss in the crux of her neck. Nudging him off of her she laughed, "Remus this is the only time I know you actually get a somewhat decent meal into your system. Eat the food, not my neck."

Remus pulled away and continued eating his food. As they both finished Remus took Dora's plate and took them to the kitchen for her. She followed him and as she tried to do the dishes herself he playfully smacked her hand away from the water. "You were kind enough to cook for me so let me do you a favor and clean for you." Dora smiled and hoisted herself up onto the counter and watched him intently as he cleaned the dirty dishes in her sink. He looked tired, more so than he usually did. As he scrubbed one of the pots a bit of soap hit his cheek and she gently wiped it away with her fingers. "Thank you." He said as he dried the last dish. Turning around he leaned back on the counter and said, "well I should probably go."

Taking his hand Tonks pulled him towards her. Placing him in front of her she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and whispered, "stay with me Remus." Kissing his cheek she added, "stay with me tonight, please."

"Dora I'm really not. . ."

"Oh bugger off Remus I wasn't asking you to shag me. I was just requesting that my boyfriend stay here tonight so I actually know where he is and know he is safe." Tonks knew that Remus was only trying to deny her invitation because he was still uncomfortable with the fact they were an actual item. Kissing his forehead, Tonks stroked both of his cheeks, "I just don't want to be alone tonight." Lowering his head in defeat Remus wrapped his arms around her slender waist, resting his head on her shoulder and let out a deep sigh. Tonks let out a giggle and asked, "you okay?"

"I just don't know what I did to deserve you." Remus said quietly. "You could have any man you want, how on earth did you decide on me."

Tonks nudged his head off of her shoulder and looked him in the eye, "that is my little secret. I just suggest you nod your head and go with it." Remus smiled and leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips. Licking Remus' upper lip, Tonks pushed her tongue past his lips and he loosened his jaw and allowed her to explore his mouth. Reaching behind her, Remus ran his hands up her back and held her like that for what seemed to be an eternity. When they finally pulled away Remus gave a small laugh and Tonks raised an eyebrow, "what?"

"I guess you are right about this Dora. Ignorance is truly bliss." Tonks laughed as Remus pulled her off the counter and guided her to the bedroom.