Tonks unclipped her robes and slipped them off. She was hot and tired and the weight of the robes was just too heavy. All she could think about was a long, hot bath and curling up in bed with Remus.

She smiled at the thought and felt a quick surge of excitement. Since the night of the attack at Hogwarts, they had been practically inseparable. It had taken a lot of convincing on her part, she had to convince him that she didn't care about the age difference or his lack of money or that he was a werewolf. Well, the last part wasn't entirely true. She did care that he was a werewolf, it was a matter of constant worry for her. She was worried about him hurting himself, she was worried about the way he was shunned by society, and she was worried about how he had used his condition to put distance between them. But she knew that all that worry stemmed from her feelings for him. She was in love with him, had been for over a year. She had tried to tell him, but he had trouble accepting her feelings and returning them.

Remus was afraid of love, to give it and to receive it, but Tonks was making it her life goal to show him that not only was he worthy of her love, but that he felt the same way about her.

She walked through the halls of the Ministry of Magic on her way to her office, okay, it wasn't so much an office as a desk shoved in a small cubicle in a large room shared by several aurors. Tonks had been on duty forthirty-eightstraight hours and she was about to tell Robards where he could shove his overtime. She knew that would never happen, with all that going on in the wizarding world, everyone was working long, hard hours. Death Eaters were being sought and, hopefully, captured, Voldemort was out there somewhere, his minions wrecking havoc in both the wizard and muggle worlds. And everyone was on edge, waiting for word from Harry Potter.

Hogwarts had opened a few months earlier, but very few students actually arrived. With Dumbledore gone and the constant threat of danger, only a couple dozen students returned. The last time Tonks had seen Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, had been over five months earlier when she and Remus had attended Bill Weasley's marriage to Fleur Delacour. A couple days after the celebration, the trio left in search of the horcruxes and Voldemort. Every so often Ron would owl his parents, just to let them know the three of them were still alive. Everyone was handling Mrs. Weasley with kid gloves, worried that this might just be the straw that breaks the hippogriff's back. Percy was still not talking with the family, Ron disappeared, Ginny had become withdrawn since her separation from Harry, and just last week, Fleur announced she was pregnant. Combine all that stress with all the problems going on in the world, and it was amazing that Molly Weasley was still going so strong.

Tonks stopped at her desk, tossed her work robe over the back of her chair and groaned at the sight of a new piece of parchment on her desk. She ran her hand through the shoulder length bob of blonde hair she had taken on as part of her undercover appearance for that day and picked up the paper. A quiet sigh escaped her lips when she saw that it was just a report needing her signature, not a new assignment.

Maybe I can sneak out for the evening, she thought as she signed her name with a flourish. I can take that hot bath and curl up with Remus and a glass of wine.

The full moon had been three nights ago and Remus was still a bit weak so she knew he wouldn't be feeling any more active than she was. When he was feeling up to it, Remus would return underground to try and convince the werewolves to help the wizards. But it was hard, dangerous work. He had yet to find a single werewolf who wasn't bitter towards the entire wizarding world. As far as they were convinced, the wizards were only getting what they deserved after the way they treated the werewolves.

When the full moon arrived, he sneaked off to either the Shrieking Shack or 12 Grimmuald Place and locked himself away from others. Tonks hated thinking of him being alone at those times, but she knew it was too dangerous for her to be near him. So, instead, she convinced him to come and stay with her in the days leading up to and after the full moon so he could rest and she could care for him. Being a prideful man, Remus wouldn't just let her take care of him. Whenever he was at her flat, he would gather his waning strength to straighten up her home, do any repairs or odd jobs, and cook dinner. His ability to cook had been a very pleasant surprise for Tonks who was used to preparing quick, easy meals for one.

A smile crossed her lips as she thought of the evening usually two days before the full moon. It was almost like the animalistic aspects of Remus' persona took over and, once he realized she enjoyed his company, he made the most of it. Just a few nights ago, he met her at the door when she came home and took her right there, against the wall. It had been fast, intense, passionate, and amazing. He held her up against the wall, still buried inside her, and apologized profusely for his behavior. Tonks laughed and tightened her arms around him, not wanting to break contact.

"Remus, darling, that was amazing," she had told him.

He lifted his head and met her gaze with his shameful one, "I was an animal. I'm sorry."

She took his face in her hands and kissed him soundly, "Don't apologize. You just made me feel desirable and wanted. I just wish you would do this more often."

He released her and led her to the bedroom where they made love again. And again.

The memory of that evening warmed her completely as she stood beside her desk, unconsciously gnawing on a quill.

"Tonks!"

Kinsley Shacklebolt's voice cut through her happy thoughts and made her groan. She whirled around and saw him striding purposefully across the room toward her. Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at him. "No! I have been here for almost two straight days, I'm tired, I smell, I'm hungry, and I need sleep more than I need oxygen right now. I am a low level auror, there are plenty of better qualified wizards who could cover for me for a few hours. Let me sleep, please!"

Kingsley stopped in front of her and raised an eyebrow, "Nice speech, Tonks. Here," he held out a book she hadn't noticed he had been carrying. "I was going to ask you to return this book I borrowed from Remus. But if you're too tired and smelly to do that, I can give it to him myself."

Tonks smiled sheepishly and took the book, "Sorry, sir, I guess I snapped a little."

He smiled. Kingsley had developed a soft spot for the over eager, clumsy young auror. "I understand, we're all a bit on edge nowadays. Go, get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, sir, thank you."

"Good job helping with that takedown in Hogsmeade. You're doing a good job, Tonks."

Compliments from Kingsley were always meaningful and rare. A blush colored her cheeks and her smile turned shy, "Thank you, Kingsley."

"Good night."

"Good night." She watched him turn and walk away, stopping to talk to Mad-Eye Moody who had entered.

Feeling lighter and relieved, Tonks cast a quick locking spell over her desk, it was difficult to know who you could or couldn't trust any more, and all but skipped from the room.

Remus looked up from the stack of papers on the table in front of him when he heard the soft pop of someone apparating. The main room of Tonks' flat served as both living and dining rooms where he sat at the dining table, working on his book. Tonks was the only one who knew that Remus was writing a book. He had tried to keep it a secret, but she had accidentally found the first three chapters he had written in his briefcase. It was good. It was his story, of a boy bitten by a werewolf and having to grow up an outcast. Remus' lifelong love of books and his quiet intelligence had come together to give him a true talent at writing.

Before Tonks had discovered his work, Remus had been embarrassed to admit he was writing a book. But she hadn't laughed at him, she had supported him and, because of that, he found the courage to work at fulfilling his dream.

Tonks looked totally different than she had when she had left the flat. When she kissed him goodbye and walked out the door, she had her trademark pink spikes and lavender eyes, a playful smile on her young face. Now her hair was an ash blonde and skimmed her shoulders, her eyes were a deep, chocolate brown, and her face appeared older, her nose longer.

No matter how she changed her appearance, Remus would know her anywhere. His heightened canine senses had stronger olfactory abilities and he would know her scent anywhere. And no matter what she looked like, whenever she saw him, her face lit up and there was a sparkle he would recognize anywhere.

"Bad day?" He asked.

She groaned in response and fell onto the overstuffed, orange sofa that sat in the middle of her hodge podge of a living room. There was also a wooden rocking chair painted green, an arm chair covered in a bright floral fabric, a coffee table and two mismatched end tables all facing a fireplace surrounded by chipped marble. Knick knacks and the old potion bottles in various shapes and sizes that she collected sat throughout the flat. It was a cluttered, homey place that welcomed in everyone who entered.

Remus pushed back from the table and crossed the room to sit on the arm of the sofa, "Can I do anything for you, Dora?"

Tonks opened her eyes and looked up at the tired, concerned face of the man she loved. He was the only one to call her that and she loved that he did. "No, thank you, Remus, it just feels so good to be home, to come home to you."

He smiled and offered her his hands. When she took them, he pulled her into a sitting position and slid down beside her. "Can I get you something to eat? I made some soup earlier, there is plenty left over."

She settled against him, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes, "I was thinking about taking a long, hot bath and then curling up in bed with you."

"I'll draw the bath for you," he said, standing and pulling her to her feet. "You undress and relax."

"Have you heard from Harry?" She asked, following him down the short hallway where the small bathroom was just across the hall from the bedroom.

Remus turned left and entered the bathroom while she turned right into the bedroom. "No. I spoke with Molly, they haven't received word from Ron in over a week, she's worried."

"I'm sure they're fine, they've taken on Voldemort in the past," she called across the hall as she peeled off her slacks and jumper. "We've captured three more Death Eaters."

"That's good." Remus stood in the doorway to the bedroom and watched her walk around in her knickers and bra. She was never a shy woman and he enjoyed the view of her tight, young body.

Tonks stopped in front of the mirror over the dresser and made a face at the visage that looked back. She screwed up her face and a moment later her hair was short and pink, her nose smaller and slightly upturned. She looked and felt like herself again.

"Need help?" Remus whispered, coming to stand behind her, his hands on her shoulders.

Her lavender eyes met his lined brown ones in the mirror. "I am a little tired."

Without a word, he slid his hands down her back and unclasped her bra, slowly lowering the straps down her toned arms and exposing her to him. Unable to help himself, he slipped his hands up her smooth, flat stomach and cupped her breasts in his hands. Tonks closed her eyes and tilted her head back as he nibbled and sucked gently at the sensitive skin of her neck. His lips curled into a smile as she moaned and he rolled her nipples between his fingers, feeling them harden.

"The tub is almost full," he said huskily, releasing her from his touch.

Tonks almost groaned at the loss of his body against hers. "You're a terrible tease, Remus."

"I learned from the best, love," he called over his shoulder.

She finished undressing and wrapped a short robe around herself before crossing the narrow hallway.

The bathroom was warm and full of steam. Her old fashioned, claw-footed bathtub was filled with hot water and vanilla scented bubbles. Remus was no where to be seen. Tonks hung her robe on the back of the door and slid, inch by inch, into the water. Her sore, abused muscles began to relax and she began to ache in places she had previously ignored. She leaned back into the curve of the tub and closed her eyes, allowing the bath to cleanse and soothe.

"Here, drink this."

Tonks opened here eyes and saw Remus holding a glass out for her. Instead of the wine she had thought about earlier, it was firewhiskey. He knew it would warm and relax her.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" He asked as she threw the shot back.

"Read to me."

Remus smiled softly. It had seemed strange the first time she requested that of him, but now it had become almost a tradition for them. Whenever Tonks came home after a bad day and she wanted to relax, he would read to her from one of his many books. She was especially fond of the classic muggle novels he had. "Which one?"

"You were reading Charles Rickens last time."

"Dickens," Remus gently corrected her. "I think it was 'Nicholas Nickleby.' I'll be right back."

Tonks loved hearing him read to her. His voice was low and hoarse. When he read, he never stumbled or lost his place. She could imagine what it was like to have been one of his students.

"If I had been one of your students, I would have had such a crush on you." She admitted when he returned, book in hand.

He chuckled softly, "Did you have crushes on a lot of teachers?"

"Maybe one or two," she glanced at him. "I always had a thing for older men."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I always had a thing for young, clumsy, pink haired witches."

"Oh? Have you met many of them?"

"Maybe one or two."

Tonks lazily lifted a hand from the frothy water and offered it to Remus. He took it in his, lacing his fingers through hers as he sat beside the tub and read to her.

After nearly twenty minutes, he set the book aside, "Come on, you need to get out before you fall asleep in there."

"Too late," she groaned.

Remus pulled himself up and rolled his shoulders, "Come on, Dora."

She mumbled something not very nice about his prowess under her breath as she pressed the lever to drain the wonderfully hot water out of the tub.

He chuckled as he took a fluffy towel from the narrow closet beside the door. "I was going to offer a massage, but if you're going to be like that…"

Finding new strength, Tonks pulled herself up and stood in the tub, waiting for him to hand her the towel. Remus' breath caught in his throat as he watched her stand before him, bubbles sliding down her nubile form. He swallowed hard, twice, and held the towel out to her, leaving her to dry off while he slipped out of the tiny bathroom.

She quickly wiped the bubbles off her body, performed a drying spell, and slid her robe on. The scent of lavender wafted from the slightly ajar door to her bedroom. Tonks pushed it open further and peeked in. Remus had filled the room with candles and relaxing scents.

"Come here," he held out his hand and led her to the bed. "Just relax."

"I don't know what to say," she sighed. "I don't deserve all this."

"You do," he kissed her gently. "You're working hard, I want to do what I can to help you."

Tonks smiled and wound her arms around his neck, "You just want to get your hands on me."

Remus laughed, "Am I really that transparent?"

"Yes."

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

"Then lay down, love."

Tonks stretched out on her stomach on the bed and rested her cheek on her folded arms, watching as he crossed to her. Starting at her shoulders, Remus kneaded her sore muscles, feeling her relax and loosen beneath his hands. A quiet sigh escaped her lips as his hands moved over the tightness of her lower back. When he began working at the knots in the back of her legs, Tonks groaned with relief.

"Remus," she moaned, feeling relaxed and sated.

He stretched out beside her, running his hand over her hair, "Yes, Dora?"

She rolled onto her side and faced him, "Promise me you'll marry me and do this to me every night for the rest of our lives."

He leaned over and captured her lips in a lingering kiss as his hand moved down her side and rested it on her hip, "Love, I promise to do this any time you want."

That'll have to do for now, she thought ruefully before pasting a flirty smile on her face. "How do you propose I pay you back for your wonderful attention?"

"You don't have to."

"But I want to."

He winked at her, "You're a smart girl, I'm sure you'll come up with something."

Tonks forced him onto his back and straddled his hips, "Darling, I stopped being a girl a long time ago. Let me show you what a woman can do."

Toying with the tie of her robe, he grinned, "Why, Nymphadora, are you trying to seduce me?"

She dug her hands into ribs, making him squirm beneath her, "Don't call me that!"

He gasped for breath between his laughter and fought her hands. Remus couldn't remember the last time he had been tickled and he found the whole situation rather ridiculous. "Stop it, Dora."

"Make me," she challenged, leaning forward to nip at his neck.

He finally grasped her wrists and rolled over, pinning her beneath him, "I'm getting too old for this."

She tried to pull her hands from his grasp, but he held her tight. "You don't seem too old right now."

Remus smiled mischievously and lowered his head to trail kisses down her throat, using his nose to nuzzle aside the loosened robe. Tonks gasped and arched up as his mouth closed over her exposed nipple. He raised his head and looked down at her. She was breathing hard, causing her breasts to rise and fall erratically, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were heavy lidded as she watched him.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely.

Her smile grew and the flush spread down over her chest. That was not the first time he had told her that and she knew it wouldn't be the last, but when he told her she was beautiful, Tonks truly believed him. The way he studied her, the look of absolute sincerity and devotion, caused her heart to race and made her believe in the future they could have together.

"Remus," she replied quietly, pulling her hands from his and framing his face. "You are way too overdressed, darling."

He chuckled and sat up, still straddling her, as he pulled his jumper over his head.

Tonks sat up quickly and pushed him onto his back, "It's my turn to do something nice for you."

"Dora…"

She pressed her finger to his lips, "Quiet, love, let me do this for you."

Her nails grazed over his thin torso, scraping along the scars the marked his body. Remus sucked in a sharp breath as her hand gripped the front of his slacks, gently brushing her hand against the erection that strained against the fabric. She leaned forward trailing kisses down his chest and over his flat stomach.

"Dora," he groaned, his hand running through the short spikes of her hair as she slowly pulled the zipper of his pants down.

She lifted her head and winked at him as she took a hold of the waistband of his slacks and pulled them down, hesitating a moment as he lifted his hips so she could remove them completely. When he was stripped naked beneath her, Tonks pulled her robe off and tossed it over her shoulder, earning a quiet chuckle from him.

"I love you," she told him earnestly before sliding down his body.

Remus gasped and thrust upward as the wet warmth of her mouth engulfed his member. It was too much, too quickly and after a few moments, he gripped her shoulders, "Dora, please…stop…"

With a low pop she released him from her mouth, "You sure?"

"Merlin, yes, I don't…want it to end too soon."

"Neither do I," Tonks agreed, moving up to kiss him gently. "Let me." She rose up and slowly slid down the length of him until he was completely buried inside her.

They sighed in unison as they joined in body and soul. Remus watched through half-closed eyes as she rose above him and rode him, slowly at first, and then faster, with more passion. His hands wouldn't stay still as they raced over her body, her narrow waist, flat stomach and pert breasts. Her breath came out in hitches and gasps.

He sat up suddenly, wrapping his arms tightly around her as he pressed his mouth to hers in a kiss full of passion and lust, wakened after so long without either.

"Remus," she cried as she continued moving against him.

He thrust up, trying to get even closer to her, trying to reach her very soul, not realizing how deeply she felt him. "Dora," his voice sounded far away and not his own as he moaned her name like a mantra.

They tumbled across her bed until he rose above her, still connected in the most intimate way. Tonks wrapped her lithe legs around his waist, drawing him even deeper into her. A gasp escaped her lips as he leaned forward and swiped his tongue across her tight nipple. Fueled by her reaction, he drew the hardened nub into his mouth, teasing with tongue and teeth.

When she came, it was an earth shattering wave of release that left her breathless and weak. Just as she was coming down from her orgasm, she felt him thrust one more time as a growl came from deep within him and he emptied himself into her.

Tonks brought limp arms up around him, hugging him tightly as he collapsed on top of her. They laid together for several minutes, waiting for breathing to return to normal and heartbeats to slow. She gently stroked his hair as she felt him relax against her, pinning her beneath him.

Remus lifted his head to look down at her when she laughed quietly, "Something funny?"

"I was just thinking," she said, clasping her hands behind his neck. "When I was at the Ministry, thinking about coming home, I thought I was too tired to do this."

"Well, it has been what? Five days?"

"Something like that. Too long."

Remus laughed, "You're an insatiable woman, my Dora."

"Yes. You're point being?"

He held out his hand, whispered, "Accio wand," and performed a cleaning spell on them and the bed. "I guess my point is that I'm glad you're letting me help you with that problem of yours."

Tonks giggled and curled up beside him, resting her head against his shoulder. "I love you, Remus."

He loved her, he knew he did, but he just couldn't form the words. After a few long moments, he whispered, "Me too, Dora."

She sighed. That's a step closer, she thought.