Thanks for the reviews and the hits, I'm glad to see so many people reading my story.
K. Watkins - Thanks for your review, Tonks and Lupin are my favorite too and I just love that JK Rowling worked that into her books.
Moony4Moony - Thank you for your review, I'm glad to hear you enjoy my stories, that really means a lot to me.
Tonks lay in bed, curled up under her heavy quilt, her head cradled on Remus' shoulder as he slept. She was due at work in an hour but she didn't want to move. She was relaxed and happy, for a few moments she could pretend it was just the two of them, no problems, no fears. When we're done with Voldemort, this is what it will be like, she thought, lifting her head to look down on him. I'm going to marry this man.
The hard part was going to be convincing Remus that they could marry. He wouldn't marry her if he couldn't support a family, she knew that was the kind of old-fashioned man he was.
A family?
That was another thought that sent a shiver of excitement and fear through her body. One step at a time, she mentally reminded herself. First we have to do what we can to help rid the world of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Then we have to take on the Ministry and their anti-werewolf legislation, after everything Remus has done for them, there is no way they can continue to shun him. And then…then we can get married, find a house, and have a litter of kids.
She licked her lips as she studied the man lying in her bed. The quilt had slipped down a bit, exposing his chest to her. With a fingertip, she traced one of the scarier scars that marked his body. It started on his neck, frighteningly close to his jugular vein, turned slightly over his shoulder and then down his chest. She knew his body better than he did and she knew every scar. But Remus couldn't tell her much about them, they had all occurred while he was in his wolf state. Some he had given himself, others were earned as he fought with Padfoot and Prongs in his earlier years.
In the beginning of their relationship, Remus had been shy, even embarrassed about her seeing his scarred body. Tonks had used gentle prodding and reassurances to convince him he had nothing to be embarrassed about. She thought he was beautiful, everything about him, physically and emotionally. But he didn't believe her. Over time, Remus did become more comfortable with her, but if she stared too long or commented on his appearance, he would blush and turn away.
With a small smile, Tonks gently brushed her lips over his forehead before slipping from the bed. She had hoped to dress and leave without waking him, and she almost succeeded when she banged her toe on the corner of her dresser.
Remus slowly opened his eyes and saw the silhouette of Tonks clutching her foot and mumbling angrily under her breath. "Good morning, love."
"Oh, Remus, I'm sorry, I didn't want to wake you," she whispered sheepishly.
He sat up and pushed the blankets back, "No problem, I'm glad you did. I'll make you something to eat before you go."
"I don't want you to go to any trouble," she said, watching as he moved stiffly to the closet and took his robe off the hook on the back of the door.
"It's no trouble." He stole a quick kiss as he walked past her and left the room.
Feeling rested, refreshed, and comfortably full, Tonks apperated to the Ministry of Magic. Following the flight of memos, she made her way to the elevator and waited patiently.
"Good morning, Tonks."
She whirled around and returned the weary smile Arthur Weasley offered. "Good morning, Arthur, how are you?"
"Oh, I'm doing well. We got an owl from Ron this morning."
"Any news?"
"Just that the three of them are doing well and that they hoped to be home soon."
"Isn't that what every letter says?"
Arthur nodded and followed her into the elevator, "Yes. My poor Molly, she has turned to baking as a way to deal with her worries. I'll have to bring you a pie. And a cake. And bread. Oh, and some cookies."
The elevator stopped and Tonks hesitated before stepping off. She gave the older man a quick, tight hug, "If there is anything, anything at all, that I can do for you, please ask."
"Thank you Tonks," he squeezed her hand. "Give Remus my best. And take care of yourself."
"You too, Arthur," Tonks called as the doors shut. She hadn't seen him or Molly since the last Order meeting a week before.
The Order meetings had become stiff and uncomfortable. The seats left empty by their losses of Sirius and Dumbledore weighed heavily on all their minds. And the ultimate deception of Snape had hit them all hard. The meetings had become more of a way to offer support and strength to each other and update everyone on news.
The meetings were still held at 12 Grimmuald Place, Harry had offered them full use of the house in any way they needed. But it was still hard for Tonks. She missed Sirius terribly. He had been her favorite cousin and she never really believed, all those years he was in Azkaban, that he had turned bad. The short time they had had before his death had been great. They bonded and she once again had the big brother she had always wanted.
"Tonks," Gawain Robards, the head of Aurors, greeted her as she entered the office. "You're with Dunne, I want you two to investigate a report of suspicious behavior in Diagon Alley, the report is on your desk."
"Good morning to you too, Gawain," Tonks said with sarcastic cheerfulness. "I'm just fine, thanks for asking, and yourself?"
He raised an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes, "I'll get right on it, sir."
Paul Dunne was another junior auror, he and Tonks had trained together. He was one of those nice guys who always looked angry for no reason with thick black hair and bushy eyebrows that sat low over surprisingly blue eyes. His wide set mouth dominated his angular features creating an exotic face. Tonks was quite fond of him, even though there had been an awkward time when he had had a bit of a crush on her. Once they got past that, they had settled into a comfortable friendship.
"Pink again, Tonks?" He teased, leaning against her desk. "There was a time when you could never decide on a color, now you're always pink."
"I was just trying to find the right color for me," she said, picking up the parchment on her desk.
"I was always partial to the royal blue you sported for a while."
"Yeah, Remus liked that color too," she replied absentmindedly, not noticing the slight scowl that quickly crossed his face. She groaned and held the parchment out to her partner, "Come on, why does he have to put that on all my reports?"
Dunne took the parchment and ran his eyes down it. It appeared to be the exact same one he had received except Gawain had scrawled across the bottom: No wild hair or eye colors. You need to blend in.
"I know how to do my job," she muttered.
"What are you going to do?"
"Well, we're going to Diagon Alley, the complaints came from the end, near Knockturn Alley, so…" She screwed up her face and her pink spikes lengthened and darkened until straight, raven hair cascaded down her back in a thick curtain. Her features were no longer soft, but straight and sharp with coal black eyes and a dark mole sprouted on the tip of her nose with three long hairs growing from it. "What do you think?"
He grinned at her, "Beautiful. As usual."
She grinned and winked at him. "Ready to head out?"
"Sure, I was thinking we should apparate to Flourish and Blotts, try to blend in with the crowd as we make our way toward Knockturn Alley."
Tonks sighed sadly, "There isn't much of a crowd any more."
"That's why we're fighting the good battle, Tonks, so people won't have to be afraid to go out any more."
She smiled softly as she committed to memory the description of the three people they'll be looking for, "You're right. Let's get a move on and catch these damn wankers."
"Race you," he teased as he aparated.
"Cheater," Tonks muttered just before she disappeared.
Diagon Alley was no where near as crowded as it had once been. A few wizards and witches hurried from shop to shop, eager to get their work done and to return to the safety of their homes. No one spoke to each other or even acknowledged the other people on the street. Tonks looked wistfully at the boarded windows and door of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, she had spent many happy hours there with her parents and her friends pigging out on ice cream. She was disheartened to notice the stationary shop had locked their doors and hung a sign that read "Closed For The Foreseeable Future" and the windows to Gambol & Japes were boarded up.
Seeing these changes hurt Tonks, but at the same time, she found new strength to take on the evil that was disrupting lives and killing innocent people.
"Come on," Dunne grunted, trying to take on the attitude of someone he thought would frequent Knockturn Alley.
"Don't tell me what to do," she snapped, taking on her character.
"Damn hag.'
She flicked her hair over her shoulder, "Worthless squib."
He scowled at her as they turned down Knockturn Alley.
It was instantly darker and more crowded. People rushed to and fro, bumping into each other, appearing to do it on purpose. Street vendors called out their wares, everything from human fingernails to mermaid scales to werewolf fur. At the last product, Tonks glanced over at the tray that held tufts of gray fur tied with twine. Her stomach twisted and she thought instantly of Remus.
"I want to head toward Borgin and Burkes," Dunne hissed out of the side of his mouth.
She grunted in response as she pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders and stared at the ground ahead of her. They passed dingy buildings housing establishments of questionable reputations. No one appeared to be watching where they were going as she was bumped and pushed several times, nearly falling more than once. She had barely registered the sound of a bell ringing when a door opened and she walked right into another person.
"Oh, I'm sorry, excuse me."
Tonks recognized that voice and her heart skipped a beat when she looked up at Remus. His face almost instantly went from curious concern to that of amusement when he recognized her, despite her disguise.
"Watch where you're going," she grumbled angrily.
Smiling softly, he nodded, "Of course, I apologize."
"What was he doing here?" Dunne asked.
Tonks watched him disappear down the alley before turning her attention to the store he had just left. There was one window, large and dirty with a crack down the center. The words 'Avery Apothecary' were painted across the window in cracked, faded yellow letters. "I don't know," she murmured, wondering herself why he had been in there. What could he possible need there that he can't get in Diagon Alley? Slughorn was working with her to make the Wolfsbane potion and she knew the ingredients, all of which could be purchased in Diagon Alley, so it wasn't that.
"Hey," Dunne poked her in the side. "Keep your mind on the job, not the bedroom."
"Don't be crass," she snapped back.
Several hours later, Tonks and Dunne returned to the Ministry empty handed. They had noticed several odd and unusual people, but none who matched the descriptions of the alleged Death Eaters they were looking for. They had taken their time and meandered around Knockturn Alley and Diagon Alley for as long as they could without drawing attention to themselves.
"Nothing?" Robards asked when they returned.
"No," Tonks replied, rolling her shoulders.
"We saw some unusual activity, but nothing we could arrest anyone on," Dunne added.
Robards nodded sharply, "Write it up."
The two of them sat at Tonk's desk and wrote up their report. Now that they were finally done with their assignment, Tonks allowed her mind to wander as she thought about Remus. For the life of her, she just couldn't think of why he had been in Knockturn Alley.
Dunne cleared his throat loudly, causing her to jump and look at him.
"I hate to interrupt your daydreaming with work, but I would like to get this report done," he said.
"Oh, uh, sorry," she mumbled, taking the parchment from him and reading over what they had compiled.
"So, things are going well with you and Lupin?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Uh huh."
"He seems like a nice guy and all," Dunne lowered his voice. "I mean, I like him, but some things are being said around the Ministry."
She looked up at him, "What things?"
"Well, uh, you know I'm not one for spreading rumors, but I just don't want you hearing this from someone else, someone you don't know."
"What is it, Paul," her voice lowered dangerously.
"Well,some...some people are saying things about Lupin. That he…he's a, uh, a werewolf." The last word of his statement came out in a rushed whisper.
Tonks stared at him a moment before shifting her eyes back to the report, "Don't worry about Remus, just worry about catching Death Eaters."
"Is he?"
She didn't respond.
"Tonks, werewolves are dark, dangerous creatures. You can't trust them. He…he could be using you, putting on a charming act to gain your confidence and then infiltrate the Ministry."
The parchment trembled in her hands as she fought to control her temper. When she spoke, her voice was stilted and forced, "I appreciate your concern, Dunne, but you don't know Remus. If we could please concentrate on getting this done, I would like to go home tonight if possible."
He opened his mouth to respond, but didn't get a chance to speak when they both heard a deep, booming voice call out Tonks' name.
She turned and smiled when she saw the stern, handsome figure of Kingsley Shacklebolt striding toward them. She jumped to her feet to greet him, "Wotcher, Kingsley, how's it going?"
"Fine Tonks, thank you, how are you?"
"I'd be better if we had actually caught some Death Eaters today."
He nodded, "I know the feeling. Can I speak with you a moment, please."
"Of course," she followed him to his cubicle on the far end of the Auror's room.
As a senior Auror, his cubicle was twice the size of hers and the walls covered with pictures and articles. Tonks felt a small wave of sadness when she caught sight of Sirius' wanted poster still hanging beside his desk.
Kingsley flicked his wand and performed a silencing spell over his cubicle. Even though no one could hear them, he lowered his voice to a whisper, "I just spoke with Gawain, as soon as you're done with your report you're off for the rest of the night."
Her face lit up, "Thanks, Kingsley."
"Don't get too excited, meeting tonight, we need you and Remus there at eight."
She nodded, "Yes, sir, we'll be there."
"Good," he flicked his wand and the sounds of the office flooded around them. "Get back to work."
"Yes, sir."
"What was that about?" Dunne asked when she returned.
"Oh, nothing, he wanted to talk to me about the capture I helped with in London last week," she replied off handedly. "There was an inconsistency between my report and Stuart's."
"Were you able to get it straightened out?"
"Oh, it was nothing really, just a misspelling. He had spelled Woodham Wodhame, which is the name of a respected wizarding family up north."
"I think this is ready for your signature and then we can turn it in," he said, holding out their report.
Tonks read over the report written in his small, concise handwriting. "It looks good," she picked up a quill and scrawled her name at the bottom before handing it to him.
"You two done?" Robards asked, stopping at the cubicle.
Dunne finished writing his name and rolled the parchment up, "Yes, sir."
"Okay then, you two have done a fine job, you're dismissed for the night."
Dunne's eyes widened, "Really?"
"If you go now," their supervisor said. "If you hang around, I'll find another job for you to do."
Tonks jumped to her feet, "That's all I need to hear. Good night, sir."
Robards nodded, "Be back here bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir," she flicked her wrist and locked her desk.
"Hey," Dunne grabbed her arm before she could walk away. "Just be careful, okay?"
She pulled her arm from his grasp, "I'll be fine, Paul, you really need to stop listening to people who have nothing better to do than to spread nasty rumors."
"You have yet to say it's not true."
Tonks glared at him a moment before whirling around on her heel and storming from the office.
A wonderful aroma assaulted her senses when she arrived in her flat. It was warm and inviting and she followed her nose to the scent wafting from her tiny kitchen.
Remus had his back to her as he shook a small jar of tiny green leaves over a tall pot on the stove. Several tiny leaves fell as he stirred them into whatever he was making. He hummed softly under his breath as he set the jar down.
"Hello, love," he said as she stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back.
"That smells wonderful," she sighed, hugging him tightly.
Remus rubbed his hand over her arm, "You're home early."
"I missed you."
He turned in her embrace, returning her hug and resting his cheek on top of her soft pink spikes, "Missed you too."
"We have a meeting, eight o'clock."
"I know, Kingsley sent a Patronus. I thought we could eat first."
Tonks stepped back and gave him a quick peck on the lips, "What are we having?"
"Spaghetti and meatballs."
"Really? I haven't had that in ages."
"My grandmother's sauce," he indicated the pot on the stove where a wooden spoon continued stirring on its own.
"I can't wait to try it," she said earnestly, stepping away from him to examine what was in the pot.
"It'll be ready soon."
Tonks hopped up on the small square of counter between the stove and cabinet, watching as Remus retrieved the pasta canister from her pantry. When he turned back, he caught her examining her appearance in the reflection of a metal spatula.
"Uh oh, what are you thinking?" He asked.
"Paul said something about blue hair and it made me wonder if I should go back to it."
"Paul?"
"My partner today."
"And why are you trying to impress Paul?"
She wrinkled her nose at him, "I'm not. I'm just thinking I need a change."
"You're beautiful."
Smiling shyly, Tonks picked up the small jar he had been using earlier and read the label. Oregano. An idea struck and Remus watched as she screwed up her face and her hair lengthened and darkened until it fell to her shoulders in thick ringlets of forest green. "What do you think?"
He studied her a moment, tilting his head to the side, "It's certainly exotic."
She picked up the spatula again and studied her appearance, "Hm, not quite right."
"What don't you like?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and then popped them open to reveal golden brown eyes with flecks of green. "Better?"
"Yup, try this," he held the spoon up for her to taste the sauce.
"Yummy." She licked her lips and sighed.
"Yummy?"
"Yup, I think I need to try it again."
Chuckling, he stirred the sauce a bit more before bringing the spoon back to her mouth.
"Mmm, you are incredible, Remus."
"Why thank you," he leaned over and kissed the remnants of sauce from her lips.
"Yummy," she sighed again, locking her arms around his neck so he couldn't step away.
"Are you saying I taste like tomato sauce?" He teased.
"I think you taste even better," she flirted, pulling him closer and wrapping her legs around his waist, trapping him against her.
"Dora," he nuzzled her neck. "We don't have time for this."
"There's always time for this, darling."
"My sauce will burn."
"Turn off the stove."
"We'll be late for the meeting."
"We will not."
Remus felt his resolve slip, "You'll be the death of me, Dora."
She slid closer to the edge of the counter, grinding her pelvis against him, "I'm not real hungry right now, maybe we should build up an appetite."
Her mouth sought his as his hand groped the front of the stove, turning the knob and shutting off the heat. His hands slid down to cup her buttocks and lifted her off the counter. With their mouths pressed together and their tongues dancing, he turned and they stumbled through the kitchen, bumping against the doorway. They stopped just outside the bedroom door where he pressed her to the wall and deepened the kiss. She groaned into his mouth as she felt his hardness grow and press against her.
He dropped her onto the bed hard enough to make her bounce once and land in the center.
"Too much?" She whispered.
Remus shook his head, not willing to admit that he had trouble carrying her. "No, darling, I'm fine. Well, not fine."
Smiling, Tonks sat up and grabbed him by the belt, tugging him onto the bed with her, "Let me help you with that."
They rolled across the bed together, tugging at clothes, limbs tangling, mouths meeting heated flesh as groans and gasps filled the air. Remus pulled hard at the shirt she wore, pulling it over her head, but trapping her arms in it. He grinned, seeing her trapped and at his mercy. He pinned her legs beneath his and twisted her shirt so her arms were tied together.
"This isn't very comfortable," she moaned as he looked down at her.
"Maybe I can take your mind off that," he murmured, lowering his mouth to her neck, trailing kisses down her chest.
She gasped as his teeth nipped at her hardening nipples through the fabric of her purple bra. He whispered a few words before lowering his hands. Tonks tried to move her arms but found them stuck. "Undo the charm, Remus."
"No," he said simply as he slipped his hands under her body and unclipped her bra. "Don't they make these that close in the front?"
"Yes and if you release me I'll buy one."
"That's okay, I'll just buy one for you."
"Oh, Remus," she sighed as he pushed her bra up and peppered her breasts with gentle kisses.
His hands slid down her stomach and unsnapped the front of her jeans. He slipped one hand inside her knickers to find her hot, wet and ready for him. She gasped and thrust against his hand, causing her back to arch, sending her nipple into his waiting mouth.
Her first orgasm came quickly. She screamed out his name as his mouth and fingers brought her up and over the crest.
He lifted his head and smiled down at her, "You're so beautiful."
"Let me go," she panted.
With a wave of his hand and a few murmured words, her hands were released. She quickly yanked the shirt off her arms and sat up, "I can't take this any more, I need you inside me."
That was all he needed to hear as he stood and quickly shed his clothes. His arousal grew even stronger, hungrier as he watched her wiggle out of her jeans and knickers. His mouth watered and he fought back the animalistic urge he felt to leap upon her.
Tonks took his hand and pulled him down on top of her, meeting his mouth with her own in a hungry intense kiss. He swallowed her gasp as he lifted her leg and slid inside her. Taking the hint, she hooked her leg around his waist and met him thrust for thrust. Her need for him grew with each thrust and she wrapped both legs around him, trying to draw him in deeper.
He gently brushed her deep green hair from her face, watching the expression on her face as they made love. He could never call what they experienced together sex, or anything more crass. Neverdid he imagine that he could have this. An amazing, beautiful woman in love with him, wanting him, needing him. He knew he felt the same way, but he couldn't put it into words for her. And so he tried to show her with his actions.
He slid his hand between their sweat slicked bodies and found the tiny bundle of nerves within her folds. Her eyes and mouth flew open when his finger came in contact with her center. Her body arched up against him and the walls of her sex clamped around him as she convulsed in an intense orgasm. She hadn't had the chance to come down before he stiffened, pressed his face into her hair and emptied himself inside her.
Breathing heavily, Remus rolled off of her and onto his back, pulling her with him.
After a few moments, Tonks lifted her head and smiled down at him, "I think I've worked up an appetite."
"I think you wore me out."
"Oh, darling, you're not that old," she teased, kissing him lightly. "I'm going to get a shower, then I'll let you make me dinner."
He threw an arm over his eyes, "Oh, can I?"
"Yes," Tonks sat up and patted his leg. "Or did you want to join me?"
Remus lowered his arm and watched as she crossed the room to grab her robe from the closet, "Will you wash my back?"
"Only if you'll wash mine."
"Will you wash my front?"
She smirked, "Only if you wash mine."
With surprising speed and agility, he leapt off the bed and grabbed her hand, pulling her into the bathroom.
"We have less than two hours," Remus told her as they finally returned to the kitchen half an hour later. "And I'd like to get to Grimmuald Place a little early."
"Well, then you better get moving," she told him.
He smiled as he set another pot, filled with water, on the stove, "Go clear off the table."
Tonks gathered the papers he had left on the dining room table and set them on an end table. "How's the book going?"
"Very well," he called from the kitchen. "I knocked out another chapter today."
"Can I read it?"
"Later," he walked into the living room carrying a plate with warm garlic bread. "Pick out a wine, Dora."
She walked over to the small wine rack she had set up in the corner and looked at the two bottles, one red, one white. "I guess Italian calls for red," she mumbled, pulling the bottle out of the rack. Plucking two wine glasses from the shelf above the rack, she turned and saw something she hadn't noticed earlier. "Remus?"
"Yes?" He set their loaded plates on the small table.
"Is that your suitcase?"
He glanced over at the battered case sitting beside the sofa, "Yes, it is."
"You're leaving?"
Remus took the glasses and wine bottle from her, "Yes."
A fast, intense feeling of sadness washed over her, "But…but why? You're not going back to the werewolves, are you? Please, Remus, don't go, it isn't safe and you know they aren't going to join us."
"Dora, sit down, we have to eat before we go."
"No, I want to talk."
Remus poured the wine and sat down at the table, "We can talk while we eat."
Pouting, she sat down heavily, "Please don't go."
He reached over and righted the glass she almost knocked over, "I'm not going back underground."
Her face lit up, "You're not?"
"No, I'm not," he watched as she dug into her plate. "I've decided to move into Grimmuald Place."
Her fork clanged loudly as it bounced off her plate, "What?"
"Harry told me I was free to use the house as I saw necessary, so I thought I would move in there for now."
Tonks felt her heart shatter, "You're breaking up with me?"
"No, Dora, geez, no," he reached across the table and clutched her hand in his. "I…you mean the world to me. I am not breaking up with you, not now, not ever."
"Then stay here."
"I just think, for the time being, that I should go to Grimmuald Place."
"I don't understand, Remus, I thought you wanted to stay with me."
He sat back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his face. The hurt was evident in her voice and it tore at him. "You know I like being with you," he assured her.
"Then why are you going?"
"I just think it would be best, please don't fight me on this."
Tonks studied him a moment, her heart pounding in her ears. He looked older, worried. "What aren't you telling me?" She asked quietly.
"It's nothing…"
"Don't tell me it's nothing and don't try to shield me. We're in this together, Remus. What is it?"
Lupin glanced at the clock on her mantel, "Can we talk about this after the meeting?"
"I'll stay at Grimmuald Place with you."
"No, stay here."
"Damn it, Remus!" She slammed her hand on the table, sending her glass, and the wine inside it, spilling over onto the floor. "Tell me what's going on or neither one of us is going to the meeting."
He took his wand out and waved it almost lazily. Her glass righted itself and the red wine stain disappeared. He couldn't stand to hide anything from her or to hurt her, but he didn't want her involved in this.
"I mean it, Remus," she warned lowly.
"I know you do," he sighed and pushed back from the table.
Tonks watched as he crossed the room, moving reluctantly to the sofa and picking up his bag. Tucked inside was a piece of parchment he withdrew and carried it back to the table. Wordlessly, he handed it to her.
With trepidation, she unrolled it and recognized Mad-Eye Moody's untidy scrawl:
Remus
We have reason to believe that Greyback has organized a search for you. For your own safety we suggest you cease and desist this assignment Dumbledore gave you and lay low for a while. There are other ways in which you can help the Order. First off, I need you to go to Avery's Apothecary, I owled them last week and ordered some dirty mugwort, if you could pick it up, I'll explain to you later what we need it for.
A.M.
"I still don't understand," Tonks said. "Why do you have to move out?"
"Because, Dora," his voice was strained with thin patience, "if Greyback is searching for me, he could come here. I don't want him anywhere near you."
She stood and rounded the table, "Remus, I can handle myself and it's not like he can just walk in here. I have wards and protection spells all around the flat. Don't let him push you away."
"I don't what him anywhere near you," he repeated softly.
Tonks wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, "I love you so much, Remus, but you have to remember that I am a capable auror. I can protect myself. Please don't go."
"We'll talk about it after the meeting."
"Remus…"
"Come on, if you're not going to eat, help me clean up so we can go," he slowly stepped out of her embrace.
Tonks gripped his arms so he couldn't walk away, "Remus, don't leave me."
He was suddenly struck by how young, how vulnerable, she appeared and his heart fell to his knees. "I will never leave you," he vowed, leaning over to kiss her gently.