I felt like a cheater. I'd been on too many decoy jobs, listened to Lisa, Cami, and Uncle Morty discussing too many matrimonial enquiry cases not to notice the similarities. At the beginning of an affair, the cheat, a.k.a. "subject," showers their spouse with attention out of guilt. In the couple of days since I'd made a devil's bargain with Evan, I'd felt so guilty over choosing not to tell Remus that I'd made dinner for him twice, painstakingly conjuring his favourite foods and dressing attractively as possible. I'd even cleared away all the clutter in my flat.

"Something smells good."

I looked up from the simple steaks I'd conjured, returning Remus's smile. Leaving the food, I threw my arms around his neck and said throatily, "Yeah, it's you." I kissed him, wanting to forget everything except the way he felt and tasted.

Remus laughingly groaned. "You'll spoil your appetite if you keep devouring me."

I would happily have made a meal of his kisses, but I heard his stomach rumble. "When it comes to you, I'm always hungry."

He chuckled and asked about my day. I didn't want to think of the speculative looks Tom and Julia had begun giving me due to the number of times I'd begged off lunch to "check on Gran," so I shrugged and said, "Loads of false reports of Dark wizardry as usual. What about yours?"

Remus answered after we sat down at the table and he'd eaten an appreciative bite of steak. "I'm translating copies of Marcus Terentius Varro's De Lingua Latina, on the Latin language, books five through ten." He grinned. "Barmy wizard wants to compare my work with another scholar's. I don't have another client lined up, so I hope to win the job of authenticating and translating one of Ovid's Tristia, sad poems."

Male competition wasn't reserved just for Quidditch and Darts matches. I boasted after we'd eaten a few more bites, "I learned a bit of Latin myself today." Remus waggled his brows while he chewed, so I took that as an invitation to share and said, "I saw it on a sundial. Horas non numero nisi serenas." His smile encouraged me to bat my eyelashes and say, "I number only the shining hours. Proud of me, professor?"

He laughed at my vamp-y pronunciation of professor. "Just as much as if you'd translated it yourself. Who did it for you?"

I feigned indignation. "What? Maybe I went to the library and pored over mouldy old—" Interrupted by a bark of laughter, I admitted, "Tom. He told me a good excuse too. Canis meus id comedit. Now I can tell Gulch my dog ate it when I haven't done my paperwork." It felt good to see Remus looking so content. Keeping him that way was worth bending a few rules and scruples.

After dinner, I took off his shoes and socks while he said, "No, you're not really going to, I was joking, not…oh, that feels rather nice…I suppose it wouldn't hurt to practice."

Thinking of how interesting massaging the pads of his toes would be when he had paws instead of feet, I continued to sit on the sofa with his feet in my lap, massaging gently. After every part of his feet had been rubbed, pressed, or just fondled, I stroked up his calf. "You were a lot hairier at the full moon."

Head resting on a pillow, eyes half-closed, he smiled. "Do you mind?"

"Not me. I like changes."

His smile widened. "Good. Speaking of changing, let's do one in topics of conversation. Emmeline owled and assured me that Snuffles will be welcome Bonfire Night, since we'll be having our private bonfire outside while watching the fireworks reflected in the Thames, across the river from the crowds and the pop music."

I wasn't lying when I said, "I'm sorry I'll have to miss it." I lied afterwards. "I got pegged for duty."

Remus swung his legs off the sofa, leaning forward to repeat, "Duty on Bonfire Night? What for, Dark wizards misusing Muggle Roman candles and sparklers?" His disbelieving laughter rang out. "That's absurd." He reached for my hands. "I think this is the perfect time to take a sickie."

I wanted to, seriously considered calling off the whole deal to spend the night watching fireworks away from the crowds with Remus's arms around me. The look on my face must've shown my internal conflict, because he kissed my forehead gently. "I understand about duty, although selfishly I'd prefer you to be with me."

"I could come as soon as I get off shift." When he nodded, I felt so awful my lips trembled.

"Now I've made you feel badly about being dedicated to your work. Don't be upset, it's all right," he soothed with words before brushing his lips across mine. I sank into the embrace, tempted to spill the whole mess and ask if he thought I was doing the right thing. His arms tightened around me protectively. Suddenly, I couldn't take the risk. He might interfere, and if Remus got hurt, then everything I planned would be for nothing. If he got hurt, I couldn't bear it.

I stiffened when he murmured, "What did you say? Something about me being hurt? I'm disappointed, and I'll miss you, but don't worry about my feelings being hurt. I know our being separated isn't your choice."

My stomach lurched. I tried to distract him and myself by pulling out his shirt and placing my hands on his abdomen. Sliding my palms upward, I asked, "Do you think you'll enjoy this when you're a wolf?"

Remus's eyes became heavy. "Very much."

I stroked his chest, exploring it in a way that was only possible on a human male. He finally clasped my wrists and gently lifted my hands from his skin, even while kissing me deeply. I sank my fingers into his hair and tried to pour my feelings into the kiss. Pulling back at last, Remus chuckled raggedly. "I don't doubt for a moment how much you'll miss me."

I kissed him again, hoping it didn't feel desperate. I sighed against his lips. "Don't ever doubt how much I care about you."

The next day, Jul lifted her eyebrows after we'd investigated a case, and I told her I needed to drop by my Gran's to pick up something. "That's the third time in as many days, Tonks. Is she feeling all right?"

My smile felt tight. "Sure, she's just been lonely, missing my Granddad. I'll be back before Gulch realises I'm gone."

Once in the neighbourhood, I didn't go to Gran's. I walked past her block of flats to a small shopping centre. Inside Jimmy's Pizza, the owner was sitting in a back booth, enjoying a late lunch. He lifted his beer in greeting. "I ordered the works; have a slice."

I wasn't hungry, but I hadn't eaten anything that day and low blood sugar wouldn't help me any. Smiling at the teddy-bear looking man who could become a grizzly when needed, I accepted a slice and took a bite. "It's really good. Ever think of starting a chain, doing this…er…full time?"

Baby blue eyes twinkled. "Nah. No fun in that."

I snorted, which made Jimmy grin like a big kid. Oh well, at least he enjoyed his work. Since I was taking advantage of his true vocation and his boss's willingness to do an old friend a favour, I couldn't be hypocritically disapproving. I removed a piece of paper out of my trouser pocket and slid it across the table. He palmed it, grinning. "This is like something off telly." Scanning the information briefly, broad shoulders rose and fell. "Easy peasy."

Duran Duran's Hungry like the Wolf played in the background while we finished the pizza. I couldn't help but remember the music video I'd seen at Gran's and imagine Remus singing the words.

"He says he smells like he sounds. D'you know what that means?" Jimmy asked.

I tried not to blush. Jimmy was referring to the song, and I was thinking of Remus being on the hunt after me. Taking a gulp of fizzy drink, I said, "Hot." He nodded, returning my wave when I said goodbye.

Julia stopped by my cubicle at the end of the shift. I asked, "You and Tom have plans tomorrow night?"

She held her hand over her heart and recited:

Remember, remember

The fifth of November

Gunpowder treason and plot

We see no reason

Why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!

I clapped softly, imitating her restrained pure-blood mother. Julia smirked. "Muggle Studies may have taught about Guy Fawkes trying to blow up King and Parliament back in 1605, but I just appreciate the excuse to have ruddy great bonfires and fireworks!"

"Your patriotism is inspiring," Tom said, walking up to spin Julia around and plant a kiss on her lips. We all laughed. He asked, "You on for a drink, Tonks?"

"Not this time, I'm meeting Remus." His concerned gaze made me tense, knowing that I'd given him and Julia reason to worry.

Brows drawn, Tom asked, "Is everything all right? You've been distracted the last couple of days."

I waved the question off. "It's your imagination. I'm fine." Inwardly, I cringed at sounding like a stereotypical cheater fending off suspicion by saying it was just the accuser's imagination.

"You sure?"

No, I wasn't, but I wouldn't drag my friends into danger. "Yeah. Goodnight."

I spent the evening quietly with Remus, feigning interest in a book while I tried to memorise every expression that crossed his face.

The next afternoon, I kissed Remus goodbye after our time in the park with Snuffles and Apparated to the Ministry. Alone with my paperwork, I actually spent a few hours completing the reports I'd been procrastinating on and tidied my desk. That in itself was probably a dead giveaway to my true state of mind. Whenever I felt in complete control of my life, I let clutter build. If I felt overwhelmed and stressed, I ruthlessly curtailed it to feel like I had power over something.

Before leaving, I stopped by the ladies' lavatory on the Atrium floor, morphing my features to match those of Catherine, Evan's assistant. Inside a stall, I transfigured my denims into cashmere trousers, kept my black turtleneck, and topped it off with a cashmere coat that had formerly been my leather jacket. Arranging blonde hair in a French twist, I nodded to my reflection and strode out.

After travelling by Floo and then catching a Squire Cab, I walked sedately across a park known for its Victorian splendour. I meandered through the well-dressed and mannerly crowd viewing fire driven street theatre and listening to live music from professional groups. The atmosphere was relaxed and expectant at the same time.

Close to the Victorian bandstand where lanterns were already being passed out in preparation for a moonlight parade, a party of wizards and witches stood elegantly attired, chatting while enjoying champagne and each other's elite company.

Evan looked up as I approached. "Catherine."

"What do you want?" Priscilla snapped, tightening her grasp on her fiancé's arm. "Can't business wait? Must you bother him outside the office?"

Her white fur made me think of a territorial polar bear. I said deferentially, "I'm sorry for the intrusion. The matter will only take a few moments to resolve, and then I'll leave you to enjoy your evening."

Prissy visibly relaxed. "All right, then, if you must."

The corners of Evan's lips were twitching. "We must, dear, we must." He steered me away from the group. "This is the first time I've ever been tempted to kiss an employee."

I pulled my arm away. "Fight the urge and give me the envelope."

He smiled, eyebrows winging upwards at my snappish tone. "Did you skip dinner? Hunger always made you sarcy. After your task is completed, let me take you to our favourite restaurant with the private booths."

"Take Priscilla."

"She wouldn't take advantage of the privacy," Evan replied, his tone heavy with meaning.

"I wouldn't either." The stony certainty in my voice made him shrug. I accepted the envelope with a Gringotts draft inside.

He pulled off a glove to run a finger down my face. "Until later, my pretty chameleon."

I jerked my head back, turning away without response. Evan was the type who had to have the last word. I let him have it, hoping to give him reason to choke on it. Across the park, I paused to take out a Foe-Glass. Inside the compact-sized mirror, shadows moved and two men's faces came into focus. Average looks, height, and build, the two reminded me of ferrets. How untrusting Evan was. I put away the glass, smirking.

Sprinting across the street, I jumped into a Squire Cab, saying to the elderly couple who had just entered on the other side, "Someone attempted to steal my bag in the park. May I please share your cab? Thanks." Without giving them a chance to answer, I told the cabbie, "I'll go wherever they're going, but step on it, please."

The cab jerked away from the kerb, squeezing between Muggle black and whites. To the couple's consternation, I transfigured the cashmere of my coat and trousers into tight leather. My ladylike shoes were changed into chunky boots.

"Are you going to a costume party, dear?" the woman asked.

I said, "Yes, I am. What do you think of my mask?"

My features shifted into those of a teen with a round, pale face, full lips, and slanted dark eyes. After watching me change my hair into long, inky strands with crimson streaks throughout, the elderly man said, "You need one of those eyebrow bobs, perhaps a nose ring too."

I used an Illusion Charm. The old witch shook her head. "Not enough earrings." She waved her wand.

Admiring the illusory piercings in the cab's rear-view mirror, I said, "Thanks a lot."

"Don't mention it," the man replied with a regal nod as the cab halted in front of their town home.

"You look splendidly awful," the woman approved with a smile, opening the door.

I halted the wizard's attempt to pay, thanking him for the ride and directing the cabbie to drive on. He dropped me off at an enormous park that was crammed with Muggles out to enjoy the bonfire and the festive atmosphere before the night sky became filled with silver crackling stars and other dazzling fireworks. Passing the food and refreshment stalls; I headed for the funfair rides set up at one end of the common. A man in a long beige trench coat, of all the cliché things, stood gazing around looking uncomfortable near the Ferris wheel.

"Want ter give 'er a go, guv'nor?" I asked.

The man startled and looked around before saying, "Are you speaking to me, young woman?"

I dropped the ridiculous accent. "Yes, Yaxley, I am. You've got something for me, so let's take a ride."

"I say, this is very irregular." Yaxley's purse-lipped disapproval reminded me of my old Transfiguration professor. McGonagall had always looked like she suffered from irregularity too.

I rolled my eyes. "Done this often, have you?" Ignoring his protests at my cheek, I grabbed his arm and pulled him into line, loudly declaring, "Fine, I'll ride the stupid baby ride, Dad, but then I'm off to find my friends!" Sneering at the parents in front of me that were regarding their well-behaved children with new appreciation, I leaned close to Yaxley and said, "I'm going to do a few tests once we're seated, make sure that the papers are originals and that they haven't been copied before we do our trade."

The blackmailing wizard looked offended. "I may be Slytherin, but my word is still my bond. If Rosier had authorised an executive pay rise to allow me to pay the exorbitant recent…dues…required by the party we both support, I would not have been forced to resort to such tactics."

I knew Kingsley and Emmeline would find this information useful. While we waited to ride, I tried to think of a way to tell them without sharing how I came by it. Maybe an anonymous source.

"I don't like this." Yaxley's grip was white knuckled as the Ferris wheel lifted our seat into the air. I rocked to make the bench swing more freely. He gasped. "Stop that!"

I leaned forward. "Look at that view, all the lights, and the people like little ants."

"Filthy Muggles, more like, and stop doing that before you overset us!"

Sitting back and taking the case he offered, I opened it while saying, "Funny how you have the gall to call Muggles filthy. Keep your knickers on; gravity keeps the seats from turning upside down. Now be quiet and let me work." I cast detection spells, found no trace of a double cross, and promptly shrank the file until it fit into a tiny spell-warded canister. Slipping it into my pocket, I took out the Foe-Glass and saw that the ferrets were watching from the ground below.

"If you're satisfied, give me my money."

I was satisfied, and gave Yaxley an Illusion-Charmed envelope that made his face soften with relief. He slipped it inside his coat. "Tell Rosier it was nothing personal, and he should be more careful in his staff."

Once the Ferris wheel circled down, I hopped out and immediately took off running. A person behind me cried out—undoubtedly hit with a hex. I darted through the crowd, morphing my features back to normal as I zigzagged my way through Muggles that fell to a variety of Impediment Jinxes. I led my pursuers across the common and into a dark alley.

"Umph!"

Foe-detection aids don't show loitering Muggles. I whirled to see Rory taking out the lead agent with some martial arts moves while Jimmy hit the one bringing up the rear with a plank from a skip. A third wizard entered the alley. Shite, I hadn't seen him. When he went for his wand, I reacted by casting a Disarming Charm with such force that he was knocked backwards several metres before lying still. I surreptitiously used my wand to verify that our assailants were in no need of urgent medical attention.

"Any more after you?" Jimmy asked hopefully.

"No, just these. Sorry to waste your skills, but I didn't know how many would be put on my tail."

Rory's smile gleamed white in the shadows. "I never saw you take out the last bloke. I'm impressed, and look forward to collecting my favours, Nym." He added with a chuckle, "Nice gear."

I glanced down at the leather. "Thanks." I handed him the bespelled canister. "Deliver this to the bank for me, and if you value your handsome face, don't try to open it."

Eyeing the small cylinder with interest, Rory nodded. "I'll put it Uncle Colin's safe for tonight. He's throwing a party with champagne, oysters, and jazz down at the Quay. You're welcome to join us." His smile grew wicked. "Jimmy here doesn't have a date."

"That's too bad, but I do." The look of surprise on the larger man's face made me laugh. "Have fun burning your effigy."

"I thought we were burning Guy Fawkes," Jimmy said with a wink.

I chuckled and declined a ride, walking down the street in the opposite direction before Apparating to the Victorian park. A display of fireworks lit up the skyline and drew ooohhh's and ahhh's from the crowd gazing up with smiles of awe. Transfiguring my clothing back into understated elegance and my form into Catherine's once more, I headed toward the wizards who sat on plush chairs to look aloft. Over the sound of rockets, Evan heard me call his name and strode toward me.

While pyrotechnics exploded overhead, he bent to ask, "Do you have it?"

I handed him an envelope. "Yaxley said you need to be more careful of your staff."

Nodding grimly, Evan opened the envelope and said blankly, "This is my draft. What's going on?"

"I gave Yaxley my invitation to the party, since I don't believe in rewarding extortion. You got your money back, because I have no intention of giving the evidence to you."

He grabbed my arm in a bruising grip. "Where is it?"

"Someplace safe," I promised. "Unlike Yaxley, I don't have plans to use it against you. I've always known you were a collaborator, and I never thought of turning you in."

"How Hufflepuff of you, but there's always a price. What's yours?" Before I could speak, he laughed shortly. "I know already. You want my silence about your investigations. Clever girl." Tearing the draft in two, he inclined his head. "This round goes to you, my dear. Next time will be a different story."

"There won't be a next time," I said, turning to walk away. I'd forgotten about his need to have the last word.

I paused but didn't look back when he drawled, "There's always a next time."

After leaving the park and transfiguring my clothing and appearance back to normal, I walked quickly to a Floo station and returned home. Inside my dark flat, I hopped around, prying off my boots before taking off my jacket and pulling my turtleneck over my head, carelessly tossing everything onto the floor. The adrenaline rush I'd been on all night had worn off, and I was shaking in reaction. If something had gone wrong—but it hadn't, so I took a deep breath and said aloud as I moved to engage an illumination orb, "It's OK, everything turned out OK. Take a shower, wash away what happened, and go see Remus."

The orb near the sofa went from dark to bright. I froze.

"You don't have to go anywhere to see me. I'm right here," Remus said. "I've been here for hours, ever since I decided to drop by the Ministry and ask when you were getting off duty." He smiled grimly. "Security regretted to inform me that you weren't on rotation and had left the building at an unspecified time." He stood. "Not half as sorry as I was to hear that I'd been lied to."

"Remus." How could I explain?

He closed the distance between us, grasped my shoulders and drew me close. Standing there in just a bra and jeans, I moved closer to his warmth. His acute nose began drawing in deep breaths. "What have you been doing?" The hurt and anger in his eyes made me want to cry. He smiled mirthlessly. "I know who you've been doing it with."

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A/N: I see a bad moon rising, I see trouble on the way…CCR rocks…oldies, classic rock, but rock nonetheless, lol. If you think the chapter rocked, tell me in a review!