Note -- Well, this is it. This is a wrap. After this, I shall finally post that promised sequel and/or second chapter to "The Invitation." And, Anna-Maria, thank you! My ego is swelling beyond all bounds. What a Christmas present to get such a review! Thank you very much. You are more than worthy.

Chapter Three

Everything

"You should never have done this, Remus."

"But I did. I'm not a saint, Sirius, I had to. I'd have done anything for you."

"Obviously. What hurts?"

"It would take far less time if I told you what doesn't hurt. Which would be my right eye, my right elbow ... "

"Oh, don't start. What hurts?"

"My back. My heart. Not to be melodramatic or anything."

"Let me see. I'll put something on it."

"Which one?"

"Your back, Remus. Don't be difficult."

"Okay."

"I don't know how it is, you can whine and be sulky without sounding childish. Why can't I do that?"

"I'm special."

"Yeah, but that doesn't relate. Here, help me with your shirt ... holy hell!"

"What?"

"The bruises. My God, Remus, your skin looks like a war zone. Was it always like this? With him?"

"Sometimes, I guess. Never quite as bad as this, though. This is a few years' worth, after all. Ah – careful –"

"I'm sorry. Remus, I can't believe you let him do this to you. Oh, God, was this all from a belt?"

"A whip, a little later, and I don't even want to know where he got the damned thing. Sirius, please!"

"Sorry, I'm not trying to hurt you, it's just that he broke the skin really deep here. It's going to sting. You shouldn't have let him –"

"First you're my mother and now you're my conscience. Any other fun role-playing games you'd like to try?"

"Remus."

"Sorry. Really, though. Ah, damn it all."

"Precisely. I have to ask – Did you tell them who was in the Order?"

"A few, and I didn't mean to. They tricked it out of me. I think they knew already. It just means to be careful, that's all. I think maybe they found out from somewhere else. They wouldn't have let me go otherwise. Do – do you hate me for this, Sirius?"

"No. Never."

"I love you, Sirius. I – I really love you."

"Why?"

"Not because of your healing salve, I can tell you that. God, that burns."

"Does not even resemble being my fault. Okay, is the rest of you like this? Because if so, the rest of your clothes are going to have to come off."

"Fine. Just – don't ..."

"What do you think I am? You were just raped, for crying out loud. I'm not going to try to sleep with you yet. Not sure I even want to, I'll keep thinking of who got to sleep with you last ... it was just Lucius, right?"

"There are limits."

"Remus? I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"No, in – in comparison, it's a good kind of hurt ..."

"I wasn't talking about the healing."

"Neither was I."

A long pause ensued.

"Remus?"

"Yes."

"I love you too. No matter what you did to get me back, no matter what, I'll love you forever."

"I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living ..."

"What?"

"Muggle children's book. I'll buy you a copy."

"Well, it's true. I do love you."

"And you know I love you."

"Was it worth it?"

"You're worth anything, Sirius."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"Remus? Oh, God. Remus, please don't cry. Don't cry ..."

"Then you don't either. Damn."

"I'm trying not to, but ... this is horrible. The scars you're going to have ..."

"Just a few more to add to my large collection."

"Don't joke about this. I don't even want to know what he did to you. Look at that! What is that?"

"I can't look at it, Sirius. It's on my back. If you don't want to know, don't ask."

"Remus, I do love you."

"I love you, too."

Another long pause. And at last, a whisper in the dark:

"It's worth all that and more."

End