AN: In hindsight, I should have added this to the end of the first chapter since it's so short. But never mind, here it is. Thanks to Starsea for beta-ing.

'Breathless, afraid and yet sated somehow, she turned to him.'

Her mouth formed the words her mind was not quite ready to share even as she doubted the wisdom of saying what she desperately wanted to tell him.

His eyes begged the question and she knew that she wouldn't get away without telling him.

'I wrote you a letter,' she said, shifting her gazed momentarily from his face. He raised an eyebrow. 'In case something happens tomorrow, you know.' She caught his words of protest with her finger on his lips. 'Shhh; please, let me finish.'

He kissed her finger as a signal that she should continue. 'It was not easy to write, I think translating what my heart feels into words on a page is nigh on impossible, but I did my very best. Remus, I'm scared, I'm not going to pretend otherwise, and I know you are too. I'm only telling you-' she laughed quietly, 'I'm only telling you because I hid it very well and you wouldn't have found it otherwise.'

'Dora, I don't want to-'

'I know, Remus,' she said in a whisper, 'but we have to be realistic. You know that you had no chance of persuading me that I shouldn't go tomorrow, and we both know that there is a chance one or both of us won't be coming home tomorrow night.'

His arms tightened around her, 'I'm so scared I'm going to lose you.'

'I know, me too.' she replied, burying her face in his neck.

'Thank you for waking me.' she said quietly, with a tone of emotion that pierced his soul. She lifted her head to face him once more. 'I love you.'

He met her lips with a sweet kiss. His kisses served to provide fortitude, the strength to believe that tomorrow had to be a brighter day. 'I love you too - so much.' he managed to say around the contours of her mouth.

She kissed down from his mouth towards his jaw, and up to his ear, where she whispered the location of her letter.

Solace from reality had long since been something they could find in each other's arms. Fear and hatred of evil lessened by the soothing grip of love. As the night began to loose its infancy, they held each other; drawing strength from physical closeness and shared love and affection.

Their argument settled and with the knowledge that they would stand united in whatever they were to face the next day, they slipped into slumber. It could never have been a peaceful nights rest but encased in each other's arms, they were afforded the best night's sleep they could hope for.

tbc

Reviews would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading.