Tonks slammed the door behind her as she entered her flat. She tore off her boots and robes and thumped herself down on the bed, squeezing a pillow to her chest. Emotions swirled through her head – the exhilaration of meeting and collecting of Harry Potter, the tension of sharing so much Order information with Harry, and her burst of anger at Remus. Wonderful, patient, generous Remus, who cared so much for others that he forgot to care for himself. She burst into angry tears. Surely he would have known by now that she fancied him, surely. His insecurities had gotten in the way again.

A tap-tap-tap at the window distracted her. Lyra, Remus' new owl, was waiting for her with a note attached to her leg. Tonks opened the window and Lyra flew in. Ophelia was eyeing the owl with considerable interest, as Tonks unfurled the parchment to read:

Tonks,

I need to see you. May I come by?

RJL

Tonks felt her heart soften. She hadn't expected this at all. It was highly unusual for Remus to state so clearly what hewanted – let alone what he wanted from her. She grabbed the first bit of parchment she found and quickly quilled a reply to him. She went to the bathroom to check her appearance. Her recent crying had left her eyes puffy and red, so she morphed as much as she could away to present herself as stronger-than-she-felt to Remus whenever he arrived. It had been a highly useful skill in dangerous Auror situations.

A light knocking on the door indicated Remus had arrived. She looked through the peephole and saw Remus standing in the landing, looking pale and tense. She opened the door and gestured for Remus to enter.

He sat down on her sofa. Ophelia had noticed him coming in and jumped to greet him, laying on the armrest to his right.

"Can I offer you some tea?" Tonks asked, keeping her voice as even as she could. She felt a mixture of nervous excitement and dread, wondering what on earth he was going to say to her. He nervously clasped and unclasped his hands on the sofa.

"Yes, please," he said. "If it's not too much trouble."

Tonks turned back to the kitchen and made two cups of tea. She returned to hand one to Remus and sat into one of the mismatched armchairs, holding her own cup of tea. Remus took a sip of his tea and set it down, hands trembling.

"Why did you want to come over, Remus?" Tonks asked, bolder than she felt.

Remus stayed quiet. He fiddled with the buttons on his worn cardigan. He finally replied, "I think you know why."

"I don't think I do, Remus," said Tonks. She wasn't going to allow him to be evasive. He needed to be direct with her. "I need you to tell me why you came here at one o'clock in the morning the night before I go back to my office."

Remus shuddered. She almost felt pity; she had reminded him that he came at an unreasonable hour, inviting himself.

"I wanted to talk to you about," Remus said, hesitatingly, "what you said earlier."

"I said a lot of things, Remus," Tonks replied. She began to feel more confident. "What exactly did I say that brings you here?" A smirk lay behind her question.

"Who you had fallen for," breathed Remus. "I don't understand."

"You came to my flat at this hour because you didn't understand what I said?" asked Tonks. "What was so urgent about this misunderstanding that you felt you needed to come now?" She had trapped him.

Remus shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. Tonks felt a perverse pleasure in watching him struggle to admit how he felt.

"Go on, Remus," said Tonks. "Tell me what it is you came all this way, at this hour, to tell me." She was goading him now, and enjoying herself immensely while doing so.

"I like you," murmured Remus. "A lot."

"I see," said Tonks. "I suppose Sirius, Molly, Arthur, and the kids like me too, though? Did you come all this way to say that you are one of my many admirers?" She felt triumphant; she knew she had him.

"You know what I mean, Tonks," pleaded Remus.

"I'm afraid I don't, Remus," said Tonks, smiling. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean at all."

"You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?" asked Remus. He was exasperated.

"Quite a bit, yes," replied Tonks. "Please, tell me what it is you need to tell me." Her face was now set and focused on Remus'.

Remus' eyes were pleading with her, but she did not break her gaze. She was now determined to make him admit it.

"I – fancy – you," he choked. "I've fallen for you, and I am at my wit's end wondering if you've fallen for me too." He looked as if he had just confessed the darkest sin, worry filling his face, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Tonks' stomach flipped repeatedly and she felt a surge of adrenalin filling her with unspeakable joy. He admitted it, she thought, he fancied her too!

Tonks stood up from her armchair stood in front of Remus. His hands had now covered his face. He appeared to be trying to sink into the earth, unable and unwilling to look at his surroundings. She took hold of his hands and brought them down to his sides. She then took her hands and pressed them against his cheeks, gently moving his head upwards so she could look into his eyes. His warm brown eyes were filled with excitement and trepidation; she could see the longing behind them.

She bent her face down towards his, touching her forehead to his own.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" whispered Tonks, into his ear.

Remus stood up and wrapped Tonks in his arms. He lifted her up so that her legs wrapped around his hips, leaving Tonks to wrap her arms around his neck. She was closer to him than she had ever been; in a moment, his lips had reached hers. Remus began kissing her, at first slowly and gently, and then with more determination and urgency, as if the moment were to escape him at the next second. He set Tonks down and moved his hands from her waist up to her neck, taking care to glide his hands over her back with care and attention. Tonks' fingers felt through Remus' hair, softer than she'd imagined. She too took care to glide her hands over his shoulders, arms, and waist, not wanting to miss an inch of his body. Her heart was pounding loudly and erratically through her chest; she felt Remus' own heart have its own rhythm in tune with hers. After several moments – or what had felt like precious seconds – Remus stepped back to look at Tonks again, readjusting himself quickly. She had felt, but now fully noticed, his erection fighting to keep itself bound in his trousers. She glowed, now victoriously pleased that he returned her affection too. The proof was in front of her, tempting her, waiting for her.

Remus looked dazed. There was a curious expression on his face; it held joy, fear, wonder, and desire all at once.

"Tonks," he gasped. "Are you sure?"

"Sure that I've fallen for you?"

"Yes," he whispered. "Is this what you want?"

"After that incredible kiss, I'm even more certain, Remus," she breathed. "You're exactly who I want."

He looked overjoyed; there was a blaze in his eyes that Tonks had never seen before. He closed his eyes, furrowing his brow. She could tell there was consternation brewing behind those eyes.

"We can go slowly, Remus," she said, gently. "As slowly as you like." Though this wasn't entirely how Tonks felt, she felt that rushing through this would be harder on him. Though her desire for him was coursing through her body, she hadn't forgotten his extreme self-doubt.

"Yes, slowly," breathed Remus. "Slowly is best."

"Would you like to stay the night?" Tonks asked.

Remus' face showed further anxiety. "No, no, no, not for that," Tonks rushed. "Just to be with me. Just sleep next to me, that's all."

Remus' face relaxed. "Yes, I would like that very much."

Tonks beamed at him. "Come, then." She gestured for him to follow her to the bed. She started undressing behind the screen, and Tonks noticed Remus looked away. What a gentleman, she thought, even now. She saw him take off his worn shoes, and look at her confusedly. She was now in her pajamas, her favorite pair of sleeping shorts and a form-fitting tank top.

"Do you plan on sleeping in all that?" Tonks asked.

He looked down at his clothes. He was wearing his trousers, belt, buttoned shirt, and cardigan. Only his threadbare robe and shoes had been removed.

"I-I don't want you to be uncomfortable, Tonks," he stammered.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable either, Remus," she said. "At least take off that belt before you come to bed." She paused for a moment. "I meant it when I said we weren't going to do anything. We'll go slowly. Just come and be with me."

Remus stared at her, standing next to the screen. She saw him finally give in. He took off his belt and cardigan, folding the cardigan neatly on his robe on the sofa. With a defeated sigh, he unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a worn white undershirt. Tonks couldn't take her eyes off of him. He finally took off his trousers and folded them neatly with his other clothes. All that remained were a pair of grey boxers. His erection remained steady underneath his clothes; he looked painfully aware of it.

"I don't mind, you know," said Tonks. "I know you want me too."

Relief washed over Remus' face. He shuffled over to Tonks' side, and she kissed him gently. "Just be with me tonight," she said, gently. "That's all I want."

"If it makes you happy, Tonks, I will be right here with you."

She lifted the covers on the unmade bed and slipped into them, beckoning him to join her there. He hesitated for a moment, but then slid underneath the covers, facing Tonks. She turned herself to her other side and pressed her back against Remus' chest. She could feel him pressing into her lower back, but she didn't mind. It was merely proof that she had been right all along: he had fallen for her, too.

…

Tonks had kissed Remus' forehead on her way out to work the next morning. She decided against waking him, instead enjoying the peaceful, blessed sight of Remus Lupin asleep in her bed, cozied up in her sheets, having confessed his feelings for her. It was on this image that Tonks was musing when she was startled.

"TONKS!" Tonks sat up and heard the sound of her name coming loudly from her fellow boss, Rufus Scrimgeour.

"Yes, sir?" she asked.

"Were you paying any attention to what I just said?" Scrimgeour demanded.

"Yes, sir," she lied.

"So you know you'll be off with Alfie this week investigating the werewolves we've located?" Scrimgeour asked.

Tonks gaped at Scrimgeour. "I don't think that is the best idea, sir."

"And whyever not, Tonks?" Scrimgeour asked.

"Because this Thursday is a full moon, sir," Tonks replied. "I believe that would greatly endanger our mission."

"How do you know that?" Alfie's voice came from the other side of the table. All faces at the table were now set on Tonks'.

"Because when we were first assigned our suspects, I took the care to plan the full moons so we could safely investigate werewolves," said Tonks coldly. "In the same manner as I researched the giants and determined our need to give them gifts. Preparation, if you will."

She knew she was being unprofessional and needlessly condescending, but the prospect of spending another few days with Alfie on yet another mission and the entire Auror staff suspicious of her excellent knowledge of future full moons, she felt she had no other option.

"Damn right, you're prepared," barked Moody. "Just as I taught you."

Tonks felt immeasurably grateful for her mentor at this moment. The Aurors at the table relaxed, with Alfie looking put down. Another few days with this dolt, she thought. At least I have Remus now.

"Which other group would you like us to investigate next, sir?" Tonks asked Scrimgeour, with a far more reverential tone.

Scrimgeour looked deep in thought. "…Elves. House-elves," he determined.

"Are there particular house-elves you are interested in, sir?" This time, it was Alfie who asked Scrimgeour. He looked immensely relieved from having been spared the werewolves this week.

"Begin with the Hogwarts elves. They are surely aware of unusual goings-on at the school," decided Scrimgeour. "If there are further elves, we will notify you both and set you out at once."

"Yes, sir," agreed Tonks. She turned her head towards Moody, who gave her a nearly imperceptible nod. Moody's on board, she thought, he will be able to tell Dumbledore about the upcoming investigation.

"Depart first thing tomorrow," ordered Scrimgeour. "Tonks – I expect a full report from you on my desk by Friday afternoon."

"Of course, sir," assented Tonks.

…

Tonks rushed to her flat in the early evening, hoping to find Remus there. When she entered the flat, she felt disappointed to see only Ophelia, blinking sleepily from her favorite armchair. Remus had certainly stayed in her flat for a little while, however. The bed was neatly made. The entire flat was as spotless as it could be, and to Tonks' surprise, dinner was waiting for her on the stove, kept perfectly warm with one of Remus' charms.

Tonks set her things down and stepped towards the kitchen to eat whatever Remus had made her. She felt a swell of gratitude for these small pleasures from him. She noticed a piece of parchment next to the plate, with a small slab of chocolate lying on top of it. Moving aside the chocolate, Tonks unfolded the parchment to read.

Dear Tonks,

I've been called away on Order business until tomorrow. I heard you're off to Hogwarts next. I'll be thinking of you and hoping for your safe return. I'll see you at the end of this week, after my own scheduling conflicts.

Yours,

Remus

Tonks' heart fell. She and Remus had just confessed their feelings to one another, and yet now he was called away on Order business and a full moon in the same week. It was terrible timing, but there was little she could do. She felt relieved that she knew when she would see him next, in just a few days' time. Till then, her heart would have to wait.