Author: LupinLovesTonks
Rated: T due to future situationsDisclaimer: HP & all others are trademarks of JK Rowling. No profit is made from the use of these trademarked entities. No animals were harmed in the typing of this fic. Void where prohibited, see store for complete rules and details. Any similarities to actual events are strictly a coincidence.

AN: Two new chapters... Sorry it too so long my editor was rather busy and it took her while to get Chapter Three back. and then there were technical difficulties and lots of other drama... Got Questions about the fic? Go to my user profile and check out my forums, I have a thread specially for this fic.

Chapter Three
Maybe she was setting herself up for a massive let down. After all, he was a polite and rather intelligent man so the odds of him actually wanting to take her to luncheon for anything more than a friendly outing was slim. But, it didn't change the fact that she had felt it the moment she had first seen him.

He had been staring at her, transfixed that first day she had seen him on the underground. It was one of the first times she had really felt beautiful. It was the first time in a long while that a man gazing at her hadn't made her want to ask what the hell was wrong. And then he had turned up at the Ministry.

She hadn't known what to think when she had seen him there, other than the fact that it meant he was obviously a wizard. Even though some rather embarrassing things that had been said about her -- such as her life's ambition to get laid by a werewolf -- was actually just an extravagant in-joke between her and Kingsley, she had played hell trying to remain calm and cool and not show that she really just felt like running and hiding until doomsday. In fact, the thought of doing anything of a sexual nature with a werewolf had never crossed Tonks' mind until after he had left the Ministry that day.

She had locked herself in the bathroom at work for nearly an hour, hoping that he would be gone when she came out. She had finally cracked under the stress of trying not to be embarrassed. After all, she had spat out some rather embarrassing things about herself as if she was completely alright with sharing the information, hoping to somehow redeem herself in Remus' eyes.

Maybe it had helped, maybe it hadn't. All Tonks really cared about was that he hadn't seemed hesitant to speak to her after she had sent Richard along his way to work. In fact, there had been something in his eyes… something primal and almost animal-like had seemed to be hiding somewhere within him

Tonks mentally kicked herself as she realized, of course there would be something primal and animal-like. It was less than a week before the full moon. According to a book she borrowed the day after meeting Remus, that week was a hellacious time for werewolves -- Having to constantly battle between the man and the animal. She had never realized that it would be such a beautiful struggle to see in the eyes of a werewolf…. Especially when she had been doing her mock seduction of him on the underground.

That was what she had imagined when Richard had wanted to kiss her goodbye. She had imagined it was Remus, with that primal look in his eyes, kissing her. For the past few days, imagining it was Remus had been the only way she could bring herself to even kiss Richard.

She looked up at Remus and slightly grinned to herself. Richard and Remus were about the same age, yet Remus was everything Richard pretended to be. Remus was kind and sweet, unlike Richard, he actually allowed her to have her arm draped around his even though she looked at least ten times more punkish than she did when with Richard.

They arrived at a cute little place with lots of outdoor tables. Remus selected a table and pulled out Tonks' chair. Tonks looked at him, confused for a long moment, then it dawned on her that he was being a gentleman and pulling out her chair for her. She felt her cheeks warm and she quickly took the seat.

"You know, that's the first time anyone has ever done that for me," Tonks admitted as Remus scooted her up to the table. Remus took a seat, not across from her, but in the seat next to her. At this point, Tonks didn't care if she had gotten the wrong expectations for the luncheon, no man had ever really did anything remotely gentleman-like for her before.

"Tonks, may I ask you a question?" Remus glanced over to her, then lowered his voice. "Kingsley suggested that I ask you this because he thinks you would be the perfect person for me to ask this of… And after meeting you the other day I have to admit… A person of your talent and ambition is exactly what I have been looking for."

It felt like Tonks' heart had fluttered out of her chest, by route of her throat. She didn't know whether to hope he was offering or not. The small, rational, part of her brain told her not to jump to conclusions and just hear what he had to say. However, she couldn't stop herself from making some sort of comment.

"You have no idea how talented and ambitious I can be," she quipped, with a suggestive tone.

It seemed to do the trick for a moment because Remus opened and closed his mouth a few times before clearing his throat and continuing. "I am going to tell you something Tonks and we need to be very discrete about this because I assure you the last thing you we'll want is to have anyone within the Ministry besides myself, you, and Kingsley to know about this."

Tonks, wide eyed and rather curiously, nodded and agreed.

"I am just going to cut to the point here Tonks. Kingsley and I think you would be a wonderful asset to The Order of the Phoenix." Once the words had left Remus' mouth, Tonks felt her draw drop in surprise. "It's precisely everything Fudge is trying to hide from the Magical World at this moment… Headed by Dumbledore." Remus was gazing at her, as if waiting for a response. "Tonks?" He raised an eyebrow. "Nymphadora?"

Tonks felt herself startle. She closed her eyes and shook her head to clear it. "Don't call me that!" she squeaked.

"Does that sound like something you would be interested in? Being part of the forefront against Voldemort?" Remus paused. "Are you alright?"

Tonks nodded and waved her hand dismissively. "You just --" wounded my fragile ego "--caught me off guard is all." Then stomped all over the pieces.

She hadn't gotten her hopes up that much, had she? Of course it had been fun to toy with the idea, but had she really thought that was why they were at lunch together? Then again, it was a major turn from the conversation she had been sensing was arising. Perhaps that was what caught her mind off guard.

"Yeah, of course I would love to be part of it all…" Tonks found herself gazing across the street as she replied.

With a sudden new idea, Tonks looked back at Remus and grinned widely. He wanted her to be part of a dangerous secret society? He was wanting her to fight along with him against the powers of Voldemort and his armies? She could have called the idea many things, but clever was the one thing that stood out amongst them all. Being part of The Order of the Phoenix seemed to be the perfect chance to get to know Remus a little better, as well as the perfect chance to take out some death eaters.

"I like a little danger," Tonks grinned. She leaned in close to Remus, knowing the game she was playing very well. Of course, he was a werewolf so she had no real idea to what extent a little subtle flirting could do to either of them. "That's why I am on the mission I am on right now. It was dangerous. At any moment Richard could find out I'm a witch and I'd be a goner. That's how he plays. But what makes it even more dangerous is that he is a rather handsome guy that somewhat knows how to charm a lady."

Something flickered in Remus' eyes as he gave a slow, half-smile. "And how is that dangerous?"

"There's nothing more dangerous than falling for the wrong sort of guy," Tonks explained. "Lucky for me I'm not exactly qualified as 'lady' material. But still the possibility is there…"

"There was definitely something there when I saw you two after the underground."

"No, that was me, Richard, and much more dangerous type lad in his place. As Kingsley said the other day, I'd do almost anything for a case. That includes having to fantasize about other men in order to kiss that son of a bitch." Tonks flashed her eyes to Remus' only long enough to make sure he still had his attention on her.

She shifted in her seat slightly and sat back, crossing her legs. Part of her wondered if he was taking her seriously or if he knew exactly the sport she was playing. He didn't know her well enough as of yet to probably tell if she was playing or not. At this point, Tonks didn't even know if she was playing a game or attempting something more death-defying. She knew that eventually she would meet her breaking point and she would either snap or breakdown.

If she snapped, she would throw herself at him. If she broke down she would find the closest bathroom and hide for a few minutes.

"Nymphadora." Tonks shot Remus a deadly glare that immediately brought down her challenging mood. "If I didn't know better I would say that you were trying to give me delusions of grandeur about yourself."

Tonks managed a half smile. "Please, call me Tonks," she said with a mock, sweet tone. "And what if I am?"

The amusing glow left Remus' eyes. His eyes searched her face with more questions than Tonks knew how to answer. After a moment of silence, Remus reached over and gently took her hands in his. "I may be mistaken but, Tonks, rest assured that I am not the kind of danger you need to play with. I've been around several more years than you and very well know when a pretty girl like yourself is trying to let me know they are -- shall we say -- interested. I think we could make rather good friends though. I just don't want you to hurt yourself by thinking it could possibly ever be anything more than that."

Well that was a rather quick crash and burn effect, Tonks thought. One moment he had been playing her game and matching her point for point. The next moment, all the playfulness had gone and all that was left was a serious man with serious words. Tonks could feel her heart starting to catch up with what her mind was registering.

Play it off, play it off Tonks, she told herself. She wrinkled her nose and leaned close to Remus once more. "I won't hurt myself, I promise," she whispered in a sneaky tone. Then she lunged forward and pressed her lips to his. For a moment he pulled back, but she clasped her hand to the back of his head and deepened her advance. Within a few seconds, Remus was no longer attempting to pull away, but instead he was a rather eager partaker.

Without warning, Remus abruptly pulled away. His eyes wouldn't meet hers as he threw a few pound notes on the table and stood up.

"Kingsley will arrive at your place within the next two weeks. Hopefully by then we'll have our headquarters set up and ready for the meetings," Remus said shortly. Without another word, Remus excused himself.

Tonks watched as he disappeared into the crowd of people on the sidewalks. She was confused now that she had gone and done what she had. Part of her had expected him to push her away and ask her what the hell she was thinking. She hadn't expected him to momentarily respond in a positive manner and then leave the way he had. It was almost like a battle between to sides of him.

With a heavy sigh, Tonks lifted a finger to the air. "Check please." After the waitress brought the check for the two drinks that had been supplied, Tonks paid and made her way to an empty side alley and took out her wand. With a pop she was back at her small flat.

Once she had plopped down on her rickety old sofa, she pointed her wand and a silvery creature emerged from it's tip. "Go tell Kingsley I'm getting some sleep before I have to go back to Richard's in six hours," she sighed and the creature zipped off to deliver the message.

She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror as she made her way to her room. For a moment she stopped and looked at the ridiculous girl staring back at her. At that particular moment she found herself offensive to look at. She stripped off the clothing and changed her hair to it's natural state, short, spiked, and mousy-brown. Part of her was tempted to just keep herself that way at all times but she knew that her mission required her to use her skills to look like the girl Remus had seen draped on Richard's arm.

It had taken her several tries to find a girl that Richard found visually appealing. With the exception of the pink she would wear in her hair, her disguise had been perfect enough for him to like. She kept the pink streaks because she wanted to give him something to nitpick over. It kept her from getting to personally involved. She could never love anyone that didn't like her the way she decided to be.

Some small part of her felt she had found that in Remus. He hadn't been offended when she had tried her most bizarre color scheme of lime green, instead he seemed to be somewhat amused by it… amused in a good way at least. With a laugh, Tonks changed her hair to her favorite bubble gum pink and went into her room to get some sleep.

888

Remus dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and removed the shrunken folder from his pocket. He mentally kicked himself as he put it to its right size and set it down beside the keys. That just meant he would have to take to the Ministry some other day. Perhaps it would have been in his best interest to just package it up and send it to Kingsley at the Ministry…

He didn't want to see her again at that moment. Not that he had found her blatant advance on him offensive. In fact, it had been quiet the opposite. It had surprised him at first, yes, but another part of him had momentarily taken over and he had let himself enjoy it.

Don't blame me, that was all you, a small voice whispered.

"Yes it was," Remus snapped aloud. "It was you and you know it."

I was resting the whole time. I have no control during this time. It's only day and night I have almost complete control. The rest is you wanting to blame me. It's just the old insecurities popping in again. I like her, I think she's fun.

"Exactly," Remus snorted. "Remember what happened the last time you thought a girl was 'fun'? Remember what I put myself through?"

Sadly, yes. But the time she was with us, it was a time of freedom. It was a time full of the kind of love you were seeking.

"Having a conversation with the wolf again are we?" Remus turned to see Sirius propped against his bedroom doorway. Sirius swaggered over to him and nodded toward the folder. "I thought you were taking that back." He hopped up to sitting on the kitchen counter.

"I ended up having to change my plans," Remus said. "I ended up meeting a rather nice girl for luncheon instead."

"And this is a conflict to yours and the wolf's interest because…?" Sirius pursed his lips and crossed his arms over his chest. "From what I gather… the wolf finds her fun and you have some sort of objection due to that fact. Because you want a girl that's not fun?"

Remus shook his head. "No. I just don't want to go through what I did last time."

"You will have to fill me in on what she did because I was sort of locked away in Azkaban at the time," Sirius reminded.

Remus sighed heavily. "Let's just say, in a figurative sense, that she ripped my heart out, stomped on it a few times then shoved it down my throat. Actually I would have preferred she done that to what she actually did." Remus looked down at his feet. "When I told her I was a wizard she just looked at me like I had done something wrong. When I tried to see her again afterwards, in the middle of the streets, she just yelled, 'Stay away from me you freak'. It hurt badly because she had already told be previously that no matter what, she would love me."

Sirius gave a long whistle. "Good thing you didn't tell her you were a werewolf too then? She would have really flipped her wig then aye?" Sirius barked with laughter. "You know what that means though mate? It doesn't mean be careful the next time a fun girl comes along. It means get out there and find another one that would actually love any and every little thing about you. Even the fact that you have arguments with your wolf."

Sirius hopped off the counter and went to the refrigerator.

"By the way, Snuffles went to the market today with some money and brought us back some food. They just delivered it about an hour ago." He took out a couple of apples and tossed one to Remus. Then he went back to the counter and hopped back onto it. "So, tell me about this new fun girl."

"She's a metamorphmagus," Remus replied. "She's an Auror…"

"Say no more," Sirius chuckled. "Sounds like a winner to me. She probably even knows you're a werewolf, given your name is on the bloody register posted up there."

"She knows," Remus agreed.

"Then what's stopping you?" Sirius asked.

"Does the words Junior Auror mean anything? According to Kingsley she's still in her early twenties."

"So?" Sirius shrugged. "Old men make it with young girls all the time. Though most of them are coming off from having a wife that was closer to his age recently dying. But still, it happens all the time. There's nothing wrong with it. Added bonus, she doesn't call you a freak because you're a werewolf."

"You're not helping you know," Remus said flatly. "I am trying to talk myself out of it, not into it."

Sirius smirked. "Maybe you should try to talk yourself into it."

"No, I think one kiss from her is enough. Thank you for your concern though."

Sirius' eyes lit up as if he had just been given a Christmas present. "Now see here, you didn't say she had kissed you already. That alone means that you should at least try to have a go. Besides, it's not like it's your fault you became a werewolf. No need to punish yourself over it."

"I don't want to Sirius and let's put an end to it," Remus snapped. He calmed his tone. "She's too nice of a girl to waste it on someone like me. To want to waste it on someone like me, rather."

Sirius heaved an annoyed sigh and mumbled something to the extent of letting her be the one to decide. He got down off the counter and retreated back to his room.

Remus stood there for a long moment, just staring at the Greyback folder as he nibbled on the apple. For now, he was even more confused about the dilemma whirling around in his mind. Then, he resolved to just wait until he could no longer hear the whispering of the wolf to decide what he really was holding up within himself.

Until then, he was not venturing out of his home for anything.