So this is kind of a nothing chapter, nothing really exciting happens. It was wicked hard to write because of that. I do believe this has been edited already (bravo for Mary Grace. Vancouver suits you well, darling!) So please read (enjoy) and review (lots!).

-Jill

Rating: M for mature. How did Sirius get such a 'mature' status reputation anyhow?

Disclaimer: I've got nothing. Ms Rowling has is all (literally).

Of Fears and Tears

Remus wasn't a huge fan of crowds and taking over Lily's shop severely compromised his fear. However, Sirius didn't work, and therefore Remus temporarily hired him at the bookstore. This was not one of the smartest ideas that Remus has ever had. The store was in shambles ten minutes after Sirius arrived, but to Remus' great advantage a rather busty blond walked by the window and Sirius took an early lunch break.

He was thankful that the Hogwarts rush was over, it was the middle of September and the only people who ventured into the shop were parents who forgot to buy a critical textbook. So his fear of crowds never really played out.

He actually found it quite nice. The store was quiet, peaceful, the light shone through the upstairs windows just right around ten o'clock and this made everything glow. Remus could see why Lily would not permanently give this up. Remus was never lonely: Peter usually came in for tea on his lunch break, James would stop by more than often, and as for Sirius, Remus, like Lily, had to fend him off with a stick.

This had not been developed in a day; Remus had been at the store for close to two weeks. As each day went by, he could see James grow more and more nervous. He was sure Jane was bothering him, and James was still not allowed at work and was told to keep a low profile. The only way James would be able to keep a low profile was if he stayed under his bed and never came out. If he did this, in a month or two he might be forgotten. So naturally every time James stepped out of his building he was recognized.

It was ten o'clock and Remus looked up into the rafters to see the dust circling around in the rays of the sun. The sound of the bell over the door startled him, he had only heard it a handful of times in his two weeks. He brought his eyes toward the door and was quite shocked to see who was standing there.

"I'm sorry Remus, I thought Lily worked here."

"Yes she does, Marlene. I'm just filling in."

"I'll come back later then."

Remus came out from behind the desk and grabbed her arm before she could leave.

"Don't be foolish, I haven't seen you in ages."

Marlene half smiled.

He brought Marlene a stool and poured her a cup of tea.

"I haven't seen you since Kings Cross."

"I've been around."

"Come on Marlene, don't give me that. We were friends."

"Were. We were friends Remus."

His smile faltered, not wanting to bring up the obvious turning point.

"He was scared."

Remus looked up.

"Lily and him were getting really serious and it scared him."

"I know that."

"So why are you still judging me."

"Marlene…"

"No Remus, I can tell. You're still upset at me for driving Lily away," she sighed in defeat. "I really can't blame you."

Remus put his cup down and took Marlene's hand.

"It wasn't just your fault, James was as much to blame as you were and I don't know about the rest of the guys, but I forgave you a long time ago."

She smiled briefly and held on tighter to Remus' hand.

"On to happier news. What have you been up to?"

Marlene laughed, taking back her hand.

"I just came back. I was travelling around for awhile. I just was stopping by from my interview at the Ministry."

"The Ministry? What did you apply for?"

"Field Auror. They hired after the interview, they seem desperate."

Remus laughed. "The Ministry is always desperate when people are getting killed."

They heard the bell ring again above the door and saw someone back into the shop.

"Sorry, no interviews today."

He shut the door in the reporters faced and then pulled the curtain down. James faced them, his eyes closed, and slid down the door.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take, Moony, I'm starting to go crazy."

"You've always been crazy, James."

"A different kind of crazy," James said, his eyes still closed and his hands resting on his head. He stood up and walked lazily over to Remus.

"What are we drinking today?" James flashed Remus a smile and then one at the unknown girl to his left.

James did a double take on the girl and winced.

"Marlene."

"Hello James."

They sat in uncomfortable silence.

"Oh hell, I'll take the reporters."

"James, no. Don't leave." Remus pleading, James already halfway to the door.

"James, please don't go," Marlene whispered as he left.

Sirius loved sex. Whenever the opportunity arose to have sex, he never wasted a moment. Back in Hogwarts he found it rather hard to explore his passion when he had three other roommates to base his schedule around. He lost count of how many times one of the Marauders had walked in on him and they were to the point where it didn't even faze them.

Now was a completely different story. Remus was out of the apartment all day running the shop, and Pete never came home until five, that left Sirius the whole day to do what he loved most.

So when James walked in on him and a rather delicious brunette, it was almost like old times.

"Prongs, mate, I'm kind of in the middle of something."

This wasn't exactly true, they were nearing the end.

"This is more important."

The brunette gave a stifled pout.

"Nothing against you, luv," Sirius smiled nipping at her bottom lip.

The girl slowly got up, clearly attempting to tease Sirius. Sirius was not easily teased. But he would be damned if anyone knew it.

James stood patiently as the girl walked in front of him, dragging her finger across his chest. When he showed no intention of following her into the bathroom, she gave another pout and slammed the door.

"Where do you find these women?" James asked throwing Sirius a blanket.

"Around… What is so important that I had to cut my date with…?"

"Sara?"

"No, starts with an 'L'"

"Lucile?"

"Give me some credit," Sirius scoffed.

"Forget it. I came because I have a problem."

Sirius laughed. "James, I could have told you that much."

James glared. "No," he paused. "I saw Marlene today."

Recognition flashed across Sirius' face.

"And?"

"I never really talked to her, I kind of ran away."

"You ran?"

"It wasn't as rude as it sounds, Remus was there." At Sirius' questioning look he said, "They were having tea."

"And Lily…?"

"Has no idea I assume." James thought. "Did you happen to pay for that girl to come here?"

"Layla is not a scarlet woman, if that is what you're implying." Sirius looked up thoughtfully. "Definitely not Layla."

James shook his head as the bathroom door opened and out came a rather proper looking businesswoman.

"See you around, Sirius."

"It was fun Lauren."

She winked at James and walked out.

James looked over, clearly uncertain at what had just happened.

"Impressed? I sure was. Who knew under that power suit there was a-"

"Padfoot, the girl that changed my entire life is sipping tea with Remus."

"That's a bit dramatic."

"I think I work with her?"

"Who? Marlene?"

"No, Lauren."

"That is quite possible. I picked her up when I was going to visit you."

James narrowed his eyes. "Sirius, I haven't worked at the Ministry in weeks."

Sirius got up suddenly, in all his glory, stretched and walked over to the bathroom.

"It was a good thing I forgot then."

Lily's case was rather straightforward. She would be defending the Muggle, Charles Hessy. Mr. Hessy was not stupid; he knew that his wife would string him out if he didn't hire a good lawyer. The Mathew and Carter law firm was supposedly the best, but he had no idea who would be working with him.

"Look Miss. Evans, I am well aware of what my wife… ex-wife is trying to do," Mr. Hessy said when Lily walked into the room.

"I am also aware Mr. Hessy, and there is no need to worry. If everything works out well, she will be giving you money."

James came home empty handed. Jane was cleaning. Whenever Jane was upset or nervous, she cleaned.

"Did you get it? Did you have a problem with Thomas?"

James wasn't sure what to say, this was clearly not his day. He first had a rather seductive conversation with Lily in Jane's office. He then went to talk to Remus to calm down only to find Lily's ex-best friend having tea with him, and now, Jane would kill him when he gave her the honest answer.

"No, I couldn't get it. He…" James paused. "He doesn't want you working on your break. He said not to worry about the case," James lied.

"That no good son-of-a-" Jane threw her cloth on the floor.

"Janey, it's not a big deal."

Jane sat down beside James and rested a hand on her forehead.

"It is a big deal. That was the case of my lifetime and now that sodding bastard is telling me not to work on it!" Tears welled in her eyes.

James started to say something, but Jane cut in.

"He doesn't like me. He never liked me. The only reason I got my job was because of that bloody Lily Evans. He went all crazy over the mention of her and the next day I was promoted. Then she sauntered into the office acting all high and mighty and stole my job right out from under me, the wench."

James starred, unblinkingly at his girlfriend.

"She never took your job. You'll have the same one when you go back."

She looked over at James.

"Can you promise that?"

He smiled and kissed her.

"Yes I can."

V. short I know, the next one will be longer, I promise. But while you are waiting. There is an exceptional story floating around out there. It's called Italian Lessons, I highly suggest checking it out (don't you just love my shameless plug?). Please read and review...to both...!