Hey everyone! My computer is back! Hurrah! Here's chapter ten, I really hope you like. Thanks for all the reviews and thanks to my editor (who does not suck, even when some people say so).

-Jill

Rating: M for Mature. ma·ture (m-tyr, -tr, -chr) adj. ma·tur·er, ma·tur·est : Of, relating to, or characteristic of full development, either mental or physical: mature for her age: Suitable or intended for adults: mature subject matter.

Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.

Of Darker Sides and Happier Times

"I went over this moment a few times in my head, but I never once imagined it with us being separated by a door."

Lily held back her laugh by biting her lip. She heard two faint pops. Some words were exchanged and then one of her bodyguard Aurors spoke through the door.

"Miss. Evans, are you aware that there is a man outside your door?"

Lily laughed. "Yes, I am aware of that."

"Do you know a man by the name of Davis Faxon?"

"Yes I do."

"Could you describe him for me?"

Lily leaned against the door.

"Well, he has glasses, real nerdy like…"

"Lily…" She heard Davis growl on the other side.

Lily laughed again and continued. "He has brown hair, Qudditich player stature, and blue eyes."

"Where do you know Mr. Faxon from?"

"I met him while I was in Rome."

"How long have you known him?"

"Two years, three if you count all those times I drooled over him at games."

Davis laughed. "I never thought of you as a drooler, Lily."

On the other side, both Aurors gave Davis a narrowed glance.

"Can he be trusted?"

"Of course."

She heard the two Aurors talk and then the handle on the door began to turn. Lily stepped away and the three men walked in.

One of the Aurors gave another narrowed look at Davis and mumbled, "Qudditich player stature my arse."

"Hello stranger."

"Hello yourself."

Davis stepped closer.

The other Auror narrowed his eyes at both of them. He stepped forward to stop Davis.

"Kingsley, he's fine. Lily knows him."

Kingsley continued to glare. Lily noticed this and stopped smiling. She looked up at the clock and swore. "I'm late," she said, rushing to the door and grabbing her coat. Davis took her wrist and held her back. He pulled her close and whispered,

"You work too much. It's my first day back in London."

She smiled, shaking her head, and headed back towards the door. Davis did not let go of her.

Kingsley stepped forward.

"Mr. Faxon, Miss. Evans would like to go to work. Please remove yourself from her wrist."

Davis let go, but held eye contact with Kingsley.

"Why do you care?"

"It is my job to make sure she gets to where she has to go. She has made it clear that she wants to leave, and you must respect that."

"It's fine," Lily cut in. "I'll take the afternoon off to show you around." She nodded to Davis. "In the meantime, you can stay here."

Davis and Kingsley continued to glare at each other. Lily left quickly, and Kingsley reluctantly backed down to follow her. The two Aurors followed her out.

"What the hell is wrong with you? We're not supposed to get involved."

Kingsley looked back at Lily's apartment door and frowned. "I don't like the way he looks at her."

"You're not her boyfriend, get over it."

"I remember that look."

They both stopped walking.

"I remember it from Hogwarts. It was the same look that James always gave her."

"James Potter?"

Kingsley nodded.

"You can find yourself new bodyguards for your Miss Evans, Potter."

James looked at the two Aurors standing in his door.

"And why is that?" Moody asked.

"I refuse to spy on your ex-girlfriend."

James was taken aback and Moody looked furious.

"Is that why you did this, Potter? You took our best Aurors out of the field to make sure your ex is miserable?"

"Of course not, Alastor."

"So why? I told you we have a trained unit for escorts."

James sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've known her for years, I just wanted to make sure that we had our best looking after her."

Moody continued to look furious and stood up.

"I told you Potter, leave your personal life at home where I don't have to deal with it." He looked over at the others. "You two are off the case. Miss Evans will be just fine from now on."

Moody and Prewitt left.

James slid down into his chair and massaged his temples. Kingsley sat down across from him.

"Sorry, Potter."

"Don't worry, I should be the one who's sorry."

"No, I knew what your intention was when you assigned me. I remember what happened between you two."

James smiled faintly. "Thanks."

Kingsley got up to leave. "James?"

He nodded.

"A guy came to Lily's this morning. She said they were friends in Rome."

James looked interested.

"Do you know his name?"

"Davis Faxon."

Horror flashed in his eyes.

"I thought you should know."

James nodded again as Kingsley left.

Davis strode into Lily's office at noon.

"You know Lils, I really don't know what to do with myself anymore."

Lily laughed. "If you hadn't been so greedy, you'd still be playing."

They were walking down to lunch. He held Lily's hand. "Yes, but that's five million galleons a year. You drove a hard bargain."

"That's what I was paid to do. But darling, do try to remember that I got half the first year."

"Yes luv, I do," he smiled. "That still, however, does not solve my problem with what I should do with myself. I'm hardly known here, so no girls will have got wind of me yet." He raised his eyebrow suggestively. "And the one girl that does know me is obsessed with work."

"I am not obsessed."

"I never said you were."

Lily hit him on the arm and he dramatically staggered. "Lily, my love, you wound me."

"You wound me by saying that I'm obsessed with work."

"I didn't mean obsessed, I meant, extremely busy."

The Leaky Caldron was full with its usual lunch crowd. Despite the small space and lack of seating, Lily and Davis managed to find a table. Davis had every intention of doing the normal couple things. Holding hands, whispering into each other's ears, the occasional kiss. Their table was in the middle of room and happened to be the only table that had a constant flow of people on either side. So all coupleish actions were off.

"Does this bloody place ever empty out?"

"It's peak hours, Davis. Wait a little and we'll be the only ones here."

Davis looked around. "I've waited five months; a few more hours shouldn't kill me."

A girl bumped into the edge of their table knocking over both cups of tea.

"I spoke too soon. Damn girl," Davis breathed, taking out his wand to clean the mess.

The girl, who was apparently shoved, forcing her into their table, turned around.

"I am so terribly sorry, let me buy you new…Lily?"

Jane stood beside the table holding a paper bag as if it were a purse.

"Fancy seeing you here," she smiled, glancing between Davis and Lily.

"Fancy that." Lily returned her smile. "This is Davis Faxon."

Davis took Jane's outstretched hand and kissed it, speaking against her skin. Lily kicked Davis under the table. She caught his eye and mouthed tease.

A flushed Jane began to wave her hand in front of her own face. "It's rather hot in here."

Lily rolled her eyes. "So it would seem."

She was actually quite surprised to see that Jane was acting civil towards her. She had taken her job from her. But it was possible that James never told her. It wouldn't be the first secret he had kept.

"I am terribly sorry, but Lily seems to have forgotten her manners. I never caught your name," Davis smiled.

"It's Jane, Jane Carter."

Davis frowned. "I'm sorry about your parents, I read about them in the post a while ago."

Jane nodded. "I'm sorry too."

Davis looked at Lily, who did not meet his eyes, and waited for her to say something. She remained silent.

"Jane, darling, would you care to join us?"

Jane blushed again. "I would love to, but I have to rush this home to James. He hasn't been himself lately. I hope this'll cheer him up."

She gave them a last wave and left.

"She seems friendly enough."

"Sure."

Davis eyed Lily. "Why don't you like her?"

"I never said I didn't."

"No, but you of all people should know that actions speak louder than words."

Lily kept quiet.

"Ah, struck a nerve, have I?"

Lily glared.

"Keep your secrets, woman. But let it be known that I have Qudditich player eyes, I see everything."

"You'll never guess who I saw at the Leaky today."

James let out a mumble from the next room. Jane took that as a motion to continue.

"Lily Evans."

James' head poked into the doorway.

"You didn't talk to her, did you?"

"Of course I did! What kind of person would I be if I didn't?"

James walked into the kitchen. "You're not upset, are you?"

Jane laughed. "Over what?"

James didn't answer. He looked thoughtfully at her back and then shook his head.

"Never mind."

Jane shrugged and emptied both bowls of soup into the pot in the stove.

"She was there with a man."

"Oh yes?"

"Yes, very handsome. Davis Faxon, I believe. He sounds familiar, is he one of your friends?"

James smirked. "No, not one of mine."

"Well, I know I heard the name somewhere. Maybe I saw a picture of him?"

James opened up the Daily Prophet that lay forgotten on the table.

Faxon Retires: Italy's Reign is Over!

"Shit!"

Jane turned around. "What's wrong, James?"

"Did you say Davis Faxon?"

"Yes, why?"

James held the paper up for her to see Davis Faxon waving at a devastated crowd of people, broom slung over his shoulder.

"He's a Qudditich player?"

"One of the best."

"That's sad."

"I know, Lily can't keep her dating pool in London."

Jane looked confused. "No, that he retired."