A/N: Hey guys.

Long time huh. Well i had thougth to give u a reprieve from waiting for this chapter by posting my new fic (which i will continue btw). Finally i became unstuck and finsihed the chapter. Mind you, i still dont liek it because i was trying out a few things while getting over my slump.

I hope you like it tho.

I'm sry to say 2 more chapters to go. I hope you enjoy this one


Disclaimer: I own nada of Jk's


Simply Friends

Chapter 10: Secret Keeping

"James," a voice called jarring Lily from sleep. "Prongs man, are you here?"

"What the hell?" James muttered, removing his arm from around her shoulders and glanced at the clock.

Six-thirty?

What the hell? Who was here at this hour?

"Prongs man, are you home or not." The voice called again this time closer and this time they both recognized it.

"Shit," they said in unison before the doorknob turned. Squealing slightly Lily ducked under the sheets, head and all.

"Prongs, you're home why weren't you answering?" Sirius Black said before walking into the bedroom of his best friend without ceremony.

"Maybe if you had a bit of common sense in you you'd realize I didn't want to answer." James answered crossly making sure certain parts of his anatomy was hidden as well as the certain person next to him.

It was then Sirius noticed the lump next to his mate and chuckled. "I didn't know you had company."

"Yeah well you know now, so get out." He said trying to make him leave but Sirius grinned, not taking any heed.

"What's the hurry? Why don't you introduce us?" he asked and as James shook his head Sirius feigned hurt. "Can't I meet your mystery woman?"

"No."

"Aw man, come on, don't I always introduce you whenever you walk in on me?"

James had to laugh at that. "Padfoot, please I don't willingly walk in. I knock, you say come in. I come in, I see you in bed with the latest lady. And when you introduce us you don't always get the name right."

Sirius laughed waving it away. "Why say a thing like that Jay? You're not making me look good in front of your lady."

"I'm afraid that particular ship has sailed." James muttered under his breath and then heard Lily giggle softly.

"Cant you leave now?" James said again.

"Well I would but you haven't asked me what I'm doing here so early in the morn Jamie boy?"

I swear, only Merlin knows the number of names he calls me by, was James only thought. "As you can see I am busy at the moment, so cant this wait until—oh I don't know—later?" he said sarcastically but as usual nothing affected Sirius. "I have the day off so owl me later."

"Oh right, yeah sorry about that." Sirius said laughing as he turned to leave. "I'll go now, its not that important."

Then why burst in to say anything in the first place? James sighed. He should be mentally insane now if he seriously took on everything his friends did.

"Check me later James," he called as he reached the front door.

As soon as the door slammed Lily pushed the sheet up and over her head. "Could it be much later?" she queried, still fighting the smile that she'd held on too since the one and only Sirius had burst in.

James leaned back on his pillows down looking at her and enjoying the smooth curve of her shoulder. His hands itched to follow the smooth line down her back but he held back. They'd made love three times last night and she was probably sore.

He held back a chuckle.

In fact, he should be exhausted but just looking at her in her naked glory was enough to make him totally willing and able.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked not bothering to hide her nudity from him.

"Making love to you again," he said honestly and watched her eyes park up at that.

She drew in a quick breath, "Don't say it if you're not going to do it."

"I'm all for starting it," he said but then looked at her intently. "Are you up to it?"

Moving, testing, she shifted her body closer. Muscles she never knew she had were tired and maybe she was a bit sore but it didn't stop the throb she felt to have him inside her again.

And, tossing the covers aside, she clambered on top of him. "If you aren't up to the challenge just say so Potter." She said suggestively.

Smoothing his hands up her legs to settle on her waist he said "Evans you don't need to worry your pretty little head about anything." And with that he flipped her onto her back as she squealed. "You'll see whether I'm up to anything soon enough."

It wasn't often that Lily and the rest of her dorm mates from school got together so when they do it was a bit boisterous. Eyes turned to their table as once again the girls dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"Its comforting to know that while I'm here suffering the four of you find my situation funny as hell." Suzanne Skelly said pointedly and once again they laughed out loud.

"I'm sorry Suez, but you have to admit your technique for getting your boss to notice you is, well, a bit odd don't you think?" Erin said and looked to Lily for confirmation.

"I'm sorry but it's true," she said but tried to put on a straight face when she did. Suzanne was working as a personal assistant for a great bloke. They had become close friends over the three years and somehow Suzanne feelings changed from friendship to love.

The other two girls, Callie Benton and Meredith Cavanaugh, the blondes in the group just grinned. Catching up on each other's love lives was always fun and there was always one of them who took the cake.

"Sweetie, I don't think parading different women in front of him is a good idea." Callie added diplomatically and Meredith snorted at that.

"I would think not; honey you want him to your self but why resort to set him up on dates?"

Suzanne blew out a frustrated breath. "You're not getting it. I'm setting him up with the wrong women. So obviously he'll realize the right one was in front of him all this time."

"Aren't you afraid he'll choose one of them?"

"Well yeah, but you know still. I have to try something."

After a number of unsuccessful dates Wesley Adams, the boss, had asked Suzanne to find him someone he can stand being around. It hadn't really gone well since he insisted she keep trying after each one.

"Oh, I know," Meredith said almost squealing. "Let him catch you naked, cause honey your body is hot. It'll make his mouth water."

Seeing the blush blossoming on the girl's cheeks Lily tried to take pity on her. "It's not as bad as it sounds Suez. I agree with Merry. He's only seen you in work clothes right?"

The girl nodded and the other look to Lily as she finished her point.

"Well show him that you're more than just his friend and trusty PA. Make him lust after you. Dress to seduce."

It was after she finished her little speech that Lily noticed the four pairs of eyes. "What's wrong with all of you?" she asked not getting it.

"You never agree with me," Meredith said in awe.

"Well of course I do, loads of times, even. I may never have told you so but I have agreed with some of your suggestions."

"Uh huh well I guess we do have to help each other out. We three are the last remaining virgins after all." The other girl said solemnly and Lily almost choked in the sip of cocktail she just took.

"Yeah," was all Lily said. It was one thing in theory to lie to her friends but it was another altogether to lie to their faces. All she could do was not directly answer any of the questions.

Well at least she wasn't emitting any strange vibes. She'd spent that entire first day with James.

In bed.

All day.

And night.

Sirius didn't bother them again but then again James had literally barricaded them behind shielding and locking spells.

Then in the morning he had had to work and she went home. He came to her flat for "lunch" and then again in the evening where they proceeded to make love with out even eating only to get up at two to feed another kind of hunger.

In the mirror this morning, after he'd left for his flat, she stared at her reflection and couldn't help noticing she looked different. She could place the difference but she felt it. Did sex change a woman's appearance? Could other people tell if she had done the deed countless times this week?

Couldn't her friends?

But then if sex changed your appearance what about love?

It was a question she didn't want to contemplate. Not here, not where if she really thought about it she could break down and cry.

"The remaining virgins, who would have thought eh?" Suzanne said shaking her head.

Lily had to laugh at that.

The last time they'd all met together the three of them really were the remaining virgins. Now though she could even say "sorry guys I'm joining the ranks on the other side of the court."

Out of all of them though, the surprising one had been Callie. No one had expected her to the "wild thing" before them. She was always the quiet and reserved one.

"What about you Merry, no new boy-toy?" Lily asked although she knew the answer to that she needed to change the subject of conversation.

Guys were intimidated by Meredith and never let her close. So, for as long as Lily had known her, Meredith had never fallen in lust never mind love. She needed a strong man to match her strong personality.

She laughed, "Hardly." Then she speared Lily with a look and raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What about you Lily darling?"

"Huh?"

"Dating anyone, recently or otherwise?" Err…how was she supposed to answer that?

"No," she said and pasted a puzzled frown on her face. "I would have mentioned it if I had."

"Oh ho, so you're going to leave out that little date you went on then, hmmm? You know like three weeks ago?"

After a genuine puzzlement this time Lily finally realized what she was going on about and sputtered. "James? You mean the thing with James Potter?"

"Do you know of anyone else you went out with?"

Lily turned to Erin and glared, "What exactly did you tell them?"

"Oh you know," her best mate hedged, "This and that."

"She said you asked James out on a date," Callie supplied grinning.

"Erin!"

"What? Okay I wasn't really lying. After our talk I upgraded the friend thing to a date thing and yeah that's it."

Sighed Lily sat back in the chair and raised her head heavenward as if to ask "why me?" But honestly how was she supposed to answer that?

"That was not a date," she said. "I want to make that very clear to everyone of you who likes to speculate."

They all laughed at that.

"Whatever Lily, we agree with Erin, sooner or later the two of you will realize there is no one better suited for you than each other." Suzanne predicted but if only Lily could say the truth out loud. Then again, admitting the truth was too embarrassing. How could she willing admit that she'd fallen in love with a guy who didn't want her?

Well, at least not forever.

She knew he cared, it was obvious he cared.

She'd known from the beginning though that caring wasn't going to be enough, she had thought she had accepted it.

These past few days with him convinced her more than anything that she was more than halfway in love with him. She already did, completely, irrevocably.

Only eventually it will be over.

She knew that it was only a matter of time.

It had been two weeks.

Two weeks since he and Lily had been seeing each other. Two weeks since he could think of nothing else but her and he didn't like it.

Or rather he didn't understand it.

He'd known her for years and never once hand he gotten bored around her and it hadn't changed since they'd been seeing each other every day.

They'd been careful not to spend every waking moment together but that didn't mean he hadn't wanted to and that disturbed him.

Shaking his head he quickly changed his gears. He had work to do; it didn't do well to dwell on things that eventually will find its own way to die out.

Lily sat on the sofa next to James, which wasn't unusual, but them holding hands under the sofa pillow was. Not that anyone knew.

It was another get-together Friday and this time they were all gathered in Lily's flat. It was odd Lily knew; she felt it, even if the others didn't know. She was sitting this close to James and wanted to snuggle up closer, lean her head on his shoulder be more than just sleeping partner. She wanted to be seen as the woman in his life.

But hadn't she caused this on herself? She had been the one to make the final decision and her wising for anything more…well.

That couldn't happen and though she was tired of telling herself the same things over and over again it still didn't keep her from wishing it just a little.

She knew she couldn't of course because after her lunch with her friends she knew that at although people were expecting them to get together eventually, the fact that they were together already was weird.

What was more, she was afraid to disappoint them, because to the girls if and when they got together it would be forever and no matter how much she had tried to dissuade them from that point of view they laughed.

A chill worked it way through her and shrugging it off she let go of his hand and got up. Changing the music seemed like a good excuse to move away from James. He didn't even glance sideways as she left him still talking with Erin and Matthew.

A flash of something echoed in her. And it hurt. Taking in a shuddering breath, she focused on changing the wireless player to something more standard. She wasn't feeling the slow tunes anymore. It was somehow more depressing, those.

Flipping it to another popular station she went into the kitchen. The dinner they ordered hadn't arrived yet and the others were talking and laughing. Making herself useful she began taking out utensils since she didn't feel like socializing.

However, when she did go back out she brought forth her best acting skills and joined in the joke telling.

No one was going to know anything.

When it was over it'll be over but at least for now she had him and for a little while she would love him.

James watched as Lily laughed at Sirius's antics. She was genuinely beautiful and not only outside but on the inside as well. He had known that for years.

It was what had first attracted him all those years ago in fifth year. Her temper had been intriguing because although it had been expected of her not many people saw it. He had been on the receiving end as much as Snape had been.

And he had enjoyed it.

When he'd finally given her, her space in seventh year the attraction had turned to affection. She was a good person and the friendship grew. He had never tried to make it more. Should he have then? When he knew she liked him for himself and accepted who he was?

No, it had been right to remain friends then.

But now? Now it wsa more than that more than anything he'd ever felt. He wanted her yes but it was more than that. He needed her company, craved the feel of her next to him.

An hour ago after she had gotten up from next to him, he had wanted to pull her back down.

She hadn't come back after that. The food had come and then everyone came together to eat but she didn't come anywhere near him.

He'd been angry at first but then realized how absurd the situation was. Of course she couldn't be with him all the time. They agreed that it wasn't possible. Their friends would notice.

Right now at that moment he couldn't imagine not being with Lily but he should. He should realize that the agreement was no strings and that they go their separate ways soon.

Maybe not at that moment but a month from now was too soon, even two. A time limit for them hadn't been set but they would separate.

He'd move on and she'd find another bloke. This time it would be someone who would take care of her and provide her with the things she deserved.

Gritting his teeth he knew she would give herself to this man, kiss him. They'd always be together around him. It irritated him to no end. He didn't want her to kiss anyone else, let alone sleep with them.

What the hell was going on with him. He had to figure things out. Too many things was happening and he didn't know where to begin.

"James!"

"Prongs!"

Snapped out of his reverie by the voices he turned to them. Each one of them was looking at him strangely.

"What?"

"You're going to kill the poor recliner," Peter said pointing.

"Oh," he said. He'd been rocking on it.

Hard.

"Err yeah sorry there Lily, my mind wandered." He said not looking at her but at the room in general as he pasted a sheepish look on his face.

He had to figure things out before it got out of hand, people were starting to notice something was up.

Lily laughed and answered him but it was forced, "no problem."

His expression hadn't been pleasant when he'd zoned out on them. Had it been work? Or something else.

Lily didn't want to go where the "else" was. But either way, no matter what she going to think she had a bad feeling and usually those bad feelings never goes away.


PLease R&R and btw i may be busy in a few weeks so i hope u'll have patience with me for the next chapter!