The Mission From Hell
Chapter 10 Part II
"The end, or is it..."

By: Deep Shadows and EckoStalker
---------------------------------------------
Author's Notes: Yes this is the last chapter, and just to let you know, yes there will be another Mission fron Hell, but not for a while...

---------------------------------------------

Alexis awoke lazily, yawning widely and wrapped in strong warm arms. Too tired to open her eyes but too hungry to sleep, she grumbled into the bare warm chest.

"Are you going to make breakfast?"

"Well, if you want me to." A voice answered amusingly. Alexis frowned, noticing Severus' voice had actually gotten higher. He also smelt different. Perturbed, she opened her eyes and looked up, meeting Ron's smiling gaze.

"Good morning beautiful." He spoke, and Alexis jumped back a bit in surprise, forgetting that she was home and in her own bed.

Ron looked at her with concern as he questioned. "Alexis? Nightmare or something?"

Alexis sighed deeply, shaking her head as she lay her head back down on his bare chest, cuddling up to him with a small smile. "Uh, yeah... nightmare..."

Ron relaxed at her answer, once again wrapping his arm around her and she smiled widely, recalling warmly the memories of being spoiled rotten by her husband the night before and the sweet recollections of the continued beatings of Draco and Aaron by his hands. Yep, it had been a good night.

She lay against him in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, and then Ron breathed deeply, kissing her on the top of her head before speaking. "Well, I'm going to take a shower, then make you a meat lover's omelette, if that's okay with you."

Alexis sighed contentedly, squeezing him as she replied. "Oh, perfectly fine with me."

"Then it's settled." He spoke happily, sidling out from under her and stretching as he rose from the bed, grabbing some clothes and heading into the bathroom.

Alexis rolled over on her back, spreading her arms out, her eyes still closed. After a minute, she shivered from the absence of body heat, and rolled over; reaching for her dragon pillow she had always curled up with. She groped on the bed for a minute, frowning when her hands came across nothing but the regular pillows. She opened her eyes, scanning the bed with confusion, but seeing her pillow nowhere in sight.

She sat up, gathering the blanket around herself warmly, thinking to herself. "I know I brought it back from the apartment..."

She leaned down, glancing under her bed, but seeing nothing but the customary shirt or two and a mace she thought she had lost months ago. Shrugging with a frown, she sat back up, and then slid off the bed, crawling over to her half unpacked suitcase and rummaging through it. Still nothing.

She sat back on her heels, scratching her head in confusion. She dressed quickly, and then ruffled through her expandable closet, then in the upstairs second room, but it was nowhere to be found. She called to Ron, hearing him turn off the water in the shower.

"Honey, do you know where my dragon pillow is?"
"It's not on the bed?" He asked, walking out of the bathroom and towel drying his bright red hair.

"No, and I've already looked under the bed, in my suitcase, and in the closet." Alexis mused, and Ron shrugged.

"Don't think you left it downstairs of something?" He suggested and Alexis smirked.

"I bet Artimis took it. Then, I'm off to her room." She declared, going into a dramatic pose and pointing towards the door. Ron mimicked her and declared as well. "And I'm off to the Kitchen."
Alexis laughed, and both skipped out of their Tower, heading downstairs. Ron parted with her on the second story landing with a kiss, and Alexis quickly popped her head into Artimis's room, scanning the perimeter. The desired object could not be located.

"Where the bloody hell is it?" Alexis grumbled, leaving the room and looking towards Remus' room.

"He wouldn't take it... he doesn't do well with pillows too well..." Alexis mused, and then she stopped, narrowing her eyes at an odd feeling she just had.

"You know, I wonder..." She mused, stepping up to Severus' door. She opened it and looked inside, and lo and behold, there was her pillow, wrapped in Severus' arms and with his face buried in it.

Alexis shook her head in confusion, staring at the sleeping man like he was insane. Which he probably was, since when did he ever steal her pillows?

"My gosh, he's even drooling on it..." Alexis grumbled and thought dimly with a shudder if he were ever drooling on her at any time. She stepped forward, but then stopped, thinking a moment.

"Wait, need hard proof." Alexis told herself, reaching into one of the big pockets of her pants and pulling out a camera.

She snapped a quick picture, and then walked forward, snatching the pillow from his grip as she indignantly hollered. "Severus! What the hell are you doing!"

--------------------------------------

Severus was sleeping contently, his arms wrapped around something soft, but not exactly warm. He assumed that Alexis had placed a pillow in her place when she got up, hoping for not another repeat of him being a cling-on. He heard Alexis yell at him and he groaned.

"Severus! What the hell are you doing!" She hollered and he sighed, burying his head in the pillow.

"Shut up and go back to sleep..." He growled, not wanting to wake up to yet another snow day. He heard her grumble at him and then she yanked his pillow away. On instinct he whipped his hand out and yanked it back, rolling over as he curled up to it. He heard her exasperation as she stomped around the bed, grumbling. She snatched it away from him and hit him in the head with it, jostling him awake.

"God, make your own breakfast, you know how to make cereal!" Severus yelled, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

"Um, Sev, we're home..." She stated and Severus opened his eyes, looking around and realizing that he was indeed in his bed at the Manor.

"Then what are you doing here?" He barked at her and she held a dragon pillow up.

"You had my pillow... Why did you have my pillow?" Alexis asked him and the whole ordeal came to mind.

Deny it... He thought in his early morning mentality.

"I didn't have your pillow." He barked and then Alexis pulled out her Polaroid camera and took out the picture, showing him sleeping curled with it.

"Yes, you did, and you were drooling on it too... gross. "Alexis stated and Severus had no idea what to say, so he said the first thing that came to mind.

"So?" He asked and Alexis looked at him in shock.

"Why did you have my pillow Severus? When I woke up with Ron it was gone." Alexis asked him and Severus remembered Ron's words. 'If you ever, EVER, touch my wife, look at my wife, hell, come within ten feet of my wife without my sayso or presence, I will tear you limb from limb and feed you piece by piece to the dogs.'

Severus realized that he was closer than ten feet and did not feel like testing Ron's patience. He scrambled backwards on his bed, jumping off on the other side and standing back a foot or two.

"That's ten feet right?" Severus asked and Alexis looked at him like he was crazy.

"Um, yeah... Would you care to explain why you were cuddling with my pillow, Severus?" She demanded and Severus shook his head, deciding he had a way out of answering.

"Good morning Alexis." He stated simply as he turned around and walked into his bathroom, closing and locking the door.

"You are such a bad liar Severus! I'll find out why and you know it." He heard her state as she stormed out of her room and he sighed, shaking his head as he walked back into his room to get some clothes.

-----------------------------------

That Night...

Alexis lay down next to Ron, cuddling against him, and then tucking her dragon pillow firmly under her arm, having a dim feeling that the pillow snatchings wouldn't end as easily as it had done this morning. She still hadn't managed to get a solid answer out of him, so she just pushed it aside as an odd coincidence. But that didn't mean she was going to risk it being snatched once more. She smiled though as Ron hugged her to him, and she drifted off into a comfortable sleep in her husband's embrace.

Alexis yawned, having been awoken by Ron's jostling. She grumbled to herself under her breath. She rolled over against him, reaching around behind her for her pillow. She tensed though, not finding it. She sat up suddenly, bleary eyes glancing at the clock on the fireplace mantle, seeing it read 3:27 am.

She glanced about the bed, lifting Ron slightly and looking under him, but still the pillow was missing. She growled under her breath, knowing exactly who the culprit was.

She slowly slid out of the bed, shivering in the chilly air and was stopped by Ron's sleepy voice, seeing him roll over to face her slightly. "Honey... did you forget to turn off the sink..."

Alexis rolled her eyes and smirked, replying. "Yes darling. Going right now to turn it off in the Kitchen. Go back to sleep."

Ron yawned, turning back on his side as he mumbled. "Okay... love you..."

"Love you too. Night night." Alexis snickered, then padded out of the Tower and making her way to Severus' room. She threw open the door, glaring with tired eyes at the man who was once again wrapped around her pillow. This was starting to get pretty annoying.

She stalked forward and snatched it away once more, grumbling. He shifted in his sleep, and Alexis slapped him across the head with the pillow. He winced slightly and grumbled. "Come on... it's too early for that... go back to sleep..."

Alexis rolled her eyes and growled. "But it isn't too early to steal a pillow from my room, when both me and Ron are in there sleeping?"

Severus cracked one eye open, then both shot open as he stared at her with surprise. Alexis whacked him once again with the pillow, and he brought up his arm in defense.

"Why are you stealing my pillow Severus?" Alexis grumbled, too tired to be putting up with his weird self. Severus sat up, looking at her silently, biting his lip slightly in thought. He carefully scooted to the edge of his bed, but Alexis caught on to his plan and stepped in front of his bathroom, hands on her hip with the pillow in one hand as she snapped.

"Well, an explanation will do nicely you know. I'd like to get back to sleep."

Severus shrugged, looking away from her gaze as he grumbled. "Well, go back to sleep then..."

"I would if I was assured that I wasn't going to wake up to any more missing bed articles. What's next, my blanket? My mattress? Can you assure me it won't happen anymore Severus?" She questioned, glaring at him.

Severus didn't answer, standing to his feet and merely staring at her, and Alexis knew it was a solid no.

"Well, then would you mind explaining why you have this incessant need to steal my pillow?" She questioned relentlessly, and his only answer was a slow shake of his head, denying her any answer.

She growled, whacking him harshly with the pillow again. He stumbled slightly, staring at her with confusion. "So you hit me with the pillow..."

"Yeah, maybe it'll wake you up enough to actually say something. It must be something bad if you'd risk sneaking in there with Ron in the bed." Alexis told him, and he looked at the floor, at his hands, anyplace besides her face.

There were a few more minutes of annoying silence, and Alexis hit him in the head with the pillow once more. He stumbled, and then glared at her, growling. "Stop it damnit."

"Well!" Alexis snapped, and Severus sighed, crossing his arms and then rubbing the bridge of his temple. He took a deep breath, and then mumbled into his hand.

"What was that?" Alexis asked again, and he spoke a bit louder with frustration. "It smells like you."

Alexis dropped her arms from her hips, staring at Severus with a surprised expression at the blunt answer. Severus quickly took the time to explain in her stunned state.

"I have found that, I cannot sleep unless..." he sighed again, rubbing his temples before finishing."... unless I... well... smell you."

Alexis continued to stare at him, unable to find a good answer to that one. Severus looked at her with a desperate face as he explained. "You sleep in the same bed with someone for a month and it changes your whole bloody sleep habit!"

"Apparently..." Alexis mused, finally snapping out of her surprise and staring at Severus with a raised eyebrow. Well... this is a new one... I think I should be a bit freaked out here... Alexis thought, both standing there in awkward silence for a few moments.

Alexis swallowed painfully; shaking her head at what she was about to say, but saying it anyway. "Well you... you could've asked."

Severus looked at her like she was nuts, then stepped forward and spoke sarcastically. "Oh yes. Ask. Try this one. 'Excuse me Alexis, I have realized that I can't sleep unless your scent is there, so I was wondering if I could borrow one of your pillows?'. Or, to counter that, 'Hey Ron, can I borrow your wife, because I can't fall asleep unless she is in the bed'? What do you think would be the answer?"

Alexis couldn't help but smirk, but she knew what he meant. "Yeah... I see your point..."

Severus nodded, crossing his arms and looking once again at his feet. Alexis knew she was the one who had to find a solution to this; she couldn't very well go on with him stealing one of her pillows, especially one so easily recognized as hers. That just wouldn't look right.

She sighed, shaking her head as she grumbled. "Okay then. Just, don't steal this one anymore... and... I'll give you... a different one. I guess."

Severus looked up at her, as if not sure she was serious or not, and she looked away, feeling very awkward. Moments like this weren't suppose to happen between her and people like Severus. It was just... weird.

"Um... thank you..." Severus mumbled, and Alexis nodded, then looked at him and spoke.

"Oh and... let's not say anything about this in public, okay?"
"Wasn't planning to..." Severus grumbled, and Alexis nodded, starting to back out of Severus' room.

"I'm just gonna go now... um, come up and get it after Ron leaves for work, okay?"

Severus rolled his eyes at her, nodding, and Alexis quickly ran upstairs, still perturbed by the whole confrontation. She slid into bed beside Ron, sighing as she dropped her pillow on the bed, knowing she wasn't going to get much more sleep, since she was going to have to wake up at six anyway, and it was already four in the morning.

Ron awoke sometime later, pulling Alexis into a hug with a sigh, and she laughed at him, whacking him in the back with the pillow. He let her go and rolled back on the bed, Alexis rolling back as well. Suddenly she was whacked on the head with a pillow, and that proceeded into an all out pillow fight that lasted into the better part of half an hour.

Alexis finally got up to take a shower, whacking Ron with her dragon pillow once more before disappearing into the bathroom.

-------------------------------------------

Ron sighed, leaning back on his bed after being whacked by Alexis once more with her pillow. He shook his head and smiled, sighing contentedly. He rolled on his side, pulling her pillow up to himself and cuddling with it lazily until she returned. But as he breathed into the pillow, a frown covered his face as he noticed something... odd, about it. He sat up, looking at the pillow warily. It smelled different, not like Alexis too much. He smelled it carefully once more, and then a scowl covered his face as he pinned down exactly whose smell that was.

Alexis was finishing with her quick shower, and he growled loudly. "Alexis."

"Yes honey? Something... wrong..." Alexis trailed off, skipping into the bedroom but stumbling to a halt at the look of anger on his face.

"Yes. Why does your pillow smell like Severus?" He questioned lowly, his already simmering anger for the Potion's master quickly rising to boiling. He saw Alexis swallow, and her characteristic paling out when she was caught doing something.

He narrowed his eyes, hissing. "Alexis, answer me."

Alexis looked at him uncomfortably, hands clasped behind her back as she traced one foot in circles. "Um..."

"It's going to be one of those 'Well-what-happened-was' stories isn't it?" Ron stated, and Alexis smiled meekly at him, and he knew it wasn't a good sign. He kept the thoughts of how he was going to go about killing Severus as Alexis stammered an explanation.

"Um... yeah... well you see, what happened was... well... okay fine." Alexis growled at herself, then looking at Ron almost helplessly.

"You know that Severus and I had to... share a bed, with each other for the past month, right?" She explained softly, and Ron nodded, narrowing his eyes.

"Well... something like that... it sometimes changes people... but not like that! It's just that... Severus has been the one stealing my pillow. Because he can't sleep without... this sounds so wrong... without being able to, I guess, smell me there or something." Alexis mumbled quietly, and Ron's face turned slightly redder as he clenched his fists with anger.

"And when did you find this out?" He growled lowly.

"He told me this morning when I went to get my pillow back..." Alexis answered meekly, looking at him warily.

"He told y- oh... I guess he didn't understand our little chat like he said..." Ron hissed mostly to himself, standing up from the bed with every intention of finding said person. Alexis backed up a step, stepping in front of the doors.

"Now Ron... he can't help it... not his fault... well, maybe a bit... but still..." Alexis tried to explain, but Ron wasn't going to listen this time.

He talked to her... was obviously within the restricted radius... time to take my warning to the next level... Ron told himself with anger, walking up to Alexis and pulling her away from the door.

"I'll be back in a few minutes honey." He told her simply, exiting the Tower. He paused in his step though as he heard Alexis's voice pleading.

"Ron... you're not going to leave right now are you?"

He stopped, sighing as he closed his eyes. And now she's doing the 'eyes' and standing there looking depressed... Ron whined mentally, trying to steel himself from her and continue his march of justice.

"Okay... I guess I'll see you late tonight after work... since you've got to leave in like two hours... but you want to spend it somewhere else... that's okay..." Alexis sighed depressingly, and Ron's shoulders slumped in a defeated manner. He knew he was beaten even before starting. So he sighed and turned back, straightening his shoulders and giving her a smile.

Alexis smiled brightly back at him, looking at him as if he were her hero or something, of which he wasn't going to complain about. He shook his head with amusement as he walked back into the room, catching her as she leapt at him with a yelp of glee. Well... I can always get him later...

--------------------------------

Severus was just barely sleeping, having just fallen asleep after stealing the pillow from Alexis at about 2:30 am. He buried himself under the blankets, clinging to the pillow as he dozed in and out of conciousness. He thought he heard a door open loudly, but then again, it might have been a dream, at this point, Severus wasn't to sure of anything. He began to fall into a deeper sleep, just as the pillow he had wrapped himself around was snatched out of his arms. He shifted, moving to find the pillow again and he was walloped in the head with it. Now he was sure that Alexis was trying to start a fight with him in order to get him up to make her food. He winced slightly and grumbled at her.

"Come on... it's too early for that... go back to sleep..." He told Alexis and it was silent for moment and he thought she might have actually gone back to sleep.

"But it isn't too early to steal a pillow from my room, when both me and Ron are in there sleeping?" Alexis barked at him and he opened one eye to look at her. She was standing there in her spaghetti strap shirt and a pair of mens boxers, more than likely Ron's. He opened both eyes and stared at her in utter surprise. Alexis whacked him again with the pillow he had stolen to get some sleep and he blocked the blow with his arm as Alexis grumbled at him in anger.

"Why are you stealing my pillow Severus?" He heard her grumble at him and he sat up, looking at her, wondering what he should say. He bit his lip to keep himself one awake and two from telling her his secret. He looked toward the bathroom door, moving for his way out as he scooted to the edge of the bed.

Alexis must have predicted it, because she blocked him from it, standing in the 'I'm a woman and I demand an answer' stance and Severus knew he was defeated, but he wasn't giving up without a fight.

"Well, an explanation will do nicely you know. I'd like to get back to sleep." Alexis grumbled at him and he shrugged, looking away from her gaze as he grumbled back at her.

"Well, go back to sleep then..."

"I would if I was assured that I wasn't going to wake up to any more missing bed articles. What's next, my blanket? My mattress? Can you assure me it won't happen anymore Severus?" She questioned him with frustration and she was glaring at him as he stood to his feet, staring at her blankly. Nonverbal, he was telling her that no he couldn't assure her it wouldn't happen anymore, he couldn't even assure himself of anything.

"Well, then would you mind explaining why you have this incessant need to steal my pillow?" She questioned him relentlessly.

The only answer he was willing to give her was a slow shake of his head. He heard her growl at him and then she hit him with the pillow again, hard. He stumbled with the force and stared at her with confusion.

"So you hit me with the pillow..." He asked, wondering if he wasn't the only insane one.

"Yeah, maybe it'll wake you up enough to actually say something. It must be something bad if you'd risk sneaking in there with Ron in the bed." Alexis stated and Severus looked at the floor, then his hands, then the wall, anything from looking at the questioning woman in front of him. He was silent for a few moments and then Alexis hit him with the pillow once more.

Stumbling once again, he glared at her, growling. "Stop it damnit."

"Well!" Alexis snapped at him and his only choice was to cross his arms as he looked at her, taking the time to rub his temple as he thought to himself.

If I don't tell her then she'll never leave it be, if I do tell her I run the risk of getting my ass kicked again... He thought as he took a deep breath and then decided to tell her.

He mumbled lowly, hoping she could hear him as he talked into his hand not looking at her.

"It smells like you." He whispered and Alexis obviously didn't hear him.

"What was that?" Alexis asked him again, thus making him speak louder to her, frustrated that he had to admit this out loud, to Alexis of all people.

"It smells like you." He told her and she dropped her arms in shock as he looked at her, and she was staring at him in surprise.

Severus quickly took the time to explain in her stunned state.

"I have found that, I cannot sleep unless..." he sighed again, rubbing his temples before finishing. "... unless I... well... smell you." He explained, feeling very, very, vulnerable in this conversation. Alexis now had a weakness on him, even if she was that weakness. Alexis didn't say anything though, she just stared at him and he felt like it was accusingly.

"You sleep in the same bed with someone for a month and it changes your whole bloody sleep habit!" Severus looked at her like one desperate as he explained to her.

"Apparently..." Alexis mused to herself more than him, finally speaking as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. They both stood there in awkward silence for a few moments before Alexis spoke, shaking her head as she did so.

"Well you... you could've asked." She stated and he looked at her like she was crazy. And when exactly was I supposed to ask, while your husband was threatening me... Or while I was watching our mission, or while you were out with your husband... Severus thought as he spoke sarcastically. "Oh yes. Ask. Try this one. 'Excuse me Alexis, I have realized that I can't sleep unless your scent is there, so I was wondering if I could borrow one of your pillows?'. Or, to counter that, 'Hey Ron, can I borrow your wife, because I can't fall asleep unless she is in the bed'? What do you think would be the answer?" He asked her, knowing fully well what the answer would have been. Alexis smirked at him and he sighed as she replied.

"Yeah... I see your point..."

Severus nodded at her as he crossed his arms, looking once again at his feet. He couldn't help but think that Ron would kill him if he found Alexis in her in her pajamas and him in the room in just his boxers. He was broken from his thoughts by Alexis sighing loudly.

"Okay then. Just, don't steal this one anymore... and... I'll give you... a different one. I guess." She stated and he looked at her, thinking to himself. She's not serious, is she?...

Alexis looked away from him and he had a feeling she was just as uncomfortable in this situation as he was.

"Um... thank you..." Severus told her lowly and she nodded in acknowledgement.

"Oh and... let's not say anything about this in public, okay?" She looked at him and asked and he shook his head at her. Oh yes, I plan on saying in public that I am addicted to your scent... Gods, I even sounds wrong to say that in my head... He thought as he replied.
"Wasn't planning to..." Severus grumbled at her and she nodded, backing out of his room.

"I'm just gonna go now... um, come up and get it after Ron leaves for work, okay?" She asked him and he rolled his eyes at her. Seeing Ron was last on his list.

He watched her leave and he sighed, heading for the shower as he sighed.

"Things can never be normal in my life can they?" He asked as he took a quick shower.

After his shower he headed down to breakfast, rubbing his head as he sat in his spot. He was about half an hour early, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep any longer anyway. Artimis looked at him worriedly as she showed Selena how to set the table. He shrugged at her as he got up and helped Selena set the table while Artimis headed to check on the food. Harry walked in, giving Severus a warning glance.

"Ron is on a rampage, you talked to her and now he's gonna kick your butt from here to China. Just giving you fair warning." Harry stated as he toned down his language for Selena. Severus nodded and shook his head as he went over to his seat as the rest of the family came slowly pouring in. Alexis and Ron were the last to enter and Severus' eyes immediately went to looking at Selena, away from either of them. Selena was busy trying to make her spoon stick to her nose. Severus was wondering why Remus wasn't at the table and then he remembered with a gulp that it was a full moon weekend. That meant that there was no one sitting between him and Ron. Severus scooted his chair over, closer to Hermione, who looked at him and scooted closer to Fred. Fred, being the idiot that he was, scooted closer to Hermione, earning himself a smack.

Not several minutes later, a large yellow and brown owl glided through the open Kitchen window with a box gripped in its talons. Eating stopped as everyone looked up in curiousity, the owl landing gracefully in front of Alexis's plate, snatching a sausage from Ron's hand with dignity. Alexis looked at the box, and then took it, the owl taking wing and leaving with a mournful call.

"Christmas come early or something?" Alexis mused, opening the box which had been addressed to her. She looked inside, and her face lit up as she let out a yip of joy, snatching up the objects within. Severus cocked an eyebrow as he heard her murmuring.

"Oh my babies, I've missed you so much... Mama's never going to lose you two again, no she's not..."

Alexis looked up happily, and Severus saw that she held her once lost nunchucks in her hands. He rolled his eyes, scolding himself from thinking he was finally rid of their sting, when Alexis pulled out a piece of parchment.

Artimis asked curiously. "Didn't know they were lost... Does it say who found them?"

Alexis read the letter silently, and then looked up with an odd expression. She then spoke aloud.

"Dear Mrs. Weasley.

You OWE me.

Rita Skeeter Daily Prophet"

"Oookaaayy..." Alexis mused quietly, and Artimis looked to Hermione.

"She returned those... which means... she knows about the mission! And she didn't say anything? What kind of blackmail do we have on this woman!"

Hermione smiled, replying smugly. "Take your pick."

The rest of breakfast was eaten in relative silence, Alexis never letting go of her accursed weapons and Severus thankful that Ron actually let him be. Ron got up from the table early in fact, excusing himself to get ready for work. Severus made sure he had Selena with him all morning until Ron left with on final warning glare.

"He's gonna kill me tonight... Might as well get some reading in." Severus told himself as he headed for the library.

----------------------

Alexis wandered into the Living room, figuring she might as well sit back and chill until Ron got home, which should've been any time now. Then maybe they could actually find something to do.

If Ron isn't too occupied tracking Severus down... gonna have to probably save his pathetic ass again... I swear, men these days...

Alexis thought to herself, sprawling on the couch and opening a Terry Pratchett book. She sighed contentedly as she immersed herself in her reading. But she was soon interrupted by a deep voice inquiring.

"Excuse me."

Alexis looked up with confusion, seeing Severus standing there, looking at her expectantly, book in one hand, cup of tea in the other. They stared at each other for a moment, Alexis wondering what he was 'excuse me' -ing about.

Severus finally sighed and rolled his eyes. "Will you move you feet, please?"

A bit surprised, she lowered her feet to the floor, looking around the room to assure herself that there were indeed other empty seats, and that Severus wasn't being forced to sit beside her. She shrugged though as Severus sat, opening his book and leaning back comfortably.

Alexis wasn't the one disturbed at his close proximity, she accepted that the mission was just that, a mission, and the events that had taken place would never happen again. And she was positive that Severus saw it as the same. But spending a whole month that close to the guy made her loosen up about her paranoia of him plotting to attack her or something like before the mission. But that still didn't solve the dilemma over Severus' continued display of civility towards her the last two weeks of the mission and this last week at home.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, but he was calmly reading his book and sipping his tea, not disturbed at the fact that he was sitting beside what he had always announced her as 'the bane of his existence'.

Finally, she could take it no longer. She set down her book, looking at him with a curious expression. Severus, feeling her gaze, set down his book and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay come on. These past few weeks you've been civil, hell, I'll go as far as to say nice to me. And I know you can't use the 'oh, she's my partner' excuse anymore. So what's up with that?" Alexis questioned, genuinely puzzled.

Severus was quiet for a moment, and then a small smirk came over his face as he looked at Alexis, oblivious to the tall, red haired man who had just walked in the living room as he spoke calmly. "Well, it's kind of hard not being nice to someone you've made out with..."

-----------------------------------------------------

Author's Notes:

The beatings will continue until the morale improves!
This is our Christmas present, to us...This was all started by me, Deep Shadows, wanting to make omelets, and of course, EckoStalker, in her constant plotting, said, 'Hey, what if..."
That's where this came from, ten chapters of "What if..." Ah beautifulness...

Toodles,
Deep Shadows
and
EckoStalker
"The Original Misfits"