I was lying when I'd said I expected him to respect my decision. I had thrown his words back in his face out of feminine instinct, using my challenging tone and body language to goad him out of gentlemanly restraint. I expected Remus to put his hands on me, and I didn't care how he did it— yank me to him or press me against the wall.

My lips parted in anticipation when Remus leaned toward me. His gaze was hot. I lifted my face, swaying forward in eagerness. If he bruised my mouth in an angry kiss, I'd welcome it.

"When?" Remus asked.

"What?"

"When is the meeting with Rosier?"

His tone was calm. I didn't know what to think. I said, "Uh, noon."

"All right."

I was at a loss for words. I'd counted on provoking a much different reaction. I stared at Remus. What was he saying? He trusted me to handle Evan, or he didn't care?

Remus lips turned up slightly. "Shall we meet in the lobby at a quarter of?"

The tightness in my throat eased enough for me to ask, "Meet?"

"You don't think I'd let you go alone?"

It was shaming, how relieved I was. "What about Samy and Aashi?"

Remus said, "I'll have them bring colouring books. They can wait outside with the secretary."

"Catherine prefers to be called a personal assistant."

"Then they can wait with the personal assistant," Remus said with a small smile.

"OK," I said, taking a step toward the fireplace.

Remus blocked my path. He put his hands on my shoulders and touched his forehead to mine. "Any lasting damage?" he asked.

"From butting heads?" When Remus nodded, I smiled a little. "No, but my pride is bruised."

He kissed me softly on the lips and then the forehead. "It wasn't my intention to hurt you. In fact, this—"

"Don't say this hurts you more than it hurts me," I said.

"As you wish," Remus said. His eyes were smiling.

I smiled reluctantly, even while I grumbled, "That's easy for you to say."

"No, it isn't." His gaze slid down my body like a hand. "Denying what I want in order to do what's right becomes more difficult every time."

I threw my arms around Remus, hugging him tight. "I'm sorry I'm making this so—" I broke off, unable to say the word with him pressed so close.

"Hard?" he said, suspiciously matter-of-fact.

That was definitely the word. I stepped back, trying to morph and conceal a blush. I said, "I'd kiss you goodbye, but I don't . . . ."

"Want to make things harder?"

I covered my face with my hands and peeked at him through my fingers. "Am I dirty-minded, or are you making double entendres?"

Remus smiled wolfishly. "What do you think?"

"I think it's better to pretend I didn't ask," I said, grabbing a handful of powder from the bowl beside the fireplace. I ducked into the Floo. "Goodnight, love."

"Goodnight, my love," Remus said tenderly.

I blew him a kiss and dropped the powder.

.

The next morning, I had a hard time waking up. In order to sleep and not dream, I'd used the Morpheus Charm I'd learnt from Lisa in the days when I was denying my attraction to Remus, and his eyes had haunted my dreams. Last night, memories of his kiss and touch made sleep impossible without a magical sleep aid.

The spell had just begun to release its hold on me when my alarm sounded. I hit the snooze button and rolled onto my side, hugging a pillow. I fell back asleep.

When the alarm went off again, I was in the middle of a dream. I woke, heart pounding from the images lingering in my mind. I'd been pinned to the wall, my legs wrapped around Remus's waist as he took the hem of my tank in his hands.

"Damn it!" I picked up the combination alarm and wizarding wireless radio and hurled it against the wall. It broke apart with a satisfyingly crash.

After a shower, I waved my wand to repair the alarm radio. I turned it on and found a Weird Sisters tune to hum along with as I dressed. I was still humming as I walked down the stairs, singing softly as I opened the door, "I put a spell on you…because you're mine."

Morty strolled out of his office. "That's an interesting song."

I gave him a two-fingered salute. "Go pour some sugar on yourself."

He followed me into the reception area. "Touchy this morning. What's the matter? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"Or the wrong bed," said Bubbles, looking up from her magazine. "Jimmy says any bed I'm not in is the wrong one for him. Makes him cross," she confided with a shake of her blonde curls. "Says it helps with his work, but he'd rather be mellow."

"That's nice," I said, speeding my pace to the front door. Were Remus and I the only couple in the wizarding world not sleeping together? The thought was enough to make me cross.

.

At work, instead of heading for the double oak doors on the second level, I walked down a side corridor. Between the offices of Aurors and Magical Law Enforcement was the Forensic and Potions Division. I didn't know many FPD techs, since I hadn't been involved with a lot of crime scenes, but there was a bloke I remembered from Hogwarts, and I intended to pay him a visit.

"You're doing that wrong," I said as I entered the lab.

Edmund Blofeld, voted most likely to become a mad alchemist, looked up from whatever pungent ingredient he was grinding with a pestle and frowned. "No, I'm not, and how did you get in here?"

I smiled. He was as humourless as ever. "I walked in, and I had to say that, after all the years I heard it from you in Potions."

A long-suffering sigh filled the room. "You didn't come here to reminisce about your ineptitude. What do you want?"

"Same thing as when you sat at the next table, Eddie. Your help."

"Edmund, and when you complete the potion request form…in triplicate…I'll consider it, Auror Tonks."

"I'm not here officially, Edmund," I said with what I hoped was a persuasive smile. "I need a favour."

"A potion."

My smile widened. "I need a truth serum undetectable in food."

The wizard's dark brows lifted. "What compensation will I receive?"

I said, "Name your price."

.

I followed the scent of chocolate back to Jerry's cubicle, pushing my way through the group of hungry-looking junior Aurors blocking his doorway. "Move along, there's no food for you people."

"Bet she gets a muffin," I heard someone mutter.

My smirk became a scowl when I saw the almost-empty basket on Jerry's desk. My glare caused Marsden and a couple of others to scuttle out of the cubicle, but Tom and Julia stood their ground. She bit her lip guiltily. "You weren't here."

"All's fair in love and muffins," Tom said. He winked at Julia. "Isn't that right, Love Muffin?"

I started to snicker. "You had me going until Love Muffin." I turned to Jerry, who had risen to his feet behind his desk. "Hand over my muffin and no one gets hexed."

"Here," Jerry said, handing me a serviette-wrapped bundle.

I opened up the chocolate/chocolate chip muffin and sighed. "There's even sugar on top." I broke off a bite and popped it into my mouth. I closed my eyes and moaned.

I heard a stifled laugh. "You know what chocolate's a substitute for," Julia said.

"No, what?" asked Jerry.

I opened my eyes to send Julia a warning look.

She said goodbye with a cheeky smile. I sneered at her. She laughed. "I love it when you curl your lip like Snape."

I waved her out the door. "Get out, loony."

I plopped down in a seat across from Jerry and ate another bite of chocolate-y bliss. "Mmm. A girl might put up with your mum for her muffins."

Jerry smiled. "I'd like a girl to put up with her for me."

"You'll find her," I said. I carefully wrapped the remainder of the muffin back in the serviette before bringing out a small vial.

"What's that?" my partner asked.

"Mentiri Potion. It'sundetectable in food and causes the person to blush if they lie."

Jerry watched me sprinkle the two remaining muffins in the basket on his desk. He said, "You asked, and Blofeld gave it to you?"

"No, I had to morph into the Bride of Frankenstein and let a forensic photographer take our picture." I made a face. "I bet he blows it up to life-sized."

Jerry chuckled.

I grinned. "Doing the scream was fun, though."

I picked up the basket and led the way to find Crantz and Stern. We discovered the pair drinking coffee in Crantz's cubicle. It was twice the size of mine and three times as messy. I grudgingly admired the towering piles of clutter and held out the basket. "We came by to see how the case wrapped up."

Stern grabbed a muffin and bit off a huge chunk, nodding his approval. Crantz took the second muffin and ate a bite small enough to talk around. "Sapiro is going away for a long, long time."

Jerry asked, "What about Lowman?"

"Off on probation," Crantz said, after swallowing his food. He took another bite. "'oody 'ood," he said, mouth full.

"You make these, Tonks?" Stern asked. "Bet that pervert would've liked you for more than your feet if he'd had one of these."

I watched the two eat. "Mrs. Connelly made them."

"Mind me dating your mum, Connelly?" Crantz asked.

"My father might," Jerry said.

"Don't worry, he'd keep mum about it, right, Ron?" asked Stern.

"Mum's the word, Gil," Crantz said, snorting with laughter.

I waited until the pair had finished the muffins before saying, "Lowman tracked me down to my side job. Either of you have any ideas how that could've happened?"

Stern muttered an expletive, shaking his head. "I might've said your name, Tonks, but nothing else."

His face remained pale. I looked at Crantz. He was turning a bit pink, even as he said, "I didn't tell him anything."

Jerry stepped forward. "Don't lie to us."

Crantz rubbed his fleshy neck and pulled at the tight collar of his robe. "I might've razzed Lowman about Tonks's baps not being that big." His face returned to being doughy. "He didn't care how you really looked," Crantz told me. "All he wanted to know was if you'd changed your feet."

Stern picked up a folder and threw it at Crantz. "You idiot!"

I watched papers scatter to the floor. I looked at my partner. "Arrests mean paperwork. Arrest reports go through the law offices, Jerry."

His mouth fell open. "Anne wouldn't—"

"Why don't you go ask," I said, thrusting Mrs. C's basket into Jerry's hands, "while I track down Lowman's work address."

.

The Chimera Charm Company was located in a brick building a street over from Diagon Alley. Jerry was still apologising for Anne when we walked in. I held up a hand. "You reported her. Even if she doesn't get sacked, she won't do it again. Let's move on, OK?" He nodded. We showed our badges to the witch at the reception desk.

"Second floor, last door on the left," she said, turning her attention back to sorting the owl post.

"Wait here," I told Jerry.

My hands were clammy by the time I reached out to knock on Lowman's door. I wiped my palms on my robes. I didn't intend shaking the man's hand, but I did want to conceal how nervous I was.

"Come in," he called.

I opened the door and stepped into a workshop. Shoes lined shelves floor to ceiling along three walls. William Lowman sat on a stool at a workbench taking up the back wall. His window overlooked the side of the next building. He lowered his wand after completing a charm and swivelled to greet me. "Good morning," he said politely, before his eyes fell on my Auror badge. Lowman's expression warmed. "You must be Auror Tonks."

"Why did you come looking for me?" I asked bluntly.

"Please close the door so our conversation will remain private," he said.

I turned to see the door across the narrow corridor click shut. Down the passageway, I heard other doors do the same. Reluctantly, I stepped into the workshop and closed the door.

"Your skin looks better pale like porcelain."

I wished I'd worn boots instead of sandals. "Answer my question."

He smiled slightly. I hated that I felt threatened. Lowman wasn't any taller than I was. In the mood I was in, I could probably beat him in Muggle duelling. I knew I could take him in wizard. His wand was on the workbench. I palmed mine in my right hand.

"My wife is not aware of my arrest. I wanted to ensure she remains unaware," he said.

"I wasn't planning on telling her. That's not my job."

Lowman tilted his head to the side, studying me. "I found a card for the Blue Moon Agency in a kitchen drawer."

I smiled grimly. "Maybe she thought you were cheating on her, coming home late all those nights."

"I wasn't cheating."

"Yes, you were," I said harshly. "Why weren't you at home playing footsie with the wife?"

"She has flat feet."

I almost hexed him. "So what?" I said, "Take her to a Healer, use Illusion Charms, I don't give a damn. Just stay the hell away from me!"

Lowman stared at the wand now pointed at his head. Slowly, he nodded. "Very well."

I backed away, one hand keeping my wand at the ready, the other reaching for the door handle.

"Auror Tonks?"

I paused in the doorway.

Lowman said, "Thank you for the visit. I'll think of you when casting charms."

For a split-second, I was tempted to use a Memory Charm to make him forget me, even though I'd probably botch it and turn his brain to Swiss cheese. In the back of my mind, a voice hissed that Lowman deserved it. Instead, I closed the door without replying. Soft clicks echoed as down the corridor, doors cracked opened. I waved my wand. They all slammed shut.

Downstairs, Jerry stood and tossed down a Wizard Outdoor Life magazine when I entered the lobby. "Everything settled?"

"Yeah, let's go," I said. The moment we walked outside, I asked, "What's on the agenda for today?"

"Two interviews of informants whose neighbours are possible Dark wizards."

I said, "I've got an appointment at noon. Let's do one now, one after."

"Fine by me. You want to take lead?"

I shook my head. "Not today."

.

Samy and Aashi ran to greet me when I strode into the Rosier Building lobby.

"This is so exciting!" said Aashi.

I brushed a wisp of black hair away from her sweet little face. "Why is that?"

Samy answered, "Because it is like our comic. Super Commando Dhruva and Commander Natasha face Grand Master Robo!"

"Robo stole Natasha, but she left him because she loves Dhruva," Aashi told me happily.

I looked at Remus. "Oh, really?"

"Dhruva loves Natasha too," he said with a smile.

I took the children's hands in mine. With a smirk, I asked Remus, "Ready to face your nemesis, Super Commando Sweetie?"

"Dhruva!" Samy and Aashi said, bursting into laughter.

At his security desk, the troll Sendak smiled and waved us to the magically powered Victorian lift. Samy's big dark eyes grew round as we ascended. "Cool," he said.

On the top floor, Catherine regarded the children as if they were Cornish Pixies bent on mischief. I said, "They'll wait outside while we talk to Evan."

Aashi pouted. "I wanted to see Robo!"

"Who's Robo?" an amused voice drawled.

Catherine must have silently alerted her boss. Evan stood watching us from inside his office.

Aashi's little mouth dropped open. She turned to Remus. "He's not old enough to be Grand Master Robo," she said accusingly, "and he's too pretty!"

Remus looked chagrined. Evan said, "I prefer incredibly handsome over 'pretty', but thank you, Miss Patil."

"You know my name?" she asked, awed.

"Robo knows everything about his enemies," Samy said darkly.

Remus patted the boy's shoulder. "Watch over your sister. We'll return soon."

The children sat on a sofa with their colouring books while Remus and I went into the office.

Evan gestured for us to have a seat. "Who's this Robo fellow, some villain in a story?"

"Yes," Remus answered.

"Probably misunderstood," Evan said dryly.

"Like the leader of another terrorist syndicate?" Remus countered.

I decided to steer the conversation in the right direction. "What's your plan, Evan?"

He leaned back in his chair and threaded his fingers together. "Are you sure you want to hear it? Your morally upright werewolf might object."

"Tell us the plan, and I'll tell you if I object," Remus said.

I looked at Evan steadily. He shrugged. "Blackmail. Everybody seems to be doing it these days, why shouldn't we?" I didn't comment. Neither did Remus. Evan said, "If we obtain damaging photographs of Maris, her family will stop pursuing a betrothal." He smiled at me. "You play Priscilla convincingly. I'm sure you can do the same with Maris."

Remus said, "Damaging…do you mean compromising? Does Maris have a lover?"

"Not that I'm aware of, but she does have a devoted bodyguard."

I told Evan, "You cheat. The Parkinsons haven't broken your betrothal. Why should Maris's family be any different?"

"The Warringtons know the Fentons are sticklers about blood. I've learned the bodyguard claimed to be a half-blood relation of the Boles family, but in truth he only shares the last name. He's a Mudblood."

I looked sideways at Remus. He said, "Don't use that term. I find it offensive. What's in this for you, Rosier?"

Evan said blandly, "Aside from altruism? My sources also informed me Warrington is seeking to merge businesses as well as families. That's more competition than I'm willing to take."

I believed him. My ex loved his company above all else.

"So…are you in?" Evan watched me start to nod, then glance toward Remus. He said, "Can't you make a decision without permission?"

"Partners make important decisions together," I said, gazing at Remus. "The plan sounds like it would work. What do you think?"

Remus shook his head. "If the Warringtons are ruthless as the Fentons, the bodyguard, Boles, could be seen as an impediment to eliminate. Are you willing to risk his death?"

"No."

"Now you see why I advised you not to bring him." Evan looked at me with a slight sneer. "He thinks too much."

"Such men are dangerous?" Remus asked. "Shakespeare might agree, but your lack of thought for anyone beside yourself is the true danger."

"How ironic, a werewolf calling someone else a danger," Evan said.

I ignored the snide remark to ask, "Is there a plan B, Evan?"

"No."

I stood. Remus and I walked toward the door. Evan said, "Come up with your own plan, then!"

Remus held the door open for me. I said, "We will." I hoped.

.

By the time I'd slipped on a little black dress for the police banquet, I was tired of racking my brain. I decided to forget about plans, or the lack thereof, and enjoy the dinner.

I rushed to answer the door when I heard a knock. I'd thought Remus would Floo over, but maybe he'd walked up in case I was running late and still dressing. He was thoughtful that way.

Rita grinned at me when I opened the door. "'Lo, cuz," she said, walking into the flat. "Nice place, and whoa, that dress! Sexy!"

I looked down and adjusted a spaghetti strap. It was called an open-front dress, but it didn't actually open. There was only a narrow strip of skin showing directly beneath the middle of the rounded neckline down to my sternum. I said, "Your dress shows more cleavage."

"'Cause I've got more." Rita snickered. She frowned at her V-neck dress. "Doesn't say slip your hand in, though, does it?"

"Rita! This is your first date!"

She looked at me and began howling with laughter. "You sounded just like your mum! I didn't mean specifically, you prude, I meant generally!" She looked around the flat, still giggling. "Where's the drinks cabinet?" she asked.

I stared at her. "Gods, Rita," I said, "Are you drunk?"

.

.

A/N: Should be an interesting dinner! LOL I took the liberty of borrowing a line from CCR's I put a spell on you for the Weird Sisters' song, and yes, 'sprung' has a double meaning, like other words in this chapter, and Blofeld was borrowed from Bond. Grand Master Robo, in the Raj comics, stole infant Natasha from her mother, raised her to be his evil army commander, and then lost her to Dhruva, but with Tonks and Evan's past, I left out the parts that didn't fit my story. :D. The people whose reviews fit perfectly last chapter were…...… 40/16 alix33 Bardlover cupcakeswirl die Loreley Dolphindreamer eleen Embellished FNP Freja Lercke-Falkenborg GraceRichie Helena Valentine ishandtwofourths Jessica Lupin katieweasley Kileaiya ladyofthebookworms Lerie lilmispris Lizet M Machiavelli Jr MamaLisa MollyCoddles mon-ami-runa mkgreevey Nessime siriuslycoco SiriuslyFanatical Sivaroobini Lupin-Black Slipknot-3113 Sophia Loren and sunny9847