"Nym, it's time to wake up."

I pulled the pillow over my head. "I've changed my mind. I'm taking a sickie."

A large, warm hand wrapped around my ankle. "You know the rules. Take a sickie, get a tickie."

I threw the pillow and tried to jerk my foot away. "Stop it, Dad! I'm not five. That's not funny anymore."

"Really? I'm smiling. Now, are you getting up? Or do I have to…"

I screeched when Dad brushed his fingers across my arch. "All right, all right, I'm up!" I attempted to wiggle my foot out of his grip by rotating my ankle.

He held on. "Are you still planning to skive off work?" Dad waggled his fingers in playful threat.

"No, and I'm supposed to meet Remus for a run beforehand, so I'd better go home and change."

Dad let go of my ankle and engulfed me in a hug. "It was fun, last night, playing games like we used to."

He smelled like coffee and aftershave. It was a comforting smell. "Thanks for letting me sleep over." I looked around the girlish room. "Do you think Mum will ever redecorate? I've moved past the eyelet lace and lavender stage."

"What about your stuffed animals?" my mother asked from the doorway. She walked into the room, gesturing to the assortment of mundane and magical creatures on the window seat.

"Those are valuable collectors' items," I said loftily.

Mum picked up a dragon with a missing eye and a chewed ear. She arched a brow.

"Puff has sentimental value," I said.

She smiled and set it back down between a Heffalump and a Kneazle. "Do you have time for breakfast before you go?"

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "No, but I have time for coffee."

.

After a cup of coffee and a chocolate muffin, I Flooed back to my flat and hurriedly changed into running gear. Remus and I had planned to meet on the front steps of the Blue Moon at six-thirty. It was obscenely early, but worth losing sleep to run with him.

I would have lost sleep anyway, staying up half the night trying to write down my fears. Not that I made it past "what I fear most is." Every time I tried to put quill to parchment, my mind went blank. I crumpled up dozens of sheets of parchment, attempting to follow the counsellor's advice.

Downstairs, I found Remus waiting for me. "Good morning," he said.

I threw my arms around him and squeezed him tight. "It is now." I kissed him and asked, "How was inventory?"

"Satisfyingly depleted. Andrew was pleased."

"Good."

We jogged to the park a short distance away and stopped to stretch.

I pointed to my calf, asking, "What's this in Latin?"

Remus smiled. "Gastrocnemius."

"Sounds like a bloke who wrote cookery books."

He chuckled and bent to stroke my lower calf. "Does soleus appeal more?"

"I find your soleus more appealing than mine."

"De gustibus non est disputandum. There is no arguing about tastes," Remus said.

"Exactly. My taste is excellent, so don't argue."

Unlike me, Remus never seemed to suffer from the urge to have the last word. He continued stretching. When we finished, I said, "You lead today. Surprise me."

He winked and took off. I grinned and followed, enjoying the view. We went on a steady run, circling back to the park for cool-down stretches.

When we returned to the Blue Moon, I said, "Come up for breakfast."

Remus shook his head. "I'd need to eat and run. Neil owled and asked me to arrive early. He's taking Ambika to a Healer's appointment."

"At least come up for water and Floo home."

He nodded and opened the door.

"Good morning!" Bubbles chirped from her desk.

I asked, "What are you doing here so early?"

"Morty has a posh client coming round first thing. Told me I had to be here to impress him," she said. Straightening her desk calendar, Bubbles asked, "Do you think I'll make an impression?"

Bubbles wore a candyfloss pink two-piece suit with matching hat and gloves. I said with conviction, "Yes, I do."

Remus seconded my opinion as we continued walking toward the stairway. We had just started to climb when Bubbles called, "Tonks, how did your appointment go?"

"Fine," I said, quickening my pace.

"Are you feeling all right?" Remus asked.

I kept climbing. This was not the perfect time to tell him about the counselling session. "I was declared healthy," I said. I almost added "mentally healthy," but something stopped me. I told myself I would tell him later, after dinner.

"That's good," Remus said.

I opened the door to my flat and went to the kitchen to get water. Remus took the bottle with a smile. "I feel like dumping this on my head. The warm weather makes me sweat so much I might walk into the shower with my clothes on when I get home."

"Why wait?"

Remus chuckled when I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him toward the bedroom. "Nymphadora, no."

I reckoned if he really meant no he would have stopped me from dragging him into the bathroom. "Yes," I said, grinning as I engaged the Water Charm and kicked off my shoes, stepping back into the cool spray.

He shook his head, laughing, yet refusing to allow me to tug him into the shower. "Are you playing hard to get?" I asked, not waiting for an answer before I said, "OK, I'll play hard too." I let go of his hand and said, "Accio Remus!"

He thrust forward with such force I whacked the back of my head against the tiles when his body collided with mine. His fingers ran through my wet hair. "Are you hurt?"

Water plastered Remus's hair and clothes against his frame. I wanted to follow suit. "I've never been better."

Remus's eyes smiled, even while he said sombrely, "You had to have your way, didn't you?"

I nodded, thinking his eyelashes looked adorable thick and spiky with water.

He lowered his head to look directly into my eyes. "Sometimes," Remus said, "It is my pleasure to let you have your way."

I wrapped my arms around his neck when he kissed me, loving the way his wet lips tasted. I wished he would take off his tee. I burned to feel Remus's slick skin against mine.

"I have to go," he said, after a last, quick kiss.

I watched him step back and reach for a towel. "Can we do this again sometime?" I took a deep breath and added, "Without clothes?"

The gleam in Remus's eye tempted me to strip right there and then. Forget thinking about what I feared and take a leap of faith.

Remus noticed my shiver. His lips curved. "And with warm water," he said. His eyes flickered over me. "Soap too," he said huskily, taking a step toward the door.

The way his shorts clung to his backside made me glad no woman other than me would enjoy the sight. "Lots of soap?" I whispered hopefully.

Remus heard. He stopped in the doorway and said, "As much soap as you want."

My knees buckled. While Remus's footsteps faded, I slid down to the floor of the shower and put my head in my hands, groaning and laughing and wondering if Healer Wells had misjudged the state of my mental health.

.

I strode into work with a spring in my step and bright red hair.

"What's the occasion?" Kingsley asked when I passed his office.

I couldn't resist. I had to stop in his doorway and declare, "Oh my love is like a red, red rose, that's newly sprung in June."

The corners of Kingsley's mouth twitched. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Curious, I asked, "How's your love-life these days?"

A gleam of amusement flared in stygian eyes. "Why? Do you have another friend you want to set me up with?"

"Ha-ha," I said, "Although, now that you mention it, the barmaid at Iron Shackle said 'too bad, he's hot' that time we went out and I told her you were with Cami."

Kingsley held up a hand. "I appreciate the information, but this conversation is best continued outside the work environment."

I started to grin. "Maybe I'll see you at the Shackle after work sometime."

"Perhaps," Kingsley said, returning his attention to the file on his desk.

That reminded me of the song I had sung for Hestia. I continued down the corridor, softly singing, "And please don't tell me…perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…"

"You're in a good mood today," Jerry said, as I swayed into his office, humming.

I flopped into a chair in front of his desk and put my feet up. "I'm in a great mood," I said, "How are you doing?"

He said, "All right. I got a letter from Rita." Jerry smiled. "I gave my dad the stamp. He collects them."

I put my feet down. "What did she say?"

"Are you aware that your socks don't match?" Jerry said, pointing.

I looked down. One was solid red, and the other was red and white polka dot. I said, "I don't care. What did she say?"

"She thanked me for escorting her to the banquet. She had a nice time."

"Oh…sorry."

"Don't be," Jerry said. "I enjoyed the dinner, and best of all, Mum asked this morning if I've met any nice witches lately."

I planted my feet back up on the desk and crossed one ankle over the other. "That's the spirit, mate." I covered a yawn. "What's on the agenda for today?"

"Same thing there is every day," Jerry said. "Investigating reports of Dark magic."

.

During our lunch break, Jerry and I stopped to pick up my post before going to Jimmy's Pizza. While Jerry watched the other customers and tapped his fingers to the Muggle music, I opened an envelope with a bridal shower invitation for the 12th. Along with it, my Aunt had included a wedding invitation for following Saturday with an apology for not sending it sooner. According to her note, she thought Lora had sent invitations to her bridesmaids, while Lora had thought her mother included them with the others. I was just happy to have something to stick on my calendar to remind me when to show up.

Jerry and I split a pepperoni pizza. After swallowing a large bite, he said, "You've been yawning all morning. Didn't you get any sleep last night?"

I choked on a swallow of fizzy drink. "Why is everybody interested in my sex-life?"

Jerry's freckles stood out against his reddening skin. "Uh…I wasn't…I didn't mean…"

I felt like I had blamed an innocent puppy for another dog's mess. "I know, and I'm sorry. I'm a little…touchy…I guess."

"A little?"

I made a face and took a bite of pizza.

Jerry smiled. "Who's everybody that's interested?"

I said, "My cousins. They've got a pool going."

He laughed at my dire tone. "They sound fun. I wish I had cousins. My parents are only children."

How jolly his Christmases must be. "You need to find a girl with a large family."

"I thought I had…until she sobered up," Jerry kidded.

"I liked her better drunk, too," I said, reaching for another slice of pizza.

.

That evening, I chose a silk kimono dress in splashes of red, black and white. It had long sleeves and a short skirt, with a plunging V neckline I hoped would make Remus want to undo the side tie. I conjured steaks with jacket potatoes and salad, because I knew I would botch anything more complicated. I was that nervous.

At seven, Remus stepped out of the Floo and stood staring in a way that made me feel more confident in my plan. Serve dinner, cuddle on the couch, tell him about counselling, and then work through fears together.

"You look beautiful," he said, handing me a bottle of wine and a single red rose.

"Thank you." I took the rose in one hand and reached for the wine with the other, gasping as it slipped through my fingers. I fumbled for the bottle, managing to grab the neck before it hit the floor.

"Allow me," Remus said with a smile, retrieving the bottle from my shaky grasp. "Is the wine opener still in the drawer on the far right?"

"Yes." I followed him into the kitchen.

"Dinner smells good," he said, opening the wine.

I found a vase and placed the rose in water. "Ow!"

Remus took my hand in his. "I'm sorry. I thought it was a rose without thorns." He performed a healing spell and lifted my finger to kiss the spot that had bled.

"I can handle thorns," I said as I removed the stasis cover from the steaks. I performed the action with too much of a flourish. I almost pushed the platter off the counter. "Shit! I mean…I hope I conjured your steak right."

Remus poured the wine and handed me a glass. "Any way you made it is just right to me."

"Even charred black?" I said, smiling a little.

"Of course."

I took a sip of wine. "Because it would be burnt with love?"

He nodded, smiling widely. I laughed at the thought and set my glass on the table.

Remus's expression became alarmed. "Nymphadora, your sleeve is over the candle!"

I yelped, yanking my arm up to see the damage.

"Singed a bit, were you?"

I shook my head. It was nothing the cleaners could not charm away.

Remus asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"There's salad in the coolant cupboard."

I arranged the steak and potatoes while he bent to bring out the salad. "Is there salad dressing?" he asked.

I set our plates onto the table with a thud. "Oh no! I ran out and forgot to buy more!"

Remus placed the bowl on the counter and reached out to pull me into a hug. "It's all right, love. If you have oil and vinegar, I can make vinaigrette."

I held him tight, muttering, "I just wanted everything to be perfect."

"Everything is perfect. I'm with you."

I kissed Remus for being wonderful, and then I kissed him for being sexy. I wanted to skip dinner and move straight to working out my fears, but Remus's stomach rumbled. The sound made me giggle.

He winked. "I'm hungry in more ways than one."

Dinner was lovely. Remus's eyes smiled into mine, and conversation flowed effortlessly, the silences filled with unspoken love and desire.

When we had cleared the dishes and sat on the sofa waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, I slipped off my heels and cuddled next to Remus. "This morning, I wanted to tell you…" I broke off and then tried again. "I…" I trailed off, staring at him in frustration. Why couldn't I just say it?

His hand cupped my face. "I think I know."

"You do?"

Remus kissed me softly, his fingers trailing down the V of my bodice. "You want to trust completely," he said, slipping his hand beneath the silk. "You need...not seduction, but encouragement." He kissed me tenderly. "So I'll keep encouraging until you tell me to stop."

The combination of his hand moving over my skin while his lips caressed mine made it hard to think clearly. "Yes," I whispered, between kisses. When his fingers stroked the inside of my knee and began to glide upwards, I didn't press my thighs together.

"Nymphadora?" he asked.

My eyelids felt so heavy. I opened them to smile.

"Tonks!" a voice called from the fireplace.

It was Julia. I put my finger to my lips. Remus's grin was wolfish.

"Tonks, are you there? Maris's family withdrew their betrothal offer!"

"Go," Remus said.

I blew him a kiss as I rose. "I'll be right back."

The instant Julia saw my face in the communication fire she asked, "Did you hear? Tom doesn't have to worry about an engagement anymore! Maris's family changed their minds, and there's nothing the Fentons can do about it!"

The excitement in her voice was contagious. I said, "Stars and stones, I'm so happy for you! When did this happen?"

"Tom Flooed over with the news only a few minutes ago. He doesn't know why the Warringtons pulled out of negotiations, but right now, we don't care! We're going to drink champagne and celebrate!"

I grinned. "Drink a glass for me."

In the flames, Julia's face was green and mischievous. "Shall I drink one for Remus too?"

"Yes." I laughed.

She laughed with me. "We're all celebrating tonight!"

I was still almost giddy with happiness when I said goodbye and turned to Remus. "Isn't that wonderful news?"

Remus stood and held out his hands. He squeezed my fingers gently after I placed my hands in his. His amber eyes were sombre. "Why did the Warringtons break the betrothal?"

"I don't know," I said. A thought struck. "You don't think Evan went ahead with the blackmail, do you?" Remus stared down at me gravely. I said, "If he did, I knew nothing about it." His expression was considering. I asked, "Don't you believe me?"

"I called you in the fire last night, but you didn't answer," Remus said. "I thought you went to bed early, but now I have to ask. What kind of appointment did you have yesterday?"

I swallowed around the lump in my throat. "I…"

"Can't you tell me…trust me?" Remus asked, in a husky voice.

My face began to crumple. "It was a counselling appointment," I said. "I went to see Mum and Dad afterwards and spent the night there."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to…on the couch, earlier…before…" I trailed off, stung by the look of disappointment in his eyes. I confessed, "I wanted to get past my fear and never have to think about it, much less try to put it into words." I brought his hands up and kissed them. "I thought you understood."

Remus said, "I thought you were telling me you had confronted your fear."

I wrenched my hands out of his. "I tried to write it down like the Healer said. I couldn't do it! OK?"

"No, Nymphadora. You need to face—"

"What I fear? Fine? I'll do it." A crazy idea came to mind. I seized it, laughing shortly. "I'll do it right now," I said, snatching a handful of Floo powder and stepping into the fireplace.

"Wait."

I shook my head. "No more waiting." I tossed down the powder. "Dung Heap!"

.

Mundungus dropped his beer and grabbed for his wand when I stepped out of the fireplace. "Tonksie!" He paled. "I mean, Tonks, girl, why're yeh visitin' yer Uncle Dungie percipertous like?"

I laughed shakily. "It's precipitous, and I need to know if you've still got a boggart."

"Yeh, I got one. Loads of people like a boggart to liven up their parties, the morbid buggers," said Dung. "Why yeh wantin' to know, and why're yeh not wearin' shoes…or proper clothes?"

"I need to see it," I said.

"Never thought of yeh as morbid," Dung said, waving his wand at a trunk across the room.

Remus stepped out of the Floo just as the lid opened.

"No!" he cried.

"Yes," I said firmly, staring at the man climbing out of the trunk.

It was Remus. Much thinner and more ragged, as though reduced to wearing only the oldest, most threadbare clothing. The lines of pain and weariness etched on his face and the added grey in his hair made my stomach twist, but the look in his eyes broke my heart.

"That isn't real," I heard a familiar voice say, but I didn't believe him. It was real. The raw misery in the gaze capturing mine told me what I feared most had happened. Remus had lost faith in me, in our love, and was rejecting me, leaving me alone and lost.

I doubled over from the pain, sobbing.

"Send the boggart back to the trunk or I will destroy it!" the voice shouted.

Crack!

I couldn't stop crying, even when the boggart no longer tormented me. My soul felt shattered, and every jagged edge cut into my spirit, causing me to bleed and grieve. Distantly, I heard a keening sound, and wanted to comfort whoever was mourning so terribly, but I couldn't. Despair was overwhelming.

It was a relief when darkness rose up to swallow me.

.

.

A/N: I hope everyone fastened his or her seatbelt before the bumpy ride! When I looked up the meaning of red roses, I found a red rose speaks of love that awaits a passionate expression. Bright red roses are interpreted as the expression of romantic and abiding love, and the red rose also denotes a true love that is stronger than thorns and can outlive all obstacles…a very good omen for Tonks… :D Anyone who remembers the 'singed a bit, were you?' line from The Princess Bride knows why I couldn't resist using it, lol, any more than I could stop from making Dung's home a heap, heh. The readers whose reviews I cherished more than roses last week were…... 40/16 alix33 amattsonperdue Bardlover cupcakeswirl die Loreley Dolphindreamer eleen ElspethBates EmilyDaniellePotter Embellished Enorance Fauzia FNP Freja Lercke-Falkenborg GraceRichie ishandtwofourths Kates Master katieweasley (n1264) Kileaiya LaneTechFreshie Leena7 Lerie lilmispris Lizet M Machiavelli Jr MollyCoddles mon-ami-runa Moonlight (I'd love to respond, but I need an email addy!) Nethiel Nessime RahNee remus R us ronandhermy siriuslycoco Sivaroobini Lupin-Black Slipknot-3113 Sophia Loren sunny9847 and The Wilted Rose