Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The song "Everybody Needs Someone Sometime" is by Jewel and I do not own it in any way.

Desperado
Chapter Six: Everybody Needs Someone Sometime

'Cause everybody needs someone sometime
Everybody needs someone, can't you see?
Everybody needs someone sometime

"Great class, everyone!" Brigitte called over the shuffling of feet. "Very vell done!"

Marly pulled herself to her feet from where she had sat and observed the class. With her partner underground, she couldn't very well participate, but didn't want Brigitte to think that she and Remus had lost interest in their classes. However, by not being one of the dancing couples, it became obvious that Brigitte wasn't kidding when she said that Remus and Marly were the better of the students she had. While the other couples were obviously good dancers for being in the advanced class, they didn't have the same charisma and energy that Marly felt with Remus.

"Miss Marly," Brigitte stopped her before she could take off across the studio. "I vas glad to see you tonight. However, it is not the same vithout you dancing."

"Remus is out of town again," Marly replied apologetically. "He's been gone for about two months now, which is why I haven't been here."

"Vhen vill he be back?"

"Soon, I hope," Marly shrugged.

"Vell, vhen he returns, we must set up a time to go to that club I told you about," Brigitte reminded Marly.

"It's a date," Marly nodded, giving the woman a warm smile. "I'll see you next week, Brigitte."

The instructor gave Marly a happy nod before turning to one of the other couples, appraising their tango technique. Straightening her dark red sweater, Marly took off once more across the floor, nearly making it to the door before she was intercepted once again, this time by another one of the dancers. She recognized the dancer as Adam Pace, the partner of Caroline, who Marly had an inclining was interested in Remus.

"Hey, Marly," Adam greeted, leaning against the doorframe to prevent her from escaping. "Where are you off to so fast?"

"Actually, I have plans," Marly explained, raising an eyebrow and taking to duck under his arm. He shifted so that she couldn't. Deciding that she should probably just humour him, she asked, "Why do you ask?"

Adam cleared his throat once and pushed his hair back with his right hand. "Well, I was hoping I could entice you on a - "

"Adam, leave Marly alone," Caroline came up behind the two of them, and then gave Marly an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that."

"Caroline - " Adam complained, giving his partner an annoyed look, but was interrupted before he could continue.

"My brother has no tact," Caroline rolled her eyes, poking Adam hard in the side.

"Oh - you two are brother and sister?" Marly asked, her eyes wide in surprise. "Remus and I thought you were together."

"That's revolting," Adam scrunched up his nose.

Caroline shot him a look. "You know, I'm quite a catch."

"You're my sister."

"That doesn't mean I'm not attractive."

"It does for me."

"Honestly, Adam, would it kill you to compliment me once and a while?"

"Yes, Caroline, it would."

Marly cleared her throat loudly, as Adam was still blocking her path out of the studio. The siblings stopped bickering, realizing that she was still standing there.

"Actually, it's my birthday," Marly complained, sparing a look at her watch. "I was supposed to meet my friends five minutes ago at a pub maybe ten minutes from here."

"Oh, happy birthday!" Caroline said loudly, flashing her a smile.

"You know, Marly, I really love going to pubs," Adam raised his eyebrows.

"I repeat - you have no tact," Caroline whipped around toward her brother again. "Really, Adam, she didn't even invite - "

"The more the merrier," Marly smiled, hoping that it would get her to the pub sooner, seeing as the owl Lily had sent her earlier that day had nearly taken off her hand it was so urgent. "Just…don't mention that I know you two through dance class." At the questioning looks she received at that, she explained, "Remus doesn't want our friends to know he can dance."

"Ah," Caroline nodded understandingly. "Adam is the same way."

"Today we're at a concert," Adam shrugged.

"So," Caroline asked timidly as the three took off walking to the pub Sirius worked at. "Are you and Remus serious?"

"Meaning, what?" Marly raised an eyebrow.

"She wants to know if you're together because she has been eyeing Remus since the two of you started class," Adam explained, warranting a punch from Caroline.

"That's not entirely true," Caroline said breathlessly, her face flushed. "It's just - "

"We're not together," Marly interrupted, saving Caroline from further embarrassment. "We're just flat mates."

"Is that so," Caroline said, exchanging hopeful glances with her brother.

Before long, the three of them reached the pub and they were greeted with a loud uproar. Marly couldn't help but smile as she saw all of her friends and most of the Order members were there. However, she felt her heart sink a bit when she realized that Remus hadn't made it home in time for her birthday. She assured herself for the umpteenth time that day that Dumbledore would've told her if something had happened to him while he was underground, then pushed the feelings away.

"Happy birthday, Marly!" Lily exclaimed, rushing up to her and wrapping her arms around her. Upon seeing Caroline and Adam, Lily raised an eyebrow.

"These are my friends, Caroline and Adam," Marly introduced them quickly, and then gave Lily a significant look, trying to tell her that they were Muggles.

"Oh!" Lily comprehended, her eyes wide in shock and having just as much tact as Adam possessed earlier. "Oh - nice to meet you!"

As soon as Caroline and Adam disappeared into the crowd to order drinks, Lily turned sharply to Marly.

"Why are you hanging out with Muggles?"

"Have you turned Slytherin on me, Miss Muggle-born?" Marly asked, batting her eyelashes. "They're just some friends of mine."

"All right," Lily replied, not looking convinced. Then, taking another approach, asked, "Why are you so late? I was nearly positive my owl was urgent enough."

"You didn't even tell me why I had to be at the pub," Marly rolled her eyes. "I mean, it was obvious and all, but - "

"Just because I didn't leave you a reason didn't mean it wasn't important," Lily said impatiently, a hand on her hip. "Every time I owl you it's important. Hello - it's me."

"Merlin, Lily, I can't breathe!" Marly exclaimed, putting a hand on her heart. "Your ego is filling the room!"

"Oh, you're bloody hilarious, Marly," Lily rolled her eyes before Anna, Sheila, and Katherine butted in onto the conversation, presents in hand.

"Lily, leave the poor girl alone," Katherine waddled over, her hand on her belly, which was near ready to pop.

"How much longer, Kath?" Marly asked, setting the cards and gifts onto a nearby table and flashing some other friends a smile.

"One week," Katherine replied, looking at the bulge fondly. "Derrick and I couldn't be more excited."

"Please, Marly, don't get her started on that bloody baby," Sheila joked, edging away from their pregnant friend before she could do something rash. "She hasn't stopped talking about it all night."

"Oh, Sirius was looking for you," Anna spoke up suddenly, a grin splitting across her face. "I suggest for you to find him before he gets snatched up by someone else."

"I volunteer in the snatching," Sheila raised a hand.

"Excuse me, girls," Lily gave a sly smile, looking pointedly at Marly. "Someone has nearly three weeks left of a pact."

"Oh, please, Lily," Katherine rolled her eyes.

"You know, I actually think it's a good idea for them," Anna interrupted. "If he'll wait, they'll know they're perfect for each other."

"It's not like I'm looking to tie the knot or anything," Marly rolled her eyes, backing away from the group to find Sirius.

"I said the same thing about James," Lily said in a singsong voice as Marly walked away.

Marly searched the pub, only stopping once or twice when certain friends sidestepped her to wish her happy birthday or push a card into her hands. Finally, she caught Sirius's eye, who was wiping down the bar quickly.

"Hey," Marly greeted.

"Happy birthday," Sirius gave her a grin, and then reached under the bar to put a short glass in front of her. "Aged to perfection."

"Well, thank - "

"Marly, where did you go?"

Marly tried to ignore the sceptical look on Sirius's face as she turned to see Adam, who instantly leaned against the bar, much like he had been when he stopped Marly from leaving their dance studio.

"Er, I was with some friends," Marly explained quietly, turning back to Sirius and picking her brandy up. "Sirius, this is Adam. Adam, Sirius."

The two exchanged a curt nod, making Marly feel even more uncomfortable. After a few moments of silence, she cleared her throat.

"So, Sirius, when are you done with work?" Marly tried to start conversation, noticing the appraising look he was giving Adam.

"As soon as Penny gets here," Sirius replied quietly. "Actually, there she is right now."

Sirius turned and walked the length of the bar toward a pretty blonde who looked quite frazzled at the amount of business they had managed in the normally slow bar.

"Who is that?" Adam asked, sneering at Sirius's retreating self.

"Sirius Black," Marly shrugged. "We went to school together."

"Secondary school?"

Marly swallowed hard, trying to remember what her dad had said about Muggle schooling, then nodded. "Yeah, I suppose you could say that. We've known each other for quite some time, but got to know each other more in the past year."

"I see," Adam nodded, a contemptuous look on his face. "He doesn't seem right by me."

"Is that so," Marly asked, an obviously bored tone in her voice.

"He needs a haircut and he has too many tattoos," Adam continued, still looking at Sirius, who was pointing around the room and explaining things to his relief. "And - "

"Adam, I really don't care," Marly turned sharply, giving him a look.

"He isn't right for you."

"You don't know two things about me," Marly sighed, sitting back in her bar stool and taking another sip from her drink.

"Well, maybe I should get to know you better," Adam raised an eyebrow.

Marly looked at Sirius, who patted Penny once on the shoulder, then met Marly's eye. He jerked his head once as he stepped out from behind the bar, a bottle of beer in one hand. Marly gave him a smile before turning to Adam.

"No, that's quite all right," Marly said, pushing herself off of the barstool. "I'll see you next week at dance lessons."

"Marly, wait - "

Marly hurried across to where Sirius was waiting for her and followed him to a small table.

"He seems…nice," Sirius raised an eyebrow, popping the cap off of the bottle and smiling at Marly.

"You could say that," Marly rolled her eyes. "I'm a little confused as to when he thought I'd even begin to fathom feelings toward him."

"No kidding," Sirius sat back. "I think you'd probably go for someone a bit taller."

"Yeah?"

"With tattoos and an earring."

"Think so?"

"Maybe shaggy black hair and piercing blue eyes."

"Is there someone like that around?" Marly looked over her shoulder, scanning the room.

"I'll let you know," Sirius smirked.

"Marly!" Lily came up to them suddenly, a drink in her right hand. "This is for you."

"Did you make it?" Marly asked, her eyebrow rose.

"Of course I didn't," Lily sighed exasperatedly. "It's a happy birthday drink from me to you."

"Great," Marly sniffed the glass. "What is this?"

"Just drink it," Lily rolled her eyes, flipping her hair dramatically as she returned to where she had been standing with their other friends.

Marly pushed the drink in front of Sirius. "You're the bartender. What is this?"

Sirius leaned forward so that his nose was nearly touching the liquid. "Firewhiskey."

"What?"

"It's firewhiskey."

"She knows I don't like firewhiskey," Marly made a face as Sirius pushed the drink back toward her. "And why is she carrying it around with her?"

"Prongs likes it."

"Then why is he carrying it around with him?"

"She's watching you," Sirius said with a grin, glancing over at Lily.

Marly followed his gaze and noticed that her best friend was, indeed, looking at her. When their eyes met, Lily mimed drinking a glass and gave her a wide grin.

"Whatever," Marly sighed heavily, downing the firewhiskey in a gulp. She put on a grimace and shook herself once. "Terrible."

"Really?" Sirius asked, taking the glass and finishing the remaining bit for her. He mimicked her grimace. "Maybe that wasn't firewhiskey."

"Great, she poisoned us," Marly leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

"No, she couldn't have," Sirius shook his head, smirking at Marly. "It's too late for them to take back your dress and my tuxedo."

"Miss McKinnon, I think I can say that you're properly laggered up," Sirius helped Marly to her feet as the last of the birthday party left the bar.

"That is an outrageous accusation, Shiri – Siru – Shariush," Marly stammered, a confused look on her face. "I'll get it. Suiri – Sirius – there!"

"That's why I call him Padfoot," James spoke up, leaning against a barstool himself. "Much easier to say than Sirius when I'm minced."

"Sirius, can I trust you to get her home safely?" Lily asked, pulling on James's arm.

"If you can promise to do the same for Prongs, here," Sirius nodded at his best mate.

"It seems I have little choice," Lily let out a great sigh. "Come on, James."

"But, Lily, the party is just beginning!" James spun around once, tripping over his feet and falling back onto the bar.

"Actually, it's ending," Penny smiled from behind the bar. "I need to close or I won't be able to get laggered myself."

"Let's go, James," Lily put an arm around her fiancé's waist. She looked over her shoulder at Marly and Sirius and gave them a wink. "You two have a good night."

"As should you, Miss Evans," Sirius called after her as the door swung shut behind them.

"I'm really not terribly drunk," Marly turned to Sirius as they left the bar, bidding Penny goodbye over their shoulder.

"Really," Sirius replied, obviously not believing her.

"Really!" Marly insisted, her jaw dropping at his inane disbelief. "I just have a problem pronouncing your name. Which, by the way, isn't terribly surprising as it's quite the name."

"I happen to like my name," Sirius said, putting an arm around Marly's shoulders as she began to walk off into a diagonal line toward a storefront. "It's the only good thing my family gave me."

"I wasn't saying I don't like it," Marly replied, tightening her coat around her tighter. "It's a star name, right?"

"Brightest star in the sky," Sirius nodded.

"I didn't get an Outstanding on my Astronomy NEWT for nothing," Marly smiled and brought her eyes high into the clear night sky. "Can we see it right now?"

"You're looking too high," Sirius replied, pointing ahead of them at a bright star floating just about the distant horizon of short buildings.

"It is really bright, isn't it," Marly sighed quietly, looking at it. "I wish my name had a story behind it. Well, besides that it was my grandmother's name."

"Actually, Sirius was my grandfather's name," Sirius continued, coming to a stop in front of his motorbike. "As well as half of my family. We're all star names, really."

"Really?" Marly asked, her eyes wide. "That's wicked."

"I suppose," Sirius shrugged. "Well, except for my mum, but she's bloody mental, so she doesn't count. However, my dad is Orion, which isn't so much a star as a constellation, and then my brother is Regulus. Then there are my cousins, Andromeda, Bellatrix, and Narcissa, but that isn't a star name, either, so I guess she's mental as well – actually, that much is obvious. Put this on."

"I don't know if I can take all of these outrageous lies," Marly smirked, putting the helmet onto her head. "You can't go around saying all of your family has star names if they aren't all star names."

"Well, many apologies," Sirius flashed Marly a smile which made her weak in the knees. "Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"No," Marly said seriously, climbing onto the bike.

"Then I think you're Apparating," Sirius shrugged, pulling his own helmet over his head. "Give me the helmet."

"I thought you didn't want me to splinch," Marly raised an eyebrow, not moving from her place on his bike.

"Well, if you'd go ahead and forgive me - "

"You're crazy."

"For you."

"And corny," Marly raised an eyebrow. "Fine, I forgive you."

"That's all I needed," Sirius gave her another smile, mounting his bike.

Once in front of Marly's flat, Sirius came to a stop. After a moment where the two enjoyed the warmth of their bodies being pressed against each other, Marly noticed that her flat was lit up.

"Either I'm being robbed or Remus is home," Marly jerked up, hurrying off the bike. "Oh, hell, I was going to invite you inside."

Sirius couldn't help but smile, not getting off of his bike. "It's all for the best. I have a meeting in the morning."

"A meeting?"

"You could call it that," Sirius nodded.

Marly paused for a moment, unsure if he was going to elaborate. When he didn't, she pulled her helmet off and gave it to him. She brought a hand behind her head and rubbed it uncomfortably.

"Well, thank you for a great birthday."

"I had to return the favour," Sirius nodded, smiling. "I'll owl you."

"All right," Marly replied as Sirius started his bike up once more. "Good night."

"Night," Sirius waved before taking off down the street.

Feeling a bit awkward inside – she wasn't sure if it was what she had drank that night or if it was the conversation she had just participated in – Marly adjusted her purse on her shoulder and walked toward the flat. Praying that she wasn't going to have to fight off some sort of intruder, she pushed the unlocked door of her flat open, revealing her long absent flat mate.

"You're home!" Marly said, feeling much more excited than she had moments ago with Sirius. She threw her purse onto the sofa and wrapped her arms around Remus, who was pouring himself a cup of tea wearing an open button down shirt and pyjama pants. "You look nice."

"I was halfway through changing when the tea kettle went off," Remus explained, spilling tea onto the counter. "Oh, hell."

Marly loosened her grip on Remus and waved her hand over the counter, cleaning the tea.

"Thanks," Remus replied, putting the kettle and cup down. "Now, come here. I'm sure that was the lousiest hug I've ever given."

Marly let out a laugh and let Remus envelop his arm around her. Marly took a deep breath and couldn't help but smile at how comfortable she felt in his arms.

"Oh, I've missed you," Marly admitted.

"I could tell – this place is a sty," Remus replied with a chuckle. "Honestly, all you'd have to do is snap your fingers and I bet everything would be clean."

"I figured you'd want something productive to do once you got home," Marly joked as they loosened their grips on each other. She took his hand and began to drag him toward the sitting room, but not before he could take hold of his cup of tea. "Now, tell me all about your little holiday."

Remus let out a derisive snort. "Holiday wouldn't exactly be the way to describe it, really."

"You didn't make any werewolf friends?" Marly asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

"No, Marly, I didn't," Remus replied as they both took a seat on their sofa. "I got nowhere, let me tell you that."

"Anything interesting happen?"

"I found out who bit me," Remus shrugged, a disgusted look on his face. "Fenrir Greyback."

"Oh."

"But, yes, I just got back not ten minutes before you showed up at the door," Remus crossed his legs. "I had to stop and report to Dumbledore, but that didn't take terribly long as nothing worthwhile was accomplished."

"I see," Marly replied, pulling her legs underneath her so she was kneeling on the couch.

"You've been drinking, haven't you," Remus smirked.

"How do you know?"

"Besides the fact I could smell it on you a mile away, you can't sit still," Remus pointed out. "Oh, and happy birthday."

"You're two hours late," Marly huffed and then winked at him to show she was kidding. "I hate that shirt on you. Why do you wear it so often?"

"To bother you," Remus shrugged, setting his cup of tea on the short table next to the couch.

"You do so many other things to reach that goal, though," Marly reached forward, tugging on the shirt. "Take it off."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Fine," Remus rolled his eyes, giving her an annoyed look. He leaned forward and maneuvered so it was easier for her to take it off of him.

"Much better," Marly replied, throwing the shirt onto the floor and laying her head in his lap. "Oh, you'll never guess who I found out fancies…" Her voice trailed off as she stared at his chest. It was quite a bit more defined than she remembered.

"Fancies what?" Remus asked, giving Marly a confused look.

"Er…," Marly swallowed hard, then looked up into her best mate for life's face. She'd never noticed just how pretty his amber eyes were. They were an unusual colour – almost golden.

"You're not going to be sick all over me, are you?" Remus asked, a stricken look on his face. "Last time you did that it smelled so horrid I almost got sick."

"No," Marly shook her head slowly, her stomach filled with butterflies, as she stared at his face. His light brown curls fell limply around his face and he had a fair growth of facial hair from not being able to shave for a few weeks. Marly brought one of her hands to his cheek, rubbing her thumb lightly against his cheekbone.

"What – Marly - " Remus stammered, his eyes wide in confusion.

Before he could protest any more, Marly leaned up, letting their lips collide softly, allowing them to share their very first kiss. Not completely comprehending what he was doing, Remus allowed one of his hands to slide down Marly's side, feeling the soft cashmere fabric of her sweater, and began to kiss her back.

"Wait," Remus said suddenly, jerking back, his hand still planted on the strip of bare skin between the bottom hem of her sweater and the top of her jeans. "What are - "

"Stop talking," Marly said, their faces nearly touching as she softly trailed a finger across his lips. "Talking is unnecessary at the moment."

"But - "

In response, Marly pushed him back onto the sofa and moved so that she was straddling his left leg. She brought both of her hands up to his chin, cupping them softly before she lowered her face to his own, their lips brushing once again. At first Remus tensed, as though he was going to protest more, but rather, he brought one of his hands to her lower back and the other pushed her closer, deepening the kiss.

"I've been wanting this for ages," Remus said in a husky voice, his right hand easing underneath her sweater.

"I think I told you to stop talking," Marly replied quietly, finding his lips once more.

As Marly slowly woke up, she instantly felt her head pounding, making her regret drinking the night before. She rolled over once, confused as she ran into another body in her bed. Although her mind told her not to, she jerked her eyes open as she brought herself up to her elbows. As she came to recognize the bare-chested figure next to her, she felt her jaw drop.

'Oh, hell.'

Author's Note: Uh-oh! How is this going to play out? I know! Ahahhaa.. Anyways, thanks for reading and please let me know what you think all right?