CHAPTER FOUR!

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Lily yawned, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth and slightly bumping it against something soft. Eyes springing open, they were drawn to the body beneath her. Oh…just James…and he's clothed, another plus, which means we didn't…Lily blushed at the thoughts going through her head then smiled at the memory from laying in this man's arms last night—totally clean—and exchanging endearing comments. At that thought, James began to stir beneath her. Opening his eyes, he gave her a lazy smile then took a strand of her luxurious, fiery red hair and began twisting it around his index finger.

"Morning, Lils. Again." He smiled innocently at her, "I'm beginning to get used to your face being the first and last thing I see every day." Lily blushed a bright scarlet and hid her face in the crook of his arm.

"Gah! Only you can make me feel self-conscience like this. I must look terrible! And my breath—!" she gasped. James restrained her as she tried to sit up and laughed at her frazzled countenance.

"Lils, when will you realize that I don't care what you look like at—" he glanced at his wristwatch and grinned, "—four in the morning?"

"WHAT!?" At this Lily really did jump out of his arms and ran to the clock in the hall. Narrowing her eyes in the dim light, she looked at the time, narrowed her eyes for a more sinister reason, and stalked back into the living room to see James' smiling, sprawled out body looking cheekily at her. She came over and loomed over him. He gulped, still smiling, but somewhat hesitant this time.

"James Potter it is not bloody FOUR A.M.!!! IT'S—" she hit him once with a pillow, "—ONLY—" she hit him again, amidst his laughing manly squeals, "—SEVEN!!!" She pounded his face as much as she could until he grabbed her waist and threw her down on the couch, climbing on top of her. He hands shot out and began to tickle her mercilessly. She immediately began to shriek at the top of her lungs.

"JAMES! I HATE BEING TICKLED!!! STOP!!! AHHH!!!" Finally, after ten merciless seconds he released her, giggling and gasping for breath. Something inside him stirred; her sparkling eyes and soft smile made him crazy. He quickly leaned down and captured her lips in his for a few sweet moments. Lily closed her eyes serenely and allowed herself to be kissed. Afterwards, he buried his face in her neck, inhaling her lovable scent.

"What would you like to do today?" he whispered against her, tickling her neck flesh with his hot breath. She sighed and, without thinking, replied, "Just stay here with you." At that he pulled his head up and looked into her bright sincere eyes. This time, something inside him snapped. He crushed his lips on hers and began to kiss her fervently and rub her arms while she wove her hands in his hair. For a few minutes they did this until, rosy cheeked and gasping for breath, they sat up. Situating himself more comfortably, he pulled her onto his lap against her protests.

"What would you really like to do today?" She shrugged, vaguely keeping time with his heart beating against her back. Focusing on his question, she gave him an answer.

"I really don't know. How about we go out today? Know any good places to hang out? Maybe window shop, get a drink, that sort of thing?"

"Not really nearby. You may not've noticed but Alice pretty much lives out in the middle of nowhere. She's practically a hermit."

"How does she get her food?" Lily asked dubiously. James smiled and held out his wand, as if that answered it.

"Magic." He said, at her blank expression. "The cabinets refill themselves when they get empty." Lily looked shocked.

"No WAY! Are you serious?" he laughed at her fascinated smile. He swung his arm around her shoulders.

"Ok, my little flower; let's get something to eat then go find something to do."

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Lifting up her foot to close the fridge door, Alice took a long swig of her butterbeer, glancing shrewdly at the clock above the microwave. Not that she quite knew what a microwave was. She actually had to have Lily's neighbor show her how to work it, and very narrowly escaped having to wipe his memory when he saw her wand casually laid out on the counter. Not many people use a polished, thin, symmetrical stick to stir noodles, Alice remembered sourly the man's suspicious words when all she wanted to know was why the 'POPCORN PRESET' button wouldn't turn the darn thing on…what was pop-corn anyway…? Leaving those thoughts in the recesses of her brain, Alice went over to Lily's plush couch and plopped her bum down right in the middle. Picking up the remote, she was about to push down the 'on' button when Lily's doorbell rang. Sighing, she got up and set down her bottle. Straightening her shirt, she skipped to the door and squinted through the peep hole. She choked; Standing in front of the door, nervously twisting his hands, was none other then Frank.

"Oh Merlin, Oh Merlin, Oh Merlin…!" She whispered. Then, taking a deep breath, and cringing as the doorbell pealed through the apartment again, she threw open the door. Frank gasped.

"Alice!" He smiled and crushed her in a bear hug. "Oh, Alice, it's been so long! I've missed you!"

"Um…how nice Frank." He frowned at her un-eagerness.

"Aren't you glad to see me?"

"Oh yeah, just peachy fine and dandy Frank, I couldn't be happier." Her sentence had started out with false happiness, but a bitter note edged in at the end.

"You're not still mad are you?"

"About you moving out of the country and not even telling me?"

"Alice, we went over this already! I had no choice! My dad's job re-stationed him, out of nowhere, and we had left within the hour!"

"And all you did was send me a letter!"

"You sent me a bloody HOWLER!!"

"You deserved it!" Furiously putting her fists on her waist she was shocked when Frank grabbed her, pulled her to him, and kissed her, hard. Unwillingly, she gave in and allowed herself to be kissed, even permitting him to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her closer to him. After about ten seconds however, she pushed him slightly away.

"You shouldn't…take advantage…of me like…that…" She said breathlessly. He smirked at her.

"Kills you that I know your weaknesses, doesn't it?" She glared at his arrogant reply.

"Your conceit makes me sick!" Turning angrily away, she was held by his hand that shot out and grabbed hers.

"Alice, I was joking!" At her uncertain expression he steeled her to the couch and sat her down, dumping himself next to her and giving her that half smile that used to make her knees tremble; now it made her lip tremble.

"Frank it didn't work between us, and now your coming back into my life is just not something I need right now, and—" He shushed her and held his finger to her lips.

"Alice…I'm not here to be your boyfriend. That would be nice—" he gulped at her glare, but continued, "—but I really only came to renew a friendship. We can be friends, right?"

"…Maybe…if you behave." He grinned audaciously at her.

"Afraid I might do something dirty, like we used to…?" he daringly slid his hand up her thigh. Sighing calmly, she plucked his hand from her leg.

"I think I'm going to vomit." He had the gall to look affronted.

"You saying you never enjoyed—"

"FRANK!" He looked scared for a second. "The children!" She mocking said with a smile. He smiled appreciatively at her before booming, "You would be so lucky to bear MY children Alice!" She laughed and got up.

"I'm sure I would. Are you thirsty?"

"Positively parched. But don't bother yourself; I'll just take a drink of your butter beer."

"No Frank!" Darting back to his side she tried to grab the bottle from him, but in a flash, the bottle was set back on the table, and Alice was in his lap.

"You sneaky little heathen. I hate you." He pecked her nose then boldly leaned over her and kissed her, long and softly. As she subconsciously snuggled closer, he whispered, "I love you too…"

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Lily and James walked back in the front door, laughing and playfully shoving each other, before settling down on the couch, James in the corner, Lily dangerously snug nest to him. He slid his arm around her waist before saying, "I had fun. How 'bout you?"

"Fantastic. Those Italian ices were scrumptious."

"Your face is scrumptious."

"Why thank you. What was your favorite part of today?"

"Snogging you in front of the tea shop and snogging you in front of the Italian Ice cart are tied in first."

"Oh ho, I see how it is. Is that all I'm good for?"

"Well, there are other things…things you wouldn't see on a children's show."

"Huh?"

"Oh, your poor innocent mind. I won't keep it that way often." Lily glanced shyly up at him through thick lashes.

"Well, seeing as how I'm just about to invite to sleep in my room tonight, you'd probably be right." He paused and brooded over her offer for a moment.

"Lily…I want you to know something." All of a sudden, he sat her up and looked her straight in the eye. "I will never take advantage of you…no matter what. Even if you ask me, I'm never going to do anything to you until we're married."

"How are you so sure we're going to be married?" He grinned at her before crushing her in a hug.

"Believe me, Tiger Lily, I just know. I knew it nine years ago, and I know it now, just as ardently as I did then. Ok, maybe I'm a little more convinced now." She laughed as they made their way, hand in hand, into her bedroom, where they curled up on her bed and fell asleep at the sound of each others' voice.

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YAY! Done, and somebody special that everybody love will be making a cameo appearance in the next chapter. I'm not sure yet what they'll do with him but everyone loves puppy's right?

Danielle LA! I WONT TELL!!! But I bet you all know what I'm talking about cause I cant fool nobody anymore…