Disclaimer: All belongs to JK ROWLING.

Chapter Two:

It's been a week since the last Order meeting. A week since she last let James hold her in his arms. A week since she talked to him. A week since she was a right idiot to even let him hold her. Lily shook her head; she was clad in her usual wear of jeans and a plain T-shirt. A thin pair of slippers adorned her small feet. She made her way through her tiny kitchen, making a cup of coffee. She wasn't a fan to tea, its taste wasn't strong enough for her, and its warmth would send her straight to bed. Coffee at least allowed her to have a kick of energy and not let her fall into a slumber.

Wrapping her hands around her mug, she made her way to the hallway, grabbing her winter apparel and slipping into her trainers. With another quick sip of her drink, Lily set the glass down and apparated. Just like she promised, she saw the boy she was supposed to see.

Making her way over to the swing set, she took a seat next to Remus Lupin, making him jump at the snap of her arrival. They were in a Muggle park, the time nearing to midnight, the stars flickering brightly, the street lamps lighting up the playground. It was desolate, but peaceful, snow barely covering the fading grass.

Lupin turned to face Lily while he was gently swinging on the metal contraption. "Hi, Lily." His voice was soft and held concern.

"Remus."

"How are you holding up?"

Lily winced. "Alright, I guess."

"You don't have to lie, tell me the truth," Remus asked forcefully, yet it was lined in sadness.

The red head shook her head. "It's the truth".

He lowered his brown eyes. "At least tell me why you asked me here, out of all the days of the week and the time! Goodness, Lily, it's nearing one o'clock in the morning."

Lily chuckled. "Hey, it's my favourite time of the day." She grinned and started swinging a little faster, her hair flowing through the chilled wind.

They swung on the rickety swings, until the air was getting bitterer and they could barely bend their now frozen fingers.

Remus gave a sympathetic smile as he watched his friend. Lily saw this and looked down at her pillar. The one who held her together. The one who helped her with all her problems. The one who gave some hell of advice and mighty good hugs. She held out her hand and felt his rough fingers hold onto her.

Standing up, he let Lily jump off her swing, fly through the air and land clumsily in front of him. Lily smiled and hugged Remus. "Thanks, buddy."

"No problem, Lily." He released her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Anything for one of my best friends."

Lily gave a weary smile and made her way out of Remus' grip and walked over to the park bench.

Remus followed hesitantly, placing himself next to the frail girl.

Sticking her mitten covered hands into her pocket Lily spoke out. "So … How are the famous Marauders? Wreaking havoc across London as per usual?" She sighed, her hot breath making little clouds in the darkness.

He chuckled, "As always, we have to liven up everyone somehow." His pale and scratched face contorted a bit. "It's a dark place now; we all need a bit of laughter and fun."

"I know."

"You know, you can ask about him, I won't tell." He eyed Lily as she winced.

"I don't want to know anything about him."

Remus rolled his dark brown eyes. "Right, Lily, and I'm not a werewolf."

Lily repeated the eye roll back to him and grumbled, "Fine."

The werewolf gave a victory smile. "He misses you."

She turned to face him, her features were saddened and her eyes showed remorse. She pulled her hat further down over her curls and stared out at the empty park.

"I was a prat, wasn't I?"

Moments passed as Remus contemplated his answer.

"No, you weren't Lily," he sighed. "We all understood, maybe not right then, but now we do."

"Fine, then, I was a complete lunatic who ran away from a perfectly good best friend and boyfriend, who made him look like a fool, heart broken, and alone.

"I'm awful, completely horrid."

"Better?" The words spilled out in a hurried mess with a hopeless sigh at the end.

"Not even close, Lily. Sure you broke his heart, but it's slowly rebuilding with the help of you returning. You should have seen him the day we heard you came back, he was ecstatic."

"I'm sorry."

"I know, Lily, you might want to go check up on James, though, he needs you and as much as you don't want to admit it, you need him."

Silence ensued for minutes, until the quiet, but strong "I know" was heard.

/&/

Maybe a drop a review? :)