Ummm...the next chapter. Here we go… Hope you like an aggressive Remus oO ? Don't hate me for this chapter!!! I so was looking forward to write it xD

Being like him

"No!" Remus whispered but he was surprised, when Greyback moaned with pain and stumbled back from Sirius' body, pulled by a man. Said man had jumped down from a small crawlspace above Greyback's head only seconds before. Remus was surprised. And relieved when he saw who it was. James stood behind him, his pistol drawn, pointing at Greyback's head. But what had been this ugly noise? Remus watched James more closely. The pirate's coat was ripped at his sleeve and Remus nearly laughed out loud. It hadn't been Greyback's teeth cutting the soft flesh at Sirius' pale neck. His Sirius! Again the werewolf took over, the laughter died before it reached his lips. He grabbed his sabre and walked towards Greyback, held by James, trying to struggle free.

"How does it feel to be afraid?", the captain asked, his voice a snarl, cold as ice. With an icy smile he raised his sabre and let it wander over Greyback's neck, so that a small line of blood followed it's track. It didn't satisfy Remus. The wolf wanted more blood, he wanted to slash this worthless waste of skin, this monster. But he was kept in control by Remus. The captain wanted him to beg for mercy, he wanted to hear him pleading and whining. It was unforgivable what he had done to Sirius. His Sirius! The werewolf was possessive. And this man belonged to him.

Remus took another step towards Greyback, his sabre never leaving the man's neck. James stood perfectly still, holding his arms behind the man's back, making it impossible for him to move. Remus had never seen James' eyes this angry. But he had seen Sirius' body and this man didn't deserve to be treated like this.

"Please… it was… a joke. You know?" Greyback's voice was full of fear and Remus enjoyed his pleas, his begging, his angst.

"A joke?" he asked lurking. "A joke?" More angry. "A JOKE?" screaming at that ugly face in front of him. "Did you see anyone LAUGHING?"

"N…no…I simply... you…your…" Greyback wasn't able to say a sentence that made sense. He was so afraid, he knew what an angry werewolf was capable of. And he worried that he would never make another one for his pack. He had made this one too strong, too dominant. Why had he made him an Alpha male? The others he had bitten were submissive and obedient, while Remus was not. Maybe this was the reason why this one fascinated him so much. He was like himself. Perhaps that was what could rescue him… He had to try. "Look at yourself: You are a monster. You are a werewolf. And you wanna see blood, right?" Greyback whispered in a hypnotic voice. His last chance was this. But Remus' amber eyes only grew harder.

"Yes. And I will see you die." The words were little more than a hiss.

"Ah… You are so much like me!" Greyback said, hoping that his words would appal the man. But Remus only smiled. A reaction so unpredicted by Greyback that he wasn't sure his tactics would work. It had been his last chance…

"I'm nothing like you. I never made another wolf. I never did this to anyone. And the most important difference between your pitiful ass and me: I'm capable of love!" Remus whispered. "You made him suffer. You humiliated him. And you will pay!" With this last words to the man who had made his and Sirius' life a nightmare, the sabre cut the skin at his neck, blood flowing down his neck and chest.

"No…" Greyback whispered, his eyes with shock. He hadn't wanted to believe Remus would kill him. Werewolves were like his sons and especially this one that was so much like him and yet so weak… "Monster!" Greyback whispered before his vision went dark, his knees weak. With a strange sound leaving his lips he fell to the floor. Remus breathed hard and watched the writhing body of this monster. He had killed him. Finally. It should make him feel better but when he remembered Sirius hanging in chains from the ceiling his heart clenched and he turned around to the still so beautiful man. He gestured to James to help him.

With a slight smile James stepped over Greyback's lifeless body and came towards Remus. The werewolf had one arm around Sirius' body, so that the man wouldn't dangle from the ceiling any longer. His other hand reached for Sirius' face and he brushed his dark hair aside to see the man's eyes. They were half lidded and he looked strangely far away. It was like he didn't see Remus or noticed James fumbling with the chains above his head.

"I'm here for you, Sirius." Remus whispered to him. "We will get you back on the ship. You will be save and everything will be alright." He promised. He hoped he was right… Sirius looked so miserable, so hurt and bruised. His Sirius! Whatever it would take to make him happy he would try. Gently his fingers brushed over Sirius' dry lips. His mouth had been so sensual when he had seen him two days ago in the grotto. How he had yearned to kiss him. And how he yearned to kiss him now…

"Here we go…" James said and the chains were broken, Sirius' limp body falling into Remus' arms. He felt as light as a feather. Poor man. Remus wanted to see him smiling at him again and he would. He shrugged out of his coat and wrapped it around Sirius, then took him in his arms and hugged him close to his body. Still the man's eyes looked depressingly lifeless, far away, distant. His mouth was opened, like he wanted to speak but no sound left his lips. It nearly broke Remus' heart when he felt the man shiver and tremble in his arms. James left the room, lead the way, while Remus still looked at the mage in his arms. "You will feel better soon. I promise." With that he lowered his lips to Sirius forehead and kissed him between his eyes.

Sirius was confused. Strong arms held him and his forehead burned. He remembered the beautiful face, the shining amber eyes, the soft lips touching his skin between his eyes. And suddenly he felt safe. The trembling subsided and his fear vanished. "Remus…" he murmured, his voice weak in his own ears. He wasn't sure the man heard him… Gods… he had come. Remus had come to look for him, a worthless creature, so unimportant. But yet here the captain was, holding him, reassuring him, making him feel wanted and loved.

His body hurt. The pain numbed his senses but he was okay with that. He was safe. Finally, finally…

Darkness again.

The body in his arms shifted ever so slightly and for some second Sirius' eyes focused on his. "Remus…" was the only word leaving his lips before he closed his eyes and went limb. At least his trembling had stopped.

Slowly, carefully Remus followed his second in command to the boats lying on the shore. Before James left the shore with the boat he had arrived with, Remus looked at him.

"Thank you, James." He said and smiled. "We would be dead if it wasn't for you." James only nodded and left for the Lost Angel without another word. He knew that Remus was relieved and thankful. And Remus was alive. That was all that counted. No. Not true. Sirius was alive and that was the most important thing. Remus loved him. And perhaps James had known before his captain had even realized it himself…

When Remus placed Sirius' body in the boat he almost felt sorry that he wasn't in his arms anymore. He wanted to hold him close to his body again, protect him. No one would take him from him again. His Sirius! He looked pale in the bright sunshine and his bruises even darker than before. But that would heal! Severus had been a healer before he had joined Remus' crew. He could help Sirius, Remus was sure. Even if Remus didn't really like Severus he was a well educated healer and he had saved more than one life – including Remus' – in the many years he was a part of his crew. Yes… he would cure Sirius.

"What happened to this man?" Severus asked. He was shocked. In all the years on the Lost Angel he had seen many a hurt crewman but this was worse. Sirius' whole body was bruised, large wounds covering his chest, his stomach, his shoulders, his back, the back of his legs. Everything but his face. There was only a wound above his eye and in comparison with the rest of this poor pal it looked healthy. This was so horrible he felt himself shiver.

"Greyback tortured him. Badly." Remus bit out through gritted teeth. "But he paid!" Severus nodded. He knew Remus' story. He had seen the cuts on his captain's body but it had been far from being as shocking as the sight of the man who lay on the captain's bed. It kind of satisfied him that Greyback was dead now. With a grim smile he handed Remus a wet cloth, taking one in his own hands. When they began to clean Sirius' body he watched Remus more closely.

He had never really liked Remus. He was a competent captain, yes, but he was a werewolf. Maybe he was scared but he was loyal nevertheless. Now he noticed something he had never seen before: Remus looked sad and when he cleansed the pale skin of the mage he looked like being tortured himself. Strange… but comprehensible. Sirius was a wreck. Poor man. It would take days, if not weeks for him to heal.

Severus had done a thorough job, Sirius was heavily bandaged, his body clean again. Remus sat next to his bed, watching him in his sleep. He looked peaceful now, but he hadn't woken up since Remus had carried him to the boat. Of course. He was tired. And Remus was tired, too, but he didn't dare to sleep yet. If Sirius woke up, he wanted to be with him.

Gently he grabbed Sirius' hand that rested on the covers and took it in his hands, stroking it slightly, playing with the fingers. They were pale, thin and even the long fingers were cut. This man had suffered so much, it broke Remus' heart to see him like that. And he felt responsible for what had happened. He should have killed Greyback when he had the opportunity some years ago.

Flashback

Remus had been to Egypt only once in his life.

The young boy – aged only seventeen – didn't want to join the other men on their trip to an inn. It was late, dark and he was tired, they had been out the whole day, visiting the pyramids and walking the streets of the ancient city. He told the other men he would leave and so he went out into the dark and strangely deserted streets of a sleeping Cairo. It was creepy to be out here alone and his hand grabbed the hilt of his dagger, just to be sure…

Through narrow streets and houses he wandered and wasn't sure if this was the right way to the harbour. Remus turned around and walked back, when he found himself trapped in a cul-de-sac. But when he turned around he saw a face so strange, so appalling and yet so familiar.

"If this isn't my small wolf boy." The voice of Greyback slurred. He was defiantly drunk and slow. But Remus wouldn't make the mistake and underestimate him. Carefully he made sure his dagger was still where it was supposed to be. This man was a monster. He deserved to die. "A wolf always finds it's pack, right? Were you looking for me? Well….you found me, right? Why are you here? This is my town!"

Remus was afraid, he didn't dare to say a word, afraid that it would be wrong. He should run. Run for his life. He took a step forward and saw Greyback sway on his feet. He was so drunk he nearly tripped over his own feet. Remus shivered. He hoped his plan would work… This man was a nightmare, he had made his life a nightmare, every full moon his body turned into an unholy creature. And it hurt so damn much. He was afraid of what this man wanted to do with him now…

With all his courage summoned Remus shoved the man and Greyback stumbled and fell onto his back. He howled in humiliation when Remus jumped over his body and ran for it. After a few steps he turned around and saw Greyback lying there, trying to get up, but too drunk to drag himself to a standing position. Should he go back and stab him? Kill him? Remus hadn't killed before and he was afraid of taking a life… This man was helpless and it would make Remus a murderer. Not better than Greyback himself. Tears in his eyes he ran for it, blindly into the city of Cairo.

Seven hours later, exhausted and confused he stumbled onto the ship…

End of Flashback

Remus shook his head. He should have killed Greyback when he had the chance. But this night had been nearly ten years ago and it was to late for regrets. They wouldn't help Sirius now, wouldn't make undone what had happened to the mage.

Still Sirius hadn't moved, hadn't opened his beautiful eyes. He looked so vulnerable, lying there. So small and innocent. Remus could now easily imagine the boy Sirius had once been. Had he been a lonely boy? Remus guessed that he had been. Sirius had told him about his life, a lonely life without friends because every person he met was afraid of him. Had it been the same in his childhood? No boy should be alone… It hurt.

Remus knew what it was like. But the pirates had found him and saved him from his miserable life. If captain Albus hadn't found him, he would be dead by now, he was sure. Starved… because no one had dared to come close to the wolf boy.

The pirates had been afraid but they had helped him, they all were broken souls who had learned to help each other. In fact Remus had never met more warm hearted people. That was why he still was amongst them, one of them. Their captain. And that was the reason Sirius was so dear to him: he wanted to help him, too. Had he failed? He wasn't sure anymore… Still he was so mad at Greyback, he should have tortured him even more.

Sighing Remus lay down next to Sirius, cautious, so he wouldn't hurt him. He still clutched the mage's hand in his hands close to his chest. Before he closed his eyes he kissed the tips of Sirius' fingers and his palm. "Everything will be all right, my beautiful one." He promised.

When Remus woke up, he realized he had taken Sirius in his arms, pressing him to his chest like he wanted to protect him. But he knew something was wrong. Sirius was whispering in his sleep, his face red and hot, beads of sweat on his forehead.

"Sirius? What's wrong?" Remus asked and got up immediately. Oh Gods… He needed Severus. Now. It was in the middle of the night and he had to wake him up.

After some minutes of examining Sirius Severus looked up at Remus.

"He has a fever…His wounds are inflamed. He's hallucinating. The only thing we can do is cooling his forehead with a wet cloth and pray, Remus." Severus said in a grave tone. Remus swallowed. That sounded bad. Really bad.

"Will he… survive?" Remus asked, his eyes wide with fear. He didn't want to lose Sirius. His Sirius. He needed him! Severus tried not to look too hopeless, but Remus knew him long enough to see that his weak smile was a fake. The captain clenched his fists. He had freed Sirius from Greyback to save his life and now he was close to dying? Impossible! Gods, he didn't dare to think about what Greyback had done to him. His heart ached when he thought about Sirius hanging so vulnerable in chains. How it must've hurt him…

"As I said: pray, Remus, pray…"

Please review!