The final chapter... Guess that was long enough! And I hope I didn't bore you to death…

Dedicated to: My dearest daughter (for threatening to kill me o.o) Love you anyways.

For the last time

Five days.

Sirius was still shivering like hell, when Remus left his cabin where the mage was still lying in his bed, still shaking and still having a fever. With loud thudding footfalls, Remus went to the bridge and looked at James wordlessly. He could read his second in command's question in his eyes, so Remus shook his head.

"He isn't better yet. Severus thinks… he thinks Sirius will not survive another day." The captain said in a distant voice, his eyes sad and close to tears. James rested a hand on his shoulder. He could only guess what Remus went through right now and he felt sorry for him. In the last days Remus hadn't slept or ate much. All the time he was with Sirius and held his hand or cooled his head with some cloth. But he had to act normal, his crew would be nervous if he didn't care for the ship any more.

With his eyes strangely dull and his face a mask Remus grabbed the wheel. The course of his ship was westward. They were heading for America because it was close to winter in Europe. Normally Remus would look forward to it. He loved the ancient cities and ruins in Mexico. He would have loved to show them to Sirius. Now it looked like Sirius wouldn't see anything in his life again. All Remus could do was stay with him during the nights and when he could spare some hours. Maybe Sirius knew that he was with him. The mage was delirious but Remus hoped he would somehow feel his presence. Perhaps it soothed him when he felt bad.

Remus' hand grabbed the wheel so hard that his knuckles turned white and his fingernails dug into the wood. He loved when it hurt. It was a distraction from the pain in his heart. It hurt so much. Remus couldn't believe it. If Sirius would die his body would be delivered to the sea and he would never see this beautiful man again… His heart clenched painfully in his chest and a sob threatened to escape his lips, but he held it back. He needed Sirius. It was the truth and he no longer tried to deny it. He wanted him. Since he had first seen him.

Shaking his head he tried to ban the sad thoughts from his mind but the picture of Sirius lying in his bed, pale, thin, sweating, murmuring in a fearful voice and not opening his eyes haunted him. Concentrating was hard. Remus himself was tired but he didn't dare to sleep. What if anything happened to Sirius while he slept? And he needed to stay with him, he wanted to be there for him as much as possible.

Remus didn't stay long on the bridge. An hour later he was back in his cabin, stroking Sirius' dark hair, holding his hand and kissing his fingers. What if he woke up? Would he be angry with him? Remus hadn't been able to protect him from Greyback. He had been weak. And Remus hated himself for it. If he hadn't been so lost in Sirius' eyes when they had been in the cave… 'Forget all those ifs!' Remus told himself. It was too late, now and he knew. Strange how Sirius had changed his whole life in such a short time…

"When you wake up, I'll show you the rain forests." He promised, denying the saddening truth that Sirius was closer to death than life. How he hated that he couldn't do anything for his friend now. He felt useless, helpless. Perhaps Sirius didn't even hear his words. He would give anything to help him. But Severus was right: Sirius was weak. He suffered.

Remus bent his head and let it rest on the bed, Sirius' slender finger still clutched in his hand. It felt like his heart would simply crush, he wanted to help Sirius but he was so useless. "Sweet Sirius…" He whispered, when he looked up again. With his free hand he brushed some strands from the mage's face and touched his pale cheek. Here, in his cabin, when he was alone with Sirius he allowed himself to be weak. He hated himself for it but he couldn't help it. A silent tear made it's way down his cheek and fell onto Sirius' face. Remus kissed it away and brushed another tear from his face. He needed to be strong. The last thing Sirius would experience in his life shouldn't be a crying werewolf.

He loved him. Plain and simple. And now he was afraid he would die. Life wasn't fair, was it? With a sigh he closed his eyes and let his head rest next to Sirius' again. He needed sleep, his eyes were heavy…

It was dark, when Remus woke up. Oh Gods, he had slept the whole day… He had been so tired, so sad. But he wanted to be awake for Sirius. What if he dies and Remus would sleep while his friend left him forever? He wouldn't forgive himself! In a fit of blind panic he shot up and looked at Sirius. Was he still breathing? Was he still alive. Remus sobbed uncontrollably when his fingers fumbled with Sirius' wrist and his pulse.

"No!" He whispered. He couldn't be dead. "Severus…" in panic he jumped up, running out of his cabin, looking for the healer. "Severus, please…please come and help him!" Remus said, trembling like a leaf. Sirius was his weak spot…

Immediately Severus came to Remus' cabin and checked the man on the bed. "He's stopped shivering, Remus, he isn't dead."

"I didn't find his pulse." Remus said. "Check it."

"Your hands tremble. His pulse is weak but it is there." Severus got up and looked at his captain, taking him by his shoulders and holding him at arms length. "You go out and get some fresh air. Your crew is sleeping, they won't see you in this condition. James is on the bridge. Just go out, look at the waves and get a clear mind! We don't need a captain as confused as you're now. This doesn't help anybody. I'll stay here with him. I tell you if you need to come down."

"But…"

"No 'but'. Go out! Breathe! You are close to breaking down and I will not risk it." Severus' voice was firm but Remus could see that it did cost him dear to give his captain such harsh orders. On the other hand Remus knew that Severus was right. He was panicking and behaved irrational. With gentle touched he brushed some of Sirius' strands out of his face and watched his pale face. And with a nod towards Severus he left the cabin and stepped out into the dark.

A cold breeze greeted him and he turned to see James standing on the bridge. No…he didn't want to talk right now. He just wanted to stand at the rail, looking out over the black sea. The waves weren't high, the ship gently bobbed up and down on the water. It wasn't anything to worry about. But Remus was worried. His stomach made a strange jolt when he thought about Sirius. It felt strange: it was like he knew this man a lifetime. And yet there hadn't been enough time to really get to know him. Remus clenched his fists on the rail, when he thought about loosing his friend. He couldn't believe it… Why him? Why Sirius? Greyback should have killed him, Remus. It would be okay…At least Sirius wouldn't be in grave danger.

He sighed heavily. Severus had told him to go out and he obeyed. He knew he was close to going mad. Remus had always been strong but this was too much, even for him. For a long time he stared out, his eyes wandering over the horizon, illuminated by a crescent moon. He didn't know how much time had passed since he had left his cabin. Ages.

A hand landed on his shoulder and Remus winced, nearly jumped out of his skin. He didn't dare to turn around. This would be Severus, telling him Sirius was dead. His heart stopped beating. Maybe he should simply jump off the ship. The waves would eat him up, like they did with so many men before…Like they would do with Sirius' body. Gods… he had to face it. He braced himself, trying to turn his heart to stone so he would never feel again. With trembling hands and his eyes closed he turned around to face Severus.

When he opened his eyes he thought they would betray him. Standing in front of him was Sirius. This beautiful man, his dark eyes glowing in the moonlight his black hair highlighted by the silvery rays. Was he real? Remus reached out a hand and touched his face, still so damn pale. But it was warm flesh his fingers touched. It was the soft skin of a living man.

"Sirius…" He murmured, the whisper torn from his lips by the wind. With a sudden movement he wrapped his arms around him and pressed him close to his chest. He wasn't sure if Sirius was mad at him but at the moment he didn't care. Sirius should hate him. He was okay with it, as long as the mage lived. Through his coat Remus could feel Sirius fingers grabbing a fistful of the clothes on his back. He seemed so fragile in his arms, so vulnerable, but yet so alive. He could feel Sirius' breath on his chest, when the man buried his face there. The mage seemed content.

When he looked up at Remus his eyes met the captain's and wandered down to Remus' lips. So red and soft… And Remus noticed his gaze. Without further hesitation he grabbed Sirius' chin and lifted his face towards his. "Love you…" With these words his lips found the wicked red lips of the mage in his arms. Oh Gods. He tasted like heaven, like honey, so sweet and soft. With shivering knees Remus let his tongue dart out and gently licked Sirius' lips, begging for entrance. And Sirius opened them obediently, granting Remus entrance and enjoyed his loving kiss.

The sheer gentleness of Remus' lips on his stole his breath. He could feel the relief that washed over Remus and the love that encouraged him to kiss him so deeply. A soft moan escaped Sirius' lips. He wasn't able to hold it back, when he felt Remus press him closer to his body, his mouth on his and his tongue exploring his mouth.

When their lips parted Sirius rested his forehead against Remus'. He was well aware that the captain had just told him, he loved him. And he was sure he loved him back. His fingers lay on Remus' chest and he fought his knees that threatened to give in beneath him. He still felt weak. But so good. So alive.

For some minutes the men simply stood there, holding each other. Sirius felt safe in his arms. It was like Remus wanted to protect him from everything bad. Slowly Remus' hands wandered up and down over his back, reassuringly stroking him while pressing him closer. If Remus wouldn't hold him close, Sirius would simply collapse to the floor. He was still tired and it cost him strength to be out here. Nevertheless he smiled when one of the captain's hands drifted into his hair and began to play with the strands. He loved him! His heart skipped a beat and he realized he had never felt so good, so wanted.

But it was too much for him. Sirius tried to stay upright but his knees gave in and he fell into Remus' strong arms.

"Forgive me." He said, when Remus grabbed him and lifted him into his arms. "I'm so tired."

"I know. You need sleep. But I'm so happy you woke up tonight, I was so afraid…" Remus carried him over the ship, his arms holding him close, making him feel safe. He was so damn tired. But he had to go out. He needed to see Remus. And he was happy now. While Remus gently carried him, he drifted back to sleep. A deep and soothing sleep…

Remus looked at Sirius closing his eyes, a content smile on his red lips. He hadn't run from him, he had kissed him back. And Remus was so relieved, so happy that he was okay again. Still weak but okay. The captain's head shot up, when he heard a small laugh coming from the direction of the bridge where James stood and watched him. Remus stopped in his tracks and looked at him curiously.

"I knew." James simply said and smiled at his friend. Remus nodded and headed down to his cabin where Severus sat and waited for him. Gently the werewolf lowered Sirius' body on the bed and sat down next to him. Severus got up and checked Sirius but he smiled, when he straightened himself and looked at his captain.

"No fever. I think he will be alright. He just needs sleep. Real sleep without hallucinations and trembling. His body's exhausted. Don't worry. He'll live." With this words Severus left a very relieved Remus behind and went to sleep himself.

Remus felt himself relax for the first time in days. He thanked Severus when he left and lay down on the bed himself, edging close to Sirius holding him in his arms, careful not to wake hi up. He was alive. He wouldn't die and leave Remus behind. Remus would've killed himself, he was sure of it. Or the wolf would have done when the next full moon rose. But now it was like the animal was lying still, settling himself and dozing, gently purring while Remus' hands glided through Sirius' soft hair. His Sirius!

Two days later Remus awoke next to Sirius again. The mage slept most of the time, his body still weak but he was getting stronger and better. Sleepily Remus edged closer to Sirius, let his head rest against his shoulder and closed his eyes again. It was till too early to get up and he wanted to be close to Sirius. When he woke up, finally, he wanted to be with him and talk to him.

Only some minutes later he felt Sirius shift next to him, felt the man move and get up from the bed. Remus sat up and watched him heading for the door.

"Do you feel like a prisoner?" he asked, all his fears put into that one question. He had thought about it a lot while Sirius had slept the past few days. Perhaps the man didn't feel at home on his ship and wanted to leave it… Doubts and angst ate him up and he wanted to know for sure if Sirius was fully content. Remus watched the man stop in his tracks, his hand freezing on the doorknob. The beautiful black haired mage turned around, his face not as pale as two nights ago. He had washed himself the last day and he had eaten enough, he looked so much better. So beautiful and Remus was kind of afraid what he would answer.

"No, Remus." Sirius smiled brightly at the captain. "I feel at home. What's wrong with you? You look weird…"

That was all Remus needed to hear, the captain got up from the bed and grabbed Sirius by his shoulders pressing him against the wall behind him. "Shut up!" He murmured and took a deep breath, inhaling Sirius' scent. "I love you!" He whispered, before his lips hungrily claimed Sirius' and he kissed him deeply, lovingly. The mage moaned slightly and instantly wrapped his arms around the taller man, pressing him closer still. His heart beat fast against Remus' chest, the man must feel it. He loved him. And he felt safe, wanted and at home on this ship for the first time in so many years… And Remus kiss was so passionate and hungry but still so lovingly. Sirius wanted more.

While Remus' hands wandered down his chest and his stomach only to find their way under his shirt and wandered upwards on his naked skin of his flat stomach, Sirius wrapped his legs around Remus' body. "Love you!" Sirius whispered between two of Remus' hot mouthed kisses and it was all the werewolf could do to not come instantly. He let his trembling hands wander upwards under Sirius' shirt and felt the soft skin of the mage between his fingertips. He was so beautiful, so sweet and he felt so good under his fingertips. And Remus loved how the mage's body was pressed close to him. Sirius' fingers brushed through his hair, down his neck, stroking the back of his neck. Remus moaned slightly. His fingers were so gentle and soft.

With a strong effort of his will Remus broke their deep kisses and looked into Sirius' dark eyes. The mage didn't look happy, when Remus stopped and tried to pull him back, to kiss him again. But Remus took his time, drinking in the sight of the handsome man in his arms. His eyes were half closed, lust and love gleamed in them. Sirius' lips were full and deep red from their long kisses and his hair surrounded his face like a dark halo. He was all Remus had ever wished for.

With another deep kiss Remus opened Sirius' shirt and let his hands wander over newly exposed flesh, stroking him, caressing him and smiling, when Sirius' head fell back against the wall, his neck exposed in a submissive way. The werewolf took this as an invitation and covered the soft skin at Sirius' neck with open mouthed kisses. The mage smelled so good. He needed more of this handsome man. All he wanted to do was ravish his beautiful body senseless. His need grew and Remus yearned for the man in his arms.

With one swift movement Remus turned them both towards the bed, Sirius still clinging to him with his hands and feet and he used Remus distraction to claim his lips again, kissing his lips, gently biting and opening them, exploring the cavity that lay beyond. Remus sighed into his lips while he lay Sirius down on the mattress, the man not letting go, pulling Remus down with him. Excitedly Remus' hands wandered up and down over his whole body, feeling the soft skin and the warmth of his well muscled body. He smiled when Sirius trembled under his fingertips and reached out to free Remus from his own clothes.

Piece by piece their clothes landed on the floor, carelessly thrown away in their passion. Remus bent down and kissed and licked his chest that heaved with every shaking breath taken. Sirius writhed beneath him and he enjoyed this beautiful man's pleasure, watching him with a slight smile, when he gasped and moaned. "Remus…" The werewolves name escaped those sensual lips and said man couldn't help but kiss Sirius again and again.

His lips covered Sirius' mouth, stifling the slight cry of pleasure that escaped the mage's lips when he felt Remus move against him. It made him close his eyes, throwing his head back in pleasure. He had never felt so good, so alive, so loved. It was wonderful to feel the beautiful man kissing him, holding him, around him, in him…

Sirius gasped and moaned, his voice hushed by Remus whose lips never left his. The mage pressed him close to his body, one hand's fingers entangled in Remus' hair, while the werewolf held his other hand pressed onto the cushions, their fingers intertwined.

With a final cry torn from his lips Sirius closed his eyes. "I love you." He whispered and felt Remus come with him, panting hard and kissing him deeply, hungrily.

The whole day Remus and Sirius never left the bed and enjoyed each other's presence.

When they lay in each other's arms the next morning, Sirius let his head rest on Remus' strong chest, sometimes kissing him there, his fingers drawing a senseless pattern on his slightly scarred skin. The captain was incredibly beautiful and he was happy to be with him.

"When I was ill… I heard you, Remus. I heard every word you told me. And I felt every kiss and I knew when you held my hand." Sirius whispered against the man's neck. Strong arms were wrapped closer around him, holding him tight against a well shaped body.

"Nothing will happen to you. I will protect you so no one can take you away from me again." Remus promised and again kissed Sirius' forehead.

The ship gently swayed beneath them, lulling the cuddling men to a peaceful slumber.

The End!

'Blushes deeply'

So many reviews telling me not to kill Sirius. Of course I can't kill him. I hated to see him die in OoTP… He's one of my favourite characters and I'm sure you can't kill a Sirius Black with drapery! That was simply ridiculous.

Hope you liked it. Perhaps there will be one sequel or the other. Or I'll try it the other way around: Sirius the pirate… xD I'll miss writing this story…

Thanks for reading it and Please review!