Disclaimer: Nothing herein that you recognize belongs to me.

A/N: Okay, boys and girls, here it is: The next chapter in this saga. Things are starting to get really dangerous for our lovely couple and well, just about everybody. Soon there will be all kinds of action. For now…

Well just read, and enjoy. I think that's a spiffy plan if I do say so myself.

Thanks for all the support, you guys rock!

*fresh new lily*

George and Kingsley spent a vast amount of time testing the notebooks George had made for them. George was happy to have a means of communication with Kingsley because as it stood they hadn't seen each other in over a month. The war was heating up all around them and neither man had an opportunity to get away. Instead they used the stolen moments they could find to write each other quick notes, letting them know they were alright and missing each other dearly. George's letters tended to get a bit more on the lascivious side than Kingsley's but both men looked forward to the moment their notebooks would animate, indicating a message from their lover. They did of course use them for their original purpose as well, passing information pertinent to the war and the success of the Order.

Kingsley never did get to visit George in February like he had promised, and over a month had come and gone since the two had been able to see each other. St. Valentine's Day had come and gone with very little notice on either man's part. There simply wasn't time to think of holidays when they were busy fighting what seemed to be a losing battle against the Death Eaters and Lord Voldermort.

The Order of the Phoenix was falling apart. As it stood there were very few active members left alive who were of any use. Remus Lupin had gone underground in an attempt to gain favor with neutral werewolf packs that had yet to align themselves with Lord Voldermort and his growing forces. His wife, Tonks, was in hiding with her mother, Andromeda, and her son after the murder of her father, having contact with only Kingsley. Minerva McGonagall was stuck in the castle doing her best to protect her students against the Death Eaters that were now on staff and running the school. Arthur was constantly being tailed and monitored as a known 'muggle loving blood traitor' and had lost any ability to be truly useful outside of the promise of his wand when it came time to battle. His wife Molly was similarly hindered in any real efforts. That really left no one in the inner circle besides Kingsley who was in any position to be of use and the lower ranks were scattered and disheartened.

Without even noticing the shift Kingsley found himself in the position of interim leader of what was left of the Order of the Phoenix. He wasn't really thrilled with the job either. He hated having to make the hard decisions that had fallen to Albus in the past. Choosing to put the people you love in harm's way to win a war was not a job he wanted. But it was suddenly one he realized he had, there simply wasn't anyone else.

It was with this knowledge that Kingsley pulled out his Blue notebook and began to pen a note to George.

19th February, 1998

George,

I can only hope that this letter finds you well. Things are, as you know, spiraling out of control faster and faster and our forces are quickly being depleted. The Snatchers are more competent than we had given them credit for. Every day more muggle-borns and half-bloods disappear, some we know, like Ted Tonks, are never coming back. I am sure you realize that the Order was mostly made up of people who fit that category, your family is one of the few Pureblood lines in Europe that aren't, at the very least, sympathizers of Voldermort. This means that with a battle surely on the horizon our numbers are falling short. We cannot afford to lose more.

I know that you are not privy to what your brother is doing out there with Harry and Hermione but we can only hope that they are going to succeed in whatever task Albus has set them. When they do, if they do, we will fight. If they don't, we will fight anyways. Either way George, this war could very easily be lost. We need every advantage we can get.

It is with this in mind that I must ask more of you. I know you are aware that Fred has been working to relocate some families to safe-houses, but it is no longer enough, and Remus is no longer available to assist him in his task. You two have always worked best together George, and that is what we need now. There is no longer time to spare.

It pains me more than you can image to ask this of you George. I know you are capable, and yet something within me screams to keep you safe. But I need you, Fred, and Lee Jordan, if he is amenable as he is not an Order member officially, to go out and work actively against the Snatchers. Take out who you can, I would rather not have a bunch of dead Snatchers on our hands, but they are actively kidnapping people to be falsely imprisoned and most are killed. We have no prison available to us, and no more options. I do not wish you to be an assassin, but if it comes to you or them George…

First and foremost I want you to search for any Witch or Wizard in hiding and relocate them to one of the safe-houses. They are all cramped, but there is little to be done about it. Whisperings around the Ministry say that many are believed to have fled into the forests in small groups. It will be dangerous, but I have faith in you, and you have tools at your disposal that the Snatchers lack.

Speak to Fred and Lee, and keep me posted.

I am so sorry to put this on you George, but there is no one left. No one I trust.

Please be safe, and take care of yourself, and each other. Keep me apprised of your progress and anything you hear while you are on this mission.

I miss you.

I want you.

I need you.

I love you.

Never forget that George. When this war is over, if we make it out alive, I plan to never let you leave me side. Your love is what keeps me going. It is what I am fighting for. Please be careful. Keep your Journals with you.

Yours-

Bear.

George, who was usually bouncing around their attic flat in his best Lavender Brown impression upon receipt of a letter from Kingsley, was scaring Fred. Not a moment after plopping down on the ratty old couch to read Kingsley's latest letter the color drained from his face. His face was sullen and his eyes lacked the glint they usually held. Fred knew instantly something was wrong, and feared that his brother's lover, the man he knew his brother to be in love with, was breaking his heart. He just couldn't understand why. He did know however that he was not happy about it. George deserved to have that happiness in his life.

When a tear slid down George's cheek Fred lost it. "That bloody wanker! I swear I'll make him sorry he hurt my Gred! Who the bloody hell does he think he is playing you like that?" Fred raged.

George's head snapped up to stare bewildered at his screaming twin. "Fred…" he started, trying to explain what Fred had obviously misunderstood.

Fred wasn't having it. "Don't you dare defend him George! He isn't worth it. How could he just lead you on like that? Tell you he loved you just to split when you start thinking that this might be it, the one, you know? It's not right George, he can't do that to you!" he exclaimed as he paced angrily about George's small room.

George couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. He was rolling on his bed clutching his stomach as his laughter bellowed through the small flat. "You…sooooo mad…see your face…ha ha ha…" he went on incoherently through his laughter.

Fred stopped pacing and stared at his twin who managed to laugh himself right off his bed, landing with a hard 'thwack' on the floor. "Oi, you sodding ponce! What the bloody hell is wrong with you? You a few Knut's short of a Galleon or something?" he asked irritably.

George pushed himself up off the floor rubbed his arse where he had fell. Trying to catch his breath he held his hand up to Fred, silently asking for a minute. George crawled back up onto the bed and flopped onto his back. With his breathing finally under control, and only a mild case of the hiccoughs he told Fred what was so funny. "He isn't leaving me you git!" he pronounced, tossing a pillow from the head of the bed towards Fred. "He wants us to go out on a mission. Talk about calling a Goblin a House Elf! I can't believe you just assumed that was what was wrong. I mean, I love you too Fred. And you're really sweet to jump to my defense like that. But you know... maybe next time you should wait till you actually know what's going on before you start shootin' hexes yeah? Here read." George reached behind him to where he had dropped the journal on the bed and flipped to the page in question, holding it out for Fred.

Fred took the journal from George's outstretched hand and began to read. Slowly he backed up until he was leaning against the wall for support. After a minute he had read the letter and was starting to feel like an arse. "Wow. That's, um…wow. Alright, well I may have…and I mean, maybe, might have, possibly, overreacted a little bit. He obviously loves you George, like really loves you," he said, feeling a little silly for jumping to conclusions so aggressively. "So, this mission…Shite this is heavy stuff George. He's right though. We need to do something if we expect to even have a shot of winning this thing. I mean, say Wonder boy, Little Miss Prefect, and Ickle Ronniekins actually do whatever it is they are out there trying to do and then Harry kills Snake Face, what does it matter if there's no one left? What's the point of winning the war if you are the only one alive onyour side? I say we get Lee and get going. I know where the safe houses are, we have plenty of supplies here. It's time to close up shop and be grown-ups for a while." He couldn't help wriggling his nose at the thought of being a grown up, even as he stood tall and puffed out his chest self-importantly.

George just sighed. "Yeah, I know. We have to. Let me write Kings, you go gather some supplies. I'll be out in a bit," he told his brother, taking his journal back. Just as Fred was walking out George called to him again. "Oh and Fred…thanks for having my back. Good to know you'd hex his balls off for me…but I like them the way they are thanks!" George couldn't help but giggle like a girl at his brothers scandalized and slightly nauseous expression.

"Oi! George, I may be happy that you're in love, and I couldn't give a fig if you were a poofter like Malfoy, I mean, he takes gay to a new plane, but I do NOT want to hear about Kingsley's balls and what you like them for! That my dear twin is way too much information," he said, laughing along with George as he turned and left to start preparing to head out.

George laughed and shook his head at his brothers retreating back. He loved Fred. His twin was so protective and it was rather funny. He understood though. He would be ready to hex the bollocks off anyone who dared to hurt his twin.

Once Fred was in the other room working to get their supplies together George swapped the blue journal Kingsley's letter had come in for his red on and began to write him back.

19th Feb. 1998

Bear,

Where do I start here? I don't know why I have been envisioning that my role in this war could be safely confined to my inventions. Rather silly of me. It is interesting to note that you have pretty much become the head of the Order. Bloody hot, I've been shagging the head of the Order! Mum would be so proud. If you could see that she does not find out that we are doing this it would be great though. She's likely go bonkers if three of her sons were out there she'd go bonkers. Well, more bonkers anyways.

Fred is working on gathering some supplies and getting in touch with Lee while I write this. I'll go through the supplies and make sure there isn't too much joke stuff in there. I'll keep him in line. Actually, in all honesty, it's amazing how much we have each matured in our own ways with this war and our places in it. I am happy to be working with him again. It really is when we are at our best, and Lee is like the other corner of the triangle, he really adds strength to the team. Quite brilliant of you actually.

I know that you honestly hate to do this. I know that you never asked to do anything more than your job, take down the bad guys, keep the peace, and look damned shagable while you did it. You are a natural leader though Bear. The decisions, even though I know you hate making them, are good decisions. And people listen to you. People trust you. I think it might be that voice. I could listen to you talk all day. That deep velvety voice is the music behind all of my dirtiest dreams Bear.

I fucking love you. Do you know that? I don't think that once this war is over I'll be able to keep it in for long. Fred sees it plain as day. I suppose hiding it from Lee will be my first big test of secrecy. Funny thing about Fred too; he lost it! Oh yes, he went off the deep end ready to hex your lovely bits off because he thought you were breaking my heart. I suppose I went a little pale when I read your letter, and he took it the wrong way. It was pretty cute actually, how protective he was. He was so prepared to take you on for hurting me. I think I might just let him if you ever did.

I know you won't though.

Speaking of protective brothers, what are the plans with Ginny? Will Tonks still be on the team to retrieve her? She is getting out of there right? Is she still coming here? Does that mean that this is a short term assignment? Just, well promise me she will be safe alright.

I hear Lee, I have to get going. I will let you know when we get set up where ever we are going first. Please be careful Bear. It may seem like you are so safe in your position, but don't think I forget that you are in the snake pit having to hide your true allegiances'.

I fucking love you Bear.

George

George closed the red journal and placed a soft kiss to the cover sending the message to Kingsley.

After gathering the things he would need from his room, a few changes of underpants, a few jumpers, and his journals, George dashed out to join Fred and Lee who were hunched over maps of the woods in Europe where witches and wizards were believed to be in hiding.

"…talk in town that some groups were thought to be in the Forest of Dean. Snatchers don't tend to be very quiet when they plan in the pubs. Although I hear that that some are hiding out in cheap muggle motels, not using magic unless they have to defend themselves. It's all just rumor though," Lee was explaining to George, pointing to a big green area on the map. "Oh, hey there George. I was just telling Fred what I've been hearing around town lately. Come on, join the planning," he added turning to address George.

George smiled widely at his friend. It was good to see Lee again. George hadn't had the chance to see him much in a while. "Budge up Lee," George told him as he hopped over the back of the tatty sofa to land in the spot Lee had barely vacated to make room.

Fred looked over at his twin and waggled his eyebrows suggestively, silently asking if he had written Kingsley back. George just nodded. "Right then," Fred started, addressing both Lee and George. "Lee here, has somehow managed to procure us better brooms, says not to ask him how, and based on the face he made when I asked him anyways I'd guess it was rather embarrassing. But all that really matters is that you dear George are now the proud owner of a Nimbus 2000. May not be the best out there, but it's a fair sight better than the Cleansweep, yeah?" Fred exclaimed excitedly, gesturing to the three matching brooms propped up against the wall on the other side of the room.

George's eyes widened at the sight. 'Sweet Merlin! Where'd you manage to get those Lee?" he asked, completely ignoring Fred's warning not to ask.

Lee blushed, although it was hard to notice the change in color of his dark skin, but the look on his face gave it all away. "," Lee spouted, running all his words together.

"Huh?"

"Come again?"

"What was that?"

"I'm afraid Lee,"

"that you were talking,"

"a little fast there mate."

"Dear Gred and I,"

"simply couldn't understand,"

"so perhaps you should,"

"slow down a little"

"and start from the beginning." The twins told Lee from either side of him, jumping back and forth finishing each other's sentences as they were known to do.

Lee just shook his head and laughed. It was good to have his best mates together in the same place again. "It's so…you see…well the things is…" he sputtered.

"Spit it out Lee," both boys shouted at once.

Lee cringed. "Well, you know that me mum works part time at St. Mungo's right?" he asked. At their combined nods he went on. "Well, see, the thing is that Old Lady Mergolee, the one who owns the Quidditch shop; she came down with Dragon Pox a few months ago. Mum was the Jr. Medi-Witch on the Second Floor and got to know her a bit. When she finally got sent home, mum offered me up to help her out since it's just her at home and so yeah…I've been, ah, taking care of her and stuff," he grumbled.

Fred and George looked at each other over Lee's head and smiled. "Now, now Lee," Fred began.

"Surely you don't think," George took over

"that there isn't more," said Fred

"to this tale," finished George

Then the boys spoke together. "Now spill."

Lee shook his head. "I did some stuff; I took care of her, yeah. You got new brooms out of the deal. Now leave it. We have a bloody ton of work to do anyways."

A few hours later the boys were all packing the last of their supplies into bags and shrinking them down to fit in their pockets before mounting their brooms and taking off into the night sky, headed for the Forest of Dean.

Kingsley was lying in bed that night when he checked for George's response, not at all surprised to find his red journal had been activated with a new message. Kingsley quickly read through Georges words and was just about to close the book when new words appeared directly below the last line of his letter.

Bear,

We landed in the Forest of Dean; so far we haven't had any issues. We'll set up camp and have a look around tonight, but for now we are really just going on some information Lee overhear at a pub. Seems the Snatchers like to talk when they drink. It may make for a good source of information.

I just wanted you to know that we are alright, and are getting started. I'll let you know if anything comes up. And don't forget, Bear, I love you!

George

Kingsley smiled a little sadly. He hated sending George out there, but at least they had a starting point. He hoped that they could make a difference, and manage to stay out of trouble. The latter he was afraid, was simply asking too much.

A/N: Okay, so what do we think? George and the boy are out there too. What kind of trouble are they going to get into I wonder…And what will happen to Ginny. Stay tuned for the next episode…

Love you all.

*lily*