A couple of hours in, her night at the Poison Quill was definitely turning out to be as long as Tonks feared it would be. There was a larger crowd—at least twenty new faces—in the dingy pub from the previous week, consisting of wizards who looked to be from various backgrounds. Tonks thought wryly that Malfoy and his cronies were likely trying to redeem themselves with their boss by bringing in so many new recruits. They were all sitting around their usually occupied tables talking animatedly as they attempted to drink their body weight in Firewhisky.

She carried out similar barmaid tasks to those of the previous week, but this time gained far more from listening to the men in the pub talk. It seemed to be a better atmosphere for gaining information than before. A small group of drunkenly nostalgic middle-aged Death Eaters didn't yield as much information as the group of men they were recruiting. Most of them paid her no mind. They were either too busy looking around nervously as if waiting for You-Know-Who to pop out from under a table, or listening too intently to what Nott, Macnair, and Malfoy had to say.

Fortunately, Tonks had yet to see Avery, but Severus' assessment of Malfoy's temper had been accurate. He'd snapped at her a number of times, literally and figuratively. She'd had a hard time not letting her own temper get the better of her when her git of an uncle snapped his fingers in her face to get her attention when the bottle she'd left at his table got low. She'd reined in her temper, serving a new bottle with fresh glasses without so much as a glance in his direction. She smiled at the fact that he never knew the entire time she had been imagining using her most colorful hexes on him; her favorite so far was a hex that would cause antlers to grow from beneath his sheath of white-blond hair.

Her annoyance at Malfoy's temper was slightly soothed by the little bits of information she'd picked up. With the increase of business, Tonks had an easier time blending into the background as the men sat around the many tables they had pushed together. Malfoy spent the night holding court with what Tonks guessed were more select attendees while Nott and Macnair quietly discussed plans with lower level Ministry employees and the like.

Tonks kept mental notes in her head. The owner of the Junk Shop in Diagon Alley had been tasked with touching base with the wizard who ran one of the stalls that peddled souvenirs in the warmer months. The young wizard who worked in the Department of Magical Games and Sports was supposed to find out if anyone was still searching for Bertha Jorkins. The Magical Maintenance employee—who Tonks thought must be at least one quarter troll from the smell of him—was supposed to keep night watch on the lower levels of the Ministry. From the Patrols of both Diagon and Knockturn Alley Fudge required the Auror department to perform, she recognized the owner of a second-hand book shop located near Emmeline's fussy tea set shop. He didn't appear to say much, and left after just one drink. Tonks noted that he was actually escorted out by Macnair, who never returned. With so many new faces that night, Tonks hoped she would remember that one. She wondered whether the man would either show up at St. Mungo's or file a report with the Auror department.

As the night wore on, even though she had overheard a satisfying amount of information, she was frustrated that she'd not had a good chance at trying a few of the password possibilities she'd brainstormed during the week on the hidden door. Once she was nearly done cleaning up, and the pub was empty save for a couple of stragglers sitting at the bar, Tonks grabbed a pile of bar rags under the guise of taking them to the spot where the laundry service Paul Quigley surprisingly used would collect them.

Stopping for a moment to listen carefully and look up and down the short corridor, Tonks decided that the present time was as good as any to check out the secret room. If she didn't take the chance presented to her, she'd have to wait until the next time Quigley owled for her services. She pulled her wand and began tracing Runes on the wall. Shaking her head in frustration as her second combination didn't work, she thought about owling Hermione later that weekend. Obscure Runes sounded like just the thing the bright young witch would have read about.

Just as Tonks was tracing the symbol for pure-blood for the third time on the blank expanse of wall she knew the hidden room lurked behind, a doorknob and door outline appeared on the wall. She jumped back and stowed her wand in the waistband of her skirt, wrapping both arms around the bundle of rags she was using as her cover. Disappointment flooded her as Avery pulled the door open and paused in the doorway, a sickening grin spreading across his face.

A chill went down Tonks' spine at the look on his face. It was predatory, but not in the sexy way that Remus had looked at her the day before. Instead, she found it repulsive. Brutish. She noticed he looked haggard and pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He looked like a man who'd had a rough week.

"Curious, your being here," he said as his eyes roamed down her body.

Tonks quirked an eyebrow at him. "It's curious that I want a job that lets me buy food for meself every week?"

"Curious that you're standing here. Right where you shouldn't be."

"I was walking by to drop these," Tonks said, indicating the rags in her hands. "You startled me when you opened the door."

"Sure you weren't sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?" Avery asked as he took a step toward her.

Tonks countered his step forward by taking two steps back, unfortunately meeting the wall behind her. "I already told your boss last week I don't care what you lot are on about. I also told you to keep your 'ands to yourself."

Avery closed the distance between them in one stride. He placed his hands on the wall on either side of her body and looked at her with wide-eyed surprise that quickly turned back to the feral look he'd worn before. Tonks had anticipated his move and dropped her bundle, drawing her wand and pointing it under his chin before his hands had even met the wall. Whether a barmaid from Lancashire would be that quick with a wand or not, Tonks didn't much care; if it came down to keeping her cover or fighting out of a tight spot, she would definitely fight.

"And I told you I like a girl that's feisty," he said, his face uncomfortably close.

Tonks kept her eyes focused on his, determined not to back down. She fought to keep still and not flinch when Avery's hand left the wall and dropped to her waist. Placing the palm of her free hand against his chest, Tonks pushed him back as she pressed the tip of her wand into the flesh under his chin.

"I said 'ands to yourself."

"I'm just trying to be friendly," Avery said as he slid his hand around to palm her bum.

She shuddered internally at his touch. Wishing she could give the man the same treatment she'd given Macnair weeks ago, but knowing she needed to keep her job as Piper, Tonks said, "I don't need friends, I need to keep me job."

Tonks and Avery's heads turned sharply as an impatient voice called out, "I don't like repeating myself." Paul Quigley was standing at the end of the short hall with his hands on his hips. "I told you last week to leave that girl alone."

Avery turned back to Tonks, not bothering to remove his hand from her body as he said, "We'll finish this another time."

Tonks pushed Avery away with the palm that was still planted firmly on his chest, keeping her wand at the ready. "Don't count on it," she said, unfortunately earning another smile from the man before he turned and walked away.

She used her wand to gather the rags from the floor and levitate them in front of her as she walked to deposit them in the basket by the door leading to the back alley. With a shudder of revulsion, Tonks tried to push Avery's words to the back of her mind as she walked back down the short corridor. Just as she was about to round the corner to the bar, she stopped suddenly when she heard Avery's voice.

"...better for you, old man, if you keep out of my business."

"That girl's here to do a job," Quigley said. "Let her do it."

"You'd do well to remember who's in charge."

Tonks heard footsteps crossing the pub and listened carefully for the sound of the door closing, hoping it was Avery who'd left. She took a deep breath before rounding the corner, finding Quigley standing behind the bar running a hand through his disheveled hair.

Quigley looked up when he noticed Tonks' presence. "You're free to go," he said, handing her a small pouch with her pay. He eyed Tonks for a moment before he said, "You're quick with a wand."

Rather than respond to his comment about her skills, Tonks Summoned her robes she'd discarded behind the bar. "If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you walked me to the alley."

At Quigley's nod, Tonks followed him out of the pub. She'd barely rounded the corner before she turned on the spot. She landed next to the Hog's Head and leaned against the building, letting a deep breath of the chilly night air calm her nerves and push away the memory of Avery's hand on her body. It wasn't that Tonks was afraid of Avery; Aurors were trained to defend themselves against Dark Wizards. His presumption that he could place his hands on any woman he encountered sickened her. Also, his presence at the Quill and his interest in Piper Smyth complicated her mission.

Knowing she needed to enter the pub and report off for her mission, Tonks morphed her features and reluctantly pushed away from the building. Shivering, she pushed her arms through the sleeves of her robes to combat that chill as she walked to the front door. With the pub nearly dark save for the fire in the fireplace, Tonks figured Aberforth had gone to bed. Severus was settled at a table near the fire, reading a book with his feet propped on a chair. Not inclined to endure his temper again—especially after her encounter with Avery just minutes before—Tonks sat across from him and took the quill and parchment sitting at the table and began writing down the names and tasks she'd overheard that night.

After a few minutes of silence, Severus spoke. "Your mission was advantageous?"

"It was fine," Tonks said with a shrug as she kept writing. "You can give this list to Dumbledore. The passwords I used didn't work on the door, but I'll try again the next time I'm there. It was busy tonight and I didn't have a lot of time."

"I see."

Tonks saw him place a book on the table out of the corner of her eye and heard the chair scrape across the floor as he removed his feet from their position propped on the chair. She looked up briefly to see him watching her.

"What?" Tonks asked as she went back to writing her report.

"Is there anything else to add?"

"Anything you need to know will be in the report," Tonks said, looking up with a scowl.

Severus fixed his intense gaze directly into her eyes. Tonks saw the image flash in her mind of her standing in the corridor, Avery with his hand on her bum and her wand pointed at his chin. The feeling of revulsion she'd felt at that moment ran through her body, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

"Stop!" Tonks said fiercely, tearing her gaze away from his. "I said if there was anything you needed to know I'd put it in the report."

"You once again did not heed my warnings," Severus said tightly.

Tonks huffed in irritation and looked back to her report. "Next time I'll bring a note from my professor saying I don't have to play nice. You saw what happened. I defended myself."

"Did he remove his hands from your person?"

Tonks rolled her eyes and chanced a glance back at Severus, relieved that she didn't feel him probe her mind again. "Do I have to explain it to you too?" At Severus' impassive expression, she continued. "I can take care of myself."

"I've both heard reports and seen for myself that you can indeed defend yourself." Severus paused and inhaled a quick breath before continuing. "But Avery isn't above...taking what he wants."

Tonks gave a look of disgust at his description. "He's nasty piece of work, isn't he?" She put down her quill and propped her chin in her hand. "I didn't put myself in a situation where I was alone with him." Severus arched his eyebrow at her and waved a hand indicating that she should continue. "I was trying out a password and he surprised me by coming out of that room."

Rather than reply, he inclined his head in acknowledgment. Since he had been the one to start their conversation, Tonks decided to call him out on his grumpiness before her mission.

"There was no need for your attitude earlier," she said.

"My statement was not unwarranted."

"Maybe not," she said around a wide yawn. "But did you have to be such a git about it?" Severus simply continued to give her his impassive expression. Tonks rolled her eyes again. "This is where you apologize."

Severus huffed. "Unlikely."

Now that they weren't snapping at each other, Tonks decided to call him on the other issue she had with him that evening. "Don't use Legilimency on me again."

"Don't hold back information and it won't be necessary."

"I mean it," Tonks said before she crinkled her brow at him. "How'd you know I was holding something back?"

It was Severus' turn to roll his eyes. "Your emotions are written all over your face, Hufflepuff."

Tonks smiled slightly and shook her head. She yawned again and stretched, feeling beyond ready for bed after her long week. "I'm off to Bedfordshire," she said as she folded her report and slid it across the table. "Good night, Severus."

He didn't return her 'goodnight', but gave her his fleeting half-smile before he stood from the table. "Aberforth will no doubt share these findings with our friend upstairs tomorrow," he said before he strode to the fire place.

Looking forward to climbing into her bed and having a lie-in the next morning, Tonks Apparated to her front door. She jumped and drew her wand, relaxing when she realized the person leaning against the wall next to her door was Remus.

"Wotcher, Professor," she said, giving him a tentative smile. She was quite surprised to see him since it was gone two in the morning and Tonks thought he should be in bed given the exhaustion etched on his face. "What are you doing here? You look like you're dead on your feet."

"I wanted to see for myself that you finished your mission safely," he said looking at her seriously. "I don't like that Severus was your contact tonight."

Tonks didn't mind the fact that he was waiting for her—she was warming up to his overprotective nature—but their conversation earlier hadn't been an easy one, and she wasn't sure what he was thinking. He didn't look angry necessarily, but his tone wasn't light-hearted as it usually was. Especially with the mention of Severus.

"I'm safe," she said as she turned and placed a hand to her door along with the tip of her wand. Tonks opened her door and turned back to Remus, waiting for him to comment. When he didn't, she raised her eyebrows at him and asked, "Are you going to come inside and tuck me in again?"

Remus followed Tonks inside and closed the door behind him. Still looking very serious, he took a step toward her. "That same man put his hands on you again."

Knowing there was no point in denying what he'd said, Tonks closed the distance between them and reached up to stroke his cheek. She trailed her hand from his light beard, down his neck, stopping to rest on his chest. Remus closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, his hands clenched tightly as his sides.

"Will you always encounter this man on this mission?"

Merlin, I hope not. "I don't know," she answered truthfully.

Keeping his eyes closed, Remus said, "Smelling another man's scent on you makes me want to…" He paused and shook his head in agitation before he continued. "It makes me want to replace his scent with my own."

Thrilled that he had spoken candidly—and wanting to ease some of his tension—Tonks grinned and said, "I think you know I'm all right with that."

Remus let out his breath sharply in a way that Tonks couldn't tell if it was from amusement or exasperation. To her delight, he opened his eyes and smiled his shy smile at her. "I think it's best we talk before I'm presented with any further temptation."

"Am I not tempting you right now?" Tonks asked, hoping if she pushed him he would open up more.

Remus unclenched his hands and pushed her robes aside, running his hands over her hips before they skimmed around her body and settled on her bottom. "I've been tempted by you since before you even spoke two words to me," he said as his hands dipped lower and pulled her skirt up so he could place his hands on her bum again. With nothing between his hands and her skin but her nylons, Tonks' heartbeat quickened as she felt the warmth of his touch on her body.

"So, it's not just your wolf that make you want to shag me?" she asked breathily.

Remus chuckled and pulled one hand from beneath her skirt to hold back her black hair that was still long enough to touch her shoulders. He lowered his head to kiss her lightly on her jaw before speaking quietly in her ear, his hoarse voice sending a shiver down her spine. "I've scarcely had a moment since the first time we kissed when I haven't been imagining your body beneath mine. Wondering how you'd feel around me." He stopped to nip her earlobe lightly with his teeth before whispering. "Wondering how you'd taste."

Tonks swallowed roughly and gripped the front of Remus' robes tightly with the hand that was resting on his chest. She closed her eyes, hardly believing how strongly just his words were affecting her. "Why can't you let me show you those things now?" she asked, surprised at the boldness of her words.

Remus brought his head up and released her hair, touching his hand to her chin to tip it up. Tonks opened her eyes to see him staring at her intensely.

"Because I won't rush this," he said softly. "It's not just about the wolf within pushing me to...claim you for my own." He stopped and took a deep breath. "No matter how much you believe it otherwise, most of the Wizarding World does not view me as a typical man. I want you to truly consider what a relationship with a werewolf means for your career. I won't allow our relationship to jeopardize you in any way."

Unable to argue with what he'd said, Tonks simply nodded her head. What could she say? She was sure Remus had likely always been cautious in relationships; he didn't seem the type to give in to spontaneous trysts. In truth, she appreciated his consideration of her, even if it was maddening. Of the men few men she'd been with in the past, none of them had shown her such consideration. If she didn't care for him as deeply she did—and if she weren't so bloody attracted to him—their current situation would be easier. She realized Remus' worries over sleeping together were both physical and emotional. He didn't want his inner wolf dictating his decisions, and he didn't want to see her hurt by his condition. No matter how much she didn't care that he was a werewolf, she needed to understand that it affected him everyday.

"I understand." Tonks paused to take a shaky breath. The effect Remus' words had on her was torturous since there was nothing he was prepared to do to bring her relief. "I may die of frustration at some point, but I understand."

"May I ask you a question?" he asked, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he moved the hand still resting on her bottom in a slow circle, ending with a light squeeze. Tonks smiled shakily at him and nodded again. "Are you often in the habit of not wearing knickers?"

Tonks let out a weak laugh and leaned her head against Remus' chest, taking advantage of the fact that they were still standing very close to one another. "My laundry situation is tragic, and the pantyhose are opaque where it counts."

Remus chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm glad I didn't know this bit of information before you left for your mission this evening."

Tonks smiled and murmured into his chest, "Are you going to tuck me in before you go?"

"If it's all right with you."

Tonks grabbed Remus' hand and led him to her bedroom, letting him settle on her bed the same as the previous week as she removed her boots and robes. She tossed them in the corner onto the growing mountain of clothing that needed laundered and grabbed a t-shirt for sleeping. After cleaning her teeth and changing into her oversized shirt, she returned to find Remus sitting on the edge of her bed with his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. He looked up as Tonks walked over and stood in front of him, reaching out to brush his hair back. She wanted to ask him to lie with her, to kiss her goodnight, to put his hands on her. But she knew the temptation would be too much this close to the full moon. She'd teased him earlier about tempting him, but it had only been a means of getting him to talk. It was fair to let him set the pace for them physically. Within reason, of course. She still wanted to snog the daylights out of him whenever the chance arose.

They stared at each other intently for a few moments, the heat behind Remus' stare affecting Tonks just as fiercely as his words had earlier.

"M-may I have a kiss goodnight?" she asked tentatively.

"You needn't be worried," Remus said with a smile as he stood and pushed her hair behind her shoulders.

"I just don't want to bugger this up."

"Neither do I," Remus whispered as he lowered his head and kissed Tonks lightly on the lips.

Tonks resisted the urge to deepen their kiss; it was late, and the night had been tense. But keeping their kiss light was nearly as torturous for her as when their kisses were heated. She could easily recall the sensations that Remus roused from her during their more intense embraces with just his lips pressed lightly to hers. It was easy to imagine what it would be like if he kissed her without their clothing as a barrier between their bodies, easy to conjure to her mind the images that occupied her thoughts as much as he admitted they occupied his. Hands stroking, lips caressing, bodies joining.

The hem of her t-shirt skimming up her thighs as Remus' hands clenched the material in his hands brought Tonks to the reality that their kiss had turned to the very type of kiss she had tried to avoid. She reluctantly tore her lips from his and placed her hands at Remus' wrists to keep him from pulling up the shirt even further and revealing that she was wearing nothing but her skin under the garment.

"Sorry," she whispered softly. "I really meant for that to be only a quick kiss goodnight."

"As did I," Remus said, releasing his hold on Tonks' shirt. "I'll tuck you in as promised."

Tonks gave a wobbly smile before she turned down her covers and slipped into bed. The look on Remus' face had told her all she needed to know. His desire matched her own. But she would wait. She would give him time just as she said she would.

Remus pulled the covers over her shoulders and bent to give her a light kiss. Without a word, he turned off the lamp and left, leaving Tonks warring between wanting desperately for him to return and relieved that he could get to bed and rest up before the full moon the next evening. She rolled to her side and closed her eyes, wondering whether Remus would want to see her before nightfall the next day.

A moment later, Tonks opened her eyes in surprise as she felt her covers shift and the bed dip behind her. She rolled slightly to find Remus climbing into bed next to her.

"You need to rest," Tonks said sleepily. "I don't want to be responsible for you being even more tired than usual after a transformation."

Remus stretched out on the bed and ran a hand down her side, slipping his hand around Tonks' body. "And I don't want to be responsible for you dying from frustration."

Tonks' heartbeat sped at his words as Remus pulled her against him so her back was flush with his chest.

Remus pushed Tonks' hair behind her ear and lowered his mouth to whisper, "May I?" as his hand trailed down her body to the hem of her shirt.

Tonks smiled at the memory of lying next to Remus in the same manner in the Hogwarts hospital wing weeks ago after their mission to the Continent. He'd whispered the same question in her ear that night and she had been thrilled that he'd asked her permission for the simple gesture of running his hand over her bare back. Again tonight, he was taking nothing for granted, asking permission even as their desire for each other had reached a nearly unbearable level. Unable to form a coherent response, Tonks simply nodded as Remus trailed soft kisses over the love bites he'd left before. She reached back to plunge her hand into the shaggy hair she loved to feel between her fingers. With a deep sigh and the whisper of his name on her lips, Tonks smiled in complete satisfaction.

"Gods, you're bloody brilliant," she said breathlessly.

Remus chuckled huskily. "I didn't want to end up being hexed."

Tonks released her grip from the soft strands of hair clasped in her fingers and turned her head to look at Remus, who leaned in and gave her a lingering kiss.

"It may have come to that," Tonks said with another deep sigh. Smiling, she asked, "Did you accomplish your mission?"

"Mission?"

"Did you replace his scent with your own?" she asked, her lazy smile turning into a cheeky grin.

Remus bent his head to inhale deeply at the base of her neck. "Mmm, yes. I believe I did. I also now have the added benefit of having your scent on me."

Tonks giggled. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"It's best if I rest as much as possible. Especially with the late night tonight."

Tonks rolled to face Remus. Still nestled close to him, she could feel the tension in his body and asked, "Can't you stay just a little longer?"

"No," he said softly before kissing her lightly on the lips and scooting out of her bed. Remus placed a hand against the wall for balance as he slipped his feet back into his boots he must have removed before slipping into her bed. Tonks gave him a small smile, trying not to feel disappointed that he felt the need to leave. They had made progress that night—to her delight, both in conversation and physically—and she didn't want to push too much. Remus said goodnight before he kissed her once more on the forehead and pulled her covers back in place and left.

Once Tonks heard her front door shut, indicating that Remus had indeed left, she rolled to her side once more, thinking that the night had ended much better than she had anticipated and had been a wonderful preview to show that Remus would be just the type of lover she imagined he would be: caring, attentive, affectionate. She would definitely see Remus after his transformation. There was a plan she'd been contemplating for weeks that involved a suggestion Poppy Pomfrey had given her and the book she'd purchased from the Muggle bookshop on muscle massage. Unfortunately, Tonks would likely need Sirius' help in finding out Remus' habits the day after the full moon if she was going to surprise him. She didn't care. Tonks would happily endure her cousin's teasing to help Remus. Now, more than ever, she was determined to go through with her plan.

A/N: Hello, faithful readers:). Two weeks left of summer break and we are trying to fit as much in as possible...including trying to find breaks from the mid-west heat because 90 degree weather isn't my favorite.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter:). Remus and Tonks had some...*ahem*...things to discuss. VlightPhase, I hope you liked!

My goal for the week is to keep the update to a one-week deadline instead of two. Cross your fingers for me!