The drawing room was mostly dark when Tonks woke. The little bit of pre-dawn light that was creeping around the heavy drapes that adorned each window in the Noble House of Black was enough to see only the outlines of the furniture. She was instantly aware of two things: when she stretched her legs, they encountered another set of legs, and instead of being propped against the back of the sofa, her back was flush with a familiar masculine chest. The slow rhythmic breathing against her back told Tonks that Remus was sleeping. Curious about their arrangement, Tonks glanced down the the length of the sofa and saw that Remus had enlarged it enough that she wasn't in danger of falling off the edge.

Experimentally, Tonks took a deep breath, relieved when expanding her ribcage only produced a mild ache rather than the sharp jolt of pain it had the night before. She glanced down and saw a bare forearm draped over her waist and wondered if Remus had slept bare-chested behind her all night, or if he'd donned a t-shirt in case of visitors—she hoped for the former. A slight turn of her head revealed the sleeve of a t-shirt. Disappointed, Tonks sighed and decided to nestle as close to the warm body behind her as possible. Reveling in the closeness of Remus' lean form, Tonks closed her eyes and rested her arm on top of his.

With Remus' slow deep breaths telling Tonks he was still asleep, she decided to take advantage of the time until he woke. Grinning sleepily, she brought her arm—still heavy with exhaustion and the aftereffects of whatever Hestia had given her the night before—down to run her hand softly along Remus' hip. Boxers or briefs? It was a question that had flitted through her mind more than a few times.

As carefully as her sluggish limb would let her, Tonks smoothed her hand over the soft fabric of the worn flannel pajama bottoms, feeling for a seam. Curiosity piqued even more when she felt nothing but flannel, she boldly slid her hand up and slipped her fingers under the drawstring waistband. Her sleepy grin turned into a wide smile, and her pulse quickened when she brushed bare skin with her fingertips. Tonks froze as the arm draped over her waist tightened its hold.

"I doubt your Healer would approve," Remus said, his voice heavy with sleep.

Not wanting to give up the chance to feel his skin under her hands, Tonks slowly ran her fingers back and forth across his hip, resisting the urge—at least for the moment—to allow her hand to roam any further. "My Healer simply said I should take it easy," she said. "This is hardly strenuous activity, Professor." Tonks shifted her hips back and felt a wild flutter in her belly as she appreciated the sensation of the more interesting parts of Remus' body waking for the day. She closed her eyes and said with a sigh, "And anyway, you seem to approve."

A low chuckle rumbled against Tonks' back as Remus pushed up to prop his head in his hand. "There are certain parts of me that don't get to cast a vote in the matter."

He slid his arm from around Tonks' waist and pulled her hand from where it rested on his hip. She forgave him slightly for ending her fun when he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm before tucking her arm back gently next to her body.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he moved her hair away from her shoulder to place a soft kiss to her skin.

"I'm not sure yet, really. I know I don't hurt like I did last night, at least," Tonks answered as she stretched her legs cautiously before relaxing heavily against the comforting warmth of Remus' body. She had slept well, but had vague recollections of odd dreams—she thought likely the side effect of the potions Hestia had given her. "I had the maddest dream that Sirius asked me to sing for him."

"Really?" Remus asked mildly. "Are you certain you didn't sing?"

Hearing the amusement in his voice, Tonks rolled slightly toward Remus and opened her eyes to gaze up into his face, his features just visible with the darkness of the room. "Why the buggeration would I sing?"

Even with very little light, Tonks cold see the wicked grin Remus gave her before he asked, "So you don't remember asking me to stir your cauldron?"

"I—" Tonks closed her eyes in concentration, trying in vain to remember anything after Dumbledore's arrival the previous night. "Tell me I didn't say that in front of Dumbledore," she said pleadingly.

"Hestia and Sirius were the only ones, aside from myself, who were privy to that request," Remus said with another sleepy chuckle.

Tonks scrubbed a hand over her face and groaned. "Merlin, do I want to know what else I said?"

"Whatever else you had on your mind I interrupted before you could reveal anything too...private." Remus bent to kiss her lightly on the lips.

Tonks groaned again and turned her face as she rolled further onto her side so she was no longer looking at Remus, glad that her ribs didn't protest as viciously as they had the previous night with the movement. "Please tell me I didn't talk any more rubbish after you interrupted."

Remus chuckled again and gently pulled her against his body once more. "You fell asleep rather quickly after that." Tonks happily set aside her embarrassment to enjoy the sensation of Remus holding her against his arousal as he took a deep breath and nuzzled her neck. "Tell me if I'm hurting you," he murmured against her skin.

Wryly thinking that even if he were in the process of re-breaking one of her injured ribs she'd be unlikely to tell him so, Tonks simply hummed in response and reached her hand back to grasp Remus' shaggy hair to make sure he kept his mouth busy with its task of lightly trailing kisses along the strap of her black camisole.

"What took you so long?" she asked breathily. "You were supposed to be gone one night."

"One meeting turned into two," he said regretfully as he pulled the camisole strap out of his way. "Which turned into another tip we had to check out."

Hoping he had missed her as much as she'd missed him, she asked, "Did you think of me while you were gone?"

Remus hummed thoughtfully against her neck as he kissed his way up to her ear. "I had a hard time focusing on anything but thoughts of you. Particularly during the first meeting." His hand trailed down to the hem of her jumper and slid underneath, his fingers pushing under the fabric of her camisole. As his fingers met the bindings Hestia had placed around her ribs, Remus frustratingly stopped his exploration. "I hate this mission," he whispered, rubbing his fingertips over the bandages.

"I know," Tonks replied as she wriggled against him. "But don't let it bother you right now."

Tonks sighed as Remus withdrew his hand, but was soothed when it traveled down to her her hip, grasping it tightly as he thrust against her, earning him a gasp of delight. She released her grip on his hair and brought her hand back to rest on Remus' hip, letting it trail slowly lower as Remus' tongue did amazing things to the sensitive skin just below her ear.

As her fingers neared their goal, Remus quickly seized her wrist. "Unfortunately, your Healer will be here soon," he said huskily before nipping her ear.

"It's still nearly dark," Tonks argued, opening her eyes and glancing toward the large windows where she could see it was still grey pre-dawn light rather than full daylight peeking from behind the window coverings.

"Hestia said she would be back before her shift starts at seven," he said before lightly kissing her fingertips.

As if on cue, Remus' wand chirped an alarm from its spot on the coffee table. Tonks blew out a long frustrated breath followed by a muttered "bugger" as she wrenched her hand away from Remus' grasp.

"She'll be here shortly," Remus said, carefully propping himself up on his arm and waving his hand to light the gas lamps fixed to the wall.

Tonks gingerly pushed herself up to sitting position, attempting to conceal her wince by glaring over her shoulder at Remus. "What happened to endeavouring to make it up to me?" she asked, remembering what he'd said when Bill had interrupted their snogging earlier in the week.

Remus raised his eyebrows at Tonks. "You can pretend to shoot me angry looks, but I can tell you're still in some pain." Reaching up to tuck a lock of her likely disheveled hair behind her ear, he said, "Until Hestia looks you over, I'll have to make it up to you in a different way."

"It better be good," Tonks said with a pout.

"How does breakfast sound?" Remus asked with a smile. "Coffee? Bacon?"

Her mood soured, Tonks sighed and said, "Breakfast will do."

"Breakfast will do?" Remus cocked his head to one side and eyed Tonks critically. "You do realize that breakfast entails food?"

"I'm familiar with breakfast," Tonks said as she abruptly stood, annoyed that she had to stop and take a breath at the dizziness that hit her.

Remus grasped her wrist before Tonks could stomp—at least she hoped she could effectively stomp rather than weave her way dizzily—from the room to use the loo before Hestia arrived. "I consider myself a perceptive person, but you'll need to inform me as to why you're upset," Remus said, tugging Tonks back as he swung his legs over the side of the sofa to sit up.

Feeling more than a little daft, Tonks took a wobbly breath and said, "Hestia will be here soon, and I need to use the loo."

Remus stood and pulled Tonks' wrist to get her to turn to face him. "Hestia can wait."

"That's not what you said a few moments ago," Tonks said before she could stop herself.

Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, Remus said, "As much as Hestia loves gossip, I don't see her as a voyeur." He placed his fingers under Tonks' chin, tipping it up so she was looking him in the face. "Tell me what's the matter," he said softly.

"I—" Tonks blew out an irritated breath. "I'm bloody well tired of being interrupted. And missions getting in the way of seeing one another. And not having enough time to even go on a second bloody date. And—" Willing the tears that were stinging her eyes not to fall, Tonks closed her eyes and realized she'd been in a nark for days. She'd been in a terrible mood in the days leading up to Friday, she'd dreaded her mission to the Quill, she'd nearly dissolved in floods after leaving the dingy pub—it was obviously not her best week. She opened her eyes to see Remus watching her with a worried expression. "Maybe it's...my week to be in a tetchy mood," she admitted.

Remus' worried expression faded as his lips turned up quickly before he bent down to kiss her. "Interruptions aren't the end of the world." He gave her another light kiss. "And I think we're both free tonight." He kissed her once more, and his amused expression turned into a sheepish smile. "As far as the rest, you'll have to fill me in on what you'd like from me."

Tonks let out a shaky laugh and allowed Remus to pull her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I'm sorry," she said, her face buried in Remus' t-shirt covered chest.

"No need to apologize," Remus said as he rubbed soothing circles over Tonks' back. "Shall I get you a chocolate croissant for your breakfast? Draw you a bath?" He released his grip and pulled back to look down at Tonks with another smile. "I'm afraid I only know the basic principles of a woman's tetchy mood."

Tonks gave a watery giggle and leaned against Remus once more, putting aside her annoyance for the time being. "A chocolate croissant would be divine. The only other thing I want is to spend the day with you and let me snog you later." She sighed once more against him and smiled as she said, "And possibly get me out of meeting with Dumbledore this morning."

Remus chuckled. "I'm afraid I can't get you out of meeting with Albus, but the rest of your requests can certainly be met."

Tonks looked up into Remus' face and gave a small grin. "I'd love to stand here all morning, but I desperately need to have a pee."

Much to Tonks' enjoyment—even if she was completely bewildered at his merriment and still slightly irritated—Remus did something she didn't think she'd seen him do since she'd met him: he threw his head back in unrestrained laughter that she was much more used to hearing from Sirius or her father.

Taking in the sound of his rich laughter, just as deliciously hoarse as his voice, Tonks quirked an eyebrow at him and said, "Are my toilet needs really that funny?"

His laughter subsiding into chuckles, Remus continued to smile at Tonks. "I'm sorry. It's just...you said nearly the exact same thing last night. But—" Remus chuckled again. "It was more of an announcement."

Tonks groaned and covered her face in her hands. The door opening caused her to lower her hands, seeing Hestia breezing into the room, ready for her shift at St. Mungo's in her lime green Healer robes. Tonks glared at the dark-haired woman walking toward her.

Hestia smiled at Tonks as she sat her bag on the coffee table. "I see Remus has filled you in on our conversations last night?"

Ignoring Hestia's comment, Tonks said, "I'm going to the loo before you do your exam."

"Oh, don't be upset," Hestia said with a wink as she looked up at Tonks as she took a seat on the sofa. "You were quite adorable and I nearly learned something very interesting about Remus."

Tonks humphed and slowly walked to the loo, waving off the need for any assistance. After an impolite grumble at the image of her brown hair in the mirror, Tonks returned to the drawing room to find only Hestia sitting on the sofa.

"Remus went to make you breakfast and shower," she informed Tonks as she stood.

"Brilliant," Tonks said as she sat on the sofa, resisting the urge to flop down in an unladylike manner in case her injury protested. Eyeing Hestia as she drew her wand, Tonks grumpily said, "'S too early to be prodded."

"Too early to make sure you're no longer bleeding into your thoracic cavity?" Hestia asked archly as she gestured to Tonks and said, "You'll need to stand, I'm afraid."

Tonks pushed herself to standing and said, "Well when you put it that way…"

Hestia began her diagnostic spells, tapping her wand to her parchment a few times while she silently worked. "This is all healing nicely," she murmured. She picked up the parchment and scanned the information. "You won't want to hear this, but you'll need to take it easy for a few days." Before Tonks could argue that taking it easy as an Auror was no easy task, Hestia peered up at her from where she'd knelt and said, "That doesn't mean you need to figure out a way to be on desk duty again next week, just...try not to get in any more fights for a few days."

At Hestia's request, Tonks removed her jumper and pulled up her black camisole so the bandages could be removed. After a quick examination and an application of bruise paste—that Tonks argued against, but lost—Hestia tapped her wand to bind Tonks' ribs once more, telling her to keep them bound through the weekend. Even through her bad mood, Tonks smiled when Hestia dropped her authoritative Healer tone for a moment and suggested that Remus could cast the spell for bandages after she showered.

"You'll be tired today from the potions and the dehydration," Hestia said as she wrote a few notes on her parchment. "Make sure you drink plenty of water and rest. Do you work this weekend?"

Tonks shook her head. "Our shifts rotate every three months. I'm not on weekends until October."

Hestia stood and picked up Tonks' jumper, turning it right-side-in before handing it back to her. "Well that means we need to pin down an evening for ladies' night before October."

Spying her wand on the table, Tonks picked it up and performed a quick spell on her jumper Hestia had handed her. After pulling the jumper over her head with a smile, Tonks retorted, "You just want to have ladies' night to see if I'll tell you any new gossip."

"Of course," Hestia replied with a mischievous grin. Tonks couldn't help but be cheered by the woman's smile. "I'm still hoping you'll tell me more about how Mad-Eye has a date."

Tonks closed her eyes and morphed her hair to her favorite bright pink pixie style in the hope it would continue to brighten her mood. "He's been...I suppose dating is the word," Tonks said, opening her eyes and smiling at Hestia. "He's been dating my neighbor across the hall. She's retired and a widow. It's adorable, really." She eyed Hestia as she pushed herself up to rest on the edge of the sofa. "Are you single?" she asked, immediately regretting the question when she saw the smile fade from the woman's normally cheerful face.

"I was in a state of self-imposed singledom for quite some time, but…" she trailed off and gave Tonks a wistful smile. "Perhaps it's time to think about meeting someone new." With a sigh, she rolled up the parchment and placed it in her bag. "I just need a chance meeting with a handsome stranger. Or we need to induct some new members to the Order," she finished with a smile.

For once not sticking her foot in her mouth by asking a blunt question, Tonks said, "Kingsley's single," and sat back on the sofa, slouching back and resting her feet on the coffee table in a manner her mother would chastise her for.

Hestia giggled. "And gorgeous. And not as single as he'd like people to think, from what I've heard round the hospital."

"Really?"

"Really," Hestia said, nodding her head, sending her dark curls bobbing in her excitement. "I'm friends with a Healer who works in the Admissions Department who says that Kingsley has been in at least four times in the last month, always speaking to one mediwitch in particular who happens to take her lunch break right when he arrives."

Thinking Hestia would do well as a detective in the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol with her penchant for gathering information, Tonks said, "Oohh, now I've something to torment him over."

Hestia looked at her watch and sighed. "If only I could sit here and gossip all day, but I have to drop this to the Headmaster before I start my shift," she said, holding up the scroll in her hand.

Tonks closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I suppose that means he'll be heading this way once he learns I didn't come to a sticky end." Recalling something Hestia had said when sending Mad-Eye away the previous night, Tonks opened her eyes and said, "I'll deliver the information to Dumbledore for you so you can stay and answer a question for me." At Hestia's raised eyebrows, Tonks asked, "Was Remus that upset last night?"

"I've never heard Remus raise his voice to Dumbledore," Hestia said with a knowing grin as she reached into her bag and handed Tonks the scroll she pulled from within. "And I bumped straight into Bill as he was trying to keep Remus from entering the Floo when I came through into the Headmaster's office."

"He's very...protective," Tonks said as she slowly pushed herself up to standing.

"He's always been a very caring person," Hestia said slowly. Tonks was surprised that she seemed to be choosing her words carefully; the bit that she'd interacted with the woman so far had shown that she usually spoke very openly.

Taking the opportunity before her, Tonks said, "You've known Remus a long time." At Hestia's nod, she continued. "Has he ever been...protective of anyone else?"

Hestia's grin told Tonks she understood exactly the nature of the question. "That's something you'll have to ask Remus, I'm afraid."

Tonks rolled her eyes. "The Order gossip doesn't know who everyone fancied back in the day?"

"Did I say I didn't know?" Hestia asked as she rose from the couch and walked over to light a fire in the fireplace with her wand. "Now, I need to check you again later. It's the weekend, so I only work until three o'clock," she said as she took a pinch of Floo powder from the crock on the mantle. "Will you be here or at your flat?"

"I need a shower and a change of clothes almost as bad as Mundungus does even on a good day," Tonks said with a grimace. "I'll be at home."

"I'll send an owl before I arrive in case Remus is there with you," Hestia said with a wink before she tossed the powder into the fire and called out her destination.

After she'd shoved her feet into her boots, Tonks walked carefully down the steps to the kitchen, taking it slow even as the smell of coffee and bacon wafted enticingly from the kitchen.

"Ah, Nypmadora," Dumbledore said cheerfully, having already sat at the table and conjured tea. "Miss Jones has deemed you to be in good health this morning?"

Tonks turned over the scroll she'd promised to deliver as she noticed the documents she'd copied stacked neatly on the table in front of Dumbledore. The steaming mug of coffee and plate full of eggs and bacon brought a smile to her face as she took a seat across from the Headmaster; if she had to rehash her mission, at least there was food involved.

"I'm to be a good girl and take it easy today, but she said she's happy with how it's all healing."

Dumbledore eyed her over his spectacles as he peered up from the parchment. "Actually it says you're to keep activity to a minimum for the remainder of the weekend, and—" He glanced back down and read directly from the report. "—not participate in any physical activity aside from walking to and from the lavatory as needed and preparing meals."

Tonks took a much needed sip of the coffee Remus had left for her and darkly wondered if that meant she would have to curtail the snogging opportunities she was hoping would present themselves since she and Remus shared a rare night off.

"Just like the last time I was injured, I'll spend the day doing paperwork," Tonks said before taking another long drink of coffee, wondering if she should wait until after speaking with Dumbledore to tuck in to the plate in front of her.

"A good plan, indeed," Dumbledore said as he set aside the parchment. "Please, feel free to eat while we chat."

He raised his wand and silently Levitated the coffee pot from the counter, guiding it to settle on the table. She grinned and plucked a piece of bacon from her plate.

"There were three men in my office last night in varying displays of anger who thought I should bring this mission to a close," Dumbledore began, peering at Tonks again over his spectacles. "Now I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter."

"It's not the first time I've been roughed up," Tonks said after she'd swallowed her bacon and gulped some coffee. "Reckon it won't be the last. There's more I can learn, and I'm not willing to give up now. When we've learned all we can, then we bring the mission to a close."

Dumbledore nodded appraisingly. "I daresay a solution will present itself in due course."

"Agreed."

"Very good," he replied with a nod. "Now, you said you had more to report. I'd like to hear it."

Tonks refreshed her coffee before telling Dumbledore the details of what she'd learned the night before: Lucius' meeting with the werewolves, what she'd learned of the documents spread across the table, and what had transpired between her and Quigley. They flipped through the documents she'd procured and Tonks tried her best to recall as many details as possible about what else she'd seen; the potion she'd received wasn't helping her memory.

"Paul Quigley has already requested your presence for next week?" When Tonks nodded, Dumbledore continued. "We shall attempt to make it so that Severus will be able to be present for at least a short time." He held up a hand when Tonks began to protest. "I assure you his presence is not because I believe you unable to handle the mission. You mentioned he considered turning you in, and I'd like to make sure you aren't handed over to Lucius the moment you enter Friday."

Narky mood or not, Tonks knew not to argue further with the Headmaster and simply nodded instead.

"If it is impossible for Severus to be there without rousing suspicion, I'll send one of the other contacts for this mission."

Tonks looked up quickly as she was adding milk to her refilled mug, nearly upsetting her mug with the pitcher and spilling milk across the table. "Not Remus," she said quickly.

Dumbledore cleared away the milk with a wave of his hand and raised his eyebrows at Tonks. "Neither Remus nor Alastor have seen you as Piper."

Tonks shook her head slowly, focusing on stirring her coffee so she didn't have to look Dumbledore in the face as she tried to think of the least embarrassing way to phrase what she needed to say. "Remus will—" Tonks sighed heavily, thinking there were loads of people she'd rather explain this to before having to explain it to the man sitting in front of her. "He'll know it's me," she finished simply, hoping he knew Remus well enough to understand his heightened senses.

"Ah," Dumbledore replied. Tonks looked up to find him watching her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Alastor, then."

"Thank you, sir," Tonks said, hoping to change the subject before she melted into the floor from the heat she could feel from her cheeks.

Thankfully, he did change the subject, asking, "Do you believe Quigley will bring his concerns to Lucius?"

Tonks shook her head again. "I don't think so. I suppose it could be wishful thinking on my part, but...he's not willingly allowing the Death Eaters their meeting place. I honestly don't think he wants to bring any unnecessary attention."

"I trust your judgement," Dumbledore said as he rose from the table. "Get some rest this weekend, my dear. Would you like Molly to rearrange the guard duty roster this week?"

"Absolutely not," she replied, only just holding in a scowl.

Dumbledore chuckled and said, "Very well," as he strode to the fireplace. Unable to summon the energy to walk back up to the drawing room to lie on the sofa after Dumbledore left, Tonks lowered her head to rest on her arm stretched out on the table. After dozing off, Tonks startled awake at the sound of a cupboard door slamming.

Assuming it was her cousin waking her, she turned to tell him off and found herself staring at Kreacher.

"Filthy shape-shifter," he mumbled as he shuffled across the kitchen. "Ashamed my mistress would be to see her blood turned traitor."

Wondering if he would even get the meaning if she flashed the elf a rude hand gesture, Tonks opted to roll her eyes and make herself stand so she could walk upstairs.

"That's right, shape-shifter," Kreacher croaked. "Scurry off to join the other shape-shifter and blood traitors."

"Bugger off," Tonks said, picking up her mug.

She looked up as the door swung open, a bleary-eyed Sirius walking in. "That potion from last night making you talk to yourself?" he asked before yawning widely. He stopped abruptly and glared when he saw Kreacher. "Leave off and go snog some more of my mother's old things," he said harshly as he pointed toward the door. "And you're not to speak to Tonks. Ever."

After a low bow and a disingenuous "of course, master" Kreacher shuffled out of the kitchen, mumbling under his breath the whole way.

"You're up early," Tonks said with a yawn.

"I smelled bacon," Sirius said with a grin. "Although, since you're here first, I'm sure it's gone."

"Ha bloody ha," Tonks said as she gave herself another refill of coffee.

"Actually your git of a boyfriend woke me up and told me to make sure you ate the breakfast he made."

Tonks took a sip of her coffee to hide her grin at Sirius calling Remus her boyfriend. "Bring your bacon and that coffee pot upstairs so I can lie on the couch," Tonks said as she slowly walked to the door. "I was falling asleep at the table before that buggering elf woke me."

"Aces!"

Tonks turned before pushing through the door to see Sirius picking up a plate with a heap of eggs and bacon from the counter. Leaving him to gather his breakfast and coffee, she trudged up the steps to the drawing room, setting her coffee on the table before slouching heavily on the sofa. A few minutes later, Sirius came through the door, Levitating two plates in front of him and carrying a pot of fresh coffee.

"Lucky for you one of the things I can cook is toast," he said as he rested the plates on the table, one of them holding a pile of toast. He reached into the pocket of his robes and produced a jar of orange marmalade.

Smiling weakly at her cousin, Tonks sat up and took a piece of toast and slathered it with marmalade. "Thanks, mate."

Sirius eyed her as he forked a large bite of eggs. "All right?" he asked before shoving the bite in his mouth.

Tonks shrugged. "Knackered."

Sirius snorted. "Remus said you were in a nark this morning."

"Did he?"

Nodding his head, Sirius swallowed the nearly whole piece of toast he'd shoved in his mouth before washing it down with a long gulp of coffee. "He the reason for it?"

"I'm...not really sure," Tonks answered truthfully.

She took a large bite of her toast to avoid answering further. She knew her mission the previous night was still weighing on her mind; although she had gathered some useful information, she couldn't help but wonder if her opportunities for gathering anything more were lost. Would Quigley tell Lucius that she'd been snooping? Would they empty the room of all useful evidence? Find a new location all together for their recruiting purposes? Tonks was slightly comforted that the Death Eaters abandoning the Quill was unlikely. A location most people turned a blind eye to because they were reluctant to enter, that had the added benefit of a grudgingly willing barman to allow them to entertain recruits must be hard to come by.

Tonks sighed and picked up her mug, taking a sip before saying, "I think I may have buggered up this mission, and I won't know until next week if I have or not."

"It happens," Sirius said with a shrug. "We had loads of missions the first go round that were cocked up for one reason or another. Worry about it Friday."

They fell into a companionable silence while Tonks finished her toast.

"That all you're worried about?" Sirius asked after a few moments. "Sure you don't need me to kick Moony's arse for you?"

Despite her mood, Tonks giggled and shook her head. "No."

"He insisted on sleeping next to you on the couch last night, you know." Tonks looked up and raised her eyebrows in question, prompting Sirius to continue. "Jones said you needed to sleep propped on your side and that the sofa was better than a bed to keep you from rolling to your back—something to do with your lung," he said waving his hand airily and taking a sip of coffee. "Anyway, he said he was going to watch over you for the night."

"I've no doubt that he fancies me," Tonks said, holding out her mug to Sirius, who quirked a brow at her before obliging her and refilling from the pot on the table.

"Fancies you?" Sirius chuckled. "He more than fancies. I've never seen him act like this with a woman." He took another piece of toast and took a bite, saying, "Granted, I've not seen him with a woman in over a decade, but unless he got a new personality while I was locked away, I reckon he kept his distance same as he always did."

Slightly cheered by her cousin's sentiments, Tonks closed her eyes and shook her head. "It's fine, really. It's just my mood today and it's hard to find time to spend time together and..." She stopped before admitting anything further on her mind. Not that she was terribly unhappy with how things were progressing—she just wouldn't mind some uninterrupted time to explore his body the way he had explored hers the previous week.

"It's fine," she finished lamely, realizing that Sirius was looking at her expectantly.

Sirius grinned in a way that made Tonks leary of what was going to come out of his mouth next. "You might need to hold his hand a bit, you know."

"What do you mean?" Tonks asked warily.

"He's an old dog," he said before gesturing toward her and saying, "New trick."

Tonks rolled her eyes dramatically and sighed. "Surely dating a woman isn't a completely new trick."

"Of course not," her cousin replied with a smirk. "But twenty years of self-doubt have a habit of making things difficult." His smirk disappeared as he eyed Tonks appraisingly. "Are you truly serious about him?"

She huffed, more out of annoyance than humor. "What, you're going to kick my arse now?"

"No." His lips turned up slightly. "Mostly because from what I hear, that's a fight I might lose," he said, earning him a ghost of a smile from Tonks. "If you're serious...don't get your knickers in a twist when he needs time to think something through."

"That all?" she asked flippantly.

"That's all I'm going to say on the matter," Sirius said with a wide smile as he pulled a copy of the Prophet from his robes and stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankles.

Tonks thought over Sirius' so-called advice for a moment. She knew Remus to be meticulous by nature, likely weighing all consequences before acting, even when—maybe especially when—thinking about snogging a woman. Mentally rolling her eyes at herself, Tonks frustratingly reminded herself that she'd already said she would let Remus set the pace for them physically. But saying it didn't make it easy—especially with the mood she was currently in. She knew Hestia's imminent arrival earlier had made it necessary for them to curtail their activities, but Tonks had the nagging feeling that even without the witch's arrival, Remus would have stopped her.

What she wanted him to know, what she'd tried before to tell him, was that she didn't care that he was a werewolf. That she wanted him—mind and body and heart—regardless of his condition. But he cares. Tonks realized that no matter how much she said she didn't care he was a werewolf, he needed to believe it rather than just hear it. She wanted to help him believe it while letting him think through their situation.

Remus seemed to love it when she touched his face and ran her fingers through his hair, which was a bonus for her since she loved the feel of his shaggy hair between her fingers and his beard under her hands when she stroked his face. Thinking of the look of contentment on his face when she did either of these things, Tonks decided this was where she'd start. Show him how much she loved touching him, and also loved his touch, without asking him to act without thinking.

She was still happily contemplating running her fingers through Remus' hair while kissing him senseless when he walked in.

"Thank you for breakfast," she said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"You're quite welcome," he replied with a grin as he sat next to her on the sofa. "What did Hestia say?"

Tonks blew out a long breath and said, "I'm to rest today. Which is fine, really since I've paperwork to catch up on." She pulled a face after looking down at her clothes from the night before. "First I need to shower."

"Do you think she would object to us going out for dinner?"

With the first genuine smile of the day, Tonks clapped her hands cheerfully and said, "Bugger what she says. She said I could get up to prepare meals, so I'll get up and let someone else prepare a meal instead."

"I'm going to tell her you said that," Sirius said as he perused the paper.

"We won't bring you takeaway, then," Tonks said.

Sirius flipped back the paper to eye Tonks. "Takeaway from where?"

"I've been wanting to take Remus to this chip shop my dad used to take me to for ages."

"Ooh, with mushy peas?" Sirius asked as he folded the paper and set it on the table. When Tonks nodded, he said, "Then I'll keep your narky comment to myself."

With the prospect of spending the day and evening with Remus buoying her spirits, Tonks stood slowly from the couch and turned to him. "Are you going to keep me company while I lie about all day?"

"You go take your shower," he said with a smile. "I have to gather some work of my own. I'll be by after a while."

In deference to her injured ribs and exhaustion, Tonks opted to ask Edith if she could use her Floo rather than walking to the alley to Apparate. After the older woman happily invited her through, Tonks gave Remus a quick kiss and left, stepping into Edith's sitting room a moment later.

Glad that she'd stepped through while remaining on her feet, Tonks brushed the little bit of ash from her clothes and looked up to say thanks and good morning. Her words died in her throat as she caught site of Mad-Eye sitting at Edith's kitchen table, Edith sitting next to him wearing her flowered dressing gown.

Seemingly unaware of the awkward silence, Edith stood and walked to Tonks, enveloping her in a gentle hug. "Alastor told me of your trouble last night, dear. Are you all right?"

Tonks idly patted the older woman on the back and eyed Mad-Eye who was thankfully fully dressed. "I'm all right," she assured her friend. She glanced up at the wall clock as Edith released her before looking back at Mad-Eye. "You're here early."

"Aye."

Positive that she didn't want to know the answer to whether his presence was due to him arriving early or staying exceptionally late, Tonks shook her head slightly and smiled, thanking Edith for the use of her Floo as she moved to the exit.

Edith moved to follow her to the door and called over her shoulder, "I'll be back in a moment, Alastor. I'd like to pop across the hall to set the next tea time with Tonks."

"Be sure you're not swallowed whole by the rubbish lying around that death trap she calls a flat," Mad-Eye growled from his spot at the table.

Her foul mood not completely gone—and thinking her mentor was a much better recipient of a rude hand gesture than the elf—Tonks flashed one over her shoulder as she followed Edith into the hall. Mad-Eye's harsh bark of laughter sounded from the kitchen prompting Edith to turn to Tonks with eyebrows raised in question.

"He doesn't like this mission you're up to, dear," Edith said as Tonks released the wards to her flat.

"Apparently he's not the only one," Tonks grumbled as she held the door for Edith to follow.

"Is Remus unhappy?"

Tonks reached past Edith and shut the door. "He had to be practically restrained last night so the Healer could do her thing without being interrupted."

"Tea this week? It seems we've quite a lot to catch up on," Edith said.

With a wide grin, Tonks said, "Indeed we do." She cocked her head to the side and asked with feigned innocence, "Now, I didn't get a chance to speak with Mad-Eye last night after my mission about his feelings for you—with the internal bleeding and all, it slipped my mind. Would you still like for me to speak with him?"

Edith's eyes sparkled with barely contained glee. "He was upset last night after what had transpired—I could tell he was quite worried. Anyway, he came for a chat and—"

"Do I want to know how this ends?"

"—spent the night on the sofa," she finished, giving Tonks a barely believable reproachful glare. "He's quite a gentleman."

Not sure she wanted to know, but desperately wanting to tease the woman, Tonks asked, "Did you kiss more than his cheek?" She laughed when Edith merely smiled at the question. "Tea tomorrow evening?"

Edith nodded. "I'll see you then."

After Edith had left, Tonks gratefully peeled her day-old clothes from her body, flinging them onto the floor of her bathroom before stepping under the warm spray of the shower. She stood under the water for an age, letting it wash away her worries over the mission and frustrations over Remus.

After she'd decided that her shower therapy had lasted long enough, Tonks toweled off and dressed in tracksuit bottoms and a soft, fitted grey t-shirt, opting to bind her ribs herself rather than let Remus do it as Hestia had suggested. She settled down on her sofa with her work. A few reports in, there was a knock on the door. Dutifully asking a security question since Mad-Eye was right across the hall, Tonks let Remus in and grinned at the bag in his hand that she hoped contained the chocolate croissants he'd suggested.

"Now, first thing's first, Miss Tonks," Remus said seriously as he set his rucksack on the floor and the pastry bag on the coffee table.

"Croissants and tea?" Tonks asked hopefully, picking up the sack and peeking inside.

Remus plucked the bag from her hands and tossed it back onto the table. "That can wait," he said as he slid his hand around her waist and pulled her close. "I believe I'm supposed to be making up for something."

As Remus touched his lips to hers, Tonks brought her hand up and placed it on his stubbly cheek. His lips moved tenderly against hers. Encouraged by the contented sigh that escaped his mouth as she slowly stroked the beard under her fingers, Tonks decided that taking the time to help Remus understand how she felt about him had its definite perks.

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Communication errors are the pits. As a prize for being so patient, there is a one-shot I posted last Friday as part of the writing competition (I made sure to make it part of my R/T world:) titled "It Wasn't Supposed to End This Way" that centers around Hestia and another Order member during the first War. Check it out—but only if you're ready to be hit right in the feels!

Anyone who lives in a part of the world where you enjoy the fall weather, I hope you're enjoying it! There are finally wonderfully cooler temperatures here—bring on the apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and boots!