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Upon entering the office you notice a large circular room with lots of windows, and portraits of the previous headmaster's and headmistress's from previous terms within Hogwarts. Along one wall is a large bookcase that goes all the way to the high ceiling. Behind Stef's desk is the sorting hat and beside that is Gryffindor's sword that is kept in a glass case. Along another wall is a large fireplace that is also connected to the floo network, for whenever it is needed.
On the desk is a picture of her and Warren on the beach in the Caribbean from the summer previous. Other then that there isn't much on the desk, but a quill, parchment and ink pot for whenever she might need them. She's pretty neat, and doesn't leave much lying around. In the center of the room is a nice sitting area, in which Stef prefers to sit and enjoy her company. It has some nice squashy chairs and couches all surrounding a soft, fuzzy rug, and in the very center is an ornate wooden table with a bowl of candied fruit in the center.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
She didn't understand how he wasn't still out looking for Alexa. If she had had any hope that her fiance was still alive back 20 years ago, she'd never have stopped looking for him, ever!
When he tilted her chin up to look at him, she had tears in her eyes. She couldn't help it even if she wanted to. She listened as he spoke and tried to understand all of it. She knew he missed Alexa and now even understood that they had shared so much more then she and Warren did. She'd never be able to get to that point she was sure too. She loved him though, and even if it hurt her to lose him, she'd do it if that was what he wanted. She'd gotten past one, she could again, right? Ugh, she didn't want to do that though! She wanted to fight all she had in her, to keep that from happening.
Giving a short laugh she managed a small smile "She's almost as stubborn as you." And Becca truly was, but no doubt Warren was more so. Stef was sure that Becca knew him better then most people just because of her stubbornness and not letting up on him.
"I..." what could she say to that? The past year and a half had changed her a lot. Piper's death had taken a lot from her. Losing her friend and colleague had been the hardest thing she'd been through since her fiance dying 20 years earlier. Swallowing hard, she searched his face "What is it you want?" she asked softly, her eyes showed her pain, but she was determined to take what ever it was and go from there.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
"No...she's more stubborn than I am. She won't let up. I..." He laughed slightly and shook his head almost astonished at what he was going to say. "I give up, try to bury, or run from my problems." Wow. The only time he'd every fought for something. Really fought. Was when Alexa was leaving. Huh.
Seeing the tears and pain in Stefanie's eyes cut him deeper than the many scars on his body event he long one down his cheek from his flying incident. He took a step towards her and wrapped both arms around her almost sighing as he felt her body heat realizing how cold he actually was. "I want to be happy," he said honestly. "You make me happy." He leaned toward her and kissed her. Pulling back he sighed. "One thing at a time though."
"I've kind of noticed that." she said smiling a little at his laugh. And she had noticed that, it was one of the things that made her want to hex him into staying where he was at times and force him to talk. Pfft, lot of good that did, usually made him more irritated.
She still fought the tears, trying to keep them from falling. And it certainly wasn't easy when he said he wanted to be happy and that she made him happy. Closing her eyes as he kissed her, she opened them as he said one thing at a time though. She wanted to believe that she made him happy. Because he certainly made her happier then she'd ever been. "Happiness isn't enough." she said softly "You have to want to be here, with me." Damn that was hard to say, really hard. Because she was afraid the answer might be what she didn't want to hear.
"You know I want you here." she added, her eyes finding his again, her hands on his arms. "But you need to be where you want to really and truly be."
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
Happiness wasn't enough? Didn't she JUST SAY she wanted him to be happy? He had to stop himself from backing away and looked at her. What if Alexa did find him or make her presence known? Could he stay here? At the same time if he chose that and she never did come back... "Why are you doing this?" He whispered almost inaudibly. He was having a hard time enough and here she was giving him an ultimatum?
He let go of her and walked back over to the chair before sitting down and dropping his head in his hands. "Why are you making me choose between someone that I've not heard from nor have been able to find in five years on the off-chance that she might, MIGHT, be in hiding and being with you right here. Right now."
"Warren." she said softly, she knew it hurt more then anything to say it because she didn't want him to choose anything but her, she loved him! She'd lost one guy, without notice, nothing, one day just gone dead, forever. But she knew if she didn't give him that choice, neither of them would be happy, and would never know if he was going to leave at any moment. She knew he needed Alexa. She knew that he wouldn't be happy until he found her, and settled this for good.
Standing up she took her blanket she'd been covered up with, and laid it over his shoulders. He had to be freezing, even with the fire going. "Because I know you will never truly be just right here. Not as long as there's a possibility she's out there." she said softly before walking over to the window, looking out into the darkness. The rain coming down sure didn't brighten the mood in the room, sighing she turned back to look at him. "I'm not making you choose. I'm saying you're free, Warren. I'm not gonna hold you to anything, if your heart is with her still, then maybe you need to find her."
Damn those tears stung...
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
Okay, no, THIS was the walk of a dead man. The long march up to Stefanie's office to await whatever tantrum she wanted to throw his way. Sighing as he entered he looked around and sat down on the sofa to wait on her. Better to get this over with now than later. He put his feet up on the table and closed his eyes.
Entering her office after the feast, she still had so much to do! She had to get a report off to the ministry, where she was sure they'd be expecting it first thing tomorrow morning. How was she going to explain her Potions mistress disappearing and Warren...
Warren, looking across the room she spotted him sitting there on the sofa. Sitting there quietly feet on the table, probably waiting for her to appear, and blow up at him. WELL, PFFT she wasn't going to give him that pleasure of blowing up and getting that angry. She'd discovered last fall he got more irritated when she was calm and collected about things, because he wanted her to fight with him!
"So." she spoke in the dead silence in the room. "Where have you been the last few months?" she asked crossing the room to the chair near the sofa, before sitting down and crossing her arms.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
Warren watched as Stefanie walked in all calm and collected. So it was going to be that game. Should have grabbed a glass of firewhiskey, he thought irritably. Where had he been? Hmm....that was a loaded question. Had to be. "I was in Italy." For the most part. "They needed someone with my particular set of skills," he said idly as he crossed his hands casually on his chest. "Government consultant," or well that was the official story. Consultants didn't tend to get wicked looking scars here and there.
He watched her sit down across from him and his lips quirked. So it was a face off. He'd tell her what she needed to know. No reason for the show.
"Government Consultant?" Hmm, yeah, uh huh, totally believeable. "Somehow that don't sound about right, maybe part of it." she replied eyeing him "If it was just government consultant work, where'd you get the scar from?" There now would he be honest, or would he be still beating around it. "Fall off your chair?" she asked with a smirk on her face. Hey, she'd seen him doze off in the oddest places, but somehow she didn't think that was how he got it. And NO he wouldn't get off that easy.
Crossing one leg over the other her foot started bouncing as she sat there watching him.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
Catching the smirk Stefanie gave me he gave her one in return, "Would you believe an accident involving a staple remover and a pencil?" Okay maybe it was a bit sarcastic. He watched her legs cross and sighed. Okay this was going to be a long night if he kept it up and he just desperately wanted to rest. "A friend of mine called in a favour. And I can't tell you any more than that until I talk to the Ministry. Which I didn't do cause I wanted to come straight here." He stood up and walked over to where he knew the bar to be and opened the cabinet. A frown came to his face and he turned back to face her. "Really? No firewhiskey?"
"And would a simple, Yay you're back I've missed you. I love you. Really have been too much to ask for?" he muttered as he opened the cabinet next to it. He was not drinking that pumpkin juice that was for sure.
A twitch at the corner of her lip happened as he asked if she would believe it had to do with a staple remover and a pencil. "Perhaps we should find Becca then once we're back in London." she replied. Mhmmm, she had a few things she'd like to discuss with Becca that was for sure. Like how responding to questions that are asked by the headmistress! Hmmm maybe she should consider being on the wizengamot... Ok, back to the subject at hand. A smirk reappeared when he asked about the firewhiskey. "Well what do you think's in the pumpkin juice? Just juice?" Hehe, she had to hide it somewhere, incase a student came across that! She wouldn't be expected to drink it would she?
She pretended not to hear his words he'd muttered though she caught catches of it, getting a pretty good gist of what he was saying. What did he think she'd do? Sit and wait for months...maybe years for him to reappear and not be irritated?!?!
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
Spiked pumpkin juice? Meh better than nothing though it wouldn't be the same. Grabbing a bottle and a glass he poured a little into the glass and took a sip. As soon as he tasted the stuff he made a wicked face and put the bottle and glass back down. "That...is horrid," he said pointing at the stuff before making his way back to sit on the table in front of her.
"Becca..." faaaaaaaaaantastic. That'd be the highlight of his trek. Sighing he placed his hands on her leg to stop it from bouncing. "I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry."
Laughing at his reaction to the taste of the firewhiskey and pumpkin juice. She couldn't help it, she didn't care for it either, but well it works hiding what she's drinking if someone appeared. Pumpkin juice didn't look odd to be drinking. hehe
"Well if Becca knew something, I can tell you she didn't say a word to me." Stef replied to his response to her mentioning Becca. She met his eyes when he stopped her foot from bouncing, and settled her feet on the floor "I just was worried about you." she said softly. "I'm not mad. Not really, just more relieved that your alright then anything." Nothing else would have mattered if something had happened to him. That scar already made her flinch, wondering how he'd got such a nasty looking one.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
Warren looked at Stefanie and smiled, "I am always alright." But it was nice to know that Becca had blabbed her big mouth or she might have been more worried. "There is no reason you should worry about me, sweetheart." Standing up he leaned toward her placing his hands on the arms of her chair so he hovered over her. "Now, how about a welcome home kiss?" he said with a smirk
Smiling at his words, "Obviously not, if you got a scar like that." she said softly. Gazing up at him as he hovered over her "Of course I'm gonna worry if I don't know where you disappear to...maybe it's a good thing I didn't know where you went?" she asked seriously. It probably was better that she didn't really. Leaning up she moved to kiss him "I missed you." she whispered.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
"Just a scratch that's all," Warren said with a slight smirk. He stared into her eyes as she spoke and sighed. "Some mean people may want to reach you if you tried looking for me. Worse anger issues than I do at times." He kissed her back and smiled, "Good hate to think you didn't. Now how can I make it up to you?"
Laughing she shook her head "A scratch huh." Though she did believe him on that count about the guys who'd be out for her if she had known where he was and tried finding him. Nodding, it scared her to know that people like that were out there. But she wasn't naive, nor stupid. If he had needed to go there was a reason and she knew it. Just next time she hoped he'd at least let her know! Grinning softly at his words she tilted her head "And how might you do that?"
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?
"Mmmhmm, simply a scratch," he looked at Stefanie for a moment and smiled. Well that had been easier than he thought it would be. A little too easy to be honest. Hmmm. Seeing her smile he shrugged, "Anything you wish....within reason," he added as an afterthought. Yeah.....he still wasn't too sure about why she took hiw explanation so easily after all.
His smile relaxed her more finally. She hated in some ways that he was a retired auror, because of some of the calls he got for him to go help. But in many ways it helped her and gave her a peace of mind that he would know what to do if he got in a bad spot. "Hmm anything within reason? How about take a beach holiday then?" she asked. She loved seeing him in his swim trunks, and after the year she'd had here, she would love that! Not to mention his thing in Italy deserved a break as well, she was sure.
Til now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. alone And now it chills me to the bone. How do I get you?