Pansy hadn't left her house since Cormac had brought her home. Not only had she not left the grounds, she hadn't even gone out the front doors. She was getting irritated beyond belief at the nagging fear that surrounded her. Yes, it had been bad, but she wasn't going to let that psychotic, lycanthropic arse make her a prisoner in her home as well. She was actually very glad Dean had owled. He wouldn't feel compelled to coddle her, and he'd suggested that they go out shopping without a thought to how she might feel about it. Every time Cormac had mentioned going somewhere, she'd just shaken her head and given him a look. She needed to get over this. For both of them.



As soon as Beren showed him into her sitting room, Pansy couldn't stop the smile that curved her lips.

"Dean Thomas," she said, rising to greet him. "It's been too long."

"Indeed it has," Dean replied with a broad grin. Three long strides later he had his arms wrapped around her. "Though I don't think I've ever been so happy to reschedule an outing." He leant down to kiss her cheek. "How are you doing, love?"

Pansy pursed her lips. "You were warned, you know." Shaking her head, she murmured, "No proper fear. Going to have to do something about that." Gazing at him, she spoke more loudly, "I've honestly had better months, you know, but all in all, I'm fine, darling. Other than I've probably got a pissed off werewolf looking for me."

"And he's got some murderously brassed-off wizards and witches looking for him," he replied with a scowl. Myself included, he thought.

Mentally shaking himself, Dean smiled. "So, has the other ridiculously handsome Gryff in your life been treating you well since you got back?"

"Of course he is," Pansy replied smoothly. Smirking wickedly, she continued, "I'd bury him in the back garden if he were to misbehave. He really has been terribly kind," she said with a sigh. "Gone above and beyond all expectations, actually. And your girl? Everything all right there?"

"To be honest, she's better than I deserve," Dean replied with a grin. "But I'm not going to be the one to tell her that."

Pansy raised an eyebrow and allowed her lips to curve into a smile. "If she's better than you deserve, she must be absolutely stunning. Now tell me darling, where are we going today?"

"I've not given it all that much thought, actually. I just thought that we'd take a holiday from any and all forms of hovering, smothering and coddling." Giving her one last squeeze, Dean stepped back. "The 'where' didn't really seem all that important."

"Do you know, this last month may have been the longest I've ever gone without buying a new pair of shoes?" She looked at him appraisingly. "Have you rested well lately, darling? Because I think you're going to be very tired at the end of today."

"Oh, if only you'd have said that while we were both single," he said teasingly. "Though if that were the case, you'd not be getting out for your new shoes anytime soon."

Pansy laughed. "Tease." She leaned over her desk and scribbled down the coordinates of her favourite shoe store, and handed it to Dean. "You better take care that your mouth doesn't overload what you're willing to go through with, my dear." She linked her arm through his and steeled herself. Nothing will happen. Nothing will happen. It's just shopping. I'll be safe. I have my wand.

Looking up at him, she flashed him a dazzling smile. "Ready when you are."

Noticing the brittleness of her smile, Dean leant down and kissed Pansy's forehead. "It'll be fine, love." He grinned. "For some reason, people tend to leave six-and-a-half foot tall black men alone, for the most part." He patted her hand and focused on the coordinates. "Shall we?"

She nodded decisively. "Yes. Lets."

{Summary: Dean gives enough affection to get a rash of pranks pulled on him, and then he gets Pansy out of the house.}