Resurrection

At some point, perhaps not long after Elijah had spat the blood out onto the floor, he’d been taken into unconsciousness’s sweet embrace. As figurative as it was, he felt safe there. He burrowed his face into her hair, accepted her embrace and slept with his head on her chest. He’d never been so thankful for the black abyss that was unconsciousness. She’d lulled him to sleep and given him precious moments, whether that was hours or minutes, to regain himself, to rest and repair mentally and physically. He could have been still chained to that wall for all he knew, waiting for the moment that Barker cast enervate and made him watch his lover die.

But Elijah did not wake up chained to a wall. When he opened his eyes he was met with the blazing hospital lights and the smell of St. Mungo’s. He blinked rapidly and looked around. Healers were running around like headless chickens from what he could see and he couldn’t see a lot. He was confined to his bed and he could still feel his own blood coating his body. He wanted to bathe. He was sick of feeling his own blood sticking to him. The metallic taste in his mouth was making him feel ill and he didn’t want to feel so terrifically useless anymore. He wanted to be healed. He needed to be healed. He needed to go and find Chase.

Auburn hair popped into his line of sight and he met the inquisitive eyes of a young healer and an familiar face. Sadie had one daughter that hadn’t been sucked in by the delights of France it seemed. Elijah recognised her. He could have recognised her anywhere. Cherie was the youngest and by far the smartest. Not the most beautiful, no, Camille had that crown, but she was definitely the most agreeable out of the three girls. She was beautiful in her own way though and her auburn ringlets that curled around her face made Elijah remember that she was still a child and she was her mother’s daughter. She was a sight for sore eyes though. If he could have moved then he would have had to have kissed her. He was home! He knew it!

“Elijah?” Cherie questioned, her sweet voice taking on a concerned lilt. “Can you hear me? You can’t move...you’re body has gone into shock. It’s paralysed itself so you can recover physically. The healing you’ll have will help that along. Pretty nifty eh? Blink twice if you can hear me, once if you can’t okay?”

Elijah smirked inwardly. That was a stupid thing to say and just to irritate her, he blinked three times. Cherie pursed her lips but smiled all the same, taking it the way he wanted her to. She always had the best humour, his humour. She was incredibly easy to love and love her Elijah did, just like he loved Camille and Cassidy. He didn’t treat Cherie the same way, god no, but he did not shower all of his love on the elder two. He would treat Cherie much more delicately. She was still a child at heart and so, in a manner of speaking, he was both a father and a brother to her.

Cherie giggled, “You’re alright aren’t you; you great lummox? You’re pretty dirty though. I’ve been trying to clean up the wounds as much as possible but I don’t know what’s what.” Oh yes, this was where she’d begin to babble. “Sam took me out for lunch the other day; did I put that into my letter? He’s a really nice guy. You’d hate him, say he’s too boring for me, but I like boring. There’s only so much excitement a girl can have and he’s pretty darn romantic. He’s invited me to his parents’ house for Christmas. It’s going to be so much fun. He’s got a little sister and she’s the sweetest thing! She’s about your Thierry’s age but thankfully not nearly as broody. I saw him the other day too. That was strange. Camille and he were in the chocolate shop in Paris. I went home to pick up some things you see... Sam wants me to move in as well! I’m so excited! Sorry...I’m rambling aren’t I?” Elijah made sure to blink twice at this. “I’ve been panicking. You were brought in...and then Miss Lupin. I ... everyone’s going spare.”

Yeah, I can see that, Elijah thought. There was a sound from beside him and he looked over at Cherie who was wringing out a cloth. She then pealed back what was left of his shirt and began to press the cloth carefully against his chest. He winced every time the water seeped into the cut Barker had made and every time he did that, Cherie apologized. She was a scared little sheep. Eli didn’t know how she did the healer thing. But she was lovely, a real asset to Sadie. She was definitely someone you found difficult to hate, not that anyone would want to.

Elijah watched as she took the cloth away and traded it for a pair of scissors. She took his shirt and carefully began to cut it off of him. That would probably save time. Cherie put some of the fabric in a tray and put the scissors down when she could cut no more. She reached over and fingered the pendant of Elijah’s necklace. He watched her, his eyes wide, and was desperate to smile when she retrieved a similar necklace from underneath her own shirt. “I didn’t think you’d keep it.” She laughed. “Protection runes...they’re crap, Elijah, if I do say so myself.” Elijah wanted to smirk. She got that right.

Robert had done the stabilization on Eli and had entrusted his care back to the healers for the moment. He had purposely had Eli and Khaat put in a large room so he could tend to Khaat and also supervise Eli's care simultaneously. Kate had not been willing to leave her daughter, and Robert had no heart to make her leave. He had given her soap and water and let her help wash up the mess Barker had made of their daughter.

He took a very brief walk to the floo and shouted angrily into it. Jen had never heard him angry before. And the people who had ever heard this kind of anger from him could be counted on one hand.

"Jen! Get your ass here--now! There's been two gunshots! Come ready to work for as long as it takes!" He barked his order with a rare demand on her. This was code for her, developed between the two of them. One they had never expected to ever have to use. She was about to become, if necessary, the Ministry's hired assassin. And once she saw what Barker had done, the task would not be diffficult for her. He turned and returned to Khaat.

He set about examining her, setting broken bones, stopping the hemorragic bleeding, and reversing shock. He could feel the shift in her vital signs. She was a bit stronger. Not much, but enough for him to detect. So--she had made the choice to come back. He did not know if she would remember actually rejoining her body or not. He found Barker's muting potion that had burned her throat so horribly. He knew it was one of Rob's Knockturn creations. Well, Rob would not be happy that caustic substance had been used on his wife. Robert went over to the potions cabinet and hastily made a healing potion. This would be about as foul tasting as it got, but it would instantly heal the damage and allow Eli to speak. And when Khaat woke, it would heal her voice as well. He poured half the dose in a glass for Eli and half for Khaat.

"Excuse me," he said to Cherie, coming between her and Eli. "Welcome back, Eli. So you know, Khaat never, never left you, and she's still with us. She found her way back into her body. She just didn't know how to get back once she had been separated. If I have my way, she'll be fine. You both will, and believe me, Barker will not have the chance to get to you again. Did he tell you anything about what his next move might be?" As he spoke, he laid his fingertips very very lightly on Eli's throat. Well, Barker had spread the potion around. "Here. I'm sorry this is not better tasting, but it will heal the burns to your vocal cords. Drink, Lad." His voice was gentle and nurturing.

Christophe and David were quite possibly the most irresponsible parents the world would ever see. Rob and Jen were being run into the ground by children that weren’t theirs. They were absolutely shattered and Rob was taking his fifth pepper-up potion of the day. He was pushing limits and the last thing he needed was potion addiction...y’know...again. Jen had nothing better to do with her time apart from drink and talk with Elijah’s friends. Camille and Cassidy were staying with them, Thierry and Fauve two; the latter half of which were out in the garden Jen had created. Katriane was giving them the most trouble today. Nathalia and Jean-Paul were out cold having had their milk and decided they’d sleep the day away. That was perfectly alright.

When Robert’s voice came over the Floo, Katriane fell silent and stopped her squabbling in Cassidy’s arms. Rob, who was cooking and had left the kitchen door into the living room open, had stopped stone cold. Jen had been shocked into silence too. Two Gunshots. Two. Not one, two. The glass of wine was abandoned and Jen got to her feet, pushing her feet into her boots as she rose. She grabbed her coat off of the side of the couch and shrugged it on. She stepped into the Floo and threw down some powder. The green fire rose up around her and she disappeared in the fireplace, leaving everyone in Knockturn Alley stunned into silence, none brave enough to speak.

Cherie didn’t seem to want to remove any more of his shirt just yet. Elijah didn’t mind because his back was relatively fine. It was just his front. That had taken the beating. He was careful not to move too much, the paralysis his body had decided to put itself in, alleviating with consciousness. He listened to Cherie babble on in one ear but was more interested in counting the tiles on the ceiling. He had a headache, no a migraine, and it was making its way up his neck and through into his head. It was his mind returning to himself. No longer was he teetering on the edge of sanity. He was sane but strained and incredibly exhausted. He wanted to feel unconsciousness’s tender touch again.

But before Elijah could, Robert stepped onto the scene and he was greeted with a welcome back, as if he’d been on holiday. Some holiday it was too. Torture was free of course, as was the travel and all of the expenses. Elijah had had a whale of a time and he was looking forward to going back there. As much as Elijah wanted to make a scathing remark, he hadn’t the energy or the voice but Robert was providing a remedy to that in the form of a potion. Elijah eyed it warily before lifting his arm up. He ran his hand through his bloodied hair and held his hand out for Robert to press the cup into his hands. Then he remembered his wrists and he promptly lowered his arm back onto the bed.

Cherie stepped in here having looked at his chart. She put her hands around his shoulders and lifted Elijah up. She took the opportunity to peal the last of his shirt of, this part was drenched in sweat and not blood which was a plus to a degree, before pulling the pillows up and moving Elijah into a half sitting position. Elijah looked at her in awe. Where did that strength come from? He didn’t want to ask. Chances were the physical strain had him lose something apart from his mind and dignity. He lifted his arms again and he looked down at them. They were trembling, trembling like leaves as if the muscles couldn’t handle the movement. Cherie took the cup for him and he lowered his arms, a bemused look on his face.

Cherie put the cup to his lips and tipped it back. He took the liquid into his mouth and swallowed it all down in one gulp, drinking and not tasting. The after taste was foul though and Elijah coughed loudly, a hacking cough that made Cherie cringe. He winced and laid back heavily against the pillows. “Chase...” he wheezed; his voice not quite back to its splendour yet. “He’s going after Chase...” Elijah closed his eyes. He wanted to rest. No, he needed to rest. He felt Cherie run her fingers through the front of his hair and he moved his fingers up, silently scolding her for it. “Mmm... I want to meet this Sam, Cher. Gotta make sure his intentions are honourable and all that...”

Cherie laughed, “Yes Eli, because every intention you have is honourable.” Elijah opened an eye and smirked at her.

Jen hadn’t expected to find herself in the ER. She hadn’t expected to find Khaat lying unconscious in a bed either. That was the first gunshot. She was glad Rob wasn’t here to see her. The second gunshot was beside Khaat. Elijah. “No,” left Jen’s mouth quicker than expected and she stepped back, not quite believing what she was seeing. But she saw him smirk, she saw him speak to the healer beside him. He was alright! Sure he looked like hell but he was alright. He was alive. He was safe now. “Robert...” Jen said, finding some bravery and stepping forward into Elijah’s part of the room. “Not..Barker again? Surely not?”

"Indeed," Robert said to Jen. "None other." He scribbled a note as he spoke and handed it to Hannah who ran, literally, with it out of the room. "I sent Brian to go put Chase Moor under the Ministry's protective custody. Eli said Barker is heading for her. I have other business for you. Khaat and Eli are very fortunate to have survived at all. Khaat is critical, and Eli's condition is very serious. They are both going to be fine. Well, if I have my way, that is.

"Here are your orders. Issue immediate arrest orders for Felix Barker and Naomi Quinn Greyback. She's in it with him, Jen. She's not a victim, at least not now. She's his accomplice. I want them stopped at all costs. If you take them alive, all well and good. Rob can do with them whatever he pleases when they end up with him. If they end up dead, so much the better. You have my full permission to kill first and not ask any questions of them at all. I won't lose a moment's sleep, believe me. I am going to hide Chase here. Oh, and your brother needs to check his shop. They've both had their vocal cords severelly burned by Rob's mute potion. I haven't begun to uncover all the damage Eli and Khaat have, but there may be a lot more of his potions missing. Send him word to check his stores at once. If anyone there has given these things to Barker, arrest them at once. No questions asked. They'll be off to Azkaban before they take their next breath. Issue wanted posters for both Barker and Greyback. Send one by owl to the muggle prime minister. You know the process for that. I want every single auror looking for these murderers. Make very sure that we get them as immediately as possible. The prime minister's office can be very helpful if the muggle police help you look. Any questions?"

"Robert," Kate called softly. He turned to see Khaat starting to wake up. She was moving her fingers slightly. He went over to her bed and as she woke, he lifted her very gently on his arm.

"I'm so sorry, my darling. Drink. Its nasty, but drink it anyway," he said affectionately. He fed her the foul potion, and she choked on its horrendous taste. "Easy. Easy. I'm sorry. It was necessary...."

"My son." she gasped in a whisper. "My son...."

"He's here, Baby. He's here. He's awake. He's alright, I swear. Calm down. Barker is on the run now. Jen is here, and she's going to do whatever it takes to get him. I promise. You're home now--you're both home. Kate, get Khaat a bit of water and let her sip it to get the taste of that out of her mouth. I'll be right back, Khaat. Lay still until I can get back to you. One moment."

"Jen, You know what to do. If you catch them, send them both to Azkaban until we can assess them and try them. If you don't catch them alive, send me what's left of them here."

It had been an ordinary day in Hogsmeade, well it had been, except for the sudden arrival of a Ministry wizard, saying she was being taken to St. Mungos because Khaat wanted to see her. How odd, Khaat didn't normally send for someone to get her, it was usually an owl, saying when their next appointment was. Chase had momentarily panicked, thinking something had come up with her blood tests or something and something was wrong with the baby. She hadn't really questioned the man, because she did recognize him, though with all of the kidnaps lately, she should have been a bit more precautionary, but after a quick show of the Ministry badge, she was convinced, and let him apparate her to St. Mungos.

"What could Khaat want with me Mr. Quinn?" She asked nervously. It seemed that everyone in St. Mungos was going crazy today. What had happened? She looked around nervously, as though afraid of what she would find. "What happened? What's going on?" She asked looking at Brian with a look of fear on her face. "I don't.. what's.. did I do something wrong?" She asked in a very small voice, afraid that she was being taken into custody or something. Odd place to take her if she was in custody.. but who knew what the Ministry was thinking of these days...

Robert heard Chase's voice in the hallway outside the room. "Excuse me again, Jen," he said. He stepped outside. "Chase," he smiled, reaching out and shaking her hand. "Thank you for coming. Thank you, Brian. While you're here, Brian, there's something I need to tell you both. Khaat has been very badly hurt. I'm doing all I can..."

Robert saw Brian's face pale before his eyes. "Brian," he laid his hand on his shoulder. "I'm on it. Go see her. She's conscious. She could use you right now. Kate is with her."

"Excuse me, Chase," Brian said softly, now fearful for his lady. He fairly ran into the room Robert had just come out of.

"Chase, come with me," Robert said. "We need to talk. This isn't going to be easy." He led her a short way down the hall to an empty treatment room, careful to tell his assistant where to find them. "Sit," he invited, motioning to the two chairs in the room. "Please. Chase, I presume you've been reading about Felix Barker in the papers. He's been a thorn in my side for a very long time. He is an evil little man who doesn't have one ounce of compassion. His specialization is torture. He's a paid torturer, and he works for the highest bidder. Some time ago, he paired up with two of my enemies. Dark arts practitioners who want to strike back at me because I have made it difficult for them to kidnap and kill. Their top goal is, and has been for some time, to hurt anyone I love so that they can hurt me. Does that make any sense at all?

"Anyway, they've been chasing Khaat for months because she is my daughter. They hired Barker as one of the men on her trail. You know, I'm sure, that he took her once. Well, a few days ago, he took her again. I don't know how well you've gotten to know Khaat, but she is an incredibly strong woman. Barker had a damned hard time trying to break her. So, in order to break her, he kidnapped someone Khaat loves with all her heart. Barker took Eli. Now, before you panic, I have both of them back now. Both Khaat and Eli. And they're going to be fine. They surely have looked a lot better, but, Eli would like to see you. I don't want him talking much and straining himself. But, I really would like you to visit. He needs some kindness and reassurance.

"And, more important than that--Eli has told me that Barker wants to strike out at him now. To hurt him in whatever way will break his spirit. Apparently, one of the ways to hurt him the deepest is for anyone to do harm to you and your unborn child. If Barker could get his hands on you, he would. Even though right now, I believe he has his hands quite full running from me. Just as a precaution, I am going to hide you. I am going to put you under Ministry protection. We have a couple of options for that. You can remain here under guard, or, and this is just a suggestion, you can remain in Brian Quinn's protection at his home. Well, his and Khaat's. We will have your things sent from Hogwarts for you or simply buy you new things for now. I want you in hiding--immediately. Understand me?"

Chase felt herself pale when the last person she had expected to see came out of the room in front of them. It was the Minister of Magic himself. Chase looked at Brian, and realized that it wasn't Khaat who wanted to see her, it was the Minister who did. She clasped her hands in front of her and looked up at the man who has the most power in the wizarding world, who was looking at her with a very nice look. She had never thought she'd speak to someone like him ever, in her lifetime. When Brian ran off because Khaat had been hurt, she realized that something horrible had happened. Something with Khaat, she was hurt! Chase found herself trying to look past the Minister into the room, but he was already leading her off down a different hallway, and into an empty room.

Chase sat down nervously, sitting on her hands, and leaning forwards slightly, as though protecting her stomach from anything that might come at her. She didn't look pregnant at the moment, because Jen had managed to get her some robes that hid her bump, but there was a visible bump when she wasn't in her school robes. Chase listened to the ministers talking, about the man named Felix Barker who had been all over the papers. But.. he didn't concern her did he? She looked confused. Felix Barker wasn't after her, she hadn't done anything like that poor Slytherin girl, who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and gotten kidnapped. At least, that's what the paper's said.

Finally the Minister got to the point that he was onto about. Barker had taken Elijah. Chase put her hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp, and she looked at the door in a panic, as though wondering why they were just sitting there. Then he calmed her fears by saying that he was okay, that they had him and he was doing fine now, and wanted to see her. Barker wanted her? Her of all people? Why would he.. it didn't make sense.. Elijah.. Khaat, all because this man worked for a man.. When the Minister talked of her baby, she put her hands around her stomach protectively. She knew someone like the Minister didn't approve of her being pregnant, they never did, but he didn't say anything to make her feel like he thought anything of the matter, other then protecting her and the baby.

Chase stared at the Minister weakly, her entire body in shock. Barker wanted her, and the Ministry was protecting her from him. Protecting her and her baby. She had options, staying here, and going to Brian Quinns home. "Where will Eli go?" She asked weakly, looking at him as though unsure of what she should do. "I want to stay with Elijah... I have.. I have to! Mr... errm.. Minister, we just broke up not to long ago.. but.. I have to see him.. please, can you take me to him? I.. I need to see him.." She said, putting her arms around her middle, her entire body shivering now. Barker was after her, Elijah was asking for her.. Chase was in a small state of shock, and just wanted to see the father of her baby.

"Eli is going to be here with Khaat and me for at least a few days, Chase. I did expect you to want to stay with him. When he is ready to be released, we will discuss with him where the safest place for him to go is. He may well want to go home to Rob and Jen's. I won't release him except under the tightest Ministry protection I can arrange for him. I'm sure you know Khaat is his guardian. She loves him with all her heart. That, in a way, makes Eli a grandson to me. I will not ever take chances with my family. I will not let Barker harm him again. Not ever, if I can help it.

"You are welcome to stay here close to Eli, of course, but you know it is certainly not the most comfortable place for a healthy young woman and not a lot to do. I do know all about your baby that you and Eli share. In a way, I suppose that makes you almost a daughter in law to Khaat and Brian. Personally, I think you would be happier and safer there. They have a very large comfortable home that is constantly under protection charms and under guard. And it is very, very well hidden. One has to know where it is to find it. There is a pool for good weather, and Brian has put a full workout room and a pool in the basement. I think the boy used that same spell for wizarding tents," Robert laughed. "You would have nothing to want for in Brian's hands, that's for certain. Besides that, Khaat is going to need some help as she recovers. Especially with those two babies of hers. They're crawling all over the house now. They are delightful little girls but they certainly do have energy. It would be good practice for you as a young healer to help Brian and Angus with her. Angus is the caretaker of the estate and a fine auror himself."

Chase bit her lower lip and found herself staring at the floor. she didn't know what to do. Felix Barker had kidnapped, tortured and nearly killed Elijah.. the father of her baby. He had threatened her, because she was associated with this family. All because she had a baby. Chase crossed her arms over her stomach and looked up at him carefully. "I'll go to their house.. I think it would be best.. the hospital.. yeah.. I'd like to go to their house.. please." She said and she looked up at him. She swallowed and found herself finally able to realize the situation she was in.

"So Barker.." She said slowly. "He's on the run now? You haven't caught him?" She looked almost scared of this fact. "How.. how will I get to their house?" She didn't want to sound frightened in front of the Minister, so she sat up carefully and bit her lip. "Khaat has children? I.. I didn't know that.." She said and realized that there was a lot of things she didn't know about Elijah's family. This could be a very good opportunity to learn not only about Elijah's family, but about Elijah himself. "How bad is Elijah Minister? How badly.. how badly did he hurt him?" She asked and hardened her jaw. She'd kill him. She would hurt Barker for hurting Elijah. She knew that he was okay now.. but the second they caught him, she wanted to give him a piece of her mind!