Sand and Snow

"Thank you," Angus said. "Sit and eat. You're going to need your fuel today just to keep up with him."

"Hey, I might be old but..." Robert began.

"I know. You might be old but you're speedy," Angus laughed.

"Eat, Cassidy. You look like we've sentenced you to prison. For goodness sakes. I thought you enjoyed training," Robert frowned.

"Cassidy," Brian said. "If you don't want to go, you don't have to. No one is going to make you. What exactly is the mood about this morning?"

"Then you've learned a huge lesson already," Robert smiled. "Apology accepted. But we still need to train you how to be more secure with yourself as a team member. They make this training thing out to be hellacious. I only do that to Brian. He's different."

"He makes my training different, Cassidy," Brian said, "because I have lives in my hands all over the world. Literally. I refuse to ask anyone to do anything I couldnt' do myself. And I will be as skilled as I know how to be."

Angus looked at Cassidy to tell her that there was far more to the story than Brian was telling. He looked deliberately at Robert to try to silently tell her to ask Robert later about the rest of the story when she and Robert got the chance. There was more to Brian than met the eye.

"What are you doing?" Brian frowned at Angus. "Is there something going on between you and Cassidy or you and Robert that I don't know about?"

"Me?" Robert frowned. "Did you get hit on the head in Paris last night? Or are you overdue for it?"

"Alright," Robert said when he finished his breakfast, "You have your orders, you lot. A few last things. Don't let Brian do any heroics today. Don't let Khaat get stuck in that office doing paperwork all day. Keep them in the house, keep them safe. If Khaat does get through all that paperwork and needs more, then one of you goes to St. Mungos to Hannah and takes the attache with you. She will change the work in the bag and give you another bag of work for her. But I don't want her overdoing it either. They're to eat 3 well balanced meals, and Khaat is not permitted to play with her food. She has to actually eat it. They are allowed to go the gym, but Brian has to not use his knee or go in the pool. Neither of them can overdo it. And if you have ANY problems, call for backup with your medallions immediately. Got all that?"

"Then," Robert said, finishing his last sip of tea, "we'll be off." He went over and kissed Khaat. "Take care of Brian, would you, my dear?"

"I will, Daddy," she said.

"I think you can handle it from here."

"I would hope so." He went back to Cassidy and reached for her hand. 'Our first stop is Paris. We need to make sure their concealment spell keeps them hidden from Burke and Gelding." He portkeyed him and Cassidy out.

Khaat sighed and took a sip of her coffee. "I do hope that works out alright," she said.

"Her training?" Brian asked.

"Yes."

"I'm sure it will. Your father very rarely loses a recruit, and if anybody can help her feel more comfortable in her own skin, its him. You know, you really don't have to do paperwork today."

"Are you bribing me with something?" she asked.

"The thought did cross my mind," Brian smiled. "Actually, I was thinking of us all buzzing over to the villa for the day or over to Angus's yacht. Just for a few hours. Why couldn't we?"

"She'll be fine," Brian said. "If she can keep up with his workout routine and the dueling practice."

"He won't work her as hard as he does you," Khaat told Brian.

"No. That's true. He won't," Brian admitted. "He saves that for me."

"That's because he loves you," Khaat laughed, kissing Brian's cheek.

"Sometimes I wish he loved me just a little less if that's the case," He laughed.

"No, you don't," Khaat challenged him. "You need every bit that he has to offer you."

"You're right, as always," Brian said. "That's why I love you. So, what do you think? Back to my original question. Should we go to the villa for the day?"

Khaat looked at the others. "Would that work out for you all? Just until after dinner tonight?"