Marriage is Murder

"Actually, not really," Robert said. "I was tougher on her when she trained with me. Her pride is hurt, thats all. She'll get over it. It wasn't her responsibility. It was Brian's. It really wasn't Kate's either. She just picked up on it with her seer's powers. Cassidy didn't have the responsibility Brian had or the powers Kate had either. She wasn't even on duty. I like her but this time she needs to get over herself. I'd just let her sulk until she gets over it."

"Uh...I hate to interrupt, but I did make a large kettle of cheddar cheese soup and some grilled ham sandwiches for anyone who wants lunch," Angus said. "Should I make a casserole for dinner for you all?"

"No," Kate smiled. "So your lady accepted?"

"She did," he grinned. "Its..just dinner, thats all."

"Just enjoy yourself. I can handle it," Kate said.

"You're not handling anything but that sofa," Robert ordered. "We'll order out if Jess and Cassidy can't deal with it."

"Uh..maybe in light of things, I should postpone my night out," Angus said.

"No!" Kate said. "Angus, I don't remember you ever asking to take a night off. By all means, go. We can certainly manage one meal. We'll be fine. If all goes wrong, we can certainly conjure it."

"Be glad Khaat isn't here to hear that," he laughed. "If you change your minds, say so."

Steven breathed out and chuckled " thanks and yeah guess so" he said and went back to his paper. Jess looked up and smiled. " He's right leave her to stew for a few hours, I can take care of that Robert " she said and stood up.

"Angus just show me whats needed and go on your date" she said smiling at him as she crossed to the Kitchen. Jack shook his head.

"She'll be in her element " he said smiling and looked across at Steven " I think I threw Jess in a brook once" he said and smiled " it ran along side Hagrids hut she was really annoying me and I dropped her in it , she had a cold but soon forgot what we were arguing about, cassidy will too " he said and grinned " must be a woman thing " he said and looked at Kate, "sorry, present company excluded " he bowed softly to her.

"Thanks, Jess," Angus said. "Just help yourself to whatever you want to fix. I think you'll find that I do try to keep things pretty well stocked. But, if you like, there are some frozen pumpkin ravioli that i made in the freezer, and in the recipe box there is a very simple recipe for a sage butter sauce for them that is a whole lot easier than it looks. There are fixings for a big salad and some balsamic vinaigrette in the fridge. Um...I think there are all sorts of things you can use to make dessert, but if you want to try your hand at a chocolate tiramisu, I made some chocolate ladyfingers, and there is a recipe for it that uses a chocolate custard and espresso. It looks 5 star but isn't anywhere that difficult. Do whatever you want. Oh, and if Michael shows up with Khaat before dinner, expect him to just make himself at home in the kitchen. Its just what he does."

"Its not just here he does that," Robert said. "He takes over the farm kitchen too when he comes. Kicks Kate clear out of it. We're just used to it." Robert watched Abbey get up and go out into the kitchen and simply stand and stare up at Angus, glaring hard at him.

"What?" he frowned at her.

"She wants a cookie," Kate laughed. "She doesn't understand why you just don't automatically know what she wants."

"Well for goodness sakes, Child," he said to Abbey, "Use your words." He opened the cookie jar and handed her a raspberry jam filled cookie and send two more out--one for Dakota and one for Andrew.

Steven smiled and Jess chuckled " Angus don't worry I learned from the best , didn't I " she said and patted his shoulder " and don't worry hes got seniority in this kitchen " she said smiling as she starred to prepare the chocolate tiramisu for afters she Place the mascarpone cheese in a large bowl and set aside. With an electric mixer, beat the cream and the sugar in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Then she fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone. Then fold in the chilled chocolate zabaglione. Cover and she put it in the fridge to chill. After an hour she whisk the warmed espresso and the remaining of the sugar in another medium bowl until blended. Then she Lined metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing the plastic to extend over the sides. Working with 1 cookie at a time, she dipped 8 cookies into the espresso, and arrange in a single layer side by side over the bottom of the prepared pan.then Spooned ⅓ of the mascarpone mixture over the cookies to cover. she dip the remaining 8 cookies in the espresso and arrange side by side atop the tiramisu. Press lightly to compact slightly she Covered the tiramisu with plastic and refrigerate then turned to the Frozen pumpkin ravioli and sage butter sauce on a bed of tagliatelle she hoped it would be enough for them to eat.

Angus left for his evening out, taking the silver car, with Robert's permission. He was dressed in black jeans and a gray silk shirt. Kate thought he looked amazing. He simply tol jess thanks for taking care of dinner and then left, a black jacket hanging over his shoulder.

"Does he look nervous to you?" Kate asked Robert after Angus left.

"Surprisingly, no," Robert laughed. Just as they all sat down to dinner, including Brian, Michael apparated in with Khaat, holding tight to her hand.

"Looks like we're just in time for dinner," Michael grinned. "Told you."

"And it looks like they didn't miss us at all," Khaat said. Brian got up from his seat and went to her. He wrapped her close to him and held her.

"Liar," he said softly to her. He kissed her. She immediately felt something wasn't right with him. She frowned, looking up at him. "Its alright now," he told her. "Come and eat. You too, Michael."

"I had intended to," Michael said, simply waving his hand for the table to set two more places. He made himself at home at the one next to Kate, leaving the new seat next to Brian for Khaat.

Steven smiled as Khaat came back with Michael " hay Michael " he said simply and moved to the table as Jess placed the ravioli and pasta on the table along with a pit of tea and coffee.

" help your self and eat up, I'm sorry in advance if I'm not up to Angus's standard " she said and made three small bowls already cut into little pieces with a milder sauce on top. Andrew came running out but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Michael.

" Man smell funny" he said looking at him then moved around him to get to his seat. Jess chuckled softly.

" sorry Michael " she said and sat down with him.

"Man acts funny too," Robert laughed.

"Watch it, Ozzy," Michael said, helping himself to the pasta and sauce. "How would you like to try out one of your own bug jars for size?"

"You'll have to try harder than that to scare me," Robert laughed. "I know you too well."

"You did a good job on the food, Jess," Khaat said. Khaat looked at Abbey and seemed to be sensing a bit of stress from her. She looked at her father, uncertain.

"She missed you, Khaat. She's not used to you being gone," her father said. "You'll have to spend some time with her after dinner."

"Can I just ask..where is Angus?" Michael frowned.

"The boy does have a life of his own," Robert said.

"Since when? He hasn't had a date since he was 16," Michael teased. Robert burst into laughter.

"Don't make fun. I"m sure she's a perfectly lovely girl," Kate said.

"We'll see if he actually comes home tonight," Michael laughed.

Steven sat quiet waiting for Cassidy to join them witch she did but sat away from Steven and ate her dinner quietly. " thank you Khaat , I believe hes out on a date " she said smiling " and about time if you ask me he stays in his kitchen too much time he had a social life" she said watching as Andrew ate his food slowly. Jack shook his head and too some more ravioli " I believe its snowing back home" he said trying to make conversation and steer it way from cassidys cold shoulder of Steven. Steven glanced at her but she took no notice of him finishing and heading back to the bedroom again.

Khaat sighed. She had known Steven far longer than she had known Cassidy and knew better than to think Steven had ever done anything to her for him to deserve Cassidy treating her in such a childish manner. And Khaat had had enough of it. Steven had been her friend since she first met him at St. Mungos, and whatever happened was not him. That much she knew without a single doubt.

"Steven," Khaat looked at him. "Just so you know.The moodiness around here has got to go. I know you too well. This was not your doing. If she doesn't have that stick out of her arse by morning, I'm sending her to Paris to train with them there until she gets whatever it is out of her system. They're a tough lot. Maybe she needs to work with the crew that is actively on the front lines all the time for awhile." Robert looked at her, slightly surprised, but not going to interfere. Brian didn't look up from his plate. Never changed his expression. Was stonefaced. The authority was Robert's now. Brian didn't have a right to say a word, so he didn't.

Steven sighed and nodded " I understand Khaat, all I can do is talk to her again and maybe throw her back in the pool " he said rubbing his chin " but I'm at a loss, so damn it she's going to Paris " he said and looked at the bed room door then at Khaat " arrange it I'll make sure shes packed and ready " he said but looked at Jess and stood up.

" I'll do that " she said and moved down the corridor and into their room to tell Cassidy she was going to Paris. Steven shook his head but sighed he knew he would miss her but it had to be done she blamed her self entirely too much.

Next morning Cassidy walked out a small bag over her shoulder, she looked at Steven then Khaat waiting for her to send her to Paris. "I'll see you all when I get back then, take care of Fallon" she said and gripped her back pack turning she ported out leaving Steven to breath out a breath he had been holding.

" You do know that's the first time shes just left " he said Jack patted Steven and sat next to him.

" Its for the best mate " he said and Steven nodded.

" I know" he stood up and walked to the main doors.