Marriage is Murder

"Any issue with us leaving?" Michael asked.

"Only one," Lee said. "You can't apparate in or out of this base. Its shielded. If you want to go, I'll get you out."

"Yes, please. No offense," Michael said.

"None taken," Lee said. "Celeste? Show Michael the door please?"

"Yes, Sir," she replied. Brian stood up to guard Khaat and Michael home.

"Some of you lot make sure our Minister of Magic gets home safely," Brian ordered. "He is the most valuable member of our entourage. Tempted as you might all be to hang with Michael and Khaat."

"Nobody's going to touch us," Michael said, unwittingly betraying a touch of his rage. "I'll kill anyone who even attempts to touch us again." He felt Khaat grip tighter to him. "Walk with me," he told her very softly. He walked her steadily and quietly out, with Brian on the other side of her.

"He's a good friend, isn't he?" Lee turned to Robert.

"He's her godfather," Robert replied. "He has no family left but us."

"I presume when Michael tells her he's taking her home, he means he's taking her to her home. Especially with Brian with them. And we should be doing the same," Robert said. "As for me being most important, I suppose that's technically true, but you all know how I feel about that. Let's go home. Lee, show us out?"

"My pleasure," Lee said, "This way." He motioned to them all, leading them out of the sickbay and down the halways, out of the interior of the base to the outside of the building. The sun was just rising. "Remember your time change," Lee said. "Its going to be near noon back home. Be safe, all. And don't be afraid to let us know if you need us. You know we'll come. We want this idiot as badly as you do."

"I know," Robert said. "And I appreciate it. You lot think you remember how to port home?" He asked them.

"Sounds good to me," Robert said. He said a final farewell to Lee and ported home. When he got there, he found Edward helping Michael to simply sit. Angus was bringing tea. Brian had Khaat and she was wrapped tight into him as if she was never ever going to let him go, her face hidden in his neck.

"You need to come sit," Brian said softly to her. She didn't want to let go. He finally just got her to sit with him on the sofa. He didn't figure that this was going to be easy, but at least she was home. Kate brought Khaat's favorite blanket and draped it around her for just security and then made sure that Khaat and Brian and Michael all had tea. She figured everyone else could well fend for themselves.

"It looks like you have it well in hand," Michael told Brian. "I should get home."

"You're home until I say otherwise," Robert said firmly. "Don't make me bind your magic to make you stay. You arent' nearly well enough to fend for yourself entirely. One of the staff will prepare you a room. Be lucky I'm not confining you to bed because thats where you certainly should be."

"Thank you," Brian said. Khaat was curled tight into Brian when suddenly she perked up, highly alert, staring outside. Michael felt himself tense up when he saw her suddenly alert.

"He's coming," Michael said, his eyes on Khaat. Khaat had frozen, staring out at the far edge of the estate.

"Of all the cheek. You both, stay with her," Robert ordered Michael and Brian, drawing his own wand. "Make sure the kids are protected."

"Anybody want to go beast hunting?" Edward said, drawing his wand, ready for action.

"I'll go," Angus said, glad to go with his grandfather.

"I'm coming," Kate said, infuriated. Her maternal side was outraged at Khaat's treatment.

"Then you stay with me," Robert told her. He looked at Khaat. "Where is he?" She hesitated and pointed straight out--to the farthest edge of the estate. "Right. Stay inside. You'll be safe in here. Let's go." He and Angus and Edward and Kate put on their jackets and apparated outside.

Khaat wanted this idiot dead. Dead, dead, dead. She reached out her hand to silently summon her wand. It snapped from nowhere into her hand. Brian reached out gently and wrapped his hand around hers.

"Nonverbal magic is never as strong as a spoken spell, my darling," he said softly. "You know that. He's not going to get you ro our kids. I promise. Stay with me this time. Please."

Robert apparated out at the far edge of the estate and walked out in the open, walking with every bit of command and authority that he could posess. "Come out and deal with me, if you're not just a spineless swine!" Robert shouted, his wand at the ready.