Marriage is Murder

Cassidy wanted to head out with some shoes for Abby but no sooner she stood up Brain and Khaat appeared " welcome back " she said and smiled at them both as she stood shoes for Abby in hand. Jess smiled and nodded.

" yes welcome back I hope you relaxed and enjoyed your vacation as much as we did ours " she said and grinned at Jack who rolled his eyes and chuckled as he sat with her smiling. Jim looked up from the board and smiled.

" welcome back half pint" he said and looked back to the board again as if trying to out smart himself in his game.

"Relaxed? Who had time to relax?" Brian said. "We were working. When Robert goes on holiday with you, nobody relaxes."

"Sooo true," Kate laughed.

"And you're all better off for it," Robert said. He flicked his finger and moved one chess piece on Jim's board. "Checkmate," Robert said.

"Must you be such a killjoy?" Kate scowled at him.

"Only when its obvious," Robert said.

"If its so obvious, Oh Mighty Chess Master," Kate teased. "Defeat me, if you can."

"I can, and I will," Robert said.

"Big talk from the man I've beaten four times in a row."

"Three," he said.

"No, no...your memory is going bad, Old Man," Kate said. "It was four, and its about to be five. Get the good board out. Oh wait...this isn't going to last long enough for that, is it?"

"No, probably not. It should only take me a few minutes to win."

"Put your money where your mouth is. Loser buys me a diamond."

"Why dont' you just go pick it up now and save yourself the embarressment?" he asked.

"No, when you bring back a puny stone, I'll just go back and exchange it," she said.

Jim looked up as his piece moved on the board and he laughed out loud "okay, go on Kate " he said and made the pieces move back into place on the board then he moved out of the way sending the board floating across to in front of Kate and Robert. Jess and jack both laughed along with Jim Cassidy smiled and nodded at Brian's words. Every one moved to see what would happen.

" you really can beat Robert?" Cassidy asked but it was Jess who answered with a smile and a chuckle as she spoke.

" yes she is and can I have seen her beat him twice" she said smiling as Jack held her tight from behind as they watched closely.

Robert snapped his fingers and the pieces set themselves on the board.

"Ladies first," Robert told her.

"With pleasure," she said, easily making her opening move.

"That's a stupid move," he frowned.

"Oh, shut it," she said. "Just play."

The play went back and forth for almost an hour, and Khaat could see her father's mind working, plotting, strategizing....and then....

"Check," Kate announced.

"Where?" Robert frowned.

"Figure it out for yourself if you're so smart," she said. He studied the board and saw that she had him, and he had no way out.

"That would be five," she said. "I would prefer something with five diamonds, please. And not little microscopic chips either."

Jess chuckled and Jack looked on dumb founded as did Steven, Jim just sat smiling knowing how Kate's mind worked . Cassidy looked at the board and chuckled " ok that's one move even I didn't see coming, she kept you looking at one side and then went in for her move , nice " she said and moved to sit down still smiling at Kate's move.

" I agree with Kate no diamond dust in it " Jess said smiling at Kate " Kate won fare and square " she chuckled as James climbed up to sit with her on her knee.

Robert accio'd a deck of playing cards, opened up the pack and handed her one card.

"There you go, paid in full," he said. She looked at the card and glared at him. She tossed the card down on the chess board. It was the five of diamonds.

"You cheap lout," she scowled. "Alright. I shall go to the jewelers myself and just send you the bill."

"Oh, hell, no," he rolled his eyes. "We do need something to retire on. If I let you do it, we'll be living in a cardboard box in Diagon Alley."

"Yes, but I'll be the one that looks good," she smiled, not letting him get to her. She took the playing card and put it in the pocket of his shirt, getting up.

"You'd better go to the jeweler's before she does," Brian said.

every one held there breath and chuckled at the playing card trick " I do hope you don't play that trick on me " Jess said to Jack who chuckled and shrugged " well I hope you don't unless you want to be sleeping on the couch" she said and Jack kissed her cheek.

" don't worry you have nothing to worry about" he said smiled as Cassidy looked at Steven who chuckled still.

"Hey ,five diamonds for me is a ranch down the road, got good stock too" he said and Cassidy shrugged and shook her head. " I have your anniversary gift all picked out and don't worry this year no hex's, Jess has checked it all out" he grinned making Cassidy grin also. " thought that was a smooth move Robert , very smooth" he chuckled.

"Alright, so I take it that the next time you lose, Cassidy gets a cow, then?" Angus teased.

"What a good housepet," Robert laughed.

"I would presume the sandbox for it is the tricky bit," Angus said.

"You fools are a laugh a minute," Kate sighed. "I will go find a more mature pursuit." She whipped around and glared at Robert. "One crack about my age, and I'll do worse than change you into a cheeky hat."

"Did I say it?" Robert looked at her, with a bit of a sneer on his face.

"I can make him feel like an old man in a hurry, if you like, Kate," Brian said.

"Be my guest," Kate said.

"You and what army?" Robert scowled at Brian. "Bring it, if you think you can keep up with me."

"Get your behind to the gym and we'll see who quits first," Brian said.

"You're on," Robert said, getting up. Brian handed Abbey to Khaat.

"I have some ego to beat out of him, Dear," Brian said.

"Don't be too hard on him," Khaat said dryly

Cassidy looked at them all stunned at what had been said " hey, what I do?" she asked and chuckled watching the others as the banter changed to a challenge between Brian and Robert . Cassidy looked at Kate then Khaat " my moneys on Robert, what do you say Kate?" she asked as the guys both said Brian their money was on Brian to win.

"Nope, I agree with Cassidy this time, I think Roberts got experience on his side and stamina." Jess said smiling as she finished her drink and set the cup back down on the table beside where she sat watching as Robert and Brian left for the gym. " this should be good , are you not worried Kate?" she asked.

"I'm not worried," Kate said. "Its not like they haven't done this before. As long as they're both still breathing when they're done its fine. I'm not messing with it. Boys will be boys."

"Even when they're old boys, it seems," MIchael said.

"Indeed," Kate said. As they were talking, Khaat looked out into the front yard and recognized the distinctive form of a bat in flight as it went from the clearing into the woods. Khaat kissed Abbey and put her down on the floor.

"I need to go outside," Khaat said, wanting to find out what Escobar really wanted. "You lot lose any thoughts of following me. I'll be alright, but if I don't go out, we will never know why he's worked so hard to get here."

"Do you think that's wise?" Kate asked. "Without your father's input?"

"I do not need his advice on everything," Khaat said. "I just want to talk to Escobar. Nothing so sinister."

"You do know your guards will be watching from the house," Kate told her.

"That's fine, but you cannot interfere," Khaat said, going outside and across the yard.