Marriage is Murder

Jess smiled as Brian left to shower and look respectable she looked up as Robert walked in and asked her to go and sort the children . " of course and keeping clothes on a two year old is not easy" she said and chuckled as she moved to the door " here is her chart" she said and handed him the clip board " shes better than expected" she said smiling as she left " ow my streakers in this house" she said chuckling as two boys ran past her she scooped them up and walked back to the nursery to a rather flustered young nursery attendant . Jess and cassidy both dressed the boys and the girls making sure the clips and zips were magically sealed so they would not come down by tiny fingers but only adult hands.

"When did my sons know how to undress?" Khaat frowned, not quite catching what her father said.

"Well, the first we knew about it was yesterday," Robert laughed. He double checked the damage and made sure the comfort spells were holding.

"How did I survive?" she asked her father.

"Because you live in a houseful of healers, my dear," he said.

"Did I die?"

"Close enough. Respiratory and cardiac arrest, but we got there in plenty of time. You'll be fine. You'll need some rest, but if we're lucky, you could be up--very carefully, tomorrow. Are you comfortable?"

"For now," she said. "Daddy, I need to know if there are any bats outside."

"We will keep an eye out for Escobar. I promise. Now--I want you to eat when breakfast comes."

Jess finished the last child and Cassidy sat exhausted on the floor " just wait until tonight " Jess said standing up as they ran about playing fully clothed though she did see two of them trying to undo their clips and smiled . Jack moved to his room and showered and changed the cuts now scars on his back , Steven did the same more for comfort than after any injury he knew Cassidy would want to make sure he was well once he'd changed. Jim stood watching the grounds for the black bat mostly because he knew Khaat wanted to know Escobar was safe. He stood puffing on his pipe something he had thought he had quit several months ago unfortunately he was now back on his pipe to relax his mind.

Michael didn't speak this morning while he worked in the kitchen with Angus. Angus knew Michael was not himself, but Angus devoted himself to the work at hand, believing that he merely needed to give Michael some space.

Angus prepared the coffee tray that had become the norm for Khaat and Brian and set it upstairs. There seemed to be some need to keep some normality to the day. He sent the tray upstairs, including Earl Grey on it as well, figuring robert wouldn't be all that far away.

"Michael," Angus said, as they sent plates out to the table. "If you want to talk..."

"No. I don't," Michael said quietly, assembling a tray for Khaat with just fruit salad and a scone. He sent it upstairs.

"If you change your mind..." Angus let his voice drop off.

"Understood, And thank you," Michael said. "Would you feed the dogs this morning? Seems I've forgotten. There are black socks someplace for them."

Jim heard them talking and walked into the kitchen putting out his pipe " I think they ate, my socks ,the black ones are gone " he said and chuckled as he tapped the old tobacco into the bin close at hand and sighed " I swore I would not go back on the pipe and hear I am" he said and slipped it into his breast pocket . " you want me to take that up Angus?" he asked seeing the tray as he stood watching them both. Jack walked down holding one black sock in his hand.

" ok who forgot to feed the dogs " he asked standing bear foot in front of them " I have only white socks left " he added as Jess and cassidy walked down , Jess headed to grab some water while Cassidy hugged Steven and smiled seeing he was okay.

"Everyone is a bit out of rhythm this morning," Angus said. "If you like, Jim. You'll put that pipe away if you get busy."

"I think that's got it," Michael said, feeling like he'd done his part to put out breakfast. He took the kitchen towel he wore on his shoulder while he was cooking and laid the towel on the counter. He simply left the kitchen and picked up his jacket and went outside, taking out his cigarette case. Angus watched him leave. Michael was rarely serious, let alone moody. Something was bothering him.

Kate came downstairs with Abbey and Dakota. Both little girls were chattering at her about something they wanted. Angus could barely understand them because they were chattering at once, excitedly.

"Alright," Kate smiled, bending down to kiss them both. "We'll do it today. I promise. Good morning, Everyone. It feels good to see the sunshine today." She glanced outside and saw Michael alone outside. She sighed.

"Is he okay, Kate?" Angus asked.

"No," Kate said. "He isn't. He's having trouble realizing that last night he felt, for a moment, he wanted to take that shot at Khaat that she asked him to take. He's having trouble realizing that the only thing that stopped him from needing to do it was a dark vampire who, because he believes he loves her, defied us all to protect her. A person we'd have kept out. Its all too close for comfort for him."

Jim sighed and nodded " did I do something wrong?" he asked picking up the tray as he walked back out and up the stairs he looked at Kate " morning Kate , Abby Dakota" he said and continued up to Khaats room knocking first he pushed open the door " breakfasts ready curtsy of Michael " he said placing it close to the bed turning he looked at Khaat and smiled " good to have you back Khaat " he said and moved out of the room again and down to the kitchen where he saw Michael out side , he shook his head and sighed deeply " he should not knock himself so hard " he said as he looked at Angus.

"Thank you," Robert said to Jim. She smile slightly, starting to feel some relief about the beast being off her property now and having that madness behind her. He poured tea for himself and coffee for her and for Brian. She would need to drink her coffee with a straw today so she could stay flat.

"I am not drinking my bloody coffee with a straw. Find a way to sit me up a bit," she said to him.

"You nearly died a short while ago," he scowled.

"But as I am yet alive, I intend to enjoy my first cup of coffee like a grownup," she told him. "You figure it out."

Kate waited until Jim came back downstairs. "Jim," she said. "Khaat made him promise to use the killing curse on her if there was no other way to save Robert. Not if it was the only way to save her from a horrible death. It wasn't about that. The promise was about being wiling to sacrifice her for Robert. Michael is struggling with the fact that when the beast had her, he was very close to actually following through with his promise to her. It haunts him. He never figured he would be capable of that. Remember, Michael is not an auror. He fights when he has to, but he'd rather be stealing something from a museum in the dark of night. Not killing someone he loves."

Jim looked out at Michael and nodded " not something I'd like to be put in ether , hes a better man that I for not going through with it " he said and took a deep breath in as he pored himself a coffee and looked at Kate as he drank his coffee. " no wonder he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders , but surly he should feel better knowing he didn't have to use it" he asked " I have not been placed in that position so I don't know how he feels but makes me honored to work with him." he said and stood slightly straighter with his cup in hand.

"I know Robert talked with him briefly when they had brandy, but I am presuming they're not done talking," Kate said. "Robert had to get to Khaat and couldn't continue with him. Let's have breakfast and I'm sure Robert will get to him as soon as he can. He did the right thing last night, and if that beast had forced him, he'd have still done the right thing. But sooner or later we all have to come to terms with the fact that we care capable of far more--both good and bad--than what we ever believed of ourselves. Michael is strong. He'll be alright. Let's just give him a bit of fresh air until Robert can get to him. We have children that need to be fed now."

Kate found it hard to ignore Michael in his pain, but the little cheerful faces at the table compelled her to do what was right in front of her. Once she had them all settled to eat, she excused herself very briefly. She went upstairs and found Robert merely sitting and drinking his tea while Brian helped Khaat with her food.

"Robert," Kate called softly. "Do go see Michael. Please. There's nothing outside for him but cold. Can't you get him to come inside?"

"Probably," Robert said, setting his tea mug down. "Okay. I'll go get him." He went outside and kate returned to the table.