Marriage is Murder

Cassidy looked up at Robert " so your telling us to back off a little? " she asked then moved to face him" last time we let our guard down that...that wear thing attacked I guess were all just trying not to let that happen again, not tread on any ones toes. " she said looking at Jim he just shrugged and sat back in his chair waiting he knew they meant well .

" if it was me, and this is just me mind you, I'd just go relax for a while and not worry about her until you really had to." he said Cassidy chuckled and nodded her head.

"well, I was going to go swim a few laps, Steven you coming?" she asked seeing Steven sigh he nodded and walked over to her following her down stairs

"I don't want you to let your guard down too much but perhaps just a wee bit?" Robert asked. "The beast is enough to frighten even the most seasoned fighters. Its alright to be unsettled by him. But even if we'd known exactly when he was coming down to the moment, it would have changed nothing. We can only do so much. You do not need to feel so responsible for that. Perhaps a swim for most of you would do you good. I believe I can handle this for awhile."

Khaat was gone for a few hours and then Escobar brought her back, safe and sound. She ented the house quietly. Her father was merely reading. Her mother was sketching, the children were in bed, and Brian the checkbook on his lap and was writing checks to pay the monthly expenses for the estate. When she came in, he looked up at her.

"Are you hungry? I know we have leftovers in the kitchen. Or I'm sure Angus would..." he began.

"I'm not hungry," she said. "I ate."

"Good," he said. "Khaat, we have no problems. Not at least on my part." He got up and went to her and kissed her softly and slowly.

"I just needed some air," she said softly. "Its not about him. I would never choose him over you."

"Oh, Sweetheart, I know that," he smiled. "Its okay. You're sure you're not hungry?"

"We ate," she said. "We had a couple of lovely steaks. I'm fine."

Cassidy and Steven swum til they could swim no more then just relaxed in the water finding that just their own company was enough to relax them Steven and Cassidy just sat in the warm water Steve's arms around her as they floated " okay we should get out I'm wrinkling like a prune" Cassidy said and Steven took her hand in his .

" nope still beautiful" he said and she chuckled " but I do agree we should get out" he moved to the edge and slipped out holding a towel for Cassidy . walking up into the living room she smiled " hey Khaat good to see your back, everything okay?" she asked moving to the kitchen to get a cup of tea.

"Yes," Khaat said. "It was a lovely evening. It was nice to go out for a bit." She looked at Brian. "I should go check on the kids," she told him.

"I was just there not 30 minutes ago," her mother smiled. "They're fine, Dear."

"Take those ridiculous shoes off and let me check your neck before you do much else," her father said, knowing the pressure her stilettos put on her spine.

"I'm used to them, Daddy," she said, obeying him anyway. Brian snapped his fingers, sending the shoes up to her closet.

"I'm going to refill my mug," Brian said to her gently. "I'll bring you a cup." She nodded. Robert laid his reading aside and went to her. He checked her carefully.

"Where did you get the pain potion?" he said, detecting it in her system.

"Escobar bought it for me at Slugs and Jiggers. Its just a mild one," she replied.

"Indeed. I can tell that, but its not enough. You'll be fine, but I'm going to set some more spells in place to reduce the damage and to reduce the pain."

Cassidy stood with the pot in her hand and pored a cup for Brian " here " she said and handed it to him " I think its one of Roberts new flavors " she said and tasted it " yep and its Delicious" she smiled " do you think Khaat would want one " she asked poring a cup for her too just in case " she handed it to Robert and moved back into the living room sitting down as she watched the fire dance close by where she sat .

" okay Cassidy and I are heading off to bed , we'll see you tomorrow, ow Khaat sorry about the tension earlier we'll try and not be so suffocating from now on. " Steven said and looked at Khaat " I'm glad your walk was relaxing and it was a wonderful night" he said smiling as he moved to watch Cassidy finish her tea and move with him up the stairs

"Yes, I think she would like one. Thank you," Brian said. "I like this new blend, actually. I think she'll like it too." He picked up both mugs and took them into the other room and handed a mug to her when Robert was finished. He had set in some strong pain relief spells and also some spells to reduce swelling and promote healing.

When Steven and Cassidy headed to bed and apologized, Khaat smiled gently, "Its okay. I do understand. I just needed to blow off some steam."

"Finish your tea and go to bed and get some rest," her father told her. "Brian, don't be afraid to ice that tonight. It will help. Even magic can use a little help sometimes."

"I had actually planned on that," Brian said. "I'll get the ice packs. We can take the tea with us." He got the ice packs and let Khaat take their tea mugs. They bid everyone goodnight and headed to bed.

Next morning Cassidy walked down and into the kitchen and her hair ruffled " morning all" she said as she pored a cup of coffee as she walked back into the living room she sat down in her pj's and poked the fire bringing it back to life as Steven kissed her then did the exact same thing.

" well done on the fire it was getting a tad cold " he said and Cassidy chuckled as it now sent its warmth out into the room.

" yeah I think its growing colder " she said softly.

Robert and Kate came in from outside, both slightly winded. Kate poured them both a cup of tea as Robert hung up their coats.

"You missed a beautiful sunrise," Robert told them. He took the cup of tea. "Thank you, my dear."

"It was glorious, wasn't it?" Kate smiled. "Perfect way to do a morning run. We haven't done that for a long time. It felt pretty good."

"Felt wonderful," Robert agreed. He could smell things baking in the kitchen. "Did you see Angus anywhere?" He asked.

"Nope," Kate replied. "Don't remember seeing him but he clearly has breakfast in the works."

"He'll be back in a moment," Michael said, coming in from the walk in pantry. "Said something about the barn. How was your run?"

"Great. You must go with us," Kate said.

"Michael? Running? Only if its from a woman in a wedding dress," Robert laughed.

"You've got that right," Michael replied. "You all working today?"

"We work every day," Robert said. 'But if you mean outside the house, then, yes, I will be. I hope Khaat takes a day to catch up with her injuries, but I can't order her not to work. Not yet anyway."

Steven smiled as he looked at Robert and Kate " we watched it from our room much warmer thanks" he said as Cassidy chuckled and smiled at Kate.

" I think he's getting old so he feels the cold more" she said laughing as Steven tickled her.

" hay, less of the old young lady." he said laughing himself as he held her close. Standing he moved back to their room to dress passing Jess coming up from the basement pool area heading down to the living room smiling as she passed him by.

"Good morning" she said taking a deep breath in " just finished my morning swim " she said I like to watch the sun rise while relaxing in the pool" she admitted.

"As long as you're working out, it doesn't matter where you do it," Robert said. "Presuming you can all pass your physical abilities tests when they come up again."

"That reminds me," Brian said, coming downstairs, "I've let that go for a couple years. I bet I should think about scheduling them again."

"You'd better make sure your team can pass before you schedule them," Robert said.

"I thought you wanted those done randomly, unannounced," Brian said.

"Not that unannounced. Lets give them a fair shot at it. You are slacking on evaluating them anyway," Robert said.

"I wasn't slacking," Brian said. "I was giving them credit for on the job experience."

"Oh, is that what you call it?" Robert laughed. "Where's your wife?"

"Sleeping in a bit," Brian said. "She was pretty restless during the night. Uncomfortable from her neck. So I gave her a stronger pain spell, and its going to make her a bit sleepier."

"I used a strong pain spell as it was," Robert frowned. "I shall need to recheck that when she wakes. I dont' want to disturb her now. Alright, I am putting her on a day off today."

"I already did," Brian said. "Sent a note to Hannah from the floo in our room."

"Well, then, I suppose we ought to go get the little ones and feed them before someone has a conniption over it. They get cranky when they're hungry," Robert said.