Marriage is Murder

Steven sighed as he looked at Cassidy who sat next to him on the couch he pulled her to him and shook his head. " thats Jack for you" Cassidy said but both of them raised an eyebrow when a crash came from the kitchen .

" ow hell no ...who left eggs out " came a gruff voice as an equally gruff man walked out his hair unkempt along with his coat " ow sorry to who ever was making the egg ..thing I kinda knocked it over" he said walking out as he wiped it off his hands. standing he looked at the others " hey uncle" he said and looked at Robert as he spoke again" ow I mean ..um...minister permission to request joining your crew" he said and looked briefly to Edward.

"Cabbage," Michael sighed. "The egg thing was a lovely creme brulee in the making. Who the devil are you? No captain worth his salt takes on a new recruit without at least knowing the man's name."

"At ease," Robert laughed, glancing to Michael.

"I wondered if you'd show up," Edward said to the man who looked like he needed a bath. He didn't particularly smell like he needed a bath, but he looked like he certainly needed a fashion makeover. "Robert, my nephew, Brant Crawford. He thinks he wants to be a werewolf hunter."

"Oh, lord, there's more of you?" Robert laughed.

"Until he changes his mind," Edward laughed. "I've had lots of grandchildren and nieces and nephews who thought they wanted in on this, but it isn't that easy. Do you even know what we're fighting, Brant?"

Brant nodded " It happens that I do, its a very large, bad tempered, genetically modified wear, who I might add is right now is perusing your north fence line for weaknesses" he said " I tend to do my home work and not walk in with out knowing Uncle, I learned that from you." he said smiling at him but he pulled himself straight knowing he had to make a good impression if he was to learn from Robert and work with his uncle. " I followed the trail to Tuscany, Nonnina sends her love and says to wrap up warm" he said " that's our grand mother we call her Nonnina it means "little grandmother" he paused feeling he was rambling once again " okay um I'l set up my tent out side " he added " I prefer out side to in and I can keep an eye on big boy out there too."

"Be aware there's a werewolf in the basement with a foul attitude," Michael said, heading to the kitchen to clean up the creme brulee mixture. "But we're generally expected to let him live. Right at the moment, he's pushing it, though." He disappeared into the kitchen.

"Two of you in the house might well make him a bit uncomfortable," Robert laughed. "Edward, can you use him?"

"If he can still take orders, then, yes," Edward said, looking at his nephew. "The werewolf in the basement is a wild card today."

"He can remain inside and help to safeguard the children," Robert said. "I don't knwo if they will try to penetrate the house or not, but we must keep the children safe."

Khaat went downstairs, followed by Brian, but when she saw the stranger, she stopped short, almost backing up a step, except that Brian was right behind her.

"Relax," Robert said. "He's a Donohue. Its safe. Khaat, this is Brant Crawford. Brant, my daughter, Khaat and her husband, Brian. This is their home."

Brent saw Khaat and smiled he heard Robert introduce him and staid in his original position " pleasure to meet you " he said and gave a gentle bow to her " be assured I am here only for your protection and would never dream of hurting you" he said seeing just how scared she was it was just then the mouse in his pocket popped up and twitched his whiskers " oops sorry this is tricks hes.. my companion " he said and smiled " he lives in my pocket" h lifted him out but the mouse sat up bowed and then sat still " i'm not sure if its a he or she or even enchanted or not but he or she..i'm not quite sure which has been with me along time." he placed the mouse back in its pocket. turning to Robert he spoke again " excuse me minister I believe you have a large potions lab would I be presumptuous in asking for the use of it?" he asked

"This is merely my daughter's house," Robert said. "My lab here is only very basic but it generally serves my purposes. Angus, please show Crawford where it is, please?"

"Of course," Angus said, motioning to Crawford. He led him down the hallway. "Robert does have a very impressive potions lab, but its not in this house. His own potions lab is massive. The one at St. Mungos is a bit smaller, and then he has what he considers a basic one here. Its still better than any lab we ever saw at Hogwarts. His idea of basic is not what anybody else considers basic. I don't know what you know about the people here, but as much as we're supposed to protect Khaat, she can hold her own against a werewolf." He had no intention of mentioning the stone right away. If the beast came, Crawford would find that out soon enough. "By the way, the werewolf in the basement is off limits. He is not to be harmed. He's one of us, not an enemy--despite his often sour attitude."

Brent nodded and looked to Angus following him as he listened when he was told Khaat could take care of her self he nodded " of course she's a Lupin I would not presume any thing else, one thing uncle has tough me that is to never underestimate the female of the species, I have seen it several times" he then felt a sharp bits on his breast from his pocket " ouch Tricks why did you do that" he said as a rather annoyed mouse popped its head up and looked at him. " ow I think i just found out Tricks is female and took eception to my words, my apologies Tricks" she ducked back into his pocket as he listened again " awe was going to sweeten his attitude a little but if you say so I'll not blow him up" he said chuckling as he walked in " hum.. well working out doors you use what you can this even small is luxury to me cousin" he said looking at Angus as he placed tricks on the work bench.

"Well, make yourself at home, then, I guess. I'll put your room up across the hall from Edward's. Sorry. Occupational hazard. We're all on first names here. Makes battle easier. Anyway. Your room will be fifth on the right. I need to serve lunch soon. There's a platoon of little kids and they get evil when they get hungry. Oh, and be aware, one is an animagus. Watch out for yellow lab puppies and for accidental magic. Never seen a two year old with the sorts of things she does, but, Robert's wife has a strong seer's heritage." He headed to the door.

"Oh, and dont' shoot the footstools either," Angus said, and then headed back to the kitchen.

Brent stood listening and chuckled again " ok ..Angus " he said and shook his head " this is going to become real strange very quickly and ...what ...footstools?" he said then held up his hands " ow I don't want to know as for kids I'l handle them if I cross any" he said and slipped off his coat revealing the lose white shirt and trousers he wore he placed down the bag that had hung over his shoulder and took out some dried herbs and flowers and began mixing his potions. " fifth on the right , and watch for a small lab puppy, got it" he said not looking up again except to take down a bottle.

Jess watched and chuckled after Brent had left " well he certainly made an impression I hope max or mo don't eat Tricks there " she said Cassidy nodded and chuckled " but he could do with a change of clothes" she added watching as Jack walked up his face read with the exertion from his work out.

"We have a new guest, Jack," Robert said, "He's a werewolf hunter in training. He's been warned off you, but you should introduce yourself so that he knows you're the werewolf he's supposed to leave alive. Oh, and don't kill the mouse."

"Meh," Edward sighed. "Its a mouse. He can get another if someone offs it."

"Its a pet," Kate scowled.

"So it is. But if Brant is to learn to kill at the fraction of a second, then he has to learn that life is cheap."

"That is very pessimistic, Edward," Kate said

"But honest," Robert said. "Still, we dont' need to deliberately kill anything thats innocent, do we?"

Khaat went to the living room windows and looked out, watching the treeline. She knew he was out there. Waiting. She could see Escobar, in bat form, making himself visible to her in a small sapling in the yard. He was still deliberately placing himself between her and the beast.