Marriage is Murder

Jess nodded as Jack smiled kissed Jess and left back to the main house. Jess's stomach growled as she smelt the food. on hearing Marcus she nodded " its probably in the basket by hr bed I'll fetch it now" she said and walked back into Khaats room she smiled at Kate " Maichel and Marcus are here with some food you should eat."


Jess retrived the dress and headed back to Marcus " here If you can fix it I think she would love that" she said and moved back to Khaat's room to sit with her for a while. Steven stood watching as Michael and Marcus arrived he just nodded to them both.

"I'd honestly forgotten about food," Robert smiled. "You have no idea how much I appreciate that you're all here."

Michael took the dress and set it aside. He and Marcus got out the food and made sure everyone got some of the fresh soup Jim had made, some sandwiches, and some fresh cookies, along with tea and coffee.

"Has Khaat been awake?" Michael asked.

"No, not yet," Robert said. "I don't expect that for awhile. Her biggest injury was her shoulder. We can manage that. I can send you word if you like when she wakes."

"No thanks. I think I'll stay," Michael said. "She..wasn't herself."

"No, I'm not surprised. That level of pain can drive people right out of their minds," Robert said. Michael didn't reply. He merely handed out cups of tea or coffee to those who wanted them.

Jess nodded to Kate and smiled taking some food ns eating it as she sat next to Brians bed " I'll have them moved into the same room tomorrow if thats okay Robert" Jess said as she ate the soup." you say Jim made this is very good" she said and smiled feeling more like herself as she ate. Steven smiled and ate a sandwish as he drank some tea having underestamated how hungry he actually was.

" My shift started and is set for the night so I'll be here" Jess said taking some coffee knowing she would need it to keep her awake. " I hope that hasn't happened this time, it takes a long and hard recuperation to come abck from that" she said softly as she held a cookie and looked down at him.

"We've had a long day already, Jess," Robert said.  "We don't have to be in peak form all the time.  Its okay for us to just get through it."

Michael didn't say a word, and Robert noticed the quietness that had fallen over his friend.  "What's bugging you, Michael?" he asked

"I'm fine, Robert," he said, sipping on his tea.

"I didn't ask about your health.  Answer me."

"It was just something she said," Michael sighed.  "Probably nothing."

"In that moment, she might have said almost anything," Robert said.  "That's an inhumane amount of time to be in that sort of pain, in those conditions, and not knowing if Brian was alive or not, or if we'd ever find them. Not to mention she was in shock.  People in shock say all sorts of things.  So--what did she say?"

"She wanted me to use a killing spell on her," Michael said, haunted.  Robert went over and laid his hand on Michael's shoulder.  

"I'm not surprised," Robert said.  "But I've fixed her shoulder--as well as I can, for now.  Its going to need more work, but that will come.  I'm controlling the pain, she's out of the pit, and she's resting.  She's comfortable now.  When she wakes up, we'll see how she is.  But don't be surprised if it takes a couple days for her too to start to feel like herself.  This is just going to be a bit traumatizing for both of them for awhile."

"What about the driver? My friend?" Michael asked.

"His situation is more severe.  His head injury is very serious.  He's in a coma.  He could wake up in a few days, a few months..."

"Or never," Michael finished.

"Yes," Robert said quietly.  "You know we'll do what we can."

"Will he be himself?"

"I don't know," Robert said.  "Probably not at first. He's got months of rehab in front of him, most likely.  I'll probably be calling Jeffrey about sending him there when we've done all we can for him."

"Robert!" Brian jolted hard, waking quickly.  Robert understood. Brian most likely had had a nightmare.  He went over immediately to him. "I'm right here," He reassured him.  "You were just sleeping...."

"I can't sleep! Why would you let me sleep! You don't understand...." He began, frustrated.

"I know," Robert said calmly, "You had a bad dream. Its alright.  Breathe.  Just breathe."  Robert picked up his own soup mug.  "Here.  Drink a sip of this. It will settle your stomach."  He fed Brian a sip of the soup.  When Brian realized it was food, he tried to wrap both hands around the mug. Robert allowed it, but controlled how much he got and how fast. "Slowly," he said. "We don't want it to make you sick. There's plenty take your time."  

When Brian had had enough, he fell back to the pillows.  

"Where's Khaat?" he asked.

"She's here," Robert said. "Sleeping. Like you should be."

"Have I asked you that before?"

"Once or twice," Robert smiled.

"I can't think," Brian said, frustrated.

"I know," Robert said. "I'm on it.  It'll clear up.  I promise.  Do you remember what happened?"

"We were...just going out for dinner," he said, trying to remember.  "It was dark...There was..another car." He was struggling to think.

"Take your time," Robert said.  

"Amal...he cussed.  Said something about a drunk driver...it happened so fast.  I couldn't protect her.  When I woke up, she was gone.  I couldn't move. I couldn't get to her.  She didn't answer me. Amal didn't answer me..."

"We found you.  Its alright. You're sure it was a drunk driver?"

"That was what Amal said.  I..don't remember any more."

"Its okay.  That's enough anyway. All things considered, you were very lucky."

"You can't go.  Not til I can think again," Brian said.

"We're not going to leave you alone. Believe me.  Do you need anything?"  

Brian thought and then frowned. "Yes," he said. "My leg hurts."

"Your right leg?" Robert asked. Brian nodded.  "Yeah, I'll fix that. You're not going jogging for awhile. You're going to be having the kids scribble on your cast.  You broke your leg.  That's why it hurts."  

"I still have it?" he asked.

"Your leg? Yeah. You still have it," Robert laughed.  "Hurts, doesn't it? That's a pretty good indicator you still have it."  Robert drew the pain off, starting to feel his own energies begin to run a bit low.  "Jess, I think he's starting to feel a bit uncomfortable all over. Get him a dose of pain potion, please.  Give it to him slowly.  Use the gold potion. That will help him rest."

Jess nodded and sighed " I know Robert, but I can't let down my patiants, all of them." She said softly as she sat drinking her tea as she listened to them both. Steven sippedhis tea quietly as he too listened knowing both would need round the clock attenshion. Steven wrote a note and sent it to Cassidy saying for her to be ready when they get back and to make sure he ahd clean clothes on his return as he was planning to shower shave and return.

Jess finished her food and returned to Khaat and Kate "go eat I'll stay with her" she said and smiled " the soups good" she moved to sit next to Khaats bed and placed her hand on Khaats smiling a she drew off a little pain she felt creeping in to her sleep.

The night passed achingly slowly for Robert. Brian had been awake several times, but it was starting to ease off by daybreak. The driver was not doing well, and Robert wasn't entirely sure the man would pull through. And Khaat had stirred during the night when her pain broke through but was eased by having the pain drawn off again for her. It was enough to let her sleep. She hadn't been awake since they'd found her in Morocco.

When daylight came, Michael had gone home long enough to get breakfast for everyone and fresh coffee and tea. He had showered and changed while Angus had repacked the baskets with breakfast. Then Michael had come back. The house was still quiet, and Michael was going to let it be so. When he got back, he found Robert had accidently dozed off in the chair in Brian's room. He could see that all the work he'd done to help Brian and Khaat had taken a sharp toll on Robert's energies that he had been trying not to show. Michael saw it now. Robert was tired.

Michael laid the morning copy of the Prophet on the table beside Robert and poured him a cup of coffee, figuring that if Robert was tired, he was going to prefer coffee first. The intoxicating smell of the French Roast woke Robert.

"God, that smells good," Robert yawned. He looked out and saw the sun just starting to light the skies. "When did that happen?" he frowned.

"Evidently while you dozed off," Michael said. Robert picked up the coffee cup and allowed himself to take in the aroma before he took a sip. "I'll go see if the others want to stretch their legs and come down and get some. I'll stay with Khaat so they can eat."

"Thank you. Kate hasn't left Khaat, and I don't think any of the others have left their posts since we got here yesterday."

"Then breakfast might be a pleasant change," Michael said. "There's fresh coffee and breakfast in there, Steven," he said to Steven as he went out and headed to Khaat's room, where Belby stood on guard at the door. "There's coffee and breakfast in Brian's room, Belby. Go help yourself. I'm going to stay here for a bit." Belby just nodded, not feeling that he and Steven should both leave their posts in the hallway at the same time. Belby was the newest member on board, so he believed Steven had first rights to coffee and breakfast.

Michael found Jess and Kate still in Khaat's room. It didn't look like Khaat had done more than stir a bit, but she was still sleeping.

"Angus sent breakfast, Ladies," Michael said. "Quiche, a potato and bacon casserole of some sort that looks completely lovely, and a very unusual mixed berry cheesecake tart. Oh, and of course tea and coffee. Go eat. I'd like to have a chance to stay with her a bit. And take the doorstop out there with you," he gestured to Belby.

"The doorstop might take offense to being called a doorstop," Kate laughed.

"He's been called far worse," Belby said, able to be made fun of.

Jess looked up from her chair as she saw Micahel walk in she had dozed but never slept fully. She stood up and stretched out her tired body as she stood up. She could already could smell the coffee and smiled " god that coffee smells good" she said and looked to Kate " come on shes sleeping soundly and Michaels here to watch her " she said and moved to the door. "Belby when did you get here..ow never mind, come on door stop, coffee" she said chukaling as she took his arm in hers and walked him down to Brians room. "Good morning Robert." she said letting go of Belby to get a cup of coffee taking a sigh as she took a first drink of the day.


Steven had heard Michael but staid put untill he saw Belby and Jess walking down he let them enter then folowed behind and smelt the coffee and food his stomach growling loudly as he stood behind them both.

Michael was glad for a little bit with Khaat and was glad to let the rest of them go to breakfast. Likewise, Belby was glad to be able to get some food and to sit for a moment. He saw Brian's room was a bit short of chairs, so he duplicated the chairs in the room to give people a place to sit while they ate.

"Oh, well done, Belby," Robert said. "Michael has brought us a feast. Help yourselves. Quiche, potato casserole--looks like potatoes, bacon and leeks perhaps, and this lovely mixed berry cheesecake tart." He took a slice of the tart and his coffee and sat down.

"Robert, you cannot live on pastries," Kate frowned.

"Leave me be, Kate," Robert waved away her concerns. "I'll grab some fish at lunch."

"You've already got your sights set on some of that greasy grub from the Leaky, don't you! Fish and chips. Why didn't you just order it for breakfast?" she scowled.

"Because this got here first," Robert shrugged, enjoying the opportunity to bait her a bit. Kate sighed, knowing that if he got any more fatigued, he'd only enjoy teasing her all the more. The more fatigued he got, the more sarcastic he could become.

"We must do this tart more often," Robert said. "Abbey would love it."

"I think I will try to get Angus to make it with apricots," Kate said. "The way our crew likes apricot scones, an apricot cheesecake breakfast tart..."

"Wouldn't make it through our first cup of tea," Robert finished. "Unless he made several of them."

"Robert,..." Brian called, waking. Robert got up immediately and put his plate aside and went to Brian.

"I'm here," Robert said. Brian took a moment and looked at him.

"You look like hell," Brian frowned sleepily. "Where am I?"

"You won't remember ten minutes from now if I told you," Robert said.

"Where's Kha...wait...I've asked that before, haven't I?"

"Yeah," Robert laughed. "You really want me to tell you again?"

"Why can't I remember?"

"You wont' remember that either right now."

"Do I smell coffee?"

"Yes, would you like some?"

"Please," Brian said. "How long will I be here?"

"Since you don't know where you are anyway, why does it matter?" Robert laughed. "Jess, do we have any extra cups?"

"I have no idea," Brian sighed.

"Spoken like a true Lupin," Kate said, shaking her head.

Jess placed down her cup and walked over poring a cup of coffee she raised the bed sliglty and handed Brian the cup making sure he had a good grip befpre she stepped back." take care its hot" she said and moved to her own seat and sat down to finish her own drink. Jess watched as Steven walked in and took some coffee smiling as he drank it down. " it would be nice, I think Abby would love that" she said Steven nodded.

" she does have a sweet tooth that one" he said drinking his coffee as he stood by the door as if still on duty. Jess staid listening for any sign of Khaat waking. Finishing she headed back to Khaat feeling she needed her attenshion more than Brian did since Robert was still in his room.

"Thanks," Brian said, grateful for the coffee and for the help to sit up. He made sure he had the cup firmly and then he looked around. This wasn't home. "I'm not...in Morocco, am I?"

"Uh, no," Robert said. "You're home."

"Uh...no," Brian said, struggling. "No, I'm not. This is not my room."

"Oh. No, you're right. Its not. I can't very well repair your leg properly in Morocco or at home in your room, can I? You're in St. Mungos."

"Oh," he said. He tasted the coffee. "At least I still know what coffee tastes like. Did I hit my head?"

"Probably, but no, that's not why you're confused. Your body took some pretty severe trauma and shock."

"Oh," Brian said. He thought for a minute. "So you're saying I've been a blithering idiot in front of you all."

"More or less," Robert said. "What are friends for? Look at it this way. Some people go to pubs to purposely become blithering idiots in front of their friends. You figured out a way to do it without trying."

"Oh, well, that makes me feel so much better," Brian said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Seriously, though, if you do well today, we might be able to get you home tomorrow--if you do well, and if you behave when you get home."

In Khaat's room, there had been no words. None had been necessary. She had awakened in silence, and Michael had responded to her in silence. He had offered her some of his own coffee and had sat down on the edge of her bed and was steadying her cup. What Michael noticed was how calm she was. She didn't seem disoriented, or if she did, she simply didn't care. All she really wanted was a bit of French Roast, and Michael could do that. He had no intention of ratting her.