Marriage is Murder

Jess chuckled and nodded “ a little “ she said then looked at Khaat as he spoke to her “yes it will” she said “ I hope she won't “ she said softly turning down the bed and refreshing the flowers beside it with fresh red roses the scent which filled the room. Moving she aimed at the fire place and set it alight knowing it would warm the room nicely. “ that should take the chill and damp out of the room .“ smiled as she finished and looked at Marcus. “ Knowing Michael he'll cook up something good for later, I do hope Jacks checked the barn and let those poor animals out” she glanced out the window to see Jack crossing to the barn, “ Okay, guess he did.” she said and smiled.

Jack moved to the barn and found the pymypuffs in one coral he fed them and changed the hay then moved to the hypogriff after introducing himself lead him out to the paddock and changed the straw in his feeder and the water in his drinking bucket before glancing back at the house hoping everything would sort its self out he chuckled as he was butted by the hypogriff in the back.” Okay, okay, foods ready.” He said and opened the stall door.

"The room looks nice," Marcus said. "I'm sure she'll appreciate it. I'll get her something to drink while you're here." He went to the kitchen, pausing, not sure where the mugs were and not sure what she'd feel like drinking at the moment.

"Mugs are up in the cabinet on your right," Michael said, busy chopping some pecans. "Try the tea. Its almond--one of the favorites for this bunch."

"Is that what smells like almond cookies?" Marcus asked.

"Yes. Tastes like it too," Michael said. Marcus poured two mugs and took them back to Khaat's room. "Thanks, Jess," he said. "I'll go out with her and keep her company." He had no intentions of truly keeping her company. He was more intent on doing his job. He went out and set one mug down on the table beside the chaise and took the other over to the bistro table, set it there and then sat down at the table himself.

It wasn't more than twenty minutes later when Robert apparated into the kitchen.

"No explosions?" Robert asked.

"Nope. None whatsoever. Did you think there would be?" Michael asked.

"I'm not sure," Robert said. Michael laid down his knife and looked at him.

"Let me catch you up then," Michael said. "She has as much emotion about this as Brian does, but she's also been in these binds a few more times than he has. The only way she knows to deal with this right now is just to try to make things as business-as-usual as she knows how. Much like her uncle would do. Or her father, heaven knows. If you're waiting for emotion from her, you'll wait a long time. You're not going to get it. And she's more likely to do whatever she thinks you lot want of her, and to go quietly than to fight for him. She is, after all, a Gryffindor. She'll toss herself under the bus for him for whatever it is she thinks he wants."

"Oh, balderdash," He sighed. He turned and headed for the bedroom.

Jess smiled and nodded “ she likes fresh flowers in her room. I chose these because they have a great scent “ she said “ she will be fine” Jess stood watching as Marcus left the room and headed to the kitchen. Jess just set about making the room comfortable and homely for Khaat , Jess accioed a picture of Remus and set it on the mantel place. “ watch over her Remus” she said softly to it knowing he would do just that. Turning she looked at Khaat but smiled as she felt that Robert arrive. Jack moved from the barn to the kitchen taking off his boots as he entered so not to dirty the floor.

“Animals all set and comfortable” he said as he took a cup of almond tea “ oow nice” he said and sat down as he drank the tea. He saw Jess in the bed room and smiled knowing the room would be relaxing for Khaat. “ I'll patrol the grounds before dark and bring the animals in before night” he said to Robert. He glanced over to Michael and smiled “ yum almond cookies “ he said and grinned knowing sooner or later they would be ready to eat.

Robert went into the bedroom and saw the door to the courtyard was open. "A moment, please, Jess," he said, wanting a bit with Khaat alone. He went out to the courtyard. Marcus got up and took his tea and went inside. He didn't stay for more than about ten minutes. He came inside and looked at Belby.

"I think I'm finished here for now, Belby," Robert said.

"Yes, Sir," Marcus said, returning to the courtyard, not questioning him. Robert went out to the kitchen.

"Are you alright if I need you to stay with her here for a day or two, Michael?" Robert asked.

"Of course," Michael said.

"I don't want the two of you to have to be away from your kids for long," Robert said to Jess and Jack. "I'm thinking of asking you two to come and work the day shift here and perhaps letting Michael and Belby stay here at night with her. What do you think?

"The problem is that this has already gotten all blown out of proportion. I don't see it being solved by dinner time tonight. I wish I did. Brian believes she wants more from him than he can give and thinks she wants out. That has more to do with what he thinks he failed at than it does with anything she ever said, but he's not seeing that right now."

"And she believes he wants her out, so she's going to go," Michael said.

"Precisely," Robert said. "They both have some sorting out to do."

"Indeed, but it sounds like most of it has to do with Brian."

"It does. I'm going to have to keep talking with him as he's up to it. Right now, he's sleeping. I'm hoping that as his medical needs decrease, his thinking will improve. I'm hoping this will work itself out in a day or two, but its just not going to happen this afternoon."

Jess saw Robert enter and understood his words “ of course “ she said and left the room heading over to Jack and taking his cup or tea and drinking some of it much to Jacks some what pouting face. Jess and Jack both looked up as Robert walked in and spoke to them both looked at each other “That's okay with us” Jack said and Jess simply nodded her head she agreed with Jack at the decision as she drank his tea then handed him the half empty cup back to finish. Jack smiled and drank the tea again.

“ I wish they would sort it, I hate the thought of them separating there inside so in love with each other.” Jess said and looked at Robert with a deep sigh. Jack nodded he agreed with Jess “ what about Cassidy and Steven taking the night shift here?”Jess suggested Jack stood up and moved to the kitchen placing the cup into the sink.

"They'll sort it," Michael said. "Its not like they haven't fought before over the years."

"Brian has been through a hellish thing," Robert said. "Not to diminish Khaat's laying in a pit all that time, but that doesn't quite compare to laying underneath the massive weight of a vehicle that still has someone inside it for all those hours. He's lucky to be alive at all. It's messing a bit with his head, and I'm certain it would for anyone, even with the physical injuries aside.

"I'm hoping that perhaps Kate and I will be able to help him sort it out. After all, sometimes even as adults we all still needed our parents from time to time. Seems to me that this might be one of those times for him. And I'm trusting that you lot can just make sure Khaat is okay for a bit."

"Not a problem," Michael said.

"I hadn't honestly considered Cassidy and Steven," Robert said. "But it might be a good thought. I do need Michael and Belby to be at their best during her waking hours. She has asked for her bag from work. She thinks it would be good for her to have something to do from time to time to keep her mind off Brian. I'm inclined to agree with her. So long as you don't let her overdo. I might also send Archangel. He is good company for her."

"No objections," Michael said. He looked at Jack and Jess. "What do you think?"

Jess and Jack sat listening Jess felt he was right that they just needed time to heal emotionally and physically. “ I hope so Robert” she said and smiled “ yes it would mean some one was here for her and fresh too in case anything happens” she said softly. Jack nodded smiling knowing Steven and Cassidy would love the farm and the fresh air too. Jess stood up and moved to the bed room and to the now empty bag placing it in the closet. Jack saw the sun was low now and stood up.

“You need anything else?” he asked in case they needed anything while he was out side “ the man who I bought the veg from said he would return tomorrow with fresh fruit.” Jack said as he stood by the door slipping on his shoes.

"I think we have a plan, then," Michael said. "And, no, Jack, I think the order you placed is fine. We'll be alright."

"Then why don't you and Jess go back to the house and send Cassidy and Steven whenever they get a chance to pack, and send Khaat's work bag along with them?" Robert said. "I'll go brief Belby and catch him up before I head home. Michael, do you need anything more for the kitchen or the pantry?"

"No," Michael said. "Kate keeps it well equipped except for the obvious fresh things that Jack already took care of."

"Good. Anyone have any questions? Jack, I presume you can brief Cassidy and Steven when you go back?"

Jess stood up and grabbed a coat moving to Jack she smiled as she took Jacks hand “ of course I'll have Cassidy bring it, do you need anything from the main house potions lab?”she asked waiting. Jack dove out and down to the barn making sure everything was all locked up for the night he walked back in behind Jess who took his hand in readiness for porting back to the main house. Once they ported back Jess headed to Khaat's room to get her bag while Jack spoke to Steven and Cassidy filling them in on what had gone off.

“ okay Jack we got it” Steven looked at Cassidy and smiled as she nodded she was ready to leave. Jess handed Cassidy the bag and informed her Khaat was not to over work or work her let night ether though she knew Marcus would not let her do that. Steven with archangel on his arm now and Cassidy on the other ported to the farm, while Jess and Jack settled in for the night. Steven walked around the farm and was satisfied it was safe and secure and headed in. Cassidy moved to find Khaat finding her in the courtyard. “ wow this is beautiful” she said smiling “ Jess said you wanted this” she said and placed the bag next to her.

"No thank you, Jess," Robert said. "I have a much larger potions lab her. I'm good." He watched Jess and Jack port out, finished making a few notes and handed them to Michael--his instructions for overnight in case Khaat needed any pain potion or sleeping potion. Robert made sure the cabinet in the kitchen was well stocked.

Michael had assembled a simple comfort meal--baked macaroni cheese with a simple garden salad on the side, and some lovely shortbread cookies that he had added toasted pecans to. It was starting to smell good in the kitchen.

Khaat was sitting outside, watching the sun go down, when she heard Cassidy's voice. "My parents added this courtyard to these rooms after Remus died and changed the long window to a door. It was about the only change I let them make to these rooms. So I think they made extra effort when they put the courtyard in. You know, I do appreciate you all working so hard on our behalfs but I do intend to get on with my life tomorrow, and you all work for him--not for me."

Marcus secured the garden gate to the courtyard for the night and glanced back towards Khaat and Cassidy, hearing Khaat's remark. He merely looked up at Cassidy to try to tell her, silently, to not get rattled by Khaat's mood. Marcus thought it was perhaps a bit better, all things considered.