Marriage is Murder

Cassidy walked back in after her shower and stopped listening to Kate as she sighed. she walked into the room softly and smiled to Kate. "It is silly Abby, it is." she said softly as she picked up the kitty she had left by the dresser on the floor she walked over and handed it to Abby. Cassidy looked simpatheticly at Kate " Im sorry but it is I know they need time to heal over there acident but this is extreme" she said softly. Steven smiled as he watched Michael cook the fish and chips hearing Robert sugest not oven cooking the chips.

" ow I agree its not the same and its way too dry." He added " annothing like a bit of fried fish and chips" he said smiling before he moved to the fridge " could make a chive and mayonnaise dip for the chips, its very refreshing." he said opening the door and looking in.

"I did that," Michael said. "Its in the green glass container on the second shelf in there. I also know some of this crew prefers malt vinegar, so I have a fresh bottle of that as well. Lizzie sent some fresh vegetables and greens and herbs, so I'm considering a fresh salad. Unless, of course, Abbey happens to be awake for lunch, in which case, I'll make a fresh salad with some raspberries and toasted pecans. I know that's one of her favorites. I do like that about Khaat, really. Not a lot of parents can say their three year old's favorite food is a berry. She's done a good job as a mother. If you have the time, you could set the table for lunch. I'll fry this up and then we can eat."

"I go live with you and Papa?" Abbey asked Kate.

"I come live with you," Kate kissed Abbey's nose, wiping her tears away. Kate looked at Cassidy and nodded. She agreed. It was a bit of silliness. Still, Brian was a very protective father, and Kate was concerned that Brian would be highly upset when he found Abbey had been hurt.

"With me?" Abbey asked, surprised. "You no go away?"

"Papa and I will never ever be far away from you," Kate said. "I promise."

"Forever?" Abbey asked. "But what if you need to go live with Unca Re Re?"

"You know how to see Uncle Re Re," Kate said.

"At night. In my bed," she said, her stomach growling.

"Thats' right, but is he far away?" Kate asked. Abbey shook her head.

"He in here," Abbey pointed to her head.

"And in here too," Kate pointed to Abbey's heart. Abbey nodded.

"Papa and I will always be with you, then. No matter what," Kate said. "And so is Daddy. Now--how do you feel? Your arm feel okay?"

"My tummy hurts," Abbey said.

"That's because your tummy is empty," Kate said, "Shall I see if Uncle Michael is going to have lunch ready soon? Are you hungry?"

"I can has a cookie?" Abbey asked.

"I'll see what I can do," Kate laughed. "What do you think, Cassidy? Can Uncle Michael make another plate and send it up for Abbey?"

"You too, Gammy!" Abbey said, not wanting to be alone. She preferred Kate to eat with her rather than being by herself.

Steven smiled " oow nice " he said and chuckled " okay I'll lay the table" he gathered all the things and sent them to the table. Cassidy smiled and smelt the faint smell oif fish and chips drifting up from the kitchen and she smiled hearing Abbys stomach rummble.

" your gammy is right and it smells like Michaels made fish and chips" she said " I'll go and tell him one more for lunch and to send it up." she smiled at Abby " everything will work its way out" she said and stood up. Walking to the door she glanced back at Kate hoping she could see she hoped it would for the kids but was truly worried for both Brian and Khaat. Walking down she saw Robert and michael. " Abby's awake and hungry, Kate asked if you could send two trays up for them both" she moved to help Steven lay the table.

The weeks had ticked on slowly. Week after week. Khaat had largely stayed off by herself. Marcus pried her out periodically because he didn't feel it was good for her. The longer, though, that Brian and Khaat stayed apart, the more despondent she was slowly becoming.

She was thinning. She was trying to carry on as if Brian didn't matter. She could smile and laugh and make it look somewhat genuine. She was great with the kids. They never wanted for a thing. They never wanted for her affections, but she was lonely. Marcus knew the only man she loved was thousands of miles away.

Until today. Marcus looked out her window that faced the street and saw Brian. He appeared to be very well indeed, and he was surely a man on a mission. He was coming down the street with a strong, driven stride. Marcus understood Brian already very well. He was coming to call a halt to this, one way or the other.

Marcus didn't say a word to Khaat. He left the bedroom and headed downstairs, his steps quick on the stairs.

"Heads up," he called to Steven and Cassidy and Michael. "Brian is coming. He's coming up to the door right now."

Cassidy and Steven stood up and hoped they would not have to fight Brian. Cassidy went and opend the front door she looked back at Steven as she stood her arms crossed. " don't look at me that way" she said " he has every right to see her" she saw Steven nod not sure how this would go he glanced at Micahel and sighed.

"You think this will be smooth sailing?" he asked staying close to the st Cassidy as he waitied for Brian. Seeing him enter he simply nodded and motioned to the stairs. " first on the left" he added " the kids are fine, Abby misses you." he stepped to one side and over to Cassidy sliding his arm around her waist reasuring her he was on her side in this.

"Pack up," Brian ordered, in too much of a hurry to be delicate. And besides, there was no easy way to break the news on this anyway. "You all need to come home--straight away. Things have changed. Someone tried to assassinate Robert early this morning. We have to go into full lock down, whether she likes it or not. Her father is seriously hurt, and none of us are safe like this."

He ran to the stairs and ran up them and went straight to her room. Marcus followed quickly and went to his room and set a pack spell into place. Michael set a pack spell into place for the kitchen and ran up to his room and set a pack spell into place for his own room.

Khaat hadn't heard a thing. She was merely standing, looking out over the courtyard, still dressed in her long white silk robe, and lingering over her first cup of French Roast, when Brian came in. She had thought it was Marcus.

"We need to deadhead the summer flowers, Marcus," she said softly, still staring out the window.

"I'm not Marcus," Brian answered quietly. She was so startled, hearing his voice, she nearly dropped her cup. She spun around and set her cup aside. He looked good. Vibrant, even. As healthy as she ever remembered.

From his view, she looked like hell. He saw it then. She had been grieving--for him. For whatever it was he had said and done when he was traumatized and not himself.

"You're a healer," he frowned. "Why didn't you know? Why didn't you get it? I don't remember a damned thing of the first 2 weeks at least."

"And its been nearly 8 weeks, and you haven't come or called," she said.

"I didn't leave. You're the one that's not home. Owls go both ways. Why didn't you?" He saw her sigh with disgust, still unhappy. He took some strong strides across the room. "Look," he said. "I haven't changed. I'm the same guy you've known your whole life. I'm the father of your children. I'm our business partner, your bodyguard, and your friend. And I'm still your husband. Unless you want all that to change. But by the looks of it, I don't think you do. I think you want what you had and what you think you lost."

"I do," she said very softly.

"It was never gone," he said. "Maybe on hold for a bit, but you should have known that. Khaat, its time to end this. Its time for you to come home." He kissed her slowly--whether she had wanted it or not. It took her a moment to soften, but she finally did, finally letting him hold her.

And now that her heart was mending, he had to break it again. But better done here while he was holding her. "Khaat," he said. "Sweetheart, there's been trouble. Its not good. I really need you to come home--right now."

"What's happened?"

"Someone attempted to kill your father last night," Brian said. "I was with him. He's been hurt. Its...serious...."

"Oh God!" she paled, feeling suddenly like the room was spinning and her legs weren't going to hold her.

"Hold on," he said, steady. "Breathe. Just breathe. He's alive. St. Mungos patched the bleeding wounds. That's not the part I'm worried about. Khaat, he's been bewitched. He's not himself. I have him contained at St. Mungos but he's very dangerous."

"You have my father locked up!" she was outraged.

"Until I could find you, yes!" he said. "He's under heavy guard, no one gets in or out but me. Period. I have the whole bloody floor in lockdown."

"Oh, God. I have to go. Marcus!" she automatically shouted.

"I'm here, Khaat," Marcus said from the hallway. He came into the room.

"I need to go. Right now. I...I need to dress. I need to pack...The kids..." her mind was whirling.

"Khaat," Brian said steadily. "I'm right here. Slow down. I've got them packing. I'll help you dress. They can bring your things. You and I need to go to St. Mungos. Trust your staff. This is what you need them for." He turned to Marcus

"Belby, have Steven send for Jack and Jim. They need to meet us straight away at St. Mungos. Have them go straight to Khaat's office. The people at the estate already know we're in full lockdown there. They know I'm here. They'll be expecting some sort of new orders.

"Tell them to do whatever they need to do to get our things out of here and get them home. I need Michael and you to be with us at St. Mungos. Khaat's not going to leave him there."

"I certainly am not! He's coming home!" she said defiantly.

"And moving him is going to be exceptionally dangerous in his condition. And because the press and the public are swarming the hospital because its all over the press. I need a couple of old familiar friends who will perhaps calm him. I'm counting on Jim and Michael for that. I need Jack's muscle. But I need everyone alert to the fact that any powerful wizard can be very dangerous. But a bewitched powerful wizard is unpredictable and very, very deadly."

"Indeed," Marcus said. He left the room and ran down the stairs and to Steven and Michael.

"We're out. Now. New orders. Steven, send for Jack and Jim. They're to go to St. Mungos right now. Someone's tried to assassinate Robert this morning. He's bewitched and highly dangerous. Michael, you're to go with Brian and Khaat to the hospital. We're bringing Robert home."

"Good lord," Michael said. "How the hell are we going to do that?"

"That's what we need you for," Marcus said. Michael frowned.

"Why? Am I to steal him home?" Michael frowned. "I am no healer."

"Brian has a plan."

"Sounds half baked to me," Michael said.

"No, I don't think so," Marcus said. He looked at Steven and Cassidy. "We're in full lock down at the estate. We need to be getting the kids and our things there just as soon as we can get there. We need to move. Fast."

Steven and Casidy both jumped up on hearing Marcus call to them both. Each nodded and moved to respective palces, Steven wrote floated the letter and sent it soon after Jack and Jim replied saying they were on their way to the hospital and will wait for them. Just then bags floated down the stairs and into the floo quickly followed by Cassidy and the two helpers walking with a child in each hand.

" Alls packed up, I shrank it and sent it ahead, nothing left and the rooms are as they were." She said as the first two children went threw. Casidy smiled hearing Jess's voice on the other end and she smiled knowing the kids would be happier at home. Steven looked to Marcus and then ported to the hospital seeing Jack and Jim he walked over to them.

" we wait for Brian" he said and they all waited.

Marcus made doubly sure all of Khaat's things had been sent ahead. Brian was helping Khaat dress. Brian shrank her nightclothes and dropped them into his jeans pocket. Marcus stood outside waiting, with her cloak over his arm. When she and Brian stepped out of the bedroom, Marcus draped her cloak around her shoulders. Brian fastened it and pulled the hood up over her face to keep her from being recognized.

"Let's go," Brian said. They went downstairs. Brian saw Cassidy and Michael still waiting. "You're responsible for getting all the kids safely home, Cassidy. Edward is setting a very different protection grid around the estate and preparing rooms for Robert. Go there and get the kids all safely into the playrooms until the move is over."

He looked at Michael, who was definitely ready. "Let's do this," Michael said.

"Agreed," Brian said. He looked at Cassidy. It was sounding like almost a warning. "We'll be home with him soon."

"I would advise as little contact with him as possible," Marcus suggested. "Are the rooms upstairs, Brian?"

"Yes," Brian said.

"Then, Cassidy, I suggest you keep everyone downstairs, away from the living room and the stairs until we get him home and upstairs. Let's not provoke him. Make sense? We'll see you there."

They apparated out, leaving Cassidy to finish getting the kids home and Eli's house locked up. They arrived flawlessly in Khaat's office.

"Thank you for coming," Brian said to them. "This isn't going to be easy. We need to be fully prepared. If he wanted to, he could well take all of us, and we don't want that to happen."

Cassidy stood and nodded " don't worry" she told him and looked to Michael making a note of not letting the kids out of the nursary. Cassidy ported back to the main house and made sure everything was in place and every one knew what to do , even though Jess had already explained and placed everyone ready. Steven, Jack and Jim moved and looked at Brian as he spoke.

" what about binding his magic so he couldn't " but then he shook his head " of course you can't he knows counter spells, sory " he said and stepped back to beside Jack.

" so how we going to handel this, brute strength or magic?" Jack asked as he folded his arms.

"Neither," Michael said. "He's my friend. I've known him longer than any of you. We're not doing anything until I talk to him. Where is he?"

"In the lockdown unit," Brian said.

"You've got our Minister of Magic in his own psych ward?" Michael was pissed. He headslapped Brian--hard.

"Ow!" Brian scowled.

"This is bullshit," Michael said. He left the office, not needing one more moment.

"Michael!" Brian tried to call him back.

"You bother me!" Michael said, truly irked at what Brian had done. Khaat picked up her keys and followed Michael quickly and realized that the keys were utterly useless when she had Michael.

Brian motioned to the others and followed Khaat and Brian. Michael was truly angry. He went straight downstairs to the locked down psych unit. There was one healer, the only one Brian had trusted Robert's care to, on duty.

"You open it or I will!" Michael ordered.

"I have keys, Michael," Khaat said. She looked at the healer through the window and nodded. The healer scurried to open the door. Michael marched through like he owned the place. He already heard Robert's screams of anguish. They were hoarse, animalistic, tired. That only made Michael want to get to him sooner. And it made Khaat run. She found the room first.

"Daddy!" she was abhorred. He was still in the clothes he'd been brought in, in. They were nothing but rags now after the attack and the medical care he'd gotten. The look in her father's eyes was something she'd never seen before. A level of suffering and desperation she had never seen from anyone in her life. "Oh, God. Daddy," she said softly.

"Steady," Michael told her quietly. "Stay back. Just give me the key." She handed it over to him without hesitation. "Move back," he told her. She obeyed, despite her wanting to run to him and wrap her arms around him, draw off his suffering and make it all okay.

Michael unlocked the door and handed her back the key and went inside. Brian moved between Khaat and the door, just in case, with his set of keys in his hand.

"Robert," Michael called. "Robert, do you know me? You've been bewitched." Robert paused and looked at him, suddenly silent, his eyes wide in surprise. He wasn't alone anymore. There was someone here. Someone unarmed. He hadn't expected it.

Michael walked at a normal pace over to Robert, unafraid. This was his friend. The one man he'd gladly give his life for. Robert never moved. Michael wrapped Robert into his arms into a warm embrace.

To Brian's surprise, Robert wrapped himself around Michael, clutching large fistfuls of Michael's sweater, suddenly sobbing into Michael's chest. Michael had to close his eyes for a moment. He could feel Robert's utter anguish as if it was his own.

"I won't leave you," he told Robert softly. "I swear. With my life, I won't leave you." Robert nodded. "Can you speak?" He asked. Robert shook his head. "Its alright. Don't worry. We'll figure it out. We've come to take you home."

Robert looked up and saw all the people outside. And then he saw the face of his daughter. He pulled sharply away from Michael. He looked at where he was and considered the alternative. He shook his head at Michael. He didn't see that he dared go.

"Wait," Michael said softly, urgently. "What do you need? Tell me. Show me. You were fine a minute ago. When it was just me. Is...is it them?" He watched Robert nod slowly. Robert motioned them away. He needed to protect them somehow.

Michael turned to the people outside. "You're just going to have to trust me," Michael said. "I'm bringing him out. Keep your distance. One of you acccio his cloak from his office. He can't be seen in these clothes. But then stay back." He looked at Robert. "Okay?" Robert looked carefully at Khaat. "She'll stay back too. I swear. I'll keep her back. They're just here to make sure the press doesn't swarm you. Just so we get home okay. It'll be alright." Robert hesitated.

"If you lot can stay back, he'll come out," Michael said to them. "He doesn't want to hurt anybody. Let's get him home.