Marriage is Murder

Marcus followed Jess back upstairs. He could see Khaat was rattled, even though she said nothing. He went over to her and laid his hand on hers.

"My apologies," he told her. "I should have insisted he leave."

"He was just feeling a little jealous," Khaat said, doing her best to downplay it all. "He really doesn't have anything to worry about, though."

"I know," Marcus said.

Robert let Jess check her, but he was concerned that perhaps the energy drain had come from a bit of an instability in her vital signs, more specifically in her heart. The injuries were stressful enough for her body. She had not needed Brian's wrath. He pointed to his own heart and then gestured to Khaat's, wanting Jess to double check, just to be sure. If it were a cardiac issue, then adjusting the rhythm of the heart would help Khaat feel better. That would not stop the need for potion and rest, though.

Kate stepped into the doorway. "Marcus," she said. "You have our full support to throw his arse out if he gets that way with her again. Husband or not, Brian will not be permitted to cause her harm, whether its accidental or not. No more."

Marcus looked at Robert. Marcus wasn't sure about having permission to throw the owner of the house out of his own bedroom. Robert nodded. He was making no exceptions.

"Thank you, Jess," Kate said, grateful for her help. "Marcus, you heard her. She needs rest. You're in charge of making sure she gets it."

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied. Kate looked at Robert.

"She's in good hands," Kate said, "Go eat. You have a three year old to take care of, don't you?"

"Daddy," Khaat said, "I'm fine. If Jess says I'm fine, then I'm fine. Abbey is more important." He looked at her, not entirely agreeing with her. He went ahead ad gave her a dose of her potion, pointed to the lunch.

"Yes, Sir," Marcus said. "I'll be sure she eats." Robert nodded and then went downstairs momentarily. He fired a wandless magic spell to seal the door on Brian's office away from everyone. Kate went downstairs, trying not to be angry. Robert turned and went back upstairs to his room and to Abbey.

"I take it he's gone again?" Michael asked.

"Yes," Kate said.

"Do I need to go after him?"

"No. He's going to be gone awhile. Until perhaps Hell does manage to freeze over."

"You're so beautiful when you're maternal," Michael laughed, not bothered by her anger in the least.

"I sent him, Jess," Kate said frankly. "I gave him something to do. I told him he was not permitted to come back until he had it completed. No matter how long it took." She sat down between little Michael and Julia and ate quietly. "But you are quite right, Jack. Khaat needs entirely too much care for Jess to do it by herself and for Robert to not be able to touch her. And without Brian here for the moment, we shall need back up."

"So what exactly do you propose?" Michael asked.

"I suggest we send an owl to Jeffrey Burnstein. He is a very skilled healer and can take some of the burden off Jess, and, if he remains after Brian returns, it will allow Brian to focus on other things."

"What do you think, Jess?" Michael asked.

"I know that, Jack," Kate said. "And Brian is very bit as tired as she is."

"I know a few healing spells myself.  Not advanced, but enough to perhaps help to keep her alive if necessary.  And I do know something about Escobar that is worth considering," Edward said. "Emilio Escobar is not altogether unskilled himself. As a vampire he doesn't get to use it much, and he's never cared enough about the living in the last century or so to use the skills any more than he had to. But you do have an energy worker in your treehouse."

"Well, wouldn't that unwind Brian?" Michael said suppressing a bit of a laugh.

"And its not his choice at the moment," Kate said. "Its mine. I might well let him tend her until we see if Jeffrey can come or not."

"And how will Robert feel?"

"I don't care," Kate said.

"Then it is decided," Kate said. She went to the kitchen and wrote a note and sent it to Jeffrey.  She went outside and over to the treehouse.  

"Escobar!" she shouted. "I know you're up there.  You're needed!"  She paused. She didn't get a response at first.  Then his all, black, intimidating form swirled around behind her.  She turned, not phased in the lease.  "I am a seer, you know."

"Self protection only," He said.  "Why would I be needed at noontime?"

"Edward tells us you do energy work," she said.

"I do.  Black arts, mainly, but that would not be your forte, now, would it?"

"Don't toy with me," Kate hissed. "I do not fear you.  You pretend to not give a jot about anything, but I see how you look at my daughter."

"She's a lovely creature," Escobar admitted.

"And probably the only one in the last few centuries you've called Dear," she said.

"Sad, but true," he replied.

"Do you or do you not do healing work?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "Although its been some time."

"We're short staffed, and I need a healer for her.  How do I know you won't hurt her or use your dark magic on her if I engage your help?"

"Because I came here to save her. It would have been far easier to stay home in Brazil and leave you all to your own devices.  But for her sake, I came. As I see it, you're out little. The blond is low on energy. She cannot continue alone.  And if you do not engage another, your daughter will die. So, as I see it, you're out very little, if you are correct that I intend to kill her. If I intended to do that, either she would die by my hand, or she'd simply fail by her own injuries."  

Kate looked at him, angered by his arrogance.

"As I see it, though," he said. "With me she lives, and without me, she dies. For a seer, you do not read me well." He turned and left her and walked to the house. Kate followed, not saying a word, hoping she could ease Robert about allowing Escobar in to Khaat.

Escobar walked into the house and up the stairs, with a commanding presence, as if the estate were his.

"And that's what happens when you're 600 years old," Edward said quietly.  "There is very little you fear after living that long."