Marriage is Murder

Jack looked from one to the other and rubbed his node " okay so let me get this right you want me to be bait insitead of Khaat " he said " okay tonight once I get back , Jess and I are taking the kids to madam malkind the boys need new trousers and the girls need dresses " he said " besides they have been coped up too long " he said looking at the portrait as Jess walked in now rested.

" ready?" she asked and Jack nodded as he picked up Catlin little Robert was in Jess's arms as they ported away Ariving Jess too th kids to the shop next door. Jess moved to the back of the store to check a delivery while the two of them played quietly or so she thought walking back out she looked around and caleld to them " Robert , catlin?" she called then panic hit and she called for Jack.

Jack heard her and ran back in he searched the shop and fond nothing but a bad smell bing Jess grabbing Jess he retuened and marched up to Robert " there gone those damn dogs took my kids " he growled at him.

Robert looked at them, mute, unable to speak. It wasn't that he didn't feel anything. There just wasn't anything he could say.

"Let me," Remus said. He went into Khaat's room and instructed Marcus to open the window to summon Escobar back and then to go get Kate and Edward.

When Kate and Edward came upstairs, Escobar was walking into the room, having returned also. Robert looked at Kate and pointed to Brian's picture.

"He needs to come back," Kate said. "Now?" Robert nodded. Kate turned and left the room to go get him.

"Edward and Escobar, you will be needed to work with us on a rescue plan," Remus said. He explained the situation.

"The plan we discussed earlier is the best we have," Edward said. "Jack, go to the butcher in the village. Get a large cut of lamb--the freshest he's got. Put the meat in a metal bucket. Go quickly. Escobar, you will be needed as soon as Brian returns. You are, after all, the specialist in blood matters."

"Indeed," Escobar said, starting to understand the plan already.

Jack looked at Jess who stood some what numb Cassidy has walked over and held Jess close " go do as he needs you to to get our kids back " she said her anger just as bad as Jacks. he kissed her head then left for the butchers returning with a rack of lamb ribs. He walked up to Robert with the meant " I got it now what" he asked and palced it on a chair clsoe to him " when do I tear some heads off and get kids back " he snapped his hands shaling as he tried to control his anger at his brother. Jess gone to their room with Casisdy. Steven walked up behind Jack his hand resting on jacks shoulder as he spoke.

" Im sure Robert has a plan to get James and your kids back un harmed " he said Jack threw him alok as if to say if and it would nRobert didn't Jack would not be a pretty sight at the end of it. Jack looke back at Robert "well bait right , we use your blood on the lamb to teast the .....out so I can kill him?" he said .

"No," Kate said, returning, with Brian beside her. "That's not the plan, Jack."  Brian's clothes were a mess. He was dirty, his clothes were torn and bloody and had burn marks. His skin and his hair wasn't any better.

"You really shouldn't do that again," Edward said to Brian. "You either pissed it off or it had a cold."

"Both," Brian said.  "What am I doing?"

"You're providing life support," Escobar said.  "Let's go."

"Oh, hell," Brian sighed.  There were some plans he just didn't like, and this was one of them.  They left the room and closed Robert's door.

"Get an extra dose of your potion, Jack," Edward said. "You cannot transfigure under any circumstances. It's going to take them a bit anyway,"

They were gone nearly 40 minutes.  And when it was done, Escobar returned alone with a very large earthenware jar.  

Robert closed his eyes, for a moment, the emotional pain of seeing the jar being enormous for him.

"Give it here," Edward said, wanting to spare Robert.  He picked up the bucket and took it out into the hallway to get it all out of Robert's and Kate's sight. He emptied the earthenware jar into the bucket over the meat.  Escobar didn't say a syllable.  He merely turned and left quickly, knowing he had more work to do.

Edward covered the bucket with a clean white cloth.  It would be dark soon.  Once Jack got his potion, Edward would turn the bucket over to him.  He hoped to follow, with Angus, at a distance in order to provide backup if Jack needed it.

Jack looked at Edward and growled at Edward " he took my kids edward how in hell am I suposed to feel?" he said looking and watching but he did as he was and took a second dose of his potion his anger still visable on his face. He smelt the blood and looekd to Ecsobar knowing it was not Robert but he said nothing to him his eyes flashed with hate now more for his brother than this vamp in the house. Jack looked at Edward and Angus as he spoke " get my kids out, Im exspendabe. " he said simply knowing first chance he got he would tear James to peices if he got close enough.

Jess walked out and into the room where they all stood she looked at Jack " don't do anything stupid " she said softly but she could see in his eyes something that she had never seen before, pure hatered or his brother. She looekd at Edward and Angus " bring him back " she said befre she left the room.

Kate had summoned agents from Paris, and they were waiting downstairs when Edward and Angus went downstairs, Angus carrying the steel bucket.

"They're going with you," Kate instructed them about the detail from Paris. "They deal with child kidnappings every day. Its what we pay them for. You are going to take them along. Where are you heading with this operation?"

"In the alley that runs behind Madam Malkins and Sparks," Edward said. He turned to each of the Paris operatives and gave them location coordinates for them to stake out. Edward looked at Jack. "I am going to have to entrust that you can deal with this bait without being attracted to it. You know that. It is better if I am not seen. I will be there, but it is better if I am not seen."

Jack looked at edward and nodded "don't worry I took a second dose" he told him " I can smell it but it turns my stomach" he told edward and moved closer " all im intrsted in his James " he sid the last word softly like he was going to at least leave his mark on the man again to make his point . He listened to Kate and edward " it was where they would have been taking " he said he had seen the fear in Jess's eyes as she had spoken to him.

Jack moved as sevral paris men arrived " do thay have to?" he asked looking to Kate not caring if she got angry he was pissed enough for both he and Jess togther. His children , his cubs ere in danger and he was going to get them back himself.

"When you get in charge, you can make those choices," Kate said firmly. "They do this every day. No offense, but you don't. And as angry as you are, I don't trust you right now. And, unfortunately, if something happens that you bugger this up, we can't do this exercise again. It just isn't possible. They're not there to steal away your action. You don't know how many he's bringing with him, if he comes at all, so, yes. They're going with you."

She was getting angry with Jack. She understood his pressure more than he was giving her credit for. He wasn't the only parent this had ever happened to.

"Get out of here and go do your mission," Kate ordered all of them--including Jack and Edward and Angus. "Don't bugger this up. Any of you." She turned and stormed out of the room and went back upstairs.

"You know your positions," Edward told them all. "Go ahead and get into position. Angus and I will follow. Give us a moment, and then you can follow, Jack." Everyone apparated out.

Jack gave a low growl but he knew she was right he lisyened to Edward and nodded moving out to the hallway leaving them alone for a moment before he ported to the alley he stood with the othermen and waited for Edward to appear he shook his head and took a long deep breath though he was angry he pushed it down deep inside of him he could smell scents all around him but he focused on one and one only Khaats. he knew his task might have something to do with the blood on the meat one man now held in the bucket. He moved away from it as he waited for Edward to arrive he fought the erge to go and hunt them down himself.

Edward hadn't intended to take an active role in the evening, except to provide back up. He was waiting, in his hidden position, but when he saw Jack was just waiting, Edward left his hiding place and walked up to join Jack.

The wait wasn't long before he heard movement on the roof of the warehouse directly behind Sparks. He looked up to see figures up on the roof. He paused and just waited. Four of them took positions on the corner of the warehouse. Then, finally, a fifth came forward.

For a female werewolf, the woman who came forward was exceptionally beautiful and seductive. Edward almost admired James' tastes in women.

"How kind of you to bring such a lovely offering," she said, eyeing the bucket. "Fresh too. How nice. James will appreciate it." She looked at Jack's nearly out of control rage and smirked. "Dial it down, Dad. They're fine--so far. Muck it up, and they won't be. Its your choice."