"He slept, but he was definitely having some pretty serious nightmares. I'll wake him. He needs food, but let's get some coffee in here first," Kate said very softly. "Marcus, please ask Hannah to send us some tea and some French Roast?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he said. He turned to leave.
"Marcus," she called him back in a rather maternal tone.
"My name is Kate. Please use it," she said.
"Yes, Ma'am," he said, turning and leaving. Kate shook her head, suppressing a laugh.
"Does he ever call anyone by their first name?"
"Me," Khaat said in a whisper. Her mother went over to her and kissed her forehead.
"Hello," she said. "How are you feeling?"
"Hurts like a sonofab..." she said.
"Yes. I'm quite sure it does. Your father made sure you had pain potion. We can get you a dose."
"Daddy?" the news that her father had been here got her attention. "Daddy's here?"
"Khaat," her mother said, knowing how hard his curse had been on her, "your father loves you more than he loves anything else in this world. He was here with you in surgery. He had to leave right after. You know he can't stay. But of course he was here."
"I wish I understood it," she said.
"I think we understand more than we did. He gave us some answers yesterday," Kate said.
"Where's Brian?" she asked.
"He's here," she said. "He's sleeping. You need him?"
"I..just wondered," she said. Kate knew Khaat was feeling insecure and had every right to. "Is there coffee?"
"Yes," Kate smiled. "I sent Marcus to get some."