Hunting the Hunter

(ooc: are you keeping steven and cassidy as npcs or are you getting rid of them completely?)

"Well, you certainly have been here the longest," Robert said. "I can't argue that your skills have certainly improved since you first started here, and you've gotten better control over your werewolf side. Brian can certainly handle supervising things during the day when I don't have him elsewhere. But, that leaves all the times when he's not here, or overnight and the whole management of the outdoor crew. Now, I can group that all under a Security Chief title, and I'm certainly willing to offer it to you, but if you decide to take it, you do understand that Brian's still your supervisor as he's always been. It does, though, allow me to increase your wage. The downside for you is that it doesn't make your hours one bit more regular than they've ever been. It'll still be as unpredictable as always.

"You'd have to work with Brian to make sure that every man has a workout designed for them and then you'd have to be sure they're actually doing them. And if there is someone who isn't able, for any reason, that goes to Brian or me immediately, no exceptions, understand? No one takes a shift if they're not medically fit, unless there's some bloody good reason for it."

(keep as NPC's )

Jack looked at Robert and nodded " with your tutelage and understanding." He said listening more to Robert talk about the position and he could not help chuckle. "Well nothing changes there, but yes I'd be honored to take that position." He said with a nod to him. Jack listened more as he moved round the small beds checking each one thankfully they were all now full and sound asleep.

"of course, I'll co-ordinate with him starting tonight , some of the newer men are some what lacking in physical ability's, I think they depend on their magic a bit too much." He said with a small smile. " and Robert, I won't let you down."

"Sounds like a good plan," Robert said. He knew Jack was right and some men were depending on wands too much. "If some of them need to go to Paris or Colorado, put it together, Jack. We don't need any holes in security. Owens can help you in Paris, and Kieran and Fiona can still help you in Colorado. I know you won't let me down. Wouldn't have offered it to you if I thought you would." He smiled.

In Khaat's room, Jess's energy work and Brant's potions were making her feel a bit less tired. "Marcus," she said. "I need to go out or send you out."

"Now?" he frowned. "Whatever for?"

"I need to go to Hogsmeade."

"Why?" he groaned.

"I am a seer, you know...."

"As you never fail to remind me..." he said tiredly.

"I need some things. There's a divination shop there. I need to either go get some things or do it myself."

"No. Not anymore this afternoon...."

"Marcus..."

"Look, I don't know a tarot card from a teabag," he said, knowing his abilities weren't quite that bad, but picking quality seer's equipment was certainly not his thing. "You promise me I won't have to chase you there, and I'll see what I can do. Deal?"

"Fine," she sighed. Marcus knew Kate wasn't up to it. He doubted Jess was either, but he decided to try to find her. He headed downstairs, trusting Khaat would stay put for a few minutes.

Jack nodded to what Robert had said " we can rotate shifts so while some will be training, the others fill the gaps. " he said " but I'll see Brian about that." He saw Jess come out of there room and smile at him. " feeling better?" he asked and she nodded.

"Yes much, I have to see Khaat and will be going out , I shouldn't be long just popping to Hogsmead for supplies." she looked at Robert with a knowing look that said it was for Khaat and not for herself.  " I have my wand and will be careful, but you know she can't go and wont settle unless some one goes for her." she said moving to kiss Jacks cheek as she then moved to Khaat's room. Knocking she gently pushed open the door. " so , make the list and I will go for you." Jess said with a smile.

"Whatever she wants, Jess," Robert said. "Kate's established an account there, so you can add it if you like. She's certainly bought a lot there. Says the owner is a nice woman. She's part Veela, and apparently her father is Romani. Solstice Cane. Kate likes her and highly recommends the shop's tea. Take your time. Maybe getting out would do you some good. I've sent Marcus back up to Khaat to keep her company."

When Jess got to the door, Marcus was finishing writing the list for her. "I've got the list here, not that I understand it," he said. He handed it to her.

"I used to have a lot of this stuff," Khaat sighed, "but somewhere between living at the farmhouse, then being married to Rob and then moving here, and 8 kids later, I have no idea where most of my stuff is anymore. So I'm starting, basically, from scratch. I hear Oracle has really good quality divination supplies. Check her out, would you, Jess? See if she's worth anything? If there's anything that I can learn about James from a little harmless homework, it'll be worth the investment."

Jess nodded at Roberts words. She could not help but chuckle at Khaat as she spoke. "Happens to us all Khaat, I still can't find the nice tea pot Jack bought me." She said and turned to Marcus to take the list she read down it and nodded. " Robert suggested I pick up some of their tea as well" she said with a smile " and that I should take my time too." Turning to head out the door she looked towards Marcus " I shouldn't be too long but make sure she stays in bed and rests." She moved back to the room where Robert was and showed him the list before kissing Jack and porting out.

Jack headed downstairs to find Brian, He headed to the kitchen and made a fresh pot of ground roast coffee hoping the smell would make Khaat feel more relaxed. He saw Li and Michael working on supper and resisted the urge to take a piece before it was done. Walking back into the living room he spotted Brian " Robert suggests we co-ordinate extra training in hand to hand for the new men, I suggested rotating the shifts, what do you think?" he asked knowing his mind needed taking off Khaat and back on things at hand. With a sigh he spoke again " Shes fine Marcus is with her and Jess just went out for some things for her, divination stuff I think, you know me if its not long and hard that can hit some one I have no clue." He told him hearing a muffled smirk from the kitchen.

Brian was finding crayons under the sofa when he heard Jack come in.

"Oh, sorry," he said. "Robert isn't as keen on seeing the 'magic crayon' scribbles on the walls. I need to track down all the crayons and make sure I get rid of all the scribbles. Yes, I know they're ordinary crayons and I know they're my walls. But, I'm trying to compromise here. There's a freaking hot pink crayon under the back leg of the sofa, and it can't respond to the accio while the sofa's sitting on it."

He listened to Jack's suggestion for training and rotating shifts. "You're right. They need more training, and I think rotating them is a good thing. That gives them experience at the different routines we have here on different shifts. I'm glad he offered you that post. We certainly need it. Oh, and one more thing, when Angus is able to get on his feet again, he's going to need a lot of help and some rehab for awhile before he can do much in the kitchen or in security either one. You up to giving me a hand with that? Or have you not heard much about that?"

Jack moved to where Brian was half under the couch reaching down he lifted it up with one hand "That better?" He asked and listened to him talking while gathering the crayons. He sighed and nodded "Yeah, I heard about it and yep always up for it you know that." He told him still holding the couch up with one hand. He saw a blue crayon and motioned to Brian " Hey you missed one its a baby blue one, under the table over there" he motioned to the wooden coffee table that had flower sat on it and a statue that now sported a rather fetching blue mustache. "Oh dear, um hope that wasn't your favorite?" He asked trying to hide the smirk. "Suits her though." He after making sure Brian was out from under the couch placed it back down. He saw Brant walking out his nose stuck in a parchment as always.

"Brant, hows it going?."He asked as Brant looked up smiling at him.

" Oh not bad , just going to see Robert about this potion its got lets say some exotic ingredients in small amounts in it." He said and chuckled seeing the lost look on Jacks face " don't worry about it , its all good " he said and looked to Brian. " crayons?" he asked chuckling as he almost stepped on a green one as it rolled across the floor to Brain.

"The perils of small children," Brian sighed. When Jack lifted the sofa, Brian smiled. "Thanks." He accio'd the crayon and then saw the blue one. "This is what I get for marrying a woman who believes in creativity. A million crayons all over the house." He glanced at the figurine with the mustache. "Oh, no, you don't get it," Brian said. "That was lipstick. Or it was a 3 yr old's lipstick. Nowhere near her mouth, but, oh well. She'll get it before she graduates, I'm sure. I'm thinking the same charm that removes crayon from the walls will probably work for that too. Or I hope so anyway." He picked up the green crayon as he heard Brant talk about the potion.

"He worked on that for weeks," Brian said. "I'm not surprised its complicated. I don't know where he got the ingredients from but he made several errands out and about at all hours over several days."

"Hey, I think we're going to have dinner finally ready within the next hour," Michael called. "I hope you're all hungry."

"Brian!" he heard Robert call unhappily.

"Uh oh. That doesn't sound good," Brian said, looking back towards the ground floor office.

Robert came down the hallway with a handful of Ministry documents that were brightly colored with endless crayon scribbles.

"This is NOT okay," Robert said sternly.

"Um..no. Probably not," Brian said, glancing at Jack briefly. Brian had a strong feeling he was about to be in trouble for more than crayon on the walls.

"Nice Michael I'm starving, I missed a lovely candle lit dinner with the woman of my dreams." Brant called back to him and chuckled at the statue but cringed at the tone Robert had called Brian with. Jack followed Brian up and saw the papers and the crayon marks on them. "Okay, I'll charm the door so they can't get in the office again."He said "and I'll send owls to those whose letters were to damaged to read to resend them, I'm sure they'll do it." Jack looked at Robert. "Its partly my fault too for not keeping an eye on them." He looked at Brian and shrugged " there my kids too." he rubbed the back of his neck.

Jess returned with two large bags filled with items she stood looking at Robert and the others then down to Brian's hand with the crayons in. "I'm sure there's a spell that will remove the crayon from them from the parchment, I'll ask Khaat and Kate."