Working out Time

"I think I might have cracked a rib or two. Marcus thinks they're broken. Either way," Khaat said, "considering how the last go around with James went, this feels like nothing, in comparison. Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, though. We've got Marcus's rib binding tapes in our medicine cabinet in the bathroom. I don't know if they're helpful, but he didn't need them, so we just kept them here because there's always somebody getting banged up or something."

She was frustrated. "I really was just on my way home, that's all. I don't want my kids knowing how often James really does come around. They don't need to grow up in fear. I'm hoping that we have him under arrest before they have to go to Hogwarts. I want them to have a better world than what we have now. And I don't want them to remember that James had any part in our lives."

"Abbey," Khaat sighed, a little frustrated. "I don't remember of having nearly as many episodes of seer's stuff at her age. Daddy says I had some but not so many. Don't think I haven't thought about having Daddy bind her magic til she gets a little older."

"I think that would be an extraordinarily bad idea," Kate said, joining Jack at the doorjamb. "We never bound your magic. She's not upset. You are. She's growing into her own abilities naturally. Let her alone. What she knows is that she has abilities that are just part of how she's made. She already knows James is dangerous. She knew that almost before she could talk. You're not going to help her by binding her magic. It doesn't protect her by blinding her. And--sometimes her information has helped us. Including today. So--are you both alright?"

"Marcus was clawed, but he doesn't really seem bothered by it. He's more frustrated with James. He's really tired of sparring with him."

"Maybe you should go with him for awhile when they go out, Jack," Kate suggested. "If Brian can spare you from time to time."

"Thanks, Jess," she said. "I hope he doesn't have intentions of coming here to the grounds again, but I think we all know better. If he's hunting me again, he'll come back here again sooner or later."

"I think I'll send Archangel to your father with a note," Kate said. "Are you planning on going back to St. Mungo's today?"

"I should," she sighed.

"How about I ask your father? If he can cover you at least today, you might feel better tomorrow."

"It never works that way," Khaat sighed. "If there's going to be any stoving up, that will come tomorrow. I might be better to work today in case I can't tomorrow."

"Just sit and relax for now," Kate said. "We'll see. Besides, Marcus can use the break too by the looks of him."

"Marcus is fine," Marcus called from the hallway. "He's taking his firewhiskey and going to wash up and get clean clothes. Otherwise, he's fine."

"Good to know," Khaat called, teasing him.

"You back in one piece?" he called.

"It looks like it," she said.

"Splendid," Marcus said.

"Hey, did you ask Jess whether you could shower?" Khaat called to him.

"No, but I presume she doesn't want me dirty and stinky either," he replied.

"If you don't want him to get that wound wet," Khaat said to Jess, "Best you tell him to wash up and skip the shower or that's straight where he'll go."