Fee Fi Fo Fum

Jess could not help the blush that crept onto her face as he told Marcus that they would only need one room.

"yeah but not that anything is going to happen, im on rest and recovery remember that." she said to Jack as she felt him wrap his arms around her from behind.

"that's why I'm going, to make sure you do rest." he said softly to her making her blush a deeper shade of red.

"Will you stop that, I feel like im the same color of a tomato" Jess said and moved away from him and down the stairs all be it slowly. Jack chuckled and followed behind her. They both saw Brian with Khaat and smiled.

"You feeling any better?" Jess asked as she sat down on the couch while Jack went to find out what was smelling so good from the kitchen.

"I am," she replied as her father arrived. "You, Jess?"

"If you're going to Greece," Robert told them both, "I want to know that the slashes on your back, Jess, are at least closed. I expect it will take longer for them to start to face. They may look pretty red and angry for quite awhile, but, I want them to not be bleeding anymore. I need to do a bit more work with them tonight, and if I do, then, they might be tender and sore, but at least they won't bleed. Then, all you'll have to worry about is perhaps a good sunscreen and either some pain potion or a pain cream to put directly on them so that it cuts the pain. I've been working on a time release formula pain cream so that you can get relief for 8-12 hours at a time. You'd be doing me a favor if you tried it."

"Then you could wear all those clothes you've been talking about," Khaat told her. "A glamour spell would temporarily hide the scars if you decided to go out, you know."

"It would indeed," Robert said.

"Will it work on my knee?" Khaat asked.

"That depends on whether you've been off it enough that the swelling's gone down," Robert replied.

"No," Marcus said.

"Misbehaving?" Robert looked at her. He came around and glanced down at her knee and looked at her reproachfully. "Really? This is what you do when I tell you to stay off it? And you're the director of St. Mungo's? Seriously, Khaat..."

"Robert, don't nag," Kate said, coming in with Abbey in her arms. "Hungry, Abbey?" Abbey nodded.

Meanwhile, Angus was finishing the final touches on a mammoth sized meatloaf with a zesty tomato sauce glaze, mashed potatoes and gravy, a big colorful salad, and broccoli with cheese sauce.

"I hope you're hungry, Jack," Angus said. "There's enough here to feed a couple dozen hungry people. Care to help me set these on the table?"

Jess looked at Robert and nodded " its not been too bad and I'd like you to look at them." she said then chuckled at Khaats sugestion " never thought about that , its a good idea as Im sure Jack will want to go out for dinner some place." she said glancing over at the kitchen as Jack left with plates to set the table/
.

"Thats right, I hear the seafood's delicious in Greece and the sun sets are divine " he said as he placed down plate after plate. " and Angus I'm ...STARVING!" he said patting his stomach then placing own another plate.

" Hey your always hungry" Jess teased him and heard him laughed

"Well, there's plenty here by the looks of it," Robert laughed. "Kate was going to cook for us at home tonight but Angus invited us to stay for dinner. And, honestly, he makes a good meatloaf."

(i am presuming that kate and robert are still living at their farm and haven't moved into the house with brian and khaat yet. I also presume they just come in and out a lot, though.)

"Speaking of Greece, how did you do on reservations, Marcus?" Brian asked.

"Fine, as I thought I would," Marcus said. "I think you'll like this. It's two small suites connected by a center courtyard, right on the coast--and it's very private. In fact, you're going to need some detailed directions to find the drive getting back into it. I think you'll really like it. And there are some fine local restaurants right down the road in either direction. If you give me a list of anything you want stocked in the kitchen, your host will stock those all before you get there so its all really fresh. Your booked for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday so you have a couple days to heal up and pack your bags."

"Sounds perfect. Thank you," Brian said.

Jess smiled glancing at Jack as she relaxed and sat back " I couldn't agree more Brian." she said seeing Jack smile at her now looking forward to the trip away " Robert when could you look at my back, after dinner?" she suggested wanting to try the pain cream that Robert had suggested.

"I'll help with the cream later." Jack said placing down the last plate " Robert I'd need to send an owl to the minister requesting time away from my Auror duties." he said " I hope he'll give it." he added softly.

Jess stood up slowly and moved over to Jack " I don't see why he shouldn't , you've never take a day off in years, I'd hate to see how many holiday days you've accumulated." she chuckled as did Jack who nodded.

"yeah, must be a lot." he said but looked to Robert hoping he had more of a chance at getting him time away.

"I'll have plenty of time after dinner," Robert told Jess. "And, you can give your request to me. Some of those things are falling on my desk now, not hers, and that's just fine with me. I prefer a more divided line of duties, so those things will be mine now. The advantage to you is that you know I'll sign yours and Brian's so you can go." The other advantage was that they were going to have someone competent dealing with law enforcement and Unspeakable matters. Robert did not think much of Ms. Audra Prewitt--the new minister. He wasn't going to spread any rumors, though, about how competent or not anyone believed she was.

(I'm presuming this is before Robert ever was minister. that's just easier for me to deal with.)

"Oh, and Brian, I rented you a car. It isn't perhaps as much of a sportscar as you might like, but it will be more practical for the four of you traveling together. And for you that don't have muggle licenses, there are some wonderful cabs, bikes, buses, and--if you're in the mood to travel slowly, you can rent donkeys to ride."

"No, thanks," Brian laughed. "I don't think Khaat has any business on a donkey. Cars will be fine--either our rental or the cab. And, I know I don't need to say it, Robert and Kate, but you're always welcome to just stay here while we're gone."

"I was going to ask you about that," Kate said. "It will be easier for Abbey if she's home in her own surroundings and on her own schedule."

"Definitely," Brian agreed. "Khaat and I think we should give you the room across the hall so you two always have a room here whenever you need it or want it."

"That's nice, but it isn't necessary," Robert said.

"We have no shortage of bedrooms. It'll be fine," Khaat said. "Besides, we want to. What if we have a dozen more kids? We'll need all the help we can get."

"Heaven forbid," Robert frowned. "What would you do with thirteen or fourteen kids?"

"Enjoy every minute of it," Brian smiled.

"I really must check you out. You really are not right," Robert laughed.

(I am assuming that as well)

Jess breathed out as did Jack.

" I'll get you it after dinner" he said then smiled at Jess and took hold of her hand in his leading her to the table and sitting down with her before sitting in the seat next to her. Jess and Jack could not help but laugh at the mention of a donkey ride but then Jess thought about it.

"You know that might not be a bad idea, slow down a bit." she said looking at Jack who sat looking a bit stunned at her.

"You expect me to get on a Donkey?" he asked and she nodded " I am with Brian, oh no, they bite" he said but on hearing the banter between Robert and Brian he laughed. " why not go for a whole football team?" he said chuckling.

"Even better," Brian said.

"Then we better have a set of sextuplets because I have no intention of being pregnant that many more times," Khaat said. "Either that or you find a way to carry them for nine months, Brian."

"Here, here," Kate said. "He'd only do it once, I promise you."

"As I told you before," Robert said, "Not yet. Give it a few more months to make sure that you're ready for another, Khaat."

"I'm not in a hurry," she replied. "Jess, we need to go shopping if we're going on a trip."

"On that leg?" Brian frowned. "Besides, you have a walk in closet full of clothes now."

"This is different. If we're going to Greece, I need new clothes."

"You won't win that," Robert said. "Just get used to it, and make the closet bigger."

"I'll need slacks, shorts, all sorts of new blouses, a jacket, a couple of dresses, some heels, some sandals, a purse, a new swimsuit..."

"We're only going for three days," Brian frowned. "Jack, I think the pricetag for this trip just went up, and if mine is shopping for a whole new wardrobe, yours will be too. They come in pairs."

"Just figuring that out, are you?" Robert teased.

Jess chuckled and nodded " oh definitely a new wardrobe , oh don't forget sun hat too for the beach." she added smiling as she heard Jack groan next to her.

"Gods my bank account will be homing moths at this rate." he said with a chuckle. " but I guess it's worth it to see her smile" he added glancing at Kate and Robert.

"That's my man," Jess said leaning slowly over and kissing his cheek gently as she smiled " oh Khaat maybe we could give the guys a list and they....humm no bad idea." she said rubbing her chin in thought.

"Not a chance," Khaat said. "He has no idea how to shop for me."

"Yes, I do," Brian said. "You never give me a chance. I bet if Jack and I went, we'd do just fine."

"Oh, how would you have any idea what to get, much less get the right size?" Kate asked.

"I have my ways," Brian said. "You don't trust me."

"You're right," Kate laughed. "I don't."

"Alright. I bet you...I bet you a batch of your chocolate chip cookies that Jack and I can shop just fine for the girls for the trip."

"Done," Kate said quickly, "but you can't leave anything off the list, it all has to fit, and they have to like every single thing you get."

"Double or nothing if they love what you get," Robert laughed. "Two batches if they love it all. And if you lose, you make the cookies. Are you still up for it now?"

"Yes," Brian said. "Jack and I have this. We'll be fine, won't we, Jack?"

"You'd better plan on going soon so that when I have to take it all back, I have time to do it right," Khaat told Brian. "Jess, I want to see how this all plays out. You game?"