LONDON CALLING

Ruby saw the message and smiled " hes awake and we've to send up breakfast and coffee." she told Kate smiling as she brewed the coffee and made the bacon for Angus, plating it she paced some eggy bread on it then placed both on a tray. " I'll tke it up to them"she said walking with it to Angus's room where she knocked and entered followed by Kaswn who had aperated in behind her ready to start the day. " Good morning" she said smiling as she moved to lace the breakfast tray beside the bed. Leaning in she gently kissed Angus " morning love" she said softly to him.

Kaden moved to take his vitals and smiled looking at Robert " total indpendance" he said " thats great" he wrote down on teh chart and placed it back.

Ruby looked at Angus's neck and for a moment could not belive it " his rash is almost gone too" she said " how are you feeling?" she asked him. " simone and Edward let me use there spare room last night. they were qite inistant" she smiled as she handed Robert and Nigel a cup of coffee to each.

"Morning," Angus said. "Right now, I'm feeling like turning your parents into swine was far too good for them."

"He knows about the healer and his connection to your father, the connections to Benjamin and the connections to Gelding," Robert said.

"I'll have him, Ru," Angus said. "As soon as I can manage it, I'll have him."

"I'm letting him have his anger for now," Robert told her. "I've told him we're already on it, but he's allowed to be angry today. I'm telling him that I'm going to have this guy before he can worry about getting him. But--I'm okay with him being angry at yesterday's events.

"His rash is almost gone," Nigel said. "And his temp is almost gone too, so that will help. We're going to keep monitoring him today, but if it holds, we'll be able to take him off the monitors by bedtime or by tomorrow morning. I think we're ready to downgrade him from critical to serious."

"Not yet," Robert said. "I might want to hold on that. This asshat filed charges on Brian for assault because Brian shoved him into a wall to get the name of the drug he gave you."

"Oh, he's cheeky, isn't he?" Angus snarled. "Of all the nerve. He's lucky Brian didn't kill him."

"Well, that was my thought, but if we downgrade your condition, they're going to want a statement from you."

"Let 'em come. I know them. I'm not worried. Just let them come and lets get it overwith."

"I'd rather hold that off awhile longer. if things go well, maybe we'll talk about that this afternoon," Robert said. "See what I mean, Ruby? He thinks he's fine."

"He has a long way to go to be fine," Nigel laughed.

Ruby smiled and took Angus's hand in her own " I know how you feel Angus trust me I do, but please let Robert deal with it, we did all we could yesterday and the lawyers know all the details, and yes being a swine was too good for them." she said looking down at him " but I need you back on your feet so for now both of us are just biding our time." she heard Robert say he might think about the statment later that afternoon " I'd like to be there if he is alowed to give that statment." she said then looked at Angus again before loking at Nigel and smiling " I agree and I see what you mean, but that fire might be whats going to get him back on his feet." she said softly as she loked at him " and its why I love him so much too" she chuckled as she lent down and kisse him gently " all right I have things I need to do down stairs bacon won't cook its self" she chuckled " and if we get any more news from Ingrid we'll let you know." with a smile she headed back down now humming and happy now she had seen for her self he was improving.

" hes fine, stoborn and fired up over my father but hes getting better" she said to Kate as she washed her hands and continued to cook the bacon for breakfast. Now she hummed as he worked smiling and happy again.

Robert gave Angus more coffee in the quiet of he bedroom, and then Edward came in to see him.

"You look a a lot better than you did yesterday," Edward told him. "I wouldn't have given a sickle for your chances yesterday. Today, you look like you might live."

"Come sit, Edward. It's alright," Robert got up from the edge of the bed so Edward could sit with Angus, and Edward took Robert's place sitting on the bed beside Angus.

"Robert told me about that healer--whatever his name is," Angus said.

"Redfern. Kyle Redfern," Edward said.

"I'm going to get him. As soon as I can manage it..."

"Angus," Edward said, "I have this. You're not going to be able to get him this time, but I certainly can. And I'm already on it. Before we knew what the connection was, I mounted a lawsuit against him and the nurse on your behalf. I know it isn't about the money, but I'm not going to let him go without answering for it either. But it's larger than you. Redfern worked for Ruby's father, and Ruby's father worked for Benjamin. When you started to date Ruby, her dad came unglued about it, and he turned on Benjamin. He was responsible for setting up Benjamin and your mother to be turned, knowing that, at some point, I was going to have to go after my own son. And we already know that Benjamin worked for Gelding. So, on a much lesser way, Redfern works for Gelding. That makes him my problem and certainly Robert's problem.

"You have more than enough on your plate recovering," Edward continued. "It's going to take all your time and all your energies. You have to let Robert and Ruby and me take care of it. So you know, I filed paperwork with the attorney to be able to represent you and your interests and to be able to manage your accounts and anything else you need."

"That's fine," Angus said, not caring. Of anyone in the world, if someone were to have control over his affairs, he trusted Edward and Ruby to do it.

"When the day comes that you marry Ruby, she can either be added or it came be changed to her and I can be taken off."

"She's not experienced yet at managing a financial portfolio of that size," Angus said. "Nothing against her, but she just hasn't ever done it. When that time comes, we'll add her, but I don't know that I would take you off. It gives me some sense of security knowing that if anything happened to me, someone would look out for her."

"Of course, I'd look out for her. Does she know just how much money you have?"

"No. Not yet. I've told her we would be comfortable but she doesn't know how much there is. She truly doesn't care. By the time that this is overwith, her parents will be out of her life for good," Angus said, "and at this point, I can't trust Jessie to be within miles of her. He's too dangerous right now, and he has a real obsession to try to control her. She wouldn't have much of anybody without you and the people here."

"But she isn't alone. We're here. And I believe you two will be together long after I'm gone, but having additional layers to protect her isn't a bad thing. Now, one more thing we need to discuss. You are going to have a lengthy recovery. The duplex could not have come at a better time. Simone and I will be the ones helping you when Ruby works..."

"I don't want to need help..."

"I know, but just for awhile, you aren't going to have a choice, Son. We all need help at one time or another. Its just part of being human. There's no shame in it because that's just the way life is. You're used to always being the helper, and that's a noble thing, but this time, you're not going to be able to get up and get around and do things. Your spirit is willing but your body isn't going to be that mobile while this all regenerates. You're going to need help to do a lot of things. That's just the way it is."

"I appreciate it, but I've been doing things for myself for a very long time," Angus said.

"Do you remember how you got home yesterday?" Robert asked

"Brian and Kaden, I think," he said.

"Yes. They were held you up on your feet and apparated you home. Do you remember why they were holding you up? It was because you couldn't stand. Remember?"

"Yeah. I remember."

"You're going to have that same problem for awhile. You're going to be alright when you're sitting or laying, but getting up and walking isn't going to happen for awhile. You're just not going to be strong enough to do that. That, and your own magic isn't going to work for a bit either...."

"Now, just a minute," Angus scowled at Robert, "if you think I'm gonna..."

"Listen," Robert said. "Here's the reality of it. This medication, when given to someone who has a normal magical system, destroys the body's magical system. It isn't a bodily system that a wizard can do without because it is so entwined with the body's other systems. It's the damage that Redfern did when he attacked you that has put you in this condition. He gave you enough of that potion to kill over 240 people. It should have killed you--except that Jess and Brian were there within just a moment or two. That's the only thing that saved your life but your life dramatically changed the very moment you were given that potion.  You're lucky it didn't do brain damage and heart damage and a lot of other damage, but that didn't happen because Jess and Brian were on it in less than a minute of your collapse. If the worst thing you have to deal with is that you have no magic and some severe fatigue temporarily while we regenerate your magical system, then we will all be very, very grateful it wasn't worse. You will make a full recovery in all respects because Nigel and I won't accept less. But--if you were any other wizard instead of one living under my roof, you wouldn't have access to this sort of intense medical care. If you were anyone else, you might well be in a wheelchair the rest of your life. We aren't going to let that happen, though. So, by all means, keep your determination because it can help you. You're going to need it, but the reality is that this is going to take some time. If the only real obstacle you have for awhile is walking, then we can certainly work around that. And I'm sure, when it all hits Ruby, she's going to not be nearly as upset about it as you are."

"What if she doesn't want to be tied to an invalid!"

"She knows. She knows exactly what you face temporarily, and she's still here. It's not permanent. Its temporary, and I promise you, she's not leaving you because of this. Hell, you know that already yourself," Robert said. They were into it now. He had expected that at some point, Angus was going to rail against all of this and was going to be angry at the damage that Redfern had caused him. He had actually expected Angus's rage before this. Well, here it was. Finally. In his own way, Robert was relieved to finally see it. It was about time. Nigel sat back in his chair, crossed his leg to settle into his chair to watch the fireworks, and sipped on his coffee. He was as glad to finally see the rage as Robert was. Edward took Angus's hand, wanting Angus to not be able to entirely pull back into himself. He had been there to care for Angus when he was a child, and he wanted Angus to know he would see him through this temporary obstacle too.

"I am exploring the idea of having an enchantment put onto the stairs either at your place or mine," Edward said. "It would be the same enchantment, basically, that Dumbledore used on the stairs to his office. It would allow you to move easily from one floor to the other by yourself. If we can manage it, you would have the ability to go anywhere you wanted to go. I just don't know if it can be used on a straight staircase or if it has to be a circular one like his was."

"It can be used on a straight one too," Robert said. "Makes the steps more like a muggle escalator. In this case, we would simply want the steps to be deeper, but that isn't a problem either. And it could be changed back at any time. But that would indeed solve the problem."

Angus tuned them out. He wasn't listening anymore. He didn't want to think about modifications to the house and the potential of a wheelchair to help him move from place to place. He hated the very idea of it. At that moment, he wanted to give Ruby a chance to back out of it all. Love was one thing, but he didn't want her to be saddled to him like this. She deserve far more, far better. At that moment, Angus felt like Redfern had taken away his entire life and Ruby along with it.

Robert and Nigel knew this confrontation had had to come, and they thought that, under the circumstances, Angus was actually handling it better than most. They both believed he would adjust once the shock of it all wore off.

Ruby had come from the spare room and had stopped by the door listening she sighed then pushed open the door to step in she could see the look on his face and she sighed " Angus, Im going no where, that man has not done anything that can't be fixed, as for being tied to an invalid, your not, I love you for you, be your legs  or any other part of you missing, so don't think Im going any place but with you." she told him. " and your right about one thing , I am not with you for your money , I keep saying it and will just keep saying it , you could be a bloody pauper for all I care." she said looking at Edward " sorry but its true, I fell in love with Angus Donadugh the man , not the money or body, though that does help" she chuckled to show she was joking " As for my father he can go to hell and dance with the devil as far as Im concerned, Jessie is in the right place to get help but only Roberts say so will let him around you me or any of our children, now we will do our part all you do is focus on geting better and walking, becuse Im not getting married until you can stand at the end of the isle, no matter how long it takes." she told him.

She stood and looked at Angus and them all " and nobody will change my mind on that, we will persaver, we will over come and we will adapt." She was now determind to be at his side no matter what. It was now she paused and looked at Robert and Edward blushing a little " I get fiery when I get all fired up" she said some what embaressed

"Your determination can help him," Nigel said, "but I can't blame him for being angry. He's used to being very active, and now he feels like its all turned upside down. It isn't an easy adjustment for a guy like him. If it were me, I would be at least as angry as he is right now."

"I'd much rather him vent it than to repress it," Robert said. "He knows you're not leaving, and he doesn't want you to go. But I understand his thinking. He doesn't want you to feel you have to stay. What he's thinking and feeling is perfectly normal for his situation. He's upset and angry and probably a bit anxious too, but he'll get through it."

"So here's what I think we're going to have to do next," Nigel said. "I've talked with Robert about this overnight. I think I'd like to bring two people from my team--a nutritionist and a rehab specialist. I want them to perhaps spend a few hours here getting to know you and your needs, Angus, and what you like and what you don't. I'd like them to see your place and see what you're going to need to be able to go back to your own home and be successful there. Then we'll know what equipment you might need, and we'll order those things on a short term rental because you won't need it forever. The nutritionist will help you plan some meals that the people here can fix for you and pack a lot of nutrition into them for you. That's going to be incredibly important. I think, for now, you're on the right potion, but in a couple days, we're going to have to reformulate to take out the medication for the virus. You aren't going to need it much more than another day or two at the most. You're past the worst of that. And we'll be able to take out the antidote for the Supershock. You will need a continuing potion for the damage that has been done, so that will continue, but it won't be nearly as foul tasting once we delete the antidote and the virus medicines. If we get everything in place in the next day or so, you might be able to soon go back to your own place."

"We're talking about bringing two people from New York here maybe as soon as late morning today or early afternoon," Robert said. "They might be here only for the afternoon, or if need be, they might be here overnight. We'll just have to see. But they won't be here much more than that. Ruby, we might involve you and Michael and Simone and Kate in the discussion about food preparation once they've met with Angus, since cooking will largely fall to you four. Maybe Jess too if she has the time."

Ruby listened and nodded " if possible I'd like to be included in his pysical rehibilitation too" she said "oh and im determined that we together, will, come the time, will stand in front of Redfern and his nurse freind and show them they can't knock a donahugh down for long" she said " Im good with the meal prep, but might mean I can't look after Abby as much." she said looking at Angus " besides i had a good teacher" she said smiling down at him. 

Ruby sat down next to Angus's bed again and held his hand in her own. She knew it ws going to be a long road but this was one she was willing to travel for she knew she had a man worth traveling it with.

"I'm sure you will be involved in most things," Robert said, "but if I can give you a suggestion, there's a fine line in wanting to walk this road with him and hovering over him. Be sure that you're willing to give him just a wee bit of breathing room too."

"It wouldn't be unusual at all for a guy like Angus to not want to burden his wife or his parents with some of the very mundane care tasks," Nigel said. "Some guys do fare considerably better if we assign them to have a part time personal assistant to help them with some of the more private tasks that they have difficulties with because of the sorts of fatigue he's going to feel." He didn't want to have to spell out for Angus or Ruby either one that it was normal for a guy to not want his wife or girlfriend to have to help him in the bathroom or in the shower or dressing or any of those humiliating things. If we were to assign him a guy part time, he might feel less self conscious. It's worth a thought--especially since you will probably continue to work, Ruby."

Angus didn't say syllable. Yesterday at this time, he was a chef and a fighter. Today he was an invalid, looking at a wheelchair and a home health aide. There wasn't a cell in his body that believed that any of this was okay.

Ruby looked at Angus and nodded " I understand" she said softly knowing he was right , there were some duties she could not do for him as much as she wanted. " but I guess in the end its all Angus's choice realy" she said kising him one more time she stood up " I'll be down stairs if you need me" she said the heded back down to the kitchen to grab a coffee for her self feeling that caffiene would help her be a little less angry at redfern for what he had done.

Now invigorated with coffee she started making dinner even laying the table as she coked the ingridiants tehn backed cupcakes and buns just to pass the time. Moving to Fudge she gave him a cube and sighed " do you think he'll walk?" she asked him and heard the chirps as Fudge seem to pass some bowtruckle wisdome that she could not understand to her but he seem quite serious in his actions. " I wish I could talk bowtruckle or even understand it." she said glancing out to see Jack talking to several of the grounds men as they went about their jobs.

Kate set up the dining room and set out a platter of bacon, a large platter of the eggy bread, a large bowl of fruit salad, fresh coffee and tea and orange juice, and she fixed a tray with two breakfast plates, orange juice and fresh coffee and sent it upstairs. Then she called everyone for breakfast.

When the tray arrived, Robert lifted the cloche and saw the breakfast for the day.

"I haven't had this in years," Robert smiled. "Don't Americans have some nonsense name for eggy bread?"

"Yeah," Nigel asked. "French toast."

"Why? It makes no sense. It isn't French."

"No, but I actually looked it up. There was some chap in New York in the 1700's that was an innkeeper. His last name was French. He made eggy bread for his inn and when he put it on his menu, calling it French's Toast, he accidently left off the apostrophe s, and so, of course, like every other American weirdness, that's the name that stuck."

"Figures," Robert sighed. "Well, you're officially off duty, Nigel, so go tuck in downstairs. I think Angus and I have it from here."

"I think I will--before Jack gets it," he laughed.

"And now, you fit right in with the rest of us," Robert laughed. Nigel went downstairs.

"I can tell you right now he'll walk," Kate said. "Angus won't be happy to sit in a wheelchair the rest of his life, and he has a whole team of guys here that will be encouraging him to not give up. He'll be okay once he gets past this initial shock of being told what his life is going to be for the next few weeks. It's a heck of a thing to have to deal with."