Don't do this to me - not now.

Robert appeared with a crack outside the cottage in Hogsmeade and he didn't wait to look over the house like he usually did. He didn't care whether the place was blue with green spots he just needed to get Khaat inside. He ran up to the porch and kicked the front door open, thanking Merlin for her habit not to lock doors.

He jogged into the living room and flicked his wrist, sending some pillows from upstairs into the living room and onto the couch. He laid Khaat gently down on it and took a blanket off of the back of the couch. He laid it over her and all but collapsed in front of it.

"I nearly lost you." he murmured, brushing some stray wisps of hair out of her face. "I would have died."

Rob kissed her forhead and got up from where he was knelt. He walked over to the fireplace and picked up some Floo Powder. He threw it into the fireplace and spoke the address of Khaat's parent's farm. He told them briefly about what happened and opened up the Floo for them to step through.

He bit his lip and checked on Khaat before walking into the kitchen to make some tea. He needed something to distract himself with. Something like tea. Yeah, tea. Tea is good.

Robert heard a man's voice calling for help, and giving Khaat's address in Hogsmeade. He shouted for Katherine and grabbed his huge dark brown leather shoulder bag that carried anything and everything. "Something's wrong at Khaat's," he shouted at Katherine. She came running, carrying a burgundy leather bag of her own, and their cloaks draped over her arm. "Let's go," she said.

They appeared in the fireplace in an instant. Robert's eyes landed on Khaat first, and he flew to her. His hands moved like lightning as he checked her. "Not good, Kate. Not good. Broken bones, some internal damage, a concussion--she definately hit her head...and something else..." He began giving Katherine orders about potions as he began to do wandless healing by laying his hands on her.

"Robert...will she be alright?" Katherine asked. "I will not lose my daughter," Robert said with quiet firmness, all business. After a couple of tense moments, he said, "The bleeding is stopped. The bones will mend. She'll be alright, but it will take a little time."

"Who called me?" Robert stood up and called through the house.

Rob was stood in the kitchen, worrying over what he hoped was nothing. He'd healed the ribs as best he could but there was nothing he could do - nothing more. His Healing was crap - all he could do was teach. He was useless. Bloody useless!

He cried out in irritation and kicked one of the cupboard worktops, leaving a dent in the door. He sighed and poured out the tea, knowing that taking his anger and frustration out on Khaat's house wouldn't do any good. Swallowing back tears, Rob walked back into the living room and was thankful he didn't have any tea in his hands because he would of dropped them.

Khaat's parents were like super-healers and had gotten to work right away. It was another stunning reminder as to why he wasn't good enough for her. He couldn't protect her, he couldn't make her better - they could. He swallowed and felt the tears brim in his eyes once more.

"I-I did, sir." Rob said weakly. "I didn't know what to do. I'm scared, I... no I'm terrified. I don't want to loose her... she means too much to me. Please tell me you can save her. Please."

"You must be Rob," Robert said. "She's going to be fine. It's just going to take awhile. I wouldn't leave her alone for very long. She's going to need someone to take care of her for a few days. She has a concussion, so she'll have a very nasty headache. She has some broken ribs and some internal injuries. I've set those to heal, and she's going to have a lot of cuts and bruises. She's going to be weak for a few days from the loss of blood. But she was very, very lucky. The baby is going to be just fine."

Rob nodded and looked at the floor, wringing his hands together. God he was a mess and Khaat was worse. Why the hell was he beating himself up about it and wallowing in self-pity while she was lying there fighting for her life. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. He listened to her father’s diagnosis, nodding as he listed it. He wasn’t really listening but his mind was storing the information. However, something didn’t sound right. Baby? What?!?! Rob’s head snapped up and his eyes drifted to Khaat. Baby. Child? His own family? A little life force inside of the woman he loved so dearly.

“Baby?” Rob spluttered. “I-I... Jesus Christ! I’m gonna be...” Rob trailed off and smiled softly. “I’m gonna be a dad.”

"Oh," Robert smiled, "You didn't know. I take it she didn't know either or she probably would not have gotten into whatever kind of a mess this was--not if she had any other choice. She would never, ever risk any child. Yes, indeed. You will be a father, and by my guess, it happened just after Christmas sometime. I expect you to take very good care of my daughter and my grandchild, young man.

"You do realize, don't you, that she took some of my brother's teachings and values a bit too much to heart? She's got too much of Remus's fighter blood in her--that whole fight first and ask questions later business. That will have to change now, you know, because by about late August or early September, you're going to have a family. "

Khaat began to wake, her head pounding. She thought she heard her father's voice, but she wasn't sure. She didn't expect to be alive. She had vague, fuzzy memories, of telling Rob to take her home, but she didn't expect to actually be here somehow. She had no clue where she thought she would be if she woke at all, but being home did surprise her. Her first thought was how much she wanted an ice pack for the back of her head, and she tried to sit up. Katherine flew and pushed her back to the pillows. "Not yet, Dear," her mother said firmly, "You had a close call. You're going to be alright, but we're making the rules for awhile. What do you need?" "A new head," Khaat groaned.

"I'll get you an ice pack, and your father will make you a potion for your pain," Katherine said, "You stay there." Katherine turned to Khaat's father, "I'll send the ice pack in and then go get her room ready." "Yes, please," Robert replied, "She's had enough for one day."

As she headed for the kitchen, Katherine laid her hand gently on Rob's shoulder and looked straight into his troubled eyes, "Don't worry. She's a very, very strong woman. She's going to be fine, but she was extremely lucky you were there tonight. She'd have died for certain if you hadn't been there. Robert and I are eternally grateful. You're an excellent protector, and she needs that sometimes--but then, you know that or you couldn't have gotten to her in time." She noticed the ring on Rob's hand, smiled, and she raised his hand to show it to him. Red rubies again, glistening in the cottage's lights. "See? The worst is over now, thanks to you. You can relax a bit." She smiled confidently and went into the kitchen.

A moment later, Katherine floated an ice pack into them. Robert caught it, and laid it against Khaat's aching head. "You've had enough activity for one day, my girl. I'm going to the kitchen to make up a potion for all that pain. Don't go anywhere."

Then Robert turned to Rob. "Go on," Robert told Rob. "Go see her. Then maybe she can tell us the short version of how she got into this mess. The details can wait until tomorrow when she's more up to it. I'm just going out to the kitchen for a moment. So you know--we'll stay tonight to be sure she's really alright.

"One of us should stay awake with her overnight because of her concussion. After she's had some sleep, I'll remove all that shrapnel she's carrying in those cuts. I'm not going to aggravate her any more tonight. I can stay with her, if you like, or you're welcome to, if you'd rather. It's up to you. I'll make sure she's comfortable enough to sleep. I want her quiet and resting at least until sometime tomorrow. She's going to want you taking care of her and the children now, Son, but I'm sure her mother and I will be awake tonight. Don't let her misbehave while I'm gone. Oh, and don't forget to change those bloody clothes before the kids upstairs see them and get all upset." He pointed to Rob's bloodsoaked clothes, smiled confidently at Rob to reassure him, and went into the kitchen.

He was still at a loss about what to do. How could he care for a child, something that would be completely dependent on its parents for the first few years of its life? He could barely look after himself considering he could hardly ever land properly when Apparating and he wasn’t the best one in the world to contact if you’re going to go and antagonize some Death Eaters. He was useless and he knew it but he couldn’t take the cowards way out – he wouldn’t. He loved Khaat he couldn’t do that to her and most importantly he couldn’t do that to any other of those kids she’d taken in. It wouldn’t be fair. If he ran off somewhere, though, who would take Jinx while he was gone? He couldn’t betray her parents. Not like that.

Rob shakily moved forward to where Khaat was lying and sank down beside her. He gently covered her hand with his own and kissed her temple softly. He sighed and pushed a few wisps of hair out of her eyes. He swallowed and let his eyes travel to her stomach. What was it, January? Yeah that sounded about right. So a month, then. Rob smiled a little and kissed Khaat gently. What was he, proud? Well he was damn right excited and he knew that by no means was that child a Squib. Even if it was he wouldn’t be disappointed but there was no chance, not if his son or daughter could withstand a blast that nearly killed its mother.

“I almost lost you.” He murmured. “Never are you leaving my sight again, especially not now. We’re having a baby and I promise that I’ll be here all the time. I’ll follow you around like a lost puppy until you lose your mind. I just, damnit, I love you too much to let you die, Khaat. It would kill me and I don’t know what I’d do. But now you especially can’t die on any of us.” He laughed a little an looked at her wearily. “I’m going to go and change my stuff and I’ll be back in a bit.”

Rob stood up and kissed Khaat’s forehead before running into the kitchen. He asked her parents if they could watch her for a bit and Rob ran upstairs, dying for a shower and some fresh clothes.

Khaat saw how much her actions had hurt him, and it tore at her. Her father returned and saw the stress on her face. "First things first," he said quietly, "Drink. It will help your pain. " "I need to explain to Rob," she protested. "Give him a minute," her father said wisely, "He needs to have a few minutes to get himself together. You scared the life right out of him, you know. Now, drink."

Khaat obeyed, and soon felt the potion taking away all the pain she felt. She hadn't realized how much she had hurt and in so many places all at once, until it wasn't there anymore. "I didn't mean for that to happen. Honest, Daddy," she said.

"Khaat, there's something you should know--about Rob. He's got a little extra on his mind at the moment. He's had an additional surprise besides just you. Honey, I don't know exactly how to break this to you, but you're pregnant. Not quite a month. And I presume it's your Rob's child."

Khaat froze, speechless for a long moment. She had remembered Rob saying something about that, but she wasn't thinking the clearest. Then she spoke, softly, shocked. "Oh, my!...Oh, dear. I..I had no idea...Um, yes....Rob is the father. There isn't anybody else... There just wouldn't be...He...." Robert sat beside her on the edge of the sofa. "You're in love with him," he said, knowingly. "And he clearly loves you. But you did give him a terrible fright tonight. What on earth were you thinking?"

"I was trying to keep an intensely evil amulet out of Vincent Majere's grasp. I didn't have a lot of time or a lot of choices. He was right on my heels, wanting it for himself. I had to destroy it." "Well apparently you managed that, Baby. It's going to take a bit of work to dig out all the shrapnel you took. Obviously you miscalculated something somehow. " "Maybe too much expulso power," Khaat sighed, "I didn't want to leave Vincent anything to find later." "Hm, we might have to review your uncle's writings on the destruction of magical objects, my dear. Right now, let's get you up to your room. Your mother is waiting." He picked her up and apparated upstairs into Khaat's room. He and her mother helped her get cleaned up and in a fresh nightgown and into bed, with her ice pack. Robert allowed her to be propped up on pillows for a bit, knowing she wanted desperately to explain to Rob. Her mother put a cup of her father's calming tea on the nightstand beside Khaat. "I'm going to go put our things in one of your guest rooms, Dear." She kissed Khaat and took her bag and their cloaks and left the room.

Robert picked up Khaat's ruined clothes and sent them magically to the laundry. He began to unpack the bandages and potions he knew he would need and began to lay out his equipment in a very organized fashion on her dresser. Khaat's thoughts were in a whirl. A baby. She had never actually allowed herself to even dream that someday she might have a child of her own, and now she had Miseria, and had another on the way. One that she and Rob had created out of their deep love for each other. Life suddenly was not so cheap and expendible anymore. It wasn't just hers for the saving or the sacrificing. Now there was more. Much more. Rob, in his own way, was bringing that into very clear focus for her. This was all new for her, and she saw that Rob desperately needed her to change her attitude about how expendible she had always thought she was. "Daddy," she said softly, "What if I ruined it all? What if it just all blew up to hell with that damned amulet?"
"Nobody believes that, Khaat," he said wisely, "But you do need to start letting Rob into all the parts of your life now. No more secrets, no more impulsive decisions. He needs to be part of all that." She nodded, determined not to cry.

The water was cold but it wasn’t something he was complaining about. Warm water came through once in a while and it seemed to sooth his aching muscles that seemed to have more tension in them than a body should really hold. He felt drained and doubted that, that was even a third of what Khaat felt. But to top everything off, the cherry on top of the bun, she was pregnant and it seemed to be his entire fault. Sure, it couldn’t be helped but he didn’t want to put that on her like that. It wasn’t fair to Khaat. He could have said it wasn’t fair to the baby but he didn’t plan on going anywhere. He was going to glue himself to Khaat or something of the like. She had too much of Remus’ determination in her and he knew she would be willing to give her life up for those she loved but Rob was selfish, he wouldn’t let her do that – especially not now.

He sighed and took the shampoo off of the stand in the shower. He squeezed some of the sweet-smelling soap onto his hands and began to mix it into his hair. He needed to do something constructive and standing under a shower head wouldn’t do him much good. Sighing, Rob rinsed out his hair and shut the water off. He stepped out onto the rug and wrapped a towel around his waist.

After a few minutes of should I, shouldn’t I? Rob finally got dressed and walked into the bedroom and perched on the end of the bed. He smiled a bit, albeit weakly but it seemed to do the trick. He didn’t know what to say. What could he say? He had to apologize. He didn’t even know if she wanted a baby. It would interfere with both of their lives but he wouldn’t be worried about it too much if he was honest with himself.

“Khaat I’m sorry.” He mumbled. “I know this wasn’t exactly planned and I know it has sort of interfered a bit but I’m not too worried. I just didn’t expect to get you pregnant if I am honest. I understand if it isn’t something you want but I’m going to be here for you no matter what.”

"Rob, I am so, so sorry. I had no idea. If I had,.. well, this would not have occurred tonight at all. You have no idea how much I want this baby. I didn't expect it, but I want this. I want as many babies as you want to give me." She reached out and took his hand.

"You need to know how this happened. Two young parents brought their 4 year old daughter into St. Mungos tonight. A little girl who had come on this amulet they thought they had hidden away. Anyway, the evil magic in it was so intense that, well, I couldn't save her. When I picked it up, all i could feel was perhaps the most powerful evil artifact I have ever seen. With Majere watching me all the time, I could not let him have it. Well, the long and the short of it is that I got into a 3 way struggle for it with him and a very hungry vampire. I got the amulet and took it out to the middle of nowhere and destroyed it. Obviously, though, I made a very serious miscalculation on how much power I needed to do that. I had Majere right on my heels and didn't have time to do much else. I am not sure how I would have done it differently, but please--you have to know you were just about my only thought.

"I have made so many mistakes, and none of them have been fair to you. It has to change--tonight. I didn't have anybody that I needed to consider before--not til I met you. I have never ever loved anybody the way I love you. But I'll change everything, I swear. The only thing that matters to me now is you. You and our baby."