THE WALKER RANCH

Robert checked on Khaat and found she'd finally given into his sleep spell and decided she hurt too badly to keep fighting him. She was sleeping soundly. He had moved Remus's portrait over her fireplace in her bedroom and had explained to Remus what had happened and asked him to keep an eye on her. Then he left her to sleep.

He found Steven reading. He seemed less angry. "I'm sorry you got so angry," Robert said, "but I do understand it. I understand her position and yours. She wasn't intending to hurt herself. She was just looking, I think, for a trace of Remus for some comfort. She just never gave the weather a thought, and I'm just as at fault for not getting rid of that huge old rotten tree years ago. She just forgot about it. I knew it was a hazard. I just didn't take care of it. It seems I have more on my plate than I used to have now that I am working full time again. I might have to hire a farm hand to help out."

steven looked up from the book and istened " why do that Im doing nothing right now , I could help and I cost nothing but a good meal " he grinned "and sorry about before sometimes i just can't control how I feel I gues becose i have so much time on my hands i just sit around thinking about her , maybe this will help me as well as you?" he said placing the book on the table next to him as he stood to face Robert

"You could very well have an excellent point, Steven. Khaat will soon go into a maternity leave, and I'll have St. Mungo's to run. I won't have a choice, but truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way--except to have my daughter rid of that bastard husband of hers. She really does deserve better no matter how much she loves him. And I know her frustration about him and whether he might ever be any sort of companion to her is making her next to crazy. I guess that's why I'm keeping such a close watch on her. Her emotions are raw right now.

"I would appreciate any help you could manage. I'm sure there are even little jobs that John would like to do. I've just not had the time. You're welcome to eat here anytime, but if you decide you want paid, I'll be happy to do that."

steven smiled and shook his head " no wouldn't hear of it Robert " he said raisng his hand he heard hims say about Khaats husband " I have to say hes not being suportive of her in the least " he sighed "John would love it being able to help with teh animals again , might help us to bond again after what happened " he rubbed his shoulder feeling a slight twindge from it and he roled his eyes "old wound " was all he said.

"Then consider yourselves hired. If you decide I can pay John a small allowance for helping, let me know. And if Andrew helps over his breaks, I'll give him a small allowance too. No one should expect a child to do farm chores that a man would do without having some payment."

steven smiled " sure that would be fine " he said holding out his hand to shake . Once done he looked threw the door way "How is she?" he asked "I know you told me of her mental but phisicaly ?" he asked he sighed as he waited he cared for her as if she was his own flesh and blood and when she was hurt he was too.

"She's in a lot of pain. She's been restless enough that she resisted my spells until now. There must besomething about parent and child that makes her able to deflect a certain amount of my spells. Nobody else can seem to do it, but she sure can. Frustrates the daylights out of me. She's sleeping for now. I think she's going to be just fine if I can unwind her stress enough for her to just rest a bit. I left Remus's portrait in her bedroom watchingn over her. If anything changes, he'll call for me. If you hear a strange voice, just let me know. Its probably his portrait."

steve nodded "sure " he said and though about her condition "well she won't get away with things so easy with me around , even if she did turn me into a duck " he said looking sheepish at Robert as he rembered that duel they'd had "I guess baby and mther a re just as equaly stubborn" he said

"They are. Definately. Both of them. For right now she's sleeping, and that makes me happy. I won't wake her for dinner if she sleeps through it--if that means Katherine has to cook her something at 2 in the morning. I refuse to wake her up now that she is finally asleep. " He laughed.

steven nodded "yeah if she dosen't leave it out and I'l do it Im ushually awake about tehn anyway " he said "I've had trouble sleeing these past few days, but nothing I can't get over " he said with a gentel smile "I just wish like you she'd see him for the jerk he is and leave him , for abbys and her own sanity " he picked up the book and moved to the book case he took it from and slipped it back "it was a good book a sherlock homes novel."