Shooting the French

“It won’t be anything unusual.” He said, opening another message from a seemingly terrified David. “Most magical pirates are deluded into thinking they have a ship, forgetting they could just transfigure a bit of decking into a small ship. Maybe a bit more and then you’ll have a large ship. Chris, the eccentric gay who will either lick you, draw on you or try to dress you up had a line of clothes dedicated to sailing and piracy. “If I remember rightly it was a big seller.” He wasn’t sure, it was either that or the time he had David draw up some tattoos and he made dresses out of the full body tribal ones he did. They were both huge sellers and Jen even bought a few – and by a few that obviously meant a good hundred. “We’re decent enough.” Rob shrugged, deciding not to say more. Their schooling was definitely different than most even after Hogwarts. As interesting as sword fights were, he didn’t want to make pirate sushi. “When shall we depart?” he asked, looking at the clock on his phone.

He stood, not waiting for an answer, and took the plate off food for Khaat off of the island. He heated it all back up again and walked out into the main restaurant area. He put the plate down and sat in the chair opposite her. He received another text from David which explained that he was planning on either mauling or sexually abusing Rob when he got to Paris because of the torture Chris was putting him through. Evidently they’d gone shopping again. “Khaat? Do you think it would be alright if Jen and I go to Paris for a few days? I mean, are you alright with it? She wants to take me to the races and you’re father wants us to meet some random pirates and stock up on his wine. So we were going to go. I-I don’t know if you’d like to come. I mean it’s pretty violent and there are a lot of drinking games so maybe it’s not best you come. I mean, for Abbey. M-maybe when I come back we could go out to dinner or something. Does that sound okay?”

Khaat looked at him, raised an eyebrow at him and then burst into hysterical laughter. "Oh, good god," she exclaimed. "He's taking you to meet the boys. I should really have seen that coming. You and Jen will fit right in. No, go. Have a great time. I knew he was going to buy wine, but my mother and I knew it was time for the races. He always tries to shift off for that week when they come around. And you're right. Its no place for Abbey.

"Watch yourself," she said, suddenly turning very serious," That bunch looks like nothing but boyish fun, and I know that's what my mother thinks. But I know there's more to it. Whatever he does when he goes on those trips is deadly serious business. He is more armed than Jen is when he goes on those trips. And for him, that's saying something. It's the only time I ever see him carry that kind of weaponry. He didn't even carry that much the one time he faced Voldemort. He escaped without issue, but this is incredibly dangerous. If he ever takes either of you with him and tells you to run, don't question it. Just go. " She laid her hand on his lovingly, wanting to take a moment to entwine her fingers in his, but not letting herself go there. "Come back. In one piece. All of you. I'll be fine. I have a hospital to run, remember? And I will check on Sparks. If it makes you feel better, I'll let Lizzie cook something for me every so often.

"One more thing, you don't have to make anything up to me. You work much too hard. Too many hours. You deserve to go off with your friends and have some fun. I want you to do that. That's important for me that you do that. Go and have a good time. Please."

“You make it sound as if they’re scary.” He chuckled, knowing that he’d encountered much worse. “Please humour me. They’re just deluded wizards that have had one too many glasses of rum. Perhaps you and Lady Malfoy could spend a few days enjoying each other’s company. She’s not all bad and I am sure she’d enjoy someone to speak with.” Rob rose out of his chair and walked over to Khaat. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before straightening up again. “I’ll be back limbless or not but I doubt highly that anything bad will happen.”

He had yet to be injured during the races and he knew he wouldn’t be. Rob knew as well as anyone else that when the races were on you were an idiot and a wimp if you didn’t race. The women didn’t and Chris didn’t usually because he’d harp on about if he’d crash he’d be infertile and he’d try and discourage David from doing it for the same reason. Clearly the idiot often forgot he was male. Rob knew he was only joking but the guy was one hell of an actor. Rob murmured a parting ‘Take care’ and ‘I love you’ just to remind her and walked into the kitchen again.

“Shall we leave in a while? I’m sure if David hounds me anymore then Chris will come through the Floo himself.” Rob smirked and clicked his fingers. A few bags appeared with his and Jen’s things inside. He knew Robert would get some stuff if he wanted it. Chris would no doubt dress the both of them so Rob knew better than to pack a lot. Chris would want to model the clothes on them and change them according to what new tattoo Rob got.

Robert cast one last glance back at Khaat. She seemed a bit distressed now instead of better. He glanced at Rob and Jen, picking up his duffel. When he waved at Khaat, she made a gesture towards him, and he got the message. Jen and Rob had it all wrong. They honestly believed Robert and his gang were just a bunch of dotty old men playing at being swashbucklers. They honestly believed they had seen it all and done it all. Well, Robert got Khaat's message loud and clear, and if that's what Rob and Jen believed, they were a liability to him then, and most likely would not come back alive. Young wizards were often foolish that way. He could not take them where he had to go. Best to leave them having much too much liquor and sex of all sorts and go his own way when he had to.

"I suggest we go then, before your friend pops through the floo, or Lizzie will be after him for some reason or another," Robert said, noticing that Rob's cook had now put herself in charge of mothering Khaat while Khaat's family appeared to be travelling without her. Robert doubted that anyone could come through the floo and not get Lizzie's attention. And if they didn't pass her approval, she would be ousting them promptly. The thought made Robert grin a bit. He would love to see Lizzie acting as chef and bouncer both, because he believed she was very capable of it.

“That’s probably the best idea you’ve had in a while.” Rob smirked. He dug into his back pocket and handed Robert piece of crumpled parchment, giving him the Apparation location. Rob then grabbed Jen’s wrist and Apparated out of the restaurant. They appeared with a crack in the foyer of Chris and David’s overly large apartment and their luggage landed on the couch. Clearly Rob didn’t have the best aim in the world. He chuckled and released his sister’s wrist.

One of the doors open and a blonde man wearing bright coloured clothing in the form of bright green skinny jeans and a bright pink top ran out and tackled Rob. He hit the floor and blew his hair out of his eyes to find Chris straddling his hips, pinning his wrists either side of his head. Then, as customary, Chris licked him across the cheek. Rob scowled at his friend and rolled them over so he was pinning Chris to the floor instead. Chris seemed to be enjoying the position far too much though so Rob quickly got off of him and stood up, his cheeks reddening by the second.

“You bloody pervert.” He mumbled; running hand through his hair. Chris grinned, standing up also and kissed Rob on the cheek. Rob narrowed his eyes at his friend and watched as Chris ran over to Jen, throwing the tiny woman up into the air and catching her in his arms again. Chris was tall and although he looked like a poof and certainly acted like one he was very strong and loved working out in Gyms for a number of reasons that neither sibling wanted to count.

Another door opened and a disgruntled looking David walked out, his dark hair mussed up. His glasses were sitting crookedly on his nose and his t-shirt looked as if it had been pulled off and then hastily put back on again. Clearly Chris was in the middle of something with David before they arrived. How Chris kept himself so tidy was beyond Rob though. Although really he didn’t actually care. He met David half way and hugged him, breathing in the familiar scent of ink, sweat and French pastry. Rob pulled back and smiled at his friend who looked stoned out of his mind. Although he clearly wasn’t, Chris had that type of effect on people.

“Thank you, man.” David chuckled, straightening his glasses. Rob ran a hand through his friend’s hair and smirked as he tried to flatten it down. “Chris has been obsessed. He’ll get you later for details, though. The most important thing that needs to be out in the open now is, are you staying here or there?”
“I...” Rob sighed and hung his head in shame. “David I don’t know. Am I even wanted there?”
“By Melissa? No. But-”
“See! Look, I’m not a marriage ruiner. That’s Jenifer. I’m not getting in the middle of them. We’re not even friends anymore.”
“Yah, since about twenty minutes ago. C’mon Rob cut the bullshit. Either kiss and make up, beg for forgiveness or get his name tattooed on your butt cheek. I’ll do the honours.”
“That’s only slightly gay, Dave.” Rob smiled.
“You didn’t say no!” he grinned. “Look whatever, where’s the third party? I’m sure Chris can’t wait to flirt with him.” He cast a look over to Jen who was already seducing his lover and smirked. “Actually, perhaps its better your sister is being useful for once.”
“Shut up.” Rob laughed. “What’s on the menu then?”
“From whose point of view? For me I’d murder a beer. Jen want’s Chris in her bed, or rather, our bed. You want Pete I hope. Chris want’s a stray dog again. It’s just another day in our house hold. Beer?”

Robert trusted that Khaat understood him well, and that he had gotten her message. He magically changed his clothes into a pair of jeans, sneakes, and a denim shirt, with its long sleeves rolled up. It was definately not his normal travelling gear. But he had it packed in case he needed it for later. He had changed his magical staff into its umbrella form and had packed it in the duffel in a reduced size as well, although the damned thing never did reduce too well. He could only get the thing to reduce to about 2 feet long, no matter whether it was a staff or an umbrella. It had always frustrated him.

He apparated into the foyer of a large apartment, almost noiselessly. When he wasn't using his wand, he could apparate and make very little noise. And he had found over the years that there were certain situations where having that ability did, in fact, come in handy. At the moment, he just felt too lazy to use his wand to apparate, and did it wandlessly and nonverbally. Some of it was pretty funny. He was glad to see it was a pleasant reunion for them. The tension around them lately had taken its toll on both of them, and Robert knew it. For the moment, he had gone unnoticed, and that gave him time to observe his companions--his old ones as well as his new ones.

He also wondered whether the others had gathered yet at headquarters.

David handed Rob a glass of wine and the two of them sat down on the couches, one on each with one to spare. David had changed his mind, deciding to have wine instead of the beer. Later they’d have some but not now. It was far too early in the day for that and they had ages before the first race began. He hoped that the idiots going at it in the other room would at least have finished by then. Of course he and Rob would leave them to their own devices. Only Jen could keep up with Chris’s sexual appetite because she had one much the same. It was a break David was glad of but he was a little jealous of both of them. Chris always had Jen first but that was customary, it was a way for him to be calm until he got drunk. David of course wanted Chris for himself but he knew they rarely saw Jen so it was a treat.

“He doesn’t like her you know.” David said, taking a sip of the wine. Rob looked up, his brown eyes lighting up. David suspected it was just the sun from the windows. Chris’ eyes often did the same. Rob looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate and David replied. “Pierre and Melissa I mean, pet. It has been nearly a month and they’re at each other’s throats constantly. Chris suspects she’s got someone else. Of course that wouldn’t surprise me. As soon as she found out about us and Pete’s supposed leanings thanks to the twat I love, she stopped talking to Pete for a while.” David took a sip of wine again and looked at Rob seriously. “Of course, she still loves him no matter what the circumstance. They had a god-awful row the same night. He won’t even look at her now. She can’t get over the fact that his best friend’s are a couple of gay blokes. I mean, honestly, do I look like one? Don’t answer that.” David said, smiling at Rob for a moment before adding, “She said that you were the only normal one. Well, until Chris shed some light on a few things. He’s a relationships expert I’m almost sure of it. Your aura is grey. What’s wrong?”

“David I really didn’t need to know all of this. Pierre and Melissa.... It’s nothing to do with me.” ‘Not anymore’ was left unsaid. “Anyway, I’m fine – peachy! Everything’s...great.”
“Don’t lie to me. I can read your aura you stupid twat.” David snapped. “You’re depressed, lost and confused. What is wrong?”
“I’m fine, David.” Rob bit out. “Stop trying to ‘help’. Everything will be sorted out.”
David, who was leaning forward, sat back in his chair. He crossed one leg over the other and slung his pale arm over the back of the couch. “When, Rob? When will it be sorted out? When it is at the greatest convenience to you? It would make sense wouldn’t it! You’re causing everyone around you pain and you know it. Why are you being selfish!?!”

Rob felt as if he’d been slapped and it certainly showed on his face. David instantly felt guilty. Rob was a child at heart, nothing more nothing less. The training that had been instilled into him, the emotionless face... it was all an act. David put his glass down on the coffee table and moved to the couch Rob was sat on. He pulled the man to him and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry. You’re a twat and yet I’m apologizing. There is something wrong with me isn’t there?” he chuckled and Rob could feel the vibrations from his chest. “You need to get your life together. Talk to Pete, he needs you right now and you’re the only one he’ll really open up to. You can’t tell Chris anything and an emotional response out of me would probably give him a heart attack. I’ve known you for what feels like forever and you’re conflicted. Even Chris will be able to see that and he’s out of his tree most of the time. What is wrong, mon amour, tell me?”

Rob sighed and sat up again. He pulled his legs up onto the couch and curled them behind him. He put his hands in his lap and David took one of them between his own. He cupped his skilful but large hands around it and blew gently over his skin, getting rid of the cold. “You’re going to be a father?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.” Rob murmured, sipping some of his wine, watching David as he inspected the tattoos on his hand. “Something wrong?”
“No, I’m happy for you. It’s something that’ll be good for you. It will change you. I keep thinking that maybe if I indulged in Chris and said sure let’s adopt or fine go for it, let’s get a surrogate to carry our kid. Maybe he’d calm down and be here with me instead of off in his own little world. I love him but sometimes I feel like he’s never there. Like he’s with someone else in his mind.”

David sighed and took the glass of wine from Rob. He pressed it into the hand he’d been looking at and took the other. “Khaat? Your wife?” he asked, looking at the tattoo.
“Yes.” Rob swallowed and sipped the wine again. “I got it on a whim.”
“The tattoo or the wife? You regret things done on a whim, Rob.” David said with wisdom. “You did not marry her because she was pregnant did you? You didn’t try to do the honourable thing? Granted it doesn’t make you a bad person it just makes you foolish. If you did then you did it for all the wrong reasons.”
Rob sighed. “David you make me feel like a child.”
“I’m older than you.” He pointed out. “Besides, I have that effect on people. What?” he smirked, seeing Rob’s face. “Do I make you feel like an inexperienced teenager who’s just learned what it’s like to explore ‘The Chamber of Secrets’?
Rob snatched his hand away. “That’s crude, David. How can you make a crack at Hogwarts like that?”
“Quite easy, Rob. I’ve never been.” He said blandly “Why do you never listen to me? Honestly, Rob. If I make you feel like such a child then respect your elders for goodness sake.”
“I don’t listen to you because you’re normally right.” Rob admitted quietly. “I don’t want to believe in the fact that perhaps I have made a mistake somewhere.”

David chuckled and got up. He bent down in front of Rob and gently gripped Rob’s chin, moving it so he’d look at him. “Making mistakes is to be human Rob. It’s about what you do to set things right is what makes you a better person. Don’t lie because you think its better that they don’t know. Don’t stay away because you think it’s better to be gone. Don’t do things on a whim, think about it. Lean on me Rob, or Jen or your brother. Yes I know about Gibbs.” David said, ignoring Rob’s look of shock. “I make you feel like a child because it’s the only way for you to realise you’re wrong. I am your sensei and you are my pupil, mon amour. I have taught you and you forget. It is a shame really.” He put his hand on Rob’s thigh and pushed his t-shirt up, pressing his cold finger’s against Rob’s warm skin. “I’ve raised a prat.” He whispered.
“You-”
“Ah! Welcome!”

David got up and put on a calm host’s demeanour while he left Rob making fish faces on the sofa. He clearly didn’t grasp what he was saying. David would have Pierre explain things later or at least have them talk. David smiled sweetly and wondered why he was doing this for Chris; playing host while he was having sex in the next room. It wasn’t because he loved him or anything was it? David scoffed mentally. He shook Robert’s hand warmly, wondering why people used that phrase when they’re hands weren’t even warm. He looked over his shoulder at Rob and smirked to himself before addressing Robert again.

“Forgive my partner, he’s otherwise....” David heard a sound from inside their bedroom and he wordlessly threw up a few silencing charms with a movement of his hand. He crossed his arms to make it look less obvious and smiled. “....unavailable at the moment and for that I apologize. I hope I can provide the civilised company that Rob can neither begin to think about producing.” David heard a bang and turned around. He no longer saw his friend. Clearly he had embarrassed him. David smirked. “I think he may be tired.” He said, trying to blow things over a bit. He wasn’t sure exactly how long Robert was stood there.

“We have plenty of rooms. It’s too bad he didn’t phone prior and tell me. I would have set things up in there. Jen will no doubt bunk with myself and Christophe. I hope he comes out to greet you soon. Once again I apologize. One can only wish that the Imperious Curse were legal, it would certainly make my life that much easier. Rob will probably sleep wherever there is a pillow and a blanket. I hope you are much more... selective. Shall I show you your room or can I tempt you with a glass of wine? I’m sure your country doesn’t serve it quite as regularly unless you are in Jenifer’s company. She is a lot more adventurous with many things in life. I only wish I had her ignorance of other people’s perceptions of her.” David smiled. “Shall I get another glass?”

"Rob hasnt been able to provide very much civilized company for some time now," Robert said," I am Robert--Khaat's father. And, yes, I am much more selective," Robert smiled. " I have some business here at the moment, and I haven't actually been to the races for years. But I might go for a bit this year. And, yes, wine would be very nice, thank you.

"You were quite right, you know, about Rob's aura. It's been that way for awhile now. If you can help him out of this dark spot in his life, that would be very much appreciated. I can normally help with people in pain, but Rob doesn't like to accept help. And certainly not from me. He likes, apparently, to do things himself. I have learned the hard way to stay well out of it.

"I do not believe for one moment that Rob thinks he married her merely because she was pregnant. And if he does believe that, he is a fool. But I do believe he did not think through all he believes marriage requires him to give up. And he does not want to give all that up, naturally.

" When he is with Khaat, he lights up--in every way. His energy signature, his aura, his entire essence. When he's not with her, he's like this, but this mood is becoming more predominant. If I had not seen for myself how very much he loves her, I'd have done whatever I needed to do to protect my daughter from him. But he does love her, and she does love him. Honestly, I think fatherhood scares the shit out of him. Just like it did most of us that became fathers. The difference is that we stepped up to the plate, and he runs off from it. Khaat has gone through most of her pregnancy with him acting like a big prat, not even being home most of the time. Her support has come from me and her mother. She deserves better from him. But she is an incredibly strong woman. She has told him, straight out, that he does not need to stay just because she is pregnant. Her mother and I, and her friends, would support her if she needed it. She would not be alone. The last thing she wants is him staying merely out of obligation. She's offered him his freedom, and honestly would let him go if that's what he wanted, and he chooses to stay. But only in some odd, half assed way. Not fully given to her, and not removed either. Doesnt' go home, doesn't spend time with her, and she overworks to avoid her own pain. Its painful for both of them.

"Personally, I do not care what his sexual persuasion is, so long as he stops hurting my daughter and starts treating her well. And if he'd stop seeing himself through his eyes of his prat parents, that would be a huge help here. I know he has a lot of deep wounds left by his parents. No one would have given either of them any Parent of the Year awards. But Rob is capable of doing far more than he seems to believe he can. If any Dent has the capability of getting past what he believes is a curse of the Whitlock/Dent family, its Rob. But he doesn't want to see that.

"He believes I look down on him, and contrary to what he believes, I have great respect for him. He has made up his mind that I am, as he says, a prick. So, I stay out of his way. It was Jen who encouraged me to come. Not necessarily Rob.

"But, as I said, I have business while I am here and the races to attend, along with several cases of wine to buy to replenish my wine cellar, so I will be out quite a bit. If I am out all night, you need not concern yourselves. My work on these trips often requires very long hours. I am also extremely flexible, so you don't need to do any special hosting duties for me. Just be yourself. "

David nodded and walked over to the bar that Chris had insisted on getting. They had, had to pry Pierre out from underneath his car just to get in installed. It was useful but it was incredibly ostentatious. People generally thought that the two men were rolling money which to a certain extent they were but they weren’t running out of places to put it all like Rob and Jen. They refused to divulge just how much money they had and where exactly it was coming from but each sibling put in a quarter of a million into their joint bank account just to get rid of some of it. It if wasn’t for the fact that David had put his foot down, Jen and Rob would have given a lot more than that. He hated the fact that he was figuratively sitting on a pile of cash. Chris didn’t seem to mind but even he was running out of things to buy. It was getting to the point where they’d all be giving out money to people. It was obscene.

“For that I am glad.” David smirked, wondering why exactly Rob was so careless about how he looked after himself. The idiot was unconscious on the floor. “Rob is stubborn. Neither I nor Christophe, my partner, will be able to rid him of the dark patch that has fallen over him. He is tough or likes to think he is. It is foolish really. It is only here he can relax. I would not be surprised if Chris took him to some sort of expensive spa just to loosen him back up again. He’s obsessive over things like that. You’ve got to be relaxed – blah, blah, blah.”

David smiled and put a glass down on the marble top. He walked over to where Rob was on the floor and shook his head. He grabbed a cushion and a blanket off of the couch and put the cushion behind his head. He draped the blanket over him and brushed some of his hair out of his eyes. David shook his head, wondering how someone so stupid could look so cute in sleep. He walked back over to the bar and picked up the bottle of wine he’d opened. He poured a fair amount into the glass and filled his own back up.

“Charlotte is difficult to get through to. She’s like a moodier version of Chris if that can be comprehended. You’ll see in a few moments if he’ll leave Jenifer alone long enough. Rob is a fool I must say. He doesn’t make mistakes often, like his sister, but they both make horrible ones when they do. There isn’t much that I can do myself if I am honest. I can only try to convince him. He doesn’t respond well to threats or anything like that. He doesn’t like being looked after. When he wakes up he’ll be in a mood no doubt.” David said, waving a hand towards Rob that had curled up under the warmth of the blanket. “I wish he would see through the eyes of at least his mother. At least then I could predict what he does but he’s erratic and can never make up his mind. Rob knowing what he wants... it’s like some sort of taboo. It’s that unheard of.”

He drank some of his wine and filled it up again. It was becoming more and more obvious that David liked his drink almost as much as his friends. “He doesn’t know what to do.” David told Robert with a shrug. “His sexual leanings are neither here more there which is probably what frustrates Chris the most seeing as Rob neither acts one way or another. It’s all black and white as far as he’s concerned but I’m not so sure Rob even knows. He sees it as the best of the both worlds no doubt. If he leaves I don’t know what he expects if I am honest. There isn’t much out here for him to grab with both hands. He probably thinks that it’s all too good to be true. Either that or he’s overwhelmed and thinks it’s time to throw in the towel. All are plausible. Not even the best Leglimens in the world could figure out what is going on in that head of his. He hasn’t got a terribly tidy mind.” David said, remembering the last time he’d torn apart Rob’s defences and invaded his mind. His mind more befitted someone like Chris but Chris’ mind was baffling. Everything was so well thought out.

“It is truly bad that he never knew his father. If anyone, he could help him now. Jen mentioned once that he was wise for who he was. It seems almost laughable to think he produced that over there. I expect Rob has far too much of Charlotte in him. He doesn’t have the resolve that Jen has. He’ll give up quite easily, I assure you.”

"Well," Robert said, "Khaat told me when she thought he'd changed. Drastically. And she blames herself. She feels like it came apart because of her. I don't know I wasn't there. " Robert explained that terrible night when Khaat had had to destroy that dark arts necklace to keep it from falling into the hands of a Death Eater like Majere. He told David how it had all gone wrong when Khaat miscalculated on blowing it up, and nearly was killed in the process from the explosion. He explained how she had nearly died, and surely would have if Rob had not gotten there in time to save her life. It was that night that Rob had accidently, unknowingly, bonded himself to her to save her.

Robert told him about how the bond had infuriated Rob, made him feel cheated out of himself, made him feel that he wasn't himself anymore and that he had givven more than he had wanted to. Robert told him of Khaat's begging him to set Rob free from it. So, Robert said, he had done his best to do as she asked. But what no one knew but himself was that bonds like that, formed by deep love, are not so easily broken, not even by the best healers. The best Robert could do was to put a powerful block between him and Khaat so that Rob's magic did not transfer to Khaat for as long as the block held. Khaat believed the bond was broken, and that was what she had told Rob. Robert told David about how Khaat had told him very quietly that he was his own again. And that was when all the life seemed to leave him. Robert understood Khaat's pain about not wanting to be bonded to a man who couldn't decide if he wanted to stay with her or not, and he did what he thought was best so that Rob could make a free choice. Robert and Khaat both agreed that Khaat did not want nor need a man in her life who did not love her enough to stay of his own free will.

As a healer, Robert knew the problem in Rob's aura came from his great depression, and he suspected that Rob's thinking the bond was forever gone was part of that depression. But neither had he ever attempted to rebond to her either. He just went the other way. And that made Khaat all the more heartbroken that he didn't want to stay. He told David Khaat and Rob had fought, and Khaat had left Rob her house and had slept for weeks on her office sofa. But when they reunited, the night she moved back home, Rob spent the night in a pub getting drunk instead of being home with Khaat. Khaat tried to look the other way, but she felt that Rob had done it deliberately to avoid being with her. It had hurt. Robert was refusing to unblock Rob unless Rob was very certain that was what he wanted. At some point he needed to tell Rob, but Rob was never in any shape to hear it. Robert was becoming a bit impatient at seeing Khaat bringing her and Robs child into the world alone, and he was just about ready to push the envelope so that Rob needed to either do something or, as the muggles said, "get off the pot." His wrath as a father interested in protecting his daughter was quite clear, despite how much freedom he had tried to give. There was only so much he could stand of seeing them both hurt and struggling.