Raporters and random acts

"Thank you," Brian said, "I appreciate it." He took a sandwich and opened his bottle of root beer. "Delicious sandwiches," he said. He allowed himself time to eat. Then, when he was finished, he went back up to Khaat's room to double check that things were put away where they needed to go. He saw that Robert had sent numerous cans of formula and bottles as well. They had put themselves on the bathroom vanity. "No, no, no," Brian said, "Into the kitchen with all of you. Go." They floated off to the kitchen at his command. He checked the closet. It was now full of Khaat's very beautiful clothing. The drawers held her sweaters and socks, and other personal things. Her books were organized, standing up straight on a shelf, and her jewelry boxes were on the dresser. Brian felt compelled to open the one jewelry box. He saw a pair of rings. He recognized them. They were designed so that they worked as a set. There was a man's ring and a woman's, set in just a straight line of rubies all the way around. He had seen these before when he was a child. The stones stayed rubies, unless one of the wearer's was in danger. Then the stones turned to emerald green. If a wearer was in danger of death or was dead, the stones turned as black as onyx.

He'd heard from Robert that Khaat had once given the man's ring to Rob, but he'd lost it when a dragon ate it. Apparently Charlie Weasley had seen fit to give it back to Khaat when he'd gotten it back from the offending dragon. She had a number of pieces of magical jewelry. But in here as well, someone had placed her wedding rings. She wasn't wearing them anymore. Already they were off her finger. He sighed. This would not be an easy adjustment but with so many people who loved her, he was starting to relax that he wouldn't lose her.

He double checked the nursery, just to satisfy himself, and then returned downstairs. "I think I should go check in on Khaat. You two are welcome to stay as long as you like and enjoy things. I don't think I'll be gone long." He apparated out and back to St. Mungos to check on Steven and how he was doing with Khaat.

steven sat beside her bed it had been quiet and he ahd time to calm down he hoped he had not just become the world first auror bug in Roberts eyes as he had heard him say he turned those he didn't like into bugs and kept them in jars in his shed, He shivered and sighed he looked at her , he could not help but take her hand in his gently " I am sorry I can't do more for you khaat, some big brother figure I am " he said softly so only she would hear his words. "I think the next time Robert sees me im bug or bug food"he said resting his head on the bed by her hand.

Brian had stopped to see Robert first and had gotten an update on Khaat's condition. Robert had continued to push energies and spells into her in order to strengthen her life energies. She seemed, to him, to be getting stronger. It was taking time to visually see much difference because she had so far to go, but Robert could feel it. He encouraged Brian to make sure his staff of guards were ready because he figured he would soon remove Khaat from intensive care and when that happened, he might transfer her to Brian's house.

Once updated, he went to Khaat's room, and found all quiet. She was sleeping a lot right now, and he couldn't blame her. Steven seemed to be in a world of his own. Well, it was a depressing scene to be sure, just being in her room for very long. He noiselessly checked on Abbey who was sleeping peacefully.

He returned to Khaat and laid his hand gently on her forehead. She was stronger. He could feel it now too. Robert had been right. It wouldn't be long before she could be moved without danger to her. "Steven," Brian called softly, "Go take a break. This is stressful enough just being in here. I know. I do understand."

steven looked up at Brian "is robert around I don't want to disapear into his bug collection" he said in a whisper standing up to streach as he sighed " sorry about before, ya know" he said hoping to smoth over his anger before , it was so not like him to become that angry but yet there he was giving nosy student nurses bloodie noses and verbaly fighting with his boss, he so felt small at that moment.

"He's in his office," Brian said. "I think we have the Hogsmeade house shut down for now, and I think we have her things moved into my place. I think we have it all covered. Robert seems to think Khaat is better somewhat. I think I agree with him. She feels stronger to me. All his hard work is paying off, little by little. I'll stay for awhile now. Here." He handed him just a simple french muggle coin. "This will act as a portkey for you to get you back and forth to my place until you know the way enough that you don't need it. I left Jack and Jessica Blackheart there finishing up some odds and ends. Go get yourself some food and some rest. She's just going to be sleeping for awhile until she regains some of her energies. She won't be awake much. She's still too weak. Robert is talking about soon being able to move her out of intensive care. And Abbey just has a few more ounces to gain before Robert says we can take her home. He's pleased with her, I can tell. You'd better rest up while you can because I think we'll be moving to my place very soon."

Steven looked at the coin and chuckled "sure , I'll head back to my place first I have animals to tend to , then i'll call to yours if i have the energy but i'l be back here in the morning, if im not a bug " he chucked , looking into the corridor he was glad to see it was empty, with a deep sigh he walked out sloing teh door behind him and head ing down to the main entrance as he did he passed Roberts office , he paused then turning he knowcked he owed Robert an apology at lest he could do that before he colapsed of exaustion or thats what it felt like to him.

Robert was buried knee deep, it felt like. He would certainly be more than glad to have Khaat back doing her job when that time came. He was looking forward to having his granddaughter just down the hall from his office where he could visit her any time he wanted. He had taken it upon himself to put a block on Abbey's magic and on her bond to Rob. He had not put a block on Khaat's bond to Rob. Not yet. He wanted her to deal with her feelings and wanted it to be her choice if he put a block back in place for her or not.

He heard the knock on his door, and for now, was glad for the interruption to his paperwork. "Come in," he called.

Steven heard Roberts voice and slowly opened the door to step inside, he saw Roberts desk littered with papers and things. “I’m not disturbing you am I?” He said as he closed it behind him, his back against the cold wooden door.

Steven felt a bit like a school boy who had been sent to the head masters office, but didn’t know why. He took a deep breath, he could feel his heart was pounding in his chest. He didn’t know where to begin, so he simply said one word. “Sorry“He looked at Robert before moving to his window. “Robert, I’ve come to a decision. “He looked down at the locket that hung around his neck, as he spoke his next words. “A part of me died with Janet and I have tried hard to get that part back, but each time, I think, I can …”He paused in his words, feeling his own emotions taking over. “I thought I could be strong, on my own, but I’m not, I’m worse, you healed the physical trauma, but mentally, it still hurts Robert, the same burning hurt that I felt all those months ago, “

His voice became low and soft. “ She told me to forget her. “He moved forward towards the desk and a chair that sat facing it. “But how can I, “He said softly, as he sat down, his head hung low. “She was the other half of my soul “He didn’t look up, he felt at that moment a broken man, lost and lonely. “If you want me off the assignment I will understand, you don’t need me or my baggage getting in the way. “Deep inside he could feel the emptiness that Janet had once filled, and he knew nobody would take her place.” Its not self pity all of this , I have been thinking about it for a while , Khaat’s predicament just brought home to me just how useless and alone I am , I even lost it with you , for pity’s sake. “

Even though he had lost it back on the farm so many months ago, he could even now feel it building again. All the grief and despair rising once more, like a phoenix from the ashes that was his heart.

"I guess... I guess what i'm asking for is, for you to grant her wish,make me forget her, I know you can do it" he looked at him with pleading eyes "I know John will talk of her, but to me she will be nothing but a distant memory and I can move on, please Robert , will you?"

Robert frowned, listening as Steven spoke. "When the time comes, if it is still necessary, then, yes. I will," he said gently. "But, Steven, John had 6 additional months to grieve his mother that you did not have. The reason the wound feels so fresh is because your grief started for you, when you woke here in St. Mungos. It has simply not been long enough. I don't need to remove you from your assignment with Khaat. That's your choice. If it is too emotionally painful for you, then say so. You do have the ability to remove yourself, and we would all understand.

"You have not taken the time, largely because you stepped right back into parenting John, to address your own grief issues. Now that John is going to Hogwarts with Andrew, you do have the time. I would encourage you not to live at Brians while Khaat is in hiding. Its close enough to your own home that you can work a shift and spend the other 16 hours a day at your own home, tending your farm and finding a life for yourself. It would be good for you.

"I'm not doubting that Janet appeared to you, just as I know that Remus has appeared to Khaat. However, you're not going to forget her because she was too big a part of your life. What she meant when she said that, undoubtedly, was that you could not stop enjoying your everyday life because she wasn't here to enjoy it with you. Start with simple things. Learn to enjoy again working with your animals on your farm, the joy of planting, and all of those things that we take for granted. When you can do that, when you can appreciate each joy of life for what it is, then you'll be healing.

"If it gets to be too painful for you in caring for Khaat, because I do understand it is extremely painful for all of us seeing her suffer like she is, and especially knowing that it was her love for Rob Dent that he did not return to her that caused her to be here right now, then, come talk to me again. Right now, you need a friend, and so does she. So, as she recovers you will find that, so long as you don't get overly protective or possessive, it might benefit you.

"You are an impatient man, Steven Walker. You need some male friends that you can bond with and go have some fun with. This could be good for you in many ways. I would challenge you not to walk away from this but rather to try it, but keep it in balance with your own life. Let me carry the brunt of what needs to be done for Khaat. I am very, very used to it. And I would not be elsewhere right now but carrying that burden. I choose to, just as you would if it were John. Just be her bodyguard for now. That's all. Work your shift and go home. What do you say?"