Tuscany Trip

"No," Khaat said. Then she thought better of it. "Well, I take that back. He is controlling about certain things. Um...like dueling, fighting, exercising, healing, ...."

"Hey," Brian laughed, "You make me sound like a tyrant."

"If the shoe fits...."Khaat began.

"You realize, don't you, .." Brian said to her, "I probably will take that as the sound of a challenge being thrown my way.. Right?"

"I am a wounded woman. I'll just get Steven to fight you in my place. He defends helpless females really well. I've seen him do it." She laughed, looking at Steven.

"You gonna let her talk you into that?" Brian laughed, looking at Steven.

Khaat finished her sorbet and rinsed out her dish and put it in the sink. As she reached into the sink to set the dish down gently, more pain went through her ribs. She nearly dropped the little dessert dish. Brian got up and went over to her, putting his dish in the sink too. "Alright, Enough," he said, quietly. "We're going to at least cut the pain for awhile. You're coming with me. Excuse us for a moment, Steven and Ronata."

He took Khaat back upstairs and rechecked her ribs. "Really, really bruised," he told her. "And there is a hairline fracture in one that I missed before. No more fighting for you. I refuse to let that break and cause you big problems. I"ll stop the pain for now, but you really are going to have to take a bit of a rest. You ought to be glad your father does not see all the bruises you're getting. You really took a trouncing."

"Hey, I can't win all the time."

"Yeah, well, be glad Steven showed up. If you're going to have an assassin after you, we need to polish up."

"I know. When do we start?"

"Not today. Today you rest."

"Fine," she said as he laid his hand on her forehead and drew off the pain again.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yes. Much. "Thanks"

Brian had ordered Khaat to rest and had insited that she stretch out on the bed and get comfortable. She didn't feel like arguing with him and decided to just go along with it. She had to admit, though, that once she had a chance to lay down, she realized how many places seemed to feel strained, stretched and bruised. She couldn't help a small groan.

"See?" he said gently, "You know, I have been in your shoes a time or four. I do have some idea what you feel like. There are plenty of charms around the house to keep it safe tonight. You can rest easy. Try tolet some of those sore muscles relax. You'll feel better. " He covered her with an afghan and left her to rest.

He returned downstairs, "I grounded her for awhile. She needs to be off her feet for a bit. She's just really sore. She's going to be fine, but I got sick of her pushing it. I won't ask you two how you intend to sopend the rest of the afternoon. But we have plenty of food, and since the ladies cooked for us, maybe I'll cook dinner when that time comes. It'll give me something to do. Unless you two would rather get cooking....Oops! Bad choice of words. Sorry," he laughed.

"I'm no pro on marriage," Brian said, "The only thing I really know is that Khaat's husband is an idiot. I didn't like him the night I met him. Bloody oaf. I met him the night she had Abbey, and he couldn'tt muster up enough courage to be with her through the first labor pain. The minute he looked at his daughter he passed clean out on the floor. He never did come back to be with her--ever. I don't get him. She's a beautiful, smart, courageous woman. Any man would be lucky to have her...." He stopped himself, thinking,' except me.' He just was not ever going to allow himself to see himself with any woman, let alone Khaat. If there ever were a woman who could tolerate his lifestyle and all its risks, it would be her. Still, he did not want to allow Khaat and himself to get attached and for something to happen, God forbid, and Khaat and Abbey be alone.

"I think I'll grill some steaks," Brian changed his thoughts deliberately. "I know a dry rub that I learned from a friend of mine who is a chef in Santa Fe. It's one of my favorites. I haven't made it in a very long time, but I do know that Khaat really likes it. What do you two think? Steak, roasted vegetables, parmesan risotto? I'm getting a lot of practice cooking with Khaat's workschedule. She's turning me into a kind of a househusband."

"Ah, well, that's the thing, now isn't it?" Brian said, "Rob and Jen escaped from Azkaban and joined Vincent Maajere as Death Eaters. See why I'm a bit protective over them? Rob never has forgiven Khaat for getting all his money, and that wasn't her doing, actually. It was Roberts. He was protecting Khaat and Abbey because Rob had no bloody interest in doing the right thing for his wife and daughter while he was rolliing in it. So, Robert managed to lock up and spirit way Rob's monies when he was arrested, and Rob has always blamed Khaat for not giving it back. But she can't. Its all in a trust for her and Abbey, and Robert is the only one with access. And Robert is just brazen enough that he doesn't give a rat's behind if Rob ever gets a shilling again in his life. As long as I'm breathing, though, Khaat and Abbey will never ever want for a thing in their lives. They deserve better, and I'm going to see to it that they're taken care of."