Tuscany Trip

"No," Brian said, "The sun is already coming up. And besides, I'm too wound up. I want you two to still have some sense of a vacation while we're here. Khaat and I are used to this. We can roll with it. Ronata is may be not quite so adjusted to the sort of life we live. She still needs to have some fun here. I will handle bodyguarding Khaat. That's been my job since the night Abbey was born. Well, one of my jobs. I only need you to spell me a bit if I need to sleep, and you should know by now, Steven, that I don't sleep orften or long either one. But every so often it is necessary for me--unfortunately. I'm not going to be able to sleep for awhile. I just need to be awake and closer to Khaat for awhile. I know that probably sounds weird, but there it is. You two sleep first. When I start to feel like I need a sleep break, I'll let you know. And I will try to make it during the day so it doesn't throw everyone's sleep cycle off. Sound like a plan?"

Steven looked at Ronata who to him looked tired and he nodded "fine with me COB" he said knowing better than to argue with him "and yea you take cat naps" he said smiling at him.

Ronata stifled a yawn feeling like her eye lids would close by them selves if she didn't sleep soon " I understand " she said moving to Stevens side and taking his hand "come on, sleep " she said pulling Steven from the stool "we'll see you in a few hours Brian, call us if you need us" she said.

Steven sighed too feeling her hand in his, he moved to slip his arm around her waist "good night CoB " he said now leading her to their room.

Soon she lay cuddled against Steven in bed glad he was back safe, she gave a smile knowing she would have to get use to this life . slowly she felt him breath softly against her, looking she saw him sound asleep already ,with a gently kiss she too slipped into a deep sleep.

Brian made fresh coffee and took a cup and went up to Khaat's room. He sat down in a soft, comfortable overstuffed chair near the window, in the early morning light and sipped his coffee. He watched her sleeping. She was completely exhausted. Between the fistfight she was recovering from, and now dueling nonstop almost all day, she just simply had no energies left. He hoped she would sleep a good long time. Either way, he figured she would be so stoved up from all the fighting that he was going to have to raise her pain potion for her. She was going to be miserable for a couple of days now, and even magic would not do much to help. This needed just good old fashioned rest.

Suddenly, there was a hand on his shoulder. It was then he realized he had actually dozed off for a moment. He had been jolted hard by being taken unaware. He jumped and turned to see Robert standing there.

"When did you sleep last?" Robert asked Brian in a very near whisper.

"Night before last," Brian said.

"Something uproot you last night? I felt a disturbance in her energies. Is she alright?"

"She's not hurt, if that's what you mean. That ugly old tart she brawled with a day or so ago came back late morning, and Khaat made a flying leap, grabbed ahold of her and apparated out to take care of the problem herself. We didn't find Khaat until just maybe an hour ago."

"Damn," Robert sighed heavily. "She's feeling like this is all her fault. That's why she did it."

"I know. Is it her fault?" Brian asked him plainly.

"No. Its not about her. She's being used. She's a pawn in this. Keep her safe, Brian. And don't lecture me about how you could do a better job if you knew who you were guarding her from. You know now. Keep her safe from that woman. "

"Who is she?

"Wizarding assassin for hire."

"How do you know her?"

"We've tangled before. That's all you need to know for now. Forgive me. I have excellent reasons to be secretive. I hope I can soon explain all this to you." Robert went over to the bed and laid his hand on Khaat's forehead for a long moment. He removed his hand and went back to Brian. "She's lost about 5 pounds in the last few days. Is she not eating?"

"She is. She's just wayyy overdone it. She's burned it off. "

"Brawling. I did pick up on that. " He opened his medical bag and handed Brian a potions bottle. "Highly concentrated stuff here. Half a dose every 8-10 hours. But even so, if she does not eat, it'll knock her right on her ass. Be very careful with it. And there are cases of a person's balance being a bit off, so don't be surprised if she sort of looks like she's had one firewater too many after you give this to her. But she will be decidely more comfortable. Give it a couple days and then see if you can't move her back to regular pain potion."

"I've only seen you use this a few times."

"I use it more than you think, but we don't normally run into someone who's had the snot kicked out of them either. I think you know the rest. Keep her resting for a couple days and then start rehab with stretching, maybe some swimming. That would ease the soreness."

"I've got the rehab part well under control," Brian said. "When did you sleep last, Robert?"

"I don't honestly remember," he sighed. "I'm going to go rob a cup of french roast from you before I go."

"Be my guest."

"Oh, by the way? Nice cars, Brian. Good taste, if I do say so myself."

"Everything you see is half mine and half hers."

"You're a good man, Brian Quinn. I'm glad my girls have you in their lives."

"Me too. Having a family of my own is growing on me."

"It suits you. I hope this doesn't last much longer. Try to be patient with me."

"We will. Take care of yourself, would you?"

"When that time comes, yes. I will." He walked out, heading towards the kitchen. Brian resettled in his chair and took another sip of his coffee. He looked out the window. The sunrise was beautiful. It was going to be a gorgeous day.

Ronata woke first feeling some what hungry for mango's , slipping from the bed she slipped on her robe and moved to check Khaat , she smiled seeing Brian "how it she today?" she asked standing in the door way she frowned as she picked up the scent of a man's calougne and it wasn't Brains or Stevens "Her fathers been?" she said softly her tummy growling again. She looked at the sleeping Khaat and the bottles of potions laid next to Brian "they all for her ?" she looked worried at him "I'm sorry, I'm asking too may questions for this time in the morning"

"You can ask," Brian said very softly to not wake Khaat. "Yes, Robert was here while you all slept. Robert has a very unusual energy link to Khaat. It happened when Khaat's Uncle Remus was killed. Khaat did not cope well with Remus's death. Remus raised Khaat because they were so much alike. She loved Remus more than her own life. When he was murdered, Khaat's grief almost killed her. Robert researched every book he had, every spell he could find. He found a way to give her some of his own life energies to save her life. But the result is that the two of them are, somehow, forever linked. He instantly knows if her energy level dips or if she is in any sort of danger or wounded. He felt that last night and came as soon as he could get free. Khaat's his only child, and no matter whether she is grown or not, he will always still come running if she's in trouble.

"The one bottle is the pain potion I've been giving her. The second one is a stronger one from Robert--just to keep her comfortable over the next couple of days. My bet is that the worst of the sore, stoved up muscles will be today and over the next couple days. Then it will loosen up enough that I can start working with her on rehabilitating all those hundreds of strained and damaged muscles. So far, she's slept straight through from when we put her to bed earlier. I hope she just continutes to sleep for awhile yet...." As he spoke, his stomach growled embarressingly loudly.

"Sorry," he laughed, definitely embarressed. "I think my stomach is ready for lunch. Sorry about that. When Steven gets up, I can cook us something, if you like. You should not have to be thrust into doing all the cooking. Actually,..." Brian said, a mischevious grin on his face, "I think we should nominate Steven to cook lunch and clean up the mess. He keeps saying he can cook. Maybe we ought to find out. What do you think?"

Ronata listened to Brian and smiled "he sounds a good father , wish mine was like hers, he is an honest and good man. " she could not help nod at him telling her of the potions. "we could go swimming down on the beach once she is able to, that should help a lot with her muscles " she chuckled softly at his tummy "I'll prepare breakfast I have this craving for mango's this morning but the potion is still working I don't feel sick" she smiled "give me a moment and I'll bring you some hot coffee, and I agree he should cook lunch."

She moved to the kitchen placing all the dishes in the washer and turning it to start its cycle. with the peculator now finished its run of fresh brewed French roast , she pored a cup and walked back holding a plate with several slices of toast on to Khaat bedroom and to Brian "here this should do you till sleeping beauty wakes and cooks" she said meaning Steven.

OOC: Wait. What time is it? It was sunrise before they went to bed. My guess is that sunrise doesn't normally happen until around 6 am even in good weather. Surely it has to be around noon already, doesn't it? I'm very confused.

Brian thanked Ronata for the coffee and toast. That would definitely help. He was feeling like he needed a shower and a shave and some fresh clothes. He was glad to see Khaat getting some well needed rest. He watched her soon start to stir. She was met with pain instantly. She groaned sleepily, more asleep than awake. He got up and went to her and sat on the bed carefully.

"Morning, Sunshine," he said softly, brushing the hair from her face.

"God, I hurt," she moaned.

"I know, Babe. I know. Your father was here while you slept. He left you better pain meds." He showed her the bottle.

"Oh, no," she sighed. "Now Steven and Ronata will think I"m drunk."

"No they won't. I'll explain it. Besides, it only affects you when you're up trying to walk around anyway. Steven and I can help you get anywhere you want to go. You arent going to feel like being up anyway. "

Khaat noticed she was still wearing her dirty dueling clothes from last night. "Oh no. And it Ronata's clean sheets, too," she sighed.

"They wash," he said. "Sleep was far more important. " He poured her the potion.

"I need to shower first before I take that crap."

"You won't be able to move, much less shower, if you dont' take that. Come on, Khaat. Take it." He handed it to her. She took it. "Now, what do you want to wear."

Ronata moved to Brian's side hearing her mention the sheets " he's right they can be washed , its a lovely day out and its warm too so they will dry quickly" she said smiling down at her "and believe me we won't think your drunk, Steven and I just want you on your feet again and feeling better" her concern showing in her eyes for her "while you shower I'll change the sheets I saw spare in the cupboard in the hallway" she smiled at her.

"Thanks," Khaat said. She watched Brian open the dresser drawers and find her a pair of jogging shorts and a tee shirt.

"Trust me," Brian said, "You're going to want to be comfortable today." He drew back the covers and slowly helped her up in the most painless way possible. He helped her to the shower and made her sit.

"Are you going to let me shower by myself?" she asked.

"Yes, but I"m standing right outside the door. If you get into any sort of trouble, I want to be there. And you call if you start to get too dizzy, you let me know. You got that?"

"Yes."

He did let her shower, and she felt like she showered off a mountain of dirt. She dressed, and she combed out her hair. She was getting massivelydizzy. She finally laid down her comb and called to Brian. He came in and quietly said, "Enough. Let me help now." He gently and slowly led her downstairs to the living room. He helped her sit on the couch, stretching out her legs there. He accio'd pillows for behind her back and an afghan for her to throw over her legs. "You're staying there today. You got that?"

"I will," she said, just entirely too tired to try to be independent today.

He brought her a cup of coffee. "Here. That will taste good to you, I"m sure."

"Thanks," she said, taking a sip. It was heavenly.

Ronata smiled as Brain lead Khaat away to the shower striping he bed she took them and placed them in the washing machine replacing them with clean fresh ones from the cupboard. After that was done she moved to dress in a pair of light blue cotton trousers and a white top. seeing Steven still asleep in the bed.

Moving into the living room she smiled at seeing Khaat enjoying a cup of her coffee "its it all right for you, not too strong?" she asked moving to slice some mangos now she could indulge her craving "Brian made a wonderful suggestion , Steven keeps saying he can cook , so Brian suggested that Steven cooks lunch today, what do you think?" she asked moving to sit facing her as she ate her mangos and bran flake breakfast.