Tuscany Trip

"Leave us," Robert said, a quiet fierceness in his voice that Brian hadn't heard many times. Robert was beyond angry, and he didn't want any witnesses to whatever it was he was about to do. Brian did not hesitate. He only said very softly to Robert, "Don't kill her."

"That's too good for her," Robert hissed. "Now, get out!"

Brian went upstairs and went straight to Khaat's room. He found her lying on the bed, unconscious, drugged. And Steven and Ronata were there. "Thanks for bringing her back," Brian said. "A word of warning. Don't go down in the basement. Robert is there with that woman--and he is seriously pissed off. Whatever he's about to do, we don't want to know." He went over to Khaat. He could see why she had liked the silver dress. It was amazing. And there was nothing more he wanted than to be able to take her out in it to some candlelit nightclub and show off the world how beautiful she could be. But this was neither the time nor the place for such pipedreams.

"I could wake her up, but she'd feel like hell," Brian said. "The best thing for her to do right now is to simply rest. She really needs to just rest. Did either of you get a chance to get her things from that shop? Or do I need to go back there?" He really didn't want to have to go back there. He didn't know how he was going to explain the breech of magic in front of muggles if he did go back. Since Robert did it, Brian was going to let Robert explain himself. Brian didn't doubt it was necessary, but he really didn't want to have to come up with some lame excuse that didn't ever quite wash. And Robert's Obliviate spell was more powerful than Brian's for some reason. Brian had never asked how Robert had become so experienced at it. That was something else about Robert Brian never quite wanted to know.

"I'll stay with her. She's going to be a bit disoriented when she wakes up. And she needs a healer to keep an eye on her. Choloroform can affect almost every system in the body. I want to be sure she isn't going to be sick from it. The longer she sleeps the better her chances are that she isn't going to have as many side effects when she wankes up. I'll stay with her. And be sure you follow Robert's every word, without one single question. He's angrier than I've seen him in a very long time. You don't need to stay if you don't need to stay here if you don't want to. This is going tobe more of a healer's job for the moment."


Robert was downstairs for the better part of an hour. He was silent when he came upstairs, but it was obvious he was furious. He poured himself a firewhiskey--a large one. He took it outside onto the terrace. He wanted to be alone for a few moments to gather his thoughts.

Robert soon apparated upstairs to Khaat's room. He wanted to see Khaat. He saw Brian had lunch.

"You want lunch?" Brian asked gently.

"I don't think I have the stomach for it right now," Robert said softly. He sat down beside Khaat and brushed the hair from her face. He didn't know how he had been so fortunate that he had been blessed with such a wonderful daughter, but he wasn't going to let anyone hurt her again.

"Robert, did you kill her?" Brian asked softly.

"No. but she wishes I had."

"What did you do?'

"If you don't ask, I won't have to tell you," Robert said truthfully.

"Should I have awakened Khaat?"

"No. I'll do it. I don't want her sick." He laid his hand on Khaat's forehead and used magic to awaken her. She awoke slowly with a severe headache. She thought for a second she might be sick, but her father intervened quickly. He stopped her nausea first and then stopped her headache. "You were choloroformed. You're going to need some rest for a bit. I want you to stop this nonsense and rest today. "

"Do I need to do it in a stolen evening gown, though?" She asked groggily.

"Its paid for. Steven and Ronata paid for it while we got you home. " Robert laid out more comfortable clothes for her. "Better?"

"Much. Thanks."

"Can you eat some lunch?"

"Maybe."

"Brian, get her some lunch, and I'll help her here." Brian got up obediently and went down to the kitchen.

"She's awake," Brian said, taking the plate, "Thank you. Robert was able to wake her up and keep her from being sick. I'm glad of that. He just wants her to catch up a bit now from some of all this accumulated junk. I don't think he'll confine her to bed, but he will want her to slow down and finally rest up. I'll take this up to her. I'm trying to talk Robert into eating. I don't know how much good I"m going to do, but I am trying. he just needs to be sure she's all right. Then I think he'll be more open to eating. I'll let you know. Try to relax, though. She's fine

He took her lunch back upstairs and found she had put a pair of comfortable joggin pants on and a t shirt. Roberts idea, no doubt. She would not willingly have dressed so casually even if she weren't going anywhere. It wasn't her style.
"There's a salad still downstairs for you," he told Robert.

"I'm not eating unless I"m eating with you," Khaat told Robert firmly. Robert attempted to argue with her, but Khaat held her ground. Brian laughed and left the room, knowing Robert would not win over Khaat. He went back downstairs.

"Robert's salad, please. Khaat's managed it, without my help."

They finished their salads, and Robert said, "I do have to go now. Take good care of her, Brian. Oh, and it's safe to go into the basement now. She's gone from there. I don't know if she'll return or not. But if she knows what's good for her she won't. I would not presume she got the message, though. She just never gives up, once given the proper motivation. So you will need to continue to be careful. Very careful. I need to go. The sooner I wind this up, the sooner you can all go home. "

"Are you sure you can't let us help?" Brian asked again.

"I'm positive. Very." He rose and set his empty place aside. He kissed Khaat and went over to Brian. "With your life, you understand?"

"I always have, Robert," Brian said. And with that, Robert was gone. Khaat sighed heavily, wondering which time he left would be the one where she never saw him again.

"I want you to rest this afternoon," Brian said.

"I will," Khaat sighed. Brian rose, gathered up all the dishes and took them back to the kitchen.