Tuscany Trip

"Sorry," Khaat said. "I didn't mean to slight you two. I guess I just am feeling a bit protective. Look, I know I have a lot of friends, but very few who are close to me like you two are. I know you know that Brian and I have a bit of a different relationship now over the last couple of days than we ever have had. Part of that for us was that we so valued the other that we didn't want to take the slightest chance that we would not be able to stay friends if, well, things didn't work out.

"I have no idea why this Tasha woman is after me except that someone has paid her to kill me. I don't know who, but Lupins always have enemies. I don't want her hurting anyone. Not Brian, not either of you two. I'd rather do this alone entirely, but I know all of you too well to think I can possibly get away with that. You two have a wonderful family. I don't want you taking any unnecessary risks for me. And the same with you Brian If anything would happen to me, I would want you to have Abbey and Dakota...."

"Stop," Brian said, squeezing her hand. "Nothing is going to happen to you. You're going to raise those girls. I promise. And your odds of surviving are far better with us than without us. So, no more heroics like you just did. Got it?"

She looked at Jess and Jack, hoping they would support her, but she had a sense they were going to side with Brian.

"Okay," Khaat said, partly troubled and partly relieved. She didnt want anyone in harms way for her, but they were choosing it themselves. And Remus had always taught her that allies could indeed be a priceless thing.

"For tonight, lets just enjoy dinner. I think we need to go back to the villa tomorrow. I think a few more days of sun and quiet and relaxation is just exactly what we need," Brian said, smiling.

"Alright. That works for me," Khaat said. "What about you two? Can you take a few days at our seaside villa? I have been trying to get Brian to let us move there, but he refuses. Wait til you see it. It's beautiful."

"That's no big problem," Brian smiled as they brought out 4 dessert plate samplers for them. The dinner had been wonderful, and Khaat was happy, all things considered. Khaat liked the chocolate mousse cake, and the hazelnut biscotti that was dipped in chocolate, but her favorite, as always, was the tiramisu.

"Thank you, Brian, for another sensational meal," Khaat said. "But I'm stuffed now. So what's next on your plans?"

"Just a romantic gondola ride around the canals before we return to our hotel, if that's alright with everyone," Brian smiled.

"I will never turn that down," Khaat laughed. "What about you, Jess? Can you stand a gondola ride 2 nights in a row?"

"And then a special surprise for breakfast in the morning," Brian smiled. "I'm not telling any of you."

"Sounds mysterious," Khaat grinned.

"It is. You'll have to just wait and see," he replied.

Khaat laughed. She had no idea what he had planned either but she knew he had certainly given it forethought.

"I didn't say it was just for Khaat," Brian said, grinning. "You're all just going to have to wait and see." Khaat frowned. What the heck did he have planned for all four of them. Brian looked at her and laughed. "You just will have to wait," he told her. "Just like the rest of you."

"Alright," he finally said, laying his napkin on the table, "Are we ready to go? I do believe we are entitled to one last gondola ride before we leave Venice."

"Sounds fine to me," Khaat said. "I'm ready whenever everyone else is."

Brian helped Khaat into one of the gondolas and gave the gondoliers instructions in Italian. They smiled as Brian shoved a lot of Euros at each of them, and they nodded. "I'll see you two in a bit," Brian told Jack and Jess.

Since the evening was earlier than the night before, the gondoliers took them on a longer ride, though the most romantic parts of the city, where things were sparkling with the city lights. Khaat curled close to Brian and laid her head on his shoulder, glad to be with him tonight. Italy had a pace all of its own. One Khaat had come to love. She didn't ever want to leave.

"Weekends," Brian said softly, as if he could hear her thoughts. "Any weekend you want, and as many as you want. I promise."

"Even after we catch Tasha?"

"I swear."

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Anything you want," he replied.

The ride was so peaceful that Khaat had almost forgotten any trouble she ever had. It was wonderful. Suddenly, her arm began to sting. She frowned, and she felt Brian straighten up beside her. He looked at her arm. "You're bleeding," he told her. "Somehow she's grazed you from a bit of a distance. Hold still." He put his hand over the wound and healed it with nonverbal magic.

"Thanks, She's not trying very hard," Khaat frowned.

"I think she just missed. It really is very hard to hit a target accurately on a moving boat in the dark," he said. "You were lucky. We should go to the hotel."

"No. I refuse to hide. I'm facing this headon."

"Alright," he sighed, uneasy. His eyes began scanning the canal banks to see if he saw Tasha. He saw no one.