"Yeah," Brian said. "That might be the thing. She might enjoy that."
He was every bit as glad as Jack to get back home. Jack mentioned again thinking about a weekend for the four of them.
"I'll ask her," Brian promised. "Goodnight, Jack." He went inside and didn't see Khaat anywhere, nor Robert for that matter. He frowned and went into the kitchen and found Angus there working on dough for morning. "Where is Khaat? And Robert?"
"Kate came and she and Robert took Khaat up to the bedroom. I think they were going to help her get comfortable for bed," Angus said.
"What did he say about her knee?"
"He thinks she's blown her meniscus," he said. Brian groaned. The meniscus was such a little piece of cartilege but if it was torn, it was exceptionally painful. Muggles often needed surgery to repair it. For wizards, it could still be not an instant repair and required physical therapy. He wanted to see what Robert believed it would need.
"Now, now, we're not muggles, remember. If anyone can keep this from being a long hairy thing, it's Robert. Oh, and our new guy will be here in a few minutes."
"Who is this new guy?"
"Marcus Belby."
"Ravenclaw Marcus Belby? That Belby?" Brian frowned. "He's a bookworm."
"Your father was specific. You think he hired Khaat a librarian?"
"Pretty much," Brian sighed, unimpressed. "Alright. Let me know when he arrives."
"Or shall I just give him a blanket and a pillow in the study so he can get right to the books?" Angus teased. Brian rolled his eyes at Angus and went upstairs and found the bedroom door ajar. When he went in, Khaat was in a pair of pink satin floral pajama shorts with a matching camisole. It was a set she'd bought for a trip he'd taken her on to Venice--the trip that had changed it all for them where love finally had blossomed for them. He had fond memories of that trip.
Robert had put some pillows under Khaat's leg and he was handing her a glass.
"Here. Drink. It'll help," Robert said. Khaat didn't question it but drank it and set the glass on the nightstand. Brian wondered what sort of potion Robert believed would help this. "I'll leave you a bit of sleep potion in case it gets testy for you. If it gets too uncomfortable, ask Brian to relieve the pain for it, and I'll check it again in the morning."
"Are you sure we should be going back to the farm?" Kate frowned.
"Well, I'm not going until I talk to Belby," Robert said.
"How did it go, Brian?" Kate asked. "Did you find her bag?"
"I did," Brian said, "and Jack found where James escaped to. It seems he went down the catacombs."
"Well, that's a disgusting place," Robert said. "Figures. Most likely has some sort of hideaway down there somewhere. Still, well done."
"And her leg?"
"Sprained her ankle. You were right on that. Tore the medial collateral meniscus. It's swelling and bruising, but that's to be expected. Bloody painful business and between that and the sprain, I'm sure she'd rather be able to take her leg straight off. I've set some spells to start to reduce some of the swelling and pain, but she still could have discomfort tonight."
"Is that what the potion was for?"
"Oh, that was very technical," Robert said. Kate rolled her eyes.
"Aspirin powder," Kate told Brian.
"You can take the edge off for her if she gets uncomfortable," Robert said. I'll stop by in the morning and see if the swelling is down enough that I can start to repair the tear. In the meantime, she's not to be on it. You'll need to get her a set of crutches."
"There's a pair in storage somewhere I think," Brian said. "From when I broke my leg."
"Oh, yes. I forgot about that."
"Broke your leg?" Khaat asked.
"On assignment in Rome," Brian said.
"I had to send Michael in to get him out," Robert said. "That was a nasty break too. Are you sure you have the crutches?"
"Somewhere," Brian said.
"I won't need them tonight," Khaat said.
by 
