How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

AN: This chapter mentions the Fleymann's condition that Jason, Harry and Grant all share. We invite you to join us over on the live journal, Stirs of Echo, for even more stories about all the characters. You can find it here: http://community.livejournal.com/stirs_of_echo/. Membership is not required.
In other news, the updates will be a bit sporadic coming up soon as Sevs_lil_secret will be having surgery next week. She is all right and it is nothing major but she will be under the weather for some time. We hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you again for all your comments and concerns; we really appreciate them.




Damon crawled out of bed and woke Sev then padded into the kitchen to start coffee. He pulled some of Grant's cinnamon rolls from the freezer and slid them on a pan while waiting for the oven to warm. He panned up some bacon to begin frying as he let all the dogs out for their morning constitution.

He had to do the lunch hours up at the bar today and pulled out his menu trying to decide what would be the day's special as he sat at the table with his coffee.

Grunting softly to himself, Severus sat up from where he'd been sleeping on the sofa briefly wondering why he hadn't bothered to go upstairs to sleep in his old bed. Oh yeah, he'd been too drunk to care.

Holding his head gingerly, he made his way into the kitchen and sat down heavily at the table, resting his head in his hands. "Kill me now if you have any mercy," he croaked hoarsely.

Damon chuckled. "There's coffee and I think Grant has some of your left over hangover drafts in our bathroom." He looked up at his son and smiled. "I got some of Grant's cinnamon rolls about to bake."

"Thank Merlin that man is a pack rat," Severus mumbled as he fumbled for his wand in his shirt. He knew he'd slept with it; it had kept gouging him at different points through the night. Finding it, he drew it out and gave it a lazy flick.

"Accio Hangover Cure," he muttered and barely looked up in time to catch the bottle before it hit him in the head. "Damon, that moonshine is lethal."

Damon grinned and stood, pouring Severus a cup of coffee before sliding the rolls in the oven. "Pussy."

"Sadist," Severus snorted as he clutched the coffee mug like a life line. "How did Grant stay married to you all these years?"

Damon chuckled and sat down again. "He's worse than I am and you know it. At least he isn't around banging pots and pans this morning. You know he would make us both pay for last night."

"Why is he like that anyhow?" Severus asked, setting the empty potion phial down after swallowing the contents. He was starting to feel human again.

Damon sighed. "You know I was in the Wars and all. We went through a bad time of it and a lot of that stems from then." He got back up to turn the bacon and added some more slices to the pan in the empty spaces. "The rest of it is because of his uncles back on the Res. Several of his tribe members were 'forced' to take action when the winyan wouldn't behave and let the white man alone. It is a bad stereotype that Indians weren't nothing but no good drunks."

Damon shrugged. "It's rough for him to see us acting like that I suppose because he's seen some of the worst that drinking can bring out in a man."

Severus shook his head trying to understand more of the small man. "It strikes me as odd that you own a bar then and that he spends any time there at all."

Damon shrugged again and refilled their coffee mugs. "You notice he doesn't drink while there. The bar is now more restaurant now than anything and was just happenstance. I'd had enough of being a contractor and wanted my own business that gave me a bit of freedom while Grant was working at the hospital."

"Now I feel even worse for every time I was blathered around him," Severus said with a resigned sigh. There was nothing he could do about it now, but he doubted he have much opportunity to be in that position often now that he was married and a child on the way.

"How much longer before the food is ready?" he asked as he got up to refill his cup.

Damon looked at him. "Don't be. He understands and on occasion has been known to tie one on himself."

He looked up at the clock. "Ten minutes more on the rolls, you can have some bacon though if you want." he began laying out thick crispy strips on a paper towel. "Here, careful it's still hot."

Grabbing a slice of bread, Severus laid two strips of bacon on it and made a quick sandwich before sitting back down again. "I can't even imagine Grant pissed," he chuckled. "That has to be funny."

The thought of the uptight little man cutting loose was just a little too much for Severus to grasp and he chuckled again as he tried to imagine it.

Damon grinned. "At times it is. He usually is a pretty happy little drunk but it takes something bad for him to hit the bottle. He's paid for his few binges the next day." He panned up some more bacon and checked the cinnamon rolls.

He retrieved the powdered sugar and milk, quickly making a glaze to pour over the hot sticky buns. "What all you got going on today? Max is supposed to come up for lunch at the bar. Think you can make it?"

"I should be able to; I've got to go down to the shop today. Jason should be there shortly and I've given him a key to open up, but I promised to firecall Harry before I went in," Severus said as he yawned and stretched his arms over his head. "I swear that boy is having a hippogriff."

Damon only shook his head and chuckled, he too was hoping the young man was alright and the child would be born well. "Go on up and shower before the food's done."

Severus nodded as he slapped some bacon on a slice of bread, folding it over to make a sandwich before he stood to go. "I'll be back," he said ominously and then laughed.

Severus practically ran up the stairs, grabbing his bag out of his room before going to stand under the hot spray, sighing as he began to feel human once more.

Damon took the cinnamon rolls out of the oven and drizzled them with the icing. He set them on the table after pulling one loose. Topping the roll with two slices of bacon, he padded back into his and Grant's room, tossing out some clothes on the bed while he ate.

He sighed as he finished his breakfast, stripped out of his clothes to shower and get ready for the day.

@@@@@@@@@@@@

Harry looked up at the sound of the flames in the hearth roaring up and then smiled. Severus had said that he'd be fire-calling him that afternoon before he and Grant went to the wake for Percy. He set the over robe he'd been fussing with on the bed, making his way over to settle on the low stool Molly had conjured for him in front of the hearth.

"Hello Severus, how are you this morning?" Harry asked with a smile as he saw his husband's face in the green flames. "Did you sleep well?"

Severus smiled at his little husband. "I'm well, Harry and how are you?" His eyes roamed over the man, taking in the sight of his lover. "You look very handsome." He took in Harry again memorizing the vision to recall later in the day when he was lonely.

"Thank you, the robes I purchased when I was out with Grant seem to fit really well and Madame Malkins said they would adjust to my size as I get bigger," Harry said as he looked down and fingered the material of the dark green under robe. The outer robe was a shade lighter and of a heavier material and Harry thought it would be comfortable when he returned home.

Grinning for a moment, Harry leaned forward into the flames. "Guess what!"

Severus nodded at his husband's smart choice. "I'm glad you found something you like." He chuckled at Harry's enthusiasm. "Tell me little one, don't keep it bottled inside."

"Grant and I talked about it last night and we decided that we are ready to come home. He misses Damon and I miss you terribly, so we've decided to catch an early flight tomorrow afternoon," Harry said and then paused. "I know its short notice and both you and Damon have busy days on Fridays, but Grant said we could rent a car and drive home from the airport. That's alright, isn't it?"

Severus blinked and thought about the shape of the house. The Overlook was immaculate of course; he'd been staying with Damon the entire time. However the old farm house looked like it was in the middle of a frat party. He cleared his throat and smiled. "Yes, Harry, that is perfectly fine. We miss you as well. What time do you think you'll be arriving?"

"I'm not exactly sure. Grant said that if he was too tired from the flight that we would get rooms and then come home after he'd rested enough to drive," Harry said, noticing Severus' reaction. "How bad is it over there?"

Severus smirked. "I have no idea what you are speaking of. Damon and I are fine." He grinned and reached into the fire, caressing Harry's cheek to distract him. "Grant's idea sounds perfect to me, little one. I want you to take it easy. The jet lag can be quite fierce."

Harry narrowed his eyes for a moment before he leaned into Severus' long fingers. "I'll be careful, I promise, but how bad is their house?"

"Never you mind, Harry. All is well." Severus assured his husband, hoping it worked. As soon as he finished his call he was going to have to warn Damon of impending doom. They had so much to do but their husbands were coming home.

Harry looked around the room he was sharing with Grant to make sure the older man had not come down while he'd been distracted. "Severus... really. Do I need to find a calming draught for him? He's been a little odd since yesterday morning," he said softly, not wanting his voice to carry.

The day before Grant's moods had begun to swing rapidly from one extreme to the next and Harry didn't know if the little man would go around the twist or not when they arrived back in Echo.

Severus narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean odd? Do I need to go get Damon?"

"I don't know. Grant's just been either really happy or really pissy, there hasn't seemed to be an in-between and it just started like you'd turn on the tap."

Severus frowned and took a deep breath, something Max said to him just the other day tingling at the corner of his conscience. "And you, Harry anything seemingly off with you?"

Harry shrugged. "Fred and George have been on my nerves more than I thought they would be and I had a little row with Ron over something stupid," he said, the disgust obvious in his voice.

Severus hummed still trying to remember what it was that Max had told him. "Knowing Weasley I am certain it was entirely his fault. Are you all right? They haven't been bothering Grant as well, have they?"

Harry didn't say anything for a moment. "Please don't tell Damon, but I hid Grant's wand yesterday afternoon. I thought he was going to hex the twins horribly."

Severus chuckled. "You did a good thing, Harry. The twins may have deserved it but Grant would have been horribly embarrassed if he had done so. Is there anything else I need to know?"

"Not that I can think of. I did get you all of your favourites that I could find while we were out the other day," Harry said with a smile and then looked up at the clock. "You'll have to go soon to open the shop. Is Jason alright?"

Severus nodded. "Thank you Harry. I appreciate it. Jason is fine. He's progressing well as can be given his size." He paused, wondering if Jason had told Harry anything. "Have you and Jason talked much about your pregnancies?"

"No, not really. He doesn't talk much to me, but he's nice though," Harry said as he looked up at the clock once more. "Severus, I should finish getting ready, I don't want Molly and Grant down here trying to dress me."

Severus chuckled again and nodded. He'd suspected as much. "Very well, My own. Are you certain you do not want me to get Damon to speak with Grant?"

@@@@@@

Severus walked back into the kitchen, sitting back down in his chair and staring at Damon for a moment. "You're fucked," he said flatly as he reached for a cinnamon roll.

Damon looked up at his son in shock. "Excuse me?" He glared at the other man for a moment then shook his head. "Care to explain that remark before I beat it out of you?" he chuckled and sipped his coffee.

Severus smirked as he broke off a piece of the roll. "They are coming home tomorrow." He watched Damon's face and found he wasn't disappointed in the man's reactions.

Damon spat his coffee across the table and wiped his mouth. "What did you say?" He looked around the kitchen then back at Severus. "Why are they coming home so soon; what happened?"

"I said they have decided to catch an early flight tomorrow and Grant will rent a car to drive down from Pittsburgh," Severus said slowly. "Apparently they miss us." A smirk spread over his face as he watched Damon.

All the colour drained from Damon's face. "They missed... Shit!" he looked over at the calendar and gasped then looked back at Severus. "Get your ass on the phone and call that cleaning service for the practice." He stood, drinking down the last of his coffee quickly. "I have to go to the store."

Severus didn't move. "There's something else you may like to know."

"I don't need to know anything else I know what's coming. Get a move on, Sev!" Damon snarled and began throwing out takeaway containers that littered the cabinet.

"I dare say that you do need to know this," Severus murmured. "Apparently he's experiencing violent mood swings and behaving oddly according to Harry."

Damon turned around and looked at Severus. "I know," he said firmly. "It's almost that time. Now I suggest that you get your ass in gear cause when they return, neither one of us is going to be able to walk for a month."

Severus sighed, pulling his mobile out of his pocket and looking up the cleaning service that took care of the building the practice was in. After calling and speaking for a few moments, he put the phone to his chest and looked at Damon.

"We're fucked. They are booked solid."

Damon cursed and swept everything on the table into the trash before banishing the bag out to the burning pile. "Get the book and start calling around. I need a complete crew here immediately." He rushed out of the kitchen taking the box of trash bags with him to begin on the living room. "Hurry up, I'm not the only one gonna take heat for this!"

Getting to his feet, Severus pulled the phone book off of the top of the refrigerator and picked up the portable phone to sit back down at the table. He could hear Damon crashing around the other room as he tried to explain what they needed to whoever was on the other end of the line. Having no luck, as a last resort, he called the Farnsworth Bed and Breakfast.

Grimacing, he hung up and called out for Damon. "I have good news and bad news."

Damon came back into the kitchen, panting slightly as he lugged three bags of trash with him. Banishing it outside, he flung open the back door and the kitchen window. "Tell me what you got."

"None of the three cleaning services were available so I called the Farnworths to see if I could borrow their maid," Severus began and waited. "Margaret will be here in about thirty minutes to clean the house for you."

Damon stared at him. "Have you lost your mind, boy?! Call her back and tell her no. I'll do it myself with magic."

Severus raised a brow and looked at Damon. "Are you certain?" he asked, not certain which would be the worst of the two evils. "Why not just clean it the way he does?"

Damon looked at Severus and snorted. "Do you know how long it takes Grant to clean this house like he does?" He moved away from the sink and opened a small slim door next to the fridge. Inside were three brooms, two different mops and just about every cleaning product on the Muggle market as well as some Wizarding ones.

The entire cabinet was filled on every shelf with sponges, cloths, buckets and gloves. "Do you see all that shit? I have no idea what half of it is for let alone what to do with it."

Severus eyed the equipment and then nodded. "We have at least twenty-four hours and I for one know that I can clean without magic," he said as he looked up at the clock and rolled up his sleeves. "I've thirty minutes now, but I'll do more when I finish this evening at the shop."

Severus pulled out a sponge and a box of cleanser to begin on the kitchen counter spaces. "Would you mind getting the laundry, then?" he asked as he set to scrubbing.

Damon nodded. "Call Farnsworth back and tell her not to come. I don't want her anywhere near this house, especially with him coming home in that state. Grant will smell her a mile away." He grabbed the dish towels off the counter and tossed them into the laundry room then headed for the bedrooms.

Severus nodded, planning to call as soon as his hands were clean once more.

The tall man had his head in the open refrigerator cleaning out the takeaway boxes when the door bell rang. "Damon, I have my hands full," Severus shouted as he reached for a half eaten sandwich that was stuck to the refrigerator shelf.

Damon bounded out of the bedroom half clothed, a load of jeans tucked under his bare arm. "Who the hell comes to the front frigging door?" he pulled it open and stared at the woman on the porch. "Oh fuck," he grinned at the woman then began to close the door. "Um... thanks Margaret but we've no need of you now. Sev and I got it."

Margaret Farnsworth raised an eyebrow as she looked past Damon and into the couple's home. "It looks like you've got it alright," she snorted softly as she pushed the door open and moved past Damon.

"What in the name of Merlin has happened in here?" she asked as she looked around in disbelief. Even if she couldn't say Damon's husband was one of her friends, she now had a grudging respect for the little man and knew he wouldn't be happy at finding his house looking like a pigsty.

Tossing her bag to the sofa, she looked at Damon with her hands on her hips. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself," she scolded. "Now where are the cleaning supplies?"

Damon took a deep breath, debating the merits of letting the woman stay and clean while he headed into town to restock Grant's junk food supply. He might possibly be able to get away with a cleaning lady if his husband had massive amounts of chocolate in his bloodstream.

"In the kitchen," he answered dejectedly, knowing he'd still have to answer to his little husband's wrath but feeling all the better for not ruining something irreplaceable by trying to clean it wrong.

He slapped his forehead and wondered back to the bedroom, realizing he'd had less trouble if he had just banished everything in the house and replaced it with new.

Margaret followed after him. "Is the upstairs as bad as down here?" she asked as she looked around the master bedroom.

Damon turned around and looked at her. "I don't know, Severus was up there not me." He smiled and turned back to digging the clothes out of the hamper, hoping to sic the woman on his son for forgetting to call off the old dog.

Stepping further into the room, sniffing at the stale smell of cigarette smoke, she looked at Damon with her arms crossed over her chest. "How long before he gets in? This house smells like the bar."

Damon glared at her. "Tomorrow night, maybe the following morning. If you are going to bitch then you can leave. I don't have time to put up with your nagging." He eyed her a moment then crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll pay you double what Fannie does if you'll just get to it and quit terrorizing me."

Margaret narrowed her eyes and looked at the man she'd harboured a crush on for so many years. "I'm not doing this for you and I don't want your money," she said brusquely. "I should have it finished by this evening." She turned to leave the bedroom and go find the cleaning equipment.

Damon watched her go and shook his head. "Every damned one of them is insane. Even the ones that aren't women." He picked up the rest of the clothing and took it all into the laundry room to get started. How in the hell had he worn so many clothes in just the week that his husband had been gone?

@@@@@@@

At The Mortar & Pestle, Jason Summers opened the front door and turned on the lights. His boss wasn't there yet, so he needed to get the shop ready for customers for the day. Walking through to the back room, he started the fire under the large cauldron his boss used most days, knowing it would need to heat for a little while before it was usable. He also made a pot of coffee, knowing the Professor was a dick without it. Jason was just starting to wipe down the front counter glass when he saw the big black truck go past the front of the shop.

Severus pulled up next to Max's truck behind the shop. He slid out from behind the wheel and grabbed the plate with the cinnamon rolls he'd stolen from the baking tin. He unlocked the back entrance and stalked through the door. He smelled coffee and smirked. "Jason? I've brought some breakfast. Would you like a cinnamon roll? They are fresh from the oven.

He set the plate down on the desk in his office and waited on the younger man to make his way back as he took off his long coat, scarf and gloves. It looked like they were going to get more snow soon.

"I'm in the front Professor," Jason called out. "I think I've got everything ready to go. Do you want me to flip the sign?"

Severus walked out into the shop and looked around. No one was waiting to get in just yet. "Wait for a few moments and come have some breakfast. Grant's cinnamon rolls are not to be missed."

Jason set his dusting cloth back under the counter and followed the Professor into the back room. He pulled his shop apron off its hook and pulled it over his head before reaching behind him to tie it around his bulk.

He sat down on a spare stool and reached for one of the rolls. "Thank you Professor."

Severus nodded and settled himself behind the desk, taking the till out of the safe. He set it to the side and eyed the little man across, wondering about how to approach his concerns. "Jason... how are you feeling today, if you don't mind me asking?"

Jason shrugged as he chewed. "Like I'm going to explode," he laughed. "I feel alright Professor, just a little cold."

Severus got up and turned up the temperature some on the little space heater in his office. "I had noticed you are progressing some," he answered diplomatically. "I take it everything is well with your little one?"

"Thanks, but I'll warm up when I start working Professor. Everything is alright as far as I know," Jason said finishing his roll and rubbing a protective hand over his distended belly. "I'll get the stocking done up first from yesterday."

With that, the small man was back on his feet and picking up a flat of squat jars to take out to the front. "Ready to open?"

"Jason..." Severus sighed and nodded. "I was just inquiring about the two of you. I didn't mean to intrude on your personal life. You are part of our family and I am concerned for you." He picked up the till and walked around his desk.

"You didn't Professor," Jason said, a small frown on his face. "Honestly, as far as I know everything is alright. I just thought you'd want me to get to work now."

Severus nodded. "I would like you to take it easier around here, Jason. You and Harry are both getting further along and should proceed carefully. They'll be no babies born in this shop if you please."

"Don't worry Professor, I'll wait until my lunch break," Jason teased as he set the flat of jars down and went to flip the sign around. He knew he'd still work harder than Harry simply because Harry was the boss' husband, but he didn't mind, he was grateful for a job.

Severus rolled his eyes and placed the till drawn in the register. "Please see that you do, Jason." He chuckled softly and shook his head as he closed the draw. "I'll be brewing most of the morning. Do you need any personal potions restocked?"

Jason thought for a moment and nodded. "I'll need my prenatal vitamin on payday Professor," he said as he remembered he'd taken the last of it the day before. The best part about working at the shop was that he got a good discount on his medications since he'd lost the Rainwalker Fund when he'd started to work.

Severus nodded. "I'll have it brewed by this afternoon." He turned to head back to his lab then looked back at his employee. "Jason... I'll be dining at Cutty's this afternoon for lunch. You are welcome to join." Maybe Damon could get something else out of the little man easier than he could.

It was tempting, but Jason was well aware of the lightness of his money pouch. "Thank you Professor, but I brought a sandwich," he said as he began to stock the shelves.

Frowning slightly, Severus nodded. "Very well, Jason. If you have need of anything just knock on the door."

"Yes Professor," Jason said as he concentrated on his job and not on the ache that was beginning in his feet. The daily walk back and forth from home was starting to wear on him and the weather just wasn't helping at all.

Severus worked on his most needed potions first and set them aside when cooled. Jason's vitamin was almost finished; it just needed to finish cooling before being decanted. He looked up at the clock to find that the morning had vanished and was inching on towards afternoon. His stomach gurgled its opinion and he sighed as he ran a hand over his face, unbelieving he was about to pull a Longbottom.

He secured the most precious potions behind a charm and set up another cauldron. Heating the iron under a full flame, he looked around the lab making certain Jason's pack was still in the corner.

Nodding, he cast a charm over himself as well then began tossing ingredients until the cauldron went supernova and exploded. "Shit!"

Even though he was protected he brought his arms up and shielded his face as bright lime green potion covered everything in the lab and another loud boom shook the room.

Thankfully the shop was empty when the accident happened and Jason dropped what he was doing and ran to the back room, his feet slipping on the green ooze that coated the floor.

"Professor! Are you alright? What happened?" Jason exclaimed as he stared at the mess in disbelief and then looked over at his boss.

Severus looked up, wiping the slime from his face, trying hard not to smirk. "Yes, Jason, I am fine. Is everything well out in the shop? Be careful not to slip and fall." He looked around the potion covered room. Humming he sighed and shook his head. "A bit too much dragon heartstring, I think."

Jason looked around and shook his head as he carefully made his way over to the cupboard where the cleaning supplies were kept. He'd learned early on that you couldn't use magic in the boss' workroom, that it could upset ingredients and potions; elbow grease was what was called for.

"I'll have this taken care of as soon as I can," Jason said as he began wiping down the walls.

Severus shook his head. "No Jason, leave it for now. Its lunchtime and I am afraid I have ruined yours. Please allow me to make restitution and treat you to lunch."

Jason looked over to where his backpack lay covered in green slime and made a face in disgust. "Okay, yeah. Sure Professor, somehow I doubt my sandwich is good any more," Jason said as he tossed his sponge back into the bucket of soapy water. "How hard is this going to be to get off after it's dried?"

Severus smirked. "This was my doing Jason. I shall be the one to do the necessary clean up." He looked over at the backpack on the floor. "Do you mind if I have your satchel cleaned as well?"

Jason made a face and chewed on his lip. "What about the stuff inside?"

"That is what I am inquiring about. Is there any item in your pack that cannot be replaced? I shall replace it entirely if need be."

"Oh. I don't know. Let me look," Jason said as he carefully made his way over to his bag and opened it gingerly. He didn't carry much normally. Looking for a clean spot to set the contents, he moved a box and flipped it upside down. Jason pulled out his now ruined sandwich that had been wrapped in a paper towel, an old paperback book that was a sodden mess, his gloves, hat, scarf, and a small worn notebook that was only slimed around the edges.

That was really the only thing he was worried about, it was his journal of sorts. Within it were telephone numbers, doctor's instructions, his thoughts, letters to his unborn son, letters to his former lover, letters to his parents; wiping it off with the corner of his apron, he carefully folded it in half and stuffed it in his back pocket.

Severus watched as he wiped his hands on a towel. "I trust the important items made it? I apologize about the loss of your novel. We can replace it after we return from lunch."

Jason shrugged. "It's just one I picked up at the book sale at the hospital." He looked up at his old fatigue jacket and made a face. "Crap."

"Jason..." Severus was seriously regretting his decision now, as he examined Jason's jacket. "I want you to wear mine for now and we shall also replace this as well."

"No, you don't need to replace it, it'll wash," Jason muttered as he used his hands to scrape the worst of the slime off of it. At least the Laundromat was only a block over, maybe his boss wouldn't mind if he ran down and put it in a washer and then the dryer later on so he'd have it to wear home. "I'll drop it off at the Washhouse."

"It might be easier to just replace it, Jason. Some ingredients I used will permanently affect the cloth. Seeing as it was my experimentation that caused the havoc, I would be more than happy to replace it and anything else." Severus arched an eyebrow at the smaller man. "No charity I promise, just a friend replacing the destroy items."

"Let me try washing it first, okay? There aren't any shops in town that are very reasonable to buy a coat," Jason said with a shrug as he dug a plastic bag out from one of the shelves. Stuffing the sodden garment in the bag, he wiped his hands off and stood back up with a smile. "You can bring me a sandwich if you want, then I can keep the shop open for you."

Severus made a face. "Jason, I would like you to accompany me to lunch." He came around the work table carefully, and then peered into the shop. Spotting no one and drawing his wand, he flipped the sign and locked the door. "All settled. Come with me."

Jason only shook his head and picked up the bag with his coat. "Alright Professor, I should warn you though. I like to eat," he laughed as he started for the back door.

After making the arrangements and hanging up the phone, Severus nodded. "I can tell. That is a good thing. It appears that you have a healthy little one growing in there." He held out his coat to the small man. "Just until we get out of this wind. We'll take your jacket to the cleaners on the way to Cutty's. Damon is having supreme nachos and tortilla soup for the special."

Jason grinned at the mention of the nachos, taking the coat without an argument. "Don't worry about the cleaners, just let me out at the Laundromat for a minute to start it in one of the washers," he said as he followed Severus to the truck. "Damn, it's getting colder, isn't it?"

Severus held open the door for the little man, offering him a hand up as he took the bagged jacket from him. "I believe it is. We are supposed to get more snow or so I heard on the way to the shop this morning." He drew his wand a cast a warming charm to keep Jason comfortable until he could start the truck.

Jason rolled his eyes at the mention of more snow. That was all he needed. When Severus got behind the wheel, he turned to his boss, biting his lip.

"Professor, do you think I could maybe have an advance on my pay check?" he asked softly. If it was going to snow, he wanted to get some things at the grocery just in case he was stuck up on the mountain. The leftovers from the potluck several days ago hadn't lasted and now Jason was needing to get to the market.

Severus started the truck, adjusting the temperature on the heater and vents. "Jason if it is for the potion you may have it and I'll take the money out of your pay check on Friday. Do not fret over it. That is a necessity you and the baby cannot do without." He looked at the small man and turned, backing the big truck out of the parking space.

"Oh... well never mind then, thank you though for the potion Professor," Jason said, bringing his thumbnail up to chew on. He would be alright, he'd just set a snare for a rabbit or something.

Severus eyed Jason for a moment then nodded pulling into Grobason's cleaners. He picked up the bagged jacket and turned to Jason. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He slid out of the truck before Jason could even protest and walked up to the door of the cleaners.

Jason stared out the window of the truck, trying to remember what exactly he had in his cupboards at home and decided he'd just take half of his lunch home with him that day and have it for supper.

Severus trudged back to the truck and slid behind the wheel. "Jason... I am afraid the potion has already begun to eat through the material of your jacket. It will have to be replaced."

Well, wasn't that just dandy, Jason thought as he closed his eyes for a moment. "Alright Professor. Just the next time you're near a Wal-Mart, I guess just pick one up," he said quietly. This was not going to make things any easier on him.

Severus arched an eyebrow. "I am certain we can find something after lunch. I will not let you go home with out replacing it today." He put the truck in gear and headed for the bar. "I am sorry for the destruction of your property, Jason. Perhaps it is time to add on a little space for you and Harry to stow your jackets. Somewhere we can have lunch possibly without leaving the shop besides the workroom. I know there is a little more space left on the bottom floor and I shall speak with Damon about knocking out a wall."

"Professor, the only place in town that would have a coat for me is Bonner's and there is no way you are going to spend that much on a coat for me," Jason said with a shake of his head. "I can wait."

Severus looked at Jason and shook his head. "Jason, I will replace the jacket regardless of the price. You need a coat. I ruined it and will buy another. If you are sick then you cannot work, therefore it will be replaced post haste and I'd not hear another word about it," he stated with finality. "As I said before, this is not charity."

Jason shook his head and blew his breath out. It was no use to argue with the other man, but he felt badly that the man was going to have to spend that much.

As they drove along the street, Jason suddenly sat up straighter, pointing at a small non descript building set behind a church. "We can go there."

Severus stopped at the stop sign and looked. "Where?" He eyed the small building then looked at Jason. "What is that?"

"I forgot all about this place, it's only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays. It's a thrift store run by the church," Jason said excitedly. "I bet I can find something in there."

Severus hummed. "Jason luckily today is Thursday, we shall stop on our way back to the shop. I would imagine they have closed for lunch as well."

"But maybe someone is in the church and they'd let me in," Jason said with a sigh. "It would be more affordable than buying something brand new."

Severus sighed. "We'll try after lunch, if that will cease your arguments. Even churchgoers must eat." He started the truck again turning on a side street and heading for Cutty's once more.

Jason stayed quiet until they'd almost reached the bar. "When is Harry getting back?" he asked.

"When I spoke to him this morning, he informed me that he and Grant will be taking an early flight home tomorrow afternoon." Severus looked at Jason and smirked. "Am I that bad whilst he isn't here?" He pulled into a parking space next to a small car with out of state plates.

"Wow, someone sure came a long way for the famous fried chicken," Jason laughed as he pointed at the Oregon plates, choosing not to answer his employer's question before he got out of the truck, wrapping his arms around his slight chest. "I'm going on in Professor."

Severus nodded and watched Jason go into the building before he pulled his cell phone from his pocket, calling the church to check on their items. He wanted something a little warmer than the old camouflaged army jacket Jason had been wearing. After listening to a spiel, he got through to a person and made his desires known.

Satisfied they might be able to help he hung up the phone and shut off the truck, shivering as the chill wind blew through his jumper while he walked up to the bar.

Inside the bar, Jason looked around, surprised to see Doctor Corrican and his husband as well as Doctor Sorens all sitting at one table with someone he'd not seen before. Not wanting to intrude, he took a seat at an empty table not far away and waited for the Professor to come in, not certain he wanted to join the others.

Severus entered the bar and looked around for Damon. He didn't see the older man but did spy Max with the others and Jason all alone. He stopped at Max's table for a moment to say hello to the man.

"Max, Gregory, Davy." He nodded to the other man, eyeing him for a moment then turned back to the others. "How are things going upstairs?"

Gregory chuckled as he looked up at Severus. "Hello there, Severus. Things are the same, snot, diarrhoea, and sore throats," he chuckled, Max joining in with a nod. "Grant isn't missing a thing."

"Lovely, just what I wanted to hear before lunch." Severus shook his head and chuckled. He looked at the grey haired gentleman again. "Excuse me for interrupting your lunch. This won't take but a second more." He leaned down to the table and whispered in the big man's ear. "Max, I'd like to chat with you about Jason if you don't mind."

Max looked up and then nodded. "Alright, what is it?" he asked softly.

Severus cut his eyes over at the other men then knelt. "Is he well? I know what you said the other day, but look at him, he's huge."

Max frowned as he looked over at Jason, he really couldn't say much to Severus, but he agreed that the young man looked huge compared to the last time he'd seen him in the office.

"Sev, you know I really can't say anything," Max began and then sighed. "As far as I know he's alright."

Severus took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand. Can you at least tell me when he is scheduled to return to your office? Damon and I both want only to help the man but he is being so bloody difficult." He smirked. "I had to ruin a potion to get him to come with today."

Max shrugged, he really had no idea why Severus would ask him, instead of asking Jason when he was due back in to the clinic. "I should see him tomorrow on his lunch break. Why didn't you ask him?"

Severus grimaced. "I tried talking with him earlier but it was like talking to a brick wall. You know how he is." He patted Max's leg then stood and nodded to the other men at the table. "Thank you for the time gentlemen. I'll let you get back to your lunch. Bring my godchildren by to see me, Max, I have something for them."

"Wait, I thought you were eating with us, where are you going?" Max said as he nodded to one of the empty seats at the table.

Severus turned and nodded to Jason. "Is there room for two more?"

"Sure, just grab another chair," Davy said as he scooted closer to his husband. "Rich, move down some so Jason has some room.

"Jason, join us." Severus motioned Jason over and grabbed a chair sitting down next to Max. "Ta Davy."

Richard scooted around the table closer to the big redheaded man and watched the small pregnant man move gingerly over to the table. He leaned over to Max. "Is that the young man your friend was just speaking of?"

Jason looked up as Severus called him and sighed, he really didn't want to sit with a bunch of doctors, but the man was buying the meal. He got up slowly and sort of waddled over to the table, sitting down in the chair his boss indicated.

"Thank you Professor," he mumbled and then nodded to the other men.

Max nodded to Richard and then smiled to Jason. "You're looking well Jason, how are you feeling?"

"Like an eight thousand pound whale," Jason said with a grin and picked up one of the menus that were setting on the table.

Richard watched the younger man, smiling gently at him. "You look well for some one so far advanced. Might I inquire how much longer you have until they arrive?"

"I've got almost four months to go," Jason said, looking over the newcomer curiously. "I feel huge."

Richard smiled again as he eyed the man and stuck out his hand. "Richard Montgomery and you look good. Don't let anyone tell you any different."

Jason eyed the man a moment longer and then reached out his own hand. "I'm Jason Summers, it's nice to meet you... and thank you," he said quietly, surprised to feel his face warm.

Richard clasped the man's hand, holding on to it for just a moment. "Jason," he said softly and smiled again before letting go. "My pleasure entirely."