Disclaimer: I don’t claim any of the Charmed Characters. I only claim those characters I’ve created.  This fan fiction was created for entertainment purposes only; no profit is made from this story.  All characters do not existence outside this fan fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual events, locals, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

 

 

                                   Life Goes On       (Interactive poll)

 

Chapter 1

 

Six months has passed since Jason’s tragic plane crashed.

 

 

                The full moon hung low in the evening sky.  Phoebe Halliwell pulled her jacket tighter to ward off the chill of the late April air coming in from the bay.  She was link arm and arm with her date, Caleb Fisher, Darryl’s new partner.  They climbed the front steps of the Manor and paused when Caleb slipped his hand into hers and pulled her to a stop at the front door.

 

                Phoebe turned to face him with a confused look on her face.  “Aren’t you coming in?”

 

                Caleb sighed. “No. Not tonight.”

 

                Phoebe frowned. “You said that last night and the night before that.  Caleb, we’ve been dating for about a month.”

 

                Caleb in a gesture of chivalry, he brought her hand to his lips and gently placed a kiss to her knuckles of her right hand. “Phoebe, I would love to come in but I won’t because you’re not ready.”

 

                Phoebe narrowed her eyes and started too objected but she was cut off when Caleb pressed his index finger to her lips.  “Shh.  Just listen.  I respect you too much to just jump into bed with you.  You have been through too much for me to take advantage of you, besides you’re not really ready for an intimate relationship.”

 

                  Phoebe took a small step back to make him drop his finger from her lips. The nerve of this man thinking he could tell her how she should feel and what she should do, as though he could see inside her heart.  She’s been through too much these last few month’s.  She’s buried her husband.  She had to deal with taking over her husband business and his board of directors and still on top of that she still had her column and her witch’s duties.  “Don’t tell me how I should feel or what I should do, Caleb,” she snapped.

 

                “I’m not.  I just was thinking tha—”

 

                “That’s the problem you’re thinking,” Phoebe said harshly cutting him off abruptly. “I’m a big girl.  I know my feeling and I don’t need any more m—”

 

                Phoebe wasn’t able to finish her tirade because Caleb grabbed her and pulled her into to his arms and crushed his lips on hers.  Phoebe was shocked at first but it didn’t take long for her relax and melt into the kiss.  She slowly snaked her arms up his chest and circled his neck to pull him closer to absorb the warmth of his body.  She was holding on tight because the kiss was making her weak in the knees and taking her breath away.

 

                Caleb slowly breaks the kiss.  Phoebe was still lost in it when he spoke with his lips hovering of hers.  “When you’re truly ready, it will take all the Greek Gods to stop me from carrying you over the threshold of your home and whisking you off to your bed but until then...” He leaned over and brushed his lips again over hers.  “...I’ll leave that as a reminder of what’s to come.”  He turns and walks down the stairs whistling.

 

                Phoebe reached out and grabbed the door jam to steady her.  She raised her other hand and touched her lips where she had just be thoroughly kissed and they were still tingling from the effects.  She watched Caleb circle his car with a smirk on his face.  He opened the driver’s door and looked at her and gave her a smile before sliding behind the wheel and driving away.   Phoebe watched his taillights until they disappeared down the hill.

 

                “What an arrogant man, but one great kisser,” Phoebe mumbled to herself before taking a deep breath to calm her beating heart and open the front door and stepped inside.

 

               

                Leo, Ian, Darryl, Bradan, and Victor were sitting around a round green velvet poker table.  A large bowl was halfway filled with potato chips.  Ian shuffled the cards and started to deal the cards around the table after he dealt out five cards to each of them. He placed the remaining cards face down and pick up his own hand.  Everyone ante in.  “Leo how many cards,” Ian asked?

 

                “I’ll take two.” He throw two cards face down and accepted to new cards from Ian.

 

                Ian made his way around the table and distributed new cards. 

 

                They had been betting for awhile and the pile of chips in the middle of the table was becoming quite large.  It was now Victors turn to act.  He was playing with rather large stacks of poker chips which so far were his night’s winnings.  He took a couple of red chips off a stack and threw them on the pile in the middle of the table.  “I’ll match your bet, Sean...” He picked up three blue chips and tossed them on the pile.  “...and raise you thirty.”

 

                The other four men at the table groaned and tossed their cards face down.  Victor laughed and placed the unlit cigar between his teeth.  He raised and leaned over the table and started to scoop his winning towards him.  “I would say lady lucks on my side tonight, boys.”

 

                “You really don’t have to gloat about.” Darryl grumbled as he reached for another potato chip and popped it in his mouth.

 

                Victor grinned and chucked as he started to stack his new winnings.

 

                “Dad, are you stealing these men’s money,” Phoebe said as she walked into the conservatory and headed towards his father. Phoebe leaned over and kissed her father on his cheeks.  “It’s the name of the game, sweetie.”

 

                Bradan jumped up so fast that he flipped his chair over.

 

                “Mind yerself, mate,” Sean said chuckling and picking up the turned over chair.

 

                Bradan looked at the chair. “I...I’m sorry.” He looked at Phoebe “Good evening, Phoebe.”

 

                Sean tried to hide his smile.  He couldn’t believe his friends nervousness. He had to chuckle to himself at his friend odd behavior. His attention went back to exchange between his friend and his sister-in-law.

 

                “Hi, Bradan, how are you?” Phoebe smiled at him.

 

                Bradan couldn’t believe how beautiful her smile was.  It could light an entire room and than some.  He loved to see her smile.  He had been glad to see it again.  It had been few and far between since she had smiled at anything.  “I’m great and you?”

 

                Phoebe smiled and it lit up her eyes. “I’m fine, thank you.” 

 

                “That’s really great.” He smiled a goofy smile. It made her laugh a little.  Bradan thought his heart was going to burst with that little laugh.  He thought that was the most beautiful sound that he’s ever heard.

 

                She turned her attention to her brother-in-laws who were whispering among themselves. “Where are Paige and Piper?”

 

                “They’re upstairs with the kids,” Sean and Leo answered in unison.

 

                “Rehearsed that,” Phoebe asked them?

 

                Sean and Leo just smiled then Leo added. “I’m waiting for Piper to call, so I can read a bedtime story to Wyatt and put him to bed.”

 

                “Guilty?” Phoebe inquired with a raised eyebrow.

 

                “No.” Leo objected

 

                “Uh-huh, Well I’ll leave you guys to your game.” She bent over and kissed her father on his cheek.  “Dad, try not to take all their money. Good night, everyone.”  Phoebe left the room.

 

                Bradan sighed and sat back down. “Whose turn is it to deal?”

 

                Ian looked up. “Huh, wonder what they want at this time of night. Well gents I can say it’s been fun but duty calls.” Ian orbed out.

 

                Leo started to collect the cards.  He was about ready to start shuffling when Piper called from up stairs.  “Leo, Wyatt’s ready.”

 

                “It was a great game but it’s time to tuck in my son,” Leo said, as he stood up and stretched then left the room.

 

                Sean took the stack of cards, where Leo left them.  “Don’t worry. I’ll clean up when we’re done.”

 

                “Thanks,” Leo called from the stairs.

 

                “So another hand,” queried Victor rubbing his hand together.

 

                Darryl looked at his watch on his left wrist. “Not for me.  I better get home before my wife skins me alive. Darryl stood up.  “I really enjoyed losing a week’s salary.”

 

                “I’ll walk you out,” Sean said rising to his feet.  He followed Darryl to the door.

 

                Victor turned to Bradan when Sean and Darryl were out of ear shot. “So you got up pretty fast when my daughter came in.”

 

                Bradan swallowed hard. He really was feeling really nerves all of sudden.  “I was taught to stand up when a lady enters a room.”

 

                Victor frowned and looked him right in the eyes. “So you have no interest in my daughter than, because you know that she’s been going through a rough time.” Victor chewed on the end of cigar.

 

                Victor reminded Bradan of some kind of wise guy that he seen in some old movie with him chewing on his unlit cigar.  His scowl made it very clear that his daughter was his top priority and that he didn’t what to see her hurt again.  Bradan wanted the same for her.  He had got to know her over that last few months and he had a lot of respect for her.  She had handled everything with such grace and courage.  She could have withdrawn but she didn’t she face her pain and struggles head on.  Phoebe was one of the strongest women he’s ever known.  He would do absolutely nothing to add to her pain.

 

                “Yes, sir.  I know...really.” Bradan stood up and started to separate the poker chips by color.  He turned and grabbed the poker chip case and started to put them away.

 

                Sean walked back in the room and you could cut the tension with a knife.  “Is everything all right in here?”

 

                “Yep.” Victor rose to his feet. “I think I’ll call it a night, as well.”  Victor stuck at his hand out to Sean and he took it. “Tell my girls good night and I’ll talk to them later.” 

 

                Victor turned to Bradan. “Remember what we talk about.” He walk passed them and left the Manor.

 

                Bradan let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.  He just loved getting the third degree from fathers.  They are just so subtle in their approach to make clear of their expectations. 

 

                Sean smacked him on his back and made him flinch.  Sean raised an eyebrow at his friend and chuckled.  “Are you going to ask her out?”

 

                “Ask who out,” Bradan asked?

 

                Sean threw his head back and laughed. “Ask who. Funny, you know, Phoebe.”

 

                “She just lost her husband, Sean.  She needs time to grieve,” retorted Bradan. Bradan grabbed the cards and stuffed them back in their box.

 

                “Bradan,” Sean said seriously.  Bradan paused and looked at him.  “I say this as a friend. Ask Phoebe out.  Mary Kate would want you to move on with your life.  She wouldn’t want you to live the rest of your life alone. I know this because I was her brother.”

 

                Bradan jerked the poker chip carrier and cards off the table and slammed them in the cabinet.  He didn’t want to hear anything that Sean had the say but it wouldn’t matter because his old friend wouldn’t shut up until he said what he had to say but he still had to try.  “I don’t want to talk about this.”

 

                Sean chuckled.  “Don’t you think twelve years is long enough to mourn? Besides it’s been along time since I’ve seen you like this.” He leaned against the poker table.

 

                “Like what?” Bradan asked irritated.  He turned and faced his friend.  He crossed his arms over his chest.

 

                “So nervous that you’re knocking over chairs.” Sean was having a hard time hiding his amusement.

 

                Bradan rolled his eyes at Sean.  “The chair didn’t slide out of the way when I got up.”

 

                Sean smiled again.  “I see so after you realized you liked Mary Kate, you started knocking over glasses, chairs, tables, and potted plants because they wouldn’t slide fast enough out of your way.”

 

                Bradan mumbled something under his breath. “What was that?”

 

                “I said you are very funny,” growled Bradan.”

 

                “Aye, I know but it doesn’t answer the question are you going to ask Phoebe out.  Brad you have the right to find happiness.  It wasn’t your fault that you couldn’t protect Mary Kate.  You know Phoebe doesn’t need your protection anymore than Mary Kate did.  She can take care of herself quite well. You’ve lived like a monk long enough.” Sean understood Bradan feelings because he felt them himself not to long ago.

 

                “I don’t think I can open my heart again and I don’t want to be a rebound,” Bradan leaned back against the cabinet as though he was on the verge of defeat.

 

                Sean sighed. “Then take it slow but get out there and take a risk with your heart for once. If you don’t want to be the rebound than let Caleb Fisher.”

 

                “Caleb Fisher,” Bradan huffed. “He’s not good enough to walk down the street with her.”

 

                “Is that jealousy, I hear,” Sean questioned with a smirk?

 

                “No just a fact.” Bradan pushed off the cabinet.

 

                “Then ask her out,” Sean cajoled.

 

                “I can’t do it.” Bradan started to pick up the bowls of chips.

 

                Sean grabbed his arm.  “All’s fair in love and war.”

 

                “You’re quoting to me now.” Bradan shook his head.

 

                “Bradan, just promise you’ll think about asking her out.”  Sean laid his hand on Bradan’s shoulder and made eye contact and gave him a questioning look.

 

                “All right, I’ll think about,” Bradan gave his friend a tight smile. “So can we finish cleaning up here?”

 

                Sean nodded and started to help Bradan clean up.

 

 

Chapter 2

 

                “You’re leaving again?” Paige asked angrily.

 

                “Yeah,” retorted Sean.

 

                “You just got back and you’re leaving. That’s just great, Sean,” snapped Paige.  “What about the girls’ birthday party.”

 

                “What about it,” riposted Sean?

 

                 

                Piper was sitting at the table and the twins were sitting in high chairs as well as Wyatt.  Piper was feeding the twins and Wyatt took a bite of his jelly toast, when Phoebe walked into the kitchen.

 

                “They’re at it again,” said Phoebe, as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

 

                “Yes, I believe they are,” answered Piper.  “And it is getting to be all the time.”

 

                “Damn it, Sean,” Paige’s voice filtered through the kitchen. “I don’t think you even what to be here.”

 

                “It would be nice if that connection spell that Sean put on the two houses didn’t allow us to hear their fights.” Phoebe sat down across from her sister.

 

                Piper smiled at Phoebe as she gave another bite of cereal to Chris. “Every spell for personal gain has its draw back this is the mildness of the back fires.”

 

                “It’s because of your family why I’m always gone.” Sean’s voice pervaded the confines of the kitchen.

 

                “Ahh, that’s was the wrong thing to say,” Phoebe grimaced. “Paige is about to lay into him.”

 

                Paige’s voice thundered into the kitchen. “My family...my family, you’re have the nerve to blame my family for your desertion or have you forgot that it was a druid that attacked Wyatt and you blame us. That’s rich, Sean, really rich.  So I suppose it’s my family’s fault that I had to find out from your teaching assistant that you took time off from the college.”

 

                “Ohh, this is just getting good,” said Phoebe. “To bad I have to leave for work.”

 

                Leo walked into the kitchen smiling.  “What’s getting good?”

 

                “I didn’t think it was that big a deal besides I knew how you would react,” Sean response came through the Manor.

 

                “What reaction is that, Sean?”  Paige’s irritation was clear when it rumbled into the kitchen.

 

                Sean bellowed response entered the kitchen shortly later. “The one you’re having right now; the one that makes me the bad guy.”

 

                “The O’Hara War,” Piper answered Leo’s question.

 

                “They really need to—” Leo cut himself off when orbs started to appear in the kitchen then the orbs flashed and the triplets were standing in the Manor’s kitchen crying.

 

                Phoebe jumps up from the table and goes to them. “When could they do that?” She knelt down and pulled them in a hug and tried to soothe them. “Ohh, babies.”

 

                “I guess now,” Piper replied to Phoebe’s question.

 

                “Mama. DaDa.” The trips mumbled through sobs.

 

                “I know...It’s going to be OK,” Phoebe said reassuringly.

 

                “We should get them out of here.  Somewhere they can get away from the fighting,” Piper informed firmly.

 

                “I could take Wyatt and the girls to the park for awhile,” Leo suggested.

 

                “That would be great,” Piper agreed. “And when things settle down in the O’Hara household, I’ll let Paige know where the girls are.”  Piper stood up and started to wipe Wyatt’s face and hand. She lifts him out of his high chair and sets him on the floor.

 

                “I’ll help you, Leo and take the girls out to the Jeep.”  Phoebe rose up to her feet and took Kaitlin’s hand and then the trips joined hands and follow their aunt through the door.

 

                Leo bends down and picked up Wyatt.  He kissed Piper on her cheek and leaned over and placed a quick kiss on top of Chris and Mel’s head.  “Piper, if you need us.”

 

                “Yeah, I know just call.” Piper kissed Wyatt on his cheek. “You be a good boy for Daddy.”  Leo smiled at his wife and turned and left through the door.

 

                “Don’t you flash out on me...Sean...Sean, you better get your butt back here right now,” Piper heard Paige curse Sean and knew that Sean didn’t come back.  Piper sighed and started to clean up the kitchen.

 

               

*         *         *

 

 

                Bradan stood with his hand poised ready to knock on Phoebe’s office door.  He’d spent the morning and most of the afternoon debating with him self to ask her out.  Bradan finely decide to cave in and ask her when he couldn’t think of a reason not to, so here he was about to knock when an idea struck him that almost guaranteed that she’ll go out with him.

 

                Bradan knocked and he heard Phoebe tell him to enter.  He took a deep breath and let it out and opened the door.  He breath caught in his throat when he seen Phoebe sitting at her desk with a pen stuck behind her ear and her glass hanging on the end of her nose.  She was absolutely beautiful.  Bradan always loved girls in glasses. He always thought they were sexy.

 

                “Bradan,” Phoebe exclaimed breaking Bradan’s trance. He blinked and looked at her.  “Hello, come on in.  What brings you by?”

 

                A proposition.” Bradan responded smiling sheepishly.

 

                Phoebe raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Really.”

 

                Phoebe’s smile caused Bradan’s heart to jump into overdrive.  He still couldn’t believe her smile could cause him to almost loose all thought.  Bradan held up his hand as to surrender.  “Nothing indecent...I mean...” Bradan stuttered and sighed in frustration.  “I need...ah hell...I don’t know what to buy the trips for their birthday...and...I was wondering if you’ll help me.  I would ask Paige but...” He trailed off.

 

                “But Paige at the moment would probable vanquish you,” Phoebe finished his sentence for him.

 

                Bradan nodded. “Exactly.”

 

                Phoebe smiled up at him.  She looked him up and down.  He was wearing blue jeans and a wool Irish sweater then her eyes fell on his they were the most beautiful shade of green she’s every seen.  She thought it would be fun to go out with him, as just friends because she was seeing Caleb.  Phoebe could help him find a perfect gift for her nieces.

 

                “I’ll take you to dinner as a thank you for your time.” Bradan thinking that her silence was her hesitation to his question.” “But if you don’t have time I’m sure I could struggle through it.”

 

                Phoebe thought he was so cute.  “Just give me five minutes and I’d be ready to leave.”

 

                “That’s great, but are you sure?  Because if another night would be better I could wait.”

 

                “Bradan, the girls’ birthday is two days away.” Phoebe laughed.

 

                “Oh you have a point,” Phoebe smirked at him.

 

               

                Bradan was pulling out Phoebe’s chair waiting for her to take a sit. “I can’t believe you got us in here and a great table to, when there is a three months waiting list.”

 

                Bradan smiled. “Well it helps when you’re a silent partner and your friend keeps a table reserved for you.”

 

                Phoebe froze in shock and looked up at him.  Bradan chuckled at the expression on Phoebe’s face.  “Are you going to sit down?”  He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Phoebe, people are starting to stare.”

 

                Phoebe blinked and slowly eased herself into the chair he was holding for her. “You own this place.”

 

                Bradan smiled and made his way to his side of the table. “Aye this one and about forty others throughout the world.”

 

                “Forty more,” Phoebe exclaimed surprisingly.

 

                Bradan smiled grew larger.  “I help people make their dreams come true.  I partner with them until I get my investment back then I turn my shares over. Sometimes they go on with out me and other times they ask me to stay their partner but I let them choose.  My real heart is in my grandfather’s pub.”

 

                The waiter came up to their table and took their drink orders.  Bradan choose a nice California Cabernet.  The waiter smiled and nodded and informed them he would be back in a minute with their selection.

 

                “So does your father work at the pub,” Phoebe asked curiously.

 

                Bradan took a drink of his water. “No.”

 

                Phoebe heard uneasiness in his voice and she waited patiently for his explanation.  She noticed a pain in his eyes and there was something familiar about it.

 

                “The pub belongs to my maternal grandfather.  My father wasn’t involved in my life or in my brother or sisters’ lives.” Bradan stared at his glass as he ran his finger up and down the condensation on the glass. “He left us. My mother told me a demon killed him but that wasn’t the truth...seems I meet him on the council.  My mother hated magic and forbid me and my brother and sisters to use it and when she died, we went to live with her father. We decided to not use it around him.”

 

                “Council of druids,” Bradan nodded.  “So where does Sean fit into the equation,” asked Phoebe.

 

                Bradan smiled.  “He saved my arse and his family became my second family.”

 

                The waiter came back with their bottle of Cabernet and they quickly gave their food order.  The waiter ran off to give their order to the kitchen.

 

                “We were raised by my Gram when my mom died and Grams chased off my father because he wasn’t magical.  We didn’t even know we were witches until seven years ago.  My sisters and I didn’t become acquainted with my father until a couple of years ago.  So it must have been a shock to see him alive.”

 

                Phoebe saw Bradan stiffen before he took a swallow of wine. He sat it down slowly.  “Aye seems mother told us he was dead to spears the pain of him never coming back.  He claimed he left because she asked him to give up being a druid and he said he couldn’t do it so she kicked him out.”

 

                “Do you believe him,” inquired Phoebe?

 

                “I think so but it’s been real hard to forgive him.” Bradan took a sip of wine.  He really didn’t want to talk about his father.  He made it pretty clear that he or his brother and sisters weren’t very important to him.  He left without even looking back to see the destruction he left behind, so he had no clue why this was bothering him so much.

 

                “So I take it you don’t get along,” Phoebe said breaking into his thoughts.

 

                “No.” He said sharply.  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I guess I still have some issues concerning my father.  I keep telling myself he does matter but I guess he does in away.”

 

                A long silence passed between them before Phoebe spoke.  “They’re our parents.  We’ll always have issues with them.” Phoebe then laughed to lighten the mood.

 

                Bradan smiled and Phoebe couldn’t believe her heart skipped a beat.  Phoebe touched her hand to heart and decided it was due to stress and her heart didn’t know it should relax.  Bradan was just a friend, right.

 

                They spent the rest of the meal talking about their childhood.  They left and Bradan allowed Phoebe to drag him all over the city looking for the perfect birthday presents for the trips but he didn’t care because it was the best time he’s had in along time.

 

                They pulled up in front of the Manor and Phoebe was still laughing.  She didn’t remember when she laughed so much.  Phoebe marveled at how he talked to a little lost girl and got her to calm down.  He made her feel save and took her hand and started to call for the little girls mother.  How she made her laugh when she told her how her mommy was lost and not her.  Bradan told her she really shouldn’t talk to strangers and she replied she knew that but he talked funny and how he laughed and told her he thought she talk funny.  Phoebe couldn’t believe the look on his face when he held up a tiny pink dress and she told him it wasn’t a doll dress.  He couldn’t believe that babies could be that small.

 

                Phoebe was surprised when her door flew open and Bradan offered her his hand to help her out of his 64’ Corvette.  She was lost in memory of the wonderful evening they just shared.  She took his hand and step out of the car. 

 

                Bradan walk her to the door and when they got there he brought her hand up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “Thanks for your help.”

 

                “No problem.  I had a wonderful time.  I don’t remember when I laughed so much.” Phoebe looked into his eyes and smiled.

 

                Bradan leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Thanks again maybe we can do it again sometime.” He turned and walked back to his car.  He paused and looked up at her before sliding behind the wheel and driving away.

 

 

 

                Sean was standing in the dark and watched his friend pull up in front of the Manor.  He watched him walk Phoebe to the door.  He was glad Bradan took his advice and asked his sister-in-law out.

 

                “Oh I see you’re back,” Paige said coldly, diverting his attention from his friend and sister-in-law.

 

                “Paige, I don’t really want to argue,” he informed her.

 

                “And you think I do?” She snapped.

 

                “Honestly, I don’t know because that’s all we every do anymore,” Sean replied back calmly.

 

                Sean didn’t have the energy to make anymore points.  He found out that Finn used his powers to force a leprechaun to take the fairy stone so the demons could gain access to the Manor.  He almost used his powers to punish the leprechaun.  He almost let his anger get the best of him.

 

                Sean stiffened when Paige laid her hand on his back. “The girls used their powers to run away this morning.”  She rested her head on his back and he felt her tears as they soaked through his shirt.

 

                Sean closed his eyes.  “Are they okay?”

 

                “They orb-flashed over to the Manor and they were crying.  No, Sean they are not OK, our fighting is affecting them.”

 

                Sean relaxed and reached behind him to pull Paige in front of him.  He wrapped his arms around her.  “Paige, what do you want me to do?”

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

                Paige pulled out of Sean’s embrace and moved across the room.  She stopped and kept her back to him as she weighed her options, her heart was screaming for her to do one thing and her head was screaming for her to do another.  She was so confused she didn’t know what she should do.  She could feel his stare and it made her feel uncomfortable as though she was under a magnified glass.  She would love to run her options by her sisters and she turned around to tell him but she paused when she seen the answer in his eyes.  Sean’s eyes were love, hope and understanding all in one.  He had always let her do what she had to do even when he didn’t like it.  He did it without complainant.  She had to support him just like he has supported her.  She had to let him go with her blessing. 

 

                Paige took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh.  “Keep doing what you’re doing to protect our family.”

 

                Sean crossed the room quickly in two strides and pulled her into his arms.  Paige rested her head on his chest and listened to the beating of his heart.  “I know that was hard for you but I promise I won’t let you down.”

 

                Paige closed her eyes as she fought back the tears that were burning that back of her eyes.  “I just want one thing and that is for you to be here to celebrate the girls’ birthday.  The party is at one o’clock.”

 

                Sean relaxed his grip and tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes.  He smiled and wiped away a single tear that escaped her eyes.  “I will be here for you and the girls that will never change.  I will be here on the girls’ birthday.  I give you my word.”   Sean lean down and brushed his lips on hers.  Paige rose up on her toes to deepen the kiss and in a flash they were gone.

 

 

               

                The early morning light was streaming into the bedroom.  Paige moaned and covered her eyes.  “Girls will be up soon.”  Paige smiled and started to roll over.  “We may have just enough time to...” she faded off when she saw that Sean’s side of the bed was empty.  The only things left of Sean’s presents were rumbled sheets and a single red rose and a letter.  Paige reached over and picked up the rose and the letter.  She placed the rose to her nose and inhaled the sweet scent as she rolled to her back.  She laid the rose back down and slowly opened the letter and started to read.

 

 

My Sweet love,

                I could not leave you without saying goodbye.  I would have waked you but you were beautiful, like a fairy or an angel.  You take my breath away every time I see you.  So I kissed you gently and give you my word that I’ll be back for the girls’ birthday.  Give them a kiss and a hug and tell them that their daddy loves them. I love you with all my heart and soul.

                                                                                Love

                                                                               Your husband.

 

                Paige closed her eyes.  Please be save and I love you, too. Paige willed this though across space to Sean and hoped he received it.

 

 

*            *           *

 

                The cave of ice was lit by a few torches and sunlight that seeped in through the crevices in the ice.  Three old witches were standing around a large black cauldron and each of them was stirring the contents.  They raised their heads when they heard a noise coming from the entrance of the cave.  They had no eyes only skin where their eyes should be.

 

                “Did you hear that someone’s coming,” said the first witch.

 

                “Who has the eye of Odin?” The second witch questioned the others.

 

                “I do.” The first witch raised her hand and in it about the size of a tennis ball was a crystal ball and in the center of it was a blue sapphire and etched around the sapphire was an eye.

 

                “Give it to me,” demanded the second witch.  She tried to grab the crystal eye from the first witch.  She smacked her had away. “No I have it.”

 

                “What do you see?”  The third witch asked impatiently.

 

                “I see...I see...a man. He’s tall. I’d say about six foot three and handsome.  He has dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes.  He’s dressed all in black, long leather coat, jeans and mockneck shirt.”  The first witch smiled at what she was seeing.

 

                “Can you see if this is the one that will set us free from our blindness and this blasted ice prison?” The second witch asked barely above a whisper.

 

                “It’s not clear but once we catch him and take his heart will have our answer,” the first witch whispered back.

 

                Sean stepped into the entrance of the ice cave and sees the three blind witches that were cursed by a druid when they tried to take his powers.  The druid took their sight and imprisoned them in the cave of ice, where they can only call upon one of their powers and that is the power of insight.  The druid put a spell on the cave that would suppress all powers except for his descendents.

 

                Sean took a few steps down the stairs into the cave.  He had a smug look on his face when he spoke. “I’ve come for information.”

 

                “Ehh, What did he say?” The third witch asked no one in particular.

 

                “Forgive us, my sisters and I, are hard of hearing,” informed the second witch taking the crystal eye form the first witch.  “So you will have to move closer.”

 

                Sean smiled because he knew that they wanted to trap him and take his heart.  He was amazed that other had fallen so quickly into their trap.  Sean walked down the rest of the stairs very slowly to abide him more time to get the crystal eye.  “A need a little information.”

 

                “Closer...closer,” whispered the second witch.

 

                “My turn,” bellowed the third witch.  “I want to see him.”  The third witch took the crystal eye from the second witch.

 

                Sean chose that opportunely to bend his right arm at the elbow and open his hand and at that moment the crystal eye flew out of the witches’ hands and into his.

 

                “The eye...the eye...where is the eye,” yelled the second witch.  “You’ve lost it.” She smacked the third witch cross the face.

 

                “I have your eye,” Sean yelled over the commotion on the other side of the cave.

 

                “Give it back,” commanded the first witch. “We can’t see without it.”

 

                “How did he get it?” The third witch asked the others. “No one can use powers in here unless—”

 

                “I’m a druid,” Sean said helpfully. “To more specific I’m a descendent of the one who in tomb you this igloo over two hundred years ago.

 

                “Druids.” The third witch said the word as though it was a swear word. “We will have your heart.”

 

                Sean threw the crystal ball up in the air and caught it. “No you see I’m kind of fawn of it but I’ll let you in on a little secret you three blind mice you will answer my questions.” Sean threw the crystal ball in the air again.

 

                “What are you doing? Don’t break it,” squawked the first witch.

 

                “’Don’t worry I won’t if you answer my questions but if you’re don’t I’ll just take your eye and go.”  Sean waited patiently for the blind witches to answer.

 

                “Fine. We’ll answer your questions just don’t harm the Eye of Odin,” the first witch said grudgingly. “You will have to move closer so we can hear you.”

 

                “Sean laughed.  “You can hear me just fine from here.  You must have forgotten that I know exactly what you’re capable of.”

 

                Sean smiled as he heard all the witches sigh in frustration.  “Ask your questions.”

 

                “Tell me everything you know about the Avatars of Power,” ordered Sean.

 

                “That’s not a question,” responded the second witch.

 

                “With that attitude I guess I’ll just take your little magic ball and go.” Sean shuffled his feet as though he was leaving.

 

                “No wait. What do you what to know about them,” the first witch called out to him quickly.

 

                “What are they? Who are they?”  Sean lowered himself down on the second step from the bottom.

 

                “They are neither good or evil in fact they can come from both sides.  They can be demons, angels, witches, warlocks, or even elders. It really doesn’t matter.  It’s who every passes a certain point of power,” explained the first witch. “At least that’s what they are now.”

 

                “Passes what point of power?” Sean was leaning forward resting his elbows on his knees and rolling the ball back and forth between his hands.  “What they are now?” Sean repeated.

 

                “Ahh, that is the question isn’t it,” the third witch stated dryly.  “It is a point that no longer can be comprehended by individuals not seeking power. It is a point where power is a reality more than a state of mind and who they are now is a lot different from what they were before.”

 

                “Before what?” Sean questioned.

 

                “Before what is know as power.  They used their powers to rule over others.  They had one purpose is ancient times and that was to seek power.  They didn’t care about the human race in fact they were just pawns in their twisted game to seek power.” The second witch informed Sean.  “It is unknown how they lost their power but believe this they will do anything to get their power back and I mean anything and that includes taking out those on either side that have some grand idea to get in their way.”

 

                “I don’t understand. Were they here before the Elders?” Sean had to get his mind around this if he wanted to help his family.

 

                “Were they before the Elders?  Mmm, you could say they were before the Elders and not before them,” said the second witch.

 

                Sean just stared at the three witches in totally confusion.  What was their encrypted message?  “Are you saying that the Elders use to be Avatars?”

 

                “Are we? I don’t know if we said that,” responded the first witch.

 

                “We’ve answered your questions now give us the eye,” commanded the third witch.

 

                “I have a few more questions.  How do I find them?” Sean stood up and climbed up to the step he was sitting on.

 

                “You can’t,” said the second witch. “They find you when they want something from you, usually your power.”

 

                “Let’s say I want to get their attention how would I go about doing that?” Sean scowled at the witches as they drop bat wings into the cauldron.

 

                “I wouldn’t want to,” laughed the third witch. “They aren’t the type I would want to be noticed by.”

 

                “You display a force of power. But I warn you, be very careful because, King Sean, they already know who you are and they probable are watching and remember this they have their own set of rules only known by them,” said the first witch.

 

                “Now give us the eye,” ordered the second witch.

 

                Sean took the steps very quickly until he reached the top and he turned around. “What would they want with the eldest Charmed Ones’ son?”

 

                Sean wanted impatiently. “Well.”

 

                “It is unclear what they want with him.  He could be a threat to their existence or they want him to join them or it could be a little of both; maybe he has the power to destroy them so they are trying to convert him to save themselves.” The second witch reached out her hand. “Now hand us the eye.”

 

                Sean smiled how they still were trying to get him to get close so they could catch him in their trap.  “Catch,” yelled Sean.  Sean tossed the Eye of Odin underhanded towards them.  He knew they would not be able to catch it and it would give him time to get away.  He watched as the crystal ball sailed through the air towards them and with a loud splash it landed in the large cauldron and sank quickly to the bottom.  Sean laughed and turned and left the witches calling him every name in the book and some names that he knew weren’t.

 

 

 

                Piper was pulling a batch of cookies out of the oven when Paige walked into the Manor’s kitchen. “Hi, where are the girls?” Piper asked as she set the cookies down on the counter.

 

                “They’re in the conservatory with Wyatt.  Where are the twins?”  Paige reached over and grabbed a cookie.

 

                “Wyatt,” grumbled Piper, as she threw the oven mitt down on the counter. Piper marched forcefully out of the room.

 

                “Piper?” Paige said a little confused at her sister’s outburst. She followed quickly behind her.

 

                When Paige arrived into the conservatory behind Piper, she found her frowning down at her son.  “Wyatt, where are your brother and sister?”

 

                “They hide,” said Wyatt with an innocent smile.

 

                “Wyatt, your brother and sister cannot hide.  They are only five months old.”

 

                “Uh huh,” said Wyatt nodding his head. “We play hide-and-seek.”

 

                “Wyatt, tell me where the twins are, now,” order Piper irritated at her oldest son.

 

                 “They hide, Mommy,” Wyatt said trying to convince Piper.

 

                “How?” commanded Piper trying to calm herself down.

 

                “I helped,” Wyatt said proudly.

 

                “Wyatt,” exclaimed Piper, losing what was left of her patience.  She spoke very slowly so her son would understand everything she was saying.  “Where...did...you...send...your...brother...and...sister?”

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

                Piper was staring down at her eldest son as he played with his cousin.  He was unaware of the stress his mother was going through.  Piper shook her head.  She couldn’t believe her son orbed his little brother and sister away.  Piper sighed and turned around when she heard foot falls behind her.  She could tell that Paige didn’t have good news by the expression she tried to hide on her face.

 

                “Sorry, Piper,” Paige said sadly. “I’ve looked everywhere. They’re not here.”

 

                “Did you try to—”

 

                “Sense for them, Yeah, nothing” answered Paige cutting her sister off.

 

                Piper nodded her disappointment and walked over and knelt down in front of her son.  She helped Wyatt to his feet so she could look him in his eyes.  Piper wanted to reason with him on his own level before she had to call for Leo.  She didn’t want to disturbed him because he would be in meetings with the other Elders for a couple days.  “Sweetie, you know Mommy loves you, right?”  Wyatt given his answer by nodding his little head.

 

                “Good, because Mommy loves Chris and Melinda too and I’m very worried about them because they’re still too little to be alone,” Piper was hoping that she was getting through to him.

 

                “Not alone,” replies Wyatt.

 

                “Sweetie what do you mean that they’re not alone?” Piper narrowed her eyes in confusion.

 

                “Can’t tell they hide,” responded Wyatt trying to pull out of his mother’s arms to go back and play with his cousins.

 

                Piper was trying really hard to rein in her anger but at this point she was finding it very hard.  She understood that he was two and didn’t quite comprehend what he did was wrong and dangerous but it didn’t help matters she’d lost all reason when she discovered that Wyatt had sent them away. It’s to go with out reason that it is a mother job to protect her children at all cost.  Piper turned Wyatt back round to face her.  “Wyatt, tell me where you sent Chris and Melinda, right now.” Piper’s voice was a little louder then she meant to but maybe she didn’t.

 

                Wyatt’s bottom lip slipped out in a pout and it started to tremble as his little eyes glisten with tears.  A little sob slip passed his lips.  “Mommy mad,” he said as silent sobs shudder through his tiny body.

 

                Piper couldn’t let Wyatt’s tears break her reserve.  She had to remain firm. Piper had to keep reminding herself that the twins wasn’t here because of his jealously but as more tears fell down his little cheeks and the crushed look in his little eyes caused Piper to cave and pull her son into her arms.

 

                “Mommy’s sorry she yelled but sweetie, Mommy’s needs to know where you sent Chris and Melinda. So please tell Mommy where they are.”  Piper was rubbing Wyatt’s back to comfort him and reinsure him she still loved him.  “Mommy’s not mad, Wyatt. She’s just worried, so please tell Mommy where...”  Piper trailed off as orbs start to appear in the room.

 

                When the orbs dissipated, Leo was standing in front of them with a baby in each arm.  He was wearing a big smile.  “Look who orbed up there for a visit.”  Leo showed his pride in the tone of his voice.

 

                Wyatt pushed against his mom and clapped his hands. “Daddy find them.  Daddy win.”

 

                Leo looked down at his wife and raised an eyebrow at his confusion. “You can’t image my surprise when a whitelighter ran into the Elder’s chamber and interrupted the meeting to tell me to come out and look at the new arrivals than I got an even bigger surprise to see that it was the twins; then I had know answer when the other Elder’s asked me how they got up here and I couldn’t tell them.”

 

                 Piper rose to her feet and closed the distance between them.  She took the twins from their father.  “Why don’t you ask your son?”  And then she left the room without another word.

 

                Leo looked down at Wyatt. “Well, Buddy?”

 

                “Mommy mad.  Me helped Chris and Mel hide.”

 

                Leo gave Paige a questioning look.  Paige shrugged her shoulders. “Wyatt was the one who orbed them up there.  She reached down and took Kiley’s hand and told the other girls to grab a hold of there sister’s hand and the left the conservatory like a little train.

 

                Leo heard Paige whispered to her girls. “Uncle Leo has to explain to Wyatt why he can’t orb Chris and Mel away.”  Leo signed and looked down at his son.  He took his son’s tiny hand and led him over to the couch and pulled him up on his lap.

 

*          *          *

 

 

                The next couple of days were busy for everyone associated with getting the girls birthday party ready.  Paige was relieved that Leo’s little talk with Wyatt had cured him of using his orbing for hide-and-seek. He hadn’t even orbed their toys away from them. Just maybe it had cured him of his jealously but Paige was keeping her fingers crossed none the same.

 

                Paige called for the magical doorway that connected the two houses.  She was overjoyed when Piper volunteered to make the cake.  She took a deep breath and let it out slow as she stepped through the doorway into the Manor’s kitchen.  Piper was filling the punch bowl with fruit punch and 7up and Paige stepped further into the kitchen and got her first glimpse of the cake.

 

                Paige had to bit the inside of her cheek to stop her from tearing up when she finally got to see the girls’ birthday cake.  She didn’t know what her problem was today but she was getting emotional over the smallest things. “Maybe it’s the fact the girls are a year old,” she thought as she smiled at Piper.  Paige moved closer to get a better look at Piper’s creation.

 

                Piper had taken three 9 by13 in. cakes and set them side-by-side, so the cake looked like one 27 by 13 in. cake.  She had taken the time to do the border and the writing on each cake in a different color. Kaitlin’s cake was on the left and it was border in purple.  Piper had written ‘Happy Birthday Kaitlin in the same beautiful purple and it was located at the top portion of the cake.  The bottom was left for the multi-colored flowers that went with the theme of ‘Birthday Tea Party in an English Garden’.  Kayley’s cake was located in the middle and it was bordered in pink along with the writing.  Paige had noticed that Piper had continued the garden on to that cake as well but she added a couple of bees and she put dashes behind them to indicate the direction they were flying from and finally on the right was Kiley’s cake.  Its border and writing was done in a pale blue.  Piper had finished the multi-colored flower garden on Kiley’s cake and topped it off with a bee on the very last flower.

 

                “Piper it’s beautiful,” Paige said wrapping her arms around her big sisters.

 

                “Oh.” Piper said with surprise. “I’m glad you like it.”

 

                Paige let Piper go quickly and turned away from her. She didn’t want to let Piper see the tears that had gathered in her eyes.  “I better go see if Phoebe needs any help with the decorations.”  Paige brushed away a few tears as she crossed through the doorway.  She better get a hold of her emotions or one of her sisters would see her and tease her.  She wished she knew why she’d been so emotion today to think of it she’d been emotional that last couple days.

 

                Paige made her way through the dining room and into the foyer where Phoebe was letting go another balloon with a long blue steamer attached to it.  Paige paused and watched the balloon float to the ceiling.  She remembered how she coughed at the idea of Phoebe’s to have a steamer forest but now that she sees it she really had to admit that it was a great idea.

 

                Paige pulled her eyes away from the balloon bouncing on the ceiling to Phoebe accepting some more balloons from Caleb and Bradan.  Paige laughed to herself when Phoebe gave each of them one of her megawatt smiles and then turned back into the foyer.  The really funny part was what Paige noticed on the faces of Caleb and Bradan.  They had given each other looks of complete disgust.  Paige was pretty sure that neither one of them liked each other very much. And Phoebe seemed to be completely oblivious to that fact.

 

                Paige bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing when she determine that there was enough tension in the room that the balloons would be able to stay a float without the use of helium.  She smiled as she made her way over to her sister.

 

                “Hey sis, it looks great,” Paige said cheerfully.

 

                “See I told you,” responded Phoebe self-righteously.  “The older kids will have something to run through and the little ones will have pretty colors to look at when the come through the door.”

 

                “How are the decorations going in the Conservatory?” Paige smiled as she passed by Caleb and Bradan. “Boys.”

 

                “So are you going to let them off the hook?” asked Paige in whisper so the guys couldn’t hear her.

 

                “What are you talking about?”

 

                “I’m talking about you—” Paige mouth fell open cutting off what she was about to say. Paige froze at the doorway and the tears that she pushed aside earlier was coming back with a vengeance.  She closed her eyes tightly to fight them back.  She’d never been so emotionally over such little things.

 

                Paige looked around the room and took it all in.  The room was lit by the noon sun as it streamed through the stain glass and windows.  Along the walls there were long rectangle flower pots full of colorful flowers and also colorfully helium filled balloons attached to green ribbons and staked into the pots.  Paige closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet smell of all the flowers.  It smelled just like a flower garden.  Paige opened her eyes and took in the full size white wicker tables and chairs and the white children wicker table and chairs that where set up in the center of the room.  On top of each table were a porcelain tea pot filled with flowers.  Paige caught a sight of the dolls and the stuff animals that were leaning against the pots.  And along the far wall was an eight foot holographic banner that said ‘Happy Birthday Kaitlin, Kayley, & Kiley’.  The room was beautiful it looked just like she envisioned, just like a flower garden. It was her idea of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

 

                Paige couldn’t believe what her sisters had pulled off for her and she still could believe her luck in finding them.  She was glad to take all the bad stuff they’ve gone through just to have precious moment like this that makes family all that more important. This time the tears could not be warded off.  They started to fall down her cheek as she walk further into the room to get a better look at the room close up and so Phoebe wouldn’t see the tears.  She felt Phoebe right behind her as she ran her hand along the back of one of the wicker chairs.  Everything was amazing and they did it for her and the girls.  She was so grateful for having sisters and she could never pay them back for all the things they’ve done for her even if they butt into her life on a regular bases but she would never have it any other way.

 

                “So what do you think?” Phoebe asked breaking into her thoughts. “The ad department did the banner for me as a favor.”

 

                Paige felt Phoebe’s arm wrap around her shoulders.  She turned her head to look her sister and Phoebe finely seen the tears.  “Oh honey, what’s the tears for?”  Phoebe pulled her in a sisterly hug.

 

                “I don’t know.  I can’t seem to stop them from falling.  It’s been going on all day.  I guess I’m just real tired and stress out.”

 

                “I’m sure that’s all it is,” Phoebe replied.  “Why don’t you go and get the girls ready and let me and Piper handle the finished touch for the party.

 

                “Are you sure?” Paige step back and brushed the last of her tears away.

 

                “I would’ve said it if I didn’t mean it.” Phoebe grabbed Paige’s shoulder and turned her around and gave her a slight shove to get going out of the room.

 

                “Thanks,” said Paige appreciatively.

 

                “You’re welcome.” Phoebe shooed her with her hands. “Now go.”

 

                Paige smiled and left the room.  Phoebe smiled and sauntered back to Caleb and Bradan.

 

 

 

 

                The party had been going on for a couple of hours and the guest was staring the leave.  Paige had returned to the conservatory after walking a few more guests to the door.  She glanced over to see Caleb and Ian in a heated conversation.  Paige noticed earlier how they were sharing wary looks.  She made a note to ask Ian what that was all about.  She heard Shelia call her name and she went over to her.

 

               

                Caleb was shock to see his old friend, Ian.   The last time he seen him was when they had been ambushed by the British troops during American Revolutionary War and they were ducking for cover. Caleb didn’t make it out of the skirmished alive and now he guessed maybe neither did he.    

               

                They were somewhere in the Virginia hills when they run into a regiment of British Troops.  Caleb’s memory was thrust back to the time right before his death when he dove behind a group of trees for cover. He looked around and spotted Bradan hiding behind a group of boulders.  He remembered looking into his friend’s eyes and that Ian signaled that he was going to make his way around to flank the enemy. Caleb recalled nodding at Ian and that he would give Ian cover fire so he could make his way around to put the enemy in the middle of crossfire.  Caleb’s recollection was reaching around the tree to start firing and coming face to face with a British Soldier then next he knew he was surround by angel telling him he’d been pick to be a guardian.

 

                “Hello, Caleb,” Ian said bringing Caleb back to the presents.

 

                “Hello, Ian. It’s been a long time.”

 

                “Oh I don’t know it’s been about two hundred and thirty years. It’s not all that long.” Ian joked, as he took another swallow of his coffee.

 

                A sadness entered Caleb’s eyes.  “Did you survive the ambushed?”

 

                “No, the next thing I knew after I left the safety of the boulder, was being asked to be a whitelighter and you?” Ian questioned him.

               

                “I’m a guardian,” mumbled Caleb, as he glanced over to Darryl.

 

                “A guardian that can be seen that’s rare and why can you be seen?” Ian followed Caleb’s eyes and saw what he was looking at.  Darryl was standing across the room talking to Leo. “Or should I say who.”

 

                Caleb returned his attention back to Ian. “Yes I’m here to watch over Darryl and his family.  Certain Power That Be believes that evil may use Darryl against the Charmed Ones.”

 

                “Does that include you starting a relationship with Phoebe?” Ian raised his eyebrow and waited for the answer to his smug question.

 

                Caleb narrowed his eyes and frowned. “My relationship with Phoebe is none of your business, old friend.”

 

                Ian heard the irritation in Caleb’s voice but he didn’t really care.  “I’m making it my business. She’s been through enough.  She doesn’t need to be hurt anymore and you cannot give her what she needs and you know it.”

 

                “I know no such thing and I don’t plan of hurting her,” snapped Caleb.  “So are you her new champion or something.”

 

                “No, I’m not but I do follow the rules and I heed you this warning, so should you at least with Phoebe because if you break her heart. You’ll have—”         

 

                “You’ll do what,” retorted Caleb angrily.

 

                “You...Will...Answer...To...ME,” Ian said slowly and emphasized each word.

 

                “You love her,” accused Caleb.

 

                No, I don’t but I do care about her and I may not be her whitelighter but I’ll tell you this I’ll do about anything to protector because she’s Sean’s family.” Ian took a calming breath. “I’m just being a friend to both of you.” Ian clenched his jaw and frowned at his friend.  Caleb nodded and Ian nodded back.  Ian slapped his on the back of the shoulder as he walked away.

 

                Caleb watched his friend walk away.  He was certain more now then every that Ian didn’t approve of his relationship with Phoebe but he didn’t care.  He had no intention of stopping it either.

 

 

                Paige had showed the last of the guests out and all who remained was Darryl, Sheila, their son, Caleb, Bradan, and Ian.  She came back to the conservatory and started to help the other clean up.  She glanced over and seen the girls playing with Darryl’s son and Wyatt.

 

                Paige took a deep breath and let it out slow.  She was sure that Sean would have kept his promise. He’d never broken his promises before until now.  Paige was clearing off one of the tables when he sense way before he spoke. “Hello Darling.”

 

                Paige slowly turned around and her eyes opened up wide with shock when she got her first eye full of him.  He was dressed from head to toe in black: shirt, jeans, and long leather coat.  He was covered in dirt, his hair was all mussed and he had a couple of day’s worth of beard growth. 

 

                Sean reminded Paige of the million of demons that her and her sisters had vanquished over the years. Paige’s mouth went dry when she realized what this meant.  Sean was undercover and was acting like a demon to try to get information.  She remembered the horror stories that Ian had told her to know this was not a very good idea but she had promised she would trust him; however he’s making it very hard when he’s breaking his own promises. 

 

                Paige blinked her eyes to break the trances when she heard Sheila gasp and when she turned around she was surprised yet again.

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

                “Who are you?” Paige demanded, after gaining her voice again.

 

                Paige took a mental inventory of the young man that stood in the doorway of the conservatory.  He was in his twenties and around six foot two in her estimation.  The young man had dark brown hair and hazel eyes.  Paige could tell he had an athletic build under his worn jeans, burgundy long sleeve polo shirt, and tan suede waist-length jacket.

 

                The young man smiled and a hint of familiarity smacked Paige up sided the head that caused her to suck in a breath.  Paige was trying to get her mind around why or how she might know him when his answer cut into her thoughts.

 

                “I’m Kian Colman.”

 

                “And you’re here, why?”  Phoebe asked suspiciously. 

 

                Kian moved into the conservatory and glance over to where Wyatt, the triplets, Darryl’s son, and the twins were playing with finger paints.  He let out a little chuckle like his presents should have been known.  He looked Phoebe straight in the eye.  “I heard there was a birthday party and I decided to come.”

 

                Kian ambled towards where the kids where playing.

 

                “Hey just a minute,” said Paige, as she took steps towards him.

 

                Sean grabbed his wife’s arm and whispered only so she could hear.  “Let’s see what happens.  If he’s a threat, Wyatt and the girls will know, they’ll protect themselves.”  Paige glared at her husband but did as he asked.  She stood their stiffly waiting to see what happens.

 

                Kian stops in front of the kids and squat down so he was eye level with Wyatt.  He reached out his hand in a friendly gesture. “Hello there. My name’s Kian. What’s yours?”  Wyatt stared at his outstretched hand then he looked passed him.  Kian glanced back in time to catch Leo given a slight nod of approval.  Kian looked back when he felt Wyatt’s tiny hand grasp his with a confident hold.  Kian smiled when Wyatt spoke and introduced himself.

 

                “Well now that’s out of the way.  I heard that someone was having a birthday party can you tell me who that might be and where I could find them?”  Kian cajoled.

 

                Wyatt reached down and pulled the closes triplet to her feet and it happened to be Kayley.  “This is Kayley. Say hi Kayley,” ordered Wyatt.  Kayley gave Kian an appraising eye then carefully split her hand in to Kian’s. “Hi”

 

                “It’s her birthday,” informed Wyatt. “And theirs” he added pointing to Kiley and Kaitlin.

 

                “Really three,” Kian whispered as it was some secret but he said it loud enough for everyone in the room could hear.  “So, what are their names?”

 

                “That’s Kiley,” Wyatt pointed proudly. “And that’s Kat.”

 

                “Kat?”

 

                “Kaitlin,” said Paige behind them.  Kian glanced back over his shoulder and smiled.  Kian turned his head to face Wyatt again.

 

                Wyatt was looking down at his foot as he swung it back in forth. “I can’t say that so I call her Kat.”

 

                “That’s OK Kats sound so much cooler than Kaitlin.” Kian shifted to kneel down on his right knee.

 

                Wyatt looked up with a large smile on his face. “So what did you bring them?”

 

                “Wyatt,” chastised Piper.

 

                “No he’s right,” Kian said defending Wyatt’s question.

 

                Kian started to pat on his jacket as though he was looking for something.  He patted his left pocket of his jacket and smiled.  He reached in and pulled form it three gold skeleton keys.  Kian looked at Wyatt and gave him a little wink. “You think you can help by grabbing you cousins’ hand and following me into the living room.

 

                Wyatt nodded and grabbed Kayley’s and Kiley’s hand and ordered Kaitlin to follow. The four of them followed in short steps behind Kian’s.

 

                They entered the living room and sitting on the floor was three emerald green chests, all trimmed in gold.  The gold lock was a representation of the triplets’ heritage.  It was an interlocking triskele and triquetra and in the middle of the new symbol was the keyhole. 

 

                As everyone moved closer to the chests, they could see that each chest was etched in gold with the girls’ name. 

 

                Kian knelt down on one knee in front of the chest on the left donned Kaitlin’s name. Wyatt and the girls came up beside him and Wyatt imitated Kian by kneeling in front of the chest as well.  Kian chuckled to himself at Wyatt’s imitation.  He smiled and gave Wyatt another wink.

 

                Kian fanned the gold skeleton keys.  The keys were about two inches long and the bow of the keys was in the shape of the interlocking triskele and triquetra. The blade of the keys was engraved with each of the girls’ names.

               

                “Kaitlin,” said Kian, as he held out the keys. “This one’s yours.” Kian pointed to at the key containing Kaitlin’s name.

 

                Kaitlin reached out hesitantly and looked back at her parents.

 

                “Go ahead sweetie.  I’m sure Mr. Colman knows if something happens what the consequences will be.” Sean gave a large smile that held no sincerity.  Sean eyes however told quite a different story and Kian could tell exactly what would happen to him if he should in danger his daughters.

 

                Kian gave encouraging smile as Kaitlin slowly pulled the key with her name on it out of Kian’s hand.  “OK sweetie, put the key in the lock.” Kian pointed out the lock on Kaitlin’s chest. Kaitlin put the key into the lock and fiddled with the key after a few minutes Kaitlin had smack in frustration the top of her chest. 

 

                “Help.” She ordered Kian.

 

                Kian chuckled.  “Would you like me to help you open your chest?”

 

                She nodded and smacked the top of her chest again.

 

                “OK, but I have to put all the keys in because it wouldn’t be fair to your sisters.”  Kian opened his hand and the other two keys flew out of his hand and into the respected keyholes. “There, that should do it.” 

 

                Kiley and Kayley joined her sister and Kian gave a kind smile. “All right, you three ready?”

 

                They nodded their heads and clapped their hands enthusiastically. Kian laughed full-heartedly unable to contain himself in their enjoyment. “Then let’s get the ball on the roll.” Kian snapped his fingers and all three keys turned with a click and the chests sprung open. 

 

                Kian reached into Kaitlin’s chest and pulled out a three foot brown teddy bear.  Kian was laughing again at Kaitlin’s wide eyed expression.  He handed it to Kaitlin and she tried to wrap her arms around it.  The teddy bear was so big and heavy it pulled her over and Kaitlin landed on top of it giggling.  Everyone else joined in Kaitlin’s laughter.

 

                Paige and Sean moved forward quickly to help their other daughters pull their teddy bears from their chests.  Paige pulled out a three foot cream colored teddy bear and handed it to Kayley but she didn’t let go so Kayley wouldn’t fall over.  Kayley wrapped her arms around her teddy bear and gave it the biggest bear hug her little arms would allow.

 

                Sean reached in to Kiley’s chest and pulled out a three foot black teddy bear.  He held on to it as Kiley hugged it and gave it a big kiss on its nose.  Kiley sat down and tugged at her bear. “Mine.”

 

                Sean smiled. “Yes princess, yours.” Sean laid it on the floor and Kiley lied down on top of it.  Kayley watched her sister and copied her.

 

                “I believe the girls liked their gifts.” He rose to his feet and smiled down at them.  Wyatt and the twins had made their way over to look at the large bears.  Kian nodded in satisfaction.

 

                “Hey, how did you open the chests like that?” Caleb questioned him, as he eyed him suspiciously.

 

                “That’s easy to answer, magic,” Kian said nonchalantly with a raised eyebrow.

 

                “So you’re David Blaine or something.” Caleb said mockingly.

 

                “Yeah something liked that.” Kian muttered dryly.

 

                Kian held Caleb’s stare. Kian started to chuckle at Caleb’s attitude.  Kian thought it was funny that Caleb thought he could intimate him with a stare.  He stopped being scare of things along time ago, actually he stop really caring along time ago.  Kian shook his head and looked at Phoebe then back to Caleb and shook his head again.  He hoped Phoebe got his silent meaning.

 

                “O-OK, come on Caleb, I’ll walk you to the door.” Phoebe said cutting into all the male posturing.

 

                “I’m going somewhere.” Caleb questioned. 

 

                Phoebe grabbed his arm and started to usher him to the front door. “Yes you are.”

 

                “What about our date?” Kian heard Caleb ask as Phoebe dragged him through the front door.

 

                “I think we’ll get going, as well.” Darryl revealed as he help his son with his jacket.

 

                “We’ll talk with you later,” added Sheila, as she hugged Paige.  “It was good to see you again, Sean.” Sheila hugged him too.

 

                “Aye it was good seeing you as well.” Sean shook Darryl’s outstretched hand. “Thanks for coming.”

 

                “It was a beautiful party. Thanks for inviting us,” said Sheila. “We’ll let ourselves out. Goodbye.”  They both gave a slight wave and walked out the door as Phoebe walked in. Phoebe gave each of them a quick hug.

 

                Kian turned to the Charmed Ones and the others at the click of the door.  He was wearing a large grin.  He thought of all the things he could be doing and this was the last thing he would want to be doing but here he is.  “Now that the muggles are gone we can get down to business of you guys interrogating me.”

 

                Paige glared at him. “You’re right about that.”

 

                “So who are you?” Piper demanded with her hand fisted on her hips.

 

                “I told you who I am. Weren’t you listening?” Kian replied arrogantly.

 

                “Then let me rephrase it. Why the bloody hell, are you here?” Sean said brusquely.

 

                Kian raised an eyebrow but never lost his cocky grin. “Is that anyway for a King to speak.”

 

                Sean anger was forcing him to take several quick steps towards the uninvited guest.  He reached out his hands to grab him. “You arrogant little...”

 

                “Now Sire,” said Sean putting up his hands to stop Sean’s advancement. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t sent, so just calm your jets. You guys are a little tense.” Sean glared but stopped his advancement and turned and took a few steps away.

 

                “We get that way when people we don’t know drop in unannounced,” informed Phoebe, with a half smile.

 

                “Point taken.” Kian took a deep breath as he becomes serious.  “I was sent by the Ancient, Colm, to assist King Sean on his quest.”

 

                “I don’t need any help.” Sean frowned.

 

                “It wasn’t a request, Sire.  I believe neither you nor I have much of a choice in this.”  Kian slipped his hands in his front pockets of his jeans.

 

                Sean could feel his temper rising almost uncontrollably.  He didn’t want some wet behind the ear druid getting in his way.  Sean would need to move quickly and he didn’t have time to protect this twenty-something kid.  “I do have a choice and I don’t have time to play babysitter to someone that’s more than likely just came into their powers.”

 

                Kian choked out a single laugh. “You think I’ve just came into my powers.”

 

                “Aye, you’re wet behind the ear pup that I don’t have time for.”

 

                Sean had seen the flush of anger in Kian’s eyes.  Sean realized that he must have hit a nerve or two with that last statement; if that was the case that was great because maybe he could use it to his advantage to get rid of him and Kian’s attempt to become his sidekick will fall away as the sands in an hourglass.

 

                Kian jerked his hands from his pockets and advanced on him so quickly it shocked Sean.  “Listen and Listen good, because I’ll only say this once.” He said fiercely. “I’m not some inexperience dweeb. I might be young but believe me when I tell you I’ve vanquished more demons then you can every dream of and if you every forget it I can definitely enlighten you.” Kian emphasized the last part by poking Sean in the chest.

 

                Sean forcefully brushed Kian’s hand away and glowered at him. “Poke me in the chest again; boyo and I’ll have to teach you how to respect your King.”

 

                “Show me a King to respect and I’ll show it.” Kian snapped back with the same amount of fieriness.

 

                Sean reached out quickly and grabbed Kian by the lapels of his jacket. He pulled him so he was just inches from his face.  Sean was so angrily that a muscle was ticking in his jaw and he was shaking with the attempt to keep his rage in check.  “You want me to teach you respect. I would be glad to.”  Sean said it through clench teeth.

 

                Paige moved quickly to Sean’s side recognizing the signs that her husband was very close of losing control.  She gently laid her hand on his forearm. “Sean...Sean.” When Sean continued to ignore her she tried pry his hands off Kian. “Let him go. This isn’t solving anything. SEAN.”

 

                Sean blinked and turned his head to look at Paige with a scowl. He looked back at Kian and gave him a hard shove as he released him.

 

                Kian stumbled a few steps back into Leo, who grabbed his shoulders to steady him.  “Maybe you should drop the attitude.” Leo mumbled in Kian’s ear before letting him go.

 

                Kian looked at Leo and gave a tight nod. “I’m sorry, you’re royal highness.” Kian said trying to keep his contempt out of his voice and finding it very hard.  “I just don’t like being accused of being insufficient in my abilities.” Kian gave a slight smile that quite didn’t reach his eyes.

 

                Sean held his stare before turning and marching across the room to look out the window.  Sean was ready to leave but he knew Paige wouldn’t appreciate him trekking off and he was pretty sure he would have a tag-along if he tried to leave before this was resolved.

 

                Paige looked over at her husband. “OK,” she said looking back at Kian. “Why did Colm send you to help Sean?”

 

                Kian let out a frustrated sigh. “Colm felt that the King needed some unbiased backup.  I don’t know why I was his choice, but I was.  I personnel don’t understand why the druids even need a King.”

 

                Sean turned quickly to face him.  “You don’t see why the druids need a King.”

 

                The corner of Kian’s mouth twitched.  He knew his statement antagonized Sean but he didn’t really care.  He didn’t even want to be here.  “Witches don’t have a centralized leader and they seem to do just fine.”

 

                “Just fine...Just fine. The King and the Council of Druids protect all of the druids by created rules that we’ve lived by for thousands of years.”

 

                Kian shrugged as though he could care less about druid tradition. “Yea, you’re their when any druid needs you but are you there when your family needs you?”

 

                Paige grabbed Sean’s upper arm to calm him when he took a step out Kian.  She felt him stiffen even under his touch. “Kian maybe it would be best if you would leave,” suggested Paige.

 

                “Yea, that would be for the best but like I said.  I can’t,” Kian said weary. “Sire, I’m not here to fight with you.  If you can just stop, with the attitude, I’m sure I could assist you in your quest because the truth of the matter is everyone needs help even if at the time they don’t believe it.  Sire, you can’t do this alone.  The Ancient know it and eventually so will you.”

 

                “I really don’t thing so, so take my wife’s advice and leave,” ordered Sean, crossing his arms across his chest. “Before I throw you out.”

 

                Kian huffed. “I’m not your enemy.”

 

                “You’re not my friend either.”

 

                “That’s just like...” Kian trailed off.

 

                “Just like what?” Sean asked Kian.

 

                “Nothing. Look I’m here to help and I don’t care whether you like it or not, so deal.  Oh and by the way if you try to lose me by flashing, it won’t work because I can track you. That’s one of my powers.” Kian smiled smugly.

 

                Sean narrowed his eyes and took three quick strides across the room and grabbed Kian’s upper arm, as quickly as he grabbed him they was gone.  Sean flashed out taking Kian with him.

 

                Paige looked at her sisters and frowned. “Now what?”

 

                “I would say that Sean decided to take him with him,” Phoebe said matter-of-factly.  “I have a date to get ready for.” She gave Paige a one arm hug and sprinted out of the room.

 

                “I’m out of here,” mumbled Bradan sadly. He faded out.

 

                “See ya later,” said Ian in the middle of orbing out.

 

                Piper walks over and puts her arm around Paige’s shoulders. “Come on Sis, I’ll help you clean up while Leo baby-sits.”

 

 

 

*          *          *

 

                Caleb slipped from the bed he was sharing with Phoebe.  He pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms.  Caleb stood up and paused to watch Phoebe sleep.  He frowned as regret entered his mine.

 

                Caleb sighed, turned and walked towards the balcony.  He turned the lock and quietly opened the balcony doors.  He slipped through them leaving them open behind him.

 

                The crescent moon was hanging high in the night sky.  Caleb braced his hands on the railing as he looked out over the city lost in his thoughts.

 

                Caleb closed his eyes to what he let happen.  He could feel himself fallen for Phoebe.  How could he stop it she’s amazing.  He knew it was a mistake to fall into bed with her but he couldn’t seem to stop himself.  He would have to break her heart and his but he could not let this continue.  The consequences would be far worse if he let it continue.

 

                “Feeling guilty,” a voice came from behind him. It was not a question as much as a statement.

 

                Caleb spun around to see Ian leaning against the wall with is arms crossed his chest. “What do you want?”

 

 

Chapter 6

 

                “Guilty, huh,” Ian said with arrogant tone.

 

                Caleb glared and crossed the balcony quickly to the doors when he reach them he eased the quietly shut.  “No, I’m not; so if that’s why you’re here you can just leave.”

 

                Ian uncrossed his arms and straightened up from the wall.  “I’m not here to bust your chomps on this frankly this isn’t my problem it yours...” Ian looked seriously at Caleb. “...but Darryl and his son on the other hand I do take issue with.”

 

                “Darryl?” Caleb said confused.  “What does he have to do with anything?”

 

                Ian raised his left eyebrow.  “As of about thirty minutes ago he and his son were taken by demons.”

 

                Caleb just stared at Ian trying desperately to get his mind around what Ian just said.  He would have known if his charges were in danger.  “Not if your mind and heart was focused elsewhere.” A tiny voice in the back of his mind said.

 

                He would have sense if Darryl was in trouble. Caleb was running through his evening with Phoebe trying to determine if at anytime he had an uneasy feeling or if he sense Darryl and his son were in danger but he didn’t have one inkling of a threat.  He could barely hear the mumbling of Ian as he was lost in his thoughts that were until one word brought him out of the fog of guilt that was creeping in.  “Bradan?”

 

                Caleb shook his head as though trying to shake the cobwebs loose.  “Bradan, what does he have to do with this?”

 

                Ian looked at him with a hint of irritation.  “Caleb, you haven’t heard a word I just said have you.” Ian shook his head.  “No you haven’t.” He sighed.  “Bradan saved Sheila’s life. If he didn’t show up when he did she would be dead.”

 

                Caleb harrumphed.  “Yeah, he’s such a prince.”

 

                Ian chuckled. “You know Caleb green really doesn’t suit you.”

 

                “What’s that supposed to mean?” Caleb snapped.

 

                Ian gave him you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look.  “You...are...jealous.” Ian said it slowly as though Caleb was a little kid.

 

                “Ha, don’t make me laugh.  I’m jealous of Bradan.” Caleb looked away from Ian hoping he wouldn’t see the truth written in his eyes.  The truth is he was jealous because when it came down to it Bradan would win.  If he wasn’t in such competition with Bradan over Phoebe he would have sense Darryl was in danger.  Caleb turned his attention on the sleeping Phoebe and guilt and regret of a new kind entered his heart because for the first time he was truly in love and he would have to let her go.

 

                He could feel Ian probing eyes and forced his shoulders to relax so Ian wouldn’t know how it was upsetting him.  He had to focus on saving Darryl and his son and once that was taken care of then he would let Phoebe go.

 

                Ian looked through the balcony doors at the sound of a cell phone.  “That is more than likely one of her sisters.  Bradan was going to take Sheila to the Manor after I healed her.” Ian laid his hand on Caleb’s shoulder in a brotherly matter.  “This isn’t a contest Caleb.  I know Bradan, he’s a good guy.”

 

               

                They both watched as Phoebe answered her phone and her expression turned grim.

 

                “Tread softly, my friend and focus on what you’re really here to do.” Ian quietly orbed out on that note.

 

                Caleb dropped his head and closed his eyes.  He let out a sigh to fortify himself before facing Phoebe.  He wrapped his hand around the doorknob and twisted it.  He slowly opened and entered the room as Phoebe was shimming back into her dress.

 

                 “Is there something wrong?” Caleb asked keeping up the illusion that he was oblivious of what was going on.

 

                “Umm...yeah...um that was Piper and we have a little family emergency.  I need to get home.”  Phoebe hopped over to where Caleb was frozen to the spot.  He grabbed his arm for balance as she slipped on her last high heel sandal and straightened up.

 

                “I’ll get dress and take you home.” Caleb goes to slip by her.  Phoebe allowed her hand to slip down Caleb’s arm and when it reached his hand she intertwined her fingers with his and then gave a little tug.  Caleb stopped and turned his head to face her.

 

                “Caleb, it’s not necessary.  Paige is already on her way she should be here any second to pick me up.”  Phoebe placed her hands gentle on the side of his face as she rose up on her tiptoes; she pulled his face down and kissed him.  “I’m so sorry that I have to leave.”

 

                Caleb rested his hands on her waist.  “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”  His guilt raised another notch.  “Is there anything I can do?”

 

                Phoebe smiled and the knot in Caleb’s throat doubled in size.

 

                “No there’s not but thanks for asking.”  Phoebe kissed him again.

 

                Caleb pulled her closer not wanting to let her go but knowing he had to both figuratively and literally.  He had to go do what he was sent here to do and that was to protect Darryl and his family.  He failed them once he wouldn’t do it again.

 

                Doorbell chimed

 

                Caleb slowly pulled out of the kiss and rested his forehead on hers as the doorbell rang again.

 

                “I better go.” Phoebe said sadly.

 

                “Yeah, I guess you better.” Caleb released his hold and took a hold of her hand.  “I will walk you to the door.”

 

                “You will, huh,” Phoebe smiled as she walked with Caleb to the door.

 

                 When they both reached the door, Caleb unlocked it and opened to an impatient Paige who was poised ready to hit the doorbell again.

 

                “Phoebe, we really need to go.”

 

                “If you need me, call.” He said as he captured her lips again with his. “I’ll give you a call later if you don’t call me.”

 

                “You better,” warned Phoebe with a smile.

 

                Phoebe stepped out in the hallway with her sister. She watched as Caleb slowly closed his door.

 

                “Nice body.”  Paige said with a grin.

 

                Phoebe glared.  “You’re married. Just orb.”

 

                “Married, not dead.”  Phoebe heard her sister mumbled as they orbed out.

 

 

                Piper was sitting on the couch with Sheila and they were flipping through the Book of Shadows when Paige and Phoebe orbed in.

 

                “OK so what happened?”  These were the first words out of Phoebe’s mouth.

 

                “How was your date?” Piper asked Phoebe allowing Sheila to compose herself.

 

                Phoebe frowned and waved her question off.

 

                “What I’ve seen of it, it was going quite well,” said Paige giving Piper a knowing smile.

 

                Oh really,” Piper said teasingly.

 

                Sheila sadly smiled at the exchange going on between the sisters.

 

                “This isn’t about me and I don’t want to talk about my love life right now.” Phoebe turned her attention back to Sheila.  “Can you tell me what happened?”

 

                Sheila sighed.  “Darryl and I decided to stop at a small market for ice cream after taken Michael to a movie.  We went in and were smiling at Michael’s play by play of the movie we just saw.  We got what we needed and went to the checkouts.  Michael was still chattering away as we left the store.  We really weren’t paying attention to our surroundings.   The next thing we knew we where grabbed and shoved into alley that ran along the side of the building.” Sheila paused and took a deep breath and continued.  “Darryl tried to fight them but they hit him with something and he crumbled to the ground.  The other one grabbed Michael and pulled him out of my arms and another I didn’t know was standing there picked Darryl up then he asked the leader, I guess he was the leader, ‘What to do with the spare?’ The leader said, ‘Do what you like with her.’  The leader and the one holding Michael just vanished.”  Sheila put her hand over her throat as though she was choking on the memory.  “The one with Darryl formed fire in his hand...” She choked on a sob and tried to wipe her tears away. “...and threw it at me.  The next thing I knew I was laying on the ground and someone was lying on top of me then I heard Bradan’s voice telling me that help was coming.” Sheila put her face in her hands and started to cry.  “Darryl and Michael are gone.” She said it through her sobs.

 

                Piper and Phoebe wrapped an arm around her shoulders to comfort and support her.

 

                “We will get them back, Sheila.” Piper said with a firm reinsuring tone.

 

                “You can count on it,” added Paige.

 

                “Why was Bradan there,” asked Phoebe?

 

                Piper shrugged her shoulders.

 

                “We don’t have a clue.” Paige voicing her confusion to Bradan appears in the alley.

 

                “OK we’ll just ask him, so...where is he?” Phoebe looked at her sister for answer to her question.

 

                Piper spoke up.  “He went back to the alley to try to get a lead on the demon whom taken them.”

 

                “I can’t believe you’ve fought all these demons.” Sheila said in awe, as she went back to flipping through the pages of the Book of Shadows.

 

                “We haven’t fought all of them but someone in the Warren line has met up with them one time or another and then they put them in the Book of Shadows to guide future generations” Phoebe explained.

 

                Sheila continued to turn the pages of the Book of Shadows getting more and more frustrated with each and every turn.  “This isn’t working.  It’s taking to long.”

 

                The Book of Shadows started to flip its pages on his own causing Sheila to jump in fear.  “Who...what’s going on?” Sheila said startled.

 

                “You can say we’re getting a little ghostly help.” Phoebe said turning the book to face her when it finally stopped.  “Is that the demons that took Darryl and Michael?” Phoebe asked pointing to a drawing of a human looking demon in black leather and solid black eyes.

 

                “That’s them,” uttered Sheila, as though they may step right out of the book.

 

                Paige read over Phoebe’s shoulders. “Magma Demons.  They get their power form the lava in Volcanoes.   They have the ability to control fire.  Every five hundred years on the night of the full moon they sacrifice the heart of a hero and his son to keep their power over fire.”

 

                “So is this saying that they are going to sacrifice Darryl and Michael,” Sheila asked for confirmation unable to hide the wobble in her voice.

 

                “No not if we can help it.” Piper said standing up and head for the stairs.

 

                Paige raised an eyebrow at Phoebe and they followed including Sheila.  They heard Piper yelling for Leo.

 

 

*          *          *

 

                The moonlight was hidden behind the clouds engulfing the alley into darkness.  Bradan shuddered at the thought of being alone in the alley with only way out.  The other end of the alley was as dark as a tomb.

 

                Bradan took a deep breath to settle his nerves and closed his eyes.  He stuck his hands out in front of him to sense for the psychic impression left behind when the demons shimmered out with Darryl and his son.

 

                Bradan had told Ian that it was luck that he was there but truth be told it wasn’t luck he found himself in that alley tonight.  He was following Darryl and his family trying to get up enough nerve to question them about his partner, Caleb Fisher.  There was something not right about him.

 

                Bradan was glad to be there in the alley to save Sheila he just wished he could have reacted quicker to save Darryl and his son.  He has to admit to himself that he regretted his reason for following them but he wouldn’t regret on being there.

 

                Bradan heard a noise off to the left of him and open his eyes and spun in that direction and formed an emerald fireball.  He saw that it was just a rat but he didn’t put out the fireball right away.  He watched the rat for a short time to make sure it wasn’t a rat demon when he determined it was just an ordinary rat he put the fireball out.  He closed his eyes and went back to sensing for the shimmer of the demons.

 

                Bradan moved his right hand to the left and ran his hand into the impression left behind by the demons’ shimmer.  “Got you.”

 

                “He heard footsteps behind him and he spun around and his eyes narrowed at who was standing there.  

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

                “Fisher, What the Bloody...Why are you here?” Bradan demanded.

 

                “I could ask you the same question, Carrigan,” retorted Caleb with a grin.

 

                Bradan glared. “Jerk,” Bradan mumbled under his breath.

 

                Bradan would just love to knock that arrogant grin right off his face.  He still didn’t see what Phoebe seen in him.  He was a pretty boy who used his charm to weasel out confession or to get a witness to inform them of something.  He just didn’t like him for a number of reasons.

 

                “Carrigan, what are you doing in my crime scene,” questioned Caleb in an arrogant tone.

 

                Bradan gritted his teeth. “Your crime scene?”  Bradan forced an innocent smile on his face. “I thought this was an alley.  I don’t see any yellow tape.”

 

                Caleb smirked and walked towards Bradan.  Bradan stiffened and fisted his hands at his sides as Caleb came closer and then he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jacket so Caleb wouldn’t see his fisted hands.

 

                “Yeah, you see I heard from a very reliable source that told me you saved Sheila and watched my partner, Darryl, and his son get kidnapped.” He said as he came up and stop right in front of Bradan.  He moved his jacket out of the way when he put his hands on hips and revealed his 9mm, holstered at his waist.

 

                Bradan raised an eyebrow at Caleb’s intimated posture.  He turned his back on Caleb and took a few steps away.  He let his breath out slow to try to calm his growing anxiety that was setting in the pit of his stomach.  “Who told you that?”

 

                “Phoebe,” Caleb simply replied.

 

                A muscle in Bradan’s jaw twisted.  He didn’t believe for a minute that Phoebe would have told him anything; so if she didn’t tell him than how does he know, unless his feelings that there is more to Caleb are true.  He’s an Avatar of Power, a voice warned.

 

                “Phoebe told you really...when?”  Bradan questioned as he turned to face him.

 

                The smirk on Caleb’s face grew and turned into a grin.  “When she was getting dressed after leaving my bed.”

 

                Bradan moved so quickly he didn’t even realize he moved.  A rage of jealously that he had never known overtaken him and in two steps he had Caleb by the lapels of his jacket and had him slammed up against the side of the building.  Bradan was fighting with a part of himself not to pulverize him into the ground.

 

                “You lie,” Bradan said through clenched teeth.

 

                “About which part, the part where Phoebe left my bed or the part where she told me about what happened in this alley,” Caleb riposted.

 

                A low growl deep in Bradan’s throat escaped passed his lips as he slammed him hard against the wall of the building. This was his response to Caleb’s question.

 

                Caleb knew he was pushing Bradan’s buttons but at this moment he didn’t care.  He had a feeling his time was running out.  He couldn’t seem to care that he was probable digging himself deeper.  He had made a great error in judgment that very likely has cost him the lives of his charges.  The charges he promised to protect with his very being.

 

                He was a guardian angel that was given the chance to live like a human being again to protect special charges.  It was his greatest mistake because he wasn’t human anymore and he failed at his duties.

 

                If forcing Bradan’s hand to reveal what he knows, than Caleb had no problem pushing as many buttons as possible, besides if he gets in a few verbal jabs in then he’s going to do it and doing it he did.  “What Carrigan, are you jealous that Phoebe is in my bed and not yours?”

 

                Caleb seen a flash of pure hatred in Bradan’s eyes and then it was gone.  Caleb watched as Bradan reeled in his anger.  It was at that very moment that he remembered what Ian said about Bradan ‘that he was a good man’ and a little regret split into his heart. 

 

                Caleb had let his personal feelings affect what he was trying to do and that was to get information from Bradan not to start a brawl in this alley.  He needed to know what occurred and if Bradan could give a clue to what demons took Darryl and his son.  Bradan wasn’t his enemy even if he didn’t like him.

 

                Bradan could not believe that he let Caleb get under his skin and provoke him into losing his temper.  It was true that he cared deeply for Phoebe and he hasn’t care this much for someone for the last twelve years but that didn’t excuse him from attacking Caleb, cop or not, Avatar of not.  If he continued to let Caleb affect him this much that could be dangerous for him and everyone around him because one’s enemies could use those feelings against him just as Caleb tried to do just now.

 

                Bradan forced his hands to release Caleb’s jacket and he forced himself to take a few steps back.  He sucked in some fresh air to clear his lungs and head.  He let each breath out slow and did it a couple more times and felt the tension in his muscles subside although he couldn’t relax them completely.

 

                “I’m sorry, Detective...Fisher,” said Bradan formally.  “I don’t know what came over me.” He gave him a wry smile to show his sincerely.

 

                Caleb straightened his jacket and gave him a smile of his own.  The smile no longer contained the same smugness as before.  “There’s no need to apologize.   The truth is Phoebe didn’t tell me an—”

 

                “Then who did?” interrupted Bradan.

 

                “So what really happened here?” Caleb asked, ignoring Bradan’s question.

 

                Bradan took notice that Caleb had just side stepped his question but he’ll let it slide for now.  He was going to find out if Caleb was an Avatar very soon.

 

                Bradan had a brilliant idea to tell him the truth and take in his reaction, if he would act shock or if he just accepted his explanation.  So he smiled to himself as he started to speak.  “Well you see, I was walking by and I heard Sheila scream and I ran into the alley to see a Magma demon throwing fire at her.  She was singed on her arm as I pulled her out of harms way.  The Magma demon and Darryl disappeared.  I have to assume that a Magma demon took Darryl’s son as well.”   Bradan stared at Caleb as though he was daring him to reveal his true identity.

 

                Caleb raised an eyebrow.  “Sooo...you’re telling me—Magma demons—took Darryl and his son.”

 

                “Aye, that’s exactly what I’m telling you.”  Bradan could tell that Caleb was trying to act shock but he just wasn’t doing a very good job of pulling it off.  Caleb’s eyes told another story.  His eyes showed that he got his answer and he believed every word that Bradan told him.  Bradan was waiting for this very moment.  He now knew that Caleb Fisher if that was his real name was not a police detective. His suspensions could not be more apparent in his eyes.

 

                “Ha...Ha...Ha,” Caleb forced a laugh.  “Demons, next thing you’ll tell me, are that Santa Claus and the tooth fairy did it.” Caleb mumbled as he walked by.

 

                Bradan caught a new fire of knowledge burning in Caleb’s eyes when he passed by him.  He had a sense that Caleb was going after the Magma demons and he was going to follow him.

 

                Caleb slapped Bradan on the back of his shoulder.  He watched Caleb walk out of the alley.  He paused a minute then he quickly followed him out of the alley.   Bradan stopped at the mouth of the alley and Caleb had just disappeared there was no sign he was even there. 

 

                “Gotcha,” murmured Bradan.

 

                Bradan stuck out his hand and took a few steps forward when he didn’t sense anything he took a few more steps forward then he smiled and faded out.

 

 

 

                Darryl awaked in a cage just barely large enough for him to move around in.  As his mind became clearer his prison reminded him of the cages that was used in old medieval tortured chambers.  This in itself made him sallow the bile that has crept up in his throat.  He took a deep breath and the night’s event came rushing back like a tidal wave. 

 

                Darryl quickly looked around the room.  He took note that he was in some kind of cavern. In the middle of the room right in front of him and about ten feet bellow was a pool of fire, about five feet in diameter, that lit the room in eerie shadows.  Along one wall was a large stone table, which contained dark stains but from his point of view he couldn’t get a good look; even though he couldn’t make out what the dark stains was he had a pretty good idea of what they could be. Blood.  An uncontrolled shiver went up his spine and Darryl closed his eyes and chastised himself.  I’m a cop.  I’ve been in worse situations. Haven’t I?

 

                Darryl continued to survey the room when movement caught his eyes coming from one of the shadows on the other side of the room from the stone table.  The movement was a very familiar foot coming into the light. 

 

                “Michael.  Michael,” called Darryl in a harsh whisper.

 

                Michael moved into the light and Darryl seen that he was chained to something. The low light could not hide the streaks that were on his son face revealing that he had been crying.  Rage and fury like he never knew took hold in him. He would get who or what ever did this to them and make them pay.

 

                “Dad, I’m...s-scared,” Michael said back, as his voice broke.

 

                Shh, Michael,” Darryl gestured also with his hands to lower his voice.  “I know you are, son but I promise you we’ll get out of this. Do you believe me?”

 

                Michael sniffed and nodded his head.

 

                “Good.  Michael, do you know where Mom is?”

 

                Michael shook his head and reinforced his response with a firm, “No.” The tears he was holding back started to fall.

 

                Darryl wanted to hold and comfort his son but right now he had to work on getting them out of this mess. He gave him a wary smile. “It’s going to be OK, Michael.  I’ll get us out of here. I won’t let you down.”

 

                Darryl had to get his son’s mind off their dreadful state. “Michael, tell me what you’re chained to.”

 

                “It’s an iron stake,” replied Michael sadly.

 

                “Can you pull it out?” He asked as he picked up the medieval lock on his cage.

 

                Michael shook his head. “I’ve already tried but it won’t budge.  So Dad, how are we going to get out of this?”

 

                Darryl signed and let go of the lock and clucked, against the side of the cage. “That’s a very good question,” he said to himself. He had no tools to even attempt to pick the lock.  He smiled at his son.  “I’m working on buddy.”

 

                “‘Kay,” he said on another sniff.

 

                Darryl closed his eyes. Think. Think.

 

                “Piper. Phoebe. Paige,” He said to himself.  He was hoping that they could somehow here his silent pleas for help and come to his and his son’s rescue.

 

 

*          *          *

 

                Sean was glaring at Kian, as Kian was slowly getting back on to his feet, after Sean hit him with a right hook.  Sean took in his surrounding for the first time since he flashed here.  He didn’t even know where he was going to take him when they flashed out of the manor. 

 

                He had brought him to the clearing in the forest just outside the cave that told the stories of the O’Hara family and the Halliwell family.  The very cave that he found the scroll that saved his life and the life of his family.  Now he was fighting for his family again and like before he would succeed or die trying.

 

                “Do you always hit a person who’s trying to help you?” Kian was rubbing the spot on his jaw where Sean’s fist just was.

 

                “I only hit those who threaten my family,” Sean retorted, as he advanced on Kian.

 

                Sean wasn’t going to be con by anyone, for all he knew this guy could be working for the Avatars of Power and if he was the he would pay with his life.

 

                 “Whoa, hey,’ exclaimed Kian.  He held up his hand in a gesture of surrender.  “I’m not here to fight with you.”

 

                Sean paused in stride and narrowed his eyes. “Good, then it should be no trouble to get rid of you.”

 

                “Get rid of me,” Kian chuckled.  “What a surprise.  You still—” Kian clenched his teeth together and turned around, so he didn’t finish that revealing statement.

 

                “I still what?” demanded Sean, as he grabbed his arm and swirled him back around.

 

                “Nothing,” Kian tried to turn away from him but Sean won’t let him.

 

                “It sure didn’t sound like nothing,” Sean narrowed his eyes and his grip tightened.

 

                “Look,” Kian tried to shrug Sean off.  “It’s not like I want to help.  I was sent here by Colm.  He thinks you need my help.  I personal would be a lot happier if I wasn’t here but I am.” Kian let out a long calming breath. He stepped back out of Sean’s grip.  He gave him a wry smile and stuck out his hand.  “I know you don’t trust me but look at me closely and you’ll see that I’m only here to help.  If you can see that then take my hand and I’ll show you something that may help make some things clear.”

 

                Sean frowned.  He stared at the proffered hand and then into Kian’s eyes.  He wasn’t for sure if he could trust this stranger but his gut was telling him that some questions would be lay to rest if he took this man’s hand, with a simple touch he could reach into the depth of his mind and find out who really sent him.

 

                Sean ran a nerves hand through his short dark hair. He reached out and grabbed Kian’s hand firmly.  Sean frowned and looked down at their grasped hands when he seen nothing.  He looked up into Kian’s eyes and he was wearing a huge grin.  He felt Kian tighten his grip and in a flash they where gone.

 

                Sean gasped as they appeared next to a clear shallow pond.  They were in cased on three sides by rough steep cliffs and the other side was a field of white mist.  There was a deep chill in the air that reminded Sean of a early spring morning in Ireland.  This place had an eerie calm that unsettled him.

 

                “Did you really think I’d let you in my head, Sire.” Kian said bring Sean back to why he was here.  He didn’t even realize that Kian had let go of his hand.  He brought up his hand and frowned at it and looked at Kian.  He was smiling and Sean scowled.

 

                Sean turned to go towards the mist and Kian grabbed his arm. “Not that way, you’ll be lost forever.”

 

                “What bloody...” he sighed.  “What is this place?”

 

                “A place to give you some answers,” Kian said, as he pointed to the clear shallow pond.  Kian pulled Sean forward to the edge of it.

 

                “What’s so important about this pond?” demanded Sean.

 

                “The pond will show you...,” Kian trailed off as he waved his hand over the pond and the pond began to ripple.

 

 

Chapter 8

 

                Sean looked into the pond as the ripples settled an image appeared.  He narrowed his eye as the image became clear.  He couldn’t believe what he was seeing; in fact he wasn’t sure what he was really being shown.  “What is this?” He demanded an answer from Kian.

 

                “This, you’re Royal Highness, is the time I came from, my present; your possible future,” explained Kian.

 

                Sean frowned at Kian and turned back to the pond.  He stared at the image in the water for a little while when it came to him that it looked a little familiar. Okay a lot more than a little familiar it was very familiar.

 

                The houses were in a part of San Francisco called Alamo Square.  It was an area made up of Victorian style houses.  They were used in TV shows and movies as much as the Golden Gate Bridge to depict San Francisco.  They were painted in different colors and they sit across from a park that was in the middle of the square. 

 

                The houses were all three stories and looked exactly like except for the colors that they’ve been painted. The color ranged form blues, greens, yellows and tans.  The stairs lead to a small front porch and each had a small garage under the house.

 

                Sean watched as people greeted each other as though they were all old friends.  They shook hand and smiled at each other.  It was funny but it reminded Sean of towns in Ireland.  It was nice to see that things had changed in the future.  People had realized that it was a small world and it was better for everyone to just get along.  It made him smile to see comradely among the people.

 

                 Sean turned to see Kian scowling “What’s the matter?”

 

                “What’s wrong with this picture?” Kian waved his hand and the image changed again. Kian frowned and shook his head.

 

                Sean turned his attention towards the new image that appeared in the pond.  It was Michigan Ave. in Chicago, IL.  The people were happy and acknowledging everyone they passed.  He watched as two people ran into each and all they did was smile at each other and walked away.  Sean raised an eyebrow and frowned.  Something in the pit of his stomach made him very uneasy.

 

                Ripples moved across the pond again and the image change to London England to be more specific the area known as Soho and what he seen in Chicago was happening there as well.  Sean watched as the images change in the pond as though someone was flipping the remote on a TV; Rome, Athens, Paris, Dublin, Berlin, Moscow, Los Angles, Dallas, and New York.  It was all the same.  No one angry or hurt, they where just happy and the uneasiness in his stomach was now rolling like the ocean during a storm.

 

                The people seem to be overwhelmingly chipper,” commented Sean.  He just couldn’t take his eye off the pond and the continuing changes of scenes in the pond kept his attention.

 

                “Yeah, sick isn’t it.  That’s the Avatars’ idea of Utopia. It all came about with the help of the Charmed Ones, Wyatt, triplets, and the rest of your family except for you.”  Kian waved his hands and the images stopped on the outside of the Halliwells’ Manor.

 

                Sean stared blinding into the pond.  He knew that Kian was showing him where it all began.  He swallowed the lump of uncertain emotion that was trying to overtake his logic.  He would just have to pull himself together until he could figure out what was really going on with this pond.  It could all be a lie. He shouldn’t believe but for some strange reason he believes him and on some level he even trust him.  Whoa, where’d that thought come from? He was going to shove that though way down so no one sees it.

 

                Sean let an out exasperated sigh and turned his head to look at this irritated guide.  “How long have the Avatars of Power been in charge?”

 

                “About five years,” Kian answered dryly.

 

                “Why didn’t I join with the Avatars as well?” Sean asked.  He didn’t understand why everyone else would.  He shook his head and ran his right hand through his hair.  “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

 

                Kian let out one chuckle that had absolutely no humor.  “Because you knew that Utopia didn’t come about without some scarifies.  You also knew that some scarifies was not worth taking.”  Kian waved his hand and the image of the Manor started to ripple away.

 

                “What scarifies?” Sean narrowed his eyes at Kian.  “I’m not in the mood for games.”

 

                “Just watch and you’ll see.  This is no game,” Kian replied.

 

                Sean fisted his hands at his side but turned back to the pond and waited for the new image to become clear.

 

                It was minutes before any thing of real interest appeared in the pond.  The street that was showing on the pond was like any other street in the United States and as before people were greeting each other as though they were long time friends. Then two men ran into each other and instead of the normal exchange of ‘I’m sorry’. An altercation broke out between the two men and in a flash the two men vanished into nothingness.

 

                Sean gasped just has his heart stopped in shock of what he just seen.  Sean rubbed the back of his neck as the tension grew.  He could not believe what he just witnessed.  It couldn’t be true.  Kian had to be messing with his mind or what little mind he seems to have left.  What if it is true? A small voice in the back of his mind whispered.  Sean closed his eyes trying to push that voice further back into his mind.  He couldn’t believe that his wife or her family would have anything to do with this; it was unconceivable. He would not believe this.  He couldn’t believe this.  Kian’s voice broke through his cloud of doubts.

 

                “One punishment for all crimes, very efficient isn’t.”

 

                Sean opened his eyes and glared at him.  “This is a lie. There is no way my wife or her sisters would support this. Twins, or my girls, you’re crazy.”

 

                Kian turned and walked over to a boulder and lend against it.  “What you see here...” He gestured to the pond. “...is true.  I have nothing to hide and for the Charmed Ones, they were just as much caught up in the spell as the rest of the world.  Avatar probable convinced them with their own worst fears.”  Kian crossed his arms and crossed his legs at the ankles.

 

                Sean looked back at the pond then back to Kian.  He was at a lost of what to do.  The things he witnessed in the pond hadn’t even happened yet but it felt as though it had. Sean turned his back on Kian and ran both his hands through his hair and then locked his fingers on the back of his neck and pulled with frustration.

 

                He had no clue, what to do with this new information, if it was true.  The Charmed Ones help the Avatars.  “It was just...it’s just...” Sean just trailed off not sure what to say.

 

                “Unbelievable,” mumbled Kian. “Yet true.”

 

                “Wyatt,” murmured Sean?

 

                “What about Wyatt?” Kian asked him.

 

                “Is Wyatt caught up in the spell?” Sean turned and faced Kian again. “Or is it worst?”

 

                Kian shook his head. “No, like you, me and a few other druids, He was not affected by the spell and is able to see the truth but he chose to become an Avatar way before the spell.  They are real good at playing on peoples worst fears.”

 

                “My girls, they are also under the spell?” Sean asked Kian warily.

 

                “Only because they choose to be, I keep hoping that they’ll come out of it but the more time goes on the more they rather be blinded to the truth around them.” Kian explained.

 

                Sean just stared at him.  He closed his eyes and shook his head.  He bent over and placed his hands on his knees.  The pain was so crushing that he felt like someone had sucker punched him in his gut.  He had to save his family not just from the Avatars but from themselves.  He would not lose his family again, when the Source killed his immediate family. He barely lived through it the last time.  He knows he couldn’t live through it again.

 

                Sean took some slow deep breath and slowly straightened up.  Kian was standing right in front of him.  He didn’t even hear him walk over to him.  “I can’t let myself believe this.  This is worst then the other future, the one where Wyatt was the enemy.”

 

                “Actually in your eyes it’s worst,” retorted Kian.

 

                “What’s that supposed to mean?” Sean demanded angrily.

 

                “The last five years you have not been...” Kian sighed.  “...your marriage to Paige ended that night.  Paige and the rest of the family chose to side with the Avatars, you got in a big fight with the family and you left stating that you’d stop them.  In my time you still are fighting them and the Avatars.”

 

                “And you know this, how?” Sean demand irritably.  Someone he doesn’t even know is telling him how his future was going to be.  It was really ticking him off.

 

                “Colm gave me a little background info.  Look I know you’re having a hard time believing all this and if I was in your shoes I would too, but your marriage isn’t indestructible.  Sean, I’m sorry...maybe...yeah, that’s it.” Kian waved his hand over the pond.

 

                “What’s it?” Sean asked him, but Kian didn’t answer he just watched the pond ripple and the image change yet again.

 

                Sean looked down on it and gasped.  He was looking at himself; a much older, worn out version of himself but still him.  The older version was holding court over the other druids of the council.  He knew them all and just like him they were much older and tired looking.  He wished he could hear what they were saying.

 

                 It was a meeting and it was being held at the magical clearing that only a member of the council and selected few could enter without permission from someone of the council. The table, that had been around for thousands of years, still stood there as a symbol of power and strength.  He was glad that the Avatars could not destroy that.  He was gladder that they were fighting them.

 

                “Do you have any idea what this is about?” Sean looked at him with questions.

 

                “You’ve been trying to find a potion to stop them.” Kian said nonchalantly, as he crouched down and pluck a wildflower. He straightened up and twirled the flower between his thumb and forefinger.  “It’s rumored that there’s a potion that can destroy the Avatars.  I guess some priests used it against them thousands of years ago to stop them.”

 

                “So is there a potion,” questioned Sean?

 

                Kian shrugged his shoulder. “That is a very good question but I don’t have an answer for. I wish I did.”

 

                “So why are you here then?”  Sean demanded angrily.

 

                “To help you,” replied Kian dropping the flower he was twirling into the pond and the image faded away and the surface turned back to normal.

 

                “To help,” Sean laughed.

 

                “Sire, the people in my time is already died.  They just don’t know it.  You, as all druids know that the world is made up of two sides, night-day, good-bad, yen-yang and so forth.  The Avatar took bad away and stole the spirit of mankind. They took sadness, anger, pain and aggression and they left in its place an illusion of happiness because how do you truly know you’re happy if you’ve never been sad.

 

                “The worst thing though is that they took away people’s dreams, their hopes, and faith.  Even Pandora was smart enough to save hope because without hope people have no dreams and with no dreams how can they have faith that everything will work out. The people have absolute no drive to find out who they are, to create, and to succeed. Why should they, they’re happy.

 

                “I ask you this, what right did the Charmed Ones have to decide this for everyone else. They took the most precious thing away given to mankind; the right to choose our own happiness.”  Kian frowned.

 

                “I figured you would say destiny,” retorted Sean lightheartedly.

 

                Kian made a sound of disgust. “You know as well as I do that destiny can not be chosen only our future we have the power to change.”

 

                Sean nodded.  “All right future boy.  I’ll let you help me but listen up. If at anytime I feel that you are a threat to my family or are here to stop me from stopping the Avatars, you will find out how powerful I really am. Got it!”

 

                Kian nodded. “Got it.” He stuck out his hand and Sean took it a gesture of truce and a strange new partnership was formed where Sean truly didn’t trust what he seen or the help that was offered but he would go along with it for now.

 

 

*          *          *

 

 

                Paige was pulling the potion that she was making off the stove when she heard Phoebe yelling form the living room.  “Paige, is that potion ready?”

 

                Paige sighed and yelled back. “It still has to cool.”

 

                She had been making the potion for the last half-hour but it seem even longer do to the fact she was worried about Darryl and his son.  She stirred the potion one last time and left the kitchen to join the others in the living room.

 

                Paige walks into the living room and Sheila and Phoebe was sitting on the sofa.  Piper was sitting in the chair and Leo took up residence on the arm of the chair.  They all looked up when Paige came into the room.  “So is it cool yet,” asked Phoebe?

 

                “No, I just took it off the stove,” replied Paige impatiently.

 

                “Well put ice in it to help it cool off faster,” ordered Piper.

 

                Paige raised one of her eyebrow at her sister rudeness. “It won’t work it would ruin the potion. The book of Shadows was very eminent that it should cool to room temperature natural.” She gave her sister a smug smile.

 

                “So we just wait while Darryl and Michael could be fighting for their lives.  They could be d-died...before the potion is every done and y-you c-could get to...them.” Sheila voice broke to show here frustration and pain.

 

                Phoebe took Sheila’s hand in hers and gave it a reinsuring squeeze. “Sheila we know it’s frustrating but we can’t go looking for the Magma demons  with out the potion to vanquish them because it could cause more harm if we get ourselves killed; as well.”

 

                Sheila closed her eyes as tears slid down her cheeks and Phoebe wiped them away with a Kleenex.  Paige handed her sister a new box.  Sheila had already gone through the other one.

 

                It was killing Paige to see her friend in so much pain and unable to do nothing about it but wait.  She wished by sure will that she could make the potion cool but it was outside her powers to do so.  She was worried that they would not get to Darryl and his son in time.  She just had to keep having faith.

 

                “How are you going to find them?” Sheila asked more as an innocent inquire than hoping to be answered.

 

                Piper answered it anyway.  “We wrote a spell that should take us to the Magma demons’ lair.”

 

                “I’ll go check on the potion.” Paige turned and went back to the kitchen.  In there the only sadness she has to deal with was her own.  She was sure that the pain that was written on Sheila’s face was the same that was on hers when the trips were kidnapped by the Changeling shortly after being born.

 

                   She could remember it like it was yesterday.  It felt as though someone reach into her chest and ripped her heart right out but she was glad everything worked out.  She just has to believe that it would happen this time too.  They will get Darryl and his son back with out them being harmed.

 

                Paige touched the side of the pot to see if it was cooled and was glad to find that it was.  She reached behind her and pulled a few vials off the shelf.  She turned back around and started to fill the vials with potion and made short work of it.

 

                Paige finished filling the vial and headed back into the living room.  Everyone was sitting quietly lost in their on thoughts.  “Hey the potion is ready, so let’s go get Darryl and Michael.” She knew she sounded overly confident but she didn’t care because they had to bring them home.  She hoped that her confidence would help reinsure Sheila that everything was going to be all right.

 

                Piper and Phoebe quickly stood up and join Paige by the doorway. “Don’t worry, Sheila we’ll get them back safely.” Phoebe said with conviction.

 

                Phoebe slip in the middle holding up the piece of paper that she wrote the spell on and they all began to read. “We call upon the four winds, to take us on a journey’s end.  So we can help a friend in need, takes us to wherever it leads.”

 

                White orbs started to surround the sister and they increase the speed as they swirl a round them and in an instant they where gone.

 

 

 

                Bradan was edging down the long dimly lit passageway ever since he’d sense Caleb’s magical trail outside the small market.  His pursuit of Caleb led him here wherever here is.

 

                 Bradan was going to find out just what Caleb was doing here and if he was an Avatar he was going to stop him from hurting Phoebe and her family.  He now knows for sure that he was magical. Now all he has to figure out what exactly what he is.

 

                Bradan could just make out Caleb slipping down another passageway due to the lighting and the distance at which Bradan was following his target.  The low lighting was both a blessing and a curse.  The torches that lit passageway were stretched pretty thin.  It was like a forty watt bulb lighting a sports arena.

 

                Bradan was gliding his hand along the wall so he wouldn’t miss the passageway that Caleb slipped down.  He was inching slowly and quietly when he found the passage and entered it.  This passageway was even darker then the one he just exited. There was bright light though at the end of this passageway and it made Bradan very nervous.

 

                Bradan continued to creep up the passage and he could make out Caleb’s silhouette just about twenty feet in front of him.  He was afraid that Caleb could hear the shuffling of his feet due to the deafening silences if not his foot steps then the beating of his heart as it pounded in his chest.

 

                Bradan saw Caleb slip into the bright room in front of him.  He was about to take another step when he was grabbed from behind.  He was about to start fighting when he heard his assailant whispered into his ear.  “Shh, it’s me.” Ian, it couldn’t be. Bradan thought.

 

                Bradan shrugged him off and turned around and glared at him.  He couldn’t even see him due to the darkness of the passageway.  This inconveniences irritated Bradan even more.  He couldn’t see Ian face to take in expression to determine what he was thinking.  There was one advantage if he decided to hit Ian in the face he wouldn’t see it coming.  That’s exactly what he should do seems he scared the living crud out him.

 

                “Ian, have you lost your mind?” Bradan whispered angrily.

 

                   “No, but maybe you have,” replied Ian, just as quietly.

 

                “What’s that supposed to mean...you know what, never mind.  I really don’t care because in about sixty seconds, I’ll have all the answers.” He turned to walk away and felt Ian grab his arm.

 

                “What do you think you’re doing?” Bradan demanded.

 

                “I stopping you from making a mistake,” answered Ian.

 

                “You’re what.” Bradan sighed.  “You know I’m tired of your cryptic messages, so why don’t you tell me why you’re here?”  Bradan shrugged off Ian’s grip.

 

 

Chapter 9

 

                Bradan turned to walk away when he felt Ian grab the back of his jacket and slam him against the wall.  Bradan went to push away from the wall just as Ian grabbed the front of his jacket and returned him to the wall.  Bradan was more than grateful for the thickness of the jacket when he felt his back scrape against the passage wall.

 

                He was about to give Ian a push then he felt Ian lean in and whisper in his ear.  “I’m here to make sure you don’t interfere with Caleb.”

 

                Bradan was choking on the words that Ian just whispered in his ear.  If he had to have guessed why Ian was here that would’ve been his last guess. He was then slammed in the back of the head with the knowledge that Ian knew Caleb.  He knew him all this time and never said anything not to him, Sean, or Phoebe and her sisters.  The question that bounced around in his shocked mind was why.”  “What do you mean?

 

                “I thought I was pretty clear, stay out of this Bradan.  You’ve saved Sheila and that was enough.” Bradan felt Ian’s grip fall from his jacket.

 

                Bradan had half the nerve to knock Ian’s block off but he just didn’t have the heart. He couldn’t understand why Ian was helping Caleb or why he was even listening to what Ian was trying to say.  Why was saving Sheila enough unless...saving Darryl and his son was Caleb job and if that was the case then why? He didn’t believe it was just because he was his partner.  Caleb has powers and that’s how he got here.  He just wants this to be over.

 

                “Bradan,” Ian said bring Bradan attention back to where they were. “It’s important that you don’t let your emotions determine your course of action.  Bradan think with your head and not your heart.”

 

                “I am thinking with my head.”  Bradan whispered through clenched teeth.

 

                Ian sighed and it echoed through the dark quiet passageway.  Bradan could understand Ian’s frustration because he was feeling a whole heck of a lot himself in this whole bloody mess.  And he had no idea how he was going to handle any of this.

 

                Ian wished he could see Bradan’s face.  He knows that Bradan has a lot of suspicions about Caleb but he doesn’t know how to ease his mind.  Ian wished he didn’t know Caleb but he does and as a fellow protector he had to help him and if letting Bradan know the truth then so be it.  He just wished this was the right decision for everyone involved; only time will tell.

 

                Ian couldn’t help but worry about Bradan going after Caleb. Bradan growing mistrust was showing its evil head each and everyday he seen Caleb with Phoebe.  Bradan’s powers allowed him to keep a hint of memories of Caleb saving Darryl, Piper, Phoebe and himself when demons attacked them at the Manor and Finn stabbed him.  Ian also knew that Bradan wasn’t sure if it was real or some strange dream.  Now on top of the strange feeling that there’s more to Caleb was Bradan growing feelings for Phoebe that was throwing jealously into the mix and was becoming a very flammable situation.  Then you add Caleb’s own jealously and it was about to go off any minute.

 

                Loud angry voices from the end of the passageway pulled his attention back to helping Caleb do what he needed to do and keeping Bradan out of the way.

 

                “If you leave now I’ll let you leave.” The voice was calm but was very clear on its objective and that voice belonged to his old friend, Caleb.

 

                Ian grabbed the sleeve of Bradan’s jacket and pulled him toward the lit cave at the end of the passageway. “Come on and be quiet. You’re going to watch and nothing more.”

 

                They arrived at the end of the passageway and Ian pushed Bradan behind a rock just inside the room. “Do not interfere. You’re to do nothing.”  He warned.

 

                The room was filled with eight Magma demons at least that’s all Bradan could see.  There were three on one side of the room and three on the other. Two demons were dressed in some kind of ceremonial type robes and were standing behind the large table.  Bradan’s eyes widen when he noticed that Darryl’s son was strapped to the table.  Bradan’s eyes grew even wider when he seen Darryl hanging from a cage from the ceiling.

 

                Bradan was starting to get up and Ian grabbed his arm to stop him.  Bradan looked at him and all Ian did was shake his head.  Bradan just wanted to punch him right in the face but he settled with a glare and settle back down to watch what was going to happen next.

 

 

 

                “I’m going to give you one chance to let go of the boy and his father or I’m going to wipe you out of existence.”  Caleb informed forcefully, as he stepped towards the center of the room.

 

                The demons laughed and the one closest to Darryl’s son spoke “We are the ones who are how you put it...oh yes... ‘Going to wipe you out.’”  Caleb took him as the leader of this little group.

 

                Caleb started to laugh but there were no humor in it.  It was a laugh that would put fear in your heart instead of happiness.

 

                The head Magma demon raised his hand and pointed at Caleb. “Kill this nuisance.”

 

                The six demons that were on either side of the cave started to advanced on Caleb.

 

                “Fisher get out of here,” yelled Darryl from his cage.

 

                Caleb just smiled at his partner. “Oh why? It seems to be just getting fun.”

 

                “Fisher these guys are...um...demons,” Darryl tried clarify.

 

                “Really,” Caleb said sarcastically.

 

                Caleb was keeping his eyes on the demons when they got closer and they raised their hands.   Caleb followed suit and raised his own.  He raised his arms straight out from his body with his palms facing out and a golden light came out of his palms and connected making a circle around his body.

 

                The demons stopped their advancement and stared at the golden circle and the man who just created it.  “What are you idiots doing?  Get him,” yelled the head Magma demons.

 

                The Magma demons didn’t have a chance to react.  Caleb had bent his elbows and pushed out with his hands.  With the movement of his arm the golden circle moved outwards away from his body with the force and speed of an F-5 tornado.  The golden circle of light connected with its targets.  The light went through them like a circular saw through a log.  The six demons screamed and burst into flames and turned to dust that fell to the dirt ground into small piles of gray dust.

 

                Caleb quickly turned his attention to the two remaining demons.  He quickly brought his hands in front of him and aimed his palms at them and without a word of warning, a golden beam of light shot from his hands and right through the last two demons.  The demons arched their backs and screamed in pain and then burst into flames.  Their remains filtered down into two more piles of gray dust.

 

                Caleb moved quickly to Michael and released him from the table.  He lifted Michael from the table and gently set him on the ground.  Caleb knelt down in front of him and brushed his silence tears away. “You’re all right now, Michael and everything is going to be OK.  Let’s get your dad down.” Michael nodded and Caleb rose to his feet and took Michael’s hand in his and led him over to the hanging cage that held Darryl.

 

                Caleb raised his free hand out in front of him so it was pointing up at Darryl’s cage.  He twisted his wrist as though he was unlocking a lock and the ancient lock snapped opened.  Caleb made a move with his arm as though he was throwing a door open and the door of the cage flung open with a bang.  Caleb gestured for Darryl to come forward with his fingers and Darryl came out of the cage and hovered outside of it.  Caleb slowly lowered his arm and Darryl came safely to the ground.

 

                Once Darryl was on the ground Michael let go of Caleb hand and run to his dad. “Daddy! Daddy.”  Darryl knelt down on one knee and welcomed his son into his opened arms.  Darryl gave his son a giant bear hug.  “You’re all right, buddy?” Michael nodded.

 

                “Daddy, to tight,” mumbled Michael.

 

                Darryl laughed and loosened his hold on his son.  He cuffed his son’s face in his hand and kissed him gently on his forehead.  “I’m sorry. I’m just glad you’re OK.”

 

                Caleb was glad they were Ok, as well.  He was glad his mistake didn’t cost them their lives.  He barely got here on time.  If he only been a few minutes later the out come would have turned out differently.  He hopes that his bosses will allow him to stay on as Darryl’s guardian he knows he would be asking a lot but...

 

                “You’re really not a cop are you?” Darryl asked cutting off Caleb’s train of thought.

 

                Caleb looked at his charge and his friend.  He gave him a sheepish smile and shook his head. “No not really.”

 

                “Who are you?” Darryl demanded from his partner.

 

                Caleb frowned and stared at him.  Darryl was wondering if he was going to answer when he finally spoke after a few minutes of silence.  “I was sent here to protect you and your family.”

 

                 Darryl scowled.  “From them,” he gestured to the piles of dust.

 

                “Yeah and others like them,” elaborated Caleb.

 

                “Look, Morris I don’t have much time.  The Charmed Ones will be arriving to take you and your son back to your wife.  You won’t remember me saving you and your son.  I’ll make sure Michael won’t remember any of this.  He’s too young to have to remember such horrors that occurred in this cave.  This will be my gift to you for screwing up and for that I’m sorry.”

 

                “What do you mean you screwed up?” Darryl raised an eyebrow and lifted his son up into his arms.

 

                “I was occupied elsewhere.”  Caleb closed his eyes and opened them.  “I really have to go.  You’ll be OK.  The Charmed Ones are on their way in fact they will arrive seconds after I leave.  I’ll talk you at the station.”

 

                “But I won’t remember you being here.” Caleb shook his head.

 

                Caleb flashed and turned into a golden orb about the size of a bowling ball then there was another flash he was gone.

 

                Darryl was staring at the place where Caleb just left when orbs started to appear and when they dissipated the Charmed Ones standing in front of him.  They were poised and ready to throw the potions.

 

                The Charmed Ones looked around very confused.  “Darryl, Where’s the demons?” Phoebe asked as took a step towards Darryl.

 

                Darryl shook his head and raised his sleeping son further up on his shoulder.  “I don’t really know; in fact, the last thing I remember is begging the demons to take me instead of Michael.”

 

                “Come on, we’ll figure this out at the Manor where it’s safe.”  Piper gestured for Darryl to grab her hand so they could get out of there.  Darryl grabbed Piper with his free hand and they all joined hands and Paige orbed they all out of there.

 

 

*          *          *

 

                Ian and Bradan stood up and came out from behind the rock that they were using as a hiding place.  Bradan broke free and walk over to the pit of fire that was in the middle of the room.  When he reached the edge he turned to face Ian and the corner of his mouth was turned down. “Who is he or should I say what is he?”

 

                Ian ran his hand through his light brown hair and Bradan though he was trying to figure out exactly what he was going to say or even answer his questions.  “He’s a guardian angel.” Ian said finally.

 

                Bradan’s frown deepened as he narrowed his eyes.  “I thought guardian angels were never seen.  They move to quickly to be in our time.”

 

                “That’s true for most but there is a select few that goes on special assignments and Caleb is one of these.  Darryl and each of his family have one of the regular ones, as well.  It will probable be one of them that will rat him out,” murmured Ian.

 

                “What?” Bradan questioned.

               

                “Nothing, at the moment that’s unimportant—”

 

                “Ian you’re rambling, just tell me how Caleb is a guardian,” interrupted Bradan.

 

                “Oh all right.  These special guardians are sent to protect in special situations in the case of Darryl, one was dispatched to protect him because of his relationship to the Charmed Ones.  They...” Ian pointed up. “...thought that demons my use that relationship to get to the Charmed Ones and obvious their assumption was right.”

 

                Bradan closed his eyes soaking in everything Ian just shared with him.  He rubbed the tension on the back of his neck. Then he finally chose to speak again.  “So these guardians pose themselves as what, neighbors, new friends, friends of the family, co-works and in the case of Darryl his new partner.”

 

                Ian nodded.  “Exactly.”

 

                Bradan sighed and looked at the piles of gray dust that litter the ground of the cave.  The piles were all that was left of the demons and Caleb had no problem in vanquishing them.  He was having trouble changing his view from Caleb being a threat to the fact that he wasn’t.; in fact, he was here to help.  “He’s not an Avatar of Power” a little voice taunted him. 

 

                He gritted his teeth.  Bradan didn’t want to let his hatred for him go.  He still was having trouble trusting him.  Bradan sighed and ran both his hand through his hair.  So was he having trouble trusting him for other reasons?  It couldn’t be possible because he was opened minded and once he was proven wrong he’s the first to admit to it so why couldn’t do that now?

 

                “My question to you Bradan is what will you do with this new found information?” Ian said breaking into his thoughts.  Bradan looked up and caught Ian staring at him. Good question Bradan thought.  “I think we should get out of here.”

 

                “Not until you answer my question.” Ian raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest in a defiant stance.

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

                Bradan smirked at Ian’s idea that he had any control over whether he stayed or not.  He would give him the common courtesy of his time but only a few minutes.  Bradan couldn’t believe that Ian thought he owed him anything.  Ian kept the secret of what Caleb really was to himself.  He really don’t know if he could every truly respect Ian again.  He raised his head to look at him.  “Ian, what do you want from me?”

 

                “I want you to tell me what you’re going to do.”

 

                Bradan sighed and stuck his hands into the pocket of his jacket.  He would love to tell him what he could do with his demand.  The truth of the matter is; what he wanted he couldn’t get here.  “I need answers. Answers you can’t give me.”

 

                Ian came up beside him and stared into the fire pit.  Bradan turned to face his back and waited for him to start to speak.  After several silent minutes Ian broke the silence.  “Is there anyway I can talk you out of this?”

 

                “No”

 

                “I didn’t think so.” Ian said with a sigh.  “Will you take a little advice before you rush off?”

 

                “Aye,” Bradan mumbled irritated.

 

                “Remember we all make mistakes and that sometimes the opinions of our heart are stronger than the logic of our heads when it comes to such matters.  We can do stupid things when it comes to the heart.”  Ian turned and placed his right hand on Bradan’s left shoulder.  He gave Bradan’s shoulder a little squeeze to get his attention.  “No ones perfect Bradan...not even angels.” 

 

                Bradan closed his eyes and shook his head.  When he finally opened his eyes a scowl followed.  He would give anything to understand how with a few choice words that Ian could cause him to lose some of his intolerance.  If Ian thought that his creative words would change his mind about confront Caleb then he is greatly mistaken.  Caleb still had things to answer for, lying to people he claimed to care about was just one of them.  Bradan wasn’t going to set by and let the people that he loved...care about to get hurt.

 

                Bradan shrugged off Ian’s hand.  “Nice speech, look I know you think I shouldn’t do anything but I can’t do that.  I’m sorry.  I really must go.”

 

                Ian turned his back and hung his head. He slowly shook his head back and forth. 

 

                Bradan glared at the back of his head.  He let out an exasperated breath and faded out.

 

                “How do I get myself in the middle of these things?” He asked the empty cave and then he answered his own question.  “I’m lucky, I guess.”  Ian orbed out.

 

 

 

                Bradan faded in on a balcony looking over the city of San Francisco. The morning sun was just starting to peek over the horizon.  He peered through the balcony doors and seen Caleb sitting on the edge of the bed, cradling his face in his hands.

 

                If Bradan didn’t loathe the guy he probable would feel sorry for him but he just couldn’t get himself to care that much.  The anger burned in his stomach like a volcano just ready to erupt.  This guy shows up seduces Phoebe and puts Darryl and his son in danger.  The people he was supposed to be watching over.  He starts a relationship with Phoebe and then lied to her.  He played on her vulnerability to get her in bed.  Phoebe’s heart has been stomped on enough and Caleb was adding his name to the long running list.  He would always protect the people he...cared about.  He almost said loved again. What’s wrong with him?

 

                Bradan shook his head to clear his mind.  He slowly reached out and gripped the knob on the balcony doors. It was still cool do to the night air.  He eased the knob to the right and quietly edged the door opened then he slipped inside.  Bradan took a couple silent steps on the plush carpet that made it effortless and came to stand beside Caleb.

 

                “I was wondering when you would get here.” Caleb raised his head out of his hands and glared up at Bradan.

 

                “I want answers.”

 

                Caleb took in a quick breath, ran his fingers through his already tousled hair and rose to his feet.  “Do you want something to drink?”

 

                Bradan cocked a suspicious eyebrow at him. He stuck his hands in his pockets of his jacket so he wouldn’t grab Caleb by the front of his shirt and said. “Sure.”

 

                Caleb replied with a tight nod and left the room without another word.

 

                Bradan followed him as his impatience grew with each step.  He didn’t come here for a social visit.  He came here for answers but he was taught not to be rude.  He did come here unannounced...who cares this jerk in sheep clothing has be scamming everyone from the beginning and now some part of his brain was going to polite he didn’t think so.  He put on a scowl and followed Caleb through a living room and into a kitchen.  Bradan stopped at the doorway to the kitchen.

 

                The kitchen was not very big and the walls were done in an off white.  The oak cabinets were on both sides of the kitchen.  The countertops where done in a gray granite which matched the floor.  The appliances were stainless steel. 

 

                Caleb had his head stuck inside the large stainless steal refrigerator.  Caleb was trying to get his frustration under control before he spoke again.  He knew that Bradan and Ian were in the cave hiding behind the rock but he really didn’t care but now that it was over he did.  He has enough to deal with he didn’t need this too.  He wished Bradan would just let it go but that would be asking too much.  The sooner he gets this over with the sooner he can get back to what he really had to worry about and that was the punishment he would receive from his bosses.

 

                “I have beer, tea, milk, pop, juice, or bottle water. What do you want?”

 

                “Water’s fine,” replied Bradan.

 

                Caleb reached in with his right hand and brought out two bottles of water.  He took one bottle in his left and tossed Bradan the other one as he took a few steps towards him.  Bradan caught it in his hands and twisted off the top.  He brought it to his lips and tipped his head back to take a swallow.

 

                Caleb took a slow swig of water before he spoke.  “So, what do you want to know?”

 

                Bradan eased the mouth of the bottle from his lips and brought down to his side.  He stared at the man in front of him.  Now that he could have his questions answered, he didn’t know where he should begin.  He lifted the bottle to his lips again and almost emptied the bottle with his second swallow.  He lowered it from his lips and hooked his thumb in the front pocket of his jeans.

 

                Bradan was trying to hold on to his temper but it ebbing.  If Caleb would just be confrontational it would help but he was being so bloody reasonable and on top of that he was being so pleasing as well.  He can’t yell at him or punch him in the mouth if he’s being nice.  “Do you realize what you’re going to put Phoebe through when you’re sent on your next assignment?”

 

                Caleb set his empty bottle of water on the kitchen counter and leaned against it.  He gripped the edge of the counter with his hands. “It doesn’t matter because she won’t remember me when I leave anyway; unfortunately, you will thanks to Ian.”

 

                “She has the right to know who you really are,” growled Bradan regaining his temper.

 

                “Why? Because you say so.  My relationship with Phoebe is none of your business,” he said calmly.

 

                Bradan could just punch him in his calm expressionless face. His emotion was raging like a river and Caleb was standing there like he didn’t have a care in the world.  Like he could do what ever he wanted; will he was wrong.  Phoebe was his business because she was his friend.  “I hate to disappoint you but it is my business because you see Phoebe is my friend.  And if you forget, when you go on your merry way I’ll be left to clean up your mess.”

 

                “And you’ll just like that won’t you.”

 

                “You are one conceited SOB, you know that?”  Bradan couldn’t keep the growl from his voice even if he tried and he wasn’t even trying.  “This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Phoebe knowing the truth.  I thought the truth was all important to you types.”

 

                Caleb moaned in frustration and pushed himself from the counter.  He grabbed his empty water bottle and took a few steps across the kitchen, leaned over and grabbed the brass handle on the cabinet door.  He pulled it opened and tossed his bottle into the trash. He straightened up and faced Bradan crossing his arms over his chest. 

 

                “Truth is what everyone wants but very seldom appreciates,” enlightened Caleb. “What is gained telling Phoebe the truth? She gets hurt.  I get hurt. And you get hurt seeing her in pain all because you believe she deserves to know the truth.  Carrigan, this is what is called a no win situation. So by all means genius, tell me what you would like for me to do: take the high road and tell Phoebe the truth or take no road and not tell her a thing and no one get hurt.”

 

                Bradan stood there with a defiant stare.  He shouldn’t let Caleb influence him with his little speech but it did.  Caleb had some very valid points whether he wanted to believe or not. But this new enlightenment to Caleb way of thinking didn’t make him any happier.

 

                Bradan, for the third time, brought the water bottle to his lips and finished it off.  He twisted the lid back on and tossed it to Caleb, who had to move quickly uncrossing his arms to catch it.  He bent over finger the edge of the cabinet door and popped it open and chucked Bradan’s empty water bottle in to the trash. 

 

                Bradan crossed his arms over his chest leaned into the door frame and frowned at Caleb who has now cocked his hip against the counter and has re-crossed his arms; as well.  They stood there watching each other for several silent minutes.

 

                “All right,” Bradan said breaking the silence. “You win I won’t reveal your secret, for now.” Bradan pointed his finger at Caleb.  “I suggest you tread softly, Phoebe’s heart has been battered and bruised enough.”

 

                “Whether you believe it or not I care for Phoebe” Caleb frowned and that was the first time Caleb showed any emotions at all.

 

                “I’m not here to say whether you do or don’t but as you shared a little insight with me I’m going to share a little with you.  It’s the ones we care for and the ones that care about us that can cause the most pain to our hearts, all in the name of love.  Bradan turned and headed for the door.

 

                “I’m not going to hurt her.” Caleb yelled after him.

 

                Bradan gave him a wave over his shoulder.  “See that you don’t; Guardian Angel or not I’d make you pay by making your life a living hell and don’t say you weren’t warned.  Bradan grabbed the doorknob, twisted it and jerked it opened.  He looked back at Caleb one more time making eye contact.  “You’re right. I do care about Phoebe a lot.  She’s the first woman I’ve cared about since my fiancée’s death.  Bradan step through the door and closed the door behind him with a hard click.

 

                Caleb gawked at the closed door.  The click of the door signified not just Bradan leaving but the end of the conversation.  Bradan had more or less promised not to tell his secret and he was glad to here how Bradan feels about Phoebe because in the end Caleb had a funny feeling there will be consequences.

 

 

*          *          *

 

                Bradan walked up and sneak a look through the window of the conservatory and into the living room where he spotted Phoebe, Paige, Piper, Leo, Sheila, and Darryl was standing together and deep in conversation.

 

                Bradan was wondering where Darryl’s son was when Darryl bent down and came up with his young son in his arms.  He watched as they said their goodbyes and followed the Morris’s to the door. He had a wave of envy roll over him when he seen Leo drape his arm over Piper’s shoulders and walk with her to the front door to see Darryl and his family out.

 

                “It always looks perfect when looking through a window.” Bradan jumped at the voice and swung around to see Sean standing there with a large smile on his face.

 

                “Hasn’t anyone every taught you it wasn’t nice to sneak up on people,” barked Bradan.

 

                Sean laughed.  “Hasn’t anyone every taught you that it wasn’t nice to peep into people’s windows, You Peeping Tom.”

 

                “I’m not,”

 

                Sean smirked and raised an eyebrow at Bradan’s whiny voice.  “Really, so what are you doing just enjoying the view?”

 

                Bradan chose to ignore the commit Sean just made and his chuckle.  “What are you doing here? I figured you would be out chasing your white whale, Captain Ahab.”

 

                Sean frowned at the commit but let it drop and then smiled.  He slapped Bradan on the back of his shoulder a little harder then he would have but the little jab ruffed him a little. “I’m here because a little bird told me you might need a friend.”

 

                “Ian,” Bradan spat out.

 

                Sean was trying not to laugh and cleared his voice.  “He thought that you might do the right thing for the wrong reason.”

 

                Bradan turned from peering into the window to look at Sean.  He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at his friend.  “So you know that—”

 

                “Caleb is a guardian angel, aye I know,” Sean interrupted.

 

                Bradan narrowed his eyes to appoint where they looked like they where almost closed.  He really could punch his childhood friend in the mouth right about now. “How long have you’ve known?”

 

                Sean shrugged.  He turned and walked over and flopped down in a white wooden deck chair. “As soon as Ian realized he was here and why.”

 

                “And you didn’t see any reason to let me in on this,” snapped Bradan.

 

                “Nope, I didn’t.” Sean shut his eyes.

 

                “Even after I told you how I felt about Phoebe,” retorted Bradan.

 

                “Especially, because of, how you feel about her.” Sean said peeking through one of his eyes.

 

                Bradan sighed and Sean opened both his eyes and sit up in the chair. “Bradan, Fisher was here to do a job I’m not saying his involvement with Phoebe was a good idea but it happens.  You should look at it this way; he probable won’t be here much longer do to what happened with Darryl and his family.”

 

                “I won’t be second best,” Bradan said with pain in his voice.

 

                Sean sighed and ran a hand over his tired face. “No one is saying you are.  Phoebe cares about both of you in different ways.  Let her be the one to chose but I’ll tell you this if you walk away you’ll be walking away from the best thing that’s happened to you in years.  That would be a shame, do you think?”  Sean pushed himself out of the chair and walk over to stand in front of his friend.

 

                Bradan turned away from him to watch the sunrise for awhile to give him time to swallow everything Sean just said.  Could he be right, he just didn’t know anymore.  He doesn’t know if he ever did.  He still doesn’t like keeping the secret but maybe everyone is right.  Sometimes the truth can hurt.

 

                “So where’s Ishmael?” Bradan asked breaking the silence.

 

                “Ishmael...huh...oh you mean my shadow, Kian.” Bradan nodded. “I left him with Ian.”

 

                “Is he friend or foe,” inquired Bradan?

 

                “Not sure, yet but I’ve learned a few things,” Sean added casually.  “Some coffee sounds great.”

 

                “What things?” Bradan asked not quite ready to let the subject go now that it’s about someone else.

 

                “That there are consequences when trying to have a Utopia.  Come on, let’s go in and have some coffee.  I haven’t seen my wife and daughters for almost two days.”  Sean turned to go to the door leading in to the conservatory when Bradan grabbed his arm just above his elbow and turned Sean to face him.

 

                Sean looked down at where Bradan had grabbed his arm and back up into Bradan serious expression.  Sean raised an eyebrow. “Bradan is there a problem?”

 

                “Why aren’t you trying to convince me not to tell Phoebe Caleb’s secret?”

 

                “Because unlike Ian I know you’ll do the right thing for all that is involved.”  Sean reached up with his left hand and gave Bradan a reinsuring squeeze on his right shoulder. “Let’s get some coffee, please.  I really need a caffeine fix.”

 

                Bradan laughed. “We all know how you need your cup of coffee in the morning.” Bradan started to pull him towards the door.  “Come on we better get you inside before you start to change before my eyes.”

 

                Sean shrugged off Bradan’s hold and gave him a friendly push to the door.  “Ha, Ha, Ha, you’re laugh a minute.”

 

                Sean and Bradan made their way to the kitchen.  Piper was behind the stove as every morning making breakfast.  Leo was trying to feed Chris and Melinda their breakfast but was getting more on them then in them.  Phoebe was reading the paper and talking to Wyatt.   Paige was preparing the triplets their breakfast of cereal.

 

                “So did you guys save Darryl and his son?” Bradan asked even though he knew the answer.

 

                 Piper looked up and the others turned their heads.  “Hello,” they all gave in greeting.

 

                “Yeah in away,” Phoebe finally replied to Bradan’s questions. “But it seems that someone wipe out all the demons before we got there.”

 

                “That is strange, any idea who?” Bradan choked out.  He caught Phoebe giving him an odd look and then he seen her shake it off.  He totally forgot about her empath power and he used his power to block hers.

 

                “No, but whoever it was they have our thanks,” piped in Paige.

 

                Sean laid his hand on Bradan’s shoulder.  “So is that coffee hot?”

 

                Piper smiled at her brother-in-law. “Always, help yourself.”

 

                “I believe I will but first I’m going to greet my wife and daughters properly.” Sean made his way across the kitchen pulled his wife into his arms and gave her a passionate kissed that showed all his love for her and then he kissed his daughter on the top of their heads and they giggled.  Sean then pulled Paige into his lap after he sit down and wrapped his arm around her.

 

                Bradan stood where Sean left him and watched the interaction among the members of this family.  He envied the love this family shared and wished he had it with his own family.  He hasn’t spoken to his sister for months now.  He could feel tears burning the back of his eyes and he blinked them away and blamed them on tiredness.

 

                “Do you what some coffee, Bradan?” Bradan looked towards where the person who asked the question and Phoebe was standing by the coffeepot and was holding the coffeepot over a mug.

 

                Bradan smiled charmingly. “Aye, I would.”

 

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