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.

 

 

The Elder’s Wife

 

Chapter 1

 

                This story begins three months after My Big Fat Wicca Wedding. Piper is now around eight months pregnant.

 

 

Leo is tied to a pole.  He is hunch over and unconscious. Shadows faded in out of sight. Phantoms with unknown faces, which Piper could feel was a threat to her and her unborn children.  She was trying to walk to her husband but there was no movement.   Piper was frozen in place and could only watch.  Piper yells for the shadows to stay away from her and Leo, but they only laugh, a laugh that causes her hair to stand up on the back of her neck.

 

Piper sees orbs appear before her, when the orbs dissipate standing before her is Chris, Paige, Ian, and Sean.  Piper yells for them to be careful but they acted as though they could not see or hear her.  She yells again but to no reveal.  Chris points at Leo and starts to head for him.

 

Piper sees one of the shadows step out into the open but she cannot see his face.  She yells for them to watch out but they ignore her warning.  The shadow raise his arm and in his outstretch arm was a crossbow.  Piper screams for them again and tries to fight through her invisible restrains but she can’t break through.  She see the arrow’s release and she tries to through up her hand to stop it but she can’t.  She sees the arrow strike—

 

 

                Piper jerk awake and sits up.  She looks around and realizes that she is in her bedroom. Piper looks over and Leo is sleeping peaceful next to her.  She raises her hand and wipes away the perspiration on her brow.  Piper lets out a slow breath and closes her eyes. “It was just a bad dream,” she said to herself.  Piper moves over a little and lays her head on Leo’s shoulder and places her hand on his heart.  Piper could feel the steady beat and the raise and fall of his chest. It was just a bad dream. 

 

                Piper kept remaining herself every time Leo’s chest rose and fell.  The gentle rhythm of his heart slowly calmed her until her own heart fell in time with his.  Piper felt Leo tightens his arm around her in a protective hug.  It made her feel safe again. 

 

                She’s been have bad dreams for over two weeks.  It was starting to wear on her.  At first, she used to tell Leo and her sisters about the dreams, but they dismissed them as stress due to the fact that she had Wyatt early but now that she’s carried the twins longer then she carried Wyatt; she wasn’t so sure.

 

                Leo places his hand on top of hers.  Piper looks up but Leo still slept. She knew that Leo must be feeling her distress and even in his sleep he tried to comfort her.  Piper smiles and closes her eyes finding comfort in her husband embrace.

 

                Piper decides to worry about her dream tomorrow.  She would explain to her husband and her sisters that she no longer thinks; it’s just a bad dream.  She would also ask Chris, if Mel or he has the power of premonition.  She should have asked him three weeks ago but he was a man with a mission.  He was trying so hard to figure out who turn his big brother evil.

 

                Piper yawns. “Maybe his investigation is why there have been more attacks on the Manor.” Leo pulls Piper closer and Piper drifts back to sleep in her husband arms.

 

 

                Piper woke and Leo was gone.  She sighed and throws the covers back.  She struggles herself out of bed and grabs her terry blue robe and pulls it on.  She slips her slippers on and head out of the room.

 

                Phoebe was sitting at the table when Piper comes wobbling into the kitchen.  Phoebe looks up and smiles. “Hey Mommy-to-be how are you feeling?”

 

                “I would feel great if I could have some caffeine.”  Piper sits down at the table and Phoebe pours her a glass of milk. “I’m sorry, sweetie. You’re still not sleeping very well?”

 

                “I’m still having bad dreams.  I really don’t think they’re dreams.  I think they’re some kind of premonitions.  I feel like I’m really there.”

 

                “Sweetie, you don’t have premonitions that’s my power.”

 

                Piper sighs. “I know that Pheebs but Chris or Mel could have the power of premonition.”

 

                “Do they” asked Phoebe?

 

                “I don’t know I going to have to ask—” Piper is cut off when orbs start to appear in the kitchen and Chris is standing there.

 

                “Speak of the devil” replies Phoebe.

 

                Chris gives his aunt a strange look.  Chris walks over and kisses Piper on the cheek and sits down at the table.  He grabs the carafe of coffee and pours him a cup then he pulls the plate of toast over to him and butters it and slaps some grape jelly on it.  He takes a bite of toast. “So what are you guys talking about?”

 

                “Don’t talk with your month full,” Piper chastised him.

 

                Chris finished chewing his bite. “Sorry.”

 

                “To answer your question, do you have the power of premonition,” asked Phoebe?

 

                Chris takes another bite of his toast and shakes his head. He almost swallows it whole. “No.”

 

                “Chris chew your food before you choke” said Piper, with a hint of irritation in her voice.

 

                “But Mel does” Chris added.

 

                Phoebe looks at Piper. “Maybe they’re not just dreams.”

 

                “What’s not just dreams,” inquired Chris, swallowing some coffee?

 

                Piper explains her dreams that she’s been having for a few weeks and his eyes widen with fear.

 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

                “I really don’t understand this because you never mentioned anything about having premonitions before Mel and I was born” Chris said, as he paced back and forth.

 

                “What about all these demon attacks” asked Piper?  She watches her son pace.

 

                “No, and I don’t understand why it’s happening or what changed.”  Chris stops in front of his mother and aunt.

 

                Phoebe raises an eyebrow at her nephew’s statement. “Really, you can’t think of anything?”

 

                Chris raises his hand and points to himself. “You mean me.  Why would I have anything to do with it?”

 

                “That’s a very good question.  So what are you doing,” Piper asked her son?

 

                “Nothing. Really.” Chris starts to pace again.

 

                “Chris you must be doing something if things are changing from what you remember us telling you” retorted Phoebe.

 

                “Honey, I think it’s about time you start telling us what you’re doing,” Piper said firmly.

 

                Chris stops and stares at Piper and Phoebe.  He was debating on how much information he should share with them.  “I’m trying to save Wyatt.”

 

                Piper frowned. “Chris, honey, we know all that, but you must be doing something because something or someone is very tick off and son if this is your plan than I think its working.”

 

                “It wasn’t my plan to put you in danger, Mom.” Chris walks over and sits down on the coffee table in front of Piper and takes her hand in his. “You have to believe me.”

 

                “Chris I know that but it doesn’t change the fact that I am in danger, along with you and your sister.  If you don’t tell us exactly what you’re doing, how do you expect us to protect you” informed Piper.

 

                Chris lets go of his mother’s hand and stood up and walks away.  “I don’t need you to protect me.  I can protect myself.”

 

                “Chris, you’re putting yourself in danger by putting Piper in danger.  I don’t know why you’re not getting that.”

 

                “I get it, Aunt Phoebe but it doesn’t change what I have to do.”  Chris continued to pace.  He was now worried that his search for the evil that change Wyatt has now put himself, his sister and his mother on the endanger list.

 

                “Chris let us help you,” Phoebe responded with concern.

 

                “No you need to just take care of Mom.  I have to go. I’ll check in later.” Chris gives them a warily smile then orbs out.

 

                “Chris, we’re not done with this” yelled Piper. “Oh I have a feeling he’s going to be difficult.”  Piper raises her hand and sighs in frustration.

 

                “What gives you that idea? The fact he doesn’t tell you what’s going on or that fact that he orbs away instead of answering your question.”

 

                Piper is struggling to get up and Phoebe helps her up by giving her a little push. “I just want to know what the h—”

 

                “Piper, watch out” interrupted Phoebe!

 

                Piper throws up her hand and blows up an energy ball a few feet in front of her. It sends Piper flying backwards.  Sean flashes in just in time to stop Piper from hitting the floor.  Piper is suspended in mid-air.  Sean forms an emerald fireball and sends towards the demon. 

 

                The demon’s eyes widen in fear as the fireball collides with him and he’s vanquished in a flame of green fire.  Sean attention turns back to his sister-in-law suspended in mid-air. Sean gives a half smile.

 

                “You can put me down now,” commanded Piper.

 

                “Oh, yeah, right away.”  Sean twists his hand to bring Piper vertical, then he gently sits her on the floor. “Better.”

 

                “Much, thank you.” Piper stands, straightening her shirt.

 

                “So, one of you what to tell me what’s going on” asked Sean? 

 

                “That, Sean, is a very good question and that’s exactly what we were asking ourselves when the demon decided to crash the party” explained Phoebe, walking to them.

 

                Sean gestured to the couch.  Phoebe turns and walks back to the couch, as Piper walks by Sean places his hand on the small of Piper’s back and guides her to the couch. When they get to the couch, Sean takes Piper’s hand and helps her to sit down. “Okay, so why don’t you bring me up to speed about what the heck is going on.”

 

                Piper and Phoebe tell him all about the dreams and how Chris investigation into why Wyatt turns evil has increased demons attacks. “Now you see why we’re worried about this” uttered Phoebe, when they got through explaining the situation.

 

                “Why didn’t someone get a hold of me to let me know what’s going on I could have sent bodyguards” Sean said dryly. “Last time I check I’m still part of this family.”

 

                “I don’t need bodyguards. We can take care of this” retorted Piper.

 

                “The hell you can. Piper you’re eight months pregnant you don’t need the added stress” Sean countered back.

 

                “Well thanks Sean, I didn’t realize that I was eight month pregnant. So that’s what this big belly is,” Piper said sarcastically.

 

                “You know what I mean” said Sean, a little calmer.

 

                “No I don’t, unless you think I can’t protect my family.” Piper was now glaring at her brother-in-law.

 

                “Piper, this isn’t like with Wyatt when you were invincible. You can get hurt now, so you have to be more caution.  Let me bring some bodyguards in.”

 

                “Sean what part of no don’t you understand” exasperated Piper, as she stands up and walks away.

 

                “Piper, duck!” Sean forms another emerald fireball and launches it at Piper.  Piper ducks as the emerald fireball flies over her head and she hears an explosion behind her. She straightens up and turns to see that last of the explosion to disappear.

 

                Piper turns back to her brother-in-law.  “Maybe just one bodyguard.”

 

                Sean raises his right eyebrow and slowly gives her a smile.

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

                Paige was sitting at her desk in her office when a knock came at the door.  Paige looks up just as the door slightly opens and Phoebe sticks her head in. “Hey sis, are you busy?”  Paige shakes her head and wave Phoebe in. “What’s up?”

 

                Phoebe sits down in the chair across from Paige and glances over at her sleeping nieces.  A small smile crosses her lips and she looks back at her sister. “There were two attacks on Piper this morning and if it wasn’t for your husband it may have ended badly.”

 

                “Sean is back,” asked Paige?

 

                It was a rhetorical question but Phoebe chose to answer anyway. “Yes, but didn’t you here me, Two demon attacks on Piper this morning.”

 

                “I heard you but I haven’t seen my husband in two weeks.  So forgive me if I’m excited that he’s back from his royal duties.” Paige knew that when Sean agreed to be the King of the druids that he would have to be gone at times but it doesn’t make the missing him any easier.  “So why don’t you tell me about these attacks.”

 

                Phoebe sighed and goes into a complete rundown of the morning attacks on Piper.  When she was done she looks at her baby sister.  “So do you have any ideas on how we should protect our sister?”

 

                Paige gets up with a file in her and walks over to the filing cabinet and pulls out the drawer and puts the file away. “I thought you said that Sean posted a bodyguard.”

 

                “He did but I think there must be more we can do to protect her,” elaborated Phoebe.

 

                “Pheebs, Piper doesn’t like to be treated like an invalid and what exactly do you what us to do?”

 

                Phoebe watches Paige walk over and look in on her sleeping daughters and watches a smile overtake her.  She could never imagine Paige being a mother but here she is and she was amazing at it.  Phoebe was still wondering way Emily, the daughter that came from the future was not Jason’s.  Phoebe is brought to the present with Paige’s question.

 

                “Phoebe did you hear me? Do you have any ideas on how we can protect Piper without her finding out and yelling at us?”

 

                Phoebe looks at her and gives a shy smile. “I’ve been thinking we should ask the magical community for help.”

 

                Paige was standing up behind her desk and sank down in her chair with Phoebe’s suggestion.  “Are you sure about this? I mean we don’t know whose sending demons after Piper.”

 

                Phoebe gives her sister a dumbfounded look.  “Do you think the magical community would be sending demons after our sister?  Come on, Paige. We’ve help them and they’ve help us on numerous occasions.  They should have no problem helping us now, besides they owe us for the whole titan thing.”

 

                Paige gives Phoebe an uncertain look. “Okay, but I think we should keep it among us.”

 

                “Paige they’re on our side and it was a demon or those Avatar things that turn Wyatt evil. So really I don’t think the good guys would turn their backs on us.”  Phoebe was now wearing a frown.

 

                “I’m going to be honest with you.  I don’t like this.  Someone wants Piper died and I think it has to do more with the fact that she’s pregnant with Chris and Prudence Melinda then the fact that she’s a Charmed One.”

 

                Phoebe nods her head in agreement but that doesn’t change anything. They have to find out who’s after her and stop them.  If the magical community can assist them in anyway then they should take full advantage of it, there can’t be anymore risk to her then what already is.

 

                “So Pheebs who do we ask first, Leprechauns or fairies,” asked Paige, with a sheepish smile on her face.

 

                “We ask the fairies maybe they can put a spell on the Manor to conceal it or Piper,” answered Phoebe, with a not so confident tone.

 

                “So...fairies then, let’s get someone to watch the girls and I’ll go with you to the forest” said Paige getting back up and walking back over to the girls.

 

                “What about work?” Phoebe didn’t mean for her to leave work right now. “We could wait until your day is done.”

 

                “Come on Phoebe help me get the trips ready to go.” Paige gave her sister a smile.

 

                Phoebe got up and started to help Paige get the girls ready to leave. They pick the girls up and placed them in the stroller and Paige calls Carly, her assistant and informs her that she was going to lunch with her sister and she would be back in a little while and if she needs to get a hold of her to call her on her cell.  Carly nods and goes back to her work.

 

                “Well she’s real talkative” said Phoebe, as they slip out of the door and start to walk down the hall.

 

                “She’s been like that for a week.  I keep asking what’s wrong but she says nothing.  I’m beginning to get worried, if it her mood doesn’t get any better, I going to pin her down and make her tell me.”

 

                They arrived at Paige’s SUV and Paige and Phoebe picks up the girls when they hear orbs beside them. They quickly turn around to see Ian standing there holding Kiley.  “Good afternoon.” Ian gives them a big smile.  Paige finishes buckling in Kayley and takes Kiley from him. “Ian what are you doing here.”

 

                “I’m just see how the girls and you are doing” he answered.

 

                “Uh huh, Sean sent you to make sure demons aren’t attack us too.” Paige nails him with a piercing look.

 

                “I tried to tell him you wouldn’t believe me” Ian mumbled.

 

                “So you can go back to my husband and tell him, his daughters and his wife are just fine,” informed Paige, with a slight smile.

 

                Ian ignored Paige. “So where you ladies going?”

 

                Paige starts to laugh. “Ian, you’re as subtle as a sledgehammer.”

 

                “We don’t need a babysitter. We’re going to lunch. You’re welcome to join us but we were going to discuses the wonders of child birth,” added Phoebe.  She was giving him an innocent smile to conceal her lie.

 

                “Oh, that’s quite all right.  I have...ah...thing...to do but thanks for asking” said Ian, as he orbs out.

 

                “I guess he doesn’t like our interesting conversations,” laughed Phoebe.  Phoebe climbs into the passenger side as Paige slips behind the wheel.

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

                Chris was in the cave that showed the history of the triplets and the line of Warren witches.  He scribbled something on a piece of paper and then he moves a rock on an altar.  He places the paper in the hole under the rock and slides the rock back in place. 

 

                Chris sighs and settles himself down next to the altar to wait.  He hopes it wouldn’t take very long and he wish was answered when a portal appears before him.  Chris rises to meet with the four figures that stepped out of it.

 

                Chris gives the new arrives a warily smile. “Hi Kat. Ki. Kay and Mel.”   He wasn’t surprised to see his three cousins but was surprised to see his sister.

 

                Mel steps forward and gives her brother a hug.  “We got your note. What’s exactly going on?”

 

                “I’m not for sure but ever since you left and I’ve been trying to find out who’s turn Wyatt evil, the attacks on Mom have increased.  I don’t have to explain how that affects us,” explained Chris.

 

                “So are you any closer to finding out who turn him” questioned Kat?

 

                “No,” Chris shakes his head. “So tell me is things any better in our time since Wyatt’s arrest?”

 

                “Not really, just different.  Some demons are trying to gain control, others are trying to get Wyatt out and innocent people are caught in the middle,” informed Kay sadly.

 

                Chris gives Kay a big smile.

 

                Kay narrows her eyes at him. “What’s so funny?”

 

                “Nothing, you’re just getting bigger,” Chris said happily. Kay gives her cousin a smack in the arm. “Yea so what’s the problem?”

 

                Chris puts his hand up in defensive gesture. “Nothing. I’m just happy for you, that’s all.”

 

                “Chris tells about the attacks on Mom.  It is coming from a certain group of demons?”  Mel gives her brother a look of concern.

 

                Chris sighs and slide down the altar to sit on the ground.  He was frustrated, tired and he felt defended.  It was his job to find out who made Wyatt evil but instead he’s endangered his mother and also himself and sister.  He need to be reminded of his purpose and he call on the very people to do it. 

 

                He looks at the four of them and explains everything that has been going on: the attacks on Piper; the little information that he’s discovered about the threat to Wyatt.  “I don’t understand why attacks on Mom have increased I haven’t really found anything of real importance.”

 

                “Maybe you have found something and you just don’t know it.  It could be so small that you think its inconsequential,” answered Ki, sitting down next to him.

 

                “Someone things you know something and so he wants to take you out of the picture and if they can get rid of Aunt Piper and Mel in the process the all the more better,” murmured Kat, as she paced back in forth in the cave. “You are going to tell us very thing you remember and maybe some things you don’t.”

 

                Chris raised his eyebrow at his cousin then shook his head. “I guess we better get started.”

 

*   *   *

 

                Sean was sitting behind his desk in his office at the college where he teaches.  The room was beige in color and three walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books.  The room had one window that drape a small sitting area with light.  The area contained a secondhand couch and a couple of mismatched chairs.  Sean was grading paper when orbs appear in the room.  Sean paid no attention to the orbs and continued to grade papers.  The individual move towards him and took a seat in front of his desk.

 

                “Good afternoon, Leo” said Sean, still not looking up.  He finished the last paper and finally raised his head to look at his brother-in-law.  Sean was not surprised to see the angry look on Leo’s face.  Sean gives him a smile and a shrug.  “I’m just doing my part.”

 

                “How do you know what I’m here about” spat Leo?

 

                “You’re here about the bodyguard I put on Piper.  What’s really got you cheesed off; is that I did it with out telling you or asking you about it,” retorted Sean.

 

                “Cheesed off?” Leo gave Sean a questionable look.

 

                “Aye! Mad, angry, flat out pissed off” answered Sean smiling.

 

                “Yes I’m mad you should have told me you were going to do it.  I’m an elder and I should have been told,” growled Leo.

 

                Sean chuckled. “This has nothing to do with the fact that you’re an elder and everything to do with the fact that you’re Piper’s husband and you weren’t informed of the situation.” Sean leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head.

 

                Leo narrowed his eyes at Sean and Sean chuckled again. “Leo, I wasn’t about to let Piper be unprotected, instead of being angry maybe you should be grateful—” 

 

                “Grateful” laughed Leo with irritation. “That bodyguard threw an energy ball right at me when I entered the Manor.”

 

                “Well I guess he was doing his job” said Sean mockingly. Sean then softens his tone. He pulls his hand down and leans forward and puts his hands on the desk then locks his hands together. “Leo, I’m sorry. We’re on the same side.  I’m not about to sit by and let any harm come to my sister-in-law.  I lost my family thanks to the source and I not about to let Paige feel that lost. Leo we’re on the same bloody side.”

 

                Leo’s eyes soften to Sean’s words and he took a deep breath and let it out.  “I just would have liked to be informed about it that’s all.”

 

                “Next time I will gladly inform you.” Sean gives him a big smile.  “So what are we going to do about the attacks on your wife?”

 

                “I take it that you have a few ideas” said Leo.

 

                “That I do, dear brother-in-law...that I do” answered Sean.  Two people flashes into the room. “Well it’s beginning to be quite a bit of a party.  Leo, you remember my head of the guards, Liam Callaghan and my head investigator Fiona Darcy.”

 

                Leo nods his head and shakes the hands of the two people who just arrived. “It’s very nice to see you again.”

 

                “Report” said Sean, interrupting the polite exchanged between them.

 

                “We have a little news but we don’t know how reliable the information is” informed Liam.

 

                Sean nods his head and Liam tells everything they found out.  Sean thanks them and dismisses them.  Sean looks over to Leo and asked him. “So should we team up and get some answers for ourselves.”

 

                Leo smiles and puts out his hand. Sean takes it. “Partners then.”

 

                Leo answers it by orbing him and Sean out.

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

                Orbs appear in a cavern passage lit by torches, when the orbs diminish, Sean and Leo are standing there.  Sean gives the passage a once over and looks back at his brother-in-law.  “Do you take all your dates here or is it just me?” Sean said in a heavier Irish brogue then normal.  Leo gives him a half smile and gives his head a small shake. “You think you’re the only one who can get information.”

 

                Sean places his hand over his heart and gives Leo a shock look.  “An elder who is willing to get a little dirty, who’d had thought it possible. What would your fellow brother elders think?”

 

                Leo gives Sean a small shove forward. “Come on there’s someone down here that may have a few answers to our questions.”  Sean gives a roguish grin and pauses for Leo to come in step beside him.

 

                “So who’s this demon who has all the answers,” inquired Sean?

 

                “He’s a flare demon,” Leo answered casually.     

 

                Sean stops in his track and grab Leo arm and swung him around to face him.  Sean couldn’t believe what he just heard Leo say. He missed understood that’s all.  “Leo, what did you just say?”

 

                “That the demon that we are meeting up with is a flare demon.”

 

                Sean continued to stare at him like he lost his mind, surely he’s joking.  “Do you know what kind of demon he is?”

 

                “Yes,” Leo said shaking loose from Sean grip and continued on that path they were on. “Like you said sometimes you have to get a little dirty to get some answers.”

 

                Sean stood there and stared after him.  He didn’t know what to do.  He could grab him and flash him out to safety.  Sean took off into a short jog to catch up with Leo. “Leo, you’re an elder. You realize how dangerous these demons are?  The Source didn’t deal with them unless he had to.”

 

                “I know what I’m doing, Sean.”  Leo paced on like he wasn’t walking into a highly dangerous situation.

 

                “I can’t let you do this. You’re a bloody elder and I can’t let you get hurt” snapped Sean, letting his frustration show on how stupid he thought Leo was being.

 

                “Unlike my wife, Sean, I don’t need a bodyguard” retorted Leo. He was now facing Sean head on.

 

                “You’re right you don’t need a bodyguard. You need a damn babysitter” countered Sean. He matched Leo tone and increased it a notch.

 

                “Shh. Do you want to get us killed?” Leo looked around to make sure no one was sneaking up on them.

 

                “If you weren’t my brother-in-law I think I would let you face him on your own.” Sean let’s out a long breath and runs a hand through his hair. “Does this demon know I’m coming with you?”

 

                “No,” Leo gave him a confused look.

 

                “Good this could work to our advantage.”  Sean slips by Leo and starts to walk down the passage in the direction they were headed.

 

                Leo caught up with Sean and gave him a sideways glance. They walked for a while in silence.  Leo could tell that Sean was trying to work out something so he left him alone until he couldn’t take it anymore. “Are going to share or do I have to figure out a way to read your mind?”

 

                Sean went into a short explanation of his plan and Leo agreed with it.  They look forward and could tell that the passage was widening into a large cavern. “Okay, you go in there and I’ll stay out here and watch your back.”  Leo nods his head and puts out his hand and Sean toke it. “Good Luck.” Leo turned to go into the cavern.

 

                “Leo”

 

                Leo stops and turns to Sean. “Yea.”

 

                “Don’t do anything stupid.  If you feel like it’s a trap get the hell out and I’ll deal with him.”

 

                Leo gives Sean a sheepish smile.  He turns and heads into the cavern.  Sean moves forward so he could see into the cavern but not to far so he wouldn’t be discovered.

 

                Leo tries to swallow but his mouth chose at that time to become bone dry.  Leo walks into the cavern that was lit with very few torches.   Along one of the wall there was a large fireplace, with large flames and in the middle of the flames was a black cauldron that was boiling.  Leo slowly glanced to each of his sides and sees demons standing along the walls.  In the middle of the room were a throne and a man of average height and donning a red robe.

 

                Leo edge himself closer and wondering if he should have agreed to Sean’s plan.  Because now he was feeling very alone and vulnerable, He looks up and makes eye contact with the man on the throne.  He gave Leo a smile.  Leo felt every hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

 

                “Well...well...well.  Look boys we have an elder in our mist.” The demon in the red robe laughed and the other demons laughed with him.  He raised his hand and the demons stop laughing.   “You’re a little out of your neighborhood, aren’t you?”

 

                Leo walks closer and narrows his eyes. He wanted to make sure this demon knew that he wasn’t scared of him.  “I was told you could have answers to my questions.”

 

                The demon in the red robe reached up and scratched his temple as though he was thinking whether or not to answer him. “I may or may not be able to answer your questions. Tell me Elder if I do have the answer to your questions why should I answer you,” he said to Leo with a tone of disgust.

 

                Leo felt the same way.  He didn’t want to be here anymore then they want him to be.  But he was here for answers about his son and he wasn’t going to let them dismiss him.  “Because it’s in your best interest if you do.  I hate to see you come to an untimely end.”

 

                This causes the demons to laugh again and Leo tighten his hands into fists.  The demon in the red robe just smiled at Leo.  “I’ll give you one thing Elder you have some orbs to walk in here. Ask your question.”  

 

                “Do you know who’s trying to turn my son evil,” asked Leo, with a confidence he was gaining every minute.

 

                The demon in the red robe rose to his feet and wave for the other demons to leave. On his command the other demons shimmered away. The demon walks towards Leo and stop a couple of feet in front of him.  “Go home, Elder. This is the advice I’ll give you.  You are threading in very dangerous areas.  I personal don’t care if you disappear but I’m not the one you should—”

 

                “Do you know anything or not” interrupted Leo?

 

                The demon reaches up and dusted some imaginary dust of Leo shoulder. “Go home, Elder before I run out of my hospitality.”

 

                The demon turns to walk back to his throne when an impatient Leo grabs his robes.  The demon spins and forms an energy ball. “I suggest you release me, Elder.”

 

                Sean steps in the room with an emerald fireball formed.  “And I suggest you put that energy ball out before we have a situation here.”

 

                The room was again filled with the demons that had shimmered away. “I think what we have her is a Mexican standoff,” said the demon in the red robe.

 

                Sean flashes out and reappears behind the demon in the red robe.  “The truth is you’re between a rock and a hard place.  I suggest you take a real good look at the left hand of the Elder.”

 

                The demon in the red robe looks down into Leo hand and notices for the first time the potion.  “So I see your point,” commented the demon in the red robe.

 

                “So if you would like to get out of this a live I would advise you tell him what he what’s to know,” ordered Sean.

 

                The demon in red robe puts out the energy ball and waves for the demons to leave and again they follow his order.  “I don’t know much but he’s powerful and let’s just say...he’s not on my side then again in must not be on your side either.”

 

                “What’s that supposed to mean,” Leo growled.

 

                “Exactly what I said. Oh, and I recommend you watch your backs.”  The demon smiles and shimmers out.

 

                “Hey come back here,” yelled Leo.

 

                “Leo let him go.  What’s every going on with Wyatt has got everyone down here on alert.” Sean grabs his arm and pulls him towards the passage. “Let’s get out of here. I am beginning to have a really bad feeling about this.”

 

                Leo nods and follows Sean to the passage.  “Where do we go from—” Leo was unable to finish because seven hooded robed individuals walk out of the shadows and surrounded them.  One of them raised his hand and threw a potion vial before Leo or Sean could react.  When it struck the ground they were immediately engulf in smoke. 

 

                Sean felt something collided with his jaw and he went down to the ground and everything went dark.  Sean didn’t know how long he was out but when he came to the smoke was gone and so was Leo.

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

                Piper looks across the room at the scowling man standing stiffly in the door way of her kitchen.  She takes the spatula and scoops the cookies off the cookie sheet and on to a cooling rack.  The only place that she could get any privacy was in the bathroom and even then he stood outside the door and waited for her. What did Sean call him? I think of it. I’m not about to ask him. “Would you like some cookies?”

 

                The man gave her a grimace look. “No.”

 

                Well he’s grumpy too.  “You’re loss.”  Piper grabs a plate and started to place some cookies on to it.  She went to the refrigerator and grabs the milk.  On her way back to the center island she grabbed Wyatt’s sipping cup.  She could feel the menacing bodyguard following her with his eyes. She put the cup down a little hard due to her frustration of being watched.  She looks up and the bodyguard had raised eyebrow at her.  She gave him a dry smile and filled the cup.  She put the milk away and then grabs the plate of cookie and the sipping cup.  She then slid by Mr. Scornful.  She went into the living room where Wyatt was sitting on the floor playing with toy truck and cars.

 

                “Wyatt, sweetie Mommy brought you some cookies and milk.” Piper said as she sits down at the table in the conservatory.  She heard the pitter-patter of his little feet as he ran in to join her.  “Here, sweetie” she said, as she help him up on the sit and she ruffled his hair.

 

                Wyatt smiles at his mother and while kneeling on the seat reaches for a cookie. Wyatt was eating when he look up at the visitor that had following his mother around all day.  Wyatt reaches over and picks up a cookie and offered it to their guest.  The bodyguard smiles and takes a few steps forward and takes the cookie from Wyatt.  “Thanks there, laddie. 

 

                “Mommy, he talks like Uncle Sean” said Wyatt laughing.

 

                Piper answered without looking at her son. “Yes he does.”

 

                The bodyguard chuckled a little. “That’s because, your Uncle Sean and I grew up in the same place.”

 

                Piper was still looking at her bodyguard in disbelieve.  She again found her voice.  “You take a cookie from my son but not from me,” she said harshly.

 

                “You offered it to me because I was making you uncomfortable.  He offered it to out of the kindness of his heart.”

 

                “How do you and Sean know each other?” Piper was choosing at that moment to change the subject.

 

                The bodyguard sighed. “Sean and I have been friends for a long time.”

 

                “How long?” Piper pressed further.

 

                “I dated his sister that was a year and half older then him until she wised up” he explained, as he broke off another bite of cookie and pops it into his mouth.

 

                “Oh, and you remained friends” inquired Piper?

 

                He nods his head.  “What you really want is the whole story?”

 

                “Yes as a matter a fact that exactly what a want,” said Piper, finally remembers that his name was Bradan.

 

                The bodyguard lowers his head and raises it and makes eye contact with her. He reaches into his pocket of his long leather coat and pulls out a toy car and truck and hands it to Wyatt. “Hey laddie do you think you can go play with your new car and truck.” He watches Wyatt grabs the car and truck and runs off to play.  Bradan, the bodyguard looks back at Piper.  “My father Cabhan Carrigan was a druid but my mother wasn’t, in fact, after a demon killed him she forbidden me to ever do magic again.  I met Sean and his sister when a demon was attacking me. They saved my life and at that moment I became an honoree member of their family.  It was the only place that I felt comfortable in my own skin growing up.  Everything was great until the Source and his assassins wipe out Sean’s family and upon the time of their death bestowed on him their knowledge and powers.  I arrived shortly after Sean did and at that time I saw the twinkle in his eyes was gone and only coldness remained.  I helped him hunt down the demons that killed his family until it happened.”

 

                “What happened,” asked Piper?

 

                Bradan smiled his first true smile. “Paige happened. The girls happened, even you and Wyatt and the entire family happened.  You see you gave him back a family and love.  The love you gave him tore down the stone walls around his heart and believe me, when I tell ya he had more stone walls around his heart then Ireland itself. He became the man he was destiny to be and I thank ya for that.”

 

                Piper smiled at her bodyguard. “Thank you for telling me.”  He simply gave her a nod and steps away from the table when someone flashes into the room and Bradan forms energy ball to protect Sean’s family.

 

                Bradan was very surprised to see who was standing there. “Finn?”

 

                The new arrival looks around the room. He spots Wyatt then quickly turns back to Bradan. “Hello, Brad, where’s—”

 

                “Who the hell are you” interrupted Piper?

 

                “Oh, Piper, I’m sorry this is Donal “Finn” Finnegan.  He is the head councilman of the council of druids.  He was the one who toke Sean’s side and convinced the other councilmember when Drake Duffy tried to kill him,” explained Bradan.

 

                “What can we do for you” questioned Piper?

 

                “I’m looking for Sean he left the council meeting before we were done discussion some things,” clarified Finn, giving Bradan a knowing look.

 

                The look was not lost on Piper.  She knew that they were discussing Wyatt. Piper didn’t know why but it made her very uneasy.  “Sean isn’t here.”  Piper used a harsher tone then meaning to.

 

                Bradan and Finn gave her a cautious look.  “Is everything all right, Ms. Halliwell,” asked Finn?

 

                “Yes, I’m just a little tired.” She hopes her new tone would take their suspension that she knew what they were taking about at their precious council meeting.  She knew one thing she was going to have a very long conversation with her brother-in-law.

 

                Finn gives her a slight nod excepting her outburst. “I have no clue where he is.” Piper just wanted this man to leave her house.

 

                “I guess I’ll check at his college.” Finn gives Piper a smile then looks at Wyatt. “Cute little boy.” He flashes out leaving Bradan with Piper.

 

                Piper round on Bradan. “What the hell are you doing talking about my son?”

 

                “Piper, if what Sean said was true. It affects us all.  We didn’t mean any disrespect.  Sean loves Wyatt and we still have no idea what will change him.  It could be your death or it could be a combination of things.  We’re on your side.” Bradan held his hand up in a defensive gesture.

 

 

                Piper grabs her stomach and let out a moan.  Bradan took two quick steps and was standing beside her. “Piper...Are you all right? Do you want me to call someone?”  Bradan asked with a hint of panic in his voice.

 

                Piper takes a hold of his arm. “No, I’m okay it was just a Braxton-Hicks contraction.”

 

                “A Braxton what,” Bradan asked confused?

 

                Piper let out a small laugh.  “It clinical name for false labor, really I’ll be just fine.”

 

                “Are you sure because I can call someone,” Bradan still unable to hind his apprehension of being around a very pregnant woman, even though the labor is fake and not the real thing.  It is real enough for him.

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

                Phoebe and Paige pulls up long the forest in Phoebe’s BMW Mini Coop.  They unbuckle their safety belts and step from the car.  “Are you sure this is the right place,” asked Paige? Phoebe looks at her sister and continues to walk into the forest.  “This is where we ran into them before besides this is where the crystal landed when we scryed for them.”  Paige followed her sister into the forest. 

 

                They came up on two trees that were parallel to each other.  The two trees were identical even down to the pattern of the bark.

 

                “I think this is it” uttered Phoebe, pointing to the identical trees.

 

                “Okay.” Paige pulls out a piece a paper.  “Do you think this will work without the power of three?”

 

                “The book didn’t call for the power of three so yeah I think it will work.”  Phoebe steps up next her sister and looks at the paper she was holding.  Phoebe and Paige started to say the spell.  “Fairies only innocents can see; open the door to with these words is the key. Let them come forth and help us now, because there is not much time left to allow.”

 

                A pinpoint light appears between the two identical trees and then it starts to grow larger, when it grew to the size of an oil barrel four small wing creatures flew out.  The four creatures were about six inches high and flew by iridescent wings.  There were two men and two females.  One male and both female wore clothes that gave them a regal look and the other male donned some sort of uniform.

 

                Phoebe and Paige stared at them.  Phoebe looks at the youngest of the foursome and knew her. “Thistle, how are you?”

 

                Thistle replies in a high pitch voice that Phoebe had a hard time understanding and Paige didn’t understand at all.  The male in regal clothes interrupted the conversion before it became to long.  Paige took his tone that he did not liked to be call.

 

                “Sir, we came for your help.  We need you and your fairies to put a magical veil over the Manor so evil can’t find my sister, Piper and —”

 

                The Fairy King held up his hand to cut Phoebe off.  At the same time he shakes his head no.  Phoebe and Paige looks at him in disbelief.  “What do you mean no?” asked Paige, a little put off.

 

                “We can not get involved in protecting the Charmed One, child.  You will have to do this on your own.  The fairies will not assist you in anyway.”  With those last words the Fairy Kings nods to the other and they turn and go back through the doorway.

 

                “Thistle, please help us.  We saved you from the trolls,” Phoebe yelled.

 

                “We help you on a number of occasions and now we need your help you turn your back on us,” added Paige.

 

                The four fairies didn’t turn around and flew through the doorway and it disappeared.  Phoebe and Paige stood their confused and shock.  Phoebe snatches the paper from her sister.  “We’ll just get them back here and make them help us.”  She was more than angry.  She was pissed off.  All the time that they help the fairies and now they turn their back on them. She didn’t think so.

 

                “Paige, help me say this spell again,” ordered Phoebe.

 

                “Pheebs if we get them back how exactly do we make them help us?” Paige gave her empathic look.

 

                 Phoebe wanted to shake her and wipe that look off her face.  Phoebe knew that it was impossible but she still had to do something.  “So if we don’t do this, what do you suggest we do?”

 

                “I don’t know, honey but I don’t think we have any power to make them help us,” explained Paige.

 

                Phoebe sighs.  “Then how do we protect Piper.”

 

                Paige puts her arm around her sister’s shoulders.  “We’ll figure out something.  Right now we have to trust in this bodyguard that Sean put on her.” Paige and Phoebe start to turn around to leave.

 

                The doorway open again in front of them and Thistle flew out.  Phoebe and Paige both froze in their spot.  Thistle puts her index finger to her lips signal for them to be quiet.  They nod that they understand.  Thistle starts to talk.  “The fairy stone will help you shield your sister’s presents.  It is over there.” She points and a red stone, about five inches long and cut in a tear drop shape, appears in the middle of a boulder.”  Phoebe walks over to get it. “Wait, the only way you can get it is that your use is for good otherwise the boulder will not release it.”

 

                “What will it do to help us,” asked Paige, amazed that she understood her.

 

                “The stone will increase the power of the pyrite crystals” Thistle made clear. “It would be like us putting a veil of secrecy over the Manor.”

 

                Phoebe nods her head and takes the finally few steps to the red stone.  Phoebe closes her eyes and reaches down and takes a hold of the Fairy Stone.  She gives a light tug and the stone falls into her hand.  She releases the breath that she didn’t know she was holding.  She raises the stone up to show Paige that she got it.

 

                Thistle smiled. “Use it wisely. Not all of us agree with my parents, please don’t make us regret our decision.”  Thistle turns and enters the doorway.  She and the doorway disappear.

 

                “We won’t,” uttered Phoebe. “Come on lets go.”

 

                They turn to leave when Sean flashes in front of them.  Phoebe and Paige jumps after being startled by his entrance. Paige smacks her husband. “Damn it, Sean, don’t do that. You scared the bejeebes out of us.”

 

                “I’m sorry but you two are hard to find.” Sean looks around at where he flashed into. “Where are we?”

 

                “In a forest,” Phoebe simply said.

 

                “Oh.” Sean raised an eyebrow at them. “Why?”

 

                “We were asking the fairies for help, but that’s not important. Why are you here, Sean” inquired Phoebe?

 

                “The only way to tell you is straight out.” Sean takes and deep breath and lets it out.  Paige gestures for him to get it out.  “Leo is missing.”

 

                “Leo is missing?  What do you mean he’s missing?” Paige expressed loudly.

 

                “Leo had a lead and we followed to the underworld and we were ambushed and when I came to.  Leo was gone.

 

                “Did you try to look for him,” asked Phoebe, a little distressed.

 

                “Of course I did but I couldn’t find him anywhere and I can’t locate Chris either.”  Sean could not hind his concern.

 

                “Come on, let’s get back to the Manor and set up the crystals.  We’ll decide what to do there” said Paige, grabbing her husband arm and start to drag him out of the forest and Phoebe follows. 

 

                As the three of them head for a car a figure steps out of the shadows of the trees and watches them leave.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

 

                “Phoebe wasn’t a happy witch when we left her to set up the crystals,” said Sean, as Paige and him orbs into a clearing in front of a cave.  Paige and Sean look around at their surrounds. “So your whitelighter sense says this is where that nephew of ours is?” Sean takes a better look at the cave entrance and sees a marking above the entrances.  He moves closer to get a better look and realizes that it was a connected triquetra and triskele. “Are you sure he’s in here?”

 

                “Yea, why?” asked Paige, as she follows her husband gaze.

 

                “Because this is where I found the scroll, that allowed us to remain married and for me to stay alive.” Sean turns to look at his wife.

 

                “You’re joking right?” Paige looks back to the entrance to the cave.

 

                “Nope.” Sean takes a hold of Paige’s hand and intertwines their fingers.  “Come on; let’s see why Chris is in here.

 

* * *

 

                “You have to be getting close to the truth, unless the attacks on Aunt Piper are to throw you off,” said Kat, as she paces in front of Chris, Ki and a very pregnant Kay.

 

                Chris watches as his cousin paces back and forth. “So any suggestions because I’m all out at the moment, besides two days ago Dad had to take Mom to the hospital because she thought she was in labor.  She wasn’t but these attacks could change Mel and mine birthday. Which I don’t have to remind you is very close.”

 

                Kay was rubbing her belly.  “Maybe you need to trust in Dad’s bodyguard to protect her for now, while you find out who’s behind the attacks.”

 

                “That’s a great idea,” a familiar voice came from the entrance to the cavern.

 

                “Dad. Mom. What are you doing here” exasperated Kat?

 

                “We could ask you the same thing” retorted Paige.  “How exactly did you three get back here?”

 

                “We used our powers” clarified Ki.  “It’s how we been staying informed on Chris’s mission.” Kat turns quickly and gives her sister a dirty look. “What?” Ki asked as though she didn’t state anything no one didn’t already know.  Kat just shook her head.

 

                Paige turns towards Chris.  “You’ve been updating them all this time?”

 

                “Uh-huh,” Chris simply replied.

 

                Sean kneels down in front of Chris.  “Chris we need your help to find your father.  We were following a lead and a group of people in cloaks ambushed us.”

 

                Chris flew to his feet. “Are you telling me that someone kidnapped my father?”

 

                “I’m afraid so.”  Sean stood up to face his nephew.

 

                “This is supposed to happen.  Everything is changing,” Chris uttered to him self.

 

                “Exactly, time is a very fragile thing and when you go mucking with it.  It has a tendency to change and not always for the better,” Sean made clear.

 

                Paige had just noticed that her daughter was pregnant. “Kay you’re pregnant.”

 

                “Oh my really, I didn’t know.  So that’s what this huge belly means,” Kay said sarcastically.

 

                Paige narrows her eyes at her daughter and gives her a small smile.  She goes over to her daughter and pulls her off the ground.  Once Kay is on her feet, Paige pulls her daughter into a big hug.  “Oh my...that means I’m going to be a grandmother.  I’m too young to be a grandmother.”

 

                “Yea, Mom you’re going to be a grandmother but you aren’t to young twenty years from now.  Do you think you could release me you’re crushing me.”  Paige pulls back but keeps her hands on her daughter’s upper arms.  “My baby is having a baby.”

 

                Ki has risen to her feet and put her arm around her mother.  “Yep, my sister got herself knock up.”

 

                Paige turns to Ki then back to Kay. “So do we like your husband, you are married, aren’t you?”

 

                “Yes, I’m married and whether you like him...well...it’s complicated.”  Kay gives her mother a shy smile. Kay was not about to inform her mother that her husband is the son of the man who tried to kill her husband and probable them as well.  What her mother don’t know won’t her.

 

                “What does that mean complicated? We either like him or we don’t.” Paige said narrowing her eyes at her daughter suspensions behavior.

 

                Ki smiles and pulls her attention away from Kay.  “So Mom, have you given any thought of having any more kids?”  The question did its job because Paige turns her attention completely on Ki. “Why are you asking me that question?  Do you have younger siblings that you didn’t tell us about when you were here?”

 

                Kat turns her attention from Sean and Chris’s conversation and on what was going on between her sister and their mother.  Kat thought it would be best interrupt the conversation.  “Mom you know we can’t tell you if there are other children in our family.  You know just answer that question could change the future.  The decision to have more children or not is up to you and Da.  You are the one’s that have to raise us, so that is up to you.”

 

                Chris was not smiling at all he was starting to worry.  “We have to find him.”

 

                Kat turns to Chris. “No, you have to find him with the help of our parents.  We...”  Kat gestures   to her sisters. “...have to get back to our own time.”  Kat walks over and hugs Chris and whispers in his ear. “Just have faith; everything will work out the way it supposed too.”

 

                Chris whispers back.  “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

 

                Ki and Kay hug their mother and father and then hug Chris.  Kat turn to her parents and smiles at them.  “We see you in about twenty years.”  Kat then hugs them at the same time.

 

                “Well...my sisters are you ready to go home,” asked Ki?  Kay and Kat nod their heads.

 

                The three sisters grab each other hands as a blue cloud appears above them and then a streak of lightening comes from the cloud and strikes the floor and a portal appears the triplets turn and smile and steps into the portal and disappear.

 

                “Okay, that scares me,” said Paige looking at where the portal had been a few seconds before. “They are very powerful.”

 

                Sean walks over and pulls his wife in to his warm embraces. “Yes, they are but they have good hearts.  They have your heart.  So no matter how powerful they are they still want to do what’s right.  We gave them that or we will give them that. You know what I mean.  We will bring them up right.”

 

                “If you two are done being mushy, we have to find my dad” exasperated Chris.

 

                “Lead the way” retorted Sean.

 

                Chris orbs out and Sean takes Paige’s hand and they orb out too.

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

                Phoebe is standing behind the book stand which holds their beloved and sacred Book of Shadows.  She looks up to see her sister, Piper coming into the attic caring her son followed by her newly appointed bodyguard. “What do you think of elves?” Phoebe asked Piper with a raise of her eyebrow.

 

                Piper puts down Wyatt and walks over to stand in front of the book stand.  “I like my elf nanny but she had to grow on me before I could stand her. Why?”

 

                “Well...there’s a spell in here...” Phoebe points at the book. “...to call for elf guards to protect Wyatt.  I was thinking we should call on them to protect him.  I mean with everything that’s going on.”

 

                “Phoebe, we’ve handled demon attacks before and now I even have my trusty bodyguard to watch over us and we also have the fairy charged pyrite crystals as backup.”  Piper walks over and easies herself down on the couch.  Piper looks over to her scowling bodyguard and gives him a little smile.  She noticed that the corner of his lips twitched as though he was trying very hard not to smile.  This made her smile grow larger to the fact that he had a gentle soul hided behind his tough guy persona.

 

                “Yeah, but things have changed,” mumbled Phoebe, as she closed the book and pick up the piece of paper she wrote the spell on.  She walks over flops down next to her sister and holds the spell by her fingers and waves the spell in front of her.

 

                Piper looks at her sister and snatches the spell form her fingers. “What do you mean things have changed?”

 

                Piper seen the flash of worry in Phoebe’s eyes then she quickly disguised it.  She had an inclining that ever since Paige, Phoebe, and Sean arrived at the Manor with that stone that something was wrong.  She was catching glimpses of it in their eyes before they hide it.  “Phoebe, what’s change.” Piper order for a response more than asked for one.

 

                “Well...Leo...is just a little worried, that’s all,” Phoebe lied.  “So what do you think about the spell to call for the elf guards?”

 

                Piper was too tired to try to drag information from her sister, even though she was just pregnant and not blind, so Piper decided to drop it for now. Piper looks at the spell in her hand then at her sister.  She gives her sister a shy smile.  “Oh what the hell; the more protection the better. Right?”

 

                Phoebe jumps up and takes the spell form Piper then helps her to her feet.  Phoebe looks into her sister eyes and hopes that Paige, Sean, and Chris can locate Leo before anything happens to him.  She just didn’t think she could handle losing Leo again.  She knew the last time she almost destroyed the earth with her pain.

 

                “So what do we need to make this spell work, the power of three,” asked Piper interrupting Phoebe’s thoughts.

 

                “What...Oh...no...the spell is written in single person.  We can say it together or you could do it alone.” Phoebe gives Piper a reassuring smile.

 

                Bradan, the bodyguard clears his throat.  Phoebe and Piper twist around to face him.  “If you don’t mind me giving some advice, I would think twice before calling for the elf guards.  They can be a little–temperamental especially if they feel they are being used by humans.  You see they see themselves as being better than humans.”

 

                “But we’re witches,” stated Phoebe.

 

                “Do you really think they care?  Some elves see man as destroyers of their sacred earth,” explained Bradan, as he crossed his arms over his chest.

 

                “You can see we’re not men,” said Phoebe chortling with her arms open wide as she spins around to make a point.

 

                Bradan gives her a big grin. “A man would have to be blind not to see that you are all woman.  I believe even a blind man could see you’re a woman.”

 

                Phoebe smiles back and points a finger at him. “Mr. Bodyguard, if I wasn’t married I would think you were flirting with me.”

 

                “If you weren’t married maybe I would be flirting with you,” answered Bradan, wiggling his eyebrows.

 

                Piper waves her hand and whistles.  “Hey, you remember me the one who is being attack because of something her unborn son is doing and the fact he came back to save his big brother.  So is this elf thing a go or not?”

 

                Bradan raises an eyebrow at the two sisters.  “The choice is yours but remember I warned you.  They may help you but don’t count on it.  I’ll tell you this before I shut up on the subject. Your elf nanny; what’s about her that irritated you and now...think about that thing being intensified and you have elf guards.”

 

                Piper knew exactly what irritated her about the nanny.  It was her whole attitude.  The fact she thought she was better then anyone else.  So if they call for elf guards, they would probable tell them to shove it but they had to at least try.  “Phoebe I think we’ll call, what do we have to lose?”

 

                Bradan lit the last of the candles that stood in a circle on the floor.  In the middle of the lighted candles were Piper and Phoebe.  Piper and Phoebe has joined hands and started to say the spell, when the spell ended a gust of wind throw open the windows and blew out all the candles and as the candles went out two individuals phased in to the attic.

 

                The two individuals were male around six feet tall.  They’re both thin and their facial features were very sharp and angular.  They had shoulder length blond hair and piercing light blue eyes.  They wore full length, royal blue coats and under their coats they wore pants that look to be made of some kind of shiny blue material.  Their shirts looked to be made of some iridescent material.

 

                It wasn’t their piercing blue eyes or their unique clothes that held Piper’s attention.  It was the ivory bows and the silver tip and feathered red arrows that were pointing at her at the moment.  She could manage if they were just overly grumpy but coming armed and hostile that was something all together different.  But before she could react to the situation Bradan was between her and them and he had formed an energy ball.  He was doing exactly what Sean would what him to do.

 

                The elf on the left snarled at Bradan. “I thought I smelled a druid.”

 

                Bradan narrows his eyes.  “Have we met?”

 

                “Why would we have met?  I can’t stand druid stench.  It gets on you and you can’t get it off,” retorted the elf on the left.

 

                Bradan was about to lunge forward when Phoebe steps between them.  “I and my sister summoned for you.”

 

                “Who are you,” asked the elf on the right?

 

                “I’m sure you have heard of them, the Charmed Ones,” Bradan answered harshly, for Phoebe.

 

                “I thought they’re three of you,” the elf on the left stated coldly.

 

                Phoebe was trying to be very diplomatic.  “There are three of us but my other sister is out with her husband.”

 

                The elf on the right smiled.  “Is she the one married to the King of the druids?”

 

                “Yes,” replies Phoebe simply.

 

                “Druids everywhere,” murmured the elf on the left.

 

                Bradan was listening to exchange between Phoebe and their summoned guests.  “Oy what’s your deal with druids?”

 

                The elf on the left responded.  “Nothing, if you like arrogant know-it-alls, who think they know what’s best for everyone else.”

 

                Bradan goes to go around Phoebe when Piper yelled.  “Will you two stop puffing out your chests! We summoned you here to help protect my son.  So why don’t you lower your bows and Bradan put that out.”  Piper smacks Bradan on his arm.

 

                Bradan frowned but he did as Piper asked and put out the energy ball.  The two elves followed by slowly lowering their weapons.

 

                “Okay, now to the reason we summoned you.  We need you to guard my son, Wyatt,” clarified Piper.

 

                The elves look over at the playpen, where Wyatt sat playing with toys.  They looked back at Piper.  “We know of your son,” said the elf on the left.  “That he becomes to powerful and he lets the power corrupts him,” added the elf on the right.

 

 

                Before Piper knew what was going on, the elves raised their bows and arrows and aimed them at Wyatt.  “We can save him and the future,” with that simple statement.  They let their fingers slip from the string off their bows and the arrow sped towards its target, which was Wyatt.

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

                Bradan quickly flicks his finger which caused the arrows to change their course and embed themselves into the wall above the playpen.  Bradan quickly grabs Piper’s hands before she could use her powers on the elves for trying to kill her son.  “Piper, we have enough problems not to include a war between the elves and the Charmed Ones.”

 

                Piper was never so glad to have one of Sean’s royal bodyguards.  She knew now that Sean sent his trusted friend not to just protect her but also to give her council if she should need it.  Her and Phoebe should have listen to his advice and taken it to heart.  Now they were on the verge of a war with the elves.  Piper was not going to let them hurt her son.  There was another question she wanted to know.  “Where was her husband?”  She was beginning to worry because she was starting to have an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She knew over the years after becoming a witch to pay attention to that feeling.

 

                “They just tried to kill my son.  What the—”

 

                Orbs started to materialize in the attic and they turn to see Ian standing there.  Ian looks at the scene in front of him and calmly walks between the two conflicting parties.  He makes his way over to Wyatt and pauses to look at the two arrows stuck in the wall.  Ian shakes his head and bends down and picks Wyatt out of the playpen.  “I hope I’m interrupting something.” He said it without any humor in his voice.

 

                The elves look at each other as they place two more arrows in their bows.  “You protect him,” the elf on the left asked Ian?

 

                Ian looks at Wyatt and smiles at him then he turns his attentions back to the elves. “He is an Elder’s son for me not to protect him would be wrong, besides he’s an innocent.”

 

                “He will destroy what is good in the world and to all which is magical,” retorted the elf on the right.

 

                “He has done nothing as of yet.”  A deep calm voice came from behind them.  The audience in the room turns suddenly towards the voice.

 

                “Colm,” whispered Piper and Phoebe together.

 

                The elves eyes widen and they drop down on to one knee and bows their heads.  They were giving this new visitor the utmost respect.

 

                “Please rise,” said Colm, as he gestures his statement with his hand.  He was dressed in shimmering white robes.  He wore his white hair shoulder length and his white bread was nicely trim close to his face.

 

                The two elves have risen to their feet. “Why would an Ancient be interested in this matter,” asked the elf on the right?

 

                Colm, an ancient and Sean’s great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was standing in the attic and walking over to her son.  “What else could go wrong today,” thought Piper.  She just wants this day to end and everything to get back to normal, at least normal for them.

 

                Colm gives Ian a wry smile then claps his hands together and opens them for Wyatt.  Wyatt turns and smiles then he lends forward into Colm’s outstretched arms.  “Hello again, little man,” Colm addressed Wyatt.

 

                Colm turns back towards Piper and the others. Piper’s heart beats with apprehension; she could not phantom why he would be here now.  She knew if he was here, there must be a very big problem and how here family was acting before it has to do with Leo.

 

                Colm was smiling, as he holds his other hand up and a small stuffed brown bear appears in it.  He brings his hand down and hands the gift to Wyatt.  Colm waves his hand and the elves’ bows disappear from their hands. “Much better,” muttered Ian.  The elves look around for their missing bows.

 

                “You judge this innocent soul for something he might do,” Colm addressed the elves intensely.  “You of all should know the future is always in flux.  The future is like a flowing river always changing.  If he is a threat to our future then your act could be the cause of him flipping sides.  Two people he trusts with all of his heart summoned you here for your help but instead you attack him.  If you would honor me by answering this one question; if good attacks him when he’s done nothing wrong and evil attacks him because he’s good, who should he trust?”  Colm had a peaceful tone to his voice.

 

                The elves look at Colm as though he grew another head.  “We were only trying to protect the future,” the two elves said together.

 

                Colm takes a deep calming breath.  “Maybe protecting the future, means for you to have protected him now but me nor his mother and aunt will allow you to make amends at this time, so you are dismissed,” Colm commanded coldly.  The two elves phase out.

 

                Colm turns and gently places Wyatt back into his playpen.  He straightens and turns to see the shock looks on the Charmed One’s faces.  He chuckled, “You two can wipe the shock looks from your faces.  I’ve visited you before when I help Sean and Paige to wed.

 

                “We...know...but why are you here now,” asked Phoebe slowly?

 

                Colm scratches his chin and gives them a reinsuring smile.  “Unlike others, I believe Wyatt is here to be good just as the Charmed Ones.  Your children are meant to work together to subdue evil not make it stronger.  Chris was able to come back for a reason.  I think to put right what went wrong.”

 

                Piper didn’t believe a frigging thing that Colm was saying.  She knew that the only times an Elder (except her husband) or an Ancient graced them with their presents was for their own motives.  She could only hope that it would benefit her and her family.  “That’s great and all, but it still doesn’t explain why you’re really here?”

 

                Colm smiled and walks over to face Piper.  He reaches out with his hand and hover just above her maturing belly. “May I,” he asked?  Piper nods her agreement.  Colm gently places his hand on her belly.  “They are a great gift, as all children are.  Children are born with the strongest power of all, love.”

 

                Piper had a feeling this was a way to distract her from her question.  He was avoiding the question and she was not going to let him just drop it with out an answer, correction an answer that she would except.

 

                Colm looks back up and into Piper’s eyes.  He was wearing a very big grin.  “Not much longer,” he said kindly.  “Now your question, I was needing to talk to Ian.”

 

                Colm’s declaration caught Piper off guard and she just nodded.  She wasn’t for sure if she heard him right.  He came down here to talk to Ian.  Is that truly the reason why he’s here, to talk to Ian?  Piper was pulled out of her own thoughts by her sister’s question.

 

                “Why didn’t you just call him?” Phoebe cut in to the reaction between Colm and Piper.

 

                Colm looks away from Piper and directed his attention to Phoebe and her question.  “I notice the excitement down here, so I thought I would give my assistance to the situation.  Now if you will excuse me, I really need to have a word with Ian.

 

                Colm made a pointing gesture with his hand towards the door out of the attic. “Ian!” Ian walks passed the Charmed Ones and Bradan.  Ian paused a second, looking into Colm’s eyes.

 

                Colm closed his eyes and gave a very small nod.  Ian walked on pass Colm and down the stairs.  Ian stops to wait for him in the foyer.  He turns back to look up the stairs, so he could see Colm when he comes down.  He was surprise to see him right behind him.  “I thought you...never mind.  What do you need me to do, sir,” Ian questioned Colm?

 

                “I need you to go and team up with Sean and the others and help them find the missing Elder,” explained Colm, as he places his hand on Ian’s shoulder.

 

                Ian felt that there were more to Colm’s concern but he knew if he would inquire further he would get no where.  He had to be patient to get any answers.  He would find the orders and hope that when he hooks up with Sean, he could give him some insight on what was really going on, because he had many questions floating in his mind.  Ian nods his head.  “I will find him, immediately.  Sir is there anything you need for me to tell him?”

 

                Colm looks up the stairs as he hears foot falls coming down the stair and growing louder.  “Yes, tell him time is running out,” he replies quickly.

 

                Ian nodded and orbs out.  Colm looks up the stairs and vanishes.

 

                Piper, Phoebe, and Bradan, carrying Wyatt, came down the stairs.  Piper looks back and forth. “Just great! Where did they go?”

 

 

 

Chapter 11

 

                He watched from the shadows of the trees.  The clearing was lit by the beams of the moon peeking through the leaves. He’s eyes were focus on the man slumping and tied to a stake in the middle of the clearing.  He felt a presents besides him and he glances to his left.  Standing beside him was a man in a black suit, black shirt, and tie, darklighter.

 

                “Has the Elder gain consciousness, yet,” he asked?

 

                “No he has not, and the others darklighter are growing impatient to have an Elder.  They would like—”

 

                He cut the darklighter off, when he grabbed the darklighter by his lapels and pulled him inches from his face.  “You better make sure nothing happens to the Elder or something quite painful will happen to you before I vanquished you,” he said, as he released him and gave him a shove back.

 

                The darklighter stumbled back and made eye contact and he saw the fierceness in his pale gray eyes and the darklighter knew it would be smart to heed his words.  The darklighter swallowed hard.  “What about the ones that are looking for him?”

 

                He looked away form the darklighter and back to Leo.  “If they get to close then take care of them,” he barked.

 

                “Even the Druid King,” darklighter asked tentatively?  The glaring sideway glance he gave him answered the question.  The darklighter bows and backs away.

 

                He narrows his eyes on Leo, as he notices movement from him.  “Sacrifices have to be made to preserve the many,” he whispered, as he drifted back deeper into the shadows.

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

                Phoebe walks into the living room and she notices Piper is on the couch with books and scrolls scattered around her.

 

                Phoebe takes the few needed steps to get to the couch.   She picks up some of Piper’s mess and sits down beside her.  Phoebe puts the books and scrolls that she was holding on the coffee table in front of them. “What are you doing,” inquired Phoebe, looking at the mess again.

 

                Piper looks up from the book she was engrossed in.  “I’m still trying to find out who’s after Wyatt.”  Piper goes back to her book and Phoebe felt ignored.

 

                Phoebe looks over at Bradan who had finally sat down for the first time all day.  He spent the whole day hovering over Piper’s shoulder never letting her three feet away from him.  After the whole elf insisted early, it seems that Piper had relaxed around her tag-along and stopped her assault on him and has accepted his presence.  Phoebe was glad because Sean would not have left him here if he didn’t trust this man.

 

                Phoebe laughed to herself when he looked at him.  He’s head was leaning back against the back of the chair with his eyes closed and his mouth slightly open.  Bradan’s long legs were stretched out straight in front of him with them crossed at the ankles.

 

                “So he decided give you a break and get some rest, huh,” stated Phoebe.

 

                “Yea, I guess so. So?” Piper closed her book and look at Phoebe biting her lower lip.

 

                “So what,” queried Phoebe?

 

                “So are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Piper was looking more intently at her.

 

                Phoebe glance away from her sister’s cynically look and over to her watchful bodyguard.  Phoebe sees that Bradan wasn’t really asleep because he was looking her direction with one open eye.  It gave the impression that he was only moderately interested in the question that Piper just asked.  Phoebe however had the inkling that he was very interested in what was going on.  It could be so he could protect Piper better or he was just nosey.  Phoebe decides to choose the latter.

 

                Phoebe brings her intention back to her sister, who had now raised an eyebrow and her lips had compressed into a thin line.  Phoebe was surprised how patient Piper was being but she knew that Piper wouldn’t wait much longer for an explanation.  She decides to answer with a question of her own.  “Going on, what do you mean?” 

 

                “Pheebs, I’m pregnant not stupid?”

 

                Phoebe noticed harshness in Piper’s tone that she reserved for when she was irritated.  “Piper, I know that especially seems you keep telling us.” Phoebe gives her sister a warily smile.

 

                “If you know that then why don’t you just tell me what’s going on right away instead of trying to hide it from me.  You know you’re going to have to tell me anyway,” informed Piper. “I’ll even make it easier for you.  I know it has something to do with Leo.”

 

                Phoebe sighs.  She knew she was going to have to tell her. She was hoping that Paige, Sean and Chris would have found Leo and had saved her the trouble of telling her big sister.  Phoebe reaches out and takes Piper’s hand and explains to her everything that she knew about Leo’s disappears.

 

                “Leo has been taken,” bellowed Piper.  “By who?”

 

                “That’s a good question, Piper. That’s what Paige, Sean and Chris is trying to find out.  They are also trying to locate him.  You know with Chris being your son, he should be able to locate him,” explained Phoebe, hoping it would calm Piper down.

 

                Piper just sat there and stared at her.  Phoebe had no idea what was running through Piper’s head.

 

                “You think he’s all right,” asked Piper, barely above a whisper?

 

                Phoebe leans over and pulls her big sister into a hug.  “I think he’s going to be fine.  Leo has been in stickier situations than this and came out okay.  This time is no different.

 

                Phoebe looks over Piper’s shoulder at Bradan.  He wears a grimace but he gave Phoebe a slight nod.  He rose from his chair and steps out of the room.  Phoebe was grateful that he knew to give them some sister time.  Phoebe liked that Sean had chose him to keep a watchful eye on Piper.

 

                Phoebe breaks the hug and smiles at her big sister. “Do you really think that Leo would miss the birth of his children?”

 

                Piper gives a humorless laugh. “No, I guess not.”

 

                Phoebe takes Piper’s hand in hers again and gives it a supportive squeeze.  “So tell me how you’re feeling, have you had anymore labor pains?”

 

                Piper smiles.  “No but if I do; do you think that Bradan’s bodyguard duties includes birthing babies?”

 

                The sisters heard shuffle of feet behind them and turns their heads to see a terrified look froze on Bradan’s face.  Piper and Phoebe are now laughing at the big, bad bodyguard.

 

 

Chapter 13

 

                Paige, Sean, and Chris walked out of the cave.  Chris looks around and realizes that the sun had set and it was now completely dark.  It made him a little uneasy that there was no moon. He just hopes that he could find his father.  He knew that his and his sister’s birth was drawing near and he had to be back to his time. 

 

                It was a warning that Kat had given him before his aunt and uncle crashed their little information party to inform him that his father had been kidnapped.  Chris had a wave of guilt rush over him.  He released a long sigh.

 

                “You ready, Chris,” asked Sean, bringing him out of his thoughts.

 

                “Yeah, I’m ready.  You realize we'll maybe be walking into a trap.”  Chris made eye contact with his uncle to emphasize his point.

 

                “Aye, but can ya stand here and not save your father, trap or not,” questioned Sean, holding Chris’s stare.

 

                Chris just shook his head and closed his eyes to try to sense his father.

 

                Sean intertwines his fingers with Paige’s and pulls her over to him.  When she gets close enough he wraps his arms around her.  He places a gentle kiss on the top of her head.  Sean leans down and whispered in her ear.  “I love you.” He gently kisses her on the side of her neck.

 

                Paige giggled. “I love you, too.”

 

                “Hey, will you two stop it.  I’m trying to sense for my father over here,” huffed Chris. “I swear.”

 

                Sean looks over at his nephew and chuckled, as Paige buries her face into his chest trying to stifle a laugh.

 

                Chris glares at them then closes his eyes again and went back trying to sense his father’s location.

 

                Sean just needed to hold his wife and be grateful that she and his daughters were safe.  He and Paige had dropped them off at Avalon for his Aunt Awena, Queen of Avalon, could baby-sit and to keep them safe until this mess is straighten up.

 

                Sean wished that he could’ve taken Wyatt too but he wasn’t a descendent of Avalon, so he couldn’t be left there.

 

                Sean felt Paige tighten her arms around his waist.  Sean realizes that she must have felt him tense up with his regret of not being able to take Wyatt to someplace safe.  He relaxes his embrace around Paige and puts a little space between them.  Sean brings up one of his hands and catches her chin and tilts her head up to look at him.  He uses both hands to brush her hair away form her face and gives her a smile.  He brings his head down and gently kisses her on her lips then rest his forehead on hers. 

 

                Sean mouths, “I love you with all my heart and soul.”

 

                Paige smiles and closes her eyes absorbing the warmth of his arms and the safeness she feels in them.

 

                Sean and Paige hear orbs beside them and glance over to see Ian standing there.  Paige quickly raises her forehead from Sean’s and looks directly at Ian. “Is Piper okay?”

 

                Ian gives her a dismissive wave. “Yeah, she’s fine.  I’m here to help with the search; so do you have any leads yet?”

 

                “We are waiting to see if Chris can get a hit,” explained Paige. 

 

                “I would get a hit if you people would shut up and if someone would hose down my aunt and uncle,” mumbled Chris.

 

                Paige and Sean started to laugh again, as Ian gave Chris a raised eyebrow.            

 

                Sean held his eyes on Ian.  Sean didn’t by anything that Ian was saying.  He was here for another reason.  What that reason is he was going to find out.  He didn’t make it this far without having a little doubt in the things Ian said.  He knew where his ultimate loyalty lied and it wasn’t with him.  He grasps the knowledge that Ian was there to help him but he knew that if his view went against the Ancients’ views he would choose them.  Sean fully understood this that’s why he never let his guard down when Ian shows up to help.  He acknowledges to himself that there are always alternative motive for it.

 

                “I’ve got him,” shouted Chris, cutting into Sean’s thoughts.

 

                “Good,” replies Sean, as he releases Paige.

 

                Sean never even took two steps towards Chris when black orbs appeared all around them.  Sean’s stomach tighten to the fact that everything was about to get a whole lot worse. The black orbs dissipated and eight darklighter with their crossbows stood pose and ready to fire.

 

                Sean looks around at the others and felt pulse increase and the adrenaline start to pump through his veins.  He had to do something quick because they just found themselves in the lions den.

 

                Think O’Hara how are you going to get them out of this?  He maybe able to survive an arrow from those crossbows but he couldn’t risk that the others would come out of this unscathed. 

 

                He was starting to form a plan when a darklighter that was about six-two with black wavy hair and cold dark eyes, yelled “FIRE!”

 

 

 

Chapter 14

 

 

                Piper woke with a start. A blurry figure stood above her.  Piper blinks her sleepy eyes to make them focus.  In fear, Piper throws her hands up to protect herself.

 

                Piper felt two strong hands wrap around her wrist.  She heard a familiar deep male voice calling her name.  She shook her head and Bradan came into focus.

 

                “Bradan?”  It came out little confused and shaky.

 

                Bradan removed his hold on Piper’s wrists slowly.  “I’m sorry, Piper...I was just draping a blanket over you.”

 

                Piper barely heard Bradan’s explanation.  She was trying to get her bearings.  She remembered that she was in a clearing in the woods and Chris and Paige—, “Oh no!” exclaimed Piper, as her dream came flooding back to her in vivid color.

 

                Piper struggled to get herself in a sitting position.  Bradan wraps a gently hand around her upper arm and help her in up.  “Chris and the others are in trouble. They’re surrounded by darklighters.”  Piper throws back the blanket and tried to get to her feet. Only then did she realize Bradan was no longer holding on to her.

 

                Piper sticks out her hand.  “Come on, Bradan, help me up.”  When Bradan didn’t move to assist her, Piper looked up at him.

 

                Bradan was staring down at her with a raised eyebrow.  Bradan clears his throat. “Piper, what are you talking about?”

 

                “Chris, Paige, Sean and Ian are about to be killed my darklighters; that’s what I’m talking about.  Now help me up, damn it,” ordered Piper.

 

                Bradan pulls her up off the couch and steadies her once she’s up. “Piper, you were a sleep.”

 

                Piper glared at him.  “Bradan, I was there.  I know what I saw.”  Piper pushes her way past him. “Where’s Phoebe?”

 

                Bradan followed her into the foyer.  “Piper, you were dreaming; that’s all.  You weren’t anywhere but on the couch a sleep.”

 

                Piper rounded on him with fire in her eyes.  “Where’s my sister?”  Piper didn’t care that the tone of her voice made Bradan wince.

 

                “You’re manager at P3 called with a problem and she ran down there to take care of it.”  Bradan gives a sheepish smile.

 

                Piper glared and walked away from him towards the kitchen.  “You should have woke me,” she retorted over her shoulder.

 

                “Phoebe thought it was best to let you rest,” explained Bradan warily.

 

                Piper stopping abruptly and turning around had Bradan retreating back form her.  “I wish everyone would stop trying to keep things from me because that’s what really stresses me out.”

 

                Piper turns quick and proceeds to the kitchen.  She could still feel Bradan shadowing her.  She would love for once when she got pregnant that they would not coddle her.  She’s not going to break or freak out if they would let her know what’s going on.  Piper was not going to let this go on anymore.  She’s had it with being left in the dark.

 

                Piper grabbed the portable phone, when arriving in the kitchen and she started to punch in a number.

 

                “Who are you calling,” inquired Bradan?

 

                “If you must know, I’m calling my sister to tell her to get her butt home, so we can go rescue Chris and the others.”

 

                Bradan grabs the phone from her and pushes the phone button to shut it off. “No...You’re not.”

 

                “No, I’m not calling or no, I’m not going to rescue Chris and the others,” asked Piper coldly?

 

                Bradan didn’t wince this time to her tone.  He looked right at her. “Both,” he answered firmly.

 

                The tone in his voice made it obvious to Piper he was not kidding.  She really didn’t care what he said she was going to save her son.  This man or no one else had the power to stop her.

 

                “Piper,” Bradan spoke much gentler this time.  “If what you seen in your dream were true, then you’re going to have to let Sean and the others handle it.”

 

                “Did you not hear me when I told you that they are surrounded by darklighters and we’re wasting time talking about this?  My mind is made up so give me the damn phone.”  Piper voice showed no sign of calming.  As she thrust her hand out in front of her to except the phone.

 

                Bradan looked down at her hand and tightens his hold on the phone.  He was showing no indication that he was going to surrender his hold on the phone.  In fact he was showing all the signs that he was preparing to fight her all the way.

 

                “Bradan, I can freeze you and take the phone, so before this gets nasty just give it to me.” Piper said it with an eerie calmness.

 

                “You can try,” Bradan cajoled. “So give it your bit shot.”

 

                Piper could see a determination (no, that wasn’t it) knowledge in his eyes that her attempt to freeze him would be futile. “Bradan, I’m not playing.”

 

                Bradan encircled his hand over hers and tugs her towards the table and one of its chairs.  When they get there, he releases her hand and pulls out a chair. “Sit,” he commanded.

 

                Piper did exactly what he asked.

 

                Bradan pulls out another chair and swings it so he could straddle it.  He lays his forearms over the back and let his hands dangle.  “Piper, I was sent here to protect you.”  Bradan raises his hand to stop her protest.  “I know you can protect yourself but if what you said about the darklighters is true then you have to remember that the two babies you are carrying are half whitelighter.”

 

                Piper stared at him for a moment before finding her voice.  “I know that because one of them is Chris and if I don’t go he could be hurt or worse.”  She knew there was a hint of pleading in her voice but she didn’t care.

 

                “And if you do go he could be hurt or a lot worse.  You have to also think about his sister,” Bradan mentioned to her calmly.  He glances down at her bulging belly.

 

                Piper drops a protective hand over her belly, where her babies rested safely.  Piper understood his statement about Chris.  If she would go and was injured it would endanger Chris and Mel anyway.  It was safer for her to remain at the Manor.  She still didn’t have to like it.  She closed her eyes and nodded her agreement.

 

                Bradan didn’t say anything but grab her hand to reinsure her, as a lone tear breaks free and slides down her cheek. “Here, call your sister,” he said handing her the phone.

 

                Piper quickly brushes the tear away and takes the offered phone. She gives him a weary smile.  Bradan nods his head and rises from his chair.  He swings it around and back under the table then crosses to the other side of the room.

 

 

 

Chapter 15

 

                Sean makes a quick waving gesture with his right arm and everything around them slows down.  The darklighters looked to be frozen except the arrows that had already been released from their crossbows were moving no faster then a snail.

 

                “GET OUT,” yelled Sean.  “We need to get out from between them.”  He grabs Paige’s elbow and pulls her with him to safety.

 

                Chris and Ian followed them, proving that you didn’t need to tell them twice.  They followed Sean and Paige towards the cover of some trees.  When they were almost to the trees Chris asked his uncle.  “How did you do that?  I didn’t know you could do that...why didn’t I know you could do that?”

 

                Sean smiles at Chris as he slips by him into the camouflage of the trees.  When Sean felt they were safe, he steps back to the edge of the trees and snaps his fingers, at the sound of the snap everything move back to normal speed.  Sean was joined on the edge of the trees by Chris, Paige and Ian.  They step forward just in time to see shock cross the faces of the darklighters, as the arrows zip across the space left blank by Sean and the others but because there was nothing to impede the path of the arrows; they criss-crossed and struck the darklighters opposite one another.  The darklighters screamed in agony and burst into flames before vanishing.

 

                “So, you’re going to tell me what just happened?”  Chris looks from Sean to Paige for an answer.

 

                “It’s simple.  I pulled us out of normal time,” answered Sean, as he crumpled to the ground.

 

                “Sean,” Paige cried out.  Paige was beside him in seconds and dropped down next to him.  “What’s wrong, Sean?”

 

                “It toke more out of me then I thought.  I usually focus on anyone who’s magical or I’m touching them.  I’ve never had to separate good form evil magic before,” Sean explained wearily.

 

                Paige could tell that Sean was exhausted and was on the verge of collapse.  She had to send Chris and Ian on to save Leo.  She would not leave her husband behind and vulnerable.  She also had a feeling that going to Leo would be a trap.  Paige’s attempted to sense Leo early had failed.  It seemed that there was something or someone blocking her from sensing him. Yes, there is a connection between a father and a son and it was strong but it was just a little to convenient for Chris to have gotten a hit and then the darklighters show up.

 

                “Can you heal him, Ian?” Paige asked bring her thoughts back to her husband.  Sean reaches for Paige’s hand and wraps his hand with hers and tightens his grip.  She looks down into his eyes and an overwhelming warmth surrounds her heart.  Oh, how I love this man.

 

                Paige feels the brush of Ian’s arm against hers when he knelt down beside her. It pulls her back from the depths of his beautiful blue eyes.

 

                “I’ll see what I can do,” replies Ian.

 

                Paige smiled at him. “Thanks.” Paige lets go of Sean’s hand so Ian could attempt to heal him and give him back his strength.

 

                Ian puts his hand above Sean’s chest and his hands start to glow with a golden light. The seconds turns into minutes and then Ian pulls his hands away.  He gave Paige an apologetic look.  “I’m sorry but exhaustion isn’t life threaten.”

 

                Sean gives Paige a don’t-you-worry smile. “Darling, I’m fine.  Ian, help me up and let’s go save Chris’s dad.”  Sean looks over to Chris and gives a little wink with a smile and a nod.’’

 

                Sean struggles to his feet and sways a little.  Ian grabs Sean’s upper arms to steady him. “You’re sure you’re all right, mate?” Sean gives his old friend a wry smile.  “I’m fine but maybe you should scout ahead to the area where they’re keeping the Elder and see what we might be walking into.”

 

                Sean thought he caught a minor amount of fear in Ian’s eyes before he quickly disguised it. “If you think that’s a good idea then I guess I better get going.” Ian gives Chris a small nod.

 

                Chris was listening attentively close by.  “I’ll go with you, Ian.”

 

                “No,” Sean said harshly, more than he attended.  He lets out a long calming breath.  “Ian can enter the area without being detected by the darklighters.”

 

                Sean and Ian make eye contact and hold a look of understanding.  Ian smiles, shakes his head and orbs out.

 

                Sean could see the anger rush over his nephew but that couldn’t be helped.  He was not going to risk any ones life, not his, Chris or Paige’s.  Ian was the best chose in getting in there, getting a feel of the situation and then reporting back with the least amount of casualties.  Chris was young and he was tempted to make the same fool-headed mistakes that come along with youth. So, they were going to sit here and wait and that was that.

 

 

 

                Chris clenched and unclenched his fists and paced back and forth.  He was trying to get a hold of his anger for his uncle.  Chris couldn’t stop fuming though.  He had every right to have gone with Ian to save his father.  He wasn’t a kid and what he’d gone through that last few years...he didn’t need to be talk to as one.  What right did Sean have to keep him here?  “Ian would be detected to so what makes him so damn special.”  Chris said the last question out loud with out realizing it, until Sean cleared his throat and answered his question.

 

                “Ian can get closer, so it’s only reasonable that he survey the situation before anymore people gets hurt.”

 

                “He’s a whitelighter; isn’t he,” exasperated Chris?  “They’ll sense him just like they would sense me.”

 

                Sean smiled at him which caused Chris anger to spike up a few more notches.  Chris tense up when his uncle reached over and clamps his hand on his shoulder.  Chris really felt like he would like to shrug it off but instead he just tighten his jaw so hard it caused his teeth to hurt.  He gave his uncle a go-to-hell look.  The only thing the look did was to make his uncle’s smile turn into a grin but he still held on and gave his shoulder a little squeeze.

 

                “Ian has abilities that other whitelighters don’t,” Sean explained with a chuckle.

 

                The laugh only made his blood boil.  He saw absolute no humor in it nor did he want to.  His father was in danger and Sean gave him a half-ass explanation of why Ian should go and he should stay.  Bull.

 

                “Chris, I know you are feeling left out, but I could never forgive myself if something would happen to you, so I made the decision to protect you.”

 

                “I don’t need anyone to protect me.  I’ve been doing that for myself for sometime,” retorted Chris.

 

                Sean nods his head in agreement.  “I’m sure you’re right but as long as you’re here in this time and I have the ability to protect you I’m going to. I’m sorry that it upsets you but frankly at this particular time I don’t care as long as you’re safe.”

 

                “Besides Piper would never forgive us if we let something happen to you,” added Paige, as she took Chris’s hand in hers.

 

                Chris could no longer look at them so he drops his eyes to the ground.  He felt Sean release his grip on his shoulder and a second later his aunt released his hand.  He looked up to see Sean make his way over to a boulder and ease himself down on it.  Paige followed him and joined her husband on the rock. 

               

                Chris watched as his aunt intertwines her fingers with her husbands and laid her head on his shoulder then closed her eyes to wait.  Sean laid his head on hers and closed his eyes as well. 

 

                Chris looks at their joined hands and shakes his head, leads back against a tree, crosses his arms and lets out a long sigh. “What do we do now?”

 

                Sean opens his eyes and looks at his nephew. “Wait.”

 

 

 

Chapter 16

 

                The underground cavern was lit by torches that lined the walls.  The air carried the stench of stagnate water and mold.  He raised his hand up and covered his nostrils with his index finger to block out some of the smell.

 

                What one must do to insure the future, he thought.  He took a long survey of the group that has gather before him; a group that included imps, grimlocks, and harpies.

 

                “We’re here but we still don’t know why,” spat a grimlock.

 

                He looked at the grimlock and narrowed his eyes.  If he had the power to kill him with his eyes this particular grimlock would be dead.  This idiot had to be the self proclaimed leader of the group or an arrogant S.O.B. He didn’t care one way or another.  He didn’t need their allegiance just needed to use them for a diversion so he could proceed with his plan.

 

                He smiled at the grimlock and raised his left hand and pointed it at the ground under the grimlock’s feet. The ground under his feet shook and then liquefied and it swallowed the grimlock whole.  “Anymore questions,” he asked?

 

                The remaining members of the group all shook their heads and there was a collective. “No.”

 

                “Good, now let’s get down to business,” he stated. “I need you to distract the Charmed Ones.”

 

                “Why,” questioned one of the imps?

 

                He raised his hand to—. The imp immediately through up his hands; “No, w-wait, I’m just wanting to understand.”

 

                He smiled at the imp.  “Because I have my reasons and frankly you don’t need to know.”

 

                He knew his patience was running thin but he needed to remain patient a little while longer to get them to agree.  He didn’t have time to assemble another group of morons.

 

                A harpy spoke pull him out of his thoughts. “There is just a small problem; the word in the underworld is that the Halliwell Manor is being protected by a magical force field that will not allow evil through.”

 

                He stroke his beard amazed that they were a little smarter than he gave them credit for. He gave them a dismissive wave as though they had nothing to worry about but he knew differently.  He was quite aware that this would be a suicide mission for them but he couldn’t bring himself to even care.  They were just demons, expendable.

 

                 He looked at the harpy that spoke and gave her his best charming grin.  “Would I send you into a trap?”  The tone in his voice was like a brisk breeze in the middle of winter, severely cold.

 

                The harpy raised her eyebrow at him and swallowed hard before she spoke. “If it suits you, yes.”

 

 

                He laughed and he saw the harpy shiver, this kept a smile on his lips after he was done laughing. “Let me say a bit of good luck will be on your side.”

 

                “WH-What about the Charmed Ones, once we get through the force field.  They aren’t going to just sit there and let us attack them,” asked another grimlock cautiously.

 

                “There will only be two and one is vulnerable do to the fact she is with child,” he enlightened them.

 

                “And the others,” an imp sought for information.

 

                “Other one at the Manor is the empath and the other, lets just say she’s preoccupied with something else,” he answered.

 

                “How do we know she won’t show up before we can put your plan to use,” asked a harpy.

 

                He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and his forefinger and then pinched the bridge of his nose.  He still didn’t have time for this.  He’s running out of time.  He had to get to the boy before the others managed to save the Elder and get back to the Manor; the Elders wife will be going into labor soon and once that happens there will be know way to get to the boy because he will be surrounded by to many people. 

 

                He drops his hand down to his side and looked at the group of demons. “Because it will be hard to show up somewhere when you soon will be dead.”

 

                A harpy steps forward glance back over her shoulder at the group and then back at him. “Then you have yourself a diversion.”

 

                He tilts his head to the side then gives a slight nod.  This was the real appointed leader of the group.  He should have known.  “Good...now that we’ve got an understanding.  I’ll let you in on your side of the plan.”  He gave her a grin that caused her to take a protective step back.

 

 

Chapter 17

 

                Ian orbed into a group of trees and immediately crouches down behind one.  He decided that would be best than orbing in next to the Elder.

 

                Ian allowed his thoughts to fall back to the place he just left.  Ian was glad it was Sean who would have to deal with Chris’s anger.

 

                Ian would love to listen to Sean skate around why he should come alone.  A smile crosses his face to the rubbish Sean would tell or not tell Chris about the real reason why he can’t be sense by darklighters.

 

                Ian couldn’t believe it’s been twelve years since the Ancient had given him the ability to not be detected by darklighters.  The Ancient given him the ability, so he could assist Sean, along with Braden, to hunt down the demons involved in the murders of Sean’s family.  When the Ancient given him the ability they had only one stipulation, the only other person who could know the truth about this rare ability was Sean and if any anyone else finds out he loses the ability forever.  Sean and him both agreed to keep the secret and they have for all these years even when Braden got a little suspicion.

 

                Ian stayed low and made his way through the trees just like he did when he was a patriot under the command of Ethan Allen in the Green Mountain Boys during the American’s war for Independence.

 

                Ian was moving closer when he spotted to darklighters in a heated discussion.  He was still to far away to hear what they were saying.  He used their discussion with each other to inch his way closer.

 

                “Why do I have to bring the Elder water yet again, Zeh?” Ian heard the darklighter on the left ask.

 

                “Tobias, because I said so and as long as He left me in charge; I’ll tell who to do what, comprende,” informed Zeh.

 

                What piqued Ian interest was the darklighter Zeh’s reference to HE? Who is HE? Ian would worry about that later right now as the darklighter Zeh walks away he had his way to get close to the Elder without raising suspension and the darklighter Tobias was it.

 

                Ian rose slowly to his feet and made sure he was still hidden behind the tree that he found as a safe haven.  He makes a waving gesture over his dark blue T-shirt and his worn jeans and it morphs into a black suit, black shirt and a black tie to match.  Ian glanced down to make inventory of his new wear. Not his style, but for these mission it would have to do.

 

                He takes a deep breath and lets it out slow and he slips a peek around the tree to make sure his way in was still there.  Ian chuckled to himself to see the darklighter mumbling angrily to himself.

 

                Ian was about to step out from behind the tree when remembered that something was lacking from his disguise.  He leans his head back against the tree and closed his eyes when he reprimanded himself for forgetting it.  He almost forgot the darklighters’ weapon of chose, the black crossbow. He opens his eyes and searches the ground around his hiding place. After a short search, he spots what he is looking for a few feet to his left. It was a stick about two feet long and was in the general shape of a crossbow.  It wouldn’t be hard to adjust its look to serve his purpose.

 

                Ian keeping his elbow close to his side puts out his hand and the stick orbs into his outstretched hand.  He takes his free hand and waves it over the stick.  The stick turns into an exact replica of the darklighters’ crossbow. A smirk crosses lips of satisfaction of his amazing talent.

 

                Ian steps out from the security of his hiding place quickly in an attempt to startle the darklighter Tobias and to throw him off balance.  “What a jerk, huh?” Ian asked, hoping to break down the darklighter’s defenses.

 

                The darklighter Tobias narrowed his eyes at him but Ian didn’t show any hesitation in his approach towards him. Ian kept his stride sure and steady like he belonged there even though he didn’t.  He just hoped that Tobias didn’t figure that out.  Ian walked right up to him and stopped three feet away. Ian rested the crossbow that he had on his right shoulder.

 

                “Who are you,” asked Tobias, with suspicion?

 

                Ian gives a look of disgust as though he was offended that he didn’t know who he was.  “I’m the guy that Zeh had had walking the perimeter for the last thirty-nine hours.”

 

                Tobias soften his look but he still bounce his weight from one foot to the other as though he was still a little uncomfortable and wasn’t sure he should trust Ian.  Ian gives him a smile and decides to tell him a joke to cut the tension.  When the darklighter laughed, Ian knew he was relaxing and that was going to make it easier to distract him.

 

                Tobias sighed. “Man, I really don’t want to get the Elder any water.  The last time it taken two showers to get all the good off me.”

 

                Ian nods his head in understanding. “Dude I understand when—,” Ian turns his head quickly over his shoulder. “What was that?”

 

                Tobias steps up along the left side of Ian. “What was what?”

 

                “I thought I heard something over there,” Ian said, pointing in the direction with his crossbow.

 

                Tobias takes a couple steps in front of Ian in the direction of the noise that Ian thought he heard. “I didn’t hear anything.”

 

                Ian takes a small step behind Tobias as he raised the crossbow in both hands above his head and brought it down hard on the back of Tobias’s head.  “I guess it was in my imagination.”

 

                Tobias crumbled instantly to the ground at Ian’s feet.  Ian reaches down and grabs Tobias by his arms and pulls him towards some large rocks to hide them both.

 

                Ian pulled some vines off a tree to bind Tobias’s hands and feet.  Ian removed the darklighter’s shoes and socks.  He tossed the shoes in the stream and tied his socks into a makeshift gag that he secured tightly around Tobias’s mouth.

 

                Ian patted his prisoner on the shoulder as he rose to his feet. “You shouldn’t have whined so much about water duty or I wouldn’t have known you were the guy I was looking for.”

 

                Ian strode back to where he assaulted Tobias to grab the water flask that he dropped.  He spotted the foot long horn shape leather bag.  Ian bends over and picks it up and grasps in both hands.  He feels it tighten has he uses his powers to fill it with water.  When the flask is full he smiles and starts to head to where he knew they were keeping Leo.

 

                Ian takes a couple of steps when he snaps his fingers as though he just remembered something.  Ian takes his right hand and waves it over his face and his straight sandy blond hair, blue eyes and smooth cleaned face turns into wavy dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a hairy face to match the darklighter that is now bound behind some rocks.

 

                Now he was ready to walk into the lion’s den.  Ian had no idea what he would be walking into and that fact that his stomach was twisting into knots with every step didn’t wave his determination.

 

                Ian hide his fear with a veil of confidence but it only wavered when he seen Leo tied to a stake and hunch over.  Ian breath caught in his throat and he swallowed hard and when he could breath again he toke a deep breath and let it out slowly to recompose himself.

 

                Ian walks up and stops beside Leo.  He places a comforting hand on Leo’s shoulder.

 

                Leo raised his head and looked right into Ian’s now brown eyes but Ian was not surprised when a look of recognition crossed Leo face. “Ian,” Leo said in a dry whisper.

 

                “Shh, sir. Here drink this. It should help,” Ian ordered, holding the mouth of the flask to Leo’s and tipping up it up.

 

                Ian was surprised and happy that Leo was in better condition than he thought he would be in, when they finally found him.  Ian’s knot in his stomach was relaxing.

 

                Leo starts to drink quickly.

 

                “Slowly, so you don’t get choked.”  Ian looks around to make a mental picture of his surroundings, so when he returned to the others he could advise them of the situation they would be dealing with when they came in to rescue him.

 

                Leo pulls his lips form the flask to ask his question. “How did you find me,” Leo paused then a worry look crossed his face.  “Is Piper and the babies okay?”

 

                Ian wanted to smile but he knew if he did that it could alert their audience to something going on between them.  “Piper and the babies are fine last I knew and how I found you, well I had a little help from your youngest son.”  Ian lied about the Chris part because he was really informed of Leo’s location by the Ancient but for unknown reasons they didn’t want anyone to know that.

 

                “Chris,” Leo whispered his surprised. “How?”

 

                Ian gave him a confused look. “How? He’s your son; that’s how.”

 

                Leo sighed. “I heard a couple of darklighters talking and they said that there was some kind of spell on the ropes that bind me to this stake.  So no one could sense me unless they wanted them to and I’m also unable to orb.  So if Chris—,”

 

                “They already tried to attack us,” Ian interjected.  “Their attempt failed miserable.” Ian noticed relief wash over Leo’s face.  Ian scowled so he wouldn’t smile at Leo’s joy at the news.

 

                “Let me get a look at those mysterious ropes,” Ian whispered in Leo’s ear. 

 

                Ian makes a quick look around the clearing to see if any darklighters were pay close attention to Leo or his conversation. Ian was glad that they were wrapped up with themselves and not them. Ian decided this would be the best time to take a peek at the ropes. 

 

                Ian moved nonchalantly towards the back of Leo. He looks down and his eyes widen with shock when he recognized the periwinkle glow that was coming from the ropes.  He knew the spell and there were only three people that were aware of its existence. One was him, the other was Sean and the final person is—,

 

                His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hand grab his shoulder tightly and spun him around.  Ian came eye to eye with his assailant.  He was surprised to see that it was Zeh.  “What do you think you’re doing,” Zeh barked?

 

                Ian’s heart was pounding as though it was trying to free itself from the confines of his chest.  Ian’s mind was running through a hundred scenarios the second he turned around.  The one that came to the forefront was that they found the real Tobias knock out behind the rocks.

 

                “What do you mean what am I doing? I’m giving him water,” Ian answered warily.

 

                “If that’s the case than why are you standing behind him looking at the ropes,” spat Zeh, not really asking a question.

 

                Ian let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. Tobias wasn’t discovered and he could B.S. himself out of this. “I was just making sure that the ropes were still tight.  I don’t think—,”

 

                “Your job isn’t to think,” Zeh said cutting Ian off.  “Your job is to give the Elder water then get back to your post.”

 

                Ian backs away heading for the safety of the trees.  He was not about to turn his back on Zeh.  It would probably be the biggest mistake of his life but before he disappeared into the cover of the trees he made eye contact with Leo one more time.  He hopes that it was reinsuring for him.

 

                Once Ian was safe among the trees, he turned and walked more quickly away.  After several minutes of walking he found himself next to the rocks where the real Tobias still lied unconscious.  He eased himself down on one of the rocks to catch his breath.  He waved his hand over him and glamoured back into himself.

 

                He wondered how much time they would have before the real Tobias would be discovered that he was missing.  Ian would not leave Tobias here to be found that meant he would have to bring him back to the others.  It would be Sean and Paige’s decision what to do with him.

 

                Ian sighed.  He bends down and touches Tobias and orbs surround them both and they vanished.

 

 

 

Chapter 18

 

                He was as stiff as the stone bench he was sitting on and his anger was just as unforgiving.

 

                He had been waiting over thirty minutes over the time that they agreed upon but his acquaintance had yet to make an appearance.  He glances at the watch that donned his left wrist and he clenched his teeth.  He was running out of time to put his plan in motion.  His patience was running out even faster.  He needed his acquaintance to make this plan of his work.  If his acquaintance didn’t show in the next few minutes, his acquaintance would pay dearly for his deception.

 

                He hands had doubled up into fist so tight that his knuckles were turning white and his nails were cutting into his palms.  His stomach was also turning to a bucket of knots.  He lets out a long slow breath to calm himself but it didn’t help so he tried another one.

 

                He started to stand up to go and find his acquaintance when a rainbow appeared next to him and a leprechaun stepped out.  He slouched back on the bench to give the new arrival the appearance that he was not worried.  He did however scowl at him.

 

                “You’re late,” he growled.

 

                “You’re lucky I showed at all,” the leprechaun retorted.

 

                He narrowed his eyes at the leprechaun.  “No you are the lucky one.”  The leprechaun took a small defensive step back and he swallowed hard. 

 

                He’s point was clear and the leprechaun was aware of it.

 

                The leprechaun stared at him and he gave the leprechaun a slight grin. 

 

                The leprechaun couldn’t control the shiver that ran down his spine.  He noticed it.  He had a feeling that the leprechaun wished he didn’t get involved with him but because of who he is; he knew the leprechaun would feel he had no choice and the leprechaun didn’t.  He was desperate and that made him just as dangerous as a demon maybe more. The leprechaun should of run the opposite direction when he seen me coming.  Now the leprechaun was apart of something he didn’t have any business being involved in but life is a bitch and then you die as the saying goes.

 

                “Are you ready to hear what I need you to do,” he asked the leprechaun.  The leprechaun jumped as though he’d been shot maybe he wished he had.

 

                The leprechaun answered him with a tight nod.

 

                “Good,” he replied coldly. “You will enter the Halliwell Manor and remove the Red Fairy Stone.  The stone is protecting the house and I need it gone so I can put the second part of my plan in motion.”

 

                The leprechaun stared at him as the silence stretched out into minutes.  It grated on his nerves and made him even more irritated. This was not something the leprechaun had to think about. He didn’t have a choice.  He would do what he was told with out question this wasn’t a negotiation.

 

                The leprechaun closed his eyes then slowly opened them.  “Do you realize what King Sean will do to me and you, when he finds out?  He sees you as a friend.  How can you—,”

 

                “I’m doing what is necessary to protect the welfare of all that is innocent,” he shouted angrily, cutting the leprechaun off.  “He would one day understand that it was for the best.”

 

                He didn’t what to deceive his friend but sometimes sacrifices had to be made.  He would lose his friend’s trust and friendship if he could stop what the future held and that pain and suffering bestowed on those who are innocent.

 

                “He...will...never...understand,” the leprechaun said slowly.  “He lost his family and now that he has a new one, he would show no mercy to those who threaten it.  You seen how he was after the Source sent the assassins that killed his family.  He hunted them ruthlessly and now it just won’t be him.  It will be the Charmed Ones and the Elder, too. This time it will be a thousand times worse. He’s older, wiser and more powerful then he was twelve years ago.  I personal don’t want to die.”

 

                He scowled.  He is willing to sacrifice anything even his very life if necessary to save the future from the evil that Wyatt will inflict on the world.  How dare this coward not see the importance in what he was doing.  The dumb leprechaun should feel privilege that he was going to have a hand in protecting the future but he was more worried about his own hide.

 

                “Does it really matter when you die? Because I can guarantee you won’t have to worry about King Sean killing you because I’ll do it right now and I won’t stop with just you.  I’ll wipe out your entire clan, as well. Am I making myself clear.  I would say you have a decision to make,” he retorted harshly.

 

                He saw a new wave of fear cross the leprechaun’s face.  He was taking great pleasure in seeing the fear overtake the leprechaun.  He knew that fear is what would make the leprechaun bend to his will.  After a minute or two the leprechaun gave him another tight nod and called for his rainbow.  He stepped into the rainbow and he disappeared.

 

 

 

Chapter 19

 

                Chris was sitting on the ground with his back against a large Oak tree.  His legs was stretched out and crossed at his ankles in front of him.  He chuckled as he watched his aunt and uncle.

 

                Sean, who was sitting on the rocks, leaning back on his arms that were resting behind him; Paige was curled up beside him with her head lying in his lap.

 

                At the sound of Chris’s chuckle Sean opened his eyes and looked at him. “What?”

 

                “Nothing,” Chris replied still smiling.

 

                Paige sat up.  “No it’s something so share.”

 

                It’s just that when Mom and Dad fought we all knew it but I don’t think we every seen you raise your voice to one another,” explained Chris. “In fact you are just as mushy in the future.”

 

                Sean and Paige couldn’t stop themselves from laughing at Chris absurd statement. “You think we don’t fight,” Sean and Paige asked together?

 

                “I’ve never seen ya,” he answered shaking his head.

 

                “Oh, we fight,” said Sean.

 

                “We try not to argue in front of the children and that includes you,” added Paige. “And any other children like your sister or Phoebe’s daughter if she has her.”

 

                “You two are as much in love in my time as you are right now,” Chris told them.

 

                Sean opened his mouth to say something but he was cut off when orbs appeared next to them.

 

                The orbs dissipated and Ian is crouch next to a bound and unconscious darklighter Tobias.

 

                Chris jumps up to his feet. “Who the hell is that?”

 

                Ian straightens to his feet, as well.  “This is a darklighter called Tobias and glamouring into him allowed me to get close to your father.

 

                Chris and Ian just stared at each other.  Chris could not believe the Ian of this time is the same Ian of his. Ian, the love of Kiley’s life, is not the man standing before him now or maybe it is and he doesn’t know him as well as he thought.

 

               
                “Why did you bring him here,” asked Paige, causing Ian to break eye contact with Chris?

 

                “I couldn’t leave him there to be discovered,” Ian made clear. “If he was discovered it could have ruined our chance to get the Elder out safely.

 

                Sean nodded his head in understanding.  He closed his eyes and a few seconds later.  Liam, Captain of Guards, walked out form the trees.  Liam was accompanied by two other men.

 

                “Sire,” addressed Liam.

 

                “Liam I need you to take this darklighter and put him on ice until I decide what to do with him,” order Sean.

 

                Liam bows his head and points to Tobias.  The two men that stood behind him went by him and walked up to the darklighter.  They leaned down and wrapped their hands around Tobias’s upper arms and lifted him then they dragged him into the trees.

 

                “Sire, is there anything else you need,” asked Liam?

 

                “Has Fiona discovered any information in the underworld,” inquired Sean?

 

                “No, I’m sorry,” Liam answered.  He turned to leave when he made eye contact with Ian.  Liam froze in his track.

 

                “Liam...is there something wrong,” questioned Sean curiously.

 

                Liam tears his eyes from Ian. “No, Sire. I must take leave of you now.  If you need anything else please call.”  Liam turns quickly avoiding Ian’s eyes and disappears in the trees.

 

                Ian narrowed his eyes as he watched Liam disappeared.  Ian couldn’t believe that—but the ropes—Liam wouldn’t...he won’t finish that thought.

 

                “Ian, tell us about the place they are keeping Leo,” Sean said breaking into Ian thoughts and pulling attention to the task at hand.

 

                Ian went into detail of what he seen and how he got close to Leo.  He told them it would be suicide to go in there; however, he left out the part about the ropes.  He needed to tell Sean alone about the ropes.

 

                A slow smile grew on Sean’s face as an idea formed in his head.  “I have an idea.”

 

                Sean proceeded to enlighten the others of his plan.  Everyone smiled as Sean revealed the details of his plans.

 

                “So do you think it’ll work,” queried Sean smiling?  He knew it would work and he had a feeling the others would agree and that’s exactly what they did.

 

                “Well let’s get going.” Sean started to walk over to take his wife’s hand when Ian grabbed his arm.

 

                “Can I talk to you in private for a sec,” Ian asked nervously.

 

                Sean frowned, “Aye, for a sec but no more because time is running out.”  Sean followed Ian.

 

                Ian walked several feet away from the others before he stopped and turned to face his old friend.  What he was about to tell Sean would not be easy but it was necessary no matter the consequences.  Ian just hoped that Sean wouldn’t kill the messenger.

 

                Sean stopped in front of him. “Well what’s this about, Ian?”

 

                Ian blinks twice and pulled his attention back to the man standing in front of him.  Ian leaned forward and whispered to make sure that the other couldn’t hear their conversation.  He told Sean all about the ropes and the spell on them.

 

                Sean closed his eyes and Ian swallowed hard preparing himself for Sean’s anger. 

 

                Sean reached out and grabbed Ian’s shoulder to steady him from the overwhelming pain of betrayal.  Sean shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe it but Ian wouldn’t lie to him.  It had to be some kind of mistake but...it’s not. Sean’s shoulder dropped to the new weight on them and his heart felt as thought someone reach into his chest and ripped it out.

 

                “I’m so sorry, Sean,” Ian condoled sadly.

 

                “It’s not your fault,” replied Sean dejectedly.  Sean sighed. “Let’s go r-rescue Leo. Sean was upset that his voice broke a little when he spoke.  He was mad at himself for letting his emotions show.  He was the King of the Druids and he let himself be deceived by people he knew and cared about.

 

               

 

                Sean Paige Chris and Ian orbed in about ten feet away from Leo.

 

                Chris spotted his father tied to a stake and slump over like he was unconscious.  Chris pointed towards his father and proceeds towards him and called. “Dad!”

 

                Sean and Paige spots a darklighter stepping out from the shadows of the trees with his crossbow raised and ready to fire.  Sean yelled at Chris. “WATCH OUT!” 

 

                Chris turned towards Sean to see what was going on but when he turned around it exposed his back to the darklighter and the darklighter took advantage of it.  The darklighter fired his arrow right at Chris’s back.  Chris’s eyes widen in shock as the arrow impaled his back.  Chris reached out to Paige as another arrow struck his back.

 

                Leo raised his head to see his son fall to his knees then fall face first to the ground. “Chris...NO...pleeease,” Leo pleaded.

 

                Leo struggled against his bindings with no avail.  He had to get to his son.  He saw Sean moving Paige out of his way so he could get to him but it wasn’t enough. Leo grinded his teeth to the pain the ropes was causes as he pulled against them.  Leo paused in his struggle when more darklighters step from the trees into the clearing.  Leo struggle became more intense as he watched the arrows strike the others and they fell to the ground in front of him.

 

                “No...Why...,”cried Leo as he watched his rescuers die in front of him?  He couldn’t understand why they would just walk right into a trap. What purpose did their death prove?  He was unable to stop the tears that started to stream down his face.

 

                Leo closed his eyes to the unbelievable grief that was over taking him. It felt as though his heart was being shredded to pieces. He had no idea how he was going to tell his wife and sister-in-law about this when he got free—because he was going to get free and make those that were involve to pay.  Leo pulled against his ropes more vigorously.  He was more determined than ever to get free.

 

                Leo’s eyes flew open when he heard screams coming from the trees.  He couldn’t believe his eyes.  Darklighter were bursting into flames all round him.  The darklighters that were left were blacking orbing out before the fate of the others became their own.

 

                Leo straighten up when he saw four figures step out of the trees into morning sun that was peeking out above the trees and lighting the clearing in a new days glow.  Leo couldn’t contain his smile as it spread across his face and was as bright as the morning sun when he realized it was Chris, Paige, Sean, and Ian.

 

                “Did you honestly believe we would orb into a trap?” Sean asked, as he walked over and waves his hand over the illusions of themselves.  The simple gesture made the gruesome scene to vanish.

 

                Leo lets out a breath that he didn’t realize he was holding.  “I didn’t want to believe it...but your illusions were very convincing.”

 

                “Good, it was supposed to,” informed Paige, as she goes behind Leo to release him from his ropes.  Paige didn’t get a chance when an electric current zaps her.  “Ouch! Darn that hurt.”

 

                Ian raised an eyebrow at Paige’s colorful expression and smiled. Paige caught his mocking look, “What?”

 

                “Darn?” He chuckled.

 

                “Hey, I’m a mom and I’m trying to watch my language,” exasperated Paige.

 

                Ian smile turned into a grin, “Okay, Mom.”

 

                Paige response was cut off when Sean took her hand in his to look to see if it was all right. When he knew it was okay he brought it up to his lips and he pressed a gently kiss to her palm. Paige watched her husband release her hand then turn his attention to the ropes that bound Leo.

 

                Sean placed his hand above the ropes and mumbled something under his breath.  After a few seconds the ropes started to unwrap from Leo’s wrist.

 

                When Leo was free, he immediately started to rub his wrists to ease the pain. “Thanks. Now tell me who’s behind all of this.”

 

 

 

Chapter 20

 

                The Leprechaun was a blur as he ran into the Manor’s conservatory.  The room was brightly lit by the morning sun.  The Leprechaun was looking around the room trying to figure out where he should begin his search in the final room.  He had searched the attic, the bathrooms, the kitchen and every bedroom in the house. 

 

                He had a close call with the druid body guard but was able to distract him while he slipped into eldest Charmed Ones’ room.  He was also relieved to see that she was still lost in the dream world.  He moved quickly through the room and his heart about stopped when she stirred and mumbled something as she changed position in her sleep but it didn’t matter because the whole search was futile.

 

                The leprechaun sighed.  He blurred across the room checking every nook and cranny for the stupid Fairy Stone.  The two hour search was reminding him more and more why he should have figured out a way to have gotten out of the deal when he found out what it was but...now it was too late.  He moved the plant by the French Doors when he froze at the site of the Red Fairy Stone.  He finally found it but he didn’t really know if he wanted to follow through with it.  If he removed it that would leave them vulnerable but if he didn’t...his clan would pay with their very lives. 

 

                He continued to stare at it as though he was in some kind of trance.  He quickly jerked out of the trance when he heard voices and scrapping of chairs coming from the kitchen.  He knew his time was up and he had to act now.  He took in a deep breathe reached down and pick up the Red Fairy Stone and then he flew through the door leaving the wide open.

 

               

 

                Piper, Phoebe, Wyatt and Bradan entered the conservatory.  “Really Bradan, you really should get some rest.  I’m sure when Sean asked you to watch over me and my son.  He didn’t mean....” Piper trailed off when she saw the open doors.

 

                Bradan quickly slipped past them to check the open doors.  He turns back to the women.  “Did any of you leave these doors open.  I’m going to have to warn you of the danger.”

 

                “No.” exasperated Phoebe.

 

                “Maybe it was the wind,” Piper offered as she set Wyatt in his playpen.

 

                Bradan raised his left eyebrow and give her his best you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look.  He turned his back to them as he pulls the door shut and locks it. “It’s impossible because I locked it last night myself before heading up stairs to guard your door.”

 

                “We should probable check the crystals.  Bradan you check in here and Phoebe and I will check the others,” Piper said as Phoebe and she left the room.

 

                 They left the room before he could stop them. Bradan stomach had an uneasy feeling and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.  He had an overwhelming sense of danger and this feeling had never failed him before.  “Wait,” he called as he started to follow Piper towards the living room and catches a glimpse of her slipping into the foyer when he heard Phoebe scream coming from the dining room. 

 

                Bradan immediately switch direction to go to Phoebe but never makes it because someone fades in, in front of him. “I’m glad to see you.  I need your help. Phoebe—,” Bradan couldn’t finish what he was going to say do to the sharp piercing pain in his stomach.  Bradan’s hands go immediately to the pain and when he looked down to see what had happened. He saw the dagger covered in blood...his blood being removed from his belly.  He looks up with his eyes widen in shock into cold, unremorseful eyes.

 

                “Why?” Bradan asked, as he grabs his attacker’s shirtfront but his knees buckle under him and he falls to the floor with the weight of his body falling to the floor he was unable to keep a hold on his attacker’s shirt.  Bradan braces himself on his knees and hands for few second before he slumps completely to the floor as his strength drains form him like his blood.

 

                “Because I can,” his attacker chuckled. 

 

                Bradan turns his head and watches his attacker reached into the playpen and picks Wyatt up.  His assailant nods to him and fades out as Bradan whispered, “No.”

 

                Bradan uses what strength he had left to drag himself over to the doorway just as he sees Phoebe being flung across the room over the dining room table and he hears a thud as she hits the wall and slides to the floor. The last thing he seen was an unconscious Phoebe as he sinks into his own darkness.

 

 

 

                Piper turns to get to Phoebe.  Piper takes two steps when she stops in her tracks as a Harpy shimmers in between her and her sister.  Piper was glad that she was even with the doorway going into the living room because she used that as her quick escape as the Harpy throws an energy ball at her.  She was a bit irritated that she couldn’t move any faster then her pregnant body would allow.  Piper moved over to the large chair for cover.

 

                “Bradan, get your butt in here and protect me,” yelled Piper.  She moved enough so she could look into the conservatory.  She feels her chest tightens as she sees him lying motionless on the floor and she realized Bradan wasn’t coming to her rescue.

 

                An energy ball hits the top of the chair and she ducks down closer to the floor when she’s hit by her first contraction.  Piper grabs her pregnant belly and pleads.  “Oh please, babies not now.  Leo, where are you?”

 

                She could feel the Harpy drawing nearer and she continued her Lamaze breathing. She didn’t have a clue what else to do then she heard the front door slam open and Darryl calling her name.  She was unable to answer him do to her painful contraction.

 

                The contraction had subsided and she was about to answer when her skin became covered with goosebumps. She raised her head to see three harpies and a grimlock standing in the doorway between her and the conservatory.  She felt her heart stop then beginning beating a hundred miles an hour.  Piper raised her hand hoping this time her powers would not fail her but she wasn’t even able to try when she felt her throat start to constrict.  The grimlock was using his power on her.  As Piper fights to breath she hears somewhere in the fogginess of her brain Darryl yelling something then his scream of pain.  The tears are flooding her eyes as the recognition that this could be the end for all of them. She was overwrought with the idea that she will never be able to hold her unborn babies and that was her last thought as she loses consciousness.

 

 

 

                Darryl heard the small explosion coming from inside the Manor.  He didn’t really know how he could help.  He only knew that he had to.  Darryl reached down and pulled his gun from its holster.  He grabbed the knob and flung open the door. The door rattled on its hinges do to the force.  Darryl ignored it and called for Piper.  Darryl thought his heart was going to pound right out of his chest when he heard no one answer him.  He decided to throw caution to the wind and entered the house with his gun ready to fire.

 

                He knew he wouldn’t be running into a normal perp not in this house.  He inched his way further into the house.  Darryl couldn’t stop his heart from jumping into his throat when he seen Phoebe lying on the floor with blood seeping from her head.  He wanted to run to her side but he had to keep his head.  He slowly crept into the foyer until he was even with the doorway leading into the living room and he turns his body with his weapon out in front of him.  He let his gun waver a little when he seen the harpy.  He fortified his courage and yelled, “Freeze, police.”

 

                Darryl couldn’t believe how stupid he was when he seen the harpy turned around with some kind of energy ball in her hand.  He’s surprise made him hesitant and that hesitation was his biggest mistake as he seen the energy ball coming towards him.  He was unable to move quickly enough out of its way and the energy ball hit his shoulder and he screamed in pain as he’s spun to the floor.  Darryl was looking up at the ceiling and turns his head to his left and he was confused to see children coming towards him.  His breath caught in his throat when he seen the pointed little teeth that occupied their mouths.  He became completely aware that he was in terrible danger as the imps attacked him.  He was being kicked and bit.  The pain was extreme but he was trying to fight them off when his attention was drawn to a glowing gold orb, about the size of a bowling ball, hovering above them as though it was watching the scene.  The golden orb flashed and Darryl thought he seen his partner just before a sharp pain hit his head and everything went dark.

 

 

 

                The golden orb flashes and standing now in its place was Caleb Fisher, Darryl’s partner.  He looked around to find his charge being kicked in the head by one of the imps.  He arrived too late to protect him from harm but not to late to save his life.

 

                Caleb extends his right arm out in front of him and aimed it toward the imps.  He aimed it at the imp that was biting Darryl on the leg.  A gold beam of light shot out from his hand and struck the imp and it was immediately incinerated.  Caleb took out each imp quickly and efficiently the same way he did the first. 

 

                Caleb glanced behind him down the edge of the staircase and shook his head.  The only way to save his charge is to interfere with the witches and save them too.  He couldn’t let them die.  He raised his hands out to his side with his palms facing out.  A second later a gold beam shot out of his palms and encircled his body in a ring.  Caleb bent his elbows slightly then pushed out.  The golden ring of light moved away from him with the force of a tidal wave.  The ring moved through the Manor with such speed that the demons were unable to escape and on contact they were obliterated.

 

                Caleb felt Darryl slipping away.  He moved swiftly to Darryl’s side.  He knelt down and simply placed his hand in the middle of his chest.  A golden light radiated from his hand and engulf Darryl in the golden light.  Only a short amount of time pasted when Darryl’s eye flew open and sit up quickly.

 

                “Whoa, easy partner,” Caleb said, as he rose to his feet.  He lean over and grabbed Darryl’s upper arm and help him to his feet.  Caleb quickly released him and turn and headed to the dining room.

 

                “Why are you here?” Darryl questioned Caleb.

 

                “Saving your life.” Caleb knelt down beside Phoebe and places his hand on her chest and the same golden light engulf Phoebe.

 

                Caleb smiled as Darryl stumbled back from him.  “Just what the hell are you?”

 

                “I’m your guardian.” Caleb told him this every time he healed him but because he can’t remember. He’s constantly repeating himself.

 

                “As in guardian angel,” Darryl exclaimed skeptically.  Caleb smiled and nodded his head.

 

                Phoebe opens and blinks her eyes cutting Darryl off from asking any more questions.  Caleb stands to his feet then helps Phoebe to hers. Caleb turns his back on both of them and proceeded into the living room to help Piper.

 

                Caleb found her unconscious behind a chair and knelt down beside her.  He heard Phoebe question Darryl about his presents in the Manor and exactly who he was.  He chuckled to himself when he heard Darryl’s explanation and Phoebe’s gasp at the knowledge.

 

                He focused his mind back at the task at hand and that was saving Piper and her babies.  Caleb followed the same procedure that saved Darryl and Phoebe.  He felt Phoebe’s eyes burn into the back of his neck as the light engulf Piper.

 

                Piper wakes up and screams another contraction hits her with more force.  Caleb gives her shoulder a gently squeeze and rose to his feet.  He smiled at her as she steps into the conservatory to help Bradan.

 

                “What did you do to my sister?” Phoebe demanded.

 

                “I healed her,” Caleb answered. He moved quickly to Bradan’s side when he notices the amount of blood that painting the floor. He heard Phoebe harrumphed. “She’s in labor and I can’t heal that,” he said dryly, over his shoulder.

 

                It took more time to heal Bradan because of his closeness to death. Finally Bradan opened his eyes slowly and sit up quickly. Bradan’s eyes settled on the empty playpen. “Wyatt.”

 

 

                Phoebe followed Bradan eyes and she understood Bradan’s one word response.  She felt a vise crimp itself to her heart and tighten.  At the same time Piper’s grip on her hand tighten as well.

 

                “Where is my son?” Piper asked vehemently.

 

                Bradan looked from Phoebe to Piper. “He was taken.”

 

                “Taken,” shot back Piper.  “By who?”

 

                “I need to find Sean right away.” Bradan responded getting to his feet.

 

                “You need to find my nephew,” shouted Phoebe.  She was trying to keep her anger in check up to this point.  She patted Piper on the shoulder rose to her feet.  She looked down at her sister when she whimpered in pain.  “We need to get you to the hospital but I going to have a few words with these guys.” She walked away leaving Piper with her breathing, “Make them find Wyatt,” Piper said through clenched teeth. Phoebe nodded and walked right up and faced Bradan down.

 

                “Phoebe, I have to go find Sean it’s very important. I need him to find Wyatt.” Bradan tried to explain.

 

                “Good idea and why you’re at it you can tell him you failed in your promised to protect us from harm,” snapped Phoebe.

 

                Bradan frowned and dropped his head down in shame.  He didn’t need to be reminded that he failed again.   He knew all about letting people down especially those he claimed to love.  If he would have been on time to pick up Mary Kate, Sean’s sister and the love of his life maybe he would have been able to save her from the Source’s assassins.

 

                “I know,” answered Bradan.  “You’re going to take care of them.” He asked looking at Caleb. “I don’t know who you are but I hope you can be trusted because I have no chose in the matter.”

 

                “Yeah,” Caleb answered.

 

                “We’ll talk later about whom you are and why you are here.” Bradan faded out scowling at him.

 

                Caleb knew that they would not be talking later because as soon as Bradan left the Manor his memory of Caleb’s involvement will be altered or would essentially feel like a dream and then will fade completely away.  This protects his identity as a guardian angel and every other angel who help protect mankind from pain and suffering.  They can’t do their job if everyone remembers them.

 

                “So why are you here?” Darryl asked, cutting into his thoughts.

 

                “I was sent her to protect you from harm,” answered Caleb. Darryl’s association with the Charmed Ones is why he became his only charge.  He’s been a guardian angel since his death at the hands of the Red Coats during the American Revolutions.

 

                Piper screamed as she had another contraction.  Phoebe runs to her side.  “I think it time we get you to the hospital,” said Phoebe taking hold of her hand.

 

                “That’s a good idea,” agreed Caleb. He was ready also for everyone to forget who he really is.

 

                Darryl and Caleb help Piper to the door and Phoebe rushed ahead of them.  She closed the door behind them.

 

 

 

                Leo, Paige, Sean, Chris, and Ian were still in the clearing.   Sean was trying to explain to Leo that his own Captain of the Guards was the traitor.  It sickened Sean to know this fact.  He brought this man into the family and he has been friends with him all his life.

 

                They all jumped to alert when Bradan faded in.

 

                “Who are you?” Leo bellowed.

 

                Sean touched Leo’s arm.  “He’s with me or rather he should be at the Manor protecting Piper, Phoebe and Wyatt.

 

                “So why is he here?” Leo questioned Sean sharply.

 

                Sean frowned at his brother-in-law for his harsh tone but turned his attention to his friend. “Good question, so Bradan why are you here?”

 

                Bradan raised his eyebrows at Sean royal tone.  “The Manor was attacked and Wyatt was taken by—,” Bradan was cut off by Sean’s curse.

 

                Sean held up his hand. “We know who took him...Liam,” Sean said sadly.

 

                Bradan shook his head. “No...Sean, you’re wrong.  It’s not Liam...It’s Donal “Finn” Finnegan.”

 

 

 

Chapter 21

 

                Sean felt the air rush out of his lungs as though Bradan just sucker punched him, in fact he did with the information he just revealed to him.  Sean stood there staring at his old friend waiting for the punch line saying that what he just said was all a joke but he didn’t say anything he just stood there staring at him with this frown on his face.  Sean wanted to scream at him to take it back that it wasn’t true.  Finn was his grandfather’s oldest and closest friend.  He was Sean’s closest and most trusted advisor.  Finn was his mentor.  This was the threat to Wyatt. It continue be...it continued be.  “Donal Finnegan?” Sean finally asked his friend in disbelief.

 

                Bradan nodded.  “Aye.”

 

                “How do you know this,” inquired Leo?

 

                Bradan took his eyes off Sean and looked at the Elder.  “Because he stuck a knife in my gut and then he took Wyatt, that’s how.”

 

                “We have to go get him,” demanded Leo.

 

                “That’s not all; Piper is in labor,” Bradan informed the wary group.

 

                “Can’t you just tell us all at once or do you have keep feeding us a little a time,” mumbled Chris.

 

                “Chris,” Sean gave a halfhearted warning.  “We really haven’t given him a chance to tell us, now have we?”

 

                Sean was aware of everyone’s stress level was high especially Leo’s.  He had no idea what was going on inside him.  Sean was sure he was probable being torn in to between going to his wife or his son.  Sean would make the decision easy for Leo.  He would go after Finn and Wyatt. 

 

                Finn was his responsibility.  The problem would be handled by him, not Leo.  Finn was a druid, a druid that betrayed him and went after his family.  Leo would just have to accept the fact that he was going to take care of Finn.  Leo would just have to trust him.  “Leo, I think you should go to your wife.  I’ll go get Wyatt.”  Sean had seen the fury erupt in his Leo’s eyes.  He understood his anger but he didn’t care. If Leo went in with metaphorically guns a blazing then Wyatt could get hurt.

 

                Leo frowned at Sean and anger at his brother-in-law presumption.  Wyatt was his son and if anyone would be saving him it would be him and no one else.  “He’s my son.”

 

                “Go to your wife,” ordered Sean strongly. 

 

                Leo heard the rush of blood through his ears do to his rage.  Leo got in Sean’s face and clenched teeth.  “He’s my son.” 

 

                Leo’s heart was beating with such force that it felt that it would come right out of his chest.  What right did Sean have to fight him on this? Wyatt was his son, damn it and besides Finn was one of Sean’s crazy S.O.Bs and he would take care of this; so if Sean and the others wanted to tag-along then they better keep up.

 

                “Leo,” said Sean calmly. “You really need to—”

 

                Leo held up his hand to cut him off and he closed his eyes and he tried to sense his son but he was overcome by his wife’s fear.  Leo’s eyes flew open and Sean was still standing in front of him with a smug look on his face. “Leo, go to your wife and let me, Ian, Bradan and Chris go after Finn and Wyatt,” Sean urged gently.

                Leo realized what he said. “Why Chris,” Leo demanded.

 

                Sean reached out and placed his hand on his shoulder as a form of support. “Because Chris came to save his brother,” Sean said condescendingly.

 

                Leo shrugged off Sean’s hand and narrowed his eyes at his brother-in-law.  “I’m not risking another son’s life.”

 

                Sean sighed.  “Leo, your sons will be fine...go to your wife and let us handle this, please.”

 

                “Dad,” said Chris getting his dad’s attention.

 

                Leo looked by Sean into the eyes of his son.  He could see the pain and disappointment in his son’s eyes.  A son that had come back in time to save his brother and at that moment he needed to trust his youngest son to do what he came here to do.  It didn’t calm his nerves any but he had to let go and allow his son to be the witch he grew into, the son they raised.  Leo nodded at his son and Chris nodded back. “All right, I go to Piper,” Leo said reluctantly.

 

                Leo stepped around Sean and went to his youngest son.  Leo pulled him into a hug. “I’m counting on you to bring your brother home safe and sound and that includes you too.”

 

                Chris nodded. “No problem, Dad.”

 

                Leo knew Chris would not let him down.  He had confidence in him and in Sean.  Leo step back and kept one hand gripped to Chris upper arm and then he gave his son’s arm a gentle squeeze of reinsurance and then turned around to face Sean again and gave him a slight nod.

 

                “OK,” said Sean with the clap of his hands.  “Paige and Leo go to Piper’s side while me, Chris, Ian and Bradan goes after Wyatt.”

 

                “Whoa,” Paige glared at her husband and postulate attitude. “I’m going to go rescue my nephew.  Leo and Phoebe can take care of Piper.”

 

                Sean took Paige’s hand and led her away from the others.  When he thought they were fur enough away, he stop and faced his wife.  “Paige, darling, you need to be at your sister’s side, not with us.  We have more than enough people to rescue our nephew.  Believe me when I tell you that Piper needs you more.”

 

                 “My sister needs me to make sure her son comes home.” Paige more than determined to make her husband understand that she needed to be there for her nephew.

 

                “And I need to know you’re safe,” Sean pointed out. “I need to know if something goes wrong and not saying it will but I need to know that our daughters still have their mother.”

 

                “Our daughters, you kindly put it, needs their father, as well.”  Paige clarified.  Paige wanted to make it perfectly clear that she wasn’t going to be persuaded in changing her mind.

 

                Sean let out an aggravated breath.  He didn’t have time for one of Paige’s stubborn stands.  He had to get to Wyatt and to convince Finn that he’d lost any sense he had left or he would have to...he wasn’t going to have to think about that until he had to.  Now he has to hurry up and convince his wife to go with Leo.  He didn’t want his wife to see what he may have to do, so he decided to approach this a different way.  “Paige, what if the power of three is needed and you’re with me instead with them, besides don’t you think you should be there if not for Piper but for Phoebe?”

 

                Paige was silent for a pregnant minute then she sighed. “You really don’t want me to go with you do you?”

 

                “Honestly, no I don’t.” Sean said cupping Paige’s face with his hand.  “This is something I need to do.  He was my friend and someone I trusted.”  Sean looked down and let out a breath he was holding.

 

                “All right I’ll go with Leo but if something happens to my nephews or to you.  I’ll figure out how to bring you back and kill you myself.”

 

                Sean looked up and smiled then pulled Paige into his arms.  He felt her melt into him and he absorbed all her warmth and love.  He pulled back and kissed her with all the love in his heart and soul.  It was also a promise that he would be back.  He finally ended the kiss and Paige slowly opened her eyes and smiled. 

 

                She mouthed. “I love you.” She steps away and headed to where Leo was standing.  “Let’s get to Piper, Leo.”

 

                Leo nodded and then gave Sean a look that made it perfectly clear what would happen if he didn’t protect his sons and didn’t bring them back safe and sound. 

 

                Sean gave his brother-in-law a slight nod to indicate he understood Leo silent statement.

 

                Leo took Paige’s hand and orbed out leaving Sean and the others to rescue his son.

 

               

 

                Bradan looked at his old friend. “So do you have any ideas where our old mentor is?”

 

                “Aye, I do,” Sean said sadly.  “You think you could keep up with us, Chris?”

 

                “Oh yeah, I believe it’s pay back time.  So led the way, Uncle,” said Chris coldly.

 

                Sean heard the disgust and anger in his nephew’s voice and he felt that he may turn into a loose cannon.  Sean couldn’t have that with one miss step it could cost Wyatt and all their lives and he’d be damn if he was going to die because Chris let his emotions get the best of him.  “Before we go anywhere, I want to make something very clear that you better do everything I say because I want to get out of this with the least amount of complications.  Finn is still a member of the Council of Druids even though he’s had a large lapse in judgment and he will be dealt with as I see fit, understand.” Sean looked at all them but mainly Chris.  Chris was acting as though he wasn’t pay attention.  “Chris.”

 

                “You talking to me,” Chris said with his best Robert De Niro imitation.

 

                Sean smiled at his nephew’s shtick. “Yeah I’m talking to you.” Sean became serious. “Chris, I’m not messing, boyo, you do anything without my approval and I’ll make sure you can’t move at all, comprende

 

                “Yeah I understand, so let’s go,” Chris answered tetchily.

 

* * *

 

                The canopy of trees made the clearing look as though it was night.  The only light in the clearing was by a circle of stake torches that was stuck in the ground on the edge of the tree line. In amidst of the circle of torches stood a green marble altar and upon the altar of green marble was the twice blessed magical child and standing next the altar was a elderly man dressed in long druidic robes.

 

                Wyatt’s eyes glisten with unused tears but there was evidence that other tears had fallen by the streaks that marked his pinkish cheeks.

 

                Donal ‘Finn’ Finnegan watching Wyatt with apprehension and daggling from his right hand was a short sword with an emerald hilt. Finn wore a look of despair and sadness.  He didn’t want to do this but what conspires in the future demands it but it doesn’t make it any easier.  He was getting to old.  It was time for him to retire and let the young ones handle the future.

 

                 Finn closed his eyes and knew that Sean would never forgive him for his deceit and that is another thing that makes this so hard.  Sean was like another grandson and he knew when this was over he would give his life to his king to do what he wished.  Finn hoped that he would not be blinded by the love for the child but he knew he would be. Because that is what makes Sean a good king because he still listened to his heart.  That is why he needed people like him to make the hard decisions, decisions he didn’t have the heart to follow through on.

 

                The stake torches flames flick to a Kelly green and burned that color for a few seconds before switching back.  Sean, Chris, Ian and Bradan enter the clearing form the trees. 

 

                Sean gave a silent signal to the others to slowly surround the altar.  While the others were making their way around the altar trying to stay out of Finn’s sight, Sean slowly crept up behind him.

 

                “I was wondering when you would find me.” Finn was not surprised he found him so fast. “You gentleman can stop trying to sneak up on me because the torches alerted me to your arrive.”

 

                “Finn, what do you think you’re doing,” Sean asked calmly? 

 

                Finn turned slowly to face Sean.  Sean could see the pain in his old mentor’s eyes.  Sean hoped that he could talk him down, seeing the pain in his eyes may be an indication that there was still hope that this situation could be dissolved without any incident.

 

                “Protecting the future, laddie,” Finn said breaking into Sean’s thoughts.

 

                “By killing an innocent child?”  Sean kept his eyes on the others so he knew exactly where everyone was.  Sean made eye contact with his nephew and raised his left eyebrow and gave the slightness nod towards Finn.

 

                Chris nodded his head and took a step towards the altar.  One of the torches closes to Chris flashed green and shot flames towards Chris.  Chris caught the flames out of the corner of his eye and dove to the ground as the green flame shot over his head. 

 

                Sean frowned and signaled with his hand for Chris to move back.  Chris quickly scurried back to his previously location; as soon as Chris was back to where he was before the torches return to its prior state.

 

                Finn chortled. “Do you really think I would be so stupid to allow myself no protection?  And to answer your questions, this babe is not innocent and besides he threatens our future and has to be stopped.”

 

                “That’s funny...,” a disembodied voice sounded from the tree.  The torches flicked green again when Liam stepped into the clearing and joined his friend and King.  “...I have a very good recollection of my teacher, you to be exact, telling us that the future isn’t set yet but is splintered into infinite possibilities.  And it changes with each choice we make.”

 

                “This child has too much power. His only destiny is evil,” Finn spat wildly.

 

                “He’s a child, Finn.  We have no idea what his future holds,” Bradan added.

 

                Sean closed his eyes as the others argued their points with Finn.  They all were trying very hard to convince him that he was being totally irrational.  Sean was trying to choose the right words that would persuade Finn to hand over Wyatt.  He only had one chance to sway him to give him up and if it didn’t work the outcome would become painfully clear for them all.  Sean gradually opened his eyes and everything had become quiet or maybe he was just oblivious to the noises in the clearing. 

 

                “Finn,” Sean said evenly. “He was born for a reason.  He comes from good descent parents.  We may never know what he was destined to do if you take his life.  We, as druids, do not take lives.  We teach those around us of love and we kept the balance.  I know your intentions were honorable but you can’t punish this babe for crimes he has not yet committed or will never commit.  We don’t know what his future is and taking that away could make things even worse.  You taught us when we tried to predetermine our future we usually end up making it worse than what it would have been. Please, my friend let the wee babe go and stop this nonsense before you force my hand into doing something and rather not do.”

 

                “Can you guarantee me that he won’t turn evil,” Finn asked hopefully?

 

                Sean for the first time in his life could see how old and tired his friend looked.  The laugh lines that surround his eyes and mouth were deep and so noticeable on any other day but not today.  It was the sadness in those eyes and the thinness of his lips that were more profound.  It broke Sean’s heart to see the struggle going on inside him.  Finn would choose what he thought was right.  Sean would love to be wrong but he saw in Finn’s eye what the outcome would be, so with a voice laced with emotion he spoke. “You know there are no guarantees when it comes to children.  They are our greatest love and our worst fear.  We simply love and teach them and hope for the best.  That’s all any of us can do with children.  We trust in the knowledge that our love and guidance were enough.”

 

                Finn shut his eyes.  “I’m sorry, Sean. I know how you love him.”  Finn opened his eyes and turned his back on his king, both figuratively and literally.

 

                “Finn, don’t do this.  You know I’ll protect my family at any cost.  Don’t force my hand. I’ll choose my family. Please, Finn, put the bloody sword down,” pleaded Sean.

 

                Sean’s heart began to beat like it was trying to escape his chest.  Sean’s eyes noticed the other’s forming varies types of energy and fire balls.  Everything was muffled by the pounding in his ears and it was like watching a movie in slow motion.

 

                Sean saw Finn twirl the sword in his right hand as he brought it above his head.  Finn gripped the hilt with both hands and tilted the blade downwards readying it to strike his victim.

 

                “WYATT, DANGER,” Chris yelled desperately.

 

                A smirk crossed Finn’s face.  “It won’t work boyo.  The altar does not allow magic of any kind.”

 

                Sean formed his own emerald fireball. He along with the others readied themselves to fire.  He saw Finn bringing the sword down.  He felt his heart stop and his breath catch in his throat.  He heard Chris yell his brother’s name.  He made eye contact briefly with Bradan.  He saw Ian start to orb out.  Sean was amazed how so much could happen in a second.  He’s mind was running hundred miles a second and he was comprehending how stuff could happen in just seconds when a energy ball went whizzing by his left ear.   In a flick of an eye Finn was hit by the energy ball and burst into flames and right before he vanished he made eye contact with Sean.  Sean saw the overwhelming guilt and pity in his eyes and at that moment everything seemed to be moving at normal speed again.

 

                Sean spun around his emerald fireball still in his hand ready to fire.  Sean was however thrown off guard; standing in front of him was a man.  It was Sean’s best guess that he was in his mid to late sixties.  He had gray shoulder length hair and a shaggy beard and he wore tattered clothes to bring the appearance together.  But it was something familiar about his piercing blue eyes that acknowledged that he knew him.

 

                It was the old man’s words that almost made Sean fall to his knees.  “Hi, Uncle Sean...It’s nice to see you.”

 

 

 

 

Chapter 22

 

                “Wyatt,” said Chris stepping towards the old man.

 

                “Wyatt?” Sean questioned confusedly. “How can he be Wyatt?”

 

                Chris came up beside his uncle and stared at the old man that was his brother.  Chris sense that the old man was his brother but when he got closer and could look into his eyes he knew he was right.

 

                “Yes, Chris it’s me,” Wyatt said to his brother

 

                The old Wyatt focused his attention on Sean.  “And to answer you question Uncle Sean It’s simple... your daughters.” As if those words would explain everything.  Wyatt took a couple steps forward, as Wyatt came closer to his Uncle. Liam stiffened and stepped between Wyatt and his King.  Liam put his left hand up in a gesture to signal to Wyatt not to come any closer. Wyatt smiled at the Captain of the Guards.  “You’d protect him with your dieing breath.”  Liam answered with a slight nod.

 

                Sean placed his hand on Liam’s shoulder.  “Liam it’s all right.”  Liam glanced over shoulder at his king and Sean nodded his head.  Liam bowed his head once and step to the side.

 

                “Wyatt...umm...how?” Sean asked still confused on how his daughters are involved.  Sean puts his hand out to shake his nephew hand.

 

                “You can thank your daughters for sending me here,” answered Wyatt with a roguish grin.

 

                Sean raised an eyebrow at his nephew.  “And exactly why would they send you back?”

 

                Sean thought for a second he saw regret and sadness then it was gone and his expression was neutral.  He slipped a look at Chris who was looking at Ian carrying Wyatt towards them.  Sean was glad that the plan that he created before getting to the clearing worked.  Sean had given everyone their assign task in getting Wyatt.  Sean’s job was to keep Finn occupied by keeping him talking, as Chris could sneak in and grab Wyatt but that failed.  Bradan’s job was to give cover if everything went wrong and Ian’s job was to orb in and grab Wyatt.  Everything did go wrong his friend was died and his nephew was sent here, for...

 

                “One reason they sent me back to save myself.” Wyatt replied bring Sean back to the conversation. “The other reason was so I could save you.”

 

                Sean narrowed his eyes in confusion. “Me?”

 

                Wyatt grinned.  “Yeah, you, do you think that your daughter would send me back just to save myself because that’s already been done.”

 

                “Huh,” said Chris. Wyatt smiled at his brother.

 

                “Uncle Sean...how do I put this...umm...you was forced to kill Finn and after that you was never quite the same.  You never forgave yourself for killing your friend.  You always thought there was another way.” Wyatt tried to explain.

 

                “Uh huh, Uncle Sean never killed Finn,” retorted Chris.

 

                Wyatt looks down and shakes his head then looks up at his little brother.  The realization hit Chris right between the eyes.  “That means we changed...” he trailed off verily above a whisper.

 

                “Time,” Ian said finishing for Chris.

 

                “So if the Trips help you to get here than everything is great in the future,” Chris said happily.

 

                Wyatt looked down and a muscle in his jaw tightened and twitched. “Not exactly.”

 

                “What do you mean,” asked Chris? “Either the future changed or it didn’t.”

 

                “Not everything changed little brother but...never mind, you know too much already,” mumbled Wyatt.

 

                Chris scowled “Wyatt, you can’t just—”

 

                “Yes he can, Chris,” interrupted Sean. “We have way too much info about the future already, so let it go.”

 

                “Fine,” Chris exclaimed through clenched teeth.

 

                “Chris, our uncle is right. We have to...never mind!” Wyatt waved his hand dismissively.

               

                A bluish swirling portal opened up behind Wyatt.  He glanced over his shoulder and looked back at the others.  “I guess it’s time for me to go but remember that the future is always changing and me being here; is example of that.  So please, keep your eyes open for signs that will lead you down the right path and that include things for little me.”  Wyatt steps back into the portal. He raised his hand in a wave and him and the portal was gone.

 

                “So what was that cryptic message about,” asked Chris?

 

                “That if we keep our eyes open to certain signs that peaceful future you want will hopeful happen,” Ian offered.

 

                Sean turned to Ian and reached out his arms to take young Wyatt from him.  “You’re okay boyo. Let’s get out of here.”

 

                “Uh, Uncle Sean,” Chris said panicking. “Something is going on.”

 

                Sean turned around to see that the amulet that Chris wore around his neck start to glow a bluish-white.  Chris was trying to pull it off but it wouldn’t budge.

 

                Sean looked over at Ian, Liam and Bradan.  They raised a knowing eyebrow at each other.  “Chris didn’t you say that the amulet was given to you by my daughters.”

 

                Chris was still tugging on the amulet trying to get it off. “Yeah but I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”

 

                Sean chuckled.  “Chris you said that amulet was to keep you here but could it also take...you back home.”

 

                Chris paused and looked up at his uncle. “Oh no I totally forgot they said that when I was done here that the amulet would...”

 

                “Take you home,” finished Sean.  Chris nodded.

 

                The glow grew larger.  “I guess I’m going back to my own time but what about Wyatt.”

 

                “It will be our job to take care of Wyatt. You are about to become his little brother and besides you’ve done everything you were supposed to. Now trust in us to do the same.  We won’t let Wyatt turn evil.” Sean gave him a wink and a smile.

 

                “Thanks for everything not for what you’ve done now but what you’re going to do. And can you tell Mom and Dad that I love them.”

 

                Sean nodded. “Yes I’ll do that.”

 

                Chris smiled back and in a bright flashed that caused Sean, Liam, Bradan and Ian to turn to protect their eyes.  When they turn back to where Chris was standing he was gone.

 

                “Bye Chris, be save,” whispered Sean.

 

                “Oy, that was impressive,” exclaimed Liam.

 

                “Yeah,” Ian simply added as he ruffled Wyatt hair. Ian turned to Liam. “Liam, I feel I need to apologies to you and I know you don’t know why.”

 

                Liam waved his apology off.  “I do know why, because I read your mind.  You thought I was the traitor.  I should thank ya because if it wasn’t for you I would never have known who the real threat was.  It was an old druid spell that bound the Elder and the only young druids that knew of the spell was Sean, myself and Bradan and I knew it wasn’t us, so that lead to one of the men who taught us, seems Sean’s grandfather and father was died it unfortunately only left Finn.” Liam dropped his head. “I’m so sorry, Sire that I didn’t figure it out sooner.”

 

                “There is nothing to apologies for, Liam.  I’m sorry I didn’t figure out myself, maybe...” Sean shook his head to get rid of the, what ifs.  “It doesn’t matter. What is...is what it is...you can’t change it.  It’s water under the bridge and it’s time to move on.” Sean stuck out his free hand and Liam took it. “Thanks for standing beside me.”

 

                “That’s what I’m here for.” Liam bowed his head released Sean’s hand and turned and walked towards the trees.  Once in the trees he disappeared.

 

                “I believe there are a couple of little people about to enter this world. I think we better greet them.” Sean smiled. “Don’t you think?” Sean asked his nephew.    Wyatt smiled and nodded.

 

                “You mean leprechaun,” Ian replied.

 

                Bradan raised an eyebrow at his friend. “I am in me wick.”

 

                Ian smiled at Bradan and orbed out.

 

                “He’s messing with me, right,” Bradan clarified with Sean.

 

                Sean smiled at his friend and flashed out with Wyatt.

 

                “Bloody he–, Wait for me,” yelled Bradan as he faded out.

 

 

 

Chapter 23

 

                Phoebe was holding her sister hand during another contraction when Leo burst through the door of Piper’s birthing room. 

 

                “Leo where have you been” demanded Piper?

                “Trying to get to you,” he answered as he took Phoebe’s place next to his wife.  Leo took his wife’s hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I’m here no, sweetie.”

 

                “About time,” Piper eased herself back down on the pillow as the contraction subsided. “Where’s Wyatt?”

 

                “Sean, taking care of it,” Leo said, as he made eye contact with Phoebe. 

 

                Phoebe smiled at her brother-in-law and opened the door.  Phoebe joined her sister in the hallway outside the birthing room.

 

                Paige smiled and Phoebe pulled her into a hug.  “OK, Sis, tell me what’s going on.”

 

                Paige filled Phoebe in on everything that had happened on at least on her end.  After she was done Phoebe filled her in on Darryl and his partner showing up and how they helped her get Piper to the hospital.

 

                “Who healed Bradan?” Paige questioned Phoebe.

 

                “That is a good question.  I have no clue.  I’m just grateful whomever it was showed up.  It could have been Colm because he was there earlier.  All I know is they left before Darryl and Caleb arrived.”

 

                “Caleb, huh,” Paige said teasingly.

 

                “It’s not like that.  I’m married, remember.” Phoebe wiggled her fingers on her left hand at Paige.

 

               

                Leo had disappeared through the door of the birthing room twenty minutes ago after getting more crushed ice.  Paige and Phoebe had taken turns going in out of the room.  They both gave up trying to comfort her when she told them to both “shut up.”

 

                Phoebe was now pacing the floor and Paige was calming sitting in a chair with her head leaned back with her eyes closed. “Are you sure Sean and Chris can handle getting Wyatt...back?” Phoebe whispered the last word so no one would hear.

 

                Paige opened her eyes and raised her head and looked at her sister.  “Pheebs, they’re not alone.  Bradan and Ian are with them. And yes, I trust my husband to get him back.  He loves Wyatt, too.”

 

                “Shh,” Phoebe waved her hand in a downwards motion.  “Someone might here you.”

 

                “Phoebe the only person around her is you besides Darryl and Caleb left to go back to the station.”  A nurse walked by them and entered their sister room. “Really, no one’s around.”

 

                “OK I get your point.” Paige sighed.

 

                Phoebe let out an exasperated breath and began her pacing again.  Everything was happening all at once and she had yet to get her mind round everything that’s happened in the last thirty-six hours.  “Shoot the last few months,” she thought to herself.  On top of everything going wrong she woke up this morning with and uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She thought it could have been the attack but it hasn’t lessened at all.  She hoped that Chris and Wyatt are all right.  If they’re all right and She knew the Trips were save at Avalon than something else is terrible wrong and she just didn’t know what it is. She had to concentrate on Piper and the twins.”

 

                “Sit down, Phoebe,” Paige said cutting into her thoughts. “Your pacing is driving me crazy.”

 

                Phoebe sighed and walked over to where Paige was sitting. She flopped down next to her little sister. “I hope Piper and the babies are all right.”

 

                Paige took Phoebe’s hand in hers. “She’s fine and if she wasn’t we would know besides Leo’s in there with her.  And if that does calm your worries she has the best OB/GYN in Dr. Bret Bennett.  She’s going to be fine.”

 

                “What if—”

 

                Paige wagged her finger admonishing. “Uh-uh,”

 

                “Something—” Phoebe tried to voice her concerns again.

 

                “No, Uh-uh,” Paige stopped wagging her finger and pointed at Phoebe. “No, negative thoughts, everyone is going to come out of this all right. And before we know it Sean will be walking down the all with...” Sean, with Wyatt in his arms came around the corner with Bradan and Ian following.  Paige smiled and pointed down the hall. “...Wyatt.”

 

                Paige and Phoebe jumped to their feet and jogged down the hall to meet up with them.

 

                “Oh there’s my little man,” Phoebe said reaching out for Wyatt.  Sean handed Wyatt to his aunt.  “We’re so glad your OK.”

 

                “Where’s Chris,” Phoebe asked nervously.  She hoped this was not why she had this uneasy feeling.

 

                Sean pulled Paige into his arms. Paige caught the shared look between Sean and his friends. Paige pushed back a little so she could look at him. “Sean?”

 

                Sean sighed and told them all about the amulet.  He made clear to them how the Trips told Chris that it would take him home when it was time.

 

                “Are you sure,” Phoebe asked Sean after his explanation.

 

                “Aye, the girls would have made sure he got home safe and sound.”

 

                “So what happened to Finn,” Paige asked her husband?

 

                Sean pulled Paige back against him.  Paige closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest and counted the beats of his heart.  She wondered what happened with Finn but she would wait patiently until he was ready to answer.  She felt him tighten his hold and she just let him hold her.  Paige knew instinctively that he needed to know she loved him so she wrapped her arms tighter around him.

 

                “Wyatt is Ok and Chris is back in the time he belongs.  What’s important; is Piper and the babies so have you heard anything,” inquired Sean.

 

                Paige could tell that Sean was avoiding the question.  She decided she would let it go for now.  Paige had a feeling that Sean’s heart was broke and he didn’t want to go into one of the most painful things he’s had to do.  She would be there for him when he was ready to talk about it but until than she would just answer his questions.  “Leo came out and got ice and went back in there...,” Paige looked at her watch. “...about thirty minutes ago.”

 

                Sean released Paige and took a hold of her hand.  He led her over to the chairs to sit down. “So I guess all we can do is, wait.”  The others walked over and joined them in the chairs.

 

 

TWENTY MINUTES LATER, Paige was resting her head on Sean’s shoulder and her fingers were intertwined with his.  Sean was absent mindedly stroking her forearm with his other hand.  He was watching Bradan and Phoebe play Gin Rummy.  Ian was pacing back and forth in the hall with Wyatt in his arms.  Ian had turned and was heading back their way when the door to Piper’s birthing room opened.

 

                “Sean,” Ian called, as he quickly came back up the hall.

 

                Phoebe, along with the other rose to their feet to greet whoever exited the room.  Leo strolled out of the room with the biggest grin on his face.  It was the happiest anyone had seen Leo in a long time.  “Piper and the babies are fine. She did great.”

 

                Leo’s grin grew even bigger when he spotted Wyatt in Ian’s arm.  He reached out his arms for his son and he went into them. “Hey buddy, I’m so glad to see you.”  He stuck his hand out to Sean and Sean shook it.

 

                “Thanks,” Leo said to Sean.

 

                “No thanks needed,” Sean said dismissively.

 

                Leo let go of Sean’s hand then look around. “Umm...where’s Chris?”

 

                “He went back to his own time thanks to the amulet my little girls gave him,” Paige answered for her husband.

 

                Leo frowned but didn’t have a chance to respond when the door to the birthing room opened and a nurse pushed out a couple of clear plastic bassinet.  One containing a baby wrapped in a pink blanket and the other baby was wrapped in blue.

 

                “Mr. Wyatt we need to take the babies to the nursery to do some blood work,” said the nurse, as the adults went a goo-goo over the new babies.  “I really need to get them to the nursery.”

 

                “OK,” they mumbled as they stepped out of the away to allow the nurse to proceed down the hall.  They were watching the nurse disappear around the corner when the door opened again and Dr. Bret Bennett step out into the hall.

 

                He smiled at Sean. “Well, I was wondering if you were out here, Sean.” Sean shook his friend’s hand.

 

                “You think I’d miss this,” Sean responded. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

 

                “So if that was the case than where were you, earlier” retorted Bret.

 

                “A prior engagement that I couldn’t get out of,” Sean riposted.

               

                Dr. Bennett laughed. “Yeah, I bet.”

 

                “Can we see Piper,” Phoebe asked interrupting Sean and Dr. Bennett’s squabbling.

 

                “I don’t see why not as long as you don’t overwhelm her and keep her quiet,” answered Dr. Bennett. “I’ll be back and check on her later.” He shook Leo’s hand and tickled Wyatt’s tummy. Dr. Bennett smacked Sean on his shoulder. “Talk to you later,” he said before proceeded down the hall.

 

                They followed Leo back into the room.  Piper was lying quietly with her eyes closed. Phoebe and Paige went immediately to their sister’s side.

 

                “Piper,” whispered Phoebe.

 

                Piper slowly opened her eyes. “Hey.”

 

                “Hey yourself, how are you feeling, Mommy” asked Phoebe?

 

                “Mommy is fine,” Piper smiled.

 

                “You did good, girl,” Paige admired.

 

                “You’ve seen the babies,” inquired Piper?

               

                “They are beautiful, sweetie.” Phoebe hugged her sister.

 

                “They really are,” Paige added with a hug of her own.

 

                Piper looked passed her sisters and spotted her little boy in her husband’s arms. “Wyatt,” she said on a whisper.

 

                Paige turned her head and smiled at her husband and looked back to her big sister.  “Yeah, Sean brought him back as he promised without a mark on him.”  Sean raised an eyebrow at her.

 

                Piper put out her arms beckoning for her eldest son.  Leo smiled and set Wyatt at the foot of Piper’s bed.  Wyatt gave his mother an open mouth grin and scurried up the bed into his mother’s loving arms.  “Mommy is so happy to see you.  Mommy loves you so much.” Piper tightened her arms around her son. 

 

                After a minute or so, Wyatt started to struggle against the tightness of his mother’s hug.  Piper smiled and lessened her hug allow Wyatt to sit up.  Piper turned her smile on her brother-in-law and reached out her hand to him.  Sean gently took it. 

 

                Thank you,” mouthed Piper.

 

                Sean shyly smiled and nodded his head.  He didn’t really want to be thanked for something he had to do.  Something that he would have loved if it turned out differently, so he accepted Piper’s gratitude.  He let go of her hand and step away.

 

                Sean turned and slipped undetected form the room.  He needed time to take in the fact that one of his closes friend and ally turned out to be his greatest enemy.  The simple thought of the betrayal made it difficult to breath and the walls were closing in on him.  He had to determine whether or not Finn was working alone, if other druids was involved in this or did others much higher had their hands in this.  He thought about where this could lead to, if high level druids are involve could it lead to a civil war.  Wyatt could be more in danger now than before.  Sean closed his eyes and opened them when he heard the door open behind him.  He felt Paige’s arms wrap around his waist.

 

                “Hey, you, why are you hiding out here,” questioned Paige?

 

                Sean smiled and turned in her arms and wrapped his arms around her.  He rested his cheek on the top of her head and bathed in her love.  “Just thinking.”

 

                Paige closed her eyes and took a deep breath inhaling the scent of his cologne the she bought for him on his last birthday.  Paige could sense his pain.  She had to get him to talk about it or it will eat him up inside.  “About what?”

 

                Sean sighed. “How I could’ve been so blind. It all occurred under my watch. What if I didn’t get there and Finn was able to follow through.” Sean let go and turn and walked a short distance down the hall. “I didn’t even see the change in him.”  He turned to face her again. “He tried to kill a child.  What if he decided our girls were a threat?”

 

                Paige shorted the distance between them and took his hand in hers.  He looked down at their joined hands.

 

                “Sean, look at me,” she ordered.

 

                Sean raised his head and she tried to reveal to him in her eyes all her love and understanding that it wasn’t his fault and no one was going to blame him then she used her words. “It wasn’t you fault and you got there in time and Wyatt is fine.”

 

                “Is he,” Sean retorted?

 

                “Yes he is and if he isn’t we will worry about it later.” Sean drops his eyes to stare at the floor and Paige bent her head down to make eye contact and Sean re-raised his head. “We will worry about it later.” She said it with more emphasis. “OK”

 

                Sean nodded and Paige wrapped her arms around his waist and he wrapped his arms around her. “I hope so,” he thought to himself.

 

                The heard a noise behind them and they turned to see the nurse pushing two clear bassinets towards them. One with a bundle wrapped in blue and one wrapped in pink.

 

                “I would say we’re about to have company,” Sean said with a smile.

 

                Sean walked over and pushed the door open and held it open for the nurse.  She gave him her gratitude as she pushed the babies into the room.

 

                “I think there is a couple of little ones who is very excited to say hello,” informed the nurse pushing them closer to Piper.  The nurse smiled and informs them if they need her to just push the button on the side of the railing then she left the room.

 

                Phoebe walked over and in her best baby-talk voice.  “There’s my new niece and nephew.”   Phoebe picked up the pink bundle and tucked her safely in her arms.  She turned towards big sister but she kept her eyes on her niece. “Hello little Prudence Melinda Halliwell, I’m your Auntie Phoebe. Phoebe looked up at her big sister. “Piper, she’s so beautiful.” Phoebe places the baby girl in her mother’s arms.

 

                Paige picked up the blue bundle and held him so she could look in his little face.  “Oh we all ready know you’re going to give your mom and dad restless nights.” Paige carried her nephew over to Piper’s bed.  “He’s such a handsome little man.” Leo took his new son into his arms and gently sat down next to Piper on her bed.

 

                “Wyatt, this is your new brother and sister.” Leo smiled at his eldest son.

 

                Wyatt reached out and touched his baby sister’s little hand and she grabbed his finger.  Wyatt’s eyes widen with surprise then he giggled.

 

                Do you like your new brother and sister,” Piper asked her son.  Wyatt nodded enthusiastically.

 

                “That’s until he finds out you’re taking them home to stay,” Sean said jokingly.

 

                Piper narrowed her eyes at Sean and he chuckled.

 

 

                Phoebe’s cell phone rang.  Phoebe fumbled in her purse for it.

 

                “Pheebs, you can’t have that on in here,” Piper chastised.

 

                “Yeah...I know but I called Jason and only got his voice mail.” Phoebe smiled in triumph as her fingers wrapped around the phone.  She pulled it out and flipped it open. “Hello,” she answered.

 

                Phoebe was surprised when the voice on the other end wasn’t familiar.

 

                “Mrs. Jason Dean,” the voice asked.

 

                “Yessss,” Phoebe replied slowly.

 

                “My name is Eric McCall. I’m with the FAA, The Federal Aviation Admission,” he informed her.

 

                “I know what the FAA is Mr. McCall. I just know why you would be calling me.” Phoebe’s uneasy feeling was intensifying.  She looked over to Piper and she gave her a questioning look and Phoebe shrugged her shoulders.

 

                She heard the man sigh on the other end, as though he hated doing this. “Mrs. Dean, your husband’s plane took off from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.  The tower lost them on radar at 10 p.m. Sydney time. The tower radioed them several times but there was no response to their calls.  The tower then radioed immediately for rescue when rescue arrived where they lost contact they found only wreckage.  I’m sorry, Mrs. Dean, to report...there was no survivors.”

 

                Phoebe went numb. She couldn’t seem to bring any air into her lungs. Darkness seemed to be closing in on her vision.  She felt her phone slip from her fingers and her knees buckle under her weight.  She heard someone talking to her in the distance through the fog that had engulf her mind.  She was drowning in the pain and the darkness that was overtaking her.  She thought she felt someone wrap there arms around her and ease her to the floor then she heard a voice similar to hers say that Jason was dead but he couldn’t be dead he talk to her yesterday.  He told her he would be coming home, so this had to be a lie. It couldn’t be true...it just couldn’t.

 

                Phoebe felt two hands grab her face the she saw Paige’s face swim into view. “Phoebe, look at me.” Phoebe blinked her eyes and Paige begin to become clearer so she blinked again and realized that tears was running down her cheeks and where blurring her vision.

 

                “It can’t be true. We just got married.  They’re wrong.  Paige you have to orb me there.  We have to find him.  It’s not true,” She tried to convince shakily.

 

                Paige glanced over to Leo and he was on Phoebe’s phone.  Phoebe followed her gaze.  Leo snapped the phone closed and his eyes were full of sadness and empathy.  “I’m sorry, Phoebe.”

 

                Phoebe shook her head. “No,” she choked over the lump that formed her throat.  She felt her heart shatter in a thousand pieces and anger and denial settled in it place. “I don’t believe you.” She yelled at him.

 

                Phoebe stood with all the strength she had left and pointed her finger at Leo. “He’s alive.  He’s alive.”

 

                “Phoebe,” said Sean gently, as he stepped forward.  He pulled her in his arms. “He’s gone.” 

 

                She struggled against his strength but he kept his arms around her as she pounded on his chest. “Stop lying...He can’t be dead...He can’t.”  She kept pounding wanting him to feel her pain. She pounded on his chest until all her strength was gone and then her body was quaked with her sobs.  She collapsed against his chest.  Sean tightened his hold on her and pulled her comfortingly against his chest. 

 

                “We’re here, Phoebe,” said Paige, as she rubbed her back. “Sean let’s take her back to the Manor.”  Sean nodded to Piper and Leo.

 

                “Go,” Piper commanded. “Take her home.”  Sean and Paige nodded and flashed out.

 

                Piper looked at her husband.  “Is there anything you could do?” 

 

                “I could take her pain away like I did you but I can’t do anything to bring Jason back.”  Leo took his wife’s hand to comfort her.

 

                “Do you know why this happened? This wasn’t caused by a demon; was it?” Piper said trying to make sense of this tragedy.  She felt guilty for feeling so happy when her little sister was in so much pain.

 

                “She’ll be all right,” Leo said reassuringly. “We’ll all be there for her.”

 

                “I know but it doesn’t bring her husband back and doesn’t make me feel any better for being so happy.”

 

                “Honey, Phoebe doesn’t what us to feel guilty for being happy.  She loves these babies too.” Leo wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

 

                Piper smiled sadly at him. “What do we do?”

 

                “We just have to be there for her when she’s ready to talk,” Leo answered sadly. “I’m afraid it was his time.”

 

                “And the Angel of Death gets who he comes for,” added Piper as she pulled Wyatt closer.  She was grateful that everyone in this room was safe.  She would be there for Phoebe when she was ready. She was ready to leave the hospital and go home to be there for her sister.  Piper closed her eyes and kissed each of her children and sent out a silent pray of thanks at the same time her heart went out to her sister.