CHARMED

"Demon Lighter"

By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. Tessalynne)

. K+ (for mild language)

Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.

(Authors note: This story takes place between season 4 episodes "Brain Drain" and "Black As Cole".)

After a demon attack Leo and Cole bond in a very unique way.

ONE

Piper and Leo peered around the doorway at the top of the stairs. The house was deathly quiet. Cautiously the two made their way to the stairs and started down. As they reached the bottom step Piper glanced toward the front door.

"You think it's still around?" Leo whispered.

"I'd bet on it," Piper whispered back. "It's after something. I just don't know why it hasn't attacked yet."

"It probably has orders not to," said Paige, sticking her head up from behind the sofa. "What makes you think it's still around?"

"Every time it disappears it reappears in a different room," said Piper. "And since it hasn't tried to kill us yet, it must be after something."

"Cole and Phoebe should be home any minute," said Leo. "He might know what type of demon this is and how to deal with it."

"Well, we certainly can't look in the Book of Shadows right now," said Piper. "No until we're sure it's gone."

Suddenly they heard a sound in the kitchen. Turning cautiously the three began to move toward the kitchen door. All at once the door flew open and the demon stepped through.

It was as tall as Leo but was blood red all over. Two horns sprouted from its forehead. Black eyes gleamed at them from a sunken face. The demon formed an energy ball and cast it at the three.

Leo grabbed Piper and pulled her to one side as Paige dove back into the living room. The energy ball barely missed them and collided with the front door. Paige rolled and came up on her feet as the demon stepped into the entryway. It turned on Piper and Leo knowing they had nowhere to run. It formed another energy ball as it advanced. Realizing they were trapped Leo immediately began to orb them both away.

The demon cast the weapon and it struck Leo full force in the chest. The impact cast Piper to the side as it knocked the partially orbed Leo back toward the front door.

Just then Cole and Phoebe began to shimmer into the entryway. Leo collided with Cole sending the two crashing through the front door and onto the porch. Phoebe was knocked to one side and landed sprawling on the living room floor next to Paige.

The demon formed another energy ball and cast it at Piper. Instantly Paige called for the energy ball redirecting it back at the demon. The weapon struck the creature vanquishing it where it stood.

"That was too close," said Piper, regaining her feet. "Thanks, Paige."

"My pleasure," said Paige as she helped Phoebe to her feet.

"What was that?" Phoebe asked.

"All we know is that it was some kind of demon," said Piper, heading for the front door. "We'll look it up in a minute. Leo, are you okay?"

"Cole," Phoebe called outside, "are you okay?"

"No broken bones. Just our bruised ego for getting in the way of Leo's orb."

Suddenly a strange man stepped out of the darkness outside into the doorway. He was roughly six feet tall with very light, sandy brown hair. His blue eyes twinkled in the light from the entryway.

"Who are you?" Piper demanded.

"What do you mean who are we?" asked the man. "Honey, were you hurt by that energy ball?"

"Cole?" Phoebe questioned, glancing at the man and then looking out the front door. "Cole, are you out there?"

"We're right here, sweetie," said the man turning toward Phoebe.

"Why does he keep talking like that?" Paige asked. "'We're' and 'our' like he's talking for both of them?"

"We' keep telling you we're okay," said the man. "We're right here in front of you."

"Cole?" Phoebe questioned, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"What?" the man asked.

"Leo?" Piper questioned, getting the same sick feeling.

"We're right here," said the man, looking at her.

"Uh oh," said Paige as everyone stared at each other dumbfounded.