A/N: Hey everyone! Wow. So this is my first new Charmed fan fiction in over 5 years. Kind of odd, but exciting! This first chapter is kind of a prologue-type thing. It's only about 2 Microsoft Word pages, so it's short for me. But subsequent chapters will be longer (my usual is 4-5 pages).

I'm seriously excited about this fic. It's similar to my usual theme, but also very different (I know that's vague – sorry! Don't want to accidently give anything away!). I really hope you all enjoy it! So, please read, review and – above all – ENJOY!

PS: I AM working on the Surrender to Fate sequel! It's called When Fates Collide and I'm only 3 chapters in, so I don't think it will be up anytime soon, but hopefully you guys enjoy this in the meantime!

...

"You have to go. You know you can't stay here."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, I can't leave you. Please don't ask me to!"

He gripped her cold hands in his. "You aren't safe here, Marni. You have to go." His voice was firm and urgent; they were running out of time.

Marni's lip quivered as she fought the tears. But it was no use. "What if I never see you again?"

"Don't think that way," he said firmly. "I promise, I'll make things right and I'll bring you home."

"What if you can't?" she argued. "What if he kills you?"

He winced, as if her question physically hurt him. "I won't let that happen. Do you trust me?"

She hesitated, biting her lip to stifle her sobs. Finally, she nodded. "With my life."

"Then trust me when I say you'll be safer there," he said firmly. "Here, you'll constantly be in danger, and I won't be able to fight knowing he could use you against me at any time."

She took a shaky breath, blinking furiously to clear her blurry vision. "Then... Then, I'll do it. I'll go. But you better stay safe," she demanded.

He chuckled. "I will. He won't hurt me," he said confidently.

He dropped her hands, pulling a piece of white chalk out of his pocket. They stood in an alley, and he put a hand to the stone wall of the building before them. It was nighttime; the moon was full, and shone bright. Even the stars were twinkling brightly, almost mocking him and what he had to do.

But he knew they did not have a lot of time. He had to work quickly, before they were caught. So, he set to work drawing the ancient symbol on the side of the building. He was careful to make the lines straight, perfect. He connected them as precisely as he could, with as steady a hand as he could.

When he was done, he stepped back to admire his work, and pocketed the chalk again. He turned to Marni and stared at her, trying to hide his fear and desperation from her.

"Don't forget to take your potion every day, at the same time each day, or it will wear off," he reminded her.

She nodded, pocketing three vials of dark red potion. She grabbed his hands again, not wanting to let go. "I know, I will."

"And remember, you can't tell them who you," he warned. "They can't know, for your sake and for theirs. You won't be safe if they know."

Marni nodded again, to indicate she understood. She couldn't speak; she was afraid if she did, she would begin to cry again.

"I promise, I'll bring you home when it's safe," he reminded her, leaning in and kissing her as if it was the last time he would ever kiss her again – and it might very well be, if things didn't go according to plan.

They separated, and he faced the wall. He held his hand out, and recited the spell:

"Hear these words, Hear the rhyme

Heed the Hope within my mind

Send me back to where I'll find

What I wish in place and time."

He stepped back as the symbol sketched on the building wall began to glow a bright blue. This was it. He glanced back at Marni, holding his hand out to her. She stepped up to him, slowly, hesitating. She didn't want to go; she didn't want to leave him even though she knew she had no choice.

"We'll be together again," he promised. "Soon."

She nodded, and gave him once last kiss. He stepped back and she moved forward, toward the wall and the glowing portal that would take her to safety.

She glanced back at him, and he smiled reassuringly, despite the pain and uncertainty he felt inside at seeing her go.

She took a deep breath, fingering the ring on her left hand. Finally, without hesitation, she stepped forward, into the portal.

It closed behind her, leaving him alone. He stared after her, even after she was long gone, and silently prayed that she would be safe.