I do apologize for taking this long. With so much going on in my life, I had given up on this series, but after looking over emails and reviews, I was greatly moved by all of you. So here it is the third World Guardians: The In-between in honor of all you wonderful people.

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World Guardians 3, The In-between

Chapter 1

Pouring in her own sweat Charlie sat down on a rugged stone next to a small creek. She finally had to take a break from the intense training, but her peace was interrupted by a shriek of terror from Nathan. She sighed shaking her head.

"THAT'S NOT FAIR KATHRYN! AND YOU KNOW IT!" Nathan screamed as he followed behind the two girls.

"Life isn't fair Nathan," came the solemn reply, almost bored in its tone. "It isn't my fault that you cannot keep up."

Inca finally joined them in the isolated woods, "I think that's good enough for today." Charlie nodded giving a thumbs up.

"Oh don't look so relieved Nathan, I'm not finished" said Inca as he dragged himself behind Kathryn, "There is something we need to discuss."

Charlie looked at her waiting.

Inca continued after the three were at ease, "Well, it's been quite a while since your last venture and the three of you have improved quite a bit in your training. So I think you can handle your next task."

Charlie looked up cheerfully, the last few months of their lives had be nothing but balancing their normal lives, finishing school, and training in their World Guardian duties. She was ready for a real task.

Kathryn raised an eyebrow at the elder guardian, her face carefully blank. "And what exactly would be our next task?" she asked, arms crossing over her chest as she spoke. Blue eyes were full of curiosity and caution. She hadn't forgotten the danger Charlie had been in within the last world they had visited.

Inca sighed, "I have to leave and the three of you are staying here."

Charlie smile faded, "We aren't going with you? I thought you said we were ready."

Inca nodded, "Ready to not be shadowed all the time, I have important business elsewhere."

Charlie looked down disappointed, "Besides, you each have lives here in this world that you must prepare to leave behind," finished Inca.

"So, head to your homes, spend some time with your families, I'll return in a week, ten days at the most to collect you... are we clear?"

Charlie nodded, "Yes master."

"Yes ma'am," Kathryn noted, her fingers crossed behind her back even as she glanced over at Charlie. She held few doubts that her friend would remain in one place even if order to.

Nathan smiled, "a whole week? Finally, I think I may hit the spa later."

Inca shook her head and pulled her crystal out from her shirt and made a portal.

Charlie looked at Inca, "What do we do if we don't hear from you after ten days?"

Inca smiled, "Don't worry, I'll be back within ten days." and she was gone.

Charlie looked at Kathryn, "Wonder what is so important."

"Who knows," the Vampire shrugged, looking more than a little bored. "Are we really going to hang around for the next 10 days?"

"Let's at least try" smiled Charlie, "Lets head home, maybe a mini vacation before we really start our 'duties'"

...

Relaxing at the Williams home, thankfully they were alone, the other Williams where off on holiday, and Niles was out and about doing some chores.

"So what are you going to tell James?" Charlie asked Kathryn.

"About what?" she asked looking bored. "He stays busy and so do I, it won't be odd if I simply disappear."

Charlie gave her a look, "No telling when or if we come back, I think he might notice something."

"It wouldn't be the first time," Kathryn replied, shrugging slightly. "You forget Charlie, I'm a lot older than either of you. I spent several years separate from him."

Charlie nodded thinking as she played with her drinking glass, knowing none of the Williams would care if she went missing.

Nathan joined them back in the real world, "Well, my brother ran off months ago with his... guy... girl... it thing, so that problem worked itself out." he looked at Charlie, "How is Niles?"

She sighed, "Not good. Things seem to get worse after graduation. And I think he knows something is going on." she mumbled.

"It wouldn't surprise me," noted Kathryn, watching Charlie. "He is a perceptive old man. He knew about the vampires."

Nathan made a face, "Jesus".

Charlie nodded drinking some of her , "Old man got some connections."

"I swear he was once in the CIA or something" added Nathan, "or maybe he worked for batman. maybe he really is batman."

"So, getting away from family isn't going to be too much trouble that puts us ahead of things for once." said Charlie.

"No, it doesn't seem so," Kathryn noted softly.

Charlie shifted slight when she felt her phone go off, after looking at the text she sighed, "Niles is at the hospital again."

"Why?" Kathryn asked, tilting her head to the side with a look of confusion.

Charlie shook head "i don't know, can you take me?"

Kathryn gave a small nod. "I suppose you mean in a car and not... the other way."

Nathan blinked up from his drink, "What about me?"

Charlie smiled, "Well if you want to stay here alone with James."

He narrowed his eyes pursing his lips, "Can i at least drive?"

Charlie shook her head, even knowing the answer from Kathryn as she got to her feet to follow the vampire out the door.

"I don't think so Nathan" grumbled Kathryn.

...

Upon arriving at the hospital Charlie was led to a small room where she found the old butler who raised her laid out in a bed hooked up to several equipment and looked if death was upon him.

Charlie gave him a small smile when he opened his eyes, "My dear Charlie..."

"Doctor says you'll be fine, you'll just need to rest." said Charlie.

He shook his head, and looked at Kathryn, "a moment please."

Kathryn gave a small bow to the man, respecting him enough to back out of the room.

Niles sighed, "Charlie there is a lot of things I need to tell you, that I needed to tell you for a while now."

"About what?" she asked.

"About you, I know what you've become and you'll be leaving soon."

Charlie chuckled slightly, "What are you talking-"

"Lying is not one of your better gifts." he then nodded to the chain that was around her neck that held the hidden crystal under her shirt, "I've seen one of those before." Charlie said nothing letting him continue; "it was years ago. A man came to me one night with a child. He brought me you."

Now Charlie couldn't gather any words to respond. He nodded, "I'm sorry. I would have-" he breathed heavily, "He told me to never tell you. And I couldn't let you continue without knowing the truth before i myself leave this world."

She shook her head, "No you going to be fine."

"No, you and I both know...I'm dying." he whispered, "and didn't want you to keep thinking those horrible people where you're real family."

Charlie fought back the tears, "If they are not then who is?"

Niles shook his head, "I wouldn't say, fearing it would endanger you." Charlie rested her forehead on his hand, "Seeing you go off to this new life brings me peace, I've never had a child to call my own, but when you came into my life, everything changed."

Charlie shook her head, "I can't leave you here like this."

"There is nothing else here for you, and it would be more than shame for you to waste your talents watching an old man die." he said, "and you don't want to watch me die. Go with your friends and do great things."

An hour or so past while Nathan and Kathryn waited, until Charlie finally joined them in the waiting room. "Can we leave?" she asked.

Kathryn gave a small nod, pulling Charlie into a hug. She'd sensed it when in the room that Niles had little time left in this world, and she gave a bow towards his room again before pulling Charlie to her again. "Yeah, let's go."