Chris Halliwell was tired, overwhelmed with responsibility. The second son of Piper Halliwell, Chris had started up a daycare from home, while trying to keep up with his booming bakery out of home. At the moment Chris was watching four toddlers and one baby, of course it didn't help that he had gotten a five tear cake that was a combination of two flavors. If that wasn't enough he had to make it in two days, and had to decorate it with fondant pedals that he would have to airbrush a deep rose, and somehow he had to incorporate the sea into the cake. His job at the moment could not be tougher.
Chris was in the kitchen doing his best to keep up with the five hungry kids and his cake. Thank god for the double ovens his mother had bought shortly before her death. Most of Chris's customers were high-end and required that their little brats have high protein and extremely low fat meals. So that's how our favorite pastry chef had ended up baking white meat chicken breast and steaming snap peas and carrots. Chris looked back at the kids all standing on chairs mixing the bowls of batters he had given them to stir. He smiled as the oldest toddler tried to teach the sweet baby Rose how to stir. He glanced at the clock and sighed.
His hired help, Ava Fuerza, was a sophomore at Maple High who already had all but four of her graduating credits. That fact allowed the girl to come to the Manor at one every day, unfortunately, for the same reason Ava could come at twelve so could Chris' devil sister Melinda. Chris was happy though. Melinda knew not to rally the kids to annoy the man when he was working on a big order, and Ava was a big help. She was a self taught cake decorator and she had potential, which coupled with her love and skill with the kids made her irreplaceable. Chris accepted her as an apprentice as soon as her community service was up.
Chris sighed as he heard the back door open and the two teenage girls trample in.
"Mel." He yelled, "Can you finish the kids lunches for me please?"
Melinda walked in shaking her dark hair over her shoulder and smiled putting it up in a pony tail. Being her mother's daughter, and Chris's sister, Mel definitely knew where to pick up when he left off.
Chris walked to Ava. "Ava, I need you to go pick up these things from the store. Take my jeep, there is some money in the sunglass holder. Oh and stop by Mr. Richards! Tell him his pie will be a little late tomorrow."
"Sure thing Cake Boss!" Ava teased. Ava strutted out and jumped into the seat of Chris's new jeep. Driving off she sighed. When she spotted Willow Tree, she sighed. That place was handling every piece of her life. She was really thankful to the owner, Willow, but he barely had time to speak with her, or work on her case.
She continued to drive, unaware of the events unfolding back at the Manor.
.o0o.
Chris and Melinda were busily taking care of the children and the cake. Melinda was in the kitchen just setting the food down in front of the kids. Of course if things were ever that simple for the Halliwell family then life would definitely be easier. Just at that time a warlock decided to blink into the kitchen. Melinda's first instinct was to petrify the nearest thing to her. Thankfully it was the kids. Melinda flexed her hands causing the children to freeze in stone.
Melinda then flexed her hands once more to send the demon back to hell. The demon exploded into several particles of dust looking substance. Melinda rolled her eyes.
"Easy." Melinda turned to call for Chris, stopping when the dust caught her eye, it was reforming. "Chris!"
Chris looked into the dining room from the kitchen seeing the reforming dust her cursed. When the demon was completely reformed he flicked his hand to the side sending it into a wall. And like that the dance of death started.
.o0o.
Ava was finally done and was pulling back onto the street that held several homes, including the manor. She pulled into the driveway of the manor and walked through the front door. Then she heard the crash. She froze in her place and after gentle setting everything in her arms down softly she peeked around the corner. She saw Chris standing over his sister with a blue shield surrounding them. She saw Melinda on the ground kneeling and throwing her hands out at random objects, somehow causing explosions from a distance.
Then she looked into the center of the room. A man, just ordinary looking, stood there, except he would continuously disappear then reappear and throw black balls of dark energy at Ava's friends. Ava thought, if Chris and Mel were behind the other two phenomenons then she shouldn't have to worry about exposing herself. She looked at her hands and felt them start to tingle. She knew that her one offensive power wouldn't be much use at all, but she had also knew it would create a distraction for either her, Chris, or Melinda to act.
She jumped out from her hiding spot and shot a small storm of red energy straight into the face of the man. The man stumbled back clutching his face, blinded by the energy. Ava, being the closest to the man took her opportunity. She jumped up and gave the man a spin kick to the face, all occupants of the room saw the neck spin and heard the awful snap that accompanied it. The man fell to the ground then burnt in up in flames.
Chris and Melinda stood with their mouths open like fish. Ava turned towards them and smiled sheepishly.
"So, we need to talk."
Chris took out his phone, and started dialing. "Melinda, unfreeze the kids. I'm calling their parents to pick them up, Ava, you know our brother Wyatt? I need you to call him and tell him to get here now. And then call the Anderson wedding party and tell them we have to cancel."
Melinda gave a look to the make shift battle field and gave a sigh. She turned back to Ava and winked then turning back, "Repair." She said steadily waving her hand over the damaged area. Ava was in shock when everything started to fix itself without any help.
Then Melinda made her way to the kitchen and nuked the food that the kids were about to eat. She waved her hand again and unfroze the kids, who came to life immediately not even with an inkling that a battle just took place in the house of their favorite babysitter.
.o0o.
Ava sat rigidly on the comfortable over stuffed couch staring back at Melinda, Chris and their older brother Wyatt.
"So you're witches?" She asked slowly.
"Yes we are!" Smiled Melinda, "And apparently you are too!"
"Your power is Energy Sparks." The all looked at Wyatt who stated the fact, "I'm going to assume that because that ability is extremely week, you have more, defensive or offensive is anyone's guess."
"My question is why you don't have a whitelighter." They all looked at the middle child who moved his hair without touching it, "I'm going to call Connie."
Chris walked up to the attic knowing that for new witches it could be a bit much to see a random person orb into the room. Once he stepped into the room that the Book of Shadows resided in he yelled.
"Connie, I need you!"
A small girl appeared, "Hi Chrissie!"
"Hey, I have a witch that was never assigned a whitelighter." Chris explained to the child-lighter.
"Ava. Yes, the elders are glad you finally found out." Connie stepped toward Chris, "Chrissie, I know you don't understand, but it is extremely important that you teach her everything. She is vital in the up-coming war. You have to teach her, it was promised that if the second son of the eldest Charmed one did not become a teacher to the lost witch, then magic will be forever in turmoil."
"So she didn't get a whitelighter because I am supposed to teach her a handed down craft?" Chris said, "That's insane, it could take years."
"And yet your aunts taught Paige in a year."
"Okay Connie. But tell Mom and Paige to go die." Chris rolled his eyes.
"They say that they're already dead. Goodbye, Christopher."
"Whatever, Constance." Chris replied turning.
Chris turned on his heel and walked back down to the front room. The three looked at Chris.
"Chris, her powers weren't ever bound, did Connie tell you anything?" Mel asked when Chris made his reappearance.
"Apparently I am supposed to teach her how to be a witch." Chris said surveying Ava.
"Well that sucks." Melinda said with sweet sarcasm, "See ya."
"Melody, you got stuff to do to." Melinda turned at the voice of her own whitelighter Rosie.
"Shit. All right and what do I have to do?" Melinda asked the tall blond woman.
"We need you to find a witch. He's cloaked himself from the supernatural world using old magic. However the magic of the Charmed ones running through your blood should counteract that, plus your hyper sensitivity of magic will give you a boost." Rosie explained.
"I hate you, but fine. Rosie would you go down and run P3 for tonight?"
"Sure!" Rosie disappeared in a swirl of glowing blue balls of light.
Ava's eyes widened and she paled staring at the place that the whitelighter just stood. Wyatt smiled happily.
"And I've got nothing to do!" Wyatt smiled as he was his own whitelighter.
"Wy," Melinda took a menacing step towards him and he stepped back, "You can choose, help me," her voice lowered as she threatened the next part, "or help Christopher."
Wyatt, no stranger to his brother's lack of patient and the habit of throwing things around the room when he got frustrated, opted for the former.
"You." He squeaked.
"Smart choice." Chris stated rolling his eyes, "Ava go up to the attic, I'll be there in a moment." Ava simply moved her gaze from where Rosie had vanished to where Chris stood, "Now." Chris pointed and Ava scampered up the stairs.
Chris turned to his family.
"So what's the what?" Melinda asked flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"Same thing as always, another Apocalypse," Chris looked at his older brother, "And it sounds bad. Source worthy bad."
The two other young adults looked at the twenty three year old Chris.
"And they want you to teach her why?" Asked Wyatt.
"Ava is supposed to be a major player." Chris said, "Maybe we should call in help?" Chris said
"Chris you can handle it." Melinda said putting her hand on his shoulder, "You taught me everything I know."
"Over time!" Chris stressed, "I don't know how long I have to show Ava the basics much less the advanced magic. If I fail who knows what will happen."
"Relax, you are the best teacher they could've chosen!" Wyatt said confidently.
Melinda nodded happily agreeing with the pair's older brother. Chris sighed and looked down, "But what if I do fail?"
"Then the world will be destroyed, but it's not just on you, we will help as much as possible!" Melinda said in complete confidence.
Chris gave out a chuckle, "Thanks, Mel."
"Yup, now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go find myself a witch." Melinda grabbed Wyatt and the pair orbed out.
.o0o.
Melinda and Wyatt had no idea where to look. Melinda had tried everything, the spell to call a lost witch, scrying and she even used her strength to look through the mirror. None of it had worked, they couldn't find this witch.
Wyatt was tired of waiting for his sister and finally said he would go see the elders. Melinda sighed in frustration as he orbed out. Melinda thought for a second and finally fell to the ground.
"This better work." She grumbled.
Melinda started to chant.
"Melinda, here my words,
Answer my plea,
and multiply my powers by three,
And bring the witch here to me,
Magic of the Halliwells,
Let the witch here the bells,
And bring the witch here to Mel,
Melinda here my words."
Melinda's hair turned from a sanded blond into a pure snow white. Her skin began to glow with her now enhanced powers. She then repeated the spell to call a lost witch. And something happened. She got inside the head of the male witch she was looking for. The man looked up at the woman that just entered his office.
"Mr. Taylor, a celebrity is on the phone. She wants to fund Willow Tree!" She said
"Great! Patch her through." Taylor picked up the phone, "Yes this is Willow Taylor. Why thank you! Yes of course! One million? No that's not to little, why thank you, yes, yes thank you!" Willow hung up the phone and when he did it was like he hung up with her connection.
"Wyatt!" Wyatt appeared out of the blue swirl of orbs. Melinda smiled to him, "I found our witch. And you would have no idea."
Wyatt grabbed her and orbed her home. "Chris I found our witch!" The two appeared in the attic next to a shocked Ava and Chris you was staring at her mouth agape. "What's wrong?"
"Ava is, she, oh my god, Ava is telepathic!" Chris said.
"Cool?" Melinda said as if it wasn't a big deal,
"And an empath."
"Well our witch is Willow Taylor the third." Melinda said hoping to top Chris's news, witch to Ava she certainly did.
"You mean the dude that handles my foster care?" She said spinning.
Wyatt thought for a second, "If that's true, maybe we should have her approach him."
"She can't go alone." Chris said, "I'll go. We can say we want to donate a cake to the next charity event."
"Perfect!" Ava said happily, "I can say I talked you into it!"
"When will you guys go?" Asked Melinda
"Tomorrow, we need to teach Ava as much defense as possible tonight." Chris answered.
Melinda looked at Wyatt as did Chris. "I'll take her to the basement."
"I'll make dinner." Chris stated
"And I'll let the parents know we can't work tomorrow!" Mel said following him.
Ava looked at Wyatt, "So tall, dark and not so handsome, what are we going to do?"
"I am going to teach you how to fist fight."
.o0o.
Wyatt was covered in fresh purple bruises. Ava was smiling at him smugly, sporting only one or two bruises of her own. Both occupants of the basement-turned-training room, however, where both covered in sweat. Ava had beat Wyatt at his own game.
"You're good," Wyatt panted
"I grew up on the streets." Ava said her breath normal, "But I might, just maybe, be using my telepathy."
Wyatt laughed, "Cheater."
"Boy-scout!" Ava shot back happily. The two walked up to where Chris was just now setting the food on the table and Melinda was setting glasses on the table and filling the glasses with lemonade.
The pair both sat and jumped when Chris snapped towards them, "Go wash up!"
The pair both scurried to their respective sinks and washed the grim of their faces hands and both, unknowing that the other did it, (Ava out of habit, Wyatt out of fear) scrubbed their arms clean.
Finally they got back to the table where Melinda was staring at the fish Chris had slipped onto her plate.
"It's so beautiful, Chris! I don't even wanna touch it, much less eat it!" Melinda said sweetly as she tried to slip out of her chair.
"Nice try Mel, 'A' for effort, but you are not getting out of it that easily!" Chris said pointing the spatula at her before dishing up Ava's plate.
"She hates fish." Wyatt explained in a whisper smiling and chuckling at his sister's misfortune. That is, until Chris piled peas onto his plate. "Um, No thank you." The orbed the peas back into the pan and Chris used his powers to push them back onto Wyatt's plate.
Ava smiled, "Chris knows what he is doing, and you guys really should just eat the food." Ava then looked at Chris, "May I have a lot of peas?"
Chris smiled, "Absolutely. It will be nice to finally have someone around who appreciates my cooking."
The group all sat down to diner when the door bell rang.
"I'll get it." Chris walked to the door only to find their 'lost witch' Willow Taylor standing at their door. "May I help you."
Willow pushed past him and stepped into the room where the food was ready. He sat down at an empty chair.
"So," He drawled looking at the group, "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours."
Ava realizing that she should cover up magic and forgetting that Willow was also a witch jumped on the chance to practice her lying.
"Mr. Taylor if you mean what I think you mean, I will sue you into the ground!" She said in mock offense.
Willow stood and putting his hands on the table, he leaned over his eyes gleaming, "Is that a threat?"
Not one to be intimidated Ava stood up, her hands on her hips. "Absolutely."
Willow looked to the side of him and saw a flower pot with a brown flower residing in the dried soil. He threw his hand towards it and it flew towards her neck. The now green, and strong vine wrapped around the young girls neck.
"Listen close, Halliwell." He turned toward Melinda, "Stay out of my mind, stay away from my business, and leave me out of magic. My mother did not tell your aunt Prue to go fuck herself simply so you could draw me into the dangerous life that you live."
Melinda looked at him, "But your mom didn't tell Prue to fuck off so you could threaten ours." Melinda flicked her hand towards the vine and it exploded.
"So then we've reached an agreement." Willow said.
"I didn't agree to anything." Melinda stated.
"Your loss, Halliwell." Willow shocked the group and blinked out of the dining room.
Chris, Melinda and Wyatt shared a look of horror. Then hearing Ava cough the three rushed to her.
"Ava?"