By J. B. Tilton email: Rating: 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 5 episodes "The Day The Magic Died" and "Baby's First Demon".
For those readers not familiar with the character Michael in this story, you can find out about him in my story "Balance Of Power". Michael is my own creation and has appeared in several of my stories as a recurring character.)
Phoebe has a premonition of a young girl in danger from multiple demons at the same time. When the girls go to protect the young girl they walk into the middle of a demonic war.
ONE
Piper looked at her newborn son lying in his crib sleeping. He looked so peaceful. It was hard to imagine he had powers that would rival even those of the Charmed Ones. Or any demon in the underworld. To all outward appearances he looked like any other child sleeping in his crib. Leo came in and put his arm around Piper.
"He seems to be doing okay," said Leo.
"Yeah," said Piper, laying her head on his shoulder. "And to think just a few days ago he wasn't even here. I'm just glad dad's new wife wasn't successful. I could have lost him before I even got a chance to know him."
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Leo asked.
"No," said Piper. "It's hard to decide. There are so many good names. I'm not even sure what his last name will be. Should it be Halliwell or Wyatt? The Halliwell women don't change their last names when they get married, but what about their sons? What's the protocol for that?"
"Well, that was actually your grandmothers' doing," said Leo. "She wouldn't let your mother change her last name when she got married and it was just handed down to you guys. As for male offspring, that's not a real common occurrence in the Warren line."
"I know," said Piper. "I never thought choosing a name could be so difficult. Especially since he's a boy. I just knew I was going to have a girl."
"Well, as for a last name," said Leo, looking at his son sleeping peacefully, "I think you should stay with Halliwell. Evil fears it and good respects it."
"Are you sure?" Piper asked. "He is your son, you know?"
"I know," said Leo. "But I think that's best."
"Okay, done," said Piper. "Now I just have to come up with a first and middle name."
"Still working on names?" Paige asked, coming into the nursery.
"Yeah," said Piper. "This is harder than I thought it was going to be."
"Well, I'm sure you'll come up with something," said Paige. "He's just so adorable. I could watch him for hours. I never had any brothers or sisters so having a baby in the house is something new for me."
"Uh oh," said Leo. "I'm being summoned. It sounds urgent. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Okay," said Piper kissing him.
Leo orbed out of the nursery and Piper and Paige headed downstairs. Phoebe was downstairs going through the dozens of letters she got each week trying to decide which one to use for her column. She looked up and smiled as Piper and Paige came into the living room.
"How's my nephew?" she asked. "What was his name again?"
"You know good and well we haven't decided on a name yet," said Piper, not nearly as angry as she pretended to sound.
"Oh yeah, right," said Phoebe giggling.
"And he's sleeping like a baby," said Paige. "You should go see him, Phoebe. He's just the cutest thing."
"I will in a minute," said Phoebe. "If I don't find a letter to use for my column this week Elise is going to skin me alive."
"Can't find anything good enough?" Piper asked.
"Just the opposite," said Phoebe pulling another stack of envelopes out of a box on the floor next to her. "There are so many good ones I hardly know where to start. Some I can discount. I've answered similar ones in the past. Others are just frivolous. But there are quite a few that are really good. I wish I could answer all of them but there just isn't enough hours in the day."
"Sounds like you could use an assistant," said Paige.
"I have one," said Phoebe. "She weeds out the ones she knows I don't want to use. Still, that leaves so many I hardly have a chance to go through them."
"You'll find one," said Piper. "You always do."
"You read my column?" Phoebe asked looking through the stack of letters in her hand.
"Of course," said Piper. "You're my sister. I need to support you in your work. Besides you really do give some great advice. You were made for this job."
"Thanks," said Phoebe. "I really love it. I even get follow up letters from people I've helped telling me how much they..."
Phoebe suddenly stiffened slightly and closed her eyes. To an uninformed bystander it might appear as if she was in pain. But Piper and Paige knew that reaction quite well. It meant Phoebe was having a premonition.
"A little girl," said Phoebe after the premonition had passed. "She's in an alley behind a bookstore. And there are two demons stalking her."
"Which bookstore?" Paige asked.
"The one on Stewart Street," said Phoebe. "Across from the Starbuck's shop."
"I know it," said Paige. "I used to stop at that Starbucks to get coffee before I went in to work at social services."
"We'd better get there quick," said Phoebe. "I think it's going to happen in just a few minutes."
"What about the baby?" Paige asked. "We can't just leave him here alone."
"Right," said Piper. "Leo? Leo we need you down here now."
Leo orbed in with a confused look on his face.
"Piper, what is it?" Leo asked. "I was talking with an Elder."
"Chatting will have to wait," said Piper. "Your son needs a babysitter right now. Phoebe had a premonition of a little girl being attacked by two demons and we need to get there now."
"Oh, okay," said Leo. "You guys go on. I'll look after our son. I'll explain it to the Elder later. I'm sure he'll understand."
"We'll be back," said Paige as she orbed the three sisters out of the manor.