Melinda yawned tiredly as she flipped between channels. There was nothing on TV and she really wanted to go to bed but there was no way she was going until Chris came home. Where was he anyway? He hadn't even wanted to go on the stupid date and yet he was still out with Emily and it was nearly midnight! When she heard a sound at the door she quickly switched the TV off and snatched up a book Paige had been reading earlier. She didn't want it to look as if she had been sitting around waiting for him to come home.

Chris pulled off his coat and came into the living room. "Hey Mel why are you still up? You usually don't make it past the 10.30 mark!" he teased her.

"Oh it was just such a good book. I got caught up in it." She lied. She hesitated for a moment but then snapped the book shut and stood up. "How was your date?" she asked, following him into the kitchen. Chris opened the fridge and Melinda screwed up her nose in disgust as he took a swig from the milk bottle. He turned to face her, his green eyes shining, "It was awesome!" Melinda couldn't believe her ears.

"Hold on, I thought you didn't like immature little girls," she said sarcastically as they walked back to the living room. "You're not gonna go out with her again are you?" she demanded to know. Chris switched the TV on and flopped onto the couch. He picked up a cushion and tossed it at his cousin. "What's your problem? I thought you wanted me to go out with her. And yeah, I just might do it again!" Melinda caught the cushion and stared at her cousin thoughtfully as he turned his attention back to the TV.

He had a good question. Why was it bothering her so much? She shook her head to try and clear it and then turned to go to bed. She was greeted by the ugly face of a demon as he waved his arm and she flew across the room. She hit the wall with a thud, her back shattering the glass photo frame that had been hanging on the wall. Chris immediately jumped to his feet and sent a wave of telekinesis back at the demon. The demon fell back into the stairs. Chris rushed over and helped Melinda to her feet. "Are you ok?" he asked worriedly. She nodded, "Yeah, don't worry. I'm totally fine."

The demon stood up and an energy ball formed in his hand. He threw it in Melinda's direction and she levitated into the air, flipping herself over to avoid it. Chris orbed out and reappeared to the right of the demon. Melinda whirled around and grabbed the fire poker, tossing it to Chris. He caught it with one hand and orbed out again. The demon didn't even try to look for Chris. Instead, he threw another energy ball at Melinda. She barely avoided this one as she dived to the side. Chris appeared behind the demon. He gave a whistle and the demon turned around just in time to see Chris thrust the fire poker into his chest. The witch/whitelighter twisted it around and the demon screamed in agony as he burst into flames.

Chris grinned at his cousin, twirling the fire poker around in his hand. "Hmm, I like it. I think this will be my weapon of choice from now on!" Melinda just managed to give him a weak smile before she hit the floor, unconscious. "Melinda!" Chris yelled, as his mother and aunts came rushing down the stairs, finally having heard the commotion. Melinda had a shard of glass sticking out of her back. "Leo!" Phoebe called, meeting Chris at her daughter's side. Leo orbed in and didn't even ask what happened. He knelt beside his niece and pulled the glass out. She didn't even move. "Is she going to be ok Leo?" Phoebe asked worriedly, taking Melinda's hand. Leo held his own hands over the wound and a golden glow erupted from them. Slowly the wound disappeared and Melinda began to stir. "She'll be fine," he replied with a smile.

"Wish we could say the same for Grams' picture," Paige said jokingly, holding up the photo which had once occupied the smashed frame. "Ooh Grams is gonna be pissed!" Piper said giving Melinda a grin. Melinda didn't reply, she just leant back against Phoebe and closed her eyes. She was scared. That demon had come very close to killing her and it didn't seem like he was interested in Chris at all. He was targeting her; and that thought alone was enough to scare her to death.

Review please guys! They help me write the story. If anyone has any questions or suggestions feel free to let me know!

Melissa