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Chapter 4: Tragedy Strikes
Wyatt and Jessa dated for the next three months. Wyatt even managed to tolerate the teasing of his siblings and cousins, within limits. The ice water he dumped on Vicky, Abby, and Blaire hadn't been that cold. In the past couple weeks, Wyatt and Chris had noticed a slight increase in the frequency of demon attacks. "What do you make of it," Chris questioned.
"Normal rise and fall of demon activity," Wyatt answered lazily.
Chris disagreed. "They've gotten more and more organized. Adam and Tracey think…"
"That a new Source is gaining power, yes, I know," Wyatt answered impatiently.
Bright green eyes glared at him. "This is serious, Wyatt."
"If there is a new Source, there's not much we can do," Wyatt answered, not all that concerned with the topic. "We'll deal with it when it happens."
"Did you see the ideas for the patrol that I came up with," Chris asked.
"I saw them," Wyatt answered noncommittally.
"You didn't like them?"
"I didn't say that."
"Are you going to use them?"
"Chris, the system we have now is fine."
"We could make it better."
"Can we talk about this later?"
Chris threw up his hands. "You know what? Forget it."
Wyatt and Jessa went out that night. They ate at Jessa's favorite restaurant and watched a movie that they were both dying to see. Jessa didn't say much that evening, but a slight smile on her lips told Wyatt that she was happy. Wyatt felt a sudden unease, and he lightly touched Jessa's wrist to warn her. Suddenly, they were surrounded. Jessa and Wyatt fought fiercely, guarding each other's backs. They had spent so many years working together that the formation was instinctive. Wyatt blasted two demons and sent a third into the wall of a nearby building. More demons kept appearing, managing to separate Jessa and Wyatt. He knew that he had to get to her, but he couldn't fight his way past the demons. Where were they all coming from? Suddenly, the last opponent was gone. Jessa fell to her knees, clutching her side as blood seeped through her fingers. Wyatt gripped Jessa's arms as he held her up. "We need to take you to the Manor." She nodded faintly. Her eyes locked on something behind him. Jessa spun Wyatt around, somehow finding the strength to push him behind her. The arrow struck her in the back. Wyatt vanquished the Darklighter instantly. He dropped to his knees beside Jessa, who lay unconscious on the ground. With the same gentle care he showed to his youngest cousins when they were hurt, he gathered her in his arms and orbed out.
Time seemed to spin. His father and a woman he didn't know stood over Jessa, trying to heal her. Chris was working on Wyatt, healing wounds that Wyatt hadn't realized that he had. Pam was crying, Vicky was demanding to know what was going on. Suddenly, Wyatt felt someone shove him into the wall. Seth. Why was his friend blaming him for this? The two young men struggled with each other, while Vicky screamed at them to stop it. Mel grabbed Seth by the collar and threw him into the wall, then kicked Wyatt's feet out from under him. "Your partner is fighting for her life, and the two of you are fighting like spoiled children! If you can't control yourselves, then get out of here before I throw you out!" Everyone in the room stared at the usually calm, gentle Mel. Piper took over, ordering everyone to calm down as she pushed Wyatt and Seth out of the room. Mel held her younger cousins close to her. She wished, now more than ever, that she was half Whitelighter like her cousins. She could kill, but she couldn't heal. Wyatt eyed Seth warily, but his friend seemed calmer now. He wouldn't meet Wyatt's eyes. Wyatt couldn't blame him. He was the most powerful witch in the world, why hadn't he been able to protect Jessa?
"I can't heal her," Leo stated, frustration coloring his tone. "I don't think she'll last the night. Something is draining my powers before they take effect."
"Let me try," Wyatt insisted.
"Son, you can't save her."
"I have to try!"
He shoved them aside and attempted to heal Jessa. He poured more and more power into the effort, but he felt the magic draining away. This had to work; it just had to. He felt someone drag him away. "Wyatt, stop," Piper pleaded. He reluctantly let her lead him to the couch. "Baby, I'm so sorry," Piper whispered. She knew the pain that he was going through. Wyatt felt tears fill his eyes. He hated crying, but he couldn't stop. Piper didn't say anymore, she just held them. Abby and Blaire clung tightly to their mother. Chris went over and sat next to his brother. Mel hugged Pam tightly; the little girl was sobbing uncontrollably. Vicky suddenly ran outside, followed by Seth. "This can't be happening," Vicky whispered. She wrapped her arms around herself. Seth didn't trust himself to speak. A mixture of grief and fury rose up in him-a dangerous combination. Giving in to his anger would give his demonic side too strong a hold. "I should go," he stated, voice thick. Vicky nodded, not looking at him. She stared sightlessly at the night sky after he left. She had always believed that none of them would ever die. A naïve belief, but it was one that had never been challenged-until now. Jessa wasn't family, but she was the next best thing. Life would never be the same.
They buried Jessa the next day. Wyatt moved through the funeral in a daze. Jessa's father wept without shame; his baby girl, his only child was dead. Jessa's mother kept a civil but cool distance from the Halliwells. Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, Piper understood and didn't feel angry. Ellen's child was dead and hers was alive. She couldn't change that, but oh, how she wished she could. She had never wanted her children to pay this price, the price that had made her want to give up her magic several times over the years. A scream caught her attention. "What right do you have to be here? You killed my child!" Ellen was glaring at Wyatt with grief-filled eyes. His siblings and cousin moved to flank him. Pam, Abby, and Blaire stared in shock. In ten short strides, Piper had moved to face the grieving mother. "Demons killed Jessa, Ellen, not my son."
Ellen didn't listen. "You're the all-powerful Twice-Blessed witch, and you can't even heal my daughter?"
"I tried," Wyatt whispered.
Ellen's husband took her arms and turned her away from the group. "It's time to go," he said softly. He glanced back at the Halliwells as they walked away. His eyes held no accusation, only grief and a desperate longing that silenced any anger the Halliwells felt. "It's not your fault," Piper tried to reassure Wyatt. He shook his head, pulling away from her. "Yes, it is." He orbed out.
A/N: I am feeling discouraged at the distinct lack of reviews. The next chapter will only be posted if I receive three reviews. In fact, the story will be deleted if an insufficient amount of reviews are given. Review, please?
