Little Monsters
Phoebe and Jason sat across from each other in a quaint Italian restaurant. Presently they were leaning across the table, kissing quite passionately. Neither noticed the waiter approach, a bottle of wine in hand. He reached the table and cleared his throat to make his presence known.
"Pardon me," he said calmly. Phoebe and Jason looked up.
"Oh…Hi…I didn't see you there," Phoebe rambled, blushing profusely.
"There is no need to apologize, signora. Especially not for a kiss like that," he said with a smile, extending the bottle of wine.
"1995 brunello di montalcino," the waiter explained, showing Jason the label.
"Great. Decant it, please," Jason said. The waiter nodded and walked away.
"Wow…that was embarrassing," Phoebe breathed.
"Hey you heard the man, don't apologize," Jason said with a broad smile.
"I'm just so happy for you," Phoebe said, taking his hand in hers.
"Thank you. I still can't believe it. I've wanted to buy my grandfather's winery ever since he died," Jason explained.
"I know…" Phoebe murmured.
"I just hope he knows somehow," Jason sighed.
"I think he does," Phoebe answered.
"You sound like you have inside information or something," he laughed.
"Maybe I do," she said with a smile. Jason grinned, squeezing her hand tightly.
"You're so special, Phoebe," he said. Phoebe blushed a little more and got a vibe from him.
"I love you too," she said, immediately covering her mouth. Damn her empathic abilities.
"What was that?" he asked. Phoebe started to panic.
"Who said what?" she rambled.
"It sounded like you said 'I love you, too'," he stated.
"No…I said you twice. I said…I love you you," she rambled. She was really starting to panic and she knocked her wine glass over.
"Daniel, table three," the head waiter called. A young man appeared with a rag to clean it up.
"Thanks…I'm so sorry," Phoebe apologized. Just then, she spotted Prue walking towards them.
"Prue…" Phoebe said, jumping to her feet.
"Hi…sorry to bother you but Piper has bit of a…power problem and she could really use your help," Prue said.
"Can't she just call the power company?" Jason asked. Prue smiled a little at him.
"Well…she tried but the line was busy," she said, turning back to Phoebe.
"Alright…let's go. We'll you know…" she began, looking at Jason.
"Talk?" he offered.
"Yes. We'll talk later," she said and they rushed from the restaurant. Prue gabbed Phoebe's hand and the astral projection disappeared.
"Ok…yeah I really hate when you do that," Phoebe hissed at her sister. They looked over to see Piper staring at a creature standing over a demon.
"Ok…let's vanquish this thing," Prue hissed.
"Shh," Piper shot.
"Something beat us to it," she informed them both.
"Ew…what is it doing?" Phoebe whispered.
"I think it's eating it," Piper answered.
"Or storing it," Prue murmured. Before their eyes the demon disintegrated into dust, leaving just the creature behind.
"Ok…I say we don't wait to find out what that wants," Piper said. Her voice seemed to carry and alert the creature. It turned and stuck out its lizard-like tongue.
"Blow it up," Phoebe squealed. Piper flicked her wrists but it only served to piss the creature off.
"I'm trying," she said, sounding panic-stricken. Phoebe looked around and spotted a lose cable.
"Prue…the cable," she called. Prue waved her arm at it and it went soaring downwards, connecting with the creature. It exploded in a fiery vanquish and the girls heaved a collective sigh of relief. They were about to leave when a cry issued from a few feet away.
"What was that?" Prue asked. Phoebe shook her head but headed that direction. She found a bundle and unwrapped it. She found a baby staring up at her.
"Guys," she called, waving her sisters over. They all bent down around the infant as he stuck out a lizard-like tongue.
"Cute," Prue muttered as he did it again. Phoebe gently picked up the infant and looked at her sisters.
"We can't just leave it here," she said. Piper groaned but linked hands with her sisters and threw a transport potion.
The following morning, Prue and Phoebe stood watching the infant wiggling around in the playpen. Piper was nowhere to be seen.
"I still can't believe we vanquished its Mommy," Phoebe sighed.
"Yeah well…in our defense we didn't know it was a Mommy…and Mommy tried to kill us," Prue muttered.
"Still…he's just so adorable. Except when he does that weird thing with his tongue," Phoebe answered just as Piper walked in.
"Ok…Wyatt is upstairs so he should be…" she began but was interrupted by orbs appearing in the playpen. Wyatt materialized next to the demon child.
"Safe," she groaned.
"Wyatt will be ok. He has his protective bubble if he needs it," Phoebe reminded her sister.
"You know…maybe he's not all demon," Prue mumbled.
"He's demon enough," Piper grumbled as the baby stuck out its tongue and sucked up a pacifier.
"Guys, he's just a little baby. He can't be evil," Phoebe protested.
"Yeah…reality check, last half demon we trusted almost got us all killed," Prue shot.
"Please don't bring him into this," Phoebe begged.
"I'm just saying. They're just as dangerous as regular demons," Prue stated. Phoebe looked hurt and turned her back on her siblings.
"Phoebe…" Prue said, reaching a hand out but Phoebe shrugged it off.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," she muttered. Before Piper or Phoebe could speak, orbs fluttered into the room to form Chris. He looked at the three sisters.
"So….you vanquished the demon?" he asked. Piper gave a little laugh.
"Yes…and no,' she answered
"What does that mean?" he probed.
"The good news is…the demon you sent us after is…you know…gone," Prue explained.
"But whatever it was left us this," Piper groaned, pointing at the baby. He stuck his tongue out at Chris.
Prue snickered at the shocked look on Chris' face. "I think he likes you Chris," Prue wisecracked.
"I really don't care, vanquish it," Chris demanded angrily.
"Chris…." Phoebe said in a shocked voice.
"I mean it, vanquish it right now," Chris growled. Piper glared at the young Whitelighter; there was no way she was going to vanquish a child. Even when those demonic children were after them three years back, they sent them to purgatory in the demon catching truck.
"I am a mother Chris, there is no way in hell I am vanquishing a little baby," Piper chided.
"Someone's singing a different tune," Phoebe coughed and Piper glared at her.
"I'm just concerned that this could be the future evil that gets to Wyatt," Chris replied.
"Don't be ridiculous. He is just a baby," Phoebe retorted.
"I'm being ridiculous? There is a demon in the playpen. Does that not bother any of you?" Chris exclaimed. Before any of them could answer, the phone began to ring. Prue bolted for it.
"I got it," she called over her shoulder as she disappeared around the corner.
"If it's Jason, tell him I'm in the shower," Phoebe shouted. Piper eyed her sister.
"Are you avoiding him?" Phoebe answered.
"Sort of…I kind of told him that I loved him last night," she admitted.
"Ok…this is bad?" Piper questioned and Phoebe nodded, sinking into the nearby chair.
"It is when I said 'I love you, too'. As if he'd said 'I love you' first….which he didn't," she rambled.
"Oh yeah….that is bad," Piper agreed. Chris just watched them, awe-struck at how distracted they were.
"I mean…I'll be lucky if he doesn't move to Hong Kong permanently," Phoebe griped.
"I really thought I had my empath power under control," she sighed.
"Forget that. What are you going to do?" Chris interrupted.
"What can I do? I mean guys hear "I love you" and the bolt. It's just what they do," Phoebe replied.
"About the baby. I mean the baby," he shot.
In the kitchen Prue had the phone pressed to her shoulder. She was pacing back and forth. She could hear her sisters' voices in the other room but wasn't really paying attention.
"Darryl, slow down. What is going on," she said.
"I…I know I've never asked for anything before….but I need some help…magical help," he said, walking around downtown. SWAT teams were positioned around as onlookers were kept behind police tape.
"Ok…what's wrong?" Prue asked.
"It's this stupid kid. He's got hostages and I know him. He's not a bad kid but SWAT is ready to move in. I can't lose him, Prue," Darryl explained.
"Ok…I'll be there as soon as I can," she said and hung up, rushing back into the sun room.
"Was is Jason?" Phoebe asked.
"No…it was Darryl. He has a little problem…so I'm going to go help him. And then I have to get to work," Prue answered.
"What…no you can't leave," Chris protested as Prue headed for the front door.
"You're just going to let her walk away?" he demanded of Piper.
"You are welcome to try and stop her," Piper stated.
"I'm going to go talk to Jason," Phoebe sighed and headed in the same direction.
"Her too," Piper added.
"Call me if you need anything," she called over her shoulder.
"Ok. Love you," Piper replied.
"Don't!" Phoebe groaned.
"Sorry," Piper muttered with a small snicker.
"You're ok with them just dumping this in your lap?" Chris asked.
"Well they don't seem too worried," Piper answered.
"Well they should be. I need to figure out what the hell this thing is," he muttered and orbed up to the attic to retrieve the Book of Shadows.
Down at the Bay Mirror, Phoebe rushed in to the office and looked around.
"Hey, is Jason here?" she asked one of her co-workers. He looked at her nervously.
"No!" he exclaimed at first.
"I mean, yes, he is but he asked not be disturbed," he added. Phoebe gave a pitiful sounding laugh.
"Yeah, but that can't possibly mean me. I mean…why would it mean me?" Phoebe rambled. The man gave her a sympathetic look.
"Actually, it specifically means you. It's just what he told us all " he explained. Phoebe's mouth hung open in shock. It couldn't really be true.
"Did you two have a fight or something?" he probed. Phoebe was starting to get angry. It wasn't any of his damn business.
"No, but we're about to," she spat and charged forward. She pushed the door open and stopped short. A group of men looked up at her and Jason looked annoyed.
"Oh. Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized, feeling really stupid. Jason let out a sigh.
"Phoebe, what are you doing?" he asked, sounding frustrated. She scratched the back of her neck.
"I didn't know you were in the middle of a meeting. They just said…" Phoebe began but he cut her off.
"Well you should have.That's why the door was closed," he answered, standing up.
"OhReally? See I was told the door was closed specifically for me," she ranted. Jason turned his attention to his associates and apologized to them in Italian before forcibly showing Phoebe out of the office.
"I didn't know you spoke Italian," she hissed.
"How come I didn't know you spoke Italian?" she pressed.
"Is that what you came here to ask me, Phoebe? Why I never told you I spoke Italian?" he shot. The rest of the staff had gotten used them acting like a couple and were keeping their attention focused on their own work.
"No of course not. Though it would have been nice to know," Phoebe replied immediately.
"I just wanted to talk about last night, that's all," she added quickly.
"Okay, fine. But, can we do it later? I'm in the middle of a very important business meeting right now," he asked. She could tell he was not happy about being interrupted.
"Sure. I'm sorry about that, really I am. So how about tonight?" she offered.
"Tonight? Tonight's not good for me. I'm flying to Rome," he answered. Phoebe gave a meager laugh and crossed her arms over her chest. He hadn't really just said he was flying to Rome had he?
"Wait, what? Since when are you going to Italy?" she demanded.
"I've been meaning to tell you, it just came up today…" he trailed off.
"Really? That's pretty convenient don't you think. Let me guess…it came up right after I told you I loved you?" she spat angrily. She couldn't quite tell whose anger she was feeling; hers or his.
"Oh, come on. You can't be serious," Jason scoffed.
"I mean, I've heard of guys running when they hear the L word. I've seen it happen, but running all the way to Italy? That has to be some kind of new record, Jason," she shot heatedly.
"Could you keep your voice down, please? It's got nothing to do with that and you know it.
"That's a crock. We both know how you really feel about me. The only difference is I'm the only one who's not afraid of it. Ciao!" she said loudly and stormed out of the office, leaving Jason and the rest of the staff to stare at her in shock.
Back at the Manor, Piper and Chris are still in the sun room. Piper kept an eye on Wyatt and the demon baby while Chris flipped through the Book. He was currently looking at the page on Manticores. He trailed his finger down the page as he read.
"Vicious demons with supernatural strength and venomous claws. Manticores communicate with high-pitch cries and tend to travel in packs," he read and let out a sigh.
"Great. Well, I say we get rid of the thing before the pack comes looking for him," he suggested. Piper eyed the young whitelighter nervously. She knew he was dead set on keeping Wyatt safe but she wasn't entirely sure she could handle vanquishing a baby…even if it was demonic.
"Okay, fine. What do you suggest we do with him? Call social services? I don't really think they're going to want to take a demon baby," she stated.
"No, I suggest you vanquish it," he replied, rolling his eyes.
"Chris, I'm a mother, I can't go around vanquishing babies, no matter how evil they are," she reminded him.
"Piperit's not about how evil he is, it's how evil he will be. You have stop looking at him like he's a little baby and start looking at him like he's an unstoppable killing machine, because that's what he is," Chris rambled, starting to pace back and forth.
"I get what you're saying…I really do. I just can't do it," she answered.
"Piper, think about this. You're supposed to protect the innocents, right? Well, think of all the future innocents you can save by vanquishing him right now," Chris retorted. Piper just shook her head at him.
"Don't you think I know that? I'm scared to death of what he can possibly do to Wyatt but I can't even separate them," she replied, looking over at the two children. The demon baby gave a toothless grin, wiggling his tongue out at Wyatt.
"Piper, there's one thing you can do and you know it. And you better do it fast before any other Manticore show up. There's no known vanquishing potion," Chris muttered.
"I just can't do it. I'm sorry. But I can't vanquish a baby," she responded.
"Okay…fine. Well, if you won't listen to me, maybe you'll listen to Leo," he sighed and disappeared in orbs. Piper looked over at the two babies just in time to see the Manticore shimmer out and back in twice, a broad smile plastered on his face. She couldn't help but smile just a little bit.
Down at the post office, Prue was pushing her way through to the front of the crowd, trying to get Darryl's attention. Behind a large van, one of the SWAT was talking into his radio.
"We're in position, lieutenant, we've got a clean shot," he stated. Darryl was still pacing around; growing anxious that Prue wasn't there yet. Prue caught sight of the officer and let out a hiss.
(Prue stands behind a barricade along with other people who are watching.)
"Darryl! Over here," she called. He heaved a sigh of relief and lifted his radio to his lips.
"Stand by," he ordered and rushed towards her. He ushered her under the tape and started to lead her away from the crowd.
"What the hell took so long?" he asked. Prue gave a small sheepish smile.
"I have to head to a shoot after this and besides, I didn't want to astral project. Might have given you more magic than you were looking for," Prue answered. Darryl nodded but didn't look happy.
"I'm not sure what you could have done anyway. He's not letting any of the hostages go and SWAT is ready to move in," he said glumly.
"Ok. Uh…what do you need then?" she asked.
"I don't know, if I could just talk to the kid without getting shot," he answered with a shrug. He wasn't sure where this was going and he wasn't sure he was going t like the outcome either. Prue nodded and thought for a minute.
"I think I can come up with a spell," she muttered more to herself than to him.
"Whoa, spell. What spell?" he babbled.
"Just go with it" she muttered, taking a deep breath.
"Blessed with powers from my destiny, I bless this hero with invincibility," she chanted. Darryl glowed blue for a minute.
"How does it feel?" Prue asked, hoping it had worked.
"It's feels good," he said, sounding extremely confident in himself.
"Ok…uh just…be careful. Spells don't always work the way we want them to…personal gain and stuff," she warned as he walked away. He just nodded his head as he approached the front of the post office.
"I got it, don't worry," he called to the SWAT team.
Just inside the building, the young man who was holding hostages began to panic. He raised his gun at Darryl.
"Hey, turn around! Get out of here! I swear to god, man, I'll shoot! I'll shoot you, man! I swear to God I'll do it!" he shouted, the gun shaking in his hand. When Darryl didn't move he grabbed the man in front of him and pointed the gun at his head.
"Put your gun down, son. I just wanna talk," Darryl called. The boy fired off three rounds at Darryl but they simply bounced off of him. Darryl grinned.
"I'm going in!" he called.
High above the city on the Golden Gate Bridge. Leo stood, his eyes closed and arms outstretched. He didn't even move when Chris orbed in next to him.
"Leo, I have been looking everywhere for you," Chris said, sounding a little out of breath.
"What are you doing up here anyways?" he added when Leo didn't respond.
"Communing with the other Elders," he replied calmly. Chris tried to stifle a snicker. Leo opened his eyes and looked over at him.
"Uh…can anyone see us?" Chris asked, noting the height.
"Not me. But you look like a lunatic standing up here talking to yourself," Leo answered with a laugh.
"What do you want?" he continued.
"It's about Piper," Chris began but Leo interrupted him.
"Is she alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, she's fine, don't worry. It's Wyatt I'm more worried about," Chris answered.
"Why? What happened? Is he ok?" Leo asked, starting to look visibly worried.
"Well, nothing…yet," Chris muttered and cleared his throat.
"Just…you know…out of curiosity, what's the Elders' policy on vanquishing demon babies?" he asked. Leo raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why?" Leo questioned, arms crossed over his chest now.
"No reason, really. There's just one playing with Wyatt in his playpen as we speak," he answered with a shrug.
At the Manor, Piper walked into the attic and set Wyatt in the playpen in the center of the room. It had been almost impossible to separate him from his little 'friend' but she'd done it.
"Okay, listen to me, buddy. You will not orb down to your little friend, do you understand me? No orbing," she said firmly. He just looked up at her as the Manticore baby shimmered in next to him, giggling. Piper let out a loud huff.
"I give up," she gasped. Just as she sunk onto the couch, Phoebe walked in.
"I have had it with men. I swear, they are incorrigible," she whined.
"Well, let me tell you, little boys aren't much better," Piper interjected.
"I mean, I can understand running, if he didn't love me back, you know. Fight or flight, it's the nature of the beast," Phoebe rambled, seeming not to have heard her sister's comment.
"Speaking of beasts," Piper tried to interject again.
"But he does love me, I know, I felt it. So what's the big deal? You know, why is he running?" she continued on, clueless still.
"Pheebs, I get that your love life sucks right now but can we please focus on the demonic threat at hand?" Piper asked. Phoebe looked at her sister, her attention peaked.
"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked.
"Well…if this potion doesn't work then we won't be able to vanquish the Manticores when they come to pick up their little one," Piper explained, filling a couple vials with potion.
"Oh, you figured out what they are?" she asked, sounding interested now.
"Yeah, and it's not good, believe me," Piper sighed.
"What are they?" the younger of the two questioned as she leaned o the table.
"Manticores," Piper sighed. Phoebe nodded, not entirely sure that she understood the severity of the situation but she trusted Piper's instincts.
"So maybe Chris is right. Maybe we have to vanquish him," Phoebe murmured, looking over at the infant.
"Yeah, I know, but I can't," Piper hissed.
"Piper, you said it yourself, he was born evil," Phoebe reminded her.
"I know and I still believe that, I do. But something just doesn't add up about him," Piper began.
"I mean, why isn't Wyatt using his protective shield? Why doesn't Wyatt think he's evil?" she continued.
"Well, we have to keep Wyatt away from him," Phoebe said and walked over to the playpen. She started to reach in towards Wyatt when Piper called out.
"Phoebe, wait," she called but Phoebe had already picked Wyatt up and out of the playpen. As soon as his presence in the playpen disappeared, the baby began to cry.
"You stay away from my nephew. Don't think of shimmering after him either or I'll bind your powers," Phoebe scolded. This only caused baby to begin screaming, the shrill, piercing sound echoing through the attic.
"Phoebe, put him back down. Quickly," Piper rasped. Phoebe looked at and started to move back towards the playpen.
"Why?" she asked, setting him down in the playpen nonetheless. Almost immediately, a large, grotesque creature appeared behind Phoebe.
"That's why," Piper called. The creature caught Phoebe off-guard and sent her stumbling into Piper. The creature advanced on the playpen but Wyatt's shield surrounded the playpen.
"Hey! Get the hell away from my kid!" she shouted, continuing to try and blow him up. It had very little effect. Finally he shimmered out. Piper was about to heave a sigh of relief when she felt arms wrap around her and she was pulled out of the attic by a shimmer.
(She continues to try and blow him up until he shimmers out. He shimmers back in behind Piper, grabs her and shimmers back out.)
Some time later, Prue walked into the attic, carrying an ice pack. She glanced over at the baby to see he was asleep. Wyatt just sat there, staring back.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't here to help," she apologized as she handed her sibling an ice pack for her neck.
"I'm not really sure you could have helped even if you were there," Phoebe answered.
"That thing was just as powerful as the Manticore," she added.
"And you are sure that it wasn't a Manticore?" Prue questioned. Phoebe nodded.
"Yeah, I'm positive, it was more, I don't know, beast-like," she answered, pushing the book towards Prue. She looked down at the page on Manticores.
"Well they're not really all that attractive either," she muttered mostly to herself.
"What do you think it wanted with the baby?" Prue asked. Phoebe just shook her head.
"Honestly,I don't know. It's really weird though…it showed up right after the baby started screaming bloody murder. Kind of like it could hear him," Phoebe explained. She let out a loud, prolonged sigh.
"I can't believe I can't find Piper," she groaned.
"We'll find her. Look…she was making a potion right?" Prue began and Phoebe nodded, wincing in the process.
"Well I will work on the potion. If he wanted to kill her, she'd be dead already and you'd feel it. He probably took her somewhere protected," Prue rambled.
"He might use her as leverage for getting the baby…you know, like a trade," she added.
"Since when did you become an expert on hostage situations?" Phoebe snickered. Prue just gave her a look.
"I'm just saying that it makes sense. Demons…aren't above bartering," Prue muttered. Just then Leo and Chris orbed in.
(Leo and Chris orb in.)
"Hey," Chris said a little too loudly.
"Shh, keep it down," Prue snapped in a hushed voice as the baby started to stir.
"Where's Piper?" Chris hissed back, looking around.
"That's a really good question," Phoebe said with a guilty look.
"Wait, she's missing? When did that happen?" Leo asked.
"Did the Manticores take her?" Chris pressed. Phoebe couldn't look at either of them.
"No…not really. Some other creature that wanted the baby grabbed her," Phoebe answered.
"Damn it, you should have listened to me," Chris spat.
"You should have vanquished him when you had the chance," he concluded.
"Well apparently it's good that we didn't listen, even though I agree with you. We're going to need the baby if we want Piper back," Prue stated.
"Guys, keep your voices down," Phoebe hissed.
"I think I should take Wyatt just to be on the safe side," Leo interrupted.
"What if the other baby wakes up?" Phoebe asked softly.
"They won't be able to follow me where I'm going," he assured her and picked up Wyatt.
"He's going to scream bloody murder when he wakes up. He'll probably call half the Manticores in the city to come save him. Maybe the beast too," Prue said nervously.
"We have to be prepared," Phoebe said. She looked over at Leo and nodded her head that he could leave. As quietly as he could, he orbed out with Wyatt in his arms, Chris in toe.
"Let's get started on that potion," Phoebe said, standing up and setting the icepack down.
In a dark house, Piper looked around, her hands bound behind her to a post. She glanced over the poor housekeeping and broken furniture. A sound caught her attention as the floorboards cringed in the next room beneath the weight of the beast. She could just make out his large form in the darkness.
"Hello? Who's there?" Piper called, fighting against the ropes binding her hands. The creature peered around the corner, trying to stay hidden as best he could.
"I want the child," it called.
"Who are you?" Piper asked.
"I want the child!" it repeated.
"Yeah, I heard you the first time," Piper muttered as the creature ducked behind a bookcase.
"\Look, if you're trying to scare me, it's not going to work. I've seen worse, really," she called.
"I doubt it," the creature spat.
"I don't want to hurt you but I will if you don't do as I ask," he added.
"Who are you kidding? You need me. Otherwise I'd be dead already,' she shot
"Don't mock me!" the creature hissed, slowly coming into view.
"Okay, easy, easy. Sorry," Piper apologized.
"So, you're not a Manticore, are you?" she asked. He nodded his head.
"Why do you want the kid, then?" she pressed further.
"That's not your concern," the creature spat.
"Well, it is if you want my help. I'm not just going serve him up to you as a snack," she shot heatedly. She continued to work the ropes around her wrists, loosening them a little more.
"That's not why I want him," the creature answered.
"How did you get him away from his mother anyway?" he asked. Piper gave him a smile.
"We vanquished her," she answered. The creature recoiled, looking shocked.
"You have no idea what you've done," he shouted.
"We got a baby away from a demon. I'm sure as hell not going to serve him up to another one," she responded.
"Then you'll die," the creature threatened.
"The hell I will," Piper shot back, her hands finally free of the ropes. She blew up the bookcase behind the creature and headed for the door. She reached out and it zapped her, sending her backwards a few paces.
Down at the post office, Darryl had handled the situation a little too well. He was feeling incredible but everything he did or touched seemed to be magnified hundredfold. He was currently on his cell phone, trying to hold it as lightly as he could.
"Prue?" he asked.
"Hey Darryl. How'd it go?" Prue responded.
"Fine…except for the fact that I think your spell worked too well," he hissed.
"I warned you…personal gain is a bitch," Prue commented.
"Well fix it," he shot.
"Ok…hang on," she said and ended the call. She looked over at Phoebe.
"I'll be right back. I just have to go fix Darryl," she said and astral projected herself. She appeared and spotted Darryl. Thinking quickly she reversed the spell.
"Thanks," he said, feeling normal again.
"Yeah…ok…I have to go. Demons to vanquish, sister to save. You know…the usual," she said and disappeared.
Piper had given up trying to escape and was wandering around the house. She'd noticed a lot of baby toys lying around. She also noticed a picture lying the floor, the glass in the frame shattered. She was just about to pick it up when the creature appeared, pressing her against the nearby wall.
"Last chance. Help me get the child or die," he spat. Piper eyed him oddly and raised the baby rattle.
"What are you doing with this?" she asked. Angrily he sent her flying and she landed on the bed.
"What's wrong with you? Do you have a death wish?" he howled.
"I've come to far; I've gone through too much to lose him now. Don't make me kill you," he roared.
"Why don't you just do it, then? What are you waiting for? Get it over with. Come on…be a demon," she shot back at him.
"I can do worse than kill you. I can keep you here and you'll never see your child again," he hissed.
'Think about it," he spat and disappeared in a shimmer.
Back at the Manor, Prue had returned and they were finishing the potion. Prue tossed something in and the potion burped up a puff of smoke.
"Well, can't think of anything else to add," Prue said.
"I mean…this has to be one of the most powerful potions we've made since…" she added but trailed off. Phoebe merely nodded, understanding what her sister didn't want to say.
"I guess it's time to wake up the baby," Phoebe murmured. She was about to walk over to the playpen when her phone began to ring. She quickly answered it.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hey, it's me," Jason said from the other end.
"Oh, hi, Jason," Phoebe said, sounding surprised that he was calling after the argument they'd had at the office.
"Phoebe…I….I didn't wanna leave like this," he began.
"Oh….ok. Well can we talk about it later? I'm kind of busy right now," Phoebe asked.
"Oh, really? Come on, Phoebe, why are you always making things so difficult," Jason spat.
"Oh, I make things so difficult? And how exactly do I do that? By being honest with my feelings? And by making you be honest with yours?" she shot.
"Look…just…go to Italy. See your grandfather's winery. We can deal with this when you get back," Phoebe said as the baby woke and began to cry.
"You know it's not that simple," Jason answered. The baby began to scream, the shrieks growing louder every minute.
"Okay, I really have to go now. I'm sorry," she said and hung up before he could say anything more.
"Toss me a vial," she called and Prue tossed her one just as a Manticore shimmered in and smacked Prue, sending her flying across the room. Phoebe managed to vanquish it and rush to her sibling's side
"Prue, are you okay?" she asked. Prue gave a groan as a pair of Manticores shimmered in and sent Phoebe tumbling in the opposite direction. Before either sister could reach for a vial, the creature appeared and vanquished one of the Manticores. He was about to go after the second when it shimmered out, leaving a pool of green-ish blood on the floor. The creature walked over to the playpen and picked up the baby. His cries quieted.
"Phoebe, get the vial," Prue called. Phoebe managed to grab one and tossed it at the creature. It hit him in the shoulder and he growled in pain as he disappeared..
"So much for our leverage," Phoebe groaned.
Piper continued to try and blow up the door's shield barring her from leaving. She blasted it a few more times before the door sparked. She tentatively reached out and pulled the door open. What she saw next was a shock. It looked like a picture perfect neighborhood out of a magazine. There was a shimmer behind her and the labored breathing of the creature. Piper turned around and looked to see him tuck the baby into bed.
"You're okay. It's alright, you're home now," he whispered as Piper looked in on them.
Back in the attic, Phoebe and Prue were trying to reorganize things. Phoebe was squeezing some Manticore blood into an eyedropper while Prue filled more vials.
"This better work," Prue muttered.
"Oh, it will," Phoebe assured her as Chris and Leo orbed in.
"We talked to the Elders and they've all agreed. If we can't return the baby safely back to the Manticores," Leo began.
"We'll vanquish it," Chris finished, looking a little too excited about that prospect.
"Catch up guys. You're a little late," Prue mumbled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chris asked.
"Well, do you notice anything missing?" Phoebe asked. Both Leo and Chris looked around and over at the playpen to see it empty.
"The baby?" Leo offered and the girls nodded.
"What happened?" Chris demanded.
"Well…the, uh, beast took him. Right after the Manticores kicked our asses," Prue answered.
"This is all Jason's fault," Phoebe groaned.
"How's that?" Leo inquired. Phoebe just shook her head at him.
"Oh, you're a guy, you wouldn't get it," she grumbled.
"Wait, how are you supposed to get Piper back if you don't have the baby anymore?" Chris asked. He sounded a lot more worried than the girls did.
"Well, we're going to try to have a little meeting with the Manticores to see if they want to strike some kind of deal," Prue stated.
"If we can join forces with them to kill the beast, then they can get their baby back," Phoebe expounded.
"And we can get our sister back," Prue added.
"And what if they don't want to join forces?" Leo probed.
"Well, then we hope we have enough potions to convince them," Prue replied, holding up a vial of potion.
"No, no way, it's too risky. As your whitelighter…I forbid you to do it," he said. Prue just rolled her eyes.
"Nice try," Leo whispered in the young whitelighter's ear.
"Well, blood is thicker than water," Phoebe muttered as she squired some of the Manticore blood on the crystal and began scrying.
Piper leaned over the creature, pressing a clean rag to his wound. He yelped in pain as she applied more pressure.
"Stop moving around and it won't hurt so much. You're just making it more difficult," she scolded. She felt as though she was talking to a small child.
"Just leave me alone," the creature growled.
"Why? So you can die?" she shot. She paused for a minute and continued to dab at the wound.
"Hey, it's your choice. I'm just saying, if we can't stop this bleeding..." she continued.
"Fine. But just hurry up," he snapped.
"You're welcome. Who did this to you?" she muttered.
"Your sisters," he answered, wincing again.
"Oh. Sorry," she apologized.
"Actually, if they used the potion I think they did, you're lucky to be alive. You should have been blown to pieces," she added.
"How do you know?" he asked.
"Well…because I made it," she answered. S he applied some more pressure to the wound and the creature let out a roar of pain. (The creature roars.) Come on, show a little spine. What kind of demon are you?
"I'm not a demon," he spat angrily.
"Then what are you?" she pressed.
"I saw a picture of a man in the bedroom," she added. He glared at her.
"Oh, come on, I've been around a lot of demons and they don't usually live in neighborhoods right out of 'Home and Garden'," she finished.
"You think this is some sort of hideous curse or something, don't you," he scoffed.
"Yeah…pretty much," Piper answered. The creature stood up abruptly and faced her.
"Well, then go. I don't need your pity. It's not what happened and that's not who I am. Not anymore, anyway. Just leave us. Go," he shot angrily.
"Us? You mean you and your son?" she asked. The creature nodded. She stood up and walked towards him.
"What happened to you?" she pressed. The creature took a deep breath.
"Manticores mate with humans to create hybrids…so they can blend in and hide in plain sight," he began.
"They kill their mates after conception but I got away. Ever since all I could think about was saving my son. So he wouldn't have to be raised like them," he continued.
"The only chance I had to do that was to turn myself into this, to become powerful," he concluded.
"But then, um, how?" Piper asked, looking confused.
"I just started mixing potions using whatever I could steal from them," he started to explained.
"I didn't know what I was doing but I didn't care. All I cared about was finding a way to fight them, to find him. I didn't care what happened to me, I just wanted my son," he finished.
"You know they're going to try and take him back," she said softly.
"I know," the creature said somberly.
"So let's get you fixed up so we can fight them together," Piper stated, extending her hand.
Phoebe had found the Manticores and Prue had astral projected them there. The demons looked up from their meals when they noticed the two witches standing in the cave.
"Hey!" Prue called. The Manticores jumped up, starting to advance o Prue and Phoebe.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Phoebe called, as she and Prue held up potion vials.
"I hope we have enough," Prue hissed in Phoebe's ear.
"So, who wants to go hunting with us?" Phoebe asked. The Manticores looked at each other before flicking their tongues out in agreement.
Back at the creature's house, Piper appeared in the doorway with a large wet cloth. The creature was sitting in a chair, not looking too good.
"This is going to be a little cold," she warned as she pressed it to his bleeding shoulder. She held it there for a while but the bleeding continued.
"Look…the bleeding isn't stopping. I think you should come home with me. We should be able to do more for you there," she said and stood up.
"No, I can't," he spat.
"If you're worried about my sisters, I'll..." Piper began but he stopped her.
"It's not your sisters I'm worried about…it's the Manticores," he interrupted.
"They'll be looking for me there. They'll be looking for him there, too," he added.
"But you don't understand. See, we have somebody who can heal you once we turn you back into..." Piper began but he cut her off.
"You can't turn me back. No one can. Not unless I die," he spat, turning his back.
"So…explain to me how were you planning on raising your son like this?" she asked.
"I wasn't. Not really…," the creature admitted.
"I figured I'd find someone after. All I cared about was saving him. That's exactly what I'm going to keep on doing," he added gruffly. He headed for the door but Piper caught his arm.
"You can't run forever, you know. Not for long, not with that. What will you do then? Who will save your son when you're dead?" she pressed.
"You have a way with words, you know that?" the creature commented.
"I ad-lib a lot," Piper said with a smile just as Prue and Phoebe appeared via astral projection.
"Piper, duck!" Phoebe called as she and Prue tossed potions at the creature. She turned around blew them up.
"Piper!What are you doing?" Prue gasped just as two creatures shimmered in and began to attack the creature. Not giving their sister time to answer, Prue grabbed Piper and astral projected back to the Manor. Piper looked around and started to panic.
"What the hell are you doing?" Piper demanded.
"Saving your life," her older sister commented.
"No, you don't understand. We have to go back, hurry!" Piper ordered.
"Why?" Phoebe asked.
"Because…they're going to kill him!" she shot.
They reappeared in the creature's house to find him lying motionless on the ground.
"Oh, no," Piper gasped, falling to her knees at the creature's side. She glanced over at the bed to see the baby gone. When she looked back the creature had reverted back to his human state.
"We need to get him back to the Manor," Piper said. Prue took hold of everyone and astral projected back to the Manor.
"Leo, we need you!" Piper cried out. Leo and Chris orbed in immediately
"Hurry, he's dying," Piper said, ushering Leo towards the couch.
"Who is he?' Leo questioned, moving to the couch.
"The beast. Heal him, hurry," Phoebe answered, waving her hands at her brother-in-law.
"Where's the baby?" Chris asked.
"Themanticores have him," Prue replied. She didn't sound as thrilled as Chris had expected.
"Oh, so the plan worked? Great," Chris said, sounding pleased.
"Yeah, a little too well, unfortunately. They attacked him," Phoebe answered, nodding her head in the direction of the couch.
"Yeah, now we just have to get the baby back," Prue added.
"What?" Chris asked, looking between the sisters. They couldn't be serious.
"Prue, will you go fill up some potion vials, please?" Piper asked, looking at her older sister.
"Yeah," Prue answered and headed out of the room.
"Lots of them,' she called.
"What, hold up. Are you serious?" he asked.
"You finally get rid of the demon child and now you want to risk your lives trying to get it back?" he rasped. The girls nodded. Leo bent over the young man and his hands glowed golden.
"He's not a demon child. That's my son," he said firmly.
"How are you feeling? Are you alright…no internal bleeding or anything?" Piper asked, sounding motherly.
"I can't believe I'm human again," he sighed, sounding relieved.
"Aren't you glad you didn't kill me now?" Piper asked with a smirk.
"Not funny, I don't think that's funny," Leo said, eying Piper.
"Agreed," Chris added.
"Oh, what, are you two on like the same team now? Wow that's just weird," Phoebe murmured and turned to the man.
"We're going to get your baby back, I promise," she said sincerely.
"Do we not have a say in this?" Chris exclaimed, looking over at Leo.
"No, we don't. One thing you have to learn about being their Whitelighter is once they make up their mind, that's it," Leo responded.
"Besides, I'm a father first," he added. Chris just shook his head.
"So we're going to have to separate the baby before we attack. You know that, right?" Phoebe said, looking at the man on the couch.
"Why?" the man asked, his voice rising slightly in pitch.
"Well, because the potion vanquishes Manticores, and your son is half Manticore," she answered seriously. He nodded and took a deep breath.
"Please be careful," he said, placing a hand on her arm. She nodded as Prue returned with the potion vials. Together they transported to the cave. Most of the Manticores were asleep.
"I see him," Piper hissed, spotting the infant.
"Let's just hope he sees you before they see us," Phoebe gulped.
"Should I try to astral project myself over and get him?" Prue asked.
"No, he'll probably just shimmer back over and then we'll be in huge trouble. My plan will work," Piper insisted.
"Hurry, hurry," Phoebe pressed as Piper handed out the potions.
"Peekaboo. You can do it. Come on," she whispered, holding her hands over her eyes. A few of the Manticores looked up.
"Peekaboo. Come on, you can do it," she repeated. The baby giggled and shimmered out of the cave. The infant's disappearance alerted the Manticores. They all looked up and spotted the girls. Two whizzed towards the girls but they were hit with potion vials. The rest of the pack suffered the same fate. As the last scream died down, the baby reappeared, giggling still. The girls rushed forward and Piper picked him up.
"You're okay," she cooed.
"Good job," she praised as they
"Ok…so maybe I was wrong about the whole…all demons…even half-demons are bad thing," she said, looking over at Phoebe.
Some time later, Piper walked into the sun room to see the man watching Wyatt and the Manticore baby playing.
"Here are some clothes and a stroller," she said, pushing the stroller into the room.
"You sure you don't mind?" he asked, looking surprised.
"No, not at all. Wyatt's grown out of all of it and I don't see myself having more kids anytime soon, so enjoy,' she said with a wave of her hand to dismiss his concerns.
"Thanks. For everything. I'm sorry I kidnapped you," he said with a small laugh.
"I just, I wish there was something I can do for you," he added.
(Prue walks in.)
"Well, you could tell us your name," Piper answered.
"Sorry?" he asked, looking confused.
"Unless you prefer being called 'the beast'?" she added.
"Derek, my name's Derek," he answered.
"It's nice to meet you, Derek," Piper said, extending her hand. He shook it.
"What about this little guy. What's his name?" she probed.
"You know…I never gave him one. I honestly never had the chance," he answered, looking embarrassed.
"Well, now you do," Piper replied.
"Well, I guess I should be going, that is if I can pry him away from Wyatt," he sighed, smiling.
"Yeah, good luck," Piper laughed. With a shimmer, the baby was in the stroller, looking up at his father intently.
"Don't be a stranger. They seem to get along great and…Wyatt might be a good influence on him," Piper stated. Derek nodded and they stood in silence for a few minutes.
"You know, if you ever need us to bind his powers..." Piper began but he cut her off.
"No, thanks, that's really sweet but it's not necessary. Not right now anyways. He's a good boy so it's just up to me to make sure he stays that way," Derek answered with a shake of his head.
"In that case he's in good hands," Piper stated with a smile.
"Well, take care," she added, giving the baby a wave.
"You too," Derek said and pushed the stroller out of the room. Piper gazed down at Wyatt and couldn't help but smile at him. He laughed and disappeared in orbs, reappearing in his mother's arms.
"Learned a little trick did you?" she teased, sitting down in the rocking chair and holding him close.
