Wow just a little begging and I get a bunch of reviews. I should do it more often. Well since I will be away from my computer for the weekend I figured it was only fair to post a really long chapter, ok, so I didn't plan it that way but it works out the best for everyone. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last few chapters, like I said, I love to read them. So please continue reading and reviewing and enjoy the next chapter.
Like I said I will be away from the computer until Sunday night so it will be at least two days before I update again. Please don't hate me.
About 20 minutes later Wyatt and Chris orbed into Piper's office at P3. A moment later two ripples in the air appeared revealing Blake and Bianca.
"Ha, we beat you" Wyatt said.
"By a second" Blake said. "I didn't shimmer until I knew you were here."
"Yea, same here" Bianca said.
"Well now that we're here, let's go check things out. I think H.J. is spinning tonight, so at least the music will be good" Chris told the group.
The foursome walked out of the office and found a booth against the wall. Peyton walked over a short while later.
"So let me guess, three beers and a vodka sour" she said with a grin.
"No need to change, it would make your job so much harder" Blake said laughing.
"Yea love you too Blake" Peyton said sarcastically.
"So how is the crowd tonight Pey?" Wyatt asked.
"Good, I think H.J. brought in most of the crowd tonight, I saw flyers all over campus advertising him spinning tonight" she replied. "Oh and Mel and her date are here too."
"What? How long have they been here?" Chris asked.
"Oh since about 9 or so. He seems like a nice guy, except…" suddenly Peyton lost her train of thought.
"Except what?" Wyatt asked.
"I don't know, my mind suddenly went blank" Peyton replied.
"Well that's not new" Blake replied.
"Hey, now that's two insults in the last minute. You're cut off for the rest of the night" she answered back.
"Must not have been that important if you spaced it out like that" Bianca said to the young witch.
"No, I guess not" Peyton replied as she turned to get her drinks.
"So, Mel is on a date" Blake mostly stated with a rough tone. He didn't know why, but ever since Halloween he had been getting jealous of Mel going out with other guys. He just attributed it to how close he was with her family. But there was something plaguing him in the back of his mind.
"Yea, the guy is actually nice, Wyatt and I met him earlier" Chris said as he put an arm around Bianca.
"Whoa, you two actually liked a guy Mel was going out with. Blake do you want to shimmer down to the underworld with me to see if Hell froze over?" Bianca said sarcastically.
"Oh you're very funny" Chris said as he made a face.
"I try. So, what did you two like about this guy?" the Phoenix asked.
"He was just really calm and cool. Apparently when he found out we were Mel's brothers he expected an interrogation" Chris explained.
"Yea, but next time I'm asking what kind of vehicle the guy drives" Wyatt said coolly as he crossed his arms.
"What does that mean?" Blake asked.
"Oh he took my baby sister out on a motorcycle. You know a two wheeled death trap of despair" Wyatt exaggerated.
"Oh you're such a drama queen Wy. That sounds like fun" Bianca said as Peyton came back with their drinks.
"Sorry it took so long guys, it's packed up there" she said as she put the drinks down.
"No problem Pey. So, where are Mel and this guy, I want to see him" Bianca said getting up.
"Um, yea me too" Blake said following the Phoenix.
"Why are you interested in Mel's date?" Chris asked.
"Dude, I just want to make sure she is ok. You know, so it doesn't look as suspicious having me poke around than you guys" Blake said quickly.
"Good idea. Go find them you two" Wyatt answered.
"Last I saw they were on the dance floor, but they have a table over there" Peyton pointed.
Blake and Bianca walked through the packed club. Bianca kept an eye on the dance floor while Blake kept an eye on all the dark corners.
"There they are 10 o'clock" Bianca said looking to her right.
Blake's eyes followed to where Bianca was looking. "I don't see them" he said.
"That's because they are at 10 o'clock and you are looking at 3 o'clock" the Phoenix retorted. "Spying 101 Blake, you don't look directly at the people you are spying on. They are to our left, so I look right and use my peripheral vision" she explained in an annoyed tone.
"Oh I get it" Blake said as he used followed Bianca some more. "How are we going to approach them?" Blake said to the girl.
"Dude, I'm an assassin, we usually keep our distance" Bianca told the half-manticore.
"Well, I'm a snoop, and we usually don't" Blake said as he started walking directly towards the table Mel and Shayne were sitting at. "Hey Mellie" Blake said as he got to the table.
"Blake! What are you doing here?" Mel asked surprised.
"Um, it's a club and it's Friday. Not to mention your brothers wanted to get out of the house for a while" Blake answered back as Bianca came up to the table.
Mel groaned. "You two just had to bring them here didn't you" she said jokingly.
"Hi, I'm Shayne" Shayne said holding out his hand to the young demons.
"Hey man, I'm Blake. Nice manners you have there, Mellie" Blake said smiling at the young witch.
Blake heard in his head "Shove it. And stop calling me Mellie in front of him."
Blake continued to smile. She really couldn't do anything to him. At least not in the club, but once they were outside and away from witnesses… Blake shuttered at the thought.
"I'm Bianca" Bianca said shaking Shayne's hand.
"So how do you all know each other" Shayne asked Blake, sounding a bit uncomfortable.
"I've been friends with her brother Wyatt since we we're babies. We're almost family. I'm worse than her brothers when it comes to watching out for Mel" Blake said coolly. Something was off about this guy, but Blake couldn't tell what it was.
"And I'm Chris's girlfriend" Bianca replied. She seemed mesmerized by the young man's voice.
"Yea, known each other for forever. Alright you two should get back to my brothers, oh and try and keep them away from us" Mel said trying to whisper.
"Um, yea. Anyway it was nice to meet you. See you later Mellie" Blake said as he and Bianca walked away.
Bianca whispered to Blake as they walked back to the table "Dude, if you we're a secret agent, you would have been dead on your first mission."
"Yes, but I'm not. I'm a producer and I currently work in a hellish office producing, shooting, and editing advertisements" he retorted.
"When was the last time you went to hell?" Bianca asked jokingly.
"Other than today when I went to work… it's been a while, I hate the underworld. No color" he said with a laugh.
The two got back to Chris and Wyatt.
"Alright, what were they doing?" Wyatt asked quickly.
"They were sitting and talking." Blake said disgruntled. "Now don't take this as a red flag, but there was just something unusual about him.I don't like him, I mean he seemed nice, but I don't know, just didn't feel right" Blake told the two brothers.
"That's it, I'm cutting her date short" Wyatt said as he went to get up, only to have his path blocked by an angry Phoenix.
"Wyatt Matthew Halliwell, you will sit your ass in that booth and leave your baby sister alone. Dating is hard enough without you two always butting in" Bianca said defensively.
Wyatt looked at the girl. She was about the same height as his sister, but she looked a lot stronger. Her eyes also had a certain fierceness that he couldn't pin down. And knowing that the witch had actually killed people made him all the more willing to listen. The blonde witch-lighter sat back down and cowered.
"Ok, you have got to teach me how to do that" Chris said as his girlfriend sat down next to him.
"Blake what did you mean something didn't feel right?" Bianca said turning to the half demon.
"I don't know. You know when you meet someone and you just instantly put your guard up. It was kind of like that. Maybe I just have heighted senses right now, since you guys told us about that whole… Roman Holiday" Blake told the group with a smirk.
"Ha, ha you're very hilarious" Chris said. "That could be true. Even all of us have been on edge a little bit."
"Alright, enough about Mel and her date and certain duties. We are here to have a good time" Bianca said as she pulled Chris towards the dance floor.
Blake jumped over to the other side of the booth him and Wyatt were sitting at.
"Alright Halliwell, I have three brunettes and a red head that could be promising, what have you got.
"Oh, just two blondes, an attractive looking Goth, and a set of twins" Wyatt said as he wagged his eye brows up and down.
"Ooo and Halliwell wins again. Alright, left or right?" Blake said.
"I had right last time, so I've got left tonight" he said as the two got up to go talk with the twins.
Mel and Shayne we're having a great time. They had talked about everything, including more about living in Salem which still made Mel nervous. Before they knew it, it was closing time, and they were walking out of the club. Mel glanced around as she saw her brothers, Bianca, and Blake head to her mom's office. Mel and Shayne proceeded to the parking lot. The two got on Shayne's bike and he took her back home. The bike pulled up in front of 1329 Prescott Street and the two got off the seat. Shayne walked Mel up the front steps and they stood in front of the double doors.
"Hey Shayne" Mel said.
"Yes" he answered back.
"I'm really glad I said yes" she said as she smiled at the young man.
"I'm glad you said yes too. So, how about I call you this week and we can study for that midterm" Shayne said as he shuffled his feet around.
Mel thought about Peyton's vision. If she didn't do something Shayne might not make it to the midterm.
"We could wait until then… or what are you doing tomorrow night?" Mel asked.
"I am going with a friend to a concert" Blake answered in a rushed tone.
"Oh, um what concert" Mel asked.
"It's an underground band, I doubt you would have heard of them" he replied back.
"I see. Well, if the concert doesn't go too late maybe we could do something afterwards?" Mel asked trying not to sound desperate.
"Maybe" Shayne said as he took a step away from Mel.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out. I just… had a nice time with you tonight. I needed that. Thanks" Mel said as she gave Shayne a hug.
"Well I had a great time too. I'll call you later" he said as he kissed her hand and walked down the steps.
As soon as he was out of sight the front door swung open. Mel whipped around and saw Chris standing there with a scowl on his face.
"Ok, I was expecting Wyatt, not you" Mel said as she walked past him.
"Ha, if you would have heard Bianca tonight lay the smack down on him for trying to interrupt your date, you wouldn't be down here either" he remarked.
"Ok, so why are you down here then?" Mel asked as she went to the kitchen.
"Because my little sister was on the front porch with a guy. Mellie, I trust you and you know I love you, but when Blake met Shayne tonight he said he got a weird vibe from him. I was just you know, making sure you were ok" Chris said as he sat at the table.
"Chris I'm fine. Just because Blake got some inky feeling from…" Mel stopped mid sentence. Did Blake's weird feeling have anything to do with Peyton's premonition?
"Are you going to finish that thought?" Chris asked curiously.
"Um, sorry, I just got… sidetracked. Blake's feeling probably is coming from hanging around you and Wyatt too much" Mel said.
"Probably, but Mel, nothing in our lives happens at random. Just tread lightly I guess is what I am saying" Chris said as he got up and walked out of the kitchen.
Mel went to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. As she was about to open the door Chris came flying through the air into the room. Mel ran over to her brother worried.
"Chris!" Mel said as she went to his side.
"Demons" Chris said as he grimaced. He hurt his arm on the landing.
Mel jumped up and looked in the direction Chris had come from. There were three demons walking towards the kitchen all with fire balls charged up. Mel quickly flicked her fingers out, attempting to blow up the demons. Upon seeing the demon she hit didn't instantly blow up she screamed.
"Mel!" Chris yelled seeing what happened.
Mel continued flicking her fingers out. The demon on the left threw his fireball at the young witch. Seeing the attack Mel flicked her fingers out again and froze the fireball. Using his good arm Chris sent the fireball back at the demon sending him to the wasteland. The movement made Chris screw up his face in pain.
"Wyatt!!" Mel shouted.
Blue and white orbs formed next to Mel.
"Mel, I didn't do anything to disrupt your date, so I would appreciate you not yelling at me" Wyatt said crossing his arms.
"Duck!" Mel shouted as she tackled her oldest brother. "I shouted because there are demons in the house! Oh yea, and I can't blow them up!" she added.
Wyatt pushed his sister off of him and jumped up. One of the demons threw a fire ball at him and Wyatt put up his shield. The fireball hit the shield and dissolved.
"Chris do you remember when we faced off against Vorine? I'm going to drop my shield and then channel the fire part of my wave incineration power. Use your telekinesis to hit the demons like before" Wyatt instructed telepathically.
Chris nodded from his spot on the ground still holding his arm. He readied his good arm to throw the fire. Upon shifting his upper body pain shot through his arm and shoulder. Chris let out a small cry in pain and looked at his siblings to make sure they didn't hear him. Suddenly Wyatt's shield dropped and a small ball of fire appeared in front of the eldest Halliwell. Knowing he couldn't move his arm, Chris focused on the growing ball of fire.
"If this is ever going to work, it better be know" Chris thought to himself.
"Anytime Chris" Wyatt yelled as Mel froze an oncoming fireball.
Chris continued to focus on the fire Wyatt was creating. A moment later he saw the fire shooting towards the demons. The flames collided with the demonic figures, blowing them to oblivion.
"And thanks for playing" Mel said dusting herself off. "Now for you mister, you could have been a little quicker on the draw" she said to Chris.
"Heal first, bitch later" Chris said as his breathing got irregular.
Wyatt bent down and put his hands over Chris's shoulder. A moment later the healing glow emanated from his hands and repaired the damage caused to his brother's arm.
"Thanks. Now, I couldn't move my arm so I figured now was as best time as any to try and focus my TK through my eyes" Chris said as he took some deep breaths.
"You channeled your power through your eyes?" Mel asked excitedly as Chris stood up
"Yes. That's why it took so long to use to. But now I feel a little light headed" Chris said as he put his arm against the wall to steady himself.
"I got you" Wyatt said as he caught Chris. "Come on, and sit down" Wyatt said as he guided his brother over to the table.
"You probably forced your power. I mean, it probably would have naturally developed to channel through your eyes, but since it didn't do it on its own the dizziness is probably a side effect" Mel stated as she got Chris some water. "Do you want me to look around?" she asked as she set the glass next to him.
"What would that do?" Chris questioned.
"It would tell me if there is an imbalance. Remember this morning when I searched you for new powers? Well I felt a pull towards something, but I didn't really think much of it because it wasn't that strong, it could have just been a mental barrier or something. Maybe this was the pull, your TK power was growing.
"Uh huh, and why didn't you tell me this before?" Chris asked as he crossed his arms.
"Because I didn't think it was relevant. I told you it didn't feel like a power, it was faint" Mel defended herself. "Just clear your mind ok, I've got work to do" she said as she started concentrating on Chris's mind. A few moments later Mel had a blank look on her face as she was going though her brother's head. Suddenly Mel jolted back and then shook her head.
"Ouch, what the hell was that for?" She questioned as she rubbed her head.
"What was what for? I didn't do anything" Chris said confused.
"Chris something weird is going on. I read you this morning and nothing was new. Now your readings are suddenly off the charts" Mel said a little frantic.
"Wait. What do you mean off the charts? Like he got a new power?" Wyatt questioned.
"Like yea. What makes you so special that you get all these powers, I have had one power my whole life" Mel complained.
"Yes, but Mel, your one power allows you access to several powers" Wyatt pointed out.
"Details. But Chris, I can't get a solid read on what's going on with your powers right now. It's so strange powers are supposed to evolve slowly, something is going on" she said as Chris tried to stand up and had to sit back down again.
"And I'm not really feeling like researching right now. Can one of you two orb me to my room?" he asked with a squeaky voice.
"I got him. Do you need anything?" Wyatt asked his younger brother.
"No, just bed" he said as Wyatt put his hand on his shoulder and orbed the two out.
Mel headed up the stairs and walked past Chris's room as Wyatt was coming out.
"Mellie, I hate to do this, but maybe you should use those orange blossoms I got a few weeks ago to help stop bad dreams. I just think Chris needs some alone time in his head right now" Wyatt explained.
"I would Wy, but maybe our telepathic link is what he needs right now. Remember the good with the bad" she explained.
"But Mel…" Wyatt started but never got to finish as he and his sister were engulfed in white and blue orbs.
The two re-appeared 'Up There'.
"Oh what the hell?" Mel said exasperated causing all the clicking to stop and hooded figures faced the two Halliwells.
"Melinda Prudence!" Wyatt said in a loud whisper. "Don't swear, do you know where we are?" he asked.
"I'm assuming we are in Elder Land, and do I look like I give a rat's…" suddenly Wyatt's hand was around Mel's mouth.
"What did I say. And yes we are 'Up There' but why?" Wyatt wondered out loud as he put his hand down.
"Sorry, I had to bring you up here on such short notice, but it was a necessity" Sandra said coming out from nowhere.
"Necessity? What is so necessary at 3:00 a.m.?" Mel wondered.
"Your brother" she said.
"Chris? What's wrong?" Wyatt asked concerned.
"Oh nothing. But Melinda, you were right, he did receive new powers. Your brother, as you both know, isn't just part white-lighter, he is part Elder. Now, not all Elders have an active power, just the ability of foresight, but when your father was one of us, he had certain powers. These powers were passed onto Christopher and he has just managed to tap into them" Sandra explained.
"But Chris didn't tap into any new power, it was an older power just channeled differently" Wyatt explained.
"Yes, but the fact that he forced the change allowed his Elder powers to come to the surface. Since Elder's powers are usually bestowed and not inherited his body couldn't handle it right away. That's why he got dizzy. After he sleeps tonight his body will be recharged and ready to absorb his new powers. I watched the attack and knew you two were concerned about him" Sandra explained.
"Alright. Why do you guys suddenly care now if we are concerned?" Mel asked coolly. "I mean I have nothing against you Sandra, you have at least been good to our family. But you're interference doesn't break some kind of code or law or rule does it?"
"To tell you the truth, it does. Several actually, however I won't be an Elder much longer. I am retiring soon and really don't care much what the others say. So I will also give you the heads up young Wyatt, that you will be called on to guard me when I come down to earth to pass my powers on. I'm not sure when this will happen, I just know it will be soon" Sandra said with a wink.
"So back to Chris's new powers… what are they?" Mel asked anxiously.
"Now that I won't tell you. Powers must be figured out in their own time. Even your youngest cousin had to figure her power out. You all just helped it along" Sandra told the young witch.
Mel sighed. "Fine. But why can't I get a read on the powers then?" she asked confused.
"It's because of the stress his body is under trying to sustain the new abilities. By tomorrow when things settle down you should be able to sense the powers. But remember Melinda, he has to figure out the powers in his own time" Sandra reiterated.
"So what you're saying is that even though I will know what his powers are I can't tell him. And I know I won't be able to use them until he finds a way to trigger them" Mel said defeated as she looked down.
"Precisely. Now you two better get back home. It's late down there you know" Sandra said in a mothering voice as she disappeared in orbs.
"I don't know whether to laugh about that, or be really annoyed" Mel said as her and Wyatt orbed home.
The next morning Chris awoke feeling much better. He stretched as he shifted positions and settled back into his bed. Chris's eyes shot open as he realized that the shower wasn't running. The young witch lighter jumped out of bed, opened his door and bumped into his brother in the hallway.
"Not this time Wyatt" Chris said as he orbed into the bathroom without giving Wyatt a chance to react.
Wyatt walked down the hall to Mel's room and walked in.
"Chris apparently didn't know I had already showered this morning" Wyatt said as he sat down on his sister's bed. Mel was in her bathroom doing her hair.
"Why do you say that?" she asked as she ran the flat iron through a section of long brown hair.
"Because he opened his bedroom door and when he saw me walking down this way he said 'not this time' and orbed into the bathroom" Wyatt explained.
"Oh. What should I wear today?" Mel asked brushing off Wyatt's comment.
"So you're not concerned about Chris and his new powers?" Wyatt asked.
"Sandra said not to worry. He'll activate his new powers soon and then it will be all fine and dandy" Mel said as she continued working with the flat iron. "So back to what I should wear."
"You wouldn't wear what I tell you to wear anyway" Wyatt said as he walked over to the bathroom door and leaned against the frame.
"Well, don't cover me from head to toe in caste iron and we will be just fine" Mel said with a smile and she brushed past her older brother.
"I like that shirt you have with the sword going thought the heart, I think its black. And it has Latin writing on it" Wyatt explained.
"Hmm" Mel thought for a moment. "I could make that work" she said as she dug through her closet and found the shirt in question. Then she rummaged through the over flowing rack and found a pair of dark blue slightly baggy jeans. "One moment" she said as she went into her bathroom. A few minutes later she emerged wearing the outfit and then opened one of her dresser drawers. "I'm surprised you like this shirt, you know it shows my belly button" Mel said her voice dripping in sarcasm.
"I don't know I just like it, even if your stomach is bare. Why do I have to help you find an outfit? I thought you were some big fashion designer" Wyatt said sarcastically.
"I will be some day. And it's always good to have a new perspective on your closet" Mel said with a smile as she pulled out a red bandana. She tied the bandana pirate style around her head and then grabbed a pair of black boots from the bottom of her closet. "How do I look?" She asked Wyatt.
"Like a bad ass biker chick" Wyatt said. As soon as the words were out of his mouth he remembered Shayne picking her up on the bike last night.
"No, it's not because he drives a motorcycle" she said put on some dark lip gloss.
"Hey you aren't supposed to read my mind" he said.
"I didn't do it intentionally. When your thoughts peaked I just got a reading. It's like empathy and a high emotion spike" she explained.
"Sorry. Look Mellie it's not that I don't trust you…" Wyatt started.
"It's just that you don't trust him. I know Wy, and it's not from reading your mind so don't give me that look. Chris sort of explained it last night before the demons attacked" Mel told her oldest brother.
"I explained what?" Chris said walking in with a towel around his waist.
"Ok, Chris, in this house it's probably not a good idea to be prancing around in something that could fall off easily" Mel said as she put her hand up blocking her line of vision between her and her brother.
"Mel you're sick. It's not like you can see anything" Chris said as he went to his room to change.
Mel yelled after him "Yea, well you weren't almost buried alive for kissing your brother."
Wyatt cringed "Can we just not bring that up ever again. I mean I know it wasn't actually me you were kissing, it was a shape shifter, but seriously gross."
"Yea, I just hope that demon doesn't kiss the way you do, because if that was mimicked too, then how did you ever have so many girlfriends in high school?" Mel questioned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Wyatt asked as he and Mel walked out of her room.
"That guy was a bad kisser. If you are that bad too, then seriously dude, I have a martial arts dummy in the basement you could practice on" she said as the two descended the stairs.
"Yea whatever Mellie. So, how was your date last night?" Wyatt asked.
"Are you seriously interested, or do you just want to know if you get to beat him up today?" Mel asked back.
"I'm seriously interested Mellie" Wyatt said as they made their way to the kitchen.
"It was fine. He's a nice guy, we just talked a lot" Mel explained as she got out some oatmeal.
"That's good. Now for the record he didn't try anything? And you're going to make me some of that too right?" Wyatt questioned eyeing the oatmeal.
"No he didn't try anything. And make your own" Mel said as she got some milk out.
"I can't, remember" Wyatt said with a smile.
"Fine. Then make yourself useful and get me some yogurt out of the fridge" Mel said as she made enough for her and her brothers.
Chris came walking in the kitchen as Mel finished stirring the oatmeal.
"Where are mom and dad?" Chris asked curiously.
"They went to New York for that food show thingy. They left at like 6 a.m." Mel stated as she slid a bowl of oatmeal in front of Chris.
"Thanks I'm starving. I feel like I have been orbing all over the planet" he said as he devoured his breakfast. "What food show thingy?" he asked between bites.
"You know mom is a guest judge for some cook off show on the food channel" Mel explained.
"That's right! How did I forget about that?" he questioned.
"Maybe because we are here more than they are. Since mom opened her restaurant, dad and her are never here. How does he keep working at magic school?" Wyatt asked himself.
"Mom says Aunt Paige orbs him back and forth when she can. That way he can keep the school open and support mom. And Aunt Paige likes to take breaks from her charges every now and then. Even if it is just a quick orb across the country" Mel chimed in as she slid yogurt in front of her brothers.
"Mel this is chick food" Wyatt said pushing it back at her.
"Well I'm glad you made sure to make a chauvinistic point about it" Mel said taking it back and eating it herself.
"I don't care what it is, I'm hungry" Chris said devouring the bowl of dairy product.
"Do you want me to make you some more?" Mel asked concerned.
"No I can make it myself" Chris said standing up. "But thanks for the thought" he said as he kissed Mel on the forehead.
"Why don't you ever offer to make me food?" Wyatt asked.
"First of all you always just tell me to make you something when you see me cooking. And second you didn't get a power surge last night" Mel told Wyatt before she realized what she was saying.
"Power surge what are you talking about?" Chris asked as he poured a bowl of cereal.
"Mel!" Wyatt said giving Mel a stern look.
Mel quickly covered her mouth realizing what she said. "Oh crap I wasn't supposed to mention that" she replied.
"Mention what? What's going on you two?" Chris asked concerned.
"We weren't supposed to mention anything. And surprisingly I wasn't the one to crack. Between Mel and I, she could keep a secret forever" Wyatt said getting off topic.
"Yes we know Wy, you are as loose lipped as the rest of the family but back to this power surge" Chris probed.
"You know how you managed to channel your TK through your eyes last night?" Mel explained.
"Yea. I would hardly call that a power surge" Chris said.
"Do you remember feeling dizzy afterward?" Wyatt asked pouring himself a cup of fresh brewed coffee.
"Yea and you orbed me upstairs" Chris recalled.
"After you were in bed Wyatt and I got orbed up to the Elders, Sandra specifically. She told us that you forcing your TK to expand resulted in you receiving your Elder powers" Mel told her brother.
"Elder powers, what do you mean Elder powers?" Chris asked confused.
"You know because you're part Elder, not just white lighter" Wyatt explained.
"Am I just going through a magical growth spurt this year or something. I mean I'm not complaining but I just got my healing power not that long ago, and before that I had gotten the power of Astral Projection" Chris rambled.
"Alright Chris we get it. Wyatt, didn't Sandra say I should be able to read the powers by morning?" Mel asked.
"I think so, but why do it. You can't tell him about his powers, and you can't use them until he figures them out so you may as well not tempt yourself" Wyatt explained.
"But I'm curious" Mel said giving Wyatt a sad puppy dog pout.
"Mel, you know that look only works on Chris" Wyatt told her.
Mel walked over to Wyatt and wrapped her arms around his body. She looked up at her brother and batted her eye lashes sweetly, then said "Please."
"OK, that look works on me. But it's not my decision, it's not my head or my powers" Wyatt said as Mel let go of him.
"What do you say Chris? Can I try and read your new powers?" Mel asked excitedly.
"What did Wyatt mean that you can't tell me about my powers?" Chris asked.
"Sandra said that even if I could read them I couldn't tell you because you had to figure them out for yourself" Mel explained.
"Well then Mel I think I agree with Wy. There is no reason to tempt yourself. I'll figure out my powers in time" Chris said as he put his cereal bowl in the sink.
Mel looked away slightly hurt but she understood the reasons. "Well I need to get things in order at P3 tonight. Why do I always get stuck looking after the club?" Mel questioned.
"Because you like to party. I'm in charge of the restaurant because I like to cook. And Wyatt is in charge of us because he likes to be in control" Chris said smiling at his brother.
"You're a real pain in the ass you know that" Wyatt said looking through the newspaper.
"So what else do you guys have planned for the day?" Mel asked.
"I need to look through the book of shadows. Faith and I were playing basketball in the park yesterday and we were attacked by demons" Wyatt told his siblings.
"That's odd. Warlocks attacked at the restaurant last night too" Mel said.
"Great, who saw?" Chris asked.
"Nobody. It was in the kitchen and I froze the dining room" Mel explained.
"Wait two attacks last night. And then the attack here makes three" Chris pointed out.
"But Faith and I were attacked by Krycheck demons. The demons here last night were different. And Mel said it was Warlocks at Charmed which sort of points to a random attack theory" Wyatt pointed out.
"Wyatt nothing is random in our lives" Chris retorted.
"True. But I really have to get going to the club guys, so if you find anything call me" Mel told her brothers as she started walking to the front door.
Her brothers followed her. "So you're not going to stay and help?" Wyatt asked.
"I would but somebody needs to take care of the club for mom. Listen Wy if I was going to spend time with my friends then yes I would cancel but this is important. And it's just research right now" Mel said as she opened the coat closet.
"Yea and actually Wyatt I need to go check things at the restaurant. It's bad enough I forgot mom was out of town I can't forget about Charmed too" Chris said as he reached for his jacket which seemed to be missing. "Hey where is my leather jacket?" Chris asked his siblings… then his eyes fell onto Mel. "Hey that's mine" Chris said eyeing his sister.
"Yes, but it goes with my outfit. Not to mention you are wearing a polo today. Preppy and biker, not a good fashion mix" Mel said as she pranced towards the door.
"Jacket" Chris said holding out his hands. Before the jacket materialized in his hands he felt his body get pulled in a million different directions. When his orbs pulled themselves back together he looked up to see a sassy brunette with her fingers flicked out, still wearing his jacket. "Ouch that hurts Melinda!" Chris yelled.
"Yea well stealing is wrong" Mel yelled back.
"It's my jacket, how is it stealing if it's mine?" Chris asked yelling louder.
"Ding ding back to your corners" Wyatt said stepping between the two. "Jacket" Wyatt said but instead of Chris's jacket orbing off of Mel, a black vintage leather jacket appeared in his hands. "Wear this one Mel" Wyatt said handing it to her
"Where did this come from?" Mel asked as she threw Chris his jacket.
"It's been in mom's closet for years. It used to be Aunt Prue's" Wyatt explained.
"Mom defiantly kept it in good shape. Thanks Wyatt" Mel said giving him a hug. "Sorry Chris, I should have asked first" she said looking over at her other brother. Whenever their Aunt Prue was mentioned it always made them realize how lucky they were to have each other.
"Alright so, club, restaurant, attic go" Wyatt said pointing to the respectable destinations that each sibling was going to.
Mel and Chris orbed out as Wyatt headed for the stairs.
Chris reappeared in Piper's office at Charmed. He looked at the lists sitting on the desk that needed to be looked at. There was the schedule to be made and ordering to be done. Not to mention he had to run through the inspection list to make sure ever thing was up to codes. His mother would blow him into the next century if the place was shut down by the health inspector while she was away. Chris looked up when he heard the familiar sound of orbs.
"Chris what are you doing here?" Hope said surprised.
"Mom left me in charge of the place while she is in New York. I didn't mean to scare you Hope" Chris said with a grin.
"I just usually don't expect to see people in here. It's always locked and only Aunt Piper has the key. And the rest of the family can just teleport in here I guess" Hope pointed out.
"So what are you doing here?" Chris asked his younger cousin.
"Lunch shift" was all the girl said before she opened the office door and ran out.
"Have fun" he called after her and returned to his work at hand.
Mel was sitting in the club's office shuffling through papers.
"Uh, I just better not end of in Ancient Rome this time" Mel said as she sighed continuing to go through the papers.
"You know…" the voice said before the person was sent flying across the room.
"Oh oh, sorry H.J. I didn't think anyone would be here" Mel said as she went running over to her cousin.
"That's ok, I should know better to sneak up on you" H.J. said as Mel helped him up.
"Are you ok?" Mel asked as she gave H.J. a concerned look.
"I'll be fine. I was going to say that talking to your self is a sign of insanity, but then again with our family, it's probably normal" H.J. said with a grin.
"That's true. So, what are you doing here exactly?" Mel asked.
"I'm spinning again tonight, I just came in to make sure everything is in place" he said.
"Wouldn't everything be the place you left it last night?" Mel questioned.
"Not always. Sometimes janitorial shuffles things around. What are you doing here though?" H.J. asked.
"Well mom's out of town so I am taking care of the club. I just came in to do the books from last night and check the stock. You know same old same old" Mel said as she started to head back towards the office.
"Got it. So why didn't I get to meet Mr. Wonderful last night" H.J. said leaning against the door frame.
"Because I didn't want you to be a bad influence on him and make him not wonderful" Mel retorted.
"Ouch, that cut deep" he replied. "You going out with him again tonight?
"No he is going to some underground concert thing with a friend" Mel explained.
"Oh. So what's Wyatt up to today. I wanted to see if he wanted to come with me while I picked out some new albums" H.J. asked.
"It's a BOS day at the Halliwell manor. That's what he is working on while I'm here and Chris is at the restaurant" Mel said looking through some papers.
"BOS? Oh Book of Shadows, got it. So why is he doing that?" H.J. questioned.
"We were attacked last night at home. Then we pieced together the attack at Charmed last night and Faith and Wyatt were attacked at the park yesterday. Wyatt is just trying to put it all together and see what is causing all these random attacks" Mel told him.
"Well I guess I don't need those albums that badly. Think he'll want some help?" H.J. said sounding a little disappointed.
"H.J. if you want those albums go get them. Right now this is strictly research, Wyatt doesn't need you for that. And I'm sure he will call all of us if he needs something before Chris and I get home" Mel told her cousin.
"But now it just feels selfish, you know how that goes sometimes" he replied.
"Fine. He should be in the attic, scare the hell out of him" Mel remarked with a smile.
"I've already been thrown into one wall today thanks" H.J. replied as he orbed out.
Orbs formed in the attic. Wyatt looked up when he heard the familiar sound. The orbs revealed his only male cousin.
"What's up Hen?" Wyatt asked.
"Not much, heard you were doing research, thought I would come and help" he stated.
"Cool dude. To tell you truth, I can't find a connection. I mean demons and warlocks don't exactly work together on a regular basis. And last time something like this happened we came to the conclusion that nobody was organizing the underworld" Wyatt said.
"Doesn't mean they aren't trying now. Or something is just trying to create a faction of some sort" H.J. added. "I think we need a little undercover work, don't you?" H.J. said with a grin on his face.
"Mel's still at the club right?" Wyatt asked.
"Yea what does that have to do with anything?" H.J. asked.
"Because she'd want to go and I still don't have a good argument for her not to go on these kinds of missions. Blake, Bianca, we need your help" Wyatt said to the air around him.
A moment later the air rippled leaving behind Bianca.
"Alright where is the other one… you know the actual demon we need for this mission" Wyatt said.
"I think I should be offended by that" Bianca said as she cocked her head to the side.
After a few more seconds a second shimmer appeared.
"Sorry bro, I was… doing something" Blake stated.
"Well when you put it that way I don't want to know" Bianca said with a smirk.
"Not that. Mel isn't around is she?" Blake asked curiously.
"No she is working on stuff at the club. That's why I called you guys" Wyatt stated. "Why do you care where Mel is?"
"I was tailing her date from last night. I told you I got an odd vibe from him, so I followed up on it" Blake stated.
"Oh my god, it's bad enough that she has Wyatt and Chris scaring away her boyfriends, now she has to worry about you too" Bianca said frustrated.
"It's not like I was seen Bianca. Anyway, I followed him to an abandoned building across town, and then he left with some other guy.
"Ok, and that is supposed to prove what?" Bianca asked.
"Abandoned building, and then leaving with another person that came out of nowhere? That isn't a little suspicious to you" Blake replied.
"Not really Mel said he was going to an underground concert tonight with a friend. That abandoned building was probably the location, and the guy was probably his friend. Events like that usually don't sell the tickets until the day of the show" H.J. informed the group.
"Or he is a demon" Wyatt said.
"But you don't know that for sure. Until you have evidence I wouldn't say anything to Mel, otherwise you'll just piss her off" Bianca instructed. "Now, why did you call us here?"
"Well I was hoping you two could do some snooping in the underworld for us. Mel said there was an attack at the restaurant last night, Faith and I were attacked in the park yesterday, and then Mel, Chris and I were attacked last night when we got home. We want to know if these were all just random, or if the underworld is organizing" Wyatt told them.
"How come we always end up going down to the underworld for you?" Blake asked.
"You don't always, I know for a fact that Chris, Mel and I have gone down there for recon missions before" Wyatt defended.
"Yea, but that's recon" Blake replied. "It's just dark, and dank, and I don't like it" He said sounding like a little kid.
"Ah come on Blake. If you do this, I'll buy you an ice cream cone" H.J. said sounding like a dad.
Blake glared at the young witch lighter. "I better get sprinkles for this" Blake said as he shimmered out.
"Uh, men" Bianca said as she shimmered after the manticore.
"What do you think she meant by that?" H.J. asked his oldest cousin.
"What does Bianca ever mean when she is trying to insult us? I'm going to make some vanquishing potions for us. That way we are prepared in case of another attack" Wyatt said getting stuff ready.
"Alright, what do you want me to do?" H.J. asked.
"Keep going through the book and see if you can find anything about warlocks and demons working together" Wyatt instructed.
