Legacy 116: Birds of a Phoenix Feather

Part 9

Xxx

Two days after the confrontation with Nanta, Penny was back at work in P3. It was morning and she was alone, working on the books. It was a welcome distraction after everything that happened, though she had hoped for some better news. She had been crunching the numbers all morning and it wasn't looking good. If things continued like this, the club would go broke in two months. Feeling frustrated, Penny got up and grabbed a cup of coffee. As she sat back down, her mind wandered to Theo. She had not talked to him after dropping him off at his apartment. She respected his need for time, but she also wanted to talk to him. Not just to pass on his father's memories, but also to sort out what had happened between them.

Penny turned her attention back to her laptop and saw a news article about Victoria. The demonic businesswoman had been arrested for the murder of her rival John Henson. Bianca had successfully framed her, which meant there was at least some justice done. She clicked the article away and took a sip of her coffee.

"Is this a bad time?" A familiar voice asked.

Penny turned around and saw Theo standing by the stairs of the club. She was both surprised and relieved to see him. She was worried that he wanted nothing to do with her after everything.

"Theo, hi." Penny said. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I know, I'm sorry." Theo said. "I should have kept in touch."

"No, don't apologize." Penny replied. "You've been through a lot. More than anyone should have to deal with."

"Yeah, things have been pretty crazy." Theo said awkwardly. "So did you hear about Victoria?"

"I just read about it." Penny said. "How do you feel about it?"

"Well, I guess she is responsible in a sense." Theo reasoned. "She might not have pulled the trigger, but she did horrible things, including trying to have me killed. She deserves whatever sentence she gets."

"So what brings you here?" Penny asked. "I thought you needed time."

"I did. I mean, I do." Theo said. "But I also kept thinking about us. I wanted to clear the air."

"Before you say anything, let me just say one thing." Penny quickly said. "I shouldn't have kissed you. You were hurting and it wasn't right."

"Don't worry about it." Theo said. "There is this attraction between us, we both feel it. I just can't act on it right now, since my whole life has been turned upside down."

"I can only imagine." Penny said.

"I'm just not sure I can handle the whole magic thing right now." Theo continued. "But I really am grateful for everything you've done, which is why I wanted to give you this."

Theo reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope, which he handed to Penny. When she opened it, she was shocked to see it was a check for a considerable amount of money.

"Oh my God!" Penny called out. "Theo, I can't accept this."

"Of course you can." Theo said with a smile. "This is the check for the party, with a considerable bonus for saving my life."

"I can't take your money." Penny said as she tried to give it back. "Not for that."

"Then consider it an investment in the club." Theo said as he held up his hands. "For now on, I want to book P3 for all future Henson Holdings parties and events."

"Wait, seriously?" Penny asked.

"Yes, seriously." Theo replied. "Penny, please accept it."

"I don't know." Penny said hesitantly. "I mean, I did throw you an amazing party and I could really use the future business."

"Then consider it a simple business agreement." Theo said.

Penny felt conflicted as she looked at the check. It was enough money to solve all the club's problems for the foreseeable future, and having Henson Holdings as a regular client would mean a steady income.

"What does this mean for us?" Penny asked.

"Nothing, this is completely separate from that." Theo said.

"I'm sorry, but I need to know how you feel before I can decide anything." Penny admitted.

"Of course." Theo said as he took her hand. "I think you're amazing, Penny. I definitely have feelings for you, but I can't pursue them right now. I have to deal with my father and the company first. And then there is the magic…"

"I get it." Penny said. "I really like you too, Theo, but I guess this can't work. Too much has happened."

"Maybe someday." Theo said with a faint smile.

"Yeah, maybe." Penny replied.

"So will you accept the check?" Theo asked.

"I'll accept it if you cut the number in half." Penny replied. "P3 is my business and I need to make it work on my own. But I do want Henson Holdings as a regular client."

"Deal." Theo said.

"There is one more thing." Penny said. "When your father died, he passed me some of his memories. I think you need to see them. They're about his feelings for you, and your mother."

"My mom?" Theo asked shocked.

"It might not be easy, but I think you should have the whole truth." Penny said.

"I guess you're right." Theo said after a moment. "Show me."

Penny nodded and she took his hands in her own. She closed her eyes and focuses her thoughts of Theo. She showed him the memory of his mother being killed by a demon in the hotel room. She could sense Theo's pain as he realized the truth, so she moved on to the other memories John had shared. The memories of Theo growing up and how much his father had truly loved him. When it was done, she stepped back and gave Theo a moment. He shook his head and wiped away some tears.

"I should have known it was more than a robbery." Theo said. "At least it now makes sense. And my father…"

"He felt so guilty. He truly loved the both of you, Theo." Penny said.

"I know that now." Theo said. "Thank you for showing me."

Theo hugged Penny and she held him tightly for a moment, as she realized this was goodbye. He needed to move on and come to terms with everything. She was glad that she had been able to pass on the memories, which felt like closure. Perhaps they would run into each other again, but now they needed to go their separate ways.

Xxx

At the Halliwell Manor, Chris was sitting on the couch in the attic with the Book of Shadows. Nanta was gone, but her demonic doubles were still out there, so Chris had created an entry on them. He intended to track them down at some point, but his family had more pressing threats to deal with first. He went to place the book on the pedestal, though his path was blocked by Bianca appearing in a shimmer. She was holding her athame in her hand.

"Bianca." Chris said surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"You know why I'm here." Bianca replied. "We still have unfinished business. You cost me a contract, which is a first for me."

"So what? You're coming to kill me?" Chris asked with a frown. "I don't believe you."

"This is exactly what is annoying me." Bianca said. "You pretending to know me, while you don't know anything about me."

"I know." Chris admitted as he walked past her and returned to the book to its rightful place. "I just thought I did."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bianca asked as she turned to him. "You're hiding something."

"Fine, you want to know the truth?" Chris asked annoyed. "We did know each other, in another lifetime, but time travel changed all of that. Now we're just strangers."

"I knew it." Bianca said with a glare. "I hate time travel. So did we hook up or something?"

"Something like that." Chris replied. "But neither of us is the same person in this timeline, so let's just forget about it. There is nothing between us."

"Oh please, I've seen the way you look at me." Bianca said.

Bianca took a step closer until their bodies were nearly touching. Her athame rested on his chest as she stared into his eyes with a smoldering look. Despite her vengeful nature, Chris could not help but feel drawn to her. She was beautiful and dangerous. She smiled at his obvious tension and got even closer to whisper in his ear.

"Don't interfere in my business again, tiger." Bianca said softly. "You can't handle me."

Bianca disappeared through a shimmer and Chris took a deep breath. He hated that he was attracted to her. He just needed to forget about her, erase her from his mind. He already had someone special in his life, someone who was kind and beautiful. Bianca was someone from his past, while Sarah was his future.

Chris disappeared from the attic in a column of orbs and reappeared in front of Sarah's apartment door. He knocked and she opened the door a few moments later.

"Chris." Sarah said relieved. "I was wondering when I would hear from you. How is your cousin's friend? The one who got hurt?"

"He is safe, we stopped the demon that was after him." Chris said. "I'm sorry, I should have called you."

"I'm just glad you're alright." Sarah said. "Come in."

Sarah stepped aside to let Chris into the apartment and closed the door. Chris turned to Sarah and kissed her passionately. Sarah was amazing and they were good together. They had so much in common. There was no reason to think about someone else.

"Wow, what has gotten into you?" Sarah asked with a smile.

"I like you, Sarah." Chris said. "I don't want to keep sneaking around anymore. I want to be together and let people know."

"What about the hospital? Your training?" Sarah asked.

"We'll find a way to make it work." Chris said. "If you want to."

"I do." Sarah said as she kissed him. "All the sneaking around was fun, but I'm ready for something more. Let's just make it official."

Chris smiled and kissed Sarah as they made their way to the couch. As they continued making out, Chris tried to convince himself this wasn't about Bianca. He wanted this, Sarah was the one for him. He just needed to keep reminding himself of that until a certain Phoenix had faded from his mind.

Xxx

In the Underworld, a small twister appeared and formed into Karliah. She had teleported into Nanta's lair, which was filled with candles and modern furniture. The oracle walked around and tried to get a sense of the place. The thing she was looking for was close, as she had foreseen in her crystal ball. She eventually stopped in front of a large stone wall and rolled her eyes.

"Of course." Karliah said annoyed. "How am I going to get through this?"

At that moment, the ground trembled and a pillar of flames appeared next to her. It formed into her master, the blue horned demon, who was wearing an expensive grey suit.

"Master." Karliah said as she took a bow. "What brings you here?"

"Let's say my interest has been piqued." The demon replied. "I smell a business opportunity in these doubles you told me about."

"I'm sorry about John." Karliah said. "I failed you."

"Don't worry, child." The demon replied. "His soul is where it belongs. He only arrived a little sooner than anticipated. Now let's get through this door."

The demon held out his clawed hand and the entire cavern trembled. Cracks started appearing in the wall until it shattered completely. The noise attracted some demonic guards. Karliah stepped back, while her master snapped his finger and caused them all to combust in flames. Her master then entered the secret room and Karliah followed. There was a stone basin in the middle, filled with demonic eggs, and a large screen on the wall.

"Are we after the eggs?" Karliah asked.

"No, these are worthless to me." The demon said. "Find a way to contact the doubles."

As her master patiently studied the eggs, Karliah searched the room for some kind of console or remote. She wondered what her master was planning, though she would never question his judgement. He was ancient and powerful, not to mention incredibly wise.

Karliah eventually found the console and contacted all the demonic doubles across the world. The screen split into several smaller screens and opened a conference call. Several businessmen and women from all over the world answered the call, despite the time differences.

"What is this?" A businessman asked angrily. "Where is Nanta?"

"Your former nanny is vanquished." The demon said. "She got reckless and it lead to her demise. I'm here to offer you a deal, so you won't suffer the same fate."

"Who are you?" The businessman asked.

"I have had countless of names over the years." The demon said. "But you may call me Mephisto."

"Nanta's death is certainly tragic, but it gives us freedom." The businessman said. "What deal could you possibly offer us?"

"I'm a collector of souls." Mephisto said. "You are in a unique position to offer them to me. I shall offer you protection and wealth in exchange for a steady income of souls."

"Forget it, you horned freak." The businessman said. "We're just free from one controlling demon, why should we kneel for you?"

"I despise rudeness." Mephisto noted.

Karliah watched as her master focused his gaze on the businessman and caused him to erupt in flames from thousands of miles away. The other doubles looked horrified as their spokesman was reduced to ashes behind his desk. When it was done, her master turned his attention back to the other screens.

"My offer stands. Think it over carefully." Mephisto said. "My lovely assistant Karliah shall deliver the contracts soon. Consider her your liaison."

The remained businessmen and women nodded nervously and ended the conference call. Karliah was impressed with her master's plan. The demonic doubles had no souls, but their companies controlled the lives of thousands of mortals.

"I'm trusting you with this responsibility, Karliah." Mephisto said. "Guide them and find me good souls. Do not disappoint me."

"I won't, master." Karliah promised. "Thank you for this opportunity."

Her master nodded and disappeared through a stream of flames, causing the room to tremble. Karliah was glad with her new promotion. This wasn't a life she had chosen for herself, but she was determined to make the best of it. She had cared about John, as she had worked with him for years, but it was time to move on. With that thought, she disappeared from the cave in a whirlwind.

Xxx

The End