A/N: Hey guys! I know, I know – You hate me, right? Thought I was gonna wait another 5 years to update? I haven't updated in, like, 2 weeks and I'm so sorry! Things were crazy on my end. But I'm back!
CharmedOpal: Yes, you just love my cliffhangers, right? Haha.
wiccawhitewitchsmalltownguy: Glad you're enjoying it! I promise, all your questions and such will be answered in this chapter.
Okay, guys. So... This will actually be the last chapter for this fanfic. It's kind of at that point where I feel like it's played itself out and is ending at a great place. Hopefully you'll agree!
So, I thank all of you who have hung by me since 2008, who waited patiently for 5 years for a new update. I appreciate your continued support. I now only have one active fanfiction, Surrender to Fate, so feel free to enjoy that, or read some of my older ones, as well.
And, without further adieu, please enjoy the 9th and final chapter of Death Becomes Her!
...
When Krista awoke, she felt disoriented. She forgot, for a moment, where she was. But then, it all came rushing back to her: The necklace, the spell, sacrificing her powers, the demons, and then – nothing.
She sat up, pushing the pillows behind her so she could lean back against them. She was in Paige's room. She must have passed out, after the spell. It seemed to be happening a lot lately, she thought with a frown.
The more awake she became, the more she could feel the loss of her powers. Though her powers had never been active, they had been a part of her. Now, without them, she felt an ache, deep within herself. She felt as if a part of her was gone, and she felt cold and small without them. She fingered the amulet, and noticed that it, too felt cold, and the stone had changed to a lighter red, almost pink, color. She let it drop back against her throat.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty."
Krista glanced up, startled. Paige stood in the doorway. She looked slightly worse-for-wear, tired and something else Krista couldn't quite put her finger on.
"What happened?" Krista questioned. "How long was I out of it?"
Paige walked over and settled on the end of the bed. She tucked a stray piece of hair behind Krista's ear.
"You were out for two days," Paige explained, cautiously. At Krista's startled expression, Paige rushed on. "The magic you performed was powerful. Dangerous, even, for an untrained witch with no active powers. I hated taking that risk, but it was the only spell that could bind the amulet's magic, and keep you safe from future demon attacks."
Krista tried to process this, and she was quiet for a long time. Paige remained silent, giving Krista the chance to take in everything that had happened.
"The amulet is cold," Krista finally spoke. "And... I feel... Oh, I know this is silly, but I can feel the absence of my powers."
Paige bit her lip. "The amulet is cold because its powers are dormant. That's a good thing – You won't have to worry, now, about demons coming after you."
"And... My powers?" Krista asked hesitantly.
"Your powers are bound," Paige explained. "Once you're older and can protect yourself from demons, you'll have the choice to unbind your powers. That will unbind the amulet as well, though, and you'll be at risk again."
Krista slumped back against the pillows. "I want my powers back. I want to get rid of this stupid amulet. I want my mom back."
"Oh sweetie," Paige consoled her, grabbing her hand. "I know you do. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of this. It isn't fair."
Krista blinked tears away. "Will I ever be able to destroy this stupid thing?" she asked, playing with the amulet again.
"Maybe," Paige responded hesitantly. "One day, you might come up with a way to destroy it. Or, maybe you can appeal to the Elders, and they'll reverse the curse." Though, Paige thought, that was highly unlikely. But she didn't want to get Krista's hopes up.
"I just wish..." Krista paused, tears flowing freely now. "I just wish I had been able to say goodbye to my mom."
Paige started to speak, a generic apology on the tip of her tongue, when she had an idea. It probably wasn't allowed, but she didn't care.
"Can you walk?" She asked Krista, standing and moving away, giving the young girl room to move.
Krista gave her a puzzled look, but nodded and slowly got out of bed. She felt stiff, but she managed to slip on her flip-flops and follow Paige.
Paige led Krista to the attic, and instructed her to wait off to the side, while she gathered candles and herbs. She lit the candles, and recited the spell she needed, the one that would consol Krista more than words ever could.
In a wash of white lights, Sarah Braxton appeared in the circle of candles. She looked surprised at the sudden summoning, and appeared ready to ask Paige what she needed this time, when she caught sight of her daughter, alive and well.
"Krista!" Sarah gasped, stepping out of the circle of candles, at the same moment Krista cried, "Mom!" and ran at her mother. They embraced, looking as if they would never let go.
Paige smiled, and backed out of the room, giving them the privacy they needed.
...
"What did you do?"
Paige looked up, startled. Piper and Phoebe stood at the bottom of the attic steps, arms crossed, looking stern.
"I did what any of us would have done," Paige argued. "I'm giving that little girl the chance to say goodbye to her mother."
She walked briskly downstairs, forcing Piper and Phoebe to run after her.
"But Paige, you know that's against the rules," Piper argued.
"I don't care," Paige declared. "The Elders have always screwed us over. I am not letting them do that to that poor girl, too."
Piper and Phoebe exchanged concerned glances, but honestly, they both agreed.
"Well... I guess we need to get in touch with Daryl," Phoebe finally said, breaking the silence that had fallen. "We need to let him know we got in touch with Krista's aunt, and see how he wants to handle this."
With a nod of agreement, Piper picked up the house phone and dialed Daryl.
...
2 DAYS LATER
"Will I get to come visit you?"
Paige winced at the desperation in Krista's voice. She didn't want to make any promises she couldn't keep.
"That will be up to your Aunt Caroline," Paige admitted.
Krista scowled, looking as if she was trying not to cry.
Daryl had pulled some strings, as usual, and covered for the Charmed Ones. So, with that taken care of, Piper had arranged for Krista's aunt to pick her up at the Manor. Now, Piper and Phoebe sat in the living room, with Paige and Krista standing near the doorway.
"You're Aunt practices magic," Phoebe reminded Krista. "So I'm sure she'll teach you everything you need to know."
"I don't care about learning witchcraft if I can't visit you guys," Krista insisted, though by the way she was clinging to Paige now, it was obvious she meant if she couldn't visit Paige.
The knock at the door startled them all, and Piper jumped up to answer it.
"Hi, Piper?" she asked, cautious.
Piper smiled. "Yes. Krista is right here," she motioned, and Paige led Krista out from the living room and to her aunt.
"Oh, Krista!" Caroline sighed, relief evident on her face. She was Sarah's sister, and the news that her sister had been killed and her niece was missing had devastated her. Seeing Krista, alive and well, though a little worse for the wear, was such a relief.
Krista hugged her aunt. Her Aunt Caroline was constantly visiting, and Krista was excited to see her, there was no question. But she didn't want to leave Paige, or even Piper and Phoebe. She felt safe at the Manor, like everything would be taken care of. But with her Aunt Caroline, she felt uncertain, and doubts shoved their way into her thoughts.
"Can I visit the Halliwell's whenever I want?" Krista asked, though her tone sounded more like a demand.
Caroline looked startled. "I... Well, if they don't mind, I don't see why not." Caroline smiled at the sisters, giving them a slight nod of approval. After all, they had protected and cared for her niece. She owed them this much.
Paige held back the tears that threatened, giving Krista a tight hug, while Piper and Phoebe hung back.
"Anytime you need me," Paige promised Krista, before letting her go.
Krista reluctantly let go, nodding at Paige. "Promise?"
Without hesitation, Paige nodded. "Promise."
Paige watched Caroline and Krista go down the stairs and get into the car. She watched the car pull away, watched until she could no longer see the car. Then, and only then, did she finally close the door.
The End.
