Chapter 10

Molly knew she was going to regret this. But it was just so tempting. And besides, considering she might not live past the next day, she had a right to indulge.

After only a second's hesitation, she started piling her plate with cheesy nachos from Fiesta Taco. Then she moved onto the take-out fried chicken, and topped her plate off with a slice of pizza. Chances were good that anxiety wouldn't be the only thing keeping her up that night. Briefly she tried to remember if she still had some Tums left in her medicine cabinet.

Without another thought on the subject, she ate a nacho. So good, she thought. But still there was a concern. "Are we sure that junk food is a good last meal to have before a magical battle?" she asked the group from where she sat at the head of her dining room table.

At the other end, Kathleen gave a careless shrug as she bit into a burrito. "Probably not, love," she said around the mouthful of food. "But all else considered, a tummy ache is the least of your troubles. I say dig in."

The group laughed, and continued eating the take-out feast before them. Irene sat at Molly's right, Ned next to her, Carey and Clu (who had visited for the weekend) next to them. Fi was to Molly's right, then Jack, then Candy, who had been invited to the feast since she was part of the secret. Irene and Ned had generously surprised the Phillips family with a send-off party of sorts, filled with Molly, Jack, and Fi's favorite take-out treats. It made sense, since no one cooked well enough where anyone would have a favorite home-cooked meal.

Kathleen had "popped in," much to everyone else's surprise, to wish her family well one last time, and so had been invited to dinner. Poor Clu had almost fallen over in shock, but he adjusted quickly, and declared magic to be "totally awesome." They had planned on telling him anyway, of course. Without giving any details, Irene had suggested that Clu visit for the weekend. The rest had just fallen into place when Kathleen appeared.

"So what's this demon thing like anyway?" Clu asked as he worked on a large slice of pizza. "Is it like a devil with horns and hooves, or…"

At the Phillips' unnerved looks, Irene sent him a warning glance. "Let's keep discussion light for now, shall we? No talking about demons over dinner."

"Never thought we'd be adding demons to a list that also includes farts, underwear, and politics," Carey remarked while he reached for the plate of fried chicken.

As they all chuckled, Candy said, "Seriously, though…" She glanced at Fi. "You guys are going to make it out of this. You've been through so much already. And, Fi, let's face it…you know how to handle trouble."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence…I think," Fi replied with a weak smile.

Molly could sense her daughter's nerves, and her son's as well…maybe not as much, but they were there. Just the thought of what they were going to do the next day made her stomach churn. But where there was fear, there was also determination. She'd make damn sure that this demon never bothered a single member of her family ever again. And she'd make sure her children lived through the ordeal. Those were the only reasons she was able to get over the paralyzing fear of her own possible death.

For the rest of the meal, they all chatted about their past week, how recording had gone, and plans for next week…even though they might not happen. Though the tone was purposely light, Molly just couldn't lose herself in the illusion. So when dinner was over and the food demolished, she shooed the kids and Ned elsewhere while she, Irene and her mother cleaned up the dishes. At least then she wouldn't have to keep up a brave front should she feel like breaking down.

But even before she picked up the first dish, Irene shared a concerned glance with Kathleen, who nodded. Though Molly wondered what that was about, she ignored it in favor of carrying some dishes back to the kitchen. After she'd placed them in the sink, she turned around to find Irene behind her, a worried and fearful expression on her face.

Tears threatening, Irene began, "You are going to get through this, Mol. You will."

Then Molly understood. Pep talk time.

"I know what you're trying to do, Irene," Molly interrupted. Already she could feel her own tears start to form. "But the raw truth is, I might not get through this."

"Mol – "

"No, it's the truth," Molly insisted over Irene's look of protest. "There's no guarantee that…that I'll make it. There's no guarantee that my kids will make it. And frankly, that scares me so much more than the thought that I might not either." She paused as the tears finally came, and took a second to wipe them. "In fact, Irene, if they come back and I don't…"

"Don't you dare even – "

"I have to! Because it can happen," Molly nearly shouted. She allowed herself to calm down, then said, "And if it does, I want you to take in Fi and Jack. You know you and Ned are their aunt and uncle, in every way that counts."

Though she clearly wanted to argue some more, Irene just nodded. "Of course."

The simple reply helped Molly continue. "There's some stuff I'm leaving to others, like to Ma and John. It's all in my will, and you already know where that is." The reality suddenly hit her full force. Tears poured out. "Oh my God, Irene, I don't want to die," she sobbed, her head in her hands.

In an instant, Irene was by her side, pulling her in a comforting hug. "You won't," Irene insisted. "You won't. You just won't."

"God, I hope so," Molly mumbled through her tears while she returned the hug just as tightly. Then she continued sobbing into her best friend's shoulder.

As he'd expected, yet another dream came that night. He didn't bother with being annoyed and hoping the dream would end soon anymore. At this point he just sat back…figuratively speaking…and watched the show.

The couple stood in the same front room he had seen before, but this time, they seemed to be preparing to head into battle. Jerrard was almost done getting dressed in full armor, while Thea filled a bag with supplies. As he finished with his armor, Jerrard gazed at his wife, worry on his face. "I wish you would stay here. Now that I have a sword and those gems, I'm sure I could handle it." At her glare, he explained, "I don't want you to get hurt."

"We don't have a choice on this matter," Thea insisted. "I am your wife, but I am also a witch. You will not be able to defeat it without me. If you tried, then…I would lose you. Seeing you go off and not come back…I would rather die at your side. Then I would know I'd done everything I could."

Though he was far from happy with the argument, Jerrard nodded. Of course, it was still his deepest wish that she stay home, even at the cost of his own life. But bringing her with him would serve the greater good. While he'd insisted he go alone, he wasn't confident that he could slay this demon. With her at his side, they had a better chance of that. And, while maybe not for the greater good but still a desirable outcome, there would better chance of them both returning alive.

Their supplies prepared, Thea placed the bag over her shoulder, and handed Jerrard his sword. "Let us go then," she said as she took his hands in hers. Together, they chanted, "Per nostrum vox nos patefacio ianua ut Medius."

As soon as the last word was said, they disappeared from the room.

Hours later, Jack walked into the kitchen. Even though it was only ten, Jack could tell it was going to be a beautiful Saturday. For a brief second, he wished he could spend it hanging out with Clu and Carey, instead of heading into battle.

Neither his mother nor his sister were there yet. Just as well. They hadn't set a specific time to go into hell, so he figured they were grabbing as much sleep as they could. He probably should've slept later too, but it was hard to get back to sleep after his "dream." True, it hadn't been particularly disturbing, but it had definitely packed an emotional punch.

Though it had been a conversation between husband and wife, Jack felt the emotions applied to his own life at the moment. Admittedly, like how his mother hadn't wanted him to fight, he would much rather his mother and sister stay home. Of course he knew it was ridiculous. They were the ones with power (presumably…he didn't even want to think about what power he might have). But he couldn't just reason away his protective instinct. He'd had it his whole life. It wasn't going to go away just because of logic. Though, again like his mother had to do, Jack had to accept that it was their fight just as much as it was his.

To make himself feel better, Jack reminded himself how hard they had all trained over the last week, and before that. His mother even cleared some of her schedule to make room for more. They were so going to kick this demon's ass.

He tried to keep that in mind when, as he began eating a bowl of cereal, his mother and sister entered, anxiety on their faces. "'Morning," Jack greeted as they began to get their own cereal. "Rough night?"

The women each shot him incredulous looks. "You've got to be kidding," Fi retorted. "The visions kept coming. Both for me and mom."

Just then he noticed how…tortured, his mother looked. It's not fair, he thought, his heart going out to her. Visions, on top of everything else? Last night, he suspected she broke down to Irene, since when she came back from the kitchen, her eyes were red. They'd all seen it and suspected. But it was understandable given the near-impossible task they had to face. "Mom? What did you see?" he asked, not sure if he really wanted to hear the answer.

"I…I don't know," Molly began as she started up the coffee maker. "It was all…jumbled." She sighed and glanced up at him. "I do know that I saw your father."

Fi nodded. "So did I. I think we basically had the same flashes…Daddy was in this place full of purple clouds…then he was gone." At Jack's surprised and worried expression, she explained, "I don't know how, he just vanished. Then the fight…black shadows, coming out of the clouds…" The growing fear made her stop. Molly put a reassuring arm around her daughter's shoulders, though she seemed afraid as well.

Don't let it get to you, Jack warned himself. They're just visions. Doesn't mean any of it's going to happen. Still, he asked, "Anything come in clear? Specifically anything useful…like how we destroy it?" Sure, they had offense strategies, but no definitive strike that would take it down.

Regretfully, Molly shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I guess they were just…previews, for later."

"Well, whatever happens, we'll deal with it," Jack insisted with confidence he really did feel. They had to be confident going into this. It was the only way they would win. He looked down at his cereal, realized he had no stomach for it, and put his bowl in the sink. "I'm going to go take shower and get ready. Let me know when you want to head into Medius."

The pouch was a slight weight against her ankle, but Fi strapped it on with some masking tape. They all were wearing light jackets, each outside and inside pocket stuffed with similar pouches full of gems, but Fi decided that a little paranoia couldn't hurt. After all, they were the only weapons she and her mother had.

Well, besides all of the spells they had memorized and practice. With a few simple words, Fi could conjure a fireball, send a punch of air, extinguish a demonic flame with a wall of water. And those were just the element spells. The new knowledge gave her more self-confidence than she'd ever felt before.

She hoped, wished, prayed it would be enough.

Her family was gathered in the living room. After a few hours prolonging the inevitable, they seemed to come to a silent, mutual agreement to just get it all over with. At first it was suggested they bring backpacks filled with gems and other supplies, but that idea was quickly rejected, the reasoning being that any extra weight would just hold them back. Last night, in an awkward moment, Molly asked Kathleen if they should have thought to bring a gun, but Kathleen assured her and Fi that the weapon wouldn't do any good. Much to their relief, since the idea of using one had made the witches queasy.

And as for Jack…he was still adjusting to the sword attached to his belt. Some more searching in the Bells' garage earlier had provided them with the sword's sheath, which he'd hooked in the belt that Kathleen had found in her attic. She'd also found some other sword belts she supposed her mother and her coven had used, so she gave two to Molly and Fi. Though the idea of actually stabbing something, even a demon, also made Molly and Fi queasy, they still equipped the belts with a couple of Ned's sharpest fishing knives. When they expressed curiosity at why ordinary knives would have an effect, she elaborated that using the knife was like channeling their power into one blow, and would work in a pinch if they couldn't think of a spell.

As she adjusted her belt, Fi remarked, "Surreal, isn't it?", which made Molly and Jack look over at her. "Well, for you guys, it's the idea of magically attacking a demon. But for me, it's this. I guess I always knew I'd have to take down some major evil one day…and I thought I would be on my own. Well, with Daddy's help, but…not with you guys. Not with my whole family. The fact that you're both here, now, doing this…it's amazing."

After a few seconds of silence, Jack surprised her by chuckling. "Fi, when we stop in a new town, you can't even go sightseeing alone. You really think we'd let you go fight evil by yourself?"

While they all laughed softly, Molly added, "He's right, baby. Of course, accepting all this has been far from easy, but…you need us. That's enough."

"Thanks guys…I love you so much," she said as she choked on some threatening tears. Her mother quickly rushed to her side and wrapped her in a hug, then her brother did the same. That got her to calm down and return to her former confidence. "On that note, let's kick some demon butt."