SOSOSO sorry I know, I suck at updating lately =-=" Plus this chapter took me forever because I have little practice in describing fights and such…Hope you'll enjoy it anyway ^^" (ah, and sorry for the lack of review replies, I'm a bit short on time lately ^^")

Thanks to ashley; PetitJ; Viviskilener-jisbonist4ever; 1832TeaQL; giggleplex1; (anonymous) for their reviews :D Thanks for the alerts and favourite too!

And thanks to my half-beta for (kicking my a-) poking me into writing and checking this :3

Disclaimer: I only own my twisted imagination. Hope you'll enjoy this :) –won't blame you if you don't :3

Payback's a Witch

10

It was cold, dark and foggy, just like in the premises of her dream. The alley was dirty and she could easily come across rats and mice in the gutter. Lisbon repressed a shiver and tightened her hold on her leather jacket. Her old home wasn't so far away now but she didn't have much time. She still had fifteen minutes to be there... inside her head, she let out a silent prayer.

Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay…

The last time she had come around, the neighbourhood was clean and quiet. A nice place to live with your family. Now, the place had drastically changed and a huge, dirty factory stood where houses used to stand. Lisbon froze when she got to the middle of the alley. This was not a mere resemblance; this was the place she had dreamt of. Rising her head to look further down, she spotted a lonely figure walking towards her. At first glance, she couldn't make out the gender or characteristics of the newcomer, especially when the fog drew a thick curtain between them. Soon enough, the woman recognised a long, black leather coat, heavy goth-like jewellery over the arms, a pale face, and older, but familiar features. Twenty years had passed, but Lisbon knew she would recognise Nancy Downs anywhere.

Behind the woman, another character was following faithfully. Despite the bad weather, the agent recognised her almost immediately. Rioli, Lirio's granddaughter. She didn't have much time to wonder about her presence here, for Nancy stopped about twenty feet away from her, the insane grin deforming her usually impassable face.

"Nice to meet you after all these years, Sarah. Too bad we have to meet under these circumstances. You never paid me a visit."

Lisbon didn't blink.

"Where is Jane?" she asked on a firm, strong voice. The madwoman snorted.

"Don't worry sweetie, I'll tell you in time."

"What do you want?" the agent continued, ignoring her answer. She needed to keep talking, or she felt she would lose it. Keep her mind busy, and try to take a confession out of the woman. As she expected, Nancy lost every trace of humour and she narrowed her eyes, suddenly lightened with pure hatred.

"You locked me in a mental institute for YEARS, and you still ask me what I WANT?"

A sudden wave of wind hit Lisbon and threw her against the nearest wall. She hit the bricks hard before falling on the ground, her head pounding and back aching. Sound of footsteps coming closer made her raise her head. Bad idea. The black-dressed woman gave her a kick in the jaw. Nancy stood over her, eyes blasting in fury.

"You are going to PAY for it."

-PW-

If anything, Nancy had grown stronger over the past twenty years. While Lisbon had more experience in hand-to-hand fight, she could hardly avoid the magic blows the woman was sending against her. Three blasts had forced her to hide behind a dumpster, and the container was quickly dissembling, not leaving her the chance to focus and use her own powers. Obviously, the witch had been training these past years. Dark clouds started to gather in the sky, rain started to fall. Nancy was planning to thunderstruck the dumpster, but she could perform the same attack. Lisbon called the lightening to strike a pipe nearby the witch. Both came at the same time.

Lisbon jumped out of behind her hideout one second before the dumpster was hit. The blinding light made her dizzy for a few seconds, but she kept her eyes open to witness the consequences. As she hoped, the iron pipe next to the other witch exploded and drenched her, distracting her efficiently. The agent used that momentary distraction to make a run and knock her down. Nancy hadn't even realised that she was approaching quickly and as silently as she could. But before Lisbon could get to her, Nancy became immobile, her eyes wide open, and she fell like a string-cut puppet. Behind her unconscious body, Jane was panting heavily, holding a rusty pipe in his hands. A huge burden was relieved from Lisbon's shoulders. His clothes were in tatter and dirty and his eyes were hazy and disoriented, but overall he looked fine. Unscathed.

"Lisbon?" his hoarse voice made her want to cry in relief. "What… Where am I? What's going on?"

"I'll explain later" she replied, taking deep breaths and leaning forward when he stepped closer. "Are you okay?"

He took her in his arms and held her tight. The agent hugged him back, too happy to see he was fine. But when she pressed her face in his clothes… it felt odd. This wasn't his usual cologne, but rather… Lisbon jumped back, but just a little too late. The blade of a dagger cut her on the side deep and the Jane she was facing grinned widely before turning into a dark-haired, dark-eyed Nancy Downs. A quick glance at the woman she had been fighting previously, and the agent realised with horror that Rioli's body was now lying motionless on the ground.

"Too bad, she wasn't me." Nancy laughed, watching Lisbon toddle and fall against a wall. Her palm was now covered with her own blood and her side hurt like hell. Just like so many years before, she pressed her hand over the wound –or where she guessed it was; her mind was turning numb, but this wasn't the first time she had been hurt in Nancy's presence. Although she needed more time to heal. She needed to find somewhere to do so, and quick.

Lisbon concentrated as she went through the wall to hide. On the other side, she was greeted by an empty room, filled of industrial dust and scent. Not the wisest place to stay when recovering, but she couldn't be picky right now. Lisbon forced herself up and toddled towards an iron board, large enough to cover her in case her enemy decided to show up.

Remembering the words that had saved her once, she breathed in deeply and, closing her eyes, started the chant.

-PW-

Nancy looked around, starting to get bored. Lisbon had disappeared about five minutes ago, and showing no sign of coming back.

"C'mon Sarah…" she muttered, looking around. She had no doubt the woman would show up again. After all, her boyfriend was at her mercy, and the life of an… innocent was at stake. Nancy glanced at the teenager lying on the ground. She had promised to Rioli she would kill her if she failed her mission –which she did. But she wanted her wide awake when the time would come, no soft killing in her sleep. That would be absolutely no fun. Just like Sarah. What was the fun in kicking a wounded puppy anyway? She'd rather have her in full shape to beat her better…

Another sigh and she stared at the place the other woman had disappeared. Sarah, or Teresa Lisbon, whatever her name was. A puff of anger ran throughout her veins. When she met her at the Catholic School, she knew immediately the fair-headed was special. She felt it. So when Sarah had been made fun of, she had welcomed her in the circle with arms wide open. She trusted her, even created a coven with her. They were SISTERS! But Sarah eventually had to change her mind about the Craft. She had to leave, because she was just another coward, refusing the gift that was given to her. Just like the witches who betrayed their sisters in the past, she deserved to die. The dagger she held that day, twenty years prior, had found its way back to her hands again, ready to strike the traitor.

Just like the two others, the two who had left her behind. Rochelle and Bonnie, she realised it now, were mere easy followers. Not enough faith to stick till the end, easily scared off by Sarah's magic. When things threatened their lives, they would just run away. Or beg for it. When she had raised her hand before setting them on fire, both women were on their knees, crying and pleading for their lives. Thinking of it, she had gotten no real satisfaction in ending their lives. The one who inspired her… pure hate, was Sarah. At the same time, she surprised herself in finding some respect for the traitor. At least, Sarah hadn't run away. She hadn't denied her faults, her betrayal, yet was still trying to put an end to her actions. Needless to say, since last time she had seen her, the frail, scared and pathetic girl had grown up a bit. And Nancy would enjoy fully making this façade fall into pieces. First, the agents that pretended to be her parents, to make the guilt rise. Second, the boyfriend, a perfect aim to the heart. And last… she could already feel the edge of her blade penetrating and tearing the flesh apart. Very entertaining.

Now, if only Sarah decided to show up…

-PW-

The agent eventually came back by the way she disappeared. Manon had agreed to help her again and it had healed her as well. She could still feel his presence in her head. Hear his request, getting rid of the woman who had twice abused of his power. Her sudden appearance made the other witch laugh out loud.

"As I expected from little Sarah" Nancy mocked when she saw her complete healing, stepping closer with her dagger in hand. "You can't do anything by yourself, you always have to call the bigger shots to help you out."

Lisbon didn't pick up on the provocation. There was something she needed to know first.

"How did you get your powers back?"

The witch grinned, highly amused, and purred:

"Thanks to my lovely apprentice. You see, Rioli got… frustrated when her own grandmother refused to teach her how to use magic. Stupid, since she had a great power… more than you have, sweetie. She figured out where I was, freed me from your already weakening spell and helped me get out of here… I pretended to be her master for the past years and taught her everything she needed to know… I promised her a great amount of powers if she helped me in my revenge… but since I was powerless, I needed to get it from somewhere. Manon wouldn't grant me my wish, since last time I abused his power…"

"So you stole Lirio's powers" Lisbon said slowly. "You killed her!"

No wonder why Manon was angrier this time.

"Actually" Nancy said nonchalantly. "Rioli killed her for me. But that old woman was soon to be dead as she helped you in the past. Might as well die for what she did and be useful to me at the same time. And Rioli also tried to interrupt the ceremony of your… returning powers. But it failed." Lisbon frowned, remembering how messy the altar was when she woke up. "That's why I let her fight you first under my appearance, knowing you'd eventually beat her." The witch's eyes flared. "You have so much power and Manon obviously favours you… Little avenger, battling for the good cause… And yet you're not even capable of protecting the people you love."

The agent suddenly had the urge to throw herself at the woman and end the confrontation right then, but more important matters were at stake. Nancy's words had reminded her why she was standing here at first place. Facing many criminals had taught her one thing, they loved it when the 'good guy' lost it. She needed to know where Jane was hidden, if he was safe or hurt. The wicked smile turned her even angrier.

"Where is Patrick!" Lisbon shouted, wanting nothing more but to plunge the damn knife in the witch's neck and end it. Nancy smiled cruelly and snapped her fingers.

"Right there."

A body appeared in the rain, lying on the ground, not so far from them. Without a second glance to Nancy, Lisbon ran towards it and kneeled. It was Jane all right, but pale, very pale. His eyes, usually full of life and sparkling, were empty and unresponsive. She hastily checked his pulse at his neck. The rain didn't help her in her quest, and his wet skin was so damn cold… Tears started to prickle in the corner of her eyes. She couldn't feel anything. Not a pulse, his chest wasn't moving.

Lisbon felt herself being torn into pieces. After so many years, he was her closest friend, recent lover... she couldn't even begin to describe how important Jane was to her, and… she had brought him here. No matter what anyone said, he followed her there. She let him stay.. and that got him killed. The agent turned towards the madwoman.

"Why did you do that!" she screamed angrily, pointlessly, her voice wavering. "He had nothing to do with this!" she felt her own voice as it broke.

Nancy's face turned serious again, and she took a few steps forwards.

"I decided you'd suffer; sort of payback for what you put me through. But be grateful, I don't want to kill you right now. Although…" A wicked smile grew over her face. "I might make your death fast if you beg me to."

The agent's features turned icy cold with hate. She released Jane's hand, placing it over his chest gently, looking at his face for a second, and stood up slowly, not leaving Nancy out of her sight.

"Fuck you" she hissed, eyes narrowing. A loud thunderclap echoed in the background. "I'm going to kill you."

-PW-

The fight did not go as well as Lisbon thought. After her initial strike out of sheer fury, Nancy's superiority in the art of Craft was obvious. While she was busy solving cases and putting her past behind her, the gothic-dressed woman had time to perfect her techniques. Last time, they were both discovering the edges and abilities. Now, all Lisbon could rely on was instinct and the few tricks she had imprinted in her memory and body.

Nancy lunged towards her, dagger lifted high. A sense of déjà-vu invaded Lisbon, as she barely managed to duck this one. The witch still managed to catch a shoulder but the agent, with a move she had learned in her early years of training, made her wrist snap, almost breaking it. Once at a reasonable distance, Lisbon willed the lightening to hit the tiles of a nearby roof. They slipped off their place and started to fall on Nancy…

"Is that all you can do?"

To Teresa's horror, the tiles immediately busted into fire before they touched Nancy. The remaining ones, on the witch's order, were thrown at her with impressive speed. Lisbon had to duck behind another dumpster nearby and closed her eyes to catch her breath. Obviously, the usual magic tricks wouldn't work on Nancy. So time for a little more hand-to-hand practice. She melted in the wall once again and slipped into a puddle. Then she just waited…

When Nancy moved forwards to check behind the dumpster, stepping into the puddle, the agent threw out her hand and grasped the witch's leg and pulled it down to make her trip. Stormed out of the puddle and threw herself at her, straddling her lying form, ignoring the pain Nancy's spell was inflicting her by being so close, it didn't matter. She disarmed the wicked witch by throwing her dagger away and started punching her, screaming in anger. Again. And again. She wouldn't stop. Nancy scratched her cheek and threw her off with a wave of wind. Caught off guard by the use of magic after a physical attack, Lisbon got blasted against the closest wall and hit her head hard. She barely had the time to get up when Nancy was over her, her face bleeding, dagger back in hand, a devious grin over her face.

"Good-bye sweetie."

She raised her arm. Lisbon held her breath, ready to duck and then counter-attack…

BANG

Nancy winced and nearly dropped her weapon as she fell, kneeling, to the ground. A dark pool of red started to spread on the pavement. Behind them, shakily pointing a gun in their direction, Jane was leaning against the wall.

Alive.

One chapter left before the epilogue (promise, it won't take 3 months –or more- to update this time ^^")

Thank you for reading so far!

(A little review to light up my greyish day? :3)