Fighting and Empathy

"Right, kick block punch, got it?" Phoebe instructed, standing confidently before Faith in her training clothes. Faith nodded, jumping into her fighting stance even though sweat was already pouring down her forehead. Without even realising it, Faith was snapping kicking her foot into Phoebe's side, who easily blocked and gently punched out with her opposite fist. Already prepared for that, Faith brought up her right hand to catch the balled fingers and twisted it slightly. Phoebe smiled, and brought her hand down. "Your getting better," She smiled, walking over to the wooden steps that led out of the basement where they were training, and picked up her drink.

Faith tugged at her uncomfortably tight yellow top that was stuck to her skin with sweat. Phoebe suddenly chucked Faith her water bottle, whose hand automatically struck out to catch the clear plastic, but it slipped from her fingers. Embarrassed, Faith quickly bent down to pick up the bottle and took a sip.

"You'll get it," Phoebe encouraged, walking over to the mat where Faith was stood. Faith frowned, hadn't Phoebe just said she was getting it, or at least getting better? "You're getting good at the fighting yer, but you're reactions need work." Still Faith was confused, "You've forgotten I'm an empathic." The youngest Halliwell sister chuckled as Faith shook her head, annoyed at herself that she'd forgotten. "You'll have that power soon, so you'll be annoying people by understanding how their feeling, literally," Phoebe remembered back to when she'd first got her newest power, and how much she'd annoyed her sisters with it. "Back to training?"

Faith nodded, trying a couple of weak practice side kicks at the air. Phoebe stood by her side and did the same, pointing out her mistakes and improving her strength.

"Here, see?" Phoebe gently touched Faith's calf, "That's were it'll hurt most if you do the kick wrong. Try and get it at a ninety degree angle, and then snap out, see?" She demonstrated the kick herself.

Nodding, Faith faced the wall and imagined there was a demon there, focusing really hard, she kicked out. She felt a sharp pain shoot through her leg as she kicked, and had to lower her leg. There was a howl of pain.

"PIPER! Prue!" Phoebe called, suddenly levitating above Faith. Momentarily distracted, Faith noticed Prue hesitate in the doorway, watching her, or was she looking behind her? Slowly Faith turned around, just as Piper froze the energy ball that had missed Phoebe and was heading straight for Faith. Instantly, Faith ducked out of the way, and the energy ball crashed into the wall.

Seeming to ignore Faith, Prue and Piper both rushed to Phoebe's aid. Prue threw up her hands and used her telekinesis to throw the lizard demon against the wall with such force that several bricks and plaster fell around him. Then Piper swung her hands up at the demon, and froze him. Forgetting her powers were awkward due to her pregency, Piper attempted to explode the demon, but instead, orbed him crashing into the wooden stairs.

"Oops," She muttered as the stairs came crashing down, destroying their only exit.

"Doesn't matter," Prue called, using her telekinesis to pick the demon off the floor and throw him to the other side of the room. The grey metallic demon lizard growled out in protest as Phoebe brought a strong round house kick across its head. An audible snap echoed around the basement, and then it shimmered out of the room.

"Everyone okay?" Phoebe asked as she lowered herself to the floor. Both her sisters nodded. "Faith, you okay?" Faith tried to nod, but found herself shivering. "Oh—" Phoebe started walking towards the blonde teenager.

"Phoebe!" Faith screamed, pulling Phoebe towards her. The youngest Halliwell spun around and caught sight of the grey lizard catch hold of Faith's arm, and then she was over come with dizziness as the demon shimmered out.

Flash back cont

"Oh, Andy, I can't believe it!" Prue cried, wrapping her arms around her boyfriend.

"Yes, it's an amazing gift they've given us," Andy stated, still trying to understand what had happened.

"But…" Prue hesitated, "You're okay with it aren't you? I mean, if your not then…"

"No, Prue, I want this baby as much as you. I'm just a little shocked..." Andy tried to explain. Prue smiled, touching her stomach self consciously. Andy was right, it was pretty shocking. What did the Elders want? What was the catch? "Prue, I love you, and I'll stand by you forever."

Prue gave a small laugh.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Andy asked.

Prue smiled, "That's pretty ironic, don't you think, I mean—"

"Oh, Prue!" Patty suddenly was beside them. Prue gave her a small smile, knowing why she was there before she even explained. "The Elders just told me!"

"Yer, we're still getting over the shock," Andy stepped in. Patty nodded.

"I've heard it's a first but Prue's special," Patty agreed, "Phoebe would have been proud," She added quietly. Prue winced inwardly at the reminder. "I'm sorry…"

"It's okay," Prue muttered, "It's not that it was Phoebe's and Cole's," Prue carefully said her sister's demonic husband's name, "Or that it's the Source's incarnate…" Tears began to gather behind her lashes.

"Shush, I understand…"

"No, it's just that… It's amazing, but I don't want Phoebe to have to give up her own child for me…" Prue sniffed. Andy wrapped an arm protectively around Prue's shoulders.

Patty fell silent, not wanting to upset her daughter anymore. It must be tough on her, suddenly finding herself dead, and within a month, she suddenly found herself pregnant, with her sister's son no less.