AN: Another chapter! Hope you enjoy part II.

IF YOU MUST WEEP

If you must leave,
Leave as though fire burns under your feet
If you must speak,
Speak every word as though it were unique
If you must die, sweetheart
Die knowing your life was my life's best part
And if you must die,
Remember your life

- Keaton Henson

There would be time for weeping and gnashing of teeth, but this was not that time. The quote kept circling around Chris mind as he wandered the snow-covered gardens of his deceased father-in-law. The garden he knew was not his idea or design. It had been laid out by his long dead sister and looked after as a symbol of her memory. He found the marble birdbath under the massive oak tree he and Serena had been married under. Just behind the tree flowed one of the many rivers that passed through the estate.

His father-in-law had been a very stern man. He had neglected his children in favor of gaining political favor. Then when he needed them he summoned them back to his side. Serena's stepbrother, Jace Capell, was to serve as the magnificent young lion, breathing fresh air into a fading old family, and Serena had many suitors chosen by parents aiming for an alliance between ancient houses. All that changed when Richard discovered his stepson lacked the ambition to be a leader. So he set his eyes on building a business empire for his daughter.

Jace's death ended his second marriage. He fell into a depression, which he covered by steamrolling his way into top positions in the House of Lords, all thought if leaving a legacy for his daughter forgotten. He wanted revenge against those forces that had ripped his son from him. He hated the Halliwells.

Chris shuddered at the memory of his first meeting with the man. He was an old war lion. Any hint of compassion was ground out of him by the unhappiness of life. He had come along to act as support for Serena as she tried to persuade her father to turn away from his vendetta. If duels were still legal Chris was sure the old man would have challenged him to one. They failed in their mission, but events sent in motion by Michael and Raphael made the failure mute. The legislation was passed in the House of Parliament outlining the rights and duties of British subjects who were witches.

His second meeting did not go any better. It occurred a month after they found out about Matt. He snuck away one weekend to ask Richard for his daughter's hand in marriage. Candice, Serena's mother, had already given her blessing, but Chris wanted to do the honorable thing. The man gave his blessing grudgingly. He knew it was the only way he might ever reconcile with his daughter. His animosity toward Chris and magic remained unchanged.

Their last meeting was on the wedding day. Richard found Chris alone just before the service. He pulled out a pistol with carvings etched into the handle. True witch hunters, those born into the gift of sensing and hating magic, had crafted the pistol. He leveled the pistol at Chris's head, pointing with unerring accuracy between his eyes. He had declared that after that day if Chris or any of his family set foot on his estate he would slaughter them. He had walked out the room without another word. They never spoke again.

When Matt was born Chris feared the man's wrath would extend to the precious baby. He needed not to have worried; the man had been nothing but kind to his son. They did not get to see each other often. Serena still harbored a certain amount of enmity toward her father, but she and Matt would visit over the summer.

Sitting in the garden, today, Chris could see where the man was coming from. His hatred was not from a fear of the unknown, but a fear for those he loved. Magic had killed his heir. It drove a wedge between him and his only daughter. Serena would never have returned to America if she had not been friends with Anakin. Richard was a patriarch, and he guarded his own the best way he knew.

"It's freezing out here," said Wyatt tramping through the ice.

Chris ignored his brother. Wyatt stepped up beside him. "It was a grand service, fit for a king."

Chris continued to look out beyond the river to the distant thick forest, which had once been favorite hunting grounds for Henry VIII. "Serena is going to stay here. She'll say it's just until all the paperwork for the estate is in order, but I—we know she'll be lying."

Wyatt remained silent but offered Chris the option of accepting a hug. His middle brother had never been one for public displays of affection and comfort.

Chris swallowed. "I know it may not make a difference. We're all supposed to be staying in England until Tiamat and Rahab are vanquished. Who knows how long that'll take. It took nearly a decade for us to vanquish Hellequin, but it matters. She doesn't feel like San Francisco is her home…that I'm not her home."

Chris began to shake with silent sobs. Wyatt pulled him into a hug, ignoring his feeble protest. He had known for a while that his marriage to Serena was rocky. He could let himself off the hook and blame it on the simple atrophy of time, but his consciousness would not let him get away with a cop out. The truth was ever since Matt became more independent he had thrown himself into his work. He needed the chaos to escape the escape the darker thoughts. In that, he was very much like his father-in-law.

The dark-haired witch tried to catch his breath, but his body betrayed him. His brother held him close and let him cry. He did not try and say something to comfort Chris. There would be time for weeping and gnashing of teeth, but this was not that time. The words sounded hollow and empty. His life was falling down around him, and he had no idea how to stop it.

Chris sucked in an icy breath and wiped his running nose on the sleeve of his suit jacket. "She's pregnant."

When Wyatt did not react Chris knew that his brother already knew about the baby. It seemed justified that his brother would learn the truth before him. It was an example of how broken his relationship with his wife actually was.

"Who told you?" Chris asked.

Wyatt still held onto his shoulders. "Sarah."

Chris choked back a laugh. "Does everyone know?"

Wyatt shrugged.

Chris glanced back up to the mansion from a bygone age. "I suppose Matt doesn't. He hasn't said two words to me or Ser since we got here."

"Zach's the same. He's furious at being forced to leave Rebecca behind," said Wyatt.

Chris focused back on Wyatt. "I don't want to lose her, Wy."

"So fight for her. Don't let her slip away. Show her you love her."

"There's so much more to be worried about. The kids—they need my help."

Wyatt shook his head. "No, Serena needs you. Your baby needs you. Matt will understand. I can keep training the kids. Mom's had decades of experience brewing up potions and writing spells. Sarah's not too shabby in the research department."

Chris scoffed.

Wyatt shook him gently. "There's no point winning this war, Chris, if we lose our family. Innocents and the Grand Design be damned. We've sacrificed enough. This time we're fighting for family. Maybe you just have to fight for your family differently than the rest of us."

Chris remained silent for a long time. "If Zach was poisoned by Vrykolakas blood it's going to slowly sap him of all his powers."

Wyatt recognized the change in subject for what it was. "We knew that already, Chris."

"The problem is I don't understand why they'd use a sapping curse as the third. The first two were fairly direct in their design. Sapping curses take time to be effective."

Wyatt's knowledge on curses was enough to let him scrimp by with a passing grade in Curses and Countercurses at Magic School. "There were other options?"

Chris nodded. "Vrykolakas blood serves as a binding conduit for curses. Depending on the power and age of the Vrykolakas who donated her blood up to three curses can be embedded in to poisoned blade. The first is always a curse designed to destroy the victim without any hope of salvation. If a miracle happens the second and third curses can vary greatly in nature."

Wyatt pretended he understood everything Chris said. "What about the blade it threw at us back at the school?"

"Only two curses were on it. The first again would have negated our healing ability. The second was an inferno hex."

Wyatt whistled softly. He knew about inferno hexes. "A curse like that would have taken out half of the school."

Chris agreed. "Perhaps more. From what Zach describes the demon had an uncanny way with fire. She nearly wiped out Kenny's reserves, and he's almost twice as powerful as Tyler Michaels."

"That firestarter mom and the sisters saved from the Source?"

Chris nodded again.

Wyatt rubbed his arms against the cold. "Can we break the curse on Zach?"

"Not without vanquishing the Vrykolakas who supplied the blood. Blood magic is powerful. Even Charmed Magic pales in comparison. Thankfully almost no one can use it."

"So we need to find the Vrykolakas. Any idea how to vanquish it?"

Chris actually grinned. "How else do you kill a vampire?"

"You two are going to catch a cold in this weather," shouted Prue from across the garden. She ran over to join them. "Wonderful service, Chris."

"Serena planned it all," said Chris with a look at Wyatt.

Wyatt interpreted the glance to keep quiet on the status of Chris's marriage. "Are the wives looking for us?"

Prue rubbed her gloved hands together. "No, but I'll tell Kyle you think of him as one of the wives."

Wyatt chuckled keeping Prue's attention away from Chris. "How is Kyle?"

Prue grew somber. "He's—fine. Not one hundred percent, but he's getting there. He's already demanding he be allowed to return to work. Like hell, I'm not letting him out of my sight."

"He's going to have to return to work at some point."

Prue hugged herself and twisted back and forth. "I know. I know. He's a big boy, and I didn't marry a wimp. I just wish he'd—he's like you two. So busy looking at how he can help others, he forgets he's mortal. If it wasn't for the Prime Minister I don't know how we'd have gotten him out of that interrogation room."

Wyatt graced his sister with a sympathetic smile. "We'd have found a way."

"Do we know exactly what information they wanted from him?" asked Chris speaking up for the first time.

"He says just basic stuff about the company. Although I guess that cover is blown now," sighed Prue with a hint of a smile. "Even if he does go back to work. It's a desk job for him."

Wyatt rolled his eyes but continued to smile. "He's going to hate that. He's always said since he took the director's job he won't be a simple desk jockey."

"The heads of his sister agencies visited last night. They're pressuring him into heading the advice of the Home Secretary."

Chris cleared his throat and indicated the approach of Michael and Richard.

Prue turned around and greeted her sons. "Need something?"

Michael spoke up. "We're wondering if we could go into town with Zach and Matt. Hanging around this stuffy old place is boring."

"I thought you guys were going to work on your orbing," said Prue, still hesitant to have any of her family too far away from her.

Michael whined. "We did. Matt's all depressed. We think a stroll around the high street will do him some good."

Prue crossed her arms and did a remarkable impression of her mother's unimpressed glares. "Oh really? You're just going to go into two for some window shopping?"

Richard kicked his twin. "Told you."

"Shut it," bit back Michael.

Prue cleared her throat authoritatively. The twins shut up. "I want you back here by ten thirty. If that's ok with Zach and Matt's parents."

Wyatt shrugged. "If you can get Zach to go with you be my guest."

Chris nodded. "Fine with me."

Michael jumped into the air and pumped his fists up and down.

"And if I catch a whiff of alcohol on your breath when you get back, you two will be grounded until your thirty," said Pre with a hint of finality.

Michael sobered up and nodded quickly. "Of course. We'll be perfect angels."

Prue laughed. "You could never be an angel, sweetie."

Michael feigned hurt. "An arrow through my heart, mother."

"Get out of here before I change my mind."

The three adults watched the twins run back up to the house.

Prue shivered. "We should follow. It's bloody ridiculous out here."

Wyatt sized up Chris's reaction. "I don't know? I think it's kind of refreshing."

"Get off it! You hate the cold," said Prue.

"Are they going to be safe?" asked Chris softly.

Prue nodded. "There's been no demonic activity in the area for months, and the whole town is flooded with agents."

Chris scoffed. "They didn't help much at the dance."

"These aren't all mortals," explained Prue.

Chris fell silent again. He found it almost impossible to act normal.

Wyatt sighed and wrapped his arm around his only sister. "I am starving though. Let's go see if any of those prawn cocktail things are left."

Prue frowned at Wyatt. "You ate half a tray already."

Wyatt patted his stomach. "I'm a growing boy." He pulled Prue along the path.

She glanced over her shoulder. "You coming?"

Chris shook his head. "I'll be up in a moment."

Alone, Chris found the small stone bench along the river. He had a lot of thinking to do.


Sophia lay on the floor of her bedroom with music blasting out of the new speaker system her mother bought her as an early Christmas present. Her mother had already come up twice to ask her to turn the music down. She obeyed her mother's requests until she left the room. A whole consortium of her parents' friends had descended on her home for an impromptu holidays party. She had been confined to her room for the duration of the party hence the rebellious music playing.

Someone knocked on her door.

"What is it mother?"

The door opened, and Rebecca stepped into the room. Sophia immediately shut the music off and jumped to her feet.

"Please tell me you're here to bail me out of here. I can't stand this," exclaimed Sophia eyeing her shorter friend.

Rebecca shook her head. "No such luck, I'm afraid. I was hoping you'd help me."

"With?" asked Sophia.

Rebecca sat down on the bed and unceremoniously kicked off her shoes. "What's with the party?"

Sophia huffed and took a seat at her desk. "Fundraising event for some cause or another. Whatever it takes to get me mother's dress on page six. "

"Danny's dads were down there."

Sophia shrugged. "William Beck is one of the city's top litigators. He often comes to these functions, although Jamal usually avoids big political functions. I wonder why he chose to come this time."

Rebecca frowned. "You know Danny's dads?"

Sophia laughed. "I've seen them around. When I had a crush on Danny I researched his folks a few years back. I don't think they'd know me from a grain of salt."

Rebecca sighed. "I can't believe Andrew's parents won their case. It's bullshit."

"Agreed."

"How could the judge think Danny was the instigator?"

Sophia shifted in her seat. "Are they charging Danny?"

Rebecca shrugged. "He didn't know when I visited him earlier. He said his dad was talking to the DA."

"Have you heard anything from Andrew?" asked Sophia softly.

"No. I've texted him a few times, and I even called the house. His mother picked up the phone, told me to stop calling, and hung up before I could say hello. You?"

Sophia gestured in the negative. "I hope he's ok—well we know he's not ok, but, you know, I hope they're leaving him alone."

Rebecca flopped back on the bed. Her long hair settled around her face. "Zach's going to blow a gasket when he hears about this."

"You haven't told him?"

Rebecca lifted her head high enough so she could see Sophia. "They've been gone almost three weeks, and I've been able to actually talk to him four times. It's not something I want to tell him over text."

Sophia eyed a picture of herself and Zach at their eighth grade dance. She missed her best friend. Somberly she said, "Maybe my dad can do something. He's got to know a judge or two that's not in the Christensens' pockets."

"Maybe…"

Sophia stood up. "Come on. Lets go ask."

Rebecca slowly sat up. "You sure? Your butler made it very plain the party was for invited guests only. He nearly shut the door in my face. Your mother made him let me in."

Sophia smiled coldly. "Oh my ever helpful mother. Come on, UP!"

Rebecca sighed and rocked herself back onto her feet. She found her shoes and slipped them on with some hesitation. Her mind kept flashing back to the warning Zach had given her a few days before he left. He suggested it would be best if they interacted with Aldrich Watson as little as possible.

"Soph, your dad…"

Sophia's smile faltered. "I know, Becca, I know, but this has nothing to do with Zach or Matt. This is for Andrew. It's got nothing to do with magic."

Rebecca chewed on her lip. "Zach saved them using magic."

"And who's going to figure that out? No one saw him there. Only we know what really happened. I'm not going to tell my dad. Are you?"

"Of course not," said Rebecca indignantly.

Sophia gestured irritably for her friend to get moving. "Hurry up! If we wait too long then he might be able to talk to whom he needs to talk to before the party ends."

Rebecca heaved a sigh. "Fine, fine."

The two teens hurried downstairs. They passed a few adults who gave them quizzical looks. Sophia ignored them, but Rebecca found it difficult to not see the judgment in their eyes. She was not dressed to attend a ball on the city's upper echelons. Holiday music played softly over speakers Rebecca could not see. A few holographic displays switched on as they passed showing the current news stories or the big basketball game.

"Do you like basketball?" she asked randomly.

Sophia nodded and hurried along the corridor connecting the kitchen to the massive dinning room, which opened up to the even larger gardens. The clusters of people grew denser as they reached the gardens. A few even called out a greeting to Sophia. She politely waved in return and continued her search for her father.

Aldrich Watson was a very tall man with a straight back and broad shoulders. In college he had played rugby and even in his advancing age kept a strict workout routine. His once raven hair was now grey, but he kept it cut in a short and neat hairstyle. His large mustache still retained some of its color and covered his upper lip. He wore thin round glasses and was almost always smiling. Still his cheerful demeanor did not detract from the air of authority surrounding him. He was the type of man who could command the complete attention of a room by simply walking through the door.

"There he is," called Sophia to Rebecca who had been sidetracked by an eager waiter carrying a tray of hors d'oeuvres.

Rebecca, apologizing, prized herself away from the waiter and followed Sophia. They reached the blonde girls father right as he finished telling a story. The crowd around him laughed good-naturedly and sipped on their flutes of champagne.

"Daddy!" greeted Sophia, giving her father a hug.

Aldrich's eyes widened, and he chuckled deeply. "Sophie, darling, I thought you were sulking in your room. Ah—I see you invited the lovely Rebecca to join you tonight, how wonderful."

Rebecca bowed her head. "Good evening, Mr. Watson."

Again the booming chuckle issued from the man. "My dear, I've told you before it's Aldrich."

Rebecca sheepishly smiled. "Sorry, I forgot."

Sophia interrupted her father. "Daddy, could I steal you away from your guest for a few minutes?"

Aldrich glanced at the guests around him; they were state senators, judges, and even the mayor's wife. "What is it, my child?"

Sophia hesitated. "Please, dad, it'll just be a few minutes. Then I'll let you get back to boring all these nice people with your old war stories."

Aldrich's forehead wrinkled as he studied his daughter's pleading face. "If you could just excuse me for a moment."

Sophia and Rebecca followed him over to a deserted part of the garden, near the rose bushes. He folded his arms, and the smile on his face was not as warm as it had been moments before. Rebecca gulped. Sophia, however, appeared unperturbed by the change in attitude of his father.

"Do you remember William and Jamal?" asked Sophia quickly.

Aldrich nodded. "Of course, they're here tonight even. Wonderful couple. You go to school with their boy, don't you?"

Sophia nodded her head in agreement. "Then have you heard what happened to Daniel?"

Aldrich's brown eyes darkened. "It is a travesty. I'm thankful their boy is on the mend at least. Do not think I won't be having a few words with the good old Edwin Brown about how he's running the courts of this city."

"Good, but there's something that needs to be done now."

Aldrich arched both bushy eyebrows. "What do you mean, Sophie, sweetie?"

Sophia took a deep breath. "Andrew, daddy, he's been set back to his family. He can't stay there. He just can't."

"Sweetie, I wish there was something, but his case has been decided. His parents were ruled out of any wrongdoing. Unless new evidence surfaces, the police will not reopen the case, and without a case of endangerment or neglect Social Services cannot remove a minor from the care of his or her guardians." Aldrich's voice trembled with suppressed rage.

Sophia deflated. "But, Daddy!"

Aldrich patted her on the shoulder. "If there was anything I could do I would be doing it. William and Jamal have both approached me already, but there is nothing to be done. I will exert my considerable influence to ensure their boy is cleared of all charges."

Rebecca spoke up in a squeaky voice. "But then how can they explain what happened to them? If Andrew's dad didn't beat them up out of self-defense…"

"The law, unfortunately, is a fickle thing. Gerard's self-defense claim has been supported by the testimony of his wife and mother. A judge has ruled the claim to be true in the eyes of the court. Their lawyers were very careful to never come out and blame Daniel for the attack. Therefore even it is proven that Daniel did not attack Mr. Christensen and Andrew it does not negate the claim of self-defense," explained Aldrich calmly.

Sophia frowned. "So then how do we help Andrew?"

Aldrich shrugged. "If you can solve that you will be smart than four of the tope lawyers in this country."

Sophia crossed her arms and huffed. "They can't get away with it. He can't stay with them. They'll end up killing him. We don't have school until construction is done, and the investigation is closed. It'll drive him insane to be stuck in that house. We've got to do something."

"Could he get emancipated?" suggested Rebecca wildly.

Aldrich considered the proposal. "It would be an option if he were sixteen."

"He turns sixteen in a few months," argued Sophia.

"Emancipation requires that it is in the best interest of the child. As of this moment we have no reason to give the courts that staying with his parents is not in his best interests."

Someone called Aldrich. Sophia spotted her mother heading in their direction.

"Mom!" said Sophia sweetly.

Vivian Watson smiled at her daughter with all the warmth she would give a fly. "Sophia, darling, you are not dressed up."

"I only wanted to talk to Daddy about something."

Vivian wrapped her arms around Aldrich. "Perhaps, it should wait until after the party. We have guests to visit."

Sophia bit her tongue knowing it was futile to argue with her mother. She watched in desperation as their last hope of saving Andrew was pulled back into the crowd. She looked at Rebecca and threw her hands in the air.

"What are we going to do? I was so sure my dad could fix all this."

Rebecca embraced her friend. "We'll think of something."

"Let's go back to my room." Sophia led them back into the confines of the house. Once in her room she sat back down at her desk, while Rebecca sat on her bed. "Why'd you come here tonight? It wasn't about Andrew and Danny, was it?"

Rebecca shook her head. "No, but it sees so silly now."

"Come on, maybe we can fix at least one thing tonight," pried Sophia.

Rebecca swallowed and covered her face with her hands. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "You and Matt—er—you guys have been going out for awhile, right?"

"Almost a year and a half," replied Sophia.

Rebecca giggled nervously. "And—and you guys are—um—you know, er, physical?"

Sophia smirked. "Why?"

"So you—well—yes, you've done it?"

Sophia's cheek flushed slightly. "Rebecca, we're close, but I don't just tell people about my love life."

Rebecca nodded quickly. "I know, yeah, of course. It's not—I'm not trying to be nosy or anything. It's just, well, um, you see…"

"Take a deep breath, honey, and just say it," said Sophia.

"Easier said than done." Rebecca took a few deep breaths. "The night before Zach left, he came over to my place. We started making out and stuff, you know, feeling each other up. Well, there was—I wasn't exactly expecting company, and so I was getting ready for bed."

"Did he see you naked?" asked Sophia jokingly.

Rebecca giggled. "No, but he missed that be a few minutes. I was in my bra and panties. Then I threw on a robe, but it came off pretty soon. He took off his shirt…" She got misty eyed at the memory.

Sophia smiled. "First time seeing a boy without a shirt on?"

Rebecca playfully threw a pillow at Sophia. "NO! I've—I've done stuff with previous boyfriends. That night, though, it was different. We—I said I was ready to go all the way, and it felt like he was too. Now—now I'm not sure. I mean I love him, and I like the idea of how it might feel. It's just a really big step, and we've not been together that long. What if—what if after he gets bored with me or something?"

"Have you spoken to him about any of this?" asked Sophia gently recognizing the time for teasing was over.

Rebecca shook her head and hugged her legs to her chest. "We've not had any real conversations. He spends most of the time complaining about his parents and telling me how much he misses me."

Sophia bobbed her head. Rebecca could have been describing her conversations with Matt. "Well, honey, I'd say you guys need to talk about this. I won't say Zach isn't like other boys even though it's true. I will say he loves you, and I don't think having sex is going to change that. He's a very closed person. When he lets someone in he doesn't do it on a whim."

Rebecca lay back on the bed. Sophia came over and lay down behind her.

"So exactly what stuff have you done with boys?"

Rebecca sniffed. "Exactly what makes you think I'd tell you?"

Sophia grinned, hearing the return of her friend's sarcastic humor. "Oh, maybe, I'd return the favor. Didn't you want to hear about how good Matt is in bed?"

Rebecca pretended to gag. "Please God, no."

"How far do you think Zach went with the bitch who shall not be named?"

Rebecca rolled over so she was facing Sophia. "Really?"

Sophia shrugged. "Maybe, he told you something. He was always edgy about her whenever I tried to get details."

"You guys are way too close," said Rebecca.

Sophia shrugged again. "Can't change true love, darling."

Rebecca groaned. "Your mother is a piece of work."

"No kidding."

The two teens drifted off into silence. Rebecca thought over her last night with Zach. She was glad they had stopped when they did. She did not want her first time to be something that occurred in the heat of passion especially when some of that passion was not directed at her. If Zach had not been in a fight with his parents there was no way he would have let them go as far as they did. He was incredibly shy about his body. It made a nice change from the usual jerks she went out with, but she did wish he would push her boundaries a little.

Her mind wandered to the latest photo Zach had sent her. It was of him surrounded by a dozen memories he had of them together. A few of the memories, she could not think how he had a picture of them. There was definitely one where neither of them had their phones, and they had been completely alone. She sat bolt upright and dug in her bag on Sophia's desk for her phone.

"Rebecca?"

Rebecca found her contact card for Zach and hit dial. "I think I might have solved it."

"Solved what?" asked Sophia also sitting up.

Rebecca put the phone down and turned on the hologram mode while it continued to ring. "How we help Andrew."

Sophia looked at the phone as the dancing lights vanished and were replaced by a two inch tall shirtless Zach.

"Hey, Becks! What's up?"

Rebecca picked up the phone and held it at shoulder height. "I'm at Sophie's."

Zach turned around and smiled. "Oh, hi, Sophie."

Sophie waved. "How's England?"

Zach shrugged. "Terrible. Look not that it's not wonderful to see you, but I've got about fifteen minutes to run through the shower or all the hot water is going to be used up."

Rebecca cleared her throat. "Sorry, babes, but I've got a question."

"Ok?"

"You know the photo you sent me this morning?"

Zach nodded.

Rebecca continued, "How'd you make it?"

Zach glanced at Sophia. "Why?"

"Well, I was thinking that you'd have to have—er—made through special means."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "My room isn't bugged!"

Rebecca grinned. "So you used magic?"

"Well, yes, technically, but you breathe a word of it to my parents and I'll never hear the end of it. We're not supposed to use our powers for personal gain." Zach's image grew fuzzy for a moment.

"Could you use whatever you did to maybe make a video of Andrew's attack? Does your power work like that?" asked Rebecca excitedly.

Zach frowned. "Maybe," he said slowly. "I'll have to check. It's a simple enough spell, but I'm not the best at rewriting spells. Matt or Rick might be able to help. Why? I thought Danny's dads were handling thing."

Rebecca gulped; she'd forgotten he did not know. "Ah…"

"The courts sent him back to live with his mom and dad." Sophia supplied into the sudden silence.

The image grew bright and blasted apart.

"Zach?" yelled Rebecca.

The image reformed, a bit grainer. "Sorry. Magic and technology don't always mix. How could they've sent him back?"

"They bought the self-defense story," said Rebecca, holding the phone in a trembling hand.

Zach gritted his teeth. "Ok, I've got to talk to my parents. They can orb Andrew here, and we can do the spell. He can be orbed back with the video. No way they can dispute a video. Fucking idiots!"

Rebecca and Sophia looked at each other.

"You're going to do it now?" inquired Rebecca, surprised.

Zach nodded. "If my dad agrees. I can't orb people halfway across the world, yet, otherwise I wouldn't bother with him."

"But what about, you know, exposure?" Sophia whispered the last word.

The image flickered again and died. Rebecca tapped her phone a few times, but nothing happened.

"He must have hung up," explained Rebecca.

Sophia stared at the phone. "Do you think it'll work?"

"I can't see why not—assuming it doesn't get them all on some hit list."

The phone rang.

"ZACH?" yelled Rebecca putting the phone against her ear.

"Er—no, it's Danny," said a confused Daniel.

Rebecca sighed. "Hey, what's up?"

Sophia leaned in to hear the conversation.

"…there? I've been calling the house."

Rebecca nodded. "Yeah, they're at the party. How'd you know I was at Sophie's?"

"Matt told me."

Sophia frowned and mouthed, "Matt?"

Rebecca asked, "Matt? How'd he know?"

"No clue. He asked me to tell my dads that they need to have Andrew re-interviewed."

Both girls grinned in excitement.


Andrew sat on a cold metal chair in one of the many interrogation rooms at police headquarters. His back ached, and his headache from the previous day's talk with his father returned with a vengeance. He had asked for a cup of water and an ibuprofen at least ten minutes ago. The older detective, Bronson, had left the room, leaving him alone with Amber Smith. She had been the detective who had first interviewed him in the hospital. She owed her appointment to detective to his grandfather's insistence.

He clutched tightly to the disposable cellphone he had brought with him. On it was the reimagined images of his memories of that night. The spell or whatever Zach had performed on him worked like a charm. Matt and Richard had edited the images to appear as if a bystander using the cellphone had captured them. Kyle had called in a favor from a computer genius friend of his who altered the files so they would register as being taking that night. People he did not know and never met also laid out a fake trail of paperwork concerning how he had come into possession of the phone.

A forensic investigator had wanted the cellphone; he refused to turn it over. It was his only link to the possibility of escaping his parents. He needed it to stay in his sight. After an argument and numerous attempts at intimidation, Bronson and the investigator agreed to settle for a copy of all the information on the phone. That had been over an hour ago. Since then he had been subjected to a thousand questions and thinly veiled threats. He looked up at the one-way window behind which stood who knew how many people.

The door opened and Bronson walked back in carrying a bottle of water and two tablets.

"No ibuprofen left, I'm afraid. Aspirin, ok?"

Andrew shook his head. "I'm allergic as I'm sure my parents told you," he said firmly, glaring at the unseen people just outside the room.

Amber flicked her hair. "Just give him the pills, Bronson. He's a right little prick."

Bronson handed him the water. "Ignore her, she gets cranky when her blood sugar is running low."

Amber pursed her too red lips. "Any news on this shithead's video?"

"As far as forensics can tell it's legit," said Bronson evenly. "Looks like you might have fucked up, Smith."

Amber glowered but kept her lips shut tightly. Bronson was her superior.

Andrew perked up at the news. "So, what does that mean?"

"At the moment it means I need that phone. Forensics wants to check a few more things before they issue a report."

Andrew's grip on the phone tightened. "Hell, no! I told you: this phone doesn't leave my sight."

The door opened and a woman in a very expensive black suit. "Young man…"

Andrew jumped to his feet. "I said, 'NO!' Do you take me for some fool? This department's looking for a way to get out of this. Why should I trust you with the only thing backing my story?"

The new police officer grimaced. "Andrew, listen, I'm Special Agent Alexandra Radnor from the Bureau of Investigation."

Andrew glanced at Amber who gritted her teeth. Bronson leaned back in his chair. "What's—why you here?"

Agent Radnor stared down Amber until she stood up. The agent took the vacated seat and smiled at Andrew. "It was brought to the Bureau's attention that your case was severely mismanaged. My bosses reviewed the material presented to us and saw fit to send me down here to talk to you. I was planning on meeting with you at your house but by lucky coincidence decided to visit the station first. This entire case is being taken over by the BI."

Amber opened her mouth to retort, but Bronson shut her up with a look.

Agent Radnor indicated Bronson with a raised hand. "Detective Bronson has kindly brought me up to date on the current standings of the whole affair. It would be extremely helpful if you could give us the cellphone so that there is not a hint of impropriety with the investigation. As it stands, I have written out my thoughts on the case and handed them to your charming lawyer who will no doubt have a court order in hand very soon allowing you to stay at a foster home until everything is sorted out."

Andrew blinked slowly, not breathing. "You're joking."

Alexandra shook her head and smiled widely. "I very rarely joke, Andrew. You can rest assured that justice will prevail."


It was two days before Christmas. The Halliwell family once again descended on the ancestral home of the Capell family. Matt sat in the bedroom he had chosen long ago as his room at his grandfather's house. It was in the east wing of the mansion, giving him a beautiful view of the sunrise on the few mornings he woke up in time to see it. A massive four-poster bed took up the majority of the fairly dark room. His suitcase lay open at the foot of his bed and clothes were strewn around it. A laptop sat on the large wooden desk in front of the window; he had just gotten off a video chat with his girlfriend.

Their plan had worked. Andrew was placed in the care of Sophia's parents temporarily until the courts officially cleared Daniel's name. He should be celebrating their victory, but it felt like the house sucked the joy out of him. Everywhere he looked something reminded of his grandfather. He had precious few memories of his mother's father, and being stuck in the house was slowly corrupting all of them. He hated his parents for forcing him to stay here.

Sounds of life and laughter echoed down the hall. His cousins were in the midst of an epic game of hide-and-seek only with magical powers. At last count even a few of the adults had joined in the festivities. Zach's animosity toward his parents vanished when they had agreed to help him with Andrew. The twins were just happy the family was around for Christmas. It was only he who still remembered the arguments and fights of the previous month.

Someone knocked on his door.

"Who is it?"

His mother's voice rang through the thick wood. "It's me, sweetie."

Matt tried to reel in his anger, but it still spilled into his tone. 'What is it?"

"Can I come in?"

Matt sighed. "Whatever."

Serena opened the door just a crack and slipped into the room. She quietly closed the door and stood awkwardly in front of it. Dressed in black his mother looked as depressed as he felt. He almost felt sorry for her, but his boiling anger kept it at bay.

"What is it?" he asked again.

Serena overcame her nerves and swept over to the bed. She sat down. "How are you doing, sweetie?"

Matt avoided her searching eyes. "Fine."

She scooted over to the nearest side of the bed to him. "You can talk to me. Tell me what's wrong?"

Matt bit his tongue. "Nothing is wrong, mother."

"Clearly something is. You've locked yourself in this room. Your cousins have asked you to join them numerous times and you've ignored them. You barely speak to me or your dad."

Matt cleared his throat and continued to glare at a spot of wall just over his mother's shoulder.

Serena took a deep breath. "I heard Sophie's voice when I walked passed earlier. How is she doing?"

"Fine," answered Matt.

"Matt, sweetie, I know you miss her and your other friends, but this attitude is getting really old."

Matt rolled his eyes. "So I should just suck it up and pretend I want to spend the rest of my life in this house?"

Serena shook her head.

Matt cut off anything his mother was going to say. "This isn't home! I loved Grandpa, but I don't belong here. We don't belong here. My friends are back home. My life is back home. I didn't become a witch to fucking wall myself up in some ancient house. Why can't you see that? Why can't dad? How—how could you guys ever think we'd be ok with moving here? And don't spout off the same lines! I've heard them all. We're no safer here than anywhere else. It's just a false hope. Demons can find us here as easily as in San Fran. Even with everything Kyle's done, witch hunters will find us here. They'll hunt us down and kill us. Hiding here isn't going to help. It's just not."

Matt choked back a sob. "What the—fuck this."

The intensity of Matt's tirade caught Serena off guard. The bluntness of his statements cut her to the core. There was no point in denying anything he had said. Ever since they had left the city she had a growing feeling in the pit of her stomach they were doing something wrong. Something Anakin had told her years ago kept repeating in her mind; good magic protects.

"It's not that simple, Matt."

Matt scoffed. "The hell it isn't."

Serena held back her admonishment. "No, Matt, there—you don't know everything."

Matt crossed his arms. "Whose fault is that?"

"Mine," admitted Serena. "Even your father didn't know. I told him last night."

"What that you're getting out before things turn to shit? Don't worry, Mom, I knew that already."

The blood in her veins ran cold. "Matthew!"

Matt stood up. "What? I'm not an idiot. I've lived in the same house as you and Dad. The signs were there. How'd Dad take it? I bet he begged you to reconsider."

"MATTHEW ANAKIN HALLIWELL! That is quite enough," yelled Serena.

Matt shut his mouth.

Serena took a deep breath. "Your father and I have been having difficulties. For a while divorce was being considered, but—but it is not something either your father or I want. We still love each other, and we love you."

A stern motherly glare kept Matt silent.

"Regardless of whatever version of reality you conjure up in your mind, that is the truth. I signed over the deed of the house to a trust this morning. My life is with my family, and you and your father would never be happy living away from the city. You both love it too much. The—well, the reason I first even considered going along with the plan to leave was because—because I'm pregnant."

Matt's jaw dropped open. "You're what?"

"I'm pregnant."

Matt fumbled with his hands for his chair. "How?"

Serena chuckled, tears in her eyes. "Your dad's had the talk with you already."

"No! Not what I mean. Gross! It's—pregnant? I thought—were you planning to have a baby?" asked Matt, his mind racing.

"No, it was a complete surprise."

"Where's Dad? How'd he take it?"

Serena smiled. "He's helping get lunch ready, and how'd you think he reacted. Your dad loves babies. Always has. I could barely get in two seconds of holding you when you were little."

Slowly a smile grew on Matt's face. "I'm going to be a brother," he whispered.

"Yes," said Serena, opening her arms.

Matt stood up and hugged his mother. "I'm happy for you and Dad."

"Thank you."

Matt pulled back. "I—um—er…I'm sorry. I didn't mean those things. I just kind of lost it."

Serena patted a spot next to her on the bed. Matt sat down, and she laid her head on his shoulder. "You've gotten so big."

"Mom, I mean it. I'm sorry."

"I know, sweetie, I know, but I'm not sure I can accept your apology."

"Mom…"

Serena sat back up and pulled him into a hug. "Not like that. Some of the stuff you said is true, or it was true. For a long time I've been thinking about moving here if my dad died. It was only after the funeral that I had doubts. Really, I only changed my mind last night after telling your dad about the baby."

Matt sat in silence as his mother spoke.

"We, that is your dad and I, think it'd be best if I stay here at least through the pregnancy. After that we'll see."

"Mom, you can't stay here by yourself."

Serena squeezed him tightly. "You and your father have to stay with the rest of the family. You've got bigger thing to worry about than me and the baby."

Matt kissed her on the cheek. "Dad doesn't have anything bigger to worry about, and neither do I."

The door burst open cutting off further conversation. "MATT!"

Eyes wide, Matt stared at the new comer. "Sophie?"

Sophie ran around the bed and pulled him into a hug and a kiss. Quickly she pulled apart and smiled sheepishly at Serena. "Hello, Mrs. Halliwell."

Serena climbed off the bed. "Glad to see you made it, Sophie."

Matt spun around to his mother. "You knew!"

"Of course, I knew. It was my plan, after all. We were all feeling a bit guilty on how we sprung the whole moving thing on you guys. This doesn't make up for it, but we couldn't bear you and Zach being all mopey on Christmas." Serena stretched and rubbed her stomach. "Well, I'm peckish. I'll see you down in a bit for lunch. The door stays open."

Matt ran a hand through his hair. "How'd you get here?"

"Wyatt orbed us, Rebecca and me. My parents think I'm taking a plane and will be back New Year's Eve."

Matt laughed at the absurdity. "But don't they want you to be with them for Christmas? And Rebecca's parents are ok with her going off to a different country with people they barely know?"

Sophie pulled him into another kiss. "Stop with the questions, and just enjoy it. My parents aren't big on the whole family holiday scene, and they like your family. As for Rebecca, I think your uncle used some special powder on them."

"Memory dust. It makes you very suggestible," explain Matt automatically. "Why didn't you say anything when we were video chatting?"

Sophia shook her head. "It was a surprise, silly. So, since we've got to keep the door open why don't you show me around the place? Maybe we can slip into a different room for some fun."

Matt still reeling from the baby news and Sophia's arrival missed the hint. "It's just a house, Sophie."

Sophia frowned and tugged at the hem of his shirt to get his full attention. "What's up?"

"My mom's pregnant."

Sophia gasped and grinned. "YES! I love babies!"

Matt cracked a half smile. "Seriously?"

"Who doesn't? They're so squishy and cute." Sophia mimed pinching a baby's cheeks.

"It means I've got to stay here. We can't risk going back to the city."

Sophia sobered up. "Really? The way Wyatt was talking it sounded like they were coming back for New Years. Something about the school reopening and not wanting to look suspicious."

Matt started to play with Sophia's hair. "I don't know. I hate it here. Not being able to see you this past month has killed me. And then there was the whole thing with Andrew. Look at what has happened already, though, it's not safe for my mom. My dad won't put her in danger."

Sophia slowly lay down on the bed and pulled Matt down with her. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. They stared into each other's eyes. The fear and concern in his face reminded Sophia just how young he actually was despite his intellect. They were both still children.

"Let's just enjoy Christmas. We can worry about the future later."

Matt nodded and his eyes drifted close. She could see the dark circle under them more clearly. He must not have been sleeping very well. His breathing steadied and deepened. She smiled and gently turned around so that she was facing away from him, and drifted off to sleep as well.


Chris leaned back on the sofa in front of the fire. Serena lay across his lap, half asleep. In one hand, he held an empty glass of wine and the other contained a hologram projector. On it spun the first set of ultrasound scans performed the week prior. He could hardly believe Serena had kept the baby a secret from him for so long. The ultrasound showed a perfectly developing fetus. He smiled despite everything. He was going to be a dad a second time around.

Wyatt entered the room quietly and spotted his wife passed out on the other couch. He went over and picked her up with little effort.

"Congratulations again, bro," he mouthed.

Chris nodded his thanks. With Wyatt and Sarah gone up to bed they were the last ones downstairs. Tomorrow was Christmas Day. His mother, Sarah, and Prue had spent the last few hours wrapping presents for the children between glasses of wine and funny stories. The husbands had been banned from helping due to inability, and Serena was disqualified thanks to a bout of morning sickness. The evening had been merry and almost felt normal. The only damper on the festivities was the topic of returning to the city.

Piper, who had been a supporter of coming to England, appeared to have had a dramatic change of heart. Sarah as per usual sat on the fence and let the brothers sort everything out. Prue adamantly refused to listen to any reason for returning. England was already her family's home. Kyle supported her, arguing they had the covert aid of the British government. Wyatt was heavily influenced by whatever their mother said. He always had been. Serena told them everything Matt said but kept her personal opinion to herself even when pressed, leaving him to make a deciding vote.

The idea of leaving San Francisco indefinitely never sat well with him. They were strongest together and at the Manor. Even the Source had never dared attack his mom and aunts at the Manor until they were down two powers and he had taken in the Hollow. Almost every other major assault on their family focused around driving them from the Manor. They stood their best chance against Tiamat and Rahab by using the Manor as their home base.

Returning to San Francisco meant putting his wife, son, and unborn child directly in harms way. He could reason his way around the guilt of putting Matt in the line of fire. It was going to happen. He might even be able to live with dragging Serena back. The baby was a different matter entirely. No amount of saying it was for the greater good would even assuage his conscience for putting a defenseless innocent on the chopping block.

"Perhaps, you should ask for guidance."

Chris jumped or tried to. His body refused to respond to his mind's commands. "Who said that?"

A man with blond hair, angled jaw, and piercing blue eyes stepped into the firelight. "Hello, Christopher."

"ANAKIN!"

Anakin grinned broadly. "Keep it down. We don't want to wake Sleeping Beauty."

Chris looked down at his wife. "How—what?"

"The how doesn't—actually it does matter, but we don't have the time."

"I can't move!"

Anakin nodded and sat down on the ground in front of the couch. "It's a spell. I'd prefer for you not to wake the whole house. Appearing to you is going to cause all sorts of problems for me. If anyone else saw me, I might as well throw in the towel so to speak."

Chris frowned. "But—what?"

"I wish I could explain it all to you, but for the time being you'll have to believe me it's for the best. I'm here to talk you into going back."

Chris wanted to slap Anakin. "Really?"

Anakin shrugged. "This was a nice break. Destiny and Fate played their part in giving you guys this month to get the kids up to speed. Unfortunately time's up. Evil's running rampant through the city. Left unchecked it'll be impossible to dislodge, and the fall of a major city is all certain people in Washington needs to declare the need for eradication of magic."

"You still care about politics?"

"No, not really, but I do know it is one of the reasons you guys chose to flee. I'm telling you there is still a chance to turn the tides on that front. My concern is how close Tiamat and Rahab are to completing their plans."

Chris glared. "We're not sending the kids out to seek out demons."

"I'm not saying you should." Anakin shot back. "Demons will find them here or there. Rahab has plans to eliminate the family. All I'm recommending is you return to a position of power. Good magic protects. We're at our best when we're protecting those we love and know. Who do Zach and Matt have here that they love?"

"That's easy for you to say. They're not your kids," argued Chris.

Anakin agreed. "I've been watching them since they were born. I've seen them at their happiest and when they were most vulnerable. They may not be mine, but they are my family. I've done everything in my power to protect them, but this is something not even Destiny could rewrite."

Anakin stood up with inhuman grace. "Take good care of her, Chris. I loved her like a sister. She still loves you more than she even knows. Don't give up on that—on her. When my niece or nephew is born tell them I love them." Anakin faded away.

Chris jerked awake at the sound of breaking glass.

"Wh—what was that?" asked Serena, startled.

Chris shushed her. "Sorry, love, I dropped a glass."

Serena yawned and stretched. "What's the time?"

"Just passed one," said Chris looking at his watch. He must have dozed off.

"I off to bed then. You coming?"

Chris nodded, standing up and helping her to her feet. "Mind the glass. I'll be up in a bit."

Serena lazily waved her hand and stumbled her way to the stairs. Chris waved his hand and the glass fragments orbed into the trash bin. He stared at the spot on the ground between the couch and the fireplace. He must have been dreaming.

"Too much eggnog and wine," he muttered as he followed his wife to bed.


AN: So what did you think? Let me know! Love you guys and see you on the next exciting trip into my messed up mind.