Authors note:

To each and every one of you who either read or reviewed this or either one of my other stories….I thank you SO much your words and alerts really made me happy.….I apologizes for the lengthy delay in updating.

I assure you that I intend to complete this story. This was my first story and although I've written others this Charmed Story holds a special place in my heart.

To understand why there were delays please refer to my profile.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the CHARMED characters. I just love and miss them.

Thank you, Constance Burge for developing a wonderful cast of characters and adventures.

Chapter 14

She knows something.

"Why the hell did you do that?" demanded Piper after she rematerialize in the library at magic school.

The look in Billie's eyes indicated she required the same answer.

"Ladies any discussion you want or need to have should be done with a clear head. Said Leo "your emotions are being greatly effected by the disturbance of the Leylines, being here at magic school you are safe from the any added emotional influences."

Billie sighed, and looked around at the expansive space of the magic school library. She loved this place and had wanted to come here so many times over the last few years but she never had the opportunity.

Sitting down on the antique settee Billie closed her eyes "I've said just about everything I can say." admitted Billie honestly, feeling a pounding in her temples the result from crying.

Piper had to admit she felt the same way. She scrubbed her hands across her face took a deep breath; she needed to process everything that had just been said. It was not an exercise she was looking forward to.

"Leo, if the Elders don't know what this thing is." said Billie getting up and walking toward the White lighter purposely trying to avoid the communication of her and Piper's argument , at least for now "Maybe I could talk to someone in the underworld?"

"No!" replied Piper unable to hide the mystified look on her face "Are you insane or just old fashion crazy?"

Billie looked at Leo hoping he would intervene on her behalf.

But he was thinking the same thing as his wife, although he would have phased the question a little different. He remained quite and waited for Piper to continue.

"It's a good idea" continued Billie with the slightest whine ignoring Piper's comment "You guys have worked with demons before, what's so different about now?"

Piper had forgotten how eager Billie was when it came to demon fighting. She remembered that the blond witch almost seemed to get a rush not only from the vanquish but from the hunt as well.

"Billie?" said Piper interrupting what was sure to be a rant. "When is the last time you were in the underworld?"

"A well Um." stuttered Billie.

Piper instantly regretted the question knowing the last time she was in Hell must have been during the ultimate battle. "What I mean is you're out of practice," She walked over to her husband knowing he would be able to convey her concerns.

"It's been a while for the girls too" added Leo quickly trying to defuse the awkwardness with an easy smile "We don't have any current contacts in the under world. Unless possibly any of Paige's charges do."

Piper chose to ignore Leo's idea of Paige having a way into the underworld. "Listen Billie I appreciate your willingness to get to the bottom of this thing" Assured Piper sincerely "But we need just a few more facts before anyone goes traipsing off the underworld okay. I mean just this morning some crazy ass demon was in your apartment trying to kill you."

Before Billie could respond they were interrupted by the brilliant white light of the Paige and Phoebe orbing into the room.

"Where have you guys been?" Asked Leo a bit curtly because he was concerned about there safety.

"Well we had to make a little stop" Said Paige as she held up her bounty for Leo to see.

"For what?" questioned Piper noticing it looked like her one sister had a hand full of necklaces and the other was exhausted.

"For theses" chirped Paige as she handed both Billie and Piper the same kind of necklaces that she and Phoebe were already wearing."

"Why do we need this?" asked Billie as she pulled the multi stone piece of jewelry over her head.

"The beautiful necklaces were made with multiple stones that were intertwined and held together with both leather cord and what appeared to be a sterling silver wire. " Wearing these will help protect us from the effects of Smokey" said Paige with a grin obviously pleased with herself.

Piper was well aware of the power of crystals and even raw stones and she knew Paige had extensive knowledge of that power. She ran her fingers across the polished green Malachite admiring the powerful healing stone that could quite literally be centuries old.

"Both black and green Tourmaline- will protect our auras against negative forces." explained Paige more to Billie then to her sisters or Leo. "Black Tourmaline- Deflects negativity and the green protects against negative energies entering from the outside. The Smoky Quartz- is used to prevent mood swings, aggressive behavior, and all types of negativity.

Smoky Quartz -is called "The Emotional Balancer" added Paige as she glanced at her oldest sister "maybe some one of us should wear it all the time."

Piper caught the underline sarcastic meaning of Paige's remark but simply did not have the energy to respond. So she slipped the striking piece of jewelry around her neck and simply asked "Did you make one for the boys?"

"Ummm no." replied Paige raising her brow a little surprised by the question.

"Piper the boys could not see it." Leo Started to explain before being interrupted by his still irritable wife.

"I was there Leo!" snapped Piper before, letting out a deep sigh and wishing the universe to give her a break. She was genuinely sorry that she had once again snapped at her husband but, seemed almost unable to stop herself. "I'm sorry Leo, I know they did not see what ever the hell it is. But since they are charmed I'm concerned that the disruption of the precious nexus may affect them."

Billie could both see and feel the frustration that her former teacher was experiencing but said nothing as she watched the exchange between the siblings.

"Piper I'm sorry I didn't think about that." confessed Paige "I do have more than enough stones I make them each one too. Heck… I'll make something for all the kids." offered Paige to calm her sister who was obviously concerned about the safety of her children. "And speaking of kids ….I need to go check on mine….Henry has been calling me for hour."

"Why what's wrong?" demanded Piper feeling her stomach clench. She knew she was always the worrier in the family but the last ten hours seemed to have magnified that feeling.

Instead of annoyance Paige was beginning to feel concerned that her normally level headed sister seemed on the brink of a meltdown… She glanced at Phoebe who had not said two words since the orbed into the library. "Nothing is wrong." assured Paige quickly "its little Henry…he' been crying and throwing temper tantrums lately. So much that Henry took him to the pediatrician last week but, they said it was normal...but it doesn't seem normal."

"Go home Paige, and check on your family" said Leo "everyone has had a long day. We don't know of any immediate threat from this thing so we need to take advantage of that and get some rest…We will start fresh tomorrow.

"Are you ready Sis?" asked Paige knowing she needed to orb Phoebe home as she nodded her head in agreement to Leo.

"I'll take Phoebe home." said Leo before the middle sister could respond.

"What about you, Missy?" asked Paige looking at her former charge.

"A yeah…if you'll take me home, that would be great." replied the pretty blond thinking a long hot shower and a glass of wine would be really great about now.

"Actually. I think it would be better if Billie stayed here, or at the manor." said "Phoebe finally breaking her silence for the first time since she and Paige orbed into magic school.

"Why?" asked Billie a little concerned, but secretly loving the idea of staying in the library all night.

"Because you were attacked this morning, and we don't know why." explained Phoebe and because sweetie, you are obviously somehow connected to the smoke thing just like we are. We just want you to be safe."

"I'm fine." Assured Billie but had to admit to herself it was a nice feeling to having someone care if she was. "but would I'd love to do some research about alternate realities."

"It's a good idea." confirmed Leo looking at his wife. "There will be no problem with you staying in the guest quarters here at the school."

"Well if you have this covered" said Paige with a smile still a little worried about her oldest sister "I'll see you in the morning about 9:00."

"Sounds good" replied Leo "I'll be by to get Wyatt and Chris soon."

Just as the familiar pure white orbs started to form Piper called out to her sister. "Paige!"

"Yes" replied the youngest Charmed One as she stopped her body from moving through space.

"Whatever is bothering little Henry is magical." said Piper as if it were a revelation.

"Why do you think that?" insisted Paige unsure of her sister's insights.

"I don't know." Admitted Piper softly feeling every eye in the room on her "I don't how or why I know but, I just think it is. Actually I know it is."

"You don't know why you think that, but you do." questioned Paige scrunching her brows glancing between both Leo and Phoebe. "Are you saying it has something to do with this demon?

"I don't think So, Paige. But I do know it's magical, maybe he is coming into his powers." Said Piper sternly not liking being questioned "I just don't know how or why I know but I do!"

"All rightly then." said Paige in disbelief and confusion "You do know that Phoebe is the psychic in the family…right?"

"I am aware of that Paige." Replied Piper in a huff with her hands planted firmly on her hips. "I'm just asking you to trust me…"

"Piper I always trust you." confirmed Paige not really knowing what to make of her sisters declaration "I may not always agree or even like your ideas but, I always trust you!"

"Maybe you should go ask them." Suggested Piper rolling her eyes to the heavens.

Paige looked between Phoebe and Leo for some kind of guidance but assumed they were as surprised as she was.

"Hey don't look at me" said Phoebe with a smile, but if Piper gets to have premonitions does that mean I get to blow things up?"

Leo could not help but smile at the smallest amount of rivalry that still excited between the siblings even though they were mature woman with children of their own.

"Ah…. for crying out loud" complained Piper with her hands on her hips feeling slightly embarrassed about her decision to share her thoughts "I'm not psychic. I just have a feeling… call it a mother's intuition or something.

"Look I've learned to trust all of your instincts …years ago." Reminded Leo honestly, while silently wondering what the hell was going on with is wife. "So if Piper thinks you should talk to the Elders…I agree with her. It can't hurt. He chose to not elaborate on the fact that he intended to do the same regarding his wife's odd behavior.

Billie listened carefully to the discussion that was happening around her and for some reason she could not understand. She knew that Piper was right. If was almost as if she could feel Piper's anxiety.

"Okay I'll talk to them, tomorrow." said Paige but right now I need to go home.

"Me too" confirmed Phoebe with a yawn.

Leo looked between Billie and his Piper wondering if he should leave the two witches alone.

"Go!" ordered Piper with a wave of her hand "Go... Well be fine. I'll show Billie the guest rooms."

Leo wanted to remind Piper to be nice, but insread told her " I be back in a few minutes to get you."

Piper nodded trying to block out what she suspected was going to be long night when she got back to the mannor.