Chapter Twenty-eight:

The next week seemed to go by as if it were a blur. They had a beautiful wiccan ceremony for Brian and Leo, amongst themselves. They could not risk a public ceremony as Wyatt was still after them. Victor, who's health had continued to deteriorate still managed to attend. He had not seen his grandchildren since they had gone into hiding, so it was a nice reunion for them. After the ceremony however, they parted again as Victor had made arrangements to stay in a hospice clinic for the rest of his days.

Chris and Prue tried to insist on taking care of him themselves, but Victor insisted that it would put them in too much danger. The three had a very tearful goodbye, knowing that it would probably be the last time they would all be together. It was only weeks later when Chris and Prue received word that Victor had indeed passed on. Although not unexpected it was another devastating loss.

Wyatt meanwhile was still fuming that his brother had escaped and foiled his plans to eliminate his cousin and the senator as well as crush those who still resisted him. His anger, however made him more determined than ever to carry out his plans. At least he had made great strides in the political arena. He soon was to be granted official power over the nation by congress. Plus he was pleased that his demons had managed to take care of those irritating elders. He had long been waiting for an opportunity to rid himself of them, and now he had finally succeeded. With the demise of the elders, Wyatt believed that the witches would be next.

The source was sitting in a corner by himself, thinking about all of this, when his trusted servant Granchus shimmered in. "Is there any update on the search for my brother and the other witches?" Wyatt demanded. "Not yet my liege." Granchus answered. "But we are working on it." Wyatt was not all that happy with his answer, but he accepted it nonetheless. "Very well." He answered. "Bring me the Phoenix." Wyatt continued. "I want her on this as well."

Seeing that Granchus did not reply right away, Wyatt immediately questioned him. "What is it?" "Well…" Granchus started. "Bianca is missing. Some of us believe that she may be the one who helped your brother escape." Wyatt did not like the insinuation. Bianca had always been very loyal to him, not to mention that she was excellent at her job. Plus he was quite fixated on her. It would be a shame if she was a traitor, because then she would have to be taken care of. "Do you have any proof of this?" The source demanded. Granchus backed off, shaking his head no. "Well then bring her to me. I will get the truth." "Of course my liege." Granchus answered swiftly. "I'll have her found right away." "Good." Wyatt responded before Granchus shimmered away.

"That witch better not have betrayed me." Wyatt said aloud to himself. "That would be a real shame." Off that thought Wyatt orbed out of the underworld. It was time for his meeting with Congress. Absolute power would soon be his.

Meanwhile back at the gymnasium, Chris and his ally witches were all quite discouraged. They all felt helpless to stop Wyatt's world takeover, and on top of that they were all still grieving. Danielle in particular was still completely withdrawn. She barely ate and didn't sleep. Her friends were getting very worried about her. It had been a month since Brian had passed and she was still drowning in sorrow. Prue and Bridget were particularly concerned.

"I'm really worried now." Bridget told Prue. "She isn't eating or sleeping, and she is barely saying two words to anyone. Don't get me wrong, I loved my brother and I am still missing him, probably always will, but this isn't healthy." "I agree." Prue answered. She herself was also grieving for her friend, her uncle and her grandfather. She did not know if she could even help anyone right now, but Danielle was her friend and she needed to try. "We have to help her get her mind on something else, anything else." Prue suggested.

"I agree." Chris said approaching his cousin and her friend. "And maybe a cause will help her." The two girls looked at him curious, wanting to know more. "Both Bianca and Devon say there are rumors circulating that Wyatt plans to go after the small group of protesters who are rallying near the capital. The group opposing the bill Congress is passing to give Wyatt emergency control over the government." The girls nodded. "I guess it helps having allies with demonic contacts huh?" Bridget said. "Yeah it certainly does." Chris replied.

"Okay." Prue started. "This could be perfect. Maybe this is just what Danielle needs. To get out there and protect the innocent, not to mention kick some demon ass." Chris and Bridget nodded in agreement. "Okay…" Chris started. "First we need to know when this attack is going to take place. Perhaps you can get a premonition," He said gesturing toward Prue. "Here is a newspaper article about the rally and the bill. Maybe you can get something off of that." Prue nodded. "I'll try" she said. "And I'll go tell Danielle what is going on." Bridget added. "Maybe it will get her out of this slump." "I hope so." Chris said. "Hopefully taking some action will help all of us." More to himself than to Bridget and Prue.

Chris was really wishing it would. He needed this distraction to get his mind off of all the loss. Even more so, he was hoping that this would be Wyatt's first big mistake, and that perhaps Wyatt would inadvertently show everyone that he was not their savior, but rather a want-a-be dictator. Perhaps then they would have a chance to bring him down.

Bridget, meanwhile set about climbing up the bleachers to where Danielle was sitting in a corner, once again alone. "Hey." Bridget started, not sure exactly what to say. "Look I know this is probably the last thing on your mind, but Wyatt is planning an ambush. We need to stop him." Danielle looked up showing some interest. The first interest she had shown in anything for quite a while. "What is it that he is planning?" She asked Bridget. Encouraged by the existence of at least some conversation, Bridget explained. "He plans on attacking the protestors at the capital. Apparently he wants there mouths to be shut. Bianca and Devon have heard rumors in the underworld about this happening, but we still don't have any details. Prue is trying to get a premonition as we speak." Danielle nodded.

"Let me know when it's time." She told Bridget. She was finally ready to get up and do something, and going after the bastard who killed Brian was just the thing for her. "Sure, I'll let you know when we have rescue groups set up, as usually your power will come in handy." Bridget said. "Good." Danielle said. "Good."

After Bridget went back to see how Prue was coming along with her visions, Danielle decided to also come down and join the group, to see if there was anything she could do to help. She was determined to make Wyatt pay for killing Brian, by foiling as many of his plans as possible. When she finally made her way to the bottom of the bleachers she ran into Chris.

The two of them did not know each other well, as Chris had been taken captive not long after the group got together, but Danielle admired him very much. He reminded her a little of Brian. He had lost so much in his life and felt as if he had to take care of his younger cousin, the way Brian felt responsible for his sisters after their father had died.

"Hey how are you holding up?" Chris asked her. "I'm not too sure." She answered honestly. "But at least this new development with Wyatt's impending attack on more innocent people has given me a purpose." Chris nodded. "I know what you mean." He answered agreeing. "I've been feeling useless, just sitting around here the past couple of weeks. Taking action, opposing Wyatt will make me feel as if we are making some difference." Danielle nodded.

"So how are you doing?" She asked him. "After all I am not the only one to have lost someone. You lost Brian too, a friend and an ally, not to mention both your grandfather and your father." Chris looked away, he did not want anyone to see how he truly was hurting. "I'm doing okay." He answered. "After awhile you start to get numb to all the loss." It wasn't entirely untrue, but for the most part he had simply gotten better at hiding his feelings. "I don't know how you do it." Danielle remarked. "Do what?" Chris asked. "Go on like this, keep fighting as determined as ever after everything you have gone through. I mean I must seem pathetic to you. It has been weeks since Brian well, you know. And I am still in pieces." She was once again letting her tears flow.

"Everyone grieves in their own way. And by the way I definitely don't think your pathetic. You loved him,. It is going to take a long time for you to move past what has happened." "Thanks for saying that." She said giving him a smile. "No problem." He answered as Prue approached the pair..

"I managed to get a premonition." She said walking up to them. "And Wyatt's minions are set to attack the protestors, in less than two hours." Chris nodded. "Then let's get to work. Collect potions and form teams. Danielle and I will each be responsible for transporting a number of witches. And hopefully this will be Wyatt's first big mistake, letting the world see that he is nothing but a monster."