PART III
Phoebe, Annie, and Kiara were in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
"Phoebe!" Piper called out.
"Yeah?"
"Declan's here! We can get started now!"
Phoebe's eyes lit up, causing Kiara and Annie to feign from giggling.
She noticed their expressions, and stuck a tongue out in retort.
"Oh, that's mature of you, Pheebs." Kiara replied, filling up the last of
the ice tea glasses.
"I'm sure that Mr. Dunn would really find that attractive of you."
Annie teased also, while helping Kiara with the beverages.
"Like you two don't act all goofy around guys." She hissed, before
leaving into the living room.
"Not as goofy as her anyway," Kiara said to Annie, while they picked
up the glass trays and started to follow Phoebe's lead.
Both girls erupted into a fit of giggles as they heard her from the
next room saying, "I heard that!"
Once the girls were in the Halliwell living room area, did everyone
come to order. If one were to walk in, it was quite obvious to note such an
assemble of people.
On two pulled out chairs from the glass table sat Carey and Jimmy.
Both young men had gotten into a conversation over contemporary rock
bands. On the couch sat best friends Clu and Jack, with Fi rightfully in the
middle. Prue was talking with Piper and Leo, then decided to sit down next to
Jack. There was enough room on the couch for all four of them, and he
didn't mind having Prue sitting next to him. Piper had showed Declan to the
big easy chair. As he sat down, after being introduced to everyone, Phoebe
entered the room and appropriately sat on the easy chair's arm. She smiled
playfully and innocently at Declan, who also returned the smile. The two
eldest Halliwell sisters gave each other the same "That's Phoebe for you"
look. Piper and Leo decided to sit on the piano bench for a while, for after
they decided to stand up and basically conduct the meeting. As Annie and
Kiara joined the group, Piper and Leo stood up and offered the bench.
Everyone was present and accounted for… let the meeting—and questions—
begin.
"Now that we've got the introductions out of the way, I guess we
should get started." Leo began.
"I know that most of you have a lot of questions…" Piper started,
"Like the most asked one being who we, as in Leo, Kiara, my sisters and I,
are." She gave her sisters and Kiara a look, who then each returned it with a
nod. "Well… with the exception of Leo… we're witches."
"No way." Was the most common response from their new friends.
Prue felt Jack's eyes on her. She nodded, then held her right palm
out, facing one of the iced tea glass. Everyone in the room watched as Prue
was able to lift the glass into the air, without even touching it. She smiled
rue-fully at Jack, "Telekinesis."
"She can also astral project." Phoebe proclaimed proudly.
Carey was stunned… not to mention that his attraction for Prue grew
even more.
"And what can you do, Phoebe?" Fi asked, thinking that this was a
Mulder-like dream come true.
Declan already knew what Phoebe can do, but he still gazed up at her.
"Well… I can see the past and the future… but it's a really passive
power. Recently, though, I was able to float in the air. That really helped
my high kicks when I'm whooping demon butt." Her eyes were sparkling as
she said that, causing everyone to chuckle at her amusingly.
"Piper here," Leo said, turning attention towards his girl, "As most of
you are aware of, can freeze time."
"Yeah, we're kind of aware of that." Jack grinned at her, causing
Piper to blush.
"What about you, Kiara?" Jimmy asked, his eyes solely on the witch
who captured his attention, and heart.
Kiara smiled shyly at him, then at the group. Leo spoke up on Kiara's
behalf. "Kiara is a different type of magickal being in comparison to the
Charmed Ones."
"You're the Charmed Ones?!" Both Annie and Fi exclaimed to the
Halliwell sisters.
"You two have heard of us?"
Fi spoke up, "Only in mythology. See, Annie wanted to do a research
report on witch craft. So, with my help, we read as much we could about the
topic… including some of the cool stories that go with the history."
Annie continued with, "Especially this one legend that spoke of the
arrival of the Charmed Ones. Three sisters who would become the most
powerful witches known to mankind. With the Power of Three, nothing can
stop them."
"And we now know them!" Fi beamed excitedly. "This is so cool!"
"They are very powerful." Leo commented. He glanced back at Kiara,
"Anyway, Kiara is also a witch… but her powers are not completely… well, of
our reality."
"My dad was a mortal of this realm," Kiara spoke, "Which, from him,
gave me mortal life. My mom, on the other hand, ran away from her realm of
immortality. She was also a witch. When my dad died, my mom knew that he
wasn't killed in an accident. It was a warning for her to return back to her
world. So she faked her death, gave me up to my father's sister in Seattle,
where I was raised, with my powers bound until my seventeenth year. That's
when I learned the truth… and of my god sisters." She smiled at the
Halliwells. "The Charmed Ones."
"We're helping Kiara with her training."
"And after I learn as much as I can from them, I'm going to the other
realm to search for my mom." Her eyes were downcast as she announced her
future plans, not wanting to come in contact with Jimmy's eyes. She was
afraid of getting too close to anyone, especially him, for she had to leave
them eventually to find her birth right… her mother.
"So what are your powers, Kay?" Clu asked.
"It's somewhat on the same level as Prue's." She explained. "I have
telekinesis, am able to orb in and out… sort of like Leo." Kiara grinned. "And
some small little things like…" Her eyes spied over everyone, 'til they landed
on Phoebe. She smiled wickedly at the youngest Halliwell.
Phoebe noticed that grin, and panicked. "Oh no… don't you dare,
Lance!"
"Now you see Phoebe…"
"Kiara! Don't…"
A millisecond later, everyone, with the exception of the sister witches
and their white lighter, gasped at the disappearance of Miss Halliwell.
"And now you don't." Kiara smirked.
"Wow! That was so amazing!" Fi exclaimed.
"Where is she, Kay?" Annie asked, looking around the room.
"Kiara, where did Phoebe go?" Declan asked, worried.
That wicked smile never left Kiara's young face. She winked at
Jimmy, who had a feeling on what Kiara's next move will be.
"Hold tight, Declan." Was Kiara's only response… before in a blink of
an eye…
"Phoebe!"
Phoebe Halliwell magickally appeared… and on Declan's lap no less.
They looked at each other, shock and confused. Phoebe jumped up, amazed
at what happened. She then turned around, glaring swords at the young
witch. "Kiara…" Her voice was dangerous as she stalked up to her. Grabbing
her arm, "Come with me for a second." Before Kiara could protest, everyone
watched as Phoebe pulled Kiara into the kitchen.
Carey leaned over to Jimmy, whose eyes were on the kitchen door.
Whispering to him, "That dream girl of yours will be dead once Phoebe's done
with her. Did you get a look at that girl's reaction?"
MEANWHILE IN THE KITCHEN
"Wait, Phoebe… I can explain. I mean, I thought that I was doing you
a favor and—" Kiara babbled when she was pushed into the cooking area.
Phoebe held up her hand, "Don't, okay? I only have one thing to say to
you, missy." Her eyes were hard, and her voice was stone.
Kiara closed her eyes, waiting for Phoebe to rip into her. So she was
shock to say the least when Phoebe unexpectedly grabbed her god sister
into a huge bear hug.
"Thank you! You are the best god sister in the whole entire universe!
In this realm and the in the next!"
"Wha-wha-what?! Excuse me?!"
Phoebe's eyes softened, her voice giddy. "You are a genius! Setting
me on Declan's lap?! That was so… so wicked! I love how you think,
girlfriend."
Phoebe hugged Kiara again. When she released her, the talented
Halliwell actress' expression changed back to her deadly facade. "But you
better warn me ahead of time if you're going to do something like that,
alright?"
Kiara nodded, still speechless.
Phoebe turned around, and headed back out, when she turned to Kiara
again, "Oh, and let's not tell Prue guys how I really reacted, okay? This
conversation… never happened."
Kiara gave her god sister a thumbs-up, still speechless. When she
left, Kiara shook her head, mumbling, "Oh boy." She doubled her "Oh boy"
when she heard Phoebe from the other room saying "So once she apologized
for the wrong that she's done, I decided to forgive her instead of lecturing
her on how inappropriate it was for someone of her age playing immature
tricks like the one she pulled on me."
"So Leo… we know these lovely ladies are witches… now what does that
make you? A warlock?"
"Actually Clu, contrary to popular belief, a male witch isn't a warlock.
The Scottish translation means 'Truth twister.'"
"Fi's right," Leo answered. "And I'm no witch. I'm, what's called, a
white lighter. A white lighter is like a guardian angel for witches. White
lighters used to be humans. Humanitarians destined, after they die, to be
white lighters."
"How did you die?" Fi asked. She stopped however, and quickly
apologized. "I'm sorry, Leo. I didn't mean to ask like that…"
"That's okay, Fiona. I had died in World War II, helping a fellow
soldier."
A silence fell over on the group. Everyone lost in their own thoughts.
Piper was the one who broke the ice with, "And Leo serves as a sort of
messenger for us from a high power." She pointed towards the ceiling,
indicating the heavens.
"Which brings us to why we're all here." Leo then added.
Prue cast a glance at Jack, her heart breaking as she noticed how
tense he was. He knew the reason, not the whole truth, but enough reason
to worry. She reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Jack looked
up at her, returning the gesture. He was glad that he had someone like Prue
to look out for him. Being a big brother to someone as unique as Fi was no
picnic, though don't get him wrong, he loved her to death. Only, he
sometimes needed someone to understand what he's has to go through. He
couldn't turn to Clu and Carey, for they didn't even have a sister. Annie was
out of the question, she was more like Fiona. His mom was… well, his mom.
Ned and Irene? Same level as his mom. And he couldn't turn to his long
distance girlfriend, Gabe. She's on the level between the Bell brothers and
Fi. When Prue came into his life, Jack finally found someone on this earth
who was capable of understanding him like no other.
Leo had to deliver a challenge. One where the prize was the life of an
innocent… an innocent who was more powerful than realized.
"My bosses, those on the higher heavenly plane, are extremely
worried. Fi, does the name Bricriu ring a bell?"
Fiona's blood ran cold. Clu jumped as he felt Fi's grip on his hand
tighten. He looked at her, extremely worried. "Fi? Hey, baby, what's
wrong?"
"How do you know Bricriu?" She demanded, unable to shake this
feeling of peril running through her veins.
"He's a lower level spirit. A Will-o-wisp."
"I know what he is." Fiona's voice was hard. She was about to add
something else when she stopped cold. She looked at Leo, half confused,
half scared to death, "I know his name. I remember who he is. Leo, I can't…
I mean, I shouldn't!"
"What are you talking about, Fi?" Jack asked her, placing a concerned
hand on her shoulder.
"You wouldn't believe me, Jack." She shook her head, sadly.
"I would, Fi." He turned to Prue, smiling. He then turned back to Fi,
holding that smile, "Believe me, I would and will believe you."
Fiona never thought she'd live to see the day where he big brother,
Mr. Scully himself, would believe any weird things that came out of her
mouth. She returned the grin, mouthing a silent thank-you. She then turned
to the others, explaining her story.
"I had cast a spell less than a year ago. Bricriu came to me, telling me
that the only way I can prevent any harm from coming to my family is to
close the door I opened when I would stop at nothing to search the truth on
the paranormal. He made it sound as if it was a sure thing. That the door
would be closed forever, and never to be opened again." She looked over at
Clu, then at Annie and at Jack. Her eyes finally landed on Leo, sighing, "I
guess I was wrong."
"When Bricriu gave you that spell to recite, he should have known that
in your case, it would be temporary. You forgot his name, didn't you? When
you read the incantation."
"That's right. And after a few days, when I went to live with my aunt
Melinda, I forgot about him completely."
"Fiona, everyone being in the spirit world is worried about you. Both
good and bad. The good forces are concerned for your safety… the opposite
side…" He stopped short, not knowing how to tell her. He took a breath,
then, "They're threatened by you, Fi. You are a very powerful life force.
Almost as threatening as the Charmed Ones are to them. But there's an
unfortunate difference between you and the Halliwells."
Fiona tightened her grip on Clu. She didn't feel like hearing the bad
news, but the phoenix inside her was burning to rise again.
"When it comes to the Charmed Ones, they are taking the task of
silencing them day by day. They're not going to strike all at once. It's sort
of like a power struggle to them. A paradox of some sorts. It's complicated
to explain, but basically, they fear yet need the Charmed Ones."
"And me?"
"You, on the other hand… they fear you most of all. In one blow, you
are capable of taking them down. And in one blow, they are capable to do
the same. They faced the very same issue with your namesake, your great-
grandmother, Fiona. And with your father, Rick."
Fi and Jack met eyes, chills running through their spines.
"Leo," Fi found her voice, fought to keep it stable, "Did they kill my
father? Did they murder him because he knew too much and because he was
as powerful as you say that I am now?"
Piper felt Leo grip her hand. She gently placed a comforting arm
around his waist, holding him as he delivered the truth to the young woman.
"Yes, Fi. They did."
She made no sound. Her eyes felt the tears of bottled up heartbreak
from years of pain and confusion. Clu placed loving arms around her, ready
for her reaction. Jack took both of Fi's hands in his. His own eyes were
already glimmering with tears. He felt Prue place her arms around him, her
head on his shoulder.
The room was silent… until a sob broke through the barrier.
Fiona knew in her heart that there was more to her father's death
than anyone would care to believe… and now she realizes the truth. Fiona
began to sob uncontrollably. She was hurt, angry, sad, and yet relieved that
she now found the truth all a world full of lies.
Clu held her tight, wanting to be rid of all her pain. He looked towards
Jack, and a thought came to him. Releasing Fi, he placed her in her big
brother's arms, where she needed to be. Prue had also released Jack,
allowing him to comfort his sister. Clu and Prue met eyes, knowing that the
two needed to take shelter in one another's warmth.
Carey walked up to Clu, placing a brotherly hand on his little brother's
shoulder. Prue felt a hand on hers, looking up to see her partner, Jimmy,
smiling warmly at her. Declan glanced up at Phoebe, noticing that the
Wiccan vixen had tears in her eyes. He took her hands, and held them in his.
She looked down at them, confused. Declan silently assured his intentions
when he reached into his pocket and handed her a tissue, causing Phoebe to
beam down at him. Leo's heart was breaking as he watched the two Phillips
children weep over the truth of their father's demise. Piper held him
tighter in her arms, giving him a kiss on the cheek to reassure his faith that
telling these younger generations the danger of their reality was good for
them. Annie's own heart was reaching out Fi and Jack. She knew how much
they loved their father, and she knew of their heartache over their lost.
Annie looked over at Kiara, and found herself reaching out to this other soul.
She placed a sisterly arm around her newfound friend as she noticed the
tears in Kiara's eyes. Kiara knew only too well what it was like to unjustly
lose a father.
When Fi finally calmed down, both she and Jack looked up at Leo. Leo
knew in his heart what Fi was going to ask, and a part of him couldn't bear to
tell her. "Leo, they want me dead too, don't they? They killed my dad, and
now they're going to kill me too."
"That's not going to happen, Fi." Jack promised. "I will not let them
do anything to you. They're going to have to get through me first."
"They're going to have to get through us, Fiona." Clu also promised.
"I'm not going to let them take the woman I love away from me."
"That's why we're here, Fiona." Leo said. "They do want to stop you
by any means possible…"
"I just wanted to find the truth behind my dad's death, Leo. I didn't
mean to open any forbidden doors. I guess it became like an obsession to
me… but I promise not to look anymore, if they'll just leave me alone!"
"It's not that simple, Fi. Whether or not you opened the doors, even
if you could care less about the spirit world or the Nexus, you are of Celtic
Wiccan blood." He looked at Jack, "Both of you are."
Phoebe, Annie, and Kiara were in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
"Phoebe!" Piper called out.
"Yeah?"
"Declan's here! We can get started now!"
Phoebe's eyes lit up, causing Kiara and Annie to feign from giggling.
She noticed their expressions, and stuck a tongue out in retort.
"Oh, that's mature of you, Pheebs." Kiara replied, filling up the last of
the ice tea glasses.
"I'm sure that Mr. Dunn would really find that attractive of you."
Annie teased also, while helping Kiara with the beverages.
"Like you two don't act all goofy around guys." She hissed, before
leaving into the living room.
"Not as goofy as her anyway," Kiara said to Annie, while they picked
up the glass trays and started to follow Phoebe's lead.
Both girls erupted into a fit of giggles as they heard her from the
next room saying, "I heard that!"
Once the girls were in the Halliwell living room area, did everyone
come to order. If one were to walk in, it was quite obvious to note such an
assemble of people.
On two pulled out chairs from the glass table sat Carey and Jimmy.
Both young men had gotten into a conversation over contemporary rock
bands. On the couch sat best friends Clu and Jack, with Fi rightfully in the
middle. Prue was talking with Piper and Leo, then decided to sit down next to
Jack. There was enough room on the couch for all four of them, and he
didn't mind having Prue sitting next to him. Piper had showed Declan to the
big easy chair. As he sat down, after being introduced to everyone, Phoebe
entered the room and appropriately sat on the easy chair's arm. She smiled
playfully and innocently at Declan, who also returned the smile. The two
eldest Halliwell sisters gave each other the same "That's Phoebe for you"
look. Piper and Leo decided to sit on the piano bench for a while, for after
they decided to stand up and basically conduct the meeting. As Annie and
Kiara joined the group, Piper and Leo stood up and offered the bench.
Everyone was present and accounted for… let the meeting—and questions—
begin.
"Now that we've got the introductions out of the way, I guess we
should get started." Leo began.
"I know that most of you have a lot of questions…" Piper started,
"Like the most asked one being who we, as in Leo, Kiara, my sisters and I,
are." She gave her sisters and Kiara a look, who then each returned it with a
nod. "Well… with the exception of Leo… we're witches."
"No way." Was the most common response from their new friends.
Prue felt Jack's eyes on her. She nodded, then held her right palm
out, facing one of the iced tea glass. Everyone in the room watched as Prue
was able to lift the glass into the air, without even touching it. She smiled
rue-fully at Jack, "Telekinesis."
"She can also astral project." Phoebe proclaimed proudly.
Carey was stunned… not to mention that his attraction for Prue grew
even more.
"And what can you do, Phoebe?" Fi asked, thinking that this was a
Mulder-like dream come true.
Declan already knew what Phoebe can do, but he still gazed up at her.
"Well… I can see the past and the future… but it's a really passive
power. Recently, though, I was able to float in the air. That really helped
my high kicks when I'm whooping demon butt." Her eyes were sparkling as
she said that, causing everyone to chuckle at her amusingly.
"Piper here," Leo said, turning attention towards his girl, "As most of
you are aware of, can freeze time."
"Yeah, we're kind of aware of that." Jack grinned at her, causing
Piper to blush.
"What about you, Kiara?" Jimmy asked, his eyes solely on the witch
who captured his attention, and heart.
Kiara smiled shyly at him, then at the group. Leo spoke up on Kiara's
behalf. "Kiara is a different type of magickal being in comparison to the
Charmed Ones."
"You're the Charmed Ones?!" Both Annie and Fi exclaimed to the
Halliwell sisters.
"You two have heard of us?"
Fi spoke up, "Only in mythology. See, Annie wanted to do a research
report on witch craft. So, with my help, we read as much we could about the
topic… including some of the cool stories that go with the history."
Annie continued with, "Especially this one legend that spoke of the
arrival of the Charmed Ones. Three sisters who would become the most
powerful witches known to mankind. With the Power of Three, nothing can
stop them."
"And we now know them!" Fi beamed excitedly. "This is so cool!"
"They are very powerful." Leo commented. He glanced back at Kiara,
"Anyway, Kiara is also a witch… but her powers are not completely… well, of
our reality."
"My dad was a mortal of this realm," Kiara spoke, "Which, from him,
gave me mortal life. My mom, on the other hand, ran away from her realm of
immortality. She was also a witch. When my dad died, my mom knew that he
wasn't killed in an accident. It was a warning for her to return back to her
world. So she faked her death, gave me up to my father's sister in Seattle,
where I was raised, with my powers bound until my seventeenth year. That's
when I learned the truth… and of my god sisters." She smiled at the
Halliwells. "The Charmed Ones."
"We're helping Kiara with her training."
"And after I learn as much as I can from them, I'm going to the other
realm to search for my mom." Her eyes were downcast as she announced her
future plans, not wanting to come in contact with Jimmy's eyes. She was
afraid of getting too close to anyone, especially him, for she had to leave
them eventually to find her birth right… her mother.
"So what are your powers, Kay?" Clu asked.
"It's somewhat on the same level as Prue's." She explained. "I have
telekinesis, am able to orb in and out… sort of like Leo." Kiara grinned. "And
some small little things like…" Her eyes spied over everyone, 'til they landed
on Phoebe. She smiled wickedly at the youngest Halliwell.
Phoebe noticed that grin, and panicked. "Oh no… don't you dare,
Lance!"
"Now you see Phoebe…"
"Kiara! Don't…"
A millisecond later, everyone, with the exception of the sister witches
and their white lighter, gasped at the disappearance of Miss Halliwell.
"And now you don't." Kiara smirked.
"Wow! That was so amazing!" Fi exclaimed.
"Where is she, Kay?" Annie asked, looking around the room.
"Kiara, where did Phoebe go?" Declan asked, worried.
That wicked smile never left Kiara's young face. She winked at
Jimmy, who had a feeling on what Kiara's next move will be.
"Hold tight, Declan." Was Kiara's only response… before in a blink of
an eye…
"Phoebe!"
Phoebe Halliwell magickally appeared… and on Declan's lap no less.
They looked at each other, shock and confused. Phoebe jumped up, amazed
at what happened. She then turned around, glaring swords at the young
witch. "Kiara…" Her voice was dangerous as she stalked up to her. Grabbing
her arm, "Come with me for a second." Before Kiara could protest, everyone
watched as Phoebe pulled Kiara into the kitchen.
Carey leaned over to Jimmy, whose eyes were on the kitchen door.
Whispering to him, "That dream girl of yours will be dead once Phoebe's done
with her. Did you get a look at that girl's reaction?"
MEANWHILE IN THE KITCHEN
"Wait, Phoebe… I can explain. I mean, I thought that I was doing you
a favor and—" Kiara babbled when she was pushed into the cooking area.
Phoebe held up her hand, "Don't, okay? I only have one thing to say to
you, missy." Her eyes were hard, and her voice was stone.
Kiara closed her eyes, waiting for Phoebe to rip into her. So she was
shock to say the least when Phoebe unexpectedly grabbed her god sister
into a huge bear hug.
"Thank you! You are the best god sister in the whole entire universe!
In this realm and the in the next!"
"Wha-wha-what?! Excuse me?!"
Phoebe's eyes softened, her voice giddy. "You are a genius! Setting
me on Declan's lap?! That was so… so wicked! I love how you think,
girlfriend."
Phoebe hugged Kiara again. When she released her, the talented
Halliwell actress' expression changed back to her deadly facade. "But you
better warn me ahead of time if you're going to do something like that,
alright?"
Kiara nodded, still speechless.
Phoebe turned around, and headed back out, when she turned to Kiara
again, "Oh, and let's not tell Prue guys how I really reacted, okay? This
conversation… never happened."
Kiara gave her god sister a thumbs-up, still speechless. When she
left, Kiara shook her head, mumbling, "Oh boy." She doubled her "Oh boy"
when she heard Phoebe from the other room saying "So once she apologized
for the wrong that she's done, I decided to forgive her instead of lecturing
her on how inappropriate it was for someone of her age playing immature
tricks like the one she pulled on me."
"So Leo… we know these lovely ladies are witches… now what does that
make you? A warlock?"
"Actually Clu, contrary to popular belief, a male witch isn't a warlock.
The Scottish translation means 'Truth twister.'"
"Fi's right," Leo answered. "And I'm no witch. I'm, what's called, a
white lighter. A white lighter is like a guardian angel for witches. White
lighters used to be humans. Humanitarians destined, after they die, to be
white lighters."
"How did you die?" Fi asked. She stopped however, and quickly
apologized. "I'm sorry, Leo. I didn't mean to ask like that…"
"That's okay, Fiona. I had died in World War II, helping a fellow
soldier."
A silence fell over on the group. Everyone lost in their own thoughts.
Piper was the one who broke the ice with, "And Leo serves as a sort of
messenger for us from a high power." She pointed towards the ceiling,
indicating the heavens.
"Which brings us to why we're all here." Leo then added.
Prue cast a glance at Jack, her heart breaking as she noticed how
tense he was. He knew the reason, not the whole truth, but enough reason
to worry. She reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Jack looked
up at her, returning the gesture. He was glad that he had someone like Prue
to look out for him. Being a big brother to someone as unique as Fi was no
picnic, though don't get him wrong, he loved her to death. Only, he
sometimes needed someone to understand what he's has to go through. He
couldn't turn to Clu and Carey, for they didn't even have a sister. Annie was
out of the question, she was more like Fiona. His mom was… well, his mom.
Ned and Irene? Same level as his mom. And he couldn't turn to his long
distance girlfriend, Gabe. She's on the level between the Bell brothers and
Fi. When Prue came into his life, Jack finally found someone on this earth
who was capable of understanding him like no other.
Leo had to deliver a challenge. One where the prize was the life of an
innocent… an innocent who was more powerful than realized.
"My bosses, those on the higher heavenly plane, are extremely
worried. Fi, does the name Bricriu ring a bell?"
Fiona's blood ran cold. Clu jumped as he felt Fi's grip on his hand
tighten. He looked at her, extremely worried. "Fi? Hey, baby, what's
wrong?"
"How do you know Bricriu?" She demanded, unable to shake this
feeling of peril running through her veins.
"He's a lower level spirit. A Will-o-wisp."
"I know what he is." Fiona's voice was hard. She was about to add
something else when she stopped cold. She looked at Leo, half confused,
half scared to death, "I know his name. I remember who he is. Leo, I can't…
I mean, I shouldn't!"
"What are you talking about, Fi?" Jack asked her, placing a concerned
hand on her shoulder.
"You wouldn't believe me, Jack." She shook her head, sadly.
"I would, Fi." He turned to Prue, smiling. He then turned back to Fi,
holding that smile, "Believe me, I would and will believe you."
Fiona never thought she'd live to see the day where he big brother,
Mr. Scully himself, would believe any weird things that came out of her
mouth. She returned the grin, mouthing a silent thank-you. She then turned
to the others, explaining her story.
"I had cast a spell less than a year ago. Bricriu came to me, telling me
that the only way I can prevent any harm from coming to my family is to
close the door I opened when I would stop at nothing to search the truth on
the paranormal. He made it sound as if it was a sure thing. That the door
would be closed forever, and never to be opened again." She looked over at
Clu, then at Annie and at Jack. Her eyes finally landed on Leo, sighing, "I
guess I was wrong."
"When Bricriu gave you that spell to recite, he should have known that
in your case, it would be temporary. You forgot his name, didn't you? When
you read the incantation."
"That's right. And after a few days, when I went to live with my aunt
Melinda, I forgot about him completely."
"Fiona, everyone being in the spirit world is worried about you. Both
good and bad. The good forces are concerned for your safety… the opposite
side…" He stopped short, not knowing how to tell her. He took a breath,
then, "They're threatened by you, Fi. You are a very powerful life force.
Almost as threatening as the Charmed Ones are to them. But there's an
unfortunate difference between you and the Halliwells."
Fiona tightened her grip on Clu. She didn't feel like hearing the bad
news, but the phoenix inside her was burning to rise again.
"When it comes to the Charmed Ones, they are taking the task of
silencing them day by day. They're not going to strike all at once. It's sort
of like a power struggle to them. A paradox of some sorts. It's complicated
to explain, but basically, they fear yet need the Charmed Ones."
"And me?"
"You, on the other hand… they fear you most of all. In one blow, you
are capable of taking them down. And in one blow, they are capable to do
the same. They faced the very same issue with your namesake, your great-
grandmother, Fiona. And with your father, Rick."
Fi and Jack met eyes, chills running through their spines.
"Leo," Fi found her voice, fought to keep it stable, "Did they kill my
father? Did they murder him because he knew too much and because he was
as powerful as you say that I am now?"
Piper felt Leo grip her hand. She gently placed a comforting arm
around his waist, holding him as he delivered the truth to the young woman.
"Yes, Fi. They did."
She made no sound. Her eyes felt the tears of bottled up heartbreak
from years of pain and confusion. Clu placed loving arms around her, ready
for her reaction. Jack took both of Fi's hands in his. His own eyes were
already glimmering with tears. He felt Prue place her arms around him, her
head on his shoulder.
The room was silent… until a sob broke through the barrier.
Fiona knew in her heart that there was more to her father's death
than anyone would care to believe… and now she realizes the truth. Fiona
began to sob uncontrollably. She was hurt, angry, sad, and yet relieved that
she now found the truth all a world full of lies.
Clu held her tight, wanting to be rid of all her pain. He looked towards
Jack, and a thought came to him. Releasing Fi, he placed her in her big
brother's arms, where she needed to be. Prue had also released Jack,
allowing him to comfort his sister. Clu and Prue met eyes, knowing that the
two needed to take shelter in one another's warmth.
Carey walked up to Clu, placing a brotherly hand on his little brother's
shoulder. Prue felt a hand on hers, looking up to see her partner, Jimmy,
smiling warmly at her. Declan glanced up at Phoebe, noticing that the
Wiccan vixen had tears in her eyes. He took her hands, and held them in his.
She looked down at them, confused. Declan silently assured his intentions
when he reached into his pocket and handed her a tissue, causing Phoebe to
beam down at him. Leo's heart was breaking as he watched the two Phillips
children weep over the truth of their father's demise. Piper held him
tighter in her arms, giving him a kiss on the cheek to reassure his faith that
telling these younger generations the danger of their reality was good for
them. Annie's own heart was reaching out Fi and Jack. She knew how much
they loved their father, and she knew of their heartache over their lost.
Annie looked over at Kiara, and found herself reaching out to this other soul.
She placed a sisterly arm around her newfound friend as she noticed the
tears in Kiara's eyes. Kiara knew only too well what it was like to unjustly
lose a father.
When Fi finally calmed down, both she and Jack looked up at Leo. Leo
knew in his heart what Fi was going to ask, and a part of him couldn't bear to
tell her. "Leo, they want me dead too, don't they? They killed my dad, and
now they're going to kill me too."
"That's not going to happen, Fi." Jack promised. "I will not let them
do anything to you. They're going to have to get through me first."
"They're going to have to get through us, Fiona." Clu also promised.
"I'm not going to let them take the woman I love away from me."
"That's why we're here, Fiona." Leo said. "They do want to stop you
by any means possible…"
"I just wanted to find the truth behind my dad's death, Leo. I didn't
mean to open any forbidden doors. I guess it became like an obsession to
me… but I promise not to look anymore, if they'll just leave me alone!"
"It's not that simple, Fi. Whether or not you opened the doors, even
if you could care less about the spirit world or the Nexus, you are of Celtic
Wiccan blood." He looked at Jack, "Both of you are."