PART IV
"Both of us are?" Jack asked, confused.
Leo nodded his head, "Yes. Which means that both of you are capable of an inner power within yourselves. And that can be both a blessing... and a dangerous thing to hold."
"So why are they only after Fi? If I have the same power, why aren't they after me?"
Prue knew just how much Jack wanted to protect his sister, and she admired that about him.
"Because they're not threatened by what you know and what you've seen. Fiona has seen and experienced so much more. No matter what they do to try and silence her, your sister will always have the strength to go on... but not after death."
Fi felt her brother's hold on her tighten. Her heart was beating from fear... and yet, a part of her wasn't ready to die without a fight. She looked up at Leo, "So, if they want me, what are they going to do? Send out one of their evil spirit creatures to kill me in my sleep? Force me to give up my soul
by kidnapping someone I love for ransom? What are they planning to do, Leo?" Her voice was rising with anger and dread.
"The forces may be evil... but they're not completely unjust, Fiona."
He looked around at everyone in the room. "Which is why we're all here." He was about to continue, when his ears perked up again. Everyone watched as Leo listened in on an incoming message. When he was done, his eyes found themselves on Clu and Carey. A small, surprised smile formed on his face.
"Well..." he began. He glanced at Annie, "Good call there, Annie, on recruiting Clu and Carey on this quote-unquote journey."
"What do you mean, Leo?" Prue asked, just as confused as everyone
else.
"Those two are just as magickally inclined as everyone else in this room. They were just mistakenly overlooked." He noticed that everyone was still looking at him with blank expressions. "Let me just go through everyone one at a time about their importance in our guarding of Fiona."
"Huh?" Phoebe, Jimmy, Annie, and Clu said at the same time.
Kiara grinned, "He means that he's going to explain why we were all
brought here together and why each of you are 'magickally inclined' as he so
intelligently put it."
He smiled at Kiara, not knowing whether she sincerely meant that last part, or if she was being her usual sarcastic self.
"Everyone in this room is special in his or her own way. Not mere mortal special, I mean in the supernatural sense." His eyes first landed on Jimmy.
"Jimmy Olsen, do you believe in past lives?"
Jimmy straightened up, surprised by that statement. "I… well, I really don't know."
"Because of who you were once, that part of you still exists inside of your soul."
"That's a good thing, right?" He laughed quietly to himself, his eyes meeting Kiara's. She smiled in response, as Leo laughed also to Jimmy's innocence.
"Yes, it is. See, you were once a student to a practitioner of witchcraft."
"Layman's term, Olsen," Kiara interrupted, having caught most people's blank expression, "You were once a witch-in-training." She glanced at Leo, "You know, you could have just said that."
"Who's conducting the meeting, Kay? Who knows the vital information that needs to be said, Kiara Lance?" Agitation was apparent in Leo's voice.
"Just trying to help here." She held up her hands in defense.
Leo sighed, then began again. "Jimmy, you were a witch-in-training. You had the gift within you to control your natural inner powers. And once your training was through, you were able to do a lot of right in innocents' lives."
"Do I want to know how I died?" He asked meekly.
"You died an honorable death, Jimmy."
"Honorable as in old, natural causes… or as in burned at the stake due to using my powers to save someone's life?"
"I'd bet on the later," Declan spoke up.
Jimmy glanced from Declan and back to Leo, still waiting. Leo's only reply was, "She never forgot that you saved her life, Jimmy."
The young man closed his eyes, trying to register what has been told to him. He finally looked up, a brave grin on his face. "Cool."
Leo turned to Declan. "Mr. Dunn," he began.
"Please, Leo. Call me Declan."
"Okay, Declan. With what you've seen, and what you also have experienced, there is no doubt that your life will be intertwined with the likes of magick, the supernatural, and miracles. You have a special sight… so to speak. My bosses says that we could really use that gift."
Declan nodded. He was ready for the challenge, for this was something completely in his element. He felt a soft hand on his, looking up to see Phoebe smiling down at him. Declan gladly returned it.
"Annie?"
Annie Thelen glanced up, meeting eyes with Leo. Leo beamed kindly at her, then his eyes slightly shifted.
His expression instantly had changed, he was a bit off guard. "Whoa."
Piper looked at him, concerned by his sudden movement. "Leo? What's wrong, hun?"
Annie's and Leo's eyes met, realization dawning on her. "You see him, don't you, Leo?"
"Only when he wants someone to."
"Who are you guys talking about?" Kiara asked, confused as the rest of the gang… except for Fi, who knew about him.
"They're talking about Annie's black panther." Fiona smiled.
"He's Annie's spirit guardian." Leo explained to everyone. To Annie,
"You are the only one who he solely listens to. This guardian of yours will guide you to, and protect you from, the truth. The truth about yourself, your past and future. You must truly trust him, Annie. For he is the one thing on this earth that will bring you to your true strength and prowess."
"Wow." Phoebe breathed. She looked at Annie, "I'm impressed."
"So am I." Kiara agreed. A sly twinkle was in her eye as she then said, "And not just by Annie… but I'm also amazed by you, Leo. Saying all that in one sitting… that's quite a mouthful."
Kiara smirked at Leo, then jumped, startled by a low growl.
"Did your spirit guardian panther…" Declan spoke to Annie, "Did he just growl?"
"No." Annie smiled, at Leo then at Kiara. "That was a different feline growling."
"Leo…" Piper said, her tone guarding.
"I think you better keep your comments to yourself, Kiara." Jimmy advised her.
"I think I will, Olsen." She nodded, bit tentative to face Leo.
Leo shook his head, took a deep breath, then turned finally to the Bell brothers.
"Clu and Carey…" He began. "Remember when I said that you may be as vital to this cause as much as everyone else are?"
"Yeah…" Carey said slowly.
Leo spoke to Carey first. "Carey, you and Jimmy have a lot in common."
"You saying that I was also a witch in my past life?"
"Not exactly. You fell in love with a witch. Does the name Cassandra ring a bell by any chance?"
Carey stood in silence, jogging his memory. Leo chuckled at Carey's look of concentration.
"I guess I shouldn't expect you to recognize it right away."
"Have I met her before? In this life anyway?"
"No. But you knew she was a witch, and still loved her anyway. She saved your life with her healing powers. You two also conceived a daughter, who became a powerful High Priestess."
"She had electric blue eyes, didn't she? Raven hair with silver streaks?" He gazed down at his brother, who was staring up at him with shock. "I guess I do remember her." He looked back at Leo, "And I
remember loving her and our child very dearly."
"You even died for them, Carey."
"How?" Annie, Fi, Clu, and Jack asked, intrigued by Carey's past.
Leo was about to speak, but Carey beat him to it. "Cassandra was put on trial for witchcraft. We were betrayed by someone close to us… I couldn't… couldn't let my wife die." His eyes started to glaze over, blinking as flashes of his past life appeared before him like a moving picture.
"Carey…" Annie was worried, taking in his fogged expression.
"So… I confessed to being the witch, not her. Told them that Cassandra was as mortal as our daughter was. She protested against it, but I wanted our little girl to grow up with her mother, the true witch. The only person who could teach her about her heritage, and to use her powers for good. With this simple trick I learned from another witch, I was able to fool everyone… I was hung. Protecting the women that I loved."
All the women in the room felt tears start to form in their eyes. What can they say… they were suckers for a tragic story like Carey's.
Carey met eyes with Leo, "Leo…" he wanted to know something. Wanted to know if his sacrifice was all worthwhile.
Yet again, Leo had to deliver news that would end up breaking hearts. "The people in your town respected your wishes to leave your wife and child alone… but when they had caught your wife gathering up herbs for spell, a majority of the townsfolk demanded a hanging."
Carey grabbed hold of the couch, gripping it in shock and despair. He closed his eyes and his head hung in sadness.
Clu jumped up from his seat and went to comfort his brother.
"Your father protected your daughter from witnessing the death of both her parents, Carey. He also raised her, and tried to help her keep in touch of her religious heritage. She grew up to be quite a young witch… and she never truly forgot about her mother's love for you, and her father's
sacrifice." Leo assured Carey.
Carey finally raised his head, a new light shining in his eyes. He gazed down at young Fiona, courage on his face. "For Cassandra, my daughter, and you, Fi, I won't let anyone or anything hurt you."
"Thank you, Carey." She got up, and enveloped Carey in a grateful hug.
Clu patted his brother on the back, "I had a feeling that you'd make a great family man someday, big brother. If you can be a terrific father in the past, you'd make an awesome one in the future."
Carey reached over to mess with Clu's short hair, "Thanks, bro." He then met eyes with Leo, "So, Leo." Placing a brotherly arm around his sibling, "It's Clu's turn. What makes him so special?"
Leo crossed his arms, smiling at the younger Bell. "Well…"
"Uh-oh." Clu sighed, "I don't like that look."
"Seven years ago… Hope Springs, Colorado… a blood pact between best friends…"
Those words rang in Clu's memory. He gazed down at Fi, who also remembered that day's event. Jack caught that exchange, as did Annie and Carey.
"What happened seven years ago?" Jimmy asked.
Clu decided to tell his story. "Fi was feeling pretty low, and Carey, Jack, and I were trying to cheer her up. See, this frog that she found in her yard had—pardon the pun—croaked."
All the girls groaned at the pun, while the guys snickered.
"See, Fi saved this frog before. She had a feeling that it was going to die, due to it's injuries… but it survived."
"Well how did it die?" Annie asked.
"Got ate by the neighbor's cat." Jack answered.
"Anyway," Clu began again, "Jack and Carey kinda got fed up with Fi… but I couldn't leave Fi all sad like she was. Eventually we started talking about death and then we found ourselves making a promise."
Fi smiled fondly of that day, "Yeah. Clu promised me that he would always be there for me. That no matter what happens, we'll always be there for each other."
"You two made a pact… in blood."
"Wait a minute, Leo." Kiara spoke up. She looked at the two in complete amazement, then she stared back at Leo. "Those two… Leo… is does this mean that there's a possibility that Clu might have powers?
Powers like Jack and Fi?"
"He does have the Celtic blood running through him…"
"Leo," Kiara sighed, "It's a simple question with a simple yes or no answer."
"Maybe."
"Maybe?!" Kiara, Fi, Annie, Prue, Jack, and Clu responded.
"I can guarantee that Clu and Fiona are in tune with one another. And that there is a slight chance that Clu is capable of magickal powers like Fi's. Though not as strong and powerful."
Clu looked down at his hands, a smile appearing on his face. "You mean that I can be able to zap things with my hands… or, like, use my mind to make things move? Like Prue can?"
"It all depends on the type of powers Fiona has. You may have gained at least three to ten percentage of her prowess."
"This is awesome!" He grinned at his girl, who returned the smile.
"Can you believe this Fi? We have powers!"
Fi took his hand, "Yeah, I believe it."
Clu took Fiona's hands, kissing it tenderly. Looking into her eyes, "You are the coolest girlfriend in the world, Fi. And the greatest friend ever."
He reached down and kissed her on the forehead, whispering "I love you."
Fiona returned the kiss, smiling, and echoing those three sacred words.
Jack watched the two together, feeling that sudden urge again to punch Clu right in the gut. His fist clenched open and shut, catching Prue's eyes.
She gently placed her hands on his, smiling a knowing grin. Whispering to him, "I used to feel that way too at first whenever I saw Leo and Piper together. Believe me, Jack, you'll get used to it."
Jack nodded, beaming warmly at Prue. He grasped her hands, "Thanks, Prue."
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MEANWHILE… AT THE POLICE STATION
"This is weird…" Michael Hunt looked over the computer screen at his office. The young officer glanced up, noticing Detective Morris.
"Hey Daryl! Can you come over here for a sec?"
"What's up, Hunt?" He walked over, seeing the young man peering intently at the computer.
"Check this out. I've been going over some of the last days' police reports on file…" He pointed to one report. "This one was reported four days ago. Miles and Davis called it in. Neighbors were complaining about a noise at this old place that they call the old Robert's House."
"So?" Daryl asked, looking at the report himself.
"Daryl, they found nothing in that house that looked at all suspicious. They just wrote down that it was an old house that probably needs a new foundation."
"Hunt, is there a point?"
"Two days ago, another call was made involving noises at the Robert's House. Only this time Andrews and Lowe were the ones called to check it out."
"And let me guess, they found nothing as well."
"Yeah… but, they also had a witness that said she saw something inside the house making that noise." Michael pushed a couple of keys and a new report was shown on screen. Pointing to the screen, "See, the witness, who was also living in the house next door, claimed that she saw shadows moving around in the establishment."
Daryl immediately felt that old feeling of paranormal vibe… which only brought one name to mind—Halliwell. He straightened up and was about to leave to call the girls when Michael started talking again.
"That's not even the weird part, Daryl."
"Does it get any weirder, Hunt?"
Michael turned around in his chair, facing Daryl. "I had just talked to Lowe a few minutes ago. He and Andrews had gotten a call from the mother of the witness. Turns out the girl had locked herself in her room for two days straight. The mom thought that her daughter probably needed some rest for a day, but when she didn't come out of her room on the second day, her mother became worried. They arrived, talked to the mother, and went to open her door. When they opened it…" Michael turned back to his computer, typing in a few keys. When a recent police report turned up on screen, he indicated something to Daryl.
Daryl looked at it, taken aback from what was written on the account.
"This girl had lapsed into a coma? In her own bed?"
"Yeah. At first her mom thought she was dead, but when she was taken to the hospital, the doctors said the girl was still alive, but barely. She had fallen into a coma while she was sleeping." Michael clicked on the screen, bringing up a second page. "Oh, and get this. The old Robert's House that was abandoned? When Lowe and Andrews drove by just before they took the girl to the hospital, they saw that some new people were moving in."
"Please tell me that they seemed like ordinary folks. You know, the traditional all American type of family folks."
"More like the Munsters than the Brady Bunch, Daryl." Michael closed some of the programs, then turned back to face the fellow officer. "So, do you want me to look in on this, Morris? I think that there's more to the Robert's House than meets the eye. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a witch-voodoo type cult had just moved in to that house."
"You don't actually believe that, do you?" Daryl asked, yet secretly concerned and anxious to get a hold of Prue and her sisters.
"I have a part time job babysitting my sister. The child watches the X-Files and Roswell. She also loves that ridiculous Blair Witch movie… do I actually look like the type to believe in all that?"
Michael got up from his desk, grabbing his gear. He looked up at Daryl, startled by the look Morris was giving him. "What? What is it?"
Daryl shook his head, then gave Michael a half smile. "I wonder if I had sounded just like you before I saw all the things I've seen."
He raised an eyebrow at Daryl. "What have you seen, Morris?"
Daryl stared straight into Michael's eyes. "Things. Things that could make one believe in anything."
"That could be a dangerous thing, Daryl."
"Yes it could, Hunt." He turned around, leaving to his office to call the Charmed Ones, but not before murmuring out loud, "Indeed it could."