PART VII
DAY TWO
"What are we doing here, Prue?" Jimmy asked, concerned that Prue had taken a detour from their original destination.
"Well," She drove a couple of blocks, until reaching a road leading into a certain neighborhood area. "I had gotten a call from a friend of mine's down at the police station. Remember Daryl Morris?"
"Yeah," Jimmy replied. "He's, like, the only non-magick guy that knows about you and your sisters."
"That's right." Prue looked up ahead, trying to distinguish the right address. "Anyway, Daryl wanted me to check up on this old house that may or may not be haunted. He says that one of his officers had a bad feeling about it, and decided to take it upon himself to stake out the place."
"So Morris wants you and your sisters to check it out?"
"I told Morris that Phoebe and Piper have other important stuff to do, and that I would do it."
"You would do it? Don't you mean that you *and* your uninformed partner." Jimmy smirked, causing Prue to hit him playfully.
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MEANWHILE…
"You did what?!" Michael Hunt exclaimed, then yawned. He had just gone through a fifteen hour stakeout, and wasn't in a mood for games. He glared into the phone, disbelieving what he was hearing.
"Daryl, I don't need any help, okay? Look, I've just discovered something interesting, and I'm not about to share." He rubbed his eyes, tired as heck. It was then that his eyes strayed into the mirror. "Let me just ask you something, Morris. If you wanted me to have some back-up assistance… why not a fellow officer? Why two magazine photographers?"
"You think that's him?"
Prue's gaze found itself on the parked blue car across from the old Robert's house. She steered the car a couple of feet behind it, "I think so."
Jimmy squirmed in his seat, "Uh, Prue? Maybe this might not be a good idea. You know, it is his stakeout and, well, we're not exactly people of the law."
"Relax, Olsen. Besides, Daryl gave us the okay, so he can't exactly arrest us for interrupting him at work." Prue parked the car, then turned off the engine. Smiling reassuringly at Jimmy, "Look, just let me do all the talking. We'll be fine, Jimmy. Trust me." After she grabbed her things, and jumped out of the car, Jimmy reluctantly followed.
He shook his head, grinning. "You know, Prue. Are you by any chance related to someone named Lois Lane? You two definitely have a lot in common."
Prue smoothed down her outfit, fixing her hair briefly. Standing in front of the tinted window, she knocked on the car door.
Jimmy adjusted his camera strap, waiting patiently for Prue. His eyes strayed towards the abandoned house, a chill running down his spine. "Creepy." He mumbled to himself.
"Uh, hello? Officer…"
The window rolled down, and a familiar face with shades on looked up at Prue. He smiled at her, then slowly removed his sunglasses. "Prue Halliwell, I guess I should say that it's a pleasure to see you again…"
Prue took a step back, stunned. She blinked, then a giddy smile appeared on her face. "Michael. I… uh, wow. I didn't know…"
"Prue Halliwell, tongue-tied? That's a first." She heard Jimmy snicker. Prue turned around, sending an icy glare his way.
"You should leave now, Prue. I'm conducting very important police business and…"
Prue felt something inside of her snap. Quickly, she changed from the giddy "glad to see the uniformed hottie of her dreams" mode to the more official "gotta get right down to business, going to do her job at any risk" mode.
"Daryl sent me and my partner, Jimmy Olsen, to do a job, Officer Hunt. And we will not leave until we are completely finished with it."
"Why he sent you over is beyond logical comprehension, Halliwell."
"You couldn't even begin to fathom just how reasonable Daryl sending me over truly is." Prue was beginning to get irritated by Michael. She sighed to herself, *Why do I always fall for men that drive me crazy?* To Jimmy, "Come on Jimmy. Let's check out the house."
Before Jimmy, or Michael, could add a single word in, Prue yanked the young photographer by the arm.
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MEANWHILE AT HALLIWELL MANOR
"This Book of Shadows is amazing, Piper." Annie flew through the pages, awed by its authentic and spells.
"Whoa, take cover!"
Annie looked up and quickly reacted to Clu's warning. She was about to duck down as the a bolt of lightning headed her way… but it froze in place near inches to her. Her heart was racing, her eyes casting itself towards Piper's outstretched hands.
"Thanks, Piper." Carey hurried over to her side, helping her steady herself.
"I… I think you better move out of the way." Piper advised.
Carey and Annie looked at each other, then nodded. "Let's go, Annie."
As soon as they were away from the frozen object, time shook free and the bolt crashed through the attic window.
Jack grinned shyly. "Sorry, Annie. I guess I might have to learn how to better control my strength."
"Dude, you think?" Carey asked, still staring at the broken window.
Piper smiled to herself. Then to Jack, "Don't worry, Jack. If it will make you feel any better, we had to repair that window several times thanks to Prue." The middle Halliwell's gaze shifted towards Fiona and Clu.
The young woman was trying her best to use her powers to make the book in Clu's hands float towards her. After several failed attempts, Fiona sighed and fell on her back from mental exhaust.
Clu beamed wearily at her. "Don't give up, babe. You can do it!"
"Prue makes it look so easy!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up.
"I know you can do it, Fi." He reassured her.
"Well why don't *you* do it, then?" She said, half annoyed, half serious.
His eyes were on her, then he looked down at the book itself. Without even thinking too much of it, he surprised everyone by sending the book into Fiona's hands.
Fi clutched the book, shocked. She met glowing eyes with him. Clu winced, hoping that he didn't get his girl more upset. "Fi… I—"
The young woman tossed the novel aside and threw her arms around him. "I am so proud of you, Clu! You do have powers!"
A smile slowly found itself on his lips as he returned the hug. "I think that one power is more than enough for me, Fi."
"Guess Leo was right." Piper said. "Congratulations, Clu."
"Good going, bro." Carey patted his brother on the back.
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Within the shadows of the attic, unknown to the rest, Novania glowed patiently.
*That Fiona Phillips is a danger to us all.* Novania jumped from shadow to shadow. *That Clu Bell has her blood running through him… I must inform them about it… he could be more deadly to us than the Phillips' boy.*
"You just had to come back for more, didn't you… Novania."
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"Leo?!" Piper jumped as she heard her boyfriend's unexpected arrival. She focused on him, but was confused to see that his attention was on something within the shadows of her attic.
The others watched Leo's interaction with something in the dark. Fiona then gasped as she saw the will-o-wisp from last night emerge out into the day.
The young lass raised her hand, ready to char the spirit. Jack clenched his fist, preparing to do the same.
"Novania, I know your true name. So don't even bother to flee." Leo proclaimed, arms crossed, eyes on the spirit.
"Your name is Novania?" Fiona studied the creature, then smirked. "Seven letters, why am I not surprised?"
"So you know my name, white lighter. Do I look like I care?" Novania flew around him, not even daring to go near the girl.
"I know more than your name, Novania. I know that you're not as bad as you perceives to be."
"You know nothing, white lighter. I am who I am. It is no act."
"No, it's a shield. It's to protect yourself from everyone discovering that you actually have a heart."
Novania hissed at him, "Lies… all lies. And you call yourself a heavenly messenger." With that statement, she dashed on out of the area, returning to her masters.
"How did you find out her true name, Leo?" Annie asked.
"They told me." He said, referring to his bosses.
"What you said about Novania," Fi approached Leo, "Was it all true?"
"She has others who discovered her name. Novania was sentenced to an eternal damnation… but was saved from it, only to give up her freedom to serve those on the other side."
"No wonder she has an attitude problem the size of Texas." Clu commented.
Leo walked over towards the Book of Shadows, then began to skim through it.
"Leo? Honey?" Piper went up to him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, Piper. I'm just looking for something…"
"What are you looking for?"
He stopped for a moment, closed his eyes, then sighed. "A loophole."
"A loophole?"
The white lighter gazed back up, his eyes focusing on Piper. "They want to give Fiona a major test, Piper. And I'm hoping to find a loophole around it."
"What?!" Both Piper, Fiona, and Jack exclaimed.
"Why, Leo?"
"Because of what it involves. Because of the people that they want involved."
"Leo, as much as we love you speaking in code, it's not very helpful those that are stressed on time. Especially seeing as we have at least less than a week left in San Francisco." Carey quipped.
"Fiona has to be put to a test of inner and outer strength, courage, and magick… but they don't want her to physically lift a single finger."
"Excuse me?" Fiona asked, just as confused as the others.
Leo raised his eyes towards the heavens, anguished at the thought of delivering the instructions at hand. Normally, he would never have this much difficulty bringing news to the Charmed Ones… or anyone for that matter. Only this was big. Bigger than he himself imagined, especially because of how many lives were involved… and all for the price of one.
"When Novania had taunt you, Fi, on the danger of bringing so many people in on this, she wasn't kidding. Both sides have decided to test not only you, but everyone else concerned with this matter."
"Leo, I still don't get it." Fiona glanced at everyone in the room. Something in her eyes revealed that she did know, but it's as if denial was clouding her vision.
"You know what I'm talking about, Fiona."
"Then do you think you two can explain it to the rest of us?" Carey asked, growing anxious with each passing second.
Fiona looked into the eyes of those she's come to care about. As her eyes began to glaze with tears, she said, "In order to get to me, they're going to get to everyone willing to risk everything to protect me. A test of courage, right Leo? They're going to try and 'test' those I love just to prove my worth. And I can't do anything to help them… is that it?"
"Fiona…" Leo began, but was silenced by her quaking voice.
"They're going to 'test' the Charmed Ones… Annie… Kiara… Jimmy… Declan… Carey…" She then gazed over at the two most important men in her life. With an edge in her voice, "And I bet that they're going to save Clu and Jack for last… just to make me suffer, huh Leo?"
Leo tried to get a word in, but realized that the young woman wasn't finished, especially as he saw in her eyes a new thought emerging. She met gaze with Leo, who read hers like a book.
"My mom," Fear was evident, "Leo, they can't hurt her! They can't do anything to her—I won't let them near her!"
"Fiona," His voice was calm. He knew in his heart that she would react that way. "I promise you, they won't concern your mother in this."
Jack chimed in, equally worried. "Leo, knowing what you know, I know for a fact that our mom would kill to protect Fiona. And I bet that they know it too. Can you actually guarantee that they won't harm our mother?"
"Jack, it's already bad enough that so many are risking their own safety just for your sister. I don't think that they would want to include anyone else."
"Leo," Clu began, "Myself, Annie, and my family excluded, there are only two people living in this world that mean life itself for Fiona. Those two are Jack and Mrs. P. If anything happens to them—"
"I know, Clu." Leo approached Fi, trying his best to ease her fears. "Fiona, they gave me their word that Molly will not have any part in this whatsoever. The only way she will be included is if she finds out about your newfound powers, and still is willing to fight for you to keep it and for your life."
Fiona gulped back a cry of relief. Wiping away her stray tears, vowing to herself, to Jack and their mom, "Then she can't know. She can never find out about this… not until it's safe for her to know the truth."
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MEANWHILE… AT P3
Molly Phillips had the weirdest sensation pass through her. With her eyes searching the club, "Irene?"
"Yeah, Molly?" Irene Bell emerged, cell phone attached to her hand, but not her ear.
The singer looked at her friend, then her gaze shifted from the left side to the right, until relaxing on her manager again. "I just had the strangest feeling."
Smirking, "What? Like you were being watched?"
Molly feigned a smile and a laugh. "Yeah… maybe."
"Paranoia over the press? Don't worry about it. Besides, as I always say, good or bad publicity is still publicity."
Molly tried to laugh at Irene's attempt at making her feel at ease… but she still couldn't shake that odd feeling…
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IN DEEP SHADOWS WITHIN THE CORNERS OF THE CLUB
She chuckled, sustaining the urge to just go straight up and scare the dickens out of the woman.
"What? Like you were being watched?"
*Right on target, as always, Madam Bell…*
"Yeah… maybe."
*No maybes about it, dear widow of the late Rick Phillips.*
"Paranoia over the press? Don't worry about it. Besides, as I always say, good or bad publicity is still publicity."
*The press?!? Do I look like a freakin' bloodhound?!*
"C'mon, Molly. Let's at least get you working on some of your new songs… now where is that son of mine's?"
*He's with that wicked, wicked child of yours, Molly Phillips!*
"Who? Carey or Clu?"
"Both! Especially the one who is your guitarist!"
"I gave him a day off."
"Excuse me?!"
*Oh… this is gettin' boring! I am so outta here…* The spirit shimmered away, hoping to return to her post back at the Halliwells. Even wishing that she wouldn't get caught this time around.
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PART VIII
Jimmy Olsen gazed up and around the establishment. He cast a glance at his partner, admiring, regretting, and fearing her courage.
"Should have realized that if there's a world with a Superman, witches, spirits, and magick, there would actually be a real life Addams family living somewhere in this great reality of ours." He joked out loud, hoping to ease the growing tension.
"Jimmy!" Prue Halliwell hissed, slapping his arm. She looked all around, from the door frame to the windows. "I think no one's ho—"
"Hello!"
The two photographers jumped as the door swung open, revealing a young child with big onyx eyes. She stared up at them, looking extremely small and fragile.
"Uh… hi!" Jimmy spoke first. He regained composure as his sights set upon the little girl who looked nothing over the age of five.
"Hello." Prue smiled at her, holding out her hand. "My name's Prue. What's your name, little girl?"
"Angel." The girl said simply, taking Prue's hand.
"Angel," Prue repeated. She released her light hold on the girl, then gazed over at Jimmy. Jimmy practically gave her the same look. Angel? What a name for a child living in a place that resembles nothing like the holy establishment in the sky. Smiling at the child again, "Well, Angel. This young man over here is my friend, Jimmy. And Jimmy and I were wondering if your mommy and daddy are home, and if we can talk to them."
Angel beamed brightly at them, her eyes full of innocence and youth. Prue and Jimmy had the strangest feeling about her, deciding to keep their guard up even around her. Prue especially felt that they shouldn't fall for this young girl's purity… particularly after a couple demon children incidents in the past.
"My mommy and daddy aren't home right now."
"Then who's watching you?" Jimmy asked.
"Novania."
"Novania?" Both photographers replied, looking at each other then at Angel.
"Yes… auntie Novania." The girl answered nonchalantly.
"May we talk to your… aunt Novania?" Prue asked politely, becoming both intrigued and irritated at the same time.
"Uh-uh." She shook her head.
"Why not?"
"Because she just left."
"Your aunt Novania left…" Jimmy said, trying to make sense of all this.
"Uh-huh."
"So, who's watching you now, Angel?"
Angel grinned, her hand on the doorknob. "Nice meeting you. I hafta go now…"
"But—"
"Bye!"
Jimmy attempted to place his foot in the doorway, but the child was way too fast for him. He sighed, then gazed over at Prue. He raised an eyebrow, "Prue?"
Prue was just staring at the door in shock, her hand raised in mid-air as if she wanted to reopen it using her powers.
"Prue?"
"I-I-I couldn't, Jimmy."
"Your powers?"
"Yes!" She turned to him, her face still frozen in shock and tempting to verge on being pissed off. "They… they must have some sort of—spell! A spell or something on this house!" Prue thought it over, then added, "Or that child! She must be the offspring of some sort of demon… warlock… witch thing union!" She paced around the front porch, trying to figure it out.
"Prue…" Jimmy watched her, forcing down the urge to chuckle as she went off on some weird rant.
"We," she poked him with her forefinger, "We are going back to the house! And we are going to figure out what is going on with *this* place! I have a weird feeling that it's connected somehow to Fiona."
As she bounded down the stairs, Jimmy held his arms out, crying "We?!" He sighed, then followed, murmuring, if at least to, himself. "Prue, we have got to work on this 'we' thing you're fixated on."
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MEANWHILE…
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Piper made her way downstairs and towards the door. Opening it, she beamed up at the person. "Hey, Daryl!"
"Hello, Piper." He entered the Halliwell household, glancing around. "Uh, is Prue around?"
"Nope, sorry Morris. Prue's gone off to work." She suddenly eyed him, "Why?"
He was silent for a moment, then tried to wave it off. "Oh, it's probably nothing. One of the other officers can handle it instead—" Daryl turned around, about to exit…
"Freeze, buster." She threatened, "And don't make me turn that phrase into a literal one."
He sighed, turned, smiling wearily at her. "Piper…"
"Don't Piper me, Morris. What gives?" She placed her hands sternly on her hips, waiting for his answer.
"Piper…" Daryl was about to speak—when his cell phone began to ring. He smiled sheepishly at Piper, who only rolled her eyes.
"I have to get that, Piper. It might be urgent."
"Uh-huh." She responded dryly.
"Morris." He said into his phone.
Piper shook her head, then walked over to sit on the stoop of the stairwell. She watched as Daryl took his phone call into the living room. While she was waiting for him, Leo orbed on right next to her.
"What are you doing, Piper?"
"Waiting patiently for Morris to finish his call in the next room."
"Daryl's here?"
"Yep… but he's here for Prue."
"So why didn't you tell him that Prue wasn't home?"
"I did, but then I got the feeling that he needed to see my sister about something very important. And when I mean 'something,' I mean the type of supernatural something that we are all used to."
"Is it just me, or is the word 'feeling' being way used way too often these days?"
"A couple of words are in an extreme repetitive mode these days, hon."
"Piper?" Daryl emerged from the room, cell phone in hand. "I have to go."
"Wait a minute, Daryl—"
"I'm sorry, Piper." He made his way to the door, "But I really have to leave. Tell Prue that I came over, okay?"
"Oh, I'll talk to my sister alright." She murmured, but was then ribbed by Leo. She smiled, "Sure, Daryl. I'll tell her."
As soon as Daryl left, Piper glared up at Leo. "What was that for?"
"We need to talk." He pulled her into the other room.
"Well, if that's all you wanted, you didn't have to poke me in my rib cage." She commentated as she followed him.
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AN HOUR (OR SO) LATER
Jimmy watched his partner, a bit amused by her incensed behavior.
"Can we say 'obsessed'?" He joked, hoping to get a smile out of her, but only receiving a menacing glare.
Prue stormed up the steps to her house, as Jimmy slowly followed. She swished her hand, causing the front door to swing open.
"Watch out, Hurricane Prue's on the war path!" Jimmy teasingly cried out.
"Prue?" Piper and Leo stepped into the hall way, watching Prue bound up the stairs towards the attic. They glanced at Jimmy, who remained behind. "She looks pissed." Piper commented.
"That's because she is." Jimmy responded. "For a moment, she was unable to use her powers. Her theory is that it was bound somehow by a quote-unquote 'demon child'… or something." He shrugged.
"A what?!"
"Whoa." Clu made his way downstairs, his gaze somewhat upstairs. He averted them for a while to glance upon the other three, "I don't think I want to be on the receiving end of your sister's wrath."
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IN THE ATTIC
"Uh, Prue?" Carey attempted to communicate with her, but was silenced by her icy glare. He glanced at Jack, who shrugged. He was smart enough to stay out of Prue's temperament.
"Prue?"
"Not now, Carey." She snapped, concentrating on the Book of Shadows. The pages were flying as her eyes scanned for an answer.
Carey looked at Jack again, who still backed off. "No way, Carey. It would be like sending a huge bass to a bear—a starving bear."
Prue suddenly stopped and raised her head. She looked around the room, then cried, "Jimmy! Get your butt up here right this minute."
"Yikes, I'd hate to be Prue's boyfriend when she's like this." Carey whispered to Annie, Jack, and Fi.
The trio gave Carey this look. He caught that, then smiled sheepishly. "I know, I know… this coming from the guy would die a happy man if he even received a single kiss from the woman herself."
"Prue?" Jimmy entered the attic, followed by Leo, Piper, and Clu. "You bellowed?"
She was about to make a retort when she spotted her sister and their white lighter. "Oh good, glad you're here Piper, Leo." Prue returned her attention back to the book. "Jimmy and I need your help on something…"
"There's that involvement of a second party again, Prue. We seriously need to work on that." Jimmy quipped.
"Jimmy!" She growled.
He held up his hands defensively, "Sorry." Silently to the others, "Boy, I'd hate to be her boyfriend when she's like this."
Before Carey could add a thought of his own, Fiona, Annie, Jack, and Clu beat him to it. "He wouldn't." They said simultaneously.
"It was so weird, Piper." Prue started to explain, all the while looking through the book. "I mean, there was this little girl named Angel and when she closed the door on us, I tried to stop her with my powers… but I wasn't able to."
"It was a bit strange," Jimmy added.
"Where were you guys anyway?" Leo asked, hoping to fully understand the whole story.
"Daryl wanted me to check out this quote-unquote 'haunted house.' When we got there, the place actually looked—freaky."
"Prue wanted to talk to the current tenants, but then Angel answered the door. She didn't look an age over five. And the weird thing is, when we asked her if we could speak to her parents, she told us that they weren't home… that her auntie Novena was watching her and—"
"Not Novena, Jimmy." Prue met eyes with Leo and Piper, "It was something like-like…" She was snapping her fingers, trying to recall that name.
"Well, it starts with an N and ends with an A." He said.
Fiona felt this coldness travel through her spine. She looked towards her brother, who obviously felt the same chill.
Leo turned around, feeling the nervous vibe off of Fiona and Jack. The trio met eyes, one single name echoing through them. Turning towards Prue and Jimmy, they proclaimed at the same time, "Novania."
"That's it!" Both Jimmy and Prue responded. They then gazed at those three with confusion, "How'd you guys know that?"
DAY TWO
"What are we doing here, Prue?" Jimmy asked, concerned that Prue had taken a detour from their original destination.
"Well," She drove a couple of blocks, until reaching a road leading into a certain neighborhood area. "I had gotten a call from a friend of mine's down at the police station. Remember Daryl Morris?"
"Yeah," Jimmy replied. "He's, like, the only non-magick guy that knows about you and your sisters."
"That's right." Prue looked up ahead, trying to distinguish the right address. "Anyway, Daryl wanted me to check up on this old house that may or may not be haunted. He says that one of his officers had a bad feeling about it, and decided to take it upon himself to stake out the place."
"So Morris wants you and your sisters to check it out?"
"I told Morris that Phoebe and Piper have other important stuff to do, and that I would do it."
"You would do it? Don't you mean that you *and* your uninformed partner." Jimmy smirked, causing Prue to hit him playfully.
==================================================================================================================
MEANWHILE…
"You did what?!" Michael Hunt exclaimed, then yawned. He had just gone through a fifteen hour stakeout, and wasn't in a mood for games. He glared into the phone, disbelieving what he was hearing.
"Daryl, I don't need any help, okay? Look, I've just discovered something interesting, and I'm not about to share." He rubbed his eyes, tired as heck. It was then that his eyes strayed into the mirror. "Let me just ask you something, Morris. If you wanted me to have some back-up assistance… why not a fellow officer? Why two magazine photographers?"
"You think that's him?"
Prue's gaze found itself on the parked blue car across from the old Robert's house. She steered the car a couple of feet behind it, "I think so."
Jimmy squirmed in his seat, "Uh, Prue? Maybe this might not be a good idea. You know, it is his stakeout and, well, we're not exactly people of the law."
"Relax, Olsen. Besides, Daryl gave us the okay, so he can't exactly arrest us for interrupting him at work." Prue parked the car, then turned off the engine. Smiling reassuringly at Jimmy, "Look, just let me do all the talking. We'll be fine, Jimmy. Trust me." After she grabbed her things, and jumped out of the car, Jimmy reluctantly followed.
He shook his head, grinning. "You know, Prue. Are you by any chance related to someone named Lois Lane? You two definitely have a lot in common."
Prue smoothed down her outfit, fixing her hair briefly. Standing in front of the tinted window, she knocked on the car door.
Jimmy adjusted his camera strap, waiting patiently for Prue. His eyes strayed towards the abandoned house, a chill running down his spine. "Creepy." He mumbled to himself.
"Uh, hello? Officer…"
The window rolled down, and a familiar face with shades on looked up at Prue. He smiled at her, then slowly removed his sunglasses. "Prue Halliwell, I guess I should say that it's a pleasure to see you again…"
Prue took a step back, stunned. She blinked, then a giddy smile appeared on her face. "Michael. I… uh, wow. I didn't know…"
"Prue Halliwell, tongue-tied? That's a first." She heard Jimmy snicker. Prue turned around, sending an icy glare his way.
"You should leave now, Prue. I'm conducting very important police business and…"
Prue felt something inside of her snap. Quickly, she changed from the giddy "glad to see the uniformed hottie of her dreams" mode to the more official "gotta get right down to business, going to do her job at any risk" mode.
"Daryl sent me and my partner, Jimmy Olsen, to do a job, Officer Hunt. And we will not leave until we are completely finished with it."
"Why he sent you over is beyond logical comprehension, Halliwell."
"You couldn't even begin to fathom just how reasonable Daryl sending me over truly is." Prue was beginning to get irritated by Michael. She sighed to herself, *Why do I always fall for men that drive me crazy?* To Jimmy, "Come on Jimmy. Let's check out the house."
Before Jimmy, or Michael, could add a single word in, Prue yanked the young photographer by the arm.
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MEANWHILE AT HALLIWELL MANOR
"This Book of Shadows is amazing, Piper." Annie flew through the pages, awed by its authentic and spells.
"Whoa, take cover!"
Annie looked up and quickly reacted to Clu's warning. She was about to duck down as the a bolt of lightning headed her way… but it froze in place near inches to her. Her heart was racing, her eyes casting itself towards Piper's outstretched hands.
"Thanks, Piper." Carey hurried over to her side, helping her steady herself.
"I… I think you better move out of the way." Piper advised.
Carey and Annie looked at each other, then nodded. "Let's go, Annie."
As soon as they were away from the frozen object, time shook free and the bolt crashed through the attic window.
Jack grinned shyly. "Sorry, Annie. I guess I might have to learn how to better control my strength."
"Dude, you think?" Carey asked, still staring at the broken window.
Piper smiled to herself. Then to Jack, "Don't worry, Jack. If it will make you feel any better, we had to repair that window several times thanks to Prue." The middle Halliwell's gaze shifted towards Fiona and Clu.
The young woman was trying her best to use her powers to make the book in Clu's hands float towards her. After several failed attempts, Fiona sighed and fell on her back from mental exhaust.
Clu beamed wearily at her. "Don't give up, babe. You can do it!"
"Prue makes it look so easy!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up.
"I know you can do it, Fi." He reassured her.
"Well why don't *you* do it, then?" She said, half annoyed, half serious.
His eyes were on her, then he looked down at the book itself. Without even thinking too much of it, he surprised everyone by sending the book into Fiona's hands.
Fi clutched the book, shocked. She met glowing eyes with him. Clu winced, hoping that he didn't get his girl more upset. "Fi… I—"
The young woman tossed the novel aside and threw her arms around him. "I am so proud of you, Clu! You do have powers!"
A smile slowly found itself on his lips as he returned the hug. "I think that one power is more than enough for me, Fi."
"Guess Leo was right." Piper said. "Congratulations, Clu."
"Good going, bro." Carey patted his brother on the back.
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Within the shadows of the attic, unknown to the rest, Novania glowed patiently.
*That Fiona Phillips is a danger to us all.* Novania jumped from shadow to shadow. *That Clu Bell has her blood running through him… I must inform them about it… he could be more deadly to us than the Phillips' boy.*
"You just had to come back for more, didn't you… Novania."
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"Leo?!" Piper jumped as she heard her boyfriend's unexpected arrival. She focused on him, but was confused to see that his attention was on something within the shadows of her attic.
The others watched Leo's interaction with something in the dark. Fiona then gasped as she saw the will-o-wisp from last night emerge out into the day.
The young lass raised her hand, ready to char the spirit. Jack clenched his fist, preparing to do the same.
"Novania, I know your true name. So don't even bother to flee." Leo proclaimed, arms crossed, eyes on the spirit.
"Your name is Novania?" Fiona studied the creature, then smirked. "Seven letters, why am I not surprised?"
"So you know my name, white lighter. Do I look like I care?" Novania flew around him, not even daring to go near the girl.
"I know more than your name, Novania. I know that you're not as bad as you perceives to be."
"You know nothing, white lighter. I am who I am. It is no act."
"No, it's a shield. It's to protect yourself from everyone discovering that you actually have a heart."
Novania hissed at him, "Lies… all lies. And you call yourself a heavenly messenger." With that statement, she dashed on out of the area, returning to her masters.
"How did you find out her true name, Leo?" Annie asked.
"They told me." He said, referring to his bosses.
"What you said about Novania," Fi approached Leo, "Was it all true?"
"She has others who discovered her name. Novania was sentenced to an eternal damnation… but was saved from it, only to give up her freedom to serve those on the other side."
"No wonder she has an attitude problem the size of Texas." Clu commented.
Leo walked over towards the Book of Shadows, then began to skim through it.
"Leo? Honey?" Piper went up to him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, Piper. I'm just looking for something…"
"What are you looking for?"
He stopped for a moment, closed his eyes, then sighed. "A loophole."
"A loophole?"
The white lighter gazed back up, his eyes focusing on Piper. "They want to give Fiona a major test, Piper. And I'm hoping to find a loophole around it."
"What?!" Both Piper, Fiona, and Jack exclaimed.
"Why, Leo?"
"Because of what it involves. Because of the people that they want involved."
"Leo, as much as we love you speaking in code, it's not very helpful those that are stressed on time. Especially seeing as we have at least less than a week left in San Francisco." Carey quipped.
"Fiona has to be put to a test of inner and outer strength, courage, and magick… but they don't want her to physically lift a single finger."
"Excuse me?" Fiona asked, just as confused as the others.
Leo raised his eyes towards the heavens, anguished at the thought of delivering the instructions at hand. Normally, he would never have this much difficulty bringing news to the Charmed Ones… or anyone for that matter. Only this was big. Bigger than he himself imagined, especially because of how many lives were involved… and all for the price of one.
"When Novania had taunt you, Fi, on the danger of bringing so many people in on this, she wasn't kidding. Both sides have decided to test not only you, but everyone else concerned with this matter."
"Leo, I still don't get it." Fiona glanced at everyone in the room. Something in her eyes revealed that she did know, but it's as if denial was clouding her vision.
"You know what I'm talking about, Fiona."
"Then do you think you two can explain it to the rest of us?" Carey asked, growing anxious with each passing second.
Fiona looked into the eyes of those she's come to care about. As her eyes began to glaze with tears, she said, "In order to get to me, they're going to get to everyone willing to risk everything to protect me. A test of courage, right Leo? They're going to try and 'test' those I love just to prove my worth. And I can't do anything to help them… is that it?"
"Fiona…" Leo began, but was silenced by her quaking voice.
"They're going to 'test' the Charmed Ones… Annie… Kiara… Jimmy… Declan… Carey…" She then gazed over at the two most important men in her life. With an edge in her voice, "And I bet that they're going to save Clu and Jack for last… just to make me suffer, huh Leo?"
Leo tried to get a word in, but realized that the young woman wasn't finished, especially as he saw in her eyes a new thought emerging. She met gaze with Leo, who read hers like a book.
"My mom," Fear was evident, "Leo, they can't hurt her! They can't do anything to her—I won't let them near her!"
"Fiona," His voice was calm. He knew in his heart that she would react that way. "I promise you, they won't concern your mother in this."
Jack chimed in, equally worried. "Leo, knowing what you know, I know for a fact that our mom would kill to protect Fiona. And I bet that they know it too. Can you actually guarantee that they won't harm our mother?"
"Jack, it's already bad enough that so many are risking their own safety just for your sister. I don't think that they would want to include anyone else."
"Leo," Clu began, "Myself, Annie, and my family excluded, there are only two people living in this world that mean life itself for Fiona. Those two are Jack and Mrs. P. If anything happens to them—"
"I know, Clu." Leo approached Fi, trying his best to ease her fears. "Fiona, they gave me their word that Molly will not have any part in this whatsoever. The only way she will be included is if she finds out about your newfound powers, and still is willing to fight for you to keep it and for your life."
Fiona gulped back a cry of relief. Wiping away her stray tears, vowing to herself, to Jack and their mom, "Then she can't know. She can never find out about this… not until it's safe for her to know the truth."
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MEANWHILE… AT P3
Molly Phillips had the weirdest sensation pass through her. With her eyes searching the club, "Irene?"
"Yeah, Molly?" Irene Bell emerged, cell phone attached to her hand, but not her ear.
The singer looked at her friend, then her gaze shifted from the left side to the right, until relaxing on her manager again. "I just had the strangest feeling."
Smirking, "What? Like you were being watched?"
Molly feigned a smile and a laugh. "Yeah… maybe."
"Paranoia over the press? Don't worry about it. Besides, as I always say, good or bad publicity is still publicity."
Molly tried to laugh at Irene's attempt at making her feel at ease… but she still couldn't shake that odd feeling…
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IN DEEP SHADOWS WITHIN THE CORNERS OF THE CLUB
She chuckled, sustaining the urge to just go straight up and scare the dickens out of the woman.
"What? Like you were being watched?"
*Right on target, as always, Madam Bell…*
"Yeah… maybe."
*No maybes about it, dear widow of the late Rick Phillips.*
"Paranoia over the press? Don't worry about it. Besides, as I always say, good or bad publicity is still publicity."
*The press?!? Do I look like a freakin' bloodhound?!*
"C'mon, Molly. Let's at least get you working on some of your new songs… now where is that son of mine's?"
*He's with that wicked, wicked child of yours, Molly Phillips!*
"Who? Carey or Clu?"
"Both! Especially the one who is your guitarist!"
"I gave him a day off."
"Excuse me?!"
*Oh… this is gettin' boring! I am so outta here…* The spirit shimmered away, hoping to return to her post back at the Halliwells. Even wishing that she wouldn't get caught this time around.
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PART VIII
Jimmy Olsen gazed up and around the establishment. He cast a glance at his partner, admiring, regretting, and fearing her courage.
"Should have realized that if there's a world with a Superman, witches, spirits, and magick, there would actually be a real life Addams family living somewhere in this great reality of ours." He joked out loud, hoping to ease the growing tension.
"Jimmy!" Prue Halliwell hissed, slapping his arm. She looked all around, from the door frame to the windows. "I think no one's ho—"
"Hello!"
The two photographers jumped as the door swung open, revealing a young child with big onyx eyes. She stared up at them, looking extremely small and fragile.
"Uh… hi!" Jimmy spoke first. He regained composure as his sights set upon the little girl who looked nothing over the age of five.
"Hello." Prue smiled at her, holding out her hand. "My name's Prue. What's your name, little girl?"
"Angel." The girl said simply, taking Prue's hand.
"Angel," Prue repeated. She released her light hold on the girl, then gazed over at Jimmy. Jimmy practically gave her the same look. Angel? What a name for a child living in a place that resembles nothing like the holy establishment in the sky. Smiling at the child again, "Well, Angel. This young man over here is my friend, Jimmy. And Jimmy and I were wondering if your mommy and daddy are home, and if we can talk to them."
Angel beamed brightly at them, her eyes full of innocence and youth. Prue and Jimmy had the strangest feeling about her, deciding to keep their guard up even around her. Prue especially felt that they shouldn't fall for this young girl's purity… particularly after a couple demon children incidents in the past.
"My mommy and daddy aren't home right now."
"Then who's watching you?" Jimmy asked.
"Novania."
"Novania?" Both photographers replied, looking at each other then at Angel.
"Yes… auntie Novania." The girl answered nonchalantly.
"May we talk to your… aunt Novania?" Prue asked politely, becoming both intrigued and irritated at the same time.
"Uh-uh." She shook her head.
"Why not?"
"Because she just left."
"Your aunt Novania left…" Jimmy said, trying to make sense of all this.
"Uh-huh."
"So, who's watching you now, Angel?"
Angel grinned, her hand on the doorknob. "Nice meeting you. I hafta go now…"
"But—"
"Bye!"
Jimmy attempted to place his foot in the doorway, but the child was way too fast for him. He sighed, then gazed over at Prue. He raised an eyebrow, "Prue?"
Prue was just staring at the door in shock, her hand raised in mid-air as if she wanted to reopen it using her powers.
"Prue?"
"I-I-I couldn't, Jimmy."
"Your powers?"
"Yes!" She turned to him, her face still frozen in shock and tempting to verge on being pissed off. "They… they must have some sort of—spell! A spell or something on this house!" Prue thought it over, then added, "Or that child! She must be the offspring of some sort of demon… warlock… witch thing union!" She paced around the front porch, trying to figure it out.
"Prue…" Jimmy watched her, forcing down the urge to chuckle as she went off on some weird rant.
"We," she poked him with her forefinger, "We are going back to the house! And we are going to figure out what is going on with *this* place! I have a weird feeling that it's connected somehow to Fiona."
As she bounded down the stairs, Jimmy held his arms out, crying "We?!" He sighed, then followed, murmuring, if at least to, himself. "Prue, we have got to work on this 'we' thing you're fixated on."
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MEANWHILE…
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Piper made her way downstairs and towards the door. Opening it, she beamed up at the person. "Hey, Daryl!"
"Hello, Piper." He entered the Halliwell household, glancing around. "Uh, is Prue around?"
"Nope, sorry Morris. Prue's gone off to work." She suddenly eyed him, "Why?"
He was silent for a moment, then tried to wave it off. "Oh, it's probably nothing. One of the other officers can handle it instead—" Daryl turned around, about to exit…
"Freeze, buster." She threatened, "And don't make me turn that phrase into a literal one."
He sighed, turned, smiling wearily at her. "Piper…"
"Don't Piper me, Morris. What gives?" She placed her hands sternly on her hips, waiting for his answer.
"Piper…" Daryl was about to speak—when his cell phone began to ring. He smiled sheepishly at Piper, who only rolled her eyes.
"I have to get that, Piper. It might be urgent."
"Uh-huh." She responded dryly.
"Morris." He said into his phone.
Piper shook her head, then walked over to sit on the stoop of the stairwell. She watched as Daryl took his phone call into the living room. While she was waiting for him, Leo orbed on right next to her.
"What are you doing, Piper?"
"Waiting patiently for Morris to finish his call in the next room."
"Daryl's here?"
"Yep… but he's here for Prue."
"So why didn't you tell him that Prue wasn't home?"
"I did, but then I got the feeling that he needed to see my sister about something very important. And when I mean 'something,' I mean the type of supernatural something that we are all used to."
"Is it just me, or is the word 'feeling' being way used way too often these days?"
"A couple of words are in an extreme repetitive mode these days, hon."
"Piper?" Daryl emerged from the room, cell phone in hand. "I have to go."
"Wait a minute, Daryl—"
"I'm sorry, Piper." He made his way to the door, "But I really have to leave. Tell Prue that I came over, okay?"
"Oh, I'll talk to my sister alright." She murmured, but was then ribbed by Leo. She smiled, "Sure, Daryl. I'll tell her."
As soon as Daryl left, Piper glared up at Leo. "What was that for?"
"We need to talk." He pulled her into the other room.
"Well, if that's all you wanted, you didn't have to poke me in my rib cage." She commentated as she followed him.
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AN HOUR (OR SO) LATER
Jimmy watched his partner, a bit amused by her incensed behavior.
"Can we say 'obsessed'?" He joked, hoping to get a smile out of her, but only receiving a menacing glare.
Prue stormed up the steps to her house, as Jimmy slowly followed. She swished her hand, causing the front door to swing open.
"Watch out, Hurricane Prue's on the war path!" Jimmy teasingly cried out.
"Prue?" Piper and Leo stepped into the hall way, watching Prue bound up the stairs towards the attic. They glanced at Jimmy, who remained behind. "She looks pissed." Piper commented.
"That's because she is." Jimmy responded. "For a moment, she was unable to use her powers. Her theory is that it was bound somehow by a quote-unquote 'demon child'… or something." He shrugged.
"A what?!"
"Whoa." Clu made his way downstairs, his gaze somewhat upstairs. He averted them for a while to glance upon the other three, "I don't think I want to be on the receiving end of your sister's wrath."
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IN THE ATTIC
"Uh, Prue?" Carey attempted to communicate with her, but was silenced by her icy glare. He glanced at Jack, who shrugged. He was smart enough to stay out of Prue's temperament.
"Prue?"
"Not now, Carey." She snapped, concentrating on the Book of Shadows. The pages were flying as her eyes scanned for an answer.
Carey looked at Jack again, who still backed off. "No way, Carey. It would be like sending a huge bass to a bear—a starving bear."
Prue suddenly stopped and raised her head. She looked around the room, then cried, "Jimmy! Get your butt up here right this minute."
"Yikes, I'd hate to be Prue's boyfriend when she's like this." Carey whispered to Annie, Jack, and Fi.
The trio gave Carey this look. He caught that, then smiled sheepishly. "I know, I know… this coming from the guy would die a happy man if he even received a single kiss from the woman herself."
"Prue?" Jimmy entered the attic, followed by Leo, Piper, and Clu. "You bellowed?"
She was about to make a retort when she spotted her sister and their white lighter. "Oh good, glad you're here Piper, Leo." Prue returned her attention back to the book. "Jimmy and I need your help on something…"
"There's that involvement of a second party again, Prue. We seriously need to work on that." Jimmy quipped.
"Jimmy!" She growled.
He held up his hands defensively, "Sorry." Silently to the others, "Boy, I'd hate to be her boyfriend when she's like this."
Before Carey could add a thought of his own, Fiona, Annie, Jack, and Clu beat him to it. "He wouldn't." They said simultaneously.
"It was so weird, Piper." Prue started to explain, all the while looking through the book. "I mean, there was this little girl named Angel and when she closed the door on us, I tried to stop her with my powers… but I wasn't able to."
"It was a bit strange," Jimmy added.
"Where were you guys anyway?" Leo asked, hoping to fully understand the whole story.
"Daryl wanted me to check out this quote-unquote 'haunted house.' When we got there, the place actually looked—freaky."
"Prue wanted to talk to the current tenants, but then Angel answered the door. She didn't look an age over five. And the weird thing is, when we asked her if we could speak to her parents, she told us that they weren't home… that her auntie Novena was watching her and—"
"Not Novena, Jimmy." Prue met eyes with Leo and Piper, "It was something like-like…" She was snapping her fingers, trying to recall that name.
"Well, it starts with an N and ends with an A." He said.
Fiona felt this coldness travel through her spine. She looked towards her brother, who obviously felt the same chill.
Leo turned around, feeling the nervous vibe off of Fiona and Jack. The trio met eyes, one single name echoing through them. Turning towards Prue and Jimmy, they proclaimed at the same time, "Novania."
"That's it!" Both Jimmy and Prue responded. They then gazed at those three with confusion, "How'd you guys know that?"