Heaven Can't Wait
Chapter 8
Since it was such a lovely afternoon, she was glad that she could enjoy this little outing all by herself. So many things had happened in the last 2 weeks, and from the beginning, she had found no time to think. Yes it was nice to have found a family, as incredible as the circumstances were. However, used to live alone as she was, the constant presence of the said family was making her dizzy by moment.
She turned her face toward the sun, keeping her eyes closed and just feeling the warmth on her skin. Now she was finally able to put all of this in perspective, remembering the events without the pressure that had come along with them…
Phoebe and Piper had been nothing but supportive, in spite of their grief, and of the successive catastrophes that had hit their family. After they welcomed her, Phoebe had also offered her a place to stay.
After the three days that she had spent with Prue's ghost, and she still had to pinch herself to make sure that she wasn't dreaming about this too, she had learned some of her family's history. Prue had given her the highlights, just enough for Paige to get an idea of what was to come. It wasn't very reassuring… However, after the first shock, she thought that she had what it took to handle it. After all, hadn't she been dreaming all her life to be someone special? Still, after only a few moments at the Turner's house, she had realized how much more she needed to learn about all of them. She marveled at how easily she had accepted the weirdness of her family. Phoebe, the little energetic brunette, who apparently had just given birth to a magical baby, himself, fathered by a former half-demon, now turned archangel.
Piper, calmer in a way, but just as energetic on the inside and the obvious pillar of the family, in spite of her apparent lack of confidence. Leo, Piper's husband, whom she had learned in time, was a former whitelighter, just like her own father had been… And now, she was part of this too, although she barely knew her place in that world… As she had feared, Lisbeth had jumped at the chance to get her fired, and frankly, given what she knew now, Paige had not protested too much when the head secretary had announced it to her. Paige could hear the triumphant tone of voice of her former boss, but amazingly it had not affected her as much as she thought. Any other time, she would have told the person off, but all she said was: "so be it!" Then she had simply hung up, probably leaving the woman on her appetite. At least this had been a satisfying thought for Paige… Now though, she found herself out of work and in a whole new life. Fortunately, Phoebe had told her not to worry, that they could help her out… To which, her husband had grimaced with amusement. Obviously some inside joke that she was not privy to yet. It was a little difficult for her to accept this, but in time she saw that they didn't think of this as charity. She fully intended to pay her way sooner than later but for the moment, she had offered to help out with the baby, for which Phoebe was grateful. After the repairs were completed, Piper and Leo had finally been able to return live at the manor.
Only now, did her sisters thought that it was safe for her to go out by herself, and even then, they had given her a cell phone and a serious warning not to try anything on her own, should she be attacked. Paige didn't think that anything would happen. After all, the last two weeks had been totally uneventful, in spite of her fears that the warlock Gandel would find her… By now, she believed that he had lost her trace and wouldn't be a problem anymore. Her sisters didn't completely agree with this, but she wasn't about to become a prisoner in the house because of a slim possibility…
Almost distractedly, she realized that she was coming out of the park and onto a busy street. She decided that a little window-shopping would amuse her and walked toward the nearest commercial district. The sidewalk was not too crowded that day and it allowed her to continue her musings as she walked along. Phoebe had given her access to her wardrobe, telling her that she could use them for as long as she didn't get back her figures, "if that ever happens," she had added with an amused frown. Still, Paige longed to get her own stuff back, so a week after she started living with them, Cole and his father, the whitelighter, had taken care of everything for her. She had protested that she could go with them, but of course none of them had agreed to have her going there and possibly attracting the attention of the warlock. Cole had seemed amused by her reluctance and correctly guessed that she didn't like the idea of men opening all her drawers and packing her clothes. To reassure her, he had promised to keep his eyes closed while doing so. He had said it so seriously that for a moment she believed that he was. Then he had cracked a smile and she had not been able to resist smiling back… Somehow, she understood how he had charmed her sister right then. This was in spite of her reservations about a former demon living in the same house as hers. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice a man who was standing on the corner and bumped right into him. The shock almost made her fall back, and she managed to regain her balance only because he had reacted by taking her arm. She caught her breath when, about to apologize, she looked up and met his deep green eyes. The man was not very tall although he was at least a head over her. Of course she was so short herself that it didn't take much for that. She barely noticed his features as she found herself drawn to those eyes. It was like looking into a deep ocean always in movement. She thought of herself as a good judge of character, at least until a few weeks ago when she had discovered the mistake she had made about her uncle. Still, she couldn't read anything definite in his stare. The man frowned, breaking the moment as he expressed concern for her well being. It took her a few more seconds before she could answer:
"Oh no, I'm fine. I'm sorry about this, I was distracted…"
Then he smiled and she couldn't believe how much it affected her. She didn't remember having been so attracted to someone ever. So much so, that she chose to stay away, as she was afraid of making a fool of herself.
"Well," she said at last, "I'm sorry again, gotta go!"
She thought that she saw a hint of disappointment in his expression but she continued on her way. She had not walked more than a few feet when she stopped short, now totally panicked. Only about 50 feet from her on the sidewalk she could recognize her uncle. She wasn't sure if he had seen her yet, so she turned around abruptly, almost bumping in the young man again. She intended to find an isolated spot to orb back home. The young man seemed utterly surprised at her reaction and he followed her. Only once in the alley did she realize this. She turned to find him right in front of her, still very concerned.
"Is everything alright?" He asked her, obviously worried.
She thought that her fear must be showing, for him to have picked up on it. However, she was rather irritated, as her sisters had insisted on the importance of secrecy. Now, far from helping her he was putting her at risk, and in an empty alley at that.
"You have to leave," she said a little more harshly than she had meant. "Nothing is wrong and I don't need your help…"
The young man hesitated some more. He looked sincerely concerned and she felt bad for the way she was treating him, but it couldn't be helped. She stared at him as calmly as she could muster and the man finally turned around shaking his head. He was almost out of the alley when Gandel entered it in turn. The warlock came at him forcefully and pushed him aside as if he was a little child. The young man went flying into the nearest wall, and then the warlock gave his full attention to the witch. Paige was at once afraid for herself, and outraged for the way he had treated the young man. For a moment she was tempted to fight him but then, she remembered how powerful he was and that she only had her orbing powers that she knew of… Instead, she used it to orb right by the young man, taking his arm, and just as Gandel was about to strike, she orbed them both in front of the manor. She didn't lose time, knowing now what could happen, and she entered the house pulling her very confused companion inside. There she found Piper, who immediately recognized the signs of panic on her face.
"What is it?" she asked anxiously.
"I'm afraid that I was wrong about," she stopped herself looking back at the man; then she continued more covertly, "you know who…"
"Oh!" Replied Piper, not needing any more explanations as they had expected him to show up even sooner than this…
On the other hand, she was a little puzzled by the newcomer's presence:
"Who is that?" She asked with a hint of suspicion.
Paige just then realized that not only had she broken the secrecy that they had made her promise to keep; but she didn't even know who he really was. For all she knew, he might have been one of "them".
The young man was staring at her in total shock. Moreover, he looked very much afraid.
"What? What? Where am I? Who are you people?" He babbled while taking a few steps back now that he had regained some mobility.
"I'm so sorry," Paige began.
The young man continued walking backward toward the door:
"Sorry for what? What just happened." His voice was just this close to hysteria and Paige debated whether she should try and keep him inside or simply let him go, hoping that he would not talk about it.
Piper intervened for her:
"What do you think happened?" She asked him calmly.
The man turned to her abruptly:
"I… I don't know…"
Paige caught Piper's drift:
"Oh I'm sorry, it's just that you were attacked downtown, and you refused to be brought to the hospital for a check up, so I offered to bring you here instead. Maybe, you have been hit harder than you thought…"
The man opened wide eyes at this:
"Attacked?" Then he seemed to think back. " Yes, there was that man who attacked me for no reason, but it was only a moment ago…"
Paige tried her best to act innocent:
"Oh now I'm really worried; you don't even remember coming here?"
Piper noticed that the man was about to check his watch, so she froze him on the spot.
"Take his watch and change the time quick…"
Paige understood right away, and she also picked up his wallet to read his name off of it. By the time he unfroze, he could see that at least 40 minutes had past since the last time he looked and his confusion grew.
"Matthew isn't it?" She asked.
"How do you know my name," he questioned back with a hint of suspicion. He was wondering what kind of place he was in right then.
Paige smiled gently:
"You told me on the way here, don't you remember?"
He hesitated a long moment:
"Did you… introduce yourself?"
Paige seemed surprised:
"You know if I wasn't worried about you, I might be insulted that you forgot so soon… It's Paige…"
The man shook his head in disbelief and suddenly felt the need to get away from this place apparently, because he turned toward the door resolutely.
Paige called to him:
"Where are you going?"
He barely looked back, only to tell her:
"Don't worry about me, I just got to go…"
Paige:
"Are you sure, you don't look too good…"
Matthew gave her a puzzled look but still replied by the negative and opened the door quickly. Just as he was about to close it behind him, the chime of the grandfather clock hit twice and he instinctively looked again at his watch, which indicated 2:45… For a moment, he stared back at the manor as if he was going to go back inside, then he shook his head and moved on…
Piper sighed in relief.
"That was close. Too close!"
Paige was still staring at the door, pursing her lips.
Piper noticed her worried look:
"What is it?"
Paige:
"Do you think that he heard the clock?"
Piper dismissed this quickly:
"Don't worry about it, I'm sure that by now, he is so confused that he won't even try to figure it out. Who would believe him?"
Paige turned to her only half-convinced:
"I suppose…"
Piper insisted:
"Remember what you thought a couple weeks ago after things much more obvious had happened to you?"
Paige smiled a little at the thought:
"Yes of course, it was easier to assume that I was going crazy."
Piper didn't lose time going back to the real problem:
"Now tell me all about the warlock."
Paige:
"Well, I actually thought that he would follow me here…"
Piper:
"Maybe he knows something about us and didn't want to take the risk… From now on and until we took care of him, you shouldn't go out by yourself."
Paige was about to protest but again Piper insisted:
"Hey, we just found you, I don't want to lose you too…"
Paige understood how difficult it must have been for Piper and decided to abide by her wishes, at least for the moment…
Leo came in the foyer at this moment:
"What's up?"
Piper turned to him:
"Paige just met the warlock she told us about…"
Leo was immediately concerned:
"Are you ok?"
Paige smiled:
"Fine don't worry. I came back right away and fortunately he didn't follow…"
Piper didn't tell him about the young man and she was grateful, for it was a little embarrassing to have made that mistake on her first time out. Still, she couldn't very well have let him behind with that monster.
She was about to take leave when Piper offered to accompany her to the Turners'.
"I think that we better discuss this with Phoebe as well, the vanquishing spell is a power of three one after all."
Paige:
"You know that it's only a minute or two to get there, nothing will happen between here and Phoebe's…"
Piper:
"Don't worry about it, I was just looking for an excuse to spend some time with my sisters. Soon I won't have as much free time," she added looking down at her growing stomach. The new Halliwell baby was well on its way by now, as she was in the fifth month.
Leo:
"Do you mind if I tag along?"
Piper:
"Of course not silly…"
This was another surprising fact about her new sisters. How quick they were at going back to reality in the face of total weirdness. She knew for a fact that it took great strength of character to be able to do this…
On the way there, she stayed silent, wondering if she ever would see things the way they did.
Gandel was observing them from afar. The moment he had blinked in front of the house, he had known instinctively to take a step back and wait. Something about this place told him that it would be risky for him to try and attack now. He had watched the young man leave only after a few minutes in the house, then the 3 people coming out not long after and heading in the direction of another house behind theirs. All the while, he had been thinking about the sensation that persisted of a danger to him. Then a thought started to form in his mind about all this. The witch was not alone, and apparently those sisters she had hinted at in her apartment had found her, or she had found them… Either way, she wasn't alone anymore, which would make things more difficult for him. But no matter, his plan was going well and he fully intended to bring it to completion. Yet, a lingering doubt remained about those sisters. Paige had mentioned two of them and he was reminded of rumors in the underworld about the charmed ones. All over the place, demons and warlock alike had breathed easier supposedly after learning that the famous power of three was broken a few weeks earlier. Then he put it together with the fact that Paige had seen her powers suddenly awakened at about the same time as it happened… "Could it be?" He asked himself.
But then, it would be such sweet spoil. If he was right and Paige had in fact been the wild card, then he was the only one to know about this. And she was so new to the craft that she still was an easy enough target…
The warlock had a special ability, one that many warlocks and demons alike had found of use in the past. He could sense witches even before they were born… He had felt this one right away but then after she was born her powers were bound and he had simply decided to keep an eye on her, just in case. Now years later, he had been rewarded for his patience but only to discover something even more interesting about the witch. "This," he thought gleefully, " could be my way to the inner circle… What wouldn't the source give to know that the power of three wasn't broken after all!" And now he, Gandel, was the one who would break it for good this time.
He knew that he would have to rework his plan to go around the other two, but as he told himself: " I waited twenty-four years for this, what is a little more time, and then it will be a complete victory for me…"