The Outsider

1901, Paris, France

The night was alive, peaceful, yet something wasn't right, something was a miss. Quietly he shifted through the night, not seen by those who were human, walking amongst them as if he was normal, but he wasn't. His heart wasn't black, or white, he didn't know where he belonged, yet all he knew was he had to hide and remain hidden until the end of time itself.

He walked the streets looking at the sights and sounds or grand Paris, he passed the dazzling night life of Montmartre's cafes, grand music halls and clubs. He saw the familiar faces of artists, writers, Bohemian alike he was, moving back to his own home above the Le cafe Bourscarat. He passed the brightly lit up Moulin Rouge and its many visitors, dipping his hat a few times to greet a few people before walking furthur into the shadowy part of Montmartre, where only the depressed and lost loom. He was lost, he had been for many years, so this was his place.

Walking towards the Le cafe Bourscarat he took a key and opened his door and walked upstairs and into his dull studio. In the darkness he sat in the moonlight coming through the window and pulled off his long brown jacket, revealing his long black angellic like wings, he moaned and opened them greatful to finally release his wings from the camoflage of his coat. He wore a shirt with braces and dark brown pants. He pulled off his hat and threw it aside, then reached into his pocket to pick out a cigarette, he lit it in the darkness with a match and began to smoke as he looked out the window.

Montmartre was beautiful and it always had been. He often spent long hours just staring and watching out of his window, just staring. He had seen many beautiful things, and people had changed over his long lifetime. He pulled out his cigarette and let out a large puff of smoke then inhaled again. Smoking wouldn't kill him, he didn't care how much he smoked, it was his only comfort in this lonely world.

He turned back to his desk and pulled out his typewriter and began to write again. What? He didn't know anymore, and he didn't care. His life was doomed to go on forever and he couldn't stop it even if he wanted to. He typed for what seemed ages, then stopped suddenly and stared out of the window again. Something had caught his deep green eyes. He brushed his unshaven face and small beard and moustache. He pulled out another cigarette and lit it up and stared, he had seen something he hadn't seen for a very long time, and thought it was gone forever.

He tried to get a closer look but couldn't, his short posture couldn't see any higher than he already was. He pulled out his glasses and placed them on after taking another puff of cigarette. His eyes contorted and tried to focus. He stared again but then was drawn by the nightlife and its lit up beauty below. He leant against the window and sighed, his wings lifted slightly.

Relaxed he moved backwards after throwing his cigarette from the window to the roof below. He slowly walked over to the liquor cabinet and mixed himself a cocktail then gulped it down in one go, he turned and sat on another chair utterly defeated. Tired he decided he would nap.

He pulled off his glasses and closing his eyes for a second he relaxed and breathed out deeply. It was then a noise disturbed his senses;

Clank!!

His eyes darted open and he looked about the room, he scrambled for his glasses and placed them on. The room was silent, but he knew it was there. He listened quietly waiting for its next move, he slowly reached his hand to pick up the mirror nearby. His hands trembled, his face perspired, gleamed with sweat glowing in the moonlight from his window. He waited for what seemed forever for the creature to move again.

Hissss!

He jumped upright and turned in the direction of the sound, his heart thumped heavilly in his ribcage, it felt like he was going to burst out in fear. His hands shook, his necklace rattled and his wings feathered and twitched slightly with each heartbeat. He slowly stepped across the room, his footsteps causing the floorboards to chreak with each movement. He stopped when he felt the creature brush behind him.

Turning around he saw it, its silluette a clear image as it stood on the window cill. It had a lizard like tail, and stood upright with it's rooster-like head staring directly upwards. One of its legs was up and its wings were up as it was ready to fly out the window. He grinned, realising it was just a little one, probably a hatchling.

"Such a cute one aren't we" he said quietly under his breath as he walked up behind it with the mirror. His hands were moist with sweat and still trembling, even when they were small he had seen what they did to people in once second. He had seen people have their skin burnt off in an instant when they touched them, and even with just a small dose they were left in pain and slowly died of the poison. He had survived one such encounter barely, finding an antidote for the poison. Other victims were killed by its stare, deadly to anyone who looks at it, even itself and also saw its deadly fire filled breath, burning anything it touched.

As he quietly moved behind it, it moved realising he was there and looked directly at him, he clasped his eyes closed and raised the mirror in front of his face, trembling he waited and didn't dare move. He reached for a pencil and held it firmly in his other hand. He slowly edged his way towards the creature. Lifting up the pencil when he was only inches from the creature he brought it down with such force, he heard the creature hiss in pain and moved back as it flew towards him. Stumbling to the floor he watched as the creature flew around the room wildly then finally fell out of the window and to the streets below.

Standing up slowly he saw something which caught his eye, and proved to him it still existed. Sirius shone brightly in the sky.

"It's back" he whispered.

Present Day, San Fransisco, California

'She's such a flirt' Piper thought to herself as she watched her younger sister dance on the dance floor, she hadn't seen Cole for a few weeks so she was on the floor looking for a 'temporary man' in Phoebe's own terms. Piper was a little annoyed at her sisters impatience, Cole had been in and out for the last few months and Phoebe was getting annoyed with him. The middle sister looked away and back to serving customers at the counter and talking to her older sister.

"What is up with Phoebe?" Prue asked eyeing her sister on the dance floor. Piper smiled sarcastally.

"She was looking for a 'temporary man'" Piper replied grinning. She placed a glass down and leant against the bar.

"Will Cole be happy with that though?" Prue asked with a confused glance, she took a drink from her glass and Piper shook her head. She looked at her watch and sighed. Piper looked at Prue with a concerned glance.

"What's wrong sis?" she asked trying to perk her up.

"No man, me lonely, I might as well go home" Prue said with a frown across her face. Piper felt sorry for Prue and touched her hand comfortingly.

"Don't worry about it, I'll be home in an hour or so later anyway, so I'll catch up with you okay," Piper explained with a gentle smile. Prue laughed slightly and stood up. "I don't think miss 'flirt with her temporary man' will be home soon though, although I will try to get her butt home before she get kicked by a demon"

Everyone at the bar stared at Piper because of the last word she mentioned.

"Demon-like," Piper tried to think up something quietly. "mother, God she is just a bitch" Everyone continued on their business and Prue scowled her.

"Demon-like mother?" Prue said teasingly. "couldn't you try a little harder" she said indicating it with her fingers.

"What like your - 'stairs are sobering'?" Piper said with a grin. Prue growled at Piper then stood up and smacked her playfully.

"I'll see you later then sis" Prue said as she left. Piper waved goodbye and turned to face the dance floor again, this time her sister was coming towards her. Piper began to rinse out some more glasses, she wanted to avoid conversation for now as she was a little annoyed with her sisters immature actions towards the absence of Cole, her prayers were answered when she noticed Leo indicating he wanted to speak with her immediately.

Before Phoebe could speak Piper brushed by her and towards her husband, hushing him into the backroom Piper smiled and kissed Leo happy to see him again, he had been away for a while on business but she was glad to have him back for now.

"What brings you here Mr?" Piper asked kissing him again. Leo smiled and pulled away slightly his face serious written all over it. "what?" Piper asked, worry beginning to rise within her.

"It's the Elders again," Leo began. "they have another major assignment and because it is in a different country I can't contact you and you can't contact me, that worries me Piper" Leo said with a worried look on his face, he brushed his hand against Piper's smooth and concerned look with a mixture of dissappointment.

"Why?" Piper asked quietly.

"What if something goes wrong when I'm gone, I can't help you guys out," Leo said his voice beginning to race. "I couldn't loose you again" Piper closed her eyes for a moment thinking, she agreed with what he was saying but what if many lives were at stake here, and she was the reason Leo never went, and he could make a difference to the situation, unknown or otherwise. He had to go, she decided to herself.

Meanwhile Phoebe had been sitting near the bar for a while now, worried about what Piper and Leo were talking about, or perhaps they were having a bit of a private moment in the storeroom, she thought back with a wicked grin of the time she walked in on them just about to make-out in the store room. She giggled to herself and asked for another drink. As she took the drink she felt a hand tap on her shoulder, she turned around and found herself face to face with a handsome young man.

He had deep blue eyes and blonde hair and he seemed to glow, something was special about him, she could feel it.

"Hi there," he said with a small wave. "I noticed you from across the room and I had to speak with you" Phoebe writhed with excitement.

"Oh and you thought you could get something from me I guess" Phoebe said smirking. He laughed slightly and extended his hand politely.

"I Ewan" he said with a smile and the shake of his hand.

"Phoebe," Phoebe began, then in her deepest voice she added; "Phoebe, Halliwell" Ewan laughed and sat beside her.

"Are you from around here," Phoebe asked curiously, "you just look like an out of towner" Ewan laughed and blushed.

"Do I look that obvious?" Phoebe nodded.

"As if you had 'I am not from around here' printed on your forehead" Ewan laughed in response and Phoebe followed along, she couldn't believe what a nice guy had just walked up to her, and cute too. He shifted slightly and ordered a drink for himself and Phoebe.

"The truth is I am not the one who's after you although if my friend has no luck I'll be trying" Phoebe didn't know whether to feel flattered or annoyed, but she smiled in response.

"Is he as nice as you?" Phoebe asked excitedly. Ewan stood up and lifted her up with him gracefully.

"Well, let you decide my Queen" he said leading her away. It was then when Piper walked from the store room alone, she noticed that Phoebe was walking off with another man now. She growled under her breath.

Phoebe was soon led out of the club and into a dark ally. She became worried that this wasn't just a visit from a cute guy, but an attack of some kind.

"You're friend wants to meet me in a dark and gloomy ally, how normal" Phoebe said emphasising the word 'normal' Ewan suddenly turned rough and yank her hard holding her arms behind her back. Suddenly another man appeared from behind a dumpster. Phoebe screamed and tried to get away but found her self surrounded. A few more men appeared, with long black coats and hats covering their faces in the night. Two more men grabbed her and gagged her. Phoebe was afraid now, that her life was going to end right here and now.

Struggling again she managed to break free momentarilly and screamed out for help, but it was then when one of the men grabbed her and shoved her to the ground with much force. She landed and the air escaped her crushed lungs, she tried to scream again but this time she was greeted with a punch in the face.

"Sit still bitch, we don't want to kill you" one of the men said. She looked and noticed a man pulled out a syringe, she began to pull away again, her eyes widened at the size of the syringe. 'No!!!' her mind screamed out, they moved in on her and began their work, she felt the needle prick her skin and begin to steal her of her blood when suddenly there was a sound from behind them.

Rattle!

The men all turned and loosened their grip on the young witch, Phoebe moved away and grabbed her arm in which the syringe had pierced, she looked behind the men to see a figure standing in the darkness. She stood there for a second, in the cold ally, shaking in fear and the pain in her arm and chest from behind pushed to the ground. She rubbed her face and felt a bruise begin to develop on her cheek.

All the men began to move in on the stranger, they pulled out some clubs and guns but as they grew closer the man did nothing but stand there. Phoebe watched on in amazment, then realised that the man who saved her was now in trouble. She was about to jump out to stop them when sudden two wings sprang from the strangers back, it caused the men to jump back in fear, and Phoebe too, who turned around and bolted.

She heard nothing but screams behind her and her heart thumping in her temples, it echoed through her head as if she was in a cavern of some sort. She didn't know which direction she was running in, but just that she had to get away from this monster and those men. She turned her head to see if it was following her, but she saw nothing. Relieved she turned to face front on again and to her surprise she saw the winged man before her, his arms crossed firmly, he was shorter than her, but seemed huge in the darkness of the ally.

Phoebe trembled and watched in fear as she couldn't move. Her heart thudded in her ribcage and her hands trembled nervously as her eyes watched his hands reach for his jacket pocket. He was going to kill her too, shoot her dead perhaps or use a demonic weapon, if that was what he was. She closed her eyes waiting for the blow, the blow which would end the pain and fear she was feeling from both her body and mind, instead she was greeted with the sound of a lighter.

She opened her eyes and saw he was smoking a cigarette now, and handed one to Phoebe, she shook her head and declined. He sighed and placed it back into his pocket. He began to pace, Phoebe never took her eyes off him, not for a second. She watched as his wings relaxed down to his sides again, he hunched in his jacket and leant up against the brick walls of the ally and stared away for a moment taking a few puffs of his smoke, he then looked over at Phoebe who was still staring.

"Haven't you seen an angel before?" he said in a raspy voice. He sounded rough, but yet seemed gentle to Phoebe. Phoebe seemed a little alarmed by the word 'angel' but thought to herself she had seen too many weird things not to really complain about seeing this guy now.

"I've seen angels before, they just never had wings and looked so stereotyped"

"Well welcome to the realworld" he snarled at Phoebe, Phoebe stepped back and felt a little hurt by his remark, but stood there for a moment just looking at him. After a few minute he became annoyed and lit another smoke and stared at Phoebe again.

"I saved your life, that is it, you don't have to stand there now and stare at me" he commented.

"Who were those men?" Phoebe asked quietly.

"None of your business!" he snapped back. Phoebe flinched and slowly inched towards the angel and sat down beside him. He looked away and continued to smoke heavilly.

"Okay then, at least tell me your name?" Phoebe asked quietly.

"Shut up!" the man shouted back at her. Annoyed he turned away.

"Shut up? That is a weird name?" Pheobe said sarcastically. The angel glared at her and lifted the smoke from his mouth.

"Don't you ever shut up or are you just annoying all the time?" he asked Phoebe, Phoebe nodded and grinned back. The angel gave in and sighed.

"Jacob"

Phoebe pulled back a little surprised, "That is a nice name why wouldn't you tell me earlier?"

"No one wants to know an angel, especially a rebellious one," he said coughing slightly, he put out his smoke and looked at Phoebe after a moment of silence. "I'd just got home young lady, and ignore that this ever happened" Phoebe was shocked and as Jacob began to walk away she shouted out at him;

"I can't just forget that a heap of men ambushed me for my blood and that an angel saved my life and believe me I've seen weirder stuff than that!" Phoebe noticed he wasn't listening and ran after him yelling;

"You can't just leave!" she said louder this time. He kept on walking not turning around. "come on, I can help perhaps!!" Phoebe yelled stopping, still Jacob kept walking away.

Phoebe rushed after Jacob and grabbed him turning him around, it was in that moment the same ringing sensation hit her ears and the black and white images struck her mind. She saw hatred and emptiness, pain and dispair. It was then she came back to reality and saw Jacob eye to eye, he looked at her for a moment and she stared into his lonely green stare.

"You don't want to get involved, believe me" he said quietly turning away again he kept on walking until he was out of sight. Phoebe looked at the ground for a while, she saw so much pain in his eyes and felt she had to help him or heal him through something but she couldn't figure out what it was. Turning around Phoebe made her way back to the front of the club.

Each step echoed in her mind, her mind was only filled with the images of those lonely eyes she looked into. She reached the front of the club to find Piper outside calling for her. Piper turned around and immediately noticed the bruise on Phoebe's cheek beginning to swell.

"Phoebe! What happened to you?" Piper asked concerned. Phoebe brushed her off and sat down at the sidewalk. Piper noticed Phoebe's uneasiness and slowly sat beside her and looked at her for a moment before speaking.

"I'm sorry I was annoyed at you Phoebe, but it was just Cole..."

"No it isn't that Piper," Phoebe began. "I just meant the worlds most lonliest guy," Phoebe began. "or angel should I say" Piper looked at Phoebe and smiled a little and rubbed her sisters back comfortly.

"Well I wouldn't call all guys angels..." Piper began.

"No Piper, he was a real angel," Phoebe interupted. "a fallen one to be exact" Piper was utterly confused and Phoebe looked over and noticed it was written all over her face. "he saved me from some men who attacked me"

"Phoebe, you should get some medical attention then" Piper said immiately concerned for her little sister.

"No Piper, I'm fine, I'm more worried about Jacob"

"Who's Jacob now?" Piper asked even more confused now.

"The angel" Phoebe said back at her sister. Piper had seen weird things before too but her sister was beginning to worry her, Piper touched her sisters cheek and looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure you are alright Phoebe?" Piper asked again this time even more concerned.

"Piper, I met an angel tonight named Jacob," Phoebe said pulling away annoyed, she stood up and looked down at her sister, "we have to find out why the hell those men attacked me and took some of my blood"

"They took blood too!!" Piper asked even more confused.

"Never mind just listen to me on the way home!" Phoebe said pulling her sister behind her.

Piper grabbed her keys and told her second manager to close up for her and the two left immediately, as Piper drove she turned to her sister;

"Okay spill" she said arching a brow.

"Okay some men attacked me, they had a syringe and took some of my blood, I thought I was dead but then Jacob turned up" Phoebe explained in a rapid pace. Piper looked at Phoebe and smiled.

"Mind taking a breath as you speak" she quipped. Phoebe narrowed her eyes.

"Piper I'm trying to be serious here" she whined.

"Okay, keep going" Piper said concerntrating on the road again.

"It was then when I spoke to him I found out he was an angel and that he has something to do with those guys, but he refused my help" Phoebe said the last part quietly.

"Did you tell that we were.?" Piper began.

"No," Phoebe replied. "I should of, he would of believed me then" Phoebe looked away for a moment then back into Piper's momentary gaze again. "I just felt he was in so much pain, and after seeing that premontion, I saw it all, his whole life was just one long torture" Phoebe said looking to the floor of the car. Piper felt her sisters pain and gently touched her hand.

"First of all we have to find out who these men are and if they fall under the 'supernatural' cadegory" Piper said with a reassuring smile. As they drove towards home someone watched from a distance on the top of a buildings roof, he lifted his hand and took another suck of his cigarette and kept on watched as only he could.

---

"I wonder why Piper is so late?" Prue asked herself again. She was still up and staring at her watch and the grandfather clock every five seconds, it read 11:46 again, and it was getting later by the second. Prue was thinking about all the possibilities through her mind, what if a demon attacked, what if they got into an accident, the what if's kept going and they were driving her insane. It was then when she heard a car pull up in the driveway, she hurried to the window and opened the curtain to reveal it was Piper's jeep.

Prue let out a sigh of relief and hurried over to the front door just in time to meet her sisters there.

"Hey?" Prue said with a perky grin. Instead she was greeted with the sad looks of her sisters. Piper and Phoebe replied "Hi" simultaniously then walked directly to the kitchen and sat down. It was then in the direct light Prue noticed Phoebe's bruised face.

"What the?"

"Long story Prue, I'll explain in a moment, we have other problems too" Piper began. Prue and Pheobe looked at Piper concerned, then Phoebe realised that Piper hadn't mentioned anything about Leo on the way home.

"Is it about Leo?" Phoebe asked.

"Yes, sort of," Piper responded as she walked towards the freezer, she pulled out some peas and tossed them over to Phoebe. "put it on your face" Prue handed Phoebe a towel to cushion the peas, then sat beside Phoebe waiting for Piper to speak.

"Leo is leaving for a while" Piper said quietly.

"What? Again?" Phoebe whined. "so now your man is bailing too"

"No, he is on a strict business thing again, he can't tell me where and even he doens't know exactly what is going on" Piper muttered quietly. There was annoyance in her voice.

"What does that have to do with us?" Prue asked finally after a small silence.

"He can't heal us for the next few weeks so we can't get into trouble"

"But trouble is our middle name" Phoebe whined, Piper and Prue struck Phoebe an annoyed glance. Phoebe pulled back and said "sorry" in a childlike voice.

"What makes it worse is Phoebe was just attacked" Piper began.

"Well I kind of figured that one out already" Prue commented with a small grin, it then turned to seriousness again. Piper leant against the chair and began to explain what had happened again. After much discussion they decided to sleep on it and start investigating the following morning.

---

Prue awoke to the sound of the alarm going off in her ears, she snapped her eyes open and noticed the time read 11:33 in the morning. "Shit, I'm going to be late" she thought to herself then realised it was Sunday morning. She slowly got out of bed and grabbed her dressing gown. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was a mess of hair and make-up smudged all over her face. "Geez Prue, any wonder you didn't pick up a guy, they know what the morning appearance is like" she laughed to herself and left the room.

She was greeted to the smells of bacon and eggs downstairs and the soft murmering of the television in the kitchen. She slowly walked around the corner, expecting to see Piper there cooking, instead she saw Phoebe who was reading the book whilst cooking. Prue walked up to the bench and placed the kettle on the stove to boil.

"Coffee?" she asked Phoebe. She shook her head in reply. Prue sat down beside Phoebe and looked at the Book of Shadows with her. "hard time sleeping this morning, you're usually up the latest" Phoebe smiled slightly and went to check on her breakfast.

"You want any?" Phoebe asked, Prue shook her head.

"I'm sure we'll find out who those men were," Prue began reassuringly. "it will just be a harder task than usual, just relax"

"Prue, I'm worried though," Phoebe began to speak really fast. "I mean, remember last time someone got our blood," she grimly recalled the Dr Williamson situation a few years back, and Prue gulped nervously too. "I don't want history to repeat itself, we could get exposed"

"But we won't" Prue said trying to calm her sister down.

"Won't what?" a voice came from the doorway, Piper stood there half dressed. She walked into the kitchen and stood beside her sisters, the first thing she noticed was the eggs.

"Are you trying to kill yourself, these eggs are terrible" Piper said sarcasitcally.

"Don't worry I'm not hungry now anyway" Phoebe murmered as she walked off, picking up the book she left the room. Piper looked over at Prue surprised as she didn't hear the whole conversation.

"Was it something I said?" Piper asked.

"No, she is just having trouble finding out who those men were, she can't rest until she finds out" Prue replied.

"Still after her close call last night I think we should leave this type of situation alone, and not look for trouble" Piper said worriedly. She was concerned that the attack had caused her sister to feel some aftershocks, and felt guilty for not calling an ambulance or even taking her younger sister for a check up. "Which reminds me..." Piper thought to herself.

"I've got an appointment this morning for my yearly check-up, afterwards I'm going shopping, wanna come?" she asked her older sister. Prue nodded eagerly, it was just then the kettle whistled.

"Why don't you ask Phoebe to come too, it might take her mind off the situation for a while" Prue suggested. Piper agreed, she hated seeing her sister get all flustered like she was, usually it was her job. Piper smiled at the thought and left the room.

---

"I don't know why I even came..." Phoebe thought to herself, she was sitting at the mall waiting for her sisters to come back with some food from the cafeteria. "I'm stuck watching their shopping whilst some weird men are rampaging around stealing blood" Phoebe sat cross armed waiting for her sisters to return. "This is soooo boring" she whined under her breath, she began to tap her feet on the ground in fustration.

It was then something caught her eye. She turned around and looked out the huge glass windows of the building, she swore she had saw something move around outside. She closed her eyes and sighed, she was probably just thinking up things to crush her boredom. It was then she heard tapping on the roof above her, she looked up slowly to find nothing there, just a glass roof above her head.

"Must be some birds" she thought to herself. She resumed being mad until she heard the tapping and scratching out again, even louder this time. She swallowed nervously, and looked upright. Her eyes filled with terror of the sight she was greeted with;

Two large creatures sat on the glass, they had the head of a rooster, the legs and wings of a bird and tail of a serpant or lizard. They were moving across the glass, their weight caused the glass to crack. Phoebe knew that the people in the mall would soon be in danger. Standing up she warned everyone to move;

"Get out of here, everyone its dangerous!!" Phoebe yelled out, everyone looked at her in response and laughed. Prue and Piper overheard her yelling and ran up to their younger sister.

"Phoebe what is wrong with you!" Prue said shaking her sister.

"You wanna get us exposed?" Piper muttered angrilly. Phoebe replied by pointing upright, Piper and Prue followed her gaze and finger and noticed the creatures on the roof too, and the glass cracking even more.

"What the?" Piper began, she was stopped with the sound of shattering glass and the hisses of terror which followed. All three sisters ducked and watched as the creatures narrowly swooped them. Everyone in the food coart panicked and began to scatter in all directions. Screams of terror filled the large room echoeing from the walls it alarmed the creatures even more.

Piper, looked around to see the creatures pecking and breathing flames about wildly, she then ducked as a flame came hurdling towards them.

"What did you see?" Phoebe whispered.

"Big roosters blowing fire at us!!" Piper yelled, just as she spoke the table chared through and sent them running away from the hideous creature. They scattered in seperate directions trying to avoid the creatures attacks. Piper ran as fast as she could, she could feel the creatures breath on her neck, it burnt every fine hair from it. It pecked at her, narrowing missing her skin, Piper felt it gaining and ducked for cover, the creature flew over her head and towards other people. Piper got up and flung her hands to freeze the room, everything stopped including the creatures.

"Woah!" Phoebe said getting up, she looked over at Piper and grinned. "damn lucky your freezing power worked or we would be toast" Prue looked over at her sisters and smiled. The celebration was all too soon when the creatures began to fight against the freezing power, then managed to get free, the room unfroze along with them.

"Ahhhh God!" Piper said running away again, Prue and Phoebe ducked behind a table with their sister.

"Perhaps my power may work" Prue suggested. Piper just nodded.

"Smash those roosters, make drumsticks out of them!" Piper said aggressively. "because I want to live, another year from my yearly check-up!" She pushed Prue out and Prue attempted to use her powers, but they didn't work, instead she attracted the beasts towards them with her body movements, she ducked suddenly and they watched as they flew only inches above their heads. Oil dripped from their scales and onto the floor beside Phoebe, narrowing missing her skin it burnt through the floor.

"OOoohhh, they mustn't have used deoderant for thousands of years" Phoebe commented looking wide eyed at the ground sizzling.

"We have to get out of here, we can't help people when we are powerless" Piper began. Prue looked at her annoyed.

"We can't just turn our backs on the innocents," Prue began. "I mean, there are two of them, sure they are giant roosters but we can beat them!"

"Earth to Prue!!" Phoebe said knocking on Prue's head. "how are we meant to stop them without powers?" Prue thought for a moment then watched the creatures attack again. One of them approached a mirror and avoided it as if it was red hot, or deadly for it to look into. Prue realised at that moment the creatures couldn't look at themselves in a mirror.

"We have to grab a mirror" Prue began.

"Wha?" Piper asked confused.

"Trust me, they are like the Gorgon Medusa, they don't like their relfections" Prue explained moving away from the table, Piper was about to protest but decided to follow her sisters.

"You better be right Prue" Piper grumbled. They came across some broken pieces of larger mirror, giving a piece of each of her sisters she also handed them each the leg of a table.

"Use the legs as weapons and the mirrors as sheilds" Prue directed. Piper looked at the mirror and table leg.

"I feel stupid" she muttered to herself, she looked up to see one of the creatures swooping towards her. She screamed and ducked down, Prue and Phoebe looked at her, then heard a hissing sound from behind them, they turned and saw the other creature coming towards them. Prue lifted up her sheild and table leg.

"Take this 'Red Rooster'!!" she yelled as the creature came towards her, it stopped near the mirror and shreiked a high pitched sound, Phoebe and Piper covered their eachs in pain as it seemed to shatter everything in sight, including the mirror. Prue opened her eyes to find the mirror in a thousand pieces on the ground, and the creature sitting above her, perched on a rafter on the roof. It looked into her eyes, and Prue looked away, and ducked. She felt talon like claws scrape her back, and she winced in pain.

"Prue!" Piper yelled out worriedly. She rushed towards her sister but was greeted with a shove by one of the creatures which narrowing missed her skin directly. She smelt her clothes begin to melt on her back and she tumbled to the floor with an almighty thud. Piper moaned and winced in slight pain as she tried to move. Phoebe noticed her fallen sister and shouted out her name, she was about to run for her but ducked as one of the creatures swooped her. Phoebe ducked under the table shaking nervously. "This is the end" she thought to herself. "we're going to die right here" Phoebe prayed for something to happen, anything. There was no stopping these creatures.

It was then the hissing and carnage stopped, and the room was filled with silence. It was then Phoebe slowly stood up and looked to see what had happened. The first thing she saw was Prue being tended to by Piper, who limped slightly. She breathed out a sigh of relief, it was then she noticed the angel walked away from the scene again. Phoebe bolted upright and ran towards Jacob calling out his name;

"Jacob, stop!" Phoebe called out, she was responded with a cigarette to the ground behind him.

"Jacob, this time this makes your business my business, this is twice we have crossed paths!" Phoebe called out. Jacob kept walking though. Phoebe looked about to make sure no one was around before she said;

"I'm a witch Jacob, I can help" Jacob stopped and turned around slowly.

"So that is why they were after you" Jacob said to himself, Piper and Prue had overheard the converstation and moved towards Phoebe, Piper supported Prue.

"Who wanted me?" Phoebe asked confused. Jacob fixed his coat and stared at Phoebe's sisters for a moment before replying.

"I don't know who they are, I just know they will bring the end" Jacob explained in his raspy voice.

"The end?" Piper asked just as confused as Phoebe.

"They knew, that you would be able to stop them, that is why they took you're blood" Jacob began to explain vaguely. Phoebe gave Jacob another look of confusion and began to walk towards him.

"Wait, rewind here, explain first of all who you are and what you have to do with this" Phoebe began. Jacob sat down on the remains of a table and the sisters followed suit and listened.

"I'm Jacob, a fallen angel" Jacob began. "all I will say is that I have seen these things before and I live to destroy them"

"Why do you hate them so much?" Phoebe asked confused, she leant onto the table awaiting his response.

"That doesn't matter," Jacob replied obviously hurt. "the problem here is someone is breeding them, and God knows what else they are breeding" Piper and Prue looked at each other in shock, breeding demons, they could destroy millions if they keep going on like this.

"What were these things anyway?" Piper asked curiously.

"Basilisk" Jacob replied simply. He pulled out a smoke and lit it. There was a small silence.

"Okay, we are going to help you find these things and kill them," Phoebe announced, before Jacob could say anything Phoebe stopped him, "it's our job to save the innocent"

---

The day was still young, and Jacob sat in the manor twiddling his fingers nervously. Piper looked up from the book she was reading and stared at him.

"Smoking problem?" she asked with a small smile. Jacob looked at Piper with a hard glare, Piper winced and hid back behind the book. "sorry we don't smoke in this house, or I would give you one to settle your nerves" Prue laughed and continued to browse through the Book of Shadows. It was then Phoebe entered the room quietly and turned on the kettle and went to the fridge.

"Coffee anyone?" she asked, Prue and Piper declined so Phoebe turned to Jacob. "what about you Mr?" She asked playfully. Jacob frowned and his tapping became more erratic.

"I don't eat or drink" Jacob said quietly.

Piper and Prue looked up simultaniously from their books, then at each other they looked shocked. Piper then turned her gaze to Jacob.

"Nothing, not even just for the taste" Piper commented. Jacob continued to tap on the table.

"I can't die, so what is the point, I drink occaisionally, only for taste" Jacob replied. He closed his eyes and sighed. He fiddled with his small beard for a moment instead of tapping on the table continuously. The room went quiet again except for the sound of the kettle boiling and Phoebe rustling around the kitchen. Piper eventually looked up and asked Jacob another question;

"If you are immortal, how old are you then?" Piper asked.

"I can't keep count anymore, just say old" Jacob replied not even looking into Piper's gaze. Piper felt some what hurt, then turned to Prue.

"How is your back?" she asked her sister. Prue winced a bit but managed a smile.

"I was lucky none of that body oil hit him," Prue replied, she indicated a page in her book. "I've read it is deadly" Jacob looked up at the word.

"Yes it is, they are extremely deadly creatures, and difficult to stop" Jacob commented. Phoebe had noticed Jacob's uneasiness on the topic and looked at Piper, as if to tell her, no more on the subject. It would prove difficult though seeing that they had to find out more on the creature, and Jacob was possibly the key. How he is involved, they didn't know.

"The only thing I can find on this creature is to kill it with a mirror, but..." Prue trailed off. Piper and Phoebe knew what she was thinking, how could they do this on their own, without powers. Jacob noticed their uneasiness and shifted slightly, still fiddling with his whiskery beard.

"Perhaps William can help" he said quietly. All three sisters looked at him some what lost on the conversation.

"William?" Phoebe echoed the name.

"Will actually, he is a vampire, a sleezy vampire but he could prove useful" Jacob told Phoebe directly. Prue didn't seem so sure though.

"How do you know we can trust this guy?" Prue asked.

"Because I believe that these people will be after him for a specimen," Jacob commented, "they might even want you on a more perminant basis than just a blood sample" The sisters went silent, whoever these people were they had to be stopped, breeding demons was one thing, but vampires and witches too. They all turned to Jacob, and Phoebe sat down and began to drink her coffee.

"Where will we find this Will?" Phoebe asked.

"Ahhhhh!" the young man yelped as he was shoved into a wall. "hiya Jacky, long time no see" Jacob grew angered and shoved Will even harder against the wall, Will showed his fangs and hissed in pain. "please put me down" he begged in a whiney voice. The sisters watched on as Jacob placed Will down. Will was bigger than Jacob, but was skinny and boney, not much for a vampire. He turned his gaze to the sisters in the darkened room.

"Who are they Jake?" he asked Jacob. Jacob grew mad and shoved Will up against the wall again causing the sisters to flinch.

"My name is Jacob!!" Jacob growled. Will laughed and looked at the sisters again.

"I hope he wasn't rude to you lovely ladies" he said winking at Prue in particular. Prue smiled and looked away. Jacob placed Will down and fiddled again with his fingers.

"Need a smoke Jacob old boy?" Will said moving towards his chest of draws. Jacob replied "yes" in a sigh of relief. Will handed him an entire box. "I gave up, you can have them" Jacob gave Will a small smile to say thanks and immediately lit one and slumped down on the sofa. He let his wings out for a stretch. Will looked over at the sisters and led them to a seat too.

"Would you like something to drink?" Will asked nervously. Phoebe looked at her sisters and they all shook their heads. "more for me then" he said moving off towards the fridge. Will pulled out a container of a red liquid and poured it into a glass, he then proceded to drink it in front of the sisters.

"That better not be..." Piper's voice trailed off.

"Yes, its blood" Will said lifting his glass up with pride. Piper turned a ghostly white and looked away. Her sisters followed suit. Jacob noticed their uneasiness.

"Will would you mind not drinking in front of the girls!" Jacob said in an annoyed voice. Will whined and gulped the rest of it down then placed the glass aside. He then looked at Jacob and sat back on his chair.

"So what do you want with be Jake?" Will asked. Jacob snarled at the name again, but decided to keep his cool.

"We need your help to find out who is breeding some demons around town" Jacob explained.

"What kind?"

"Basilisk" Jacob replied as he took a puff of his smoke. Will pulled back slightly.

"Ewwww, they are bad!" Will said to himself. "I mean real bad"

"Are you going to help us?" Prue asked Will getting agrivated with his pressence.

"Yeah sure sweetie, anything for you" he said winking at Prue, Prue gagged and Piper and Phoebe laughed at her and Will.

"Actually its more for your own good Will, they'll be after you next" Jacob said with a small grin. Will looked at Jacob someone dazed.

"Come again?" Will said. "no one comes for me"

"They have already come for the witches you see here, what doesn't say they won't come for you too?" Jacob explained.

Will's expression immediately turned serious, standing up he walked out of the room and returned moments after with a book, he handed it to Jacob;

"I cut out clippings of supernatural occurances around town, and I found this one in particular that might interest you" Will explained, as he opened the old scrapbook, he revealed an article which was titled "Freak Attack at Local Zoo" Reading it outloud Jacob said;

"Today at the San Fransisco Zoo, a child was attacked by one of the reptilian creatures in the Reptile Section. It is reported that the reptile was not recorded as normal, and was put down straight away due to extreme abnormalities. Having the appearances of a Rooster, or bird-like features of feathers to the chest and back. It is reported to resemble the Mythical Basilisk, but Zoologist and Reptile Keeper - Joe Blackburn claimes that it can be explained as a simple abnormality, perhaps because of crossbreeding or genetic make-up" Jacok looked up at the sisters and Will realising that this Joe Blackburn was probably the guy they were looking for.

"We have to find this Joe guy" Jacob announced. The sisters nodded agreeing and stood up ready to leave immediately. As they all went to the door they turned and looked as Will was still sitting down.

"Aren't you coming Will?" Jacob asked. Will looked up and smiled.

"I would if it was night" Will said with a sarcastic grin. Jacob looked at the sister realising that Will was right, he couldn't venture outside in daylight.

"He's right" Prue said looking at Jacob, Jacob sighed.

"We'll scale the situation today, and return for you tonight," Jacob suggested. "just don't even think about bailing on me" Will laughed but was soon silenced by Jacobs hard stare. They all left quietly leaving Will sitting and looking through his scrapbook.

"We had to ask the vampire" Piper chirped, Phoebe scowled her as they all returned to the car. Prue hopped in the drivers seat.

"First stop San Fransisco Zoo, to find one Joe Blackburn" Prue announced driving off.

---

"Dr Joe Blackburn?" a voice called out. Joe leant over and pressed his telephone to reply to the message.

"Yes?"

"Would you like some coffee for your break?" the voice responded.

"No thank you," Joe responded. "could you please not put through any visitors or calls in the next hour, I will be extremely busy" he added.

"Sure" the voice said.

Turning back to his test tubes he looked down at all the cages around him, containing reptiles such as snakes, and lizards, his most prized possesion was in the secluded cage, aside from the rest of them. It was thicker than the other cages, it had to be to contain the beast.

Joe looked at he beast for a while, eye to eye, its eyes were patched over to avoid direct contact with its deadly vision, its beak closed with a chain, locked so it couldn't burn its victims. Joe lifted a hand and stroked the cage and grinned.

"Such a prized pocession you are my pretty," Joe announced. "you almost got me discovered but, you won't escape again" Joe added touching the cage again, it alerted the Basilisk and it started to jump around wildly in the cage. Joe stood up and walked to the opposite side of the laboratory. It was filled with beakers and testtubes full of his wild experiments which these creatures, he stood came across what he was looking for, picking up the small test tube it read; "Witch Subject 1: Halliwell". He looked up at the newspaper articles and photos around the laboratory.

"You are the only three in my way" he said admiring the photos. Picking up the test tube he pulled out a syringe and began to inject some of the blood from the tube. He turned and walked towards the Basilisk.

"The more I breed with the blood of the Halliwell Sisters, the more they will be able to sheild their powers" Joe said smirking. "isn't that right pretty one" he slowly reached out for the Basilisk but it reacted violently and caused its oils to burn at his skin. He pulled away screaming in agony, but didn't realise he had accidently injected himself with the Halliwell's blood sample. He looked the syringe which he pulled out slowly, and stared at it, he then looked at the oil on his skin, it had stopped burning.

"What the?" he looked in shock at his arm. Suddenly his skin began to burn all over, he fell to the ground in pain and screamed a scream of agony. He grabbed his arm and winced as something seemed to take over his body. He looked at his hand and saw green scaley, bird-like feet. He screamed in shock and feel backwards. He looked down on his body and saw a tail begin to spirt from his body. He stood up and screamed again as he felt something rip from his back, piercing skin with a bloody slurp. He stood upright and watched as his feet began to turn into claws, then finally whatever it was consumed his face.

---

"Are you sure this is the place?" Phoebe asked again. Piper elbowed her annoyed as they hopped out of the car.

"Yes, the people at the Zoo directed me to this lab, they said this was where Dr Joe Blackburn resides" Prue explained. Jacob looked at Phoebe and grinned a small smile. He then pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Phoebe stared at Jacob surprised.

"You are one heavy smoker" she said as they began to walk towards the building.

"That comes with being immortal" he said with a small smirk. All four walked up to the main doors and peered inside. There was no one in sight.

"Hello!?" Prue called out looking around. She was replied with the sound of her own voice echoing off the walls. It was uncomfortably silent in the large foyer, all they got were the sterile white walls looking back at them and the errie silence. Prue could sense something was not right. Piper slowly walked up to the front desk and noticed a woman sitting back facing to them in the seat.

"Hello, we were wondering.." Piper began, but she got no response. "excuse me Miss?" Piper said turning the chair around. She fell back sickened at the sight she saw, paled in the face Piper looked away gagging. The others soon noticed her reaction and rushed up to her.

"My God" Phoebe said covering her mouth. A woman sat in the chair, mangled, blood and puss covered her body, it wasn't even intact anymore, she just look like a piece of meat butchered in the local butcher. Prue looked away and at Jacob who was more worried about what ever did this and if it was still around. Dropping his smoke, he put it out with the flick of his heel. His eyes darted around the room, looking for where the creature fled to. He then spotted footprints of blood walking towards the back door.

"Look" he said pointing at the footprints. Phoebe and Prue looked whilst Piper hesitantly uncovered her eyes and gagged again.

"This is sickening" Piper said.

"You think the creature went in there?" Phoebe asked Jacob, he nodded and directed his focus back to the door again.

"Do you really think we should be looking for trouble?" Prue questioned hesitantly.

"Prue, we have to stop this madness before someone is killed" Phoebe said firmly. Piper looked towards her sisters and sat down on a chair in the foyer's sitting area and covered her face and looked to the ground. She found it hard to stomach the putrid smells of blood and sights of gutted body nearby.

"Can we just leave guys before I puke!" Piper said trying to joke about it but failing misserably.

"I agree with Piper, this could be dangerous, we aren't even prepared.." Prue said trailing off.

"Prue you are always saying we have to stop the badguys and save the innocents, it is our job"

"It won't be our job if we don't go prepared, what if they are vaccined against our powers like the last one we encountered" Prue began.

"Two don't you mean," Piper said looking up. "and even then we almost 'died'!!"

"Well, I'm still going in guys" Phoebe said walking towards the door, Jacob turned around and followed Phoebe. Prue looked at both of them and defeated decided to join them, Piper sighed and stood up following them also;

"Why do I get into these messy situations?" Piper muttered to herself.

Slowly opening the door the first thing they sense is the sickening smell of blood again. They all turn to see the blood stained walls around them. They slowly walk into the room.

"Blood better come off these clothes or I will kill you personally Phoebe" Piper muttered angrilly. Prue elbowed Piper annoyed. They focused their attention back to their surroundings. The blood filled their nostrals again, and Piper covered her nose and paled again.

"I hate blood" she muttered under her breath. Jacob led the group as they quietly moved through the bloody white rooms, it was quiet, not a sound was made, only the sounds of their breathing and footsteps echoed through the halls. Finally they came across one final door, blood stained the door handle, and the footsteps led inside. Jacob turned around and looked at the sisters awaiting their permission to open the door, with the indication of a simple nod from Prue, Jacob slowly turned the doorknob.

The door creaked open and inside was no better than the rest of the building, gutted reptiles scattered around the lab, blood stained the walls and floors. Piper turned again and gagged as did Prue and Phoebe this time, but Jacob pressed on, determined to kill the monster.

Clatter...

Jacob turned around to the sound and his eyes darted around wildly. The sisters stood behind awaiting an attack, behind Jacob they stood armed for attack with what they could grab from the floor. Their powers, no good against the onslaught. They listened in, their ears and hairs on end, the sounds of scrapping and hissing filled the room, they looked around and noticed the vents, the hisses echoed from them.

"God they are in the venting system" Phoebe thought to herself moving across the room. She suddenly turned in a split instant just in time to hit an oncoming Basilisk, it jumped at her with strong hind legs, then landed on the floor in front of her. It pulled back and hissed, and ruffled its neck feathers to threaten Phoebe. Piper and Prue watched on behind her, scared for their sisters life, Jacob stood stunned. It was as if it were a rattle snake toying with its victim.

"Phoebe, move very slowly" Jacob said reaching out to Phoebe for her hand. Phoebe stood frozen, clasping tightly on the metal bar in her hand. She shook where she stood. She then heard another noise, another hissing from somewhere else, she turned her head slightly then noticed something rattling the vent directly behind her sisters.

"Piper, Prue move!!!" she said rushing towards her sisters, the Basilisk currently on the ground lept up narrowly missing Phoebe's head. Jacob lept into action, knocking the other Basilisk out of the way. Phoebe whacked the other Basilisk which jumped from the vent, with a great leap. Screaming Prue and Piper fled towards the cages on the opposite wall, but found themselves face to face with two more Basilisk. Piper screamed and swung an arm and smacked both of them out of the way, Prue looked at her sister stunned then grabbed her hand and ran. Phoebe turned to Jacob who was holding off the first Basilisk, and Phoebe turned to fend off the second one.

"This isn't good Jacob," Phoebe began, "maybe Prue was right, we should of prepared"

Jacob looked up, he had to find a mirror, and fast. He scanned the room then finally set eyes upon a one sided glass. He turned to Phoebe.

"Hold them, off I'll be right back" he directed moving away from Phoebe, Phoebe whimpered annoyed that Jacob had left her alone to fend off two monsters.

"Hurry!!" she shouted out. Jacob, rushed across the room and towards the mirror, he grasphed the edges and tried to pull it off but found it difficult. Turning around he scanned for something to use for leverage. He found a bar from one of the cages and grabbing it he began to rip off the mirror.

"Prue!" Piper screamed staring into another Basilisk. She began to shake as the Basilisk began to ruffle its feathers and hiss again. "nice chicken" Piper muttered.

"Rooster actually" Prue yelled back, she looked back towards the first Basilisk.

"Haha!" Piper said with sarcasm, looking away for a moment she didn't notice the Basilisk pouncing towards her. Phoebe looked across the room as she heard the screams coming from one of her sisters, she then saw Piper with the Basilisk on top of her, she lay beside the metal bench dazed, blood seeped from a head wound.

"Piper!" Phoebe cried out, her fatal mistake was looking away as two Basilisk pounced her, they began to bite and peck at her skin, her face. She tried to escape but couldn't. Prue watched on helplessly, one sister down, unconsious the other being pecked alive. Prue screamed out for Jacob who was still trying to rip off the mirror.

Rip!!!

Jacob screamed pulling away, something had scratched his arm, cutting it open. He looked up and moved backwards, stumbling at what he saw. The mirror fell to the floor, but smashed into pieces. He stared up at the creature before him.

"You seem surprised human" the beast said with a deep demonic voice. Jacob moved back a little more, trying to find something to hit the creature, or stab it perhaps. He was stopped by a giant claw to the hand. He screamed again, unable to move his hand, it bled on the ground. He looked up painfully to see the face of his adversary. Its eyes glowed, Jacob looked away, its eyes burning his. He covered his eyes with his other hand and screamed again.

Prue looked up again, and saw Jacob wasn't going to help. Staring over at her sisters again, Piper lay against the bench, blood began to stain the floor and the creature began to claw at her chest, burning flesh with its deadly oily skin. Phoebe lay on the other side, trying to get away from the onslaught. Prue had to do something and fast.

She turned around and noticed the mirror laying on the ground in several pieces, if she could at least get one, she could destroy a few of them, or fend them off at the most. Looking back down at the Basilisk before her, she raised her weapon and swung it, sending the creature flying into some cages across the laboratory. She dropped the weapon immediately and bolted for the other side of the laboratory. Skidding across the floor before the giant Basilisk could notice she grabbed the mirror as it turned to look at her. Hissing in pain it pulled its talon like claw from Jacob's tender and bleeding hand. Prue eyed Jacob indicated to grab a mirror and save her sisters. Rushing across the ground Jacob grabbed a mirror and rushed over to Phoebe and fended off the Basilisk, one hissed and melted to the ground in pain, the other lept up and rushed to the vent scurrying away.

Screaming again, the main Basilisk fled from the room, Prue immediately turned to the her sister Piper and using the mirror destroyed the one grasping at her chest. Prue looked over Piper's body, deep cocerned about the loss of blood, as it had puddled around her on the floor. She looked to Piper's head and touched the back of it only to feel moisture, pulling away she saw blood, then noticed the blood on the corner of the bench above Piper.

"Piper" Prue whispered in anguish. Jacob stood over Piper helping her up he ripped some of his jacket immediately and patched up the bleeding claw marks on her face and body. Some of her clothes had been melted away from the oils on the Basilisk's skin and claws. Phoebe looked up at Jacob relieved and managed a small smile through her pain.

"Can you walk?" Jacob asked softly. Phoebe nodded and with Jacob's help stood upright unsteadilly. Blood was now seeping through her clothes. She looked around dizzy from blood loss and in pain blinked through the stinging claiming her body. She then noticed Piper laying beside Prue.

"Piper?" Phoebe said moving towards her sister, Jacob rushed and helped Phoebe move towards her fallen sister. Prue was trying to cushion Piper's head wound with her jacket but the blood wasn't stopping any time soon. She looked over at Phoebe worriedly.

"We have to get her to the hospital," Prue stated seriously. "you do too Phoebe" she reached out for her sister but Phoebe pulled away.

"No, worry about Piper first, she is in worse shape"

"How do we know we can leave here safely without running into anymore monsters" Prue said to Jacob.

"They will be gone for now, trust me, I've seen what they do before" Jacob replied, he held Phoebe up by the waist. Prue turned to Piper then back to Jacob.

"I'll take Phoebe, can you carry Piper" Prue said to Jacob. Jacob nodded without a word and handed Phoebe to Prue, who began to carry her outside and towards the car. Laying Piper in the back seat, Jacob sat beside her. Prue helped Phoebe to the front seat then rushed to the boot and grabbed some extra blankets.

"Here," Prue said handing the blankets to Jacob. "places these under her head to stop the bleeding" Jacob nodded and placed them firmly under Piper's head, Piper let out a small moan, which pleased Prue slightly. "She's beginning to wake up, good" Prue thought to herself.

Driving off Prue directly Phoebe to call the hospital to prepare them for their arrival. They were just entering the city when they heard a scraping sound on the back of the car. Phoebe turned around, closing the cell phone and saw something clawing onto the back of the car.

"Basilisk!!!" Phoebe screamed. Prue swerved and sped off as fast as she could. They had to get to a safe haven and fast. It was then Jacob realised something.

"Will's appartment is protected from demons, if we go there we should be safe for now" Jacob yelled over the chaos in the car. Prue turned around as did Phoebe.

"What about Piper?" Phoebe asked concerned for her sister.

"We would be better off at Will's appartment then protecting her and innocent hospital staff from a Basilisk, and who knows how many are on the car or in the boot perhaps" Jacob stated. Phoebe looked down at Piper's paled face one last time. She was beginning to shake, she hoped she wasn't going into shock of anything. She turned to Prue and nodded. Prue took a sharp turn towards Will's appartment.

On arrival, they stopped the car and waited for a moment catching their breaths and letting their hearts slow down. They could all hear the scratching of the claws on the back of the car. Prue turned to Jacob and Phoebe.

"On the count of three, you take Piper, I will take Phoebe inside," Prue said. Jacob and Phoebe nodded. "One, two..... three" jumping from the car, Prue rushed Phoebe inside, Jacob and Piper following close behind, the Basilisk trailing only metres away. They rushed up flights of stairs before coming to Will's door. Opening it Prue slammed it just as the Basilisk reached them, slamming into the door, the creature shreiked.

"What the?" A voice said from behind them. Will stood there half dressed, he had just had a shower when he heard the noise. He then noticed the blood soacked blankets and Piper's bleeding wound.

"Ooooh Blood" Will said licking his lips. Moving towards Piper, he was pushed away by Prue. Landing on the ground he looked up and winked at her again, in response she kicked him in the crotch. Wincing he looked up at Prue, who was face to face with him.

"Get, blankets, medical kit, now!!!" Prue demmanded. Phoebe and Jacob watched from a short distance surprised. Prue turned around and smiled at them both. "I have to yell to get my point across here" Turning back to her sister, Jacob lay her gently onto the couch and pulled away the remaining blankets, turning Piper sideways she let out another moan. The wound was deep and would require stitches for sure. Jacob looked at Piper's sisters worriedly.

"It's bad isn't it?" Phoebe asked worried for her sister. Prue turned to Phoebe and touched her on the shoulder gently. She then touched the wounds on her face.

"Let me treat those sweetie" Prue said proding at the scratches.

"No, make sure Piper is okay first" Phoebe said with a small smile. Wincing she braved on just long enough for Piper to be seen too.

"First off all we have to stop the bleeding" Jacob directed. Prue and Phoebe looked at him surprised.

"You're a doctor?" Prue asked.

"Kind of, I did a bit of medic work in my lifetime" Jacob began. "and I've seen alot of horrific things" his voice trailed off. Will returned dressed with a medical kit and blankets, placing them down beside the group he sat and licked his lips again looking wide eyed at the blood soaked clothes and blankets of Phoebe and Piper.

"Hey, when you're done can I have those?" he said pointing to the blankets. Prue gave him a harsh glare so he gave up and sat back crossing his arms and sulked.

Applying more pressure to the wound Piper winced and moaned again. Her sisters watched on eagerly knowing at least she was going to wake up, this would be a good sign.

"Piper?" Prue whispered brushing some hair from her face. Piper slowly opened her eyes and looked directly up towards the ceiling. She didn't even notice her sisters. Phoebe grew concerned and waved her hand in front of Piper's eyes. Piper was finding it hard to focus on her sisters and closed her eyes again.

"Piper can you talk?" Prue asked conerned for her sister now.

"Mmmm" Piper moaned in response. Phoebe pulled out some tissues and began to wipe up the claw wounds on Piper's chest. Piper winced and Phoebe pulled away.

"Sorry sweetie, it'll only hurt for a second" Phoebe said quietly. She clasped Piper's hand and continued to work. Prue noticed Piper was still shaking and grew concerned, looking over at Jacob, he stood up and walked towards the sink and wet a cloth and brought it back. Placing it on her forehead he wiped away any exess blood.

"Hurts" Piper whimpered breathing heavilly. She tried to focus again but couldn't.

"Relax Piper, you have a concussion" Prue said brushing her face again. She looked over at Will who sat opposite them now watching, looking wide eyed at the blood soaked cloth. Prue knew he wanted it, and her, as his eyes wandered towards her body. She gave him a nasty glare.

"Will?" Prue asked quietly. Will looked up and grinned. "could you tell me about the protective circle around your appartment?"

"Yeah," Will began. "with a certain fee" he eyed the cloth again and Prue sighed. She grabbed the cloth from Phoebe and handed it to Will, Prue was about to warn him to drink it else where but didn't get time. Piper looked up slightly and suddenly gagged and turned a ghostly white.

"Sick" Piper said simply, her voice quivering. She already didn't feel well, and now she had a vampire drinking her own blood before her. Phoebe held Piper upwards so if she was to be sick, she wouldn't drown in her own sick. She rubbed her back and Jacob handed Phoebe another moist cloth to finish the job. Prue growled slightly then turned her attention back towards Will.

"The circle was given to me by a witch" Will began.

"A witch?"

"Yeah, I knew a witch, we met in Paris, Montmarte, around the time I met Jacob," Will began to explain. "we were all good friends, you remember Bella don't you Jacob?" Jacob eyed Will then looked away. Prue had a feeling that Jacob perhaps liked this girl.

"Bella is she Italian?" Phoebe asked interested, and overhearing conversation. Piper closed her eyes and fell asleep as Phoebe worked. Prue was now more concerned about Phoebe's scratches, as was Jacob.

"Yes," Will replied. "she gave me a magic circle for my birthday, not that I remember anymore, immortality is such a bitch" Phoebe laughed, which drew their attention again. Jacob touched Phoebe's hand and Prue took the cloth from her.

"I want to tend to your wounds Phoebe, they could get infected"

Phoebe was about to argue but Prue was already tending to Piper for her. Sighing she let Jacob take her aside and he tended to her own wounds.

Day soon turned to night, and conversation was limited. Prue was concerned about Piper as she had been shaking throughout the night. Jacob spoke to Phoebe little, but Bella was not a part of conversation. They kept watch, but the Basilisk's didn't move, and now they feared that the lead one was coming for them. They had to leave, or it was all their lives on the line.

"Is this witch Bella still alive?" Prue asked Will aside. Will nodded.

"She is immortal too," Will explained. "she lives in Italy though and unless you can orb or shimmer you won't be contacting her too soon" Prue sighed. Their choices were limited now, they had no other way out.

It was then there was a fade of lights, Phoebe, Jacob and Prue looked up to see a figure slowly shimmer into view. Phoebe's first reaction told all.

"Cole!" she said getting up slowly she walked over to Cole and hugged him immediately. Cole kissed her passionately and Prue stood aside and eyed them both, knowing that Phoebe had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Pulling back Phoebe looked into his eyes for a moment then turned around and faced Will, Jacob and Prue who were all watching.

"Cole, this is Jacob, he's the reason we are all here" Phoebe began. Cole looked at Jacob suspiciously and walked slowly towards him, he then turned and faced Will. Phoebe sood in front of Cole and introduced him.

"And this is Will, he is a vampire"

"I know" Cole replied with a hard stern voice. Will stood back and laughed slightly but Cole grabbed him which soon got him shaking. "this bastard never payed me back"

"I won fair and square that poker game was mine!"

"You cheated you bastard" Cole said almost spitting into Will's face. "pay me back!"

"Make me!" Will spat. Cole was about to punch him when Phoebe pulled him back.

"What has gotten into you!?" Phoebe said alarmed. Cole cooled down slightly then noticed Piper laying in the far corner of the room, asleep and Phoebe, who was covered in bandages and swaying slightly, sweating.

"Phoebe, you're wounded" Cole began. "I've been worried about you, I mean, I went to the manor and I couldn't find you, and it was a pain trying to shimmer here," Cole explained. "is there some protective circle here?" Will nodded.

'Bella gave it to me, remember her?"

"Yeah, vaguely" Cole commented. It was then Prue came up with an idea.

"Cole, we need your help immediately" Prue announced. Cole nodded and stood back ready to listen. "can you take Phoebe and Piper to the hospital" Cole nodded immediately.

"Yes, anything" Cole said.

"Come back as soon as possible, we have another mission for you"

"I'm not going" a voice said softly. Everyone turned around to see Piper standing unsteadilly against the sofa. She grabbed the side of her head and closed her eyes, her vision was blurred but she didn't want to admit to it. Prue immediately went to her side and grabbed her concerned.

"Piper rest, you're hurt" Prue ordered. Piper pulled away roughly.

"Prue, I'm fine" Piper said sternly. "I just need to walk around a bit" Piper blinked a few times, and stepped shakilly, she swayed after a few steps then slowly crumbled to the floor. Prue and Jacob caught her as she fell, and lifted her upright.

"Maybe I'm not" Piper muttered defeated.

"Cole, take her" Prue said handing Piper to Cole, Phoebe looked at Prue not wanting to leave either but Prue persisted.

"You both are more useful when you are better" Prue explained. Jacob nodded agreeing.

"I've seen men in wars over the ages, and the wounded may be brave to go back into battle but in the end, end up dying in vain" Phoebe sighed and took Cole's hand.

"Beam me up Scotty" she said with a smile. Cole laughed slightly and all three shimmered out. It was at that moment a sudden scratching sound was heard from outside. They were getting closer to getting them.

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Continued in The Outsider: From Bad to Worse....