The Outsider - From Bad to Worse

"I feel like I've been run over by a truck" Piper thought to herself. She had her eyes closed and could barely make out her surroundings, all she knew was she was in the hospital now, and that her body was being wheeled from room to room. She shifted in and out of consciousness, the next thing she felt was someones pressence in the room. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked back the throbbing pain in the back of her head.

The first thing she saw was Phoebe, who was sitting beside the bed looking at her. Phoebe smiled and took Piper's hand. Piper noticed she was bandaged head to toe from the scratch marks. She blinked a few more times and smiled in response.

"You alright?" Piper asked concerned. Phoebe laughed and sighed.

"I'm fine Piper," Phoebe replied. "I'm more worried about you"

Piper was quiet for a moment then continued the conversation. "Headache, I feel a little sick still but not as bad as before," Piper explained. "how long do I have to stay here?" Piper asked. She hated hospitals and just wanted to help out her sisters again.

"At least another day" Phoebe replied hesitantly. Piper gave a small moan on defeat and shifted to her side to take the pressure off her head.

"What about you sis?" Piper asked. "where is Cole?"

"I am leaving as soon as possible, the doctors said I could, Cole will be taking me back"

"So you're leaving me alone!" Piper sat up alarmed. Phoebe laughed and stood up.

"You're a big girl now Piper"

"You know I don't mean that," Piper grumbled. "I want in on the action"

"Well sorry, you're not" Phoebe moved towards Piper about to tickle her.

"Don't you dare," Piper began. "you wouldn't not to an injured women" Piper gave a cheeky grin and Phoebe moved back. She sat down again and took Piper's hand and kissed it.

"I'll be back soon to check on you," Phoebe told Piper. "you can leave here tommorro" Piper nodded and kissed Phoebe again just before she left her to look at the boring surroundings of the hospital room. She lay back and starred up at the ceiling. Her thoughts turned to Leo. "Where are you Leo?" Piper thought to herself.

"It's about time you came back" Prue said to Cole annoyed, she looked at Phoebe who was sitting on the couch trying to hide the stinging in her limbs.

"And I'm no calmer with you, you should be resting with Piper"

"Prue, I wanted to help, besides the doctors say I am fine, they are just scratches" Phoebe snapped. Prue sighed in defeat.

"How have you been holding out?" Cole asked turning back to business.

"Fine, the little bastards have tried to get in but we have beaten them" Will said with a smirk. He leant down against the couch, Jacob shifted slightly moving away from the vampire, then lit a cigarrette again, he winced at the wound on his arm, Phoebe noticed.

"Let me dress that Jacob" she said moving towards him, Jacob moved back and signaled for her to leave him be. "I'm fine" he replied. Phoebe felt hurt and moved back beside Prue.

"Cole," Prue began. "this is your second job I wanted you to do" Prue began to explain. "I need you to shimmer to Italy, to find Bella" Cole looked at Prue utterly shocked.

"There is no way I will find her in time!" Cole snapped. "I mean, with her magic, she could be cloaked from evil"

"Is that what you are now Cole?" Jacob said from the couch. Cole turned and eyed Jacob, he never did like him, and now Phoebe seemed so interested in him Cole was even more annoyed and didn't trust this angel, even if he is fallen. Cole shifted his gaze back to Prue and nodded reluctantly.

"I'll try to find her," Cole told her. "But no promises"

"Just promise you will try your best," Phoebe said. "that is all we need" Cole nodded and held Phoebe, looking over her shoulder and towards Jacob, who eyed him again from the couch, taking a deep breath of smoke he blew it in Cole's general direction. Pulling back Cole said goodbye again and shimmered away. He was their only hope.

---

In the dark recesses of a hidden laboratory some scientists were having a meeting with government members. A tall dark man stood at the front of the room with a stick in hand ready to present his ideas.

"I guess you are all wondering why you are all gathered here today," the scientist began. "well, I have as you all know, been working for Iacom for ten years now, and here is the final product of my researchings" He pulled out his projector controller and started up the slideshow.

"Here you can see normal human blood, we can see the blood cells are perfectly formed," the scientist explained. "now here is the blood of a witch" at the word everyone sighed in the room and began to get up and leave.

"What why are you all leaving!?" the scientist said shocked.

"Dr Gillian, this is the last straw, your account will be cut off," one of the government members announced, "we all know here in this room that witches do not exist!" he added. Dr Gillian shook his head and pulled out the photos again. He placed them on the table and began to yell.

"I am not crazy, these three women, are all real life witches," Dr Gillian began to explain. "I managed to prove this this time, Dr Williamson's expiriments with the Piper Halliwell case ages ago, remember, San Fransisco Memorial, she had a rare blood disease, well they tried to destroy the files but I managed to copy them before all were destroyed, I have the proof now that they are real witches!!"

"What exactly in that mind of yours Dr did you ever think they were witches!!!" one of the men said picking up a photo. He looked at Prue and smiled. "she is just an attractive woman"

"This!" Dr Gillian threw another file to the table. "a few years back there were a heap of unsolved cases, here are the files, they all point towards these women, and what makes it worse is an investigator, Andrew Truedeu was covering up for them," he paused for a moment. "and he paid with his death at the hands of a demon!" The men just laughed and one of the ministers placed the folder down throwing it towards Dr Gillian.

"This is the last straw Gillian, you're fired and I will personally make sure you don't work for any one in this industry again!" with that he slammed the door. Dr Gillian kicked the table and threw the projector to the ground angrilly. Storming off towards his suitcase he opened it and revealed the product he was trying to sell.

"Syphon Wicca," Dr Gillian said to himself quietly. "you will never see the world"

"That is where you are wrong" a deep demonic voice said behind him. Dr Gillian nervously turned around and found himself face to face with a half human, half man monstrocity.

"What the..." before he could speak he was ambushed by thousands of demons, who brought the case of test tubes to their leader. Taking one he looked into the glowing blue liquid and grinned evilly.

"There is no stopping us now" he said in a deep voice.

---

It was dark now, everyone was asleep other than Prue who was half awake, sitting beside Phoebe who was asleep on the couch. They were taking shifts watching and making sure the Basilisk didn't come inside. For the last few hours it had been rather quiet, and Prue was concerned it was a little to quiet. She decided to turn on the television to keep herself awake but soon found herself tiring again, and as she drifted off, a newsflash came onto the television, grabbing Prue's attention. As Prue shifted Phoebe woke up too and noticed the news on the screen also.

"An airbase in California was attacked only minutes ago, as yet we do not know who is behind this act, but we assume it is a terrorist of some sort, possibly wanting to use the airbase for attacks. The US army is nearby ready to attack and move in on the suspects. We cross live for more coverage"

"Yes, I am Catherine Berthly and I'm at California Airbase covering the news as it comes. All we know so far is that the suspect has not been identified although it appears not human. Though the Government believes it is probably a hoax or disguise to make us believe they are aliens. Why someone would want to do this is beyond their explainations. Wait a second.... we just got a glimpse of a smaller person, in disguise just moving by the fence here, we will move in to take a closer look" Before the reporter knew it, Prue and Phoebe watched as a Basilisk ripped the reporter apart. Prue looked over at Phoebe who shook her head silently. It was then a sound came from behind them, both turned to see Will was standing behind them, drinking a glass of water.

"Ooooh a fresh blood supply" he said looking at the television screen. "where abouts is this?"

Prue looked at Will ashamed of his behaviour towards the horrific event that just took place.

"I can't believe how sick you really are"

"I can't believe how sick you really are" Will mimiced. "I'm hungry, I have to eat, my food supply is low, I buy blood from the butchers they already think I am a weirdo, I can't exactly go shopping anytime either seeing it is the middle of the night!!!" Prue felt some sympathy for Will and decided to be kind for once.

"I will buy you some tommorro, that is if we can get out of here"

"Well I haven't heard a peep from any of those little critters for hours now," Will explained. "I've been awake myself, hungry that is" Phoebe sighed and layed back down.

"I wonder why they want that airbase?" Prue asked herself.

---

"For this to effectively work we have to bomb five areas of San Fransisco" Joe explained. He turned towards the control panel and began to type in co-ordinates, then turned towards his Basilisk who were standing beside him.

"Take these and place one within a C4-Bomb, and ready them to be dropped from some fighter jets," Joe paused. "Once this is done, each of you get into a plane and tell me when you are ready to take off" The Basilisk nodded and left immediately. Turning back to the control panel Joe grinned and sat down waiting for his five planes to be ready. Five lights lit up after only minutes and Joe was ready to attack.

"Okay ready to take off, I am sending you each an area to bomb, drop the bombs in these areas and all the witches of San Fransisco should fall under the virus," Joe laughed to himself as he watched the planes leave the airstrip. "I love chemical warfare" he said to himself.

---

Piper lay quietly in her room, the nurse had just come in and announced it was lights out, and Piper couldn't sleep so she just stared at the ceiling, hoping that her sisters were okay. The silence was hypnotising, and the sounds of occaisional traffic outside was her only connection to the outside world of San Fransisco. She took a deep breath and sighed. "My headache is better now, why can't I just go home" Piper sighed to herself.

Her thoughts were taken away when the sudden roaring of a air vehicle swarming over the city took over the silence. Piper sat up in bed, too fast she found herself dizzy, after a few moments she looked outside the window and saw two fighter jets fly over the city. Her heart pounded in her chest, causing the pounding again in the back of her head. She blinked a few times, unable to believe what was going on before her very eyes.

"I sure hope they are our planes" Piper muttered to herself. Just as she spoke one of the planes took a sharp turn and dropped something from its hull, before Piper could register what was taking place she gasped in horror as the bomb landing on the main road below. She screamed and her only instinct was to run away. She didn't care if Basilisk were waiting outside, or Prue's orders, she just knew she had to get out.

Rushing outside her room she noticed that the nurses had already gotten the alarm and had put on the fire alarm. Patients who could walk were walking as fast as they could, and those who were unable were screaming for help. Piper couldn't help the cries for help and turned back. She rushed towards an elderly person who was wailing in her bed and pulled up a wheelchair and helped her onto it. Piper caught a glimpse of outside, she saw another bomb fall. Piper began to feel the tears of fustration well up in her eyes.

"I could of frozen them!" she said outloud not even caring if anyone heard. She began to wheelt he elderly person out and towards the closest lift, she came towards the nearest one which was almost full and placed the elderly women inside.

"Take it from here" she said to one of the patients. They nodded and all of them went down.

Piper didn't know what had taken hold of her, was it courage that triggered it, or the plea of an innocent, something she had gotten used to protecting after three years of being a witch. She didn't care, and she ran down the corridors looking for more people to help out.

The planes continued to roar, and she heard a third explosion. It must have been accross the other side of town because the rumble was quieter this time. She prayed that her sisters were safe, and that the planes would not come for her next. She came to a corner and heard a child wailing, turning she bolted towards the child and picked the small boy up in her arms and soothed him. She began to walk back towards the lift when she heard another plane over head. Before she could turn around and see what was coming an explosion thundered before her eyes. Piper's eyes widened in fear as a fireball came directly towards her.

Without thinking to freeze it she ran, as fast as she could towards the nearest stairwell, but she found herself running directly towards the dead end of a wall and windows. Piper didn't know how high she was from the ground, but knew it was her only way out. Even if she were to freeze the fireball, there would be no way around it.

She bolted out of the window and found herself free falling with the child in her arms screaming. Piper let out a scream of terror and the rush from the fall creating her whole life before her eyes. "I'm going to die!" Piper screamed in her mind as her scream filling the night air. Her fall seemed like forever, and she closed her eyes waiting for that impact when suddenly arms swooped around her body and she found herself asending back towards the night sky.

Trembling Piper opened her eyes and saw the child smiling first, then the face of Jacob, who looked as if he were on a mission. She remained silent until they dropped the boy back at the hospital so the nurses could take care of him, Piper escaped with Jacob, as they now needed all three sisters. As she carried Piper through the air Piper began to ponder what was going on;

"Where are my sisters Jacob?" Piper asked in a quiet and fearful voice.

Jacob remained silent which was normal for him but Piper was panicking, bad throughts rushing by her and a hundred miles an hour, she had to know, right away.

"Jacob!" Piper snapped in desperation.

"The're fine" he said simply.

"Why didn't you just tell me then Mr Silent Type!" Piper said annoyed and irritated at his personality.

"I'm sorry, its just things have just gotten worse" Jacob began.

"What do you mean?" Piper asked now more concerned.

"I mean this" he said stopping on a roof top. Piper look wide eyed over the city. It was smouldering, ash and smoke clouded the city. Fires ran out of control and the sound of sirens now took the place of the planes roaring overhead not so long ago. It had only been twenty minutes but it was the longest twenty minutes of Piper's life.

"I heard four bombs drop" Piper said quietly.

"There was a fifth one," Jacob told Piper in a serious tone. "it hit the street near us" Piper was worried now.

"My sisters? are they definately safe?" Piper asked concerned.

Jacob simply nodded and took out a cigarrette and lit it up. "They are keeping low, we believe that this is no coincidence, that the Basilisk are behind this, that Joe is," Jacob explained. "I think they are trying to smoke us out" Piper looked back over the city and at the bombed areas, they seemed so perfectly set up, each area was the accurate distance from the next one. She looked harder, and began to think that this was more than just a flush out of the Charmed Ones.

"Isn't this a bit to extreme?" Piper began. "I mean look at the bombed areas, it is well planned out" Jacob looked and nodded agreeing.

"We won't know I guess until tommorro, when it is sunlight, it is difficult to tell anything at the moment"

---

"I hope Piper is okay" Prue muttered to herself. Phoebe nodded agreeing and sat on the sofa in their living room. Prue walked into the kitchen and as she left she yelled back;

"Coffee anyone?" Phoebe replied yes, but Will declined.

"I would like some blood though" he said with a wicked grin. Phoebe growled at him and he lept back and fell off the couch. Phoebe burst into laughter and Prue rushed back into the lounge to see what was going on.

"What's up!?" Prue asked alarmed.

"It's Will," Phoebe said still giggling. "what a jerk!" Will sat up and rubbed his head and back.

"Owww!" he whined. Prue began to laugh too, Will soon followed suit. Eventually all laughing died down and everyone turned serious again.

"That was the first time in days we have been happy" Phoebe commented. Prue nodded and leant on the sofa. They sat and stood in silence for a while, until the whistling of the kettle filled their ears. It sounded for a while, at least five minutes. All three sat frozen, with fear and uncertainty. Finally Prue stood up and turned off the kettle, she slumped against the bench for a while, she hadn't heard Phoebe walk in behind her, or touch her shoulder gently.

"Prue's I bet she is fine" Phoebe said knowing who Prue was concerned about. Prue sighed deeply and movign away she grabbed a few mugs from the cupboard.

"I just want her back here, so we are all together," Prue said "safe"

"I hate the fact that all three of us are seperated," Phoebe commented. "It hurts me too Prue"

"I'm just scared this time Phoebe," Prue said not looking back over her shoulder towards her sister, she took a few teaspoons of coffee and continued, "I mean, really scared" Prue leant heavilly against the bench, Phoebe had never seen Prue like this before, so afraid. The night sounded from outside the window, the sirens could be heard from the city nearby. It was the cold and harsh reality of what was going on. They couldn't escape this problem, because now innocences were involved.

"Never before have we faced anything like this" Prue told Phoebe quietly. "it's just I feel so..." Prue tried to find the right word.

"Hopeless" Phoebe finished. Leading Prue to the kitchen table both sisters sat down and Prue stared down at the table for a while, Phoebe took her hand tenderly in hers.

"Tommorro we find out who bombed the city, and if it was those little bastards," Phoebe joked slightly. Prue laughed and looked up at Phoebe with a small smile. "I'm sure Jacob will return with Piper soon" It was then Will's voice could be heard from the living room, jumping up Prue and Phoebe entered the room to see Piper being placed on the sofa, she wearilly closed her eyes and touched her throbbing head.

"Damn bombing!" Piper mumbled. "giving me a damn headache again!" Prue smiled and indicated for Phoebe to grab Piper a pain killer from the kitchen first aid kit. Jacob sat opposite them and lit another smoke and sat and stared. Prue marched up to Jacob and grabbed the smoke and threw it out the window.

"No smoking in this house Mr!" Prue said shaking her finger, Jacob was going to protest but Prue interupted him; "I don't care if you are an angel either" Jacob grumbled and sat back onto the sofa. Prue sat beside Piper and wrapped her arm around her, Piper opened her eyes and looked at Prue some what confused.

"What's this?" Piper asked looking at her sister confused.

"I'm just glad you're alright"

"Me too" Piper said with a smile.

The night moved on, and Prue sat up all night waiting for news on the bombing, soon night turned into day, and Prue found herself asleep, and waking to the morning air and daylight presented a new day, there were no more sirens, they had sounded down to the occaisional sound. Moving slightly Prue yawned and stretched before getting up for a shower. Walking upstairs groggilly, she stepped inside the bathroom and placed the shower on. She left momentarilly to get a fresh change of clothes and walked back into the bathroom and locked the door. She undressed and stepped inside the shower and relaxed deeply to the rhythmic drone of hot water. She sighed, finally an escape for a while.

"Hi georgous" a voice said beside her. Prue turned and found Will standing in the shower beside her. She screamed and covered herself up instantly, rushing out of the shower. Will stuck his head out of the shower door.

"I was just looking for you, I want my blood remember," Will whined. "I'm starving" He paused and looked at Prue who was covering up with a towel histerically. "you shouldn't be ashamed of your body, you're attractive" he said with a nod. Prue slamed the shower door over his head, causing him to scream out. Instantly Phoebe was at the bathroom door with Jacob.

"What the?" Phoebe said looking in. She smiled when she noticed Will sticking his head from behind the shower door. "did I interupt something Prue?" she said with a cheeky grin. Prue playfully smacked Phoebe and Jacob out of the doorway and slammed the door. She then turned to find Will still there. "and you" she said indicating the door. She couldn't help but laugh slightly at what had just taken place. She watched Will as he exited and shook her head.

"Idiot" she said rolling her eyes.

"Phoebe?" Piper said quietly. She opened her eyes and looked around the room. She was relieved to find her headache was gone, but was in no rush to sit up. Slowly, she sat up, careful not to make herself dizzy and she peered around the room. No one was around. Piper was concerned for everyone, and slowly getting up she began to turn on the television to see if anything had come up on the bombing. Her eyes widened at the horror shown on the screen. Buildings were fallen, and people crawled from the ruins. Piper gasped, feeling guilty and powerless to save any of these innocents.

She felt a tear slip, and turned at a sudden movement behind her. There stood Phoebe, and Jacob walked by not noticing Piper's anguish, he still commented;

"Crying will solve nothing" Jacob commented, lighting a cigarette he stood beside the window and peered outside. Smoke covered the daylight sky. Piper turned hurt, then Phoebe brought her attention back to herself.

"Piper, he is just fustrated" Phoebe said.

"I don't care, he has no right!" Piper snapped in pain. She felt like going at him. She knew that it was all his fault this was ever happening. For the first time in days she knew where the problem was, it was Jacob.

"It's your fault you know!" Piper yelled outloud to Jacob. He didn't flinch but stood and stared. "if you had never come into our lives..."

"If you and your sisters hadn't gotten involved I could have taken care of this" Jacob said his voice quivering in anger. Phoebe had never seen Jacob show any kind of emotion, and it shocked her. The two of them stood staring at each other angrilly. Fustration and helplessness had gotten the best of everyone. Piper turned back towards the television and saw it all again. Television seemed to glorify it, and put it in your face. She began to tremble, and slowly sunk down to her knees. Concerned Phoebe lowered to, and saw Piper's face. The reflections of the television showed in her teary eyes.

It was then when Will and Prue finally emerged behind them. They stood in silence watching the images, people dying in wreckages, death was the smell in the air. The images took on no sound, they were just echoes and screams for help. Then that chilling moment came when they saw him, they saw the reason behind this attack, the reason they all knew deep inside. It was Joe Blackburn, the beastly, mutant, half man, half beast, Basilisk, standing and laughing. He looked towards the camera, and grabbing it, he threw it aside. The images repeated in their minds. That same cold, and dark stare, was chilling. They had to stop him.

---

A short man paced through the doorway and stopped immediately before the huge marble desk before him. He stood upright and waited to be seated before his associate. With a nod, he sat and looked towards the shadowy figure before him.

"You call me here for what reason Blackburn?" the man asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice. There was a small silence before Blackburn replied.

"You know why Holderoff" he said with a smirk on his face. Turning slightly he pressed a remote to open up a doorway, a light switched on and there was a cage, filled with Basilisk. Wildly they scraped at the thick glass, falling from his chair Holderoff, crawled backwards, and eventually stood upright. Looking over at Blackburn alarmed, he then looked over at the beasts again.

"I didn't believe it was possible Blackburn," Holderoff commented. "I have to give you this much" Blackburn laughed and shut the door. Moving slightly he stared back into Holderoff's eyes.

"You seem on edge Holderoff?" Blackburn said with a laugh. Standing up Holderoff stood nervously.

"Well I did just see something that has not existed for centuries," Holderoff commented. "even if it really did I doubted, it was all just superstition"

"Superstition?" Blackburn said with a chuckle. "that is a lie, because now I recreated them, the list in endless, and the world is ours" Holderoff jumped back alarmed, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Blackburn slowly moved towards Holderoff, keeping in the shadows.

"You are a mad man Blackburn," Holderoff said with a quivering voice. "I gave you the funds to run this project so we could open up a zoo and make money, not take over the world," Holderoff said with a nervous grin. "I mean, that only ever happens in cartoons, the badguy wants to take over the world, this is insane" Holderoff sat backwards as a slender hand crept out to touch his jacket. Looking down he gulped nervously and traced the contours of his coat. A boney, slender finger traced his jacket, it was scaley, and long, sharpened at the end, so razor sharp it could slice fruit let alone flesh. Holderoff swallowed the lump in his throat, and his heart began thumping at his ribcage. He couldn't move, but watch this finger wander around his rising and falling chest.

"My god" he whispered as Blackburn stepped into the light. He saw the horrific creature that Blackburn had become.

"Yes Holderoff, science has created me, and now my plans go further," Blackburn said moving back. He turned and pressed the remote again, footage of the news and the current bombing came up. Holderoff looked at the screen nervously then back at Blackburn.

"Are you mad!?" Holderoff said aloud. "the Americans are going to blame terrorists for this," Holderoff paused. "me!!!"

Blackburn smiled and kept the footage rolling as he spoke. "I am a terrorist now Holderoff"

"What happened to our undercover operations, I mean, I just wanted to make some money, my terrorist days were over"

"Well now they aren't Holderoff," Blackburn said loudly. Holderoff sunk back into his chair and watched. "these bombings were strategically placed so then the Syphon Wicca Virus could be administered"

"Syphon Wicca?" Holderoff said confused.

"Yes, a bio-warfare chemical developed by the mad man Dr Francis Gillian, I have been studying him for a while now, and my mutation was just a good omen for me to grab it from him," Blackburn said with a grin. "he went mad trying to find and destroy the Charmed Ones, he wanted to show that he wasn't insane, I guess he never will" Blackburn said laughing a little.

"What has this got to do with me?" Holderoff asked.

"Much," Blackburn replied. "you see, within hours all witches in San Fransisco will become ill with the virus, The Charmed Ones don't know that this is chemical, and it is untracable. They will die, then you will help me out further"

"Further?"

"Yes, I will require your funding to breed more creatures, I have begun to breed some other demonic lifeforms but at the moment my funding is low," Blackburn explained. "I need to know you are in on this"

"What is in it for me?" Holderoff asked. "I don't just do things for nothing, and out of the kindness of my heart"

"Fifty, fifty, half of the city is yours"

"Any money?"

"Yes, I will pay you back a handsome reward"

"In which figures?"

"The billions"

Holderoff sat back with a smirk. "I will help you Blackburn" Holderoff finally replied.

"Excellent," Blackburn said sitting back. He turned off the report. "everything is falling into place"

---

The Halliwell living room was silent, everyone sat around quietly, not speaking and listening to the news, awaiting new footage and possibly a location for where Joe was operating from. But nothing. Prue sat alone drinking coffee, staring blankly towards the screen, Piper leant against Phoebe, who sighed. Will was sitting on the floor, sipping on a glass of blood, in which Prue managed to get from a piece of fresh meat. Jacob of course sat alone in the conservatory, alone, smoking another cigarrette half way out the window, so he didn't displease Prue.

Looking out the window he saw the smoke and ash across the sky. "They did their job" Jacob muttered under his breath. He closed his eyes recalling that moment he first met the creatures, that moment they changed his life...

"Father, Father!!!"

It tore him in half, hearing the voices over and over again. He saw the little boy running across the field again, a fishing stick in his hand, and an older man behind with a tackle box. It was wooden, hand carved he recalled. He remembered seeing that tackle box, the river ahead. Leaving the farmyard was a mistake that day.

"Mother, Father, I want to go fishing!"

The boy asked with innocence in his eyes. He begged for his father to take him fishing and mother's permission.

"Okay, but be sure to wash up when you get home"

She said with a warm smile on her face. So gentle so was, her hair was dark, and her eyes were green as emeralds. She had a radient light illuminating her soul towards the outer exterior.

"Father, look the river!"

The boy said again, running towards the bank of the river. It seemed so perfect, so innocent, and so right. It was natural. The river soon turned red, and an agonising scream reached the heavens as a father stood over his fallen son, ripped apart by a wild beast, a beast which was said to be around the farm of the Greenwoods. The father had ignored this and decided to take his son fishing, thinking and believing it would be all right.

The scream again, was endless and echoed into oblivion, but soon turned into the concerned voice of Phoebe Halliwell.

"Jacob?" Phoebe asked again. Jacob turned to find himself face to face with a tired looking Phoebe. "Are you alright?"

"I'm putting it out!" Jacob grumbled putting the cigarette out. "I know I am not supposed to smoke in this house" he droned on. Phoebe shook her head confused.

"I was just asking if you were alright," she began. "you seemed a little troubled"

"It's nothing" Jacob lied. He couldn't bring it up, it was too painful.

"Don't worry, you don't have to talk about it," Phoebe continued. "but were always here to listen" Suddenly a sound alarmed the two of them, turning they hurried into the living room. Instantly they found themselves face to face with a young woman. She had dark hair, and wore a long dark trench coat. She had heavy eye make-up covering her face, and warpaint covered her face in a pattern. Her hair was in dredlocks, and she had dark pants and knee high boots. She looked at Phoebe then Jacob.

"Long time no see" she said in a deep voice.

"This isn't about us Bella" Jacob said walking away, Bella followed Jacob though into the conservatory, everyone else followed except for Will who eagerly drank at his blood.

"I think it is Jacob!!!" Bella said raising her voice. "the last time we saw each other was when you left me" Everyone stood back at the words. Phoebe gave a little smirk and turned to whisper to Prue and Piper.

"I guess he did have a good reason not to talk about her," she whispered. "he had a crush, that isn't like this guy"

"I had a good reason"

"You did?" Bella said loudly, obviously hurt. "what, was it the Basilisk again, did they hurt you again!!!"

"NO!!!!" Jacob yelled back. He was angry now, hurting deep inside, and everyone could see it now. He took a deep breath and lit a cigarette, storming out of the house he sat down on the steps out front and smoked silently, not looking behind at Bella who now stood at the front door.

"When are you going to stop Jacob?" Bella asked quietly. "when will you just let go?"

"Those creatures should not be able to hurt people Bella, they should of just been superstition!"

"But they weren't," Bella replied. She paused for a moment and looked over at the sisters who stood behind her in the doorway. "that is why the world has these people here Jacob, it is there job to protect people like you"

"But they didn't did they!!!" Jacob yelled back angrilly. "they took life from me, and I swear by god, I will get my revenge!" Jacob yelled in Bella's direction. He opened his wings furiously and took off in an instance. Everyone watched as the dark angel assended towards the sky. Bella turned around after a short moment and gave the sisters a warm smile.

"I apoligise, it's just Jacob, he hurt me a long time ago"

"We can understand" Piper said for her sisters.

"We have seen alot to understand"

"Why don't you come inside and we'll talk some more" Prue suggested leading Bella indoors. Walking inside, everyone made their way back in the living room. Will still sat lazilly on the floor sipping. He looked up at Bella as she entered.

"Hiya!'

"Hey Will" Bella said not even looking over at Will. Will sighed and sat up on the couch beside Prue.

"I understand you need my help" Bella enquired. Everyone nodded.

"Yes," Prue replied. "did Cole tell you about our problem?"

"He informed me that some Basilisk were on the hunt for you, and that there is a human spawn of the breed" Bella told the sisters. Prue nodded.

"Well things are alot more complicated, it seems we also have some warfare weapons being used against us," Phoebe began to explain. "there was bombing here last night"

"Bombing?" Bella replied alarmed.

"Our problem is our powers are useless against these monsters, we think that our blood was used in them so they are immunized against our powers, like a sheild would" Phoebe explained further. "so we need your help to defeat them"

"You're the Charmed Ones though, if you can't, what makes you believe I can"

"Because you are the traditional witch, we need your help to tap into those powers again" Prue replied. "you have to believe us and trust in our judgement" Bella paused for a moment, and quietly nodded.

"We have to find out where this leader is," Bella began. "this 'offspring' or 'spawn' of Basilisk"

"That is the first problem, we don't know where to find him" Phoebe replied. It was then the television caught their eye, they all turned to see a reporter outside a government building somewhere.

"Reporting from the Garacom Warehouse and Stronghold in California's far east, we have reason to believe that these bombings may be linked to chemical terrorism. The FBI have reason to believe that scientist Dr Francis Gillian, had created a virus called Syphon Wicca, its targets are unknown, but the Virus went missing yesterday, and the body of the scientist was found horrificly murdered. They say it is no cause for alarm yet, and that everyone should stay calm."

"My god," Piper muttered under her breath. "chemical warfare"

"And it was aimed for us," Phoebe said turning to Prue. "I hope were weren't infected"

"We have to leave immediately" Prue said moving through the house to collect her things. Her sisters followed, Piper especially close behind.

"But Prue, the innocents"

"Piper, we can't help anyone if we get infected, we could die, then there would be no protectors," Prue explained. "and that is exactly what Blackburn wants" Phoebe was about to protest when Prue silenced her.

"We have to leave Phoebe, we have to choice"

"Where to though?" Piper asked confused.

"The Garacom warehouses" Prue replied.

---

Jacob flew for what seemed for eternity, then finally landed on the top of a church in the center of the city. Turning he looked down into the chapel below, through the stained glass windows. He jumped down, through the windows, until he reached the floor below. No one was around so he let his wings out and stretched. Walking up the center of the isle he looked up at the statue of Christ above him and stopped, and starred. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

"Why do you torment me so," Jacob said to himself softly. "why do I live an eternity of pain?" Pausing he looked back up at the statue, and begin to feel the tears threatening to fall again, just like the day his nightmare began.

"Father look the river"

The little boy ran towards the river, he laughed, he played. Father walked behind, tackle box in his hand. He laughed at his son, and they reached the river side.

"This is so much fun father!"

The sparkle lit up the boys eyes, he blinked in slow motion, his smile, his breath, so innocent.

"I love you father"

The words rang in Jacob's ears like a nightmare, it echoed through his mind and heart. He began to cry opening and looked down to the floor. Clenching his fists he saw it again, the blood, the smell, was all to vivid. He stood up, his veins popping into his temples, and his heart thumped angrilly in his body.

"Why do you do this to me!!!!" Jacob screamed. "I abandoned heaven for love, I loved him so much! I would give anything to be with him!!!" Jacob began to cry again, his pain was overwhelming, but this was the punishment heaven gave him. He stopped after a while and finally falling to his knees and began to pray, muttering under his breath, the words he so much wanted to tell God. Finally dropping his hands he looked up at Christ again.

"Just tell me something God," Jacob said in a quiet voice. "why, if you died for so many do so many still suffer?" Jacob, blinked and looked downwards. A voice sounded behind him, he turned and looked to see Phoebe behind him. She gave a warm smile before moving towards Jacob.

"Bella told me that you would be here," Phoebe began. "she wanted me to talk to you"

"About what?" Jacob snapped. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "nothing is bothering me"

Phoebe stood hurt, and finally came up with the words she was looking for.

"Okay, we are leaving town for our own safety, we are no use to anyone if this is chemical warfare" Phoebe said trying to to alarm Jacob. Jacob looked at Phoebe somewhat troubled, and shocked to hear that she would even think this way.

"You're going to abandon everyone?"

"I'm sorry Jacob, we have to stop the source of the problem, and we can't do that dead" Phoebe said quietly. She moved towards Jacob and held out her hand. "please come with us," Phoebe told Jacob barely above a whisper. "we all need you"

Jacob remained silent, except for the occasional suck of his smoke. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "Do you need me?" he said finally. Phoebe was shocked, and narrowed her eyes trying to figure out what Jacob was trying to say to her. She remained quiet, trying to look for the right response.

"Yes" she whispered under her breath so softly. She shifted to move towards Jacob's lips, as Jacob moved towards her, dropping his cigarette, he wrapped an arm around Phoebe's head gently. Embracing them shared a long and passionate kiss. It seemed to last for eternity, they both pulled away and looked into each others eyes. Jacob turned away immediately apoligising.

"I'm sorry" he muttered. Turning he put out the cigarette on the ground and walked away. Phoebe stood confused. She couldn't believe what had taken place. "Do I still love Cole? Or do I love Jacob now?" Phoebe thought to herself. She felt so confused. So hurt.

"Phoebe?" a voice said from behind her. She turned to find Piper rushing towards her. Phoebe didn't response so Piper waved her hand in front of Phoebe's face.

"Earth to Phoebe!?" Piper said with a smile. Phoebe finally looked at Piper, some what dazed. "what's the matter?"

"Nothing Piper," Phoebe said with a smile. "let's just go kick some demonic evil butt!" wrapping her arm around her sister, they two left the church arm in arm.

---

"Today we fight our darkest day in history. It will be a time for all Americans to stand tall, with their freedom in hand to face the onslaught of terrorism. on the 16th of November of 2001, there was an attack on San Fransisco. Though many lives were not lost, there is still the risk of loss to come. Chemicals were implanted within those missiles, and those chemicals are lethal to those who are human.

Kind hearted, and with a free heart we are terrorists are after people like us, and now is a time we must stand up and face these evil doers and tell them that we are Americans, and that we will prevail"

- George W Bush, Message to the Nation at 3:00, the in Afternoon, the day after the bombing took place.

"We have to leads at the moment, but know this thing, this terror still looms out there, and we must find it, slay it, and bring it down to Earth"

- San Fransisco Times, the morning after the attack.

"We are pleased to say we have out leads, and one of those leads lie within our own great city. Pruedence, Piper and Phoebe Halliwell, all seen at the scenes of terrorist acts recently around the city. From the Zoo's research laboratories and the local shopping complex. We know they are involved and will not cease until we have them in our custody"

- The Local Mayer of San Fransisoc, 10:30, that morning...

"We have been driving for hours Prue and haven't even reached destination 'Kill Demon'" Phoebe muttered. Piper sighed and layed back in the front seat. Will sat between Jacob and Bella in the far back seats, whilst Cole was beside Phoebe. They had been listening to the radio all morning and just heard that the mayer was after them now.

Will was able to leave the house during the day thanks to a spell by Bella, a sheild to sheild him from the sunlight. For the first time in hundreds of years he had seen sunlight directly and was beginning to enjoy it. Looking out the window he grinned and starred straight into the sun. He blinked getting blinded.

"Wow, I forgot how exciting it is to get blinded by the sunlight" Will muttered to himself. Jacob moved aside, getting annoyed. Eventually he flung Will from his lap. He sat and sulked.

"Great now we have America after us," Phoebe muttered. "all we need now is the FBI"

"We have them after us too Phoebe" Piper commented.

"So what are we going to tell them come quesiton time," Phoebe began. "are you a witch!?" she mimiced sarcasiticly. Piper laughed slightly, but straightened her face when Prue looked at her sternly.

"We have to stay positive, that is the only thing we can do at the moment"

"Is that it?" a voice said behind them, Cole was pointing out the window towards a large building beside them. Everyone turned their gaze, on the side of the large building it said: "Garacom Warehouses" there was alot of security around the building. It would be tough getting inside.

Stopping the Jeep, everyone got out. They stood behind the car, watching and thinking of a way on getting inside. Prue then indicated for everyone to get down, she began to draw a map in the dirt and gravel with a stick.

"We will split up," Prue announced. "Piper, you go with Will, I'll go with Bella, and Phoebe you go with Jacob and Cole"

Cole looked up and eyed Jacob again, and moved aside. Prue was alarmed at Coles reaction but shrugged it off.

"Phoebe, you take your group around the back of the warehouse, Piper and Will, the front to distract the security, and I will go with Bella to turn of security cameras so Phoebe's group can sneak inside"

"That sounds like a plan" Phoebe announced eagerly.

"Yeah, you're not the bait at least Phoebe" Piper growled.

"Piper, just get going" Prue snapped getting impatient. Moving away Piper and Will made their way towards the front of the building, whilst the others assumed their positions.

"I can't believe I'm teamed with a vampire" Piper muttered to herself. Will heard though.

"It's not that bad, just think, the worst I could do is bite you" Will said licking his lips. Piper growled and raised her hand to slap him across his whiney, boned face. Will ducked and begged for Piper to back off.

"Please, I'm sorry!"

"Baby!" Piper said pulling her hand back. She continued towards the foyer where some security guards were waiting. Several guards stood around drinking some coffee and smoking.

"So, how was the football last night?" one of the guards asked.

"Great, but that bombing would have gotten ratings," the other guard replied. "I heard a woman jumped from a hospital building, there was a photo in the paper this morning. A tourist was taking photo's of the city at night when they got this shot" he held up a news paper showing the photo of Piper falling in the background. Piper noticed it from a short distance and pulled Will back behind a corner.

"They'll recognise me!" Piper said panicking.

"It's not like your famous for being a witch here Piper!" Will said. "you jumped from a building"

"Lucky they didn't get Jacob in the photo saving me"

"Hey look at this, there is a figure flying here, he has wings!" one of the guards pointing out excitedly.

"Great, you had to jinx it didn't you" Piper said poking at Will's shirt. Will gulped and peeped around the corner.

"Just walk up casually and say we are lost, and if they ask you just say it was a near death experience" Will said with a goofy grin.

"And how do I explain that I lived!!!?" Piper blasted at Will. The guards overheard the yelling and picked up the guns pointing them towards where Will and Piper were now frozen.

"Whoever is there, please show yourself" Piper looked over towards Will who shrugged and moved out, Piper panicked.

"Freeze!" one of the men yelled out. Piper jumeped out instantly freezing the guards.

"Okay!" she said with a small grin. "are you trying to get killed!!?" Piper yelled at Will.

"I'm already dead" Will said simply.

"Oh yeah" Piper replied embarressed. She watched as Will walked calmly towards the officers, and followed close behind. They reached the door and it was then Piper noticed some guards coming around the corner.

"Guards!" Piper yelped pulling Will back. The guards heard the sudden movement and pulled out their weapons. Ducking down Piper pulled with down with her. He grinned cheekilly at her.

"Not now Piper, I know you sisters love me" Will said with a grin. Piper slapped him, and the slap echoed off the walls of the foyer.

"We know you're in here somewhere," one of the men announced. He reloaded his gun to show he was serious. "show yourselves at the count of ten" Piper swallowed hard and noticed there was cleaner on the other side of the foyer, and beside him was a vaccum cleaner. It was already plugged in, and she had a plan.

Turning to Will she pointed out the vaccum cleaner. He nodded but shrugged having no idea what she wanted to do. Piper indicated for him to stay quiet and to throw something to pre-occupy them. Will nodded and looked about frantically. Reaching up he searched the desk, his hand scanned the desk, carefully, but he knocked over a vase. Shattering, the men noticed his hand and shot at it.

"Ahhhh!" Will winced pulling his hand back. Piper looked at him annoyed and grunted.

"You idiot!" Piper whispered angrilly.

"My hand!' Will whined. "look they shot it" he said holding up the hand. There was little more than a scratch on it. Piper smacked her hands against him wildly, then froze as they heard footsteps right near them.

"Now what smart arse?" Piper whispered annoyed. Will nodded and stood up, the men stood back, but held their guns at bay. Piper smacked her head against her hand annoyed.

"Hi guys" Will announced.

"Freeze" one of the men said, as Will slowly moved aside. Putting up his hands Will kept moving but the policemen held the guns tighter. "stop, or we'll shoot" Will dropped his arms slowly, which caused the policemen to aim their guns even harder.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Will said slowly. "I come in peace"

"And you'll come in pieces if you don't surrender to us" the policemen announced.

"I already have to coot!" Will said annoyed. They lifted the guns up and rested them fingers firmly on the trigger. "okay I'm sorry, but I have something important to tell you" Will said moving towards them. The policemen looked at Will suspiciously, but soon lowered their guns.

"Okay, this better be important" one of the policemen replied. Will slowly moved towards the policemen and whispered into the lead ones ear.

"I'm a vampire" he whispered. Moving back, he transformed into his vampiric form, his eyes bulged from his head, which swelled into a fierce animalistic glare. He hissed deeply, instantly causing the security guard to fall backwards. Pulling his gun he began to fire shots, but Will jumped and stuck to the room, hissing towards the two guards, he began to claw at them agressively, trying to hold them off.

Piper noticed Will's position and that his so called plan had failed. "I've always gotta get you out of trouble" she muttered getting upright, as she did the policemen noticed her and as they turned to shoot at her, Will jumped down and clasped down on one of the guards bare necks. He screamed in pain, and blood stained as it poured down his neck. The other policeman, dropped his gun in fear and ran out of the foyer screaming for help. Piper sighed and smacked her forehead lightly again.

"Will!!" Piper snapped grabbing Will. He pulled away from the young mans neck, blood poured down his fangs and face. Wiping the blood away he grinned.

"Wha?"

"Prue never said kill the guards, just distract" Piper said waving her hands about. Will grumbled and whined.

"I was hungry," he whined. "Prue thinks a small about of animal meat blood will fill me," Will said with a laugh. "well this is a feast'

"It is also a person" Piper muttered. "an innocent to be more exact, I am supposed to protect them!" she lifted her fist and Will moved back hunching down into a ball he trembled. Piper moved back upright surprised that a vampire would be so afraid of her. After all he could just bite her if he wished. She shook the thought and helped Will up.

"At least we did our job," she said with a smile. "it was one hell of a distraction" Will stood proudly and turned back into his human form.

"Thank you very much" he said standing proudly.

"I just hope Prue made it inside" Piper muttered. Behind her Will slowly moved towards the corpse of the guard, Piper knew he was about to bite the man again and interupted him; "don't even think about it" she said not even looking back. Will stood up casually ignoring the man and the bounty of blood which lay on the floor.

---

Prue and Bella snuck around another corner after noticing one of the guards moving away from the doorway. Apparently he got a call from the front end foyer, a supposed 'vampire' attack. Prue rolled her eyes and Bella gave her a quick grin. As they walked along the corridor, Prue decided to find out more about Bella.

"So you're a witch?" Prue asked.

"Yes" Bella replied. There was a short silence before Bella added anything else. "and I was in love with Jacob" Prue frowned, and looked up ahead, unable to make direct eye contact.

"I'm sorry, I was just curious, you know, a stranger like him in love, I just couldn't see that happening"

"Once he had a heart, he doesn't anymore though" Bella told Prue quietly. They stopped seeing a guard walk past suddenly. Standing against the wall, Prue let out a sigh of relief then turned to Bella again.

"Before what?" Prue asked quietly.

"Before they returned," Bella replied quickly. "the Basilisk, he was obssessed, he would always change the subject when we spoke about his family, he is obssessive over these creatures and would do anything to kill them," Bella explained. "that is what he lives for"

"For what though, lonliness...?"

"Try telling him that, he is just kidding himself," Bella explained almost close to tears, for both her and Jacob. "I could have loved him, if he had of just let me in"

"I'm sure he still cares about you" Prue said touching Bella's shoulder tenderly. Bella gave Prue a small grin, then they found their passage clear. As they were about to go, Prue suddenly began to cough over and over again. Bella looked at her concerned and patted her on the back as her coughing ceased slowly.

"Are you alright?" Bella asked concerned. Prue felt her lungs begin to burn, but pushed on.

"Let's go" Prue announced leading Bella along.

Not far behind Phoebe had begun to make her way towards the conference room where Dr Gillian was last reported to be before he was so brutally murdered. All three were silent, but the tension was in the air. Cole glaned, narrow eyed at Jacob as if he was a lion stalking its prey, waiting for a slip up. Jacob, didn't turn his head, instead he lit another cigarette and continued walking.

Phoebe had a thousand thoughts rushing by her ears, so many she couldn't grasp any of them. 'Do I love Cole, or Jacob? Why would I love Jacob, I barely know him and does he even love me?' Phoebe looked over at Jacob and sighed to herself inside. 'I can't work him out. He is just so....' Phoebe tried to think of the word, when she was interupted by a voice ahead.

"Stranger," a man said with a laugh. "how are you going?"

"Whose calling who stranger," the other man replied. "I was the one trying to contact you lately" The two men shook hands and began a conversation. Jacob pulled Phoebe back with him behind the wall. Feeling so close to Jacob made her shiver. She felt his heaving chest and heartbeat against her back and neck. For a dead man he was quiet healthy, and his good looks were to match. 'If he only lost the beard and moustache' Phoebe thought to herself with a small grin. She then noticed Cole looking at the both of them. Phoebe pulled away anxiously not wanting to let her attractions on. Cole was snarling inside. They waited until the two guards were gone, then found the entrance into the conference room.

On entering Cole noticed a sign on the wall; 'No smoking' walking up towards Jacob he picked the smoke from his lips and threw it aside putting it out.

"No smoking in here bud" he said raising an eyebrow. Jacob didn't respond. He was to stressed to say anything, and shrugged Cole's hostility off. Scanning the tables they saw the blood on the floor, and the remains of a projector scattered around the room. Whatever killed him killed him good, his remains were butchered. Without uttering a single word they searched the room, but found nothing. Phoebe threw aside a chair fustrated;

"We can't find a damn thing!" Phoebe said aloud. Cole moved towards her to comfort her but she moved aside. "Cole nothing can help me out now..." Phoebe defeated slumped down into a seat and let out a deep sigh. Phoebe never gave up on anything but Cole could see she was utterly defeated this time.

"If its any constellation it isn't your fault Phoebe" Cole began.

"But it is Cole," Phoebe replied. "if I hadn't of gotten involved..."

"What do you mean by that?" Cole replied astonished. "this freak was the one who got you involved" Cole added. "you were just doing your job!"

"Yes Cole, and I still am!" Phoebe replied harshly. "what has gotten into you?" she asked looking directly into Cole's eyes. Cole narrowed his eyes not taking his gaze from Phoebe's.

"What has gotten into you?" Cole said quietly, looking over at Jacob as he spoke. Phoebe turned and shook her head amazed. She was about to reply when a voice sounded behind them.

"Phoebe!" Prue yelled from behind the door, she coughed slightly, pretending to clear her throat. "we have to get out of here, the alarmed is about to go..." the alarm sounded off, Phoebe rushed towards Prue and Bella, Cole and Jacob close behind. Rushing out of the corridor Phoebe stopped as she noticed something on the floor. Blood. Prue stopped and turned around.

"Phoebe!?" she yelled anxiously.

"Prue, a trail" Phoebe said pointing out the blood. Prue looked in amazement.

"I guess we found our clue" Prue announced. They followed the trail of blood outside, and noticed it was going towards the forest nearby. Prue turned, coughing a little and looked towards Piper who was driving the jeep towards them. Stopping they all jumped inside, and Prue directed Piper towards the blood stains moving into the forest. They drove for what seemed to be forever, finally stopping deep in the forest, they decided to set up a camp for the night.

With the spare blankets in the back of the jeep, they settled down, Jacob and Will offered to sleep outsidet he jeep, not under any blankets, seeing they were dead or undead anyway.

Laying beside Prue, Piper sat through the night, listening to her sisters disturbing wheezing beside her. Prue never usually wheezed like this and it bothered her. She coughed every now and again, shifting uneasily in her sleep. Piper was concerned deeply, and Will had noticed this. Moving towards Piper he sat beside her, she turned to look at him.

"You're worried aren't you?" Will asked. Piper nodded quietly.

"She's sick isn't she?" Piper could only say. Will couldn't reply, he didn't know what sick was anymore.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, what ever it is" Will commented with a warm smile. Piper felt comfort with Will, and accept a hug from him. She missed not having Leo around when times were tough. She could only wonder when he would return, but for now, she knew she would be just fine for now.

---

Continued in The Outsider: Syphon Wicca