CHARMED
"DEBT OF HONOR"
by J. B. Tilton with Tracie Joy
Rating: PG (for mild language)
PART 3 - PAID IN FULL
Can Leo figure a way to keep Darryl alive long to get them back to the future and
heal him? And when Leo returns to the future, will Piper forgive him for what he's done
or is their marriage over; before they have the chance to start the family they both so
desperately wanted?
* * *
ONE
Leo sat with Darryl for a few minutes, then walked out the back of the tent. It was
nearly over now. In a few minutes Darryl would be dead and Leo would be returning to
the future. He didn't know how he was going to explain Darryls' death to the others.
It shouldn't have happened like this. Darryl hadn't even known about Leos'
obsession with coming back here. To settle a debt that was over sixty years old. He
was brought back here accidentally. Because he was trying to help when he thought
Leo was in trouble.
Leo looked at the bodies piled outside the back of the tent. The dead who couldn't
be saved or those who had been brought in from the battlefield. Right now the dead
bodies weren't a high priority. There would be plenty of time later to tend to the dead.
Right now, the living and the wounded were more important.
Leo wandered around the bodies thinking how Darryl would soon be among them.
He wouldn't be identified, of course. He had no identification tags and no one would
recognize him. He would just be listed as killed in action and buried in a grave with a
blank marker.
Suddenly, Leo stopped short. He was looking down into the face of a soldier that
had been brought in from the battlefield. This soldier had died on the battlefield. Died
almost instantly. In many cases, it was hard to tell exactly what the cause of death had
been. In this case, Leo knew exactly what had caused his death.
He was staring down into his own face.
It seemed strange to him, looking into his own face. This was something he hadn't
expected. He knew that he had died here, but he hadn't known what had happened to
his body before it had been sent back to the states for burial.
Leo felt a hollowness in the pit of his stomach. He could feel himself shaking. He
knew he shouldn't be reacting that way. He had seen dead bodies before. Both in the
war and as a White Lighter. But this was different. This wasn't just any body. It was
his body.
He had this sinking feeling in his stomach. He was beginning to get neaseous. He
steadied himself on the corner pole of the tent. He took several deep breaths to calm
himself. The sight of his own body, with the wound in the head, had unnerved him
more than he had thought.
The wound didn't appear as large as he would have imagined. A small hole in one
side of the head with a much larger hole on the opposing side. There was surprisingly
little blood, except the dried blood on his head and uniform. But then, he knew that a
dead body didn't bleed. With the heart no longer pumping, only blood near the surface
would ooze out relatively quickly, then cease altogether.
"I'm sorry about your friend," said a voice behind him.
He turned and saw the doctor he had spoken to standing in the opening to the tent.
He quickly stepped between his body and the doctor, so the doctor couldn't see the
face. He didn't want to have to try to explain why there was such a close similarity
between his body and him.
"Are you okay?" asked the doctor, instinctively reaching out to Leo.
"Uh, yeah," said Leo. "I'm, uh, I'm okay. Just a bit woozie. I guess all of this just
suddenly caught up with me."
He gradually moved around so that the doctor had his back to Leos' body.
"You're white as a sheet," said the doctor. "Maybe you should come inside and
have a seat."
"No," said Leo, "I think the fresh air out here will do me the most good. I appreciate
everything you tried to do for Darr . . . I mean, Private Morris."
"I wish I could do more," said the doctor. "If there was more time, I'd be able to help
him. But we just don't have the supplies to expend on him."
"I understand that," said Leo. "The fortunes of war, I think the term is. It's just a
shame that so many good men have to die."
"I know," said the doctor. "Maybe some day man will learn to live in peace with each
other. After this war is over, there shouldn't be any reason for man to ever go to war
again. The evil will be wiped from the Earth for ever."
"I wouldn't bet on that," said Leo. "Evil has existed for thousands of years. It's
foolish to think that one war, no matter how large that war is, can ever put an end to
evil."
"I suppose you're right," said the doctor. "Man has always had the propensity for
good and evil. Some would always rather choose evil. All men are brothers. It's not
right that they should fight each other."
"Doctor," said a nurse coming up behind the doctor, "we have more wounded.
You're needed, sir."
"I'll be right there," said the doctor.
"Yes, doctor," said the nurse.
"Well, Wyatt," said the doctor, "I need to get back inside. Just remember that your
friend won't die in vain. He's helping to stop a great evil. That's a very noble cause.
He'll be remembered as a hero."
"Yes, sir," said Leo. "I'll try."
The doctor turned and walked into the tent. He was wrong, of course. The rest of
the men on the beach that day were fighting the evil that now ravaged the world. Darryl
was nothing more than an innocent bystander. A man out of place and out of time who
would die before he had ever been born.
Leo looked at his watch. Six minutes left. He knew that Darryl would never live that
long. If they were in the future, it would be a simple matter for Leo to heal him. His
White Lighters' healing ability would have healed all of Darryls' injuries within seconds.
There wouldn't even be a scar.
Leo looked around the beach. The tent was relatively secluded from the rest of the
units. It's was usually that way with major offensives. That way the wounded were out
of the way of the combat. The doctors wouldn't have to worry about confrontations
while they concentrated on saving lives.
Many lives would be saved that day by these heroic men and women. They were as
much heroes as men like Murphy were. They patched up the wounded so that mothers
and fathers and sisters and brother would see their loved ones again.
Suddenly Leo had a thought. Brothers. The doctor had said that all men were
brothers. And that some would always choose evil. He was right about that. All men
were brothers. Some would be good and some would be evil. Many of the good, like
him, would become White Lighters after their deaths.
White Lighters. He had not been the first White Lighter. There had been hundreds,
perhaps thousands, before him. And there were others that had come after he had
become a White Lighter. White Lighters were immortal. They didn't age as humans
did. Which was why he still looked the same after more than sixty years.
White Lighters and brothers. It was a long shot. White Lighters usually didn't
answer calls from someone who wasn't their charge. But there were other White
Lighters in the world. There always had been. It was his only chance.
"Michael," he called into the air.
He looked around to make sure he was alone. No one seemed to be nearby. He
waited for several moments, then called the name again. He knew White Lighters who
were much older than he was. Michael was one of those White Lighters. If he was
lucky, he might be able to get Michaels' attention.
"Michael, I need you," said Leo. "I'm out of time. Please, Michael, hear me. I have
no where else to turn."
Suddenly, a blue shimmer appeared beside Leo. The figure orbed in and stood next
to him. He was just as Leo remembered. They hadn't met in this time, of course. It
would be another sixty years before Michael would help protect the Charmed Ones
against the demons who sought to replace the Source. Michael looked around at the
battle going on.
"Who are you?" demanded Michael. "You're not one of my charges. Why have you
called me here?"
"I need your help," said Leo. "There's a man in this tent who needs your healing
ability. He's dying and without your help, he'll be dead in moments."
"Well," said Michael, "you obviously know who and what I am, though I don't
recognize you. But if you know what I am, you must also know that I can't help your
friend. I can only use my healing ability . . .."
". . . if the damage was caused by a demon," finished Leo. "Yes, I know. But this is
different. He's not a soldier. He's from the future. So am I. My name is Leo Wyatt and
I died here. I'm a White Lighter, too. I came back to set something right and he was
caught in the energy that brought me back. He's not even supposed to be here."
"From the future?" questioned Leo. "How did you come here from the future?"
"Please," begged Leo, "time is almost gone. Please, just heal him and I'll explain
everything I can."
"If you're a White Lighter," said Michael, "why not just heal him yourself?"
"I can't," said Leo. "I've come back to a time before I was a White Lighter, so I don't
have my powers yet. I only died about thirty minutes ago. Technically, I'm not a White
Lighter yet."
Michael looked Leo over for a moment, then seemed to make a decision.
"Where is your friend?" asked Michael.
Leo turned and walked into the tent to Darryls' cot. Michael stepped up behind Leo
and looked around. Everyone else in the tent was intently working on the wounded who
were being brought in. No one, not even the others lying in the back of the tent, gave
Leo or Michael a second look.
Michael looked around again, then knelt next to Darryls' bed. Darryls' breath came
in heavy, labored gasps. Leo could tell it was only seconds before he stopped
breathing completely. Michael placed his hand over Darryls' chest and a soft yellow
glow covered Darryls' chest. Within seconds, the glow ceased and Darryl opened his
eyes.
"Leo," he said, "what happened?" Then he saw Michael kneeling over him. "Who's
this?"
"His name is Michael," said Leo. "He's a friend. He saved your life."
"Let's get out of here," said Michael, helping Darryl to his feet. "There would be too
many questions if someone suddenly notices that your friend doesn't even have a
scratch."
Together, the three men left through the back of the tent. They walked for several
yards until they were well out of sight of the tent. Then, Michael turned to Leo.
"Okay," he said, "I've kept my part of the bargain. Now it's your turn. How do you
know who I am?"
"As I told you," said Leo, "I'm a White Lighter from the future. I died in this battle
today. But there was something I had to take care of. So I contacted a druid I know
who convinced the Portal Guardian to allow me to come back and take care of it."
"A White Lighter from the future?" questioned Michael. "Do we meet in the future?"
"Yes," said Leo. "My primary charges are the Charmed Ones. In about sixty years
you will help protect them. We meet earlier than that, of course. You're going to be
one of my mentors when I become a White Lighter."
"I see," said Michael. "So, is your friend a White Lighter, too?"
"No," said Darryl. "I"m a cop. When Leo was being sent back, I thought he was
being attacked. I tried to help and was sucked back here with him."
"I see," said Michael. "He's one of your charges, then?"
"No," said Leo. "He's a friend of the Charmed Ones. He's just an innocent who was
in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me," said Michael. "But there must be
something to what you say. I shouldn't have heard your call, but I did. I guess that at
least for a while, you've become my charges."
"Not for much longer," said Leo, looking at his watch. "We should be returning to
the future in about two minutes. Thanks, Michael. You'll never know how much this
means to me."
"Well," said Michael, "when you get back to the future, you can tell me all about it. It
should be quite a story."
"It is," said Darryl. "I'm not sure how much of it I believe, but one thing's for sure.
It's not something I'm liable to forget very soon."
"I wouldn't imagine," said Michael. "Now, if you will be okay, I need to get back to
my other charges. I wish you well, Leo Wyatt. And I look forward to meeting you when
you become a White Lighter."
"Thanks again, Michael," said Leo.
Michael orbed out, leaving Leo and Darryl alone.
"So that's the great Michael the girls told me about," said Darryl. "Funny, I expected
him to be more impressive. Being half demon and all."
"His demon form is very impressive," said Leo. "I'm just glad he's on our side."
Suddenly Leo and Darryl both felt the same thing. They felt the energy vortex of the
Portal beginning to envelope them. It would take only a few seconds for them to be
drawn back to the future.
Leo took one last look around him. He had gotten a chance most people never got.
He wasn't sure what changes he had been able to make, but he had completed his
mission. Now, he had to deal with Piper and the girls. Something he wasn't looking
forward to. Silently, he and Darryl faded from the battlefield unobserved by any of the
combatants around them.
TWO
Leo and Darryl appeared in the living room of the Halliwell manor. It looked just as it
had when they had left. Except the girls were nowhere to be seen. Leo looked over at
the grandfather clock standing in the hallway. It read one hour from the last time they
had been there.
"Well," said Leo, "looks like we made it back okay."
"Yeah," said Darryl. "Well, I guess I should get home and get out of this uniform.
Then I think I'll burn it."
"You sure you want to do that?" asked Leo. "It's a piece of American history. There
probably aren't a whole lot of uniforms around from Guadalcanal."
"Probably," said Darryl, "but I doubt it would be interesting to anyone with my blood
all over it. No, I think it's best if I just burn it."
"Whatever you think," said Leo, shaking Darryls' hand. "I'm sorry about everything.
You weren't meant to go back with me. I'm just glad everything worked our the way it
did."
"Don't give it another thought," said Darryl. "I think I understand why you had to do
it. I think I understand you a little better than I did before. I was only there an hour. I
can imagine what it must be like to have been there as long as you were."
"Thanks," said Leo. "Now, if I can just get Piper to understand. I don't know how I'm
going to patch this up with her. She's was pretty angry with me."
Just then, Piper and Paige came out of the kitchen. They were giggling at some
private joke and didn't notice Leo or Darryl at first. When they did, they just stared at
them.
"Hey, sweetie," Piper said to Leo. "Hi Darryl. I didn't know you were coming over.
What's with the costumes?"
"What?" asked Leo.
"The uniforms," said Paige. "World War II aren't they? But why all the fake blood,
Darryl? Are you supposed to be one of the walking dead?"
"We had a little trouble at Guadalcanal," said Leo uncomfortably. "But Darryl's okay
now."
"Guadalcanal?" questioned Piper. "Why were you at Guadalcanal? And why did
Darryl have to go with you?"
"What are you talking about?" asked Leo. "You act like nothing happened? What
about us being over if I went back?"
"What's he been smoking?" Paige asked Piper.
"Maybe it's a White Lighter thing," said Piper. "Leo, what are you talking about?
Why should I be upset if you went back to Guadalcanal? It's not like there's a war
going on there now or anything. I can understand why you might want to go back for a
visit. After all, honey, that's where you died. And became a White Lighter."
Leo and Darryl just stared at each other. Piper and Paige were acting as if nothing
had happened. As if they didn't know that Leo and Darryl had just risked their lives to
deliver a message to Leos' headquarters in 1942.
"Knock, knock," came a voice from the top of the stairs. "I hope you don't mind my
dropping in unannounced like this."
Everyone looked up and saw Kiethran Tannish standing at the top of the stairs. He
was smiling as he descended the stairs and entered the living room.
"Kiethran," said Piper, moving over to him. "Of course, not. After what you did
helping us with the Pentacle demon, you're always welcome here.
"That's nice to know," he said. "I thought I'd stop by and offer my condolences on
Prues' passing. I haven't had a chance to come by before. She was a remarkable
woman and I'm going to miss her."
"Thanks, Kiethran," said Piper, kissing him on the cheek. "We really appreciate it.
This is Paige Matthews, my sister. We didn't know about her until after Prue died."
"So I understand," said Kiethran. "It's nice to know the Power of Three has been
restored. It's very much needed if we're to keep evil at bay."
"Thanks," said Paige. "So, you're a druid. Must be interesting. Piper and Phoebe
have told me about you and what you did for them. I'd like to know more about the
druids."
"I'd be happy to tell you what I can," said Kiethran. "Piper, would you tell Phoebe I'm
sorry I missed her. I understand she recently got married to Cole. I hope they'll be very
happy together."
"I will," said Piper, "thanks. How did you know she was married?"
"I'm a druid," said Kiethran, smiling. "I know many things. Actually, I need to speak
to Leo for a minute if you don't mind."
"Not at all," said Piper. "Will you be staying for dinner?"
"Sure," said Keithran. "If you're cooking."
"I'm the only one around here who cooks," said Piper, sarcastically. "No one else
seems to know how."
"Well, you were the chef," said Paige. "A fact you've mentioned on more than one
occasion."
The two just giggled then went into the kitchen.
"Guess maybe I should get going," said Darryl.
"No, please, stay," said Kiethran. "This concerns you, too. In a way."
"What's up, Kiethran?" asked Leo.
"I see you accomplished your mission," said Kiethran. "You got the message
delivered."
"Yes," said Leo. "For a while, it looked like I wouldn't. And Darryl got wounded while
we were there. It was touch and go for a while."
"But everything worked out fine," said Kiethran. "Just after you left, Michael paid me
a visit. He said to tell you that when you got back, he's expecting a visit from you. He's
been waiting a long time to talk with you about it."
"I can imagine," said Leo. "That's how you knew I was able to deliver the message."
"Yes," said Kiethran. "You have no idea how hard it's been for him not to ask you
about it before now. But he realized that until you had actually done it, you wouldn't
have known what he was talking about."
"So, I guess you were able to smooth things over with Piper," said Leo. "She's
seems to have accepted it."
"Not exactly," said Kiethran. "You see, from her point of view, it never happened."
"Oh, it happened," said Darryl. "I can attest to that. Just look at the blood on this
uniform."
"That's not what I meant," said Kiethran. "Leo, you told me this started when
Adriene Murphy came to you to find out what really happened at Guadalcanal."
"Yes," said Leo. "She wanted to make sure that everything her uncle had told her
was true. I was the only one who could tell her that. That's why she came to visit me."
"Well," said Kiethran, "since you went back and delivered your message, Private
Murphy was never charged or convicted of cowardice or desertion. So there was no
reason for Adriene to come visit you. Which also means that Piper and you never had
your fight. So, from her point of view, it never happened."
"Okay," said Darryl, "so, if it never happened, how come you remember it? I can
understand why Leo and I remember. I mean, I guess I can understand it. We went
back in time. The changes didn't affect us. But how come your memories weren't
changed along with everyone else's?"
"The power of the Portal," said Kiethran. "I don't know why she did it, but the Portal
Guardian used the power of the Portal to allow me to retain the memories of what
happened. I don't know, maybe she knew you'd need some help when you got back.
All I know is that, aside from the two of you, I'm the only one who knows what
happened."
"So Piper doesn't remember our fight?" asked Leo. "That's going to make things a
lot easier. I should still tell her what happened. She has a right to know."
"That's why I'm here," said Kiethran. "I figured you'd feel that way. With me and
Darryl, she won't think you've lost your mind. I have an idea. Darryl's going to look
rather odd driving home in a blood stained World War II uniform. Why don't I teleport
him home so that he can change? Then I'll bring him back here so he can get his car."
"Teleport?" questioned Darryl. "Is that anything like Leos' orbing?"
"Actually, it is," said Leo. "It's quicker, though. You should be able to get home and
back here in a few minutes."
"Okay," said Darryl. "I've traveled in time so I guess teleporting won't be so bad. I
just hope my wife is out right now so I don't have to explain any of this to her."
Kiethran closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment.
"No one's home," he said. "We should be able to get in and out without any
trouble."
"You can see what's going on in other places?" asked Leo.
"Yes," said Kiethran. "Believe me, I would never use it to violate anyones' privacy.
But it can be useful when you're trying to track a demon or sorcerer."
"Okay," said Darryl. "Let's get there so we can get out. I don't know how I'm going
to explain loosing my new suit to my wife. I'll have to come up with something."
"Okay," said Kiethran. "Leo, we'll be back soon. Then I'll try to help you explain all
this to Piper and Paige."
"Okay, Kiethran," said Leo. "And thanks again for everything. I owe you."
Kiethran just smiled as he teleported himself and Darryl out of the manor. Just then,
Piper came out of the kitchen.
"Where's Kiethran and Leo?" she asked.
"Kiethran took Darryl home to change clothes," said Leo. "They'll be back in a few
minutes."
"So," said Piper, "are you ever going to tell me what's going on with the uniform?
Feeling a little bit nostalgic because of the reunion last night?"
"Something like that," said Leo. "Honey, we have to talk. There are some things I
have to tell you. It's not going to be easy. For me to tell or for you to hear."
"It sounds serious," said Piper.
"It is," said Leo. "Let's go into the kitchen. Kiethran will be back in a few minutes
and he can help fill things in."
Together they walked into the kitchen while Leo tried to think of the best way to start
the explanations.
THREE
"That's a heck of a story," said Paige, after Leo and Kiethran had finished explaining
it. "I don't know if I would ever feel that passionately about something. To risk so much
to make things right."
"You'd be surprised what you can do when you have to," said Leo. "I never
dreamed I'd feel so passionately about something myself. All I know is that I had to do
it. No matter what the cost."
"Well," said Piper, "all I can say is, you'd better never do anything like that again. It
was stupid and foolish and if you ever do anything like that again . . .."
"I don't think that will happen," said Leo, kissing Piper on the forehead.
"Leo's right," said Kiethran. "Those types of debts are very rare, from what I
understand. I don't think you have to worry about him ever going off like that again."
"That's good to know," said Piper.
"I'd better get going," said Kiethran. "Shallon, my assistant, worries when I'm away
too long. I hope to visit again soon."
"You're welcome any time," said Piper.
"Thank you," said Kiethran, smiling. "Leo, next time, let's make it a social call, shall
we?"
"Sure, Kiethran," said Leo.
Kiethran simply vanished from the chair he was sitting in. This wasn't unusual for
him. Piper, Paige, and Leo all knew that when a person teleported, they simply
vanished. It didn't take the time that Leos' orbing did.
"Well," said Paige, "I think I'll get back to my book. I'm almost finished with it. I
should be able to finish it tonight."
"It sounds like a good book," said Piper.
"It is," said Paige. "I never much cared for war stories, but this one is really very
good. One of my clients left it in my cubicle and I glanced through it. It caught my
attention." She walked over to the counter top and picked the book up. "Once I started
it, I couldn't put it down."
She held the book up for the rest of them to see. It was a hard back book and the
dust cover was in bad shape, but still useable. Piper and Leo just looked at the back of
the book as Paige held it up.
"Wait a minute," said Leo, walking over to Paige. "You said it was a war story?"
"Yes," said Paige. "It's an autobiography of a soldier in World War II. And if half of it
is true, this guy was a real hero. I understand they made a movie based on the book."
Leo took the book and looked at the back cover. He looked long and hard at the
picture of the author on the back. Then he held the book up for Piper to see. The
picture was of a very good looking young man wearing a suit with a broad smile on his
face.
"Let me guess," said Leo. "The soldiers' name was Murphy."
"Yes," said Paige, "how did you know that?"
"This is the person I went back to clear," said Leo. "The soldier who had been
accused of cowardice and desertion. The man who, originally, spent the rest of his life
in prison."
"Really?" said Paige. "According to this story, he was a highly decorated soldier in
World War II. In fact, he was the most decorated soldier then. He even was awarded
the Medal of Honor."
"It seems," said Leo, "that my mission had more repercussions than I thought it
might. I knew that Murphy was a hero, but I never imagined he would go on to
distinguish himself like that."
"Well, he did," said Paige. "According to his autobiography, he must have gone
through hell during the war. I guess you'd understand something about that, huh, Leo?"
"A little," said Leo. "But apparently nothing like he apparently went through. Paige,
can I borrow this when you're finished with it? I'd like to see what happened to him after
I died."
"Sure," said Paige. "I'll be finished with it in a couple of hours. You can borrow it
then."
"Thanks," said Leo.
He turned the book over and read the title. "To Hell And Back."
"I'm very interested in learning what happened to Private Audie Murphy."
The End
If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed" stories at my website,
www.geocities.com/killeenmale/. You can also post your own "Charmed" stories if you
like to write fan fiction.
"DEBT OF HONOR"
by J. B. Tilton with Tracie Joy
Rating: PG (for mild language)
PART 3 - PAID IN FULL
Can Leo figure a way to keep Darryl alive long to get them back to the future and
heal him? And when Leo returns to the future, will Piper forgive him for what he's done
or is their marriage over; before they have the chance to start the family they both so
desperately wanted?
* * *
ONE
Leo sat with Darryl for a few minutes, then walked out the back of the tent. It was
nearly over now. In a few minutes Darryl would be dead and Leo would be returning to
the future. He didn't know how he was going to explain Darryls' death to the others.
It shouldn't have happened like this. Darryl hadn't even known about Leos'
obsession with coming back here. To settle a debt that was over sixty years old. He
was brought back here accidentally. Because he was trying to help when he thought
Leo was in trouble.
Leo looked at the bodies piled outside the back of the tent. The dead who couldn't
be saved or those who had been brought in from the battlefield. Right now the dead
bodies weren't a high priority. There would be plenty of time later to tend to the dead.
Right now, the living and the wounded were more important.
Leo wandered around the bodies thinking how Darryl would soon be among them.
He wouldn't be identified, of course. He had no identification tags and no one would
recognize him. He would just be listed as killed in action and buried in a grave with a
blank marker.
Suddenly, Leo stopped short. He was looking down into the face of a soldier that
had been brought in from the battlefield. This soldier had died on the battlefield. Died
almost instantly. In many cases, it was hard to tell exactly what the cause of death had
been. In this case, Leo knew exactly what had caused his death.
He was staring down into his own face.
It seemed strange to him, looking into his own face. This was something he hadn't
expected. He knew that he had died here, but he hadn't known what had happened to
his body before it had been sent back to the states for burial.
Leo felt a hollowness in the pit of his stomach. He could feel himself shaking. He
knew he shouldn't be reacting that way. He had seen dead bodies before. Both in the
war and as a White Lighter. But this was different. This wasn't just any body. It was
his body.
He had this sinking feeling in his stomach. He was beginning to get neaseous. He
steadied himself on the corner pole of the tent. He took several deep breaths to calm
himself. The sight of his own body, with the wound in the head, had unnerved him
more than he had thought.
The wound didn't appear as large as he would have imagined. A small hole in one
side of the head with a much larger hole on the opposing side. There was surprisingly
little blood, except the dried blood on his head and uniform. But then, he knew that a
dead body didn't bleed. With the heart no longer pumping, only blood near the surface
would ooze out relatively quickly, then cease altogether.
"I'm sorry about your friend," said a voice behind him.
He turned and saw the doctor he had spoken to standing in the opening to the tent.
He quickly stepped between his body and the doctor, so the doctor couldn't see the
face. He didn't want to have to try to explain why there was such a close similarity
between his body and him.
"Are you okay?" asked the doctor, instinctively reaching out to Leo.
"Uh, yeah," said Leo. "I'm, uh, I'm okay. Just a bit woozie. I guess all of this just
suddenly caught up with me."
He gradually moved around so that the doctor had his back to Leos' body.
"You're white as a sheet," said the doctor. "Maybe you should come inside and
have a seat."
"No," said Leo, "I think the fresh air out here will do me the most good. I appreciate
everything you tried to do for Darr . . . I mean, Private Morris."
"I wish I could do more," said the doctor. "If there was more time, I'd be able to help
him. But we just don't have the supplies to expend on him."
"I understand that," said Leo. "The fortunes of war, I think the term is. It's just a
shame that so many good men have to die."
"I know," said the doctor. "Maybe some day man will learn to live in peace with each
other. After this war is over, there shouldn't be any reason for man to ever go to war
again. The evil will be wiped from the Earth for ever."
"I wouldn't bet on that," said Leo. "Evil has existed for thousands of years. It's
foolish to think that one war, no matter how large that war is, can ever put an end to
evil."
"I suppose you're right," said the doctor. "Man has always had the propensity for
good and evil. Some would always rather choose evil. All men are brothers. It's not
right that they should fight each other."
"Doctor," said a nurse coming up behind the doctor, "we have more wounded.
You're needed, sir."
"I'll be right there," said the doctor.
"Yes, doctor," said the nurse.
"Well, Wyatt," said the doctor, "I need to get back inside. Just remember that your
friend won't die in vain. He's helping to stop a great evil. That's a very noble cause.
He'll be remembered as a hero."
"Yes, sir," said Leo. "I'll try."
The doctor turned and walked into the tent. He was wrong, of course. The rest of
the men on the beach that day were fighting the evil that now ravaged the world. Darryl
was nothing more than an innocent bystander. A man out of place and out of time who
would die before he had ever been born.
Leo looked at his watch. Six minutes left. He knew that Darryl would never live that
long. If they were in the future, it would be a simple matter for Leo to heal him. His
White Lighters' healing ability would have healed all of Darryls' injuries within seconds.
There wouldn't even be a scar.
Leo looked around the beach. The tent was relatively secluded from the rest of the
units. It's was usually that way with major offensives. That way the wounded were out
of the way of the combat. The doctors wouldn't have to worry about confrontations
while they concentrated on saving lives.
Many lives would be saved that day by these heroic men and women. They were as
much heroes as men like Murphy were. They patched up the wounded so that mothers
and fathers and sisters and brother would see their loved ones again.
Suddenly Leo had a thought. Brothers. The doctor had said that all men were
brothers. And that some would always choose evil. He was right about that. All men
were brothers. Some would be good and some would be evil. Many of the good, like
him, would become White Lighters after their deaths.
White Lighters. He had not been the first White Lighter. There had been hundreds,
perhaps thousands, before him. And there were others that had come after he had
become a White Lighter. White Lighters were immortal. They didn't age as humans
did. Which was why he still looked the same after more than sixty years.
White Lighters and brothers. It was a long shot. White Lighters usually didn't
answer calls from someone who wasn't their charge. But there were other White
Lighters in the world. There always had been. It was his only chance.
"Michael," he called into the air.
He looked around to make sure he was alone. No one seemed to be nearby. He
waited for several moments, then called the name again. He knew White Lighters who
were much older than he was. Michael was one of those White Lighters. If he was
lucky, he might be able to get Michaels' attention.
"Michael, I need you," said Leo. "I'm out of time. Please, Michael, hear me. I have
no where else to turn."
Suddenly, a blue shimmer appeared beside Leo. The figure orbed in and stood next
to him. He was just as Leo remembered. They hadn't met in this time, of course. It
would be another sixty years before Michael would help protect the Charmed Ones
against the demons who sought to replace the Source. Michael looked around at the
battle going on.
"Who are you?" demanded Michael. "You're not one of my charges. Why have you
called me here?"
"I need your help," said Leo. "There's a man in this tent who needs your healing
ability. He's dying and without your help, he'll be dead in moments."
"Well," said Michael, "you obviously know who and what I am, though I don't
recognize you. But if you know what I am, you must also know that I can't help your
friend. I can only use my healing ability . . .."
". . . if the damage was caused by a demon," finished Leo. "Yes, I know. But this is
different. He's not a soldier. He's from the future. So am I. My name is Leo Wyatt and
I died here. I'm a White Lighter, too. I came back to set something right and he was
caught in the energy that brought me back. He's not even supposed to be here."
"From the future?" questioned Leo. "How did you come here from the future?"
"Please," begged Leo, "time is almost gone. Please, just heal him and I'll explain
everything I can."
"If you're a White Lighter," said Michael, "why not just heal him yourself?"
"I can't," said Leo. "I've come back to a time before I was a White Lighter, so I don't
have my powers yet. I only died about thirty minutes ago. Technically, I'm not a White
Lighter yet."
Michael looked Leo over for a moment, then seemed to make a decision.
"Where is your friend?" asked Michael.
Leo turned and walked into the tent to Darryls' cot. Michael stepped up behind Leo
and looked around. Everyone else in the tent was intently working on the wounded who
were being brought in. No one, not even the others lying in the back of the tent, gave
Leo or Michael a second look.
Michael looked around again, then knelt next to Darryls' bed. Darryls' breath came
in heavy, labored gasps. Leo could tell it was only seconds before he stopped
breathing completely. Michael placed his hand over Darryls' chest and a soft yellow
glow covered Darryls' chest. Within seconds, the glow ceased and Darryl opened his
eyes.
"Leo," he said, "what happened?" Then he saw Michael kneeling over him. "Who's
this?"
"His name is Michael," said Leo. "He's a friend. He saved your life."
"Let's get out of here," said Michael, helping Darryl to his feet. "There would be too
many questions if someone suddenly notices that your friend doesn't even have a
scratch."
Together, the three men left through the back of the tent. They walked for several
yards until they were well out of sight of the tent. Then, Michael turned to Leo.
"Okay," he said, "I've kept my part of the bargain. Now it's your turn. How do you
know who I am?"
"As I told you," said Leo, "I'm a White Lighter from the future. I died in this battle
today. But there was something I had to take care of. So I contacted a druid I know
who convinced the Portal Guardian to allow me to come back and take care of it."
"A White Lighter from the future?" questioned Michael. "Do we meet in the future?"
"Yes," said Leo. "My primary charges are the Charmed Ones. In about sixty years
you will help protect them. We meet earlier than that, of course. You're going to be
one of my mentors when I become a White Lighter."
"I see," said Michael. "So, is your friend a White Lighter, too?"
"No," said Darryl. "I"m a cop. When Leo was being sent back, I thought he was
being attacked. I tried to help and was sucked back here with him."
"I see," said Michael. "He's one of your charges, then?"
"No," said Leo. "He's a friend of the Charmed Ones. He's just an innocent who was
in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me," said Michael. "But there must be
something to what you say. I shouldn't have heard your call, but I did. I guess that at
least for a while, you've become my charges."
"Not for much longer," said Leo, looking at his watch. "We should be returning to
the future in about two minutes. Thanks, Michael. You'll never know how much this
means to me."
"Well," said Michael, "when you get back to the future, you can tell me all about it. It
should be quite a story."
"It is," said Darryl. "I'm not sure how much of it I believe, but one thing's for sure.
It's not something I'm liable to forget very soon."
"I wouldn't imagine," said Michael. "Now, if you will be okay, I need to get back to
my other charges. I wish you well, Leo Wyatt. And I look forward to meeting you when
you become a White Lighter."
"Thanks again, Michael," said Leo.
Michael orbed out, leaving Leo and Darryl alone.
"So that's the great Michael the girls told me about," said Darryl. "Funny, I expected
him to be more impressive. Being half demon and all."
"His demon form is very impressive," said Leo. "I'm just glad he's on our side."
Suddenly Leo and Darryl both felt the same thing. They felt the energy vortex of the
Portal beginning to envelope them. It would take only a few seconds for them to be
drawn back to the future.
Leo took one last look around him. He had gotten a chance most people never got.
He wasn't sure what changes he had been able to make, but he had completed his
mission. Now, he had to deal with Piper and the girls. Something he wasn't looking
forward to. Silently, he and Darryl faded from the battlefield unobserved by any of the
combatants around them.
TWO
Leo and Darryl appeared in the living room of the Halliwell manor. It looked just as it
had when they had left. Except the girls were nowhere to be seen. Leo looked over at
the grandfather clock standing in the hallway. It read one hour from the last time they
had been there.
"Well," said Leo, "looks like we made it back okay."
"Yeah," said Darryl. "Well, I guess I should get home and get out of this uniform.
Then I think I'll burn it."
"You sure you want to do that?" asked Leo. "It's a piece of American history. There
probably aren't a whole lot of uniforms around from Guadalcanal."
"Probably," said Darryl, "but I doubt it would be interesting to anyone with my blood
all over it. No, I think it's best if I just burn it."
"Whatever you think," said Leo, shaking Darryls' hand. "I'm sorry about everything.
You weren't meant to go back with me. I'm just glad everything worked our the way it
did."
"Don't give it another thought," said Darryl. "I think I understand why you had to do
it. I think I understand you a little better than I did before. I was only there an hour. I
can imagine what it must be like to have been there as long as you were."
"Thanks," said Leo. "Now, if I can just get Piper to understand. I don't know how I'm
going to patch this up with her. She's was pretty angry with me."
Just then, Piper and Paige came out of the kitchen. They were giggling at some
private joke and didn't notice Leo or Darryl at first. When they did, they just stared at
them.
"Hey, sweetie," Piper said to Leo. "Hi Darryl. I didn't know you were coming over.
What's with the costumes?"
"What?" asked Leo.
"The uniforms," said Paige. "World War II aren't they? But why all the fake blood,
Darryl? Are you supposed to be one of the walking dead?"
"We had a little trouble at Guadalcanal," said Leo uncomfortably. "But Darryl's okay
now."
"Guadalcanal?" questioned Piper. "Why were you at Guadalcanal? And why did
Darryl have to go with you?"
"What are you talking about?" asked Leo. "You act like nothing happened? What
about us being over if I went back?"
"What's he been smoking?" Paige asked Piper.
"Maybe it's a White Lighter thing," said Piper. "Leo, what are you talking about?
Why should I be upset if you went back to Guadalcanal? It's not like there's a war
going on there now or anything. I can understand why you might want to go back for a
visit. After all, honey, that's where you died. And became a White Lighter."
Leo and Darryl just stared at each other. Piper and Paige were acting as if nothing
had happened. As if they didn't know that Leo and Darryl had just risked their lives to
deliver a message to Leos' headquarters in 1942.
"Knock, knock," came a voice from the top of the stairs. "I hope you don't mind my
dropping in unannounced like this."
Everyone looked up and saw Kiethran Tannish standing at the top of the stairs. He
was smiling as he descended the stairs and entered the living room.
"Kiethran," said Piper, moving over to him. "Of course, not. After what you did
helping us with the Pentacle demon, you're always welcome here.
"That's nice to know," he said. "I thought I'd stop by and offer my condolences on
Prues' passing. I haven't had a chance to come by before. She was a remarkable
woman and I'm going to miss her."
"Thanks, Kiethran," said Piper, kissing him on the cheek. "We really appreciate it.
This is Paige Matthews, my sister. We didn't know about her until after Prue died."
"So I understand," said Kiethran. "It's nice to know the Power of Three has been
restored. It's very much needed if we're to keep evil at bay."
"Thanks," said Paige. "So, you're a druid. Must be interesting. Piper and Phoebe
have told me about you and what you did for them. I'd like to know more about the
druids."
"I'd be happy to tell you what I can," said Kiethran. "Piper, would you tell Phoebe I'm
sorry I missed her. I understand she recently got married to Cole. I hope they'll be very
happy together."
"I will," said Piper, "thanks. How did you know she was married?"
"I'm a druid," said Kiethran, smiling. "I know many things. Actually, I need to speak
to Leo for a minute if you don't mind."
"Not at all," said Piper. "Will you be staying for dinner?"
"Sure," said Keithran. "If you're cooking."
"I'm the only one around here who cooks," said Piper, sarcastically. "No one else
seems to know how."
"Well, you were the chef," said Paige. "A fact you've mentioned on more than one
occasion."
The two just giggled then went into the kitchen.
"Guess maybe I should get going," said Darryl.
"No, please, stay," said Kiethran. "This concerns you, too. In a way."
"What's up, Kiethran?" asked Leo.
"I see you accomplished your mission," said Kiethran. "You got the message
delivered."
"Yes," said Leo. "For a while, it looked like I wouldn't. And Darryl got wounded while
we were there. It was touch and go for a while."
"But everything worked out fine," said Kiethran. "Just after you left, Michael paid me
a visit. He said to tell you that when you got back, he's expecting a visit from you. He's
been waiting a long time to talk with you about it."
"I can imagine," said Leo. "That's how you knew I was able to deliver the message."
"Yes," said Kiethran. "You have no idea how hard it's been for him not to ask you
about it before now. But he realized that until you had actually done it, you wouldn't
have known what he was talking about."
"So, I guess you were able to smooth things over with Piper," said Leo. "She's
seems to have accepted it."
"Not exactly," said Kiethran. "You see, from her point of view, it never happened."
"Oh, it happened," said Darryl. "I can attest to that. Just look at the blood on this
uniform."
"That's not what I meant," said Kiethran. "Leo, you told me this started when
Adriene Murphy came to you to find out what really happened at Guadalcanal."
"Yes," said Leo. "She wanted to make sure that everything her uncle had told her
was true. I was the only one who could tell her that. That's why she came to visit me."
"Well," said Kiethran, "since you went back and delivered your message, Private
Murphy was never charged or convicted of cowardice or desertion. So there was no
reason for Adriene to come visit you. Which also means that Piper and you never had
your fight. So, from her point of view, it never happened."
"Okay," said Darryl, "so, if it never happened, how come you remember it? I can
understand why Leo and I remember. I mean, I guess I can understand it. We went
back in time. The changes didn't affect us. But how come your memories weren't
changed along with everyone else's?"
"The power of the Portal," said Kiethran. "I don't know why she did it, but the Portal
Guardian used the power of the Portal to allow me to retain the memories of what
happened. I don't know, maybe she knew you'd need some help when you got back.
All I know is that, aside from the two of you, I'm the only one who knows what
happened."
"So Piper doesn't remember our fight?" asked Leo. "That's going to make things a
lot easier. I should still tell her what happened. She has a right to know."
"That's why I'm here," said Kiethran. "I figured you'd feel that way. With me and
Darryl, she won't think you've lost your mind. I have an idea. Darryl's going to look
rather odd driving home in a blood stained World War II uniform. Why don't I teleport
him home so that he can change? Then I'll bring him back here so he can get his car."
"Teleport?" questioned Darryl. "Is that anything like Leos' orbing?"
"Actually, it is," said Leo. "It's quicker, though. You should be able to get home and
back here in a few minutes."
"Okay," said Darryl. "I've traveled in time so I guess teleporting won't be so bad. I
just hope my wife is out right now so I don't have to explain any of this to her."
Kiethran closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment.
"No one's home," he said. "We should be able to get in and out without any
trouble."
"You can see what's going on in other places?" asked Leo.
"Yes," said Kiethran. "Believe me, I would never use it to violate anyones' privacy.
But it can be useful when you're trying to track a demon or sorcerer."
"Okay," said Darryl. "Let's get there so we can get out. I don't know how I'm going
to explain loosing my new suit to my wife. I'll have to come up with something."
"Okay," said Kiethran. "Leo, we'll be back soon. Then I'll try to help you explain all
this to Piper and Paige."
"Okay, Kiethran," said Leo. "And thanks again for everything. I owe you."
Kiethran just smiled as he teleported himself and Darryl out of the manor. Just then,
Piper came out of the kitchen.
"Where's Kiethran and Leo?" she asked.
"Kiethran took Darryl home to change clothes," said Leo. "They'll be back in a few
minutes."
"So," said Piper, "are you ever going to tell me what's going on with the uniform?
Feeling a little bit nostalgic because of the reunion last night?"
"Something like that," said Leo. "Honey, we have to talk. There are some things I
have to tell you. It's not going to be easy. For me to tell or for you to hear."
"It sounds serious," said Piper.
"It is," said Leo. "Let's go into the kitchen. Kiethran will be back in a few minutes
and he can help fill things in."
Together they walked into the kitchen while Leo tried to think of the best way to start
the explanations.
THREE
"That's a heck of a story," said Paige, after Leo and Kiethran had finished explaining
it. "I don't know if I would ever feel that passionately about something. To risk so much
to make things right."
"You'd be surprised what you can do when you have to," said Leo. "I never
dreamed I'd feel so passionately about something myself. All I know is that I had to do
it. No matter what the cost."
"Well," said Piper, "all I can say is, you'd better never do anything like that again. It
was stupid and foolish and if you ever do anything like that again . . .."
"I don't think that will happen," said Leo, kissing Piper on the forehead.
"Leo's right," said Kiethran. "Those types of debts are very rare, from what I
understand. I don't think you have to worry about him ever going off like that again."
"That's good to know," said Piper.
"I'd better get going," said Kiethran. "Shallon, my assistant, worries when I'm away
too long. I hope to visit again soon."
"You're welcome any time," said Piper.
"Thank you," said Kiethran, smiling. "Leo, next time, let's make it a social call, shall
we?"
"Sure, Kiethran," said Leo.
Kiethran simply vanished from the chair he was sitting in. This wasn't unusual for
him. Piper, Paige, and Leo all knew that when a person teleported, they simply
vanished. It didn't take the time that Leos' orbing did.
"Well," said Paige, "I think I'll get back to my book. I'm almost finished with it. I
should be able to finish it tonight."
"It sounds like a good book," said Piper.
"It is," said Paige. "I never much cared for war stories, but this one is really very
good. One of my clients left it in my cubicle and I glanced through it. It caught my
attention." She walked over to the counter top and picked the book up. "Once I started
it, I couldn't put it down."
She held the book up for the rest of them to see. It was a hard back book and the
dust cover was in bad shape, but still useable. Piper and Leo just looked at the back of
the book as Paige held it up.
"Wait a minute," said Leo, walking over to Paige. "You said it was a war story?"
"Yes," said Paige. "It's an autobiography of a soldier in World War II. And if half of it
is true, this guy was a real hero. I understand they made a movie based on the book."
Leo took the book and looked at the back cover. He looked long and hard at the
picture of the author on the back. Then he held the book up for Piper to see. The
picture was of a very good looking young man wearing a suit with a broad smile on his
face.
"Let me guess," said Leo. "The soldiers' name was Murphy."
"Yes," said Paige, "how did you know that?"
"This is the person I went back to clear," said Leo. "The soldier who had been
accused of cowardice and desertion. The man who, originally, spent the rest of his life
in prison."
"Really?" said Paige. "According to this story, he was a highly decorated soldier in
World War II. In fact, he was the most decorated soldier then. He even was awarded
the Medal of Honor."
"It seems," said Leo, "that my mission had more repercussions than I thought it
might. I knew that Murphy was a hero, but I never imagined he would go on to
distinguish himself like that."
"Well, he did," said Paige. "According to his autobiography, he must have gone
through hell during the war. I guess you'd understand something about that, huh, Leo?"
"A little," said Leo. "But apparently nothing like he apparently went through. Paige,
can I borrow this when you're finished with it? I'd like to see what happened to him after
I died."
"Sure," said Paige. "I'll be finished with it in a couple of hours. You can borrow it
then."
"Thanks," said Leo.
He turned the book over and read the title. "To Hell And Back."
"I'm very interested in learning what happened to Private Audie Murphy."
The End
If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed" stories at my website,
www.geocities.com/killeenmale/. You can also post your own "Charmed" stories if you
like to write fan fiction.