Disclaimer: Not mine, as usual.

Authors Note: For anyone stupid, which I'm sure you all aren't, Joshua and Shazzar are one and the same. And this is the old Source.

Chapter 5- Demons for dinner.

Shazzar waited with barely controlled rage as The Source finished something in his chamber. He was called in and without waiting, shouted, "Why did you let him try to kill the witch? If you don't have any faith in me-" "Calm yourself, Shazzar," The Source purred. "I did not send anyone to kill the Charmed Ones, but if they appeared in his bar he would have taken it as his right to kill her. Although you stopped him." "That is because we need the Book they own. Their ''Book of Shadows." I am not going to end up like Balthezor sir. He was a traitor." "Which you are not," The Source mused, and he sounded pleased. "Very well. I expect you to do better in future though." "Oh, I will sir. I will not fail." * * * Joshua turned up right on time. Paige smiled, trying to pin down why she was uneasy. He was a nice guy, and he'd actually saved them from the demon. He couldn't be evil. Then why did she feel the same way as when she took on a demon? "Hey," he said, displaying even white teeth. "Have I grown an extra ear?" "Oh, no," Paige said, blushing as she realised she'd been staring. "I just - well, come in." "Thanks," he said, grinning as he walked past her. "hey, I need to go to the bathroom. You wouldn't be able to tell me where it is?" "Oh, yes," Paige said, and after directing him, went into the kitchen and found Piper cooking. "Hey, pass me those onions will you Paige?" she asked without turning around. "Here," Paige said tipping them onto the bench. "I've got a bad feeling about this." "What?" Piper asked. "Joshua. Don't ask me why," she said as her sister opened her mouth, "because I don't know. But I'm just a bit... nervous?" "You?' Leo asked, coming into the kitchen. "Not possible." "Very possible," Paiuge corrected. "I don't know. He just seems too perfect somehow." "Who?" Phoebe asked from the doorway. "That Josh guy?" "Yeah," Paige answered. "what do you think of him?" "I don't know," Phoebe answered slowly. "he's nice, but there's just something... I don't know. Off?" "Well, I trust your bad feelings more than I do mine," Paige shrugged. "Maybe that means something. Or maybe we're all paranoid."

Meanwhile, Joshua had taken out an old fashioned pocket watch. He studied it, watching the little second hand tick away. Then he twisted a knob on the side. And watched. The second hand had slowed to a mere trickle of time and he snapped the watch shut, satisfied. Peering out, he saw Paige and the others all moving as if in slow motion. Smiling, he headed up the stairs for the attic. Pushing at the door, he was pleasantly surprised to find it opened easily. Taking stock of the room, he found the book on a stand near the window. Excellent. He crossed the room quickly, and reached out to pick the book up off the stand. SLAM! He stood up shakily. He was on the opposite side of the room as the Book, which sat innocently on it's stand. He should have known better. The Book was protected from any demons who tried to steal it. How ... unfortunate. Wriggling gently, he was pleased to find out he wasn't injured. A few small scratches from where he'd hit a table, but nothing serious. He walked back to where the book stood, and just stared down at it. If only witches or innocents could touch it, his plan was ruined. Or was it? There was always mind control, but that was his last resort. People deserved the freedom of choice wherever possible - one death or the other. No two ways about it. Shurgging, he pulled out the watch again. though only a couple of minutes had passed in this "slow time", he needed to get back before they realised - slowly - that he'd been gone too long. He went smoothly down the stairs and outside the bathroom wound the watch back the other way, watching the second hand speed up.

Paige felt suddenly more aware, as if she was coming out of sleep. She shook her head slightly to try to get rid of the feeling. Next to her, Piper was chopping onions and Phoebe was leaning against the bench. Leo stood at the drawer, pulling out extra forks. "Did you guys feel that?" Paige asked. "What?" Phoebe replied. "I don't know," Paige said slowly. "Kind of like ... we were waking up? Or like, when people are coming out of slow motion." Both her sisters and Leo stared. She could feel herself blushing crimson. "Don't worry," she muttered. "I think I just imagined it." Piper looked as if she was going to say something, but closed her mouth and shook her head. Paige suddenly heard Josh calling from the dining room. "In here!" she shouted back, pleased she didn't feel wierd anymore. "Hey," he said, coming into the kitchen. "What's happening? Something smells good." Piper smiled, but as she looked at Paige she tried to communicate without speaking. She raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded towards Josh. Paige replied with a tiny nod. To cover the awkward moment, Leo grinned. "Well, let's go into the living room, hey? We'll leave the cook to her own devices." Paige nodded and hung back as the others went out. She said quietly to Piper, "You feel bad about this, don't you?" Piper nodded. "I think we should be careful," she warned. "Now you'd better go."

Author's Note: Reviews welcome and appreciated.