Title: And Then There Were Three
Author: the weeping willow
Chapter: 5- "Runaways"
Rating: PG (possibly to change) for violence, swearing, etc.
Spoilers: Up until end of season 4
Setting: season 5 AU
Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed or any of its associates, etc.
Description: The group cares for Felicity and responds to Alex's premonition, saving a live in the process.
Distribution: Not without asking. Please ask first, or put a link back to this page.
Contact: queenofthebandgeeks@hotmail.com
Author's Notes: I love all the feedback I've been getting! :) And none of it has been really negative. I apologize for the delay: I was grounded for a bit, but I'm not anymore.

And Then There Were Three

Chapter Five: "Runaways"


Paige bent down to where Felicity was sitting, in the same position as before. Paige waved her hand across Felicity's eyes, but got no response. "The spell won't hold, will it?" Paige said to Alex, not taking her eyes off Felicity. It was more of a statement than a question, and all of them knew it.

"No," Alex answered. "The Power of Three seals the spell. With all six of us it would have been twice as strong, but it was just weakened."

Paige made a face. "How long will this last?" she inquired, indicating Felicity's trancelike state.

"We aren't really sure. It's only happened once before, and that time she sat there for two days without doing anything. Then we got really scared and put her in the hospital, and she was locked up where we couldn't see her. It took her about a month before she was released. She never tried her powers again," Maple explained in a hushed tone.

"We don't have that kind of time!" exploded Phoebe.

"I know," Alex murmured, staring down at her sister.

Maple dug in her purse. "I'd written something- back then- but I was too afraid to use it." She held out a piece of paper.

Piper took it and read it over. "Get some rosemary," she told Alex.

Uncertain, she nodded. "Where?"

Paige realized that getting out of the park and back to the manor would be a good idea. "Hold hands," she commanded, and almost immediately they were in the Halliwells' front hall. Paige took Alex to the herb garden in the back of the house while Maple helped Phoebe and Piper move Felicity over to the couch in the living room.

Together with Maple's telekinesis and the other two supporting her head just in case, Felicity was safely laid down on the couch. Her eyes stared up at the ceiling, unseeing. Maple shuddered and closed her eyelids so she appeared to be sleeping. Maple gave a silent sob; small, but still noticeable to Piper, who gave her a huge hug. "I'm scared," she whispered. Piper rocked her back and forth gently.

"I know. It'll be all right. Trust us."

The moment was interrupted by Paige's cry from out back: "Oh, my god! Piper, Phoebe! Maple! Hurry!" The three girls ran to her side. They stopped short when they saw Alex sprawled on the ground, her eyes glazed. "She just collapsed," whimpered Paige, pointing.

Sighing, Maple knelt down besides Alex, feeling her pulse. "It's all right. It's a premonition, that's all."

"What?" the Halliwells exclaimed together.

Maple gave them a funny look. "Telekinesis, time control, and premonitions. The three powers of Melinda Warren, passed down through generations. Combined with the blood of other witches, other powers, and that makes the power of the Charmed Ones. I thought you guys knew this!"

Phoebe stammered, "We do- I mean, we knew. But we thought..."

Maple nodded. "Yes, she also has heightened physical abilities: strength, agility. And it is what she uses the most, in battle. Alex hates not being in control, and she never is when this happens. That's why she didn't want you guys to know."

"Didn't want us to know? If this had happened during- during a battle- or- do you realize just how dangerous this is?!" Phoebe exclaimed angrily.

"Okay, get this straight: we are the Charmed Ones, not you. This is really none of your business!"

"We saved your asses back up there!" Paige retorted. "You should be grateful!"

Phoebe, Paige, and Maple started to argue, their voices escalating as they shouted at each other madly.

"Stop it, all of you!" yelled Piper. Stunned, they fell silent and stared at her. "What the hell do you think you three are doing? Yes, it could have been dangerous if we didn't know, but it doesn't matter, because now we do. Phoebe, why are you being so damn antagonistic?"

"She's jealous," Paige murmured. Maple nodded in agreement.

"Hey! I am not!" Phoebe protested in vain.

"Oh, please," Maple scoffed.

Piper put up a hand in warning. "Don't even."

Obediently Maple stopped. "Sorry."

"Now, then-"

Piper's speech was interrupted as Alex's eyes fluttered.

"She's waking up!" Paige said excitedly.

"What is it this time?" Maple asked Alex softly.

Disoriented, Alex slowly sat up. "Am I back?" she breathed. Maple nodded.

"Yes. What did you see?" Maple asked again, more urgently.

"There- there's a girl. Near Noxwell Street. In an alley. Demon." Alex stopped for a moment, clearly still struggling for breath. "F-fire. It can't stand fire. And poison... horns. All over his body. Get- Liss." She tried to stand up, but she collapsed back onto the ground in exhaustion.

"Okay, battle. First, make up; all of you." Piper waited. Grudgingly, they all apologized. Once they were done, she continued. "Good. Hard feelings could get in the way, and that's too dangerous. Can we do this? Together?" They nodded. "Right. Alex, I'll cover for Felicity. You recover, then get her and follow us. Maple, Paige, Phoebe- let's go."

She set off, all but Alex following behind.

Alex moaned. "Why do I get left behind... so not fair!" Still, she was grateful for the rest. Her premonitions always took a lot out of her, much to her annoyance. She dug a bottle out of her jeans front pocket and took 2 glucose pills. After a few minutes, she was recovered enough to stand up and grab a can of Mountain Dew, which she chugged while digging out a mortar and pestle out of a chest sitting in the living room, to grind the healing herbs up with. Quickly she prepared them. When it was a fine dust, Alex stopped and sprinkled the dust over Felicity's prone body and chanted softly in Latin with ease. Soon Felicity regained consciousness. "Wha... no..." she muttered, still groggy.

Alex didn't waste any time., yanking her off the couch with her supernatural strength. "Come on- we've got to go!" Alex commanded as she pulled Felicity out the door. She looked down at her watch and cursed. "Damn! We aren't gonna get there in time- PAIGE!" shouted Alex desperately.

Unbelievably, Paige orbed in besides them a second later. "You heard?!" Alex asked in disbelief.

"It doesn't matter- come on!"

They reappeared almost instantly next to the other three in a dark alley.

A dark shadow loamed over them as the witches got in place for battle. Felicity sensed something and looked up, and began to scream.