AN: Sorry about the delay in updating, I'd like to say that I have a good excuse but I really don't.  I'm not sure if anyone's still reading this, but my post-Easter resolution is to start updating more so I'll keep going.  If people are still out there let me know by clicking the magical little 'reply' button.


Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed or any of the powers that go along with the show. I wish I did, but I don't. I do own the characters of Ainsley, Tani, Sonya, and Rory, anyone else is sadly not mine.

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1CHAPTER THREE:

The following Friday night, the four friends were once again gathered in Sonya's basement.  They had wanted to get together to discuss the events of Wednesday, but even though the school year was winding down, they couldn't get together on a school night.  They had briefly discussed everything before school, but each girl's opinion was varied to say the least, so they decided to wait until Friday afternoon so they could discuss everything.

"Now that everyone's here, we can start," Sonya turned on the radio and plopped down on the couch.

"Why do we need the radio on?" Ainsley sat down in one of the white.

"In case my parents overhear; they already think we're crazy enough," she joked.

"That's just great, but can we get to the whole witch thing?" Rory sat on the other couch, drawing her knees up to her chest.

"Yeah, sorry.  The other night was," Sonya trailed off,  her eyes landing on the book, which sat on the middle of the coffee table.

"Awesome," Tani finished from her perch on the couch's arm.

"Terrible," Rory said at the same time.

"Who can you say it was terrible?" Tani asked, "We've been given this incredible gift."

"More like a curse," Rory mumbled.

"They aren't a curse," Ainsley argued, "There are people who would kill for powers like ours."

"That's precisely my point," Rory countered, "Ellan--I mean that warlock--tried to kill us so she--it--could get our powers."

"But she didn't, that has to mean something," Tani crossed her arms.

"She said more would come, and there's no guarantee we can defeat them," Rory pointed out.

"It's our destiny.  We're the protectors of the innocent," Ainsley tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear.

"Not to be selfish, but why is that our responsibility?" Rory leaned forward, "Why should we risk our lives?"

"So you're saying you'd be willing to just throw away our destiny?" Ainsley countered.

"I don't know, maybe," Rory sighed, leaning back into the pillows of the couch.

"Look, this isn't really an issue.  The book gave us our powers, it can't take them away," Tani gestured at the book.

"But we can," Sonya finally commented on the situation.

"What do you mean?" Tani slid from the arm of the couch to the cushion.

"Look," she flipped opened the book, "The book can't take them away, but we can."

To Bind One's Powerstc "To Bind One's Powers"

I take your hands in mine,

And with this string I will entwine.

Your powers I'll forever bind.

"Isn't this a little extreme?" Tani asked once they girls had read the spell silently to themselves.

"It's the only option we have, if we want to just forget this ever happened," Sonya said.

"Do you want to do that?" Ainsley asked.

"I think we should do it," Rory answered for her.

"I was asking, Sonya," Ainsley snapped at Rory.

"I'm not sure really," Sonya shrugged, "This is all so new."

"That's something we all agree on," Tani said, "We can't just argue, it won't accomplish anything."

"I suppose," Rory mumbled.

"I think we should each state our opinions regarding us being witches, and say why," Tani suggested.

"Sounds good," Rory said, "You can go first, Tani."

"Okay," she paused to gather her thoughts, "I think we should keep our powers.  I don't think it was a coincidence that Sonya brought that book home from the book drive.  Everything happens for a reason and think it's our destiny to be witches.  Up until the last week, I've felt as if something was missing in my life, like I wasn't complete.  When I first stopped time, everything felt right. Even though all I did was freeze a carrot, feeling the magic flow through me gave me a sense of completeness.  I know that it's dangerous and a huge responsibility, but it's right.  This is who we are."

"I understand what you're saying Tani, but how can you be sure this is our destiny?" Rory asked rhetorically, "Our actions are not controlled by fate; life is full of choices.  Look at us now, we've been faced with the whole witchcraft thing, but we still have a choice.  We have free will.  I don't want to sound selfish or weak, but why should we risk our lives like that?  I know we're supposed to do good and I want to, I really do, but is it worth destroying our own lives?  We're going to be seniors next year and I don't know how we can balance all of that with fighting demons and warlocks and risking our lives everyday with our normal responsibilities.  I don't want to just back down from a battle, but are we sure this is one we want to fight?"

"I'll be the first to admit it, Wednesday night terrified me," Ainsley began and her friends nodded in agreement, "I think that was the most scared I have ever been, but at the same time I'm not sure if I can give up being a witch.  I know exactly what Tani was saying about feeling complete.  Each time I get a premonition, I get this rush, and if I ignore the ear ringing and the dizziness, it's a good feeling.  The other night was terrible, and part of me wants to pretend it never happened, but I can't, because the other part of me knows this is who we are and that this is what we were meant to do."

"I think I'm actually more conflicted than I was before," Sonya complained, but started to describe her thoughts, "I know exactly what you guys mean when you talk about the feeling of the magic and its power.  I love that.  I understand the completeness too.  I've spent my whole life trying to live up to the standards set by my older sister, and in this last week alone, magic has become my own thing away from Tasha and it's become a part of me.  At the same time, the idea of witchcraft terrifies me.  I found a part of myself in being a witch, but at the same time I'm afraid that I'll lose a part of myself to it.  Does that make any sense?"

"Yeah," Rory nodded, "Being a witch is a double edged sword."

"But does the good outweigh the bad?" Ainsley gestured with her hands.

"I know what we need," Tani ran over to the office area of the basement.

"What?" Sonya turned to watch Tani rummage through her dad's desk.

"A list of pros and cons," she said triumphantly, returning with a pen and paper, "I'll start, Pro: we destroy evil and protect the innocent. Agreed?"

"Yeah, can't argue with that," Sonya laughed.

"Con: it could kill us," Ainsley said next.

"Hey, you took mine!" Rory made a face, "I'm supposed to be playing devil's advocate for the group."

"Sorry," Ainsley shrugged, "Pro: we have supernatural powers."

"Con: responsibility," Sonya said.

"Elaborate please?" Tani prompted, tapping the pad of paper with her pen.

"We have to think about  the future," Sonya tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "This is going to be long-term, we can't just go on leave.  I seriously doubt demons are going to stop attacking because we have homework or a badminton match."

"We'll be able to handle it," Tani said confidently, "We're honors students."

"I think that's her point, Tani," Ainsley shifted her position in her chair, "How can we fight a demon if I'm at an orchestra concert or Sonya's at a math competition?"

"And what about the year after that?" Rory added, "I don't think we can destroy every demon by the end of our senior year, what are we going to do in college?"

"Same goes for after college," Sonya agreed, "Rory's right, I seriously doubt we can vanquish all evil in one year.  We have to stay together through all of it.  I'm not saying I ever planned on our friendship ending when we became adults, but I don't think any of us planned on arranging our college plans or even our futures around each other."

"Okay, before the con list grows any larger, I have a question," Tani twirled her pen, "If we bind our powers, is there any guarantee that demons and warlocks still won't attack?"

"Not that it says," Ainsley scanned the page quickly.

"I guess it's settled then," Rory said, "If we're going to have to keep on fighting things, then we'd better have powers to do it."

"So was the entire conversation we just had pointless?" Tani tossed her list on the table.

"No, we learned about each other's thoughts and feelings," Sonya grabbed a handful of Chex Mix.

"In other words, pointless," Tani smiled.

"So, now what do we do?" Rory tapped her feet on the tile floor anxiously.

"Practice," Sonya jumped off the couch.

"And how exactly will we do that?" Rory watched Sonya swing open the refrigerator door.

"I have Dixie cups filled with various liquids for you to practice on," Sonya pulled out a tray.

"Joy," Rory mumbled, "What are you going to do?'

"Play pool," Sonya grinned, "I'm working on my telekinetic accuracy."

"And I brought my various balls and foamy items to throw around and try to freeze," Tani smiled happily, reaching into her bag."

"What do I get to do?" Ainsley asked.

"Well, you could meditate and think premonition-like thoughts, but I think this isn't the best atmosphere," Sonya gestured around the basement, "So you get to study the book."

"Yay, I love studying," Ainsley said sarcastically picking up the large book, "God, I wish I had an active power!"

"Oh, stop your whining and change the radio station," Tani ordered.

"And you can't because?"

"I'm busy," she pointed to her supplies she was arranging on the table.

"Fine," Ainsley sighed setting down the book, "But only because I can't stand another minute of 'Retro Eighties at Eight.'"

"You're a savior," Sonya grinned from behind the pool table, "You can just switch it to CD mode."

"Sure," Ainsley changed modes and raised the volume slightly as the music began to play.

I am the son, I am the heir

Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar

"What CD is this?" Rory asked suspiciously listening carefully.  She realized what it was and made a face, "It's your Russian techno-pop CD, isn't it?"

I am the son and heir

Of nothing in particular

"Maybe," Sonya bit her lip.

You shut your mouth, how can you say

I go about things the wrong way

"Do we really have to listen to this?" Rory whined.

I am human and I need to be loved

Just like everybody else does.

"It's not that bad," Ainsley settled herself on the couch with the book, "Besides, I thought you kind of liked techno at times?"

"Yeah, at times," she clarified, "But only in small doses and when it's in English."

"Um, Rory, I don't know if you noticed, but they aren't singing in Russian," Sonya pointed out and her friend made a face, "And this is a mix CD, so if you can deal with one song can we leave it in."

"I suppose," Rory sighed dramatically, making her friends laugh.

"Freak," Tani muttered.

"What?" Rory snapped, playing along.

"Nothing," Tani shrugged, then tossed a nerf football at her friend's head.

"Can we get down to work here?" Sonya asked.

"Says the girl at the pool table," Rory argued, picking up the football.  She debated throwing it at Sonya, but decided she'd be safer targeting Tani and whipped it at her friend, who froze it mid-air.

"You're dead, Rory," Tani laughed evilly, getting a glare from both Sonya and Ainsley, "What? I'm practicing."

"And I'm helping," Rory smiled sweetly, "Good work, Tani."

"Thanks," she gestured triumphantly at the football, which promptly fell to the ground making her friends laugh, "So how about that practice?"

"Good idea," Sonya agreed, lining up her 'shot' on the pool table.  She squinted her eyes and sent the cue ball rolling across the table where it completely missed the ball she was trying to hit.  Making a face, Sonya grabbed the ball and set in on the table to try again.

When you say it's gonna happen now

What exactly do you mean?

Closing her eyes and listening to the music she didn't particularly enjoy, Rory focused her energy on the cranberry juice in front of her.  With her fingers hovering just above the cup, she soon felt the warm steam rise from the simmering water and found herself smiling.

See I've already waited too long

And all my hope is gone

Tani watched Rory from across the room, chuckling to herself as her friend hummed to the 'dreaded techno-pop'.  Looking back to the green bouncy ball she held in her hand, Tani let it fall to the ground and begin bouncing.  Her first attempt to freeze it failed, but on the second time, the ball stopped inches above the ground.

You shut your mouth, how can you say

I go about things the wrong way?

Snuggling further into the old couch in Sonya's basement, Ainsley watched her friends with a tinge of jealousy.  Sure they all had powers and needed each other for vanquishes, but she still wanted an active power desperately.  Turning another delicate page of the large book, Ainsley went back to her reading on potion making.

I am human and I need to be loved

Just like everybody else does

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Coming soon: the girls get a their Whitelighter…hmm…who will it be?