OK guys... That's a double update... And, just as if things weren't complicated enough, some more...


VIII. Complications

P3 was thriving with life. And the mere sight of it sufficed to make Piper very happy; after all, she had spend many hours on the phone trying to convince the band manager for these two special appearances. And, as always, it had cost a fortune to have them play there; but, with so many people tonight, she was sure that it was worth it.

The waitresses were all too busy taking orders, and the two cashiers at the bar were working non-stop. Everything looked like a well-oiled machine. Relieved at the sight, and feeling really tired, she decided to accept Paige's invitation to join her and have a drink.

"You look really tired, Piper. Maybe you should just call it a day and go home?"

"Oh, Paige, the night is still young... And, between you and me, I think Phoebe is coming over later, together with her new beau. I overheard her talking to him on the phone earlier... Wouldn't you be curious?"

"Well, I am... even though I am starting to lose count!"

"You didn't know her during her New York times... And, being a witch and all isn't exactly helping for relationships – I mean, how many did you date before ending up with Jonathan?"

Jonathan was Paige's fiance; he had been their innocent almost a year and a half ago, and Paige's beau ever since. Thanks to their way of meeting, Jonathan had known the family's secret all along – and that had helped a lot. They were planning to get married at Christmas. And, Paige had never been happier.

"Well, not everyone is fortunate enough to get an angel for a husband... So for the rest of us..."

"I guess you wouldn't change him for an angel..."

"No, I am not..."

"So, what do you think Phoebe's new beau will be like?"

"By her record, no angel..."

"Paige, I think you should stop being suspicious of every single new boyfriend of Phoebe's..."

"Better safe than sorry... And you have to admit, our sister has a peculiar taste in men..."

"Well, I thought Jason was OK..."

"Especially when he started spending 10 months a year in Hong-Kong!"

"Paige... shusss.. there they come... she can't know we had been gossiping..."

Paige caught a quick glimpse of the couple, trying to seem as casual as possible.

"Well, Piper, you have to admit that our sister has not lost her taste in men; this guy is very... yummy. What's his name, anyway?"

"Shame on you, Paige! You are supposed to get married in two months... Yummy, yes, that's the word... I think his name is Carl, but I am not sure. Anyway, I think she is planning on introducing him to us later... Ooohhhh, I forgot all about this one..." she said, as she caught a glimpse of Daniella entering the bar.

"What did you forget about, honey?"

"Well, there's this lady I met at Wyatt's school, she's Ben's aunt, and I invited her over to get to know her better. Wrong timing, though..."

"Ben's, as in Ben, Wyatt's best friend from kindergarten? Wow, this is going to be an interesting night..."
"She seems a nice woman, but you know, in our line of work..."

"Better safe than sorry. And you keep telling me about Phoebe's boyfriends."

"At least, I keep the 'innocent until proven guilty' part. Now, if you would excuse me, I think I should invite my guest to the table..."

Paige watched her sister going to a young, trendy woman. Hmm, definitely good, and expensive, taste. Nice smile and beautiful green eyes; that kind of smile points to a good heart... Paige decided not to let her whitelighter part take over; after all, the highlight of the evening would be Phoebe's new boyfriend, she would have a lot of work to do analyzing him. For now, let's just have some fun...

"Daniella, meet Paige; Paige is my younger sister. Paige, Daniella is Ben's aunt..."

"So, the famous Ben... Nice to meet you Daniella..."

"Nice to meet you too, Paige."

This was the beginning of a conversation that lasted a Smirnoff for Daniella and two beers for Piper; Paige had, as always, restricted herself to two Cokes... They talked about work, kids, and Paige was rather curious to learn about how Daniella had ended up living with her brother.

"Well, there's not much to say, really... I moved to San Francisco four years ago due to work. When I got here, I stayed at my brother's as a temporary arrangement. In fact, it still is a temporary arrangement, but well, he's got a big house, and needs someone to look after Ben, because he keeps traveling due to his work. Of course there is a nanny, but you always feel better is there is someone from the family..."

"You tell me that; it's hard enough to trust someone with your child when you are away just for a few hours; let alone for a few days... I can't even start to think of it!" Piper started to sympathize with Ben's father.

"He seems to think this way too..."

"But, how about his mother?" asked Paige.

"Unfortunately, Ben never knew his mother. She had problems with the pregnancy from the very beginning, there were complications and... well, let's say that at least we have Ben. That's part of the reason my brother is so attached to his son; he kind of keeps the memory of his wife alive. He is the only thing he has left from her. You could say that it Ben is the only reason that has kept him sane and alive through all this."

"Sorry to hear that..." said Piper. The stranger's drama had started to touch her.

But the drama was interrupted by Phoebe and her boyfriend.

"Hi everybody", said Phoebe. "This is Carl. Carl, meet Piper, and Paige, my sisters."

"Nice to meet you, Carl", said Piper. "Oh, Daniella, meet Phoebe, our middle sister... and Carl. Daniella is a friend from Woods Academy, she's Ben's aunt."

"Nice to meet you, Daniella," said Phoebe.

"Nice to meet you too, Phoebe", said Daniella, whilst offering Phoebe a rather cold handshake. Paige saw that, and thought that she was still absorbed in her brother's story.

Then, Daniella turned to Carl. "Carl... long time no see..." Paige was rather puzzled at this one, but Daniella didn't seem overly friendly toward Carl.

"Daniella Parker... What are you doing in San Francisco?"

"As I was about to ask you the same thing..."

"You guys know each other?" asked Piper.

"Long story... work related. We met at a... case, a few years ago..."

"Lawyers, meeting all sorts of people", said Piper. "So, Carl, are you a lawyer, too?"

"Used to be... I run a consulting business nowadays."

"Hopefully not the kind of consulting Phoebe does..."

"No, I wouldn't dream of giving advice on people's love lives! I am into more practical matters... And I prefer it if women remain a mystery..." In saying that, he took Phoebe's had and kissed it, making her blush and Paige think that they were a cute couple, indeed.

As the discussion tended to evolve into family matters, Daniella excused herself and left, not before giving Carl a deadly glare, though. Paige didn't miss this one, and she started wondering whether she liked Daniella, Carl or both. But, the friendly discussion continued until after midnight, and certainly Carl had the time to make his way into the hearts of the remaining Charmed Ones. After all, he was known for having his way with women.


In the Underworld, in the same hall where he was talking to the dark priest a week ago, Carl, or Meldis, as he was known down there, summoned an upper-level demon; just one of those aspiring to climb up the ladder if he ever became the Source.

"Find out what the hell Daniella Parker is doing in San Francisco", he said. The demon shimmered out immediately.

"Nobody will interfere with my plan", he said, smashing the glass he held into the wall.