Warriors

by Coles Guardian

The R rating is for Chapter 5. Cole returned from the Wasteland a year ago and found a friend and a destiny... a destiny they would share. A year has passed and just as Cole moves to fullfill his destiny the Charmed Ones reappear in his life.

19. Chapter 19

Distribution: This story cannot in part or whole be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may only be distributed with author's permission and must include all disclaimers.

Disclaimer: Cole Turner, Darryl Morris, Prue, Piper, Paige, and Phoebe Halliwell. Leo Wyatt, Jenna, and Andy Trudeau and all other characters that have appeared on the series "Charmed" as well as the concept of Charmed and all backstory are the copyright property of Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent, and the WB Television Network. No copyright infringement was intended. All original characters as well as the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

Meanwhile back on the Earth Plane

The group suddenly found itself somewhat unceremoniously dumped back into the Earth Plane. The landing proved to be easiest for the boys and their puppies as they were already lying down on the bed. However, for the twins and Rosey the landing was a little rougher.

The boys had felt themselves start to freefall but it never even occurred to either of them to be worried much less scared; after all this wasn't the first time they had traveled like this. However they did have to admit that the landing back into their own physical bodies was just a bit rougher than when they returned from the Dreamscape. The twins though faired a bit worse as they were both standing by the bed, not in it. Before the boys could fully sort themselves out they found their arms full of their twins.

"Did anyone catch the name on that truck?" Anita complained as she tried to figure out which way was up and which was down. She was startled when she heard both boys snicker and she could tell Julianna was just as surprised. Both of them had assumed that the boys would be a little on the quiet side when they returned given everything that had happened. Instead they find them snickering.

"All right you two what's with the snickering here? You both seem just a bit too settled after that joy ride we just took so spill." Julianna didn't mind in the least that her Cole was snickering, in fact she was glad as she knew that the minute they returned he would once again be blind, at least until after the last Backlash attack and that one was scheduled to happen tomorrow morning; unfortunately it would most likely happen in Judge Tigera's Chambers and that bothered her. It wasn't that she distrusted Judge Tigera but the man that had tried to hit her Cole with a pipe was going to be there and she worried that Darryl would do something rash if he were to try anything and of course there was always Slater to worry about now. The very thought that of that beast Slater running around on the loose was enough to make her half-blood boil. She hadn't realized how long she had been silent until she felt Cole's arms come around her, pulling her to rest against him. She didn't hesitate to take the comfort he was offering her as she snuggled down more firmly into his embrace.

"Hey there, what's the matter my love? Hey… shhh. It's all right, we're all back and we're fine. Shhh." Cole had felt his beloved begin to shake a bit and he could feel that fear coming from her as well. He may not have had as strong a link with his Julianna as he had with his brother but it was still there and it would grow stronger with the Ascension and it was telling him that she was scared but not what she was scared about. Of course he had a pretty good idea what she was scared about and their names were Slater and The Charmed Ones. The fact that he was scared of both of them as well was not lost on him but he had to be strong, he was strong and he was strong because of the woman he was holding in his arms right now. He was strong because of her and because of Darryl and because of their Grams and because of all of the others who were there and who cared about him and loved him. It was their love that gave him the strength he needed to move on with his life, to learn to truly live again and to love again. It was that strength that would help to see them through what was to come in the next few days. His strength mixed with their strength and they would all make it. Right now though his Julianna was the one that needed him and he had every intention of ridding her of that fear. He held her close and ran his fingers through her hair, just as she liked to do with him. It had the same effect on her as it had on him too, a calming effect. Gently he rocked back and forth trying to calm her even further. He didn't like it when she was upset just as Darryl didn't like seeing Anita upset. He was about to ask his brother how Anita was when he sensed the fear rising again within him through the link. He never got the chance to say a word though as he felt Anita move, wrapping her arms around Darryl. He couldn't see her move but he could feel the rocking motion begin beside him, the rhythm quickly matching his own. Quickly he decided everything could simply wait a bit while he and Anita calmed their beloveds down.

Snuggles and Bearlock, once they had found themselves back in their physical bodies each moved to offer comfort to their charges. They both realized quickly though that it wasn't Cole and Darryl that needed the comfort the most, it was Julianna and Darryl so they simply switched gears and moved to help Julianna and Darryl. Bearlock snuggled himself up against Darryl, he had barely begun to settle into place when he felt himself being lifted up. Anita was trying to use her free hand to pick him up but he was too big for her, or so he thought. Before he had taken another breath he found himself plopped down into Darryl's lap where he was immediately scooped up and hugged tightly and protectively by Darryl. His charges grip was strong but didn't hurt; even if it had he wouldn't have said anything. If Darryl needed to feel him close then he shall feel him close. As he reached up with his snout, rubbing the side of Darryl's neck in a calming motion he looked over to find Snuggles wrapped tightly in Julianna's arms. Bearlock smiled as he continued to rub his charge's neck, content in knowing that he was helping Darryl just by letting himself be held.

Snuggles had moved to Julianna's side as Bearlock had moved towards his own charge. Julianna may not have been his official charge but she was very important to his own charge Cole, and she was very important to him as well. Since he knew Cole couldn't see him he carefully moved up beside Julianna's legs and began rubbing her leg with his snout. It had the desired effect; it made her smile and just a small giggle escaped her lips as well. He saw Cole's head move in his direction, knowing that even without his sight he would still be able to readily find him and find him he did. Snuggles found himself being scooped up by Cole and deposited into Julianna's lap a moment later. He wriggled himself around until he was leaning up against her tummy, which he gently began to rub up against making her giggle again.

Julianna looked down at the puppy that her Cole had just dropped into her lap, he was just so adorable and she could swear that he was smiling up at her and she couldn't help but smile back down at him. Briefly she looked to her sister and saw Bearlock in Darryl's lap, alternating between rubbing against Darryl's neck and gently pawing at Anita's tummy. It was as if the puppies were trying to comfort not only the boys and themselves but also the little ones that they each carried within them. As she thought of their babies she quickly looked to her Cole again, the corners of her mouth drooping a bit as she thought of their little hatchling who was still in hiding inside his daddy. Suddenly she was hit with a wave of love and heard a soft giggle echo within her head and by the looks on the other's faces they had felt it and heard it as well.

"Don't worry about Baby Ben my love, he is just fine, aren't you Little One?" Cole had felt the giggle as well and could also feel that his son was trying to help Julianna and Darryl feel better. His heart swelled with love and pride for his little son, he wasn't even hatched yet and he was already actively helping his family.

"Just like his daddy." Darryl had also felt the giggle from Baby Ben, which warmed him from within. He also felt the love and pride coming from his brother and Cole had every reason to feel that pride. Darryl knew that Baby Ben was going to be just like his daddy because he already was acting like his daddy would. No matter how bad things would get his brother would always do whatever he could to make things better. It was one of the things that angered Darryl the most, when he thought about all that Cole had done for the girls, all he had sacrificed even though they never really let him into their lives he still remained on the outside looking in. Darryl made a promise to himself that he would do all that was within his power to make Baby Ben feel safe and loved. His brother's childhood had been no childhood at all and he wasn't about to let Baby Ben suffer for even one moment if he could at all help it. Suddenly he felt his brother's hand gently squeezing his shoulder.

"Thank you. I know that you will help keep him safe just as you have kept me safe." Cole had felt his brother's anger begin to rise as he thought of the Charmed Ones but he also felt him overcome that anger to make his promise. The fear that had begun to rise within Darryl was also receding but he still knew that there would be nightmares tonight but he also knew that he would be right there for his brother just as he was always there for him. Keeping his hand on Darryl's shoulder and his other wrapped around his beloved he took a few moments to center himself, his shift back into the darkness was expected but it was also a bit disconcerting as usual. As he did this he could actually feel the flow of energy, of power around them. It was as if he was suddenly attuned to a shared energy signature, he could feel it flowing around them almost like how he would track a demon's shimmer or a White Lighter's orb.

"What is that?"

All four occupants of the bed couldn't help but laugh as they spoke as one, the question having left each of their lips simultaneously. The puppies giggled right along with them as they too felt the energy signature that was now connecting all of them together. All six heads though turned at the sound of Uncle D's voice.

"That my dear children is the beginning. The time of your Ascension draws near and the Bonds are forming more strongly between all of you. Now, thanks to my beloved Tia, one of the last Bonds has been initiated. You will notice that you are no longer in possession of your ceremonial daggers." Uncle D paused for a moment as they each looked to one another, all that was save Cole who simply continued to blindly stare in his direction. "The reason the daggers are no longer in your possession is because they have become a part of you. If you would each feel the base of your throat I think you will understand a bit better." Again he paused as he waited for the group to do as he told them.

"What is it Uncle D? And why is it stuck in my neck?" Anita asked as her hand passed over what felt like a stone imbedded at the base of her throat. She wasn't afraid merely curious and apparently her sister was as well.

"Yes Uncle D, what is it and why do the puppies each have one as well?" Julianna's hand had automatically rubbed the base of Snuggles throat at the same time as she had her own and her fingers had found the same smooth what-ever-it-was also imbedded in his neck.

"A House Stone." Cole hadn't even realized he has spoken out loud until everyone repeated what he had said making a brief smile tug at his lips. "It is the physical manifestation of the Bond between those who have interconnecting hearts and souls. Normally it would be a combination of the two House Stones of their relationship, one stone for each creature."

"They are all amethyst, solid in color." Darryl told him as he answered the unasked question. This didn't faze any one as they were all used to Cole and Darryl finishing each other's sentences or answering questions that they hadn't actually asked yet. For those who lived with Cole and Darryl this was the norm.

"Then each of the hearts and souls that they connect are from the same House hence the same Stone. If ours are visible now then you guys should be able to see the ones on Grams' and Uncle D's necks as well." Cole had always been able to see the House Stone in his Grams' neck as well as his Uncle D's, now he knew that they would all be able to see them. Suddenly he felt what he could only call relief come through his link with his brother and he smiled. He knew that Darryl was going to be on edge even more now, given what had happened to him in the Darkness of Niquili, but it looked like the initiation of this most recent link was having a better than good affect on him. He feels more connected to us. Not just me but all of us. Just knowing that he can now more easily call upon them and their knowledge is helping him. I was right; he has been worried about the magic part because he doesn't have any true practical experience in using magic beyond our ceremonies, no active powers or anything like that. Now just knowing that he is practically physically linked to everyone in the room has given him some relief of his fears. Cole's thoughts came to an abrupt halt at that moment as Darryl voice cut across them.

"Okay, okay, you were right." Darryl had heard what his brother was thinking and saw the smile on his face and he couldn't help but roll his eyes as he spoke. It took a few seconds for what he had just thought to sink in. "Wait a minute. I heard you and I mean that literally. Grams, why can I… how can I actually hear what he is thinking? We haven't completed the Bonding yet. Not that I am complaining mind you but what is happening now?" Darryl wasn't scared but he also didn't understand exactly what was happening and that was unacceptable to him. Knowledge was power, a lesson that he had learned the hard way from his brother and a bullet and a lesson he never planned on having repeated. He looked to his brother and could easily see the question written on his face as well, not to mention being able to feel it as well. It was then that he noticed that the gem in his brother's neck was glowing a bit, not much but a little. Somehow he just knew that the House Stones had something to do with what was happening. Grams' answer proved him right.

"Okay then. Darryl, you can actually hear Little One's thoughts and not just sense what he is feeling or thinking? You hear the actual words?" Grams asked as she was also well acquainted with the 'knowledge is power' school of thought. She had a feeling that she already knew what was happening and if she were right it would make a few things easier on both boys tonight.

"Not only do I hear the words but they are in his voice, that accent of his is hard to miss and I heard that too." Darryl said as he heard the mental raspberry that was aimed at him. Turning his head to look at the raspberry sender he found him trying very hard for innocent. "And anyone who believes that look please stand on your head."

Grams could see exactly where this was leading so she headed them off at the pass. "Alrighty then boys back to the question at hand. Little One can you hear what your brother is thinking?" Grams kept a close eye on the Stone in Darryl's neck and sure enough she saw it begin to glow, like her Little One's had a moment ago and she knew that her Little One had heard Darryl loud and clear when he stuck his tongue out at Darryl. "Okay then I take it that you can each hear the others thoughts so let's holster the tongues please." She waited till both boys had pulled their tongues back into their mouths before continuing, as she wanted their undivided attention. "I do believe I know what is happening here. The House Stones are acting as a magnifier for each of you. Now we just need to see if there is a connection already established between the twins and the boys. Girls, why don't you try and send your boy a thought and we shall see what happens." Grams briefly glanced at Uncle D needing to know if he thought the same thing as she did and by the look on his face he did. This made her smile a bit as she knew that now her boys would have some added help in dealing with the upcoming confrontation with the Charmed Ones, or rather the rest of the Charmed Ones and their White Lighter. When she turned her eyes back to the bed she knew without a doubt that the boys could also hear the twins thoughts, though it did take more control than was pretty on her part not to burst out laughing at the very red boys. Even though she couldn't actually see the full out blush on Darryl's face like she could on her Little One's face she did know the look on his face and his eyes told her the rest. Whatever the twins had thought had most definitely been X-Rated.

"Girls, I asked you to send them a few thoughts not send them into cardiac arrest." Her snickers finally erupted though as she could hold them back no longer.

"Grams!" Both boys whined. They had been caught completely by surprise by their twins' thoughts and their Grams' words only served to make them more embarrassed, if that were even possible. As it was they practically needed a cold shower to get themselves back together.

"Oh please we are all adults here after all so just relax and before anyone gets upset I promise you that the children didn't hear a thing." Grams explained quickly before any of them started to go down that road. The boys were embarrassed enough for the moment. Deciding that her boys had suffered enough for the moment she changed the direction of the conversation. "Okay, now what has happened is that the House Stones are taking the connections that you already have and are strengthening them and by doing so they are enabling you to hear each others thoughts. If Uncle D or I were to say send you a thought you would also pick it up."

"What about us since we have the Stones as well?" Bearlock asked, though not expecting the person who answered him to understand him much less answer him.

"It will work the same for you as well." Grams answered without a second thought, though the stunned looks she was receiving told her something. It took her only a second longer to realize that she had answered Bearlock when only a few hours ago she wouldn't have even understood him. "Well, well this is an added bonus and from the looks on the twins faces I can see that they also understood him. Am I correct?" A brief nod of yes from the two girls was all they could seem to manage at the moment but it made Grams smile even more as she realized that most of the Bonds would apparently complete themselves before the actual Ascension. This pleased her because this way they wouldn't have to deal with all of the Bonds coming alive at the same time. This way they would have time to grow accustomed to each new Bond and the better they understood each Bond the more useful that Bond would be to them. Oh yes this was definitely going to work in their favor. Her Little One's voice brought her back to the moment.

"Grams, where's Piper?" Cole had automatically scanned the general area with his heightened senses when they had arrived but had been sidetracked by this new Bond coming to life. Now that he understood about the Bond he had gone back and scanned the area again and again he came up with no Piper. He did his very best to keep his fear in check though because he didn't want to upset his brother any more than he already was.

Grams could easily read the worry in her Little One over Piper's disappearance, which in turn brought worry to Darryl so she decided that the best thing for everyone was to get moving, after all it was late as well and the boys had to be in Judge Tigera's first thing in the morning. "She is with Tim and Pee Wee at the hospital and before anyone gets upset we needed for everyone who wasn't needed for the Power Circle to leave the Manor and Tim needed to check in with he hospital so he took Piper and Pee Wee with him, and of course Pandy is with Piper. He is going to bring her back first thing in the morning." Grams could see that her words, while accepted, didn't do a whole lot in the reassuring department for her Little One. Thankfully Uncle D decided to step in at that moment.

"I will be fetching the four of them in the morning and they will be here when you get back from the Judge's chambers and don't worry Darryl, your Grams and I have worked out the security and Alexavier passed in onto Mike already. We have a copy of everything here as we knew that you would want to check it out personally." Uncle D had seen the look on Darryl's face when he mentioned the security precautions and knew that the Guardian wouldn't get any sleep until after he had checked over the security arrangements himself. Of course Uncle D had no qualms about it and just smiled as Darryl relaxed a bit at his words. "Anita and Julianna, why don't you two make some sandwiches for everyone while the four of us look over that security, that way you can all get to bed sooner."

"To bed? What time is it?" Anita asked as she looked at the clock on the wall and not believing what she was seeing. "I thought Auntie Tia said that only three hours had passed here but it's already after ten and yes I do mean ten PM sis."

"Something happened on the way back didn't it?" Rosey had stayed silent until this moment, knowing that the group would need some settling down time but now it looked like there wouldn't be as much time as she thought there would be. She had also felt something as they passed through the Veil from Dracoland and she just knew that it wasn't a good thing. "I felt something odd as we crossed through from Dracoland. It almost felt like." She wasn't quite sure how to classify what she had felt so she was glad when Uncle D spoke up.

"An attack and you would be right." Uncle D said as he got everyone's attention. "The Elders pulled something when they sensed you coming back through the Veil but I do believe that you, Rosey, upset their plan. They were not counting on you or your charge being there as they did not know that either of you existed. As of now they only know of you, they are still unaware of Baby Ben. Now before anyone decides to get upset with anyone Raven had no idea that Baby Ben was in fact hiding inside of his daddy. She may have been there in the Wasteland when it happened but she didn't see it happen as she had her eyes closed in concentration for the spell she was performing. Did I know? Yes I did but I simply couldn't tell any of you. Up until this moment I didn't know for sure that we would make it this far so I remained silent. To lose a child is the most horrid and devastating thing that can happen to a parent, but to lose the child before he even has the chance to be born… no I simply could not and would not put Cole through that again. He lost Baby Ben once and it almost destroyed him but to know that your son is within you and yet be unable to hear or touch or just hold him and to live with the knowledge that he still might not get to live… I'm sorry but I just couldn't do that to him so I remained silent." Uncle D felt many emotions course through him and shame was right at the top. He had seen the way that Cole had suffered over the death of Baby Ben, he had been there when the boys had come back from the Hall of Memory and had heard his nephew cry himself to sleep that night as Darryl held him and every night that week. He knew at that moment that Cole would not survive losing his son for a second time so he had vowed to remain silent until he knew for sure that Baby Ben would survive. He knew now though that Baby Ben would live and he knew that now was the time to confess. He could only hope that his nephew and his Guardian would someday be able to forgive him for his crime of silence.

Cole had braced himself, knowing what was coming but it never did. The emotions that were normally connected to any mention of his son never came; the pain, the anger, the sorrow simply never came and he found himself smiling as something else replaced those emotions. His son. He felt Baby Ben inside of him, felt the warmth and love that was his son and he simply couldn't be angry with his Uncle D. His Uncle had done nothing more than to try and protect him and for that he loved him.

"My love, why don't you and Anita go and make those sandwiches while we check out the security arrangements because I know this one won't sleep a wink until he satisfied with every miniscule detail of them." Cole said as he smiled, placing his hand on Darryl's shoulder to get his brother moving as well. Deciding to use this newest Bond of theirs, he let them know that he was fine and that he was in fact hungry. He couldn't see each of them turn to look at him but he could feel their eyes on him, even little puppy eyes. "I'm fine but I would like you to bring me to Uncle D first okay?"

"Okay." Darryl easily agreed with his brother, knowing full well what he wanted. "I agree, let's eat. Ladies."

Darryl carefully extracted himself from Anita while Cole did the same with Julianna; each boy picked up their respective puppy though before moving away from the bed towards their Uncle while their twins moved to the kitchen. Rosey easily took flight from the chair she had been sitting in and following the boys. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening but she did know that her charge was happy and she knew that he wouldn't be happy if there was anything wrong with his daddy so she simply followed them.

As the twins moved into the kitchen they looked back over their shoulders just in time to see something they had never seen before. They watched as Cole, with Snuggles still resting in one arm wrap his other arm around Uncle D's neck giving the pony-sized purple Dragon a tight hug. Uncle D's arms quickly wrapped themselves around Cole as the Dragon hugged his nephew in return. The twins simply smiled at each other before returning all of their attention to the sandwiches they were going to make. They knew then that both Cole and Uncle D would be just fine and they knew that Cole was taking yet one more step towards trust.

Grams watched her Little One with Uncle D and she just couldn't help the happy feeling that was now flowing through her, though she took great pains to hide it from her Little One as the last thing she wanted to do right now was startle or scare him. He rarely ever initiated physical contact with anyone except Darryl and Julianna and after having discussed this with Darryl they had both come to the conclusion that, in this case the root of his fear was one Phoebe Halliwell. She had emotionally abused him through out their relationship yes, but with Darryl's access to his brother's memories they were able to piece together Phoebe's use of physical contact as a point of control and abuse as well.

She and Darryl had discussed this very thing late into the night one night while Cole was asleep with Julianna. Cole had loved Phoebe, both emotionally and physically and Phoebe had used both of these to control him. They had easily agreed that emotionally Cole had been no match for someone like Phoebe, his true emotions that he had locked away so long ago were only just beginning to resurface and most of them were the emotions of a child or were childlike in their reasoning. Whether Phoebe had known this out right or merely sensed it they didn't know but they did know that she had taken full advantage of his young emotions. They also realized that she had used her physical talents as well. Cole was, after all a male as Darryl had pointed out and without the mature emotions to help him understand everything that was happening within their relationship, not to mention his lack of personal experience in a normal type relationship, these two things combined enabled Phoebe to use his own physical responses to her against him. This resulted in her being able to make him do things he otherwise wouldn't have done. Now, because of this Cole tended to shy away from physical contact with anyone except Darryl and Julianna in an attempt to protect himself from being used and hurt that way again. Cole had a need for physical contact, Darryl knew this and he had been only to glad that his brother had felt safe enough with him to seek that physical contact from him when ever he needed it.

Right here and right now her Little One had not only initiated a physical contact with Uncle D, but sought out Uncle D as well. She knew that this was a big step for her Little One and she could easily feel the joy coming from Darryl. He knew how big of a step this was for his brother. She also felt something else coming from Darryl, something that she found hard to put into words. It was almost a relief, a relief that even in the midst of the chaos that now surrounded them his brother still found it within himself to take time for himself and his emotions instead of simply burying them as he had done in the past. Her Little One was taking time for himself and his own needs instead of simply concentrating on the needs of those around him. Darryl knew as she did that this was an important step for her Little One and she found herself feeling pride swell within herself, pride for the distance that her Little One had come since returning from the Wasteland. She could only hope that whatever the days ahead brought did not chase her Little One away again. As she turned once again to the boys she found herself resting a bit easier because she somehow knew without a doubt that her Little One would not only survive the coming days but find within them the last of the keys he would need to finish healing the still bleeding wounds that the Charmed Ones had left behind, both her Little One and Darryl would both heal in the coming days. She smiled as she turned her attention back to the twins and their dinner.

Uncle D felt such a wave of relief when his nephew had Darryl bring him over to him, but that relief had been nothing compared to the emotions he felt wash over him when his nephew had wrapped his arm around his neck, hugging him tight. He felt tears gather in his eyes as he slowly and carefully wrapped his own arms around his nephew. Cole had never hugged him before this moment even though he knew that his nephew loved him. Uncle D understood why his nephew had always kept a safe physical distance between himself and everyone else with the exception of Darryl and Julianna. His nephew had been physically abused as a child, abuse that continued for many years and even though he had survived, it had not been without cost. As Cole grew older he learned to keep physical distance from anyone or anything that could possibly pose a threat to him and he had successfully done this for many decades, until the Charmed Ones entered his life that was.

Phoebe Halliwell. Even now the name simply made his Dragon blood boil. Phoebe Halliwell had called to the child, the little boy that was still within his nephew, she and her family though Phoebe held a special place of contempt with him. She had told Cole time and again how much she loved him and always would yet time and again she used him both physically and emotionally. She could make him do things that he knew intellectually were a bad idea yet he did them anyway. She used his emotions, his young emotions against him and she knew what she was doing at the time. He had watched and he had seen her and her manipulations of his beloved nephew and it took more control for him than was pretty to not step forward and snatch Cole from her manipulative grasp. Cole had spent his life protecting those he cared about and the cost for him had been so very high yet he willingly sacrificed parts of himself to ensure that protection. Oh, Cole was by no means a child in the ways of the world but in the ways of the heart he was and Uncle D couldn't help but wonder exactly how much the Seer Phoebe Halliwell knew about his nephew, the man she claimed to love. Hers was the power of premonition, the power of the Seer so either she ignored what her power was telling her about the man she claimed to love or she simply didn't bother enough to try. She acted as if Cole had only come into existence when she had met him, that he hadn't even existed before that moment. Never once did she make a real effort to get to know all of Cole, no she simply picked and chose what she wanted and or could use to her own advantage and the rest she blithely tossed aside just as she would later toss his young heart aside. Uncle D felt his control slip just a tad and quickly reined himself in as he didn't want to scare Cole who still held him within his grasp. So he firmly pushed his anger down and instead concentrated on the joy of this moment, the pure joy he felt at the trust his nephew was showing him. Later he promised himself, there would be plenty of time later to deal with the one called Phoebe Halliwell. Right now though Uncle D simply wanted to enjoy the feel of his nephew in his arms.

"Uncle D, please don't feel bad. You did the right thing by keeping this from me. When I felt him taken away from me in the Wasteland I simply shut down, didn't let myself feel anything and then Darryl went with me to light his candle and it did almost destroy me… if it hadn't been for my brother here it would have." Cole felt a momentary sadness as he remembered those dark days but that sadness was quickly forgotten as he felt yet another giggle come from his Baby Ben. He could also feel the sadness that was coming from his Uncle and he simply wouldn't have it but he wasn't quite sure how to make his Uncle feel better.

Let me help Daddy.

Baby Ben's voice whispered in Cole's head, bringing a smile to his lips as he opened the link he had with his Uncle and simply let his Little One use his own special brand of magic to help make his Uncle feel better.

Uncle D heard his nephew's words, he knew that Cole would never lie to him but he still couldn't help feeling sad and ashamed of what he had done. It was a feeling that he had grown used to during this past year, one he didn't think it would ever truly go away. He was wrong. As he felt the link he had with his nephew open he had expected it to be Cole trying to make him feel better like he always did; it was just in the boy's nature, a nature that he could finally fully express thanks to Darryl and Julianna. He was surprised when he heard and felt a giggle, one that sounded like Cole but was decidedly younger as well. It was Baby Ben. His Dragon heart almost stopped as he realized that Cole had opened their link so that he could share Baby Ben with him. The feeling of love coming from both father and son began to chase away all of the lingering doubts and sadness within him, doubts and sadness that had been a part of him for almost a year. Now though they were simply sliding away only to disappear in the light of the love that was coursing through him now. He now knew, beyond even the most infinitesimal doubt that neither father nor son held anything but love and happiness within their own hearts and souls for him. Love, pride, and joy. These were the things he was feeling from them and they were easily able to push away any sad or hurt feelings that might have remained.

Gone was his anger at himself, his sadness, and anything and everything else that had any negativity connected to it. He felt Baby Ben's unfettered happiness at being with his daddy, his joy as he reveled in the love that his daddy had only for him. Suddenly he felt something else, it wasn't a bad something, just something different. It took him a moment but when he finally figured out what it was he was sensing he couldn't help but feel humbled by it. It was love, pure and simple love and respect only this time it was coming from his nephew. Uncle D knew that at that moment it was time to let it go and he did, all of it. In its place he let the love and respect that he was feeling from both father and son fill up the emptied spaces. Soon there was nothing left of the bad for the good had not only destroyed the bad but filled him full of joy at the same time.

You are definitely your father's son he thought to himself as he finally fully relaxed into his nephew's arms, knowing that he was more than welcomed, he was wanted and that was all that mattered. His nephew and his son both welcomed him with open arms as well as open hearts and he eagerly settled into their combined embrace.

Cole had felt his Uncle's emotions as his Little One worked his magic on him. He really didn't want his Uncle to feel bad about the decision that he had made those many months ago; yes he had hurt but he had survived. He also knew without a doubt that knowing his son was inside of him but not being able to even feel him coupled with the idea that still his Little One might not live would have driven him over the edge. He was far from being upset with his Uncle, he was in fact grateful to him. Determined to make his Uncle understand he followed his Little One's example and opened himself fully, showing without words but emotions how his heart and soul were truly feeling. His fear that it wasn't working was quickly squelched when he felt the long Dragon neck that he was wrapped around relax as his Uncle literally melted against him. He felt Baby Ben smile and the smile was contagious for one soon appeared on his lips as well. He knew that they needed to do some things before heading for bed but he also wanted to stay right where he was for just a few more minutes, the peace he was now experiencing, that he knew his Uncle was experiencing right along with him was something he was loath to simply give up.

Darryl watched the three, knowing and understanding the magnitude of the step that his brother had just taken. He watched as Snuggles kept an attentive eye on his charge and the proceedings, his furry little ears constantly rotating so he could keep track of everything going on around them as well. When he briefly looked down he found Bearlock's ears doing the same thing as Snuggles and he smiled. The puppies may not have been with them very long but already they were acting in tandem to help keep Cole safe.

"Not just Cole but you as well. You are just as important as Cole and never forget that." Bearlock had taken exception to his charge's thought and decided to call him on it, sensing something was going on within Darryl. A moment later he realized what it was that he was sensing and he also noted that his own charge was going to require a bit of careful handling as well. Quickly he became determined to make Darryl see how important he himself was to what was come but not at this very moment. Right now his charge's emotions were running high because of his brother, but he vowed to prove to Darryl that he was not only important and special to Cole but also to their shared Destiny. He too was a Chosen One and Bearlock resolved to make Darryl fully and wholly accept this before the appointed Ascension. Darryl needed to be not just Cole's brother but also his equal.

"Don't worry Bearlock, we will make sure your charge is aware of how important he really is and not only to their Destiny but to all of us as well." Snuggles had felt his furry friend's worry over his charge and truth be told he had had the same worry. Darryl had centered his life so much around helping and protecting Cole that he was continuously pushing his own needs away. He knew that Cole knew this as well just as he knew that Cole did whatever he could to help Darryl just as Darryl helps him. It was confusing, this relationship of theirs. It was supposed to be one Warrior and one Guardian for said Warrior but between the memories of Cole's that he possessed and what he had seen first hand so far, Snuggles found himself hard pressed to say which was the Warrior and which was the Guardian. As each of the boys sought to protect the other, the line between the two blurred and their designated titles blurred right along with them. Snuggles' eyes turned quickly back to his charge as he felt Cole turn his inner attention to Darryl.

Before he could even draw another breath Snuggles felt his charge open himself up completely to Darryl. It didn't take long to figure out what Cole was doing either and Snuggles felt himself smiling. Cole was sharing his and Baby Ben's happiness with Darryl and letting him know that he was just fine so he wouldn't worry about him. His smile grew when he saw the smile on his charge's face; it was one that spoke of understanding. He realized right then that Cole not only knew what Darryl had been doing these many months but also that he had been working himself on breaking Darryl's habit of always putting him, Cole, first. Snuggles looked to Darryl and saw the smile make its way to his lips now. He turned his eyes to his furry friend and shared their own grin as each realized that their charges would only need a few small pushes in the right direction at the right times and the boys would take care of everything themselves. Each of the puppies relaxed into their respective charges arms. They both knew that there would be more hard moments ahead but they were more secure in the knowledge that their charges would make it.

Rosey had watched everything that had been happening around her and she realized fairly quickly that it was a very complicated house she had entered. What shocked her most was the simple fact that it was the complete and absolute straightforwardness of said house that made it complicated. Truth wasn't the only requirement here, trust and understanding were walking hand in hand with truth and they combined to make one very unusual setting. Suddenly she remembered something that Tia had told her looooong ago. Dragons do not lie. Rosey had thought that this would have made the Dragons much more easily defeated but after a rather longer than lengthy discussion she began to understand her old friend a bit better.

Dragons didn't lie, especially to another Dragon. It was simply impossible for one Dragon to lie to another Dragon no matter the circumstances. What most didn't know was that they are practically incapable of lying period, to anyone. However, this did not preclude them from restating the truth in such a way as to make it work to their own advantage. Omitting information as such was not considered lying; it was considered survival. For hard facts Rosey knew that if one was creative enough then one could learn how to omit and when to omit and what to omit in order to not be lying but also not revealing the truth. Tia had once said that Dragon's were the personification of the word 'obfuscation' and now, seeing it first hand Rosey couldn't help but agree with her.

Though what awed Rosey the most was the truly open and above board emotions she could see and feel within the room. As she looked from one person to the next she could easily feel the very closeness that this group had, it was a closeness that went deeper than anything she had ever encountered before. It was more than just the familial closeness or the carnal closeness between the lovers; it was a warmth that came from within the hearts and souls of the group, even the furry ones of the group were a part of it. Distance didn't seem to matter either as the twins moved to the kitchen to make the sandwiches while Darryl brought Cole to Uncle D and Grams remained to the side of the room. The aura of closeness never faltered or lessened in any way as they moved away from each other, distance meant nothing to this connection and Rosey could only stand and watch as it ebbed and flowed about all of them. She would have to ask Tia about it when she saw her next time and shouldn't be a long wait either. As soon as Baby Ben had entered his hatcher she needed to return to Dracoland to let Tia know but for now she would simply watch and learn as much as she could about this very unusual family that she now found herself in the middle of.

Darryl didn't really want to disturb his brother and Uncle D but he also knew that they had to eat and get to bed, Judge Tigera would forgive many things but never tardiness. He had barely moved forward though when Cole turned his head in his direction, the smile on his brother's face never faltering as he stepped away from Uncle D and into his grasp. He was about to apologize to Uncle D for taking Cole from him when he realized that it wasn't necessary, the sense of contentment he had felt coming from the two of them remained even after they had physically separated. Darryl smiled as he watched Uncle D move to stand next to Grams, the pony sized purple Dragon having a never before seen bounce in his steps. If Darryl hadn't known better he would have almost said that Uncle D was skipping instead of simply walking. His brother's voice brought him up short a moment later.

"Oh please Darryl, did you have to do that? I'm never going to be able to get that image out of my head now thank you very much." Cole had seen the image that his brother had of Uncle D skipping about and it was taking him so much more control than was pretty to keep from losing it, because he knew if he did lose it he would be literally rolling on the floor within seconds and they didn't have time for that right now. He couldn't stop the smile however from forming on his lips, though his valiant efforts to control his snickers did work.

Cole had felt his brother move closer to him and at first he had thought that he would feel some sense of loss when he moved away from his Uncle D, but that feeling never came. Instead the feelings of warmth and love that he had felt from his Uncle D remained comfortably wrapped around him. He felt Snuggles rub his muzzle against his chest, the puppy still held safely within his grasp. His hand moved to scratch his furry companion behind the ears, a 'thank you' for just being there for him. He could tell that Snuggles was enjoying it so he simply continued the scratching as his brother took his arm and guided him to the kitchen table. They still had a few things to do before they could go to bed but eating was first on the agenda.

Julianna and Anita quickly made themselves and their mates some sandwiches, filled some glasses with milk and placed everything neatly on the kitchen table while making sure that the plans for Cole's security were not covered by anything. Both glanced briefly at the plans that were laid out but waited for the boys to join them before looking them over in-detail. As soon as their own food was set out they each grabbed one of the bowls that they were temporarily using for the puppies food and filled them with the puppy food that Simmons had brought home with him after picking up Tim. As they placed the dishes on the floor next to the chairs the boys would be sitting in they realized that they would need one more dish.

"I hope she likes what Tim got for Pee Wee." Julianna said as she grabbed a can of kitty food for Rosey while her sister grabbed another bowl. She still had a smile on her face from watching her beloved with their Uncle D. It had always distressed her quite a bit that her Cole only enjoyed getting physically close to her and Darryl, he didn't even get physically close to Grams and he had known her almost all of his life. Oh she understood why he was acted this way, it was because of the witch Phoebe Halliwell. She also knew that Darryl, Grams, and Uncle D understood as well but they all knew that there was nothing that they could do about it. Her beloved had to make the first move, take that first step and after almost a year he finally had and it made heart swell with not only love but pride as well. Her Cole was a strong man, in both heart and soul but there was also the young man that still lay within and it was the young man that Phoebe Halliwell had hurt so badly.

Intellectually his schemes knew no bounds and often took on twists and turns that would leave the rest of them miles behind. The only one who could keep up with him was Darryl. Grams and Uncle D had even been left behind on a few occasions and losing those two was no easy feat, but loose them he had. Her beloved's mind was quick and sharp, it was his heart and soul that had been in danger from the witch and it had been both that had suffered at her hands. His physical distancing of himself from all save herself and Darryl only showed how deeply the witch had hurt him.

Now though as she had watched him hugging their Uncle D she felt a part of herself relax, a part that had worried daily about her Cole's future. If he could never feel safe enough to let down some of his walls that he had slowly erected during his time with the Charmed Ones then he would never truly be free of them and the pain that they had inflicted on him. His wounds still bled, this she knew from many a night holding his trembling body as she soothed him back to sleep after a nightmare left him shaking and scared beside her. His nightmares of his time as the Source's prisoner were ones she could truly empathize with, her own scars both physical and mental would always be there but they were just that, scars while her beloved's wounds still bled. She could only hope that this hug was the beginning of another healing phase for him, one that would finally see his wounds closed. She knew that they would always be there but she preferred scars to open and bleeding wounds. Her sister's voice cut through her thoughts a moment later and her words once again proved just how much she and her sister were alike.

"I think Sis, that he is finally moving forward again with his healing. Goddess knows it's been a long time in coming but I think that Piper's being here has brought everything back to the surface. Yes it is painful for him but I think this was just what he needed to make himself face his pain one last time before finally being able to truly and freely move forward without it weighing so heavily on him." Anita whispered knowing that her soon to be brother-in-law had very good hearing and the last thing she wanted to do was to upset the delicate balance that the Manor had suddenly found itself in. She could have used her link with her twin to talk to her but Anita knew that the second the link was opened both her brother, for that was how she had viewed Cole for quite sometime now and her beloved Darryl would instantly feel it and she did not want to do that to them. Links within the family were not used unless absolutely necessary, this was for both security and personal choice. Not only was it considered improper family etiquette but also it was almost like cheating on their friendships and their friendships that they coveted above all else. Their friendships had lead to their exceptional closeness as well as their impending nuptials and none of them had any desire to ever take advantage of each other, for any reason and using their powers when they weren't needed or required constituted taking advantage. Anita knew that it sounded strange, it had even stymied Grams at first but once the four of them had explained themselves to her she had understood. Their relationships were simply too important to them to be taken for granted in even the tiniest way.

As Anita and Julianna arranged the chairs and the food, people food on the table and puppy and kitty food on the floor next to the people chairs Darryl brought Cole to the table. There was a quietness that permeated the room but it was a comfortable one and no one was in any hurry to break it. Grams and Uncle D joined the boys and their twins at the table though neither of them was eating; they had eaten while making the security plans that were now covering half of the kitchen table. Snuggles and Bearlock took their places at their charges feet, they were hungry as well but also were determined to remain as close as possible to the boys. Rosey flew across the room, her wings beating the air silently before coming to a silent rest at Cole's feet. She looked up to Uncle D who passed her the dish of food that Julianna had made for her. As she began to eat she kept both ears open just in case. She had felt the depth of the emotions running through the Manor's occupants, especially Cole. The attack on him earlier when coming from Dracoland was still very fresh in her mind and she could only thank the Goddess that her presence had thwarted said attack. She did however intend to keep a very close eye on Cole and Baby Ben for the moment, just in case.

The next half hour was filled with sounds of the boys and the twins eating and laughing. The puppies and Rosey finished their meals first and while the puppies easily made home on their respective charge's lap Rosey contented herself with making home on Uncle D's back. Uncle D had given her a withering look, huffing a bit for added measure when she first landed on him. Her smirk response had simply caused the purple Dragon on roll his eyes at her while gently shaking his head so as not to dislodge her from her new resting spot between his wings. The table in general smiled at their antics, all save Cole that was as he wouldn't get his sight back until the following day. Rosey had just settled down when the twins began removing the dishes from the table as they needed all of the table top to get the best picture of the security that Grams and Uncle D had come up with in their absence.

"We'll be right back and we promise to be very careful as well as very quick. Oh and Rosey, it's the first door on the right down that hallway." Snuggles and Bearlock said in unison as they carefully jumped down from their charges' laps, tossing their furry little heads in the general direction of the back hallway. Both puppies waited till the boys understood their meaning though before shimmering to the backyard.

"All right boys, this is what we came up with." Grams began, making sure that she had everyone else's attention first before continuing. She knew that this was going to be a bit hard on the boys, being separated from their little furry friends but when she saw the small smile appear on each boy's face she realized that even though the puppies weren't seen the boys still felt them. This helped put her mind at ease as she had at first worried about separation anxiety but thankfully the Bonds between the boys and their furry friends were already well established. Quickly she returned all of her attention to the matter at hand though, namely her Little One and Darryl's safety for tomorrow mornings judicial meeting.

Darryl, who had already made a cursory examinations of the plans that were before him still continued to listen very closely to Grams and Uncle D as they both explained what they had done. Both he and Cole would be wearing bulletproof vests when they left the Manor. There would be a van waiting for them at the curb, no windows in said van and the van itself would also be bulletproof as it was one they used for transporting protected witnesses. When they reached the courthouse they would be taken around back and up the back stairwell, as there were no windows in that stairwell. Once inside they would then proceed to the secured wing of the courthouse. He noticed that they would be using one of the internal "interview" rooms so there would be no windows to keep his brother away from. There would be two men stationed at the "interview" room door and then they would simply reverse directions when they left the building. He knew though that they wouldn't be leaving the same way.

"Okay Grams, it seems fine so far but what about how we actually will be leaving." Darryl didn't actually mention the reason but everyone at the table knew it was because more than likely they wouldn't finish before the third and final backlash attack hit. This made Darryl more than a bit nervous as the idea of his brother being a prime target while being, for all intents and purposes helpless after the attack and then adding in the need to have him moved back to the Manor as quickly as possible was only making things worse for him. The Manor was secured not only in a human way but also a Magickal way and right now he needed that added security to keep his brother safe, especially after the attack on the way back from Dracoland. When he looked to his Grams though he realized that she had already taken things into account and had a few secondary options already in place, he couldn't help but smile a bit as she placed another set of plan in front of him.

"I have taken various options into account and have made these contingency plans should the need arise." Grams said as she passed the other plans over to him. She knew that he was worried and quite frankly so was she. The timing of all of this couldn't be worse but, like all members of the Nation she would roll with the punches and do what she had to in order to get the job done and in this case that was making sure her Little One and Darryl were safe no matter what. She saw the smile on his face as he looked at the plans she had just placed in front of him. She had made sure that both she and Cam had been cleared for the courthouse and that an ambulance was on standby outside the courthouse next to the van. The ambulance would be driven by one of the officers assigned to her Little One's protection duty. Once they got her Little One into the ambulance then Darryl would be able to join him on the Dreamscape and the officer in the front would be none the wiser to what was actually happening in the back. Simmons would be driving escort in case either Slater or the Elders tried something and of course the ambulance would have bulletproof glass and doors. All in all it was the best that they could come up with since they wouldn't be able to openly use their powers, that didn't mean though that if push came to shove that any of them wouldn't resort to their powers if need be but they had to be very careful as the Balance wouldn't like being exposed to the world.

Darryl looked over the plans and explained them to Cole, but what he really wished was for his brother to be able to see the plans for himself. Suddenly he found his own vision going dark as he felt the area around himself shift a bit. He wasn't sure what was happening but he did know that he could feel his brother, almost as if he were inside of Cole's head. Staying perfectly still so as not to upset whatever was happening he simply let go, as he did his sight went completely dark and he felt different, like he was inside someone else's skin. It was that feeling that told him what was happening. He had wished his brother could see the plans and somehow he must have tapped into his own Guardian powers and switched places or rather bodies with his charge. Carefully he began to take stock of himself, knowing that his charge was just fine or else his Guardian instincts would be yelling at him, loudly but they were silent so Cole was safe. As he checked things out he began to feel someone watching him or rather watching Cole, but when he turned his head he realized that it would do him no good as he couldn't see a thing. This is what it is like for him every time he loses his sight Darryl thought to himself. Before he could say anything he felt fear building within himself and he found he couldn't stop it. It was the same fear he had felt when they had been trapped in the Darkness of Niquili and the Crydeshi had invaded his mind. Images, unbidden images suddenly began to once again play themselves out within his minds eye and he felt his fear growing out of control.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his followed swiftly by a wave of power and he knew that power, it was his brother's. He wasn't alone and that helped as he tried once again to gain control of his fears. This time it was a bit easier as instead of tensing up as he had before he relaxed and relatively quickly he felt the fear begin to fade as the images disappeared from his mind. In its place he felt a calmness, one he knew was there only because of the hand that was now holding tightly onto his. He was about to thank his brother when his mate's voice caught his attention. Her words should have surprised him but they didn't.

"Darryl? What… what happened? How are you over there when you are sitting right here?" Anita wasn't sure how she knew but somehow she did. She knew that the person sitting next to her wasn't her beloved anymore, yes it was his body but 'he' wasn't there. When she looked to her twin though she knew what had happened. "Cole?" She asked as she brought her eyes to her the body sitting next to her.

"It's me Anita." Cole said using a voice that wasn't his own before turning to his beloved. "I don't know how it happened but I'm here and Darryl is here." He raised their still joined hands though he never even thought to let go while looking his beloved directly in the eye. He could tell that she understood immediately that it was Darryl now that couldn't see while he could as he used his brother's eyes. As he turned to look at his own body he began to understand why he could always feel a slight amount of guilt coming from his brother whenever he would lose his sight because he was feeling guilt right now. As he felt the hand he was holding twitch though he quickly buried that guilt so as not to upset his brother anymore than he already was. It was a very scary thing to suddenly find yourself in the dark and add to that the panic he had felt, and was still feeling to a lesser degree coming from his brother he knew that the guilt would only serve to upset him further. That was not acceptable to him so he buried it. His brother needed him calm and collected right now and he had no intentions of letting him down.

"Grams, do you know what is happening?" Cole had turned to look at his Grams and he found he could actually see surprise etched on her face and surprising Grams was not an easy thing to do. Though the very fact that Grams and Uncle D weren't panicking helped him to keep himself centered. What ever was happening may have surprised them but evidently they sensed no overt danger, though he didn't relax completely and he knew that he wouldn't, not until his brother was back where he belonged. The very thought of his brother trapped within a darkness he knew only too well was more than a little unsettling and he planned to fix the situation as quickly as he could. As soon as he knew what exactly the situation was of course and for that information he once again turned his attention to his Grams and Uncle D.

To say Grams had been a bit shocked was an understatement, hearing her Little One's voice come from Darryl's body had stopped her cold. She knew somehow that there was no immediate threat or danger to this new situation and she trusted her Dragon instincts, they had after all helped her to reach the ripe old age of 14,939 human years, though this time she sensed that there was something or someone else involved. Once again though her instincts told her that there was no threat so she turned all of her attention back to the problem at hand.

"All right then, since the twins sensed that something was happening then we are talking about one of the Bonds. The question then would be who did what to make this happen." As she spoke she looked to both of the boys and by the look of fear on her Little One's face she knew it wasn't him, she also knew that the fear wasn't for himself but for his brother. It didn't take her long to figure out that he was upset over the fact that Darryl was now the one that was blind and it was because he was inside of her Little One's body. Darryl for his part was trying very hard to remain calm but she could easily see the fraying around the edges, it was unnerving enough to suddenly find oneself blind but his Guardian instincts must also be screaming at him since now he was the one that needed the guarding. Her thoughts were brought up short though as Anita spoke up.

"It was Darryl and I highly doubt he even knew what was happening. Honey," she said feeling just a tad odd when looking at Cole's face while addressing her mate, "did you do anything or think anything right before this happened?" Anita watched her beloved closely, looking into his unseeing eyes though was more unnerving than she cared to think about and her heart once again went out to her sister. Now I understand she thought to herself as her mind briefly flashed back over different times when she had found her sister simply staring off into space while Darryl had been helping Cole shower and dress. It was usually the first day after the boys came home from hospital, Cole unable to see and a bit skittish with anyone other than Darryl. She would find her sister sitting in the living area just staring into space as she tried to keep herself together. Now Anita understood the pain her twin had been hiding, the pain of seeing the eyes of the one you loved staring back at you but not seeing you. Quickly she shook herself back to the present, now was not the time to dwell on it.

"The only thing I was thinking about was wanting Cole to be able to check over the plans as well. Why?" Darryl knew that Anita was looking at him and he found himself desperately wanting to see her, to both reassure her that he was in fact okay and to take reassurance from her that he was okay. The feelings were conflicting but were also giving him insight into why he always felt certain things from his brother when he lost his sight, things that up until this very moment had eluded him but were now crystal clear. He had walked in his brother's shoes when he had lived his life during the first stage of the Bonding process almost a year ago, but he had never actually traded places with him after that so he never knew exactly what it was like when his brother lost his sight. He had gotten a taste in the place they had just been trapped in but this was different and scary and enlightening all at the same time, though he found scary to be the dominant feeling at the moment. He also realized that one can miss a lot without being able to see what was going on around one as he jumped when he heard his mate's voice.

"I'm pretty sure that this is just a reaction of the Bond between them. I have been reading that book that Uncle D gave me on the Prophecy and if I remember correctly it speaks of the ability of the Bond to actually switch the spirits within the bodies of the two who are joined. Darryl wished that Cole could see the plans, probably wanting to make sure that he hadn't missed anything." Anita flicked her eyes to Cole's and could easily read the guilt within them grow. This wasn't in anyway his fault but with everything that had happened the last few days he was so emotionally drained that he was falling back into his old patterns. It wasn't right and she simply wouldn't have it. "And Darryl committed a major no-no. He tapped into their Bond when he thought it and so made it happen. Remember what I said about 'be careful what you wish for' from now on." She knew that both of the boys remembered that little discussion, she could tell by the looks on their faces.

Darryl felt guilty because his beloved was right, he had done exactly that and now he wasn't sure how to undo what he had done. He felt guilt begin to grow within his brother and that he simply would not have, it was not Cole's fault in any way, shape, or form and he refused to allow this to continue so he pushed aside his own fear and guilt and did what he knew would help. "Ops." It was a simple thing but it did help to break the tension that was building around them and he didn't even need his sight to know it either, he could feel it.

"Well put Darryl and I think that pretty much sums it all up." Uncle D had already thought that that was what had happened but it sounded so much better coming from Anita. "Now as for how to undo the 'ops' I do believe that if Cole now does the very same thing that you boys will be switched back to where you belong." Uncle D explained, having anticipated their next question. His smile joined the rest of them as Darryl once again showed how much he cared for his charge.

"Wait! Before you do anything partner, I want you to check over these plans. No sense in wasting this opportunity now is there and don't worry about me I'm just fine." Darryl could sense his brother's hesitation though so he pulled out one of his trump cards. "Please." His brother never could resist his 'please' and now was no exception and for that he was very grateful.

Cole was about to reverse what had been done, or attempt to at any rate when he heard Darryl's 'please' and that was one word from his brother that he could never refuse and his brother darn well knew it. "That wasn't fair you know." Cole sighed as he realized that his withering look was lost on his brother. He wanted to reverse this as quickly as possible but he could tell from the emotions he was feeling through their link that it would only serve to upset his already upset brother even more. With a quick roll of his eyes he turned his full attention back to the plans that were still laid out on the table. He knew that his Grams and Uncle D had covered all of the bases that could be covered just from what his brother had told him, or he thought that they had but he did spy one small little issue. "Grams you need to have someone else driving the ambulance. Given this new development we should have someone from the Nation doing it just in case. Hopefully nothing will actually happen but just in case we really don't want that kind of a surprise happening with a mortal at the wheel if you know what we mean."

"He's right about that. If something were to happen and a mortal was at the wheel they might panic and that would not be good and more to the point it could lead to more problems such as an accident and that we definitely do not need." Darryl agreed readily with his brother about the change but had a better idea of who should be doing the driving. "However, I don't think a Nation member is necessary when we have Benjamin. He could easily take the driver's spot and we wouldn't have to worry about any of the other things that might happen with us in the back. He would of course keep the windows rolled up so he remained safe behind the bulletproof glass just in case." Somehow the idea of having Benjamin close by tomorrow made him feel better and from what he could feel through the link his brother felt the same way.

"Okay then we will make that change to the plans, it will only take a phone call and then we will be all set." Grams said as she moved closer to where the boys were, she wasn't sure what was going to happen when her Little One reversed what had happened but she certain that something was going to happen that they weren't counting on and she wanted to be close by.

"Is that the only thing you see partner?" Darryl wanted to make sure before letting him try to undo his 'ops' so he concentrated on the link just to make sure. He knew that his charge wanted to reverse the situation as quickly as possible but he refused to let his brother's worry for him make that decision for him.

"Yes it is. Everything else is good to go just as it is." Cole had barely spoken the words when he began to try and undo the 'ops'. He wasn't sure how he was suppose to do it but if wishing was all that was needed, along with concentrating on the Bond then it shouldn't be too difficult to reverse. He felt something move around him just as his vision started to go dark again. He shifted his eyes quickly to the face of his beloved catching one last glimpse of her before his world went dark once again. He barely had time to re-center himself when he felt something was wrong, not with himself but with his brother.

"Darryl!" Cole cried out as reached for his brother, catching him just as he started to fall forward. Quickly he pulled his brother to him, his fingers automatically checking for a pulse and quickly finding one, even as he fully opened the link between them. He had barely taken a full breath when he felt his Grams and Uncle D at his side. "Grams what happened!?" Cole felt Anita grab Darryl and shake him; he didn't try and stop her since he wanted to do the very same thing.

Grams and Uncle D rushed forward at their Little One's cry. Grams immediately checked Darryl's vitals while Uncle D used his own talents and checked Darryl maickally.

"His vitals are strong. Uncle D?" Grams knew that they needed answers quickly, she could feel the tension growing by the second and they needed to stop it. Both boys and the twins already had too much to deal with, any more and she wasn't sure what would happen. A moment later she thanked whomever was listening for Uncle D.

"It is just the strain of switching for the first time. Now before anyone gets upset the only reason it affected Darryl the way it did is because I am betting that he took the brunt of the switch this time and don't even think about blaming yourself for this one my dear nephew. Remember that Darryl is the Guardian with all of the instincts that go with that designation. He did what he did out of instinct," Uncle D could see the effect his words were having on his nephew, "and out of love." He smiled to himself as he watched the many emotions fly across his nephew's face; he smiled because his nephew had listened to what he had said and understood. He moved forward intending to take Darryl from them to put him to bed but was stopped rather quickly.

"It's alright Uncle D I have him. Anita." Cole had felt his Uncle D reach for Darryl but he wouldn't relinquish him. Instead he gently gathered his brother into his arms, just as Darryl had done for him so many times and carefully stood up. He waited for Anita to join him before moving towards their bed, letting her guide him while he kept a firm hold of his sleeping brother.

Julianna had moved ahead of them and pulled the covers down. Gently she helped her mate put his brother to bed. "Grams could you, please?" She only had to gesture for Grams to understand and in the blink of an eye they were all changed into their favorite and most comfy jammies. She watched as her sister lay down next to her beloved, gently gathering him in her arms making sure that he was comfortable. She hated to do what she had to do next but it had to be done. "Anita, can you roll Darryl onto his side so that Cole can take his hands please? It will only be for a moment." She smiled as her sister did as she asked without hesitation. Slowly she guided her beloved onto the bed. Once she had him laying down she brought his hands to Darryl's and waited for him to take a tight hold before moving off the bed.

Grams took her que and moved forward, where she quickly and efficiently pulled his jammie bottoms down just enough to give her good access to his tuschie. A quick swipe from an alcohol pad was all the warning she gave as she quickly injected the contents of the pre-loaded syringe into said tuschie. She was grateful that she had secreted her Little One's next shot into the drawer next to his side of the bed a few hours earlier while she and Uncle D had awaited their return from where ever they had gone to. There was the normal burst of power from her Little One's hands but as usual Darryl absorbed the burst without so much as batting an eye, though in this case without so much as waking up would be more accurate.

"All right everyone it has been a long day and time for everyone to catch some much needed Z's." Grams helped Julianna into bed and proceeded to tuck all of them in for the night. As she gave each of them a kiss on the forehead she noticed that her Little One was already sound asleep, his breathing deep and even and she noted in perfect sync with his brother's breathing. She looked to Julianna and then to Anita and found the same thing. All four were already deeply asleep and their breathing was perfectly matched.

"Uncle D?" She didn't need to say anything else to get her answer.

"It is the Bonds, my dear. They are weaving themselves together which is as it should be. Time is growing short." Uncle D could tell that the answer wasn't enough. "There are more Bonds at work here than we originally thought. Now that Baby Ben has made himself known there are his Bonds to deal with as well. He will Bond with his daddy first and then Darryl and then the Twins. He will need a hatcher and more than likely he has already found one. He will then need to Bond with her. As I said there are many Bonds to deal with and with all of them in physical contact with each other at the moment the Bonds are going to work in earnest. No the hatcher is not here and you know it." Uncle D looked to his niece as he spoke, reading the thoughts going through her head with a practiced ease that sometimes irritated her. He could see her going through all of the possibilities and he just knew when she had hit the right one. "Yes my dear." Was all he said, all he had to say.

"Oh dear."

"To say the least, my dear niece, to say the very least. The coming days shall prove to be very interesting indeed." Uncle D smiled as Grams rolled her eyes at him.

The two carefully and silently made their way out of the living area after making one last check on the beds four occupants. Grams had a phone call to make to Alexavier about the changing of the ambulance driver while Uncle D called Benjamin and told him of the change of plans. House rules forbid the use of Magick for the mundane and right now they knew that they had to be extra careful lest someone be magickally eavesdropping on them. After hanging up the phone in her room a few minutes later she returned to the living area and took a seat on the couch opposite the bed. She felt Uncle D at her back and smiled as he kissed the top of her head before laying down behind the couch so he would be out of sight just in case someone came in that didn't know that there was a purple fire breathing Dragon living in the Manor. A moment later she saw Rosey fly in from the hallway.

"Everyone already tucked in I see." She had flown off to take care of her own needs while Grams was putting the children to bed. Baby Ben had assured her that all was fine or she wouldn't have left the room at all. Glancing around she quickly found what she was looking for, or rather who that is.

Grams watched as Rosey flew towards her, veering off at the last second before gliding gently down behind the couch and directly onto Uncle D's back. She snickered at her Uncle's overly dramatic put upon sigh. Before she could caustic comment she felt and saw the puppies shimmer back into the Manor. "And just where have the two of you been?" She hadn't meant to sound cross but her own nerves were beginning to fray around the edges, but that was no excuse she thought to herself. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound that way. It's just that I thought that you would have returned sooner considering what was happening."

"It wasn't that we didn't feel it because we did but we also knew that there was nothing bad happening, just something new. Believe me we would have returned in a second if we had sensed any danger concerning the boys." Bearlock said as he followed Snuggles up and onto the bed. He was about to explain further when he caught sight of the boys and their twins. Turning to Snuggles he burst out laughing, or as close to laughing as a puppy can get that is with Snuggles laughter soon joining his.

"Uhm… I must say that Cole looks just too cute in his Eeyore jammies, not to mention Julianna in her matching Eeyore jammies." Snuggles could barely get the words out for his chuckling so hard. Bearlock seemed to be having the same problem but he too managed to compliment Grams on her choice of jammies for his own charge and twin.

"And Darryl is just too cute in his Scooby-Doo jammies and of course Anita in her matching jammies is also adorable." Bearlock had to stop talking so he could catch his breath. "You do have a warped sense of humor Grams. And yes we know it was you because we felt you do it." Bearlock looked pointedly at Grams while he said this last bit and was relieved when she seemed to understand the implication. He and Snuggles could feel any and all Magick that happened around their charges. He smiled at Grams' look of understanding before turning and making his way to Darryl's side. As he lay down and curled up he say Snuggles doing the same thing by Cole's side.

Grams watched as the puppies made their homes next to their charges and she couldn't help the smile that came to her lips as watched them also fall asleep rather quickly and their breathing coming to match the boys and the twins. It was highly unusual for puppies to breathe that slowly but then again these were no ordinary puppies she quickly reminded herself. With one final sigh she waved her hand and dimmed all of the lights though she herself never went to sleep.