Once again thanks so much for your reviews!! Sorry it's been a while since I've undated. That pesky real life keeps getting in the way. Hope you enjoy this next chapter and as always any thoughts and comments are so appreciated!!!!

Chapter 3

It had been three weeks since Lauren had taken the nanny position, and everything seemed to be working out. Little by little Piper was feeling more comfortable giving Wyatt's care over and leaving him to Lauren's attention while she was at the club. They had changed Lauren's schedule, having come in the early afternoon and staying later into the evenings until Paige, Phoebe or Leo came home to take over. Lauren had assured them that if they should need her more, she was available.

It was during this week she had been introduced to her first demon. It had been a rare occasion for everyone to be home for dinner, with the exception of Paige who was on a date. Leo had orbed out just after the meal to check on another charge. Leaving the others to clean up. Lauren had been cleaning Wyatt's face, while Phoebe had gone into the living room to grab her laptop. Letting out a quick scream, Phoebe shouted for Piper.

Dropping the dishes where they may, Piper shot a look at Lauren. "Take Wyatt!"

Lauren immediately did as she was told as Piper raced into the other room. Finding her sister already dodging an oncoming fireball.

"Blow him up!"

"Working on it Pheebs." Throwing her hands out, she aimed, however the demon moved with lightening speed, and she blew a hole in the side of a wall instead. The two sisters ducked behind the couch as another red and orange globe flew over them, smashing and incinerating a picture behind them.

"Oh, he's a quick one." Noted Phoebe as she took a quick peek over the top of the couch,

Jumping up from her position next to her sibling, Piper threw out her hands again. "We'll see about that." She had hoped to take the demon by surprise, unfortunately that did not happen. Once again her blast met with plaster and she barely missed another fiery sphere. Crouching behind her cover, Piper let out a muttered curse. "Damn. What's with this guy?"

Phoebe still huddled against the couch said, "Okay, now what?" She gave a start when her sister yelled. "Paige!"

Within in moments, blue and white lights filtered in across the room.

"What!" She was not given an opportunity to say more, because she observed a large fireball heading in her direction. Instinctively she orbed back out again. Piper took advantage of the demon's distraction and leapt to her feet. The demon had turned his back to concentrate on Paige. By the time he realized his mistake he felt a blast hit him and then nothing.

Piper watched in triumph as the intruder exploded into a million tiny bits. "Gottcha!"

Paige orbed back in and stood next to her eldest sister. "What the hell was that?"

"We needed a distraction." Answered Piper.

"And you were it." Smiled Phoebe. "Nice job."

Trying not to sound as irritated as she felt, Paige said, "Thanks. I think."

Lauren hearing all the commotion coming from the next room and ran to the laundry room with Wyatt tucked close to her. Closing the door, she found a corner and ducked low. There was nowhere else to go without putting them both in harm's way. Holding tight to the little boy in her arms, thankful Wyatt seemed to be taking this all in stride. A short time later she heard Piper calling her name. Cautiously she moved from her hiding spot and opened the door.

"There you are. You both okay?" Going to them, she took her son. "Hey big guy, you alright?"

Phoebe came over and put an arm around Lauren. "How about you?"

"Fine....I'm fine...I think." Lauren stuttered her reply.

Paige had joined her sister in comforting the new nanny. "Aw, don't worry, you'll get use to it."

All Lauren could do was nod her head, her mind not ready to make words just yet. Seeing this, Phoebe looked at her younger sister. "Hey, didn't you have a date?"

"Oh yeah! Almost forgot. Later." Instantly she orbed out.

No sooner had Paige left, Leo orbed in, leaving Lauren even more dazed. "What's going on?" He questioned with a frown.

"Oh you know honey. The usual demon, fireball, living room is a mess kind of thing."

Rubbing his hand across the top of his son's blond head he went on. "Everyone okay?"

Phoebe had left Lauren's side and was leaning against the counter top. "Yeah. You know, we came, we saw, we pretty much kicked ass."

Looking up at her husband, Piper asked. "How is it, the Elders always manage to call for you just before we're about to get out butts kicked?"

"Piper. It's not like that."

She hated when he used that patronizing tone. "Hmmm." Was all she could muster.

"Listen, they called me to let you know there is definitely an upsurge in demon activity everywhere."

"Ya think?"

Ignoring her sarcastic comment, he continued. "There is a major power struggle going on in the underworld and it's intensifying."

"So we basically can expect lots more of these attacks then." Phoebe replied, making her thought a statement more than a question.

Piper shifted Wyatt's weight onto her other hip. "Lovely." Glancing at her new nanny she said, "Well, you still want the job?"

"Yeah, you've been officially initiated into the Halliwell Manor." Interjected Phoebe.

Lauren didn't know why, but she did not hesitate with her answer. "I still want the job."

"Wonderful! That means you get to clean up the mess in the living room." Piper joked. When Lauren made to do as she asked, she stopped her. "I'm kidding! Why don't you take Wyatt upstairs and get him ready for bed."

Lauren reversed her direction and gently took Wyatt from his mother and did as she was bided. "Maybe this whole nanny thing will work out after all." Piper observed as she watched the other women head up the stairway.

Lauren was exhausted when she arrived at her tiny apartment. It had been two weeks since her first demon attack, but everyone at the manor was on edge waiting for the next one. Leo had noticed how tired she looked and asked if she wanted him to drive her home. As much as she would have enjoyed spending more time with him, she was already emotionally drained and didn't think she could handle being alone with him, no matter how much she wanted to. Beside she'd just be a nervous wreck. She didn't have any experience dealing with the opposite sex. As she took off her jacket, she continued to think about him. It was strange. Most men, especially good looking ones, always made her feel uncomfortable. Leo was different. He always took the time to ask how she was doing. His gentle way, making her feel like she could talk to him about anything. As a father, he was the best. She wondered if Piper realized how lucky she was. Lauren didn't think she did, otherwise Piper wouldn't be so quick to put Leo down. At least that's how Lauren saw it. For his part, Leo never seemed to take to heart his wife's harsh comments. Proving again how special he was. Getting ready for bed, Lauren lay her head on her pillow, a dreamy smile on her lips as Leo's image floated across her mind.

The dream started just as it always had. She was standing up on a rooftop at night. There was soft music playing quietly in the background. Wearing a black silk dress, it's hem falling just above her knees. Her hair was swept up in an artful array of curls, showing off creamy shoulders. A figure stepped out of the shadows and came toward her. He wore a black tux, the bright white shirt contrasting with the slight tan of his face.

"You look beautiful." He whispers tenderly and offers his hand. Placing her fingers within, he drew her closer. With his other hand, he uses one finger to tilt her face to his, allowing her to gaze into his sparkling green eyes.

She calls out his name gently as he slowly lowers his lips to hers. "Leo."

Lauren woke up with a start, her breathing coming in short pants. Sitting up, she flips on a light, and looks around to make sure it was only a dream. The images still fresh in her mind, she tries to get her racing heart under control. This was the fourth night in a row she had had the same dream. With each night, the dream became more vivid. She was starting to feel uncomfortable around Leo during the day with the remnants of her nightly dreams lingering in her head. It didn't take a shrink to figure out why she was having this recurring dream. She had fallen in love with Leo.

She didn't know when it had happened, but she wasn't surprised. He was so wonderful to her, making her feel welcome in the manor. Phoebe and Paige had as well, but he was different. He was always making the time to ask how she was doing, if she was adapting to life in the manor all right. There were the occasional evenings when he wasn't off somewhere or at the club with Piper. Those nights, he would help her get the manor in order before she left. It was these times she had come to cherish. Being so easy to talk to, she found herself telling things about herself she would never consider telling anyone else. She spoke of her childhood, as boring as it was, but he seemed genuinely interested in what she was saying and asked questions. He made her feel special and important and it was something she had never experienced before. When it was time for her to go, he would toss her one of his gentle smiles and tell her to be careful driving home. He was perfect she told herself and oh how she wished he could be hers.

A whirl of dark clouds swirled outside of Lauren's bedroom door. The man in the dark suit materialized with a small grin spreading across his thin lips. Having witnessed the content of the girl's dream, a plan began to formulate. Being the Demon of Unfulfilled Dreams had many advantages, which he planned to use to its fullest. He had already known Lauren's unfulfilled dream was when he first made contact. She wanted a husband and family. Hoping it would prove to be useful. So far he had not been disappointed. After witnessing her recurring dream, he now had a direction in which to lead her. A few well placed thoughts inserted into the dream and his plan would be set in motion. A motion which would end with the destruction of the Charmed Ones and his elevated station in the underworld.

Lauren walked in the front door without knocking. After three months of working for the Halliwell's, they told her she no longer needed to knock and to just come in, since the door was always unlocked. There was no need to lock it, since something would just come through and break in down anyway. Leo said it saved him from repairing in constantly.

As she walked through the foyer, Piper came rushing down the stairs. "Hi Lauren thanks for coming earlier today. I'm so late for an appointment. Wyatt's upstairs with Leo." Making her way to the door, she called back as an afterthought. "Hey, I left some laundry upstairs in the hallway."

"I'll take care of it." Lauren finished the request.

"Great and thanks again, see you later." And out the door she flew. Going to the closet, Lauren hung up her coat, and headed up the stairs to get the laundry Piper had mentioned. The basket was sitting just outside of the master bedroom. Picking it up, her eyes glanced at the slightly opened door of the room. An image reflecting in a mirror caught her attention. Without thinking, she quietly pushed the door open further to get a view of the standing oval mirror. Catching her breath she stared at the figure reflecting back at her. It was Leo as he stood in the bathroom, a large white towel hung low on his hips. Lauren got a clear view of his broad back, still glistening with moisture, proof of his recent shower. The muscles in his back rippled slightly as he shaved his face with sure strokes.

Mesmerized, Lauren couldn't tear her gazer away from the image. The room began to darken. With soft feet, she opened the door and made her way to him. Her hands raised, she placed them on the small of his bare back. Slowly she moved them upward, letting her fingers explore the hot skin beneath. When she got to his shoulders, he turned smiling. Gathering her in his arms, he pressed her closer, his lips hovering over hers. In a moment she would feel their warmth on her own.

The sound of a toy being tossed onto the hardwood floor scattered the image of her daydream. Realizing what she had been doing, she turned from the door and leaned heavily against the hallway wall. Breathing rapidly, she closed her eyes, willing her rioting emotions away. What on earth was she doing? What if he had caught her looking in? She yelled at herself.

Then she heard his voice. "Hey buddy, what's with tossing stuff." It was enough to get her moving. Grabbing the basket, she hurried down the stairs.

The police station was a chaotic mix of uniformed officers, undercover detectives and the criminals in their custody. This was not an unusual occurrence, however scanning the whole picture, Detective Daryl Morris knew this was worse than normal. The city was in the middle of an upsurge of criminal activity. Murders, rapes, armed robbery. You name it, it was on the rise. Daryl had a real bad feeling that this was more than a random wave of violence. His gut feeling told him there was something more at work here. Something supernatural and he knew just where to go to find the answers. Grabbing his dark suit jacket, he pushed his arms into it and left the station, heading for the Halliwell Manor.

He arrived a short time later, pulling up in front of the large house. He hadn't thought to call ahead and hoped one of the girls would be home. Ringing the bell, he waited and was relieved when the door opened to reveal Paige.

"Hey Daryl. Nice surprise."

Striding past her, he said, "Sorry, not a social call Paige."

Noting his obvious agitated state, she replied, "Oookaay. Want to tell me what's up?"

Standing in the middle of the conservatory, he turned to face her. "No, I was hoping that was what you could tell me."

She shook her head in confusion. "Sorry, not understanding."

"It's demonic isn't it? Has to be. So what is this one? Demon of Chaos, or is it violence or no wait maybe it's the demon of not giving a cop a break."

"Okay, Daryl, you're rambling."

Hearing voices, Phoebe came down the stairs to investigate. Seeing Daryl, she smiled as she joined them. "Hi Daryl, nice surprise."

Leaning over, her sister whispered, "Oh, don't go there."

With that comment in mind, Phoebe noticed the man's anxious stance. "What? What did I say?"

"It seems our demon activity has spilled over to the common man." Paige filled in.

"Ahhh."

"That's it! That's all you have to say?" Questioned the frustrated detective.

"Well, the general opinion is that evil is throwing a "Who wants to rule the underworld" party and we're the main course."

Daryl threw Paige a look, clearly showing he did not appreciate her humor. Phoebe stepped in. "Honestly Daryl, were not really sure, but it appears there is another power struggle going on in the underworld."

"Factions trying to become the new Source." Daryl finished for her tiredly.

"Yes. We're working on it, but it's the best we can tell you for now."

"Well, it looks like another night I won't be enjoying Shelia's cooking."

Paige put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll solve this Daryl, you know we will."

Making his way toward the door, he replied, "Yeah I know. I just hope it's before I end up in divorce court."

The girls knew he was kidding. Daryl's wife Shelia loved him very much and understood the job, however they did sympathize with him.

"We'll call if we learn more."

"Thanks Phoebe. See you guys later."

Watching him leave, Phoebe turned to her sister. "I'm going to check in on Wyatt and then I think we should take another look at the Book of Shadows."