CHAPTER 18:

2003, at the Halliwell manor.

Chris smiled at Joey's dry comment. "I know what you mean. I hate flying and I am so glad I don't have to get in an airplane to get somewhere." He let go of her hand and knew he had to change the subject. "So do you wanna sit down or so? Because we have a lot to talk about. And I have a few questions so we can help you."

"I guess", Joey said as she shrugged. She walked after Chris into the living room and took a seat on the couch. She sat at the point of it and watched the sisters come in. "So how about a little get-to-know-each other round here?", Paige suggested who saw how uncomfortable Joey was looking at all of them except for Chris.

Chris looked at Joey and nodded "Okay", but he thought it might not be the best idea to let the girls speak. 'She ran away from us yesterday when we told her who we were so maybe just names would do for now. On the other hand she did tell us 'someone' explained everything to her and she didn't seem afraid when we were fighting her kidnapper. Okay names and little information on the magical part', Chris decided.

"This is Paige", he said taking charge. He started with her because she stood the closest by. "Hi", Paige said trying to give Joey a reassuring smile. "Phoebe", Chris went on as Phoebe smiley at Joey "and Piper", he ended. "Wow your parents loved the letter P didn't they?", Joey joked. "I mean I guess you are all sisters or so?"

"Yes we are", Piper said as she walked to Joey and sat down besides her. "Now don't get scared all over again, like yesterday, but shall we tell you a little bit about who we are?" "Sure", Joey answered. "I already told Chris I was sorry for what happened yesterday, I am not afraid anymore. Honest."

"Really?", Piper said surprised looking at Chris. He looked back and shrugged. "Alright then so you know about the magical world and how there are demons who are just the most sickest sons of… I mean demons who are bad guys, really bad guys?" "Yeah I do", Joey answered. "Alright, well see us as the exact opposite then. We fight those demons to save innocent people."

She looked at Joey before she went on, she had to know if the girl wasn't spooked. "Not every witch does that, but well we are a bit different. People call use the Charmed ones, because we have a very special power. This is the power of three and when we three as sisters fight the bad guys we are more powerful than when we attack separately. Somehow our powers are doubled or so then, I don't know exactly how it works. Anyway what I just wanted to say is we killed, I mean vanquished, so many demons before and we can do this. We will make sure you're gonna be save."

After Piper had finished an awkward moment of silence followed. "Okay then", Joey finally said as she looked up to Chris. "You were gonna tell me something and you had a few questions." "Yes, yes you're right", Chris said as he sat down opposite Joey. "If you don't understand something just say so and I'll try to explain alright?" Joey nodded.

"I have been tracking down those demons that attacked you yesterday, and one today, for about a week now. You were not the first they went after, kid. Before you they went after six other girls. All about your age and every time I got there I was too late. They already got to the girl and well they finished what they couldn't do to you yesterday."

He looked Joey in the eyes and went on. "I have no idea why they were after those girls. I think they are looking for someone and haven't find the right person yet. Maybe you are that person they were looking for, although I doubt that, because you aren't…" he looked away from her to Piper and she nodded to him, to reassure him he was doing the right thing.

"Anyway", he said "I need to find out why they kill these girls so we can find them before they find the next girl. Or go after you again. So we can stop them before they do even more harm", Chris finished.

Joey shivered when Chris told her the demons killed all those girls and she could be next. She didn't understand what they want from her. Why they were after her in the first place. She now knew they were magical so maybe it had to do with that. 'No that doesn't make sense', she thought. 'I didn't use my powers before I met them, they could not have tracked me down that way.'

"Why do you think they weren't after me?", she suddenly asked Chris when she remembered him saying it could not have been her. "Well all the other girls were witches and you are not", Chris answered. "How do you know I am not?", Joey asked as she felt she was more insulted with that than she thought. She didn't knew she was a witch 24 hours ago but still she felt it was an important part of her.

"Ehm do I have to remind you about your response to us yesterday when we told you we are witches?", Chris asked. "When you are a witch you are born as one and you parents or at least one of them is a witch to. You would have responded otherwise yesterday." "Except if they", Chris started. "Of course, how could I be so stupid. Except if they have blocked your powers."

He looked to the sisters. "That would make sense, doesn't it? I mean the demons are obviously looking for a very powerful witch and it is very logical that her parents would have thought it might be better to let her get to know those powers at an older age."

"So", Chris said as he turned to Joey again "Maybe the last few things didn't make sense to you, but I think you are a witch to. All we have to do is find out if I am right and if so, what your powers are." "You mean powers like this?", Joey bragged as she waved her hand and lifted Chris with chair and all off the floor.