I am grateful to all who reviewed my story, and I am looking forward to a lot more chapters myself. Keep the reviews coming! Thank you. Kalendral
Chapter 8: Gathering
"I never thought that I would get to meet the real Charmed Ones." Willow said to Buffy on their way to Wolfram & Hart. Fred was driving her silver Chevy Tahoe with Willow and Buffy taking up the back seat. "Amy had told me about them and said how powerful they were. Tell me what their like Buffy." Willow demanded of her best friend.
"Well, let's see. Piper is the leader being the older sister, I know how that's like. Phoebe is the middle sister, a lot of spunk in that one. Paige, the baby, is the trouble-maker from what I can tell. She can't seem to keep her mouth shut."
"I don't know Buffy, they all seemed really nice to me." Fred said as they pulled into the parking lot.
"You didn't have it out with Phoebe. She is strong that one. She must have done some training of sorts to be that strong." Buffy rubbed her calf where Phoebe swiped at her legs.
"Let's hope we don't have to fight them again. I kind of liked them." Fred smiled at them through the rear view mirror.
"I'm just so anxious to meet them." Willow said giddily. Fred and Buffy just smiled at her.
"Are we really going to see them again Piper?" Phoebe said. The three of them were sitting around the counter, Paige at the pot mixing some herbs.
"I don't see why not. And if anything happens, Paige is mixing up a potion to vanquish the vampire."
"But what about that demon?" Phoebe said.
"I can just blast him if he tries anything. I can even freeze the whole lot of them if anything goes wrong. You know that." Piper sounded exasperated by Phoebe incessant ifs and buts.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you guys."
"I know. Ready?" Piper looked at Paige.
"Lets go."
Angel glanced up as the three girls walked into his office.
"Willow it's good to see you."
"Hi Angel." Willow waved to him. Just then Gunn walked in talking to Wesley.
" . . whitelighter or something like that. It's supposed to be their protector or healer. At the moment they really don't have one. Although the eldest is married to one."
"I really don't think that has any relevance Wes."
"It's a sort of angel Gunn, a guardian angel."
"And . . ?" Gunn gestured for Wes to continue.
"Guys, what's going on?" Angel asked when they stopped arguing.
"Wes found something out about the witches."
"And?" Angel looked at Wes.
Wesley cleared his throat. "They are called Whitelighters. Guardian angels of some sort."
"What are they?"
"I don't really know." Wes finished lamely.
Piper stopped the car in front of the large building. Just as they were stepping out Leo orbed in front of them.
"Leo . . what?" Piper said to her husband.
"I'm coming with you. You could use my help."
"We are not going into battle Leo. We are going to talk."
"Like you did last time?"
"If you want to come, be my guest. But stay out of the way. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Don't worry about me Piper." Leo stepped in behind them as they made their way up the steps.
As they stepped into the building Piper saw a figure out of the corner of her eye. The same man she saw earlier when she was with Leo. But when she turned her head to look at him he had disappeared. She shook her head and kept walking.
Angel looked up as Spike appeared in front of him. "They're here." Was all he said.
"Who?" Angel asked.
"Those witches." Spike looked disgusted. "The Charmed Ones. That ring a bell?"
"Oh, right. I wish I really knew why they have come." Angel started putting papers away. He looked back at Spike and scowled. He really didn't know why he put up with him being around. Although it's not like he had a choice. It's a good thing that the sisters haven't seen him yet. I really don't know what they'd think about a vampire ghost. "Can you haunt somewhere else Spike. I'm very busy."
"Well, don't get your knickers in a bunch. I was only trying to help. It's obvious you don't want any though."
"Good, now leave so I can get back to work. This place doesn't run by itself you know."
"I thought it did." Angel glanced up at Spike glaring. "What?"
At that moment Gunn walked into the office. "Angel, they're here."
Angel glanced up at Gunn and set the papers down. "Let's get this over with."
As he walked out of the office he saw Spike disappear again. Good One less thing to explain.
End of Chapter eight
