"You're a witch?" Piper finally asked when they had all sat down in the living room.
"Yes," said Darren.
"Then how do you explain this?" Chris asked, holding up the athame again.
"Taken off my victims," Darren said. "Many of the demons and warlocks I've vanquished had weapons. I keep them so someone else can't use them. It also explains why I figure so prominently in those murders and disappearances. They weren't murders. They were vanquishings."
"They were all warlocks or demons," Paige said. "That's what they have in common. No wonder the police can't find a common element to the crimes."
"I can't very well tell them I'm vanquishing demons," Darren said.
"So the other night in the restaurant," Piper began.
"We've been tracking a demon for the past couple of weeks," Keith said. "I finally figured out where it was going to strike next and Darren had to get there right away to stop it. If he hadn't, an innocent would have died."
"I knew the Charmed Ones existed," Darren said. "But I never knew your names. But Keith did tell me that an Elder had married one of his charges. One of the Charmed Ones. And they had a son. There's only one child I know of that has the ability to orb. The son of an Elder. When I saw Wyatt orbing his eyes I knew that was the only explanation."
"So what was so funny?" Phoebe asked. "You both almost became hysterical."
"It's because you're witches," Keith said. "Darren and I have talked about it. He wanted to find a nice, mortal woman. He didn't want to become involved with a witch. He wanted to keep his personal life and his witch life separate."
Suddenly Piper began to laugh.
"Oh, now that is funny," she said. "I was doing the same thing. After Leo and I broke up, I decided I wanted a normal life. Well, as normal as possible. I was looking to date only normal, human men. No one with any kinds of powers. If I had known you were a witch I would never have accepted your invitation to dinner."
"If I had known you were a witch," said Darren, "and a Charmed One to boot, I would never have asked you out. It's ironic. Both of us are looking for the same thing and both of us finding exactly the opposite."
"Leo, I'm sorry," said Keith. "I never imagined Piper was your ex-wife. If I had known..."
"It's okay, Keith," Leo said. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know. I may not be happy with the situation but I do have to learn to live with it."
"Under the circumstances," Darren said, "I guess the carriage ride is out of the question."
"Oh, I don't know," said Piper. "A carriage ride with a friend sounds kind of nice."
"Great," said Darren. "It will give us a chance to really talk for a change. Without any of the secrets we've been keeping."
"Now that sounds like a really good idea," Piper said. "That is, if I can find a babysitter."
"No problem," Paige said. "Phoebe loves to baby sit. I think I'm going to pop over and see Richard for a while."
"Oh no you don't, sister," said Phoebe. "It's your turn to sit with Wyatt and give me a break for a change."
"I'll tell you what," said Leo, taking Wyatt. "Why don't I baby sit? That way all three of you can relax for a while and it will give me a chance to bond with my son."
"Great idea," Piper said.
"Great," said Darren. "Maybe later I can get a chance to take at look at this Book of Shadows Keith has told me so much about."
"I think that can be arranged," Piper said. "Give me a few minutes to change and I'll be ready to go. Oh, Paige. Make sure you fill Darryl in on what's happened. I'm sure he'll be glad to know that Darren is no demon."
"Sure thing, sis," Paige said.
Piper went to her room to change. Phoebe also went to her room to change. Paige orbed out of the manor heading for Richards' house. This left only Leo, holding Wyatt, Chris, Darren, and Keith in the living room.
"Well," said Chris. "There's still a demon I need to find."
Chris suddenly orbed out of the manor.
"Come on, Keith," Leo said. "Let's take Wyatt up there so I can show him off some more. In the mean time we can make sure that all the Whitelighters know who the Charmed Ones are so this never happens again."
"Good idea," said Keith.
They orbed out of the living room leaving Darren on the sofa waiting for Piper.
The End
If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed" stories at my website, You can also post your own "Charmed" stories if you like to write fan fiction.
I also want to announce the release of my very first published book. It's called "Outlander" and you can learn about it at the publishers website located at Publish America.
