Chapter 12

A/N: The two Charmed references in the last chapter were does drum roll : 1) "I never noticed how huge this book was," Fi commented. She could have sworn that it didn't have this many pages when she first started using it. But who knows, Fi thought, maybe it didn't. This alludes to the Book of Shadows, the Charmed Ones' magic book that expands as the witches need new information. I decided to make Fi's book work the same way.2) She was selling her apartment in New York and moving in with her three cousins, who live in San Francisco. Rachel's three cousins are, of course, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige – the Charmed Ones, who currently reside in San Francisco. I thought it would be fun (and appropriate) to make the Halliwells and Philips related.

Fiona (would you mind if I just shortened it? Lol): Yup, you got that one right! I'm impressed – I thought that was the harder one. As always, glad you liked and reviewed the chapter. However, I am surprised that you didn't mention the large section dedicated to Carey and Fi.

Also thanks to B Oots!

P.S.: There's probably going to be only one or two more chapters after this one (not including the Epilogue), so it's almost over! (Well, I'm happy about it – I've been on this story for almost a year)

Rachel Philips drove down the street, searching for her sister-in-law's house. The rental car ran smoothly, and the ride from the airport had been pleasant enough. But still, her mind had been deeply troubled the whole time. So much so that she had almost missed the exit.

The past few weeks had been spent thinking about nothing but Rick. And reliving the memories, like home videos in her mind, being played over and over. She had even watched actual home videos for hours at a time. It was like some invisible force was pushing her back into the past, when Rick was alive. Yet, no matter what she said, did, or thought, she couldn't for the life of her figure out why.

It bothered her, a lot, that she was thinking about him so much all of a sudden. She had managed to move on, which was surprisingly more than she could say for Molly. A part of her had died when Rick did. It was too painful, both emotionally and, strangely, physically. So she had decided that it would be best for her to…stick it in the back of her mind. In a way, it was a blessing that she hadn't been that close to Rick those last few years. Their "psychic" bond had weekend, and she would bet anything that his death would have hurt ten times as much if they had been more involved in each others' lives.

So why the hell am I thinking about him every waking moment? Rachel had asked herself this many times, and every time she couldn't think of a sufficient response. There were other questions too. Like, why now, after thirteen years of normalcy? I mean, I cried a river, I built the bridge, and I got over it.

Breathe, Rachel. It won't do you any good to show up at your nephew and niece's doorstep in a panic. Especially after what happened the last time you saw them. Even after a month and half, Rachel still couldn't figure out what happened. For what seemed like the millionth time, she thought back to that visit. It all started with the messages she was "channeling," written in her and Rick's "secret code."

Then, the night that Molly was supposed to be on television, Rachel had channeled another message, right there in the studio. Before she knew what was happening, she, Fiona, and Jack (who had tagged along) were taking a cab to some unknown building. Rachel and Jack had followed a frantic Fiona all the way to the roof. She stood there for at least a half hour, as if expecting something, while her aunt and brother kept her company, having no idea why they were there in the first place. Rachel had suggested they go back to the studio.

But somehow, just as she and Jack had left the roof, the door slammed shut, leaving Fiona trapped outside. Not knowing what else to do, Jack and Rachel ran down to the top floor and poked their heads out of a window and looked up. They were just in time to see Fiona flip over the side of the building. Rachel's heart had stopped when she saw it, and she was sure Jack's had too. They were relieved only when Fi was miraculously pulled back up. The two had run back up to the roof, only to find Fiona, alone, and crying. That was when Rachel had felt it. There might as well have been graffiti on the wall that read, "Rick was here." The feeling was incredibly strong; it was if he had been there two seconds ago. After being reassured by Fi that she was ok, they had headed back to the station.

That night had certainly been interesting. When they arrived at the show, it was ending. The three of them waved to Molly from backstage as she answered the last of the host's questions. That had been a mistake. It was obvious that she had wanted to bolt out of her seat and give them all a huge bear hug. Fortunately, she managed to wait until the taping was over to do just that. They had all been greatly confused – how could Molly know that Fi had been in danger? They decided not to tell Molly about what happened, since it would only worry her unnecessarily. Besides, it was apparent that she already knew.

Rachel shook her head as she parked in front of the Philips' house. That's weird…Fi had later mentioned that Molly's gig was in a neighboring state. If that was the case, wouldn't it have been easier for her to take her car, which was now neatly parked in the driveway? Another thing occurred to Rachel. If Molly did, in fact, have a gig, wouldn't everyone have come with her in the bus? Irene was her manager, Ned was head roadie, Carey was in the band, and well, she didn't think Molly would go anywhere without taking her kids. What was up with that?

Shrugging it off, Rachel turned the ignition off and sat there for a minute. Out of habit, she looked at herself in the mirror above the steering wheel. Everything was fine, on the outside, at least. Don't worry. Fi said she'll explain what's going on. Although, Rachel couldn't quite figure out how that was possible. How did Fi know why she was having these feelings? Nothing made sense. She sighed. You'll find out soon enough. After getting one of her suitcases out of the trunk and planning to come back for the others, Rachel started up the walk to the Philips' house.

Fi waved her hand up and down in front of her Aunt Rachel's blank, shocked face. "Hello, Earth to Aunt Rachel? Anybody in there?" Thinking a second, she asked, almost hopefully, "Bricriu?"

"Nah, I don't think she's possessed, Fi. Just really, really confused." Jack chuckled. A little while after Rachel had arrived, the seven of them had sat her down and explained every detail. It had been quite a few minutes since the story ended, but she still had the same look on her face. The others were beginning to get worried.

They were relieved when Rachel finally did snap out of it. "Wait, how can you expect me to believe this? For all I know, this could be some kind of…elaborate prank."

Fi rolled her eyes. She sounded like Jack. But then again, she was a lawyer. "Ok, let's skip the 'I swear we're not lying' and go straight to the magic show, please."

Jack laughed. "'Magic show'?"

"You know what I meant."

"Hold on." Rachel held up her hand. "You're serious?"

"Of course. Irene, care to do the honors?"

"Sure." Irene stood up from the couch, steadied herself, and concentrated. A ball of fire appeared in her hands. Suddenly, she realized she had no idea what do with it. Since it was getting bigger and bigger just by being in her hands, she had no other choice but to throw it. It narrowly missed Rachel's head and landed in the foyer.

Ned quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher that was kept by the fireplace and put out the flames. "You might want to be a little more careful next time, honey."

Irene nodded. "I'm sorry, guys. I guess I'm used to having someone, er, thing to throw it at. Ouch!" She whimpered as the sting from the burn began to make itself known in her hands. "Perhaps I should practice more…"

"It's ok, Irene. I'll get that for you." Fi put her hands over Irene's, and within a few seconds the older woman's hands were healed. Remembering that her aunt was still here, Fi smiled at her wryly. "Yeah, um, I think that should cover any doubts you might have."

During the entire scene, Rachel's eyes had been getting wider and wider. Now they were so big they looked like they were going to pop out of her skull. "Yeah, oh, wow. So, uh, let me get this straight. Fi, you, Irene, and Molly are witches. Rick returned from the grave to help you, but got uh, 'killed' by a really powerfully demon, who also happens to be after you guys, and has Molly in its clutches?" Rachel grabbed her coat off the couch. "Maybe I should go. I mean, you all really don't need company right now…"

Since he was closest, Carey moved to position himself between the living room and the front door, preventing Rachel's escape. "No, see, we need you."

Rachel stopped short in front of Carey. A small part of her was screaming, Run for your life! And what could they possibly need her for? She didn't have any powers, at least, as far as she knew. The only thing that made her special was her connection to Rick, and that had died as soon as he did. "Why?"

"You're Dad's twin," Fi stated. "If anyone can contact him, it's you."

Realizing she wasn't going anywhere soon, Rachel hung her coat back up and sat in the easy chair. "Look, everyone, I hate to disappoint you, but I don't think I'm going to be of much assistance. You see, in the decade before the accident, Rick and I grew apart. That bond we had…it's just not there anymore."

Fi protested, "But you sensed him last night. You said you had all of these feelings – what else could it be but Daddy?"

Rachel put her hand on Fi's shoulder. "I know you're trying to find any possible way to save Molly, but I'm not going to be able to help. At most I'll just be in the way."

Tears welled up in Fi's eyes as she shrugged off her aunt's hand. "Please, Aunt Rachel…you have to try…it's like you don't care…"

Rachel could feel everyone else glaring at her. She did care, she really did. In fact, Fi hurt her by saying that she didn't. But they needed to understand that she had no special connection with Rick. Sure, she had those "feelings" last night, but they could have easily been coincidences. She didn't mean to be so close-minded, however, who wouldn't be a little reluctant to get involved in something so…incredible? She hadn't even believed in ghosts or witches an hour ago. Then again, this is my family. I should at least give it a shot. Besides, nothing will probably happen anyway. "Alright, I'll help. But don't expect much."

Jack gave his aunt a hug while the rest gave her supportive smiles. "It's ok, Aunt Rachel. I went through the same thing you're going through right now when I found out. I think we all did. Well, except for Fi and Irene."

"Thanks, I think." Rachel sighed. "So, what do I have to do?"

"Well, see, that's the thing…we don't know, exactly," Carey said with an apologetic smile.

"You don't know?" Rachel reiterated. "What, did you think I would somehow be able to conjure my dead brother's ghost just like that?" She snapped her fingers for emphasis.

Clu shrugged, "Actually, yeah, kind of…"

Irene thought for a minute. "Hold on, Fi, go get your spell book. There might be something in there that we can use."

"Good idea. I think I saw a spell that would be perfect." Fi ran upstairs to her room, and minutes later came back down. She had the book open and, upon reaching the group, plopped it on the coffee table. "That's it." She pointed to a section of the page.

"It's a little short. Are you sure it will work?" Ned asked.

"No reason why it shouldn't," Irene answered. "Some of the most powerful spells are only one or two lines long."

"And you would know this how?"

Ignoring her husband, Irene looked at Rachel. "All you have to do is keep a picture of Rick in your mind while you read this spell."

"That easy, huh?" Rachel asked. "Ok. Here goes nothing." Noting that Fi had placed five candles in a circle on the floor on the other side of the table, she read the incantation a few times, and closed her eyes.

"Hear my voice, hear my cry,

spirit from the other side,

come to me, I summon thee,

cross now the great divide."

Every single person in that room held their breath in anticipation. They released their breath in disappointment when moments passed and nothing happened. As all were about to give it up, a bright multi-colored light flashed just above the circle of candles. The swirling ball shifted and soon formed the face and shoulders of Rick Phillips. Rachel gasped, "Oh my God." Sure, she knew this was what was supposed to occur, but the sight of her dead twin sent shivers up her spine.

"Daddy! You're alright!" Fi exclaimed, joy evident on her face. It quickly disappeared when she noticed that something was wrong. "Where's the rest of you? And why are you all…messed up?" She regretted not being able to find the right words, but she didn't know how else to explain the disrupted facade of her father. Static lines were running through the image, like those that would appear on a broken television set.

Rick sighed and attempted to look as serious as possible. "I don't have much time. The Protector couldn't 'kill' me entirely, so he's keeping me in a sort of prison cell for ghosts. There's no way you can get to me, so don't bother trying. I'm afraid the only way I'll be released is if you all conquer the Protector. By 'all', I also mean you, Rachel."

Rachel choked back tears and asked, "B-but I can't! I don't have any powers!"

"Yes you do!" Rick struggled to put an encouraging smile on his face. "You're a witch, just like Molly and Fi, only you haven't realized it yet. There's a spell in the book that activates dormant powers. Use it! You need to. Otherwise, the Protector might never be completely defeated."

"Yeah, while we're on the subject…" Irene started:"how do we do that? Our last encounter didn't go so well."

"All of his power is in his scepter. Destroy it, and you will destroy the Protector." Suddenly, Rick turned his head, as if distracted by something the others couldn't see. "I have to go. But I learned that the Protector has plans for world domination. If you don't stop him, everyone will suffer." Rick's transparent self twisted and turned, until finally it disappeared altogether.

A/N: I am sooooo sorry this update took so long. I'm in the process of writing two other stories, so I spent a lot of time getting those started. But I think I can work out a plan so I can work on all three stories at once. We'll see how that works out.

P.S.: There was one Charmed reference in here. What was it?