Chapter 2- Old Friends
The lights are dim in P3 where Leo and Chris are sitting talking to a man named James the same guy that just got done talking to Phoebe. There is a beer in front of James with Chris continuously reaching for one. "Come on you guys I'm old enough to drink I'm older than 21 come on." Chris complained. "Oh put a sock in it you aren't even born yet!" James laughed. "So that's your plan then? It's crazy and it will work… I can tell." Leo said smiling.
"Ok what are you and Chris doing down here." Paige's voice echoed down the stairs. "Nothing, nothing at all." Leo exclaimed. "Thanks for hanging with me it's been fun since I know you don't drink. Help out my cause tell them to give me a call when there ready." He orbs out to get on his way to go and talk to Angel's crew over at Wolfram and Hart. Right in the middle of the lobby there is a blue orb trail showing, James showed up in front of everyone. Guards rush to stop him from making his way inside but becomes all translucent and walks through the elevator door.. James takes the elevator up to the main office room and walks towards Angel's office. Harmony stood up and said, "Hey you cant go in there Angel is in a meeting." James looks at her and she opens her eyes wide and runs over to hug him. "James, James, James you're here what, how, why, oh no. What's going on?" "I need to talk to Angel is he really too busy?" James asked her sardonically "No, no he is in a insiders meeting you know him and his little group." "Alright good I think I'll crash the party. Is Spike in there?" Harmony seems to get a bit huffy at the mention of Spike but she recovers quickly. "Yeah that slayer loving bastard is in there." "Wow, these grapes are sour." He said before walking into the meeting. "We need to figure out how to relocate those priests without pissing off their shaman." Angel stated in his usual exasperated manor. "Hmm Hmm." James cleared his throat to get some attention. "So you guys seem a little busy right now maybe I should come back later." "Who are you the new liaison to the senior partners?" Gunn asked. "Hardly I'm, well hold on." He walked over to Angel's desk and presses the intercom button. "Harmony could you come in here please? I need to go I have to go and answer someone calling me. " "James, James! You listening?" Piper yelled. Then the orbs started to form and James was standing in front of her. "Is that the only way you get anywhere?" Piper asked sarcastically. "No I can shimmer, and blink, flame in and out translocate molecules and about a million other ways as well but this is the most non-threatening way and I do want you guys to trust me. Especially since your not going to like what my plan is." He said smiling. "And what might that be Mr. Mystery" Pheobe asked patronizingly.
"All I know is it has something to do with Angel you know the vampire with a soul and this other evil one named Spike." Phoebe said trying to see how this all adds up. "First of all you need to update the book because Spike is a good guy now he has a soul." "WHAT! William the Bloody is a good guy now when did that happen?" Paige yelled confused. "About a year ago, he was in love with Buffy, you know her of course but anyway she was done with him because he was evil so he did what he had to do to get it back." James explained looking at her analyzing her reaction. "Why do you care so much?" He asked. "What the all knowing all powerful having to ask a question? How bad that must feel." Paige said evasively. James looks at her with his eyebrows crunched
together analyzing for a moment. "Don't worry I cant read minds but thanks to your sister here I can read your emotions and you my little vixen are feeling embarrassed and, oh there it is a little hint of jelousy. You guys have a history don't you? This is the sort of thing I need to know about if I'm gonna have you working together… ok hold on I guess it's all right now. I need you to work together for a greater purpose. The First Evil is rallying a force and I need one of my own. We laid out so rules for the encounter and I need you guys to help." James took deep breath to signal the completion of his speech. Each of the Charmed ones were staring at him with a look of complete shock. "If that surprises you wait till you hear the lineup each side gets six champions, I have decided on you three Paige, Piper, and Phoebe then there are Angel and Spike. So moving on will you do it please? I'll make it worth your while…" James pleaded. "Who is the other person, James?" Phoebe asked exasperated. "Damn I didn't think you would catch on to that one, your not gonna like it mind you and I don't care you think he's a bad guy he isn't and if you had seen that earlier he wouldn't have gone so crazy. But it's, no wait you guys should all sit down. You three of all people should know him he has been changing a lot since you killed him he is becoming quite the hero in the spirit world." James stated smugly. The three girls looked at each other and then back to James already knowing what he would say. "Phoebe are you alright is this going to be too much I mean you and Jason just broke up there could be team problems. I can't believe I just referred to us as a team and we haven't even accepted yet." Paige said standing next to Phoebe concerned." All right look I need you guys to give me an answer because we still have to go to L.A. and talk to Angel. So chop-chop come on. And don't forget I am going to make it worth your while too I will grant each of you a favor anything in my power and pretty much anything is in my power. So you guys want to do it?" "I'll do it." Phoebe said authoritatively. "What are you insane he is bringing Cole back from the dead how can you trust somone like that." Piper screamed. As soon as she finished her sentence James decided to get some outside help in convincing her so he reached out with his mind, Leo, Leo I know you said you didn't want to get involved in their lives since it's too hard for you to be around Piper but tell you what I will grant you a favor. Just help me convince her. Tell her who I am... He then felt a presence answering back. Ok I'll do it. As soon as the words entered his mind he saw Leo's orb. "Leo what are you doing here?" Piper asked quietly. While they were exchanging pleasantries James and Phoebe exchanged a look that said, "You can feel it too?" There heat is still there. James said to Phoebe telepathically. They did have sex so it is possible that there feeling it again... Phoebes voice said sarcastically. So Leo what brings you here on such short notice." Piper said looking him in the eyes. "My boss needed help." He said looking at James for a half a second. "He is the one that made me an elder." Leo revealed to her. "Oh, really? You did that." Piper said with her eyebrows raised. "Duck." Phoebe and Paige said simultaneously. As soon as they said the word James had a fist in his face. "Hey, she hit me ow that hurt sheesh." He said holding his bleeding nose. "Told you to duck." Phoebe said. "Anyway Leo can you finish the story so they will trust me." James said still holding his nose. "I've been corporeal too long my power is draining I need to go refill I'll be back tomorrow for your answer and to either find a new threesome or take you to L.A. for the raising."