Unfortunately my Internet connection has been… umm… non-existent, actually… so I couldn't upload it. And there was a whole issue with the toasters and floopy disks… ugh, nevermind!
On a brighter note - remember when I said I have no idea where the hell I'm going? Well, I do now! Yay!
So, yeah… read and don't forget to review! Cause I can't write if a lot of people don't puff my ego constantly! (Yes, I do realize how pompous I sound…)
Big thanks and huggles to those of you who do review! Thanks, guys :)))
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Piper watched the white brilliance dissipate and when it was completely gone, she squeezed her eyes shot. Her shields were starting to fade slowly and soon she won't be able to deny anything anymore. Soon, she will be forced to admit to herself the truth - she was defenseless against him.
She grimaced and kicked a rock, morbidly watching the dune creature as he caught it with his teeth and sank below the sand. Stupid worm… She snarled in disgusts and strutted to the other side of the boulder, gripping her fingers on her hips. This cannot be happening!
"What the hell is wrong with me?" she murmured to herself. Why is this happening? What the hell is happening?
She had been in he Wasteland for three days now, but since there was no day or night in here, she couldn't be sure. She was stripped of her own powers and with no way to escape. The Source didn't seem in any hurry to get her out of here and she had this nagging thought at the back of her mind that it was better this way. Source wasn't a fool and didn't like to be considered as one, so Piper was starting to doubt the fact that She knew nothing of her child or her plans.
And after three days of nothing to do but to think, she had plans! Of course everything was still unclear and resembled wistful thinking more than Piper's dare to admit, but it was something. Piper's mind was set on leaving, as she wished so many times before when she thought about her daughter. She reluctantly realized that she was extremely weary of this redundant battle of good versus evil. With some strange sensation in her chest, she realized the battle was no longer hers and that she couldn't care less about it. She was sick and tired of the Source and the Elders and wanted to get herself as far away from everything as she could.
But the main reason for her change of hearts was that she didn't want her daughter to grow up in the middle of it. And as it seemed to her, her child would be forced to stand right in the middle - cursed with a demonic and a whitelighter side in her as well. She couldn't imagine the horror and confusion she would have to overcome just to decide on the side. And both of the sides would fight over her as well - the Source would wish to reign the child's mind; and the Elders would want to rid the world of such "mistake".
Piper growled and placed a protective hand on top of her stomach. Just let them try… I'll skin their shiny asses alive!
But despite all her will and desire, she didn't know if it was possible to vanish from everyone's sight. She'll have to travel a lot, keep moving all the time - perhaps even between dimensions, Oh crap… - and the girl most definitely won't have a normal life. Plus, it was impossible to escape the Source, move through dimensions and protect the child without her powers. She was an easy target, even if she did succeed in escaping the Wasteland, which was a whole issue on its' own.
Though everything was possible in theory, Piper knew she would need help. And to speak more specifically, she would need the help of Saeela, who was a very powerful Mongolian healer demon and an ancient personal friend, If such thing exists in the Underworld. The problem was that Saeela lived somewhere in the northern Mongolian mountains. I could shimmer there easily, but alas, it is not an option. And it would be a wee bit difficult to get there by foot…
Suddenly, as if on cue, Piper was engulfed in bright white spheres and carried out of the accursed lands and into the depths of northern Mongolian mountains.
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Her stomached tautened even more and Piper stopped smiling, stroking her stomach soothingly, "It's okay…". She took a step further and walked deeper into the damp cave, her ears and eyes perked up for any strange sounds or sights. Behind her, outside of the den, the rimy winds howled pitifully as if containing the souls of wanderers, mocking her about her choice of confidants. Ignoring the jeering voices, Piper walked further in, settling her both hands on her stomach for protection.
Finally seeing the light of the torches, Piper slowed her pace, paying even more attention to the sounds near her. Stepping into the light, she rounded herself in search of the demonic healer. "Saeela! Come out… I know you here, I can smell you!"
"Well, well…" a sudden husky voice, laced with thick Mongolian accent resounded from behind Piper. "You should be the one speaking about smells. You reek Wasteland… had the almighty Bellatrix crossed the Source?"
Piper smirked at the sound of the familiar voice and turned around, facing the beautiful demon. Saeela was tall and lean. Long black waves framed her perfectly sculptured face - red luscious lips, small nose and a pair of almond-shaped eyes. She was ruthless and compassionate all at the same time. She was wise and spiteful. She possessed angelic beauty, but her heart was blacker than coal. Piper smiled to herself, comprehending that Saeela was perfect.
"I think I did…" Piper replied absently. "And now I need your help…"
Saeela smiled at her kindly, almost immediately flicking her palm at her and sending couple of high voltage energy balls. The simmering spheres hurried towards Piper, threatening to burn her to the ground, but she dodged them easily. Glancing at Saeela, she saw a small satisfied smirk grace her full lips. "You reek of powerlessness too…"
Piper narrowed her eyes at the demon, shifting into her demonic self. "Not as powerless as one may sense," she growled through gritted teeth.
Saeela's smirk widened into a smile. "Don't I know it…" she said, motioning Piper to lower her guard and take a sit.
Piper changed back and, shaking her head, sat near the fire. She wanted to place her hands on her stomach, but couldn't do it, so instead she rubbed them together and held them to the dancing flames. She watched Saeela wordlessly as she occupied herself with some metal mugs, herbs and hot water. When Saeela finally sat down beside her, Piper took a hold of the offered mug and held it with both her hands, perching her elbows on the knees and leaning forward. "What is it this time?" asked Piper, eyeing the steaming liquid suspiciously. Saeela had a tendency to offer elixirs to her visitors, she deemed they needed.
"Liquid honey with jasmine essence, darling." Saeela replied evenly, taking a sip of her own mug. "Keeps the baby strong and calm…"
Piper froze in her place, eyes locked on the fire and mouth gapped. Allowing her gaze to slip over Saeela's expression, she was surprised to notice an amused air about her.
"You also reek of your whitelighter…" added Saeela with a small smile. "But this - I approve…"
Piper's features remain aloof as she sipped her drink, but she couldn't help but to smile inwardly. She sat silently, staring into the fire, absently wondering whether she could get control over the child's powers. Suddenly noticing that Saeela had finished her drink and placed the mug onto the floor, Piper took a swig of her own drink and placed it down as well - Saeela didn't let her guests dwell on their thoughts too much.
"What do you want?" Saeela asked plainly. She was brisk and upfront and rarely spent valuable time dilly-dallying.
"To get out," Piper replied evenly and just as plainly.
This caused her friend to cock a brow. "The great Bellatrix wants… out?" she echoed Piper reply, not expecting a conformation. "And the whitelighter?"
Piper tensed up again and absently ran a thumb over her lower lip, feeling the tingling sensation invading her body. Is it possible? Would he leave everything for - shut up! I don't want to hear this crap ever again! "It's non of his business," she replied finally, noting Saeela's amused smirk.
Saeela stood up and walked away, disappearing into the shadows and returning a while later, carrying a bag made of deerskin. "What do you want from me?" she asked, sitting down, as if to confirm something.
"I want to disappear from everyone's radar. I don't want the Source nor the… Elders to be able to find me," Piper said almost evenly, eyeing Saeela as she nodded at her words, as if it was exactly what she thought she'd hear.
Saeela opened the bag and started rampaging through its' content. "Unfortunately I can't help you," she suddenly deadpanned.
Piper almost choked at the nonchalance of her friend's voice. "What?"
Saeela lifted her head to face Piper's expression of utter horror mixed with total surprise. "You think I possess the power to make demons disappear from the Source's… um… radar? Darling, I am a mere healer!" she exclaimed, dismissing Piper's reaction with a wave of her hand.
"But…" Piper stopped, abruptly coming to her senses, closing her dropped mouth and narrowing her gawking eyes. She would not stutter in such pathetic way. "Fine…" she said indifferently and stood up, heading for the door.
"Where are you going? I thought you wanted my help," Saeela said suddenly, making Piper heave a sharp intake of air.
Piper turned back, eyeing the healer. She suddenly remembered this behavior of Saeela and sat down again. "How can you help me?" she asked, squeezing her eyes shot and rubbing her nose bridge.
Saeela smirked again and returned to rampage the bag. "I don't have that kind of power, but I do know who does," she said, silencing and digging deeper into the bag, letting the meaningful sentence hang in the air.
Piper waited for a while, recalling this manner as well, but when Saeela didn't seem to remember she had ever spoken, Piper growled in frustration. "Saeela!"
"What?" her voice lingered tauntingly. "Oh yes… well, you won't like it…"
"I don't care! Just tell me, damn it!"
Seeing as Piper was about to explode, Saeela placed the bag onto the floor and looked at Piper intently. "The only one that posses such power, is… well, are… the Charmed Ones…"
Piper jutted her lower jaw. "This was so predictable…" she murmured in defeat, nursing her head in her hands.
"I know… but I did try to build the tension… did you feel it? The tension, that is," Saeela quipped.
"Yes, Saeela… it was nerve-raking…" Piper replied, her voice muffled by her hands. "Now what am I suppose to do?"
Saeela pondered for a moment, than turned to her. "Well, their whitelighter loves you, no? So use it!"
Piper's head snapped up at the mere mention of Leo's feelings for her. Her hands began to shake and she had to tuck them into the lapels of her coat, but unfortunately it was too late.
A knowing understanding wrapped Saeela's features as she smiled cunningly. "You love him too…"
Piper felt her breath getting caught in the throat as the words reverberated through the little cave and into the dark depths of the mountain. It seemed they ricocheted around the world, booming with vast might and deafening Piper's aching ears. She clenched and unclenched her fist rhythmically, trying to calm her rapid heart. She opened her mouth to speak a protest, but Saeela motioned her to keep quiet.
"It's easier to deny what you feel when you don't have to prove yourself to anyone else… keep your explanations, I know what I need to know…"
Piper was about to protest in outrage again, but she caught herself before she started. She knew Saeela well enough to know that once an idea was planted into that pretty head of hers, it wouldn't leave. Besides, she was too tired to fight her. Let her think whatever she wants. "What do I do than?"
"What do you mean? I practically spelled it out for you… there is no other way, darling. Either you go to the Charmed Ones and their whitelighter, or you remain to serve the Source and fight a battle that is not your own…"
Saeela seemed to posses all the right words, but Piper wasn't going to rely on the Charmed Ones to save her. This is beyond preposterous! "No… I won't beg the witches for help. Cole would probably vanquish me the moment he sees me and Paige…" She hasn't thought about Paige. How could she be able to look her in the eyes? No, it is impossible…
"Well…" Saeela started in what seemed to be the most reasonable voice one may ever hear. "Then you might as well give your child to the Source now, because he will own it sooner or later…"
Piper narrowed her eyes at Saeela. Oh, she's good…
Though Piper hasn't said a word, her decision was clear to the healer. Saeela reached down to pick up the deerskin bag and opened it up again. "Alright, now… you are powerless, which isn't that good when you're escaping the Source and plan to visit the most powerful witches, who - by the way - want you dead…" she quipped good-naturedly. "In here you will find the best explosive and healing potions one can afford…"
Piper grabbed the offered bag and glanced in; indeed the bag was full of various vials and herbs. She nodded, appreciating Saeela's help and watched her wordlessly as she hurried away and returned again with a piece of cloth in her hand.
"As a result of what you want to do, you'd either die or live happily ever after…"
Piper couldn't help but to snort at that. How indescribably pathetic I am! My ancestors are doing cartwheels in their graves…
"Exactly," quipped Saeela at Piper's snort. "Nonetheless… either way, I will probably never see you again… so… I want you to have this," she gingerly reached out the cloth to Piper and waited patiently as she expected it. It was light-blue, square, and extremely soft fabric.
Piper fingered it silently, eyeing the embroidered emblem in the middle, of two interlocking full circles. "It's a baby blanket…" Piper stated the obvious.
Saeela smiled at her, nodding her head. "Yes, it is… it was mine once. See the symbol? It means the better of two worlds… you know - a healer and a demon. My mother made it… I would like your child to have it…"
Piper glanced at her friend and cocked an eyebrow. "This is unbearably sentimental…"
"Yes… so now I'll have to kill you," Saeela said with a smile, swiftly slinging a potion from her hand and hurling it straight at Piper's feet.
The last thing Piper remembers before the world turned black, was Saeela's voice, weaving its' way through the thick fog of potion fumes. "Trust no one…"
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Author's Notes: Err… does this consider to be a cliffhanger?
I like Saeela very much… .