by J. B. Tilton email: K+ (for mild language)
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors note: This story takes place between season 2 episodes "Be Careful What You Witch For" and season 3 premier episode "Honeymoon's Over".)
Phoebe helps a man who's being pursued by demons that not even the Elders can identify.
ONE
Phoebe hurried through the mall heading for the exit. She had been gone much longer than she had originally planned. If she had known the mall was having a big anniversary bash she would have waited to come here shopping. Hundreds of people hurried through the mall looking for the many bargains that were being offered.
As she exited the building she sighed a sigh of relief. She loved shopping but this was worse than the Christmas rush. People pushing and shoving, the stores running out of items, many inconsiderate and down right rude people concerned with nothing more than getting what they had come for. She was finally glad to be out of there. The things on her list could wait a few days.
As she approached the car, she was glad she had parked on the outskirts of the parking lot. She had seen a couple of fender benders walking through the parking lot. Being on the outskirts meant she could probably get out of the parking lot without risking one herself. Prue would never forgive her if she scratched her car.
Phoebe put the key in the lock and turned it. She glanced in the back seat to make sure it was still empty. Living in New York City had taught her a thing or two about surviving on the street. Most people were worried about being followed to their car. Very few actually checked to make sure no one was already in the car hiding in the back seat. She had seen more than one news report that women had been abducted because someone was already in the car when they got in.
As she opened the door she glanced around. Another of her survival habits. If there was anyone loitering about nearby, she wanted to be sure she was aware of them. She wasn't very worried at the moment. Most people didn't vanish in broad daylight. Still, it never hurt to be careful.
Other than a few people who seemed to be hurriedly heading for their own cars she saw only one other man. He was standing in the next lane looking around. Apparently he had lost his car in the sea of vehicles in the parking lot. Not too surprising considering the lot was very nearly full.
The man was about Pipers' age. He wore a suit and tie and Phoebe thought he looked like a lawyer. His hair was a reddish color but unlike most people Phoebe had seen with red hair, this man had a dark complexion. As she watched him he simply scanned the parking lot as if he was looking for something.
"Misplace your car?" Phoebe asked.
"I beg your pardon?" asked the man with just the slightest hint of an English accent.
"Did you misplace your car?" Phoebe asked again. "It's pretty easy on a day like this."
"Oh, no, not at all," said the man smiling. "I was simply looking. It is amazing how you get so many vehicles into such a limited space."
"Well, it is a parking lot," Phoebe said. "Are you from England? I notice you have an accent."
"Oh, no, I'm not from England," the man said. "Actually, I'm quite sure you've never heard of my home. It's not well known here."
"I see," Phoebe said. "So, if you didn't misplace your car, what are you doing? Just admiring the view?"
"Yes, something like that," said the man. "I only arrived in your community. I find everything quite fascinating. I was wondering. Could you possibly suggest a local food establishment? I'm just dying to sample the delicacies your culture has to offer. It's one of my reasons for coming here."
"Well," Phoebe said after a moment, "I guess it depends on what you like. Italian, Chinese, Mexican; what kind of food do you enjoy?"
"I'm not quite sure," said the man. "I'm afraid I've not tried any of those. What would you suggest?"
"Chinese is always good," Phoebe said. "There's a Chinese restaurant about two blocks from here. Just head east on..."
Phoebes' voice trailed off as a movement behind the man caught her eye. About four lanes over two men simply materialized in the parking lot. Only they weren't men. They were obviously demons. They stood about six feet tall and were a uniform gray color. Their ears were pointed and their eyes didn't seem to have any pupils. Strangely, they seemed to be dressed in some type of uniforms.
One of them raised what looked like a small sphere in its hand and pointed it at the man Phoebe was talking with. After a moment, it turned to the other demon and said something, pointing at the man. The two demons then began to make their way towards the man.
"Oh boy," Phoebe said, heading over to the man.
He had noticed her looking behind him and turned to see what she was looking at. When he saw the two demons standing there he turned back to her.
"Are they friends of yours?" he asked.
"No, definitely not friends," Phoebe said, grabbing the man by the arm. "Come on. We have to get you out of here."
"I don't understand," said the man as Phoebe opened the passenger door and started pushing the man inside.
"No time for explanations," Phoebe said. "Just get in the car. First we get you out of here. Then there will be time for explanations."
"Well, if you insist," said the man.
He began to climb into the car as Phoebe headed around to the drivers side. The two demons were closing on them fast. Already they were only two lanes away. Phoebe quickly got into the car and started it up. Just as the two demons reached the car, she backed out of the space and turned the car, gunning it away from the demons.
She narrowly missed another car just as it was backing out of its place. Fortunately the traffic light out of the mall was green. As she turned onto the street she glanced in her rearview mirror. The two demons stood in the empty parking space. One of them was again holding up the spherical object. Phoebe continued to drive away from the mall, heading for the manor and her two sisters.