The New Counsel sat staring at each other. After David had related to them the events of the night, Bip's death and Paul's entrance into Darkwood, the Counsel had fallen into silence. They all realized the magnitude of the situation. Paul obviously had some power left and had no intention of backing down. Then there was Karma, and no one knew what kind of power she had hidden. Xander was also in question. Was it really safe to let him live amongst them? And what about Dakota's children? A heavy weight had fallen on them, and they had no solutions. David watched the member's faces. All looked disheartened, all looked defeated. But it was then that Dakota stood up.

"It's time to fight." Everyone, young and old, looked up. Dakota's entire countenance had changed. He was no longer the shriveled figure in the hospital bed on the verge of death. His face held a new strength, his voice a new power. Alex felt his mouth drop. This new unveiling reminded him of how David looked when he had taken on Paul. He felt a new respect for his friend.

Dakota continued. "We have been sitting back and letting him push us around for far too long. We are stronger than he is and the only way he can defeat us is if we roll over and let him."

"But Dakota," Alex said. "How can we fight him? We don't even know where he is. And even if we did, what could we do? Go in and kill him?"

Dakota shrugged, the young man Alex had always known fell back over him, like a light being dimmed. "That part I, haven't figured out yet – that was just a motivational speech."

The Counsel went silent again. Dakota had hit the problem right on the head. They all knew they had to fight, they just did not know how they were going to do it.

"Alex is right," David said. "We don't know where we stand. Paul was wounded but he can regain his power very quickly. And as much as I'd love to act now, I have no idea how we can." Silence fell again. The situation seemed hopeless, even after Dakota's little speech. They went over some of their options; asking Xander about where he was hiding was out of the question, even if he did not care which side won he still would be in favor of Paul, a full blown assault would not work because they did not know what they were up against. Just then the door opened and the most unlikely person entered the room. Charlie.

"Charlie, what in the name of all that is holy, are you doing out of bed?" David asked.

"I can help David," he replied simply.

The Counsel stared at him for a moment, not making the connection. Charlie had a lot of strength, but he was blind, and his only power was hearing. What could that do? As if to answer their unsaid question he explained.

"God made me blind, but he blessed me with hearing," he waited again, to see if they could make the connection. "OK, it's obviously very late at night. I can pick up all the conversation going on at his hideout, that way, we can figure out where he is hiding or at least stop his plans before he can start them."

David shook his head. "It's too dangerous Charlie. They could sense you and God knows what will happen if they do-"

"I'm willing to take that risk," Charlie insisted. "Bip did."

"Yeah," Kris scoffed. "And you know where he is now? Six feet under."

Riley kicked Kris under the table.

"You're right Kris," Charlie said. "And if we don't do something others will end up six feet under." He turned in David's direction. "You know I'll do it weather you want me to or not."

David sighed, he knew Charlie was right. He put a hand on the boy's shoulder. Ironic, he thought, our fate may be resting on a blind kid. But what else can we do?