By J. B. Tilton email: K
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 4 episodes "Muse To My Ears" and "Paige From The Past".)
Phoebe's has a chance encounter with a man that leads to a premonition of a demon attack. But this demon may not be what it appears to be.
ONE
"Isn't there something you can do for him?" Phoebe asked Darryl.
She had gone into town to do a little shopping and run into Darryl outside one of the myriad office buildings downtown. Currently they were discussing if Darryl could help Cole out with a job or something similar.
"Phoebe, you know I can't," said Darryl, looking around nervously. "Forget for the moment that he's a... demon. Forget that that the police and the District Attorney's office want to question him. The department frowns on outside interference in official police cases."
"I'm not talking about anything official," said Phoebe. "Maybe just give you a hand on some of your cases. You know, advice, leads, that sort of thing. Without his powers he's feeling like a fifth wheel. I can't really say I blame him. Just something to help keep him occupied."
"I'd like to help, Phoebe, I really would," said Darryl. "But it's just too dangerous. If my captain got wind of it there would be too many questions I'm not prepared to answer. Questions you don't want me to answer, if you get my meaning."
"Yeah," said Phoebe dejectedly. "I thought it was worth a try."
"Listen," said Darryl, "if I do have anything that he might be able to help me with, I'll let you know. But it will have to be through you. That way the department won't get wind that I have contact with a person wanted for questioning."
"Fair enough," said Phoebe.
Her attention had been slightly diverted by a man who had just come out of a nearby building. He looked pretty much like any of the other men on the street. He was about 5'8" tall, weighed about 170 pounds, had sandy colored hair, and was carrying some type of bundle slung across his back. Phoebe couldn't help but notice that his clothes, while serviceable, were old.
As she watched him come out of the building he inadvertently bumped into a man nearly twice his size who was just going inside. It wasn't much of a bump. The type that happened a thousand times a day on the busy streets of San Francisco.
"Hey, watch it, bub," said the bigger man.
"Sorry," apologized the man Phoebe had been watching.
He was almost timid as he apologized to the bigger man. Phoebe couldn't put her finger on it but there was something odd about him. He almost seemed to be trying to avoid any kind of confrontation. The bigger man, however, seemed intent on provoking him.
"Lousy bum," said the bigger man. "You ain't got no business being down here. Running into decent, hard working folk."
"I said I was sorry," said the smaller man, trying to get away.
"A fat lot of good that does," said the bigger man. "I ought to have you arrested. You assaulted me. It would serve you right spending a few days in jail."
"Please," pleaded the smaller man, "I apologized. I just want to be about my business."
The bigger man blocked his way.
"Your business?" he asked. "What business you got in town anyways? Probably ain't even got no money."
"Please," pleaded the smaller man, "please don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
"Oh, a threat now," said the bigger man. "Where's a cop when you need one?"
By now Darryl had noticed the confrontation. Realizing the bigger man was simply trying to intimidate the smaller one he pulled out his identification and walked over to them.
"Is there a problem here?" he asked, flashing his ID to the two.
"Yeah," said the bigger man. "This guy assaulted me. Then he threatened me. I want to press charges."
"That's ridiculous," said Phoebe. "He barely bumped into you."
"Stay out of it, lady," said the bigger man. "He assaulted me and I got the right to press charges if I want."
"That you do," said Darryl. "So, you want to follow me to the station or should I have a black and white take you? You shouldn't be there more than a couple of hours. Then there's the arraignment and the trial, of course. It'll probably take three or four days."
"I ain't got time for all that," the bigger man said.
"Hey, you want to press charges," said Darryl. "If you do you'll have to do the whole nine yards."
"Oh, forget it," said the bigger man, tuning and moving away from them.
"Jerk," said Darryl when the man was out of earshot. He turned to the smaller man. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," said the man. "Thanks. I don't want any trouble."
"Just be more careful in the future," said Darryl. He turned to Phoebe. "I'll let you know if anything comes up."
"Thanks," said Phoebe.
Darryl turned and walked down the street leaving Phoebe with the man. She looked at him wondering why he looked so familiar. But for the life of her she couldn't remember where she might have seen him before.