A/N: Sorry it took so long. I don't know if this chapter is going to be long or short, I still haven't decided. If I make it long, there's an awesome twist coming up… If not, you'll just have to wait until chapter nine, I think it is. Oh, and I had Simple Plan on the brain when I came up with the innocent's name so sorry.

Fanmania: Yea, I don't know where that originally came from but it just came out that way… If you can tell, I'm not that big of a Kyle fan.

Chapter 8: Shopping, a Charge and a Stone

"What happened down here?" Leo asked as he stood at the landing at the bottom of the stairs. "Was the conversation really that bad?"

"No, just demons," Piper sighed, "and all that means for me is another fifty bucks to replace an end table. I should just consider buying the cheap stuff."

"Now, why would you do that?" Phoebe asked, stifling a laugh. Piper glared at her in response.

"Okay. Leo, would you be a real sweetheart and clean this up while we go out looking for a replacement?" Paige asked. Seeing Kyle let off a smug look, she added, "You can help."

"You can help too," Phoebe told Jason. "Now, off we go! C'mon. Piper, you're driving. I don't trust our driving skills. Not today anyways."

"Hey, speak for yourself!" Paige protested as she rounded on her sister.

"Hey, ladies, no need to argue," Piper said calmly. She was used to being the mediator. She had had plenty of practice when she was the middle sister and Prue was alive. Prue and Phoebe never got along when they were kids. Or when Phoebe first came back from New York; the night they discovered their powers.

"Fine," Paige sighed.

"Fine," Phoebe agreed.

XoXoXoXoX

"Ooh, I like that one!" Paige exclaimed, pointing to a silvery-white end table.

"We want one that matches the rest of the furniture," Piper reminded her.

"Oh right."

"Look at that one! It's like an exact replica!" Phoebe said, running over to the table. She looked at the price tag. "And ok! It's on sale!"

"Something I can work with and doesn't cost me an arm and a leg," Piper said smiling. "Phoebe, go get the stock boy and ask him if he'll help us to get this paid for and out of here."

"Can-do!" she replied, walking off. She found the nearest stock boy, explained the situation and that her and her sisters needed his help. He nodded and began to walk past her. He brushed by her, touching her arm. Her head snapped back as a vision hit her.

A dark alley filled her mind. The stock boy was walking alone. Of course… Something with red blisters covering its body appeared before him. A demon. "Give me the stone!" He demanded. The stock boy refused. The demon raised its hand and shot out an energy ball, killing the stock boy.

Suddenly, the store was in Phoebe's line of sight again. The stock boy was holding onto her arm.

"Are you okay ma'am?" he asked.

"Yea, I'm fine."

"Okay, if you're sure." He eyed her cautiously. "Since it's not my department, I'll get someone who can help."

"Thanks," she replied as she hurried back to her sisters.

"What took you so long?" Paige asked.

"I had a vision," she replied.

"Of what?" Piper asked.

"The other stock boy. He gets attacked later. In the alley by Thirteenth Street."

"Well, after we get this loaded, looks like we're going on a demon hunt!" Piper sneered sarcastically.

"Hurrah, hurrah!" Paige made a lame attempt at a joke. "So where is this stock boy anyway?"

"I don't know," Phoebe replied, shrugging her shoulders.

Piper frowned. "Well, let's go pay for this," she pointed to the table that was now on a dolly," and wait in the alley near Thirteenth Street."

XoXoXoXoX

"This stinks," Paige whined. "Literally."

"I know but we don't have much of a choice," Piper commented. "It's an open alley and the only thing to hide behind is this dumpster."

"Think of it this way, Paige," Phoebe said. "At least we're not in it."

"You've got a good point," Paige agreed.

"Shh. I think I hear voices." As if on cue, the stock boy had appeared from the left followed by a bluish trail. The red blistered demon shimmered in front of him.

"Hey!" Paige exclaimed in a whisper. "That's my charge, Sebastien!"

"What's he doing making deals with demons?" Piper asked.

"I don't think that he's making a deal. I think that the demon's trying to take something from him," Phoebe noted.

"Give me the stone boy!" The demon demanded.

"No!" he protested. "If you get any trace of this stone, it will be the powers it possesses." The demon raised its hand and conjured a fireball.

"No!" Piper yelled, stepping out from behind the dumpster. She raised her hands and blew up the demon. Paige and Phoebe made themselves visible. Paige made her way over to Sebastien.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Paige! I sure am glad to see you!" His voice was thick with a Canadian accent. "I'm fine. He was just after this." He took out a stone that was shaped like a spade.

"Where did you get that?" Phoebe asked, curiosity overcoming her.

"It's been in my family for generations. It was supposed to be used to brand a vampire named-"

"Alucard," Phoebe finished for him.

"Right, but he reversed its effects. It was supposed to contain his powers so that he could no longer cause pain and suffering. And instead of doing that, he reversed it, causing him to harness and unleash even greater powers."

"Just by chance, did you brand him on the hand?"

"Yes. But how do you know all of this um… sorry I didn't catch your name."

"Phoebe. I'm Paige's sister. Let's just say that I've experienced it first hand."

"You mean that you've come face-to-face with him and you're still alive?" He was amazed.

"Evidently," she replied blankly.

"Do you think that any other demons will come after you for the stone?" Paige asked.

"I don't know but I'm sure they will."

"I think we should take him home with us," Piper spoke up. "He'll be safe there."

"I agree," Phoebe said, firmly.

"Okay then. Ticket for four for the Halliwell Manor, coming up!" Paige smiled as she began to Sebastien and Piper's arms. Piper held Phoebe's hand in her own when Sebastien paused.

"Wait a minute," he said frowning.

"What is it?" Paige asked, concerned.

"You're the Halliwell sisters?" Each of the sisters looked from one to another.

"Last time we checked we were," Phoebe commented.

"Wow. I'm going to the home of the three hottest, most powerful, but-kicking babes in the universe. How much better can it get?"

"I know how it can get worse." Piper smiled.

"That's not possible."

"We're all taken."