SEVEN

"Did the doctor get any information on the man?" Prue asked.

"No," said Timothy. "He was too busy working on keeping him alive. And when the paramedics arrived they didn't have much time to get any more information than his vital signs and what the doctor had all ready done for him."

"So there's no way to find out who he is," said Piper. "He could have been someone who was just walking down the street. He might not even be a resident of San Francisco."

"I don't think so," said Cole. "He's been helping people within a few blocks of Henderson Avenue. I think he lives around there or maybe works around there. That's why he's helping people in that area."

"We still have no way to find out who this guy is until he strikes again and then it could be too late," said Phoebe.

"That may not be true," said Cole. "The doctor and the paramedics might not have gotten any information on the guy. But the police would have. They would need it for their report. They wouldn't have been involved the medical attention. They would have been more concerned with controlling the crowd and getting personal information on the man."

"Darryl should have access to that information," said Prue. "He can tell us who the guy is."

"Exactly," said Cole. "And he can also find out where the guy lives and even where he works. All we have to do is go see him."

"And tell him what?" Phoebe asked. "He's got the powers of a White Lighter and he may loose them at any moment? He's liable to think we're out of our minds."

"Let's find the guy first," said Prue. "Then we can decide how best to approach him. If what Leo and Cole say is true he could be inadvertently putting the people he's trying to protect in danger."

"I'll go see Darryl first thing in the morning," said Phoebe, looking at her watch. "It's kind of late now. He's probably in bed. You think the Blue Avenger will hold off for another day?"

"We don't have much choice," said Piper. "We'll just have to hope we can find him and get to him before he puts anyone else in danger."

"Leo, what do I do now?" Timothy asked.

"You need to tell the Elders what happened," said Leo. "They need to know what's going on."

"I'm afraid to," said Timothy. "That's why I came to you. I can't go to the Elders. Leo, I've only been a White Lighter for a month. What if they decide they made a mistake? That I'm not cut out to be a White Lighter?"

"You have to go to them," said Leo. "They aren't going to decide they made a mistake. You just made an error in judgment. You're a White Lighter but you aren't perfect. They'll understand that. But you have to tell them what happened so they can deal with it."

"He's right," said Prue. "No matter what happened, you have to take responsibility for what happened."

"They're right, kid," said Cole. "I'm sure you know who I am. Who I was."

"Of course," said Timothy. "You're Belthazor. All White Lighters know about you."

"Then trust me when I tell you that you can't run from your mistakes," said Cole. "If you don't own up to them sooner or later they come back to bite you in the ass. The best thing to do is just be honest, admit you made a mistake, and take whatever punishment they give with as much dignity as you can muster. In the long run you'll be better off."

"Well," said Timothy thoughtfully, "You've all been at this a lot longer than I have. If you think it's the best thing…."

"It is," said Phoebe. "Take it from an expert. I made a career of trying to avoid the consequences of my actions. I've been learning it's best to just tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. It's the best thing you can do."

"Okay," said Timothy. "I'll go tell the Elders."

"I'll go with you," said Leo. "Believe me, there are White Lighters who have done a lot worse and are still on the job. This was an honest mistake. I'm sure the Elders will see it that way, too."

"Fine," said Timothy. "Thanks, Leo. I feel better with you there."

"We shouldn't be gone long," said Leo.

"I'll wait up," said Piper.

"What do you think?" Phoebe asked. "Do you think the Elders will really understand about what happened?"

"They should," said Piper. "After all, he was doing what White Lighters are supposed to do. Protecting the innocent. He just made a bad judgment. He wasn't being malicious or anything. I guess he just wasn't thinking."

"Yeah, well the Elders aren't real big on understanding," said Prue. "They seem all wrapped up in their own affairs."

"I think they'll understand," said Cole. "Like Leo said, there are White Lighters who have done worse and are still White Lighters. But I'm sure he'll have to listen to a stern lecture on the dangers of not thinking before he acts."

"Oh, I know that one by heart," said Phoebe.

"You should," said Prue. "Grams gave to it you nearly every day."

"He should be okay," said Cole. "It won't be comfortable but he'll survive. He seems like a nice kid."

"Yeah, he does," said Piper. "Now, we need to discuss what we're going to do once we find out who our mysterious Blue Avenger is. Anyone got any ideas."

As they waited for Leo to return, they sat discussing what their options were for San Francisco's' newest superhero.