ELEVEN
Timothy orbed them all into a small house. They were standing in a kitchen similar to the one at the manor. Leo was standing by a door looking through it as they orbed in. He glanced into the other room and them moved over to them.
"He's in the living room," Leo whispered. "He's still in his Blue Avenger personae. He seems to be organizing his comic book collection. And let me tell you, it's huge. There must be thousands of them in there."
"Let me talk to him first," suggested Timothy. "He might feel less threatened with me than the rest of you."
"Just so he'll listen to us," said Prue. "Otherwise we'll have no choice but to strip his powers."
"I'll do the best I can," said Timothy. "Just don't come in until I have a chance to put him at ease."
Timothy cautiously walked over to the kitchen door. He hesitated for a moment and then slowly walked into the living room.
"Jessup, we need to talk," Timothy said.
Worthington spun around to face Timothy. He put his hands on his hips in a traditional superhero stance.
"So, villain, you have followed me to my secret home," said Worthington. "You leave me no choice. I must stop you to protect innocents everywhere."
"Jessup, it's me, Timothy," said Timothy. "My friends are in the kitchen. They just want to talk to you. They aren't villains and neither am I. We're your friends. It's really important."
"How do I know this isn't some sort of trick?" Worthington asked. "To put me off my guard so you can attack me?"
"If we wanted to do that," said Timothy, "we could have done that in the alley. Please, Jessup, this is more serious than you realize. All I ask is that you listen to my friends and hear what they have to say. Please. Do it for me."
"Well," said Worthington. "I suppose it can't hurt to listen to them. But you've seen what I can do. If they try anything at all they won't be able to stop me."
"Thanks," said Timothy.
Cautiously the rest of the group moved from the kitchen to the living room. Worthington looked at them defensively. They all knew that if he got spooked he's just orb out again. And this time they might not get him to agree to listen to them.
"Mr. Worthington," said Prue, "I want to apologize for the alley. I didn't mean to spook you like that. Like Timothy said, we just want to talk to you."
"I'm listening," said Worthington.
"Mr. Worthington," said Leo, "We know what happened to you. We know about the accident and about the blood transfusion you received. Timothy was the one who donated his blood to keep you alive."
"That was you?" Worthington asked Timothy. "I never did learn who it was that saved my life."
"Yes, it was me," said Timothy. "And you got your newfound powers from me. My blood transferred my powers to you."
"Your powers?" Worthington asked.
"Yes," said Leo. "My name is Leo. Timothy is what's called a White Lighter. So am I. We have special powers to help people. Powers that Timothy's blood apparently transferred to you."
"Are all of you these White Lighters?" Worthington asked.
"No," said Piper. "I'm Piper Halliwell. These are my sisters Prue and Phoebe. My sisters and I are witches. Leo and Timothy are our helpers, so to speak. That's why they have their powers. To help us when we help others."
"What about him?" Worthington asked, looking at Cole. "Is he a White Lighter?"
"No, I'm something different," said Cole. "My name is Cole Turner and I'm on their side. I'm not a threat to you. None of us our."
"Okay," said Worthington. "I wondered where my powers came from. I guess now I know."
"Yes," said Phoebe. "Only we don't know if your powers are permanent or not. You could loose them at any time. If you do you could be seriously hurt."
"I remember you," said Worthington. "You and he were in the alley the other day. When I got shot. Even bullets can't harm me any longer. I'm invulnerable."
"Not exactly," said Leo. "You do have one vulnerability you haven't learned about yet. They're called Dark Lighters. They carry crossbows that are poisoned and they can kill you."
"Well, all superheroes have a weakness," said Worthington. "Now I know what mine is. I'll be sure to avoid these Dark Lighters."
"You aren't listening to us," said Prue. "You could loose your powers at any minute. If that happens you'll be just as vulnerable as any other human. And you could be putting the very people you're trying to protect in danger."
"Or I might never loose my powers," said Worthington. "You said yourself you didn't know. And I'm helping people. People the police can't protect. That's worth the risk. As long as I can help even one person it's worth the risk. And if you try to pull out that small bottle you had earlier that's supposed to take away my powers I'll be gone before you can get it out."
"Jessup, please," said Timothy. "It's dangerous. Not just to you but all those you're trying to protect."
"The danger is worth the risk," said Worthington. "Crime is rampid in the streets. The police can't be everywhere. Criminals walk free on technicalities. I'm the only one who can protect them."
"No, that's what we're for," said Prue. "We're the Charmed Ones. Our job is to protect the innocent. You're just a human who's been the victim of some bad judgment, that's all. Timothy had the best of intentions trying to help you. But humans were never meant to have White Lighter powers."
"But I do have them," said Worthington. "And no matter what you say I still have to be the Blue Avenger. Someone once said with great power comes great responsibility. I have these powers. That means I have a responsibility to use them to protect those who can't protect themselves."
"So you won't stop?" Phoebe asked. "No matter what we say?"
"I can't," said Worthington. "Fate has deemed me worthy to be given these powers. And like I said. I have a responsibility to protect the innocent. Regardless of what you say."
They all looked at Worthington. Prue thought about the vial in her pocket. If she were fast enough she could use it before he orbed out. But if she weren't fast enough Worthington would disappear as he had before. And before they could find him again he might decide to help another innocent victim of a crime. And if he lost his powers before them someone might die.