Chapter 5

When they got back to Victor's house, all was quiet. Lucy and Hannah were still on the sofa, but Victor wasn't there.

"Dad?" Phoebe called out. No reply. Leo opened all the doors in the apartment. He came back a minute later. "No sign," he sighed.

"What on earth is going on?" Paige said.

"I think we should go to the manor," Wyatt said slowly. "Something's wrong. I can sense it."

"But what about Victor?" Paige asked.

"With all luck he'll be at the manor," Leo said.

"With all luck?" Phoebe repeated, raising an eyebrow at him. He shrugged. "Can you sense him?" she asked hopefully.

Leo closed his eyes, concentrating. "I got him," he said. "He's at the manor."

"Then why are we hanging round here?" Piper put in. "Let's go."

"Girls," Victor said, hurrying over to them. "I didn't know what to do. You were in the Underworld and these two guys came to the apartment – blinking – so I ran. I didn't know where else to go."

"But what about Hannah and Lucy?" Chris asked, sitting down in an armchair. He looked over to the couch at the other end of the conservatory where the two girls lay.

"I guess I - ". Everyone turned at Andrew's quick gasp of breath. He was pale, and held his chest, where he'd been shot, his face screwed up in pain.

"Wyatt, can you check it out?" Piper asked. Wyatt nodded and then she turned to Leo. "Could you take dad home? I think you'll be safe now, she said to her dad.

"I have something to do after, but yeah," Leo said. "I'll take him. He took Victor's arm lightly and just when Piper began to ask, "Where are you going -?" he Orbed out.

Wyatt was examining Andrew's chest and frowned. "There's a scar," he said. "Dad healed your wound though." He turned to Chris and examined his stomach. "Here too - "

"I'll check the girls." Paige said. Again there were scars.

Wyatt tried to heal Chris, who now too, winced with pain and looked pale. "I don't get it." He said. "I'm Twice Blessed. I can't heal him."

"I can heal," Paige spoke up. "Why don't I try?"

Wyatt moved away giving her space. Her hands glowed but yet again, no result.

"Hang on," Piper said. "Phoebe, what did you do with the Darklighter arrow?"

"I left it on the table." Phoebe replied slowly. "Why?"

"I was just thinking," Piper looked up at her sister. "The arrow must have been tampered with by magic. Maybe the athames were too. If we destroy the weapons that caused all these injuries, they should heal, shouldn't they?" she said uncertainly.

"It's worth a try," Phoebe said. "I'll get the arrow."

A second later she ran back in with the arrow. Phoebe gave it to Piper, who took it at the tail, trying to get as little blood on her as possible. "Okay," she said. She threw it towards the window and thrust out her hands, exploding it. "Go!"

Wyatt didn't need to be asked twice, he rested his hands over Andrew's stomach and slowly the scar disappeared. Andrew opened his eyes, smiling. After patting his chest for reassurance, he stood up. "Thanks," he said to everyone. He looked round the room and asked, "Hey, where's Leo?"

"I don't know," Piper replied wearily. "But I hope he's back soon."

"I should go to Lucy's," Wyatt said, stepping forwards. "Find the athame the demon had."

"I'll go to Hannah's." Paige volunteered. The two Orbed out.

Piper sat down next to Chris, who was breathing slowly, watched by Andrew and Phoebe. You're gonna be okay, she thought to Chris, hoping he could hear her. She held his hand, which was comfortingly warm and felt him weakly squeeze it. Thank you.

"What the hell?" Piper exclaimed, aloud.

"What?" Phoebe said.

"Since when did Chris have telepathy?" Piper asked, directing the question at Andrew.

"Ah, maybe his power's growing a bit?" he said uncertainly.

"How can his power be growing if he is dying?" Piper said loudly, her voice wavering.

Phoebe walked over and put her hand on Piper's arm. "He will be okay. We'll heal him."

"When?" Piper cried.

"Soon, honey I promise."

Paige Orbed in next to Andrew with a bloody athame and handed it to Piper. She didn't question Piper's upset face. She examined it and saw on the blade, symbols etched into the metal. "Strange," she murmured.

"What is it?" Paige asked softly.

"I've seen these symbols before."

Andrew walked over. "In the Book?" Piper shook her head.

"Let's just destroy the athame," Paige said.

Just when it turned to dust, Wyatt Orbed in, carrying the other athame. He gave it to Piper who exploded it, and then he went over and healed Lucy, whilst Paige healed Hannah. The two teenagers sat up slowly and that's when their eyes met and widened in recognition. "Lucy?"

"Hannah? I didn't know you had a power,"

"I don't… I'm a Whitelighter to be apparently… is Leo you're Whitelighter too?"

"No, his son Chris is," she glanced over and saw Chris lying still. Piper moved up for her. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Chris…"

I love you. She heard.

Chris, can you hear me? She thought.

Yeah. Came the reply. I'm dying. You know that don't you?

Chris you can't think like that. We'll find a way to heal you. They figured out how to heal me and the others. Leo's gone to get the athame that got you.

My time's running out, fast.