CHARMED

"Shades Of Gray"

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 1 episodes "The Fourth Sister" and "The Truth Is Out There….And It Hurts".)

The sisters encounter a man who's been pursued by a demon for more than a year.

ONE

Piper locked the door to Quake and then headed for her car. It had been a long day at the restaurant. She had tomorrow off and she was planning to enjoy it. She'd unplug the phone so her boss couldn't get hold of her. It seemed that whenever it was her day off there was an "emergency" that demanded her attention. Well, tomorrow was going to be different.

She looked around the empty parking lot as she walked to her car. She had always been a bit nervous walking to her car after it got dark. But since she had become a witch she was less nervous. She now had powers she could use to protect herself with.

"Is someone there?" Piper called out into the darkness.

She hadn't seen or heard anything but something just didn't seem right. It was similar to the feeling she h ad when she could "feel" someone watching her. Maybe her newfound powers gave her some kind of insight that ordinary humans didn't have. But nothing but the wind moved through the parking lot.

"You're loosing it, Piper," she said out loud to no one in particularly. "If you don't watch it you'll end up talking to yourself."

Piper looked around for a minute and then headed for her car. She got in the car and glanced around once more to make sure everything was okay. Still seeing nothing amiss she put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home.

As she pulled out of the parking lot a figure stepped out of the bushes near the restaurant. His features were obscured by the darkness. He watched as Piper pulled out of the parking lot.

"A witch," the figure whispered to himself. "Perhaps she's the one I've been looking for. It should be simple enough to track her down."

The figure looked around. Other than the wind, nothing stirred in the darkness. The figure turned and moved back into the bushes around Quake. As it did, it clutched a small bag in one hand.

"I'm so glad this day is over," Piper said, dropping down onto the sofa at the manor.

"Rough day?" Prue asked.

"That's an understatement," said Piper. "We found out that the freezer suddenly stopped working. It took the repairman forever to get there to fix it. Then we got word that our entire shipment of chicken had been recalled because of possible contamination. So we had to change the days' special. Then one of the waitresses went home with the flu. Tomorrow is my day off and if anyone calls for me I'm not home."

"Gotcha'," Phoebe said.

Suddenly Piper heard a noise from upstairs.

"Is someone upstairs?" Piper asked.

"That new handyman," Prue said. "He said something about caulking some windows or something."

"This time of night?" Piper asked, looking at her watch.

"He said it wouldn't take long," Phoebe said. "He seems very conscientious."

"Down, girl," Piper said. "I saw him first."

"No you didn't," Phoebe said. "Besides, I get the distinct impression he's more interested in a free spirit than someone who's tied down from nine to five."

"The restaurant is hardly nine to five," Piper responded.

"Down girls," Prue said. "The man does have a say in it, you know? He's not a piece of furniture for you to haggle over."

"We're not haggling," Piper said. "And the sooner Phoebe learns he's more interested in a more stable, mature woman the sooner she can look for someone more her type."

"Let's just drop it for now," Prue said.

"Okay with me," said Phoebe. "I'm the one who gets to spend all day with him while Piper's at work."

"Enough, all ready," Prue said, more forcefully.

"Okay, okay," laughed Piper. "Heard form Andy lately?"

"He's preparing for a court case right now," Prue said. "He's the main witness in some big case. When it's over he said something about a victory dinner."

"Oh, that sounds promising," said Phoebe.

"It's just dinner," Prue said. "Nothing special."

"Well, I think I'm off for bed," Piper said. "I plan to sleep late so no one wake me up."

"Sleep as late as you want, sweetie," Prue said.

"Yeah, sleep all day if you want," Phoebe said. "That will give Leo and me more time together."

"Phoebe," Prue snapped as Phoebe just giggled at Piper.