A/N: Technically, I'm supposed to be sleeping right now, but my mom forgot to turn off the DSL router! I feel like a spy on a secret mission... lol.

Punk Rock Miko2: Thanks for the positive feedback on the chapter. :P Yeah, I think if the decision was just up to Pam, she would've left him in jail, too. But like it was said, bailing Mark out was really the only logical choice. :)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Well, it's basically just your average potion of hand-grenade damage factors," Mark explained. "Except for the secret ingredient."

"Which is…?" Pam asked.

"I don't know what it's called. All I know is there's only one place in the world you can find it. Yemen."

"Yemen?" Allie exclaimed in disbelief.

"Well, that general area. Only place it grows," Mark explained.

"So what, we're gonna have to comb the desert and pick up every freaky thing we find and just guess which is the right one?" Chris asked.

"No. I know what it looks like," Mark replied.

"This is still gonna be pretty tedious…" Pam muttered, dreading it. She sighed, doubting they'd be able to scry for something like this if they had nothing related to it whatsover. "Alright everyone, let's visit the Middle East."

………………………………………

Once they'd re-appeared inside the Manor, the first thing everyone did was collapse onto the couches in exhaustion. Pam turned on the air conditioning. Chris emptied the sand from his shoes. Mark held the mysterious element, which they'd made sure to get a large chunk of.

"Okay, now what?" Stella asked, gasping for breath. It had taken considerable time to find this odd thing.

"We get some water!" Andy replied, heading for the kitchen.

"If you'll take me to where you keep all of your potion ingredients, I'll guide you through the whole thing," Mark explained.

Pam still didn't like being around her uncle, but she didn't really have a choice. "Follow me."

………………………………………

Smoke appeared as Pam tossed the last ingredient into the potion. "So… that's it?" she asked. "It's done?"

"Yep," Mark replied.

"So except for that one ingredient, it's just a simple vanquishing potion? Any witch could make it? And it's good against just about anything?"

Mark nodded. Pam started at him, half puzzled, half irate.

"I'm just wondering, do you come from a long line of drunkards, or is everyone in your family crazy?" she asked.

"Excuse me?"

"This has to be one of the most valuable brews in the world. Do you know how many people it could save? And you all choose to not tell anyone. Smart."

"Pam, please, let's not start this again. I'm very sorry for not telling you about it sooner."

"I said I'd bail you out, I never said anything about being nice," Pam sniped. "And all you are is sorry? You're nothing but a lousy drunk."

"Do you think I would be a lousy drunk if I didn't have guilt hanging over my head day after day? I feel terrible about it, Pam! That's why I couldn't bring myself to come back here before now, I was too ashamed at my own stupidity!"

"Don't forget selfishness," Pam interjected calmly, referring to when he'd snatched up Stella and Andy from the rest of the family for over a decade.

"Yeah, sure, that too. Blame me with whatever you want, Pam, I don't care. As long as I get to make up for what I've done with this," Mark said, gesturing towards the cauldron. He knew his niece would always be furious with him, so there was no use in trying to get her to change her mind.

"You realize that if it wasn't for them, I would've never let you in here," Pam reminded.

"I know," Mark replied. "They're good kids."

"Must be. Personally, I can't see why they'd stand by you after all you've done to hurt them." Sometimes Pam was telling herself to shut up on the inside, like now, but her anger was just too strong.

"Haven't you ever heard of love? They're my kids, Pam. We love each other. Love isn't perfect. But when we stick together, any situation can be a good one."

Pam stopped for a moment think about what she'd just been told. She tried to ignore it, telling herself not to listen to him of all people, but she could still hear his thoughts in her mind, further confirming what he'd said. He was right about love, and she knew it. Mark loved his kids, so he came back. Stella and Andy loved Mark, so they forgave him. Mark wanted so desperately to make peace with Pam and Chris because… he loved them, too. Sure, the family had been split apart for a while, but Halliwells were known for sticking together. If Pam wasn't in the way, that is. It now seemed to her more that ever that she was screwing everything up. Why did she have to be so hurtful, anyway? He'd apologized profusely. And everything does happen for a reason, right? Who was she to know that things would've turned out better if they'd known about that potion years ago? The Elders said themselves that the deaths of the Charmed Ones were part of destiny. So now, Pam was realizing that it was her against the world. What a stupid corner to push yourself into.

Just then, one of the Nattrods shimmered in. Pam raced over to fill a vial with the newly-brewed potion. Meanwhile, the demon closed in on Mark. Slowly, he had backed up against the wall. Mark was helpless as the Nattrod formed an energy ball. Just when Mark thought he was about to die, Pam struck the demon with an impressive right hook. He backed off and turned his attention to her. That's when she threw the potion. He screamed in pain as the flames engulfed him. Finally, a victory.

"Thanks," Mark said.

Pam nodded. "C'mon. We've won the battle, but the war isn't over yet."