A/N: I'm updating again because of the amount of reviews sent. Seriously went to my e-mail and it was packed.
So here you go people.
19. Taking Flesh.
Piper and Leo were in the kitchen, cleaning away what was left from their lunch. Piper was still angry with her father and was grateful he had slipped out of the manor quietly. However, now her husband was having to listen to the brunt of her ranting.
"I just can't believe he would go that far. She has enough guilt as it is, with out him adding more."
"I know, honey, but he's your father, he's worried." Leo replied. Only now regretting his choice in words, as Piper span round to face the whitelighter.
"Are you agreeing with him?" she shrieked.
Leo sighed and moved to hug his distressed wife, who fought at first but soon melted in his arms. "No, I'm not. What he said was out of line, but he's never accepted this…our world. So he's less likely to accept his daughters facing the Source and possible death."
"We do everyday. This is out of everyone's control, but Prue will now blame herself….I just hope she doesn't do anything stupid because of it." she sighed deeply. Why can't things be simple in our life's for once, she thought to herself.
Leo kissed the top of her head and pulled her a little closer, trying to offer some sort of comfort. "Honey, I'm sure she won't. Prue's strong, you have nothing to worry about."
Piper laughed somewhat bitterly at his words. "Nothing, she's been gone almost three hours, Leo. I'm the worrier of the family, or have you not figured that out yet." she looked up at his face, where a grin graced his features. In truth that only grated on her nerves more.
"Yes I have," he stated, trying to hide his amusement. "..but we kind of now where she is and that she can take care of herself. Plus you have me here, so you can stop."
The Charmed One shook her head in response, while smiling at his attempt to calm her. "You have no idea what you are asking of me."
Leo's grin broadened, then he lent forward kissing her softly. Naturally Piper kissed back, feeling her problems fade to the background. He pulled away, still wearing his characteristic grin, that she loved and hated at the same time.
"I know I love you." he stated, replying to her earlier response about knowing her.
"Good, because I know I love you too." Piper replied sweetly.
They lent in again, offering more passion then their previous kiss.
"Prue's back!"
Piper and Leo jumped at the sudden bellow from Paige, who was stood in another room. The youngest Halliwell had been keeping watch for almost two hours now.
Piper looked into her husbands eyes, noticing relieve and annoyance present. She assumed hers must be the mirror image, although she was grateful for the disturbance. She could at least relax a little now.
"She always did have bad timing." she grinned to Leo, who laughed in response.
"I'll go get Phoebe." he said, letting Piper out of his arms reluctantly.
"Where is she?" she asked. Piper had assumed her sister had went upstairs, however Leo was heading in a different direction.
"Basement. Venting."
"Oh, that can't be good."
Leo shrugged, "Well, it helps her control her power."
"No, Phoebe alone in the basement." at her husband's still perplexed face, she waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Never mind, go."
----------
"Are you sure your ready?" Krolan asked, as he and Prue stood on the porch of the manor.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." she smiled, slowly opening the door. Prue was aware that if it wasn't for Krolan she probably would have spent another hour or so wallowing in self-pity. Something she would have detested.
Walking into the strangely quiet house, Prue was greeted by Paige, who was stood in the foyer keeping a firm eye on her oldest sister. She was stood with her arms folded across her chest, casually, as if she was trying to show she hadn't been waiting for her return.
A small sympathetic smile adorned Paige's features, "Hey." she said with concern evident. She studied Prue for a moment, trying to find any of the anger she had left with. However, she found shame and deject manifest instead. Emotions she didn't want to see.
"Hey, has he gone?" Prue asked cautiously, fairly conscious of Paige's scrutinizing stare. Choosing to ignore the analysis she was under, Prue placed her keys on the table nearby, and turned to Krolan, who was closing the door behind them.
Paige noticed the Elder and smiled at him, as he did to her. She would have asked questions but was more concerned with Prue at the moment.
"Yeah, he is….but you shouldn't have." she answered instead.
Prue sighed and moved less guardedly towards Paige, wrapping her in a hug.
"I had to get out. Please understand." the oldest replied.
"I do….sort of." Paige responded.
Prue smiled, then glanced down the room, spotting Piper. Slowly she pulled away from Paige and offered a comforting smile to her, before turning to Piper.
"Hey." Piper spoke first, moving closer to the group.
"Hi." was all Prue could say before Piper pulled her into a hug.
"What he said, it's not true. You know that right? It's not." the younger sister whispered.
Prue pulled away and gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry I bailed."
Piper in return smiled, "I'd rather you bail, then take that crap."
"I'm still sorry."
"You know it's not true, don't you?" she asked carefully, however her sister just shrugged. "Prue?"
Any response was cut off as Phoebe walked in the foyer, with Leo next to her. Relieve was obvious on both their faces to see Prue back and safe. Piper, however was more concerned with the dismissive actions regarding her question, from her sister.
"Hey Prue." Phoebe said, also giving her sister a hug.
"Hey Pheebs. Miss me." the telekinetic joked.
The original youngest pulled away and gave Prue a disapproving expression. The irony in the role reversal caused the oldest to laugh silently, wondering if Phoebe had learnt that look from her.
"Don't joke. You shouldn't have left. He was out of line."
"Well, if I didn't, we might have been cleaning the front window up." she smiled, trying desperately to stop the obvious and rather distracting worrying.
"I'm just glad your back." Phoebe grinned.
"We all are." Leo added, earning him a beaming smile from Prue.
It was then Phoebe noticed Krolan behind her eldest sister. "Hey Krolan, what brings you here? and your not in your gown thing." she stated. Who would have thought Elders worked out? she added, eyeing Krolan, who was slightly surprised by the sudden focus on him.
"I came to help with a plan and I think I blend better in these." he answered motioning to his change of clothing.
Yes you do. Phoebe droned to herself. Then jumped, along with everyone else, as Cole shimmered in next to her. No you don't, she corrected quickly.
"Hi, honey." he said giving her a soft kiss.
"Hi." she beamed.
Cole glanced around the room, picking up on the subtle tension in the air.
"Have I missed something?"
----------
After getting Cole up to date with the past events, from their meeting with the leaders to Victor, the conversation now turned to what he had been able to find out.
The entire group had gathered in the living room, where Piper sat with Leo on one couch; Paige, Phoebe and Cole occupied the other, while Prue and Krolan were sat on the floor opposite.
Cole was more comfortable with the topic change and he was relieved he wasn't present earlier. Last thing he needed was a family dispute.
"I managed to find a few things out, after dodging a couple of bounty hunters…but I'm not sure if they'll be of any use to you." he began.
"At this point, Cole, anything is helpful." Prue replied, also appearing more relaxed over the current discussion. She had spent most of the other in silence and often in her own world, which did not go unnoticed.
"Well a lot of it you already know. The gathering of demons, warlocks and many other evil forces. It does appear though that they plan to revolt against the Source once they've 'won'." he continued with a snigger at evils assumption that they were going to win.
"Sounds demon like." Paige sneered, catching everyone's attention. She turned to Cole. "Sorry."
The half demon wasn't sure whether she was apologising for interrupting or for the demon insult. Cole brushed it off, aware that he may never find out. "Um…another is that the Source has his own copies of the prophecies."
"That's understandable. In the balance of good and evil, each side is given an equal opportunity, which would explain their own versions of the text." Krolan explained.
Prue turned to Phoebe, "I told you it was a good idea I read them."
Her sister rolled her eyes. "There's reading, Prue, then there's obsessing."
"I don't obsess….."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You think intensely." Phoebe finished for her, after hearing the argument so many times.
Piper giggled at Phoebe's remark, as everyone else tried to not laugh with her, resulting in grins and the odd burst of air escaping their mouths. Prue spun on Piper, who's amused expression was replaced to one of nerves.
"Anything else?" she asked Cole desperately, not enjoying the glare Prue held.
"Ah, yeah. Most of the recruited members have taken a blood oath. To kill the Charmed Ones." he replied, trying to remove the grin on his own face had. However, it wasn't too important, as Prue was once again in her own thoughts after hearing his revelation.
"Huh, we're blood oath worthy." Paige laughed.
"Well it's probably the stupidest thing they've ever done." Prue grinned, still rather distantly.
"Yeah, we're still going to kick their ass." Phoebe cheered.
Prue gave Cole a quick glance before she responded. "No, think about the Balthazar vanquishing potion."
Everyone appeared to be lost, all but Cole. He glanced at Prue, slightly worried about her method of thinking. The demon admitted it was a good plan, but how the eldest got to that conclusion was nerving. If it wasn't my own vanquishing potion, I would be a lot more relaxed, he thought to himself.
"Prue I'm lost." Paige stated, but I like your way of thinking, she added to herself. I have my ally back!
"Are you planning on vanquishing Cole?" Phoebe asked indignantly.
"No, of course not Pheebs." Prue replied, surprised they didn't understand.
Damn! Paige thought, disheartened.
"What are you getting at, Prue." Piper questioned.
"If we adapted the Balthazar potion, we could use it against the demons. I mean they've taken this blood oath, their connected. What will kill one, should kill all…or even some of them." she finished, gazing at each of their faces, finally resting on Krolan's, who gave her an encouraging smile.
"That should work." Phoebe replied. She was just thankful nobody planned on vanquishing her boyfriend.
"Go Prue." Paige cheered. One - Nil to super-witch.
"One tiny problem." Piper spoke up, "We need flesh."
"That's easy Pipe, we go demon slicing." Phoebe motioned a slice to her arm, to which her sister grimaced in response.
"We also need to take enough for loads of potion." Prue added.
Piper gagged, "Ugh, this is going to be so gross."
"Well, I can do the slicing part." Cole volunteered. He really did want to be of use.
"Thanks Cole, that might actually help." Prue replied, "Who else wants to go? Piper I advice you don't. If you puke, we might have a problem." actually, she didn't want her pregnant sister anywhere near demons, until it was absolutely necessary.
Piper nodded, thankful for the decision, although knowing Prue had ulterior motives.
"I'll go with him." Phoebe offered. It wasn't her ideal way to spend time with him but it would have to do.
"I'll go, you might need healing." Leo stated. He was more comfortable knowing they had someone like Krolan able to watch out for whoever was left behind.
"I don't have anything to offer, but I'll go. It might be fun." Paige announced.
Piper shook her head with a smirk. "I official think you've lost your mind, Paige."
"Maybe." the youngest shrugged, "..but it's only because I live here."
"Hey, you were well on your way when I met you." Prue shot back.
"Yeah, but you three have pushed me over the edge."
The eldest decided to take a different approach. "Fine, when you return from your trip down..south, Piper and I shall have a room at the local asylum all booked and ready for you to move in to." then she turned to the rest of the group. "We'll get the other ingredients ready as well."
"Can I have a room with a window?"
"How much are we going to need, Prue?" Piper questioned, ignoring Paige's request.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. My plan was to make huge pots of the stuff, until we run out."
Phoebe laughed, "And I thought you were the organised one."
"I can organise people, but not so good with other things." Prue sheepishly stated.
"That's why she loses her keys." Paige added and the oldest nodded in agreement.
"Aw, your just losing your memory, Prue. It's what happens when you reach old age." the second eldest quipped, in mock sympathy.
As a result of the remark, Prue grabbed a pillow and hurled it at her sister. The soft object collided with Piper's face.
"My aim's still in check though."
"Okay, before this gets messy. I'm heading upstairs." Paige announced. Whenever a pillow fight breaks out, she always finds herself at the brunt of a three against one attack. Granted, I usually start it but sometimes being the youngest sucks.
"We're…uh…going to go do the same." Phoebe grabbed Cole's hand and blew a kiss to her sisters, then gave them a grin as she made her way upstairs.
"Eww," Paige said, "Well because of that news flash, I think I'll head to the club instead."
Leo turned to his wife, once Paige had left. "Maybe we should go with her." he said, hoping Piper would drop the pillow.
She in response glanced from her husband to her sister, who glared offering a challenge. Piper turned back to Leo and smiled, letting him know he had won.
Piper pointed a finger towards her sister. "Don't think this is over Prudence Halliwell."
"Hey! You just long named me."
"You threw a pillow."
"You called me old." Prue sulked.
"I love you."
The phrase, to the Halliwells, was often used as a get out of jail free card. However it didn't mean you had to accept.
"Bite me." Prue spat playfully.
It was the common response Piper had expected from her older sister, although it let her know Prue had forgave her.
"You want to come with us?" Piper asked, still trying to remove her grin.
"Nah, you guys go. I've had a long day." Prue replied offering a small smile to ease her sister's protest.
"You sure?" at Prue's nod she continued, "Okay, I'll see you later then."
"Yep, have fun." the oldest Charmed One said, as Piper gave a small wave to Prue and Krolan, then walked out of the room.
Krolan now faced Prue, who still had a smile on her face. "They didn't say much about your Dad."
"Piper will tomorrow, trust me. Phoebe will be mad at him for a little while and Paige will call him a jerk when she can." she explained.
"Well, I guess you'll want to be left alone," Krolan stated, "..having had a long day and all."
Prue smiled to the Elder, knowing he was searching for an answer as to whether he should leave or not. It would probably be best, she thought to herself.
"Nah, I'm good here for a while." she replied instead, having half of her mind yell that it was the wrong thing to do. "You wanna sit on the couch, more comfortable than the floor." she added, only to have the yell increase.
"Sure." Krolan grinned.
----------
Prue and Krolan were still sat on the couch talking a couple of hours later. They had spent most of their time discussing past experiences and stories that had happened to them.
"So, how long have you been an Elder?" Prue asked.
"Um…about twenty years. I was actually a whitelighter before that, just like Leo."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I had been for about forty to fifty years prior. Then one day, They asked if I wanted to be an Elder….actually I didn't have much of a choice." he laughed, thinking back.
"They just offered you the position?"
Krolan nodded, "Yeah, I was later told it was to bring fresh blood in to the group. I think they've regretted it ever since."
"Aw, your not their favourite." Prue mocked slightly.
"You laugh, but it's true. The older ones are very set in their ways, rather boring. They don't take jokes very well."
She laughed and then looked at him with a soft grin. "Your social life must suck."
A/N: Another one bites the dust...so to speak.
Thanks to all reviewers, I would hug but it's just slightly impossible.
Hey to Charmedbaby11, Peanut2lb and Goddess Of All Things Magic, (Do you mind if I shorten it to GOATM? it's alot to type.) welcome to the fold and thanks for the reviews.
Also thanks Charmedbaby11 and GOATM (see it works, lol.) for listing me as a favourite author; it's really sweet of you guys.
Again thanks to everyone who reviewed. Hope you guys stick with me.