Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Charmed. I'm almost positive it's illegal to do what I'm going to do with these characters...ah well, don't sue. It's only fun and fiction!

AN: Thanks pippergurl, reader, P3Halliwell1329, and wAnNaBpIpEr for your reviews. Special thanks to my sisters Charmed Princess, Missy Paige, and Starring Piper(my twin and my twintastic muse) jsut 'cuz I love'em.

Chapter 3

Paige stared at her enraged sister, feeling a twinge of anger herself. Piper had flown at her, demanding an explanation, the moment Paige had walked through the kitchen door. Of course, since she had only been up for a few minutes, Paige hadn't been able to come up with an excuse. So, she'd told her the truth.

"I'm sorry Piper," Paige repeated, "I fell asleep. I didn't do it intentionally!" Piper crossed her arms impatiently, clearly furious.

"The least you could have...no, the decent thing for you to do would have been to call and tell me that you didn't feel up to helping me. Instead, you jsut...didn't show up at all. I had no idea where you were, what had happened. For all I knew, you could have been hurt or..worse!," Piper returned. Paige rolled her eyes, tiring of her sister's exaggerated arguments.

"Please...Lay off. I don't need this," Paige said hotly, turning away. Piper, realizing she was overreacting, forced herself to repress her anger, and softened her tone.

"Paige," she called. Paige turned around, an eyebrow raised questioningly.

"All I'm saying is, next time call please," she told her. Paige knew the storm had passed and grinned.

"Will do, sis," she replied, heading upstairs to take a shower.

Piper pushed away her irritation, not really up for any more fighting. Her earlier complaint -that Paige could have been hurt or worse- sprang into her mind. She hadn't even thought of that the night before. Immediately, guilt began to work its way into her heart. She had no right to be angry with Paige, not about being selfish. Feeling horrible, Piper bit her lip, anxious to keep the flood of tears that had rushed to her eyes from surfacing.

Lost in thought, Piper absentmindedly poured herself another -her third, in fact- cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. Paige, after all, hadn't intentionally left her high and dry. It was an admitted accident. So why get so furious? Piper sighed, unable to answer the question and tired of wondering about it. She pushed back her chair, intending to put her now-drained mug in the sink. She didn't make it there. Strong arms wrapped around her, a hand going to her mouth. Piper tried to struggle, but inhuman strength held her prisoner. The hand over her mouth prevented her from screaming, and whoever -or whatever- was holding her had her arms pinned to her sides, keeping from using her powers. Piper went limp, trying to trick him -him, her, it?- into believing she had surrendered. The grip lessened, but only for an instant, before the pressure returned, as if anticipating her move before she herself was able to attempt it. Piper's blood went cold when she felt metal press at her temple. A gun. She heard a telltale click and went perfectly still. He was going to kill her. Her thoughts raced forward, and she began to fear not only for herself, but for her sister. Paige could come downstairs at any time and surprise her attacker. There wasn't a doubt in her mind about that gun. He had brought it for a reason. How long had it been? Five minutes, maybe ten. Paige would be back soon. She had to get herself -and her assailant- out of the Manor. So, she let her body language convey the message that she would be acquiescent. Deftly, he tied her hands together, certain she could be trusted enough not to try and escape while he did so.

"We are going to get in your car," a male voice whispered. Piper inwardly shuddered when his lips touched her ear, knowing the raspy, harsh sound of his voice would be engraved in her mind forever. "If you make a sound, I will kill you and your sisters." Piper believed him. "I need your keys," he ordered quietly. Piper nodded towards the foyer, indicating to him where she kept them.

Slowly, they moved through the Manor, finally reaching the front door. He picked up the keys from a small table, jingling them in front of her, celebrating the victory. Piper closed her eyes. She couldn't allow herself to be frightened. It was too risky, especially with the threat against her sisters. He jerked her outside and she blinked against the sudden blinding light. Piper felt the tip of the gun at her back, prodding her forward until they reached her vehicle. He pushed her roughly into the back seat, following her briefly, in order to tie cloth around her eyes. Piper bit her lip, trying hard not to cry as darkness engulfed her. When she tried to sit up, he crammed her face into the seat.

"Don't move," he commanded her. Piper obeyed instantly. He's going to kill me. What will my sisters do? They need me. Oh god...I'm not ready to die, she thought, each realization hitting in rapid succession.

The sound of the engine turning over had her trembling. Where was he going to take her? She heard him adjusting the seat to his preference, then go still, apparently settling in for a long drive.

"I've been watching you for so long now Piper," he told her, "I know every move you make. I know how much you do for those ungrateful wretches you live with. That's what makes you special. That's why I chose you. You're so giving and nurturing. I love that about you."

Piper felt nausea sweep through her. His words taunted her. 'I've been watching you...' This had to be a bad dream. Things like this didn't happen in real life, only in movies. Even as Piper repeated these thoughts silently, she knew she was deceiving herself.

"At first I had Paige picked out for my...duty. I saw her at P3, your club. She seemed perfect, but I was wrong. The first time I saw you with her...It had to be at least two months ago, I knew you were the one. Everything you did was so graceful. I bet you haven't noticed that, but I did. The first time I came into your bedroom and watched you sleep... I'll never forget how innocent you looked. I knew I had to have you. I knew you were mine. God made you jsut for me. You know that don't you?" He paused, waiting for her to answer. Piper was silent, not willing to give him the satisfaction of hearing her whimper.

"Never mind. You will find out soon enough. First though, I have to cleanse you. I know your secret Piper. I know you and your sisters made a pact with Satan. I know about your 'special powers'. Please believe me when I tell you that those powers are evil. They ruin the goodness within you."

Piper tried to tune him out, but his voice kept drifting into her head, forcing her to listen. She knew he was crazy, but his words were touching a nerve she thought she had suppressed long ago. Was she evil? She shook herself. Don't listen to him. He wants you to trust him. Remember the good you have done, the people you have saved. Don't let him win, she told herself harshly, brushing aside the doubts he'd created. She couldn't stop a tear from slipping from her eyes, absorbing into the cloth that blinded her. She needed to get her hands untied. Her powers-

"Oh, by the way," he said casually, seeming to read her mind, "Your powers are useless against me. I have an amulet protecting me from all magic. Where we are going is also protected, so don't try anything 'witchy'. It will only get you in trouble." Piper felt defeated. She was trapped...even magic wouldn't save her.

AN: And the excitement starts...happy wAnNaBpIpEr??? lol. glad to see a review from ya, by the way! Hope everyone liked this chapter! The faster you review, the faster I update chapter four, already written...jsut waiting for you to review and ask for it...