Charmed Kitsune
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NarutoxPhoebex Prue x Piper x ?
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Story Start
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"I'm surprised you moved back here." Clay commented to Phoebe. He was sitting next to her on the floor of the Conservatory while eating Chinese take-out. "I remember a few late nights, a few beers, a few not-so-pleasant conversations about your sisters. Here you are, living together again necessity or choice?" He wondered curiously.
Phoebe frowned slightly at the memories that resurfaced of her harsh descriptions of her sisters. It reminded her of last night and how resentful she always was of them. They were always the smart, mature or responsible ones. And maybe it was that bitterness that caused her to act out the way she did. And with those demons dismissing her, using her as a hostage' all that stuff over the past few weeks did nothing but bring up those old feelings.
She looked away thoughtfully a moment before looking back at Clay. "I think a little bit of both." She allowed with a slight shrug. "Anyway, things have kind of picked up at the Halliwell Manor."
Clay took a bite of his food. "Like how?" He asked, a little surprised by that declaration.
"Oh, well, let's just say, uh, San Francisco has been a lot more...'' the half completed sentence hung in the air as Phoebe tried to look for the right word. ''...unusual than New York." Phoebe explained cryptically. "More rice?" She offered up in an attempt to have the topic end there before Clay could press for more.
"No thanks." Clay declined, taking another bite of his food. He glanced over at Phoebe upon realizing he didn't know much about her. "You know, Phoebe, you really haven't said much about what you've been doing." Clay pointed out, prompting an elaboration on the subject.
Phoebe looked up from her food, biting her lip slightly. "Protecting the innocent from evil." She answered truthfully and a bit cheekily. She was pretty sure he wouldn't take her answer to seriously and like she thought Clay merely rolled his eyes at her declaration.
"Come on, be serious." He ordered lightly causing Phoebe to smile. "I mean, you barely had a spare minute in New York three jobs just to afford your social calendar."
"Things have changed. I've changed." Phoebe replied softly.
Clay looked into her eyes and recognized the truth in the statement. He nodded slightly in response and thought about his next answer. "I'm trying to change too." He admitted. "One thing that won't change is how I feel about you." He added, leaning forward and wrapping his arm around her neck. Clay slowly pulled Phoebe forward until they were kissing.
Phoebe broke the kiss after several moments, pulling back with a sigh. She looked away from him to hide her conflicting emotions.
Clay moved back, also, putting more space between them. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't…" He apologized.
"No, it's- it's not that, believe me. I, uh, it took me a long time to get over you and I just wanna be careful." Phoebe explained after several moments of uncertain silence.
"I understand." Clay replied with the slightest of nods. "But if I cleaned up my act would you consider moving back?" He couldn't help but ask hopefully as he sensually stroked Phoebe's chin.
Phoebe laughed, turning back to her food. "Do not go there now." She ordered, playfully
The sound of the front door closing and some giggling caused them to look up. Coming into view was Prue with Naruto right behind her, his arms wrapped around her as they seemed more intent on kissing each other than noticing the other couple.
''Wow so the honeymoon never ends with you two huh?'' Phoebe couldn't ask as an impish grin formed on her face. The one positive thing that would never end was the fact that she was supplied with endless ammunition to embarrass Prue.
The couple broke apart; their heads snapping up as Prue's face heat up and Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh sorry to interrupt." Prue responded immediately, biting her lip slightly.
''I think we should be the ones saying that.'' Phoebe said as she tried her damnest not to laugh. ''But no it's okay. It happens." Phoebe answered, flashing a reassuring smile back toward her eldest sister.
"I should get back to the hotel anyway." Clay decided, putting his food down on the table in front of him and slowly standing up.
He reached to pick up the Chinese containers to help clean up, but Phoebe reached out, stopping him. "Clay, stop, I got it, I got it."
With a glance at Phoebe, Clay pulled away from the food and looked toward Prue. "So, how's it going with the urn?" He wondered pointedly.
"It's going." Prue cryptically responded.
Phoebe smiled faintly, holding her Chinese container in her hand. "I think what he's trying to ask is it going, going, gone?" Phoebe prompted.
"Well, I put it on the auction block." Prue answered simply.
"Wow, great, that's great. Thanks a lot." Clay appreciated.
"Yeah, well, I'm still waiting for the background check to come through so that I can set a reserve price." Prue explained with a quick nod in Clay's direction.
Clay shrugged unconcerned. "Okay, whatever you get for it is fine with me."
Prue narrowed her eyes suspiciously at his statement. "As long as it sells right, and in a hurry?" Prue guessed.
"Well, from what I understand if anyone can do that it's you." Clay countered lightly. When Prue didn't reply he turned toward Phoebe and kissed her gently, his hands resting on Phoebe's shoulders. "So I'll call you tomorrow. Then you can show me around the city. Let me see where I left my heart." Prue rolled her eyes and looked away at the cheesy comment while Clay gave Phoebe another light kiss before heading out the door. As he passed Prue he added. "Hey, I really appreciate it, thanks again."
"Anything for Pheebs." Prue replied, just before Phoebe closed the door behind Clay.
Phoebe turned away from the door, looking at Prue to find her eldest sister watching her closely. "What?" She asked curiously.
Prue hesitated a moment, not sure how her younger sister would take her answer. "Nothing. I can worry about my little sister, can't I?" She questioned, almost for permission, even if a negative answer wouldn't change her habits.
"Don't ever stop." Phoebe whispered gratefully, receiving an answering smile from Prue. Before either could say anything else, a small explosion erupted from the attic.
''Oh hell...'' Naruto spoke up, reminding them that he was in the room. ''Something tells me that your sister blew herself to Hell or successfully brew a potion. They both sound the same way when you think about it.'' but his statements were ignored as the two sisters took off up the stairs to find out what happened. ''I...guess I'll go home then.''
Prue and Phoebe barreled through the attic door with Prue in the lead. "Are you okay?" Prue demanded before she'd even gotten the door open. She slowed down upon seeing Piper perfectly fine. She waved her hand to try and clear the smoke away from her as it was thick in the air of the attic.
Piper was sitting cross-legged on the floor with the Book of Shadows opened on their spell table. "Nothing to see here people. Move along." She called, waving her hand in dismissal of her sisters.
"Welcome to London." Phoebe joked, following Prue through the thick smoke to stop in front of Piper.
"What did you do?" Prue asked, her eyes landing on their Wiccan pot that was the source of the smoke.
Phoebe, also, caught sight of it. "More like who did you do it to?" She added with narrowed eyes.
Piper sighed and stood up from the floor. "I put a charm on Doug, but I doubled the recipe. Just something to boost his confidence so he can give love a shot and give me a break." Piper explained with a shrug.
"Go ahead, Prue. Yell at her." Phoebe urged her sister on, pointing at Piper expectantly. In response, Prue looked a little surprised, obviously having no intent of yelling at Piper.
"It's not for personal gain." Piper retorted hastily. "And it fits into the whole harm none thing that we have to live by, besides, Prue's the one who told me to do something."
"Did not." Prue argued indignantly.
"Yes, you did." Piper countered. "I just need Doug to stop dropping things so I can stop freezing things. I'm just exhausted." She explained, walking around the small table to stand beside Phoebe.
Prue shook her head slightly. "You know, maybe he and Shelley aren't meant to be together. Not everybody's supposed to be." Prue pointed out mildly.
Phoebe rolled her eyes at the underlying message. "Oh, that was, that was real subtle, Prue."
Piper laughed softly at their bickering. "Well, we'll never know unless Doug has the guts to pop the question. All I'm doing is giving it to him." She insisted.
"It's just like the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz!" Phoebe exclaimed receiving two very confused glances from her elder sisters. "Well, it is.''
The following day at Bucklands Auction House an auction was going under way. "Ladies and gentlemen, this exquisite bronze plated carving dates back to well over one hundred and twenty years. Surely, it's worth more than $2500. Do I hear $2600?" The auctioneer was saying while the assistant to his left was holding up the artifact for display.
Prue passed hastily around the auction to get to one of the auction helpers. "Mark, move the F. Scott Fitzgerald pen to the next slot. Our buyer, Mr. Gordenson, is getting restless. Go." Prue ordered, eying one of the seated men nervously.
Mark nodded and walked off to follow Prue's orders as Claire stopped next to Prue with a piece of paper in her hand. "I think you should see this, Prue." Claire announced, grabbing Prue's attention.
"What is it?" Prue asked, taking the paper from Claire's hand.
"It's the appraisal on the urn you requested. The good news is it's worth a fortune, the bad news is…" Claire began.
"… It's stolen." Prue finished, eying the paper in mild disbelief. She had a suspicion but for Phoebe's sake she was hoping she was wrong. The one time she needed to be wrong it turned out she wasn't.
Claire nodded in agreement. "Apparently." She allowed, watching Prue closely. "No wonder the auction house is going under. Selling stolen goods." Claire commented.
Prue shook her head immediately. "No, this is highly unusual and very embarrassing."
"Yes, it is." Claire agreed, leaving Prue to deal with the situation as she saw fit.
Prue's eyes landed on the artifacts that were about to be sold. Her eyes widened when she saw the urn was next. "Oh no." She whispered, taking a hesitant step forward. She narrowed her eyes and switched the cards making the painting next to the urn next to be sold.
"$15,000 going once, going twice, sold for $15,000." The auctioneer called, hitting his podium with the wooden hammer.
Prue ignored the ongoing auction and walked up to the table where she grabbed the urn and hastily left the room for her office.
"Next item up, lot number 51." The auctioneer continued while the assistant picked up the painting. "This beautiful twenty four carat gold inlay urn from Egypt…" He described the urn, only to stop upon noticing the painting. The auctioneer laughed nervously. "Oh, obviously there has been some mistake."
Dropping out of sight and leaving the auction Prue entered her office, her eyes still staring at the appraisal paper in her hand. It was stolen. Prue's suspicion was that maybe it was a fake of some sorts and Clay was trying to make a quick buck. It wouldn't be the first time a very skilled duplicate of an artifact had been auctioned off as the real thing but stolen? She couldn't believe she had trusted Clay when all along she felt something was off.
Prue sighed and placed the paper and the urn on her desk. When she looked up she saw Palmer hanging around her door. "Who are you?" Prue demanded with narrowed eyes.
"You must be Prue, Phoebe's sister." Palmer stated, taking several steps toward her.
"Same question, who are you?" Prue countered, her patience running thin at the moment.
Palmer raised his eyebrows pointedly. "Me? I'm a friend of Clay's." He explained as if it was obvious. His eyes flickered to land on the urn that was on her desk. "Why didn't you sell that urn? You were supposed to sell it." Palmer continued harshly.
Prue's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I think that you better leave."
"No, don't you understand. You have to sell it before the curse…" Palmer began.
"The curse? What curse?" Prue interrupted, suddenly more interested than she had been before.
"The urn. It's cursed." Palmer warned. "Never mind, forget it; I'll get rid of it myself." He decided, advancing towards Prue's desk with full intentions of taking the urn with him.
As he approached Prue narrowed her eyes at the urn, using her power to push it along the desk. Prue feigned fear, jumping backwards and gasping loudly. "Oh my god, it is cursed!" She exclaimed, causing Palmer to halt.
"Oh no." Palmer breathed, not taking his eyes off the urn.
Prue focused again and the urn moved back towards her. "What's going on?" She asked desperately, turning wide blue eyes to Palmer.
Palmer shook his head and stepped back. "The curse, it's happening. It's too late. I've gotta get out of here." He turned directions and ran out of Prue's office.
Prue watched him leave before dropping her act and turning curious eyes on the mysterious urn.
Phoebe and Piper were walking down the sidewalk of an unidentified street as they made way to Quake for Piper's shift. "So do you believe in giving people second chances?" Phoebe asked, linking arms with her elder sister.
"Absolutely. It's probably why I want to help out Doug so much." Piper answered almost immediately.
Phoebe nodded to herself having expected that response from Piper. "Okay, well, Clay says he can change and I want to believe him, but…"
"… But you're afraid of getting hurt, that's totally understandable." Piper finished her thought for her.
"So I keep my distance and then what? Hope that I am wrong?" Phoebe wondered with a sigh of confusion.
Piper was silent a moment as she thought over the question. "Well, you could be. That premonition of yours was definitely the future." She decided thoughtfully.
Phoebe smiled faintly and offered Piper a playful glare at the teasing comment. "Yeah, but the problem is I keep thinking about the past. When I moved to New York, I was so angry…" She began but caught sight of Piper's knowing look. "Alright, I was scared." Phoebe corrected with a soft laugh. "And then I met Clay and he helped me out a lot and he was really good to me in a time in my life when nobody else was…" Piper glared at Phoebe and she hastily apologized. "I'm sorry, you know what I mean. I didn't mean it like that."
"Alright, that's fine." Piper let it drop before pressing for more details. "So why did you leave him?" She asked curiously.
"Well, he kept living beyond his needs. He never thought of the future." Phoebe explained and then smiled as she quoted what Prue had often said about her. "Yeah, I know that sounds familiar." She laughed and Piper readily joined in. "Anyways, let's just say he took one too many shortcuts. Got involved with some bad people, got in over his head, way over his head and finally I just couldn't take it anymore, I had to leave." Phoebe finished.
"And so now he's back hoping to be the man you fell in love originally." Piper guessed.
Phoebe nodded dramatically, unlinking arms to take her elder sister's hands. "Yeah, so what do I do?" She pleaded. "What if he's the one? Like you say Doug and Shelley are. Do I just walk away?"
Piper frowned slightly. "No, but…"
"We can't live together forever. What, do we expect to sixty years old and still be sharing clothes and a cat?" Phoebe continued sarcastically.
"Well, now that you put it that way. No!" Piper laughed with a roll of her eyes. "I don't want to live with you anymore." Piper led the way into Quake to find the bar crowded with people watching Doug as he shook a cocktail shaker and did a confident spin on the spot. "Oh boy." Piper muttered with wide eyes as all the women around the bar swooned.
Phoebe's eyes widened at the scene. "I thought your charm was to boost his confidence. Not turn him into Tom Cruise." She pointed out teasingly.
Piper bit her lip nervously. "Maybe I shouldn't of doubled the recipe."
"Uh, yeah." Phoebe replied as if it should have been obvious.
Piper led the way up to an empty space at the bar and waved for Doug's attention. "Doug." She called and the bartender strolled over and leaned against the bar toward her. "What's going on?" Piper asked.
Doug shrugged, dropping the cocktail shaker on the bar next to him. "Not sure, but whatever it is, I feel great." He answered cheerfully. As he spoke, Shelley walked up to the bar with several drinks on the tray in her hands. Doug glanced over at her, grabbed one of the drinks and slid it down the bar to one of the women.
"Thanks, Doug." The woman swooned.
Shelley frowned at Doug's new attitude and left.
Piper's jaw dropped. "Oh my… Uh, Doug, what about Shelley?" She reminded him, her eyes flickering toward the departing waitress.
"Who cares about Shelley when I've got Thursday, Friday, and Saturday all lined up and waiting?" Doug replied before turning his attention to Phoebe. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."
"I don't believe you will. Off limits." Piper snapped while Phoebe laughed at the more complicated situation.
Doug threw his hands up in a sign of peace and backed away, going back to work.
"Your charm worked." Phoebe offered as Piper sighed in frustration. "You turned Doug into a…"
''A monster?'' Piper finished for her.
"Mmm hmmm…" Phoebe agreed before glancing down at her watch. "Oh, I gotta go, I told Clay I'd meet him over at the house." She announced giving Piper a kiss on the cheek.
"Goodbye."
Meanwhile at the Ashcroft Hotel Palmer raced into his hotel room, slamming the door closed behind him. In his haste, he failed to notice the Egyptian picture on the door of his temporary room. It began to glow golden before it turned to golden dust and swirled to form the Guardian of the Urn. He didn't notice at first as he threw clothes into his suitcase.
The Guardian of the Urn took a step toward him. "Leaving?" She guessed.
Palmer spun around in surprise, holding a pair of pants in his hand. "How'd you get here?" Palmer demanded, clutching the clothes in his hand.
"I came with your friend. I waited for your fear to consume you." The Guardian explained. She took another step toward him. "Where's the urn?" She asked.
Palmer fell back on his bed as she approached him. "It's at the Buckland auction house. I tried to get it back. I was gonna return it, I swear. I tried to make things right, please." He pleaded
desperately as she touched a broach on her clothing. "I'm sorry. No. No. No!" Palmer shouted.
A scorpion appeared in the Guardian's hand and she placed it on him. "You are being punished for your greed." She watched as the scorpion stung Palmer and he fell back in his bed, dead.
We find ourselves once more at the manor with Phoebe who was in her room looking through her closet for a dress to wear while Clay watched from where he sat on Phoebe's bed. "So the band goes on at 10:00 but if we get there before 9:00 there's no cover. You interested?" Phoebe asked over her shoulder, pulling a dress from her closet and turning just slightly to look at Clay.
Clay narrowed his eyes in false offense. "In anything that involves you." He replied.
Phoebe's eyes narrowed playfully before she held up two different dresses. "Okay." Phoebe allowed, obviously expecting for him to choose one.
Clay nodded in the direction of his favorite and Phoebe tossed it to the side, choosing the other one. Clay looked disappointed while Phoebe started laughing. Clay eventually joined in. "Déjà…"
"… Vu." Phoebe finished, still laughing.
Clay sighed looking wistful. "I miss this. The day-to-day of us."
"Yeah, me too." Phoebe admitted, placing her chosen dress on the nearby chair, her eyes never leaving Clay. After a moment of silence she spoke again. "Okay, well, I'm going to change now." She announced pointedly.
"Okay." Clay replied, not catching on until Phoebe's eyes flickered to the door. "Oh, you want me to leave." He realized.
Phoebe nodded in response. "Yes, kinda a loaded question, but, uh, yeah, I think that-that would be best." Phoebe decided softly.
Clay rolled his eyes at her modesty. "Phoebe, we did live together. It's not like I hadn't…"
"Yeah, I-I-I know." Phoebe interrupted. "But things have changed." She reiterated.
Clay smiled and reached out for her hands. "Come here. Come sit down." He suggested, pulling her down beside him on the edge of her bed.
Phoebe tensed, having an idea where this was heading. "We're very different." She tried again.
"Do we have to be?" Clay asked, pushing Phoebe's hair away from her neck and kissing her.
Phoebe gasped softly, desperately trying to keep her head. "Uh, well, you know, when you, uh…" She trailed off uncertainly. "Okay, stop, stop." Phoebe ordered, relieved when Clay pulled away. Her relief was short-lived, followed swiftly by longing and disappointment. "Okay, go, go." She allowed, waving her arm prompting continuance.
"What am I doing?" Phoebe whispered to herself as Clay went back to kissing her neck. She quickly pulled away from him and turned so that she was facing him. "Okay, you know this isn't fair because I love it when you…" Phoebe didn't finish her sentence as Clay leaned in and kissed her on the lips. His arms wrapped around her and Phoebe fell back on her bed next to him, never breaking the kiss. She knew she was bring selfish, giving into inner desires as she wanted to forget those feelings that were gnawing at the back of her mind when she broke the kiss and let out a gasp.
She saw herself and she was in her room...with herself. The other Phoebe had a confident air about her and seemed to be looking at the room with a look one would have when filled with nostalgia. I don't get to wear something like this too often at least not outside the bedroom.'
'Uum me...you think we can get down to the business of me calling you here?' Phoebe asked her older self who was more content with looking around the room then facing and answering her.
''You really shouldn't worry about it too much.'' the older Phoebe said dismissively as she continued rummaging through her past selves wardrobe and pulled out some sexy red lingerie. ''Ooh I remember this number. Back then when we displayed the goodies without shame. You're going to have to add some more class to the wardrobe.''
''I wasn't aware of fashion tips were on the agenda.''
''Alright past me if you're going to continue being a smart-ass I don't have to help you.'' future Phoebe remarked as she fell backwards on the bed, bouncing slightly as she settled until it for a moment as she continued reminiscing. ''Don't miss this bed too much though.''
''Come on future Phoebe help me out here. I don't have time for games, okay. There is a demon...''
Future phoebe made a dismissive noise as she sat up and faced her growing irritable past self. She couldn't help but smirk slightly at her past self's behavior. ''Demons? Trust me kid after these past few decades there is nothing about demons you could tell me that I don't know.''
''Decades!'' Phoebe cried out with a gasp as she warily approached her future self.
''What are you doing?'' future Phoebe said as her past self-studied her like a curious child, going as far as pinch her cheek to which she slapped away resulting in the younger phoebe to let out an awkward cry related to something of a squawk as she cradled her hand.
''You're...young!'' she dimly stated as future Phoebe raised an eye in amusement.
''Yeah... that tends to happen when you gone through with the arrangement I had.'' future Phoebe cryptically told her past self.
''Spell?'' Phoebe guessed as future Phoebe chuckled.
''No...a ritual of sorts. You can say a certain fox offers more advantages then being a great guardian. You want to know the future, but you know how it is. It's against 'the rules','' upon mentioning the rules future Phoebe did mock finger quotes. ''...to tell about the future and such, but its more or less the fact I've been in your shoes and I can tell you that you already know the answer in your heart. That it's safe and it's...well you'll see.'' future Phoebe answered as she held up her hand revealing a wedding ring.
''Phoebe? You okay?'' Clay's voice echoed in her eyes as Phoebe's vision came to an end. ''You sort of just blanked out on me.''
''I...I'm sorry. Don't take this the wrong way, but we should continue this later.'' Phoebe gently rebuffed him.
Stunned, Clay let out a sigh. ''Okay...your right this is getting late.''
Meanwhile down in the Conservatory Piper was with the Book of Shadows open in her lap and was writing on a piece some notes and thoughts of what she could do to reverse the spell when Prue rushed into the house causing her to jump and nearly drop the Book of Shadows.
''Ugh, Prue. You scared me.'' Piper muttered as she let out a relieved breath.
Prue ignored Piper's comment, clutching the appraisal paper tightly in her hand. "Where's Phoebe?" She demanded.
''Upstairs,'' Piper answered and then tensed upon hearing Prue leave toward the stairs. "You might wanna knock." She called after her eldest sister.
Prue was about to charge through Phoebe's door when Clay exited. ''Prue...'' Clay softly greeted.
''Clay...'' Prue returned, her greeting not so gentle. When Clay left Prue was finally able to reveal to Phoebe was she had learned. The sisters were gathered in the Foyer as Prue began,'' Clay is a thief.''
"I'm sorry, excuse me?" Phoebe prompted.
Prue slowly advanced toward Phoebe, pulling the appraisal sheet out for her younger sister to see. "My new boss handed this to me, thankfully just before the urn could be sold." She explained as Phoebe took the paper from Prue and skimmed over it.
"Clay didn't buy it at some outdoor bazaar, Phoebe. He stole it." Prue continued as Piper went over by Phoebe's side to read the paper over her shoulder.
Phoebe looked away from the paper and stared defiantly at her eldest sister. "This can't be right." She decided.
"It looks pretty legit, Pheebs." Piper pointed out.
"Seasons change, people don't." Prue added softly.
Phoebe's eyes flashed in anger. "I changed. Do you remember what you thought of me before I walked back through that door?"
"That's different." Prue countered.
"How is that different?" Phoebe demanded.
"You're my sister." Prue whispered.
Phoebe sighed and looked back down at the paper. "Well, there's gotta be some mistake." Phoebe reiterated defiantly.
Prue took another hesitant step forward. "It gets worse." She added while Phoebe waved her hand to continue. "If the background information is accurate, there's a curse attached to the urn. Whoever steals it ends up dead, a victim of the Guardian of the Urn and she feeds off their greed."
"Okay, well, even if that is true, Clay could've never known about it. Otherwise he wouldn't have brought it here."
"Are you sure, Pheebs?'' Piper insisted. '' You wouldn't be the first Halliwell to misjudge a guy." Piper pointed out gently.
"No, it's not about judging it's about knowing and I know Clay." Phoebe argued.
"And I know what Clay has done. Okay, he put my job in jeopardy, he lied to me. Phoebe, he lied to you." Prue reminded her younger sister desperately.
Phoebe rolled her eyes, dropping her head in her hand for a moment. "You don't know that."
Piper took a step forward. "Look, Pheebs…"
"No, okay, I'm not saying that he's perfect, alright? And even if he is foolish enough to risk his own life, he would never risk mine." Phoebe snapped, walking away back up the stairs.
Prue, and Piper were left in the Foyer to watch her leave.
At the Ashcroft Hotel the investigating officers were searching through Palmer's room. The coroner for the case was determining the cause of death as best he could with his limited resources. He looked closely at the sting on Palmer's swollen neck. Andy was to his left, watching.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was a scorpion sting." The coroner announced, looking up at Andy.
Andy appeared disbelieving. "A scorpion sting in San Francisco?" He asked sarcastically, leaning forward to take a look himself. Scorpions were for other parts of the country or other parts of the world, not San Francisco.
The coroner nodded in agreement. "I know, but that's what it looks like." The coroner insisted.
"Any chance he was killed somewhere else and then moved here?" Andy wondered curiously.
The coroner shook his head. "No, the lividity is consistent with where he was found."
Andy glanced around the room with narrowed eyes. "Well, I'd buy this place has roaches. I'm not sure about scorpions." Andy joked before looking down at Palmer's body. "Anything else?"
"I found someone's business card in his pocket." The coroner answered, picking up the card and reading it. "Bucklands auction house." He read and Andy threw his hand up to stop him.
"Ah-ah-ah. Let me guess, Prue Halliwell?" Andy suggested with a faint smile.
The coroner looked surprised. "Yeah, how'd you know?"
Andy chuckled and took the card from the coroner. "I'm cursed." He quipped, putting the card in his pocket. "Let me know when you get the report back on the sting." He added, going out into the hallway. As he walked out he bumped into Clay as Clay was coming in to see Palmer. "Excuse me." Andy apologized, going on his way.
Clay stopped just outside of Palmer's door and looked in to find the officers zipping Palmer's body in a body bag.
"Palmer?" He breathed.
At Bucklands Auction House the Egyptian picture returned to its place on the urn just as Prue and Claire walked into Prue's office.
"Lot 49- $2600, Lot 50- $15000, Lot 51- Excluded." Claire called, following Prue as Prue punched in the numbers in the calculator she held. Claire trailed off as she caught sight of the urn on Prue's desk. "Shouldn't that be turned in to proper authorities?" She asked pointedly.
Prue stopped nervously behind her desk, eying the urn. "I'm contacting customs as soon as we're finished here." She explained. "Look, again, I just want to assure you that I didn't have anything to do with…"
"Just handle it." Claire interrupted, clearly not wanting to deal with the situation. "How'd we do?" She wondered, changing the subject.
Prue looked down at the calculator and smiled triumphantly. "$1.28 million. We did it." Prue announced excitedly after reading the numbers that the calculator showed.
"The auction house lives to see another day. Congratulations." Claire offered, shaking hands formally with Prue. "Good work." She added, turning and leaving Prue's office.
"Thanks." Prue appreciated while hitting the calculator against the palm of her hand in thought. Her blue eyes flickered to the urn and noticed the picture. Prue's eyes narrowed and she tilted the urn for a better look, just as Andy came in.
"Hey." Andy greeted, casually stopping just in front of Prue's desk.
Prue's head snapped up in surprise. "Andy, hi. Here to arrest me again?" She jokingly asked.
Andy acted as if he was thinking it over for a moment. "Mmm… not this time." Andy finally answered and Prue nodded gratefully. He glanced down at the urn and his eyes focused on a small golden scorpion on it. "A scorpion. Why am I not surprised?"
Prue tilted her head to the side questioningly. "I'm afraid I don't…"
"A young man died last night of a scorpion sting. Palmer Kellogg, you know him?" Andy questioned.
Prue thought the name over for a moment. "I don't believe I do." She replied with a shrug.
Andy smiled and pulled out Prue's business card from his pocket. "Well, he obviously knew you. I found your card on his body." Andy continued, taking another step toward her.
Prue returned the smile. "We did just have an auction. I met a lot of people." She countered lightly.
Andy nodded, her explanation making sense. "Well, I'll bring a photo by later, see if it jogs anything." He decided.
"That's fine." Prue allowed.
Andy turned to leave, but hesitated and turned back to face Prue. "Prue, listen, just because we're not dating anymore, I want you to know I still care about you. So if you're ever in a jam or you ever need anything, just know you can always call me."
Prue was silent a moment, a little surprised by the unexpected declaration. "I know that, thanks." Prue whispered. 'And so this is the part where I forget about the attempted arrest and everything else?' she thought to herself a bit bitterly. 'Could have really used that concern before.' she thought to herself as she watched Andy leave.
Clay ran into his room and immediately began to throw clothes into his bag that lay on his bed. He looked up nervously upon hearing a continuous knock on his door.
"Clay, are you in there?" Phoebe's voice carried through the door and the banging continued.
Clay froze against his bed for a moment. "Phoebe?" He finally asked, turning toward the door. It only took a couple steps to cross the room and pull the door open, revealing Phoebe on the other side.
Phoebe's eyes were narrowed dangerously; one hand clutched the purse on her arm while the other hand was clenched against her side. "You stole the urn, didn't you?" She guessed harshly.
"Why don't you, uh, come inside?" Clay suggested, pushing the door farther open and inviting her in.
Phoebe immediately declined. "No, I'm not going anywhere until you answer the question."
"Okay, yes." Clay answered, waving his hand in another invitation to come inside.
Phoebe sighed and stalked inside, her eyes caught sight of the open bag on his bed with the clothes scattered around it. The pieces clicked and she turned back to face Clay. "Were you planning on saying goodbye before you skipped town?" Phoebe snapped.
Clay closed the door behind them and ignored her question. "Palmer's dead, Phoebe."
"What?" Phoebe questioned her voice softer with a hint of sympathy. She tilted her head to the side quizzically.
"He died from a scorpion sting. I called Wesley to tell him, that's when his parents tell me he's dead too. Spider bites." Clay explained hastily. "I don't know how, I don't know why, but I know one thing, I'm not gonna stick around…"
Phoebe rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air dramatically. "You are such a liar." She yelled.
Clay appeared taken aback by her attitude. "Phoebe, I'm not lying." He insisted, defensive in his surprise.
"You knew the urn was cursed when you stole you, you knew the legend." Phoebe accused.
"What are you talking about? What legend?" Clay demanded in confusion.
"Are you telling me that you didn't know that whoever steals the urn dies?" Phoebe replied.
Clay glanced away in thought. "Palmer, Wesley…" He breathed in realization. His worry-filled eyes flickered back up to Phoebe's. "Phoebe, I swear, I knew nothing about it."
Phoebe laughed humorlessly. "Yeah, right." She responded, the sarcasm evident her voice. She stalked past Clay, heading for the door.
"Come on, Phoebe, you have to believe me." Clay called after her.
Phoebe spun around just inside the door. "No, I don't. You are a liar, Clay, you'll never change. You'll always look for the easy way out." Phoebe disappeared into the hallway, leaving Clay to stare after her in silence. She couldn't help but feel hurt, lied to and betrayed. It was more of the fact that he unintentionally endangered her, and even her sister Prue could have been a victim if this curse felt particular vengeful at the moment. 'What was it about me that seem to draw in the creeps? Am I cursed to only become emotionally involve with men who I can't have a healthy relationship with?'
Of course we now come to Quake. The Bartender Doug was carefully placing glasses up on the shelves as Piper supervised from the bar. So of course when Shelley came into view Doug ends up dropping one of the glasses which erupted with a shatter.
Doug turned back to face Piper nervously. "Sorry. Uh, I'll go get the broom." He apologized receiving a nod of agreement from Piper.
"Good idea." Piper allowed, sighing softly as Doug left.
"I see you reversed the spell." Phoebe commented, causing Piper to jump slightly in surprise upon seeing their sister. Phoebe slid into the chair next to her and dropped her head into her hands.
Piper sighed. "Yeah, and I've been given until tomorrow to fire him."
Phoebe shrugged uncertainly. Her eyes followed Doug's retreating form thoughtfully. "Maybe Prue was right. Maybe they just don't belong together. Seems like the theme of the day." She half-explained in frustration.
"Oh, Clay?" Piper guessed, frowning in concern.
"Uh huh. He totally used me. He just used me to get to Prue." Phoebe whispered with a shake of her head.
Piper gently took Phoebe's hand. "I'm sorry." Piper apologized.
Phoebe smiled, grateful for her sister's support. "Thanks for not saying 'I told you so.'' the smile soon left her face as she took her head slightly and looked down. "Why didn't I see this coming? What am I? A sucker for punishment?" She ranted.
"No, you see the good in people." Piper spoke up immediately, cutting Phoebe's rant short. "And that is never wrong" Besides, the wrong guys are usually the most interesting."
''Hhm.'' Phoebe made a noise of confirmation as she quickly remembered her long list of 'interesting' guys.
"Until you get your hopes up and let your guard down and they reveal their true selves." Piper finished with a hint of irritation in her voice. Piper glanced over at where Doug had disappeared. "I mean, look at Doug. Great guy, kinda boring on the surface, easy to overlook, but maybe in the long run we're better off with his type."
"Maybe in the way long run." Phoebe joked putting emphasis on the word way. ''Then again you and Prue already have your interesting guy in one mister Naruto Uzumaki. Where is he by the way?''
''Prue called him a little while ago about the whole curse of the Urn issue. He's in Egypt trying to learn all he can about the urn and how to break the curse.''
''So it looks like we might be handling this one on our own for a change. ''
The sound of a crash from the room where Doug had disappeared drew in their attention. Doug came visible for a moment holding a broom and dustpan in his hand. "I got it." Doug called and the two sisters giggled.
"Well that's life for you. An interesting risk usually accompanies each adventure and maybe it's a price worth paying sometimes." Piper decided lightly.
Phoebe sighed loudly with another glance back at Doug. "I just don't know anymore." She admitted, sliding out of her seat. "Thanks for the ear." She appreciated, giving Piper a kiss on the cheek.
Phoebe returned to the manor and was watching TV. Phoebe looked up from the TV as the doorbell rang through the silent house. She pushed herself to her feet and hesitantly made her way to the front door, hesitating for several moments trying to decide whether or not she should open the door before making the choice to do so with a soft sigh as she pulled the door open and waited expectantly for Clay to say something.
In guilty silence Clay looked on, but realizing Phoebe wasn't going to say anything started the conversation. "Can I come in?" Clay asked hopefully.
"No." Phoebe snapped at him, her anger and hurt still rather evident.
Clay sighed and thought over what he was going to say again. "Look, I may have lied about buying the urn, but I swear I didn't know it was cursed."
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Well, that still makes you a thief now, doesn't it?" Phoebe countered, crossing her arms across her chest. ''And a liar as well?
"Well, that's why I'm here. I wanna make things right. I wanna turn myself into the police." Clay explained only to receive another eye roll from Phoebe. "I mean it, Phoebe, honest. It's the only way I can redeem myself with you." He insisted.
"And how do I know this isn't just one of your scams?" Phoebe countered, her voice showing her disbelief.
Clay just shrugged in response to her question. "Well, I guess you don't, but I don't wanna take shortcuts anymore. I wanna take the urn with me to the police. There's no way Prue's just gonna give it to me, not without you there. I need your help. It's the last favor I'll ever ask, I promise." He pleaded.
Phoebe glanced down as she took a moment to consider his request. "I don't think so." she answered him as she looked back up.
"Please." Clay whispered, reaching out and touching her arm gently.
Phoebe jerked as she was pulled into a premonition.
Clay was standing in Prue's office at Bucklands. A snake was in front of him preparing to strike.
"The curse…" Phoebe breathed as the premonition ended. She eyed Clay, her eyes dark with worry.
"What?" Clay asked in confusion.
Phoebe ignored him and reached for her jacket that was hanging up next to the door. "Let's go." She ordered, slipping her jacket on and pulling Clay after her.
Phoebe dragged Clay into Prue's office, causing Prue to jump back in surprise at their unexpected entrance. Her eyes landed on Clay and they narrowed dangerously. "Phoebe, what is he doing here?" Prue demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at Clay as if the extra emphasis on he wasn't enough to convey her distaste of him.
"Save it till later." Phoebe promptly replied, bringing Prue's attention away from Clay and her work. "I've seen the future and it's not bright." She cryptically continued, her eyes flickering to look at the urn that was still on Prue's desk. "Oh, good, you didn't give the urn to the police.
Prue turned her body to face the urn. "Yeah, no, I thought that it might get you in trouble." She explained, waving a hand in the urn's direction.
Phoebe nodded slightly. "Yeah, well, you know that little legend we were talking about…" Phoebe began. Unnoticed by the sisters and Clay the Egyptian picture on the urn turned to golden dust and swirled to form the Guardian of the Urn. Phoebe's brown eyes widened as she finally saw the Guardian. "… Well, I think it's true…" She trailed off.
Prue spun around to see what Phoebe was looking at while Clay stared at the Guardian in confusion. "What the hell is that?" Clay asked aloud.
"Clay…" Phoebe started, putting a protective arm in front of her ex and casually pushed him toward the door.
"Get him outta here!" Prue ordered, stepping forward so that she was in front of Clay and Phoebe.
Phoebe spun around completely and pushed Clay out the door and slammed Prue's office door closed behind him. She quickly turned the lock and ran back up to stand next to Prue, just as the eldest Halliwell narrowed her eyes, sending a telekinetic push at the Guardian.
The guardian fell back a step, but smirked at their attempt. "I don't wanna harm you. I came for the thief." She advanced toward Prue and Phoebe slowly.
"Who are you?" Prue demanded, clutching onto Phoebe's hand as they instinctively linked arms with each other.
"I'm the Guardian of the Urn. You cannot destroy me." The Guardian answered. Another step forward and Prue nervously tried to push the Guardian away from them.
The Guardian was thrown back a couple steps and her eyes narrowed dangerously at the two Halliwell sisters.
Prue bit her lip. "Uh, Phoebe, run." She decided, spinning around and pulling the door open. Phoebe ran out first with Prue just behind.
The Guardian was left in Prue's office. "So now there are more who will die." She remarked, disappearing in the swirl of golden dust.
It didn't take them long to arrive to the manor. Prue led the way into the house with Clay just behind her and Phoebe coming through last, shutting the door after them.
"I still don't understand." Clay announced as the two sisters pulled him back into the house. Their whole change in attitude concerning him was very confusing.
Phoebe pushed past Clay. "You stay down here, we'll be right back." She promised to Clay before turning toward Prue, who was heading for the stairs.
Piper was on her way from the kitchen as her trademark look of worry was already on her face.
"What's going on?" She asked as Prue grabbed her arm and started to pull her up the stairs.
"Tell you in the attic." Prue replied, taking the stairs two at a time with Piper just behind her.
"Hey, where are you going?" Clay called after Prue and Piper, neither of which responded.
''Fill her in, I'll meet you guys upstairs.'' Phoebe turned to Clay as she tried to fill him in without giving away too much. '' Uh, Piper is really into legends and Prue is really good with her mind, so...''
"Yeah, but that thing, the guardian… she's not even…" Clay interrupted.
"Human?" Phoebe suggested, cutting Clay short.
"Yeah, I know, but she's real and we have to figure out how to stop her before she gets you." She explained cryptically.
Clay narrowed his eyes in concern. "I don't know what you're thinking, Phoebe, but I do not want you getting hurt because of me."
Phoebe smiled softly. "You know, I think I actually believe you." she told him before breaking off and joining her sisters in the attic.
Prue and Piper were already flipping through the book when Phoebe burst through the attic door. "Did you find anything?" Phoebe demanded as she shut the attic door.
Neither Prue nor Piper glanced up from the book. "Nothing about Egyptian Urns or greed demons. Zip." Piper replied, sighing and stepping away from the book.
"Well, let's just hope that she didn't follow us here because our powers are useless against her." Prue muttered, crossing her arms across her chest in frustration.
Piper's eyes flickered from one sister to the next in confusion. "How is that possible? I mean, that's never happened to us before.'' she added nervously.
"Maybe we're not supposed to protect him." Prue suggested, receiving a glare from Phoebe.
"What are you saying?" Phoebe snapped.
Prue turned slightly so that she was facing Phoebe. "Look, all I'm saying is that maybe there's a reason.
Like Piper trying to force Doug and Shelley back together again. Maybe there are just some things that we're not supposed to save."
"No, we are saving Clay, period. There's just gotta be something we're missing." Phoebe insisted, running a hand through her hair in frustration.
Suddenly Prue's cellphone went off. She recognized the ring tone and answered. ''Please tell me you got something?''
''Yeah, it's not much but from what I gathered an act of selflessness repays an act of greed. In other words those who invoke the Urn's Curse must be willingly to sacrifice and repent for their crimes. In other words this looks like a method of saving one's soul from eternal torment, but nothing about saving a person's life.''
Prue then elaborated what she heard from Naruto to her sisters.
''So in other words if Clay does something selfless it'll even the score." Prue thought aloud.
Piper snorted at the thought. "Good luck." She muttered, looking up from the book her sisters staring at her, Prue with disapproval and Phoebe staring at her. "Sorry." She apologized, looking down at her hands.
Phoebe spun on her heel and dashed out of the attic without a backward glance. Prue and Piper, followed her a bit slower. "Clay? Clay, where are you?" Phoebe called as they descended the stairs. She stepped off the last stair and looked around for him. "Clay!"
"I think he left." Piper commented casually.
"Well, sorry, Pheebs." Prue told her.
"No, I really don't believe it. He wouldn't just leave like that." Phoebe insisted, her patience with her sisters running thin.
Prue frowned and rolled her eyes slightly. "Do you have a better explanation?" She asked.
Phoebe was pacing in thought. "He was worried about me, he was worried about us. I am telling you…" She began but trailed off in realization. "Wait, my vision, I think I know where he's going. We have to stop him." Phoebe exclaimed as she grabbed the car keys off the table.
The Egyptian picture disappeared into golden dust which swirled to form the Guardian of the Urn just as Clay stepped into Prue's office. "I knew you'd come back. Your greed consumes you." The guardian commented. She took several steps forward, twirling a piece of leather in her hands.
"I'm not here for the urn." Clay countered softly.
"You must be punished." The Guardian returned.
Clay nodded in agreement. "I know." He agreed, hesitating only a moment before continuing.
"When you're done with me, that's it, right? You're not gonna hurt anybody else?" He questioned casually.
"Not until somebody steals the urn again." The Guardian replied.
"How do you know anybody will?" Clay wondered.
The Guardian of the Urn smiled slightly. "Somebody always does." The piece of leather in her hands glowed golden and she tossed it to the ground in front of Clay. The leather swirled and a cobra appeared in its place.
The sisters ran into Prue's open office as the snake reared up, preparing to strike at Clay.
"Clay!" Phoebe yelled, grabbing hold of Clay from behind.
Clay threw his arm back, gently breaking Phoebe's grip on him. "No, Phoebe, stay back." Clay ordered, not taking his eyes off the snake.
"Phoebe, look out!" Prue screamed as Piper held her back.
The snake struck at Phoebe and Clay threw his arm out to block the bite. The snake disappeared right before hitting Clay's arm. Clay's eyes flickered to look up at the Guardian of the Urn in stunned silence.
Phoebe was still clutching onto Clay's arm. "A selfless act… just like Prue said." She whispered.
The Guardian of the Urn watched them for a moment before disappearing in the swirl of golden dust. The Egyptian picture reappeared on the side of the urn and the urn faded and disappeared from Prue's desk back to its rightful place.
Piper's mouth dropped in surprise. "Where'd it go?" She demanded her arm wrapped tightly around Prue's and her head resting on her eldest sister's shoulder.
Prue shrugged lightly. "Who cares, as long as it's not here."
Clay finally regained his composure enough to turn to face Phoebe. "Are you okay?" He asked gently.
Phoebe let out a breath that she didn't know she'd been holding and her hand flew to her heart. "Am I okay?" She repeated in disbelief. She glanced at her
sisters pointedly and pulled Clay into a tight hug.
"Who says people never change." she commented.
Elsewhere in Egypt the golden dust that was the Urn materialized and melded together as it assumed the form of the Urn, sitting once more in its rightful resting place.
"Good thing we didn't have to end up using our powers to vanquish her, otherwise Clay would have seen." Piper commented thoughtfully. All three sisters were sitting along the bar with their chosen drinks in front of them.
Prue sighed, nodding slightly. "They didn't work anyway." She reminded them.
"Not something I hope ever happens again." Phoebe added, her body slightly turned toward the main entrance and her eyes glued to the door as if waiting on someone.
Piper suddenly jumped up from her seat. "Ooh, ooh, forgot about Doug." She hissed, throwing her hands out just as he slipped with a tray of plates. The falling plates froze just in front of Shelley.
Prue raised her eyebrows at the scene and turned slightly to look back at Piper. "This is getting ridiculous." She exclaimed.
"Oh, tell me about it. I bet that engagement ring is still burning a hole in his apron." Piper muttered, dropping her head down on the side of the bar.
Prue glanced thoughtfully back toward Doug before slipping out of her seat and walking toward them.
"Where are you going? What are you doing?''
"Solving your problem and keeping you employed.'' Prue explained, reaching into Doug's apron pocket and pulling out the little black box. She grinned mischievously and sat it down in front of Shelley's feet. Prue nodded in satisfaction and ran back to her seat. "Okay, go." She ordered to Piper who allowed the room to unfreeze and the plates crashed to the ground.
Doug frowned and dropped to his knees in embarrassment. "Sorry." He apologized to Shelley, reaching out for the broken plates.
Shelley looked down and saw the little box on the floor in front of her. "What's that?" She asked curiously, kneeling down to pick up the box. Doug's mouth dropped as she opened it and gasped at the sight of the engagement ring.
"I was carrying that around for weeks trying to find the right time to ask you." Doug admitted as Shelley's eyes flickered to meet his.
"Ask me what?" She questioned hopefully.
Doug slowly stood up. "To, um, marry me."
Shelley's face broke into a wide smile. "But that's why I broke up with you. I got tired of waiting." She whispered.
Doug smiled and pulled Shelley into a tight hug, which was an answer enough to his question.
Prue and Phoebe gave each other fake tears-of-happiness faces, and Piper's mouth had dropped in disbelief. "This would've happened sooner if I would've keep my little wicca nose out of their business." Piper muttered in irritation.
"You can't change people, they have to change themselves." Phoebe remarked, glancing back at Shelley and Doug with a smile of content.
"Speaking of that… yum." Prue announced, her eyes flickering pointedly to the entrance where Clay had just come through."Go, baby." Prue teased, pushing Phoebe lightly on the arm.
"Go, girl!" Piper hissed, laughing softly.
Phoebe rolled her eyes and slipped out of her seat partially before turning back to her sisters who erupted into a fit of giggles.
Phoebe ignored their laughter as she approached Clay, stopping in front of him with a wide smile.
"Hey." Clay greeted.
"Hey." Phoebe echoed cheerfully. "I'm glad you stopped by." She added.
Clay reached out and took Phoebe's hands in his.
"Any chance you're gonna come back with me?" He asked hopefully.
Phoebe smiled at the invitation but shook her head. "No. This is my home now." Phoebe declined gently.
Clay nodded in understanding. "You know me, had to try." He laughed softly. There was a moment of silence in which they were just content to stay. Clay finally broke the silence. "I know I lied to you about a lot of things, but one thing I never lied to you about was how much I care about you."
"I know, Clay." Phoebe whispered gratefully with a small smile.
Clay leaned forward and kissed her lightly. "I guess I should be going." He decided, taking a small step back.
"Yeah." Phoebe agreed.
"Um, you know, I hope the next time we cross paths, I'll be the guy you always think you see." Clay responded.
Phoebe sighed and lifted her hand to his face, letting it rest there for several moments. "Goodbye." She eventually replied. Her hand dropped and Clay left, disappearing through the door of the restaurant.
Prue, and Piper came up behind Phoebe. Prue gently placed her hand on Phoebe's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Hey, you okay?"
Phoebe nodded, wiping a hand under her eyes. "Oh, yeah, yeah, he was just stopping by on his way home. No big deal." Phoebe explained in an attempt to convince herself as much as her frowned sympathetically.
"Heard that before." She remarked, moving to Phoebe's other side and encompassing her in a gratefully rest her head on her eldest sister's head, as Piper went to the other side and put her arms around Phoebe in a comforting hug.
That night Phoebe lied awake in her bed as she thought back to the premonition. She was thinking back to all the premonitions and began to wonder if she joined her sisters in that sort of relationship? The latest one seemed to hint towards that. So Phoebe decided she would see how they acted and see if she could get another premonition that supported this during the course of her hypothesis.
As she was about to try and get some sleep something caught her attention. Something that seemed to be coming from the direction of Prue's room. 'Why in the hell am I hearing animal noises?'