SEVEN

"Are you sure it's okay for you to be home?" Prue asked Phoebe back at the manor.

"The doctor says if I take it easy I'll be okay," said Phoebe. "I was just dehydrated. Nothing serious."

"As long as you get treated for it," added Leo.

"What about this Steffan Van White?" Piper asked. "You say he asked you to vanquish a demon for him?"

"Yes," said Prue. "Leo, do you know of any demon like he described?"

"That's hard to say," said Leo. "It's not much to go on. A demon that's blonde in its human form? That could describe just about any demon. What about this stone he described? Anything more than that?"

"Not really," said Prue. "Just that it glows."

"Could he be a demon?" Victor asked. "Maybe he's setting you up?"

"I don't think so," said Prue. "He didn't seem to know I was a Charmed One, just a witch. It's hard to believe he'd know I was a witch and not a Charmed One."

"Speaking of which," said Piper, "how did he know you were a witch anyway?"

"He said he recognized what I was," said Prue. "Is that possible, Leo? Can he recognize me as a witch?"

"I suppose it's possible," said Leo. "From what you've said it sounds like his genetic code may have been altered by that fever he described. Although I don't know of any fever that can do that. I suppose part of that change could be an ability to recognize a witch."

"It seems unlikely," said Phoebe.

"How else do you explain that he knew what I was?" Prue asked. "It's not like we're exactly listed in the yellow pages or anything."

"I don't know," said Phoebe. "But it seems a bit convenient to me. We run into him for the first time and the next morning he knows everything about you?"

"He could have been magically drawn to you," said Leo. "Your magic not only protects you it helps guide you to people who may need your help. That could be what's going on here."

"And he is one of the richest men in the United States," said Victor. "With that kind of money he can find out just about anything he wants on anyone he wants. He probably has private investigators on retainer who find out all kinds of things about people he deals with."

"I'll check with the Elders," said Leo. "They might know something about him. It's a long shot but at I'll see if they know anything."

"He's coming over here tomorrow," said Prue. "We should be able to get some more information from him then. And we're strongest at the manor. If we can track down the demon our best chance of vanquishing it is here."

"I'll check the Book of Shadows while Leo is off checking with the Elders," said Prue. "Piper, what about some kind of generic vanquishing potion?"

"I'm not sure there is such a thing," said Piper. "But I'll see what I can come up with."

"Make two," said Prue. "Just in case our Mr. Van White isn't the innocent he claims to be."

"I'll help you with the book," said Phoebe. "Maybe we can find out some more about this immortality he seems to have."

"No you don't," said Prue sternly. "You just got out of the hospital. You need to rest. And drink plenty of fluids. You need to get rehydrated."

"But," Phoebe began to protest.

"She's right, honey," said Victor. "Besides, there isn't much for me to do. You can keep me company while the others prepare for whatever this is."

"Well, okay," said Phoebe reluctantly. "We don't get to spend enough time together anyway."

Leo orbed out to the White Lighter realm while Piper went into the kitchen to start preparing the potions. Prue headed for the attic and the Book of Shadows. As she did she thought how at ease she had felt with Steffan Van White. She hadn't mentioned this to the others. It was very unsettling. With all the demons out to get them it was not like her to be so outgoing with a stranger. There was more going on with Steffan Van White than an unexplained immortality.

"The Elders still have nothing," Leo reported. "If this Steffan Van White really is immortal they have no information on it. Which in itself is suspicious. They said you need to find out as much about what's going on as you can."

"Well, now there's a news flash," said Prue sarcastically. "Why didn't we think of that? I also didn't find out anything about him in the Book of Shadows. There was nothing at all on a Steffan Van White or any demon like he described. But like Leo said, we do have so little to go on."

"What about immortality?" Phoebe asked. "Did you find anything out about it?"

"Not much," said Prue. "Nothing that would help us here."

"Well, the potion isn't coming along too well," said Piper. "Like I said, I don't think there is such a thing as a generic vanquishing potion. It's hard to create a potion without gearing it to a specific person or creature."

"Well, we should be able to find out some more about him when he comes here tomorrow," said Prue. "But everyone needs to be on their guard. If he is a demon he might try something. Dad, under the circumstances maybe it would be best if you weren't here."

"Well I do have a meeting to prepare for," said . "And I'd probably just be in the way if something happened. But I do have some resources of my own. I could see what I can find out about Steffan Van White. Things that might not be common knowledge."

"That's a good idea," said Prue. "If he isn't a demon he might be up to no good in some other way. Whatever he's up to we need to know about it."

"Okay," said Victor. "I'll see what I can find out and let you know. Just promise me you'll be careful. I know Leo can heal you and all but I'd rather he didn't have to."

"That's always our goal, too, dad," said Piper, kissing him on the cheek. "And we will be careful. We promise."

"Good," said Victor, looking at his watch. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll call if I come up with anything."

"I'm glad he's not going to be here," said Phoebe. "He's not really prepared if this Steffan Van White is a demon and decides to try something."

"Well, you still need to get some rest," said Prue. "Piper and I can make the preparations for our meeting with Van White. You need to go upstairs and lie down."

"Okay," said Phoebe. "Just let me know if you need me for anything."

"We will, sweetie," said Piper.