Author's Notes: This story has gone under some rewrite. Originally the last chapter completed was Secrets and Guys, that is still the case but because of the rewrite that episode now is told in chapters 10 and 11 instead of chapter 5 as was originally posted.

Chapter 6: Wendigo Part 1

Golden Gate Park – On the Street

Kayda stood beside Piper's jeep staring at the flat tire. She had Piper's phone to her ear and the back of the jeep open.

"Of course, I don't know what a jack is, Phoebe. I'm not from Earth, remember? Piper just wanted me to call to tell you that we're going to be a little late," Kayda explained, pacing back and forth around the car. She turned to face Piper. "Tell me you do know how to use that thing, Piper."

"I do, Kayda," answered Piper as she kicked the jack under the jeep. She stood and walked to the back of the jeep and looked through it. "Surely I have a handle." She sighed when she didn't find it. "Hey, there's a long wooden spoon, maybe that will work."

Quake

Phoebe ran a hand through her hair from where she sat next to Prue and Aurora at the bar in Quake. "Kayda tell Piper, that's not going to work." Phoebe started with a glance in Prue and Aurora's direction.

"Mmm… We need to give her basic car mechanic lessons," Prue agreed with Phoebe's silent remark as she played with the straw of her drink. She looked back behind them as a waitress called her name. "Um, our table's ready." She pointed out, giving the waitress a 'give-us-a-minute' gesture.

Golden Gate Park – On the Street

Piper pulled the long wooden spoon from the back. "Will that work?" asked Kayda both to Piper and to Phoebe.

"We'll see," said Piper as she gave the spoon a doubtful look before sticking it in where the handle would go and attempting to use it. In a matter of seconds, the spoon had broken in half. "Uh, it didn't work."

Quake

Phoebe could just hear the conversation between Piper and Kayda. "Okay, stay there and Aurora will teleport us to you," Phoebe offered

Golden Gate Park – On the Street

Piper took the phone from Kayda as she shook her head stubbornly. "No, we can do it. We can figure it out," she insisted while Kayda looked at her from where she sat in the back of Piper's jeep.

"Piper, you're stranded and you two having nothing to protect yourselves with except a wooden spoon that's broken," Phoebe pointed out in disbelief.

Piper looked at Kayda and sighed remembering this was supposed to be a casual night out, it was why neither of them were wearing Jedi robes and why Kayda wasn't carrying her lightsaber. She turned her attention back to the phone. "I have the power to freeze and both Kayda and I are Jedi. We'll be fine, it's better than mace." she argued and then heard a beeping on her phone reminding her of the nearly dead battery. "Look, I got to go before my battery dies. I'm going to call a mechanic. We'll meet you there in a little bit." Without waiting for an answer Piper hung up.

"I mean no offense, Piper," said Kayda. "But I can't wait till Earth has landspeeder technology."

"I know," said Piper. "Sometimes driving a car does have it's share of problems, such as our flat tire."

Quake

"Piper, wait!" Phoebe ordered, only to hear the phone click as Piper hung up. "Hello?" She called before slamming the phone back in its cradle and turning to Prue and Aurora. "She is out of her mind… You know, it would be nice if we had lightsabers."

Aurora sighed. "Phoebe, first off building a lightsaber is a rite of passage. It happens at different points in each Padawan's training. Aunt Buffy, mom and Uncle Anakin did not get to build their first ones at the same times. Second of all the use …"

"For defense, never for attack," Phoebe finished for Aurora.

"And lastly, tonight was supposed to be a night of relaxation," Aurora reminded her cousins. "It's why neither Kayda or I were carrying ours."

Prue smiled reassuringly at Phoebe. "We'll give them fifteen minutes, then Aurora can take us to them."

"Aunt Buffy said I can't use my power in view of the public," Aurora interjected. "Not till magic is revealed to the public anyways."

"We won't have you teleport us from here. We'll do it from somewhere out of sight of everyone else," Prue said. "I promise. We won't go against Buffy's orders."

Golden Gate Park – On the Street

"Hey, did you hear what I said? We're near the park. Hello?" Piper asked repeatedly as the phone died. She put the phone down looking frustrated. "That's just great. Now what?"

"I think I am going to ask Aunt Buffy for commlinks to be handed out," said Kayda looking at Piper's phone in disgust that it had died.

"That wouldn't solve our problem," said Piper as she glanced around the park for anything remotely helpful. "We could contact Prue, Phoebe and Aurora sure. But the mechanic wouldn't have had a commlink now would he?"

"Probably not," said Kayda with a sigh.

Piper's eyes stopped on the nearby telephone booth. She pointed toward it. "I might have a car phone charger in the seat pockets. Check while I go call someone else for help," she decided, walking off in the direction of the phone booth.

Kayda watched Piper as she shook her head. "And how do I know what it looks like," she called after Piper. She sighed and jumped inside the car to search for the phone charger.

Piper hesitantly walked across the grassy field, having second thoughts now that she was alone and the shadows of the night seemed to stretch endlessly. She paused when she heard twigs crack behind her and she turned back slightly. "Kayda?" She called cautiously, but with no sign of her cousin or anything else, shrugged it off and continued for the phone though her steps were larger and quicker.

She spun around upon hearing more breaking twigs, louder and closer than before. "Okay… you can do this… no need to yell for Kayda … it's fine. You're just freaked out 'cause it's dark." Piper murmured under her breath. Despite her own assurances she took off toward the phone booth at a run as she could have sworn, she saw a large, hairy creature in the bushes. Piper ran inside the phone booth and slammed the door shut, hastily reaching out for the phone to dial a number. She screamed and dropped the phone as the large creature began hitting the glass, trying to get at her. "Kayda!" She screamed as the creature pushed the box over with her inside and the door slid open.

Kayda's head snapped up from where she was inside the car. She heard Piper's scream echoing through the Force. "Piper…" She jumped out of the car in time to see the creature push the telephone booth over and begin swiping at Piper inside it. "Hey!" She yelled in an attempt to get its attention. She wished she had her sister's magical powers so that she could teleport. She dashed off toward it and at the same time held her hand out. With the Force she telekinetically lifted one of the decorative boulders that sat alongside the fountain near the booth and threw it toward the creature, slamming into it.

The creature turned, appearing mostly unfazed by the boulder hitting it, though it effectively turned its attention to Kayda. In a few bounds the creature had closed the distance between it and Kayda. The creature pulled its hand back for a swipe at Kayda, but stopped and looked up as a man ran out from the bushes with a flare gun.

The man pointed and fired, the flare hitting a nearby tree. The creature took one look at the flaming tree and took off. The man ran toward Kayda, but Kayda pointed toward the telephone booth.

"Piper!" Kayda yelled and the man changed direction.

He was the first to reach a dazed Piper. "Everything's going to be okay," he assured her, pulling out his phone.

Kayda leaned over the fallen telephone booth. "Piper?" She demanded a response; her eyes flickered to look at the bloody gashes along Piper's arm. "I wish we had commlinks!"

UCSF Medical Center

Prue led the way through the busy hallways of the hospital followed by Aurora and Phoebe. They were practically running toward the receptionist.

"I am Jedi Knight Aurora Skywalker," Aurora told the receptionist. "We are here for Padawans Piper Halliwell and Kayda Skywalker."

Andy looked up upon hearing Aurora's voice and moved around the receptionist desk to meet them. "Knight Skywalker, Prue, Phoebe."

"Andy, thanks for calling us," Prue said.

Since being told that magic existed. He did not question how the three of them got there so fast. "Hey, even if it wasn't part of my job as liaison to the Jedi Order. Piper's like my sister too," he said. "She's in here." He pointed toward a room. "Padawan Skywalker went to get a drink for Piper. She's fine." He assured Aurora after reading the silent question in her eyes. "I take it that Padawan Skywalker is …"

"My half-sister," answered Aurora. She led them into the room that Andy had pointed out.

Piper was sitting on the edge of the bed with a doctor putting a new bandage on her arm. He pulled the old one off and she gasped at the sight of all the blood. "Oh my God! That's a lot of blood," she exclaimed, feeling a little woozy.

Phoebe's eyes widened at the sight and Prue's mouth dropped before she hastily smiled reassuringly at her younger sister.

Aurora looked at Piper, she could feel in the Force that something was off with Piper. "Piper, how are you?" she asked.

Piper nodded nervously, pushing a strand of her hair away from her face. "Yeah, I'm fine," she answered unconvincingly. She turned slightly away from them to look at the doctor. "If I pass out and I need a transfusion, I'm AB negative. It's very rare, it could be a problem," she rambled as the doctor taped the new bandage to Piper's arm.

"Try not to look at it." Andy suggested with a small smile. "And just so you know, I'm AB neg. too. Plus, I love good food. Perfect donor.

"There is no need," Aurora said as they all looked at her. "While we do not yet have Bacta tanks setup on Earth. As you likely know there is a Mon Calamari ship in orbit. We can repair any damage up there."

"Master Skywalker," Phoebe said drawing Aurora's attention to her. "It's not that we have access to other medical technologies, it's the sentiment behind the gesture."

"Of course," Aurora said as she glanced at Andy. "I'm still getting used to Earth customs."

"Of course," Andy said.

Kayda came into the room with a bottle of water in one hand. "Here you go, Piper," she said handing the bottle to her cousin.

"You okay?" Aurora demanded even though there was no evidence of Kayda having been hurt.

Kayda nodded and hugged Aurora. "I am fine, Ro," she said.

"Ro?" said Aurora confused.

"It seems to be a common thing on Earth to have nicknames for those you love," admitted Kayda. She looked at Piper, Prue and Phoebe. "At least that's what these three have told me."

Prue looked at the exchange between Aurora and Kayda and smiled. She looked back towards the doctor that was finishing up re-dressing Piper's wound. "Uh, so no stitches?" she asked curiously.

The doctor glanced up at Prue. "No, it's not that deep."

"Ow," Piper interrupted as the doctor pressed lightly on her arm.

"Follow up with your doctor in the morning, though. Keep it dry, a little aspirin for the pain. You'll be fine," the doctor explained.

Piper glared at him, still unconvinced. "Easy for you to say," she snapped, trailing off at the warning glance from Aurora.

"You're all set, just sign this," the doctor finished, pulling out a clipboard.

Prue reached out to take it from the doctor. "Ooh, I got it." She turned and headed toward the receptionist desk where she would turn them in. Andy followed her.

Phoebe waited several moments as Piper jumped down from the bed and pulled her older sister into a one-armed hug. "Come here, baby." Phoebe's arm lingered around Piper. "I don't understand, why didn't you just freeze him?"

"We were separated and I was trapped in a phone booth. My power doesn't work outside the room I'm in," Piper answered in a whisper.

"The next question is, why didn't either of you contact us so I could teleport to you?" asked Aurora.

"That's what I was trying to do," answered Piper.

"Piper had me looking in her car for this charger thing for her phone," added Kara.

Aurora sighed. "While for things like this mechanic, a commlink would not have worked. I think having one available to we can communicate in case of emergencies would be a good idea. I will talk to Aunt Buffy about it."

"Oh my God, Billy!" Piper exclaimed, catching sight of the man that had the flare gun in the park.

Billy smiled slightly and waved at the group. "Hey, how are you?" He asked, his eyes flickering to look between Piper and Kayda.

"Billy, yeah, Billy, he saved our lives," Piper elaborated for her sisters' and Aurora. "Billy, this is my sister, Phoebe, and my cousin and Kayda's sister, Aurora."

"It's a pleasure to me you," Billy said "And I'm just glad I got there in time."

Andy looked toward Billy with eyes slightly narrowed. "Yeah, I'd like to talk to you about that. Along with that flare gun that you just happened to show up with."

"Inspector," Aurora said. "This is Jedi business. Two of our Order was after all attacked."

"Knight Skywalker," said Andy. "Piper and Padawan Skywalker weren't the first to be attacked. We have an open investigation into other people who have been murdered by this person. As the Jedi Order's liaison, I would recommend a joint investigation here."

"Agreed," said Aurora.

"Look, it's no coincidence I was there," Billy explained looking between Aurora and Andy. "I heard about the murder last night. The creature…"

"The creature?" Andy interrupted.

Billy nodded. "Yeah, that's right."

"Yes, creature." Piper agreed, turning to face her sisters, Aurora, and Andy.

"The only other word I can use to describe it, is Wookiee," added Kayda. "It wasn't obviously but it looked similar."

From behind Prue, Aurora, Phoebe, and Andy, another young woman headed toward the group. "Can you give a better description that just Wookiee?" she asked. "After all those of us from Earth have only seen one of that species and that was on TV during a press conference." She then stopped in surprise upon seeing Billy. "Billy, what are you doing here?"

"Same thing you are. Hunting that thing," Billy explained.

"Um, Knight Skywalker, Padawan Skywalker, Piper, Phoebe, Prue… Special Agent Fallon of the FBI," Andy introduced them to the newest arrival to their conversation.

Phoebe glanced at Agent Fallon appearing impressed. "Ooh, FBI. Cool."

"Phoebe," Aurora said with a roll of her eyes.

"Wookiee is the best description I have," said Kayda. "Piper?"

"Uh, okay, big, scary, strong…" Piper began with a shrug. "Kind of like a cross between a werewolf and Charles Manson."

Agent Fallon was studying Piper and Kayda curiously. "Yellow eyes?"

"Yes," Kayda answered.

"Talon-like hands?" Agent Fallon continued.

Piper nodded. "Uh huh."

Agent Fallon turned to face Andy. "Can I talk to you, Inspector?" She questioned, receiving a slight nod in return.

"Excuse me," Aurora said as she followed Andy and Agent Fallon down the hallway.

"This is …" Agent Fallon started.

"Technically speaking, this is Jedi business," said Aurora. "But since you are looking into murders, Inspector Trudeau as the San Francisco Police Department's Liaison to the Jedi Order suggested a joint investigation since two Padawan's of our Order were attacked by this creature."

"Very well," said Agent Fallon. "Miss Halliwell…"

"Padawan Halliwell," corrected Aurora. "We are addressed by our rank in the Order not by the gendered honorific."

"Of course," said Agent Fallon. "Padawan Halliwell and Padawan Skywalker were the first to survive an attack."

"Unlike that poor guy we found yesterday with his heart ripped out of his chest," Andy commented, crossing his arms and appearing thoughtful.

"Just like the killings in Chicago and New Orleans." Agent Fallon replied.

Andy nodded, not completely convinced. "Yeah, I've sent for the Coroner's reports."

"Why? I think it's pretty obvious this case is out of your jurisdiction, Inspector," Agent Fallon said.

"Again, Inspector Trudeau is the Jedi Order's Liaison," Aurora reminded Agent Fallon. "The moment Padawan Halliwell and Padawan Skywalker were attacked he had a duty to get us information for our investigation. And officially speaking our investigation does trump yours. The Jedi Order is a peacekeeping force for the New Republic and is currently doing double duty as the United Nations peacekeeping force."

Agent Fallon sighed. "These witnesses corroborate every other statement. According to their description this perp's not either animal or human." She explained, watching Aurora and Andy closely for a reaction. "You two didn't blink, I was expecting a response." She remarked in slight surprise.

"As Padawan Skywalker stated there are races out in the galaxy that match this creature," said Aurora. "Not a perfect match but share characteristics from what Padawan Halliwell described. There are also beings of supernatural origins right here on this planet. This creature could be either."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Kayda watched Andy, Aurora and Agent Fallon.

"What do you think they are talking about?" Phoebe asked.

"Likely the creature that attacked Piper and I," answered Kayda.

Prue turned toward Billy and took a step forward. "So, Billy, how did you know to use a flare gun?" she wondered curiously.

Billy looked up from where he was casually leaning against the receptionist desk, flipping through a magazine. "It's afraid of fire," he explained.

Prue tilted her head to the side quizzically. "How'd you figure that out?"

"Because when it attacked us, me and my fiancée, Laura, we were camping at Lake Michigan and I grabbed a log from the fire. It freaked and took off." Billy paused, taking a moment to recompose himself. "But, uh, not before it ripped Laura's heart out. It might as well have taken mine too. I came here to kill it."

Halliwell Manor – Next Morning

"If that thing last night wasn't demonic, I don't' know what is." Piper muttered. She was seated at the kitchen table, flipping through the Book of Shadows for the creature that had attacked them.

Buffy walked up to Piper and sat a cup of coffee down in front of her. "Do not worry, Piper," she said. "Andy was correct in suggesting that this needs to be a joint investigation. Not only so they can catch their killer but so we can catch whoever it was that attacked you and Kayda."

Piper stopped flipping the pages of the book and looked up. "I know."

Phoebe followed closely by Kayda came into the kitchen.

"How are you this morning, Kayda?" asked Buffy.

"I'm okay, Aunt Buffy," answered Kayda.

"Nice outfit." Piper said when she noticed that Phoebe was wearing a business suit instead of her Jedi Robes.

"Why aren't you in your robes?" Buffy asked as she looked at Phoebe. "Last night was for relaxation."

"I know the three of us are still in training, Buffy," Phoebe said as she sat down next to Piper. "But till Earth comes up technologically with the rest of the galaxy, we still have bills to pay. And a business suit kind makes a better impression than our robes do at a job interview."

Buffy sighed and nodded. She knew how that went. At the moment the Watcher's Council, thanks to Giles after he had taken over, was sending her backpay for her years in Sunnydale so she would be able to pay bills herself. "Alright," she said. "Maybe I was little too much of a stickler on the robes requirement. I will amend it to official Jedi business only, the rest of the time you all are free to wear whatever you want."

"Thanks," Piper and Phoebe said as they smiled at their cousin.

"So, how's the arm?" Kayda asked as Phoebe left heading for her job interview.

"Itches." Piper admitted, her eyes narrowed at the bandage in irritation.

"Piper," Buffy said, "you should have Aurora teleport you up to the Mon Calamari cruiser and have one of the medical droids take a look at it. It could be infected."

"It's not. It's fine," Piper argued stubbornly while she turned another page in the book. "Besides even if it was, I would just get the same model you have, Buffy."

Buffy sighed and looked down at her arm that had been replaced with a mechanical one when Glorificus had sliced it off. "You don't want to go down that road if you don't have to."

"Hey where is Prue?" Piper asked trying to change the subject.

"I sent her and Aurora to get your car," Buffy said. "And check out the area. Now while Phoebe has her job, you and I are going to be looking through your Book trying to ID this thing."

"I thought I was going to die last night. I was totally helpless and the only thing I could think about was that I was never going to see you guys again. And then the thing went after Paige and I couldn't do anything to help her either…" Piper began, her voice harsh in anger at herself.

"Be mindful of your feelings," Buffy said sensing the anger.

Piper nodded as she closed her eyes and took a calming breath. "…Then Billy just came out of nowhere. The creature killed the person he loved and he's out there all alone trying to kill it. I can't just do nothing."

"And we're not," Buffy said. "We need to know what we're up against."

"Aunt Buffy, I had a bad feeling when Agent Fallon was asking us questions. I couldn't exactly tell what it was the Force was trying to tell me though," said Kayda.

"Next time we talk to her, I will see if I can sense what you did," said Buffy.

Piper turned another page in the Book of Shadows, revealing a page titled the Wendigo. "Whoa," she murmured, recognizing it immediately as the creature she and Kayda had run into the night before.

Buffy and Kayda moved around the table to stand on either side of Piper. "A Wendigo," Buffy said as she read the page. "It looks human during the day but then it transforms at night. Sounds like a werewolf except for this next part. It survives by feeding on human hearts."

"Look at this," Piper said as she read from the book. "The first Wendigo was a mortal who betrayed by his lover, cut out her heart and ate it. As soon as he did, his own heart turned to ice and that's how he became this monster."

"So, what attracted it to us?" Kayda wondered.

"Okay it may be a distant cousin of the werewolf," said Buffy as she read further down the page. "It strikes during the three phases of the full moon. Which means it may try again tonight. I'll contact Andy and let him know that he can tell Agent Fallon."

Piper was suddenly overcome by a wave of dizziness as she stood up and she instinctively reached out toward Kayda. Kayda stumbled in surprise and Buffy reached out to steady them both. "Whoa… dizzy." Piper murmured, her grip tightening on Kayda's arm.

"You okay?" Buffy asked, letting go after Kayda had steadied herself and Piper.

"Must have stood up too fast," Piper said as the phone rang. She moved over to it and answered. "Halliwell residence, Piper speaking." She moved back to the table and sat back down.

"Piper, its Andy," Andy replied cheerfully. He was using his work phone and Agent Fallon was sitting in the desk across from his, working on some paperwork. "Just checking in to see how you were doing."

Piper glanced at Buffy and mouthed 'Andy' before returning her attention to the phone. "Oh, Andy, that's sweet. Um, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired."

"Yeah, well, you should be relaxing," Andy pointed out in concern.

"I'm okay. Listen, Master Naberrie is here and has some information for you," Piper said as she handed Buffy the phone.

"Hello, Inspector," Buffy said. "We have found out what it is. And if our information is correct it will attack again tonight. I will fax what we got over to you and you can relay it to Agent Fallon."

"Alright."

"I'm going to take a nap," Piper said as she headed out of the kitchen and into the living room.