Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed, but the WB does.
AN: A review would be nice!
AN: About Payton being "too good", it was explained partially in the last few chapters, and then it'll definitely be explained in the coming chapters, which is Phoebe and Cole centric.
Chapter 8: Anew
Selia worked in a room filled with cabinets lining all the walls. Hovering over a smoking cauldron, the Oracle threw ingredient after ingredient into the brewing potion. When the smoking stopped, she smiled and examined her creation. Nodding in satisfaction, she filled a vile with the blue liquid and glimmered out, arriving in the Source's throne room a few seconds later. Scanning the area, she saw the Source sitting in his throne, his head resting in his hands. He appeared to be in thought, and had yet to notice her. "Hello, Payton." Selia cooed making her presence known.
Payton's head jerked up, and a smile appeared on his manly features. "Hello, yourself." He replied, not even bothering to ask how she knew his new name.
Making her way towards him, she handed the demon the vile of potion. The flickering torches gave the blue liquid a vibrant glow. "I made this for you." She said after a moments pause; letting him go was going to be the hardest thing she'd ever have to do.
Looking down, he had no idea what the potion was. "What is it?" He questioned, his voice betraying his curiosity.
"It's for your memory. It'll fade your memories out to the point you won't really remember anything that happened. Of course, they'll always be within your mind, just not in the front." She finished with a smile.
Payton shook his head, pushing the vial back into her hands. "There's no point in taking it. I would never be able to forget what happened. But most of all, I would never be able to forget you."
Selia smirked at Payton. "Oh yeah? Why's that?" She prodded, already knowing the answer.
Payton blushed, but looked into Selia's beautiful eyes. "It's because I love you."
"I know." The Oracle responded, her smile widening.
Shock laced Payton's face. Glancing up, he hoped she was telling the truth—because if she were, then there'd be the possibility of her returning his love. "You do?"
Selia nodded. "Of course, I do. Why do you think I found your tomb in the first place? Why do you think I orchestrated the plan to free you? I told you I didn't do it to help evil, I did it because you're the only one for me. I can't have the love of my life stuck in a tomb for all eternity now can I?"
"No, I guess you cant." He shook his head, trying not to laugh. She loves me, he was screaming in his mind. "You'll wait for me then?" Payton asked with hope in his eyes.
"Of course, I will. I foresaw this was going to happen. I knew it'd be some time before we are together." Selia replied, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Payton smiled down at the woman he loved. She kept him from fully embracing his dark side, his demon side. She kept him from giving himself over to the evil that lurked inside. And for that he was eternally hers. Leaning in, he gave her a tender kiss filled with emotion. After a short while, they both broke the kiss off. "Stay in my tomb. You'll be safe there. If you ever need help, or protection, go to my mother. She'll help you, ok?" At Selia's nod he continued. "I'm sorry, but I have to do this. Stay safe, my love."
Selia watched with tears in her eyes as Payton flamed out. "You stay safe, as well." She whispered. Taking one last look around the throne room, the Oracle glimmered out into Payton's tomb.
Payton arrived in front of the manor. He knew his mother told him to just come in but until he was truly part of the family, he felt more comfortable ringing the bell. Taking the blue liquid out of his pocket, he gave it a curious look before downing it. He took a deep breath then reached out his hand and rung the doorbell. Piper opened the door with a smile. Seeing Payton, she knew right away what he was here for. She could already feel the excitement Phoebe would surely have. Waving him in, she walked him up the stairs and into the nursery.
Leo and Cole had been working on it non stop over the last two days. They had created a new door that connected Phoebe's room and the nursery. The new set of furniture that was made for Payton added to the affect of it being an actual nursery. Cole was just finishing up on the door when Piper and Payton walked in. "Payton, you're here." Phoebe chirped, walking over to him and giving her son a hug.
Payton smiled, embracing his mother fully. "Yeah mom, I'm ready. But there is something I must ask of you all." Upon hearing Payton's proclamation, Leo and Cole both stopped working and turned their attention towards him. Looking at everybody's expectant faces, he began. "There is a woman; an oracle. Dad, and you, uncle Leo, have met her before, her names Selia. I beg of you, if she ever comes here for help, to protect her. Please?"
Phoebe nodded, remembering her son has already found love. She had to date tons of guys before she met mister right, and here he is already meeting the perfect woman two years after he was conceived. Talk about unfair! "Of course, we will hunny, you needn't have asked. I know you love her, if she ever came here I would have protected her with my life anyway."
"Thank you, mom. Ok, well, we better get started." He smiled. " My memories are beginning to fade. If I'm not a child soon, I might forget all about you, and begin attacking." The group all walked up into the attic where Wyatt and Paige were. Phoebe asked what her son did to cause his memories to fade on the way. "Selia made me a potion to fade away my memories. I'll still remember everything but it'll be in the back of my mind. She didn't want me to have to remember attacking my family." Payton said, answering his mother's question.
Wyatt walked over to where his cousin was with a smile. "All you need to do is step into the crystals, then I'll say the spell. It shouldn't hurt but if it does I'm sorry."
Payton hopped over to the crystals. Just as he was about to step into the middle of the circle he stopped, and let out a deep breath. "You're sure you want to do this?" He heard his father say.
"Yes, and remember I am sorry about everything that happened." Stepping into the circle he closed his eyes. Wyatt gave a look towards Phoebe; once he received the nod he began the spell.
"Demon of great power, decline in age within the hour. Infancy is your rightful place, now turn back in a haste."
Payton began to shrink instantly. After a few minutes, he was in teen years. A few minutes later he was a child. And with the last wave of shrinkage, he was an infant. His clothes, which once fight him to the t, now smothered him. Phoebe rushed over to the bundle of clothes, when she heard the crying.
Cradling her baby boy in her arms, tears began to roll down her face. Cole walked over and took a peak at his son. His features were smaller and chubbier, his skin lighter, and his eyes were wide. Even the former Source of All Evil could look innocent as a baby. "Better go put some clothes on him, Pheebs. Don't want him to catch a cold." Piper told her sister.
After Cole and Phoebe walked out of the attic with Payton, Wyatt turned to the rest of the family and said, "It's time for me to go."
Piper nodded in understanding, knowing this was going to happen. "Did you write a spell yet?"
Wyatt reached into his pocket, took out a piece of paper and handed it over to his mother. "Yeah, all I need is the power of three to read it."
They waited until Phoebe returned; a vibrant smile still laced the young witch's face as she entered. Piper had never seen her so happy. It seemed her happiness was contagious; everyone in the room had a smile of their own on. After saying their good byes, Wyatt prepared himself to go back to the future. With a nod to his family, the sisters began the spell.
"Return the son to whence he came. Make it quick make it fast. Return him to the future from the past."
Wyatt's body glowed a bright yellow as his image began to fade. With one last burst of light, Wyatt Matthew Halliwell was sent back to the future. Immediately after, the feeling around the group was a solemn one. "I miss him already." Piper pouted, still looking at the place her son left just seconds before.
Paige walked over to her sister, and rubbed her back. "Don't worry, that little guy's going to grow up to become him." She consoled, while pointing at the boy in Leo's hands. Piper opened her mouth to respond, but the ring of the doorbell interrupted the conversation. "I'll get it. I wonder who that could be." Paige called out while make her way down the stairs.
Two beings dressed in black robes paced around a demon sitting on a throne like chair; the demon, however, seemed not to notice his visitors. His head rested upon his right hand, while his eyes were closed in agony. Every move the demon took looked like it hurt. One of the beings stopped in front of the demon, and bent down to where their faces were even. "Your powers have not yet returned have they, Tempus? You were once the greatest of all demons. Now, you are nothing; you master no time; you no longer are the devils sorcerer, are you? Join us, and your powers shall return ten fold. You will be a master of not only time, but space, as well." He whispered, although the echo carried all around the cavern. The great demon jerked up. Opening his eyes, he looked straight at a salt and pepper goateed man.
Paige opened the door for a tall blond boy, who had light brown freckles scattered across his cheeks and nose. The boy looked no older than thirteen, but yet had an aura of maturity to him. The stranger gave Paige a warm smile, as if he knew her. Paige, although having no idea of who the boy was, could have sworn she saw this face before. "Ah, who are you?" Paige said with slight wariness. She wouldn't be surprised if this was a demon in little boys clothing.
The boy's smile faded a little, and a look of hurt crossed his features for a second. "It's me, Paige. Tyler." Tyler replied, frowning.
It took Paige a moment before recollection showed on her face. "Tyler? What are you doing here?" She asked, surprised.
Tyler sheepishly, scratched the back of his head. "Well, it's a long story, can I come in perhaps?" He inquired, looking over the woman's shoulder.
Paige moved out of the way so the boy could walk in. After escorting him to the living room, she called for her two sisters to come down. When Piper and Phoebe both walked in with their babies in their arms, Tyler gaped in shock. "You have kids?" The boy exclaimed.
Phoebe's never ending happiness grew even more. "Yes, this is Payton. Isn't he so cute?" The witch said holding the baby up so Tyler could see. "Oh, and that right there is Wyatt." She finished pointing at the baby in Piper's arms.
"How old are they?" Tyler asked while looking at the two.
Phoebe gave a look to Cole. Payton, in truth, had no age yet. He was never born, nor was his life normal. She was saved when Piper spoke. "They're both almost a year and a half. Now, onto why you're here, Tyler?"
Tyler looked at everyone in the room. Except for Paige's hair color, and the two babies, they were all exactly how he remembered. Piper's caring aura still swayed him into feeling like being at home in the house. With a deep breath he began his tale. "Well, the parents I had are having kids of their own. They don't want me anymore, so they shipped me back to the social workers. But, I don't want to be shipped around anymore. I want a home. I want a family. I want you guys to be that for me. I want to live here."
Everyone looked at each other, as an air of indecision engulfed the group. They all felt for the orphan, but was it enough? The house was full as it was, and plus, with Payton and Wyatt on their hands, they would have no free time for Tyler. And that was something they all silently agreed wouldn't be fair. Seeing the faces of the gang, Tyler spoke up. "Please, I'll do chores, I'll do whatever you ask." He pleaded, desperately. He didn't want to be shipped from family to family; and if they didn't say yes, then that was something that was bound to happen.
"Tyler, could you go into the other room while we talk about this?" Piper asked looking down at the boy.
With a nod, the blond haired teen began to walk out. Noticing the two babies in their mother's arms, he spun around. "I'll be a permanent babysitter. Whenever you need me, if you let me stay." Once he saw the smiles on Leo and Cole's face he walked out of the room; knowing that he put a seed in the grown ups mind.
"So, what are we going to do?" Paige said taking a seat on the couch. She liked the boy, in truth, and honestly didn't see a problem with him living with them; except, of course, the demon attacks.
Phoebe sighed. "Can we really take him in?" With Payton with them now, the first time mother was worried she wouldn't have the experience or time necessary to take care of Tyler.
"Well, he has no where else to go." Paige replied.
"Where will he sleep?" Argued Piper.
Cole stepped in. "Well, I can make him a room in the basement. I mean, hopefully Leo could help, but Wyatt's going to need a room sooner or later."
Leo nodded in approval. "We can probably get it done in a week or two."
Piper dropped her head in her hands. "I don't know." She sighed, running her hands over her face. It wasn't that she didn't like the boy; no, it was the opposite. She cared for him deeply. He was the one who showed her, her motherly instincts. Without him, she doubted she'd be as good as a mother as she was to Wyatt.
"He has no where else to go Piper. We can't just let him be thrown from family to family." Paige stated.
Piper, nodded, realizing she was outnumbered. "I know, Paige, but can we really afford it?" She asked, grasping at straws.
"Don't worry about money, Piper. With my raise from the paper, Paige working as a social worker again, and the club doing how it is, we're fine. More than fine, actually." Phoebe responded.
Piper looked up at her sister. "I don't just mean money, Phoebe, I mean demons as well."
Leo entered the conversation and rubbed his wife's back. "Well, he is a fire starter, Piper. We can give back his powers."
"Is everyone against me?" Piper scoffed. Looking around, the oldest sister saw everyone nod. She sighed in defeat. If the rest of the family was ok with him living here for now on, what could she do about it? It wasn't like she didn't want him here, she just didn't know if they could handle another body in the house. It was cramped as it was. "Fine. Cole, you and Leo better make do on your promise." Piper said eyeing the ex-demon.
"What do you say, Leo? It'll be fun. Just the two of us." Cole smiled while hitting the elder on the back. Leo, although not as thrilled on the idea, smiled back with a nod.
"Tyler, come back in here." Paige called out.
The blond haired teen walked into the room; he was sweating with nervousness. As Paige was about to talk, Tyler put up his hand. "I want you to know, that even if you don't want me to stay here, I want my powers back."
"Well, we were going to give your powers back anyway. But by what you just said, I take it you only came here for your powers. Not because you want to stay here." Paige said a little hurt. Here she was arguing for him, and he didn't even care.
Tyler shook his head. "No, I want to stay here more than anything. But, I cannot deny myself. Those powers are apart of me. Since I'm older now, I believe I have the responsibility to control them. The responsibility to use them for good."
Phoebe was shocked. Over the last two years he really has grown up. "That's very noble of you, Tyler. So would you like to stay with us then?"
A huge smile came across Tyler's freckled face. "You mean it? I really can?"
"There are some conditions, though." Piper reminded.
Tyler turned and faced Piper. "What are they?" He would do anything to live here, no matter what Piper said, he knew he'd agree to it.
"Well, you must help Leo and Cole build your room for one. And if you really want your powers back then you must work to control them. We can't have you starting fires randomly. Is that understood?" Piper spoke in a voice that clearly said she meant business.
"Of course. But I can stay right?" Tyler grinned, jumping up and down.
Piper couldn't help but smile. "Yes, you can stay."
Tyler ran up and gave her a big hug. "Thank you. Thank you so much." He cried, tears of happiness running down his cheeks. He finally had a family. A family that would love him, take care of him, and treat him like an equal.