Author's Note: Response to Reviews- A couple of you pointed this out: "It's 'is the coast clear', not 'is the ghost clear'". I realize that, it was a joke since they deal with ghosts on a regular basis. Sorry about the confusion ^_^
Unknown: 1. You said that you had seen me make that 'mistake' several times and I don't remember using it elsewhere. Could you e-mail me with the others? Thanks. 2. You mentioned you had numerous studies about genetic disorders with cousins, I also have numerous studies about that being a myth and that the studies were badly done and inaccurate. As always there are two sides and we never know completely for sure. Obviously if there is a history of genetic diseases in the family, two people from that family having children is going to increase the risks but not if they weren't there in the first place. I would have given some examples of websites here but I spent nearly an hour trying to get ff.net to upload the chapter and it wouldn't work with them in here so, if any one is interested, e-mail me and I will send them that way.
Disclaimer: I own nothing….well I do own a few things *riffles through purse and pulls out a piece of gum and two pennies* but none of the Charmed Characters except my own creations being: Priscilla, Brennan, Petra, and Pandora. Most of the characters will probably be in the sequel instead of this installment. Please don't steal them. They like it here with me. :)
Chapter Thirteen
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Paige blurted out.
As per the pattern when there was something they didn't understand, all looked to Chris.
He was staring off into space, a funny look on his face.
"Chris? Hellooooo…..Are you in there?" Phoebe waved her hand in front of his face.
He jerked back to reality, "What?"
"Do you know what it's talking about?"
He shook his head in denial, "I have no idea."
Phoebe scrutinized his face, "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
She wasn't convinced, she could tell something was off but she didn't push.
"Why is there only a piece of the sentence?" Richard inquired.
"If my history is right, the prophecies were all written on one piece of paper. It must have been torn in the wrong spot," Leo mused.
"I hope the other scrolls have more information. This one was so vague." Phoebe said, getting up from her chair.
"And little." Paige grumped.
Phoebe ignored her, "I'm starving, do you guys want anything to eat?"
Everyone starting rattling off what they wanted and while she tried to keep track, Chris slipped upstairs unnoticed.
Once inside Risa's room, he sat on the edge of the bed and tentatively took her hand, afraid that he might again see things that he never wished to. He felt pressure on his hand and glanced up at her face in surprise to see her eyes fluttering open.
"Chris?" She mumbled groggily.
A smile spread across his face, "Hey sleepy head."
"What happened?"
"You used too much magic. You know better, what were you thinking?"
"I wanted to help."
"By getting yourself killed?"
"It was worth the risk."
"Like hell."
She would have loved to get into a verbal battle with him but at the moment she didn't have the energy. "How long have I been asleep?"
"A couple days, I thought you would be unconscious for a week at least."
A small smile flitted across her face, "I've got strong genes. Comes from mom's side."
"Yeah."
"Speaking of 'witch', where's mom?"
"She's downstairs trying to curb the mad rush for food." Just as he was finishing, Priscilla's stomach growled. She looked down at it sheepishly, "I guess I'm a bit hungry too."
One of his eyebrows quirked upward, "A bit?"
"Ok, ok. I'm so hungry I could eat an entire antelope."
"An antelope? What are you, the Lion King?"
She swatted his arm lightly, "Hey, don't make fun."
He smiled and got up, "I'll go get you something. Be back in a sec."
***
Phoebe was standing with the phone to her ear, rattling off the list of requests for food when Chris entered the kitchen. She mouthed silently, 'Do you want anything?'
He shook his head and opened the fridge. It was practically empty. He checked the cupboard next and put a few things on the counter.
Phoebe watched curiously as he started up the stove and began dumping things in. She hadn't known that he could cook. She didn't finish on the phone until whatever he was cooking was almost done. Hanging up the phone, she ventured forward and peeked inside the pot.
"You're making minestrone soup?"
"It's Risa's favorite when she's not feeling good."
"You're making it for Risa?" She asked in confusion before understanding dawned on her face. "She's awake?"
"Yup."
She up the stairs before Chris had time to blink. He chuckled and began dishing the soup into a bowl.
When he joined them upstairs, Phoebe helped Priscilla sit up so she could eat.
After the first sip, she closed her eyes, savoring the taste. "I haven't had this in years. Thanks Chris."
He quirked a half smile, "No problem. I'm just surprised I remembered how."
"Yeah." She whispered, looking at her soup as she brought another spoonful to her mouth.
There was a wistfulness to the air, and Phoebe almost felt as if she was intruding.
A loud yawn broke the silence and Priscilla smiled sheepishly.
"Good thing you didn't do that with a spoonful of soup in your mouth." Chris joked, taking the bowl and setting it on the bedside table.
Priscilla reached out her hands for the bowl back, a pretty pout on her face.
Chris laughed, a real, actual laugh, and wagged his finger at her, "No more soup until after you rest. At this rate you're going to fall asleep with your head in the bowl."
She mock scowled at him before consenting and burrowing into the covers. "Night mom."
"Night sweetheart."
They slipped out of the room and down the stairs. The food had arrived and everyone was stuffing their faces at the table. Richard nudged a couple boxes toward them and Phoebe took one, examining the contents. When she was satisfied that it was indeed what she had ordered and that one of these obviously horribly starved people hadn't eaten it, she settled down and dug in.
She offered Chris some but he declined, saying he wasn't hungry. Now that they were away from Priscilla, she could see that something was indeed off about him. She wanted to talk to him about it but now wasn't the time. Right now, she wanted her Chinese.
***
There was no other way to describe Charnaurus at this moment but completely and utterly pissed off.
"How hard is it to get one little scroll from three witches?! I don't care if they're the bloody Charmed Ones! I need that scroll! The end of the last sentence is missing and I must know what it says! All depends upon it! It could change my plans drastically!"
His minions bowed low and each hoped that he wasn't in the mood to kill any of them.
He calmed down somewhat, "Has Lir finished with Balor yet?"
"No my lord."
"I suppose this will have to wait until then. But when that hour comes, you had better not fail me again."
***
The Manor was relatively quiet for the next week with no demon attacks. But instead of being relieved, it had the occupants in a constant state of paranoia, expecting them to show up at every moment. Phoebe and Chris had managed the convince the others not the press Priscilla until she had her strength back.
Jason began emerging more and more from the hole he had put himself in as he thought things over but he wouldn't even broach the subject of magic. Yet. Phoebe was just glad that he hadn't left completely. With him still at the Manor, it meant there was still hope. He was surprised to find Priscilla there but when it was explained that she was a witch too, he said he didn't need to hear anymore.
They had decided it was best to keep Wyatt up with the Elders. Just in case. Piper hated it but agreed. Leo took her up to visit him everyday and though it was awkward at first, they secretly enjoyed each other's company.
Priscilla's magic still hadn't returned but she was well enough to move about the house freely so they all sat down to have a meeting.
"Risa, let's start with how you found out about Charnaurus."
"As I'm sure Chris told you, I can borrow powers but not very often because it drains me. I shimmered to the dwelling of the Three of Three. It houses the Fates, the Hesperides, and the Graces. I sought the council of the Fates. They informed me of Charnaurus' plot to get the scrolls."
Leo nodded and spoke sadly, "While you were unconscious the Hesperides were killed and two of the scrolls taken by Charnaurus."
She paled, "They're dead?"
"Yeah," Phoebe patted her hand, "but the good news is that one of them swallowed the smallest scroll and we were able to retrieve it. It was Paige's. Pretty vague but-" She stopped when she saw the look on Priscilla's face. "Are you ok?"
"Ye…Yeah. I'm fine." She refused to look at Chris as his eyes burned into her.
Phoebe had had enough, they both knew something about that fragmented sentence, and she was going to find out what.
Right now.