Author note: Hi, I am back for now, sorry it took so long, but real life came knocking on the door and I had to answer. I have had quite a busy period, but I managed to write this. I hope you like it and please review it. Enjoy!
An acquaintance
The next two weeks Grissom and Sara discovered their powers in the basement of Aelithe's home. The weeks passed without interference of magical creatures. Grissom and Sara however felt like their eyes had been opened and started to see more and more signs of magical creatures. They were learning to use magical potions and spells and feeling more and more confident that they would be able to deal with the turn that their lives had taken. The only thing that hadn't been dealt with yet, was the powers and responsibilities that came with the Power of Love. When Grissom once more asked for clarification on that point Phoebe answered: "We don't know really much about that. Only the things that the Book of Shadows tells us. Leo has asked the Elders, but they say that someone else will contact you and discuss those things. Sorry." With that the matter was resolved as far as Phoebe and Paige were concerned. Piper realised that Grissom and Sara wanted to hear something else: "Listen, we really don't know more then you on the Power of Love. Before we met you we had never heard of it. In time everything will be explained, have patience." Sara softly snorted at that. Grissom usually told everyone around him to be patient, evidence and tests couldn't be rushed. Only Grissom heard her snort and turned to her, raising his eyebrow. Sara merely lifted her shoulders and focused on the metal objects she was supposed to draw to herself. Sara couldn't appreciate the irony that fate had: for years she and Grissom had shared an attraction to each other, but it had taken Grissom several long years to react to that, now all Sara had to do was focus on an object and everything with the slightest hint of metal would fly to her. Sara had also learned how she could make a barrier using vibrations in the air, Sara had been right with her guess that her powers were all related with physics and she was very glad they were, with her education this meant that Sara had a good understanding of her powers and how to use them to her advantage. Grissom in turn had learned that he could summon every insect he knew and order and control every summoned insect. Because Grissom knew quite a lot of insects and their behaviours and ways of protecting themselves and inflicting harm on others, he also understood his power. Surprisingly Grissom and Sara could easily continue working in the Crime Lab.
After a long shift, Grissom and Sara returned home to get some sleep. They hadn't expected anyone to be in their home, but on the couch a man, clad in black with a neutral expression, was seated. Grissom was the first that had come in and saw the man. Sara noticed that Grissom had stopped walking and looked over his shoulder to see what had stalled Grissom, she saw the man that rose from his seat. His eyes were trained on Grissom. Sara could feel that Grissom had summoned some insects, the tiny vibrations rang threw her body clearly. Apparently the intruder had also noticed something: "You don't need to summon your little fighters."
"Who are you?" Grissom simply asked, not dismissing the crawling insects. Sara realised that Grissom was on his guard, he had been much more the last weeks.
"I am an acquaintance, or rather you and me have a mutual acquaintance."
"Who?"
"Death. I am the angel of Death. You take care of the living when someone dies, I take care of the one who dies." Something in his posture made Sara realise that he was telling the truth. But his identity didn't reveal why he was here, so Sara asked him: "We are not dead, why are you here?"
"I was sent here to tell you about your Power." That answer made Sara and Grissom visibly relax. "Why did they send you?"
"Because Death like Llove is neutral. It knows no right or wrong, it just is. You can't fight death, nor can you fight love. I believe that you have already discovered that." The man pointedly looked at Grissom. Somehow realising that it was Grissom who had most tried to fight love. Grissom saw no reason to deny it: "Yes. Let's sit down."
"I have to give you this." The angel of Death conjured up a book. Sara took it and together with Grissom looked at the cover. The book was old and looked like the Book of Shadows, except the title showed it was the Book of Eternity. Sara was reluctant to open the book in front of the man that had given it to them, she looked up to the face of the angel of Death. "It is the Book of Eternity, it is given to the guardians of Love, it contains information on magical creatures, demons and other information you need when you are the guardians of Love."
"Thank you." Sara didn't know what else there was to say.
"You don't have to thank me, it belongs to you for as long as you are the guardians of Love. I have to tell you more." Grissom and Sara lead the book down on the coffee table and turned their attention to the angel of Death. "Usually I have to teach people that death is objective, that it does not know good or bad. You two already know that. Love follows the same rules. Love knows no bad or good. Love knows no difference in skin colour, age, magical or non magical. Demons also fall in love. You, as the guardians of Love can be called upon to help anyone who has problems or misunderstands love. This means that you might have to help two demons who love each other, but don't want to admit it. You might have to help a non magical person come to terms with the fact that the person he or she loves has magical powers. You will have to educate people on love. But first and foremost you have to realise that Love is objective, it knows no good or bad. Exactly like the biblical verse says."
"Why have you come now and not before?"
"Because you were novices into the magical world, before you could take on this challenge, you had to know how to defend yourself. Do you have any other questions?"
"Yes, who can we call on when we need help?"
"You can always call on the Elders and I believe you have a witch friend in Las Vegas, you can always go to her."
"Will we meet you again?"
"Our paths will cross again, since we both deal with Death on a daily basis, but you might not get to see me, each time. When They deem the time has come for us to meet, we will see each other again." The Angel of Death looked to Grissom and Sara and saw that they had no other questions. With one final wave he disappeared, leaving Grissom and Sara alone to consider what had just had happened.
"Let's have a look at this Book of Eternity." Sara suggested, grabbing the Book from the coffee table. The first page depicted the picture that they had seen in the Book of Shadows. The next page told them the same things the Book of Shadows had told them about their powers and how they would be recognised. The following pages yielded more information on the magical world. They found a page with information on the Charmed Ones, the Halliwell sisters. They found a page on Aelithe, the Guider and Witch and they found a page on the Lure Demon, that they had defeated. Together they leaved through the Book and found information on all kinds of demons, Warlocks, Elves, Leprechauns and other magical creatures. They found additional information on the Angel of Death and the Elders and several recipes for potions and incantations. "Griss, we will need to go shopping, where do you think we can find these ingredients?" Sara pointed to an ingredient that was so foreign to her, that she couldn't pronounce it. Grissom smiled and nodded: "Maybe we should make sure no one finds those things in our home, they might think we practice dark magic."
"They wouldn't be far off." Sara pointed out, Grissom merely glanced at her. For the next hour they softly discussed the contends of the Book. Finally Sara looked up and said: "Maybe we should call the Halliwells and Aelithe, to let them know that we have gotten our Book."
"That is a good idea." But before Sara could reach out to grab the phone, someone knocked on their door. Sara opened the door and saw a mirror image of herself, standing on the doorstep. Before Sara could say anything the woman spoke: "Please, I didn't come to hurt you, I came to seek the help of the Guardians of Love." Sara saw from the corner of her eyes that Grissom was coming, as he stepped behind Sara, his response confirmed Sara's suspicions. "Debbie Marlin?" All though Sara had seen the woman on a slab, she hadn't been sure.
"I only assumed this image, so you would be intrigued. My real form is this." The woman changed before their eyes: her hear turned black and grew, her face got a ghostly white shade and her eyes turned a deep purple. "My name is Marlina and I need your help." Grissom and Sara recognised her as one of the Demons that had 'graced' the pages of their Book. Still slightly unsure, but remembering the words of the Angel of Death, they reluctantly let her in.
"Why do you need our help?"
"It is to break the evil curse that was cast upon me and another demon: Marlon. Every time he comes close to me, I can do nothing but stare at him and I turn into a mumbling dimwit. People have told me it is Love. I need you to break it, so I can be the great demon I am, with him present. How else is he going to notice me?" Sara and Grissom looked at each other, they were unsure who would start. This was a completely new terrain, when they were on a crime scene, they didn't need much more then a raised eyebrow to know what the other meant, but this was new. Somehow the silent agreement was made that Sara would start: "We can't break love, we guard it. We can help you understand it and accept it, but it won't go away because of a spell, just like it can't be conjured by a spell, it happens." This didn't seem to comfort the woman: "So it was no curse or spell?"
"No."
"Then how can I stop it? How can I stop feeling what I feel whenever Marlin is close? How can I show him that I am a great demon, worthy of his attention?"
"You can't stop feeling what you feel. It is in your heart, your heart tells you how you feel. Nothing will help you stop feeling the love you feel for Marlin."
"That is terrible, I am a great demon and I can't help becoming a mumbling dimwit when he is around? That won't do, you have to do something." Marlina pointed accusatory to Sara, who took one step back as Marlina stepped forward. Grissom intervened: "Do you ever feel anxious when Marlin is gone? When you know he might be in danger?"
"Yes, that is also annoying, how can I help when I am frightened of losing him? Although I have to tell you that sometimes that feeling makes me feel more powerful and ready to fight."
"That is also Love. Love doesn't have only bad sides, it doesn't make you weak. When you accept that you love someone, that Love can make you stronger."
"It can make me stronger?" Marlina hesitantly asked, clearly not convinced.
BANG!! With a white flash the front door was blown up. Shocked Grissom, Sara and Marlina looked at the gaping hole, where dust billowed up and down. After several seconds the silhouette became visible through the dust, it came running in to the house, shouting: "Keep your hands off her." Then the figure skidded to a halt a few feet away. The angry man focused his anger towards Grissom, pinning him with his eyes. Grissom didn't recognise the man standing before them, but he did recognise the danger that radiated off the man. Luckily Marlina knew the man: "Marlin, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I told you not to go and visit the Guardians, but you did. I am here to make sure you don't get vanquished."
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much." Marlina indignantly huffed. "Do you really think I would come here, without any protection? Yeesh, you really don't know me at all do you?"
"You won't let me get to know you. I am sorry, I thought you would need help. Don't you know that I am always worried about you?"
"You don't need to worry about me. I wanted to find a cure for this Love between us."
"Can they give us a cure?" Grissom and Sara had the distinct feeling that neither of the two demons were paying attention to them.
"Can you?" Marlina turned to Grissom and Sara. Sara negatively shook her head: "We already told you Marlina, we can't help you. Love is not a curse that can be broken."
"So what do you suggest we do?" Marlin asked, focussing on Grissom, clearly expecting an answer from him.
"Accept that you Love each other, turn your attention to the positive sides of Love, work together and grow stronger together. Don't fight what your heart tells you. Only by accepting that what is between you, you can turn your attention to resolving that tension. Your live will be much easier if you just accept that you Love each other."
"So you can do nothing about the uneasy feeling that we have when we are together?"
"It will go away once you have accepted that it is Love that makes you feel that way, you will grow more comfortable with each other and more confident in the presence of the other." Sara said.
"What if it doesn't work?" Marlina asked. Sara raised her shoulders: "What harm is there in trying, if it doesn't work then you can come back to us and we will try to find another way to help you."
"Okay, but if it doesn't work, we will be back and maybe we will just kill you then." Marlin said, clearly not happy with the way things had worked out. "Come Marlina let's go." Marlin lifted his arm, beckoning Marlina to stand next to him. Together turned around and vanished into thin air.
Grissom and Sara released a sigh, in the silence that had reigned in their home, it sounded impossibly loud. Neither knew what to say, so both opted to remain silent. Sara turned towards Grissom and subsided into his arms, where she stood just holding Grissom, letting the tension that had flowed through her body leave through him. Eventually Grissom laid his hands on Sara's shoulders and softly pushed her from him, he searched her eyes before he said: "Are you al right? No scratches from the exploding door?"
"No, you?"
"No I am fine. Lets hope our advice helps them." Sara simply nodded.