Oh yeah, I do not own W.I.T.C.H. or any of the characters, the plot is totally a work of my twisted little mind...

Busted #15: Arriving Home

Taranee's POV

I got home before anyone else. My mom and dad must have decided that they didn't need to leave work early today. And there's just no telling where Peter is or what he's up to. But I'm willing to bet he's not out getting interviews like he told my dad.

He's been so strange lately. I really wish I knew what was going on with him

It was so quiet being in the house alone, peaceful like I have know in days. I almost jumped out of my skin when the phone rang.

I was so surprised when I answered the phone to find out that Irma's dad, Mr. Lair was calling to check on me. He told me that not only had Irma told him what happened, but the two officers I'd spoken to earlier today had also contacted him. He sounded really worried about me. I was so touched I felt a few tears slide down my cheeks.

He started explaining what I should expect when the officers came by to follow-up on the complaint. He didn't want me to be scared. He also told me that if they felt I needed to be removed from the premises that I should tell them that he and his wife have already filed papers to act as temporary guardians for me.

I tried not to sniffle too loudly in the phone, I really wanted to hear what he had to say.

The doorbell rang and I started down the stairs, still getting pointers and encouragement from Mr. Lair. At the same time, my mom walked in from garage. She looked at me coming down the stairs and said, "What are you doing out of your room and on the phone? It better not be that boy..."

She was cut off by the sound of the door bell ringing again. I swallowed, not knowing what to say then, sort of mumbled, "The phone rang so I answered it, I thought it might be you or dad. It's not Nigel. But then the bell rang, so I was coming to answer the door."

I was still holding the phone when I reached the landing and opened the door. There on my porch were officers in bright blue uniforms, Manly and Dane were right on time like they promised, Standing between them was Nigel. My heart skipped a beat just knowing that he'd risked so much to come and check up on me.

My mom scowled at Nigel and the officers.

"Good evening Judge Cook. May we come in? We need to speak to you?" Officer Manly asked, his expression serious and professional.

My mom stepped into the doorway, barring them entry and said in her most officious voice, "No you may not. There is nothing that we need to speak about, especially with that hooligan present."

"Judge Cook, we have a complaint of abuse filed by the nurse at your daughter's school," Officer Dane's deep voice carried easily through the closed door.

"Well then I will exercise my right to refuse your 'assistance'. I am not legally obliged to speak to you without a social worker present. Now please leave my property."

With that my mom closed the door in their faces.

I found myself alone with my mother and my heart began to race like a cornered deer. The look on her face was like nothing I'd ever seen.

"What did you do?" she all but hissed in a low, scary voice as she began walking towards me.

"Nothing, I just went to school...I got sent to the nurse and I told her the truth." The small landing was not the place to try to back up, I took one step and my foot hit the first stair.

"Hello! Hello! Taranee are you still there? What's going on?"

I'd forgotten that I was still holding the phone, Mr. Lair was still on the line.

My mom snatched the phone out of my hand and asked, "Who is this?"

"This is Sargent Detective Tom Lair. To whom am I speaking?"

"Well Sargent this is Judge Cook, and believe me your superiors will be hearing about your unprofessional conduct and contact with my daughter. Do not call here again."

My mom pressed the call end button with her thumb. Then in a fluid motion still holding the phone in her right hand, she back handed me across the right cheek.

I don't remember falling or crying out, I just remember looking up at my mom. The stairs pressing painfully in my back as she hit me again and again with the phone and her empty left hand.

"Do you know hat you've done? My reputation...my reputation will be marred with this little stunt! It will take me weeks, maybe months to smooth over but you won't succeed! You're my daughter and I decide how I'll raise you."

"Did you tell them what a little whore you are? I'll bet you didn't! That was your big mistake, I'll make sure everyone knows what a slut you are. Once the truth is know no one will blame me and there won't be any way to save your little gang banger."

"Taranee! Taranee! Are you okay?" Nigel's voice screamed through the closed door. "Taranee answer me!"

"Nige-"

My mom hit me so hard I saw stars. Oh how I wanted to just let go, forget everything and end this. The fire inside me begged for release, but it was not just fire that churned inside me, but anger and a need for revenge. Even as I looked at my mom's crazed eyes, I knew I couldn't do what the fire whispered.

"Taranee!" I could hear Nigel kicking and banging on the door.

My mom ignored him. "Go ahead cry!" she taunted as I tried to curl into a ball as both protection and a way to hold in the destructive force that wanted out.

That's when I realized the feelings I was experiencing weren't my own...the hate, the rage, the need to hurt were all coming from her.

That's when the door gave way, Nigel barged in, grabbing my mom and pulling her back and away from me.

My mom was quick, she changed her focus to Nigel, lashing out at his face with her nails. Nigel dodged, throwing himself at me. Covering me with his body, giving his back to my mothers attack.

And she did attack. As he curled around me holding me safe and protecting me, I could feel each kick and blow that landed against his body. My mother screeched obscenities at us with each blow.

Then there were no more blows, just my mother screaming at the top of her lungs. Nigel still held me tight but dared a glance back over his towards the sound of my mother's voice.

When Nigel's body lifted from mine, I saw for the first time the flashing red and blue lights shining into the room from the yard. Looking onto the porch I saw my mom, in the controlling grasp of Officers Manly and Dan, still ranting, promising them horrible retribution.

Nigel turned back and hugged me tight.

"Ow, ow, not so hard," I pleaded...my mom had landed quite a few good hits and I knew what a punching bag felt like.

Nigel released me and sat back, suddenly aware of my injuries...luckily I wasn't gushing blood from anywhere.

"Are you okay," he asked.

"Taranee?" Mr. Lair stepped into the house, quickly spotting us still at the base of the stairs. He was still in uniform, he must not have been home yet. "Thank God you're okay! I came straight here when your mom disconnected us. Luckily Dane and Manly saw me heading here too."

Mr. Lair pulled the hand control for his radio from its clip and called in a situation update. Then he re-clipped the control to his shoulder flap and bent to examine both of us.

I had a nice sized bump on the side of my head, several new bruises and I ached all over. Nigel had some pretty bad bruises too. After checking us both out, he told us we'd need to go to the hospital to be checked out.

I stood up, thinking we'd be leaving right then, when Mr. Lair told me to take a minute to pack a bag, because I wouldn't be coming back to the house tonight.

I think might be a lot longer than just tonight.

Cornelia's POV

I got home before anyone else. Normally, I'd be the last one home, spending the afternoon with the other Guardians or Peter. It's only been a day since I've seen him, but I miss Peter so much. Just knowing I won't see him until Saturday is killing me already.

Agh! It's Tuesday! And not even Tuesday night yet – so I can't go to bed yet to try to make tomorrow come quicker like I used to do on Christmas Eve as a kid.

Man was much simpler when I was a kid. Boys were a lot easier to understand then too.

I mean where is he? What is he doing? And why didn't he just tell me? Or better yet, let me come with him? Or help him?

I flopped back on my bed and released a frustrated sigh. I don't even have homework...

I stared at my ceiling, the single most boring thing I could find to do in my current mood.

I feel so hollow without my friends and Peter. This is doubly tortuous!

I heard my parents come home with Lillian after her soccer practice. There's no missing the thump-thump-thump of those little feet running down the hall. She's just so hyper...where does she get all that energy.

I felt so blah, with no energy at all, so I didn't bother getting up. Instead, I rolled to my side and wrapped my arms around my pillow and curled into a ball and watched out my window asthe last rays of light faded with the sunset.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Cornelia are you home?" my mom's sweet voice asked.

"Yes, I'm here."

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure," I replied in the same blah voice.

My mom opened the door, gliding in and quietly closing it again. She leaned against the door taking in my position and failure to even lift my head to look at her and said, "You're so quiet, are you okay?"

"I'm fine mom," I replied with a sigh as I fluffed my pillow.

"Oh, okay," she said, not pressing the issue as she sat on the edge of my bed.

I could feel her soft comforting touch as she smoothed my hair. Then my mom did the coolest thing any mom could do. She climbed into my bed and held me like she does when Lillian's sick. I think the last time she did that I had to be twelve. At the time I had felt I was too grown up to be treated in such a babyish way – but right now it was just what I needed.

She didn't say anything...she just held me tight and let me just...be.

Irma's POV

When I got home my house was bustling with activity. Which is really nothing strange when you consider how uber-active Chris is. That kid can fill a house all by himself.

Almost everyone was home. Mom was cooking. Chris was rolling in the floor wrestling with Caleb – who was letting him win. Only my dad seemed to be missing – he must have had to work late.

I was happy to see Caleb had gotten back before me. He called a quick time out with Chris, then stood up to give me a knee quaking kiss and said, "Hey, I brought a surprise with me."

I looked at him with a raised eyebrow and I was truly surprised when a small voice squealed behind me, "Surprise!"

I turned to find Elyon smiling gleefully behind me! Caleb had brought her back with him.

Elyon and I clasped in a hug, jumping up and down while squealing.

Caleb just sort of backed up to give us room.

When we finally calmed down, I asked, "So are you here early to help with the wedding?"

"Yes," she nodded enthusiastically.

"And no," Caleb added.

Okay that got my attention.

So I said the only thing that fit the situation, "Huh?"

"Something your dad said this morning got me to thinking, so I went to Meridian for Elyon's help to check some things."

There's something about Caleb when he starts working on a problem...he tenacious to say the least...but he's also got great instincts and is often right. So needless I was interested to hear what he was thinking.

"Okay so tell me what's going on."

"Well," said Elyon, this could turn out to be sort of big if what we suspect is right. We'll need a combination of the powers of Meridian and Earth and Cornelia's talents."

Caleb further explained, "I think we all need to be together that way we only go through this once. So I'll call Matt and the guys and tell them to meet us at Cornelia's house and you call Cornelia and tell her we're on our way."

"Oh and don't tell her I'm here...I want to surprise her too," Elyon beamed with glee.

"Wow, this does sound big. Okay. I'd better call the Lins too."

Cornelia's POV

"Cornelia!" my little sister screamed at the top of her lungs and I woke up. Actually me and my mom both woke up. She'd stayed with me until we both fell asleep.

I don't know if it was the nap or my mom's 'mommy powers' but I felt so much better than I had when I got home.

"Thanks mom, I said as she sat up and brushed stray hairs from her face.

"I'll go start dinner," my mom said as she headed out the door, like it was nothing I should have to thank her for.

I grabbed the phone off my night table and pushed the button, then yelled, "I've got it Lilian! Thank you!"

It was Irma, the conversation was short: they were coming over and we all needed to talk. I said okay and good-bye.

This can only mean one thing: Guardian duty is calling.

Cheers!