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...

Chapter 20: At What Cost?

Will's POV

I flew out of Matt's window, I didn't really have a plan – I just know I'm not going to school. Since Matt felt the same, I had to wonder: "What do I want to do?"

For the first time, I'm not thinking about what my mom would want. For the first time I can really focus on what I want: Matt and me.

But what does that mean? And what had it cost me to gain the ability to make him my first concern?

There's just no way around it. Every decision cost us something...just this time my decision cost me the home I no longer felt able to stay in. For me the cost is starting over – by myself, with no safety net but my friends and Matt. Thinking back over the last two years we've all been through so much. Haven't I been paying all this time? Fighting to keep two worlds safe, fighting to take back Matt from Nerissa's hold, and most of all fighting with my mom to be able to do the right things for my team.

Strange but all this time, my life, most of my day was planned around what my mother required of me: school, homework, chores...after those priorities were taken care of, I found a way to fit things like the Guardians, Matt – Matt always seemed to be last on my list.

I don't think we're like Irma and Caleb – I want to be with him and marry him someday...but what about today? How do we stay together until we're both ready for more?

"Ugh! Come on girl pull it together! Just take things one step at a time." I shook my head to clear the cobwebs and refocused on where I was flying.

Out of habit I headed toward the school, suddenly realizing I didn't even know where to meet Matt. I perched on the school roof out of site and began scanning the ground for Matt's denim jacket.

Would he come here looking for me?

I was so busy scanning the last day of school crowd, I was startled when Shaygon landed behind me.

"Matt!" I exclaimed.

Even though I couldn't see his smile, I knew it was there as big as day behind his mask.

In deep tones that made my knees weak, Shaygon said, "Let's get something to eat then I have something I want to show you."

As soon as I said, "Okay" Shaygon scooped me up into his arms and took to the sky. I was a little shocked to find myself flying and not be my own pilot...I mean having wings for the past two plus years means that I pretty much expect to be the one doing the flying.

I took a deep breath and said to my boyfriend, "You know I can fly for myself. You don't need to carry me."

Shaygon never loosened his grasp or made any move to change his direction, as he replied, "I know but I like it this way, so just enjoy the ride.

Hmm, I guess that settles that.

We flew just a few blocks away, landing in a side alley next to Matt's favorite coffee shop. Unseen we changed back to normal then rounded the corner to join the crowd starting their day with a cup of hot joe and a scone. The clerk took our order for two mochahistos, a sausage breakfast sandwich and a slice of coffee cake

As we moved to seats with our drinks and food, Matt and I sipped our drink in unison. Proclaiming at the same time, "Umm."

It's funny enough that we like our coffee the same way, and that we're both total caffeine slaves, but the way we both moaned – almost orgasmically – at the same time for said coffee addiction was just too much and we burst into a shared fit of laughter.

What can I say, we love a good espresso to start the day.

What a great way to start the day!

Taranee's POV

For the second time today, I opened my eyes to the world after a brief but needed catnap after finishing a sex tri-fecta with Nigel. Unlike the first time I woke up, there were no scary dreams...no feelings of dread. Instead, I was warm and snug, held close to Nigel's heart as he watched me sleep.

I opened my eyes, to stare in to his soft brown orbs. Nigel held me, his right hand stroking small, soft circles on my hip as he leaned on his left elbow watching me intently.

I lifted my arm carefully, giving him time to adjust to my movements before I allowed a power stretch to take over my muscles.

"What?" I teased, wondering what he was thinking about my bruised and swollen face.

As if he somehow sensed what I was thinking, Nigel replied, "I was watching you sleep and thinking how beautiful and perfect you are."

A silly grin spread across his face as he leaned in to capture my mouth in a kiss.

For a guy that claims he's not a 'lady's man' he sure was saying and doing all the right things today. I couldn't help but meet his smile with one of my own.

When Nigel slanted his mouth over mine again, capturing my lower lip for a deep sensual kiss, I was sure we were headed for another round lovemaking.

That is until my stomach rumbled its need for food.

Nigel pulled back from me, a laugh forcing it's way free from his mouth, as he said, "OK let's get dressed and head downstairs, I could use some food too."

We each made a quick bio-trip and dressed. Then we went downstairs to find Irma lounging on the couch intently watching television while nursing a bowl of cereal. She waved hi to us as we walked past to the kitchen.

Mrs. Lair kept her kitchen pretty well stocked – there was lots of quick breakfast food: fruit, toaster pastries, but as I looked around the refrigerator, I found the best breakfast option of all: the ingredients for french toast.

"Do you like french toast?" I asked Nigel.

"Oh yeah," he replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Cool, I wonder if Irma would want some too," I mused out loud.

Nigel began pouring us juice and replied, "Probably not she was just eating-"

"WRONG!" Irma stated firmly from the doorway behind us holding the empty bowl. Then she continued with a smirk, "If Taranee's making french toast put me down for three slices."

"Three slices? Three?" I asked staring at the empty bowl.

Irma walked to the sink and deposited the empty bowl then turned and pointed with both hands to her stomach and clarified laughingly: "Pregnant woman here!"

Nigel and I found ourselves bursting into laughter at my best friend's antics.

"What about Caleb, does he want any?"

"Nah, he's not here, he's out training."

I nodded and made enough mix for french toast for three people seasoned with just the right amount of cinnamon to make our mouths water. Nigel worked beside me frying up bacon to go with our meal.

We finished eating just before noon, when the doorbell sounded. Irma went to answer it as as Nigel helped me clean the dishes.

I didn't think much about who could be at the door until, I heard Irma saying loudly, "Excuse me! You just can't walk into my house!"

Nigel and I grew quiet listening to the proceeding in the living room. There were two people talking to Irma, a man and a woman. From what we could hear they were looking for me.

A feeling of dread filled me, like a lead weight in my stomach. I turned and whispered to Nigel to leave out quietly by the back door. Then I turned back to listen to the continuing discussion as it became more and more heated.

The two people had stepped into the doorway without Irma's permission and she was not happy about it – refusing them any further entrance and absolutely no information in response to their requests about me.

"- consequences for your interference." Was the last part I was able to pick up from my hiding spot.

I stepped into the living room as Irma responded, "Consequences my Great-Aunt Fanny! I know this much...you don't any court documents or right to be in my house and you need to leave right now before I call the police! And believe me, they'll come quick because my dad's a cop."

The two visitor work the traditional black suits with classic lines that told me instantly that they were from the county services or the court house – some area my mom had influence and could use...use to get me back.

The man, a rather dull looking guy with a medium length salt and pepper hair seemed to be the team leader – he spoke the most. The woman a stocky blond with her hair pulled back into a severe bun stood at his side nodding in agreement to everything he said.

Seeing me at the kitchen entrance both of the visitor's attention left Irma – which was probably not the smartest thing for them to do, because she's feisty and sort of volatile if she thinks the situation merits it.

"Taranee Cook," the man began, but the next word out of his mouth was, "Ow!" Irma had grabbed the closest thing, an umbrella that had been leaned beside the door. With her makeshift weapon, Irma was poking him non-stop in an attempt herd him and his partner out of the house.

The man chose the wrong moment to get fed up with Irma's attempts to defend me and her home.

"You little bitch!," he said as he reached out and snatched the umbrella from her and pushing her back, just as I saw a shadow come up behind him.

In one swift movement, Caleb grabbed the man's hair hair with one hand, the back of his suit with the other. The man never heard Caleb's approach and was completely surprised, losing his hold on the umbrella, so that it clattered uselessly on the tile entry.

Caleb used his grip on the man's head to swing him around to face the door, then banged his head – once, twice, three times against the door frame before he released him to stumble onto the porch and land soundly on his bottom as a trickle of blood escaped his overly pointy nose. Then Caleb turned his attention to the woman, where she had silently watched all that transpired.

From my spot across the room I could see her shake as Caleb's truly pissed gaze took her in. Now Caleb is a true gentleman, but people like Nerissa (even though she's his mother) and Miranda have taught him that sometimes it really is okay to hit a lady.

And somehow I think that my mom's little messenger girl figured out that she might just be in trouble.

"Leave,"Caleb's voice was low and gravely. And I swear she jumped two inches when he said it. As Caleb stepped into the doorway, he fixed his gaze on the woman and watched her inch back out the door she had entered without permission – never taking her eyes off Caleb.

I moved to stand by Irma's side, just in time to see the woman almost trip over her partner. Upon realizing that he was blocking her exit, she stopped long enough to encourage him to his feet. Once salt-and-pepper guy was standing beside her, I guess she felt brave, because she chose then to speak up.

"You haven't heard the last of this we have the law on our side. Taranee can come with us now and this will go no further, or she can fight us and I can guarantee her she'll end up doing time in a juvenile facility. And just you wait you," she sniffed her nose at Caleb who had obviously just finished a run, "...you...you ruffian... you've just accosted an officer of the courts. There will be a a price to pay!"

Calmly, Caleb stared her down and replied, "There is always a price to pay. Your friend entered my home without permission and refused to leave when my wife asked him too. Then he verbally accosted her, calling her a derogatory name for defending her home. I was well within my rights to remove him using force. But if you really want to play the game of who's more right...you should talk to the man standing behind you."

Irma and I stepped forward in unison to get a better view out the door. Peeking around Caleb we saw standing at the base of the stairs: Mr. Lair, in full uniform looking greatly distressed and more than a little pissed.

Seeing this as an opportunity, the salt-and-pepper guy, began speaking around the handkerchief he held to his nose, "Mr. Lair I presume, I am Beckham Wellsey and this is Prue Dante."

At his side, the woman, Prue, gave a quick nod – affirming his statement.

Beckham continued, after a final wipe to his nose, able to once again speak without interference, "We came today as representatives of the court and the Cook family in an attempt to solve these distressing issues before they escalate any further or cause any more damage to the family's well-being and status."

Irma's POV

I'm pretty sure that Mr. Wellsey thought he was diffusing the situation – smoothing things over as it were. And I'm sure it would have worked if the guy wasn't such a clueless tool.

My dad took a deep breath and released it real slow...always a bad sign...it means he's trying to calm down before he responds when he knows he's upset.

Ms. Dante mistook my dad's silence as acceptance of their story and began speaking, "Mr. Lair, as an officer of the law, you're a logical man, you understand the need to handle these type of situations with expediency. If you could just convince the girl to come with us, it will be better for everyone."

When I heard that load of bald-faced bunch of crap, I saw red! Better for everyone, only if you agreed with things like Phobos would be a good mayor for Heatherfield!

I guess my dad felt the same way, because before either of them could speak again he held up his hand, and strode purposely up the stairs. He got right into Mr. Wellsey's face and was about to go nuclear just as a familiar silver Jaguar pulled up in front of our house and parked behind a plain gray sedan.

Out popped the stylishly cut blond head of Elizabeth Hale, flashing a fabulous smile.

"Oh, good...you're still here," she said cheerily towards the two suits as she closed the door and headed up the walk.

I think we were all caught off guard not only by her arrival but by her off the cuff statement. She seemed almost happy that they were still here...

Mrs. Hale was wearing a tan and cream colored designer pant suit that accentuated her long slender frame perfectly. She carried a sand colored hobo bag and wore a pair of peep-toe spiked heels that matched the bag perfectly. She wore several large pieces of jewelry that were obviously very expensive as the stone sparkled in the sunlight. With every step, her hair bounced and swayed catching and reflecting the sunlight...it was easy to see where Corny got her moves and confidence. Mrs. Hale was the very picture of affluence and power.

Her heels clicked rhythmically on the pavement. She moved with confidence until she stood on the porch beside my father. There she gently edged him back with her elbow, then extended her hand to the two suits.

"Hello I'm Elizabeth Hale," she smiled and introduced herself crisply, then asked, "And you are?"

The suits were slow to recover from Mrs. Hale's insertion into the situation. The woman, Ms. Dante, began to stammer, "Uh, um, I'm Prue Dante and this is Beckham Wellsey."

Mrs. Hale nodded vigorously, holding the other woman's attention, as she returned, "Ah, yes. A pleasure Ms. Dante, Mr. Wellsey. May I assume you represent an office of the court here today?"

"Why yes," Ms. Dante paled at the directness of the question. Suddenly they had lost all momentum to the blond powerhouse.

"Yes, yes," Mrs. Hale continued at a crisp rate, "And which office would that be?"

Ms. Dante flashed a quick look at her partner, still somewhat off guard. In response the man began digging in his jacket, pulling out his wallet and flashing a government ID as he answered, "Child protective services, Ma'am."

Mrs. Hale leaned forward and inspected the proffered identification and nodded quickly, saying, "Yes, yes, that seems to be quite in order."

I felt like I was watching a chess match being expertly played. Even though I knew she was positioning these two for a fall, I was not sure what her next move would be.

Without losing any momentum, Mrs. Hale lifted her gaze to Mr. Wellsey and asked, "Now may I please see your orders for this specific case?"

Neither of the two suits made a move to pull out any documentation.

Puffing up like a an ostrich I'd once seen at the zoo, Ms. Dante suddenly felt the need to re-assert herself and asked in a prim voice, "I'm sorry Ms. Hale, your line of questions in this instance is completely inappropriate as this is not a public matter that we are here to tend to, our orders are none of your business. Furthermore, your interference here could be seen as keeping officers of the court from their duties."

"Really?" Mrs. Hale batted her eyelashes like the woman had said something truly fascinating. Then she smiled and re-extended her hand to the woman and said, "I'm so sorry too. Maybe I didn't adequately introduce myself. I'm Elizabeth Hale of Hale, Baily and Kellerman Attorneys At Law. My office is representing the interests of Taranee Cook, a minor, in regards to a case of abuse witnessed by three officers and a second teenager yesterday. I asked for your orders in hopes that we could compare orders to quickly determine which court had prominence in this affair."

As she spoke, Mrs. Hale slid her bag off her shoulder and pulled out a large envelope with an official seal on it. This envelope she freely offered to the two intruders with a smile.

Mr. Wellsey reached first for the envelope opening up and pulling the thick package out enough to red the top half of the first page. While he read, everyone except Mrs. Hale waited expectantly, she on the other hand calmly stepped back, replaced her bag on her shoulder and clasped her hands lightly in front of her.

Me, Caleb, my dad, Taranee and even Ms. Dante waited on pins and needles while Mrs Hale was the picture of composure and calm.

Then it happened – Mr Wellsey paled and slid the papers back into their holder as he cleared his throat.

Mrs. Hale nodded as she said, "As you have not offered any court orders that contract mine, let's just assume your visit here today is 'off-book' and in preamble to anticipated court directives. But I believe these orders issued by Judge Silverman clear up any ambiguity that you or Judge Cook hoped to take advantage of today. As such, I think we can all agree as to how this situation will end today?"

"Um, yes...it seems your documentation is in order...we'll be leaving now." For his part Mr. Wellsey, nodded looking away from Mrs. Hale's direct gaze and started to turn away. Ms. Dante looked to her partner for some sort of explanation as to how they had lost the high ground they felt so secure on when they barged into my house. When she received no sign of what was going on she turned on her heel towards the steps with her partner.

As Mr. Wellsey's foot touched the bottom stair, Mrs. Hale cleared her throat and said, "Oh, just one more thing..."

I saw Mr. Wellesey's shoulder tense as he waited for her next words.

"Mr. Wellsey, Ms. Dante please be advised that your little visit hear today is an unlawful attempt to remove a minor from their court ordered place of respite. Your little favor for Judge Cook," Mrs. Hale held up air quotes to emphasis the word 'favor', "will be reported to the board of review and I assure you that at the very least you'll both be fired. And if I have any say about it – you'll face criminal charges for falsely implying that you were representing the courts in an attempt to put this child back into the hands of her abuser even as you looked at her and saw the wounds inflicted on her by said abuser just yesterday. I am sickened by the way you have chosen to disregard your first responsibility as CPS workers and officers of the court."

Coming down the stairs my dad placed one hand around the upper arms of Wellsey and Dante.

I've gone to work with my dad every year since I was six for the "Take Your Kid to Work Day" and I've seen him use this move a million times – it hurts to be gripped there and my dad has pretty strong hands.

With a hold on both, Dad guided them towards the gray sedan, they obviously arrived in.

"Let me be very clear," my dad said in a firm, loud voice, "Do not make the mistake of trespassing on my property ever again. Furthermore, please be advised that the entirety of today's events have been captured by my cruiser recorders and I will be submitting said evidence with the charges Mrs. Hale files."

With that, my dad released the two and we all watched as they got silently into the vehicle and pulled away.

That's when Taranee's knees gave out and she sank to the floor sobbing.

We won this battle with a lot of help from our friends...but at what cost?

Cheers!