Secret in Hiding
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
AN: I am going to comment on an anonymous review I got here. It's about Diana and Cassie's age. I made Diana the oldest because in the books she was older then Cassie. I don't remember any reference to their ages in the TV Show, so to me Diana is and will always be the older sister. Also to the same reviewer (you know who you are) I suggest you go back and reread my first chapter because I said the Blake's were the strongest and the Meade's the second strongest. That would make Cassie's magic stronger then Diana's magic. Okay I am done.
Chapter 2: Finding Out
Cassie heard the bang from hers fathers office. She had gone to the kitchen to sneak some of her father's secret stash of cookies for her and her sister. Her sister was upstairs waiting for her in their room. She paused as she heard the bang. She loved her father and everything, but didn't like it when he was pissed. He scared her sometimes. Even now when she was 16 and a powerful witch, sometimes when he was mad she felt like she did when she was a little girl. Right now she was really scared because the two girls weren't supposed to take cookies unless their father gave it to them.
John Blackwell walked out of the office. "Cassie," he said seeing the girl. Cassie turned around wishing she had let Diana get the cookie. Her big sister had offered, but Cassie said she could do it. Cassie was the shorter of the two.
"Yes father," Cassie said looking at the man.
"Are you and Diana done with your practice?" Blackwell asked.
"No father." Cassie was curious what was up with the bang, but she knew from the past not to ask. Diana please come, Cassie sent the thought up to her big sister. The two had formed a mental link with each other not too long after their father retrieved them. John Blackwell said it was because of the close sister bond they had.
Diana from her spot on the girl's bed ran down the stairs and to her sister right away. "Father, how are you doing today?"
"I would be better if my daughters were practicing their spells instead of stealing cookies." The two looked at each other. Cassie had put the cookies in her pocket and John Blackwell couldn't see them. They had no idea how their father knew these things. John held out his hand. "Hand them over."
Cassie took the cookies out of her pocket and gave them over to her father. "You know I give these to you two as a reward."
"Yes father," the two said together and looked at the floor.
"Now you know what happens if you're a bad girl." The two looked at each other and nodded. They waited for the pain of their punishments, but it never came. "I think I'll let you slide on it this time though." The two girls looked at their father shocked. In all their years John Blackwell had never let the two girls go if they had done something wrong. John then handed them back the two cookies Cassie had taken. "Enjoy."
We shouldn't, Diana thought to Cassie as the thought crossed both of their minds. They knew they shouldn't ask. They should just accept the gift and be quiet, but the two girls were curious. "Father," Diana said as John went to start to walk away. He turned around to look at Diana. "Is something going on?"
John Blackwell looked at the two. "You know, it's time I tell the two of you something. Come into my office." Cassie and Diana looked at each other. They had never been allowed into their father's office before. They followed John in and John sat at the chair at his desk. The two girls stood their standing looking at the computer John had there. The two girls had never seen a computer before. Since John had taken them when they were four they had no contact with the outside world. They did not go to school, John Blackwell taught them spells they needed. There was no TV in the house or phone. They were completely isolated and even if they wanted to leave they couldn't. The ward around the house stopped that from happening. The only place they could go outside was a small section in the backyard that was surrounded by the ward. This is where they go to practice dangerous spells.
"I'm going to be leaving for a while." This was not unusual. John Blackwell had left the girls on their own a lot of times before. They knew he left to spy on their siblings. To make sure they were doing okay. Usually he gave the girls assigned spells that they had to perfect before he returned and if they didn't well they were in trouble. "I'm going to get your siblings."
Did he say get? Cassie asked Diana in her mind.
Yeah, Diana replied.
"It's time to put your Circle together." The girls were shocked. They didn't know why. They knew this day was going to come eventually. "There is something you two need to do for me though." The girls looked at each other and then listened to John Blackwell explain to them what they needed to do.
-TSC-
Amelia walked into the kitchen still in her pajamas and sat down. "Amelia honey," Jane said looking at her daughter. She had seen her daughter like this for the last 12 years and it broke her heart. Amelia was never able to get over Cassie's kidnapping. "You have to let the past go. This isn't healthy for you."
"I couldn't protect her," Amelia said. Whenever they talked about Cassie it was always her. They never said her name.
"It's been 12 years since Cas..." Jane stopped as she saw Amelia's face, but then continued. "Since Cassie was kidnapped. You have to let Cassie go. You could have married Ethan, you could have been Adam's step-mom, and started your own family like Charles did with Dawn. You still can. You're not that old, you can still have a family, and Ethan still wants you. Let Cassie go. Mourn her, remember her, but please move on."
"I can't," Amelia said as tears came to her eyes and she put her head down on the table and cried. Years ago when this happened Jane used to bring her daughter into a hug, but now Jane just let Amelia cry.
The doorbell rang and Jane went to answer it. There was a man she didn't know on the other side. "Can I help you?" Jane asked.
"Is there an Amelia Blake here?" The man asked.
Jane looked over at Amelia. "Yeah," Jane answered. "Amelia pick yourself up and come over here." Amelia got up and went next to her mom.
"Yes," Amelia said.
"You're Amelia?" Amelia nodded. The man took out a piece of paper and a set of keys. "I was told to give you this and tell you what's inside the house now belongs to you."
"What?" Amelia asked confused as she took the letter and keys. "What's in the house?"
"I don't know. A man, I don't know who gave me these and said if he wasn't back in two weeks he was dead and paid me $500 to deliver this to you in those conditions. I'm done here." The man walked away leaving two confused behind.
"Mom," Amelia said looking at the note. "The handwriting. It's John's."
"John has been dead for 16 years." Jane told Amelia, but looked at the note. "He has been dead. Right?"
"I thought so," Amelia said. "What would he be leaving me though now after all these years if he was alive?"
"I don't know. What does the note say?" Jane asked.
"It's just directions." Amelia looked at the note. "Want to come with me?" Jane gave her daughter a look. "I shouldn't go alone without any magic. It could be a trap."
"You're going?" Jane asked confused.
"Yeah, with or without you."
Jane looked at her daughter. It was the first time in years she had seen a curious spark in her eyes. "Well, then get changed. We're going on a road trip."
-TSC-
Jane and Amelia had finally found the house. The house was hard to locate and the two had gotten lost a couple of times. "This place is..." Amelia didn't know how to answer it. There were no other houses around this house. In fact it kind of reminded Amelia of John's house back in Chance Harbor which was now abandoned. "So John."
"Yes," Jane agreed looking around. "What do you think is inside?"
"I don't know," Amelia answered not even going to guess. "Be ready." Jane took out the crystal from her pocket causing Amelia to look at her. "You brought that?"
"You said to be prepared," Jane answered.
Amelia walked to the door and put the key in. She slowly opened the door and the two walked in. "There doesn't appear to be much," Jane said looking around, but then heard footsteps.
"Father your bac..." The sentence was stopped as the girl froze and Amelia froze to. Standing in front of her was a teenage girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes holding an apple in her hands. Amelia knew just from looking at the girl that this was Cassie and she hadn't expected that.
Before Amelia could say anything both Amelia and Jane were thrown back and into a wall. Cassie went running up the stairs to the house dropping her apple to the floor. "Cassie," Amelia yelled running after her daughter.
She followed Cassie into a room and then stopped as she saw another girl there with Cassie. This girl had long brown hair and Amelia knew right away it was Diana Meade. "Who are you?" Diana said and lifted Amelia up into the air with her magic. Then Amelia felt as though she was be choked and realized it was coming from Cassie. Amelia realized her mistake right away. She had run after her daughter hoping for a heartfelt reunion, but Cassie didn't remember her and was now a dangerous witch. Not the little girl she knew.
"Stop," Jane called using the crystal to knock the two girls back and freeing Amelia. "You okay?" Amelia nodded.
"It's Cassie and Diana," Amelia whispered and Jane looked. The two girls were picking themselves up off the floor. Jane knew they were powerful witches and they were trained by Blackwell, but she also knew one was her granddaughter. She couldn't seriously hurt her.
"Your witches," Diana said looking at the two. "Did father send you or something?"
"You could say Blackwell sent us." Jane said realizing the two girls seemed calm now that they thought their father had sent them. They looked at each other and Jane had the strangest feeling they were talking to each other even though neither said a word. A smile came across their faces.
"This is unusual. Father has never sent anyone here before while he was away, but what does father say?" Cassie asked.
"Just one minute," Jane said bringing Amelia out of what was clearly the girl's bedroom. "I get why he would take Cassie, but why take Diana?"
"Diana is his daughter," Amelia answered. "Elizabeth cheated on Charles."
"You didn't think to mention this, I don't know, 12 years ago when they were taken. We could have found them if we knew they might be together with a powerful witch.'
"It didn't cross by mind." Amelia looked at the room. "What do we say to them?"
"The truth as far as we know it." Jane had a feeling there was more to this then either realized, but she couldn't help but feel happy. Her granddaughter was back in their lives. They had her back and now maybe Amelia would be happy.
They walked back into the room. The two girls were waiting for them. "Okay, here's the truth. This girl right here..." Jane put a hand on Amelia's shoulder. Amelia found she couldn't say anything to her daughter too shocked at seeing the teenager. "Is Cassie's mother. Your father, John Blackwell, took Cassie from her when she was small and Diana John took you from..." Diana paused. She had a feeling Diana wouldn't react well to father since John Blackwell raised Diana as his daughter "From your family as well, but we got a note today. You father has died and is returning you to us. You're leaving this house today."
Jane for some reason had expected the girls to be happy, but they showed no emotion at all. No sadness at the news of their father's death or joy at being returned to their families. Then again Jane realized they were four when they were taken. The only family they remembered was each other and John Blackwell.
"We can't leave this house," Diana stated.
"You're going to have to. Blackwell is not coming back for you." Jane took hold of Diana's arm and motioned to Amelia to do the same with Cassie. Amelia took hold of Cassie and the two started to pull Diana and Cassie away. Diana and Cassie looked at each other and started to laugh.
"We could just throw you off of us, but we'll show you instead." Diana told them and the two walked away from Jane and Amelia and went downstairs to the still open door. Diana and Cassie stood in front of the door.
"Well let's go," Amelia said and put a hand on Cassie's back. When she tried to pull Cassie along though she couldn't.
Jane realized it. "There's a ward up keeping them in." Jane stated and held up her crystal. She noticed Cassie and Diana look at the crystal and for some reason it made Jane nervous. "I can break it, but then I think we should call the cops." Amelia looked at Jane. "They are both considered missing persons. We have to bring the police in."
"We better call Charles and let him know too." Amelia took out her cell phone and dialed Charles phone number as Jane went to work on breaking the wards.
-TSC-
Charles Meade sat at the kitchen table eating dinner with his family. He smiled as he looked at Dawn and his kids. They had had two kids. One of them was a nine year old girl who they had named Elizabeth after Charles dead wife. They had considered naming her Diana, but to Charles that had felt wrong. The other was a six year old boy who they had decided to name Thomas in honor of Dawn's dead husband.
"Well I'm leaving," Faye said as she headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Charles asked his adopted daughter. After Charles had married Dawn he officially adopted Faye as his own.
"Out with Melissa, Adam, and Jake," Faye answered her father. Charles knew what Faye was doing. He knew Faye had found Elizabeth's old book of shadows and that now the four of them was practicing magic. To Charles it didn't matter that much since they would only have any real power with a member of all six of the families, which they would never have. The only two who could complete their circle was Diana and Cassie and Charles had accepted that the two girls were never coming back.
The phone started to ring and Dawn went to answer it as Charles asked Faye where she was going again. "Hello," Dawn asked and was surprised to hear Amelia at the other end of the phone. "Amelia, what are you doing calling?" Charles heard and was curious but decided to deal with Faye first. Dawn listened as Amelia explained everything to her. She was shocked to hear the news and everything Amelia told her. "I'll tell Charles." Dawn hung up afterwards and Faye was just on her way out the door after Charles had finally decided she could go. Charles liked being hard on the girl and to hear her excuses. She made up a lot of interesting things to cover the fact that she was practicing magic.
"Faye, sit down," Dawn ordered her daughter before Faye could leave. "I have something I need to tell everyone." Faye mumbled something, but decided to sit. "Charles that was Amelia. They found Cassie."
"That's great" Charles said happy for his friend. He knew how miserable Amelia has been since Cassie had been kidnapped. "Wait, dead or alive?"
"Alive, she's fine." Dawn told her husband.
"Cassie Blake?" Faye asked curious.
"Yes Cassie Blake," Dawn answered. Faye smiled. They were one member closer to a complete circle and real powerful. "Apparently John Blackwell took her."
"John Blackwell has been alive all these years?" Charles asked shocked.
"Who's John Blackwell?" Faye asked.
"Cassie's father." Dawn answered. "They didn't just find Cassie." Charles looked at Dawn shocked. "Apparently Blackwell decided he wanted to raise both his daughters."
"Both his daughter?" Charles asked having a feeling he did not like where this was going.
"Apparently Elizabeth cheated on you." Dawn told Charles as Charles shook his head mumbling no. "Diana wasn't biologically your daughter, but John's daughter."
"No, Diana was my daughter." Charles said.
"She was your daughter just not by DNA and she's alive." Charles looked at her. "Diana is alive and coming back to Chance Harbor."
"That monster raised my little girl." Charles said tears coming to his eyes. "She's my daughter. I don't care if it was his DNA. She was mine and he took her. I'll kill him."
"You're too late. He's dead. That's why we have them back." Dawn hugged her husband. "She's coming home. Diana is alive and coming home. Amelia will bring her home." Charles hugged his wife as he thought of his lost daughter and cried. Elizabeth and Thomas didn't know what to do not ever having seen their father cry before. Faye for her part had a smile on her face.
"Well I'll be going." Faye said and left the house before either of her parents could stop her.
-TSC-
Faye walked into the abandoned house to find her circle there. "Your late," Jake mumbled. The two used to date, but that had ended badly. The only reason why they talked now was circle business. Truthfully it used to be Jake's little brother Nick that was a member of their circle, but witch hunters had killed Nick. Jake who had been a witch hunter at the point had gotten pissed at his friends and left them to come to the circle.
"Yeah, where have you been?" Adam said and then looked at Melissa. The two had recently broken up and it was weird for them to be in the room together.
"Give me a break. Besides I have some good news." They looked at her waiting for Faye to explain further. "We're going to have a full circle."
"Faye, stop making stuff up." Melissa complained. She had long since accepted that they would never have a full circle. "The only two people who can complete our circle are Ms. Blake's lost daughter Cassie and..." Melissa paused for a minute, but then said "Diana." It had taken Melissa a while after Diana was gone when she was little to realize Diana was never coming back. That the man she had saw had taken her friend away and that Diana was gone forever. That memory haunted Melissa. No matter how old she got she remembered her friend running over to the man with the blonde girl and the man taking her friend away. Melissa had for a while blamed herself thinking she should have done something to protect her friend.
"I know," Faye told Melissa. "They are coming back." Everyone looked at Faye. "They've been found. They're alive and coming to Chance Harbor." Faye then explained to her friends what her mother had just told her about Diana and Cassie.
AN: Okay I'm done with this chapter. I will once again remind everyone to check out The Secret Circle Project. Please REVIEW.