"I don't understand. What the hell happened!?" Wyatt queried as he and Chris stood back in the Halliwell manor, having orbed out shortly after Reese had disappeared and reassuring Casey that they would find her.

"I'm not sure. I went to get drinks and when I came back she was walking out the door. I went after her and...God, Wy, I've never seen her look like that before. Her eyes...They were black." Chris explained and Wyatt saw the fear in his eyes and knew something was very wrong.

"We need to find her." Chris continued and Wyatt agreed with a nod.

"Can you sense her?" Chris shook his head, pain clearly written across his face.

"Then we'll have to find another way."

3 weeks later

The walls were dank and moist, crusted over with dead moss and scorch marks and the floor was covered in dust and filth but Reese sat amidst it all the same, her hair hanging in tattered oily streaks and her eyes surrounded by dark shadows. She had long since abandoned the silky beautiful dress for torn grey pants and a frayed brown jacket, the white undershirt streaked with blood from a painful gash across her ribs from attempting to attack a demon, one whom she hadn't realised was an upper level demon and who was quite capable of fighting back. Her rage had disintegrated over the weeks she had spent in the Underworld, protecting herself from discovery by charms and spells but her magic was wearing thin and she was left only with a deep sadness that consumed her every thought, her every memory. All her thoughts had begun to unravel and rewind, eventually all coming to one conclusion. She needed Chris Halliwell, she needed him or she feared she wouldn't survive this. And a small piece inside of her cared greatly whether she lived or died and it wasn't willing to let go. She released a steady sigh, hissing as her side throbbed with white hot pain and the growing infection that had begun three days beforehand. She hunched against the wall of the silent corridor she had hidden herself in since the attack and let her protective guards down, let the last of her rage subside and the bitter exhaustion overcome her. She sat in silence for what seemed like hours, though it had been days and weeks she had spent alone with only her mind to keep her company. Reese let her head fall forward, defeat and tiredness overtaking her and the need to be home filling her every breath. The feeling of someone touching her hair shocked her out of her reverie causing her to jump and bat away at whoever it was before looking up into concerned emerald eyes and soft hands running through her hair.

"You came." She choked out quietly, her voice sore from screaming and crying out her rage. He didn't speak, only wrapped his arms protectively around her and orbed them home, preparing a hot bath for her and all the while in silence. Reese bathed slowly, letting the hot water run over her grimy skin, washing the stench from her hair and shaving her legs. She savoured the feeling of happiness and comfort that the manor gave her and closed her eyes. She got out and dressed and grabbed a cloth from the bench to dab at her inflamed wound, the skin tender and rough. Chris came in to check on her, noticing she was hurt and dressing her wound carefully before leading her to her room, all the while a tentative and protective arm wrapped around her waist. Reese fell beneath warm covers, her head hitting soft pillows and she breathed deeply, the familiar scent of her bed filling her nose mixed with the spice of Chris's aftershave and her clean hair.

"Stay." She whispered, her voice already laced with sleep. She felt the bed move beneath her, felt familiar arms pulling her close, felt warm breath against her lips and she opened her eyes momentarily, stared deep into his eyes and saw the reassurance she needed and the answer she had wanted to know for so long. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers tenderly as the warmth of his lips pressed gently against her own and the world faded away...